Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Saving Sarah (Kindle Worlds Novella) (New Orleans Connection Series Book 7) (12 page)

He knelt by her side, Sarah softly sobbing behind him.  Though he'd told her about the dream, he'd tried to spare her the worst of it.  Had that been a mistake? 

"I knew you'd come."  Anna's fingertips skimmed across his cheek, and he fought not to wince at the fingers he knew must be broken.  "My warrior." 

"We're gonna take you home, sugar."

"Anna…" 

"Sarah, is that you?"  Anna struggled to look past him, finally giving up and leaning against the vanity, her frail body covered with bruises.  He'd never wanted to kill somebody as much as he did Danny Cooper, for laying a finger on her. 

"Come on, sugar.  Let's get you out of here." 

"'Kay."

Trying to be gentle, he slid his arms beneath her, lifting her until she rested against his chest, and stood.  She curled against him, her face filled with trust before she laid her head against his shoulder. 

"I knew you'd come.  I dreamed about you." 

"I dreamed about you too, sugar.  But don't try to talk now.  We've got to get out of here, so you can go home."

"Home."  The word came out as a long, drawn-out sigh.  When he looked at Sarah, he saw tears streaking down her cheeks, her fist pressed against her mouth to hold back a sob. 

"He's coming." 

"The monster?" 

Anna raised her head off his chest, trying to focus her gaze on his face.  "That's what I call him—because I can see the monster hiding behind his eyes." 

He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs at the injustice of what she'd endured.  Instead, he brushed a kiss against the top of her head, probably the only place she wasn't battered or bruised.

"He won't ever hurt you again.  I promise." 

They'd made it as far as the big imposing bed when he froze.  Apparently, enough time had passed while they'd been in the bathroom with Anna, the sky had begun darkening outside, beyond the tinted windows.  It was nearly dusk, and soon all the light would leach from the room, throwing them into darkness.  Exactly like in his dream. 

He took another step forward, and felt Anna's body begin shaking uncontrollably.  He didn't need to look toward the doorway, because he knew what he'd see there—or who. 

"The monster is here." 

He didn't hesitate.  "Get the hell out of my way, Cooper." 

"You can't have her.  She's mine!"  Danny's voice didn't sound right, so deep as to be almost unintelligible.  But Ranger recognized the glint in his eyes.  He'd seen it before, that fanatical zealous drive which overtook all reason, throwing him into madness. 

Turning his back on Danny, he stepped up to the bed and placed Anna gently onto the duvet.  He needed both hands free to deal with the monster. 

"You've hurt her for the last time, you sick son of a bitch." 

"Anna is mine!"  The words were roared, and Anna whimpered behind him, curling up in a protective ball.  "She's going to marry me—you can't have her!"

Ranger braced his feet, never taking his eyes off the other man.  He only had two choices—wait for Danny to make the first move and attack, or go on the offensive and take him down.

He never expected there to be a third option. 

Sarah. 

Almost faster than he could blink, she'd grabbed a lamp from the bedside table, yanked the plug out of the wall and raced toward Danny, yielding it like a baseball bat. 

"Sarah, no!" 

A ferocious yell escaped Danny when the lamp's base made contact with his shoulder, before he batted it away and grabbed her arm.

"Bitch.  What the hell did you do that for?" 

"Anna's my sister!  Look what you've done to her."  Sarah struggled against Danny's hold, but couldn't break free, and Ranger's gut tightened in dread.  One wrong move and he'd snap her neck like a twig.  He couldn't help wondering if the other man had some kind of steroid-induced rage, because the kind of muscles he sported didn't come from just working out.  Couple that with his psychiatric problems, and he was a ticking time bomb. 

"Let her go, Danny." 

He could feel his own rage rising, because the other man dared lay a hand on his woman. 

Keep it together, you can't afford to give in to the rage—not while he's got his hands on Sarah.  She needs you—don't let her down.

"Cooper, there are cops everywhere downstairs.  They'll be up here any minute.  Let's make things easier for everybody and let the women go." 

