Read Too Far Gone Online

Authors: Debra Webb,Regan Black

Tags: #Melinda Leigh, #hollywood, #Melissa Foster, #Literature & Fiction, #Suspense, #Harlequin Intrigue, #Romantic Suspense, #Military, #Romance on the Run, #Mystery & Suspense, #bodyguards, #woman in jeopardy, #Romance, #Navy SEALS, #celebrity romance

Too Far Gone (14 page)

BOOK: Too Far Gone
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“You’re twitching like an understudy called up on reviewer night.”

He caught a glimpse of her in the mirror, then forced his attention on adjusting the silk at his throat. “I don’t want to know what that means.”

“It’s a stage thing that means you look nervous.” She paused, securing a glittering golden earring that dripped nearly to her shoulder. “Whoa,” she said, her eyes on his tie. “That’s a four-in-hand.”

“What?”

“The knot.” She crooked a finger. “It’s wrong. Come here.”

His feet were rooted to the floor. Moving wasn’t an option. It would put him closer to her and worse, too close to the bed. Minefields weren’t as dangerous as staying in this room with her. “It’s tied, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” She made an impatient sound and approached him, the deep blue fabric of her dress shimmering and taunting him with all the curves he couldn’t touch. “Polzin and the others will expect a full Windsor knot.”

“How can you know that?” He leaned back, but her fingers were already loosening the tie. He forced himself to stay put. “It’s a tie. Guys don’t care.”

“Maybe guys don’t care, but these men will. I met Polzin today, remember? And I’ve met men like him—sans the illegal activities—since diving into this industry.”

As if he could forget she’d stripped for the SOB. He warred with the urge to dodge her hands, or move them to the places where his body craved her touch. He had a feeling that it would be damned hard not to knock Polzin senseless the first time he looked at Lauren tonight.

“The tie underscores your background.”

“Bull.”

“A four-in-hand isn’t right for your build.” The length of silk slid back and forth under his collar as she adjusted the ends to her liking. Then she stopped, her hands resting lightly on his chest.

Could she feel his heart hammering? Using the tie like a blindfold would be more fun—for both of them. Somehow he kept the words in his head and away from his tongue as his gaze fell to her mouth. He wanted another taste of her soft lips warming to his kiss, but they’d already had one near miss. Finding his last ounce of restraint, he stepped back. “My way is fine.”

She seemed to snap out of her trance. “It’s not.” She tugged again, her gaze intent as she looped, twisted, and snugged until the knot at his throat satisfied her. “The man you’re playing tonight has more money than Bill Gates. His tailor wouldn’t allow him to ruin his image with the wrong knot.” She turned him to the mirror. “See the difference?”

He did. “No.” In the reflection he caught the quick, exasperated roll of her eyes.

“Polzin will see it, that’s the point.”

He grunted, which was as much of an answer as she was going to get.

“I like the earring,” she teased.

Claudia had couriered over a very special platinum earring for him to wear. The jeweled eyes of the gargoyle were actually the latest in miniature audio and video transmitting equipment. Claudia would be recording every minute of tonight.

“I’m more worried he’ll see you.” Despite the wig and makeup, Mike saw Lauren Marie Woods, popular actress. Not even the contacts that turned her eyes to an impossible emerald green fooled him. “We need to rethink this.”

“No.” The straight, black hair brushed her chin as she shook her head. “Vanya risked too much for us to bail out.”

“I don’t mean bail, I mean rethink it.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “You don’t believe I can handle it.”

“That’s not it.”
Not all of it
. He could hardly explain it to her when he didn’t have the vocabulary to define this
thing
inside him that went beyond basic attraction. The body and face were outstanding, but the fascinating woman under the gloss and polish had him in a twist.

Lauren had exhibited courage his fellow SEALs would admire. When he’d opened this case he hadn’t expected her to care about anything other than saving her skin. It was a rare day when he was proved wrong. He didn’t know how to admit it.

“You know what?” she snapped. “I’m not sure I can count on you.” She plucked her small purse from the bed and checked the contents as she headed for the door. “Stay here. I’ve memorized Officer Cooper’s phone number if I need backup.”

“Wait.” He caught her elbow as she stomped past him. “Just wait a minute,” he repeated. She couldn’t call Cooper. Not yet. The words he needed to say were more difficult when she didn’t look like herself, but he looked through the disguise.

“Make it quick.” She stopped, but didn’t turn around. “If we’re late, we could be locked out.”

