Two uniformed police officers stood guard just beyond the patio. She’d clocked their movements earlier and knew they wouldn’t be making a sweep in her direction for at least five more minutes.
Inching her body along the ground, she made it to the dark corner of the house unseen. From there, she lifted the loose board to the fence adjoining her neighbor’s yard and slipped through.
The rest was easy. Her neighbor’s house sat on the corner of the street. All she had to do was head to the far left side, climb the fence and she was home free.
Getting back would be a tad bit harder though. If she found Nicholas, she’d walk right through the front door. But if she didn’t, if it turned out her gut feeling was wrong, she’d have to figure out a way to climb back over the fence. The outside boards were smooth. No steps to make her reentry effort easy. She wasn’t quite as young or as athletic as she used to be.
She bit at her bottom lip, rethinking her plan. This was a big risk for a hunch. But what choice did she have? Nicholas’ safety was at stake.
***
The man sitting in a limo parked behind the neighborhood convenience store took special notice of the slender woman as her head bobbed above the fence for a moment. Then, out of nowhere, her entire form cleared the top with one smooth move.
“No shit.” He rubbed his eyes. Blinked. Yep, she was still there.
“Well, what-a-you-know?” His bad luck had just taken a turn for the better. The feeling rushing his veins was right up there with winning the lottery. Hell, he’d recognize Makayla anywhere. Eye candy, that’s what he’d always thought. To himself, of course. No way he’d ever tell a soul or say it out loud, lest somebody hear. Steven would do more than just skin him alive.
A huge smile eased over his scarred face as he picked up his cell phone and made the call that would put him back into his cold-blooded boss’ graces. “Hey boss, guess who I found traipzen around town all alone?”
“Don’t play with me, Ricky. Who’d you find? The boy?”
“Even better, sir.” He paused for effect then said, “Makayla. In the flesh.” All that sweet womanly flesh. Ricky could barely hold his enthusiasm. “She’s all alone. You want me to pick’er up?”
“No.”
Well, shit. Just what Ricky thought he’d say. Steven had been trying to figure out if she knew about the boy. This might be the clue they were searching for. Might be their chance to seal all the loose ends quite nicely. And the best part? Steven would have to give Ricky some credit for his keen observation skills.
“Watch her. Follow her. But don’t let her spot you. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir. Will do.” A part of Ricky’s elation over finding her took a nosedive. He wanted to be the one to bring her in, prance her around in front of the others. But he’d left on Steven’s shit list earlier and wanted nothing more than to weasel back into his boss’ good graces. It was almost as if Steven blamed him for her leaving all those years ago, like Steven thought he’d actually be stupid enough to be a part of her plan. Ricky had a few good-sense brain cells left.
Stupid, he wasn’t. He valued his life too much. Not to mention the lives of his nieces and nephews as well.
But watching without being seen meant the black air conditioned limo had to go. With a heavy sigh, he backed the limo up further behind the convenience store and turned off the engine. He found it odd the police weren’t out patrolling for the huge vehicle. But then, it was Steven. Nothing was normal when it came to him and the police. He had so many of them on his payroll it was unbelievable. They’d just adjust their sunglasses and drive on. He’d seen it happen numerous times before.
No way was he messing this up. He’d watch, follow and find every way under the sun not to let her spot him, even if he died of heat stroke in the process.
***
Tiny pinpricks tickled the back of Makayla’s neck the minute she cleared the fence and she seriously thought about going back. Shaking off a shiver, she scanned the block. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. The street sat empty, garage doors closed up tight, trash cans at the street awaiting the next morning’s pick up. So why the weird feeling?
Her gaze stopped on the convenience store parking lot at the corner. A few cars sat at the gas pumps, but they were locals. The Ridgepark High School bumper stickers were proof of that.
