SEAL JUSTICE (Brotherhood Protectors Book 13)

by Elle James

  “I don’t know what to think. But I don’t like any scenario I can come up with.” He kept moving. They had to get to the truck and contact Hank to let him know the cliff was on the northern branch of the river. If Kujo and Molly had taken the southern branch, they would have missed the cliffs. They’d have come close, but not close enough.

  With the sun slipping low on the hilltops, they needed to get back to Hank’s place and put the pieces they’d gathered together with whatever Hank’s team had come up with in their investigation of the men from the Sexual and Violent Offenders Register and the county land records. Perhaps, that would help them narrow down the location of the house close to the cliff where Reggie had made her leap into the river.

  Chapter 10

  Reggie forced herself to focus on the plight of the women being held prisoner in the Master’s basement. She couldn’t let herself be sidetracked by a group of children trying to make it on their own in the hills of the Crazy Mountains. Time might be running out for Beth, Kayla, Terri and Marly, whereas Abe had a handle on his siblings, for the time being. They had the deer to feed them for a week.

  Already, a night had passed, and another full day, since Reggie’s escape. Her mind played all the scenarios the Master could have enacted against those poor women.

  By the time they reached the truck, her body was running on fumes. She was weak, and her knees shook so badly, she couldn’t climb up on the running board.

  Sam must have noticed, because he scooped her up in his arms and deposited her in the passenger seat without saying a word. He hurried around the other side of the truck, held the door for Grunt, and then climbed into the driver’s seat. Soon, they were on their way back down the dirt road to the highway. The sun had sunk below the ridgeline, casting the road and hills into dark gray shadows.

  So deep was she in her own thoughts about the women, the children and the Master, that they arrived in Eagle Rock before she realized they’d traveled that far. As they passed the Blue Moon Tavern, her hand shot out, as if of its own accord to touch Sam’s arm.

  He slowed immediately and pulled into a parking place beneath the wooden sign. “Are you thinking the same thing I am?”

  She nodded. “You know we forgot to ask Abe what his mother’s name was.”

  “That thought had crossed my mind, too.” Sam shifted into park and got out. He snapped a lead on Grunt’s collar and tied the line to streetlight pole, giving the dog just enough room to move around and lie down. “Stay,” he commanded.

  “Will he be okay out here by himself?”

  “Yeah. I’d leave him in the truck, but he could stand some fresh air while we eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry, and we need to fuel our bodies for what comes next. Whatever that might be.”

  Reggie didn’t argue. She didn’t like being weak and knew a lot of her weakness was due to malnutrition for the past couple of weeks, as well as inactivity, due to being locked in a cell in the dark.

  “Come on, Ginnie,” he winked. “We need to eat and ask questions.”

  “As long as we don’t out the kids to the authorities,” she reminded him quietly. “We promised.”

  “I know what we promised.” Sam’s mouth drew downward into a frown. “I’m not too happy about that promise, but I understand why they don’t want the government involved. With so many siblings, the only option would be to split them up into a number of foster homes.”

  Reggie nodded. “Abe has too much responsibility on his young shoulders.”

  “One crisis at a time,” Sam said. “But we can at least solve one mystery while we’re eating. Which we have to do anyway.” He took her hand and led her into the tavern where they waited to be seated.

  A pretty young brunette led them to their table. While they sat, the young lady gave them menus and told them about the night’s specials. “If you have any questions, your server will be able to answer them.” With a smile, she left Sam and Reggie to peruse the list of items offered at the tavern.

  A waitress came to an abrupt halt beside their table and pulled a pencil from behind her ear and pad from her apron. “Hi, I’m Maggie, I’ll be your waitress this evening. What can I get you to drink?”

  “Feels wrong to not order a beer, but could you bring me a cup of coffee? Black?” Sam asked.

  Maggie grinned. “I can do that.” She turned to Reggie. “And you?”

