Chapter Three
London, England
The large waiting room was filled with people, both standing and sitting, but the instant Gabby appeared, a nurse rushed forward and ushered her into an exam room. Not having to wait was a perk she probably didn’t fully appreciate. She supposed being related to the doctor was an advantage, but it was one Gabby would gladly do without. When they were small children, she and her cousin Antonia had been occasional playmates. But the adult Antonia, having had all her education paid for by their grandfather, followed his dictates. She did his bidding in all things. Gabby trusted her as much as she trusted anyone in her family, which meant not at all.
The reason for this appointment was a mystery. She had no health issues and had endured a physical exam only a few weeks ago.
Gabby had barely sat down when Antonia glided into the room. Her black Dior dress probably cost more than the monthly rent on the high-priced office space. Her face beautifully austere, she gave an impersonal smile. “And how are we today, Gabriella?”
She couldn’t allow Antonia to know that this appointment, no matter the reason, had been a godsend. If she didn’t put up at least a little resistance, there would be speculation. She could afford none.
“Why am I here, Antonia? I was here only a few weeks ago.”
“Yes, and you were quite ill. I’m just following up to make sure you’ve recovered.”
Gabriella rolled her eyes. “I had a little cold. It was nothing more than that.”
“Your health, just like everyone’s in our family, is of paramount importance.”
“As you can see, I’m perfectly healthy. Feel free to take my temperature or whatever, and you’ll see.”
“Nonsense.” Her gaze shifted to someone standing behind Gabby. “Martha, please help my cousin remove her clothes. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Gabby turned and faced the sternest, most dour-faced woman she’d ever seen. Gabby had been to her cousin’s office many times and had never seen her before. “Are you new?”
The woman’s expression never changed. “Please remove your clothes.”
An inkling of concern rose inside her. This suddenly felt like more than a casual let’s see how you’re doing exam. Why would she need to take her clothes off for a simple recheck?
Not liking where this was leading, Gabby took a step toward the door. The nurse placed herself in front of Gabby, preventing her from leaving. With a just try it expression on her grim face, the woman was as intimidating as any of her grandfather’s armed guards. Gabby knew she could fight her way out of here, but then what? All the plans she had made would be for nothing. There might never be another chance.
She drew in a breath. Very well. As frustrating as this might be, she would endure a pointless, useless exam, and then she would be on her way.
She nodded at the nurse in dismissal. “I don’t need any help taking my clothes off.”
Thankfully, the woman took her at her word and went to stand in front of the door. Leaning against it, the nurse crossed her arms and waited.
As her heart pounded with anxiety, Gabby tried to reassure herself. Antonia would never hurt her. There would be no reason.
She turned her back to the nurse and undressed, her shaking hands and trembling knees slowing her a bit. When she was nude, she felt a soft robe descend on her shoulders. Grateful for the warming comfort, Gabby wrapped the robe around her body, then sat on the edge of a chair, trying to prevent her teeth from chattering.
Seconds later, Antonia returned, holding a steaming cup. “Sorry for the chill. Here’s your tea, prepared just the way you like it—one sugar, no cream.”
Telling Antonia that the chill in the air had nothing to do with her shivering would do no good. Taking the cup, she breathed in the aromatic fragrance of spring flowers. At least this felt normal. Their love of tea was one of the few things she and her cousin had in common. Antonia always gave her a cup of tea during an office visit.
Sipping the brew, Gabby gave a grateful hum. “It’s delicious.”
Antonia smiled. “It’s my new favorite. I’ll have my office manager get you a tin of it to take home with you.”
Gabby took another sip and sighed. With the warmth of the soft robe and the delicious tea, she was feeling much more relaxed. There was no reason for her to worry. Antonia would give her a quick exam, note that she was indeed perfectly healthy, and that would be that. She would leave here and begin a brand-new life.
The feeling of happy anticipation was the last thing she remembered.
***
Gabby walked out of the doctor’s office under her own steam, but it took every ounce of determination to do so. Her body ached, but for some odd reason, she couldn’t determine the location or the reason. Her mind was a blur of vague images and soft words, but she couldn’t piece together who had said them or what had happened.
