by Angi Morgan
Fighting the kid out front wasn’t an option. If he didn’t know him, the kid knew what Brian looked like and that he was in jail. Assuming it was John he’d fought wouldn’t be a giant leap for anyone. He hated hiding, but he couldn’t risk the police announcing that he was back in town.
He got upstairs, heard the door in the kitchen creak open. Where was she? Dwayne’s room was empty. He felt the wave of heat. Window? It was open a crack. They couldn’t get to the ground without being seen, but they could hide in the tree next to the house. Alicia could think on her feet. Good to know.
The climb up the giant oak took little effort on his part. He’d shut the window behind him and caught sight of Alicia as high up as the tree would support her weight. She sat in the V of a branch, lacing her shoes.
He got far away from the window and the woman he was trying to protect. If they looked out and spotted him, they might miss Alicia. All they needed was a little luck and for him to screw his head on straight. Start thinking, man.
Searching the house didn’t take long for the chief. They hadn’t disturbed anything—there was nothing to mess with. No one could tell they’d been there. The two men grumbled as they got in the squad car and drove off.
He waited a full five minutes, checking his watch every thirty seconds, before he climbed down to the ground. Alicia followed.
Silently, they proceeded across the open field, choosing the shortest distance they’d be exposed. They hit the far tree line with a barbed-wire fence and followed it just as quickly down to the gully.
When they stopped, Alicia was bent at the waist and gulping air. He was used to running in the heat and could make it to the old barn where their gear was stashed.
“Wait here and catch your breath. I’ll get the binoculars. Then we need to clear out of the barn before they check all the property again.”
“Sure.” She sat.
It wasn’t long before he saw her lie on the ground.
“Why do you think they were looking at the house?” she asked when he returned. “Do you think Joe told the guys at lunch?”
“The key.”
“Shoot. I’m so sorry—I didn’t think they’d notice. I’ll listen to you from now on. Promise.”
“Time to get moving.” He’d given her time to catch her breath, and neither of the police officers had doubled back. He’d been careless enough with her safety today.
From this point forward, he’d treat her as he would any other civilian he was ordered to escort to safety. No more distractions. No more emotion. No more holding. And definitely no more kissing.
Chapter Ten
SEAL versus SEAL. There had been nothing but an overabundance of testosterone since John had met his contact. The man obviously wasn’t the stranger who John had earlier explained they’d be meeting at the lake. They clearly knew each other, and John was furious.
“Nice to see you, too,” the young man said as John grabbed the younger man’s shirtfront.
John released him, but neither man backed away. “What are you doing here? I told you not to come.”
If either of the men puffed out their chests again, she would push them both in the water to cool off. She watched, sitting at the end of the walk where she’d been tempted to pull her shoes off and dip her feet in the lake. Right until John reminded her they might have to climb another tree—referring to their narrow escape from the police chief.
“You need my help,” the stranger shouted, staying nose to nose.
Good thing they’d rendezvoused on a deserted boat dock on Lake Ray Roberts. If she hadn’t been worried about being discovered, their classic posturing might even be comical.
“I asked for a favor, Dev. You weren’t supposed to hitch a ride with a pilot and bring the gear personally,” John answered tersely. “You said you understood that.”
So his name was Dev, and her assumption about him being part of John’s unit was correct. They were similar in height and haircut, but nothing else except perhaps some navy SEAL arm muscles.
The water looked very inviting. Jeans weren’t the best thing to be wearing in this heat, and being this near the water made her sticky from the humidity. But it was nothing compared to the images that kept playing through her head of where her daughter might be. She wanted her back.
These two needed to do more and argue less. Or not at all.
“The equipment stays with me. It’s my personal gear. I’m here and that’s the end of it.”
“Excuse me.” She hesitantly approached them, attempting to interrupt. Both men ignored her. “John? Dev?”
Two sets of SEAL jaws were visibly clenched in determination. Neither one seemed about to flinch. John’s hands were fisted. Dev’s legs were braced to take a shove or a punch. She had to stop this before it came to blows and someone reported them to the police.
“I thought you guys were friends,” she said, laying a hand on John’s arm.
He turned toward her so fast that she jerked backward. Her feet tangled under her and sent her flying. She watched John’s eyes grow large and his mouth open. He said something as she fell. She was grimacing at the punishment her bottom would endure when she hit that solid wood, so she couldn’t comprehend his words.
She kept falling. No wooden dock. She was headed for the water. She inhaled deeply, but too late. The splash caught her at the same time her mouth was open and she sucked lake water. She kicked hard, ready for air, and popped her head above water.
Coughing, sputtering, floundering.
“You okay, Alicia?” John asked.
Hands grabbed her shirt and hauled her to sit on the edge. Strong hands patted her back. Her hair was plastered to her face, so she couldn’t see. Her wet shoes tugged at her legs with their weight.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Comforting hands were at her elbow, trying to help her stand.
