Reprisal (13 page)

“Okay.”

He moves towards the door before turning back to me. “Oh, and Syd?”

I look up.

“Gabe’s a good guy. But if he hurts you, I’ll kill him.” He smirks as he exits the room. Shit, he does know. “Chuck?”

“Yeah.” He turns back to me.

“Thanks.”

He winks at me before he heads out.

I lay back on the bed and my head hits the pillow, a low throbbing persists and I close my eyes. Thankfully my neck isn’t hurting and I remove the cervical collar that is still wrapped around me. I keep remembering the EMT stating to not go to sleep, but I can’t help it. My eyelids get heavy and I exhale a deep breath and try to get as comfortable as I can, but before I drift off Gabe comes in with the doctor in tow.

“You ready to go
Syd?”

My eyes pop open and I see the most gorgeous man hovering over me. “Hi Gabe.” I whisper.

I’m so tired and drained that I can’t hardly speak. Plus, he takes my breath away. As I look up into his chocolate brown eyes, I see warmth and comfort. He steps back and allows the doctor to get past him.

“Doctor, here are your discharge papers and a prescription for some pain meds.” Oh now it’s Doctor - not Miss - I laugh.

“I’m sorry, Doctor DeCarlo, I didn’t realize who you were earlier.” He smiles down at me.

“It’s all good, doc.” I say as I take the papers out of his hand. I scan them and then he hands me my discharge papers. I sign them and hand them back as Gabe rolls a wheelchair in.

“Oh now, I can walk. “ I say as I swing my legs slowly to the side of the bed.

“Hospital rules, Doctor. “

“Fine.” I huff out.

Gabe wheels me out and helps me in to the front seat of a black Crown Vic. My body
molds to the soft, heated leather seats and I sigh in comfort. He buckles my seat belt, his strong body flexing over me. I catch a whiff of his spicy scent as he closes my door and I start talking to myself.......Wait Syd. You’re just delirious after hitting your head. Get your mind out of the gutter and recover.” I finish as he slides in to the driver’s seat.

“Did you say something?” Gabe asks.

“Just talking to myself.” I respond.

“Well, did you answer yourself?”

“No, smarty. I might have a head injury, but I’m not crazy.” I laugh, the throbbing in my head persisting.

“Just lie back, I’ll have us to your place in min
utes.” Gabe says as he pulls in to traffic.

“It’s New York, Gabe. I may live only five minutes away, but it’ll take us thirty to get there.”

“Not the way I drive.” He says as he flips the blues on and everyone parts like oil on water.

“That’s cheating.” I tell him, smiling.

“Who’s going to tell, Sydney?” He asks as his eyes go back to the road and his right hand holds mine. I watch his face as he drives, zig zagging through traffic and driving recklessly.

“I’d like to make it to my apartment in one piece, if you don’t mind.”

He smiles, but slows down just a little, just in time to pull in to the parking garage of my building. He parks and rounds the hood, opening my door to help me out. I smirk at him, “Who says chivalry is dead?”

He doesn’t say anything as he helps me out of the car. I debate smacking his hands, cause I can do this on my own, but as I stand up I get dizzy and I’m suddenly thankful Gabe is holding on to me. I steady myself as Gabe’s arms wrap around me. “Easy
Syd. Hold on to me.” But he’s holding so tightly on to me, that I can’t get my arms around him. He turns me in his arms and coaxes me towards the door.

The wind blows through the garage like a tornado and I start to shiver. Gabe pulls me even closer to his body as we walk, his warmth seeping through his jacket and enveloping my body.

As we get to the door, Gabe stops and takes a look around.

“What is it?”

“MMM, nothing I don’t think. Just making sure we weren’t followed.”

“Please don’t scare me, Gabe. Surely he doesn’t know where I live.”

“Syd, you were attacked right outside your building. I’m thinking we get some of your things and go to my place.”

“No, this building is secure. The guard is in the lobby and the elevator needs a card to get up to my floor.”

“Sydney, you forget how easily I got up there yesterday.”

“But you’re a cop.”

“Doesn’t matter. The guard had stepped away for a bit and one of your neighbors got on the elevator at the same time. She didn’t speak one word to me, but didn’t kick me off the elevator.

