Page 101 of His to Have
I paused, the blade hovering dangerously close to her skin.
Her eyes flickered with desperation. “Old warehouse. Off Rogers.” She barely whispered, the blood clinging to her flesh trickling down from her open wounds. “I—I can take you there.”
“I knew you’d come around.” I nodded, grazing the edge over her skin just enough to draw out a cry. Then, I wiped the blade clean on her pink-stained blouse and gestured for her to lead the way. Reluctantly, she led the way, her steps unsteady. Though she hesitated in her movements, Isabella knew what was up.
Cooperating was the only option.
It’s how I found myself easing through the dimly lit corridors of the old warehouse. The thick air was laced with rust and decay. I had one gun drawn, and my other hand silently directing my men where to move. Orlando knew we were here, so I understood the heat coming our way. Looking at the end of the hallway, I weighed my options.
To the left, a narrow staircase led downward, possibly toward the storage room or basement where Ayanna might be held. To the right was another long hallway leading to a set of large double doors. A few seconds later, I heard heavy footsteps, chatter, and frantic whispers coming from the left of me. My instincts screamed move quickly, but caution kept me rooted in place.
Taking cover, I looked at my men, gesturing for them to cover my back.
“On my signal,” I whispered, adrenaline coursing through my veins. The footsteps grew louder, and I steadied my breath. “Now.”
The sound of gunfire erupted from the right hallway, followed by shouts and the heavy crash of bodies hitting the floor. My men were handling business while my focus was getting to wherever she was. Something about the staircase called to me. It’s where instinct told me she’d be.
If I was Orlando, it’s where I’d put my prisoner, somewhere they couldn’t be heard… or seen.
Moving quickly and carefully, I walked down the steps into the damp basement. It was darker than the rest of the warehouse but not pitch black. You could still see, just not as clearly.
Then I heard it — someone running and stumbling over the crates haphazardly scattered across the floor. My heart told me it was her, but my gun was drawn just in case it wasn’t. When the door flew open, and her battered face came into my sight, I lowered my weapon.
“Teo...” she breathed the minute she laid eyes on me, her body crashing into me with a sense of relief. Her embrace was tight and even a little desperate as she clung to me like she was afraid I’d disappear.
“Amore,” I whispered back, my voice cracking with the same desperation. “You’re okay.” I kissed her temple and stroked the back of her disheveled hair, holding her just as tightly.
“I think... I think I killed her.” Her voice trembled, and I felt her shudder against me. “She was...”
“Shhh...” I gripped her tightly, my free hand massaging at her scalp. “I got you,” I whispered, then kissed her swollen lips. “I got you.”
She was spooked and possibly even a little broken, but she was safe now that she was with me and in my arms. Anyone coming through that door would have to kill me to get to her. And I wasn’t dying today.
We stood there for what seemed like an eternity. Her... breathing heavily, sobbing, and releasing whatever tension she had been holding onto. While I slowly fumed and plotted how Orlando would suffer. I was relieved that she was here and that I could hold her but her cries... they were breaking me.
“We need to move,” I said gently, knowing the danger wasn’t over yet. “You okay to move?”
She nodded, wiping her eyes, when the doors I’d just came through burst open.
My first instinct was to aim my weapon at the intruder, my finger hovering over the trigger ready to take out whoever rounded the corner.
“Boss. Whoa. It’s me,” one of my men said quickly, both hands up as he stepped into view. He then lowered his own weapon and scanned the floor for any signs of danger.
I couldn’t help but notice the way Ayanna flinched slightly at his entrance, then tucked herself deeper into my embrace at the sound of his voice.
Without taking my hands from her, I said, “What’s the status of Orlando?”
“No sign. We searched the entire warehouse except for this section.”
My head shook, contemplating my next move. “Aight', I’ll sweep down here. It’ll be quick. You secure this area. Not a person in or out.”
His chin dipped slightly before doing as I instructed.
Taking a step back, I took a good look at her and swiped the bruising on her face. “Who did this to you?”
I had to know which one would suffer the most.
“It happened during the ambush,” she whispered. “I didn’t see who it was, everything was just a blur. But Isabella, Corey, and Orlando are the ones who had me taken. They were working together.”
