Maxwell, Mardi - Zane's Choice [The Doms of Club Mystique 4] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Mardi Maxwell

  When they were close enough to hear music coming from the house, they regrouped. McCabe gave the orders for True and Jackson to cover their six while he, Deuce, Zane, and Luc went over the wall with Javier.

  A few minutes later, they huddled in the shadows by the wall. Javier spoke into the radio and a second later, a rope came sailing over the wall. They heard a sharp click when something made contact with the razor wire.

  “My brother put a length of chain on the rope,” Javier said, then smiled and tapped his temple. “He is very clever.”

  McCabe smiled.

  Javier grabbed the rope and scaled it, followed by McCabe, then Zane, then True and Luc. Once on the ground on the other side, they followed Javier along the wall to the back corner, where a small shed stood in the darkness.

  The door had a heavy padlock on it and they could hear the muffled sound of several women crying coming from inside. Mateo produced a pair of bolt cutters and tried to cut through the heavy lock. After a moment Deuce stepped up, took the cutters from him, and picked the lock. Javier took it from him and a second later, Mateo opened the door and the crying stopped. The stench coming from the shed was horrible. A combination of fear, sweat, blood, and dirty humans. McCabe looked at Zane and waved him forward.

  Zane turned his head away, took a breath then stepped into the doorway with Luc beside him. He flipped his night goggles down and examined the six people in the room. Three women and three men. He looked from man to man and wasn’t able to identify Ravyn’s guy. “We’re here to rescue you. I’m looking for Harper.”

  A movement in the back corner of the building drew his attention. A second later, a little boy moved forward.

  “I am Harper,” he said.

  The child was about seven years old. Skinny and dirty, with ragged black hair and Ravyn’s eyes. Zane felt his heart stop, then stutter to life. He moved toward Harper and picked him up. “I’ve got you now,” he said, and Harper slid a skinny arm around his shoulders.

  “My Ravyn said you would come for me. She promised.”

  Zane hugged Harper closer and swore beneath his breath. He didn’t know if he was angry because Ravyn had been suffering in silence for so long, or if it was because she hadn’t trusted him with the truth. Either way, he was taking his belt to her ass until she told him if she was involved with Dolman and Mendez. If she was he would protect her, but this was the last time she’d ever keep secrets from him. He turned around and walked out of the building. Luc moved in front of him, guarding him and his precious cargo.

  McCabe, Javier, and Mateo rounded up the other prisoners. They led them to the side of the building and Mateo and Javier picked up a heavy ladder, then propped it against the wall. Mateo went into the shed and grabbed the torn and dirty blankets. He shut the door, then handed the bundle to McCabe, who climbed the ladder and threw the blankets over the razor wire. He eased himself over it and dropped to the ground, then looked up and saw Mateo looking down at him.

  A second later, he caught Harper as Zane lowered him. Jackson ran out of the covering of the jungle, grabbed the child, and disappeared back into the shadows. McCabe caught the next prisoner and the next until they were all on the ground on the outside of the wall. Zane dropped down beside him, followed by Luc, True, and then Mateo and Javier.

  They joined Jackson and Deuce in the cover of the jungle and Zane took Harper from Jackson. “Let’s get out of here. I don’t want the bullets flying anywhere near Harper.”

  “So, you’re not going to beat him up now?” Jackson asked.

  Before Zane could answer him, Harper said, “My papa would never do that.”

  Zane smiled. “You have that right, son.” He shoulder bumped Jackson as he walked by him. “Who would’ve ever thought I’d be the first in the family to become a dad, huh, Uncle Jackson?”

  “Not Cade, that’s for sure,” Jackson said.

  McCabe walked by them. “Let’s move out.”

  It took them longer to return to the Jeeps. Halfway back to them, two of the women gave out and couldn’t walk any further. Deuce and True picked them up, then moved to the center of the line with Zane. Jackson and Luc dropped back and watched their six while McCabe took point with Javier and Mateo behind him.

