Frederick Finch, or the man William had secretly nicknamed Dumbass, nodded, his thick neck creasing like an accordion. The guy was a behemoth, and William had learned that just because his head was the size of a gorilla’s didn’t mean it held a large brain. The stupid baseball cap only made him look more stupid. But what the man lacked in intelligence, he more than made up for in obedience and brute strength. William had more than enough smarts for both of them. Finch’s only job was to protect William if something went wrong.
With the short notice that McCall had given him, he hadn’t been able to bring in more men. His intention had been to find out Jessica’s location and have some of his guys grab her. William had had no idea he’d have to do the dirty work. Even though it didn’t sit well with him, he had no concerns that this would work. He’d play the grateful, loving father, overjoyed to see his long-lost daughter returned him, for the few minutes it would take to convince McCall that things were copacetic. Then, when he got her into the van, he’d lay down the law.
“I’ll make nice for a little while,” William explained. “Hopefully, I can get close enough to the bitch to put this on her.” He held up a tiny, skin-colored patch. “Best invention ever for subduing a woman. Ever try one?”
Frederick shook his head. “Don’t need drugs to handle a woman. Got my own method of making them do what I want.” He smiled, revealing a giant space between his front teeth. William wasn’t sure if the man’s tooth had been knocked out or if that was just how his teeth were. Hard to believe anyone had gotten close enough to the giant to sock him in the mouth.
“I don’t use drugs all the time, but they come in handy. They’re especially good for mellowing out kids.”
“I hate kids,” Frederick muttered.
William thought that was probably best, since Frederick’s ugly mug would scare most of them out of a year’s growth. He’d definitely never take the brute on a hunting trip. Idiot would scare off any perspective candidates.
William pulled into the large parking lot. He spotted an empty space at the very end and made a beeline for it. Should be out of the way enough. McCall might wonder why he’d driven a van, but it wasn’t that unusual a vehicle. Asking him why he’d brought along a giant would definitely raise some suspicions.
He parked and then turned to Frederick. “Get in the back until I come back.”
The man’s ugly scowl would’ve halted a normal person’s heart. William was made of sterner stuff.
“Don’t give me that look. I can’t risk you being seen.”
One giant shoulder shrug and an inhuman-like grunt was Frederick’s only reply. William took that as agreement.
“I shouldn’t be more than an hour, hopefully less. When I come back with the girl, you can drive. I’ll be busy in the back with her.”
Beady eyes perked up. “Can I have a go at her when you’re done?”
“I’m not going to do her, idiot. We’re just going to talk. Set a few things straight.”
Finch’s glare could’ve melted iron, but he thankfully seemed to accept William’s explanation. The last thing William wanted to do was have to kill the idiot for trying to play with the merchandise. Getting rid of that big of a body would be a nightmare.
Pulling down the sun visor, he checked his reflection in the attached mirror. There were worry lines in his forehead. He’d rubbed his eyes hard for several minutes. Now they were slightly swollen and red. Caused by the grateful tears a loving father would shed, of course. He played with several expressions, settling on a hopeful but somewhat frightened demeanor. After all, he didn’t know if his dear, precious Jessica would even remember her loving father.
He smiled at the perfection of his expression. Damn, he could’ve made millions as an actor.
William gave Dumbass one last warning. “You see anything or anyone suspicious, call me on my cell. I have it on vibrate, but it’ll give me a heads-up that something’s wrong.”
William watched Frederick crawl into the back. He then got out of the van and headed across the parking lot. The strip mall held a variety of businesses including a furniture store, mattress outlet, and barbershop. The suite he was to meet McCall and the girl was apparently vacant. A good thing for him if this didn’t go down as he planned.
Smoothing down his hair, William plastered his practiced expression on his face as he drew closer to the building. His beloved, precious Jessie was waiting inside, and he couldn’t wait to see her again!
