Sinner Reborn

by Morgan Kelley

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m asking the questions. Who are you working for, Ranger?” Jagger could tell by his choice in weapon and gear that he wasn’t a Marine. That meant one other kind of soldier who specialized in this type of recon.

  Instead of answering the question, he went to lift his gun.

  Jagger didn't hesitate. It was one shot, and it hit the mark. Brains coated the wall and the man crumbled.

  Now that the threat had been neutralized, Jagger had to book it. Who knew if the men had to check in to keep others away? He wasn’t taking any chances.

  As the puddle of blood grew, he saved the papers and personal items the man had grabbed—like Callie’s purse.

  There was no doubt that he was bringing them back to his base to show his boss. Now, they weren’t going anywhere.

  Well, unless Hell was the destination.

  Pulling out his phone, he made a call. He may be helping Quinn and Callista Gaines, but he had a boss. When Elizabeth Blackhawk answered the phone, he calmly and quietly relayed what had happened.

  “And the Gaines?” she asked, since they were her first priority.

  “I got them out before the shit went down. I’m going to rendezvous with them right now. Can you send in someone to clean up this mess, and fast? We don’t need to leave this behind for the local law.”

  She knew he was right. “After you meet up with them, I want you to head to the local hotel. I’ll make reservations under your name. No one is looking for you. Help them lay low for now.”

  That worked for them.

  This house had been compromised.

  “We’re getting close to something, boss,” he stated. “If they’re not just watching anymore, but trying to kill us, we’ve pissed someone off.”

  She was well aware.

  “Just watch their backs. Remember, your job there is to get them out if something goes bad. I don’t want them hurt. If it gets dangerous, don’t hesitate to blow town.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I’ll have someone there in twenty minutes. I want their bodies brought back to FBI West. I want an ID, and I want to find out who the hell is after Oracle. I’ve had enough of this FBI circle jerk.”

  He looked around. “I’ll clean out our things and get rid of the trail. I’ll need a vehicle to transport,” he stated. “Ours is compromised.”

  “It’ll be handled. You did a good job, Jagger. Thank you.”

  “No problem, ma’am. It’s what I do.”

  With that, the call ended.

  Jagger began grabbing their personal things. As soon as Elizabeth’s team arrived to get the men, he was bugging out. He had about forty minutes to get to the diner before Quinton Gaines headed back.

  While he trusted the man, there were things the Blackhawks didn't want them dealing with. No, that’s not true. They didn't want a civilian privy to what went on behind the badge.

  It wasn’t always clean.

  In fact, it was damn messy.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  After dinner, Nate cleaned up the dishes and sat down with Maura to work out a plan. They were low on supplies because they had planned on heading into the local town before digging in.

  Now that wasn’t going to be happening—not with killers on their ass. So, in the morning, they had to address it. While they could live on jerky and caught game, they couldn’t do it for long. They needed to get some provisions.

  Tomorrow, they’d have to make a plan.

  For now though, Maura and Luke had opted to take the first round of sleep, and he was going to stand watch. Behind the second door, Avalon was likely asleep too. The whole place was quiet, and that unnerved him.

  Nate couldn’t help but think about what happened before. After dinner, Avalon distanced herself from him, and it bothered Nate. He wanted her by his side and in the worst way, but he didn't want to force the woman.

  A part of him was deeply bothered that she didn't come right out and ask him to bunk with her. Maybe to her, it was just a one night thing. He hoped she wasn’t going to retreat from him. If she did, he’d have to chase her down.

  He started analyzing everything.

  When he was alone and trapped with his thoughts, he always began questioning things he’d done. Could they have been handled differently?

  Like the sex they’d shared.

  Maybe Avalon didn't enjoy it.

  Was he not gentle enough?

  It was those thoughts that made him crazy until he thought about never being in bed with her again.

  He nearly lost his mind.

  Nate didn't like the idea that touching her had only been a one-time deal. What he wanted was to head into the room and stake his claim.

  She told him she loved him, and now she was hiding behind a closed door.

  Nate hated that.

  He was man enough to admit that when she told him those three words, his life changed. Now she was pulling back. It scared him. Deep down, he needed her more than she would ever need him.

  Without Avalon, he didn't think he’d survive. Running his hand over his chest, he thought about the tattoo there. One night, after a drunken bender, Luke had talked him into it. Why he picked it, he didn't know.

  Now that he’d met Avalon, he understood what was pushing him down that path. It wasn’t the booze.

  Fate had been driving the bus.

  It was apparent that from the start, he had no control.

  Nate needed to calm down, so he sat on the couch and pulled out a book. He didn't pack many, but the two he did were his favorites. When he was stirred up, there was nothing like slipping into a story to forget.

  As he began reading, he got lost. How much time passed, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was she appeared right before him almost like magic.

  “Shit!” he said, jumping when she touched his knee.

  “I’m sorry, Nathaniel. You didn't come to bed, so I came looking for you.”

  He stared up at her. “Bed?”

  “I thought you were going to sleep with me. I must have made a mistake,” she said, hoping she was wrong.

