CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

I t had taken three jumps to reach the kidnappers’ location. Finally, they were standing outside the building identified by Darren’s team.

Oliver was ready to launch in there, but he closed his eyes and let his training kick in. Ari was with them, and he was in charge. Which was probably a good thing. And possibly on purpose.

Was it because he had lost faith in Oliver, or because Piper was his sister-in-law?

Right now, he didn’t care. He just wanted Piper home safely. For some reason, when he envisaged her safe at home, it was in his room. In his bed.

In his arms.

Our connection has just died. Darren used the telepathic link.

Shit.

“Okay, we need to move,” Ari said, keeping his voice low.

“Is it that building or this one?” Logan asked, his eyes darting around. Oliver stared at the original address and all of them realized the labeling on the buildings was all fucked up.

“It’s confusing on purpose,” Ari said. “Let’s split up.”

Oliver nodded.

“Logan, you’re with me. Eli, go with Ari,” Oliver ordered and his eyes darted to Ari, realizing he’d taken over leadership of the team while his boss was there.

Ari smirked.

Oh .

“We go lethal on this one,” Ari said, glancing at them all. “These fuckers are dangerous. Remember, they have that serum so be on alert. I want Piper out in one piece.”

“Got it,” they all said.

Oliver nearly grinned.

Ari had just given them permission to kill.

They were assassins so they were trained killers and paid to do so. They killed bad guys—mostly humans—but it didn’t mean they did so on the regular. But when they were dealing with people who were hired to kidnap and kill?

Nope, that shit wasn’t okay.

Especially not women or children.

Tonight, the message was clear. Kill the assholes. Oliver was very on board with that.

He gave Ari another nod and pointed to the rear of the nearest building. Ari returned a sharp nod.

Check in every two minutes, Ari told them.

Logan followed his six as they made their way, in the shadows, around the apartment building. The complex also housed some businesses.

Stairwell on our right, Logan communicated as they passed a door.

He didn’t bother turning, simply nodded. This was standard procedure, not a lunch time chat.

Out back there were parked vehicles of all different makes and models, and a roller door which led into a warehouse or garage.

Logan found a side door and tested it. It opened, so he glanced at Oliver who nodded. He watched the vampire slip inside, knife in hand down by his side.

We’re out back. Logan has gone inside the garage. Oliver updated the others as he held the door ajar with his foot and looked around, his eyes taking in every detail as if it was just another day at the office.

This shit was what he did, and he did it well.

We’re heading up the stairwell of building one, Elijah shared.

Suddenly, he heard voices in the garage.

I’ve got two males. Human, Logan said. Hold.

Hold meant to stay in location until advised because of potential danger to the target they were extracting.

Fuck.

Oliver’s heart pounded, knowing Piper could be in there. Dead. Or suffering. Or about to lose her life. His fingers squeezed the door, and he felt the metal frame bend.

Waiting, fucking waiting.

Fuck this.

Oliver stepped inside the door and let it close softly.

Tick.

Hold. Logan repeated in a growl.

Fuck off. Is she there?

He couldn’t see anything because of a goddamn wall in the way. Fucking wall. Who the fuck put a wall there?

The silence was deafening, but he’d worked with Logan for decades and knew he was one of the best assassins they had.

He pulled his cap down, if only to do something with his hands.

A car door opened.

Move now, Logan said, and Oliver silently made his way around that fucking wall and joined Logan, who was crouched under a stairwell.

Update, Ari ordered.

Oliver stared at the events unfolding in front of him. While his heart thundered in his chest, hope flared. One of the men was carrying a body wrapped in a blanket which was flailing around like a freshly caught fish. There was a mumbling noise, which he knew to be someone with their mouth taped.

They’d all heard it enough times.

But it wasn’t the body or the sound that confirmed to him it was Piper. It was the scent of spring blossoms mixed with fear that reached his nose.

We’ve got her in sight, Oliver replied and nodded at Logan.

Elijah hold, Ari said, and Oliver figured they were close to entering the offices.

“In three.” He mouthed silently to Logan.

Roger.

Oliver stood and felt Logan do the same beside him. They simultaneously teleported to the vehicle, and he grinned evilly as the humans turned in surprise. One of them nearly dropped Piper, but then gathered her hard against him.

“Hello, boys,” Oliver said. “Y’all have something that’s mine.”

Before they could react, both he and Logan whipped into action and went straight for their necks.

Snap.

Snap.

Logan dragged the bodies around the vehicle as Oliver crouched beside Piper. She’d been dropped to the ground in the action but there was nothing he could do about that. She was moaning and wriggling.

“Stand guard and get Darren on the cameras down here,” he told Logan who would know he meant to get them wiped, and fast.

“Got it.”

I have Piper. Proceed. He told Ari as he peeled the blanket off her head. Not only was her mouth taped shut, but her eyes were wrapped with a scarf of some kind.

Oliver pulled her against him, and she continued to fight him.

“Shhh,” he said, but she was obviously in such a terrified state she didn’t recognize his voice. The scarf came off, and she blinked. Then he removed the tape. Fast.

It was the kindest way.

She let out a loud scream, but he silenced it with his hands.

“Sorry,” he smiled, his eyes thick with emotion.

Her eyes blinked in fear and then shock and then filled with tears. Slowly, he removed his hand, and she gasped for air.

“It’s me, Piper. It’s Oliver.” His voice croaked with emotion. “Baby, you’re safe.”

Fuck, he wanted to pull her against his chest and scream but until he knew if she was hurt, he had to be careful.

She was human.

I’m taking Piper home. Go back up the others, he told Logan, but made sure Elijah and Ari could hear.

We have a vehicle down here to load bodies. Logan dragged the two men into the trunk.

“Oli? You’re alive?” Piper asked.

“Yes, of course...” He frowned, confused.

Oh shit.

The last thing she saw was him and Kurt collapsing. It was no wonder she thought he was dead.

“And so are you darlin’.”

He lifted her into his arms and stood. Now he had a decision to make. He could teleport home with her and eliminate any further risk to her safety. But, hey, by the way, I’m a vampire who can move you through time and space.

Or he could find a car.

“I’m so sorry.” She began sobbing and sunk her face into his chest. He cooed at her to stay quiet and tucked her tightly against his chest.

Fuck.

Think, Oli, think.

What if Ari couldn’t wipe her memories?

“Oliver,” she coughed, and he looked down at her. “I... I just want you to know... I love you.” His heart roared open. “You don’t have to say it back, but when I thought you were dead, I knew how I felt. I just knew.”

He growled.

“No one is coming near you, darlin’. Not ever fucking again. I’m not letting you go.”

“I just needed you to know,” cough, “how I feel.”

Fuck.

Decision made. He was teleporting. Then he’d tell her how he felt about her. His lips lowered to hers gently, and a tear slid down her face. “Let’s talk when we get home.”

“Okay.”

“Close your eyes. We’re taking a different form of transportation than you’re used to.” He placed a hand over her eyes. Whether it was fact, they were told it helped with the nausea for a first-time human teleporter. Tonight they were doing three jumps because of the distance.

He landed on a street corner and heard her gasp.

Next, he landed on a rooftop.

Piper’s nails dug into him as she screamed.

“What the fuck is happening?” she yelled, her voice croaky.

The last destination was his room.

Thank fuck. She was safe. He placed her on the sofa and steadied her.

“You’re safe, darlin’.” Oliver gave her a reassuring smile and ran his hand over her forehead. “Take a breath and then I can answer your questions.”

She let out an ear-piercing scream and scurried away from him to the other end of the sofa.

Oliver stood and rubbed the back of his neck.

Shit.

Sage, you better get in here!