You’re being catty, Ellen. She scolded herself. But she was surprised how happy she was to be returning to Wyoming tomorrow. Glancing around, she saw Jack talking with a group of men that included her ex-husband and his father.
A soft hand on her arm brought her attention around to the small woman standing beside her. “Pat, how are you?”
“Fine, thank you. You’ve managed to have a lovely party in spite of it being in a hotel.”
“The best part is they do all the work.” I like Pat. She’d tried to be angry at her, but she couldn’t. Pat had actually done her a favor. Ellen just hadn’t realized it at the time.
They walked across the room to two chairs placed against the wall. “Shall we sit? You look lovely but a bit tired.”
“I didn’t sleep well last night.” Pat glanced anxiously around the room. “I need to speak privately with you, but not here.”
Pat kept a smile on her face. Still, Ellen saw the concern, the worry.
“I’m not sure when we could meet. I think we may leave Washington soon.” She decided not to say exactly when.
“How about tea at my house, say about ten in the morning. Everyone will be at work or school. We’ll have the house to ourselves. Don’t even tell your husband or anyone. It’s important no one knows we’re meeting.” Pat looked down.
Ellen noticed Pat’s hands clamped tightly together. Pat’s gown had long sleeves, but one had moved up just a bit and Ellen saw the hint of a bruise. Looking closer at Pat’s face, she noticed her makeup was heavier than the other night.
“Does he beat you?”
“What?” Pat definitely looked scared.
“Your husband, Brian, he abuses you.”
Pat laughed, a hollow sound. “Of course not. Whatever gave you that idea? I must circulate.” She stood, but before she walked off she gave Ellen a piece of paper. “My address. See you at ten. Please come alone. I don’t want even your chauffeur to know we’re meeting.” She hurried off and joined a crowd of women standing nearby.
Ellen slipped into the small sitting room off her bedroom and put the slip of paper on a table, then joined the party again. Her smile felt strained. Whatever they hadn’t told her was directly tied to this invitation. She was sure.
Chapter Sixteen
Finally they had all left. Empty glasses and small plates littered the room. The smell of too much perfume left an unpleasant odor, and someone had spilled red wine on the carpet, reminding Ellen of blood.
She’d been unable to shake her uneasiness. Jack came to her side.
“You look tired and unhappy.”
“The man wins the prize for most astute.”
“Ah, a touch of sarcasm. You’re mad at me?”
“Don’t feel alone. I’m not happy with either of you.”
Jack’s eyes darkened. “Are you going to tell us or play games?” His tone was sharper than usual.
Sahale had walked up and glanced from one to the other. “What’s going on?”
Ellen turned and walked into their private sitting room.
“Tell me what you are hiding from me.” She handed them the note. “I’ve been invited to meet with Mrs. Pat Garraloga tomorrow at ten, for tea. But I’m to come alone, and Pat looked ready to cry. She also had bruises she’d tried to conceal.”
“Damn,” Jack swore. “Sorry, but you’re right. We should have told you already. Sahale wanted to tell you. I wanted to wait until we were gone from here.”
“This might be a good time to enlighten me.”
Jack grinned. “I love her sarcasm and the use of big words when she’s mad at us.”
She started to pound on his shoulders, but Jack grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. His warm mouth covered hers. She pushed to put distance between them. “No. You aren’t going to make me forget my question.” She stepped back, because he let go.
“Sit,” Sahale directed. He guided her to a chair, then sat in front of her, leaving the one beside her for Jack.
Jack told her about the meeting. He told her of the threat he’d made back to them after their demands.
“My guess is they think they’re smarter and tougher,” Sahale said. “Tomorrow is a trap. They’re relying on their own perceptions. They think you won’t tell us, as she requested. But they’ll be watching. Let’s call Mitch. They’ve just given us the best opportunity to find out more,” Sahale said. “Tomorrow, the kingpins go down. Mitch had wanted to wait until the money began to circulate, but this is too good.” He flipped his phone open and walked into the bedroom.
