Page 43 of Protecting Talia

Zip hadno clue how to find Talia. The police were planning on questioning her sister, but they needed more than just a hunch that Cheryl had Talia held captive somewhere. Calling the cops had been the right thing to do, but they moved at a snail’s pace.

He was going to Thario’s place this evening. Thario had been in contact with Tex. Together, they were narrowing down the possible places Talia could be. He knew her sister was involved but confronting her would only make things worse. They had to figure out Talia’s location before they went in hard against her sister.

Zip drove to Thario’s and saw three cars parked out front. The guys had been taking shifts working with Thario to locate Talia. He appreciated everything they were doing, but it seemed like nothing was really happening.

He stepped inside and saw Hop, Kevlar, and Smiley sitting at computers, going through information. Thario was on the phone, nodding. Frog glanced at him but didn’t get up from his place beside Thario.

Zip’s throat closed a little as emotions rose. He knew Hop would be there, but he really appreciated the time Kevlar and Smiley were giving to the search. These guys were the best.

Thario ended his call and met Zip’s gaze. “I think I have a lead.”

His muscles tightened as his head began to buzz. “Really?”

Thario nodded and turned to his computer. He pulled up a secure browser and typed in some information. A map came up, and he leaned in, looking over Thario’s shoulder.

“What are we looking at?” Hop asked.

“There is a boat leaving from this location at around midnight. It’s about an hour away from us, maybe less, depending on traffic.”

“Let’s go!” Excitement ripped through Zip.

“Hold up. The informant isn’t someone I know. He’s into doing some illegal shit and isn’t one hundred percent trustworthy.”

Zip squeezed his hands into fists. “What percent do you give this information being truthful?”

Thario shrugged. “I’d say sixty. The guy is mad at Cheryl. That means it could be closer to eighty percent correct.”

Kevlar pulled out his phone. “How about I call a few guys to go with you? I’m making progress here on the computer.”

“I’ll go,” Smiley said.

Zip nodded. “Let me call Trip and Bud.

Hop stood. “There is no way I’m sitting this out.”

“I’ll shoot you the address. You’ll need to go in ready for anything.”

“Got it,” Zip said. He would do whatever he had to do to rescue Talia. She was the most important person in his life, and he wouldn’t let her slip away.

31

Talia was tired, but she wouldn’t stop resisting Cheryl and the assholes helping her sister until she was dead. Days had passed, and they hadn’t allowed her any food, only water. Her stomach had cramped so much she wasn’t sure if she could stand up straight.

She missed Zip. Maybe she was building him up in her mind, but she didn’t think her memories were that far off. She hadn’t hallucinated yet but figured that would come soon enough. If only she could escape into dreams, but the pain in her belly kept waking her every few hours.

A key sounded in the lock, and she backed up, giving herself space to see what was coming at her. Maybe they were bringing food. Just the thought of food made her stomach rumble. She crossed her arms over her chest and pulled her legs up, trying to make herself as small as possible. It was no use because there was nowhere to hide in the empty room.

The overhead light flipped on, burning her eyes. She blinked a few times before she could make out her sister, followed by two men. She couldn’t tell if they were the same two men as earlier since they had on hoodies. But did it matter? None of them would help her.

“Time’s up,” Cheryl said.

She shook her head. “What do you mean?”

One of the guys came at her, and out of some self-preservation instinct, or maybe it was just hunger, she opened her mouth and clamped down on his arm as he reached for her. Her jaws tightened around his flesh, sinking in, drawing blood.

The man screamed, but she didn’t let up. It took him four, maybe five seconds to get in a good enough punch to knock her loose. When she let go, he hit her again, knocking her to the floor.

“You fucking bitch!” he roared as he swung his leg back to kick her in the head.

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