Jenny didn’t argue and fished around in her bag, pulling out her toiletries and a change of clothes before wandering through to the bathroom and closing the door.
As Rob walked to the basket of assorted coffees and teas, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He’d left it on silent since being at the hospital and had forgotten to turn up the volume. It was Gary again, hopefully with some good news. He knew it wouldn’t be a social chat.
“Hey, Gary. I’m hoping you’ve got some leads for me.”
“Hi, Rob. Actually, yes and no. It may be nothing but I thought I’d give you the heads up.”
“At this point, Gary, anything is something, no matter how small.”
“Well, it’s got nothing to do with Carlos, but I’m sure you’ll find it interesting.”
Rob moved to the edge of the bed and sat. “Go on.”
“The leader of The Organization happens to be none other than Jake Alexander’s father.”
Rob felt like his blood had suddenly frozen. He unknowingly gripped the edge of the bed. “Are you shitting me, Gary?” He knew Jake had never known his father but, fuck!
“No! It appears the crime leader spent a little time working in the US, hooked up with Jake’s mother, and then shot through before Jake was old enough to know what happened. He returned to Italy, where he’s been ever since. He obviously had no intentions of being a father.”
“Holy Christ! Our spy’s father is the parasite we’re hell bent on destroying? The guy that…” Rob couldn’t breathe. Jake’s father’s thugs had killed his brother? Things had just gone from bad to worse.
“Yep, it appears so. I’m sorry, Rob. It took me by surprise, too.”
Robert sat in shock, trying to stomach the new information. He looked up as he heard Jenny turn off the shower. He couldn’t let her know any of this yet. He needed to try and make sense of it himself. “Do you think Jake knows?”
“Probably not. As you are aware, he never knew his dad, so unless he’s had some people digging deep to uncover his family history, I think he’s none the wiser.”
“So where does that leave us, Gary?”
“Same place as before. We take this fucker down. I don’t care whose father he is. Nothing has changed.”
Rob let out a lengthened breath. “I just hope wherever Jake is that he’ll understand.”
“I’m sure he’d want to do the right thing. The right thing is to take down these criminals.”
Jenny stepped out of the bathroom so Rob needed to end the call. “Listen, Gary, I’ve gotta go. Thanks for the information. Call me if you find out anything else.”
The two men hung up.
Rob flicked his phone off and smiled at his wife.
“Who was that? Business?”
“Yeah, honey. Nothing you need concern yourself with.” Rob rose to kiss his wife.
After a minute Jenny rose her eyebrows, looking at Rob, “Hey! No coffee?”
“Sorry, Jen. You can blame work for that. Why don’t you make us both one while I go and clean up and then we can head back to the hospital.” Right now he needed to throw something.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Mmm. You’re still here!” Kate woke again feeling somewhat more coherent and able to move a little more, even though she was beginning to hurt everywhere.
“Of course. I promised I wouldn’t go anywhere and I meant it. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been driven over by a truck.” She tried to roll onto her side to face Jake but could only manage a half turn. He was still lying down on the bed next to her and so it brought her closer to him. She noticed they were alone. “My parents—”
“It’s okay. They’ve booked into a room nearby and gone to change clothes and shower. They’ll be back soon.”
Kate relaxed at that and was happy they were looking after themselves. She knew they couldn’t keep sleeping on the chairs in her room.
Jake lightly touched her face until she raised her gaze to meet his. “Hi.” It was whispered with such care that for a second Kate couldn’t answer, as she was finally able to focus properly on Jake’s piercing blue eyes. His thick, dark lashes turned up at the ends as if curled professionally.
“Hi.” It was all she could get out in response. When he looked at her like that she lost all sense of time and space. His eyes commanded her attention as they spoke volumes in their silent hold.
The sounds and even smells of the hospital faded as Jake’s thumb brushed over her bottom lip as his eyes never left hers. It was like a silent plea, asking if he could kiss her. Her lips automatically parted in answer and it wasn’t until their mouths joined that Kate shut her eyes and sank into the kiss. It wasn’t passionate, but rather slow and soothing and necessary. Two plush, full mouths half open, pushing and pulling, disconnecting momentarily and then re-connecting.
Jake finally pulled away.
Kate sighed. “Let me guess. You’re going easy on me because you’re scared you’ll break me?”
“Hmmm. Something like that. You nearly died, Kate. You’ve only just come out of a coma, you need all of your strength for recovery.”
Kate rolled slowly onto her back, staring at the ceiling. “Just how close did I come to dying?”
Jake sat up and combed a hand through his hair, clearly on edge talking about it. “You’re heart had to be restarted twice. You were as close to death as anyone could come. I—” He got up and walked to the window, standing rigid.
“Jake. I’m sorry.” She could see how it had affected him and all she wanted to do was console him. “I’ve had everyone so worried. My parents. They’ve flown halfway around the world to be by my side. I hate that I forced that upon them.” It was more than she had spoken in days and her throat started to feel like it was on fire. She tried sitting up more and reaching over for her water but it hurt too much.
