“And he’ll do everything in his power to rescue Grace. You have to believe that, focus on that.”
She blinked rapidly and nodded. “It's just—”
“Taylor? Are you okay?”
Taylor let out a small wail and ran towards the voice. Dante turned to see a woman with short dark hair who looked like a tougher, harder version of Taylor approach. Taylor threw herself in the woman's arms. The woman eyed Dante suspiciously. “Taylor, what's going on?”
“It's Grace,” she wailed. “She's missing.”
The woman pulled back to look at her. “What do you mean she’s missing?”
“Someone hijacked the school bus.”
“When?”
“Just now.”
The woman addressed Dante, giving him a frank up and down assessment. She smiled provocatively. “Are you the police?”
He frowned, not liking that the woman was coming on to him when children were missing. “No, ma’am.”
The woman’s dark brows slashed down. “My name’s Cassie, not ma’am. I’m not that old.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am…I mean Cassie.”
Her smile was predatory and she all but forgot Taylor as she slinked over to him. “And you are…” She held out her hand.
“Dante Costa.” He tried to pull away but her hold was surprisingly strong.
“How do you know my sister, Dante?”
“I don’t, really. We just met. My son’s missing as well.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, no, what happened to him?”
“He was on the bus with Grace.”
“Oh, that’s terrible.” She surveyed the area. “Is your wife around?”
He finally managed to extract his hand from her iron grip. “No.” She didn’t need to know his wife passed away a few years ago. When she ran a hand over his arm and stroked his bicep, he’d had enough. He excused himself to approach Taylor, who looked lost and alone, standing with her arms wrapped around her stomach.
“It's Sweeney,” she said, looking up to meet his gaze. “He took her.”
“The man you put away all those years ago?” her sister asked, obviously having followed him over. “I thought he was in prison.”
“He escaped.”
Air rushed out of Dante's lungs in a mighty gush. Kai was tough and could take care of himself remarkably well for a nine-year-old, but he’d never had to face a convicted felon before.
“Tell me who this Sweeney is,” he said, launching into investigator mode.
Taylor explained all the facts from the case years ago, including Sweeney's parting threat. Sweat coated his brow. The man wasn’t just a felon, he was a serial killer.
“When did you find out he escaped?”
“About two minutes before you arrived.”
A car squealed into the driveway and all heads turned. Dante excused himself to shake hands with the middle-aged man who slid out of the driver's seat. A younger man came around from the passenger side to join in the conversation. They talked for a few minutes and then Dante guided them back to Taylor and her sister.
“Taylor, Cassie, this is Detective Frank Hurley and Detective Allen Sims with the Bloomington Police Department.” The group exchanged polite nods and then Detective Hurley took charge.
“We need to get an Amber Alert out immediately,” he said. “I have Kai’s data but I need Grace’s information from you: height, weight...”
“She's forty-two inches tall, forty-seven pounds, long curly red hair, blue eyes.”
“Any birthmarks or scars?” Detective Sims asked.
Taylor shook her head.
“What was she wearing today?”
“A Disney princess sweater and blue jeans, a red jacket and white tennis shoes with hearts on the sides.”
“I’ll need a current picture.”
“I’ll get it,” Cassie chirped, sashaying into the house. She returned with a framed photo.
“I'll call this in,” Sims said, taking the photo and heading back to the car.
Detective Hurley indicated the house. “Why don't we go inside so you can sit down and tell me all about the man you suspect has your daughter, Ms. Hudson?”
#
Kai held his breath as the driver jerked around and watched the other kids flee to the convenience store. He prayed his plan of getting them to safety didn't harm Grace.
“Dammit,” the man growled into the phone. “I've got to get out of here now. The other kids escaped. Saved me from having to dump them somewhere but now everybody and their damn mother will be looking for this bus. Just give me directions as I drive.”
