Colby nodded, as did Sierra. They both moved to do what he’d asked.
A half an hour later, Kashena’s car had been found by CHP, it was indeed wrecked, her phone had been found at the scene, and there was blood on the driver’s seat. CHP sent him video of the scene. There was no second vehicle, so apparently whatever car Kashena had hit had still been drivable.
“She went up under something big,” Sebastian said, looking at the video on his laptop while talking to the CHP officer. “Check for any reports in the area, it’d have to be a big SUV for the SL to go under like that and the truck to still be drivable. There’s not a lot of blood, so it looks like they took her alive.” He said, lowering his voice so Sierra didn’t hear.
It wasn’t a lot of consolation that she’d been taken alive, because it didn’t mean they intended to keep her that way.
Sierra had contacted Jericho to let her know what was happening, and Jericho was getting on the phone to Corrections to see what was happening with Jason, if he was still in Sacramento. Sierra told Jericho that when Kashena had called on him the day before, she had been told he was still in Sacramento, so what had changed? Or was Jason not involving himself? That was the question.
Kashena woke to a throbbing in her head and the knowledge she was somewhere dark, dank and wet. She was relieved to note that she wasn’t bound in any way. These people were awfully confident, she thought to herself. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, feeling her vision swim a bit. Resting her head against the post behind her, she closed her eyes to wait for the feeling to pass.
She wondered if Sebastian had found her car yet. She knew he’d be freaking out, but she hoped that he also remembered the one thing she’d wanted from him was that he protect her family. As far as she was concerned her fate was sealed, as long as Jason didn’t get to Sierra and Colby, she could let go.
It was at least another hour until she heard the door to the room open. She’d taken the time to walk around the room to determine if there was any way out. There were no windows in the room, only a door that was locked from the outside, and she’d attempted to pull at it a few times, it didn’t budge. Finally she’d moved to sit back down when her head protested her movement too much. She was sitting with her knees up to her chest when the man entered. She immediately moved to stand, her look wary. The man was tall, at least six foot and three inches. He was burly and had short cropped blonde hair and deeply tanned skin, again, Kashena’s first thought was Marine?
“You fucked with the wrong people, bitch.” The man practically spat.
Kashena’s face remained impassive except for a slight grin, “Happens a lot,” she said, her tone apathetic.
“You won’t have to worry about that for long, sweetheart,” the man said, his grin sneering.
“I don’t find myself too concerned,” Kashena said, knowing she was baiting the man, but wanting him to come closer so she’d have a chance to take him down.
“You should be,” he said, his tone serious, “You should never fuck with a Marine’s wife.”
Kashena canted her head slightly, “Neither should you,” she said, her tone contemptuous.
“What the fuck does that mean?” The man snapped.
“It means that if you mess with my wife, you’re fucking with a Marine’s wife.” Kashena said.
The man stared back at her open mouthed, but then he started to look cynical.
Reaching up she took her DOJ windbreaker off her shoulders and down to her elbows, showing him the Marine tattoo on her upper left arm. His eyes widened as he looked from the tattoo to Kashena’s face.
“What the fuck?” he muttered.
“Jason didn’t tell you who you were after?” Kashena asked, her tone caustic, “Yeah, that sounds about right. Did he tell you I’m a cop? Or did he leave that part out too?” She asked, pushing her temporary advantage.
The guy was shaking his head, stepping back and holding his hands up.
“He said you trumped up charges on him so you could take his wife away from him.”
“Yeah, he lied to you,” Kashena said, her tone even.
“He said you’re a dirty cop.” The man said then.
“Sounds like he doesn’t like me, I’m hurt.” Kashena said, smiling now.
The man stared back at her, his eyes cautious now.
“Why don’t you just be smart and let me go?” Kashena said her tone reasonable, “You already wrecked a sixty thousand dollar car, we could just leave it at that.”
The man started shaking his head immediately; “I need to…” He began, and then turned and walked quickly out of the room.