“Can you do this last job?” Jack asked.
“I can’t wait to see them in handcuffs. I’ll do anything to be part of their downfall. On top of everything else, they abuse the women who had their children and stood by their sides whenever needed. They are the lowest form of scum.”
“Remind me not to get you too angry at me. You have fire in those beautiful eyes,” Jack said.
“You and Sahale need to know I’ll never kowtow to any man, no matter how much I may love him. I’m always going to be my own woman.”
Sahale had reentered the room and overheard her statement. “I don’t believe Jack nor I ever said we wanted that type of woman. You don’t know us very well if you think we’d want or expect our wife to act that way toward us.” He turned to Jack. “Mitch and the men will be here shortly. We’ll organize our plan tonight.” He glanced at Ellen. “You might as well go to bed and get some sleep. It’s late, and tomorrow morning will be here soon.”
Ellen saw anger and hurt in his gorgeous aquamarine eyes. Jack didn’t look happy, either. She shrugged, pretending their reaction didn’t worry her. She walked into the second bedroom, hers, but she’d never used it. They’d slept together each night. Once she shut her door, she let the tears go. The salty tears slid down her cheeks into her mouth. Her body and heart ached. She took off her dress, removed her makeup, and took a quick, warm shower. But it didn’t relax her. She lay alone and awake through the early morning hours.
* * * *
Ellen dressed in a two-piece yellow-and-white suit with moderate heels. Ann did her makeup and hair and had just finished when Jack came into the bedroom. He looked as tired as she felt.
“We’re all set. Sahale and I will leave twenty minutes before you, giving the impression we’ve left you alone. You’ll go out and look for a taxi. One of our men will drive up in a yellow cab. He’ll say your real name. Get in and he’ll drop you off at the house.” He stopped talking and leaned closer. “Are you sick?”
“No.”
Jack picked her up and sat on the side of the bed with her in his lap. “Sahale and I aren’t mad at you. Well, maybe we were annoyed for a brief moment when you made your statement. The thought of those men having the nerve to try and kidnap you is what made us furious.
“You’ll be safe. The house is already surrounded by Mitch and our men. Sahale and I will go in the opposite direction to throw them off. But we’ll circle back around.” He kissed her lips. “We missed you last night, but we all worked on the plan. No one’s been to bed.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and buried her face in his neck. Tears ran down her face.
“Sweetheart, don’t cry. We’ll talk all the problems out when we get home, and we’ll solve them.” He wiped the teardrops from her cheeks. “Don’t worry. You’ll need all your concentration on the job today to not get hurt.”
Sahale had walked in and overheard what Jack had said. “Jack’s right. Don’t worry about us. We’re good.” He sat on her other side and turned her face to kiss her. “Wish we had more time, but we don’t. Ann has a small microphone she’s going to sew into your underwear. It’s clear and soft. No lines. Even if they get a chance to check you, which they won’t, they’ll miss it. One of us will hear everything and come in at the right moment. But Jack and I have to leave right this minute to get into position.”
Ellen smiled and waved them on. “I’m better. Go. See you later.”
They hesi
tated for a second, then hurried out the door. Ann came back in. “Sahale said you need a touch-up and this sewn in your panties.” She sat Ellen in front of her and redid her makeup, then slid her skirt up and sewed the wafer-thin, clear microphone along the upper side of her underwear.
Fifteen minutes later, Ellen stepped outside to the curb. A taxi pulled in and the driver stopped and leaned toward the open window. “Ellen Simmons?”
“Yes.” She opened the back door and got inside. She took deep breaths, trying to relax. The cab darted through the busy traffic, moved onto an interstate for several miles, and got off. He wound around several roads before turning into a development of huge mansions set on several acres. At least it wasn’t the same home she and Brian had lived in. He’d moved up in the world.
The driver turned left onto a steep, curved driveway. At the top, he stopped. “This is the place.”
