Page 82 of Burn for Me

“Just hold on, Sam!”There's too much commotion to hear Caspian properly, but the voice that follows comes through loud and clear, making my heart sink into the pit of my stomach.

“Please…”

This may be one request I may not fulfill for her as I am crushed into the pavement from behind, and a cloth is held over my face.Not like this.No matter how many elbows I throw or how hard I thrash, more bodies pile on me as that fucking rag stays pressed on my face.

“There you go, Sammy, breathe.”

Twenty-Seven

9-3-2024

The devil was never a man.

-Jasmine

An odd feeling wraps around my chest as I struggle to hear my team over Sam’s grunts. I try to walk calmly through the crowd, unsure where he is. I thought I’d panic in this situation, but instead, all I feel is pure rage boiling over. Sam's heavy breaths better be the result of him finally letting out all that anger because if it’s not, then I'm about to prove him right.

The devil was never a man.

“Jas’ get out. They have Sam.”

That single statement stops me in the middle of the ballroom. People are dancing and laughing as if it’s just another ordinary day–as if my husband’s disappearance isn’t even a minor inconvenience.As a man walks by, I slip my hand under his shirt and pull the pistol from his waist; he continues without noticing the movement.

They have Sam.

Those words echo in my mind, repeating until they feel like a bad song stuck on replay, so I start to hum them like a melody while glancing around. These people love to send warnings; it's their motto. Why don't I give one of my own?

Raising the pistol to my side, I shoot at the bar, hitting every large, expensive bottle of liquor as I walk, causing people to gasp and drop to the floor like I'dactuallyshoot them right now. I laugh. They can pay for their distorted view of normality later. I understand their mindset–I was raised that way, too–instilling fear to gain power. The only difference is I don’t want to be on top; I just want them to understand one thing:don’t touch what’s mine.

“Damn it, Jasmine. What the bloody hell are you doing?”Tide yells, and I roll my eyes at the high-pitched whine it creates as I empty the clip and leave the room.

“Can you find his location?” I say without trying to conceal my words while staring at the men by the door.

“Pulling it up now.”Moe huffs, and the tightening in my chest loosen slightly.

I raise my hands and drop my gun in mock surrender, and the men point their rifles in my direction. Don't they realize that I have somewhere to be?

“On the floor!” One barks.

“No thanks. It’s filthy.” I reply, scoffing.

He raises his hand and slides back the slider, allowing me to pull the knife from my leg and throw it at his chest. As he falls,the other man tries to rush me, but I drop to the floor and quickly scramble toward the door.

“I want all personnel. Whoever took him comes to me. Moe, where is that fuckin location.”Tide booms in my ear so loud I have to press my hand to my head as I stand.

“No. They come to me,” I bite out, and the big bald man turns.

His fist raises but pauses as someone yells, “Let her by!”

I don't even glance at the man with a deep voice as I push past the security guard.

“This isn’t about you–”

“Tide.”Moe cuts him off with a voice I have yet to hear him use, but I'm thankful for it anyway.

A pair of headlights rush toward me, but the car swerves and cuts me off. I don’t take the time to check my surroundings as the door swings open, so I jump inside. When I look up, I'm caught off guard. It's not the familiar deep brown eyes I had hoped to see; instead, I stare into bright sky blue, piercing eyes.

“Have you lost your mind?!”

---