by Rita Herron
And when he came inside her, and she nuzzled her head into his chest, clinging to him, his chest clenched with love and fear.
He knew she’d been seeking comfort tonight. That when she had her son back, she’d move on and he would have to as, well.
But he didn’t know how the hell he was going to let her go.
SERENA’S BODY QUIVERED in the aftermath of their lovemaking and she huddled in Colt’s arms, savoring his masculine scent and the strength of his big hard body. For just a moment, she allowed herself to forget the nightmare that had become her life.
But Petey’s little voice interrupted, his cries for her echoing in her head. She’d had a lousy childhood and had wanted to protect him from anything bad. But she’d failed.
Colt traced a finger over a scar on her shoulder, and she tensed, remembering the foster father who had given her that wound. The physical ones had healed but the mental ones remained, rising to haunt her in the darkness.
She thought Parker had understood, yet they had never really talked about it because she’d kept that part of her hidden, afraid he’d see her differently if he knew the truth. That he’d see her as unlovable and would realize why her parents hadn’t wanted her.
“Thank you, Colt,” she whispered.
He cupped her face between his hands. “You don’t have to thank me. I wanted you, Serena. Maybe it’s wrong but I still do.”
Serena shook her head in denial. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew the real me.”
Colt started to say something, but his cell phone buzzed, and he reached for it and connected the call. “Colt Mason.” A pause. “Yes.” Another pause, then Colt sat up and grabbed his clothes off the floor. “Hang on, I’ll be right there.”
Ending the call, he vaulted off the bed to dress.
“What is it, Colt?” Serena asked.
“That was Dasha. She was scared. She’s in Miami and has information about the kidnapping ring. She wants us to meet her at the docks.”
Serena’s heart careened into double time. “Oh, God. She might know where Petey is.” She jumped off the bed and scrambled to find her jeans and shirt.
Within seconds, they were both dressed and rushing out the door. Colt tucked his gun inside his pants, unlocked the rental car, and they raced toward the docks. The late night crowd was still out partying on the main drag, but as they left the center of town, traffic thinned and the waterway stretched before them.
Houseboats, sailboats and speedboats popped into view and at the far end, a series of storage buildings butted up to the docks. The ocean rippled, waves crashing the shore, the sound of a motor puttering in the distance breaking the silence.
Colt pulled into the parking lot, and Serena searched the darkness, the dimly lit boat ramps, the storage area, looking for signs of Dasha or Rice.
“Stay alert,” Colt warned as they climbed out. “This could be a setup.”
Serena nodded. He didn’t have to tell her the dangers of the street. Not that they would stop her from going after her son. Nothing would.
Together they walked up the dock, glancing from one boat to the next. Partiers on a houseboat were drinking and dancing to loud music, two fishermen burned a low light as they coasted out to sea, and a shrimp boat glowed in the distance.
Across the inlet was another set of docks. Colt spotted a lone figure staggering in the dark near a storage container. “Over there. It’s Dasha. She’s hurt.”
Colt pointed toward the lower ramp and ran toward it. Serena followed, staying close behind him as they jogged toward the figure. The scent of salt water blended with the strong odor of fish and shrimp, the balmy heat of the night making her feel clammy all over.
She shoved her hair from her face, squinting through the darkness as she spotted Dasha stagger between two buildings. A shot rang out, pinging above their heads, and Colt drew his gun.
“Stay down!”
Serena crouched lower and veered into the alley. Colt halted at the corner, firing back at the shooter, and she ran on, her stomach knotting when she saw Dasha collapse onto the ground.
She hurried to Dasha, knelt and touched the woman’s shoulder. “Dasha?”
Dasha groaned, and Serena turned her body over, gasping at the sight of blood seeping through her fingers where she held them over her abdomen.
“Dasha, it’s Serena. Who shot you?”
“A man, works for Rice,” Dasha whispered hoarsely. “I followed him…wanted to find your son. But he found out I talked to you…” Her voice broke, perspiration beading on her face and neck. “One of his men brought me here to Rice.”
