Page 89 of A Captive Situation

She angled her head to meet my eyes, studying me as she sucked her top lip down between her teeth. She was unsure. I got that, but I was finding out there were no limits to what I was willing to do to keep her safe.

Her,I thought as I was staring at Sawyer.

She was the reason my past was being unearthed inside of me, because I was willing to set the world on fire if it meant she would be unscathed by it. Skills I’d needed to be primal and ruthless were being set free, because I needed them for her.

But, fuck. I didn’t give a damn. I would embrace whatever I needed for her. I’d do it all for her.

I cupped the back of her head and rested my forehead to hers, even if that meant becoming a man she’d be horrified by. I’d become that man if it meant she was alive, including doing what I was about to do.

We had seconds to go.

The two girls’ voices began drifting over to us.

I whispered, fiercely, “Trust me.”

It was the right thing to say. I saw the capitulation before she nodded, just slightly.

I breathed out in relief because it was time.

I let go of Sawyer, saying, “Now.”

The two girls were almost to us. Green was closest to us, which was the plan. She looked my way, just for a second, before alarm came over her. Her mouth opened to scream, but I took two steps, wrapped my arm around her neck, my hand covering her mouth at the same time I brought the needle to her neck. She started to struggle, but I stuck her and pushed the drug into her that would put her into an immediate deep sleep.

It was over within seconds, her body slumping in my arms.

Sawyer and the other girl both froze, eyes wide and scared.

I caught Green’s body in my arms and pulled off her sweatshirt.

The other girl took it from me, putting it on Sawyer with jerking movements.

When both still stayed behind, I barked out, “Go!”

“Wait a minute. Ashton didn’t say—” his employee started to say.

She knew there’d be a switch-up. She knew to bring a sweatshirt for Green to wear, and to get Green to wear it when they left the bar with the hood up.

She stopped when I glared at her. “Your boss is in the Mafia. Don’t be stupid.” I moved to put Green in the back, laying her down. Closing the door, neither had moved. I said again, harshly, “Go! She’ll be fine. Jesus Christ.”

Ashton’s employee jumped, but hurried ahead.

Sawyer lingered.

“Go.” I gentled my tone, reaching over and lifting the hood up to cover Sawyer. “The girl’s safe. I promise. Catch up with her. Keep your head down.”

She blinked a few times before the hesitation cleared, hurrying after the girl.

The street cameras would be blurry at this time of night, but Lane would get a hold of it. He’d have his people comb through every second of it, but I knew what the cameras would see.

They would see a couple stepping into the blind spot.

They would show Green and her friend leaving the bar in the same alley.

They would show a truck leaving with the same couple. The alley would be too dark to get concise features so we would not be identified.

And lastly, the camera on the street would show Green with her friend leaving that alley.

The friend would go on the subway, and Green would walk ahead, into another blind spot where she would disappear.

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