Chapter Eleven

Saxon trotted ahead, darting left and right as he followed one scent after another, seeing and smelling things Nick couldn’t. By this time of night, his mind was usually crammed with thoughts about work. Tonight, his head was filled with thoughts of a woman.

Andi.

The kiss he’d given her hadn’t scraped the surface of what he wanted: to carry her to her bedroom and make love to her all night. Whether he was prepared for it or not, she was getting to him.

Andi Hardt was everything a man could possibly want. Beauty and brains. Compassion and guts. Instinct shouted louder than ever that she was innocent, yet he was treading closer and closer to a line he should back the hell away from before he stepped right over it and plunged into quicksand. He couldn’t—no, shouldn’t—get involved or do any other stupid thing that might risk losing Andi’s cooperation. Like kissing her again, or carrying her up to her bedroom and stripping them both down until they were totally naked. Fuck, no.

Andi was still a critical part of an active investigation that was nearing the boiling point, and sticking to the plan was the only thing that mattered. In the meantime, there’d be a lot of cold showers in his future.

As they neared the edge of the grass that abutted the DPC’s parking lot, Saxon loped to Nick’s side.

Until tonight, he wasn’t sure he’d ever sing again, or pick up an instrument that he couldn’t load with at least eleven rounds of ammo, but when he’d seen Andi so panicked about her MIA musician, he hadn’t thought twice about helping her. For a few seconds he’d been pissed at his friends for goading him into it, then he realized it wasn’t anger tearing him up inside. It was something else entirely.

Since Tanya died, he’d been getting up every morning and reporting for work, but he’d only been going through the motions. Until now, he’d been hiding under a blanket, scared shitless of exposing his heart for fear of having it ripped from his chest again. It had taken the right person to yank off that blanket and let sunlight into his world. Andi had done that.

Light from the adjacent streetlamps glinted off the bumper of his Tahoe in the parking lot. Saxon ran ahead, lowering his front legs to the grass then pushing off to leap easily over the four-foot fence skirting the lot. He cleared the top rail by well over a foot and with minimal effort.

Nick followed, vaulting over the fence. He was about to insert the key into the Tahoe’s door, when Saxon alerted. The dog stood at full attention, staring at Andi’s house. Nick did the same, straining to see or hear whatever it was Saxon had. At first, he sensed nothing out of place. Only the kitchen light glowed through one of the windows facing the lot. Then, a dog barked. Stray.

Saxon gave an angry snort. Nick knew his dog well enough to know something was off. Stray wasn’t a barker.

Something moved outside Andi’s front door. That’s when he noticed a dark van parked in the shadows in front of her house. Distant rumbling told him the engine was on, but the headlights were off.

When Stray barked again, fear coiled in his gut. Nick took off running. He didn’t have to issue Saxon a command. His dog knew bad shit was going down.

He vaulted the fence on the other side of the parking lot at a dead run. Saxon leaped over the rail and charged ahead.

As they pounded across the grass, the kitchen light in Andi’s house went out. Only the moon lit the front yard. His heart hammered so loudly he could hear it, feel it in his throat.

Shadowed figures came into view on the front lawn. Three people. Two larger, one smaller. Andi. Even in the semidarkness, he’d know her shape.

She struggled as two men dragged her across the lawn toward the van. The driver’s door opened, and a third man stepped out.

Sonofabitch. They’re kidnapping her.

Unbridled rage pushed him harder. He would not let this woman die. This time, he’d be there to stop it.

When he was still twenty feet away, Saxon launched himself at one of the men. The man screamed.

“Get it off, get it off!”

Nick tackled the other asshole, landing on top of him. He heard the breath whoosh from the guy’s lungs as he hit the ground. Beside him, Andi fell and uttered a muffled scream.

“Andi!” he shouted, worried she’d been hurt. Her hands were tied behind her back and tape covered her mouth.

Saxon’s jaws were clamped around the second asshole lying next to her. The man screamed as the dog tightened his hold on his arm.

Andi scrambled backward, trying to put distance between herself and the fight. The distraction was enough, and the guy beneath Nick landed a solid punch to his jaw. Pain exploded in the side of his face. He shook his head to clear it, then jumped to his feet in time to avoid a gut punch.

Breathing heavily, Nick dodged blow after blow, then landed a right cross and heard bone crunch. The man hit the ground and didn’t get up again.

