Milk Money

by Jude E. McNamara

  Nicholas

  Stephen, Malcom, Lucia, and I arrived by helicopter at the location Scott had been hunkered down at in Princeton, NJ. Stephen had flown all of us at the break of dawn. We got clearance at LaGuardia as the tropical storm was starting to lift. Lucia insisted on coming with us. I begged her to stay behind with the Senator, Big Daddy, and Elizabeth but she was having none of it. She insisted that Harper would need a woman nearby when we rescued her. She wanted to help her with any female needs. I mumbled at the whole idea, but agreed to let Lucia come anyway. If anybody was going to give my Kitten what she needed, it was going to be me.

  Lucia had dressed herself in a jumpsuit-looking outfit made of black leather. She reminded me of the Catwoman. I insisted that Lucia stay inside the helicopter for safekeeping.

  “Lucia. If anything ugly happens to us, use this weapon,” Stephen said right before we landed. “Do what I taught you and then get out of here.”

  Lucia nodded.

  Jesus, what had Stephen taught Lucia? Everybody around me had goddamn secrets, but I didn’t have time to get into it with them now. I would ask Stephen and Lucia later when all of this was over.

  It was early morning and the sun had risen. Stephen landed the helicopter right on the front lawn as if we were storming the beaches of Normandy. Scott had assembled a team that had surrounded the house. Scott and Stephen made hand signals with each other communicating silently. The fact that we employed the element of surprise was to our tactical advantage. Too, with Scott already on the ground, we were able to disable their cameras and monitors moments before our arrival. The heat scans revealed how many people were inside the manor, so we pretty much knew what we were up against man-to-man.

  Scott and Malcom had managed to injure and disable several of the Russian lookouts posted outside the manor. Stephen’s men threw a tied-up Brooks inside the front door of the manor as our calling card. We were deliberately letting Tatiana know of our arrival.

  Stephen had a small army of men strategically located around the entire property. If Tatiana didn’t give me my woman back, I was going to take down everyone in that manor down with no mercy. Torture wasn’t at all beneath Stephen and Scott, so things would get ugly fast. I wanted my woman back.

  We put a phone inside Brooks’s suit jacket and programmed the number so that I could call and make the trade. My woman and child in exchange for twenty-two million dollars, which I was now carrying in a thick titanium case.

  “You have something that belongs to me,” I said to Tatiana.

  “And you have something I want,” she replied. “What I don’t need or want is Mr. McKenna,” she said rather haughtily.

  “You have Brooks McKenna walk her out the front door and I’ll give him the money. He can give it to you and you can do what you want with him,” I said coolly.

  “I have no use for him,” Tatiana said.

  “Not my problem,” I answered.

  “Give me a minute please,” she said.

  I could hear Tatiana, Brooks, and some other man with a Russian accent arguing among themselves in the background.

  “You either walk my woman out here right now, or I come in and get her,” I said interrupting their discussion.

  A few moments passed and the front door opened. Brooks was dragging Harper by her hair. Her mouth was taped and her wrists were bound. She had a huge bruise across her face and tears were streaming down her face.

  My heart starting beating overtime and all I could think about was killing Brooks and everyone inside that house for doing this to my Kitten.

  Brooks stepped down four steps on the porch of the Manor with Harper in his clutches.

  “Stop right there, asshole,” Brooks said to me as I began approaching Harper rapidly. He pulled a gun out of his backside and aimed it at her neck.

  I could feel my blood begin to boil now.

  “Give me my woman!” I yelled at Brooks.

  “Throw the money down in front of you,” he said.

  “Step back away from her and let her walk toward me,” I shouted.

  “We’ve got a lot of guns on you asshole. Throw the money over here,” Brooks shouted again.

  Brooks still hadn’t let go of Harper. I was starting to feel like we might be headed towards a major standoff. Things were getting incredibly tense. My baby was shaking and was beginning to shiver. I knew this had to end quickly.

  I kicked the silver case on the ground as close to Brooks’s feet as I could get it. I swore under my breath that I would make him pay for what he’d put her through.