***
The notification that Larson had arrived came from Jake, who was on the third floor of the building, keeping lookout. “Subject has arrived in a white van. He has a male passenger.” He snorted and added, “Subject appears to be practicing several expressions in the visor mirror. Apparently, he’s picked one. He’s getting out of the van, headed your way. Passenger is getting into the back. One hell of a brute, too. Looks like he can pack a punch.”
They had expected this. Riley knew she wouldn’t get out of the op without a few bumps and bruises. That was an acceptable risk. As long as the end result was the apprehension of Larson and all his hired perverts, as well as Dimitri, she’d take whatever hits came her way. She’d lived through much worse.
“I’ve got your back, partner.” The earbud in Riley’s ear was of the best quality. Justin’s voice was as clear as if he were standing beside her. His words made her glow. He knew what she’d been through and had full faith that she could handle this. His confidence gave her a boost. She could do this!
Riley heard footsteps coming closer. She drew in a breath, let it out slowly, and then once again became Jessica King.
Noah watched Larson come through the doors, his expression of hope firmly fixed on his face. The instant he spotted Riley sitting in a chair across the room, Noah saw a flash of the real man—the predator behind the façade.
“Jessica…darling! It is you!”
He took a running leap toward her, and Noah caught his arm, jerking him to a stop.
“What the hell? Mr. McCall, it’s my Jessie.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but our agreement still stands. This reunion is not only for your benefit but also for Jessica’s.”
“I—” Larson’s effort to hide his anger wouldn’t have convinced a three-year-old. Noah had a fleeting thought that the man had obviously never used the money he’d made in human trafficking for acting lessons.
Larson backed away and sighed. “You’re right, Mr. McCall. The excitement of seeing my daughter again is almost overwhelming.”
“I understand. We’ll just start out with some small talk and go from there.”
Noah pulled up a chair, placed it in front of Riley, and gestured at Larson. “Have a seat.”
***
The fire-engine red Lamborghini parked two spaces away from the white van. The driver, a tall, beautiful woman with long, auburn hair and creamy magnolia skin, opened the car door. Since her target couldn’t yet see her, she scrunched her toes in the tight shoes and grimaced in pain. Dammit, if you pay five hundred dollars for a pair of shoes, shouldn’t they be at least a little comfortable?
Swinging her mile-long legs out of the car, she stood and lightly stretched, the sexy, black lace minidress going tight in all the right places. If she already had an audience, she wanted him to get the full effect. Deeming she’d preened long enough, she lowered her head and addressed the woman on the passenger side. “I don’t care what you say, Tawny. This is the address Harold told me to come to.”
A tall, beautiful brunette with long, black hair and dark, exotic eyes got out of the car, her deep-red halter dress with its plunging neckline a perfect complement to her light olive skin tone. “This can’t be right, Sissy.” She spoke in a soft, sultry voice. “There’s not a house anywhere. These are all businesses.”
When nothing happened, the two women locked eyes. They knew they were going to have to be a little more creative.
“Maybe we shouldn’t go to the party,” Sissy said. “Standing around looki
ng beautiful doesn’t sound like a lot of fun to me.”
“As long as we don’t have to take our clothes off like we did last time, I’m okay with just standing around,” Tawny said. “Parading around in a G-string and nothing else gets chilly.”
That did the trick. A head and then giant shoulders appeared at the window of the van. “You ladies sound like you could use some help.”
Both women looked around and smiled brilliantly at him. Frederick Finch didn’t think he’d ever been so dazzled in his entire life. Two women, both about six feet tall, built like Amazons, with faces like angels, were looking at him as if he’d hung the moon. Today was definitely his lucky day.
***
Aidan Thorne shook his head. Men were so damned predictable sometimes. He waited until Sabrina and Angela had the big brute facing away from the van. He half listened to their chatter about Hollywood parties, naked swimming, and all-day orgies as he slid under the back of the van and placed the GPS device. He flipped the switch and nodded his satisfaction as the light beamed red. The van shouldn’t get away from them, but just in case, they’d be able to locate it up to one hundred and twenty miles away.
