“Mr. Maddox, I really don’t want to kill Skylar. After all, she is my goddaughter. Her life is entirely in your hands.” His waved his hand to indicate the men beside him. “Hank and Tyler have silencers. No one will hear them shoot. She would be dead in an instant and it would be your fault. Now, I suggest you put your gun on the floor as I requested. I’m not known for my patience.”
Two choices and both of them sucked. Shoot one man but the other would no doubt shoot Skye. Or drop the gun and look for a way to take both men out. Not willing to risk Skye’s life, Gabe dropped the gun and kicked it toward Harrington.
Harrington’s smug smile had no effect on Gabe. The man was confident, which meant he would make mistakes. Gabe planned to be ready when that happened.
“So what now?”
Harrington nodded at a large portrait of Margo Harrington hanging on the wall. “My darling wife indulges my need for privacy, so in her honor, I used her portrait in a way I know she would approve.” His gait that of a cocky penguin, Harrington waddled over to the portrait and pressed an edge at the bottom. The wall separated, revealing an opening.
Turning, he gave a small shrug. “My most private of places. On occasion I’ve considered bringing one of my jewels here but was afraid I’d like it too much. Having them that close, at all hours …” His smile was a bit chagrined. “I fear I’m not strong enough to resist that kind of temptation.” He shot a glance behind him and then smiled broadly at Gabe. “And besides that, it’s a bit too closed in and small.”
Gabe already recognized what was coming. Somehow Harrington knew about him. Knew his biggest weakness … his biggest failure. Shit.
Skylar had stayed still and quiet, taking in all the nuances of their situation. But when she saw the room, saw the smug grin on William’s face, she knew exactly where this was headed. And she knew exactly who had told him about Gabe’s illness. Her father.
Once again, the things she’d confided to her father in her grief over Gabe were coming back to haunt her. And for what ever reason, he had given that information to William, providing him an advantage none of them had predicted.
“If you would be so kind, Mr. Maddox, as to enter into my private sanctuary.”
“Like hell,” Gabe growled.
“Possibly. It’s certainly dark, but not nearly as hot.” He looked at his men. “Why don’t we give Mr. Maddox some encouragement?”
Her heart in her throat, Skylar watched as Gabe began to walk slowly toward the opening. He stopped abruptly. Both men raised their guns, now pointing them at him. Gabe held his hands up in an act of surrender and turned to Skylar. He said nothing. He didn’t have to say anything. His look was one filled with promise. He would escape and he would find her.
Unsure if he could read her as well as she could read him, Skylar gave him the words. “I believe in you.”
His answer was a gentle, beautiful smile and a small wink. Then he turned away from her and shouted, “Duck!” He sprang into action, throwing himself at the two men. Both men had lowered their guns slightly when he appeared to be surrendering. Caught off guard, they raised their guns the instant they saw him coming. It was too late; Gabe managed to hit the hands holding the guns. Shots pinged across the study.
On the floor, Skylar stared in horror as Gabe took on the two men. Unable to watch and do nothing, she jumped up and grabbed a lamp from the desk. Yanking the plug from the socket, Skylar swung the heavy brass lamp toward the head of the closest man.
He merely grunted, turned, and swung at her; knocking her to the floor. Only slightly dazed, Skylar jumped back up.
Gabe had managed to knock one man out; the one who had hit her was heading toward Gabe’s back. Skylar screamed, “Watch out!”
Gabe moved so fast, Skylar could barely comprehend his movement. He whirled, his arm and leg hitting the man simultaneously. The man fell backward; Gabe leaped on top of him, wrapping his hands around his neck. The distinctive pop Skylar heard was unmistakable. The man was dead.
She took a running step toward Gabe and then came to an abrupt halt as another man barreled through the door and picked her up.
Gabe growled and sprang toward her. Ping! A bullet barely missed Gabe’s head. He turned to William, who held a gun steadily in his hand. “I suggest you stop right there, Mr. Maddox. As you might guess, among other things I’m very good at, I’m also an excellent marksman.”
