Shattered (Broken Trilogy Book 2) (9 page)

“This is the wire.” He opens a second box from his pocket and shows me a matching necklace. “This will help—”

My stomach sinks. “I don’t want to wear that.” My voice caught in my throat.

“You have to,” Keith states firmly, but as he looks at me, I can see he has conflicting expressions playing over his face.

I clasp my snowflake pendant. “No, Keith, I haven’t taken this off since—” My eyes sting. It represents more than just Cole; it’s a little reminder of our baby too.

“Savi,” Cole whispers in my ear behind me, “just for the evening. I’ll hold on to it and keep it safe.” I hold myself very still for a moment then nod, not wanting to speak in fear I’d cry. Cole moves my hair aside. I feel his warm hands move over my skin as he unclasps it. He reaches for the necklace Keith is holding and secures it in place. It feels heavy. I don’t like it.

“Testing, testing, one-two-three.” Keith says in a quiet voice. John pops his head in the door giving a thumbs up.

Is Paul here too?

“No mention of the house, no mention of any of the guys being here, no mention what you’ve been up to. Most importantly, don’t let them separate you from Derek.” Keith warns, “If anything happens and you need us, your safe word is what?”

“Blackstone,” I answer without missing a beat.

“Right.”

“Guys. I’m going to be all right. It’s my father who’s in trouble now.” I notice Keith glance at Cole. “Now what?”

“We leave in two minutes,” Keith says as he turns around.

“Keith,” I call out, making him stop. “I didn’t run. I took someone with me and left a note. I was only trying to do the right thing, and I knew you and the rest of the house would never have let me come. Derek was my only chance to make things right.”

He turns fully to study me. “I know you were doing what you thought was right. I know you found out what Cole planned to do, so the fact that you wanted to protect him and all of us makes me understand why you did what you did.” He pauses. “But that doesn’t mean I'm not furious with you, and it doesn't mean I’m not sticking a tracking device on your goddamn ass when we get home.” I see his eyes crinkle slightly.

“Deal.” I walk over and give him a hard hug. “I love you, Keith. You're family. Thank you for understanding.”

“Yeah, well, don't get used to it. I’m not normally, so take what you can get.” He gives me a little shove and nods at Cole. “I’ll meet you outside the door.”

I let out a long breath and try to absorb this situation.

“You ready?” Cole moves in front of me.

“Cole, is there anything I should know before I go in there? Please don’t lie to me.”

He rubs his chin, thinking. “Know I love you and will do anything to protect you, and when this is all over I intend to make you smile for the rest of your life.”

I roll my eyes. “That would have been incredibly romantic if you didn’t say it like I was going to war.”

“In some ways you are.”

“What does that even—?”

He grips the sides of my face and kisses me with so much lust I nearly forget what I was about to do. I put my hands on his shoulders as I press myself into his solid body. As quickly as he came in for the kiss, he pulls away and takes my hand.

“I love you.” He pulls me toward the door.

“I love you too.”

***

Cole

Cole pulls her into the adjoining room where Paul is at the table testing out the pin camera.

“Hey, Savi.” Paul gives a tight smile and holds up the pin that is shaped like the New York state flag. “This will be our eyes.”

Cole takes the small pin from Paul’s fingers and pins it to Savannah’s blouse and waves his hand in front of it.

“All good,” Paul states.

“Ummm,” Savannah is biting her lip. “This is all a bit much.”

“No,” Cole answers simply, “it’s frankly not enough.”

“Okay, Savi.” Derek enters from the hallway. “You ready to go?”

Cole’s eyes narrow in on him. He is still furious at Derek and knows they will be having plenty of words after this is over. His instincts were right when it came to Derek Rent. He still doesn’t trust him, and he hates that he still has to use him at all.

“You keep her safe, Rent,” he says, pushing his finger hard into his chest, “or I'll personally take you out.”

“Cole,” Savannah hisses, squeezing her body in the space between them. “Please, let’s just go before they decide to put any more devices on me.” She turns to look at Cole, trying to act brave, but he can see she’s scared. He wants nothing more than to take her home and lock her away in his bedroom and keep her safe from everything. “I’ll see you soon.” She kisses him on the lips softly, but he swipes his tongue inward, tasting as much as her as he can. She squeaks, making him kiss her harder. Finally he pulls away and lets her catch her breath. “Cole?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re going to have to let go.” She glances down at his cast-iron grip on her hips.

“Right.” He steps back, watching Derek walk her out and unknowingly into the lion’s den.

“I don’t get it,” Keith says, appearing at his side. “I know
we
are under orders not to tell her anything, but are
you
really going to let her go in blind?”

