Always you

Chapter 27

The motorcycle roared down the desolate back roads of the Outer Banks, the darkened countryside illuminated by the headlights slicing through the night. Rafe's knuckles were bone-white as he gripped the handlebars, his jaw clenched in an iron lock of fury and fear. The wind whipped past him, but it did little to cool the inferno burning inside his chest. He replayed the phone call over and over in his mind—the taunting laughter, the threats, and Sasha's silence.

JJ followed close behind in his beat-up truck, the sound of the rattling engine barely audible over the adrenaline pounding in his ears. Unlike Rafe, JJ's face betrayed a mix of anger and calm determination, a man ready for whatever came next but smart enough to know it wouldn't be easy.

"Rafe, don't go in there half-cocked," JJ had warned as they parked out of sight a few blocks from the warehouse.

"I don't have a choice," Rafe growled, his boots crunching against gravel as he dismounted the bike.

JJ grabbed Rafe's shoulder, spinning him around. "Listen to me. You can't let them see you like this. They'll eat you alive if you lose your head."

Rafe shrugged him off, his eyes blazing. "They have Sasha, JJ. She's in there because of me. If I don't get her out..." His voice cracked slightly, but he quickly steadied it. "I can't lose her."

JJ's face softened for a brief moment before he gave a firm nod. "Fine. But I'm coming in. I'll hang back, stay out of sight. You give me the signal if you need me."

Rafe hesitated, torn between his fear for Sasha's safety and the fact that JJ had a point. He couldn't afford to mess this up. "Stay hidden," he muttered. "If they see you, they'll hurt her."

"Got it," JJ said, pulling a baseball bat from the back of his truck and giving it a practice swing. "Let's go."

The warehouse loomed ahead like a dark, skeletal giant, its rusted metal frame creaking under the night breeze. The faint hum of distant machinery mixed with the occasional echo of voices inside. Tall weeds sprouted from the cracked pavement, and the air was thick with the stench of oil and dampness.

Rafe approached the warehouse slowly, his boots silent against the ground. The only light came from a flickering bulb hanging above the main entrance. He glanced around, scanning the shadows for any hidden figures. JJ, true to his word, trailed behind at a safe distance, his movements ghost-like.

As Rafe reached the door, he took a deep breath, steadying himself. His hand hovered over the metal handle, and for a split second, doubt crept in. What if I can't save her? What if this is the last time I see her?

He shook the thought away, his determination hardening. He pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit interior.

The warehouse was cavernous, its high ceilings crisscrossed with rusted beams and old chains that swayed gently in the breeze. Stacks of wooden crates lined the walls, and puddles of stagnant water dotted the cracked concrete floor. The air was thick with the smell of damp wood and oil, and the faint sound of muffled voices echoed from deeper within.

Rafe's heart pounded as he moved further inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. He spotted them quickly—a group of five men clustered near the center of the room, their laughter grating against his nerves.

Sasha sat in a rickety wooden chair, her hands tied tightly behind her back and her face bruised but defiant. Her chestnut hair fell messily over her shoulders, and her green eyes sparkled with a mixture of fear and fury. One of the men stood close to her, his hand gripping her shoulder in a way that made Rafe's blood boil.

"Well, look who finally showed up," the leader said, stepping forward. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a grizzled beard and a cruel smirk. His leather jacket creaked as he folded his arms. "Rafe Cameron, here to play hero."

"Let her go," Rafe demanded, his voice cold and steady despite the storm raging inside him.

The leader chuckled. "And miss out on all the fun? Nah, I think we'll keep her a little longer. You know, teach you a lesson about messing with people like us."

Rafe took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. "This is between us. She has nothing to do with it."

The man sneered. "She's got everything to do with it now. You screwed us over, and this is how you pay."

Behind him, Sasha's eyes locked with Rafe's. She didn't say a word, but the silent plea in her gaze spoke volumes.

"Fine," Rafe said, his voice low. "You want me? I'm here. But let her go."

The leader laughed. "You think I'm just gonna let her walk out of here? You're dumber than I thought."

"Try me," Rafe said, taking another step forward. His posture was tense, coiled like a spring ready to snap.

The leader's smirk faltered slightly, and he motioned for his men to step forward. They moved as a unit, circling Rafe like a pack of wolves.

Outside, JJ crouched near a broken window, watching the scene unfold. His grip on the baseball bat tightened as he saw the men closing in on Rafe. He knew he couldn't make a move until the right moment, but every instinct in him screamed to charge in and start swinging.

"Come on, Rafe," he muttered under his breath. "Give me the damn signal."

Rafe stood his ground, his eyes never leaving the leader. The man's smirk returned as he stepped closer, pulling a knife from his belt.

"You're brave, I'll give you that," he said. "But bravery doesn't mean much when you're outnumbered."

Rafe's lips curled into a cold smile. "Neither does being cocky when you've underestimated your opponent."

The leader's eyes narrowed, but before he could react, Rafe lunged forward, his fist connecting with the man's jaw in a bone-jarring punch. Chaos erupted as the other men surged toward him, their movements frantic and uncoordinated.

Rafe moved like a whirlwind, his fists flying as he ducked and weaved between his attackers. He took a punch to the ribs but retaliated with a brutal elbow to the man's temple, sending him crashing to the floor.

Sasha watched from her chair, her heart pounding as she struggled against her bindings. She winced every time Rafe took a hit but couldn't tear her eyes away from the fierce determination on his face.

The leader recovered quickly, charging at Rafe with the knife. Rafe dodged the first swipe, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting it until the blade clattered to the floor.

At that moment, JJ burst through the side door, his bat swinging. He caught one of the men off guard, the crack of wood against bone echoing through the warehouse.

"Hope you don't mind me crashing the party," JJ said with a grin, swinging the bat at another attacker.

Rafe smirked despite the chaos. "Took you long enough."

Together, they fought off the remaining men, their movements coordinated like a well-rehearsed dance. JJ's bat was a blur, while Rafe's fists landed with precision and power.