Critical Density

by Desiree Holt

  Those were the best words he’d heard in a long time.

  “Thank you.” He had to take a minute to give her a quick squeeze and a soft kiss before heading for the security panel. “I’m taking the remote with me so I can reset it and unlock it from outside. I’ll be quick about it.”

  “Take your time. I want you to be sure you check absolutely everything out there.”

  “No worries there. Remember. Stay in the kitchen.”

  First, he needed to gather his equipment. He tucked his gun into the waist of his jeans at the small of his back, turned off the alarm so he could get outside and grabbed the remote. He also picked up the small but powerful binoculars he kept at the end of the breakfast bar. Like everything, else, just in case. Finally he shoved his cell phone into a pocket of his jeans.

  He placed the sat phone on the breakfast bar where Hannah was sitting.

  “If someone speaks,” he told her, “just press this red button, tell them what I’m doing and that you have the phone.”

  “It’s okay for me to do that?”

  “Yes. In fact, I’ll let them know.” He pressed the button. “Everyone who’s listening? I’m checking the area outside. Hannah has the phone. Feel free to pass anything along to her.”

  As soon as everyone acknowledged, he set the phone back on the bar.

  “Okay. You’re good to go.”

  “Be careful, please,” she urged.

  “Careful’s my middle name.” He gave her a light kiss on her lips. “See you soon.”

  The minute he was outside, he pressed the remote to set the security codes. As he began his scouting, it occurred to him for the first time that all the windows that he loved in his house, the windows that gave the place such an open feel, weren’t the best for protecting anyone. He’d taken pains to set up safeguards to keep people from breaking in, but not to keep them from seeing him.

  Of course, he hadn’t expected, when he’d bought the house, to have a beautiful woman with a target on her back hiding there, either. When this was over, if the house was still standing, he should have the regular glass replaced with bulletproof and the blinds changed out for the solar ones he could see through from the inside but that blocked anyone’s view from the outside.

  Okay, time to get to work. He headed across the patio and beyond the pool. There was a three-quarter moon tonight, lighting up the backyard. Viper crept along the side of the house and down one high wall, alert for anything that might be moving or look out of place.

  So far, so good.

  He eased back up to the patio and slipped over to the other side of the yard, doing the same thing. No one there either, thank the lord. He pulled up the binocs and scanned every inch of the yard, wishing he’d taken the time to get his night vision goggles. But the moon lit up the backyard area enough, along with where the bay lapped at the shoreline, to let him see almost everything. There were no boats out there at this time of night, so that was one less thing to worry about.

  When he was confident no one was lying in wait in the back, he crept along the wall to the gate set in the concrete. Viper entered the code and slid the gate open, then eased it closed behind him. He used the landscaping to hide his body as he moved toward the front of the house, crouching by a tree and scanning the street with the binocs.

  There was no one moving at this time of night, not at his house or any of the others on this curve of the street. Most of the houses had outside night lights to discourage people from sneaking around. Viper swept both left and right with the binoculars and was about to head back into the house when his gaze paused on a driveway four houses down across the street.

  He stopped and adjusted the glasses to get a better look. He’d made it his business to memorize all the cars the homeowners drove so he could tell when there were strangers in the neighborhood. Not only was the car in the driveway unfamiliar, but the house itself was for sale, an off-market listing. The owners had already moved. Viper knew it because he kept up with things like that. Every single thing that happened in his neighborhood could affect him and he needed to be on the alert for it.

  And he was definitely on the alert where this car was concerned.

  The moon was bright enough that he could see the license plate, so he pulled out his cell and jotted it down in the Notes section. When he got back inside, he’d run it through Zander’s super-duper Stargazer system, although he was sure it would come back to a rental place. Then it would be a matter of tracking the information on whoever had rented it.

  It was hard to tell for sure with the ambient light if there was anyone in the car. If there was, he was sure they were watching the house, but why be so obvious about it? Didn’t they think he’d be suspicious? Or were they stupid enough to think… Think what? He couldn’t imagine.

