River's POV
I watched as Cove slept, her chest rising and falling as she took soft breaths.
For the past 30 minutes, she's been sleeping next to me with her head leaning against my shoulder. We were cuddling, but then she rolled over in her sleep and now she's laying on her back.
My fingers soothing stroked her hair, which she seemed to like since a small smile appeared on her face.
I let out a sigh and slowly got up, moving her head to rest comfortably on a pillow instead. My dad is going to be here any minute now.
After pulling another blanket over Cove and kissing her cheek, I went into the living room. Not even a second later, there was a knock on the door.
I double checked who it was before opening the door for my dad. Even though it's past 3am, he looks perfectly awake as always.
"Hey dad, how was your flight?" I tried to be polite since he flew all the way here just to help me, even though he only came because my mom forced him.
"It was fine, let's get this over with." He walked straight inside and shut the door behind him. I noticed that he didn't bring a bag, he must not be planning on staying long.
"On the plane I went ahead and traced back the website that they used to chat on. It was created only 2 months ago and only had around 400 visits before it got deleted. The person who created that website goes by 'Lucas Sacul' which is most likely not his real name."
While catching me up, he set down his computer and opened it up to a browser I don't recognize.
"That's as far as I got, but our next step is to figure out who this Lucas Sacul guy actually is."
I nodded and sat down next my dad as he searched the name. A bunch of results quickly popped up.
"This will take a while to look through, go make we a cup of coffee in the meantime, will you?"
Again, I nodded before standing up and heading to the kitchen. While waiting for the coffee machine to heat up, I searched through the cupboards for any kind of dark roast. Personally, I find dark roast very gross and plain but it's the only kind my dad likes.
Heading back to the table with a steaming cup of coffee in my hand, I noticed how my dad scrolled down a long list of websites before clicking on a seemingly random one.
An article written 9 years ago popped up with the heading "Popular twitter user Lucas Sacul banned."
Taking a seat next to my dad, I started reading. "At 156k followers, twitter user Lucas Sacul, better known as Lucas Bates was banned after a series of disturbing tweets. The first one was posted last Friday.." I quickly stopped reading once I realized how off topic it was.
"This one isn't helpful, dad." I noted as he took a long sip of coffee. His face twisted into one of annoyance and he shook his head.
"Don't be foolish, son. I know exactly what I'm doing. Read it again and tell me what you notice."
With a frown, I skimmed over the text again and shook my head. Nothing about this seems out of the ordinary and it definitely will not help our case.
My dad sighed disappointedly and highlighted the word 'Bates' with his cursor. "Don't you recognize this last name? Think closely."
Recognization crossed my face. Bates, as in Damien Bates. I swear if that guy did anything to Cove-
"River, relax. You can't get mad just yet, we still need to figure this out."
I sighed and nodded, forcing myself to calm down. "You're right, what now?"
Dad exited out of that tab and opened one of his bookmarked pages. When it loaded, it showed a black screen. He then typed in a code on his keyboard, and moments later something new popped up.
"We enter his full name here and it should tell us his IP address." I have no clue how websites like these exist, they make it so easy for someone's information to be accessed.
After a few minutes of processing, a few addresses popped up. "Since he is not the only person with the name Lucas Bates, we need to figure out which of these houses belong to him. Look through the co-owners of the houses and let me know when you recognize one of the names."
Of course my dad already knows the answer, he just wants to teach me and make me do it myself. All of this kind of seems rehearsed, maybe he already learned this information on the plane and is trying to make he work for it.
I feel a bit frustrated that we're wasting time, but I'm in no position to make demands right now.
I scrolled down the list of addresses and the co-owners of the houses. On the 4th one, I recognized a name. Shawna Bates.
A few weeks ago back in Italy, I remember hearing Damien shout 'Shawna, hide!' when I was dragging him out of his house. She must've been with him that day, but lucky for her, I was only there for one man. This time, she might not be so lucky.
"Shawna Bates," I said. My dad nodded and copied the address into his phone. "Lucky for you, he only lives 2 and a half hours away." 2 and a half hours away from here is only 30 minutes away from Cove's house.
"Looks like we have someone to visit, River. If we leave now we can probably make it in by 5. You have a few minutes to meet me in the car."
After picking up his computer, my dad left. I sighed and slipped on my shoes that were left next to the door. As I picked up my keys, I heard a door creek open and small footsteps come down the hall.
"River?"
I turned around to face Cove and saw her rub her eyes, clearly still half asleep. "Where are you going?"
"I'll be back by the time you wake up, go back to sleep baby."
Shaking her head, she closed the distance between us and wrapped her arms around me. How am I supposed to leave when she looks so adorable right now?
"Come lay with me, lets go back to sleep it's late."
"I can't sleep right now baby, I'm sorry. Go back to bed okay?"
