Worth the Risk (COBRA Securities Book 21)

by Velvet Vaughn

  Once they were outside, Bernard turned on them and demanded to know what happened. Dodge couldn’t lie. Not only had there been witnesses, but security tape footage would tell the story. It would look bad if he tried to cover it up. When Bernard found out it was Reggie’s blunder, he whipped out his gun and shot him point-blank.

  At that moment, Dodge’s life flashed before his eyes. The trip down memory lane wasn’t a pretty one. He’d done some horrible things and some even worse things, but he’d done good, too. He’d helped dozens—maybe hundreds—of people. Surely that held some weight with the angels standing guard at the Pearly Gates. But instead of staring at the business end of Bernard’s pistol, the man stomped to his car and drove away. That left Dodge, Swanny, Griff and Buck to bury Reggie and then take care of the stock.

  Then Gordon Jenkins arrived.

  Dodge hadn’t meant to kill Jenkins. He’d been their top supplier at one time. But for two months in a row, he failed to provide stock. They were running an enterprise. When there was no product, there was no sale. No sale meant no money coming in. Dodge’s responsibility was to ensure the operation ran like clockwork, so when Jenkins rolled up with another empty van, Dodge ended him.

  It was a stupid mistake, exacerbated by Reggie’s sudden death. Dodge should’ve been able to control his temper, but in the heat of the moment, he snapped. The big boss would no doubt be pissed. Suppliers weren’t easy to come by in this business.

  No sense in hoping the boss wouldn’t find out. Griff was the link between Dodge and the head honcho. In fact, Dodge had no idea who he—or she—was. He’d tried to find out in the past and been thwarted at every turn. Then he’d been threatened. Not wanting to lose the source of his retirement income, he’d let the quest drop.

  Since Griff had the big boss’s ear, he should’ve been the one to lead the team. But he was a dolt. If you looked up the word imbecile in the dictionary, Griff’s ugly mug would stare back at you. He had to be related to the boss somehow to even have a job. Instead, Dodge had been appointed the leader. That caused some tension among the ranks, specifically from Swanny and Reggie, who both thought they should be in charge. After their jobs had been threatened—and by jobs, he meant lives since you didn’t just walk away from a gig like this—they backed down.

  Dodge needed to calm his temper and come up with a plan. When they pulled up to the cabin after unloading the current stock, Swanny thought he saw movement at the back of the house. Dodge yelled for the person to stop and sent Buck into the bunker to make sure the hostage was still restrained. Whoever had been out there didn’t listen and took off. He waited for Buck to return before he pursued. When Buck reported that she was gone, he led the charge to stop her. He wanted to know how she managed to escape from their secure facility. Buck noticed the security cameras were down. If there was a power surge, the back-up generator should’ve kicked on. Someone must’ve tampered with the equipment.

  He questioned Buck about any accomplices the woman might’ve brought with her, but Buck was adamant that she’d been alone. She had to be some kind of Harry Houdini escape artist to get away so effortlessly.

  Running through the woods at night had sucked big time. He’d stumbled more than once, and when Griff overtook him, only to let a fat branch spring back and smack Dodge in the face, he’d mentally plotted the man’s demise. But then Griff thought he heard something ahead of them. They were about to catch the woman.

  One minute, he was tasting victory. The next, he’d been knocked flat on his ass and blinded. Dodge had served a tour in the Marines. He knew sophisticated weapons when he saw them. How the woman managed to get her hands on a flash grenade was baffling, but this was no ordinary, run-of-the-mill device. It also emitted a noxious odor that made his head woozy. Thankfully, they’d been downwind of the smoke. By the time his eyesight and hearing returned, the woman was making her getaway.

  He started to think she might be an undercover fed or something. Now he had to figure out what to do with the bunker. She might have a team on the way now to arrest them.

  “You don’t have to worry about her.”

