I’m giving you the countdown
1…
2…
Katelyn’s texts came in rapidly and Jace didn’t have time to mess around with this, but he also knew he never wanted to see what happened if any mother hit 3, so he texted, Stella’s been taken. I’m going after her ex.
Stella’s mind felt as if it were swimming through mud. Her head was pounding so hard she felt as if she were going to vomit. She moaned but that only caused the pounding to be amplified.
Stella went to grab her head to see if she could stop the throbbing when she felt her wrists burn. She tried to feel them, but panic quickly took over as she realized she couldn’t move her hands. They were tied to something hard. She kicked her feet, but felt the similar burn and the hardness against her calves.
Stella knew it would hurt to open her eyes, but blinding panic shot them open. She found herself in the dark and she didn’t know whether to be thankful for the darkness or fearful of it.
“Hello?” Her voice echoed, but besides her own heavy breathing there was no other sound. She looked around seeing only darkness as she felt the chair under her. Her fingers grasped the arms of the chair. She felt a smooth surface that was thick and hard under her fingers as she forced her mind to work.
Smooth, so it wasn’t a chair with any material on the flat arms. Stella wiggled her butt. Hard. No cushion at all. She rocked back and forth. No scraping. She was on a thick wooden chair with arms.
Okay, so she knew what she was tied to. Now where was she and how did she get here?
“Help!” Stella yelled only to have the words echoed back to her. “Well, if no one is going to help me, I’d better help myself.”
Stella took a deep breath and pushed all the pain from her mind. She had work to do. Gripping the chair arms tightly, she crunched her upper body down before she sprang upward. The chair moved with a small bounce. No much, but enough to give her hope as she began scooting toward whatever was in front of her.
Jace ignored the tsunami of texts coming in through his phone. If someone really needed him, they’d call. His heart was beating hard and fast. Adrenaline was surging through him, causing his foot to bounce as he navigated his way through neighborhood roads toward Rick’s house.
Jace was scanning the neighborhood as he drove down the street. He was hoping to catch a glimpse of Stella. Even as he knew it was near impossible, he checked out every person walking on the sidewalk. He looked at every house wondering if Stella was inside. The houses were close together; ranches and two-story houses mixed together with well-kept yards. Some had kids’ toys in the driveways. Some had luxury vehicles. It looked to be the perfect place for working professionals at the start of married life.
Dead ahead loomed an obnoxiously large house for the area. Greek columns bracketed the front door. Two luxury sports cars sat out front. There were no kids’ toys, no basketball hoop in the driveway. There was nothing out of place. Even the grass along the sidewalk and driveway was edged to perfection.
Jace stopped his car and looked up at the house that stood out like a sore thumb. It was just too much for this neighborhood. Over the front door was a gigantic open window that showcased an ultra-modern chandelier inside. The light cast a glow on the sports cars out front, which seemed too artful not to be intentional.
Jace switched his SUV off and felt the small of his back for the gun. He took a deep breath, switched his phone to silent, and shoved it into his front pocket. He pushed open the door and got out of the SUV, his eyes never leaving Rick’s front door.
The sound of a powerful engine purring as someone accelerated echoed in the sleepy neighborhood. It was so out of place that Jace glanced down the street to see a matte black Lamborghini speed toward him. The engine purred as it seemed to float along the road. Jace was pretty sure the so-called luxury sports cars in Rick’s driveway pissed oil at the sound of the Lamborghini’s truly powerful engine.
Jace was going to ignore it when the car slid to a stop, grill to grill with his SUV. The driver’s door rose up and wide shoulders popped out.
“Jaylen?” Jace asked the Thoroughbreds’ starting running back. “What are you doing here?”
The man was all muscle and elite athleticism. He was currently sporting an untrimmed beard on his face for spring practice. None of the men on the team were shaving. It was a bonding exercise or something. Jaylen’s bright white teeth flashed as he shot Jace his signature smile. “Doc S said your woman was in trouble. The whole team is helping. We’re family. Zack and Deon are on their way to Keeneston to help the search. Haven’t you been looking at your phone?”
