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

by M. A. Lee

Chapter 16

  Todd

  “Alright, mother fucker. Tell me where Marcus is.”

  I had been staring at this ugly guy for over four hours and I was beyond sick of waiting for him to spill the information that I needed.

  Manny, we had only a first name right now, just smirked as he sat back in the chair. I had guys running his prints to see if we could get a hit on a name for him.

  “I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?” Manny drawled out, taunting me.

  I slammed my fist against the cold, metal table and my papers rattled from the movement.

  “Stop playing fucking games,” I growled out.

  This guy knew where Marcus was. He had information I needed and I would stop at nothing to get him to spill.

  Standing, I let my chair fall back and I noticed Manny’s eyes watched the chair crash to the floor. I prowled around him, making it known that I was the predator and he was my prey. Moving close behind him, I leaned down so that he could hear me nice and clear.

  “Manny, you will tell me where Marcus is hiding. You will also tell me where his drug cartel is being established and more importantly, you will tell me how many girls he has working for him against his will.” My words came out slow and strong, pounding into his head that I was not playing with him anymore.

  Jamie stood in the corner of the room, his massive arms crossed against his chest as he watched my every move. He knew this song and dance.

  “Oh, yeah, detective. Why is that? Why would I just give you that information?” Manny asked, trying to sound cocky and brave. Two things I knew right now he was neither of.

  I smiled and let out a maniacal laugh. I needed this fucker to know that I was crazy.

  “Oh, Manny. You see, if you don’t comply with our investigation, I will go to my informants on the streets. Drop you off where your ‘boys’ can see you getting out of a fucking detective’s car. I will make sure every gang member in the country knows that you were in here, giving us information. You will be dead before I make it back to the station,” I said, making my way back over to my side of the table.

  I slowly picked up my chair, seeing Manny gulp and beads of sweat started to build on his forehead. I could see that he was breaking. Now, I needed to make my move.

  Opening my folder with information from the case, I took my time.

  I pulled out a picture of Ally and my heart skipped a beat. I had to do this for her.

  Sliding the picture across the table, I made sure Manny was looking at Ally’s beautiful face.

  “How do you know this girl?” I asked.

  “I don’t. She’s just another slut Marcus asked us to bring in,” Manny said.

  I felt Jamie’s hand on my shoulder, making sure I didn’t leap across this table and strangle Manny myself. He was saving my ass and badge right now.

  “How did Marcus find her?” I asked, biting out my words.

  “He just does, man. He watches females around campus. He goes after the ones that live alone. He researches them. He has a guy on the inside, brings him the women,” Manny said. His voice shook and I could see that he was cracking now. “Listen, you all don’t know what you are dealing with. I’ve never seen anyone as fucking insane as he is. He uses these women, keeps them drugged up, and then disposes of them when he is finished, just like he does his workers. These guys are pushing hard drugs. He won’t go down alive.”

  I sat back in my chair. “Manny, you are doing good. Now, just tell me one last thing. Where is Marcus?” I asked.

  I had him in the palm of my hand. The fear of the streets doing their own justice on him scared him more than I did.

  “That’s the thing. No one really knows. He moves day to day. He never stays in the same warehouse, trailer, or house longer than a week.”

  “Where does he like to go?” I asked, trying to get anything I could.

  “He likes flashy neighborhoods. Has awful taste. Last week, he had rented out massive eighteen-wheelers. His workers were packaging his products in the back. He might be crazy, but that fucker is a genius,” Manny finished.

  Fuck.

  I internally cringed as I realized we still didn’t have the information we needed. While Manny was helpful, I didn’t have Marcus in my hands. I was done with this conversation. As I glanced down at my watch, I realized it was after midnight.

  My mind swiftly shifted to Ally. Had she eaten yet? Was she scared? I needed to get home to her now.

  Walking out of the room, Jamie came running up behind me.

  “Hey, you got some good intel,” Jamie offered.

  Running a hand through my hair, I stopped and turned to face him. “Maybe, but I need more. Ally is still in danger. We have to catch Marcus. I want every officer and detective around pulling over every truck on the road. We won’t stop until Marcus is in my hands,” I finished.

  Then, I left.

  Chapter 17

  Ally

  “Ally, are you awake?”

  I thought I was dreaming. Todd’s sweet voice filtered through my mind as visions of him licking my body from head to toe made my body shudder.

  “Ally.” I heard him say again.

  I smiled, happy this dream seemed and felt so real.

  Wait.

  Felt?

  I felt my body move and realized someone was nudging my arm.

  My eyes shot open and Todd was standing by my head, towering over me as a naughty smirk covered his face.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I asked, sitting up.

  Todd laughed as he sat next to me on the bed. “Watching you have one hell of a dream,” he teased.

  “Shut up,” I sighed. “What time is it?” I asked, noticing how black the sky looked outside the window.

  “Almost one in the morning. I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier,” he apologized.

  Waving my hand, I dismissed his apology. “It’s fine. I got a nice nap in. Besides, isn’t this what your normal schedule looks like?” I asked.

  Running a hand through his hair, Todd smiled. “Yeah, been a while since I worked this late. Did you eat?” he asked me.