Though all she wanted to do was lie down and take a long nap, she struggled to comprehend what had occurred. She remembered sipping tea, feeling warm and cozy, and then nothing. When she woke, Antonia had been standing over her, and Gabby was once again fully clothed.
When Gabby had asked if she’d been drugged, Antonia had given her a slightly guilty look and admitted slipping a light sedative into the tea. She claimed that because Gabby had seemed so anxious, she had drugged her to make her feel better, nothing more.
A harsh curse came from Carlos, who was standing at the door of the elevator, glaring at her. “Would you come on already? I have important people waiting on me.”
One guard followed behind her, and two guards flanked her, but unless she tripped no one would touch her. The rule of the house—no men outside the family could touch a Mendoza female.
She made it to the elevator just as the doors opened. Carlos stepped on and then watched with a smirk as she followed, stumbling. The instant she entered, Gabby grabbed the bar to steady herself. Their faces as expressionless as robots, the guards stepped inside, and one pushed the button for the ground floor. The car moved, and a wave of nausea rolled through her. With every bit of determination she could muster, she fought the sickness. Admittedly, while throwing up all over Carlos and her guards would give her a sense of satisfaction, the temptation was one she dared not indulge. The guards would take the insult like any loyal soldier, but humiliating a Mendoza in public would not be tolerated. Swallowing back the nausea, Gabby gripped the bar tighter.
She arrived at the first floor without humiliating herself and breathed a prayer of thankfulness. Carlos was the first one out of the elevator. Two of her bodyguards went ahead of her. Gabby stepped out, followed by another guard. Too sick to notice the stares and whispers from a lobby filled with strangers, Gabby kept her eyes focused on the prize. The limo waited on the street, the back door already open. She walked through the revolving door and onto the sidewalk. Just a few more steps, and she could collapse into her seat and take a nap. That was all she needed, just a short nap, and she would be fine.
Three feet from the car, she heard a slight whisper of sound and turned.
Chaos erupted.
The targets exited the building and headed to the limo. Taking them on the street in front of dozens of witnesses held risks, but an open-road abduction held more danger. The chances of a target being injured were greater. The mission was abduction without harm. This scenario was the only way Wyatt could ensure their safety.
His men waited for the signal, and Wyatt spoke quietly, “Go.”
The van jerked to a stop beside the limo, obstructing its exit from the front. An SUV stopped a few feet behind the van. The limo was blocked front and back. The only exit was the sidewalk, but a parking meter and concrete post prevented escape that way.
Wyatt’s men jumped from their vehicles and surrounded the small group. Three men went for the bodyguards. Wyatt went for Gabriella. Another man reached for her brother Carlos.
A second from securing his target, Wyatt jerked to a stop when Carlos grabbed hold of his sister. Showing just what a sleazeball he was, he jerked Gabriella in front of him and yelled, “Take her. She’ll bring you more ransom money than I would.”
Wyatt wrapped his hand around Gabriella’s arm and snatched her away from her brother. Holding her with one arm, he used his other arm to shove the asshole toward one of his men. A yelp of pain erupted from Carlos, and Wyatt smiled. The tranquilizer needle jabbed into the idiot’s neck had apparently hurt. Good.
Gabriella began to struggle in his arms. Whether she did it to make the guards believe she had no part in the abduction, or she really was afraid, he didn’t know. Easily holding her, Wyatt pushed a pressure syringe filled with a sleeping agent against her neck. She slumped like a wilted flower in his arms. Surprised at the quick reaction—the drug wasn’t nearly as potent as the one her brother had received—Wyatt made a quick check to make sure she wasn’t faking. Sure enough, she was out like a light. Deciding she must be a total lightweight, Wyatt covered her face with a hood, lifted her into his arms, and carried her to the SUV. He placed her in the back of the vehicle and quickly tied her hands and feet together.
Another man carried Carlos to the van. The three bodyguards, all in various stages of consciousness, would be transported to a densely wooded area miles away. After a few hours, they would be set free.
Gabriella should stay unconscious until he was out of the city, but if she didn’t, she was restrained and shouldn’t cause any problems. Since he didn’t want her to be able to identify him if things went south, she would remain blindfolded and tied up until the transfer. Then she would become another man’s problem.
Heaven help her.