Taken: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by M. A. Lee

  “Everyone, get down!” I heard the man with tattoos yell.

  Were we being robbed? People around me began knocking over chairs and running toward the exits in a panic filled fear.

  I froze in place, unsure of what I should do next. Terror filled my body and it was like I was glued to the spot where I was standing. Images of my parents at their funeral flooded my mind and it was like I was reliving their death all over again.

  A loud bang blasted throughout the space and screams echoed all around me. Placing my hands to my ears, I tried to stop the piercing ringing that was tormenting my ears.

  Marcus lunged forward at me, his gun pointed straight in my face.

  A piercing scream poured out of my mouth as I closed my eyes and waited for the blast.

  Death was near and I just knew I was about to find myself in the middle of a shower of bullets. Why had I been so dumb to just stand there? As the people around me scattered for safety, I stood frozen in place, my fight-or-flight instincts long gone. I guessed this would be my own punishment for not acting when the terror began. As my body remained panic-stricken and scared stiff, I prepared myself for the end.

  However, before anything could happen, a pair of strong hands grabbed me and knocked me to the floor. My eyes shot open just as the man from the bar landed on top of me with a painful thud. I was rattled by his quick movements, but more so, grateful that he had the courage to act when I didn’t.

  He shielded my body with his and then grabbed my hand, pulling me behind him. I had no idea what was happening, but this guy seemed to know what he was doing. I ran scared behind him, allowing him to lead me out of the horror behind us.

  With my life flashing before my eyes, I prayed that he was leading us to safety and away from the chaos.

  The back door of the bar opened and suddenly, I was in the back alley behind the bar.

  As the cool, night air struck me, I allowed myself to finally breathe. My chest ached from the scream that had escaped earlier.

  The guy who held my hand was now yelling into a phone as he continued to drag me behind him. I had been a coward in my shocked state, but now that I was starting to regain my composure, I wasn’t sure where I was going.

  He stopped near a large truck and jumped inside, pulling me across the cab of the truck.

  Oh, shit, was he kidnapping me?

  “Jamie, I’ve got the girl. I ran out the back. Who has Marcus?” he asked, in a rush of words.

  Am I the girl he is talking about? How did he know Marcus?

  He revved the engine and then began driving out of the parking lot. His phone kept ringing and he kept answering, each time talking to a different person. I was so confused and scared.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, a growing panic still causing my heart to race a million miles per hour.

  “I’m taking you home with me,” he said, never removing his eyes from the road.

  “What? No way,” I argued. “I don’t even know you.”

  This guy was crazier than the gun toting bad guys.

  “Listen, now is not the time to get brave. I’ll cuff you to me if I have to, but you need to listen to me. Your life is in grave danger,” he said, briefly turning to look at me.

  What in the hell had I been thinking when I jumped into his truck? Oh, yeah, I was trying not to get shot. Now, I was thinking I may have just landed myself in another bad situation.

  “How is my life in danger?” I asked, not sure I wanted the answer.

  Sighing, he gripped the steering wheel tightly. “That guy back there, his name is Marcus. He is a dangerous drug dealer and gang leader from Michigan. He has been stalking you for the last few weeks in the hopes to kidnap you and use you to lure more men into his operation.”

  His words hit me like a semi-truck. I had been stalked? Marcus wanted to kidnap me? How had I not known any of this?

  “Wait, how do you know all of this?” I asked, crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes at him. “And, what is your name?”

  “My name is Todd Lane and I am an officer with the Sunnyville Drug Task Force Team. We have been working to build a case against Marcus. Trust me, he has been watching you and what happened back there tonight, could have been much worse had I not intervened,” he said.

  He was right; I did need to thank him for saving my life. This was all just so surreal to me.

  “Todd, thank you for saving me. I will try and listen to you,” I offered.

  “Good, cause I would hate to have to really cuff you,” he said, a hint of danger in his voice.

