Her Guarded Hero (Black Dawn Book 5)

by Caitlyn O'Leary

  “Honey, we’re going to get out of this,” Lindy assured her.

  Aurora watched as her cousin who wiggled and squirmed too.

  “Do you have to pee too?” Aurora asked.

  “No. Trying to get to knife. It’s in my boot.” Aurora heard Lindy’s deep intake of breath. “Fuckers tied my hands behind my back.”

  Lindy sounded angry and determined. But her breathing didn’t sound good, and her voice was slurred.

  “Can you move over toward me?” Aurora asked. “My right hand is almost free. Maybe I can get your knife.” Aurora had been trying to get to the cell phone stuck in the front pocket of her maternity pants.

  Lindy’s eyes glittered with excitement. “Holy fuck, you’re amazing.” For just a moment she was SWAT Team Lindy, then her eyes dulled. “Give me a minute or two, then I’ll come to you, all right?”

  Aurora heard Lindy take another deep breath, then she bucked up and down on the floor like a seal or walrus. It seemed like an eternity before Lindy was able to plop her leg on top of Aurora’s. “It’s my left boot.”

  “Lindy, cell phone or knife? Which first?”

  “What? I don’t understand.” Lindy was slurring her words again.

  “Should I try to get the cell phone out of my jeans, or the knife out of your boot?” Aurora clarified.

  “Knife. I want us out of this, and me with a weapon.”

  “Got it.” She pushed past the blanket and got her hand and forearm free. She looked dubiously at the rope around Lindy’s jeans. “Fudgenugget! Getting this undone is going to be impossible.”

  “It’s okay, Aurora. There’s just one loop, you can do it,” Lindy said calmly. “You’re going to be fine.”

  Aurora prayed her cousin was right. Aurora grunted as she yanked at the stubborn rope. Her fingers burned but she put the pain out of her head and took a tighter grip. Again, and again and again she pulled. As she was doing that she continued to wiggle her other hand loose. Finally, it was free.

  “Turn over,” she told Lindy fiercely.

  “What? Why?”

  “Both my hands are free. I want to just work on the knot,” Aurora said as she helped her cousin turn to her side. She could see the knot. It’d been tied by Chuck, he didn’t know what he was doing. Mort would have tied a much better one. She went at it.

  Aurora let out a yelp.

  “What’s wrong?” Lindy asked. God, she didn’t sound good.

  “Nothing, my nail ripped out. Just let me concentrate.”

  Aurora gasped with relief when the knot finally gave.

  “You did it!” Lindy laughed and gasped. Okay, that sounded like her cop cousin. Aurora smiled.

  Caught between tears and laughter, Aurora carefully pulled out the knife and worked at the knot around Lindy’s arms. The second it was sawed through, Lindy sprang out of the blanket like a super heroine.

  “Come on Honey, now you.” Lindy grabbed the knife and had her uncut in seconds that felt like hours. Maybe Aurora had been wrong, maybe her cousin was fine.

  Aurora was so relieved she started to cry. She didn’t mean to, but the tears wouldn’t stop. She ignored them. She needed a bathroom, but she ignored that too.

  Lindy was checking the door, and Aurora saw she was swaying as she crouched in front of the door knob. “Goddammit, we’re locked in.”

  “Sit down, before you fall down,” Aurora said.

  “Oh shit, I think I hear Mort’s SUV pulling up,” Lindy said.

  “How do you know it’s Mort’s?” Aurora asked.

  Lindy shot her a weary look, “I’m a realist.”

  The door knob rattled.

  Lindy pulled Aurora so that they were both plastered against the wall. Lindy held the knife as they waited for the door to open. The knife was trembling in her hand. This was not good. Not good at all.

  “What are our weak points in the plan?” Dalton asked. They were all on one big conference call amongst the three vehicles as they drove up the drive to the Lyle Olympic Equestrian Center.

  “The new staff they have at the ranch,” Zeb said. “The old timers will be fine with Tate and I nosing around. They’ll know us. But there are literally millions of dollars of horseflesh in those stables, so they are going to be suspicious if we aren’t with a Lyle employee,” Zeb finished. Dalton could hear the worry for his daughter in his voice.

