Runaway Love

Sam

I stared blankly at the email displayed on my computer screen. I had re-read it several times, but I couldn't seem to comprehend the information. My focus had been shot lately anyway, not that it was surprising with Sarah still gone. I stood from my desk and moved to the window of my office. I let out a heavy sigh as I pulled at my hair. A knock drew my attention to the door across the room. I stilled, staying silent.

I knew who it was-Oliver Toller. One of my closest friends, it was no surprise that I'd been hired at his co-owned security firm, KT Security. He had started the business with his best friend, Sean Kane.

If Oliver was here it meant it was around four in the afternoon. He'd been checking in several times a day, and this was his final time for the day before he left for home. He kept returning, hoping for news about his sister. News that until now I hadn't had. I hung my head. How could I tell him the news I just received?

Sarah and Oliver have always been close, but after their parents died and Oliver finished raising Sarah they were inseparable. I had always been jealous of their relationship. My own family was friendly with each other at best.

Sarah, the center of my thoughts and the owner of my heart. We'd been attracted to each other almost instantly when we met five years ago. I had delayed any relationship but friends until nine months ago when she finally broke me down and agreed to take her to dinner. That was the day she was taken.

Another knock sounded from across the room, pulling me from my thoughts. I stared blankly at the door, hoping he'd take the hint and leave. A third rap on the door dimmed those hopes.

"Samuel, I know you're in there. Open the door." He said, anger clear in his voice.

"I'm coming," I called and took a few long strides to the door.

I barely had it open when he barged in, pushing me and the door back against the wall. He sat on the edge of the chair across from my desk, glaring at me over his shoulder.

"Please, come in. Make yourself at home." I said as I rolled my eyes and shut the door as I made my way back to my desk.

"Has your friend from Homeland emailed you back?" He asked, his knee bouncing up and down.

"Yes, but the information is only a lead. I want to vet it before sending you guys out. It'll only take the night. You'll be the first to know. I should know first thing in the morning, or earlier if it's worthy of deploying the team." I said, rubbing my thumb and pointer finger on the bridge of my nose.

"So he did have information. Good, I'll let you get back to work. Hopefully, we'll hear from you soon." He said as he walked back to the door.

“Wait, there's one thing you need to know," I said standing up.

He turned and looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

"It's my fault." I waited for a response but there wasn't one. "It's my fault she was taken. It was done to make me suffer and hurt-because of my previous work with Homeland Security." I finished. Oliver scoffed and shook his head. He opened the door and went to leave.

"That's it, that's all you've got to respond to what I just said?" I asked, stepping around my desk.

"What do you want? Anger? A fight? I knew she wasn't taken because of anything she had done. Most of my targets from my service aren't alive to take her. That leaves pretty much one solution-you." He said as he stepped into the hall. "You aren't mad?" I asked, stopping the door from shutting completely.

"Mad? Of course, I am. I'm infuriated, hurt, sad. I'm a lot of things. But I know you, Sam. I know the broad picture of what you did with your last job. I know you are a good man and will do everything you can to save her. So no, I'm not going to yell or fight you. But let me warn you, if you stop fighting to save her, that will change everything." He said, stepping closer to give the warning under his breath.

I swallowed heavily and nodded. Like I could just stop fighting for her. Oliver turned and left, and I moved back to my desk after shutting the door.

Before being hired by the security firm, I worked in intelligence with Homeland Security. I did a lot of the same type of work for Oliver and the team. I sorted through leads and intel to find the need to know information and help form the mission, and help with information and schematics along the way.

KT Security was a private firm, but we worked some government work and did jobs that the government couldn't do. A lot of guarding important figures, and rescue missions. Most of the employees were former special operators from the different branches of the military.

Sean ran the group with Oliver's help. Oliver was the medical professional on staff, but he helped at the local clinic too. We had several bodyguards, and one ghost, as I liked to call him.

Judd Castel, our very own shadow, and one of my closest friends. He was quiet and broody, and easily one of the biggest men in our group. But he could move silently and wasn't afraid to do the dirty work. He did a lot of solo missions, but also helped with my job.

The door shutting drew my mind from my thoughts. Sean stepped in and closed the door behind him, before sitting across the desk from me.

"How are you doing?" He asked, taking in my disheveled appearance and the messy office.

Embarrassment flashed over my face. I'd been in the same clothes for a few days, exactly how long I'd been in my office without leaving. Take-out boxes littered the floor after falling from the overfilled trash can.

"I'm fine," I said, clearing my throat and pulling his gaze back to me.

"Yea, I can see that." He said, scratching the back of his head, a nervous tell of his.

"What can I do for you?" I asked, hoping to pull him to the reason for his visit.

"I just wanted to make sure you were doing ok. I haven't heard any news, but I know you haven't left your office either." He answered.

"I just got a lead that I'm going to follow," I said, leaning forward and placing my elbows on the desk.

He nodded and stood up, walking to the door. He turned before he opened the door.

"Make sure you take a break and take care of yourself. All of your skills won't make up for being exhausted and burnt out. What if the lead is THE lead? You don't want to be running on fumes and make a careless mistake." He said, tapping the door before opening it.

I sighed, he was right. I needed to catch a few hours of sleep and shower and eat. I turned my attention back to the computer. Sighing, I pulled my chair closer. I just needed to know if this was true. Then I'd go shower and catch a nap in the on-call room upstairs.

After five hours of research and following the lead, I rubbed my eyes as my vision blurred. So far this lead wasn't working out, I had sent an email to a friend to see if they had heard anything, but I wouldn't hear back until early morning. I sighed and pushed away from my desk. I stood, stretching and walked around my desk. I grabbed a duffel bag that Judd had dropped off this morning and walked to the locker rooms.

After a quick shower, I threw on gym shorts and made my way to the on-call room, where I found myself drifting to sleep before I was even laying down fully.

****

"Hey man, wake up." Judd's deep voice filled my ears.

I stretched but turned back over.

"Man, if you don't wake up, I'll send one of the boys in here." He snapped.

That threat was enough to pull me from my last yearnings for more sleep. God only knows what those guys would think of to pull me fully awake. They were like children. "I'm up, I'm up. What time is it?" I asked.

"Nine."

"Shit, I should have a response then," I said, jumping up and pulling out my bag to get dressed.

After pulling on the custom black shirt and jeans I wore, I threw on my boots and walked quickly to my office. I unlocked the door and shut it behind me. I dropped my duffel in the chair across from my desk and all but ran to my chair. Glancing at my email, I saw that I had a new message. My heart started thudding loudly in my chest. I opened the mail, my eyes quickly moving across the lines of information. My heart soared. I'd found her, I had finally found her.