My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 233

Jacob

Joey's plan was simple-brutally simple.

He couldn't track the exact location, so he mapped every place his system failed to read. He marked out that dead zone-357 meters of nothingness—and in that blacked-out stretch, we had a chance of finding Evelyn.

I had Oliver with me—one of Joey's sharpest minds—and Francesca. Joey split us into six teams, scouring the perimeters with agonizing precision. No leads yet, but we couldn't rush. Any frantic move could spook Tyler. And if Tyler got spooked, Evelyn could disappear forever.

Then my phone rang.

An unknown number flashed across the screen. My heart flipped. Oliver's eyes met mine-sharp, alert. He nodded once and instantly relayed the number to Joey. If there was even the smallest chance of a trace...we had to take it.

I answered.

"Jacob..." A voice. Her voice. Familiar. Fragile.

In an instant, years of torment bled out of my chest. It felt like oxygen flooding into lungs that had been drowning for days. Like someone handing me water on a desert island.

"Evelyn..." My voice cracked. "Baby, are you okay? Where are you? Did he hurt you?"

A thousand questions threatened to spill, but I swallowed them down. I didn't have time. I just needed to get to her. I needed her in my arms, safe, alive, breathing against my neck while my hand rested on that baby bump.

She belonged with me-not trapped in some hellhole with that sadistic bastard.

"I'm fine, Jacob," she whispered. "I don't have much time. He could come back any second. Chloe's with me—she's trying to help me get out."

Chloe. That name sent venom through my veins.

"No. Evelyn, you can't trust her. She could be screwing with you-don't fall for it."

"Jacob-calm down," she said gently, but her fear was audible. "She gave me this phone to call you. Tyler's blackmailing her too. She's not working with him—she's trying to fix what she broke. I trust her."

I could hear the exhaustion in her voice, the sheer weight of what she was carrying.

"How are you?" she asked, so softly it hurt.

A bitter laugh escaped me. "You're asking me? Evelyn, how the hell do you think I am when you're trapped with that monster?"

Silence. Then, she sighed. "I'm sorry. I should've listened. I never should've left

the house. But Jacob...I was tired. Tired of living like a ghost, scared all the time. I just wanted to breathe to not feel like I'm being watched."

Her voice broke, a sob cracking through the line.

"I put us all in danger. I'm sorry, Jacob. I'm so, so sorry."

"Don't," I whispered. "Don't blame yourself. None of this is your fault. I swear, baby, we're coming for you. Just hold on—"

"He's coming back. And if he

Her voice shattered.

My heart fucking plummeted.

out? You

She came here willingly. She knows a way out." "Evelyn,

out, Chloe has her phone. You can track us.

either of yours," I growled. "After what Chloe's done-how can

through the line-rough, hesitant,

"Jacob." Chloe.

I froze.

I'm not lying-I want to get her out. Tyler's not just dangerous- he's gone completely unhinged. He's planning something dark, and every minute Evelyn stays here, she's closer to death. I know the layout. I can get her out. Once we're moving, you'll be able to track us.

chest ached. The world

was telling Evelyn to stay in that

and placed a

"This might be the

in. No time

thousand fears

"Okay," I said. "But..."

the

"I've never asked you for anything, Chloe.

shred of humanity left in you

Evelyn."

will," she breathed. Her voice was tight, "I'll protect her with my life. I

***

Evelyn

toward me as she bent down to

"But these are "

cut me off gently but firmly, "we don't have time to stress over shoes. I'm not pregnant. The ground outside's muddy

We're not risking

s

laced the boots tightly around my swollen ankles, then

like a mother shielding

whispered. "All warm

in my throat.

little-my body weak and stiff, after hours-no, days-tied to that chair Maybe it wasn't just physical. Maybe it Jacob of missing home. Of carrying the weight of Sienna's life inside me while being surrounded by so much death.

ache of

"I checked fast night. Tyler didn't lock it. It's jammed, though-probably why he didn't think we'd try it. But if we make noise while he's gone, he won't hear

my hand, her grip firm as she led me

blows. It took six solid kicks before the hinges finally gave way with a cracking bang-the door crashed to the

Then-

A whistle.

Low. Distant. But unmistakable.

My blood turned cold.