Gray Horse (Heartbreakers & Heroes Book 7)

by Ciana Stone

  Naomie jerked free, scooted around the man and plucked a handgun from the back waistband of his pants. "How many people in the house?"

  "Fuck you." The man kept his eyes on Russell.

  "Don't make me ask you again."

  "Fuck you, bitch."

  "That's Mzzz Bitch, to you."

  Russell didn't know who was more surprised when she pointed the gun downward and fired. The man howled and reached for support. He ended up with his back plastered against the wall of the house, white-faced and gasping in pain. His right foot encased in an old boot now sported a bullet hole.

  "Now, let's try that again," Naomie pointed the gun at the man's crotch as he struggled to stand. "How many people in the house?"

  "Kill 'em, Donny!" The man yelled and a moment later, the sound of pounding feet could be heard inside the house.

  Naomie looked at Russell, and he saw fear on her face. Not for herself, he thought, but for Reese. With no time to think, he holstered his gun and laid the wounded man out with a punch. To her credit, Naomie didn't even blink.

  "Stay behind me," Russell ordered and slowly eased open the door.

  *****

  When Mathias heard the man yell, he knew they were out of time. With every ounce of strength in him, he rocked the metal chair back once then again. The bolts holding it to the floor released with the splintering of wood. He fell back, rolled over and got to his feet. With one jerk the chair picket broke and last bit of tape holding his hands released.

  At almost the same moment, one of the men bounded down the steps two at a time. He wasn't wearing a mask. He'd no more reached the last step when Mathias swung the ruined chair and knocked him halfway back up the stairs where he crumpled and rolled back down, unconscious.

  A shout from the top of the stairs and gunfire had Mathias diving and rolling. The second man ran down the stairs, waving his gun and yelling. "You fucking better freeze!"

  He made the mistake of running by Reese, who kicked out and tripped him. That was all Mathias needed. He was on the man in a blink, wrapping one hand around the man's gun hand. The man would have gone to his knees from Mathias crushing his hand, but Mathias yanked the man toward him and punched him in the face.

  After that, there was no longer any reason to hold onto the man. He was unconscious, so Mathias dropped him and rushed over to Reese.

  Just as he was ripping the tape from her wrists, Russell and Naomie ran down the stairs. "Oh, thank goodness." Naomie ran over, hugged Reese and then Mathias. "Are you both okay?"

  "We're fine," Mathias said and gave her the once-over. "Nice outfit." He then looked at Russell. "You too, Preacher."

  Naomie rolled her eyes. "Whatever. It worked, didn't it?"

  "Yeah, but how does this help us find out who's responsible?"

  "I have the coordinates for the meeting place. So, we take these jerks truck and go make that meeting."

  "With backup," Mathias said. "I need to find my phone."

  "They took mine, too," Reese added then looked at the men on the floor. "Maybe we should tie them up?"

  "Good idea. I nominate the men to do that while we look for your phones." Naomie said.

  "Fine." Mathias agreed.

  Reese and Naomie headed upstairs. Mathias looked around, spotted a roll of duct tape on the floor near the wall and used it to tape the men's wrists behind their backs and their ankles together. He and Russell dragged them over to the wall and propped them up.

  "They might be able to get their backs together and get that tape off their wrists," Russell pointed out.

  "Probably, but by then the whole thing will be over, and without phones or a car, it'll take them a while to get to a place they can make a call. And I figure we'll call the law before too long. Besides, I plan on barring that door at the top of the stairs."

  "Works for me." Russell reached out to stop Mathias as he started for the stairs. "One thing. This meeting. Naomie insisted that it be with whoever was paying these guys."

  "And?"

  "And how would she or Reese know if the person they meet is, in fact, in charge?"

  "Good question, but even if it isn't, it's a step closer."

  "Possibly, but we're treading on thin ice here, son. We should call the law in on this."

  "How about the military?"

  "Pardon?"

  "Reese said she made a deal to give the military the plans for the synthetic bee, but not the programming. So, it would make sense to let them protect the invention since they want it."

