Mine Until Dawn (32 page)

“How did you deal with them…the seizures?”

“Not good, I’m afraid. Scared the living daylights out of me every time she had an attack. I hated seeing her suffer.” He shrugged. “But I learned to deal with them.”

She lay her head down on his chest, her mind racing. Her ex-husband had freaked out when he learned about her arrhythmia. Before sleep claimed her, Jade reached a decision. It was better to tell Vince the truth and deal with the consequences than second-guess herself. When an opportunity arose, she would tell him about her condition.

CHAPTER 23

Jade pressed her forehead against the French door and sighed. After three, long agonizing days, keeping a low profile was getting to her. Not much was happening. No Yannick or Bouchard, no phone calls or text messages from her mother, and no signs of the fake passports Vince was expecting from his buddy in Seattle.

The only good thing to come out of the days was the information they’d gathered on Saint-Noel and Liseux, one of its bigger islands and where her mother had disembarked. Whatever information Vince hadn’t gathered from the Internet, she’d gotten over the phone from Liseux Bureau of Information. They now knew the identity of the old man Montague had mentioned—General Descartes, Bouchard’s grandfather. They’d tried to reach the general’s home with no luck, adding to their frustration.

As for Vince, he’d become quieter as the days passed. He made love to her like demons were gnarling at his heels, and in between, he had his head buried in the laptop, researching Bouchard on the Internet.

Her gaze found him, her Vince, the man of her dreams. Shirtless, muscles glistening in the pre-dawn light, he moved along an imaginary circle, performing intricate moves with his open hands, body in perfect coordination. He was so graceful, his movements subtle and non-threatening.

Internal kung-fu, he’d told her, relied on strategy and skills to overcome an opponent, not brute strength. He’d been practicing every morning. At first she’d thought it was in preparation for Yannick’s next appearance. Turned out he couldn’t sleep and the practice helped him relax.

He’d even shown her a few self-defense moves that could do major damage to an attacker. Ha, like she could ever take on anyone. Panic followed by an arrhythmia attack was likely to floor her way before she landed a jab. Still, she’d humored his royal handsomeness and learned a thing or two.

Sighing, Jade stepped away from the door. That was it. She refused to hide inside anymore. Jade ran upstairs, changed into black gym shorts, sports bra, and a T-shirt. After slipping on her running shoes, she hurried downstairs. She thought she heard Vince’s cell phone ring, but when she angled her head, there was only silence. Shrugging, she skirted around the living room sofas and the dining room table, opened the patio door and took a deep breath.

The fresh sea air and the gentle sounds of waves lapping against the sand filled her with an inner peace she had no business feeling. This wasn’t paradise. Not with danger sitting heavy on her shoulders. A sudden chill crawled across her skin.

Jade rubbed her arms. No more morbid thoughts. It was almost six-thirty, but the sun hadn’t risen over the surrounding cliffs to warm up their little enclave. She glanced up and down the nearly deserted narrow stretch of land, most of the residents and renters still asleep. Their house, like others alongside it, sat directly on a private beach. To her right was a public area with several volleyball and basketball courts, and fire rings. Dana Point Harbor was visible a distance away.
 

Her gaze shifted to Vince.

He was using kicks and punches now, his muscles flexing and tightening with each move. Would she ever get tired of looking at the man? With all the time they spent on the phone and surfing the net, she hadn’t had a chance to talk to him about her heart problem. Not that there was any hurry. Besides, the focus should be on his impending trip to Saint-Noel not her.

Jade bent down to tie her sneakers. His scent, male and intoxicating, reached her nose and she looked up. “How do you do that?”

“What?”

“Move so fast.” Her eyes ran up his body as she straightened. Legs apart, arms on his hips, his sweatpants rode low on his hips, teasing her senses. “One minute you’re over there, the next here.”

He shrugged. “You were so deep in thought you didn’t see me coming. Do you want to practice self-defense with me inside?”

If she stayed inside one more minute, she’d go nuts. “I think I’ll go for a short run instead.”

He looked up and down the beach and scowled. “Baby, I told you—”

“We’ve been here for days, Vince. Nothing’s happened. I’m tired of being cooped up in the house.”

