"My name is Judy. I'm the head nurse on the 3-11 shift in ICU. I was on duty the night Tasha died." She met his clear green eyes openly and honestly.
"And what can you tell me about that night?" He asked softly. His alert eyes would know if she were lying to him, and the soft voice was often misleading.
"Would you like some coffee? This is going to take a while to tell and frankly I could use some." She said, just as softly. She read him like a book. He loved Kali and he didn't know HER, so he wanted to get the feel of things so to speak. She didn't blame him.
"That would taste good, thank you!" He watched as she made the coffee, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, an unreadable expression on his face.
Judy had the kind of figure that would eventually go to fat, if she wasn't careful. She had the kind of bottom that naturally drew men's eyes, not much of a bosom, but a nice round bottom. She filled out the jeans she wore like a dream. Any other time Taker might even have taken notice of her, but his heart was held elsewhere. Now the only attraction she held for him, was what she could tell him about Tasha's death.
Amanda had fallen asleep, so Kane laid her on the sofa and covered her with an afghan, then joined the other two in the kitchen. Judy had poured three cups of coffee, handing the men theirs, then getting her own.
"Shall we sit at the table?" She asked, looking from one to the other. Taker nodded briefly.
Once they were seated, she began her story of that fateful evening.
"Kali came in for the 6:00 visiting hour. Kane sat out in the waiting room with Amanda. Tasha had improved some that day. Actually responded to voices. So we knew or hoped, that she would awaken at anytime. When Kali got ready to leave, I stopped her and spoke to her for a few minutes, telling her about her sister's response and letting her know that was a good sign. I also asked her about Kane!" Judy stammered a little and actually blushed, not quite able to meet the eyes of either man. She took a sip of coffee to try and cover her embarrassment. Kane hid his pleased grin behind his coffee cup. Taker looked at Kane in amazement.
"Anyway, long bout 8:00 during the last visiting hour of the night,Tasha's husband showed up! I don't like that man! He reminds me too much like my ex-husband! I.... my gut feeling tells me, he was the one responsible for Tasha being in the hospital in the first place! I didn't like the way he would act one way when people were around, but another way when he thought he was unobserved. Like the way he would look at Kali." She was looking down at her cup, and missed the murderous glare in Taker's eyes.
"What do you mean exactly?" Taker asked sharply.
Startled, Judy looked up into frigid green eyes. "Like she belonged to him, like he owned her. Anyway, I went into the room next door to give that patient a pain shot, and stayed with her till the morphine took affect. When I left the room, I glanced in to Tasha's room, and something didn't seem right! I went in on the pretext of checking the machines, but really to see about her. There was almost no pulse, so I called a "code blue". I noticed him trying to hide a syring, so I called a "code red", which is a call for security. The doctors tried, but it was no use. The drug he injected her with is lethal in the dosage he used. It showed up in the blood tests the doctor ordered. I told the doctor what I suspected, that's why he put a rush on it. During all the confusion, Jack just walked out. I told Kane that I feared Kali might be in danger. That I feared he might come after her, next." She finished, meeting his eyes solemnly.
Taker didn't say anything at first. He suspected, just as she did, that Jack would be looking for Kali and Amanda. He also suspected this woman was also in danger as well. He was going to have to go talk to the police. Kali and Amanda would have to go with him when he left in two days. They would not be safe here. And this nurse! What about her? Jack would be after her too!
"Do you have someplace you can go until this asshole is caught?" Taker asked.
"My apartment! I just moved out here about six months ago, so I don't really know that many people." She looked at him wondering what he had in mind.
"What about family? Do you have any family you could stay with?" He studied her while waiting for her reply.
"No, no one! Why? Surely you don't think.... NO, that's preposterous! He wouldn't come after me!" Yet a hint of fear could be seen in her huge blue eyes.
"Kane! I have to go talk to the police! You stay here till I get back, then you and I need to talk. Judy, I want you to stay here, as well. I'll explain when I get back. Do not leave this apartment!" Taker was already on his feet, heading for the door. "Kane, lock this behind me. I'll call you before I leave the police station!" Then he was gone.
Taker talked with the detective in charge of the case. He told him about the history with Jack. Told him about his suspicions about the wreck, and waited while the man verified his story. When the detective returned, he had an interesting bit of information to share with Taker.
"Seems like the night you had this wreck, later on that same night, Tasha was treated in the emergency room of the same hospital for two broken ribs and a black eye. According to the reports, she said she fell down some steps." The detective studied the big man as he absorbed this information.