  "But they now think it doesn't work."

  "They think it doesn't work for pollinating. The jury's still out on whether they can weaponize it."

  "Good point. How do we get them here in time?"

  "We don't. At least not the brass. But we can get a SEAL team here in time. I just need a phone."

  Russell pulled out his phone and handed it to Mathias. "I'll go up and make sure Naomie hasn't strung up that guy she shot in the foot."

  "She shot him in the foot?" Mathias looked up from dialing.

  "Damn sure did."

  "She's a real spitfire."

  "That's one word for it."

  Mathias' call was answered. "I need help," he said.

  "Where and when?" Deacon answered.

  "Getting that info now." Mathias took off up the steps to find Reese. With luck, by dawn, this chapter would be ending. And then he fully intended to hold Reese to her word because it was time.

  He was ready to be married.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The ride to the coordinates of the meeting place had, thus far, been spent arguing. Reese didn't want to fight with Mathias, but she had, so far stayed out of the bickering between him, Naomie and Russell.

  "I just don't think it's smart for you to be alone out in the open," Mathias argued. "What if they decide to snatch you, shoot you or—"

  "Well, I think there's no choice," Naomie argued and tapped Reese, who sat in the front beside Mathias, on the shoulder. "And would you please say something? I'm fighting on two fronts here."

  Reese looked back at her. "Okay, fine. None of you are right. Or wrong."

  "Pardon?"

  "Mathias and Russell are right. Chances are, whoever it is, will try to double-cross you, grab you and never intended to let me and Mathias go free."

  "And your point?"

  "First, if they don't see you alone, they probably will bolt. Second, it's not like you're going to be unprotected. There is a SEAL team, and I can't think of better protection."

  "See?" Naomie poked Mathias in the shoulder and then moved back in her seat.

  "Fine," Mathias gave in. "Still, I think having Mr. Walker standing beside you would at least be a deterrent for whoever shows up."

  "Probably. He does sort of look like a badass, but we don't want to scare anyone, so can we please just do this my way?"

  "Doesn't look like we have a choice," Russell commented.

  Reese hid a smile. Regardless of Naomie's protestations that she was not interested in Russell Walker, Reese could almost see the energy arcing between them. She wondered how long it would take one of them to act on it.

  Mathias stopped the car, and he and Reese climbed out. Russell transferred to the driver's seat as Naomie climbed over the back of the seat to get into the front.

  Reese bent down to look through the window at Naomie. "Behave."

  "When have I not?"

  Reese snorted and straightened to look at Mathias. "Ready?"

  "Born that way. Let's do it."

  They moved off the pavement and started in the direction of the abandoned gas station. "Naomie figured out how to make the programming unbreakable," Reese said quietly as they walked.

  "Which means what?"

  "That if we can get the money, we can mass produce the bees and anyone who wants to help can buy them by the thousands and help pollinate plants around the world."

  "Nice to know that's possible, but it's a shame you had to discredit yourself."
/>   "I'm starting to think it was a blessing."

  "Oh?"

  She looked at him. "I never wanted to be rich or famous, just to see this dream come true. If it does that's enough."

  "Is it?"

  "It is now that you're in my life."

  "I don't think anyone has ever given me a better compliment. Look, Wiley's behind the building."

  "I guess that means they're ready."

  "Yep. So, let's join him and get it done."

  "Amen to that."

  They hurried to where Wiley waited. "The team's in place."

  "Shouldn't be long now." Even as Mathias spoke, the car carrying Naomie and Russell pulled off the road and parked beside the island that had once housed gas pumps.

  As they waited, two more cars appeared, coming from the opposite direction. One pulled up almost nose to nose with Naomie's ride and two men got out. One walked over to the driver's side window of Naomie's car.

  Reese, Mathias, and Wiley watched as Russell rolled down the glass and the newcomer leaned down. After a moment he straightened, and Naomie exited the car. She had a small case in one hand and her free hand in the pocket of her short skirt. The newcomer and his partner both approached and flanked her as the second car stopped a few yards away.

