Love Began with the First Meeting novel Chapter 831

"Who are these guys? Any intel?" asked Brian.

Eric shook his head and said, "They're not saying, and the cops need more time to figure it out."

Brian frowned and took out his phone, accessing XK's special network. His fingers danced over the keys, sending out a series of commands.

Molly was beside herself with worry, but she knew she needed to try and keep it together. Brian needed to focus on Mark, and not have to worry about her.

"Molly, leave this problem to me and Brian. We'll take care of it. Just wait here," Eric suggested. He was very concerned about Molly.

Molly shook her head, forcing herself to hold back the overwhelming inner anxiety, and said, "I'm fine." She paused, looking towards Brian, "You don't get it. I'm his mom. He's in danger, and I'm supposed to do...nothing? I need to go. He needs me."

Hearing this, Eric knew he'd be wasting his breath, not to mention precious time. He stopped trying to persuade her and just nodded, his heart heavy.

Molly didn't want to wait, but at the moment, that was all they could do.

As the hours wore on, so did the negotiations. But they still couldn't agree on the terms. It was deadlock.

Eric was the picture of regret. He blamed himself for letting Mark tag along, much less leaving him in the amusement park.

But he did, and he had to face up to it. Regret wouldn't change a thing.

Brian's cell phone suddenly made a sound.

Hearing the cell phone click softly, Brian hurriedly checked his phone to get a look at the data. Touching the screen to wake up the phone, he focused his black eyes on the message coming from XK.

After he took it in, he frowned and said, "The terrorists have already withdrawn—with the hostages."

"Where did they go?" Molly asked hurriedly.

"Tell you on the way," said Brian. Brian cast a glance at the police who were still at the scene before he ran back to his car and got in, and Eric climbed into his vehicle as well. The two men revved up the RPMs and roared off in their cars, heading to the coast.

The two autos raced along their way, Eric's car following Brian's. On the way they talked on the phone. "You mean they're heading to the high seas?" Eric asked while putting on a Bluetooth headset.

"Yeah," Brian answered, "If that's true we need to get to their ship before they set out. Once that ship starts moving, they could go anywhere." He spoke gravely of the situation. "I guess these guys are pretty rich."

Eric's eyebrows knitted in a frown. "If we hurry, we can catch up to them."

"I hope we're not too late." As they talked, the cars were well away from the urban district, headed for the coast. Brian continued to say, "It won't be easy, but if we're smart we'll be able to take 'em."

Eric's face was grave, but there was also firmness in his voice, "As long as Mark isn't hurt."

Suddenly, Molly broke in, "I'll go with you."

She was talking to Brian. There followed a moment of silence. After a while Eric heard Brian's voice coming from his end: he agreed.

The two men parked their cars at the shoreline, and then got out, Molly with them. A speed boat had already been prepared for them by XK. No one knew what dangers awaited them, so neither of them wanted to gather a team. Besides, a smaller craft might go undetected as it approached the ship. So they couldn't afford to linger—they must strike quickly and get out.

At first, Brian planned to take only Eric, but when he saw Molly's pleading eyes, he decided they should go together.

Brian knew that she was not the same Molly he used to know. Besides, they knew each other well. All it would take was a wink or a gesture, and the other would immediately understand. She'd be able to respond to him faster and more efficiently than a whole team of mercs.

The three people hopped in the speed boat, steering for the high seas. When they were almost to their destination, they jumped out of the speed boat and swam forwards.