Witness Pursuit

by Wadsworth, Joanne

  Brigs came in beside them as the children and their mother continued on. “Okay, good to see you’re up. Did I hear you right from down there? You have more recall?”

  “Yeah, but it’s still a jumble.”

  Brigs slowly smiled. “Ahh, at least your flameouts were worth it.”

  “Every single second of them.” Tyler slid his hand into hers then swung her around in front of him. “In the meantime, I need a name. Yours.”

  She rose up onto her toes and kissed him. “It’s Jenna Winton. Nice to meet you.”

  “Where do you live?”

  “On a high country station about an hour from here. I came into town to pick up a new vacuum cleaner for the one that just bombed. Ronson Brown is my uncle and he’s ex-Force. Now, can we get back to the ravishing?”

  “Have you bought it yet?”

  “The vacuum cleaner?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s in a trolley, a couple of aisles over. I saw you and left it behind. Ravishing, remember? I should get something for all that information I shouldn’t have just given you.”

  “We’re in a public place, Lee. I can’t draw any undue attention to you, no matter you now have the freedom to move around.”

  “It’s Jenna.” She glanced at the cases on the floor. “Are you here to stay?”

  “Only to find you. Let’s get your trolley.”

  “You know, I remember when you were more fun.” She winked at him over her shoulder as she sashayed toward her forgotten trolley.

  “I remember that time too. Watch where you’re walking.”

  “You’re still bossy.” She pushed her trolley into the main aisle toward the checkouts. Wow, she’d gone through re-identification, and still, he’d tracked her down. Although, what happened now?

  * * * *

  Tyler followed Lydia through the store. Her hips swayed far too enticingly. “Brigs, get her to slow down.” If he did, he’d stop her completely.

  Brigs moved ahead and gripped Lydia’s shoulder. “We came with nothing, Jenna. Do you mind waiting while we grab some things?”

  Jenna. Tyler had to remember to call her Jenna. Damn, he needed to be alone with her, and soon.

  “Sure.” She grinned at Brigs, then turned and lowered her lashes at him. “The men’s department’s this way. Come along, boys.”

  His gut burned to drag her to his side and make sure she never left him again. Instead he had to keep his hands off her and somehow follow as she weaved through the store.

  Brigs knocked his shoulder with his hand. “It was a lucky break finding her, but I need to make a call to Ben and update him.”

  “You do that, and tell him once my mind clears and things slot back into place, I’ll send him a report.” Tyler removed a black Stetson from a hook and set it on his head. The fit was good, and he needed to blend in with the locals if she lived in the high country.

  “Remember she has to stay here, and Gilchrist can never know we found her.”

  “Gotcha.” Gritting his teeth, he turned back to Lydia. She pulled jeans and t-shirts off a rack and slung them over her arm.

  “I’ll catch up with you two outside.” Brigs took off as Lydia crossed to him.

  “Where’s he going?” She passed him her bundle.

  “Somewhere quiet where he can’t be overheard. He’s calling Ben.” He tucked the clothing she’d given him under one arm. “I need toiletries too.”

  “So, you’re staying for how long?” Her luscious lips lifted in a smile.

  “Not nearly long enough.” He pressed her back into a gap between the men’s jackets and sweaters. “A day or two, but Brigs and I’ll lay low so we don’t blow your cover.”

  “That’ll be strange with you hiding out for a change.” She ducked under his arm with the cheekiest grin. “Toiletries. This way.”

  He followed her from the clothing department to a series of shorter aisles. She slowed before the men’s razors and picked through the selection until she found the same brand he’d used on the ship. A couple of steps along, she nabbed a toothbrush and a box of condoms and dropped them into his hands.

  His arms bulged with his purchases and the condoms stared him hard in the eye. “Now I need a bed. With you in it.”

  She giggled and reached for her trolley. “Well, we agree on that. I’ll go put this vacuum cleaner on Ronson’s account and meet you in the parking lot.”

  “Sure, but stay where I can see you.” The thought of her being out of his sight, even for a moment, ate a hole in his gut. How he’d leave her in a couple of days, he had no idea. It wasn’t something he even wanted to contemplate.

