by Debra Webb
They had the house for the night.
Some of Trinity’s tension eased. He hurried back to the church. They could all use a few hours of unguarded relaxation.
He opened the back door of the church and stuck his head inside. “Come on. We have a place for the night.” He grinned. “The preacher and his family are away until tomorrow.”
Von released a big puff of air. “Great.” She stood. “Come on, girls.”
Trinity held the door as the girls marched out. He had to smile as he watched Von leading the troop toward the parsonage.
And she’d thought she wouldn’t make a good mother after losing the baby.
Trinity shook his head. She would make a great mother.
Von supervised a dozen showers while Trinity prepared pizza. Lots of pizza. And green beans. Kids needed something green with each meal, his mother had always insisted. With no salad fixings available, he’d opened the three cans of green beans he found in the cupboard. He doubted the girls would be overjoyed, but at least the beans were green.
There was no milk in the house but there were fruit drinks. While the oven took care of dinner, Trinity put in a call to the agency. Victoria needed to be aware of this latest turn of events.
The news from her end was not encouraging.
By the time the pizzas were sliced and the green beans in a serving bowl on the counter, twelve little angels appeared, each dressed in new sweats. Pinks, blues and greens.
The Hardins had paper plates and disposable cups which would make for easier clean up. Trinity passed around a roll of paper towels for napkins.
Stretched out on the floor in front of the television, the girls gobbled down their pizza and picked at their beans. Trinity brought Von up to speed while they consumed their equally appetizing dinner.
“Victoria, along with the Bureau liaison, are contacting all the girls’ parents to let them know their children are safe and will be home by tomorrow.”
“I’m certain there are some relieved parents in the Chicago area tonight. Wow.” Von cast a lingering glance at the girls. “The idea that these children could have been lost forever…” She visibly shuddered. “It’s just unthinkable.” She met Trinity’s eyes. “I talked to each of the girls and none seems to have been harmed in any way, other than being mentally terrorized. I didn’t see any indication of physical abuse. No bruises or scrapes of any kind.”
“Thank God,” Trinity said, his heart relieved. “There’s more,” he went on with his update. “Robinson and the others are dead.” He imagined Von wouldn’t suffer any regrets over that aspect of this horrific business.
She shook her head. “That’s a shame but it’s hard to feel any sympathy for guys like that.” She met Trinity’s gaze. “So whoever’s running this operation knows.”
Trinity nodded. “Some homeless people seeking shelter went into the old mill warehouse and discovered the bodies. The moving truck and the SUV were still inside. The local authorities are hounding Victoria as to my whereabouts.”
Von rubbed her forehead. “This just gets worse and worse.”
“Jim, Ian and Simon, along with some other agent from the Bureau are here.”
That surprised Von. “In Huntsville?”
“Landed maybe an hour ago. They’re trying to straighten out this mess with the local authorities. We’re to stay put until morning. Victoria said the mill warehouse is under surveillance, but I don’t think that’ll help at this point.”
“Definitely not.” Von picked up the paper plate and tossed the remains of her dinner into the trash. She turned back to Trinity. “They know their rendezvous location here has been compromised, as have their operatives who they obviously terminated. Their cargo is missing and the plan for getting these kids to New Orleans is dead in the water. I just hope someone can find the other kids that were supposed to be picked up here.”
“It would make sense,” Trinity said, the idea jelling in his head, “that if the bad guys are still trying to track us down…then everything’s at a standstill.”
“Possibly,” Von agreed. “The blonde.” She plowed her fingers through her hair. “I know that blonde girl from somewhere. She was with the man in charge. He wore the kind of suit you don’t find on the racks at department stores.”
Trinity surveyed the girls scattered on the living room floor. “I know this is a big financial loss to him and his operation, but why risk getting caught over one lost shipment? This operation is too well executed, too sophisticated to take that kind of risk.”
Von braced her hands on the counter and considered his words. “Maybe,” she said, “this guy just doesn’t like to lose.” She met Trinity’s gaze. “He was going to auction me for those deadly fight matches.”
Trinity’s gut twisted at the idea. “The agency needs to stop that bastard.” The idea that White had been an insider outraged Trinity all over again.
“Why don’t you take a shower first?” Von suggested. “I’ll get the girls settled and then,” she grinned, “I’m going to have a long soak in that big tub I saw in the master bathroom.”
Trinity tried to suppress the images her words prompted. Didn’t work. “Sounds good to me.”
He hesitated before going for that shower. “Thanks for the shirt, by the way.”
“There are toiletries and…ah…underwear, too.” Her cheeks pinked.
He had to grin. “Are you blushing?”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not! I got what we all needed. It’s no big deal.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Just go, Barrett,” she scolded firmly, but the laugh that followed was genuine.
It was good to hear her laugh.
It had been way too long.
7:05 p.m.
“MY TURN.” VON GAVE Trinity a high five as she passed him in the hallway outside the bedrooms. “The girls are down for the count.” It was early but they were all exhausted and well fed for the first time in at least a couple of days.
Von turned, moving backward very slowly, to watch Trinity walk away. He looked really good in that white shirt and the jeans. His feet were bare and his hair was still a little damp.
