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He needed to sneeze. Something tickled his nose. Tyler raised his hand to brush away the nuisance and encountered something soft. Lifting his lids a margin he smiled. Keira’s head tucked securely under his chin, her hair stuck up right under his nose.
Turning his head slightly he kissed her forehead. She murmured something and snuggled closer. The peeks of her breasts nestled against his bare chest. He felt his body instantly react to the contact.
Keira’s hips wiggled. He narrowed his eyes, took a closer look and saw her smile. She wasn’t asleep. Two could play at that game. His hand that rested on the small of her back tightened and, at the same time, his hips ground forward.
Her eyes flew open and he chuckled. Leaning his head further down, he captured her lips. His tongue coaxed her mouth open. He pulled her beneath him. Lifting his head for a moment, he grabbed a condom, levered himself away from her a second. Once he’d taken care of the protection he entered her in one smooth thrust.
A tiny groan escaped her lips causing warmth in his heart. He’d never thought he’d feel this way about anyone. Before they had gone to bed or snuggled in the back of the SUV, they’d sat around the fire and as promised he’d told her of his life.
When he’d told her about his disastrous marriage, she hadn’t condemned him for his mistakes, but put a small hand on his knee in comfort. Somehow she’d known he’d felt like a failure and he placed the entire blame on his shoulders and not his ex-wife’s. What on God’s earth had he done to deserve Keira?
He made love to her as if he may never have the chance again. He wasn’t sure what the reasons were, he didn’t question, just cherished her.
“Wow, I could wake up like that every day.” Keira stretched and then turned into his arms. Apparently not in any more hurry to start the day than he was.
“Me too, we’re not in a rush, I think I could handle another round.”
She laughed that husky laugh he loved and gently pushed him away. “I need food. Let me up so I can get dressed.”
“If you must, can’t we just run around naked all day?”
“Oh you’d like that. I’d end up starving to death because you’d never let me out of your sight.”
She reached for her clothes. Pulling her shirt over her head, then laying down to shimmy on her shorts. She sat up to put her shoes on. He leaned over and grabbed the ankle that had the wound from the long sliver.
“Let me check this.” Tyler turned it to the light shining through the window to inspect it.
Smooth tan legs. He swallowed and tried to keep his mind on being clinical while he checked for infection. “Looks like it’s going to be fine.”
“Thanks Doctor Beckett.” She pulled her foot from his grasp and put on her shoe.
“You’re welcome. That will be one kiss please.”
“You’re incorrigible!”
Keira climbed out of the tailgate around him and wandered in the direction of the facilities, complete with running water, they’d found the evening before. She stopped, retraced her steps, and gave him a resounding smack on the lips, then limped off whistling a silly tune.
A couple of hours later they pulled into the convenience store parking lot. Tyler pulled the SUV behind the building to block it from view of the road.
“Keira, I want you to stay here. Your ankle is still too weak to be climbing around these hills.”
“Are you sure? If they’re still there it will be three against one, and you left your gun at the cabin.”
“If they’re still there I’m hightailing it back here and we’re going to the campground another day. At least we’ll be able to pick up some food.”
“Good, and if I stay here I won’t hold you up. Makes sense.”
“That’s what I love about you, you’re rational. Most women would be such babies. I can only imagine the bitching my sisters would be doing right about now.” God, he’d said it out loud. By the look on her face she just thought it was a figure of speech.
“I’m not most women. Now get out of here so we can either return to the campground or be on our way.”
“Aye-Aye captain!” He winked at her and climbed out of the SUV.
He wasn’t ready to discuss the L word with her yet. Hell, he wasn’t ready to admit it to himself. It had just slipped out.
He climbed up the steep hill behind the store and paused on the top. Not looking back, he made his way carefully down the other side until he had a view of the cabin and its yard.