  “You’re not thinking this through brother,” Tate said easily. “Once we run into somebody we know, we get them to show us around. That way we can start nosing into every nook and cranny.”

  “If I know your daughter Zeb,” Gunnar spoke up, “she’s probably kicking ass and taking names.”

  God, Dalton hoped to hell that was true. But he had a bad feeling about this.

  “Okay, now for my part. I get to go to the reception area with my soon to be grandson-in-law. We’re just going to ask for Dennis and Elsa and ask where the hell Aurora and Lindy are. I like the direct approach. See if we can scent if there’s a problem.”

  “Meanwhile Hunter and I will just do some reconnaissance everyplace but at the stables. See what we can see,” Dex said.

  Dalton was the lead vehicle in the convoy, he circled the parking area. “I don’t see Lindy’s car, do any of you?”

  “Nope,” Zeb said.

  Dalton headed to the furthest area away from the ranch house near a copse of shade trees. He parked beneath them. Everyone got out of the trucks. Hunter and Dex disappeared into the trees. Soon Zeb, Tate, Dalton and Gunnar were moving toward the big white building. As they got closer, Zeb and Tate veered to the left to circle around to the back.

  Dalton took a vague note of the nice white paint job as they walked up the steps into the foyer.

  “May I help you,” the receptionist asked.

  “Becky?” Gunnar said with a smile. “Is Dennis or Elsa around?”

  “And you are?” she asked questioningly. “Oh wait,” she smiled. “You’re Gunnar Olsen. Your granddaughters were here earlier today.”

  “Did they leave?” Dalton asked abruptly.

  The young woman’s smile faltered. “What’s your name?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  “I’ll get Mr. Lyle,” she said as she picked up the telephone.

  Dalton stepped forward, leaned in, and placed his fists on her desk. “You call Mr. Lyle, but in the interim, you answer my question. Did you see Aurora and Lindy leave?”

  She shook her head, her green eyes wide with fear. “Mr. Lyle, Gunnar Olsen is here to see you. Please come quick.”

  In less than a minute the closed door to the reception area was flung open and a balding man burst in. “What’s going on?” he demanded to know. “Becky are you okay?”

  She pointed a shaky finger at Dalton. “He threatened me.”

  “Where are Aurora and Lindy?” Dalton asked Dennis. The man blanched at Dalton’s aggressive behavior.

  “What are you talking about?” He saw Gunnar and turned to him. “What’s going on Gunnar? Aurora and Lindy came for a tour, but that was hours ago. They’ve left.”

  “Not according to your girl here,” Dalton pointed his thumb at the redhead.

  Dennis ignored Dalton. “Gunnar, seriously, your granddaughters are gone. Elsa took them for a tour, but they left. You have to believe me. Who is this man, and why is he acting like this?”

  Should have had Aurora’s phone synched with his already so he could track her whereabouts. Dammit, his head hadn’t been in the game!

  “I’m your worst nightmare,” Dalton answered Dennis’s question. “You’re going to take me on the same damn tour that your wife did, you got me? Better yet, get your wife in here, and you both will take me on this tour.”

  “Becky, call security,” Dennis said.

  Gunnar ripped the phone out of the wall. Dalton smiled.

  “Guess you can’t call your wife, or security, but you can still take me on that tour. Gunnar, stay here and keep Becky occupied so that she doesn’t raise the al
arm, won’t you? As for you Dennis,” Dalton pulled out his military issued pistol and shoved it into Dennis’s side. “Keep in mind that I have this on me. Aurora’s going to be my wife. I will do anything for her. Don’t do anything that will get you killed.”

  Dennis gulped.

  “Are you ready to give me a tour?”

  Dennis continued to stare down at the gun.

  “Answer me,” Dalton said grimly.

  “Yes. But do you need to see the places where I saw her?” Dennis stuttered. “I mean I know Lindy and Aurora were safe and okay then.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know Elsa and Chuck were going her special facility. That’s where Elsa’s doing some experimental training.”

  Gunnar pushed close to Dennis’s face. “What kind of experimental training?”

  Dennis gave Gunnar a helpless look. “It’s her project. I don’t know.”

  “So you’re saying you saw them in good health until they went on an expedition with your wife and some guy named Chuck?”

