Colton's Covert Baby

by Lara Lacombe

  She tried to bring her ankle close, but the angle was too awkward. Thinking fast, Molly put the mattress back onto the bed and climbed on top. From that angle, she was able to tug one side of the mattress up so she had access to the wire. She sat with her legs folded crisscross style, putting the handcuff around her ankle in close proximity to the wire. The wire wasn’t very long, so she still had to contort herself a bit, but she was able to insert the thin metal end into the lock of the cuffs.

  She grinned, feeling a flicker of hope for the first time since Elaine had abducted her.

  “We’re on our way, baby,” she said, pushing her hair out of her face so she could focus on the task at hand. “I’m going to get us out of here.”

  * * *

  Max shifted in the front seat of his rental car, trying to find a more comfortable position. It was chilly in the car, but he and Furbert had huddled together under a blanket most of the night, so he was actually pretty comfortable. Certainly warmer than he’d been during many nights on patrol in the desert.

  Could Molly say the same? Was she inside somewhere, out of the elements? Or had Elaine staked her to a tree in the woods without a backward glance? And just what was driving this woman anyway? Why target Molly, who was one of the kindest people he’d ever met? Was she really that upset over Molly’s perceived pregnancy infractions?

  Please let her be safe.

  It was the concern that had dominated his thoughts all night. After Elaine’s shady actions, Max had decided he couldn’t risk letting her out of his sight for long. She was connected to Molly’s disappearance, and it was only a matter of time before she slipped up and gave herself away.

  Hopefully sooner rather than later.

  The concierge had pulled a few strings to get the rental car, and Max had wasted no time driving to Mason and Elaine’s house, stopping only for a few provisions. He’d parked down the street and settled in to watch, knowing in his gut that Elaine was up to something.

  There was a desperation about her, a brittleness that made him think she was about to snap. Mason didn’t seem to recognize his wife’s facade; Max had the impression Mason spent more time at work than he did with Elaine. So either he wasn’t around enough to see his wife was troubled, or he threw himself into his job so he didn’t have to deal with the problem. Regardless, Mason clearly wasn’t going to be any help.

  That was fine. Max was more than capable of operating alone.

  He’d briefly considered calling Blaine, but didn’t want to bother his friend. Furthermore, he didn’t want to put Blaine in the position of having to act against one of his cousins. Better for Max to tackle this solo. He could always call for help if it came to that.

  So he’d sat in the car, watching and waiting through the night for Elaine to make her move. She was spooked. Unless Max missed his guess, Elaine hadn’t thought anyone would notice Molly’s absence so soon. She was likely panicking, rethinking what she’d done.

  Hopefully it wasn’t anything permanent.

  In the small hours of the night, Max had forced himself to once again consider the possibility Molly was dead. It had made him physically ill to even think about a world without Molly in it, but he wanted to be emotionally prepared in case the worst had happened.

  His reaction had forced him to rethink his position on things. Once upon a time, he’d known how precious life was. How precarious it could be, and that he couldn’t count on tomorrow. The service had taught him that things weren’t always in his control, and he shouldn’t take anything for granted. But somewhere along the way, he’d forgotten that lesson. He’d been too afraid to take the leap with Molly because he’d let his fears dictate his thinking. And the worst part? He’d lost sight of the truly important things in life—family, friends, love.

  Max knew better now.

  He would always be proud of K-9 Cadets. But it would no longer be his life’s focus. Now that he was faced with the possibility of losing Molly forever, his earlier worries about commitment faded into nothingness. There were definitely things he needed to work on, and the path they walked together wouldn’t always be smooth. But an imperfect life with Molly was far better than a perfect life without her.

  If she’d still have him.

  The only thing that worried him as much as Molly’s uncertain fate was the thought that he’d irreparably damaged his chances with her. She’d opened her heart to him the other day, laying bare her hopes for their baby and their future. And he’d shut her down, making it clear he didn’t think they had what it took to go the distance. He’d give anything to be able to go back in time and swallow those words, to stop himself from causing her so much pain.

  He marveled at her response as he replayed the memories of their conversation. Even after breaking her heart, Molly had said she was still amenable to letting him see their baby. Her willingness to continue to be around him for the sake of their child was yet another sign of her selflessness and kindness. She was far better than he deserved, and he was going to spend the rest of his life trying to make her see that he knew how special she was.

  Furbert nudged Max’s leg, interrupting his thoughts. “Need a bathroom break, buddy?” The dog gazed up at him with knowing brown eyes, and Max reached out to scratch behind one of his ears. “Good idea. Let’s stretch our legs a bit.”

  He climbed out of the car and led the dog to the end of the street, away from Mason and Elaine’s house. It was growing lighter by the minute, and their neighbors were already starting to leave for work. If anyone noticed them, Max wanted it to look like he and his dog were out for a walk, nothing more.

  While Furbert did his business, Max kept an eye on the house. He heard the rumble of a truck’s engine from somewhere nearby. A few seconds later, Mason’s truck backed out of the driveway and headed down the street.

