Hard Days Knight: Under-Cover Knights, Book 1 (20 page)

J
ed and Luc
tried everywhere they could think of. They called Mercy’s false references, searched her house. But even though her bedroom was a forensics nightmare with all kinds of incriminating evidence, pictures, photos, clippings from the Internet, cutouts of Luc’s head on other naked bodies, they didn’t find any leads as to where she might have taken Del.

They did find a clear indication of her intent—a picture of Del, torn from one of them together in Luc’s bed, with pins in her eyeballs and her heart.

Luc’s phone beeped and he jumped. Not Del, Ridge. “Yeah, Ridge.”

“I was just checking to see what’s happening with the investigation.”

“Mercy’s got Del, Ridge. We’re trying to find her.”

Ridge swore, “Luc, I didn’t know. But earlier the security system blipped and was reset.” Ridge hadn’t reset it.

“So we know where they are. Now we need a team,” said Jed.

“I’ve got just the people in mind,” said Luc.

L
uc called Mack
, but the “Commander” and Samantha insisted on coming.

Jed objected. “This is a police matter, Luc.”

“Fuck that, Jed. Look it’s got to be a small group. And it can’t be a bunch of police and flashing lights. You and me and two others trained in recon with police out of the line of sight. Samantha wanted to come, too, but she might risk the baby.”

Luc missed Jed’s poleaxed expression. “Your sister is pregnant?”

“Yes, but still we may need a doctor. It’s got to be a small group because if she’s at the studio she’ll be able to use the monitors in the security room to see any vehicles pulling into the lot or flashing lights. She may kill Delilah.”
If she hasn’t already.
Luc’s stomach turned over and he said a prayer for her safety.

Mack drove up to Luc’s in his taupe twin cab 4x4, about as far from a police vehicle as they could find. Jed met Commander Larue, Lt. Dr. Sam Larue, Sgt. Mack Larue and Spec Ops Lt. Luc formally and thought they might have it handled. Each was loaded with top of the line night vision goggles and dressed in dark camouflage. Guns adorned each hip. Luc’s camouflage was costume quality though to fit their plan. He looked exactly as he had in the convenience store the first time Jed had met him, but this time the gun and knife were real.

The only way Jed’s chief would allow them to play it this way was if Swat was on their way from Baton Rouge and Jed was in charge on location.

Jed said, “All right. Luc is going to walk straight in through the studio door like he’s just coming for work. ‘Didn’t Del get the message from Ridge? Etc.’ Got it?” Mack and Victoria nodded.

Sam said, “I wish you’d let me come.” Four voices including Jed’s said, “No,” simultaneously.

Luc said, “We may need your medical expertise,” squeezing her on the arm.

“She’ll most likely see you coming, Luc, so be careful,” Jed said.

Luc’s eyes were hard. “I’m not taking any chances while she’s got Delilah. We ready?” He was itching to get started.

“You remember the alarm code? Don’t let her reset it. We’ll give you ten minutes to find her and make sure she’s not by the monitors, and we’re in as well.”

Luc’s phone rang. Luc groaned, “Mercy.”

“See where we’re at.” Jed motioned for everyone to be still and listened in on Luc’s conversation.

“Mercy, I was just fixin’ to call you.” It was hard to be nice to the woman and not want to throw up.

“I’m sure you were, baby. Where are you?”

Luc thought fast, “I’m on my way to the studio, about ten minutes away.” He looked at Jed, “Can you meet me there. Did you get Ridge’s message?” Ridge had actually called her phone and left a message that he wanted her to meet Roger and Luc there to finish the shoot. He’d told her they had a rush job for the movie being filmed in Twin Lakes.

“I haven’t checked my messages,” Mercy said, sounding strange. There was a pause and Luc thought he heard the keyboard clicks on her phone. Luc made the “crazy sign”, a circle to the side of his temple to indicate to the others that she sounded like she was losing it.

“Well, I’m dressed and on my way. Can you meet me there? Roger’s supposed to be there in thirty minutes.” Luc tried to push but Mercy seemed distracted—or drugged.

There was a long pause while they all held their collective breath, then, “All right, but I’m actually closer than you. I’ll go ahead and turn the alarm off and meet you inside.”

“Sounds good,” he said, and playing the role, “did Ridge tell you what to wear?”

“He said it was another soldier shoot that I should dress in leggings and a tight low cami or that torn t-shirt to show off my best attributes. Her smile came through across the phone, “Just the outfit I want to have on when I’m posing with my man. See you in a few, baby.”

She ended the call, and Jed stepped back, whistled, “Man, I’m betting she’s on the verge of losing it. Sounds like she may have taken something, too. Don’t take any chances, Luc. First opportunity any of us gets, take her down. Get to Del.”

Victoria said, “We caught a break though. She’s going to deactivate the alarm. All Luc’s got to do is keep her distracted.”

“I hope it’s that easy,” said Luc, knowing nothing about Mercy was entirely predictable. The trend toward more violence, her intentions, maybe, but not her actions.