  Dodge frowned down at Griff. At six-seven, he towered over most people, but Griff was only five-eight or so. Dodge could crush him like a teensy bug. So tempting… “What the hell are you talking about, Griff? And why aren’t you looking for a boat to go after her?”

  “I know who she is.”

  Dodge narrowed his bloodshot eyes at Griff. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”

  “I didn’t know she’d escape,” Griff defended.

  “Well, who is she?”

  “A local vet. Vanessa something.”

  “You mean she was in the military?”

  “No, not that kind of vet,” Griff corrected. “Veterinarian, as in she doctors animals.”

  Dodge’s brows raised. “She’s not a fed?”

  “No. I also know she won’t get far.”

  “Yeah? How do you know that? You take up fortune telling in your spare time or something?”

  “No, I didn’t. That was my boat. There’s a hole the size of a golf ball in the hull.”

  Chapter Eight

  After making sure Vanessa didn’t take a header into the water, Quinn returned his attention to piloting the boat.

  “Oh gosh, your phone…I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” He wasn’t upset about losing it since it could be replaced. But he would’ve appreciated some backup.

  He felt a tap on his shoulder. “Uh, Quinn?”

  She had to practically yell to be heard over the rumble of the motor. The thing could use a serious tune-up. He turned his head. “What?”

  “I know why someone abandoned this boat on the beach.”

  He spun around. “Why…shit.” Water filled the floor, and it was getting deeper by the minute. Sweeping his gaze around, he looked for any land, but all he could see from the moonlight was open water. He wasn’t sure how long they had until the hull flooded completely, sinking their hopes of escape—literally. Heading back the way they’d come was certain death.

  As if dropped into the water from the heavens, a mass of land came into view. He pushed the speed to get there as fast as possible. Once he was close, he cut back on the throttle and coasted to the rocky shore. The water was ankle-deep now and rising quickly. Jumping to the land, he dragged the boat parallel to the rocks so Vanessa and the dogs could climb out easily. Kilo hopped beside him, but Rocky was struggling. Vanessa picked him up and handed him to Quinn. Once he placed him on the ground, Rocky shook the water off and went exploring. The small bit of food he’d eaten had perked him up. Kilo stayed beside Quinn.

  Vanessa handed him the backpacks, and he placed them on the ground before holding out a hand to help her. As she stepped to the edge of the boat, her eyes widened when it started drifting away. With a scream, she launched herself at him. He caught her, but the force of the impact sent him slamming backward on the rocks. Pain exploded in his spine, and he clenched his teeth until air refilled his lungs. When his focus sharpened, it was to see two violet eyes staring at him with concern. She was so close. Her soft breath tickled his cheek. All it would take would be for him to lift his head a fraction, and then he could taste those pretty pink lips. Closing his eyes, he prepared to do just that. Before he could act on his fantasy, she leaned down and…licked him?

  This time when he opened his eyes, it was to see deep chocolate ones, also staring at him with concern. He reached over and petted Kilo to let him know he was okay.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No. I’m good.”

  Vanessa scrambled off him, and he shifted to a sitting position. When he looked out at the water, it was to see the boat floating twenty yards away and sinking rapidly. Damn. He wanted to salvage the motor but too late now. Pushing to his feet, he surveyed what he could see of the island. It was mostly tree-covered, but there was a flat, open space not far away. Grabbing the pack, he headed in that direction. It looked
like it’d been used as a camping spot many times in the past. There was even a fire ring with stumps for seats and a stack of logs.

  It was too dark and too late to explore, so he focused on setting up the tent. He was glad he’d grabbed the three-person version. However, he only packed one sleeping bag, so they’d have to share. He placed one of the thermal blankets he’d brought on the ground inside the tent and then unzipped the sleeping bag and spread it out. The other thermal blanket would cover them.

  “Wow, you must’ve been a boy scout.”

  He glanced over his shoulder at Vanessa. “Nope.”

  “You sure are prepared.”

  She had no idea. Something made him stash a handful of condoms in the pack as well, not that he was sharing that detail with her. She’d probably think he was a pervert and jump into the lake to get away from him.

