(Nick)The huge man shoved me harder against the pipes, checking my chains while Lila struggled against her own ropes as she sat beside me.My wrists ached, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Lila and James. The man had tied her here as soon as he’d grabbed her and James from the tunnel, leaving only James free.“Leave her alone!” I yanked at the chains as the man moved to Lila and grabbed her chin, examining her face.“The mighty Montgomery princess.” He smiled cruelly. “Not so high and mighty now, are you?”I pulled against the metal uselessly, trying to get to Lila somehow. “Get your hands off her!”“Robert. Darling.” The blonde woman—I knew her from somewhere, but I couldn’t place it—touched the big man’s arm. “Perhaps we should give them some space?”Robert released Lila roughly. “Check their restraints again. Make sure they’re secure.”She moved to Lila first to check the rope, but I could see her shaking.“I’m sorry,” I heard her whisper. “I never wanted this.”“Save it.” Lila jer
(Lila)“Grace? What does Grace have to do with this?” I fought my rope hard, trying to catch Romy’s eye, but she wouldn’t look at me.“We need ropes for the boy. Maybe chains for Little Lila.” Robert checked his platinum watch and then looked up at Romy, staring hard enough to make even me uncomfortable. “I can’t stay all day, and clearly, they can’t be trusted.”He grabbed James’s arm, dragging him back toward me. James stumbled, falling against my legs.“Careful!” I tried to cushion his fall despite my bound hands.“Sit.” Robert shoved us both against the wall. “Don’t move.”James pressed his small body closer to me, as if he’d find an escape there. I wished I could hold him properly, protect him from all this.“I wish…” James whispered so quietly I almost missed it. “I wish you were my mom.”My heart squeezed painfully. I thought of the baby growing inside me—James’s sibling, though he didn’t know it. Wouldn’t know it, if we didn’t get out of here.Nick’s eyes found mine and we kep
(Lila)“Hurry!” I urged.Romy fumbled with a ring of keys she’d managed to retrieve from her purse, trying them one by one in Nick’s chains. Just like before, I kept hold of James’s ankle as he climbed into the tunnel entrance, making sure he was safe.The stairs creaked above—Robert would come any moment.“There’s too many,” Romy whispered, her fingers shaking as she tried another key. “I don’t know which—”“Try the brass ones first,” Nick said to her even as his eyes never left my face. “Most high-end locks use brass keys.”I still held James and guided him deeper into the tunnel, urging him to go on. “Remember what I told you? About being brave?”James clutched my hand. “Yes, I remember, but…but what if I can’t get to the police?”“You can.” I leaned toward him, touching his head. “Because you’re so brave. Count your breaths with me. In for four, out for four…”His small hand found mine in the tunnel. “You’ll stay until I’m out, right?”“The whole time.”“Promise?”“I promise. And
(Nick)Robert’s men advanced while James sobbed in the tunnel. I kept myself between them and Lila, scanning for anything I could use as a weapon. There were some rusty pipes there, but most were bolted down tight. The old chains on the floor were too far to reach.“Get him,” Robert commanded, adjusting his cufflinks.The first man rushed me and tried to punch me. I sidestepped, grabbing his outstretched arm and using his attempt to slam him into the concrete wall. My martial arts training kicked in instantly—block, counterstrike, dodge the follow-up. The second man came to my left, pulling a wicked-looking knife from his jacket. Behind me, James cried harder. “Help! I’m stuck!”“James, honey?” Lila pressed herself closer to the tunnel entrance. “Can you hear me?”“I can’t move! The walls are closing in!”“Yes you can,” Lila said calmly despite everything happening around us. “Remember what we practiced? In for four counts, out for four. Do it with me now.”The knife-wielding thug s
