Car tires screeched on the on, stopping in front of us. No, no, the raiders!
“No!” I yelled.
“Get in.” He shoved me into the back of the car. Another man grabbed my arms from the inside, making sure I didn’t wiggle free.
My heart slammed against my chest. I could hear my pulse in my ears. I was so screwed. Who were they? Was Swine involved?
“Let’s get out of here.” The man who grabbed me yelled.
The man I found in the back seat had a black ski mask on, but he was about the same frame as the hoodie guy. They all kept their faces hidden.
“What do you want from me?” I asked.
“You’re smart enough to know that.” Hoodie guy said.
I also knew they wouldn’t be dumb enough to reveal their names unless they planned on killing me. So I would refer to the guy who grabbed me as Hoodie guy and his friend as Ski mask guy.
“Where are you taking me? I don’t have anything on me.”
“Quiet. Where’s the blindfold?” Hoodie said.
Shoot. I swallowed. The car was already dark the blindfold squeezed my head and added to the fear. I wrapped my arms around myself as the car drove around town. Where the hell are they taking me? The car came to a crawl. My heart pounded faster. Not a plan in my head.
How would I get out of this get? At least I would know the face of the raiders.
“Get her out of here.” Hoodie guy said.
Ski man grabbed my shoulders and dragged me out of the car. “Easy.” I said.
To no avail. I stumbled, I could tell I was walking on concrete. The wind whipped harder than when I was nabbed. I hoped they weren’t walking me to my death. There was still so much I hadn’t done. Matthias and I still had unresolved issues. Did it matter now that I would potentially die tonight? I wouldn’t marry the love of my life and raise a ton of kids with him.
My mother would lose the only child that loved her. The raiders would have more of my family’s blood on their hands. If I made it out of here I was leaving Chester Springs. The atmosphere changed I felt like I was in a room with a dozen people. A door shut, startling me.
Hands shoved me down to a wooden chair. Laughter went around the room.
“Let me go! This is pointless.” I yelled, my voice echoed.
“Calm down Adele. Adele Winchester. Oh my goodness.”
That voice. I knew that voice. My hands were free, but my eyes still shielded. If only I could get a glimpse of the room.
“You know me.” I said.
“Quite well actually.”
My heart rate quickened. “I don’t know you though.”
He chuckled, “That’s not true.”
Maybe if he continued talking I would remember who he was. He came closer and I leaned back.
“Let’s cut to the chance shall we?”
“Yes, so you can let me go.” More laughter sounded. There had to be ten guys in the room.
“You are sweet.” He caressed my cheek with his fingers. I shrunk back.
“Where are the heirlooms?” He demanded, but his voice was still smooth and calm.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My family doesn’t have heirlooms, unless you call the couch I’ve inherited from Comrade an heirloom.”
“Wrong answer sweetheart. I’d have thought after the death of your sister in law and your grandfather you would know to play along with us.”
I swallowed, “What are you going to do with the heirlooms anyway?”
“Anything I want. Unlimited power, fame, glory, wealth unimaginable. I know the Winchester’s have a large share of the heirlooms. I would love to have each family’s heirlooms, but the Hadley’s and Hampton’s have proven to be rather difficult to crack. That should change now that I have you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I’m sure your darling Matthias wouldn’t let you die to save a few pieces of metal. A shame if he did.”
A gun shot sounded outside and I jumped. A guy screamed.
“Were you followed?” He blasted.
“No, boss. We were sure.” Hoodie guy said.
Another round of gunshots pierced the night. Don’t tell me the raiders had enemies other than the keepers that they fought against. I didn’t want to be caught between a war of the bad guys.
“Get out there. Find out what the hell is going on!”
The guys shuffled out of the room.
“Then you and I, sweetheart can get back to our conversation.” He said close to my ear and I shuddered.
Recognition hit me instantly. I knew who he was.
“Boss you have to come out here.” One of his henchmen said.
He growled before storming out. The door slammed shut. I was frozen in my position. I counted the seconds I was left in dark and total silence. It felt like hours not even a gunshot rang. What was going on? Had they left me here?!
The door burst open and I let out a yelp. I felt someone stand in front of me. They gripped my blindfold and yanked it off. I blinked a couple times to adjust to the light. I looked up to meet my savor or my captor I didn’t know.
“Holden?” I gasped.
“She’s in here!” He called.
I looked at the door. Matthias came rushing in seconds later, a gun in his hands. How on earth did he find me? I didn’t care! I wasn’t dying.
Holden leaned in front of me and brushed hair out of my face.
“You okay?” He asked.
“Too close Hampton.” Matthias growled.
He pulled me off the chair and to his chest. I wrapped my arms around him. He pulled back so he could kiss me. As if we were teleported back in time I kissed him back expect this time I kissed him as if my life depended on it.
“They didn’t hurt you did they?” He asked.
“No. I’m just so glad you’re here.” I squeezed him.
He kissed the top of my head and held me tight.
“Let’s leave Chester Springs.” I whispered.
“We will.” He whispered back.
“Those bastard. They never leave anything behind.” Holden said, breaking our moment.
“Of course not. They made a clean getaway as well.” Matthias said.
“Holden, what are you doing here? I thought you weren’t involved in all this.” I asked.
He straightened up, “I may not be a keeper, but I am involved. I hunt the raiders. Figured someone had to keep an eye on them. I haven’t been doing a good job considering what happened—”
“It’s okay Holden. I know who they are.”
Their eyes both went wide. “You do? Who?”
“I know who one of them is. I think he’s the leader.” I said.
“Spit it out Adele.” Matt groaned.
My brows dipped, “It’s Noah.”
“What? My brother?”