As Jake turned to respond, he noticed Kate straining for the glass and hurried over to help, lifting it to her mouth and positioning the straw. “You shouldn’t be worrying about that. They’d do anything for you. We all would.” His free hand brushed over her bandaged head. “All you have to worry about is getting better and getting out of here.”
Kate drank as much as she thought her stomach would allow and then sank back into the pillows, needing Jake to answer some questions that sprang to the surface.
“Jake, last time I was awake you mentioned something about you being in a prison. What’s going on?”
“You remembered that?”
“Yeah.”
“But you can’t remember why I’m there or what we spoke about before you woke up from your coma?”
“I’m trying to but it’s all fuzzy. What did we talk about and how did you end up in jail?”
“I’m in a prison because I was working for The Organization as a spy and…”
Kate’s eyes were wide with disbelief as she listened to the unbelievable story. She didn’t interrupt, just let him talk. Her mouth opened and her eyebrows shot up underneath the bandage as he described the whole story again. Kate closed her eyes, trying to process it.
“Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?”
“No! I want to hear all of it. Everything.”
He pushed on, at her insistence. He told her that she needed to notify her father of his whereabouts, even if he wasn’t sure where the hell the prison was. Her dad would be able to find out, surely. He knew people in high places.
Jake’s voice was lulling her back to sleep. She could barely stay conscious, fighting against it.
When Kate was almost under, he gently nudged her. “Kate?”
“Mmm?” Her eyes managed to open again.
“There’s one more thing I have to tell you and you need to promise me to be strong. Can you do that?”
“Uhhh, I guess. What?”
Jake paused. “Umm. Here’s the thing. Carlos…”
The undercurrent of sleep was too strong and she couldn’t fight it any more as Jake’s v
oice drifted away.
“He’s working for The Organization… Baby?”
Then nothing.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Carlos had received a call from The Lord to say he was on his way back to the prison and that he needed Carlos to do one more thing for him.
“Carlos, my good man. How are you enjoying my suite?”
“Ahh, fine.” His voice gave away the lie.
The Lord laughed into the phone. “Everything to your satisfaction?”
“Yes. There’s plenty of food and drink. I haven’t starved, that’s for sure.” He just wanted the fuck out of the place!
“I’m glad to hear it. I trust our patient is still alive and kicking?”
“Yes, sir. There has been no change in his condition.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say. You see, here’s the thing. Our patient was a spy, and as a result of that, he needs to be punished. I’d like you to do a little job for me. Call it a personal favor.”
Carlos sniffed as he scratched his scrotum. “Sir?”
“I want you to cut off one of his fingers.”
“One of his fingers?”
“Yes.”
Carlos knew not to ask questions. “Okay. Do you want me to keep the finger I cut off?”
“No. You can feed it to the sharks for all I care. When our patient wakes I want him to be reminded of his betrayal and why he should never have crossed me. Do you understand?”
“Clear as day, sir!”
“That’s why you’re one of my best, Carlos. I always know I can count on you to get the job done.”
“I’m on it now.”
“Good. I’ll see you soon.”
Carlos hung up and wondered why the hell The Lord wanted to keep the guy alive only to have him lose one of his fingers. It didn’t make sense, but then nothing about The Organization did. He hoped to get a damn big raise after the big man himself called in a personal favor.
This should be worth some big bucks.
Lighting up a cigarette, he swaggered into the kitchen to find the weapon of choice. Serrated knife or straight edge? Looking in the drawers he decided on straight edge and took out a meat cleaver and a carving knife, wondering which would be the sharpest.
Remembering some overripe tomatoes in the fridge, a grin formed on his face. Now that would be a true test. He pulled two out and placed them onto the wooden chopping board. Starting with the oversized meat cleaver, he lifted his arm and brought it straight down onto the first tomato. Red flesh and seed spurted out everywhere, the tomato squashing somewhat before the knife tore through it. Nope, that would be no good. He threw that knife in the sink.
Dragging on his cigarette and then holding it in his mouth, he did the same thing with the second tomato using the stay-sharp blade on the carving knife. The precision cut edge carved through the skin and flesh of the fruit effortlessly, leaving it perfectly intact.
“Well, will you look at that? Guess that’s what you get for buying Swiss made knives. Let’s see if it cuts through bone as easily.”
Without waiting, he made his way through the jail to where the body lay. Unlocking the cell, he walked in, deliberating which hand he’d take the finger from.
“Eenie, meenie, minie mo! Which finger will go?” Pointing the knife backwards and forwards between Jake’s left and right hand, it fell on the left one. “Time to lose your ring finger, pretty boy! That’ll teach you. Where will you ever put that wedding ring?”
Carlos was immersed into criminal mode. He let out a sinister laugh that seemed to bounce off the vacant walls.
Stubbing out his remaining cigarette on the floor, he blew out the spent smoke and pulled Jake’s arm from under the blanket, not quite sure what he was going to lean it on to perform the operation. Glancing around the room, he opted for the metal trolley on wheels which stood a little higher than the gurney, but it would be able to withstand a blow from the knife.
