“Dude, that takes balls,” Sam said as he drove to the abandoned warehouse.

Race was far from stupid. She’d figure it out sooner or later, and it wouldn’t be a pretty sight when she saw me again.

Race: As soon as I can get a cab. I have a flat tire.

“I’ll pay for it later,” I replied as I stared out the passenger’s window with a knot in my stomach.

“If there is a later,” Thomas said, slapping me on the back of the head.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, ignoring the fact that he’d hit me and replying to her text.

Me: Do not leave the office.

“She’ll probably never talk to you again, man.” Thomas shook his head. “You lied to her. Never mind about the tire.”

“Yep. You’re never getting another shot with her,” James added. “Izzy would murder me.”

“Race will get over it,” I said, shrugging it off.

“I doubt that. I’ve only met her a couple of times, but she doesn’t seem like the type to forgive and forget,” Thomas said.

“I’m not saying I won’t pay dearly for it, guys, but I think I can handle her.” I glanced in the backseat.

“You like this girl that much, huh?” James asked.

“I don’t know why, but I do. God help me,” I muttered, looking up at the roof and blowing out a long breath.

“It’s the magic of the tough chick,” James replied as he patted my shoulder. “I know it well.”

“I just can’t picture my cousin dealing with your bullshit.”

“My bullshit?” He snickered, clutching his chest. “Have you met your cousin? That girl has more tricks up her sleeve than Houdini.”

“How do you deal with her?”

“You gotta break her.”

“What?” I asked, turning around with my mouth agape.

“James,” Thomas said, glaring at him, “you’re talking about my sister here. Choose your next words very carefully.”

James slapped Thomas on the leg. “No worries, brother.” He glanced at me, lifting his chin in my direction. “We’ll talk about the ladies later, Morgan.”

I returned his chin lift. “I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Five minutes out,” Sam said. “We ready for this?” He adjusted his body, gripping the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles had turned white.

“You okay, man?” I asked Sam, placing my hand on his shoulder.

“I’m pumped. I’ve been on the sidelines for a bit. I’m so excited. This shit is like the olden days.”

“The olden days sucked,” James said, hanging his head.

“Oh, stop with your Debbie Downer shit, James,” Thomas barked. “Everyone knows the plan, yeah?”

“Why don’t you go over it again, because clearly we may have missed something the ten times you’ve already reviewed it with us,” James teased.

The final minutes of the car ride were in silence. Each of us checked our equipment, removed safeties, and got mentally focused. Sam had secured permission from the owner of the next building to stash the car inside to avoid being spotted by Tyler.

After the car was hidden, we all took our positions and waited. Sam took the roof, being our lookout, while James, Thomas, and I took our spots around the building.

I was so nervous that I could barely focus. My heart was pounding in my throat and my palms felt slick from the nonstop perspiration that formed every time I wiped them on my jeans.

If this shit didn’t go down right, her life could be in a shambles and it would be entirely my fault.

I couldn’t let her take a chance with her life. She might be an adult, but like hell would I let her walk into a fire when I could put it out without her getting involved.

I glanced at my watch and realized more than ten minutes had passed while I’d been standing here. Tyler hadn’t arrived.

“He’s late,” James said in my earpiece, figuring out the same thing I had.

“Let’s wait ten more minutes before we call it,” Thomas replied.

“I don’t see anyone coming either,” Sam added.

“Fuck,” I said as my stomach began to sink. “I bet the fucker doesn’t show.” I had a feeling I couldn’t explain. I’d felt it once or twice in the army, and typically shit went bad.

“What do we want to do?” James’s voice echoed in my ear.

“I think you’re right, Morgan. We’ll wait five and leave,” Thomas replied.

I crouched down, picked up tiny pebbles, and tossed them. My mind was racing, and just standing there was making me crazy. I didn’t like the unknown.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, needing to check on Race.

Me: Sorry we left without you. No time to spare.

“Men, I think it’s time to pack it in,” Thomas said.

“Did you hear from Angel? Race said she was going to head to the office,” I said, heading toward the building we’d hid the vehicle in.

“Meet at the truck. I’ll call Angel on the way,” Thomas replied.

“Ten-four,” James said. “Something’s off for sure.”

“What are you thinking?” Sam asked over the radio.

“I don’t know, but I know something bad is happening.”

“Thomas, call Angel,” I demanded as sweat lined my brow.

“I’m doing it, fucker.”

