Haylee’s pulse pounded. It had to be the guards, and if they were out cold then Evan was unprotected. She scrolled to the next image, stunned. It was a photo of Evan in his pajamas, and Meri was next to him. She was holding a book, probably reading a bedtime story.
Evan’s head was on his pillow and he held a stuffed bear. He was looking at Meri, but all Haylee saw was how vulnerable they were. She couldn’t breathe. The curtains must have been open, and the photo had been taken through the window.
It was a candid shot, as the subjects weren’t aware that they were being photographed—just like the pictures that Kuzmin had taken of her years ago. He must have used a telephoto lens to get that close without her seeing him. And he’d done that again. Only this time Kuzmin was close to her son.
The next photo made Haylee’s heart stop. It was Evan, still in his pajamas. Only he wasn’t with Meri and he wasn’t in his bed. He was in a strange environment, some sort of warehouse, and he was looking up. She didn’t need to guess who he was looking at.
She scrolled to the next text. It was just an address.
Haylee’s hands trembled. She sat up in bed and the phone slipped out of her hands onto the mattress. She hardly noticed. Kuzmin had her son. She slipped from bed and staggered across the room in the moonlight streaming through the window.
Evan was in danger. Haylee had to get to him fast, so she went to the other room and quickly slipped on clothes. Before leaving, she grabbed her purse. She couldn’t think, didn’t know what she’d do. But she had to save him. That thought propelled her forward and commanded her actions. That was all that mattered.
It was the Hilton, so there were taxis at the curb at all hours. The lobby was empty, and the desk clerk was at the computer. Haylee went outside and flagged a cab. She got in and gave the driver the address, praying that she could get there quickly enough.
Terror gripped her. Kuzmin had her son. She refused to let him harm Evan. There had to be a way to stop him. She urged the cab driver to go faster. He drove to the outskirts of Camden, where the roads got darker. Then he went down a bumpy lane and a two-story warehouse came into view.
Haylee paid extra then told the driver to pull over and wait. She was tempted to call the police but was afraid to endanger Evan. She followed a worn path to an open door in the structure. Her knees were weak, and she felt dizzy—but she was determined.
After a deep breath, Haylee stepped inside. The warehouse was dark except for glimpses of moonlight shining through open slats in the walls. It looked like the building was under construction, as there was lumber piled around and tools.
She squinted, trying to see in the dark. There appeared to be an upper floor, but on closer inspection she saw that it was only makeshift scaffolding. It was an eerie scene and the place looked vacant.
Then, on the upper level a lightbulb turned on, and Haylee saw Evan.
“Mommy?”
Kuzmin had one arm around Evan, preventing him from running to her.
“I’m here, honey.” Haylee moved toward the narrow stairs, without taking her eyes off Evan. “Are you okay?”
“This man told me you were here, and I could see you.”
She bolted for the stairs and took them two at a time, then raced toward her son. But Kuzmin’s expression gave her pause. She feared that he had a weapon, so approached with caution. When she was a couple of feet away, she stopped. The urge to grab her son was powerful, yet she hesitated.
The upper floor was no more than double-wide scaffolding. It was rickety, with an old wooden railing that was broken in places. The structure was dilapidated, and Haylee had to be careful.
Kuzmin held Evan. “I knew you would come.”
Haylee looked deep into his eyes, hoping for a shred of humanity, yet failed to find it.
“I was scared,” Evan said. “But he said you would come.” Her son looked so frightened. “Can we go home?”
Haylee glared at Kuzmin. “Let him go.”
Kuzmin merely smirked. His look of satisfaction irked Haylee. He thought he had won, but she wouldn’t have it. She had to buy time, keep him talking, until she could come up with a way to escape with her son.
While Haylee figured out what to do, she attempted to engage Kuzmin in conversation. He had gone to a lot of effort to get her there. Surely he would talk to her.
“Why?” It was probably the wrong thing to say, but Haylee was out of ideas.