It’s too easy to get upstairs with half ass security.”

“You got up there that easily?”

“Yep. That’s why I don’t want you here. We’ll pack you a bag and go to my place in

Brooklyn.”

“Brooklyn? Ugh, I don’t want to go to Brooklyn, Gabe. I want to stay at my own place.”

“I don’t think that’s wise right now Syd. Let’s get this guy off the street first.”

I sigh, loudly.

“Sydney,” Gabe stops me at the elevator door. “This guy knows where you live, and he’s probably pissed that he wasn’t successful in killing you....”

“Killing me? You think that’s what he was trying to do?”

“Until he’s in custody, we have to think the worst. And until that happens, you are under my protection.”

“Good grief, Gabe. I don’t need anyone’s protection.”

“You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met, Sydney. He got to you once...I will not let him get to you again.”

“Since when were you named my protector?”

“Since I watched a man jump you from behind and tackle you to the ground, that’s when.”

His eyes are stern and I can tell he’s dead serious. I back away from him slowly, the look in his eyes disconcerting.

“What aren’t you telling me, Gabe?”

“Nothing
Syd. Let’s get upstairs and pack a bag.”

“Fuck you, Gabe. Tell me what’s really going on here.” I say and I instantly regret it. I’ve never said that to someone out loud and the look on his face is....painful.

“Sorry, but I can tell you’re hiding something.”

“Upstairs,
Syd.”

He growls as the doors close and he presses the P.

The silence in the elevator echoes off the mirrored walls. We don’t speak, we don’t even look at each other. But his arms are still firmly wrapped around me so I don’t fall. I know he’s trying to protect me, and that pisses me off. Why? I’m not sure. Knowing I have someone on my side is comforting, but I refuse to be babied and coddled.

As the doors open, his arms get tighter around me and we move slowly, but deliberately towards my apartment. I reach in to my purse for my keys, but he takes them from me and unlocks the door.

We step in and he locks it behind me, throwing the deadbolt. The sound clicking louder than I’ve ever heard it. It almost feels as if I’m being locked away and the key being tossed. My injured brain flashes back to the basement at that house so many years ago. I heard that sound so many times during the few days I was there. I freeze in my tracks as the memories overload my mind. But before I can retreat completely, Gabe is wrapping his arms around me.

“Sydney?”

“Sorry, I’m okay.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I just need to sit down.”

He helps me to the sofa where I sit down slowly. You’d think by the way I’m moving that I had broken bones and severe injuries. I feel like I’ve been hit by a Mack truck. Well, I guess I sort of
was, though it was a human truck. As soon as my body relaxes I hear Gabe in the other room on the phone. I try and listen in, but he’s speaking too soft to hear clearly. I wait it out until he comes back in the room, then I plan to pounce.

I hear him come in behind me, though I can’t see him. “Sit down, Gabe.”

“Whoa, giving orders now?” He responds, a sexy smirk on his face.

“Yeah, now sit.” I say again as I point to the chair across from me. I sit up and prop my feet on the table in front of me and glare at him. “Now, tell me what in the hell is going on.”

“Sydney.....”

“Stop! Quit trying to protect me! If I don’t know what’s going on, how can I be prepared?”

He closes his eyes a minute and his face softens He knows I’m right, but he hates it.

“Another young girl washed up in the Hudson, near the Holland Tunnel....” and he pauses.

“Damn it, Gabe. We’ve got to stop this guy.”

“No Sydney, I have to stop him. The NYPD has to stop him, but you......”

“Spit it out Gabe.”

“Chuck is relieving you of your duties. We no longer need your help.”

“Fuck that, Gabe. You guys called me in on this case and I’ll be damned if I’m stepping aside. I’ve been there Gabe. You know I have to do this.”

“I’m sorry,
Syd. But Chuck said.....”

“I don’t give a fuck what Chuck said......I’m not backing down!”

I sit back on a huff and look at Gabe. I know immediately there’s something else he’s not telling me. I lean forward and stare him straight in the eyes.

“Spill it Gabe, what else?”

