Not a Hero

by Cherise Sinclair

  She was worth all the patience he had.

  “So what happened?” she asked.

  “He’s now unemployed.”

  “Good riddance.” She smiled up. “Let me know when you start interviewing for his replacement. I’ll do some snooping in case there’s stuff that’s not on their official resumes.”

  “You have a sneaky side, don’t you?” Gabe looked down into the wide gray eyes that held a wicked sparkle. “I like it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Tuesday afternoon, Audrey crossed from Gabe’s back deck to the tall shed—the coop—that housed the chickens. A wire enclosure was their yard. She thought country chickens would get the run of the fenced compound, but Gabe had set her straight. Apparently, big birds scratching in the garden for bugs would uproot seedlings and destroy plants. Bull had added that hawks and eagles found fowl to be excellent dining.

  She never wanted to see that. Ever.

  So the chickens stayed in their yard. Like chicken-shaped zebras, the Barred Rocks had black and white feathers with decorative red combs and wattles.

  Bull called them sweet. And, although the sharp, yellow beaks had worried her, she’d come to like the pretty hens. Whenever she collected eggs, they’d come to the fence, clucking happily and expecting treats.

  Gabe laughed at her because she felt guilty if she didn’t have some.

  On the side of the shed, she unlatched the hinged door to the nest boxes and gathered the eggs. A full dozen.

  Excellent. She was going to make Gabe a cake. Not for any reason other than…well, because feeding him was a way to show she cared.

  And she enjoyed cooking for him. He still seemed surprised when she did, as if no one had ever made him sweets.

  She frowned. His mother had died when he was three, and his grandfather, who kept him for a few years, had worked a lot. Then there was foster care, which probably didn’t dispense a lot of love with food. After that, he went to Mako who had a no work, no eat philosophy. Their sergeant hadn’t been a very gentle person.

  The thought of Gabe as a small boy, lacking for love, made her heart hurt. Their childhoods had been more alike than she realized.

  As she carried the basket of eggs into the house, she made a vow that she’d see her man was well fed and well loved…while she was here.

  But it was already July, and the end of the summer approached.

  Propping up her phone so she could see the recipe, she beat the sugar, eggs, and butter into a smooth mixture.

  At the end of August, she’d leave Rescue. Leave Gabe.

  Her chest hurt.

  In Chicago, even in the university library, she’d never felt as much a part of everything as she did here. Friendships didn’t last long in a city. People changed jobs and moved away.

  Some of her friendless state was her fault. She never attended university activities.

  Face it, she was a hermit.

  Yet, being broke in Rescue had sure ended her isolation. Her jobs here required more than a polite, efficient librarian—Dante and Bull expected her to be friendly.

  She couldn’t even hole up to do research—not with an internetless cabin…and people talked to her in the coffee shop.

  Then, after talking the town into reopening the library, well, she had to prove how essential the place was. And it was working. More and more people came into the library. Had her order their favorite movies. Talked about books. Asked her help in selecting children’s stories.

  Then there was Knox. Satisfaction bloomed in her heart. He’d already mastered the alphabet. He was so much smarter than he believed, and she was proud of him. And he was changing as he viewed himself in a different light.

  In the same way, her self-image had improved. After years of believing a nerd could never be accepted, she’d become a part of this town. They liked her.

  How could she go back to being lonely?

  And…she stared down at the cake batter. Her way of telling Gabe she loved him.

  How could she leave him?

  I don’t want to.

  Could she stay? Would he want her to?

  He’d said he loved her, and oh, God help her, she loved him so very much.

  She swiped up some cake batter and licked it off her finger. Could a helping of sugar make a girl braver? Somehow, she needed to summon up her courage and actually tell the man.

  “I love you.” She cringed at hearing herself say the words. Last time, when she’d blurted it out, her boyfriend had laughed at her. Because he’d been planning to leave and had already found a perfect status-enhancing girlfriend. “I need someone at my side who likes people.” With two sentences, he’d shattered her ego.

  Gabe wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t.

  Would he?

