Secret Ops: Ty's Revenge

by Kim Vanderpool

  “No. Can I call you Jessica?”

  “Sure, I guess.”

  “Come on, sweetie. We have to go. Lunch is ready.” Ty interrupts.

  “Can Jessica come eat with us?”

  “Jessica?” Ty looks from me to Sara.

  “Yes. I named her. She didn’t have one.” Sara states as if it’s a normal thing.

  Ty looks as if he doesn’t know what to say and frankly neither do I. So I just go with it. “Everyone has to have a name right?”

  “I suppose so. Come on munchkin we can visit Jessica before we go home. Okay.” Ty takes Sara leading her by the hand out of the room softly closing her door behind them.

  Home? They don’t live here? I roll the small floral pattern tea cup around in my hand. It looks to be very expensive. I contemplate on all the little girl said and didn’t say. And how protective Ty seems to be over her.

  The door opens slowly and in walks Lazarus with a tray of food. “I hope you’re hungry.” He grins.

  “I am. Thank you.”

  “Turkey on rye with lettuce and tomato.” Lazarus places the tray of food carefully on my lap. “So I hear Sara has named you?” He chuckles.

  “Yeah I guess so.”

  “She’s a great kid. Took up with you surprising quickly. She usually doesn’t talk to anyone. Well Ty being the exception.”

  “That’s what he said.” I break off a piece of the sandwich placing it in my mouth.

  “She’s giving Ty a hard time. She doesn’t want to leave.”

  “Do they live somewhere else?” It’s a common question.

  “Yell if you need anything.” Lazarus avoids the question walking out.

  Trust is something earned and I haven’t earned it yet. That is the only reason I can think of as to why he ignored my question. Doesn’t matter anyway. As soon as I’m healed and get some of my memory back I’ll be on my own. Odds are I’ll never see these people again. Back to my life and the people in it. Finishing off my food I slide the tray to the foot of the bed. The pain is slowly coming back. I don’t know how long it is going to take me to heal. Lazarus hasn’t really said much about the Mountain lions attaching me or how I managed to fight them off. Hell that’s a wonder in itself. No one really has mentioned anything about it, which leaves me to wonder how much Lazarus has told them.

  A loud knock comes at the door. “It’s open.”

  “Hey got a minute?” Lazarus asks.

  “Sure.” What the hell else do I have to do?

  Lazarus walks in the room with yet another stranger. “This is Tango. He wants to ask you a few questions.” Lazarus looks sympathetic.

  “So you’re her?”

  What the hell is that supposed to mean? I give this man a quizzical look. I feel like this is an integration. So far, every one of these people that I have met have been nice except for this man. His tall frame is towering over my bed. His intense brown eyes are boring right into mine. I swallow hard suddenly all the moisture in my mouth has dried up. I feel like a mouse and this is the fucking tiger getting ready to devour me. His shirt stretches over his massive chest as he crosses his arms. Waiting for me to what? Answer. Well join the rest of us. We don’t know anything either.

  “Yes.” Lazarus answers for me.

  “Huh.” He grunts.

  Yeah, he actually grunts at me. I’m about to open my mouth and tell this guy were he can go, but Lazarus speak up. “She’s tough.”

  Now, they are talking about me as if I’m not right here. I narrow my eyes at this guy. If I had the energy or the strength I would smack his handsome face. “How so?”

  “She killed my babies.” Lazarus looks a little disappointed.

  Babies? These people are so damn confusing that I don’t know what the hell they are referring to anymore. “Is that so?” This towering giant asks.

  “Sara named her.” Lazarus changes the subject.

  This Stanger turns a sharp eye on Lazarus, he doesn’t even seem fazed by it. “Why?”

  “Sara likes her.”

  “What does Ty think?”

  “About?” Lazarus asks.

  “Sara and….”

  Might as well say it buddy. Sylvia has already stated it. “He didn’t seem to mind.” Lazarus runs his eyes over me again. “It’s not like she can do anything.”

  “Oaky I’ve had enough. Can you at least pretend as if I’m in the room?” I ground out.

