Hunted by the Past, page 26
“Just hear bits and pieces,” Kayden added. “Rabbit is our team’s geek. He’s been running names from Tito’s notebooks through various databases. If we can get him a description, he can add it to his task list.”
Right, the other members of Kayden’s crew were due in town on Sunday, which was…today. It sounded like they made it in already. “Is your whole team in town?”
“Except for Doc and Tag, yeah. Rabbit’s working with Delacourt, Bishop’s out with Ricochet tailing Hobbes, and Jinx is running interference with the locals at Tito’s shop. You’ll meet them tomorrow.”
He hadn’t meant the last to be a threat, but like the new kid in class, the impending introductions were another thing to add to my worry-later list. Right now, there were other things that took precedence. “And my ability?”
Wolf came back in. “Mental injuries tend to be more lasting than physical ones. Sometimes you don’t realize just how bad it is, until you try to use it. It’s better to avoid using it too soon. Give yourself time to heal. Psychic abilities are hit and miss.”
“They’re a damn pain in the ass.” But for the first time, I didn’t want my ability gone. Not when it finally seemed like it was good for something besides driving me nuts. I fussed with the edge of my T-shirt. The blocks were gone. The whispers, quiet for now. The fact they may come back scared me. “Will we be able to figure out what he triggered me to do?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
I winced at his assessment and blew out a breath. “Fine, what do you need me to do?”
Wolf came over and sat on the floor at my feet, which put his head and shoulders above lap level. He held out his hands, palm up.
I snuck a glance at Kayden, who gave me an encouraging nod. Tentatively, I placed my hands in Wolf’s.
“Relax, this won’t hurt. Close your eyes. Go back to The Dragon and walk me through what you remember.”
“Why not start at the abandoned building?”
His eyebrow arched. “Easier to start at a known point. We were all in contact when you set off after Tito.”
“Right,” I huffed out. I closed my eyes and went back. “Okay, Friday night crowd, a group of skateboarders tearing down the sidewalk.”
“How many?”
“Three, no wait, four.”
I slipped into the memory where I captured the one in mid-trick with my camera. “The fourth came up from behind, I stepped out of the way and something caught my attention a few doors down.”
“What was it?” Wolf’s question merged into the replay.
“A guy tucked inside the entrance of a store. The store’s closed. He’s smoking and acting twitchy. Like he’s waiting for someone or something.”
“What did you do?”
“Used my camera to get a shot of him. It’s Tito. I tell Kayden we’ve got company, then cross the street for a better angle. Finding a good spot, I used my lens to get in close. I think he’s watching Hobbes, but he got another text. We know he’s working with Ellery, so maybe that’s who’s texting? Tito looks pissed. Must not like his orders. He types something back and drops his cancer stick. Crap, he’s going to move. Have to get rid of my camera without losing sight of him.”
“Okay, Cyn, you stash your camera and start to follow Tito.” Wolf’s soothing voice moves the memory fast-forward. “Where’s he going?”
“North and east. Away from the crowds.” I can feel my heart picking up speed. “He’s taking me downtown. He’s jumpy. Not that I blame him, this isn’t my first choice for an evening stroll. If he goes too much farther, I could be in trouble. Kayden’s still on Hobbes and too far out if things go from sugar to shit. Too many unknowns out here.”
A muffled curse sounded from somewhere, but Wolf’s voice kept me on track. “Okay, stay with him, Cyn. Where are you two going?”
“He’s ducking into a half-burned building. Two stories. It’s in bad shape. Only a couple of lights are working. It’s damn dark. My spine’s itching, but no one’s out there. The weight of my gun in hand helps. Why here? The barbed wire is a bitch and tore my shirt, dammit. Kayden’s pissed, but we can’t afford to lose Tito. What if he’s meeting Ellery? No way in hell I’m letting that monster get away.”
“You’re in the building.” Wolf pulled me back from my anger, giving me space to focus on my surroundings. “What do you see?”
“Not much. Looks like it used to be a club or a restaurant at some point. We’re in the back, the floor is a minefield of debris, the ceiling looks like a strong wind will bring it down, and there are so many places someone could hide.” I wipe palms damp with nerves against my lap. “Too many shadows, too many hidey holes.”
