Prisoner and Together: All of You series complete set (34 page)

“Yea,” I acknowledge, with a loud sigh.  That was truly brutal, especially since I was on the wrong end of it.

“On a happier note, the guys have arrived at the police station.  I’ll be back with you shortly,” she informs me.

“Thanks,” I grumble.  I forgot to ask Hughes to take me to the bathroom.  Damn.

Chapter Twenty-One

Tony

“Just act like you’re pissed,” Killian reminds me, as we pull into the parking lot at the jail.  It’s becoming almost familiar lately.

“I don’t think he has to act,” Riley points out. 

Yea, I’m pissed.  Anger is simmering in my veins, about to boil over.  “Lani didn’t really set herself up to get kidnapped, did she?”

“You’re talking about the woman who broke herself
in to
jail,” Jamie reminds me.

“The woman who tore down a corrupt prison system, practically with her bare hands,” Killian continues.

“The woman who stood outside a cage with a gun she took from a dead man to protect you,” Riley finishes.

I grimace at their collective lecture.  Just because they’re right doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“Listen, Lani is probably the least conventional female you’re going to meet.  She’s going to fight for what she believes in.  She’s going to protect the ones she loves.  She’s not going to back down from fear, or from a fight.  You should think about that, as you’re walking into that station.  Be angry at the right people.”  The last person I want relationship advice from is Killian, but I can’t deny that every word he said is true.  I knew what I was getting into with Lani, from the moment she told me she was a cop, while we were cuddled up in my cell, in solitary confinement, in a men’s prison.  I frown as I nod at him.  “When you walk through those doors, do not let on that you’re angry at Lani for any reason, because a mole is going to be watching, and they might be able to sense that, and wonder why.” 

I sigh my acknowledgement.  “You’re right.”

“The mole has got to be Barrett,” Riley says again, in a tone as deep and dark as his skin.  Did Killian tell Riley that Lani had an affair with her lieutenant?  It shouldn’t bother me, because Lani’s been truthful about her past.  But for some reason it does.

“Barrett’s an asshole, but he’s generally a good guy,” Jamie counters.

“We need to get out of this car, before someone sees us sitting here and starts wondering why we’re not in there trying to save Lani.”  Killian, ever the strategist, says as he opens the driver’s side door.  We all follow him out.  I glace from one to the other.  Yes, these are the men I’m glad are on my side.  These are the ones I want saving Lani.

Constance approaches as we enter the bullpen.  She grabs Jamie and hugs him, then she turns to me and hugs me.  It’s more than a little off-putting, because my physical interaction with people in the last decade has been limited to killing people, handshakes, and Lani. 

Then she whispers against my shoulder, which is as far as she can reach, “She’s okay.”  She steps away, and looks me straight in the eyes, trying to convey her assurance that way, in case I didn’t hear her.

“Where is Lani?” I ask.  Of course, that should be my first thought, the first question out of my mouth, because people are watching.

“We don’t know yet.  We’re doing everything we can, Tony,” Constance lies, pretty convincingly.

“You four,” Barrett’s booming voice echoes through the precinct.  Then he points at us, and I feel like he’s pointing at me specifically, then waves his hand toward his office. 

“Here we go,” Killian mutters, under his breath.  He leads us, almost subconsciously, toward Barrett.  I notice, out of the corner of my eye, Constance approach Chief Vaden.  He glances at me, gives me a slight nod, then turns to speak to Jamie’s wife.

Riley’s look, as he pauses to let me enter the office before him, tells me everything I need to know. 
Do it now.  Get pissed.  Walk out.  I’ll follow you, wherever you go.

“Why wasn’t an officer watching Lani?” I demand, as soon as Barrett closes the door. 

“Why weren’t you?” Barrett counters, as soon as he’s seated behind his desk.

“Fuck you!” I yell, and move toward him.  Yea, this is not fake.  I’ve wanted to punch him in his pretty face since I first saw him.  Riley grabs my arm, just as I’ve got it cocked and ready to fly.  He’s strong, I’ll give him that, but not nearly as strong as I am.  At the last second I change my aim, and hit his desk instead.  I think I might have left a dent.  “Don’t fuck with me right now, or I swear to God…”

“What are you going to do, you big ogre?  Hit me?” Barrett challenges, with his intelligent blue eyes nearly in slits, and his mouth in a snarl.  I almost think he wants to fight me, maybe to work out some of his rage at the entire situation.  Maybe after we rescue Lani I’ll let him know I’m ready whenever he is. 

