"Hold on. Let me figure it out."
Her limbs tingled. This was her only hope. Alice swallowed, "Hurry."
The large industrial sound of a lever screeched in the air and Alice's heart raced. As she swung, she opened her eyes and plastic hit her in the face. She grimaced, but then she saw the apartment floor below. Her entire body felt weak. She would survive.
"I came to confront the girl sleeping with Peter," Jennifer said.
Now was not a good time for conversation. Alice's heart thrashed in her ears.
"I was kidnapped." Her feet tiptoed on the floor. Jennifer had saved her. She'd never say another bad thing about her again. Then without one plea, Jennifer reached above her and tried to untie the rubber. With a grunt, the actress opened her purse and found her keys.
"I have a pocket knife for the handcuffs. These are not police-issued. Give me a second."
Nothing made sense. The Spanish telenovelas were filmed in a nice area of town, so Jennifer wouldn't need a knife, not that she was complaining. With a few strikes, her new best friend freed her.
Alice collapsed to the ground as she tried to compose herself. Tears in her eyes welled as she gripped the floor. "Thank you."
"The girl sleeping with Peter kidnapped you?"
"I didn't see a girl. It was John's boss at the FBI."
Jennifer reached out to help her stand. Alice's legs were weak, but she found her balance as Jennifer said, "No wonder Rafe said the government database was giving him trouble."
Alice rubbed her forehead. "He told you that?"
Jennifer held onto her arm as Alice stumbled closer to the door and the elevator. They had to get out of here in case Smith, or his mysterious benefactress, returned. "I was in his office demanding a name on that DNA."
Adrenaline pumped in her veins. "Is Officer Soliz here?"
"No. I drove here myself."
Jennifer let her go so Alice could walk on her own two feet. A few steps later, Alice had her strength back. "Jennifer, can you drive me to the Morgan mansion?"
Alice went to open the door, but Jennifer grabbed her hand. "Escuchar. The elevator just dinged in the hallway."
Her hands shook. "We can't be here."
"There is no place to hide."
Alice stared at her feet and then at Jennifer. Her gaze returned to her new friend. "Take off your heels."
"What?"
Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. They were out of time.
Alice pointed. "Those can be used as weapons. We just have to get to the stairwell."
"You want me to run without high heels?"
She closed her eyes and prayed. "Yes."
As she opened her eyes, Jennifer handed her one shoe and kept the other, stiletto out. "I could just slap him."
Someone was outside the door. Alice tensed and whispered, "He's stronger than that."
"You've never seen me slap a man."
"Actually, I have. Hit and run to the stairs. This is the plan." The door handle opened. Alice gathered her energy that surged from the near-death adrenaline rush.
Smith stepped into the room. Alice lifted her hands and then crashed the shoe spike on his head. The heel broke, but he went down. "Run."
"You broke my shoe."
She grabbed Jennifer's hand and held tight. "Now."
Hand in hand they raced toward the stairwell. As the door closed behind them, Alice broke the glass on the fire alarm and pulled it.
The loud screeching sound pierced through the air. Other people joined them on the steps as they raced downward.
Her heart hammered in her chest as they made their way outside.
Chapter 31
Excessive energy coursed through John as he held his phone. His mind raced as he waited for his security team to pick up on his ring. As he peered out the window, his hands twitched. No one answered. He paced. There should be video footage of his front yard.
As his hands shook he made a fast plan. First he'd call the police. Then he'd call DC and report what happened to Smith's superiors. None of this helped him search for Alice, but he had clues.
A racing heartbeat echoed in his chest as the phone rang again, but this time, he swung open the door and jogged to the car where Morgan's security should be.
Nobody was there. Pick up, Rafe. The seconds ticked and finally Officer Soliz answered. "Good morning, Mr. Morgan. What's going on?"
John rocked on his feet and peered inside the black van. "Alice was kidnapped out of my house."
