WindSwept Narrows: #22 Erika & Vianne

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “I feel for Dominic,” Cade murmured with a chuckle, one hand up and pulling his tie free. “Why do you think Erika needs help?”

  “She had lunch with her mother, here. Cass found footage of her mother putting something in her drink and half an hour later a very shaky, very agreeable Erika was helped from the restaurant and into a limo. Her car is still in the lot,” Zee answered, his voice tense. “I think she was trying to get answers from her mother about why it was so important to them that she marry this Wayne guy. It makes no fucking sense. She finds the guy in the garden with his married politician boyfriend, breaks off the engagement and walks away. All of which goes against her parents political views to begin with.”

  “Unless they aren’t being given a choice,” Faith said with a little shrug, the blond ponytail swinging behind her as she bobbed on her sneakers.

  “Her parents?” Cassidy asked thoughtfully.

  “Just the brain talking out loud,” Faith mumbled.

  “So let it keep talking,” Zee urged.

  “Adam works for her father. He has for a while,” Faith said with a shrug. “And he’s in a high up position. What if he found out something they want kept quiet? It’s kind of a very long strand of beads…Adam wants his partner to be safe and elected. So he knows something about Erika’s parents. He convinces them to help him shroud his secret with Ross Richardson with a fake marriage to the owner and president of the company’s daughter. And throw his generous business support behind Richardson,” she shrugged. “Politics and business…weird bed partners.”

  “Weird doesn’t seem to cover it,” Cassidy shook her head. “I seriously hate backstabbing business and politics. Lies and deceit.”

  “I know how she got caught in it,” Faith said with a sigh. “It was almost like some really bad movie watching them play games with her. I hoped when she finally broke it off, it’d be okay. Some of us tried running interference, but she was so busy. She wanted her licenses and then the interviews with the resort principles. Didn’t know she was friends with you,” she looked over at the clenched jaw, the pulse at the side of his neck thumping. Never a good sign.

  “It’s insane,” Zee said flatly, stopping once they were inside Cade’s office, the door closing behind him. “Do they plan to keep her drugged? How the hell is an invisible wife supposed to help with whatever they were using her for in the first place? Add to that, I lied and told them we were already married.”

  “Really?” Faith moved forward, stopping at Cade’s computer with a look at him. He waved a palm as he pulled a T-shirt over his head and grabbed up a pair of jeans after toeing his shoes off and head to the private bathroom.

  Cassidy moved behind Faith, watching.

  “They’ve been searching for the license,” Faith said quietly, her hands moving expertly over the keys. “I can get into their system…it’s not hard to see where they’ve been, but they’re not very accommodating. No plans for world domination on the hard drive.”

  “Umm…” Cassidy looked over at al already tense Zee. “There are airline reservations for London. Four days from now.”

  “In her name?”

  “Yes. And her parents and Adam Wayne.” Cassidy inhaled deeply. “How do you want to handle the diversion?” She asked, looking down at Faith.

  “We’ll keep our phones open,” Faith said, getting to her feet and heading for the door. “Let me get a few things from the supply room and my locker. I sent an app to your phone, Zee. They don’t have the dock area guarded, and I don’t think they’re expecting anyone to come for her. It’ll work to your advantage,” she said, pausing at the door when Cade left the bathroom, black jeans and T-shirt and boots pulled on.

  “We’ll head home once we have the all clear from you,” Cassidy told them, her hand on Zee’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”

  “She’ll be pissed.”

  “We’ll meet you at the health center, Zee. Take her straight there when you get her out,” Cassidy ordered firmly, accepting his nod. “I’ll let the night staff know we’re coming once we’re on our way. Please be careful.”

  Cade went to her, kissing her forehead. “I let Abby know and she’ll probably be at the center waiting with Mac. We’ve worked together before, Cassidy. We’ll get her back safe.”

  She just nodded before taking off with Faith, heading to the end of the resort where the computer section was located.

