Skin Deep (Wounded Hero Series) Page 12
Chapter Nine
CHAPTER NINE
“Dillon, Dillon can you hear me? I need you to wake up.” Dillon could hear the strong male voice calling his name but it sounded so far away, as if it was in a tunnel. Suddenly he felt a stinging pain in his jaw. Did someone slap him across the face? He tried to open his eyes but they felt as if someone had glued them shut. The voice was getting closer now. He tried harder to open his eyes and when he did everything was in a haze. It was then he realized that his eyes weren’t focusing. He tried to sit up but that only made things worse. The room was spinning and his head hurt like a son of bitch. If like someone hit him in the head with a two by four. He laid back and took several deep breaths. “Take it easy my man. Zane’s going to get you some water. Just keep still.” Dillon pushed Butch away and sat up; breathing deeply and keeping his eyes shut seem to help. Zane was back with the water.
“Here drink this. Do you remember anything?” Dillon tried to speak but his mouth was so dry, it felt as if he’d been eating cotton balls, and his throat was sore. What did he remember? He remembered Camille coming to him and the mind-blowing sex they had. He remembered telling her he loved her and falling asleep with her in his arms. Suddenly his mind came back online. “Camille where is she?” he asked barley above a whisper. Speaking made his head hurt even worst. His damn eyes were useless; he looked around still unable to focus clearly.
Zane saw that Dillon was becoming more agitated. Butch looked at him and then at Dillon. “Will one of you tell me what the fuck is going on now?” Zane sat down next to Dillon and motioned for him to continue to drink the water he had given him. “The water will help, keep drinking. I’ll tell you what we know.” There would be no easy way to tell him. “We know someone drugged you and we know that Camille is missing. The details are still somewhat unclear.” Zane waited for his words to sink in. Dillon bolted off the bed. “What the hell do you mean she’s missing?” before he could utter another word, the room began to swim and he reached out to steady himself, but it was too late he went down hard. He was on all fours and his stomach wasn’t cooperating. The dry heaves were a bitch.
“What the fuck Zane, do something we need him vertical. He’s no good to us like this.” Zane shot Butch a look, which had Butch holding his hands up in surrender. Dillon managed to sit down and brace himself against a wall. He’s right I need to be at a hundred percent if we have any chance of figuring out how to get Cam Back he said his voice sounding more like a rasp. Zane bent down in front of Dillon. “I have no idea what you were given, if I give you something to neutralize it without knowing exactly what it is I could do more damage. I’m talking seizures or worst. I won’t take that chance. Whoever took Camille has about a three hour head start on us. I called Danny he’s on his way. We need to call Archer.” he said bracing himself for Dillon’s reaction.
Dillon shook his head which only made his head hurt even more. “No you do it, I don’t want Archer anywhere near me you know that.” Zane looked at Butch and then back at Dillon. “He is our only chance; he’ll be here in twenty minutes. So I suggest you play nice or you’ll be on the side lines.” Dillon shrugged and allowed Butch to help him up and back to the bed. “D man I don’t like that dude anymore than you do. I mean he gives me the creeps but he’s our best shot.” Fine, fuck, Butch Xavier’s got her I know it. I can feel it. I let my damn guard down and now she’s gone.” Butch knew better than to argue with Dillon when he was like this, he would wait till he was more receptive to tell him it wasn’t his fault. They all were responsible; she was taken right from under their noses.
Twenty minutes later Danny came barging through the back door. “What the fuck is going on and where the hell is Dillon? If she was with him how the hell did he let this happen? Zane stepped in front of Daniel blocking him from going any further. “He was drugged I told you that over the phone. That’s how this happened and you know as well as I do, it was the only way they got her from him. If he’d been conscious they would’ve had to kill him, before he would have let anyone take Camille out of this house. You know that so save the guilt trip.” Zane and Daniel were standing toe to toe staring at each other. Butch was ready if he had to step in. Daniel finally backed down. What do we know about what happened he asked through gritted teeth? Butch was the first to answer he knew that Zane’s patience was at a minimum. One more smart comment and Zane was going to shut him up, with a fist to the face.
