by Juanita Kees
Disabled by Jaime’s arm cutting off his air supply, Paul struggled. Peta moved quickly, picking up the gun and aiming it at the top of Paul’s head as Jaime maintained his hold.
‘Mark,’ she yelled, hoping her brother was in earshot. That they’d heard the gun go off. ‘Don’t move, Paul, or I swear to God I’ll shoot you.’
Paul straightened and tried to take a swing at Jaime with his good arm. He blocked the blow, twisting Paul’s arm back and then upwards. Jaime’s boot to the backs of his knees brought him down heavily, face first. Grasping both hands behind Paul’s back, he forced them up, immobilising him, his scream of pain and the crunching bones in his broken arm echoing in the confined space. Then Jaime rammed his knee down heavily on Paul’s lower spine, not giving him chance to draw strength or a breath between moves as he anchored him down with his body weight. Paul writhed under him, a man broken by his own misdeeds.
‘Now you know how it feels, you coward,’ she muttered, holding the gun trained on him. ‘Not so great to be on the receiving end, is it?’ She looked at Jaime. ‘You okay?’
‘I will be when your brother gets his arse up here.’ He ground his teeth and winced as Paul had one last attempt at dislodging him. Looking around, he spotted a plastic jar filled with cable ties in the corner Bella was huddled in. ‘Bring me that jar, Bell. That’s a good girl.’
She unfurled herself from the corner and pushed the jar across. It toppled, spilling the cable ties on the floor near him. He reached for them and quickly tied Paul’s hands together and then his feet. ‘Trussed up like the pig you are.’ He patted the man’s head and pushed to his feet. ‘All we’re missing is the apple in your mouth. Sweet Jesus, Peta. That was a damn risky move. Remind me never to pick an argument with you,’ he muttered. ‘You can put the gun down now. He’s not going anywhere.’
She lowered the gun and he took it from her, removing the cartridge and putting it in his pocket. ‘He shot you.’ Her hands shook.
‘Yes, left thigh. Right between the legs. A few inches higher and it could have been a different outcome,’ he muttered as he dropped to his knees. ‘Adrenaline’s wearing off. It’s gonna hurt like buggery.’
‘Lie down.’ Peta knelt next to Jaime and inspected his wound. So much blood. She had to stop the bleeding. If she lost him now … Hopefully Paul was a lousy shot. Surely if he’d hit anything major, Jaime wouldn’t still be talking? Running back over to Paul, she tore a strip off the back of his shirt big enough to act as a bandage.
‘Hey,’ Paul shouted, ‘Do you have any idea how much that shirt cost me?’
‘Shut up or I’ll use the rest of it to stuff in your mouth.’ She knelt back over Jaime’s leg and wrapped the material around the wound, securing it with a knot and checking it wasn’t too tight. Where the bloody hell was Mark? ‘Stay with me, Jaime. For God’s sake, don’t even think about closing your eyes.’ She stood and turned to Bella. ‘Come here, baby.’ She held her arms open and hugged her daughter tightly. ‘I’m so sorry you had to see that.’ She kissed Bella’s head. Relief flooded her heart. Bella was safe. She had her baby back.
‘I was so scared, Mummy.’
‘I hate that you were scared, baby.’
‘Not anymore.’ She looked at Jaime properly for the first time since they’d been thrown into the shipping container. ‘Mummy, who is he?’ she whispered.
Peta’s heart skipped a beat. Should she tell her daughter the truth? Oh good lord, if she did, her baby might get her hopes up. Relief washed over her as she heard the pounding of footsteps rushing towards them, Mark’s voice shouting orders. Their battles were far from over, but the worst had passed.
Mark and Harold appeared cautiously in the doorway, guns drawn as they took in the scene. ‘Looks like the excitement’s over.’
‘Took you long enough. Need an ambulance. Maybe two. Feeling a little woozy here.’ Jaime stretched out on the floor, leg bent at the knee to take the pressure off his heart, his eyes glued to Peta and Bella as if they would be the last sight he’d ever see.
‘I’ll take care of it.’ Harold backed out the door.
‘Are you okay?’ Mark came over. ‘Ouch. Not good. A few inches higher and …’
‘Stuff it.’ Jaime groaned.
