by Terri Reed
“Let me see your hands,” the gunman barked.
Nathanial yelled, “Down.”
Without hesitation, Sami went limp in her captor’s arms, slipping from his grasp to the floor. As soon as she was clear, Nathanial, acting on some buried training, flung the steak knife. The blade hit its mark, embedding deep into the sinews and tendons of the bald thug’s forearm. He screamed with pain and dropped his weapon.
Sami jumped to her feet and kicked the discarded rifle away as Drew lunged forward, seized the man and wrestled him to the ground, where he flipped the assailant onto his stomach and jammed a knee into his back. He took out a set of metal handcuffs and slapped them onto the thug’s wrists.
Sami grabbed her weapon from the thug’s waistband. “That’s mine.”
The bells over the door jingled as it opened. Drew and Sami took defensive positions.
Audrey swiveled toward the door. Two more gunmen stepped into the diner.
Terror smacked through Nathanial. No! Audrey was right in the line of fire.
Audrey squeezed the trigger of her sidearm, hitting the thug in front, who was shorter and broader than his cohort, in the leg. He went down, clutching his thigh.
The man’s companion swung the barrel of his assault rifle toward Audrey.
Before the thug could pull the trigger, Nathanial tackled him, ramming the goon into the cash register counter. The guy was strong and wily. He pushed back from the counter, flinging his head back.
Agony vibrated down Nathanial’s arm from the point of contact where the attacker’s skull connected with his collarbone, but he fought through the glaring spots of pain to grasp the rifle, intent on gaining control of the weapon. They fell to the ground in a heap as they grappled for dominance.
Nathanial gritted his teeth with determination as he infused every ounce of power he had to wrest the rifle from the man’s hands. The assailant’s finger was on the trigger.
Boom.
THIRTEEN
The thunderous crack of several rounds exiting the assault rifle lodged between Nathanial and the assailant reverberated through Audrey, making her heart stall out with sudden fear.
Lord, please, no! I can’t lose him.
The silent prayer screamed through her consciousness as plaster from the ceiling fell in bits and pieces. Her breath expanded in her chest as agonizing seconds ticked by. Was Nathanial hit? Was he alive? She refused to look too closely at the emotions welling up inside her.
Then Nathanial rolled away from the attacker, taking the rifle with him, and jumped to his feet in a defensive stance, ready to continue the fight. “Don’t move!” he commanded the man on the ground. “Hands up where I can see them.”
The man’s sharp features reminded Audrey of a hawk—a beak of a nose, beady eyes and thin lips that twisted with rage—but he complied, slowly lifting his hands in the air.
Relief weakened Audrey’s knees, but now wasn’t the time to let down her guard. She quickly nudged both assailants’ rifles to the side. Then, needing the action of cuffing the shorter man she’d shot as a way to distract herself from the rush of feelings flooding her heart, Audrey pulled the man’s hands behind his back and encircled his wrists with a set of heavy-duty zip ties she’d pulled from her pants pocket. The smaller type of plastic ties could be easily broken, but these newer ones were more difficult for suspects to break. She handed Nathanial a second set.
“You’ve been carrying these around?” he asked as he took them and expertly secured hawk guy’s hands behind his back.
“Of course,” she said. “I may not be in uniform, but I’m always prepared.”
“I like that about you,” he said, his dark eyes holding hers with an intensity that had heat creeping up her neck.
Discomfited by his stare, she grabbed a cloth napkin and tied it around the wounded man’s injury, then helped him to a sitting position next to the bald thug with his back resting against the booth bench.
“The civilians?” Drew asked Sami as he pulled her into his arms for a quick hug.
Seeing the couple together made Audrey’s heart squeeze tight. She’d seen the panic and fear in Drew’s eyes when Sami had been held captive, but he’d maintained his composure. She wasn’t sure how. The man had a core of steel.
Her own heart had cramped when she realized Nathanial’s intent. When he’d launched the steak knife, Audrey’s mouth had dropped open in shock that had turned to awe when he’d disarmed Sami’s assailant. How had Sami known Nathanial’s aim would be true?
“They’re safe,” Sami replied to Drew’s question about the restaurant’s patrons and employees. “I had them squeeze into the pantry. I was coming back to help you when that one got the drop on me.” There was no mistaking the bitter anger in her tone.
“My heart literally stopped beating,” Drew said softly.
Sami leaned up to look into her husband’s face. “Mine, too.”
Seeing their obvious love for one another made Audrey’s throat tighten. Longing for someone in her life with whom she could share that type of love and affection scraped along her nerves. Her glance slid to Nathanial. He watched her, his dark eyes unreadable.
Audrey dropped her gaze, her mind whirling. Earlier she’d feared for his life, and in that moment she’d realized she’d allowed herself to get too attached, too emotionally invested in Nathanial. Keeping him safe had become personal. Her feelings for him had become personal.
How could she let this happen? To cover her dismay, she busied herself by holstering her weapon. She had to stay focused on the job and keep her heart under better control.
Sami headed into the back to assure the civilians all was clear.
Drew hunched down in front of the two injured men. “Who sent you? How did you find us?”
