by Crystal Dawn
Once they got back to the house, the four of them sat there eating and messing with the equipment to get eyes in the clinic. They had to see what they were dealing with before they attempted anything. Going in blind could be a disaster. Finally, Dione got the cameras online and there were signs that Ritzy was in the clinic. The sound was on too, as the guards discussed their prisoner.
“I don’t know why the bitch can’t just stay in the cell so we don’t have to babysit like this,” a grumpy guy with a beer belly muttered.
“Dale, you know they want to keep her healthy. They got plans for her if they can’t trade her for the other one that they want back,” a rail thin short guy stated.
“Yeah, yeah, that doctor I never heard of who calls all the shots,” Grumpy mumbled.
“Like you’d know a genetic specialist if they bit you,” Shorty said.
“You think you’re so smart.”
“Smarter than you. I got you a job when you couldn’t find none.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah! I’ll never hear the end of it either.”
They stopped talking and Shorty went over to a table to get himself a plate of food and a drink while Grumpy kept nodding off. Grumpy almost fell off his chair when someone pounded on the door he was guarding.
“Quiet, Bitch! You don’t want us to open this door. I owe you one for that punch you gave me,” Grumpy yelled. Good, she’d made them pay at least a little bit.
“What about me? Bitch kicked me in the balls so hard I may never have children.”
“I’m not sure the world was ready for you to have kids anyway,” Grumpy said with a laugh.
“Anyone ever tell you your sense of humor is inappropriate?”
“Only you,” he answered with another laugh.
“As entertaining as these two are, we’re not getting any closer to freeing Ritzy,” Plutus observed. “Any suggestions?”
“We bypass all the alarms and just go in, kick some ass, grab the girl, and run to the airport. Job done, everyone’s happy but Origin,” Zelus said.
“Quick and easy,” Adonis agreed.
“They don’t seem to have any extra security and those dunces shouldn’t be too hard to take out,” Dione added.
“Should we wait for dark?” Plutus wondered.
“A good idea since they are in town. We don’t need the local law involved,” Dione agreed.
“A couple hours then, to either rest or take care of any last minute necessities,” Plutus observed. They all nodded, it would soon be time to act. “We’ll take turns monitoring the situation until it’s time to go. I’ll take the first forty minutes.”
“I’ll go next.” Dione offered.
“I’ll go last.” Adonis said.
“That leaves you after Dione, Zelus.”
“Okay. I’m going to catch some sleep now.” Zelus said and headed upstairs. There were just enough beds for all of them so no one would have to take the couch.
Plutus settled in watching the screen and making the calls needed to see everything would fall into place. It was impressive the way she waited and then she would bang on the door. Grumpy got upset every time. He did get upset when they threatened her but the threats were empty. They had been told to keep her safe and sound and they were too scared of their bosses not to.
Plutus watched the screen so closely, he almost jumped out of his chair when Dione touched his shoulder. “I’m here now. Try to get some sleep, you need to be clear headed.”
“Sure, I’ll give it my best shot.”
“First room at the top of the stairs.” Dione directed.
Once he hit the top of the stairs, he entered the first room. It looked like a teenage girl’s room with posters on the wall of boy bands. It must have been Mitzy’s or Ritzy’s room when they were growing up. He dropped onto the bed and even though he was sure he wouldn’t sleep, he did.
Chapter 2
Coming Home
If there was anything, anything at all, that could’ve gone wrong, it had. First, she had hell getting a flight. Usually a few days, this time it had been over a week. When she did get one, it was the most circuitous one she had ever heard of. Not only that, but she had a layover. A fucking layover! It was free, so what could she say, but thank you and get in line? She’d had the layover and they’d bumped her off her seat, making it take two more days to finally get on the flight to the US. Once she’d landed at the airport, one of her bags had been lost.
Ritzy didn’t think she’d ever see it again. Half of what she owned was in that bag. There’d been no one to pick her up, so she’d had to rent a car to get home. The only car left had been one she was sure no one in their right mind would take, but they’d given her a discount and offered to pick it up. She hoped they had, because she’d been in no position to take it back. Once she’d driven home, she was finally beginning to feel better and like things would work out after all. That was until she’d was actually home, no one was there, and she realized she didn’t have a key. It was in the missing bag.
Well, all righty! She went to the kitchen window that she had broken into often in the past, because she seemed to be losing her keys a lot when she was young. Ritzy hadn’t expected to be set upon by two big apes, but she would have probably escaped them, it was the third guy, a walking mountain, who grabbed her, and nothing she did would get her loose. She’d kicked one guy in the balls and he was on the ground crying for his mama, the other guy was trying to get his nose to stop bleeding, but this guy, nothing hurt him. Off he dragged her, and jumped in a van with his arms locked around her. If she moved, he squeezed, until she couldn’t breathe.
