Cuffed & Claimed

by Lori King

  The finality of that sound was a body blow too great to bear. With a choking sob, she dropped to the bed and let the tears fall. How long she lay there was anyone’s guess. Only the repeated sound of her phone ringing in her purse eventually forced her to get off the bed. By the time she dug her phone from her bag, the call had gone to voicemail.

  She checked the caller ID.

  Cole Hunt.

  What could he want at midnight? She’d given him her number in case they needed to adjust times for the tutoring sessions.

  A beep signaled the message had come through. She clicked to open.

  “Miss Jones? It’s Cole. I, uh, sorry to call so late, but I couldn’t get Mr. Gallagher, and I wasn’t sure who else to call. It’s about Isaac Green. I think something’s up.” There was a long pause followed by a sigh. “I don’t want to say more until I know for sure. But I’m at the gym. When I can, I’ll call you back.”

  Mercy looked at her phone. Cole was calling about Isaac? Did he have information on his beating?

  One thing was for sure, she couldn’t sit here waiting for Cole to call her back. She’d go to the school herself, but before that, she needed to phone a certain detective.

  * * *

  Aidan ignored the beeps of the monitors and the hurried movements of the staff at the UW Medical Center’s Emergency Room. He kept his attention focused on the young man lying on top of the sheets. “How long you going to keep up this bullshit, Isaac? Stop jerking us around.”

  “You’re lecturing me? That’s rich coming from a guy who faked being a teacher.” Isaac did his best to glare up at Aidan, though his swollen right eye made the task difficult. Not that the kid wasn’t making up for it in attitude.

  “I explained why I was undercover.” Aidan hated anyone losing faith in him, especially a youth who needed people to admire and trust. But Isaac had secrets of his own.

  For the last ten minutes, Isaac had either refused to answer his and Tony’s questions, or made up an answer too ridiculous to be believed. Throughout this time, Amelia Green, Isaac’s mother, had sat in the plastic visitor’s chair beside her son’s bed. Her face, lined and drawn from many years of hard work for little reward, tightened at his last statement.

  “Boy, you could have died tonight.” Her brown eyes flashed with anger. “What the hell kind of trouble have you gotten yourself in?” She shook her head. “Do you know how scared I was when the hospital called me?”

  “I told them not to call.” Isaac dropped his gaze to the bed. “I didn’t want you upset. And I’m not in trouble. Things will get straightened out soon.”

  Tony crossed his arms over his chest. “What things?”

  Isaac glared at Aidan’s partner. “It’s private.”

  Aidan rolled his eyes. “No, nothing is private. In fact, Miss Jones knows you’re here, and she’s worried as hell.” He took a moment of satisfaction at the guilt on the kid’s face. “Give it an hour and everyone in your classes will have found out via Facebook. Not a great look for you, Isaac.”

  “Yeah, I know. Thanks. But this wasn’t how I planned for tonight to go down.”

  Aidan shared a look with Tony. Isaac had his pride, and he was smart. Being outdone by another would irritate the hell out of him. Maybe his anger would be stronger than his need to stay quiet. “Someone got the best of you?”

  Isaac clenched his jaw. “I was double-crossed.”

  Aidan scoffed. “You were outsmarted.”

  Isaac leaned forward in the bed. “She didn’t keep her end of the bargain.”

  “She?”

  Isaac shifted on the bed, swinging his legs to the side. “It’s nothing.”

  “You’re lying.” Aidan pushed further. “A woman? One who organizes a beating or worse, judging by the knife left behind. Who hates you that much, Isaac?”

  The kid refused to meet his gaze.

  “A woman?” Amelia Green’s voice grew louder. “My son’s caught up with a woman?” She stood and crowded her son. “Who you been seeing?”

  Isaac moved up the bed. “She’s my age, mom.”

  A senior?

  “Girlfriend troubles?” Tony asked. “Someone from school?”

  “No, and she doesn’t go to our school. Look, just leave it.” He stood and winced as his sore ribs precluded the quick movement.

  A female. Around eighteen. Someone who didn’t like him. A memory prodded Aidan’s concentration. An argument. Isaac had argued with a girl.

