Twisting to fall against the president, Tessa could feel blood sticking to her back. Was he dead? All she knew was that the masked attacker moving toward her pointed his weapon as she lifted the Beretta with a shaky hand.
Squeezing her eyes shut for a split second to clear the watery vision of fear, Tessa began speaking: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…” The Beretta shook so badly that when she pulled the trigger the bullet hit the floor between the attacker’s legs. The gun flew back out of her hand. She tried to recover it unsuccessfully.
She watched him look down at the stray shot, then at her, as he outstretched his arm to finish her. “And why will you fear no evil?” he asked in sarcasm.
Tessa offered a weak smile then pointed behind him and his two men. “Because he is going to kill you.”
Whirling around, the attackers saw the shadow of a large man as he unloaded his weapon into them. The attackers dropped before knowing they were on the abyss of hell. Chase charged the kitchen but jumped back when three more men slammed into the door, knocking him off balance.
Sam and Ari shoved open the door to see Tessa covering the president from further injury.
“Grab him, Ari.” Sam ordered.
He handed Tessa his Uzi before bending down and lifting the president into his huge arms. She watched Sam rush past her. The sound of gunfire exploded into her ear yet again as she saw an attacker fall against Chase. He shoved him aside as the remaining two limped toward the door only to be mowed down with Chase and Sam firing at their legs.
The sound of silence above the storm sounded like angels singing to Tessa as she watched Chase and Sam exchange words, then check the last two bodies. They were trying to crawl away when Sam grabbed one by the foot and twisted. A scream split the momentary calm. She imagined the female agent smiling at the reaction. The captain pulled the last man to his feet by his hair then slammed him against the wall.
“Who sent you?” The man whimpered with pain. Chase jerked the mask off his face. “Name.” He shook his head in confusion just as Chase shot him in the foot. “A name or so help me the next one takes off your other foot.”
Tessa edged her way up the wall, clinging to it like a lifeline as Ari burst back through the door and relieved her of the weapons in each hand. As she stumbled forward without taking her eyes off of Chase and Sam, she remembered her uncle who had fallen in the door.
Zoric appeared at her elbow with gun drawn. His grip around her waist did not feel friendly. Looking at the fallen around her, she searched for her uncle. The smell of death hung heavy in the rain blowing violently through the open dock doors. The angry moan of wind sounded like a death rattle.
Another gunshot from Chase’s gun made her flinch then grab at Zoric’s suit coat.
“You don’t have any more feet to shoot so I’m going to start working my way up.” Chase’s determined voice frightened Tessa as she watched him ram his gun into the attacker’s crotch. She wondered how the man could keep holding back.
“Okay. Okay.” The man shouted. “I didn’t know where we were going; just that it was a big party where big wigs would be. I was told it was a robbery.”
Chase jabbed the barrel of his gun harder into the man’s body. “Try again,” he spoke through gritted teeth as he pushed his own bloody face into the attacker.
Within a few seconds the man couldn’t stop talking as snot mixed with salty tears which now ran across his lips. “Sam, finish this,” he ordered. Turning he saw that police and other agents flooded the hall. The wounded agents were being looked after and the dead covered respectfully. Blood made the floor sticky.
But the one he sought with his half-swollen eyes stood next to Zoric. Chase could not stop himself as he raised his gun and stormed toward her. She watched him with what little courage she possessed, but still tried to pull free of Zoric’s hold. Backing away, Zoric released her to Chase’s vice-like grip on her forearm. The jerk of her sore arm caused Tessa to yelp as Chase dragged her away from Zoric and tossed her against the concrete wall.
His broken nose and swollen eyes made his once rugged face look like a monster. Blood smeared down his cheek and down the front of a once white shirt making Tessa comprehend the pain she’d inflicted on him. She tried to step forward only to be pushed back with such violence it knocked the wind out of her. Her hand went to her chest as she tried to slide away from the man who once swore to protect her.
