Bound By Blood: (The Betrayed Series Book 2) (4 page)

Tapping her thigh, I say, “Goddess, open your eyes for me.”

When she opens her eyes, I’m lost, frozen to the spot as my shoulders become tight, breaths bursting in and out of my lungs as I fight back the urge to scream. Her once beautiful, chocolate colored eyes are solid white. I’m struck by the inability to speak. What happened to my beautiful Goddess? Shaking, I reach up to touch her face.

Her head falls back, an ear-piercing wail rippling from her chest. My heart plunges, clenching at the sound.

“Kai? Baby, tell me what’s wrong.”

Her head slumps forward, those eerie white eyes falling to me once more as she whispers, “Alex, save me before it’s too late.”

Sitting up in my bed, I scrub a hand down the front of my face that’s drenched in sweat. The dreams have been plaguing me since the day she was kidnapped. Tossing the sheet off me, I march down the stairs, straight into the kitchen, and grab a bottle of water. Chugging the contents, I stare at it for a few moments before throwing it across the room.

“FUCK!” My voice echoes around the apartment.

Closing my eyes tightly, I try to blank out everything around me. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in the silence, searching for anything that will help calm my inner rage. The quiet confines of my apartment are soon interrupted by the sound of a phone chiming. My eyes pop open, and I sprint back up the stairs as fast as I can. Hope latches onto me, gripping me like a long lost lover. Maybe . . . just maybe, there’s new information.

Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I glance at the message.

Sam: Hey, brother, just checking in. You okay?

Me: Not in the least.

Sam: Want me to come over?

Me: No. I’m not much for company at the moment. Any news?

Sam: Nothing new. We’re still going through intel.

Me: I’m going to search her apartment and see if I can turn up anything.

Sam: You sure that’s a good idea?

Me: Right now, it’s all we’ve got.

Sam: All right. Let me know what you turn up. We’re gonna work some of our contacts. I’ll keep you posted.

Me: Thanks, Sam.

Sam: Anytime.

Tossing my phone onto the bed, I glance at the clock. Six in the morning. That gives me enough time to shower and search Kylee’s apartment before I need to be on base. Trudging into the bathroom, I turn on the shower, immediately stripping and climbing in. Cold water assaults me from every direction. Sighing heavily, I lean my head on the tile as my eyes drop, watching the water circle the drain.

“Where are you, Goddess?” I whisper.

My heart gives a little thud, the crack in it continuing to grow with each day that passes. A brutal coldness seeps into my body as scenarios begin playing through my mind. What if she’s being tortured? The thought of permanent marks scarring her beautiful flesh has me doubling over in pain. Squeezing my eyes shut, I drop to my knees and do something I’ve not done since I was a child . . . I pray. Each prayer is a plea whispered into the shower, bouncing off the tiles around me.

“God, please give me a sign. Help me find her. I beg you. I’ll do anything.” Choking back a sob, I rise to my feet. Glancing up at the ceiling, I sigh. “What do you need me to do? Anything, just name it! I will do anything. Please, just help me find her.”

Silence is my only response as I stare at the white tiles. Of course. Did I really expect an answer? Anger surges through me, causing my body to tense. Grinding my teeth, I make a vow that if any harm befalls my Goddess, I will give it back tenfold to those who laid a hand on her. Using my rage to fuel me, I finish my shower and dress quickly.

Grabbing the key that I was able to secure to Kylee’s apartment, I stick it in my pocket before reaching for my weapon and phone. Walking to the door, I lock up and turn, staring at the door I’ve avoided for the last several days. Tightness forms in my chest as memories come rushing back from our last night together. Knocking on the door, I recall the kiss that heated me from the inside out. I can still feel the desire coursing through my veins. Giving my head a little shake, I take a step forward, sliding the key out of my pocket.

How can one small key feel so heavy? The thump of my heart pounds loudly in my ears. Maybe it’s my heart that’s truly heavy and not the key. With shaking hands, I lift the key to the lock. Faltering, I steady my hands and unlock the door before shoving my way inside. Light glints, bouncing off the key I slid under her door the day she was kidnapped. Bending down, I scoop up the contents then place them on the table by the door.

