“Lift up your arm,” Tyler said. “Drop your chin.”

I was currently tightly pressed against his body and almost being taken down by the rear-naked choke hold. He was not holding back, something I told him to do. I grunted and dropped my chin. A vision of Stephen popped into my mind and anger started to overtake defeat. Without thinking, I grabbed a hold of his arms, bent my body forward, and tossed him over my shoulders.

“Fuck.” Tyler rolled once and ended up on his back. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

I fell to the mat beside him. “Oh God, are you hurt? I’m so sorry.”

He placed his hand on the side of my face and smiled. “Zo, I’m fine. Fucking impressed, too.” I laid my body over his chest and finally set my emotions free. The tears were falling one after another, and I was finding it hard to breathe. “Zoe, baby, come here.” He sat up and pulled me onto his lap. “We’re going to find him.”

“How do you know that?” I said and struggled to take in a deep breath. “If this is the serial killer that keeps abducting those innocent people, how is Stephen safe from—”

Tyler placed a finger over my lips. “Stop. Breathe, Zo. I need you to calm down, honey. Let’s count to ten.”

I was counting and crying at the same time.

“Knock knock.” We both turned to find Charlie stepping into the room. Behind her was Brooks, Julian, and Lily. “I heard on the news.”

I jumped up and ran to Charlie. “Oh God, C.” Tyler almost had me breathing normally, and then I lost it all over again. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Tyler stood and walked over to me. He started to rub his hand up and down my back. I switched and fell back into his arms.

“What’s going on?” Julian said and sat down on the bench used for free weights.

I looked up at Tyler and could tell he was feeling uncomfortable. “Our dear friend was taken at the nightclub tonight.” I turned to face everyone. “They’re not releasing it in the news yet, but it’s the serial killer tied to all the missing persons’ cases.”

“Are they sure?” Julian said.

“Yeah, everything they found at the scene fits the suspect’s M.O.”

Julian stood up. “So what now?”

I finally took in that much needed deep breath and let it out slowly. “We wait.” I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my neck. “Who needs a drink as badly as I do?” I wasn’t supposed to drink while I was cutting for the rematch fight, but honestly, I didn’t fucking care at the moment. Tyler’s gym was in the basement. As we all reached the top step and headed into the kitchen, the doorbell rang. I scowled and looked at Tyler.

“I’ll be right back.” Tyler made his way to the front of the house.

I walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed a six-pack of beer. “This sound good?” I held it up for everyone. There was a collective yes as I passed them around. I leaned my body against the counter and tried to fight back my tears. Every minute that passed made it more difficult to not fear for Stephen’s life.

“Zoe.” Lily touched my shoulder. “Do you want us to leave?”

I leaned up. “No. No. It’s okay.”

“Zoe,” I heard Tyler from the doorway of the kitchen. “I need to talk to you.”

“Why?” His words scared me. His face was clear of emotions. I grabbed Lily’s hand and took two steps back. “What is it, Ty? He’s not? He can’t—” My body fell to the floor.

“Jesus, Zoe.” Tyler knelt in front of me. “There’s no word on Stephen yet. They had some evidence they needed to ask about.”

My uncontrollable sobs started up again. “This is all my fault. Oh, God, what have I done?”

Tyler picked me up into his arms. “Zoe, no, no, this is not your fault.” My head fell into the crook of his neck, and I found it difficult to breathe. To think. If I was the reason for Stephen’s abduction, I couldn’t live with myself. “Let’s have you rest for a while.” He laid me down on his bed and covered me up with the duvet full of memories. I pulled it close to my nose and inhaled the scent. He bent down and kissed my forehead. “Close your eyes and sleep. I’ll be right down the hall in the library. I need to talk to my brothers.”

“Talk to them? As in?”

He knew what I meant by my cryptic message. “I don’t know about that yet. Soon.”

“Ty.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him back down. “I’m sorry.”

“Close your eyes, Zoe.”

I watched as he left the room. A part of me wanted to climb out the window and go search for Stephen, but fatigue was overtaking my body.

“Wait, don’t take him,” I pleaded and reached for Stephen’s hand, but he slipped from my grasp. I felt my body fall to the concrete floor as a man dragged Stephen’s body farther away from me. I tried to get up and run after him, but my legs were locked down by chains. “No, I need to save him. You have to let me go.”

“I’m okay, Zoe,” I heard Stephen yell.

“I’ll find you. I’m so sorry I left you alone. I’m sorry I forced you to go.” The chains were cutting through my ankles as I struggled to remove them. Even with my fighting skills, my strength was not going to free me. I had to find another way. “Let me go,” I started to repeat at the top of my lungs. Someone would show their face eventually. I needed to see who took Stephen. I had to be the one who saved him, but could I do that?

“Zoe.” I felt my shoulders shake. “Zoe, wake up.”

I could hear someone talking to me, but I was all alone. I shook the chains, fearful what was going to happen next.

“Zoe, I need you to wake up.”

“No, bring him back,” I cried out and opened my eyes.

“I’m here,” Tyler said and lifted me up into his arms. “It was a dream. You’re okay.”

“He’s chained up somewhere,” I blurted out and knew I sounded crazy.

“What?” He turned his head to the side, and the crinkle in between his eyebrows lifted. “What did you just say?”

“I saw him in a room and chained.” I freed myself from his hold and stood up from the bed. “Well, I was chained up actually.” I turned on my heel to face him. “I’m not crazy.”

He placed his hands on either side of my face and bent to be eye level. “I know you’re not crazy, but honey, it was just a dream.”

I lifted my arms up in between his and threw them down. “It’s not a dream.” I tried to turn but strong arms quickly wrapped around my body. “Let me go.”

“Go ahead and give it to her.” It was Charlie’s voice beside my ear.

“Give me what? No.” I struggled to release myself from her hold. “Don’t let me sleep. I don’t want to be chained up anymore. I need to find Stephen.” There was a prick on my bicep and a stinging feeling. “No.” I continued to fight against her hold. “Please—”

Charlie whispered in my ear. “We’re going to find him. I promise, my sweet friend. You need to rest. This isn’t your fault, Zoe.”

I tried to say it was my fault but my body felt weak, numb, and unable to move.

What if my dream came back?

I needed to free myself from the chains this time.