CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Darcy entered her ranch house silently. She knew coming here was risky but what other choice did she have? Better to face whatever was in store for them on her turf.

“Come on,” she whispered to Karinna. “Tell the girls it’s safe.”

Karinna nodded and motioned for Kelly and Starr. She was worried sick about Todd and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do but wait it out until he came.

************************

Todd pressed his foot on the accelerator and prayed that Darcy got the girls to safety. He grunted in pain. The blood was seeping out of his side, but at a much slower rate.

Rocket, sensing his Masters unease, woofed lightly next to him.

“It’s okay boy,” he whispered. He scratched behind the animal’s silky ears and smiled when Rocket moaned ecstatically.

He eased the SUV into the brush that surrounded Darcy’s ranch and gingerly climbed out, taking Rocket with him. He hunched down and looked at the dog straight in the eyes.

“Guard Rocket,” he commanded.

Rocket's ears pricked and he tilted his head quizzically to the side. He and Todd understood each other completely.

Todd had made a phone call back at the Tahoe cabin to a friend that owed him a favor. Now all he had to do was wait it out. He and Rocket made their way carefully to Darcy’s front door. He pulled out his P7 and knocked lightly on it with the barrel.

Inside, Darcy cocked her .357 and as silent as a panther made her way to the front door. Karinna had Starr and Kelly upstairs. She had rigged the door earlier. She pulled a thin steel cable and the heavy wood door flew open. She stepped quickly into view at the exact moment Todd did. Her eyes were wide and staring. She looked like a maniac. Both had their guns aimed and ready. Both let out a relieved sigh and stood down their guard.

“Jesus Darcy,” Todd grinned. “You are one scary lookin’ broad, ya know that?”

Darcy pouted her bee-stung lips and struck a supermodel pose. The effect was devastating. “That’s not what you said a few day’s ago when you were trying to make Karinna jealous,” she mocked wickedly.

Todd rolled his eyes. “Please…don’t remind me.”

Darcy quickly shut the door behind her and embraced her friend. “Thank God you’re alive. Is Gaines dead?” She asked worriedly.

Todd shook his head. “Yeah. That assholes roasting in hell right where he belongs.” He looked around. “Where’s Karinna and Starr?” Before Darcy could answer Karinna ran lightly down the stairs. She flung herself into his arms. “Todd,” she sobbed in weak relief.

Todd buried his head in her neck and gripped her tightly. She felt like heaven on earth and he never wanted to let her go. “Hi baby. Are you okay?” He cupped her face in his hands and stared deeply into her eyes. Karinna shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.” Todd averted his eyes. “I’m fine,” he said vaguely.

She stepped back and scrutinized him from head to toe. “Oh my God!” She exclaimed in horror. She only just saw the deep red gash on his thigh and the more serious wound at his side.

Darcy immediately left to get the first aid kit.

“Todd, you’ve been shot!” Karinna helped him to the couch and set him down gently.

“I’ll be alright,” he winced. His side hurt like a bitch. “Can you pour me a glass of scotch,” he asked weakly.

“Of course, don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Karinna hurried to Darcy’s well stocked bar and poured a hefty tumbler of the amber liquid. She brought it back to Todd just as Darcy was peeling off his shirt.

The fabric made a wet sticky sound as it separated from his bloody flesh. Sweat beaded on Todd’s forehead as he gritted his teeth against the pain. Karinna wordlessly handed over the tumbler. Todd knocked back the drink like lemonade.

Darcy whistled softly under breath. “Yep, you got shot alright.”

“Thank you Dr. Kildaire,” Todd deadpanned. Darcy gently probed the area. “The bullet is still lodged in there. I can see it.” She pulled out a wicked looking Bowie knife.

“What the hell are you gonna do with that?” Todd asked in a panic.

“I’m gonna remove it,” Darcy said calmly.

“The hell you are!” He exclaimed, clutching his side for dear life. He cut his eyes in fifty different directions hoping to escape.

Karinna bit her lip. To see Todd actually afraid was comical. “Honey, I think you should let Darcy remove the bullet.”