  The stranger looks sharply at me narrowing his eyes. “Looks like fire ball wants to talk.”

  “Now isn’t the time Tango.” Lazarus warns.

  “It’s the perfect time.”

  “Actually Dr. Bailey doesn’t want her stressing. Could have the opposite effect on the healing process.”

  Tango? Mango...I try not to smile. Now I get it. Sara calls him Mango. Tango looks at me frowning. “Something funny?” He looks annoyed.

  “Nothing.” I give him my best smile or what I think is my best. The side of my face hurts so I can’t tell if I’m smiling or frowning.

  “I want to know when she is well enough.” Tango orders.

  Then just as fast as he came in the room he’s gone. “Wow.” I mutter.

  “What the fuck?” I hear Ty roar as soon as the door closes behind Tango.

  “It’s not up for discussion.” Tango orders.

  “Umm…so what was that about?” I ask Lazarus ignoring the arguing on the other side of my door.

  Chapter 14

  “He can be a little intense. Don’t worry about it.” Lazarus takes the empty tray.

  “Don’t. I’m warning you Tango.” Ty roars again.

  Lazarus clears his throat. “I’m going to let you rest now.”

  He opens the door and I get a glimpse of Ty in Tango’s face. Lazarus quickly closes the door blocking out the view. Lazarus mumbles something then they all disappear down the hall still arguing. What the hell is all that about? There’s no way I can sleep now. My mind is working overtime. Why would they be arguing? All is quiet now and I wonder how long they will actually let me stay here? Tango seem really eager to talk to me. Why? Who the hell are these people? Who is Tango? I go over this until my eyes are heavy. My brain finally giving up all the analyzing and over thinking.

  “Jessica! Jessica! Daddy and I are staying after all.” Sara rushes in the room. Whispering and yelling at the same time. I think I might actually be going crazy. I’ve never heard of anyone whisper yell before.

  “Really that’s great.”

  “I know.” She giggles.

  “Sara!” Ty yells for her. Her big beautiful green eyes look to the door. Ty opens it slowly. “Sweetheart. You need to let …Jessica rest. Come on. It’s almost bed time for you missy.”

  “But daddy Jessica is my friend.”

  “Honey you can see her tomorrow. She needs to rest.”

  “But…”

  “Come on, Munchkin.” Ty lifts her up in his arms.

  Sara is so small and fragile. I see why Ty is over protective of her. She looks so tiny in his big arms. It amazes me how this huge guy can be so gentle. “Can I stay please daddy.” I can hear the tears in her voice.

  Ty is a goner if the look on his face is any indication. “Do you mind if she stays for a minute?”

  “Not at all.” I smile.

  “I really don’t know what has gotten into her. She seems attached to you.” Ty admits.

  I smile the best I can. “Maybe she just needs some girl time.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t think so. She didn’t take to Sylvia very well. And well she a …girl.” Ty chuckles.

  I can see why she didn’t, but I keep that part to myself. Ty pulls up the chair, he earlier sat Sara in, taking a seat. Sara gathers the tea set placing it neatly back in the box. I want to ask what all the commotion was in the hallway, but I don’t want to pry. Ty looks at the floor and I can tell something is on his mind. He has to know that sooner or later I’m going to start asking questions. I have to keep reminding myself that it is nothing
to me. As soon as I’m well enough I’ll be gone.

  “I’m sorry about earlier. You know outside your door.” Ty looks a little embarrassed.

  “It’s okay. What was that about anyway?” I know I said I wasn’t going to ask, but he brought it up.

  “Just a disagreement. Nothing to worry about.”

  Very evasive. It seems that no one here is going to give me a straight answer. “You sure. I’m a good listener.” I try again.

  “Yeah. Sometimes none of us can agree.”

  Sara climbs carefully at the foot of my bed. Stretching out she lays her head down on my good leg closing her eyes. “Looks as if she is going to sleep.” I stare down at her small form.

  “I better get her to bed.” Ty stands taking Sara in her arms walking out of the room.

  “Goodnight.” I whisper.

  He turns looking at me with those clear blue eyes. “Night.” Smiles then walks out.