Serena ripped off the bottom portion of her T-shirt, folded it up and pressed it on Dasha’s wound. “Keep pressure on it. I’ll call an ambulance.”
Dasha caught her hand before she could move. “Wait. Don’t go.”
“I’m just going to get help.”
“No, first, your son…he’s here…”
“Where? Is he all right?”
Dasha moaned, her pallor pasty white, then lifted a bloody finger and gestured toward the right. “He’s in the boat on the end. Rice…was going to leave with him tonight. You have to hurry…”
Serena gripped Dasha’s hand. “Thanks.”
“Just go get your son,” Dasha whispered.
Serena nodded, then stood and glanced to the side in search of Colt. More shots echoed in the night, and she prayed Colt didn’t get hit as she ran toward the boat.
She paused before she boarded, scanning the upper level for Rice or one of his cronies, but saw no one. She hesitated, contemplating going back for Colt, but another gunshot blasted the air, and she jumped onto the deck. For all she knew, the man who’d shot Dasha was trying to fend them off so Rice could escape.
She didn’t intend to let that happen.
Frantic, she searched the main deck, then tiptoed down the stairs, listening for any sound to indicate Rice was on board setting a trap. But only the sound of the water lapping against the boat danced around her.
She glanced around the main cabin, but it was empty. Then a noise penetrated the quiet. A small tapping sound.
Her heart began to race. It was coming from one of the smaller cabins down the hall.
She hurried toward the noise, cautiously checking the first two cabins, but found them empty. Then another sound broke the silence.
A soft cry.
Petey?
Dear God. Her heart sputtered as she rushed to the cabin and jiggled the door. Dammit, it was locked.
“Petey?”
A muffled sound followed, then more thumping and the sound of a whistle.
“Hang on, honey. Let me find something to open the door.” Adrenaline surged through her, and she raced back to the main cabin in search of a key. She rummaged through the drawers, the desk, then checked the wall for a key ring but didn’t find one.
Rice must have taken it with him.
Memories of her street life resurfaced, and she rushed to the desk drawer and searched for a paper clip. She found one in the top drawer, bent it to use as a tool, then ran back to the locked door and jammed it in the lock.
Inside, the crying and pounding grew louder.
“I’m coming, honey, hang on.” Two more tries, and the lock clicked. Breathing deeply, she shoved open the door and spotted her son curled on the tiny bed in the corner with his hands and feet tied, his mouth gagged. Somehow he’d managed to slip the end of the whistle beneath the gag just enough to blow it.
Pure rage mingled with relief, and she rushed to him. Fear darkened Petey’s eyes, but she saw his relief, as well, and lowered herself on the bed beside him.
Her hands shook as she untied his hands and feet, and removed the gag. Tears streaked his little face, and he looked tired and frightened, but he seemed unharmed.
“Mommy!” Petey cried. “I knew you’d find me.”
Emotions clogged her throat as he threw his arms around her neck. Serena wrapped her arms around him and held him, tear
s flowing as she rocked him against her.
But they couldn’t stay here long. Rice would come back.
And when he did, he would kill her to get to Petey.
Chapter Sixteen
Colt hit Rice’s crony with the third bullet he fired. The man dropped like a rock, blood spurting from his chest. Colt checked the alley for Rice, but didn’t see him so he walked over to the beefy gunman and checked for a pulse.
Nothing.
He retrieved the man’s weapon, tucked it into the back of his jeans then headed toward the alley where Serena had chased Dasha, checking over his shoulder and the surrounding area. His gut tightened at the sight of Dasha lying on the ground motionless.
He knelt beside her, grimacing at the blood seeping through the rag she held pressed to her stomach. “Dasha?”
She moaned and slowly opened her eyes. Her pupils were dilated, her pallor gray. “Serena…went after Petey.”
“Where?”
