Redemption: Triple R Security Series, #3

By Imogen Wells

We all have demons that feed off our pain and grief, and we all live with regrets.
How we manage those demons determines who we are.

Rick
"Forgive us our sins"
How do you earn redemption for sins that don't deserve forgiveness?
For five years, I've lived my life trying to right the wrongs that cost me everything.
When my chance finally arose, I thought I was ready...
I wasn't

Jess
"Seek, and ye shall find"
How do you survive a life of betrayal and secrets so vast they destroy you?
For five years, I've sought the answers to the impossible.
When my chance arose, I never believed the answers I've been seeking would be my greatest battle.
I thought I was ready...
I wasn't.

 

WARNING: This book contains scenes and themes that some readers may find upsetting and/or offensive. Scenes of explicit sex, violence and profanity. 18+

• Language: English
• Publisher: Imogen Wells
• Release date: Feb 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224957347

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

JESS

Lottie, I whisper, but the only response is a small groan as I try to shift closer. Fuck’s sake, I curse as my movement is halted by these damn fucking chains around my wrists and ankles.

Realising it’s a useless waste of energy to try and shift closer, I move back to the damp cobblestone wall, chains rattling and clanking as I shift. I drop my head back and close my eyes.

I listen to the constant drip of water as it runs off the walls and ceiling along with the scratching and scraping of claws as a couple of rats scurry across the concrete floor nearby. There’s a small high window on the opposite wall, but it’s barely a couple of bricks high in size. Whilst it’s enabled me to keep a track of the days and nights, it’s also allowed the bitter cold to cut through in the evenings when the temperature drops further.

As far as I know, we haven’t left the country, but I was out for some time, so I haven’t ruled it out. When I came round, I was blindfolded and couldn’t see shit. I knew we were in a vehicle and travelled several more hours after I woke.

It’s been three days since then, and other than one man, who brings a pitiful meal once a day with a small bottled water, I’ve not seen anyone else. Until today.

A bang comes from the floor above, and then the scraping of metal on metal before the faint sound of voices reaches me. I can’t make out their words even though they appear to be arguing.

I scan the room that’s been our home for the last three days again in the hope there’s something I can use as a weapon. Something I may have missed the other half a dozen times I searched, but there’s nothing except the bucket that was placed in the middle of the room for us to use as a toilet. My nose has become accustomed to the rank aroma that’s coming from it, and unless the stench is potent enough to knock someone out, it’s of no fucking use to me.

I try rousing Lottie again as the sound of heavy footsteps thud from above, but other than another groan, there’s no response from her. I have no idea what the fuckers did to her, but she didn’t come down here with me when we arrived. They kept her somewhere else for almost a day after I was thrown in here. She’s been in and out of consciousness since then.

The footsteps close in on our door, and despite not being able to see anything, I can feel the energy from whoever is standing on the other side. It sends a shiver over my skin, and I prepare myself for whatever is coming.

I close my mind off like I did the last time and I allow a veil of invisible protection to douse my body. My body is just that, but I know the importance of protecting my mind, and that’s what I concentrate on now.

The snick of a bolt being drawn back pierces the darkness, and as the heavy metal door is pulled open, light pours into the room. I close my eyes for a split second, and when I open them again, it takes a moment for them to adjust enough for me to see two figures standing in the room.

"Levantate. Levantate, ponte de pie, one of them shouts, telling me to get up on my feet. He steps forward when I don’t move fast enough. He snatches my arm, attempting to lift me, but I relax my body making it difficult, and instead, all he manages to do is drag me forward a fraction. Levantate, puta!" he spits at me in anger.

Fuck you flows through my mind, but I say nothing as the other man steps forward.

Get the fuck up! he tells me, and there’s not a hint of a Spanish accent in this man’s words. The other man looks to Lottie, then back to me before he stalks towards her. That’s enough to get me on my feet.

Hey, over here, arsehole, I say, getting to my feet and drawing his attention back to me. He hears my words and turns, stomping back to me with rage swirling in his eyes. So, the fucker does speak English.

"Who you call asshole, puta?" he says, spittle landing on my cheek before he draws a hand back, slapping me hard across the face. Before I can recover, a fist lands in my gut, and the air rushes from my lungs. I suck in a breath, fists clenching with the need to lash out, but I hold myself because it’s not just me I have to worry about. As I right myself, another man steps into the room.

