Hide and Seek

by Velvet Vaughn

  “Taylor, this is Dr. Amelia Howell. She’s worked with COBRA Securities so much, she’s become our unofficial physician.”

  Taylor rose to her feet and narrowed her eyes at Dante. Why was he bringing a doctor to her house? She pasted on a smile. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Howell.”

  “Please, call me Amelia.” They shook hands and then Amelia turned to Dante. “Why don’t you leave us alone for a minute so we can get to know each other?”

  Dante looked relieved and beat a hasty retreat, taking Midas with him. As soon as he closed the door, Amelia turned back to her. “We didn’t mean to gang up on you,” she apologized. “Why don’t we have a seat?” Amelia indicated the dual swing.

  Taylor dropped to a cushion and Amelia sat next to her, using her foot to set the swing in motion. “It’s beautiful out here,” the doctor said. “Peaceful.”

  Taylor tried to keep the suspicion out of her voice. “I’m sure you aren’t here to discuss my back yard.”

  Amelia smiled, showcasing two dimples and perfect, white teeth. As quickly as it appeared, her smile was gone. “Dante’s worried about you. He said you aren’t eating.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “You need to keep your energy up. Grace needs you to be strong.”

  “I try to eat but my stomach is in knots,” Taylor admitted. “The thought of food makes me nauseous.”

  “You need protein,” Amelia insisted. “Are you taking vitamins?”

  Taylor paused to think. “I’m not sure. I usually take quite a few every day but I can’t remember if I did today.”

  “Let’s stay here a minute,” Amelia said. “I’ve been on my feet all day and it feels good to sit.” She kept the swing moving. They sat in companionable silence, watching as birds fluttered up to the several feeders she placed around the yard. Squirrels were fighting for dropped seeds on the ground. Finally, Amelia stood and guided her into the kitchen. “Why don’t you go ahead and take your vitamins. Milk will soothe your upset stomach.”

  Taylor went through the motions, opening the Friday slot on her weekly vitamin container. She dumped the pills into her hand and accepted the glass Amelia handed her. She gagged twice and had to force the capsules down her throat. Amelia rubbed her back and then led her to a chair. “Would you let me make you something to eat?”

  “Really, I’ll eat,” she promised, “just not right now.”

  Amelia accepted the answer and then picked up a black leather bag and took a seat across the table. “You need rest, too. I brought a mild sedative to help you sleep. If it’s not enough, I’ll prescribe something stronger.”

  “I don’t want to be knocked out,” Taylor protested.

  “Try this one,” she handed Taylor a bottle.

  “Dante didn’t sleep either. He needs them, too.” Taylor blushed, realizing what she just admitted…that she knew Dante didn’t sleep.

  Thankfully Amelia didn’t comment. “He’s tough…a former SEAL. They apparently don’t need sleep.” She smiled as she closed her bag and withdrew a card. “Call me if you need anything. I’m sure Grace has a pediatrician, but I’d be happy to look her over once you get her back.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. These were Dante’s people and they were welcoming her with open arms.

  Chapter Eleven

  Every hour that rolled by added another ton of worry to Dante’s shoulders. Where could Kai be? He’d tried earlier to help his coworkers track down leads but he was having a hard time concentrating. Fear for his son overwhelmed him.

  Taylor came into the office after Amelia left. He felt guilty for sending the doctor to her without a heads-up, but he was worried about her. Truth was, he wasn’t eating either. He managed a bite or two, but his stomach was too upset to eat, so he knew hers was, too.

  “I need to help,” she said. “What can I do?”

  Logan’s cell rang. “It’s Dan,” he announced. He listened for a moment and then said, “Okay, let us know what you find.” He hung up. “No sign of Cassie at her apartment. A neighbor saw her earlier with a suitcase. She asked if Cassie was going on a trip and she said she was staying at her parents’ house for a few days.” He addressed Taylor. “Dan’s there now and he’s using the key you gave him. Your parents aren’t home yet?”

  She shook her head. “They couldn’t get a flight out. A late-season storm closed the airport.”

