Sinner Reborn

by Morgan Kelley

  He didn't feel as lost.

  As damaged.

  When she stared at him, even with sightless eyes, he still felt the telltale kick of his heart.

  There was some connection there.

  He could feel it all the way to his soul.

  Tonight had been so meaningful to him. Who knew that reading with a woman was going to touch him on some deep level? He stared down at her and knew the truth.

  It could only be this woman.

  When she’d fallen asleep, Nate sat there watching her. The entire time her long lashes touched her face, he wanted to rain kisses across her pale skin.

  She mattered.

  This mattered.

  While his long fingers ran gently through the tresses of silky blonde hair, he was able to get lost in it. Nate didn't even hear the spare bedroom door open until Maura was standing beside the couch.

  “You should get some sleep,” she stated. It was hard not to see how calm Avalon looked. In all the years of transporting her, Maura couldn’t recall any times where she looked so at peace. She was actually sleeping.

  This was a first. It appeared Nathaniel Carter was good for her, and she was having the same effect on him.

  “Yeah, I’ll tuck her in and then crash in your room.”

  Maura was a little shocked. “You’re not going to sleep with her?” she asked.

  “I want to, but I’m tired of the dirty looks you keep giving me. I’d rather not cause waves on our team. I got to spend the last few hours reading to her. That’ll have to be enough.”

  Luke walked into the room and glanced back and forth between a man he called brother, and the woman he loved. You’d have to be an idiot to not see that there was trouble brewing there.

  Maura was touched that while they slept Nate wasn’t thinking about sex, but doing something so sweet with Avalon. There was a gentle side to him when it came to Oracle.

  “It’s not like you to listen to me.”

  He continued to run his hand down her hair. “What choice do I have? You’re so worried about me hurting her, and that’s making you lose focus. If someone wants to hurt her, I’ll sacrifice my feelings to make sure you’re on your game. Then she’ll be safe. In the end, Avalon matters more than my needs.”

  Maura stared down at the sleeping woman.

  Yeah, she saw that.

  “You need to stay with her. Avalon needs you. Don’t worry about my focus. If you’re keeping her safe, and she really matters, that’s one less thing on my shoulders.”

  Nate stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “What caused the change?” he asked, needing to know.

  “She’s happy. You’re not the only one who cares for her, Nate. I do too. She deserves someone who makes her happy. Her whole life has been shitty. Everyone wants something from her, but until you, no one ever gave anything back. I never thought to read to her, but you did. That means something in my book. You weren’t out here trying to get in her pants. You were nurturing her heart, trying to fill in all the holes. If you genuinely care about her, and she’s not just a conquest to you, then I’ll stop giving you the hairy eyeball.”

  He didn't know what to say.

  “I trust you with her.”

  Nate knew how much that cost Maura. She was very protective, and it was obvious that she’d taken Avalon under her wing. “I won’t ever hurt her.”

  Maura headed toward the kitchen to make some coffee. “Get some sleep.”

  Nate slid out from beneath her head before picking her up. He was shocked how light she was. Avalon felt like a child in his arms. He couldn’t wait to tuck her in beside him. If anything, he was curious what it would be like to sleep an entire night beside Avalon.

  When they were gone, Luke crossed to his fiancée and gave her a kiss. “You’re not so badass, Major Gaines. I can’t wait to make you my wife. Major Mars is going to sound so hot.”

  She snorted. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m not changing my name.”

  “What?” he said, staring incredulously. “You have to change it! That’s what people do!”

  She loved to tease him. “That’s for implying I’m soft.”

  Luke grinned. “There’s nothing soft about you. I know. I checked last night.”

  “You’re such a letch.”

  “And you like me that way.”

  Actually, he was absolutely right.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  They had the body in their trunk.

  Before the night was over, they’d dump her and regroup back at their safe house. Tomorrow, they’d find the brother, and begin the ‘interrogation’, just like ordered.

  There was no way they’d let the boss down. The other team was searching the Fed’s house, and when they got back, hopefully they’d have all their research.

  If they managed to take them out in the process, it wouldn’t really matter. The boss didn't care about the collateral damage.

  He only wanted results.

  That’s all that mattered.

  “The place looks quiet. We’re going to sneak in, leave the girl, and get out,” the one man told his partner.

  “Don’t forget to grab the memento for the boss man.”

  “I won’t,” Thomas replied. “You make sure you don’t jack this up either.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, I’ve got it under control.”

  With that, they grabbed the broken girl from the trunk. She was a bloody mess and looked like she’d been used by a whole platoon.

  It was time to dump her like trash.

  She was of no use to them.

  Using her keys, they unlocked the door. Inside, they dropped her onto the couch like a sack of garbage.

  As the one man headed toward the wall, he spotted the picture.

  Then they heard it.

  “Sarah? Is that you?” called the sleepy voice.

  There was someone coming into the room.

  “Wait,” Brian said.