“Sync up,” commanded Vic, and Jed’s eyebrows rose but he did as she said. They checked their headsets and Luc’s hidden earpiece for reception and split up. Luc waited until ten minutes had passed, seeming like two hours, then drove his vehicle through the gates parking near the studio door.

Luc ran through his story in his mind one last time before he opened the back door and stepped into the studio. The alarm had been deactivated but Mercy was nowhere in sight. Trying to appear normal, Luc didn’t look into any nearby offices or the lounge, just called out, “Mercy,” and flipped the lights on in the hallway. “Mercy, where are you?”

“We’re back here, Luc. In the prop room.” His eyes widened. Now what? He whispered into his hidden mic, “She said, ‘
we’re
here’ so I’m not sure what I’m going to find. She’s in the prop room. Get in here, fast.”

He walked casually calling out, “Who’s we? Is Roger here already?”

When he got to the door of the prop room, Mercy was indeed ready for the shoot, dressed in a yellow low cut t-shirt and tight black leggings. But she stood behind a bound and duct taped Del, a very real looking butcher knife at Del’s throat. Del’s head lolled to the side but Mercy pulled the blonde length of her hair tight, rolling her head back, causing Del to moan and struggle until Mercy hissed at her to be still and brought the knife’s edge to her skin. Luc’s heart pounded with terror.

“Roger’s not here yet, baby, but your whore is. I thought we might have a going out party.”

Mercy was definitely
on
something. Her eyes were glazed and she seemed jumpy. Not good.

“We don’t need
her!”
Luc tried to put disgust in his voice. He wasn’t sure he accomplished it.

“Sure we do, Luc.” Mercy’s head tilted as if Luc wasn’t “getting it”.

“Why? Just let her go. She’s nothing to me.” He almost winced at the words. He was drawing on every acting lesson he’d had in the last two years.

“I know, baby, I know she manipulated you, put a spell on you.” Mercy’s eyes flared and she shouted, “But I don’t want her around to bewitch you. Delilah—the witch! She’ll keep working her spell and you won’t be able to resist her.” She whispered in Del’s ear and Luc saw that she was coming around. She might even be doing a bit of acting herself. He hoped so.

“Sure I can. She’s not—”

“That’s enough, Luc,” her voice was shrill then fell off to a whisper, “I know best.” She frowned at Luc as if trying to figure out how things had gotten so screwed up.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Luc. I was trying to place the planter so I could get her out of the way later, but it slipped and you were there and …”

“I don’t blame you, honey.” Luc didn’t want her to think too much. She might sober up or get temporary
sanity,
but he needn’t have worried. Mercy’s head tilted and she said, “I wanted you to do this, Luc, but your heart’s too tender. I understand,” she said as she raised the knife to Del’s throat.

Luc whipped his gun out and fired as three other bullets struck Mercy, one next to his in her forehead, and two in her cold dead heart.

Luc ran forward as Mercy fell backward, her lifeless hand released the knife, and Del toppled sideways. Samantha knelt next to Del and reached for her wrist. Del’s eyes opened, her pupils still dilated. As Victoria and Mack moved closer and Jed went to check Mercy’s body, Del said, “You brought the family commandos.”

Luc smiled, “We take care of our own, sweetheart.” He carried her into the staff lounge so Samantha could start her on an IV and check her vitals.

The police arrived, followed by Ridge and Buffy. Buffy, a lithe beauty with red gold hair and blue eyes, hugged Luc and apologized that her husband hadn’t listened to her advice earlier. Then, with Samantha riding in the ambulance, it took off for the hospital.

Jed thanked the Larues for saving his partner, and suggested Mack might want to apply with the police department when he got ready to transition to the workplace.

Luc said, “Ridge is kind of hoping to turn him into a ‘Knight’. And you should really think about a part-time cover-modeling career, Jed. You have the
right stuff.”

Luc had seen the way his sister and Jed looked at each other. They didn’t even seem to be conscious of the attraction themselves. But there were things Sam wasn’t saying about why she’d left the service. It wasn’t just because she’d hit her twenty-year mark
or
because she was pregnant.

“Your sister is a very beautiful woman,” said Jed. That surprised Luc. He figured it might take Jed longer to acknowledge his interest.

“It’s a family trait.”

“I noticed.” Jed looked at the ambulance leaving the parking lot. “So, is there a boyfriend…”

Or is the baby’s father in the picture?
Luc was sure he wanted to ask. “As far as I know, there’s no one waiting to take responsibility for my sister’s baby. For the details you’d have to ask her yourself. Mom and I are going to follow the ambulance to the hospital. You coming?”

“Later. I’ve got to file reports and supervise clean up here and at Del’s. When you talk to Delilah tell her I’ll be there when I get through with the paperwork.”

Luc shook Jed’s hand and got in Victoria’s car.

D
el watched
Luc standing in the dark at her patio doors, looking out over the devastated rose garden. Her heart tripped as she thought about what he’d done, even with everything else that had been going on.