  The driver got out and opened the rear door. When Reese saw who stepped out of the car, she hissed. "Son of a bitch. Fucking Li Cheong. I should have guessed."

  "Because?" Wiley asked.

  "Because before I signed on with you, I consulted a couple of people in the AI and robotics fields with what I presented as hypotheticals. He was very interested, and once I was close, he approached me with an offer from China. I said no.

  "I shouldn't be surprised that he didn't want to take no for an answer. His father is very well connected, and this would be a feather in his cap. Little shit."

  "Shhh," Wiley quieted her down. "What's that buzz?"

  "My phone!" Reese pulled out her phone. It was from Naomie. She hit answer. They could hear as they watched as Li Cheong approached Naomie.

  "You have what I want?" He asked when he came to a stop in front of Naomie.

  "I do, but first you have to call your dogs and tell them to deliver my friends to me."

  "First you show me the product."

  "Fine." She opened the case and placed the bee on her own shoulder.

  "I need to see it work."

  "Keep your pants on." She pulled her phone from her pocket, and after a moment turned it toward him. "I have an app for that."

  As Naomie did something on the screen of the phone, the man jumped back. Naomie laughed. "You said you wanted to see it work. Hold out your hand, palm down, and I'll land it on you."

  Li Cheong did as instructed and a moment later spoke. "Remarkable. I'll take that phone."

  "I don't think so. First, you'll bring my friends."

  Li Cheong laughed. "Did you really think I'd honor my word?"

  "No, but I thought I'd give you a chance."

  "You'd give me a chance? Haven't you noticed, you cheap whore? You're outnumbered."

  "I don't think so."

  Suddenly, Li Cheong screamed and shook his hand. "What the fuck? That thing stung me."

  "Yes." She kept her eyes on the phone. "And unfortunately for you, it's about to get a lot worse. So, if you don't want to die screaming like a girl, you're going to tell me who you're working for. You have about twenty-five seconds. Maybe a little less."

  "Funny. You think a robotic bee sting will scare me?"

  "It would if you knew the poison I loaded my baby with. Twenty seconds."

  "You're an idiot if you think I'll fall for something that lame."

  "Your funeral. Seventeen, sixteen, fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten—"

  Li Cheong's gasp and the way he clutched his throat had his men rushing to his aid. "Make it stop," Li Cheong rasped. "Please."

  "Who do you work for?"

  "My father. Wang Li. He was going to give it to the President."

  "Well, I don't think that will happen. Sorry. See ya."

  When she turned away, he reached for her with a clawed hand. "Stop her!"

  His men drew weapons, but a moment too late. Bullets peppered the ground around them. They looked around in surprise. SEALs materialized seemingly out of the ground and from the roof. Russell jumped from the car and ran towards Naomie, with a gun in his hand, pointed at Li Cheong. Wiley, Mathias, and Reese walked from around the corner of the building. Wiley and Mathias both had guns trained on Li Cheong.

  Li's men gave up without a fight, to their credit. Russell continued toward Naomie as she walked to him.

  "That's some cocktail you mixed up." He said, and she grinned.

  Wiley walked over to them and spoke to Russell. "I'm going to call in someone from the State Department, and you may not want to be here when he arrives."

  "I'm sure you're right. Thank you."

  "You bet. Talk to you soon."

  "Yes." He looked at Reese and Mathias as they came over to him. "I'm glad it all worked out."

  "Thank you." Reese offered her hand. "You were crazy enough to go along with Naomie's plan, and that probably saved our lives. I'm looking forward to being in business with you, but just so you know, I signed over the patent to Naomie. I don't own any of it, so you'll have to deal with her. I'll work for you but as a consultant. You'll have to partner up with her."

  Russell scratched the back of his neck. "I'm glad it worked out, and we'll rework the contract. And let's not ever tell anyone about that plan of hers."

  They all laughed, and Russell shook Mathias' hand. "Don't be a stranger, son."

