Sandy's Story (Ditch Lane Diaries Book 3) (14 page)

Damn it.
Caiojezeal had wiped out too many of Sandy’s natural responses. She seemed to have the demeanor of a child. “Of course, I’ll show you where the linens are. The shower has soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Do you remember how to take a shower?”

Dee shoved him and jokingly said, “Silly goose, of course, I know how to take a shower. Now scoot.” She pushed him out of the bathroom and locked the door.

Caiojezeal walked back into the den, dropped his face into his hands, and rubbed vigorously. He shouted, “What the hell is wrong with you? Get your shit together, or you’re going to get your ass in a world of hurt.”

For the duration of Dee’s shower, Caiojezeal stared at the illusion he created for her. Six thousand years had come and gone. He thought himself incapable of feeling until he met her. Caiojezeal knelt and, in another first, he prayed to The Creator to help Sandy. Caiojezeal had no clue if his tie was broken, but he prayed anyway.

If Luc ever found out he’d prayed to the Almighty, Caiojezeal would be exiled into the Eternal Blackness. But if he could save Sandy, maybe, just perhaps, there was redemption, and The Creator would allow him to come home or at least become an earth angel.

Chapter 9

The Way It Is

On the thirtieth floor of the Steele Building, Cole sat in his leather chair looking at downtown Nashville. He’d built an empire with blood, sweat, and tears over a couple of decades and amassed more wealth than he ever acquired back east. Sandy Cothran had his ass in hot water with the authorities and worse with Luc.

The four televisions mounted inside a custom-built cabinet were turned on to the news stations, and there was no mention of Ms. Cothran’s abduction. If Cole didn’t hate the bitch so much, he would’ve taken her at the farm. She had slender legs all the way up to her tight ass and real tits, not those fake boobs like every woman his posse dated.

Cole beat the shit out of Sandy this morning, and just thinking about the attack made him adjust his pants. Yeah, her tits were real soft and fleshy, judging from the sweater she’d worn. Cole had recorded her stories on his VCR and played them at least a hundred times during the last two years. He’d memorized every line on her face, including the little chickenpox scar on her forehead. He would’ve finished her off today if Caiojezeal hadn’t stopped him.

Sandy could’ve been a real asset to his organization, but his attempts to recruit her had failed miserably. Carson had the hit to kill her last December, but he’d only roughed her up. Baldric appeared on the scene and sent Carson to the hospital with the shit kicked out of him and amnesia to boot. Sandy had gone on air the next night with the story of her attack and even had her camera operator zoom in on the bruises on her throat. She looked straight into the camera and threatened him. Damn, the woman had cojones the size of coconuts. Her most recent exposé would probably bankrupt him and send him to jail.

The buzzer from his intercom went off, and he pushed the button. “Jackie, are they here?”

His assistant, Jackie, had been a real gem to find—trustworthy, dependable, and loyal, and she made the best coffee this side of the Mississippi. Jackie shielded him from unwanted solicitors and knew all the names of those he held in his back pocket. In exchange, she had a six-figure income and a pretty nice spread in Williamson County. She replied, “Yes, sir. Do you want me to send them in?”

“Please, and Jackie, call Nelson Doune. Tell him I’m dropping by this evening around seven. Say we have a problem. Oh, one more thing. Hold all my calls.”

Cole walked around to the front of his desk and crossed his arms. The double doors opened and in walked his men. Cole’s men had never questioned his decisions and never turned him down for anything. Walt, Carson, and Hammer had been with Cole since New York. “Gentlemen, please sit down. What have you heard on our prisoner, and is Luc back in town?”

Carson went over to Cole’s bar and poured a shot of Chivas. “Shit, who’d have thought Caiojezeal had a soft spot for Sandy?” He sauntered back over to the couch against the wall and sat down.

Walt sat in one of the reception chairs and crossed one leg over the other. “That bastard’s crazy, but he did get the book back.”

Cole picked up a crystal paperweight on his desk and threw it against one of the TVs, smashing the glass screen, which released fire and smoke. “That woman and Luc’s book…”

* * *

Lucifer blew the doors open and shouted, “I’m nailing your ass to the wall. The police are downstairs. They’re coming for you, Cole. You’re going to spend the rest of your miserable life behind bars. It seems someone singled you out in the murder of Nick and, oops, did I forget to tell you that the authorities found Councilman Stevens’ body? Yeah, you’re getting hit with the Stevens charge, too. Serves your ass right for nearly screwing up everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve.”

