Undercover with the Heiress

by Nan Dixon

  As they picked up the blocks and reset them, Issy tugged on her hand. “I have to pee.”

  “Go ahead,” Maggie said. “We’ve got this.”

  She and Issy skipped to the day care, those bathrooms being the closest. They smiled at everyone they met. “Are you having fun?”

  Issy grinned. “Mmm-hmm.”

  Courtney tried to encourage Issy to talk. “What was the best thing about the party?”

  Issy sighed, her shoulders going up and down in an exaggerated motion. “Happy.”

  On the surface the answer didn’t make sense. But everywhere Courtney had turned during the afternoon and evening, people smiled or laughed. Their happiness was contagious. And it wasn’t just the party. It was every day. The only thing that had ever made her happy in Boston was reading to the kids. Being in Savannah, doing what she was doing, made her happy all day long.

  Courtney knelt so she and Issy were face-to-face. “You’re so right. There’s a ton of happiness. Right here.” She brushed a kiss on the darling girl’s head. “And being with you makes me very happy.”

  Issy flung her arms around Courtney’s neck. “Happy.”

  But there was a cloud on her happiness horizon. Kaden. Getting over him would take time. Once she recovered from loving Kaden, she would seek out her own happiness.

  Courtney swung Issy’s hand and they headed down the path. “We’d better get you to the bathroom so we can get back to the fun.”

  The gate was open when they got to the day care. She didn’t need to use her security card on the door; it was unarmed. Shoot. Martha hadn’t reset the security system after the kids left. Kaden would yell if he knew.

  The lights were off in the hallway, but they were on a sensor. She flipped on the switch and said, “Go ahead.”

  Issy skipped down the hallway. Courtney was relieved that Issy had shaken off her fears from Heather’s attack.

  At the security panel, Courtney entered her code and set the alarm. Then she picked up registration sheets that had fallen off the front desk.

  Issy screamed. The sound echoed through the center.

  “Issy!” Courtney pushed on the door to the main area, and stopped dead. Damn.

  Digging her security card out of her pocket, she slapped it against the reader. “Issy?”

  She rushed through the activity room and into the bathroom. Empty. Her breath heaved. “Issy, answer me!”

  She ran through the open door of the closest classroom and froze.

  A man held Issy under his arm. His hand smothered her mouth. He had dark hair, dark clothes and a dark frown.

  “We should have grabbed her and run,” the man complained to someone behind Courtney. He had a Mexican accent. Salvez?

  “Please don’t hurt her,” Courtney begged, moving closer.

  The man stared behind her. “I told you this was a bad idea.”

  “I don’t care. Bella’s mine.”

  Courtney turned her head. No.

  Heather paced, her movements agitated and sharp. Her hair was a scraggly mess and her face had the emaciated look of a drug user.

  “Please, Heather.” Icy chills ran down Courtney’s spine. “Don’t hurt your daughter.”

  Heather stormed over and shoved Courtney. “I can do what I want. She’s mine.”

  “You’re her mother. Don’t you want what’s best for her?” She had to get Issy away from these two.

  “Looks like I got the best of you at our last meeting.” Heather poked a finger at Courtney’s scar. Searing pain raced across Courtney’s cheek. “Keep your mouth shut.”

  Tears streamed down Issy’s face. She stared at Courtney, her chin trembling.

  Courtney’s heart pounded in her ears as loud as the kids banging on the new drums. “Issy’s scared. She can’t breathe. Please put her down.”

  “We gotta go.” Salvez hoisted Issy higher on his hip and moved toward the door. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Kaden. Courtney needed Kaden. She slipped her hand in her pocket and touched her phone. She pretended to stumble as the man and Issy approached.

  “Hector, what about this bitch?” Heather jabbed a thumb Courtney’s way.

  “I’m not killing again for you.” Salvez shook Issy. “You’re her mother. We can take the kid. No problem.”

  Killing? Courtney’s hand clenched around her phone.

  “But I don’t like her.” Heather pushed Courtney’s shoulder.