  “Now let her go!” I shouted.

  Brooks pushed Harper forward out of his reach and bent down to pick up the silver case full of money.

  Brooks dropped to his knees to open the case.

  “Come to me baby,” I yelled at Harper.

  Harper broke free from Brook’s grasp and ran my direction. I ran to her as fast as I could to reach her and pulled her into my arms.

  “Get down, Nicky,” Stephen yelled.

  Harper and I had barely reached each other’s arms. I rotated Harper around the back of my body and pulled her behind me. Brooks had picked up the silver case of money and raised his gun toward us just as a big huge man opened the front door.

  “Ivann no,” Brooks shouted.

  Ivann let loose several rounds of fire on Stephen who was to my left. Brooks turned to face me and Harper. I watched as his finger pulled on the gun’s trigger. A swoosh of air passed my right temple and a flash of light illuminated in my peripheral vision.

  “Son of a bitch,” I barked at Brooks.

  A second burst of air whizzed past me again from behind. I heard a loud thud hit the ground coupled with a loud groan. Brooks had taken a hit to the skull. Pink flesh and blood oozed from the middle of his forehead. I heard a loud female scream from inside the manor.

  Scott and Stephen both simultaneously fired on Ivann, killing him dead.

  I ripped the tape off Harper’s mouth.

  “Kitten, are you okay, baby?”

  “Yes Nicky!”

  That was all I needed to hear. We could talk the rest of this out later. I just needed to get her out of here. I shielded my body against her to protect her as frustration consumed me.

  Sounds of gunshots filled the air. There was a tangled mess of bodies around us and bullets were flying across our heads. I pulled myself up, grabbed Harper off the ground, and pulled her towards our helicopter. Who had fired on Brooks to save us?

  “Good going Lucia,” Scott said, running up to hug her.

  “Get out of the way Scott,” Stephen said.

  “Lucia are you okay, sweetie?” Stephen asked, looking her up and down to be sure.

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” Scott said, pulling Lucia to his side and following quickly behind us to the helicopter.

  Stephen removed the Glock 45 from Lucia’s hand.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Stephen barked, but not before taking a swipe at the back of Scott’s head with his hand.

  Fucking high strung alpha twins with egos. Were these two really going to use this particular moment to fight over Lucia?

  “Guys, I’m fine,” Lucia said.

  I looked at Lucia in total disbelief. I couldn’t believe what I had just witnessed. Lucia had shot Brooks to death. I looked at Lucia intently, grateful that she had my back.

  “Lucia?” I said, not finding the words.

  “Marksman classes,” she said. “Happy to help Nicky.”

  “Lucia . . . I . . . I . . .”

  “You’re repeating yourself again Nicky. Knock it off,” she said.

  I shook my head again in disbelief thinking how much Lucia never ceased to amaze me. I was proud to call her my partner and friend. I owed her my life, Kitten’s life, and the life of our little-one-to-be.

  Stephen pulled a huge knife out of his waistband as big as Crocodile Dundee’s. He immediately cut the ties off Harper’s wrists.

  “In about two minutes this pl
ace is going to be crawling with Secret Service, State police, FBI, a whole bunch of media, and God knows who else,” he barked while revving up the helicopter’s engine.

  No sooner than Stephen had gotten those words out than the place was crawling with red and white flashing lights illuminating the morning sky. Police were surrounding the area from all directions.

  This was part of the senator’s contribution to our “big plan.” He would have the authorities secure the scene once we had his daughter in hand. He didn’t want any of these Russian hoodlums to get away and neither did I. Once I had what was precious to me back in my arms I didn’t care what they did to the rest of those people.

  Scott and Malcom remained on the ground directing the authorities on who was left in the house. Tatiana and the uniformed woman came out in handcuffs escorted by the FBI. Ivann and Brooks were dead along with several other of their minions.

  Malcom was picking up the briefcase full of cash and heading to an unmarked car that I suspected contained the senator’s people, just as we were taking off.

  I held Kitten close to me not ever wanting to let her go.

