Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  One the verge of panicking, Sydney swallowed. “What should I do?”

  “I’ll do the talking. But if it can’t be helped, I want you to go without with them without resisting. As soon as I can, I’ll contact the team and Frida. Even if they have a warrant, I doubt it will hold against her.”

  “I can’t go back to my uncle, Caitlin. I won’t survive it.”

  “We won’t let that happen, Sydney. I swear we won’t.”

  Kingsley knew they were close to finding answers. He could feel it in his bones. The more the team dug, the closer the eastern connections were getting to the western ones. It was as the old saying went, ‘always follow the money’. He doubted Rutherford would do anything without a ton of it.

  James stretched in front of his computer. “Can’t we just beat the guy into a bloody pulp so he never bothers Sydney again instead? My eyes are bleeding from staring at this screen for so long.”

  If it had been a possibility, Kingsley would have been first in line. And the last to see the scumbag alive. However, he wanted a life with Sydney, and that entailed using legitimate methods to get the information they wanted and put Rutherford behind bars.

  Malco pushed a coffee into Mercy’s hand and sighed. “Where is the money? We’ve tracked every account, every source.”

  Cain scoffed. “As if he’s stupid enough to use legal means or accounts.”

  Mercy nodded. “Too bad illegal accounts don’t have flashing lights. They would be easier to find. Don’t despair, it’s not as if the money is ever lying there in plain sight.”

  The words made Kingsley blink. In plain sight. “Why would Rutherford kidnap Sydney and keep her hidden? Why did he try to break her, and why is he trying to get her declared as incompetent so he can get guardianship of her?”

  One by one, each team member around the conference table looked up.

  Alex cursed under his breath, and Kingsley knew that the counter-intelligence specialist was connecting the dots as he spoke. “Sydney is the key. Damn, I should have thought about it. It’s common practice in terrorist groups to hide money under relative’s names, especially wives and children. I didn’t think of it because I thought Rutherford would have relied on an off-shore account instead, or some sort of scheme to hide the money. We have to find anything related to Sydney—deeds, accounts, funds, life insurances… It’s hidden under her name somewhere.”

  Kingsley’s hands were almost shaking as he felt he was getting closer to his primary goal of making sure Sydney was safe.

  The sound of two people running came from the corridor. The room reacted as one, reaching for their weapons but relaxed when they saw it was only Emme and Cleo.

  “King! The police just arrested Sydney and took her to the station. Frida is already there.”

  His body reacted even before his mind could process the words. “Which station?”

  As Emme passed on the location, Mason came to his side. “I’m driving.”

  Alex shouted something about the team continuing the search, but Kingsley’s mind was too far gone. He tried to grab the keys from Mason, but the man escaped his grasp and instead told him to get in the car.

  It wasn’t a long drive, but it seemed like it took forever. Sydney, the love of his life, was captive. Alone and frightened and he wasn’t there for her. He hadn’t been there to protect her. Guilt gnawed at his guts like fire ants.

  Wisely, Mason didn’t say a word, and instead, burned as many red lights as he could without getting them pulled over.

  When they arrived at the police station, Kingsley immediately noticed Frida coming out of the building. Both men jumped out the car, but before he could head for the door, she pulled him to the side. Mason stayed close, his eyes scanning the area.

  “Where is she?” Kingsley felt as if he was ready to jump out of his skin.

  Frida, on the other hand, was as cold as ice. “Calm down, Kingsley. Your woman is safe for the moment. But we don’t have a lot of time.”

  Mason stepped in. “What happened?”

  “From what I could gather, just as they were about to turn onto the main road, there was a blockade with police cars. Seems the papers had gone through, but I wasn’t informed. That’s the first breach of protocol. The girls tried to contact you, but their phones didn’t have a signal. If they used something to block it, that’s another breach. As a matter of fact, Caitlin followed the cruiser, but she couldn’t get a signal at all and could only access a phone when she arrived here.”

