The footsteps grow louder as they near the closet - clunking and clomping down the hall causing the floorboards to creak.
The adrenaline begins pumping through their veins again and their hearts hammer in their chests as the men stop just outside the small space they're currently hiding in. Erin looks up at Jay when he pulls her into him more. It's a move that she's sure was meant to calm them both but it only makes her more nervous.
She's a cop - this type of thing shouldn't scare her. She should be unfazed by all of this but then she reminds herself that nothing that she's seen on the job compares to this. When you pledge to be a cop, you take an oath to protect others - even if that means that you could be hurt or even killed in the process. That's the career she chose, it's high risk. But she never expected to get abducted with the most important person in her life. He's the last person she wants to lose but she feels her hope dwindling. It gets replaced with the cripiling fear that they may not live to see another day. And at that thought her head falls against his chest - fighting to reign in her emotions as the men continue to get closer to them. The door is the only thing separating the two pairs - providing a thin, flimsy barrier between them. And they soon see a large, dirty hand reach for the doorknob and Jay repositions the gun in his own hand and prepares to fight for their lives. But then the hand drops just short of the door as the second man asks a question.
"So why'd the boss man decide to target the most popular racers in Chicago?" They hear what sounds like a younger guy ask.
There's a distinct huff as the man closest to them steps back and there's a rather long pause before either of them says anything. Then the older of the two lets out a faint hum before replying. "He's been planning this for years - waiting for the perfect time to take Jay down. So when his lovely, little piece decided to show back up, French knew this was his opportunity because he knew that Jay's biggest weakness is her. He took her and Jay would surely follow."
Another moment of silence falls over them and the couple concealed within the closet - remain still and quiet. Their interest perked at hearing what French's plan was.
"But why?" The younger man asks again.
"French was never as respected as Jay or his girl but what little respect French did have vanished when he and Jay got into that fight at the Ice Race some years ago. Jay almost killed French and it caused everyone to not only fear the so called King of Chicago street racing but they began to respect him even more. And our boss wanted to take that respect away from Jay. So he had JR recruit girls and the ones that looked like Jay's kid sister were killed over the last few months. French didn't want us anywhere near the sister because it would have steered police away from Jay and his crew. He always planned to kill Jay - make it look like a suicide after the police closed in and then the murders would stop. French's number one enemy would look guilty and he wouldn't be here to defend himself. He figures all loyalty to Jay will disappear and the respect will shift to him. French will finally be at the top." He lays it all out and both Jay and Erin looked confused, the latter even rolls her eyes at how stupid the plan sounded. A total of eight girls were murdered - ripped away from their families forever. Kids being turned out to sell drugs and whatever else, just for French to gain some street cred.
"Do you think it'll work - the plan I mean?" He questions as their footsteps begin to retreat.
Jay feels his blood boil even more. He wishes again that Erin wasn't here - that she was somewhere safe so he could be as reckless as he wanted without the worry of her getting hurt worse than she already is or killed, in the process. His fingers tighten around the handle of the gun in his hand as the desire to kill French and everyone in his crew intensifies. He should have just taken him out when he had the chance and he has half a mind to go back to that room and pull the trigger.
"Jay." Erin whispers and he looks down at her - realizing that the threat of being found is gone - for now.
He shakes his head to clear his mind as much as possible before he leans down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. It seems out of place in the moment but it's a gesture that still feels every bit welcomed as her eyes close briefly. His lips lingering as a silent way for him to communicate with her and tell her all the words that can't be said out loud right now. It's an apology and a declaration of love wrapped up in a single, feather light kiss. She pushes forward to do and say the same - placing a kiss to his cheek. Her worry grows for him even more when she feels how cold and clammy his skin is and her hand presses harder into the gunshot wound on his abdomen. He hisses quietly as he turns a little, causing her hand to fall to her side and she tells herself that it's best because the sooner they can get out of here, the quicker she can get him to a hospital. So she pushes down her worry - at least she tries - as she forces herself to focus on them leaving the closet.
The door is cracked open just a little more to check that there's no one else close by. And then they're moving down the hall again - this time in the opposite direction as before - having heard the two men come up a set of stairs towards the back of the house. They're hoping that they find a door that'll aid in their escape. They can faintly hear French and Kyle trying to yell for help as they walk past the room they were being held in - finding themselves grateful that the duct tape they placed over the mouths is holding up.
Jay walks down the flight of stairs first with Erin right behind him. Both of them still keeping the guns in one hand while their other hand grips the railing to ensure they don't fall in their drained and somewhat groggy state.