Ranger held both hands in front of him, palms facing outward to show Danny he was unarmed.  Not that he needed a weapon.  He'd been trained to disable or kill with his bare hands if he needed to.  He drew in a steadying breath, battling back the rage eating away at his control, urging him to give in and attack.  But he couldn't risk hurting Sarah, and the way Danny had her trapped against him, if he attacked she'd definitely be injured—or worse.  It wasn't a risk he was willing to take.

"Danny, if you let Sarah go, you can walk away.  I won't come after you.  It's your only chance." 

"I'm not going anywhere without Anna.  She's going to marry me.  She loves me." 

Sarah struggled, trying to break free of Danny's hold, and Ranger silently pleaded with her to stop struggling, it was just making him madder.  They needed him calm.  Needed to deescalate the situation.  Needed to keep the women safe at all cost. 

"I'm sure she does, Danny.  And I love the woman you're holding.  She means everything to me, and I can't let you hurt her."  Danny's grip on Sarah's arm was already leaving bruises, and he battled down the killer who wanted to spring across the few feet separating them and tear his throat out. 

Sarah gasped.  "You love me?" 

Ranger chuckled.  "Yeah, sweetheart, I love you.  I hadn't planned on telling you like this, but…"

"I love you too." 

For a moment his heart stopped, before it trip-hammered in his chest, adrenaline screaming through his veins, and he suddenly felt ten feet tall.  Sarah loved him! 

This standoff had to end—now.  He wanted Sarah in
his
arms, where she belonged.  And they needed to get Anna to a hospital, to get her the help, physically and emotionally, that she desperately needed. 

Where are the cops?  They should've been here by now. 

"Enough!"  Danny took another step into the room, dragging Sarah with him.  "I will snap her neck if you don't get out of my way.  Anna is mine!  You can't have her—I'll kill you!" 

He knew time had run out and he couldn't stall any longer.  Before he could take a single step, Danny's hand wrapped around Sarah's throat, lifting her with one hand until her toes barely touched the ground.  Her hands clawed at him as she choked, and Ranger could only watch, helpless as Danny pulled her in front of him as a human shield.

"Get out."  A trickle of spittle flew from his lips as Danny yelled. 

"I can't."  Ranger answered, a sense of calm flooding him, even though he'd never felt more helpless in his entire life.  All that stood between Danny getting to Anna was him.  She couldn't take any further damage from the bigger man.  But he couldn't allow Sarah to get hurt either.  He was caught between a rock and a hard place—and where the hell were the cops? 

"Get away from Anna or I'll kill her," Danny screamed, shaking Sarah hard enough her feet left the floor, a gurgling sound coming from her throat when her air was cut off. 

"Okay, Danny.  Look, I'm moving away from Anna."  He took a couple of steps to the side, leaving a clear path to the bed, where Anna lay curled in a fetal position. 

She raised her head slightly off the mattress, her eyes glued to Danny's hulking form approaching her.  "Danny, it's okay.  We can go away, just you and me.  But you've gotta let Sarah go.  She's my sister.  Please, Danny, you can't hurt my sister.  She loves me—just like you do." 

Ranger watched her scoot to the edge of the bed, saw the pained expression cross her face that she tried to hide.  It was obvious she could barely move, yet she was risking herself to save her sister. 

One more step.  A little closer and I've got you. 

A slight movement in his peripheral vision had him glancing toward the doorway, and he spotted Remy leaning around the doorjamb, his gun clasped steady in his hand.  He gave an almost imperceptible nod, letting him know that he'd spotted him. 

Sarah stood still, though her hands still clawed at Danny's unbreakable hold.  Her face was a mottled red, and Ranger wanted nothing more than to kill the son of a bitch. Danny was almost even with him, and he watched him take another step toward Anna, who'd now struggled to sit on the edge of the bed.  The duvet cover was now spotted with blood. 

"Danny, come on, baby, let Sarah go.  You and me—we can leave.  Just like we planned.  We'll go to Atlantic City and get married.  Then nobody can take me away from you.  But you need to let Sarah go with her friend." 

"I can't.  They won't leave us alone."

"They will, Danny.  Sarah, promise Danny that you'll let us go away.  Let us get married and be happy."  Ranger heard the desperation coloring Anna's words, knew she was trying to convince Sarah to play along. 

Sarah nodded her head, though it barely moved with Danny's hand still wrapped tight around her throat.  Danny's grip loosened and she pulled free, coughing and choking for breath. 

