Vested Interest Box Set: Books 1-3

by Melanie Moreland

  “Uh-huh.”

  “You want to razz someone?” Maddox huffed. “Ask Aiden where he and Cami disappeared to for over four hours. He looked rather rumpled when he reappeared.”

  I didn’t have a chance to reply before we entered the security room to see Aiden and Reid bent over the same computer. Aiden was cursing.

  “What?” I asked immediately.

  “We hacked into Greg’s personal and business computers.”

  “Find anything?”

  “Lots, but the most important thing is that he, or one of his numbered companies, owns a warehouse not far from where the car was found. It’s deserted. In fact, all of the buildings on the block are. No cameras, no people. What better place to keep someone you don’t want to be found?”

  Maddox whistled low. “We thought it looked like an empty warehouse.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Aiden shook his head. “No. I have a plan, Bent. I need you to follow my instructions to the letter, though. No matter how much you hate it. Do you understand?”

  “Will you bring her home?”

  “Yes. When it’s dark, and we’re clear to move safely. We just need a few more hours.”

  “Then I’ll do it.”

  Emmy

  I pulled my knees tighter to my chest, desperately trying to get warm, even though I knew it was fruitless. I rubbed my hands on my legs trying to stimulate some heat. I grimaced at the dirt on my palms mixed in with some blood from the scratches on my skin. I was dirty, tired, hungry, scared, and angry. I wasn’t sure which one was the most prevalent.

  Darkness had descended again in the horrid little room where they were holding me captive. It was gross. The one little window was set so high, I had no hope of reaching it, and so much grime covered it, I hadn’t realized it was a window until I saw a tiny sliver of sun through it in the early morning. The small room with the broken door across from me housed the disgusting toilet and filthy sink I refused to use. I didn’t eat the granola bar they tossed in, and I poured out the water a bit at a time. The seal had been broken, and I was certain someone had tampered with it.

  The larger door on the far side of the room was shut, blackness showing under the bottom edge. Something was going on. They had removed the camera they’d set up, and it had been silent for the past while. I had tried to remove the thick band around my wrist, but had only succeeded in chafing the skin even more than it already had been. I strained to listen, but couldn’t hear anything. Earlier in the day, I had heard voices somewhere down the hall, so I was sure I was now alone, but for how long I didn’t know.

  I wasn’t sure what was worse. Alone with the four-legged rats I could hear scurrying in the walls, or worried about what the masked, two-legged variety might do when the door opened. I pretended to be asleep when they came in, so they didn’t bother me. Usually, unless it was to make me say something on camera or take one of their stupid photos, they left me alone. The only time I had been hurt was when I tried to get away from them and fell in the struggle, landing on my face, and again on my knees when I tripped. Bentley had lost it when he saw the marks. His tirade about a blanket was frightening, and one of the men had knocked over the camera which stopped the recording.

  Still, it had worked, and shortly after, one of them had tossed an old, dirty blanket at me. I unfolded it and sat on it as protection from the cold, stone floor, and pulled it over my shoulders to try to ward off the never-ending chill. I had buried my head in my hands and tried not to cry. It was a little later when I heard it: the sound of a new voice. The door had opened, and I didn’t move, keeping my head down.

  “She’s constantly asleep,” someone spoke. “The drugs are keeping her quiet.”

  “Good. Less trouble. Take a picture. It will satisfy him until we get what we want.” Then he chuckled, the sound low and familiar. “Until I get what I want.”

  I had forced myself to stay still. I’d recognized that chuckle, and the voice, even if he did speak low and didn’t think I could hear. It gave me chills, the same way it had the one time I met him.

  It had been Bentley’s lawyer, Greg. He was behind it all and betrayed Bentley’s trust.

  I fidgeted with the edge of the blanket. Did Maddox understand what I had been trying to tell them? Did they know?

