by Melody Anne
He used his other hand to wipe her tears. The move was almost gentle, but she knew there was nothing kind about him. He was more fascinated by his own feelings. He didn’t care at all about what he was putting her through.
He leaned down and kissed her hard while the hand that had been stroking her face moved down her throat and grabbed her breast. The tears came harder as she gagged into his mouth, her nausea too bad to keep at bay.
He jerked back and glared at her before the hand that had been groping reached up and flew through the air. She could hear the wind seconds before her face was jerked to the side from the power of his slap. She saw stars as pain radiated in her cheek, and she tasted copper in her mouth.
“Are you repulsed by me now, Angela? Because I remember a time I made you scream in pleasure,” he said with a laugh that had no merriment. “I think I might have to prove again just how good I am.”
She shuddered at what she knew was going to happen. She wouldn’t be able to stop it. This man was going to torture her before he killed her. She forced her tears back. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of continuing to beg him. She wasn’t going to scream.
“Just kill me. I’d rather that than have you touch me again,” she said with as much courage as she could muster.
“I thought you wanted to go home to your son,” he sneered. “Are you so selfish you’d sacrifice him for yourself?” The taunt hit her where it was meant to.
“You aren’t going to let me go. I know that,” she said.
“No, I’m not letting you go,” he said. He reached up and ran his hand down her face and chest again, squeezing where he wanted. She gritted her teeth and looked at the ceiling, hoping if she didn’t react he’d lose interest.
A noise sounded outside and his head turned as his eyes narrowed. It was probably nothing, but it made her heart speed up as she tried to push down the hope that filled her. She couldn’t survive the disappointment of thinking someone was coming for her if no one was.
“I’ll be back. Get in the mood real quick, darlin’, or this won’t be very fun for you,” he said as he stood. He gave himself a moment to look at her from head to toe while licking his lips. “Yep, this will be a great night. It’s exactly what I’ve needed for a while.”
She fought it, but more tears fell as the door to the house closed. She tugged on her hands, but all she did was scrape them up. There was no way she was getting out of this.
“Goodbye, Timothy. I love you so much,” she whispered. “Forgive me, Declan. You were the best thing that could happen for my son and me. I will love you with my dying breath.”
She closed her eyes and waited . . .
Chapter Forty-One
It was amazing how quickly a rescue team could be formed with the right connections. The chopper landed and Declan was overwhelmed when six other men were there, fully armed, dressed in black, and looking very capable and very mean.
“I’m glad I called you guys,” Declan said. “I thought I was the best, but I might have to give that up to you two.”
Harrison clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re not restricted by the government,” he reminded him. “Come join us. We need more men like you.”
“I’m in,” Declan said. He loved the FBI, but it did restrict him. He wanted to do more, and he knew he could with his two best friends.
“Good. You start right now. This is the kind of stuff we do. People get to come home,” Kaleb said. He didn’t add, “unlike my wife,” but they all knew he was thinking it.
They moved silently through the forest to the location where Angela was. Declan feared Emilio had somehow found the tracker and they were on a wild goose chase. But when they topped a ridge and found an old hunting cabin with a fire burning, he knew she was in there. He stepped forward to get her.
“Wait. We have one shot at this,” Kaleb said.
Declan wasn’t going to argue with his friend. The man had personal knowledge of just how true that was.
The nine of them stepped into a huddle. Harrison began speaking.
“You know what to do. Let’s make a little noise to get this guy outside. We don’t need him to be holed up inside with her where she could be hurt. Let him think it’s an animal, but get him outside. Then move fast.”
The men all nodded. They moved forward in all directions, surrounding the cabin. Declan was about twenty feet from the cabin, behind an abandoned truck, when the front door opened. His gut clenched with the need to fight.
A man looked out, then widened the door before stepping onto the front porch, a shotgun in his hands at the ready. He didn’t seem too concerned.
“A couple more steps is all we need,” Kaleb whispered into the mic.
As if the man was a puppet, he moved to the edge of the porch and looked out. Declan wanted to rush him, but at this distance it gave the man plenty of time to pull the trigger. He had to count on the team.
And they moved quickly.
In a blur two men rushed Emilio from either side, taking him down before he had time to realize he was caught. He got out one scream before the night went silent again.
Declan jumped up and rushed to the cabin. He didn’t need permission. He had to get to Angela. He burst through the door, his eyes already adjusted to the dim lighting.
She turned, defeat in her eyes as the door burst open. It killed him to see her like that. He slowed, not knowing how scared she was, and he moved forward.
“It’s me, Angela,” he said, his tone hushed.
She sobbed. “I was afraid to hope you’d find me, but I hoped anyway,” she said. “I don’t know how, but you’re my superhero.” Tears were streaming down her face as she twisted, trying to reach for him.
He held back his fury at seeing her tied down and handcuffed. But he wasn’t going to show her. Luckily he was law, so he reached into his pocket, pulled out a cuff key, undid the lock, then gently pulled her into his arms.