  My poor heart is doing that thing again when he is around. The flipping and then plunging to the pit of my stomach. I have no idea what is wrong with me. I don’t do that when in Lazarus’s presents. So what is different? Why the attraction to Ty? I don’t even know him. He has a mystery about him that is enticing. Maybe that’s the attraction. My head is a jumbled mess and I haven’t had enough time alone to really think about everything. I should just stop this attraction before it goes too far. I sure don’t want to be pining over a man that I barely know. After all he has a child probably married too. Although I really haven’t noticed if he was wearing a ring. Still he could be. I will have to try to not want him just for that fact alone. Besides I don’t even know who the hell I am. I sure don’t need to be lusting over a man I don’t know. I don’t know any of these people. I need to be cautious. Night has descended once again. I’m not sure what time it is or even what day it is. They all seem to be blurring together. My heavy eyes finally close on their own accord.

  Standing in the ally I’m waiting for him. I can’t see his face though. I have that familiar feeling as if I know this man I’m waiting for. He seems kind and gentle, but there’s something underneath. Something I can’t quiet put my finger on. I can feel his presents. He is standing behind me. A chill runs down my spine. He isn’t alone. Someone else is here as well. He is laughing. “Did you think you could get away with it?”

  I want to turn around, but something hits me hard in the head. I’m face down on the ground. A large hand is holding me down. I want to turn my head. I can’t breathe my head hurts. Something warm is running down the side of my head. The hand presses my face down harder preventing me from moving. I don’t know how many there are. A booted foot kicks me in the ribs.

  “Jessica!” A handshakes me.

  I smack at the hand gasping for air. I can’t breathe. I need to fight. Searing pain shoots through my body. It’s so severe that I lose my breath all over again. My eyes flying open I gasp for air. My good arm automatically grabs at my throat. I feel as if I’m choking. A hand smooth’s over my head as I take deep gulps of air. It’s not real. Just a dream. My heart feels as if it’s beating out of my chest.

  “I…” I trail off once I find that I’m okay nothing bad is happening.

  “Shh… it’s okay. It was just a dream.”

  I’ve never felt so helpless before. My mouth is dry and I feels dizzy. Closing my eyes to stop the room from spinning. “I couldn’t breathe.” I state.

  “You’re okay.” Ty holds me as best as he can with my injured, battered body.

  Once I’m calm enough to speak I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. What the hell do I say? I could apologize for waking him. “I’m sorry for waking you.”

  “You didn’t I was already awake. I heard you scream.”

  “Sorry. It was too damn real.”

  “Want to talk about it.”

  I don’t want to, but it might help me with my memory. “I was in an Ally. There were several men there. I don’t know how many. Then something hits me in the back of the head. Hands were holding me down I couldn’t breathe.” I feel tears leak down my temples.

  “You should let Sylvia know about this. It could be part of your memory coming back.” He gently places my hair behind my ear whipping my tears with his thumb.

  How can I forget about this man if he is doing this? Right now I don’t care, it’s comforting and I feel less afraid with him here beside me. Ty kisses my forehead and I can smell his cologne. This man smells great. Maybe it’s the adrenaline still running through me, but I have an urge to grab him kissing those soft lips. His lips linger longer than is appropriate. I don’t say a word, just enjoying the feel of him. Even though it’s just a small part. At least it’s something.

  He lifts his head and I already feel the loss of him. He smiles down at me looking through hooded eyes. I feel a rush all the way to my core. I can’t let this happen. I want so desperately to turn my head away, but I’m caught up in his beautiful blue stare. Then all my good judgment flies out the window when he lightly touches his lips to mine. It is only a feather light touch, but it’s enough to make my already fogged brain to dismiss everything I was trying to keep from happening.

  “Go to sleep.” He softly demands.

  How the hell can I go to sleep now? My breath quickens and my heart is pounding. I don’t know why he kissed me, but I want him to do it again. “Okay.” I manage to say.

  “Good night Jessica.”

  “Night.” I says shakily.

