“About seven years ago,” Rojas continued, “an investigation into my affairs led to the arrest of several of my known business associates, and that caused me millions of dollars. I couldn’t very well let that go unpunished. Could I? No.” The arms dealer shook his head and rocked back on his heels. “It took me years, but I tracked down the intelligence officer in charge of that investigation, and well...she was just too exquisite to kill. So, I devised a different form of punishment, and the rest you know.”
“Yeah, you hide behind your men and their guns. You’re nothing but a pathetic coward who has to use extortion to get his way.” Cage knew angering the unbalanced man was a risk, but he didn’t give a shit.
Rojas just laughed. “If you’re trying to get a rise out of me, save your breath. I am the winner here. I am in control. I have everything I want.”
Not for long.
The crackle of a radio flittered through the air. One of his men spoke lifted the device to his mouth and spoke in Spanish, then stepped close. “They’re here.”
A smile tugged across Rojas’ mouth. “Then let’s move this meeting into the other room so the good detectives can witness my reunion with my wife, and of course, help me make her do my bidding.”
Even though struggling amped up the pain in his arm, Cage wasn’t about to just walk out of his own accord. Apparently, Delaney and Wilson concurred because all three of them fought against the restraining hands that pushed and yanked them into the large, open area of the normally bustling export warehouse. Today, the big brick building was eerily quiet and empty, with the exception of Rojas’ armed men. A handful stood around the abandoned floor of silent conveyors, while two held posts on the balconies overlooking above.
Exactly where he’d hoped Knight and Sam would be by now. Surely the men had had eyes on Nikki and were following her location. Things were going south fast. She needed help.
Now.
And, dammit, he hated that it wasn’t going to be him. He was fucking shackled, and bleeding, and absolutely useless to her.
Where the hell was her back up?
Conscious of the public and innocent lives around her, Nikki allowed Rojas’s men to lead her and Agent Pryor from the café, the rendezvous apparently taking place in the nearby warehouse.
Nikki steeled herself against the revulsion racing up her body at the thought of seeing Rojas again. Or being near him, letting him touch her and kiss her as she knew he was bound to do.
But this time, things were different. This time Cage was safe, and she had backup. Sam and Knight had eyes on her and would no doubt enter the warehouse via the ocean on the south side. The monster could only play with her a little bit, just until Agent Pryor got his hands on the anthrax, and she knew the threat to the city at Rojas’ hands was over.
She could do this. She would do this, do whatever it took to take this man down for good.
“Ah, here comes my beautiful wife now.” Rojas stood grinning with a crowd of his men in the middle of the floor.
Fresh bruises reddened his cheek and a jaw, while specks of dried blood clung to his chin. Although her curiosity sparked at his somewhat disheveled appearance, the sight of his smug expression, and dark, leering gaze made her want to run. No. It made her want to do what she was capable of…kill him. But, despite what he’d done to her and what she’d witness him do to others, Nikki held her need for retribution at bay. There was much more at stake here. The anthrax and safety of the public.
“It has been too long, querida, but I did not come empty handed.” His grin broadened.
She’d seen that evil grin too many times. This wasn’t good. After calculating the time since she and Pryor had gotten up from the café table, she estimated only ten minutes had passed.
Sam and Knight had had eyes on them, and would’ve had to reposition once she’d entered the warehouse. The plan had been to wait until Brooke showed up in the chopper, but she and the others were prepared to do what they must if things escalated beforehand.
“I brought you three gifts. A detective trifecta,” he said, stepping aside with a flourish to reveal her worst nightmare.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up.
Detectives?
Oh…God…no.
Nikki’s heart dropped to her feet, then lodged in her throat when a bleeding Delaney, along with the missing Wilson, met her gaze, followed by a battered, bruised, and bleeding…Cage?
No…this wasn’t happening. He can’t be here. Not here…
He was supposed to be safe. In a non-disclosed hotel room. Not beat up and bleeding from an obvious gunshot wound to his left arm. Her chest squeezed real tight. How had this happened?
