Landon: Justice Series ― Erotica Paranormal Romance (11 page)

“I can’t thank you enough for this.” Still sobbing with happiness, the woman hugged her several times as they made their way to the door. Local police were going to take her to her daughter and help her get back to her home. Teddy was still in the parlor when they entered the room. The look on his face did not bode well, she thought. Landon’s phone started ringing as soon as Teddy asked her to have a seat.

~~~

Kari wasn’t sure what she had to do now. Her entire life had gone up in smoke in seconds. Someone had taken her little girl. When she felt someone sit down beside her, it took her several seconds to realize it was Dillon.

“A man stole my car. He just grabbed me when we were at a light and tossed me out on my head. My daughter, little Aster, was in the back seat sleeping.” Dillon told her she was sorry. “Not as sorry as he’s going to be when I find him. I have his scent now, and he’s fucking worm food.”

“Do they know anything other than she’s been kidnapped?” Kari told her that Aster was with the baby, as was Carlton. “They’re keeping you informed then. That’s good news, right?”

“Yes. Carlton is trying to figure out where they are. He knows that they’re in a building, but not sure where. He’s never been very good at directions. Aster won’t leave the baby, which I’m profoundly grateful for. Steele is in the office talking to the others, and they’re going to get her back, they said.” Dillon nodded. “He’s going to kill him if I don’t get to him first. I mean, I’m going to, but if Steele gets to him first, he might wish it was me instead. I’ve never seen him so angry before.”

When Dillon’s phone sounded, Kari sat there while she stood up to answer it. She’d never felt so drained of life before. Never in all her life did she think something like this could happen.

They were just coming back from the grocery store. Kari loved going, and taking Aster with her was such a treat. The two of them talked the entire time they were buying things. Well, she talked and Aster listened. Then they stopped at the light. The man had broken her window like it was nothing more than a sheet of paper and dragged her out of it. Her head had hit the road hard, and it wasn’t until she came awake—it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds—that she realized the car with her child in it were driving away.

Kari looked at Steele when he said her name. “We know who has her. Dillon’s father had her taken. Landon said he’s talking to Dillon now. Allister wants her. Dillon, he wants her to come to him and have them let him go at the hospital, or he’ll kill the baby.”

“Why? What has Dillon ever done to him?” Steele said he didn’t know, but they were working on it. “She’s going to help you, isn’t she? I mean, I don’t want her hurt either, but she’s going to get our Aster back, right?”

“She said she’d do whatever it took.”

That scared her too. Kari looked for Dillon to tell her to be careful, but she was gone. She asked Steele where she’d gone. He looked around too. And that was when she knew that Dillon was doing just as she said. Whatever it took.

“You have to find her. She’s going to get herself killed.” Steele said he’d find her. But he didn’t move from her. “Steele, I want our baby back. I need her, please? Why would someone take a child? What has this world come to?”

“I don’t know, darling, I really don’t. But we’re going to get her back. I promise you.” She nodded and let him hold her. “I have Garth and Grandma looking for Dillon. They’re going to stay with her. Let me go and I’ll see if I can find Landon. Hopefully she took him with her.”

Landon hadn’t gone and he had no idea where Dillon was either. Garth said he was still looking and had some of his crew helping, and Connie was so upset over the baby that she was having a hard time staying focused. Billy was moving back and forth between where they were and their daughter was so much that it was weakening him. Kari asked him to stay with Aster and help her.

“I feel useless is what I am.” She assured him that knowing that her daughter was in good hands was all that was keeping her sane right now. “Aster is watching over her like it was her own. Talking to her, telling her to be quiet so as not to piss off that man. He’s a calm one, that man is. Like he’s done this before. Can’t find a thing on him just now, but I will, you can bet on that.”

When the house phone rang some two hours later, the house was filled with people. There were agents that were standing around asking the same questions over and over, and cops, all of them just as anxious as they were, waiting for the first clue. Steele answered the phone and handed it to her after saying hello.

“It’s Dillon. I don’t have time to talk. But you can find her. Just use that incredible talent of yours.” Kari asked her where she was just as Aster appeared in the room. “She’s just fine now. I had him...I’m sorry about this, Kari. I never meant for this to happen to you. Tell Landon...tell him that I love him with all of my heart, and I’m so very sorry we didn’t get to go shopping like he wanted.”

Then the line was dead. Kari looked up at Aster and asked her where the baby was. She knew there was some sort of clue in what Dillon was saying to her, but for now all she could think about was her child.

