“Maybe I’ll be a house husband, because we’ll have so many kids.” He watched as her eyes took on a faraway look.
“Six. I would love to have six children.”
“Okay, six it is.” She moved subtly, sensuously in his lap.
“It was always my wildest fantasy to build a life with you. From the first morning together, I wanted us to have a family.” Her hands drifted up his chest. There was no mistaking her intent. Then she jerked, her head damn near bumped his chin, a panicked expression on her face.
“Sweetheart, I know it’s okay.” He clutched her close, trying to ease her alarm.
“I didn’t want you to think I would have ever gotten pregnant on purpose,” she said pushing against his chest so she could look him in the eye.
“Annie, I know you soul deep. There is no way you would have ever done something like that. You would have wanted us to decide together.” He got even harder, thinking about all the times last night and this morning they had made love with nothing between them, hoping they would conceive.
“I would have. I do. I can’t wait for you to meet Nell. We’ll skype with Grandmother and you can meet her later on, I’ve missed her so much.”
“I miss her too, and I’ve never met her. I thought for a moment I caught a glimpse of her in a dream, but it happened too quickly, then it morphed into one of you.”
Annie smirked up at him. He dug into her sides and she shrieked with laughter.
“It’s a wonder you got any sleep at all, let alone had time to dream about our daughter,” she gasped between giggles.
“Up with you wench. You’re absolutely right. I’m exhausted. I need a nap.” He made his way to the bed with an armful of giggling woman. He couldn’t remember a time when he was happier.
****
Four hours later Seth was furious.
“What do you mean Isaacson is putting off the operation?”
“He’s too worried picking up Leslie Gordon will spook Labado, and everything will come down like a house of cards.”
“That’s un-fucking-acceptable!”
“Get him on the phone now.” Nate shouted through the Skype session. Sierra kept turning her head between the computer screen and him, glaring at them both. She had just come back from meeting with Isaacson’s liaison in Miami, and she was as pissed as they were.
“God dammit,” she whispered loudly. “Annie and Magda might hear us, you need to use your inside voices.” Seth looked at the shut office door. Sierra was right, even though the two women were in the living room, didn’t mean they couldn’t hear them if they yelled.
“Are you under control now? Good, because it’s up to us to figure out a way to shut down this whole thing in one big pretty package. Obviously your boss can’t play a game of tiddlywinks without a cheat sheet, so this is all us.”
She was right, why had he expected anything else at this point? Every time he pinned his hopes on regular channels he was let down, he was crazy to expect something different this time.
“What exactly did they say?”
“He said he would bring in a whole team and clean out this rats nest in one fell swoop, but it had to be done at once.”
“We can’t do it that way, those girls will be sold and so far gone we’ll never be able to find them. Not just Magda’s friends, but the new ones they’re bringing in for tonight’s auction.” Seth couldn’t tell if Nate was going to throw up or punch through the computer screen, maybe he both.
“I’ve been in the room with those women. I understand man, but we can’t allow Soto and Vargas to start an all-out drug war on American soil, we just can’t. We have a chance to take them down on Saturday. Two days from now. We can’t blow it.”
Seth sat in front of the computer screen, he was tired of watching Sierra’s head turn. A thought tickled the back of his brain.
“Nate, what is Brice seeing with the girls? Does it seem like they plan to move them soon? What is his position?” Brice had left a couple of hours ago to relieve Nate for a bit, they were taking turns monitoring the four Albanian women.
“He’s on the roof across the street from where they’re being kept. He has eyes and ears on the inside. They’re due to be picked up at eight. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking we make the auction part of Labado’s party on Saturday”
“Keep talking,” Sierra said.
“We know these girls aren’t Leslie’s only product. She promised Labado something special, so she’s bringing in some other girls from somewhere else. But these four are going to be needed. How about we arrange for there to be a problem getting them to the auction? It should force them to postpone tonight’s auction at least.”
