Little Bird (The Tangled Series) (24 page)

Savannah moaned and arched to press against his hand each time he touched her. The quip about her elbow evidently amused her because she giggled, turning her face to the side to press her mouth against her shoulder.

Hartwell nodded reluctantly, apparently accepting defeat. “By the way, what’s her name?”

“You can call her Lee’s Bitch.” Lee cocked a brow at him, grinning.

Hartwell laughed loudly as he met Lee’s gaze. “I guess that makes you Lee? You like owning her, don’t you? Well, I can’t blame you. It must make you feel like the biggest cock on the block to know you have something that most every man, and probably half the women, here wants. But eventually you’ll tire of having to beat everyone else back and it won’t be worth the effort anymore to keep her all to yourself. When that happens, I hope you’ll let me know.”

Lee was about to tell Hartwell that was never going to happen when he heard Savannah’s soft breathless voice. “Sir, even blindfolded I know my Master is the biggest cock on the block.”

Lee grinned wickedly at the Senator. He hadn’t expected that kind of response from Savannah but he definitely liked it. “See that? She’s so loyal. I wouldn’t ever want to prove myself undeserving of that kind of devotion. And I would be undeserving of it if I disregarded her worth and passed her off to any prick who asked.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“I do, Senator.” Lee snorted, disdain evident in his voice. He was surprised Hartwell would use such a ridiculous line.

Savannah tensed against him and he realized of course, she hadn’t known who the man was.

Lee stroked her hip, trying to reassure her as he added to Hartwell, “But I think you might be confused about your proper place in this club because Senator or no, the unclaimed submissives belong over there.” Lee gestured to one side of the room where there were indeed several single submissives hanging about, looking for someone to play with. “Not out here on the floor tangling with the big boys.”

Lee was gratified to see the angry look on Hartwell’s face and the tense twitch of his jaw. That volley had struck its mark. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to dissuade the Senator from pushing forward.

Hartwell quickly tried to rearrange his expression into one of calm confidence, a wasted effort to disguise his initial reaction to Lee’s comment. “Let’s be straight then. Everyone has a price and you look like the kind of man who knows that. So, what do you want for a few minutes alone with her? I won’t fuck her if that will put you at ease. I’d settle for a blowjob and the chance to come on her tits. Do you want money? Is that what it would take? Name your price.” Hartwell paused, giving Lee an opportunity to respond.

When Lee didn’t, instead just stared at him with disinterest, Hartwell said, “And you can go on and insult me all you like, you’re just exposing your own insecurity, not mine.”

“I’m not insulting you, Hartwell. I’m stating facts and here’s a couple more for you to consider.” Lee’s smile was full of patient condescension when he continued. “First, I’m not the one begging another man to let me have a piece of his woman. You may not be aware of this, but begging isn’t exactly a bold display of dominance. Second, who you are outside this club means fuckall inside this club and it means even less than that to me. Third, did you seriously just offer me money for my woman? Maybe that’s worked for you in the past but I don’t buy pussy, I sure as fuck don’t sell it, and I most definitely don’t appreciate you insulting her by implying she could be bought. And finally, I’ve been telling you no and busting your chops ever since you walked over here. I’m starting to think you like it. So why don’t you go find yourself a nice Mistress to finish the job because I’m getting bored.”

Hartwell stared at him for a long minute, no longer bothering to try and repress his anger. When he finally spoke, he leaned closer, his voice low and a sinister smile curving his lips. “I see you think you have the upper hand here. Well, let me clarify that for you. You see, I know who you are, too, Mr. Jackson. My friends are convinced you and your ex-wife are going to cause trouble. I have my doubts. You’re all brawn and no brains and your ex-wife isn’t nearly as clever as she thinks she is, either. But I’m willing to wait and see how this all plays out. Mainly because I think there’s a very good chance before this is all over our roles could be reversed.”

Hartwell gave Savannah a meaningful look before turning on his heel and stalking away.

