Page 33 of Stormy Knight
The EMT stopped him, cutting him off, “You’ll just be in the way, sir, the firefighters are doing everything they can. You have to let them do their jobs. Don’t be the reason they can’t get that done.”
The words had him settling down. He was in no shape to go back into the building and find her. He wanted to argue, wanted to go back in and help, but he knew he would be in the way. He had to trust the firefighters. He had to trust that Stormy wasn’t still inside.
20
Jackson and Monroe stood on the sidewalk, frantically waiting for news of Reeves. The bright blue, red, and white lights were a stark contrast to the dark brick buildings. A barricade of police cars and emergency vehicles blocked both entrances to the restaurant.
They stood with their backs to the growing crowd gathering behind them. The spectators wanted a glimpse at what was happening. Jackson and his family were trying to catch sight of Reeves and Stormy. Stretching their necks they tried to see anything. The sounds of chatter on the radios were sharp as commands were shouted into the air. None of it mattered.
The police didn’t care who the Salvadors were. They weren’t getting closer to the scene than the main road. Jackson felt Whiskey holding onto him. He knew she was struggling to keep herself together. All of them were. Staring down at her he saw her tear-soaked eyes, and then watched her lose the battle as those unshed tears crested her lashes and fell down her pale cheeks. He wanted to tell her their loved ones were safe, but he couldn’t, wouldn’t lie to her. He could, however, hold on to her while they waited for any news.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Jackson could feel the trembling fear running through her. “Have faith, Whiskey.” Brushing a strand of hair from her face he tucked it behind her ear. Even in that soft moment he couldn’t hide his own fear from his wife. She saw through his hard exterior seeing his own worry as it hung to him like the humidity that made up the Texas heat. He heard her voice crack as she spoke the words trapped in his mind and throat.
“What if we lose them, Jackson?” she asked, her words thick with the fear.
Jackson didn’t answer right away as he heard Monroe speaking next to him. His voice harsh from worry was now almost excited. “Reeves.”
Tracking the direction Monroe was pointing to beyond the chaos of officers, yellow tape, and bright lights. Jackson saw Reeves being carried out of the building. Stepping forward, he tried to get past the police tape. “Hey that’s our brother,” he called out to the policeman standing closest to them.
“I’m sorry, sir, you’ll have to wait here. We can’t let you enter the scene.”
Jackson didn’t like being dismissed or told no. Still, he’d have to be patience as they waited to see Stormy brought out. Surely, she’d come out next.
Stormy opened her eyes, finding she was inside a moving car. Her head rested against the seat. Throbbing pain in her head had Stormy aware of her situation. She knew she was in a sedan, and glancing to the side she saw Paul. Easing closer to the door, she tried the door but couldn’t get the handle to work. Without warning he punched her in the side of her head, stars burstbehind her eyes from the pain. She knew how to fight, and this was a fight for her life. The last thing she had expected after weeks of nothing was her ex kidnapping her. The one thing she did know was she wouldn’t go willingly.
Balling up her fist she lunged towards Paul striking him. She managed to catch him in the side of the face, causing him to jerk the car. Stormy tumbled forward landing against the dashboard. Shoving away from the dash she went for him again.
When he regained control of the car, Paul raised his hand to strike her again. Using her forearm, she blocked Paul’s fist as he tried striking her. He grabbed her arm, dragging her across the seat. She knew he was going to hit her again, so she swung with everything she had. Her fist connected twice before the car skidded to a stop.
Paul grabbed her by the hair twisting his fist in it and pulled her head back as a gun was shoved into her mouth. “If you want to stay above ground, Stormy, you’ll fucking sit still.” He didn’t remove the gun from her mouth until she nodded that she understood.
He removed the gun from her mouth and the car began to move again.
He might have said she had to sit still, but he didn’t say she had to be silent. “What are you thinking? Do you know who is looking for you now?”
The car veered, taking a hard left turn and running a redlight as oncoming cars horns blared at them. Stormy refused to show Paul she was scared. Taking in her surroundings she noticed he hadn’t taken them back towards the interstate.
“I’m not worried about that pussy you’ve been screwing.”
“You should be, because he’s mafia.”
“Bitch. There’s no mafia in Texas.”
She watched silently tracking where he was taking her. Stormy staredstraight ahead. All she needed to do was keepwatch for open businesses. When the car stopped, and Paul opened the damn door, she’d make her next move. She took enough classes to know how to sweep his knee and get away. She also ran every day. Paul, on the other hand, wasn’t a gym rat or a runner. But he did have a gun she thought chewing on her lip. Would he actually shoot her?
The car rolled past an area littered with old warehouses and vacant lots. Some buildings were overgrown with weeds. Some barely still stood.
The area wasn’t visible from the highway. You would have to pull off and deliberately come this way to even know the warehouses were there. That didn’t give her any kind of comfort.
If she were able to get free, would anyone find her? Glancing out the car window, she wondered where would she hide if she did manage to get away? Paul would probably catch her before she even found a hiding spot. But if she stayed in the car, Paul would hurt her. That she was sure of.
Then she thought more about it as the car turned the corner heading back towards a more popular area. Watching as they came closer to a lone redlight she readied herself to jump from the vehicle.
The car barely slowed when she pulled the door handle attempting to open the door. She felt Paul grab her arm to keep her from jumping, he yanked her backwards, slapping her in the head before slamming her against the dashboard. Her head hit so hard, she fell back landing against the door. Her back banged against the armrest that jutted out.
Closing her eyes, Stormy prayed Reeves was okay. He would find her.
“If you’re thinking about that asshole that had his hands on you. I left him to burn alive.”
