Trap, Secure: Navy SEAL Security

by Carol Ericson

  “Are you eight years old or are you Dr. Elle Fonesca, kick-ass psychiatrist?”

  She dropped her hands and stuffed them into the pockets of her coat. “What were they going to do to Randi?”

  “They were going to forcibly impregnate her to lure out a bad guy.”

  “That’s horrible, draconian.” She hunched her shoulders. “Of course you had to rescue her from that, but what about Prospero? How come you haven’t contacted your own agency?”

  “Too risky. Too many connections to the CIA there, and I can’t reach my own team members. Just tell me you can help.”

  “I’ll try. Anything for my big brother.” She gave him a quick hug. “But why did you sleep with her? She has amnesia, Gage. You took advantage of her almost as much as the CIA wanted to.”

  He closed his eyes, reliving last night when Randi’s hands and mouth were all over him, giving and taking so much pleasure. He hadn’t taken advantage of her. She’d wanted him. She’d wanted him for himself, for the moment and nothing more.

  “Hello?” Elle tapped him on the shoulder.

  “You don’t understand.”

  “I understand the male libido. What if she’s in league with that arms dealer?”

  If she was, last night was even more important, but Elle would never understand that, either. He had to get back on logical ground with her, had to put his indiscretion in terms she’d accept. “That’s what we’re hoping to find out. And if she is, don’t you think sleeping with her is a sure way to cement her loyalty to me?”

  “Oh.” Elle tilted her head and wrinkled her nose. “I can’t say I approve of your methods, but you’re the spy. That still doesn’t make it right.”

  A gust of lemon-scented steam rolled into the room, and Randi stood framed by the bathroom door. “Is it safe?”

  “Absolutely.” Gage shot a warning glance at his sister. “Why don’t you let Elle see what a good job I did addressing your medical needs, and I’ll take a shower. You two can order some room service, and then Dr. Fonesca can pick your brain.”

  “Sounds like you have it all figured out.” Randi whipped the towel from her head and shook out her wet hair.

  Gage left Randi in Elle’s capable hands and stepped into the shower. Had he made a mess of things by giving in to his urges and making love with Randi last night? Holding her in his arms and melding his body to hers felt like anything but a mess.

  No matter what happened today, he’d work things out with Randi. She wouldn’t possibly want to go back to Zendaris after everything that SOB had put her through. Zendaris wouldn’t take her back, anyway...except to kill her.

  Could he be with a woman who’d belonged to his enemy? Who’d slept in his enemy’s bed? Who’d touched his enemy the way she’d touched him last night?

  He pounded the tile with his fist. Not if he kept thinking about the two of them together. But how could he stop? Once Randi regained her memory, he couldn’t keep separating the brave, fearless woman he knew from the woman who’d associated with a dangerous, lowlife criminal, sharing his life and his blood money and his bed.

  When he rejoined the women, Randi sported a fresh bandage on her arm and a dubious look in her eyes.

  Had Elle done a number on her? Maybe now that his twin believed he’d slept with Randi for the good of the country and U.S. intelligence, she’d leave it alone.

  Elle snapped her bag closed. “You did a good job on Randi’s injuries.”

  “You checked the bullet wound on her shoulder, too?”

  “Barely a scuff now.”

  “The injury to her arm?”

  “Healing nicely. If we can just get her mind in shape like her body, we’ll be in business.” Elle waved the room-service menu. “We ordered some eggs and bacon and pastries along with a pot of coffee.”

  “I brought Elle up to speed on everything we know so far, everything we discovered from Jessica’s mother and the internet.” Randi pulled the sleeve of her sweater over her new bandage.

  Elle said, “You neglected to tell me about the additional body at the hospital last night.”

  “Jessica’s ex-boyfriend? No time.”

  “It means they’re here, doesn’t it? Zendaris’s men are in Houston.”

  “They didn’t follow us to the hotel. I made sure of that.”

  “Look, Gage.” Elle took his hand. “This isn’t going to be some one-shot deal—I hypnotize Randi and she remembers everything down to Zendaris’s favorite pair of socks.”

