Her Very Strict Captain by Carpenter, Maggie (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you are being questioned if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand each of these rights I have explained to you?”

“Yeah, yeah, but do you honestly think you can walk me out of here and stay alive? My house is full of soldiers.”

“Your house is full of my agents, and your soldiers are sound asleep,” Scott retorted, spinning him around.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“They were drugged during the party, and the guards outside the door are in custody.”

“I don’t believe any of this shit,” he growled as Scott led him back into the round room and pushed him onto the couch.

“Sit there, and don’t move,” Scott ordered sharply, “unless you want to make my day.”

* * *

Unbolting the door and staring down the stairs, Scott saw the house being cleared and Conchello’s soldiers being dragged away.

“Brad, I need help up here?” Scott asked. “I have five freaked-out men with their ankles cuffed to chairs.”

“Yeah, I know, any minute now.”

“Tell them to seal off the trap door as soon as they enter the chamber.”

“What about Rosemary? Where is she?” Sonny suddenly bellowed.

“You can tell him she sustained no injuries,” Brad offered.

“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t,” Scott replied.

“Answer me,” Sonny demanded. “Where is she?”

“She had a fall,” Scott said calmly, walking toward him, “through the trap door.”

Watching Conchello’s face crinkle in horror, Scott almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

“Mommy,” Conchello whimpered, tears abruptly spilling from his eyes. “You killed my mommy.”

Rosemary’s Baby.

Scott’s brow crinkled as he recalled the bizarre password for the drug lord’s security system.

“Mommy,” Conchello wailed again. “Your Sonny’s coming, Mommy.”

Abruptly jumping from the sofa, he sprinted into the chamber.

Cursing himself for not closing the door, Scott raced after him. Lunging forward, he managed to catch the hem of Sonny’s jacket—but a second too late. Still wailing for his mommy, Sonny had jumped into the shaft. The jacket ripped in Scott’s hand. Straightening up, he stared at the horrified faces of the five men trapped in their seats.

“Don’t worry,” he said hastily. “They landed on an airbag.”

“Too bloody bad,” Ewen grunted.

“I’m a federal agent. You’ll be out of here in a few minutes,” Scott continued. “Brad, is the concrete room secure and the airbag clear?”

“The area below is secure and—yes—Conchello is off and the airbag is clear.”

“Tell the woman you’re with to meet me there,” Scott said, not wanting to use Elizabeth’s name.

“I’m on my way!” she said excitedly.

“I am too,” Scott replied, and sitting on the edge of the shaft, he pushed off.

Chapter 34

As he fell into the forgiving airbag, Scott stayed still for a moment to say a silent prayer for the tortured souls Conchello had so ruthlessly thrown down the chute. Whatever their sins, no one deserved such a terrible fate.

“Scott? Are you okay?” Danny called.

“Yep, great,” Scott replied, rolling on his side and slipping off.

“I figured you’d show up, but I wasn’t expecting you to arrive like that.”

“Neither did I. Where are Sonny and Rosemary?”

“There were two guys waiting in the wine cellar in case Conchello used it as an escape route. As soon as I let Frank know Rosemary had dropped in, if you’ll pardon the pun,” he added with a grin, “they were here in a heartbeat and took her away. They came back just as Conchello showed up, and they whisked him off too. You just missed them.”

“Dammit, I had some questions, but I’ll be able to ask them later.”

“You do realize you just pulled off the impossible,” Danny declared with a wide grin.

“Teamwork pulled off the impossible.”

“True, but you’re a guy who gets things done.”

“So are you, Danny, big time.”

“Speaking of getting things done, can I deflate this now?” Danny asked, waving at the airbag.

“Your shift is over, my friend. Someone else will be here to handle the heavy lifting, but Danny, before you go, I have to ask, what are your future plans?”

“They’re a bit up in the air,” Danny said with a slight frown, “though I will resign from the LAPD. After that I’ll be starting over as Danny Sullivan. Why do you ask?”

“There’s a process, but Danny, I want you on my team. I could use a guy with your skill set. It’s a bit complicated, but basically, I run a covert force under an arm of the CIA.”

“Wow, I’m flattered. I wouldn’t say no to living down here, that’s for damn sure,” he said enthusiastically. Then pausing, he added, “Actually, Scott, I have to be honest. When I was on my way to the island to find Elizabeth, I came up with the same idea. If things worked out I was going to approach you. I even mentioned it to her.”

“Great minds,” Scott declared with a grin.

“But I need to take a break for a bit, it’s been a helluva year. Oh, before I forget,” he continued, fishing into his pocket, “here’s what’s left of the money I took from the Jeep.”

“That’s yours, and you’ll also be getting a check.”

“Seriously?”

“After everything you’ve done, do you think I’d let you wander the streets penniless?”

Danny chuckled. “Thanks, Scott. Do I need to sign for it?”

“Probably at some point, but not tonight. Where will you be staying?”

“I wasn’t sure, but I am now,” Danny replied with a grin. “For the next couple of days I’ll be in a great hotel with an ocean view and room service. I want to lie in a comfortable bed, watch television, drink bourbon, and sleep with both eyes closed. Any recommendations? I have no idea what’s here on St. John.”

“Gallows Bay or the Westin, and you sure as hell deserve it.”

“Did you say Gallows Bay or the Westin?”

Turning in unison, they saw Elizabeth walking toward them.

“Danny’s going to lie low for a couple of days,” Scott replied.

“Gallows Bay,” she said firmly. “It’s