“I know Savannah, Keith. If she goes in knowing who is behind all this, she'll charge them like a pissed off bull. It’s safer for her to be her normal innocent self. They’ll be less apt to harm her if she truly doesn’t know anything.”

Keith huffs. “I sure saw it before she left. I should’ve gone with my gut and followed her.”

“No,” Cole shakes his head, “you did the right thing and we were able to catch up with them.”

“Perhaps, but she’s sure as shit not known for her lying skills.”

“Certainly not, and I love that about her,” Cole admits.

“Me too.”

Suddenly they both feel their conversation is getting awkward, and they start moving about. “Right, well, let's get this over with.” Cole sits down at the table, watching the computer monitor.

“Well, fuck me,” Mark hisses from the window, staring down at the street a pair of binoculars glued to his eyes. “Logan, you’ll never guess who’s here.”

***

Savannah

I walk nervously down the sidewalk, my arm looped through Derek’s, on the way to meet my father. It is starting to snow. I try to act normal, I really do, but after being surprised by Cole and the guys and being lit up like a Christmas tree with trackers, mics, and video equipment, I feel a nervous dance going on in my stomach.

“Maddison, my niece,” Derek starts, “she reminds me so much of my sister. She has these big brown eyes like the cat from Puss in Boots.” He laughs. “All that little girl has to do is look up at me and I turn all mushy. I’m visiting her after we get back home, and I’m going to take her to Disney World. She loves Sleep In Beauty. I've ordered her that princess dress from the movie. I'm soon to be her favorite uncle.”

I can’t thank him enough for chatting. I know he is doing it for me. I even forgive him for messing up the Disney character's name and manage to smile at him. I really need something to focus on because I do feel like I want to puke. The love he has for his niece is obvious. “That’s really sweet of you, Derek. I wish I had an uncle like you growing up.”

“Well, my sister and I were really close growing up. She practically raised me, as my parents worked a lot. I want to be a good uncle to her daughter. Besides, I doubt I'll ever have a kid, so Maddison is about as close to a daughter as I'll get.”

“Why would you say that?”

He shrugs. “I love my job too much to give enough time to a woman.”

“Oh, please, you just haven’t found the right one yet. When you do, things will change.”

He lets out a long breath. “You may have a point. I thought Logan was going to be a lone wolf up on his mountain until you came along.”

“I’m happy,” I smile up at him, “and you will be too someday.”

“All right, enough
chick chat.
It’s show time.” He holds the door open for me. “No matter what happens up there, Savannah, I'm right there with you.”

“Thanks, Derek.” I squeeze his arm, happy to have him with me, and extremely happy now that Blackstone is watching and listening.

We ride the elevator up to the penthouse. The doors open, and there is my father wearing his usual black suit with a glass of scotch in his hand.

Chapter Seven

“Hello, dear. Come in, come in.” He gives me an awkward hug then takes my jacket. I see his hand run along the pockets.

“Father.” I nod, glancing around and noting that everything looks the same.

“Captain Rent, thank you for joining us this evening.” My father shakes his hand.

I try not to let it bother me that my father knows Derek’s rank. I’m guessing he did his homework before we came over this evening.

After my father makes us a drink along with his small talk, the doorbell rings, making my stomach drop into my lap.

“Are you expecting someone?” Derek asks, standing at my side.

My father rises and gives us a warm smile. “Actually, yes.”

I stand, glancing at Derek, who looks as worried as I am. I thought this was a private dinner.

“Savannah?” I hear her voice and I nearly drop my drink. “Is that really you?”

“Lynn?” I can barely speak as she runs over and wraps her arms around me, embracing me in that familiar hug I missed dearly. She still looks amazing. Everything matches, nothing out of place. I start to wonder about my own appearance. I quickly stop myself.

Don’t go there, Savi.

“Oh my god, I thought you were dead! When your father called me to come over, I thought it was just for dinner, but when he told me you—” She pulls away and looks at me with tears in her eyes. “You look amazing!”

“Thanks, so do you.” I point to Derek. “This is my friend Derek. Derek, this is my longtime friend Lynn.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Derek’s voice is laced with discomfort. I don’t blame him; I wasn’t ready for this either.

“Well, well, well, look at you, spitfire.” Luka holds open his arms, coming into the room and granting me a large hug. “Never thought we’d see you again.”

“Luka!” I smile at him. “If you told me I would be standing here with you guys a few months ago, I wouldn’t have believed it.” I turn to Derek and make the introductions. Poor Derek, he does not like this.

“Okay, now, enough hovering, everyone.” My father beams. “We are all excited to have her safely home. Let’s get some food, and then Savannah can tell us everything that's happened.”

Oh, lovely, a trip down memory lane.

