For Hope

by Jeannette Winters

  “And what were you going to do? Kill her?” David’s grip tightened, and Christof’s face reddened.

  “No. Just keep her long enough for me to hire someone to find her.”

  Three fucking days. That’s enough time.

  He could see the fear in Christof’s eyes. Christof was many things, mostly a greedy coward. But David didn’t see him as a killer. “So all this was so Jada would think you were indispensable?” All that seemed too fucked up to be true. But David didn’t understand anything about this type of business. Nothing about it seemed real. That’s why he never believed anything he read. There was always an agenda behind it. Jada seemed different. She was the beauty queen who didn’t fit in. David would’ve informed Christof how his sick, cruel plan never would’ve succeeded, but the only important thing was finding Jada so he could straighten all this shit out. No way was Christof going to be viewed by the world or by Jada as anything more than the sick bastard he was. And if she’s not okay, neither will you be.

  “I think it’s time you take me to see her. And in case you think the three goons you hired to keep her there will be able to protect your ass, you’re mistaken. If I don’t get them, my team will. Got it?”

  “Two.”

  “Two what?” David growled.

  “I only hired two. . .goons.”

  “There were three in the stairway,” Gabe stated.

  “Why are you lying, Christof? I know there were three men. Do you think I’m playing games with you? That I won’t toss your ass off the balcony?” David warned.

  “I. . .know you will. But I only hired two. I . . .I was there when they took her.”

  “You?” That wasn’t what David had expected. “Why?”

  “I didn’t want anything to go wrong. If it got out what I did, then I’d be ruined. The only way to make sure they didn’t double cross me was to be there,” Christof said as though it was a logical resolution to his problem.

  I promise you Christof, ruined is only the start of what you are. “Then it’s good that you’re coming with me to make sure it all goes smoothly.

  Christof nodded. “I promise there won’t be any trouble. They are there to make sure no one stumbles upon her. Not before the planned rescue is supposed to take place.”

  The plan has changed. David knew Christof only had so much control over the situation now. The men holding Jada captive were facing prison. That meant they were desperate and unpredictable. It’d be nice if it all went as smoothly as Christof proclaimed, but his gut told him otherwise.

  “We’re on it, David,” Gabe announced.

  “Roger.”

  Jada could hear yelling as one of the men shouted, “There’s no fucking way I’m going back to prison.”

  Another replied, “Well, I’m not looking forward to a grave either, but those guys look like they fucking mean business. I don’t care how much that weasel is paying us; she’s not worth it.”

  The men might not have been friendly, but they’d never exhibited anger before. Jada wished she knew who they were talking about and what was happening. So far all they’d done was humiliate her. There was no physical harm except for a bit of swelling on her wrists from the handcuffs. Thank God they’d kept away from her. If they set her free now, there would be no signs she’d been held captive after a good bath.

  Her hands began to shake as she clung to the bars, straining to hear everything she could. It beat the option of hiding underneath the sleeping bag. They weren’t expecting whoever they saw coming, and it appeared to be a formidable adversary. Whatever came next, she was going to face it head-on. Boy, if David could see me now. I’m about to put his little training session into practice. No longer frozen and afraid.

  At the first sound of gunfire, all her nerve vanished. Jada wasn’t surprised. She wasn’t the big, bad, brave woman she wanted to be, no matter how hard she tried. Jada let go of the bars and pressed herself against the wall. Bringing her hands up she tried to cover her ears to block out the sound, but her fingers couldn’t reach to block out the sound no matter how hard she tried. The popping seemed to echo throughout the room.

  Blocking it out wouldn’t change the fact that they were under attack. Someone wanted in badly, and her captives were fighting hard to prevent it. If the police had arrived, Jada would’ve heard them announce themselves, giving her captors the opportunity to surrender. At least, that’s what she’d seen in the movies. But this wasn’t a movie, and those weren’t blank shots for sound effects. Why can’t this nightmare be as pretend as the rest of my life?

  With her back against the brick wall, Jada slid down, scrunched up her knees, and hugged them close to her. She buried her face in her lap. When will this nightmare end?

  The shots continued to ring out for what seemed like hours, then suddenly there was an eerie silence. Jada wasn’t sure which side won, if either. But no one was coming for her. Maybe no one knows I’m here.

  Jada debated calling out so someone would realize she was there. But if it wasn’t the cavalry that showed up to rescue her, she didn’t want to attract unwanted attention. So she decided to remain exactly as she was.

  Several minutes later she heard a strange voice state, “Clear.” She knew it was an echo coming down the hall, and before long he’d arrive at her cell. Jada’s insides shook as severely as her hands did. She knew she needed to do something. Struggling she got to her feet, she knew she needed to hide as best she could. Jada picked up the tray she’d used earlier for her supper. Raising it high above her head, she swung until it contacted with the dangling light bulb. The sound made a loud popping noise but ultimately left her in the dark.

  She couldn’t move as shards of broken glass were now scattered all around her as they had taken her shoes from her before placing her in the cell. But from where she stood the light in the hall gave her a perfect view of anyone who approached. They might think this cell is empty.