  * * * *

  Four hours later, Zane rinsed the suds off Harper with a handheld sprayer. “Turn,” he said and Harper giggled, then turned around. He looked like a skinny drowned rat. All bones and matted, black hair. Zane put down the sprayer and Harper protested. “When we get home you can play in the tub with bubbles as long as you like, but right now Uncle Luc needs to take a look at these cuts.” Zane turned Harper, took note of the cuts and scrapes on him, then felt a wave of rage run through him when he saw the white scars left from a belt on Harper’s lower back.

  He wrapped a towel around him, then lifted him out of the tub and dried him. A moment later, he dropped one of his T-shirts over Harper’s head and Harper looked down, then looked up at him and giggled. “Yeah, it’s too big, but it will do until we get you to the ranch.” Zane picked up Harper’s filthy clothes and tossed them in the trash.

  Harper ran over to the trashcan and grabbed them, then held them against him. “No, mine.”

  Zane hesitated. Should he let Harper keep them? He put his hand on Harper’s shoulder. “Hey, if you want to keep them, you can, but when we get home we’re going to buy you new clothes. Jeans and shirts and a cowboy hat.”‘

  Harper hugged the clothes tighter, then looked down at Zane’s boots. “Can I have cowboy boots?

  “Yes, son. Any pair you want.”

  Harper hesitated then held out the bundle. “Okay.”

  Zane took the clothes, tossed them back into the trash, then lifted Harper and set him on the bathroom counter. He tried to run a comb through the ends of his hair but it got caught in the tangles. Harper let out a squeal of pain and put his hand on his head.

  Zane stepped back just as Jackson walked into the bathroom.

  “Problems?”

  “His hair’s a mess. I can’t get a comb through it,” Zane said.

  Jackson nodded. “I could cut it.”

  “Like Papa’s?” Harper asked.

  Jackson chuckled. “I guess you’ve been adopted, Zane.” He nodded to Harper. “Yes, sort of like your papa’s.”

  Harper smiled and Jackson pulled out his knife. Harper scrambled off the counter, grabbed Zane, and hid behind him. “Don’t let him hurt me, Papa.”

  Zane struggled to keep his rage from showing, but inside, he directed it at the people who’d done this to Harper. He picked him up and held him against his chest. “He’s not going to hurt you, son. He’s just going to cut your hair with the knife.”

  Harper raised his head, looked at Jackson, then at the knife. “Really? Promise?”

  Jackson nodded. “Really. If I cut you then your papa can slug me.”

  “Okay,” Harper said. “Can I slug you, too?”

  “Absolutely,” Jackson said, then chuckled and looked at Zane. “You’re going to have your hands full with this one.”

  Zane smiled. “Fold up a towel so he can sit on it.” Once Jackson had done that, he set Harper back on the counter, then wrapped a towel around his shoulders. Jackson stepped up and began chopping off the long tangles. When he needed to cut the back, he swiveled Harper around to face the mirror and Harper reached out and touched his reflection.

  “Is that me, Papa?”

  Jackson’s hand shook and he stopped cutting Harper’s hair for a moment. In French, he told Zane he was going back to the compound and killing every guard there. Luc appeared in the doorway and said he would go with him. Zane nodded and said he’d take point. Harper watched the exchange with a puzzled look on his face.

  “It will be okay, Harper. Trust me,” Zane said. “Finish cutting the back, Jackson.”

  A few minutes later, Jackson cut off the last lock, then ran the comb through Harper’s hair. “There, all done.”

  “I’m going to treat your
cuts and scrapes, buddy,” Luc said, then held out his hands. Harper hesitated for a moment, then went into his arms and Luc carried him out of the room.

  “I’ll see you downstairs,” Jackson said, then left.

  Zane cleaned up the bathroom, then joined Luc and Harper in the bedroom. He smiled when he saw Harper standing still as Luc stuck a bandage on his arm. The T-shirt he’d put on him after his bath hung to the floor and slid off his bony shoulders. Just remembering Harper’s reaction when he’d thrown his ragged clothes away was enough to make Zane shake with rage again. How could anyone treat their own child so horribly? Charles Dolman had a lot to answer for, and he was going to enjoy making him pay. He watched as Luc smeared an antibiotic cream on a cut on Harper’s leg, then stuck another bandage on him before examining an old scar.

  “I’m bad,” Harper said. “I don’t work hard enough and I drop things. That’s why I get hit all the time.”