  A sound made me tense as footsteps and voices approached the door. They were back. I swallowed, not wanting to show my fear. I wanted Bentley. I wanted his arms around me, and his voice in my ear telling me I was safe. I wanted to curl up beside him and listen to him talk. I wanted to hear his laughter. He laughed more now than when I met him—he smiled more as well. Tears formed in my eyes thinking about him. He would be blaming himself and going crazy. I was trying to stay strong, but I was feeling weak from lack of food or water. My head ached, and I was so cold, but I was holding on to what he said. He would get me home. I had to trust him.

  The footsteps seemed to be taking a long time. There were other noises—the sounds of doors opening and shutting and lots of quiet talking. A quake of anticipation went through me. Was it possible it wasn’t Greg’s men? Was it someone looking for me? Had Maddox figured it out?

  I wanted to cry out, but I was worried. What if it were worse? Not the men who had taken me, and not Bentley’s men, but someone else altogether? I drew in a shaky breath and stood, bracing myself against the wall. I had to try. I had to get out of there.

  I opened my mouth and yelled. I was shocked how weak my voice sounded, but it was enough. Running feet headed in my direction, and there was the sound of the door being broken down. It flew open, smashing against the wall. Two men stood in the open doorway, their features hidden in the shadows with flashlights trained on me. I raised my hand, squinting.

  “Help me, please.”

  A figure stepped forward. “Bentley sent us, Emmy.”

  Tears filled my eyes, and relief made me weak. “B-Bentley?”

  He moved closer, a thick blanket in his hands. “He said he needed you home now, Freddy.”

  With a sob, I collapsed.

  Bentley

  Aiden pulled his phone from his ear. “They have her.”

  Relief coursed through me, making my legs shake. I sat down, inhaling deep lungfuls of air.

  “They’ll have her here shortly.”

  “Are we covered?” I asked.

  “This place is tighter than Fort Knox. I’ve verified the only bug was the one in your den. Greg is at home and hasn’t gone anywhere since ten. I moved your car, so they’ll pull in downstairs. No one will know.”

  I glanced at Maddox. “Did you get hold of Colin?” He was Sandy’s grandson and an ER doctor.

  “He’ll be here.”

  I looked at Aiden. “Was it difficult to get to her?”

  Aiden shook his head. “As I suspected earlier, he had pulled out. The only person in the building was Emmy. His men and the camera were long gone.”

  “He fucking left her chained and alone?”

  “I think his plan was to send us the address and we would get her tomorrow.”

  “And risk us discovering it was his building?”

  “Why would we, Bent? It’s Greg. Your friend. Your lawyer. Someone we never suspected. He would offer to help trace the ownership, and all we’d find was another fucking numbered company. Another mystery. That bastard fooled us all. He even had the audacity to be here while they sent that last transmission. He arranged all of this shit—thought of everything. Even the phone call that stopped you from going outside with Emmy the other morning. He was watching Frank, and knew exactly when to grab her. How could we suspect a man who was with us while it was happening?”

  He was right.

  “Are you sure everything is in place?”

  “It’s all taken care of, Bentley. She’ll be back soon, the land is still yours, and tomorrow we’ll nail him.”

  “It’s not the land I’m worried about.”

  “I know. I’m just pointing out all the positives.”

&nbs
p; I paced the room, feeling as if I wanted to jump out of my skin. “How long?”

  “Not long. The ETA is ten minutes.”

  I hurried to the garage. I wasn’t going to wait until they brought her to me. I was going to her. I was going to be the first one she saw when she arrived home.

  I had her in my arms as soon as the garage door slid closed. The lingering terror and the exhaustion on her face destroyed me. Her arms wrapped around my neck hard, and she buried her face in my chest, constant tremors running through her body. I headed to the waiting elevator, not saying a word to anyone. Maddox and Aiden could handle the crew.

  In my room, I grabbed the heated blanket Andrew had thoughtfully provided. I wrapped it tightly around Emmy, knowing she needed the added warmth. Not a word passed between us as I held her, finally feeling her body begin to relax as she grew warmer. There was so much I had to say, but the relief I felt was so profound, I couldn’t speak. My throat was thick, and my eyes burned with the intensity of the emotion I felt. All I could do was hold her, providing the one thing I could give her fully—the protection of my body.