Taker laughed shortly, looking straight at the detective as he replied. "They lived in the ground floor apartment. There were no steps! Detective, I have to leave in two days time. I want to take Kali and my daughter with me. They will be safer with me than sitting here in their apartment. No offense, intended."
"None taken! In light of this new information I see no reason why she can't leave with you, but I'll have to know your itinerary. In case I have to contact you, of course." He said studying the huge man.
Taker reached for his wallet, looked through it till he found the tour schedule. "Will this do? As to the hotels we'll be staying at, I don't have that list, but I can give you my cell phone number. That way you will always be able to reach me. And I don't intend to let Kali and Amanda out of my sight until you apprehend Jack. The Bastard deserves to be locked away forever!" Taker said with feeling. "One more thing.... The nurse that alerted security. What about her safety? Jack will be looking for her, as well. Can you provide her with 24 hour protection?" Taker knew the answer but he had to hear it.
"We will do the best we can, but until she is threatened, there's really not much we can do with nothing but speculation to back it up with." The detective had already thought about that, and had requested a patrol car to drive by every hour.
"That's what I thought. She may be going too." Taker wondered if he could convince her it would be for her own good.
A few minutes later, Taker started out of the police station, when he remembered he promised to call before leaving. Going back inside, he found the pay phones and placed the call. The phone rang and rang and rang. Finally, Taker hung up the phone. Walking back over to the detective, he asked him to send a car over to the apartment. "Kane was staying with them until I returned. He wouldn't have left them or let them leave. Something has happened." Taker's alarm and deadly serious green eyes convinced the detective to do as he asked.
Making the necessary call, a patrol car that was in the neighborhood, went by to check the apartment. Within minutes he reported the apartment appeared to have been broken in to. A man, a rather large man, was unconscious, but no women or a child was on the premises.
Taker was out the door, on his way to his car. The detective was right on his heels. They arrived at almost the same time. Taker questioned Kane about what happened.
"It was Jack! I'm sorry, he got the jump on me." Kane looked shamefaced at Taker. "He took them all, at gun point. Just before I passed out, I saw that. Man, I'm sorry!" Kane was miserable, but he was also pissed. And a pissed off Kane was almost as bad as a pissed off Taker!
The detective issued an A.P.B. on Jack. "He is armed and has hostages!" The Police hung around asking a few other questions and checking for finger prints, then they left. Taker and Kane left right behind them.
Without knowing exactly where to look, the two brothers just kind of drove around. They had gone by the house twice, but seeing no sign of life, didn't stop. They knew what kind of car to be looking for, so back to the strip.
"Man, we've been at this all afternoon! The S.O.B. has to be somewhere!" Kane was frustrated and angry. It wasn't often somebody got the drop on him.
Pulling up to a red light, Kane happened to glance out the window. There, on the corner, in the parking lot of the 7/11 was the car they were looking for.
"Pull in here, NOW!" Kane said, the urgency in his voice could not be ignored. Taker looked at him questioningly, then over at the 7/11. Without hesitation, he whipped the car in beside the silver grey Ford Taurus. Kane noticed the trunk wasn't closed all the way, but tied down. Motioning for Taker to watch for Jack, he opened the trunk, finding the two women tied up and gagged, inside. They both had a nasty bruise on their jaw.
He untied the ropes and helped them out of the car. Warning them to be quiet, they joined Taker near the entrance. Jack was at the counter with Amanda, paying for his purchases. They would have to surprise him before he could reach for his pistol.
Telling the women to stay back, Taker and Kane went inside, and rushed him. Taker grabbed his daughter from him as Kane grabbed his right arm wrenching it up behind his back. The poor clerk didn't know what to do, or who to be the most scared of. The two huge men, or the wild looking one shouting threats. Taker calmly told the clerk to call the police. "He's wanted by them."
The rattled woman dialed 911 asking that a police car be sent to the store. "Two rather large men are holding another man. One of the big men said the guy their holding is wanted by the police."
The two women came inside, Kali crying as she took her daughter from Taker's arms. "Momma, Unca Jack is MEAN old man! Him scared me Momma!" Amanda turned enormous green eyes to her mother, then buried her face against her mother's shoulder. " Is him my daddy, momma? That big man, is him my daddy? Him save me momma!" Amanda turned fearful eyes on her uncle Jack. Afraid he would get her again.
The police arrived within minutes. Taker, Kane and the two women told them who the man was, that Kane had on the floor with his knee buried in the man's back.
"There's an A.P.B. out on him. He's wanted on suspicion of murder, kidnapping and assault." Taker gave the detective's name and within minutes that gentleman was walking through the door.
