Texas Takedown (16 page)

“I never really thought about it before, but it would be easier to keep an eye on things if he was involved in the search party. Isn't that the reason criminals return to crime scenes? That and the high they get from reliving it and outsmarting everyone,” Dylan ground out.

“True. Call me naive but I never believed it could be someone who lived in our community. How can a person look people in the eye every day knowing they did something so heinous? It gives me the creeps to think we all cried together, searched together and mourned together. And there he was, right there under our noses.”

“If I had to guess, he didn't authorize Kramer to take Shane. Even dumb criminals aren't stupid enough to mess around in their own backyards,” Dylan said after thinking about it for a few seconds. “And that's the reason Shane wasn't sold.”

“Mind if I come back in?” Jorge peeked inside the door. His voice was low, an indication his kids were still sleeping and he'd like to keep it that way.

“Come on in,” Dylan said, and then turned to Samantha. “At the very least, Alcorn's a big donor to the mayor's campaign fund. They'll protect him no matter what he's gotten himself involved in.”

“True.”

Dylan really looked at her. “Because you know what I'm thinking? We've known this was bigger than what we realized. It's not one kid taken here and there. Shane was the first from our town and he was the oldest until that other boy, but my guess is that they like to take younger kids. There's a huge market for them. One thing I do know is that your dad saw something he wasn't supposed to fifteen years ago and he's been paid to keep quiet ever since.”

“You might be onto something there. The fact that the money keeps coming in also leads me to believe there's more going on than just what happened before.” Samantha stood, hoping Dylan would take the hint that she was ready to leave.

“Kramer was part of the operation,” Dylan said. “Alcorn is the brains.”

“They found that kid at Kramer's house recently,” she pointed out.

“True, and everyone chalked it up to him losing his own son. He was working for Alcorn all along. They were snatching kids and this guy decides he wants one for himself. Maybe he even thinks he deserves one since his son was taken from him. In the process, he brings all kinds of heat on Alcorn's operation. They're forced to stop for a while but then they get things going again.”

“Eventually everything calms down until Kramer takes another little boy for himself last year, plus the fact that Rebecca refused to stop digging into the case,” Samantha said.

“Right.” Dylan turned to Jorge. “We're taking off.”

“Okay, my friend. Just so you know, I'm heading to the meet-up location while it's still dark outside to plant a few cameras in the trees. I checked out the site and it should be easy enough to hide my equipment. I can go wireless, too. It's close enough to the city that I should be able to get a decent connection. I'll dig into Charles Alcorn's finances, too. Anything happens to you guys... I'll go straight to the feds.”

“Good. Local law enforcement might be tainted,” Dylan said. He paused for a beat, taking in the change in situation. “I can't thank you enough, man. You know I don't want you taking any unnecessary risks. You got a family to take care of, too, and they need you.”

Everything about Dylan's demeanor—his rounded shoulders, earnest eyes—said he meant those words.

“I'm doing it for my family as much as yours. I can't let those bastards get away with taking Maribel. Besides, the two of you are my family!”

Samantha bit back the emotion building in her chest, climbing up the back of her throat, threatening to spill out of her eyes.

“You have no idea what it means to me to know you're watching my back.” A look of friendship, kinship, passed between the two men.

Dylan turned to Samantha, his gaze softer now but still determined. “We can head out. I may not be able to sleep but you might.”

“I'll keep working on everything you sent me. Now that I know more of what I'm looking for, I might get lucky and piece it all together. If I can link this jerk, we can turn the information over to the feds. They don't take lightly to hidden offshore bank accounts.” Jorge stuck out his hand.

Dylan took it and shook, followed by Samantha.

“Thank you for everything, Jorge. It was nice meeting you,” Samantha said, noticing the moisture gathering underneath Jorge's eyes. His and Dylan's relationship clearly was stronger than friendship. It was more like a brotherhood. She'd seen it all too many times with her own brothers. Mess with one and they all came running in defense. Plus, Jorge was a father. She imagined his children playing with Maribel in the past year since she'd come to live with her father. Jorge seemed almost as affected by her disappearance as Dylan. And what was happening to Dylan was unthinkable for any parent.

