Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
Chalisa had laidon her bed fully clothed and cried. She must've cried herself to sleep. She'd been awakened what felt like moments later by rough hands pressed against her mouth, arms and legs. The men quickly had her bound and gagged and airborne. She tried to fight, but it was more hopeless than winning against Jagger in the sparring competition.
They carried her into the living area of her apartment. Her eyes widened as she saw Aiden's friend Nick bound and gagged on the apartment floor. Blood ran down his face and arm. His head was tilted to the side, one eye staring up at her, full of sorrow that he'd let Aiden down and she'd been captured. Her stomach turned over, and she wished she could help heal him.
"Hola."
Her gaze darted up. The man standing over Nick made her stomach revolt. Cold chills encompassed her.
"There she is." Jorge grinned at her. He walked to her and trailed his fingers across her cheek. She flung her head away from him. He grasped her face and squeezed. Pain laced through her cheekbones. "You are mine now, mi belleza."
Chalisa screamed against the gag, hot tears of terror stinging her eyes.
Would she ever see Aiden again? He was gone. The man he'd left to protect her was beaten. She would be violated and dead before sunrise.
Then she had the most awful thought. At least Aiden could focus on his path without the guilt of leaving her behind. Her death would be more motivation to stay his path and take down criminals like Jorge. Even in her death, she could continue to serve. She would be motivation to the most driven man on the planet to protect others.
Jorge looked down at Nick. "You tell Aiden Porter that Jorge has escaped and now I have his woman. When he finds her body, he can blame himself." He kicked Nick.
Chalisa cried out her protest against the gag, but Nick only glared at the guy.
"Vámanos," Jorge commanded his men.
They carried her out into the night. Chalisa tried to scream into her gag and fought to get free, but no sound escaped and she didn't so much as budge their tight grip on her.
She was shoved into the backseat of a sport utility vehicle and men squeezed in on each side of her. Two men were behind her, with Jorge and a driver up front. Nobody said anything as they drove out of her condo parking lot and toward the freeway.
Chalisa shuddered. Horror made her gut churn and her body weak. How had Jorge gotten out of prison? How had he known where to find her?
They took the freeway but exited before too long and drove into a small, private airport. There were a lot of large metal airplane hangars and some smaller planes and jets. It was quiet at this time of night.
Driving through the airport, they pulled up to a hangar. The driver jumped out and hurried to type into a keypad. The massive garage door rose. They drove into the hangar and parked next to a white jet. It was even bigger than Aiden's.
The men piled out of the vehicle and one manhandled her out. Fighting was useless, but she still tried.
Jorge marched up to her and grinned. "We will enjoy some time together on my jet. I already know where to leave your body, mi belleza. I will keep your Captain Aiden busy for a very long time searching. Leave him some clues, you see. His reward will be your rotting body and knowing I have beaten him."
He gestured with his head to the jet and spoke some commands in Spanish. Despair filled Chalisa. Aiden wouldn't find her until her body was rotted away.
Two men yanked her across the cement, up the stairs, and into the spacious jet. They shoved her into a cushioned seat and then sat on either side of her. One of the men strode to the cockpit and rapped on the door. After a few seconds, he tried again.
Jorge settled across from Chalisa, grinning widely. "Not long now, mi belleza."
That was what she was terrified of. She looked away and prayed desperately. Please help, please help.
The man at the cockpit door shoved on it. It wouldn't open. Another man stood to help him.
Jorge fired something at them in Spanish.
"Un momento," the first man replied.
They both shoved together and the door opened very slowly, almost half a foot. The one peered in and then yelled something that sounded like a Spanish curse word. Jorge stormed toward them, and they were all exclaiming and gesturing. Jorge shoved one of the men.
Chalisa felt a stirring of hope. Something was wrong with the pilot? They couldn't fly to her death?
Jorge stormed back and rolled his eyes in disgust. "The pilot is drunk," he explained to Chalisa.
Drunk? So they couldn't fly out of here at least. Did it matter? How could Aiden possibly find her?
Jorge issued a string of commands to a guy seated near the back of the jet. He nodded, said, ‘Si', repeatedly, and then scurried out of the open plane door.
Everyone in the jet settled. Was the pilot being drunk the heavenly intervention she had prayed for? How could she possibly escape? Maybe someone at the airport would call the police.
Chalisa looked out the plane door. The hangar was brightly lit, but nothing seemed to be stirring in the night beyond.
"Marcus will find us another pilot," Jorge told her. He pulled out his phone, pushed a number, and started speaking in Spanish.
Chalisa closed her eyes to shut out the horror she was facing and prayed. Peace filled her. Maybe she would die but the Lord would strengthen her through whatever pain she would face. She prayed He would let Aiden know how much she loved him. She despaired that Aiden wouldn't turn to the Lord to get that message, but then she remembered, she'd already told Aiden how deeply she loved him.
Realizing the plane was too quiet, she opened her eyes and recoiled. All the men were silently staring at her. Jorge most creepily of all. "Replacing the pilot may take some time." Looking like a jaguar about to pounce, he stood, grabbed her bound hands, and yanked her to her feet. The rope dug into her already-raw wrists. "Come. No reason not to start the party."
