WHISPERS IN THE DARK

Chapter Twelve

**Callies Pov**

I was beginning to get fed up. I didn't know how long it had been since I last saw Luca. I spent most of my time sleeping, dreaming of my team storming in to find me and of the times I shared with Mal. Those dreams and memories were my only solace, keeping hope alive that I'd be out of here soon.

"Please, Luca, let me go," I yelled, banging on the door. My hands were bloody and raw from my continuous pounding, hoping someone would hear me. After what felt like an eternity, I finally heard footsteps rushing along the hallway outside my door. I stepped back as the lock clicked.

Luca entered slowly, making eye contact before turning to close the door. He carried a tray of food and some water bottles. I looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please, Luca, I've been here long enough. You have to let me go."

He set the tray on the chest of drawers and sighed. "Soon, Callie. I promise." As he turned to leave, I pleaded, "No, don't leave me alone." He hesitated briefly with the door ajar. Seizing my chance, I grabbed the plate of food and smashed it over his head. As he clutched his head in pain, I bolted for the door.

I ran as fast as I could down the hallway, stopping at a door. I looked back and saw Luca wasn’t far behind, yelling for me to wait. I pushed through the door and found myself in a garden. It didn’t take me long to realize I was home. I had been locked in the old gardener’s hut at the back of my house.

Suddenly, I felt two arms grab me. "Luca, please," I pleaded, but he silenced me with his hand over my mouth. "I won’t hurt you, Callie. Please trust me," he whispered as I felt a sharp sting in my neck. Dizziness overcame me as Luca eased his grip. "It’s going to be okay," he whispered, lifting me into his arms. My vision blurred, and I quickly fell asleep.

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**NAOMI’S POV**

It had been a week since the gala and Callie’s disappearance. Luca showed us a text from Callie saying she needed to get away and clear her mind. We were initially relieved, but Maliki remained skeptical, doubting Luca’s story.

My father had secretly followed Luca, but so far, he hadn't acted out of character. Luca had been spending more time in the garden, claiming he was maintaining it for Callie’s return, as the gardeners weren’t up to the task.

With the attackers from the gala dead and Callie supposedly 'on holiday,' our focus shifted to searching for Heather Fitzpatrick and her team. Heather had been silent for weeks, raising doubts about whether she was still a threat.

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**MALIKI’S POV**

I never believed in love until I met Callie. She brought me back to life. Luca’s story about her needing a break didn’t add up. Even David shared my doubts.

Our attempts to find Heather Fitzpatrick and her team were proving fruitless, and every room in the office reminded me of Callie. In a short time, she had become everything to me. From our first kiss, I knew I would do anything for her. Her absence made me realize how deeply I cared for her.

A persistent voice in my head urged me not to give up, insisting Luca was hiding something. I tried to ignore it, but it wouldn’t go away. My phone rang, displaying 'No caller ID.'

"Who is this?" I answered sternly.

"Heather Fitzpatrick here. I have information you might want to hear," came the reply.

I laughed. "You've been hard to track down. If you weren't causing us so many problems, I’d have hired you. What do you want?"

Heather’s laugh came through the line. "I hear your friend Callie has gone on holiday." Silence followed.

"Why does Callie’s whereabouts concern you?" I asked, trying to control my anger.

Naomi signaled she had a trace on the call and instructed Ryan and Cole to get into a car. Heather continued, "It’s a problem not knowing where she is. Callie being MIA jeopardizes our operation. We need to ensure she’s safe."

I chuckled. "Why would you care about Callie’s safety?"

After a pause, Heather responded, "You’ll need to discuss that with her. For now, Luca knows more than he’s letting on. She’s closer than you think. That’s all I can tell you." The line went dead.

I called Naomi. "We’re at the location. It’s a field, and there’s no one here," she reported.

"Don’t worry. Heather said Luca knows where Callie is. He’ll never tell us," I replied. Steph approached.

"A gardener mentioned he thought he saw Callie with Luca at the apple orchard by the old gardener’s huts," she said, pointing to the back of the house. "He said they looked like they were arguing."

We moved towards the orchard and the huts. "If you’re going to hide someone, this is a good place," Steph observed nervously.

I signaled for her to hide as Luca emerged from the main door of the hut, his shirt stained with what looked like blood. After he walked away, we approached the door, which was unlocked.

Inside, we found a living area, a kitchen, and a hallway leading to other cabins. We checked the rooms, finding nothing until we reached a large steel door with an exterior lock. I shot the lock three times until the door opened slightly.

We heard movement from within. I pushed the door open, holding my gun out. "Mal, is that you?" a weak voice croaked.

I rushed inside when I heard Callie’s name. She was chained to the wall, able to reach only the bed and toilet in the dark room. I pulled her into my arms, whispering reassurance. Seeing her scared and helpless broke my heart.

Steph informed me that Ryan and Naomi were on their way with bolt cutters, and the team was searching for Luca, who had been seen leaving the huts. I held Callie close, waiting anxiously for Naomi and Ryan to arrive.

When they finally arrived and cut the chain from Callie’s swollen ankle, I carried her into the house, where David and Elizabeth waited with a doctor. The doctor examined Callie and instructed us to leave the room so she could work. I refused to move, settling into a chair by Callie’s bed.

The doctor finished her checks and informed us, "Callie is severely dehydrated, but she’s stable. I’ve given her IV fluids and treated her bruises. She’ll wake up when she’s ready. She needs time. I’ll return in a few days."

We thanked the doctor, and David told me to get some rest while they secured Luca. Elizabeth hesitated to leave, but David reassured her that I would look after Callie. They finally left, and I sat by Callie’s bed, my eyes growing heavy. I placed my hand over hers and fell into a light sleep.