  “You okay with this? Enough to think clearly,” Cade asked, their long strides through the halls enough to make people step out of their paths.

  “You want an honest answer? Hell no. It wouldn’t faze me in the least to leave them dead on the ground. Will it happen? No. Because Erika would be more than pissed at me and that I couldn’t deal with as well,” Zee answered evenly, pulling keys from a pocket in his pants. “I’ll meet you at the marina.” He accepted the quiet nod from his friend, watching him stride to the area where motorcycles were parked.

  Half an hour later, he was prepping the modest sized speed boat, releasing lines and getting the ropes in place when Cade pulled into the lot, his stride long and purposeful.

  “Cass and Faith are headed north. Faith shot you the co-ordinates for the launch outside their house on the island,” Cade grabbed up the final line and jumped into the boat, a curt nod from Zee all he needed to hold on as the boat was backed out of its slip and into the calm waters of the marina.

  It wasn’t quite dusk, the last bright light of the spring day sparkling over the waters around them. The last brave day boaters who had enjoyed their time on the water were heading in for the night. Zee threw the night lights on and gripped the wheel with both hands.

  “Thought about what will happen once we get her out of there?”

  Zee didn’t bother looking at his friend.

  “This isn’t something I expected,” he answered slowly. “This is like something from a ‘Godfather’ movie for Christ’s sake.”

  Cade didn’t have an answer and reclined against the cabinet, arms crossed over his chest. Silence followed them on the wake creating trip north along the coast of the inner Sound, up to Lake Union and through to Lake Washington and Mercer Island. The place was located in the huge lake where the wealthiest had mansions and exclusive, restricted homes.

  Darkness had slowly settled around them. The lights on the boat dimmed as he followed the directions on the GPS, the engine cut as they glided to a quiet stop at a dock just down from the house they wanted.

  Their home was a huge mansion on the far northern end of Mercer Island. A yacht sat moored in the specially built slip. The lucky part was the house next to them was empty. So there would be no problems leaving the boat there until they had Erika safely back with them.

  They’d worked together years ago but some things weren’t ever removed from a memory. Hand signals had them moving stealthily over the grounds, checking and watching for anyone moving. A gardener shed scored them just what they needed and Cade carried the large ladder while Zee checked and rechecked for just the right balcony.

  He climbed first, sending a quick text to Cass and waiting for the noise to start before slipping over the balcony railing and popping the lock on the double doors that opened inward. His breath caught in his chest, the pain sharp when he saw her stretched out on her back on the bed. Wearing the same clothes she’d had on the day before, down to those cute little sneakers she liked with gel bottoms that made it look like she bounced when she walked.

  Zee swore and moved silently through the room. The riotous sounds reaching them from outside letting him know the diversion was underway. He grabbed a folded quilt from the bottom of the bed, threw it over her and carefully lifted Erika against him.

  Chapter Ten

  Pale lashes lifted and blinked, blue eyes staring up at him.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Zee held his breath. He really wasn’t sure how she was going to react.

  “Why are you carrying me?”

  “We’re going home, Erika,” He
said carefully, lowering her to her feet. He hadn’t been looking forward to lifting her over the edge and into Cade’s arms, fearing she’d wake in the middle and start screaming. “I need you to be quiet.”

  “Why?”

  There was a sing-song quality to her voice, a lost sound that made him ache.

  “Do you know where you are, baby?”

  “No,” She sighed and snuggled down against him. “I want to go home.”

  “Shh…I need you to be quiet so people don’t hear us, Erika. Do you think you can stand up?”

  “Of course. I have feet,” she announced, her feet wiggling and a giggle breaking free. “See?”

  “My friend is down there,” Zee lowered her to the ground and tossed the quilt over the side.

  “I’m hungry.” She declared, leaning over the rail and waving. She went to throw her leg over the rail and felt hands on her waist, immediately stopping her.