“Fine, you get him to postpone it from today, but what makes you think he’ll move it to Saturday?” Sierra asked.
“Because he and Leslie need to keep the buyers happy, many of them are from out of town, and they will be pissed at the idea of having to cool their heels from Thursday to Saturday, without there being a big draw. The sex party will do it.”
Nate’s eyes lit up. “I think I have a way to stop the girls from making an appearance tonight.”
“Oh God, he’s looking happy, Seth, that doesn’t bode well for someone.”
Seth hoped it meant some people were going down in flames.
Chapter Eighteen
Sarah stood over Nell’s crib with Noah and Max beside her. It was an odd place to see such strong men having a quiet and heated discussion. But then again, maybe it wasn’t. They were talking about Nell’s parents after all.
“I’m leaving in an hour. I’ve talked to Brice, they can use some support out there, and I will be able to get into the party on Saturday. I’ll be able to assist Seth.”
“I can sense a hell of a lot of power in you. I know you came over here with all of your memories intact, and maybe it makes you uber found. But there is no fucking way you will be let into the party. This thing will be so tightly guarded they’ll be turning away their own.”
“It doesn’t matter what you think, I know what I’m capable of doing.” Max was so sure of himself, Sarah almost believed him, but it was obvious Noah did not.
“Actually it matters a lot what I think. If I think you’re going to fuck things up for my people, you’re not stepping out of this building.”
Noah, Sarah heard Max talking psychically. I am worthy of your trust. I will succeed, and I will help Seth and Annie.
Noah’s eyes went wide. “You must never get a speeding ticket with that kind of tactic.”
“I’ve never been pulled over. But you’re right, I could get out of one if necessary. It’s what I’m trying to tell you, I will be able to assist them.”
“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m head of R&D for Dianysis.”
“Rixitron Pharmaceutical’s major competitor? Quite the coincidence. I’d say we need to talk, but it will have to wait. Are you sure you’re up for this, R&D boy?”
Sarah was relieved Noah was giving in.
“I am. This isn’t my ego talking, this is all about doing what’s best for Annie and Seth, as well as Brice, Nate and Sierra.”
“So your ability is mind control?” Sarah was confused, she thought he was a healer.
“Actually I have a little bit of everything. I’m lucky, because I came over here without losing my memory, my senses and capabilities are intact. All of us are able to do many things, but you haven’t exercised your muscles like I have.”
“Is there one muscle, one ability stronger than the others?”
Max didn’t say anything for a moment.
“Come on Max, what is your big bad super ability?” Sarah prompted again.
“Knowing what’s necessary and doing it to protect those under my care. It’s why I know down to my bones its right for me to go to Miami.” He turned to Noah. “I need to leave for LAX now.” Looking at Nell, he stroked her warm cheek and smiled.
“She’s mine to protect.” He left the
room.
“Damn. Do you believe him?”
“I do,” Noah answered.
Then it pinged for her. “Because you have a little bit of the super found power too.” Noah didn’t say anything, just smiled.
****
Waking up next to Annie Newman was the best thing in the world, even if she did wrap herself up in the sheet, leaving him with nothing. He gently coaxed it down, so he could see the upper swells of her breasts in the morning sun. He wanted to just stay in bed and explore longer, see how long he could caress and arouse her before she awakened, but the buzz of his cell phone wouldn’t stop.
He found it on the floor. Scrolling through he saw calls from Sierra he forgot to erase, seven messages from Portia, five from Tomas, but the latest were from Labado. Those he needed to attend to. He reached to stroke Annie again, but saw the shadows under her eyes and realized she needed her sleep. Grabbing some clothes he went into the bathroom showered and dressed. When he came back out, Annie moved to his side of the bed and was wrapped around his pillow. It made him smile.
He quietly made his way to the home office, and returned Labado’s call.
“We have a problem.”
“You might, I don’t. My problems have all been solved,” Seth let the satisfaction he was feeling color his voice.
