Page 43 of Fearless

“Sean? Sean, look at me, darling. We only have a few more seconds before they come back in. Remember, Psalm 18:2.” Her hands moved against his chest in an odd way, but his mind was racing as he tried to come up with an out for her.

“Sean, you need to remember my words. Okay?”

“No. Listen to me, Serena. We can⁠—”

She shook her head and gave him the same gentle smile that had made him fall in love with her. “No, we can’t. But everything will be okay. I promise. Just remember—God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. I need you to remember that. Okay?”

He blinked rapidly, trying his best to get his head wrapped around her words. He knew Serena’s faith was deep and abiding. It was one of the things he admired most about her. However, she wasn’t one to use biblical references. She lived her faith quietly and reverently, so referencing Scripture instead of working with him on a plan to escape seemed more than odd.

“What do⁠—”

“My, my. What a beautiful reunion, but I’m afraid your time is up.”

Kingsley stood over them. He had slipped in so quietly neither of them had noticed. His obnoxious smirk and the evil gleam in his eyes showed a man willing to do anything and everything to reach his goals.

And here Sean lay, as helpless and useless as a slug. He didn’t think he’d ever felt so hopeless.

“So what’s it going to be, Mr. Kingsley?” Serena said. “Do we have a deal?”

Before Kingsley could answer, Sean shouted, “No! Kingsley…let her go. I’ll give you what you want.”

Kingsley shook his head. “You had your chance, Sean. Let’s hear what Serena says.”

Horror filling him, he watched the love of his life say, “You take him to a hospital for medical care. Let me see proof—proof that he’s free and is being cared for. Then I’ll do whatever you want.”

“No, Serena,” Sean whispered. “Please, baby. You⁠—”

Serena turned back to him, pressed her mouth to his bloodied, swollen lips, and whispered, “I love you, Sean. Forever, my love.”

Once she said those words, a hood was secured over her head from behind.

“No!” Sean shouted. “Let her go, you bastard!”

Scrambling, needing to get to his feet and fight, he sat up. In the next instant, a giant booted foot slammed brutally into his leg. He felt a pop as something splintered inside him, and agony like he’d never known shot through his entire body. He heard Serena screaming, saw a blurred image of her fighting the men who held her. Kingsley shouted something unintelligible.

Then he knew nothing more.

Consciousness returned to Serena slowly. She was back in her chair, arms and legs once again strapped down. After Sean had let loose an agonized bellow and gone silent, she’d been dragged away from him. She had fought like a wild animal to get to him, but it had done no good. She had managed to rip the hood off and seen that Sean had already been carried out.

That was when she’d lunged at Kingsley. For a brief moment, she’d seen fear in the maniac’s eyes. She had been within inches of him when a Taser had put her on her knees. Another blast had put her facedown on the floor.

Now that she was able to comprehend her surroundings again, she realized she and Kingsley were alone.

“Where’s Sean?” Her voice was hoarse and barely recognizable as human. “What did you do to him?” His agonized scream echoed in her mind. She would never get the sound of his pain out of her head. Every particle of her body and soul had screamed with him.

“Well, welcome back, my dear. I must say you gave me quite the adrenaline rush. I’m quite impressed with how fast you can move. We’ll need to keep a better eye on you from now on. My men mentioned that you were quite lethal, but I found that almost impossible to believe. You have such a calm, pleasant demeanor about you.”

“Where. Is. Sean?” she growled.

“My goodness, I don’t believe he brings the best out in you. You’re like a different person.”

He was taunting her, and she was falling for it. Fine. He already knew what Sean meant to her, so she would use that to her advantage.

“If you want my cooperation, then you will tell me where Sean is. You will show me verifiable evidence that he is alive and getting the care he needs. If you don’t, I will not lift a finger to help you. Understand?”

They locked eyes in a fierce battle of wills that she was determined to win. This was the only option.

Finally, as if he were being magnanimous, he said, “Relax, Serena. He’s on his way to the hospital. He’ll get the care he needs. That is our deal for you to cooperate. Correct?”