Safe for the moment, Kai eased his head out, trying to catch Grace's attention. He wanted her to know she wasn't alone, but hoped she didn't give him away. He didn't want to think what the man might do if he found him. His heart broke when he spotted her sitting on the floor looking very young and very scared, tears streaming down her face. No doubt she thought she was in this all by herself but she wasn't. Careful to stay out of view of the mirror above the driver's seat, he waved a hand. It took a few minutes but suddenly Grace's head jerked up. Her eyes widened and relief blossomed on her face. He stuck his finger over his mouth, urging her to keep quiet. Smart little thing she was, she nodded in understanding.
He had to hang on tight as the bus made several precarious twists and turns. He almost banged his head on a metal bar as it ground to a jarring stop. Grace cried out and he darted a look. The man was hauling her to her feet. He cut the strap around her wrists and carried her off of the bus.
Kai crouched down and moved across the aisle. He rose slowly to peek out the window. He needed to see where the man was taking her. An older pickup truck was parked next to the bus. The man opened the driver’s side door and tossed her on the bench seat in the back. He leaned over and removed something from the glove compartment. He opened a bottle, poured some dark liquid in the cup lid and handed it to Grace. She shook her head but he said something that made her grab it and drink it down. She coughed and gagged but the man made her open her mouth, probably making sure she swallowed. He said something else to her and she laid down on the seat. He watched her for a few minutes, probably waiting for the drug to kick in, then he pushed down the lock to secure her inside before slamming the door.
Kai noticed a woman for the first time standing in front of the truck. She had a poof of short, spiky blonde hair that looked like she stuck her finger in a light socket. Her lips were painted a fire engine red that matched the short dress barely covering her lady parts. The man walked up to her, grabbed her around the waist and started kissing her. Their hands were all over each other and he fought the urge to gag himself. They were locked in each other's arms and then the man lifted her and carried her to the side of a small building. Kai caught a flash of lacy red underwear. Soon, they were tearing each other's clothes off. He was a little bit fascinated but knew he needed to take this opportunity while they were occupied. If he was lucky, they wouldn't even notice him. He crouched and ran up the aisle, stepping on pieces of his crushed cell phone. Hopefully Kobe had called his dad so he wouldn't worry.
He glanced at the man and woman. They were practically naked now, and he felt like he was watching a live screening of one of the adult movies at his friend Carson's house. Carson had figured out how to get around the parental controls and they would watch the naughty channels during sleepovers.
Staying low, he jumped out of the bus and grabbed for the door handle on the truck. He watched the man depress the button, but he had to try. Definitely locked. The woman was screaming now so he knew from those dirty shows that they would be done soon. Kai climbed on the bumper and launched himself into the back of the truck. A tool storage chest stretched across the top of the bed near the cab. There was just enough space beneath the container for him to roll under. It was a tight fit. He spotted something wadded up against the tailgate. He scooted out and grabbed the thick blanket. It was dirty and smelled musty, but it would add to his c
over.
Kai jerked when a gunshot rang out. His heart beat fast as he scrambled up to see the man lifting the dead weight of the naked woman and tossing her into a dark brown dumpster.
Oh God, he just killed her.
Bile rose in his throat and he was afraid he’d throw up. He didn't have time to do anything about it because the man was now walking back towards the truck. Kai slipped under the tool chest and arranged the blanket in front of him. His heart was pounding so loudly in his ears, he almost didn’t hear the engine start up. It took him a few seconds to realize it wasn't the truck. Puzzled, he scooted out again and watched as the man drove the bus down to the other end of the empty parking lot. Kai was back in his hiding place by the time the man opened the door and fired up the ignition to this truck. He shifted around trying to get comfortable. He had a feeling this was going to be a long ride.
Chapter Four
Less than sixty minutes after Grace’s disappearance, Taylor’s entire house buzzed with activity. The low drone of conversation mixed with ringing phones and police radio chatter. Some of the people milling around her house she knew, some she didn’t. Her eyes strayed to Dante, as they had often in the hour since he showed up on her doorstep. He was tall…she’d guess at least six-five. His shoulders were a mile wide, his entire physique muscular and fit. His black hair was cut short but had a definite curl to it. His eyes were an incredible shade of light gray with a darker ring around the pupil. He caught her staring and he smiled briefly to reassure her. She thought she spotted dimples. Kai had them so he probably inherited them from his dad. Dante was, without a doubt, the most handsome man she’d ever met.