He hauled her toward the back of the plane and what she assumed had to be a bedroom.
She dug in her heels and tried to slow him down. One of the other men pushed her from behind. They passed the open plane door. She tried to throw her weight toward the steps. She'd rather tumble out of the plane and break her neck on the concrete than go with Jorge.
Jorge pulled her forward. Her heart raced out of control and cold chills covered her skin. This was it. She couldn't get free.
Someone pumped up the plane stairs and collided with the man behind her. They flew toward the wall of the plane and splintered a side table there. Everyone cried out in surprise. Jorge yanked her in front of him like a shield, pivoting to face the action. Three other men and a woman filtered into the plane, guns drawn. One of the men looked like Aiden but thicker.
Everything erupted into chaos, like a brawl in a superhero movie. The four rescuers spread out in a fury of punches and kicks, taking down her captors.
The first man who'd entered the plane thumped the other guys' head against the floor and dropped the limp figure. Then he whirled to her.
Aiden.
She screamed for him, but nothing came out.
He looked dangerously beautiful with sparks shooting from his blue eyes and his body coiled to fight, to protect her.
He'd come. So many prayers had been answered.
"How did you find me?" Jorge hollered, his arms pinning her tightly against him.
"Anonymous tip." Aiden shrugged. "Apparently you're hated around the world."
The three men and the gorgeous brunette had taken down the other guards. They fanned out behind Aiden. Jorge didn't stand a chance.
"Now, would you like to go back to a more secure prison, or would you like to die?"
"I'll kill her," Jorge threatened, tightening his grip on Chalisa and sliding one hand up to her chin as if he'd break her neck. She trembled.
"So you choose death, then?" Aiden looked calm, his signature smirk in place, but his eyes were flashing blue fire. Jorge would pay for hurting her, scaring her, touching her.
Aiden vaulted off one of the seats and leaped toward the side wall of the plane. Chalisa and Jorge both turned their heads to look. He flipped back toward them, grabbed Jorge by the shoulders, ripping his hands off of her, and slammed the man to the plane floor with the force of a freight train. With one punch square to the face, Jorge's body went limp. She didn't think Aiden had actually killed him, but she knew she was safe.
The man who looked like Aiden and the lady hurried toward her as Aiden sprang to his feet. The brunette flipped a knife out of her pocket. Chalisa drew back.
"Thank you, Myra," Aiden said, accepting the knife. He gently held Chalisa's arms and cut the bounds off, then sliced the gag. Both fell to the ground. He handed the knife back to Myra and turned Chalisa to him. "All right then, love?"
"Aiden," she whimpered and threw her arms around him.
He held her far too gently. "Chalisa. Did they hurt you, love? Are you injured?"
"No," she admitted. Her wrists were raw, her mouth felt like dry cotton from the gag, and she was terrified, but she was fine. Better than fine. Aiden was here.
He released a breath. "Good. I didn't want to waste time killing Jorge tonight."
He framed her face and kissed her. Everything was right. She was safe. She was with Aiden.
Would he walk away again? That made her cling to him and kiss him even deeper.
Aiden pulled back and swept her into his arms. "Nick, Dallin. Secure the plane and call the FBI."
"Yes, sir." Nick dipped his head to them.
She hadn't even realized Nick was one of the men fighting for her. He'd been so bruised and broken but he looked strong, tall, and unphased by his earlier wounds.
"Nice work." Aiden nodded to them.
Aiden carried her down the steps and out into the brightly lit hangar. He stopped near the huge open door and kissed her again. The world was lit with fireworks and happiness. She was with Aiden. She was safe.
A throat cleared nearby.
They pulled apart, and Aiden let her feet slide to the ground but held her tight to him as they turned to face the couple. "Chalisa, this is my brother Ike and his girlfriend Myra."
Two of her rescuers stood nearby, holding hands. They were both grinning at her. Myra was the gorgeous brunette.
"You … fight with him?" Chalisa asked. A stab of pain knotted her gut. His brother could have a girlfriend, but Aiden had to honor the vow made to his father?
"Yes. Well I lead the way." Myra batted her eyelashes at Ike.
"That's right," Ike said. "I'd follow her anywhere."
"Ah, thank you, Shnookums." Myra released Ike's hand and snuggled into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Shnookums? The silly nickname definitely didn't fit the tough-looking Ike but he only grinned bigger and cuddled Myra close.
"It's incredible to meet you," Myra said.
"Nice to meet you," Ike said.
"You both as well, but …" She turned to Aiden, unable to hold it in. "Girlfriend? I thought the Porter men didn't … fall in love."
"The smart ones fall in love," Ike said.
Aiden's blue gaze was as beseeching as she'd ever seen it. Because he had to explain one more time why they couldn't be together?
"Oh, love …" He stared at her then glanced at his brother and Myra. "Pardon us, please."
"Oh, by all means." Ike seemed to be getting a kick out of this.