"Basta!, Raul. We don’t want her unable to talk, he says, stepping up to the man who hit me and laying a hand on his shoulder. This man is clearly Mexican, but his accent is less pronounced, and his English is clear. Raul steps back, allowing the new guy through. I keep my eyes trained on Raul as my mind takes in every detail of his face so I can be sure he’ll remember me when I deliver my punishment. Hello, Jessica, my name is Jorge."

I finally pull my focus away from Raul and look at Jorge, but I don’t give him what he was clearly looking for because he snaps out a hand, gripping my chin between his thumb and forefinger.

You will look at me when I speak, and you will answer or every time you refuse, I will have a man come down here and show your little friend over there how good Mexican dick feels again. Do I make myself clear?

Bile rises in my throat as his words sink in, and I now have my answer to where Lottie was before here. I grit my teeth, biting back what I really want to say, and clench my fists at my side.

Yes, I snap, trying to yank my face out of his grasp. He releases me, then pats my cheek.

Now, let’s have a little chat about— His words are cut off as breaking glass sounds from above. Jorge turns to the English guy, telling him to go and check it out. Looking less than pleased, he trudges from the room, cursing under his breath.

"Raul, levantarla," he says, waving to Lottie, and I step forward only to be stopped by the chains holding me.

Leave her the fuck alone. What do you want? I ask, anxiety rising in my gut as Raul reaches Lottie and begins lifting her to her feet. She’s barely conscious, and now with the light spilling from the hall, I can see her torn and bloody clothes. Smears of red run the length of her thighs, and it looks like someone ran their fingers through the blood. I begin shouting louder, thrashing my arms as my heart breaks for her and the pain that will inevitably come when she wakes to her new reality. Suddenly, a hand wraps around my throat as I’m forced back several steps, meeting the cobbled stone hard.

Shut your mouth or I’ll have Raul give you a demonstration of how much your friend likes to be fucked in every orifice, he snarls, squeezing my throat in his hand, and all his earlier fake pleasantries have completely vanished. He steps forward until we are almost nose to nose, and his rancid breath ghosts across my face as he begins talking again.

He doesn’t say more than two words before a loud bang rumbles through the foundations. Jorge stumbles, forcing him to release me, and as he regains his balance, I realise how close he is to me. Without thought, I raise my fists and bring them down on his head. I hear the chain cuff connecting with his skull before he falls to the floor unconscious, or if I’m lucky dead.

Movement in my left eye has me snapping my head that way to see Raul surging toward me, leaving Lottie to slump to the floor in a crumpled heap. The fraction of a second in which my attention is drawn to her allows Raul to lash out, but the blow glances off my cheek, losing its power. He roars before coming at me again, and this time he makes sure not to miss.

Tackling me to the ground, my back slams into the unforgiving concrete, and he attempts to pin my arms over my head, but no fucking way is he getting the better of me. The wall comes down as adrenaline floods my system, and my fight or flight response kicks in. Only I don’t have a flight response anymore. Fighting is my primary reaction now.

I focus all my strength into my arms and stopping Raul from restraining me. One hand slips free, and I quickly use the opportunity to slam the heel of my hand into his nose. Raul is no longer roaring but crying like a fucking baby as his nose pours with blood, and it drips down his throat causing a wet gurgling sound. He topples to the side, and I scramble away from him and get to my feet.

Lottie. Lottie, it’s me— My words are cut off by a sharp tug to my hair, and a scream of anguish tears out of me. I spin round, my hair tightening in Raul’s grip as my scalp mirrors my scream in protest of the harsh treatment. My left arm swings in a low arc, landing keenly to Raul’s right kidney. Some of the force of my hit is lost from the awkward angle, and instead of him releasing me, he hooks my leg, taking my feet from beneath me.

My head hits the ground and spots dance in my vision as the room blurs in and out of focus. My eyes close, and when they reopen, a figure is standing over me.

CHAPTER TWO

RICK

6 hours earlier.

As the chopper comes in to land, Tobias’ property and vast wealth is exposed. The fact he has his own helicopter shouldn’t really be a surprise. The guy is a media tycoon who has made his fortune building and selling websites with his company Lux Designs whilst his daughter is a huge influencer in the beauty and fashion industry.

I have money, more than enough, but it doesn’t extend to a 10-seater helicopter with a damn toilet and a twenty-acre property in Scotland, plus several properties in London. I must be in the wrong fucking business.

I’m not going to complain too much about the chopper. Without it we would have still been at the airport waiting for a flight, and this one is big enough to accommodate the seven of us.

