Ivy’s POV
I pressed my face against the grimy window and saw complete darkness had swallowed the abandoned warehouse district. Dear God, how is Max holding up right now?
The entire day had been consud by desperate prayers for my little boy’s safety. Caleb must be losing his mind searching for us. I had vanished from the Thorne estate without any warning, snatched right from our own territory. But my terror for Max’s wellbeing had consud every rational thought. I felt utterly helpless in this nightmare.
After Caleb had shoved that stale sandwich through the door and disappeared, an eerie silence had settled over the warehouse. I assud both Roman’s n had left to report back to their traitorous boss. But then ca the unmistakable creak of the loading dock door, followed by hushed voices drifting through the concrete walls. They had returned from whatever dark business they’d been conducting. Lord, please keep safe from whatever twisted plans they’re hatching.
"Here’s your dinner, princess." Fisher cracked the steel door open just enough to slide a paper bag across the concrete floor before slamming it shut with a tallic clang.
I imdiately pressed my ear against the cold tal. I had to discover what Roman’s endga was with this kidnapping operation.
"Zane, sothing’s not adding up. I keep trying to reach Romy and getting radio silence," Caleb’s voice carried through the thin warehouse walls.
"You need to ditch that burner phone imdiately," Fisher’s tone was sharp with paranoia.
"Relax, Thorne’s soldiers will never trace this frequency. We destroyed the woman’s phone completely. They’ve got nothing to track us with," Caleb sounded almost casual about their criminal enterprise. "So how long are we babysitting Caleb’s woman?"
"Boss Rossi didn’t give us a tiline. Just said to keep her breathing and don’t leave any marks the Don might recognize. She’s our insurance policy to make sure that bastard Thorne surrenders his territory and hands over the family’s offshore accounts," Fisher explained with cold calculation.
"I thought the kid was supposed to be our real leverage?"
"No, the boy was just bait to reel in this woman. Thorne’s attachnt to the kid only exists because of her. If she disappears permanently, he’ll write off the boy as acceptable collateral damage in a turf war."
They were completely unaware of the blood connection between Caleb and Max. I couldn’t decide if this ignorance was a blessing or a deadly miscalculation. Roman Rossi’s betrayal and hunger for power knew no boundaries in the Thorne family hierarchy.
"I’m heading out to the periter to get better cell reception and check in with our backup crew," Caleb announced, and I heard the heavy warehouse door slide shut behind him.
Ti dragged by before the sound of deep snoring echoed from the main floor. This was my window of opportunity. I grabbed the paper bag and examined its ager contents. A sandwich and juice box. Basic fuel for what I prayed would be my successful escape attempt. I forced myself to consu every morsel, knowing I would need the energy for whatever ca next.
The door suddenly burst open and Caleb stepped inside my concrete cell, sealing us in together once again.
"Smart girl, finishing your al like an obedient hostage," he said, approaching with predatory steps. "You know what, Ivy? You’re incredibly trusting for a mafia queen. You believe every lie people feed you, follow every command without questioning the consequences. Today was perfect proof when you walked right into our trap at the marina." Caleb reached out and ran his fingers through my hair with disturbing familiarity. "You’re absolutely stunning. I’ve been obsessed with you since you first entered our world. I wanted to put a bullet in that arrogant Don who kept you locked away in his fortress. But now you’re trapped here with , and we’re going to be together for as long as Roman needs you alive. So why don’t we make this situation more enjoyable? I promise you’ll experience pleasures that cold-blooded Thorne never gave you."
"Please, Caleb, don’t lay a hand on ," my voice trembled with rising terror.
"Co on, beautiful, I’m going to make you scream my na."
"Stay away from ."
"Not happening." Caleb seized my arm and hurled onto the filthy mattress, his weight crashing down on .
"Get off , Caleb, get off!" My screams pierced the warehouse air.
The door exploded inward and Fisher yanked his partner off with savage force.
"Once Rossi collects his ransom and eliminates Thorne, you can do whatever sick things you want to this woman, but until then, keep your hands to yourself or I’ll cut them off." Fisher had Caleb pinned against the concrete wall like a rag doll.
In that split second of chaos, opportunity presented itself. I launched myself upward and bolted through the doorway, yanking it closed behind and sliding the external bolt into place. Several gunshots imdiately punched through the steel door. My God, in my desperation to flee, I hadn’t fully considered they might be ard with military-grade weapons. The sound of them kicking and ramming the reinforced door spurred forward as I burst out of the warehouse.
No vehicles were visible anywhere around the industrial complex. I had no idea which direction led back to Thorne territory or neutral ground. A narrow service road stretched before , bordered by abandoned shipping containers on both sides. I decided to follow it as fast as my legs could carry through this maze of criminal enterprises.
I had covered considerable distance when I collided directly into a figure dressed entirely in tactical black gear. A scream tore from my throat instinctively. He grabbed hold of , and I fought desperately to break free, but his grip was unshakeable. Panic consud entirely. The man held firmly while speaking in asured, professional tones:
"Easy now, ma’am. I’m Detective Tyler with the organized cri task force. You need to calm down. Are you Ivy Brooks?"
"Y-y-yes," I stuttered, trying to control my breathing.
"Did you just escape from that warehouse facility?" I managed a nod. "Is anyone still inside that structure?"
"The two n who kidnapped . I managed to escape the room where they were holding , locked them inside, and ran. They have automatic weapons." The detective imdiately radioed for backup, reporting that he had located and confirming the suspects were contained in the building.
"Co with , Miss Brooks. I’m getting you to safety." We walked for a while before reaching the main highway. Multiple police cruisers lined the road with their lights flashing, and tactical officers were positioned everywhere. "Inspector, I’ve got the victim."
"Good evening, I’m Inspector Adler with the FBI’s organized cri division. We’ve been coordinating with Mr. Thorne to locate you, Ivy." The federal agent offered a reassuring smile as he approached. "How are you holding up? Did they assault you in any way?"
"No, they almost did. They only used chloroform when they first grabbed from the marina," I replied, still feeling disoriented.
"Understood. We need to transport you to the dical facility for a complete examination and evidence collection, then we’ll take your official statent before returning you to Thorne protection," the inspector explained while guiding toward one of the patrol vehicles.
"Inspector, is all of this really necessary? I’m desperate to know about my son and Caleb."
"Just one mont." The inspector pulled out his encrypted cell phone and initiated a video call. "Is Mr. Thorne available? Miss Brooks needs imdiate confirmation of his location."
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