Hidden (A McKenzie Ridge Novel Book 2)

by Stephanie St. Klaire

  “Good, you want to get out of here? I paid a pretty penny for you, saving you from a group of horny women. I know a way you can start working that off.”

  Without another word, he grabbed her hand and rushed her to the second story exit. Once outside, he held her against the wall, pulled her leg to his hip, while he grabbed her ass, leaning in to her, he kissed her hard. So hard that she let out a throaty moan dripping in desire. She felt his excitement against her core, upping the ante. A warm tingle that only he could provoke rushed to her center.

  Before they gave an Oscar worthy performance on the second story stairs for all to see, he grabbed her hand running them down the steps, to his truck. The chill in the air prompted him to drape his suit jacket over her shoulders before lifting her into the truck. He couldn’t get them home fast enough.

  “I have something for you when we get home,” he said.

  “Oh I know what you have for me and I can’t wait, “ she giggled.

  “You little vixen you,” he teased.

  “We’ll get to that, but I have something else first.” He winked adding to the anticipation. Tonight was going to be a night to remember, beyond the Gala and bedroom.

  Chapter 30

  She rested her hand behind his neck, lightly scratching it the entire ride home. The heat their expectation radiated in anticipation for what was to come, was scorching. A single touch, his hand on her thigh, had her squeezing her legs together. Her hand stroking his neck, had his imagination wandering and his pants tight.

  They furiously pulled into the driveway, skidding to a stop, causing Megan to chuckle, while she watched Colton race around the front of his truck to get her door. He helped her down, but held her against the truck for a quick reminder of why his actions were so urgent, with a long, heavy kiss that lingered, knee weakening, and panty melting.

  The sounds of a rowdy clan of pets broke the spell and they moved up the walk way. Just before the porch steps, arm in arm, Colton stopped and turned to her, holding her hands in his.

  “The porch light is out…mood lighting?” He said with a wiggle of his brow before looking up acknowledging the bright cast of light from the full moon that rested upon the star lit sky.

  “It’s a beautiful night,” she replied.

  “You’re beautiful,” he quickly shot back. “Everything about you. Your kind heart, witty humor, how hard you love. You’re the woman I prayed for, the one I’ve searched for, the one I’ve dreamt of.” He choked on his own words, emotions nearly getting the best of him. He bent to one knee and asked, “Megan Johnson, will you make that dream come true and be mine forever? Marry me?” He held out a tiny black box that held an elegant ring that reflected the starry sky, and made her melt. He took her breath away. Tears streaked her cheeks as pure joy filled her once empty heart. This man, this perfect man, was everything a man should be, and he wanted her.

  “Colton, you’re my dream come true. You saved me, and I can’t imagine living a life without you. Yes, a hundred times…yes!” He stood and picked her up as he went, swinging her around. He let out a yee-haw or a woohoo, she wasn’t sure, nor did she care, her happily ever after just arrived and she was going to roll in it for a while.

  The chaotic riot from the house caught their attention again, as they laughed at the sight in the front window, that was crowded with their fury family.

  “I think they want to congratulate you, future Mrs. Sparks!”

  “Well, as future Mrs. Sparks, I think we need to do something about our fur babies,” she said in all seriousness. His smile faded to concern when there was mention of doing something about the animals.

  “I think we need to keep one of the kittens, maybe two,” she pondered. “And I think Rambo needs a woman, and maybe Doug!” She deadpanned.

  Boisterous laughter consumed him; her admission caught him off guard, but in a good way. “You really are the perfect girl! You can have as many animals as you want!”

  He pulled her into his arms, and lifted her again before whispering in her ear, “God, I love you, more than I can ever show you or tell you…”

  Her body became still and rigid. She began to push away saying his name in fear. That could mean only one thing. He quickly turned, blocking her from whatever, whoever, was behind him. With one hand behind his back wrapped around her, the other out in front of him, he began to move them back toward the steps.

  “Megan, call Blake, tell him they’re here. Phone’s in my front jacket pocket,” he said full of calm. “Then get inside, lock the door, you know what to do next,” he assured.