Jay peeks around the corner once they get to the bottom of the stairwell. There's some commotion in the distance, near the front or maybe even side of the house - neither of them are quite sure but they don't particularly care in the moment either. And it takes a minute or so to realize that one of the voices shouting is very familiar. Jay looks at Erin and both of them give the other an attempt at a smile - knowing that their friends - their family found them.
"Listen gents, my girl and I were just looking to talk to French about some business. Isn't that right darlin'?" Adam adds after the guys from the hall before stop yelling.
"French is in uh...meeting right now but we'll tell him you stopped by." One of French's guys replies dryly.
Erin and Jay's attention gets pulled away from them when they hear the door just off the kitchen unlock. Then the slab of black wood is being swung open slowly, revealing Hailey and Kevin - both of their eyes widening when they see the state their friends are in.
The looks on their faces only serve to make Erin worry more - already knowing that Jay is in rough shape as he continues to bleed out from various spots on his body. But it also helps her muster up what little strength she has left to gently push for Jay to go first. She watches as he tries to move quietly through the room before she looks off in the direction of Adam and Kim as they continue to distract the two guys not more than thirty feet away.
With one last glance towards the front of the house she follows her husband. But her leg - more specifically her thigh feels weak, as though it'll fold in half after just a few steps and she switches from tip toeing to quietly shuffling towards the open door. She feels like the room is expanding and the three people in the doorway have moved further away from her than they were just seconds ago. Her vision starts to blur even more than it already was and she feels rather dizzy but she trudges on. She looks down instead of out in front of her in hopes of keeping herself balanced. So she doesn't notice when Jay slumps against the wall or when Kevin step into the house and reaches out for her just as she slips.
Kim sees her falling and stomps her foot once and then a second time on the old wooden porch like a petulant child as she demands to see French - hoping to mask the sound of Erin hitting the floor. One of the men looks back and Adam begins yelling again - causing an even bigger scene. But their attempts are futile as one of the grungy guys nods in the direction of the kitchen.
Kevin quickly goes to pick her up but stills when he hears the distinct click of a gun.
"Put her down." The young blonde demands - shakily aiming the gun at Kevin who nods, choosing instead to just help Erin stand up.
Jay goes to lift his gun - feeling as though he's lifting something far heavier than the handgun but he eventually manages. Only to find that he doesn't have a clear shot from where he stands with Kevin positioned directly between him and the other gunman.
Adam pulls out his own gun as the bigger guy turns away from them. The butt of the pistol hits just the right spot - effectively knocking out the overweight man and sending him crashing to the floor with a loud thud. Adam takes the man's gun and hands it to Kim as they too go to the kitchen.
"You don't want to do this man. I promise you." Kevin states - his voice strong and unwavering as he keeps one of his arms wrapped around Erin's upper back to keep her standing.
"Just let her go with them and I'll stay." Jay mumbles from his spot - not seeing Adam slowly approaching the kitchen with his gun drawn, careful not to startle the kid and get any one of his friends shot.
"C'mon, it's me French wants anyways. Let them go and I'll let your boss finish what he planned." Jay adds and the younger guy nods.
Erin weakly protests as Kevin slowly backs away. Jay leaves the gun on the counter and steps forward - only stopping to look at his wife as she fights to stay standing.
She struggles to get her words out but still tries her best. "Jay they'll-"
He cuts her off with quiet shushes as he pushes some of her hair back and out of her face.
"I love you." He whispers against the skin of her temple before he places another tender kiss there.
"Jay, I-" Her head is throbbing as she continues to fight off the darkness that's closing in. But she doesn't get a chance to finish what she was saying before she collapses against him. Jay holds her up as best he can as he nods for them to go and Kevin picks Erin up again just as Adam presses the barrel of his gun to the back of the other guy's head.
"Hailey help Jay out there. We'll wait for Antonio and Mouse to bring the cops and then we'll meet you at the hospital." Kim tells her and Hailey nods, letting Jay lean on her and turning to follow Kevin out to his truck. It's a struggle considering how much taller and heavier Jay is than her but they get through it and he's soon climbing into the back seat. Once Hailey hops into the passenger seat, Kevin races off.
Jay looks down at Erin - appearing as if she's simply sleeping against him. His heart aches wishing that she was just taking a nap and that they were heading home. And there's a tightening in his chest, knowing that's not the case. His lips meet her forehead yet again - putting everything he has left into the kiss before he too, fades away.
A/N: EEEP!!!!! I'm nervous about this one too but I hope you guys liked it. Again, I'm sorry for the mistakes in this little update! I'm not exactly sure when the next and potentially last chapter of this story will be out but I'm hoping to get it done soon. Until then I'll go back to my weekly updates of Wrangler, with the next piece slotted to be published at the end of this week so long as I have the inspiration/motivation to finish it. As always nice reviews are much appreciated. I hope you're all having a great week and thanks for reading!