Chapter Ten
DARCY
I’ve spent entirely too much time in closets the last few days. Between the butler’s storage room, the kitchen pantry, and waking in this small storage closet, I’m done. I’ve never been claustrophobic but after this, I might never enter a small space again.
Gracie sniffles and curls tighter to my chest. She hasn’t spoken in a little while. I don’t know how long, because it’s dark in here, and my phone was taken from me while I was unconscious. I tuck some of her blonde hair behind her ear and press a kiss to her head.
There’s a sliver of light coming from under the door.
Just enough for my eyes to adjust to the gloom.
I can’t see any injuries on her, just some dirt on her face that’s been streaked by tears.
Around us, there are several empty shelving units.
I hear their rapid Spanish exchanges right outside the door.
I don’t understand them, but it doesn’t matter.
They aren’t going to let us live. I saw it in the eyes of the man who’s their leader.
He came in to look us over, nodded, and walked away.
Those few seconds were enough to make my skin crawl.
Somehow, I’m going to get us out of here. I won’t let them hurt Gracie.
“Daddy’s coming,” I whisper to Gracie for maybe the thirtieth time. If I say it enough, maybe it will comfort us both, because I’m scared to death. My knees haven’t stopped shaking since I came to in this small room with Gracie crying and patting my face, begging me to open my eyes.
“Daddy,” she whimpers.
Tears spring to my eyes at the broken sound of her voice and I hold her closer. “I’ve got you, pumpkin.” Linc’s endearment for her slips out but feels right. “I won’t let the bad men hurt you.”
“I don’t want daddy to die,” she wails against my neck. “He won’t come back ever if he dies.”
My heart cracks wide open. It’s clear she’s aware enough of our situation to sense the danger both to ourselves and her dad if he comes to rescue us. It’s enough to bring back memories of the only experience she has with death. “Like your mom did?” I whisper.
She nods, sobbing uncontrollably now. “She died and never came back.”
I rub her back in soothing strokes, offering any physical comfort I can. “I know. But she loved you so much. She would have come back for you if she could, and she left you with your daddy, knowing he would always love you and take care of you.”
“What if the bad men get him?”
I press another kiss to her head, rocking her. “Can I tell you a secret?” Her nod is almost imperceptible, but I feel it against my neck. “Your dad is just like the men guarding Princess Grace. Remember them?” I hope reminding her of her favorite toys will help her understand what I’m saying.
“Yes.”
“None of them ever die. They protect the Princess from everything, especially the bad men, right?”
Gracie rubs her eyes and looks up at me. “Daddy is like the guards?”
“He is, and he has other guards with him. They’re going to fight all the bad guys and rescue this Princess Grace.” I press my hand over her heart.
“And you. They have to rescue you too. Daddy needs you. He smiles.”
My throat thickens. “He does?”
Grace hugs me again. “Yes. I don’t want you to go away. I want you to be my new mommy.”
I’m supposed to be strong for her, but I can’t contain my tears. “You do? You want me to stay with you and your daddy?”
She nods. “Please don’t die, Miss Darcy.”
“I won’t, pumpkin. I promise.” It takes me a few minutes to get my tears under control. Brushing them away is worse. My cheek is swollen where one of the men hit me, and even the slightest touch is agony.
Male voices come closer and a shadow passes through the shaft of light from under the door. I hold my breath, keeping Gracie close. A moment later, they move on.
I let out a deep sigh. Now that Gracie is calmed down some, I need to try one more time to find something to protect us.
If someone comes through that door other than Linc, I want to be ready for them.
“Come on. Let’s see if there is anything interesting in here that can help us escape.
” I help Gracie to her feet and stand, stretching my stiff muscles. We must have been sitting for hours.
“What kind of things?” she asks.
“Maybe something pointy or sharp? Or maybe something heavy?”
Gracie nods as if she’s been given an important task and crouches down to look under the nearest shelf. She’s resilient, and for that I’m grateful. We’ll get through this together.
Maybe if I can quietly move one of the shelving units, I’ll find something behind it. The one by the wall seems to be made of thinner metal than the others. It might not be as heavy. I start pushing it, and it slides across the floor, leaving a trail of dust.
All at once, there’s a rapid popping sound outside the door, followed by shouts in both English and Spanish.
I sweep Gracie up into my arms and press back into the corner away from the door.
My heart is hammering so hard, I’m afraid it will punch through my ribs.
