All or Nothing: A Trust No One Novel

by Dixie Lee Brown

  “Aren’t you the one who told me I should stand up and help myself?” If it were possible, she would have stuffed the harsh words back in. Where were these ugly attacks coming from anyway? Certainly she didn’t mean to be so awful, but her comments seemed to bounce right off him. Nothing she said, however rude or irrational, bothered him these days. Anyone else would have sent her packing by now.

  Instead of biting back, Joe pulled a pill bottle from his shirt pocket, handed her a small, oblong tablet, and watched until she swallowed it.

  “No more shots?”

  “I made sure the doctor prescribed pills.” He took her cell phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “I forgot to leave this with you earlier. Call me the next time you or Dillon need something.”

  She laid her head back against the pillow, fighting tears of frustration. “I’m sorry, Joe. I don’t know why I keep snapping at you. You don’t deserve it—you’ve been so patient. I wish I could promise it won’t happen again, but I don’t seem to have any control.”

  A grin tugged at his lips. “I’ll take Dillon downstairs and feed him. Are you going to feel the need to take a walk before I get back?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Then maybe when I come back we could start fresh.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Saturday, 8:10 pm

  JOE TOOK DILLON for a walk around the compound, stopping at the kennel to fill a bowl with food. As he placed it on the ground and watched the dog dig in, his phone rang. He checked the caller ID and answered by asking the question foremost in his mind.

  “What did you find out, Murphy?”

  “Sam Garrett—born to wealthy parents who died in a car accident when he was nineteen and left him a small fortune. Enough money to make his starving-artist years not quite so destitute. Went to Stanford, did a couple years as a physical therapist in Seattle before he dropped out of the work scene, supposedly in favor of his art career. This guy doesn’t have so much as a speeding ticket on his record.” Murphy sounded skeptical.

  “We’re missing something. I know this guy is dirty.” Joe swore under his breath. Why couldn’t they catch a break?

  “He could be what he claims, but that kind of squeaky-clean makes me nervous too. I’ll feel better once I find a gallery that sells his artwork. Somebody has to know his name.”

  “Keep digging. I need something to go on.” Joe didn’t bother hiding his disappointment.

  “I’m working around the clock. If there’s anything to find, I’ll find it. In the meantime, you’ll just have to keep an eye on him.”

  “What about the notebook? Did you get anything?”

  “We haven’t cracked the code yet, but it looks like Sinclair kept track of more than just shipments. You’ll be the first to know as soon as we have something.” Murphy paused. “What about Cara? How’s she doing?”

  “She’s a disagreeable patient—cranky and ill-tempered. The hospital staff was never so happy to see anyone leave. Other than that, she’s doing okay.”

  Murphy laughed. “I’ll come by someday soon and give her someone new to fight with.” He grew serious again. “I’m sorry, Joe. You know I didn’t mean for her to get hurt.”

  “He almost killed her… because you didn’t have your facts straight. I know you’re not going to let that happen with Garrett.”

  Silence on the other end. Good. That meant Murphy understood the threat and was trying to decide if he should challenge it or just shut up.

  “One more thing. Dennelli tried to kill me and my whole team at that motel in Portland. I want everything you can dig up on him as soon as possible.”

  “I think you should reconsider that, Joe, but it won’t do me any good to try to talk you out of it… so I’ll call when I’ve got something.” Murphy hung up.

  Joe slammed his hand against the chain-link fence of Dillon’s kennel. Why was everything taking so damn long? More to the point—why was he letting impatience get the best of him? That was easy to figure out—because he loved that woman upstairs, even if she couldn’t stand to be in the same room with him, and it scared him to death, realizing how close he’d come to losing her. He wasn’t going to let that happen again.

  By the time he returned to Cara’s room, she was fighting to keep her eyes open. That was good news. It meant the pain medication had done its job. He commanded Dillon to go to his bed on the floor and sat next to Cara.

  “Doing better?” He brushed a strand of hair from her eyes and let his fingers trail down her neck.