  “I know that.”

  “Good.” She squeezed his hand and smiled at Randi. “I already explained to Randi that this might take some time. I also detailed the use of Sodium Pentothal in such situations.”

  He stepped back. “Truth serum? You sound like crazy Dr. Murdoch at the CIA compound.”

  “It can speed things up, and Randi’s agreed.”

  He glanced at Randi and she shrugged. “The sooner you find out all about Zendaris, the better, right? I mean, that’s why you saved me from his estate and that’s why you snatched me from the CIA. Isn’t it?”

  “That’s part of the reason, but...”

  “Room service!” A knock accompanied the words.

  “Then let’s eat and get this show on the road.” Randi took a step toward the door, but Gage stopped her. Something had cooled between them since Elle arrived, but that didn’t mean he still didn’t have her back.

  “Let me.” He tucked his gun into the back of his waistband and peeked through the peephole. A waiter hunched over a tray laden with silver-domed covers.

  Gage cracked the door open. “I’ll bring it in.”

  He signed off for the food and wheeled the cart into the room. “Stand back, Elle. Randi and I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon.”

  “So, I guess you didn’t sate all your appetites.”

  Elle began lifting the covers from the plates while Gage rolled his eyes at Randi. She didn’t even crack a smile. She must be as worried about what lay ahead as he was.

  They polished off the breakfast down to the last crumb, he and Randi claiming the lion’s share.

  He shoved the tray into the hallway and returned to the room, rubbing his hands together. “How are we going to proceed? Should I leave the room?”

  “That’s up to Randi.”

  Gage held his breath. Last night he would’ve had no doubts at all that she’d want him here. But this morning they were playing a different game.

  “Gage can stay.”

  “Okay, Randi. Get comfortable. You can lie on the bed or sit in the chair.”

  “I’ll sit in the chair.” Randi sat down in an upholstered chair by the window, stretching her long legs in front of her, folding her hands in her lap.

  Elle pulled up a chair across from her and held up her penlight. “Watch this pen, Randi, Miranda Lewis, or watch the light if you like. Don’t take your eyes from it. Clear your mind, relax your muscles, breathe in, breathe out.”

  Randi’s hands opened in her lap and her shoulders slumped.

  “Your eyelids are getting heavy, so heavy. I’m going to start counting backward, Miranda Lewis, and with each number you’re going to get more and more sleepy.”

  Elle started counting, and Randi’s chest rose and fell. Her eyelids drooped and her lips parted.

  “When I get to the number one, you’re going to be completely relaxed and rested.”

  Randi’s chin dipped to her chest and her eyes closed even before Elle reached the number one, but his sister kept counting in a rhythmic, monotone voice until she reached the end.

  “Can you hear me, Miranda Lewis?”

  “Yes.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Miranda Lewis. Everyone calls me Randi.”

  “Who’s everyone?”

  “Jessica, all my friends. Everyone except Abuelita.”

  “Is Abuelita your grandmother?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where is Abuelita, Randi?”

  “In Colombi
a.”

  “Is she still in Colombia?”

  “Yes. No.” Randi’s lower lip quivered.

  “Where is Abuelita, Randi?”

  “She’s dead.”

  “Were you with her in Colombia when she died?”

  “Yes.”

  Elle took a deep breath. “Why did you stay in Colombia after Abuelita died, Randi?”

  “The children.” Randi’s breathing grew more rapid, and her fingernails dug into the arms of the chair. “Save the children.”

  She jolted forward in the chair, and her arms flailed at her sides. Her mouth hung open in a silent scream.

  “Your children, Randi? Are you trying to save your children?”

  “Stop it, Elle. She’s had enough. Can’t you see she’s had enough?”

  Gage jumped from the bed, but Elle held up her hand. “Wait.”

  She stood up and took Randi by the arm. “It’s okay, Randi. I’m bringing you out now.”

  She started counting from one and by the time she reached ten, Randi had dropped back into the chair, her breathing back to normal.