  Something wasn’t right. It looked like they were arguing and then Isaac looked scared.

  Mercy. She’d seen him have words with a girl at that first football game.

  “Who was the girl you were arguing with at the football game?”

  Isaac stared at him and swallowed. “What?”

  Gotcha. “Miss Jones saw you arguing with a girl at a home game. Around four weeks ago. Said you were arguing and then you looked scared.” Aidan stepped closer to Isaac; they were now less than two feet apart. The kid gazed to the side, avoiding Aiden. “Tell me the girl’s name or I’ll take Miss Jones to the station and get a sketch done so I can plaster the image all over school.”

  Isaac whipped his gaze back to Aidan’s. “You can’t do that.”

  “Why not?” Aidan stood his ground.

  “Because you’ll fuck everything up. I have a plan. I just need to get Brooke alone.”

  Aidan speared the kid with his stare. “Brooke Powell? Cole Hunt’s girlfriend?”

  “Hunt’s girlfriend?” Isaac’s laugh was mirthless and cold. “Christ, you have no clue, do you? Brooke isn’t just Cole’s girlfriend. She’s Coach Parker’s granddaughter.”

  Fuck.

  “She was supposed to meet me in the University district. I had my phone set to record our conversation. Was going to get her to incriminate herself.”

  “What was she going to say?”

  “The drugs, man. She’s the one behind the drugs. Her fancy friends from that rich girl’s academy finance her operation. Then she comes to places like Macarthur High and gets people like Michael to distribute for her. That way, she and her friends stay clean.” He shook his head. “Bitch offered Michael big money at the start, then cut back his commission until she was offering hardly anything. He got worried. Brooke was acting cold, like really mean cold. Regardless of the money, he wanted out. But by then, she had photos and shit to blackmail him. Michael told me what was happening, and I said we needed to be smart, pick the right time, and get evidence.”

  Aidan could hardly believe what he was hearing. A spoiled eighteen-year-old was masterminding an ecstasy drug network. “But if Michael wanted out, why did he give those pills to Heather?”

  “Brooke gave her the pills. Michael hadn’t said anything to Heather. She had no reason to distrust Brooke. But the pills were cooked bad. On purpose.” Isaac sat back down on the bed, his hand absently rubbing his left lower rib. “Michael’s saying nothing because the bitch told him she’d get his throat cut, and after what she did to Heather, he doesn’t know what to do. Before he was arrested, I told him I’d try and sort shit out.”

  Aidan ignored Amelia Green’s shocked gasp and looked at Tony, who was shaking his head and pulling out his phone. He turned back to Isaac. “Why didn’t you tell someone? I offered to listen and take you to the police.”

  Isaac lifted his chin. “I wanted to get the proof first. That way the cops would have to take me seriously.”

  “Christ, kid, you’ve made things difficult.” Aidan scrubbed a hand over his face. “What about Coach Parker and Cole? Are they aware of Brooke’s activities?”

  Was that the reason for Cole’s strange behavior this week?

  Isaac shrugged. “Don’t know. Coach Parker thinks Brooke walks on water. And Cole acts like he’s won the hand of the homecoming queen.”

  Aidan nodded. Now to coordinate and gather all his suspects before they had time to warn each other.

  A nurse approached Amelia and handed her Isaac’s discharge forms.


  His phone beeped, telling him he had a voicemail. “That’s strange, I had my phone on.” Aidan tapped a series of buttons.

  “Service is spotty here.” The nurse gave an apologetic smile before moving on to the next patient in the busy ER.

  That would be his luck. Aidan lifted the phone to his ear and played the message.

  “Mr. Gallagher, it’s Cole. I could be wrong, but I think something isn’t right with Isaac Green. I overheard something and...” He sighed. “Look, I’m going to the gym to check what’s up. If I find anything, I’ll let you know.”

  His phone beeped again with the second message. His pulse lurched when I saw the caller I.D. Mercy.

  “Aidan,” There was a pause, as if she was unsure how to go on. “Er...look, I just received a strange voice message from Cole Hunt. He tried calling you, then called me. He said he thinks something’s up with Isaac but doesn’t give details. Says he’ll call back when he has something to tell. I’m worried that he could be in danger. I’m going to the gym. I’ll stay outside until you arrive.”

