by F. G. Adams
Fuck me.
A scuffle out front by an unknown attendee pulls me away. Keagan needs a confirmed identification of the person being held in the atrium. Lukas to the rescue.
“Is that permeant, or you jus’ tryin’ it on for size,” Keagan’s request jars my wondering thoughts.
“What the fuck are you talking about, boss?” I’m testy from the extra adrenaline coursing through my system.
“You look like ya want to kill somethin’ or someone,” he continues the reprimand.
Throwing my hands up in the air, I whip back, “Whatever. I should be with Sage, K. No one else can protect her like I can. You understand?”
“I hear ya, Luc. And you’re wrong. Pull your head outta your ass and do your job. You can’t help anyone if you’re skulkin’ around.” Keagan’s demand grounds me.
My face reddens, and I grind my teeth, but I force a smile. I nod tightly, holding back my next insult.
“Got it. What do you need?” I ask and proceed to gather the information required.
Thirty minutes later, I pass under the arched doorway and reenter the ballroom. The decorations in the room communicate the richness of the guests within it. Gambling tables strategically placed in the middle and slot machines line the outside perimeter.
I scan the area, in search of Sage, and come up empty. The obnoxious voice of Nicholas grates down my spine, like fingernails on a chalkboard. I follow the sound. As I stroll over to the semicircle group of men, my hackles flare up. Blood pressure rises with each pass of my eyes around the area. Sage is nowhere in sight.
I make a beeline for Nick. Yanking his arm, I move him out of the earshot of the other moneymakers.
I apply pressure with my thumb to the radial nerve; my tone is menacing. “Where the fuck is Sage, Nick? I left her with you. In your care! Where is she?”
“I…uh…she had to go to the ladies’ room, Lukas. She hasn’t been gone long. Or I don’t think she has,” Nicholas replies, squirming in my grip, scared and shaken.
Nicholas pulls his free hand up to his head and rubs across his forehead. His eyes briefly fall shut and then fly open. His pupils are dilated.
“Holy shit, Lukas. Something’s wrong. I can’t seem to remember the last few minutes. I feel like a hammer is pounding around in my skull. Where is Sage?”
“You’d better hope I find her, Nick,” I growl and turn him loose.
Nicholas stumbles back, confusion in his expression.
“Talk to me, Moose. Where is she?”
“Bathroom, she went in about fifteen minutes ago. Back corner, follow the corridor signs.”
“On my way. Keagan, someone needs to check on Nicholas. He’s exhibiting symptoms of being drugged,” I speak low into the com.
“Shannon is making his way to him as we speak,” Keagan confirms.
“I’ve got a bad feeling, K. Something’s off. And why the fuck wasn’t someone watching her closer?” My irritability is coming through loud and clear.
The steam is rolling off me in droves as I wipe my brow from the sweat. I roll my shoulders in hopes of alleviating some of the tension as my feet carry me closer to the bathroom where Sage was last seen. I all but sprint, and my nub attached to the prosthetic aches from being pushed so hard.
The women’s bathroom comes into view, and I knock on the door.
“Coming in,” I yell.
Pushing the door open, I enter the room. Three women are standing at the mirror, applying lipstick, stopping when I round the corner. Flushes echo in the background.
“What are you doing in here? Get out,” one of the women demands.
“No can do, ma’am. We have a gas leak in here. Everyone needs to exit quickly,” I inform in a placid tone.
The women gawk at me, not moving a muscle. Fucking rich bitches.
“I said, MOVE!” I shout. “Clear out. This area is closed.”
Like an ant pile that’s been stepped on, the women scatter and escape the bathroom, or me. My jaw aches, stiff and sore from grinding my teeth and locking up.
Where is Sage?
“Sage. Get your ass out here now, babe,” my order echoes in the area.
I wait for a response. Checking for feet underneath every stall, I come up short. I proceed to push each door open. In the last stall on the end, I stop short. My breath leaves my body as I fall to my knees.
“NO!”
In the corner on the floor is the clutch Sage carried with her tonight. Opened and the contents spilled out onto the marble.