Battista had pushed his car into the side trees out of sight of the road. Tyler had a good view of Jake and Gil hidden directly behind the house and up the hill sitting on two rocks. The sound of crunching gravel drew his attention and he looked toward the car pulling into the drive.
Tyler watched another car pull in behind the first one and two young men got out. Battista stepped out from where he’d been hiding behind a tree and startled the two.
He couldn’t hear what Batt was saying to the young men, but the feeling of dread that filled his stomach couldn’t be ignored. Helplessly, he watched Battista stalk behind them to the rear of one of the cars. The two youngsters bent over the trunk giving Batt his opportunity and he used it.
Tyler thought he was going to be sick right there. Battista’s ever-ready knife made short work of them. He actually heard Batt shout for Gil and Jake. They went to help put the boys in the trunks of the cars, one in each. Gil scrambled into one car, and Jake in the other, and both drove off.
Batt held in his hand what looked like replacement wires. Tyler didn’t wait any longer but made his way over the hill. They’d better hurry if they wanted to grab food and go to the campsite. There was no way in hell they were going to the cabin until he was sure Batt and party had cleared out of residence.
Slipping and sliding down the hill, mostly on his butt, Tyler made it to the SUV. He just wished he dared call the Cap, but he didn’t dare. Not if there was a possibility the leak could be standing in his office when the call came in. They’d just have to do their best without backup.
He pulled opened Keira’s door. “Do you need or want anything in the store? I’ll explain what happened when we get rolling.”
She must have sensed his urgency because she just gave a negative shake of her head.
*****
Keira jumped a little when Tyler threw open the door, though she’d been expecting him. She could tell he wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. Though she’d been craving some vinegar chips, she just shook her head no. Food in general didn’t seem important.
She watched as he hurried around the corner of the store. Damn, the man had a fine ass, which reminded her of what they’d done all night to keep warm. She brought her hands to her cheeks and sure enough they were hot at the mere thought.
He was everything she’d always thought was not her type, but she loved everything about him. Tyler thought she hadn’t caught his mention of the word love earlier, but she had. He wasn’t ready to discuss it, she could wait.
Tyler had told her all about his ex-wife, all she had to say about that was; Bitch! But his family sounded like everything she’d always daydreamed of when she’d been young and an only child.
Her parents would have loved to have more children, but until her teen years, there hadn’t been enough money for her. She had no clue why they hadn’t had more later. Maybe by then they didn’t want such a large gap, she wouldn’t have minded though.
A tap on the tailgate window tugged her attention to the present. She leaned over, pushed the release and then climbed out to help. By the time, she got to the rear Tyler had everything in and was closing the hatch.
“Let’s go.”
She went around and scrambled into the SUV without further encouragement. Once buckled in she waited for him to tell her what happened. Tyler backed around the store then eased into the road keeping a sharp lookout in the direction of the cabin. He didn’t need to tell her Batt was still there, she could tell by his body language. A shiver of fear ran up her spine.
“I just want to get out of here. We’ll go to the same campsite.”
She waited for more, but he didn’t say anything else. Keira didn’t know if she wanted to know what happened. Batt being at the cabin alone would not cause this grim expression on Tyler’s face as he drove. His face looked like how she had felt the night she witnessed what an evil man Battista Salinger was.
No one had invaded their little space, which was a miracle given the time of year. Keira wasn’t going to complain, she didn’t want any company. She’d always loved camping, however, they were beyond roughing it, they didn’t even have a tent.
The groceries were unpacked on the picnic table, the bed made up, which meant the rear seat folded down. Keira was ready to hear the bad news, if it had been anything good, Tyler would have told her.
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense any longer, I’ve been patient enough.” Keira threw a leg over one of the benches straddling it and waited.
“As you’ve guessed, Batt, Gil, and Jake were still there. They expected us. He had the car hidden from the road in the trees. All of them were hidden up the hillside and not in the cabin.”
Nausea rolled in her stomach as she listened. “They were waiting to ambush us, make us think they were gone. We would have been helpless and unsuspecting walking into the cabin.”
