Sudden Recall, page 16
The light turned green. Loughton hit the gas and careened through the intersection. Halfway through the turn she reached forward with her good arm and pulled up the hand brake. Before Loughton knew what had happened, she slammed his head down onto the steering wheel. He cried out and let go of the wheel.
Sienna prayed they wouldn’t hit anyone, grabbed his hand and used his thumb to swipe the phone.
Loughton pulled the car off the road and slammed into a concrete bench with a roar. He twisted and came at her between the front seats with a determined look on his face. He spied the phone in her hand and made a grab for it.
Sienna reared back. Had she just lost her only opportunity to call for help?
Loughton was going to kill her.
*
Ames slowed the car as they passed the house where they suspected Nina was being held. The phone that was being used for the video connection had been traced to this house.
Parker assessed the entry points in front. God, help us get her alive.
They parked around the corner, outside another street. TVs flashed in the front windows of houses, people who hadn’t yet gone to bed even though it was late. Otherwise, these were working people tired after a long day.
There was no reason to gear up, given this was the second breach of the night. All they needed was extra ammo. Back-to-back raids weren’t unprecedented, but usually they weren’t personal like this one was.
Parker said, “Let’s go.”
Technically, Jonah was boss, but it was Parker’s team and they’d all worked together long enough it wasn’t like anyone would get confused as to who was in command.
“Hailey and I will take the back.” Jonah and Hailey broke off.
Hailey had taken the time to call her daughter and speak to her husband, their other teammate Eric, who’d had to head back home. Parker admired her ability to sign off the call and switch back to the operation and the objective. He’d known SEALs that weren’t able to leave their personal lives at home when they went on a mission.
Parker crept up to the front door under cover of darkness. No lights were on downstairs, and the curtains had been drawn on the upper level. It was an ordinary three-bed house any small family would live in. Certainly not like the place anyone would stash a hostage. Although, that was likely the point.
Ames stood to one side of the front door, Parker to the other. Ames gave him a nod. Parker said, “Breach.” He kicked in the front door and they went in.
No furniture. Empty rooms.
Jonah’s voice came over the radio. “Kitchen is clear. Cell phone on the counter and an empty pizza box. Recent.”
Parker noted the smell more than anything else. No one had opened a window in months, and the air wasn’t moving at all. “Living room is clear.”
“Downstairs is clear.” Ames led the way upstairs.
They broke off at the top of the stairs and both opened different doors at the same time. Hailey and Jonah had stayed downstairs to provide cover in case someone came home. The place was practically deserted. Was Nina even here?
Parker entered the bedroom.
Ames said, “Bathroom is clear. I’ll check the…”
Parker cut him off. “She’s in here.”
Sitting on a dirty bare mattress in the corner of the room, huddled against the wall, Nina lifted her eyes. When she saw who it was, they narrowed. “You.”
“The one and only.” He stowed his gun and moved across the room to her. Parker wanted to tell Sienna that he’d found her friend for her. That they’d done it. “Loughton took Sienna.”
“The buyer?”
“Amand Timenez and his men are dead.”
“The flash drives?”
“Karen has them.”
“That’s not good.” Nina’s voice was quiet. She held a bloody kitchen towel to her that was wrapped around her left hand. “Not good at all.”
“Can you walk?”
She nodded. Parker helped her to her feet and supported her weight as they crossed to the door. Ames stood at the top of the stairs. “House is clear.”
His gaze fell on Nina and his eyes flared. His mouth opened, but he didn’t say anything. Mr. Smooth had no words, faced with an injured, admittedly beautiful woman. She did bear a resemblance to Sienna. Parker could have laughed aloud at his partner, floored by a woman for the first time in his life. Or so far as Parker knew.
Ames recovered enough to say, “Does she need an ambulance?”
“No ambulances.” Nina shook her head. “I’ll take care of it.”
Ames frowned. Parker shot him a look. If the woman didn’t want this to be officially reported, that was her business. Parker wasn’t going to argue, and he wasn’t going to let Ames push her. Not when Parker needed Nina to help him find Sienna.
When they got to the bottom of the stairs, Jonah introduced himself and Hailey. Ames finally stuck his hand out to Nina, and said, “Wyatt.”
She grabbed it with her good, right hand but didn’t manage to hide the wince.
“You’re certain you don’t want someone to look at that?”
To Ames’s credit, she did look very pale. Her skin was clammy, and Parker was concerned about the wound being infected.
Instead of answering, Nina turned to Parker. “What are you doing to get her back?”
“Finding you.”
It sounded so lame when he said it out loud, but what other choice did he have? “We lost the car they were in. Local police are looking for them, and we’re checking into Loughton’s background to see if we can ascertain where he might be taking her.”
“And you think I know where she might be?”
“Finding you was the most important thing to Sienna, and I’ve done that, even though she’s not here to see it. Now I need you to help me find the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
“Okay.”
Parker blinked. “Okay?” He wasn’t surprised she’d do anything for Sienna, but had this experience opened Nina up to accepting Parker in her best friend’s life?
