by Alexa Aston
Dash was puzzled. “Sydney has my phone.”
“We also put a device in your phone, Dash. You informed us of the close relationship between the two of you when you hired us. It was a precautionary measure. Your assistant helped us out with that.”
“Then I guess I’m grateful. Where is Sydney?”
“Driving around LA. It doesn’t look as if Marshall is going anywhere specific. He’s simply making random turns. The tracking device is strong. We have two teams on them right now and a third is scheduled to join them. They can leave a gap of several blocks and still follow the car’s movements.” Bruce paused. “Right now, I’d like to get you back to your house and talk to Herc about how he was taken. Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle. He won’t even realize he’s answering questions.”
Dash and Bruce climbed into the SUV, which headed to the DeLauria house. Gradually, Bruce pulled from Herc what he needed to know about the kidnapping. By the time they arrived, Herc seemed calm and eager to see Tim since the bad man had been mean to his friend.
As they got out of the vehicle and one security team member escorted Herc inside, Bruce told Dash, “Tim Dillon has a concussion but the doctor we sent said everything else checked out.”
Dash entered the house, where an anxious Brenda greeted him. He stopped to chat briefly with Tim, who assured him he was fine before apologizing for losing Herc. Dash assured the caregiver that they were dealing with a nut job and that Tim couldn’t have done anything about it. He urged Herc to tell Tim goodnight so that Tim could get the rest he needed. Herc went off with Brenda, who promised to make him her special mac and cheese since he was hungry.
Finally alone again, Dash looked to Bruce with determination. “I’m ready to ride with you. Let’s roll.”
◆◆◆
Wake drove aimlessly through the major streets of LA as Sydney tried to think of how to get out of the car safely. Her ex-husband was going about forty miles an hour, which made her reluctant to jump from the car. She prayed that Dash had found Herc by now and they were both safe.
The thought of Dash made her blink back the tears. If she survived this encounter with Wake, Sydney knew Dash would no longer be a part of her life—and she couldn’t blame him. It was her fault that Herc had been endangered. Sydney knew above all else that Dash loved Herc with his entire heart. He’d never be able to forgive her for the harrowing experience Herc had been put through. She couldn’t blame Dash. He was more than a protective older brother. To Herc, Dash was guardian, brother, and friend all rolled into one. Dash would always put Herc first—as he should—but it hurt Sydney that they would both be gone from her life.
“We’ll need to get married again,” Wake suddenly said. He tightened his grip on her hand, causing revulsion to run through her.
“I don’t think your mother would approve,” she noted, knowing how close he was to Patricia Marshall and how much the woman disliked her.
“Mother did give you a rough time,” he said sympathetically. “She never thought you were good enough for me, but I’m my own man, Sydney. Notice how her opinion didn’t stop me from marrying you. Besides, she’s dead.”
“Dead?” Sydney wondered if Wake had a hand in her death.
“You think I killed her?” He laughed. “She had an aneurysm. Now, if I had told her we were getting married a second time? Yeah, that might’ve killed her.” He sighed. “I got her affairs in order. Paid up all the bills. Since I knew I wanted to be with you, I quit my job so I could move to California.”
Sydney knew for certain Wake had gone off the deep end. He’d been proud to accept the offer at the law office in New York. She supposed it was payback since his father had a close friend who was a partner at the firm but Wake had gone on and on about how much he liked working there. To up and quit in order to move across the country and remarry an ex that he hadn’t even spoken to since the divorce? Wake definitely had gone bonkers.
“I’m glad we have enough money to live the kind of life we deserve,” he told her. “Since your money is my money. We’ll never have to work again.”
“Money?”
“Sure. I heard on TV. All the money your first husband left you. The old movie star.” Wake frowned. “I’m still upset you didn’t tell me about him. Or who you really were. The daughter of huge Hollywood hitters.” He frowned. “I thought we trusted each other.”
Sydney wanted to placate him before he flew off the handle.
