by Karen Kirst
“You have fifteen minutes.”
Julian lifted his head in time to see Lincoln exiting and closing the door. Fury intermingled with the relief of seeing Audrey.
Her entire body trembled. Easing away, he caressed her cheek and peered deep into her eyes. “Tell me.”
“I was forced to dig a bullet out of Gerald’s son.” She licked her lips. “Lincoln and I managed to stabilize him, but he’s lost a lot of blood, and there’s the risk of infection and complications from the procedure.”
“His son, huh?” Julian released her in an effort to organize his thoughts. “If something goes sideways, you’ll be held accountable.”
“Julian, our future is sealed.” Despondency dripped from her words. “Whether Zachary lives or dies doesn’t change anything for us.”
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Don’t do that. Don’t give up. You fight until the very last second, understand?”
Her chin wobbled. “Why has God allowed this? I’ve never professed to be perfect. I mess up all the time. I have endeavored to honor Him with my words and actions, to give Him first place in my heart.”
He sent a silent prayer upward. “I can’t answer that. But I’m reminded of my mom’s favorite Old Testament account. Remember Joseph? Sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned?”
Her lashes swept down. “God caused his guards to show him favor. He brought him into a position of power, gifted him with a family and enabled him to save thousands of lives.”
“Including his brothers, who’d sold him off because of jealousy. I remember the verse to this day. ‘But as for you, you meant evil against me—but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.’”
A tear slid down her cheek, and it arrowed straight through his heart. If only he had it in his power to shield her from this trial.
Gently brushing away the tear, he pulled her close and began to pray aloud. It wasn’t a polished prayer. It was rusty and messy and disjointed, but reaching out to his Lord was a soothing, healing balm.
He stroked her disheveled braid. “This isn’t a surprise to Him, you know. He’s still in control.”
She dashed the wetness from her cheeks and tugged on his short sleeve. “Let me see your back. Did they remove the barbs?”
“I’m fine.”
“Let me see.”
Julian sighed and waited for her reaction. She lifted his T-shirt and gasped.
Turning to face her, he shrugged. “They weren’t as gentle as an ER nurse would’ve been, but I’ve endured worse.”
“You’ll need antibiotic cream, at the very least. How’s your arm?”
“Also fine, believe it or not.” He flexed his fingers and rotated his wrist. “I’ve done my best to baby it.”
“How long before Brady or Cade discovers we’re missing?”
“It’s after midnight, so they’re both snoozing. Brady promised to bring groceries during his lunch break.”
“A lot can happen in twelve hours.”
Plus, he might assume they were out conducting their amateur investigation. Even if Brady surmised they were in trouble, he had few options. Julian had disclosed the warehouse’s location to his friend, but he’d also warned him there were dirty cops in the local department. Not to mention he’d be implicating himself if he approached law enforcement with his information.
“That’s right,” he told her, masking his concern. “Like finding a way out of here.”
“I don’t know...”
“I do.” He clasped her hand. “We managed it once before. We’ll think of something.”
Lincoln returned then.
Audrey inhaled sharply. “I’m not ready.”
The surgeon had the grace to look pained. “I’ll bring you back later. Right now, Gerald can’t know you’ve left the ward.”
“I don’t care about Gerald.”
Julian squeezed her hand. “It’s okay.”
It wasn’t, but he had to reassure her. Had to project calm and confidence, for her sake.
“No one will harm him,” she stated, glaring at Lincoln. “Give me your word.”
His gaze met Julian’s. “As long as you remain Zachary’s compliant caretaker, you both should be safe.”
Her hands balled. “You said should.”
Lincoln tapped his shoe. “There’s no more time.”
Julian gave her a gentle push. “Go.”
Her torment plain, she went with Lincoln. Julian sank onto the hard cement ground and began to pray. The helicopter accident had ended in tragedy. He couldn’t begin to second-guess God’s purpose. Nor would he try. This was where trust and faith came into play.
* * *
“Lie down and get some rest, Audrey.”
Lincoln nodded to the empty beds before adjusting Zachary’s blanket.
“I can’t sleep.” While her body cried out for rest, her anxious mind would never let her succumb to that vulnerable state.
A heavy sigh gusted out of him. “Pulling you into this was the last thing we wanted.”
She zeroed in on the word we. “You and Chasity.”
“Please sit down before you pass out,” he said, gesturing to the bed farthest from Zach’s. When she’d perched on the mattress, he dragged over the single chair in the room, straddled it and looped his arms over the top. “I didn’t plan on enlisting her aid. It happened by accident. We were having a nice dinner. There was an emergency. Sergei and Sasha showed up to escort me...” He threaded his fingers through his hair. “I was relieved, to be honest, to have this part of my life exposed to her.”
Could he not see his utter selfishness? “You didn’t worry what would happen if, like me, she refused to join the organization?”
His eyes darkened. “Chasity was drowning in debt. She saw an opportunity to climb out.”