Okay, new plan. I will push the shelf onto whoever comes through that door who isn’t Linc.
Gracie presses her hands to her ears. “Mommy, I’m scared.”
“It’s okay, pumpkin. It’s your daddy coming to rescue us.”
Seconds later the closet door bursts open, and a familiar form fills the doorway. Linc lowers his weapon and rushes to us, gathering us into his arms. He cups my uninjured cheek in one hand. “Are you both okay?”
Gracie nods and throws herself into his arms. “You rescued us like Princess Grace.”
He catches her and kisses her temple. “Of course I did. You’re my Princess Grace.”
She nods and reaches a hand out to me. I take it and swipe more tears from my eyes.
Linc’s eyes darken when he sees my cheek. Leaning close, he presses the lightest kiss to my lips. “Let’s get you both out of here. Gracie, go with Darcy. I’ll clear the way.” He hands her to me, then creeps back to the door, gun raised.
There’re a few more pops of gunfire, but most of the shouting is in the distance. “It’s clear,” he says, waving at us to follow. “Gracie, close your eyes and don’t open them until either Darcy or I say, okay?”
“Okay.” She squeezes her eyes closed.
I follow Linc out of the storage room and discover we’re in a large warehouse. There are bodies all around us on the ground. I don’t look to see if they’re alive or dead. All I can focus on is getting out of here.
Linc ushers us into the shadows along the wall and we run quickly for the open door. A large figure separates from the shadows beside me. I barely suppress a yelp and stumble back.
The man lowers the weapon aimed at us. “Easy. It’s me, Darcy.”
I recognize Mason’s voice in the darkness even though I can’t see him well. “Oh, thank God you’re okay, Mason.”
Something shifts in his eyes, and he nods. “It’s done,” he says to Linc. “Let’s get your girls out of here.”
Linc nods and holsters his weapon, then takes Gracie from me and wraps his other arm around my waist. My entire body is trembling so hard I can barely hold myself upright. I know it’s the adrenaline wearing off, but I can’t seem to stop shaking.
“I’ve got you, my love,” Linc says against my temple. His lips linger there in a light kiss. “Lean on me. I’m taking you both home, where you belong.”
Linc
Mom and Keane are waiting for us when we return home. Keane gives me a chin lift. “I’m set up in the living room. Holler if you need anything.”
“Thanks, man.” Knowing one of my brothers will be here to watch over us while we rest allows me to relax.
My mom goes straight for Gracie, sweeping her up into a tight hug. “Are you okay, sweetie? You must have been so scared.”
Gracie hugs her tight. “I was scared but my mo—Miss Darcy was there with me until Daddy rescued us.” My daughter gives Darcy an uncertain look.
About her slip up? I heard her call Darcy “mommy” in the SUV on the way home. It slayed me, to hear my daughter accept the woman I’m in love with.
Darcy leans forward and kisses Gracie’s forehead. “It’s okay,” she says.
Ma’s brow furrows as she looks between them but lets it drop for now. “I’ll take Gracie upstairs. I bet she’d love a big bubble bath and some clean clothes.” She gives Darcy a side hug, then slowly makes her way upstairs with Gracie.
Alone with Darcy, there’s so much I want to say. But first… “Come on, sweetheart. A bath sounds good.” Taking her hand, I lead her upstairs to my bedroom and straight into the bathroom. “Shower or bath?”
“Both,” she says, shoulders sagging.
I strip my gear and clothes off into a pile on the floor, then start the shower and help her undress. I’ve seen her beautiful body in the dark. Seeing it in the light, I’m even more enamored. She’s the most beautiful woman I know, even with the nasty bruise.
Jesus, I barely held it together when I saw what that motherfucker had done to her.
I had to. Gracie was already scared enough.
Mason told me after that the man was one of those killed in the firefight, saving me from hunting him down.
The temptation was strong, but taking care of my woman is more important.
Darcy lets me pull her into the glass-enclosed shower. I take my time cleaning her up, then myself. A bath would have been nice to soak her aches away, but she’s half asleep by the time I turn off the shower. I dry us off, then tuck her into bed beside me.
She snuggles into my arms, just as she did last night, and lets out a soft sigh.
I want her right here, every night for the rest of my life. Placing a tender kiss on her lips, I hold her close to my heart. Her eyes are already closed, her breath evening out in sleep.
“I love you, Darcy,” I whisper.
She makes a little noise of pleasure. “Love you… Linc.”