‘Who did that?’ Mark nodded to where Paul lay squirming and moaning on the floor.
Bella pointed to Jaime. ‘He did, Uncle Mark. Even when he was hurt. I think he’s a superhero.’
Mark raised his eyebrows at Jaime who grimaced. ‘All in a day’s work. Get us out of here now.’
Mark nodded. ‘Well done. Might have to ask you some questions about it though. I don’t suppose you want a job on the force?’
Jaime rolled his head from side to side on the floor. ‘No. Don’t need any more excitement. I want to take my family home.’
Chapter 14
Not even pretending to be gentle, Harold hauled Paul up off the floor onto his knees by the collar of his shirt and undid the cable ties around his ankles. ‘If you so much as twitch your big toe, you’re in shit. Ambulance is on the way.’ He pushed Paul ahead of him out the container, stopping for a moment in front of Peta. ‘Last chance to apologise for being a dick.’
‘That’s the last time you’ll ever abuse me again, Paul.’
Paul spat on the floor at Peta’s feet. ‘When I get out, I’m coming to get you,’ he promised. ‘You’ll never be safe, you stupid bitch.’
Peta arched an eyebrow at him. ‘If you survive dropping the soap in the shower block, I’ll be waiting so I can kick your sorry arse until you learn your miserable lesson. Unlike Jaime, I’ll shoot first and ask questions later. The girl you used to push around is gone for good.’
Mark cleared his throat and gently steered Peta away. ‘Threatening your attacker is probably not wise,’ he said. ‘Lucky his arms aren’t much use and that was off the record.’
Peta looked up at him. Relief rushed through her. It was over. Bella was safe. They were alive. ‘Yes, I know, but payback is such a great reward.’
‘Can’t argue with that.’ Mark nodded. ‘Will you guys ride with Jaime?’
Peta nodded. She wanted Bella checked over by the paramedics anyway and to make sure Jaime survived the trip okay. She had so much to say, so much to thank him for, but it would have to wait.
Jaime reached for Peta’s hand. She clasped it and squeezed tightly. When Paul had the gun trained on Jaime she’d realised that no matter how much she tried to ignore it, she loved him. Not the adolescent love she’d once had for him, but a more overpowering, all-consuming kind. The kind of love she knew he couldn’t give in return because he still needed his freedom. If he left them now their lives would never be the same again.
Peta sighed. There would never be anyone else for her but Jaime. There never had been. But she was damned if she’d allow him to stay out of a sense of duty. Peta’s heart burned as tears threatened at the back of her throat. He needed to know it was okay to leave, that she didn’t plan on making any demands on him.
‘The ambulance is here. Peta, they’ll give you and Bella a quick check up, okay?’
‘I’m fine. Bella needs checking.’
‘Humour me.’ Mark kissed the top of her head and handed her over as the paramedics entered the container.
She suffered through the check up for Bella, who held her hand while another paramedic took care of her. Jaime now lay unmoving on the stretcher inside the ambulance. Peta watched as they inserted a needle into his arm and attached a drip. Please God, let him be okay.
The ambulance drew to a halt at the emergency room and all thoughts swept away as the doors opened to release the response staff. The porter wheeled Jaime away, flocked by a nurse with a clipboard, rattling off questions. He disappeared through the doors as Peta and Bella were ushered into a waiting room.
Bella’s head drifted to Peta’s shoulder as thoughts began to churn in her head again. There’d be a court case, a conviction, and God knew what else as Mark unravelled the ti
es of Paul’s connection to Bennetti and Albero, but her nightmare was almost over and then she and Bella could start afresh—with or without Jaime.
‘Mrs Caruso?’ The surgeon stepped into the waiting room.
She didn’t attempt to correct him. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Jaime would be okay. ‘Yes?’
‘Surgery went well. The bullet entered above the knee on the right front of the thigh and exited out the left. He’s a lucky man. It missed the femur and femoral artery, so just some muscle and nerve damage. He’ll make a full recovery with some rehabilitation.’
Relief surged through her. ‘Thank you.’ Finally, some good news.
‘He’s awake. You may see him now. The nurse will take you through.’
‘Thank you.’
Peta woke Bella and they followed the nurse to the ward where Jaime lay. Her heart did a little dance of relief at the grin on his pale face.