  Luc froze, then said, “I’ve got scars, too, Harper. But it’s not because I’m bad, and neither are you.” Luc stood, then undid his jeans and showed Harper the belt buckle scar on his hip. “My real mother did this when she was mad at me.”

  “Was she bad?” Harper asked.

  “Sometimes, Harper,” Luc said. “But you’re not bad, buddy.”

  Harper touched the mark, then looked up at Luc with sad eyes. “Ravyn says mean people suck.”

  Zane watched Luc buckle his jeans, then squat down and put his hand on Harper’s shoulder and hug him. “Ravyn’s right, Harper.” Luc saw Zane watching them. He hugged Harper again, then released him. “He’ll do fine, Zane. He just needs good food and lots of it.”

  Zane noticed the cartoon bandages on several of Harper’s wounds and smiled. “I see you came prepared.”

  Luc chuckled. “We tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.”

  “Next time, if there is a next time, try a little harder.”

  Luc laughed and walked away. “I smell food.”

  Zane heard Harper’s tummy growl. He smiled and picked him up. “Time to eat.”

  “Can I have lots?”

  “I want you to eat a little bit now, but not too much or it will make you sick. Okay, son?”

  “Are you really my papa now?”

  “Yes. If that’s okay with you?”

  “Yes, okay. Will Ravyn be my mama now?”

  “She is your mama.”

  Harper giggled. “No, she isn’t, silly. She’s my sister.”

  * * * *

  Zane saw Cade waiting for them as the jet landed. He knew immediately from the look on his face that he had bad news. His gut clenched with nerves as he walked down the steps with a sleeping Harper in his arms. McCabe was one step behind him.

  “McCabe,” Cade said.

  “Cade. It went well. We got the kid and the other prisoners, then helped Rios destroy the compound. He wants out. I told him we’d see what we can do for him.”

  Cade nodded. “That would make Marisol happy.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” McCabe said.

  “Addison is expecting you at the house.”

  McCabe laughed. “Oh, no, I know her reputation and I’m not getting anywhere near your wife and her matchmaking plans.”

  “Good luck, but it’s probably already too late,” Cade said with a grin. “Stay in touch.”

  “Will do,” McCabe said, then walked back to the jet. A moment later, it taxied away.

  Zane watched until it took off, then he turned to Cade. “What’s happened?”

  “We’ll talk at the house. Addison, Jenna, and Cassie are waiting for Harper. Marisol is with them in case he needs a translator.”

  “He speaks Spanish and English,” Zane said, the pride of a new father in his voice. “He’s a smart kid for his age.”

  “For his circumstances,” Cade said, then frowned. “Was he raped?”

  “Hellfire, Cade, why would you ask something like that?” Zane asked, his voice too loud. Harper lifted his head and blinked sleepy eyes. Zane patted his back. “It’s okay, son, I’ve got you.”

  “Papa,” Harper breathed the one word as his eyes closed again and his head relaxed back onto Zane’s shoulder.

  Zane slid his hand over Harper’s head. “God, I hadn’t even thought of that. Damn it. He didn’t seem to mind me giving him a bath.” He frowned. “Would that be a sign?”

  Cade shrugged. “We’ll have Dr. Stephens talk to him.”

  “Who’s that?” Zane asked, his voice suspicious.

  Cade waved them toward the SUV parked by the airport building. “Turns out there are two Dr. Stephens. David Stephens is taking over Dr. Marshall’s practice when he retires and his wife, Melinda Stephens, is opening a child psychology clinic. She specializes in abused and neglected children.”

  Zane saw a silent message pass between Cade and Jackson.

  “So, in other words, Addison’s been up to her old tricks?” Jackson asked as he opened the back of the vehicle and they stashed their gear before getting into the car. He and Luc took the backseat while Zane got in the front passenger seat with Harper on his lap.

  “Seems so,” Cade said. “They had dinner with us last night. We were expecting you to show up then.”

  “We had an errand to run,” Zane said, and Luc and Jackson grunted.

  “A killing kind of errand?” Cade asked.

  “A revenge kind of errand,” Zane said, then added, “I want Harper checked over. Is Doc Marshall at the house?”