  “Yeah, I found some peanut butter and bread in your pantry.”

  Todd’s eyes bulged and I saw him clench his jaw. “A sandwich! You should have ordered something. I left my credit card on the counter.”

  I fell back onto the bed. “I already told you, I’m not using your credit card. I am fine, stop worrying,” I said.

  “Don’t you get it, I can’t stop worrying about you,” he said.

  He paused and we sat there in silence for what felt like forever. “I interrogated a suspect tonight. He gave us information that will be helpful in finding Marcus,” he said.

  I could tell he was trying to sound sure, but I could see worry laced behind his eyes. He was trying to be brave for me.

  “That’s good.”

  “Yeah,” Todd agreed. “I know you need to get to sleep. We will talk more tomorrow,” Todd said, kissing me on the forehead and then leaving the room.

  “Hey, before you go, I have a question,” I said, my voice groggy and filled with sleep.

  “Oh, no, what is it?” he teased.

  Scowling, I pursed my lips and pretended to be offended. “Well, my friend Brianna wants to come see me this weekend. Would it be okay if she stayed here with me?” I asked.

  I didn’t want to impose any more than I was, but I could really use a friend right now.

  “I think that’s okay. But, you will still have to have detail with you,” Todd added.

  Rolling my eyes, I smiled. “Of course, I wouldn't want to go anywhere without my bodyguards,” I mused.

  Todd just smiled as he left. I couldn’t wait to text Brianna and let her know that she could come visit. But, right now, I needed to sleep.

  ****

  Morning came way too early.

  After Todd had left the room last night, I couldn’t go back to sleep.

  Looming thoughts about Marcus, going back to work,
and the sexy devil sleeping in the next room kept me awake.

  When I ran into Todd in the hallway, he grinned at me as I rubbed sleep out of my eyes.

  “Don’t say anything,” I threatened him as I slipped past him and into the bathroom to shower and dress.

  He just laughed as he continued on his way to the kitchen.

  By the time we were scheduled to leave, I was stumbling down the hallway as I shoved my feet into my Converse sneakers.

  Brianna’s words from last night and Todd’s appearance by my bed had my head swimming this morning. With no sleep, I had plenty of time to think and ponder everything. Crazy part of all of it was, my mind remained on the limitless possibilities of what could happen between us.

  Driving to campus, Todd grabbed my hand and squeezed. Tearing my eyes away from the scenery outside my window, I looked down at our joined hands.

  “Hey, sleepy head. You okay?” Todd asked.

  I knew he was trying to be playful, but it came off as endearing.

  “Just thinking,” I yawned.

  “Oh, no. What were you thinking about?” Todd chuckled to himself.

  I glared at him, but we both knew it was only a matter of time before I belted out laughing, too.

  “About everything. Ryan. You. Marcus…” My words trailed off.

  “You lumped me in with Ryan and Marcus. Damn, that is harsh,” Todd mused.

  “Be quiet, I hate you,” I teased, squeezing his hand back.

  “You say that you hate me, but we both know that’s not true,” he said before stopping the truck.

  I jumped out of the truck, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and winked.

  Stopping mid-step, I turned on my heel and raced back to the truck. A very surprised Todd threw open his door and met me at the front of the vehicle.

  “What happened?” he asked, eyes dancing as he thought I must have returned from being scared.

  Instead, I threw myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in for a long, deep, and sensual kiss.

  Parting my lips, I welcomed his tongue inside my mouth.

  Everything about it was wrong, but oh so good.

  “You are going to be the death of me,” Todd whispered against my lips.

  “Yeah, but I can sure take you to heaven.” I smiled back.

  I heard him groan as he placed my feet back onto the ground. Shaking his head, he walked around to the driver’s side and got inside his SUV.

  Smiling to myself, I knew Todd was smitten by me.

  Fixing my hair and patting my lips, I readjusted my backpack and then turned to leave again. I offered a little wave as I sashayed down the sidewalk.

  The last thing I saw was Todd’s perplexed expression smiling back at me as I walked away.

  Chapter 18

  Todd

  Damn.

  This girl was going to drive me crazy.

  That kiss.

  That smile.

  The feel of her silky-smooth skin under my fingertips.

  Everything about Ally had me feeling things I had never felt before.

  Emotions I never believed I could be capable of feeling.

  But, here I was smiling like a damn fool as I drove myself to the station.

  The shy, broken girl I had met was gone. And now, a strong phoenix had risen from the ashes of her despair and was growing into a beautiful and confident woman.

  A woman I wanted.

  My phone began to ring and I answered it, hoping it would distract me from my own thoughts.

  “Yeah,” I answered.

  “Where are you?” Carter rushed out.

  “I just dropped Ally off, you know my schedule,” I snapped back.

  “Todd, I need you at the station now, we have a problem,” Carter said, and I stopped messing with him as I heard the grave seriousness in his voice.

  Clenching the phone to my ear, I revved the engine and pushed the accelerator to the floor. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “We pulled over two large semi-trucks early this morning. One is being searched now. I need you to get down here,” Carter said.

