Forever Alexa (Book Four In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series)

by Beauman, Cate

  Yawning, he sat on the edge of his bed, ready to rest his exhausted mind. A few hours of sleep for everyone would only help in the end. He settled himself against the pillow and closed his eyes until Alex’s sniffling and unsteady breaths registered. He got up and walked across the hall. “Alex?”

  “I’m okay. Go ahead and get some sleep.”

  Her words came out in between tearful shudders. She was anything but okay. Sighing, aching for her, he made his way to her side of the bed and sat down. “I was hoping you were going to get some decent shut-eye.”

  She sat up, sniffed again, and pulled a tissue from the box by the side of the bed. “I tried. I dozed off for a while. She swiped the tissue over her damp cheeks and blew her nose. “Is this real, Jack? Is Abby really gone?”

  He closed his eyes in defense against her shattered gaze. How the hell should he answer? He needed to tell her. It was better to get it over with. “I talked to Detective Canon.”

  Alex tossed the tissue in the trash.

  “He shared some interesting news.”

  She paused as she reached for another tissue. “What did he say?”

  “Alex.” He took her hand. “There’s a chance…” He blew out a breath. “There’s a chance Abby’s still alive.”

  She clutched his fingers in a vise grip. “What?”

  “Detective Canon and a team of Federal Agents believe Abby might be alive.”

  “Detective Canon told you she’s alive?”

  He nodded, watching her struggle with disbelief. “Could be.”

  “I don’t understand. How? I heard them kill her. Her screams just stopped. God. God.” Her lip wobbled, and she pulled her hand free to cover her face. “I can’t stop hearing her scream. I think that alone might destroy me.”

  He moved closer, wrapped his arm around her slumped shoulders, and pressed her head to his chest. “I’m sorry, Alex. I’m so sorry I’m messing with your emotions like this.”

  “I don’t know what to do anymore. I can hardly breathe. I have such a heavy weight on my chest. I keep replaying the phone call—that computer voice, the creepy laugh, the silence.”

  His arm tightened around her as he struggled to find a way to tell her the rest. Clenching his jaw, he looked at the ceiling. “They don’t have anything conclusive one way or the other, but evidence from the scene of the trace is pointing to her being alive.”

  She looked at him again. “I don’t understand.”

  “The cops were able to triangulate a signal from the call. Detective Canon said Baltimore PD and the FBI rushed to the location—a reservoir north of Baltimore. They found the cell phone, some tire tracks, and footprints.” Now the part he’d been avoiding. “They brought in search and rescue dogs and picked up Abby’s scent but lost it.”

  “So how can they say she’s alive?”

  He fisted his hand at his side. “The cadaver dogs they brought in followed the same trail and did a search of the area. They didn’t alert to human remains.”

  Alex flinched as a tears spilled down her cheek.

  He desperately wanted to take her pain away. “That’s a good thing, Alex. As morbid as it sounds, that’s really, really good.”

  “They could be wrong.”

  “Or they might be right.”

  “I can’t… I can’t let myself believe.”

  “This is a lot to take in.” And there was so much more.

  She stared into the dark for a long time. “They were hurting her. If she’s alive, they’re hurting her.”

  He kissed her hair and pulled her tighter against him. How could he possibly describe to her what Abby was probably living through? “We’re going to do everything we can to find her.”

  “How long?”

  “I don’t know.” He brushed his fingers through her black, silky hair. “Tell me about the van that took Abby.”

  “I told the detectives everything.”

  “But you haven’t told me.”

  “There’s more, isn’t there? What else did Detective Canon say?”

  He’d stalled as long as he could. “Do you remember the van that followed you on the interstate?”

  “Yes. They found the van?”

  “No, but three other young women were pulled into vehicles similar to the one that drove off with Abby. The vans have been different colors each time, but all of the victims were grabbed the same exact way.”

  “The similarities the detective kept talking about but wouldn’t expand on…”

  “Exactly. One of the teens that was taken before Abby has been spotted in some pretty rough areas of Baltimore and DC. At strip clubs.”

  “Strip clubs?”

  “Yeah.” He was making this so much harder by trying to protect her from the truth. “Alex, Abby may have been kidnapped by traffickers.”

  “Traffickers?” She frowned. “Drug traffickers? Abby doesn’t do drugs.”

  This was worse than he thought. Alex was so naïve. “Sex traffickers. They steal young girls and boys, young women….and use them as sex slaves.”

  Horror filled her eyes as she stared into his, shuddering out each breath. Color vanished from her face in the pale glow of the bathroom light. “No.”

  “Detective Canon—”

  “No.” Alex scrambled from the bed, ran to the bathroom, and shut the door.

  Jack rushed to his feet and gave a quick knock against the wood. He stepped in without bothering to wait for a response. Alex sat on the lip of the tub and stared at the tiled floor as tears coursed down her cheeks. He walked to her and knelt before her.

  “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  “Take some deep breaths.”

  She attempted one, then shook her head. “Detective Canon’s wrong. He has to be. I don’t know which thought is harder to live with—Abby dead or Abby suffering.”

  “I’m sorry, Alex.”

