Page 47 of Hart of Redemption
Still, my plan was to hide out until the coast was clear, even if I had to stay until darkness set in. I doubted Gustavo and his men would stay at the plant overnight, unless he decided to keep Emilio prisoner.
My conscience was tugging at me to try to keep Emilio safe.
I gingerly moved two empty boxes against the door to block out any shadows or the light from my phone that might escape beneath that thin strip between the floor and door.
I had to text Gwen. I needed someone to save Emilio.
Me:It’s Fallyn. I need your help. I’m stuck in a supply closet at an old factory on 45 Bay Street in Dorchester. Duke is meeting with Gustavo, who’s holding a prisoner captive by the name of Emilio. I’m afraid that he’ll be dead before dawn. He has info on the ambush. Not much but enough to know that Tito and Mateo Alvarez are behind the stolen guns and also a guy by the name of Lou Romano. No guns yet. Don’t worry about me. I’m good for getting out of here, but I can’t save Emilio without risking both our lives.
Chewing on a fingernail, I fixated on my cell as I silently said, “Come on, Gwen, answer me.”
Five minutes ticked by. Ten. Fifteen.
Nothing.
Knowing my dad was probably glued to his phone, anxiously waiting for any updates on my assignment, I reluctantly texted him.
Me:Dad, it’s me. There’s nothing to worry about, but I’m trying to reach Gwen, and she’s not responding.
The three bouncing dots flashed on screen, and I almost cried.
Dad:What’s wrong?
I copied and pasted my message I’d typed out to Gwen and hit Send.
Me:Also, two men are guarding the entrances, and Gustavo, Duke, Vince, and another guy, Chris, are with Emilio. Again, I’m fine, and I have my gun and knife on me.
Dad:I’ll call a buddy of mine who’s with BPD. I don’t want to risk ATF’s involvement or blow your cover. The most we can do is have the men in blue break up the meeting to at least get you out safely. I’ll call Gwen myself to fill her in. Hang tight.
I would like to believe that I was good at practicing patience because, in my line of work, we couldn’t allow our anxiety to drive our actions. Yet a life hung in the balance, and I was having a difficult time not reacting to the situation at hand.
Your life does, too, so don’t be stupid.
I sat on the floor, resting my head against the frame of a shelf, and closed my eyes, willing my body to stop panicking and my patience to simmer down.
Instantly, I was transported back in time to this morning when Duke and I were in the boxing ring, sparring.
“You’re not anticipating my moves,” he complained after throwing a jab that caught the side of my face. “What’s wrong with you today?”
“You,” I replied. “You and me in a ring isn’t working.”
His six-pack abs were distracting. The thin, happy trail that disappeared beneath the waistline of his shorts was driving me insane, and his legs. Whoa! If I had to pick one feature that I appreciated in a man other than his good looks, it was toned and powerful thighs that shaped nicely from top to bottom, and Duke had that in spades.
“Come again,” he said.
But I didn’t have a chance to answer when his phone kept ringing. He’d brought it with him in the ring and mentioned he was expecting an urgent call.
My cell vibrated in my hand, zapping my lustful memory.
Dad:My buddy isn’t answering. When he does, I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, you can’t worry about Emilio. I know that’s not a good answer, but you need to leave as soon as you can. Do you understand?
Me:Yes. Did you talk to Gwen?
Dad:I did. She’s hanging tight just in case. Text me when you’re safe.
Me:Copy that.
I couldn’t leave the supply closet yet, though. The situation was still rife with danger, and I couldn’t risk getting caught. An hour later, voices had me perking up.
