by Taylor Lee
Every Breath You Take
Book 3
The Blonde Barracuda’s Sizzling Suspense Series
by
Taylor Lee
Praise for Every Breath You Take…
Book 3 in Taylor Lee’s The Blonde Barracuda’s Sizzling Suspense Series that includes the Blockbuster, Best Selling Big Girls Don’t Cry and In the Still of the Night plus three— soon to be four—riveting Short Stories.
“Dynamite sequel to the Bestselling Sexy Romantic Suspense Big Girls Don’t Cry. AND, In the Still of the Night. A DOUBLE WOW! Lexie and Jake without a doubt are sexiest special agents ever. A roller coaster of a ride. Disgraceful villains, a riveting plot with so many twists and turns, your head will spin. Romantic Suspense at its best!”
~SMT Reviews
“They call her the Blonde Barracuda. The press loves her, the politicians fear her, and the mob is out to get her! Once again Lexie is in full crusader mode. Now they are closer than they ever have been to taking down the evil men – and women – behind the infamous San Francisco massage parlors.”
~RomanceReads
“The full cast is here. Loving hard, living hard with an ending that I guarantee you won’t forget. Try adding hot romance with the sexiest couple ever plus non-stop action and you have a book you won’t be able to put down!”
~Action Junkie
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Afterword
Other Works by Taylor Lee
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Table of Contents
Prologue
The crevice between Capt. Dan Rourke’s shaggy gray brows deepened. A sheen of sweat beaded on his upper lip. Dan swallowed hard, his throat muscles visibly clenching at the effort. His voice was gruff, tight with strain.
“You ready for this, Colonel?”
Jake Gardner jerked his head in response, motioning to the burly police captain to pull down the sheet.
Jake sucked in a lungful of air, closing his eyes at the sight. After a moment he stepped back allowing his partners Peter Kim and Brady Schaefer to close in.
Both men gasped at what had once been the face of the woman lying on the steel table.
“The last time I saw something like this was in the Sudan,” Brady choked out.
Jake grunted in response. “Yeah, but even in that barbaric hellhole the Janjaweed made sure their victims were dead. No telling how long she lived after they did this to her.”
Peter’s cultured voice was quiet with rage. “I agree. The Congo is worse than the Sudan, if possible. But one comes to expect this level of brutality from the FDLR. Not in the District in San Francisco.”
Captain Rourke’s strained response underscored his revulsion at the hideous sight. “I’ve never been in the places you men have, but I’ve seen more than my share of atrocities. This is worse than anything I’ve seen the mobs do. Maybe because it’s a woman. And because she can’t be twenty years old, if that.” He paused then added a broken mutter. “Hell, she can’t be any older than my Tammy Jean. And Christ, Tammy is a junior in high school.”
Jake stared at the childlike body that barely covered a third of the examination table. Nodding in agreement, he clapped a hand on the stocky policeman’s shoulder.
“You’re right, Dan. This isn’t a woman, it’s a girl. In her teens.” He stared grimly at the tortured remains. “Not that you can tell from her face, but I presume from her hair and small stature that she’s Korean? From the parlors?”
Captain Rourke mumbled confirmation then gave a disconsolate shrug. “From what the coroner said the deranged fuckers poured on the acid a little at a time. First on her breasts, then in her eyes, then her nose… and… her mouth.” His voice broke. “They saved her mouth for last. Guess they… got off on her screams.”
He struggled for a professional tone. “Dr. Marion said the cause of death was strangulation. Her… her throat closed up when the acid hit her lungs…”
Captain Rourke brushed the back of his hand over his eyes then jerked his head toward the shrouded bodies on the adjacent tables. “Are you ready to look at the other two?”
Glancing at the other tables, an icy chill settled over Jake. He shuddered at the horror the second and third victims must have felt listening to the terrified screams of the one being tortured. Motioning to Brady and Peter to follow him, Jake walked over to the next table. Jake pulled down the sheet and grimaced at the gruesome sight. His revulsion was reflected on his partners’ faces. It didn’t matter how many atrocities the three of them had witnessed in their special operative days, how hardened they were to the sickening cruelty despicable men were capable of. It was impossible not to be affected by the heartbreaking sight of three disfigured girls who’d been tortured to death.
Besides, these young victims were too close to home. Swallowing the gorge rising in his throat, Jake shattered the silence with the ugly unspoken truth ricocheting among them.
“The monsters that drizzled these girls with hydrochloric acid were sending a message, a warning.” He swung his gaze from one man to the next. His voice was soft, contorted with anger and pain. “A message to us. More specifically, they were sending it… to Lexie.”
~~~
“It’s done. Just as you ordered.”
“It had better be. This is it. Your last chance. I am holding you personally responsible for the massacre of fifteen of my trusted soldiers. Worse, that bitch is now a national hero. Fuck, she’ll be on Oprah next.”
“Not after what we did today. Even she won’t continue after today. One thing I can say for her is that she does care about the whores. And even if she doesn’t want to quit, Gardner will pull her back. He’s the most protective son of a bitch you’ll ever meet.”