When he reared back to slap her, Zoric caught him around the chest, pulling him back.
“Enough.” Zoric saw the fear spring into Tessa’s eyes as she cowered against the possibility of feeling Chase’s wrath.
She lunged forward toward the kitchen where she’d seen her uncle fall. From the corner of her eye Tessa knew both men reached for her. But it was Sam who caught her by the hair jerking her to the floor. Her back slammed so hard she wondered if something hadn’t broken. Her tail bone would definitely never be the same.
Sam kneeled down on one knee. She ran her gun up the middle of Tessa’s chest and neck until it rested beneath her chin. “We meet again, Betty Crocker. I see you’re headed for the kitchen where you belong.” Sam cooed with a vicious smirk.
Trying to wiggle away only made Sam spring to her feet and step on Tessa’s bad arm. When she cried out, Sam smiled over at Chase who waved her off. Frowning, the female agent joined others who began questioning one of the surviving attackers.
The captain glared at her through what looked like slits for eyes. His jaw tightened and released several times as he looked at the mayhem around him. She couldn’t help but wonder if he were trying to estimate how many witnesses he’d need to silence after he killed her.
Rolling to her hip, Tessa made an ungraceful attempt to stand. Chase watched her like a hungry lion. He made no attempt to assist her painful rise. Another agent offered his hand until Chase cleared his throat and jerked his head in a motion to leave. The anger in his ridged stance warned Tessa she’d have to tread lightly. Too many lies had passed between them in the last year. Why would he believe her now?
She put her hand timidly on the kitchen door and grimaced as she tried to open it.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Chase said cutting her off. “You’re going to pay for what you did to the president. If I ever find that worthless uncle of yours I’m…”
Tessa straightened. “Find him? He was just inside this door. Those men knocked him down when he was protecting the president.” She barreled into him without much affect. “Get out of my way,” she demanded half-heartedly. He didn’t budge but even so, she could see into the kitchen. “Where did they take him? Is he okay?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he had another seizure.” The unforgiving voice of the captain gave Tessa pause as she looked up at him.
“He was right here,” she said forcefully pointing down at the floor. “Ask one of the agents.”
Chase grabbed her by the arm and shook her before throwing her back against Zoric who approached cautiously. “Who should I ask? That one? Because he didn’t make it. How about Charlie over there? Wait. No, he’s dead too.” He pointed at the others. Some would live but they were in shock or badly injured. “I think you better come up with a better story.”
“Or what? You’ll shoot me in the foot?” She shook her fist at him. “I was trying to protect the president, not kill him, you idiot.” This seemed to push him to the edge as his jaw began to flex. He stepped toward her.
Tessa cringed as she tried to turn into Zoric who only stepped away from her toxic presence.
“Captain Hunter?” It was Ari, one of the prime minister’s men. “The president is asking for Mrs. Scott.”
Chase grabbed her by the forearm and dragged her after him. She tripped once and nearly fell to the floor. He pulled her up with such force, she wondered if falling hadn’t been a better option. “You’re hurting me,” she yelled, trying to land a fist on his chest with her free hand.
&nbs
p; When Chase opened the door to the safe room he was stunned to see the president covered in so much blood. He was awake and talking to the prime minister who was the color of paste. John Elliott, his bodyguard, could barely breathe as his eyes looked up at Chase.
Tessa pried Chase’s grip from her arm and fell down next to the president. Taking his hand, she bent closer and tried to fake a smile. She felt Chase grab her shoulder when the president started to speak.
“Gilad?”
“Yes, old friend.”
“If that big brute doesn’t turn Mrs. Scott loose, I want you to shoot him.”
Chapter 20
T he large hand slid over Tessa’s bare shoulder and squeezed long enough for her to know Captain Hunter could jerk her to her feet if he chose. For good measure, she pushed his hand off, as if it were a brown recluse spider before turning back to the president. She was aware of men speaking into cyber space to obtain help for the injured, especially for the man who lay beneath her fingertips.