“Wake, I told you why I left that life behind.” She took a deep breath. “I really don’t know about the money Craig left. I’ve used his business manager to handle all of that for me. He gave me enough to go to college and law school but I never talk to him. I have no idea what’s left of it.”
“You’re kidding me!” Wake blew up. “How could you be so irresponsible? That business manager could’ve run off to Tahiti by now, taking every red cent and somehow making it his own.” He squeezed her fingers painfully. “I’ve always had a great head for money. I’ll manage it from now on. You can count on me.”
He paused. “Let’s start over. The money situation can wait until tomorrow. After we get married in the morning.”
Sydney bit her lip. “It’s not that easy, Wake.”
He beamed. “I already looked it up. I don’t have to be a California resident for us to get married.”
“Even so, we’ll need our official birth certificates. We also have to present a copy of our divorce decree because my dad had to do that every time he married another woman. That may take a few days.”
Wake shrugged. “Then first things first. Let’s go back to your house. I need to be introduced to your dad.” He looked around. “Where the hell are we? Give me directions back to your place, Sydney. I’m all turned around. LA is way too fucking big.”
“Let me figure out where we are.” Sydney hadn’t been paying attention where Wake drove. After a minute, she got her bearings. As she directed him back toward Santa Monica, they hit heavy traffic. She thought maybe as the car came to a standstill, she might be able to make a run for it.
If she could get away from Wake.
His hand still held hers tightly. Not only would she have to pry their locked fingers apart, she’d have to remove the seatbelt he’d insisted she wear and get her door open as she scooped up her purse. She wanted to have Dash’s phone so she could call the police for help.
Wake grew more agitated with the snarled traffic. His right leg bounced up and down, as it usually did when he got antsy. Sydney’s eyes widened when she caught sight of the gun tucked under his thigh. She’d missed it since Wake’s pants and the car’s upholstery were both dark. Even if she managed to free herself, he might shoot her as she fled—or someone else. His father had taken him hunting and skeet shooting when he was growing up. Wake always bragged about what a great shot he was. Sydney couldn’t risk running. She had almost been responsible for Herc being hurt. She wasn’t about to be the cause of an innocent bystander being caught up in this situation, much less give Wake the pleasure of shooting her as she tried to escape.
Worry for her father coursed through her. Monty Revere knew she’d been married before but he had no idea that her ex-husband had been semi-stalking her. With her dad still weak as he recovered from his heart attack, she didn’t want anything to upset him. Especially crazy Wake Marshall telling him that his daughter was about to wed her ex-husband again. That might drive Monty Revere straight into the grave.
Gradually, they worked their way back to Santa Monica. Wake’s patience had eroded over the past hour, thanks to the continual, heavy traffic typical in LA. He was more on edge than before. Sydney had him turn right at a light. Before she could give him further instructions, he said, “Okay. I know where I am now.”
And then he passed the turnoff for her street.
Should she redirect him? Let him know he was more confused than he thought?
As Wake turned left at the next intersection, it hit Sydney—he was driving them to Dash’s house.
>
Wake had tracked Brenda to that address and delivered two different bouquets of white roses there. He’d even seen Sydney at the house earlier today. No wonder he thought she lived where Dash did.
How could she warn Dash? Somehow, she needed to get to the phone. That meant getting her hand free.
Sydney sneezed. Then sneezed again. And coughed for good measure. Wake had a tendency to be germophobic. Sure enough, he released her hand. Immediately, Sydney dipped to the floorboard and grabbed her purse.
“Gotta get a tissue,” she said. “I was afraid I might come down with a cold. Several of the crew members have been passing one around for a week now. I hate summer colds. They’re the worst.”
She dug in her purse and pulled out a tissue holder, blowing her nose extra loud for good measure. Wake shuddered involuntarily beside her, his grasp tightening on the wheel until both hands were white-knuckled. Sydney moved the purse back to the floorboard and slipped the phone from its outer pocket until it sat on the seat next to her right thigh.
