RETURN TO ME

by Christy Reece

  Noah held up another needle. “You say the word. I give you this. The pain stops immediately.”

  Noah calmly watched while Bennett’s face flushed bright crimson red. The beep of the heart monitor sped up well past one hundred. If the tape weren’t on, he would be screaming or crying. Putting his face inches from Bennett, he asked quietly, “Where are those children?”

  When Bennett looked like he might like to say something, Noah ripped the tape from his mouth again.

  “You bloody bastard! I’ll cut your fucking heart out, I—”

  Noah slapped the tape back on his mouth. “The pain will intensify”—he looked down at his watch—“in about two minutes.” He grimaced sympathetically. “It’s going to get bad … real bad. Sure you don’t want to tell me something helpful?”

  Though Bennett’s eyes looked as though they were about to pop out of his head, he remained stupidly silent.

  Noah blew out a sigh no one could hear as he listened to the rapidly increasing beep of the heart monitor. The drug he’d injected would soon feel as though teams of fire ants had been let loose through Bennett’s body. The pain would increase in two-minute increments until severe agony commenced. Then it would get worse.

  Bennett didn’t yet know that they could do much more ruthless things.

  Noah stripped the tape. “Don’t make me do something I don’t want to do, Tommy. Talk to me.”

  After sucking in a few gagging sobs, Bennett shook his head. “There’s nothing you can do to me that’ll make me tell you a damn thing.”

  “Tommy. Tommy. Tommy. You’re beginning to really piss me off.” Picking up another needle, he held it in front of Bennett’s face. “This one is worse … much worse. Tell me where those children are and I’ll take all the pain away. We’ll get you some water”—he looked down at the puddle underneath Bennett’s chair—“and some clean underwear.”

  Though tears poured from his eyes, the vile curses coming from his mouth told Noah he’d have to ramp up the pain. He stood up and, holding Bennett’s arm still, injected the harsher drug. This time he left the tape off so Bennett would have the opportunity to speak immediately. And cruel as he might be, he wasn’t cruel enough not to allow Bennett the freedom to scream in pain, which should be coming up right about now.…

  An unearthly bellow echoed through the room.

  Jordan pumped up the blood pressure band, waited, and then gave Noah a nod. Apparently Bennett was healthier than he looked.

  Jaw clenched against compassion, Noah watched Bennett’s face redden further as the drug zoomed into the man’s system.

  Screams filled the room. Sobs followed seconds later. Inches from his face, Noah roared, “Tell me, damn you!”

  Shaking his head, Bennett’s hoarse voice was resolute. “You fucked me over last year, McCall. … You won’t do it again. I’m not losing everything I’ve worked for.”

  “Kidnapping and selling children is that important to you?”

  “I’m a businessman. People pay me to deliver a product.”

  Children were his product? It took a lot to shock Noah, but this man and his double standards stunned him. Time to see if they really existed … if there was an ounce of humanity in him at all.

  Leaning back into his chair, Noah crossed his arms. “You know, sometimes people can withstand enormous physical pain, Tommy. You seem to be one of them. But there’s always something or someone. … I learned that a long time ago.” Noah twisted around and flipped on the small television. “You recognize this house?”

  His face beet red but still furiously stubborn, Bennett turned his head to the screen. He blinked, then blinked again. His head whirled around to Noah. “That’s my daughter’s house.”

  “Yes it is. She’s lovely, too, nothing like her scum-sucking father … but she’s not the real joy of your life, is she?”

  His eyes flickered nervously back toward the screen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I’m talking about your five-year-old grandson, Christopher. What would you do to protect him?”

  His body jerking as though he would jump from the chair, Bennett snarled, “You son of a bitch. You leave my family out of this.”

  “You son of a bitch, you made them a target when you started kidnapping innocent children and selling them. Give me what I want and they’ll stay safe and happy.”

  “No … you won’t hurt a child. I know about you. You save children.”

  “You mean, unlike you, I protect children, whereas you sell them. Right?”

