by Amanda Tru
“We’ll let you gentlemen figure it out. We’ve gotta go.”
The other van door slammed shut, and the voices now sounded muted. Bailey could no longer understand what was being said. Tears burned Bailey’s eyes, and she kept kicking, the dull thuds sounding repeatedly but not seeming to garner any attention.
The van’s engine started.
She knew if the van left, there was no chance of her being found alive.
Dear, Lord, help me! I don’t want to die!
Giving up on gaining anyone’s attention, Bailey rolled and scooted, making her way to the rear doors. Amazingly, the van hadn’t moved yet when she made it there and struggled to her knees. If she could just open the door, she would take her chance falling out of a moving vehicle. If these men delivered her to their boss, she knew she was dead.
The door contained a latch built into the door itself, meaning there was no way for Bailey to use her head or even her mouth to get hold of it. Turning around so her back faced the door, she pushed her tied hands into the door and wiggled and maneuvered them, working her fingers upward until they connected with the metal latch. She pulled it, feeling the door give slightly right as she heard the front doors slam.
With all her strength, she laid her shoulder into the door and flung her full weight at it. The door opened as Bailey launched out and landed hard on the concrete several feet away.
The world erupted in sirens and lights, and Bailey looked up to see multiple men staring down at her, their mouths gaping open in shock.
Obviously, this was not the way they’d expected to meet their date.
Camden jumped out of the moving vehicle as soon as it entered the parking lot. He paid no attention to the sirens arriving behind him but sprinted to the group crowded around a van with the engine running.
Pushing his way through the circle of men, he saw Bailey on the ground, tied up, and with duct tape over her mouth. Right then, the van’s engine revved, and the brake lights blinked off. With no time to think, Camden rushed forward and scooped Bailey into his arms right before the van backed up and sent all the other men scrambling out of the way. Not able to completely escape, the rear of the van hit Camden in the back as it braked. The momentum pushed Camden off balance, throwing him to the concrete parking lot with Bailey in his arms.
The van gunned the engine, its tires screeching only to slam on its brakes as police cars blocked the exit.
Camden rolled over and picked himself up enough to look around and make sure his people had the situation in hand and the danger was past. Then he turned and looked anxiously at where Bailey lay flat on her back beside him.
“Bailey, are you okay?”
His heart broke to see the overwhelming fear in Bailey’s eyes. Reaching out, he grabbed the edge of the duct tape across her mouth and pulled. It ripped away painfully, a whimper the first sound coming from her raw lips.
Then he realized that her hands were tied behind her back, and he felt ill. Taking a knife from a pocket in his shorts, he cut off the zip tie and freed her.
“Camden,” she cried, reaching for him.
Camden folded her in his arms, feeling her shoulders shake with sobs as tears made trails down his own face.
“Shhh, it’s okay. You’re safe now. I’m here.” He murmured the phrases over and over as he gently rubbed her back.
An ambulance arrived on the scene, and Camden pulled away enough to look Bailey over. Unfortunately, the dim lights from the streetlights and the flashing colors of the emergency vehicle lights didn’t provide much illumination for a thorough inspection.
“Bailey, are you hurt?” he asked, his tone gentle but demanding she answer.
“My shoulder feels a little strange,” Bailey answered with uncertainty.
“You hit pretty hard when the van knocked us down,” Camden said, not surprised that she was injured.
“No, I didn’t hurt it then. I landed on it when I jumped out of the back of the van,” Bailey said.
“You jumped out of the van?” Camden asked. “With your hands tied and your mouth taped shut?”
“She sure did,” a man said, speaking up from the circle of onlookers surrounding them.
Camden looked up, realizing for the first time just how many men were gawking at them and wondering where they’d come from.
“If she hadn’t jumped out, that van would have been gone before you arrived, and none of us would have ever known she was in the back,” the man explained.
Bailey struggled to stand to her feet, and Camden stood to help her.
