“What’s going on Luna? Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner, but we were on a job.”
Angst tightened her chest. Regret that she wasn’t there for her team. “Any problems?”
“No. We took out the kidnappers and got the woman they were holding home safely. Silas really pulled through getting the intel we needed.”
“That’s great. He’s a natural born hacker. With a little more experience, he’ll be as good as me.”
Wolf chuckled. “Don’t start thinking you’re replaceable. But I know you, and you wouldn’t have called without a good reason, so let’s hear it.”
Talia let out a slow breath. “The people who want those spoons are escalating. Someone took a shot at me while I was at the beach.”
“Are you hurt?” His tone was sharp.
“No, and we’re headed out of town right now to avoid more trouble. They searched Wyatt’s house, by the way, trashing it like mine. Is the spoon I left in my desk still safe.”
“Yes, but I’ll put it in our safe, just to be cautious. What’s your plan? Do you need help, or do you intend to lie low for a while?”
“Actually, I’m hoping to smoke out the bastard.”
Wolf listened in silence while she presented her plan for the vineyard film shoot.
“I don’t know, Luna. Sounds kind of sketchy to me. Too many variables.”
Wyatt gave her a look that spoke volumes. Clearly, he agreed with Wolf.
She gripped the armrest. “If I had GQ to back me up with a long-range rifle, I’d like our chances of taking this guy. Hopefully alive so I can get some damn answers. Or maybe Scarlet would be interested in a one-time job. I know her marksmanship is as exceptional as it ever was, even if she hasn’t been in the field in a while. The whole team wouldn’t have to fly out here, just one operative.”
“Hell, I don’t care about that. You know we’ll back you up one hundred percent. There’s a situation developing down in Mexico, but I can cancel—”
“Absolutely not.” She frowned. “If you can spare one person without jeopardizing your mission, I’m good on this end.”
A moment of silence followed before he finally spoke. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“I trust you know what you’re doing. Where do you want your backup?”
She gave him the address of the vineyard. “Thanks, Wolf.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Stay safe. GQ will be in touch.”
He disconnected before she could respond, and Talia tucked her phone into her pocket. “We’re all set.”
“Sounds like it.” Wyatt gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. “So, your ex is flying out to California?”
“We need a marksman who is accurate at a distance. GQ doesn’t miss.” She turned in her seat to face him. “This won’t be awkward. We’re here to get a job done. Period.” Her tone held confidence, but she wasn’t sure she believed her own words.
Wyatt met her gaze and held it before returning his attention to the freeway in front of them. “If you say so.”
Chapter Fourteen
Wyatt winced when they hit a pot hole in the unimproved county road and wondered for the tenth time in as many minutes if Talia actually knew where they were going. For the last several miles, the only thing illuminated by the headlight beams was barren, rolling hills dotted by occasional cows on one side of the road and acres of grapevines on the other.
“The lodge should be just up ahead.” She leaned forward and peered through the windshield. “Yep, I see the sign.”
They jolted through another rut in the pavement as he slowed to turn down the driveway leading to a rustic inn. Light shone from several windows in the long, low building, and at the far end, conversations and the clink of cutlery against dishes drifted from a covered patio.
“Oh, thank God. It looks like they’re still serving dinner.” He pulled into an empty slot in the small parking lot at the side of the property. “I’m starving.”
“We can eat after we check in.”
“Sure.” He got out, stretched his stiff back, then grabbed their bags off the rear seat. “Uh, maybe I should stay out here while you register. If someone recognizes me—”
“It would defeat the purpose of using an alias. I’m just glad I still have a couple of fake IDs from my time working for the Bureau. They’ve come in handy a few times over the last couple of years.”
“I won’t even ask why. Go get our keys, and then we can order room service. I’ll lurk on the front porch until you’ve signed in.”
“Sounds good.”
