Save Me (Taken Series Book 1) (11 page)

“Let’s go. Hurry up. We need to move fast. Your teacher just left and will be here within five minutes and you need to be already on your way.” He motions with his hand to get my ass moving and I quickly get up tripping on my way to the door. My breathing is erratic, my heart feels like it’s going to burst from my chest it’s beating so hard. Tears are ready to spill down my face with elation but I don’t let them as I follow behind this man who is helping me. I trip on the lip of a throw rug in the hall as we rush down the hall nearly falling into the back of the guy but he turns swiftly catching me in time. I didn’t realize he was paying that close attention to see me falling. The hall turns into a living room of sorts making me think we’re in someone’s house but who’s I don’t know. It could be Mr. Morris’ house or his partner, ‘the boss’, or it could be somebody completely different.

The house is very tidy and looks dark with passionate colors. It’s like something you’d imagine for a romantic setting with the deep reds, dark greys and charcoal blacks accenting the walls. There are three doors, two that push open and one with a handle but I don’t pay too close attention as we rush through to the front door. Not once did I notice anyone else there and I wonder where everyone was. Were they hiding in the rooms or locked up in them? Or was the house empty? No, it couldn’t be empty because the girl I talked to earlier was here somewhere.

Now normally when escaping I figured it would be better to run out the back door, jump a fence and go through the other persons yard and leave that way to avoid getting caught but apparently I watch too much TV. When I step through the front door and out onto the porch I notice a cars headlights shining brightly at the front door as the guy grabs my hand and pulls me towards it. I’m a little hesitant and resist at first until the driver’s side door opens and another man steps out. As soon as I realize who it is I push past the guy helping me escape and run to the car hopping into the passenger seat. I can jump into Forrest’s arms later after we make it to our safe hideout. I buckle up as the guy who got me out talks to Forrest quickly and quietly. I can’t understand what he is telling him but Forrest doesn’t speak, just nods his head before shaking the guys hand and climbing into the drivers’ seat.

He doesn’t speak, he doesn’t look at me or touch me as he backs out of the drive and takes off down the street heading to who knows where. He doesn’t stop at the stop signs just plows through them looking both ways beforehand to make sure nobody is going through them all the while taking turns at lightning speeds making me grip the handle of the door and my seat, glad that I wore my seat belt. I’m afraid to open my mouth and speak or hell, even scream, because he’s scaring me right now and I don’t want to distract him in case it causes us to crash. We drive in complete silence for about twenty minutes before pulling up to a gated community. Forrest enters a number into the pin box and the gates open quietly. He pulls the car through stopping after he passes the gates to check and see if anyone followed. At least I’m assuming that’s why. Forrest drives slowly through the neighborhood turning on a few different streets until it dead ends into a cul-de-sac. He goes to the house at the very end and the garage door opens as he hits a button on the visor and pulls the car in shutting the engine off once the door shuts.

We sit there in silence. Complete and utter silence. Well this was not how I imagined my homecoming with Forrest would be like.

Chapter 6

             
Forrest

When I got the text that it was Sierra at the house her teacher frequents, I knew I needed to act fast. I was working the fight scene making my rounds like always as I waited impatiently for my buddy to confirm the girl’s identity who was brought in by Jeremy Morris earlier. I’m sure with the fury rolling off of me after reading his confirmation message and shoving my phone in my pocket, everyone probably thought I was going to explode and kill the next guy who looked at me with my bare hands. I was raging out curses and shaking with the hold I had on myself from literally shredding Jeremy Morris with my bare hands.

I’ve never noticed him before at the underground fights so I was surprised when I saw him leaning in close to a few regulars speaking in what looked like impatience and anger between all of them. Naturally I was suspicious so I made sure to slow my gait and look as if I was just checking on the fight going on only a few feet away while I tried to listen in on their conversation. With all the yelling from the surrounding crowd it was hard to hear much of it but from what I did hear was that Jeremy Morris is going to be out of touch for a little while and the thugs were non to happy about it.

These guys he was talking to are not someone a teacher would normally be associated with so I wonder what exactly he has in common with these guys. Is he a buyer, seller, or partner? The guys are under surveillance for drug trafficking and have recently been dipping their toes into sex trafficking and prostitution with buying a few girls here and there. I’m not too familiar with their rank but I do know they are pretty high up and answer to only one guy who is part of the mob. And if rumors are true, then the guy they answer to is also trying to work with the “boss” who runs sex trafficking locally and who is also the guy we are trying to catch that nobody seems to know the identity of. So why is Jeremy Morris talking to them and what does he have to do with Sierra’s abduction? Is he just a pawn to bring her in or is he keeping her for himself? Is he ‘the boss’ that we’ve been looking for?

I knew I needed to move fast because Jeremy is supposed to be back to get Sierra and I need to get her out of that house first. I take one last look at Jeremy and stride out with a look of determination that has people quickly moving out of my way for fear of getting pummeled. Once I reach my car, I quickly start it and throw it in gear, pealing out of the lot feeling relief, fear and longing to have my baby girl in my arms again. As I make my way over to the house breaking all the driving laws, I dial my boss and let him know the situation so he can handle the aftermath of what’s about to go down. He knows there is no way to stop me from getting Sierra so there is no argument as he agrees to send backup and to confirm the identity of the man who dropped off Sierra. Since I already know without a doubt that it’s Jeremy I explain what happened so far and let them know I will be in hiding for a few days until we know he has been arrested.

I don’t remember the drive over, being in a fog just trying to get to Sierra as fast as possible, that I hope I didn’t cause any accidents but not caring if I did because I wouldn’t have stopped. As I pull into the drive and throw the car in park not even bothering to turn it off, nerves kick in as I rush to the door and knock. My friend who is an undercover cop opens it slightly to see who it is before widening it all the way for me to step in.