Her emotions were fragile, her stomach in knots. She teetered on the edge, precariously close to breaking down. She needed to find her daughter and bring her home safely. She didn’t have the time or energy for feelings like attraction. But when she looked at him, a calm settled over her. His presence centered her. She didn’t feel so lost and alone. He gave her the strength she needed to endure the nightmare Patrick Sweeney promised her.
Several of Dante’s coworkers showed up in force to assist in the investigation. She trusted the police to do their job, but she felt much better knowing the COBRA Securities staff was working diligently to find her daughter. She remembered reading a story in the newspaper about how instrumental they were in foiling a plot to assassinate former NFL superstar Matt Dianetti and rescue a woman who was now his wife. At the time, she been impressed that the fledgling company set up shop in her hometown. Since then, she’d read other stories about their remarkable track record. They were in high demand all over the country. She never dreamed she’d personally need their services.
Peter Dennis was the first to show up. Dante introduced him as a “computer-whisperer”, insisting that he could manipulate a machine to do anything and tell him whatever he needed to know. The praise made one side of Peter’s face flush scarlet. The other side was disfigured from what looked like old burn scars. Taylor made a point to look directly into his eyes. He smiled shyly and squeezed her hand in comfort. He promised he would do everything in his power to find her daughter.
Dante’s bosses arrived next. She learned that Luke Colton was the ‘CO’ and Logan Bradley the ‘BRA’ of COBRA Securities. Luke was a former police detective, Logan a SEAL who served on the same team as Dante. Logan’s younger brother Dan accompanied them and though he didn’t boast an impressive military background like his older sibling, he was tall and strong and looked eminently capable.
When he’d first arrived, Logan pulled her aside. “I take child abductions very personally and very seriously, Ms. Hudson.”
“That’s very reassuring, Mr. Bradley. Thank you for telling me. And please, call me Taylor.”
One side of his mouth kicked up in a smile. “Only if you call me Logan.” He sobered. “One of the reasons I take the cases so personally is because my young daughter was kidnapped last year.”
Taylor gasped and grabbed his arm. “Is she…”
He reached into his back pocket and withdrew his wallet. He flashed a picture of an adorable little girl with curly black hair and blue eyes. She was cuddling a fluffy, white poodle. Taylor couldn’t help but smile at her huge grin.
“Isabella.” Logan’s eyes were filled with pride but then they clouded with pain. “When she disappeared, we had no idea where she was or who took her.”
Taylor couldn’t decide which was worse, not knowing who’d taken her daughter or knowing exactly the man who did.
“A brave teenager risked her life to save her,” Logan continued. He paused as he replaced the wallet in his pocket. “She was shot and almost died.”
“Oh, no.”
He nodded. “I can never repay her for her bravery. She’s an amazing young girl. Only sixteen and she not only read the situation when she spotted the strange man with Isabella, but knowingly put herself in harm’s way to protect my daughter.”
A lump rose in Taylor’s throat and she couldn’t speak.
“Anyway, I know how you’re feeling right now and I know the last thing you want is to have to deal with all of these people.” He indicated the open-concept kitchen and great room packed with bodies. “Stay strong and know that you have the full support of my staff. We’ll bring your daughter home to you.”
Tears sprang to her eyes and she barely managed to thank him.
“If it’s okay with you, we’re going to set up a satellite command center in your office. A few of us will work from there, coordinating with our staff back at headquarters.”
She blotted her eyes with a tissue. “Please, whatever you need. And I expect you to bill me for any expenses you incur.”
Logan shook his head and said, “Dante is family.”
More tears flooded her eyes. Dante worked with some amazing people.
