Page 83 of Haunted Hearts

I take a deep breath.

“I’m going to be okay.”

Go now. I’ll be fine. For now.

CHAPTER 26 CADE

Goose bumps crawl over my skin, and a gentle breeze kisses the back of my neck.

You’re back. Is she okay?

A tension pinches in my gut before easing. Confusion and frustration fill my mind before the words I’m alive pop into my mind.

I bite back frustration as I fumble trying to fit all my weapons in my bag.

I’ve been waiting for a call back from Ben for almost an hour. I can’t stand not knowing what’s happening. I had one job. One fucking job, and I failed.

“Hey.” I hear Jack’s voice as he steps in through the door, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Did you hear from Ben?”

“No, but I got the footage from the coffee shop.”

I move away from the table and walk over to Jack. “Show me.”

“It doesn’t give us much. The camera is at a bad angle and all you really see is the girls being dragged away.” He sounds defeated.

“It’s still worth a look.”

I follow behind him as we make our way up the steps, my feet heavy. Jack opens the door to his room and sits down. He turns to me, pausing.

“This might be hard to watch, Cade…”

“I don’t care. Play it.”

His finger guides the mouse to the play button. I stare at the screen, at what appears to be a static image of a table outside the shop. I see Gen step into frame, then Calli. They both sit down, Calli has her arms crossed. They sit there for a couple of minutes before a van pulls up off to the side, barely visible at this angle.

A large man gets out of the passenger side wearing all black. He seems as if he is going to enter the coffee shop, when he pivots, throwing a black hood over Calli’s head. I can’t see Gen’s expression, but she jumps, reaching for Calli before being grabbed by what must be the driver, who must have snuck around the side. Calli is dragged away, and as the man holding her pulls out a needle, he turns his face upward ever so slightly.

“Pause it,” I say quickly.

Jack stops the footage.

“Rewind it when he turns and zoom in.” I lean in.

Jack does, enhancing the quality as well, and I see his face. I know that face. Those massive facial scars are undeniable. My brows pull together as I clench my fist.

“Fucking Darian,” I say through my teeth.

“You know this guy?” Jack asks, looking up at me.

“You could say we go way back…” I stand and begin pacing the room.

Ben told me he was leading the mission—this shouldn’t be a surprise. He’s who I told you about before.

I knew there was a chance Darian would need to be disposed of, but now it’s personal. He put his fucking hands on my sister.

I’ll kill him.