“Will you look at the size of that thing?” Todd yelled. “It’s a fuckin’ machete, is what it is.”

“Stop acting like a great big baby,” Darcy replied sternly. “I’m removing this bullet even if I have to kick your ass to do it. And be lucky that it didn’t hit ya’ in the balls,” she added drolly.

“Oh sweet Jesus,” Todd moaned, feeling faint at the thought.

Darcy eased him to his feet and led him to the dining room table.

Todd lay down and prayed that Darcy knew just what in the hell she was doing.

As if reading his mind she replied. “I’ve done this a few times in the Gulf, so don’t sweat it.”

“Easy for you to say,” Todd grumbled sourly. He clenched his eyes shut and prepared for the worst.

Karinna silently handed Darcy the large army issued first aid kit. Darcy deftly poured saline solution over the wound to irrigate it. She expertly and swiftly sliced a small seam next to the hole and plucked out the small bullet with a pair of steel tweezers.

Todd almost blacked out. Nausea clawed its way up his throat and it was all he could do to keep from throwing up. He took deep steady breaths until the feeling subsided.

Karinna laid her hand against his forehead. “It’s almost over,” she murmured sympathetically.

Darcy calmly applied a topical cream to deaden the area around the bullet hole. She deftly stitched the wound closed. “That should hold,” she replied as she wound sterile gauze around his slim torso.

The Bowie knife made short work of his jeans as she pulled of the tattered denim and inspected his upper thigh. She cleaned the area and dabbed antiseptic on the cut. She applied a butterfly bandage and taped a square piece of gauze to hold it in place.

“Finished,” she said. Her cool blue eyes assessed the job she did. She was satisfied. She didn’t flinch from unpleasant tasks. That’s what made her an exemplary soldier.

“Thank God,” Todd groaned weakly.

Darcy pulled out a hypodermic needle. “Flip over carefully, Todd.” Todd rolled over and closed his eyes. Finally the ordeal was over.

With a wicked grin Darcy pulled down Todd’s briefs and gave him a tetanus shot right in the butt.

“Holy shit!” He yelled in surprise. “Whaddaya tryin’ to do to me, huh? Kill me?”

Darcy patted his firm behind. “We don’t want to get lockjaw or any other nasty little infection do we?” She replied sweetly.

“What’s with the “we”? Do ya’ have a mouse in your pocket?” Todd exclaimed.

Karinna gulped suddenly as the humor of the situation hit her. Her shoulders began to shake as she tried to hold the laughter in. She couldn’t take it.

She threw back her head and let it roll out. Her deep husky laugh was a joy to hear. It was infectious. Darcy fell against her and started to belly laugh. The release of pent up emotion and stress was cathartic.

Finally, Todd grinned widely and laughed. “Can I please get my dignity back and put some pants on?”

“I really like the view,” Karinna trilled sexily. Her jade eyes were alight with mischief.

Todd actually blushed and eased into a sitting position. “I get that a lot,” he said in a smarty-pants tone.

“Daddy!” Starr yelled. She ran into the dining room and flung herself at Todd. Todd braced himself and took the hit. “Careful Shorty,” he begged. “Your old Dad’s about had it.”

Starr gently disengaged herself. “My poor little Daddy,” she crooned. “What happened? Are you gonna be all right? How come you’re in your underpants?”

Todd chuckled at his lovely little girl. “It’s a long story, honey. But just know that everything’s gonna be fine. Okay?” Starr nodded. “Okay.”

She was accustomed to her father’s cryptic answers. Her trust in him was implicit. If he said everything was fine, then it was.

“Starr, how about you and me rustle up something to eat for everybody?” Darcy said with a grin. “I’m starving.” “Yeah!” Starr said happily. “Me too!”

Darcy led the child out of the room. As their voices floated away Karinna held Todd’s face in between her hands. “I was so worried that I’d never see you again,” she breathed.

Todd wrapped his legs around hers and scooted her close to him. “Not a chance, Karinna. I love you so much, there is no way I’m gonna ever leave you,” he whispered soulfully.