  "Never. Be safe. And thank you."

  "Anytime." He headed for the car. Reese watched as Naomie ran after him and then turned to Wiley. "How long before transport arrives to get this bum?"

  "About an hour. We're going to need to take a little trip."

  "For how long?"

  "Just a day. I need to call Molly and let her know."

  Reese turned and looked at the SEAL's who already had their captives restrained and secured to the rusted metal supports that once held the roof of the fueling station. "We owe you all. Big."

  Deacon stepped forward. "I'll never be able to do enough to repay you for what you did for my daughter, so no thanks necessary."

  "There has to be a way we can thank you all."

  "You can feed us," JJ suggested, and everyone laughed.

  "Good idea." Mathias agreed. "Cookout at my place on Saturday. All the steak you can eat and beer you can drink."

  "Works for me," Brody said, and the others echoed their approval.

  "Then Saturday it is." Mathias took Reese's hand and led her a little way from everyone. "You gave the patent to Naomie? You realize she could make a fortune off it, don't you?"

  "But she won't."

  "How do you know?"

  "Because she cares less about money than I do. And she's already worth a fortune."

  "She is?"

  "Yeah, her family is very well off, they breed million-dollar horses thanks to the breeding program she designed, and she owns who knows how many patents. That girl would never have to work a day in her life if she didn't want to."

  "You'd never know it."

  "Because money doesn't matter to her. It really doesn't buy happiness."

  "No, it doesn't," Mathias took her hands. "This does."

  "Amen to that." She went into his arms and then cut a look at Naomie and Russell who were standing at the car they'd driven over in. "I wish she still had that line open."

  "Nosy."

  She laughed and hugged him.

  Russell opened the car door then paused and looked at Naomie. "So, I guess we need to hammer out a new deal."

  "That shouldn't be difficult."

  "No?"

  "No. Just agree to my terms."

  "Oh, just like that?"

  "Yes."

  "Okay, what are your terms, Dr. Taylor?"
/>
  "First, I give you the patent, and you promise to help Reese and Wiley get a national program set up so that we give nature all the help it can get and try to do this the way it was intended to be done. You can manufacture and sell as many of the synths as you want."

  "What's second?"

  "I'm tired of academia and inventions. And I don't want to go back to Kentucky. But I would like to start a breeding program for quarter horses. So, give me a job on Heritage doing that, and in six years you'll have the superior breed in the world."

  "Big talk for a little gal."

  Naomie snorted. "Honey, I'm only little to men like you who make six feet look short."

  "What are your qualifications for such an ambitious project?"

  "I have a large animal Vet license. General medicine and surgery. A Ph.D. in Animal Husbandry and you can check out Taylor Farms Breeding record. I designed it for my father and our animals are the most sought after in the world."

  "You're just full of surprises aren't you Naomie?"

  "I've heard that a time or two. Interested, Mr. Russell?"

  "I believe I am." He smiled and stuck out his hand.

  She wondered if he meant anything beyond her services as a vet and breeder and then reminded herself that she wasn't going to get involved with him anyway, so it didn't matter. She'd be close to her best friend and had already started making friends with others. This might be a good place to call home for a while. At least until her wanderlust took hold and set her feet on a new path.

  "Then I'll be seeing you soon, Mr. Russell."

  "Yes, you will. Behave, Naomie."

  "When have I done anything but?"

  He laughed, got in the car and drove off. Reese and Mathias walked over to her as she watched him leave. "Really?" Reese asked. "Him?"

  "Oh hell no. I'm not getting involved with him."

  "Uh huh. But wait until you see his sons. Holy shit. Sin in jeans, girl. Pure sin."

  "Yeah? Well, things are starting to sound interesting. So, what happens here?"

  "We wait for the brass to pick up Li, take a ride to wherever to give our statements, and then we go home. At least that's what Matty and I do. I'm guessing you're headed for Heritage?"

  "Not just yet. Contracts you know. Besides, aren't you going to need me to hang around and help you?"