  * * * *

  At the truck, Lydia opened the passenger door and heaved the box in. Brushing her hands together, she shut the door with her hip. Tyler was inside at the counter paying for his purchases, his gaze locked on hers through the wide storefront windows.

  Behind her a bike rumbled and she turned as Slade rode into the parking lot. She jogged over to him, smiling wide. “Hey, Slade. What are you doing in town? Got another afternoon off?”

  With one booted foot on the blacktop, he flipped the visor of his helmet and darted a look toward the truck. “Colt said to find you and bring you to the hospital. There’s been an accident at the station. A bad one.”

  “What?” She grabbed his arm. “Is anyone hurt?”

  He took her Stetson and jammed it into the bag tied at the back of his bike. He snatched the spare helmet, and slid it over her head. “I’ll tell you on the ride. Jump on. This can’t wait.”

  “What kind of accident?”

  “There’s no easy way to tell you this, but Drake’s been shot. The rescue chopper flew him straight to the hospital.” He pulled her on.

  Hearing the word shot had her heartbeat hammering. “H-how b-bad?”

  “It was intentional. Colt called Ronson, and he’s on his way.”

  “Get a move on.” Bunching her hands into the back of his shirt, she jerked him to hurry. If Drake was in the hospital, then that’s where she needed to be.

  Squealing out of the lot, Slade left a drag of rubber. She held on tight as she yelled into the rush of wind. “How’d all this happen?”

  “We were at the river. Colt was ready to put the animal down and his shot and another from back within the trees went off. We didn’t see who fired it, but it was a dirty shot and hit Drake right in the back.”

  Shot in the back, just like Tyler. No correlation, but every correlation. Her breath seized in her lungs as they sped through the streets. Black and gray swirled into one, the dirty color tinted with the murderous shade of blood red. Images flashed through her mind, of Johnny Taita’s mangled body on the pavement, of Tyler’s blood on her hands. Why Drake?

  Frustration welled and her anger soared. This had to end.

  From behind, an almighty roar from a black SUV with darkened glass bore down on them. Tyler had his head half out the window as he drove, and Brigs gestured with his hand out the passenger’s side for them to stop.

  “We’ll be there in a minute,” Slade shouted to her.

  Clasping her knees tightly to Slade from behind, she tucked in against his back. Hopefully Tyler would see she trusted whoever she rode with.

  They peeled through the hospital’s opened gates, following the curved drive to the entrance where a series of multi-story buildings stood. Slade pulled into a space before the main doors as a screech of tires and car doors opening heralded Tyler’s arrival.

  He lifted her clear of the back of the bike, his dark hair a disheveled mess. His gaze burned with fury. “What the hell’s going on?”

  Brigs gripped Slade by the lapels of his jacket and hauled him from his bike.

  “No, Brigs. Slade was told to bring me here. Let him go.”

  Towering over him, he eyed the boy. “Kid, you better have one damn good reason for driving at that speed with Jenna on the back.”

  “Who are you?” Slade’s gaze jumped from Brigs to Tyler. “Cops?”
>
  “Friends of Jenna’s,” Brig’s answered as Tyler backed her up.

  “Let Brigs deal with this,” Tyler muttered in her ear.

  On the tips of her toes, she tried to see over his broad shoulders. “Slade said Drake was shot at the station, and Colt told Slade to come get me. Ronson’s on his way.”

  “Someone got shot? That you know?”

  “Yes.” She swayed on her feet and bumped noses with him. “Tyler–” So woozy.

  “You’ve gone ghostly white. Are you okay?” He captured her close.

  “I don’t feel so good.” Her vision blurred. “But I need to see Drake and make sure he’s okay.”

  “No, you need to sit and catch your breath. If this Drake is in the hospital, he’ll be in the best of care. You though, are mine to look after. Brigs,” he yelled. “You go with that boy. I’ll watch…Jenna.”

  “I’ve got my cell. Keep yours on hand.” Brigs walked off with Slade.

