Page 84 of Daddy's Bodyguard
My heart thuds in my ears. They’re going to kill him if they don’t find me. And when they find me because the house is only so big, they’ll torture me to get what they want out of my dad. I swallow the growing lump in my throat and wrap the cord around my fist.
I’m vibrating, eyes swimming, but I have to stay alert. I have to do something right. Cash is dead. His open eyes stare at me like he’s giving me away despite the blood that’s creeping closer and closer.
“Find her!” Another man barks. “She’s here. We know she’s here.”
I swallow hard. If I’m going to die, I’m going to do one thing right. I call Jasper. On the first try, I quickly hang up because of the pair of feet that appears in front of me. The guy kicks Cash, splashing me with blood. I cover my mouth and nose, trying not to breathe. Trying to stay quiet.
Once he moves on and they start trashing the house, I call again. Jasper picks up on the second ring. “Hey.”
“They’re here,” I whisper.
He stops, I just hear him breathing. I whimper and then take a slow breath. “They’re looking for me.”
“At the safehouse?”
“Yes.”
“Sofia, if you’re hidden, stay there. I’m on my way. I’ll be there as fast as I can, baby.”
I sniffle. “I’m so sorry I was mean to you.”
“None of that,” he mumbles, his voice carrying a tremor that tells me he’s on the move. My knight in shining armor. How could I have been so blind?
“I started the fight. I was wrong.”
“Sofia, focus. Where are the guys?”
“I wish we had more time.” I look at the feet that turn to face me and close my eyes. The phone shakes so badly in my hand, I’m afraid I’m going to drop it. “I’ll keep my promise.”
“Don’t say that. I’m going to be there,” he says, and I hear an engine rev. “Stay alive for me.”
“I won’t stop fighting,” I whisper, right before a hand wraps around my ankle.
Chapter 26
Jasper
Sofia screams, and the line goes dead, and so does the calmness I’ve been trying to keep alive for her sake. I press down as hard as I can on the gas pedal. The more police attention I get, the better. Let them track me at a hundred plus as long as I get to her. The ride is too long. Unless they torture her, I’m going to be too late. I know that, but I can’t make the world move any faster. I can’t jump time.
I never should have gone so far away.
Somehow, I make the forty-five-minute drive in half that time. The gates are wide open, and I sail right through. I consider running the car into the side of the house, but instead, I get out and start several car alarms on my way inside. I want them looking the other way.
Kingston is down, but there’s no blood. I check his pulse. He’ll survive. I walk past him, staying low. I come across three dead in masks. Not my concern. Then I see Cash in the living room.
There’s enough blood to tell me he’s gone if the bullet to the neck didn’t. But there are streaks in his blood. There’s a trail. Fuck no. Fuck no.
“The safe!” Ernesto yells. “The videos are in the safe, just stop. Stop!”
“Papa, no...” Sofia’s voice is hoarse, weak.
Keeping on my knees, I peek around the couch and see her on the floor, her wrists tied. A masked thug comes close to her, cupping her face. “I think we have some time to enjoy you, sweetheart.”
Oh, this is not going to end well. Not for him. I allow the anger to fill me up. I need every ounce to take out these motherfuckers.
Scanning the room, I see another guy slumped on the floor with a cord around his neck. Good girl. Two others are focused on Ernesto. I’d need two perfect shots, then I’d have to deal with Sofia’s captor.
He screams suddenly, getting everyone’s attention. Sofia’s attached to his hand, and from the tension in her jaw, she’s gotten a solid grip. Her captor shakes his hand, but she sinks deeper, pulling another scream from his throat.