  He texted me the address and I made my way. Adrenaline pumped through me as I prayed there would be a lead with these trucks.

  Fifteen minutes later, I pulled up in an old abandoned warehouse parking lot. Two massive semi-trucks were parked side-by-side and two pissed off drivers were in custody being questioned by officers.

  I jumped out of my truck and headed over to Carter and Jamie. Officer Grant, a local police officer with the Sunnyville Police Department, was also standing by. He and I had met several times at McGregor's Pub when the guys would go out for a drink after our shifts. He was a good guy and was just as pissed about Marcus and his organization as we were.

  “Hey, Todd,” Grant greeted me.

  “Hey, Grant.” I smiled, shaking his hand.

  “So, your guys pulled these guys over?” I asked.

  “Yeah, when we got the call to be on the lookout for any suspicious and unmarked semi-trucks, we put an APB to all surrounding stations. We got the call early this morning and then called in your team,” he said.

  I was beyond thrilled to have the help of the local officers. We were all a family here and together, we shared the same goal; to rid our town of misfits and bad guys.

  “That’s great. We are happy for the help,” I thanked him.

  Grant and I chatted for another moment before he was called off. I made my way to the trucks and looked inside.

  The back of both trucks were open and I saw Parker and Ace were already inside one. I grabbed a pair of gloves and climbed into the back of the truck. The guys greeted me with nods and then we all got to work.

  Inside the truck, I spotted rows of large containers. Two of the containers were already open and I could see bricks of cocaine stacked in each one. There was probably a million dollars' worth of narcotics in this truck alone.

  “Have we counted the bricks yet?” I asked Jamie.

  “Not yet. We tested one of the bricks to ensure it was cocaine and it came back positive. We are going to have the truck and all of the contents brought down to the station for fingerprint dusting. The drivers aren’t talking yet, but we will get them to rat out Marcus.” Jamie grinned.

  “What’s inside the other truck?” I asked.

  “Don’t know. We’ve been inside of this one since we got here,” Ace added.

  I left them to continue working in that truck and headed on over to the other one. As I climbed into that one, my eyes widened once I saw the contents.

  Four large tables were set up with packaging, scales, and tubs of white powder which I already know was cocaine. This must have been his rolling operation that Manny had told us about.

  Clapping my hands together, I almost wanted to shout with happiness. I snapped a few pictures of the inside with my phone and then moved back out of the truck.

  Carter met me and slapped me on the back.

  “One hell of a catch, huh?” he asked.

  Carter was smiling from ear-to-ear and I only saw him like this when he knew we were getting close to taking down our suspect.

  Once we were done, we followed the officers back to the station where we prepared for a long day of interrogating the truck drivers and finding out what CSI uncovered with the fingerprints.

  ****

  By the time I had to go get Ally, I was ready for a break.

  Neither of the drivers would tell us where Marcus was. Like Manny, they had told us Marcus moved his operations constantly. He was elusive, I would give him credit for that.

  As I picked up Ally, her face seemed to lighten my mood. I had been so stressed from being so close to taking down Marcus, but seeing Ally made me feel like everything would be okay.

  We stopped by our favorite pizza joint and picked up a large pizza.

  After dinner, I retired into my room to play some video games. Ally had told me she needed to finish homework and didn’t have time for a
movie. While I had been a little bummed, it was nice to find time to do something I used to do before she moved in.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, I was busy shooting a space alien with my massive AK-47 when I heard the shower in the guest bathroom turn on.

  Images of a wet and naked Ally came to mind and I could feel my dick growing hard in my pants.

  I tried to focus on the game, but I kept glancing at the hall, wondering if she had closed the door. Maybe if I leaned over a little, I could catch a glimpse inside of the shower.

  The door was closed.

  Damn.

  I went back to playing my game, but my heart stopped when I heard the shower turn off and the bathroom door opened seconds later. I heard a blast from the television and my character had just been killed.

  Not caring, I kept my eyes focused on the hall.

  As Ally slipped out of the bathroom, she had one of my white towels wrapped around her thin body. Her hair was dripping wet and I licked my lips at the delicious sight of her.

  Our eyes locked and I wasn’t even ashamed that I had been caught staring at her like some damn creeper.

  She was sexy as hell and we both knew it.

  She continued walking down the hall, breaking our connection.

  Shaking my head, I rubbed my hand against my hard-on that was pushing my jeans up. Just as I got ready to restart my game, Ally dropped the towel as she stood in the guest room doorway.

  My mouth fell to the floor and my tongue was hanging out of my head.

  With eyes bulging, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was awake.

  Now, I had been with more women than I could count, but none of them had ever compared to Ally.

  Her ample breasts were perky and staring right back at me. That thin frame had a nice curve that gave her plump ass that perfect look. Her skin was golden and so beautiful.

  She was like a goddess and I almost felt like I was not worthy of being in her presence.

  She could feel me watching her, yet she didn’t move.

  An urge--a drive came over me and against all of my better judgement and willpower, I stood. Dropping the game controller to the floor, I moved toward Ally. I was a predator after my meal and I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop with just one taste.