“You’ll be great.” Several lives, theirs included, were riding on her ability to perform as a buyer’s assistant. All he had to do was act the part of a cold, wealthy man with a general disregard for women as anything beyond useful servants. Thanks to Lauren’s ability to costume him, his job was more than halfway done. “You can count on me. I’ll play the part and I’ll have the exit route ready.”

“If I thought waiting would work, I’d agree to hide until the authorities rounded up Polzin and his syndicate.” She stared up at him, her face imploring. “Frankly, I’m not so sure they’re even looking for these guys.”

“I know.” He believed she’d prefer to execute a rescue that wouldn’t drum up media attention, but he’d learned she wasn’t shy when she thought she could accomplish something. That same core belief had carried her away from home and set her on a successful path in one of the most unforgiving industries. “And you’re right. We need to strike now while Polzin is in town.”

She nodded. “Thank you. Bringing Desmond’s killer to justice and rescuing those women isn’t enough. We need to... cut off the head of the snake.”

He grinned and picked up the keys to the car. “You got it, baby.”

 

Chapter Eleven

Hollywood Hills, 7:45 p.m.

The Lotus practically floated through traffic as they headed out to the mansion for the party. He lost the tail when they stopped for drinks at a swanky bar, and managed to maintain just enough lead time to park the car out of sight along the drive to the mansion.

“What if the driver won’t stop?” Lauren was the one showing her nerves now. “This could be the wrong move.”

Claudia had been monitoring the police bands. An abduction of a young woman with red hair had been reported in West Hollywood by the victim’s roommate. A quick check of traffic cams and Claudia had spotted the black sedan from the finishing school in the area. With the windows tinted she couldn’t confirm the redhead was in the car, but it was definitely headed this way.

“Trust me.” Mike flashed Lauren a smile. “I’m very good at this part.”

“We’ll get them all out, right?”

“We will. Now, sit tight while I do this. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“But—”

“Trust me,” he repeated.

“Right.” Her tight smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Be careful. That’s an order.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” he replied with a wink.

As he strolled back down the road and just around the last curve, the tie pinched and the shoes chafed. He preferred his tactical gear for a reason. Distracting himself, he thought about how to play it when he made his move. By now, his face and fake name were on the guest list next to Lauren’s alias. The information had been requested by Polzin’s people via Lauren’s cell. No matter that everything was set, Mike had no more than a few seconds of surprise on his side for this next move.

He crouched low, creeping closer to the last possible ambush point out of view of the sentry stationed at the entrance gate to the long drive. Then he waited for the man assigned to the kidnapping task. People who disappointed Polzin didn’t have long life spans. If the boss wanted a redhead, Mike knew the man would deliver one.

As the minutes ticked by, he thought maybe he’d underestimated the efficiency of the crew. He set a timer on his watch for the drop-dead moment he had to abandon this idea. He and Lauren had to arrive along with the other buyers or Polzin would be suspicious.

Finally headlights came into view. When he’d confirmed it was the right car, Mike stepped out into the road and waved.

The car rocked to a stop less than a yard from Mike’s knees. “Get out of the way,” the driver shouted.

“Can you give me a ride to the party? I have a flat tire.”

The driver looked around. “Where’s your car?”

Mike jerked a thumb up the road. “Next curve. I pulled to the shoulder, but it’s narrow and I didn’t want it to get dinged.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t exactly call Triple A and expect the guard at the gate to allow them in.”

The driver’s gaze narrowed. “Why are you alone?”

“My assistant is guarding the car,” Mike said. “How about a lift? These shoes aren’t made for hiking and I don’t think Mr. Polzin will be happy if we’re late.”

“Get in.” Clearly the driver knew better than to refuse one of the guests.

“Great, thanks.” Mike opened the passenger door to an empty car. He worried he’d made a mistake until he heard a whimper from the farthest dark corner of the back seat. He couldn’t see the woman but the whimper had definitely come from a female. “What’s her problem?” he asked as he dropped into the seat.

“She gets car sick.” The driver put the sedan in gear and started up the road.

“I guess this is her lucky day.” Mike plowed a fist into the driver’s ear, and then clotheslined him. While the driver struggled to breathe, Mike jerked the steering wheel, pulling the car to the shoulder. The driver tried to accelerate, but Mike knocked the gearshift to neutral. He applied the necessary pressure to just the right points and the driver was down for the count.

“Can you drive?” Mike asked the girl as he slammed the gearshift into Park.

“Y-yes.”