(Ethan)“They found him!” Detective Dale burst into the station’s waiting room. “James is safe.”My heart nearly stopped. “Where? How?”“Romy Leroy brought him in.” Dale checked his notes. “Former model, apparently—”“Romy?” Alexander’s head snapped up from where he’d been coordinating with his security team. He went completely pale. Ashen. “How did she—”I barely registered his reaction, already grabbing my coat. “Is James hurt?”“Asleep in the break room. Seems physically unharmed, but—”I was running before he finished speaking. Behind me, I heard Alexander’s frenzy.“Tell me everything about Romy,” he demanded from Dale. “Where has she been? Is she okay? What—”His voice faded as I ran through the station. Officers jumped out of my way as I rounded the corners, following signs to the break room.And there he was.James curled up on a worn couch, his small body covered with someone’s police jacket. Beside him sat Romy Leroy, exactly as I remembered her from magazine covers years ag
(Lila)Nick’s fist connected with the last thug’s jaw with a sickening crack. The man fell on the basement floor, joining his unconscious partners. Blood was dripping from Nick’s face as he leaned against the wall, breathing hard.“We need to go,” I touched his arm gently. “Your wrist looks bad.”“I’ve had worse.” Nick tried to straighten but winced. “Robert’s still out there somewhere. He ran upstairs when he heard cars approaching.”The basement felt different now with the thugs unconscious and Robert gone—less threatening somehow, but the symbols on the walls still made my skin crawl. My own desperate carvings from fifteen years ago, and the ones copied and twisted into something cruel.The silence broke with a yell—high-pitched, terrified.“James!” I grabbed Nick’s sleeve. “That came from outside. It was James!”We ran up the narrow basement stairs together, his arm shooting out to hold me when my foot caught on a broken step.“Wait.” Nick pulled me to a stop near the top. “Listen
(Lila)Romy stood over Robert’s fallen body, having pulled back from Alexander. Her hands shook slightly, but she kept her eyes on her fallen husband and watched for any sign of movement. His blood spilled on the floor.“Secure the scene!” A detective said as police checked every room and arrested all the thugs who hadn’t managed to escape. “Check all exits! Medics, stand by!”Nick’s fingers found mine. I couldn’t take my eyes off James and Ethan. Grace had quietened for now, but the boy still clung to his father like a lifeline.“Sir, we need to examine your son,” a paramedic approached them cautiously. “Standard procedure after a hostage situation.”“No.” James pressed closer to Ethan’s legs. “Please don’t make me move.”“It’s okay, buddy.” Ethan stroked his head. “They just want to make sure you’re not hurt.”“But what if she comes while they’re checking me?” James whispered. “What if Mom tries to take me?”Grace glared at him, but said nothing. A female paramedic knelt beside them
(Lila)I sat hunched in the hospital waiting room’s plastic chair, watching Nick pace. His suit was still covered in dirt and blood from the basement, but he wouldn’t leave to change. None of us would leave, not with James being examined behind those doors.“Sit down before you get even more tired,” I said, but Nick kept walking.“Can’t. How long does a basic examination take?”“They’re being thorough.” My hand touched my still-flat stomach as if on its own accord. “After what James said about Grace…”Ethan hadn’t moved from his position against James’s door since we arrived. His clothes were as ruined as Nick’s. Dried blood crusted the collar where Robert had split his lip.“Mr. Baldwin?” A nurse approached Ethan. “We need to document your injuries too.”“I’m fine.” Ethan didn’t look away from the door. “Focus on my son.”“At least let us clean that cut—”“I said I’m fine.”The nurse retreated, shaking her head. I understood her frustration, but I also understood Ethan. None of us co
(Lila)I sat hunched in the hospital waiting room’s plastic chair, watching Nick pace. His suit was still covered in dirt and blood from the basement, but he wouldn’t leave to change. None of us would leave, not with James being examined behind those doors.“Sit down before you get even more tired,” I said, but Nick kept walking.“Can’t. How long does a basic examination take?”“They’re being thorough.” My hand touched my still-flat stomach as if on its own accord. “After what James said about Grace…”Ethan hadn’t moved from his position against James’s door since we arrived. His clothes were as ruined as Nick’s. Dried blood crusted the collar where Robert had split his lip.“Mr. Baldwin?” A nurse approached Ethan. “We need to document your injuries too.”“I’m fine.” Ethan didn’t look away from the door. “Focus on my son.”“At least let us clean that cut—”“I said I’m fine.”The nurse retreated, shaking her head. I understood her frustration, but I also understood Ethan. None of us co