  Dennis nodded.

  “Tell me exactly where they went, and when.”

  “The out buildings are about two acres back behind the training arena. They’re two big corrugated buildings that are secure. They’re locked tight. There are some horses out there, so Aurora would be interested.”

  “When was this?”

  “I’m not sure. A couple of hours ago?” Dennis said helplessly.

  “That’s where we start. Gunnar can you sit on both of them?” Dalton eyed the big Norwegian who was a head taller than Dennis.

  “You give me that gun, and I’ll keep them from sounding the alarm,” Gunnar said. “Becky, move to the couch over there,” Gunnar ordered.

  Dalton agreed with the old man’s plan. Better to have the two of them sitting together. He shoved Dennis down on the couch beside Becky, then handed his pistol over to Gunnar. He went over and turned the sign in the window to closed, shut the drapes, and locked the front door.

  “You okay?” Dalton asked Gunnar one last time before he left.

  “I’m fine. I’m going to call the others and tell them about the out buildings, just go get my granddaughters.”

  “Don’t think I’m doing this for you,” Mort said as he the door opened. “I can’t stand the thought of piss stinking up my car for hours on end, so you’re getting your bathroom break.” The big man took two steps into the gloom of the cavernous building. “What-?”

  Lindy jabbed her knife into his neck. Blood sprayed so far and wide that Aurora felt splashes hit her face and hair.

  With the knife lodged in his throat, one of his hands went to the knife and his other hand reached forward like Frankenstein, attempting to grab Lindy, but she ducked and then shoved him.

  “Come on,” she grabbed Aurora’s hand. “He’s not dead yet.”

  Aurora tried to block the gurgling sound coming from Mort who was now slumped against the wall. When they got out into the early evening air, Aurora got a good look at Lindy. She looked ready to fall down. Her face was covered with blood, not just Mort’s.

  “We need to get back to the ranch house,” Lindy said determinedly. “Are you okay to walk?”

  Her cousin was damn near staggering, and she was asking about her? Aurora was incredulous.

  “Do you think Frankenstein is dead yet?” Aurora asked.

  “Huh?”

  “I want his car keys.”

  Lindy was bent over with her hands on her knees. “We should check the driver’s side visor. Dumbass probably put them there.” Her voice was so slurred it took a moment for Aurora to comprehend what she’d said.

  Aurora guided Lindy to the SUV and Lindy crossed her arms on top of the hood of the vehicle then laid her head on them. Aurora hit pay dirt when she found the keys exactly where Lindy had said.

  Sh-Shoot. Lindy hadn’t moved. Aurora lumbered out of the driver’s seat. “Come on Honey, let’s get you into the car.” Aurora looked around. It was getting darker. What if Chuck was coming?

  “I’m fine,” Lindy waved her off. Then she turned and doubled over, throwing up. Aurora saw bits of graham cracker. She swallowed convulsively, sweat sheeting her body. No way, they weren’t going to have two of them puking.

  “Lindy, you have a concussion. We need to get you to a hospital.”

  Apparently, her cousin had only been able to keep it together long enough to stab Mort, now it was up to Aurora. She pulled a trembling Lindy into the passenger seat and ran around the front of the car to the driver’s side.

  “What an idiot!” she said as she pounded the wheel of the car.

  “What?” Lindy asked. Blood from Mort and vomit covered the front of Lindy’s blouse. Aurora rolled down the window to let in fresh air, then she fished out her phone from the front of her jeans. She almost screamed when she saw it was dead.

  “Lindy give me your phone,” she begged.

  Lindy lifted up off the seat and pulled it out of her back pocket. It was cracked. “Must have happened when they hit me,” she said weakly.

  Aurora started the SUV. She needed to get Lindy to a hospital. She needed to avoid Chuck, Elsa and whoever else was willing to kill them. They didn’t have cell phones. Think!

  She started to drive. Fuck it, she was going to head toward the front driveway where all the Mercedes were. Other clients weren’t out after them, and one of them would have a cell phone. She aimed for the wide-open field that would eventually lead to the front of the property. She couldn’t have gotten more than one-hundred yards when she felt a tire blow. She skidded in the wet grass.