She curled up into him and clung on tight as her tears wet his shoulder.
“I love you,” she said over and over again as she shook in his arms.
“I’m so sorry he got to you, love. I’m so sorry.”
“It was my fault. I went for a walk. I know him, Declan,” she said.
“I know, love, I know it all,” he told her.
She leaned back, her eyes red. A bruise was forming on her cheek and he had to fight the rage waiting to erupt. He needed an outlet. He desperately wanted to step out those doors and beat the man to a bloody pulp. But holding her was more important right now.
“Did he hurt you?” he asked as he gently ran a finger across her cheek.
She shook her head. “Nothing bad. It would’ve been a lot worse if you hadn’t gotten here when you did.”
Nausea rose in his throat at her words. He could imagine what that monster had planned for her, but if he thought too long on that he’d react first and not be there for her like he needed to be.
“He shouldn’t have had the opportunity to do what he did. I broke a promise,” he said.
She gave him a watery smile. “You’re my hero, Declan. Please don’t say that, because it hurts me. I have faith in you. And we aren’t going to give this guy any more power over you or me by thinking about him. I just want to go home. I want to hold my son while you hold us both.”
He was so awed by this woman. “I’ve watched you for years now, and you humble me,” he told her. “There are so many people who would justifiably fall apart right now, but your strength is what makes you who you are.”
She leaned in and kissed him. “I get my strength from the people who have embraced me. I was scared and weak for a long time. Then I came to Edmonds and my life changed for the better. I’m so glad I was led here.”
The sound of the chopper moving in sounded overhead, making it impossible to talk. Declan lifted her in his arms and left the cabin for good. It would be burned by the end of the week. He wanted no reminders of this night to exist.
They didn�
��t speak as the chopper took them to the hospital even though she tried to insist she was fine. When he brought up the baby, she stopped arguing. They both held their breath until the sweet sound of their child’s heartbeat filled the room.
“You’re all clear,” Kian said after about an hour, with suspiciously bright eyes. “I’m glad you came here now, but I should’ve been out there with you,” he added with a glare at his brother.
“I know. I panicked,” Declan said. “And I went to the tree house.”
Kian nodded with understanding. “Well, that was a smart choice.” Just then Harrison and Kaleb walked into the room.
“Hello, Kian,” Harrison said as he shook his hand.
“It’s good to see you both,” Kian said.
“It’s been too long,” Kaleb told him.
“I’m going to get Angela home,” Declan said as he helped her down from the table.
“That’s a good idea,” Kian affirmed.
Declan left with his wife at his side. She sat next to him in the truck that had been delivered to the hospital, his arm wrapped around her.
“I was afraid I’d never see you again. It was the worst part of all of this,” she said as they pulled up to his house. “You and Timothy are my world.”
“Timothy has no idea what’s going on. He’s at Owen’s place right now. We can have him brought home.”
“No. I want to hold him so badly, but I don’t want him to see me shaken up like this. Let’s get him in the morning,” she said.
“Anything you want.” They stepped inside the house, he lifted her into his arms again, and she snuggled against him as he moved up the stairs straight into the bathroom. “Do you want to be alone or do you want help?” he asked.
“I want help,” she said, making his heart swell.
He gently stripped away her clothes and his, then stepped in the shower with her, washing away the grime of that man touching her. She clung to him the entire time. He’d never been so protective of another person. He was vigilant with his family, but it didn’t compare to how he was with this woman he loved so much.
They didn’t talk as they climbed from the shower, dried off, then walked to their bed. As soon as they lay down she snuggled into his side and he rubbed her back, needing to touch her, needing to be assured she was okay.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Angela, nothing at all,” he told her. He truly meant that.
“I feel the same,” she said.
They lay awake a long while before he heard steady breathing telling him she was finally resting.
“I love you, Angela Forbes,” he said.
She sighed as she snuggled closer. He was right where he needed to be with the woman he’d die for. Life could begin from this moment on. Every decision he’d ever made had led him to this.
And he was so grateful. Finally he closed his eyes, and that night he dreamed of a beautiful future instead of the nightmares of the past.
Chapter Forty-Two
Four Months Later
“Can I have a few minutes alone?” Angela asked.
Declan leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss. Her stomach was so big it was hard to hold him from the front, but she could easily fit against his side. It was her favorite place to be. It was where she felt the most secure, the most loved.
“Of course. I’ll be outside the doors.”
She gave him a slight smile and then bowed her head while he walked away. She knew he’d give her five minutes or five hours—whatever she needed. The past month had been rough for her, but he’d been there every step of the way. She couldn’t have asked for a more caring and wonderful husband.
Their love for one another grew each day. She no longer doubted it. It was easy to say I love you to someone, but when it was truly meant, those were the most powerful words in the world. Her favorite time he’d spoken them had been on top of the mountain when he went down on his knee and told her he was so grateful she’d become his wife. He’d given her a new ring with three stones in it to represent their past, present, and future.