A minute later, he slipped from underneath the van and then peered around the corner just in time to see Sabrina placing her hand on the guy’s back. The man probably thought he was about to get lucky. What he didn’t know was Sabrina had just placed a small bug beneath his collar. Now, wherever the big guy went wearing that shirt, they’d be able to hear everything he or anyone close to him said.
Pleased with the smoothness of their operation so far, Aidan disappeared through a door at the side of the building. If everything else would go as smoothly as that had, this would be a piece of cake.
***
William settled into a chair across from Jessica. So what if he had to play the doting father for a few more minutes? He’d spent a lot of time practicing, might well have some fun with it.
“Jessie, darling, do you remember me? I’m your father.”
The girl raised her head and looked blankly at him for a few minutes. He immediately nixed the idea of drugging her. She already looked half stoned. No wonder McCall bought his story of mental illness. This was going to be easier than he thought. The bitch looked crazed.
When he’d sold her, she was young, fresh, and very pretty. Even though this was definitely the same girl, she was a pale imitation of what she’d once been. He’d fix that, though. Her clothes would have to do. He didn’t have time to go shopping. But no way in hell was he giving her over to Dimitri looking like death warmed over. The jerk would probably demand his money back the instant he saw her.
“Sweetheart? Do you remember me at all? Your mama, Loretta, and I have been looking for you for years. I’m so happy to see you.”
“Her name’s Lorraine.”
William put on a tragic expression and gazed up at McCall. “That was one of her delusions, too. She gave us different names. I was Lloyd and Loretta was Lorraine. She even gave us a different last name.” He furrowed his brow as if trying to remember. “What was it?”
“King,” McCall provided. “She told me her name was Jessica King. And you’re right. She said you were Lloyd and her mother Lorraine.”
As if she wasn’t aware that they were talking about her, Jessica asked dully, “Where’s Mama?”
“She’s not feeling well. She’s at home waiting to see you.”
“Home?”
William almost laughed. At last, a light gleamed in her eyes. The girl almost sounded hopeful. “Yes. You remember home, don’t you, sweetie? Our house hasn’t been the same since you left us.”
Her mouth twitched slightly, as if she wanted to smile but didn’t quite know how. “I would like to go home.”
Triumph surged through William. At last, he was going to get the bitch back.
“Are you sure, Jessica?” McCall asked, a concerned frown on his face. “You don’t have to make the decision today. We can—”
“Mr. McCall, please. She says she wants to come home. You agreed that—”
“Yes.” Jessica looked up at McCall and said softly, “I do want to go home.” She looked back at William and added, “You won’t let that man…Dimitri…near me, will you?”
Keeping his happy expression firmly in place, he said soothingly, “Of course not, Jessica. You don’t have to see anyone you don’t want to see.”
William glanced over at McCall, making sure his expression had just the right amount of tragic sadness. Hell, after what Dimitri did to her, the bitch might really be a head case. Didn’t matter to him, though. Dimitri wanted the girl back, and that was all William cared about. Once she was under lock and key again, and Dimitri had made good on his promise to repair his reputation, William could proceed with the sales of his other merchandise. He never had to worry about the bitch ever again.
Things were working out just as he’d planned.
McCall stood. “Larson, can I speak with you in private for a moment?”
“Of course.” He reached out and gently patted Jessica’s clenched hands. “I’ll be right back, sweetie.”
Riley watched as Noah walked with Larson across the room to a corner. She knew her boss was giving the man some instructions and warnings in case anything went wrong, as well as some psychiatric recommendations.
Noah’s expression was intense and sincere, as if the father-and-daughter reunion was the most important thing on his mind. As they spoke in low voices, Riley took a moment to observe William Larson and compare him to the man she’d known as Lloyd King.