The instant she was free, a shot rang out, and Danny staggered forward, landing on his knees.  Ignoring him, he raced toward Sarah, grabbing her into his arms.

"Baby, are you okay?" 

She nodded, with her hand rubbing her throat.  "Help Anna."  Her words came out barely above a whisper. 

Remy stalked past him, standing over Danny, who lay face down on the blue carpet, a dark stain spreading beneath him.  He didn't move, and at Remy's deep sigh, Ranger knew he was dead. 

"Hey, darlin', you doing okay?"  Remy knelt on one knee beside Anna, now that the threat had been neutralized.  "My name is Remy, and I'm a police officer.  We're gonna get you to the hospital now." 

Anna nodded.  "Make Sarah come too.  She's hurt." 

"Don't worry, she's going too." 

He couldn't seem to let Sarah go, murmuring assurances and sweet words in her ear, all the way to the hospital.  Refused to wait outside while the doctors examined her.  He'd be damned if he let her out of his sight for the next fifty years, if he had his way. 

It was over.  The monster was dead.  He couldn't hurt anybody ever again. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"Go home.  Be with your wife."  Ranger passed a bottle of water to Wolf, and twisted the cap off his.  "Caroline's got to be going crazy, you've been gone so long."

"She's a SEAL's wife.  It comes with the territory.  Besides, I talk to her a couple of times a day." 

"Everything's going to be fine.  The doctors say Anna will make a full recovery."  At least physically, but who knew how the emotional trauma would scar her?  Although they'd gotten there in time to save her life, when the hospital did the rape kit, it proved they'd been too late to save her from that horror. 

They were keeping her in the hospital for a couple more days, monitoring her.  They'd reset the broken fingers, and done scans to make sure she didn't have a concussion or any kind of severe head injury.  The bruises were beginning to fade. 

"Her parents haven't left her bedside since they got here."  Wolfe took a drink, twisting the lid back on.  "I've seen some pretty effed up stuff, but what he did to her…" 

"At least he'll never do it to any other woman."

"Remy deserves a medal for taking that shot."  Ranger knew he'd been put on administrative leave, pending an internal investigation.  Remy claimed it was all routine, standard procedure for an officer-related incident.  He'd be more than willing to testify that it was a righteous shot if the need arose.  Wolf would too. 

"What about Sarah?"  Wolf asked the question nonchalantly, though he knew there was nothing casual about the man's interest. 

"We haven't had a chance to talk much.  She's been in Anna's hospital room ever since she was admitted." 

"Let me be clearer.  What are your intentions?  Anybody with eyes can see you care about her…"

"I love her." 

Wolf grinned.  "That's all I need to know.  Caroline will be thrilled."  He ran his palms over his jean-clad thighs before standing.  "I'm heading out then.  Call me if you need anything."  He stopped and gave Ranger a solid stare.  "You're part of the team now.  We've got your back."

The squeezing in the center of his chest was an unfamiliar sensation, and it took a second to recognize it.  Comradery between brothers, not by blood, but by choice. 

"Be safe." 

Wolf turned and walked out of the hospital waiting room.  Ranger had been spending most of his days here, checking on Anna and spending a few precious moments with Sarah every chance he got.  They hadn't had a chance to talk about the feelings expressed during the crisis, but his hadn't changed.  He loved her and would until the day he left this earth. 

Did she feel the same?  He knew it was too soon, they hadn't known each other long, but he was sure.  Hell, he'd never been more sure of anything in his life.  If she cared about him, he'd wait until she was ready.  He'd court her, woo her with flowers and romantic dinners.  If she wanted, he'd even get the rest of his brothers together somehow and serenade her. 

"Hi."  There she was, standing in the doorway, looking tired and yet the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen.  Sometimes her beauty would sneak up on him, and he'd wonder how she could get prettier, yet she still took his breath away.

"How's Anna?"

"Better.  The doctors said they'll probably let her leave tomorrow." 

"Isn't it too soon?"

She walked over and eased onto the seat beside him, those side-by-side uncomfortable plastic chairs with the curved seats and no armrests to speak of.  With a sigh, she laid her head on his shoulder, and his arm wrapped around her, pulling her close. 

