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The pain was excruciating. In her muddled mind, Olivia wondered just how much one person could suffer before it finally became unbearable.
As a nurse, she understood there were too many variables to accurately answer that question. What she did know was that she couldn’t take much more.
Olivia wanted to think she could withstand whatever else the maniac decided to dish out but knew that simply wasn’t true.
After having walked inside the large, decrepit building, Cetro had used the ropes around her wrists to hang her from a large hook that was connected to one of the barn’s old beams. The pressure on her broken wrist was agonizing, and her shoulders burned from the constant pull. At least the large cut on her arm had finally stopped bleeding.
Olivia had passed out when Cetro first strung her up. Whether from the pain or blood loss, she wasn’t sure. Though, she was awake and alert now, she kept her eyes closed.
Most likely, the bastard would want her to be aware of exactly what he was doing to her. If she could feign being unconscious for as long as she could, Olivia figured maybe it would buy her enough time. For what?
That little voice was right. It wasn’t like anyone knew where she was. By now the hospital would have realized she hadn’t shown for her shift. They may be a little worried when they couldn’t reach her but would probably just assume she changed her mind and wasn’t ready to come back after all.
And Jake...well, he’d have no way of knowing she was missing.
A different kind of pain hit. One she’d brought on herself. She’d been the one to tell Jake not to call or come by. Told him to give her space and not contact her.
I’m so sorry, Jake.
A sob built in her throat. Why couldn’t she have seen what he and her brother had been trying so hard to get her to understand that day? Why hadn’t she realized, then, that Jake had lied because he loved her, not because he’d wanted to deceive her?
Deep down, Olivia had always known Jake would never intentionally hurt her, yet, she’d thrown his betrayal in his face as if he’d done just that.
She’d let her anger and hurt feelings cloud what she knew to be true about the man she loved. And now she was going to die because of it.
A small whimper escaped before she could stop it.
“Ah, so you are awake,” Cetro said, sounding pleased.
Olivia opened her eyes—no sense in pretending any longer—and found him standing a few feet away.
“Good. The show may begin.”
The show? What the hell was he talking about? Unfortunately, Olivia didn’t have to wait long for her answer.
Cetro turned back and moved toward a tripod that hadn’t been there when she’d first come into the barn. Atop the metal legs sat a small video camera. Cetro reached up, pushed a button.
A tiny green light appeared. He was going to record her death? Jesus, he was even crazier than she thought.
Olivia knew she had to keep him talking, needing to buy as much time as she could. Even though she’d ordered Jake to stay away, eventually someone would realize she was gone.
Maybe Mac or Trevor would try to call or come by. They’d been so good about checking on her the past three days. Surely, they’d figure it all out.
The only question was, would it be in time to rescue her, or simply recover her body? Surprisingly, the question pissed her off more than it saddened her. Which meant her mouth took on a life of its own.
“What’s the camera for, Javi? Is that the only way you can your jollies? Can’t get off without watching yourself torture an innocent woman?”
Cetro stormed back to her, his hand moved lightning-fast. The skin covering her cheek burned from the blow and her eyes watered, but Olivia refused to cry. She would see him in hell before giving him that satisfaction, again.
The bastard actually smiled at her before turning back to the camera. “The camera will record your full confession.”
Confession? “And what exactly am I supposed to be confessing to?”
He faced her again. When he spoke this time, his accent was even more prominent. It was as if his voice and his soul—if he’d actually had a soul—had both turned to stone.
“You will admit you killed my brother.”
Olivia was unable to hide her surprise. Eyes wide, her voice rose at least an octave.
“What? I tried to save your brother. I didn’t kill him!”
Ignoring her outburst, Cetro said, “My brother is dead because of you.” His disgust for her was impossible to miss, and his next words dripped with sarcasm.
“Poor Olivia Bradshaw. America’s sweetheart. A helpless woman who miraculously came back from the dead after such a tragic ordeal.”
With crazed eyes, he stepped even closer to her, nearly spitting out his next words. “You are nothing more than a deceitful, murdering bitch! You may have fooled the rest of the world, but you do not fool me. You allowed a fourteen year-old boy to die. I know the truth.” He glanced back over his shoulder toward the camera. “And soon every news station in the world will, too.”
