by Mimi Barbour
As if he he’d heard her thoughts, Cory whispered, “Best tracker on maneuvers in Iraq. I always relaxed when we were assigned to the same team.”
“You were in the Army together? You never said.”
“Not something we like to talk about. I met him on my last tour. Both of us could shoot the eyes off a brass monkey, so we had an ongoing competition. Got to be buddies. Decided if we made it out alive, we’d join the police academy together. He’s a good man to have on our side, Aurora. Look at him move… slinks like a freakin’ snake.”
Aurora’s internal chimes started up, and she knew something would be happening soon. Guts tightening, she checked the bullets in her gun, and made sure she had a full clip in her pocket. Then she pulled the binoculars from the stash and held them tightly to stop them from trembling.
The place looked to be deserted. No movement could be seen at all. She swung the glasses from left to right, but Kai had disappeared around the back and out of sight. Bells started clanging in her head and the ache almost had her passing out. What the hell?
A gunshot made her jump and sparks of pain burst everywhere in her body. Someone she loved needed her. Cory grabbed the binoculars from her and swore.
“I’m going after him.” She moved to head out, but Cory hauled her back.
“No. He’s moving. I can see him. He’s headed back.” Desperation sounded in his voice, as he panned the house over and over.
Finally, Aurora saw the bushes shaking to their right, and before she could take off, Cory beat her to it. He moved almost as well as Kai, except his height made it more difficult. Within minutes, he reappeared, his arm supporting the wounded man.
When they approached, her heart settled back into a breathable rhythm. Then she saw the blood pouring from a gash on Kai’s head. The lights went out, and she dropped like a stone.
Chapter Forty-Three
It had started. Debbie didn’t know if she was glad or not. Rhondo hadn’t said another word to her after she’d told him about his mother. But she’d seen his tears as he sat holding her baby’s tiny hand gently in his.
The half-empty bottle of beer had fallen over next to him, and the liquid had formed a small lake on the floor nearby. The smell of the warm liquid swirled through the room making her feel sick.
Suddenly, he’d looked up, and she would have sworn he’d sniffed the air. No, not that; he was listening. Wind chimes had sounded from the back of the house. Since the air was still, hot, and dryer that an old whore’s privates, something else had to have made the noise.
Pulling his gun from under his belt, he headed to the back door. He stopped, and his glare spoke the words he didn’t need to. She held both hands out in front, acquiescing to his unspoken command, and then moved to cover the baby with her body.
She heard Rhondo break the glass in the door’s window, and she dared a peek. He hadn’t moved, just waited, and obviously it paid off. Someone outside had broken cover, and Rhondo raised the gun calmly and shot. Then, Debbie heard his “Humph” of triumph as he continued to watch. Finally, he moved back to where she huddled frozen in fear, the baby’s seat under her protection.
Rhondo sat on the floor beside her. His voice sounded rusty, as if that tender tone hadn’t ever been used. “You’ll take care of him. Love him.”
Tears gathered, and her throat filled. “Of course I will. He’s a beautiful little boy, a gift. I’ll always look after him.”
“Teach him right from wrong. But don’t let him be a sissy. Help him to be a man. A strong, good man.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Tell him his daddy loved him.”
“Oh yes.” Clogged, her voice sounded rough.
“You know what I have to do, don’t you?”
She knew what he should do. Give himself up. But she also knew he’d want to die before going back inside. Understanding that Cory could have been the man he’d shot, threads of hatred interfered with her need to have compassion. She’d never wanted to kill anyone before. But if he’d shot her husband, she’d kill him easy. All the emotions jangling around inside turned her thoughts wild.
So instead of answering, she just nodded.
As his hand reached toward her, it took all her strength not to flinch or slap him away. Like stone, she watched to see what he planned to do next.
He bypassed her, and ever so gently, he rested his big palm on Alec’s head, and caressed. Forever he sat there, as if instilling through spiritual links his adoration for the child.