  “That’s strange. I’ll let Shane and Emme know.” Mason pulled out his phone to send a message.

  Frida continued, “And they weren’t the only ones. My phone stopped working as well. Caitlin tried to reach me, but couldn’t. It was one of my contacts in the force that informed me. It was a close call. The papers almost went through without any of us knowing.”

  Mason nodded. “It looks like an organized attack so Sydney could be snatched away. And that means our communication system is most probably compromised.”

  Kingsley had trouble processing the information when he knew Sydney was still inside. “What papers?”

  The lawyer’s irises burned like embers. “They are finally pushing to have her sent to the psychiatric ward for assessment. They’re saying she’s delusional and Rutherford’s lawyers are playing the card that she’s unstable and weak-minded, and he’s a protective uncle, the only family she has left. I don’t know how he managed it, but he brought up medications she took after her father’s death as a proof she was unstable, and possibly an addict.”

  The rage that overtook Kingsley hazed his sight red. It was only Mason’s steady hand holding him back by the elbow that stopped him from tearing the police station apart. It took the last, very fine thread of self-control he had to hear the rest of what Frida was saying.

  “Listen, I have one trump card left. It’s something I prepared because I had a gut feeling things would go bad. Shane has already put it in action, but you have to do as I say and be convincing for it to work. Our other options will take a lot more time and won’t stop Sydney being taken from you.”

  Those last words acted like a cold shower, allowing him to focus again and be the operative he knew so well. This was his mission, and it couldn’t fail.

  Frida looked deep into his eyes before nodding. “Good. So, the only way any of us could have any power in the decisions made in regard to Sydney, if she were indeed in distress, which I know very well she is not, was if she were married. The rights of a husband prevail over those of her family. Do you understand?”

  Kingsley shook his head. “We’re not married, Frida.”

  “You are now.” Fishing papers out of her satchel, she produced what looked like a real marriage certificate containing their signatures. Reading his name next to Sydney’s gave him a jolt. “Shane pulled a few favors to create it and upload it into the system with the proper date. You were married four days ago in Sweeting, Indiana. Mason and Caitlin were your witnesses. You were all there—we can produce proof of your plane tickets. I also found an officer who will vouch for its authenticity. This is legit, valid, and binding. It was a spur of the moment thing, so none of her ID has been changed yet. If the cops in there ask why she didn’t say anything it was because she wanted to take care of things by herself. You’re a decorated British officer, working legally here and in the middle of a mission. She didn’t want to distract you from your work. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” Kingsley nodded and had to push aside the fact that he was married—for real—to Sydney to the back of his mind. He would deal with that feeling later.

  “Good.” She offered her hand, and he felt something in his. Careful not to look, he put his hand in his pockets and touched the rings with his fingers.

  “There is one in there for Sydney. If they ask why she didn’t have it on, you took it for fitting and just picked it up. Stay calm at all times. Mason, go find Caitlin. She’s inside with Killian and about to be charged with harassm
ent. Update her. Kingsley, I’m going in with you. You ready? Don’t mess it up. I’m putting my career on the line to save your woman.”

  Kingsley subtly put his ring on and nodded. He was more in control than he’d felt in a long time, and he was ready to get his woman back, and vowed to keep her safe forever.

  22

  Sydney sat quietly inside the interview room, her hands twisting as her anxiety levels rose with each passing minute. The windowless room was painted a pale gray with a glass mirror that she knew from watching endless crime dramas was a two-way mirror.

  Glancing up she saw the camera in the corner of the room, the blinking red light indicating it was recording. Her gut twisted in fear as bile climbed up her throat. She couldn’t go back to her uncle. She just hoped like hell that whatever Frida seemed to have up her sleeve worked. She had spoken with her briefly, but she had been cryptic and asked her some strange questions about Kingsley that made no sense to her.

  Noise from outside was followed by barking and then more shouting before it seemed to move away. She suspected that it was Caitlin and Killian. Her new friend hadn’t left her side after the police deputies had taken her into custody.