“She’s obviously not struggling anymore.” Audrey reviewed the last few months from a different perspective. Her friend had started shopping at high-end boutiques. Enjoyed expensive spa treatments and weekend getaways. “I assumed the perks were courtesy of her new boyfriend. You know, because you have such a generous heart.”
“This doesn’t have to be a morality issue. We’re helping patients, plain and simple.”
“Criminals, Lincoln. You treat gang members. You’re a puppet for a crime boss. Think about the patients you endangered at Onslow General for that man.”
“We take every precaution to ensure no harm is done.”
Audrey scrubbed her hands down her face. How could she have misjudged her friends?
“Isn’t your salary enough to sustain your lifestyle?”
“You have no idea how expensive divorce can be. Gina’s lawyer ensured she would continue to live in luxury. The kids’ private school alone costs me thousands each year.”
“Yet you live in a sprawling mansion alone and drive a flashy car. Don’t make it sound like you had no other options.”
“I have a reputation to uphold. Besides, Chasity deserves the best.”
“Where is Chasity? Why isn’t she here?”
“She’s on shift.”
“Fortunate for me, right? I got to take over her job.”
“Part of your current troubles rests on your shoulders,” he said with a touch of imperiousness. “We both tried to dissuade you from sticking your nose where it didn’t belong. You’re as stubborn as they come.”
She shot off the bed. “Don’t you dare blame me!”
Gerald swept into the ward like an avenging war general. “What is the meaning of this outburst?”
Lincoln jumped to his feet and moved to shield her from his cousin’s wrath. “She has questions, Gerald. It’s only natural.”
“Get her out of here,” he snapped. “I won’t have her hindering Zachary’
s recuperation.”
“I’m sure she’s calm now. Aren’t you, Audrey?”
Gerald crooked his finger, and the twins advanced. “Put her in with Sergeant Tan. She can return in an hour or two, if she promises to be on her best behavior.”
She instinctively backed away. The last time they’d come after her, she’d wound up in the sea.
Again, Lincoln moved in front of her. “I’ll take her. Stay with Zach for a few minutes.”
Gerald reluctantly acquiesced.
Lincoln marched her through the warehouse to the holding cell. Before punching in the door code, he said, “I’ll do my best to protect you, but you have to avoid riling him.”
“He already tried to kill us. You’re aware of that?”
The skin around his eye twitched. “The fact that he is family allows me some influence. I will try and convince him to release you.”
“Your confidence is reassuring,” she retorted, hurt and confused.
“He’s used to calling the shots. Gerald has cultivated an empire, and he goes to great lengths to protect his interests. I wish you had let this go.”
“Julian and I are in danger because of your choices, Lincoln.” She poked his chest. “You have to make this right.”
The grim turn of his mouth, combined with the dull light in his eyes, deflated what was left of her hope.
He punched in the code and opened the door. “I’ll come and get you later.”
Julian rose from his position on the floor. “What’s happened?”
“I don’t think we can count on Lincoln to intervene,” she told him. “I have this terrible feeling he’s going to let Gerald do whatever he wants to us.”
“You can’t know that for sure.”
“I did manage to see the code he used to unlock the door.”
His eyes widened. “You did?”
“I have to sneak away from the ward somehow and free you.”
“We’re familiar with the layout. That will work to our advantage.” Frowning, he scraped his hand over his jaw. “I don’t like to think what would happen if you’re discovered. I’d be trapped in here. Unable to help.”
His unease at that prospect permeated the air. Such a scenario was their worst nightmare.
Audrey didn’t want to wait for Chasity’s arrival. Lincoln’s failure to pledge his assistance was a major blow. He wasn’t as dear to her, however. Chas was the sister she’d never had. Her betrayal felt like a death. She couldn’t look into her face and see the same resignation, the same unwillingness to help, that Lincoln displayed.
“Then I’ll have to make sure I’m not discovered.”
* * *
Julian’s protests invaded her restless sleep. Her first thought was that he was being dragged out of their prison. She jerked off the cold, slick floor, the folded sweatshirt serving as her pillow forgotten as she rushed to his side.
“Julian, wake up.”
The instant she grazed his hand, he was alert and upright.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said. “You were having a nightmare.”
“I’m glad you woke me. I hadn’t intended to fall asleep.” He rolled his neck to get the kinks out. “Did you get any rest?”
“Some.” The only window in the room was blacked-out from this side, making it impossible to gauge how much time had passed. “You kept repeating a name,” she said softly. “Ross. Short for Rossello, I presume?”
“Yeah.” Pulling his knees to his chest, he took his time retying his shoelace. He looked tired and vulnerable.
Audrey quelled the urge to smooth his rumpled hair. Instead, she busied her hands untangling her braid.
She’d gone to the four funerals to support her father, as well as the family members. While Anthony Rossello had been a single man, he had scores of siblings, cousins and aunts and uncles. The church had been filled to bursting with people wishing to pay their respects. Julian had been in attendance, of course, but their paths hadn’t crossed.
“Were you closer to Rossello than the others?”
“Actually, he and I butted heads a lot. We didn’t think alike, and we both attempted to assert our will over the other.”