(Lila)Romy stood over Robert’s fallen body, having pulled back from Alexander. Her hands shook slightly, but she kept her eyes on her fallen husband and watched for any sign of movement. His blood spilled on the floor.“Secure the scene!” A detective said as police checked every room and arrested all the thugs who hadn’t managed to escape. “Check all exits! Medics, stand by!”Nick’s fingers found mine. I couldn’t take my eyes off James and Ethan. Grace had quietened for now, but the boy still clung to his father like a lifeline.“Sir, we need to examine your son,” a paramedic approached them cautiously. “Standard procedure after a hostage situation.”“No.” James pressed closer to Ethan’s legs. “Please don’t make me move.”“It’s okay, buddy.” Ethan stroked his head. “They just want to make sure you’re not hurt.”“But what if she comes while they’re checking me?” James whispered. “What if Mom tries to take me?”Grace glared at him, but said nothing. A female paramedic knelt beside them
(Lila)Nick’s fist connected with the last thug’s jaw with a sickening crack. The man fell on the basement floor, joining his unconscious partners. Blood was dripping from Nick’s face as he leaned against the wall, breathing hard.“We need to go,” I touched his arm gently. “Your wrist looks bad.”“I’ve had worse.” Nick tried to straighten but winced. “Robert’s still out there somewhere. He ran upstairs when he heard cars approaching.”The basement felt different now with the thugs unconscious and Robert gone—less threatening somehow, but the symbols on the walls still made my skin crawl. My own desperate carvings from fifteen years ago, and the ones copied and twisted into something cruel.The silence broke with a yell—high-pitched, terrified.“James!” I grabbed Nick’s sleeve. “That came from outside. It was James!”We ran up the narrow basement stairs together, his arm shooting out to hold me when my foot caught on a broken step.“Wait.” Nick pulled me to a stop near the top. “Listen
(Ethan)“They found him!” Detective Dale burst into the station’s waiting room. “James is safe.”My heart nearly stopped. “Where? How?”“Romy Leroy brought him in.” Dale checked his notes. “Former model, apparently—”“Romy?” Alexander’s head snapped up from where he’d been coordinating with his security team. He went completely pale. Ashen. “How did she—”I barely registered his reaction, already grabbing my coat. “Is James hurt?”“Asleep in the break room. Seems physically unharmed, but—”I was running before he finished speaking. Behind me, I heard Alexander’s frenzy.“Tell me everything about Romy,” he demanded from Dale. “Where has she been? Is she okay? What—”His voice faded as I ran through the station. Officers jumped out of my way as I rounded the corners, following signs to the break room.And there he was.James curled up on a worn couch, his small body covered with someone’s police jacket. Beside him sat Romy Leroy, exactly as I remembered her from magazine covers years ag
(Nick)Robert’s men advanced while James sobbed in the tunnel. I kept myself between them and Lila, scanning for anything I could use as a weapon. There were some rusty pipes there, but most were bolted down tight. The old chains on the floor were too far to reach.“Get him,” Robert commanded, adjusting his cufflinks.The first man rushed me and tried to punch me. I sidestepped, grabbing his outstretched arm and using his attempt to slam him into the concrete wall. My martial arts training kicked in instantly—block, counterstrike, dodge the follow-up. The second man came to my left, pulling a wicked-looking knife from his jacket. Behind me, James cried harder. “Help! I’m stuck!”“James, honey?” Lila pressed herself closer to the tunnel entrance. “Can you hear me?”“I can’t move! The walls are closing in!”“Yes you can,” Lila said calmly despite everything happening around us. “Remember what we practiced? In for four counts, out for four. Do it with me now.”The knife-wielding thug s