“You’re okay, Cyn. What else?”
“Someone’s upstairs.”
“Tito?”
“Maybe, but it might be two people. I can’t tell.” Frustration pecks at me. “Need to get closer. Stairs, I need a way up. Don’t want to go up the ones Tito took.” Images shimmered in my mind. “There, another set in the front.”
“You’re going up the stairs.”
I nod. “Halfway up, a board creaks under my foot. The voices stop. Damn it, I’m stuck.All I can do is crouch here and wait and pray. Stupid, so stupid. Someone opens a door above me, but no one comes down. They’re just waiting there. What are they waiting for? I hate this, it’s like a game of chicken. What if Tito’s coming around to the bottom of the stairs?” Pressure squeezes my chest, making it hard to breathe.
“Is someone coming down?”
“No,” a harsh, wheezing denial. “The door closes. I rush back down hoping to get in place before they leave. There’s a spot under the back stairs. Not the best, but it’ll work. Just in time. Someone’s coming down.”
“Who?”
The hint of smoke, hairy legs, and a bobbing light. “Tito. And he’s using his phone as a flashlight. He’s moving off the stairs into the main floor. I wait for anyone else to come down. No one appears. That doesn’t make sense. Maybe Tito was talking to someone on the phone? Something falls to the floor above. I’m out of time. If I don’t follow him, I’m going to lose him.”
“Where is he going?”
“He’s searching for me.” Contempt rises. “Idiot doesn’t even realize I’m behind him.” A loud crash, Tito turns and I wince.
“What?”
“I screwed up, my hip hit some propped-up drywall. He blinds me with the damn phone.” My body tenses. “He’s coming at me, and the crap all over the floor is making it a nightmare to get out of the way. Not that he’s doing much better.”
An echo of pain kissing my ribs is followed by the faint sound of my gun clattering into the dark. “Damn it! My gun’s gone, my leg just gave out, and Kayden’s yelling at me. He needs to shut up. Up, get up, Cyn. No time, he’s kicking the ever lovin’ crap out of me. Son of bitch. Need to take his legs out. Get some room to get up.”
“You’re okay, it’s just a memory. Stay with me. You’re on your feet now.”
“Not for long,” I grit out but my adrenaline eases back, taking panic with it. Tito’s enraged face takes on demonic proportions as he barrels toward me. “This is going hurt. Why won’t Kayden shut up? Can’t deal with him and this jackass at the same damn time. He doesn’t recognize me. Wants to know what I want.”
“What do you tell him?”
“Just looking for a mutual friend. He doesn’t like that.” I hiss as the echoes of his hits resonated through me. “Bastard hits mean. We’re circling each other and…” my voice trails off as an ominous click sends ice through me.
Warmth enfolds my cold, cold fingers. “We’re just watching, Cyn, remember?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a gun to my head. No chance to get it away yet. Just have to wait it out. They search me and find my knife, then the ear piece.” I try to ignore the sickening feel of Tito copping a feel, then the terror of seeing my only link crushed underfoot. “Kayden’s going to be so pissed. He needs to be careful. They know I have backup. How did they know?”
“Who’s got the gun?”
“Iceman.” My wrists tingle with phantom sensation of plastic tightening, cutting into skin.
“Tell me about him.” Wolf’s command pulls me back from the swirling chaos of panic and nerves.
“Don’t know him. Graveyard eyes. They don’t fit the rest of the picture.”
“Why?”
Memories collide bringing a startling level of detail considering how dim it was in the building. “He’s got this generic, American boy-next-door look going on. Military cut on the hair, close to the scalp, dark blond, leaning toward brown. Eyes are muddy brown. No scars, no identifying marks, just those eyes. There’s nothing sane behind them.” My stomach roils. Just a memory, girl, it’s just a memory.
“I’ve got you, Cyn, he can’t touch you. What does he want?”
“Ellery.” The answer was automatic.
“Why?”
Images crash and tumble, but nothing really makes much sense. The dull thump of a car door. The disorienting sense of being carried. The bittersweet smell of marijuana, and a brief argument overhead.
