Miranda decided she was bored after Tyler left, and feeling better since the pain meds kicked in, she headed outside. Just as she hit the sidewalk a limo pulled up to her, and Trent jumped out, grabbed her and tossing her into the limo, they sped off.
Miranda sat up and glared at him. "What was that for?"
"The boss wants to see you."
"How did you know I would be out today?"
"We were watching your hotel," Alex shrugged.
"But he told me to lay low for a few days and now you kidnap me off the streets in front of witnesses, you know someone will call the cops."
"Yeah, probably," Trent grinned, not seeming to care. "The boss is ecstatic; the story is all over the news, that some woman killed an agent, and that all the bad guys got away. It sure makes them look bad, although they are looking for a redhead with a leg wound."
"Does the media know who is in on it?"
"No, but they are linking you to Tyrone."
"Oh goody, I am sure he wanted the publicity."
Alex grinned back at her. "I don't think he cares."
"But I care. I don't want my face all over the news," she complained.
"Don't worry about it, they are looking for a redhead," Alex told her.
"You're right, but still, couldn't you have just called me? I would have willingly come out and met with you two."
"True, but where is the fun in that?" Trent laughed as Alex pulled through the gates of Tyrone's mansion.
Back by the hotel, witnesses had called the cops. Cole was the first on the scene and began asking around who had been kidnapped. A man described Miranda, and Cole paled. He ran to the hotel and ran inside and up the stairs. He pounded on Miranda's door. "Miranda!" he yelled, but there was no answer. Tyler opened his door as Cole pounded on it.
"Cole, what is going on?"
"I think Miranda was just kidnapped."
"What do you mean?"
"We got a call that a woman had been grabbed and thrown into a limo. She fits Miranda's description, right down to the clothes."
"Crap, do we have any leads?"
Cole shook his head as the Tyler headed outside with Cole to question more people. But Tyler was pretty sure he knew where Miranda was already. She was with Tyrone. He just couldn't tell Cole that.
Tyrone met Miranda on the steps of his mansion. He smiled at her as she climbed out. She only frowned at him. "You aren't wearing your earrings or necklace," he accused.
"Sorry, I would have put them on if I had known I was going to be abducted this morning," she said angrily.
"I had you brought here to give you your account number," he said placidly. "I deposited that money for you."
"Thanks," she said, as he helped her inside.
"How is your leg?" he asked, leading her to his sitting room.
"It's been better," she shrugged.
"What are you going to do with your money?" he asked, sitting down by her.
"I don't know, buy me a nice car probably, maybe a house?"
"Sounds good. Are you going to stick around then?"
"Well, if you keep paying me as well as you have been, then you had better believe it," she smiled.
He laughed. "So, you are in it for the money only, and not because you want me too?"
She shrugged. "Eh, you are all right," but she had a smile on her face.
Trent and Alex, who were standing by the door, both hid a smirk at her response.
Tyrone just chuckled.
"I look forward to seeing you in something very sexy," he told her seductively, pulling her close.
She pulled away. "Now Tyrone, you and I only have a business relationship," she reminded him.
"For now," he grinned and kissed her cheek. "There is another reason why I brought you here. I want you in on my next drug deal, but this one is real," he told her.
"Okay," she agreed.
"This one is going to be Saturday night. There will be over five million in drugs being exchanged. We are trading with some oriental friends of mine. I have worked with them many times. They are really good and very smart, they would know if we tricked them. But I told them about you, so they want to meet you. They heard about what you did last night, and they are very impressed. The main man wants to meet my woman," Tyrone grinned.
"I'm your woman am I?" she asked.
He only smiled at her. "He offered to hire you, I turned him down."
"How much did they offer you?"
"Ten million to me, and you 100 k a week. So be careful Saturday, I will be watching you also, I don't want them to take you from me."
"And what if I want to go work for him?" she teased.
"You wouldn't, would you?" he looked worried.
"What, and leave my man?" she laughed, taking his hand.
He smiled at her and kissed her. She tried not to pull away from the vile man, she had to pretend she liked him, at least for a little while.