Jace pulled out his phone and saw he’d missed hundreds of texts. “Summarize for me.”
“A 911 went out on the Keeneston group text. I’m still mad we’re not on it, but that’s an argument for another time. I was on the phone with Doc Sienna, asking if I could have sex tonight since we’re halfway through our spring training period when Doc S got the texts. She and Ryan started talking about your girlfriend going missing. I think she forgot I was on the phone. I heard it all and sent it out on the players’ text group. You’re our doc, Doc. So of course we’re going to help.”
Jace was touched. And he had to admit it felt good to have some backup. “But how did you find me?”
“I called Coach Everett, who called your sister, who called the sheriff or something. Some cousins are on their way, too, but I said I could get here in a flash. So, you think this guy has your woman?”
“Stella. And yes, I do.”
“Whoa, the nice flower lady?”
“Yeah,” Jace asked, wondering how he knew Stella.
“Doc Sienna sent us the info for her opening and I went after practice on Tuesday. She’s a real nice lady. Let’s go beat the shit out of this creep.”
Jaylen strode off and left Jace staring at his back. Jace jogged to catch up. “Okay, but you can’t lay a finger on him. That’s my honor.”
Jaylen grinned down at Jace. “I knew you were a badass. Any man who could come face to face with Deon’s massive jock-itch fungus and not flinch is a stone-cold killer. I got your back, Doc.”
Jaylen stepped back and let Jace ring the bell. A minute later a man answered. He was shirtless, his hair was wild, and he had on three hundred dollar flip-flops.
“Who are you?” Rick asked.
“Where’s Stella?” Jace asked, not bothering to answer Rick’s question.
Rick’s cheeks turned red and his eyes hard. “Look, you tell that bitch to leave me alone. I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
Rick went to slam the door, but Jace shoved it back open, slamming it into Rick’s face. “Damn, man. That might bruise.”
Jace shoved his way into the house. “Stella!” When Rick tried to grab him, Jace shoved him back, hard. “I will kill you if you’ve hurt her.”
Jaylen pushed his way in and grabbed Rick by the shirt. “Where’s the doc’s woman, you piece of crap? Don’t make me tear you limb from limb.”
“Stella!” Jace shouted again as he began to look in the rooms off the entranceway.
Jace heard footsteps upstairs and looked up. All his hopes of seeing Stella in the exposed upstairs hallway dropped when a scantily clad woman with impossibly red hair appeared. “What’s going on?”
“I’m looking for a woman named Stella Winters. She’s been kidnapped and this slimeball is her ex who did it.”
“Sorry, hon, but I’ve been the only woman here for the past two hours so as far as I know, Ricky-poo hasn’t been out kidnapping anyone.” The woman then looked over and saw Jaylen. A slow siren’s smile spread out across her lips. “Jaylen, baby, what are you doing here?”
“Phoenix, you’re as beautiful as always. What are you doing here with this creep?” Jaylen was in full flirt mode as he slowly licked his bottom lip and then did this snarl thing as if he were growling at her.
“You’re in spring training, baby, and a girl’s gotta make a living.”
“Oh.
Gotcha,” Jace said, looking between Phoenix, Jaylen, and Rick.
“Don’t you worry,” Jaylen said with a wink. “Tell the girls Jaylen will be back on Sunday night.”
Rick looked as if he were suddenly putting things together. “Oh my god, you’re Jaylen Cox! Rick Hudson,” he said, introducing himself in a sudden shift to full social climber mode. “It’s such an honor to meet you in person. I know Coach Everett. I met him and his stunning wife at a charity ball. I have something for you that I think you’ll love.”
Jace ignored the sleazy sales pitch Rick was now giving his new best friend and took advantage of the distraction. He searched the first floor, and while Rick was still talking Jaylen’s ear off about some sports related sales opportunity, he headed upstairs.
Phoenix was leaning over the railing with a bored expression on her face as she watched Rick pitching to Jaylen. Jace opened the first door and went through the room. Nothing.
