by Lara Swann
“From what you’ve told me, and the info I’m starting to get in, there must be dozens of these girls. Forget it, Jason - I shouldn’t have to tell you that we need to go after Xero.”
The idea of having Xero on the ground before me was as enticing an image as it always had been - but it couldn’t compete with the thought of Lottie’s innocent sister. Refusing to listen, I shook my head curtly.
“She’s Lottie’s sister. I’m getting her out, Fabio.”
Talking to him that way put us squarely on even ground, reminded me that I didn’t work for him anymore - and I could tell he didn’t like it. I continued anyway.
“I’ve given you everything you need to make this work - all I’m asking for is enough support to work out where she is, and a guy to keep watch for me while I get her back. Besides - if you’re lucky, it might distract them for a bit—”
“And Xero?”
His tone was clipped and hard. I took a deep breath.
“We’ll coordinate and if you need me, you can call me in - but you’ve got everyone you need here. They should be able to handle it.”
I saw his eyes flicker, the surprise he couldn’t entirely contain, and I understood it - it was hard enough for me to believe what I was saying. But now that we were here, discussing it, I was suddenly more sure than I had been about anything. He held my gaze for a moment - giving me a few beats to change my mind - before grunting reluctantly.
I knew he’d come through - reaching out to me earlier had shown that well enough, and after the information Lottie had given us…he could spare me this.
“Okay. I’ll get you some guys - tell them what you need.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lottie
I lasted until deep into the night. Then I couldn’t stand it anymore.
Sitting alone, waiting, watching - checking my phone, then again…and again, even though I knew I would have heard if I’d had a message. Switching the radio on to have something to distract me from the relentless thoughts. Switching it off again in case someone came home, or my phone vibrated, and I didn’t notice. And also because - deep down - I couldn’t handle not focusing on those endless emotions. It didn’t seem right to do anything else.
Exhausted and wrecked from being unable to sleep and thinking about all the things I could and should be doing to help, I finally rolled out of bed. I might not be able to help Jason, but I couldn’t stay here alone any longer.
I’d been trapped in this house for far too long already, and it wasn’t like I should be worrying about that anymore - Jorge’s attention would be wrapped up in whatever they were planning for the next day.
I just needed company, and I needed to help somehow. I thought of my parents sitting alone at home, worried sick and with even less to trust and believe in than I had.
I hadn’t seen them in too long, and damn it - they needed someone now. Maybe even more than I did. They’d respected my request not to contact me, but realizing that I hadn’t told them anything beyond a vague reassurance that it would be alright had me feeling terrible. At the same time, I’d started thinking about all the information I’d pulled together about Jorge and his gang, that was hidden under my mattress at home. If tomorrow went as we hoped, then maybe that could be the last thing Valentini would need to end this for good. My heart sped up at the idea that maybe all that work could be used somehow.
That decided me. I couldn’t leave my parents - or that book - alone any longer.
I pulled on one of the hoodies Jason had found me, along with my old combat pants, before heading down the narrow stairway to the door. I felt a little guilty about leaving when Jason had asked me not to, but I was only going to my parents - and that shouldn’t be more dangerous than being here. I left a quick note in case he came back here without messaging me first, and then slipped out the door.
I hadn’t quite anticipated how long that quiet walk would be, and the dead of night spooked me a little, but finally getting out and doing something was its own reassurance. The night air felt cloying and close, but it wasn’t as bad as the house had been, and the thought of seeing my parents again was already lifting my spirits.
It would be alright. We’d get Leah back. I had to trust Jason on that - and I needed to give my parents the same hope.
I dropped them a quick message that I was coming, and wasn’t surprised by the instantaneous response - they’d had as much chance of sleeping tonight as I did, it seemed.
The walk was uneventful, reassuring me even more about my decision to leave, and by the time I arrived I could see the lights of the house were on and my mother already had a cup of chamomile tea waiting. It was her go-to for any stressful situation, and just the scent of it relaxed me a little. I was home.
They looked as worn as I felt, and I was grateful that they didn’t badger me with questions as we sat down in the kitchen. Instead, my father just squeezed my shoulder, and I hurt to see the frustration in his eyes. He was a military man and his life had always been about action - not being able to do anything was as difficult for him as it was for me.
“It’s good to see you again, Lottie. We’ve missed you.”
I nodded, not feeling able to smile, but welcoming the quick embrace they’d both given me as I tried to get my head together.
I sipped my tea in silence for a few minutes as I tried to work out what to say, but my father spoke first.
“Lottie…we’ve always let you keep your secrets. And I have a good idea why you didn’t want to discuss it, but now—we have to know if there’s anything you could tell us that could help Leah. Anything that we could do.”
My hands covered his - and then my mother’s - in an instant, as I met the eyes that reflected my own deep-seated fear. I shook my head.
“There’s no reason not to tell you anymore. I wanted to-to protect you, but…fuck.”
For once, my mother didn’t even bat an eye at my language, and I tried to clear my head, breathing deeply.