Kuzmin laughed. “Because I can. You think you can reject me, after what we mean to each other? I will teach you to treat me better. There will come a day when you’ll regret what you’ve done. But…I might forgive you. As long as you are with me, and swear your love.”
“It’s me you want,” Haylee said, “not my son. Let Evan go and I’ll come with you. I won’t make trouble.” She would sacrifice herself for her son’s safety, if she had to.
“I want you to come with me, Mommy.” Tears rolled down Evan’s cheeks and he struggled against Kuzmin’s grip.
“It’s going to be okay,” Haylee said, hoping that was true. She would give her life for her son. Surely that was enough, even for a fiend like Kuzmin.
Kuzmin released his grip, and Evan leaned away. “I don’t want the brat anyway.”
Haylee put her hand out and moved closer. “Run, Evan. Go downstairs to the car and get in. Stay in the back seat and lock the doors.”
Evan looked unsure.
“Run. Now. Do what Mommy says.” Haylee reached for her son.
At the last second, Kuzmin grabbed the back of Evan’s pajamas and yanked him back. “I think I’ve changed my mind. I need the kid to make you behave.”
“No!” Haylee screamed, and grabbed for Evan.
Chapter 14
Lucas opened his eyes to a dark room. He reached for Haylee, but she wasn’t there. He flipped the light on and called out to her. Then he spotted her phone on the mattress next to him, so he took it and punched the button. When the screen lit up, he scrolled through the texts. “Shit!”
Haylee was gone. There was no time to lose. Despite her terror, she would go to her son. Lucas texted the address to Hawke with an emergency code. It was the team’s call for backup. Then he texted Adam that he was going after Haylee.
Those were precious seconds that Lucas couldn’t afford to lose. He leapt from bed and got dressed in a flash, then raced down the stairs. The lobby was empty, so he ran out to the curb, praying that Haylee was still there. But it was far too late for that.
Without a second to spare, Lucas scanned the street. A man had just arrived on a motorcycle. Lucas jogged over and flashed his security ID. “I need your bike. You’ll get it back.” Then he took the keys, started it up, then sped off without waiting for permission.
Lucas hadn’t seen this coming. But he swore that Kuzmin would pay if anything happened to Haylee or Evan. He whipped around late-night traffic, then headed out of town. He knew Camden well. The address was on the outskirts of the city. It was close enough to lure Haylee, but far enough to stay out of sight.
When Lucas arrived at the location, he turned down the dirt path and spotted the warehouse ahead. There was a cab pulled off in the brush, waiting. Good move on Haylee’s part. She had arranged a means of escape. But when Lucas thought of her in Kuzmin’s grip, his blood turned cold.
He ditched the bike then creeped around the warehouse, listening. Around back, there was an opening in the wall, a better choice than entering through the front. There was a light on the upper level, and Haylee was talking. Lucas felt momentary relief, then took in the scene above.
Kuzmin had Evan. Stealthily, Lucas went up the stairs from the back. Without making a sound, he stood in the dark at the far end of the scaffolding. It looked like Kuzmin was going to let the kid go. Lucas moved closer, looking for an opportunity.
Haylee reached for Evan, but before she could get to him, Kuzmin pulled him back. Haylee screamed then Evan fought to get free, kicking and yelling for his mother. When Haylee made a grab for
son, Kuzmin shoved her, knocking her to the ground.
Haylee shrieked then tried to kick Kuzmin, but he grabbed her ankle and dragged her forward.
At that moment, Evan gripped Kuzmin’s arm in both hands, then bit him hard. The pain made Kuzmin let go. Haylee jumped up and snatched Evan away from his captor.
Lucas took the opening and stepped from the dark, then he scooped up a wooden board from a pile. Drawing back, he hit Kuzmin in the head, knocking him into a structural beam.
Haylee didn’t falter; she grabbed Evan and ran for the opposite stairs.
But Kuzmin wasn’t finished. He pushed away from the beam and lunged at Lucas. With rudimentary wrestling skills, Kuzmin tried to take Lucas to the ground, but they were no match.