“You want to search me, too? A woman has needs and I can tell you they are not being met. You, on the other hand, look like you know what you’re doing.”
“Thanks, but I’m a man in love,” Jace responded.
“Baby, every man I see is a man in love. When I started seeing Rick, he had this girl he was in love with.” Phoenix rolled her eyes.
“You don’t even like him, do you?”
Phoenix shrugged one red satin spaghetti strap-covered shoulder. “I don’t need to like him to do what we do. Besides, it never takes more than two minutes. The rest of the night I just listen to how awesome he thinks he is.”
Phoenix looked him over once more and then used her arms to cover up slightly. “You really are a man in love. You’re eyes haven’t left my face. Oh, and Rick is the exact—it’s the woman he cheated on, isn’t it? Someone kidnapped her?”
“Yes, and we think it’s Rick. Have you seen her? Has Rick left at all tonight?”
“Baby, I’m sorry. It’s not Rick. He really has been here with me. Also,” she said, dropping his voice. “I know a lot about men. Rick doesn’t have it in him to hurt someone physically. He’s all hot air. He likes to huff and puff and make people think he’s important. While he looks physically strong, he’s not mentally strong enough to ever do anything like this. A kidnapper has to have ice in their veins to ignore the pleas and the fighting for freedom. Rick is a wimp.” Phoenix paused and then sucked in some air as she looked downstairs.
Jace saw Porter and Parker standing in the entranceway below them looking around as Rick threw a tantrum at being interrupted. Rifles were pointed and Rick went silent while Jaylen seemed beyond relieved.
“Who are they?” Rick demanded.
“My cousins,” Jace answered as he waved at them. Their eyes devoured Phoenix in her skimpy red outfit.
“Oh and I see that they’re single,” she said, posing for them. “My, you have one sexy family.”
“Doc, come here!” Jaylen called up to him to get his attention.
“Of course, you’re a doctor, too. What do they do?”
“Professional rodeo riders,” Jace answered.
Phoenix shivered and Jace didn’t have to ask why. The little moan gave it away. “You have an amazing family, baby.”
“Thanks. Call Jaylen if you learn anything about Stella, okay?”
“You bet. Tell your family they get a free admission to the Pink Peacock anytime they want.” Jace started to turn away when Phoenix stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Good luck. I hope you find her,” she said sincerely.
“Thank you.” Jace trotted down the stairs and met up with his cousins and Jaylen.
“Bruh, check your phone,” Jaylen said with a roll of his eyes.
Kale had been trying to call him.
“Jay, my man,” Rick called out as Jaylen pushed Jace out of the door. “Let’s chat some more. Dinner on me, bruh!”
Porter pulled the door closed and rolled his eyes as Jaylen grimaced at the thought of dinner with Rick. “What a douche. I take it no Stella?”
Jace was already calling Kale back as the four of them walked to the line of cars. He put the phone on speaker as it rang. It only rang once and Kale was talking. “It’s not Rick.”
“Yeah, we’re at his house. He has an alibi and the house was clear.”
“I didn’t find a name yet because the phone used to text Stella was bought with cash. I found the store and hacked their cloud security storage and ran through the footage from the hours before the phone was activated until I found it. One cell phone bought with cash. I have a picture and am going to run it through facial recognition,” Kale told him.
“Let me see,” Jace demanded. He had to know who had Stella.
“Sent.”
His phone flashed with the text and Jace clicked on the picture.
“No way,” Porter said slowly as Kale rambled on how long it might take to identify the person.
“No need to run it through facial recognition,” Jace said, his voice flat. “I know who it is.”
23
Stella was sweating. Her abs were on fire along with her wrists and ankles. Her head throbbed and she was crying from the pain. However, the tears mixed with sweat and at this point she didn’t know where one started and the other ended.
“Come on, Stella. You can do it.” She clenched her jaw and bounced forward once again.
Only this time her foot hit something. Something metal by the sound of it. A sense of victory lit up the darkness of her situation. Tears of happiness flowed freely as Stella shuffled around until her hand could touch whatever it was.