My nostrils flare as I stare deep into his eyes.  He’s jealous, but he’s also worried.  He genuinely cares for Lani.  She didn’t tell me about their courtship, who approached whom.  She only told me they were sleeping together.  But this man, the look on his face, tells me that whoever initiated their affair, he’s wanted her for a very long time.  And he doesn’t want to let her go.

“We all have to work together to rescue Lani.  We did it for Chief Vaden, and we can do it for her.”  Barrett calms his voice, even though I can see in his expression that he wants to be as angry as I am. 

“I don’t have to work with you.  You know why someone wasn’t with Lani?  Because you have a mole on your force.”  I hope my eyes convey my emotions as well as his did.  “And I’m not sure it isn’t you.”

“Listen, Roman, I’m not working with Drake.  I’m not a damn mole.  I want Lani back just as…”

“No, you fucking don’t.  Lani’s not your girlfriend.  She’s
mine!
  You have a wife and kids.  Worry about your own damn family.  I’ll worry about mine.”  I don’t raise my voice, but it’s still full of rage.

I hear Jamie’s voice as I turn to open the door.  “What is happening right now?  Were you and Lani…”

I’m already storming through the bullpen, with Riley following behind me. 

“Roman, get back here!” Barrett bellows, but I’m already at the exit.  I don’t look for Chief Vaden or Constance.  I’m sure they already know what’s happening.

We walk approximately two blocks south in silence.  I don’t think we’re being followed, and I’m not sure if I’m being paranoid or not.  I see Liberty Foster’s crossover vehicle sitting in the parking lot of a gas station, and I continue toward it.  As we approach I hear the doors unlock.

“Hello, Roman.”  It’s the nicest tone Doctor Foster has taken with me since I’ve met him.  “Please tell me you know what’s going on with Lani.  Liberty is worried sick.  She’s already lost one daughter, and it would kill her to lose another.”  He politely extends his hand to Riley, who takes it and shakes it.  “I’m Lani’s step-father, Paul Foster.”

“Agent Riley,” he replies.  “Is your town always this exciting?”

“Winston has its moments,” he says with a deep, thoughtful sigh. 

“Has Chief Vaden contacted you?  Do you know the plan?” I ask, to change the subject.  The last few months have not been easy for the man, I realize.  And what father would want their daughter to bring home a prisoner and profess their love for them?  I’m sure I would not be happy if Lauren did it.

“Lani’s friend Connie called me.  Apparently she knows where Lani is.  All you’ll need to do is go in, guns blazing, and rescue her, right?”  He throws a sardonic look my way. 

“That’s the plan, yes,” I reply. 

We arrive at a beautiful stone and glass modern home, and it looks like all of the lights are on inside.  Doctor Foster parks the car in a three car garage, and leads us into the house.  It’s as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside.

Lani

“I’d really, really like to take a piss right about now,” I call out, not sure whether anyone is listening or not, besides Connie.  “Someone come and take me to the bathrooooom!”

“Shut up, Vaden, we hear you!” Hughes calls out, as she again comes out of the shadows.  “It’s just fun watching you suffer.”  She walks toward me, carrying a bucket. 

“I’m not going to piss in a fucking bucket,” I yell back.  “And you haven’t fed me, or given me water.  This is cruel.”

“What’s cruel is you coming into my place of employment, and ruining everything I’d worked for.”  Hughes drops the bucket, and kicks it toward me.  “Have a nice piss,” she says, as she exits again.

“They’re listening,” I whisper.  “Please send Tony to me soon.  I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”

“We’re working on it, baby cakes.  I promise we’ll have you out of there before the morning.”

Tony

We are sitting around a table, in a beautiful dining room.  Liberty is serving coffee, to Riley, Killian, and me.  We are only waiting on Captain Vaden and Jamie. 

“You have to save her,” Liberty says, as she touches my shoulder.  “You have to.”

“Lani’s pissed off, but fine,” Burke says, with a glance my way, as he continues his call.  I’m pretty sure he’s talking to Constance.  If all of this business with Drake ends well, I’m going to have to take her and her husband out to celebrate.  “You remember the state senator we saw at the fights?  He has a horse farm just outside of town.  That’s where Drake has her,” Killian informs us, as soon as he closes the line.  I don’t get overly excited about this new piece of intelligence.  We can’t really do anything until her father and partner get here.  How they will be able to sneak out without Barrett going berserk is beyond me.

Sitting here, drinking coffee, it’s the last thing I want to be doing.  I need to be out there, searching, hunting.  It’s what I do best, not planning and waiting.  Riley sits beside me.  He doesn’t fidget, he isn’t restless.  His eyes are closed, and his head is back.  I don’t know why he isn’t in one of the several sitting rooms in the huge house, with his tall body laid out on one of the couches, getting some much deserved rest.  Me, I’m the nervous type.  I won’t be able to sleep until I have Lani and our unborn child back in my arms.