Nina shrugged one shoulder. “I’m a tough CIA agent who happens to secretly be a pushover for a good love story.” She cracked a smile.
Parker grinned. Ames’s trademark laughter filled the room, making everyone grin. But it was short-lived.
“He’s going to kill her.”
Nina nodded. “He’s going to kill her.”
Parker’s phone rang.
*
Sienna gripped the phone while Loughton roared. He clutched his head where she’d kicked him.
“Parker.”
“It’s me,” she gasped.
“Where…?”
Sienna cut him off. There was less than no time. “West Haven Street and Forty-third.”
Thankfully, the car crashing hadn’t drawn too much attention, given the late hour. But someone was out there. Would they help her?
“We’re on our way. Just sit tight, okay?” She heard shuffling, and then he yelled, “Get me a location, too. I’m not making a mistake with this.”
Sienna relaxed a fraction. But she couldn’t get out of the car. So long as Loughton was in the front seat, she had no way out. Even if she incapacitated him, could she get between the seats to climb out? Likely not with her shoulder screaming at her like this.
“Just hurry.”
She could hear him running. Meanwhile, Loughton was recovering quickly. He reached over to the front passenger seat and grabbed something. Sienna realized what it was even before Loughton pulled the trigger.
“Sienna!” Parker’s voice rang through the phone.
Sienna screamed and kicked at Loughton’s arm. He yelled, the gunfire stopped and the gun dropped to the floor by her but too far away to reach down and get it.
Loughton launched himself between the seats and tried to grab for it. She kicked his hand. His arm. He cried out. Sienna kicked his head and he fell backward. Loughton’s head collided with the dash where the radio was. She sucked in a breath and he slumped back.
“Parker.”
“Are you okay?” His voice was steady, solid.
Sienna whimpered. Pricks of light flashed at the edges of her vision.
“Sienna?”
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
“Sienna, talk to me. Are you okay? Please be okay. Sienna? Don’t die. I love you. I have since the first day we met and it didn’t go away, even though I could have hated you for not coming to the airport, for choosing your job. But I don’t blame you. You had the right to make that choice, and it hurt but I understand.”
It was the wrong choice. Sienna should never have believed Karen knew better. She should have trusted her heart. Trusted what she felt for Parker and the connection they had. God had put him in her path for a reason, and she had to believe that reason was for her good. Just as it was for Parker’s good.
God, help him to trust in You. Help Parker to believe what I believe. It’ll make it easier for him if he doesn’t get here in time. She gasped. Help him get here in time, Lord. If he didn’t, it would destroy him. Sienna knew, because she would feel the same way if he died.
“I understand because I love you, Sienna.”
Though she’d given him no answer, he continued, “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and that’s never changed…and Nina’s scowling at me. I guess she still doesn’t think I’m good enough for you, and that’s fine. I won’t ever be good enough for you. But I want to spend every day showing you why I’m the right choice. If you’ll let me.”
What was he suggesting? Sienna couldn’t believe he simply swept away what she’d done. He’d forgiven her. Or at least that’s what it sounded like. Parker had let go of the pain she’d dished out to him. Was that because he’d surrendered it to God?
She wanted that for him, because Sienna knew what it meant in her life. Peace. Joy. The ability to forgive herself because she had been forgiven of so much.
“Parker.” His name was a whisper. Did he even hear it?
“Sienna.” He exhaled. “Thank You, Lord.”
Joy filled her heart, even as she slumped farther down in the seat. Darkness crept in. Blue and red flashing lights lit up the inside of the car, but she couldn’t respond. All Sienna could do was fall into the well of unconsciousness.
*
For the hundredth time, Parker said, “Drive faster.”
Jonah had his attention on the GPS map on his phone. “Take the next left. We should be there in two seconds.”
Parker saw the police cars. The lights and sirens. A handful of officers were crowded around the car Loughton had taken. How he’d driven that far on a low tire was anyone’s guess. If there was any breath in him now, Parker felt like squeezing the last of it out. At least until he knew Sienna was completely safe.
He flung his door open before Ames had even stopped their vehicle and got out as soon as he could. He hit the ground at a run and raced to Loughton’s car. The closest cop put out one hand to stop him, and then saw Parker’s badge and let him pass.
He jogged to the car, where an officer had the door open and was helping Sienna out. Loughton was lying on the ground being looked at by officers, and two EMTs were making their way over.
Parker waved over the closest officer. “That man is extremely dangerous.”
The cop nodded and immediately reached for his gun, covering his fellow officers and the EMTs who were to treat Loughton. Thomas shifted as he regained consciousness.
Sienna moved her legs out the car door and Parker supported her so she could stand.
An SUV turned the corner and pulled up. Four people got out and flashed ID badges. “Thank you, we’ll take it from here.”
Sienna whispered. “They’re CIA.”
NINETEEN
The back door of the car Parker had been in opened. Sienna sucked in a breath as Nina exited the vehicle. It was her. She knew it. She knew her friend, now that she remembered everything.
Sienna completely ignored the approaching CIA people and moved to go to her friend but stumbled. Parker reached for her. He held her gently, his strength evident in his touch. It was exactly what she needed, and she felt the tears prick her eyes.
