BROKEN COURAGE (Broken Redemption Book 3)

Chapter 39

Lucas

As we wait for Dominick and Zeb, I ask, "Jen?" It's all I have to say, knowing Ben will understand.

"They're good. I spoke to her briefly and told her we found them. Made sure she understood she was to keep it to herself for now."

We went over this thoroughly while planning tonight's mission. With my sister stepping up to help with Mallory while I was away, I was determined not to give either of them false hope. That's why we agreed not to reveal our plans to them and decided that if we found them, we'd inform her to give her peace of mind. But we also agreed to ask her to wait until we received confirmation from the hospital that they were truly okay before saying anything to Mallory.

To my relief, it's not long before Dominick opens the door. Zeb stands just beyond him, scanning the area around us as we get out of the car.

"I can take her." Dominick offers, and Alyssa tightens her grip around my neck—a move that heals yet another one of my broken pieces.

Clinging to her, I shake my head and kiss her little head. After carefully repositioning her, I take Embree's hand to help her out of the car. But the moment both her feet touch the pavement, she suddenly collapses. By some miracle, I manage to catch her before she hits the ground, but with Alyssa in my arms, there's not much more I can do. Thankfully, Ben is there a second later. He reaches for Alyssa, and I gently coax her to go with him so I can focus on her mom. To my relief, she does as I ask, freeing my hands to slide under Embree's legs so I can carry her inside.

"You okay, Emb. Talk to me, sweetheart. Tell me what's going on," I ask nervously, rushing through the hospital entrance, my eyes darting between where I'm going and the paleness of her skin.

"T-tired," she murmurs, burrowing her face into the crook of my neck as her arms, which are wrapped around my neck, grow weaker by the second.

She's shaking. Fuck! How did I miss this? How did I not notice she was so sick?

Out of my mind with panic, I reach the front desk. With her body going more limp by the second, I adjust my hold, terrified she might lose consciousness.

"Help her. Please. She's pregnant. We need a doctor." That gets their attention. A moment later, a door opens, and a flurry of nurses come out with a gurney. "My little girl needs help, too." I direct them behind me to where Ben stands, holding Alyssa's dirt-riddled body against him. The police officers entering behind us must convey the seriousness of our situation, for more bodies come through the doors, offering to help.

"Sir, I'm Doctor Tennett. Would you mind laying your wife on the gurney, please?"

As I move to do as the doctor asked, Alyssa's shrill scream breaks through the cacophony of voices, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Laying Embree down carefully, I keep hold of her hand and then move to break up the scene playing out before me.

"Stop," my voice booms through the crowded space, and instantly everything goes quiet. "Everyone back up and step away from her... Now." As the hospital staff comply, I turn to Ben. "Bring her here." When she realizes it's me, she collapses against my chest, her little sobs shaking through her body as she desperately clings to me. It stokes the fireball of fury burning through my gut. Mark my words—Kessler and anyone who helped him do this to my family will fucking pay. If it's the last thing I do, they'll regret the day they dared to lay a finger on Embree and my girls.

My attention back on Doctor Tennett, I explain, "They were abducted a little over 36 hours ago. We just found them, so please, help us."

With a nod, the doctor releases the brake on Embree's bed and begins the process of wheeling her through the double doors that lead to the treatment area. "Let's go. Mom and baby girl stay together."