  “Fuck!” Aidan snarled.

  “What?” Tony and Isaac asked in unison as Amelia stared at him open mouthed.

  He concentrated on Tony. “We need to get to the gym at Macarthur High. I’ll tell you why on the way. Just move.” Without a backward glance, he turned and started walking out of the ER as he called Mercy’s phone, and when that didn’t answer, he called dispatch.

  And for the first time since meeting her, he prayed for Mercy.

  8

  The light high above the door of the gym cast a bright triangle against the brick building. Mercy shivered as a feeling of unease enveloped her like a soupy fog. She glanced from side to side, checking that the doors of her car were still locked.

  The sound of her movements in the car seemed so loud compared to the absolute quiet around her.

  She glanced at her cell phone. Zero battery power. How the hell had she forgotten to charge her phone? And her car charger was back at her apartment.

  Fucking brilliant.

  Cole’s pickup was parked two rows back from the entry door and a couple of spaces over from hers. He must be inside. If she went in, she could use a phone, call Aidan.

  God, leaving that message had been torture, but would talking to him be any easier? There was so much she wanted to say, and questions she wanted answered, but wouldn’t that lead to a slippery slope of more pain?

  Aidan had said what was between them wasn’t a lie. How could she be sure? But with his cover now blown, what reason would he have to lie about his true feelings?

  She sighed and pressed the back of her head on her driver’s seat headrest. Maybe the morning will bring more clarity. She could—

  The gym’s entry door slammed open. A young girl ran toward her car. “Miss Jones. Cole’s been hurt.”

  Mercy stared at the girl. The redhead who had argued with Isaac. But earlier tonight Mercy had overheard students discussing her as Cole’s girlfriend. Brooke? Maybe her disagreement with Isaac was over Isaac’s opinion of Cole?

  “Please, you’ve got to help me,” the girl wailed as she approached Mercy’s driver’s-side door.

  “Hang on.” Mercy unlocked the doors. “I’m coming.” She jumped out of the car and saw the tears on Brooke’s face. “What happened?” she asked as they raced back to the gym.

  “He’s in here.” Brooke dragged her into the meeting room.

  Cole’s body lay in the center of the blue-carpeted floor, lit by the room’s center spotlight. She couldn’t see any obvious injury to his t-shirt and jeans-clad frame.

  Mercy ran to him. Only when she was up close did she see the massive wound on the back of his head and the pool of blood staining the carpet. A piece of metal pipe lay next to him. “Have you called an ambulance?” She felt for a pulse. Weak and thready.

  Brooke’s denim-clad legs appeared near Cole’s head. “No, I’m waiting for Grandpa.”

  “What?” Mercy shot her gaze up. And her belly dropped. “Oh, Jesus.”

  The girl had a small handgun pointed right at Mercy. “Coach Parker’s my Grandpa.” She twisted her mouth in distaste. “After I tasered Cole, I went to all that trouble of dragging him from the doorway into here and putting him under the spotlight so Grandpa could see what’s happened to his precious quarterback.” The girl hunched down near Cole’s head, her grip on the handgun firm. “And those players are all so, so precious. They take up all his time.” Her voice hardened. “But when he loses the one he values the most, he’ll understand what it’s like to feel helpless while others take what’s mine.”

  “Yours?”

  “My time with my Grandpa.” She rose and stared down her nose at Mercy. “He was mine. Ever since Mom and Dad died. He took me to live with him. I was ten. But when I turned thirteen, he sent me to that fucking academy. Do you know how much I hated it there?” She snarled her last question. “He told me it was because he couldn’t take care of me properly, but he could take care of his fucking players.”

  “Brooke, you need to talk this out with your Grandpa, not hurt people.”

  “If Cole’s stupid enough to fall for my trap, he deserves what he gets.” She made a disgusted snort. “All week I’ve primed him for tonight. A few lies like Justin tried to kiss me, and that Grandpa was worried he’d lose his spot on the team because of his grades. Then after tonight’s loss, I told him there’s a rumor Isaac was dealing drugs at the gym. He had to go all Captain America and check out if Isaac was here.”