  “Are you sure I can’t–”

  “Yes. Get in.” He opened the door and with no choice, she slid into the front seat of his SUV.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “Not far.” He reversed and drove to the far side of the parking lot, into a space where a curved garden of thick green bushes with white flowers hid them completely from view.

  He turned the engine off then yanked her into his lap. “Just relax, okay?”

  “I can’t believe Drake got shot. Slade said it was down by the river. A dirty shot in the back.”

  “Hell, this just gets worse.” He jammed his fist over the door locks and shoved them home. Tucking her cheek to his chest with one hand, he flipped open the glove compartment and withdrew his gun. He set it on the dash.

  “The shooting had nothing to do with me. You don’t need that.”

  “It’s instinct to have it on hand where you’re involved. Ignore it’s there.” He lifted the lever on his seat and pushed them back.

  “I’m sorry I left with Slade the way I did. I don’t know why this happened to Drake.”

  “Brigs will find out. You’re safe, and that’s all that matters. It’s best you wait it out here with me, until we get more clarity on this.”

  “Thank you for coming.” She ran her hands over his chest and around to his back, driven by old memories to make sure he wasn’t bleeding. “Sorry, I had a bit of a flashback on the ride.”

  “I’m in one piece.”

  Eyes closed, she snuck her nose into the low v of his blue shirt. He was solid and strong, and with her. “I know this isn’t the right time, but…” She pulled the ends of his shirt free, hoping he understood what she needed.

  “Are you sure? You’re in shock.” He halted her hands.

  “I’m more than sure. No one can see through the tinted windows, right?”

  He didn’t answer her with words, but with actions, unzipping and dragging her jeans down, taking her pink panties with them. As he rolled her underneath him, he slid her red cotton tank top over her head.

  “If you want to stop, tell me.” Leaning in, he nuzzled into her bra.

  “Never.” She rubbed against him, moaning as he took one nipple deep into his mouth and sucked. He stayed there, covering her other breast with his hand and caressing.

  He was so overdressed. She lowered his fly and released his cock.

  Oh yeah. Much better. Now she had more of what she wanted.

  With a moan he cupped her bare bottom and nudged her legs wider. “I missed you. Bad.” He slid his finger along her entrance, playing with her clit.

  She gasped and bucked against his hand, arching her back. “Show me.”

  He took her mouth in a long kiss as he pushed a second finger in and stroked with tortuous perfection. Sublime. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

  Gripping his shirtfront, she rode his hand, somewhere in the process of it all, feeling the change from wicked fingers to thick heavy cock.

  “Tyler.” He filled her up as he rocked into her. It was so right the way he joined with her.

  “Let go, Lee. I’m right here with you.” Then with the skill of his mouth taking hers, she flew, his body driving her hard over the edge and into complete oblivion.

  13

  Lydia’s lids fluttered open. Mmm, Tyler’s body was hot over hers, and she didn’t care that she couldn’t move, not after the orgasm long denied her.

  “Wow.” She found her breath as his cock twitched deep inside her channel. “It looks like you’re ready for round two.” Once was never enough, not for either of them.

  He tucked a length of hair behind her ear as he rolled to his side. “I would, but my cell phone’s vibrating. It’ll be Brigs.” He lugged it out of his pocket.

  She licked her lips. What a gorgeous body he had, or at least what was exposed to her eager eyes.

  “I can’t answer it if you’re looking at me like that.” With a grin, he adjusted his pants and zipped them up. “Hey, Brigs.”

  Edging closer, she angled her ear to hear. “Tyler, it’s safe to come in. The boy Drake Hyena is out of surgery. They’ve removed the bullet and the doctor’s just told everyone he’ll make a full recovery. Jenna’s new family is asking where she is.”

  “Thanks. We’ll head in now.” He pocketed his cell then let out a ragged sigh. Slowly, he drew her panties and jeans into place. “I never have enough time with you. That really has to change.”

  “I agree.” She shuffled and clipped her bra on. Oh, it was so tight, her breasts far fuller than normal.

  “Do you need a hand?”

  “Yeah, where’d you throw my shirt this time?”

  “I hardly call this a shirt.” He fetched her tank top from the back seat and slid it over her head.