She pointed a shaky hand toward the boats. “The boat on the end…”
“I’ll get help.” He punched in 911 and asked for an ambulance, then raced toward the boat. Just as he neared it, a scream split the air.
Serena.
Dammit.
Adrenaline surged through him, and he sprinted toward the boat. But just as he climbed on board, he spotted Rice dragging Serena from downstairs. The bastard had Serena around the neck in a chokehold. Petey was nowhere in sight.
Fury turned his veins to ice. If he hurt one hair on Serena’s head, he’d kill him with his bare hands.
“Let her go, Rice,” Colt demanded.
His gaze caught with Serena’s and he saw the fear but also trust, and his lungs tightened.
Rice jammed his weapon at Serena’s head. “You’re not going to stop me now.”
“Where’s Petey?” Colt asked through gritted teeth.
“He’s downstairs,” Serena said with a jerk of her head.
Then she’d seen him and he was alive. So now Rice planned to kill Serena and take off with her son.
“Come on, Rice. There’s no way you’re going to get away with this. Put down the gun so I don’t have to kill you.”
Rice barked a laugh and jerked Serena’s arm. “You shoot and she’s dead, too.”
Serena was looking at him oddly, a mixture of acceptance and determination. “Don’t give in to him, Colt. Just save Petey, that’s all that matters.”
The hell with that. She mattered to him, too. He didn’t intend to sacrifice her life for her son’s. He’d save them both.
Colt’s hand felt unsteady, but he forced himself to inhale and rely on his training. He had to focus, block out everything but the target.
Rice twisted Serena’s arm behind her back, this time so hard she winced. “Put your gun down, Mason, and I’ll think about letting her live.”
Colt gritted his teeth, raised his hands as if to surrender. But suddenly Serena lifted her arm and jabbed her elbow in Rice’s stomach, at the same time stomping on his foot.
Rice was so shocked he momentarily loosened his grip, and Serena dropped to the floor. Colt fired the gun and sent a bullet sailing toward Rice.
But Rice dodged the bullet and lunged at Colt, knocking his gun to the floor. Colt slammed his fist in Rice’s nose and bones crunched, blood spurting. Rice grunted and fired his weapon, but Colt threw his body sideways, avoiding the bullet. Then he swung his other hand up, fighting for Rice’s gun.
Serena scrambled to her hands and knees, then raced toward the steps to get Petey.
Colt and Rice fought and struggled, pounding each other, but Colt was stronger than the bastard, and finally managed to pin him against the rail.
“You framed Serena and kidnapped her son. Who were you going to sell him to, Rice?”
Rice spat at him. “It was her husband’s fault. He tried to shut down my business.”
Serena’s arrest, the kidnapping, the vile idea that Rice would sell children, the torment Serena and Petey had endured taunted Colt, and he punched Rice over and over until his face was a bloody mess, and the man sagged against him.
Sirens wailed in the distance, then he heard Serena’s voice calling his name as emergency lights twirled in the darkness.
Still his rage was so intense, he wanted to make Rice suffer more. Wanted to kill him then toss him into the ocean for the sharks to feed upon.
But Serena and Petey moved closer, and he caught Petey’s terrified look. Sickened by his own rage, Colt released the man. Rice fell to the floor with a thump.
A minute later, police and medics rushed onto the boat.
“That man kidnapped my son,” Serena cried. “And he tried to kill me.”
Colt identified himself, pointed out Dasha’s location, then watched as the local officer handcuffed Rice.
Rice opened his eyes as the medics loaded him onto a stretcher. “You think you won, but you’re wrong,” Rice growled.
Colt grabbed him by the throat, uncaring that the officer was watching. “What are you talking about?”
“The kidnapping ring, I’m only a small peon,” Rice snarled. “The head honcho will have your head for interfering with his shipment.”
Colt shook Rice. “Who is the head of the business?”
Rice spit blood at him. “I’m not a snitch.”
“No, just a coward. You prey on kids and now you’re too scared your boss will kill you if you talk.”
