I can’t resist the urge to reach over and squeeze his hand. “I am so sorry. If you need to go to them, I really understand. I’ll be fine here.”
I hate the idea that I’m keeping him away from his parents who need him. His face softens in a way I have never seen before.
“Darlin’, just you offering means a lot to me. The nurse is there right now, so now I’m all yours.” He winks as he says the last part.
I snort. “You’re just a big flirt, aren’t you?”
He shrugs his shoulders. “Darlin’, it seems that you bring out the worst in me.”
Lord, I wonder what the best of him is, and why do I have a feeling that he is really great at it?
I look away, afraid that I could give away my thoughts.
He doesn’t let go of my hand, rather he holds on tighter, intertwining our fingers together.
“How about you slide that ass over here so I can cuddle you like a sappy fucker?” he asks bluntly.
Oh God, my body is screaming because I’m going to be so close to him, pressed against him, but I don’t hesitate.
I scoot against him. He lets go of my hand and wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him.
Next my blanket is thrown across my lap. He wraps it around me, making sure I’m warm.
I’m stiffer than a board and I don’t know what I should be doing. Do I lay my head on his chest?
I am twenty-four years old, I had never held a man’s hand before until today and this is the first time I have cuddled someone.
He slowly glides his hand up my arm until he cups the side of my face, gently laying my head on his chest, and with his other hand he brings my left arm across his stomach, totally taking control.
I am completely, totally pressed against him and it’s the best thing I have ever felt in my life.
Honestly, this is so small, but before this my PTSD stopped me from being in the same room as a man. They terrified me.
But now I feel safe, completely safe, and that is a rarity for me. I scoot even closer, bringing my head right under his chin, and he does the best thing ever.
He wraps both arms around me tightly, holding me to him. His arms are like steel, daring something to tear me away from him.
I want to say so much, I want him to know how huge of a deal this is and he just broke down some walls of mine.
I just stay quiet, enjoying this moment. The sound of the TV in the background and the feeling of being warm and safe lure me to sleep in minutes.
4
Etta
My phone wakes me up. I jump and reach for it on the coffee table, taking in the room for a second before I answer.
Konrad is sitting up. We both fell asleep on the couch and the wall clock shows that it’s three a.m.
“Hello?” I answer, my voice deep with sleep.
“Hi, is this Etta?” a young girl asks, and I sit up straighter. I know immediately she needs help.
“Yes, this is her.”
I put it on speaker phone, setting the phone onto the counter so I can write down information.
She sniffs loudly and I can hear the sound of her chattering teeth. “Can you please help me? I was walking home. I snuck out of my house and these men picked me up off the side of the road. I can’t get ahold of my parents and they are trying to find me.”
“Where are you?” I ask, jotting down everything. We usually deal with cults, but I will do whatever it takes to help someone.
“I am right outside of Stevenson, outside of Raleigh.”
“Send me your location. I’ll be there ASAP.”
A minute later, I get a ding and it lets me know that she’s twenty minutes from here.
“I’m going to let you go, sweetie, but I am going to text you. I’m coming.” I run into my closet and put on my gear, then throw Konrad a vest that I have spare for Vinny. “Ready for your first mission?” I ask him.
He gives me a wicked grin. “More than fucking ready.”
We leave out of the back entrance to the house. I throw Konrad the keys to the SUV and run into the passenger seat. I put my AK on the floor, loading it and putting the strap around my shoulder.
Konrad keeps looking over at me. “This is the hottest fucking thing I have ever seen.” I laugh and load his gun too, ready for him.
We go way over the speed limit and we make it to a wooded area in half of the time. I can see lights shining through the woods, men talking and I know they’re searching for her.
Fuck me.
“Let’s blow some fuckers up.” I step out. “Shine your lights in the woods, let them know we’re here.”
Konrad looks at me with big eyes like I’m the best thing since sliced bread. He does as I ask and gets out to stand next to me. “I would fucking tell you to stay in the SUV, but I know you won’t do that shit, but I ask you to stand behind me please? For my fucking sanity?”
I roll my eyes. “Since you asked nicely.” I put my hand on his back. “Let’s do this shit.”
We look through our scopes so we can see in the dark, we can see their heat signatures. “I see something!” one of the men yells and I can hear twigs snapping as they rush in our direction. It means they aren’t searching for her.
They rush out of the woods, right at the forest line. Their eyes are huge as they take us in, confused as to what is happening.
The men are not professional, I can tell you that right off the bat. They are dressed in baggy jeans, their shirts are disgusting, covered in food and filth. They are majorly skinny. I can see the darkness around their eyes, giving me a hint they are on drugs.
“Onto the fucking ground or I will use lethal force!” Konrad yells in a deep, scary tone and it’s the best thing I have ever fucking heard.
They look at each other, unsure of what is happening. “Who the fuck are you guys?”
Konrad grins. I shiver at the sinister sight. This is not the same smile he has been giving me. No, this one is filled with darkness, pain, and the hell he has planned for these guys.
“Your worst fucking nightmare.” I can feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. I sent the alert to the guys and let them know what was happening. We will have backup soon.
Oh shit, his voice, the absolute terrified look on their faces. I stroll forward from behind Konrad. “Boys, on your knees now.” I flick my gun, pointing at the ground. “Or I can fucking end it now.”
Konrad nods his head back, motioning for me to step behind him. I sigh and do as he asks, not wanting to distract him.
“Look, man, we’re just playing hide and go seek here in the woods,” the one on the right argues.
I laugh. “Do you think we found you for nothing? We know why you’re out here. Do as he asks and we may let you live.” I grin, loving the looks on their faces knowing they’re caught.
One by one they get to their knees, but I know the one on the end is going to give us trouble when he looks to us and to the woods.
He takes off running, slipping off into the woods. “Fuck.” I turn on my night vision scope. I can see him running through the woods on the thermal. I look around the woods until I see a small figure in the opposite direction he is running.
“Let’s get these fuckers tied up and I’ll go find him.” Konrad walks over to the scum lying on the ground.