Closing the door, I make my way farther into her apartment, allowing my eyes to roam around the room. Nothing is out of place. It’s like she just vanished into thin air. A frantic laugh escapes me. No way in hell she just vanished. There has to be something here. Venturing farther into the room, I move through the apartment, looking through the kitchen, opening cabinets and drawers, searching for anything out of place, any sign of a struggle, or a clue pointing me to where she may be. Finding nothing, I move into the living room.

Kylee’s laptop sits in the middle of the coffee table, opened as if she’d been using it before she left. “Where did you go, baby? Show me what happened,” I mutter into the room.

Sinking down into the cushions, my fingers run over the keys, my eyes sparking as I watch the laptop come to life. A frown creases my brow as I try to think of what password Kylee would have set. The jingle of keys and turning of the doorknob has me racing from the couch and drawing my weapon. Sprinting across the room, I duck behind the door just in time to see an older man walk into the apartment with purpose. Muscles begin to quiver as my body tenses, preparing for a fight. Questions flit through my mind as I watch him walk into the room. Who the fuck is this guy? What in the hell is he doing in Kylee’s apartment? How in the fuck did he get a key? Baring my teeth, my voice comes out low and menacing.

“Turn the fuck around.”

He stops in his tracks.

“Slowly, put your hands in the air.”

A deep chuckle floats through the room as he responds, “Son, if you think for one damn minute you’re getting me to turn around with my hands in the air, you’re either crazy or stupid.”

Heat flushes through my veins as I listen to each of his words. I’m gonna kill this motherfucker. If he laid one finger on my Goddess, I’m gonna tear him limb from limb. Reaching forward, he grabs something before spinning around. Fuck, this guy is stupid. With steady hands, the man aims his Glock 22 at my head.

Images of taking this guy out flash before my eyes. Just one bullet to the brain and I could end it quick. No. I need answers, and he has to be breathing for those. Maybe just a quick shot to disarm him followed by another taking out a kneecap to immobilize him . . . just to be sure. A smug smile spreads across my face as I think of ways to take this asshole out. Different modes of torturing him for answers. His answering smirk has me tensing and gripping my gun tighter.

The rough timbre of his voice grates on my nerves as he asks, “What exactly is it that you find so funny, son?”

A feral grin stretches across my face as I reply, “Oh, nothing, gramps. Just thinking of the different ways of taking your ass down and then torturing you for answers.”

His eyes narrow in my direction briefly before he lets out a loud, bellowing laugh.

“Is that so?”

“Yep.” Taking a step closer, some of the distance is erased as I poise my Glock, aiming it directly at his head.

“Well, you’re one cocky son of a bitch, I’ll give you that. Although, you’re gonna have a hell of a time getting off a shot when you’re dead.”

Snorting, my laugh is deep and dark. Who the fuck is this guy? If he thinks for one damn minute I won’t take his ass out for my Goddess, he’s got another thing coming. Stepping closer to him yet again, my eyes search for any signs of weakness. He doesn’t even flinch; his smile just grows wider, his grip never wavering on his weapon.

“Who the hell are you?” The man doesn’t even flinch at the threat in my voice.

“I should be asking you that question seeing as you’re in my daughter’s apartment.” Daughter? Holy shit. Colonel Parker. Fuck. What have I done? A puff of air escapes me as I jerk my arm down, lowering my weapon. Shifting from foot to foot, my thoughts drift to leaving as quickly as possible. This is not how I wanted to meet my girlfriend’s dad. Rubbing a hand down the back of my neck, my eyes dart to the gun still pointed at my head. Shit. I need to explain myself and quickly.

“Um. I’m sorry about all this, sir.”

He laughs, his gun never wavering. “So now it’s sir?”

“Shit. Yes. I’m sorry, Colonel Parker. I had no idea who you were. I just reacted when someone entered Kylee’s apartment.”

