𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - JJ Maybank

Chapter 59: Kingfish

A radio buzzed in one of the guard's back pocket, "We lost the others. We'll keep searching."

Grace felt a hum of relief. They hadn't found the others. JJ was safe.

"She saved your life," Kie's voice was shaking. It made Grace turn her attention from the guard's radio to Jimmy in front of them. They still hadn't left the beach and were waiting for who knows what while sitting in the bed of one of the trucks.

Grace glared at the pilot.

"I know. I know. I'm sorry.  I'm gonna try to help you, okay?" Jimmy's voice was rough and quick. "I swear, I didn't know it was gonna be like this. Look, if you don't fight, if you just do what they say, these guys probably won't hurt you."

Somehow that wasn't comforting. 

"What did Ward promise you?" Grace spoke through gritted teeth.

Jimmy's nervous face morphed into one of pure confusion. "Who?"

Grace's heart sank. It wasn't Ward. She didn't want to see him again but this was somehow worse. They didn't know what they were up against. 

"Hey, just take my advice, do what they say," Jimmy shook off his confusion. "Good luck."

The truck engine started and the same guard from earlier climbed into the bed with the girls.

Kie's breathing was shaky.

Grace sat stick straight and perfectly still save for her thumb which twisted her ring around. It was now placed on her left ring finger instead of her right. JJ had noticed she'd worn it on the right hand since he gave it to her and was eager to switch it around after they said their 'I dos.' She was quick to grab his hands and do the same.

Kie's clammy hand grasping onto Grace's pulled her out of her thoughts and back into reality.

They were in the back of a pickup truck after being kidnapped and Ward wasn't the one behind it.

She clenched her eyes shut tightly and strengthened her grip on her friend's hand.

___________

"What the hell was that?" Pope exclaimed. "Why would they want to kidnap Kiara and Grace? It doesn't make any sense."

Cleo had urged them along and out from under the pier to a safer hiding spot. John B had to practically drag JJ away, reminding him that if they were caught they would never be able to save Grace.

Now, they were sat near a large tree while Pope paced and the others sat around dejectedly. JJ sat against a rickety shed, putting distance between himself and his friends. He had his head leaned back against the sheet metal in pure stress.

"It's called bait," JJ cut Pope off, finally having enough of his rambling. He could only tamper down his frustration for so long and sitting around doing nothing but talking wasn't helping.

"I am so sick of this," Sarah complained.

JJ stood abruptly making the metal of the shed clang behind him.

"Do you think there's any way we could trust the cops?" Sarah continued.

JJ made his way to stand in front of her. "The cops? You're joking, right? You seriously think your daddy hasn't called them already?"

Sarah lowered her head to avoid looking at him. She wasn't mad at JJ. She was freaking out. Her sister was kidnapped and so was Kie. She couldn't even imagine how panicked JJ would be. It was his wife for god's sake.

"I have a crazy idea. Why don't we call my parents?" Pope suggested.

"And say what, Pope?" John B piped up after glaring up at JJ. Sarah might be understanding but he didn't want JJ yelling at her.