Chapter 32
Chapter 31
Bree and Justin picked their way through the trees carefully. Every now and then Justin had to grab her arm to keep her from face planting into the underbrush. Each time she turned grateful eyes up to him.
She was a little distracted on how the sexy man beside her was going to decide to deal with what she’d done and what really would happen after he got his niece.
They continued in silence as they stayed close to each other.
She stopped suddenly, causing Justin to tighten his hold on her, “Babe?”
“We’re close,” she pointed through a clearing between two trees. Her heart picked up speed as her eyes took in the camouflaged painted building.
“Darlin’, this is the last chance for you to stay out here, I want you safe.” He murmured against her temple.
“I feel safe with you,” she tilted her head up and locked eyes with his wonderful smoky-gray eyes. She felt her face heat up but the embarrassment went away as soon as Justin’s lips landed on hers. Her toes curled in her shoes as his lips slanted against hers.
He slowly pulled back, “Okay, let’s do this so we can get you out of these wet clothes quicker.” He grinned mischievously at her, making her stomach flutter.
She nodded slightly and they continued to the building. She pulled Justin to the window she was sure she had escaped from.
He pulled back on her arm, “What’s this?”
“The window I climbed out of.” She whispered.
“Jesus,” Justin shot a look at her then pulled her in for a hug. “Babe, don’t let anyone tell you different, you were very brave when you escaped from here.”
She gazed up at him so unsure but wouldn’t give into debating with him, “Now, I have to get the others out.” She whispered.
“We, babe, never forget that.”
She looked away unable to focus on what he said and turned to the window and pulled it open. She slowly knelt as Justin took ahold of the window, and he knelt beside her.
She slid her legs inside and went to move her body when Justin caught her arm. She gazed up into those smoky-gray eyes of his and she knew she wanted to look into those eyes for the rest of her life. She watched him as he leaned toward her more and his lips met hers passionately. She grew wet instantly. His touch, his looks, everything was so different than what she had experienced before.
“I’m right behind you, beautiful.” He whispered against her lips.
She nodded slightly and slid the rest of the way through the window. Her feet landed silently along the stoned paved basement. Fear gripped her as the cold surrounded her instantly.
An arm wrapped around her shoulders from behind, “It’s okay, Bree, I’m right here.” Justin pulled her back into his warm body but it didn’t do much to ward off any of the million thoughts running through her mind but she couldn’t go there. She squeezed his arm slightly then pulled away and led the way down the hallway slowly.
“Bree, how are we doing this? Are they down here?”
“Should be, this was where I was held and Marnie was down here the night I left, we’re either going to have to find the keys, which they’re probably on Sal or find another way to get these doors opened without them.” She nibbled her lip as she glanced from one padlock to the others. She sighed and turned to Justin who was rummaging around in the belt he had around his waist.
She gazed up at him when he pulled out a skinny, sharp pick, “Justin?”
“This will help me pick the locks on the doors, I just need you to do me a favor, keep an eye out for me, if the big guy comes down here let me know right away.”
Bree nodded her head slightly and rushed past the locked doors to keep an eye out. She heard the muffled sounds of Justin fiddling with the locks one by one.
She glanced behind her toward him as he was at the last door. She held her breath slightly, realizing it was Marnie’s prison he was unlocking now.
“Bree.” Justin whispered.
She turned toward him more.
“Come here, babe, start taking the others to the window, that’s how I want to get them out.” Justin watched Bree carefully as she went past him. He desperately wanted to pull her into him and hug her and kiss her but he let her walk on by.
He finally managed to get the last lock undone and pulled the door open slowly. He sucked in a breath when he saw his niece laying in a heap on the floor. No, no, no. He thought as he rushed into the room, “Marnie,” he called quietly, nothing. He pulled out a pen light from the belt to light the room better.
He could barely see her breathe but at least she was. He rushed over to her and shook her slightly, “Marnie, please.” He coaxed her to respond to him, any kind of a response would do.
“Un-uncle J-J-Justin?” she stuttered out as her eyes opened slowly to little slits.
“Yeah, sweetheart, it’s me, come on, I’m going to get you out of here.” He scooped her up gently and cradled her close to him. She looked as bad as Bree had when they crashed into each other. He sighed but began to walk out of the cell she was basically held in.
“Un-un-uncle J, wh-wh-what a-a-about t-th-the ot-others?” typical Marnie, always worried about others before herself, she and Bree would get along just fine.
“It’s okay, don’t worry, I’m handling everything, Ben,” he began. “We’re going to need an ambulance, I’m almost out, I’ve got Marnie but they need to be here ASAP.”
“Alright, bro, be careful, I’ll put the call in, I’ll call Cierra, too.”
“Thanks.” Justin hurried to the window where Bree was trying to help the girls get out. “Bree, come on, we’ve got to move.”
“I know that.” She snapped a little and began to boost the tiniest girl up through the window.
Justin clamped down on his emotions, he knew Bree knew how important this was but he couldn’t help being agitated, “Bree, stop.”
Bree continued to try to help but was struggling, “Bree, stop.”
She turned to look at him, “Do you want them out or not?” she demanded.
“Of course, here, try to take Marnie for a moment.” He slowly moved Marnie over to her and she struggled with her a little but managed to handle it and he began to get the other girls out.
He got to the last one and went to Marnie to help her out when the basement door slammed.