  “I just don’t understand any of this. Sex trafficking and strip joints. Ransom calls… If they didn’t kill her why did they want me to think they did?”

  “People eventually stop searching for the dead. The police have their hands full with the living.”

  She clenched her hands. “I’ll never stop searching, Jack. Never. I won’t stop until I find my sister.”

  “If she’s out there, we’re going to bring her home.” He had to believe it. He needed Alex to believe it too.

  She met his eyes as tears fell faster and her breathing grew shaky again. “I—” She shook her head as she began to weep. “I’m so lost. I feel desperate, like I’m going to start screaming and never stop. I feel like I’m breaking into a million pieces. I love her so much; I can’t stand the thought of someone violating her.”

  He pulled her to the floor and sat her in his lap as he leaned against the tub. “I wish I could take this away. I wish I could make it better. If there was anyway…” He rested his chin on her head and breathed in wildflowers and vanilla. “Let me help you. Let me help Abby. Tell me about her days before they took her.” He rubbed her back as she fought to steady herself.

  “What do you want to know?” She tried to sit up.

  He held her where she was, tucked against him, safe, her cheek resting on his naked shoulder. He continued to trace gentle circles over her slender back. “Give me a rundown of her last six months. What did Abby do for fun?”

  “She didn’t really have time for fun.” Alex’s voice was dull as she played with the hem of the white shirt she wore, exposing more of her smooth, slender thighs. “She’d been so busy getting ready for the fashion show her design class had three weeks ago. Abby’s creations are amazing. That’s how she lined up the job interviews in LA. Everyone loves her stuff. Her clothes are so chic and fun. They’re so…Abby. We didn’t talk a whole lot, just
here and there when she wasn’t at the studio or running from class to class.”

  He rubbed his cheek along her soft hair. Alex’s fingers stopped fidgeting, and her body finally relaxed against his. “Was she dating anyone?”

  “No. As I said, she was pretty obsessed with making her big splash in the fashion world. She was thinking ‘now or never.’ She mentioned going to dinner a few times with a photographer she knew.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Who?”

  Her voice grew groggier by the minute. He wanted her to sleep but needed her answers. “The photographer.”

  “Abby called him Renzo. She never said a last name, just Renzo.”

  “How often did they go out?”

  “I think a couple times, maybe four or five. He travels often. I remember her saying that. She said they had a lot in common, but I never got the impression they were serious.”

  “Renzo,” he repeated as he stared at the bathroom sink. The modeling and fashion world was often targeted by traffickers. He’d start with Renzo and see where they ended up. “Did she ever tell you where they went on their dates?”

  “No, I don’t think so. Nothing’s coming to mind. As I said, it never seemed serious. They were just friends—at least that’s the impression I got.”

  Alex’s head rested heavily on his shoulder as her breathing evened out. He wanted to sit here, just like this, holding her while she would let him, but that wasn’t what she needed. “You need to rest, Alex. You need to sleep.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Let’s try.” Jackson got to his feet, bringing Alex with him. He settled her on the mattress and covered her as he sat on the edge of the bed and gave her a small smile. “Close your eyes.”

  “You don’t have to stay. I’ll be okay.”

  It was starting. She was already pulling back. “Just for a couple minutes.”

  “Olivia will be up soon.” She took his hand, squeezed. “Go sleep, Jack.”

  She didn’t want him there, but he wanted nothing more than to stay. With no other choice, he stood. “I’m right across the hall if you need me.”

  “I know.”

  He held her gaze for another moment, then walked from the room.

  Chapter 8

  Alexa gave herself another pass in the mirror. She’d done her best with her makeup and hair, even though her heart wasn’t in it. Hopefully the fitted, dark blue, sleeveless sundress she’d unpacked two weeks ago was dressy enough for an afternoon wedding.

  She smiled at Livy twirling round and round in her pale lavender and white striped dress. Her shoulder-length golden curls flowed about with her constant motion. She hadn’t realized she’d packed this outfit of Livy’s in her rush to flee the house all those nights before.

  Twelve days had passed since the kidnapper’s last call. Twelve long, agonizing days had crawled by while she waited for news of a sighting of her sister—or her sister’s body. The police phoned Jack a week ago with news of a woman’s size seven shoeprint found at the scene by the reservoir—Abby’s size—and tire tread consistent with a large SUV, but that was all the information they had. There were too few answers when so many questions remained.

  “We should put on your sandals, Livy. We have to go.”

  Jack tapped on the doorframe. “Hey, you ready?”

  “Yes, I guess so.” He was so handsome in his light gray suit and tie. The pale shade brought out the boldness of his baby blues and accentuated his muscular build. Alexa had done her best to ignore his looks over the last two weeks. She’d struggled to remain unaffected while she and Livy shared his home.

  The days weren’t so much the problem. His job kept him swamped and stuck in his office. It was the evenings, when the three of them sat down to dinner—as if they were a typical family, or when they walked the beach or went to the park so Livy could play. Their current arrangement was too much like the dreams she used to weave on lonely nights. In the moments when his smile made her heart beat too fast or his sweet, humorous ways made their daughter laugh, Alexa would remember the frigid night in February not so long ago.