Mike shoved the driver out onto the road and performed a quick three-point turn until the car was aimed away from the mansion. “Do you know where the nearest police station is?”

Standing on shaky legs, she nodded. “I’ll find it.”

“Good. Go straight there.” He hauled the unconscious driver into the trunk and used the jerk’s tie to secure his hands and feet behind him hogtie style. Mike closed the trunk and moved back to where the woman stood next to the open driver’s side door. He had to get her moving before another vehicle arrived. “Go on and get behind the wheel.” Mike urged her into the car. “Tell the police what happened.”

“But I’m just a stripper.”

Mike held her gaze. “You’re a person with rights like everyone else. You’ve escaped a kidnapping thanks to a Good Samaritan.”

“Okay.” She swiped at her tear-stained face.

Mike patted his pockets, but he hadn’t brought any real identification along tonight. “Ask for Officer Cooper at the Wilshire Precinct if you need more help.”

“Okay.”

“Hurry.” Mike stepped back as she sped away.

He loped back to the Lotus, pleased to find Lauren waiting, though she was clearly antsy about the delay. “Mission accomplished.”

“Thank God. I was worried sick.” She straightened his tie and inhaled a big breath. “You’re here now and one less woman is in danger.”

It made him happier than he wanted to admit that she had worried about him.
Keep your mind on the task, Stone
. Giving himself a mental kick, he drove up to the mansion and they joined the party without a glitch.

He’d suspected as much from the street, but walking in, the place redefined ostentatious. Polzin had sunk a small fortune into this event and Mike wanted to destroy it all, thinking of the women who’d suffered to give him all this. The acres of marble, the gaudy flowers, and the apathetic waiters with silver trays serving drinks and hors d’oeuvres made Mike crave a pub with a long neck beer and a simple dartboard. He hid his contempt under a hard expression and an iron will, following Lauren’s lead as his sexy as hell raven-haired assistant.

Crime happened everywhere. Mike was all too aware. But this? It was over the top offensive. Money and ego cloaked the room like a thick fog and the temptation to blow his cover, to attempt taking all of them down right now nearly overwhelmed him.

At his side, Lauren brushed her arm against his and he followed her glance toward a lavish set of doors at the far side of the main room. Vanya appeared first, leading the women from the school, each of them in a different jewel-toned gown. Did they have any idea why they were really here?

 

Lauren sensed the shifting focus in the room as the cocktail hour wound down and the wait staff drifted away. The women had been pleasant, smiling and chatting with each guest, though none of them approached Polzin and Vanya. This was the moment, their only window of opportunity. Polzin rose from a hideous, white leather couch and buttoned his suit coat. The other men responded, the movements rippling through the gathering like a pebble dropped into a quiet pond. Time for business.

Feeling Mike’s gaze on her, she sent him what she hoped qualified as an obedient expression as he filed out with the rest of the men. From the moment of their arrival, she’d mirrored his movements, examining the captive women as she might assess a cut of beef, despite her churning stomach. They were no more than cattle to these men. Beautiful, certainly more expensive, but definitely cattle. It was a wonder they weren’t forced to parade about completely nude.

What could’ve brought Desmond into this horrible circle? Riding another burst of outrage, she didn’t have to fake her harsh expression as she joined the other assistants herding the women into a luxurious, completely feminine salon. Plush seating areas in rose-toned upholstery had been accented with trays of champagne flutes brimming with extravagance. Under the guise of more closely examining each of the women on display, Lauren verified the placement of the two security cameras, the two doors, and the one guard. She caught Vanya’s eye, hoping the tight smile on the Russian beauty’s face was a positive sign.

“You!” Lauren snapped her fingers at a woman reaching for a flute of champagne. Everyone in the room turned her way. “Come here.”

The young woman wore a sapphire silk gown, the plunging neckline drenched with strands of pearls that rattled softly as she walked. She’d likely been presented this way to appeal to one of Polzin’s most valued customers. Lauren reached out and firmly wiped away the makeup covering the girl’s black eye. “She is disobedient?” Lauren demanded of Vanya.

“Nonsense.” Vanya rushed over. As Polzin’s mistress it was her job to maintain calm and control during the waiting period in the salon. “This is an accident. She is a good girl.”

Lauren huffed impatiently, taking her phone from her clutch and snapping a picture of the girl’s injury. “We won’t take this one or any other defective merchandise like her.”

