Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Saving Sarah (Kindle Worlds Novella) (New Orleans Connection Series Book 7) (11 page)

Restraint and finesse went out the window when she screamed his name, as one finger sank deep within her.  He loved the little gasp that caught in the back of her throat when he pulled it out and added a second, but it wasn't enough. 

In a rush, he helped her stand, and then peeled his jeans and boxers off, tossing them aside, where they landed in a heap, not far from her T-shirt.  He stripped her panties off, and laid her on the sofa. 

She was gorgeous.  Long dark hair spilled across her shoulders, framing breasts he could make love to for hours.  A tapered waist leading to luscious hips, with enough padding he could hold onto. 

He reached between her thighs, spreading them wide, and ran a finger through her wet folds, rubbing along the side of her clit.  Hips arched upward, and she squirmed against his touch, wanting more.  Needing him. 

He eased atop her, drawing her head up, caught her lips in an all-consuming kiss.  A hand tweaked at her nipples, and he lowered himself, urging one leg around his waist.  She wrapped both around his waist loosely, and he positioned himself at the entrance of her sex.  He hesitated for a brief second, staring into her eyes before sliding forward, barely entering her before stopping.  It was killing him, but he'd take it slow—oh yeah, slow and easy.  He wasn't a ravening beast; he was a man with control and he knew once he made love to Sarah, it would be a life-changing moment.

He'd be claiming her, body and soul.  What had started out as a flirtation, a little harmless petting, morphed into a moment he'd remember for the rest of his life. 

He pressed forward, sliding deeper.  Her muscles gripped him, forcing him to go slow, moving forward inch by agonizing inch, because it felt too good.  She was perfect.  Being with her, inside her, was perfect. 

It seemed like a pleasurable eternity before he was fully sheathed, and she quivered beneath him, around him.  Hands grasped his ass when he started to pull out, and he rotated his hips, driving deeper into her. 

Her grip changed, grabbing at his shoulders and she moaned, the sound sending shivers along his spine.  It felt good.  He could feel how much she wanted him with every movement, every touch of her hands.  She needed him—and he'd fulfill that need with everything he had to give. 

Despite his raging desire, he moved slowly, fighting the urge to thrust hard and fast, instead calling on every ounce of restraint he possessed.  His body glistened with sweat as he swept forward again, burying himself deep within her warmth. 

He reached between them, and he felt her muscles squeezing him in a vice grip.  She was close, he could tell from her breathing, panting cries escaping her.  Just a little more and she'd fly apart in his arms. 

His hand slid between their bodies, and he found her clit, stroking and teasing the swollen nubbin.  On the third stroke, she cried out, her climax pulsing around him, her muscles gripping him like an iron fist as she soared. 

He watched her face as she rode out her orgasm.  As her breathing slowed, and the convulsing flesh holding him began easing, he pulled almost all the way out of her body, before plunging back again.  Over and over he stroked, deeper until he tumbled into his own release, and felt a second spasm that had her falling into another climax.  He yelled her name as he fell into the pleasure, catching her lips in a mind-numbing kiss. 

He held his weight off her, and with one hand smoothed the tangles of hair off her sweat-streaked face.  Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against hers, drawing in deep breaths.  Intense didn't describe what their lovemaking had been.  Mind-blowing.  World-changing. 

Pulling free, he had the passing thought that he hadn't used a condom, too caught up in the moment to think straight.  He'd worry about that tomorrow, make sure she knew too.  Lifting her in his arms, he carried her to the bed, tucking her beneath the sheets, and climbed in beside her. 

His last thought before drifting to sleep was that after tonight, he'd never be the same. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"Your boy, Danny, has a sealed record." 

"Unseal it."  Ranger ran a towel over his chest, before using it to wipe the moisture off the mirror.  Squinting at his image, the first thing he saw—just like every time he looked—was the scar curving down the side of his cheek.  It stood out in stark relief against his deeply tanned skin. 

"It's not that easy.  I don't have any solid evidence against him, and the district attorney can't get the records open without something other than me asking him to.  He needs evidence—which we ain't got." 

"So, we go through other channels."  Like Tex.  He was waiting for the man to call him back, but it had only been a couple of hours.  But he'd damn sure call Tex as soon as he got off the phone with Remy and let him know about the sealed records.

