A few long minutes later, a man in his early thirties strode from the house, looking like he was at the end of a twenty-four-hour shift. His sports jacket was disheveled and his dirty blond hair was sticking up in several directions as if he’d dragged his hand through it a few times. “I’m Drew Murdock. Which one of you is DeAngelis?”
Marco held out his hand and the detective shook it. “This is Ian and Devon Sawyer. And Boomer Michaelson. Any sign of the kid?”
“Not yet,” Murdock informed them while frowning. “According to the neighbors, it’s a girl named Mara. Five months old. Ms. Williams just moved into the house last week, so the neighbors have very little information on her.”
“Purchased or rented?” Ian queried.
“Purchased.”
“Security system?”
“Yeah, but a crappy one—wires were cut at the outside junction box.” Murdock glanced down at his open notepad. “We got the call about ninety minutes ago. Neighbor across the street saw a male Caucasian—blond, mid-20s, black sweatpants and tee, otherwise non-descript. He ran from the front door, hopped into an older model silver Ford Escape, and tore out of here. The front door was left wide open, so the neighbor came over to see if everything was okay and found Ms. Williams on the floor, unconscious and bleeding from the head. Looks like it was blunt trauma. A bloody bookend was found next to the body.”
Marco winced at that last word. Harper wasn’t dead, but he knew Murdock was just stating the facts as he would to any other investigator. “Was the perp carrying anything? And what about an Amber Alert?”
Stepping aside to let a crime scene tech exit the house, the detective shook his head. “Neighbor didn’t see the baby with the perp at all. That’s the only reason we haven’t issued an Amber Alert yet. We’re hoping she’s with a babysitter or another family member. We’re still trying to figure out if this was a random or targeted attack. How well do you know the vic? Does she have any family in the area?”
The team knew the Amber Alert system had specific criteria before an alert could be released for a missing child. Hopefully, the nation-wide system wouldn’t be needed. Marco ran a hand through his short, black hair. “Her dad died when she was younger. As of a year ago, her mother was still alive and living here in Clearwater somewhere. But that could’ve changed. She also has a brother in Washington D.C. and a sister on the west coast…Los Angeles, I think. I haven’t spoken to Harper since my sister’s funeral, thirteen months ago—they were best friends. Harper’s a lawyer with her own practice now, but as for her employees or other friends, I have no idea who they are.”
“Detective Murdock?”
The men all turned to see a uniformed officer escorting an older woman who was carrying a baby wrapped in a pink blanket. Marco recognized Harper’s mother from her visits to see Nina, and also from the wakes and funeral. The woman had been so nice to his sister, even calling Nina her ‘adopted daughter’.
As she approached, her face was pinched in fright. “What’s wrong? What happened? Where’s Harper?”
Detective Murdock stepped forward and introduced himself. “Who are you, ma’am? Are you related to Ms. Williams?”
“I’m Karen Williams. Harper’s my daughter and this is her daughter, Mara.” The relief that statement brought was evident on the face of everyone present, including Brody who was walking up behind her to join the rest of them. “What happened?” she repeated. “Where is she?”
“There was a break-in. Ms. Williams was found unconscious by a neighbor who called 911. But she’s alive and at the hospital now.”
“Oh my God!” The poor woman appeared to not know what to do next, but when Marco stepped forward to speak to her, her expression quickly changed from fear to loathing. “What the hell are you doing here? Did you have something to do with this?”
Shocked didn’t begin to describe what he felt at her accusation, and for a moment he was speechless. She thought he would hurt Harper? What the fuck?
Murdock took control of the conversation again, but his next question didn’t help the churning in Marco’s gut. “Ma’am, why would you think Mr. DeAngelis had something to do with the attack?”
She eyed the man in question with disgust while cradling the baby to her chest. All he could see was a tiny bit of pale blonde hair at the top of her head. The rest was covered with the blanket. “He made it perfectly clear he wanted nothing to do with Harper after she got pregnant with his child. And now, after all this time, suddenly he’s here after she’s attacked? Why wouldn’t I think he had something to do with it?”
