by Liz Johnson
“Willie G.” He leaned forward and hugged the man who was as much annoying little brother as teammate. “How did you guys find me?”
Zach McCloud and Jordan Somerton, two other team members, looked up from where they knelt on the ground, pulling zip ties around the wrists of Swift’s goons.
“Willie tracked the GPS on your cell phone.”
Will, the team’s communications and technology specialist, shrugged. “Thanks to the United States Navy, you’re easier to find than a cornfield in Nebraska.”
“Whose idea was it? I know you three didn’t come up with it.”
Zach pushed a thumb over his shoulder. “The L.T. suggested it.”
Sure enough, Tristan stood about ten yards behind the others in the shadow of a pine tree. Feet shoulder-width apart, fists loose at his sides and face a mask of stone. He was ready for a fight. It didn’t take much to figure out who would be on the other end of the brawl.
Matt stared at his oldest friend. “Glad you guys made it.”
Tristan blinked but made no other indication that he’d heard what had been said.
Jordan, always the first to diffuse a tense situation, jumped in after he finished trussing one of the men on the ground. “Tell us what happened. From the start.”
His stomach lurched.
From the start included two kisses, an untold number of stolen glances and a deep-seated longing for a future with Ashley that could never be.
One more glance at Tristan’s flared nostrils and squinting eyes, and he knew it was a bad idea to share those details before they went into action. Not that there would ever be a right time.
The men huddled together like they were preparing for a play on the football field, and he filled them in on the notes and the threats, the smashed windshield and brick through the window. They laughed at him when he confessed to not catching the man in Ashley’s yard his first day in town, and he swallowed his instinct to defend his mistake.
Nothing about this mission had gone like it was supposed to.
Especially his feelings for Ashley.
When he finally had them all up to speed, Zach said, “So what now?”
“Swift will be wherever Ashley is by oh six hundred. I think she’s underground right now, but we can’t afford to blow our surprise. We have to get Swift. If we go in to rescue her and tip him off, she’ll never be safe.” Bile rose from his stomach again, his lungs suddenly forgetting how to breathe. She was seventy-five yards away, and he could do nothing.
“So what’s the plan?” Jordan’s eyebrows raised in anticipation.
“Well, there are probably several girls inside—maybe as many as ten. At least that’s the most the other building could hold. But I’m only sure about Ashley being in there. My best guess is that Swift tries to keep the women together, so he can concentrate all of his security on one location.”
Will looked over at the building then back at Tristan. “So how do we know which one is Ashley?”
Tristan dug in the side pocket of his black cargo pants and pulled out his phone where a picture of Ashley and their mom filled the screen. The men passed it around quickly until Will whistled low. “Wow! L.T., you never told us your sister was such a babe.”
“Shut it,” Matt said.
Will smirked. “Aw, are you sweet on the L.T.’s sister, Senior Chief?”
Zach elbowed the kid in his side, but it didn’t stop the low whistle that followed the verbal jab.
Tristan growled, “He wouldn’t dare. He’s known her since she was a kid.”
Matt caught his best friend’s eye, holding the gaze and trying to say what couldn’t be said. “She’s not a kid anymore.”
Tristan squinted back, head cocked to the side and confusion filling every line on his face as he tugged his black cap over his ears. “You have something you want to say?” he finally asked.
This was neither the time nor the place to drop this bomb. Explosives were temperamental. They required careful planning and gentle hands. They needed to be planned for and prepared for.
This bomb took absolutely none of that into account.
But he couldn’t keep it in a minute longer.
“I’m in love with Ashley.”
Tristan’s eyebrows furrowed, his usual smile a distant memory. “That’s not funny.”
Will laughed out loud and slapped at Zach’s shoulder as he took in the scene with delight. Jordan clapped a hand on Tristan’s arm. The giant of a man held the team’s ranking officer back.
“I know. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” Matt blew out a slow breath but never looked away. “But she’s an amazing woman.”
“Did you...did you...”
He could see the wheels in Tristan’s head spinning, trying to put the puzzle pieces together.
Tristan glared at him hard and shook off Jordan’s hand, taking one step forward. He jammed a finger into Matt’s chest, his words coming out through clenched teeth. “What did you do to her?”
“Nothing.” He battled the urge to look away, to regain his composure in the face of his friend’s fury. But that might be construed as regret or guilt. He had nothing to be ashamed of. “I would never treat her with anything less than respect. She’s incredible. You know that. I know you do. You tell us all the time.”
“He’s right, L.T. You do say that a lot.”
Tristan flashed a death glare at a suddenly silent Will before turning back to the source of his true anger. “So you love her so much you let her get kidnapped?”
The words stung like a gunshot.
Albeit, one he deserved.
Jordan stepped between them, hands up to both of their chests. “All right. Let’s get our gear on and be ready. You can finish this after she’s safe again.”