Everything spins, then settles.
My head feels like an overripe melon, one touch and it’ll burst. The evil animal crouched inside my skull is waiting with a cunning patience. Tied to a chair, unable to move, I can only sit there as Iceman stares at me with a cold, cold smile. Behind him, Tito smirks as he leans against a counter.
“Stay with me, Cyn.”
I tried to hold onto Wolf’s voice, but a deep-seated fear threatens my grip. The claws curled into my brain flex, and I moaned at the pain.
Now Iceman is crouched in front of me, his fingers brushing against the side of my face as he traces Ellery’s marks. I flinch from his touch. His smile widens and Wolf slips further out of reach.
The monster in my head rips at me again, and a coppery taste fills my mouth. I spit out the blood and snarl in defiance, even as mocking laughter takes over. There was nowhere to hide. Nowhere the claws couldn’t reach. No matter what I try to get him out, he bats me away like a cat with a mouse.
I was losing.
Iceman’s hand rose again, and I flinched back. “Don’t touch me!”
Desperate to get away, I yanked against the bonds shackling my hands. They won’t budge and my fear rockets. Water drips from my face, and Tito’s laughter mixes with Iceman’s frigid voice. “You’re going to do what I want, aren’t you, Cyn?”
Pain surpasses levels I didn’t know existed. Blackness curls around the edges of my consciousness, luring me with a false escape.
Too much, it was too much.
Something flows around me, dragging me out and away from the pressure and pain. “I’ve got you, baby. Shh…” It took a moment for Kayden’s familiar voice to break through the overwhelming nightmare. “Hold on to me, I got you.”
Little by little, the weight of arms holding me tight replace the horror lurking on the edges. As Kayden becomes more and more real, so does the feel of his solid chest under my cheek and his unique spice of sunshine and man. The sensations curl around me and add another anchor. I burrowed into the safety he’s offering and mumble against him, “We’ve got to stop doing this.”
Despite my voice being muffled, he heard me. “Can you finish this?”
I didn’t want to. No one sane would, but we needed to know what the hell Iceman put in my head. I just didn’t want to do it by myself. “You sticking around?”
“Not leaving until you’re done.”
I nodded. “Where’s Wolf.”
“Right here.”
I lifted my head and found him standing next to us. Concern darkened his face. “You sure you’re up for this?”
“Finish it.”
The glow around us dimmed, and the nightmare reformed. This time, with Kayden and Wolf beside me, it was easier to fight the pull. The two men would not let the emotional and physical sensations suck me under.
Iceman had my chin in his hand, and although is voice echoed around us, his mouth didn’t move. “You’re not going to let your team take Ellery alive. The minute an opportunity presents itself, you will kill him, and anyone who tries to stop you. Do you understand?”
“Why?” My voice was dull.
“He betrayed my employers. Betrayal is not tolerated.”
“Your bosses sound like assholes.” Go me. “I don’t work for assholes.”
The crack of Iceman’s hand on my face registered before his movement did. “No, you work for incompetents. Too bad you chose the wrong team. Your future would be so much different.”
The monster in my head tore deeper, but the sensation stayed out of reach so I was able to ignore it this time. “You know if you had just asked me nicely to kill Ellery, I may have considered it. Now?” With my hands behind my back, my shrug was awkward. “I don’t think so.”
Even with the emotional distance still holding strong, Iceman’s smile curdled my blood. “You’ll change your mind.”
Again the monster flexed his talons in my head. The move had fresh blood dripping from my nose. “Nope, don’t think so.”
The pleasant laugh was disconcerting. It left me unprepared for Iceman’s next move. “I’ll prove it to you.”
The monster tore a chunk from my brain and carved its mark. Shoot him.
My hands were free, the weight of my gun familiar. My arms rose, taking aim even as I screamed in furious denial.
Before Tito’s grin could disappear, I pulled the trigger.
Chapter 23
Wolf left an hour later, leaving my gun with Kayden. I refused to pick it up. Logically I knew it was stupid, but with the memories fresh and vivid, I couldn’t touch it. Not yet. Maybe later.