Stop it. Just knowing Steven was in the same town was enough to freak her out. She couldn’t afford to waste any more precious time. The sun was easing its way down behind the trees and it would soon be too dark to see without the flashlight. The bright beam of light would bring attention to her in the dark for sure.
Even though she forced them back, pictures of Steven’s eerie smile filtered through her brain and doubts tried to sneak in. She needed to stay calm. Needed to reach Nicholas’ secret spot, and make it back home without running into Steven, the FBI or local police before sunset. Now that shouldn’t be so hard. Right. Who the heck was she trying to fool?
Her feet pounded the sidewalk in an even rhythm, almost in line with the sound of her heartbeat echoing in her ears. She pulled the hood of her jacket up over her head, tucking her hair deep inside the neckline, hoping to disguise her features as well as her gender.
Focus. You can do this.
The wind whipped at the exposed skin of her face, stinging as tiny dust particles made contact. A storm? That was the last thing they needed right now. Any tracks Nicholas left behind would be lost if it started to rain. With the thought of missing what might be her last opportunity, she picked up her pace, ignoring the protest of her lungs as they filled with the ever growing humidity in the air.
She cursed herself for getting out of shape. Ryan had made life so easy. He never made her feel unattractive or teased her about those few extra pounds she put on after Nicholas was born. Pounds she was still carrying. But gosh, how she’d always loved to run. She’d been a long distance runner on the track team in high school. The feeling was so freeing, so relaxing. You could lose yourself in that feeling. Forget your worries, your fears, your struggles.
Steven stole that from her too. Soon after moving into his mansion, he’d voiced his disapproval, forbidding her from doing the one thing she loved.
Head low, she let the anger fester inside. The scars Steven had inflicted ran way too deep.
Certain no one would look twice in her direction, she relaxed a bit and felt her muscles ease into the familiar strides. Runners frequented this path often. She’d be safe. Blend into her surroundings.
Her jumbled mess of memories and regrets kept her occupied as she covered the five-mile stretch to the park. Nicholas had to be there. He just had to.
One thought finally crystalized. Steven would never lay a hand on either of her sons again. He could do what he wanted with her. But the boys were off limits. And she planned to do whatever it took to guarantee their safety.
Ryan’s handsome face flashed to the forefront of her thoughts. He cared for all of them. Had for more years than she preferred to admit. She wanted to believe he’d only married her, adopted Michael and had Nicholas out of some sick kind of obligation to the FBI. Not at all a logical thought, but it sure would make things easier when he found out she still had trust issues—when he decided to divorce her. Ryan had a high stake in this madness and she knew he’d never leave his sons, but she wasn’t so sure about her. Not after this. She clearly didn’t trust him.
She stifled a sniffle. Love was such a crazy emotion. Ryan genuinely was her soul mate no matter how hard she tried to deny the fact. And he was a good man.
The park’s tall trees rose up against the horizon, a golden hue seeping through the branches. Not much farther and she’d be there— Nicholas’ private retreat.
He’d shared the location with her only months before.
Michael had taken Nicholas to the park to play and they’d decided on a quick game of hid and seek before heading home. Poor Michael searched for the little stinky for hours. But Nicholas was a pro, and only revealed himself
after Michael called her for backup. Threatening to take Nicholas’ video games away persuaded him to show her his hiding place. And after making sure it was safe, she’d told him he could use his special place when they were at the park only if he told her first.
That one promise bothered her now. Would he disobey? Would he be smart enough to know that this time his disobedience would be okay considering the circumstances?
Chapter Fifteen
Ryan pulled his truck into their driveway with Michael sitting quietly in the passenger seat. The entire ride home, Ryan worked hard to figure out what he’d say to Makayla first. That he was sorry. That he loved her. That no matter what happened in her past he wanted her in his future.
He worried he wouldn’t get the chance. He’d lied to her all these years about who he was and what he did. That was a lot to take for anyone. But for Makayla, one who’d been lied to and hurt so often, his betrayal would sting much worse. A lie, for whatever reason was still a lie.