“I would have had my gun. But, yes, we wouldn’t have been expecting it. But then Batt underestimated me if he thought I wasn’t going to check out the area before going back.”
The warmth she felt when he said that. In these circumstances, it hardly seemed appropriate, but she felt proud of him. He said he’d protect her and he had. She trusted him with her life. Keira gave a little laugh, hell, she’d better trust him, her life was in his hands.
“What was that all about?”
“Just thinking it’s a good thing you’re good at what you do because I trust you to keep me safe.”
“I’ll do my best. But Keira please, even if you don’t want to, do what I ask. Okay?” Tyler was looking at her with something close to fear in his eyes, and that fear transmitted to her. It shivered clear to her bones.
“I promise.” Her words came out in a husky whisper and she hurried to clear her throat. “The three of them lying in wait wasn’t what has you so grim. What else happened?”
“Two young men, who I assume were from the rental car company, came to give him the replacement part.”
Hot boiling bile bubbled up from the pit of her stomach. Did she need him to say the words? No, she couldn’t bear it. “I can guess, please don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
“I won’t tell you how it happened then. Jake and Gil drove off with the two rentals cars, each with one of the boys in the trunk. I’m sure when they get back, if they haven’t already, they won’t wait around. They’ll think we’ve already reached another safe house.”
“I hope you’re right.” Keira took a deep breath then let it hiss through her teeth. Tyler looked sideways at her. “Today I want you to tell me everything. If I’m going to protect myself I need to know what I’m up against. I don’t just mean Battista, I’m pretty sure I know everything I want to know about him.”
“First, give me your promise again. If I say run, you run.”
Tyler straddled the bench and faced her. The action and the intense way he looked at her made Keira want to get up and run right there on the spot.
“Especially if something happens to me, if you are able, run in the opposite direction.”
She stared at him, was he serious? She felt like she’d lost her best friend, just from him saying the words. What would she do if it ever happened? “You mean leave you if you’re hurt?”
“Yes, in fact when we get to the next safe house we’ll make a plan. Hopefully, an escape for both of us, but worst case scenario you, at least, get away safely.”
“I like the part where we both get out.”
He gave her a lopsided grin that made him look boyish. “So do I.”
She gave a short laugh that lacked humor. “When we are settled we need to talk. I want to know what you were doing in the organization, who, and what we’re up against.”
“Deal. I’m starved, let’s eat while I tell you what I know and can’t prove.”
That sounded enigmatic, but she was too hungry to argue so she’d have to trust that he’d explain. “Did we get utensils?”
“Yes, fancy lady, I did.” He walked to the tailgate of the SUV and produced another bag she hadn’t seen when they were unloading.
Sandwiches were the course of the day, and once they had them on their plates they ate in silence for several minutes. Finally, Keira had appeased most of her hunger, so she looked at Tyler and nodded.
“I guess that means you’re ready for my story?”
“You betcha’.”
“Three years ago, someone in the agency encouraged the captain to let me infiltrate the inside of a suspected crime organization. The objection was to kill two birds with one stone, cliché I know. First, capture the boss. Second, no one had ever seen what the infamous Batt looked like. When he first started he’d sign his work in blood. The Batt. I needed to find him.”
Keira opened her mouth to ask a question. Tyler put up his hand, paused while he took a bite, chewed and swallowed.
“I guess I better tell you why it even mattered. I know that you haven’t been in the city that long, so I’m not sure how much some of these names will mean to you.”
“I read up a lot on the city and its leading citizens before I moved here. I didn’t want to make some big faux pas when I arrived.”
“Does the name Jamison Hancock mean anything to you?”
“Well, duh, of course it does. I knew of Hancock Industries when I went to the University. It came up in my marketing textbooks a lot. He’s one of the leading import and exports authority in the nation. In fact, I attended a lecture where he was the guest speaker.” She thought back, he was a formidable man, very impressive. She’d liked him on the spot. “What does Mr. Hancock have to do with anything?”