Marco felt the blood drain from his face and his knees go weak. Fuck, this was going downhill fast. His child. He had a fucking child with Harper and he was just finding out now? What. The. Fuck?
Brody pulled on Marco’s arm, forcing him to take a step back and get out of the angry woman’s face. A natural flirt of women, young and old, the geek gave Karen a look of understanding and comfort. “Mrs. Williams, I can assure you that Marco has about a hundred witnesses to his whereabouts this evening when Harper was attacked.” Thank God for that. “We were called here to help and that’s all we want to do. Can you think of anyone else who might have done this? Did she have any problem clients or someone who has been harassing her?”
The woman’s features softened a little as she turned her attention to Brody. Obviously, she remembered the man who could charm the Wicked Witch of the West, and her venom was only reserved for Marco. “No, I don’t. But she’s helped plenty of women in abusive relationships to leave their husbands.”
“Ma’am? Do you know where your daughter was tonight? It appears she had just gotten home.”
“Her secretary and paralegal both had birthdays this week, so she took them out for dinner. I usually watch Mara here or at my condo, but I took her to visit my cousin in Palm Harbor for the evening. The baby was sleeping so soundly, so I stayed later than I had planned. Harper told me if something like this ever happened to her, I should call…oh, I don’t remember her name. I have it in my purse.”
She shifted the sleeping infant in her arms and tried to reach into the bag at her side. Brody held out his hands. “I can hold the baby if that would help.”
Marco’s mouth dropped when Harper’s mother paused only for a moment before handing the child over to the hulking geek. He was further shocked when his teammate handled the little baby with practiced ease, instead of like the football carry Marco was expecting. He’d never seen Brody with a baby before, but it was apparent he’d gotten experience somewhere. He glanced at Boomer, Dev, and Ian, all who appeared just as shocked and even a bit amused. The baby began to stir and fuss a little, but the man just cuddled her closer and made little ‘tsking’ noises to calm her. And, fuck them, it worked!
“Here it is.” Everyone’s attention swung back to Mrs. Williams who had pulled out a small black address book. “Dr. Trudy Dunbar.”
“Shit…um…sorry, Mrs. Williams.” Dev’s spat expletive had almost been followed by one from Marco and the others, but they’d caught themselves in time. They knew the doctor well. She was a shrink who they sent some of the club members to on occasion, even though she wasn’t in the lifestyle. She was also very involved with Friends of Patty.
Murdock eyed Devon. “Who’s that?”
“Friend of ours. She’s a psychologist and involved with a private organization which helps relocate women and children from abusive relationships. It’s all done in secret.”
A flash of recognition appeared on the detective’s face. “I think I know the group you’re talking about, but I’ve never personally dealt with them.”
Directing his question to Marco, Ian asked, “Did you know Harper was involved with them?”
“No.” Fuck, this was getting hairier by the minute and Marco still didn’t know if Harper was okay. “But you know they’re like the Underground Railroad. They’re all tight-lipped and know only a small portion of the others involved. It’s how they keep the women safe from being
tracked down. Jake ran into that problem a few months ago, remember? That organization can give the U.S. Marshals a run for their money.”
Ian opened his mouth to answer, but Karen interrupted, taking the baby from Brody, with her gaze aimed at Detective Murdock. “While you all are figuring out who the hell attacked my daughter, may I go to the hospital to see her?”
“Absolutely, ma’am. After I take care of things here, I’ll be by to ask you some more questions.” He waved over the officer who had escorted her from the end of the driveway. “Officer Carpenteri can drive or follow you—whichever you prefer.”
Showing the strength Marco had seen in the woman many times when she’d been visiting with Nina during her illness, Karen squared her shoulders. “I’m fine to drive. But I will take the escort until you find out who did this and ensure my daughter and granddaughter are no longer in danger.”