“I can’t take you there, but she’s not with the man any longer. Dillon had him put her along the side of the road, and I made Billy and Carlton stay with her so I could come back to speak to you. Then Dillon and that man drove off together.” Aster looked at Landon. “She’s hurt. He hit her. And she’s been shot. I’m not really sure how it happened as I was with the baby, but she’s losing blood.”

“Where did they go?” Aster told Landon she could show him the direction they took when they got to the baby. “Where?”

“I don’t know. I’m so sorry, but I have no sense of direction. I just don’t know.” Aster looked at her. “You can find her, right? Don’t you have a connection with her? Like you do with my brother?”

“I do.” Kari stood up. “I can find her.” Kari moved out of the room with Steele right behind her. She knew there was no point in asking him to stay behind. Stripping off her shirt and bra as soon as she entered the office, she looked at him. “I can find her as my panther. She can call to me. What I want you to do is find Dillon. She saved our daughter’s life, and I can only do the same for her. And I have a message from her for Landon. I’m not sure what it means, but tell him they didn’t get to go shopping like he wanted and that she loves him very much.”

“Do you know what that means?” Kari said that she didn’t and let her panther take her. “When this is done, you and I are going to go back out into the woods and I’m going to let you run me down, all right?”

Yes. More than all right. When I come back, you had better have some progress in getting my friend back, do you understand me?
He smiled at her and nodded.
Good. I’ll let you know when I have her. You’ll have to bring me clothing, all right?

“Yes. But please be careful. I can’t lose you. I love you.” Kari told him that she loved him as well and moved out the door that he held open for her. “I’ll let you know when I find things out.”

Kari moved across the yard, thankful for the first time in her life that someone had converted her to a panther without her permission. Calling out to her daughter, she told her that she was coming and sent her all her love. Kari nearly fell over the log she was moving over when the love that she sent her was returned. Kari was so happy she nearly forgot to tell Steele that she was going to find her. That their child would be home soon.

Chapter 10

Dillon moved as best she could without pissing off the man who had her by the hair. She was in a great deal of pain, but she was sure that the baby was safe and that was enough for her. Garrett, her father’s attorney and number one thug, had dragged her down the hallway until she wanted to kill him. She might just yet, she thought with a grin. It was short lived when the door opened in front of her and she was thrown in. The door slammed shut behind her, and she just sat there. He looked at her through an opening in the door, and she wanted to get up and slap the smile off his face before he spoke to her.

“Your daddy will be here as soon as his bail money is approved. And when he gets here, I wouldn’t expect him to welcome you back into his life with open arms.” She didn’t say anything, thinking to save her energy for more important things, like killing them both. “Oh, and your in-laws are on their way in too. They have a few words to say to you as well.”

“I’m sure they do.” Dillon moved to the wall to lean against it and to watch the door. She had no idea what she would do if they came into this room with her to cause her any harm, but she was going to be able to look them in the eye. When the shadows moved in front of her, she nearly screamed, but didn’t when she saw who was standing there.

“Vinnie. How the hell did you find me?” She sat down on the floor but didn’t come any closer. When she put her finger to her mouth for her to be quiet, Dillon closed her mouth to the million and one questions that were popping up at random. The scuffle at the door had her looking up. When the door opened, she had to fight hard not to cringe from the couple standing there.

“Mother fuck. Your father said we’d be surprised when we saw you. Right under our fucking noses all the time. And to think that you went and made our son do what we wanted anyway. That is just about the best news I’ve heard in some time.” Dillon stared at the man in front of her, and then at the woman when she entered the small cell as well. Landon’s parents were mean spirited as they came. “Where is he? We need you to bring Landon here right now so we can end this.”

Dillon laughed at the man. “Let me see if I can pull him out of my ass for you. Or call him. I’m sure that I can use my cell phone to...oops. The idiot that shot me took it from me.” The man looked at her oddly before she continued. “Where the hell was I supposed to put him? Not to mention, I was told to come alone. Alone does not mean I bring my husband with me.”

Dillon looked at Vinnie when she laughed, but neither of the Logans did. They couldn’t see her. And when Mr. Logan stepped on Vinnie’s outstretched leg, Dillon knew that she was right. Then Vinnie spoke to her in a normal calm voice that did wonders to her own set of nerves.