“Ah, I do believe you know these men, querida, do you not?”
She turned to face him, quelling as much emotion as possible. “You know I do. I’ve been helping them solve a murder.”
“I know.”
“Why are they here? This has nothing to do with them?”
“But it does…in a six degrees of separation kind of way.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?” Then she sucked in a breath and narrowed her gaze, her whole body tense, hating what she was about to ask. Scared to death of his reply. “Did you kill Detective Johnson just to get me down here?”
Out of the corner of her eye, she noted all three detectives stiffen.
“No, and that’s the beauty of it,” Rojas replied, twisting in a circle with a damn grin of his face. “Had I known it would’ve given my men access to you, then I certainly would have, but alas, I did not. It was like the anthrax—a gift that dropped into my lap, so to speak. An associate of an associate of mine spotted you on the docks last week, and that set things in motion. I have to say, you really made this too easy, querida.” Rojas laughed, the sinister sound making her stomach roll.
Or was it from the feel of the finger he was now trailing down her cheek?
“You and I will not be parted again.” Anger darkened his face, removing all civility from his features. “And you will pay for all the months of hell I have endured in that prison. Starting now.”
A second later, she found herself crushed against him, enduring her own hell as his mouth crashed down on hers. Bile rose up her throat at frightening speed. She thought she was done with this…would never have to deal with his touch anymore.
But she’d also expected him to manhandle her today, and had already prepared herself enough to get through. She had to. He had Cage and the anthrax and, until it was handed off to Homeland, she was at his mercy.
But she didn’t have to play nice.
She bit down on the tongue invading her mouth, the taste of his blood a mild consolidation.
His painful gasp as he stopped his assault and pushed her away—?
…now that was priceless.
“Bitch!” He swiped at the blood from his mouth, then backhanded her, the force of the blow stung her face and sent her to the ground.
She hit the concrete, her left elbow and hip reeling from the impact.
It was so worth it.
“Nikki!” Cage thrashed, trying to shake off the two guards holding him down as he glared at Rojas. “You bastard!”
The monster laughed. “That’s nothing compared to what I will do to her later when we are alone.” He pulled a blood-stained hanky from his pocket to remove more of the blood.
The origin of his bruised face suddenly became clear. Cage. Cage had done that to him. Satisfaction warmed her body at the thought of the monster enduring some pain at the hands of the man who’d unknowingly been a pawn in his sick game.
“But now, I have business to conduct.” Rojas turned to the agent standing silently aside. “You are from Homeland?”
“Yes.” Pryor come out from the shadows, and glanced down at her as he walked close, a flash of anger skittering through his gaze before his mask of indifference returned. He switched his attention to Rojas. “And I have delivered Ms. Locke as you requested.”
&n
bsp; “Very good.” Rojas nodded. “And the chopper?”
“It’s on its way, now that I had a location to give,” Pryor answered like they’d rehearsed with Knight earlier.
The agent was told to promise Rojas anything he wanted in order to get the Anthrax. Except…the chopper was real and on its way—with Brooke piloting.
Pryor cocked his head. “Do you have a briefcase for me?”
Rojas grinned. “All in good time, Agent Pryor. Not until I have my chopper.”
Desperate to keep things civil until all the key players were in place to secure the anthrax and take Rojas and his men down, she rose to her feet and faced the man. “You killed Prochaska and his associates.”
“It’s like I told your detective friends, I saw an opportunity and I took it.” His attention shifted to Pryor. “You should thank me. There are papers in the case with the anthrax. Those men were working with a terrorist group out of Kabul. They had some nasty things planned for the theme parks in this state.”
Her heart rocked, and for the first time ever, Nikki was actually grateful the monster had interfered and stopped the threat.
Now, they just needed to stop his.