  That did something to me and I couldn’t help the wicked smile that graced my lips.

  “Cuff me, huh? Doesn’t sound too bad.” I laughed. Truth be told, in unsettling or difficult situations, I tended to resort to humor instead of real, raw emotion. It probably proved there was something seriously wrong with me, but Todd wasn’t really paying attention to that.

  Todd just gave me a side-eye and as he continued to drive, I saw him fighting a grin.

  Chapter 8

  Todd

  As I drove, I was internally cursing myself. How could I have been so stupid and reckless? I had been on a million sting operations and never had I allowed myself to get so discombobulated and distracted by someone.

  The moment we entered the bar, my eyes were drawn to Ally. Like a moth to a flame, she captured all of me. Her eyes beckoned me, her voice called to me like a siren.

  Her short, black skirt showed off her toned legs and her tight, black shirt made her tits pop. As she walked, every guy in the room checked her out. I wanted to kill each and every one of them, because I knew exactly what they were thinking. Because, I was thinking the same dirty and erotic filled thoughts about her, too.

  Like, how hot her legs would look wrapped around my neck.

  Or, how delicious her skin would taste.

  She walked past me as I sat on the bar stool, her sweet scent of lavender floating around me. Consuming and mesmerizing me. It was like some strange trance had been placed over me. It took every ounce of my strength not to reach out and pull her to me.

  I wanted to kiss her to see if she tasted as sweet as she looked and smelled.

  But, I couldn’t do any of those things. I was on an operation and needed to get my head on straight.

  Marcus was seated at a small table, the cocky bastard showing off expensive jewelry and clothes. He wanted attention. It would surely be his downfall. Most of your career criminals were smart enough not to flaunt their wealth and dealings in public.

  I knew the moment that Marcus and Tommy started looking around the bar, that our cover was blown.

  Carter pulled up outside, and twice, Marcus caught both Jamie and me looking his way. He had started to grow uneasy, but I knew I gave us away when I couldn't keep my eyes off him when he spoke to Ally. My jaw had clenched tight and a vision of red blurred me from seeing anything but him and Ally.

  Just knowing that sick bastard had been stalking her, watching her every movement so he could lure her into his evil world-- sent fire raging through me.

  My phone chimed and it was a text from Jamie.

  Jamie: Stop checking out the waitress.

  Me: I’m watching our target.

  Jamie: You are about to give our cover away.

  Just then, Jamie called and I was so drawn by his accusation, that I didn’t even bother to turn my head away from Marcus.

  I guess that was when all the shit hit the fan.

  One minute everyone was calm and enjoying their night, the next, bullets were flying and my only thought was to grab Ally.

  To save her.

  To protect her.

  Mistake number one million.

  What I should have done was run after Marcus or Tommy. I should have tackled them and brought them into the station. I would have brought down a hard core drug and human trafficker, but instead, I ran toward the beautiful blonde who was now overtaking my every thought.

  Now, as I found myself driving t
hrough town with a terrified Ally next to me, I couldn’t make myself answer the millions of calls and messages I was getting from the team. I already knew what they would say. Still, my focus right now was Ally.

  Tears brimmed her beautiful eyes, but anger was what I felt seeping from her.

  “Where are we going?” Ally asked, panic rising in her voice. She turned in her seat and looked at me with those beautiful eyes and I was a goner.

  “I’m taking you home with me,” I said, never removing my eyes from the road.

  “What? No way,” she argued. “I don’t even know you.” Her voice filled the car, and I almost laughed at how adorable she was when she was pissed. I had practically kidnapped her and here she was trying to tell me how all of this was about to go down.

  “Listen, now is not the time to get brave. I’ll cuff you to me if I have to, but you need to listen to me. Your life is in grave danger,” I said, briefly turning to look at her. Damn, she looked sexy as hell as her bottom lip pouted. I wanted to reach over and nibble the plump, pink lips.

