Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 77~

~Colby~

~June 3rd~

I paced in the living room of the trap house, surrounded by the gang, my mind racing with strategies to get Emily back.

It had been two days since she was abducted, and every second felt like an eternity. I knew my dad's men would be expecting us, and the thought of Emily suffering made my blood boil.

"We need a solid plan," I said, looking around at Jake, Sam, Corey, and the rest of the gang.

"Any updates from Liam?" Sam asked as I checked my phone then shook my head. "No, all I know is that he's pretending to work with my dad to help Emily."

Corey interjected, "Have you told him the plan?" I nodded, "I told him that will be there tomorrow to rescue her. He's making sure everything's in order."

Sam spoke up, "Your dad's men will probably know we're coming. How are we gonna get in?"

Jake leaned back in a corner chair, a confident smirk on his face. "Leave that to me. I know how to deal with them—past experience."

The girls—Katrina, Devyn, Tara, and Emily's sister Isa—looked worried but determined. "But Colby, what can we do?" Isa asked, her voice trembling slightly.

I shook my head sternly. "You're gonna stay in the car with the kids. I don't want them left here alone. We'll have you in a dark vehicle in the woods, so no one will see you."

"Wait, we're bringing the kids with us?" Tara asked, her eyes wide with concern.

"I don't want them left here alone," I repeated. "We'll keep you hidden. No one will see you." They all nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Blake sniffled and fell into Katrina's lap, crying. She held him close, whispering reassurances that everything would be fine.

Sam, Jake, Corey, and I would be the ones going in to rescue Emily. Sam, and Corey would fight off the men, while Jake and I would go look for her.

I worried endlessly about Emily's condition. She was always so frail, but I knew she was strong. I could feel through our mate bond that she was writhing in pain and incredibly weak.

"We can handle this," I said, trying to convince myself as much as the others. "Jake's been through this before. He got Emily out all by himself once. Now that we have backup, there's no chance we're leaving without her."

Everyone nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. As the night wore on, we went over the plan again and again, making sure every detail was perfect. In the morning, we would leave and strike. I couldn't shake the image of Emily in pain from my mind, and it fueled my resolve. We were going to get her back, no matter what it took.