She smiled when he stopped at the first bedroom door. He stood there a moment, then moved on to the next one. Von had tucked the girls into the queen-sized beds, six to a room. With three girls at the head and three at the foot of each bed, it worked out nicely. Except for the pillow situation. She’d had a heck of a time tracking down enough pillows. Leaving a bedside lamp on to keep the darkness at bay had satisfied the children.
Each one had insisted on a good-night kiss. Von shook her head. She never made it a habit of kissing children. Tonight she’d kissed twelve, one right after the other. Her chest tightened. They were safe…for now.
How could a person have a child and ever let them out of their sight?
Von didn’t see how parents did it.
The worry…the sheer terror…of just dropping them off at school.
Maybe that was why she’d lost the baby. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for being a parent.
Okay, she needed a bath. A long, hot bath.
The master bathroom was a little small but there was a nice-sized tub. That was all Von needed. She started the water running and then dug around under the sink for soaking oils or bubble bath. Anything to cleanse away the stench of scumbags.
“Aha!” It wasn’t a luxurious soaking oil but it was a nicely scented bubble bath that promised to relax her muscles. Von poured a couple of capfuls into the bath water and rounded up two towels.
She started to slip off her clothes, then remembered the sweats and undies she’d bought for herself. Back in the bedroom she snagged the bag and closed herself in the bathroom once more.
Leaving her two-day-old attire on the tile floor, she sank into the wonderfully warm water and relaxed.
It felt so good.
So, so, so good.
She closed her eyes and allowed her muscles to relax.
Slow
ly the insanity of the past twenty-four hours dissolved.
Somewhere on the fringes of sleep, images whispered through her mind. Trinity touching her…his lips moving over her body. Her body shivered. I love you…
Von’s eyes snapped open. She sat up. Shivered. The water had cooled.
She climbed out, drained and rinsed the tub, then slowly dried her body. Her skin was sensitive to her own touch. Her insides still quivering from the dreams of Trinity touching her.
When she’d discarded her old clothes—which she never wanted to see again—into the store bag, she dressed in the new items she’d purchased.
The house was quiet as she made her way down the hall. The girls were all sleeping soundly. Good. She put her bag of trashed clothes next to the others, the girls’ discarded clothes and the dinner trash, then she frowned. The sofa now blocked the front door. Good move, but…
Where was Trinity?
She wandered into the kitchen. The two rooms were open to each other, divided by a long bar. She was halfway across the big kitchen when the back door opened.
Von jumped, put her hand over her mouth but not quickly enough to stifle the gasp.
“Sorry.” Trinity tinkered with the door, then pushed it closed and locked it. He slid a cabinet, kind of like a small china cabinet, in front of the back door. “Just taking a few precautions.”
He was worried that whoever had killed Robinson and his cronies would still come after the kids…and the two people responsible for rescuing them.
Shouldering out of his coat, he gifted her with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. We’re going to be fine.”
The weapon in the waistband of his jeans reminded her that they were armed. She’d tucked the weapon he gave her under the mattress in the master bedroom.
“I know.” She shivered in spite of her assertion. “I’m just tired.”
He tossed his coat onto the bar. “Come on.” He draped an arm around her shoulders. “You need sleep.” He ushered her down the hall to the bedroom.
She stood there, staring at him as he drew the covers back. He was right. She understood that. But she didn’t want to be alone.
“I’ll take the couch,” he said. “Victoria has the number here. If there are any developments she’ll contact us. Otherwise we’re to stay put until we receive new orders.”
All true. And him sleeping on the couch was a good idea. She completely agreed.
But it wasn’t what she wanted him to do at this moment.
She looked up at him, wondered why on earth she hadn’t recognized what a mistake she’d made five years ago before now. It hadn’t been his fault they’d lost the baby. That he’d wanted to try again, later when they were older and more financially secure, had been smart. But she’d been too damaged to be reasonable. She’d lost everything that ever mattered to her. Her parents…her baby… She couldn’t bear to have him die on her, too. So she’d made him go. She’d forced him out of her life…so she couldn’t lose him that way.
She’d been crazy with hurt…too young to cope.
Was it too late to fix that now?
“I want you here…” She moistened her lips, mostly to buy time and to shore up her courage. “With me.”
Trinity didn’t question her. Didn’t argue. He closed the door softly, turned the knob to lock it. Then he reached for her.
His boots and their clothes landed in a pile on the floor. When her body was skin-to-skin with his she felt as if she were home for the first time in five years.
He lowered her to the bed, his lips working that magic that only Trinity Barrett could work on her. Despite the urgency she felt in his body, he took his time. He lavished every part of her with attention until she felt ready to scream with need. She bit her lips together, didn’t want to wake the girls…didn’t want anything but him touching her like this…forever.
When he sank into her…she was complete.
Time stopped and there was nothing but his touch…his soft whispers…and the incredible sensation of ecstasy.
TRINITY’S ENTIRE BODY shuddered with the climax that only Von could bring in him. He’d wanted no other woman except her. She was his soul mate…his wife no matter that legal documents indicated otherwise.