  But recalling painful memories didn’t always help. Although four years had changed Jack, so many pieces of him remained the same. He was still kind and funny and everything she had ever wanted, but admitting so was foolish and one step down a road she could never travel again. She wouldn’t be letting her guard down around Jack anytime soon.

  He frowned. “You guess so?”

  She shrugged and gave him an apologetic smile. “I don’t think I’ll be very good company today. Are you sure you don’t want to give Evelyn a call? Perhaps she’ll reconsider.” Guilt still plagued her, knowing she’d caused Jack unhappiness.

  “Alex, we’ve already been through this—several times.”

  “I know, but I feel terrible.”

  “You shouldn’t.”

  “But I do. Why don’t I call her? I’ll explain that I have no intentions of trying to steal you away. Livy and I can stay at a hotel close by. You still might be able to work this out.”

  “It’s done.”

  “I—”

  “Done, Alex.” His firm tone left no room for argument. His moody eyes brightened as he peered in to look at Livy. “Who’s that pretty girl with the curls in her hair?”

  Smiling, Livy stopped her spinning and grabbed hold of the edge of the bed, struggling to keep her balance. “Mommy curled it with the iron. Don’t touch it. It’s hot.”

  He grinned. “Check, don’t touch the curling iron. Are you ready to play with Kylee?”

  “Yes.” She beamed. “Can we bring Mutt?”

  “Wouldn’t leave home without him. I want our shoes and my furniture in one piece when we get back.”

  “Are you sure Sarah won’t mind?” Alexa checked the battery on the flip phone, then she dropped it in her purse. She kept it close at all times, hopeful it would ring, praying she would hear her sister’s voice once again.

  “Nah, Mutt can hang with Bear and Reece while Austin and Hailey say their ‘I dos.’ Maybe they can teach him some manners.”

  Mutt ran out of Jack’s room carrying a gym sock in his mouth.

  “Speak of the devil.” Jack crouched down for the sweet puppy. “And I do mean devil.” He ruffled the pup behind the ears. “Come on, let’s get out of the house for awhile. It’ll be good to be around some great people for an afternoon.” He stared at her as he scooped down and picked up Livy.

  The Cooke grounds were spectacular. The endless yard and rambling house with a view of the Pacific and city beyond—perfect. Alexa had been oblivious to the beauty the last time she was here, but she appreciated it now. She breathed in the warm summer breeze blowing through the open windows, carrying hints of the sea. Even from this height, the water could be heard thundering against the rocks far below. She stared in awe. What would it be like to wake to the rush of waves every morning? How amazing would it be to look out at the buildings of Los Angeles lit up in the dark? “Ethan and Sarah have their own little piece of paradise.”

  Jack smiled as he rolled to a stop behind two gorgeous sports convertibles—a red honey and a silver Mercedes. “Yeah. I’ve offered to trade houses, but Ethan’s so damn selfish.”

  She grinned.

  “Mommy, can I unbuckle?”

  “Yes, sweetie, go ahead, but don’t get out until we have a handle on Mutt.”

  “Okay.”

  Alexa stepped from the car and opened Livy’s door once she was certain Jack had Mutt secured in the crook of his arm. She glanced around, taking in the spectacular transformation of the west lawn. A massive tent ate up much of the lush, green grass. Huge cascades of blue, purple, and white blooms decorated the space in pretty concrete pots. The effect was elegant and fun.

  “I’m
ready, mommy.” Livy danced about, bursting with excitement. “I want to play with Kylee.” Livy had been unable to talk of much else since she sprang out of bed at five in the morning.

  “I know, sweetie. I know you do.” She crouched next to her little girl, smiling, attempting to smooth one of her flyaway curls.

  “Mooommeee, come on.” Livy spun in a circle, then another, sending Mutt into a fit of yipping puppy barks.

  Alexa sighed as she watched her quick repair job vanish with Livy’s busy movements.

  “I’m thinking you might want to give up on that.”

  Alexa rolled her eyes up to Jack as she stood. “I officially give up.”

  He chuckled and set Mutt down. “Liv, should we find Kylee?”

  “Yes!” She jumped up and down, beside herself with anticipation.

  “Are you sure?” Grinning, he lifted Livy under the arms until they were eye to eye.

  “Yes!”

  “Are you really sure?” He poked his finger into her belly, sending their daughter into a fit of wild giggles.

  “Yes! Yes!”

  “Let’s do this.” He started toward the house.

  Alexa stayed where she was, watching Jack take exaggerated steps that had Livy bouncing about in delight. It melted her heart to see them this way. Livy had lost out on so much.

  He stopped at the door and turned. “You coming?”

  “Uh, yes.” She looked around and discovered Mutt watering a shrub. “Come on Mutt.” She gathered him up and took the steps to the entrance.

  Jack didn’t bother to knock; instead he opened the door and they stepped into chaos. Kylee screamed her delight down the hall when she spotted Livy. The two friends grabbed hands and squealed all the way to the playroom.

  “Good Christ,” Jack winced as he rubbed at his ear. “I’m going to need a hearing aid by the time this day is over.”