  “Colton?” Her voice was nothing but a quivering whisper.

  “It’s okay honey; I’m not letting them hurt you. You can do it, that’s why I love you so much, you’re a fighter. Now get inside.”

  The man stepped into the light, revealing his presence, hands empty. Colton could handle this piece of shit, he thought, or was he without a weapon because there were men with weapons hiding under the veil of darkness. Either way, he was ready and would do whatever he needed in order to keep Megan safe.

  A thick, seething accent laced with disgust and anger began to taunt him, “You fucking bitch, did you think I would not find you? Do you know who you are dealing with?” He questioned.

  She froze at the familiar voice, Esteban Valdez.

  “Apparently you don’t know who you are dealing with, asshole. You have no business here, so leave. And you’ll watch how you speak to the lady,” Colton lashed back.

  Esteban laughed at Colton’s chivalrous attempt, drawing chuckles from all around, hidden in the darkness.

  “Do you hear this fucking guy? Congratulations, by the way, I heard your little pathetic, weak, spineless plea for a wife. I am embarrassed for you.” If looks could kill, they would both be dead. This man was full of hate and pure evil.

  Megan reached in Colton’s coat pocket ever so slowly, and hit the button for Blake. Then she prayed that he would answer and get here in time. Colton slowly pushed her back, nudging her up the stairs so she could get inside to safety.

  “Where is she, Trinity? Where is that bitch sister of yours, and where is my son?” Esteban spit.

  “My name is Megan.” Not sure why, but that was the only response that came to mind. If she could keep them talking, stall, Blake and the rest could get there in time.

  “Oh for fucking sake…where is she!!” He screamed. The animals were scratching at the door and window trying to get out. The ruckus got louder and louder, further angering Esteban.

  “Shut those fucking animals up!” He yelled.

  A cluster of gunshots rang out, hitting the front of the house. Colton threw himself over Megan, protecting her from the attack. A lone yelp could be heard from inside, then silence.

  ***

  Blake thought it odd that Colton’s name was scrolling across his screen. He had just spoken to him a handful of minutes before, upstairs. He turned to look above and didn’t see anyone up there, nor did he see Colton or Megan amongst the small remaining crowd. Anxiety filled him; his intuition told him something was wrong. He signaled for quiet and the group of friends pulled in tighter while Blake answered the call, putting it on speakerphone.

  “Cooper,” he answered with his typical salutation.

  The line was briefly vacant of sound until he heard the gunshots in the background.

  “Jameson, get Dec on the line!” He ordered Morgan.

  “Colton? Megan? Hello?” His questions went without reply.

  They swiftly moved to the exit, finding their way to the vehicles, splitting up between Blake’s and Dawson’s trucks.

  “Dec is on the way, he got confirmation from the men posted at Lou’s house. Everyone is safe, and they are on alert. Nothing from Colton’s, they aren’t responding,” Morgan alerted.

  “Shit! Let’s go, it’s going down at Sparks’!” Blake replied. “Dialing you into the call, Morgan, ride with Dawson so you guys hear what we hear. O’Reilly, call it in, we need back up, a
ll hands on deck.”

  He paused for a minute realizing what his next statement meant, “We don’t know what we are walking in on.”

  What were they walking in on? Were their friends okay, was there anyone hurt? Where were Declan’s people?

  ***

  “Oh my God, Boss!” Megan shouted, recognizing the deeper, mature sound such a big dog made.

  “Go!” Colton said, squeezing Meg’s thigh before lunging at Esteban.

  Before she could move toward the door, a large man stepped within view just behind Colton. Megan screaming his name in warning was the last thing Colton heard. He turned to see Megan, over his shoulder getting a perfect view of her horror just before a slicing, sharp pain stretched across his forehead and everything went dark.

  “Colton! Colton!” Megan screamed, crawling toward him laying his head in her lap. “Baby, wake up! Oh my God, please wake up!” She sat back on her knees and looked at her hands, they were covered in blood, and it was staining her dress. He was bleeding. A lot.

