Jam's POV
"Positive," I announced to the team once we were back inside the vehicle.
"Should we move in?" I asked Luis. He nodded without hesitation. I pulled out my phone and called Jenna, pressing the device against my ear—but there was no answer on the other end. I lowered it and frowned.
"Is this broken?" I asked. Luis tried it himself, but neither of us could reach her.
"Let me borrow your phone. I'll try calling Jenna," I said, and he handed it over. I dialed her number while we slowly made our way toward the wooded area behind the mansion. Still nothing.
Even after we got inside and spotted the van they used to abduct Carlos, Jenna wasn't answering.
Did something happen to her?
Concern crept in immediately.
"Does this even have load?" I muttered. Luis shot me an annoyed look.
"It does. So? Did you reach her?"
"I can't contact her," I admitted. I was about to hang up when the phone suddenly rang.
Jenna.
Funny—she was unreachable earlier.
"Hello? Jenna?" I answered, confused when she didn't respond right away. I checked the screen, thinking the call had dropped, but it hadn't.
"Jenna? We're inside. Confirmed—the van's here."
"Good. Go in," she replied.
Something about her voice felt… off. But I brushed it aside.
"Alright," I said before ending the call.
Luis and I exchanged a glance, then nodded at the same time. We signaled the others to split up. After that, I headed toward the garden. It was massive. I moved carefully, making sure not to make any noise. I made it all the way to the pool area—but stopped when I realized no one was guarding it.
Weird.
I kept going until I saw an open door. I scanned the area and spotted Luis not far away. I nodded at him, and he quickly made his way over. He pushed the door open wider and checked inside for any guards. After confirming it was clear, he nodded.
He went in first, and I followed, quietly closing the door behind us.
We were in the kitchen.
And I couldn't help but stare—it was huge. Everything looked expensive, from the design to the appliances.
"Something's wrong…" Luis muttered. I turned to him and stepped closer.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you think it's strange? There were no guards. Not even at the gate."
"Isn't that better for us?" I shrugged. He shook his head, his expression turning serious.
"No. This is a mansion. There should be staff everywhere. And we're in the kitchen—why isn't there even a single helper here? The door was open, and we got in too easily. The Madrigals aren't just anyone, which means—"
"It means there should be guards in every corner," I finished. He nodded.
"That's why something's wrong."
We both turned toward the kitchen door when a toy rolled in—a small car that clearly wasn't remote-controlled. Luis immediately went on alert as it slowly moved toward us.
"Relax. It's just a toy—"
I didn't get to finish.
It exploded right in front of us.
Good thing Luis pulled me away in time—we barely avoided the blast.
"Shit!" I cursed. But my surprise quickly turned to alarm when I saw Luis slumping against the wall, struggling to breathe.
I was about to ask what was wrong when I smelled the smoke from the explosion. It had a strange scent—something that made my head spin.
"Is that gas—?"
My body hit the floor before I could finish.
---
I woke up feeling weightless.
When I opened my eyes, I realized someone was carrying me. I glanced to the side and saw Luis—awake—and signaling for me to stay quiet. I shut my eyes again, pretending to still be unconscious.
A moment later, I heard a door open.
I peeked just enough to see them take us into an empty room. They dropped us on the floor, ropes already in hand. Only two of them were carrying us. I slowly looked at Luis—he gave a small nod.
We let them tie our hands.
Then I kicked the guy about to restrain me straight in the face. Luis did the same to the other one. We quickly got to our feet and backed up until we were standing back-to-back.
There were only two of them—but they were huge.
Luis and I exchanged a glance, nodding like we already understood each other. Then we split—he took one, I took the other.
"You've got nowhere to run now," the one in front of me said.
"You're a little too confident," I replied, throwing a kick—only for him to catch my foot with one hand and slam me straight into the wall.
He was about to close in when I raised a hand.
"Hold on… time out," I groaned, rubbing my back. "Damn, that hurt."
That throw was brutal—I swear I felt something crack.
"Why don't you just cooperate with us instead? Might lessen your charges," I offered.
Luis immediately rushed over.
"What are you doing?" he whispered harshly.
"Negotiating."
"Well? Deal?" I asked.
Instead of answering, the guy nearly punched my face—good thing Luis yanked me away.
"Hey! That wasn't part of the deal!" I snapped.
"It's part of our job!" he shot back, charging at us again. Luis shoved me aside, keeping me from getting hit.
"Why do you keep pushing me?!" I hissed.
"Do you want a black eye?!" he snapped back.
"Fine. I've got this—finish yours," I told him, pointing at the other guy who looked like he was getting impatient waiting for Luis.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
I straightened up, cracking my neck and knuckles.
"Playtime's over."
"Come here, big guy!" I taunted—and that did it. He charged at me, fist ready, but I dodged quickly. I jumped behind him, trying to lock his neck—
Too tall.
"Bend down! I can't reach!" I snapped.
Before I could grab him, he got me in a headlock instead. His arm was massive—I could barely move. He tightened his grip, and it felt like my neck was about to snap.
"S-shit…" I wheezed, struggling for air. "L-let me go… or I'll tell your mom…"
No reaction.
He just tightened his hold.
I had no choice.
"L-Luis! Help!"
Luis reacted immediately—running toward us before leaping in and kicking the guy holding me. The impact loosened his grip, and I slipped free, coughing as I dropped to my knees.
"Get up!" Luis barked.
My throat burned, but I forced myself to stand. He moved behind the guy while I punched him in the face—only for him to grab my hand. He was about to snap it when Luis kicked his knee, forcing him down.
I seized the opportunity and locked his neck—but he was still stronger than me. He might break free any second.
I scanned the room for something—anything—to knock him out with.
"There! Grab that!" I ordered Luis, pointing at the flower vase on the table outside the door. Big. Heavy. Perfect.
Luis grabbed it and came back.
"Take a breather. You look tired," he said—then smashed the vase against the guy's head.
I let go as his huge body dropped to the floor.
"Damn… he almost killed me!" I muttered, bringing my hand close to my face—then immediately pulling it back at the sour smell.
"Ugh! He stinks!" I complained, kicking the unconscious man.
"Here."
Luis handed me a handkerchief. I wiped my hand and arm before returning it.
"Thanks."
"Just throw it away," he said, so I tossed it onto the guy's face.
"Let's go—"
"Thanks… for earlier," I cut in.
He just nodded as we walked out of the room.
"You've been saving me this whole time… do you like me or something?" I teased.
He shot me an annoyed look.
"Idiot. I'm not about to let you die—you're useless sometimes," he said, walking ahead.
"Hey! I was kidding! But that hurt!"
"Hurry up. We still need to find Jenna."
"Jenna? She's already here?" I asked, making him stop in his tracks.
"She's here?" I pressed, stepping closer.
"Let's go," was all he said before walking ahead again.
I scratched my head and followed after him.