Minutes later, the bathroom is bombarded with testosterone. Keagan approaches as I stand up. Using what’s left of my strength, I grip Keagan’s lapel and shove him up against the wall. His big head collides with the marble.
“This is all your fault!” I scream in his face. I’m feral. “If you hadn’t pulled me away…”
Keagan holds very still, not moving a muscle, a nondescript look on his staunch face, and it irks me even more.
“Do you know what you’ve done?” I shout and pull back my fist, ready to punch.
“Back it down, Luc. You know that’s not true,” Oliver interrupts the tirade. He places one hand on my shoulder, and the other grasps hold of my bicep. “Let him fuckin’ go, brother. You don’t want to do this. Keagan was doin’ what we were all here to do, our job. It’s no one’s fault. True?”
My chin falls to my chest and my breathing is difficult. The ringing in my ears overshadows the burning deep inside.
“This affects us all, Lukas. We’re in this together. Family, remember? You’ve got to clear your head. But we have to move, now,” Oliver penetrates the rage haze.
“The bracelet,” I sigh, releasing Keagan to retrieve my phone.
“What are you talkin’ ‘bout, Luc?” Keagan asks.
I ignore him and pull up the tracer app.
“Bingo! I’ve got her.” The relief in my voice tangible.
“Clocks tickin’, Jolly Green. Tell us what you’ve got,” Oliver asks.
“It’s the bracelet I gave her to wear tonight. Mac and I added a tracer in the metal hidden by the diamonds and rubies. A prototype we’ve been working on. It’s untraceable on a scan but continually sends out a signal with coordinates. It’s genius,” I brag, relieved that I can find her.
“Sweet. So, where is she?” Oliver questions further as Keagan moves into view.
“It’s pulling up now, ten more seconds.” I target Keagan’s gaze. Worry creases his blood-red slick-head. And guilt ensues. “Not going to apologize, K. But I get it. Not your fault, dick-face.”
Keagan nods, a quietness circles us, and nothing more needs to be said.
“Here she is. What the fuck is this?”
As we gather around the device and watch the blip on the screen in real time, it travels fast. Moving at speeds which couldn’t be a vehicle.
“Mac. You there?” I request into the com-link.
“Right here,” Mac answers.
“Are you seeing this?”
“Affirmative. I’ve calculated the speeds, and she’s either moving in a chopper or a plane.”
“Fuck! Okay, check all flight plans. Hack into the airways, find out how she’s moving so fast,” I order Mac.
“Need a trajectory, Paul. Stat,” Keagan adds to my instruction.
“Give me five,” MacGyver shares.
“K, Luc. Come take a look at this,” Oliver calls us over to the stall, where Sage’s purse still remains on the floor.
He points up to the ceiling, and at first, I don’t see anything out of place.
“Hang on,” he adds.
Oliver steps up onto the toilet seat, reaching for the ceiling tile. In that instant, I notice the slight variation of the grooved partition. If you weren’t looking for it, you wouldn’t recognize the difference.
“I need a light,” Oliver says and reaches out a hand behind him.
Keagan hands Ollie a flashlight. The next thing he finds will haunt me forever. A small piece of red sequined
fabric stuck to a jagged edge hidden behind the ceiling tile.
My world turns on its axis, spinning ruthlessly with no stop in sight. I grip my chest and attempt to swallow the lump in my throat.
“I believe we just found out how they got her outta here without detection,” Keagan voices his concerns.
“Lukas?” Mac’s voice sings in my ear.
“Tell us what you got, Paul,” Keagan answers.
I’m thankful.
“An unauthorized chopper took off from the roof of the Plaza Hotel approximately thirty minutes ago. I pin pointed the trajectory. On the current course and speed, they’ll be in Jacksonville in about an hour and a half.”
“Holy shit! Jacksonville. Do you know what this means?” The information is on the tip of my tongue.
“Mustaf,” we all chant at the same time.
“Move your asses, fuck-wads,” Keagan hollers over his shoulder as he exits the bathroom.
We maneuver through the back of the hotel, where Shannon awaits with the car to take us to the airport. Avoiding the unknowing crowd in the ballroom.