“Taylor?” She turned at his voice. “I want to introduce you to Dorian Demarchis.”
She shook Dorian’s outstretched hand, which felt as big as a catcher’s mitt. He was almost as tall and broad as Dante, but with definite Greek heritage. “SEAL?” she guessed.
His brows raised. “What gave me away?”
Muscles. Zero percent body fat. Ramrod-straight posture. Confidence. Intelligence shimmering in his whisky-colored eyes. Take your pick. Dante boasted the same qualities. “Lucky guess.”
He turned to Dante. “Give me a minute?”
Dante nodded and stepped away. Dorian guided her away from the noise. “Dante and Kai are my best friends,” he told her, clearing his throat. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for either of them, but I don’t want you to think we’re only focused on Kai. We’re searching for Grace as well.”
She just nodded as tears pooled again. She’d never cried this much in her life.
“My sister was kidnapped a few months ago.”
Taylor’s hand flew to her mouth.
“She’s fine,” he quickly reassured her. “She managed to escape and call me. She was abducted because of a case I was working on, so I know a little bit about how you’re feeling right now. You feel guilty, but do not blame yourself.”
She shook her head, denying his words. Of course she blamed herself. How could she not? Patrick Sweeney focused on her daughter because she put him away years ago.
“We will find her.”
He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly and excused himself to disappear into her office to help set up. When Sweeney called, and she knew he would, she’d use the phone in there, away from all of the well-wishers packed into her house. She didn’t want a public display of her breakdown. When she’d been an assistant state prosecutor, she was known as the ice queen. Nothing rattled her. But now that she was a mother, she couldn’t feign indifference anymore. Grace was her whole life.
The police wasted no time setting up wire taps on her phones. Her cell was now set to ring to the landline so it could be monitored as well. Dante's phone was set the opposite of hers: his landline forwarded to his cell. Since they didn't
know if Kai was being held against his will, he would most likely not need the phone tapped, but they wanted to be able to pinpoint the location of the call so they would know where Sweeney had taken them.
Her phone was currently ringing off the hook with the broadcast of the Amber Alert. Friends and acquaintances were calling for details and to offer support. She wasn’t sure if it was the police or someone from COBRA Securities screening the calls, she was just thankful she didn’t have to answer. She tensed every time it rang, both praying for it to be Sweeney and dreading hearing his voice.
She’d debated whether to contact her parents, who were in the middle of the Bering Sea on an Alaskan cruise. She wanted to wait until she had more information, but decided it would be better for them to hear the news from her rather than from their friends, some who were sitting in the living room right now. Her parents had been devastated and made plans to return home. Though she desperately wanted them here, she tried talking them out of leaving until she heard from Sweeney. If they could find Grace and bring her home soon, her parents could enjoy the rest of their vacation. Despite her protests, she knew they were arranging transport right now.
Maureen Davenport had been one of the first people to arrive, having heard the Amber Alert over the radio. Maureen had been her mom’s best friend since childhood. She and her husband were close with her parents, often playing cards, hosting parties together or taking trips. When Maureen’s husband left her unexpectedly for another woman, she totally transformed herself. She lost fifty pounds, grew her hair out, started tanning and working out at a gym. She looked twenty years younger. She was dating younger men, hitting the bars and staying out all night. Now that she was single, she wanted Taylor’s mom to party with her and it was causing tension between her parents and with her mother’s relationship with her oldest friend.
Maureen had pulled her in tight for a hug and murmured comforting words. She appointed herself in charge of greeting the well-wishers, which was a relief to Taylor since news of Grace’s abduction travelled quickly.
Many of her neighbors, alerted by the arrival of so many police cars, were milling about. Three of her good friends were sitting on the couch in the great room, including Gina Fairbanks, her best friend since first grade. Marla Ortiz was the mother of Grace’s best friend Molly. Laurie Nichols’ daughter Sandy was also in their class. They were all single mothers and they met once a month for a girls’ night out. Though Gina didn’t have children, she often accompanied them.
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