by Joni Hahn
Jaydan jumped up from his chair and shoved a hand through his hair.
Hope rubbed her hands down her face. “Good God…”
“What?” Dylan’s gaze bounced back and forth between them. “You know it?”
Hope spoke in a low voice, her body still with shock. “My brother was there.”
“What?”
Jaydan leaned back his head against shoulders. “He’s one of our agents, now. Riordan St. James.”
Pulling up the photo app on her tablet, Hope showed him a picture of Riordan. “Do you recognize him?”
Rushing forward, Dylan snatched it from her hand. “Yeah. I saw him.”
A short, succinct curse shot from Jaydan’s mouth. Dylan’s eyes went soft with sympathy.
“They tortured the shit out of him. Electrocution, whips, bamboo shoots – you name it. He was in isolation most of the time.” He handed back the tablet. “He’s one tough sonovabitch.”
Hope couldn’t hold back the tears that spilled from her eyes. “He still is.”
“And’s about to marry Keegan Meeks’ sister.” Jaydan turned around to face him.
“Who?”
Hope said, “The woman at the luau. Kiki. Her real name is Keegan Meeks.”
Dylan planted his hands on his hips. “You’re kidding me?”
Hope shook her head. “No. That’s why we’re here. Keegan was kidnapped as a child and never found. A few days ago, we picked up a lead that led us here.”
“Damn, there’s no telling what she’s seen and been through. Matheson is one, psycho mofo.”
Hope frowned at him. “Matheson had to be young when she was taken. He couldn’t be responsible for her kidnapping.”
Dylan held out his hands palm up. “Sorry, I can’t help you with that. But, I can tell you he’s doing human testing.” His nostrils flared. “They took blood, skin, hair, saliva, sperm – you freaking name it.”
Tension radiated off Jaydan like microwaves. “So, he has a lab where he does these tests?”
“Yep,” Dylan said, taking his seat again. “The place is dark, with steel doors, concrete walls, like a bunker. Other than my holding room, I only saw hallways, an exam room and a lab. I was never in a room with another victim but I would hear them in the hallways, or hear the technicians talk about them. I wasn’t the only one.” He gave a bitter chuckle. “I fought them every chance I got. Matheson finally got sick of me and decided to put a stop to it once and for all.” Lifting his shirt, Dylan pointed at the scar on his chest.
“What is it?” Hope glanced at his chest before meeting his eyes.
“In a nutshell?” His glance went to Jaydan. “A freaking GPS tracker with a kill switch.”
“Kill switch?” Jaydan spoke in a raised voice.
Lowering his shirt, Dylan nodded. “Yeah. All he has to do is detonate it and my heart stops. He hit it once to scare the shit out of me.”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Hope couldn’t believe it. How could someone be so cruel?
“Why did he want you so bad?” she said. “Why not use someone that would cooperate?”
Dylan shrugged. “I don’t know. There was something about me he wanted.”
“So, why let you go?” Jaydan said. “Why not send you back to Mongolia?”
“His guards were never able to catch me after I escaped. After a while, they gave up. But, he always knows where to find me.”
God above, they were dealing with a monster. One that sounded like he’d stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
Hope took a deep breath and let it out. “How’d you escape?”
“I acted like I was unconscious while they transferred me from a gurney to my bed. I knocked out the tech and chained him to my bed. I made it all the way to a steel door when I ran into –“
“Keegan.”
He nodded. “I grabbed her in a choke hold and told her to show me the way out. She opened the door, led me up a few flights of stairs and outside without any trouble.” His gaze went to the granite countertop, a frown maiming his brow. “When we reached topside, I told her to come with me. She said Matheson would detonate my tracker when he found out I’d taken her. I had a better chance on my own.” He raised his head to look at each of them. “I told her I would get her out somehow, or die trying. That was three months ago.”
So, Dylan lived like he was dying. He had nothing to lose, knowing he could fall over dead at any moment.
How did someone live that way? Then again, didn’t Jaydan live that way, to a certain extent? Every mission could be his last.
