46 - Samantha

**Jason POV**

After I texted the guys about the information we got from that lying two timing bastard, I headed straight for the cars that were waiting outside. I sat in the cool air conditioning of the idle SUV and within ten minutes, we were all loaded and headed down the road to our private jet.

The car parked inside the hanger where the smaller plane was sitting. It only held fifty people. We brought our security team of 30. Ben and Draco were on the phone making flight plans when we stepped out of the vehicles and made our way up the staircase.

I settled myself in the middle of the plane, taking the window seat, a large working table in front of me. Ben came and sat in the chair next to me, Charlie took the one across from me and Kai next to him. The interior was beige in color and the large leather upholstered seats were plush and comfortable.

Wheels were up twenty minutes later. We have a full team of trained pilots on standby so we didn’t waste any time getting in the air.

Ben opened his laptop and started scanning the area once we were airborne. It was going to be about a 2-hour flight. We kept being led to believe she was in the East and yet she is in the damn West.

Turns out Sulfur Springs Colorado was a section of small towns near the Rocky Mountains. Ten towns to be exact and the area was about the size of our whole estate in circumference. The Rockies made it more difficult for large convoys and surveillance and being in a small secluded town would bring less attention as well as the chances of high-end technology that we could hack into would be slim to none.

The closest airport and closest major city was about two hours away from where we were headed so we would have to drive. There were no hotels within a one-hundred-mile radius but there were a few bed and breakfast places and some Air B&Bs. Charlie, Ben, and Draco spent the flight making accommodation arrangements and we luckily had a favor or two to pull with a rising gang in the main city so transportation and additional backup would be ready for us when we landed.

I let me eyes rest for a while. I had gained twenty pounds of muscle since Aurora left, working out all day every day. I let me mind wander, thinking about how Aurora would look when she saw us. How I want to just hold her close and never let her go again and at the same time make sure that pretty plump ass of hers is black and blue.

“What do we want to do when we find her?” Charlie asked no one in particular. We had all fantasized about it, but never really thought of it as a reality.

“I say we put a fucking tracker in her. Beat that sweet ass until she bleeds. Keep her tied up, gag her, put some nipple clamps, and then leave her in the dark room for three days.” Kai was always over dramatic and enjoyed the harsher side of punishments. But his idea wasn’t terrible. Charlie and Ben looked at him and nodded. I was for sure ready to see Charlie at least fight for a lesser sentence. He is always more of the loving caregiver of the group. He isn’t shy with punishments, but that is still extreme for him to accept.

“Really?” Kai asked, looking at Charlie. He was just as stunned as I was.

“Yeah, really” Charlie barked. He was feeling her absence too. “I also say we keep her in our presence at all times. No privacy and she sleeps with at least one of us.” Damn Charlie, you must be really mad at our little one, I thought to myself. I have never seen him want to be so in control before. We have had some pretty rebellious subs but this was a whole new level for Charlie.

We all agreed and went back to our own thoughts.

Time passed quickly and it was early morning when we landed, the sun was a beautiful amber yellow rising proudly on the horizon.

Eleven black bulletproof top-of-the-line SUVs waited for us when we waltzed out of the jet. The leader of the Ace of Kings Gang along with a few of his warriors stood waiting by the middle car. We exchanged pleasantries and they welcomed us into their city warmly, as they should.

Our guards and the local crew got to work loading the cars and within the next twenty minutes we were on the road.

Two and a half painstakingly slow hours later, we managed to get into the rented house Charlie found outside one of the smaller towns. It was a simple four-bedroom log style cabin but it was secluded with a gate and placed off the main road surrounded by lush green forest.

We all decided to rest for a few hours and regroup. Ten of our guards along with twenty of the Ace of Kings were sent to scout the towns. Get an overview of the places, find some cameras, and install some of our own that the Nerd Squad back home could monitor, get town records etc. We know that Aurora wouldn’t be going by the same name and she may have changed her appearance too. Once we have all the basic information, we will begin combing through each town. It should take us less than a week if the fates have anything to say about it.