  He waited a good fifteen minutes to see if there was any action, but nobody approached the car and no one got out of it. Finally, he headed back into the house, using the remote to shut off the security system. Back inside, he reset the code then turned toward the kitchen. What he saw made him grin.

  Hannah was standing at the end of the breakfast bar, holding the fireplace poker like a baseball bat.

  “Do I look so ridiculous?” she snapped.

  He took the poker from her and laid it on the bar.

  “Not at all. You look adorable. And fierce. And smart that you figured out some kind of weapon to use, although I’m not sure bullets could bounce off it.”

  “Well, Mister Smart Ass,” she spat at him. “I figured they wouldn’t shoot me before asking questions and trying to drag me out of here. This way at least I could do some damage while they made the attempt.”

  Viper’s chest swelled with pride, along with his cock, which seemed to be in a perpetually engorged state around her.

  “That’s my girl.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to his body. Only then did he realize she was shaking. “Hannah?” He rubbed her back, trying to ease her tension. “It’s okay, darlin’. It’s fine. I’ve got you. And I’m damn proud of you for your quick thinking.”

  She shook her head. “But I hate that I was scared like that. It’s not me. But worse than that, Viper. Think about all the things we all dug up about these people. They have a lot at stake. They aren’t going to let your security setup deter them. If they want in, they’ll plan an assault and carry it out. The more I think about it, abut Lowden and the people and the whole situation, and what information Tom Hernandez passed along, the more I’m convinced that’s what they’d do. What did you find outside?”

  “Nothing on the water side, although they could still bring a boat close. Or use scuba divers. Anyway, across the street, though, there’s a car in the driveway of an empty house that’s for sale. I can’t imagine they’d be stupid enough to think I wouldn’t know it was out of place. I make sure I know everything about my neighbors, for my own protection.”

  “But I’m telling you,” she insisted. “Look at what’s at stake for them. These people thought nothing of killing a high-profile, high-ranking senator. Look at the money and power behind them. And what’s at stake here. They can’t afford to have me pop up and answer questions that the Feds are dying to ask me.”

  “You’re right.” Viper frowned. “According to Tom Hernandez, he had trouble getting anyone to give him anything at all, and not because they didn’t know it.”

  “Maybe you should arrange for me to tell my story to someone. I’m not sure who, but you guys would know and could set it up, right?”

  “Yes, but we’d have to do it carefully. For all we know, Baumann and his crew have ears in all the federal agencies.”

  She started to shake again, “Listen. I wouldn’t put it past them to try to blow up this house once they confirm I’m in it. Or even if they only suspect. They even tried to break into your plane.”

  “Yeah, that’s a puzzle. I guess they were hoping to find information there. Shit.” He cradled her face. “Let’s wait to hear how the questioning
goes. Then I’m going to get Rocket and Eagle over here so we can make some plans.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “No more sleep tonight for any of us. Let’s have some fresh coffee while we wait for the guys to call again.”

  Another hour passed before the sat phone beeped.

  “Yeah, go ahead,” Viper said.

  “This is Rocket. Fun time’s over for tonight. Neither of those guys said a word except to ask for their phone call. The sheriff ran them through all the databases but their names don’t appear anywhere except for a driver’s license and voter registration. How do people stay totally off the radar like that?”

  “Because whoever is running this entire show has the power to make it happen. And that scares the shit out of me.”

  “Tom was right when he said there was a lot of power and money behind this. And get this.” Rocket’s voice had an edge to it. “A little while ago, not one but two attorneys showed up. I checked them out with Tom. Apologized for waking him up, but asked him about these guys. He said they cost more than a mortgage and the people who retain them are located in the stratosphere, politically and socially. He said even judges try to avoid having them in their courtrooms.”

  “Shit. So I’m assuming these guys are gone?”