They’d made love on that mountain and she’d known they’d last the test of time.
Then the trial had come.
They had an airtight case. It was over. It was truly, truly over. Angela hadn’t realized she’d still lived in fear after Mario and Emilio were captured. But she had until the gang was officially dismantled.
She didn’t have to be at the trial, but she’d wanted to be there. It had broken her heart to hear testimony from the family members of other victims like herself. There was so much corruption in the world, more than she’d been aware of.
The cartel trying to destroy Edmonds went much deeper than just their town. It was widespread throughout the States. But Declan and a huge team of dedicated FBI agents had cracked the case. It had taken three years and a lot of witnesses, but they’d done it.
It was over.
She wasn’t sure what she was feeling as she sat in the empty courtroom. It really was over. No one else would be coming after her. No more cartels would sift drugs through the school her son attended. No more fires would be set, and no more people would be drugged and led out by that group.
She could sleep soundly every night knowing the members were either behind bars or dead.
She sat a while longer, letting it all sink in. Then she slowly stood. Movement was becoming more and more difficult. She was going to walk from that courtroom and say goodbye to it all. A nightmare might come once in a while, but they were already few and far between now. She was living a real life dream where evil wasn’t welcome.
She passed through the courtroom doors and Declan was waiting.
“I love you,” she told him.
He pulled her into his arms and smiled when her belly kept them slightly apart.
“I love you more,” he replied, and she smacked his arm.
“I hate when you say that. You can’t possibly love me more than I love you.”
“I guess I’m good at the impossible then,” he said.
He leaned down and kissed her like it was the first time. When he finally let her go, he took her hand so they could walk side by side. Each day with him was a brand new day in their lives together, and she was so happy for every single moment.
“Let’s get on with the rest of our lives. This is all behind us now,” Declan told her.
“Yes, to yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” she said. “Now we get forever.”
And they would. She had no doubt. She was in her happily-ever-after, and she would appreciate each and every moment of it.
Epilogue
Three glasses clinked together as Joseph Anderson, Sherman Armstrong, and Lucian Forbes sat back and smiled. The cigars were lit and the Scotch was of excellent vintage.
“There was a time in my life I didn’t know so much happiness was possible, but that was long ago,” Lucian said. “I can’t believe all four of my boys have been so blessed with beautiful brides.”
“Don’t forget your daughter,” Joseph said.
Lucian laughed. “No one will ever forget my spitfire of a daughter. With four big brothers, my little girl is one tough woman. I love all of their spouses and the babies they’re giving me.”
“I know. The time goes so fast,” Joseph said. “I wish I could stop the clock.”
“I’m so proud of all these young men and women,” Sherman said. “There are definitely some sorrows in life, but the joys outweigh them every single time.”
“What will we do now?” Lucian asked. “I feel a little lost.”
Joseph’s grin grew. He took a puff of his cigar as he sat back and looked at his friends.
“What?” Sherman asked.
Joseph looked at the securely shut door before looking at his friends again. “This is top secret,” he told them.
“Well spit it out, old man. In case you haven’t looked in a mirror lately, we aren’t getting any younger,” Lucian told him.
“You have to wait
. The rest of the club is on their way,” he said.
Of course he was referring to his brothers and a couple more friends.
“I don’t think I can wait,” Sherman said. “You have piqued my curiosity for sure.”
“Our families are taken care of. That’s why I’ve thought of this,” Joseph said.
“Thought of what?” Lucian and Sherman shouted.
“Okay, I’ll give you a hint . . .” He leaned in and all their grins grew as he began speaking . . .
Joseph has done a lot of meddling over the years. You can see what he’s been up to in these books;
BILLIONAIRE BACHELORS
*The Billionaire Wins the Game
*The Billionaire’s Dance
*The Billionaire Falls
*The Billionaire’s Marriage Proposal
*Blackmailing the Billionaire
*Runaway Heiress
*The Billionaire’s Final Stand
*Unexpected Treasure
*Hidden Treasure
*Holiday Treasure
*Priceless Treasure
*The Ultimate Treasure
THE ANDERSON SAGA CONTINUES
*Finn
*Noah
*Brandon
*TBA
*TBA
BABY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE
*The Tycoon’s Revenge
*The Tycoon’s Vacation
*The Tycoon’s Proposal
*The Tycoon’s Secret
*The Lost Tycoon
*Rescue Me
Heroes Series
*Safe in his arms – Novella – Baby it’s Cold Outside Anthology
*Her Unexpected Hero
*Who I am with you – Novella
*Her Hometown Hero
*Following Her – Novella
*Her Forever Hero
Billionaire Aviators
*Turbulent Intentions
*Turbulent Desires
*Turbulent Waters
*Turbulent Intrigue
Undercover Billionaire
*Kian
*Arden
*Owen
*Declan