He held her head steady and kissed her mouth. His tongue mated intimately with hers.

Karinna reached down and stroked his erection through the soft cotton underwear.

Todd thrust himself into her hand and deepened the kiss. He felt his blood burn through his veins like wildfire. He couldn’t get enough of her. They finally broke apart aching and trembling with unfulfilled need. “We can’t,” Karinna breathed with regret.

Todd smiled. “I know. But later…” He drilled her with an intense look. “I am gonna love you, fuck you, and devour you. Count on it.” His nostrils were passionately flared.

Karinna believed him. She was weak in the knees with desire. How did she ever live her life before this fantastic, complicated man? She was sleepwalking before. Now, every fiber of her being was joyfully alive and it was all thanks to him. She loved him so.

Todd suddenly stood up. The flesh on his arms pebbled. He tilted his head to the side. “Something’s wrong,” he rapped out.

He strode into Darcy’s sunny kitchen with Karinna following closely behind. He stopped short. Karinna gasped in horror.

Seated at Darcy’s breakfast table was Gabriel. He was calmly sipping a glass of chilled white wine. He had a gun resting casually on the table next to his hand.

Darcy had Starr behind her. Her face was tense and pale. “Do join our little party,” Gabriel invited. His eyes glittered with malevolence. “It just wouldn’t be the same without you both here.”

“Starr,” Todd called. “Honey why don’t you go upstairs with Kelly.” Gabriel caressed the barrel of his gun with his fingertip. “I don’t think you’re in any position to be issuing orders,” he said mildly. Todd glared at him. “My daughter will go upstairs. Or I’ll throw myself on you and take my chances.”

His face was set in stone. A vein pulsed near his temple. He was holding on to his cool by a thread.

Gabriel laughed lightly. “Starr, go on upstairs. Do as your Dad says.” Starr looked from her father to the man who terrified her earlier. “Go on Starr,” Todd urged gently.

He kept his eyes glued on his daughter as she backed up and out of the room. He heard her run up the stairs and slam the door shut. Relief flooded through his body.

“You stupid motherfucker,” Todd snarled. He took a step towards him but stopped when Gabriel snatched up his gun and aimed it at Darcy’s head. “Ah, ah, ah,” he sing-songed. “I wouldn’t advise that. Not if you want the bitch to live.

“Why don’t you put that gun down you pussy,” Darcy sneered. “Come on over, prick. Let me show you what I’m made of.” She was tense and coiled for action. More than anything she wanted to feel his blood on her hands. He deserved to die painfully.

Todd cut his eyes around the kitchen. He was unprepared and vunerable. He kept Karinna behind him, shielding her with his body.

“Where’s the book?” Gabriel snapped. He glanced at his watch. “I don’t have the time to fuck around.”

“What’s the matter?” Todd challenged. “Afraid your superiors are gonna find out what a traitor you are?”

He smiled nastily. “My superiors are a bunch of dumbass’s. They couldn’t pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel.” Todd advanced another step. “I wouldn’t count on that fact if I were you. There are one or two that are a lot smarter than you think.”

“What the fuck are you talkin about?” Gabriel rapped. His forehead began to bead with perspiration.

Todd grinned lazily. “What I mean is that you’ve been watched for quite some time, asshole. I.A. has been one step behind you all the way. Seems that they’ve figured out their golden boy ain’t so golden. Know what I mean?”

Gabriel wiped the sweat from his brow. Internal Affairs. Shit. Was Manning bluffing?

The smug look on that’s fuckers face told him no. “I’m gonna count to three,” he shrilled. “If you don’t tell me where that fuckin’ book is I’m gonna blow her away.” He pulled back the hammer and aimed for Darcy’s head.

“Don’t do it, Todd!” Darcy yelled.

“One…”

“You fuckin’ do it, Escobar you’re a dead man,” Todd growled.

“Gabriel stop,” Karinna pleaded.

“Two…”

“I mean it Todd, don’t,” Darcy screamed.

“Three...” Gabriel shouted.