“Hi, I’m Bailey,” she said, reaching out with her unhurt arm to shake the hands of each of the men around them. “Thank you so much for coming. If you hadn’t come and delayed them, then we would have been gone long before I could have escaped or the police arrived. I’m sorry. I know this wasn’t the kind of date you expected when I sent you my location to meet.”
A murmur went through the crowd.
“Are you kidding?” another man said. “This is the most excitement I’ve had in years!”
“Was that you making that knocking sound?” Another man asked. “When I asked the two guys from the van about it, they got upset. That’s when they got in the front to leave and told us to get out of the way.”
“Yes, I was kicking the side of the van, but I couldn’t get anyone’s attention. When I heard the van’s engine start, I rolled over and tried to open the door. Somehow, I managed it and jumped out.”
The men shook their heads in amazement.
“I’m a little behind,” Camden said, taking in all the other men. “All of these men showed up to meet you for a date?”
Bailey nodded. “As soon as I realized I was in trouble, I wasn’t in a position to make a call to 911 or anyone else without the kidnappers knowing. I had about five seconds where I could hide my phone and push a couple of buttons. I already had the Betwixt app open. The only thing I could think to do was to approve all of my incoming messages and send my location. Since all of the messages were selected, it sent my location to each one of them. I hoped that at least one would show up thinking I wanted to meet for a date.”
“It looks like you got a few more than one,” Camden said dryly. “How many dates did you have?”
“It looks like at least ten of us,” a man answered with a smile. “Obviously, we had good reason to show up. Bailey is not only beautiful, she’s smart and resourceful. What a brilliant way to get help!”
Camden scowled at the man who spoke. Bailey was brilliant, and her quick thinking in sending her location to all those prospective suitors had saved her life. Unfortunately, the other man had stolen his thunder, and if Camden said anything now, it would just sound like he was copying.
“Bailey, I’m Cody,” said the man Camden disliked. “I’d really like to reschedule our date for as soon as you feel up to it.”
“Get in line, buddy,” another man growled. “Bailey, I’m Liam. Could I take you out tomorrow?”
“Bailey, I’m Andy. I’m a nurse. If you’re not feeling well, I’d be happy to offer my services. Maybe I should take a look at your shoulder.”
Camden held up his hands. “Guys, I’m sure Bailey will get back to each one of you as soon as she can, but right now, I will be the one to take her to the hospital.”
“And who are you?” one of the men asked with a scowl. “Two guys just tried to kidnap Bailey. I’m not sure we should trust any guy without a badge.”
“How about me?” A woman walked up to the group with her arm outstretched. “I’m not a guy, but I do have a badge.”
After flashing her badge around for all to see, she announced. “Thank you all for your help tonight in saving Bailey. If you wouldn’t mind, there are a few officers right over there by the patrol car blocking the entrance. They are waiting to take your statements, after which you are free to leave.”
The men turned to obey, but not before many of them flashed Bailey a smile and passed her cards or slips of paper with the a
dmonitions to give them a call.
As soon as the men reluctantly trailed off, Camden turned to the woman with the badge. “I know you need to speak with her, but she’s hurt. I need to get her to the hospital. Can we meet you somewhere after that?”
“I’ll just come with you to the hospital,” she answered easily. “We’ll make sure it’s secure. It’ll be fine. It’s as good a place as any.”
“Do I really need to go to the hospital?” Bailey asked. “I really think I’m fine. I probably just bruised my shoulder. Can’t you just take a quick look at it here, Geneva?”
Israel arrived in time to hear Bailey’s words and Camden’s accompanying laughter.
With a smile lifting the corners of his lips, Israel said, “You spend so much time trying to not look like your real twin that now you look like your older sister. You can change your hair all you want, Syd, but that still doesn’t change the fact all of you share the same face!”
Camden turned to Bailey and introduced. “Bailey, this is my sister Sydney Hutchins. She and my sister, London, are identical twins, but as you can tell, both of them also resemble Geneva a great deal.”