  Bennett glared at him, mutinously silent.

  Noah blew out a harsh sigh. “Sacrificing your grandson’s life to save dozens of other children?” He shook his head. “It’s not what I want to do. I will if I have to.”

  Before Bennett could speak, the pain from the drug intensified. His skin grew more crimson, his eyes bugged out farther.

  Standing, Noah leaned down and whispered urgently in his ear. “Talk to me, Tommy. I’ll make the pain go away. Your grandson will be safe. Everyone will be safe. But the time to talk is now.”

  Gasping little sobs escaped Bennett and his head jerked in frantic nods. Noah picked up the other syringe and inserted the needle. Within seconds, Bennett’s face lost its bright color and now looked almost normal.

  Noah seated himself across from Bennett again and asked, “Where are the children?”

  Bennett shuddered out a sigh. “All over the place. Once we deliver them to the buyer, we don’t know where they go.”

  “Then you’ll tell us where we can find the buyer, won’t you?”

  “Yes. Yes, I’ll tell you.”

  “Good. Now, those other businesses … I’m assuming you have records on them, too?”

  Bennett nodded and swallowed hard. “What happens after I tell you everything?”

  “You’ll be escorted to your residence in Florida, where we’ll get your records.”

  “What about my men?”

  “They’ll be questioned, too.”

  “What happens after you get the information?”

  “You and your men go to jail. … You didn’t expect anything else, did you?”

  Bennett shrugged. “I thought you might kill me.”

  “Tempting, but no.” Noah looked toward Jordan. “Our jet standing by?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. You handle it from here.” Icy cold rage washed over Noah as he stood. With all the disdain and hatred he felt for the man revealed in his face, he leaned down to the severely sweating and still tied-up Bennett. “Just so you know … you were responsible for the death of one of the finest men on this earth. By not taking your life, I honor his.”

  At the edge of control, Noah stalked out the door, unable to be in Bennett’s presence any longer. Everything was finally catching up with him. He needed to get as far away as he could as soon as possible.

  “You okay?” Jordan asked quietly behind him.

  “Yeah. Fine. You’ll handle things from here?”

  “Of course.”

  Noah headed outside.

  “Still don’t know where you’re going?” Jordan called after him.

  Without turning, Noah raised a hand, acknowledging he heard but not answering. He had little time before he crashed. Fortunately another plane waited at a small airstrip a few miles down the road ready to take him to a private cabin in Minnesota. Ice-cold lakes … pristine air. Once there, alone … he would let go. But not until then. He gritted his teeth, not until then.

  Eden’s cellphone rang and it was all Samara could do not to grab it from her. Jordan said he would call as soon as everything was over. As she listened to the one-sided conversation, her adrenaline skyrocketed.

  “So, it’s all over with.”

  “And he gave us what we needed?”

  “Everyone okay?”

  Eden looked up at Samara and gave her a smile and a nod. Her legs wobbling beneath her, Samara sat down as she continued to listen, hoping at some point Eden
would mention Noah.

  “Did he say where he was going?”

  “Yeah, sounds just like him.”

  “Okay, I love you, too. See you soon.”

  Eden closed the phone and smiled at Samara. “It’s over with … no one hurt. Bennett is under guard, on his way to his home to give up all the records he has on the other children and his other businesses.”

  Swallowing past a pesky developing lump, she asked, “Is that where Noah is … with Bennett?”

  “No, Jordan said he took off.”

  “Where?”

  Eden perched beside Samara and took her hand. “He does this … after an op. He doesn’t tell anyone where he’s going. He usually shows up in about a week and acts as if he’s never been gone.”

  Samara couldn’t move her mouth to say anything. When she’d asked him to come back to her, he hadn’t answered. She’d known deep inside he wouldn’t come back to her, but that hadn’t stopped her from a desperate hope.

  Contemplating her next move, she took a deep breath. She wasn’t a quitter. Noah McCall was worth fighting for. She’d once told him that she would fight for the man she loved. He had to expect that she would go to battle for him … and she would.