Something metallic screeched in his ear as Rafe shouted, "What?"
He tapped his finger against the van window. "I let Special Agent Steven Smith into my house to collect my badge. I went to get the badge and when I came back, they were gone."
"I'm on my way."
John swung open the van door. No one was inside. "Security will have a video, if I can find them."
"John, we'll find her."
His neck stiffened. This wasn't good. "Hurry."
If no one was in the security truck, then either Smith went after his people or they were on patrol around the property.
No need to panic. He dialed Washington. With his free arm curled around the back of his head, he paced before his front door and waited to be connected to someone. Then he spoke to Smith's boss and repeated the story.
No matter what it took, he had to save Alice. His life wasn't as important. A few minutes later, the supervisor told him, "We're sending our men to help you now, Mr. Morgan."
The FBI and the police were both good at solving crimes, but not for prevention. He swallowed back his thoughts as a police cruiser came into view.
Rafe parked and walked from the cruiser, waving toward another patrolman who then sped away. John stared at his Mercedes. If he knew where to go, he'd be there already. He had to figure out where she was taken so he could get her back. As Rafe walked over and stood next to him, John couldn't hide his pain. "We have to find Alice."
Rafe patted him on the back. John shook his head. Sympathy didn't help her and that was all that mattered.
Security chose that moment to turn the corner from the back of his house. John crossed his arms. These two were supposed to answer their phones if they walked away from the van, not that it mattered. John called out to them, "Where is the video of Smith taking Alice?"
Both men stood straight, like they were new cadets in the Marines. One said, "We sent it in, sir."
John walked in front of them like a drill sergeant. "You did what?"
The boy shook in his boots as he repeated his training. "We saw the entire thing sir, including the black sedan take off from your driveway. Ron caught everything on video, and all digital files save automatically at Morgan security headquarters. From there, they disseminate the information."
The information rang in his head as truth. He backed up and stared at Rafe and then back to the men. "Give me the number immediately to whoever is on staff. Headquarters are still in the same place?"
"On the estate, sir."
"At Peter's house?"
"Yes."
Clarification always helped. John pointed Rafe to his driveway. They'd take his Mercedes. He then told the security detail, "Call it in to the police department too. We need to give Rafe the video. The license plate?"
"Yes, sir."
Rafe held up one finger. "Did either of you write the plate down?"
"Yes, sir."
As he paced, John cleared his head. Hot heads caused trouble, and that was the last thing Alice needed. "Then get me everything you have."
The security guard nodded. "Immediately."
John shook his head. Rafe told him, "We'll find her. Hurting her is meant to hurt you. We should still have time."
He puffed his chest out and accepted that fear had clouded his judgment. Now it was time to study the information and find her as fast as they were able. "The case I worked has never been about someone I care for before."
"Let me handle the police work."
Jo
hn thought Rafe would have been a decent partner back in the FBI. That life was over now, as long as he found Alice, alive.
A moment later he had an APB out for the black Chrysler sedan with license plate X23NK9. Rafe turned back to John. "We're doing everything we can."
With a curt nod, there was no more argument. "I want to go to my brother's house and watch the video."
"Okay, but I'll have to take it once we're done there."
The police needed the evidence to arrest Smith. Video was enough to convict, usually, as it makes denial an impossible defense. The car ride to Castle Morgan went fast and John barged in the front door without knocking.
Victoria came rushing downstairs in high heels and a sundress. If his sister was alive, then miracles were possible. He needed another one.
He walked straight past her and toward the main security hub. "John, what's going on?"
"No time, Vicki."
Her heels clanked on the marble floors as she chased him. "Is it Alice? I want to help."
If he had time, he'd catch her up. Right now every second mattered. "We're here for the video."
Security stood up as they all rushed into the room. John walked right to the computer and hit the button to bring up the timestamp at his house.
His sister tugged on his chair. "What video?"
Rafe took her hand in his and told her, "Alice has been kidnapped."