“No need.” Tristan spit out his words like the topic left a bad taste in his mouth. “We’re done now. Just like whatever little romance Waterstone’s had going with my baby sister. It’s over. Now. He was my best friend, but no one’s good enough for Ashley. Not after everything she’s been through.”
It was true. He wasn’t good enough for her.
His phone lit up again with another call from Donal. “What do you have?”
“There’s an ICE team on their way to town. And if the missing girl is the one in the system, her family recently immigrated. ICE has the jurisdiction here. But maybe they’ll take your help on this one.”
“Thanks, Chief. We’re in the grove of trees on the backside of the tire plant.”
“The tire plant?” Donal’s voice dropped, his words pained. “Please tell me Jimmy isn’t involved in this. He wouldn’t do this. He’s been a guest in my home. We’ve played cards for years.” His voice rose with every sentence.
Matt genuinely wished he didn’t have to be the one to break it to the man, but he wouldn’t lie now either. “I’m sorry.”
Donal’s heavy sigh was the only response, but Matt didn’t have time to console him. “We’ll wait for the ICE team, and then we’re going in to get Ashley back.”
* * *
Ashley grabbed at her stomach, as if she could physically push away the hunger pangs. She hadn’t eaten in hours, or possibly days. There was no telling the passing of time within the secluded cement walls. But her stomach still growled to be fed, demanding attention and receiving only the laughter of the guards pacing outside the cell door.
She curled into a ball on the mattress, praying for sleep or anything else to take her mind off this place, but a suitable distraction refused to come.
Out of habit she pulled on the metal cuff, which only chafed against her bone, tearing at the skin that had rubbed raw. She flinched away as if it was scalding water, fire billowing up her arm.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She was supposed to be able to
get free. She was stronger than this.
Except she wasn’t.
She was completely helpless and at the mercy of men who’d rather laugh at her than help her.
“Oh, God.” Tears streamed out of the corners of her eyes as she stared at the blocks of the ceiling, imagining a cloudless blue sky beyond it. She tucked folded hands beneath her chin, taking a stuttered breath. “I’m not strong enough to make it through this alone. I don’t want to do this without Matt, and I know I can’t survive it without You. I’m weak, and I need You to be strong for me right now.”
The click of a key in the lock of her door had her on her feet in an instant, fists ready at her sides. When the door opened, the light was blinding, but she didn’t step back from it.
“You ready for a little trip?” Jimmy asked. “It’s time to get ready for a trade.”
“No. Matt won’t do it. And I won’t let him. Take me instead—just leave Joy alone.”
His laughter made her skin crawl. “Oh, I will.”
She blinked rapidly, her eyes finally adjusting to the light. “What’s that mean?”
“You stupid girl.” He walked up to her, running a knuckle along her jawline, and she jerked away. “You pretend to help those women, but you have no idea what they’re going through. You will soon, though.”
She bit her bottom lip to keep it from shaking. “You’re not getting her back.”
“Oh, I will get her back. And I’m going to keep you to repay me for all the trouble you’ve caused.”
“But people will be looking for me. I’ll be missed.”
He motioned to the giant standing at the door, pointing to her hand. “Good thing I have connections with the right people. Do you think my poker buddies would seriously look at me as a suspect in the disappearance of a woman known to stick her nose where it doesn’t belong?”
Jimmy’s henchman unlocked her shackle, and she couldn’t help but massage the painful sores there. But she didn’t have much time before his enormous hands yanked her arms behind her back and zipped her hands together with plastic ties that cut into the lesions already there.
She bit down on her tongue, squeezing her eyes against the searing pain and forcing herself not to cry out.
Jimmy sneered, obviously enjoying her discomfort. “Let’s go.” He grabbed her arm, leaving finger marks around her biceps as he dragged her into the hallway lined with four identical doors on each side of the walkway.
The goon who had tied her up had to duck his head so he didn’t run into one of the mesh-covered lightbulbs as he led them toward a bend in the hallway.
Movement wasn’t good. As long as she stayed in one place, Matt might be able to find her. But if Jimmy moved her around, she might never be found. She might end up like he said.
The thought made her stomach lurch, and she yanked her arm, trying to break Jimmy’s hold. He only laughed and squeezed tighter.
“Oh, come on. You’ll have to try harder than that.”
Panic narrowed her line of sight, and she gulped air like it would run out. She kicked at his knee, managing to elicit a grunt when she connected with his shin.
“You’ll pay for that.” He lifted the back of his hand, and she recoiled, already knowing the sting of that motion.
Just before his knuckles connected with her cheek, something popped and sparks exploded from the lightbulb in front of them.
Several women screamed behind their doors, and Jimmy let loose a string of obscenities before demanding to know what had happened. “Go check on that.” He shoved his man into the dimness of the hall’s corner.
A fragile piece of hope bloomed in her chest like a flower wishing for spring.
Had Matt found her?
Suddenly the wall moved, and Jimmy’s thug fell to the floor.
But it wasn’t the wall that had dropped the giant. There was someone there.