  “I’ve got a better idea, Erika,” He turned her and sat her on the railing, taking both her hands in his. He shot a look down at Cade, accepting his nod shrouded in the lights of the house. “Look at me, Erika. I really need you to be quiet. We don’t want anyone to know we’re here. Okay?” He watched her bite her lip and nod.

  Still holding her hands, he nudged her legs.

  “Swing them over the side and keep your eyes on me, okay?”

  Erika nodded. “It’s a long way down,” she whispered. “I think I’m dizzy.”

  “Then close your eyes and trust us. We’ll be out of here in a few minutes,” before she could do more than close her eyes as he ordered, he nudged her hips and held tightly to her wrists. Bracing his feet, he leaned over until she was safe in Cade’s hands. He knew she was biting her lip and her arms went immediately around Cade’s neck once he released her hands.

  Cade lowered her to the ground and wrapped the quilt around her, his hands on her waist until Zee was beside them and lifting her from the ground.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Zee started at a brisk stride toward the water. He listened as Cade told Cassidy and Faith it was done, the phone snapping shut as they skirted the water’s edge to the waiting boat.

  Cade went immediately to the wheel of the boat. He turned the key and carefully backed them out of the slip while Zee took her into the cabin, leaving the door open.

  “Erika?”

  “My head hurts, Zee,” she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.

  “We’re taking you to the health center on the resort, Erika,” Zee laid her on the thick cushions, his fingers shaking when he brushed the free hanging blond hair from her face.

  “Why wasn’t I at home? Where was I?”

  “What do you remember?” Too many emotions went crashing through him at the expressions filling her eyes and the last thing he had the luxury of right now was the fury that wanted top billing.

  “I…Zee…I can’t remember…” The words seemed to race through her sending her body into a violent shiver as she gasped for breath.

  His hands held her shoulders. “Erika…look at me. You’re safe.”

  “I don’t remember, Zee,” she whispered in confusion. “I…we had breakfast…I remember thinking you were really good in your kitchen and your people were nice and friendly and I loved being there.”

  “You left me a note in the apartment,” he coaxed gently, watching her eyes widen.

  “Yes! Yes, I left you a note and had taken a call from my mother,” her hands were up, patting down and landing on the small purse around her shoulder and neck. “She asked me to have a late lunch with her,” her palm went to her temple, stroking it lightly. “My head is pounding.”

  “Just relax,” Zee urged her back on the cushions and covered her with the quilt they’d taken. His palm stroked over her head, fingers brushing through the long hair and tucking it behind one ear.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so tired.”

  “Close your eyes. I’ll be out talking with Cade,” but her eyes were already closed, her breathing level and soft.

  “Keep in mind killing is considered bad karma,” Cade said quietly when Zee came on deck, his fists clenched and ready for something, anything. “And believe me, I know how hard it is to bottle it inside when you want to destroy something.”

  “So how do you handle it?” Zee leaned over the side, his hands opening to grip the stainless steel bar edging the boat.

  “Schedule gym time. Call friends and trust them to spar with you. Bar fights just end up with bail costs.” Cade met the dour expression with a half shrug. “I gave Abby a call. They’re waiting at the health center. Mariah is there and has a lab tech on hold to try and figure out what they gave her.”

  “She says she has a headache.”

  “Might just be the shit wearing off…might be withdrawal,” Cade shook his head. “I don’t know. I’m still working on the whole storyline, Zee.”

  “I sent a note to Carter. I need information. I don’t know how to protect her against her own parents, Cade,” Zee turned and leaned on the rail, his palms up and rubbing over his head.

  “I know if they grab her again, getting her away won’t be as easy as this was,” Cade told him quietly. “They didn’t expect anyone to take her. There weren’t a collection of guards around the grounds. I’d have to guess they didn’t expect you to come after her.”

  “I know. She’ll probably start her job on Wednesday, if she gets the stuff out of her system. I know Cass and Cat will up security after this,” Zee pushed a long breath through his lips. “We can try for a restraining order against them. I just don’t fucking know the answer.”