Derek sits next to me, facing Lynn and Luka, and my father sits to my left at the head of the table. After the entree is served, the questions begin.

“So you were held captive for nearly seven months, and we understand you were rescued a while ago, but why are we only seeing you now?” Lynn asks, confused. “Where were you between then and now?”

Wow, jump right in, guys.

I see Derek shift ever so slightly. I’m not sure how to answer her, but I don’t need to because my father does for me.

“She was in a safe house.” My mouth drops open.

“Where?” Lynn asks over the rim of her wine glass.

“I can’t say,” I reply, looking at my father.

“Why?”

“Rules,” I answer truthfully.

“Really?” She takes a bite of her salad. “So are you and Derek dating?”

“No,” Derek answers quickly.

“No, she’s dating a colonel,” my father says calmly. “Colonel Cole Logan, correct?”

What the hell?

I’m shocked, dumbstruck, just staring at him. “Dad, how do you know that information?” I am completely blown away by his calm comments and knowledge of my situation.

“I’m a powerful man who knows a lot of things, Savannah. I know, for instance, that your boyfriend isn’t who he says he is.” My father’s eyes shift over to Derek’s. “Just like you, Captain Rent, isn’t that right?”

“I’m not following,” Derek says, dropping his napkin on the table.

“Oh, well, allow me to explain then. Luka.” Luka stands and hands my father a file. He flips it open and hands me a photo.

My hands shake as I look at the photo. I then look up at my father and to Luka in disbelief as I try to process what I am seeing. Cole is shaking hands with my Devil, Jose Jorge. My mouth goes dry as I look over to Derek, who is shaking his head.

“Then there’s this.” My father slides another picture over top of the one I’m holding. It’s Derek in a coffee shop, ordering at the counter. “Note who’s waiting for him in line off to his right,” he says to me.

“Oh…” I whisper in shock. There is my captor, Rodrigo Heredia, the bastard, the man who ordered—and enjoyed watching—Jose beat the shit out of me to the point where I wanted to die.

“Interesting suit you have on in that picture, Derek,” my father adds, taking a sip of his scotch. “Looks familiar, don’t you think, Savannah?”

Holy shit, this picture is from today? My hand flies to my stomach as Derek leans into me.

“Savannah, he’s setting us up.”

“Pictures don’t lie, Derek,” my father hisses like a cat about to attack.

I shake my head, feeling faint as my blood doesn't seem to be reaching my brain. “Derek, please explain. How can this be? Tell me you didn't know he was there.” I feel my eyes water as I hold up Cole’s picture. “Explain this, please. This isn't making sense. How could he?”

Derek’s eyes are full of panic. “No, Savannah. You know Cole, he would never hurt you, he loves—”

Pop! Pop!

Crimson liquid sprays across my body. My ears are the ringing, and everything seems to move in slow motion. I turn my eyes to my father, who is holding a gun, then to Lynn and Luka, who are staring at the table. My gaze travels over to Derek, who is slumped in his chair, head flopped backward with a huge, gaping hole in the center of his forehead. Blood drains over his open eyes, down his nose, along his neck, and into his shirt.

The entire room is silent except for the ringing in my head. I try to focus on what is happening. My brain fights to process this moment.

“Savannah!” my father orders. “Look at me.”

I unglue my eyes from Derek and somehow do as I'm told.

“Are you being tracked?”

I can feel panic start in my feet and travel through me like the bullet that is now nuzzled into Derek’s skull.

“Are. You. Being. Tracked?” I can hear him, but I'm not registering his words.

Derek’s blood is in my steak.

Derek’s brain is everywhere.

Derek was just speaking to me, and now he’s not.

Derek is dead.

My father shot Derek.

My father just shot Derek Rent.

My father pointed a gun and shot my friend.

Derek is dead.

My brain keeps looping. I’m on a merry-go-round that I can’t get off.

Someone’s hands feel all along my sides, sliding over my arms and down my legs. My shoes are being removed and checked and placed back on. It’s Lynn. What is she doing?

“I don’t feel any wires, Doug,” Lynn says from her knees. “She’s clean.”

“I doubt that,” Luka mutters, coming to my side. “They wouldn’t let her come here unprotected.”

“Savannah,” my father snaps at me, making me look over, “Derek and Cole were in negotiations with the men who took you. They were going to hand you over for a price. The American wants you. His men are the ones who kidnapped you. He came after me…us,” he points to Lynn and Luka, “saying we needed to pay for what was taken from him. They were blackmailing me for the money. I tried to pay, but it was never enough. They nearly sucked me dry. All I wanted was to get you back, but I couldn’t find you. No one could.” He leans toward my frozen body. “I will not let them take you away from me again. Derek wouldn’t have let you stay without a fight.”