“I’m going to ask you another question before I answer you on that one.”
She raised her brow at him, brushed the crumbs off her lap, and pushed her plate away. “Now you’re being mysterious.”
He chuckled. The sound sent electric tingles down to her toes. She had to force herself to pay attention to what he was saying. “Ever heard of Antonio DeLuca?”
“Mm... I’m not sure, sounds familiar.” Something niggled at the edge of her mind, she’d read that name recently. It dawned on her and she continued. “He’s into organized crime, but no one can seem to catch him at anything. Let’s see, I read the article soon after I moved. Let me think a minute.”
She stood and walked to the edge of the clearing. What was she missing? Her scalp was itching like—what was that term? Someone walking over her grave. And what in the world did the crime boss have to do with such a nice man as Jamison Hancock?
“Okay, I can’t for the life of me remember what the article alluded to.”
“I’ll give you a hint. The alphabet soup, you know the FBI, CIA, and the NY police department, all but know they are one in the same.”
She still had her back to him, thinking. She sucked in a breath so fast she had to gasp for air.
“What? I don’t believe that for a minute.”
“No one does. Or if they suspect, they ignore their suspicions. It’s easier than to think one of New York’s leading citizens is such an evil man.”
“You’ve got to be wrong.” She walked to the table and straddled the bench again. “Where’s the connection?”
“I was sent to find that out. I hired on at Hancock Industries and I saw Jamison there a lot. Though I can tie him to several disreputable fellows, I could never tie him to organized crime. Not in any way that indicated he was DeLuca, or tie him to any of the men or thugs, I should say, that hung out at the pool hall. I heard things though. You can’t take a man to court on hearsay.”
“This is just so hard to believe. I’ve met his wife at one of my work parties. She is the perfect example of charm, soft spoken, and I found her utterly delightful.”
“I don’t think Rosalee Hancock has a clue. Her father, Shaun Kincaid, does. He’s come to our office several times wanting us to do something. He’s worried about his daughter.”
“If he knows, then why can’t you do something?”
“Because he doesn’t have any proof. DeLuca’s always careful to keep his hands clean. Most of all his identification is flawless as Jamison Hancock, his credentials, everything.”
“Do they have any children?”
“There’s a daughter named Rosa. They sent her to Switzerland to school, as far as I know she hasn’t returned yet.”
“I hope she doesn’t know anything about it. I’m in shock, but if you say it’s true, then it is. Was your cousin Brennen getting too close?”
“I don’t know. If he knew something he didn’t have an opportunity to tell anyone.”
“Okay, so if they are the same, what does Battista do for him other than kill anyone who gets in his way?”
“We think he helps with the export business.”
“I thought that was legitimate.” Keira ran a hand through her hair. Her fingers caught on a large tangle of curls. Frustrated she pulled free, along with a gob of hair, by the feel of it, at the roots.
“Easy, I happen to like your hair.”
“This is what happens when I have no brush or comb. Anyway, what’s wrong with the exports or his imports? You worked there, did you see anything?”
“No. Even after two years, I was still the new guy. I heard things on the street; the rumors said young missing prostitutes were held at the docks. We assumed they were transported somewhere because by the time we’d investigate there was no trace. Right before the hit on Brennen, the captain received a report forwarded to him from the San Francisco PD.”
Keira thought for a moment, two coasts, it wasn’t unheard of for a crime lord to have ties across the states. “What was the report?”
“Young prostitutes were disappearing from the bay area. The SFPD captain felt there were ties with the girls missing in our area.”
“I agree, and I can see you do. If you were trying to blend in and you weren’t able to, do you think DeLuca or Hancock knew you were undercover?”