Aiden tilted his chin up to both of them and then escorted her out of the building and around to the side. Red and blue police lights raced their direction and faint sirens could be heard. They wouldn't have long. She was safe, but far from the dream of her and Aiden staying together. Having him rescue her, kissing and holding him again. It would be even more devastating to watch him walk away one more time.
It was quieter and a little darker around the building. Aiden kept his arms around her, studying her face. "Chalisa … you told me once that you would always forgive me."
"Yes, I did." She would. But forgive him for having to leave her again? It was devastating.
"Do you still feel that way?"
"Yes, Aiden."
He visibly relaxed, but it was obviously hard to get out what he needed to say. "I need you to forgive me for being a stubborn idiot and missing the picture completely and breaking both of our hearts."
"Aiden?" Was he saying what she'd prayed for? "Missing what picture?"
"I can't live in fear of relationships and miss out on you. My dad wasn't in his right mind when he extracted the vow from me, and I realize now that he would want me to be happy."
She clung to him, feeling faint and full of hope. "Are you saying…? You won't walk away from me again?"
"Never," he whispered fiercely, kissing her and then pulling back. "At least only for jobs, but I will always come home to you. Unless I go to heaven first."
Thrills raced through her. "What changed?"
"Sutton and Ike set me straight. My dad is at peace, and he still wants Ike and me to excel, but he wants us to be happy and loved and have families. I know that now. The miracle of us finding you here confirms it. I was coming for you when Dallin and Nick called that you'd been captured by Jorge." He shuddered. "I humbled myself and dropped to my knees. I prayed."
She smiled, her chin trembling.
"I asked Ike, Sutton, and all of my men to help me find you. Some computer genius named Tippin found a request for a jet from Cancun, Mexico, to land at Bob Maxwell Memorial Field. We searched cameras and confirmed it." He paused and studied her face. "My prayers were answered."
"No. Mine were." She arched up and kissed him.
He grinned against her lips. "I love you, Chalisa."
Her eyes widened. She never thought she'd hear him say those words. She was safe, she was loved, and she was home.
Thank you.
"I love you," she repeated.
He kissed her then, and the night exploded with light and happiness.
Hours later, they were driven from the police station to an exclusive neighborhood in Newport Coast. The security guards verified who Aiden was and let them through the gates. They pulled up to a rock and stucco home.
Aiden thanked the men and walked her to the front door. He typed in a code and swung the door wide.
"Low lights in the living area and back patio," Aiden said.
Lights came on, and she could see a spacious living area with lots of windows and a pool glowing blue.
"Whose house is this?" she asked.
"Mine." Aiden looked her over. "Do you realize there's so much you don't know about your favorite person on earth?"
"Yes." She laughed, but it was true.
"I hope it doesn't bother you, but I'm insanely wealthy." He shrugged. "Part of the plan, you know?"
"Where else do you have homes?"
"Cape Cod and Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica."
"Wow." She shook her head. "As long as I'm part of the plan."
"Oh, you are." He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her for a long time. When he pulled back, he said, "Love … I find I would like a European location as well. Would you mind having homes on Cape Cod, Newport Beach, Costa Rica, and Magna?"
Her heart raced. "You're assuming I'll say yes when you ask me to marry you."
"Oh, you will." He gave her a cocky grin and touched her necklace. "Everlasting love. You have to say yes."
She smiled. Of course she would. "Why Magna?"
"I loved it there. It was magical, had a sense of home and family I've never experienced, and it's the place we fell deeply in love."
"Speak for yourself. I was in love with you the first night we met."
"Ah." He kissed her softly. "I was as well, but Magna is still magical to me."
"I love it there too," she admitted.
"I can assign bodyguards to protect you when I'm on a mission and you want to be working in your centers or at the hospital, but I absolutely love Magna and the people, and your family's there. Hope needs her Aunty Shell."
Chalisa smiled.
"Plus, I want to become an expert on jousting. I spoke with Lemuel and West about joining my team they're ready to retire from active duty, but I can't do that until I can beat Lemuel at jousting." He smirked at that. "Truly, we can live wherever you want, but I want you to be with the people who adore you. I'll set up my European headquarters there and when we have babies, your mom and sister will be right with you."
"Babies?"
Fire rushed through her at the look he gave her. "Lots of babies." He ran his hand through her hair and cupped the back of her head, his fingers laced through her hair. "Once I get the perfect engagement ring and ask you in the most charming manner, how do you feel about a very short engagement, or even better, eloping?"
Chalisa ran her hands over his firm shoulders. "I think as soon as Ike and Myra can fly to Magna with us, that will be the ideal date. I have an in with the king and can get a marriage license quick. Pastor Brandon would happily marry us in their beautiful church."
"I love you," he said fiercely. Then he drew her close and kissed her just as fiercely.
Everlasting love.
But Aiden wasn't her beetle. He was her man. Her Bionic Man, and also the right man for her. He who would never walk away from her again, not without plans to return, and they would create the happiness and home they'd both longed for. Together.