  The push gave Courtney an excuse to fall. She slipped her phone out and cowered on the floor, letting her hair curtain her actions. “Don’t hurt me again.”

  Heather laughed. “I’ll hurt you if I want.”

  She needed Kaden. She huddled over the phone until she got to the right screen.

  Heather used her foot to push Courtney. She curled into a ball, hiding her phone. She hadn’t been able to complete the call.

  “Move it,” the man called.

  “Don’t ruin Issy’s life.” Tucking the phone in her pocket, she scrambled to her feet and grabbed his arm. They couldn’t take Issy.

  Salvez spun, his hand in a fist.

  Courtney ducked. He caught her in the shoulder. The shock threw her head back. She rolled with the punch, dropping to the floor. Kaden’s training kicked in. She pulled her foot back and smashed her heel into his groin.

  “Fuck!” Salvez crumpled, dropping Issy.

  Courtney tugged the phone out and speed-dialed Kaden’s. “Issy, run!”

  Issy screamed.

  “Stop screaming!” Heather rushed over, swearing. She shook Issy. “I’m your mother. You’re coming with me.”

  Courtney jammed her foot into the back of Heather’s knee, making her fall.

  “Run!” Courtney stumbled to her feet. She dropped the phone in the pocket of her shorts and ran after Issy.

  Salvez caught Courtney’s arm, swinging her like a doll into the activity room door. Her body hit the release bar and the door swung open. Her teeth snapped together. Pain lanced up her back and she collapsed.

  “Stop! Stop!” Heather screeched. “Bella. Stop right now!”

  Issy whimpered and crawled to Courtney. Heather towering over both of them.

  Oh, God. She has a gun.

  * * *

  KADEN PROWLED THE Carleton House parking lot again. Since his sweep ten minutes ago, none of the cars had moved. Where were Bole and Salvez?

  An alert buzzed. Josh had moved back to the fire pit. The facial recognition software was almost useless in a crowd. It buzzed every time Courtney, Issy or Josh moved around. He couldn’t open his phone fast enough to keep up with the alerts.

  He checked in with Boyd. “Anything?”

  “Not on the street.”

  He called Nathan and got the same answer.

  As he headed back to the Fitzgerald House parking lot, he scrolled through the alerts he hadn’t had a chance to delete. Courtney, Issy, Courtney, Courtney, Josh, Josh, Bole, Salvez, Courtney, Issy, Josh.

  He froze. Scrolled back. Bole, Salvez—FH P Lot.

  He’d been in the Fitzgerald House parking lot five minutes ago. He checked the camera. No sign of them.

  His hand shook as he dialed Boyd. “Bole was in the Fitzgerald House parking lot. Are you close?”

  “I’ll head right there.”

  He repeated the same message to Nathan. Then he sprinted around the buildings.

  Nathan and Gray waited. Boyd joined them. Daniel and Liam ran over from Fitzgerald House.

  “Anyone spot them?” Kaden gasped.

  “No.”

  “Not me.”

  “Nothing.”

  “Boyd?” he asked.

  “Land Rover was there. No sign of Bole or Salvez.”

 
Courtney’s ringtone played.

  Kaden answered, “Courtney?”

  There was no reply. Static filled his ear. Had she butt-dialed him? “Courtney?”

  He caught a few muffled words. Stop. Isabella. The men were talking. He held up his hand. “Quiet!”

  “Please Heather...gun away...no one here...us.” He strained to hear. “No one’s...day care.”

  A gun? In the day care?

  Heather. He took off.

  When footsteps pounded next to him, he was halfway to the center. Boyd jerked his arm. “What the hell are you doing?”

  Kaden slammed to a stop. He couldn’t charge in. Heather had already been in one gun battle. This time Courtney, Issy or Fitzgerald House guests could be caught in the crossfire.

  Nathan, Daniel, Gray and Liam ran up, too.

  He took a cleansing breath. “Courtney’s phone is on. She’s being held at gunpoint in the day care. Issy’s with her.”

  “Issy!” Nathan gasped. Then ran.

