Remote Resort: Book Two: Rescue

By Roselynn Randerod

The Remote Resort series continues where book #1 left off, with more drama and danger, passion and sex ... and maybe a little newfound love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roselynn Randerod
• Release date: Jul 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311572493

Roselynn Randerod

Roselynn Randerod writes character-driven erotic romance. Happily married to her lucky husband, her hobbies include wine-tasting, psychology, tribology, and mixology. "All I really have going for me is sarcasm, a great rack, good eyebrows, and a serious case of Resting Bitch Face." Roselynn Randerod Warning! Book series contains: MF, FF, MM, FMF, MFM, ???, ??, non-con, dubious con, ex-con, comi-con, you name it.

Book preview

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REMOTE RESORT

Book Two

RESCUE

~

ROSELYNN RANDEROD

Copyright © 2016 by Roselynn Randerod

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions of it.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Chapter One

REQUEST

~

Her real name was Delilah Von Frederick, and Hudson spent every waking hour scouring the internet on a desperate hunt for any information about her. To his horror, everything that turned up confirmed Chantal’s story. Hudson finally understood why Lila had been so guarded about her life, and as the days crawled by, it was beginning to look like it was too late for him to do anything about it.

He stumbled upon glimpses from her distant past, images of a beautiful child gracing the covers of clothing catalogs or munching on french-fries in fast food advertisements. Eventually she grew into a coltish teenager, strolling Parisian runways and hawking designer jeans in television commercials.

Hudson watched, spellbound, as a heartbreakingly young version of Lila looked directly into the camera and purred the designer’s tag line. She was the quintessential pretty baby—a dream girl looking out at him from the computer screen with the same silver eyes that haunted his sleep every night.

He also found pictures of Lila with Robert, attending swanky balls and exclusive charity events all over the globe. The two of them made an aristocratic pair, both tall and tanned, slender and elegantly dressed; they were standouts even among the sleek jet-setting crowd they ran with. In the photo captions Lila was named as Robert’s ward, date, or companion, but never his wife.

After that … nothing.

Lila abruptly disappeared from the society pages, leaving Robert to be photographed solo for the past five years. The thought of her being held against her will all that time was sickening, and Hudson was filled with remorse when he remembered how desperate she’d been the day she first appeared in his office for a job interview.

If only he’d been kinder to her, she might have opened up to him and trusted him with her secret. He could have protected her and kept her safely hidden away. Instead, he’d managed to fail her from the very first moment he’d met her. Hudson blew out a heavy breath, pressed his palms into his eye sockets, and dropped his head with exhaustion, overcome with sorrow and guilt.

He had no idea what to do next.

Rena and Hudson had already spent all of the resort’s available cash to hire the best private detectives in Europe. Their people had been following the high-living Robert Von Frederick around the globe for weeks trying to determine Lila’s whereabouts, but it was as if she’d simply disappeared from the face of the earth.

Like she never even existed.

Suddenly Rena barged into his office, out of breath with excitement. I just heard from our man in Bern. He’s located her. She’s being held in a private mental facility just outside of the city.

Hudson’s head snapped up and he sprang to his feet. It’s about time! Let’s go!

I’m afraid it’s not going to be that easy. The facility is remote, and it has a reputation for the utmost discretion.

Meaning?

"Meaning that this place is uber high security. It’s where European royalty stashes all of their problem family members. We’re not going to be able to simply waltz in during visiting hours."

Then we’ll break the goddamn doors down, Hudson growled.

Rena held up her hands in a calming gesture, as controlled as ever. Our detective is negotiating to bribe a member of the asylum’s security staff to look the other way, but I’m afraid it’s going to cost us a pretty penny to get inside the facility—twice the amount we’ve already laid out.

I don’t care how much it costs, Hudson said.

There’s no guarantee that she’s really there. We could be throwing our money away.

Do we have a choice?

Rena shook her head, her voice softening. No.

They’d already had this discussion. Coming up with more cash was going to be a problem. Hudson and Rena had already reached out to as many of their rich patrons as they could, but no one was willing to risk that kind of money without an explanation, and when Robert Von Frederick’s name came up, even the wealthiest of them recoiled in fear, unwilling to go up against one of the most powerful men in the world.