Kashena heard the lock click, even so she went to check the door. It was indeed locked again.
“Damnit,” she muttered.
Walking back over to the pole she slid down it into a sitting position again. She hoped that she had put enough doubt in the man’s mind to make him re-think working with or for Jason.
By nightfall Sebastian had made no progress in finding Kashena. There had been a report of a black SUV speeding on the canyon road and the person had gotten a couple of numbers on the plate, but nothing really useful, black SUVs were a dime a dozen in LA. His agitation level was at an all-time high. He knew that Jason could be killing Kashena at that moment and he would have no way of stopping it. What kept running through is mind was that they’d just find her body lying in a ditch somewhere and that would be the end of it. It wouldn’t be the end of it, though; Sebastian would personally track Jason down and kill him slowly and painfully if that happened.
He stepped out onto the patio to smoke, moving to sit in one of the patio chairs. He was dying for a beer or something much stronger, but he didn’t want to dull his senses, he knew Kashena was counting on him. In his mind he was running over the few things they knew. Jericho had come back with the information that Corrections had gone into the house they thought Jason to be in, only to find that he wasn’t actually there.
“Those people should be shot,” had been Sebastian’s reply.
“Trust me, Midnight will hear about this, and she will go after them, but it doesn’t really help us now. We can count on Jason being in town.” Jericho had said.
Knowing that they no longer had a bead on Jason, Sebastian knew things were definitely moving in the direction that Kashena counted on. She had always suspected that it would be Jason who killed her, Sebastian really hoped she was wrong.
The slightest movement to his left caught his attention, a second later he was knocking over the chair he sat in as he vaulted to his feet, the black clad man charged at his mid-section, knocking Sebastian over the toppled chair.
“Son of a bitch!” Sebastian yelled, as he grappled with the man.
Kashena was pacing a few hours later when the door opened again. She was not surprised to see Jason walk through the door, she was pleased to note that he did not look happy.
“Jason…” Kashena said, “Long time no see,” she said, her tone sarcastic.
“Shut the fuck up!” Jason yelled, his frustration making the veins in his neck bulge.
“Why don’t you come over here and make me?” Kashena said, her tone challenging, then she raised an eyebrow, “Or are you afraid you can’t?”
“Oh I can shut you up, bitch,” he said, pulling out a gun, “But I don’t have to get near you to do it.”
Kashena looked at the gun, thinking in her head, not a knife, “Kind of a chicken shit way to handle things, but okay.”
“I said shut up.” Jason growled.
Kashena’s lips curled into a sardonic grin, her look superior her blue eyes sparkling in a challenge.
“Think you’re so fucking smart?” Jason said, “Think that big Ranger fucker can protect Sierra? Huh?” He asked, gleefully.
Kashena’s chin came up at the mention of both Sebastian and Sierra, and her face grew serious as she said “Leave them the fuck out of this, Jason.”
“No, I don’t think I will,” he said, looking plea
sed with himself again, “Stupid fucking cunt, think you can take what’s mine and you’re gonna get to keep it? No, I don’t think so,” he said, with that lifting the gun he shot her in the leg.
Kashena fell to the floor, groaning, “Just fucking kill me Jason, and leave Sierra and Colby alone, move on with your fucking life!”
Jason walked over to her, grabbing a handful of blond hair and yanking her half off the floor, bringing her face close to his.
“Oh, I’m going to fucking kill you, bitch, but now I’m gonna make Sierra and Colby watch!” He let her go then, and she fell to the floor in a heap.
He left the room then, and Kashena lay bleeding on the floor thinking Jason had just conjured up her worst nightmare.
Sebastian managed to get disentangled not only with the man who’d run at him, but the chair they’d both fallen over, ending up with the chair between them. Lashing out with his foot, he kicked the chair at the man, who ducked to miss it. Sebastian charged him, landing on top of the man and throwing punches. He was so focused on beating the man senseless, he didn’t know there was another man behind him, until just before the guy grabbed him. Sebastian did his best to shift out of the man’s grasp, but the man had a good hold. Still Sebastian rolled to the side, taking the man off his feet. Turning to grapple with the second man, Sebastian heard Sierra scream, and his head snapped around to look toward the house.