"You do what you've gotta do, my man, but don't tell me about it.  I'd hate to have to toss your butt in a cell.  At least until after we find Anna." 

"Can you tell me if the records were juvenile or as an adult?  Give me something to work with." 

Remy sighed.  "You didn't hear it from me, but he's got both, juvie and adult.  The adult stuff isn't sealed, though some of it was expunged.  Nothing ever really goes away though, because folks around the courthouse have long memories, and tongues can be loosened with a little subtle persuasion—and my Jinx's pralines as an incentive." 

"Tell your fiancée thanks for me.  And to save me some the next time she makes a batch.  I've almost forgotten how good they taste." 

"Looks like you might have found your own girl.  How's Sarah holding up, now that we've got a lead?" 

"About as well as you'd expect.  I practically had to hogtie her to keep her from tracking down Danny this morning.  I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to keep her from going off half-cocked.  She's getting desperate, and desperation makes people do crazy stuff." 

"Well, keep a lid on her.  I've got a couple of off- duties watching the bartender's place.  They owed me a favor, so they'll keep things strictly on the QT."

And just like that, Ranger remembered why he and Remy had been friends for so long.  The other man might have a wicked sense of humor, and give as good as he got, but when the chips were down and you needed help, he had your back.  No questions asked—he was simply there. 

"Thanks, bro." 

"No problem.  You call me the second you hear something from your friend."  He heard the subtle emphasis on the last word, and knew he meant Tex.  Remy might be a straight shooter, but he wasn't above bending a rule or two, if it meant protecting the innocent, or rescuing someone in need—like Anna. 

"You'll be my first call." 

"I'd better be.  Don't do anything stupid."  With that, he hung up.  Before he could set the phone down on the counter, it rang. 

"Tex?  I was just fixin' to call you.  Found out that Danny has a sealed record.  My police friend said the D.A. won't open it." 

"Not surprised.  But I already found that record.  Gotta tell you, it's not pretty.  This Danny character is one twisted freak."

"Aw, damn."  Ranger looked up to make sure the bathroom door was shut.  This was a conversation he didn't want Sarah overhearing.  The last thing he needed was to chase after her, because she'd damn well head like a speeding bullet straight to Danny and maybe get herself hurt—or worse—in the process. 

"Took a peek at his juvie record.  He beat his girlfriend and put her in the hospital when he was sixteen.  Family wanted to press charges, but it looks like money changed hands.  Hospital bills got paid.  Danny received probation and community service, and once he did his time, the record was sealed.  The girl's family eventually moved away and relocated in the northeast.  It doesn't stop there."

He pinched the bridge of his nose.  Of course it didn't stop there.  That would be too easy. 

"What else?" 

"At seventeen, another girl accused him of kidnapping and rape."

"How the hell is he not in jail?"

"Same deal.  Family backed off.  Girl withdrew her allegations, said it was all a misunderstanding, that she was just getting back at him by accusing him of rape.  Without a witness and no evidence, cops had to let him go.  You need to know, his daddy's got some deep pockets, and isn't above throwing money at a problem to make it go away." 

"Who's his father?"  He leaned back against the wall, bracing one arm against its damp surface.  If this bastard had Sarah's sister, things were much worse than he'd anticipated.  And things were pretty damned bad already. 

"Stavros Aristides.  Ever heard of him?" 

"Yes.  The guy is bad news in New Orleans.  Allegedly runs everything from bookmaking to prostitution.  Has a whole crew of leg-breakers that do the dirty work.  The local cops have been trying to put him away for years, but he's slick.  Charges don't stick, and he's got an army of high-priced lawyers on retainer.  Danny's got a different last name, wonder what's up with that?" 

He could hear keys clicking, and knew Tex was working his magic on the computer.  "Near as I can figure, Aristides never married the mother, though he financially supported both the mother and son.  Acknowledges the kid as his son.  I guess the rotten apple didn't fall far from the tree." 

"So, Aristides bails his son out of trouble, and Danny thinks he's untouchable.  Probably makes him think he can get away with snatching up a pretty girl like Anna.  Even if he had a bad reputation in town, she wasn't local, so she'd be ripe pickings for the S.O.B." 

"I hate to be the bearer of even worse news, but your boy also has an extensive psychiatric record.  Hospitalized half a dozen times.  I only skimmed the surface, but it looks like he's got some serious psychological problems." 

