Captivated Desires

35

Before he could say anything, Reign handed him the note. Azar read it quickly, his expression darkening as he took in the warning and the implication. "Damn," he muttered under his breath, his mind already racing. "Whoever they are, they're not messing around."

"We have to find her," Reign said, his voice taut with barely controlled anger. "They're not gonna touch a hair on her head, you hear me?"

Azar nodded in agreement. "We will find her," he vowed, his voice hard and determined. "But we have to be smart about this. They're clearly prepared and they have the upper hand right now."

"I know," Reign said, his jaw clenching in frustration. "But we can't just sit here and do nothing. We have to move fast."

Azar placed a hand on Reign's shoulder, a gesture of understanding and support. "We will," he assured. "But we can't let anger and desperation cloud our judgment. We need a plan, a good one."

Reign took a deep breath, knowing Azar was right. He needed to keep a level head, as difficult as it was right now. "You're right," he said slowly. "We need to regroup and figure out our next move. We can't act rashly."

Azar nodded, a grim look on his face. "I'll call a meeting," he said. "We need the team together to figure this out."

Reign nodded, his mind already racing through potential scenarios and plans. "Alright," he said, his voice firm. "But we need to move quickly. They have Reina, and who knows what they're doing to her.."

As the night wore on, the atmosphere in the house remained tense and ominous. Azar and the rest of the team had gathered in the main hall, all of them discussing possible plans and ways to find me. Reign was on edge, pacing back and forth, his thoughts consumed with worry for me. Every minute that ticked by without any news was torture for him.

Meanwhile, the kids were being kept out of sight and earshot of the discussions. Olympia was looking after them in a different room, trying to maintain some semblance of normality for them. But even the kids could sense that something was wrong. They seemed quieter than usual, their eyes wide and anxious.

Now and then, they'd ask about me and Olympia would give them a reassuring smile and assure them that everything was fine. But Reign could see the concern in her eyes too. His normally composed and capable sister-in-law was now looking slightly frazzled, the stress of the situation getting to her as well.

As the meeting dragged on, Reign suddenly felt something tug at his trousers. He looked down to see Willow, her eyes watery and her face pale. She was clearly frightened, seeking comfort from him.

Without a word, he scooped her up into his arms, holding her tight against him. "It's alright, sweetheart," he said softly, his heart aching at the sight of her frightened little face. She buried her face into his shoulder, her small body shaking slightly. He could feel her tears dampening his shirt, and he gently rubbed her back, trying to soothe whatever fears she had.

The rest of the team had noticed the scene, but they said nothing, continuing their discussion in hushed tones. They knew Reign was struggling, and having his daughter needing comfort from him only amplified his stress.

He continued to hold her, rocking her gently as he tried to keep his own emotions in check. He didn't want her to see him as anything but strong and fearless. But it was hard, especially when he felt anything but that right now.

After a few minutes, she gradually began to calm, her sobs quieting down until she was just sniffling quietly against his chest. He ran a hand over her hair, still holding her close. "It's okay, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Daddy's got you. Everything will be fine, alright?" She nodded against him, her small arms holding onto him tightly. It broke his heart to see her so scared, and it only further fueled his determination to get me back safely.

He held her like that for a while longer, whispering reassurances and promises that everything would indeed be alright. He wasn't sure if he was trying to comfort her or himself. Eventually, though, he knew he had to set her down and return to the discussion. He gently set her on her feet, giving her one last little hug before he returned to the group. 

As he walked back towards the others, he could feel their eyes on him, their sympathy and understanding in their expressions. But he didn't look at any of them, his gaze fixed ahead, his face a stoic mask of determination.

He listened quietly as Azar continued to outline their plans and strategies. His mind was racing, his thoughts bouncing between strategies, worry for me and the sight of his daughter's tear-streaked face.

"We'll start scouting the known safe houses," Azar was saying, his tone efficient and businesslike. "We'll talk to our associates, and see if anyone has heard anything. We'll find her, Reign. I swear."

Reign simply nodded in response, his expression taut. He wanted to believe that, desperately so. But the wait was excruciating, and with every hour that passed, he felt the knot in his stomach tighten more and more.

The meeting went on for another hour or so, but none of it registered in Reign's mind. He was there physically, but his thoughts were elsewhere, each passing moment feeling like an eternity. Eventually, the team dispersed, each of them leaving to do their part in finding me.

As the room emptied, Reign found himself alone, standing by the large windows overlooking the garden. He stared out into the darkness outside, his thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety and anger. The silence was oppressive, deafening. It only served to amplify the thoughts and worries swirling in his mind. He wanted to scream, to punch something, to do something. But all he could do was stand there, feeling utterly helpless.

It wasn't just the not knowing that was eating at him. It was the possibility of what could be happening to me right now. The thought of me in danger, scared and alone, was enough to drive him insane.