Twisted Tides (Forged Hearts #2)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Five

JAMESON

“Hey Man, Nice Shot” by Filter

I have hardly slept. Eduardo and I listened to Evie talk to us through her speaker via the microphone earrings I gifted her before she left me. My stomach twists with sickness as the small device picks up her words with almost perfect clarity—both a blessing and a torturous curse simultaneously.

We learn that she and Emma are being kept in a shared room on the second floor, and I see exactly where it is via the GPS tracking device. Emma also has hers, but Eduardo has had no relief in knowing where she is at all times. According to him, he has failed if her heart is not alongside his.

I draw out two hearts in the center of that room, marking it on one of the blueprints hanging in our office, and stare at them, both of us trapped in our own hellish silence.

What really broke me was listening to her scream in the middle of the night and not being there for her. Her nightmares have returned, and for good reason. She’s living a nightmare that she can’t wake up from.

It killed me, and a part of my soul dies not being with my other half, not being able to comfort her or to find comfort in her embrace.

In this short time, Evie and I have become so close that I swear we are one of those couples I used to envy that could complete the other one’s sentence. That’s what hurt the most. Emma was there for her and comforted her when I wasn’t there to do so, and it damn nearly killed me. I bring my hands up to my face to fight back the tears that blur my vision as the anger rises inside.

“Motherfuckers!” I hear Eduardo shout as his glass hits the wall and shatters into a million pieces along with our sanity.

Emma grounded him. She tamed his inner beast that always hid behind a firm handshake and a narrowed glare. I haven’t seen him this volatile since our college days, which were a haze of debauchery and frat parties. That is, until Emma returned to his life. I didn’t realize that she was ‘the Emma’ from his tattooed knuckles that he frequently used to beat the shit out of anyone who gave him the slightest reason.

Evie wasn’t lying when she said she hadn’t had a nightmare in a while, but I know that it is the feeling of the unknown that caused it. Not being in control of herself and at the mercy of a cruel monster. Being in the same house with Marcus, her assaulter. It brought back all the memories of a time when she was helpless and at the mercy of someone who had dominated her. Anyone would be scared, and if it was a person other than Emma and Evie, they would have fallen apart already, but these sisters are strong and resilient. I know that if anyone can overcome this, it is them. I have to believe it is for me to continue with this plan and not damn near run into the house and drag her out, even at the possibility of not coming out alive to join her.

Eduardo’s hand hits my chest, breaking me out of my self-loathing. “Shh. Did you get that?”

Eduardo is already going to the board to write down the name Oro and the date for when they will be sold off to the highest bidder or the suitor with the most assets to give Mr. Martinez the money and resources to optimize his business relationships. I look over to Eduardo and don’t understand how he could be so calm now when he was all fury just a moment ago. Now, at the mention of his fiancée being married off like some prized cow, he is almost gleeful. I must look confused when Ram speaks up.

“So what’s the plan?” Eduardo’s brother asks.

The guys have been here since day one to help out. His brother has taken over at the club so that Eduardo can concentrate on bringing Emma home. That is his sole focus now, as is mine.

I have shut down all contracts because I cannot concentrate on anything work-related when Evie is held prisoner in the Martinez house. To think that I may never see her again…

The memories of our last night together run through my mind on a constant loop, repeating the sound of her moans as she came on my fingers, tongue, and cock. I sent her away with my cum dripping down her leg and wouldn’t let her shower. Now, I know it is all down the drain along with our hopes and dreams. I just pray that she will be safe and back in my arms again soon.

“This week, we will bring them home.”

I am startled from my thoughts again at the plan Eduardo begins to bring forth.

“How?” is all I say. I want to believe that this time next week, I will have Evie home with me and this will all but be a distant memory while we forge ahead, creating our own memories together.

Forged hearts. Stronger and unbreakable.

“We move out in the morning to Brownsville and move into Dax and Liv’s condo.”

I nod because we need to be there closer to them. In the morning, we take off.

“I’ve already contacted Andrés and Adrian, and they are going to meet us there with my father. If we all can’t bring them home, then no one can. The girls may have brought on this war, but with all of us combined and as a united front, we will see to it that it ends now.”

We all get up early the next morning and make the five-hour trek south. We make no stops and take no breaks. Eduardo insists on driving the entire way. Ram stayed behind to run the business, and by the time we get into town, it is evening.