Oh, shit. He was going to try to torture a confession out of her, then send the recording to the news. Everyone she knew would see it. Jake will see it.
Even if Cetro stayed true to his word and didn’t physically go after Jake, this alone—having to watch her torture and subsequent death—would kill him just the same.
“No!” Olivia screamed, fighting uselessly against her restraints.
She ignored the fire in her shoulders and the God-awful pain in her wrist. That didn’t matter now. She had to protect Jake.
“You sonofabitch! We had a deal! You said this would end here. You said you’d leave Jake alone. You can’t show him this! You can’t—”
Cetro tsked, then spoke as if he were explaining something to a small child. “Actually, what I said was that I wouldn’t hunt him and the members of his team down. He deserves to know the truth about the woman he was sleeping with, yes?”
Olivia looked him straight in his beady little eyes, not even trying to hold back her true feelings.
“You’re nothing but a sick, twisted freak! It doesn’t matter what you do to me. Nothing will change the fact that I didn’t kill your brother!”
Olivia watched as he walked over to a table positioned up against one wall of the barn. From it, he picked something up, but it was only when he turned back around that she realized what it was.
Her heart raced dangerously fast, her breaths changing to rapid pants.
She tried to remain calm. To not show her fear. But the black, leather whip now in Cetro’s hand made it impossible.
To keep from screaming, Olivia bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. While he’d held her captive, she’d witnessed first-hand the kind of horror this monster was about to bestow upon her.
As much as she wanted to be, Olivia didn’t know if she was strong enough to take it.
Walking behind her, Cetro began talking as though he were addressing an audience. He spoke of the injustice his brother had suffered. Ranted on and on about the pain his young sibling had felt, and the slow, agonizing death he’d been forced to endure.
All—according to him—because of her.
Olivia’s entire body tensed when she felt a tug on the back of her scrub top, followed by more pulling, and then a ripping sound.
Cool air hit the newly-exposed skin on her back. He continued to cut until her top was nothing more than a pile of shredded material on the ground near her feet.
Wearing nothing on top now but her bra, Olivia wondered if she would pass out from fear before the true torture began. Oh, God. Please don’t let him do this.
Nearly hyperventilating now, her heart slammed against the inner walls of her chest as if it, too, were trying to escape the heinous actions of a madman.
“Are you ready to admit what you did?” he asked from behind her.
She could lie. Probably should lie. Even knowing the consequences, however, Olivia couldn’t bring herself to deny the truth.
Refusing to let her last act on this earth be to tell a lie, she lifted her bruised chin, and stared straight into the camera.
With as strong a voice as she could muster Olivia said, “The only thing I did was try to save your brother’s life.”
The first strike of the whip was sudden, stealing her breath away. The searing pain was so fierce, her entire body felt the lick of its flames.
“Admit what you did!” Cetro yelled, but Olivia remained silent.
When the strips of leather slapped her skin for the second time, she couldn’t hide the small cry that escaped from her tightly pierced lips.
She drew upon every ounce of strength she had, but by the third strike, the pain became nearly intolerable. Soon, Olivia’s screams began filling the afternoon air.
****
Jake pulled his truck to the side of the gravel road and killed the engine. He and Derek got out and waited as Grant and Trevor did the same with theirs.
Everyone took care not to let their doors slam shut, unsure if Cetro had other men nearby. The team quickly assembled in small circle to discuss their plan of entry.
“According to this”—Derek addressed them all—“the vehicle is parked on the property just over that hill. It’s abandoned farmland the bank took over when the owner died, a few years ago. There haven’t been any recent offers or showings. And unless something’s changed in the last month or so, which I seriously doubt it has, there’s only one structure. An old barn.”
Sometimes it scared Jake when he thought of all the things D could find out about a place or a person. He was just grateful as hell that Derek was part of their team. Especially now.
