Promises

by Aleatha Romig

  I laid Renee back in the crook of my arm. “Did you hear that, sweet girl? It’s going to be all right.”

  The microwave dinged and Byron opened the door, lifting the bottle and gently squeezing the bag of formula inside. “Feels about right.”

  I started to sit in the recliner in the living room when I stopped. “Do you want to feed her?” I asked.

  Byron’s eyes opened wide.

  “You won’t break her, I promise.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed as he took the seat and extended his hands. As he settled her into the crook of his arm and brought the bottle to her ready lips, my chest ached, knowing we’d finally been given what we’d always wanted—knowing that our gift was at the expense of others.

  Sterling

  “We need confirmation that Louisa is safe,” I said into my phone as Garrett drove Araneae and me toward the apartment away from the yacht club.

  Looking to my left, seeing the fear in Araneae’s eyes since I told her what was happening had me ready to jump out of my own fucking skin. I reached over and covered her hand with mine, reining in my anger and trying to offer her what she needed. Her chocolate eyes turned my way, glassy from crying.

  It will be all right, I mouthed.

  “Since the messages have been coming via a messenger—real people and not technology—we don’t yet have a way to respond,” Patrick said through my phone. “Reid has traced each package, but the sender information is varied and leads to dead ends.”

  “Where are they coming from?”

  “Denver.”

  I sighed. “That’s a good sign that they haven’t moved her far.”

  Araneae’s eyes widened as she looked my way.

  “What?” I asked her.

  “Oh God, Sterling, they can’t move her far. What if she goes into labor?”

  “That’s why we’re working on this,” I answered, and then speaking back into the phone, I asked Patrick, “Is Winnie with you?”

  “Yes.” His voice lowered in volume. “I’m afraid if I leave her alone, she’ll do something to make this worse.”

  “I want to talk to her,” Araneae said.

  “Put her on the phone. Araneae wants to talk to her.” There was a hesitation in his response. “Patrick, she knows what’s happening. She only wants to be sure at least one of her friends is all right.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  I handed the phone to Araneae. As I did, the car we were in lurched forward, sending all three of us forward only to be snapped back by our seatbelts. “What the fuck?”

  The echo of screeching tires came through the protective glass of our windows.

  Garrett’s complexion paled. “Sorry, sir. That car.”

  My head moved from side to side as a black SUV raced down a perpendicular street with smoke coming from the tires. The traffic light before us was green and traffic behind us was a chorus of horns.

  “He didn’t stop at the light, just barreled on through,” Garrett said.

  “Fuck,” I said, “did you see the license plate?”

  “No,” he responded, moving us forward. “I’ll give Reid the cross streets, and see if he can pick it up on traffic cams.”

  “I’ll text him right away.” I looked to Araneae still talking on my phone.

  Hell, in Chicago it wasn’t unusual for drivers to speed, avoiding stopping at traffic lights when the conditions allowed—when traffic wasn’t at a standstill. Then again, with everything happening, I had a hard time accepting that what had just occurred was a coincidence.

  “...nothing, just something with traffic,” Araneae was saying, her knuckles blanched as she held on to my phone. “...please let Patrick stay with you. We need to know you’re safe.”

  Talking to Winnie seemed to calm Araneae, giving her a sense of control that we both needed. After she said goodbye, promising to see Winnie soon, she handed me back my phone. “I told her we’d be there tonight.”

  I nodded, knowing she wouldn’t be happy with the plan Patrick, Reid, and I had concocted. “We’re going home first. I need to see Reid. Then the plane will be ready.”

  “I’d rather go now. I want to be with Winnie and if whoever this is wants to talk to me, I need to be there as soon as possible.”

  “Reid first, not negotiable.”

  She let out a long breath and turned toward the window.

  If this was McFadden’s doing, I was certain his people would be watching the airlines as well as my private plane. “If this is who we think, we’re probably being watched right now. The only truly safe place is in the apartment.”

  She turned my way. “No glass towers. This is my best friend. I’m going to Boulder.”

