No, this is anticipation.
The hunt.
Through a gap in the metal, I glimpse Gerald standing over Alina and Yara, a smug grin twisting his lips as he toys with them with a gun in his hand.
Bile rises in my throat.
The moment Alina lured him out to the meeting spot, of course Gerald flew into a jealous rage.
"Where have you been?", "How dare you stay away from me?", "You stupid bitch! I'll kill you and your daughter if you ever leave my sight again" were all heard over the radio.
It was almost unbearable, listening to his harsh words and the fear in their voices.
The situation continued to escalate, Gerald's fury only intensifying, when he forced them to move to another location at gunpoint to, in his words, 'teach them a lesson'.
I hate that we had to put them in harm's way once again, into the clutches of an unhinged man with nearly unlimited resources. A man who truly believes they both belong to him. Because in his world of trafficking and misogyny, women are merely possessions that can be traded and discarded on a whim. A profitable enterprise with an unlimited supply and an even more unlimited demand.
I remind myself that while they are currently very much in danger, it's not for long. And it's an unavoidable means to an end.
I check my weapon one last time and burst through the warehouse door.
“Let them go, Gerald,” I growl. “This ends now.”
Gerald’s head snaps up, his eyes narrowing.
But he doesn’t move, and he doesn’t release his captives. The bastard is actually enjoying this.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the gallant Agent Morello.”
His smirk widens, showing his too-white teeth.
“Thank you for leaving your business card at my house. I've done a lot of research on you. Here to play hero? Trying to make up for all your past fuck-ups? There's quite an extensive list.”
I keep my gun trained on the center of Gerald’s forehead, ignoring the trembling in my arm.
If I need to shoot, I can’t miss.
Won’t miss.
“There’s no playing here. It’s over.”
A mocking laugh. “You think so?”
Gerald grabs Yara’s arm, yanking her in front of him as a shield.
"Is that what you said when you let little Debbie Frost die because your aim missed and struck her instead of her kidnapper?"
He glances down at Yara, as if unperturbed by the firearm I have trained on him.
"It would be a shame to repeat that mistake again, in front of Alina, wouldn't it?"
Panic surges through me, a million thoughts crashing through my mind.
He's right. I can’t shoot, not with Yara so close, but if I don’t—
I'm paralyzed by indecision as every piece of firearms and combat training I've ever received flies through my head.Advance, retreat, de-escalate, eliminate the threat, protect human life, get approval, follow your instincts.All of it makes sense, and none of it makes sense.
A sharp cry cuts through my spiraling thoughts.