“Don’t worry, boo. We’ve got this. Just make sure you’re safe. Stay with Moose and Cal. I’ll be home soon.” Worry trickles out as Keagan talks to Jocelyn over the phone.
“Stay with the guys, Vixen. I need you to be safe,” Oliver chats with Fallyn.
The mood is bleak as we arrive at the airport. Mac called again, this time with an update on the private yacht anchored off the shoreline, maintaining position in international waters. The drones confirmed the whereabouts. Word is, it’s Mustaf.
We worked out the details of what’s required in the course of the next forty-eight hours. Rescuing Sage is top priority, but now we have the chance to take down the monster who left us for dead in Afghanistan. The monster who destroyed my life.
20
Sage
I’m somewhere between giving up and seeing how much more I can handle. I woke sometime before the helicopter landed on the monstrous yacht. It’s a freaking floating palace. The men accompanying me were dressed in combat gear and carrying heavy ammunition. Whoever it is I’ve been taken by is filthy rich and paranoid as hell. Every ten feet, there’s a soldier posted as I’m escorted to my holding cell, or in this case, a luxurious stateroom without a view on the lower deck, two flights down.
I was shoved into this room, where the lock was on the outside. I pounded on the door until both fists were badly bruised and caked with dried blood where the skin split open. It’s been hours, possibly? Who knows. Why am I here? I want to go home. I need my Hulk to hold me and reassure me everything is going to turn out okay.
Damn it. Where’s Lukas? Oh, God! Is he hurt? Somewhere deep inside of me recognizes he would have to be for me to be here. This is all my fault. I knew things would go south after I had that nightmare. It was too real to ignore. Déjà vu. Been there, done it, got the ticket, and all that jazz, isn’t cutting it at the moment.
Thankfully, the migraine I was suffering from earlier has receded some, but the lingering effects of the drug used on me to knock me out and the rocking motion of the yacht are causing me to wish for anti-nausea medication.
Lukas will come for me. I know he will. Nothing will stand between him finding me as long as he’s not hurt and in the hospital.
How did they get me past all the security? The only Trident Security team members I could find in the crowd were Moose and Beauty, but I’m positive there were others there. Lukas ensured me they were all on alert and contingency plans were in place. Whatever the hell that means.
There is a slight chill in the salty air, and fatigue has settled deep into my bones. I’m so tired but scared to death to close my eyes. Too many unanswered questions. There’s a fully stocked bar with some cheese and fruit. I’m hungry and the food is enticing me. I want a shower and a change of clothes. I can prop a chair against the bathroom door for privacy. The hot water will help.
I drag the heavy desk chair into the tiny bathroom and prop it against the door. I found a pair of women’s shorts and a tank top in the dresser drawers. No underwear, but I haven’t been wearing any, so not much difference there. I turn the faucet on high, and hot water rains down. Adjusting the temperature, I unbuckle the clasp at the nape of my neck and release it. It pools at the bottom of my feet. I don’t remove my jewelry. The room fills with steam, helping to relieve some of the pressure in my throbbing temples. I step into the shower and quickly rinse off the grime.
When I’m finished, I towel off and hurry to put the clean clothes on. I don’t want to be caught with my pants down, or in this case, shorts.
I release the chair from the door and pull it back to the desk. I check out the bottled water and decide to give it a try. I’m parched from the medicine and the drug. I twist the bottle open and take a large gulp. The sounds up above filter to the cabin below. There is an incoming helicopter arriving. I might get some answers soon, or not.
Voices carry and heavy footsteps stop outside the door. I gulp trying to hide my fear over the impending meeting with the unknown kidnapper. The lock slides and the door swings open. A large-framed soldier enters into the room carrying a tray. He sits it down on the cherry-wood table and pivots to leave.
I finally find my tongue. “Stop. Wait. Please. Tell me why I’m here. Why did you bring me here?”
His step doesn’t falter. He leaves the room, shutting the door, and the lock slides into place. I move toward the table, curious as to what he dropped off and left. I lift the first circular round top, and a plate of food is revealed. The intoxicating aroma of baked fish and vegetables inundates my senses, causing my tummy to rumble with hunger. I replace the lid and reach for the next one, revealing a handwritten note.
