Missing Link (The Finders Book 1) (20 page)

I lay crumpled on the cold floor, I wanted to force myself to my feet but the pain in my arm and the pain from where Charlie had pull a handful of hair from my scalp had me slightly disorientated.

"This is what a whore looks like!" He bellowed, "She’s already disgraced her body by offering herself to another man. She is free reign for anyone who wants to take their turn."

I cringed at his words, his men looking just as shocked as I felt.

"No takers?" Charlie asked spinning and raising his hands into the air before finally stopping, his eyes staring directly into mine. "Isn't that sad, Samantha. Nobody wants you now."

An evil smile crept onto his lips, so satisfied with himself. I kicked off my shoes, slowly but painfully manoeuvring my body and climbing to my feet.

"There is someone who wants me." I tell him, holding my head high. Charlie slowly circled me.

"Ah yes, Lincoln Davids." He chuckled, his laughter sinister and dripping with venom. "And where is he now?"

When I didn't answer he continued. "You have nowhere to run. You have no one, except me."

I shuddered at the thought, trying not to let him get into my head. I thought about Devon my little brother who I knew no matter what still loved me, about Rome and Dom who had risked themselves to help save me, Ethan who had offered me a job doing something I loved, Paige who had offered me her friendship.

"I'm willing to listen to your apology and maybe then allow you to stay here given you never try something so stupid again." He said, coming to a stop a few feet in front of me.

Link's words resonated in my head.

You are strong, Sam...

"I will never stop." I said quietly, looking down at this ridiculous dress I wore and holding my wrist tightly against my chest. I was strong.

"Excuse me?" He grinded out.

"I will never stop." I repeated loudly, flicking my eyes up to meet his. "For the rest of my life I will never stop. I won't stop fighting, I won't stop trying to escape you, I won't stop believing that there is something better out there for me and I won't stop hating you with all the passion and life that I possess in my body."

Charlie took a step back, shocked by my admittance. This only lasted a minute before he shook his head with disappointment.

"Such a shame. I told you what would happen. The only way you were leaving me would be if you are sold. But if that's how you feel, so be it." He turned away from me, "lock her up."

I waited for the guards to move forward and take me away but they all stayed still. I was confused, I spun to Jet and Teddy who stood a couple of metres to my left. Jet standing stoically, our eyes hooked.

"What are you all standing around for? I told you to lock her up!" He yelled, eyeing each one of his men.

"They no longer take orders from you." I knew that voice. I spun toward the entranceway that led into the lounge. There they were. My feet wanted to run to him, but instead I stood in shock, tears trailing down my face. Link stood in the middle of the archway, his arms folded across his chest. He looked as strong as ever, like I had only dreamed of seeming his body sprawled on the kitchen floor. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face as we stared at each other across the room. A smirk touched the corner of his mouth. Behind him Ethan, Rome and Dom stood tall. Just the look of these 4 men to anyone would have been intimidating. They were all decked out in what I assumed to be black bullet proof vests and held large rifle type guns across their bodies. I moved to run towards them.

"Don't even think about it Samantha." I froze as I caught something shimmer out of the corner of my eye. I was right; Charlie had been pushed too far. He was losing the plot, desperate to keep me. He stood tall, a silver hand gun held loosely in front of him.

"Put the gun down, Charlie." Link's voice echoed through the large room but Charlie didn't even acknowledge him, his eyes never leaving me.

"I gave you everything. I cherished you. Protected you. I would have made you my wife." His voice was calm, precise.

"Charlie please. Let me go. There are woman out there who would give anything to be with you, who would love to stand by your side." I spoke quietly, knowing that polite and gracious had always won him over. "But it's not me."

He looked torn, like he knew what I was saying was true but he was forcing himself not to believe it. I glanced over at Link, all the boys had their weapons drawn, Charlie in their sights.

"I see the way he looks at you." Charlie spoke quietly, "I bet it would hurt him a lot to lose you."

"Charlie, don't do this." I pleaded but as I did he raised his gun slowly.

