Fire Dancer [Dr. Love Shark 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Bobbi Brattz

  He shuddered to think of what they’d do to her once they caught her—if they caught her. Layla was a smart woman, and she knew that her life was in danger. She’d be careful about being drawn into the arsonist’s trap. At least, he hoped so.

  * * * *

  Logan walked slowly down the path, looking for any clue that would tell him what had happened to Van, but nothing stood out. The sun dawned bright, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

  He’d enjoyed a long night of love–making with Layla. It was the first time they’d been alone. He should have known sooner that Van was missing. Cursing, he tried to get past the guilt he felt.

  When he came to the end of the block of rooms, he found something that brought him to a halt. The sidewalk was stained with a few large drops of blood. Taking his radio out, he called for the chief of police.

  “Sir, I found some blood. I’m going to start knocking on doors. Maybe someone saw something.”

  “You’re right. I’ll have forensics take a sample and match it with his if we can find some hair from his comb or something else. Let my men take over.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll be waiting on the sidewalk.”

  Logan scanned the area where he stood. After trying to contact Van by phone without success, he realized that the phone was either turned off, or the battery was dead.

  “Dead? I hope he’s alive.”

  The thought of telling Layla that the stalker had killed Van caused his stomach to turn. She’d never forgive herself if Van had died because of her, even though it was by no means her fault.

  When two cops rushed down the sidewalk, he waved.

  “I understand you found blood?”

  “Yes. I was going to knock on the door to the room, but thought I’d best wait for you. As you can see, there is more blood on the step.”

  “Thanks Logan. Wait here while we check it out.”

  With guns drawn, the two cops knocked on the door. There was no answer. Mateo rushed toward them.

  “Here’s the master key. I’ll open it for you.”

  Once the police entered the room, Logan and Mateo waited impatiently, praying that Van was alive.

  The first cop stepped outside, followed by the second one. “There’s no one inside. Everything looks normal.”

  “Let’s expand our search,” Logan said, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. Van had to be still at the resort. He dreaded telling Layla that he couldn’t find him. When he did, would Van be dead, or alive? Only time would tell.

  * * * *

  Once every room at the resort was searched, the police spread out their net, checking out every building within a short distance. The only one that wasn’t looked at was the studio because it had an alarm system and was locked up tight.

  Layla watched the search from the patio, sure they’d find Van in one of the rooms. When Mateo came home, his expression dire, she shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

  “He has to be here. Where else could he be if not here? A guest wouldn’t know of any other places to take him, and there were no cars going out late last night. The security guard told you that. Where is he?” She fought back sobs. She loved Van, and it had taken her this to allow herself to feel it.

  “Van is a resourceful man. If he’s…able, he’ll find a way out of it.”

  “You were going to say if he’s alive, weren’t you, Mateo?” Watching the look in his eyes, she knew it to be true.

  Rae took Layla into her arms. “Believe in him. He’ll come back safe and sound. You just wait and see.”

  Layla pulled away. “Rae, you know as well as I do that the psycho loves fire. I think I should do a fire dance and lure him out. I could pretend to give myself to him, and then the police can find Van. Please, Mateo, let me try it.”

  “That’s a good idea, Layla. Let me think on it. I’ll have to check with the chief of police and see if we can do it without endangering you. I think it’s high time we finished this. I’ll call Kona on his cell. We have to do something. Though there’s no luau tonight, we’ll have to let the guests know of a special fire dance. Maybe the stalker will see it as a sign and come forward.”

  “I’ll get our costumes ready in case we go ahead with it. My seamstress has two more ready for us.”

  “I’ll call the chief now.”

  As Mateo walked down the hall to his office, Layla took a deep breath. Rae stood by her side.

  “We can do this, Rae. I’m sure it will work.”

  “I have to agree with you, but I’m concerned. What if he takes it as a sign you are giving yourself up? Will he release Van?”

  “I have to believe he will, because if he doesn’t, Van might die.”

  * * * *

  “It’s all set,” Mateo said.

  Logan shook his head.

  “Layla, I’m not so sure about this. Van would flip if he knew you were planning to do it. I’m not too thrilled either.”

  She brushed her hand over the new costume she wore. It was designed with orange flames, the bra barely covering her, while the shorts had a panel on the front that made it look like a miniskirt. In her hair, which she had pulled back in a tight bun, she wore coral combs in orange and white. With a quick check in the mirror, she took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.

  “I’m as ready as I ever will be. Mateo, are the police in place?”

  “Yes. They will be dressed like guests. Since we have new ones coming here each week, he shouldn’t be able to pick them out in the crowd.”

  Taking her hand in his, Logan spoke softly to her.

  “Layla, you don’t have to do this. We’ll find him soon. I know we will.”

  “I do! You know he’s going to kill Van if I don’t do this. It’s the only way I can see to find out who he is.”

  “I only hope that Van can get free of him if we don’t find him first.”

  “Logan, I’m doing it, and that’s final. I’m not that scared little girl I was before you and Van became such an important part of my life. I want you both and I’m not going to let this happen to him.”

  Pride showed in Logan’s eyes.