“Thank you.” She handed him money so if anyone was watching they wouldn’t get suspicious. She walked to the dark-wood double doors and rang the bell. The lawn was manicured and even the flowers were set in a uniform manner. The house was made of old brick with lattice windows.
A maid dressed in a black-and-white uniform opened the door. “Mrs. Linear?”
“Yes.”
“Come in, Mrs. Garraloga is waiting in her sitting room.”
The maid turned left and led the way down a long hallway. She opened a door to the right. The room was lovely, with rose wallpaper, a white-stone fireplace, and windows on either side facing a private garden. The door snapped shut behind her.
An uneasy feeling crept up Ellen’s spine. “Pat?”
A man rose from a high-backed chair and turned. Brian gave her a chilling smile. “My wife wasn’t able to make it for tea, so I agreed to fill in for her. Come around and join me.” He motioned for her to sit in the chair to his right.
“This is highly irregular. I’m sure Hank would want me to leave.” She started to walk out. Brian moved quickly and grabbed her wrist. He threw her onto the chair and leaned into her face. “I have you now. You’ll do what my father and I say.” He glanced behind her. Garraloga came around to face her chair.
“Finally, we meet in private.” His hand moved to cup her chin. She slapped his hand away. “Not a smart move, my dear.”
He squeezed her hand, making her cry out. Brian had grabbed her free hand and tied it to the arm of the chair.
“We’ll start here and then retire to the bedroom. You’ll soon learn how to behave, or else,” Brian said, his eyes gleaming with lust.
“You’re very brave when a woman is tied to a chair and can’t defend herself,” Ellen said. “Little men inside and out.” She pointedly looked at their crotch areas.
“Why, you bitch.” Brian slapped her. “I’m going to enjoy hurting you.” His hand held her jaw tight. “And you’ll find out what big men we are. We control this town, from our men in the White House and down the line. My father is head of the biggest organization in this country.”
“Shut up,” his father said. “Never give out too much information unless there’s a good reason.”
“What does it matter? We’re sending her into white slavery after this weekend.” Brian bent close to her face. “Your precious husband won’t know what happened to you. No one will ever find you.” He stepped back.
“I don’t believe you,” Ellen said. His harsh laugh sent chills down Ellen’s spine. How many other women had faced such a horrid future because of these two men?
Garraloga picked up the phone. “Send James in.”
In just a moment, a tall, burly man dressed in black stepped into the room. “This the one?” His black eyes raked over Ellen. “She’ll bring a good price. I have a buyer overseas waiting for some fresh meat.”
“First we’ll take her upstairs, chair and all. Tie her feet,” Garraloga said.
Ellen screamed, “No.”
Garraloga put his face close to hers. “Yes,” he said, and grinned. She spat in his face. His hand went back to hit her, but never connected.
Doors and windows exploded. Men filled the room. Sahale had turned Garraloga toward him. He punched him three times in the mouth. Ellen heard a crunching sound.
Sahale stood over Garraloga. “You won’t be using that mouth for much of anything for the next month or so. Certainly not to threaten defenseless women.” He kicked him in the ribs, and then picked him up and threw him against the wall.
Brian had pulled a gun from an ankle holster. Jack kicked his wrist, sending the gun flying. He pulled Brian to his feet and dangled him on his tiptoes. His fingers dug into Brian’s throat. “Apparently you two don’t understand English, or that I meant what I said.” He threw him across the room, where he slid down the wall, ending up by his father.
Mitch came to her side and worked on untying her. “I’m letting them have all the fun,” he said. “If it was Sara, I’d want to do the messing up. You’ve done a great job. You, Morgan, and of course my Sara are amazing women and a valuable addition to our community.” He spoke in a soft, reassuring voice. Ellen suspected he knew she was almost ready to lose it, but his tone and words helped her regain control. He helped her to her feet.
“Mitch, I’m worried about Pat Garraloga. I don’t think she wanted to be a part of this. Would you check the house and make sure she’s all right?”