He stands up and walks to the window looking over Fifth Avenue. He turns to look at me, and I can tell he doesn’t want to tell me. “The girl has a tattoo.......”

I stare at him, waiting for him to continue.

“It’s the number three, Syd. This girl has a number three inked in to her right hip.”

Silence. I can’t speak or breathe at this point, and I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate so I lean back and take a few deep breaths.

At this point, I start heading for denial territory, but my over active imagination won’t let me.

“If she had a three tattooed on her hip......does that mean.....?”

Gabe doesn’t answer me, but I can see it in his face.

“What, damn it. What else?”

“Shit Sydney, I don’t want to tell you this.”

“G
ABE!!” I scream out in frustration. TELL ME!! NOW!”

He sits down next to me, pulling me in to his arms, but I pull away.

“No Gabe, you will not distract me. Tell me everything.”

“Fine. There was a note.....stapled to her hip covering the tattoo. It was......addressed to you.”

“What do you mean, addressed to me?”

He pulls out his phone and shows me a photo texted to him by Chuck.

“It’s a numbers game, Sydney.”

I sit there and stare at the picture as I feel a prick of a tear in my eye. “My father.”

“Sydney, it can’t be your father. You killed him, I saw the records. It’s not him.”

“But who else could it be? You said our DNA matches, and the only killer in my family was him! I want to see those records Gabe, now. I want to see proof that he died when I put that bullet through his ugly head!”

“Well, then pack a bag cause the file is at my place. Get your stuff and let’s get going. I’ll call Chuck and have the building here secured as well as my house. We don’t need to take any chances.”

I nod at him, cause now I’m ready to go. I want to see this supposed file on me. I want to see the proof that my father is dead. I remember pulling the trigger, the blood splattering across the wall. I remember the heavy thunk his body made as it hit the floor while he grabbed me and pulled me over. I remember everything. Almost. What I don’t remember is actually seeing his dead body after I was rescued from that moldy basement. What I don’t remember is a funeral for my father, a casket displaying his body. What I don’t remember is my mother grieving. What I don’t remember is my brother and sister crying. Wait.

“Gabe?”

“Yeah?”

“Has anyone followed up on the whereabouts of my brother, Franco?”

“Why?”

“Well, we would share DNA. And....I don’t remember him crying or being upset when I came home, after I killed our father.”

“I’ll call Chuck from the car. Now let’s get rolling.”

I go to my bedroom, slowly as the dizziness overwhelms me again. Before I fall though, Gabe is behind me holding me up. “Sit on your bed. Where is your suitcase?”

“In the closet.” I say as I point to the closed door.

He goes in and comes out with my large Luis Vuitton rolling bag. “Not that one, the smaller one.” I say.

“You may be gone for a while, it’s better to over pack than to under pack.” He says as he flips the top open and sets in on the bed. He moves to my dresser and opens the top, smaller drawer and I flinch. “Not that drawer!” But it’s too late.

He’s located my lingerie drawer.

He stands there and stares into the drawer, his jaw ticking and his blood rushing through the veins on his neck. I sit there quietly and watch his reaction. I have some pretty......sexy things in there. But they’re for me, I’ve never worn them for any man. Sometimes I just need to feel pretty and.....

I look up and he’s holding my vibrator in his hand. He’s staring at it like he’s never seen one before, but he doesn’t say anything. He sets it down on the top of the dresser and grabs the stack of under garments, moving to put them in the suit case. “Gabe, I don’t need all that.” I tell him.

But he just looks at me with a heated expression on his face.

He moves back to the dresser and grabs jeans, tee shirts and socks, stacking them neatly on the top before putting them in the suitcase. Then he goes to my closet and picks through the hanging dresses. He comes out with a little black dress, one I hardly wear. It’s draped over his arm and my black stiletto
heels hanging from his fingers.

“What’s that for?” I ask.

He shrugs his shoulders, “In case I want to take you to dinner.” He says without looking at me. He lays it across the bed and goes back to the closet and comes back with a garment bag, gently placing the dress in and zipping it up.

He then grabs my cosmetic c
ase from the closet and goes into the bathroom. I know I should go in there and get what I need, but it sounds as if he’s just throwing everything I own in the bag.