As soon as he’d seen the ruin in her back yard, he’d called Eme and Victoria, who’d recommended a specialist from LSU. The director of the Ag department sent his assistant straight to Del’s once the place had been cleared. They’d managed to salvage many of the bushes, but especially Delilah’s new strain.

The sight of Luc standing in the moonlight, the sculpted lines of his body clearly delineated by the light and shadows, and still moist from their shower, stole her breath. He turned and though she couldn’t see his eyes in the near dark she knew they were reflecting the inner passion he never tried to conceal; a passion he brought to everything in his life including his unwavering pursuit of her.

She closed the distance between them and walked into his arms. He bent his head to cover her lips with his. The kiss started slow and tender, but when his hard length rubbed against her stomach, she groaned, and he took the kiss deeper, stroking her tongue with his.

She wanted him again, even though they’d exhausted each other earlier. Hands on his biceps, she felt his strength as he plundered her mouth, his hips thrusting against hers. But it wasn’t just his physical strength and beauty—though he was beautiful—but the absolute genuineness of him. He was the real deal. And he was hers. How had that happened?

He ended the kiss with a nip at her bottom lip, his eyes squinted with desire. His fingers lifted her butt and he whispered hoarsely, “Up.”

Up? She'd have climbed his body like a man sized sex toy but his strong hands merely flicked her into position around his waist, and then he was at her entrance teasing as he held her effortlessly. He bent his head and took one happy nipple into his mouth sucking and laving it with his tongue. She reached down and stroked him, flexing her hips to bring him closer. He released her breast and slid home, deep.

Yes,
home
. She whispered, “Luc,” tightened around him, her hands tugging on the dark strands of silk. His hips flexed beneath her heels and each thrust sent her closer to the edge. It was like making love with separate parts of her body, as if it were twin halves. She tried to concentrate on the feel of him inside her, going so deep, and then the play of his tongue brought her attention back north.

God, the man could kiss. She didn't want this to end… ever. Instead of that thought throwing her out of the moment, it threw her over the edge—and with a gasp he released her mouth, gave one hard deep thrust and followed, relaxing back against the wall, still supporting her with one hand. Then, they slid down the wall satisfied and, she thought, blissful.

His breath shuddered out as he lifted his face from her hair, and those lovely eyes smiled softly, “You have a way of always bringing me to my knees, Delilah.”

She started to untangle from him but his arms tightened, “Stay. I don't want to let you go quite yet, okay?”

She laid her head against his good shoulder while their heartbeats slowed. She thought about that moment at the peak of their loving when she'd realized how much she wanted a life with him.

Tension gripped her for a moment and his body reacted. “Hold still a minute, sweetheart,” his voice held humor. He tipped her chin up so he could look at her face. “I don't want to risk you running away from me," he chuckled.

Then, his voice grew low and serious, “I love you Del. I hope you don't get tired of hearing it.”

Hearing him say those three words again made her heart stop for a beat, and take off on a more certain steady thump. She’d wondered what she'd feel like when someone said those words to her and meant them; would she be ready, would she know? Would she feel the same way?

But this wasn't just any man. It was Luc. And ever since Luc had said it the first time she’d known in her gut. He was true and honorable to the core. From the moment she met him he’d been a hero, and she hadn’t even realized she’d been waiting for him. And yesterday he’d been her “Knight”.

Delilah didn't need a hero. She was used to being the protector, the one who saved the day. But her heart felt as if it would swell out of her chest, and when her eyes filled she saw his worried expression. She smiled up at him, “I love you too, Luc. I think I fell for you that day in the convenience store when you weren't embarrassed to be carrying a fake gun and knife, and used your wits to stop that robbery. You just don't know how to be anything
but
a hero.” She smiled. “I love you because despite your job there's not a thing fake about you. You bring that commitment and passion to everyone in your life, including your teens.” She smiled. “You're
it
for me.”

Luc sighed lowering his head to hers. “I thought I'd lost you. Remember we talked about your job that first time and you said it's who you are? I love that about you, Del. You're right, it is as much a part of you as that silky blond hair. I couldn't love you as much if I didn't except all of the parts that make up the whole.
You're
the hero. Just promise me you'll always be careful. I want to be taking you and our kids to the Larue reunion for years to come.”

Delilah remembered what she’d said to Luc when her befuddled mind realized she’d been rescued, and by whom; it was something like, ‘You brought the family to rescue me.’

He’d held her as if she might break, his eyes moist and his heart pounding next to hers, ‘Your family, if you’ll have us,’ he said.

She’d been blessed. The hard days were indeed over, and she’d ended up with not just a second chance with her own family and a new brother, but an entire team of Larues.

Sometimes life threw some presents your way, and Delilah was going to wrap her arms around this steady, beautiful man and never let go. “Your love has enriched my life beyond anything I could have ever imagined.” She would never take him for granted, her steadfast green-eyed love.