“Wolf’s going to work with Rabbit on identifying Iceman.” Kayden flipped the locks on the front door. The growl of Wolf’s engine rumbling to life filled the quiet. A few moments later, the headlights flashed across the blinds. Kayden settled next to where I was curled up in the corner of the couch, huddled under a blanket. “Talk to me.”
I cleared the lump that took up permanent residence in my throat and croaked, “And say what?”
Instead of answering, he rubbed both hands over his face, once, hard, and then blew out a breath. He kept his focus on his hands as he curled and uncurled them on his lap. “This isn’t the first time you’ve pulled the trigger.”
My laugh hurt as it came out harsh and brittle. “Not in cold blood. Battle is different, you know that.” The insulating numbness started to crack. “I killed an unarmed man.”
Saying it out loud made it too real. I threw off my blanket, jumped to my feet, and dashed down the hall to the bathroom. I barely made it in time.
Kayden pulled my hair back and held it as sweat ran hot down my cold face. He didn’t say a word. What was there to say?
Although I knew that Iceman’s order ultimately controlled my actions, it couldn’t erase the fact I wasn’t able to stop it. Regret, anger, resentment, horror, all of it washed through me, until only exhaustion remained. The emotional overload had finally blown all my circuits, leaving me curiously grateful at the resulting numbness.
Once my stomach was empty, Kayden handed me a cold washcloth. My hands shook as I put it to good use. Finished, I set it carefully on the side of the nearby tub.
He tugged gently on my hair. “You need sleep.”
“I don’t think that’ll help.” If I closed my eyes, it wouldn’t be sleep that would find me.
“Fine.” He took my hand and pulled me to my feet. He waited as I brushed my teeth. Then he curled an arm around my waist and led me to a bedroom. “Then you’re going to at least lay down for a bit. God knows when you slept last.”
I rested my head against his shoulder. “There’s no fixing this.”
His arm tightened. “No, there isn’t.”
Breath shuddered through me. “What do I do?”
“Right now? Nothing.” He flipped on the bedroom light, then led me to the bed. He didn’t let go of my hand as he pulled back the covers. “Get in.”
Staring at the sheets, I swayed on my feet.
“Cyn?”
I blinked and fought through the numbing haze. “Uh?”
“You need to get in bed.”
Right. Bed. I untangled my hand from his and fumbled at my jeans. “Can’t sleep in jeans.”
Hands brushed mine away and took over. Soon my jeans were puddled at my feet. I crawled into bed and curled into a ball, staring unseeingly at the blinds on the window. My head was empty, but I didn’t dare close my eyes. Sounds drifted from behind me, but I couldn’t find the energy to investigate. Eventually, Kayden clicked off the light, leaving the hall light to beat back the room’s darkness. Panic rose and I called out, “Don’t close the door.”
“You want me to leave the hall light on?”
“Please.”
He didn’t answer.
Quiet settled.
The first hot tear escaped, blazing a trail for the others to follow. With my back to the door, I faced the pressing darkness, knowing what waited for me. My eyes burned as I fought the lure of sleep. It was a battle I was destined to lose.
I was so intent on my fight, that when the sheets lifted and a weight settled behind me, it barely registered. It wasn’t until strong arms curled around me, tucking me against a hard chest, and hair roughened legs tangled with mine, that I realized Kayden had no intention of letting me fight this one alone. His warm presence slipped into my hollow spaces, crowding out my waiting fears, and silently promised to hold the nightmares at bay. “Sleep, baby. I’ve got your six.”
Taking him at his word, I closed my eyes and surrendered.
The sun rose at an ungodly hour in summer. Even the blinds had a hard time holding it back. Warm tendrils teased my face, urging me to wake. Not ready to get up just yet, I tucked my face under the edge of the sheet. My movement caused the palm cradling my breast to tighten at the same time as a heavy thigh slid between my legs.
Recognition sparked in my body before my mind caught up. I remembered Kayden slipping into the bed last night, or was it this morning? The fact I managed at least a few hours of sleep was a minor miracle, but I was grateful for the reprieve and didn’t want to give it up. Not yet. Too soon, we’d be back in it.