"Hell, this just keeps getting better and better.  Okay, thanks.  Appreciate the info.  Now I have to figure out how to break it to Sarah that her sister really is in the hands of a monster." 

"Good luck.  I'll keep digging, see if I can come up with a location where he might have her stashed."

Tex's words caused him to think about the dream.  "Look for someplace fancy.  Elegant.  High up, like a penthouse apartment or condo." 

"Will do.  Call you later." 

He slid his finger across the screen and ended the call.  The best course of action was to call Remy and let him know about the Aristides connection, but he'd probably already made the same connection when checking Danny out. 

Stavros Aristides had two things going for him.  He was rich and he was powerful.  Made it easy to get away with stuff other people went to jail for.  If Aristides knew about his son having Anna, he wouldn't be the type to sit back and do nothing.  No, he was the kind of man who'd make the problem, meaning Anna, go away. 

They needed to look at the father instead of the son, because he had the brains and the financial wherewithal to make his son's problems disappear.  If Anna became a problem, chances were good Aristides would make her disappear—permanently. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"He's disappeared." 

Those were the first words out of Remy's mouth when Ranger opened his front door.  He strode past him, heading straight for the kitchen. 

"Who's disappeared?"

"Danny Cooper.  My guy tailed him from his apartment through a bunch of shortcuts downtown, but lost him.  Cooper's cell's been turned off or destroyed, because it's not pinging any cell towers, and he didn't show up for work."

Sarah had followed Remy into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and pulled out two beers and a soda, handing the beers to them.  "He can't just vanish into thin air." 

"I've got cops looking all over the city for him, and nobody's seen hide nor hair of him.  I think he knows we're on to him." 

Ranger cut his eyes at Remy before he set his beer on the counter and slid his arms around Sarah, pulling her against him.  "I hate to say it, but if he got spooked, his father might've whisked him out of the country to protect him." 

He felt her involuntary tremor.  Wished he could make all the pain go away.  Be the hero she deserved, but he was nobody's hero.  Could chalk this up to another failure in a long list of them. 

"What about Anna?" 

"Tex is looking into Aristides' holdings.  Seeing if he can find anything to match what I saw."  While he spoke, he looked over Sarah's shoulder at Remy, watched his eyes widen.  He was one of the few people who knew about his gift—or curse. 

"Dream?"  Remy mouthed the word, and he nodded.  "Damn." 

"So we can waste time beating the bushes, or wait until…"

Remy cut him off.  "Aristides has a penthouse downtown.  Swanky place.  Three floors of decadence, though you ask me it looked tacky as hell.  Served a search warrant there once.  Can you describe what you saw—in the dream?"  Remy's words were a command, his whole bearing at attention. 

Ranger exchanged a knowing glance with him.  "Rich, classy.  White interior doors.  Thick blue carpeting.  Fancy striped wallpaper.  A huge wall of windows, tinted I think."

"Was it a bedroom, with an ornate scrolled headboard?  Separate bathroom on the right, walk-in closet on the left?" Before he'd finished speaking, Remy stood from his barstool, never breaking eye contact.  

At Ranger's nod, Remy smiled.  The sight of it chilled him to his bones.  "I know exactly where that is, my man."

Sarah's body slumped against him.  "Really?"  She spun around in his arms.  "Do you think Danny's father has Anna?" 

"Only one way to find out." 

Remy raised a hand.  "I can't get a search warrant.  There's no evidence Aristides is involved." 

"Don't care.  You can tag along and arrest me, right after we get Anna back." 

Remy grinned.  "Now that, my brother, sounds like a plan." 

'Let's go."   She tried to step out of his embrace, and he pulled her back against him.

"Whoa, hold your horses.  We can't go in there without a plan.  A man like Aristides is going to have people around.  Bodyguards, security." 

"But…"

"No buts, sweetheart.  We'll only have one shot, and we can't afford to screw it up."

A knock on the door startled him.  He glanced at Remy, who shrugged.  "Stay here," he ordered Sarah, who rolled her eyes and made a shooing motion, and he grinned as he opened the door.

"Wolf!"  He'd never been so happy to see anybody.  "Everything handled?" 