She twisted some of the water from her hair and began to smile at the endearment. Wait. That voice, sounding so Texas, was the other SEAL.
“Back off, Dev.” John sounded just as angry as before.
“I was just asking.” Dev’s hands held firm.
“Shut up. The both of—” cough “—you just shut up.” She cleared her throat. “Or I’ll send you into the water—” cough “—to cool down.” She managed to raise her croaky voice a little and slapped the boards on either side of her for emphasis. Then she coughed a couple of times and cleared more water from her lungs, losing all the emphasis she’d gained.
It took a minute, and they patiently tapped her back until she thought she’d be black-and-blue. “This is ridiculous. Back off and don’t touch me.”
Both men stood, took a couple of steps in opposite directions and were silent. Blessedly silent.
She took her time arranging her hair where it belonged behind her head. She wiped the lake droplets off her face and arms. She toed off her shoes and ignored the warning look from John. It would take forever for her shoes to completely dry, especially if her feet were in them. It was enough that she’d be miserable in the wet denim and underwear.
On the bright side, she was much cooler and no longer sticky.
“Now, boys,” she said sweetly as if she were talking to six-year-olds. She braided her hair before it dried in a wild frizzy mess. They both turned, standing similarly. “How sweet. You’re both at attention.”
John immediately relaxed. Dev stood more like he was at morning roll call or something. She crossed to John’s friend, who had come to rescue her daughter, and extended her hand.
“I’m Alicia Adams, and I can’t tell you how much it means to us that you’ve come to help. Thanks just doesn’t seem enough.”
“My pleasure, ma’am. Lieutenant Devlin McClain. Sloane and I are on the same team.”
“And obviously friends. Thank you.”
>
Then she turned to John, shooting him a forceful look with every indication he should also thank this man who had come to help, putting everything on the line for them.
“Thanks,” he said, looking to the water at the last minute.
At least he’d gotten the message. She clapped her hands together. “Okay, then. Here’s how it’s going to be.”
“Actually, I think I should take it from here,” John said.
“I rented a cabin and I have the gear. Maybe I should tell you what I’ve discovered.” Dev didn’t flinch or break eye contact with his teammate.
“No more arguing,” she warned, pointing fingers at them both. “Lauren’s been missing five days. Time’s running out. She’s scared, and who knows what else has happened.”
All the sturdy walls she’d built to hold the trouble at bay started dissolving. The tears threatened. Then filled her eyes. Her throat tightened, this time from emotion. She pressed her palms against her eyes to prevent the meltdown.
It didn’t work. John’s arms engulfed her. She recognized his comforting stroke on her hair and hated that a simple hug from him could make her feel better. She had no right to feel better while Lauren was gone.
“We’ll find your daughter, ma’am.”
“Dev, what we’re doing is illegal.” John spoke over the top of her head. “If you get caught, it’s a court martial—dishonorable discharge if we’re lucky. Maybe military prison.”
“Then let’s not get caught,” Dev replied matter-of-factly.
John sort of growled. She felt it under her hands. He cared so strongly for those around him. How could he have turned from his brother twelve years ago and never thought twice about any of them again?
She sniffed and backed away. John’s T-shirt was wet with an imprint of her body. “We need his help. I certainly can’t break down a door or overpower those men who tied me up. Please, Johnny. I have to find her.”
She pleaded with him. She’d beg again if that was what it took. She desperately needed to hold her baby. They’d lost so much and were so alone. She was all Lauren could remember. Her little girl had to be scared to death.
* * *
“WE SHOULDN’T HAVE left her all alone,” Tory complained, hoping her ex would turn the horrible truck he’d stolen around and forget this wild demand for more money.
“The brat was happy with the new toy. If you’re all worried, then remember to be quick about this and not screw around.”
“I hope nothing happens to her. She could choke on that dry sandwich we gave her or something else. Then what would we do?”
“Same thing we’re doing now, collect a million dollars and give them the kid.”
She saw something in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. He wasn’t just angry, he might actually kill Lauren. God, she didn’t want to go to jail for murdering a kid or anybody. “You’re sure it’s a good idea to ask for more money?”
“They’re going to pay.” He hit the steering wheel with his thick fists. “Every rich son of a bitch that’s screwed me is going to pay through this guy.”
She wondered which rich men he was talking about. He’d never had anything worth taking from him, but she didn’t want to rile him more. They were minutes away from delivering the second ransom note, which Patrick knew nothing about.
All hell was about to break loose.
It had been his idea to become real kidnappers instead of remaining the hired help. All her plans for Paris seemed further away than ever before. She recognized the Frisco side street. “You want me to walk three blocks to get to the Weber house?”
“Get goin’. You look stupid with that wig. No one will recognize you, so stop being so scared.”
His crazy idea for walking down the street with a stroller might just work. She already had a long dark wig, big sunglasses that covered half her face and boots. She’d sweated through the tight-fitting shirt, but she wasn’t trying to impress anyone.
“Don’t forget this.” He threw a huge straw hat they’d gotten at the Dollar Mart across the cab.
