AN: Thank you for your reviews! Here's the next chapter...
The world swam back into focus for Edward in disjointed fragments. His head throbbed, a dull, insistent pain radiating from his temple, and every breath made his ribs protest. His eyes fluttered open, and he blinked multiple times, trying to clear the haze. The smell of smoke and burnt rubber filled his nostrils, and the distant hum of panicked voices began to filter through.
A man was standing near his crumpled car, shouting, "Hey! You okay, man? You need help?"
Edward winced as he shifted in his seat. The seatbelt was digging into his shoulder, and when he tried to move his legs, he felt the resistance of the jammed driver's door. Gritting his teeth, he fumbled with the buckle, releasing himself, and climbed over the center console. His movements were slow, uncoordinated, but sheer will pushed him forward. Finally, he managed to push open the passenger door and stagger out onto the pavement.
The man who had been yelling earlier was now closer, his face pale. "Jesus, man, you look like hell. You need to sit down. I already called the cops—they're on their way."
Edward waved him off, muttering, "I am the police," as he tried to steady himself against the hot metal of his car. He turned his head, his heart dropping when he saw Bella's car still sitting in the side of the street, its driver's side door flung wide open.
"Bella," he rasped, his chest tightening. His legs carried him toward her car before his mind could catch up, dread clawing at his insides. His hands gripped the doorframe as he peered inside—empty.
His breathing quickened as he turned around, his voice rising. "Where is she? Where's the woman who was in this car?"
The man's face twisted in confusion. "I don't know. I didn't see—"
Another witness stepped forward, a middle-aged woman with her phone clutched tightly in her hand. "I saw what happened," she said, her voice shaking. "A white van—it pulled up, and two men grabbed her. They threw her in and drove off."
Edward's stomach dropped, his vision narrowing. He felt like he was being crushed under the weight of those words. His breaths became shallow, uneven, as he struggled to stay upright.
The woman continued, her voice trembling. "I—I told the cops when I called. They went that way." She gestured down the road.
The sound of sirens grew louder, and within moments, Solomon's familiar black SUV swerved to a stop at the scene, its tires screeching. Emmett and Rosalie were right behind in Rosalie's Dodge, and another car pulled up carrying Alice, Jasper, and Jacob. Several patrol cars and an ambulance followed, their lights casting a harsh blue-and-red glow over the chaotic scene.
Solomon was out of his SUV in seconds, his eyes scanning the wreckage before landing on Edward. "Masen!" he barked, running toward him. "What the hell happened?"
Edward's hands were trembling as he turned to face Solomon, his face pale and streaked with dirt. His eyes were wild, panic and despair etched deeply into his features. "They took her," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
"What?" Solomon's tone was sharp, disbelieving. "Who?"
Edward sucked in a shaky breath, his voice cracking. "A white van…they grabbed Bella and took off. I couldn't—" His voice broke, and he shook his head, frustration and guilt pouring out in waves. "I couldn't stop them."
Solomon's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with fury. He placed a hand on Edward's shoulder, his grip firm. "Calm down," he said, his voice low but authoritative. "We're going to get her back."
Edward nodded weakly, his breath hitching as he tried to pull himself together. But the pain and fear in his eyes were unmistakable. He was back at the abandoned sawmill, back at the time where he'd first failed her.
It was happening all over again.
Solomon straightened, his expression cold and deadly as he turned to the rest of the team, who had gathered nearby, their faces pale and grim. "Listen up," he said. "We're shutting the city down. I want every white van stopped and searched. No exceptions. We're getting Bella back, and we're doing it now."
The team nodded, ready to put in the overtime. Caius had tried to break Bella before—and now? Now, they didn't know what kind of shit he could do, or how far he'd be willing to go.
Solomon turned back to Edward, eyeing him. He had a gash across his head, blood trickling down his face, but other than that he seemed unscathed. "Masen, I need you focused. Are you with me? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Edward took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing himself to push past the guilt and fear. He met Solomon's gaze, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. "No. No. I'm with you."
"Good." Solomon's eyes burned with determination. "We're bringing her home."
…
Inside the precinct, the usual activity had escalated to a fever pitch, phones ringing off the hook, officers moving with a sense of urgency. Every available officer had been called in; the situation was dire, and the weight of it hung over everyone like a storm cloud.
Solomon stood in the center of the squad room, his voice cutting through the din as he barked orders. "Jacob, I need checkpoints at every major intersection within a twenty-mile radius. Coordinate with state troopers and the sheriff's department. I want that white van found yesterday."
Jacob nodded, already on the phone with dispatch. His usual brash demeanor was replaced with a grim determination. "Copy that, Sarge. We'll get it locked down."
"Alice," Solomon continued, turning to the tech wizard, "I want every traffic cam, POD, and security feed in the city pulled. Start with the route that witness gave us and expand outward."
Alice's fingers were a blur on her keyboard. "Already on it, boss. I'm patching into the DOT system now. If that van so much as stops for a red light, we'll know."