  He saw the flush to her cheeks, and it only made her more beautiful. She was embarrassed about asking him to stay with her. A part of his heart opened a little more.

  “Avalon, honey, I’m on guard duty for a few more hours. I’ll be in when it’s my time to sleep.”

  She blinked blindly. “Can I stay with you?”

  He’d really like that. “Nothing would make me happier than to have the company of a gorgeous woman.” He patted the couch beside him.

  Avalon moved to sit beside him, tucking her bare legs up under her body. “What are you doing out here alone?” she asked, surprised that she was able to sneak up on him.

  “I was reading.”

  “Oh.”

  “Do you like books?” he asked.

  “I can’t read,” she stated. “No one ever taught me. I can spell my name, but other than that, I’ve never been to school. I always wanted to learn, but that wasn’t meant to be.”

  He was shocked by that. Even blind, there were ways for her to learn. Someone had done her a great disservice, and that pissed him off.

  She knew what he was thinking. “It’s okay, Nathaniel. I really don’t have any need for it. I don’t have bills. All the money the government pays me goes into an account, and someone handles that for me. I don’t really have to do much. It’s like having parents.”

  “It’s irritating, isn't it?” he asked.

  Avalon laughed. “Yeah, it really is.”

  “I would go crazy.”

  She touched her head. “Some think I already am.”

  He didn't like that she believed what others thought about her. Avalon was special.

  “Well, I love to read. It’s my hobby. After solving things all day, and working for the FBI, I like to get lost in a book.”

  “What’s it like to hear a story?” she asked. “Does it form in your head and take y
ou on a journey? Is it magical? Is it fun?”

  He stared at her. “No one’s ever read to you?”

  She shook her head, trying not to let the emotion overwhelm her. “No. I don’t think anyone has ever cared to take the time.”

  “Your mother?”

  She laughed sardonically. “Definitely not her. She hates me and has from the day I was born.”

  That made Nate sick. His fondest memories as a child were when his mother and father would read to him in bed before he went to sleep. Then, he thought about what she’d said. Her mother dumped her off when she was a child.

  Poor Avalon.

  “It does take me somewhere else. That’s what I love best,” he stated. Nate enjoyed forgetting that darkness loomed, ready to take him under. At least if he was lost in a book, he’d bought himself some time. “At my place, in my bedroom, there are lots of books.”

  “I wish I could read. It would be nice to stop thinking for a while. I’m trapped up here,” she stated, touching her head.

  “I’ll read to you if you’d like.”

  She stared at him. “Why, Nathaniel?” Avalon wondered if he’d say the words. She could see his aura changing, but he refused to say it out loud.

  “I want you to experience everything, Avi.”

  She wasn’t sure if it was the way he shortened her name to give her the first nickname she ever had, or if it was his willingness to simply show her kindness, but her eyes filled with tears.

  “Please don’t cry,” he whispered, pulling her toward him. As the tears fell, he gently kissed them away. “I don’t want you to hurt. I promise you won’t ever hurt again. Not as long as I’m here.”

  That declaration made her want to weep even more.

  Here was a really good man.

  He was meant to be hers until fate stepped in and destroyed her last shot at happiness.

  Fate was horrible.

  “Thank you, Nathaniel.”

  He patted his lap. “Place your head here and close your eyes. In your mind, I want you to picture the story.”

  She did what he asked. When she was safely against him, eyes closed, Nate began reading.

  He started back at the beginning, giving her a piece of him. While he couldn’t say the words, he’d show her.

  He’d love her this way until all the hurt was gone.

  As he began the tale, Avalon saw it all playing out in her head. She fell into it, allowing the man beside her to take her there. When his hand found her hair, and he comfortingly stroked it, she forgot everything that was weighing on her.

  Twice now, he’d given her peace.

  Nathaniel Carter was special, and Avalon knew that she’d definitely die for him. How could she not?

  She loved him with all her heart.

  CHAPTER Thirteen

  Q uinn was uneasy. Time was nearly up, and still they had no contact from Jagger. If he didn't hear from him in ten minutes, he was heading back to the cabin. He needed to find a way to ditch his wife, so she wouldn’t insist on coming.

  That wasn’t going to be easy.

  “Forget it, Quinton. If you go, I’m going,” she stated, as if reading his mind.

  He stared at her.

  “You heard me, and if you try and leave me here, I’ll find my way back there—alone.”

  “You’re a pain in my ass at times, Callista.”

  She grinned at him. Then as quick as it came, it was gone. “Do you think he’s okay?”

  Quinn didn't want to lie, but he wasn’t sure. “I hope so. I kind of like the kid. He’s irritating, but reminds me of me when I was his age.”

  “What are we going to do?” she asked, as the waitress headed their way.

  “We’re going to order food, keep our eyes open, and go from there. He’ll show.”

  Yeah, now Quinn only wished he believed that. The cop in him had drawn up horrible pictures of what had happened back at their place, and none of them were pretty.

  When the waitress stopped at their table, he ordered breakfast for all three of them. He only hoped it would help Callie keep from worrying. The last thing he needed was his pregnant wife stressed out.