“Ricardo Vargas shot one of Soto’s men outside the new Club Tres at three a.m. He said he was sick of being followed.”
Seth closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “God save me from young hot heads. How high up was this guy in Soto’s organization?”
“High enough for Soto to want retribution. He’s already pulled two of Vargas’s men off the docks. I’m sure Ricardo’s father will be getting their heads delivered this morning.”
“Fuck,” Seth spit out.
“God damn Ricardo.” Seth was barely able to hold his tongue. It was Labado’s fault for bringing Soto to Miami in the first place.
“So how is this going to work for tomorrow night?” Seth asked. Dammit, he had worked hard to convince Labado to combine the auction with the party knowing Soto and Vargas would be there as well, and now this.
“It will be the first party for each man, Vargas has purchased from Leslie, so he thinks he has a right to be there, and Soto doesn’t. Soto has explained he has two wealthy buyers he intends to bring, but he doesn’t want Vargas there. It’s a mess, and I need you to solve it for me.”
Of course he did. It’s what he had been doing for damn near two years. He needed aspirin.
“This is bad Thiago, very bad. I’m going to have to think about it.”
“Think fast. I told both of them I would call back in an hour.” The line went dead.
Fuck.
He dialed Sierra’s number and told her he needed her. “It’s your lucky day, I’m almost there, and supposedly I’m bringing the cavalry.”
“More people from LA?
“Yep.” God, it was turning into Grand Central Station. But somehow Sierra had managed to sublet the penthouse next door to his, so her comings and goings seemed like that of an actual tenant. He had no idea how he she had gotten Mrs. Blume to go on an extended cruise, but she had.
He went to the front door, not wanting Sierra and the new people to disturb Annie and Magda. God knew both women could use more sleep.
Sierra had the door open by the time he got to the hall. She was leading a man slightly taller than him, through the door. It took him a moment, because he was so out of place, but then he recognized Max Lawrence. Warmth spread through his body, and he grinned.
“Max, I sure wasn’t expecting you.” Seth went to shake his hand. It was odd to see Max as an equal, not this larger and life guardian he met as a child.
“Why are you here? I thought things would have to be life and death for you to show up.”
“Never discount boredom, Seth. Your life is so much more interesting than mine, so why wouldn’t I want to come out and play?” Seth’s bullshit meter was pinging like a son of a bitch, but he didn’t have time to analyze it, he had to figure out a way to get Soto and Vargas at tomorrow night’s party. He led Max and Sierra into the office and explained the situation.
Sierra paced around the room, and Max sat quietly on the couch against the far wall.
“I wish Brice were here. Let’s call him,” she said.
“Why?”
“He can solve a Rubik’s Cube in less than a minute. You give him a situation, and he can untangle it. Somehow he sees all the angles. I think it is his found ability. It’s amazing. Unless he’s trying to figure out your personal shit, then he damn well better keep his mouth shut.”
“Sierra, you’ve utterly lost me.” She was talking a mile a minute. Seth watched as she took out her phone. “What do you think Brice can do for us?”
“Brice, he’s our problem solver. He’s been figuring out things for us in LA, with Rixitron. He’s been doing it here, too. He knew the bitch Leslie Gordon was going to bring in someone from another part of her organization to watch over the girls after all the fuckups.”
“That didn’t take a found ability to figure out.”
“Seth, I have all the records from Leslie’s phone and computer. He analyzed it for twenty minutes. There were calls all over the country, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and a ton to Mexico. He looks at Nate and me and says she’ll be bringing in whoever it was she talked to in Houston.”
“We laughed.”
“Then he walks us through some of his reasoning, about the timing of the calls, and it was brilliant. I wouldn’t have seen the patterns in a million years. It’s what he does on the down-low for the SAS, and it’s why Noah’s been using him for Rixitron.”