"Jasper," Solomon's redirected his attention, and Jasper's focus snapped towards him. "I want you coordinating with our undercover teams. Start shaking every tree we've got in the network. If anyone's heard so much as a whisper about Caius or that van, I want to know."
Jasper nodded, his face stony. "I'll reach out to every CI we've got. Someone knows something."
Solomon turned to Emmett and Rosalie. "You two, I want boots on the ground. Start canvassing the area where the van was last seen, orchestrate knock-and-talks with patrol. Talk to every business owner, every pedestrian. Someone saw something."
Rosalie grabbed her coat, her eyes blazing with determination. "We're on it."
Emmett clenched his jaw, slamming a fresh magazine into his sidearm. "We'll find her."
Finally, Solomon's gaze landed on Edward, who was leaning against the edge of a desk, his knuckles white as they gripped its edge. His face was pale, his eyes shadowed with a mix of fear and anger. "Masen," Solomon said, his tone softer. "You're with me."
Edward nodded, his voice low but resolute. "Let's bring her back."
Solomon gave a curt nod. "We're not stopping until we do."
Solomon and Edward climbed into his unmarked SUV, their radio crackling with updates from patrol units. The streets were a blur of flashing lights as they sped through intersections, determination etched deeply into their every feature.
Edward's jaw was clenched, his mind racing. Every second felt like an eternity, images of what Caius could be doing right now rushed through his mind, unbidden and cruel.
Solomon's voice broke the tense silence. "We'll find her, Masen."
Edward glanced at him, his throat tight. "We have to."
"We will," Solomon said firmly. "And when we do, Caius is mine."
"I want him too," Edward muttered darkly.
Alice's voice crackled over the radio. "Sarge, I've got a possible hit on the van. Corner of 5th and Alton. Sending coordinates now."
"Copy that," Solomon responded, his voice sharp. "All units, converge on 5th and Alton. Do not engage until my command."
The SUV swerved as Solomon made a sharp turn, the tires screeching against the asphalt. Edward gripped the door handle, his pulse racing. They were close now, and every fiber of his being was focused on one thing: getting Bella back.
When they arrived, the area was already swarming with police. Officers were setting up a perimeter, their weapons drawn, ready for anything. The white van was parked haphazardly outside an abandoned warehouse, its engine still warm.
Solomon stepped out of the SUV, his eyes scanning the scene. "Tactical units, prepare for entry. This ends now."
Edward fell into step beside him, his hand resting on his gun.
The air inside the warehouse was heavy, filled with the musty smell of decay and old machinery. The tactical unit moved swiftly, their boots crunching against broken glass and debris. The team's flashlights cut through the darkness, illuminating the cavernous space.
"Clear left," Emmett's voice echoed over the comms.
"Clear right," Jacob responded.
Edward's heart pounded as he moved deeper into the warehouse, his eyes scanning every shadow, every corner.
They reached a set of metal stairs leading to a second level. Solomon gestured for Edward to take point, and he nodded, his grip tightening on his gun as he ascended the stairs.
At the top, they found a row of small rooms, their doors hanging off their hinges. Edward pushed one open, his flashlight revealing a cluttered mess of old furniture and discarded tools.
"Clear," he said, moving to the next door.
Solomon followed closely, his eyes sharp. "Stay focused."
Edward nodded, his jaw set.
He wasn't leaving without her.
...
5:38 PM
The ride was interminable, the rhythmic sound of the van's engine only amplifying the silence that enveloped Bella. Her head throbbed where it had struck the side of the van during the struggle, and the tight ropes now binding her wrists and ankles bit into her skin. They'd stopped about ten minutes ago to properly restrain her, probably now far enough away to take the time to do it.
The sack over her head smelled of mildew, suffocating her with its stench. She fought to focus her thoughts, blocking out the ache in her limbs and the oppressive darkness. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she strained to hear the men around her.
There were four of them—two in the front, talking in low murmurs, and two in the back, their weight shifting with the bumps in the road. She made a mental note of every sound, every detail, as if clinging to them would somehow give her an advantage. She could hear the driver tapping his fingers against the steering wheel, a faint hum of a tune escaping his lips.
Then the radio crackled, startling her. A male voice, cold and detached, filtered through. "Is the target secured?"
One of the men in the back responded, his voice a rough growl. "Yeah, she's here."
Bella's teeth clenched hard, a wave of anger and helplessness crashing over her.Target.The word made her stomach churn. She wasn't a person to them, just a pawn in their sick game. But she forced herself to remain silent, saving her strength. Every moment of quiet strengthened her resolve. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her fear.
7:15 PM
The van jerked to a halt, and Bella's heart lurched. She felt the men in the back shift, one of them stepping over her bound legs to open the rear doors. Cold air rushed in, carrying the earthy scent of damp leaves and pine.
"Get her out," one of them ordered.
