Beyond Power

by Connie Mann

  Chapter 27

  When Delilah woke later that morning, she stretched and rolled over, burrowing her face into the pillow, breathing in Josh’s aftershave. She hadn’t thought anything could be better than the first time they made love, but last night had been even more amazing. He made love like he did everything else, with intense focus and concentration, as though there was nothing on his mind except her and this one magical moment in time. But he’d also made her laugh, which she’d never associated with lovemaking.

  Being with him could quickly become an addiction, one she wasn’t at all sure she could recover from when she left. Which meant she had to keep her heart off the slippery slope toward love she was careening down.

  Too late, a little voice whispered, but she ignored it.

  She’d just have to keep her focus where it belonged, on Mary.

  When she walked into the kitchen, he was already there, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, on the phone with Hunter by the sound of it. He smiled and lifted his coffee cup toward the pot behind him, nodding in response to something Hunter said. Delilah gulped down a big glass of water, hoping to clear the last of the drugs out of her system, and then poured coffee.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked after he hung up. “You were dead to the world when I got up.”

  “Much better.” Delilah smiled. “But you could have woken me.” The words popped out before she thought them through.

  He stepped closer and pulled her tight against him for a long, lingering kiss she felt to the tips of her toes.

  She was ready to suggest they go back to bed when reality smacked her and she eased away. At his frown, she sent him an apologetic look and nodded toward his phone. “Did Hunter have any new information?”

  He scrubbed the back of his neck, apparently having as much trouble switching gears as she was. He paced away, then back. “Not nearly as much as we would like. Our friend Jimmy is sticking to his story that he doesn’t know who hired him. He’s also not budging from the idea that he did not drug you. His job was merely to find you and escort you out of the building, then bring you to the drop-off location. Unfortunately, even though Sanchez spent the night staking out that old gas station, nobody showed. Which tells me that whoever set this up realized Jimmy had been caught.”

  “So we have no way of knowing who was behind it.” She sighed, frustrated.

  “For now. But we’re getting closer. Security footage caught a glimpse of both Benson and Eli Foster in the hallway near the restrooms during the right time frame. Apparently, Benson was skulking around before his official duties and then disappeared again afterward. Sanchez is going to question him this morning. But we also have Foster watching you throughout the evening.”

  Delilah shuddered. “He seems to be Nate’s second in command, but I don’t think he’s running the show.” She looked up from her coffee mug. “I tried to get him to call off his wedding to Mary, but he said it was an ‘important alliance,’ and he couldn’t disappoint Nate. He could have drugged my drink, but I don’t think he came up with the plan on his own.”

  “That was my take on him, too. If this wedding is some sort of strategic move, the alliance Mary alluded to, then the reasons someone wants you to stop interfering have just become clearer.”

  He folded his arms over his chest, and Delilah forced her eyes back up to his face. She couldn’t think about how amazing it felt to be held by him.

  “Just what in the name of all that’s holy were you thinking to confront Nate in the middle of the ball?” he suddenly demanded, his expression rock hard.

  Delilah’s back went up at this tone. “I was thinking that because it was the middle of a crowded ball, he wouldn’t risk doing anything stupid where people could see him. Nate might be a bully, but he’s a smart bully. He generally chooses his targets and locations pretty carefully.”

  “What did you say to him?”

  “I told him he wasn’t going to marry my sister off to Eli and that I would make it worth his while if he called it off.”

  Josh narrowed his eyes. “And how did he respond to that exactly?”

  A chill ran down Delilah’s back as Nate’s words echoed in her head. She reminded herself he didn’t have any power over her. She wasn’t a victim. She was Xena, warrior princess. She raised her chin and looked him in the eye. “He said that not only was Mary going to marry Eli but that I hadn’t fulfilled my obligation and he still planned to marry me.” She hated the way her voice stumbled, just a little, on the last few words.

  “Oh hell no.” He took both her hands in his. Fury snapped in his eyes as his thumbs gently brushed over her knuckles. “You’re not alone anymore, Delilah. And there is no way he’s going to get his hands on you ever again. You have my word on that.”

  Delilah squeezed his hands and said, “I know and I believe you. You’re a good man, Josh Tanner.” She leaned forward and brushed her lips over his, then stepped away before she threw herself into his arms. They had work to do. “Now that we know the motivation behind this sham of a marriage, it’s more important than ever that I find Mary and get her out of that mess.”

  Josh jammed a hand through his hair in frustration, his rumpled look making him even more attractive. “I checked with every informant I know and had them check with everyone they know, and nobody can tell me where to find the Atwoods’ campsite. Wherever they set up camp, they’ve been careful to make sure no one knows where it is.” He huffed out a breath. “Neither Aaron nor John Henry has been to the café or been seen at the fishing pier, either.”

  “I have an idea.” Delilah went into the bedroom, grabbed the map of the forest Kimberly had printed for her, and spread it out on the dinette table. She used a yellow highlighter to mark all the locations she and Mary used to go. She included the tree by the river, the old quarry turned zip-line park, and then she added dots for all the places she’d gone to watch the monkeys as part of her research. She had chosen most of those locations from memory, based on where she and Mary used to watch them years ago.