  A shrieking laughter pulled her from thought. She watched Satan himself double over in laughter as if the events of late were nothing more than a sick joke. Evil and hate spewed from his face causing her stomach to roll in disgust. She gently laid Colton’s head on the grass and ran for the front door.

  She needed the gun, then she would shoot the son of a bitch herself. She made it to the top step before her feet were pulled out from under her. She hit the deck, face first and the wind was knocked out of her. Gasping for air, she tried to scream, remembering the cell phone she dropped near the steps.

  God she hoped Blake had answered. She kicked and fought, pleased with the heel she landed on Esteban’s face. One of his men grabbed her by her hair and stood her to her feet, causing her to scream in pain. Lip bleeding, face aching, she spit right in Valdez’s face.

  “You smug son of a bitch. Do you ever do your own dirty work?” She spat referring to the hired muscle holding her back.

  Esteban laid the back of his hand across her cheek and slowly dragged it down her face, not stopping as he reached her chin. He continued his disgusting decent until his hand reached her breast and he began to stroke her through her dress.

  “Ahh, I see why he is so fond of you. Beautiful and feisty,” he said while massaging her breast. Tears streamed down her face, she turned, unable to look at the vile man.

  “I think I’ll have my way with you before I kill you, see which sister is better.”

  She turned and spit in his face again at his remark. Anger like she hadn’t seen consumed him while he wiped the saliva and blood from his face with an expensive silk handkerchief from his suit pocket. He carefully folded it and returned it to its place in the front pocket of his suit jacket. He paused for a moment, biting the bottom corner of his lip when that smug smile returned right before he lifted a fist and planted it on her face, knocking her out, cold.

  “Grab the girl, she goes with us,” he spewed, while shaking out the pain in his hand.

  ***

  When the line remained silent, with the exception of a few howls and barks in the distance, Blake feared the worst, they all did. Esteban would have a good ten plus minutes on them in any direction. He had Megan, but where was Colton, what had they done to him?

  They heard his intentions with Megan, it made his skin crawl. They would find Colton and Megan, and bring Esteban to justice once and for all, at all costs. This ended tonight. This shit didn’t happen in McKenzie, not in his circle!

  Colton’s body could be seen lying before the steps, from the road. Each of the friends muffled something under their breath that sounded of prayer. The fear they carried all the way there had been realized as they raced to their seemingly lifeless friend’s side.

  Jumping into action, Carigan went in to EMT mode, using the large kit Dawson kept in his truck, with the help of her nurse friends, Sam and Everly. Morgan stayed with Colton and the ladies as protection, should Valdez or his men still be on site.

  Dawson and Blake slowly crept around the perimeter of the house in hopes to find Megan, or even better, Valdez.

  “You better not fucking shoot me,” Blake warned nodding to the gun Dawson had drawn. “You don’t have a badge, it better be clean if you discharge your weapon.”

  “You taught me how to use it…we’re all good.”

  “Will you two shut up?” Came a slight voice from behind them. They each turned to find Jessie taking up the rear with a small handgun front and center. Blake dropped his arms and gave her an eye roll, but before he could protest she chimed in, “Don’t even, Blake, you taught me too. The girls got Sparks, I’m with you,” she said.

  She cut him off again, “You told me I shoot better than this asshole…I’m going!” She bargained, referring to Dawson.

  Dawson’s jaw dropped and he looked at Blake with a questioning look. Blake looked between the two before nodding his head in agreement with Jessie. Now it was Dawson’s turn to give an eye roll.

  “Okay,” Blake said. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told…”

  Jessie threw her arms in the air and said, “Christ! Do you always talk this much? Only shoot the bad guys, don’t screw up. Got it! Now let’s find Fancy Pants before it’s too late,” she concluded, while nudging the two men ahead.

  Their training in Search and Rescue together paid off for them as they worked as a team, clearing the scene, clear down to the lake and back around. They didn’t fine Esteban…or Megan.

  Chapter 31

  “We have a strong pulse, O2 rate is good, he’s breathing on his own, and he’s just out. Nasty hit to the head,” Carigan updated when the three returned to the scene.