  My dick was starting to grow hard and I knew I needed to calm myself down. I was an officer of the law. Sworn to serve and protect. But, my mind only filled with ways I wanted to serve her sweet ass.

  “How is my life in danger?” she asked. This time, the sass was gone and fear was taking over.

  I felt bad for her and knew she needed comfort. Just not my comfort. I had to remember she was a victim, someone I was trying to save, not fuck.

  “That guy back there, his name is Marcus. He is a dangerous drug dealer and gang leader from Michigan. He has been stalking you for the last few weeks in the hopes to kidnap you and use you to lure more men into his operation.” My words were serious and laced with warning. Ally needed to watch herself and stay away from guys like Marcus.

  “Wait, how do you know all of this?” she asked. “And, what is your name?”

  “My name is Todd Lane and I am an officer with the Sunnyville Drug Task Force Team. We have been working to build a case against Marcus. Trust me, he has been watching you and what happened back there tonight, could have been much worse had I not intervened,” I told her, flashing my badge that I kept in my pocket.

  Her eyes trailed to my waist where my gun holster was located. I kept it hidden, but right now, my shirt was drawn up and she could see the weapon.

  “Todd, thank you for saving me. I will try and listen to you,” she offered.

  I saw her shoulders sag and her body relaxed a bit. The heaviness of the situation was now hitting her and she looked sad.

  “Good, because I would hate to have to really cuff you,” I added, trying to lighten the mood. Only, once the words slipped off my lips, I realized how big a mistake I had made. Flirting with her was not only dangerous, but immoral. I was showing myself more as a creeper, and I was not some college frat boy trying to get laid.

  I half expected her to reach over and slap me, or at least yell at me for being crude. But she did the complete opposite.

  “Cuff me, huh? Doesn’t sound too bad.” She laughed. A spark was ignited in her eyes and I almost wrecked the car. I hadn’t expected that to come out of her mouth. Damn, she was doing things to me and it was all out of control.

  Slapping a hand over her mouth, I could see the indecisiveness she was facing. “I’m sorry, when I am placed in uncomfortable situations, I start using humor. Something I learned to do a long time ago to cope with…” She didn’t finish as she looked away from me.

  Everything inside of me screamed to ask her to finish what she was about to say, but I didn’t. I could see sadness behind that smile and right now was not the time to push her.

  The rest of the drive back to my apartment, I fought the urge not to smile or berate her with questions.

  I pulled up to the tall, multi-floor building and Ally gasped beside me. I punched in the code to enter the parking garage and her eyes grew wide as she realized I lived in one of the most expensive buildings in the city.

  “You live here?” she asked, her eyes scanning up the building.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “You're a cop?” she asked.

  I knew what she was thinking: that there was no way on my salary that I could afford such an expensive place. She was right, but she didn’t know about my inheritance and trust fund. Most people didn’t. I had learned the hard way before that once people knew how much money you had, their views of you shifted. I wanted people to like me for me, not what wealth I had.

  I parked the vehicle and then we took the elevator up to my tenth floor penthouse apartment.

  Ally remained silent as we waited in the elevator. When we reached my floor, the doors opened and I stepped off the elevator. But, Ally was still frozen in place.

  “Are you coming or are you going to sleep in there?” I asked.

  Shaking her head, she followed me as I unlocked my door.

  We stepped inside my apartment and her eyes danced around as she took in her surroundings. I knew she was confused and probably had a million questions right now, but tonight, she just needed rest.

  “Is this some kind of joke? Are you about to rape and kill me?” she asked, her face now ghost white.

  I realized then that she was being serious. No more jokes or sass.

  “No. I am a police officer, well technically, a drug task force officer. My badge number is on the back of my badge, you can call the Sunnyville Police Department and check my credentials. I was told to keep you safe tonight since the drug dealers we were watching, Marcus and Tommy, got away. You can stay here tonight until we figure things out. Do you have family you need to call?” I asked.