(Lila)“Hurry!” I urged.Romy fumbled with a ring of keys she’d managed to retrieve from her purse, trying them one by one in Nick’s chains. Just like before, I kept hold of James’s ankle as he climbed into the tunnel entrance, making sure he was safe.The stairs creaked above—Robert would come any moment.“There’s too many,” Romy whispered, her fingers shaking as she tried another key. “I don’t know which—”“Try the brass ones first,” Nick said to her even as his eyes never left my face. “Most high-end locks use brass keys.”I still held James and guided him deeper into the tunnel, urging him to go on. “Remember what I told you? About being brave?”James clutched my hand. “Yes, I remember, but…but what if I can’t get to the police?”“You can.” I leaned toward him, touching his head. “Because you’re so brave. Count your breaths with me. In for four, out for four…”His small hand found mine in the tunnel. “You’ll stay until I’m out, right?”“The whole time.”“Promise?”“I promise. And
(Lila)“Grace? What does Grace have to do with this?” I fought my rope hard, trying to catch Romy’s eye, but she wouldn’t look at me.“We need ropes for the boy. Maybe chains for Little Lila.” Robert checked his platinum watch and then looked up at Romy, staring hard enough to make even me uncomfortable. “I can’t stay all day, and clearly, they can’t be trusted.”He grabbed James’s arm, dragging him back toward me. James stumbled, falling against my legs.“Careful!” I tried to cushion his fall despite my bound hands.“Sit.” Robert shoved us both against the wall. “Don’t move.”James pressed his small body closer to me, as if he’d find an escape there. I wished I could hold him properly, protect him from all this.“I wish…” James whispered so quietly I almost missed it. “I wish you were my mom.”My heart squeezed painfully. I thought of the baby growing inside me—James’s sibling, though he didn’t know it. Wouldn’t know it, if we didn’t get out of here.Nick’s eyes found mine and we kep
(Nick)The huge man shoved me harder against the pipes, checking my chains while Lila struggled against her own ropes as she sat beside me.My wrists ached, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Lila and James. The man had tied her here as soon as he’d grabbed her and James from the tunnel, leaving only James free.“Leave her alone!” I yanked at the chains as the man moved to Lila and grabbed her chin, examining her face.“The mighty Montgomery princess.” He smiled cruelly. “Not so high and mighty now, are you?”I pulled against the metal uselessly, trying to get to Lila somehow. “Get your hands off her!”“Robert. Darling.” The blonde woman—I knew her from somewhere, but I couldn’t place it—touched the big man’s arm. “Perhaps we should give them some space?”Robert released Lila roughly. “Check their restraints again. Make sure they’re secure.”She moved to Lila first to check the rope, but I could see her shaking.“I’m sorry,” I heard her whisper. “I never wanted this.”“Save it.” Lila jer
(Ethan)“Trace that call now!” I slammed my hands on Detective Dale’s desk. “Nick said they’re near freight tracks, didn't he? In a basement. That’s something, isn’t it?”“Mr. Baldwin.” Dale barely glanced up from his computer. “We have every available unit—”“Every unit isn’t enough!” I yelled and made myself even hoarser than I already was. “My son is out there. Lila’s out there. And you’re just sitting here typing!”Dale stayed behind his desk, watching quietly as phones rang constantly. Officers rushed past with papers, barking into radios, but nothing ever happened fast enough!“My baby girl…my poor baby girl…”It was Caroline Montgomery sitting in a corner chair. She had not stopped weeping since the police had informed her of Nick’s call. Her sobs got louder with every minute, and they made my head hurt.Jonathan Montgomery paced nearby, his phone pressed to his ear while his teeth ground together.“You understand how I feel? No, Senator, you clearly don’t understand! This isn’