  “Drugs are amazing.” Her words ran together and she frowned.

  He tried not to smile. “I’ll leave so you can get some sleep.”

  “No. Please stay for a while.”

  She needed rest more than she needed his company, but he selfishly wanted this time with her. She’d finally let down her guard a little, even if it was drug induced.

  “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

  Her eyelids were already half-closed. It wouldn’t be long.

  “I should call my father tomorrow. He won’t understand what’s happened. He’ll blame me.”

  “Why put yourself through that now? Wait until you’re stronger.”

  “Probably for the same reason you call your parents every Christmas.”

  “Because they-brought-you-into-this-world-so-you’ll-owe-them-forever?”

  “That’s the one.” She giggled and jabbed a finger in the air.

  “I swore I wouldn’t pass that one on to my kids,” he said.

  “Hey, tough guy.” She smiled crookedly. “Kids?”

  “Sure. Someday. Does that surprise you?”

  She raised an eyebrow and studied him. “I could totally see you giving your son his bath and putting him to bed… after a hard day of hand-to-hand combat.”

  “Or daughter—I’m an equal-opportunity mercenary.”

  They laughed together. God, he loved it when she laughed.

  “What about you? Any kids in your future?”

  “I used to think so. Then I realized what kind of life I’d be bringing them into, and that dream died like all the rest.” A faraway look clouded her eyes for a moment. Her cheeks grew red when she turned.

  “If you’d known I was the former Mrs. David Dennelli, would you have still rescued me in that casino?”

  “Without a doubt.”

  “Because Charlie made you promise?”

  “That’s why I did it then. Now that I know you, you couldn’t keep me away.”

  Cara giggled again and rolled her eyes. She probably thought he was lying. He wanted to tell her he’d do just about anything for her, but her eyelids drooped even more, and he fell silent instead. Within seconds, her eyes closed and her breathing slowed. Joe studied her for a few more minutes. God help him—he loved her, with all of her caustic remarks and family baggage. He leaned over and brushed a kiss on her forehead. Standing, he tucked the blankets around her once more and vowed nothing would hurt her tonight.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  * * *

  Two weeks later, Monday, 10:00 am

  AFTER LEAVING THE hospital, pain and frustration filled Cara’s days until she despaired of ever feeling normal again. Ever so slowly, she gained enough strength to walk the length of her room then downstairs for meals. Finally, when she could talk someone into helping her bundle up against the chill in the air, she managed short walks around the compound with Dillon. It was humiliating to ask for help, but the soreness and lack of movement in her shoulder left her no choice. Several times she bit her tongue to keep from lashing out in exasperation at whoever was closest. More times than not, that person was Joe.

  His patience seemed without limit—as long as she was trying. The times she sank into bouts of self-pity, he quickly pointed out feeling sorry for herself was a waste of her time and his.

  “Were you always a quitter?”

  She usually replied angrily, and in a manner highly out of character. “Bite me!”

  He
only grinned, which further annoyed her and pushed her to try harder, or face the fact she’d never be able to leave this place.

  After the first week, Rayna and Joe took turns massaging her arm and shoulder muscles, flexing joints that had already grown stiff from disuse. With each session, she improved.

  One day she followed Rayna to Joe’s study for their daily routine, only to find Sam standing in the middle of the room. Cara stared. No one had mentioned Sam, or his offer to help, since she’d come home.

  Rayna finally broke the silence. “Joe asked Sam to come by and help out with physical therapy for a while.”

  “Really? No one mentioned it to me.” Cara threw Rayna an accusing glare.

  “Whoa. I don’t want to cause a problem here.” Sam grabbed his coat to leave.

  Instantly, she regretted her rudeness. “Oh Sam. Please don’t go. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I’m really glad you’re here. It’s just some people around here think I’ve lost my decision-making capabilities, along with the use of my arm.” She smiled, hoping to make up for her less-than-friendly greeting. It really was good to see him. He’d always been kind and thoughtful to her, and certainly despite her initial misgivings, there was nothing sinister about him. She refused to let Joe’s suspicions affect her judgment.