He spun, rearing back his arm, about to ram his fist into the other guy, when a gunshot blasted. Andi gave another muted cry. Nick’s heart about stopped.

Is she hit?

The man whose upper arm Saxon had his jaws clamped around struggled to aim his weapon again. At Saxon.

Fuck, no.

His dog wasn’t about to back down. Not even a gunshot would scare Saxon off.

Abandoning the driver, Nick leaped onto the man tangled up with Saxon and lunged for the gun. He got one hand on the guy’s wrist, but not before he managed to crank off another round.

Andi’s body jerked, chilling his soul, striking absolute terror in his heart.

“Police! Let go of the gun!”

Saxon growled, shaking his head back and forth, still gripping one of the guy’s arms. The asshole grunted but still struggled to gain control of the firearm. Nick stuck his finger through the trigger guard, preventing the trigger from being pulled back, then he twisted the guy’s wrist hard until he yelped and let go. With his free hand, he slammed his fist into the guy’s jaw. The body beneath Nick went slack.

A door slammed, followed by tires screeching on pavement. The driver of the van was taking off.

Glancing behind him, Nick saw the first guy was still out cold, and he didn’t have a single set of cuffs on him.

“Aus.”

Saxon released his hold and stood guard over the unconscious bodies, panting.

“Andi!” Nick jumped to his feet and went to her, dropping to her side. She lay curled into a ball on the grass, her body shaking. Carefully, he peeled the tape from her mouth. “Are you okay? Are you shot?”

When she didn’t answer, his pulse rocketed into the stratosphere. There wasn’t enough light to thoroughly inspect her for gunshot wounds, but he ran his hands down her arms, legs, belly, and back just the same. He didn’t feel anything wet.

“Andi? Honey, talk to me.”

She took a deep breath and let it out. The sound was music to his hears. He took her in his arms, cradling her against his chest. Thank God.

As she lay tucked against him, she gradually stopped shaking. Only then did his heart rate settle into normal range. Rocking her gently, he kept his eyes on the two motionless men, although Saxon wouldn’t let either of them escape.

“I’m okay,” she said finally. “I was just scared.”

“I know.” So was I. Scared shitless that she’d been shot.

For several gut-wrenching moments, he’d seen his past repeating. He’d seen Tanya, a small hole on one side of her head, the other side blown out, her brains splattered across the pristine white lace duvet.

Gulping in an unsteady breath, he pulled a pocketknife from his pants pocket and cut off the tape binding her wrists. “You’re safe now.” She stared at him, unmoving. In the dim light, her eyes were wide and glassy with shock. “Hey,” he said softly. “Come back to me.”

He stroked her cheek, her hair, then kissed her forehead, her lips, anything to bring her back.

Her fingers closed around his bicep. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” That was an understatement. But this wasn’t the time to analyze the life-altering relief he’d experienced at realizing she was alive and unhurt. He held up the tape he’d removed from her hands. “Do you have any tape like this in your house?”

She nodded. “I-I think so.”

Sensing she was still a little out of it, he helped her to stand. “Can you find some and bring it to me? I need to tie these guys up.” He knew she was still in shock from what had happened, but he couldn’t risk the men escaping while he went into the house.

“Okay.” She turned and went inside, although her movements were a bit wobbly.

Moving swiftly, he patted both men down for more weapons. Between the two of them, he found another .9mm and two switchblades. He also dug cell phones from their rear pockets.

While he waited for Andi to find tape, he set the weapons and phones on the front step next to the door, then pulled out his own phone. The first call he made was to his barracks, then he called Cox, Eric, and Matt. Despite him urging them not to, Eric and Matt insisted on rallying the rest of Nick’s friends. Soon, the place would be crawling with police and feds.

The front lights flicked on, as did the lamppost near the curb. The screen door slammed as Andi came back outside, holding a roll of gray duct tape. He took it from her and made quick work of taping the men’s hands behind their backs. They were both starting to regain consciousness, so he taped their ankles together, allowing only enough slack that they’d be able to shuffle to the patrol cars when they arrived.

Andi hadn’t uttered a word since retrieving the tape. She stood on the front stoop, arms wrapped around herself, her hands tightly clasping her shoulders. When she lifted her gaze to his, he glimpsed the same shock and fear he’d seen in hundreds of victims’ eyes. It was nearly enough to snap what little remained of his control.