Seeing Sydney’s scowl, Bailey rushed to apologize. “I’m sorry, Sydney. I saw your face and assumed Geneva had changed her hair.”
“Don’t worry about it, Bailey,” Sydney said, recovering with a friendly smile. “I’m happy to meet you. I’ve already heard so much about you from my family. I love how you keep my brother on his toes.”
“I could have done without this last episode. I don’t think my toes will ever be the same,” Camden complained.
The paramedics checked Bailey out briefly, but she refused to ride in the ambulance to the hospital. Instead, Camden put her in the back seat of his SUV and turned to hand Israel the keys to drive once more.
“I’ll take those,” Sydney said, swiping the keys as she approached.
Camden looked at her warily. “Is everything okay?”
Sydney nodded. “Just taking precautions until we verify that no one else is coming after you. I’m fairly certain of who hired those men to kidnap you, and I know we can handle it. Until it’s actually handled, though, I’ll be your chauffeur.”
Israel clapped Camden on the back. “Sorry, dude. It’s gotta be a special moment when your little sister becomes your bodyguard.”
Camden looked at Israel seriously. “You have no idea. Sydney’s the only person I’d ever want as a bodyguard.”
“Cam,” Sydney said, warning in her voice.
“I know. I know,” Camden said, walking around to take the seat in the back with Bailey.
They were soon on their way. Camden tried to relax, but his senses were still on high alert. Every flash of light caused him to startle, and he continually glanced through the back window to make sure they weren’t being followed.
Reaching out, he covered Bailey’s cold hand with his, and she didn’t pull away. She was hurt. Camden knew it, even if she didn’t. The guilt felt overwhelming. He was the target. They’d wanted him, and Bailey had gotten in the way and paid for it.
If the real Shaya hadn’t responded to the automated message and contacted him, if Sydney hadn’t answered Camden’s emergency call, if Bailey hadn’t thought to send her location to a dozen men, if she hadn’t found a way to open that van door and throw herself out…
Thank you, Lord!
Camden knew that God’s divine intervention was the only reason he held Bailey’s hand in his own right now.
Unfortunately, he still didn’t have the assurance that the danger was past. Would Bailey always be in danger if he stayed in her life? How would he explain any of this to her or Israel?
He tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes roving over her worriedly. He couldn’t stand to put her in danger, and yet he couldn’t stand more the thought of not having her with him. What if she was hurt worse than she realized?
Bailey seemed to feel his eyes on her and looked up, her face relaxing into a smile that set Camden’s heart to pounding.
A new terror sliced through him as he realized the truth.
Lord, help me!
I love her!
“It’s broken,” Geneva said, pointing to the X-ray of Bailey’s collarbone as proof.
Bailey’s mouth fell open in surprise. “How is that possible? It doesn’t even hurt!”
Geneva laughed. “Bailey, honey, you have so much adrenaline running through your system right now, it’s like you have superpowers. Trust me, the shock to your system will wear off in a few hours, and then you will definitely feel it.”
“Does she have any other injuries?” Camden asked worriedly from where he hovered on the other side of Bailey’s hospital bed.
Geneva worked to immobilize Bailey’s arm in a sling as she spoke. “I think she’ll have some significant bruising to her entire torso area, and she’ll need to see a specialist for her collarbone. It looks to be a good, clean break in the right position, though, so I don’t think it will require surgery. Other than that, she’s fine. We will not be admitting her. With pain meds on board and her sling taken care of, she’ll be free to go.”
Geneva turned to Bailey. “You’re still staying at Mom and Dad’s, right? I want them to keep an eye on you. I don’t want you to be alone.”
Bailey nodded. “Even though I signed a lease, my apartment isn’t ready for me to move in yet.”
“Don’t worry. She won’t be alone,” Sydney said, entering the room. “I’ll be at Mom and Dad’s house tonight to keep an eye on things. We’ll all make sure she’s comfortable.”
