Scooter left me in a tiny room with an oversized sweatshirt and a pair of jogging pants. Shivering, I grudgingly slid into the clothes and wrapped my arms tight around my waist. Down the hall, I could hear loud voices arguing about something. Nobody sounded particularly happy, and I had a feeling it had to do with those scary-looking men I’d noticed when we’d arrived, though Scooter hadn’t let me get a good look at them. I had a feeling I didn’t want to know.

“I’d like to see my son, please,” I said loudly at the door before banging my fist on it. One of Scooter’s boys was on the other side, guarding me like some kind of criminal, but he didn’t respond, even when I repeated the request about ten dozen times. Now that I was so close to my son, the urge to see him was overwhelming.

I had to make sure he was okay.

I was just about to ask again when a knock on the window made me jump ten feet in the air. Whirling, I gasped when I saw Franklin’s face pressed up against the glass. A tidal wave of emotions overtook me.

Everything was going to be okay.

Franklin was here.

And he was going to save us.

He motioned for me to come closer, and I stormed across the room with renewed energy. I didn’t care how much Franklin argued, I was going to kiss him so hard and wrap my legs around his waist, thanking him for rushing in like the white knight I knew he was.

When I pushed up the window and stuck my head outside, I almost cried out at what I saw.

Franklin had Owen in his arms. My son. My son is here. Franklin had gone to save him first. My poor innocent boy was fast asleep, his little arms slung loosely around Franklin’s sturdy neck. My heart swelled and tears pricked my eyes. It was the best thing I’d ever seen in my entire life.

I started crying. I couldn’t stop myself.

“Oh, Owen,” I said in a whisper that sounded so loud in the darkness.

“It’s okay, Rosie. Everyone is safe now. Come on. Let’s get you out of there,” Franklin said quietly.

As I climbed out of the window, I shook my head in amazement at Franklin. “How did you do this?”

“His security isn’t as good as it looks.”

“Not so fast,” a voice said, harsh and loud. Freezing, I turned to see several men in black all around us, their guns pointed right at Franklin…at Owen. My heart lurched into my throat, and the world began to spin underneath my feet. Scooter’s boys had found us, far more prepared than I ever thought possible.

“What’s going on?” I cried out, jumping to stand between Owen and the men. “You can’t do this.”

“Just come over here to us, ma’am. Your son, too.” The voice was calm and steady. A professional. Totally the opposite of anyone Scooter had on his team. I realized too late what that meant. These weren’t Scooter’s boys at all.

“Go on, Rosie. You’ll be safe with him. His name is Rockford.”

“Sorry Mason,” the voice, Rockford, said, regret tinging his words. “They had my phone bugged. I had no other choice.”

“It’s fine, Rockford. Just get them out of here, safe and sound. The men you’re after are inside, third room to the right.”

“I don’t understand what’s happening,” I said.

“This man is under arrest, ma’am,” Rockford said again. “And I’m afraid to say that he’ll be going away for a very long time.”