  No, she knew him better. Mr. Terse and Honest sure wouldn’t say he loved her if he didn’t.

  He wants me to stay. Me, the nerd. He could have the gorgeous Brooke, but he’d chosen Audrey.

  He’d change his mind; surely he would, and break her heart.

  But what if he didn’t? Could she risk it?

  She had to. She’d tell him. She would.

  And then the front door opened. Gabe walked in, scattering her willpower to the winds.

  “Um. Hi.”

  He stopped, his eyes narrowing. “Sweetheart, you’re flushed.”

  “It’s the heat of the oven. I’m making you a cake.”

  Imitating her action, he swiped a fingerful of batter, ate it with a hum of pleasure, and turned his body to trap her against the counter.

  “Gabe.”

  His kiss was sugar-sweet before he pulled back and murmured, “The oven isn’t on, Audrey. Now answer me honestly, why do you look shaken up?”

  He had his cop face on, and his fingers under her chin kept her from hiding her face against his chest.

  Where had all her courage gone? “I…I did some thinking about stuff.”

  His lips twitched. “Stuff, huh?”

  When she pulled in a shuddering breath, any trace of laughter died in his face. Putting that compelling sexuality of his away, he slid his hands down to grip her waist. “Did you come to any conclusions?”

  “Oh, you jerk. Is it any wonder I love you?” she muttered.

  Light filled his eyes, and he pulled her back into his arms. “You do, huh?”

  When he brushed his cheek over hers, the slight rasp of stubble was as heady as champagne. “Can I have it in the proper form, a real sentence and all that?”

  “You’re such a rule-bound, law enforcement person. Will I get a ticket if I don’t say it properly?” She couldn’t keep her lips from turning up.

  “No.” His nip on the edge of her jaw sent tingles quaking through her. “If needed, I’ll interrogate you.”

  His teeth nibbled on her ear lobe. “As long as needed. Maybe all night long.”

  Oh…my.

  “Tell me, Audrey.” His whisper in her ear was husky and deep.

  Courage. “I love you, Gabe MacNair.” Her knees started to buckle.

  His arms tightened, and he held her firmly against his solid body. “That’s a good start.”

  His long exhalation said he’d been worried.

  Worried if she loved him? Arms around him, she burrowed closer.

  “What about Chicago, sweetheart?”

  “If…if it’s all right, I’d like to stay.” She had just enough courage to lift her head and watch his face. If he looked unhappy or displeased, she’d…she’d just die.

  Instead, he grinned.

  Grinned.

  “Fucking-A and yes, it’s all right.” He squeezed her so hard her ribs complained. His mouth came down on hers.

  As he lifted her to carry her up the stairs, her head spun. “What are you doing?”

  “I think it’s an old tradition—celebrating.”

  “People eat when they celebrate.”

  “I can do that. In fact, I will do that. Yeah, before I’m through, the only word you’ll be a
ble to say will be please.”

  His merciless grip and his dark, sexy promise sent heat combusting through every cell in her body.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  In the screened gazebo, Audrey wiggled, trying to get comfortable in the Adirondack loveseat. Really, the slatted wood chair was nice. She just couldn’t settle. Because of what was to come.

  A door shutting caught her attention. Caz was coming out of his cabin. All five log houses had the same architecture with decks and tall windows facing the lake and compound. But each cabin held unique touches. Gabe’s shutters and trim were a gray-blue. In contrast, Mako’s were a solid black. That sure fit what she’d heard of the sergeant.

  Bull left his house, crossing his deck filled with flowering plants. She hoped to do the same for Gabe’s place.

  If she was here. She bit her lip as Gabe walked out, carrying a couple of beers.

  It’d been a nice Sunday. She and the men spent the morning together doing outside chores before enjoying a mid-afternoon barbecue. After cleaning up, Gabe decided he needed a beer before facing the town meeting tonight. His brothers had laughed and agreed to hang out in the gazebo.

  Audrey wished for a few shots of tequila rather than beer.