Chapter Twelve

S
avannah and Lee didn’t go back to the club on Saturday. Lee refused, forcing Savannah to text Paul and tell him they wouldn’t be there that night. He wanted her to tell Paul they wouldn’t be coming back at all, but she had convinced him to take a few days to think about it. The club wasn’t open again until next weekend so there was no reason they had to make a rash decision now.

Instead of going to the club they stayed at her apartment all day, ordering Chinese take-out and eating it in bed while they watched old movies and had lots of sex. Savannah was even halfway reconsidering her desire to continue to live in the city. The country might be boring, but at least out there she didn’t have to worry about the neighbors hearing her scream. Then again, Lee could afford to have her apartment soundproofed.

It was a wonderful, relaxing day. They didn’t talk about Cara or Hartwell or Douchebag or anything unpleasant or unhappy. They just enjoyed one another.

Sunday morning, Lee went out to get coffee while Savannah packed a bag. They were headed back to the farm for a few days before they needed to be back at the club again on Thursday. Lee still refused to go back, but Savannah intended to convince him. When she’d realized the Senator knew not only who they were but also why they were there she’d been badly scared but it had only firmed her resolve to go back. Cara was clearly in over her head and there was no guarantee Hartwell would let her and Lee out of this now anyway, even if they didn’t go back.

Savannah wasn’t excited about the trip back to the country. She was certain she would be bored and lonely. The last time it hadn’t been so bad because she’d spent a lot of time going over all the information Mike sent her on Cara but she wouldn’t have that this time. She had no idea how she would keep herself busy while Lee did whatever it was he did out there all the time.

She was standing at the bed, her back to the door, tossing some books in her bag when she heard a knock. She smiled to herself, amused that the same man who spanked her with his belt was also so unfailingly polite he would still knock on her door. She found the juxtaposition charming.

“It’s unlocked.” As she heard the door open and then close she added, “Did you get me a donut, too?”

When he didn’t answer she started to turn around only to find herself hauled against his chest, his hand covering her mouth. She knew immediately whoever was in her apartment, it definitely was not Lee. This man was bigger than Lee, broader and heavier, and his hands were meaty and damp with sweat.

A voice hissed against her ear, “I’m going to let go of you now. If you scream, I will shoot you.” She became aware of the gun pressing into her back. “Do you understand me?”

Savannah nodded frantically and the man released her, shoving her onto the bed. As she tumbled against the mattress, her bag fell to the floor, its contents spilling out.

Looking up at the man, her voice was hoarse as she said, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

He laughed, his small dark eyes leering at her. “We’re here for you, of course.”

Savannah fought against the panic threatening to overtake her. She did her best to sound calm and confident. “Lee will be back any second.”

“That’s why we’re leaving right now.” As he spoke, the man tucked the handgun into a holster under his jacket. “My car is right out front at the curb. You’re going to calmly walk outside and get in. If you make a sound, if you try to run, I will kill you. If your boyfriend comes back before we are gone I will kill you both. You don’t matter. You are nothing but a means to an end. If I have to kill you, we’ll just find another means to that end. Are you going to cooperate?”

“Yes.” Savannah wanted to fight, struggle, do anything she could to get away from this man. The idea of going with him willingly made her feel sick. But if there was even the slightest chance he meant what he said, she couldn’t take the risk Lee might be injured or worse, killed. As she stood, she watched him warily. “I’m just a nobody. What do you want with me?”

“Cara Dalton isn’t a nobody. And I guess the boss figures your boyfriend might be willing to help us find his ex-wife in exchange for the safe return of his newest piece of ass.” The man shrugged indifferently, as if to say the reasons made no difference to him. He was just the muscle.

In the hallway, Savannah paused and turned back to the door to lock it. But she didn’t have her keys and she didn’t figure it mattered much anyway. Her heart ached when she thought about Lee returning and finding her door unlocked and her gone. What would he think? What would he do?