"I see you got him!" The detective said, then ordered the man handcuffed and placed in the patrol car.
Kane got up reluctantly. The rookie policeman, took the man by the arm and lead him out the door. Within minutes gun shots were heard. The detective went outside to find Jack dead. He'd been shoot twice.
Inside, the two women were scared to death. Kali grabbed hold of Taker, holding on for dear life. After the shooting was over, and the detective nodded his head that it was alright, Judy felt duty bound to check on the downed man's condition. Going out the door, she became all business as she knelt down beside the man that had terrorized her for the entire afternoon.
Feeling for and not finding a pulse, she looked up at the detective and told him that Jack was dead. Getting up she started back in to the store, but suddenly everything swam out of focus. She swayed on her feet, and very slowly began to fall. Her eyes rolled back in her head. Kane caught her before she could hit the ground.
Taking her to the car, he managed to open the door and sit her in the seat. Holding her against him, he vigorously rubbed her wrists. Very soon her eyelids fluttered open. Dazed and confused as to what happened, she was aware of Kane holding her in his arms. It felt nice. It felt very nice!
*************
"Would you please take Amanda back home?" Kali asked as she handed the child over to Taker. "The detective needs Judy and I to go down to the station a give a statement."
Amanda wrapped her arms around his neck, looked at him for several minutes and the stated, "You my daddy! I know you is!" Taker looked at Kali and she nodded her approval.
"That's right, Amanda. He is your daddy." Kali said, smiling at the little girl.
"You my daddy! Me love my daddy! Momma, him my daddy!" Amanda exclaimed. She was extremely pleased with her new discovery.
"And who is that, Amanda?" Kali asked, motioning over to Kane.
"Him Kane! Me love Kane too!" Amanda wiggled out of Taker's arms and ran over to hug Kane as well.
"Thanks for coming after us. I don't even want to think what might have happened if you hadn't." Kali again started crying as the full reality of what had happened in the last few days hit her.
Taker pulled her into his arms. Bending his head slightly, he murmured comforting words to her. Kali stayed there in his arms until she felt Amanda tugging on the leg of her jeans.
"It's okey, Momma. We safe now." Amanda said, her green eyes gazing up at her mother.
Kali bent down to one knee and hugged her daughter. "I have to go talk to the police officer now. I won't be gone very long. Your father and Kane will take you home, okey." Kali picked up the child and hugged her again before handing her over to her father. Amanda laid her head on Taker's shoulder, her eyes becoming heavy and sleepy.
"She'll probably be asleep before you even get home. You have my cell number if you should have a problem." Kali said to Taker and then walked over to where Kane and Judy were.
"You gonna be okey, Judy?" Kali had seen the woman sway a bit earlier, but it looked like Kane had everything under control.
Oh, yes....I'm fine. Thanks to this guy." Judy smiled up at Kane as she said this, her eyes sparkled with happiness.
"That's good." Kali liked Judy and was glad that she and Kane were getting along so well. "Well, are you ready to go get this over with so we can get back to our heroes." Kali asked her. Judy nodded and said good bye to Kane. The two women then joined the detective who took them to the police station.
-----------
It was well after 10:00 that evening before the two women arrived back at Kali's apartment. Kane was sprawled out in the recliner, sleeping. Amanda slept on the couch, while Taker slept on the floor in front of the couch.
"Oh, aren't they so sweet..." Kali said as she rolled her eyes and laughed. She went over to Taker and shook his arm until he woke up. "Come on." Kali said, grabbing ahold of the big man's arm and pulling him up. "You can sleep in my room tonight since Kane has company." Taker looked at her, then at Judy, and back at Kali, the questioning plainly visible in his eyes. Shaking his head in confusion, he turned and headed down the hall to her room. Kali glanced at Kane who was still sound asleep and said to Judy, "You're welcome to stay here, or if you want to go back to your place.....either way, he's all yours." Then she turned and went to her room as well.
"If you can tell me where you keep your extra blankets and pillows, I can sleep on the floor." Taker said when Kali came into the room.
"Well, actually, I don't have any extras right at this time. I wouldn't make you sleep on the floor....afterall, I can trust you can't I?" Kali asked, her eyes gleamed slightly with devilment.