That’s when the man pulled out a knife, shoving it into Sebastian’s shoulder. Sebastian gave a yell, but used the adrenaline rush to put all the strength he had into turning to slam his fist into the man’s face. He then yanked the knife out of his shoulder, shoving it into his opponents’ chest and kicking him away from him at that same time. He moved to run toward the house, but his first opponent hadn’t been completely immobilized and grabbed his leg as he ran by, causing Sebastian to stumble and ended up smashing through the back slider. Even so, he jumped to his feet scanning the room. The front door stood wide open, and he caught sight of red taillights. Using the last of his strength he tried to sprint after the car, to no avail. He ended up stumbling and falling to the ground barking his already screaming shoulder.
“Fuck!” He yelled again. He’d just let Kashena down.
Forcing himself to his feet he ran back to the house, pulling out his gun as he entered. Moving to the back of the house he saw the first assailant trying to pick up the man Sebastian had knifed.
“Don’t fucking move,” Sebastian said, his tone all cop at that moment.
The man put his hands up, turning to face Sebastian.
“What the fuck do you mean?” Sebastian asked not for the first time, “Kashena was a Marine you idiot!”
“Not what he told us,” the guy said, shaking his head.
“He’s a fucking con, you fucking moron!” Sebastian said, punching the man in the face, not for the first time.
“Where the fuck is she!” Sebastian snarled, “Tell me or I swear to fucking god I will kill you right now.”
“Downtown, okay, downtown!” The man said, tired of taking punishment from this guy and thinking that Jason wasn’t exactly who he’d made himself out to be.
“Give me an address…” Sebastian growled.
“522 North A street,” the guy said immediately, “Basement.”
“Good,” Sebastian said, slamming a fist into the man’s face knocking him out cold.
He strode out to his Hummer, getting in as he called back-up.
“Jericho, it’s me, I know where she’s at, 522 North A Street. I’ll be there as fast as I can. No lights, no sirens, and don’t let them go in, he’ll kill her instantly.”
“Got it,” Jericho said, nodding.
It was an hour down to the city, he’d have to push it. He just prayed he’d make it in time.
“Kashena!” Sierra screamed when she saw her wife laying on the floor with blood all around her.
Kashena stirred, pushing herself up to sitting.
“I’m okay, honey,” she said, her voice as soothing as possible.
“Not for long, bitch,” Jason said, as he cuffed Sierra and then Colby to a pipe near the door of the room.
He walked over to Kashena, she couldn’t get up because of her leg. Lightning fast, Jason got behind her, kneeling and grabbing her by a handful of her hair again. He drew out a knife and held it to her throat. His eyes were on Sierra who was crying.
“Jason no!” Sierra said, her voice tearful “Please don’t!”
Colby stood watching the scene before him, unable to believe his eyes. He yanked at the cuffs that held him, willing to break his hands if he had to get out of them. He had to do something!
“Jason, stop!” he yelled. “Let my mother go, you coward!”
Jason’s eyes turned to him then, “You call this bitch your mother?” he said, his tone sneering, “What kind of faggot are you turning into?” he asked.
“As long as I’m not like you.” Colby said, his look disgusted.
“I’m a Marine you little pussy.” Jason snapped.
“So’s my mother and she’s a better Marine that you ever were!” Colby yelled.
Kashena knew she needed to do something, she couldn’t let Jason near Colby, he’d kill him, especially with what he was saying. She shifted her weight; trying to shove back against Jason, as she did she felt the knife bite into her throat.
“What the fuck do you think you’re gonna do?” Jason asked, tightening his hold on her hair painfully.
Kashena’s eyes connected with Sierra’s, she looked to Colby then, and saw that he was crying now too. She felt tears sting the back s of her eyes as she looked back at Sierra again.