She watched the expression chase across Tyler’s face a moment before he answered. “I don’t think so. No one in the department knew I resembled Batt, least of all me. I always wondered why they kept me on the edges of finding out something important. Many times I thought they did know.” It was his turn to run his hand through his curls. “Now I believe I was hired just to take a fall if Battista ever messed up and left a witness.”
“But he did. Is that why you were taken in and beat up?”
“I think the cops were tipped off that Battista was at the pool hall. He was there when I got there. It was the first time I’d ever seen the man.” His Adam’s apple worked as he swallowed, he looked over her shoulder, but Keira didn’t think he saw the scenery. No, he was in the smoky pool hall. “The shock when he turned to me at the bar. God. Like looking in a mirror. Except his eyes. On top of that, Gil and Jake were acting strange. I’d say I was set up.”
“Was there anything suspicious at all at Hancock Industries?”
“Oh yes, there were certain areas that were off limits to everyone except for Hancock and a handful of his employees.”
“What is it suspected he does?”
“Importing black market prescription drugs, the kind sold on school grounds. And, exporting underage girls for prostitution.”
Chills jolted through her body. How evil he must be to have such a civilized façade and be able to sell young girls to the highest bidder. She couldn’t bring herself to think about the drugs.
“Tyler, we have to stop him. Can you imagine how scared those girls must be? And the families who have children where those drugs are sold, I can’t even imagine.”
“We’re trying. I’d been hearing about a detective poking his nose in where it didn’t belong around the docks. That was the word at the pool hall. I think that must have been Brennen.”
“Why didn’t your department know?”
“He wasn’t on assignment on the docks. He was a police detective, not in the bureau. And his lead officer didn’t have him working on anything that would have taken him there. All we can think of is he stumbled onto something by accident. Or one of his snitches had sold him the information for money. He must have been trying for more proof before he took it to Chief Castor of the NYPD.”
Keira felt his frustration. She didn’t know what they could do. “We have to stop the bastard.”
“My feisty Keira. We’ll do the best we can.”
“Do you know where we’re going next?”
“Home.”
“Your home? Won’t that be dangerous for your family?”
“I need to regroup, get some advice from Dad.”
“But there’s a leak, or whatever you call it, in your office.”
“I’m not calling in until we’re at another safe house. We’ll regroup, you can meet the fam, and then we’ll plan what our next move is. That’s where I went wrong this time, I didn’t have a plan.”
“Well you sort of did. We thought it was a safe place that no one would find.”
“I should never think that no one can get to information.”
“We stay put until tomorrow. Tyler, do you really think they’ll be gone?”
*****
Battista paced up and down the drive of the cabin. It was obvious Beckett wouldn’t be returning. They’d be back by now if they were. Where were those two imbeciles? Did they take the cars and bodies to the next state?
He turned to pace toward the road, and saw the two men walking around the bend. He strode toward them and met them halfway.
“Where in the hell have you two idiots been?”
“You said to ditch the cars where no one would find them, and you didn’t want them to be together.” Jake bent to pull a bur out of his sock.
Gil had a weed sticking out of the side of his mouth, he spit it out and it landed on Batt’s shoe. He took a quick step back, eyes as wide as he’d probably ever be able to get them. If Battista wasn’t so pissed he’d probably have laughed.
“Sorry Batt, really, I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Shut up and get in the car, we need to get out of here and to the docks. There’s a shipment in the morning and the boss needs help. We’ll find out where Beckett and the woman went. I’ll track them down.”
He turned without waiting for either of them to follow. Once in the car, he headed past the convenience store. He thought about stopping to ask if either of the two they were after had been in. He doubted it, if they had, they would have come to the cabin to get their things.
Gunning the engine, he sailed past the store and headed for the Interstate. They’d be in the city by nightfall. He wanted to get out of the godforsaken country.
*****
“Wake up sleepyhead.”
Keira tried to push the insistent hands away, but they seemed to delight in tickling her ribs. She opened one eye and stared at her assailant. “Can I have just five more minutes? There was some guy keeping me awake all night.”