Cole’s face flushed red, and he balled his hands into fists. “You achieved? You turned me in to save your ass. It was my hard work that propelled this enterprise.”

Luc raised a brow and waved his hand in the air, sending Cole flying into the glass windows of the office. He levitated Cole into the air, cutting off Cole’s windpipe. “Carson, sit behind Cole’s desk. Let’s see how you look.” After thirty seconds, Luc dropped Cole to the floor and left him coughing and gasping for air.

Jackie’s voice came over the intercom. “Mr. Steele, there are some officers out here, and they have a warrant for your arrest.”

Luc pretended to swing an invisible golf club and answered in Cole’s voice. “Please send them in.”

Cole crawled on his hands and knees toward Luc. “Please don’t send me to jail. I’ll do anything you want. Just name it.”

Luc pressed his black cowboy boot into Cole’s face. “But I want you to go to jail. With you in jail, Steele Enterprises will have the green light to proceed with business as usual, and the board will appoint Carson as the new President. Oh, I am the board.” Luc moved to the side and allowed the police officers to come in the door.

Detective Wade proceeded with the reading of Cole’s Miranda rights and escorted Mr. Steele out of the building in handcuffs.

Luc slapped Carson on the back and said, “And just like that, you’re the boss.”

Carson tilted his head and straightened his shoulders. “Well, sir, I’ll do the best I can to make you proud.”

Luc strolled over to the window before glancing over his left shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. It’s not calculus or physics. Just open your ears and listen. Do what I tell you to do and we won’t have any problems.” He paused and held his hand in the air. “Wait for it—Cole has left the building.” Luc did a fist pump and turned to Walt and then Hammer. “Do either of you have a problem with my decision today?”

“No, sir, damn glad to be here,” replied Walt.

Hammer cracked his knuckles and said, “Makes no difference to me, boss.”

“Great. I’m glad everything can proceed as normal. I have to pop to New York for a few hours before I return to Arrington. Secure the perimeters of the farm’s property. Baldric will come for his missus, and I want to be ready for him.” Luc dematerialized.

* * *

Ruby raced to Anna’s Clinic on Main Street. She burst through the door to find a full waiting room of patients. Anna’s receptionist, Kris, glanced up and said, “Ruby, Dr. McDaniel is with patients. You’re going to have to wait.”

Ruby cocked her head to the side, pursed her lips, and pushed the door open toward the exam rooms. She shouted, “Anna, Anna. Where are you?”

Kris caught up with Ruby as Anna opened the door to the exam room on the right. “Good grief, what’s going on out here?”

In exasperation, Kris said, “I tried to tell her you were with a patient. Like that ever works.”

Ruby touched Kris on the shoulder and said, “Sorry, kiddo, but this can’t wait. A moment, Anna.”

Anna gave Kris a smile and said, “It’s okay, honey. We all know Ruby. She’s a freaking force of nature.” She turned and motioned Ruby into her office. Once inside the private office, Anna closed the door and blew out a breath. “For crying out loud, I have patients. What’s the problem?”

Ruby broke into a sob. Several choppy breaths had escaped her lips before she said, “The Dragon has Sandy. It’s not a dream—it’s freaking for real. I’ve already called Reed and Mom. You have to call Jerry and come to Everglade Farms ASAP.”

Anna grabbed Ruby’s shoulders and said, “Calm down and talk slowly. What do you mean? How do you know?”

Ruby stomped her foot on the ground several times. “Dad-blame it, Anna. I’m not joking. Luc is The Dragon. Sandy is the person in my dream. She’s the one. I told her to come to the store. Sandy should’ve been at the store thirty minutes ago. I had an overwhelming need to check, so I went to her parents’. There was a struggle inside the Cothran’s home. Broken glass and furniture were tossed all over the place. I’d bet my life Luc has her.”

Anna hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Have the guardians been notified? And where’s Baldric?”