“Not fucking enough, someone was able to get into the house drug Dillon and they probably drugged Camille to. That would explain why we didn’t hear anything. Zane called Archer for help.” Daniel turned and stared back at Butch as if he had two heads. Before Daniel could ask, the doorbell rang. He would wait this was going to be good. Dillon hated Archer, if he thought that Zane was dark and brooding than Archer made Zane look like little Mary sunshine. He was a strange man but very good at what he did, when he did it. He’d been a doctor in another life, before he lost his license. Now Archer spent most of his time walking that fine line between law enforcement and the criminals. He patched up the bad guys so they lived to fight another day. He also patched up cops who had their own reasons for not going to a hospital. Archer never asked questions as long as someone was paying, he just did the job.
“You did very good Trace, she’s lovely isn’t she?” Xavier said as he stood staring down at an unconscious Camille. “Yeah numb nuts you did go, but I could have done even better given half a chance.” Xavier laughed. “Yes I suppose you would have been able to do the job. With one exception, I wanted her in one piece. Don’t worry my little friend you will have your chance but for now I need you to be patient.”
Camille’s mind came back online when she heard an unfamiliar voice. She recognized two of them. Trace’s voice was one of them and then there was the Sheriff’s deputy Mason. The third voice was new to her, as the fog continued to lift she wondered why they were in Dillon’s bedroom. No, she wasn’t in Dillon’s bedroom. Why did her head hurt? Slowly she tried to remember but everything was fuzzy, there was nothing substantial, she could grab hold of. What was there was an overwhelming sense of dread. Her head hurt so badly, and her month was so dry. She tried to calm down she had no idea what was going on but she knew it wasn’t good. She heard footsteps moving away and a door opening and closing.
“It’s Okay Camille I know you’re awake.” Camille opened her eyes only to close them again. The dizziness was so over whelming she broke out in a cold sweat. She took deep breaths to keep from throwing up. She felt a strong hand behind her, helping her to a sitting position. She kept her eyes closed and continued to breath. “Here drink this it will help.” Camille opened her eyes slowly this time, the dizziness was better. She took the glass of liquid Trace offered her and drank it slowly. When she was done, she did feel a little better. She looked at Trace and then at the room they were in. It was a large well furnished room; she was sitting on a large couch covered with a white sheet. As she began to notice all the furniture in the room had a sheet thrown over it. They were in an old house, the smell of dust and stale air made her nose itch. “What have you done?” she asked in a small voice. Knowing the answer already. She needed to hear him say it. Trace turned and started to pace back and forth in front of where she was sitting. As she watched him, the fear began to turn into anger. “I said what have you done?” Trace stopped and stood still as he looked her in the eye. “I betrayed them. That’s what I’ve done. I drugged you and Dillon and then I brought you here to him.” Camille shook her head back and forth and tried to get up, but her arms and legs weren’t working she flopped back on the couch. Everything became clear. She began to shake all over and she couldn’t stop the tears. Her body began to shake violently as her eyes rolled back in her head. The last thing she heard was Trace calling her name.
Dillon was sitting up the shot Archer had given him seem to clear his head. Zane was standing close by not letting Archer out his sight. “You should start feeling better in a few hours. You we
re given Chlorpromazine it’s an antipsychotic sometimes used as a sedative, you were given a high dose that’s why the slurred speech, dry mouth and dizziness. You’re lucky in high doses it causes seizures, and in rare cases it can be fatal. You may have some memory loss I don’t know if it will be long term or short term. Now that I’ve done my job would one of you mind filling me in on what’s going on?”
Zane got right in Archer’s face. “You’ve done what you were brought here to do and you’ll get paid well for it.” he said through gritted teeth. Archer stood his ground not backing down. Dillon sat on the side of the bed. “Enough we don’t have time for this. They have a big head start on us we need to have some type of lead if we’re going to have any chance at getting her back.” Zane backed off he looked to Dillon who nodded as he stood on rubbery legs.
