James’s eyes blazed with fury. “I’ll pay everything I have to get her back, Maddox. More than anything, I need to know that Skylar will be safe. If I just wire the money, with no assurance, I have no leverage.”
Gabe couldn’t argue with him. The man might well be right. Paying the money didn’t necessarily mean these people would return Skye alive.
“Keep your damn money.” He turned to Noah. “I’ll head to New York tonight.”
The older man made a frantic gesture. “You have to be discreet. If they get a hint that I’ve hired you, they could kill her.”
“No one will ever know.”
There was something else in James’s face. Something he didn’t want Gabe to know. He’d been around too many slimy bastards not to recognize the symptoms.
“If you got more information you’re not telling, you’re only risking your daughter’s life.”
Again those faded blue eyes skittered away from Gabe’s direct gaze, but he shook his head and said, “No. There’s nothing else.”
“You’re lying.”
James chewed on his lip. The man was definitely hiding something.
“Tell me.”
“It’s been years since she’s seen you. She’ll be … surprised.”
“Of course she’ll be surprised, she has no idea who I work for. Besides that, we didn’t exactly end things on the very best terms.”
James continued to chew his lip.
“Dammit, spit it out. Skye’s life is on the line here.”
“I just hate to cause her more trauma.” He looked at Noah. “Are you sure there’s no one else?”
“James,” Gabe said softly, “we are not going to do this. You came to LCR for a reason … we’re the best. And I’m going after her. Deal with it.”
His shoulders slumped in defeat. “Bring her back, Maddox. I’ll pay you what ever I—”
Hot blood surged through Gabe and then boiled over. Grabbing the older man by his shoulders, Gabe literally picked him up, carried him across the room, and pressed him hard against the door. “I told you the first time you tried to buy me, I’m not for sale. You try it again and you’ll be talking from your ass for the rest of your life. You got that?”
The minute he saw the weary sadness in the man’s eyes, Gabe regretted his temper. At least in this, Jeremiah James was no different from any other parent who would pay what ever they could to have their child rescued. Just because he’d tried to buy Gabe off years ago didn’t correlate to this situation.
Dropping his hands, Gabe moved away and shot a knowing glance at his boss. “You need to talk.”
McCall’s eyes gave an infinitesimal flicker, acknowledging Gabe’s unspoken question. Yeah, there was definitely more to this. Something his boss didn’t want Skye’s father to know.
Noah turned his black eyes to James. “Go back to your hotel room. I’ll contact you in a couple of hours to give you an update.”
James nodded and turned to go out the door. He stopped suddenly and gave what Gabe could only describe as an apprehensive look. “Don’t be cruel to her, Maddox. She doesn’t deserve it.”
Gabe didn’t have an answer for that. He’d never been cruel to any woman, even the ones who’d betrayed him.
He waited until James left and then turned to McCall. “You know who’s got her?”
Noah’s grim expression shot an electric surge of adrenaline through Gabe.
“How bad?” Gabe asked quietly.
“Bad.” Noah switched the television set back on. “The guy on the left … see the tattoo on his wrist?”
Gabe focused on the man’s wrist, not allowing himself to look at the terrified woman in the chair. If he was going to save Skye, he had to think of her as another victim. Not as someone he’d once loved.
“I see the tattoo. I don’t recognize it, though.”
“Few people have seen it and lived to describe its meaning.”
“Who are these guys?”
“I don’t know the other man. I only know the one with the tattoo. Goes by the name Victor Lymes. He’s been responsible for some of the highest-profile cases in the last few years. He’s a loner … hires his people as he moves around. His MO is different than most. One of the reasons he’s been so hard to catch.”
“Different how?”
“He’s rarely responsible for the actual abduction, but he somehow ends up with the victim and demands the money.”
“He abducts them from the kidnapper?”
“On occasion. Most of the time, he buys them, then asks for more money.”
“So he buys them at a bargain and sells them for a profit.”
“Yeah.”
“So Skye was possibly kidnapped by someone else and then Lymes got hold of her?”
“Either that or he found a way to snatch her himself.”
That information wasn’t the cause of McCall’s grim look.
“There’s something else. What?” Gabe asked.
“He has a reputation of not returning them in good condition.”
“Like what?”
“Beatings. Occasionally rape. Mutilation is his favorite type of torture. He likes to cut off body parts—toes, ears, tongues—and sends them with the ransom note. I was surprised he sent only the note and not something else with it.”
Noah turned his attention back to the frozen horror on the screen. “Another thing that’s different. Still shots of his victims are his usual thing. The video is very unusual for him.”
Gabe nodded. “He knows what he’s got.”
“Yeah. As high profile as Skylar James is, if he just sold the video and did nothing else, he’d still make a bundle.”
“Any idea where he works from?”
“He’s worked all over Europe, but his last few jobs were in South America. Most of his work is underground. That’s how he learns about the abductions. Then he makes a contact. If they won’t sell the victim, he’ll take them by force if he thinks the prize is worth it.”
“How do we know so much about him?”
“We’ve been fortunate to have someone who’s worked with him in the past.”
