Running Strong Read online

  She wanted to believe that with all her heart. Even though neither Raphael nor Noah McCall had told her how they would help her get Giovanni back, she had to believe they would. She had no one else to turn to.

  “I’ll come by in the morning to do your makeup and bring a couple of outfits for you to try.”

  “In the morning?” Her heart pounded faster. This was going to happen tomorrow?

  “Oh dear, I hope I didn’t spoil the surprise. I received a text from Mr. McCall’s office asking if I could be available for you in the morning.”

  “That’s fine. Really.” She gave Loretta an encouraging smile. “I knew they were working hard to get this done as soon as possible.”

  Loretta placed her hands on Giselle’s shoulders and turned her to face the mirror. “Look at that woman in the mirror. See her strength, her endurance. She is a survivor, she is a warrior. No matter what she has to face, she will win.”

  “Thank you, Loretta. I needed to hear those words.”

  She squeezed Giselle’s shoulders one more time. “Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Loretta walked out of the room. Giselle heard her tell her assistants that it was time to go. She heard her say goodbye to one of the guards, heard a car engine start up and the crunch of gravel under the tires as the stylists drove away.

  She didn’t move from the mirror. It had been a long time since she’d bothered to do more than glance at her reflection to ensure that her disguise was in place. She hadn’t seen this Giselle in a long time. Even when she’d been married, she hadn’t been Giselle. Not really. She’d been the wife of Daniel Fletcher III. The proper daughter-in-law the Fletchers had expected her to be. Somewhere during that time, the real Giselle disappeared.

  She wanted that girl back. That Giselle was optimistic, full of laughter and joy. That girl fell in love with a boy who was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a man. It hadn’t worked out for them, but she wanted to believe in love again. It did exist. It must.

  The woman before her stood straighter. Loretta’s words penetrated a frozen part of her that had been hiding, afraid to live. She was brave, strong, and courageous. She had survived against unbearable odds. She was a mother. One of the many things she’d learned from her own mother was the knowledge that she was her children’s number one protector. There was no better example to follow than that of her own mother, who had sacrificed so much to keep her children safe.

  She would save Giovanni and in the process become even stronger. Her sweet baby boy was waiting on her to be his hero. She had let him down once. She would not let him down again. She would get her son back, no matter what.

  What happened after that was up in the air. Raphael would want to be a part of his son’s life. She wanted that, too. Whether he would want anything else was a question she refused to even consider. Hoping for anything more was a sure path to heartbreak. She’d already been down that path once—she refused to travel it again.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Noah walked the perimeter one more time. Reddington and his cohorts had likely chosen this rural area of Virginia because of its remoteness. Situated between Roanoke and Lynchburg, the abandoned park likely had few visitors anymore. A few old buildings surrounded the campgrounds, but for the most part it was a desolate and uninviting place for any living thing other than local wildlife.

  It was, however, the perfect spot for clandestine meetings and other unsavory events.

  Though his ribs ached with an unceasing throb and his head pounded in an answering rhythm, he ignored them both. This op had an off-the-chart stink factor. Hell, he didn’t even know if Mara and his kids would be brought here. This could be a setup to eliminate him and as many operatives as possible. He had no choice but to take the chance. Getting his family back meant everything. Without them, he could not exist.

  And if Giselle was right and Fletcher was behind everything, her life was on the line as well. He had made arrangements to ensure everyone’s safety. Things could still go awry, but they’d gone through several scenarios. This was what they did. The mission might mean more to him than any others, but that didn’t mean he and his people didn’t know how to do their jobs.

  Ten operatives had arrived yesterday afternoon and scoped out the location. He had gotten here a couple hours later, bringing five more operatives with him. If Reddington and his people wanted to play rough, he would give him what he wanted. He had more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

  As long as he got his family back and none of his people were hurt, then he’d be well satisfied. Nothing else would be acceptable.

  “We’ll get them back, Noah,” Angela said.

  Angela Delvecchio had been with LCR almost from the beginning. Having gone from receptionist to tech analyst to Elite operative, she knew the ins and outs of the organization almost as well as he did. After her first shaky start as an operative, she’d become one of LCR’s most versatile team members. She and her husband, Jake Mallory, were two of his most valuable assets.

  He was used to seeing her in various disguises—she’d become amazingly adept in role-playing and working undercover. Becoming Sarah Reddington, a woman almost twenty years her senior, might have been a major challenge for some, but Angela had eased into the older woman’s persona as if she were channeling Sarah.

  “I know we will.”

  “This isn’t your fault, you know. Reddington and whoever else he’s in cahoots with are responsible.”

  She had read him well, as always. “That doesn’t mean I’m without blame. They found my family…that part is all on me. I got too comfortable. Thought we were safe.”

  “Do you have any clue how they found you?”

  “I have some ideas. Once I have them back, I’ll make damn sure it never happens again.”