Because he wanted to kill the men who’d touched her.

He climbed the few steps to where she stood. When he tugged her into his arms, she came willingly. Her body was soft, her breath warm against his chest.

Sirens wailed in the distance. An unexpected truth hit him like a brick. Andi was the only woman since Tanya who’d managed to get under his skin.

No murkiness about it now.

He’d still do everything in his power to nail the gun dealer, but his priorities had just shifted like tectonic plates in an earthquake. Now there was something far more important in his life—protecting the woman in his arms.

…

Red and blue lights flickered on the other side of the lake. Andi pressed her face to Nick’s chest, burrowing closer. She breathed in his scent—his usual citrus, this time with a bit of freshly cut grass thrown in.

When she sighed, he kissed the top of her head. What she really wanted was for him to tip her chin up and kiss her deeply. Even with her face snugged against his chest, she could hear the emergency vehicles drawing nearer. She didn’t want to leave his protective embrace, didn’t want to think about what had just happened, or why. Those men tried to kidnap her. If it hadn’t been for Nick and Saxon, she could be dead by now. Or worse.

What did they want?

The bastards had stuck a gun in her face and dragged her outside, but if they’d wanted to rob or rape her, they didn’t have to kidnap her. They’d even hurt poor Stray. Luckily, her dog seemed to be okay. Andi had found Stray wandering around the house, frantically looking for her. Just the same, she’d bring her to the vet for x-rays as soon as the animal hospital opened.

Wait… Her dog?

Finding someone to adopt Stray had been the plan all along. That was why she’d never given her a proper name.

Keep telling yourself that.

She and Stray had bonded from the moment the beautiful golden-brown dog had wandered onto the DPC’s deck. Now Stray had been injured trying to save her. She might not be a trained K-9, but she was just as fierce and protective in her own way. After taking her to the vet, Andi would stop at the grocery store for Stray’s favorite food—ice cream.

Nick’s arms around her tightened, then he released her. It was on the tip of her tongue to object, when he repositioned his arm, tucking her to his side. To increase the contact, she wrapped one of her arms around his waist, leaning into the warmth and security of his body.

Saxon stood proud and tall, tail erect as he guarded the two incapacitated men. Like Nick, the dog was all cop, and they’d both saved her life. She’d have to pick up some Pop-Tarts then sneak them to Saxon when Nick wasn’t looking.

What seemed like ten police vehicles sped closer. The first two that pulled to a stop in front of the house were state police sedans, followed by local police cars, a few unmarked units, and several K-9 SUVs.

Radios squawked, and her front yard glowed with the ricochet of flashing red-and-blue strobes. The DPC and her house were situated on a quiet stretch of road, with no other houses for at least a quarter mile in either direction. Given the early hour, chances were her neighbors were asleep and wouldn’t know anything about the incident unless it hit the newspapers.

At least a dozen officers packed her front yard, including Special Agent Cox, Eric, and two of Nick’s other friends—Matt and Kade.

Eric got to them first, resting a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “You guys all right?” He looked from Nick to her, his eyes filled with concern.

“We’re fine.” Nick gave her waist a little squeeze, snugging her that much closer and making her feel totally protected.

She’d expected him to release her the minute the troops arrived, but he didn’t, and she was grateful for the support. Mentally and physically. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off, and if his arm hadn’t been around her, she might have slipped to the ground like a limp noodle.

Matt and Kade joined them.

Matt frowned. “You’re bleeding.”

“What?” She eased from Nick’s embrace, placing one hand on his chest as she looked at his face.

A small cut beneath his right eye oozed blood, probably, judging by the split skin, from the fistfight he’d had with the three men. When she reached up to touch his face, he clasped her hand, pulling it away.

“It’s nothing,” he reassured her. “I’m fine.”

He wasn’t fine, and neither was she. Okay, so she hadn’t been hurt, not physically, anyway, but she was so far from fine it wasn’t funny. “Would someone tell me what just happened here?” Her voice had come out in a high-pitched squeak.

Cox joined them on the front step. “That’s what I’d like to know.”

“Three men tried to kidnap her.” Nick’s tone was hard as he released her and walked to where Saxon dutifully guarded the two prone figures.

She followed but stood off to the side as he succinctly described what had happened.