  I reached out to her cheek. “Sunshine, the plane is being fueled. If you wanted to go rogue, which you can’t, commercial airlines wouldn’t get you there as fast as the Sparrow plane even with the stop at home.”

  She sighed. “I’m...I can’t even think. What kind of sick person kidnaps a pregnant woman and where is Jason? Oh, if anything...” Tears again flowed down her cheeks.

  Her sadness was the match to the raging fire within me, the one I was doing my best to keep contained. Expressing my anger and concern that Louisa had now been unaccounted for for nearly twenty-four hours wouldn’t help Araneae. We had only recently gotten confirmation of a white van backing into the Toneys’ driveway at nearly eleven last night. Reid had found the footage from a neighbor’s video doorbell, one that activated with movement. The snippet of recording was only a few seconds long. There’s no recording of anyone getting out of or into the van. The next recording shows the van leaving fifteen minutes later. Reid explained that the doorbells are set for sensitivity. From the distance of across the street, only the movement of the van activated it. Not the movement of people.

  If this was tied to McFadden, I would find great pleasure in exposing his connection, after we made sure Louisa and Jason were safe.

  I typed out a text to Reid, telling him about our near miss with the SUV, telling him the cross streets, and asking him to find and run the plates.

  “How long before we can leave?” Araneae asked.

  “I’m not sure. It depends on the information Reid has found. Why?”

  She looked down at the dress she was wearing, the same one that covered the bikini I was never able to untie.

  “I was going to do it on the plane, but if I have time, I think I’ll take a shower and pack some things for Boulder. I need to call Jana and tell her that I won’t be in the office on Monday.”

  “We don’t know any of that yet.”

  “Sterling, it’s Saturday night.”

  “A lot can happen in twenty-four hours.” That was what worried me.

  My phone buzzed with PATRICK on the screen.

  “SHE’S ON HER WAY. I THINK THIS WILL WORK. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THE LIKENESS IS UNCANNY.”

  I texted back:

  “KEEP HER UNDER WRAPS UNTIL I GET THERE. GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE EYES. WE’LL ARRANGE FOR IT TO LOOK AS IF SHE’S WITH ME.”

  PATRICK:

  “LET ME KNOW OF YOUR ARRIVAL TIME. MARIANNE HAS THE PLANE READY. AND JANA HAS AGREED TO BOARD WITH YOU.”

  I texted back:

  “WHERE IS SHE?”

  PATRICK:

  “CONFERENCE ROOM ON ONE.”

  This had to work.

  I looked over at Araneae as she watched out the window, concern lining her forehead. I would take this all away if I could. One thing was certain. I sure as hell wasn’t letting her walk into a trap. While I’d only seen pictures of the woman Patrick had hired to be Araneae’s decoy on the airplane the night the 737 crash-landed in Iowa, I could agree that she strongly resembled Araneae, or more accurately, Kennedy Hawkins.

  On top of her resemblance, she worked for Sparrow. She understood the danger and could handle herself in a way I’d never allow Araneae to try.

  I texted back:

  “ONCE WE GET ARANEAE TO THE APARTMENT, I’LL GET JANA AND
WE’LL BE TAKING OFF.”

  Garrett brought the car to a stop in our garage in front of the elevator. I didn’t wait for him to open the door before I was out and Araneae was close behind.

  “Take our bags to one after we go up to the penthouse.”

  Araneae’s eyes widened, though she didn’t say a word as I reached for her hand and tugged her toward the elevator. Placing my hand on the sensor, we waited in silence. I half expected another comment about her ability to call the elevator. When it didn’t come, I let go of her hand and wrapped my arm around her, pulling her body close to mine.

  “It will be all right. You have to trust me that we’re doing what’s best.”

  Her soft brown eyes peered toward me. “I do. I’m scared.”

  The elevator opened. Once we stepped in and turned around, I nodded to Garrett.

  When the doors closed, she asked, “How long until I’ll have my bags?”

  “Not long.”