Thanks to their hidden cameras they had the material to blackmail more than one client, but if word got out that they were untrustworthy their entire business would come to a crashing halt. They had to come up with another way.

Hudson’s face was grim. I can get the money. I only have to—

Rena finished Hudson’s sentence for him, Swallow your pride and risk losing everything we’ve worked for all these years.

I’m willing if you are, Hudson said.

Rena nodded. Go ahead.

Hudson stood up and straightened his tie. Just give me one day.

My friend in London has agreed to fly us in and out of Switzerland, but the rest is up to us.

I understand. When can we leave?

There’s a direct flight to London tomorrow night.

Hudson reached for his phone, his face grim and determined. Book it.

~

Several hours later Hudson walked into a familiar office, hat in hand. Two sandy haired men looked up, but only one jumped to his feet.

Hudson. It’s been a long time.

Hudson shook the offered hand, nodding. Jeffrey. You look well.

The other man remained seated behind an imposing desk. He wore a scowl on his face that rivaled even Hudson’s. "I never expected to see you again."

Hudson nodded resolutely. Hello RJ. How are you?

What do you want?

I need to ask you for a favor.

RJ leaned back in his chair. Sorry, fresh out of favors.

Jeffery looked back and forth between the two of them. C’mon RJ… At least hear him out.

RJ gestured to one of the empty seats opposite him. What do you want?

Hudson sat down stiffly. I need to borrow some money.

What for?

It’s a personal matter.

RJ scoffed. Let me guess… Gambling debts? Loan sharks on their way to break your kneecaps? Or is it a murderous husband?

No. Hudson unclenched his fists, willing himself to calm down. I need to help a friend in trouble.

Oh. Knocked up the wrong woman? RJ asked with a smirk.

There’s no need to be a dick, Jeffery interjected, his eyes darting between them.

Hudson took a deep breath and continued. I need to get my hands on some cash. I can offer the resort as collateral.

I knew it. You’re about to lose the place, aren’t you?

No, the resort is doing just fine. I’m short on cash flow.

Why in the hell should we help you? RJ asked.

Jeffrey broke in, Because he’s our brother.

Hudson and RJ stared at each other across the desk for a long minute.

How much do you need? RJ asked. When Hudson told him he raised his eyebrows at the amount.

The land alone is worth twice that amount, Hudson added.

I heard you had the place completely remodeled, Jeffrey said helpfully.

That’s not all I heard about it, RJ said, his eyes hardening.

Look, I’ll pay you back within the year, Hudson said, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice. With interest.

There was another pregnant pause as the two brothers stared each other down.

I say yes, Jeffrey declared.

RJ flashed him a sour look and considered for a moment before replying, Okay… say we do it. You have exactly six months before we have the option to foreclose. We’ll need you to sign over the deed to the property until you’ve made good on the loan.

A muscle in Hudson’s jaw twitched. I’ll accept your terms, but I’m going to need the money wired to my account immediately.

The minute I have the deed in hand.

Hudson stood up. The signed papers will arrive by courier tonight.

RJ stood to face him, and the family resemblance was unmistakable. He held out his hand for a shake and Hudson took it with hard eyes.

Why don’t we all stop at the club for a drink to seal the deal? Jeffrey asked.

I’m afraid I have some arrangements to make, Hudson said, shaking his hand as well. It was good seeing you Jeff.

The two brothers watched Hudson leave the office. RJ walked over to open a cabinet to reach inside and pour two tumblers of scotch. He handed one to Jeffrey. I could use a drink after that.

You could have offered Hudson one, Jeffrey said, Don’t you think it’s time we buried the hatchet?

I do indeed. RJ replied, draining his glass in one long draw. Right in his back.

Chapter Two

RESCUE

~

Floating upwards through a confusion of dreams and memories, Lila drifted in and out of consciousness. She struggled to open her eyes, her head lolling from side to side as her vision slowly came into focus. She found herself back in one of the treatment rooms, sitting upright with her arms and legs immobilized.

Six months! That’s completely unacceptable! Robert’s angry voice in the hallway jolted her fully awake.

I’m sorry sir, but it’s been confirmed. She’s had a recent Depo Provera injection.

What’s that?

