Levels Of Exposure (Distortion Series Book 2), Page 2

  “We were following a lead on Stodden, you know that.”

  “Yeah…well, they sent a fucking head doctor down to see me. She wanted me to talk about my feelings and shit.”

  “And?”

  “She was fucking hot. The only feeling I had was in my pants.”

  “Is there any other kind?”

  “It’s the only kind I care to think about,” Dane said as he grabbed his phone and his personal effects off the bedside table. “Shit, I need clothes.”

  “Here.” Jackson held out a bag. “Figured you wouldn’t want to walk out of here with your dress on.” Jackson nodded toward Dane’s hospital gown.

  “You’re a funny guy, Ace,” Dane said sarcastically as he grabbed the bag and pulled out a pair of jeans. “So tell me what happened at the warehouse.”

  “It was a bust. John had wiped his prints off the whole operation. Haffey and her team are back to square one. No sign of Stodden or the girls.”

  Dane turned and looked up at Jackson with narrowed eyes. “This doesn’t seem to faze you. What’s your plan?”

  Jackson rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. “I’m not gonna get Stodden by playing by the rules,” he admitted. “I’m gonna take a new approach.”

  “Teddy?” Dane asked as he pulled on his pants, carefully minding his side.

  “He’s with me.”

  “How are you keeping Giles in the dark?”

  “I have no clue, but I think I can stretch a few days without raising flags. Teddy’s little number said she would keep us on the paperwork a few extra days at the Belhaven Precinct.”

  “So his little side bone is proving to be useful.” Dane laughed. “What’s your plan?”

  “I’m going to pay Max a visit,” Jackson confessed, knowing Dane would have the same hesitance as Teddy did when it came to Max. Jackson hadn’t spoken to Max since he had called him to clean up the bodies at Stephanie’s house. Since he hadn’t heard otherwise, he assumed it was taken care of. Max was a contact Jackson had come to know through living on the streets before he pursued a badge. He kept in touch over the years, knowing that a contact on the other side of the law would benefit him one day. He just didn’t realize how soon that need would come.

  Dane pulled his shirt over his head and gently down over his bandage. “You sure that’s wise? That guy is as shady as they come.”

  “I already owe him. I’m just gonna make sure I get my money’s worth,” Jackson confessed.

  “Hell…count me in. Beats lying around and doing nothing. Giles said I’m off for a few weeks, no exceptions.”

  “How’s your trigger finger?”

  Dane lifted his hand in the air and gave his index finger a wiggle. “She’s sweet as candy.”

  “And your side?”

  Dane looked down at his side. “After the little run in with Stodden’s man, I’m a little tore up, but what’s life without a little pain?” He gently placed his hand over the bandage. “Plus they are giving me killer meds.”

  Since their warning hadn’t come soon enough for Dane, he had to face the man John Stodden sent to kill him alone. Although at the time he was recovering from his surgery, Dane fought off the man’s attempt and ultimately killed him. Unfortunately, it landed him back in the operating room. Dane’s attacker was Carlton Myers. He was a man who had been in and out of prison his entire life with no legitimate job and no family that claimed him. He fit the profile of Stodden’s men perfectly, but not even he could be traced back to John Stodden without reasonable doubt. Stodden had a way of evading detection that proved he had many people in his bed. They just needed to find out who was in his fold and find a way to make them talk.

  “You don’t have to join us, you know. You could sit this one out.”

  The door opened and Teddy walked in with his usual carefree demeanor. “What’s up?”

  Dane ignored him and continued his conversation with Jackson. “Even half broke I’m still better than Teddy anyway. You need me.”

  “Fuck you,” Teddy responded with a shake of his head. “All you do is point and shoot. Any idiot can fire a gun.” Teddy couldn’t keep the smile off his face.

  “Calm down, children.” Jackson smiled. He had been wound so tight lately it was nice to take the edge off. The last few days he’d barely slept. He had spent those last few days rounding out his time at Belhaven so he wouldn’t rouse suspicions by ducking out of town too soon. During that time Jackson absorbed as much information as he could about what they had on Stodden, which was file after file of dead ends. On paper, Stodden looked like a business genius. His hand was in many different pots, all of which turned a considerable profit. Underneath this façade, Jackson knew, were the dark, inner workings. He only needed to find the weak spot and crack Stodden’s whole operation wide open. Then he would take down Stodden and bring the girls home. Make sure Lexie was safe.

  Thoughts of Lexie haunted him. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was her beautiful face with those fear-filled eyes. He was tormented by the fact that he didn’t protect her. She had trusted him and he not only allowed her to be taken, but he revealed a truth that was unforgiveable. He knew the girl who would come home from this would not be the same girl who looked to him for answers or who saw something in him that he didn’t know existed. Part of him was relieved that bridge was already burned. Now he wouldn’t have to look her in the eye and tell her they could be nothing more than what they were. He knew he wouldn’t have the strength to walk away from her given the choice.

  “You in?” Teddy asked Dane.

  “Someone has to watch Jackson’s back. You get distracted too easily with flashing lights.”

  “It was one time and there were strippers involved. You can’t blame me for that. Right, Jacks?” Teddy said defensively.