  Several more seconds of counting and Randi was blinking her eyes and licking her lips.

  “Will she remember any of that, Elle?”

  “She should. I didn’t give her a cue that she shouldn’t remember what transpired during hypnosis.”

  Randi cleared her throat. “I remember. I had the same memory I had when Jose shot that man. Someone was pointing a gun at me, and the children were screaming.”

  Elle placed both hands on Randi’s knees. “Were they your children, Randi? Your children with Zendaris?”

  Gage’s gut twisted in knots, and his hands formed into fists. How could he have any future with Randi if she shared children with Nico Zendaris?

  “No.” Randi shook her head. “I’d know if I had children. I’d remember that. I told you before. Those kids called me mademoiselle. Why would they call their own mother mademoiselle?”

  “Maybe that’s your way of protecting yourself against the loss of your children.”

  Randi crossed her arms, her chin forming a hard line. “Or maybe it’s because I’m not their mother.”

  Gage stepped between the two women and placed his hands on Randi’s shoulders. “Take a break and relax.”

  Randi shrugged him off and crowded past him to get out of the chair. “Why do I keep coming back to that one memory, the one where I’m shot?”

  Elle tapped her penlight on the blank pad of paper in her lap. “Because that’s the trauma. It’s a good sign, actually. It means that your memory loss was caused by the psychological trauma of the shooting more than the head injury.”

  “Why is that a good thing?” Randi paced the room like a caged cat.

  “A physical trauma usually takes longer to heal. I think you can break through that moment to regain the rest of your memory.”

  “Then let’s do it.”

  “The Sodium Pentothal?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wait a minute.” Gage grabbed Elle’s medical bag and hugged it to his chest as if it could stop either of these women. “Do you understand the consequences of being injected with truth serum, Randi?”

  “Yeah, the truth.” She narrowed her eyes looking even more like a cat. “What are you afraid of? Do you want me to remember or don’t you?”

  “Exactly.” Elle extended her hand, wiggling her fingers for her bag. “What are you afraid of, Gage?”

  He was afraid of never holding Randi in his arms again.

  “Are you going to at least warn her about the possible side effects?”

  “Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, respiratory distress, cardiac arrhythmias and in rare cases, death.” Elle ticked off each side effect on her fingers.

  “Sounds good to me.” Randi dropped to the bed, lay down and crossed her ankles. “Let’s get started.”

  Elle withdrew a syringe and three small vials from her medical bag. “I’m going to have to inject this in a vein in your arm. If you’re squeamish, look away.”

  “My arm’s been a pincushion the past few days. What’s one more injection?” Randi rolled up the sleeve of her sweater. “Just as long as this one won’t make me pregnant.”

  Elle held the needle up to the light. “Nope, no sperm swimming around in here.”

  They both laughed, and Gage’s brows shot up. “You think this is funny? You’re taking this lightly.”

  “What am I supposed to do, Gage, cry? I want to find out for sure what I was doing in Colombia in Zendaris’s house. Don’t you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Elle prepped the syringe and cleaned a spot on the inside of Randi’s arm.

  The alcohol felt cool on her flesh, and her nostrils twitched at the scent. The needle pricked her skin as it went in, but the pain was negligible after what she’d been through the past few days.

  Especially the pain she’d felt when she overheard Gage telling his sister that he’d slept with her only to cement her loyalty. She’d never recover from that pain.

  Elle’s voice floated above her. “You’ll be feeling really drowsy in a few minutes. I’m going to ask you some questions. Let your mind go.”

  Elle’s questions came and went. Randi tried to form the answers, but moving her lips became a huge effort.

  Why did you stay in Colombia after Abuelita died?

  What were you doing at Zendaris’s palatial home?

  Who visited the house?

  Did you know about Zendaris’s illegal activities?

  The children. Randi smiled. She was reading them a story, and the girl had a pink, spangled scarf wrapped around her shoulders. But then Randi flew out the window and left the children behind.

  Randi’s eyes opened to slits and she surveyed the room. Her gaze slid over Gage sprawled in a chair, watching TV. Randi coughed, and Gage’s head jerked up.