Carlos whistled as he pulled the trolley into position, removing the medical equipment that littered the top. Placing Jake’s hand onto the cold surface, he spread the fingers, lifting four of them so that one remained. One that would never be able to signify marriage, ever.
Using both hands, he placed the slim knife as close into the knuckle bone as he could, and then using a fair amount of pressure, he pushed down until he heard a crack and the blade of the knife hit the metal trolley. Damn, that knife was sharp! He pulled it back and forth twice to ensure all skin was severed, amazed at what an awesome knife he held.
“Must get me a set of these when I get back to the mainland. You never know when you might need one.”
Blood was oozing from Jake’s wound.
“Well, what the fuck am I going to do about that then? Can’t have him bleeding all over the place making a mess.”
He hadn’t thought to bring a dish towel from the kitchen. Surely there would be bandages of some sort.
He looked on the second shelf of the trolley and found a box of tissues. They would have to do. Pulling a large handful out, he rammed them into the oozing gap between Jake’s remaining four fingers and pushed in with some firm pressure to try and staunch the flow of blood. Job done.
Now all he needed to do was dispose of the finger. Without any gloves, he pulled some more tissues out and picked up the finger, deciding a trip to the cliffs outside was in order.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It was two o’clock in the afternoon before Rob and Jenny made it back to the hospital. They walked into the room with coffee and food.
They found Kate sleeping soundly, so settled into a chair and began eating their meals.
Jake sat on the bed when they’d entered, glad they were back. Hopefully when Kate woke up she’d finally be able to notify Robert of his whereabouts and get a rescue team organized. Rob would take care of everything. They needed to get in and out while Carlos was on his own. They could remove Jake from the equation and then deal with the rest once he was safely away and hidden.
Of course, things were never so simple in the real world.
***
At ten minutes to four, Kate stirred.
Both parents stood and moved to the bed to greet their daughter as she sleepily opened her eyes.
“Mom. Dad. You’re back!” A smile played on her lips as her gaze floated over both Rob and Jenny.
“Hi, sweetheart. Glad to see you awake again. How are you feeling now?” It was Rob who asked the question with one arm around Jenny’s waist and the other hand reaching out and touching Kate’s cheek.
“I’m okay. Thirsty again.” She turned to look at the water, feeling as if her mouth had totally dried up again.
Jenny moved first, grabbing the glass and pouring some fresh water into it from the jug. Kate was able to lift her own head towards the straw this time, proving that some strength was returning.
After a few big sips, she relaxed back onto the pillow, a grumble emanating from her stomach. “And I’m hungry, too.”
“Honey, I’ll go and let the nurse know and see if we can get you something to eat.” Jenny squeezed Kate’s hand, smiled at Rob, and walked out.
Jake moved up to the head of Kate’s bed and brushed his fingers along her other arm. She looked over and lifted her hand towards Jake’s face being careful not to dislodge the drip that was embedded into the back of her hand. He leaned into her touch and then kissed the palm of her hand, motioning with his eyes towards Rob, as if urging her to say something about what they had spoken about earlier.
Suddenly remembering, Kate nodded and turned back towards her father who looked on in confusion.
“Kate?”
“Dad. Jake’s here.”
Rob could clearly see nothing as he eyed every corner of the room, shaking his head. He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a breath. “Katie Bear…You’re not thinking clearly. He’s not here, angel.”
Jake squeezed Kate’s hand. “Keep pushing.”
“Dad! He is here. He�
�s in trouble. He needs your help!”
Rob was giving Kate the strangest look. “Why don’t I go get the nurse? She might need to increase your medication.”
Kate grimaced. “I don’t need a nurse! There’s nothing wrong with me. I swear he’s here. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Your dad is so frustrating sometimes!” Jake growled.
Rob moved his gaze from Kate to the floor, appearing extremely uncomfortable.
Kate widened her eyes as recognition set in. “You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”
“No! I don’t think that at all. It’s just, well, there have been some pretty weird things going on lately and I can’t get my head around any of it.”
“Be honest with me. You know he’s here but you just won’t admit it, right? How can you deny it after he wrote you the note telling you my body was on a ledge?”
Her dad looked up and into her eyes. “How do you know about that?”
“Jake told me.” Kate also remembered other things Jake had told her. “He told me you asked him to infiltrate The Organization. What the hell were you thinking, Dad?”
Hearing that word had Rob’s immediate attention. “How do you know about The Organization? What are you trying to say, Katie?”
“How do you think I found out? I know it all, Dad. You took Jake from me! You knew how dangerous the job would be and yet you still asked him.” Kate could feel the anger seeping out of her pores as she clenched her teeth. “Why?”
Jake tried to soothe her. “Easy, baby. Settle down and see what he has to say.”
Kate’s dad pulled the chair over to the bed and sat down, placing his head in his hands for a minute before looking up sadly at Kate. “I’m sorry, Katie. Jake hounded and hounded me about getting onto the force. I kept knocking him back, you know that.” He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times as if to say something before letting out a long breath.
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