Hold My Hand (Sequel to Saved: Adopted by Brendon Urie)

Chapter 51

The decision came quietly.

No shouting.

No dramatic countdown.

Just a few words over a secure radio channel that changed everything.

"We have the apartment."

Collins looked at the officer beside him.

"Positive?"

"Visual confirmation. Female juvenile matching Abby's photograph. Second floor. Third window from the left."

"Suspects?"

"Unknown. We believe at least two."

Collins looked through the windshield toward the building.

The curtains in the upstairs window were closed again.

Somewhere behind them was a thirteen-year-old girl who had been missing for nearly three days.

"How long have they been watching?"

"Since the light signal."

"And the suspects?"

"No movement that we've seen."

Collins made the decision.

"Go."

The word was barely above a whisper.

But suddenly the street moved.

Two officers crossed first.

Another pair approached from the opposite direction.

Nobody ran.

Nobody shouted.

There was no siren.

The operation moved with the deliberate quiet of people who understood that one wrong move could turn a rescue into a hostage situation.

Collins turned toward Brendon.

"You stay here."

Brendon stared at him.

"No."

"Brendon—"

"No. I'm not sitting in a car while you go get my daughter."

"You're not going inside."

"I can help."

"You already have."

Brendon shook his head.

"That's not good enough."

Collins held his gaze.

"I need you alive when we bring her out."

That stopped him.

For a moment, neither man spoke.

Then Collins said, more gently, "Let us do this."

Brendon looked toward the building.

His hands were shaking.

He shoved them into his pockets.

"Bring her back."

"We will."

Collins stepped away.

Brendon watched him disappear around the corner.

Then there was nothing left for him to do except wait.

Upstairs, Abby heard something.

Not a sound she could identify.

Not at first.