He studied the surrounding cliffs before turning his gaze on her. He appeared to debate with himself. “Okay. But don’t go too far. I want you in my sight the entire time.”

She rolled her eyes, caught his exasperated expression, and scolded herself for such a childish response. He was only trying to protect her. She reached up, toes barely touching the ground, gripped his face and poured all her love into a single kiss. His hand came to rest on her waist and pull her closer.

“I’m sorry I’m being so difficult,” she whispered once the kiss ended. “I guess the wait is getting to me.”

Vince rubbed his knuckles across her chin. “I know. But it will be over soon, I promise.”

She hoped so. “I’d better go. I, uh-mm, thought I heard your cell phone ring before I left the house. You may want to check it. I’ll see you in a bit.” She took off.
    

Vince watched her for a few seconds. Funny how things happened. He hadn’t anticipated falling in love when he first arrived in L.A., yet now he couldn’t imagine his life without Jade. Her safety was his top priority now. He had no idea what Yannick and Bouchard’s next move would be or what would happen once they arrived in Saint-Noel, so his original plan was out. He wasn’t leaving her behind.
  

Even though she’d read and dissected every article on Bouchard they’d gotten from the Internet, Jade hadn’t pushed to join them on the trip to St-Noel. Yet he knew excluding her from their plans had hurt her feelings, and seeing her unhappy royally messed with his psyche. When she came back from her jog, he’d tell her about the passport he’d asked his friend in Seattle to get for her using a picture from her website.

Once again, Vince scanned the surrounding hills, the few boats littered in the horizons, and the stretch of sandy beach. He knew it was early, but still everything appeared too calm. The kind of calm that heralded trouble. His gaze touched Jade one more time before he stepped inside the house. As if on cue, his cell phone started to ring.

He took the steps two at a time, picked up his phone, and flipped it open. Ah, Jeff. About time. “Tell me you have good news?”

“I mailed everything yesterday evening by FedEx, including hers. You should receive them this morning.”

“I owe you a drink, buddy.”

“Just take care of yourself, man, and come back in one piece.”

Vince closed the phone, picked up his laptop, and headed downstairs. Once he placed the laptop on a table near a window with a clear view of the beach, he booted it, then picked up a pair of binoculars and stepped out of the house. He trained them on the few boats bobbing off shores, the surrounding hills, and the shoreline. Seeing nothing suspicious, he settled on one of the patio chairs.

More people were stepping out of their beach homes, but by now, he knew them by sight. Knew their routines, too. Still, he kept an eye on them, searched for anything unusual.

Jade was on her way back when the sound of his cell phone rang and drew his attention. Eddie, he noted when he flipped it open. They hadn’t spoken since the night Montague got killed.

“It’s good to finally hear from you, detective. What’s going on?”

“Too much, and there’s nothing good about it.” Eddie’s grouchiness never waned. “You guys alright?”

“If you’re asking whether Yannick has paid us a visit, the answer is no. But then again, you already know that.”

“Meaning?”

“A car followed us here and there’re two guards at the gate. I did the math. So? What’s new?”

“Yannick has gone underground, but not before he finished off the Hudson brothers with that damned whip of his. It happened last night outside a busy bar, yet no one saw or heard a thing. My captain is starting to connect the dots, and they’ll lead to me. I want to be ready, but can’t if bodies keep rolling up left and right.”

“It sounds like Bouchard and Yannick are cleaning house.” Vince remembered the woman who had helped him finger Montague. “Did you ever find the hotel’s cleaning woman?”

“Yeah. I tracked her down to relatives in Philly. She’s safe. For now. Yannick would have to dig real deep to find her. I’ve warned her, though. I hate to admit it, but the man is too smart to be underestimated. Oh, there’s been a lot of activity around Bouchard’s private jet. Before you ask, a friend hacked into some aviation system and got their flight plan. They’re fueling for a trip back east. She’ll track them and inform me when they arrive at Dulles. I have a friend who owes me a favor staking out the hanger. He’ll photograph everyone who boards and gets off the jet, including the flight attendants and pilots, and e-mail the photographs to my cell phone, so expect something on your e-mail address.”