“Dude. You took long enough. We need to get her out of here now. That guy who brought her in is on his way back so you don’t have much time.” He says this in a rush as he jogs down to the end of the hall not really checking if I’m behind him or not. 

“Sorry. I saw that Jeremy Morris guy at the warehouse tonight talking to a couple thugs so I wanted to hear what they were discussing.”

“Well your girl’s here. I made sure to tell her to be ready when you got here so you guys could get out quick. My guy says he was leaving just after you did so we need to hurry.”

“Shit.” I turn on my heels and run back out of the house to my car yelling to my buddy that I’ll keep watch. He knows what to do and he will get Sierra out safely while I distract this guy if he comes before Sierra makes it out.

I sit in the driver’s seat ready to leave looking behind me to take watch and turn at the sound of the front door opening. The air in my lungs rushes out of me with relief to have Sierra in my sights. I step out of the car seeing her hesitance and once she sees it’s me she rushes to the passenger side and jumps in. My buddy says a few words to me about what Sierra told him before I shake his hand thanking him for keeping an eye on her while she was there and to let me know of any mores news he hears later. Once I take my seat again, I realize don’t know what to say or how to act because I don’t know what she’s been through. I don’t wait for her to buckle up as I back out before stomping on the gas and head the opposite way I came just as a car turns on the street heading straight for the house Sierra was in. I know it’s Mr. Morris and I hope he didn’t notice me as more than just a passing car.

I have a million questions and I don’t know where to begin. Is she ok? Did he hurt her? Did he touch her? Did he defile her? These all cause bile to rise up my throat at the thought of anything happening to her and I want to kill the guy before I even have the answers to my questions.

My grip on the steering wheel is so tight my hands are white and I can’t feel my fingers. I want to punch the gas and go faster than I already am. I’m already exceeding the speed limit at an unsafe speed most likely scaring Sierra. I don’t dare look over at her as I assess my surroundings making unnecessary turns in case someone is following. When I think it’s safe and no one is following, I finally head to the safe house I reserved until this guy is caught. I don’t want to take any chances with Sierras safety.

              Sierra never utters a word asking where we are going or how I found her. She just sits there quietly the whole ride. As I pull up to the safe house, I’m sure she’s confused and curious as to why we are here instead of at home where her parents and brother are waiting for word of her safety and whereabouts. I pull into the garage and put the car in park turning off the engine as we sit in silence. I can’t hear anything aside from the pounding of my heart and my erratic breathing coupled with Sierras slow patient breaths. I wonder what she’s thinking right now. It’s not normal for Sierra to be so quiet with me. Usually she asks a lot of questions and makes conversation but I guess this situation isn’t the usual for us and none of this is normal circumstances.

              I can’t take the silence. Something has changed between us. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad but with the abduction and not knowing what she went through I’m sure it’s not for the better. I want to be there for her, lend her a shoulder to cry on and comfort her. I want to tell her that I’m here for her and I love her no matter what has happened and that I will always keep her safe from now on but I don’t. I need her to come to me when she’s ready so I open my door and walk to the garage door unlocking it to let us in. I pause just inside the door and wait for her to follow. I’m sure she’s confused and scared and relieved all in one but I don’t want to push her until she’s ready so I stay holding open the door, waiting patiently until I see her finally open her door and slowly slide out.

              I didn’t look too closely before when I first picked her up, afraid of what I might see that’s different. I don’t care that she’s most likely changed in one way or another but I was more afraid to see how badly she was hurt and traumatized. I watch her take her time looking around as she walks to the door I realize she hasn’t changed much in appearance. She’s still just as beautiful and innocent as before. I wonder how much of that innocence was lost though, during her abduction. She doesn’t look like she’s been badly hurt or terribly starved but she does look slightly thinner and definitely unclean. Maybe he didn’t let her bathe. I’m not sure but what I am sure of is how much in love I am with her and having her back here with me and safe makes me want to tell her my feelings for her because I’ve realized you never know when you will see someone again. I don’t want to miss my opportunity to let her know even if she doesn’t feel the same for me. But first things first, she needs food, a shower and some rest.

              “Hey baby girl.” I say it low almost a whisper so as not to startle her as she starts to walk through the door I’m holding open. She stops and turns to face me looking up at me with unshed tears and a trembling lip. She looks so tiny and vulnerable like the slightest touch will break her but I know she’s stronger than that.

              She doesn’t answer me but instead throws her arms around me and squeezes tight like she’s afraid if she lets go I won’t be here anymore. I wrap my big arms around her and comfort her as best I can saying ‘its ok now’ and ‘I’ve got you,’ trying to give her as much peace of mind with my comforting words and tight embrace as she begins to cry. I continue to hold her while I maneuver us away from the door so I can shut it. I tug Sierra to the living room couch and sit us down, pulling her close as the sobs ebb and turn into sniffles. Sierra never lets me go only holding me tighter and snuggling closer, so close that she is practically in my lap. I’m not very good with girls who cry but this is Sierra, my baby girl, and I would do anything for her, be anything she needs as long as she needs me and if that means letting her cry on my shoulder then so be it. Only Sierra has me breaking all my rules.

              “I’m sorry. I think I soaked your shirt and got dirt and snot on you.” She whispers this to me as if she’s scared of how I’ll react while pulling away. I don’t let her. I just squeeze her to me and kiss the top of her head letting her know its ok.

              “Baby girl there is nothing to be sorry for. I will let you cry on me anytime you want and I know after everything that’s happened, you needed this. I’m here for you however you want and need me.” She doesn’t say anything after that and just stays in my arms cuddled against my chest as we both sit in silence thinking about past events that brought us to here.