Page 88 of Belonging to Them
“Police are monitoring traffic cams,” Jaxon says.“Baldwin and Marks are both looking for Ella.”
With this many people, we’ll find her soon.We have to.
“Hey,” Leonie says.“I think we have a ransom call.Unidentified number.”
I rush to her side and reach for my phone, but Jaxon barks, “Don’t pick up.”
“What?”Bash says, incredulous.“They’ll think we don’t care?—”
“They can’t make demands if we don’t talk to them,” Jaxon says.“It’ll give us more time to figure out where they’re hiding.We knowwhothey are, now we just need to knowwherethey are.”
“But what if they have Ella right there on the phone?”I ask, reaching for my phone anyway.
“Then they’ll hurt her if they think it will affect you,” Jaxon says.
My hand falters.“This can’t be standard ransom negotiation behavior.”
“We don’t have a standard, we base every action on the info we have at hand.”Ryder’s voice is kind, but firm.“They can’t influence you into doing what they want if you’re not speaking to them.Do not engage right now.We need a few more minutes with these docs.”
I want to argue with him, because the chance to talk to Ella right now…it’s right there, in that slender piece of plastic and glass.
“They’re texting now,” Leonie says.“You know who I am.I know you’re good for the money.Three million.Four if you wait for the baby to be born.”
Fuck.
“No engagement yet,” Jaxon repeats.
I just want to pay the money, get Ruberetta to give back my girl and her family, and end this.I open my mouth to say so, but a burst of activity at the other end of the room stops me.
“I got it!”one of the other Ironwood people shouts.“I think they’re here—this warehouse in the Bellefleur.”
I make note of the address.Bash and I grab our phones and race for my car while everyone else rushes to theirs.
* * *
Sebastian
Supposedly, the police are going to meet us at the warehouse.I almost hope they don’t.I want to be left alone in a room with the guys who took Ella.The only person who’d be able to walk out on their own two feet afterward would be me.
When we pull up to the warehouse, the gate is closed, but Ironwood guys are already opening it up.Apparently a little B&E isn’t a concern of theirs right now.Good, because it isn’t a concern of mine, either.
We pull into the lot and get out of our cars.Three buildings surround the lot.Faint light emanates from the high windows of the building in the middle—so that’s where Ironwood is going to focus the rescue efforts.
I search for Jaxon or Ryder, finally find Ryder, and say, “Tell your people to look before they do anything.There’s a pregnant woman in there.Try not to do anything that could hurt her or the baby.”
“Got it,” he says.“I’ll pass it along.”
Kingston and I don’t go in.We’re not wearing the right gear, and they are.We’re not carrying weapons, and they are.
I fucking hate it, though.Waiting.I feel useless.Ironwood opens the large door and their people pour into the building.Gunshots sound.Ironwood’s using rubber bullets, but I bet Ruberetta’s guys aren’t.Fuck, I hate this, I should be in there, finding Ella, making sure she’s okay.
Silence.
That’s it—I don’t care if going inside is dangerous.I can’t wait anymore.
I look over at Kingston.He nods—he can’t wait, either.
As we approach the large doorway, a couple of Ironwood guys are pulling out an unconscious man—from the man’s informal clothing, I guess he’s one of Ruberetta’s.They’re bringing out a second guy, too, and this guy is awake and fighting them.