Killian sighs deeply.  “That means we’re going to need to get a search warrant.  We can’t just storm onto a state senator’s property.  There’s a federal judge who owes me a big favor.  I think I can manage to do this discretely, so the senator doesn’t find out.”

“But we know she’s there.  You’re FBI, can’t you just walk up and knock?”  I counter. 

If he is as frustrated as I am, he keeps it hidden much better.  “Sure, I can knock all day.  But if he says I can’t come in, I can’t kick the door down.” 

“Then I’ll go break down the door.  I don’t give a fuck about warrants.”

“You’ll be in prison when your child is born.  Is that what you want?” Killian argues.  I stare at him for several moments.  “Lani has spent too much time on trying to get your freedom, for you to repay her by getting yourself arrested again.”  He’s not trying to reprimand me.  He’s just trying to be the voice of reason. 

“You’re right,” I growl.  “It’s just so damn hard to sit here, and wait, knowing where she is, and feeling so powerless to do anything about it.”

“Try to close your eyes, like Riley,” he says, as he waves his hand toward my shadow.  Killian turns away, and touches the screen.  It still freaks me out a little that phones don’t need buttons anymore.  The world changed so much while I was away.

Liberty approaches again, with a carafe and a tepid smile.  “I’m sure you and your group will do everything you can, Tony.  I have faith in your abilities.”

This is what Lani has given me.  She’s given me friends, people I can really trust.  She’s given me freedom.  She’s giving me a baby.  I can’t fuck that up by going back.

“Thanks, Mrs. Foster,” I reply, sincerely.

“Call me Liberty,” she says, as she pats my shoulder again.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tony

It seems like as soon as and Captain Vaden arrive, everything actually begins to happen.  I can’t read any tension between Lani’s father and step-father.  Foster approaches Vaden first, with an outstretched hand.  I watch as they lean their heads together, and speak privately for several moments. 

“Where’s Jamie?” I wonder aloud, when I see the captain enter alone.

“Plans have changed,” Killian replies, somberly, with his phone stuck to his ear.  That does nothing to calm my nerves.

After several moments, the chief approaches, and stands beside me.  Constance says Lani is hungry and thirsty, and she needs to go to the restroom, but she’s okay.”  He claps his hand on my shoulder, then squeezes.  I’m really not used to being touched this much, but I nod anyway.  His hand remains on my shoulder, but his attention turns his attention to Killian.  “Do we have a search warrant?”

“It’s ready when we are, Captain,” Killian’s tone is much more serious than normal, and his eyes are laser focused.  “Are we still going in under the radar?”

“Yes, Connie’s not any closer to identifying the mole.  At this point, it could be anyone.  I mean, most of the citizens of Winston have dozens of cousins strung all over the county, and the state.  Trying to trace every cop’s family tree will take time we just don’t have.”  I guess he felt the need to explain, since the three of us are not actually from Winston.  “But, Connie is extremely intelligent.  Jamie Johnson is a lucky man, or very unlucky, if he ever decides to cheat on her.” 

He clears his throat, and begins to try to explain technobabble that he doesn’t really understand, in a way that other idiots might be able to comprehend.  “Connie has tapped into a resource that wasn’t available until recently: cell towers.  Since it’s late at night, it should be easier to isolate calls from the cell tower near the police station, to the cell tower near the horse farm.  Jamie stayed behind to observe everyone in the bullpen.  Connie is also tracking the GPS chips in each and every patrol car, if any of them go near the horse farm, they will automatically go to the top of her list.  It’s the best we can do right now.”

Once he’s explained, it kinda makes sense.  Maybe technology will break the case.  But he’s not finished.  “I’m here, officially, to provide my cell phone for you, Tony.  In five minutes Drake will call, to let you know where you can turn yourself in to her, in exchange for Lani.”

“She’s not going to release Lani,” I state, knowingly.

“At least we know where she’s really keeping Lani.  They will expect you to be headed to the decoy location.  We will be headed to the horse farm,” Killian informs me.

“And what about me?  If I don’t show up at the other location, who’s to say they won’t make a call and tell someone to kill her?”  When Killian nods, it all falls into place.  This is why he didn’t tell me that the plan had changed.  He didn’t want me to fight him to go to the ranch, and he knew I would, if someone else didn’t explain to me why I shouldn’t.

“I’ll be with you,” Riley assures me, as he seems wide awake now.