The man holding Skylar lowered her feet to the floor, but refused to let her go. She watched helplessly as Gabe’s eyes darted between William and the man who held her.
“You’ll never get away with this, Harrington.”
“They always say that in movies.”
“Because it’s usually true.”
His smile was supremely confident. “Not always, though.”
As if he didn’t care a gun was pointed directly at his heart, Gabe stalked slowly toward William. “I promise … you will not get away with this.”
“Mr. Maddox.” William’s voice sounded a bit less self-assured as Gabe approached him. “I congratulate you on being able to take down two highly trained men. You’re obviously very strong. However, will you be able to save Skylar?”
At William’s words, the man holding her tightened his arms around her chest and squeezed. Bracing herself on to the man’s arms, she used both heels and kicked back at him. He tightened his hold even more. The pressure on her ribs was unbearable … her chest felt as if it would explode. Unable to breathe, Skylar knew she was within seconds of passing out. If he held her any tighter, he would soon be breaking bones.
“Dammit. Stop it.”
Gabe’s furious voice penetrated the roaring in her ears.
“You have the power to stop him, Mr. Maddox. All you have to do is obey my instructions.” William nodded toward the opening in the wall. “If you don’t, Skylar will die and you’ll be responsible.”
Adrenaline still erupting like a volcano, Gabe forced a calm. Skye’s color had returned to normal but the bastard holding her could kill her in an instant. Her fragile bones couldn’t stand up to that kind of pressure.
He tried to reason once more with Harrington. “She’s your goddaughter. You’ve known her since she was a baby.”
“Don’t bother trying to appeal to my emotions, Maddox. I may have a certain fondness for Skylar, but not enough to allow her to ruin everything I have.”
Fighting a helplessness he hadn’t felt in years, Gabe looked at Skye. Though tears filled her eyes and he knew she was in pain, she never said anything. Just stared at him with that amazing faith she seemed to have in him. Damned if he would let her down again.
“How the hell do you—”
William huffed a small laugh. “Mr. Maddox, I know you’re wanting to keep me talking so that fake chauffeur of yours can come in and save the day. I’m afraid he’s been taken care of … and you have no weapon. All I have to do is say one word and Skylar will die. And then I will shoot you.” His smile pure evil, he nodded again to the wall opening. “This way is so much more appropriate. Now, be so kind as to step into the room.”
It was the most difficult move he’d ever had to make as he walked toward the dark entrance of William’s secret room. Despite Harrington’s assertion that he would kill his goddaughter, Gabe was taking the chance that he wouldn’t. His only option right now was to do what he said. Gabe didn’t question why Harrington didn’t just go ahead and shoot him. He was just glad as hell that he didn’t.
He would escape. Skye was wearing the necklace he gave her. Gabe would be able to pinpoint her location and save her. He refused to believe anything else.
Before the door closed, Gabe gave her a promise, this time verbally. “I won’t let you down again, Skye.”
Her smile brightened the encroaching darkness already slithering inside him. And then the door slammed shut, closing him into the smothering black pit and the gut-wrenching terror he swore never to feel again.
twenty-five
Kendra rolled over
on the bed, pretending the drug she’d been fed had taken effect. Since that vile bastard had taken over her care, she’d been fed and clothed like a pampered slave. As long as she performed appropriately, she got everything she wanted. Warm baths, clothing, privacy in the bathroom, and, of course, food. Delicious, plentiful, and, as she’d discovered too late, drugged.
After they’d caught her calling Skylar, they’d filled her with drugs. How long she was out, she had no idea. But when she woke, she was in a different room … a new prison. This one was nicer. The walls were painted a pale peach, she even had a small private bathroom. But she still had no bedclothes; nothing had really changed. Until he came.
How stupid to believe that Skylar had sent him to rescue her. Skylar had sounded concerned; the man she had talked to on the phone, Skylar’s friend, had sounded concerned, too. He had tried to help her, but he couldn’t. No one could help her. She had to help herself.