"He took you from me. Now I'm going to return the favour."

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gunshots rang out in the small space. I felt as though I'd been hit by a bus as I was thrown to the floor, pain shooting through several parts of my body as I landed with a hard thump.

I heard people yelling as I battled to gain my wits back, my brain feeling jumbled and confused. I looked around the room, men with dark helmets and vests much like The Finders were wearing burst through the front doors, guns levelled and shouting. Charlie lay in a lump on the floor, a couple of men running over to him and assessing him before calling for an ambulance.

"Sam!" Link skimmed across the floor on his knees, reaching out for me. I flung my arms around him, broken wrist be damned and buried my face into his chest. His arms held me tight to his body as I cried.

"I thought you were...” I managed to choke out.

"I know pretty girl, but I'm here. I'm here." He smoothed my hair, whispering over and over in my ear that he was there and that I was okay.

"He's not breathing! We need another ambo!" I heard Rome’s voice call over the top of the chaos. I looked over, expecting to see him with Charlie but instead I saw another large body lying awkwardly on the floor, blood smeared across the cream tiles. I gasped as Dom rolled the person onto their back and started chest compressions.

"Teddy!" I screamed as I battled against Link's hold. "Teddy!!"

Link held my tightly as I struggled even through all my pain to get to Teddy's lifeless body, screaming his name, willing him to get up. Dom and Rome performed CPR for a good 10 minutes before the ambulance personnel moved in, thanking them before taking over.

We stayed huddled on the floor for what seemed like hours, the ambulance officers eventually shaking their heads sadly and moving back to their van to get a stretcher for Teddy's body. Tears continued to thunder down my cheeks and Link finally allowed me to move closer. I placed my hand gently against his bristled cheek, searching his face as though I was expecting his eyes to pop open at any second.

"I'm sorry..." I sobbed, "I said some horrible things to you, I didn't mean them, I'm sorry. Please just don't leave."

There were two bullet holes in his chest, his shirt had been cut open by the medics. He seemed so small, laying here on the ground, everything so still. Link cradled my body from behind, a hand wrapped securely around my waist, his head resting on my shoulder.

"Please come back, I need to tell you I'm sorry!" I cried, running my hand down his arm and gripping his large hand tightly. "I didn't mean it." I whispered, dipping my head and kissing the back of his hand.

"He knew you didn't mean what you said." Jet walked around and stood on the other side of Teddy's body, his hands tucked into his pockets. I looked up at him briefly before returning my gaze to the body of my friend. "He loved you, Sam. He was doing everything he could to protect you without having to leave your side."

I frowned at him, "what do you mean?"

"Perhaps we should leave this discussion for when you have had some rest. You're going to need it." Link interjected, flicking his head as if dismissing Jet. Jet just nodded and walked away. I looked at Link, my tears had halted for now.

"What's going on?" I don't understand any..." My words drifted off as I caught sight of a group of people hustling down the stairs. "Isla?" I scurried to get to my feet, eventually needing a little hoist from Link as the pain in my wrist and my body seemed to affect just simple movements. I turned and blew a quick kiss towards Teddy's body and whispered thank you before rushing to Isla. She had two large men with vests and helmets escorting her towards the door. I finally clicked, they were armed defenders. I assumed Link had called them in to help. Isla hugged herself as her eyes darted around the room. She was confused and scared.

"Isla!" She froze, looking around until her eyes finally found me. Tears suddenly started streaming as she broke free of the grasp one of the men held on her elbow and threw herself into me. I cringed for a second from the pain, but wrapped my good arm around her shoulders, holding her tightly to me.

"Sam, what's going on?" She sniffed into my shoulder.

"You're safe now." I told her, rubbing up and down her back with my hand, attempting to soothe her tears. "We are both safe now." She stepped back, those beautiful broken eyes boring into me.

"What's going to happen now?" She asked quietly. I looked at Link who ushered the two defenders back over to us.

"First we need to get both of you checked out at the hospital, then we will work from there." He told her in a soft calming voice.