“I’ll be with the team headed toward the ranch,” Killian says.  I frown at that.  I want to be the one to save Lani.  “But you have the most important part, Tony.  You have to convince Drake that you don’t know where Lani is.”

Maybe if they’d given me a little longer than five minutes to prepare, I wouldn’t be scared.  Or maybe I wouldn’t have drunk so much coffee.  But no, they were probably right to withhold it from me, it would have just made me more nervous, longer.  “This would be easier if we had the police department’s equipment.  I always feel more confident with a bullet proof vest, even if they don’t cover everything.”  I stand, and begin to pace, waiting for the chief’s phone to ring.

“Since this is an extension of the federal case against Drake, I’ve called in an FBI taskforce.  They’ll be at the high school parking lot in twenty minutes.  I’ve asked them to bring extra gear, if you want to join us, that is.”  He’s staring right at the chief as he says it.  Apparently I’m the only one stunned at that tidbit of info.  Seems like this is another thing everyone knew but me.  “Did you think I’ve been on the phone with my girlfriend?”  Killian’s hard to read tone has taken over, I can’t tell if he’s truly perturbed, or being a smart ass.  I see what Lani meant now. 

“When were you going to tell me?” I demand, as I stomp around Liberty’s dining room.  I can hear the china rattling in the cabinet. 

“After you talked to Drake,” Killian replies, honestly.

The chief’s phone rings, and my hands begin to sweat. 

“Chief Vaden,” he barks into the phone.  He listens for a moment, then hands the phone to me. 

“Roman,” I croak.  I clear my throat, and repeat my own name.  Damn my nerves.  I need a cigarette.

“Hello, Tony.  How are you?”  The voice is familiar, etched into my brain really.  This was the woman who took Lani from me, three Sundays in a row.  And now, she’s done it again.  I might have to kill this bitch.

“Don’t ever let me see you again, Drake, or I swear to Jesus I will snap your neck just like I did to those men in the ring,” I warn her. 

“There’s an abandoned factory just outside the city limits on county road 742.  I’ll see you there in forty-five minutes.  And Tony, come alone.  Leave your new friends at home.” 

“I mean what I say, Drake.  Tell me where Lani is, and I’ll let you live,” I continue, roughly. 

“Not if you want to see your lover again,” she taunts me.  “Not if you want your baby to take its first breath.”

“I’ll be there.  You make sure you’re there too,” I say, and hand the phone back to the chief. 

“You’re not going to kill Louise Drake,” Killian asserts, with his brows furrowed and his arms crossed in front of him.

“You’re not going to be there to stop me,” I counter.  “How do I get to county road 742?”  I turn to Riley, as Killian is determined to talk me out of killing Drake.  “Neither of us have a car.”

“I have a car, it’s in the parking lot of my apartment building,” he argues, and shakes his head slightly at me. 

“You can take my car, it has a navigation system.  Drop me at the high school, and I’ll ride with the other group.”  Killian is a little more accommodating now.  I don’t know why. 

“I’m with you?” the chief asks Burke.  His unsure eyes linger on mine.  I think he might be torn between wanting to be with the team that saves his daughter, and wanting to be there to talk me down when I see Drake.

“Don’t worry, Chief Vaden.  Tony’s got way too much to lose to commit murder.  Don’t ya, Tony?”  Killian’s eyes are very assured.  He has faith that I will do the right thing.  Personally, I’m not so sure.

“You know, I’ve been free for all of three days, and this is my second armed raid to save a kidnap victim with the last name Vaden.”  We’re not in the back of a SWAT van, at least.  This time I am in Killian’s SUV, being followed by Riley and three other agents.  Everyone knows where they’re going, so it’s not like they’re tailing me.  Everyone’s wearing communication devices in their ears, so at least I’m not talking to myself.  There’s that.

Killian wants so badly for me to do the right thing.  I’m just not sure I can.  I’m at the point where the universe is working for me, where the pieces are falling together perfectly.  I couldn’t have asked for a better woman, who loves me unconditionally, and will always be at me side.  I’ve spent time with my children, hugged, them, and I know I’ll be able to see them again in the future. 

The one thing standing between me and my happy ending is Louise Drake, and if I don’t take her out of the equation she’ll keep trying.  When we met up at the high school, Killian gave me a bullet proof vest, and took Lani’s little gun.  But he knows that I can kill the woman with my bare hands. 

“We’re almost in place, Tony.  You should be close to your location as well.”  The nav system says I should be at the factory in less than two minutes.  I’m nervous.  I should be with Killian.  Me being here at a different location does nothing to help Lani. 

For some reason Drake and Burke both want me away from that horse farm.

I should be there.