  I was trying to be calm with her. She had just gone through a traumatic event, now more than ever, I needed to be in cop mode.

  “Okay, I believe you. I don’t have any family to call. My parents died when I was in high school. I do probably need to call my boss,” she voiced.

  I winced when she told me her parents died. Realizing she had no family, something deep down inside of me sparked. There was no one who could protect her and look out for her well-being. I wanted to be that man. But how?

  As she stood in my apartment, I noticed how tiny she looked. This poor girl had lost her parents and then almost lost her own life tonight because of me.

  I reached out and took her hand. “Ally, I know you are scared and I am truly sorry for your loss, but I promise, I will be nothing but a gentleman. Tomorrow, I will take you to the station and we can call your boss.”

  She nodded and seemed to relax a little.

  “You can sleep in my room and I will take the couch,” I offered.

  “No, this is your home. I will be fine on the couch,” she argued.

  “I can’t go to sleep in my king-size bed while you are out here on a couch. I promise, you can sleep in there and even lock the door if you don’t trust me,” I stated.

  “I told you, I trust you. I just don’t feel right taking your bed. I promise, your couch looks perfect. I’ve been sleeping on an old mattress left in the studio apartment I am renting. Trust me, this couch will be like heaven,” she said, sighing.

  She walked over and took a seat on my leather couch. I saw her exhale a deep breath and a smile spread over her lips. Damn, this girl was breaking my heart. First, her parents died and now she was living in some crappy apartment. Her luck was terrible.

  “Well, if you aren’t going to take my bed, I will sleep on the other couch,” I offered, moving over to the other couch. I had two large, black leather couches. One faced the television, the other faced the floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a picturesque view of the city.

  Ally smiled and I could see that she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

  “I have so many questions,” she said through a yawn.

  “And I will answer them tomorrow. Tonight, you will sleep,” I persisted.

  In the corner of the room, I spotted a blanket on my ottoman. I grabbed it and draped it over Ally’s tiny bo
dy. She snuggled under the warmth of the blanket and then her eyes began to close.

  As I watched her sleep on my couch, it took everything in me not to walk over and run my hand over her soft skin. She looked like an angel, but I had a feeling she was more like a devil in disguise. With her sass and independence, Ally was a force to be reckoned with.

  My heart was opened to her and she walked right in. I had allowed her to break down every wall I had built in mere minutes, and it perplexed me. I didn’t know this girl, but at the same time, I felt like she now owned a piece of my soul.

  Chapter 9

  Todd

  I woke the next morning with a stiff neck and a massive hard-on.

  As my eyes adjusted to the morning light, I groaned as I tried to stretch the kinks out of my neck. I had never slept on my couch before, and now I knew why. It was definitely not comfortable and the large windows didn’t block out any of the bright sunlight.

  As I sat up, I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard a light noise.

  I had almost forgotten that Ally had spent the night. It all came rushing back to me as I watched her stir.

  I glanced at the clock in the kitchen and noticed it was almost seven in the morning. I overslept and needed to get up and moving.

  Standing, I moved quietly toward the kitchen. I started a pot of coffee and placed some bacon in a skillet.

  “Good morning.” A light voice came from behind me.

  I turned to see Ally looking sexy as hell with messy hair and a tired smile.

  I forced myself to turn back to the skillet so I wouldn’t drool over her. “Morning. I am making breakfast if you want anything,” I offered.

  “Sure, that would be great. I haven’t had a cooked meal in ages,” she said, sniffing the air.

  Again, my heart broke for her. How could someone so beautiful have such a shitty life?

  “I meant to ask last night, but what are your plans for today? I will need you to come down to the station at some point today for some questions,” I said, flipping the bacon.

  Moving around the kitchen, Ally sat down on one of the metal bar stools. “I have class at ten this morning and then I was supposed to work this evening, but now I have no idea,” she stated, moving a loose strand of hair out of her face.