“How the heck do I know? Mom is summoning the guardians. Let’s go. Call Jerry and I’ll see you at the house.” Ruby left as fast as she came in.

Opening the door to her Jeep, Ruby slid into her seat and cranked the engine. She looked both ways before pulling onto Main Street. She drove straight to Everglade Farms. Little Joe had spent the night with Lee and Harry because she’d been on schedule to open the store. She met Rose, the store manager, and waited for Sandy, but Sandy never showed up. Reed was going to meet her at her parents’ house.

Ruby’s mind raced, and her insides twisted, thinking about Sandy in the dream with Luc. “Seneca, I need you.”

Seneca materialized in the passenger seat. Ruby tossed him a glance and noticed he seemed frazzled. She said, “Oh, it’s bad, I’ve never seen you upset. Tell me like it is. Don’t sugar coat it.”

Seneca leaned back in the seat and turned to face her. “Baldric and Sandy were paired last night by the Spirit of Man.” Simultaneously, Ruby’s mouth dropped open; her brows rose, and her eyes widened. He said, “Don’t interrupt. Listen, Michael summoned Baldric. After their meeting, Michael escorted Baldric to the throne room. There’s no communication with the outside once you enter the holy place.”

He swiveled in the seat and crossed his legs. “Well, while they were still in the waiting room for The Creator, Sandy’s parents’ property was overtaken by an elite demon angel force led by Caiojezeal, their commander. Evidently, Luc developed this new weaponry that blocks our warriors’ powers and any transmittal for help to the AFF control room. We have our research team on the scene to develop a counter weapon. Sometime later, Sandy’s voice broke through the ethereal plane to the AAF command center, screaming for Baldric. Luc’s using Sandy as bait to get Baldric. Our generals are working on an evacuation plan. We’ll meet in the barn later. I’ll be back soon.” Seneca vanished.

Ruby began to hyperventilate. She’d had The Dragon Dream so many times. Why couldn’t she see something, anything to help? What good was her power if she couldn’t stop bad things from happening? “Oh, God, please watch over and protect Sandy. Please.”

An hour later, the wards and the guardians met inside the Everglade Farms barn. Lee set up a banquet table in the center of the barn. Angels sat in the rafters as Erinelle and Ralph spread out a map of Luc’s Arrington Estate to develop a plan for Sandy’s escape.

Erinelle’s voice rose. “Baldric doesn’t know Luc is holding Sandy prisoner. He’ll need restraining until he can get his emotions under control. He’ll be highly volatile. Raizeal and Samian, come forth.”

Raizeal and Samian appeared in front of Erinelle. Each warrior angel was at least Baldric’s size. Ruby doubted two would be enough to subdue Baldric.

Erinelle said, “Wait for Baldric and Michael at the throne room gates. Bring Baldric here. I’ll have the calming chair ready for him in one of the horse stalls.” The two warrior angels disappeared.

Erinelle looked at the wards and the angels. “The rumors are true. Baldric paired with Sandy.” The room erupted in an uproar. She continued, “Please, settle down and listen. He’s meeting with The Creator to plead his case regardless of the outcome, in his heart Sandy is Baldric’s mate for eternity. When he finds out Luc has Sandy, it’ll take all of us to convince him we go into Luc’s compound as a team, or we don’t go at all.”

Ruby had noticed the way Sandy looked at Baldric on several occasions but never fathomed the growing romance between the two. Ruby whispered to Reed, “Just Sandy’s luck to fall in love with an angel.”

Reed nodded and said, “I know, right?” Erinelle narrowed her eyes at Ruby and Reed and frowned. They shut up fast.

Ralph took center stage in the middle of the barn. He threw his arms open wide and said, “Love is what lights our way. Our brother is in love, and we’ll help him. Our ward is in trouble, and we’ll help her. My earth angel contact told me Cole is no longer in charge at the compound. He’ll serve out a sentence in the human jail before Luc sends him to hell. The new human commander is Carson Jones. He’s weak.”

Lee stepped over next to Ralph and asked, “What do you want us to do?”

Jerry raised his hand, and Erinelle nodded approval for him to speak. “Nelson Doune’s farm connects to Luc’s Arrington Estate. I know the layout of the farm well. I’m sure Nelson will cooperate with us if I asked him for help.”