Not wanting to spook him, she didn’t move or speak. Torture would have been easier than having to sit quietly and watch the madman who’d raped her stroke her child. And all the while she wondered if he’d just killed her husband, the true father of her baby.
Chapter Forty-Four
After Cory smacked his arm, Kai knew he should wipe the grin from his face, but damned if he could. Lit up from inside, his heart swelling, he felt like a man stretched ten feet tall. This gorgeous woman, who’d passed out at his feet, had the hots for him—no, she actually loved him. And he liked the knowing.
In fact, he liked it very much. His own heart wobbled around inside, filling him brimful with so much tenderness, that like a mountain spring turning into a waterfall, it was impossible to contain. Waiting for her to recharge, he held her in his arms.
Slowly she began to emerge from her faint, the shakes that had attacked her body started to fade. Her long eyelashes fluttered and then lifted. His first sight of her adorable eyes, sapphire in normal times, now black ice with worry, and he knew he was truly in love for the first time in his life. She lifted her shaking hand to caress his face, wincing when she saw the blood still draining… but from a superficial wound.
“You’re okay,” Aurora said softly.
“I’m fine. What about you? I barely caught you before you hit the ground.” Kai kissed her hand and held it against his lips.
“Hey, you two, I could stand a little help if you’re finished with the schmoozing. I have a wife and kid in that shack, and it’s about time to get them out.”
Kai helped Aurora to stand, and kept his arm around her shoulders until he knew she was steady on her feet. “I got a quick peek in the window before the rotted rope broke on those blasted chimes. Both Deb and the baby are fine.”
He wouldn’t tell his friend about the picture he’d seen of Rhondo holding his son’s hand, appearing fixated on the tiny baby. Or the terror on his wife’s face as she’d watched helplessly.
Kai knew how he’d feel if that were his family inside with Rhondo. He’d want to rip the bastard apart limb from limb. But he also knew his friend had gotten sick of the killing when they were overseas. His reason for becoming a cop had been to try and stop bloodshed, not add to it.
Kai glanced around and noticed the string of cop cars lined up on the main road. Rhondo would see them also. Never knew what a perp might do once his escape route had been closed.
Aurora stepped away, and Kai saw her mentally harden, the earlier soft glow on her face replaced with grim determination. Lips tight and eyes narrowed, she surveyed the surroundings like a professional who knew her business.
Moving over to Cory, she spoke so only the three would hear. “Did you send some troopers around the perimeter to close off any chance of his escape?”
“Got them in place already.”
Cory turned first to her, and then to Kai. “Showdown” was all he said, all he needed to say.
“Oh yeah! Today we take this prick.” Not even a small doubt crept into her tone. Kai decided it was as if she knew something, a premonition.
Made the hairs stand up on his neck a little. Made him realize he’d do anything it took to have a future with this woman. Maybe even give up his intention—his sick revenge.
So he wouldn’t make a fool of himself, pick her up and run from the danger, he stuck his hands deep into his pocket. A plastic card poked into his fingernail, and the pain made him pull it out. It was the card one of the victim�
��s mother’s had given him. A card featuring “The Serenity Prayer”. And it read:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
A sledgehammer to the head couldn’t have hit him any harder. To receive this message at this time had to be more than a coincidence.
He pictured again the sight of the big lug tenderly cuddling the hand of the tiny infant, and the ball of hatred he’d nourished in the pit of his stomach began to unwind.
Aurora and Cory believed in the law, in justice, and maybe he needed to also. With his mind now firmly made up, relief felt sweet. He’d choose Aurora and a future.
Cory’s excited voice broke into his thoughts. “The door’s opening. He’s coming out. Be careful that he isn’t using Debbie as his hostage.”
All three took their stance, weapons drawn and ready. Alone, Rhondo stepped off the veranda and ran into the open. Then he raised his gun and began firing wildly in their direction.
Without any hesitation, three weapons blasted.