"I'm scared." She whispered, her voice seemingly like a small child who had lost their way as she eyed the men next to her. I looked at Link, my eyes pleading with him to do something to help her, tears beginning to form in my own eyes. He nodded before searching the room.

"Rome!" He called, Rome turned from a conversation he was having with a couple of police officers. I saw his eyes widen a little before he tapped one of them on the back and rushed over, his eyes fixed on Isla. Link gripped Rome’s shoulder,

"Isla, this is Rome. He will stay with you until we figure out what to do next." Link informed her. She quickly glanced at Rome before her eyes met mine again. I reached out and took her hand gently, feeling the need to protect her and support her.

"Rome will keep you safe, Isla. I promise." We stared into each other's eyes for a while, like she was trying to decide whether to trust me, before finally nodding. Rome stepped forward, taking her hand from mine, his movements were slow, his face kind. She swallowed deeply before finally letting him lead her towards the front doors.

Link slipped his arm around my shoulders, both of us watching them leave.

"He will take care of her." Link said, squeezing me gently. "Now let's go get this wrist looked at." He kissed my temple and I melted against him. I didn't even bother to look back at the house, I didn't want to remember this place, I didn't want to remember what had happened within these walls. I was finally free. Only moving forward, never looking back.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Other than a few bumps, bruises and a newly cast wrist, the doctors told me I was doing fine. Link forced me to sleep, which in fact wasn't hard as my body was completely exhausted. I woke as I heard the door to my room click open. I rolled over, rubbing the sleep from my tired eyes finding Link walking in followed by a solemn looking Devon.

"Hey..." I whispered quietly as I adjusted myself in the bed. Link gave me a small smile before moving to the side and letting Devon pass him.

"I'll grab you some food and come back." I nodded and Devon shuffled closer to my bed nervously before taking the seat next to me.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly before shaking his head, "that's like, such a stupid question right?" "Not at all."

"They told me everything." He kept his head low, his eyes hidden. "I'm sorry, Sam. Sorry for everything I said. It was so stupid."

"Devon." I reached out and grabbed a hold of his hand, pulling it into my lap. "I'm okay. I got out."

He looked up at me, tears brimming his eyes. "You could have died, and I would have never got to say that I love you. I'm a fucking shitty person. I could have been spending time with you, instead I took something that hurt you and threw it back in your face." He squeezed his fists together tightly, his jaw clenched.

I thought back to Teddy. He had sacrificed himself to save me, even after what I had said to him, telling him I would never forgive him. Tears slipped down my cheeks.

"Sometimes..." I cleared my throat, trying to speak through the tears, "sometimes we say things that we don't mean when we are angry and upset. It doesn't make us horrible people, Dev. It makes us human. We just have to hope that the ones who love us and care for us the most know how we really feel."

I squeezed his hand, trying to give him some strength as I watched his own tears trickle from his eyes.

He lurched forward suddenly, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in my neck. At first I was surprised but I sunk into his embrace with a wide smile across my face, knowing I finally had my family back. I looked up, finding Link standing silently in the doorway holding a tray of food, his lips turned up slightly.

I revelled in the fact that I now had my brother back, not only that but I had a man who saw me, the real me, and cared for me and friends who would give themselves to protect me. Even with all the fancy outfits and the mansion that Charlie had offered me, it was right now at this point that I felt the richest. Because I had love.

Link cleared his throat and Devon jumped back, wiping at his eyes discreetly before excusing himself.

Link chuckled silently and moved over, placing the tray on my lap and taking a seat on my bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked softly, brushing a stray piece of hair behind my ear. My body was a little stiff and my head hurt a bit but who was I to complain? I was alive.

"I'm okay." I told him, picking up a muffin off the tray and nibbling at it nervously.

"Are you sure?" He asked, eyebrow raised. I put my muffin down and started fiddling with different items on the tray.

"I need to see Teddy." I told him, still looking down and stabbing my fork in and out of some strange stew in a bowl.