“As I see it, your government owes me a debt, and I intend to collect.” He shrugged, pulling his gun from the shoulder holster under his white jacket.
Blind panic threatened her sanity at the sight of him drawing a gun. She swallowed, and prayed no trace of it showed. “And the anthrax? Seriously, Santiago?” Making use of his first name, she tried to meet him on a personal level…and stall, hoping Brooke showed up soon.
“Ah, querida,” he said, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “You know that is not how I do business, but if it will ensure safe passage for me and mi esposa, then so be it.”
She clenched her teeth until her jaw hurt to keep from screaming she was not his wife. Never would be, never had been, not in her mind, anyway. It was just a damn piece of paper and a horrible arrangement she’d been blackmailed into.
“She’s not your wife,” Cage growled, his murderous tone sending chills down her spine.
“Ah, Detective Burnett. I almost forgot you were there,” Rojas said, turning his attention exactly where she did not want it. “I must say, you appear a little lopsided. Here, allow me to help.” Then he raised his gun and shot Cage in the right arm.
She hissed in a breath and twisted Rojas around. “What are you doing?”
“Having some fun.” He backhanded her to the floor again and glared down. “Do not ever interfere.”
The sound of an approaching helicopter was the only thing that stopped Nikki from attempting to grab the gun and use it on the bastard now helping her to her feet.
“Sounds like our ride is approaching. Good thing I chose a warehouse with a landing pad.” He winked, then nodded to his lead man again. “Go up and wait for it to land, and make sure Agent Pryor here isn’t trying to trick us.”
“I’m not,” the agent assured. “I just want the anthrax. Everything else in here is yours.”
That seemed to please Rojas because he threw his head back and laughed. “I like your style, Agent Pryor.”
While the exchange was going on, she used the time to assess both of Cage’s gunshots, and a slice of relief cut through her anxiety when she noted he only suffered a flesh wounds to his upper biceps.
The radio in one of the guards’ hands crackled, followed by an all clear message.
More relief flooded her veins.
The Colombian picked it up. “Buena. It’s time.”
In Nikki’s mind, she saw plain as day what was taking place next. Agent Hudson emerging from the helicopter, then three quick suppressed shots from her twin Glocks as she headed for the entrance. Heaven help any more of Rojas’ men the woman encountered on her way to her perch.
“Bear with me, Agent Pryor, while I take care of some personal business.” He nodded toward his henchmen.
Her heart dropped as they dragged a handcuffed Delaney and Wilson to the side while two others forced Cage to his feet, pressing on his wounds, smiling as he cursed and grew pale.
No… She sucked in a breath, her chest instantly tight. Not now... They were so close.
Her mind went numb for a second, and the plan with Homeland faded away. This changed things. Dammit!
“It seems you’ve been a naughty girl in my absence, querida. Did you think I wouldn’t know? We had an agreement, and you broke it. You know I can’t let that go unpunished.”
Her stomach knotted as she tried to remain calm. “I didn’t come down here to see Cage. I was only here to do my job.”
“You were here, and he was here,” he barked, waving the gun around. “You stayed together under one roof. I have pictures!”
She stepped closer and touched his arm. “It was part of the job. A precaution to keep me safe from Prochaska.”
“No!” He grabbed her by the throat and squeezed. Hard. “Do you think I am stupid?”
Cage’s muffled curse hit her ears, along with Delaney’s and Wilson’s before the sounds of a struggle. Shit. She tried to turn her head to see what was happening, but was unable. “It’s the truth,” she croaked, and held the bastard’s probing gaze, talking herself out of passing out.
He released her and nodded as she stumbled back and sucked in several breaths.
“I believe you, mi esposa. But it changes nothing. You broke our agreement. No contact with your Burnett. So the punishment stands.”
“No,” she cried, lunging forward, but two of his goons grabbed her arms and dragged her away. She struggled, losing her shoes and her mind, her heart pounding and pounding while Rojas raised his gun and aimed it at a restrained and bleeding Cage, now held fifteen yards away.