Once she realized that everything she was given, no matter how small or insignificant-looking, was laced with a small amount of the drug, she’d made provisions. No one knew what she did with the food after she consumed it. The privilege of privacy in the bathroom had afforded an opportunity to purge.
The drugs were still in her system, but not like they believed. She was still groggy and lethargic, but she was also aware. And being aware, she could act as drugged as she wanted.
The things that vile bastard had made her do were fogged and blurred in her mind, but she remembered enough. Enough to know that she would never allow it to happen again. More than anything, she remembered what he had made her watch. The brutal and repeated rapes of three young women. He had made her stay in the room. Listen to their screams, their pain and humiliation … and the disgusting grunts and laughter of the animals who attacked them. And then he’d made her do things with him.
At that time, she’d been helpless and too out of it to do anything but comply. But no more. She was getting clearheaded. Yes, she was weak from lack of nourishment, but she was a damn sight stronger than she had been. And soon, very soon, she would escape, and when she did, she would find those other victims and they would all escape together. This she vowed.
Cole ran to the north entrance, where Gabe and Skylar were to meet him. A few guests were scattered around the large patio, but not the people he was looking for.
He tried his mic again. “Gabe, you there?”
“Cole?”
Relief flooded him. Gabe’s voice sounded muffled and odd, but at least he was alive. “Gabe, you okay? I can barely hear you.”
“What happened?”
“Sorry, got sidetracked by another of Harrington’s goons. Where are you?”
“Can … get … my … room?”
“Yeah … why?”
“Harrington … Skye.”
“Did you say Harrington has Skylar?”
“Yes,” came Gabe’s muffled reply.
“Shit. How’d that happen?”
“GPS. Hidden … duffel.”
Since he could only make out about every third word, Cole went on instinct. Harrington had Skylar. The GPS monitor that could trace her was in Gabe’s duffel bag. How this had happened he’d worry about once he got the monitor.
Gabe not only sounded like he was a thousand miles away, he also sounded breathless and weak. However, Cole knew Gabe’s first priority would be Skylar. Best thing to do was get the monitor and then find Gabe.
Despite his lack of formal clothing, Cole walked with the confidence of a man who knew exactly where he was going. Few people questioned a man his size with a “don’t piss me off” expression. The bruises on his face, along with the rip in his shirt and the speckles of blood on it, most likely gave them pause. A couple of people glanced at him oddly but their eyes flickered away when he shot them a challenging stare.
Taking the stairs three at a time, he rushed to the bedroom suite. He burst through the door, then stopped abruptly. Bureau drawers were hanging open, the closet door was open, and pieces of clothing were scattered about the floor. The room appeared to have been ransacked or as if someone had left in a tremendous hurry. The man standing in the middle of the room holding Gabe’s duffel in one hand and a gun in the other no doubt knew why.
“Who the hell are you?” Cole growled.
His jaw clenched, Gabe ignored the wheezing sounds coming from his lungs. Skye’s life was in danger. Nothing else mattered but that.
Refusing to give in to the agonizing weight pressing against his chest, he continued to search for a way out. Apparently, Harrington used this room for his private stash of porn. Gabe couldn’t see the magazines, but he’d knocked several around as he stumbled in the darkness.
Right after Harrington had closed the door, he had found the light switch. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Most likely it had been dismantled. The bastard had been prepared for this.
“Stupid” and “arrogant” were the least of the insults Gabe hurled at himself as he followed his hands, feeling for some kind of opening. He’d been overconfident of his ability to read Harrington’s mind. Had thought by disabling the cameras in the hallway this afternoon, taking out the three bodyguards, and having Cole as backup, that would have ensured them enough time to find what they needed. He hadn’t expected Harrington to have hired an army.
Damned if Skye would pay the price for his carelessness.
Since it was pitch dark, he could rely only on his sense of touch. Hands in front of him, Gabe crept along the walls, using his fingers to methodically search every square inch. There had to be a release or opening somewhere.
Cole would get the GPS monitor. Once they had that, it should be easy to trace Skye. He hadn’t told Cole about his situation. Wouldn’t do a damn bit of good. Finding Skye had priority over anything else.