  The front door opened and closed with a slam. Heavy footsteps sounded and then Dan appeared in the doorway. He glanced around the room, his gaze stopping on Taylor. “No sign of your sister at her apartment or your parents’ home. But I did find this…”

  He held out a note and she took it from his hand. She read it aloud: “Mom and Dad, I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you yet again. I can’t seem to do anything right. I hope you forgive me. I can’t go to jail so I’m going away for a while. I love you, Cassie.”

  Taylor slapped the note against her thigh. “I can’t believe she jumped bail.” She huffed a laugh. “That’ll teach Maureen to trust her…if Cassie doesn’t show up, she just forfeited fifty thousand dollars.”

  “There’s more,” Dan said gently. “Your parents have a safe in their room?”

  She nodded. “Behind a T.C. Steele landscape.”

  “The painting was tossed on the bed and the door of the safe was hanging wide open.” He paused before delivering the bad news. “The safe was empty.”

  Taylor gasped, the note drifting forgotten to the floor as her hands flew to her mouth. Dante anchored his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him.

  “What did your parents keep in the safe?” Luke asked.

  She inhaled deeply and released it. “My dad doesn’t completely trust banks, so he’s stocked away money just in case.”

  “How much?”

  She sighed. “The last time he counted, which was a few years ago, at least three hundred thousand dollars.” Muttered curses sounded around the room. “That’s not all. He also keeps his gun in there.”

  “So Cassie’s armed and dangerous.”

  “Wait a minute,” Peter spoke up. “Dorian attached a tracking device to her car, just in case. Let me pull it up.” He punched keys on his computer and then his brows dipped. “It’s not moving.” He tapped more keys and then looked up. “It’s still in the parking lot of her apartment complex.”

  “Let’s get on the horn with all of the local cab companies, see if anyone picked her up.”

  “Wait a minute. Did you look in the garage?” Taylor questioned Dan.

  He nodded. “One vehicle, a gold Lexus.”

  “There wasn’t a battered black Chevy truck?”

  Dan shook his head.

  Taylor sighed again. “She took my dad’s truck. It’s so old, it was made before GPS was even a remote possibility.”

  Oldham spoke up. “I’ll pull the plate number, get an APB out.” He turned to his computer as he made a call.

  “Can I borrow someone’s phone?” Taylor asked. “I don’t want to tie up mine in case Sweeney calls again.”

  “Here. You can use mine.” Logan handed her his phone. She thanked him, punched in a number and put it on speaker.

  “Hello?”

  “Where is she, Maureen.”

  “Taylor? Is that you? Where is who?”

  “Cassie, Maureen. Where is she?”

  “I dropped her off at her apartment this morning. You can check there.”

  “She left a message for my parents saying she skipped town. She stole all of my dad’s money and his gun. Did you help her?”

  Maureen gasped. “She left? But…I posted her bail.”

  “Looks like you made a bad investment,” Taylor murmured. “So you don’t know where she is or where she could have gone?”

  Maureen’s voice was low. “No.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Taylor disconnected and handed the phone back to Logan, whose brow was raised in question.

  “I know I was rude, but my nerves are on edge. She tried telling me Cassie
had a good reason for helping Sweeney abduct my child.”

  “What could possibly be a good reason?” he growled menacingly. She knew he must be thinking of his own daughter’s kidnapping.

  “She fancies herself in love with him.”

  Logan shook his head in disgust.

  #

  Taylor padded to the couch and dropped down to the plush cushion. She watched the activity buzzing in her office. She wanted to help, but her energy had waned. She was teetering on the edge of a break down. She was regretting sending Dr. Amelia away without a prescription. Medication was sounding better and better, especially if it dulled the pain and made her forget, even for a little while.

  Jade Bradley and Kendall Buckley stopped by and sandwiched her on the couch, keeping her company. Rachel Colton dropped in with her sister-in-law Kaitlyn in tow.

  Kaitlyn hugged her brother Luke and announced, “I brought food.” She disappeared and returned wheeling a cart full of sinful-smelling food into the office.