Everything happened simultaneously. Todd lunged for Gabriel. His gun went off and Darcy threw herself down. Karinna began to scream hysterically.

A second shot rang out and Gabriel Escobar’s head exploded like a ripe melon. He was dead before he hit the ground. Special Agent Trevor Wilkerson put his weapon back in its holster. He had no choice but to kill Escobar. Todd scrambled over to Darcy. She was laying face down. “Oh no!” He screamed in disbelief.

She had been shot in the heart. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him. “I love you,” she whispered stoking his face. “I always have…” She let her hand fall gracefully to her lap. She closed her eyes and died in Todd’s arms. Even in death she was utterly beautiful, she looked as if she were sleeping peacefully.

“No, no, no, no,” Todd chanted frantically. He cradled her in his arms. He began to shake violently. “NOOOOO!” He screamed in agony. Karinna held her hands to her face. This couldn’t be happening. First Rosa, now Darcy...

She bowed her head and was blinded by her tears.

“Please Darcy,” Todd sobbed. “Please don’t be d…dead. Please don’t l…leave me. Don’t leave me,” he whispered heart-brokenly. He held her close to him and rained kisses over her face. He rocked her to and fro. He could not stop crying. She was the one true friend he had ever had. The only one.

Trevor put his hand on Todd’s shoulder. “A chopper is coming,” he said quietly. “A sweeper has already come in and disposed of Christian’s body along with the others. There is nothing linking you to this. But we have to leave.” He glanced at Karinna.

“I’ll…uh…get Starr and Kelly,” she whispered dully. She looked back at Todd. He was in shock. He stared blankly into space as he clutched Darcy to his chest.

Her heart was ripped open. She could not bear to see him in such pain. He loved Darcy, really loved her. And it took her death for him to realize that.

She shook her head. What they had was nothing, not compared to what he and Darcy shared.

She went upstairs like a robot and gathered the girls. She led them out the back way and into the waiting chopper. Kelly was about to find out the worst news of her young life and Karinna’s heart bled for the girl. Todd walked out carrying Darcy’s lifeless body in his arms. He seemed not to notice Karinna at all. They boarded the chopper silently. All but one.

Karinna watched the helicopter take off. The silence after was deafening.

She was alone again, once more.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

EPILOUGE

Island of Capri, Italy

Karinna walked along the empty beach with her head bowed. The Mediterranean sun kissed her face. The warm water lapped gently at her feet and foamed around her toes. She could find no joy in any of it. She was dead inside.

Three month’s had passed since that awful day back at Darcy’s ranch. Thanks to Agent Wilkerson she obtained a phony Visa and one hundred thousand dollars cash. When he pressed her about where she was going she lied and said London. No one knew where she was and she wanted it that way.

She found a small cottage here on the Island, and under an assumed name she had lived here quietly for the past three months.

Jane Black was her name now. Her heart ached for Todd every second of every day.

She was tired all the time. She could no longer sleep. Her dreams were too painful. In them she, Todd, and Starr were a happy family. There was sun, and laughter and warmth.

When she woke she was confronted with the nightmare of reality. She was living it, she could not escape it.

Tears blinded her as she slowly wound her way back to her cottage. She dreaded going back to her empty house. She sighed heavily and let herself in. She needed to eat; she needed to keep her strength up.

Todd was leaning against her fireplace with his arms folded in front of him. He glared at her murderously. He was dressed in black jeans, a tight black T-shirt, and heavy motorcycle boots. His long hair hung in a thick, shinning braid down his back.

Karinna felt the room sway dizzily. She clutched the arm of an easy chair before she fell down.

“Todd,” she whispered in shock.

He looked awful. He was thin and gaunt. His scar stood out starkly against his pale face. He was the most wonderful sight her eyes had ever beheld. “Surprise Karinna,” he said in a voice like ice. “I finally found you.” He advanced toward her like a predator.

Karinna backed up rapidly. He looked as though he wanted to hit her. “What are you doing here,” she asked coolly.

He clenched his jaw. “You little bitch,/i>!”