“Humph! Protective, yes. But also one of the most well-connected operatives in the world. He’s even more dangerous now that he doesn’t have to work within the constraints of the United States military. Not that he ever did…”
“You’re right. But he loves that woman. He won’t want anything to happen to her.”
“Let me repeat. This is your last chance. What you did to those sluts today will be nothing compared to what will happen to you, if you don’t stop both her and Gardner. And I might add, the loss of several million dollars might put a dent in your annual income. But then you won’t be around to spend it—will you?”
The sound of the dial tone buzzing ominously indicated that the bastard had hung up.
Chapter 1
Shrieks of laughter and the sound of bodies slamming against the floor and walls of the dojo filled the air. The voices of young children chanting and shouting fierce threats combined with the hissing sounds of practiced forms echoed through the dojo and across the hallway into Master Wan’s office. The four men sat quietly around the conference table. Jake’s throat clenched hearing Lexie’s laughing reminders to the children as she brought the rousing practice to a close. Fuck, what he would do to have this day be like any other. After she finished teaching her classes for the day, Lexie would join him for a quiet dinner and spend the night in his arms—as she always did.
His sigh must have been audible.
Brady responded, “Yeah, Big Guy. What I wouldn’t give to turn back the clock. Just when that strain was beginning to leave Lexie’s face, we have to hit her with this.”
Dan Rourke and Peter Kim murmured in a
greement.
Jake met their gaze and then turned to the solemn elderly Chinese man sitting behind his desk.
“I’m sorry, Master Wan, to bring you such distressing news. Like the rest of us, you have seen barbarous things. But I will tell you, what they did to those young girls after everything they’ve been through, is beyond my comprehension.”
Master Wan sighed.
“No, Jake. If comprehension implies understanding, then the acts you describe are indeed beyond comprehension.” He hesitated and took several deep breaths before continuing. “But like you, Jake, and the rest of you, my primary concern is for Alexis, my Jai Li. She is one of the strongest people I know—but also one of the most vulnerable. This will be an extraordinary challenge. I am only grateful that you are here, Jake. Lexie couldn’t have survived Anthony’s death if you were not beside her. In some ways this is worse. Although we all know that it is not Jai Li’s fault, she will take responsibility.”
Dan Rourke’s normally ruddy complexion was pale, dark purple shadows stained the skin under his eyes.
“Fuck! We all know she will assume it’s her fault. But hell, I feel the same way. Goddammit, I’m the one who helped her find three girls who would talk on camera. “
Turning to the SFPD head of Vice, Peter Kim shook his head. “No, Captain Rourke, it isn’t your fault any more than it’s Lexie’s. Hell, I’m the one who helped her prepare the background video for the City Council presentation. And we all know it is that presentation, and the resulting explosion it caused, that brought this retribution.”
Jake leapt to his feet. He pinned a fierce glare first on Peter and then on Dan Rourke.
“Please, Councilman! And you too, Captain. The blame for this barbaric torture is the responsibility of one entity and one entity only. It is the Korean arm of the Sex Trade Ring headed by that fucking son of a bitch, Young-soo. Young-soo and his minions are responsible for bringing hundreds of young girls to this country and more specifically to this city. He and the evil men and women who work for him are solely responsible for this atrocity and so many more. What we need to do now is—”
Jake stopped in mid-sentence hearing Lexie’s voice in the entryway. He glanced out of the doorway and frowned seeing her surrounded by young students all clamoring for her attention.
~~~
Lexie laughed at the horde of young girls and boys hovering around her. Though they’d been practicing for over an hour their energy was amazing. It was a credit to her that she had to shoo them out of the dojo. But it was the last class of an arduous day. As much as she reveled in their tireless energy and love of Kung Fu, her tired body told her it was time to send these children home.
“All right, you little leeches. Time to let me go. We’re already ten minutes beyond your practice schedule. But remember. We are testing for belts next week. Sammie, what does that mean?”
A pretty thirteen-year-old girl stepped forward, a self-important expression on her face.
“It means that we all have to practice over the weekend OR we won’t get our stripes.” Showering a haughty gaze on the chubby boy next to her, “That includes my dweeb of a brother. Especially my brother!”
At the shouts from the other students and the insulted protest from Donny, Lexie broke in.
“Now, now, Sammie. Remember, respect for your fellow students is one of the guiding principles of our practice.”
“Yeah, maybe for the others, but my brother is a dweeb and he never practices and—”
Lexie frowned.
“That’s enough, Sammie, but you are correct. Master Wan and I will be testing all of you next week. That means that each of you needs to practice your forms and your sparring this weekend and come prepared to demonstrate what you have learned. Do you understand?”
A chorus of childish voices rang out in singsong unison.
“Yes, Master Jai Li, Ma’am.”
Lexie laughed as she shooed the chattering crowd of uniformed children toward the door. Putting an arm around Sammie and the other around a squirming Donny, she added, “And you two, be nice to each other. It is a privilege to have a brother and a sister to practice with. You need to take advantage of that. I expect both of you to earn a new belt next week.”