  She let out a long, shuddering breath, and leaned back, meeting my anxious gaze.

  “I’m okay,” she murmured, her voice raspy.

  Clearing my throat, I reached for a bottle of water, lifting it to her chapped lips. “Slow, Emmy. Sip it slowly.”

  She sipped the liquid, her eyes fluttering shut as she drank. She drained the bottle with a small huff.

  “More?” My eyes never left her face, hating the sight of the scrapes and dark bruise marring her skin.

  She shook her head.

  “What do you need?” I asked. “Tell me what to do.”

  She lifted her trembling hand, cupping my cheek. “You. I need you.”

  I covered her hand with mine, pressing it into my skin. Turning my face, I kissed the bruise forming on her wrist. “You have me.” I inhaled. “Emmy, I’m so—”

  A knock at the door interrupted me, and Maddox stepped into the room, Aiden behind him. Emmy dropped her hand, but kept it cradled inside of mine.

  “Our guests are aware and anxious.”

  Emmy tensed in my arms. “Guests?”

  “It’s okay. Cami and Dee are here.”

  “Here?”

  “I had to make sure they were safe.”

  For the first time since arriving, her eyes glistened.

  “Thank you.”

  “Let them in.”

  Maddox opened the door, and the girls came in. They were dressed in nightclothes, rumpled, and already crying. I had to lean back as they hurried forward, wrapping Emmy in their embrace. I shared an amused glance with Aiden and Maddox, unable to move with all the girls piled on me. They drew back, their expressions relieved.

  “Emmy—” Cami’s voice caught. “We were so worried.”

  “I’m okay,” Emmy insisted, her voice rough.

  Dee stood and hurried from the room. I frowned at her sudden action, but neither Emmy nor Cami seemed surprised. I noticed Maddox slip from the room to follow her.

  Emmy whispered something to Cami, who nodded.

  “What?” I asked. “What’s wrong?”

  Cami shook her head. “Emmy wants to have a shower. She asked me to help her.”

  “I can do that.”

  Emmy shook her head, not meeting my eyes. “Cami, please.”

  I ignored the fission of hurt at her rejection. If she was more comfortable with Cami, that was more important. She had been through a lot and needed her friend.

  Aiden glanced at his phone. “Colin will be here in fifteen.”

  “Colin?” Emmy asked anxiously.

  “He’s Sandy’s grandson. A doctor,” I soothed.

  “No,” Emmy breathed out. “I don’t need a doctor.”

  “Yes, you do. I want you checked out.”

  “I just need a hot shower, and I’ll be fine.”

  I slipped my fingers under her chin. “Cut me some slack, Freddy. I’m certain you need more than a hot shower. After what you went through, the first order of business is let a doctor look at you.”

  Dee returned with Maddox right behind her. She carried a steaming cup and handed it to Emmy. “There’s honey and lemon to soothe your throat. Bentley is right, Emmy, you need a doctor to examine you. Don’t argue with him—it only makes sense.”

  “Sorry,” Emmy mumbled, taking the mug. “It’s my first kidnapping. I wasn’t sure of the protocol.”

  I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my lips. Maddox smirked, and even Aiden cracked a smile.

  “I want a shower before I see this doctor. I feel so terrible.”

  Dee clapped her hands once. “We’ll help you. Bentley, do you have something she can change into? Something loose and warm?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. You fetch it for me. We’ll help her in the shower, the doctor can see her, and she needs to eat and rest.” She pointed to Maddox and Aiden. “You can tell the doctor to wait a few minutes, so she is comfortable. Andrew is making coffee and sandwiches. He is going to get something light and warm for Emmy to eat. You should wait downstairs.”

  The three of us blinked, but we all knew we were going to do exactly as she ordered. I slid Emmy off my lap and kissed her head.

  “Are you leaving?” Her voice was uneasy and the grip she had on my hand tight.

  “No. I’ll be here when you’re ready.” Despite what Dee said, downstairs was too far away. I wasn’t planning to be far from where Emmy was for a long while.

  She looked up at Maddox, holding out her hand. “Thank you for figuring out my message.”