She shut the door, grabbed the stroller they’d found in a truck bed and put a sack of trash under a blanket. She fluffed it around until it looked close enough to a fake baby.
It crossed her mind to run as she took off quickly down the sidewalk to round the block. She could knock on someone’s door and ask for help. Tory Preston could be the hero, tell the police where Lauren Adams was being held and watch her brutal ex be placed safely behind bars. Then he’d tell the cops all about how it was her plan to start with. She couldn’t go to jail. She wouldn’t waste this shot by being stupid.
Shauna Weber thought she was so smart with her fancy education and all her husbands. She’d show her who was the real boss and the smartest woman. But most important, I’ll show her who Patrick really loves.
The house was on the right, and empty. It had been her idea to pick a time when Shauna was giving another plea to the press. The TV had been talking about it all morning. But they’d held the talk at the Aubrey police station. No one was here in Frisco. No gawkers. No press. And it was hot enough that no one was outside.
At least Patrick could see through the money-hungry bitch he’d married. She’d been so lucky to have met a man like him. And even more lucky that he’d fallen in love with her. If only that stupid wife of his would give him a divorce when he asked.
Her ex’s instructions were to put the ransom note in the mailbox when no one was around. It didn’t make sense to think no one was watching the house. But she wasn’t stupid. She had an idea of her own.
Tory rolled the stroller the opposite way from the Weber house and then down to the driveway to cross the street. She boldly went up to a door and slipped the message behind the screen. Acting like no one was home, she casually walked away without anyone being the wiser.
If Lauren hadn’t been alone, she’d be in no hurry to return to the car. But the kid was only four and could get into a lot of trouble by herself. Even locked inside a small bedroom with nothing but a plastic cup and some blocks. Or Tory would have to clean up the accidents. She hated that.
Why did her ex have to get greedy?
It had all been so simple before and would have been over tonight. This was her one time to make it big. So she had no choice. Follow his stupid new plan and somehow keep the ending the same. She’d have her happily ever after with Patrick.
But even then, she might never feel safe if her ex was left alive.
Chapter Eleven
“Please don’t hurt our baby. Lauren’s just an innocent child in all this.”
The TV station cut back to the reporter, talking live in front of an empty police station. “That was Shauna Adams Weber, pleading with the kidnappers to return her step-granddaughter alive. Kidnapped four days ago from the grocery parking lot, here in Aubrey, Texas. If you’ve seen this little girl, please call the number on your—”
John clicked the mute button so they wouldn’t hear any more of the blather regarding the kidnapping. Silent tears rolled down Alicia’s cheeks. She sat close enough to the screen to touch the picture of Lauren, almost caressing the beautiful little girl who looked just like her. Long curly dark hair. Freckles across her nose. Same frame. No doubt who that kid’s mother was.
“How dare that woman call my child her baby?” Alicia whispered hoarsely.
“So that’s the target? The dude standing behind her doesn’t look like much. Why don’t I just ask him real polite like?” Dev asked under his breath, and plugged another auxiliary cable into something electronic.
“Negative. Too many unknowns.”
“Gotcha. Hey. Isn’t that you?” His friend began laughing. “You never said your brother was a twin.”
“Turn it up, John.”
He did. Knowing they all had to hea
r the details, but not liking a minute of it.
“With no evidence of a kidnapping and the fleeing of Alicia Ann Adams, police were forced to release Brian W. Sloane earlier this morning. When asked about the kidnapping, Sloane’s attorney shrugged and said his client refused to comment.”
He hit the mute button. “Give me your cell.”
“You could ask,” Dev said while reaching into his pants cargo pocket.
“You can leave.”
Dev tossed it to his hands. “So demanding,” he said to Alicia.
John left the cabin. “Hi, Mabel.”
“It’s about time we were hearing from you, Johnny. Is this number— Oh, what do they call it on those shows? Secure. Can we talk?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled, all the while dreading the conversation with his brother. They hadn’t managed more than arguing since he’d returned. “This number’s good to reach me. How’s Dad doing?”
“He’s just fine, Johnny. How’s our girl, she safe?”
“Missing Lauren and threatening to beat me to a pulp at every turn.”
“Oh, I just bet she is. There’s someone here who wants to talk with you.” The noise on the phone sounded like it was being passed around. There was a long delay.
“Where are you?” his brother asked.
“You don’t need to know.”
He’d been expecting his brother, but for some reason hearing himself on the phone had always thrown him for a loop. People thought that being a twin was like seeing yourself in the mirror. It wasn’t. In person, the sides of your face are on the wrong side. Hearing himself on the phone was unnerving.
“I see you got out of taking care of dad.”
“I’ll try to make up for it.”
It was hard to explain. Creepy to some. Cool to others. For him, he’d instantly missed the connection with his brother. Maybe he’d been missing it a long time. Though the moment was awkward, it was good. A calm start that neither of them could control. Neither could order the other around.