Rescue

Jalen’s POV

My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white, rage built inside me the moment I dropped the call from Marian. I could kill her with my bare hands if I lay my eyes on her. The city lights blurred past as I sped through the streets, breaking every speed limit. My heart hammered violently against my ribcage. Every second felt like a lifetime.

My phone rang and I answered quickly—tapping the edge of my earpods like I have no extra time to give, I obviously don’t.

“Speak!” I ordered.

.

“We’ve been able to track down the location of Mrs Marian's phone. I just sent you the link right away sir,” a voice answered.

“Thanks, keep me updated,” I answered and hung up before swiping into his message.

“Shit, that warehouse?” I muttered. It was the same warehouse that her father closed down after he lost almost all his money in an investment. I haven’t been there in a while but I could still remember the route. I stepped harder on the acceleration pad to speed up. Dodging every slow vehicle in front of me, I can't afford to wait another second.

I just want to see Harry and give him this news. I didn’t care that showing up at Harry’s house could end badly. He was my best friend once, but right now, none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was saving the woman I love.

I screeched to a halt in front of the Harry mansion, barely turning off the engine before I jumped out. The front door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open without knocking.

“Harry!” I called out.

Inside the living room, he was pacing frantically, phone pressed to his ear. Two police officers stood nearby, taking notes.

The moment he saw me, his face twisted with pure rage.

“You!” he roared.

He crossed the room in three long strides and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, slamming me against the wall with surprising strength.

“Where is my daughter?!” he bellowed, eyes red with fury and fear. “What have you done with Fiona?!”

“Harry, listen to me—” I tried to speak, but he shook me harder.

“You bastard! After everything, you still dragged her into your mess! If anything happens to her, I swear I’ll kill you with my bare hands!”

“Come on buddy,”

“Don't you dare call me buddy, I am not your fucking BUDDY!” he yelled at the end of his words—body trembling against mine.

“This is no time to fight Harry. Listen to what I have to say, it's important, it's about your daughter.”

One of the police officers quickly stepped in, pulling him off me.

“Sir, calm down. Let him speak,” the officer said firmly.

Harry released me but kept glaring daggers. His chest heaved with heavy breaths.

I straightened my shirt, breathing hard.

“I know where she is,” I said urgently. “Marian has her. She kidnapped Fiona. I hacked the location from the last call Marian made. We don’t have time to argue. We need to move now!”

Harry stared at me, conflicted. Anger and desperation warred in his eyes. Finally, he nodded sharply.

“Let’s go,” I muttered.

We rushed out. I led the way in my car while the police called for backup, then followed closely behind me with sirens blaring. The drive to the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city felt agonizingly long, even though I was pushing the car to its limits.

We arrived after hours that felt like forever, Marian was just stepping out of the building, adjusting her coat like she had done nothing wrong.

The moment she saw the police cars and flashing lights, she froze.

“Mrs. Marian Hart,” one officer shouted, “you are under arrest for kidnapping and assault!”

Marian’s face paled. She tried to run back inside, but two officers grabbed her, cuffing her hands behind her back.

“You can’t do this!” she screamed. “Do you know who I am?!”

I glared at her before running past her into the building, Harry, and the officers burst into the warehouse behind me.

The sight that greeted us made my blood run cold.

Jordan was standing over Fiona, fist raised, ready to strike her. She was tied to a chair, head slumped forward, blood dripping from her face and clothes.

“Jordan!” I roared.

The police moved fast. Faster than I intended, they probably knew I would destroy his face if I got him before they did. They tackled him to the ground before he could land the blow. He struggled and cursed as they cuffed him.

“Get off me!” he shouted.

I didn’t care about him. I ran straight to Fiona.

“Fiona! Bunny, it’s me. I’m here.”

I dropped to my knees and quickly untied her wrists and ankles. She fell into my arms the moment she was free, and I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly against my chest.

Her body was limp. She was so weak, barely conscious.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, voice breaking as tears rolled down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you. I’m here now. You’re safe. I’ve got you, bunny. I’ve got you.”

Fiona stirred slightly in my arms. Her swollen lips moved, but no words came out. Her eyes fluttered open for a second, filled with pain and relief, before closing again.

She passed out completely.

I lifted her gently into my arms, carrying her with tears rolling down my face out of that hellhole. Her head rested against my chest as I rushed toward the waiting ambulance, she was brutally injured.

I didn’t realize how heartless and cruel Marian could be until now, I knew she would do anything to get what she wants but this! It was way too much for me to handle. I could barely recognize Fiona's face.

Harry stood a few feet away, watching everything. His face was a storm of emotions — anger, heartbreak, and something like reluctant understanding. Even in his fury, he could see how much I loved his daughter. The way I held her. The tears I couldn’t stop.

The paramedics took her from me and loaded her into the ambulance. I climbed in after her, refusing to leave her side. Harry followed in the police car behind us.

---

At the hospital, Fiona was immediately admitted to the emergency ward. Doctors and nurses swarmed around her, hooking her up to machines, cleaning her wounds, and giving her fluids.

I sat in the waiting area, head in my hands, guilt eating me alive.

Harry sat on the opposite side of the room, staring at me with conflicted eyes. We didn’t speak. The silence between us was heavy — filled with years of friendship, betrayal, love, and pain.

I loved his daughter more than anything.

And right now, that love might have cost her everything.

But as I looked at the door leading to her room, one thing was certain. I wasn’t going anywhere.

I would wait for her. Fight for her. Love her.

No matter what it costs me.