“Same here. When this all blows over, we should throw some steaks on the grill. We got a swimming pool in the back. Kids love it. Bring Maribel.” An emotion flickered behind his eyes... Anxiety? Sadness? Pity? He seemed to quickly recover. “We'll figure this out. That jerk won't get away with this. We'll hang that SOB for what he's doing. That I promise you, bro.”

“We'll get him and we'll bring her home,” Dylan repeated like a mantra, a promise.

Chapter Sixteen

To say Dylan had a lot to think about was like saying bombs exploded. And that analogy wasn't too far off from what his head felt as though it might do. The drive to Samantha's place, a route he'd taken only a couple days ago, was almost too quiet. He'd switched out the truck for his SUV on the way and texted Brody to let him know where to find his pickup.

Dylan had urged Samantha to sit close to him, needing to feel her warmth, and she'd fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder.

His heart ached because he could get used to this. It felt right to have someone like Samantha in his life, on his shoulder, curled up against him. But his life was no longer about what he wanted.

Besides, it was good that Samantha was resting. She needed sleep and he needed time to come up with a plan. No way could he allow her anywhere near the meet-up site.

It wasn't until he was pulling into her parking garage that he felt her stir. “I can't believe I fell asleep for a solid hour. It felt like five minutes.” She yawned and stretched. “Doesn't help much that I feel like a zombie. You know how it is when your eyes open but you don't really feel as if you woke up? It's as though you're dreaming that you're awake.”

“Yeah. It's the worst. Feels like walking in quicksand.”

“That's exactly how I feel right now. The only thing I know is real is how tight my shoulders are.” She rolled them a couple of times as though trying to work out the kinks.

“Let's get you upstairs and into your own bed for a change.” He parked in a visitor space, cut the engine and surveyed the garage. “I made sure no one followed us.”

He moved quickly around the back side of the truck to open the door for her. She took his hand and he ignored the jolt of electricity running through his as soon as they made contact. This would all be over soon and he warned himself against getting used to the feeling of having Samantha next to him or the constant sexual current running between them.

Space would normally be a good thing in a situation like theirs, except the time they'd spent apart had left a cavern in his chest. He filed away his thoughts as he walked with Samantha to her condo, his hand resting on the small of her back.

Inside, after the door was secured, she turned to him. “I bought a multipack of toothbrushes two weeks ago at the grocery. They're under the bathroom sink. Feel free to use one. Shower's that way. I'll put on a pot of coffee and see if I can wake up. I'll be no good to anyone like this.” She moved into the open-concept kitchen.

“I have a few calls to make first. Go ahead and shower while the coffee brews. I'll bring you a cup as soon as it's ready. Mind if I check out the balcony?”

“Not at all. Make yourself at home.”

Dylan blocked out how much he liked her place and how homey it felt, figuring he could be in a cardboard box with her and it would somehow feel just as nice. Thoughts like those were about as brilliant as waterboarding himself. There was only one thing missing in order to make his life complete at the moment and it was Maribel.

As soon as he was sure Samantha couldn't hear and no one was watching her place, he fished his burn phone out of his pocket.

Brody answered on the first ring. “What's going on?”

“How are you still awake? It's the middle of the night. I was afraid I'd wake you.”

“I can't sleep, not while they have... Not until we get Maribel back,” Brody said wearily. “Neither can Rebecca. We were just talking about ways we can help.”

“Are you sitting down?” Dylan appreciated the support of his friends more than he could say. After basically being on his own his entire childhood, he especially respected the friends who'd become his surrogate family. And it made him even more proud that Maribel would never face the kind of loneliness he'd experienced as a young child. She would always have half a dozen surrogate aunts and uncles around. She'd be surrounded by people who loved and protected her, made her feel safe. And maybe that would provide the support she needed after losing her mother at such a young age. Maribel not having memories of him and her mother together was on him. If he hadn't been so selfish, so vocal, he and Lyndsey might've gotten married and provided a real home for Maribel.