A birth control shot. We won’t be able to harvest any viable eggs for several months at the very earliest.

Can’t you give her something to reverse it? Robert snarled.

I’m afraid not. We’re simply going to have to wait for the effects to clear her system.

Damn it! Robert cursed, furious.

The doctor tried to placate him, but Lila could hear the frustration in Robert’s voice. He was not a man who was used to being denied anything, and the corners of her lips twitched up in a bitter smile. It was cold comfort, but she would take it.

Lila let her head drop, feigning a slack-jawed stupor when the men entered the room. Robert approached her, lifting her chin with his index finger to study her pale face, taking note of her tangled hair. She expelled a stream of drool from her lips, calculated to disgust.

Robert didn’t like a mess.

What’s wrong with her? his voice was alarmed. She looks terrible.

The doctor came up alongside him. She’s having a difficult time adjusting to our routine. We’ve been forced to keep her sedated between feedings for her own safety.

Robert recoiled and turned to the doctor in alarm. Won’t that affect the quality of her eggs?

The doctor hastened to explain. Only temporarily. We’ll have plenty of time to wean her off the medications once she begins ovulating.

Lila watched through half-lidded eyes as Robert’s mounting anger made the veins on his temples throb. She looks thinner.

She refuses to take any food by mouth. We’ve been forced to tube-feed her.

Robert heaved a sigh. He’d engaged in a battle of wills with Lila before, and he knew how strong-minded she could be. Why does she have to be sedated? he asked.

The doctor squirmed uncomfortably. "We recently discovered that she’s been … er… purging after the procedure, so we’re keeping her tranquilized to allow her body time to digest. I’m sure we’ll have her weight back up right away … Perhaps she needs a little more time to settle in and accept the situation before—"

Robert’s voice took on the icy tone that Lila knew all too well. If her condition fails to improve I’ll withdraw my research funding and find another facility to house her.

I understand, but you may rest assured that we’re taking the best possible care of her. You can count on us, Mr. Von Frederick.

Robert turned on his heel crisply and exited the room.

Nurse Breyer! the doctor called out. A stout woman with flushed cheeks rushed into the room, straightening the apron of her starched white uniform.

Lila listened as the doctor dressed her down, berating her for Lila’s unkempt appearance.

But she won’t cooperate with anyone! Nurse Breyer protested. Nurse Hasse tried to brush her hair last week and got five stitches for her trouble. She glared down at Lila with annoyance. She’s a lot more dangerous than she looks.

The doctor’s voice was low and threatening. Handle her or I’ll hire someone else who can. I want you to double her caloric intake starting this minute … and clean her up! The next time Von Frederick sees her I don’t want a hair out of place.

Yes doctor, I’ll arrange for a feeding right away, Nurse Breyer said meekly, following him out of the room.

Lila raised her head and wiped her chin on her shoulder, looking around the windowless room and wondering whether it was day or night. She’d been in a doped-up haze for the past few days and had lost all sense of time. As near as she could tell she’d been imprisoned here for at least a month. She swallowed hard, her throat still aching from the last feeding she’d been forced to endure.

She flexed her arms, testing the straps that bound her to the restraint chair while looking at sterile white walls that made her want to scream. She couldn’t stand five more days of this—let alone years. Her life had become one long nightmare of fury and despair, and her entire existence was devoted to finding a way out.

Any way out.

She thought of Hudson and Rena with a fresh pang of sorrow. Robert had gloated about the forged letter he had planted at the resort, and Lila knew that they’d probably already forgotten all about her. Her time at the Xanadu resort was starting to feel unreal, like something she’d dreamed or imagined out of sheer despair.

No! She shook her head vigorously to clear the cobwebs. She had proof. It seemed like she’d gotten the birth control shot in the resort’s clinic a lifetime ago, but now it was going to buy her a few precious months to kill herself before she became fertile again. Her death would be a pyrrhic victory, but it was the only way she could hand Robert one final defeat.

The sound of the door buzzing open startled her. An orderly pushing a cart laden with equipment entered, smiling when he saw that Lila was awake. How’s our favorite patient doing today? he asked.

Lila heaved a shaky breath, closing her eyes to block out his ugly grin. She’d spent her first few weeks in the hospital begging, pleading, offering bribes—anything she