Tipsy (Take It Off #5)(47)
Author: Cambria Hebert

I screamed and automatically threw my hands up to protect my face, trying to come up with a plan. I should get in the Hummer and run them all down.

They could shoot at me all they wanted, but it was a big car and it would be moving.

“She’s supposed to be alive,” someone yelled, and awful awareness crashed over me. We weren’t being robbed.

This was a kidnapping. Dom sent people after me. I put my friends in grave danger and I hadn’t even meant to.

I rushed toward the driver’s side, praying the keys were still in the ignition. I heard a bit of a scuffle and Dee cry out, and I knew that Craig was likely trying to fight his way out of the situation.

If one of them got hurt because of me, I would never forgive myself.

My hand closed over the door handle and I yanked, opening the door. Before I could catapult myself inside, someone grabbed me from behind. His arms were like metal vises, closing around me and locking me in place. I struggled and screamed; I even tried to bite him.

The man brought up a white cloth and stuffed it over my mouth and nose, causing panic to explode through my body like the finale of a Fourth of July firework show.

I couldn’t breathe. I was choking. I was going to die.

Automatically, my body searched for oxygen and I sucked in a lungful of air. It was extremely sweet and I noticed the cloth being forced against my face was damp with a dense liquid.

Chloroform.

I began to fight and struggle again, but my movements became sluggish and slow. I felt consciousness loosen as my thoughts began to scatter. I was losing control of my body… I was losing control of this situation.

I blinked, trying to stay awake, trying to focus.

My eyes zeroed in on the keys hanging from the ignition of the Hummer. I had been close. So close.

I went limp in my kidnapper’s arms and darkness closed around me.

I hadn’t been close enough.

28

Blue

I shook off the men still flanking my sides and took a menacing step toward Dom. “Where is she?” I demanded.

“You’re in no position to be making demands.”

My fist ached with the need to plow it into his smug face. I no longer cared about bringing this bastard to justice. The only justice for someone like him was the kind he would receive in hell.

“If you hurt her, I will kill you.” I vowed.

“Let me tell you how this is going to go,” Dom replied, like my promise wasn’t something he should even worry about.

I glanced behind him at Slater, wondering when he was going to do something to help.

“He can’t help you. No one here can. You just have to do what you’re told,” Dom said, noting where my gaze had gone.

“What do you want?” I spat.

“I want my drugs. All of them. The entire shipment. Once I have what is mine, I will release the girl.”

I snorted. “Like hell. I’m not giving you shit until I see she isn’t hurt. I’ll give you the drugs when you give me my girl.”

Dom stared at me for long moments. “Take me to the drugs and then I’ll take you to your girl.”

“You think I’m stupid?” I spat. “The minute you see those drugs, you’ll kill me and then have her killed. Like I said, you’re not even going to lay eyes on that shit ‘til I lay eyes on her.”

“Fine. We’ll trade. You have thirty minutes. Get my stuff and bring it back here.”

“Is she here?” I asked, looking past him at the door leading into the house.

“No. But she will be.”

I was inclined to believe him because there was no way Slater would just be standing there if Julie was in that house.

“Thirty minutes.” I agreed and started walking to my car.

“Slater,” Dom ordered behind me. “Go with him. If he tries anything, anything at all, kill him.”

“You got it,” Slater replied as he followed me down the driveway.

I slammed into the Mustang and revved the engine. The sound of squealing tires and the scent of burning rubber filled the air as I sped away.

As soon as Dom’s house was out of sight, I slammed my fist into the dashboard. “What the fuck!”

“You took his shipment?” Slater asked.

“You fucking cold-cocked me in the face.” I looked at him.

“If I didn’t, it would have looked suspicious.”

“Whose side are you on?” I demanded, in no mood for shit.

“The good side.”

I wasn’t even sure what the good side was anymore. From where I sat, every angle of this case was a freaking clusterfuck.

“Did you know they were going to take Julie?”

“No. What the hell happened?”

“She found his shit,” I spat.

“And she’s connected to you.” Slater whistled through his teeth.

“If he hurts her…” My words trailed away because I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence.

“I’m sure she’s fine. For now,” Slater said, subdued.

I felt sick. Physically sick inside. I found the phone I used to call the department and punched the button for Watson. He answered on the first ring.

“We have a hostage situation. I have the drugs in my possession. Dom agreed to make a trade for the goods. We’re meeting in less than thirty minutes at his house. I need a team of men ready for a raid.”

“Who’s the hostage?” Watson said and then started barking orders to the people around him.

“It’s Julie,” I growled.

Watson paused. “Listen to me, Markson. Don’t do anything stupid.”

I barked a laugh. I was going to do what I damn well pleased.

“I suggest you get your team ready. Dom and some of the crew will be there, in possession of all their supply. He threatened to kill me. He admitted to killing another member of his crew. I have the location of the body. He kidnapped Julie. We have enough to put him away for life.”

If he makes it that long, I added silently.

“We’re moving now,” Watson said.

Before I could hang up, he called my name.

I didn’t say anything.

“Good work, Markson. Let’s get this case closed.”

I disconnected the call. There was nothing good about any of this.

The old Ford came into view. It was exactly where I left it. I pulled right up beside it and turned to Slater. “Can I trust you?”

His reply was to reach behind him and pull out a Glock, which he extended to me.

“You got one too?”

He lifted his shirt and showed me another identical gun sticking out of the waistband of his jeans. I took the gun he gave me and stuffed it in the waistband of my jeans.