  “Tell me it’s not some kind of tofu-bean sprout-flaxseed casserole,” Dan grumbled.

  Kaitlyn tossed her long, black ponytail over her shoulder and flipped him off.

  “Kaitlyn,” Luke scolded. “I taught you better than that.”

  “Sorry big brother,” she said, sounding not the least bit remorseful. Dan smirked at her and she flipped him off again, double this time. Luke shook his head and gave up.

  They cleared space on a folding table that had been brought in the office for the food. Kaitlyn placed paper plates, napkins and plastic utensils for everyone to use and then removed aluminum foil off of a huge tray of lasagna.

  “Oh my God, that smells amazing,” Sawyer said, shouldering his way to the front of the line. Dan glared at his back but he didn’t even notice.

  Kaitlyn scooped out heaping servings and filled the plates. “I have garlic bread, too,” she said, whipping out a tray overflowing with buttery slices of French bread. “Dig in.”

  Logan took a bite and his eyes rolled back in his head. “Kait, If I wasn’t already married, I’d get down on my knee right now and propose.” Then he glanced at his wife and smiled. “Just kidding, honey.”

  Jade pulled her fork out of her mouth and groaned in pleasure. “That’s okay…if I wasn’t married, I would, too.”

  Kaitlyn beamed at the praise. “Thanks. It’s a new recipe I’m trying out.”

  “Well, you perfected it,” Sawyer said with a smile. “This is the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted.”

  Kaitlyn smiled sweetly at him and Dan’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Taylor noticed that his gaze followed her everywhere. Kaitlyn stole peeks at him when she didn’t think he was looking. It was obvious there were feelings between the two and Dan didn’t appreciate Sawyer fawning all over her, yet he made no move to claim her for himself.

  #

  Kaitlyn Colton smiled sweetly at the handsome FBI agent who praised her food and thanked him for his compliments. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Dan Bradley glaring at him. She smiled brighter…until she remembered the reason she was here and her smile dimmed. Kai Costa and a little girl were missing.

  She’d been out of town when Dante’s son disappeared. She didn’t find out until she returned home earlier today. Kai was a sweetheart and she couldn’t imagine what Dante was feeling right now. She didn’t know Taylor Hudson or her daughter but she knew the woman had to be devastated. She wanted to offer her support and the best way she knew how to do that was to cook.

  She’d starting cooking when she was eight years old after her parents had been killed in a plane crash. Her oldest brother Luke had been a freshman at Notre Dame on a football scholarship. He was headed for a pro career but gave it all up to return home and take care of her, Grant and Ben. He sacrificed so much so that his younger siblings wouldn’t be separated. The least she could do was learn to feed them.

  It’d been tough at first. Three growing teenage boys ate an inconceivable amount of food. She couldn’t cook fast enough. But not only had she learned, she found her true calling. She loved mixing ingredients together and creating dishes for people to enjoy. In those days, her meals consisted mostly of meat and potatoes. Guy food. Now she focused on food that was healthy, easy to prepare and delicious. She even hoped to land a spot in the new cooking competition show being considered for CuisineTV. If she earned a spot on the program and won, she’d have her very own television show.

  Her eyes strayed to Dan again. Her heart gave that stupid little lurch that happened every time she saw him. She should be used to it now…it’d been going on for twenty years, ever since she spotted him on the kindergarten playground and her six-year old heart fell irrevocably in love. Why that fickle organ in her chest had to attach itself to such an ass was beyond her. When she decided to fix a meal to bring with her, the first thing that came to mind was lasagna…Dan’s favorite. She even tweaked it to include spices he liked. But did he appreciate it? Hell, no. He had to make a crack about her healthy cooking. Fine. She’d just ignore him and concentrate on the handsome FBI agent. What was his name again? Sailor, Sammy?

  #

  Dan Bradley wondered what the penalty would be for coldcocking an FBI agent. If Sawyer Oldham didn’t get his eyes off of Kaitlyn, he was going to find out. His hand twitched in anticipation of knocking those pearly whites clear down the special agent’s throat.