Shutting her eyes, she willed away the thought. Jaydan was the strongest man in the world. He stood feet from her, fearless, brave and confident. He believed in the reason why he would one day die.
Was that day the scene in her vision?
Hope shook her head, disposing the terrifying thought. She had to stay focused on Dylan.
Keegan gave Dylan purpose - and an out. Without her or some kind of proof that he’d been kidnapped, he would face court martial.
A knock sounded at the front door. She exchanged a worried glance with Jaydan. Dylan backed out of sight, into a corner of the kitchen.
Sauntering to the door, Jaydan yanked it open. “Well, what do you know…”
Leaning back on her stool, Hope tried to see who was at the door. With no luck, she made her way to stand behind Jaydan.
The young boy from yesterday stood on the porch, one foot on his skateboard. He held out a note.
Yesterday, they’d thought Dylan sent the note. That he’d been the one to lead them to Keegan.
The boy’s presence today proved their theory wrong.
“You get around.” Jaydan took the note and read it. His shoulders visibly stiffened.
Snatching the note from his hand, she read it twice.
You are cordially invited
to
Dinner
tonight, seven o’clock in the evening
the Matheson residence
RSVP via messenger
Looking at the opposite side of the note, it wasn’t addressed to anyone.
“Tell him I’ll be there,” Jaydan said.
The boy shook his head. “He said the girl.” He pointed at Hope.
Jaydan spoke with conviction. “That’s not happening.”
After hearing Dylan’s horror story, she didn’t want to go near the place, either. However, they had to get to Keegan, and Jaydan would be with her.
He’d protect her.
Hope said, “Tell him we’ll be there.”
Jaydan glared at her. “Like hell. I don’t want you anywhere near that place.”
She glared back at him. “What are you saying, Rose? The strongest man in the world can’t protect me?”
Clamping his jaw shut, his nostrils flared. Despite how they felt about each other, he would protect her. His job demanded it, his instinct allowing nothing else.
Pulling a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet, he handed it to the boy, his gaze on Hope. The boy ran off.
He shut the door. “I can’t protect you if you do something foolish.”
“I’m not an airhead, Rose.” She clenched her fists at her sides. “This will give us a chance to scope out the compound and find the best way to get her out.”
His sad eyes bounced off her as he walked back to the kitchen. “I know you’re not an airhead, Hope. I’m worried about you trying to be a hero.”
***
Accepting Jaydan’s hand, Hope exited the boat Dylan had commissioned for them. She stepped on shore of Matheson’s island, her sandaled feet sinking into the soft, thick sand.
Jaydan and Mitchell had decided he would keep his infrared video feed running the entire evening. If all went well, they could find Keegan and escape on the boat. The video would provide evidence against Cyrus and clear Dylan, who waited far away from the island at the airplane hangar.
Hope started toward the wrought iron gate at the compound entrance. Jaydan held her back,
his hands grasping her upper arms tight.
“Promise me you’ll play it safe tonight. Don’t leave my side.”
She had to put aside the way he made her body feel, how he swayed her heart and messed with her head. She already hated their stilted conversation, the strictly business demeanor, the stoic expressions.
Before last night, even when they’d fought, he’d made her feel alive.
She missed that.
“I promise, Rose. After what Dylan said, I don’t want to leave your side. I want to get in there, find Keegan and get out.”
She didn’t consider herself a wilting flower or weak. She could handle intense situations. However, human testing and kidnappers intimidated her on an entirely new level.
Taking her hand, he led her up the incline to the front gates. “Remember, we’re supposed to be engaged. Act like you like me.”
Hope frowned to herself. She did like him - entirely too much. That’s why she’d slept with him.
Tonight, he looked like the cowboy again, incredibly handsome and virile. In his signature jeans, belt buckle and boots, he wore his black shirtsleeves rolled up to give his armbands clearance. His dark hair curled on the ends, his jaw already dark with stubble.
Holding open the gate, the guard from the luau sported a healthy bruise on his cheek, his lip cut. With a brief nod, he pointed to a concrete walk on his left. When the gate slammed shut behind them, Hope jumped, eliciting a squeeze of her hand from Jaydan.