  “They just want what’s best for you, but I can understand how you feel. As for the use of your arm, I think we can do something about that, if you’re up for it.” Sam dropped his coat on the back of one of the black leather chairs.

  “I’m so ready to get better.” She glanced at Rayna, who took a seat on the couch against the wall.

  “I’m observing.” Rayna shrugged and gave her an apologetic smile.

  “Let’s get started, shall we?” Sam waved her to one of the chairs in front of the desk.

  His strong hands massaged her shoulder, easing her tension and annoyance. Soon she relaxed under his care, but his sudden appearance still bothered her. Why was Joe allowing Sam to help, and why did he leave her out of the decision-making? Last she’d spoken to him, he still suspected Sam of some ulterior motive. Did this mean he was finally satisfied Sam was harmless? She got her answer a few minutes later when Walker came in, silently sat behind Joe’s desk, and watched Sam warily.

  Sam chuckled quietly. “These folks care a great deal about you,” he whispered.

  She shrugged her good shoulder and shook her head, too annoyed and embarrassed to offer an apology. After he left, promising to return in two days, she fixed Rayna and Walker with icy stares. “Where’s Joe? I’d like a word with him.”

  Rayna looked helplessly at Walker before throwing up her hands and leaving the room.

  “Joe isn’t here. He went to Portland for a few days.” Walker leaned back in Joe’s chair and folded his hands behind his head.

  “Did they find something in Brian’s notebook?” Cara tried to ignore her disappointment at learning Joe was gone.

  “Murphy decoded a couple of names, and Joe went to check them out.”

  “Why didn’t you go?”

  “Ty and a few of the guys went with him. He’ll be fine, Cara. Don’t worry about him.”

  She scowled, suddenly understanding. “You got stuck with the babysitting detail.”

  “I volunteered. I don’t trust Sam.”

  “And Joe does?”

  “No, but he didn’t have a choice. He had to go.”

  “Why did he arrange for Sam to come if nobody trusts him?”

  “Always keep your enemy where you can see him,” Walker replied.

  She looked away and her anger died. “He could have said good-bye.”

  “That’s what I told him. He thought you’d be happy to be rid of him. Apparently he’s been a little tough on you.”

  She rose from her chair and turned her back on him. “I haven’t been very easy to get along with lately. He’s probably at the end of his patience. Maybe, with Sam’s help, I’ll be out of here soon.”

  “Don’t rush it, Cara. No one wants you to leave, especially not Joe.”

  That couldn’t be true, but she let it go. He was entitled to his opinion.

  “I’m going for a walk.” She stepped toward the door.

  “Want company?”

  “Thanks, Walker, but I won’t be long. Probably doesn’t even qualify as a walk to you.”

  “If you change your mind, let me know. It is my babysitting detail, after all.”

  “Very funny.” She made a face over her shoulder.

  Monday, 7:23 pm

  CARA GLANCED AT her phone on her nightstand. Should she call Joe? She missed him and that scared her. Her feelings for him grew stronger every day. Giving in to them would be a mistake. The timing was all wrong. Becoming involved with her could get him killed. David had been silent way too long. He’d never backed down from a fight before, and she’d bet he wouldn’t this time either. Neither was Joe the type to give any ground. If he and David clashed, only one of them would come out alive. She couldn’t risk it not being Joe.

  She picked up her phone just as it rang, startling her, and she almost dropped it. Expecting Joe’s voice, she answered quickly. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

  David! The fear she thought she’d dealt with rushed back, squeezing her chest until it hurt to breathe.

  “How are you, Cara? Recovering from that nasty gunshot wound? You know, I was a little disappointed you and your friends left your motel that night before the party got started.”

  “You’ll have to try harder if you want me dead.” The steadiness of her voice surprised her.

  “You misjudge me. My men were supposed to get you out alive before the place went up. Your friend Reynolds reacted too quickly—took out my guys and started the timer on the detonator. That trap wasn’t for you. I have other plans for you. It looks like I’ll have to get rid of your friends before you’ll come home, though.”