“If you’re able to stand without passing out, a shower might make you feel better. But I’m not volunteering to spot you.” Archer said. Dillon nodded as he tried to take a step. The room was still spinning, but he needed to pull himself together if he wanted to get Camille back. Whatever Archer gave him was beginning to work. He would take a shower and see if that would help clear his mind. He put one foot in front of the other and made it to the bathroom without falling on his ass. He went in and closed the door.
Archer turned to Zane. “So what’s going on here?” Zane gave him a murderous look. “None of your god damn business. You’ve done what you came here to do. I’ll pay you and you can be on your way.” Archer held up his hand. “Let’s call it a small favor. Maybe if I know what’s going on I can help.” Zane gave him a distrustful look. “Listen the only reason I called you is because you’re good at what you do, but let’s get something straight I don’t like you and I certainly don’t trust you. So take the money and go.”
Archer knew that people didn’t like him or trust him. He didn’t much care he had been a loner all his life. The thing was he respected Dillon and his friends. He’d seen firsthand what they could do. He didn’t offer his help often, but in this case he felt they needed him. After all he was still a doctor. No matter whether he had a license or not, So he forged ahead. “From everything that I’ve seen since I’ve been here. I do think you will need my help. There’s a female involved right? And if I’m correct and most of the time I am. Then she’s been drugged too and just going by the size of the clothing I’ve seen she is a lot smaller than Dillon. Whoever has her probably didn’t have the foresight to bring two syringes calibrated to their body weights, so that means he or she used the same dosage. They gave your friend enough of the drug to knock out an elephant. Which means his lady friend could be in bad shape. Her reaction will be much worse than his. You’re going to need a doctor to go in with you, that’s if she’s still alive.” Archer waited for his words to sink in.
Just then Daniel came into the room. He could hear the water running in the shower. “What the hell did you just say about my sister?” Zane just shook his head. Daniel got right into Archer’s face. “That’s my baby sister you’re talking about and Dillon’s woman, so you better be careful what you say about her.” Archer didn’t even flinch, he stood his ground. But before he could say anything, Dillon was standing in the doorway of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his hips and another towel around his neck. Everyone stopped and looked over at him. He still couldn’t see clearly, but he did feel more human. He could hear the yelling and he caught some of what they were saying.
As he slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. He looked directly at Archer. “What do we need to know and don’t leave anything out?” Archer nodded. “As I said before she weighs a lot less than you so, if she’s not already dead. Her condition could possibly be critical. Large doses of that drug in someone her size, we are talking seizures, coma at the very least. If whoever has her is not equipped to handle the situation she will die.”
Zane was the first to speak up. I think Trace is involved somehow, he left last night and his cell is off he said just as Butch walked into the room. Butch knew what Zane thought. He just couldn’t believe it, yes Trace’s past was filled with problems, but he watched as Trace worked hard to turn his life around. “I don’t believe he’s involved with Xavier, even though all the evidence points to that. If it’s true I will take him out myself. You can believe that.”
Dillon held up his hand; let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Trace has never given us any reason to question his loyalty, Zane you bring Archer up to speed I need him solid for this mission he said as he rubbed over his face with his left hand. Everyone left the room except for Daniel. Dillon stood and walked slowly over to a dresser and began pulling out clothing. He kept his back to Daniel. “I let my guard down and now she’s.” He couldn’t say the words. His throat began to close up on him with the emotion he was trying to keep at bay. It was quick sand, ready to swallow him up. He heard a sigh behind him.
“It’s not your fault this happened, though I would love to blame you. I...I can’t say that I’ve been happy about this thing between you and Camille. Whatever issues I have are mine to deal with. Just tell me this, do you love her?” Dillon turned around to face his friend and what he saw, wasn’t the same disapproval as before. It was acceptance and understanding. Dillon Nodded. “I have loved her for so long that it scares the shit out of me. Yes I love her she’s my heart and soul.”