“We’re fine...”
His calm voice brought her pounding heart back to a steady beat.
Rather than the lush, manicured lawn she’d expected, the landscape on either side of the walk ran wild to the island. It grew thick and abundant, untethered, in vibrant green brilliance. The walk looked odd, out of place in the natural environment.
Two cerulean doors appeared several feet ahead, a rusted, brass doorknocker on the right door. Reaching the stoop, she took a closer look. Engraved on the knocker was a swastika over the letter M.
Nausea settled in her stomach. Circumstances continued to look bleaker by the minute.
Jaydan shoved back the hair from his forehead to allow his armband a better view. Glancing over at her, he gave her an encouraging smile.
The nausea melted away like snow on a sunny day. She would be okay as long as she remained by his side. He knew what to do in these situations. He was one of a handful of men on D.I.R.E.’s super squad of agents. If she had to do this with anyone, Jaydan would be her choice.
Raising his hand to knock, the door swung open from inside. Another handsome, blond man ushered them inside a large, two-story foyer done in rich shades of gold, tan and navy. A massive chandelier, containing thousands of glass baubles, hung above a cherry wood table that held an elaborate bouquet of fresh gladiolas.
“Right this way.”
He led them into a living area off the foyer. Stepping inside, Hope felt like she’d stepped onto the set of a Humphrey Bogart movie.
Done in a hodgepodge of Streamline Modern and Art Deco design, the minimalist room contained two red sofas and a cream accent chair. Large, inlaid wood-framed mirrors accented the white walls. Black geometric patterns bordered the room all the way around.
“Would you like some wine?” The butler held up a bottle chilling on the end table.
Jaydan held up his hand to decline. “We don’t drink.”
“Very well.” The man nodded as he backed out of the room. “Mr. Matheson will be with you shortly.”
Releasing his hand, Hope picked up the bottle of wine. Nineteen thirty-two, Berlin. She held it up for Jaydan to see.
Nodding, he walked the perimeter of the room, his hand running along the wallpaper.
Hope spotted a credenza littered with photographs sitting under a window. Walking over, she pushed aside heavy black curtains and picked up a frame.
The black and white photo contained five smiling men, one in a German officer’s uniform, standing side-by-side in front of some kind of bell-shaped machine or craft. She’d never seen anything like it.
Setting it down, she picked up a second frame. Two men stood in the center of a cleared patch of land surrounded by brush, a body of water in the distance. One leaned on a shovel, the second leaning on the first man with an elbow on his shoulder.
Picking up a third black and white photo, Hope registered the woman wearing a low-waist frock, but couldn’t quite believe her eyes. The young woman shook hands with a man that looked a lot like Cyrus, wearing a white lab coat.
Frowning, Hope blinked several times before she studied the photo again. Her heart went from beating, to pounding, to galloping out of control.
Her gaze roamed the table, looking for more photos. Snatching one from the back, she stared at the beautiful woman smiling at the camera. Wearing a floral silk dress, she sat with her hands clasped on her bent knee, diamond bracelets dangling from her wrist.
Shaking uncontrollably, Hope’s words came out in a jagged rush. “Jay-dan...”
Whipping around, he rushed to her side. “You’re white as a ghost. What is it?”
She held up the photo for him. “What do you see?”
He glanced between her face and the photo, his eyes wary. “A woman.” With a half smile, he added, “She looks like you.”
Hope forced out the words, her voice choking mid-sentence. “She should… she’s my mother.”
Chapter 9
“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Cyrus stopped beside them at the credenza, his eyes darting from Jaydan’s exposed armbands to Hope’s pale face.
Hope held the photo in her shaking hand, her diamond bracelets glimmering in the lamplight. The cluster of bangles and strands were dotted with tiny stones connected in the center by a letter K done in brilliant, pink diamonds.
The same exact bracelet her mother wore in the picture.
Now, Jaydan understood why she wore it all the time. She wasn’t flaunting her wealth, but cherishing memories. He’d judged her without taking the time to learn the truth first.