“Oh some guy huh? You seemed to like what that guy was doing.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it.” She finally sat up and pushed her hair out of her eyes. “How can you be so...”
“Happy?”
“No. Awake.”
“I’m energized. We’ll be able to get our things and arrive at my parents’ house by noon. I doubt anyone, even Batt, would expect us to go home. As you said, it would bring danger to my family.”
A trickle of unease slid down her spine. She tried not to let it bother her and climbed out of the SUV, pulling her clothes with her. There was no one around and it was easier to stand and dress than what she had done yesterday, and dressed while she was sitting or laying.
“Can we take the time to shower?” The thought of meeting Tyler’s family was daunting. Looking like she did they’d probably think he’d brought home a street bum.
“We can’t take the chance of him coming back. I’m going to park behind the store again, go scout around first. Then we’ll be in and out and on our way to my home.”
“Oh, you’re parents are just going to love me.”
“They will.”
Keira gave him a quick look to see if he was making fun of her. But he’d turned to get his own clothes on. Sighing she walked to the restroom, at least she could splash water on her face. And her foot felt a lot better, so there were some things to feel thankful for.
When Keira returned to the SUV, Tyler had what little groceries they had left packed and he was ready to go. She climbed in her side. She didn’t know whether to be nervous or excited about the next couple of hours.
As promised, Tyler parked behind the store, hiked over the hill, and was back in less time than the day before. When he climbed in, he was smiling. A good sign.
“All clear.” He turned to look at her as he twisted the key and the motor flared to life. “Now, do you know where you had everything?”
“Yup, I put everything in the closet. I’d unpacked though and my suitcase is under the bed.”
“Oh that’s probably good, maybe they didn’t even see it.”
“I hope not, I’ve been worried they’d rip it apart.”
“They wouldn’t have reason to. Let’s go. Just throw everything in, you can reorganize and fold later.”
“Gotcha.”
He flipped the gear in reverse and they were at the cabin much sooner than Keira was ready for. Tyler went to the rear of the SUV and lifted the hatch.
“Go get everything. I’ll get as many groceries as I can and my things. Hurry.”
“You don’t need to tell me,” Keira said on the run as she pushed on the door.
When she stepped in, she stopped. What a mess. They’d tossed the place, and there was food and dishes everywhere.
Tyler came to a halt behind her. “Wow, what a mess. I’m going to owe a huge one to Sally.”
Keira bent to pick up a pillow. Tyler grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the staircase. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry we can’t take the time to clean up this mess.”
Keira took the stairs two at a time then went to the girl’s bedroom. It looked like it had been searched but it was less of a mess. The first thing she did was check under the bed, with a feeling of relief she pulled the suitcase out and opened it.
“The money is still here.”
“Good, now hurry.” Tyler’s voice drifted up from the kitchen.
Taking Tyler at his word, she tossed all of her belongings into her case. Then raced around to double-check, making sure she left nothing behind. It was a lot harder closing her suitcase without folding. Finally, giving up, pushing the lid down she climbed on top and sat on it.
Looking around one last time she pulled the suitcase off the bed with a thud. It seemed a lot heavier than before, that didn’t make sense. Getting it down the stairs had been a bit tricky but Tyler waited to give her a hand.
Tyler locked the door and put her case in the SUV along with the rest of the items. He’d been busy while she’d been packing. Once she climbed into her seat, she looked out the windshield, or rather the hole that used to be.
“Tyler we can’t drive into the city like this.”
At first, he looked bewildered. Then following the direction of her gaze he dropped his hand from the ignition and paused.
“I didn’t even think of the shattered windshield. There’s nowhere around here to have it replaced, that I know of. I’m sure there is in the town though. Let’s go check it out.”
Keira tilted her head and tried to relax. Now they were getting out of the mountainous area, the road straightened and Tyler stepped up the speed. Wind blew in her face taking her breath away.