Daniel stared at his best friend and realized that Zane was right, he was grateful that his sister had a man like Dillon to love and take care of her. In that moment the doubt and apprehension was gone. It was replaced with the single minded focus to get his sister back in one piece and back with the man she loved. “Come on let’s get downstairs before Archer completely takes over. This is going to be off the books; Xavier cannot be allowed to walk away. Are you good with that?” Dillon looked Daniel in the eye. “I’m more than okay with that. I’m going to kill everyone that was involved with taking her away from me.” Daniel nodded his agreement.
Trace jumped to his feet, when he saw that Camille was having a seizure he did what he could, his paramedic training kicked in. He was able to stabilize her for the time being. He was going to kill Mason that little shit had measured out the dosage. “How is she?” Trace hadn’t noticed Xavier’s entrance. “She’s stable, but she needs medical attention. The kind I can’t give her. Xavier walked over and looked down at where Camille was lying. His brows drew together. “Her color doesn’t look good. I suppose I don’t have to ask. This has our little friend’s handy work written all over it.” Trace tried to control his response. “That little sociopath put too much of the drug in the syringe. Now she is having seizures she could slip into a coma.”
Xavier smiled. “I understand your upset, but you do realize that she is not going to survive this right? She is just a means to an end.” Trace looked at him as he tried to tap down the rage threatening to boil to the surface. He was able to achieve many things because he didn’t let his rage surface. “I am aware what’s going on here. To my understanding you wanted her in one piece without a scratch on her, well look at her does she look unharmed to you? They are going to come in guns blazing and when they see her like this all bets are off. You need to call your little pet down or I will put a bullet in his skull myself. I have no problem with what’s going on or I wouldn’t be here, but this is not what I signed on for. She is collateral damage, I understand that but this is way beyond that.”
Xavier thought about what Trace was saying and he knew he was right, this wasn’t the first time Mason took it upon himself to handle things. The results were always disastrous. He needed this to be perfect on so many levels; he could not afford any more mistakes. “You’re right this is unacceptable. I will take care of our little friend when the time is right. For now we need him, do what you can to stabilize her and I will get things moving.” Trace didn’t say a word; he turned and checked Camille’s pulse. He heard the door close and knew he was alone with Camille again. Her pulse was steady and strong, her breath
ing was better. He went to his laptop and fired it up. He was going to have find an antidote, or she was going to die a lot sooner than Xavier would like.
Dillon and Daniel made their way downstairs to the study; they found Archer, Butch and Zane talking. Dillon drew strength from the men he’d known most of his life. These were the men who would help him get Camille back or die trying. He looked at Archer and in that moment he couldn’t really remember why he didn’t like the other man, he was a loner and money seemed to be his only motivation. Dillon never trusted anyone who’s only reason for doing something was because of the money, people like that couldn’t be trusted. He would keep an eye on him, for right now he needed him when they found Camille. He thought about the last time they were together and the fact that he told her he loved her. He wouldn’t take that back because he did love her more than anything. She broke down all his walls and crawled into his heart, he needed her like he needed air to breath. She had to be alright; he didn’t want to think of a world without her in it. He would get her back safe and then he would make sure she stayed that way.
Hearing his name brought him back to reality. Zane was looking at him. “Dillon are you tight?” Dillon nodded and stepped forward. “I’m good, what do we have so far?” Butch was the one to speak up. I checked the tracker in Trace’s phone. It’s been deactivated he said. All eyes were on him, as he sat in front of his laptop. Daniel was the one to say what everyone was thinking. “Butch did you tell him about the tracker?” Butch stood up and moved around the desk and got right in Daniel’s face. The tension was palpable. “I would never tell him about the tracker, my loyalty is to the team and the company. Trace hasn’t proven himself yet.” he said angrily. The two men stared each other down for what seemed like hours. Daniel was the first to step back. “I believe you and I know this is hard for you.” Butch put up his hand to stop Daniel. “Don’t worry Danny boy, if Trace had anything to do with taking Camille. I will handle it.” Butch turned and went back to the desk and his laptop. No one said anything else.