He could beat himself up all day over that, and yet he knew the outcome wouldn't change. Lyndsey would still be dead. Dylan gripped the phone tighter.

“Yeah, why?” Brody asked.

“We caught a trail tonight and it led us straight to Charles Alcorn,” Dylan said matter-of-factly.

“Seriously?” Shock was laced all throughout Brody's tone.

“I wouldn't joke about a serious accusation like this.”

“No. Of course you wouldn't.” When Brody repeated Alcorn's name, it sounded as if he moved the phone away from his mouth. He was most likely telling Rebecca. She would be just as stunned as the rest of them after all that Alcorn had done to find her younger brother fifteen years ago. Or, at least, all he'd pretended to do to help.

“I talked to him on the phone myself. He set a meet-up for tomorrow at noon. He wants to trade Maribel for Samantha.” Dylan waited, keeping an eye out for Samantha, who'd disappeared into a back room, presumably the bathroom. The warm breeze blew on his face as he studied the blue and green etchings around buildings of the Dallas skyline.

“Rebecca just texted Ryan and Dawson. They're both up now. What can we do to help?” Brody asked. “I put you on speaker so Rebecca can hear.”

“I don't want Samantha anywhere near the meet-up. It's going to take some doing to keep her away. She's convinced that she's responsible for Maribel being involved and she wants to help,” Dylan said.

“I'll take her place,” Rebecca offered.

“It's too dangerous. I was trying to figure out a way for one of the guys to step in,” Dylan said. “Besides, you're a good six inches shorter than her.”

“One of us would fit the height requirement better, but our shoulders are too broad. Alcorn's not stupid. If we have someone stand in for Samantha, they have to be believable,” Brody said.

“You're right,” Dylan agreed. “This will be trickier than that. I'm grasping at straws here.”

“We'll put our heads together with the others and see what we can come up with,” Brody said.

“Thank you. Also, I need to keep eyes on Alcorn. Can you help with that?” Dylan asked.

“Done. The guys and I will figure it out. Everyone wants to play a part in this, man,” Brody said.

“You know how much it means to me to hear you say it,” Dylan said, choking back the emotion clotting his throat.

“We'll get someone on Alcorn and I'll call you back with more ideas,” Brody said before ending the call.

Dylan took in a deep breath and then once more called the image of him tucking Maribel into bed to his mind
. If not this night, then soon, my Bel.

A different cavern opened in his chest, despite his best attempts to contain it. He needed a distraction. He'd been overthinking the situation and his brain was fried.

Coffee.

He'd promised Samantha a cup.

Dylan moved to the kitchen and located two mugs. He filled both with fresh brew and walked to the bathroom. The shower was running, so he knocked on the door.

“Come on in.”

He did. The room was spacious. All top-of-the-line fixtures, he noted. Overall, the place was modern but warm, and he wondered if it was the color choices or if it had to do with the fact that the place was Samantha's.

The water stopped in the shower.

“I'll set the coffee on the counter.” He figured he needed to get out of there, because being a half wall away from her, knowing she was completely nude, had his pulse hammering. He'd noticed right away that his body had reacted to her nearness, to the fact that she was completely naked on the other side of those block tiles.

“Okay.”

He started to turn around and leave but hesitated.

She stepped around the block wall, her dark hair soaked and off her face. She looked as if she'd just risen out of a swimming pool, water beading and rolling down her face and neck.

A towel was tied loosely around her chest, and it was barely long enough to hit midthigh.

“Coffee's fresh but I'd rather you get some rest.” The words came out huskier than he'd intended. He cleared his throat.

She seemed unaware of the effect she had on him, and he thought that was probably a good thing. They had a good couple of hours before they needed to kick it into gear and he hoped she'd rest while he tried to figure out his next move. His head was already pounding from hunger and exhaustion. He could live in the field for days on power bars and water. This was different. Having Maribel involved was far more emotionally draining.

“Are you sure you're okay?” Samantha slid in between him and the counter he was facing and then hopped up to sit. She took coffee from him in her right hand and used her left to trace the worry lines in his face.