Glancing down, she saw the call had been disconnected. Dash was no longer on the line. A sweeping sense of sadness overwhelmed her. Was he so angry with her that he’d hung up? Her mind raced. She didn’t have his passcode. Her thumbprint wouldn’t be able to unlock it.
Wake’s open palm appeared in front of her. “Hand it over, Sydney.”
She looked up, trying to hide her panic. “It’s nothing, Wake.”
“Give it to me,” he ordered as they pulled into Dash’s drive and Wake cut the engine. The rental car shuddered in response.
Sydney handed the phone over. Wake glanced at it and threw it out the window. It hit the concrete with a thud. Before she could come up with an excuse, he backhanded her. Stars exploded in her head, vivid colors against a sea of black.
As her vision cleared, her mind calmed—thanks to her training in Tae Kwon Do. To put any of it into practice, though, she’d need to be out of the car in order to take Wake down. Sydney could hear her master’s voice in her head, echoing words from the famous martial artist Bruce Lee.
Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is uniquely your own.
Sydney planned to do all three.
CHAPTER 30
Dash permitted Bruce to set up a command station in the great room, as long as he was allowed to stay and observe. Operatives had brought in equipment that mapped where Wake Marshall drove. The team leader was in constant contact with his people as he assessed the situation and various cars switched off as they followed at a distance.
Sydney’s phone buzzed from inside Dash’s pocket. He saw Jayla’s name on the screen and answered it, walking out of the room and down the hall to the kitchen in order not to be a distraction. He stopped when he saw Herc finishing up his mac and cheese and lingered in the hallway instead.
“Hi, Jayla. It’s Dash. I guess somehow Sydney and I mistakenly traded phones today.”
“Oh. Well, have you heard from her? Monty’s getting a little antsy since she’s not home yet.”
Bruce had made it clear that no one was to know about Sydney’s kidnapping. Dash hated lying to the assistant but he wanted to follow the security expert’s advice.
“When I left not too long ago, she was still at the studio. She had a few things to do and Ron Sampson wanted to watch the dailies with her. He was concerned about the scenes we shot today with Keely. Both were pretty long so I’m guessing she’s going to be pretty late. Tell Monty about the dailies and Ron’s anxiety over them. If anyone understands, it’ll be Monty. I know Sydney’s shared with him that she really wants a future in directing. That means playing the game and not alienating Ron in any way. He’s the boss. Sydney will jump however high he tells her to right now in order to make the film she wants and be able to keep making films in the future.”
Jayla sighed. “You’re right. I’ll calm Monty down. Get some dinner in him and tuck him in for the night. Thanks, Dash.”
“Tell him hi for me. I’ll stop by and see him soon.”
“I will. Goodnight.”
“Bye.” Dash hung up and returned to the great room. The energy had changed since he’d left minutes ago.
“What’s up?” he asked Bruce.
“They’re slowly making their way in this direction. I’m betting that Sydney wants to be on her home turf. If she’s been able to calm Marshall’s fears, maybe she thinks being in her father’s house will give her an advantage.”
“I just hung up from Monty Revere’s assistant. I didn’t give her a clue about what was happening. Maybe we need to if you think they’ll show up there.”
“I’ve sent a team to sit on the house in case that’s their final destination. If they pull up, my people will apprehend Marshall when he gets out of the car.”
“Then we’re playing a waiting game to see what he does,” Dash said.
“Right.”
Brenda caught his eyes. Dash went over to her at the doorway. They stepped into the entryway.
“I’m going to supervise Herc getting ready for bed,” she said, “but he wanted to tell you goodnight.”
Dash hugged his brother tightly, not wanting to think what might have happened to him if Sydney hadn’t been able to talk Marshall into letting Herc get out of the car. That alone made her Dash’s hero.
“Is Sydney here?” Herc asked, a hopeful tone in his voice. “Or is she with the bad man?”
He couldn’t lie to his brother. “No, Sydney’s not here yet but Bruce and his friends are watching out for her. I know she’ll want to see you soon. Go with Brenda. She’ll read you another chapter in Harry Potter and then you need to hit the sack.”