“I didn’t even know you were in town, Sydney,” Geneva said, her tone slightly disapproving.
“I suspect it’s more unusual for Sydney to tell us she’s in town than to come and go as she pleases,” Israel observed from his chair on the other side of the bed.
Sydney shrugged. “Just happened to be at the right place at the right time, I guess.”
Geneva finished up with Bailey’s sling and said she’d be back with some pain meds.
“Gen, if you think she can wait on the pain meds, I really need about ten minutes to speak to Camden, Israel, and Bailey alone.”
Geneva sighed, seeming to understand that Sydney wanted her out of the room. “Sydney, one of these days, you’re going to need to make a full confession to your big sister.”
Sydney looked at her seriously. “You have no idea how much effort I put in so that doesn’t ever happen.”
Geneva ignored her and turned back to Bailey. “Let me know if you need anything. Bailey. I’ll come back in a few minutes with the meds, and then I’ll stop by Mom and Dad’s house tomorrow to see how you’re doing.”
“Thank you, Geneva,” Bailey replied with Camden immediately echoing his thanks.
The door shut behind her, and Sydney looked at them, her expression serious. “What I’m about to tell you stays in this room, and you never breathe a word of it to anyone. I have a guard posted out front, and we have about ten minutes.”
She nodded to Camden. “Camden is not at liberty to reveal any information about himself. If you ask him a question, he will not answer. Not today or tomorrow. In fact, he hasn’t been able to answer any questions since he was recruited to do government work before he graduated college. However, I do have the clearance to reveal some of the reasons behind what happened tonight.”
Bailey looked at Sydney, feeling like this woman must not be real. Her face was like Geneva, and she was beautiful. Yet her hair was darker, and her presence somehow demanded that you follow exactly what she said.
“Camden works for the government?” Israel asked, the color draining from his face.
“Yes, he does. He has long worked in technical areas, providing security and technical espionage.”
“Camden is a spy?” Bailey gasped.
“Not in the traditional sense, but in many ways, yes. However, his spy work is usually restricted to a seat behind a computer. He identifies threats and provides security to
make sure any of our activities stay invisible.”
“You’ve been doing this since when?” Israel’s voice sounded strained, and he looked as if he might need Bailey’s hospital bed more than she did.
“They recruited him before he graduated college,” Sydney replied, looking at Israel knowingly. “Camden was well established in his position before I even came on the scene. I’ve often wondered if it was because of him that I was on their radar for recruitment, but some secrets Camden and I can’t even share with each other.”
“That means…,” Israel choked on the words. “That was the reason you didn’t join the business. You were already committed to a classified position.”
Camden didn’t answer, but the tortured look in his eyes was confirmation enough.
Israel’s eyes clouded with tears. “But all this time I thought…. Camden, I’m so sorry,” Israel grabbed Camden and pulled him into an embrace.
“It’s okay, Israel,” Camden responded huskily. “There’s no way you could have known. I understood that.”
Israel stepped back and shook his head. “That’s no excuse. I treated you terribly for years. I should have known that you didn’t refuse just for spite. I know you better than that, and yet I believed the worst.”
“Do your parents know?” Bailey asked, wondering if they, also, had believed the worst of Camden all this time.
“No, they don’t,” Sydney answered firmly. “And they never will. The only reason you are getting any information is that it’s unavoidable. The more people who know, the more it puts everyone involved at risk.”
Bailey felt tears clogging her throat. It just seemed so unfair. How could it be right to let Camden’s family dynamic be completely changed because he wasn’t at liberty to reveal the important work he did?
“If Camden works with technology and security, what do you do?” Bailey asked, wondering what other secrets hid in the Hutchins’ family.
“I work for the FBI, I think.” Sydney reached in her pocket and pulled out the badge to check. “Yes, today, I work for the FBI.”
“Please don’t ask her what she does all other days of the year,” Camden grumbled. “She won’t tell you the truth, but she very well may spin a series of fantastic lies just for the sheer entertainment.”