Bella braced herself as rough hands grabbed her shoulders and ankles, lifting her out of the van like a piece of cargo. She writhed against their grip, her body a tangle of defiance and desperation, but the ropes held fast. They carried her like a hunted animal, her struggles met with irritated grunts and tighter holds.
The crunch of leaves and snap of twigs underfoot painted a vivid picture in her mind.The woods, she thought. The rushing sound of water nearby confirmed it—a river, maybe a waterfall. She listened intently, cataloging every sensory detail. The air was cooler here, tinged with the moisture of flowing water, and the faint calls of birds echoed in the distance.
They carried her deeper into the forest, the terrain uneven. Bella's heart pounded, but outwardly, she remained composed. She couldn't afford to show them how much her fear was clawing at her insides.
Finally, they stopped. Bella felt herself being lowered onto the damp ground, her legs bending awkwardly beneath her. She heard a metallic clink, like a latch being opened, followed by the creak of a heavy wooden door.
"Let's move," one of the men muttered.
Bella was hoisted up again, her body aching from the prolonged tension in her muscles. She felt the shift in the air as they descended a narrow staircase, the damp, musty scent of enclosed stone surrounding her. Her captors' boots clanged against the metal steps, reverberating through the confined space.
When they reached the bottom, the sack was yanked off her head. Bella blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the dim, flickering light of a single overhead bulb. The room was small, with stone walls slick with condensation. Her gaze immediately locked onto her captors, her jaw tightening as she recognized one of them from before.
He was a tall man with a wiry frame, his features sharp and wolfish. His eyes were dark, calculating, and his lips twisted into a smug grin as he caught her glare. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her with a predator's patience. The other man was stockier, his thick arms covered in faded tattoos. His eyes glinted with a cruel amusement.
The stocky man cocked his head, his smile spreading wider. "Boss says we can do whatever we want if you step out of line, princess." His voice was low, gravelly, dripping with menace. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. "And I ain't had a good time in a while. So, just keep that in mind." He punctuated his words by gripping his crotch, his laughter echoing in the small space. Bella's stomach turned, but she didn't flinch. Her eyes bore into his with unrelenting hatred, her expression a mask of defiance. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her break.
Her silence seemed to amuse him further. "Got some fire in you, huh?" he said, crouching down to her level. "Let's see how long that lasts."
Bella's breathing was steady, controlled, but inside, her thoughts were a whirlwind. She forced herself to focus on the present, to push aside the terror threatening to consume her.
Caius.
His name burned in her mind like a brand.
This was his doing, and she knew it. He wouldn't stop until he had destroyed her, but she would die before giving him that victory.
The wiry man finally spoke, his voice calm but cold. "Enough, Rick. We've got orders." He straightened, pulling Rick back by the shoulder.
Rick scowled but relented, stepping away. "Fine. But you slip up, and it's game over."
Bella's gaze followed them as they moved to the corner of the room, speaking in hushed tones. Her pulse was relentless in her ears, but her expression remained stoic. She couldn't show weakness. Not here. Not now.
She forced herself to take slow, measured breaths.Stay focused,she thought.Look for a way out.Every second that passed was another chance to survive.
…
8:15 PM – Back at the Precinct
The tension in the Intelligence bullpen was suffocating. Edward paced the length of the room, his mind racing through possibilities. Each tick of the clock felt like a hammer against his skull. Solomon stood near the whiteboard, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as his eyes scanned the scant leads they had pinned up. The abandoned van had been a dead end, and frustration was boiling over.
"Any word from patrol?" Solomon asked.
Rosalie shook her head from her spot by the radio. "Nothing yet. They're knocking on doors and checking every lead, but no hits on Caius or Bella."
Solomon nodded grimly. "We keep pushing. Every patrol car, every trooper at the tolls—stay on them."
8:40 PM
Amidst the chaos, Edward's phone buzzed. Frowning, he pulled it out, seeing an unfamiliar number. Without hesitation, he answered, his voice tight. "Masen."
A pause. Then a quiet, familiar voice said, "Hello?"
Edward's breath hitched. "Tanya?"
"It's me," Tanya confirmed. Her tone was subdued, laced with anxiety.
Edward immediately straightened, his heart thudding. Bella must've given Tanya his number—and now, there'd be only one reason she could be calling him for. "Do you know where Bella is? Tell me you know something."
There was a beat of silence. "I don't know for sure," Tanya admitted, her voice wavering. "But my boyfriend… he said something earlier. He was talking about getting a target, said he'd be gone for a while. And I saw on the news that Bella was missing, so…"
Edward's grip on the phone tightened. "When was this?"
"About an hour before Bella was taken," Tanya said softly. "I tried asking for details, but he just told me to mind my business."
Edward's jaw clenched. "What's his name?"
"Raymond Parker," Tanya replied. "He's mentioned Caius before, but I wasn't sure if they were connected. Now I am."
Edward nodded, jotting down the name. "You did the right thing. Thank you."
Tanya hesitated. "Bring her back, Edward."
"I will," Edward promised before ending the call.