  “I completely forgot. I have a sleeping bag, too.”

  “I’ve got it set up. We can use it for the dogs.” She handed it to him, and he arranged a bed for Kilo and Rocky to share.

  “I better go find Rocky.”

  “Not in the dark. It’s too dangerous. He’ll come back on his own.”

  He removed a collapsible bowl and bottle of water, poured some for Kilo, and placed it on the ground. Then he found the other bowl and filled it with kibble. He’d have to ration for both dogs now.

  Kilo had just started to munch when Rocky came bounding back. He sniffed the chow and then nosed in to eat. Kilo generously allowed him to share.

  “I have protein bars if you’re hungry.”

  “No thanks. My stomach is still queasy from whatever they gave me.” She shivered.

  The temperature had dropped when the sun went down. Though he’d like to start a fire, he didn’t want to alert the men searching for them to their location.

  “You should get some rest. We’ll need to figure a way off the island in the morning.”

  After making sure Vanessa settled beneath the blankets, he started to leave.

  She grabbed his arm. “Wait…aren’t you going to lie down next to me?”

  His body reacted predictably to her words. He pictured himself stretching out beside her, removing her clothes piece by piece, taking her in his arms and making love to her all night long. Shaking his head to clear the erotic images, he said, “I’m going to keep guard to make sure the men don’t find us.”

  Rocky appropriated what should’ve been Quinn’s spot and snuggled against Vanessa. Kilo watched Quinn patiently. Since it wasn’t being used, he grabbed the sleeping bag Vanessa packed and spread it out on the ground outside of the tent. He hunkered down to watch the horizon for any threats. Kilo came outside and dropped next to him with a doggy sigh. Quinn rubbed his back and prepared for a long, sleepless night.

  #

  Vanessa curled under the blanket and marveled at the fact that Quinn Billings was here with her right now. It felt so surreal, like the best dream. She’d still been groggy from whatever they injected her with when he arrived, but he’d said something about her dad and Todd sending him to her. She owed them both big time, shuddering to think what would’ve happened to her if Quinn hadn’t shown up. She knew her covert activities were dangerous, but she never thought she’d be abducted by sex traffickers.

  An image of Carla flashed in her head, and tears crowded her eyes. The girl was so young and innocent. She’d lost her mother, and then her stepfather abandoned her to a fate worse than death. She didn’t deserve the life that awaited her. None of the girls did.

  How many other children had been sold over the years? That it was happening in her back yard was distressing. She was profoundly glad Quinn was with her and could help catch the men to make sure they never harmed anyone again.

  The videos would’ve bolstered her account when she spoke with the police, but she could recall everything that happened in perfect detail. It worried her that they knew her name, but having Quinn beside her was a huge comfort.

  Despite the fear of being captured again, she quickly fell asleep. When she woke, it was to find the space beside her empty. She bolted upright. Had Quinn’s appearance been a drug-fueled hallucination?

  Chapter Nine

  The sun was starting to rise by the time Buck scrounged up a boat for them to use to chase after the vet. Griff fell asleep on the small beach, waiting for the others to return. Dodge would have, too, if Griff didn’t snore like a rusty chain saw in serious need of some lubricating oil. Swanny hadn’t shown up by the time they were ready to go, so Dodge called and sent him into town to find the bitch and make sure she didn’t squeal to the police. They needed to get her phone back to destroy the videos as soon as possible, then eliminate her.

  What if she’d already notified the authorities? It’d been hours since her escape. Plenty of time to call the emergency number and recite what she’d witnessed or find her way to shore and show up in person. What if there was an all-points bulletin out on them now? Sweat broke out along his forehead.

  Dodge shook his head. If she’d reported them, he’d have found out by now. Someone would’ve called him or Buck or Swanny. Best case was that Griff’s dinghy sank with her inside, but he and lady luck were on the outs right now. He held out little hope for that scenario. That meant he needed to actively pursue her, preferably before the big boss found out. He wouldn’t put it past that little pissant Griff to have called him the minute she absconded.