  Max glanced at Furbert, who was now sniffing at another patch of grass. “Come on,” he said, giving the leash a gentle tug to get the dog’s attention. He felt bad that he hadn’t been able to give his friend a longer break outside the car, but now that Mason had left for work, Max was willing to bet Elaine would make her move soon.

  Sure enough, his instincts were proven correct when she pulled out of the driveway a few minutes later.

  “Bingo,” he whispered. He felt the adrenaline hit his system as he turned the key in the ignition. Thanks to his years of experience, the hormone surge didn’t make him jittery. Rather, a sense of calm descended over him, his senses hyper-focused and attuned to his environment.

  He waited about a minute after Elaine had left before pulling into the road behind her. It was possible she was simply going to the grocery store or headed to the gym. If that was the case, he and Furbert were in for a long, boring day.

  But Max didn’t care. He’d follow her around forever, because he knew in his bones that at some point, she’d lead him to the woman he loved.

  Chapter 16

  Molly swore as the wire slipped out of the lock once more, skittering across the smooth surface of the cuffs. Picking the lock was proving to be more difficult than she’d anticipated. She was able to fit the wire into the lock opening, but it seemed no matter how she rotated or jiggled or pushed it, she couldn’t find the right angle to release the catch.

  Her frustration was at its peak, but she refused to give up. There was no telling when—or even if—Elaine would be coming back. Molly wasn’t going to sit around waiting for fate to catch up with her. She owed it to herself and her baby to keep trying.

  Her fingers were still stiff, though now it was due to clutching the wire rather than the cold. It was growing steadily brighter inside the warehouse; morning was well under way by now. Molly wasn’t sure how long she’d been working, but it didn’t matter. She was determined to continue until she was either free or dead.

  Obviously, she was hoping for the former outcome.

  She released her grip on the wire
, bending and straightening her fingers to release some of the tension. A short break wouldn’t hurt, and might even help if it restored some of her manual dexterity.

  Max’s face flashed through her mind. With his Special Forces training, he’d know just how to get out of these handcuffs. Of course, he probably wouldn’t have let himself be taken in the first place, gun notwithstanding.

  She closed her eyes, imagining he was with her now.

  Don’t give up, he’d say. You’re doing great.

  He’d been so calm during their time in the gondola. Had it really only been a few days since the avalanche? With everything that had happened, it felt like a lifetime ago.

  Her mind drifted, remembering the solid feel of his body against hers as she’d leaned on him. The way it had felt to wake up in his arms, pretending for a few seconds that nothing had changed between them. She’d love to be able to go back to that afternoon, when she was still ignorant of her sister’s murder and Max hadn’t definitively broken her heart yet. Sure, she’d been hanging precariously in a glass carriage, risking death with each gust of wind. But compared to her current situation, that seemed like a cakewalk.

  All because of Max’s presence.

  It was amazing how his company made her feel better. From swinging in the gondola to her sister’s murder, having Max by her side made her feel grounded, like she could handle anything.

  But he wasn’t here now. And he’d made it clear he didn’t want to be her rock, didn’t want to walk through life by her side. So she was going to have to figure out a way to take care of things on her own.

  The thought galvanized her into action once more. She examined the end of the wire, used her thumbnail to bend it just a smidge. Then she inserted it into the lock, feeling blindly for the latch that would set her free.

  A little to the left... No, up a bit... A hair to the right...

  The wire suddenly sank in a bit. Molly’s heart jumped into her throat and she took a deep breath, trying to hold her hands steady so they didn’t jerk the wire free.

  Working carefully, she prodded here, poked there. One little twist, and then...

  The cuff around her ankle slid open, releasing her. Molly jerked her leg away with a sob, and the cuffs and chain slid off the mattress to clatter on the floor.

  Molly got to her feet, tears blurring her vision. Relief made her feel light-headed, so she sat on the bed once more to collect herself.

  Her chest heaved as she gulped air, trying to organize her thoughts. She’d get out of here, follow the road until she found someone, anyone to help her. As soon as she made it back to Roaring Springs, she was headed straight for the sheriff’s office.

  A noise at the far end of the warehouse caught her attention. The door opened, and in walked Elaine, carrying a paper bag.

  Molly’s mind raced as she considered her options. She could run now, try to make her escape while Elaine had her hands full. Or she could pretend to still be restrained and wait for the other woman to leave. That was the safer choice, especially if Elaine had brought her gun again.

  But if Molly could overpower her sister-in-law, she could grab her keys and use her car to escape. After the long, cold night Molly wasn’t in the best shape to attempt a walk back into town. The only abandoned warehouses Molly knew about sat a few miles outside Roaring Springs, a bit off the main road. If that was indeed where she was, having the car would definitely make life easier.

  Elaine was getting closer; she had to make a decision.

  Molly bent forward and snagged the open end of the handcuffs. She bent her leg at the knee, tucking her ankle under her opposite thigh. Then she stuck the chain under her ankle, to make it look like she was still attached. She leaned back against the wall, forcing herself to sit still while Elaine approached.

  “Good morning!” Elaine sounded chipper. “I brought you a few more supplies.” She set the paper bag on the desk and began unpacking it.

  “How was your night?”