Both men stared at him and remained mute.
Nathanial hauled the third attacker to his feet and pushed him to sit by his friends. “Why are you trying to kill me?”
The man sneered. He had deep-set eyes beneath thick brows. “You think you’re safe. But you’re not. None of us are.”
Remembering what happened to the last thug they’d caught and questioned, Audrey said, “These men are in danger.”
Nathanial glanced at her sharply. His eyes narrowed then widened with realization. “Right.” He gave her an approving nod. “Their boss, Kosloff, will kill them for failing to do their job just like he did Sasha.”
That got their attention. All three men reacted as if someone had poked them in the back with a sharp stick.
“That’s right. We know who you work for,” Nathanial said. “Tell me why Kosloff sent you and how you found us.”
The bald thug laughed. “You think we know?” He had no discernible accent. Audrey figured the guy had to be American. “We do as we’re told.”
“You were told I’d be here?” Nathanial asked.
“We were told to watch for a RCMP vehicle and we’d find you,” Baldy shrugged.
The answer only made Nathanial more convinced one of their own was working with Kosloff—how else would anyone know they’d changed vehicles? He discounted the Mounties they’d borrowed the SUV from because they’d had no clue Nathanial was headed here.
“Shut up,” hawk guy barked in a heavily accented voice.
“You shut up!” Baldy shot back.
The screech of tires outside jolted an alert through Audrey. Doors slammed. Nathanial looked out the window. “The cavalry has arrived.”
A moment later Inspector Cavendish stepped through the entrance, followed by two more Mounties with guns drawn.
“Well, seems you have everything under control here,” Cavendish stated as he surveyed the scene.
“These two will need medical care,” Audrey told him, pointing to the man she’d shot and the guy holdi
ng his arm where the steak knife had struck him, which was now wrapped with a blood-soaked cloth napkin. “The third guy is unharmed.”
Cavendish nodded. “Thank you, Deputy Martin.” He turned his attention to the three intruders. “I’m obligated to inform you of your right to counsel.”
“We want to make a deal,” hawk guy stated. “We’ll tell you what we know for immunity.”
“Which, apparently, isn’t much, according to your friend,” Audrey interjected.
Through the side window, Audrey observed the customers and employees leaving. She had no doubt Sami had taken their names and contact info for Inspector Cavendish to contact them later for statements.
“Not true,” the man with the bullet in his leg said. He, too, had a thick Eastern European accent. “We have intel to trade.”
The bald man smacked his accomplice. “No, we don’t. Don’t let them play you.”
“No one is playing here,” Drew stated in a deadly calm voice. “Tell us what we want to know. Make it easier on yourselves.”
“Not without assurances,” hawk guy said. “If we give you Kosloff’s location, you let us walk.”
Like that would happen. Audrey didn’t blame the guy for trying, but he wouldn’t be skating on attempted murder. The best he and his associates could hope for were reduced sentences.
Bald guy groaned. “We’re dead. Kosloff’s spies are everywhere.”
“We can talk to the minister of justice,” Inspector Cavendish said. “But it’s up to the minister’s judgment.” He nodded to his sergeants. “Take them into custody. We’ll hold them at the station until the crown attorney can be dispatched from Regina.”
After they were gone, Nathanial slammed a fist on the table. “We have to find Kosloff. I can’t keep living like this. I have to know what happened.”
Wincing at his pain, Audrey wished there was a way she could help him. But she had no idea how. Returning to his hometown and seeing his parents hadn’t dislodged the crucial memory of what happened to him. “We should go where you were last before losing your memory.” She prayed that would be the catalyst to bring back the events of that day.
“Good idea,” Drew said. “Maybe on that rooftop you’ll remember.”
Nathanial ran a hand through his dark hair. “It certainly couldn’t hurt.”
“I’ll call Blake and let him know where we’re going,” Drew said, taking out his cell phone.
Sami followed her husband outside to the borrowed RCMP vehicle.
The desolate expression on Nathanial’s face made Audrey’s heart twist. She went to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”
“Not really.” He took her hand in his. “Everywhere I go, death and destruction seem to follow me.” He let out a mirthless laugh. “Merry Christmas.”
His sarcasm echoed through the empty restaurant. Audrey moved to stand in front of him, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Look. This isn’t your fault. We’ll get the man responsible. You have to believe that.”
He frowned. “I do. I know eventually the IBETs team will take down Kosloff and whoever is working for him.”
“And you’ll be with your team.”
“Maybe.”
A noise near the kitchen door sent alarm exploding inside Audrey. She spun toward the sound while reaching for her weapon. Nathanial stepped in front of her as a shield. Even as it registered what he was doing, Audrey’s heart melted a little. Strangely she wasn’t irritated by his move, as she normally would be if any other man had thought she needed to be protected.
With Nathanial, she knew it wasn’t a power play but his natural instinct to guard, to protect. To show he cared.
Laurie stood in the doorway, frozen. Her brown eyes were large and scared. A visible tremor ran through her. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
Taking a calming breath, Audrey relaxed her stance and dropped her empty hands to her sides.
