Fashioned For Sin

Chapter 23

Leonardo

The night air was heavy, cloaking the shadows of the wearhouse. From where I stood, I could see the police positioned a few meters away, their dark silhouettes barely visible against the gloom. They were close enough to spot if anyone peered out from inside the building, but far enough to keep a low profile. We knew we had to be careful. That's why we chose to take the tunnels.

I motioned for Karissa, Matthias, Julian, and Max to follow me as we made our way to the tunnel entrance. It was a risky move, but the tunnels would keep us hidden, allowing us to approach the wearhouse without drawing attention. We needed to be invisible-silent shadows moving through the darkness.

As we descended into the tunnel, the cold, damp air wrapped around us. Our footsteps echoed softly, and I could feel the tension radiating off everyone in the group. This wasn't the first time we'd done something like this, but tonight felt different. Urgent. Desperate. We had to find Blair.

The tunnel was narrow, the walls damp and slick with moisture. The only light came from a small flashlight I held in front of us. I moved cautiously, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. But then, we heard it-a cacophony of voices echoing through the tunnel, along with the unmistakable sound of footsteps.

I held up my hand, signaling for everyone to stop. We all pressed against the cold walls, straining to listen. Among the jumble of voices, three stood out-Carlo, Brian, and Erik. They were on the other side of the tunnel, moving towards the same passage we were aiming for. A dead end lay ahead. Panic gripped me. What were they doing here? We had to wait for them to pass, but if they were coming this way, it meant we were headed in the wrong direction-or worse, walking into a trap.

I glanced back at the others. Julian's face was pale, his jaw clenched tightly. Karissa's eyes were wide, darting around nervously. Max and Matthias were whispering to each other, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

"What could they be doing here?" Max whispered, voicing the question we were all thinking.

"I don't know," I replied quietly. "But we have to wait until they pass. Then we move."

I wish I could have a run at them, beat the living shit out of them for hurting my precious baby.
But I can't, I'll get in deep shit, I don't need that right now, all I need is to find my baby.

Minutes felt like hours as we waited in tense silence. The voices grew louder, and the footsteps seemed to echo closer. Then, suddenly, something caught my eye. A figure-small, barely visible in the darkness-popped its head out from a corner just ahead of us. My heart stopped. The figure fell to its knees, collapsing to the floor.

"Blair?" I whispered, my voice breaking.

It was her. Without thinking, I bolted forward, ignoring the startled cries from behind me. Tears blurred my vision as I ran, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Blair!" I called out, my voice echoing off the tunnel walls. "Blair, I'm here!"

I reached her in seconds, dropping to my knees beside her. Her face was pale, her eyes wide and filled with tears. She looked so fragile, so broken, and seeing her like this tore something deep inside me. I pulled her into my arms, holding her in a bridal style, feeling the weight of her small frame against me.

"Blair, it's over," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "You're safe now. I've got you."

She sobbed into my chest, her body shaking with each breath. I could hear the others running up behind me, their footsteps fast and urgent.

I grabbed my radio, my hand shaking as I called in to the NYPD. "I found her! Blair's here. Start the raid inside the wearhouse. And be aware-Carlo, Brian, and Erik are in the tunnel."