Vicki jumped back and her eyes widened. "What? I'm getting Peter. We're helping."
With the click-clack of her heels, she threw open the door and charged down the hall. John found the car and watched how Smith threw Alice into his car like a rag doll.
His fists clenched. He'd kill him, the second he saw him.
Vicki must have thrown open the master bedroom on the first floor because a woman screamed. Time froze. John gulped as recognition dawned. He had heard that scream before. He left Rafe with security and followed in Vicki's footsteps.
A moment later, he planted his feet apart and pushed up his sleeves as he stared at the brunette. With a clenched jaw, he turned his gaze to Peter who threw on a t-shirt. "Frank Hudson's daughter?"
Peter tilted his head and stared hard at his brother and sister. The cluelessness in his expression told John he was innocent. Peter rolled his shirt down to cover his underwear. "Yes, John, she's Serena. We met her…."
John turned his attention back to the brunette as she stood with her arms crossed beneath her bra. Serena held her head high, challenging him. "You were there when I arrested your father."
Her jaw clenched and her words held her arrogance. "I'm surprised you noticed."
Pressing his lips together, his gut told him this girl knew exactly what happened to Alice and how to get her back. "Why are you here?"
Serena raised her eyebrows and didn't move. "Excuse me. What?"
Vicki tugged on his arm as she stood next to him. "She's clearly just had sex with Peter."
Everyone would understand in a moment. With his shoulders back, John stepped into the room. "Why Peter? Why Miami? Why now? You sent the threats."
Serena tilted her head and laughed. "I what?"
That was all he needed to know she was guilty. Every cell in his body told him to ensure this girl never saw life without prison bars in front of her. "If Alice is dead, then you have no idea the pain I will cause in your life."
She threw her arms on her hips in righteous anger. "You stormed into my house, arrested my father, destroyed my family because you hated your own--so, yes, I will destroy yours."
Walking into the bedroom, Rafe knocked on the open door. "I have an APB report. We've found the car."
Serena shook her head and stared at him with furious eyes. "Your girlfriend will be dead by the time you get there."
Rafe stepped in front of John and asked, "Have you hurt her already?"
Serena stared past Rafe and her brown eyes held the fire of hatred. She narrowed her gaze like she could kill him with one look. "Define ‘hurt.’"
A few more needles in this conversation would make her confess, just like her father and most criminals had once they'd been arrested. "I don't have time for games. Where is Alice?"
Serena smiled like she had exciting news to share. "She's gone. She's dead by now. Get over it."
Vicki sobbed and as John couldn't comfort her, she ran to Peter who massaged her shoulders as she called out, "Why would you hurt Alice?"
Serena scowled at Peter and Vicki like they'd done something that she hadn't planned. John's muscles tightened in case he had to defend his family.
Then Serena turned her full hatred back to him. "John Morgan doesn't get to play God with our lives and then roam free. I took from him what he took from me, all sense of home and family."
Peter hugged Vicki and said, "You're wrong."
Serena turned toward him, and the air around her chilled him. "Excuse me?"
Peter and Vicki held hands as they walked to John. Vicki reached out and took his hand as Peter said, "John, Vicki and I might not be much of a family, but we're the Morgans. If Rafe doesn't arrest you, I'm sure I'll find justice for you."
All this talk of family was a bit much. John let go of Vicki's hand. Vicki then commanded in a strong, determined voice, "Peter, put some pants on and grab your keys. We have to help John find Alice."
Rafe stepped forward and threw the handcuffs on Serena.
Smith remained out there and he had Alice. Right now that was all John needed to focus on. He'd save her. He had to. With fast, sure steps he walked toward the door. If Serena bankrolled the crime, Smith was about to implement his exit strategy to get out. He had to outthink him, fast.
The footsteps behind him sounded like everyone intended to come along for the ride, but he couldn't wait. Nothing could slow him down.