  He glanced down at his watch and spoke into a mic attached to his collar. “We’re a few hours away from the meeting time, but I want everyone in place now. Reddington isn’t going to come without some major firepower. Let’s make sure he doesn’t see us until it’s time.”

  He turned back to Angela. “Everyone ready on your end?”

  “We’re ready. Putting us in the building away from the main area is a good idea. If he even tries to take one of us, he won’t know what hit him.”

  “You think Giselle will hold up?”

  Angela glanced over at the young woman she’d heard about but met only a few hours ago.

  She was standing in front of the building they were going to wait in until Reddington showed. Mia and Riley were close-by, but Giselle stood several feet away from them, as if she didn’t feel she belonged. They needed to work on that.

  Both Mia and Riley were dressed for their roles, unrecognizable as their true selves. Mia, especially, was a shock. The petite operative who could take down a man three times her size was a marvel of modern makeup and ingenuity. Mia’s own husband, Jared Livingston, had nodded at her as if she were a stranger and then had done a double take. That moment had lightened the entire atmosphere.

  “I’m going to talk with her a little more…get her more comfortable with her fake family. But she’ll stand. She’s a lot stronger than anyone has given her credit for.”

  “You talked with her already?”

  “A little. I think she needed a woman to talk to.” She smiled, but her eyes remained solemn. “Not only do I look like her mother, I talk and act like her. I spent hours yesterday viewing the recording of Sarah’s testimony against Reddington. I wanted to make sure my voice and mannerisms were as close as possible.”

  Sighing, she shook her head. “She’s been through a lot, Noah. More than she revealed to you or Raphael. I don’t think she’s even hit the surface of what happened to her. I’m surprised she’s as stable as she is. They drugged her for a long time. Took her months to get that shit out of her system.”

  “Once this is over, we’re going to make them pay.”

  “They’re powerful people. It’s not going to be easy.” />
  His smile was grim. “Easy has never been our way. If we wanted easy, none of us would be here.”

  “You ever think about getting out? You’ve been in the game a long time. Ever think about taking Samara and the kids, moving to a deserted island?”

  “And let evil win? Hell no. As long as I have breath in my body, this is what I’ll be doing.”

  A little surprised at the turn of the conversation, he sent her a quizzical look. “You and Jake thinking about doing something like that?”

  “Moving to a deserted island? No, never. I’m too social for that, but…” She smiled, her delight obvious. “I was going to wait till this is over to tell you. Jake and I are expecting.”

  Delighted, he threw an arm around her and drew her in for a strong hug. “I’m happy for you two. You’ve come a long way, Angela Delvecchio.”

  Drawing back, her dark eyes misty, she gazed up at him. “Thanks to you, Noah McCall. Now let’s kick some bad guys’ asses and get our family back.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Noah watched her walk over to the others, glad to see her engage Giselle in a conversation with the other two operatives. He couldn’t deny a certain amount of guilt regarding Giselle. He should have followed her more closely. One of the things he prided himself on was making sure the victims that LCR rescued were safe. Once this was over, he would right that wrong.

  ***

  Ten miles away from the meeting site, Stanford stood before a full-length mirror. He had exchanged his prison garb for a tailored suit from his favorite designer. It galled him that he was down two sizes from what he had been before prison. For the moment, he was temporarily free. After this event finished, he would have total freedom. It paid to know the right people and to be able to deliver the goods.

  McCall and his team of self-righteous do-gooders wouldn’t know what hit them. It pleased him immensely that they had no idea what this was all about. They thought this was nothing more than an effort to have his family returned to him. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sarah was likely a dried-up old hag. She’d be in her forties now. When they’d been married, he’d been a devoted husband, willing to put up with the flaws that came with aging. He didn’t have to do that now. She’d ended his commitment to her when she’d betrayed him. He had the money and the smarts to find someone younger, better. So, no, this had nothing to do with Sarah.

  The children, Amelia and Eric, he was slightly curious about…especially Eric. A man liked to see what his seed produced. Was he as strong as Stanford, or would he be a disappointment like his firstborn son, Lance? Didn’t matter that the boy was only eleven or so. His own father had started him out early…given him his first girl at thirteen. Eric might well turn out to be the son he’d always wanted. He’d keep an eye on him, see what he could see.

  His oldest daughter, Giselle, was the key to everything. The plans he’d had for her had never panned out, but damn if she hadn’t landed on her feet by marrying into one of the most influential families of this century. Too bad she took after her mother and pissed all that away.

  Shrugging his bony shoulders, he turned away from the mirror. His bitch of a wife would get what she deserved, and so would her daughter.

  And Stanford would get the two things he’d been working on for years— vengeance and freedom.

  ***

  Uncharacteristically self-conscious, Giselle smoothed her hands down her dress once more. For someone who used to wear dresses and makeup every day, she felt surprisingly uncomfortable. The last few months, her survival had meant dressing in a way that didn’t draw attention to herself. Being inconspicuous had become her comfort zone. Dressed this way, she felt as vulnerable as if she had put a target on her forehead.