Until then, he’d just keep looking. He could hear Cole running, most likely going up the stairs. Five, ten minutes at the most and they could start looking for Skye.
“Who the hell are you?”
Gabe halted his search as he heard Cole ask the question.
“What’s going on?” Gabe growled in Cole’s ear. He didn’t expect an answer. If the man was confronting the enemy, he needed all his wits. However, if he could give an identity, Gabe might be able to shed some light.
“I asked you a question, buddy. That gun you got pointing at me makes me think this isn’t a friendly meeting.”
Gabe closed his eyes. Shit.
“William, don’t do this.”
“Skylar, I’m hurt. You’ve always called me Uncle Bill.”
Her hands on the steering wheel of William’s car, Skylar took her eyes off the road to shoot a killing glare at the man she’d once been so fond of. The man who now held a gun in his lap, pointed directly at her head. “You ceased to be Uncle Bill when I learned you kidnapped and raped innocent women.”
Instead of looking insulted, he appeared to be amused. “Innocent? Oh, my dear, those poor girls haven’t been innocent for years. They’re just doing what they would have eventually done anyway … we just helped them along. With their experience and background, they’re extremely trainable and obedient. And they’ve finally found their place in life.” Something odd flickered in his expression. “And really, isn’t that what life is all about? Finding your place?”
Ignoring his asinine question, Skylar glanced in the rearview mirror. The road was deserted. Not that she would try to attract anyone’s attention. If she did, William might shoot them. She refused to be responsible for another person’s misery. Besides, they were headed in the direction she believed William was holding Kendra. If that was the case, then she would go with him. And she would find Kendra.
And Gabe would find her.
She refused to think how Gabe was suffering. She’d seen the effect of his illness just in a short well-lit elevator ride. But no matter how difficult it was for him, she didn’t doubt that he would escape and find her. Gabe wasn’t invincible, but he was resourceful and as brave as they
came. He would come for her. She knew he would.
In the meantime, she hoped to find out where Kendra was. Would William tell her? It was worth a shot.
“Where are we going?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, my dear. It really isn’t becoming. You saw the deed to my little hideaway. You must know that’s where we’re headed.”
“Is Kendra there?”
“There is a young girl who looks like Kendra. The Kendra you knew no longer exists.”
Grief tore at her; Skylar shoved it back down. No matter what Kendra had gone through, Skylar would make sure she recovered. She would get her the help she needed.
“You’re one sick, fucked-up bastard, aren’t you?”
The back of his hand flew at her face. Skylar screamed and jerked the steering wheel. The car crossed the line, careening toward a car coming at them from the opposite direction.
William caught hold of the wheel, straightened the car out, and said calmly, “Take the wheel, Skylar. If we attract attention, I’ll have to kill someone else. And I really don’t want to have to do that.”
Her jaw and eye stinging, Skylar wrapped her hands around the steering wheel. Swallowing past the pain, she said, “Did you know I was kidnapped, too?”
“Yes, my dear, I knew. But not until your father told me. If it makes you feel any better, the men who took you were severely reprimanded. I would never have had you taken.”
“Gee, that makes me feel so special.”
He ignored her sarcasm and addressed her statement with utmost seriousness. “You are special, Skylar. That’s why I’m so torn. I really don’t want to kill you, but I can’t have you revealing my secrets, now can I?”
“It doesn’t matter what you do with me. You won’t get away with this. The people at LCR know all about you. Even if you get rid of me and Gabe, a hundred more will come after you.”
The hearty laughter surprised her. “You sound so tough, my dear. I don’t think Mr. Maddox has been good for you. It’s not at all becoming. And I’m not concerned about this LCR you think so highly of. There’s no evidence I’m involved in any of this. If there were, you would have already gone to the authorities. Yours and Mr. Maddox’s disappearance will be a small, unsolvable mystery for a while. With your fame, I’m sure there will be television specials … maybe even a movie. Your fame will live on.”
No Chance Page 30
