My talents lie in hacking and electronics. I’ve never been the type to get physical; I’ve always stayed in the back. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember.
“Look at me.” Sweeping my hand down my body, a scowl forms on my face as my fingers sweep over my lengthy limbs before stopping an inch shy of carbon fiber. “Now look at yourself.”
Diesel grunts as I motion to his bulkiness. He’s twice my size, and I know he’s more than capable of helping me out. Even with the fear of losing his cut weighing down on his consciousness, hecanhelp me.
“You still owe me for Ruby.” Bringing up his fiancée is a favor I’ve been clinging to for a moment like this. “I need your help, man.”
His frown softens at my words. Like the memory is still fresh in his mind of me keeping an eye out for her, he curses under his breath. His fingers curl and uncurl, the memory of the past not a good one for him.
“You’ve done far worse than snagging someone from their home.” Leaning in, I keep my voice soft. “Even better, she’s a victim in the making. You’re potentially saving her from someone far worse than us.”
It’s not like I can go to Judge about this and ask for permission. He wouldn’t understand what is at stake here, or what I’d be risking losing if I let this arranged marriage go on without doing anything about it.
I’ll tell the president what’s going on after we get her in one piece. We just have to take one step at a time, so I can get rid of this unsettling feeling clawing at me. I need herhere.
Diesel pinches his brow, his annoyance bleeding through. He knows I have him, that promises must be met.
“Take a few prospects with you. I’ll give you the layout of the house and tell you where she is before you enter. Anything you need to keep secret. Hell, I’ll knock out their surveillance; no one will even know you were there. Not that rich asshole. Not even Judge. No one will know. Your name will stay out of it.”
Sure, that’s a big stretch, but I know that’s what he’s worried about, especially when the woman he loves had already gotten him in trouble once with our president.
There’s a fear twisting around at the idea of him saying no, and I try not to let it show on my face. If it’s not Diesel, who else am I going to ask? Judge’s right-hand man likes to go off course, but Ripper is too unstable to go near the woman.
Finally, he shakes his head and looks up toward the ceiling. “How many do I need to bring with me?”
Fuck yes.
“One or two at most, really. The house will be empty until ten. Here, let me send you the floor plan.” With a surprising amount of energy coming to me, I find myself growing more willing to help than I ever have been. Then again, I haven’t wanted anything this badly in years. Whatever it takes, I’ll be willing to do it.
Pulling out his phone, he squeezes out of the seat. Gripping the device hard, I hear it creak against his fingers. “After this, the debt’s settled.”
If I have to guess, he’s upset. Ruby won’t like him taking dangerous risks that could land him in jail.
Luckily for him, I’ve got a talent of keeping my family out of trouble.
Nodding, I give him the address. The house is located in a gated community, a safe space for everyone. It’s not going to be an easy task, and Diesel clicks his tongue at that.
“That kind of information would’ve been nice to know before I agreed.” Pursing his lips, he takes a look around the room, probably trying to decide who has had the least amount of alcohol. “I’ll take care of it.”
With confidence in his voice, it eases the knot in my chest as I turn my attention back to my laptop, tapping away to get him everything he could need to send to his phone.
The feeds are gone for only a few minutes at best, but I’m rushing to get them back up. This demand to keep my eyes on her, to make sure she’s safe, has a controlling pull over me.
The lump I was watching earlier is now sitting up. Long, messy blonde hair is running down her cheeks in a tangle, exhaustion on her face.
Her expression makes my heart thump in ways it never has before. All my life, it’s just been an organ trapped in my chest, but now, it feels like something else entirely—a heavy weight that can’t be ignored, as if my very being is somehow tethered to her presence.
Zooming in doesn’t give me the details I need to see. I can’t feel the warmth through a screen.
Nodding my head, Diesel disappears to prepare what he needs. Resuming the call in my ear, I listen to the slight quiver in Pete Parson’s voice and silently promise the woman under my gaze that I’ll get her out no matter what it takes.
2
Eliza
I should eat something. How long has it been? My stomach clenches in pain, but the memory of this afternoon—kneeling over a toilet after a lunch “chat” with my father—completely killed my appetite. Now, my body begs for nutrition. Maybe for some hydration, too, while I’m at it.
The house is silent. My father is out, probably making more deals with evil men. Shame he doesn’t have more daughters to hand away like currency.