She finally had no choice, but to relax and let them take her. They took her to that clinic where her sister worked, but she couldn’t figure out what they wanted with her. Did they have her sister and Paige too? The woman was glad when she found out they didn’t, but she wasn’t sure what was going on here. What in the hell had her sister gotten involved in? Had Mitzy been working for criminals? Even more importantly, had she known? There were no answers to be found here and even if her guards knew, she would never trust them to tell her honestly.
Just to be difficult, every once in a while she banged on the door to disturb them. It didn’t seem to bother one of them, but the other guy always hollered back his voice drowning in frustration. One for the home team, she feared it was all the consolation she would get. Too frightened to sleep, hungry, but knowing better than to ask, and worried half to death for her sister and niece, Ritzy had no options at all. She was in a room with no windows, no vents or other access she could escape from, and only one door that was under guard. She thought two guys were all that were guarding her, but the building was big and others could be inside too.
Even if she got out the door, the outer doors were electronically locked down so she was stuck in the building. Stuck, that was the word that described the whole situation. She could expect no help and had no way of letting anyone know she was a captive here. No one knew she had finally made it home, and besides her sister and niece, no one would care. They had everything covered and there was no hope for her at all. Ritzy sank down on the floor, because the bed stank, making her wonder who had been it in, and what they’d done there. The former soldier leaned against the wall and fought the tears that threatened to come, she was beyond believing there was any way out of this.
Relaxing, she thought back to everything that had led up to this, Grandma had been sick, too sick to hang on much longer, so instead of continuing with the military, Ritzy had gotten a discharge to come home, and spend time with her before she died. Nothing had gone right and delay after delay had happened and Grandma had just given up, unwilling or unable to hang on any longer. She hadn’t even made it in time for the funeral, because she couldn’t get a flight back. Mitzy had had to handle everything in her fragile state, but Paige had stepped up giving her mom someone to lean on and she was thankful for the little imp. The girl had too much responsibility dumped on her for her young age.
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Now she was finally here and once again it seemed she was too late. Mitzy and Paige were nowhere to be seen and these goons had just grabbed her, bold as you please in broad daylight, with no one knowing and probably not caring had they known. It made her even more concerned for her family. She didn’t know how long she had been kept here. There was no way really to tell the passing of time since she didn’t have a watch on, it was just one more thing in her lost bag. The woman didn’t like to wear a watch when she traveled, because there was no way to speed things up and all she did was look at it and time passed more slowly. Now she wished she had a watch to look at.
Ritzy checked her pockets and all she had was some loose change and a pack of gum. Chewing gum was her bad habit. It annoyed her sister when she chomped on it and made loud noises. Once she’d realized that, she’d been very loud and very bad. That’s what sisters were for, to annoy the hell out of you, wasn’t it? That and to look out for you. She’d not been a very good sister from the look of things, but if she had another chance, she’d be better. Sending up a prayer to the powers that be, she held out little hope that it would be answered.
Time passed with nothing to distract her, except the occasional talking on the other side of the door and an odd sound here and there. It was surprising when she heard a loud crash followed by screaming and moaning just on the other side of her door. She didn’t think it was the sounds of sex, but it could be hard to tell the difference sometimes. It was sex or a hellacious battle going on. Whatever it was, it was now concluded. Ritzy heard the door knob rattle and she wasn’t sure if they were friend or foe, but with no place to hide and the certainty her current hosts didn’t have her best interests at heart, she hoped she was right in assuming there was nowhere to go, but into a better situation.
The door swung open with a bang as it hit the wall and she flinched. Her mouth dropped open as a gorgeous guy with the most unbelievable green glowing eyes stepped into the room. His wavy brown hair conservatively short and he was tall, well over six foot. He was lean, but evidence of hard muscles was visible on his arms. She swallowed so she wouldn’t embarrass herself by drooling and she fervently hoped he was one of the good guys. He approached her and held out his hand to help her up.
“We’ve got to get the hell out of here fast,” he said in a low sexy voice. She was ready to follow this hottie anywhere.
She grabbed his hand and she felt a tingle run up her arm. Holy cow that was a new experience for her. Ritzy desperately wanted to know his name and who he was, but she understood the need for speed under the circumstances. Explanations would come later, once they were safe.
“You’ll get no complaints from me.” She softly agreed. He led her out of the room where another guy was waiting for them.
“Plutus, we better blow this joint,” he said.
“We’re right behind you, Zelus,” he replied.
The other guy was equally striking, but she felt nothing except admiration. Her attention and interest was all for the guy standing next to her. She followed them down the hall and to the main door that now stood open. These guys had some high tech abilities to get those doors open. They moved quickly to an SUV that pulled up to meet them. Ritzy didn’t see the driver, but her hero pulled her into the back seat with him, while the other guy rode shot gun.
“Get us the hell out of here, Adonis,” he growled.
“With pleasure, Plutus,” he replied as he stepped on the gas so hard they all fell back in their seats.
She was glad to see the last of that place. They took her to her home of all places where another guy met them in the driveway. The guy riding shot gun got out and they loaded stuff up before they both hopped in and the driver peeled out as he gunned it in reverse to back out. Once on the road he popped it into drive and peeled out again. Ritzy figured this was a rental, and realized it was no wonder they always looked rough when she rented one. She wouldn’t complain, she was just glad to get the hell out of there.