Now hope surged in her chest, growing stronger every moment, and she pulled on her arm, trying to break free of Jimmy’s grip.
Jimmy swung her in front of him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out something she couldn’t see. When he pressed the freezing metal against her neck, she didn’t have to guess that it was a gun.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
Two shadows materialized from the darkness into the feeble light, both dressed in all black from the beanies on their heads to the paint on their faces to the boots on their feet. Even the pistols in their hands blended into their midnight camouflage.
Two more figures appeared behind them, more visible in navy blue jackets with the letters I.C.E. over their hearts.
She didn’t have to see his face to know that Matt stood before her, his shoulders stretching the cotton of his long-sleeve shirt. A flak vest added bulk to his usually trim midsection, but his eyes were unmistakable.
He stared at her, as though asking for something he couldn’t verbalize.
She wanted to smile, to reassure him that she was all right. That the gun at her neck didn’t scare her, but she couldn’t do any more than bite her lips against the tightness in her throat.
Jimmy swore violently, but all she could hear was the beating of her heart, which slowed with each subtle nod of Matt’s chin. His eyes slowly looked left, and she followed his line of sight.
Tristan stood just behind Matt, his handgun also raised and eyes trained on Jimmy.
“Let her go, Swift.” Matt’s tone brooked no argument, but Jimmy wasn’t smart enough to hear it.
“Seems like you’re in no position to be making orders.”
“This can’t end well for you. Let her go, now.” The low timbre of his voice made her toes curl. How had she ever worried that he wouldn’t come for her?
“It’s not going to happen. Let us out of here, or I shoot her. Now.” His hand shook the gun at her neck, and she took another steadying breath just to stay on her feet, her knees threatening to give out.
Matt stared hard into her eyes, the blue in his own cutting through the wan light. “I’ve seen this kind of thing end badly. Like three bullets to the chest badly. It’s not going to be good for you, Swift. Do you understand?”
Her eyes flew open. He wasn’t talking to Jimmy at all. He was talking to her. He was asking if she understood. What? What was she supposed to understand?
And then the memory flooded in. The mission where the woman fainted. They’d shot the terrorist three times in the chest.
He wanted her to faint. Or at least fall to the ground.
He wanted her completely weak.
He wanted her to trust that he could be there to save her.
“Do you understand?” He blinked once, very slowly.
Jimmy said something that was drowned out by blood rushing through every vein in her body; her extremities tingled as she blinked a perfect echo to his.
He lifted the corner of his mouth, and she closed her eyes, letting her entire body relax. For a moment she was floating, and then she crashed to the floor, falling hard on her shoulder and crying out as four bullets blew over her head and plowed Jimmy to the ground.
When she looked up a split second later, she expected to see Matt over her, but instead it was Tristan who scooped her up. His embrace nearly stole her breath as he carried her past several other men in black and up a set of stairs.
Over his shoulder she glimpsed Matt kicking Jimmy’s gun away and hovering over his body. He didn’t even look in her direction.
SEVENTEEN
Three weeks later
Matt snapped yet another pen tip against the report he was supposed to be writing. Ink leaked onto the sheet of paper, and he crumpled the paper into a ball, tossing it into the trash can next to his desk before pulling out the third blank report in twenty minutes.
He’d never get the thing w
ritten at this rate.
A sharp rap on the door drew his attention to Willie G., who leaned a shoulder against the door frame. He’d changed out of his BDUs, clearly looking forward to their weekend off.
“You coming with us, Senior? Some of us are going to play a game of pool.”
He tapped a fresh pen against his blank report, wishing that something—anything—would take his mind off the only thing he’d been able to think about since returning to active duty. He’d run every physical drill on autopilot and passed every test the medical staff at the infirmary had thrown at him.
His body was back to normal, but his mind was five hundred miles away from the base at Coronado.
Stuck at a yellow house in Charity Way.
“Not today, Will. You guys go have a good time.” He looked back at the page on his desk, then back up to add, “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Oh, come on, Senior. You haven’t been out with us once since you got back from leave.”
The skin across his shoulders felt too tight, the nerves in his legs suddenly bouncing. He’d been like this far too long. But there wasn’t a thing he could do about it.
Tristan had kept his promise. He stayed beside Ashley for hours as the cleanup crew from ICE and the local police had stormed the jail under the tire plant, freeing four other girls, including Miranda, whose story filled in all the gaps they’d needed.
She’d had a suspicion about Swift’s underground activities, but when she found the proof she needed to turn him in, he threatened her daughter—the most important person in Miranda’s life.
Joy had been a fluke. She’d fought her guards and run into the parking lot one night, where Miranda had seen her. Miranda had known that she couldn’t take the girl to the police or Swift might follow through on his threat. Ashley had been her only hope to save Joy. Miranda just hadn’t realized the lengths to which Swift would go to get her back for the high-paying buyer who had chosen Joy from her picture, and who wouldn’t accept any substitutes.
From a distance, Matt had watched Ashley holding her friend, both women crying, both finally free.