Taker groaned softly, his eyes going up into his head, then he went into the bathroom to take a shower. When he finished, Taker came back and found that Kali had already fallen asleep. As she turned in her sleep, the shorts that she had changed into rode up, exposing a good portion of her thigh. It took all of Taker's strength not to reach out and touch the bared flesh. He knew if he touched her, even just once, he wouldn't be able to stop. He got in beside her, being extra careful not to wake her, but Kali again stirred in her sleep. Her arm slid across his chest, her fingers becoming entangled in his hair. It was more than he could take. A soft moan escaped Taker's throat as he pulled her on top of him, his lips claiming hers. Kali's eyes opened, her gaze burning with desire that penetrated his soul. Neither Taker or Kali were able to stop what had been started.
***********
Judy didn't quite know what to do! Standing there in the living room undecided whether to go or stay, Kane opened his eyes, seeing her standing there looking confused. Reaching out, he caught her hand in his, pulling her down in his lap. Her eyes were huge. Very gently, he kissed her.Following the line of her jaw with his lips, he gently nibbled her ear lobe. His hand stroked her thigh as her arms encircled his neck. Her lips gently sucked the tender skin of his neck, just below his ear. With a moan, Kane tuned his head seeking out and finding her inviting mouth. His hand cupped and gently squeezed her breast. With a moan, she clung to him, wanting more...wanting to get closer...needing this man, as she needed air to breath.
Holding her in his arms, Kane got up out of the chair, carrying her in his arms, to the room he'd been using. Closing the door behind him with his foot, Kane stood her up long enough to undress her and himself. Her eyes getting bigger and bigger! Turning out the light, Kane lead her over to the small bed, laying her down. The bed was small, but that just made it that much better. Some time later, they drifted off to sleep.
Amanda was the first one up the next morning. Padding down the hallway barefoot and rubbing sleep from her eyes, she entered her mother's bedroom. Her mother wasn't alone in the bed. She could see a huge arm and shoulder across her mother's slight body. Her daddy was in bed with her.
Climbing up on the bed, she wiggled and wiggled till she managed to squeeze between them. Taker rolled over on his back, still asleep. Not able to wake them, Amanda climbed upon the broad expanse of her daddy's chest, leaned over and lifted one eyelid.
"Daddy you sweepin? Me hawngee! Get up daddy! Me hawngee." She bounced up and down on his rock hard chest! "Daddy, daddy! Wake up daddy!" Taker opened one eye, then the other, only to see a wide awake three year old grinning at him. "Me hawngee, daddy! Me hawngee!"
Chuckling softly, he said "Ok, you go on and I'll be right behind you." The little girl crawled off the bed and ran down the short hallway to wait for her daddy to fix her breakfast.
Taker pulled his jeans up over his thickly muscled legs and hips, then padded barefoot to the kitchen, pulling on a t-shirt as he went.
"And what would my little princess like for breakfast?" He asked, picking her up so they were eye to eye.
"I want bacon and scwambled up eggs and toast and milk!" She said placing a small hand on each sid of his face, looking him in the eyes.
"I think I can manage that!" He sat her down on the counter, so she could watch him and he could keep an eye on her. Taker soon had bacon frying and was beating the eggs.
"You know how to set the table?" He asked the little girl.
"Yes! I can!" She wanted to show her daddy what a big girl she was.
"Ok then." Taker helped her down off the counter and gave her two plates at a time until she had the table set, complete with forks and napkins. Taker started the coffee, then poured the lemon yellow egg mixture in to a skillet. Breakfast was soon ready.
"Manda, go get momma up!" Taker said, sending his daughter scampering down the hall to her mother's room.
Taker knocked on Kane's door, then stuck his head in. What he saw brought a soft chuckle from him. One long silken leg could be seen sticking out from between Kane's and a very feminine arm was thrown over his side. Long dark auburn hair could be seen under Kane's head. He was quite obviously not alone.
Grinning wickedly Taker pulled the door closed slightly. "Breakfast is ready!" He bellowed at the top of his lungs. Taker peeped through the door, grinning as the couple scrambled into their clothes. Judy blushed every time her eyes met Kane's. Neither one of them noticed Taker at the door, grinning.
Taker set the food on the table as the others made their way to the kitchen. Judy had balled her long hair up in a knot behind her head. Kali had ran a comb through her hair and pulled it back in a ponytail. She had taken the time to pull on some shorts and a clean t-shirt. Amanda trailed along behind her mother. Nothing would do the child, but to climb up in her daddy's lap and share his breakfast, even insisting to feed him some of it.
Blushing profusely, Judy couldn't meet their eyes. "I appreciate the hospitality, but I have to go!" She stammered, embarrassed at being caught in bed with a man.
"Please stay for a cup of coffee, at least." Kali asked, not realizing just how embarrassed the woman was.
