Filthy Crown by Eleanor Aldrick
I’m shoved into the back of a cop car, kicking and screaming. My cries are made worse when I realize they’re placing Amanda and Alex in a separate car. “Stop! I need to be with them. They need me.”
My pleas fall on deaf ears as the door shuts and the officers take their position in the front seat, neither bothering to acknowledge me beyond the fact that I’m now their prisoner.
Looking out the window, I see Dr. Leventhal talking to the officers driving the other car and I see him hand them a white envelope. I strain my neck but it’s impossible to hear what he’s saying.
Needing answers, I bang on the plexiglass partition. “Where are they going? Where are you taking them?”
Nothing. All I get is silence as we pull out of the driveway and into the road. A sick feeling settles in my stomach and I know that something isn’t right.
Banging on the glass again, I demand their attention. “Hey! Where’s my social worker? I want to talk to her. I need to talk to her.”
Again. Nothing.
Yeah. Something’s definitely not right.
Moving my attention to neighbors or anyone passing by, I bang on the windows. “Help! Help! I’ve been kidnapped! Help me!”
That seems to do the trick and one of the officers rushes to shove open the partition, but unfortunately for me, he’s pointing a gun straight at me.
“What the fuck?” I whisper, trying to make sense of what’s happening.
Before I can question him again, the trigger goes off and I feel a sting to the neck. The barrel of his gun is the last thing I see before the world goes black and all consciousness leaves me.
Jack
“What do you mean the judge didn’t sign the order?” My chest is rising and falling, as blind rage threatens to take hold once more.
Looking around the room, I see there’s nothing left to throw or break aside from Hudson’s laptop.
Chairs and tables are strewn about, legs broken and jagged pieces scattered throughout.
As soon as the men of WRATH released me, I tore into everything within reach. Slammed and punched until the violence subsided to a manageable level.
“I’m saying it was a fake. My guy is saying he never signed such an order and the kids’ social worker has no clue what’s going on.” Hudson’s eyes are calm, the complete opposite of what I’m feeling.
“So he took her. The motherfucker stole her and the kids. But why?” My hands fly up to my scalp, the fingers tugging at the hair.
Just then, Leventhal’s associate rushes in followed by Aiden and Titus. “We think you need to see this.”
They throw a briefcase onto the couch, and as soon as Hudson opens it my body goes cold. “Is that what I think it is?”
Hudson looks up at me and nods. “Looks like receipts for wire transfers. All from Mexico.”
“The cartel. This fucker was working with the cartel.” I whirl around, rounding on the trembling play therapist. “You. Did you know?”
“Oh god no. I had no clue until I went searching for a file.” She’s visibly shaking, Titus and Aiden at either side of her, making sure I don’t crack and do something I can’t take back.
Good men. At this point, I don’t even trust myself.
Turning back to Hudson, I demand action. “So what now? How do we get them back?”
The men of WRATH look at each other before Hudson speaks. “There’s no we, Jack. You can’t come with us.”
“Like hell I fucking can’t. That’s my girl. Those are my kids.” I start pacing in front of him, trying to figure out a way to convey that there is no other way. “They are my world, Hudson. Either you let me come with you or I’ll find someone else who will.”
He looks past me to his brothers, only speaking once Aiden has given him the nod of approval. “Fine, but if you’re coming with us, then you need to do everything we say. We can’t risk losing the mission because we’re focused on keeping you alive.”
I nod in full agreement. “The kids come first. Whatever happens, they come first.”
Hudson gives me a curt nod when his radio goes off. Bringing it to his ear, his eyes go wide. “Roger that. We’re on our way.”
He stands, picking up his laptop and heading out the door. “We’re rolling out. They’ve got eyes on the kids. Amanda and Alex are at a church about five miles from here.”
Amanda and Alex. But not Pen. My stomach sinks, not wanting to think the worst but despite my trying, my mind wanders as visions of Pen being raped and brutalized flood me.
I’m making a choked sound when Hudson’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Snap out of it, brother. We’ll get her back. In the meantime, the kids need you.”
I shake my head clear of the visions and start walking. He’s right. The kids need me and I can’t fail them. Falling apart or not, I need to pull my shit together and be their rock.
I call out to Mary as we step out the door, her answering voice letting me know she’s within earshot.
“Please get your granddaughter here. I’ll take care of any expenses. Just get her here fast. I’m going to need help with the kids and the more eyes on them, the better.”
Her matronly frame is now standing at the door, her white hair bobbing up and down in agreement. “Yes, sir. Of course.”
With a nod of gratitude, I turn and follow Hudson into one of the blacked out SUVs.
It’s time to get my kids.