  It wasn’t long before she had her answer. She could see a man, but he didn’t appear to see her. Jada remained motionless and held her breath as a man in a camo vest peered in her direction. He looked menacing with long hair and biceps like tree trunks. Keep moving, please. Nothing to see here.

  The man had other ideas and raised a hand toward his head, and then a green light blinked. “David, I found her.”

  David? He’s here? Jada’s legs wobbled. Within seconds David was at the entrance. “Jada, hold on. We’ll get you out.” She nodded as David rattled the bars as though he could rip them off with his bare hands. When they didn’t budge he barked, “Where are the fucking keys?”

  “They’re not hanging anywhere in sight,” the second man answered.

  “Then go check those assholes for them. They can’t be far.” David turned back to Jada and said, “Hold on, honey, it won’t be long until you’re out. We’ll find them.”

  Jada remembered that the taller of the two always opened the cell door. “Check the tall one.” Her voice gave way to the fear and anxiety that had built up within her.

  “You heard her, Renzo. Get those keys, so we can get Jada out of there.”

  “On it,” Renzo replied.

  With Renzo gone, she and David had a moment alone. She broke down. Everything she’d been holding in came to a head. Tears streamed down her filthy cheeks.

  “How . . . how did you . . . find me?”

  “We can talk about that later,” David said, reaching his hand through the bars to hers.

  “There’s glass and I’m. . .barefoot.”

  He brought his hands back angrily.

  “Since we’re waiting, you might as well tell me. Was it Dennis Peckham? Did he do this?” Jada asked. She really couldn’t picture anyone else wishing her harm.

  David shook his head. “It was Christof.”

  Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re saying my manager did this to me? He’s not a violent man.”

  “No. He’s a greedy bastard.”

  “He’s losing money every day that I’m not
attending events. What you’re saying doesn’t make sense.” Christof was paid a percentage for each of her appearances, as well as each photo shoot and contract signed. I work so damn hard, which means he’s making some serious money off me. That made what David said even less plausible. “You must be mistaken.”

  “I know it’s hard to imagine someone you trust doing such a thing.”

  “Trust? No. Respect? No. But Christof has connections.”

  “Jada, I spoke to him. He admitted doing this,” David said softly as though his tone could ease the pain.

  She knew David wouldn’t lie to her. And he’d come to her rescue. She’d spent many hours lying on that cot, praying for him to come. She never actually believed he’d show. “Christof?”

  “He said you were going to fire him. Is that true?” David asked.

  Jada had no idea Christof knew. She’d grown tired of being controlled all the time, and after all the years in the spotlight, she wanted something different. When she’d told Christof her plans, his response was to increase her schedule even more. Almost where she had no free time at all.

  “I didn’t think he knew. It was something I planned on doing after the show in Las Vegas.” She felt sick to her stomach but needed to know. “Was he planning on . . . killing me?”

  David shook his head. “Thankfully not. He wanted to be your hero so you’d worship the ground he walks on. It was all about him, and you were the means to make an even bigger name for himself.”

  “You mean Christof meant to sell the story. The pictures of my capture and rescue would be worth—”

  “You got it, honey. He’s one fucked-up individual. But I promise you he’s never going to hurt you again.”

  Although Jada hated the man, she didn’t want him dead. “You didn’t—”

  “No. But I think he shit himself when the goons he hired started firing at us. The last thing I heard from him was a high-pitched scream before he started crying. Christof is a real piece of work, but he’s no killer. However, he’s going to spend the next twenty years behind bars for kidnapping.”

  I’ve known him since he discovered me when I was eighteen years old. He said he’d make me famous. We were partners in this. Why would he do this to me? Did he really believe I’d want to continue modeling if my life was at stake? Oh God. I can’t . . .

  Renzo returned; David unlocked the door and had her in his arms. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, but all she could do was place them on his chest because of the handcuffs.

  “Honey, it’s all over. He can’t hurt you.”

  Jada sniffed. “He can’t. Dennis can’t. Who is next?”

  David brushed away some of her tear-soaked hair and said, “Jada, I wish I could tell you he was the last but—”

  “But you can’t because this is the lifestyle of the rich and famous. And it comes with a price. Freedom.”

  “Jada, I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe,” David said with his hands on both sides of her face. She knew he meant it too.

  “David, you can’t leave your job and become my personal bodyguard. But that’s what it would take, wouldn’t it?” David didn’t answer, and she knew she was right. “I can’t ask you to do that, and honestly, I wouldn’t want you to.”

  “Jada, what are you saying?” David asked.

  “I’m done. I think it was over a long time ago. I was too stubborn to quit. This, all this violence and evil, helped me realize I want more.”

  “More what? Fame?”

  Jada smiled at David. “No. More of this.” She put her head on his shoulder, and David tightened his hold on her. It wasn’t realistic that she could spend the rest of her life in David’s arms, but the concept and the feeling she had while in them was what she was searching for. For however long she’d been waiting in this cold, dirty cell, her thoughts had turned to him time and time again. She wanted him. She wanted carefree moments that weren’t scheduled. What had her glamourous lifestyle gotten her? Cold, lonely, empty nights. She wasn’t sure how she would find it, but the house with a white picket fence, a dog, and a flower garden sounded like heaven. People are going to think I’m crazy, but I want to be ordinary. Blend in. Fade away.

