Part 44 (1/2)

Prescott looked left. His eyes went wide, and his mouth opened before three other bullets tore into his chest and blew him backward.

The front door swung wider, and Replacement stepped in behind him with the little .380 held at arm's length. She nervously looked at Jack and nodded.

Kid's scared out of her mind but had my back.

Jack swept into the cabin. Kiku effortlessly climbed in through the window. She stood up and hugged the wall as she moved into the room. He looked at Jennifer, but she leaned against the doorframe and stared at the floor.

”Are you hit?” he fiercely whispered.

She kept looking down and shook her head. He heard her gag.

There was only one room on the right, and the door was closed. Jack held up his hand and hurried over to it. Instinctively, he scanned the frame for b.o.o.by traps, but quickly dismissed the thought.

Jack opened the door.

Marisa was tied onto a bed, but her head was turned, and she glared at the door. Her eyes locked with Jack's. Her mouth twisted and he could see the mix of hope and disbelief in her eyes. She closed her eyes tightly and opened them again. The truth appeared on her face like a sunrise; the doubt faded until her eyes suddenly widened and gleamed.

She lost it. Her chest heaved and she sobbed and strained against her bonds.

Oh, Angel...

A surge of emotions crashed within him. His chest tightened and he could feel the rush of adrenaline course through his body. Instantly, he was at the side of the bed. Jack's palm smashed the headboard and pieces of wood flew against the wall. He pulled her wrists free. Marisa wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.

”Jack. Jack,” she sobbed.

”I'm here, Angel. I'm right here. I gotcha.” Jack held her tightly.

She clung to him.

Kiku appeared in the doorway, and a knife flashed in her hands. She cut Marisa's ropes and then patted her down, looking her over for any injury. She stood up and nodded to Jack.

Replacement appeared in the doorway, and Jennifer stood behind her.

”Jack, Morrison will be here any minute. Alice and Kiku have to go. If they're found here...”

Jack nodded.

”The town isn't that far. Can you make it to the base and catch a ride back to the hotel? Cut down the trails so no one coming from town will see you. We'll meet you back at the Imperial as soon as we're done.”

Replacement shook her head. ”I stay with Jack.”

Kiku leaned in and whispered into her ear.

Replacement clenched her teeth and gave a curt nod. She walked past Jennifer and Kiku. ”Is that the plan? We go back to the Imperial, and you meet us there? How long?”

Jack shook his head. ”It could be awhile.”

Kiku looked at Jack, and her lips pressed together. ”How will you explain this?”

Jack shrugged. ”I'll figure out something. I'm thinking about going with the man-in-the-cape angle.”

Jennifer paced the room. ”Wipe down and leave your gun,” she told Kiku.

Kiku turned to Jack.

”Yeah. If not, ballistics will start looking for you and your gun.”

Marisa continued to cry, and Jack just held onto her.

Replacement's hand reached out for Marisa and hovered just above her shoulder. She left it there briefly before she turned and walked away.

”I'll keep an eye on her.” Kiku winked at Jack and left.

Jennifer looked at him, and then slipped out of the room.

Marisa wept, and Jack gently rocked her. He could only imagine what she'd gone through, and right now he just wanted to get her to the hospital.

”Angel?” Jack whispered.

Marisa glanced up at him. Deep black circles stood out under her eyes, and the right side of her face was swollen. She searched his face, and a brief smile flashed across her lips before she buried her face in his neck and pulled him close.

”Jack, please get me out of here.”

”The police will be here in a minute.” Jack rubbed her back.

”Please? Get me out of this room.” She continued to cry.

”I will. I'm going to take you out to the car, but I'm going to carry you, okay?”

She nodded.

Jack lifted her up in his arms and carried her out of the room. He pressed her face into his shoulder so she wouldn't see the carnage inside the cabin. The left side had a large double window next to the door. Jack had to step over the body of the guy blocking his path.

Jack frowned as he pa.s.sed him. He cradled Marisa, stepping down the two short steps, and looked across the open field that Jennifer had crossed.

Marisa gulped in deep breaths of cool air and blinked rapidly. He could feel her long lashes against his neck. Through the woods he saw the Impala. Jennifer hadn't driven all the way up to the house. He carried Marisa to Prescott's car. He yanked open the rear door with one hand and gently set her down. He pulled the seat belt around her and it clicked into place. ”I'll call Ilario and tell him you're safe as soon as I have a signal.”

She smiled up at him.

Where's Morrison? He should have been here by now.

As he reached into his pocket for his phone, he remembered Jennifer had taken it.

His jaw clenched as several thoughts sped through his mind.

Her screaming at Prescott when he mentioned Marisa's tattoo. Her thinking he lived on the third floor. Her running-not limping.

He stood up and looked at the spot where the four of them had crouched before they came to the house. Her words slammed into his head.

He sent me a text...he may try to get revenge against Severino by killing her.