A few minutes later, he was in his car and headed towards Mom and Pop’s. He owed Carson a quick stop, then a visit with Mackenzie, then finally home and on to dinner with Beth…
…Things were quiet, back inside. Eli could hear when Justin left, but didn’t come out of his room right away. It was strange not knowing how to act around his sister – he didn’t care about himself, he just wanted to help her and not make things worse. He was glad Justin was in the mix now though and hoped it would help.
The next couple days, time didn't seem to matter much. Eli made sure Ryan got her phone back from her car, and did go to work, but didn't like being gone too long. He just wanted to see her smile again...he just wanted to know she really was going to be okay.
Wandering to the kitchen after a quick shower after work, he came close and set a hand on Ryan’s shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. “Hey. My stomach’s trying to eat itself." Actually, he'd skipped lunch and was now regretting it. "I was thinking steaks…maybe invite Tal?...”
Tal lay on his couch, one hand on one dog, the other dog curled up between his legs. Work had seemed extra stressful today, but maybe it was because he'd avoided talking too much about Ryan with Eli. Actually, that was the story the last two days. He hadn't seen Ryan since the hospital, and felt rotten, even though he was torn between being hurt and upset, and knowing she was in a rough spot needing support. He'd at least texted her since she got her phone back...though hadn't elaborated much on anything, telling her he was super busy at work, and crashing in the evenings. Which was true...he just usually spent time with her anyway, even if he did have hard days at work.
His buzzing phone made him sigh and he picked it up to see a message from Eli. Steaks at their place. He knew he couldn't say no. Not after avoiding them so much already. He had to go. He had to at least show his face and then...then, something. He didn't know what. He had to talk to Ryan somehow. Sometime. Soon. He just...didn't know how. Or when.
A couple hours later, the three of them were in the living room at Ryan and Eli's, ready to eat the steaks, while a movie played on television. It was so much like so many other evenings, yet…different. Eli had had a strangely hard time getting Tal to come over, which was odd in itself, then Ryan was quieter than normal, which just added to it. And even now, as Eli took a bite of his meat, he glanced to the couch and couldn’t help but notice the extra physical distance between Tal and Ryan. What was up? Ryan hadn't said they were on the outs or anything...
Tal cut another piece of steak off before taking a bite and focusing on the television. He couldn’t remember when being here had ever been this uncomfortable, and he hated it. He was having a hard time being this close to Ryan, knowing things were over. Even when he’d arrived, he’d given Zidan extra attention, just to act as a distraction so Ryan wouldn’t have a chance to try and hug or kiss him. He just wanted to go home, but…couldn’t. How could he break things off when she needed help? It just felt so messed up.
Reese pursed his lips and finally shrugged. “I’m sure we could find something to pin on Victoria. Her association with the Agency alone is enough to keep her a while. And I’d really hate to let her go when we’ve got her in custody already, but you’re right. If she wants to leave, we have little choice, and at this point, I’m not so sure it’s worth fighting her.”
He gathered up a few papers on his desk and stacked them together. “Let’s let things rest until tomorrow morning. I’m still leaving Garret up to you, and we can discuss Victoria more after we’ve slept on it.”
Aaron lay on his stomach on the rooftop of the building across the street from the Elite. Peering through his binoculars, he spied his target. After spying all day on who came and went, he’d settled on this one. Anyone else might be too unpredictable. But her – he could handle. And if his hunch was right, the Elite would trade anyone to get one of their own back, despite what Victoria thought. He hadn’t heard a thing from her, nor had he seen Garret again, and it was time to act.
…It was several hours later. The sun had set, and the streets were growing quieter. But something was still amiss. Anyone passing by Susanne’s house might not notice anything. But should one stop and take a closer look, they might see her purse lying on the ground near the porch steps. Car keys tossed away near the driveway. Susanne’s wallet partially hidden in the flower bed…
…“They’ll hear by now that I’m missing, you know.” Susanne tugged at the ropes that bound her wrists behind her back. “My boyfriend will be at my house, and when he sees I’m gone, he’ll go straight to the Elite and they’ll take turns ripping you limb from li-” Her sentence was cut short by a hard backhanded slap to the mouth. Wincing, she licked her throbbing lip, and tasted blood. She didn’t have long to recover before a fist was thrown at the other side of her face. Fear gripped her soul, but she reacted with anger, lurching in the chair, though it did no good. “You think you’re so tough?! Let me go and see if you can handle me when I’m not tied up, punk!”
Aaron leaned down to her eye-level and glared at her. “I already proved once you’re not strong enough to take me. And if I let you go now, you’d be dead in five seconds. Don’t press your luck.”
“What do you want from me?” Susanne’s legs strained to break free from being tied to the chair, but she was held too tightly. She squinted through eyes that were both beginning to swell and turn black and blue. She knew she was in a basement somewhere, but that was it. It was damp and cool, and there was no light except for a single dingy bulb hanging from the ceiling. “Why did you take me?”
“Leverage.” Aaron cocked his head. “You’ve just confirmed the Elite will want you back. And that’s what I’m counting on.”
Susanne watched him stand and head for the stairs. “Why? What are you…” Her mind reeled. “Garret. This has something to do with Garret doesn’t it?” Her question went unanswered though, as she was left alone. “God, please help me,” she whispered desperately. She’d always known working with the Elite came with risks, but this was the first time she’d faced anything worse than prisoners brought in. And despite her brave exterior, on the inside she was terrified.
Aaron scrolled through names on Susanne’s cell phone as he paced upstairs. He was in an abandoned house he’d found on the outskirts of town, perfect for a temporary hideaway. There was only one contact on Susanne’s list that had the most recent calls and text messages – Chuck. It had to be the boyfriend she’d mentioned. A perfect way to get in to the Elite without a chance of them tracking him. Dialing, he waited until he heard Chuck answer.
“Hey, Chuck, got your girlfriend here.” He kept his tone calm and down to business. “Her life is on the line, so I suggest you get a hold of her boss at the Elite and tell them to give her a call so we can negotiate her return. I expect a call back within half an hour or Miss Pretty here is gonna be less pretty.”
Without waiting for any response, he ended the call and tucked the phone in his back pocket. “Let’s hope your boyfriend has enough brains to follow instructions,” he mused aloud.
A black four-door car drove slowly up the ranch driveway and parked near the main building. There weren’t any visitors scheduled to arrive, and it was not a car that had been seen here before. A man and woman emerged, the woman opening the back door, seeming to be absorbed in taking care of something in the back seat, while the man looked around as if seeking assistance. He was dressed well in nice pants and a button down shirt, his features clean-cut and well-manicured.
Only after starting for the main house did he spot the nearest person, changing his route. Approaching Stacy, he offered a smile. “Hi. My name is Troy Dexter. I’m looking for an Eric Pent. Do you know if he’s here?”