“Brenda made yummy mac and cheese,” Herc told him. “You need to eat some, Dash.”
“That’s good to know. I’ll heat some up. Thanks for the tip, buddy.” He brushed a kiss on his brother’s head. “Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Herc replied and left with Brenda.
Dash went back to stand by Bruce and observe.
“They should’ve turned at that intersection,” the operative leader said. “Oh, God. They’re coming here. Listen up, people. Get our SUVs out of the driveway. Now! Team Gamma. Stay put at the Revere house but be on standby. Teams Alpha and Beta, head toward the DeLauria house.” Bruce looked around the room. “Team Delta, be ready.”
Immediately, three security members left the room. Three others remained.
“They’ll make sure everyone in the house is protected and the back entrance is secured. The rest of us will have eyes from the front. You need to go be with your brother, Dash.”
“The hell I will,” he ground out. “Herc will be safe with your people. I need to be here for Sydney.”
Bruce reined in his frustration. “Then stay out of our way. Don’t move. Don’t react. Let me run this show and let my guys handle things.” He glanced back at the screen. “They’re a block away, people. Show time.”
Every person in the room except Dash had pulled out a sidearm. The great room had several windows and security team members lined the sides of each window. He froze in the center of the room, where he had a good view of his front drive.
Sure enough, a dusty sedan pulled up thirty seconds later. Dash held his breath as the driver’s door opened and Wake Marshall climbed out.
With a gun in his hand.
“Weapon,” Bruce growled.
Tension filled the air. Dash watched Marshall come around the front of the car until he reached the passenger side. He motioned with his free hand for Sydney to join him. She opened it slowly and got out, slamming the door.
Then it seemed to Dash that everything occurred in slow motion. Sydney took a couple of steps toward Wake and latched on to his wrist, forcing his gun hand up in the air. A shot rang out. She centered her body and quickly brought her foot around from behind her, her hip and knee moving together in a horizontal arc. She extended her knee at the last moment, striking Wake hard with the ball of her foot as she connected with
his exposed ribs.
Wake cried out and brought his hands to the spot of impact, the gun falling as Sydney spun and repeated the action. This time, the kick was aimed for her captor’s head. Wake never saw it coming. His head snapped back as his body crumpled. Sydney scooped the gun from the ground and pointed it at her motionless ex.
Suddenly, chaos occurred. Five or six men appeared on the sidewalk as the security team in the house poured out the doors and others raced up the sidewalk. Wake Marshall was dragged to his feet.
Bruce whistled low as he punched in a number on his phone. “That long-legged girl’s got game. Those were powerhouse round kicks. Sydney must practice Tae Kwon Do.”
Dash broke out in a grin, remembering how Sydney had once told him she wasn’t a runner but she enjoyed doing Tae Kwon Do. “She does. Excuse me.”
He ran out of the room as he heard Bruce saying, “911. I’ve got an emergency.”
Outside, Dash saw Sydney handing over the gun. Her extended hand shook like a leaf about to be blown from a tree on a blustery day. He approached her cautiously as someone threw a blanket around her shoulders. By the time he reached her, her teeth were chattering despite the summer heat rising from the sidewalk.
“Sydney?” he said softly.
She turned, her green eyes looking dazed. “Dash?”
“I’m here, babe.” He enveloped her in his arms, her trembling body cold to the touch. His body heat would warm her. His touch would bring her back around. Dash could feel her heart pounding against his chest.
“Dash?” she asked again, meeting his eyes. He saw uncertainty there, which angered him. Whatever Wake Marshall had done to put it there, Dash would remove.
“You’re safe, Syd. With me. They have Wake. The police are on the way.” In the distance, he could hear the sirens.
“You’re talking to me,” she said, amazement in her voice. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Of course, I’m talking to you. Why wouldn’t I want to talk to the woman I love?” He kissed her forehead tenderly.