Abducted By Lust *Book 1 of the Köhler Series*

HeartBreak

Imagine waking up to a loud bang on your door middle of the night on Christmas morning. Barbara, Charles, and Jacob had to, and they all knew he couldn't be anything good. Initially, they thought something was going on in the neighborhood, but anytime a police officer showed up on their doorstep in the middle told them something was nothing. Immediately her thoughts went to her sons or twin girls, but somehow seeing the sad look on the police officer's face and the picture of Adele told her differently.

"Are you Mr. and Mrs. Sallow, the parents of Adele Sallow?"

"Yes, did the girl finally fuck up at work and kill herself or someone else?"

"CHARLES!" Barbara yelled as her husband looked at her crazy. The officer couldn't believe his ears nor Jacob as he stepped forward, touching his mother's hand.

"Tell me what happened?"

"This is never easy... I'm sorry, inform. Wait, let me start over. My name is Officer Miles with Columbia Police Department, and I'm sorry to inform you that there has been a fire at your daughter's home." Officer Miles said with sympathy as Barbara felt a pain in her heart. She knew she wasn't the best mother, but Adele was her daughter. A child who came from her, he couldn't be telling her she was gone. It wasn't supposed to be like this, although Charles had to hide his smile.

"Oh My God, is she okay? What hospital is she at? Please tell me my baby is okay!"

"I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Sallow... there was a body in the rubble, and her car was in the driveway, indicating that she was in the home at the time of the fire. Also, the fire department and investigators have ruled it an accident. The fire started in the living room. It seemed that she had some candles lit. One must have fallen over and started the fire. Apparently, she didn't have any batteries in her smoke detectors." The officer explained while she looked up at her husband as Jacob spoke. "Where was she found...."

"Why does that matter? She's dead—"

"It matters to me! My sister is dead, and you act as if you don't care."

"Shock hits us in different ways, son, but the answer to your question is the living room on the couch." He spoke, touching Jacob's shoulder. Although Barb knew what her son was thinking as he touched him shaking her head.

"See, I told that damn girl that shit was dangerous burning all those damn candles and falling asleep... I told her!" Barbara cried while Charles said nothing. His daughter was gone. At least the man could do was show some damn emotion. He should have been proud; Adele was the only one of their children that had done something for herself besides looking for a handout. Jacob was still in high school but worked for a living. He didn't ask them for anything, which made his sister proud.

"W-when can w-we see her b-body?" Charles finally stuttered out. Barbara saw a tear falling from his eyes. He was crying, and it made her start again holding his hand.

"Sir, there wasn't a body left to see the fire was so intense that when the fire department got there, the house was already up in flames. It took four fire departments to subside the flames. Then another hour to look through what was left over. They nearly missed her b-body. I'm sorry I know this is hard to hear. This has always been the hardest part of my job. I'm so sorry you lost your daughter—"

"Is there anything we need to do at the police station? How do you know it was her?" Jacob asked, trying to be strong for his parents, but Barbara knew he was breaking inside. Adele was more than a sister to him. She was his second mom. Dele cared for her little brother with no questions asked. She put his need ahead of herself. She knew how to put him in his place when needed. She was the only one of his siblings he was close with. How was he going to make it without her?