I care less about killing Drake than I do about saving Lani.  But they didn’t give me the address of the horse farm.  And I still don’t have a cell phone.

“Constance, are you there?” I ask, even though I don’t know if she can hear me.

“I’m here, Tony.  Lani’s still fine,” she answers, thankfully.

“Tell me the address of the horse farm.”  I try to use my best, most threatening, SEAL voice.

She tries to keep her voice as calm and even as possible.  “I can’t do that.  Chief Vaden told me not to.” 

“Tell me, Constance!” I implore, as I pull up to the open gate of the factory.

“We’re in place, Tony.  We’re going in,” Killian interrupts.  And then I hear gun fire.

“Tell me now!” I yell.

She gives me the address, and I enter it into the car’s computer.  I am ten minutes away.  Fuck Louise Drake.  If Burke and the FBI are outside the gates, there’s no way Drake doesn’t know they’re there.  Lani is more important.  I have to be there for Lani.

Lani

“They’re one minute out, Lani.  Now’s the time for you to hide.”  Connie is trying to keep her emotions out of her voice, but I can hear her nerves bleeding through.

“I don’t think I can.  I’m chained to the wall.  If I was simply handcuffed, I could get out.  Just tell them to try to keep the gunfire away from the stables,” I inform her.

I can hear Connie coordinating between Tony and the FBI, but I can’t hear Tony, and I can’t hear Killian.  The county’s equipment must be on a different frequency.  When she told Tony my location, I felt goose bumps cover my body.  Having Tony in the mix will only make the situation more volatile.  From what I’ve heard, I gather that Drake sent Tony somewhere else, to secure him before bringing him here, so Drake could kill us both at the same time, with less fight from Tony.

She thought she could manipulate my friends, my family, and my soul mate, to get the conclusion she wants.  But she’s underestimated all of us.  She has no idea what’s coming for her.

I hear the gunshots outside, and I try to make myself as small as possible.  I hope that, when Hughes hears the gunfire, she might decide to run away.  But instead, she enters the stables, with her gun drawn.

She aims it at me, and yells, “Keep quiet, Vaden!”  Then, she moves to stand behind me, and aims the gun at my head.  I can think of several things that I could do, if my hands were free.  But they aren’t.  So I just stand here, as Hughes’s shield, and wait for Killian or my dad, or Tony to come through that door, and hopefully not get shot.

I have to do something.  I have to.  That’s when I look at the gun, and since it’s so close to my face I can see that the safety is still on.  And besides that, she’s standing way too close to me, and right up against the wall. 

Hughes apparently is not too bright.

I stomp her foot, and when she cries out, “Fuck, Vaden!” I use my elbow to jab her in her throat.  She bends forward, reflexively, and I wrap the chain around her neck and pull up as hard as I can.  Hughes fumbles with the gun, and drops it when I yank harder on the chain.  Then I kick it out of her reach, nudge the back of her knee until she falls forward. 

“Now, give me the keys, or I’m going to choke you out,” I lean forward, and growl against her ear.  She begins to fumble in her pocket, and soon produces them.

I’m trying to unlock the handcuffs while they’re around my wrists.  Then I hear the door open, and my father calls out, “Melanie!”  I sigh with relief.

“What took you so long?  I really need to pee!” I reply. 

When he walks into the room, the shock on his face from me having Hughes incapacitated in front of me is evident.  Before he can reach out to take the keys, I’ve already got them unlocked.  He laughs out loud.  “I should have known you’d get yourself out of this mess somehow.” 

“Lani, are you okay?” Connie interrupts.

“Everything’s fine here in the barn, besides the smell.  How’s everything with you?”

Dad untangles the cuffs from the chain, and clicks them in place onto Hughes’s wrists, before he removes the chain from around her neck. 

“Keep your eyes open, Lani.  Killian has yet to locate Drake,” Connie informs me.

I reach down to retrieve Hughes’s gun from the floor, when I hear the door open again.  I turn to look, and I see Louise Drake, with her gun trained on me.  I’m sure her safety is not on, and she will not be stupid enough to come closer. 

“Looks like we found her, Connie,” I say, as I turn and aim the gun at Drake.

“Drop the weapon, Vaden,” Drake calls out. 

“No way, Drake,” I yell back.

“Give up peacefully, Drake.  I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.”  My dad’s all cop, all business, as he points his own gun at Drake.

“There’s no reason I shouldn’t just shoot you both,” she replies. 

“I hate to point out the obvious, but if you shoot one of us, the other will shoot you, that’s why.  There’s nothing you can do.  There’s no escape this time, Drake.  You’re surrounded,” I point out.  “So put down the gun, and give up.”