Then someone banged on the door. John reached for his gun as security shouted, "They're clear."
Smith had been clear too. Neither Rafe nor John moved. Peter pushed Vicki behind him as security buzzed whoever was outside in. First Jennifer walked in. Rafe lowered his gun, but John's skin stayed hypersensitive and alert. A moment later, Alice pushed her way inside.
Rafe dragged Serena outside as John locked his gun in place. His skin tingled and his thoughts didn't make any connections.
Jennifer stopped, crossed her arms, and clicked her heel like she intended a huge fight. "Who's this?"
Alice's blue eyes were moist and wet. John rushed past Jennifer who stalked toward his brother. Then Alice threw her arms around his neck. If the heavens knew how to set a man's soul ablaze from one touch, then they blessed her with the skill. She hugged him and life surged back into his spine. With her face nuzzled in his chest, she asked, "Is this over now?"
Her hair was like silk as he ran his rough fingers through it to cradle her head. "Yes."
Without letting go of his neck, she trembled. "Can we go home? I want to talk to you, alone."
Smith was still out there. Officer Rafe Soliz had his APB and location. John decided to trust the police and turned all his attention toward Alice. He massaged her back. "Of course."
She let go of his neck, but took his hand as she dragged him toward the door. It was clear she didn't want to be in the Morgan mansion. Alone, he could tell her that all was right with the world now that they were together again.
Chapter 32
Her heart hammered in her chest. Alice tugged John's arm. She couldn't wait to tell him. She turned to the huge house and the green trees that created the illusion of shade. It was fitting they were here. She turned him into the garden next to the driveway, as she wasn't ready to drive to John's house. They walked toward the gazebo. The sun shined down and birds chirped in the air. She held onto his arm. "I didn't want an audience to hear me."
He rubbed her hand and nodded. "It's fine. We'll go home soon."
She closed her eyes. This was it. She took a deep breath and everything else around them faded away. As she opened her eyes, he had an ethereal glow around him. "John,
I'm so in love with you."
Deep dimples appeared on his cheeks. Her heart raced as he cleared his throat. Then he leaned his forehead on hers. "Good, because I love you too."
Her stomach fluttered. "You do?"
His hands clasped her waist, and an electrical jolt rushed through her. "Yes. And I've tried to tell you for weeks, but you won't listen."
She laughed. "What?"
He kissed her nose, and then went down on one knee. Her heart fluttered as she stared at him. "I want to ask you a question."
Her hand covered her mouth. "What?"
As he reached into his pocket, his face went white. Then he bolted upright. "Wait right here. Don't move."
A smile grew across her face. "Okay, my love."
His mouth brushed against hers. She tried to hold him close, but he stepped back. She laughed as he ran toward his car.
A moment later, he slammed the car door shut and ran back toward her. Then he went down on one knee and held out a jewelry box. "It's been in my jacket."
That whole weak-knee moment was real. Her eyes watered. John opened the box and revealed a diamond larger than she'd ever seen. "Will you marry me, Alice?"
Alice jumped up in the air, pulling him with her so she could wrap her arms around his shoulders. "Yes. Of course."
With a huge grin, he slipped the ring on her finger.
A sigh escaped her lips as she stared at her hand, resting and sparkling on his shoulder. "John, we're doing this. Really?"
He hugged her. "Even if your mother disapproves."
"I would rather spend my life with you than have a life without you."
Out of the blue, her phone rang. Alice reached into her back pocket to silence it, but she saw it was her mom. "She's right on time."
John held her in his arms as she answered. "He—"
"Sweetheart, stay safe." Her mother's voice was so high that it took a second to understand. Alice stepped back and covered her mouth.
Her gaze stayed on John though his eyes narrowed. She asked, "What?"
"Give me the phone." The man that tied her up and left her to die. Smith. Alice recognized his voice. She fumbled to get the phone on speaker.
[House of Morgan 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Page 19