  After being held captive in the basement of a madman’s house, sitting in a tavern with a perky young woman smiling at her and asking her what she’d like to drink suddenly seemed so surreal, it overwhelmed Reggie. “I’m sorry.” She pushed back from the table and made a dash in the direction of what she hoped was the bathroom.

  Behind her, she heard Maggie say, “Was it something I said?”

  Reggie didn’t care, she had to get away before she had a nervous breakdown in front of everyone in the tavern. Bumbling her way to the ladies’ room, she finally made it through the door and into one of the stalls before the tears fell. Her heart raced and, her pulse pounded so hard against her eardrums, she couldn’t hear herself think. Not that her brain was piecing together any coherent thoughts.

  For several long moments, Reggie stood in the bathroom stall sobbing and trying to get a grip on the tears, her breathing and her messed up life. Would she ever feel normal again?

  The door to the bathroom opened and closed.

  Reggie swallowed hard on the sob rising up her throat and nearly choked. She stood still, praying whoever had entered would leave quickly, so that she could continue her panic attack in solitude.

  “Reggie?” a male voice said from the other side of the stall door. “I know you’re in there. Come out and talk to me.”

  The sob escaped her lips in a choking sound. Reggie couldn’t move. Wouldn’t.

  In a softer tone, Sam said, “It’s okay, it’s just me. Unlock the door.”

  Reggie swiped at the tears streaming down her face and reached for the lock, pushing back the metal latch.

  The door swung open.

  Sam reached in and took her hand in his gentle grasp and drew her out of the stall and into his arms.

  Reggie lay her cheek against his chest and let the tears flow.

  He held her carefully, not applying too much pressure, but just enough to let her know he was there for her.

  After a few minutes, the tears slowed, along with her pulse. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  “You’ve been through hell. I’d think there was something wrong with you if you didn’t fall apart sometimes.” He tipped her chin up and stared down into her eyes. “Everything’s going to be okay. We’re going to find him and the ladies. No one will ever treat you like he did, ever again.”

  “How can you be…so sure?” she murmured between hiccups.

  “Because I won’t let anyone hurt you.” He leaned toward her and pressed his lips to her forehead. “No man should ever treat a woman so badly. The bastard will pay.” He brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away the traces of her tears. Then he kissed her cheek.

  Reggie turned her face so that the lips kissing her cheek brushed across her mouth.

  Sam captured her face in his hands and touched his lips to hers in a kiss so soft it felt like the flutter of butterfly wings.

  She leaned up on her toes, wanting more, deepening the kiss on her own terms.

  Still holding her cheeks between his palms, Sam let her set the pace and the extent of their kiss.

  Conflicted by thoughts of what had happened at the Master’s hands and what was happening now, Reggie didn’t know whether she should pull away or grasp Sam’s shirt and hold on. He wasn’t forcing her, and he’d let go if she showed any sign of distress. Perhaps that’s what made her lean closer, until her body pressed flush against his.

  When she felt the hard ridge beneath the fly of his jeans, she was shocked out of the sensuous fantasy she’d fallen into and broke away. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I shouldn’t…” She pre
ssed her knuckles to her mouth and fought more tears.

  “No, Reggie.” Sam took her hands in his and stared down into her face. “Don’t be sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you. You’ve been through too much. Kissing you was uncalled for.” He held her hands in his. “I won’t do it again.”

  She shook her head and whispered, “What if I want you to?”

  He smiled. “Then you’ll have to initiate it.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip for a second, drew in a deep breath and let it go. “I just want to feel normal.” Reggie leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips to his, closing her eyes as she did. When he didn’t respond, she opened her eyes. “Only kissing you doesn’t make me feel normal.”

  Sam chuckled and rested his hands on her waist. “I don’t know whether to take that as an insult or a compliment.”

  She stared up at him, willing her world to quit spinning out of control. “You make me feel better than normal.” Again, she stood on her toes and pressed her lips to his.

  This time, his hands tightened around her waist, and his lips covered hers, giving equal pressure.