After she went inside, he set both bags down and leaned against the railing. When a shadow moved in the dimly lit rose garden perfuming the evening air, he nearly jumped out of his skin.
“I was wondering when you would show up.” A man moved out of the dark into the spill of light from the porch.
Wyatt recognized his dark hair, enigmatic smile, and solid build. Talia’s ex-boyfriend, GQ.
He forced a return smile and straightened. “You startled me. We weren’t expecting you to get here until tomorrow.”
“The rest of the team is currently headed to Mexico on Counterstrike’s private jet. Our pilot detoured to a nearby airport to drop me off on the way. The situation down there got hot faster than we expected.” He walked up the steps and dropped onto one of the chairs spaced at intervals along the length of the porch. “I texted Luna that I’d probably beat you here, and she gave me the address for this place. The Rousseau Winery and vineyards are only about a mile away.”
Talia hadn’t mentioned it. Wyatt tightened his grip on the railing and squeezed.
“I was on my way to check out the property when I saw you drive up.”
“Tal—uh, Luna is inside registering. I stayed out here since there’s a decent chance I’d be recognized. People talk, and pretty soon the whole countryside would know I’m in the area.”
“Smart move.” He glanced over when the heavy wooden door opened and Talia stepped outside. Pushing up from the chair, he studied her closely. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” She glanced between the two men. “You got here fast.”
“Wolf was in a rush to leave for Mexico. But he’s worried about you. So am I.”
“No need to be. However, I appreciate you helping us out. We could use a little backup.”
Wyatt stepped away from the railing, keeping his back to a couple just leaving the restaurant’s patio on their way to the parking lot. “Maybe we should head to our room and order dinner.” He glanced over at GQ. “Would you like to join us?”
“Sure. I could eat, and we can discuss the plan for tomorrow.”
Talia nodded. “I asked for one of the little cottages in the back so we don’t have to enter through the lobby. It’ll make coming and going at odd hours easier.”
“I rented one, too. There are only four units, so we’ll be neighbors.” GQ led the way through the garden. “This area is really stunning. A huge upgrade from most of the places where we’ve worked.”
“No kidding.” She followed him, and Wyatt brought up the rear, carrying their bags. “My mom grew up around here. Maybe that’s why I felt such an affinity for the countryside while we were driving through the vineyards.”
GQ glanced back. “Or maybe it’s just because you like wine.”
Talia’s laughter faded into the night. “Good point. We can order a bottle with our dinner.” She took the path toward the final cabin in the row and waved a key card. “Home sweet home for the next couple of nights.”
GQ waited to one side while Wyatt followed Talia into the large room. She flipped the light switch, and two wall scones illuminated a charming space with a big four-poster bed. He dropped the bags on the rug next to it and walked over to the short bar counter where a menu lay next to a coffee maker. If he focused on food, he wouldn’t be able to speculate about the overly bright smile Talia was wearing. She might pretend the situation wasn’t awkward, but he was pre
tty sure she’d rather be anywhere else right now.
“It’s a limited take-out menu. Steak, salmon, chicken, or a burger. What do you want?”
“Salmon.” Talia and GQ spoke at the same time.
Wyatt gritted his teeth and called the number on the menu to order. “Three salmon dinners and a bottle of your pinot grigio delivered to cabin number four, please. You can put the bill on our room charge.”
“Very good, sir. Your meal should be delivered in about twenty minutes.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” He disconnected. “The food will be here soon.”
“Great.” Talia kicked off her flipflops, sat on the bed, and looked up at her co-worker. “Have you scouted out the area yet?”
GQ shook his head. “I haven’t had time. What’s your schedule like going forward?”
Wyatt crossed his arms over his chest. “We film the interview in the gazebo on Monday. Tomorrow, the camera crew will be onsite to get background footage. I’m meeting with the producer to go over details in the afternoon. Talia can come with me if she wants.”
“I want. I don’t intend to get blindsided by any unexpected questions.”
