The Swift Security SeriesMaddogChapter 105Maddox’s point of viewIt's been 48 hours, and we still haven't found Ruby; I've got to admit I'm getting scared now; I’m afraid for Ruby and also for Ysabel, she's been so quiet these past two days, and I know that she blames herself for what happened. I've tried to reassure her, but it makes no difference. It kills me to watch a five-year-old girl with this on her conscious. My heart breaks for her. I know the team will find Ruby, but I pray that were not too late. I’ve seen first-hand the destruction that this family can cause.Laila and Adam flew home as soon as they heard the news about Ruby. It’s good to have my little sis back home and on my side through this; Adam’s brother John also came back along with the lead police officer and detective who have been dealing with the case in England, There's a knock on the door, and I look up as Laila walks in, “Hey bro, how are you holding up?”“I feel so useless…So numb…” I reply,“I know, M
The Swift Security SeriesMaddogChapter 106Ruby’s point of viewOnce again, I find myself alone in this cold, dark and damp cellar. I spend all my time tied to this chair. My only relief is a few hours at night when I’m left an old mattress to sleep on with my hands tied to some pipes, Or when I’m taken to the toilet without any privacy.I have no idea how long I have been held here; I haven't eaten anything either, not that I’m hungry. I am forced to take a few sips of water every now and then, and I can feel my energy levels slipping away.I hear footsteps coming down the steps and grit my teeth with the fear and pain of what's to come. I haven't told them a thing, and it's begging to take a severe toll on my already weakened body.I close my eyes in the hope that maybe just maybe, he will walk away; sadly, that's not about to happen as I hear him sneer, “wake up bitch.”The cold water hit my face, and I gasp before trying to force my swollen eyes open; my body and face are now se
The Swift Security SeriesMaddogChapter 107Maddox’s point of viewMaddog wants revenge! The one you've all been waiting for.Checking my watch; it's now 3.30, almost time to move. I’m nervous, which I find strange as fuck. It’s not something I’m used to being, but today, yeah, I am full of nerves, and I’m worried about what I might find.Yes, I know Ruby is strong, far stronger than she probably realises, and she has undoubtedly proved that over the last few weeks, but this time it's different because this time it's the monster himself who has her and that scares the shit out of me.Jake walks into the room, turning to look at me as he says, “Are you okay?”I nod, even though I feel anything but okay, as I reply, “Yeah, I just need to get her back, Jake.”He gives me a sad smile as he says, “I know, Bro, I know”, and he turns to face the team and asks, “Okay, guys is everyone ready?”Laila, “yeah, I’m ready”...Zane, “Let’s go and get your woman Maddog.”John grins as he says, “I’m
The Swift Security SeriesMaddogChapter 108Maddox’s point of viewWhen we get to the van, I gently lay her down as Laila and Adam jump in with us; Jake dives into the driver seat; I look at her lifeless body and whisper,“Don't leave me, baby. You can't leave me.”Laila shouts to Jake, “We have to go now. Her blood pressure is dropping, and her heart is slowing.”Jake floors it as we pull away from the building in a cloud of dust; Adam looks at me as he says, “I’m worried she may have some internal bleeding;” the ride to the hospital only takes a couple of minutes, a couple of minutes that seem to last a lifetime as Adam and Laila try to plug the wound that still pours blood. We pull up at the hospital, Jake opens the door, and I take off running as fast as possible with Ruby in my arms.“Help someone; please help her”, I cry out. Dr Ian turns his head to see what the commotion is. “Ruby?... What happened, Maddox?”He says as he runs towards us, “She has been stabbed, and we can'
The Swift Security SeriesMaddogChapter 109Maddox’s point of viewMy poor baby's face is so swollen I can hardly recognise her, and she's hooked up to multiple machines and wires; I stand at the door for a second willing my feet to move, as Honey says,“I know it's hard, Maddox, but I promise you, all things considered, she's doing well; all this equipment is just to make our job easier.” She then takes my arm and guides me inside before pushing me into a chair next to Rubys' bed.I reach out my hand as I say, “Can I touch her?” afraid to cause her any more pain; Honey smiles and replies, “Of course, you can, Maddox, just be careful of the wires. Try talking to her. Some people say they can remember things when they wake up. I will leave you with her; just buzz me if you need anything. I’ll be here for a while yet.”I nod, “I will, thanks, honey” She leaves the room, and I put my hand over Ruby and whisper, “I’m so sorry, baby; I should have got to you sooner.”I spend the next few
The Swift Security SeriesMaddogChapter 110Maddox’s point of viewIt takes a lot of effort to drag myself away from Ruby’s bed; if only I could split myself in two, I laugh. Nope, make that three. I have never had anyone dependent on me before, apart from Laila, but it's very rare she needs me, but now I have Ruby and Ysabel plus an extra special little bonus that I still haven't gotten my head around.Wow, I’m going to be a Daddy! Yeah, I think that will take a while to sink in.When I get to the bunker, I find Ysabel in the day room with Erin; she looks up as I open the door before throwing herself in my arms, as she says,“Maddox..your back” I scoop her into my arms, and we hold each other tight.“Where’s Ruby?” she says as I take a seat, pulling her down with me before I reply, “She’s still at the hospital, she's been injured, but they think she's going to be just fine.”Ysabel nods, “Can I go and see her, Maddox?” She asks, and I reply, “As soon as she wakes up, baby.”She turn
The Swift Security SeriesMaddogChapter 111Ruby’s point of viewI feel as though I’m in a dream, and through the haze, I can hear Maddox’s voice talking to me, “Wake up, baby, please wake up.”Why can't I open my eyes? I try to move, but the pain is too much; someone is holding my hand; I know it’s Maddox; I can sense him being here, and I try to squeeze his hand.He stops talking briefly before whispering, “Oh, Ruby, If you know you're doing that, please squeeze my hand again, baby.”Encouraged by his voice, I squeeze as hard as I can; I hear more people around me as Maddox says,“Open your eyes, baby; let me see those beautiful eyes.”I try so hard to open them, but the room is so bright it hurts my eyes, “Too bright”, I mutter. God, why is my mouth so dry...The light dim, and I force my eyes to open. Maddox is looking at me, and he cries as he whispers,“Ruby, thank God you’re okay.”I notice Ian Dr Ian standing at the bottom of the bed. He smiles as he says, “Welcome back, Ruby
The Swift Security SeriesBenChapter 112Ben’s point of viewMain character introduction Ben Willis ( Nickname Bulldog), age 32, ex-special forces, now working for swift security.I've loved her for as long as I can remember, she was married to one of my best friends, and I watched her fall apart when he was killed in the army; we were all in the same regiment, and I saw how much her grief destroyed her leaving her fighting a losing battle with depression and there wasn't a single thing I could do to help her.Her name is Laila, and I watched as she fell in love with my best friend; they were so very much in love and happy together. I knew that I never stood a chance; I never got the chance to tell either of them how I felt. So I buried my feelings deep inside, knowing that I could never be the one to break them apart.Sadly it was death itself that tore them apart.She left the army after a nervous breakdown, and I was left grief-stricken and brokenhearted by their loss. We met aga