  “No man,” Jackson confirmed. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”

  “Because of me,” Dane said confidently. “So goes my argument that you need me.”

  “Where’s Mansfield?” Jackson asked, noting Teddy was alone.

  “I told him that we could take it from here. He seemed a little hesitant to leave his boyfriend in our care, but what can I say? I can talk anyone into doing what I want.” Teddy smiled proudly.

  “Don’t call him my boyfriend,” Dane bit off.

  “Hey now, you’re not giving Mansfield enough credit. Did you know he builds train sets? He has a whole basement filled with tiny models and shit. I think he even mentioned he has a little figure of you and him holding hands and skipping through the park.”

  “Let’s get out of here.” Dane rolled his eyes. “I need some strong coffee.”

  “Why do you have such strong hatred for our good buddy, Manny, anyway?” Teddy asked, all humor dying away from his voice.

  Dane took a deep breath and looked at Teddy for a moment. Jackson could see his inner struggle. “No reason. I just can’t stand idiots,” Dane said, throwing Teddy a dirty look. He pushed past Teddy and pulled open the door. Dane was similar to his weapon of choice. He was a loaded gun and it was not wise to toy with his trigger.

  “To the bat cave,” Teddy said as they followed Dane into the hallway.

  Not knowing where Lexie was or if she was well slowly picked away at Jackson’s sanity. He needed a clear head to confront this beast. He knew that somewhere in getting to Mary Connors and bringing down John Stodden he would uncover the truth about his father’s murder. There was not one sole person in this scenario that was to blame. He realized his father’s death was the result of him looking into John Stodden all those years ago. His last case was the reason he no longer walked this earth and Stodden was the mastermind that stopped him.

  Mary’s confession that Rosh, his father’s partner, was the person that actually pulled the trigger planted a seed of doubt in his mind. There had always been something that did not sit well about Rosh’s retelling of the events of that night. A few inconsistencies that Jackson had filed away that now were beginning to make sense w
ith this new piece of information, though the very thought of accusing Rosh was hard to swallow.

  Rosh had always been like family. Always checking up on him and his mother after his father died. Making sure they had food when his mother couldn’t bring herself to leave the house. He was the one that attended Jackson’s ball games growing up. He had been there when his mother died, visiting him at Giles and always checking in to make sure he had what he needed. He didn’t want to believe the man that seemed so disheartened by the loss of his partner, Jackson’s father, could be the one who killed him.

  Jackson knew things were not always what they seem. This life had a way of turning people against each other. Everyone had a breaking point. He just needed to find a reason why Rosh would have turned on his father. He knew if he followed this path it would also lead him to John Stodden’s door, reaffirming his plan to tear that very man to the ground and burn his remains.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Lexie

  It had been almost a week since Lexie was blindfolded and forced into the back of the vehicle and brought to this prison. The soft sheets, feather pillows, and expensive paintings on the wall did nothing to distract from the truth of the situation. She no longer saw any of it as she stared out the window facing the endless horizon of trees. There were no landmarks, or distinguishing elements to indicate their possible location. She had no way of knowing where John had taken her and her mother.

  Her mind would not let her rest, especially where Jackson was concerned. John’s words swirled in her mind about what Jackson’s true intentions were, but they were at war with what her heart wanted to believe. She hoped she would have the opportunity to confront Jackson. All the words she wanted to say to him formed a hard knot in her stomach and left her confused. She didn’t know why she let Jackson so close that he could affect her like this.

  Every day that passed she was no closer to finding a solution, and it carved away at her hope. Her leash was so short, it was nonexistent. John had refused to let her leave the room since the first day.

  The only time she was allowed to see her mother was that first night when she attended dinner with John. The memory of it sat heavy in her chest.

  “Who are you?” Lexie questioned the man that walked into her room. His dark eyes dropped from her face and slid down the length of her dress without the courtesy of discretion. Lexie clenched her fists at her side despite the desire to cross her arms over herself and hide from his prying eyes. “Who are you?”

  “You can call me Flint. I’m here to escort you to dinner.” He looked to be a few years younger than John, ten at the most, but not as well manicured despite wearing a suit. There was a rawness to him that made him seem more like a wild animal that learned to play nice when the situation called for it. He had salt and pepper hair with an unshaven face and a look in his eye that gave Lexie a heavy dose of fear.

  Lexie cleared her throat. “Right…okay. I’m ready,” she confirmed.

  Flint came closer and Lexie forced her feet to remain planted despite her instinct to flee, her head filled with warning bells. His eyes never left hers and she was scared to be the first to look away and show any weakness.

  When he held out his arm Lexie hesitated, not wanting any physical contact with this man. He was like a snake waiting to strike but she needed to appear cooperative for the time being. She couldn’t afford any more obstacles in her way. She tentatively placed her hand on his arm but Flint pulled her closer, a sly smile curling his lips.

  “I won’t bite…yet.” He grinned wickedly. Lexie instinctively tried to pull away but Flint refused to loosen his hold on her. “What’s the matter? Do I make you nervous?”