But only one bullet killed.
VEGAS SHUFFLE
Prologue
“Three weapons blasted.”
“But only one bullet killed.”
Aurora stood between her boss and her lover, shoulders slumped. The gun was still clenched in the hand hanging down by her side. She’d taken an irreversible step. She’d shot a man to death. Now a killer, she searched her soul as to whether she could live with this heavy weight. Skimming back over the last minute, she knew she’d had no choice.
Whether Kai or Debbie’s husband, Lt. Cory Ashton saw Debbie’s signal didn’t really matter. Because Aurora knew without a doubt, the sign had been for her. Debbie had used their special gun-finger gesture, “shoot to kill”, and the begging in her eyes had convinced Aurora she had no choice. Not knowing what had happened in the shack where Debbie and her newborn had been held hostage for the last few hours compelled Aurora to obey her friend’s plea.
The strong tie between the two women had built trust over their five years working the streets together. Watching each other’s backs—and being there as both family and friend to the person who was most important in keeping the other alive—had woven a strong connection. Especially for Aurora, who had no other family. Therefore, in these types of circumstances, one didn’t question the directives from the other; faith kicked in and instincts took over.
Even though Aurora hadn’t taken her eyes away from the bloodied body that lay askew a few hundred feet from where she still stood, in a strange way she saw everything happening at the same time. For instance, she knew Debbie had raced to Cory to be swept into his arms. She’d also perceived the shocked look that Kai had flung her way before rushing to the downed man to kick away his gun and lean over the body to check his neck for any signs of life.
Crazy thing, before Rhondo had run from the shack wildly shooting in their direction, she’d battled with Cory and Kai not to take the law into their own hands. Despite their excellent reasons to kill the rapist, both had promised her not to use vigilante tactics. The men were sharpshooters, and had easily shot to disarm the crazed felon. Then she had gone done exactly what she’d begged them not to.
The approaching squad cars waiting further up the road made a lot of noise as they pealed into the yard, parking every which way while the officers began setting up their equipment in order to stake out the crime scene.
Still she stood, not moving. Not until Debbie approached and gently put her arms around her did Aurora shift from her frozen position.
“Thank you, Aurora. If I’d had a gun, I would have taken the shot to help him die. I’m so grateful, my friend.”
Aurora bit the side of her mouth to keep from screaming the words. “Help him die?!” Instead, her voice emanated husky and tremulous. “I’ve never had to shoot anyone to kill them before. You know that’s why I’ve spent so many hours practicing at the gun club. So why did you want me to kill Rhondo? Was it to hide the fact that he really is Alec’s daddy?”
“Good God, no! That had nothing to do with it. It’s too much to go into right now, but trust me when I say you didn’t murder him. You gave him pity and let him die like he wanted. In the end, he deserved mercy and for him justice was death.”
Just then an ecstatic Cory approached carrying his sleeping baby son, Alec. The man’s face was alight with love and relief. He handed the baby to his wife, who gladly opened her arms for the tiny bundle.
When he turned to face Aurora, Cory’s face took on a serious expression. He held his hand out towards her. “I’ll take your weapon and badge, Detective. And as soon as we get back to the station, we’ll need your uniform. You know the procedures.”
“Yes, boss.” Aurora stood before him, again not moving.
Gently he reached down to where her gun still hung by her right leg and retrieved the weapon from her fingers. It sounded like a huge tunnel separated them as he spoke each word slowly. “Know that whatever statement you decide to make, Aurora, I’ll write my report to support your explanations to the review board. We all will. It was a righteous kill.”
Aurora moved like an automaton by Cory’s side toward the waiting police vehicle. As she got closer to Kai, relief flooded into her icy body. Here was love and comfort and kindness.
Kai turned from the officer who he’d been giving orders to and looked at her reaching hands. Then their glances caught and held.
Her eyes appealed and begged.
Narrowed and hard, his eyes only accused.