"No, I want to you come with me. Please River?"
She looked up at me with a frown and grabbed my hand, gently pulling me in the direction of our room. "I'm not sleeping without you."
I sighed and silently walked back to the room with her. She quickly climbed into bed and waited for me to lay next to her, but I stayed in the same place
"I love you, I'll be back soon Cove." Before she could respond, I closed the door and left.
ð ð ð
Going 20 over the speed limit with empty streets shortened the normally 2 and a half hour drive down to only an hour and a half.
We parked messily in Lucas's long driveway and began piling out. My dad brought 8 of his men along, they were all waiting in a big black van. Fitting in a car that normal seats 7 people wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but it got us all here in record time.
The whole way here, I kept checking the safe house security cameras on my phone. I triple checked to make sure that I had set the alarm correctly and that it was doing it's job. Saying that I'm worried about Cove is a huge understatement.
My dad typed something into his phone before smirking to himself and getting out of the car. I wonder what thats about.
"Alright, we're going to go in there and bring everyone outside. Drag them, kick them, knock the out for all I care. I want every person inside brought out here. Am I clear?" Dad spoke.
A series of 'yes sirs' were replied before the door was kicked down and we all rushed inside. We have the benefit of most, if not all people sleeping at this hour.
The entire downstairs of the house looked empty. Along with 5 other men, I rushed upstairs while the others double checked that no one was on the bottom floor.
A door swung open as a half asleep girl came out, clearly having been woken up by all the noise. I pointed my gun at her and watched as fear filled her eyes and her arms went up in surrender.
"Shawna Bates?" I questioned. The girl quickly shook her head, and I realized how young she looks. There's no way she's older than 17.
"No no, I'm not Shawna. I don't even know who you are. I'm just staying here, this is my boyfriend's house but I have no clue what this is all about." From the tone of her voice, I immediately knew that she's telling the truth.
"Millie?" A small girl suddenly appeared next to her and hugged her legs.
"Daisy, no. Go back in the room," Millie frantically instructed, sounding terrified for the girls safety.
"I need you to go outside and bring the girl," I said calmly.
"Please! I swear we have nothing to do with this, please just let Daisy go she's only 5."
"I know, I believe you. Just go outside and neither of you will get hurt, I promise."
"O-okay, I can do that." The girl, Millie, quickly picked Daisy up. As she was about to start walking, Daisy stopped her.
"Sissy, get bunny," she whined.
"No baby, we'll get her later okay?" Millie tried to reason.
"No, Bunny!"
"Fuck, please let me get her stuffed animal. It's in the room on the bed, I'll be quick please," she begged. I contemplated her request and slowly nodded, feeling pity for the both of them who were unknowingly thrown into this situation.
"Go, hurry. I'm going to watch you, you have 20 seconds."
Nodding frantically, Millie went back inside and grabbed a stuffed rabbit from the bed. Daisy instantly held onto it like her life depended on it.
"Okay, you have what you want now go outside and don't leave the property."
Millie agreed and rushed downstairs. I sighed as her figure disappeared from my line of vision, poor girl.
I heard screaming and quickly turned around to see one of my Dad's men dragging a middle aged woman with hair curlers in out of her room. Now this must be Shawna.
"Let me go! Lucas, help me," She shrieked while thrashing around in his arms. The guy pistol-whipped her on the side of her head and she instantly fell unconscious.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement coming from the end of the hall. I turned quickly enough to see a figure trying to run out to the balcony. Chasing after them, I grabbed their arm and pulled them into the light.
A man, around the age of 18 looked at me in shock. He tried to pull out of my hold, so I pressed my gun against the back of his head which instantly made him still.
"Who are you?" I asked. This can't be Lucas, he's too young.
"Doesn't matter, let me go."
"Oh oh oh, but you aren't the one in control now are you?" I pressed my gun against him harder.
"It's Adam!"
"That wasn't so hard now was it?" I grabbed his arm tighter and started to drag him downstairs. He complied all the way until we passed the door where Millie once was.
"Wait, let me!"
"What the fuck do you want?" I kicked his leg to make him stop moving.
"My girl is in there, let me get her."
"No." I continued dragging him towards the front door.
"Let me see her you piece of shit!" He shouted and tried once again to break away from my grasp. I simply ignored him and continued dragging him out the open door.
His argues silenced when he noticed Millie sitting with her back against the wall and tears staining her cheeks. She tried her best to comfort Daisy, who was laying in her lap holding onto her shirt tightly.
"Camilla," he sighed, relieved, and tried to go over to her. Since we were now outside, I let him go.
Millie, or Camilla turned away from him and frowned as he approached. He kneeled next to her and placed his hands on her cheeks.
"Honey, are you alright? Is Daisy okay?"
"Get away from me Adam!"