  “Unfortunately. The sheriff—not too happy about being dragged into this at that hour of the day—managed to get a bail hearing. The attorneys posted bail and took their clients with them. And, Viper? Get this. Bail was set at one million each and they paid in cash. These are not your average bad guys here.”

  “Holy motherfucker.”

  “Uh huh. These people want Hannah and they’ll do anything to grab her. And they have the money and power to make it happen.”

  “Okay.” Viper gave Hannah a smile he hoped was reassuring. “Blaze is going to have to stay put with Peyton. He needs to keep her as far away from this as possible. I’d move Hannah someplace, except—no offense—I feel a lot better keeping her with me.”

  “Understood.”

  “However, you and Eagle get over here so we can make some plans. Thinking about everything Tom Hernandez told us, these people may be getting ready to make a move. I wouldn’t put it past whoever this is to just attack the house and try to grab her.”

  “After watching these two guys and getting a sense of them, I can’t say you’re wrong. See you shortly.”

  He set the sat phone on the counter and pulled Hannah into his arms again.

  “I am not going to let these people get their hands on you,” he promised. “I want you to believe me when I say that.”

  “I do.” She pressed against him. “I just still can’t get my head around how I happened to be the one they decided to make the sacrificial lamb for this.”

  He held her tightly against him, loving the feel of her body against his, the soft swell of her breasts. He cupped her chin and tilted her face up to his.

  “I don’t know how you did it, Hannah Modell, but you found the key to me when no other woman has been able to do it. And I’m glad of it. Is it quick? Without a doubt. Would I go back to my life before you? Hell, no. Please tell me you have nothing that would drag you back to Houston. Or anywhere else.”

  Her laugh had a slightly hysterical twinge.

  “Well, I live in a rental apartment with no personality and I sure won’t have a job to go back to. No friends to speak of, just acquaintances. Both my parents are dead. No brothers or sisters. So can I start a new life with no problems? Without a doubt. Does that answer your questions?”

  “In spades. That’s good, because I planned to beg you to stay here when this is all over.” He grinned. “And I’m not the begging kind.”

  He pressed his mouth to hers, desperate for a taste of her, plunging his tongue inside. She tasted like seven kinds of sin, but she also tasted like home, like a woman he could freely commit to for the rest of his life. He had no idea how the fuck he’d gotten so lucky, but when this was all over, he might have to send a big thank-you note to the bartender in Houston who, for whatever reason, had given them the heads-up when the scumbags had barged into the bar looking for her.

  He slid his hand down her back and over the sweet curve of her ass, and despite the critical situation they were in, would have forgotten everything and dragged her not the bedroom if the sat phone had not beeped just then.

  “We’re about a minute out,” came Eagle’s voice. “Open the gate, please.”

  Saved by the phone!

  Reluctantly he released Hannah, with a brief kiss.

  “I have to go let them in.”

  “And I have to put on some clothes. I—” She paused. “I’m all in, Viper.”

  He swallowed a smile as he went to the panel and punched in the code. Then he opened the front door.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The sound of his cell phone woke Diesel, although his sleep had been restless and edgy. There was so much shit going on that he considered himself lucky to get any sleep at all. If this was Henry, he might have to kill the man—then none of this would matter. No, Ed Fletcher.

  “Tell me the first step is done.”

  “Not exactly.” Ed’s voice was flat. “You won’t be happy.”

  Diesel sat up and turned on the bedside light. “What the hell happened? We’d finally gotten a break about these four guys, their plane and their addresses.”

  “And not without spending a lot of money,” Ed reminded him.

  “Fuck that. I thought we were moving forward.”

  “Sometimes I think this whole setup is cursed,” Ed growled. “It’s been nothing but a disaster from start to finish. These guys had some kind of sophisticated silent alarm system setup. Sheriff’s deputies were there before they could finish getting the hangar door open.”

  “Crap.”

  “That’s not the worst part. Two of the Galaxy SEALs showed up before long, and let me tell you, my friend, you don’t ever want to tangle with these guys.”