Rice merely smiled through the blood on his face then turned to the police officer. “I want a lawyer.”
Colt balled his hands into fists. Damn Rice. If the cops weren’t present, he’d beat the man until he talked. Instead he had to watch as they carted him off, leaving Colt with more questions.
Serena was holding Petey, the two of them clinging to one another, emotional but safe.
He had done his job. Petey was safe with his mother.
His heart gave a pang. He wanted to be part of that unit, to go home with them and keep them safe forever.
But there were other kids in danger from this kidnapping ring. Other kids like Petey who needed his help.
And he couldn’t close the case until the leader was caught and the kidnapping ring disbanded.
SERENA HELD PETEY close as she answered the police officer’s questions, and Colt filled the police in on everything they’d learned.
She carried Petey with her to say goodbye to Dasha as they loaded her into the ambulance. Dasha was weak, but the medics had started an IV and assured Serena the young woman would live.
Dasha looked up at her as she approached, her expression when she saw Serena holding her son tugging at Serena’s heart. “Thank you so much for calling. You saved my son’s life.”
A tear trickled down Dasha’s ashen face. “Parker died trying to stop this from happening. I couldn’t let Rice get away with it.”
“You loved my husband,” Serena said.
Dasha started to protest, but Serena gripped her hand. “It’s all right. I understand.”
An odd look filled Dasha’s eyes, and Serena realized that this young woman was more like her than she would ever have thought. She had been dealt some hard knocks and was trying to survive. But in the end, she’d done the right thing.
Maybe Parker had seen those same characteristics in Dasha that he’d seen in her and had been trying to save her, as well.
“If you ever need anything, Dasha, call me,” Serena said and meant it.
The young woman squeezed her hand. “I’m getting out of the business,” she said, although her voice sounded unsure. “I always wanted to do hair.”
Serena smiled. “Then go for it. I’ll be your first client.”
When she turned, Colt was watching her, his expression a mask. But something had shifted between them. She’d thought she’d sensed an emotional connection between them when they’d made love.
But now she felt him pulling away.
He smiled at Petey. “How’re you doing, buddy?”
Pete
y lifted his chin. “Better now you and Mommy found me.” He held up the whistle. “It worked. I blowed it and Mommy found me.”
“Good. Did that man hurt you?”
Petey shook his head. “But he scared me, and he tried to hurt Mommy… He won’t come back?”
Serena hugged him tighter. “No, baby, he’s going to jail.”
Petey turned to Colt. “Mr. Colt, is that right?”
“Yes,” Colt said. “Now come on, there’s a flight waiting for us to take you home.”
Serena carried Petey to the car, and Colt drove them to the airport. Her son fell asleep on the plane, his head in Serena’s lap, and she finally closed her eyes and allowed herself to rest.
Hours later, after a plane switch in Atlanta, then another plane ride to Asheville, Colt drove them back to Sanctuary. She and Petey had slept most of the trip, the exhaustion finally catching up with her.
When they arrived at her house, Colt insisted on carrying Petey inside and to his room. Serena helped him into his pj’s, tucked his beloved giant panda in with him and kissed him good-night.
She wanted to talk to Colt, but when she returned to the den, he was standing by the door ready to go. His expression remained stoic, pensive almost.
Final, as if he was going to say goodbye and she would never see him again.
“Thank you for all you’ve done,” Serena said. “I…couldn’t have survived this ordeal without you. You gave me back my son.”
“I’m just glad Petey is safe.” Colt tensed, his shoulder blades rigid. “But I have to follow up, find out who’s behind the kidnapping ring.”
She stared at him for a long moment, knowing she couldn’t argue or change this man. He was too honorable. Just like Parker, finding the truth, attaining justice for the innocent, it was in their blood.
She wanted to tell him it was all right. But she’d vowed never to get involved with another man who chose a dangerous job over his family. And Petey wasn’t even Colt’s son. How could she expect him to change? To choose them?