His intelligent eyes scrutinize me. “Son, it seems you have me at a disadvantage. You know who I am, but I have no idea who you are.”

“Captain Alexander James Grant, United States Army, sir.” Coming to attention, I salute the Colonel.

Holstering his weapon, he replies, “At ease, son.”

Relaxing slightly and following suit, I holster my weapon as the Colonel begins tossing questions out at me.

“Captain Grant? You’re the one leading the Delta Force team?”

“Yes, sir.”

He lets out a low whistle. “I’ve seen your work. You’ve got a great team under your command. Pulled off some pretty damn heroic stuff, too.”

“Yes, sir, I do. We’ve been in some pretty tight spots but always make it out as a unit.”

“Well, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Now tell me, what are you doing in my daughter’s apartment?”

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, my voice wavers as I respond. “Ah, well, sir. I was, um . . .” My voice fails me as the Colonel’s eyes analyze each and every detail of my face.

Furrowing his brow, his eyes narrow in my direction. “Is there something you need to tell me, son?” The Colonel steps closer, eating up some of the space between us.

My throat constricts thinking about having to reveal my relationship with Kylee to her dad. When I imagined meeting her family, I pictured the three of us having this conversation together. A knot forms in my stomach as I think about my Goddess and what she may be going through. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I look into the Colonel’s eyes before finally responding. “Sir, this isn’t how I wanted to have this conversation.”

“Exactly what conversation are you talking about, Captain?”

“Well, you see . . .” Pausing, I take several deep breaths before continuing. “I’ve been seeing your daughter for several weeks, sir.”

“Is that so?” The Colonel’s clipped response has me fighting the urge to wince.

“Yes, sir.”

My heart is thumping erratically, making it difficult to concentrate. His intense stare makes me feel like I’m the size of a damn ant and not good enough to be in his presence, let alone that of his daughter.

“Well, that doesn’t explain what in the hell you’re doing in her apartment now, does it?”

Blowing out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, I meet his furious gaze. “I came to search her apartment, sir. I’m looking for anything to help me find her.” There’s a brief flash of emotion in his eyes before he pulls a blank mask over his face once again.

“And did you find anything?”

“Honestly, sir, I’d only been here a few moments when you showed up. I was just about to see if I could log into her laptop to find any clues.”

“Captain, you said you’d been seeing my daughter. Why do I get the feeling that’s not an entirely adequate response?”

He’s a damn perceptive one, that’s for sure. Ah, fuck, who am I kidding? He was able to read me like a goddamn book. And here I thought I’d been masking my emotions pretty damn well. Apparently, I was wrong. The fissure in my chest pulses, threatening to crack even wider. Clearing my throat, I begin relaying the depth of my feelings for Kylee.

“Sir, I’m in love with your daughter. This is not how I wanted to have this conversation. I imagined the three of us sitting down and talking it over, but I can assure you that I want nothing but the best for her. I will find her and whoever took her will pay for what they’ve done.” The last words are quietly spoken, the threat and vehemence in my voice ringing clearly throughout the apartment.

Nodding his head, the Colonel gazes into my eyes for several long moments before replying, “Let me be clear, son. Your intentions may be sincere . . . however, you’ve yet to prove yourself. My daughter is the most important thing in my life, and I will protect her from anyone and anything, that includes you. I have no doubt that you and your team will help me find who took her and bring her back safely. As to what happens between the two of you . . . well, you’re both consenting adults.”

He pauses, taking a breath for a moment before continuing. “But if you hurt her . . . they won’t find your body.”

A smile extends across my face at his gruff response. He truly loves his daughter and wants what’s best for her. Nodding my head, I reply, “Understood, message received loud and clear, sir. I’ll prove my worth to you. You have my word.” He nods his head once before turning and moving into the apartment.

Thoughts begin to race through my mind as to how exactly I’m going to prove my worth to the Colonel. One thing is for certain: I will find my Goddess, and whoever took her will pay a hefty price.