Now that you’ve figured it out, I want you to know that I can’t help you until we know what the plan is. I want to. Nothing would make me feel better than to tear their throats out and let them bleed to death right here in this room. But the police, in all their wisdom, won’t like that overly much.
Dillon said nothing.
We know where you are. Well, I do. And a few other people. Steele does, but we’ve not told Landon. I think it would be a mistake to have him come in here to rescue you just now.

Nodding quickly, Dillon watched the couple. She thought perhaps they were waiting for her to answer them, but for the life of her, she had no idea what they might have said. Not that she cared. She wasn’t going to bring Landon here for them to kill him.

“You two are pretty stupid if you’ve hooked up with my father.” Mr. Logan snorted at her and Mrs. Logan asked her why she thought that. “He’s a criminal. Well, I guess that’s sort of like calling the kettle black, isn’t it? You two have more ghosts in your wake than most cemeteries, don’t you?”

“It was do or die, young lady, and we decided that we enjoy the lifestyle that we have now.” She remembered the paperwork that she’d picked up from Earl that day. And wondered if it had been filed yet. She just shook her head and laughed at them.

“You mean your father’s money? I hate to tell you this, buddy, but that’s about to go up in smoke too. Did you really think that no one would find the will? I mean, holy Christ, Landon told you that he talked to his grandda all the time. Didn’t you think he’d let him know where the original was?” Mrs. Logan stiffened at her words and looked at her husband. There was worry there, and Dillon was glad for it. “You two won’t be able to profit off the insurance you’ve taken out on Landon or me either. Not with the way things are going for you. Landon and I have already filed our marriage license, so the one you have dated before the wedding is void. Insurance fraud is going to bite you in the ass.”

“What do you mean about my father’s will? No one has seen that since the old bastard died.” Dillon said that she and Landon had taken it to the courthouse several days ago. Right after Grandda had told her where to find it. “No. You can’t have.”

“Why do people keep saying that to us? We
can
have done it, you moron. And furthermore, we’re going to stay right here on the ground when we go on our honeymoon, too. No plane crashes for you to collect on.” He started for her, but she brought him up short with her next words. “You do, and I swear to Christ you’ll never know what hit you. I’ll have you dead before your heart beats again.”

“Landy, what’s she saying? I thought you said that you took care of that will. That no one would ever find it.” Mr. Logan told her to shut up. He had it worked out. “How? If he’s filed his paperwork, then the insurance is not going to pay off. And I’m not going to go to jail for this. You told me that you had it all taken care of. Am I to assume that my father’s will is out there somewhere as well?”

“No. I’m pretty sure that you’re going to jail for murder as well as a lot of other things. Why the hell did you keep the hearts of the people you killed in the armor in your living room?” Mr. Logan came toward her this time and kicked her in the head. Dizziness swamped her, but she stopped Vinnie from leaving her to get the police by raising her hand. “You thinking of adding me to your collection? I’d seriously reconsider that. I’m not an old man with a baby in my arms.”

He laughed; threw back his head and laughed. Then, when Mr. Logan leaned against the wall drawing a gun, Dillon thought for sure that he was going to finish her off. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

“Since I know for a fact that you’re never leaving this room on your own, I’ll tell you. The hearts? Well, those are of the two people in the world who stood in our way. Her father and mine. They had it in their heads that we weren’t nice people and were going to turn us in. Not even having Landon, their pride and joy, could keep my nosey father out of our business, so I killed him while he sat in our living room holding my son.” Dillon wondered if Landon’s grandda knew this and was pretty sure he did. It explained why the man had watched over his grandson so well. He was protecting him from his parents. Dillon asked about the other heart. Mrs. Logan laughed.

“My daddy. He was going to change his will. Told me that he was disappointed in me. I cannot tell you how disappointing he was to me, with his rules and ways of doing things. Never a nice word to say about how much money we were raking in. Never once told me how my house was bigger than his. You should have seen him when I had him in the pool. Begging me to let him get out. Telling me how tired he was. Every time he tried, I’d shoot toward him. Never at him, but he didn’t have to know that. And once he was just too tired to get out, I watched him drown where he was. Getting his heart from him was a little trickier, but with the kind of money I was going to be making from his death, I could have anything I wanted.”

“You people are sick fucks.” The blow to her head this time was nothing she could have avoided. Nor could she hold onto her consciousness. It was as if the lights were turned off and she was plunged into total darkness.