He scowled. “I wouldn’t do that to you—even if Rita pushes me to play hardball. Which she won’t.”
Her tense expression softened. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little on edge.”
“Which means anyone hoping to take a shot at Luna wouldn’t have an opportunity until the actual interview?” GQ glanced between them. “If the vineyard will be crawling with production people tomorrow, he’ll probably wait until after dark for reconnaissance duty.”
“That’s my guess.” Talia scooted over when GQ sat on the end of the bed. “If we can neutralize him tomorrow night while he’s out searching for the perfect vantage point, that would be ideal.”
“I’ll need to be in position before he arrives, then.”
“I want him disabled, not dead.” Her eyes narrowed. “I intend to question him and find out who’s running this shit show.”
“Fine. No kill shot. Not unless I absolutely have to.”
Wyatt frowned at the two on the bed. “If you wing him, won’t he simply take off?”
Talia shook her head. “Not if I’m waiting to grab him once he’s disabled.”
“Hell, no! What’s to stop him from—”
A sharp rap on the door interrupted his protest, and she pushed up off the bed. “There’s our food.”
Wyatt reined in his temper while she grabbed her wallet to tip the young woman who delivered their meal.
“Luna knows what she’s doing.” GQ spoke quietly. “If there’s any unanticipated threat, I’ll kill the bastard. I won’t risk her life for a little intel.” He shrugged as she thanked the girl and shut the door. “Anyway, she does what she wants, so arguing with her won’t do much good.”
Talia crossed the room with the bottle of wine and stack of aromatic to-go boxes. “He’s right about that.” After setting her load on the table by the window, she touched Wyatt’s arm. “I don’t intend to do anything foolish, so you don’t need to worry.”
He clamped his lips together before frustration got the better of him, determined not to press her in front of her ex-boyfriend. The way the two of them seemed to work on the same wavelength, practically finishing each other’s sentences, grated on his last nerve.
Wyatt turned away, located wine glasses and a corkscrew on the counter above the mini-refrigerator, and took them to the table. “Let’s eat before our dinner gets cold.”
Talia and GQ joined him as he yanked the cork out of the bottle and filled three glasses.
“This looks delicious.” She regarded him as she sipped her wine. “Are you okay?”
“Yep.” He didn’t say much more as they ate, letting the other two carry the conversation. Mostly, they talked about work and people he didn’t know. Which was fine by him since he wasn’t in the mood to chat.
When they finished their meal, GQ rose to his feet. “I’ll head out. Thanks for dinner.”
“Sure.” Wyatt stood and crushed the to-go containers into the trash can.
“I’ll talk to you in the morning, Luna.”
She walked him to the door and spoke quietly for a minute.
Wyatt had just poured the last of the wine into their glasses when she shut the door with a thud. He held one out. “Here you go.”
Slowly, she crossed the room and took it from him. “Feeling better?”
He raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “Talk about childish. You did everything but pout while we were eating.”
He snorted. “I felt like I was crashing your date. For exes, you two are awfully chummy.”
“We work together. We rely on each other in the field, and he’s here to help us. I don’t let our personal history get in the way of that.”
“Sorry if I wasn’t feeling very noble. I wanted to call him out for hurting you. Instead, I kept my mouth shut.”
“I would hope so. I fight my own battles. I don’t need you or anyone else doing it for me.” She swallowed the last of her wine and set her glass on the table. “Is there anything else bugging you that we should discuss?”
He shrugged. “I suppose I’m feeling nonessential. You two seem to have everything planned, and I’m not part of the equation.” When she opened her mouth, he held up his hand. “I realize I’m not a member of your team. Message received.”
She studied him for a minute. “I think I’ll go to bed. We can talk tomorrow when you’re being more reasonable.”
He knew he was behaving badly but couldn’t bring himself to apologize. The fact that he wasn’t part of Talia’s world had hit home the minute her ex showed up. While he knew she cared about him, they had little in common when it came to what was truly important in each other’s lives. And that really sucked because he was falling for her. He wanted to be as essential to her as she was becoming to him.