She felt metal beneath her middle finger. She moved her finger up and down as much as she could and felt the ripples in the metal. Okay, it wasn’t a garage door since they tended to be flat, but it was something similar.
“Think, Stella. Think,” she muttered to herself.
The darkness was messing with her. It seemed as if she were in a large, unending room, while at the same time it was closing in on her. Panic flared and suddenly it gave over to the panic and threw herself as best as she could into the metal wall.
The metal shook slightly and Stella stopped crying. She knew where she was. Well, kind of. She was in a storage unit. Now, where this particular unit was located was another story.
“Help!” Stella screamed as she slammed her shoulder into the door again. The door wobbled a little, encouraging her to bounce herself into the door repeatedly as she screamed until she was sure her throat was shredded.
Jace didn’t think twice about snatching the Lamborghini keys and tossing his SUV keys at Jaylen.
“Follow Porter and Parker!” Jace issued orders as he called out the address. Jace grabbed the handle of the sports car and cursed. “How the hell do I open the door?”
Jaylen lifted the door up, not out. “Bruh,” he said, shaking his head slowly as if sadly disappointed in Jace.
Jace ignored him and reached up to pull the door down, blocking everyone out. He pressed the button to start the engine and the car roared to life. Jace put the sports car into gear and took off. Okay, now he understood why Ahmed loved his cars so much.
Jace was laser focused on the Lexington roads. He didn’t bother to see if the men were behind him as the car flew down the road. The usually fifteen minute drive was made in half the time. Jace slowed the car to a stop down the block from the house.
Jace pushed the door up and slid from the front seat while never taking his eyes off the direction of the house. Jace took a slow, deep breath. He had to calm himself. He couldn’t make a mistake, but he wasn’t going to hesitate either.
Jace pulled the gun from the small of his back and checked it before aiming it down by his side as he walked purposefully toward the house. Headlights appeared behind him and in front of him. Jace turned backed and then looked forward as three sets of headlights turned off. Two SUVs and a pickup truck parked, and Jace knew Porter, Parker, Jaylen, and someone else had arrived.
A figure in black emerged from the shadows n
ear the SUV ahead of him and jogged forward. Jace tightened his grip on the gun, but then saw what the man was running with.
“Jackson, what are you doing here?” Jace whispered as his cousin with the FBI Hostage Rescue team jogged toward him with a massive black and gray wire-haired, short-muzzled beast of a dog next to him.
“You know my house isn’t that far from here. When the text went out, I decided to help you out since everyone else is in Keeneston.” Jackson leaned to the right and looked around Jace. “Well, almost everyone.”
“What in the hell is that?” Jaylen gasped in horror.
“Bliss!” Porter called as he bent down. The dog wagged her long tail as she pranced in place. Jackson gave her a little lead and the dog that had to weigh over a hundred pounds now shoved her head between Porter’s legs and wiggled.
“I’m not joking. What the hell is that thing, a helldog?”
Jackson chuckled at Jaylen. “Part Scottish Deerhound, part Bullmastiff, and possibly part hellhound. Evie’s been working with her at Bridget’s. I thought Bliss could help.”
“I’m almost shitting my pants just looking at her. That’s the ugliest damn dog I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen Doc Sienna’s Hooch.”
Jackson covered Bliss’s ears. “Don’t say that about my dog, man. Not if you want to play this season.”
Jaylen held up his hands. “Sorry, bruh. You know we’re fam. Even the hellhound.”
“Okay, am I the only one who thinks this is messed up?” Parker whispered.
“No, the text group has lost their minds over this. One of our own turning against another of our own? The Rose sisters are fit to be tied. Kenna, Dani, and Mom are trying to calm them. Dr. Emma threatened to give them Valium. It’s bad. Now, Jace, you take the front. I’ll take the back. Porter, right side. Parker, left side.” Jackson ordered as if he were sending in one of his teams. “Let Jace knock and then I’ll go in the back. I know you two know how to break into places so find a way inside.”
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