Laughter comes from behind me where Seb, Jamie, Scott, Dean and Drew are all sitting and currently taking the piss out of Jamie and her recently discovered fear of flying. Ryder is sitting in front of me still pouring over the floorplan of where we believe Lottie and her bodyguard, Jessica Fisher, are being held following an anonymous tipoff.

I was surprised to learn that Lottie’s Close Protection Officer was a woman, not because she’s a woman, but because Tobias is a typical old school male chauvinist. Even though Lottie works in the world of media, I get the impression he’s just humouring her until the day he can pass her off to a suitable husband and she can pop out a few heirs, male preferably, to his multimillion-pound enterprise.

The chopper bounces as we hit the ground, and the pilot switches the engine off, waiting for the rotors to wind down before jumping out and opening the door for us.

As we exit, I see two cars winding down the road to the helipad and stopping a few feet away in a layby. Thanking the pilot, we begin to walk towards them as Tobias steps out of one.

You must be Rick, he greets, holding out a hand for me to shake. Welcome. Come on, let’s get back to the house. I’ve set up the war room for you. Tobias turns and climbs back into the car. A soft snigger comes from behind me, and I turn to see Jamie covering her mouth with her hand. Seb stands beside her mouthing war room to me with a raise of his brows.

Knock it off you two. Did you leave your manners and professionalism back in Manchester? Seb, you’re with me and Blue in this car, I tell him, driving my point home and pointing Jamie to the car Dean, Scott and Drew have climbed into. Seb looks like he has something to say, but Jamie’s hand on his arm stops him.

It’s fine, Seb. Turning to me. Sorry, Rick, she says before heading off to the other car.

I can see Seb is still desperate to say something but thinks better of it when he sees the look on my face and follows Blue into the car.

The drive to the house takes less than ten minutes, and as soon as we arrive, Tobias leads us to his war room.

Despite the fact I think he’s an arse, the room has everything we could need. It’s occupied by a huge oval table and along one wall is a bank of computers. As for the other walls, they are made up of a series of maps of the area and plans for the house we will be infiltrating. Lottie’s movements for the day she was kidnapped with a list of possible suspects are pinned to a board beside the table.

After a quick round of introductions, my suspicions about Tobias and his chauvinistic attitude are confirmed when he barely even looks at Jamie as I introduce her. We all take a seat at the table while Tobias hands out individual copies of all the information on display.

Taking a seat, the agitation at the situation is clear on his face and in the bite of his next words. Why have they not made contact? It’s been three days and nothing. Not a fucking word.

I ignore his biting tone given his daughter is missing. It’s a little unusual to leave it so many days without contact, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be a ransom demand. What can you tell me about the list of suspects? Why these people specifically?

The list is short with only five names: a couple of disgruntled staff, an unhappy customer, and two fellow web design owners. I’m surprised there aren’t more to be honest, but somebody like Tobias Harris is blind, or ignorant, to the fact people might dislike him. After taking a closer look at them all, only the competitors seem the most likely with the means and capability. But I’ve learnt that when desperate people are capable of anything.

Tobias goes over the list of names one by one, and other than the obvious reasons, there’s nothing solid for us to go on. Dean sets to work checking the backgrounds of them all while we discuss how we’ll enter the building.

With only the seven of us, we have to hope luck is on our side when it comes to the number of targets inside the building. Situated in the middle of nowhere, the site is an abandoned mental hospital. A logistical nightmare for any rescue team due to the sheer size of the building and made even worse for us as we have no intelligence on what to expect once we get inside.

The only solid information we have is that they are positioned in the largest out-building as it’s the only one with any working electricity and water. Even the tip-off, which came from an anonymous caller to a friend of Tobias’, can’t be confirmed until we have eyes on the place or get inside.

The plans show there are only two entrances, but there are a series of underground tunnels that lead to the main building. We haven’t been able to establish if they are accessible or not and means we risk losing them if they are.

We spend the next hour going over the plan. Dean came up empty-handed on the suspect list, and he and Drew have driven out to the site with the drone. While we wait for them to return, Tobias shows us to our wing of the house.

I’m admiring the view from my room when there’s a knock at the door.

Come in. I turn enough to see Ryder enter the room before joining me at the window.

Some view, huh? Dean and Drew are back, and a military truck just pulled up outside. Something you know about or not? I side-eye him. I’ll take that as a no then.

I rub a hand over my face, letting out a tired sigh. Let’s go and find out what the fuck’s going on.

We find Tobias and the others outside along with a man I’ve not seen for a little under six years. I feel Ryder tense beside me when he realises who Tobias is talking with. I can’t say I don’t understand. In fact, I understand even more so. As we near the two men, I see Seb to my left, who has a firm grip of Jamie’s hand. He has his head held high, back ramrod straight, with his free arm behind his back and feet apart.