God, he was an ass.
Based on the weak pallor of her skin and the tremors wracking her body, his little spitfire barely held it together.
He had to get her back on track.
Not only did they have to get Keegan off the island, now they had to find out Kim Powers’ connection to Cyrus.
“Yes, she’s very beautiful.” Swallowing hard, Hope set down the photo on the table.
Walking over to the wine, Cyrus popped open the cork. “So, you two don’t drink?”
Taking Hope’s hand in his, Jaydan squeezed it as he escorted her to the sofa. “No. We prefer to keep a clear head.”
Taking a seat, Hope gave Cyrus a tentative smile. “We were surprised to receive your dinner invitation.”
Frowning, Cyrus poured himself a glass of wine. “Really? I’m surprised, considering you and… Kiki got along so famously.”
“Will she be joining us?” Hope smiled, her voice more relaxed.
“Yes, of course.” He set the bottle back in the bucket. “She’s running a little late tonight.” Swishing around his wine, he took a sip.
The butler made a silent entry into the room. “Dinner is served Mr. Matheson.”
“Wonderful. Thank you, Vince.” Holding out his hand toward the door, he said, “Shall we?”
Rising from the sofa, Hope reached for Jaydan’s hand, her grip vice-like. He’d never seen her frightened like this. She always seemed to have it under control. Tonight’s shock exposed her vulnerability - and his absolute resolve to protect her.
Kissing her temple, he led her into the dining room behind Cyrus.
“Please, have a seat.” Cyrus invited him to sit across the table from Hope.
“I prefer to sit beside Hope.” Situating her in the chair to Cyrus’ left, Jaydan sat down.
“As you wish.” Cyrus bent to sit when Keegan walked into the room.
Wearing a tight, black dress that fell just below her rear, Keegan was
dressed to kill. She smiled at Cyrus with utter adoration before giving him a wet kiss on the mouth.
Damn, she sure didn’t look like she was unhappy here.
Cyrus turned her toward them, a hand at her back. “You remember Kiki…”
Going around the table, she took Hope’s hand. “How are you?”
Brows drawn low, Hope’s gaze searched her face. “I’m fine. It’s good to see you again.”
Turning to him, Keegan’s look changed. Eying him up and down, she placed a hand on his chest and gazed up at him under heavy-lidded eyes.
Hell, under any other circumstances, a look like that from a beautiful woman guaranteed them both a good time. Tonight, it did nothing for him.
Now, if it were Hope standing before him in a dress like that, she wouldn’t get out of the room unscathed.
“I’m Kiki.”
Removing her hand from his chest, he reached behind Keegan’s back and pulled Hope near him. “Jaydan Rose.”
Stepping away, Keegan smiled with aplomb. “Welcome. It’s a pleasure to have you.” Walking around the table, she sat beside Cyrus.
Throughout dinner, Keegan worked damned hard to get his attention. She did things to her spoon he hadn’t seen performed since he and his brothers snuck a porn movie into the house back in high school. She managed to situate her foot in his crotch without slouching in her chair, and she touched her breasts every time he looked at her.
For all of the firepower she shot his way, just Hope’s light fragrance drew him like a bull to a red cape.
Hope told him Keegan was desperate to leave. Tonight, she seemed pretty damned happy where she sat. Maybe she didn’t want to return to her family at all.
“I need to find the ladies room.” Hope laid her hand over his.
Nodding, Jaydan rose from his chair and held out his hand to her. No way in hell he’d let her walk out of the room without him.
Rising, Cyrus nodded at Keegan. “Kiki can show you the way.”
“I’m sure we can manage,” Jaydan said, with a hand at Hope’s back. “We’ll be right back.
He felt Cyrus’ gaze follow them out of the room.
“I’m telling you, Jaydan, that is not Keegan Meeks.”
Hope spoke to him in a stage whisper as they made their way up the stairs and down the empty hallway, looking in rooms. Pissed seemed too mild a word for her attitude, perplexed too mild a word for his response to her attitude.