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, keenly aware that the air in the room had become charged. Her flowery scent flooded his senses. He looked at her as he sipped his coffee. She was stunning.

“I will be.”

Her finger ran along his jawline, sending awareness jolting through him. Then the tip moved over his lips, her touch lighting up all his senses. His pulse raced.

“But you do that much longer and I can't be held responsible for my actions.”

She froze for a second, smiled and then traced around his ears, down his neckline. “Maybe you should let go of all that control for once.”

“And ruin our friendship?”

“Let me be the judge of that, Dylan.”

He shouldn't let this go any further while he still had a hint of restraint inside him. She set down her mug and then her hands came up, sliding into his hair, and she pulled him toward her until their mouths moved together. She tasted like a mix of mint toothpaste, the coffee she'd just sipped and something sweet that was uniquely Samantha.

Dylan reminded himself that it wasn't too late to stop this. He didn't do casual relationships or sex anymore. Being a gentleman, he should stop this. Now. Before there was no turning back.

He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. They were both breathing rapidly, and he could hear her heartbeat pounding as quickly as his own.

“Dylan, I want to have sex with you.”

“It's never been a matter of what I want, Samantha. We'd have been in bed by now if it was.”

“I hear what you're saying and I understand the consequences.”

“Good. Now you're making sense. You are so damn sexy. Believe me, you have no idea how much restraint it has taken for me to hold back.”

“Then, don't.” She looked him square in the eyes.

“I don't want you to regret anything you do with me.”

“Is that true? Because I couldn't. I want you, Dylan. Do you want me the same way?”

Better judgment flew out the window the second she opened her towel. He pushed in between her thighs, curled his hands around her sweet bottom and pulled her toward him until her heat pressed against his denim—denim that needed to go.

Her hands were already to his zipper before he could readjust his position and do it himself. He stood there, still, long enough for her to unzip him and free his straining length. His shirt joined his jeans on the floor.

He helped her shove his jeans down along with his boxers, and he stepped out of them and kicked them both aside.

With a groan, he pressed their bodies flush, leaving only enough space to palm her breast.

She wrapped those long legs around him and he nearly blew it right then. He wanted this to last, to be good for her, too. He had no doubt it would be amazing for him.

“It's been a long time for me. We need to slow down, take it easy.”

“Or we could just do it twice.” She smiled. Damn, her pink lips were sexy. Then again, everything about Samantha was smokin' hot. Her intelligence and quick wit were the foundation on which her physical beauty flourished. There wasn't much sexier than a smart and beautiful woman.

Dylan ravaged her mouth with his tongue, his need so intense he could hardly contain it.

Her hands were all over him, his face, his neck, his chest, before settling onto his shoulders, digging in with her nails.

She tasted so sweet. She pulled back long enough to bite his bottom lip, and electricity shot through him.

“You're going to destroy me.”

“That's the plan,” she said with a mischievous hint of a smile.

He ran his tongue across her lower lip, then down the cleft of her chin, then lower.

Her nipples were already beads in his hands and she moaned when his tongue flicked the crest of one, then the other. He took her full breast in his mouth and her entire body tensed.

Then he ran his tongue down her belly and into the warm dark curls of her mound. She leaned back against the glass and drove her fingers into his hair as his tongue slid down even farther.

Her silky thighs were still damp from her shower as he planted a hand on the inside of each and opened her legs.

As he delved his tongue inside her, she made low, sexy noises and whispered his name. Her body quivered as he worked her bud with his thumb and slid his tongue in and out of her sweet heat.

He could feel her thighs quiver as tension corded her body and her breathing quickened.

Faster, deeper, he inserted three fingers inside her again and again until she came unbanded all around him.

Satisfaction roared through him as he felt himself being tugged up. She opened the drawer next to him and pointed.

He located a condom, tore it apart with shaky fingers and slid it over his straining erection.

Her long legs wrapped around his midsection as her fingers curled around his erection, and then she brought him toward home. With one thrust, he was deep inside her. She was so wet and ready for him, stretching to take in his full length, that he had to stop and tense his body to maintain control or he'd detonate right there.