  “You know I’ll do anything in the world for you, sweetheart. I’ve got your back and I’ll be with you.”

  “I know that, but remember, if he thinks I’m unattainable because of you and the others being too close to me, he won’t even try. Give me space, Logan. I’m sure he doesn’t want to kill me. He’s using Van as a scare tactic to lure me out. Well, we’re going to turn the tables on him tonight.”

  “I hope you’re right, Layla. I hope you’re right.”

  * * * *

  His wrists raw from trying to break free, Van didn’t give up. When the door opened and the woman walked in and spoke to him, he held still.

  “I see you’re awake now. You can’t get away, so you might as well stop struggling.” She took the gag off him, ripping the tape to the side.

  “What do you want with me?” Van asked, hoping she was a weak link of the two people who’d kidnapped him.

  “We want Layla, and you’re the perfect bait.”

  “You won’t get her. She’s being guarded. What are you expecting from her?”

  “She’ll come to us.”

  “Look, Layla is afraid. She won’t come anywhere near you.”

  “We believe she will. When she does, we might let you go. But we’ll have to see. I’ve decided I want to keep you for me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He will have Layla, and I’ll have you. It sounds like a fair trade.”

  “Are you going to keep me tied up?”

  “For now. You’ll come around to my way of thinking soon. That is, unless you want Layla dead.”

  “I’m thirsty, and I could use a washroom break.”

  “I have some water for you, unless you’d prefer a shot of rum.”

  “What about some food. I’m hungry, too.”

  “The water and food I can provide, but the washroom break, you�
�ll have to wait for him.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “You can call me Carla, though that’s not my name.”

  “Carla, if I promise not to try and escape, will you let me go to the washroom? I really have to go.”

  “How good is your promise? I have a knife pointed at you.”

  “I’m a man of my word. Just ask anyone who knows me.”

  When you let me go, I’ll take you down, woman!

  “All right, but if you try to escape, he’ll kill you.”

  He can try.

  She untied him, keeping the knife in hand.

  As Van spun around, he ripped off the blind and grabbed her wrist, twisting her arm until she cried out and dropped the blade. Taking the rope she’d released him from, he tied her up, gagging her with some new duct tape. Her eyes were wide with terror, as though she feared he would kill her.

  “Stay put while I get some help.”

  Van pulled out his cell and called Mateo, but he only got the answering machine. Next, he called the precinct and spoke with his chief.

  “I’m not sure where I am, but I have a woman in custody. The male isn’t here. Just a second.”

  “Where are we?” he asked the woman. She shook her head, her eyes narrowing.

  “I’ll be a minute. Trace this number and I’ll put the GPS on.”

  When he moved through the building, he realized he was in Mateo’s training studio in the janitor’s area.

  “I know where I am, it’s—”

  A gun clicked at the base of his skull. He froze in place. The phone was ripped from his hand and dropped on the ground. A black shoe crushed it into the carpet.

  “You’ve made a big mistake. First, you took my woman, and now, you tried to escape. I’m going to kill you.”

  Van thought quickly. “If you kill me, she won’t come to you.”

  The man paused a moment then laughed.

  “She’ll come if she thinks you’re still alive.”

  “You’re done, man. Every cop on Maui is looking for you.”

  “Untie her,” he snarled.

  Without a choice, Van did as ordered and stood to the side. He still hadn’t had a look at the man’s face, but the voice was distinctive—low, harsh, and husky.

  The gun was still pointed at his head, digging into the skin at the base of his neck. There was no way he could move without the danger of the gun going off. The man had him down cold.

  “You are going to call her and tell her where to meet you. I’ll swap you for her. I might even let you live.”

  Van laughed bitterly. “You expect me to believe that? I just called Mateo and there was no answer.”

  “Keep trying. If you’re smart, you’ll cooperate. I plan on having her, and you’re going to help me get her.”

  “Why do you want her?”

  “She’s the only woman in the world who understands the power of fire. She intrigues me.”

  “She wants nothing to do with you.”

  “That’s not true. If you were out of the way, she’d want only me. I should kill you now.”

  “Go ahead and shoot. Every cop in Maui will be at the door of this building. You lose.”

  The man laughed, his voice filled with loathing.

  “I don’t think so.” He pulled the trigger.

  Chapter Fourteen:

  Live Bait

  Layla prepared her torches, lighting them afire. There was still no word on Van. It was imperative that she lure the stalker so that they find Van as fast as possible—if he was still alive. Her gut twisted as she thought of him in the hands of the arsonist. At least the man wasn’t labeled as a killer…yet! Doing her best to refocus her mind to the task at hand, Layla smiled at the crowd.

  “Kona and I thank you for attending this special show tonight. To the special man who wants our attention, he’s got it. This is dedicated to him, and he knows who he is.”

  She fought back tears as images of Van lying dead on the ground flashed through her mind. Logan, Mateo, and Piers were on lookout, mingling with the undercover cops in the crowd. So far, nothing seemed out of place.