  “No, I was just thinking how unoriginal your joke was. I won’t bite yet? You’d think someone your age would come up with something better than that,” Lexie challenged.

  “Ouch.” Flint feigned hurt. “You’re feistier than I realized. I like it.”

  “Well, just to be clear, I don’t like you,” Lexie said defiantly. “Shouldn’t we leave? I don’t want to keep John waiting.” Lexie couldn’t care less if John waited a thousand years, but she knew her mother was also joining them and she needed to know she was well, not to mention she couldn’t stand the man in her current company. Like John, Flint gave her the feeling that something horrible was about to happen.

  “Very well.” Flint led her out of the room and down the hall. Lexie tried to take note of her surroundings, trying to find clues to where they were, except everything was stripped bare and recently painted. The distinct chemical smell filled her senses. They passed numerous doors lining the hallway, identical except for the numbers. Large sheets of plastic closed off some areas that looked to be under construction.

  They approached a set of elevators. Two men Lexie recognized from the diner acknowledged Flint as he approached. The bald one, intimidating by his sheer size, pressed the down button when he noticed their arrival. Lexie didn’t utter a word. Instead, she took the opportunity to study the men that held her captive, looking for a sign that one of them may be possibly sympathetic to a kidnapped girl and her mother. Unfortunately, she might as well have been invisible to these men.

  They followed Lexie and Flint onto the elevator and didn’t even give her a second glance when they stepped inside and turned their backs to her. The elevator only descended one floor before the doors opened and they filed out into an identical area as the floor above. Flint still refused to let Lexie retract her arm, holding her close against his side while gently stroking her hand. She tried not to think about his touch and the disturbing feelings it roused in her stomach.

  They approached a set of double doors that opened into what looked like a banquet hall. Three large ornate chandeliers ran the length of the ceiling with large exposed beams. The wall color was a rich buttercream with large wall insets that framed beautiful paintings. The room looked fit for royalty with its fine details.

  Lexie looked at the lone table situated in the center of the room. The bright white table cloth stood out in stark contrast. A beautiful bouquet of white roses sat in the center of the table surrounded by candles. Their footsteps echoed in the large space as they approached the table. Lexie noticed only two place settings. “John said my mother was joining us. Where is she?” Lexie looked around the room.

  “She’ll be here soon, I assure you.” Flint took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips. Lexie tried not to pull away as he placed a kiss upon her hand. His warm lips felt disturbing and she just wanted the unpleasant exchange to be over. She was relieved when he finally released her.

  Flint pulled out a chair for Lexie. “Thank you,” she said tightly as she took the seat. Lexie nervously played with the edge of the tablecloth as she waited in the deafening silence, while Flint and the others kept watch over her. She was about to crawl out of her skin as she fidgeted under their gazes. “Where’s John?” Lexie’s words barely left her lips before John entered the room. He wore a different suit than he had been wearing earlier, this one looked more stylishly cut and appropriate for evening attire. She suddenly wished she had worn her dirty clothes to see what kind of reaction she would have gotten. He seemed to take personal appearances seriously. Her gaze stayed on the doorway behind John as he approached, hoping her mother would follow soon.

  Lexie stood up abruptly when he neared, shoving her chair and causing it to scrape loudly along the floor. “You said my mother would be joining us. Where is she?” Lexie demanded.

  John ignored her outburst. “You can wait outside,” John dismissed Flint and the others.

  Flint nodded, signaling the other two men to follow as they headed toward the door.

  John pulled out his chair, his cold dark gaze landed on her. “Sit, Lexie.”

  Lexie stared back defiantly at him for a moment. It went against her nature to obey this man but she knew it would not be wise to aggravate a bear without having an escape plan in place. She was at a huge disadvantage and she needed to keep her head fo
r the time being. Lexie pulled her chair in and sat down. John waited until she was settled before he unbuttoned his suit jacket and hung it over the back of his chair and took his seat. She decided it was best to wait for him to start the conversation since she already seemed to have crossed a line. She wasn’t sure if he was willing to entertain any of her questions as he looked at her thoughtfully.

  Lexie turned when she heard the sound of a door opening across the room. A waiter entered, pushing a metal cart. He stood obediently by the door until John waved him to approach. The man, dressed in a suit and bow tie, pushed the cart toward their table. He filled their water glasses and offered a choice of red or white wine. Lexie declined both wine choices and opted for water only. John, on the other hand, requested the red wine.

  John took a generous sip and leaned back in his chair. “Your mother is being difficult.”

  “Well, you did kidnap her at gunpoint,” Lexie said sarcastically. “I think difficult would be expected.”

  Lexie was surprised to hear John laugh. It was a gesture of which she didn’t think him capable. She could feel the scowl form upon her brow as she leaned forward in her chair and grabbed hold of the edge of the table. “Where is she?”

  “She’s close,” he confirmed. “How are you finding your room?”

  “You mean my cell?” Lexie questioned with raised brows. “You tell me. I noticed your peeping tom camera.”

  “Those cameras are inactive. They were installed long before it was your room. As for having to be confined to your room…”John tilted his head with a frown. “I can’t have you running off now, can I?”