"No cops this time though," he told her. "This is a quiet deal, I don't want our location leaked out, so we won't be ambushed."
"Understandable," Miranda told him. "So are we done? I had plans today."
"For now," he said, "If I need something I will call you."
"Gee that would be nice instead of kidnapping me in front of several people."
"How many witnesses?" he asked.
"Four or five," she told him. "Hmm, well, what do you suggest we do?"
"Well, you could have one of your men hit me."
"I don't want to hurt you," he told her.
"You don't have too. I will have Alex hit me."
"I don't like that," he said.
"I have to look injured Tyrone, or things will look suspicious."
"I understand," he said.
"I don't like it, boss, I don't want to hit her," Alex spoke up.
Miranda frowned. "Well, I guess when you drop me off, you could just push me out of the car."
"I like that idea better," Alex agreed. "I don't want to mess up your pretty face."
"Neither do I," Tyrone agreed.
"Okay, fine, but push me out at the police station, to make it look good."
Alex nodded.
Tyrone kissed her cheek. "Take care of yourself, I will see you in a few days."
"Okay Tyrone, thanks," she said. He handed her the account number and then led her out the door and tucked her into the limo. He kissed her cheek, then nodding at Alex and Trent, the men headed back out to the street with her.
She sighed as she tucked the number into her pocket. Too bad it all had to go into evidence. That kind of money would be seriously nice.
"Tyrone really likes you," Trent commented, watching Miranda.
"Yeah, for a crime lord, he's not all that bad," she smiled, making him chuckle.
"What got you into the life of crime?" Alex asked her.
"I had some cousins that were kind of good for nothing, that taught me how to hotwire cars and it kind of went from there," she shrugged. "But I do have a normal job. I have to keep lowkey, right?"
Trent nodded. "I am sure you do. Say, after this deal is over, are you going to move in with Tyrone?"
"No, I like my privacy, besides, he gave me enough money I can buy me a house and a car with little problem," she shrugged.
"Yeah, that's true."
"Why aren't you married Trent or you Alex? Or is better to have lots of money than a woman?" Miranda teased.
The men laughed. "I like my women, but not a long term thing," Trent shrugged. "I can't be tied down with what I do."
"Me either," Alex shrugged. "It's not like I can tell my wife who I work for, and that I have to be gone all day and all night, that I might see her once a month."
"Hmm, that is true," Miranda nodded.
"What about you?" Trent asked. "Any love interest?"
"Well, I've had a few. There is a guy now, but I don't think Tyrone would like him."
"Why not?" Trent grinned.
"He's better looking than Tyrone," Miranda whispered, making the men laugh.
"Okay young lady, almost there," Alex told her then.
She nodded and got ready to be pushed. Alex slowed down right in front of the police station, Trent opened the door and pushed Miranda out, but in doing so she hit her head on the sidewalk. She lay there stunned for a moment, as the limo sped away. A few people came running up to her then. "Miss, are you all right?"
She tried to focus on them. "She is really hurt," someone else said.
She tried to sit up then, and a strong arm helped her.
"Someone is running into the police station to get help," the man said that was holding her up.
She tried to focus on him, but her head really hurt. It seemed only moments later two officers were kneeling by her. She recognized Chuck, one of the officers that worked with Cole. "Mandy," he gasped, "what happened?"
"Kidnapped," she whispered.
"It was you," he said. "Cole and some others are looking for you right now, I will let them know you have been found."
He talked into his police radio then and was assured help was on the way. He helped her stand. She wobbled and had to hold onto Chuck to walk, or she would collapse, her head was throbbing very painfully, as was her arm and leg. Of course, she had landed on them both as she had fallen, just her luck. She felt like the walking dead at the moment. "Think you can walk?" Chuck asked her in concern.
"I don't know," she whispered. "My head kills me."
He nodded, and leaning down, he picked her up and carried her inside the police department, the witnesses following to give their account about what happened.
Chuck carried her into the officer's lounge and laid her onto the couch.
"An ambulance has been called," the chief assured, as he walked in.
He knelt down by Miranda.
"You look like crap."
