Page 68 of A Captive Situation

Sawyer

He froze, his head turning to the side.

My heart began thudding in my chest. Why was he stopping? I wanted this too. He couldn’t leave, not like the last time. I opened my mouth, but his hand clamped over mine.

“Someone’s in the house.”

That’s all he needed to say and I froze up again. Fuck. I’d forgotten where we were.

Terror lined inside of me.

He was off the bed in the next instant, and tugged me after him. A strong arm banded around my back, catching me before my feet would’ve hit the ground hard. I was held up against his chest, his very strong and cement-like chest, as he said quietly in my ear, “We can’t make any sound.”

I nodded, just a slight tilt of my chin so he knew I understood.

He released me slowly and my feet touched the floor without making a sound. My knees were starting to shake and sweat ran down my spine as his words registered for a second time.

Someone was in the house. A creak sounded from the stairs followed by someone else saying, “Shhhh. She ain’t on these floors.”

That was definitely not anyone I knew.

My feet locked up. I was so scared of making a sound, if the floor would creak under my feet, but Jake muffled a curse and moved me in his arms. He did something with the bedding before carrying me into the closet.

Closing the door, he stopped it before it clicked, and just then another sound came from the hallway. They were on my floor.

Jake moved me around him, but I began shaking my head. I didn’t want to move away from him. I’d run from him and now I clung to him. The irony wasn’t lost on me. I’d made a mistake.

That mistake brought these people here, putting people I love in danger.

There was another scuffle sound from outside my door.

I fisted Jake’s shirt from behind, pressing my forehead to his back. His muscles were taut, bunched together. Sliding one arm back, he cupped my hip, giving me a slight squeeze. He removed it when my bedroom door opened.

Jake’s arm moved again, leaning forward to the closet door.

“She’s in the bed,” a guy said in such a quiet murmur.

I don’t know if I would’ve woken if I’d been in bed.

Three quiet pops were heard. I gasped, moving so my mouth was pressed against Jake’s back so no sound came from me. Those were the same sounds from the other shooter, the one who used a silencer.

“Fuck.” That same voice was savage, growling. Two heavy footsteps thudded on the floor. “She ain’t here.”

“What?” A second voice, also male. More footsteps.

They went to the bathroom. The light was turned on.

“Her bed’s still warm.” The first voice. “She was just here.”

“Check the closet.” That was a third voice.

More footsteps came our way.

Jake shoved me to the side and right before they would’ve opened it, he shot through it.

Bang! Bang!

He shoved open the door and at the same time, a body hit the floor.

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