  Kaden caught him and pulled him to a stop. “We have to be smart. We have to make a plan.”

  He had to think. Regroup. Use logic instead of the love bursting inside, insisting he rescue Courtney. Panic wouldn’t help.

  Boyd should take the lead. How will you feel if they need you again and you’re not there?

  He would not leave the safety of the woman he loved in someone else’s hands. This was his mission. He had to trust his training. He could do this.

  He checked his service revolver. Boyd did the same. Two guns against the unknown.

  “What do you want us to do?” Nathan inched toward the carriage house.

  “You, Liam and I will head into the restaurant and approach from the rear. Boyd, Gray and Daniel, we’ll need a distraction.”

  “No civilians.” Boyd shook his head.

  “That’s my daughter.” Nathan glared. “I know the building better than anyone.”

  “Three people have already died around this woman,” Boyd said.

  “That’s not going to happen here.” Kaden took a deep breath.

  “Where do you want the distraction?” Daniel asked.

  “The playground. A fight. A loud discussion.” They could figure it out.

  “Got it.” Gray nodded.

  Kaden stared at Boyd.

  The agent gave a sharp nod. “We’ll relay where they’re positioned in the center.”

  “Liam. Call Gray or Daniel when we’re a go.”

  Liam nodded.

  They approached the restaurant from the back. Nathan unlocked the door, ushering them inside. Kaden’s breath rasped. Their footsteps echoed in the empty building.

  “Heel, toe,” Kaden whispered, hoping they understood how to quiet their steps.

  Nathan and Liam nodded.

  He hesitated at the metal door that led into a hallway between the day care and restaurant. He pointed at the security panel. “System’s armed.”

  “I’ve got my access card,” Nathan said quietly.

  “The day care hallway is on the other side of this door, right?” He had to confirm, even though the center’s floor plan ran through his head.

  Nathan nodded.

  “Can you open this without making a sound?” Kaden asked Nathan.

  Nathan nodded again.

  “I’m armed.” Kaden’s whisper sounded as loud as a nail gun. “I go in alone.”

  Liam’s phone must have vibrated. “Yes?” He nodded. “Thanks.”

  “Where are they?” Kaden asked.

  “East classroom,” Liam whispered. “Heading to the activity room.”

  Kaden had to hurry. They were moving closer to where he would enter. He inhaled and exhaled. Calm. Cold. Get in. Assess. Extract.

  Nathan waved his card over the security panel and input his code. He eased the door open. The metallic click of the lock sounded like gunfire.

  Kaden inhaled and exhaled, forcing his racing heart to slow.

  Locate Courtney and Issy.

  ID and neutralize target.

  Simple. “When I want you to call Gray and Daniel, I’ll hold up my fist.”

  Liam tapped his nose.

  Kaden exhaled once more and nodded to Nathan. He’d give his left nut for a fiber optic camera right now.

  Nathan opened the door wider.

  Crouching, Kaden peered through the crack. Empty. Better yet. The hallway was dark. Staying low, he slipped inside. He slid along the wall to the handwashing station.

  “You’re scaring Issy.” Courtney’s voice carried down the corridor.

  Kaden froze.

  “My daughter’s not scared of me.” Heather. A manic quality laced her voice. “And don’t call her Issy. It’s Bella. My sweet Bella. Come here, baby.”

  Heather paced the main activity room. Her shadow jittered and bounced across the entrance to the hall.

  “No, Mommy,” Issy sobbed.

  “Now, Bella!”

  Issy whimpered and he heard the shuffling of feet.

  “She needs to use the bathroom,” Courtney said.

  Kaden crawled, using the handwashing station as a shield. He peered around the corner into the activity room. Was it only the two women and Issy?

  “Let’s get out of here,” a male voice said.

  Damn. Salvez, too.

  “We have to do something with the bitch.” Heather passed by the hall, Issy’s hand in hers.

  “I told you.” Salvez again. “I’m not shooting her.”

  Thank God. Kaden shrank into the shadows. If Heather turned around, she’d spot him.