  “Let’s get her to a doctor, Nicky,” Lucia said. “We need to make sure she and the baby are okay.”

  “Good idea,” I said to her and Stephen.

  “I’m hungry,” Harper said. “I need a bathroom and I want to lay down.” She forced a smile but winced when I ran my finger down the side of her face.

  I kissed the tips of her cold fingers. I knew Harper was weak. Her skin was turning ashy and her lips were looking a little blue.

  “Okay Kitten. I’ll take care of you.”

  The love of my life was safe in my arms. I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to like any doctors poking on her and kicking me out of some hospital room to examine her. I needed to be right where she was, wherever that is.

  “Hospital, right?” Lucia asked Harper.

  Before Harper could respond, I said “Home. We can bring the hospital to us.”

  “And just how do you plan to do that Nicky?” Lucia resisted.

  “I’ll build a fucking wing if necessary and make it happen that’s how. My Kitten is going home with me now.”

  “No, she’s going to the hospital, Nicky. If you want to buy a new obstetrics wing for New York Presbyterian Hospital that’s your business, but she needs an ultrasound, so knock it off.”

  Well that’s my Lucia. She was back to her old self. Giving me orders again.

  Harper looked at Lucia and tapped her hand on Lucia’s knee so as to suggest she wanted to go to the hospital.

  “I feel like I’m spotting,” Harper said to Lucia.

  “Don’t worry, Harper. Hospital it is,” Lucia commanded.

  I could tell Harper was exhausted and weak. She had been through an incredible ordeal. Lucia just shook her head at me. She was used to putting up with me. I’m sure she thought I was being overly possessive. So what? I might be acting a bit ridiculous, but I didn’t care.

  I opened my phone to call my brother. He had kids so he’d know how to make things happen quickly. It helped that he was a lawyer and a Becker.

  “Three, it’s me Nicky. Call Elizabeth Montgomery and get Harper’s doctors to meet us at the emergency room at the Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Campus. We’ll be landing at the hospital’s helipad within the hour. Harper urgently needs medical attention.”

  “Don’t worry Nicky. I’ll make it happen. If I run into any roadblocks Big Daddy can call the Chief of Staff. Nothing’s going to get in the way of Big Daddy and the future of his grandkid,” Three said. “Consider it done.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Nicholas

  Three had delivered on his word, because an hour later a team of doctors, nurses, and numerous medical personnel were waiting on top of the helipad with a gurney. It was a good thing too, because Harper was starting to experience some cramping and was beginning to moan in pain. It was clear she wasn’t doing well. It was killing me to hear her moan. I was going to tear this hospital down and build a new one if somebody didn’t help my Kitten real quick.

  Thankfully, the medical staff was pushing IVs in Harper’s arms and rushing her off to an examination room. I held her hand tightly telling her how much I loved her and our baby. A tear rolled down the side of her face. I knew she was scared she might lose the baby. I was too.

  Hell, things had happened so fast I wasn’t even sure how far along Harper was in her pregnancy. Our conversation hadn’t gotten that far in all the commotion.

  “I want you and I want our baby,” I whispered in her ear. “We’re going to make it through this together, Kitten.”

  It was the first time I had ever seen vulnerability register on Harper’s face. She was always so tough. So strong. For the first time in our relationship I knew exactly how much she needed me and how much I needed her.

  “Mr. Becker, we need to move your wife into radiology for some tests,” the nurse said. “You’ll have to wait in the waiting room, sir.”

  Harper looked up at me through tear-filled eyes and smiled weakly. We both could read each other’s minds. Yes, we were damn sure going to be husband and wife so we didn’t correct her.

  “C’mon Nicky,” Lucia said. “Let’s go to the waiting room with the others. Family and friends are starting to arrive,” she said, looking at the text messages on her phone.

  I looked at Lucia somewhat puzzled.

  “What? How long did you think this was going to stay a secret?” Lucia said.

  “Who’s here already?” I asked.

  “Everybody. When Nicholas Becker is involved, the whole world shows up. Paparazzi are being held off under guard at the hospital doors.”