“Sierra, it’s all well and good, but he doesn’t know all the players in this situation.”
“So explain it to him.” There was nothing to lose. Seth looked at his watch, he had twenty more minutes.
“Get him on the phone. Where is he?”
“He’s back on the roof watching the same damn building. Its Nate’s turn, but he got banged up a little in his run in with the van yesterday. It was worth it though. Letting the van with the girls hit him in the street, made sure that they weren’t going to make it to the auction.”
“How much damage did the van suffer, when it hit Nate?” Seth asked.
Sierra laughed.
“He rolled, but the windshield was shattered from where he went over the top and onto the roof. He said he always wanted to be a stuntman in the movies. Anyway, it forced the driver to stop, and wait for the cops.”
“How did the driver explain the girls?”
“They were models, what else?”
“So Nate’s all right?”
“He said this was as easy as playing defense against the Seahawks. I chose to take it to mean he was hurting bad.” Once again Sierra made him laugh.
“Can Brice talk from the roof?”
Sierra pressed a number on her phone and Brice’s distinctive Scottish accent came over the speaker.
“We’ve got a huge problem, Scotty.” Sierra said.
“I’m going to stop answering the phone if you keep calling me that you little wench.”
“Get off your high horse and listen.”
“I’m listening, my lovely.”
Seth explained the situation, and Brice didn’t ask a single question during his entire recitation. It was disconcerting.
“You done?”
“Yep.”
“Who’s the head of the Vargas organization? I mean if Soto wants to know something, wants info, or wants to intimidate someone, who is he going to go after?”
“Luther, the father. No question.”
“Is there any indication he had anyone other than Ricardo followed?”
“No. Labado would have mentioned it.”
“Sierra, how good was our surveillance on Seth when he was in Mexico with Labado, Benitez and the skank of a wife?” Brice asked.
“Pretty good. Nothing admissi
ble in court, but a lot to help build a case.”
“Lovely, do you remember how often he was separated from his one true love?”
“Easy, Scotty. Much more of this shit and I’ll be throwing your ass in front of a van,” Seth ground out.
“They had adjoining rooms, but Seth kept his side locked. I didn’t keep an eye on her. When they were at a party, she’d try to get Seth to pay attention to her, when he’d ignore her, then she’d make a beeline for the dance floor never to be heard from again.”
“And Soto? Where was he?”
“Fuck me,” Seth groaned.
“Nope, it’s not who she was fucking mate.”
“So you’re saying she hooked up with Soto while we were in Mexico.”
“Yep, and she’s also doing the deed with Vargas Junior, it’s the reason for the murders.”
Seth wanted to hit his head against the edge of his desk. It couldn’t be right.
“Your problem mate is Soto’s trying to track down her sweet little ass here in Miami, but he can’t find her because you have her on lock-down. This all comes down to Portia, trust me.”
Seth did and didn’t believe it. Not that she wouldn’t have sex with them, but he had missed it. Hell. He had been operating on two hours sleep a night during the trip to Mexico, and truth be told he hadn’t paid one iota of attention to her. He wouldn’t have cared if she stayed in Mexico.
“You need to say you’re bringing your lovely wife to tomorrow’s festivities and you’ll have both boys come running. End of problem. Anything else?” Seth stared at the phone. He still didn’t believe it. He’d had his suspicions about Ric, but Soto? Well, Labado would know.
“Thanks Scotty, I think you rocked our secret agent’s world enough.” Sierra gave him a look of sympathy.
“All right then, let me get back to my mind numbing job of watching this closed door.”
“No movement?”
“Nope, nobody has gone in, nobody has come out. The girls are in there either talking or sleeping. They aren’t being abused. Anton doesn’t seem interested in them. He’s just a businessman.”
“That’s good.” Seth looked at his watch, and realized he needed to call Labado back. He hung up and handed Sierra her phone, and punched in Labado’s number.
Forsaken (The Found Book 2) Page 18