“I love you,” she mouthed to Sierra, then closing her eyes, she gathered all of her strength and shoved up and back to put Jason off balance.
She heard Sierra scream as Jason not only didn’t go down, but viciously slid the knife across her throat. Kashena felt the cold of the steel and the burn of the cut and immediately felt her blood pouring out, she knew she’d be dead in minutes. She felt Jason let go of her hair, she used every ounce of strength she had left to turn and grab him in a bear hug. He struggled to free himself, turning her so he could slam her against the wall to loosen her hold on him. As she sank to the floor she heard Sebastian’s voice yell Jason’s name and she heard gunshots and Jason felt on the floor next to her, shot through the head.
Good, he died before me… Was Kashena’s last thought as everything faded to black.
“Damnit, damnit!” Sebastian yelled, running to Kashena’s body, and sliding to his knees, picking her up and seeing the blood pouring from her throat. “Get the fuck in here and call an ambulance now!” He yelled at his backup.
Sebastian moved to feel for a pulse and found the faintest flutter.
“Don’t you dare die on me, Marine…” Sebastian growled, sliding his finger down her neck, and feeling for where the blood was flowing from.
He felt her jugular and felt it pulsing as it pumped blood. Pressing, he prayed he could do something, anything to spare her life.
“Don’t die on me, Kash… don’t die…” Sebastian said, unknowingly rocking back and forth as he held his partner across his lap and in his arms.
The officers who’d followed Sebastian down had uncuffed Colby and Sierra. Sierra ran to where Sebastian held Kashena, her hands shaking as she reached out to touch her wife’s face. It felt cold.
“Where’s the ambulance!?” Sebastian yelled to no one in particular.
“Coming sir!” someone yelled back.
Sebastian heard the ambulance pulling up outside then.
“Come on, Kash, they’re here, you gotta hold on…” Sebastian said.
Sierra was crying, unable to form words at that moment. Colby stood staring at them, trying to understand why this was happening.
The paramedics came running into the room, taking Kashena’s lifeless body out of Sebastian’s arms. Moving to stand, he helped Sierra up, hugging her to him as the paramedics worked o
n Kashena.
“I don’t have a pulse!” one EMT said.
“Let’s go!” the other said.
“We’re going with,” Sebastian said, grabbing Colby and walking toward the door, Sierra still under one arm.
“Sir, there’s too many!”
“Don’t care!” Sebastian yelled.
They followed the EMTs out to the ambulance and Sebastian had Sierra and Colby get into the back, he climbed into the passenger side of the ambulance, not willing to argue. The EMTs shrugged and threw on the lights and sirens to get Kashena to the hospital.
It was the longest ten minute ride of their lives and they could not Kashena’s pulse back. Even so they started an IV and pushed as much fluid into her as they could. The EMT working on her had Sierra put her finger to the jugular vein as Sebastian had, hoping against hope it would help.
Kashena WindWalker-Marshal was officially dead for 15 minutes, she’d come into the emergency room, with no pulse. The emergency room doctors worked on her feverishly, trying to repair the damage to the jugular, all the while pumping blood into her body. Suddenly there was a beat on the monitor, Sierra, who was leaning heavily against Sebastian in an almost catatonic state, heard the sound and her head snapped up.
Moving to the side of the gurney that the doctors weren’t on, Sierra grabbed Kashena’s hand.
“Kashena!” She yelled, “You can do this… come back to me…” She said, her tears flowing once again.
Colby move to join his mother, reaching out to put his hand over Sierra’s.
“Mom?” he said, “You can’t leave us like this, okay? You gotta come back…”
“Yeah, get your ass back here, Marine!” Sebastian bellowed.
The heart beat continued, slowly at first and then getting stronger.
“That’s it…” Sierra said, her voice a whisper next to Kashena’s ear, “You can do this…come back to me…”
Marking Time (WeHo Series Book 4) Page 17