Though he was itching to quit talking and get to his girl, Jake knew it would be crazy to go barreling into the unknown. Not only would it risk his and the lives of his team, if they alerted Cetro and whoever else he had here, it would most certainly mean Olivia’s death.
Like hell he’d risk her because he couldn’t keep his shit together.
To the others, Jake said, “I called Ryker on the way here. From what he told me, I don’t expect there to be a lot of men with Cetro. My guess is, when we get in there, we’ll find him and Marcus Anthony, the other prisoner who escaped with Cetro during the storm. He’s an African American male, age twenty-eight. Word is the two got pretty tight while they shared a cell these past couple months. But I don’t want to take any chances and assume those are the only two.”
Studying the map on the screen once more, Jake pointed and said, “Mac and Coop, I want you positioned here and here. Hill, you watch this side, and Trevor, you and I will approach from this area here. You go in through the barn’s front doors, and I’ll take the rear.”
Then, speaking to the group as a whole, Jake added, “Olivia is the priority. Do nothing to risk her, got it?”
They all nodded in agreement and went to their prospective vehicles to gear up. They didn’t have everything they usually did on a job, but it would have to be enough.
Not succeeding wasn’t an option.
“Stay alert. Use your coms, and don’t take any chances with your own safety. We get hurt, we’re no good to her.”
“We’ve got this, boss,” Coop assured him.
Jake nodded once. “This ends here.”
Several minutes later, Jake and Trevor broke through the property’s eastern tree line. The barn Derek told them about was less than ten yards away.
The SUV they’d seen on Olivia’s security footage was parked at the end of the gravel road leading to the building from the main road, and Jake nearly lost his footing when he saw the body lying on the ground behind it.
“Easy, boss.” Trevor put his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Whoever that is, he’s not Olivia.”
Looking again, Jake could easily see the body was an African-American male. “I’d say we just found Marcus Anthony.” Question was, why had he been killed?
As if reading his mind, Trevor spoke up again. “Probably outlived his usefulness. He helped Cetro get Olivia. Prick didn’t need him after that.”
Staying focused, Jake turned to his friend. “Listen. If something happens, and I don’t—”
“Put that shit away,” Trevor interrupted. “You’re gonna go in there, take that bastard out once and for all, and then, we’re bringing Olivia home.”
Though he appreciated the guy’s positive attitude, Jake had to say it. “Liv is the priority. If I go down, you get her the hell out of here.”
“Jake—”
“Damn it, Trevor, just promise me!”
Trevor shook his head but said, “I’ll protect her with my life, man.”
Jake squeezed one of Trevor’s shoulders. “Thank you.”
“Screw that. You can thank me by going in and gettin’ our girl back.”
The two shared a look of understanding and proceeded to make their way to the barn. They were half way between the run-down building and the tree line they’d just come through when a terrifying scream cut through the afternoon air.
****
She was fading, fast. Olivia had tried to get through to Cetro, but there was no reasoning with insanity.
She’d gone into detail, explaining medically, why it had been impossible to save his brother. In one moment of desperation, Olivia had even tried empathy.
She’d shared how the loss of her brother had devastated her. How her life had been forever changed and how there was no way, she would ever want anyone—even a sadistic bastard like him—to suffer that same fate.
Eventually, Olivia realized there was no point in arguing. No amount of reasoning or empathy would make a difference.
Not one of the agonizing screams that had come with the strikes of the whip had fazed him. And there had been so many. As much as she wanted to fight it, Olivia knew her time was coming to an end.
Normally, she wasn’t one to give up. But this situation was as far from normal as anything could be, and she was tired. So very tired.
Tired of trying to convince a grieving sociopath she hadn’t intentionally let his brother die. Tired of pretending to be strong, knowing all the while, she was crumbling with fear and pain inside.
Mostly, Olivia was tired of praying for a miracle that obviously wasn’t coming. She simply couldn’t do it anymore.
With what little strength she had left, Olivia lifted her head, and through swollen eyes, she stared straight into Cetro’s.
“You can keep hurting me...or you can kill me. It doesn’t matter. Nothing will bring...your brother...back. But if you’re so hell bent on...blaming someone...for his death...you should go look...in a mirror.”