Kuzmin fought dirty, employing any tactic he could, but failed to get the best of his opponent. Lucas knocked him down and was ready to go in for the final punch. But Kuzmin got back up, holding a heavy construction hammer. With a grunt, he swung it, aiming at Lucas.
Lucas stepped to the side as the hammer whipped through the air inches from his skull. The weapon’s momentum threw Kuzmin off balance. The hammer’s weight pulled him to the edge of the scaffolding, where he teetered, trying to keep his footing. He clawed the air for a grip, but the railing was broken.
Kuzmin released the hammer and grappled for solid footing. But his shoe slipped on loose debris and he plummeted over the side. Lucas peered down at the scene below. Kuzmin had landed on rebar and wasn’t moving. Blood seeped from his neck.
Police sirens blared and blue lights flashed, signifying that backup had arrived. Lucas went downstairs to find Haylee and Evan in good hands.
Hawke stood next to them. “Kuzmin gassed the guards on duty at Tyler’s and got past the security system. I got here as soon as I could.”
“He’s dead,” Lucas said.
Hawke nodded and went to deal with the police.
Paramedics were tending to Evan. He was gasping for breath. Haylee sat beside him in the ambulance, helping with the inhaler. Lucas wasn’t surprised that the evening’s events had triggered an attack.
Lucas kneeled in front of Evan. “Just breathe, son. You did really good in there.”
Evan sucked on the inhaler, but his eyes lit up. After a minute or two, he was able to catch his breath.
“You helped me save your mom,” Lucas said. “You made it possible.”
Evan beamed then gave Lucas a big hug.
Haylee’s eyes filled with tears and she put her arms around them. “You’re both very brave.”
*****
Haylee cancelled the rest of the tour. Her sponsors understood and her fans were fully supportive. The story of Haylee rescuing her son was published far and wide. It seemed that was enough to expect from one woman. She was permitted to retire without objections from any corner.
The news that Haylee would continue to write songs was well received. She would be out of the public eye, but not out of their hearts. And Amy was pleased to continue as her assistant, having no desire to work for anyone else.
The treat that Haylee had brought for Evan was a puppy, a blond lab with a loving temperament. Fortunately, pet dander wasn’t one of his triggers. Nina and her kids had been happy to care for the pup until Haylee returned. Her son was an only child, and she knew he was lonely. It hadn’t been realistic to give him a brother, but he was thrilled with Lucy, his new furry friend.
And now with Lucas in her life, a brother wasn’t so far out of the realm of possibility either. One quiet evening at home, Evan went to the living room to play with his trucks, and his puppy followed. It was after dinner and the dishes waited. But before they got to that, Lucas dropped to one knee beside the table.
“I would like to shout my feelings from the rooftops,” Lucas said. “But I know that you value your privacy.”
Haylee’s heart skipped a beat.
Lucas took her hand. “I could have booked a fancy venue and come up with a clever way to announce my devotion. But if I know you at all, I’m sure that you prefer our dinner table.”
“Lucas…”
“I love you, and I have for a very long time. I want to spend my life with you.” Lucas pulled a tiny velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. “Will you marry me?”
Haylee’s eyes clouded with tears. “I love you and want to share everything with you.”
Lucas grinned. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes!” Haylee pulled Lucas to his feet, and he leaned down to kiss her.
“You’ve made me a happy man.” Lucas touched her cheek. “But there’s more.”
“What could that be?”
“We’ve talked about it a lot,” Lucas said. “Evan hasn’t really had a father. He barely knows Ryan, and from your recent conversation, he would be just as glad to be free of the responsibilities of fatherhood.”
“You can’t mean…”
“I mean it with all my heart,” Lucas said. “I’d like to adopt Evan and be his father…if he will have me.”
Haylee’s heart swelled with joy, and she was at a loss for words. Lucas took her hand and guided her to the living room to share the news of their engagement—and to see what Evan thought about Lucas as a father. Once Evan understood that Lucas wanted him, and what that meant, he was thrilled.
Evan flew into Lucas’s arms, and he lifted him in the air, making him giggle with delight. “Can I call you Daddy?”