But now wasn’t the time to hash out their future—or lack thereof. Not when she needed to be sharp and focused on any danger. When this was all over, they could discuss where their relationship was going. If anywhere at all.
“Fine. We’ll go to bed.” He yanked his shirt off over his head and dropped it on the floor. I think I’ll take a shower . . . unless you want the bathroom first.”
“I can brush my teeth while you’re in there.” Her tone was calm with an underlying edge. “Go ahead.”
He only nodded in response. Even though he showered quickly, she was already in bed with the lights out when he left the bathroom. Feeling his way in the dark, he crawled into bed and reached for Talia, who was curled up on the far side of the mattress.
He rested a hand on the curve of her waist beneath the soft cotton T-shirt she wore. “Are you angry with me?”
“A little.”
“Look, I’m sorry I was an ass during dinner. I had a lot on my mind.”
She turned over, and he could sense her gaze on him, even though he couldn’t see her face.
“Jealousy isn’t pretty, Wyatt. Not to mention my relationship with GQ ended before I even met you. I have no desire to rekindle anything with him, even if he was interested. Which he isn’t.”
He stared into the dark. “I wasn’t jealous of him in that way. I guess I resented how well-suited you are to each other. We don’t have that kind of bond.”
“No, we don’t. But I thought the connection we do have is pretty special. I hope, with time, it can grow even stronger.”
“I agree, but I wonder if it’ll ever be enough. If you’ll want something different down the road.”
“That works both ways.” She let out a sigh. “I worry you’ll get sick of the danger and uncertainty that’s inherent in what I do. It can be a lot to cope with. Counterstrike has caused stress in my friends’ relationships since their partners can’t always fully understand what we go through. Which is why—”
When she broke off, he tightened his h
old on her waist. “Why you were drawn to GQ? Because he gets you.”
“That was part of the attraction. Maybe it was also part of the problem. Having an escape from work is necessary. Healthy.”
“Is that what I am for you? An escape from reality?” He kept his tone level.
“Not so you’d notice. I got shot at while we were surfing together.”
“True. This whole situation sucks in so many different ways.” Frustration gave an edge to his voice. “We can’t have a normal dating relationship where we simply get to know each other when we’re constantly looking over our shoulders. I just want this to be over.”
“I do, too, but hunting down criminals is part of my world. If you can’t handle that . . .”
He gritted his teeth. “Maybe if you actually let me help instead of trying to protect me—”
“One minor mistake and you could wind up dead.”
He ignored her interruption. “If you trusted me instead of assuming I’ll be a liability, I could see how you handle yourself in the field when you aren’t caught by surprise.”
“The way I have been up to this point?” She dislodged his hand from her waist.
He knew he was pushing his luck but couldn’t seem to shut up. “You’ve been attacked in your own home, kidnapped off the street, and shot at. Can you really blame me for worrying when you intend to face an armed killer in a dark vineyard with only your ex-boyfriend for backup?”
“This time I’ll be on the attack instead of playing defense. That’s why we’re trying to get our ducks in a row before he has a chance to take potshots at me—or you—again.” She shifted restlessly, her knee brushing against his thigh. “Once GQ has a chance to study the terrain tomorrow, we’ll have a better idea of what we’re dealing with. I’m definitely not against you helping, as long as there’s a degree of safety. A third set of eyes would be useful.”
He figured it was as much of a concession as she planned to make, and he wasn’t in the mood to argue further. “Fine.” He stretched out with one arm crooked beneath his head. “I’m beat. It’s been a long day.”
“Me, too.” She touched his elbow with her fingertips. “I’m sorry your weekend with Bree turned into a total bust. I know you were looking forward to spending time with your daughter.”
Ominous Legacy (Counterstrike Book 4) Page 18