“I see three. Where’s the fourth one?” The man growled.
“I’m here.” Smash stepped into view holding a weapon.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to have this sweet thing in the middle of all these cocked guns?” A voice spoke from behind the mean looking guy.
“Then maybe your guys here should drop them first.” Steve snapped.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen until we're safely away from here with this beautiful creature.” Billie stepped back as a tall, elegant man stepped around the four men.
If Billie had seen the man anywhere else, she’d have thought he was relatively handsome. A little on the skinny side but not horribly so. Dressed in an expensive suit, he appeared to have just come from a business meeting.
“It seems we’re at an impasse because we aren’t dropping ours and I assure you there's a hell of a lot more pointed at you then at us.” Steve grabbed the back of Billie’s shirt and pulled her closer to him and the rest.
“But you see, we have the advantage here.” The man grinned.
“I don’t see how.” Steve chuckled.
The man pulled out his phone and tapped the screen a few times. He waited a few minutes before his phone rang and he touched the screen.
“Show our brave police officer what will happen if I don’t return with my purchase.” The man held his phone up.
Billie gasped. In front of her was a woman stripped naked except for panties tied to a post. A man stood next to her with a stick and jabbed her with it. The woman screamed, and Billie felt Steve and Hulk stiffen behind her.
“Oh, and just so you know. This lovely treasure isn’t the only one in that room.” The man sneered. “Show them our training chamber.” The man spoke into the phone.
Billie’s body shook as the video showed several children and women tied up in the same way as the first. Each of them stripped naked except for underwear, and if that wasn’t bad enough, the cruel bastards poked them with the sticks similar to what the first man had. The screams were horrific.
“In case you're wondering what that is, it’s like a type of cattle prod but with a little more kick.” The man turned his phone back, so he was able to see it. “Incredible collection.”
“We’ll find them,” Steve growled.
“Oh, I doubt that but whatever gets you through the day.” The man held out his hand. “Now, let's make this easy with no violence.”
“What’s your name?” Billie couldn’t think of anything else to say to stall for time.
“Treasure, we’ll make formal introductions when we’re in a more suitable setting.” The man smiled and crooked his finger for her to come closer.
Billie wasn’t about to make this easy for him, but she couldn’t endanger all those poor children any more than they already were. She turned her head to look at Steve, but the man shouted which made her jump.
“I know this is all new to you, but you’re my property, and when I tell you to come with me, you need to listen. That way you won’t find yourself in the situation that many of my collection is in at the moment.” The man took a step toward her, and she backed up.
“I’d like to know the name of the man who owns me.” Billie stood up straight and pushed back her shoulders. He wasn’t going to see her fear.
“Such a brave one. Fine but only because you’re special. I’ve never had to go through so much trouble to retrieve one of my purchases before.” He held out his hand again. “My name is Felix Morris.”
“Liar,” Steve shouted.
“I don’t lie, officer.” He almost seemed offended by Steve’s comment.
“Felix Morris is in jail as we speak.” Steve reached for Billie and pulled her back between him and Hulk.
“Yes, you do have a man with my identification, and that’s the way we planned it. Although, right about now he’s hanging from a sheet in his cell. The poor man couldn’t take the guilt of selling people like cattle.” Felix sneered.
“I’ll check it out.” A voice shouted through her earpiece. She wasn’t sure, but it sounded like James.
“Now, I’m losing my patience. Belinda, it’s time to go.” He stepped forward, and Billie heard the clicks of the guns next to her.
“Billie isn’t going anywhere.” Steve and Hulk pushed her behind them.
“Do you want to be responsible for the unnecessary torture of innocent women and children?” Felix laughed. He appeared thrilled by the thought of inflicting pain.
“We aren’t responsible for their pain. You are, Morris.” Steve snapped. “You’re going to spend the rest of your life in jail with people who don’t take kindly to men like you.”
“Men like me don’t go to prison, officer.” Felix lifted his finger and the men behind him raised their guns higher.