Vince had to admire the detective’s efficiency, and that was a first in his life. There were very few men he held in high esteem. “Sounds like you have everything covered. I should get our passports some time this morning.”

“Inform the gate. Everything must be okayed with them in advance. Is my cousin close by?”

“No. She’s out jogging.” Walking toward the house now, Vince noted. “She’s coming with us, Eddie. I already got her a passport.”

“Man, that’s crazy. She can’t handle this. In fact, I’m surprised she’s lasted this long.”

“Jade’s tough. We both know she was right. She speaks the language, we don’t. We’ll need her help.” He wanted this investigation over and done with. As soon as they came back from St-Noel, he intended to take Jade to Orcas Island to meet his uncle, whose health was deteriorating fast.

“We can get by, Knight. We can’t do our jobs while worrying about her safety.”

It didn’t matter where they were. As long as Bouchard and Yannick were still out there, Jade was safer where he could keep an eye on her. She stopped beside him, her gaze bouncing between his face and the cell phone.

Vince covered the phone and said, “I’ll start on breakfast when I’m done here.” She nodded and entered the house. Vince brought the phone back to his ear. “I’m getting us tickets for tonight. If you have a problem with it…?”

“I don’t. Call me with the details. Keep checking your e-mail.” Then he hung up.

Vince got up and entered the house.

***

Jade was in the shower when she heard the doorbell. Vince’s FedEx package was finally here, thank goodness. He’d driven her crazy with his preoccupation with the clock and constantly checking for the mail truck. In between, he’d stayed glued on the computer, checking e-mails from Eddie.

Jade heard movements in her bathroom and turned off the water. She grabbed a robe and wrapped it around her wet body.

“Baby, was that your FedEx package?” she called out.

“Yes, it was,” a strange voice answered as she stepped into the bedroom.

Jade froze in the act of tying her robe, her eyes widening. A muscular young man in black leaned nonchalantly against the wall, a gun in his hand. Breath lodged in her throat and her heart threatened to burst. Her gaze darted to the bedroom door, a queasy feeling washing over her. Vince.

“Get dressed, miss. You’re coming with me.”

“Who are you? Where’s Vince? Vince?” she yelled, fear gripping her chest and making her breath hitch.

 
“I’m sure he can hear you, but he’s too busy to respond.” A grin twisted the man’s lips. “Yannick doesn’t like interruption.”

“If that creep hurt him….” Jade took a step toward the door, but her tormentor cocked his gun.

“Funny. He said the same thing only a few minutes ago. Your devotion to each other is very admirable, which should make our work easier. Get dressed. Wear something pretty, the boss’ order.”

To hell with his boss’s preference, she’d wear whatever she wanted. Thumps and grunts came from downstairs, nearly stopping her heart. They were hurting her Vince. Knees shaking and heart beating hard, Jade stumbled in her haste to reach the chest of drawers. With adrenaline pumping in her veins, everything seemed to move slowly, even her thought processes. She pulled out a pair of panties and got angry when she couldn’t do the simple task of putting them on. Once she accomplished it, she reached for her sweatpants.

“I said something pretty,” the man snapped from behind her.

Jade froze.

He marched to her closet and pulled out the only outfit in there, the gold dress she’d worn to the party a few nights ago. He pressed it on his nose and dragged in a deep breath, then leered at her.

“Sexy. Wish Yannick wasn’t so desperate for your company downstairs. You and I could have had fun.” He threw the dress to her. “Put it on or I’ll do it for you.”

With the gun pointed at her, Jade had not choice but to comply. She attempted to hold her robe under her arms while putting on the dress, but the robe kept slipping, eliciting a laugh from her abductor.

Frustrated and scared, Jade focused on what was important. Vince. Not her modesty. Resolve and anger burst through her, along with it inspiration. She wasn’t going to make it easy for this bastard or his boss.

Jade let the robe fall. The man’s eyes dragged over her, his mouth hanging open. She stepped into her dress, shimmied as she pulled it up. His eyes hazed with lust. Jade turned and offered him her back, but kept an eye on him through the mirror.