  They had been perfectly nice to her, gentle even as they helped her into the back of the cruiser. Their eyes caught hers in the rearview mirror as they drove holding sympathy for what they perceived as her situation.

  The door opened, and the officer who had spoken with her when she was brought in entered followed by Frida and lastly, to her utter relief, Kingsley. She was moving before her mind even registered it.

  “Kingsley.” She threw herself into his open arms. Feeling them come around and hold her tight, the instant feeling of safety was like a balm to her tortured soul. His scent was all around her as he buried his nose in her neck, almost lifting her off the ground.

  He pulled away from her, and she felt the reluctance in him. His eyes ran up and down her body, assessing her, looking for signs she had been hurt. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  He pulled her into the crook of his arm and held her against his body. Her eyes followed his face as he glared at the officer. “I demand you release my wife immediately.”

  She stiffened at his words. The tightening of his arm on her back told her to play along.

  “Miss Rutherford never mention she was married.” The cop was suspicious of his words and Sydney stayed silent letting Kingsley run point on this one.

  “We only got married four days ago. Sydney’s ring has been in getting properly sized. I was picking it up from the jeweler when I got the phone call. Here you go, babe. It should fit perfectly now.” He fished in his pocket and held up a plain, perfect gold band. He took it and slipped it on to her finger, his hand holding hers before he brought the side to his lips and kissed it. The feeling of joy she got from an act that was all show was silly, but it made her heart skip a beat.

  “Do you have proof?” The cop wasn’t ready to let that go.

  “Yes, I have all the papers right here, and I also have a signed affidavit from the judge that married them in Indiana.” Frida stepped in, producing papers and handing them to the man. Sydney looked at Kingsley, and knew he could see the question in her eyes.

  He looked down at her with censure when he spoke, but she knew it was all for show. “Why didn’t you call me when this happened?”

  “Because I knew you were chasing down that lead for Alliance and I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Babe.” That one word spoke more than a complete sentence ever would. “Are all American women this stubborn or is just the one I married?” Kingsley asked the room at large as he winked at her and she saw the cop smirk in sympathy for Kingsley.

  “I need to check this out, but if everything checks then you’re free to go with your husband, Mrs. Knight.” He moved from the room leaving them alone.

  She turned to Kingsley with a smile playing on her lips, but he glanced up and at the camera in warning before she spoke. “Thank you for getting me out of this jamb.”

  “In sickness, health, and all the crazy shit in between, baby. That’s what I signed up for.”

  Sydney felt her breath catch at the truth in his words and the emotion in his voice and fought not to fall into the game they were playing. But it was hard. She realized with a shock that she wanted nothing more in this world than to be Mrs. Knight one day. That was a dangerous dream, because if her uncle kept up his games, chances were she wouldn’t live to see her next birthday, let alone get a happily ever after with her British knight.

  “Good because you ain’t getting rid of me.”

  “I don’t ever want to rid of you, Syd, not ever.” He dipped his head and caught her mouth in a deep kiss that made her legs go weak.

  “I’ll just go see what they’re up to.” Frida grinned at them, her face beautiful as her harsh features softened.

  “Thank you.” He nodded at her as she exited the room.

  Kingsley sat on the chair before pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her. He rested his head against her heart and held tight. Neither said anything as they waited for the detective to return. Sydney ran her fingers through the soft, thick hair at the back of his head, the feeling relaxing her as she waited.

  The door burst open suddenly and every muscle in her body tensed in fear as she saw the look of pure fury on her uncle’s face. Kingsley was on his feet in a second, pushing her behind him as he faced her uncle down. Raymond was dressed in his usual designer suit and polished shoes, not a hair out of place as he visibly composed himself, but not before she saw the evil and hatred behind his eyes.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” Kingsley growled, the room practically vibrating with testosterone.