“No, don’t.” Billie stepped around Steve and Hulk. “I’ll go with you. Just don’t hurt any of these men.”
She couldn’t be responsible for the deaths of the people that were there to do a job. Yes, she was the job, but she wasn’t going to allow them to risk their lives anymore.
“Billie, don’t do this.” Steve reached for her.
“I’m not going to be responsible for so many people getting hurt.” Billie turned to the men behind her. “You guys mean too much to me. I just need you to do one thing for me.”
“Billie, no.” Lane shook his head.
She hoped Felix would fall for her plan and she prayed it would work.
“Please, tell Mike I love him, and I’ll never stop.” Billie stepped back toward Felix. When he wrapped his arm around her neck, she smiled. “Can you do one more thing too?”
“Billie,” Hulk growled.
“What is it, Billie?” Steve swallowed, but his eyes locked on the man behind her.
“Always remember to…” Billie took a deep breath. “Sing.”
With that Billie slammed her elbow back into Felix’s stomach and he grunted. She stomped down on his foot, and he yelled but still kept his arm tightly around her neck. When she lifted her arm and slammed her elbow into his nose, she heard a crack, and he released her with a scream.
“Oh, I forgot one thing.” Billie grabbed Felix by the shoulders and slammed her knee hard into his groin. “That’s for every woman and child you’ve hurt.”
Felix dropped to the floor and rolled around shrieking. The burly men behind him looked confused but by the time they figured it out they were surrounded and handcuffed.
“I love the way you sing.” Aaron laughed as he cuffed the last of the men and dragged him off.
Felix was on the floor but handcuffed. He cried as one of the officers read him his rights.
“Not so brave now are you, Felix?”
“Rita?” Billie gasped when she saw her neighbor saunter into the house holstering a gun.
“Hi, Billie.” She smiled and motioned for a man to take Felix.
“You’re a police officer?” Billie dropped down on the chair in the living room.
“I’m with the human trafficking task force, but I work with Public Safety Canada.” Rita smiled.
“But your mom?” Billie had seen Rita push her mother in and out of the house in a wheelchair.
“Mom is perfectly healthy and living with her sister in Gander for a while.” Rita sat next to her.
“Who was the woman you were taking care of?” Billie couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“That would be me.” Billie looked up to see a man leaned against the doorjamb.
“Bannister,” Steve sighed.
“Boyd Bannister,” He reached out to shake hands with Billie.
“So, you were undercover?” Billie sighed.
“Yes, we’ve been working on this for months.” He gave Billie a shy smile.
“Mike didn’t like you.” Billie stared at the man.
“I sensed that.” Boyd laughed.
“Billie,” Mike shouted as he appeared behind Boyd. “You’re okay.”
“She’s just fine and
a very courageous woman.” Boyd slapped Mike on the shoulder.
“What the fuck?” Mike's eyes looked like they would pop out of his head.
“He’s with the task force.” Billie giggled and then she started to laugh hysterically.
“Is she okay?” Mike glanced at Rita, and it made Billie laugh more.
“She’s perfectly fine.” Rita stood and held out her hand. “I’m Rita Fifield, and Boyd is right. Billie's a brave woman.”
“The neighbor?” Mike smiled.
“The very same.” Rita gave Billie a quick hug.
Billie couldn’t speak because she couldn’t stop laughing, and it felt great. It was finally over, and she could go back to her life.
“Let's get you out of here.” Mike chuckled as she stood up and bent over to catch her breath.
“Yep, she’s definitely gone.” Smash chuckled.
“I… need….ha…. I need to…. Oh my God.” Billie tried to catch her breath and stop, but it was no use. “Cat.” She finally shouted and dropped down on the couch holding her stomach as she laughed.
It felt good.
Chapter 29
Mike rested his cheek on his fist as he watched Billie sleep on the other side of the bed. He couldn’t believe how close he came to losing her. There was no way in hell he could go home after he left the house. After his car was parked two streets down, he doubled back and hid behind the bushes with Aaron.