Adam looked hurt at the tone in her voice, it kind of reminds me of how I was when Cove found out.
"What is happening? You put Daisy and I in danger with whatever shit you're involved in."
"Millie, I swear this was never meant to happen. I would never knowingly put you or Daisy in danger."
"Well you already did!" A fresh set of tears streamed down Millie's face. Adam tried to hug her, but she once again pushed him away.
I stopped watching after that and instead observed as my dad's men started coming out of the house one by one. None of them had Lucas.
"Where is he?" I asked my dad when he walked out moments later.
"He's not here, we checked everywhere."
"Is it possible that he escaped?"
"No, someone would've seen. He must've been gone before we even got here."
A loud groan muffled my sigh of annoyance as Shawna slowly regained consciousness, tenderly rubbing the spot she got hit.
"Where's Lucas?" I questioned once she sat up.
"Uhm, I don't know I thought he was here." She pathetically attempted to lie.
"Oh? Well I don't believe you." I got closed to her and made her look in my eyes. "Tell me the truth."
"He left," she said.
"Yeah no shit. Where? Where'd he go hm?"
"I'm not going to tell you."
"Oh you're not? Okay, let's do it the hard way then. Dad, is the second car here yet?"
On the way here, my dad ordered 2 more cars to come so we'll have more room to take everyone back. One of them should be here soon.
"It's just coming down the street."
With his confirmation, I roughly pulled Shawna up on her feet. "We're going to take you somewhere to get you to talk. Trust me, you're not going to like what you see."
"Try me," she spat. I simply shrugged.
The car pulled into the driveway. "Get everyone who is going to questioning in there," my dad instructed as he stepped back into the house to answer a phone call.
I put Shawna into the car, then walked back over to where everyone else is. Adam is now holding a sleeping Daisy while Millie stands next to him, leaning her head against his arm. I guess they made up.
"I need you to come with me," I pointed to Adam. He looked like he was going to argue, but decided against it.
"I'll see you soon, honey." He placed Daisy back into Millie's arms before following me to the car.
"What are you going to do with them? They had nothing to do with this, I swear," he said.
"Well, as long as you agree to comply with me, I'll let them go," I replied. He nodded and got in the car, watching as I shut the door. After locking it and instructing the driver on where to take them, I went to see if my dad was finally ready to leave.
He was still on the phone when I got back, not looking remotely close to finishing. All of his men are waiting in the car for him to be done and give further instructions.
"What are you going to do to Adam?" Millie asked as she cautiously approached me.
"Nothing you need to worry about, I'll let him explain this to you since it seems that you know nothing about what he does."
She nodded in understanding and sighed.
"Can I ask what your relations are to Lucas and Shawna?" I asked after a while of silence. I'm trying to figure out why Adam lives here.
"Lucas is Adam's godfather, he moved in a few months ago and I'm not sure why," she answered.
I nodded. He probably moved in to help him with their business and mafia stuff.
"How often do you stay with him?" This time I asked out of pure curiosity.
"A couple times a week. I like to get away from my house as much as possible and I bring Daisy with me anywhere I go."
"Is she your sister?"
"Yes, my little sister. Adam is like a brother to her, that's why I forgave him just now. Even if I'm upset, Daisy needs him."
I simply hummed in reply and looked away. I don't really know why I'm talking to her.
Out of boredom, I decided to check my phone. It was then that I noticed a notification.
'Alarm disabled.'
That was 17 minutes ago.
"Fuck, Cove," I whispered to myself. I was going to wait for my dad, but I need to get back now.
"Wait, Cove? As in Cove Bentley?" I was surprised when Millie said her name.
"Yes, do you know her? Have you heard Adam or Lucas mention anything about her?"
Before she had the chance to reply, another car pulled into the driveway. I beckoned for her to follow me to the car.
"Get in," I instructed. Millie looked at my hesitantly, we don't have time for this.
"Look, you said you know Cove right? Don't you want to help her?"
She nodded.
"Then get in. If you stay, someone else will take you back. And trust me, they're not nearly as understanding as I am."
"Okay, I'm coming I'm coming."
Millie got into the back of the car with Daisy while I got in the passenger seat.
"Go back to the safe house, quickly," I instructed the driver. He immediately took off and started speeding out of the neighborhood.
"Be careful, Daisy doesn't have a car seat," Millie voiced her concern.
"Just hold her tightly, we need to get back to Cove as fast as we can. She can be in a lot of danger right now," I answered, trying not to loose my patience.
All I can hope is that it was an accident and Cove is still sleeping safely in bed.
Even after she didn't answer my call, I assured myself that with all the security guards and locks on the doors, no one would be able to get in.
I couldn't be further from the truth.
3166 words
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~I wrote this all in one day, so please tell me if there are any mistakes~