Chapter 20 (Jasper)

“If you lay another finger on her then I swear I’ll break every single bone in your body and that is no exaggeration.” I stood in the open doorway, staring at my enemy.

I had tracked him like a hunter tracks his prey. For someone who had been bold enough to break into my home and pull off a stunt like this, he was not at all careful with what he did. He left clues everywhere, making it easy to find him – too easy.

A cruel laugh escaped his lips. “I was wondering when you’d show up. To be honest, for a Navy SEAL, you haven’t impressed me. You’d think a man as decorated as yourself would be less of a coward and yet, you hide away in the mountains, too scared to face reality.”

My fists tightened by my side.

Don’t lose your temper. I reminded myself. This wasn’t a game. Mandy’s life tottered in the balance of my actions.

All I needed to do was buy myself some time until Andy showed up. As soon as I emerged from the tunnel I had thought about finding Mandy, but I knew better than to go on such a mission alone. I had run all the way home and attached a note to one of my carrier pigeons, hoping it would make it to my friend and comrade. If there was ever a time when I needed him, it was now.

Wolf had vanished.

“Giving me the cold shoulder?” The man pressed his lips together in disappointment. Obviously, he expected more of a reaction out of me.

“All you have to do is step away from her and no one gets hurt.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Do you want it to be?” I continued to stand in the doorway, waiting for him to make a move.

A small smile twitched onto his lips. He spun his knife between his fingers before suddenly throwing it with all his force.

“Jasper!” Mandy screamed, straining against her binds.

I ducked just in time. “Oh, you shouldn’t have done that,” I growled, charging forward and tackling him into the nearby wall.

He groaned in pain, but he wasn’t about to go down without a fight. He rammed his knee as hard as he could into my groin. A cheap shot.  what did I expect from a crook like him?

He hit me again, this time winding me completely.

I doubled over, holding my stomach.

He grabbed me by the collar, slamming me into the wall.

My brain rattled inside my skull, compounding with the pain that was already there. Despite my best intentions to save Mandy, I crumbled to the ground, lifeless. My body had given up on me, but I was still conscious, watching as Keith rolled back his shoulders, a satisfied smirk painted on his face.

“That wasn’t even a challenge.” He said, shaking his head. “I thought for sure you’d make this interesting for me, but I guess I was mistaken.”

He grabbed his knife off the ground before heading in my direction. It was obvious what he planned to do.

Get up. I yelled at my body, but it wouldn’t listen to me. Come on, get up.  it was like I was paralyzed.

“Leave him alone!” Mandy screamed.

No, don’t draw attention to yourself.

Keith paused, glancing over at her. “Why should I?”

“This has nothing to do with him, Keith. I’m the one your after. I don’t know why but if you want to make my life a living hell… go ahead but leave him out of it.”

“Aww.” He mocked. Without an ounce of hesitation, he pulled back his hand and slapped her across the cheek.

“Bastard!” I screamed but still, I could not get up.

“The bitch had it coming to her, you know. This wouldn’t be happening if she only knew how to keep her nose out of other people’s business. You just had to know the truth about my family, didn’t you?” He laughed, throwing his head back.

This guy was nuts.

“You couldn’t just let it go like the rest of your department. You knew it would get you in trouble and yet, you couldn’t stay away. You always were a stupid girl. I cannot understand what I ever saw in you, but it doesn’t matter. The fact is you know too much already. I can’t let you get any deeper into our affairs.  I’m going to have to get rid of you once and for all, but I think before that, it won’t hurt to have some fun with you. Don’t you think?” He ran the blade along her neck, pulling her hair so hard that there were tears in her eyes.

“Please…” She whimpered.

“Let go of her you fucking bastard.” With every ounce of strength I had, I managed to get up. I grabbed him by the shirt and threw him aside.

Quickly, I tried to untie Mandy but before I could even loosen up the knots around her wrists, I felt the cold barrel of a gun against the back of my neck. “Move and I kill her.” He threatened.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the cavernous room.

Before I could react, a pair of big, brawny men grabbed me by the arms. Another pair grabbed Mandy.

“Stop! What are you doing! Put me down!” She screamed.

“Don’t you dare touch her!”

Suddenly, something was pressed against the side of my neck. A deep warmth spread through my veins.

No.

A tranquilizer.

My body grew slack. I wanted to resist the effects of the drug, but it was impossible. All I could do was crumble to the ground as I heard Mandy screaming my name, begging for help.

I was supposed to protect her. I was supposed to keep her safe.

And, all I had done was fail her.