Two EMTs intercepted Nina, and Ames stood with her. The police had to be baffled, given they’d been called there because of a kidnapping involving the CIA and US Marshals, and no one was saying anything.
Parker rested his hand against her cheek. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. That was the honest answer. It had been a crazy few days and she needed a week to recover—most of that probably in a hospital bed. She’d done what she’d had to do. Now it was time to rest.
Parker leaned close and touched his lips to her forehead. “You will be.” He sounded so determined it made her hiccup a sob. He was going to try and fix everything. And she knew why now.
He wanted to be the one to save her once and for all. An idea that made her heart soar just thinking about it. There was a lot to clear up with the CIA, but she wanted to follow where God had led her…to Parker. To a future with him of God’s design. A wonderful adventure that had nothing to do with the past and everything to do with love and forgiveness.
The two CIA agents in the lead reached them, and Parker moved to stand in front of her right shoulder, guarding her. Sienna took his hand with her good one and squeezed a thank-you. He returned it, so she leaned her head on the outside of his bicep. The CIA had to see that she looked awful. It wasn’t a ruse to make them sympathetic to her. She needed doctors, medicine and probably surgery.
“Sienna Cartwright?”
She nodded. It was good to know she was right; she didn’t know these men personally. She only recognized the badges…and the swagger. Probably she would always wonder if there was something she had forgotten.
“We need you to come with us.”
“For what?” Parker didn’t sound impressed at all with what they were trying to do. It made Sienna want to smile.
The CIA agent flicked him an unimpressed glance. “Ms. Cartwright is required to debrief. She will be given the medical attention she needs. We take care of our own.”
“Let’s do that first.” Parker waved over one of the EMTs and tugged her in that direction so she was several paces away from the CIA agent while the EMT lady whistled.
“Rough day, huh?”
Sienna smiled. “You could say that.”
She glanced aside to where Parker had gotten in the CIA agent’s face and was talking in a low tone she couldn’t make out. What was he saying to the man?
The EMT touched her shoulder, and she winced. “Gunshot?”
Sienna nodded. Parker glanced at her. She wanted to be talking to him, and maybe he could touch her cheek again. That had been nice.
“Looks like it’s already been treated for the most part, but you should still go in and see a doctor. I can see how much it’s hurting. Anything else I should know?”
“Just bumps and bruises.”
“Okay. I’ll believe you, but you’re coming in.” She put her arm across Sienna’s shoulders but didn’t add any weight to her back.
Sienna started to walk and saw Nina push away from the EMT treating her. Sienna’s friend shot the CIA agents a look that said everything Sienna needed to know on how she felt about them.
They met in the middle. The EMT with Sienna stepped back a couple of paces so they could have some privacy.
Nina’s blue eyes bored into her, a gleam there that anyone else would have missed. “You forgot me.” She clutched her bandaged hand to her chest.
“I forgot everyone and everything. I had amnesia.”
Nina’s eyebrow lifted. “That’s hardly an excuse for forgetting your best friend.”
Sienna lifted her chin. Nina had taught her to not back down for anything, to take the hits life dished out and keep on punching. “You’ll have to forgive me, then. Since that’s what best friends do.” Sienna motioned with her chin to Nina’s bandaged hand. “Did Amand cut off your finger?”
“He tried.” Nina scrunched up her nose. “Turns out it’s not that easy.”
“Ouch.”
Nina cracked a smile. “Kind of like getting shot in the shoulder.” She stepped forward. “You think we can hug one armed?”
“We can try.”
Sienna closed her eyes and soaked up the deep friendship of years of knowing someone, sharing everything and going through all of life’s major changes together. The bond between Sienna and Nina would never be broken.
“Thank You, Lord.”
Nina shook with a chuckle. “Amen, sister.”
Sienna pulled back. “I’m done with the CIA.”
“Me, too.” Nina glanced in Ames’s direction. “The real world is looking pretty good right about now.”
Sienna looked over and saw Ames staring right back at Nina. She glanced at Parker, who had his gaze on her. He looked ready to punch the CIA agent. She felt the grin curl up her mouth. “It really is.” She looked at Nina again. “Let’s retire.”
“Deal.”
*
Parker watched Sienna embrace her friend. He wanted to go to her but was faced with getting this CIA agent—who’d introduced himself as Alan Barnes—to go easy. Both Sienna and Nina needed serious medical attention.
He crossed the stretch of asphalt between them to where the two friends seemed to have come to some kind of agreement. “Sienna…”
“Ms. Cartwright.” It wasn’t the CIA agent, but one of the police officers who’d been at the scene first. “We’ll need an initial statement from you before you head to the hospital.”
“She needs to sit down.” Nina’s voice invited no argument.
“Agreed.” The EMT began to lead Sienna toward the waiting ambulance. Loughton had already left, a detail of two officers riding with him.
“I’m coming.” Nina walked with them.
The officer started to ask Sienna questions. She glanced back and gave Parker an apologetic smile. At least now he knew she wanted to talk with him as much as he wanted to talk with her. They would get their chance.
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