  Josh leaned over her shoulder as she worked. He tapped a spot. “This is the last place they set up camp.” His finger slid over a little bit, and he said, “And this is where you met with Mary the other night.”

  Delilah grinned at him. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” She chewed on the end cap while she studied the terrain. “I’m thinking the hunter was found right around here?” She pointed with the marker.

  “That looks right. Can you remember any other locations your family camped at over the years?”

  Delilah studied the dirt roads that crisscrossed the forest, then shook her head in defeat. “Even with all John Henry’s training about situational awareness, when you’re a kid, roads and streets don’t mean a whole lot. Or they didn’t to me anyway. I remember landmarks, but those, unfortunately, are not printed on a map.” Delilah drummed her fingers on the table, her frustration growing. “We still don’t know where she is or where the wedding is supposed to be. All we know is that it’s on Thursday. We’re running out of time.”

  Josh eyed her speculatively. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m going to cover every inch of forest within the circle of these locations and pray I get lucky and find John Henry’s campsite.”

  “And when you do?”

  She hitched up her chin. “I’ll figure it out when I find him.” She headed toward the bedroom to grab her backpack and her gun.

  All he said was, “I’ll meet you at the truck.”

  * * *

  Josh drove and Delilah spread the map across her lap, unable to ignore the little bubble of hope inside her. He stopped at several locations, including Mama T’s small convenience store, but nobody had any information on the Atwoods’ whereabouts.

  Defeat swamped her when they’d gotten nowhere by early afternoon.

  “Why don’t we swing by the Corner Café? I could
use some caffeine and a cupcake—and maybe Liz and Charlie have some local intel that might help.”

  Delilah sighed. “We might as well, because this sure isn’t accomplishing anything.”

  “On the contrary,” he countered. “We now know all the places your family isn’t. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it’s more than we knew this morning.” He held the door of the café open, and all conversation ceased when they walked through the door. After last night, they hadn’t bothered with disguises. What would be the point?

  Liz hurried around the counter and grabbed Delilah like she was a long-lost relative. “Oh goodness, Delilah. I am so very relieved to hear you’re not dead.”

  Delilah laughed as the other woman wrapped her in a tight hug. “Yeah, me, too. Thanks.”

  When Liz let go, she turned and speared Josh with a look. “What is it with you scaring people to death, Hollywood? You are putting some serious strain on my heart lately.”

  “Completely unintentional, Liz. You know that. But thanks for the concern.”

  Delilah leaned closer to Liz so they weren’t overheard. “I need to find my family’s campsite. Do you have any idea where it might be?”

  Liz shook her head. “I wish I could help. I truly do. But I have no idea. For a while, your brother would swing by here pretty regularly, but he hasn’t been in, in a few days.” She looked from one to the other. “But if I see him, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

  “Thank you, Liz,” Delilah said.

  They took their coffee and cupcakes to a table at the back. Delilah was surprised at the number of people who seemed to know who she was and expressed their relief that she wasn’t actually dead. It was a very odd feeling for a woman who had spent most of her life being invisible, either by training or necessity. But she found she liked it.

  They got back in the truck and kept searching. The shadows were lengthening when she finally gave up. They had bounced and jostled over miles of dirt roads and barely there paths but had found no trace of her family. None of the folks they asked would admit to seeing them or knowing where they were, either. Leaning her head back against the seat, she looked over at Josh. “We’re not going to find them today.”

  Josh reached over and squeezed her hand. “We’ll widen the search in the morning. We will find her, and we won’t give up until we do.” He quirked a brow and grinned. “But in the meantime, what do you say we grab a pizza and a couple of beers to take back with us?”

  Delilah grinned back. “I like the way you think, Hollywood.”

  “I hope you like more than that, Xena.” He picked up her hand and kissed her palm, the scorching look he aimed her way sending a slow shiver of anticipation down her spine.

  Chapter 28

  Delilah felt Josh’s eyes on her as they drove toward the camper, a fresh-from-the-oven pizza balanced on her lap. The smell of melted cheese made her mouth water, but it was the hungry looks he aimed her way that started a fire deep in her belly.

  “That smells amazing. I’m going to enjoy getting my hands on some of that deliciousness.” His smile had Delilah shifting in her seat.

  She tried to think of some witty little remark, something to keep things light, casual, but came up empty. How was she going to keep her distance if he kept looking at her like that?

  “It’s a beautiful night,” Josh said. “Why don’t I start a fire, and we can sit outside before the bugs get too bad?”

  As darkness fell, it felt like they were the only two people on earth. Above them, stars appeared in the night sky, and the fire kept the worst of the bugs at bay. Her tummy was full, and the beer gave her a nice feeling. She let herself slide into the moment, decided to simply enjoy the night and the handsome man beside her and the way peace settled around her whenever he was near. Tomorrow would take care of itself.

  After a while, Josh gathered up the trash and took it inside. The first strains of the “Tennessee Waltz” floated from the outdoor speakers. He came down the steps and held out a hand. “I don’t believe we ever finished our dance, mademoiselle. Care to join me?”