  “What’s the problem? We can handle them.”

  “Don’t bet on it,” Ed told him. “These guys are former SEALs. The whole world is afraid of them.”

  How the fuck did Hannah Modell get hooked up with these guys?

  “So what happened?”

  “The two Galaxy guys went along when the deputies hauled our guys off. I called two of the attorneys on our list and they just hustled their asses right down there. They said our guys kept their mouths shut and we bailed them out.”

  “You’d better stash them someplace where no one will find them,” Diesel warned. “People are not going to be pleased they were caught. Didn’t the EMP work?”

  “Believe it or not,” Ed told him in a tired voice, “there are pieces of equipment you can use to defend against it. It’s not failsafe.”

  “Well, disabling the plane won’t matter anymore. That cat’s out of the bag, so to speak. Now the thing is to grab that woman and stash her where she’ll never be found again.”

  “Easier said than done,” Ed told him. “We have to get into the house where she is and do a snatch and grab.”

  “Right in your wheelhouse,” Diesel pointed out. “Scope it out, let me know what you need and get it done. And I mean now.”

  “I’ve got people covering their homes as best we can.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” Diesel bit off.

  “It means they all live in the kind of neighborhoods where we’d stick out like sore thumbs if we used the usual surveillance tactics. We’re doing drive-bys using alternating vehicles. And every other technique we can make work.”

  “You need eyes on them at all times.” Diesel wanted to punch something. Or someone. How had this become so difficult?

  Because we aren’t dealing with the kind of people we usually do.

  “Hold on a second. I have a call coming in.”

  Diesel waited impatiently until he heard Ed’s voice again. “Well? What was so important it interrupted our call?”

  “We know which house the woman
is at. That important enough for you?”

  Yes!

  Diesel wanted to raise his fist in triumph. “Which house?”

  “The one on the water that belongs to Matt Roman. I understand his call sign is Viper.”

  “Better hope he doesn’t strike you first.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ve got it covered.”

  Diesel snorted. “I’ve heard that too many times before the hammer fell.”

  “Well, this time it’s true. As soon as we hang up,” Ed told him, “I’ll go over the info with all my men and see what they need. This needs to be a coordinated attack, but keep in mind this could cause a big mess. If we have to kill these guys, there’ll be hell to pay. How do you plan to cover it up?”

  “Maybe we’ll blame Hegman’s death on them and tell the media we were grabbing the girl to get the truth out of her. They fought us and we had no choice.”

  Diesel barked a humorless laugh. “Not a bad story. Remind me to give you a raise if you and your men can pull it off.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll be earning every penny.”

  “Remember,” Diesel warned. “You’re good, but these guys? I don’t think there’s anyone more dangerous.”

  “You might have other Special Forces argue that point with you, but yeah, I’d probably have to agree with you. But the men I’ve gathered are tough and well-trained too, and don’t care what they have to do to get a job done.”

  “What’s next? You planning to just barge into the house where the Modell woman is?”

  “Do we have a choice?” Ed asked. “It’s not as if they’re taking her out anywhere.”

  “So what’s the outline?”

  “We can’t do it until tonight. We have a boat to arrange for and some of my guys will need scuba gear. We’ll hit them from both sides.”

  “Hope your EMP works better this time,” Diesel complained.

  “Won’t matter. They’ll be ready for us anyway, but we’ll be more prepared.”

  “You’d better be right. We’ll only have one chance,” Diesel reminded him, “so there’s no room for mistakes. Call me when you get ready to launch.”

  He disconnected the call and pulled on sweatpants and a T-shirt. There’d be no more sleeping for him tonight. First, he’d fix coffee. Then he’d wake the Conductor. The man was in charge, so it was time for him to act like it. Do something besides just bark orders. Everything was coming down to this. If they screwed up tonight, they could all look for someplace to hide, because the fallout would be astronomical.