  “We’re coming up on the marina,” Cade said a few minutes later, navigating the almost deserted night Sound made their trip south quick and easy. “Cass will meet us there. Faith cleaned things up and went home.”

  Zee worked with Cade, backing the boat into its slot and anchoring it in place before taking the keys and lifting a sleeping Erika in his arms. He pulled keys from his pocket, sliding her onto the back seat before climbing behind the wheel. He watched Cade roar out of the lot ahead of him, the SUV close behind on the road along the coast into the WindSwept Narrows Resort and Casino. The signs directed them to the right, around the outer edge to the health center.

  “Zee?” Erika didn’t like the fuzzy feeling. She didn’t like the growling in her stomach or the pounding in her head. All of which she should be able to fix. If she could make her brain focus.

  “Just lay still a few minutes, Erika,” Zee said firmly from the driver’s seat.

  “Where are we going?”

  “The health center.”

  “I should ask why,” she sighed and let her head fall to the seat. She felt the SUV come to a stop and pushed against the seat, wincing but refusing to give in, she sat upright and stared into the night lit up by brilliant street lamps and illuminations outside the emergency entrance to the health center.

  She raised a hand for the door at the same time it was pulled open, Zee reaching for her before she could step out.

  “Ground,” she said firmly, eyes squinting just a little. “I don’t understand…my eyes are dry and I’m…tired…” her head went to his shoulder, her call for the ground ignored, which she was mostly grateful for. “You’re not listening to me. I think I can walk.”

  “Not willing to risk it,” Zee said quietly, the doors sliding wide for him. Since Cade had arrived a few minutes ahead of him, Mariah Peyton-Baker stood waiting, along with the small cluster of friends who had helped.

  “This way, Zee,” Mariah gestured to an empty bay, the curtain held back.

  “Mariah?” Erika lifted her head, frowning at the lights. “Why is it so bright here?”

  “On the gurney,” Mariah said, sliding a tray closer to the half elevated bed. “How’re you feeling, Erika?”

  “Confused,” she answered instantly, closing her eyes tightly. “And the lights are too bright. Why?”

  “It isn’t the lights, Erika,
it’s your eyes,” Mariah moved efficiently, lifting eye lids and peering. “I need some blood, Erika.”

  “No,” she pushed the word out, the heels of her feet shoving against the gurney until she was a bunched, folded bundle in the center. “No. Not until someone tells me what’s going on? I was…I wasn’t here…” Her head shook slowly.

  “What do you remember, Erika?” Zee came in closer to her side, carefully unfolding her arms and holding one out. “Let Mariah take blood and I’ll answer your questions, I promise.” He met the puzzled, frightened gaze. “Let her take blood? Please.”

  Erika closed her eyes, nodding slowly and laying her head against his chest. She let him and Mariah manipulate her arm, a band around it just above her elbow; the smallest of pinches and silence around her.

  “She’s dehydrated,” Mariah brought a small bottle from a fridge nearby, shaking it and placing it in Erika’s hand. “Drink that…a little at a time. When do you remember eating last, Erika?”

  “Breakfast. Zee made me…” she sipped from the chocolate in the bottle, licking her lips and taking another swallow. “No…lunch…I went to lunch with my mother. She called and said she wanted to talk to me. But we didn’t get food,” she frowned at the thought. “But we had lemonade.”

  “What did she want to talk about, Erika?” Zee urged her to take another drink, half watching Mariah make notes on a chart.

  “Why are all these people here?” She blinked slowly, forcing her eyes to ignore the blasting lights all around her. “Abby?” She stared at Cade, full lips pulled into a taut little frown. “I know you…you caught me…Zee pushed me off the balcony…” She turned back to look at Zee. “You threw me off the balcony? What balcony? We were in a boat…” One eye closed. “This is a very weird dream.” She looked around at the other couple, blinking the one eye she was using. “Cassidy…I’m not supposed to work until tomorrow,” she said slowly, squeezing both eyes tightly closed. “Did I get food poisoning?”