  He must have finally realized that he wasn’t alone. While Sarah was there, she wasn’t going to be answering anytime soon. There was a look of horror on his face at what he saw.

  “Who are you?”

  The second man came out of nowhere, taking him down hard as he slammed Brian’s head off the floor. There was hardly any struggle.

  “Well? What do we do now?” he asked, rolling him over.

  “Who is he?” Thomas asked.

  “It’s her brother.”

  The other soldier started laughing. “Well, while we’re here, we can do the job, and then maybe sleep in.”

  “Where do you want him?”

  Thomas pointed at the kitchen. “There are more tools in there. Boil some water. We’re going to do some hot waterboarding. He’ll never forget it.”

  His partner laughed at how sadistic the man truly was. “On it.”

  With that, they settled in to break the man. If he didn't give them anything, they were going to be screwed.

  The boss wasn’t going to be happy.

  There was no doubt about that.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  He was tired of waiting.

  His contact from the FBI was dragging ass, and he didn't have time to play these kinds of games. Now, the FBI was scattered, trying to play catch up, and it was his time to strike.

  He needed a location.

  So, he reached out and touched someone.

  His source.

  Pulling out his phone, he dialed the burner phone number. As soon as the call was answered, he spoke, “I know it’s early, but I wanted to catch you before you headed into work.

  “You realize that every time you call me, you’re leaving a direct trail to us. You’re risking this.”

  “I’m aware, but I need to get her. I need to find Avalon.”

  “Why can’t you just leave the girl alone? She’s not hurting you.”

  He filled with rage. “Just by being she hurts me. Her mother kept her a secret. We created her, a
nd she’s mine. I want my daughter.”

  “To help you or to kill?”

  “You know the answer to that. She’s going to be mine. Now, unless you want your life ruined, you’re going to tell me where she is. You want that cozy life, the nice house, and the luxury? Or do you want hell on your doorstep? I’ll make sure the media is all over you.”

  There was silence.

  “How does treason sound?”

  “She’s not far from Fredricksville. That’s all I know. I’ll send you the coordinates as soon as I can get them.”

  “Thank you. I knew you’d see it my way.”

  “You’re an asshole. Don’t call me again. We’re done.”

  He laughed when the phone went dead.

  “Oh, we’re far from done. We’re only just beginning. Before it’s done, I’ll own the FBI, and you too.”

  Then, he waited for the coordinates.

  Soon, his daughter would be his.

  Or dead.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  They finished working him over, and it didn't take too long. The man broke far faster than his sister. Out of the two, he was definitely the weakest link.

  There was no doubt there.

  Yet, they still got nothing viable from him.

  When they burned him, tortured him, and scalded the man, he didn't know where his half-sister was. It seemed to be the same old story across the board.

  The old lady didn't know.

  The cousin didn't have a clue.

  And now the siblings were useless.

  It was beginning to feel like a wild goose chase, and neither man liked it.

  “What the hell is going on, Thomas?” Clarence asked.

  “You got me. All I know is I’m tired of killing people who don’t have a clue.”

  He agreed there.

  “It’s a waste of our time.”

  “I’ll talk to the boss when we call him,” Thomas stated. While Mr. Greene had purchased their services, they were a commodity, and he wasn’t going to waste them. With each victim, they left a trail back to them, and that wasn’t good.

  Not to mention that they’d lost a few good men that week all because of this rabbit chase for the woman.

  “Let’s get moving. The sun is coming up.”

  “That works for me. Our work here is done.”

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  Thursday Morning

  Fredricksville

  Callie headed down to get them coffee in the hotel lobby. They’d gotten back late, and all three of them had less than four hours of down time.

  Normally, she’d be okay, but while pregnant, she was wearing down. Lovingly patting her belly, Callie poured them coffee and headed back upstairs.

  She couldn’t wait until this was all over. In all honesty, she missed her daughter in the worst way. It wasn’t easy not knowing how Suzie was doing, putting all her trust in the Blackhawks. Callie knew that her husband wasn’t faring well. He was very hands on when it came to their blonde little cherub. Quinn loved nothing more than making breakfast for his girls.

  She didn't doubt that this was making him edgy. His normally handsome face showed the worry, and that wasn’t a good thing.

  If Nate, Maura, and Luke weren’t in the line of fire, Quinn would have likely bagged this assignment. Her handsome husband hated things like this. He would rather be at work, than wandering around in the unknown.

  Upstairs, Callie found both men sitting in the one hotel room tying their shoes. She handed them each a coffee before dropping down beside her husband. “Ready, big guy?” she asked, giving him a kiss.

  “Yeah, except you should stay here.”

  She laughed.

  Jagger did too.

  Apparently, he was the only one who hoped this wouldn’t go bad. “Tell me you have Kevlar on.”

  She patted her chest to alleviate his fears. It just barely fit over the baby bump, but she was safe.

  “Thank you for listening for a change.”

  Callie winked at him.

  “We should go,” stated Jagger. He was visibly agitated.