A slim attractive raven-haired woman pushed through the crowd of children and scowled at the youngsters Lexie had corralled.
“Samantha Lynn and Donald Grant! You two come here this minute.” Turning to Lexie, the exasperated mother shook her head. “I apologize for my children, Alexis. I swear, they are getting worse by the day.”
Lexie winked at her but answered in a firm voice for the benefit of Sammie and Donny. “Yes, it is important for all martial arts students to be polite. Those of you who have brothers and sisters get a special opportunity to practice courtesy.” She gave the Roberts children a little shove. “Now run along you two. And remember, practice, practice.”
Cynthia Roberts shook her head. “I’m sorry, Alexis. I don’t know what has come over Samantha. She gets snottier by the day and takes most of her bad temper out on her brother.”
Lexie motioned the beautiful woman over to stand by the door to the hallway. “She’s thirteen, Cynthia. It comes with the package. Not an easy time to be a young woman. But it is important for her to be respectful in the dojo. I’ll work closely with her next week. She and I have always had a special bond. I’ll see if I can break through her antagonism.”
“Would you? Thank you, Alexis. She admires you so. And of course now that you are virtually as famous as a movie star, you have gone up in her estimation. Goodness, you even top Demi Lovato or Beyoncé.”
Lexie laughed, a luscious peal. “I guess that is a compliment although given I can’t sing a note I’d prefer that she compare me to Fang Qinniang, the most illustrious female Kung Fu master.”
Cynthia managed a smile. “No, believe me, being compared to Beyoncé is the highest compliment she could give you. Are we still on for our meeting tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. I appreciate your willingness to introduce me to some of the women who support the Patterson Foundation. Many of them have made contributions to my Strong Women Survive Center. It will be a privilege to present our program at your monthly meeting.”
“Oh my goodness yes, Alexis. You truly are a star. Even my friends who’ve never cared about abused women are dying to meet you. AND they all want their picture taken with you.”
Cynthia smirked. “Alexis, I hate to admit it because they are my friends. But publicity is more important to them than the cause they throw their money at—or their husband’s money. Being associated with someone who is front page news is a sure way to get them to open their checkbooks.”
Lexie shook her head and gave a rueful smile. “Whatever it takes, Cynthia. We need the support of every woman and man who cares about the hideous things that are happening to young women virtually before our eyes.”
Lexie watched the woman capture her children and head out to the parking lot. Decked out in her exercise bra and gi pants, Lexie couldn’t help feeling at a disadvantage compared to Cynthia Roberts. The stylish woman was wearing designer jeans and a Versace sweater that must have cost in the four figures. Lexie mused to herself. If Cynthia Roberts and her foundation buddies would cough up a miniscule portion of their annual wardrobe budget, Lexie would have her picture taken with every damn one of them and smile while she did it.
The ache in her shoulders reminded her that she’d taught six classes today and been interviewed by a national women’s rights organization who wanted her to keynote their national convention. The thought of a hot bath and a quiet dinner with Jake restored her spirits. At that moment Jake met her in the hallway outside of Master Wan’s office. Seeing the tall dark-haired man with the piercing blue eyes coming toward her shot a wave of heady sensation through her weary body. She grinned. So much for being tired. Her leap of excitement died at the clouded expression on his face.
“What’s wrong, Jake? You look as though you th
ink you might not get lucky with me tonight. Just so you know, Big Guy, as long as you allow me an hour to soak my tired body in mounds of bubbles and hot water, I’m up for anything your sexy body can offer.”
When Jake just gave her a pained smile, Lexie’s heart hammered against her chest. The business they were both in was a dangerous one—one that often brought bad news. The expression on Jake’s face confirmed that he had sad tidings indeed.
His southern drawl was soft, pained.
“Ah, Darlin’, if only I could hop in that bathtub with you and then make love to you long into the night. But Lexie, I have bad news.”
He reached for her hand and pulled her up next to him. Holding her close he led her into Master Wan’s office.
Lexie’s heart began to pound in earnest when she saw the somber men seated around the conference table. The most frightening thing about their expressions was that every one of them was looking at her with pity.
Chapter 2
“Sit down, Darlin’.”
Lexie clutched at Jake’s hand and stared up at him. The troubled expression on his face was more frightening than comforting.
“What, Jake? What is it?”
He huffed a deep audible sigh and pulled out a chair next to his and seated her. He yanked his chair up close to hers and sat down. Pressing his knee against hers, he didn’t let go of her hand.
“Lexie, we have terrible news.”
Jake unfolded a wrinkled sheet of paper and handed it to her. Lexie frowned barely able to make out the shadowed faces of three young girls. At first she didn’t understand, but then a fierce claw captured her breath. Realizing that the photographs were a grainy reproduction from the video that she had produced for the City Council meeting, her heart pounded wildly against the wall of her chest. She was sure every man at the table could hear it.
“The girls? Something happened to them?”
“Yeah, Darlin’. They were killed. Murdered.”
Lexie struggled to breathe. She clutched Jake’s hand and looked up at him, begging him to say no but knowing what his answer would be.