Page 74 of Beast

I was ready to give Annie her life back.

Kyle stood up. “Let’s do this!”

Operation Rumpelstiltskin was ready to go down.

We’d all dressed casually. I had no fear—this was more like a training exercise than a mission.

Nothing could go wrong.

We walked through the back alleys of Aruba. A rush pulsed through my body. In less than an hour, Annie’s nightmare would be over and a whole new world would begin.

Five blocks away—the cool night breeze blew across my face. I was so close to Annie, I could taste her. Knowing we were breathing the same air, and we were minutes away from seeing each other again sent tingles through my body.

Four blocks away—every step brought me closer to her. The town was unusually quiet; I could almost hear my heart beat in my chest.

Three blocks away—Kyle turned and nodded toward me. A silent confirmation that we would be successful. He had no doubts of our abilities, our plan.

Two blocks away—my palms sweaty. Something seemed off. Usually by the time I reached this street, I could already see her pimp scouting for johns. But the streets were hauntingly empty.

One block away—my chest clenched. A distant smell of smoke wafted through my nostrils. My breathing became labored.

When at last we turned onto the street, my jaw tightened. The brothel was nowhere in sight—instead, ashes were strewn across the ground, burnt mattresses collapsed in the street, a lone teddy bear tattered in the rubble.

It was gone—she was gone.

I’d failed her.

Vic put his arm around my shoulder. “You sure this is the place?”

“Positive.”

Kyle sifted through the embers, eyes focused. “I’m sure she’s alive and they just moved her. Buildings down in these parts have a way of mysteriously catching on fire.”

Tears rimmed my eyelids and I could feel the pulse in my throat. I scooped up the teddy bear from the ground, remembering that it looked like the one I’d seen in Annie’s room the first night I met her.

A man walked by wearing a watch which looked like the one I’d given the pimp.

I ran and shoved him against the next building. “Where did you get that fucking watch?”

He quivered. My hands clasped his throat and he let out a croak.

“Where is she, you motherfucker? Where did you take her? Tell me before I fucking snap your neck!”

His hands flailed in the air. “I don’t know—I don’t know what you are talking about. A man sold me this watch.”

He quivered, and once I got a closer look, I realized it wasn’t my watch.

Vic and Kyle dashed after me, pulling me off the man.

I stood back. “Get the fuck out of here.” He scurried down the street.

Vic stood in my personal space and made strong eye contact. “Pat, we’ll find her.”

I backed away from them, and started back into town.

If she were still alive, I would find her. Annie had survived this long. I prayed she wouldn’t give up, because I would scour every corner of this Earth until I found her. Nothing would stop me. Not even my job—I’d fucking take extra leave from my Team.

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