“Worked?”
“Undercover.”
“Who?”
Noah’s grim look lightened for a second. “I think you call her Ghost.”
“McKenna?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s worked with the bastard?”
Noah nodded. “She’s managed to rescue two victims.”
“How’d she get away with it?”
“That’s something I don’t even bother to ask anymore.”
Gabe looked at the screen again. McKenna was one of the most elusive operatives LCR had. Gabe had worked with her on several cases before he even knew her first name. He still didn’t know her last. Wasn’t sure anyone did other than Noah. Since Gabe had felt the need to call her something, he’d nicknamed her Ghost, mostly because she was a slender wisp of a girl who appeared without warning, did her job, and then disappeared just as quickly. The name had stuck, because now she got called Ghost more times than she was called McKenna.
“Can you get in touch with her?”
Noah shook his head. “No need. She’s already contacted me. She’s hoping to go in this afternoon.”
He stiffened at the news. “She knows where they are?”
“No, but she heard the chatter. Got in touch with Victor on her own … told him she was looking for a job. He’s been impressed with her work before.” Noah jerked his head toward the screen. “These guys are obviously amateurs. He’s going to want someone with experience to handle Skylar till the ransom’s paid. McKenna will go in, make an assessment, and then get back with us.”
Gabe was already shaking his head. No way in hell was he going to just wait around while Skye could very well be being tortured, raped, or worse. “And I’m just supposed to sit on my ass and wait?”
McCall swallowed a snort. “Sitting on your ass and waiting are barely in your vocabulary, m
uch less your skill set. Victor’s last two victims were brought to Brazil to await ransom. Though he hasn’t confirmed it yet, she thinks that’s where he’s got Skylar. McKenna suggested you get to Rio. She’ll find you.”
“I’m assuming, working together, we’re going to get rid of the bastard once and for all.”
McCall shrugged. “That would be best-case scenario. Might not happen this time.”
He wanted the bastard who dared touch Skye dead. “Why the hell not?”
“Victor’s been a busy boy. Around the time of Skylar’s abduction, another one took place. Almost as high profile. Businessman from England … Lucas Kane.”
“The billionaire?”
“Yeah. And a good friend of the prime minister’s son. McKenna thinks Victor was directly responsible for Kane’s abduction. Since she believes Victor’s in Rio, she’s going to work with you on getting Skylar. Then she’ll stay behind and grab Kane.”
“By herself?”
Noah shrugged again, but his darkened expression showed his disapproval. “She’s the only one with the contact, so I’ll allow her some slack. I’m keeping three operatives on standby just in case. Cole’s at loose ends since he lost contact with the doctor he’s tracking. He’ll watch your back until you get Skylar back home.”
Gabe nodded. There was no one he’d rather have watching his back than Cole. He worried about McKenna, though. Her “I can do it by myself” attitude had gotten her in hot water more than once. The woman often acted as if she were a one-person army.
“So once Kane is safe, we’re going in after Victor.”
Noah shook his head. “Your priority has to be Skylar.”
“I know what my priority is, McCall,” Gabe snapped.
“But if you think I’m going to let him get away with what he did, you’re wrong.”
“I don’t expect that. I do, however, expect you to take care of your wife.”
For the first time ever, Gabe saw a bit of censure in his boss’s eyes. He stiffened at the implication of Noah’s words but knew he couldn’t argue. Hell, how many men would stay married but separated from their wives for eight years with no chance of reconciliation? Gabe knew of only one man who could be that stupid. Him.
Hell of a note that just as he decided he could no longer put off their inevitable divorce, Fate would step in. Gabe no longer questioned the cruel little bitch called Fate. When she wanted to grab you by the balls, sometimes it was just best to grit your teeth and take the pain.
And as much as he hated to admit it, Noah’s thoughts mirrored his own. He owed it to Skye to protect and care for her … even if she wanted nothing to do with him.
“Has McKenna tried to get rid of Victor before?”
“Of course … several times. The guy’s shrewd and damn dangerous. McKenna’s one of the few who’s worked with him more than once and lived to tell about it.”
“How’d she survive?”
Sadness flickered on his face. “I’m not sure she did.”
Gabe didn’t bother to ask him what he meant. Most of the time, LCR operatives could escape the worst of the effects of their chosen profession by remembering the good they’d done. Rescuing victims was a high like none other. But occasionally, when an op went bad or the operative had to go too deep for too long, the aftereffects could be devastating.
McKenna had a reputation of going deeper than just about any other operative LCR employed. She’d seen too much and sometimes that took everything you had left.
“I’ll head to Rio tonight.”
“I’ll have a jet waiting for you.”
He ignored the flash of compassion on his boss’s face. Not many knew about his difficulty with enclosed places. Which was a good thing. When people were depending on you to save their lives, learning that your protector could almost disintegrate under certain conditions didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Noah placed a hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “Sorry I couldn’t warn you ahead of time. I needed to see James’s reaction.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. It would have given me too much time to think about the things I wanted to say to him. Focusing on saving Skye is the most important thing. My antipathy for the man can’t come into play.”