  She and Gabe had kept quiet about her decision to stay until they could all be together. She’d thought it would happen on the Fourth of July last Wednesday, but that hadn’t worked. The roadhouse had been open. Caz’d been called to the health clinic to deal with some scorched fingers for two young men who’d mixed alcohol and fireworks.

  Not that there had been many fireworks. When the sun pretty much didn’t set this time of year, what would be the point?

  Today, everyone was home. She rubbed her damp palms on her thighs.

  As Gabe settled next to her and handed her a beer, Bull dropped into a chair across from them.

  Caz sat down, and his smile disappeared. “What’s the matter, chiquita?”

  “Um…” She glanced at Gabe.

  His concerned look disappeared, and understanding filled his gaze. Wrapping his hand around her nape, he pressed his forehead against hers. “You, Goldilocks, worry too much,” he whispered.

  No, no, she didn’t. His brothers might like her, but there was a big difference between being an occasional overnight visitor and a real, live-in lover. At least, that was the impression she’d gotten from listening to her colleagues chatting.

  “Okay, sweetheart, let’s get this out of the way.” Gabe put his arm around her. “My bros, she’s terrified you’ll be unhappy that I fell in love with her and plan to keep her.”

  The silence lasted and lasted…

  Caz jumped up and pulled her from the chair, and she realized it had only been a second. “Eso es excelente!” He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “The viejo is a lucky guy.”

  Bull took her and squeezed the air right out of her lungs. “I can’t think of anyone more perfect for him.”

  Smiling, Gabe drew her back down and put his arm over her shoulders. “See, Goldie?”

  Oh God, she was going to cry. She buried her face against his neck until she got control.

  As she took a shuddering breath, he just chuckled. “Better?”

  Surreptitiously trying to wipe tears from her eyes, she sat up. Seeing his brothers’ pleased grins almost had her crying again.

  “She’s moving in, right?” Bull asked Gabe.

  “Damn straight.” Gabe gave her hair a teasing tug. “She wouldn’t tell Dante he could have the cabin back until you guys knew. In case you disapproved.”

  Bull’s serious gaze met hers. “Even if we hadn’t approved, Gabe wouldn’t have let you go, Audrey.”

  “He’d have pounded on us until we saw it his way,” Caz said.

  Joy filled her, streaming light through every cell.

  Gabe tilted his beer toward his brothers. “It’s as if you could read my mind.”

  “Bet Lillian was thrilled to hear she can keep her chick here,” Bull said.

  “What makes you think Lillian already knows?” Gabe asked.

  “Bro, seriously?” Bull shook his head. “A female will ferret out every detail before a guy even knows there’s a secret.”

  At Gabe’s disbelieving look, Audrey said between giggles, “She did. And she’s pleased.” In fact, there’d been tears in Lillian’s eyes as she squeezed Audrey’s hands.

  “Yep. Told you,” Bull said smugly.

  Caz lifted his beer. “To the new member of the family.”

  As the guys gave a rousing shout and clinked their bottles together, Audrey pressed her face against Gabe’s shoulder again.

  She had friends.

  She had a family.

  And she had Gabe.

  How much happiness could a heart hold?

  Gabe’s hand covered hers, and she looked up. He was watching her…the way he did so often.

  She gave him a smile and rubbed her cheek against his ever-so-hard biceps. Was it possible for love to keep growing? Sometimes it felt as if her heart would burst from her chest.

  A ringing sound came from Gabe’s house.

  “Oops, that’s my cell.” Audrey dashed across the grass, across the deck, and into the house.

  Dennison’s name showed on the caller ID. Although she’d given him her number after Spyros was caught, this was the first time he’d used it.

  “Hello.”

  “This is Special Agent Dennison.”

  “How are you doing?” She headed back outside. “Don’t you get weekends off?”

  “Not this weekend. There’s trouble.” His voice was grim. “Several hours ago when Spyros was being transferred to a longer-term facility, a semi ran the prison transport vehicle off the road. A second team in an SUV shot up the guards and got Spyros free. He’s escaped, Audrey.”