The food is for your nourishment and health. Please eat it with my compliments. Relax and rest, and we will conduct our business soon.
Things just got a whole lot interesting. Do I dare? I need to keep my strength up if I’m going to find a way to escape. In a nanosecond, the decision is made. I grab the fork and lift a flaky bite of the sea bass to my lips. It’s succulent. I’m ravenous and scarf down the entire plate. When I’m done, I return to the couch to wait.
Lukas is out there searching for me. I believe it with all my heart. When I see him, I’m going to tell him exactly how I feel. I’m going to quit playing and grow up. I’m tired of the loneliness and emptiness inside. He makes me feel alive. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. It doesn’t matter if it’s only one more day; I want that day to be with him. I need him to be in my life. To share in my happiness and sorrows. He’s the one. He’s my Jolly Green Hulk.
I prop my head on my bent arm, lying sideways on the couch, and stretch my legs out. I’m so tired, but I fight to stay awake. My thoughts drift to Lukas and finding a way out of here. My eyelids begin to get heavy. I keep blinking, attempting to keep them open. It’s no use. Before I know what’s happening, I’ve drifted off to sleep.
Hours or minutes later, who knows, I have no way to tell. With no outside light, I have no indication as to whether it’s day or night. I yawn and extend my limbs, releasing pent-up air. I glance around the room and automatically notice the missing food tray. Someone entered the room while I was asleep and removed it. Uneasiness seeps into my consciousness. I need to get out of here. I do a self-check and find nothing out of the ordinary. The clothes I put on before are wrinkled, and there isn’t any wetness or soreness between my thighs.
What game is he playing? There I go again, assuming the kidnapper is a man. What if it’s a woman? At this point, nothing would surprise me. The evening should have ended with Lukas and me at home in bed together. Not separated by God knows how many miles of water and land. What do they want with me?
The waiting game is beginning to drive me up one wall and down the other. I have no way to judge how much time has passed, and twirling my thumbs has gotten old. I’m used to working from the time I wake up until sleep claims me. ‘Idle hands are the devil�
��s workshop’ is something my Grandma pounded into me growing up.
Tapping my feet to a beat in my head, I throw down an outdated magazine. I read the few lying around front to back. The stateroom walls are starting to shrink, and I am in desperate need of fresh air and a little sunshine. My thoughts keep returning to Lukas and my foolish stubborn pride. Years of being by myself because I believed any relationship I had would be like my parents’. He’s helped me so much. I am nothing like them. I am Sage Blackwood, a passionate woman with the capacity to love and cherish the man I love.
I finally had opened my feelings towards him, allowing myself to bond with the man driving me wild with desire for long-ago wishes. The childhood dreams of the perfect husband and little feet running around a home filled with love and happiness within my grasp. If I make it out this situation alive, he’s going to know exactly how I feel. Stubbornness be damned. I want Lukas to know I love him and he is the most important person in my life.
A noise outside the door alerts me to the sliding lock. The door opens, and I can barely contain the fury pumping through my veins when the culprit walks into the room.
“What the hell? Malik?” I abruptly stand, peering around his large frame for an escape route or possible help.
He slams the door and strolls in as if he owns the place, holding a tray of food. He sets it on the round table and turns around to face me. His gaze sweeps up and down my body. Instinctively, my hand attempts to cover my cleavage when his piercing eyes land on my boobs.
“Lovely Sage, you are well?”
“Well? Um, that would be a big negative. I was taken by force from the Plaza in Lakeview to wake up in a helicopter God only knows where over a giant body of water only to be stuffed in here.” I take a deep breath and ask, “Why am I here, Malik?”
“An opportunity presented itself.”
“Opportunity?” I squeak.
“Yes. From the moment we met, you have been mine—we connected, you and me. The way you looked at me drew me into your snare. I want for no other. When you left Dubai, I followed you and protected you. I made sure you knew I was keeping you safe from harm, watching over you, but then you went and let him touch you.”