Aaron gave him one of his earpieces so he could hear everything going on and he almost lost it when Billie allowed herself to get close to Felix.
When she told Steve to remember to sing, Aaron pumped his fist in the air because, like Mike, he knew exactly what that meant. It might have been made famous by the Sandra Bullock movie, but they’d learned it a long time ago.
“Are you going to sleep at any point tonight?” Billie’s eyes didn't open, but she turned her head toward him.
“Nope, I’m just going to make sure you don’t vanish.” Mike leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.
“My stomach hurts.” Billie giggled.
“Laughing can be a good workout for the abs.” Mike pulled her closer.
“I don’t know what was wrong with me.” Billie opened her eyes and smiled that beautiful smile he loved.
“It happens I guess. Some people cry, some faint, and apparently, you laugh.” She cupped his cheek, and he turned his head to press his lips to the palm of her hand.
“That’s never happened to me before.” Billie ran her fingers through the hair on the top of his head.
“You’ve never been in that situation before.” Mike slid the sheet down from her breasts and placed soft, quick kisses across the top of each one.
“I’m pretty sure I never want to be again,” Billie whispered and closed her eyes when he circled her nipple with his tongue.
“Never again.” Mike sucked her nipple into his mouth, and all thoughts and conversations turned to how much they loved and wanted each other.
Mike paced in his office as he waited for his next appointment. Mrs. Yvonne Duffy had called and demanded a meeting with him about the custody arrangement. Mike wasn’t sure what she was bitching about because the papers were signed and she’d agreed to all of it.
The fact that she’d sent him nude pictures of herself in emails made him wonder if there was more to her sudden call. Stella agreed to sit in on the meeting because Mike didn’t trust the woman.
A soft knock on the door made him spin around. Billie leaned against the door a beautiful smile on her face, and he forgot all about his upcoming torture with Mrs. Duffy.
“I didn’t know you were coming by.” Mike pulled her into the office and closed the door.
“Stella called me told me to dress like a lawyer and gave me these notes to study.” Billie shook the folder in her hand.
“Where’s Stella?” Mike narrowed his eyes.
“She’s about to bring Mrs. Bitchface… oops, I mean Mrs. Duffy into a meeting with you and your sexual harassment lawyer.” Billie grinned.
Mike laughed. Only Stella would come up with a plan like that. He’d learned that the email he’d received was one of many ways Mrs. Duffy had sent him racy photos of herself.
“Well, Ms. Carter, are you ready.” Mike smiled as he pulled her into his embrace.
“Mr. O’Connor. You don’t want a sexual harassment charge against you too, do you?” Billie teased.
“Baby, it would be worth every charge just to get a taste of those sweet lips.” Mike leaned forward and was about to press his lips against Billie’s when Stella opened the door.
“Not now Casanova. Mrs. Duffy is waiting in the conference room and might I say she’s dressed like a hooker.” Stella rolled her eyes.
“Great,” Billie stood up straight and walked out ahead of Mike. He took her in from head to toe. She looked fucking hot in the power suit and stilettos.
“Stop drooling and let Billie do the talking.” Stella shoved him after Billie.
Billie stopped just outside the door to the room and allowed him to go in first. Apparently, the plan was to let Yvonne think she was alone with Mike. At least for a few seconds.
“Mrs. Duffy,” Mike wasn’t about to say it was nice to see her because the truth was the woman scared him a little.
“Let’s drop the formalities, Mike.” Yvonne dipped her finger between her cleavage and traced her long nail across the top of her breasts that looked about to pop out of her too tight shirt.
“What can I do for you, Yvonne?” Mike sat on the furthest chair away from the barracuda.
“I never got a response from any of the gifts I sent you.” She pouted and leaned forward but before Mike could respond the door opened, and Billie walked in followed by Stella. If Mike didn’t know better, he’d say Billie was a lawyer.