“These two assholes,” he continued, “dragged her out of the house. Her hands were taped together. There was a third guy waiting in a van at the curb. He took off and left his buddies behind.”

“I don’t suppose you got the tag?” Cox asked.

Nick shook his head. “Too dark. Headlights never came on. Chevy, black or brown. Late-nineties model with a busted-up rear bumper. These guys”—he indicated the men on the ground, who were beginning to stir—“have gang tattoos.”

How in the world did he take in that level of detail, let alone in the dark and while fighting off three armed men?

Because this was his world, a dangerous one, and she was so far out of her element it was pathetic.

He pointed to the front door. “Between them, they had two switchblades, two nine mils—Ruger and Glock—and two cell phones. The serial numbers on the guns were filed off. We can check all their recent texts and calls and see who they’ve been talking to lately. Based on their tats, these guys are low-level gang members, so you can bet they’re taking orders from someone else.”

Her heart squeezed as she listened to his voice—totally devoid of emotion. Tough as nails, cold as ice. As if someone had flipped a switch, he’d instantly morphed back into a hard-ass cop.

It wasn’t that she’d forgotten who or what he was. It was the reaffirmation that there really were two distinct aspects of this man and his life. One, she now knew, was filled with warmth, passion, humor, and music. The other, shadowed by violence and ugliness, the depths of which she hadn’t truly understood until now. This was the world he worked in, and it terrified her.

Turning, she went up the steps, pausing to glance at the guns and knives he’d taken off those men. It was hard to imagine how many lives could be snuffed out by those weapons. One bullet or knife strike was all it would take.

She shivered then put her hand on the screen doorknob, clasping it tightly. She might not be a cop, but she didn’t have to be one to understand with unerring certainty that this was all connected to whatever Joe was involved in. “I have to check on Stray,” she said, looking at the men lying on the ground. “They kicked her.”

Nick’s expression softened, as did his tone when he spoke. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Quietly, she turned the knob and went inside to the living room. Her stomach roiled with anger at the danger and chaos Joe had brought into her life. When he showed up, she fully intended to rip into him with every foul word in her verbal repertoire. Which wasn’t much, really, but she’d concoct something special just for him.

In the corner of the living room, Stray lifted her head from the dog bed. “Oh, you poor thing,” she crooned, sitting on the floor to stroke her soft, velvety ears. Her head filled with rage and her heart with sadness at what Stray had endured trying to protect her. “Thank you, girl.” The dog nuzzled her hand then licked her arm. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”

Uttering a long sigh, Stray lowered her head and rested her muzzle on the edge of the bed.

Men’s voices drew her attention. Through the screen door, she watched Nick collect the guns, knives, and cell phones, dropping them into a plastic bag. Then the door opened, and Saxon entered first, followed by Nick, Matt, Eric, Kade, and Special Agent Cox.

Saxon went to Stray. The shepherd lowered his head to sniff the other dog, then gently licked her muzzle. The gesture was so tender and loving that Andi nearly laughed. Not at the sweet affection Nick’s dog was showing to hers, but at yet another similarity between Saxon and his master.

Like Nick, Saxon was a cop who would take down an armed bad guy without hesitation, putting his life on the line for her and others. The dog’s training and instincts to protect were just as fierce as Nick’s, yet both could switch from badass to gentle and caring in a heartbeat.

Saxon lay on the floor on Stray’s other side. It never ceased to amaze her how wonderful and loving dogs were. To humans and to each other.

Nick knelt before her and rested a hand on her arm. “We’re transporting these guys to the barracks. We’ll get them to talk.” The look he gave her was tender and filled with concern.

“This is because of Joe, isn’t it?”

“I’d say so.” He nodded grimly, pausing to run his hand over the top of Stray’s head. “We think they wanted to use you as bait. To lure him in.”

Her eyes widened, and she grabbed his forearm. “But they’ll kill him.”

“And they’d have killed you, too.” His jaw clenched, and a deadly gleam sparked in his eyes. “If they’d gotten you tonight, they’d have found a way to make sure he knew it. They’d have lied to him, told him that if he turned himself in, they’d let you go.”

A chill crept up her spine. “But they wouldn’t have. Would they?”

“No,” he answered in a voice as hard as granite. “Where’s your phone?”

“In the kitchen. Why?”

Releasing her arm, he stormed into the kitchen, returning a moment later with her phone. He punched in her code, then cued up a call and held the phone to his ear.