  Then again, they just had a wakeup call from a few commandos who were out for blood.

  If she wasn’t stressed, he wanted some of whatever she was taking.

  “When Jagger gets here, I really want you to go home,” he stated. “In fact, I want you to head to the Blackhawk’s and stay there until I’m done.”

  She stared at him. “It’s not happening, Quinton. I’m part of this. We’re both meant to be here. Oracle said we needed to finish up our story as well, and we’re going to do it.”

  “And if our story ends with you getting shot or killed? Let’s face it, Callista, one of us tends to be a crazy magnet, and it isn’t me.”

  “Technically,” she began, sipping her coffee, “you’ve been shot more times than I have, so…”

  He stared at her. “Really? You’re going to use that as your defense?”

  “It was my plan.”

  “Now I see why crazy seeks you out. You’re the mother ship.”

  She tugged him closer, pulling his mouth to hers. As she kissed him, Callie could feel the tension in his body. When they broke apart, she started into his green eyes. “Quinton Gaines, we’re fine. I have you to watch over me.”

  He sighed. “You’re stubborn, difficult…”

  “Sexy, smart, and the perfect match for a man who’s picture is under the word strong willed in the dictionary.”

  He was about to say something when a blue sedan caught his attention—more so the man exiting it. “Jagger’s here.”

  There was relief in his voice.

  Callie glanced over her shoulder and toward the window. The tension ebbed away, and now she could stop worrying.

  Jagger bounded up the stairs and into the nearly empty diner to find his team. After sitting, he picked up the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. “You two look freaked out. I don’t know why. Like I promised, everything’s fine, Mom and Dad.”

  Callie laughed.

  Quinn gave him the look.

  “Watch the sass, son.”

  Jagger grinned.

  “How many?” Quinn asked.

  “There were two, and they’re being disposed of as we speak. I don’t think they were really after us, but a fact finding mission.” He pulled Callie’s dossier from the inside of his jacket. “They were digging through it.”

  She didn't look happy.

  “Oh, crap! I hope they don’t take anything back to whoever they work for.”

  Jagger laughed. “Oh, they won’t be talking.”

  “So, they’re dead?” Quinn asked.

  Jagger stared over at him. “Problem with that?”

  “No. They would have hurt my wife. I take that personally. If you didn't handle them, I would have.”

  The Marine relaxed at Quinn’s reassurance. “I called it in, and we’ve been relocated. This time, we’re at the largest hotel in town, so no one will be able to pull this again.”

  “And our guests? You said they were being handled, but by who?”

  “They’ve been Blackhawked.”

  Quinn didn't need any more of an explanation. That said it all. Callista’s bosses were handling it.

  “I grabbed all your personal stuff, and I have it in the car. I also had the opportunity to search my soldier buddies before the team took them away.”

  “What did you find?”

  He pulled out a piece of paper and dropped it on the table. “They have an address scribbled down.”

  Callie picked it up and studied it. For some reason, it looked familiar. “I’ve seen it before,” she stated.

  “Yeah, I thought the same thing,” Jagger stated. “Look at page four in your file.”

  She waited until the waitress dropped off their food before she opened the dossier.

  “Thanks for breakfast. I was starving,” Jagger stated, digging into his omelet.

/>   Quinn looked at his watch. It was a long way from breakfast, but he noticed the young Marine ate nonstop.

  “Oh, shit!” Callie stated when she found it.

  “What?” Quinn asked.

  “It’s a business address for Brian Miller. It looks like he’s going to be getting a visit, and soon.”

  Jagger swallowed his food. “We better make that our first stop in the morning. If you want to interview him, we should catch him at the house he shares with his sister.”

  “Hey! Speaking of that, did you see anything?” Quinn asked, referring to Jagger’s guard duty.

  “No, it was quiet there until twenty two hundred hours. When her car didn't move, and the lights never went on, I headed out.”

  Callie stared down at her watch. “We better eat fast, grab a few hours of shut eye, and then make an early start to Sarah and Brian’s house. We have to get them out of there.”

  Quinn thought about it. “Do you think they’re going to kill them?”

  She thought about the profile in her head. “Yeah, I really do.”

  That was good enough for both men. They shoveled in the food and paid the bill. It was time to crash, and then regroup in the morning.

  They needed to talk to the two siblings.

  They had to know something or the commandos wouldn’t be heading their way.

  Hopefully, they’d spill the beans.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  Two A.M.

  Thursday Morning

  Nate had spent the last five hours with Avalon, and it was an amazing time. Most of it, she kept her head in his lap, listening to each and every word he spoke. They’d cut through half his book, and the entire time, her eyes danced with joy.

  It lightened his heart too.

  She was experiencing so many new things, and it pleased Nate that they were all with him. It gave him a sense of accomplishment. So, this was what it felt like to have someone need you.

  Granted, he had a partner, and they relied on each other, but Avalon was different. She actually needed him. It fulfilled something so deep in him, that Nate couldn’t put it in to words.