Page 27 of Dark Memories
“You look like a sexy ninja,” Zach said, his gaze finally leaving the window to roam over her. He leaned his mouth close to her ear. “Don’t you think it would be fun to have a ninja in my bed?”
She was dressed all in black, and there was something about being able to fade into the night, invisible to her enemies, that did make her feel like a ninja warrior. She ducked her head to hide her smile, and at the same time wished he would stop saying things like that.
He wasn’t as stressed and on edge as he’d been the last two days, and she thought he had finally let himself believe he’d have his daughter back, safe and sound. He’d shed his suit and tie for worn jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a brown bomber jacket that she recognized from when she’d been with him. She liked what that said about him. Just because he was a billionaire now, he was still the same guy who favored worn jeans and his favorite jacket.
Eve walked over, flanked by Eric and Rhys. “SWAT is set up.” She glanced at Zach. “You’re staying with me and Rhys.”
“Got it,” he said. “Be careful, Delaney.” He shifted to face her and put his hand on her arm. “I want my daughter back, but I don’t want you hurt either.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I’m counting on that.”
Her family had as much as deserted her, and for the past eight years the only people who’d cared about her well-being were her fellow cops. She couldn’t deny that she liked having someone outside of the department who worried about her.
“Let’s do this,” she said to Eric.
They approached the window where one of the SWAT guys was waiting with a glass cutter. The screen had already been removed, and he stuck a suction cup on the glass, then cut around it. When he had the piece out, he reached in and unlocked the window, then eased it up.
“All’s quiet,” he whispered. “Good luck.”
A ladder had been placed alongside the window, and Harry went up first. She leaned into the opening and flicked on her penlight. A dog growled. She turned the light toward the sound, seeing a little white dog sitting at the end of a bed, looking back at her.
“Hey, little guy,” she quietly said. “Please don’t bark.” He wagged his tail. She climbed through the window and eased her feet to the floor.
Eric followed her in, and Harry approached the twin-size bed that was pushed up against the wall. Kali wasn’t visible, but there was a little mound under the covers. Harry paused to pet the dog before it barked. His tail thumped against the bed. Thank God it wasn’t a big attack dog. She knelt by the bed while Eric went to the door and locked it.
Easing the cover back, she put her hand over Kali’s mouth to keep her from calling out. “Baby Girl, wake up, sweetie.” Kali opened her eyes, then squeezed them shut and tried to pull the cover back over head. “Kali, I’m going to take you to your daddy, but you have to be very quiet. I’m going to move my hand, but you have to promise not to scream, okay?”
Kali nodded. “I want my daddy,” she whispered after Harry lifted her hand away.
“I know, and he’s here, waiting for you. We’re going to have to climb out the window without making any noise. Can you do that?”
She nodded again.
“Good. My name is Delaney.” She shined her penlight on Eric. “That’s Eric. We’re the police.”
“Are you going to put the bad people in jail?”
You bet your ass we are.She smiled. “Yes, but right now, let’s get you to your daddy.”
Kali wasted no time scrambling out of the bed, and then she picked up the dog.
“No, honey. You need to leave it here.”
“No.” Her lips trembled. “Ollie doesn’t like the bad people.”
Harry glanced at Eric, getting a shrug. Well then. Looked like they were rescuing one little girl and one dog. “Okay, he can come with you, but he has to be quiet, too.”
“He will, I promise.”
“Let’s go then.” At the window Harry climbed out and onto the ladder as Eric took the dog from Kali after promising her that he’d bring it out with him. Ollie settled in Eric’s arm, apparently fine with being rescued, too.
Harry helped Kali onto the ladder, and then stayed behind her for the few steps to the ground. As soon as Eric was out with the dog, Kali held out her hands. Her new friend secure in her arms, she looked up at Harry.
“Where’s my daddy?”
“Close by, waiting for you.”