"Yes.  The rest of the team's headed back to San Diego to debrief, and I flew straight here."  He walked into the apartment when he spotted Sarah, and she raced across the space separating them, flinging herself into his arms.  "Hey, little one.  You holding up okay?" 

"I'm so glad you're here." 

Ranger felt a stab of jealousy at the easy way Sarah had flung herself into the other man's arms.  Though he knew there wasn't anything going on between them—Wolf assured him of that right at the beginning—it ate at his gut to see the woman he loved in the arms of another man.

The woman I love?
  The feeling had snuck up on him.  He'd felt possessive from the start, knowing that she was meant to be his—but love?  That elusive emotion that he'd unconsciously been searching for all his life—and finally found with her.  And it felt right.  Like the other half of him had clicked into place, and he'd never be alone again.

"How'd you know where to find me?"

"Tex gave me your address.  Any news on Anna?"  Wolf stared across the room at Remy, and Ranger quickly made introductions and brought him up to speed.

"So what's the plan, go in with guns blazing?"  He chuckled at his pun, because he knew about Ranger's handle with the SEALs and the whole Lone Ranger connection behind it. 

"I can't go in officially," Remy told Wolf.  "As I told Ranger, I can't get a warrant; there's nothing concrete to back it up.  Aristides' lawyers would have it quashed before we breeched the foyer." 

"Is there any way to get a look into this Aristides place, see if she's actually there?" 

"It's the penthouse suite, he owns the upper three levels, and the windows are all tinted."  Remy answered. 

"What about the roof?" 

All three men turned toward Sarah when she asked the question. 

"What?  If he has the penthouse, maybe we could somehow get to the roof and see if we could make our way down without going through the front door."  She squinted at him.  "Don't give me that look.  I don't give a damn if it's against the law, I'm willing to let Remy throw the book at me, hell, he can toss me into the darkest jail cell he's got, as long as we get Anna out of the hands of that monster." 

"You know, she's got a good idea."  Wolf grinned at her, and again, Ranger felt jealousy's sting, but fought past it.  There were more important things to deal with right now.

"I've got an idea.  Hang on."  Ranger pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Carlisle?  Got an emergency situation here, and need your help.  Can you get me blueprints for this address?"  He looked toward Remy, who quickly supplied it.  "Plus see if there's any kind of rooftop access.  Get back to me ASAP.  Yeah, it's about the case you're working on with Tex." 

He turned back to the others.  "Carlisle will have the info to me in about five minutes." 

"Sounds like he's almost as good as Tex."  Ranger smiled, remembering Tex's comments about Carlisle and his abilities. 

"Okay.  As soon as we have the blueprints, we'll…

He stopped talking when Remy's phone beeped, concerned at the look on Remy's face as he read the text. 

"What?"

"Danny Cooper was just spotted going into the building where his father lives." 

Sarah spun around and grabbed his arm.  "Ranger, we have to get her out of there.  Time's up—I can feel it.  We can't wait." 

"Dammit!"  Over the top of Sarah's head, he looked at Remy.  "We can't wait, we've gotta go now."

"So, what are we waiting for," he shot back.

"Remy, you can't be there—you'll lose your job." 

"If they fire me over helping rescue a woman being held against her will, I can always find another job.  Hell, Carpenter's been after me to join his company anyway." 

"Carpenter?  Do you mean Samuel Carpenter?"  Wolf looked at Remy with renewed interest. 

"Yes.  He owns Carpenter Security Services." 

Wolf chuckled.  "I've met him.  He assisted on one of our missions.  He's a good man." 

Sarah stepped forward and hugged Remy.  "Thank you." 

"Darlin', you don't have to thank me.  Let's go get your sister." 

Heading downstairs, they all piled into Ranger's Jeep, and headed for Aristides' penthouse.  He sped through two red lights, not slowing down.  He knew Sarah was right, Anna didn't have much time, and they needed to get there ASAP. 

"As soon as we hit Aristides' building, I'll call the station and have some black-and-whites routed to the scene.  Tell 'em I got a reliable tip about a kidnapping.  That'll buy you guys a few minutes to get upstairs and save Anna." 

Ranger screeched to a stop across the street from the building.  It looked tall and majestic against the skyline, all sleek glass and screaming wealth and prosperity.  Not the kind of place you'd expect a known criminal to use as his home base. 