“I would be honored,” Lucas said.
Once Evan had settled down from all the excitement, Haylee put him to bed. She had the entire night, and the rest of her life, to share with Lucas. She couldn’t believe her good fortune. Lucas swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
While Lucas undressed her, Haylee said, “There’s just one more thing.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” Haylee smiled. “No big weddings.”
“Done.” Then Lucas kissed her with passion that set her heart on fire.
Thank you for reading LUCAS.
If you loved Lucas, you will enjoy SAVAGE PERIL!
A Navy SEAL Bodyguard May Be The Only Man Who Can Save Her.
Turn the page for a preview of Savage Peril . . .
SAVAGE PERIL PREVIEW
Stealth Security: Book 6
By
Emily Jane Trent
Chapter 1
Only three weeks ago, Lori Waters had lost her father. His death had been unexpected, and she hadn’t recovered from the shock. On the flight home from Houston, she fought to process recent events. It was difficult to believe that her father wouldn’t be at the clinic, that she would have to manage alone.
Lori stared at the untouched apple juice and bag of peanuts on her tray table. Her loss of appetite was to be expected during the grieving period. Yet she wondered if food would look good anytime soon. The joy seemed to have drained from her existence, along with her father’s life.
The flight attendant leaned in, offering a pillow to a fellow passenger. A man across the aisle stretched out his leg. A woman made her way to the lavatory. To Lori, it all seemed a bit unreal, as though events transpired without meaning.
Robert Waters had died at the age of fifty-seven, and that was so unfair. He had been a remarkable physician and dedicated to his career. He had been a vibrant man, a loving father, and would be sorely missed. He had established the pain clinic where Lori had joined him after she graduated medical school.
Over the years, Waters Pain Clinic had flourished in Santa Monica. Lori’s father had aided a multitude of patients to deal with pain. Providing relief to those who suffered from that affliction had become her passion as well.
The medical conference in Houston had gone by in a blur. Robert Waters had been scheduled to speak about experimental pain relief methods that showed promise. Lori had attended in his place and managed to give the talk. She must have done okay, as the audience applauded. But she didn’t remember exactly what she’d said.
Feeling numb, Lori looked out the window. The flight from Houston to Los Angeles was three hours, so she had plenty of time to think. Her father’s death nagged at her, as though something was amiss—other than the inconceivable loss.
Lori should have prevented her father’s untimely demise. Although that was purely wishful thinking. He had died suddenly, and Lori wasn’t sure if that could have been avoided. Her conscience wouldn’t let her put the guilt aside, even though she had been assured there had been no failure on her part.
Many strong emotions refused to subside. Lori’s anger was paramount, often more potent than her grief. It shouldn’t have happened. Her father should have lived many more years, yet he was ripped away without warning.
Those who were close to Lori had tried to reassure her that there was nothing she could have done. Yet the distress over the loss remained, every bit as upsetting as the day she had been told of the tragedy. Her father was gone, so Lori had to face that.
For some reason, it wasn’t that simple. There was something about it that Lori couldn’t resolve in her mind or her heart. Maybe it would take more time, that was all. Yet she doubted the grief would fade in the foreseeable future.
Lori felt so alone. Only five years before, she’d lost her mother to multiple sclerosis, after living with pain for far too long. Her mother, Anna, had been the reason for the pain clinic. In his desperation to provide relief to his beloved wife, Robert Waters had established the clinic and made the latest techniques available.
At one point, it had all seemed so hopeful. Her mother’s pain was under control and her life expectancy was good. Yet she had died, long before Lori was prepared to lose her. And now, her father was gone too. Her younger brother was the only immediate family she had left, and he was irresponsible and immature, so of little comfort.
The flight attendant walked down the aisle collecting trash in a bag. Lori handed over her unopened items and put the tray table up. She had barely noticed the couple sitting next to her, or other passengers, for that matter. Immersed in grief, little else drew her attention.
Lucas (Must Love Danger Book 5) Page 11