“Gabe, I don’t need everything. I’ll come in there and get that stuff.” But as I stand up, my head starts spinning again and I sit right back down.

“I’ve got it. You ready?”

“Shoes.”

“Shoes?”

“Yeah, you grabbed the black ones, but I need more shoes.”

He shakes his head as he goes back into the closet. “Which ones?”

“The Reebok tennis shoes and the black ballet flats.”

“These?” He dangles in front of me.

“Yes, those. Good job.”

He rolls his eyes at me, but I can’t help to jab at him while he packs a woman’s suitcase. It’s comical, really. But I can’t even stand up without almost falling over. I lay back on the bed and close my eyes.

“Sydney.”

I growl, cause I’m tired and agitated. I look up at him standing over my bed “We need to go.

The building is secure and a car is waiting.”

“You did that so quickly.” I say as I sit up, rubbing my tired eyes.

“You’ve been asleep for two hours Sydney.”

“What? Two hours?” I say as I look at the clock. “Shit, five o’clock?”

“Yeah, you needed the sleep.”

“But two hours? Argh.” I say as I get up, holding on to the table for fear of falling over.

Thankfully there is no dizziness this time and I’m able to walk on my own without stumbling.

As I make my way to the living room, I feel Gabe at my heels, probably making sure I’m not going to pass out on him. So I stop short for no reason and his hard body slams into mine.

“Jesus, Sydney.” I hear him whisper behind me. But I chuckle an
d keep walking. I can almost hear him tsk-tsking behind me, shaking his finger like I’ve been a bad girl.

“
Where’s my suitcase?”

“Already in the car. You ready?”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m not ready to go to Gabe’s house, but I am ready to see those reports he has there. So I suck it up and lock up the apartment.

The trip takes us about an hour and a half in traffic. We would decide to head out during the five o’clock hour, so it takes longer than it would have had I not fallen asleep. But I have to admit, I feel better since I had that nap.

Finally he pulls up to a gorgeous brownstone on Arlington Place. Silently, I’m impressed.

All of the homes are attached, but with private entrances and tall staircases to the front doors.

Lots of trees and greenery, something you don’t see in Manhattan. Women walking down the sidewalks pushing strollers and walking their dogs. I hear children laughing and birds chirping.

It’s then that I realize how much I hate the big city and how much I’ve missed this environment.

We didn’t have brownstones in Lincoln Park, but we had yards and greenery. The only green in New York is Central Park and I rarely go down there.

“Penny for your thoughts.” Gabe says after what feels like about five minutes of just sitting in the car.

“This is yours?”

“Yeah, you like it?”

“It’s beautiful. I had no idea......” and I drift off because I have no idea what I was going to say. I’m not sure what I expected, but this is lovely.

“Well, let me show you the inside.” And he opens the door to get out, moving to come tug me out of the passenger seat. As I stand, I stretch my arms and legs and follow him to the door. I stand at the bottom of the stairs, looking up and I think I’m about to get a workout. There has to be ten steps to the door, and after the day I’ve had I’m not sure my legs will work. Before I step on the first one, Gabe hefts me up and throws me over his shoulder, fireman style. “G
ABE, PUT ME DOWN!” I scream, beating my fists against his back.

“N
uh uh. You’ve been through enough today, I got this.” He says as he ascends the brick stairs to his front door. As he reaches the landing at the top, he lowers my body down, my breasts graze his chest as my feet finally touch the ground. His arms stay wrapped around my waist and he presses his lips softly against mine. “Welcome to my humble abode.” He whispers against my lips. I smile back up at him, and in his eyes I see......so many things. Trust, patience and lust. He looks at me as if I’m the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and I start to ask questions, but he turns to unlock the door. He steps inside, pressing his security code on the wall and motions for me to step in. In my mind, I expect to see a typical bachelor pad with posters and beer signs all over the walls, clothing all over the floor and trash everywhere.