  Reggie sighed, opening to him, her tongue passing between his teeth, finding and caressing his.

  His arms rose up around her, pulling her close until their bodies melted together.

  Reggie slipped her arms around his neck, her fingers weaving through his hair. She wanted this kiss and didn’t want it to end. It was nothing like what the Master had forced on her. Kissing Sam was everything a kiss was meant to be. Soft, hard, insistent, gentle, sultry and all-consuming. When she came up for air, she didn’t feel dirty, abused or like she needed to rinse her mouth with bleach.

  Sam was a real man who didn’t need to force a woman to make love to him. She would come willingly.

  The door to the bathroom opened and a middle-aged woman wearing a waitress uniform started through, spotted them and stopped. “Oh! Sorry.” She backed out of the bathroom and the door swung shut.

  Sam leaned his forehead against hers. “Guess we’d better get out of here before management kicks us out.”

  Reggie nodded. “I’ll be a minute. I want to wash my hands and face.”

  “I’ll be right outside waiting.” Sam left her standing in the bathroom.

  The woman who’d walked in a moment before entered as Sam left. She laughed. “For a moment, I thought I was in the wrong place.” She frowned. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Reggie responded and gave her a weak smile.

  “Are you sure?” The waitress’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve been crying. Was that man bothering you?” She glanced over her shoulder.

  Reggie laughed, the sound catching a little. “Just the opposite,” She stared down at the gold band on her ring finger. “He’s my…husband.”

  “Okay.” She propped a hand on her hip. “Then why were you crying?”

  With a shrug, Reggie said, “I’ve had a bad couple of days. He was just checking on me.”

  “Honey, my name is Karen. Some would say I don’t know a stranger, and I take that as a compliment.” The woman stared at her a moment longer. “If you’re in trouble, I’ll help you in any way I can. Just say the word.”

  With a smile, Reggie nodded. “Karen, I appreciate that. But really. I think I’m going to be okay.” And she really felt like she would be. “Maybe you could answer a question for me.”

  “Sure,” Karen said. “Shoot.”

  Reggie wasn’t sure how to ask, so she just did. “Is there a waitress here who has seven children?”

  Karen’s eyes widened. “The Blue Moose has a total of eight waitresses who work full or part time. I can’t say that I know any of them who have more than two kids besides me. I have three. All are grown and on their own, thank the Lord.” Karen’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you want to know?”

  “Asking for a friend,” Reggie said, her chest tightening. “I probably have the wrong tavern.” She knew she didn’t. More so, she knew Abe had lied about his mother working there.

  Karen tilted her head to the side. “The only other restaurant in town is Al’s Diner, and I don’t think any of the waitresses there have that many children.”

  “Thanks. Sorry to bother you with my drama.”

  “No bother. Two of my children were girls. Drama came with the territory.”

  Reggie prayed their drama wasn’t as destructive as what had happened to her. “You’re very sweet. They must be proud to call you Mom.”

  Karen snorted. “They are now, but there was a time they weren’t so happy with me. Curfews and groundings helped to keep them in line.” The woman entered a stall, closing it between them.

  Reggie turned the water on in the sink and splashed her face with cool fresh water, hoping to lessen the ravages of her tears. When she’d done all she could do to reduce the redness, she dried her face and hands with paper towels, straightened her wig and left the bathroom.

  Sam leaned against the wall in the hallway, his arms crossed over his chest. When he saw her, he dropped his arms to his sides and fell in step beside her as she walked back to their table.

  “Abe lied,” she whispered. “His mother doesn’t work here. No woman with seven children works as a waitress in town.”

  Sam’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I figured as much.”

  Maggie appeared with the ordered coffee and another mug with hot water and a tea bag. “I thought you might like some hot tea,” she said with a gentle smile. “It always helps me when I’m feeling low.”

  “Thank you.” Reggie dipped the tea bag into the mug of hot water. When the water was dark enough, she removed the bag and stirred in a teaspoon of sugar.