  “Why do you look like you have ants in your pants?” Quinn asked.

  He stared at the man. “I’ve actually had that happen, and it’s far worse than it sounds. They like to…”

  “Stop,” he stated, holding up his hand. “TMI, and I really don’t need a play by play of the inside of your drawers.”

  Callie snorted.

  “I just feel edgy. I get like this before I start a job. I want to get over there, secure them, and get us to safety. After last night, I have a bad feeling in my gut.”

  Callie pointed at Quinn before he could say anything. “Don’t make me angry. You don’t like me when I’m mad, Quinton Gaines.”

  He closed his mouth.

  She was spot on there.

  “Let’s head out,” Jagger suggested, leading them to the door. “I don’t like going into a place where they’re likely staking us out.”

  Quinn had to be the reassuring one, or he was going to lose his mind. “We’ll be fine. Callie and I will go in, you watch our backs. If we’re being watched, and they try to move on us, you’ll at least be our early warning.”

  “Deal.”

  He’d promised their boss to do just that. Nothing would happen to the Gaines couple.

  Not on his watch.

  Heading out, the entire ride Jagger was quiet until they arrived where he needed to be dropped off. “Let me out here. I’ll get to the house right after you do, and I’ll keep an eye on your six.”

  Quinn pulled over, appreciating that the Marine had done a damn good job of keeping them safe so far. He had to give him credit for that.

  When Jagger disappeared into the woods, not far from the house, Quinn started back on the road. “I want you to stay by me no matter what.”

  “Yes, big guy.”

  He glanced over at her. “You look worked up.”

  “Yeah, I’m thinking about all of this. I feel like I’m missing something, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

  He patted her on the leg. “You’ll figure it out, baby,” he stated. “I have faith in the profiler beside me.”

  She smiled at him as he pulled into the driveway.

  Once out of the car, Quinn took her hand in his, keeping his reckless wife by his side.

  At the front door, they started knocking.

  No one answered.

  Callie rang the bell.

  Again, there was nothing.

  “Maybe they’re asleep,” she offered, noticing that the woman’s car was there. Freeing herself from Quinn’s hand, she moved across the porch to the front window.

  That’s when she saw it.

  “We have a problem,” she stated.

  He joined her, peeking inside. “Oh, shit. That’s a body.”

  Callie nodded. “A very bloody naked body.”

  Quinn looked around. “Well, we’re going in. Hopefully, Jagger is watching our backs.”

  Dropping, he lifted up the doormat. Underneath it, he found a spare key. “This is why people end up dead,” Quinn stated. He was super glad they had a dog and guns. There was no way he’d leave a spare key outside his house.

  You had to be crazy.

  Pushing the door open, he stared back at his wife. “Touch nothing.”

  She would have laughed if the entire thing wasn’t so dire. Already, in the back of her mind, she knew who they were going to find.

  The killers had struck again.

  They should have warned the young girl.

  “It’s Sarah, isn't it?” she asked, not looking at her.

  Quinn crouched down next to the couch to inspect her body. With the back of his hand, he touched her flesh. “She’s not too cold. Rigor mortis is just setting in, so she’s only been dead between two and six hours.”

  Callie made the calculations. It happened sometime late last night. In fact, it was right about the time the men were try
ing to break into their cottage.

  Great.

  “How bad is she?”

  Quinn checked out her wounds. Being a cop, he zeroed in on her lower anatomy.

  “She was raped, and from the bruising, it took a while. That’s post mortem. I’ve seen it many times before.”

  “She suffered,” Callie stated, as she checked out the victim. “Hopefully, the ME will be able to get some trace.”

  Quinn somehow doubted it.

  If this was the same killer, meaning the ex-soldiers, they would have covered their tracks. “I’ll clear the rest of the house. For all we know, they’re still here.”

  She stood and began snapping photographs of the body. She would need to look at them later. For some reason, there was even more of a nagging feeling in the back of her mind.

  Sarah Miller, now broken and battered, didn't look like she’d died a fast death. From the various hues of forming bruises, it appeared that this was long term.

  As in torture.

  Interrogation.

  The killer wanted something.

  But what?

  “Callie,” called Quinn from the kitchen. “Quick.”

  She rushed toward him, coming to a stop in the doorway. “Holy shit,” she muttered, seeing the second victim tethered to the chair.

  “Look at that tattoo on his neck. Where have we seen it before?” he asked.

  She knew exactly where. They’d just read over it that morning. “In the dossier.” Callie would have liked to identify him by his face, but it was ruined.

  Someone had scalded him so badly, that the skin was peeling from his body in thick paper like sheets.

  It was gross—even for her.

  “We definitely have one hell of a problem,” Quinn stated, noticing that the man had been tortured. The kitchen smelled of piss, and that reminded him of the cases he’d worked in Atlanta. They almost always involved torture or extreme duress.

  Just as Quinn was about to pull out his phone, the back door to the house was kicked in. Two men with guns came through the door.