But as I step across the threshold
, I see warmth and comfort. Black leather sectional sofa, contemporary furniture and a large screen TV mounted on the wall. The back wall of the living area is all windows, letting in the warm sunshine. I make my way inside and my feet immediately sink into thick, soft carpet. I stand and stare at the room around me and Gabe comes up behind me, wrapping his strong arms around me. I feel his lips against my ear, his heated breath tickling my neck. “You can go all the way inside, if you like.” He chuckles against my skin, causing chill bumps to spread over my body.

As I step forward, he pulls my jacket off and hangs it on a coat tree by the door. He stands next to me as I take in my surroundings, then he breaks the silence. “Are you hungry? I can make some mean fajitas.” He says as he walks towards what I assume is the kitchen. I follow him quietly to his kitchen.

As I step into the kitchen, I suck in a breath. All stainless steel appliances, black granite counter tops, a double sink and double oven. “Wow. This is a chef’s dream.” I whisper quietly.

“I like to cook. Even went to culinary school before joining the academy. Decided that I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and vowed to ‘protect and serve.’

“A man of many talents, Detective Torres. I’m impressed.”

“Well, you haven’t tasted my food yet, so you might change your mind.” He chuckles as he opens the refrigerator, pulling out peppers, onions, mushrooms, chicken and a large frying pan.

He places the pan on the stove and starts chopping vegetables. Once he’s done, he tosses them in to the pan with the chicken, seasoning as he goes.

“What can I do to help?” I ask, suddenly feeling a little out of place.

“You can grab the sour cream, cheese and the container of guacamole out of the fridge.”

I grab what I can find, but I can’t locate the
guac. “Where’s the guac?”

“In the large plastic container, top shelf towards the back.”

As I grab the bowl, I realize that it’s homemade guacamole. “You made this?” I ask as I set the bowl on the table.

“Yeah, my mom’s recipe. You seem surprised.” He smirks.

“I guess I am. I’ve never met a man that can cook.”

“Well, get used to it.” He smiles, his pearly white teeth sparkling in the sunlight. This man is amazingly gorgeous and I can’t take my eyes off of him. Rich, dark skin and those chocolate eyes.

He turns back to the stove and stirs the now sizzling veggies and chicken. He grabs another plastic container full of fresh tortillas and hands them to me. “Did you make these too?” I ask almost sarcastically.

He laughs, “Sadly, no. I can make them though, but these are store bought.” I look at him with surprise. “Hey, you can make homemade pasta, I can make homemade tortillas. But this case has kept me away from home, so I’ve not had time to make any.”

His mention of the case totally brings me back to the here and now. I look up at him and I know he can see the fear in my eyes. I’m struggling to be strong and get through this, but it’s damn hard. Especially after hearing that another young girl has died. Then it dawns on me.

Four

There have been three girls so far and....... “I’m next aren’t I? The note and........” I drop off, turning to look out the window.

“What Sydney?” He says as he turns the stove down and comes up behind me.

“How many girls have there been, total?”

“Three. The third washed up this morning.”

I know, deep down inside that this guy is coming after me. My fingers absently brush against my hip where the number four is forever embedded in my skin. Silently I resolve to have that tattoo removed. Soon.

“Tell me Sydney, what are you thinking?”

I turn to him, fear and confusion filling my face. “I’m number four.”

“What are you talking about?”

I pull the elastic down, exposing the tattoo. “Number four Gabe. He’s making his way to ME! The note attached to the last girl....the fact that there have been three?”

“I know,
Syd. That’s why I brought you here. No one can bother you here, but you are not to leave this house without me.”

“Great, nothing like being held prisoner again.” I mumble, trying to be funny. But apparently, Gabe doesn’t think it’s very funny.

“Sydney, I’m trying to keep you safe. He can’t find you here.”

“How do you know, Gabe? How do you know we weren’t followed?”

“I just know. No one knows where you are.”

I reach in to my purse to get my phone and as I pull it out, Gabe takes it from me.

“Hey! You can’t cut me off from the world completely!”

“Yes, I can. No one needs to know where you are just yet. Let the police do their job and catch this guy,
Syd.”

“You are the police!! Shouldn’t you be doing something?”

“I am, Sydney. I’ve been put in charge of protecting YOU! And there’s no place I’d rather be.” He says as he wraps his arms around me. “No one - NO ONE, will get to you. That I can promise you.”