Before I’d made it to the van, he said the words I didn’t want to hear.

“She never made it, man.”

Bile rose in my throat and I tried my best to swallow it down. “Everyone, get your ass back here.”

“What are you thinking, Morgan?” James asked as he appeared by my side.

“I don’t know, man, but I think we definitely got played. There is no way in hell anything would stop Race from showing up here today. I may have told her not to, but I knew she wouldn’t listen.” I tried to keep calm, but on the inside, I was crumbling.

“We’ll find her, man.” James patted me on the shoulder. “Move your asses,” he barked into the radio.

“Fuck me,” I whispered, shrugging his hand away. “I did this.”

“Stop being a pussy,” James blurted. “You didn’t do shit.”

I started to hyperventilate. “I did.” I drew in a shaky breath, pushing down the fear that started to grip me. “If she were here, I’d know she was safe.”

“Yo!” Sam yelled as he jogged into the building, Thomas right on his heels.

“We’re all here. Move your asses,” Thomas said, pointing toward the truck.

I pushed the fear away, readying myself for battle.

I’d get her back.

I climbed into the car, feeling on edge but ready to kick Tyler’s ass.

Who was I kidding?

I planned to wring his neck until I choked the very last breath out of him.

The car ride was a whirlwind.

Thomas and James were on the phone with contacts, gathering intel and trying to find someone willing to hack into the phone records to try to pinpoint her location. I tried to text her and call her again, but she didn’t respond or pick up.

Even if she were livid with me, she would have texted me back. I’d made it pretty clear how worried I was and that she was in grave danger, but nada. No reply from Race.

“She isn’t responding,” I said after the fifth text.

“I got a guy working on her location,” James said, flipping the phone in his hand.

“We’re just about there,” Sam called out, moving his face closer to the window, sitting forward and ready to go.

When James’s phone rang, the car grew silent. “Hit me,” James said as he stared at me.

Please let her be okay.

“Got it. On our way there now,” James said before disconnecting the call. “Last known location was her office. After that, the signal goes cold. Someone turned her phone off.”

“Motherfucker,” I growled as I punched the dashboard.

“Stay calm, man,” Thomas said, grabbing my shoulder.

“Easy for you to say.” I closed my eyes as my chest tightened. “I need to find my woman.”

“Listen, we’ve done this shit more than once. We always get the girl back. Always,” Thomas said in a calm, even voice.

“It’s almost an inauguration of sorts around these parts. Angel was kidnapped and Izzy was abducted. Somehow, they’re still alive and breathing.”

“What the fuck?” I asked, jerking my head back. “What the hell did you guys get me involved in?”

“Life isn’t always pretty,” James replied, giving me a shrug.

“It happens when you live your life on the edge, Morgan. You wouldn’t be so upset if you didn’t have feelings for Race.”

“Fuck you! I’d still be pissed off that we were duped,” I shot back.

“Yeah, but it stings because you fucked up and you like the girl. I promise we’ll get her back,” Thomas said, staring out the window, surveying the parking lot as we pulled in.

Before the truck came to a stop, I opened my door and hopped out, using the extra speed to run toward the doors.

I could see Johnny’s truck in the distance near Race’s car. She’d called, just like I’d assumed, but where the fuck was she?

“James!” I yelled, stopping near the entrance as the guys climbed out. “Go see if Race is over there by her car.”

He nodded, jogging away quickly.

“Excuse me, sir?” I asked, trying to catch my breath as I ran inside.

“Yes?” the portly security guard asked as he rose from his chair.

“Did you see a blond woman leave here about thirty minutes ago?” I leaned on the desk, ready to push off and run.

“Do you mean Ms. True?” he asked as a smile spread across his face.

“Yes,” I snapped as my jaw stiffened.

“Why, yes. She was waiting outside for a taxi last I saw her,” he replied.

“Did she get in a taxi?”

His lips bunched as his forehead drew down. “I don’t know, sir. I didn’t pay attention.”

“Fucking great,” I muttered, squeezing my eyes shut.

“Find her?” James asked as he jogged through the doors.

“She isn’t here,” I replied as I made tight fists, trying not to punch something.

“Not outside, either.”

“Fucking hell. We lost her,” I said, starting to pace.

James touched my shoulder. “Come on, man. Let’s go to the office. We’ll find her.”

“We better,” I whispered.

I wasn’t done with Race True.

This wasn’t how we were supposed to end.