Savannah thought again about stalling, hoping to give Lee time to get back. She looked up at the man standing next to her and shivered. He was a big guy, easily over six feet tall and broad. But he was also older, she guessed in his late forties, and didn’t appear to be in very good shape. She was certain in a fistfight Lee could take him, if it weren’t for that damn gun. No, there was no use stalling if it would only get Lee shot.

As if he’d read her mind, the man raised his hand to his side, touching the gun through the cheap fabric of his jacket. “Come on, little girl. No dawdling.”

With a big gulping breath for courage Savannah took the first step toward the front door.

Rounding the corner of Savannah’s block, a cup of coffee in each hand, Lee noticed a dark blue Cadillac Escalade parked at the curb in front of her building. Probably someone waiting for one of her neighbors. It was Sunday morning, maybe someone picking up a family member or friend for church or brunch.

As Lee drew closer, the driver got out of the SUV and their eyes met for a brief moment before the driver slammed the car door and turned away to casually lean against the front quarter panel of the Cadillac, still on the street side. Something struck Lee as odd about the driver. He didn’t know what it was, he couldn’t explain why, but when the man looked at him he’d gotten a queer feeling in his gut, and he reflexively quickened his step.

Lee was taking the third step of Savannah’s porch when he heard the front door open. He glanced up with a friendly smile, expecting to see one of Savannah’s neighbors. Instead, his eyes met Savannah’s as she stepped out on the porch. Making eye contact with her, he registered the sheer terror written across her pale face before also noticing the man crowding through the door behind her.

Lee and the man behind Savannah noticed one another at about the same time and the man cursed under his breath. He planted his hands firmly in Savannah’s back and shoved her down the steps toward Lee. He had only a second to brace himself before Savannah crashed into his chest, hot coffee splashing all over them both as he dropped the cups. In his peripheral vision, Lee could see the man reaching into his coat, probably for a gun. Although he couldn’t see the Escalade and its driver at the curb behind him, he was certain this was who the driver had been waiting on. He had to get Savannah away from here.

Dropping his hands to her waist, Lee pushed her hard toward the railing, grunting with his effort. He watched for only a second, just long enough to see Savannah tumble over the railing and fall with a thud on the ground below. It was a short fall, only four or five feet, and he hoped like hell he hadn’t hurt her. Still, a broken ankle or arm would be several orders of magnitude better than getting shot or kidnapped.

Lee shouted at her, telling her to run, as he swung back to the man at the top of the stairs. He was right, the man had a gun and it was now squarely aimed at Lee’s chest.

Lee could hear Savannah scrambling to her feet, cussing and crying like a frightened animal, but he didn’t dare look at her. Their attacker heard her, too, and he did look in her direction. He was only distracted for a second but Lee took his chance and lunged forward, up the remaining two steps, elbowing the man’s gun arm wide as he grabbed his jacket with both hands, pulling the man toward him.

Stumbling together they fell backward, their combined weight propelling them both down the stairs, until Lee came up against the railing on the other side of the steps. He struggled to keep his balance, not letting their momentum push him over.

Their attacker shot wide as he tried to regain his footing and Lee threw himself forward, landing a solid punch to the man’s chin. It was enough to knock him further off balance and the man groaned as his arms pin wheeled. But it wasn’t enough and the man’s body twisted as he careened backward down the remaining steps.

Lee heard Savannah screaming his name and he looked up, over their attacker’s shoulder, in time to see the driver of the Escalade extending his arms over the hood of the car, bracing himself, as he aimed his gun at Lee. Before Lee could react, the gun fired and he watched as blood erupted from his attacker’s throat. Lee looked down with a startled grunt when he felt the sharp bite of a bullet in his right shoulder, the impact knocking him off his feet. He had just enough time to be surprised the bullet had passed through his attacker with enough force to bury itself in his own shoulder before he cracked his head on the top step and lost consciousness.