  Sydney saw the way her uncle’s face twisted at the confrontation and his lack of control over the events in the room. His expression changed, as if he’d suddenly remembered he was being watched, and he smiled. “I merely wanted to check on my niece and offer my congratulations for the very recent and sudden nuptials.”

  “Yeah? Well, now you have, so you can leave.”

  “Sydney?” Her uncle said as he tried to look past Kingsley to her.

  “Don’t fucking look at her.”

  Sydney knew Kingsley was holding on to his temper by a thread. Only his training stopped him from dragging her uncle outside and beating him to a bloody pulp. Sydney had never considered herself violent, but at that moment she realized that she wouldn’t bat an eyelid if Kingsley killed him.

  Raymond stiffened as if sensing he was getting nowhere and was losing the battle. “Fine, I’ll leave but please don’t keep my niece from me, she is all the family I have left. And I love her dearly.” His lies made bile rush into her mouth at the sickness of his words and her hand flew to her mouth to keep herself from vomiting.

  “I suggest you leave before I have a restraining order placed on you for harassment.” Frida appeared in the doorway. The policeman from earlier was behind her and looked unimpressed that Raymond had gotten in.

  “Fine, I’m leaving.”

  Sydney saw the look of retribution on his face, and it sent a shiver through her spine. This wasn’t over, not by a long shot. They watched as Raymond left the room and Sydney felt the breath leave her in a whoosh.

  Kingsley turned her in his arms and held her tight. “I won’t let him near you, Syd.”

  “I know you won’t.” She believed him.

  They walked to the door, hand in hand.

  “You’re free to leave, Mrs. Knight.” The handsome cop smiled at her.

  “Thank you.” She was suddenly feeling exhausted and hungry.

  “But if I may give you a word of caution. Be mindful of Raymond Rutherford. I’ve met men like him before, and they’re dangerous in a way that you don’t want in your life. Watch your backs. Men like that don’t like to lose.” He turned to Kingsley then. “Mr. Knight, here’s my card. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to
call.”

  Kingsley took it and shook his hand. “Thank you, and I’ll certainly bear that in mind.”

  They walked out, and were silent until they reached Mason who was waiting with Caitlin.

  Caitlin rushed at her and threw her arms around her, nearly knocking her off her feet. “Oh my God. Sydney, I’m so sorry I let them take you.” She engulfed her in a hug.

  “It’s not your fault.” Sydney pulled away, her heart full as she realized how much she meant to Caitlin.

  “Let’s get back to Alliance. I don’t like being on the street.” Kingsley helped Sydney get into Mason’s car. He moved to sit beside her and Mason got in the front, starting the engine.

  “I’ll meet you at Alliance, we have a lot to discuss.” Frida turned and sashayed toward her car, her head high. Sydney wondered at her confidence and wished she was like that.

  “So, Mrs. Knight, about the wedding night I missed.” Kingsley smirked, and she felt laughter bubble up and burst from her as the tension left her body replaced by a light feeling of joy at what she had managed to gain in her life in the last week.

  “Yeah, let’s talk about that later, shall we.”

  Giggling, she saw Mason roll his eyes in the rearview mirror as his lip twitched.

  23

  Sydney needed plenty of deep breaths and Kingsley’s tight grip to finally find her inner calmness. It wasn’t steady, but at least she could think more clearly.

  Once they were back at Alliance with reassurances given all around, Sydney gratefully accepted Cleo’s cup of coffee and plate of pastries as they sat in the conference room for a detailed summary of what had happened.

  Sydney couldn’t believe Frida’s brilliant idea. Her heart dropped a little knowing that even if it was official on paper, it wasn’t real. As she twirled her golden ring on her finger, she had to admit it was a nice fantasy, imagining Kingsley as her forever man. Far for delusional, she knew they weren’t at that point yet, even if her heart yearned to say yes. Kingsley had said he was serious, but everything had happened so quickly between them, she had to remain sensible, and the best thing she could do now was focus on the task at hand. Only when the threat from her uncle was removed could the real discussion between her and Kingsley start.