  Sam drank his coffee black. No sugar.

  The waitress returned to take their orders of the night’s special: chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and green beans. She was back several minutes later with their food and a smile. “Bon Appétit.”

  “I can’t eat all of this,” Reggie said, guilt knotting her gut. “I find it hard to sit here like nothing is wrong in the world when I know there’s so much that needs to be fixed.”

  “Eat what you can. We’ll take the rest home.”

  Reggie knew he’d said home as part of their cover story, but the word from his lips gave her a warm safe feeling she wrapped around herself like a blanket. For the next half hour, they ate, making comments about the weather, comparing it to what it was like in San Diego. As if they’d just moved to Eagle Rock from there. Again, all part of their cover.

  Occasionally, Sam reached across the table and caressed the hand with the wedding ring on it. A blast of electricity would zing through her system every time he touched her.

  Reggie wondered, if they weren’t putting on a show would Sam find her attractive. Or would he think, like she did… that she was too damaged and dirty to want to be with her?

  She tensed, a terrible thought occurring to her. What if she was pregnant? What if that bastard had gotten her with child? And what man would want to take on the responsibility of being a father to a rapist’s spawn?

  Though she’d hate the thought of having a lifetime’s reminder of her captivity, Reggie wouldn’t terminate the pregnancy. It wouldn’t be the child’s fault the father was a criminal.

  Sam’s big hand covered hers. “Stop it.”

  She looked up, startled. “Stop what?”

  “You’re getting all worked up again. You can’t change the past, but you’re in full control of your future.” He leaned closer and whispered. “Don’t let him take one more minute of your life from you.”

  She nodded, realizing her pulse had picked up and her breathing had become ragged. “You’re right.” Willing her body to calm, she closed her eyes, drew in deep, steadying breaths and let them out slowly. Finally, she opened her eyes and gave Sam a tight smile. “I’m okay.”

  By then, several of the tavern’s customers had risen from their tables and headed toward the exit.

  Maggie came by with their check and laid it on the ta
ble. “Do you need anything else?”

  “No, thank you.” Sam handed her his credit card.

  When Maggie turned toward the cash register, she bumped into one of the men on his way out, knocking into his arm.

  The man dropped the jacket he’d been carrying and let out a stream of curse words.

  His voice struck a chord in Reggie’s memory. Her heartbeat went from zero to one hundred and twenty in a second. She fought between spinning to see who the man was and ducking beneath the table. She turned slowly, but all she could see was the man’s back as he bent to retrieve his coat.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Maggie was saying as she bent to help.

  “Damned clumsy woman,” the man said loud enough everyone in the tavern heard and turned toward him. He straightened and stormed out, muttering more curse words

  Maggie shot a glance around at the people staring at her and the door where the man had stormed out. “Sorry, folks.”

  A hand closed over Reggie’s. “What’s wrong?” Sam asked.

  Reggie turned back to him, his voice one she would always associate with warmth and safety. She shook her head. “I had a déjà vu moment.”

  “Whatever it was, you’re as white as a ghost,” he curled his fingers around hers. “What brought it on?”

  “That man’s voice. The one Maggie bumped into.” Her gaze captured his as the full import of what she’d just heard hit her. “He sounded just like the Master.”

  Chapter 11

  Sam was out of his seat in the next second. “Stay here,” he commanded and wove his way through customers to get out of the building. Once he was outside, he searched the darkness for the man who’d bumped into Maggie.

  Unfortunately, that man had been one of about ten people who’d left the tavern at the same time. Several vehicles were pulling out of the parking lot at the same time. A sedan, two trucks and two SUVs. Sam couldn’t tell into which vehicle the man who’d bumped into the waitress had gone. He tried but failed miserably at memorizing six different license plates. He gave up and hurried back into the tavern, afraid to leave Reggie alone any longer than he had to. What if the Master had doubled back to grab her and take her out the back?