  Issy looked right at him and Kaden put a finger to his lips.

  The girl blinked. Did that mean she understood?

  Heather had Issy, but where was Courtney? Salvez? This had lose-lose all over it.

  “Unless you want an accident, I should take Issy to the bathroom.” Courtney’s voice was strong.

  Kaden’s heart pounded at her bravery. He slipped into the inset door of the boys’ bathroom. Could it be this easy? Could he get Courtney and Issy out through the restaurant and then take on Heather and Salvez? Hoping Nathan or Liam could see him, he held up his fist.

  “She’s my daughter,” Heather said. “I’ll take her to the bathroom. Then we’ll deal with you.”

  Damn. He exhaled, straining to hear footsteps on the cushioned sports floor. Door hinges creaked. Heather and Issy were in the girls’ bathroom. Should he surprise Bole? Would she hurt her own child? He waited, ready to grab Heather as they moved back into the hall.

  “We got problems out here,” the man yelled.

  Boyd, Gray and Daniel. He could hear their raised voices as they created the diversion. Time to rescue Courtney and Issy.

  “Hurry up!” Heather ran out of the bathroom, tugging Issy behind her. “What’s happening?”

  Issy tried to stop and pull up her shorts and tripped.

  Salvez answered, “Three guys arguing.”

  “Are they coming in?” Heather’s voice squeaked.

  Kaden peered around the corner. Salvez was in the activity room, standing sideways next to the classroom door. He stared from the doorway out the window.

  “Get over here and help my daughter,” Heather snarled.

  Courtney came around the corner. She spotted Kaden and staggered but didn’t fall.

  He held his finger to his lips.

  “Let’s pull up your shorts, sweetheart,” Courtney choked out.

  He pointed at the door behind him. Walk over here.

  Courtney jerked her head in a nod.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Heather snapped.

  “I didn’t... Did Issy, I mean Bella, have time to go to the b
athroom?” Courtney tucked Issy behind her as she faced Heather.

  “She took care of business.” Light flashed off the chrome finish of Heather’s gun and danced along the walls. “Just get her clothes on and wash those hands. I don’t need any germs.”

  Courtney turned and looked at him, but didn’t move any deeper into the hallway.

  He moved his hand in a come-here motion.

  Courtney knelt and whispered something in Issy’s ear. After a quick glance behind her, she said, “I’ll turn on the water for you.”

  Issy stayed on her hands and knees.

  “Make sure you get lots of bubbles.” Courtney bent over the washing station. Issy crawled around it. “Let’s sing the ABC song.”

  Courtney sang. Loud. And stared into his eyes. He touched his heart and she stumbled over the words.

  Issy crawled close enough for him to scoop her up and whip her out of sight. He hustled to the door and tapped.

  Nathan cracked it open and Kaden handed Issy into his arms. Nathan’s face was a landscape of relief as he clutched his daughter to his chest.

  “One more time, Issy. Let’s wash those germs down the drain.” Courtney kept singing.

  He couldn’t love her more. Now he needed to get her out of here.

  “Stop!” Heather screamed. “Make her stop, Hector.”

  No. Kaden had to get to Courtney, but Salvez moved across the main room, heading for the hallway. He ducked next to the boys’ bathroom again. The inset door was barely deep enough to hide him.

  “What the...?” Salvez swore. The water stopped. There was a slap. “Where is she, bitch?”

  Rage burned through him like a gas can igniting. Hector had hit Courtney. No one hurt the woman he loved. He wanted to burst through into the hall, gun blazing.

  But if he did, Courtney might get hurt.

  “Bella?” Heather called. Her footsteps grew closer.

  This was his chance. Heather pushed open the girls’ bathroom. She was inside for a moment.

  “Bella. Not funny.” Heather moved toward where he was plastered against the boys’ bathroom door. “We have to go.”

  She stomped around the corner. Her eyes went wide.

  Kaden grabbed Heather. With one hand, he muffled her mouth. With the other, he squeezed her wrist and the gun clattered to the floor.

  Salvez called, “Heather?”