An unremarkable SUV seemed to be following them and the driver kept looking behind them. “Origin?” Her hero asked.
“I’m not sure, but I’d feel better if we lost them before heading on.” Adonis answered.
“Do your worst.” Plutus replied. “Hang on Sweetheart.” He whispered in her ear.
Seconds later she was glad she’d listened to him as the driver took them off road. It was a corn field so at least there were no hidden dangers in it. They went all the way across the field and to another road which he turned on. He made a series of fast turns until he seemed satisfied no one was behind them any longer.
“Good job.” One of the other guys remarked.
“We’re going to the airport where a plane is waiting. We’ll take you to your sister and Paige. They’re very worried about you. By the way, my name is Plutus,” he said with a soft smile as he turned to her.
She just wanted to sink into him, since he had her laying across his lap as he held her. Ritzy couldn’t allow herself that luxury with her family’s safety at stake. “Where are they?” she asked hesitantly. The soldier was aware of the fact that she had no way of knowing if they told the truth or not, but there was something about this sexy man that she wanted to trust.
“She’s not going to believe you,” the driver observed.
“She might,” the guy next to them said.
“I’m a god,” he began.
“Hey, I’ll admit you’re handsome, but a god? Get over yourself already!” she quipped. Of all the conceited, arrogant comments.
“We’re all gods from Olympus,” he explained.
“Oh, so you’re Greek or is it Roman gods?” she asked sarcastically.
“Greek, but we are the recently freed gods that were bred by Origin,” he continued.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” she muttered. She saw that he looked serious and she tried to remember what she’d heard about those gods. It wasn’t much since they were for the most part unbelievably private. Their location in the middle of a hostile environment that could be deadly in no time, helped them keep things that way. They did refer to it as Olympus.
“I would not prank you,” he declared with the most serious look on his face.
He was the easiest person to believe she had ever met. She tried to grab hold of her brain and not be influenced by the odd effect he seemed to have on her. The woman just wanted to melt in his arms and do all kinds of naughty things. What the hell was that about? Ritzy never went crazy over men, never! Here she was, at a time when she should be the most logical, thinking with her hormones instead of being rational.
Chapter 3
Ritzy
He looked at the female so much like his brother’s mate, but this one’s pull was even stronger. If they were alone he’d lay her back in the seat and do all kinds of delicious things to her. Damn, he was hard as a rock and he was sure she could feel it. Way to keep a female calm, what a dummy he was. She didn’t seem to mind so maybe all wasn’t lost. The female seemed to be thinking over what he’d told her so at least she was willing to consider what he’d said.
Plutus thought back to when they had freed her. He had been terrified that they would get to her too late to save her from abuse. Apparently, they’d considered her important as leverage to gain something else. They had listened to the two idiots discussing what they knew and he was certain if they hadn’t been ordered not to, they would have abused her in some awful way. The god hadn’t breathed properly or been able to calm down, until he’d kicked in the door and held out his hand to her. He’d been thrilled that she trusted him enough to take it and he’d felt overwhelmed with need, all for her.
It was like she’d cast a spell on him and he understood even better now, how his brother had felt. Something that strong couldn’t be put aside. She would be his and no one had better bother her. He recognized that he wasn’t completely sane where she was concerned. They made it to the airport with no signs of pursuit. As they loaded the plane, a larger one, thanks to Cherish
, he helped her into it. Plutus sat next to her, while she seemed to continue to mull over her situation, but at some point she relaxed and he realized she had fallen asleep. Now he rearranged them on their seats, so she could lean on him and he could hold her. Nothing had ever felt so right in his life. Her sweet scent wrapped around him like he wished her body would.
The trip went smoothly as the female leaning on him slept peacefully all the way. He hoped his presence was what gave her the ability to sleep so deeply. Plutus wanted and needed her to trust him in that way. By the time they landed, he had dozed off himself, but he jerked awake as the wheels hit the runway the first time. He looked around and everyone else seemed to be waking too. They would spend the night here in D.C. before going the rest of the way on a rented plane. A much larger one, because they would haul cargo too. Cherish was nothing if not frugal and efficient.
“Come on, Sweetheart, wake up,” he whispered as he gently shook her. It was a shame he had to wake her, but she’d be more comfortable where they were staying.
Her eyes opened in confusion for a moment, before she realized where she was and who she was with. “I guess we’re at our stop for the night?” she asked.
He smiled at her. “Yes, we’ll stay here tonight and we’ll have the long portion of our trip tomorrow.” She just nodded, he led her off the plane, and to the shuttle from the hotel they would stay at. Cherish had pulled some strings to have pick the shuttle pick them up. No need to rent anything, since they were just staying the night. It was more for comfort, since the next part of their trip was a long one, but it also allowed them to call in to both give and get information from home. The plane would be waiting in the morning and Cherish had all the details worked out.