The security guard came at her and the other assistants stepped aside, while Vanya shooed the women toward the far side of the room. Pretending devotion to Desmond had been small potatoes compared to tonight’s performance. Lauren had to give Vanya the opportunity to get the women out. Her pulse pounded in her ears, but she held her ground as the wall of a man demanded her phone and told her to leave the room. Every step closer to her gave the women one more step closer to freedom.

“No,” she replied. The only option was to plow through this nightmare. “I’m sure they are all equally unacceptable in some way.” She hit send before he seized the device. “Polzin is slipping,” she said, baiting the guard. “We all see it,” she waved a hand, encompassing the other assistants.

The guard kept his eyes on her. “You do not like the party? You can leave,” he announced.

“I don’t answer to you,” she said. She raised her chin and crossed her arms. Over his shoulder she caught swift flashes of color as Vanya urged the women out of the room.

The guard gripped Lauren’s elbow and hauled her toward the door she’d entered only minutes before. Lauren tried to dig her heels into the thick carpeting. She batted at him with her purse, making a ridiculous scene that kept all eyes on her.

When he reached for his communications link, she let loose the shrill, ear-splitting scream that horror movie directors adored. She stomped her sharp heel into the top of his foot, another move learned on the job, and practically leaped across the threshold into the hallway. She slammed the door as the others launched into a protest. Her hands shook as she turned the key Vanya had dropped into her clutch when she’d snapped that pic. The locked door wouldn’t hold long but she only needed one more minute.

Racing down the main hallway toward the courtyard at the side of the house, she prayed Mike had escaped from the buyers meeting. Her heels clattered against the marble floors, but she didn’t slow down to mute the noise. If Vanya had second thoughts or changed her mind, their escape would turn ugly any second now. Vanya was supposed to crash through the main gate if necessary. Lauren prayed the getaway would work.

Raised voices echoed behind her. Lauren kept moving, bursting through a set of French doors and into the cool night air of the rear courtyard. She turned at the sound of an engine just as the last woman disappeared into a black SUV.

Behind the wheel of the SUV, Vanya threw the car into reverse and floored it, heedless of the ruined paint jobs and dents of other vehicles she left in her wake.

“They’re clear.”

Lauren whipped around.
Mike
. Thank God!

“We have to move.” Mike grabbed her hand. “This way.”

“Does she know where she’s going?” Lauren hesitated, watching the SUV disappear. She couldn’t help worrying that Vanya would simply circle back and return the women to the mansion.

“I programmed the navigation system and sent an alert to an old friend in the Highway Patrol. Claudia is on standby if something goes wrong.” Mike held out his hand. “We can talk on the way. Let’s go.”

His skin was warm, his grip strong as he linked his fingers with hers. They scooted toward the line of elite vehicles, shouts dogging their steps. Bullets abruptly chipped away at the rock framing the central fountain as they hurried past. Lauren kept pace, trusting Mike to hold up his end of their risky plan.

They were nearly to the end of the driveway when he yanked the car door open and pushed her into the passenger side of their borrowed Lotus. The tight hem of her dress ripped as she struggled to right herself. Lauren clicked her seatbelt into place as Mike roared down the hill and away from the house. The gate was open, one side lying on the ground. The guard took a shot at them, hitting a fender but missing the tire as they whizzed past him.

“We can’t get too far ahead of them,” she reminded him. “Did you catch anything useful in there?”

“You mean besides the identities of the seller and all those local buyers of abducted women?” he replied, his gaze shifting between the road in front of them and the pursuers closing in. “I’m certain it’s a performance they’ll all regret for the next twenty or so years.”

“Then we did it!” Lauren laughed. “We did it!”

A bullet pinged off the driver’s side mirror. Lauren screamed.

“Hang on,” Mike ordered as he rammed the accelerator. The Lotus rocketed forward.

Lauren held her breath.

 

Mike kept his eyes locked on the street and the lights of Los Angeles spreading out before them. He didn’t dare look at Lauren or he’d likely drive right off the road at this speed. His body might be accustomed to the rush of adrenaline, but something was different about tonight from any of his previous missions for either the military or private sector.

The answer—damned obvious—was sitting in the passenger seat. He couldn’t ignore the facts. He’d fallen for her. Against all sense and better judgment, he’d fallen hard for her. He might tell her. If they lived through the next few hours, he’d have earned the right to tell her.

“Take off the wig,” he ordered. “Get as Lauren Marie Woods as you can.”

“What are you thinking? I’m still a person of interest in a murder investigation.”

BOOK: Too Far Gone
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