Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

or burn it down in my sleep a week from now? These people were sinister, and it would be in my best interest to try to get an insurance payout and be rid of them. My blood ran cold, I had a sick feeling inside, and my heart was thumping uncomfortably hard inside my chest. What was I going to do? My ribs were still painful from Carter’s last round of abuse, and it wasn’t likely I’d be able to outrun Apollo.

“I’ll be here, Princess! Don’t keep me waiting too long.” Apollo called after me as I disappeared into the bathroom. There was no door, but rather a short hallway, that led into the facilities that would ensure privacy of those inside, yet still allow for an easy flow of patrons. I longed for a door. “There ain’t no back door to the john, so don’t get any big ideas.”

“Jesus, please help me,” I said softly under my breath, grateful I’d had the foresight to keep my phone out of my purse and in the back pocket of my shorts. I went into a stall and locked the door. In seconds I had my phone out and was holding it in my shaking hands. There was a text from Gina asking if I’d arrived safely, and one from Ben showing up on the screen in the moment.

I quickly opened his message. There was a video clip that I could tell from the still was of Gem, but I didn’t have time to watch it. I felt like hell reaching out to him again, but who else did I have? He was too far away to help me himself, but would this band of goons show up in Jackson? If I got them arrested, it might only cause them to retaliate harder. I sat down on the toilet and pondered my next move, knowing I had little time to decide. I considered that money might get them to leave me alone, but my uncle’s voice in my head convinced me otherwise. “You can’t reason with a bully.”

I needed advice, and I hoped Ben would be off of his shift by now. Sucking in a deep breath, I began to type out a text.

Ben, I’m in trouble. Carter’s family is like the mafia and I can’t get away from them. His brother is waiting for me outside the bathroom in the food court of the Mall of America. I thought about calling the police, but I’m afraid if I don’t play along, they’ll show up in Wyoming and do something horrible to me, the ranch, or the horses. Maybe it’s best to go to the funeral as planned and try to leave tomorrow? I’m sorry to bother you with this, but I really don’t have anyone else I trust.

Within seconds my phone rang, and my nervous hands fumbled to answer. I almost dropped the phone but thankfully caught it just before it hit the hard tile floor.

“Ben!”

“You need to call the police, right now, Marin!” he barked.

“Carter’s family is terrifying! They took my purse and my cash!” I knew the pitch in my voice was elevated and it was starting to break as I whispered frantically into the phone. “Even if the police get me out of here, there are more who could come after me. The police can’t protect me all night.”

“I know you’re scared, but you need to call the police. When they arrive ask them if you can stay at the station, or if they will escort you to a hotel; one with the doors to the rooms inside the building. I’ll come get you.”

“Can they just take me to the airport? I can catch the first flight back.” As scared as I was, my heart seized a little at how he was so willing to drive twelve hundred miles to help me. Was this guy for real?

“How, without your purse or credit cards?” Ben asked shortly; anger lacing his voice.

“That’s true, but it will be the same story for the hotel. I have no money.”

“Don’t argue. I’ll leave now. Call me from the hotel lobby—”

My mouth fell open in shock at Ben’s willingness to do so much for me. “But it’s so far…”

“Marin, stop fucking around and call the police!” He commanded. “Please.” His voice changed to more coaxing and comforting. “When you’re safe, call me back, and we’ll figure out the hotel.”

Blood and adrenaline were rushing like thunder through my veins; the sound thundering in my ears. “Okay.”

“Call them, right when you hang up. I mean it!” He ended the call without waiting for a reply, and instantly I dialed 9-1-1.

“9-1-1. What is your emergency?”

“Someone is holding me against my will.”

“Are you saying you’ve been kidnapped?”

“Yes. I mean, I guess. I’m in town for a funeral and the family of the deceased took me to Mall of America to buy them new clothes. They won’t let me leave and I’m frightened. They’ve stolen my purse.”

“How many suspects are there?”

“Three men, three women, and five kids.”

“Kids?”

It sounded ludicrous, even to my own ears.

“Yes. They split up, but the plan was to make me buy them all a new outfit for the funeral. Two of the men took the kids to the rides, two women went shopping on their own, and one woman and one man remained with me… until I went to the bathroom.”

“Ma’am are you sure this is an emergency?”

“Yes! Please! He’s waiting outside. I can’t get away.”

“Calm down, Ma’am. Who is the deceased?”

“My boyfriend, Carter Stanton. He died in a fire.”

“Who is detaining you?”

“His brother, Apollo. He followed me to the bathroom and is waiting outside! His name is Apollo, I think his last name is Stanton, too. Maybe not, I’m not sure. The others are close by, too. The mother has my purse with her.”

“Can you give me a description of the man and woman?”

As quickly as I could, I described Apollo and his mother, trying to remember details about their clothing, tattoos and hair.

“Stay