Located in one of the up-and-coming sections of downtown, it was the perfect location for somebody like Aristides to broadcast his legitimacy while being close enough to the seedier element to ply his trade. 

Wolf, Ranger, and Sarah sped through the revolving glass front doors, past the front desk.  A security guard chased behind them, yelling for them to stop, but Ranger wasn't about to get caught.  Instead, Wolf peeled off, blocking the guard's pursuit, leaving him free to get upstairs.

There wasn't any way to get past the front door.  Carlisle had texted him the blueprints, but they were useless now.  A frontal assault would have to do. 

The elevator didn't go to the penthouse, so they went as far as they could, and took the stairs the rest of the way.  He stopped right by the exit door, and stared at the woman by his side.  She was winded from the long sprint up the stairs, but hell, so was he. 

"I don't suppose I can talk you into waiting here?"

The look she shot him spoke louder than any words.  She would not be left behind. 

"Okay.  Whoever opens the front door, I'm going to shove out of the way.  There might be punches thrown, so be prepared.  Don't stop—once you're inside, look for Anna.  Got it?" 

"I understand."  She reached up and cupped his face in both hands, surprising him by pressing a kiss against his lips.  Finally breaking the kiss, she pulled back.  "Don't get killed.  I've got plans for you later."

"I look forward to it, sweetheart.  Let's go." 

Exiting the stairwell, he surveyed the hallway.  Empty.  Maybe Wolf managed to keep security from notifying Aristides or Danny they were coming.  The element of surprise on their side would definitely help get them in the door. 

He raised a fist and pounded on the front door to the penthouse.  It wasn't long before it swung inward, and he followed its momentum, not giving the person time to react.  He barreled forward, shoving past the startled butler, Sarah on his heels.  The sprawling view of the open living space showed no one. 

"Sir, you can't…"

"Where's Aristides or Danny Cooper?"   He barked out the question over his shoulder, sprinting toward the staircase on the right side of the enormous complex.  It was in character with the rest of the place, ostentatious and over-the-top gaudy.  He sprinted for the stairs, as if drawn by some invisible cord. 

"Sir, madam, you cannot go up there."

"Try and stop me," Sarah yelled. 

"But, but…"

"You want me out—call the cops." 

Good thinking, princess
. 

At the top of the stairs was a long corridor lined with hardwoods, a deep rich brown, which unfortunately did nothing to muffle his steps.  Not that he cared.  The butler was probably contacting Aristides right then. 

"Anna!"  Sarah screamed her sister's name.  Ranger barely registered it, because at the end of the hallway was
the door
.  The one from his dream.   A perfect match.  The only difference was the lack of darkness.  In his dream everything had been pitch black, except the door. 

He had to get it open, because Anna was behind it.  The compulsion to keep going forward was one he didn't fight.  His hand almost shook when he wrapped it around the knob.  Taking a deep breath, he turned it.

Locked. 

He stepped back and kicked out with his right leg, his booted foot landing heavily against the wood.  It barely made a scratch.  He did it again.  And again. 

"We've gotta find a way to get this open.  Look around and see if you can find something to pry the hinges off." 

Sarah frantically began pawing through drawers of a console table against the wall, searching frantically, yet coming up emptyhanded. 

"There's nothing!" 

He slammed his other foot against the door.  "Go downstairs and get a knife or a screwdriver, something I can use on those hinges.  This door isn't budging."  A squeaking groan came from the wood, but it still didn't open. 

"I'm not leaving you!" 

Taking a deep breath, he reared back and hit the door with as much force as he could, and stumbled when it swung open under his assault.  Expensive, thick carpet spread throughout the room.  Blue.  Exactly like he'd seen.  But there was no sign of Anna. 

Without another thought, he raced toward the bathroom.  He stopped at the closed door, and turned the knob slowly, easing it open.  The sight that met his gaze brought tears to his eyes.

It was exactly like his dream.  Every sight, every sound, every detail.  Anna lay huddled against the vanity, her head resting against the rim of the tub.  The blood on the floor coated it in the exact pattern he remembered. 

"Anna."  He whispered her name softly, watching her shoulders rise and fall at his single word.  Watched her turn her face toward him, knowing what to expect, yet still shocked to his core.  Somehow in the dream world, it didn't seem so brutal.  This?  There weren't enough words to describe the pain she must have endured—still endured—at the hands of a monster.