  They began their dance, fire leaping into the air as the torches spun and dipped, flipped and twisted, while Layla shifted her hips in a hula dance. She did her best to avoid thinking about Van’s plight, knowing that this show was her only chance to catch the culprit.

  The fire highlighted her body, turning the costume into what appeared to be true flames as the image teased the eyes of the viewers. Drums beat a tattoo, matching her speed. The faster she moved, the faster and louder the drums boomed.

  Kona began his own dance, the flames of his torches flashing through the air as he matched her timing, while he faced her, a few feet away. Thunderous applause sounded as they began throwing the torches back and forth. They burned orange, yellow, and blue fire, flashing in an arc as they switched hands. Layla focused hard, trying not to think of the arsonist. She prayed that he’d be there watching so she could send him the message she had for him. She was fire. Understanding, controlling, and powerful in the face of danger as the torches flew back and forth.

  When Kona and Layla stopped the flight, there was a deafening applause from the crowd. She knew that the stalker was watching when the hairs on the back of her neck lifted. Again, she switched to another tool, lighting two separate cup-like containers on the end of long chains. Kona lit his as well, and they began spinning them full circle, one going left, the other going right.

  She and her brother began to shout, “Ha! Ha! Ha!” as a signal of what they were going to do next. Layla fought to focus on the dance, keeping her thoughts on her work and pushing those of Van’s fate away.

  When someone screamed, Layla and Kona stopped the path of the tools and put out the flames. An orange glow came from the studio as fire leapt into the sky. The arsonist struck once again.

  Alarms sounded as everyone began to shout and cry out. Layla swallowed hard, fear clogging her throat as she thought of Van being stuck in the building. The note had threatened to kill him. She only hoped it was a lie.

  Logan was on his cell phone, calling for help from the firefighters. When he hung up, he rushed over to her. Sweat glowed on hers and Kona’s skin from the heat of the flames, making the eerie background of orange glow even brighter.

  “Van? Do you think he’s there?” she asked, fear nearly making her nauseous.

  “Stay here. We’ll be busy for a while. Kona, don’t leave her side.”

  “I’m on it. Layla, stick with me.”

  Rae and Mateo raced off with staff members, trying to contain the crowd as panic set in. The studio fire grew, flames leaping high into the sky.

  Hands over her mouth, Layla cried out, fearing Van was already dead. The police had pulled up moments ago as though they knew something was going to happen. One cop raced over to Layla’s side.

  “Stay right here with me. I’m going to keep you safe while the firefighters work.”

  Logan nodded. “I have to go. It’s looking like a two-alarm fire already. The whole place is going to come down if we don’t get it under control.

  One by one, her friends disappeared, racing toward the studio. She was left standing with the guests, only one cop watching over her. When she tried to go toward the fire, the cop placed his hand on her arm.

  “Stay here, miss. It could be a distraction in order for the arsonist to claim you,” he said in a low voice near her ear.

  “Consider us all distracted. Look, my friends and my boyfriend are all over there. Wouldn’t it be safer to stay closer to them all? This is crazy, standing on the beach watching. I want to help.”

  “The best way to help is to stay put. These people need leadership to keep them away from the fire and give the fire department room to move.”

  A loud boom sounded as the roof of the building collapsed. Layla screamed, biting her knuckle. All eyes turned to watch the destruction, including the cop.

  The smell of smoke was strong in
the air as hoses shot water at the structure. Layla choked, tears welling in her stinging eyes.

  “The wind has turned. We have to move the people down the beach,” another undercover cop shouted.

  “Layla, stick close by my side,” the cop yelled over the noise. Confusion reigned as the air became thick with smoke. Everyone scattered instead of following.

  Layla shouted out, “Come with me!” Many of the guests followed her lead and moved quickly down the beach, away from the campfire. Taking control, she helped a few others who lagged behind. They all stood in the dark, watching the destruction and yelling back and forth.

  She fought back tears as she wondered if Van was alive in that mass of fire.

  Suddenly, she noticed that the cop was missing from her side. Something sharp jabbed into her side as a woman grabbed her arm, whispering in her ear, “Come with me or he’ll be dead.”

  With everyone watching the studio burn, Layla moved with the woman, fear crawling like snakes up her spine.

  “Where is he?” she asked, afraid of the answer.

  “Safe. I made sure of it, unless you don’t do as I tell you. Come into the dark area of the beach. There’s no moon tonight with the clouds. We can get away.”

  “What do you want with me?”

  The woman laughed low in her throat.

  “I don’t want anything to do with you, but he does. He thinks of you as the goddess of flame. I personally think you’re a waste of time. Now, come away from the crowd.”

  Together, with the knife prodding her back, the two women moved into the shadows while bedlam broke out.

  * * * *

  Van lay on the carpet, unable to move as flames licked around him, the smoke getting thicker by the minute. His two captors had disappeared through the door only moments ago, leaving him to his fate.

  Pain wracked his body as he bled all over the floor. The shot was supposed to have killed him instantly, but he was still alive, about to be incinerated. He struggled to crawl along the floor to the exit, his arms still tied behind his back. With his legs also bound, he kicked out at the door, the flames getting closer as he choked and coughed from the smoke.