Page 85 of Playing Hard to Get

“Oh, thank God.” There were no more words from the other end, but I could hear noises I didn’t understand.

Mitch took the device from me, then scooped me up in his arms and carried me out of the room, the chains still dangling from my wrists. Took me up the stairs and down a long hallway to a small living room. Jason was laying on the floor, his arms tied behind his back and a smear of blood across the side of his face. Lee, Cael, Weston, and two men I’d never seen before stood nearby.

“What…?” I couldn’t speak, couldn’t form words with my dry mouth and muddled brain.

Mitch sat himself down on one end of the faded green and yellow couch, still holding me in his arms. Dust billowed out of the fabric in clouds, and I let out a strangled cough. One of the men I’d never met before knelt in front of me.

“Vivian?” he said, his voice calm, like he cared. “I’m John Macevoy. I’m an EMS, and I used to serve with Mitch here. Is it okay if I look you over?”

I nodded, lost in the calm brown eyes. A memory seeped into my mind, of Mitch and my time in that New York hotel. When he told me of the day that haunted his life, of the men he served with, the men he lost. Macevoy, the medic. One of the ones who hopped in the truck and ran off into the desert before the second bomb went off.

The man unlocked my wrists from the chains, then looked me over while Mitch held me tight. I listened to the hushed whispers around me. Heard the silence that, as one, everyone froze in to. Hands at their ears as they paused every movement.

Lee turned to the room and looked at all of us. “Time to go, boys.”

Macevoy looked at me, then glanced at Mitch. “You’ll be just fine. The ambulance will be here soon. You take care of yourself, and this guy here too, okay?”

I looked at Mitch, confused. “I don’t understand.”

But before I could say another word, Macevoy and the rest left the room. Mitch tugged me close and buried his face in the crook of my neck.

“They were never here,” he told me. “Just me and Lee, okay? We came to the door, Davidson tried to shoot at us. We broke in and knocked him out, then broke you out of that basement room.”

Sirens called out in the distance, and I didn’t ask why. I didn’t question how my lover had found me, how he and the men arrived here and left before I had a chance to thank them. I let the confusion in my mind mix with the commotion that hit moments later as the tiny house was filled with law enforcement personnel.

* * *

Mitch stayed by my side during the ambulance ride to the hospital, but he wasn't allowed in the room as the doctors examined me. They did a rape kit, though I assured them Jason never touched me. They took my blood and cleaned the filth from my skin. After settling me into a bed with an IV pumping fluids into my arm, the police came in and started their questioning.

I told them what I knew, which isn't much. That Jason dated Frankie in college, got arrested for possession, and was sent away. That Frankie moved on, but he seemed to be fixated on her. I explained how he approached me at that bar, did what he could to make me let my guard down, and I woke up in that basement. I told them how I purposely tried to agitate him, so he'd leave the house and give me a chance to break free. I talked about how I freed myself from all but those chains once the gunshots started, and how I stayed put, hoping the shooting would stop. How Mitch came and broke me out of that room.

Though I knew there was more to the story, the police didn’t ask, and I didn’t tell. Jason had proven himself unstable, and it was enough for them to assure me he was going away for a long, long time.

When the police finished with their questions and the nurses took away my empty bowl of chicken broth, Mitch came into my room. His eyes never left mine as he came to my side. As he cradled my face in his hands. As his thumbs caressed the skin on my cheeks and lips. His mouth covered mine, his lips gentle as he kissed me. I tugged him closer, pulled his body toward mine. Broke the kiss and moved over to make room for him in my bed. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. I whispered to him my fears and listened to his in return. Then I dozed off under the comfort of his touch.

Sometime later, I woke to the sound of whispering voices. Mitch was still curled up behind me, one arm under my head and the other wrapped snug around my waist. Though the bed itself left much to be desired, I was comfortable. The warmth of his body and his steady breathing at my back made me feel safe and secure.

I opened my eyes and blinked in the early morning light. Wiped a hand across my eyelids before I looked across the room. Sitting on the multicolored bench below the windows was Daddy and Frankie. In the beige, vinyl chair nearby sat my brother. They stopped talking and were watching me. Frankie's eyes were rimmed in red and they all looked like they hadn't slept in days.

Vinny stood and came to my side. Knelt on the floor next to the bed and took my hand in his.

“Sis,” he said, his voice low, “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too, Vinny.” I squeezed his hand, pulled him closer to me. He kissed my cheek, then rested his forehead against mine.

Beside me, Mitch stirred. He inhaled a deep breath and tightened his hold around my waist. Vinny sat back, his eyes warm and a gentle smile on his face.

“Thank you for saving my sister,” Vinny said as he looked past me to Mitch.

His quiet chuckle rumbled through his chest straight into my back. “You know her better than that.” Mitch tucked my hair behind my ear as I rolled back against his chest to look at him. His dark eyes shone down at me, his lips curled into a perfect little smile. “She would have freed herself if we hadn't gotten there when we did. Probably would have had his balls for dinner while she was at it.”

I grimaced as Vinny and Mitch shared a quiet laugh. “I don't know if I’d go that far.”

“But you would have gotten free, sweet love.” Mitch bent to me and planted a sweet kiss on my lips. “I will never doubt your strength.”

Daddy and Frankie rose and stood behind Vinny. I bit the inside of my cheek as I looked up at them. In a way, I was surprised to see them. Surprised that either would want to see me. Because what I told Jason wasn't far from the truth. My father didn’t care enough about me to try to hunt me down. He didn’t have an ounce of love for me in his heart.

But there were appearances to keep up. How would it look for him and his businesses if he couldn't find the time to see his daughter after she’s been abducted?