“Laurie, I thought you left with your mother,” Nathanial said but didn’t move toward her.
“I came back to see if you were still here,” Laurie replied. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as if bracing for battle.
Audrey pressed her lips together. Did the woman hope to reclaim him? Why did that thought make Audrey’s blood pressure rise? It wasn’t as if she and Nathanial were a couple. They worked together for now, but that was all.
Yet she couldn’t help the thrum of possessiveness that ran a ragged course through her. She purposely stepped back as if somehow putting distance between herself and Nathanial could control her feelings. Feelings that were simmering below the surface and threatening to boil over. Feelings she didn’t want to name or look at too closely. Her pulse ticked up.
Nathanial slanted a curious glance at Audrey, and she was careful to keep her expression neutral so he wouldn’t see what was bubbling inside her.
“We were just heading out,” Nathanial replied to Laurie. “I’m sorry for what happened today. I shouldn’t have come here.”
Laurie stepped closer. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. That you don’t...still hate me.”
Audrey cocked her head and stared at the pair. Hate her? What had happened between them? Curiosity burned beneath her breastbone, and she absently rubbed at the spot. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t her concern. She had no right to wonder, let alone ask. But knowing that didn’t squelch her interest.
“I’m good,” he said. “I don’t hate you.” He grimaced. “The past is gone for me. I may never remember.” He took a shuddering breath. “I’m glad you told me, though. It helps to know.” He took her hand. “I hope that you find happiness.”
A tentative smile spread over her face. “Thank you.” Her gaze jumped to Audrey then back to him. “I hope you do as well.” He dropped her hand, and she turned to leave the way she’d come in. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Laurie.” Nathanial put his hand to the small of Audrey’s back and ushered her out the restaurant’s front entrance.
Giving in to the curiosity itching at her, she peered at him. “What was that about?”
“Putting the past to rest,” he murmured as he led her to the vehicle, keeping her from asking any more questions.
Drew hung up from his call. “Blake and the team will meet us in New Brunswick.”
“Great.” Nathanial opened the back passenger door for Audrey. “Let’s pray I can recall something that will put an end to this nightmare.”
* * *
The trip from Saskatoon to Saint John, New Brunswick, took three plane changes. On the first leg Nathanial was too keyed up to rest, but Audrey slept. When her head bobbed for the third time, he’d gently positioned her so that she pressed against his arm and her head rested on his shoulder. The fragrance of the hotel shampoo clinging to her hair teased his nose, but the subtle scent that was completely hers, and hers alone, filled his senses.
Tender affection invaded his chest, clutching his heart in a fierce grip. He didn’t know why God had allowed this amazing woman to be the one to find him on the beach, but he was grateful nonetheless. There was something about her that called to something deep inside him. He couldn’t say if he’d ever felt this way before, and the feeling was strange and wonderful all at once.
He called himself all kinds of a fool for letting himself become attached to the lovely Audrey, but how could he not? She was a treasure. And the fact that some jerk had abused her trust and love made Nathanial’s blood boil and his heart hurt.
When they landed in Winnipeg, Audrey awoke. She jerked upright as if stunned to find she’d been leaning on him. “Ugh. Did I drool?”
He chuckled. “Not that I noticed.”
She busied herself gathering her belongings, but there was no hiding the blush raging on her fair cheeks.
They disembarked and m
et Drew and Sami for a quick bite to eat before boarding the next plane. On the second leg of the trip, he finally succumbed to exhaustion. He awoke as the captain was announcing their descent into Toronto. He lifted his head from Audrey’s shoulder and grinned. “Did I drool?”
She laughed, her blue eyes sparkling despite the dim lights of the plane’s interior. “Like a hound dog.”
He wiped his mouth and flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry.”
“I’m joking,” she said.
“Good. I’d hate to have you think I’m a Neanderthal.”
She scrunched up her nose. “Never.”
This time when they disembarked, they had to hustle to their next gate to make the last leg of the trip to Saint John. Audrey and Nathanial sat together again with Sami and Drew in the row behind them. Night had fallen long ago. Outside the airplane’s small oval windows lay a vast darkness.
Since they both had slept, they were both wide-awake. Nathanial could tell Audrey had something on her mind because she kept sending him sideways glances, and her bottom teeth tugged on her lower lip. He’d seen her nervous, irritated and determined, but not uncertain. And it made him nervous. When she started picking at a hangnail, he finally reached over and covered her hands.
“What is it?” he asked.
Her eyebrows rose. “What do you mean?”
“You’re fidgeting. Something has you twisted up inside. Maybe I can help?” He’d like to do whatever he could to repay her for all she’d done for him.
She made a face. “I didn’t realize I was that transparent. I keep telling myself it’s none of my business, but...”
“But?”
“What happened between you and Laurie? What did she say when you two talked?”
Ah. He should have known she’d wonder. Who wouldn’t? He thought about how best to answer. Straightforward was the best and only approach. “Apparently whatever we had was one-sided.” He told her the gist of his past with Laurie. “She only agreed to marry me because of the baby. Afterward, she rejected me.”