  Eden’s soft laughter caught her attention.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I was just watching your face. If ever a woman was preparing for a battle, I’d say it was you.”

  Her spirits somewhat lifted, she managed a trembling smile. Eden was right. She was gearing up for the battle of her life. One she was determined to win.

  fifteen

  Slumped in his chair, Noah stared at the three screens in front of him. He’d only been home a few days and was still catching up with all the issues that had come up since he last sat at his desk.

  Mitch, along with Bennett and his minions, were in jail, awaiting trial. All the abducted young girls were back with their families and the teens from the previous shipments were being hunted down, one by one.

  Satisfaction should be zinging through him. He’d put finality to his past and brought to justice some evil people who would never be free again. Everything wrapped up, neat and tidy.

  After his usual week of crash and recovery, his normal routine was to get back to work, energized and renewed. Admittedly that usually included a two-to-three-day stint in bed with a beautiful woman. He’d told himself nothing had changed and that’s exactly what he should do. Last night, he’d even found himself sitting in front of Celeste’s apartment. Something had kept him from getting out of the car.

  Absolutely stupid, because he owed her nothing.

  Samara was most likely getting on with her life, just as he’d wanted. Eden had stayed with her a few days, ensuring she got the care she needed to get that stupid tracking device out of her arm. Eden’s last report indicated she’d been eating and sleeping fine and that the bruises and injuries were almost invisible. She was obviously getting back to her normal routine. Why the hell shouldn’t he do the same?

  Sure he cared about her. Samara was the type of woman any sane person would care about. But he wasn’t in love with her … not the kind of love a woman like Samara deserved. He just needed to immerse himself with work and the burning, gut-wrenching ache would go away.

  The three monitors in front of him showed detailed reports of lost or missing people from all over the world. Though LCR rarely got involved in cases unless directly asked, he kept abreast of as many as possible. When asked for assistance, he liked to be prepared. It was this type of overseeing that had caught his attention months ago, alerting him to the possibility that Bennett had resurfaced and was back in business.

  Noah stared at the face of a young toddler who’d disappeared two weeks ago from her backyard. God, the innocence in their eyes always cut him deep. What horror would this child suffer before she was found … if she was found?

  So immersed in his world of missing people, he barely registered a slight sound of disturbance. When the door flew open, slamming against the wall, his head jerked up with real surprise. Inhaling a long, deep breath, he prepared for war. He should have known she’d come here. “Hell of a receptionist I have. Remind me to fire Angela.”

  Hands on her hips and fury in those amazing eyes, Samara Lyons looked like an avenging angel. She also looked healthy, beautiful, and so damned sexy, he hardened at the sight, which forced him to stay seated. “You’re a long way from home, sweetheart.”

  “And it looks as though you took a wrong turn, Noah. I told you to come back to me. Not go to Paris.”

  Noah arched a brow, trying his damnedest not to grin. Samara in a snit was a sight to behold. Nevertheless, he had to tell her the truth. “Mara, this is my home. There’s nothing for you here. Go back to where you belong.”

  “I belong with you, Noah. I love you. You know I do.”

  Not allowing his expression to change, Noah gripped the arms of his chair. Every cell in his body wanted to jump up, grab her and run, forgetting all promises he’d made to himself and all responsibilities to LCR. More than anything, Noah wanted to be just a normal man in love with a beautiful woman … nothing complicated or clandestine. That was never going to happen.

  “You think you love me. You loved Jordan last year. My guess, it’ll be someone else next year.”

  Silky black brows arched over flashing eyes. “I knew you’d throw that in my face. Well, I’ve got news for you, Noah McCall. I don’t care what kind of things you throw at me … or what kind of excuses you give. You know good and damned well I love you … and it’s the everlasting, till-death-do-I-part kind.”

  “If it is love, it’s for a man who doesn’t really exist.”

  “Don’t treat me like I’m an imbecile. I know who you are and I love you for that and a thousand other reasons.”