  Another tire blew, this time she’d heard the gun shot before the impact of the back tire made the SUV careen sideways. Her eyes shot to Lindy and she gasped in relief. Her cousin had put on her seatbelt.

  “Give me the knife Lindy,” she yelled. She saw two men running toward the car. In her rearview mirror she thought she saw another man tackling one with a gun. What was going on?

  She rolled up the window and made sure the doors were locked. Why hadn’t she checked to see if Mort had had a gun?

  “Got ‘em!” A man’s voice roared.

  They were surrounded, one on each side of the car. She couldn’t tell which one was Chuck.

  She heard the passenger door crash open.

  “Ooomph.” A man grunted. Lindy shoved against the door and jumped out. Aurora spared a quick glance to see her cousin crouched on the ground beside the car arms up, ready to fight.

  Aurora had the knife in her sweaty hand. She was going to fight this bastard to the death. But she sure as hell wasn’t going to open the door like Lindy had.

  “Aurora, open the door.” A big hand slapped on the window. Aurora cringed.

  “Sunshine, it’s me.”

  Aurora couldn’t comprehend what she was seeing.

  “Honey, open the door, it’s me, Dalton.”

  Her hand wouldn’t let go of the knife. She couldn’t press the button to unlock the doors. She continued to stare at Dalton’s beautiful face through the smeared driver’s side window.

  She jumped when the door unlocked. She looked over to the passenger side and saw that Hunter had pressed the button to unlock the door. Dalton had her door open in a heartbeat.

  “We need to get Lindy to the hospital,” she said. She couldn’t take her eyes off Dalton. He was prying her fingers off the knife.

  “Dex is on it,” Hunter said.

  “How badly are you hurt?” Dalton asked as he wiped at the blood on her face.

  “I’m not,” Aurora assured him.

  “You’re bleeding.”

  “Not my blood.”

  He looked scared to death. Aurora held up a finger. “I broke a nail.”

  “Goddammit Sunshine,” he pulled her into a rough and tender hug.

  “Elsa Lyle is the one behind everything. She’s been abusing the horses. She’s evil. Don’t let her escape.”

  “We won’t.”

  She pushed at his shoul
ders and looked at his face. “No seriously. She’s the mastermind. Go get her.”

  “Hunter!” Dalton called.

  Over his shoulder she saw her uncles, Zeb and Tate, running up towards her, Zeb veered off to the other side of the vehicle where Lindy was.

  Hunter came over to Dalton, he looked pissed. “What?” Dalton asked.

  “Lindy just told me everything. We need to get her to a hospital. It’s a bad concussion.”

  “Elsa Lyle is behind everything, she needs to be secured,” Dalton said harshly. But no matter how angry he sounded, the hands that were stroking Aurora were gentle and loving.

  “Dex has it taken care of. The piece of shit he took down. The one who was shooting at this car. He gave her up,” Hunter explained.

  So much for that love affair, Aurora thought. She snuggled deeper into Dalton’s hold.

  Siren sounded in the distance.

  17

  It was only three weeks since the rescue. She and Gunnar were in the orchard. In some ways it was more special to her than the stables, because it was where she had had picnics with Grandma Mae and Gunnar.

  “It’s kind of cold for a picnic,” Gunnar smiled. “But I think it works out well.”

  “I’d say so. You kind of made it winter proof.” Aurora spread her arms wide to take in the tarp, covered by the five horse blankets and the propane heater.

  “Just remember what your soon-to-be husband has to live up to.” His eyes twinkled.

  Aurora blushed. She was glad that her grandfather hadn’t questioned Erwin too closely as to why they had the tarp and propane heater, otherwise he’d realize Dalton had already purchased them for a more intimate outing not so long ago. He’d also brought along flowers and a ring.

  “Drink your cocoa Darlin.” She sipped the hot chocolate he’d poured from the thermos.

  “What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

  “Everything. Anything,” he answered.

  “That’s quite the list.” Aurora settled down in the little camp chair. Seriously, she had everything to make a pregnant woman feel comfortable. She smoothed her hand over her round stomach.

  “Have you decided where you’re going to live? Have you decided if you can really and truly deal with marrying a Navy SEAL?”