The man was short in stature, maybe about five-six and probably weighed around one hundred forty. His hair was now salt-and-pepper gray. Other than that, he looked about the same. At one time, she remembered thinking he was handsome. Little had she known that this was what evil looked like.
Even though she was confident she could do this job, she had wondered how she would feel when she saw him again. If she’d become nauseated or have to hold herself back from scratching his eyes out. She was pleased that neither was the case. She felt absolutely nothing. She had a gut-deep knowledge that this man was not in any way related to her. That was a freeing feeling. This man was no different than any other human trafficker she’d helped bring down. It didn’t matter that she had once been his victim. She was one no longer, and she intended to make sure the bastard never victimized a child again.
Noah slapped Larson on the back in a friendly, manly way, and Riley had to swallow the laughter that bubbled inside her. Her boss was almost a foot taller and weighed at least eighty pounds more, all muscle. Larson almost went flying across the room.
Recovering his equilibrium, Larson returned to Riley and gave her what he probably thought was a loving smile. To her, it was smarmy and slick.
“Shall we go, sweetie? I know your mama is going to feel so much better when she sees you.”
Riley stood and allowed Larson to take her hand and lead her to the door. Before going out, she stopped and gave Noah a quick nod and a timid whisper of, “Thank you, Mr. McCall, for your kindness.”
“My pleasure, Jessica. Please be sure to check in when you can and let me know how you’re doing.”
She nodded again and then allowed Larson to pull her through the doorway.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Justin sat in an SUV across the parking lot. His heart was in his throat as Larson and Riley walked out of the building. Apparently concerned that McCall might be watching, Larson was solicitous as he held Riley’s arm and led her to the van.
The side door slid open, and he helped her inside. The door shut, and there was silence for all of thirty seconds. Then there was a loud clap, and he heard Riley’s gasp. The son of a bitch had slapped her.
His hands gripped the steering wheel, and it took every bit of his strength not to race over there, rip the door off the van, and get her out of there. Not only would it completely destroy the op, but Riley would be infuriated. And rightly so. He had to tr
ust that she could handle this. He did trust her. But still… Damn, this was hard.
“Oh, get up and stop your sniveling. Do you know what you’ve cost me, you little bitch? I can’t make another damn sale because of your owner. Dimitri has spread lies and half-truths all around about my business practices. I had to get you back to fix my reputation.
“I don’t care that I promised him no bruises. You both owed me that.”
“No, Daddy. You said you wouldn’t make me see him.”
Larson laughed. “You’re still the same dumb, clueless bitch you always were. No wonder Dimitri beat the shit out of you all the time.
“Frederick, let’s get going. I’ve got a phone call to make.”
“Why do I have to be tied up?”
Riley, using Jessica’s voice, was difficult to hear. She sounded as if she were crying and gasping for breath. Justin told himself it was an act. He’d seen his partner play many different roles, and she’d been convincing in each one. Even though Larson had slapped her, Riley Ingram would not shed a tear. But the beaten-down, helpless Jessica King would. That was the only reason for the tears.
The van pulled out of the parking lot, the giant named Frederick driving. For right now, Justin was the only one following. In about ten minutes, three other LCR team members would be on Larson’s tail. The man would not know until it was too late that he had been played.
Larson started talking again, apparently on the phone call he’d said he had to make. “Yes, I need to get in immediately. She needs the works, hair, face, nails, all over body treatment.”
He was calling a spa? What the hell?
“Yes, that’s right.” He barked out a laugh. “A fashion emergency. I’ll pay double. Good. Thank you. We’ll be there in about half an hour.”
“Frederick, go to 1440 Rodeo Drive. The Sparkling Swan.”
“What’s that?” Frederick asked.
“It’s a day spa. There’s no way in hell I’m going to give her back to Dimitri looking like this. She’s so dammed ugly, he’ll demand his money back. She’s going to look like a million bucks before the day’s out.” He gave a harsh chuckle and then added, “Rather, five million.”
RunningScaredBN Page 21