Tobias looks up, immediately drawing attention to us. The other man turns just as we reach them, and Ryder and I stop dead, standing to attention and saluting the man in front of us.

At ease gentlemen, he commands.

Major, good to see you again. The words sound sincere, but they hide the bitter taste of grief and guilt seeing Major Cole again brings forth. Although, I’m surprised to see you here. I had no idea you were involved, sir, I state, turning to Tobias, who looks away under my gaze.

Good to see some things never change, he says, slapping Tobias on the back. However, I’m no longer a major any more than you are a lieutenant, so how about we do away with the formalities.

I asked Dickie to help out his oldest friend. I thought it was a good idea as it was him that recommended your company, Tobias declares, returning the slap on the back. Richard throws a stern glare at him, to which he just laughs.

I almost baulk at Tobias calling Richard Dickie, but I maintain my military stoicism. I had no idea Richard and Tobias knew each other, and well it seems, but now is not the time for stories of old friends.

Perhaps a heads up would have been an idea, Mr Harris. My use of his full name cluing him into the fact I’m not impressed with my mission being hijacked. And by none other than my commanding officer and someone that brings back memories I don’t wish to think about.

Clearly noting my agitation at the intrusion, Richard suggests we move this inside. Offering a nod as he passes me, he enters the house with Tobias following behind.

Seb steps forward with Jamie, cursing under his breath.

Who is that guy? Jamie asks.

For several minutes nobody speaks.

That is Major Richard Cole, and not somebody any of us thought we’d see again, Ryder says.

Jamie accepts this without further question even though I can see she knows there’s a story there. That girl is too perceptive. It’s one of the reasons I wanted her to join us, but I never imagined that it would be my own story she’d get a whiff of.

Ryder’s assessment on the situation is correct, but what he failed to say was that none of us wished to see Richard again. Don’t get me wrong, I have huge respect for the man, but his reappearance reminds me of a time I don’t care to revisit in this lifetime. The quicker we get this job done and Richard vanishes from my life again, the better for everyone.

We join Richard and Tobias in the war room with the others and spend another hour refining our plans. Despite not being happy that Richard is here, I can’t deny that having the extra help isn’t a benefit.

CHAPTER THREE

RICK

On my signal, we move in, I say down the earpiece.

Ryder, Seb, Dean, Drew, Scott, Jamie and I are positioned in a copse of trees facing the front entrance to the building. Richard and his five men are positioned behind another building at the rear of the target site.

Adrenaline pumps through my veins as the clock ticks down, and as with any time we do one of these ops, memories try to infiltrate my mind. Pushing them back, I focus on the task in front of me. 5…4…3…2…

Move, move, I command. The rustling of clothing and feet on gravel echoes back down the earpiece as we all move forward.

A menacing silence descends as I reach the door, stepping to the side with my back to the wall, I give Ryder a nod. Raising a hand, I signal a count of three.

As I lower my last finger, Ryder pulls the door open, and I dispatch a flashbang grenade before we move in.

The old rec room is dimly lit with debris scattered across the floor. Moving in line formation, we make our way to the door at the other end, but before we can reach it, it opens.

What the— His words are cut off as Ryder’s shot hits its target, and the guy drops to the ground. I hear a small gasp from the left, which I know came from Jamie, but I ignore it as we move through to the next room.

A small wooden table littered with takeaway boxes, wrappers and beer bottles and several seats around it occupies the small kitchen space. The smell of rotting food and stale beer permeates my nose, causing it to turn up in disgust.

The door directly opposite leads to the rear entrance where I can hear Richard and his guys making their way towards us. Of the other two doors leading from the kitchen, one is a toilet, but not hearing any noise in that direction, we turn our focus to the remaining door on the left.

Signalling to Ryder, we move into position as a cry of pain and shouting echoes from somewhere below. I watch as Seb positions Jamie away from the door to the rear of our group before giving the signal to move in.

As silence envelopes the building, I open the door to a set of stairs leading to a long, dark corridor. We pass several more rooms, each with a metal door and a bolt, but all empty.

The door to the final room at the far end is slightly ajar and sounds of a struggle can be heard from inside. As we reach the door, shouting and loud footsteps can be heard from upstairs, and it seems as though there are more men here than we thought. Confident that Richard and his men can deal with it, I move to push the door open.

Richard’s voice in my ear halts my movements.

Rick, I need another man up here.