"I feel like crap," she muttered. "And no ambulance, I can't go to the hospital, you know that."
He nodded. "At least let them look at you."
She sighed. "Very well."
"What happened?"
"Kidnapped," she mumbled.
"Tyrone?" he asked.
She nodded.
"You probably have a concussion," he told her touching her tender head.
She gasped in pain.
"You have a nice lump on the back of your head."
"I'm sure," she mumbled.
Chuck walked back in then. "Everyone's headed back in sir."
He nodded but kept his attention on Miranda. "Mandy, you were kidnapped by someone in a limo, do you know who it was?" he asked, playing dumb.
"No, some guy just grabbed me off the street and threw me into the limo."
She closed her eyes then, feeling slightly nauseous.
"Mandy, are you sick?" the Chief asked her.
She nodded. "I am nauseous."
"Maybe we should take you to the hospital," he frowned.
"I will take her," Cole said walking into the room. His face paled when he saw her. She didn't look good, her face was extremely pale.
He knelt down by her. "Mandy, what did they do?" he said angrily.
"They thought I was someone else," she grimaced.
Miranda took a deep breath and swallowed back nausea.
"Chuck, go see if that ambulance is here," Chief Stratton told him. Chuck nodded and hurried out.
He came back in seconds later. "They are just walking in."
"Good," Cole sighed as three men walked in with a stretcher.
"I can't go to the hospital," she mumbled, "I hate hospitals."
"I will go with you," Cole assured her.
He then picked her up and put her onto the stretcher.
"I'm riding with her," Cole told his chief.
"Good, I'll follow behind."
Miranda was suddenly very tired as the paramedics covered her with a blanket.
One of the paramedics saw her close her eyes. "Miss, you cannot go to sleep, or you will lapse into a coma," he warned her.
"I am just closing my eyes because the light is making me sick," she said.
"Do not go to sleep," he warned.
"I won't. My head hurts too much."
Cole squeezed her hand, but she kept her eyes closed, as they headed outside with her and to the ambulance. She was loaded in, and they rushed her to the hospital.
"What happened Mandy?" he asked.
She sighed but kept her eyes closed. "Some guy pulled me off the street and threw me into a limo."
"Why weren't you resting?"
She opened her eyes, flinching at the light.
"I was bored."
He shook his head. "You should have stayed in your hotel room, then this wouldn't have happened."
"I know," she frowned.
"Then what happened?"
"The ones who kidnapped me thought I was someone else. They took me to some guys house, he realized it wasn't who he wanted, they told me not to talk, and then they drove me back and threw me out. I hit my head when they threw me from the car."
Cole winced. "Who were they looking for?"
"That redhead from the other night," she sighed. "I guess I was close enough to her description."
"Why would they want the redhead?" Cole frowned.
"She is working for him."
"Who?" Cole asked angrily.
Just then they pulled into the ambulance bay at the hospital, and she was saved from answering.
The doors came open and four people were there to help unload her and take her inside.
The chief was waiting for them. He followed them down the hall. He then looked at Cole. "I am going to talk with the doctor, tell him who she is."
He nodded and headed to the waiting room.
The chief walked with the nurses and doctor to a room, and then closed the door. The doctor pulled out a portable x-ray machine and went over Miranda.
"You wanted to speak with me Chief?" the doctor asked.
He nodded but looked at the nurses.
"You two can be excused for a moment," the doctor said.
They nodded and left the room.
"So?" the doctor asked.
"That is Miranda Dylan," he whispered, "she's a detective from out of town, and undercover. I don't want a soul knowing who she is."
He nodded. "Of course."
"She is also covered in gunshot wounds," the chief said.
The doctor frowned. "Where?"
The chief pointed at her arm, and then her leg. "I would check out both if I were you, and I know she has a concussion."
"Who hit her?"
"Some guys that thought she was someone else."
He nodded. "Okay, let's get you patched up then, Miss,"
"Mandy," she muttered.
"Mandy," he said, and then opening the door he called the nurses back in.
"This young lady is more seriously injured than we thought. I want her taken to surgery."
The women nodded.
"Surgery?" the chief frowned.