  “You’re serious about not letting others into the penthouse. Don’t you trust him?”

  “Sunshine, I don’t trust many people. He’s proven himself trustworthy enough to drive me, and now, you. No one enters the penthouse, not even with bags. Floor one is accessible to trusted employees. He’ll take the bags there and Reid or Lorna will bring them up.”

  Her head shook. “This is like some spy movie.”

  “No, it’s real life. And with real life, I don’t take unnecessary chances.” I reached for her chin and brought her gaze to mine. “Remember that. It’s for your own good.”

  “Sterling, I want to help my friend.”

  I kissed her lips as the elevator came to a stop on P. “I know.”

  Araneae

  “Shouldn’t you go to Reid?” I asked as Sterling accompanied me up the stairs toward our bedroom.

  “I’m going to change clothes too.”

  I looked down. Though he’d put on a t-shirt and slipped his feet in canvas loafers, he was still wearing his bathing trunks. I shook my head. “I guess it goes to show my mind isn’t here. I almost forgot we were on the yacht enjoying the sun a few hours ago.”

  His lips brushed my hair. “It’s understandable. Believe me, we’re working on this.”

  “I just want to get to Winnie and hug Louisa.”

  “You will.”

  I wish I shared his confidence. Though I didn’t, I kept reminding myself that Sterling was better versed in these kinds of situations. It was another case of being outside my understanding. Then again, wasn’t kidnapping outside most people’s understanding?

  Once we were inside the bedroom with the door shut, I thought about our bags, but I didn’t ask again. Lorna had our bathroom so well stocked that there was truly nothing in that bag that I needed to get ready to travel to Boulder. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I can be ready to go as soon as you let me know.”

  Sterling came from the closet, his bathing trunks gone and a pair of jeans in their place. The black t-shirt from before had been exchanged for a fresh gray one with a V-neck that fit well over his toned torso and bulging biceps. His dark hair was mussed and he still hadn’t shaved, leaving his chin and cheeks with a dark shadow. In the middle of—as he’d called it—the shitstorm that was now my life, seeing him so casual gave me strength.

  My sundress was gone, leaving me standing in our room in only the bikini from before. When our eyes met, he stalked toward me, his bare feet gripping the floor as his powerful strides met me near the entrance to the bathroom.

  With one arm snaked around my waist, he pulled me close. The clean scent of his clothes combined with the mixture of lake water, cologne, and sunscreen.

  “Sterling.”

  “I love you,” he said, his dark eyes staring down at me.

  I leaned into his chest. “I know. I love you too. I just don’t want this new life to hurt my friends.”

  He lifted my chin. “I want you to know, we’re doing everything we can.”

  I sighed. “I believe you.”

  He leaned back as his gaze scanned me, warming my skin as it moved from my toes to my eyes, lingering at sensual places in between. “Once this is over, I’m untying those sexy knots.”

  I nodded. “Deal.” I took a step back. “Now go to Reid so we can leave.”

  Cupping my cheeks, his lips crashed with mine, lifting me to my tiptoes with his possessive pull. When we settled back to earth, he pulled away, yet his eyes remained fixed to mine. “I brought you here. I’ll make this right.”

  I nodded as he turned away toward the doorway.

  Why did it feel like he was saying goodbye?

  I pushed the thought away, recognizing that I was simply emotional over what could be happening to Louisa.

  Sterling disappeared behind the closing bedroom door as I stepped into the bathroom. Untying the knot behind my head and back, I removed the bikini top and shimmied out of the bottoms. As I pulled the tie from my ponytail, my hair fell over my shoulders. In the few days out on Lake Michigan, my skin had tanned and hair had lightened.

  Was I becoming a different person as Winnie had said?

  Refusing to dwell on it, I turned on the shower’s hot water. Stepping inside, I stood under the spray. As the water cascaded over me, more tears formed, wracking my body like a sledgehammer as sobs erupted like mushroom clouds within my chest and throat, each one blooming bigger and bigger as the reality of what was happening overwhelmed me.

  Too many questions.