  “B-but…” Free? Spyros was free? Fear hit like a sledgehammer, and she stopped dead in the center of the lawn. Pushing back panic, she whispered, “The guards. Are they all right?”

  There was a pause. “I’m afraid not. It was ugly…and it’s on every news-station. The semi deliberately plowed down pedestrians. Spyros’s men shot people—children—to force the guards to release Spyros from the prison van. It was a bloodbath, Audrey.”

  Her knees started to buckle. Those people, those poor people. Her heart sent up a prayer for them. “And he got away.”

  “Every agency is working to recapture him, but this was well-planned. They had resources in place for them all to disappear.”

  Spyros would be coming after her.

  Paralyzing fear filled her, freezing her in place, freezing her thoughts.

  “Audrey?” Gabe wrapped an arm around her. “What’s wrong?”

  She stared into Gabe’s blue eyes and couldn’t speak.

  Brow furrowed, he plucked the phone from her grip. “This is MacNair, Chief of Police. Who is this?”

  The buzz from her cell was Dennison’s voice.

  Gabe’s face darkened. “What the fuck?”

  “That doesn’t sound good.” Bull pulled her from Gabe and tucked her against his massive chest.

  Her breathing hitched, and she burrowed against him.

  When Caz took a position at her left, she was surrounded by Mako’s sons, the toughest men she’d ever known. Something in her chest loosened, letting her manage to inhale.

  “Chiquita, can you tell us what’s wrong?” Caz’s voice was gentle.

  “Spyros, the murderer who was after me… He’s escaped. That’s an FBI agent on the line.”

  Still talking, Gabe surveyed the enclosed area, the lake, and the houses as if already at war. “You’ve got my number. Keep me informed. We’ll keep her safe.”

  After swiping the END CALL, he handed her the phone and pulled her back into his arms. Looking over her head at his brothers, he asked, “She told you?”

  Bull nodded. “The assassin is loose. What are the chances he’ll come after Audrey?”

  “Too good, although Dennison thinks he’
ll hole up until the hunt dies down some. Spyros is apparently patient that way. But he wants revenge. Badly.” Gabe gave her a tiny squeeze. “Because of her, he only has one eye. His shooting ability is affected, and his reputation has been shredded. He was crippled by a damn librarian.”

  Bull snorted.

  “Does he know where to find Audrey?” Caz asked.

  “Yeah. He was originally caught trying to board a plane to Alaska. He had informants in the Chicago PD who told him about Baumer’s query.” Scowling, Gabe led the way back to the gazebo.

  “What’s the plan, viejo?” Caz followed.

  “I should leave,” Audrey said. “I should—”

  “Don’t decide now, sweetheart.” Gabe pressed a kiss to the top of her head before pulling her down on his lap. “We can batten the hatches, hunker down, and prepare for war.”

  Bull nodded. “And if an Outsider shows up looking for trouble, we’ll give him all he can eat.”

  But she’d put them in danger. Only, she hadn’t put those people in Chicago in danger—they’d died anyway. What would Spyros do if she wasn’t here? Would he torture people to find out her location?

  She closed her eyes, feeling hopeless. No matter what she did, someone would be in danger. Maybe it was time to stop running.

  Maybe, with all of them, they could come up with a plan and stop him for good.

  On Sunday night, Gabe waited as Audrey chatted with Regina in the municipal building lobby.

  It’d been a difficult day.

  First, he, his brothers, and Audrey had hammered out plans…because she’d agreed to stay. Thank fuck.

  Spyros wouldn’t forget about her, and she couldn’t stay hidden forever, not in this interconnected world. Not even in Alaska. No matter where she went, sooner or later, the bastard would find her. No one could stay on guard forever.

  It would be best if Spyros came when they were alert and prepared. Audrey had agreed, but had taken the “prepared” idea a step further.

  She’d asked him for a knife and a pistol. Jesus.

  Maybe he was infected with Mako’s pessimism because he’d figured she needed to be able to defend herself if the shit hit the fan. He gave her his ankle-holster backup weapon and worked with her all afternoon until she’d proven she could mostly hit what she aimed at.