“I’ll tell you. Everything.”
And so I did. I meant what I’d said - I’d kept things hidden to protect them, to make sure there was nothing they knew that others might want. But if tomorrow worked out how we wanted it to, we didn’t need to worry about that anymore. I was always going to tell them after that.
So for the first time, I told them everything. It all came out - Jorge, Alfonso, the 55th Streeters, Jason and Valentini. Jason. I couldn’t deny the way I felt about him, and the truth is I didn’t even want to. I’d wanted to tell them about him and share how happy he made me for so long, and even with the news about Leah hanging over us, I could see how pleased they were for me - despite their initial caution over what he did and how we’d met. I didn’t mind that, either - they’d always let me make my own choices, and they respected how I felt about him. And when I finally mentioned his efforts now to find Leah, that initial wariness shifted into the hints of relief and hope that had sustained me this far.
“If you know where and when, I can join them.”
My Dad’s expression was fierce and I knew how much he wanted to get Leah back - but whatever it might do to his pride, I couldn’t let him. He was in no condition to be fighting in the streets - no more than I was, and with that leg…
He saw the answer on my face and cursed, expression twisting with frustration.
“It will be alright, Vince. Better not to disrupt whatever they have planned. We just have to trust…that it will be alright.”
My parents - who’d always been so positive - were struggling now, I could tell. And it ate at me. The guilt that I’d fought so hard with was still a shadow at the edges of my mind, and seeing my parents broke me again.
“I’m sorry. Oh, god, I’m so sorry. If I’d have known…”
My father interrupted me, with a strength that echoed Jason’s hours before.
“It’s not your fault, Lottie. None of this is down to you. Just the misbegotten bastards that think they own these streets. I hope to god that afte
r tomorrow, if what you say is right…”
I nodded and clung to that. If Jason and Valentini finished it tonight, then after tomorrow everything would change. We would have our home back, and so many people would stop living in fear. It would give meaning to everything I’d done.
I sighed deeply as we settled back to wait, sipping tea quietly. It was hard to say much when our minds lingered with thoughts of Leah, of Jason and everything that would soon be happening, but it was obvious the company helped anyway.
The kitchen door opened a while later and I burst up, heart looking for Jason even as I wondered how on earth he knew to find me here, and so soon—
Instead I came face to face with Alfonso’s cold, sinister expression. His mouth turned up in a malevolent smile.
“Welcome home, Lottie.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jason
Morning broke, but adrenaline kept my body and mind awake and aware, and I had barely noticed the long night passing as we went over plans again and again. Despite his initial reluctance, Valentini had seized on a way of working my search for Leah into his overall approach.
We’d narrowed down the likely places to a few options, and with Valentini’s men out looking for more information, we were hashing out details while waiting on that. Every moment longer had me worried for what might be happening to her, but I had to believe they were focused on transporting them the hell out of here first. Unless Jorge knew who she was…
I didn’t let myself think that way.
“Got it, boss.”
One of Valentini’s guys rushed in, looking between us as he finally gave me the words I’d waited to hear.
“They’re being held close to the place you gave us for the drop - Whiskey Island - there’s a maze of connected buildings and warehouses that got burnt out in a fire a while back, with a lot of the exterior still intact. I’ve got good info they’re in there - and my source even managed to narrow down your girl to a specific room. We’re in luck too - it’s the back of the block, with a locked off entrance that you can probably slip into and easy access down the corridor to the outside.”
Relief swept through me. I couldn’t have asked for a much better set-up. It was hard to believe he’d managed to find so much information.
“You’re sure?”
“Yep, my guy managed to overhear a couple of them talking about where they were keeping your girl Lottie—”
“Leah”
I interrupted, frowning at the slip.
“What?”
“Leah. Her name’s Leah. She’s Lottie’s sister.”
My previous relief soured in my stomach as I watched his face change, hesitate.
“Um, no. Sorry. I thought we were looking for a girl called Lottie?”
I had no idea how he’d managed to get that wrong - maybe some miscommunication over calling her Lottie’s sister too much - but my focus tilted as I tried to process this, replaying everything he’d just said.
“I’m sorry, boss - I’ll go back and ask again, but at least we have the place and layout—”
I stepped forward.
“Lottie’s there?”
My voice was deadly quiet, and I could feel Valentini tensing behind me. The man in front shifted, suddenly uneasy.
“Um, yes. There’s a girl called Lottie held exactly where I said, anyway.”
Maybe it’s someone else. Maybe…
“The guys there were talking about her? Why?”
He shrugged, still watching me warily.
“I don’t know - apparently they seemed to know her.”
The last hope I had plummeted. They would know my Lottie.
Fuck. What the hell did you do, Lottie?! I told you to stay safe at home!
But the questions vanished in the intense focus that came over me again. I swung to face Valentini.
“I’m going now.”
His expression was twisted up in annoyance and he shook his head sharply.