‘Hey, you guys okay?’
Even croaky from the anaesthetic, the sound of his voice could weaken her knees, the concern in his dark eyes warming her heart. Relief that he was okay warred with the regret of having to watch him walk away again when all this was over.
Bella eyed him shyly before going to his side and planting a kiss on his cheek. ‘We’re okay. You were really brave. You’re my hero.’
Jaime smiled. ‘I think your mum’s the hero in this one, Bella. She never gave up looking for you.’
Bella nodded. ‘She’s the coolest mum in the world. You should marry her.’
Warmth crept into Peta’s cheeks. ‘Bella, you can’t say things like that, darling. How are you feeling, Jaime?’
‘Do I take that as a no?’ Jaime’s grin faded. ‘I’m just a little sore in every possible spot on my body. How about you guys?’
‘We’re fine. We’ll let you rest now.’
A shadow passed over Jaime’s face. ‘Peta, we need to talk. We need to sort this thing out. Now that this business with Paul is settled—’ He broke off as Mark stepped into the room.
Mark’s expression was dark as he drew nearer the bedside. He placed an arm around Peta’s shoulder and hugged her quickly before releasing her again. ‘I’m afraid it’s not over yet,’ he informed them. ‘It seems Paul didn’t finish the job they assigned him to do. Couldn’t quite make the kill. Beyond Hell’s Reach are looking for you, and it’s not for a friendly chat. We need to get you out of the way fast.’
Peta’s heart launched into her throat. No, the nightmare wasn’t over yet. ‘When will it end?’
‘Why should it when they can get away with destroying people’s lives dealing in the crap they put out on the streets? Those kids in the Tag Raiders gang will grow up to be dealers or die homeless on the street from an overdose. That’s the reality of this. You know what’s on that video—the people involved and the far reach of their crimes—you’ll be a target until you’re lying on a cold slab in the morgue unless I can take these guys down at their core.’
‘I know the consequences.’ Tears strangled the words that should have been a shout.
Jaime reached out to thread his fingers through hers. ‘They’ll come after us because we know too much.’
‘Exactly. Paul had no idea what he was getting into when he got involved with these thugs. We have to do this the right way, Peta. Take them out completely or they’ll do this to someone else. I’m sure you don’t want that to happen.’ Mark held her chin and forced her to look at him. ‘We’ve got this far, let’s not waste it.’
Peta swiped at the tears of frustration with her free hand. In her heart she knew they were right. ‘What do we have to do?’
‘Good girl.’ Mark squeezed her shoulder. ‘I’ve organised transport out of here to one of the safety houses we use for the witness protection program. Unfortunately, we can’t risk sending a nurse along for Jaime so you’ll have to take care of him. The instructions and medical supplies are already loaded and ready to go.’
He pulled a wheelchair closer to the bed. Jaime gave Peta’s fingers a squeeze before releasing her hand. He lifted himself off the pillows and let Mark help him off the bed into the wheelchair.
‘Hurry, guys. Word is they’re on their way to town already. If you’re gone, they’ll leave quietly. Peta, you take Jaime, I’ll take Bella.’ He picked up a pair of crutches from next to the bed and handed them to Jaime. ‘Hold onto these. You’ll need them when we leave the wheelchair behind.’
Peta pushed Jaime’s chair out into the corridor while Mark followed behind her carrying Bella. She sensed the tension in him, noted his hyper awareness of their surroundings. This couldn’t be happening. Dread settled in her stomach like cold, heavy porridge. She’d seen the atrocities Paul’s associates were capable of, knew the consequences and outcomes, had heard the rumours of their ties to outlawed gangs, and experienced firsthand the violence they promoted as justice.
They waited for the elevator, and fear became a bitter taste in Peta’s throat once again. When the doors finally opened, Mark punched the button on the control panel for the top floor. He hurried them out of the elevator onto the roof where Harold waited with the emergency rescue chopper.
‘Not sure this is a wise move, mate, putting them in isolation together. Bet you a beer it doesn’t help them sort things out.’
Peta settled Jaime and Bella inside the helicopter and tried to ignore the conversation between the two men. Mark’s intentions had always been good, but he needed to let this go. Things would never be the same between her and Jaime again. Ever.