“We’re in the middle of a private meeting here.” Yvonne huffed.
“I see that.” Billie glared at the woman. “Sorry I’m late, Mr. O’Connor.”
Mike had to admit the way Billie referred to him made his dick twitch. He was never into roleplaying, but at that moment he had plenty of them rolling through his head.
Stella walked behind him and not so subtly slapped the back of his head.
“Focus.” She whispered as she sat next to him.
“What is she doing here?” Yvonne whined. “I asked for a meeting with Mike… I mean Mr. O’Connor.”
“Mrs. Duffy, I’m Belinda Carter, and I’m Mr. O’Connor’s lawyer.” Billie reached out her hand, but Yvonne looked at it as if it was something foreign.
“Okay, then. Anyway, we were in the process of filing a sexual harassment suit when you called for a meeting. So, since Mr. O’Connor doesn’t want to cause you any embarrassment we thought we'd try to work this out before we do that.” Billie sat next to him with her elbows on the table and her fingers steepled in front of her chin. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at Yvonne’s reaction.
“What are you talking about?” Yvonne snapped as she adjusted her shirt to cover a little more of her breasts.
“Well, that there is one.” Billie pointed a finger toward Yvonne’s chest.
“I can’t help if I’m heavy chested. Maybe Mr. O’Connor should learn to keep his eyes up.” She sat straight in her chair and crossed her arms.
“Maybe so but when you send a man this type of thing, it’s kind of hard for them not to notice.” Billie slapped printed copies of the pictures on the table and slid them in front of Yvonne.
“My goodness. Where did you get these?” Yvonne’s attempt at shock was amusing, and Mike dropped his head to avoid laughing. Stella didn’t and laughed out loud.
“You know where they came from, Mrs. Duffy. So I will say this one time. Stop sending Mr. O’Connor suggestive notes, emails, pictures or anything else for that matter. If you don’t, we will file a sexual harassment suit and make sure it’s very public.” Billie sat back in her chair, and Mike watched in awe.
“I…” It seemed Yvo
nne didn’t need a second warning. She jumped to her feet and stomped out of the room letting the door slam behind her.
“Are you sure you aren’t a lawyer?” Stella laughed. “I’ll be keeping this stuff on file just in case she doesn’t get the hint.”
Stella grabbed the papers and pictures on the desk as she made her way out of the room.
“That was fun.” Billie laughed.
“You were incredible.” Mike stood up and pulled her to her feet.
“I wanted to scratch her eyes out.” Billie fisted the lapel of his jacket.
“I think she may have wanted to do the same, but you know how to sing.” Mike brushed his lips against hers.
“Yes, I do. Now kiss me.” Billie demanded.
“I just did.” Mike laughed.
“That wasn’t a kiss. That was a peck.” Billie pressed her body against him.
“Your wish is my command, Ms. Carter.” Mike dipped her and covered her mouth with his. He kissed her hard, and she met him with every thrust of her tongue. By the time he pulled her upright, they were both panting.
“Now that was a kiss.” Billie sighed and gazed into his eyes.
He really loved this woman, and at that moment he knew it was time to take the next step. The first thing he needed to do was talk to her father.
******
Mike sat in Tim Horton’s coffee shop staring into the hot cup of coffee he’d just purchased. He’d asked Bill Carter to meet him there because he needed to talk to him.
Mike glanced out the window when he noticed Billie’s father’s truck pull into a parking spot. He took a couple of deep breaths and closed his eyes. The nervousness was completely stupid because the one thing Mike was sure about was he wanted to marry Billie more than he wanted to breathe. He just wasn’t sure what her father would think about it.
It was old-fashioned to ask for the father’s blessing, but he and his brothers were taught to respect the family of the women they loved, and asking Billie’s dad was his way to show how much he loved and respected Billie and her family.
His heart dropped when Bill got out of his truck followed by Philip and Matt. Why were her brothers there?
Dangerous Silence Page 23