She expected the comment to earn her another blow. Instead, she actually saw a brief flash of guilt. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.
“How dare you blame me for Miguel’s death!” Cetro yelled, the veins in his forehead and neck bulging. “I raised that boy from the time he was just a toddler! I myself was barely a teenager. I gave him a home and food to eat. I taught him the ways of life!”
Olivia’s outrage gave her a shot of adrenaline, and her voice came out a touch stronger. “You taught him how to...become a criminal. Your brother’s blood...is on your hands...not mine.”
The man glared back at her, his jaw clenching just before he turned and marched toward the table again. Olivia saw him pick up a very large knife before walking back to her, his eyes completely void of emotion.
She knew with utter certainty, that knife meant her imminent death.
Cetro stood in front of her one last time. He didn’t say anything, just stared expectantly. As if he were giving her one final chance to confess her sins.
She’d said all she had to say, and refused to waste what breath she had left on the man about to murder her.
When she remained silent, he walked behind her. This was it. This was how she was going to die.
Regret filled her soul and tears escaped her swollen eyes as she silently prayed Jake would somehow find a way to move on from this.
Cetro’s hand grasped the back of her hair and pulled, so her neck jutted forward. Slowly, he pressed the knife’s blade against her delicate skin.
Olivia prayed he’d make it quick. She felt a small prick followed by something warm dripping down between her breasts.
Closing her eyes, she brought to mind her most treasured memory.
It was the night Jake first told her he loved her. They’d made love, then, and though every time she’d been with Jake had been incredible, that particular moment between them had felt so magically different from all the times before.
Olivia held on to those images with every last ounce of strength she had. If she was going to die, she wanted her last thought to be about the love of her life. The man of her dreams. She thought of nothing else but...
“Jake.”
His name was but a whisper. The single word a prayer that, even after everything, he would somehow know that she still loved him.
That, despite what she’d said to him, nothing would ever change that. Not even death.
“Ah, yes. Jake,” Cetro said from behind her. “The hero who saved you before. Too bad he won’t be able to save you this time.”
Surprising her, Cetro pulled the knife away from her neck as he continued to taunt her. With his mouth touching her earlobe, he asked, “What do you think he is doing this very moment? Hmm?”
A strange peace fell over Olivia as she waited for the end to come. She was hanging on by the barest of threads, each second pulling her further and further away.
She could still hear Cetro’s voice, but his words fell on her ears as if they were travelling through a very long tunnel.
Unable to fight it any longer, Olivia slipped away into the peaceful abyss, Jake’s beautiful, smiling face was the last thing passing through her mind.
****
Olivia’s scream stopped both Jake and Trevor in their tracks. As the echoes faded, Jake’s emotions hit him in rapid succession. Relief came first. If Olivia could scream, it meant she was still alive.
Next came the overpowering fear of not knowing what the bastard was doing to her. Finally, the ferocious need to find the sonofabitch and make him wish he’d never been born began to take over.
A hand on his shoulder and Trevor’s low voice was the only thing that kept him from forging ahead recklessly.
“McQueen! You with me?” Trevor whispered loudly.
Jake blinked, only then noticing his friend was standing directly in front of him, now.
Not waiting for his answer, Trevor added, “Olivia needs you to be clear-headed. I know this is personal, but this isn’t our first rodeo. You good?”
Jake swallowed. With a nod, he whispered back, “Let’s do this.”
After a quick check-in with the others, they continued toward the old barn. Trevor headed for the front as Jake made his way to the back.
As much as he hated to, Jake moved with slow, silent steps.
He could hear voices, barely able to make out what Cetro and Olivia were saying. A silent breath of relief escaped at the sound of her blessed voice.
She’d just said something about looking into a mirror. Her voice was strained and weak. Jake knew she was hurting, but—Thank you God!—at least she was still alive.
I’m coming sweetheart. Just a few seconds longer. I’m almost there.
He made his way around to the backside of the barn, where he silently moved through the opened doorway. Calling upon his years of training, he efficiently assessed the scene before him.