“Michael, let me talk to your mom first. Okay?” He watched Michael nod his head in agreement and felt a rush of emotion zip through his chest. Compassion for all this young man had been through in his life caught in his throat. Reaching over the seat, he tugged him into a bear hug, surprised when Michael didn’t pull away, but clung to him instead.
“Thank you, Ryan.”
“For what, son?” He released his grip and eased back in the seat to turn off the truck.
“For being good to my mom. For stopping me from making a terrible mistake. I’d never be able to live with myself if I acted like him. If I played God and killed another human being out of revenge.”
“Try not to think about might have beens. Make yourself a promise to move on. To forgive and in time forget.”
“I don’t think I can do that.”
“That’s the hard part. You have to trust what you cannot see. I believe God takes care of us all. That he has a plan for everyone. And all the struggles, the pain, they make us stronger and prepare us for our destiny.” Boy, that was a line getting harder for even him to believe.
Michael sat quietly. He held his hands in his lap, clenched tightly together, his jaw flinching beneath the skin.
“You, my boy, have a great destiny ahead of you.”
Michael’s misty eyes met Ryan’s and he thought he’d lose it. All his training, all those years working to rescue innocent children and none of it prepared him for the emotions coursing through his body at that moment.
“You think?” Michael voice cracked.
“I know.” There was no way God would let a child suffer like Michael and not have great plans in store for his future. Michael’s caring nature gave him the ability to help so many abused, neglected angry young people in his lifetime. The idea swelled Ryan’s heart with pride just thinking about it. Michael was in need of time to heal his own wounds. Wounds engraved so clearly across the features of his face now it was difficult to watch. They had to find Nicholas, make sure Makayla stayed safe.
Ryan cleared his throat. “Let’s find your mom, okay. She’s been worried sick.” If Ryan had looked away for even a split second, he’d have missed the brief smile that flickered across Michael’s lips. A smile that gave him hope.
He tossled Michael’s hair as he joined him on the sidewalk and they made their way up to the front door. What he wouldn’t give for this all to be over, to end well. But the constricting knot in his gut wasn’t a good sign.
“We’re home!” The eerie greeting Ryan received when he opened the front door was nothing like the disorderly reunion he’d expected. Makayla didn’t run to embrace them. She didn’t blow up in a fit of rage over Michael’s carelessness, or Ryan’s hanging up on her, or even his insensitive departure earlier that morning. Nor were there screams of relief or tears of joy.
The house sat dark, quiet, unnervingly still. With a quick hand, Ryan shoved Michael back against the wall. Something was off. He gave Michael a look that warned him to stay calm, not make a sound. Then he moved down the hallway to the kitchen, his gun drawn. Michael followed right on his heels.
Where the hell was everyone? A police cruiser still sat in the driveway. There were remnants of coffee cups and takeout food scattered around the kitchen table and overflowing the trash can. Several sports coats hung over the backs of the kitchen chairs as well. This didn’t look good. Had they left in a big hurry, or been caught off guard?
“Makayla.” He whispered the words into the empty living room, his voice echoing in his head. “Are you here?” Every hair on the back of his neck and arms twitched with apprehension.
Then irritation took over. “Makayla, where are you?” He’d called not thirty minutes earlier to notify Agent Harrington he’d found Michael and they were on their way back to the house. So what happened? Why would they all leave?
After several minutes of searching the papers scattered on the kitchen table, he paused to reflect on reasons the house might sit empty. “Shit.” The explanations for having to move her fast weren’t a good sign.
Once satisfied the front of the house was clear and before storming off toward the bedroom for clues, Ryan hit Agent Harrington’s number on his cell and then handed Michael the phone. The boy looked so lost, and afraid. “Stay put and ask what the hell is going on. I’m going to search the back of the house and see if I can figure out what happened.” He hoped giving Michael a task would help keep shock from taking root.