  “Cold,” Molly said shortly. How was she going to do this? Positionally, she was at a disadvantage. It would take a few seconds for her to stand up, plenty of time for Elaine to go on the defensive. Maybe she could use the chain as a whip, lashing out at Elaine before she could react? She stroked the cold links with her fingertip, considering the possibility.

  “This should help,” Elaine said. She pulled out a metal thermos and handed it to Molly. “Hot tea.”

  Molly smiled, unable to believe her luck. “Thank you,” she said.

  “Of course,” Elaine replied. “As I told you before, I want you to stay healthy.” She turned back to the bag, reaching in for more items.

  Molly hefted the thermos in her hands. It was a nice, heavy weight, and with a handle on the side to boot. Exactly what she needed.

  Elaine continued to chatter as she pulled items from the bag and placed them on the desk surface. While she talked, Molly slowly rose from the bed and moved to stand behind the other woman.

  “I brought you another blanket...” Elaine trailed off as she turned and realized Molly was no longer sitting on the bed. She looked to the side, just in time to meet Molly’s eyes as Molly brought the thermos crashing down onto her head.

  Elaine collapsed in a heap on the floor. Molly dropped the thermos and ran, not bothering to check if the other woman was still alive. She rushed through the empty warehouse, fearing that at any second Elaine would rise up and shoot her in the back.

  The shot never came. Molly burst through the door, throwing up her arm to shield her eyes from the bright sunlight.

  She was free.

  * * *

  Max trailed behind Elaine’s car, keeping his distance so as not to draw her attention. She drove through town, headed for the outskirts. He had to back off a bit as traffic thinned out, but it was easy enough to keep her in sight.

  A few miles outside Roaring Springs she turned on a side road. Max slowed down, then did the same, hanging back to let her get ahead. He needn’t have worried. Elaine sped forward, oblivious to her surroundings. She pulled into the parking lot of what looked like an abandoned warehouse. Max stopped his car about a hundred yards away, partially shielded by a clump of bushes. As he watched, Elaine pulled a paper bag from the passenger seat of her car and entered the warehouse.

  Supplies? he wondered. Food, perhaps? Maybe toiletries? Whatever it was, Elaine clearly hadn’t come to set up a garden party.

  Max waited, imagining her progress through the warehouse. He didn’t want to spook her too soon, or she might hurt Molly.

  Convinced she was too far into the building to hear the engine of his car, he pulled in beside her, putting the passenger door of his rental only inches from her driver’s door. If she tried to escape, she wouldn’t be able to get behind the wheel easily. Hopefully it was a precaution he didn’t need to take, but Max knew from experience that in an operation, every second counted.

  He climbed out of his car, leaving the door open so she wouldn’t hear it shut. Then he approached the building carefully, his gaze assessing as he studied the structure. The door Elaine had used appeared to be the only entrance on this side. What about the back of the building? Was there another entry point he could use to take her by surprise?

  Max started for the nearest corner, intending to scout the perimeter. His emotions urged him to run inside, to chase down Elaine before she could do anything to Molly. But his training wouldn’t allow him to rush into a scene without more information. If Molly was in there, his best chance of helping her depended upon him keeping his cool.

  He’d made it only a few steps when the door Elaine had just used burst open with a sound like a shot. A figure stumbled out, blond hair flying as she ran.

  Molly!

  She threw up her arm to shield her eyes from the sun. Max took a step toward her. “Molly!” he cried.

  She flinched at the sound of h
is voice. Without looking at him, she pivoted away from him and tried to run.

  Max caught up to her easily, wrapping his arms around her to keep her from falling on the uneven ground.

  Molly fought like a wild thing, bucking and twisting and scratching at his hands and arms. “Let me go!” she yelled.

  “Molly, it’s me! It’s Max!” He tightened his grip, applying just enough pressure to keep hold of her without hurting her. “It’s Max!”

  She stilled in his arms. “Max?” Her voice sounded small, but oh so hopeful.

  “Yes,” he said, trembling a bit as emotions threatened to overwhelm him. “I’m here, Molly. I’m here.”

  She turned around, blinking as she stared up at his face. When she met his eyes, she burst into tears.

  He held her close as she sobbed against his chest, keeping one eye on the door in case Elaine should emerge.

  “What happened?” He pulled back enough to get a good look at her. Her hair was a tangled mess, her face pale and tear-streaked. But it was the sight of her shirt that made his heart skip a beat.

  Dried blood smeared the front of her belly, horrifyingly dark against the white fabric.

  “Where are you hurt?” He fumbled with the hem of her shirt, trying to pull it over her belly. “Is the baby okay?”

  “I’m okay,” she said. “It’s from my hands.”

  She held them up so he could see her palms. Her skin was crisscrossed with dozens of shallow scratches, most crusted over with scabs but some still oozing blood.

  Relief flooded Max, and he pulled her against him once more. She was fine. The baby was fine.

  He could have stayed like that forever, holding her close, reveling in the fact that she was whole and alive and here. But he couldn’t fully relax until he knew there was no longer a threat to Molly.

  “Where’s Elaine?”

  Molly shuddered. “Inside the office. I hit her on the head with a thermos and ran after she collapsed. I’m not even sure if she’s alive.”