  And what the hell was up with Kaitlyn? She flipped him the bird and then smiled at Sawyer, batting her eyes like he was the cherry on top of a hunk sundae.

  Okay, so maybe his crack about tofu-bean sprout-flaxseed casserole had been uncalled for. In his own defense, it’d surprised him to look up and see her breezing into the office, bringing with her the scent of his favorite meal, lasagna. He’d reverted to their main form of communication—sarcasm.

  His gaze drifted over to her again. She was easily the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Hair as black as a raven’s wing, eyes as blue as the Caribbean Sea, a figure that was athletic and trim despite the fact that she cooked for a living. And man, could she cook. Eating one of Kaitlyn’s home cooked meals was almost as good as sex. Almost. He took another bite of the most amazing lasagna he’d ever tasted and his lids drifted closed in ecstasy.

  When he opened his eyes, they widened in surprise. She was headed his way. He stood straighter, prepared to deflect the body blows he knew she was likely to inflict. She grew up with three older brothers so she could give as good as she got. He couldn’t keep his gaze from drifting to her plump pink lips…lips he knew tasted as delicious as they looked.

  “What, no comment on how I added too much basil? The noodles were overcooked? Come-on, DJ, let me have it.”

  Why his heart skipped a beat every time she addressed him by the initials of his first and middle name, he’d never know. She was the only person who’d ever called him that. He opened his mouth to tell her that the cheese was stringy—it wasn’t. “It’s the best lasagna I’ve ever eaten,” came out instead. She looked as shocked as he felt.

  “Oh, well, um, thanks.” Her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of scarlet.

  “So how’s Frankie?” He cringed inside. Apparently ten seconds was about as long as he’d allow their détente to last.

  Her mouth twisted in disappointment. “It’s François, and he’s just fine. Great, in fact.”

  “Great.”

  “Great.”

  #

  “Eat.”

  Taylor jerked her gaze to Dante. She been so engrossed in the Kaitlyn, Dan, Sawyer drama she didn’t even hear him approach. She moved some of the food around on her plate. “I’m trying.” She noticed his food was likewise untouched. “You need to eat, too.”

  He shrugged a shoulder. “I’m trying, too.” When it was obvious neither could manage more than a bite, he gathered the plates and carefully disposed of them before Kaitlyn noticed. They didn’t want to offend her.

  The light outside the window faded to dark. Time marched on, stopping for n
o one. Hours passed with no word from Cassie or any hits on the all-points bulletin on the truck. The phone still rang, but not as frequently. Dante’s co-workers and their families packed up for the night. She hugged Kaitlyn and thanked her for the food. Jade, Kendall and Rachel told her to call them if she needed anything. Officer Browning was spending the night, so she pulled out the blankets and pillows and made a bed for him on the sofa.

  She stood at the sliding glass door, watching Dante track Midas as he loped around the yard sniffing all the trees and bushes. What would he say if she asked him to hold her again? The breakdown was inching closer and closer with each hour that passed. She didn’t think she could face going up to her bedroom alone with just her thoughts and fears.

  Where was her daughter right now? Was she cold? Hungry? Scared? A sob crawled up her throat and she covered her mouth. Through her tear-filled eyes, she saw Dante turn to her. He called for his dog and then slid the door open. Midas bounded inside and he closed the door and locked it. Before she could launch herself into his arms, he pulled her into his.

  Chapter Twelve

  Saturday

  Taylor stood under the shower, cranking the tap as hot as she could stand. It was Saturday, the first day of summer vacation. She couldn’t stop the tears from pouring out to mingle with the water swirling down the drain. She was exhausted. She couldn’t eat, she couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t even think straight. Worry was crushing her under its oppressive weight. She had no idea how long she stayed under the spray before she finally roused herself to shut the water off and step out. She patted her hair dry and glanced into the mirror. She looked as exhausted as she felt.

  Dante held her as she broke down last night. When her sobs finally subsided, he lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs. As soon as he slid in bed behind her, she’d fallen asleep, but nightmares had kept her from resting. He held her through each one, murmuring comforting words. She knew she was keeping him awake but he didn’t complain.