“Savannah?” Slowly coming awake, Lee murmured her name. He needed to see her face and hear her voice. He needed to know she was okay. His mouth and throat were dry, he’d never been so thirsty in his life, and his voice scratched as he said her name again. “Savannah?”

“Shh, Lee, go back to sleep, honey.”

It was a woman’s voice, but not Savannah. He fought through the fog in his brain, trying to place the familiar sound. Finally it came to him. Ginny. His head throbbed as he opened his eyes to find her sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand rubbing his left forearm. Turning toward her, he moaned, pain exploding in his head, and he noticed Mike sitting in a chair nearby. He blinked twice, trying to focus, as he scanned the room. He was in a hospital, obviously, and looking at the window he was surprised to see it was dark outside.

“Savannah. Where’s Savannah?”

Ginny offered him a tender smile. “She just went down to the cafeteria with Joni to get a bite to eat. She’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Lee grunted and scowled but didn’t speak. He wanted her here and was pissed she wasn’t, but more than anything, he was relieved to hear she was okay. Still, he needed to see her for himself to be sure.

Mike must have read his thoughts. “Don’t be such a selfish prick. She paced and cried, inconsolable, while you were in surgery. She sat by your bed all damn day. It’s after midnight, you know. We couldn’t get her to eat or sleep. She refused to leave you. I called Joni in desperation, figuring if anyone could convince her to at least eat a little something it would be her.”

Lee closed his eyes again, trying not to laugh for fear of the pain, which would surely come with it. “I’ve been shot, Hoss. I think that entitles me to act like a selfish prick for a little while, at least.” When he heard Mike snort he paused before adding, “So, she’s okay?”

Mike nodded. “She’s fine. A little bruised and sore from her tumble when you chucked her over the railing, but nothing requiring medical attention. How much do you remember?”

Lee narrowed his eyes, concentrating. “Most of it, I think. Well, right up until I hit my head anyway.”

“Yeah, you have a concussion.” Mike yawned sleepily. “The driver got away and the other guy died. The fact that his partner unintentionally hit him first probably saved your life or at least your arm.”

“Are you sure? Because I feel like I’m dying.”

Mike laughed. “You’re going to be fine. They took you straight into surgery and were able to patch you right up.”

Lee turned to Ginny. “What does a guy have to do to get a drink around here?”

“Sorry, just ice chips for now.” She reached over and picked up a Styrofoam cup, pulling out an ice cube and holding it to his lips.

Sucking the ice into his mouth, Lee frowned. He was so thirsty he was convinced he could drink a gallon of water so the damn ice chip was just frustrating. Crushing it between his teeth, he looked up at Ginny, giving her his most charming smile, or the best approximation of it he could manage with his raging headache.

“You still mad at me, Gin?”

“It’s hard to be mad at you when you’re all helpless and bleeding all over the place. Ask me again in a few days when you’re feeling better.” She smiled at him, a teasing glint in her eyes. But as they looked at each other her expression softened and she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his forehead. “It’s my turn to repay a favor you did for me a very long time ago. You need anything, anything at all, you let me know. And please don’t be difficult about this. Let me do whatever I can to help you.”

“Gin.” Lee’s voice was ragged as he lay looking up at her. They hadn’t talked about that night in years, not even in a vague sort of way like she’d referenced it just now. “You’ve never owed me a damn thing.”

Ginny laughed and shook her head, looking at him like he was an idiot. She was always good at giving him that look. “You’re a stupid fool, Lee. I don’t think you even understand how much it all meant to me. And then, on top of all that, you introduced me to the love of my life and broke his nose when he forgot my birthday. If nothing else, I owe you for that. The stupid man has been very careful to make sure he never forgot an important date again.”

“Notice how we’re both stupid and she’s the poor long suffering martyr who has to put up with us.” Mike stood next to Ginny, his hand on her back. She seemed relaxed and at ease but they knew how much it cost her to remember that night.

“All right, fine. You owe me. So go find Savannah and bring her back here, right this damn minute, because she’s all I want.”