Maya Banks - Colters’ Gift

“You think he has her? Alive?” Castanetti asked skeptically.

“We think it’s likely that Knight doesn’t yet know about the deal she struck with you. He’s an obsessed, controlling bastard whose ego took a blow when Lauren walked out on him and didn’t return. I overheard the assholes who took her talking about delivering her to Knight, so if we can find him, there’s a good chance we’ll find her, and then you can add kidnapping and attempted murder to his charges when you file.”

“There’s nothing I’d like more,” Castanetti said in a tone that made Noah believe the man was sincere. “Give me an hour and I’ll pull every piece of information I have on Knight plus put in a few calls to contacts I have with the state attorney general and the FBI. They’re all going to want Miss Wilder to make it out alive. Right now she’s the one person who can take him down. I will tell you this. He rarely leaves the Northeast. It might save you and yours a hell of a lot of time if you get on a plane and start this way while I work out things on my end.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Noah said. “In the meantime, let me give you a couple of numbers so that one of us can be reached at all times.”

He gave the D.A. his own cell number, Liam’s and Seth’s before ringing off.

As he lowered the phone, he met the expectant stares of everyone gathered in the room.

“I don’t think he did it,” Noah said honestly. “Aside from the fact that it just wasn’t feasible for Knight to act on information that Castanetti just received less than twenty-four hours ago, he seems as anxious as we are to nail Knight’s ass to the wall.”

“I hope to hell you’re right,” Liam said grimly. “Once Knight discovers that Lauren copied information from his computer and planned to turn it over to the district attorney, her life isn’t going to be worth two cents. The only thing working in our favor right now is that he desperately wants to save face with the people who surround him, and he wants Lauren back under his control. That may buy us enough time to go in and take him down.”

“So who’s going and who’s staying?” Dillon Colter asked. “It’s one thing when we’re talking about something local. We tend to do things our own way here on the mountain. New York City is a whole different story, and we could all end up getting our asses hauled to jail if we don’t handle this just right.”

Seth nodded, his lips tight and turned down into a frown. He glanced over at Max. “Have you ever had any face-to-face dealings with Knight?”

Max’s lips curled in disgust. “Hell no.”

“That could work in our favor. You fit in well with the posh, business crowd. You wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb. We could use you for this.”

Relief was stark in Max’s eyes. “I’ll go,” he said with no hesitation.

Seth turned to his brother and one of his dads. “Michael, I still think you and Ethan should stay here with the women. Preferably in one place so you aren’t spread out. You’ll have Mom, Lily and Callie to look after.”

Holly crossed her arms over her chest, her glare as ferocious as her frown. “Why can’t we go? My baby is going to need me when we get her back from that asshole. A girl always needs her mother at a time like that.”

Liam’s gaze softened and he impulsively gathered Holly Colter into his huge embrace. She seemed delighted with the spontaneous hug and gave him one of her own that rivaled his in ferocity.

“I appreciate you being willing to be there for Lauren, and there’s no doubt she’ll need you. But we want you safe, Mrs. C. All of you. Lauren loves you all so much and she’d be devastated if something happened to you. I promise to bring Lauren home to you where she belongs just as soon as we have her back.”

Holly patted Liam on the cheek and then leaned up on tiptoe to kiss the spot she’d patted. “See that you do. Home is important when you’re hurt and scared. I know from personal experience,” she added quietly.

“How soon can you have the jet ready to go, Max?” Seth asked. Even before Max could respond, Seth turned to one of the younger deputies and slapped him on the shoulder. “You’re in charge while I’m gone. Don’t let me down.”

The deputy looked befuddled but didn’t argue. He stammered out a “yes sir” and then promptly took a seat to contemplate his temporary promotion.

“By the time we drive to Denver, Castanetti should have had plenty of time to dig up the info he promised us,” Noah said. “I vote we roll out now and work it out on the way to New York City.”

The others readily agreed and there was an instant exodus from the sheriff’s station as everyone began to file out. Noah hung back, motioning Liam over.

“Are you okay, man?” Noah asked in concern.

His friend had been mostly quiet throughout the entire process and planning session. It was obvious that he was in pain and that he’d suffered a pretty severe head wound.

“I’m fine,” Liam said firmly. “Nothing a few painkillers won’t solve. I’ve had far worse and still got the job done. This time, it’s not a job, though. It’s personal. I’m going to get her back, Noah, or I’ll die trying. I can’t stand the thought of her having to spend a single minute in his presence, of his hands on her. Of him touching her. Frightening her. Making her doubt even for a moment what a wonderful, sweet, loving woman she is.”

He stared at Noah for a long moment, pain burning brightly in his eyes. He lowered his voice even more. “We have to get her back, Noah. I can’t live without her.”

IT was dark when the harrowing ride in the back of the Hummer came to an end. Lauren ached from head to toe from the accident, and being thrown in the backseat without care hadn’t helped her screaming muscles.

The back door opened, and she tensed when the two men dragged her roughly from the seat. Tears burned her eyelids when her ribs were jostled. Pain shot through her chest and abdomen, and for a moment she felt as though she couldn’t breathe.

It took a minute for her to realize where she was. Forced to stand on shaking legs between her two abductors, she tried to make sense of her surroundings. As they shoved her forward and her feet came into contact with hard pavement, lights turned on a short distance away, and then came the explosive sound of a jet engine starting.

They were at a regional airport, though it looked more like a privately owned airstrip, but it was clearly designed for commercial jets to land and take off.

The cabin door opened, sliding downward to reveal four steps leading into the plane. A figure loomed at the top of the steps, and through the haze of pain and fear, recognition seared through her mind.

Her stomach balled into a painful knot and her already tense muscles tightened automatically. A defensive gesture associated with the person standing and staring down at her as she was hauled to the bottom step.

Joel Knight met her in front of the open doorway, his eyes glittering dangerously. She recognized that look. He was furious and high on a power trip. It was a mood where he felt challenged and forced to prove himself to those around him. She’d learned to avoid him at all costs when he got this way.

He backhanded her without a single word. Her head flew sideways and agony flashed through her face. If the two men hadn’t been holding her arms, she would have tumbled to the ground. Tears leaked from her eyes and slid down over the duct tape still wrapped around her head and mouth.

She sagged precariously and Joel looked at her in disgust. Then he dug into his pocket, pulling out two ten-thousand-dollar wraps. He handed one each to the two men and then called over his shoulder into the plane.

“Come get the bitch.” Then to the two men he’d just paid, “Get lost.”

The two men didn’t waste any time. They dropped their hold on Lauren and she staggered to keep her footing as they took off for the Hummer.

A second later, Ron appeared behind Joel. She recoiled when Ron moved past Joel and put his hands on her. This wasn’t happening. She wouldn’t go back to her old life. Not that her current reality would bear any resemblance to the past. Joel had never treated her well, but he wouldn’t show any restraint now. He felt betrayed by her and he’d want revenge. He’d want to save face. Losing her had been a blow to his ego.

She’d walked out on him. She’d refused to recognize her good fortune in landing a man like him. He’d never forgive her for that transgression.

Ron hoisted her up and tossed her over his shoulder. As soon as his body made contact with her ribs, she screamed in agony. The sound was horrible, muffled by the tape over her mouth, but it was the sound of agony that couldn’t be disguised.