  Delilah smiled as he pulled her up and into the circle of his embrace. One arm came around her waist, while the other clasped her hand as they slowly turned in time to the music.

  Around them, the night deepened, and one song led to another as they danced and held each other. Gradually, the fire they’d temporarily banked burst back into flame.

  She leaned back and tilted her head up so she could see his face. She ran her fingers over the soft skin of his cheekbones and the bristle of his five-o’clock shadow. He didn’t react, didn’t move, simply watched her out of eyes that had gone dark with passion.

  She pulled his mouth to hers, and the explosion when they touched was like throwing a match on kindling. Heat roared between them as their mouths tasted and explored and the kiss deepened, pulling them closer still. His lips were firm and sure, and every flick of his tongue melted more of the starch in her knees. She gripped his upper arms for balance as he nuzzled her neck, then nibbled along her jaw and nipped her earlobe. She shivered and did the same to him, delighting in his low moan.

  He leaned in for another kiss just as a mosquito buzzed past her ear. “I think we should take this party inside before the bugs eat us alive.”

  “Right there with you,” she said, swatting another one. “Vicious beasts.” He chuckled, and she marveled again that passion and laughter could coexist, but it felt…right.

  After he doused the fire, he took her hand and led her up the steps and into the bedroom.

  Once they were curled up together, he brushed the hair out of her face and ran his hands slowly, reverently, over every inch of her. “Have I told you how incredibly beautiful you are?”

  Until she’d seen herself through his eyes, Delilah had never felt beautiful. “You make me feel that way.”

  Eyes locked on each other and hearts thundering in unison, they flew through the night together.

  Chapter 29

  Delilah woke to an insistent buzzing and heavy weight across her chest. It took a few seconds for her brain to register that the weight was Josh’s arm and the buzzing was her cell phone. She scrambled out from under him and stumbled into the kitchen, trying to remember where she’d left it.

  By the time she located it, it had stopped buzzing. She shoved her hair out of her eyes and tried to figure out who had called.

  “What’s going on?” Josh asked as he came into the room wearing nothing but boxers. He scrubbed a hand through his hair, making it stand up even more, and then rubbed his bare chest. He ran his gaze over her, quirked an eyebrow, and asked, “Why aren’t we still in bed?”

  Delilah glanced down at the T-shirt that barely reached the middle of her thighs and shoved aside the heat that memories of last night stirred. She held up one finger while she stabbed buttons to retrieve her voicemail.

  Kimberly’s voice came over the line, sounding unusually urgent. “Good morning, Delilah. Sorry to call so early, but I wanted to make sure I got hold of you right away. When I got to the clinic this morning, there was an envelope addressed to me taped to the door. Inside was a note for you from Mary. I didn’t open it, but I figured you would want to come get it right away.”

  Josh moved closer, his teasing gone. “Delilah, what’s going on?”

  “It’s Kimberly. She found a note for me from Mary. I need to get to the clinic right away.” She started for the bedroom, urgency nipping at her heels.

  “Did the call just come in, or was this one of those reminders that you hadn’t checked your voicemail?”

  She paused midstride. “I thought it just came in, but—”

  She handed him the phone, and he tapped the screen, then checked the dive watch strapped to his wrist. “It’s after nine now. The time stamp says the call came in at 7:30.”

  “I need to go.” She ran into the bedroom, g
rabbed jeans and a T-shirt. What if I’m too late? What if I missed Mary? She couldn’t think like that or she’d go mad, so she focused on getting dressed. Then she grabbed her backpack, checked she had everything, and ran back into the kitchen.

  Josh was already there in his FWC uniform, expression grim as he checked his weapon before he holstered it.

  “What’s happened? I thought you were on vacation.”

  “Just got a call from Charlee about a capsized kayak. They can’t find the kid who went in the water, so it’s all hands on deck. I’ll meet the squad at the Outpost.” He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “Let me know what the note says, and I’ll catch up with you as soon as I can.”

  “Be careful.” She pulled him in for a quick hug, then touched his cheek. “I hope you find the child safe and sound.”

  “That’s always the hope.”

  He hurried out to his father’s truck, and Delilah locked up and headed for her own, whispering a prayer for the missing child. And for Mary.

  Kimberly was waiting for her at the clinic, a worried frown furrowing her brow. “What took you so long to get here?” She glanced at the clock.

  Delilah ignored the flush heating her cheeks. “I was asleep and didn’t hear my phone. Sorry. May I see the note?”

  The plain white envelope had Kimberly’s name on the front. Delilah’s pulse sounded in her ears as she pulled out the smaller envelope inside it. Please don’t let me be too late. Below her name, the initial M was written in what looked like Mary’s looping script. She unfolded the sheet of paper and sucked in a breath.

  Find me, please. 1:00 p.m. River tree. Come alone.

  She showed Kimberly the note, and the other woman grinned. “This is the break you’ve been waiting for.” She gripped Delilah’s hand. “Just a few more hours, and you’ll have Mary with you.”

  Delilah pulled in a deep breath as hope bubbled up from the depths of her heart. She closed her eyes. Thank you, God.