  “Are you awake? Are you feeling okay?” He strode to the bed and hovered over her. “Elle’s in the next room, but she wanted me to get her as soon as you woke up.”

  “I’m okay. Just thirsty.”

  He grabbed a bottle of water from the table and knocked on the door that connected their room with another. As he handed Randi the bottle, Elle emerged from the other room.

  “How are you feeling, Randi?”

  “Okay. What happened?”

  Elle sat on the edge of the bed and felt Randi’s pulse. “You fell asleep. That’s the way some people react to Sodium Pentothal, and I guess you’re one of them.”

  “Oh.” Randi rubbed her temples. “Big disappointment, huh?”

  “Not completely. The hypnosis worked okay, and we can try that again later. It may just take time.”

  “Time we don’t have. The sooner Randi regains her memory, the safer she’ll be. There will be no reason for Zendaris to come after her once he realizes it’s a done deal.”

  “I realize that, Gage.” Elle peered into Randi’s eyes. “Why don’t you just spread the word that Randi told you everything there is to know about Zendaris?”

  “We’d have to back up that knowledge with something solid or he’d see it for what it was—a scam.”

  “I did have a dream while I was under.” Randi pushed Elle’s hands away. She’d had enough of people fussing over her.

  “What was the dream?” Gage sat on the other side of the bed.

  “I dreamt about the children.”

  Gage and his sister exchanged a look.

  “They’re not mine. That pink scarf that you’re using as proof that I’m the same woman in the airport with Zendaris? It belongs to the little girl. She was wearing the scarf in the dream.”

  “That wasn’t a little girl’s scarf.”

  Randi rolled her eyes. “And just what do you know about little girls? It was pink and it had sparkles on it. What else could a little girl possibly want in a scarf?”

  “It was too big for her.” Gage rubbed the dark stubble on his chin.

  “Maybe it did belong to
the woman in the airport, Zendaris’s girlfriend, or...”

  Gage snapped his fingers. “His wife, the girl’s mother.”

  “That would explain why the girl kept it. It belonged to her mother...not me. I had the scarf. It doesn’t mean it was mine.”

  “Did the dream give you any sense of what you were doing with the kids?”

  “I was reading to them. I was their nanny.” She scooted up to a sitting position, folding her legs beneath her, her heart pounding. “It makes sense, Gage. I’m a graduate student. I speak English, Spanish and French. The kids called me mademoiselle. I was there to teach the children.”

  “It does make sense, Randi, but I keep coming back to the picture in the airport—the brunette with the pink scarf.”

  “The picture is not that clear. You had the picture, you found me and the pink scarf and you made me fit what you wanted to find. If you’d never had that photo and discovered me injured at the compound, I could’ve been anyone—the cook, the housekeeper, the nanny.”

  “I hope you’re right, Randi.” He cupped the side of her face, his fingers entangling her hair. “God, I hope you’re right.”

  She wanted to jerk away from him and scream at him that he didn’t have to pretend anymore. She would’ve helped him, anyway. She would’ve helped her country.

  “Nobody’s asking, but it sounds plausible to me, too.” Elle stood up and stretched. “You’ve come out of the sedation just fine, Randi. Do you want to do another hypnosis session tonight or tomorrow morning?”

  “Yes. I feel like I’m on the edge of remembering everything.”

  “I’m going to call Dave and take a nap in my room, and then order some room service. Are you two going out?”

  Gage checked the alarm clock on the bedside table. “We’re going to the hospital to visit Randi’s friend.”

  “It sure seems like anyone who can help Randi with her memory is being systematically taken out.” Elle hugged herself and shivered. “I hope they don’t find out about me.”

  “Not a chance.” Gage gave her a quick hug. “If Randi feels up to it and you’re awake when we get back, you can do another session.”

  Elle paused with her hand on the doorknob to the adjoining room, her gaze flicking between Gage and Randi. “I’m glad you’re not an arms dealer’s mistress, Randi.”