Ride Along ✅

28. The Plan

"I know" I nod. "And my badge will be on your desk as soon as she's found."

"No" Connor argues. "I told you-."

"All due respect sir but if your wife was kidnapped would you trust a group of detectives to find her? I know her and know this Aiden kid. When she's found I'll resign but until then I'm still a member of the force and I will do everything in my power to bring her back safe."

Connor stares at me blankly while Zeke steps forward and hands me the keys to the squad car. "Come on. We need to go to the house."

"Yea we do" I nod, brushing past everyone.

"Josh" Shawn says. I turn to face him and find him staring coldly back at me. "You find her and then you stay the hell away from her."

I press my lips into a thin line before turning and walking out of the station with Zeke in tow.

"So I guess you won't be inviting them to the wedding huh?" he says, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Just get in" I insist, climbing into the squad car.

~ 🚔 ~

"Forced entry to the window" Zeke says as he examines it. "It was pried open. She had it locked."

That's my girl. Way smarter than me.

"I could think to remind her to lock a damn window but I didn't think to sweep her house before letting her walk in alone" I shake my head in disappointment of myself. "I'm a cop for fuck's sake and I couldn't protect her!" I exclaim, kicking my foot against the wall.

"Josh" Zeke sighs. "This wasn't your fault. You tried."

"And I failed" I shout angrily. "I swear to god that fucker touches one fucking hair on her head and I'll kill him."

"Maybe you should let me do the arrest" Zeke says lightly. "What do you think his plan is anyway? I mean a random Tuesday doesn't seem to hold much meaning. Was it an anniversary or something?"

"No" I shake my head. "I mean she was talking ab-."

Shit.

"What?" Zeke questions. "What did she say?"

"The party. He's throwing a party on Friday night."

"He's luring you right to her."

"She'll be there" I nod. "But he thinks he'll get a shot at me before I get to her."

"Well let's prove the bastard wrong then" Zeke says. "We're gonna get him Josh and Maya is gonna be okay."

"She better be" I sigh, rubbing my neck. "Because if she's not" I trail off.

If she wasn't okay I'd never be okay again.

~ 🚔 ~

I'm in the basement of the frat house. It's obvious by the smell of beer and pot wafting into my nose.

"You're a dumbass you know that" I laugh as Aiden paces in front of me. "My boyfriend is a cop remember? He'll find me."

"I'm counting on that" he smirks. "Don't you remember? I promised to hurt both of you if you didn't drop this and you didn't. Now? Now you can watch me kill him and then maybe I'll let you go" he shrugs. "Let you live with the images of him lying dead on the ground while you sat helpless right in front of him. Yea I think that could be good" he smirks.

I feel tears stinging the backs of my eyes as he walks towards me and tilts my chin up to look at him. "It's a shame you always turned me down. These lips could've done some great things" he adds, running his thumb across my lips. "Still could if you don't behave."

"I'll behave" I whisper. "I'll do whatever you want Aiden."

He smiles victoriously, dropping my chin and reaching down to free one of my hands. "Call him" he orders, handing me my phone. "Tell him to come alone on Friday night."

"But-."

"Maya" he scolds. "Do it."

"Okay" I whimper, dialing his number.

"Maya?" Josh questions as he picks up. "Baby are you okay?" he asks frantically.

"I'm fine" I reply tearfully. "Josh listen. You have to come to the party on Friday. Alone. Aiden wants to see you."

"What does he want?"

"Josh you have to. Understand?"

"Yea. Yes" he repeats. "I'll be there sweetheart. I love you."

"I know" I nod. "You too. Goodbye Josh."

"Maya wait-."

"There" I say, handing my phone back to Aiden. "He's coming. Alone."

"Good girl" he smiles, caressing my cheek. "If only you would've been this respectful when we were dating."

"Aiden I did what you asked. Just leave me alone" I beg.

"You think I should?" he asks, trailing his hand down my neck. "Because I think you owe me."

I clench my eyes shut and shake my head. "I don't owe you anything. I'm behaving just please leave me alone."

"Aiden" a guy calls from upstairs. "Come on man we got shit to do" he adds.

Aiden groans, letting my go and standing up. "I have to go but we aren't done" he says defiantly before walking upstairs.

~ 🚔 ~

"You aren't really going to go alone are you?" Zeke exclaims. "The guy wants you alone because he knows that he can take you one on one. He wants you dead!"

"And I want Maya alive" I argue. "I love her Zeke."

"Enough to die?" he shouts in frustration, pounding my desk.

"The truth?" I question. "Yes. Absolutely."

"You're insane. This is suicide Josh!"

"Well what do you suggest because going in with you sounds like signing my girlfriend's death certificate!"

"Then I can't go in" he shrugs. "He has to be holding her at the frat. They're helping him but they aren't stupid. They aren't going to have her sitting in the living room cutting pills or rolling joints. They're hiding her. It's too risky to have her in the open. Other girls may see her or someone passing through that's seen her face on the news."

"The basement" I reason. "Pull up the blueprints" I order. He nods, pulling them up on his tablet and sliding it across to me.

"There's a window" I point. "I go inside and distract Aiden long enough for you to sneak in and get Maya out."

"Dude I've met the girl. She ain't gonna leave that house if you're in danger."

"That's fine" I nod. "Because she won't have a choice. I'll order them to arrest her for accessory to dealing or some stupid shit before I let her into that house again. After she's out you come back in and we take him out."

"And if this doesn't work?" he questions.

"It has to."