Scott catches my eye, and I nod, holding two fingers up, and he taps Drew on the shoulder before they both head upstairs to help Richard. Turning back to the door in front of me, I push it open with the palm of my right hand.

The body of a young woman lies on the floor, clothing torn and covered in blood. Charlotte Harris. As the door opens further, the full scene is revealed.

Another body on the floor, that of a man who has blood pouring from a large gash to his head but appears to still be alive, and behind him is a man standing over a woman. Jessica Fisher.

Pointing a hand over my head, I signal Ryder to the guy on the floor and Seb and Jamie to Charlotte, and I move toward the remaining target. He still hasn’t noticed us, too busy attempting to undo his trousers and with no other thoughts but raping the woman lain at his feet, who is barely conscious.

I hear him mumbling curse words in what sounds like Spanish as Jessica begins to stir, and he finally gets his jeans undone, a groan leaving his lips.

That’s it. Lights out time. I raise my Glock ready to drop this fucker when voices behind me have the guy turning my way. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees us all there. He reaches behind his back but doesn’t find what he was looking for. The reason for that becomes obvious as Jessica lurches forward, slashing the backs of his ankles with his own blade.

Blood spurts from the wounds to his Achilles, and he drops to his knees, screaming and cursing and promising death to us all.

She dives forward again, hoping to finish the job, but I stop her, gripping her wrist before she reaches him.

Her head snaps round to me, piercing blue eyes wild with anger and fear pin me to the spot. For several seconds, there is just the two of us. Everything else fades into the background. I see the exact moment she realises we are not a threat, immediately dropping the knife to the floor.

I release her wrist and drop to my knees in front of her. Jessica, I’m Rick. Are you hurt? I ask.

She watches me for a few seconds before shaking her head. No, she whispers as her eyes return to the man still writhing in agony on the floor behind me. Something catches her attention over to the left, and the blank look in her eyes slowly dissolves to become hard and dark.

Before I can stop her, she’s up on her feet, though a little unsteady, and trying to walk towards where Jamie and Seb are with Charlotte. She’s halted by the chains still at her wrists, and a growl rumbles up her throat as she yanks at them.

Hold on, I tell her, and pull a set of lock picks from my belt. Quickly releasing her restraints, she looks up at me thankfully, and I offer her a nod before she stumbles to Lottie.

Lottie. Lottie, it’s Jess, she says, dropping down beside her and stroking a hand over her head. It’s going to be okay. You’re safe now. I watch as tears well in her eyes, but she holds them in, taking a deep breath as if reinforcing her resolve and refusing to let them drop.

Charlotte stirs at the sound of Jessica’s voice, groaning and gripping her stomach as she curls herself into a ball.

I’m no doctor, but I don’t need to be to know the hell this girl has endured.

Jamie has her medical kit bag, which we put together for her, open on the floor beside her. The look on her face tells me there isn’t a thing in there that’s going to help Charlotte.

As if she heard my thoughts, she looks up at me. We need to get her to hospital now, Rick. Her eyes widen, brows rising in emphasis.

Richard, obviously having heard Jamie, tells me the nearest hospital is an hour’s drive away. Jamie gives a small shake of her head telling me Charlotte won’t make it that long.

Turning away from them, I pull my earpiece out, yanking my cell from my pocket and dialling Tobias.

Tobias is in his helicopter before I’ve even finished speaking, and to be honest, had it not been for Richard, Tobias would have been here whether I wanted him to be or not.

I’m brought back to what’s happening in the room by the soft whisperings of Jessica in Charlotte’s ear.

I’m here, Lottie. Just listen to my voice, it will be okay. I hear the desperation, the want in her voice to believe her own words, but I know she knows that it’s going to be far from okay for Charlotte.

Jamie manages to get an IV set up and give Charlotte some pain relief before she begins to clean the wounds on Charlotte’s face and legs. Once she’s satisfied Charlotte is at least mildly comfortable, she rises to her feet and comes over.

We’re going to need something to carry her on. There’s no way we can move her any other way, Rick. I’m certain she has internal bleeding and carrying her might cause further damage.

Okay, I’ll see what we can find. We’re in an old hospital, right? So, there’s got to be a stretcher here somewhere. Jamie nods before walking back to Charlotte, and I send Dean off to see what he can find.

A groan and a cry of pain comes from behind me, and I turn to see Seb, not so gently, wrapping bandages round the ankles of the arsehole on the floor.

"Seb, get him out of here before Tobias arrives. Whilst it would give me great pleasure to let him do what he wants with him, that’s not how we work.