With one final look of disgust in Marco’s direction, the woman turned and hurried down the drive with the uniformed officer in tow. Marco stared at her retreating back until Murdock tapped his arm. “I take it from the fact you’re as white as a sheet, you had no idea you had a kid.”
Speechless, all he could do in response was shake his head.
As usual, Ian took charge, which was a great relief, because Marco’s brain was a pile of goo at the moment. “Brody…”
The geek knew what their boss was going to say and nodded his head before the rest of the order was spoken. “Got it.” He jogged after the older woman to offer to drive her car to the hospital. Since he appeared to be Mrs. Williams’ favorite out of the five men present, he was the ideal person to handle her. While the Clearwater and Tampa police were good at their jobs, Harper, her daughter, and Karen were now top priority to the Trident team. They would be guarding them around the clock until they found out who was responsible for the attack and why.
“Boomer, have Egghead find out Mrs. Williams’ address and go make sure the place is safe. I’ll send a few guys over to relieve you.” Knowing the youngest man on their team knew exactly what needed to be done, Ian didn’t bother waiting for an answer before turning back to Murdock. “You going to have someone watching the house for now, or do I have to leave some of my men here?”
The detective shook his head. “Don’t worry. Until the crime scene is released, there will be uniforms stationed here. I’ll notify you when it’s released, though.”
“Good. Mind if I go with you to talk to Dr. Dunbar? We have a good rapport with her.”
“That’s fine. I don’t look any gift horses in the mouth.”
Still watching the pink bundle as Karen Williams carried the child down the driveway, Marco barely heard the conversations around him. Holy fuck. Was he really a father? And if he was, what the fuck was he going to do now?
* * *
At two-thirty in the morning, Kristen Sawyer was relieved to hear the front door open, announcing Devon’s return to their apartment. He’d been gone for hours, but had texted her earlier to let her know things were okay and he’d fill her in when he got home. Before he left with the others, he’d instructed her to return to their place. He didn’t like her being at the club without him, which was fine with her—she tended to feel like a vital part of her was missing when he wasn’t there. Ian and Boomer had given Angie and Kat the same marching orders, for the same reason. The two women had joined her for a glass of wine and the second half of a Lifetime movie before heading to their own homes. Kat and Boomer lived about seven minutes away, while Angie only had to walk downstairs to the apartment she and Ian shared.
She felt bad Devon’s birthday night at the club had been interrupted, but the teammates always looked out for their own. They weren’t just friends and co-workers. They were family—a family she adored.
The bedroom door opened and she grinned. It’d taken her a while to get used to her husband’s stealth, lack-of-even-the-slightest-noise footsteps. She swore he walked on feathers as he’d unintentionally, and sometimes intentionally, scared the living, fucking shit out of her on numerous occasions. She pulled the sheets on his side of the bed down for him as he tossed his keys and wallet on the room’s high-boy dresser.
“You look beat. Is Harper okay? What happened?” She’d met the woman several times before Marco’s sister passed away, and then again at the wakes and funeral. Kristen thought she’d been friendly, and had often wondered if Marco and Harper had ever hooked up. They would make a handsome couple, but she hadn’t seen Nina DeAngelis’ best friend since the funeral.
Devon toed off his black leather biker boots and sighed. “From what the police have so far, it was a home invasion. They think the guy was already inside when Harper arrived home and she interrupted a burglary. She got clocked on the head and knocked out. They did a CT scan and there’s no fracture or major damage, just a bad concussion. The doctors put her on some meds to help with some minor swelling on her brain, which is causing the unconsciousness, and they expect it to be short term. Marco and Brody are staying at the hospital until she wakes up.” After pulling his T-shirt over his head, he undid the laces of his club leathers and peeled them off. God, how she loved watching him do that. The man was built and hung to perfection, in her opinion. And hers was the only one that mattered. “Eyes up, Pet, unless you want to hear the rest of the story after I ravish you.”