“Nick,” Cox warned. “What are you doing?”

“Speeding things up.”

“We don’t want to scare the guy off,” Cox countered, making a move to grab the phone.

Nick’s tone was deadly. “I don’t give a fuck what you want.”

Saxon scrambled to his feet, planting himself in a protective stance between Nick and Cox.

As one, Eric, Matt, and Kade moved to Nick’s side, as if in support.

“And I’m sure not gonna give these assholes another chance to grab her,” he continued. “Myer needs to know his actions are putting Andi in harm’s way, where she’ll remain until he turns himself in. He may not answer the phone, but you can be sure he’s checking his voicemail.”

She knew the moment Joe’s voicemail kicked on. Nick’s eyes narrowed to slits. His lips compressed, and his nostrils flared. “Joe Myer,” he said. “This is Sgt. Nick Houston with the Massachusetts State Police. Whoever you’re laundering money for just tried to kidnap Andi and use her as bait to lure you in. She could have been killed, you sonofabitch. If you still love her like I think you do, you’ll turn yourself in. To me.” He recited his cell phone number then ended the call.

Andi hugged her knees to her chest, lowering her head to hide the tears trickling down her cheeks. This wasn’t supposed to happen. None of it.

When she lifted her head, Nick was again kneeling in front of her.

“You can hate me for what I just did, but I’d do it again. Anything to keep you safe.” The determination on his handsome face frightened her. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. I won’t let it.” His face had softened again, and she believed him. “Matt and Kade will stay here while the rest of us go to the barracks to interrogate those men. I’ll find out who’s behind this.”

“What will you do then?” she asked.

“You let me worry about that.” He smiled, but there was no warmth. “A patrol car will stay out front overnight. You’ll be safe. And did I mention that Kade is a veterinary technician? He’ll give Stray a cursory exam and make sure she’s okay. I’ll be back later.”

“When?” she asked, unable to contain the hopefulness in her voice.

“I don’t know. I’ll call.” He handed her back her phone then dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “Hier.”

Saxon nuzzled Stray one last time then followed Nick out the door. Eric and Cox went with him. Even though Matt and Kade remained behind, the room suddenly felt empty. She didn’t doubt Nick’s words. She would be safe. Matt’s friends and the officers stationed outside would protect her. But who would protect them? They were all highly trained, but they weren’t bulletproof.

“Would you like me to look at Stray?” Kade gave her a warm smile that showed off his dimples. “Nick said she’d been hurt.”

“Yes. Please.” Numbly, she stroked Stray’s ears while Kade carefully helped the dog to her feet. Then he ran his large hands methodically over both sides of Stray’s rib cage.

“I don’t think anything’s broken. Bruised, probably, so she’ll be walking unsteadily for a while.”

“That’s a relief.” She looked gratefully at Kade and was rewarded with a full-fledged smile that not only emphasized his adorable dimples but how incredibly handsome the man was.

She yawned, wishing she could fall asleep and pretend this night had never happened. “We’re going to bed. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen.”

“Thanks,” Matt said. “Let us know if you need anything.”

She helped Stray climb the stairs then settle onto another dog bed in a corner of the bedroom. “Sleep well, girl.” The dog lowered her head and uttered a throaty sigh.

Andi fell into bed fully clothed. Despite how tired she was, sleep didn’t come easily.

Stuffing an extra pillow beneath her head, she gazed out the window at the stars. It was nearly three in the morning. Venus stood guard over the peaceful, shimmering lake. While she was resting safely in her bed, Nick and other officers were tracking down the dangerous people who’d orchestrated her kidnapping. As much as she’d been worrying about Joe these last weeks, now she worried for Nick. Maybe more so.

She’d been given rare insight into what it must be like as a police officer’s spouse or partner. You’d have to be willing to accept—and mentally capable of accepting—that person had the ability and authority to kill when necessary. And that they could be killed in the line of duty.

Do I have what it takes?

Lying there in the darkness, she didn’t know quite what she felt for Nick. Somewhere along the line, annoyance had turned into respect, and she’d begun to like him. Then like had morphed into caring with something else thrown in—desire. God, how she wanted him to make love to her. But her feelings ran far deeper.

Fear curled in her belly. If anything happened to him…if he were killed…he would take a piece of her heart with him.

How much of her heart was too frightening to contemplate.