  David kissed her forehead. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  “Hate to break this up, you two, but the police are on their way. We probably want to be outside when they arrive. If they see bodies, they might come in shooting.”

  “Bodies?” Jada asked.

  She watched David give Renzo a warning look before turning his attention back to her. “There was no other way, Jada. We weren’t leaving without you, and they weren’t willing to let you go.”

  If she hadn’t been sure before, knowing people died because of her made up her mind. There would be no more photo shoots. No more runway shows. No more paparazzi either.

  Jada said solemnly, “I know you only did what you needed to do.”

  David looked into her eyes and said, “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep you safe. I love you.”

  There was no way she’d heard him correctly. They were standing in a rundown cell, she hadn’t bathed in several days, and this was where David decided to profess his love? Jada wanted to tell him how she felt too. But if the police were on the way and what she had to say wasn’t going to be quick, it had to wait.

  Without thinking it through all the way, Jada said, “Maybe we can continue this conversation later.”

  David’s arms tensed for a moment then dropped from around her. “You’re right. We’ll need to give the police our statements, and I’m sure they’ll have a lot of questions for you.”

  Jada tried to stop David, but he walked out the door, leaving her standing alone with Renzo. Her heart was breaking, and there wasn’t anything she could do right now to stop it. Does he really love me?

  “I didn’t mean to—”

  “I know. And so does David. Give him time. When you guys are out of here, tell him. But right now, if I’m right, we have company.”

  Jada nodded and followed Renzo outside. She wasn’t going to wait. She planned to catch up to David and run right into his arms and tell him how much she loved him too. Yet, once she went outside, her eyes had to adjust to the bright sunshine. As soon as they did, she saw David standing by the police and pointing not far from where she stood. She looked in that direction and realized that bigger things were going on right now that were more important than her feelings. There was no mistaking the two bodies lying just feet away from her were dead.

  Renzo put a hand on her back to steady her as they made their way to the patrol car. They passed by a vehicle, which Jada assumed had brought David and Renzo there. She peeked inside and saw Christof sitting in the back, still sobbing. She couldn’t bring herself to speak to him. You’ve taken enough from me. You’re not getting any more.

  Jada walked over to David and stood by his side. He held up the keys to the handcuffs, and she put her arms out to him. She couldn’t believe how wonderful it felt when they dropped from her wrists. “Thank you,” Jada said in a soft voice as emotion was overtaking her.

  She made sure her arm leaned against him. There wasn’t time to express what she needed to, but she needed him to know she wasn’t going anywhere without him. If you’ll do anything for me, do this. Don’t pull away.

  David must’ve sensed her need and pulled her into his arms. This time her hands were free, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. There was so much that wanted to spill from her lips, but all she spoke was his name. “David.”

  It wasn’t going to be easy to explain everything that had transpired—she doubted she was ready—but she knew it would be much worse if she didn’t have him here with her. I’m so grateful you came. So thankful you didn’t let me go.

  Chapter Thirteen

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  David was glad he’d taken Renzo along to Las Vegas for several reasons. After finding Jada locked up and cuffed, he’d barely controlled his temper. If the police hadn’t been
on the way, he would’ve been tempted to bury Christof in the hot sand and leave him there for the scorpions and vermin to deal with. Although Christof had sworn he’d only done it to save his job and build prestige, the guys he’d hired were hardened criminals. They had been willing to shoot their way out and die. That meant they would’ve double-crossed Christof and used Jada as leverage for more money eventually. What a bastard. After all those years, all he cared about was himself. He probably had been using her all along.

  Renzo was good at dealing with homegrown scum of the earth. As a former SWAT, he’d gone undercover and walked among them. How he did it on the streets of the US without it getting to him was beyond David. He could secure an arrest then watch the trial, and because of some technicality the asshole would get off with just a slap on the wrist. David was used to dealing with some of the most unscrupulous people, but they were usually overseas, and he found it easier to distance himself. Justice was served and final. It didn’t mean others wouldn’t come to takes their place, just that particular one wasn’t an issue any longer. For anyone.

  David had wanted to leave Las Vegas with Jada, but the FBI and the local authorities had other plans. There had been a price for David and Renzo handling business themselves. Christof, as expected, had tried backpedaling his way out of it. The man was a weasel and one hell of a good actor. Not quite good enough for the FBI to believe he was innocent. It was impossible for Christof to explain the audiotape Gabe had provided where he was a quibbling mess and explaining why he did it.

  He was having a difficult time leaving all the details to Renzo to handle. It wasn’t the way he did things. This wasn’t a mission. It was personal. His brother understood and said he’d work with Gabe to handle the media piece. They believed David ripping the camera off the wall and smashing it wasn’t considered “handling it.”

  So he was left with what he’d intended to do when he first arrived back in the States. David would go to Jada and tell her what she meant to him. He couldn’t believe he was foolish enough to sputter words about love when she was in such distress. David had been on enough rescue missions to recognize when someone’s mental status was at the limit. He never should’ve added to it.