The twinkle in his eye and lengthening of his cock said he was dead serious. “Just answer two more questions, my love, and then you can ravish me all you want.” He raised an eyebrow and began to stroke his now almost fully erect penis. Her mouth watered as she tried to remember what else she’d wanted to ask him. “Um...oh...the baby...is he or she okay? Is it really Marco’s?”
“The little girl, Mara, is fine. She was with Harper’s mother the whole time. As for her being Marco’s, I’m as positive as I can be, without a DNA test, that she is. We all knew it as soon as she woke up at the hospital and flashed those grey eyes which are the spitting image of his.” Kristen knew them well. The first time she’d met Devon’s teammate, she’d compared his gentle eyes to her favorite steel-grey cashmere sweater. They were very distinct and not a color she’d ever noticed on anyone before him. “It’s thrown him for a loop. Mrs. Williams has it in her head that he wanted nothing to do with the kid and even had something to do with the assault.”
She gasped and sputtered, “W-what? Marco would never hurt a woman! Never!”
Climbing into bed, he laid on his side, facing her, and palmed her naked breast, brushing his thumb over the taut, pink peak, sending a jolt of electricity through her. “Calm down, Pet. That’s exactly what we told her and the police. Besides, he’s got an iron-clad alibi with over a hundred witnesses. There’s a possibility the attack is because of her helping Friends of Patty or even just a random break-in. The place was trashed.”
A moan escaped her when he leaned over and licked her other nipple, not letting up his thumb’s onslaught on the first one. “Hmmm. I...uh...I didn’t know she was involved with them.” She’d heard about the clandestine group, who helped women and children of domestic violence, a year and a half ago when Jake had needed their help for a seventeen-year-old girl and her mother to escape an abusive father/husband.
Her husband let go of the tit he’d been sucking on. “Neither did we. But then again, that’s how the group operates. Anyway, hopefully, we’ll know more when Harper wakes up. Mrs. Williams went to her condo with the baby to get some sleep. She’ll head back to the hospital in the morning. I called McCabe, Foster, and Mancini to guard them until we find out if this was random or intentional.”
His hand left her breast and slowly slid down her torso. She better wrap up her inquiry because playtime was just about here. Her breathing and heart rate sped up and she almost forgot what he’d just said. “The Omega team is probably glad to do something other than training. That’s mostly what they’ve been doing the past few months.” A new secondary team had been put together to be based out of Florida. Trident Security had deve
loped an impeccable reputation the past few years, and it was either form another team or start refusing cases and missions. There was also the third team being developed out in San Diego with Jake at the helm until they were up and running.
Nudging her thighs apart, Devon ran a finger over her clit and bare pussy lips, and she fought the urge to move her hips. She wanted more, but knew her Dom would take his own sweet time. “The training is important, Pet. The reason the guys and I work so well together is because we’ve trained like that for years. These guys didn’t know each other before now, and they have to get to the point where they can finish each other’s sentences and know, from just a look, what the others are thinking. They have to know exactly what their teammates are going to do before they actually do it. It’s how they’ll stay alive and successfully complete a mission. Now…are you done asking questions, because I want to fuck you silly for the next few hours. That’s my birthday present to myself.”
“Your birthday was over almost three hours ago.”
He dipped his fingers into her wet core and she felt the flush of arousal which eased his entry. “My birthday isn’t over until I get my birthday spanks…well, you’re the one who will be getting spanked, Pet. I get to give them to you. How does that sound?”
“Like a little hell before you take me to heaven, Master.”
A low groan rumbled from his chest. “I like the sound of that. Com’ere.”
CHAPTER 4
Thirteen Months Ago
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m starving.”
Marco chuckled at Harper’s declaration as he pulled his Chevy Silverado into the driveway of the three-bedroom ranch he’d bought two years ago, right before Nina had gotten sick. “I was just thinking the same thing. Those leftovers smell delicious. Thank God for Jenn.” He put the truck into park. “Come on inside and I’ll reheat everything. I think I still have a bottle of that white wine you and Nina love…loved.”
Watching From The Shadows: Trident Security Book 5 Page 3