  Cade nodded. “He’s waiting for you to arrive.”

  “We need to equip some vehicles with kids’ seats,” Zane said, then asked, “Tell me what’s gone wrong? Is it Ravyn?”

  Cade glanced at him. “She was removed from her cell around six last night. Mendez has her.”

  Fear slammed into Zane and he clutched Harper tighter to him. Harper protested and he forced himself to loosen his grip. He wanted to bellow with rage. Instead, he forced himself to remain calm. It was the only way he had a chance of saving Ravyn. “What do we know?”

  “Thor, Ben, Mac, and Nate are on it.” Cade glanced at him.

  “Nate? I thought he was a cook,” Zane said.

  “Marine,” Cade said. “He reminds me of someone, but I can’t think who.”

  “I don’t care who he is, as long as he’s good. I’ll take all the help we can get,” Zane said.

  Cade nodded. “We’ll find her. We managed to track the vehicle they were in until they left Dallas going east. We have a good idea of the area they’re in, but we don’t think Mendez is still with them. We picked the vehicle up again going back into Dallas about an hour later. We’re searching a forty-mile section.”

  Zane refused to face the possibility that they wouldn’t find her in time. A wave of shame washed through him when he remembered what he’d done the last time he’d seen her. “Did someone pick up Ravyn’s collar?”

  “Addison did,” Cade said, “right after she told me I was a stubborn ass and she was leaving me and going home to Ireland.”

  “You’ve got to get control of her before she becomes a bad influence on Cassie,” Luc said from the backseat.

  Cade growled. “Addison is not a bad influence on anyone. She’s done nothing but try to help every one of us, including you. Do you think you’d have ever met Cassie without Addison’s help?”

  The tension in the car grew when Cade stopped the SUV at the end of the ranch driveway. He turned in the seat, looked at each one of them, and said, “When I was nine, Joan got drunk and brought a man home. He raped me. She knew and didn’t care because he supplied her with drugs. When Dad found out, he decided to take us and leave. It’s my fault he told her he was leaving her. It’s my fault he died.”

  “Cade,” Jackson said.

  Cade interrupted him. “After the third attempt on Addison’s life when she was seventeen, I got drunk and went to see her. I told her about the rape. I told her I loved her but could never be with her because I wasn’t good enough for her. She’s know
n all this time, and she’s loved me and plotted to save me. Don’t criticize her in my presence ever again.”

  “Cade,” Zane said, “we didn—”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Cade said. “Dr. Stephens said confronting it is part of the healing process. It’s been confronted.” He started the engine and drove on to the house. Addison and Jenna were waiting on the front porch. Before Cade could open the door, Luc leaned forward and grabbed his shoulder.

  “Thank you for protecting us, Cade.”

  Cade nodded, then got out of the car and walked toward Addison. Zane was a couple steps behind him when Cade grabbed Addison and hugged her. She whispered something to him and he nodded his head, then carried her into the house.

  Zane saw Jenna hug Jackson as he walked up to her. Cassie and Logan were waiting for Luc in the foyer. He watched them hug each other and missed Ravyn even more.

  Doc walked out of the living room. “In here, Zane. I’ve got everything set up for Harper.”

  Zane followed Doc into the living room.

  “Step on the scale,” Doc said.

  Zane stepped on it and Doc wrote down the number. Jenna held out her arms and he looked at Harper, then shook his head. “I don’t want him waking up with someone he doesn’t know.”

  Logan stepped forward. “Give him to me. If he wakes up, he’ll just think I’m Luc.”

  Zane handed Harper over and Doc wrote down the new weight, then frowned. “Lay him down here and let’s see how tall he is.”

  Logan laid Harper on the couch, then stepped back. Cassie helped Doc measure him.

  “He’s tall for his age, but underweight. He needs to gain at least ten pounds. Twelve would be better.”

  Jenna took Harper’s pulse, then his temperature. “He has a low grade fever,” she said.

  “He has a lot of cuts and scrapes,” Zane said. “Luc cleaned them and treated them with antibiotic ointment, but he was living in a filthy shed with six other people and no toilet facilities.”

  Doc nodded, then listened to Harper’s heart. “Jenna, see if you can get some blood from this little guy without waking him.”