  “He’s stirring, we think he’s waking up,” Sam offered as she finished wrapping his head to protect the large gash across his forehead.

  As if on cue, Colton opened his eyes and looked at the faces hovering around. A look of confusion, followed by fear shortly followed, as he wrestled his way up, yanking the neck collar off that had been put on as a precaution.

  “Megan” was the only thing he got out as he stood, and fell again, holding his head, making a strained face.

  “Whoa, handsome!” Everly said, helping him sit again. “You had the snot knocked outta ya, take it easy.”

  “Where’s Meg?” More straining, head obviously in pain while he asked the question he already knew the answer to.

  “Take it easy, lover boy,” Blake charged, walking up with a black box in his hand. “Is this what I think it is?”

  All eyes on the small ring box, he dropped his head, and slumped his shoulders in a defeated nod.

  “Oh, Colton, love…” Carigan choked. “We’re getting her back, you hear me boy?” She said, her Irish dialect imposing as it always did when she was emotional.

  Declan returned to the group, a sour scowl on his face, anger radiating. Blake read him like a book, knowing full well where his anger rooted from—he found his men.

  “There isn’t much here, small blood splatter there,” Blake pointed to the porch steps behind him. “May have a small trail that direction but only goes a few feet.”

  “Christ.” Declan spat.

  “What happened Dec? You said she was safe, eyes on her at all times!” Colton accused, his voice full of anger. “Where were those eyes? Why did Valdez himself walk right up to us? How did half a dozen or more assholes get this close? They fucking have her man…” His voice cracked, choking on his last words at barely a whisper. “They have her.”

  He spun the little black box in his hands clearing his throat as if his emotion was nothing more than an irritation that could be resolved so easily.

  “I’m sorry, Sparks. We’ll get her.” Dec said, full of sympathy. “It looks like they had the spin on us, three men dead. No struggle at all, from what we can tell. That only means one thing.”

  “Inside job,” Blake delivered firmly, rather than as a question.

  “Shit. Any idea who?” Morgan asked.

  �
�Three men dead on a four man team…pretty good idea that it’s the missing fourth man,” Dec reconciled.

  “So we’ve had a traitor trailing us, on my property, in my home this whole time. Fucking great. Now they’re one step ahead. How do we catch up?” Colton asked, ready to move on to what was really important.

  Dec excused himself when one of his teams arrived back from a preliminary search. Voices were out of range, but body language and hand gestures indicated their interest was in the trees surrounding the lake. Saying they took her through the woods was like saying a bar has alcohol.

  “I don’t think I’ve heard your animals this loud before!” Sam said. “They must be worried.”

  “Boss! The gunfire, I think he was hit!” Colton tried to get up, but his world spun beneath his feet.

  “Hold up big guy, get your bearings, I got you,” Dawson said, grabbing Colton’s arm to steady him.

  “I’ll go check on him. Help me, Cari? Might need your EMT skills,” Morgan offered. Having an operating ranch, Morgan was pretty well versed in animals, just not gunshot wounds.

  As soon as the door opened, Duke shot out, making his way to Colton. He nudged Colton with his nose several times while whimpering, and eventually began barking. Colton scratched his ears, comforting his spooked dog. His behavior intensified. He would growl and violently bark, run several feet, do it again, then run back to Colton’s side, each time becoming more aggravated. Duke finally resorted to biting at Colton’s pant leg and pulling with every lap, back and forth.

  “Has he ever done this before?” Morgan asked walking out of the house.

  “No actually, never, he must really be spooked. He has become attached to Meg, maybe he is worried.” He replied. “How is Boss, everything okay?”

  Morgan looked to Blake giving him a nod, each remembering a time when they noticed Duke acting exactly this way, not too long ago.

  “Boss took a hit to his ear. He’ll be fine, just looks a little lop sided on top. Say, Duke might be trying to…tell us something,” she hesitated to share.

  “The night of the fire…he took off toward the woods, wouldn’t listen or stop. Got a ways in and lost whatever he was chasing,” Blake shared.