  Despite being a bumbling moron, Griff knew boats like the back of his hand. Dodge relinquished control while he searched the lake for any half-submerged vessels. He instructed Buck to keep an eye on the shore for Griff’s abandoned watercraft.

  “Dodge, look.”

  He maneuvered around Griff to see a small island in the distance. Smoke rose into the air. Someone was there. Could it be the vet? “Full speed ahead, Griff.”

  “Will do.”

  #

  Quinn removed the fire starter from his backpack and went to work arranging logs with branches and dried leaves for kindling. He was glad he thought to pack one instead of relying on sticks or rocks or one of the other dozen ways he knew how to start a blaze but weren’t nearly as quick or easy.

  It would’ve been risky to light a fire last night in the dark with the men searching for them. They might still be looking, but in daylight, he’d be able to control the situation. He would see them approach and could act accordingly.

  His heart skipped a beat when Vanessa emerged from the tent, looking refreshed and rested. She was beautiful, more so than he remembered. The years since the last time he saw her had been very good to her. She’d been so pretty at sixteen, and he knew she would mature into a gorgeous woman. He’d been right.

  He’d worried it might be awkward seeing her for the first time after he turned her down, but she’d been friendly, even excited to see him. Granted, he’d just rescued her from human traffickers, and she’d been under the influence of the drugs, but when she came out of the tent earlier, her smile was genuine and heartfelt.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Better. The rest helped.” She took a seat on one of the stumps around the ring while he stoked the flames. “Did you get any sleep?”

  “A little.” He hadn’t, but he didn’t want her to feel guilty.

  When he looked up at her, she was staring off into the distance. “There doesn’t seem to be any land close.” She turned to face him. “How are we…” When their eyes met, he felt a physical blow to his solar plexus. She took his breath. He wasn’t sure how long they gazed at each other. Time stood still until Rocky loped over and nudged her leg, breaking the spell. She cleared her throat as she petted him. “How are we going to get off here?”

  He looked out over the water. “I’ll figure…” His voice trailed off when he spotted a speck on the horizon, and he jumped to his feet. “Go inside right now and hide beneath the blankets.” He scooped Rocky up and handed him to her. “Take him with you and make sure he stays hidden.”

  She tossed a co
ncerned look over her shoulder as she scrambled to the tent. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “There’s a boat headed this way.”

  He followed after her. When she settled inside the sleeping bag with Rocky in her arms, he tossed a blanket over them. He placed his bulky backpack in front of them as an added layer of protection. Grabbing his hat from one of the compartments, he gave Kilo a command to stay inside and stand guard.

  Returning to the fire, he took a seat on one of the stumps and tugged the hat low over his forehead. He doubted they got a good look at him last night, but he was erring on the side of caution. Picking up a stick, he poked at the flames. Sure enough, the boat’s trajectory would lead right to the island. When it drew closer and then pulled up to the shore, he stood, making sure his weapon was within reach.

  Two men climbed out while the third tossed a rope around one of the rocks to anchor the boat in place. He recognized one from the security video as the man who grabbed Vanessa outside the cabin. His hands clenched into fists. The man had dared to touch her. Quinn desperately wanted to make him pay.

  “Morning,” he greeted. “What can I do for you three gentlemen?”

  At six-five, Quinn was used to towering over most people. The man who stepped forward had him by at least two inches. With ginger hair and a bushy beard, he looked like Paul Bunyan’s red-headed brother. His brown eyes were sharp and assessing as he carefully inspected the island.

  “Just you here?”

  Quinn held out his hands. “Yep. Just me, all by my lonesome.”

  “How long have you been here?”

  “A couple of days.” Quinn kept one eye on the other two men to make sure they didn’t make any sudden movements towards the tent.

  “Seen any boat traffic go by?”

  He nodded. “There were a couple out yesterday morning.”

  “What about last night?”