  The people around her acted as if they did this kind of thing every day, which she supposed they did.

  Her gaze immediately went to Raphael, who stood talking with two other male operatives who had been introduced to her as Jared Livingston and Jake Mallory. Raphael’s stance was relaxed but alert, his eyes both hard and wary, his mouth flat. He looked dangerous; he was dangerous.

  A shiver zipped up her spine. How was it that she had adored the younger Raphael because of his sweetness and gentleness, but found this new Raphael both exciting and sexy? Looking at him now, it was hard to believe he was the same man. There was nothing sweet or gentle looking about him. He was all man, and despite all her fears for the future, she felt a zing of warmth zipping through her that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with sexual attraction.

  She told herself that having these feelings was a crazy, useless fantasy. There was no way he would ever forgive her for keeping him from his son. No matter what reasons she gave, all valid, he could not see past the anger.

  Last night when he had returned to the safe house, she had been waiting for him. If she pushed aside all the pain and anger over the last few years, she could almost imagine she had been waiting for him to come home from work after a hard day. Could imagine she’d already put Gio and their other children to bed, and she and Raphael would sit down to a nice romantic dinner where they would talk and share their days. After dinner, they’d sit by the fire and make out. Then he would take her by the hand and lead her to bed, where they would make love for hours on end.

  That fantasy had lived in her head for only a few moments. It had ended when he’d barely nodded at her, told her to be ready to see Reddington the next day, and then headed outside to talk with the men guarding the house. She had gone to bed, and though she’d been woken by the usual nightmares, she had been able to catch herself before she had screamed for Raphael. He had made it clear that they no longer had a relationship beyond this. She told herself to accept that and just be happy he wasn’t outright hateful to her. Once all of this was over, she anticipated the hatred would come.

  “You okay? Have any questions?”

  The question came from LCR operative Riley Ingram, but the face belonged to Giselle’s sister, Amelia. The shock had finally passed, but the first time she’d seen the operatives posing as her mother, sister, and brother, she’d almost lost all composure. She’d had the surreal moment that her family was standing directly in front of her, and it had taken every bit of her strength not to throw herself into their arms. She hadn’t seen them in years, but these operatives were almost identical to how she remembered them.

  “I’m good, thank you.”

  “You have your vest on, right?”

  “Yes.” Thankfully, her dress was loose enough that the vest molded to her body and didn’t feel the least bit confining.

  “Does this happen very often? Having someone want to make some kind of family exchange?”

  “On occasion.”

  “Does it usually turn out okay?”

  “Yes. We’ve never had one that didn’t work out our way. Just keep close to Raphael and do whatever he says. He’ll keep you safe.”

  Having Raphael beside her during the meeting with Reddington would be a comfort. No matter how little he thought of her now, she knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. But what about him? By bringing him into this, had she made him a target as well?

  Apparently hearing his name, Raphael headed toward her. The look on his face was so intense she wondered if something had happened.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Everything’s fine. You stick to me like glue. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just keep your head down, and don’t draw attention to yourself.”

  “Has Reddington made any further contact?”

  “No. The meeting is still on for three. We have lookouts all around the perimeter. As soon as he’s spotted, they’ll let us know.”

  “But we won’t go out until he asks to see us?”

  “No. We’ll try to keep it contained to the building. If that doesn’t work, Angela will go out first. His main goal will likely be to see your mother. If he wants to see the r
est of his family, he’ll have to ask for you by name.”

  “What happens after that?”

  “We’ll have to see how it plays out. Just do what I say, and you’ll be fine.”

  “Listen up.” Noah’s voice came through her earbud. “Everyone in place.”

  Every muscle in her body went taut. Was Reddington close? Was this about to happen?

  Raphael could practically feel the nerves bouncing off Giselle, but her expression was calm and composed. He had barely acknowledged her since she had arrived, and anything he’d said to her had been brusque and businesslike. Despite his best intentions, he felt bad about that. Didn’t matter that he was still furious with her. She was under his protection, and part of that meant making her comfortable.

  “If Reddington asks to see you, I’ll be right beside you.”

  “I know you don’t want to talk about…things right now, but what I told you last night…that Gio looks just like you. If Fletcher is behind this to bring me out in the open, don’t you think he might try to target you, too? Having both of Gio’s parents gone would make things easier for him and Clarissa.”

  “He, or whoever he’s sending, won’t get a chance to target either of us. We’ll be fully protected at all times.”

  “Good. That’s good.”

  “You nervous about seeing Reddington again?”

  “Yes and no. Seeing him again, knowing what he did to my mother, will be hard, but I feel nothing for him but contempt.”

  “Hold those feelings inside as much as possible. Unless I tell you different. We want him to think he’s in charge until he realizes he isn’t.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve become accustomed to hiding my feelings.”