The building quaked against the ferocious storm. The roar of winds screamed through weaknesses in the exterior and broken windows. Even though they were protected against flying glass and rain they all knew the guests in the rest of the hotel had not been so lucky.
Chase peeled away the president’s shirt after kneeling across from Tessa. He started to gingerly relieve him of the bullet proof vest. Someone had already managed to take his jacket. Blood still flowed down his neck to his shoulder. The president tried to look over at the wound, but released a sigh when his strength failed him.
“Mrs. Scott,” the president whispered hoarsely.
Tessa leaned in after pushing her fallen locks behind her ears. Her hands quivered as she took his right hand that reached toward her. It felt clammy. Blood began to dry between his fingers. His grip now reminded her of her small daughter’s instead of the powerful, almost painful, handshake he’d used with her earlier in the evening.
“Yes, Mr. President.” Tessa tried to smile without letting her eyes reveal the tears she forced back.
“You pinched me,” he declared wrinkling his forehead.
“You wouldn’t let me protect you, Sir. And you tried to take my gun.”
“Hmm. Well I guess,” he swallowed then licked his dry lips. “I guess I owe you my life. Thank you.” Tessa took the bottle of water being handed to her from one of the Secret Service.
“Take a sip.” He shook his head no. “Please, Mr. President. We have a long evening ahead of us and we really need you to take orders.” She stole a glance at Chase who eyed her cautiously before slipping his arm under the president and raising him just enough for him to take some water.
“I’m tired,” he sighed. “Everyone stop looking at me like,” he coughed, “like I’m dying.”
“Rest, Mr. President. We’ll get you to a hospital soon.” Chase laid him back down as if he were a newborn.
“Did you get those guys?” His eyes shut in fatigue. “Who were they?”
Chase replaced the once white linen napkins from the open wound with new ones. “Most of them. Jake Wakefield got away.” His eyes cut to Tessa as his bottom lip stuck out in disgust. “We don’t know who they were.”
“No.” The president tried to move his head as he opened his eyes. “Wakefield.”
“What about him, sir?”
“Fought for me.” His eyes squinted in pain. “Protected us.”
“You must be mistaken, Mr. President.” Chase leaned back on his heels. “He was here to kill you.”
“No. Help.” He looked over at John Elliott who seemed to be fading. “Ask John.”
Chase reached out and laid a hand on John’s leg. “Is this true?”
John nodded. “If he hadn’t been there we’d all be dead. Took us by surprise.” He started to slip away into unconsciousness. “Saw them drag him inside the kitchen. Another way out. Injured too.” Then he was gone into darkness.
The captain jerked his head around to stare at Tessa who had poured water on another napkin and began cleaning the president’s face. Silent tears were streaking her eyeliner and her nose started to run. “He’s unconscious.”
Tessa felt herself being pulled up by strange hands as Chase stepped over the president and let others see to his immediate needs. He led Tessa to the side, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the president. When someone blocked her line of sight, she surveyed the room. She spotted Ari and Micah hovering around the prime minister as he paced. There was a mixture of fear and revenge in his eyes as he spoke on a cell phone.
All the adrenaline coursing through her veins minutes earlier now evaporated. Just as she wondered if her knees were capable of holding her up, Tessa felt Chase’s arm around her waist. His touch comforted her as much as it had terrified her in the corridor.
~~~
“Easy, Tess,” he whispered as he led her to a toppled metal chair which he managed to upright with his foot. Easing her down she leaned back only to feel the cold jolt through her skin. Chase laid his hand against her shoulders and rubbed up and down before removing his suit coat. Wrapping it around her bare skin, he could still smell the lotion she must have rubbed into her neck and arms before coming to the banquet. Although it now mixed with the smell of gunpowder, he felt his body stir, imagining how he might eventually explore her body.