Cetro was standing in the middle of the barn’s open space. Olivia hanging by her wrists in front of him. Don’t fucking think about that now. Just get the job done.
The man had a fist full of Olivia’s hair and a knife to her throat. He was leaning down, talking in her ear.
Silently, Jake made his way toward them, his mouth twisted in a feral smile as he heard the other man mention his name.
“Where is your hero now, hmm? Where is your precious Jake, just when you need him most of all?”
In a voice he barely recognized, Jake growled the last words Javier Cetro would ever hear. “I’m right here, you sick fuck!”
The man’s intake of air was sharp and sudden, but Jake gave him no time for further reaction. Swiftly securing the hand with the knife, he bent it back until he heard a snap, forcing the bastard to release the weapon. Cetro howled with pain.
Before the blade even hit the ground, Jake moved both hands up—one below Cetro’s chin, the other grabbing the top of the bastard’s head.
In one quick, sharp movement, Jake pushed up on Cetro’s chin and twisted his head to the side. The satisfying crunch of bones was music to Jake’s ears.
Jake let the asshole’s lifeless body fall to the ground.
“I’m here, Liv! Please hold on, baby!”
Pulling his K-Bar from its sheath, he began sawing the thick ropes binding Olivia’s raw wrists. “Ah, God, baby. I’m here, now.”
Her head hung low against her chest, and she wasn’t moving. Jake hadn’t heard her make a sound since he’d slipped into the barn. Blood covered her back. The sight of those wounds alone was enough to bring him to his knees.
Jake had to work harder than ever before to remain focused on the task at hand. If he didn’t, if he thought about what that monster had done to her, he’d go fucking insane. Allowing that to happen wouldn’t help Liv, so with trembling hands, he continued working to free her.
“Jesus,” he heard Trevor say as he entered the barn from the front, gun drawn. “Ah, Christ, Jake.”
The agony in his friend’s voice nearly tore him apart. “Help me get her down!” The panic in Jake’s voice pushing Trevor’s shocked form into gear.
The two men worked together to get her free. Trevor gently wrapped his arms around Olivia’s hips and hoisted her up higher, making it easier for Jake to cut through the final strands of rope.
Olivia’s arms fell limply to her sides, and her body dropped toward Trevor. He started to lay her down, but Jake shook his head in protest.
“Her back,” he said, his voice cracking. “Let’s take her outside.”
Carefully, they transferred her into Jake’s arms. He held on to his precious cargo and ran out of the barn as fast as he could, past the video camera he couldn’t think about just then.
Trevor ran past him, sprinting to Derek’s truck as he updated the team through his com. Jake didn’t hear much of what was said, focusing instead on the precious cargo in his arms. Trev returned a minute later with a blanket in his hands.
He spread it out hastily, and Jake fell to his knees before gently laying Olivia down. He was unable to avoid the injuries on her back, but at least the blanket was clean, unlike the ground.
Jake reached over to check for a pulse, but when he saw the nick from Cetro’s knife on her throat and realized just how close to death she had come, his hands began to shake too fiercely to try.
“Let me,” Trevor said beside him.
Jake pulled his hand back and held his breath, praying she was still alive. He thought he’d seen her chest move to draw air, but his head was so fucked up right now, he didn’t know if it she had actually taken a breath, or if his mind was only seeing what it wanted to.
“She’s got a pulse,” Trevor said excitedly.
Jake’s relief was so staggering, he’d have fallen to his knees if he weren’t already on them.
“Chopper’s on its way,” Mac hollered as she and Coop ran toward them from the south. “Ryker’s medics are on hand. ETA four minutes.”
Jake looked down at Liv. She was too still, and what little skin not covered in bruises or blood was too pale. Four minutes was too fucking long.
“How is she?” Hill asked gruffly as he came up from behind Jake.
“Her pulse is weak and thready,” Trevor answered, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s lost a lot of blood. Even with the chopper coming...”
He shook his head, his face contorted as he fought against the reality of the situation.
Trevor didn’t finish what he’d been about to say. He didn’t have to. Even with the chopper just minutes away, Olivia still may not make it.