  He shook his head at her. “You don’t know me.”

  His chest hurt as he watched tears roll down her heartbroken face. Dammit, he’d warned her.

  She drew a trembling breath. “I could be pregnant. Have you thought about that?”

  Thank God he had an answer for that one. “I can’t get you pregnant.”

  “Why not?”

  “I had a vasectomy years ago. I can’t get anyone pregnant.”

  She jerked back as if he’d slapped her. “But … But … you used a condom the first time we …”

  Noah shrugged as if it was nothing. As if his flesh didn’t feel as though it was being torn from his bones.

  “Why, Noah? Why would you not want children?”

  “Hell, Samara. You, more than anyone, know what’s in my blood. Why would you think I’d want to inflict the world with more garbage?”

  A slender, shaking finger pointed at him. The trembling fury in her voice so evident, some of her words were almost unintelligible. “You are not garbage, Noah McCall. How dare you even say such a thing.”

  Noah gripped the edge of his desk. “Go home, sweetheart. Find that Prince Charming you’ve always dreamed of, because he sure as hell isn’t me.”

  “You have no idea what I dream, Noah.” She turned toward the open door and then whirled to offer one final parting shot. “When you’re ready to stop being a coward, you know where to find me.” She closed the door behind her, leaving Noah with an all-over body ache he knew he’d never recover from.

  Before he knew it, his chair zoomed across his office as he shoved it away and stalked to the door. He couldn’t let her leave like that. Seeing her pain, her disappointment. He looked down at his white-knuckled grip on the doorknob. What the hell was he going to say to her? He could offer her nothing.

  Feeling like his guts were wrapped around his chest and tightened with every breath, Noah returned to his desk and a world Samara didn’t belong in.

  Shaking with fury and an ache so deep she felt as if she were bleeding inside, Samara made her wobbly legs move toward the elevator. Damned if she’d let Noah walk out of his office and see her pressed up against the wall, trying to hold herself toget
her. She’d come here knowing almost exactly what he would say. The shot about Jordan had been low, but he was shooting everything in his arsenal at her.

  She thought she was a bit tougher than this, though. He hadn’t really said anything terribly cruel and she’d almost crumpled in front of him. It was the vasectomy thing that got her. … No, it floored her. How could he think about not having babies? With all the goodness he had inside him, he’d make a wonderful father. A laughing sob caught in her throat. Okay, so he wasn’t a saint. Was quite often an asshole, a jerk, and one of the most stubborn people ever put on this earth. But he was a damn good man … one of the finest she’d ever known. And she loved him. It was as simple as that.

  Pride got her to the first floor without crying a drop. The elevator door opened and she stepped out. Giving a tight, grateful smile and a wave to the beautiful but overtattooed receptionist, she managed a shaky “Thanks, Angela.” She wished she could have said more since the woman had been kind enough to let her go up to Noah’s office without announcing her presence.

  Dashing out the door blindly, she ran smack into Jordan, who stood on the narrow sidewalk, apparently waiting for her. Seeing him was all it took. He barely got out the words, “You okay?” before she threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

  His embrace was comforting, but not the arms she longed for. Nevertheless, they allowed her to cry her heartbreak onto his chest. He made soothing sounds and kissed the top of her head, much as her father would have.

  She pulled away and offered him a watery smile. “Sorry, held it in as long as I could.”

  He nodded toward the door. “Want me to go kick his ass?”

  Sniffling, she pulled away completely. “No, thanks. By the time I’m through with him, he’ll be kicking his own ass.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “Tell Eden I’ll call her … but not for a while. I’ve got some things to do. Bye.”

  She dashed away from an obviously confused Jordan. She couldn’t explain what she was going to do. He’d try to talk her out of it or he’d tell Noah, who’d come to Birmingham and yell at her. She wanted to see Noah again, more than anything … but not yet. She had given him his chance. Now, for a while, she was going to step back and redirect her energy. She’d learned too much over the past month to let it go to waste. She had some new skills. She wanted to learn more.