"NO! Thank you! I really need to go!" Judy was not quite able to meet the eyes of Kane in their company. Grabbing her purse, she thanked them once again, then headed out the door.
Flashing them a huge grin, Kane walked her down to her car. "Can I see you again?" He asked caressing her cheek, leaning against her, holding her close and wanting more. Delicious shivers ran along her nerve endings as she realized she wanted him again.
"I'd like that! But I don't usually do this. Falling into bed with every man I meet. Other than my ex-husband, you are the only other man I've slept with." Her cheeks were stained a delicate rose.
Kane's eyes darkened as desire flooded his huge body yet again. He couldn't get enough of her. She gave him her phone number, then got in her car. Kane leaned through her window and kissed her hungrily. "I'll see you later!" He said as he slowly pulled away. With wide eyes, she looked at him wishing she could take him home with her here and now.
Judy had been home for a couple of hours when the phone rang. Picking it up, thinking it might be Kane, she said "Hello!" in her most seductive voice. Dead silence greeted her.
"How are you doing Judy! Been a long time since I heard your voice." Her ex-husband had found her, but how?
"What do you want, Jason?" The fear she felt inside couldn't be heard in her voice. Her tone was cold,... absolutely frigid.
"That's no way to greet your husband! Almost sounds like you're not glad to hear from me!" He chided her.
"What do you want!" She asked again.
"Thought we might have dinner!" He said almost pleasantly. The nerve of the BITCH! She needed to be taught a lesson!
"I don't think so! How did you find me?" Her hands shook uncontrollably.
"Now Judy, you should know you couldn't hide from me for long! You should know that I'd find you! You can't hide from me, not now, not ever! And I think we will be having dinner tonight! His voice had taken on a menacing edge that she knew all too well!
"NO! I don't think so!" She said, trying hard not to let her fear come through. Suddenly the phone line went dead. Hanging the phone up, she tried to think what to do! Finally, picking the phone back up, she was going to call the police. After all the restraining order was still in effect. But there was no dial tone! More scared than she would admit, she grabbed her keys and ran to the door. Jerking it open, Jason blocked her path. Judy stood frozen, unable to move. Jason pushed his way in, forcing her back inside.
"My darlin wife! Did you really think I would let you go that easily?" His hateful voice was pure evil! His eyes were wild looking, nervously darting about the room. His whole body language bespoke an irrational mind.
Jason never was wrapped too tightly but now, there was something unsettling about his actions, about his whole behavior. He seemed too nervous, too agitated,... and definately dangerous in his present state. Judy watched fearfully as he locked the door and windows. She knew he had cut the phone lines outside. She resigned herself to being his hostage until he decided to let her go.
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Kali and Taker were enjoying each others company. The passion they had shared, brought back memories of other such nights. She had known instinctively what to do, where to touch him and HOW to touch him, to make his pleasure even greater. It had taken all of his self control not to let go, but to see her satisfied first. It had been a near thing, once or twice, at that.
Kane felt like a fifth wheel, judging by the looks Kali and his brother were giving each other. He knew they had shared a bed, and knowing his brother's nature, sleep had been a long time coming for either of them. After pacing restlessly for the last half hour, Kane finally decided to go over to Judy's apartment. Getting the keys from Kali, he drove over, rather than calling first. Remembering the way she had looked at him, just before she left, Kane didn't think she would mind too much.
As he pulled in next to her car, he noticed a tall, black haired man walking rather rapidly away from the building. Something about the way he moved, all jittery and nervous, made Kane pause and watch him, until he was out of sight. He didn't know why, but Kane suddenly felt uneasy!Getting out of the car, Kane ran to Judy's apartment, needing to see urgently, just to ease his own mind. What he found, was her open door. Cautiously going inside, he didn't see her, but her apartment had been trashed. The furniture in the living room was broken and thrown about. Glancing into the kitchen, he saw that room had been destroyed too, broken dishes and glassware all over the place. The need to find her became overwhelming.
"JUDY!!!!!! Where are you? Judy!" Kane searched through the apartment again, only being more thorough in his search this time. He found her in the bedroom, under the mattress, that had been torn from the bed. She had been attacked, and badly beaten.
"OH GOD!" he prayed, kneeling down beside her, feeling for a pulse. Thankfully she was still alive, but just barely.
Not wanting to touch anything in case of destroying any possible fingerprints, Kane used the cell phone he carried with him at all times. He called the police, and an ambulance. After that, he called Taker.
"Big brother, get over here. I need you!" Kane's voice trembled slightly, hanging up without another word. Anxiously he awaited the police and ambulance.