“Wait - we have to know where Xero and Jorge are first. This doesn’t work if we can’t hit at the same time, I’ve told you that, and they’re not likely to show until the deal tonight.”
I ground my teeth - we’d had this conversation already. I’d told him I was going as soon as I got the intel, and now that it was Lottie as well…nothing was going to stop me.
“I’ll try not to do anything to alert them.”
It was a piss-poor concession, I knew that, and Valentini’s eyes flared with irritation.
“Ah, boss - they’re there too. My source said they were coming down to…erm…inspect the…well, you know.”
The guy was obviously awkward as he interrupted our argument, but I could have hugged him. The fact that Valentini’s guys were so uncomfortable with what Jorge was doing made me feel better too. They might be bastards in some ways, but if I’d ever got wind of this kind of thing while I was working for him, I would have been out of there faster than I could blink - whatever support in finding Xero they might have offered.
“Okay, problem solved.”
I nodded at Valentini and grabbed up my leather jacket, checking I had everything I needed before heading for the door. He intercepted me there and with the need to get to Lottie driving me forward, I could have shoved him out of my way - but instead he clapped my back, the silent support overriding his earlier harsh words.
“Take Jackson. We’ll hit as soon as we know you’re out, or see you in trouble.”
I looked back at the man who’d come running in, realizing for the first time that I hadn’t even asked his name.
Nodding in appreciation, I gestured for him to follow me and walked out - I had what I needed now, and there was no more time for talking.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lottie
My head throbbed as I blearily opened my eyes to look around.
The groan that tried to roll out of me was muffled by the cloth cutting across my mouth and as alarm shot through my awareness, my attempt to jump to my feet ended up as a useless scramble of restrained limbs.
Recollection hit me slower than it should, and I closed my eyes again as I pictured the way my father had charged forward awkwardly on that prosthetic leg - I’d seen him go down, but nothing more as I was grabbed and everything faded to the sight of Alfonso’s leering face.
I shuddered at the memory and tried not to wonder what had happened back home as I looked around, attempting to get my focus back. Everything felt too hazy, and the fear and adrenaline that spiked through me had to fight hard to clear it.
Heart beating wildly, I tested my movement. While my arms were stiffly bound behind me and my ankles together, apart from that I could still move. With effort I levered myself up from the awkward crouched position they’d left me in and tried to get past the cloud of fear and uncertainty to think.
I was alone in a dimly lit room, which both surprised and disappointed me. Based on what I knew of their plans, I would have expected to be with…others. And the one small hope that I might get to see Leah disappeared.
Oh god…first Leah, then my parents, and now I’m trapped here…what have I done?!
Panic threatened to envelop me, but I refused to let it, taking deep breaths through the makeshift gag and trying to work out what I was going to do. My whole body was aching, but sharp adrenaline kept me up and determined.
Jason was coming here. I was pretty sure of that. And they were going to take down this whole operation. So it would be okay. I just needed to remember that, and make sure I was alright until then.
And if you’re not with the rest of them for a reason…?
I shuddered again at the thought of Alfonso’s face, at the idea that maybe this was something else entirely - but I couldn’t believe they’d distract themselves from everything else they had planned just to settle whatever vendetta Jorge might have…
Fuck.
I cut the morbid thoughts. Jason would come. Whatever it took, he’d come for me.
And the more yo
u can do to help, the better.
With effort, I started hobbling to the edges of the room to see whether I could hear anything. There were two doors, but one looked half destroyed in its hinges and was clearly supported from the opposite side, so I guessed it was barred - the other was normal enough, but even if it hadn’t been impossible with my hands like this, I would have been wary trying it. If I wasn’t attracting attention at the moment, maybe that was better.
Hearing a couple of voices in the distance gave me a little confidence that my original assumptions about where I was were correct, but as they started getting nearer my nervousness increased. I tried to shift back towards the center of the room just in case they entered, not wanting to be caught listening at the door. My shuffling movement didn’t do much though and I hated how completely helpless I felt as the door opened before I could get far from the wall.
Refusing to give into the fear threatening to cripple me, I turned defiantly to face the man who entered. As he shut the door behind him, he struck me as oddly familiar. One of Jorge’s guys then. I struggled to remember his name as he glanced at me with a strange look in his eyes.
“Fffrankhey”
I spoke it as it came to me, forgetting about the gag that muffled and garbled it. The brief flash of surprise there gratified me, even as I felt ready to burst from the tension.
“Lottie.”
He watched me for a moment, looking over my binds and whatever bruised and battered state I must be in, then he sighed deeply and shook his head. Coming forward, he reached up to the gag, then hesitated.
“If I remove this, don’t scream, okay?”
I had no idea what he was doing, but I wanted that thing off. My mouth was painfully dry. I met his eyes and nodded.
He tugged it loose at the back and dropped it down to my neck, letting me take a deep breath and work my tongue back around my mouth. Shaking his head, he exhaled sharply.
“Fuck, Lottie, are you okay?”
I blinked at him, feeling a little absurd.