  He looks back over his shoulder before leaving the room winking. Holly hell how the hell can I sleep now. What the hell is wrong with me? Here I lay in this bed, not knowing who I am, and this wonderfully handsome man comes waltzing in kissing me like I never been kissed. Okay maybe I really don’t know that until I get some of my memory back, but still a girl can dream. Ty is sexy as hell and he is sweet to go with it. How many women out there always say they want a handsome man who is also sweet and nice? Then when it comes down to it they almost always go for the bad boy. Well this man is certainly not the bad boy type. No he has the charm, but he is also gentle as a damn teddy bear. I don’t see this guy hurting a fly.

  It’s obvious he loves Sara and he is so damn gentle with her. No there’s no way he is a bad boy. Now Tango I can see him being the bad boy type. Maybe even Lazarus, but Ty. No I just don’t see it. I bet he is just as gentle in bed as he is out of it. He would be a great lover. He would always make sure he satisfied you before he found his own satisfaction.

  I wonder what it would be like to have a man like that. Hell I probably did at one time. I don’t remember, but if I did wouldn’t he be looking for me? Wouldn’t he be wondering where I am? The dreams I’ve been having sure doesn’t seem to indicate that I have someone to love me. What if the dreams are about my boyfriend or husband? What if he was the one to do this to me? What made everything go wrong to make him want to do this to me? This though lingers in the front of my mind.

  What the hell did I do to make someone want to do this? I know they had to think I was dead. Why else would they put me in the desert for the buzzards to feast on? They had no idea that Lazarus lives here. If they did I wouldn’t have ended up where I am now. The person responsible for this is going to pay dearly. I don’t know how, but I will spend the rest of my life figuring out a way. Anger rises up and I have to tamp it down. Being angry right now isn’t going to help me. No first I need to concentrate on healing and getting my memory back. That is my number one goal right now.

  I flip on the T.V surfing through the channels. There might be some new as to indicate someone is looking for me. After going through all the news stations I’m still at a dead end. Nothing. No one has even reported me missing. Apparently I don’t have family. If I did wouldn’t they be looking for me? Wouldn’t they be demanding to know where the hell I am? I flip off the T.V. I need to get out of this room, I think I might be going a little bit insane. I want to at least get another view of the mountain. This one is getting old even though it’s beautiful.
>
  Maybe I can talk Dr. Bailey in to letting me sit in the living room for a while. Anything beats these four walls. Besides I really want to know what is locked in that secret room. I haven’t had a chance to explore it further because of all the people come and going. If I can talk the good Dr. into letting me out of this room I will find something to open Lazarus’s secret door with. The man is definitely hiding something. I’m curious as hell as to what it is. I’m not sure if the fork I have will do the job, but it’s worth a try.

  The early dawn light peeks through the window. I know it has to be early morning. I haven’t gone back to sleep since Ty came in my room waking me from the bad dream. I’ve spent most of the night analyzing and over thinking everything. How can I not with so much time on my hands. All is quiet and I don’t hear a sound. I ease to a sitting position in the bed. Easing my feet to the floor I wait a few seconds to make sure that all is still quiet. Taking a deep breath I stand on wobbly legs. I have to catch myself before I fall flat on my face. Easing to the bathroom that is connected to my room I softly shut the door behind me.

  For the first time since I’ve been here I look in the mirror. Dark circles encase around my eyes. My auburn hair is matted to my head. What I wouldn’t give for a shower. I feel like shit and look even worse. What the hell is wrong with Ty? What the hell is he attracted too? Because I don’t see anything that remotely looking attractive as my image stares back at me. Wetting a wash cloth that I find in the cabinet I gently wash my face. Although it doesn’t make me look any better at least it makes me feel better.

  After taking care of business I make my way back to the bed room. Still everything is quiet. Tying the sheet around me tightly so I don’t trip over it. I make my way to the door of my room. Quietly as possible I open it looking from side to side. Making sure no one is up and about. I ease out of the room with my make shift IV stand with me. My legs are just as sore today as they were when I was first attached, but I don’t let that stop me. Taking my time and as quietly as possible I make it to the living room. There are no lights on which is good.