~~~

Landon stood where they told him to and didn’t move. He was going to hit someone if they didn’t give him any information, and the longer he stood there, waiting, the more people were going to be killed when he was released.

“You keep looking like that and nobody is going to come to you when they’ve processed the scene.” Landon glared at his grandda, who only laughed. “She’s pretty pissed off herself, so you know. Her temper is going to be legendary when they get her loaded up on that bed.”

“Is she all right?” Grandda said she was hurt, bleeding, but was gonna make it. “I need to see her. Can’t they see what it’s doing to me to not be able to see her?”

“They can. But it’s more important that they get this right the first time. There won’t be any going back if they mess up. And I, for one, want those two behind bars for the rest of their days.” Landon nodded, but he didn’t have to like it.

Just over an hour ago, the police had stormed the warehouse he’d led them to. He and Dillon had been talking about going shopping, when they were done for the day, at Mitch and Vinnie’s warehouse. There were some things, bedroom furniture, that they were still missing, and Vinnie told them there was a lot of that sort of stuff they’d not had any time to inventory just yet. He knew when he got the message from Steele where she was going.

“Vinnie said that they murdered you.” That had nearly had him going to the cruiser where his parents were being held and killing them both. They had killed the man that had come to mean more to him than they ever had. “I’m so sorry about that, Grandda. I wish I had known.”

“No. It’s better this way for all of us. Had you known, I think they would have killed you long before you were sent away to school. Took me a long time to convince them that they needed you out of the house before they did it. I know that you were lonely, son, but it was the only way I knew to keep you safe.” Landon nodded. He knew that now. “They’re going to find what is left of my body soon. I’d like you to bury it out with your grandmother. They went and took my body off and had me buried in a plot far away from here. I see her once in a while, but not nearly as much as I’d like to.”

“I can do that for you. No problem.” Grandda nodded, and Landon felt better now. Less murderous. At least for the moment.

When the police came out of the building, Landon made his way to the entrance just as the ambulance backed to where they were. They were being extra cautious right now because Allister was on the loose. No one had realized he wasn’t in his room until about an hour ago.

“Hello.” Landon reached out to touch Dillon’s hand that was wrapped up in a gauze when he saw her. “Your father hit me.”

“I can see that. I hope you got in a few punches of your own.” She shook her head, then moaned. “Just rest, honey. Don’t move. I’m going to follow you in my truck, as they won’t let me ride with you. The police can do a better job than I can in protecting you.”

“Vinnie saved my life.” He knew that as well. Vinnie had told him what had happened and what his parents had said. He owed her more than he could ever repay. “When he kicked me, I thought for sure she was going to kill him. But she wasn’t really there, was she?”

“No. She wanted to go to you, but it was too dangerous for her. But she said that you were strong and that you kept them talking until the police arrived. Which I find hard to believe. Usually they just never shut up.” She laughed, then winced at the pain of it. “I’m going to let them take you in now. Steele said he’d drive me.”

“Good.” When she laid her head back, he knew she had to get going. Grandda had told him that she had a broken wrist, as well as a concussion. She was going to be all right, but it was going to take a little while to mend. She’d lost a lot of blood when she was shot, too. “Landon? When we get home, do you think I can just lay around for a couple of days? I’m very tired of all this stress we’ve been dealing with lately.”

“I am as well, love. And I’m making arrangements for you to have a nice long rest in one of my homes. You’ll love it. People to wait on you hand and foot while you do nothing but rest up.” She smiled at him just as her hand in his went limp. The meds that they’d given her had finally kicked in fully.

By the time they made it to the hospital, she was in surgery. Landon sat in the waiting room as several of the same police officers moved about. Each of them had on heavy jackets and were armed as well. None of them looked like they were going to rest easy so long as they were needed. Landon leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

His parents had murdered his grandda. While in the back of his mind he knew that it was true, it was still hard for him to wrap his mind around. Ever since Grandda had started to hang around him, he’d told Landon that he’d been dead before he was born. Now he knew the real story.

“He left you everything.” Lee Vargas, his attorney, had come to him just after he’d turned all the paperwork over to him that Dillon had picked up. Landon had never bothered reading it. He didn’t remember why right now, but there had been so much going on that he’d just called Lee and told him that he was giving it to him. “The house, the money. Even his collection of cars, in the hopes that someday you’d run over your father with one of them. It was right there in the will too.”

They both laughed over that. Landon watched his grandda as he sat in the room with the two of them. Lee went on to tell him of the provisions that had been made for him, even when he was supposed to get his money from the estate. His parents had been given a house, according to his grandda’s will—not the one that they lived in—as well as a yearly check that was to help with their expenses.