Page 34 of Stormy Knight

At hearing Paul’s declaration, Stormy’s eyes flew open. “What?” she asked with a shaky voice.

“Awe, did you like him,” Paul said in a sarcastic tone. “I set the place on fire with him inside unconscious.”

Stormy turned her head staring out into the night. Tears filled her eyes as she pressed her face against the glass.

21

The sirens of more emergency vehicles wailed, and the flashing lights painted everything in red and blue. The fire was mostly under control now, but the danger still lingered in the smoke that twisted up into the night sky, a dark reminder of what had happened inside.

Reeves felt a tightness in his chest, as much from the memory of what had occurred, as from the lingering effects of the stun gun. He took a deep breath, but it didn’t help much… his lungs felt like they were still full of soot.

Reeves watched the fireman from earlier walk up quickly. “Did you find her?”

“There wasn’t anyone else inside. Are you sure they didn’t get out?” the fireman asked.

The fireman opened his mouth to ask if Reeves was sure there had been two other people in the place, then hesitated. He could see the determination in Reeves’ eyes, the way his hands were trembling despite the resolve in his posture. The man was clearly pushed past his limits.

Reeves didn’t respond at first. His focus was already shifting, scanning the area for any sign of Stormy on the street. Reevesbreathed into the oxygen mask the EMT held over his mouth and nose. Shoving it aside he answered the man, “They could have. The man was holding her hostage shot me with some kind of stun gun and when I tried to stand, he moved behind me and knocked me out. I woke up only minutes before I was found.”

The fireman watched him with concern, but there wasn’t much he could do. He had done his part. “I think this is now a matter for the police,” he suggested.

“I’ll make sure to give them a statement.” Shoving to his feet Reeves staggered slightly as he stood, the taste of smoke still remained in his mouth, coursing through his veins was enough adrenaline that it kept him upright.

The EMTs had done their job, but he barely registered as they checked him for smoke inhalation or burns. His chest was tight, a low hum in his ears from the sounds around him. Even with him knowing he narrowly escaped being burned to death, none of it mattered.

Stormy and Paul. He needed to find them, to rescue Stormy. Paul had a head start, andan entire cityto disappear into. With every second counting, he couldn’t afford to waste time.

“Mr. Salvador, listen to us,” he heard one of the EMTs call out. Halfway down the alley he barely heard the words as he scanned the street searching for his family. He knew Jackson and Monroe would be there. Somewhere. With the feel of the heat still lingering in his mind he couldn’t ignore how everything around him was a steady hum. He continued to scan the area until he saw his brothers standing behind the police barricade.

Stepping around the police, he didn’t hesitate when Jackson grabbed him pulling him in for a hug. He felt Monroe and Whiskey gather around him doing the same. Pulling back he heard Whiskey ask about Stormy.

“They didn’t find her inside.” He coughed clearing his throat.

“You should go to the hospital.”

“I’m not going to the fucking hospital. I’m going to find Stormy.”

“Ok. Ok. Let me go speak with the cops, then we’ll take you home. We can decideon our course of action once you get cleaned up.”

“I don’t need to get cleaned up. What I need is to find Stormy.” Taking a deep breath he choked, his chest felt tight, but his thoughts of Stormy being kidnapped by Paul circled back around. “Paul attacked me and probably started the fire. He’s got Stormy.” Reeves heard the gasp that his sister-in-law made. He understood her distress. Paul was a psychopath. He needed a plan. Fast. Turning to speak with the nearest police officer, the adrenaline that had been keeping Reeves upright dissipated, dropping him to his knees as he struggled to get a good breath. He could hear Jackson and Monroe hollering for an EMT as he collapsed against the ground.

“Reeves, talk to me.”

Struggling to get up, Reeves told Monroe again from the ground, “Monroe… he took her… Stormy’s ex took her.”

“Jackson’s grabbing a cop,” Monroe told his baby brother as he forced him to stay on the ground. “Settle down, Reeves, we’re also getting you to the hospital. You’re not in any shape to help, Stormy.”

Monroe leaned in where Reeves had choice but to listen to him. “When we find them, you can take care of him in any way you choose.” Keeping his eyes on the area, Monroe also made sure Whiskey was staying right by him while Jackson was grabbing the cop.

Reeves grabbed Monroe’s shirt, pulling his brother closer. “When I find them, I’ll cut his dick off and choke him with it.” He let Monroe go as herested his head back on the ground. In his mind he was already killing the guy.

Jackson rushed back over to his family followed by an officer and an EMT with an oxygen tank. “Reeves, this officer will take your statement and once you’re headed to the hospital, we’ll follow you there.” Dropping to one knee, Jackson forced Reeves to look at him. “Once your released we’ll figure this out.”

Reeves understood what Jackson wasn’t saying. Jackson knew firsthand what could happen to a woman. Whiskey had been kidnapped, tortured, and raped at the hands of their enemies. Even if the guy who had Stormy was her abusive ex, the guy could decide to kill her. “Let’s get going,” he said to the EMT without taking his eyes off Jackson who nodded. Grabbing the oxygen mask, Reeves shoved it over his face.

When a cop walked up asking him questions, Reeves listened and gave the officer what information he had. “Stormy Knight is the woman who was taken. The man who took her is Paul Delacour. I’m not sure what he drives, how long of a head start he has or where their headed.”

He could hear Jackson and Monroe in the background relaying the information to their security staff. As he continued to recount the events, his mind settled, soon there would be a full search for Stormy. He was sure Jackson would be calling in a favor from their friend in the shadows.

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