  He came close, squeezed her fingers, and dropped a kiss on her head. “You were brilliant, Emmy.”

  Aiden studied her, standing back, his shoulders tense. “I’m sorry.”

  “No.” She shook her head and reached out to him. “This wasn’t because of you. Any of you.”

  He didn’t move, and she waved her fingers. “I heard them in the van, Aiden. They said you’ve barely slept looking for me. Please. Let me say thank you.”

  He shrugged off her words. “None of us have.”

  “Please,” she whispered, teary-eyed.

  He moved forward, his expression tight. He bent over and whispered something to her, then hugged her fast and left the room. Emmy blinked away the tears.

  Maddox cleared his throat. “I’ll go and do, ah, yeah, I’ll go do what I was told to do.”

  I went toward the closet. “Me, too.”

  After her shower, Colin checked her out, left some ointment for her bruises, and assured me she’d be fine once she got some liquids, food, and sleep. He gave me a couple of tablets, which would help her to sleep if she needed them, suggested Tylenol for the aches, said he would drop in the next day to check on her, and handed me a card.

  “She may need to talk to someone. If so, I suggest this woman. She’s great with trauma victims, and Emmy might benefit from her experience in that field.”

  I shook his hand. “Thanks.”

  Returning to her, I kneeled by her side. She was in a heavy, knitted sweater and a pair of my sweatpants, both far too large for her, but warm. There was a large blanket draped over her shoulders and thick socks on her feet. The girls had blown her hair dry, and I pushed back the tresses, frowning at the bruise on her face.

  “Andrew has something for you to eat. Do you want to stay up here or go downstairs with the others?”

  “I feel shaky, but I’d like to go downstairs.”

  I stood, sliding my arms under her legs, picking her up. “I’ll take you.”

  She trembled in my arms, her head falling to my shoulder. “Are you cold?”

  “No. I’m . . . tired.”

  “You can eat, and we’ll go to bed. We all will. Everyone needs to sleep.”

  “Can I stay with you?”

  I hated hearing her sound vulnerable. She was always so strong.

  “Always.”

  We descended the st
airs and joined our friends. I sat beside her, encouraging her to eat the scrambled eggs and toast Andrew had made. The rest of us ate the sandwiches. For the first time since everything started, I was hungry and wolfed down the food in front of me. I noticed it was the same for Maddox and Aiden. We cleared the enormous pile in minutes.

  I tensed when Cami looked up and asked Emmy. “Did you fight?”

  I started to object, but Emmy placed her hand on my arm. “I tried.” She sighed. “When I realized what was going on, I prepared myself. I knew the car would stop and they would have to open the door. The driver had a gun, and after we rounded the corner, another man jumped in with one, too. When we stopped to change cars, I thought if I acted meek, it would take them by surprise, and I could run. They were strong, though, and prepared. I got one good punch in, and I tried to kick the shorter guy in the crotch, but I guess I missed the mark.”

  “Or his dick was too small to hit,” Cami shot at her.

  “There’s that.”

  “We should take some self-defense courses.”

  Emmy pursed her lips. “Good idea. Next time, I’ll be better prepared with my Ninja skills.”

  “There won’t be a next time,” I snapped, but she ignored me.

  “Aiden, maybe you can teach me some of your karate skills. I bet I could take them if I tried. I don’t know if there is, like, a kidnapper network, but if word got out I wasn’t to be messed with, that would help keep them away.”

  I tamped down my anger. Remembering Dee’s words about the way Emmy tried to diffuse her feelings, I stood. “I think we need to call it a night.”

  Everyone stood, and not giving her a choice, I picked up Emmy and carried her upstairs. I placed her on my bed.

  She gazed at me warily. “Are you angry with me?”

  “No. I’m not angry, but what happened is not a joke.”

  “I know.”

  “Then stop it.”

  “What?”

  “I know what you’re doing, Emmy. You don’t have to make light of what happened and pretend you’re okay. Not with your friends, and not with me. Never with me.” I cupped her cheek, my thumb stroking the skin. “Let it out. Talk to me.”