Chapter One
When Rhondo had clutched at his heart and dropped like a stone, Kai couldn’t believe his eyes. He’d aimed at Rhondo’s arm. Since Cory had shot first, he knew Cory’s bullet had wounded the man’s gun hand. There was actually no need for Aurora to even use her weapon. But split seconds later, she’d shot to kill, and Kai felt as if the bullet had ripped into his own heart, through his newborn trust, and shattered his growing love.
She’d played him for a fool. A goddamn blind, lovesick fool! Right up to just before the encounter, she’d convinced him to choose her and their future. Then the crazy female had betrayed him and taken his shot. A righteous shot considering they’d been under fire.
Not that any of the bullets Rhondo wildly fired had even come close to them. The crazy bastard had shot into the air over their heads. And he knew Aurora had the smarts to have figured out that scenario. She was comfortable with her weapon. Not that long ago, Kai had seen her in action in an underground parking lot where gunfire had taken place. The woman must have been aware that this sick puppy had chosen suicide by cop as his ticket from a world he hated.
So why had she killed the man, after begging Kai not to? She’d always known his aim had been to eliminate Rhondo for raping his sister and being responsible for her taking her own life.
Moments before the shooting, eyes shining with integrity, Aurora had convinced him to give up his revenge, that their love was all that mattered. Damn bit of good that did him. Instead she’d taken the shot that should have been his.
While bizarre thoughts ricocheted inside his skull, he felt her eyes watching his every move. As he bent over the victim, the coppery smell of blood assailed his senses, turning his stomach. Adrenaline, spiked during the action, became a sour acid taste in his mouth. The cacti nearby called to him as a convenient place to relieve the sickness but instead he swallowed and breathed through his mouth. Death, never pretty, looked good on Rhondo. A weird kind of smile lifted one corner of the madman’s mouth as if he’d been happy in the moment he died.
Kai hoped the devil wiped the fucking smile off his face as soon as the bastard arrived. Frustration burned a hole in his guts. He looked at Aurora and then turned away. The crazy woman still hadn’t moved. Her silent yearning cut through his hurt and into his heart, but he hardened himself from answering her unspoken plea, from going to her with his support. How could he support her actions? How could he sti
ll love a girl who’d betrayed him so deeply?
Screaming his pain into her already traumatized features wouldn’t have helped him, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be good for her either. He’d stay away. No ranting or beating his hands against something hard so the rage had a release, not here, not now.
He needed time.
Chapter Two
Aurora stood facing Cory in his fancy office. She was going to have her say. “Tell me, Cory. Quit nipping away at the subject like a damn puppy chewing a squeeze toy. Where is Kai?”
Cory looked furious. “Have respect, Detective. I’m the lieutenant here. You know—your boss.”
“Yeah, yeah!”
Cory shook his head and his anger faded before he answered. “You know that Kai sent in his statement completely exonerating you from any wrongdoing. He came through for you, Aurora.” Cory still shied away from answering her questions. She knew his evasive tactics.
“Cory Ashton! If you don’t stop playing games with me, I’ll be up in front of the board again explaining why wounding you was also a righteous shoot. And trust me, after I tell them what an ass you are, no one will argue with my decision.”
Mouth quirked in a stupid grin, Cory sighed and sat down heavily in his chair. Being that his size could destroy most ordinary office furniture, good thing the large black well-constructed leather seat offered no resistance.
“They called him back to L.A.”
Aurora watched the sly look replace his grin. “They ordered him back?” she questioned. “You’re sure? Seems pretty opportune that they needed him the same day we got Rhondo.”
“These things happen, Aurora. You know how our business works. He took a leave and they required him back at his desk. Poor guy didn’t have a choice.”
“Poor guy, my ass. He never phoned or left me a message. Just up and disappeared. Only thing he said to me on the day I—” Still having trouble saying on the day she killed Rhondo, she hesitated, then added. “He said: I need time.”