"You should try to get some sleep. You'll feel better after you rest. I'm not going to leave your side again. Not even for a minute."
The captain broke in, once again trying to interview Hannah. Dylan shut him down. "Later. She's been through too much. You can talk to her later."
The guy looked like he might argue, but finally nodded and turned to exit, leaving them alone for the first time.
Tears streamed down her face as Dylan leaned in close. She whispered, "How could he get away?"
He stroked her messed-up hair, trying to calm her. "That's the million dollar question, but you don't need to worry about it. We've got you. Lukus and Z are right outside the door. I'm gonna stay with you. What do you need? Are you hungry?"
She shook her head, looking afraid to talk for fear she'd break out crying. He stroked her bare arm, trying to comfort her. When it resulted in her dissolving into sobs, he toed off his boots and lay down on the bed on top of the covers, pulling her into his arms. He let her cry until he could feel her relaxing. She'd cried herself to sleep.
Sleep well, baby. I won't let anything hurt you again.
Markus
Markus sat at the kitchen island in his best friend's loft. It was almost midnight, and he'd sent the girls in to bed hours before. He had canceled all of his meetings at the office this week, but that didn't mean he could take the time off. He was in the middle of prepping for several high-profile trials he had in the coming weeks. Luckily, his assistant Laurie hadn't minded swinging by the loft with the files he needed to work remotely.
His eyes were getting heavy when his cell phone rang loudly. He'd turned up the volume to make sure he wouldn't miss a call from Lukus. It was his best friend's ring tone.
"Tell me good news," Markus said.
"I fucking wish. What a damn mess."
"The police wouldn't approve the raid?" Markus was sure they'd had enough evidence to get a search warrant.
"Oh, they approved. We went in. We saved Hannah and the other hostages, but the prick got away."
"God dammit!"
"No shit."
"How?" Markus asked.
"He had a secret tunnel he could get in and out through. You need to up your game. He is in the wind."
Markus's heart rate inched up at the thought of Davenport walking free. "I was going to go into the office for a few hours in the morning. I'll cancel that."
"Yep. I'm having Ethan close down the club again tomorrow night. The members are gonna have my head, but it can't be helped. I sent Derek to pick up Hannah's kid and her babysitter and they're gonna be on a red-eye tonight, arriving early tomorrow morning. Sean's gonna pick 'em up at the airport and drive them to the loft."
Lukus took a break, placing his hand over his phone to have a muffled discussion with someone at the other end of the line before returning to the call with Markus. "I'm calling Aiden next. I'll have him update the CPD and make sure they are doing rounds downstairs. It's time they get involved officially."
"What about the girl you had going into the warehouse wired? She okay?"
Markus heard the guilt in his best friend's voice as he answered. "Yeah, Hannah's doing as well as she can be after living through the freak show he put her through. Her best friend, Mia, got shot, though. They're here at the hospital for observation, but I expect Hannah to be released tomorrow."
"That's good." Markus knew the answer to the next question before he asked it. He asked it anyway. "You want me to break the news to the girls that tomorrow night's baby shower for Rachel is postponed, right?"
Lukus's sharp intake of breath told Markus that his friend had forgotten about the girls' plans. "Shit, they're gonna be upset, but it can't be helped. No one leaves the loft until further notice. I don't even want others coming in right now. Lock it down."
"Agreed. I'll handle it."
Lukus was in boss mode, barking orders at the other end of the phone before giving Markus his next command. "Hold on. I'm conferencing in Aiden."
The call went silent without giving Markus a chance to even answer. He'd known his best friend since college. He knew Lukus needed to keep a tight control right now to keep himself from losing it by thinking about the horrible things that could happen to the people he loved.
Within a few seconds, Aiden's voice came on the joint call. "Hey, what's up?"
Lukus answered. "Shit went down out here and we raided the warehouse with the authorities. They are shut down, but... the fucker got away. He's out there, and he's coming for the girls. I know it."
Aiden was a hothead, so his calm response surprised Markus. "We don't know that. He's on the run, yes, but if he's smart, his priority is getting out of the country right now."
Lukus countered, "This is personal with Davenport. Trust me. He wants to get even with Markus and me. He wants to hurt our women. It's time to make this official. I want the CPD on alert. I want you guys staking out the loft. I want—"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You want. I get it," Aiden said.
"Don't be an asshole. I didn't have to call you, you know. I have other contacts at the CPD."
Aiden chuckled. "Yeah, so I've heard. Word has gotten around that my sister is engaged to you. I've had cops congratulating me all fucking week at having you 'in the family'—assholes."
Lukus chuckled, lightening the heavy mood. "See. I told you I was a good guy."
"Whatever. The only thing I care about is that you take good care of my sister and make her happy."
"I'm trying, but until I get back in town, I need your help keeping Tiff safe. Think you're up for it?"
"Listen, I've been keeping Tiff safe her