"She wants to go home.  I can't blame her, wanting to get away from the memories and everything.  It's going to take a lot of time and love, but she's a lot stronger than I ever imagined."

He remained silent beside her, holding her closer, and breathing in her scent.  How was he going to be strong enough to let her go? 

"Have they found Aristides yet?" 

After they'd headed for the hospital with Anna, the police had put out an APB on Stavros Aristides for accessory to kidnapping and a multitude of other charges, but he'd vanished off the face of the earth.  Remy gave him updates when he could, but since he was on administrative leave, he was kind of out of the loop himself.  The scuttlebutt around the station was that Aristides had fled the country.  The bastard had enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life without ever stepping foot on American soil again, and he hoped the man stayed long gone. 

"Nothing new, sweetheart.  If he's smart, he'll stay far away from New Orleans.  If he's spotted, he'll be arrested on sight, and there aren't enough high-powered attorneys who can keep him out of jail.  Especially with your sister's eyewitness testimony that he murdered Buddy Alvarado, his biggest competition in New Orleans." 

"It's really over then?"  She sounded hopeful—and tired.  He doubted she'd had much sleep in the last forty-eight hours, and she was practically drooping in her seat. 

"Yes, baby, it's over.  Are your folks with Anna?"

She nodded.  "I think they're afraid if they let her out of their sight, she'll disappear."  He understood that feeling, because he felt it every time Sarah walked away.  Even knowing she was just down the hall in her sister's room didn't alleviate the worry.

"How about we let them know you're going to go home and get a couple hours sleep?"  When she started to protest, he put a finger against her lips.  "You're practically asleep on your feet.  You're not doing anybody any good if you end up in the other bed in your sister's hospital room as a patient." 

Her shoulders slumped, and he knew he'd won the argument.  Within minutes, he had her in the back of a cab headed toward his apartment.  When they arrived, he hustled her through the door and straight to the bedroom. 

She stood, swaying with exhaustion, and he peeled off her clothes and tucked her into the bed, pulling the sheet up around her.  The dark shadows beneath her eyes stood out like bruises against her delicate skin, evidence of the long sleepless hours.

"Can you hold me?  Until I fall asleep?" 

He didn't hesitate, stripping down to his boxers and climbing in beside her.  Denying her would have been impossible, since all he wanted was to hold her in his arms.  Reassure himself that she was alive and whole. 

With a smile, she snuggled up against his side and soon her breathing indicated she was asleep.  He waited several minutes before easing onto his side, propped up on one arm.  With a fingertip, he traced the bruises around her throat, a vivid reminder of Cooper's stranglehold, and how close he'd come to losing her. 

"It doesn't hurt."  Her beautiful blue eyes met his.  With as much tenderness as he could muster, he brushed a kiss across each lid.

"Go to sleep, sweetheart.  I'll be here when you wake up." 

"I know you will."  Her fingers traced along his chest, tiny swirling patterns, not looking at him, and he wondered what was bothering her enough to keep her awake.  "Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?" 

"That you love me?" 

"Yes." 

"Say it again." 

He put a finger beneath her chin, tilting it up until she looked him in the eyes.  "I love you, Sarah Sloane.  I always swore that love at first sight was for suckers and fools—until I laid eyes on a sexy raven-haired beauty standing in the doorway of Lucky's bar.  From that moment on, my heart has belonged to you." 

"I'm glad, because I love you so much, Ranger."  Putting her head on his shoulder, she continued.  "I was attracted to you from the beginning, looking so masculine and dangerous sitting in Lucky's.  But I wasn't afraid of you.  Never.  Somewhere deep inside I felt a pull, like nothing I've ever felt before.  You might push a lot of people away, but you can't fool me, Mr. Tough Guy.  You made me fall in love with you."  He felt a gentle kiss against his chest.  "I'm not sure how we'll do it, but we're going to find a way to make this work.  Because we are meant to be together, and I'm not giving up without a fight." 

Ranger wanted to laugh aloud at the joy coursing through him.  She was right, it wasn't going to be easy, but they'd make it work.  This was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and he might not be the smartest man around, but he was smart enough to hold onto a good thing when he found it. 

Closing his eyes, he drifted to sleep with the knowledge they'd figure it out, because he wasn't letting her go.