  She tensed. “You’re sick. Why are you doing this? Our divorce is final. There’s no way in hell I’d ever go back to you.” Revulsion boiled up to choke her. She wanted to hang up and stop listening to his vile words. Instead, she made herself hold the phone to her ear.

  “I said you could leave when I was done with you. Did you think a piece of paper was going to change my mind about that? We’ve got unfinished business, Cara. I was disappointed when I thought that imbecile brother of yours would cheat me out of my revenge.”

  “You knew Brian wanted to kill me?”

  “Yeah, and I didn’t think he could possibly fail, but he always was a spineless wuss. You pulled off a real feat, enlisting Reynolds’s help. What did you have to promise him to risk his neck for you? Did you spread your legs for him right there in the casino?”

  “You’re disgusting. Get to the point. What do you want?”

  “I thought I’d already made that clear. I want you back.” His words were dangerously quiet.

  Cara laughed scornfully. “You must be kidding. The fact I despise you notwithstanding, why would I ever consider going back to you?” Just saying the words gagged her.

  “I’m glad you asked. I want you back here, and I’m prepared to go to any lengths to ensure I get what I want.”

  “What do you mean?” Tension strained her voice.

  “Maybe I’ll go after the Dugan girl first. She’d make an interesting diversion. Don’t you think, honey?”

  “You son of a bitch. Leave her alone!”

  “Or maybe Reynolds. I know where he’s staying tonight. Shouldn’t be too hard to get a few men together and take him out of the picture. How bad do you want your friends to live, Cara?”

  She winced at the coldness in his tone. She knew him. He didn’t make idle threats. He’d do what he said. Joe had an army. She’d seen them in action, and they were good at what they did. Once challenged, however, David would spare no expense to assemble his own army. Someone would get hurt, and it didn’t matter who that someone was; she would be to blame. She certainly couldn’t allow Joe to be murdere
d in his sleep because of her, or Rayna subjected to a fate worse than death. Not when she had the power to stop David. She sighed and blinked back tears. She’d be damned if he’d make her cry.

  “How do I know you won’t hurt them anyway?”

  “I give you my word. You come back to me, and your friends live.”

  She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. Loneliness engulfed her, and she had to force herself to breathe. “It’ll take me a few days to convince them I’m well enough to leave.”

  “I’m not an unreasonable man. I’ll give you a week. Don’t think about running, though. That won’t save their lives.”

  “Why do you hate me so much, David?”

  “I don’t hate you. I own you. You’ve got one week. If you don’t show up, people start dying.” The connection went dead.

  His words swirled in her head as she wrestled with the fear that threatened her resolve. Could she actually go back? She had no other choice. From the beginning, she knew it would come to this. Her friends’ lives outweighed everything else, even if it meant walking back into a life she swore she was done with. David would kill her eventually—she knew that. But, she didn’t have to make it easy for him. She’d learned a few things from Joe and Walker, and she no longer panicked at the mention of David’s name. Maybe, if she was smart and waited for an opportunity, she could turn the tables. It’d take strength, something she was sorely lacking these days. She only had a week to improve the range-of-motion in her shoulder. It would have to be enough.

  Her heart ached as she thought of saying good-bye to her friends. How would she ever convince Joe to let her leave? She’d have to lie to him—tell him she was assuming the new identity Murphy created for her. In the morning, she’d call Murphy and ask him to bring the new itinerary he promised.

  Drained and empty, she curled up on the bed. Her jumbled thoughts kept her from sleeping. She was still awake when her phone rang again and she jumped, her heart pounding. This time it was Joe.

  Monday, 9:34 pm

  CARA ANSWERED ON the first ring, her voice sounding lonely and frightened. A pang of conscience hit Joe. He’d been wrong to leave the way he did. “Walker tells me I’m in your bad graces again. I was under the impression you wouldn’t miss me, so I didn’t think it was necessary to say good-bye.”