God, no! This wasn’t happening. Her nightmare…the one that had haunted her dreams for years, it was playing out in slow motion in front of her.
Where were Brooke and Sam and Knight? Surely she’d stalled the monster long enough for the men to arrive at the new location and for Brooke to get into position.
Take him out! Take him out, she screamed in her head.
But Rojas continued to raise his gun, damn smirk twitching his lips.
What if they weren’t here? Terror seized her pulse, increasing the volume on the sound of blood pumping through her veins.
She had to do something. Anything. “All right. You win. I’ll go with you.”
He turned then, amusement lighting his dark eyes. “Of course I win. I always do. And you’re right. You’re going with me. That was always the plan.”
Smug bastard. She tipped her chin and stared at his arrogant face. “You kill him and I won’t stay with you. You know that. Nothing you do will keep me with you then.” Her tone was low and lethal to her ears as his goons held her off to the side.
The prick’s smile widened. “I have other means to keep you.”
No. He didn’t. She would not go, no matter what went down in the next few minutes.
He returned his attention back to the man she loved, re-raising his weapon. “Go ahead. Remove his restraints. There is little pleasure in killing a fish in a barrel.”
Cage stood there, face proud, cheek swollen, staring Rojas down. Blood dripped off his fingertips onto the floor from the bullet holes in his upper arms.
It’s my fault.
He was hurt and bleeding and about to die because of her.
She glanced back at the gun, gauging the distance between her and Rojas. Dammit. He was too far. Even if she lunged, she’d never reach him in time.
As the man’s chest stopped rising with a held breath, signaling he was about to pull the trigger, Nikki brought her hands down hard into the groins of the men restraining her. Catching them off guard, their holds slackened and she rushed forward, praying she got between the bastard and Cage in time.
The sound of gunfire echoed in the warehouse as her scream mixed with Cage’s shout. A second later, Rojas fell to the floor, two bullet holes in his forehead.
Brooke…
Nikki swiveled around to face Cage, the pain in her chest unbearable with her not knowing if Rojas had fired his gun. If she’d been too late. If Cage had been shot, too.
Several more shots rang out, and her mind registered Rojas’ men falling to the ground.
But Cage was still standing.
Thank God. He was still standing. Still standing. Not shot.
“Nikki!” He rushed forward, grimacing as he raised his hands to cup her face, and kiss her forehead.
“You’re okay,” she breathed, weak with relief. “He didn’t kill you.” Tears dripped down her cheek as she clutched his shirt, the pain in her chest increasing.
“Nikki?”
She blinked, trying to see his face, but she was so tired. So tired.
“No…oh God, no…she’s been shot!” Anguish resonated in his tone. “Call an ambulance! Nikki? Nikki, stay with me. Stay with me,” he pleaded, cradling her against his chest while he lowered them to the floor.
As commotion went on around them, she was vaguely aware of Brooke and Sam’s concerned faces, and a furious Knight.
Someone’s head was going to roll.
The thought flittered through her mind as Cage came back into focus.
“Nikki? Nikki, open your eyes,” he urged, brushing her forehead with his lips. “Don’t leave me. Don’t you dare leave me. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said…at least she thought she did. She opened her mouth, but damn, she was so tired, and cold. And happy. So happy her chest hurt.
No, that might’ve been the bullet.
She didn’t care. It was worth it. So damn worth it. He wasn’t hurt because of her.
And Rojas was dead. The bastard couldn’t threaten Cage anymore. Never again.
A flood of contentment washed the pain from her body, and her last thought before darkness came was that Cage was safe, and it was over.
Finally over.
Chapter Fourteen
The light was bright when Nikki started to open her eyes. It was an effort, one she’d put off for a while. Selfish. She knew. But she was dreaming of Cage, and he was at her side, no longer brooding, just strong and affectionate, blanketing her with an incredible warmth that soothed her soul.
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