Kyle was silent for several long seconds, then he turned in his seat and looked at me, his eyes filled with that hurt I hated seeing, but seemed to haunt him regularly.
“I don’t want you going back to that Hell. You shouldn’t ever have to face it again.” He said more gently.
“And I don’t want to either, but I am the only person who has a chance of finding it. I’m not going to go in. I’ll just find it, then I’ll step back while your team does your thing, ok?”
“Ok.” He agreed, after a long sigh. “I still don’t like it, but ok.”
“When we find the cabin, no matter what goes down, Cole and Matt, you stick by Livy and keep her safe, yeah?”
They both agreed in stereo from either side of me. I turned first to Cole, then to Matt, giving them both shaky smiles. I was terrified, but determined. If there was any way I could stop that girl from enduring one more day of what I had for 2928 days, then I was doing it, even if it meant killing The Shadow with my own two hands.
“That’s Rob’s car, and GPS say’s this is the spot Livy was picked up.” Kyle said, as we slowed then pulled over to the edge of the road.
“Let’s do this then.” Kade announced, then he jumped out of the car.
“Don’t worry Cariña, we’ve got you. No one is going to hurt you this time.” Matt pledged. He kissed my forehead, then opened the door. I slid out after him, while Cole climbed out of his side.
We all moved to the back of the car to pull on the multiple layers we had brought. I put on a sweater, a hooded jacket, then my coat. I wrapped my thick wool scarf around my neck, my teeth chattering the whole time. The guys were all layering up much the same, Kade topping his ensemble with his CPD jacket. He and Kyle were both armed, and Kyle looked positively lethal in his all black tactical gear.
I stepped back to let Cole and Matt in for their own layers while I pulled on my hat and gloves. Once I was as layered as possible, I allowed myself to look up and around the road we were stopped on.
I had thought I wouldn’t recognise it, that a road would just be a road, but I was wrong. The other car, Kyle’s boss’ car, was parked exactly where that police cruiser had pulled up that day. Even though there was a covering of snow this time, I recognised the trees around me, and the broken road marker, just ahead that I had run toward when I fled the officers. I knew exactly which direction I had stumbled up that road in, could feel every raw step I had taken along that asphalt in my bare feet.
“Kyle. Everything ok?” A deep voice asked from far too close to me for comfort, startling me. I instinctively stepped back as I looked up in a panic. Cole was instantly at my side, pulling me into his front and holding me tight against him.
Opposite where we stood, only a few feet away, stood a guy as big as Cole. He was older, maybe in his thirties, but he looked to be in peak physical condition, every inch of him thick with muscle. He had dark, shortly cropped hair and striking dark eyes. He was definitely intimidating, and I was wary, but then he glanced my way and smiled, and I felt a little less terrified. His smile was open and kind, and his eyes were soft and understanding.
“I suppose.” Kyle grouched.
“These your brothers?”
“Yeah, this is Kade, Cole and Matt.” Kyle pointed to each and they all nodded to the stranger. “Guy’s this is my boss, Rob.”
“Pleased to finally meet you all.” Rob returned, his words seeming genuine. “You must be Olivia?” He asked when his gaze returned to me. I nodded and tried to smile, but my nerves likely made it look awkward.
“Livy’s a little anxious.” Kade said for me, taking Rob;s focus from me, thankfully.
“Understandable. You’re brave to volunteer to do this, Honey. Just know, me and my guys, we have your back. We’re going to keep you safe.”
“Thank you.” I whispered. The guy was growing on me. There was just something so genuine about him.
The rest of his team approached then, all dressed in black and visibly armed. They were all tall and pretty scary looking, muscular and seemingly ready for anything.
“Guys, this is Cam, Evan, and Jack.” Rob introduced. They were all good looking guys, that was for sure, but I only had eyes for my guys.
“Why the fuck is Jack here? He’s a fucking surgeon! He’s not on the team!” Kyle instantly snapped, pointing wildly at the blonde guy who was closest to me. Jack didn’t take offence, he just grinned like he thought it was all pretty amusing.
“The others are on jobs Kyle, and you know damn well Jack is more than capable of working this, or any other job with us. He’s just as trained as you are, plus we may need a doctor if we find this kid.”
“I don’t like it! I’ve never worked with him. How do I know we can trust him?”
“Because I fucking said so! Get your head out of your ass, son, and focus on the job. I get that this is personal for you, but if you keep losing it, you’re not coming with us.” Definitely liked Rob, I decided. Anyone who could handle Kyle like