  Where was she?

  Where was Jason?

  Was she safe?

  Was he?

  Was she scared?

  How was baby Kennedy?

  My knees bent as I fell to the bench and water continued to pour over me.

  “I’m so sorry, Louisa. I’m so sorry.” I spoke aloud, my shoulders shaking as I admitted what I knew, what Sterling had tried to shield from me. “Lou, this is my fault. I brought you into this life, not to protect you—because look what’s happening. I did it selfishly because of my curiosity. I know you can’t understand, but Sterling offered me more than a new life. He offered me my life, the one I’d been born to live. I never meant for that to hurt you.”

  I sniffed and sat taller. “Stop it, Araneae. You’re stronger than this.”

  The emotion wasn’t helping Louisa. It wasn’t, but I would.

  I stood again, determined that I’d meet with whoever this person was.

  Winnie had said I seemed different. Maybe that was Sterling’s doing, but not entirely. Being with him, having him love me and my loving him in return, had given me a new strength. I lifted my face to the spray. I wasn’t afraid to do what the kidnappers asked because I knew Sterling, Patrick, and Reid would keep me safe. I knew that in my heart and soul.

  I didn’t care what Agent Hunter said. Sterling had been honest with me and I with him. We would do whatever was necessary to save Louisa and Jason...and baby Kennedy.

  No. No more emotion.

  After quickly washing and rinsing my hair and using a soft cloth covered in bodywash to clean away the sunscreen, I turned off the water with a new sense of determination. Wrapping a plush towel around myself and running another over my wet hair, from a distance, I heard the ring of my cell phone.

  Securing the towel over my breasts, I hurried to the bedroom suite. There on the bed was the bag I’d been carrying from the yacht. Reaching inside, I pulled out my cell phone.

  STERLING was on the screen.

  “Are you ready?” I asked as soon as I hit the green icon. “I’ll be downstairs in five minutes.” I’d worry about everything else on the plane. All I needed to do was throw on clothes and some shoes.

  “Shelly found Jason.” His voice was stone cold. In my mind’s eye I saw his granite features and dark expression, hearing them drip from the simple statement.

  My stomach dropped as I began to pace, my head growing faint as my circulation sped up. “Oh, please tell me he’s all right.”

  “He will be. She found him in
time.”

  I gripped the phone tighter as my steps stilled. “What does that mean?”

  “Araneae, he was unconscious and dehydrated...” Sterling took a deep breath. “...and a little bruised. He’d been locked in a shipping container on the property of your design facility.”

  My pulse accelerated as I collapsed onto the edge of one of the overstuffed chairs near the big windows. The sight of Chicago’s lights coming to life wasn’t even registering. “Is he in the hospital?”

  “We can’t risk that. He’s still unconscious, but Patrick said his vitals are improving.”

  “Improving?!” My voice shrieked. “Jason needs medical help. He needs to wake up to tell us what happened and where Louisa is.”

  “Listen to me. We’re going to get him medical attention, but until we find Louisa, we can’t risk the police.”

  I nodded, trying to keep myself calm. “All right. I want to see him.”

  “You will.”

  “Has Shelly searched all of Sinful Threads’ properties for Louisa?” In my mind I thought of all the different places: the design center, the offices, and the storage facility.

  “She has. She has help. They’re searching. Currently, it’s a needle in a haystack as we wait for another message.”

  I shook my head. “Has Reid found the couriers?”

  “Legit companies. Legit employees. A different one each time. Patrick had a few men question them. They’ve been employed for years. Reid confirmed it. He’s trying to get a read on the customers in security footage. We also have people watching all the possible couriers. It appears the customers are two different men, both with their face obstructed from the camera. Of course, they paid cash.”

  I shook my head. “He’ll get something. You and Lorna keep telling me how great he is.”

  “He is.”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you downstairs in five minutes,” I said, standing, seeing my own reflection now in the large window and thinking that despite the sun of the last week, I was nearly as pale as the white towel wrapped around me.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Sterling said.

  “What?”