My heart is hammering in my chest as I watch Maya struggle to get away. As I get closer, I realize I don't know how I'm going to get her out of the truck without using my fists. These boys are just kids, but I can tell they've worked a hard life on the farm.

Maya yells for me to help her, but I'm unsure what I can do against the three of them. I'm about to risk it when a police car pulls up.

Two officers step out. "What seems to be the problem?" They're looking at Maya's tear-soaked face, and my fists balled at my side.

"Nothing's the matter," Nick smiles. "We're just picking up our wayward sister."

"No!" I say.

"Please, sir, if you can stay calm." The female cop walks to the back of the truck and addresses Maya. "Miss are these you're brothers?"

"Yes, but I don't want to go with them!" Maya lets more tears fall down her cheeks, and my heart breaks. How could these animals do this to her?

"Is that right?" She looks at Nick.

"Yeah, but she's just throwing a tantrum."

"He's lying," I push forwards, but the male cop stops me. "They've been nothing but cruel to her! She ran away, yes, but only because she felt her life was in danger. You can't let them take her."

"Hudson," Maya sobs my name, and all I want to do is pull her into my arms.

"She's just in high school," Nick tries to appeal to the female cop. "I don't know who this guy is, but we're grateful he helped find our sister, and now we're just bringing her home."

I want to tear his head off, I'm seeing so much red, but I don't want to go to jail and leave my angel unprotected.

"Miss?" The female cop looks back at Maya with an eyebrow raised.

"Please, don't let them take me back...."

"She's eighteen. She should be able to make her own decisions." I say as I stare into her blue eyes. I hope I'm conveying how much she means to me, and I won't let these bastards take her.

"Is that true?" The female cop asks Maya.

"Y-yes," A flicker of hope passes over her face as she stutters.

On the other hand, Nick's facade is falling away, and the monster he is is starting to show.

"We'll need to verify that."

"Come on; she's in high school." Nick's voice is tight. "Let us go, and we'll be on our way."

"Sorry, sir, but if she's an adult, she has the right to refuse. If you try taking her by force, we will consider it kidnapping." The female cop turns to look at me. Her eyes assessing my innocence. "Does she have ID so that we can verify her age?"

"Yes, her bags in the rig."

The female cop follows me to the rig as the male cop watches over Maya. Once I prove Maya's age, I race back to the truck.

"Let her go," I say to Nick.

"No, fucking way!" He glares at me, refusing to move.

I look at the cop. He steps forwards. "Sir, please step aside."

"No," The cop takes another step forwards, and the idiot throws a punch. Before he knows what's happening, the cop has him pinned on the ground and places cuffs on his wrists.

I take the opportunity to move in and open the truck door. Maya's eyes fill with relief, and she flings herself into my arms.

"I knew you'd save me!" She cries into my shoulder as I move away from the cops.

"Never. I'm never letting you go, Maya. I promised." I pull her face to mine. "I love you, angel."

Her eyes widen, and a huge smile eclipses her face. "I love you too, Hudson!" She bends her head towards mine, and I don't hesitate to kiss my beautiful angel.