--------------------

*Three days later…*.

We have looked through seven of the ten towns. We have gone to every shop, every car, every home. There were many girls that fit Aurora’s description in the record books of the towns and we made sure to do thorough checks. We were all on edge. I began to believe that the traitor deceived us.

We stopped in a small town for lunch on our way back to our rented home. It was past lunch rush time and we saw a quaint little restaurant called Amore Mia on the edge of the small town. It was by far the nicest place we had seen in the last three days. Mostly fast food or pizzeria joints or small dinner-like locations. This place looked put together. It had tablecloths and actual glassware, fairy light decorations, and well-dressed staff. I was hoping they had decent bourbon I could sip on.

“Two tables please. One with four and one with six” I instructed the hostess up front. She smiled seductively at me and I just rolled my eyes.

“Right this way gentlemen” and she showed us to our seats. We were towards the middle against the wall next to a window that overlooked a small patio with a quaint little garden. It even had a small fountain.

The waiter came up and took our drink orders and we looked over the menu. Thankfully they did have some decent alcohol selections so I was put in a slightly better mood.

A small note was on the cute little menus. “Chef Choice” and the description said, surprise dish that will make all your dreams come true.

I was intrigued and it reminded me of when we met Aurora. I was feeling nostalgic and so when the waiter came back, I ordered “Chef Choice”. Kai and Ben did the same while Charlie ordered Quail. Such a posh piece of shit. I love him though.

We waited about twenty minutes, just talking about any new leads and planning out the rest of our day when an enticing aroma filled the air as our food was brought to our table.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when the food was put in front of me. I think the heavens opened up on us and pointed a beacon right down on this exact spot, because in front of

Kai, Ben, and myself we mouthwatering, perfectly cooked burgers and not just any burgers, Aurora’s specialty burgers.

We looked at each other and smiled. Kai and I dug in right away. The flavors burst in our mouth, the mashed potato surprise oozed out of the juicy meat and we all made a satisfied grunt of approval.

“Welcome to Amore Mia, I am the owner of this little place. How is everything today?” A slightly older woman stated to us. She had salt and pepper hair, was really short, like no more than five foot two, a little on the plus size and a darling smile. She reminded me of my grandma. I smiled back at her.

“The most delicious meal I have had in years” I said sweetly. Her face lit up!

“Ma’am” Ben looked at her with his million-dollar smile, “can you please tell me the name of your chef?”

“Oh, sure sweetheart. Her name is Samantha. Samantha Conrad. She is just the sweetest girl. So talented. She came all the way from New York City, can you believe it?” The old woman was just so smitten and a wealth of knowledge to some strangers.

Then Kai spoke up, and I could see the devil in his eyes “That’s really great. I wonder what made her want to move all the way out here and live in this little town.”

“Oh, she doesn’t live here, silly. She lives in the next town over in Valley Summers.”

“You don’t say” Kai said mischievously. “Well, you are one lucky lady to find such a gem” he batted his eyelashes and turned on his flirty charm. I internally rolled my eyes at him.

“Yes, when she walked in here two months ago, I was just head over heels for her. And when I tried her burgers, I just knew she would be perfect. Those burgers are just heaven aren’t they?” She was just so cute. I almost hated to take Aurora away from her. Almost.

“We would love to meet your precious Samanatha when we finish the meal if it’s not too much trouble. We would like to personally pay our complements to the chef!” I said to the lady, flashing my smile that I know gets my way every time.

“Of course!” She beamed. I will have Jesse grab her when you are ready.

We finished our meal in peace, savoring every morsel of ambrosia. Ben found her fake information quickly and sent a team to her place to scout the area. We called Jesse and asked for the check and to see the chef.

A few minutes later, the most beautiful brunette with hazel eyes, silky smooth complexion, and a soul full of fire walked out wearing a chef’s coat and cargo pants, her hair in a high bun. She stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing us.

“Hello Sweetheart. Miss us?”