"I want to get her stitched up. I am sure her gunshot wounds need to be."
The chief nodded. "Okay, let me know when she is out. I want to have her guarded."
"Understandable. I will want to keep her at least overnight."
"I figured as much."
The doctor nodded and they wheeled Miranda down the hall.
The Chief headed back out to the waiting room, where Cole was and now Tyler.
"How is she?" Cole asked, his face deep with worry.
"She is going into surgery."
The men frowned. "Why?" Cole asked, his face pale.
"The doctor wants to patch up her arm, and check her brain for swelling."
Cole gritted his teeth in anger. "This is all that stupid redhead's fault."
Tyler tried to hide a smile. Maybe he should let Cole in on a little secret. It might make him feel better, either that it would seriously tick him off.
"Cole, look, we need to talk," Tyler said, nodding at a private waiting room off of the public one.
He nodded and stood, following Tyler inside, the chief following also. Tyler closed the door.
"When I find that redhead, I am going to kill her myself," Cole muttered.
Tyler just shook his head. "Cole you seriously need to chill."
"How can I? If that stupid woman hadn't shot Chad last night, and now Miranda is mistaken for her," he growled.
Tyler was chuckling.
"What," Cole frowned.
"You are so clueless," he chuckled.
"What do you mean?" he said, looking at Tyler, who was still grinning and then at the chief, who was also smirking. He nodded at Tyler.
"What is so damn funny?" Cole asked, getting mad.
Tyler chuckled. "Quit getting your boxers in a knot," he said, "and sit down."
"I don't see what is so funny," Cole ground out, not doing as asked.
"Well, considering that Miranda was "mistaken" for the redhead last night?" Tyler smirked.
Cole paled. "You are kidding me. The redhead was Miranda?"
"Ding, ding, you win a prize," Tyler said.
Cole started to cuss. "I shot her," he said. "I shot her!" he yelled.
Cole sat down, putting his head in his hands.
"I shot her."
"Yes, yes, you did," Tyler chuckled.
"I can't believe I shot my girlfriend."
The chief chuckled then. "I am sure she forgives you, especially since you didn't aim for her head."
"What if I had," Cole whispered. "I was going too, but I was too distracted by Chad at my feet."
"I can't believe it," he whispered again. Then he glared at Tyler.
"You knew this whole time?"
"She is working with me," Tyler admitted.
Cole hopped up and punched him in the face. "How could you do that to me?"
Tyler rubbed his jaw. "Cool it, man, I'll charge you with assault."
"Chief?" Cole asked.
The chief sighed. "I knew also, Cole, but I couldn't say anything. She is in deep."
"So, she is working with Tyrone?" he ground out softly.
The chief nodded. "She is. She is trying to bring him down too."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because we were told not too," Tyler said. "She could die if anyone knew."
Cole ran his hand through his hair. "I feel betrayed."
"Don't," Tyler said. "She is doing her job and a damn fine one at that. In three days she has infiltrated that whole group."
Cole took a deep breath. "I was thinking we had something going on."
"You do," Tyler shrugged. "I know she likes you."
"She lied to me, again."
"She had too, Cole," the chief said. "You know that."
"I feel like such a fool."
"Join the club," Tyler chuckled.
"So she knows that Chad is alive?" Cole asked.
"Yes."
"But the tears," he said.
"She can act, apparently," Tyler chuckled. "She even had me convinced. Besides, technically we lied too, telling her he was dead."
"Yet, she acted so surprised," Cole muttered.
"Give her an Emmy," Tyler grinned.
"So she is going into surgery because?" Cole asked.
"To patch up all the holes," Tyler said. "The one you gave her, and her arm."
"Why would Tyrone kidnap her and throw her back out," Cole frowned.
"Not sure," Tyler said, "guess we'll have to ask her later."
The men then went back to the waiting room and Cole sat with his head in his hands, feeling like scum. He still couldn't believe he had shot Miranda, and that he had almost killed her. He would have never forgiven himself if he had. He sighed and tried to relax, but worry ate at his gut, as he hoped that Miranda would be okay.