  “But how did you get into the gym? The building’s locked at night.”

  “I copied Grandpa’s key.”

  The main entry door clanked open, and Mercy took a breath to scream, but the muzzle of the gun was pushed into her cheek, pressing the tender flesh inside her mouth against her teeth. She couldn’t turn around to see behind her.

  “Shhh.” Brooke’s smile didn’t reach the arctic depths of her eyes.

  “Brooke?” Coach Parker’s voice bellowed in the quietness of the gym.

  “In here, Pops,” she chirped.

  “I got your message. Something about Cole—” The man’s voice broke off. “Brooke.” Coach Parker’s horrified voice came from close behind Mercy.

  “Hi, Grandpa.” She stood up, the gun now held in the direction of both of them. “Cole’s got an ouchie.”

  Brooke’s attempt at humor sent the burning taste of nausea up Mercy’s throat. She kept her hand around Cole’s wrist, hoping if he could feel her touch, he could take some reassurance. Though, in truth, she guessed that would be of little value.

  “Good God, Brooke. What are you doing?” Coach came to squat on the other side of Cole. He glanced to Mercy who hoped she conveyed in her gaze her desperation to get Cole help.

  “Teaching you a lesson.” Brooke’s saccharine smile sent a wave of rage through Mercy. The little bitch wanted to hurt Cole, a young man who’d done nothing but think she held the moon.

  “What are you talking about? For God’s sake, put down the gun and we’ll call an ambulance.”

  “No, we’re doing this my way.”

  “Police. Lower your weapon. Hands on your head.” Aidan’s commanding voice came from the back right corner. The connecting door from the weight room. Of course, he must have snuck in through the gym’s back entrance.

  Mercy pressed her lips together to keep from crying out in joy at the reassuring sight of him. There’s nothing like having a self-indulgent teenage bitch point a gun at you to give you some perspective of what’s important in life.

  Aidan advanced, arms extended before him with his weapon held in both hands. “Brooke, be smart. Lower your weapon. Hands on your head.”

  “No,” Brooke said in disbelief. Whether that was in relation to her now losing this showdown or disobeying Aidan’s order, Mercy had no idea.

  “It’s over, Brooke. We know about the drugs, about Heather, everything.”

  Drugs? Heather? Brooke was wrapped up in that? />
  “Noooooo!” she screamed. “That’s all wrong.” Shaking her head, she glanced at her grandpa, then Cole and then to Aidan, the gun now held loosely in her hand and pointed away from any target. “I’ve planned this all for so long. You can’t take this moment away from me.”

  A large orange ball sailed past Mercy’s head. With a thud, a basketball crashed into the back of Brooke’s knees, sending the girl falling face first to the carpet.

  A wave of people in uniforms rushed past Mercy. Cops. They pounced on a sobbing Brooke. She was cuffed and led to the seat some twelve feet away.

  Aidan lifted Mercy to her feet as paramedics rushed to Cole’s aid.

  “Are you hurt?” Aidan ran his hands over her while his gaze swept the length of her body, checking for obvious injuries.

  “I’m fine.” She allowed him a minute more of scrutiny, then clutched at his hands. “Honestly, Aidan, I’m fine.”

  “Kid should be okay.” One of the paramedics informed Aidan as Cole was lifted onto a gurney. “Head wounds bleed a lot, but the cut wasn’t deep. Probably has a concussion.”

  Aidan said his thanks as Cole was wheeled to the ambulance.

  Mercy and Aidan stared at each other a moment before he crushed her against him, holding her so tight she could barely breathe. “I can’t believe you left your fucking car.”

  “What?” She squeaked out from against his chest and pushed with all her might. He allowed her a few inches of breathing room as she glared up at him.

  “You promised you would stay in the car. I get here and your driver side door’s open. No sign of you.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “Can you imagine what went through my mind?”

  She stared at him, saw his creased brow, the way his gaze swept over her, as if still checking for any possible injuries. Then the angry retort she’d planned died on her lips.

  He was worried. No. He was fucking scared out of his wits.

  Because he cared. Big time.

  Yes, Aidan had lied to her about his real occupation, but he was undercover, hunting bad guys—or girl, in this case, not setting out to mock her.