She was his…there would never be anyone else.
He held her close, was terrified by the prospect of letting go.
Von kissed his chest. “When this is over,” she murmured, “we’re going to have that talk you’ve been asking about.”
A smile tugged at his lips even as emotion burned his eyes. “’Bout time,” he whispered.
She nodded, her cheek caressing his skin. “Definitely.”
He kissed the top of her head, relished the feel of her silky hair. “Sleep. I’ll keep watch.”
As badly as he hated to, he untangled himself from her sweet, warm body and pulled on his clothes and boots.
He gathered her clothes and placed them on the bed before kissing her cheek. “Just in case.” He patted her clothes.
They had to be prepared…just in case.
Thursday, December 24th, 12:03 a.m.
VON HEARD A BELL.
She sat up. Blinked.
“Put the girls under the beds.”
Her gaze flew to Trinity’s. He pressed a finger to his lips before she could ask the question on the tip of her tongue, then he disappeared down the hall.
Trouble was here.
Von reached under the mattress and got the weapon she’d stashed there. Staying low, she crept into the first bedroom and awakened Tara.
“Shh.” She put her fingers against the girl’s mouth. “Quiet. I need all of you under the bed. Now.”
Tara nodded, her eyes still cluttered with sleep.
It took a full minute, but Von and Tara finally got the girls under the bed.
Von moved on to the next room.
This time it wasn’t so easy.
There were plaster containers of toys stashed under the bed. Von pushed the containers into the closet while April helped the others get under the bed.
Something crashed in the kitchen.
The cabinet, she realized.
Damn.
Gunshots shattered the silence.
Cries echoed from beneath the bed.
Von hunkered down next to the bed. “Stay quiet,” she whispered. “And don’t move.”
She crawled to the door, checked the hall and then hurried to the next bedroom. More sobbing. She moved close to the bed and grabbed Tara’s hand. “We’ll be okay. But we have to stay very still and very quiet.”
Tara nodded.
The sobbing stopped but another crash echoed from the living room-kitchen area.
Maintaining a crouch, Von moved in that direction, her weapon palmed and ready.
Trinity had one man down and was taking on a second.
Von eased closer, not daring to stand and make herself a target in front of the many windows.
The man was working hard to pull the muzzle of his weapon down to Trinity’s face. Trinity was working equally hard to keep it away.
Von lowered onto her belly and braced her elbows on the floor. She took aim…held her breath…and fired.
The bastard’s knee buckled as the bullet passed through his thigh.
A scream rent the air. He released his weapon and crumpled to the floor, curling into a ball of agony.
Trinity snatched up the dropped weapon and shouted to her, “Get back! There’s more of them out there.”
A window crashed and something tumbled onto the floor.
Canister.
“Gas!” Trinity shouted at the same instant Von recognized the danger.
She jumped to her feet and rushed back into the hall. “Don’t come out,” she shouted to the girls as she slammed the first bedroom door. She dove into the second bedroom and shoved the door shut.
“What’s happening?” Tara poked her head from under the bed.
“Stay under the bed,” Von urged. She wanted to ope
n the windows but that would only announce their exact location to the enemy.
Instead, she slowed her breathing and tried not to inhale the fumes leaking under the door.
“Don’t be afraid,” Von whispered, her head already spinning. “It’s Christmas Eve…”
Nothing bad could happen…not today.
Chapter Twenty
Huntsville Women and Children’s Hospital, 4:15 a.m.
Von wasn’t sitting in this damned room another second.
She hopped off the exam table and walked out in the not-so-attractive hospital gown. Who cared?
Jim Colby, obviously deep in conversation with two men Von didn’t recognize, turned toward her. “There’s one of our heroes.” Jim waved her over. “Let me introduce you to Special Agent in Charge Vince Latham and his deputy, Special Agent Melvin Wells. They represent the Huntsville field office.”
Von shook hands. “Thank you.” She wondered which of them had given the order to gas the parsonage. At the time, no one had known how many of the enemy was inside…seemed like the thing to do if anyone was going to be saved when backup showed up on the scene.
Thankfully Jim and Ian had been close by, just waiting for the enemy to show.
“Thank you,” Latham insisted. “You and Mr. Barrett saved those children.”
“What about the others?” Von turned to Jim. “There was supposed to be another pickup here.”
“One of the men captured this morning broke at two-thirty,” Jim assured her. “Four other children were recovered and are here as well.”
“Are they okay?” Von’s heart bumped into a faster rhythm.
“They’re fine. Like the others, the examinations were merely a precaution.”
Von still had a bit of a headache from the sleeping gas. “Where’s Trinity?”
Jim pointed to the room next to the one Von had exited. “The doctor’s still with him, but he should be out soon.”
Von nodded. “The kids?”
“I’ll show you,” Wells spoke up.
Jim gave her a final pat on the shoulder before she followed the agent down the wide corridor. They passed several treatment rooms, but he didn’t stop until they reached the last door.
Inside was one big treatment room with several beds. Numerous gurneys had been pulled into the room to facilitate the girls.