This doesn’t make sense. I can't get my brain to work. I need to snap out of the fog.

My hands fly to my chain but it doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t give me the comfort I need.

“The necklace,” Lynn says reaching over and tearing it from my neck. She drops it on the floor and smashes it with her heel of her shoe.

What the hell?

Lynn bends over and picks it up. “Yup, wires.” She chucks it in the corner of the room and moves in front of me, looking into my eyes. “Savi, we need to leave. They know you're here, don’t they?”

I don’t move a muscle, then lean to the side and vomit next to her. She jumps back, gasping in disgust.

“Shock,” I hear Luka say through a full mouthful of bloody meat.

I nearly vomit again.

Lynn’s shiny shoes step toward me. “No shit, Luka. You’re as helpful as ever.”

She hands me a napkin, and that’s when I see it.

Oh my god!

The silver bracelet with the heart dangling from the center. I quickly snatch the napkin and wipe my mouth in fear I’ll lunge at her. I can’t believe she’s the mystery woman with the heart bracelet! What does this mean? Is Lynn somehow behind this? Why would she take a picture of me the same night I was taken? Why was she even there?

“We've got to move,” my father orders as he pulls me to my feet, my head spinning. He eyes my pin then roughly removes it, ripping my shirt in the process. He drops it in his water glass and yanks on my limp arm to follow.

“We’ve got company,” Luka says as we follow him into my father’s personal office. “They’re in the elevator.”

“Let’s go.” Lynn wraps her arm around my waist then stops.
Shit.
She looks over at me as she unclasps the bracelet, my last tracking device, breaking it in two. Grabbing my wrist again, she leads us through a door that I’ve never seen before. It reminds me of the one in the safe house leading to Cole’s bedroom. I force Cole out of my head. I've got to pull myself together, but I’m still reeling from the memory of Derek’s lifeless body in the dining room.

After a several flights of stairs, we are in the parking lot where my father’s limo is waiting.

“Savannah!” Everyone turns to see Paul holding a pistol pointed at us. “Let her go.”

“You’ve done enough damage, Agent Paul,” my father yells back.

Paul looks directly at me. “Savannah, walk toward me.”

I’m so confused, and physically nothing is working. I just stand there, not sure if I am up or down, left or right. I wish I could snap out of this fog.

“More are coming,” Luka whispers with his phone to his ear.

“Savannah, walk toward me,” Paul repeats.

I feel my father shift as if shielding me with his body, and I hear that godforsaken
pop
noise and see Paul plummet to the ground.

“No!” I scream and try to rush over to Paul, but my father hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me to the car. “No! Paul!” He shoves me in and jumps in after me.

“Ahhhh!” I scream, trying to get out the helpless feeling that has a tight grip on me. “Why?” No one answers me.

Lynn and Luka follow, and before I know it, we’re speeding out of the parking structure and down into an alleyway where we quickly switch cars.

I'm tumbling back into darkness, once again held in its teeth. Lost, alone, and once more nothing makes sense. I've served my time in hell. Why am I back here? What did I do to deserve a second round? One thing I know for sure, I fought my way out before, and I'll sure as hell do it again!

Squealing tires snap me out of my thoughts as Luka checks to see who it is.

“She must have another tracker on her,” he yells.

Lynn’s hands once again run along my body. I bat her hand away. I hate that she is touching me. I hate that she makes me seethe with anger because her fucking bracelet makes a noise every time she moves her arm. It makes me want to rip it off and jam it down her throat. I need to get out of here! None of this makes sense!

“Savi,” she whispers, “I’m only trying to protect you.”

“Don’t touch me, Lynn,” I hiss under my breath.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I said don’t touch me.” I shift to the corner of the limo, curling up in a ball.

“Savannah,” Luka shouts, “I won’t ask you again. Do you have a tracker on you?”

I shake my head as Luka’s anger toward me brings me to see things more clearly. “It’s the U.S. Army, Luka. This is what they’re trained to do. You should know; you hired them.”

“Hired them?” Lynn looks confused. Her eyes snap to Luka’s. “Why would we hire—”

“Lynn!” Luka snaps at her.

My chest starts to rise and fall as more shit is tossed at me. “Wait…you didn’t hire them? Why did they come for me then? How did they…?” My head goes light. “Oh my god…everything…everything is a friggin’ lie.” I start to cry and hyperventilate at the same time. Cole lied to me! “Pull over, I’m going to be sick…
pull over
!”

“No! We can’t,” my father shouts, grabbing a bag and shoving it on my lap.

I snatch it up, holding it tightly. “Please, will someone tell me the truth for once in my life? I demand to know the truth.”

Suddenly the car stops in an alleyway and I am being pulled out and shoved into a trunk.