We pull up to the condo and remark on the beautiful sunset. I’m thinking about how much Evie would love it. I would love to sit out here and watch the waves crashing along with the sun setting in the background. It is breathtaking.

We gather our bags and open the door to our new home for the week. I must remember to thank my best friend, Dax, after this is over. After this weekend, we will be free. There is no option of failure. I can’t think of the alternative where Evie isn’t with me.

I know Eduardo feels the same about Emma. He hasn’t been himself since Emma left, and he doesn’t even want to eat, only consuming alcohol. Now, he hasn’t touched a drop as he is committed to the plan. The guy is miserable without her, and I now understand how Dax felt with Liv.

When you know, you know.

I set up the equipment in the living room and it appears that the girls are having dinner with the family. It sounds like a pretty good dinner, from what I gather, but then I hear Mrs. Martinez comment about Mateo not being the true heir. The punch that echoes in the room when Oro knocks her out makes me visibly recoil.

We all stop moving around and listen carefully to what transpires next. I hope Mateo is watching out for them. I can’t believe they are there. If he lets that happen to his own wife, then what is he capable of if the girls mouth off? For their sake, I really hope they don’t make this harder than it has to be.

I know that Mateo won’t allow anything to happen to them, and if Mr. Martinez tries something, the plan will be ruined and the guise will be up. I don’t hear a peep out of Mateo the entire time, and I would wonder if he is really there if it wasn't for the comments made about him in his presence.

“So, it’s happening this weekend?” I ask Eduardo.

He nods as he sips his coffee lost in thought, almost like he isn’t really here. He doesn’t answer me. He is here only in the physical sense because I know that his mind and soul are with Emma.

Nothing else matters.

We hear a knock at the door, and I get off the couch to answer it.

“There’s your answer,” Eduardo replies, void of emotion.

I look at the window and then through the peephole to see who is on the other side. When I recognize the faces of Evie and Emma’s uncle and cousin, I open the door.

“It’s about time,” I say, relieved, and welcome them wholeheartedly. I give them each a hug, patting them on the back silently and thanking them for their assistance in getting the girls back home.

“Think nothing of it. This was a long time coming, and I am glad to see this finish so that maybe my sister’s soul can finally be laid to rest.”

I quirk an eyebrow up, clearly not believing any of this spiritual stuff, but Eduardo does, and he makes the sign of the cross. I almost roll my eyes at the irony of these men who also release people to the spirit world more than I’d like to know about.

”Thank you for coming,” Eduardo replies while walking over to them.

Andrés just nods, acknowledging his thanks. They enter the condo and get settled. We discuss the plan and fill them in on what is happening. We relay all our news and show them where the girls are being kept.

“I have some news,” Andrés says.

Eduardo nods, urging him to continue. I bite my nails in frustration, not wanting to hear, but then feel compelled to listen to anything that could help bring my girlfriend back home as soon as possible.

“It was brought to my attention that the police chief that is in the pocket of Mr. Martinez is upset.”

Eduardo nods, encouraging Andrés to proceed with his discovery. I lean in closer to what he says next, hanging on every word.

“It also came to our attention that his pixie-looking daughter’s life was threatened to encourage his complacency with Mr. Martinez, who has been slowly overtaking things here in Brownsville. His insistence on bringing illegal drugs across the border has had the police chief turning his attention to anything other than the drugs that are being smuggled across the border by Mr. Martinez.”

“How did he threaten his daughter?” Eduardo asks out of curiosity.

Andrés doesn’t hesitate to answer. “Some guy named Oro who is one of his enforcers and security detail. He is considered a brute and does anything Mr. Martinez asks of him. He sexually assaulted the chief’s daughter and threatened worse next time if he didn’t have his full support in his endeavors.”

We nod, remembering the knockout ordeal with Mrs. Martinez for spitting at Mateo and throwing her wine at her husband. It was all so much to take in, but Mr. Martinez didn’t have any of it, so he sent her off to be punished by Oro.

I shudder at that mental image of Emma and Evie in that house, along with that monster that threatens them if they step out of line. It makes me want to gut someone, but I control my temper and wait for further instruction. I know that we can all keep them safe. We just have to formulate a plan to ensure it works.