Michael placed the phone to his ear, nodding in response to his stepfather’s request.
“Hello? This is Michael. We….” Ryan heard Michael speak softly into the phone, but as he rounded the corner to the bedroom he couldn’t make out the rest of the words. He almost turned back to verify, but stopped in mid step. Light seeped out from under the closed bedroom door, sending a cold sweat running down his back. He took in a deep breath and prepared for what he’d find.
If someone was in there, why didn’t they answer him? He forced back the dread, plastered his back flush against the wall and turned the knob slowly. Then with a quick move he jumped through the door, gun aimed and ready.
Nothing. The lights were all on, but the room sat quiet and empty. He scanned over the neatly made bed before evaluating the mess scattered on the floor in front of the dresser.
“What the hell?” Signs of a struggle? Not likely. The pattern of the clutter looked too uniform. This appeared to be done on purpose and that idea didn’t sit well in his chest.
He searched the room further, his anger and annoyance growing with every passing second as confusion swirled the air around him. What happened in here? Why would everyone desert their post? Where would they take Makayla? And why didn’t someone call him, let him know the plan?
On his way to the master bathroom, he bent and picked up the family photo they’d taken right before Thanksgiving. The broken frame crumbled in his palm, remnants of glass falling to the floor at his feet. He felt his life crumbling with it. All this time he feared something like this would happen. But he also thought he would be more prepared.
Trying to connect the dots, his gaze lifted to the chaotic state of the bathroom. The contents of the trash can lay scattered across the tiled floor, the can itself resting on its side. The tub was filled to the top with water that had run over and pooled onto the floor. Odder still, the window. It was open but sat crooked as if someone tried to open it in a big hurry.
Scary thoughts bombarded his resolve. Had someone broken in, caught everybody by surprise? Taken Makayla?
A cold rush oozed down his spine.
The crisp air-conditioned air circulating through the room burned his throat as he inhaled deeply and worked to analyze the situation. The fact no other signs of a struggle existed gave him a small degree of comfort. If someone had managed to catch Agent Harrington’s team off guard, they’d never have gone down without one hell of a fight.
There would be blood, or worse.
He stood inside the bathroom, bracing himself against the doorf
rame as he tried to make sense out of it all. That’s when a white piece of paper near the bottom of the bedroom door caught his attention. The floral piece of stationary hung from a piece of medical tape that appeared to have slipped from its original position, but caught again before reaching the carpet. One word was written in the center.
Ryan crossed the room in three long strides. He bent to examine the paper further, intending to avoid disturbing the evidence, but the minute he read his name scrawled in Makayla’s perfect handwriting, he plucked it free.
Ryan,
I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to cause you more trouble or pain. But I think I know where Nicholas is. Steven has lost him. I’m sure of it. That’s why he’s stalling. He’s trying to find him. Lord knows I can’t let that happen. Please forgive me. I think I might find Michael there as well. He knows Nicholas has a secret hiding spot in the park.
I love you always,
Makayla
Ryan’s throat constricted as he swallowed. She’d done it again. Went against his wishes. Left without telling him, without protection.
Okay, so he knew why the inside of the house had been abandoned. They’d discovered her missing and set out to find her. But why wasn’t there a surveillance team outside in case she came back?
His gut churned and then knotted with apprehension. As he backed out of the bathroom, the walls seemed to close in around him, his scalp crawling.
No. Not again. This can’t happen again.
The eerie state of the house reminded him way too much of the day he’d returned home years ago and found his wife gone. He’d been on assignment working his last undercover case for the FBI. Jennifer was almost four months pregnant with their first child and he’d promised her before he left he’d transfer out of the human trafficking task squad. But his decision came too late. An agent on the inside of the FBI had leaked information about Ryan’s true identity while he was still on the inside and Ryan’s wife and child paid the ultimate price. He hadn’t been there to protect them. That fact still cut right to the bone.
Betrayals of the Heart Page 12