  “I need to use the bathroom.”

  “Changing the subject, are you?” He switched the door locks off and hopped out. After reaching back in, he pulled her to her feet.

  “Oh, my glasses.” She retrieved them and slid them onto her nose.

  He tucked her under his shoulder and walked her to the entrance.

  “I won’t be long.” She veered toward the restrooms and shoved open the heavy swinging door. In front of the mirror, she stared at her reflection. Ugh. Her hair was so knotted. She marched to the large metal dispenser on the wall. Hopefully it held the usual things a woman needed.

  Yep, there were pads, tampons, test kits and ah, combs. Perfect.

  Whoa. Pregnancy test kits?

  Leaning her hands flat against the dispenser, she dragged in a deep, deep breath. Okay, she was after a comb, not a test kit, except the only thought racing through her head was the fact she hadn’t had a period since she’d boarded Tyler’s ship. She should have had one by now, like over a week ago.

  Sure, this past week she’d been unable to eat and felt sick when she did. Her breasts were bigger, and she’d never been on the pill. Heck. They hadn’t used protection that first night or much in the first few days, and yeah, right then in the SUV. Tyler’s use of condoms wasn’t that great.

  Oh boy.

  After slipping a ten-dollar note into the dispenser, she selected the test kit. The machine shuffled one forward and dropped it out.

  Oh boy. Oh boy.

  She dragged her feet to the bathroom stall. Then following the instructions, she waited the mandatory one minute with her head bent between her knees.

  How could she have let this happen? She was in The Program.

  Her watch beeped, but she already knew the answer. The truth resonated deep in her heart.

  As she lifted her head, she ran her finger over the tiny red symbol, and it was positive, without a doubt.

  Crap.

  * * * *

  Tyler rapped his watch as everyone who’d gone in after Lydia left, and still, no sign of her. What could be taking her so long?

  Finally the door swung open and she emerged. With his mind so strained with need, he almost barreled her down as he grabbed her. Something was wrong. Her face was flushed, her h
air still a tumbled mess. Cupping her cheeks in his hands, he looked into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  “I-I–” She drew in a shaky breath. “There was a dispenser with test kits.”

  He had no idea what a test kit was, but a test of any sort didn’t sound good going by her current reaction. Then she passed him a little white stick, and a red plus sign pulsed at him like a stoplight at an intersection. “Ah, is this what I think it is? A pregnancy test?”

  “Yes.” Her single word was filled with such anguish. Tears flowed down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t even on my radar until I went in there.”

  She was pregnant. Lydia was going to give him a son or a daughter and Nico a cousin. He slid the small life-changing stick into his pocket and clutched her close.

  Damn. Now he had a woman deep in The Program and an unborn child to protect, a difficult task considering he struggled to stay in control of his emotions around her, and wasn’t even supposed to be here.

  “Tyler.” Brigs jogged toward them, skirting people strolling the main corridor.

  He turned back to Lydia and gently wiped her tears away. “We’ll talk about this later.”

  She hiccupped. “Y-you–”

  “Guys.” Brigs stepped up to them. “You two took so long, I thought I’d better come.” He eyed Lydia. “Hey, I know you’ve had a rough day, but the kid is fine.”

  “Let’s go.” Tyler wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her down the corridor. They passed a cafeteria bustling with doctors and nurses then slowed as they neared the elevators.

  Brigs edged in closer as people passed by. “You should know Colt and his wife and kids, along with biker-boy, Slade, and another young boy named Tate, are all up there. Colt spoke to Ronson Brown earlier on the phone and he’s on his way. He should be here within the half hour.”

  “This is getting complicated.” The metal doors swished open and the three of them stepped inside. Tyler jabbed the close button before anyone else could join them. Lydia was the one woman in the world he’d never turn his back on. The stick in his pocket only cemented that decision. “Ronson Brown will need to know who I am.”

  Lydia’s gaze darted to his. “What? No. I can accept your visits in secret, but Gilchrist will have me moved if he finds out I broke the rules and had contact with you. You can’t tell Ronson. He’ll tell Gilchrist.”