“I will.” He left the room and Ellen found herself engulfed in Jack and Sahale’s arms.
“We had to fight our way in. They had guards stationed around the house, but I don’t think they really expected a problem. They were arrogant enough to think their plan would all fall into place,” Jack said, as he smoothed her hair back.
“The surprise was that Mrs. Garraloga didn’t greet you and start to have tea, then maybe lead you to where they were. My guess is you’re right. She rebelled at the last moment.” Sahale ran his hands along her body. “Did he hurt you?”
“Not really. He squeezed my hand tight, and Brian slapped me. They were going to do more. You came right in time.”
Jack’s face darkened. “I’m fine, Jack, really.” It was as though he hadn’t heard her. He marched back to Garraloga, who was moaning and holding his jaw. Jack pulled his right hand into his. “So, you like to squeeze women’s hands. Shame on you.”
Ellen tried to run to Jack’s side. Sahale held onto her and buried her head in his chest. “The bastard earned his punishment.”
He screamed out as Jack tightened his grip. “You messed with the wrong woman. The only reason I’m leaving you alive is so the FBI, who are on their way here, can get the information they need. Oh, and your buddy was picked up early this morning, after he accepted your latest bribe.” Jack turned to Sahale. “Get her out of here. Take her home.”
Sahale picked Ellen up. He carried her outside to a waiting limousine. He put her in, and slid in beside her. “Take us to the airport.”
“Will Jack kill him?”
“Do you want him to?”
“I don’t like violence. Just knowing he’s imprisoned for a very long time would be enough for me.
“Good, because Jack won’t kill him. We try to avoid killing unless it’s absolutely necessary. Garraloga will just wish he was dead.”
“When will Jack and the others return?”
“I’m not sure. It might be soon or possibly not for a few days.” He opened a small fridge and pulled out two sodas. “Here, drink this and take this pill.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll relax and sleep during the trip. You’ll wake refreshed. Believe me, I’d never give you anything to hurt you.”
Exhausted and aching in every spot in her body, she took the pill. Sahale pulled her onto his lap. She closed her eyes. Sahale’s even breathing and his arms holding her tight comforted her. She was safe.
Chapter Seventeen
Sahale woke her just before the plane landed. She felt refreshed and energized.
“Better?” Sahale asked.
“Yes, m
uch. Did I get any information that helped?”
“You did. It would have taken us much longer to find out who was running the slave trade. You got that stopped much quicker. And because of the threats to you and what Garraloga told us yesterday, the FBI has a good reason to pick him and his son up right now.
“They’re well known and have kept their noses clean as far as most people know. There will be protests, but not many. What they admitted to us the other day will convict them, but we don’t want to use that information until we have the others’ names. We were and are following the money.
“When it’s broadcast what they tried to do to you, their supporters will flee the ship. Everything will move faster. We finally cut off the head of the snake.” He kissed her. “Jack and I are both proud of how you faced your fears head-on and were able to help us with this job.” He fastened her seat belt and his. “We’re home.” The plane dipped to the left and straightened out to land.
“We’re the first back. There’ll be a celebration when the others get here. But for now, I have you all to myself.” Sahale led her off the plane to where he’d left his truck parked. He drove to their cabin and took in their luggage. Ellen opened windows to let in the fresh air.
He came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. “Want to go to bed?”
“To sleep?”
“Not right away.” Sahale’s lips kissed along her neck to the juncture at her shoulder.
She let her body lean back into his. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
Sahale lifted her into his arms and took long strides into his bedroom. He put her down and quickly removed her clothes and then his. Smiling, she reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out the condom package. She ripped it open and rolled the condom onto his large cock.
“You in a hurry?” he teased.
“Maybe I’m hungry.”
“Oh, I’m going to see you get a lot hungrier before the afternoon is over.” He picked her up and put her on the bed. Opening a drawer in the bedside table, he brought out a small jar. “Remember how nice this relaxes you?”
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Seduce Their Woman [Wyoming Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 15