Harold fiddled with his collar, loosening the top buttons. ‘I don’t want to be doing a murder investigation on witnesses in protection.’
‘It’s more important that they’re safe together. Anything else that comes from this is a bonus. Besides, Jaime can take care of himself. I’m sure he has ways of diffusing my sister’s temper.’ Mark grinned.
Harold grimaced. ‘You should stick to detective work. As fairy godmother matchmakers go, you’re pretty damn rough around the edges.’
Mark laughed. ‘Take this baby away, Harold. You’ve got witnesses to get to safety. Go fly a chopper.’
‘I like a good light brew, by the way. I’ve got this bet in the bag.’
‘The way I see it, the drinks are on you. Call it a cop’s hunch,’ Mark called after Harold as he headed for the helicopter.
She’d love to tell him what to do with his bet and his beers, but she couldn’t. Not when she knew he was only doing what he thought was best for everyone. She’d had to trust his instincts in the past, and she had no reason not to do the same now, no matter what his hidden agenda was. Life would make the choice for them. The tilt of Jaime’s lips said he’d heard too. She refused to return his smile.
The loud sweep of blades followed the engine firing to life and before long Williams faded into the distance as the chopper cut through the sky. Peta breathed a sigh of relief. An hour later they landed at an airstrip she recognised as a local Perth airfield for small business flights, and were quickly transferred to a Beechcraft Baron. Harold took the controls, which left Peta and Jaime alone. Exhausted, Bella cuddled up under a blanket next to her father’s seat and dozed off. Jaime drifted in and out of painkiller-induced sleep.
Peta watched him carefully while reading over the doctor’s instructions. How cruel fate was, putting him so close within her reach yet making him still so unavailable. How many nights had she lain awake visualising the moment they would meet again? Except in her dreams he’d swept her up in his arms, declared his undying love for her and demanded she marry him because he couldn’t live without her.
How very different reality was from dreams. Now fate had thrown them together in close confines how would it end? Peta sighed. No matter what happened at the end of this fiasco, she would always love Jaime. There could never be any other.
She looked down at his sleeping face, leaned down and kissed his firm lips. Why not? She closed her eyes and savoured the feel of his lips against hers.
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Seconds later her eyes flew open again as those lips moved under hers, capturing her mouth rather firmly for a man who was meant to be asleep. Startled green eyes met laughing, rich hazel ones, and she pulled back hastily.
‘Taking advantage of an injured man, Peta? That’s a bit unfair,’ he muttered.
Peta buried her burning face in the doctor’s notes. ‘Checking to see if you’re still breathing.’
Jaime chuckled, the deep sound sending delicious shivers down her spine. ‘All you have to do is ask, honey, and I’ll oblige. You don’t have to wait until I’m asleep to steal kisses. It’s far more enjoyable when I’m awake, you know.’
‘Don’t be a smart arse. Go back to sleep.’
‘My pulse may be a bit erratic right now, nurse. And I’m pretty sure my blood pressure has skyrocketed.’ He turned his head and laid it against the side of the seat, close to her shoulder, his gaze on hers. ‘If we were alone and anywhere else but here, and if my body wasn’t quite so sore, you would know exactly how I’m feeling about you, Peta. You’re like a virus in my bloodstream I don’t want to find a cure for.’
‘First time I’ve been called a virus.’ Peta’s heart stuttered. ‘And that’s the pain meds talking.’
‘Maybe, maybe not. We’ll find out soon enough when we’re alone.’
His eyes held a promise that warmed her cheeks. Peta shivered, but it wasn’t fear that played on her spine and made her blood heat. There was something to be said for being put into isolation for a while. They would have a lot of time to explore their renewed feelings for one another while they waited for the bad guys to be caught. Jaime drifted off to sleep, and she couldn’t stop a smile stretching her lips and hope lifting her heart.
Chapter 15
After what seemed like a lifetime, but was probably less than a couple of hours, the light aircraft glided expertly to a stop on the runway of a small airfield. Harold unloaded bags from the chopper then helped Jaime onto the crutches and led them to a small hangar. Harold lifted the tarpaulin off a four-wheel drive parked in the corner and tossed the bags in the back.