CHAPTER SIX

Emelia opened her eyes slowly, the pounding headache telling her that she wasn’t where she was supposed to be. The dim light in the metal building seemed out of place, considering where she thought she was. Then she started remembering.

“Sorry about that,” said the old woman. “You weren’t supposed to find us.”

Holy shit. These old people were her bank robbers. She stared at the elderly couple, frowning.

“You’re going to make a call. Once you do, we’ll leave you here for a while to think about your actions.” She was being scolded. By bank robbers! Think about her actions? What about their actions?

“My actions?” said Emelia.

“Don’t argue. We know who you are. Emelia Stanton, sister to Magnolia, Maddie, and Ellie. Daughter to Chief Stanton and granddaughter to Ghost Stanton. That’s quite a legacy, young lady. Myrtle has written down exactly what you’re to say. If you veer from it, I will shoot you.”

“He’s not lying,” said the old woman. “Your friends are already dead. It’s a shame that all of you were sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

Ed handed her the phone and ordered her to dial the number. Her hands were zip-tied to one of the metal supports of the building, but she could dial the number. She prayed that Sebastian would answer and he would know what to do.

“When is Em coming home?” asked Forrest.

“Soon,” said Sebastian, slowing his run as they reached the main trails. “She’s working on that bank robbery case that everyone was talking about. Seven banks in sixteen weeks. Someone is really good at their work.”

“Well, she’ll be home soon, and you two lovebirds can start your life together.”

“What about you and Maddie? Is she leaving the Pentagon any time soon?” asked Sebastian.

“Brother, I wish I knew. She’s acting really strange, and I’m not sure why. I thought we were doing alright, and then when I was supposed to fly up and see her a week ago, she canceled last minute.”

“That’s not weird, Forrest. That’s a woman. She’s probably just swamped with work, that’s all.”

“I guess.”

They walked the remainder of the way to the offices, finishing their morning PT along with the others. As the meeting began, his phone rang, and he recognized Em’s number. At first, he ignored it. She knew that they were in their meetings at this time.

Then he realized she knew they were in their morning meetings at this time. She wouldn’t call unless it was important.

“Hello?”

“Sebastian? Listen carefully, don’t interrupt.” He waved at the room, silencing them as he stood with the phone on speaker. “I am being held captive by the individuals responsible for the bank robberies. They want five million dollars in small bills. I will call back in forty-eight hours to give you the drop.”

“Em. Em, don’t hang up,” he said in a panicked voice.

“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I’ve read the ransom request, and that’s all I can do. I love you.”

The line went dead, and every man in the room stared at Sebastian and then turned to see the fierce expression on Chief’s face.

“Get your weapons. We’re going after my daughter.”

“We’re all going,” said Leif. Major, Brix, Forrest, Garr, and Alistair all nodded at him. Beside Chief were Hex, Jalen, Tiger, Torro, Milo, and Chase. Chief nodded at his friends as they headed toward the weapons room.

“Jet is ready,” said Eric, sticking his head in the door. “Better news is that she has her tracking devices on and comms is active. You’ll have the precise location once you’re in the air. Bring our girl home.”

Boarding the jet, they all took their seats, and Alistair was pleased to see Clark at the controls, along with Autumn. He just smiled at her and then focused on their new task. An hour before landing, the information came through on the exact location.

“She’s in a neighborhood in Maryland near the water. Canton. From the GPS, it appears she’s in the backyard of a home in a small shed. We’re not seeing any activity at the house right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.”

“I’m going to kill them,” said Sebastian.

“Brother, you need to calm down, or I’m gonna leave your ass on this jet,” said Chief. “You won’t risk my daughter’s life. I need you to focus. Hear me?”

“Hear you,” nodded Sebastian. “Sorry.” Hex slapped his son’s back, knowing exactly how he was feeling. Hell, they all knew.

Off the plane, they piled into the waiting SUVs and headed toward the location. Chief could feel the pull at his gut. Two daughters in danger in one year was more than he signed up for. Yet here he was.

The neighborhood appeared quiet and typical for a suburban neighborhood. The SUVs nor the men in them were not in the mood for subtle, pulling right up onto the lawn. Sebastian was the first off, weapon ready, as he stormed into the backyard. The metal shed wasn’t even locked. He prayed that was good news, not bad news.

Tearing the door open, Em was huddled against the wall, blinded by the sunlight.

“Em. Em, baby, it’s me,” he said, cutting the zip ties.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her, carrying her outside. The group of men staring at her made her want to cry, but she tried to hold it together.

“Are they in there?” she asked.

“Who, honey?” asked her father, kissing her forehead.

“Ed and Myrtle. The old couple I came to interview about the masks. They were this sweet little old couple. She offered me a cup of tea, and I foolishly accepted it. I never once thought that anything would be wrong with it. She drugged me, and they locked me in that damn shed. Are they there?”

“No one is inside,” said Hex, walking toward his soon-to-be daughter-in-law. “The place is empty. No clothing, nothing. You must not have gotten further than the front room. There was only living room furniture and a few sparse pieces of furniture and paintings throughout. It’s almost as if it were being staged for sale or something.”

“It’s a front,” she whispered. She realized that Sebastian still held her in his arms, not allowing her feet to touch the earth. “You can put me down, Sebastian.”

“Like hell I will.” He gave her a dark glare, and she could only shake her head, knowing it was futile to argue with him.

“I need to get to the office. They said that they killed my partners. I need to see what happened.” Sebastian frowned, staring at the others. Chief nodded, looking at Hex.

“Alright, honey. Let’s go. But you don’t make a move without us. Clear?”

“Clear,” she smiled. “Everyone? Thank you for coming.” She was met with a dozen middle fingers.

That’s when she cried.