  “Jesus,” I squawked.

  “We let Reese and Mackenzie through,” Lucia said. “They went to the cafeteria for food and coffee.”

  I ran my fingers through my hair but said nothing out loud. Reese and Mackenzie were Harper’s friends and I had to consider that now that I planned to be her husband.

  Big Daddy, Elizabeth, Three, and the senator are in the family waiting room,” she said.

  “Let’s go in then,” I mumbled.

  I wanted a moment alone, but I had argued with myself to put that desire off for now.

  I had been pacing for what felt like several hours when Harper’s obstetrician arrived.

  “Mr. Becker I’m Dr. Elliot Fischer, Harper’s obstetrician.”

  “How is she, Dr.?” I asked, praying that the news would be good.

  Dr. Fischer was an extremely good-looking African American man. His gaze dropped from mine as he did a double take at Lucia. I gave Lucia the snake eye to let her know I noticed, but she just shrugged her shoulders dismissing me. I grinned at her and shook my head. I was pretty much used to men googling over Lucia. Lucia had that effect on most men. I almost always gave her a hard time about it. I just wasn’t sure how I felt about the handsome Dr. Fischer poking in between my Kitten’s legs.

  It was also a good thing that I was surrounded by family and friends, because the next bit of news that Dr. Fischer delivered practically knocked me to the floor.

  “She and the babies are good,” Dr. Fischer said. “Harper’s exhausted famished, and pretty dehydrated. She’s in pain and her body is badly bruised from the assault she took. Thank God her fall to the floor wasn’t injurious to the babies. Harper will need to be on bed rest for a bit, but otherwise I’m pleased to tell you they are all going to be okay.”

  “Babies? All okay? They? What?” I asked.

  “You’re having twins, Mr. Becker. You and Harper are having twins.”

  “Oh my Lord, twins!” Elizabeth exclaimed loudly.

  Big Daddy walked over to me and slapped me on the back hard.

  “Two shots at some grandsons. You did good Nicky,” he said proudly.

  “Thank God. Takes the heat off me, Nicky,” Three laughed and came over to congratulate me.

  “Senator, I’m required to make a statemen
t with the large number of press waiting outside on behalf of the hospital and on your behalf,” Dr. Fischer said. “The word has pretty much leaked out that your daughter has been admitted. It would be helpful if a family member would join me to make a brief statement.”

  The senator looked at Elizabeth who shook her head implying that she had no intention of going.

  “I’ll go,” Three volunteered. “I’m a lawyer. I know how to handle these matters.”

  “Good idea,” I said very quickly, knowing that there was no way on God’s green Earth that I was going to do it.

  “Besides, it will give me chance to talk to Mallory and Jessica,” Three said. “I hear they both are outside taking advantage of the paparazzi moment.”

  “You’re married,” I said to Three.

  “Yes married, but not yet dead, Nicky. I can still look even though I can’t touch. Besides, those two beauties saved me. I owe them,” Three grinned like a frat boy.

  “If it’s fine with Nicholas, than it’s fine with me,” the senator said, looking somewhat relieved not to have to be the one to go.

  “Nicholas, you can go see Harper now, but not for long. She needs her rest,” Dr. Fischer said. “She knows family and friends are here. We don’t want to overwhelm her and tire her out any more than she already is, please.”

  “Dr. Fischer I’m ready whenever you are,” Three said excitedly.

  “Thank you, Blake. Give me a minute to give the nursing staff some direction and then we can go outside and feed the mainstream media among the bright lights,” Dr. Fischer quipped.

  I was still in shock as I watched Dr. Fisher and Three exit the family waiting room.

  The senator marched over to me and shook my hand.

  “I expect you to make an honest woman out of Harper. I’m an old-fashioned guy, Nicholas, when it comes to these matters. Of course it may take some convincing on your part as far as Harper is concerned. Might be hard to get her on the same page,” the senator said.

  I hardly heard anything the senator was saying. Twins. Twins. Harper and I are having twins?