Chase squatted down next to her and looked up into her face which she turned away with a haughty disposition. She jerked her chin up in a show of false bravery. He placed his hand on her thigh, noting it was now caked with the president’s blood. Moving her leg away she reached to knock his hand away from touching her. He grabbed her hand tightly with one hand, then pulled her legs toward him with the other.
Even though she tried to pull free and pry his hand off with her free fingers, he held tight. In fear more than frustration, she took a swing at him and connected to his jaw with her fist. He closed his eyes and swallowed, feeling his face begin to throb again.
Sucking in her breath, she seemed to realize the pain he must be feeling. “Chase,” she whispered with remorse.
His jacket slid away as her arms went around his neck. His face pressed against her throat as his hands slipped around her waist. The moment lasted only a split second as he gently pushed her away. Timidly she touched his face with her fingertips before reaching to her cheek to wipe away the trails of black mascara. Shaking her head, Tessa surveyed Chase’s terribly swollen face.
“I didn’t know Jake planned to hit you. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Honest.”
Pouring some water on napkins he wiped the blood from her upper thighs. The deliberate downward motion rubbed warmth not only into her legs but parts of him. His thoughts rushed toward the alley the night before with Tessa’s legs wrapped around him. The ebb of passion appeared to awaken in her and duty prevented him from taking advantage of the moment. He exhaled.
“Honest? You and I have some real trust issues.” He fought the urge to push the blond curls away from her cheeks that stuck to the black eyeliner. “We’re going to have to work on that.”
Tessa did the little girl nod as a sign of fear and surrender. “I know. I know. Just how much trouble am I in, Chase?” Her eyes searched his or at least what she could see of them. She so wanted to comfort him. It was way too crowded for any of that.
Chase patted her leg and felt her bruised fingers entwine with his. “According to the president you’re some kind of hero. I doubt he’d let Enigma take disciplinary action.”
“I was afraid you were going to kill me,” she choked. “You hurt me.” The sound of betrayal claimed her voice.
His eyes dropped to their hands and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “Something I’ll regret for the rest of my life, I’m sure.” Chase tried to sound amused as he smiled unconvincingly. “I need you to stop lying to me.” His hand began to squeeze.
“Okay.”
“When I say ‘stop lying’ that means always tell me the truth,” he warned.
“What if it
’s a life or death situation and…” she saw his mouth tighten. “I will. Promise.”
“Tessa, so help me the next time you pull one of your tricks I’ll turn you across my knee.” He inhaled deeply again. “I…” he stopped, thinking hard of what to reveal about his attraction. “I care about my team. You are part of that for now. I can’t have you deviating from the plan. I don’t care if it’s the Lord Almighty telling you what to do. I’m the one who gives orders and you’re the one who follows them. I can make your life miserable if you refuse to comply. I can wreck your life with the push of a button. You have got to learn to trust us. There is no other option for you now.”
“Am I going to jail?” She tried unsuccessfully to remove her hand from his and leaned her face closer to his.
He reached up to touch her face with his free hand and thought better of it. “No. But I can’t promise your uncle won’t. He’s in some serious trouble.”
“But he can explain. He had help.”
Chase pulled his coat back around her shoulders. “From who?”
“Me.” It was the voice of Gilad Levi, the Prime Minister of Israel.
~~~
The vice president felt better after munching on some saltine crackers and cheese. Terry found another Dr. Pepper in the back of the refrigerator. They shared the small meal on the deck overlooking the blue water. The two men got along better than most people Terry had been responsible for protecting. He actually liked the vice president and his wife. Some Secret Service agents had not been so lucky over the years. There were stories of agents being treated poorly or spoken to like servants. But both the president and vice president appreciated their protection details and never failed to praise their service.
Mrs. McCall had once made the agents come in out of the rain while they posted outside their Maine home. Another time she’d brought them earmuffs and scarves with hot chocolate every hour. She spoiled them. Last Christmas she’d given a party in honor of their protection detail along with other staff members.
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