“Be safe, Gabe. Check in when you can.”
Gabe turned and stalked out the door. Acid churned in his gut. He had less than ten hours to prepare. He didn’t bother castigating himself for his weakness. After living with it for so long, it was just something he dealt with. However, knowing that Skye’s life depended upon him dealing with his problem without the slightest impact on the operation gave him extra incentive. He might no longer love her, but she was still his wife. He would do what ever he had to do to make sure Skye was set free.
And then, he’d set both of them free.
six
Kendra swallowed the sob building inside her. They were on water now. Though her head was covered with some kind of hood, making it impossible to see anything, she recognized the dip and surge. At some point, while she was unconscious, they’d taken her even farther from home.
Oh God, they had Skylar, too. She’d been in the next room, tied up and gagged, and heard them boasting about getting someone so famous. Had heard the things they said and did to Skylar. Had listened to them beating her and Skylar’s screams of pain and rage. And she’d been unable to do anything but lie there and weep for her.
And then, like a piece of property or an animal, they’d sold Skylar. They’d been laughing, bragging about what they were going to do with their extra money, as they carried her limp body out the door. They’d passed by where Kendra could see them. One of them—Joey—had grinned and winked at her.
Someone had bought Skylar? Why? What would they do with her?
Her friend, her only true friend, had no doubt come looking for her and had been taken, too.
Tears filled Kendra’s gritty eyes and poured down her face. It was all her fault. If she hadn’t had this stupid, blind ambition to be rich and famous, this never would have happened. And now, not only was she probably going to be raped and killed, the same thing might happen to Skylar.
Kendra sniffed and tried to wipe her face on her shoulder. Her hands were tied behind her back, so she couldn’t use them. Where were they taking her? Her life since she’d been taken had become a daily regimen of terror. They hadn’t raped her, hadn’t even physically hurt her except for giving her some kind of drug that knocked her out every few hours. No one would tell her why, or what their plans were.
Did anyone know she was missing? Did anyone even care?
Skylar! No one but Skylar would care about Kendra. Everyone else had given up on her. But people, lots of wealthy, important people, cared about Skylar. In her email to Skylar, she had promised to call her as soon as she returned from her interview. Would Skylar have shared that information with anyone?
A harsh sob escaped her. Then she heard a sound. One she suddenly realized had been in the background and she hadn’t comprehended its meaning. Someone else was crying. She heard whispering and talking. Were there other girls like her? Or was she wrong … was Skylar here, too?
“Skylar?” Kendra said.
She heard a few sniffles but Skylar didn’t answer.
“Who’s there?” Kendra asked.
“My name is Lacey … what’s yours?”
“Kendra.” She paused for a second and then said, “Are there more of us?”
“I think so … I just woke up.”
Kendra took a breath and called out as loudly as her dry throat would allow, “Okay, one by one, can you say your name?”
Slowly and haltingly at first, and then more quickly and firmly, as if each girl gained confidence by realizing she wasn’t alone, each one said her name. When there were several seconds after the last name was said, Kendra figured all girls had identified themselves. And then a revolting chill swept through her. Seven girls, including Kendra, were on the boat. Dear God, what were these bastards planning?
A frightened young voice interrupted her terror. “Can anyone see anything?”
A chorus of no’s followed.
Kendra closed her eyes and took several long breaths, forcing her careening thoughts to calm down. From the sound of the other girls’ voices, they were all very young … maybe late teens. Kendra knew she might well be the oldest of them. That meant she needed to be their protector. Was she up to the job? Weariness washed over her. She’d never had to fend for herself; how could she be expected to protect anyone else?
A soft voice that sounded a lot like Skylar’s whispered inside her head. It told her she was stronger than she gave herself credit for. And that it was time to take charge of her life. Something unfamiliar sprouted, bloomed, and then settled inside her. If Skylar were here, she would take charge and show these bastards they couldn’t treat people this way. Since Skylar wasn’t here, it was up to Kendra.
She had to help these young girls escape and then she needed to figure out a way to save Skylar, too. She would do what she had to do. Skylar would expect that of her. And, no matter what she’d been told most of her life, it was what she should expect out of herself.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
“Get your hands off of me!”
Mean, sherry-brown eyes glinted in amusement as he rapped out an order to the woman behind him: “Put her on the bed. Untie her, then cuff her to the bed rail. I think I’ll take a few … more-graphic photos of our famous captive, to convince her father just how serious I am.” His smile grew wider. “In fact, I bet I could make a little extra by selling some of those pictures.” A slimy gaze slithered over her body. “Lots of people would love to see what’s beneath all those expensive clothes.”
Hands shoved Skylar toward the filthy-looking cot. “Do what he says … get on the bed.”
Her hands tied at her back, Skylar whirled and tried to butt heads with the woman. Her cold, expressionless face never changed as she easily pushed Skylar away.
“You’re going to pay for this.” Skylar didn’t care that she had been reduced to throwing out cheap threats that sounded like she was in a cheesy late-night TV movie. She meant them. These people would pay for everything they’d done. She would make sure of it.
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