“I see.”
Propping one arm atop his bent knee, he rested against the cement-block wall. “I’ve had nightmares off and on since it happened. He’s the one I’m always trying to save.”
“Maybe it’s your subconscious mind hashing out the issues between you.”
His gaze became vague, unfocused, and she knew he was replaying those terrible events.
“Ross clung to life the longest,” he uttered, his voice like gravel. “He gave me messages to pass on to his parents and siblings. I argued with him. Yelled at him, demanding he hang on. Nothing worked. Nothing I tried worked. Maybe if I’d had more medical knowledge, I could’ve kept him alive a few minutes longer until the ambulance arrived.”
His sorrow held her in its grip. She brought his hand to her cheek. “I’m sorry, my love. So very sorry.”
He looked at her then. Really looked at her. There were no walls, no defensive shields. Audrey felt as if she’d been gifted a rare glimpse into his soul. The entirety of his pent-up pain, guilt and grief enveloped her. When she’d thought that she couldn’t bear the brunt of it a second longer, the coppery gold depths shimmered and cleared, made beautiful with wonder and gratitude, appreciation and fondness.
Flipping his hand over so that his palm cradled her face, he said, “If there’s a silver lining in this dark cloud, Audrey Harris, it’s knowing you.”
Her heart kicked and bucked. The way he was looking at her made her feel like she could soar right up to the sky.
The tender moment was shattered in the next instant. Sergei bumbled into the room.
“Emergency with Mr. Zachary. Come.”
She instinctively recoiled from his meaty hand. His upper lip curled. “I will carry you if you resist.”
Julian unfurled like a jungle cat and sprang to his feet. “Let Lincoln handle it. Or call his fiancée.”
Sergei’s fists bunched. He took a menacing step toward Julian.
“I’ll go.” Audrey clutched Julian’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
His eyes spit fire. “When she’s done your bidding,” he growled, “see that you give her something to eat and drink.”
Sergei’s scowl deepened as he held the door for her. She glanced back over her shoulder, soaking in his precious face. Every time she left him, she worried it would be the last time she saw him alive.
EIGHTEEN
She’d called him my love.
The endearment had spilled from her lips in earnest, yet he didn’t think it had even registered in her mind. It led him to believe she said it often and with casual intent, like when a restaurant server called him honey or sweetie.
He completed another set of sit-ups. Sweat poured off of him. He glanced at the bottle of water and sandwich Sergei had left. His mouth was sandpaper-dry, and he needed to replace the fluids he was losing. He resisted the temptation. Gerald was demented. Lacing Julian’s food or drink with drugs wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
My love.
Would she be embarrassed if she knew her eyes had taken on the brilliance of sapphires when she’d said it?
Ignoring the twinges in his back where the Taser barbs had burrowed into his skin, he counted out twenty more sit-ups.
She’d been gone a long time this time. Four hours, give or take.
He hated not being able to see her, hated not knowing if she was tending to Gerald’s son or being dragged onto that boat again.
They were going to have to decide on a plan soon. He had no doubt he was being kept alive as leverage, and as soon as Zachary’s condition became less precarious—or Chasity finally made an appearance�
�he’d become disposable. And so would Audrey.
The door opened. He jumped up, expecting her. But it was Sergei.
“Where’s Audrey?”
Sergei noted the uneaten sandwich and cocked an eyebrow. “Let’s go.”
Julian debated his options. He had nothing on him besides the plastic wrap he’d removed from the bread and turkey and slid into his pocket. Not a hazardous weapon, but stuffed inside someone’s mouth? A momentary distraction.
He studied Sergei. The big man looked cool as a cucumber. No telltale sweating. No fist flexing or bulging veins. He didn’t appear to be here to carry out a kill order.
“I said, let’s go.” He waved his hand, the Taser gun in his grip.
Julian winced. He’d been Tasered once during training. It had been on purpose, of course, and far less traumatic than this most recent incident.
He wasn’t keen on repeating the experience. On edge, he passed the goon and preceded him into the open space. An elderly man was washing the outside of the piranha tank. His gaze briefly touched Julian’s before darting away. The living area set up to their right was empty.
Sergei prodded him to go that way, the opposite direction of the medical ward.
“How’s Zachary?” he asked, dragging his feet.
No answer.
“The emergency you mentioned earlier. Has that been addressed?”
“Stop here.”
He obeyed, his neck and shoulder muscles bunching.
Sergei opened a door and flicked on the light.
“You brought me to the bathroom?”
“Go in or not. I’m following orders.”
Julian was secretly glad of the chance. Closing the door, he drank from the faucet and splashed cold water over his hair and face. He swiped several paper towels and, folding them into thin squares, tucked them into his back pocket.
He emerged from the bathroom, and his keeper ordered him to return to the holding cell. He dreaded returning to the bare, drab gray box of a room.
Julian could take out Sergei. The old man at the tanks wasn’t going to intervene. Adrenaline bolted through him, flooding him with energy he had trouble bridling.