Keeping the Spy

by Victoria Pinder

  Once on the ground, he'd figure out Victor's intentions and the charges. The threats against her made no sense. None of this did. He'd find his answers.

  Joe growled and sat beside her as he barked at the window.

  "Hold on." He told her. Then he glided the plane into a final landing onto the air strip. The small plane shook hard, but he kept everything under control.

  Sherry gritted her teeth the entire time. Joe stopped howling the second the wheels normalized. Sherry looked stiff and frozen. Unlike the plane, she might be a harder case to crack.

  4

  Sherry

  Liam Collins. She glared at him and then turned to stare out the window and the sky. Joe laid on her heels and howled. Her heart exhilarated at the visual. There was no ground. They were flying. The balls of her feet pressed into the metallic floor of the plane, but then she curled her lips. She'd have never guessed Liam Collins was a kidnapper.

  He also protected her minutes ago. Her body tensed as he guided the plane down. He said something but she had no idea what. It didn't matter. She'd like to knock him out and leave him in her dust the second they landed. She held the arm rests as he landed.

  Victor said to trust no one.

  She bared her teeth. She didn't trust her dead fiancé much anymore, but that didn't mean she didn't take that one piece of advice. Her breathes were short and fast as the plane skidded on the tarmac.

  Joe's whimper told her that even he was nervous.

  Her run to Miami to hide until she figured out her plan was a bust. Whoever trashed her house was after her too. She had to figure out her plan and her necklace felt heavy around her neck.

  She crossed her arms and set her jaw. First, she'd have to leave Liam in the dust. She'd play docile until she figured out how to successfully get away. She forced a smile though she was sure it was more her baring her teeth than actually smiling. She forced herself to blink as Liam steered the plane at a calm pace now to a parking space.

  Joe dared to sit and he stopped his constant howls. She unclenched her hands from the sides and turned toward Liam. She told herself not to be cold and nodded. "Do you need me to call 911?"

  "No." His shoulders tensed up. "I'll call in what happened, and the Agency will take care of the details. Let's get you out of here."

  The CIA. The FBI. Liam had so many stories today. Her head pounded. In high school, all he ever did was stare at her. He hated her all their lives. She'd not put stock in him now. He couldn't be here to suddenly help her. Why would someone do a 180 from what he was, all his life?

  She licked her lips. Montreal was not that far from Maine. Perhaps she'd escape the country and try to disappear there. She gazed at the rear of the plane as he parked. Then she stood and wiped her jeans that somehow had a black mark all down her side. She grimaced. "Did you get my bag when you knocked me out?"

  "Yes." He reached down to pick up his small black bag, and she leapt over him to find hers. Joe barked as he jumped to join her. Her temper snapped as she stared at the huge mess on the floor. Then she jumped over the body of the man who tried to kill her to get to her bag.

  Liam's voice echoed behind her, "Why did you of all people date someone like Victor?"

  "He's not on the FBI most wanted list." She straightened her spine. He had been controlling and that was why she almost broke up with him. Liam had no right to know that though. "I wanted a life other than helping people find a book."

  Liam Collins stood completely still at the door. "I didn't like it."

  "I don't care." She tossed her bag on the empty seat beside her and reached in for her mace. On the commercial flight she had to check it, but she at least had a weapon now. Her fingers clutched the bottle and she pocketed it. Then she lifted the bag and put it on her back. "Let's go."

  His eyes stared out the door, but he held open his hand to guide her. "I am sorry about what happened in Miami."

  Joe barked, but stayed at her side.

  Her stomach tightened, but she didn't say anything. He couldn't just apologize for drugging her. That was not how this worked. She didn't know if she could entirely trust him. She pasted a smile on her lips. In the airport, she'd dash off, but right now it was best to change the conversation.

  "I've only seen you in town when your brothers have some big announcement like engagements or the births of your children. Do you avoid your parents?"

  His eyes narrowed. "Not often enough. It's one reason I'm quitting."

  If he quit and she stayed near her house, she'd see him for the rest of her life. She sniffed the air. The smell of pine cones wafted in her lungs that she knew was all him. Her nose took a second whiff and then she curled her hands to her side. "Any particular person causing this? Girlfriend? Wife? Children?"

  "No to all those questions, Sherry." Her heart thumped. She swallowed and told herself she didn't care. He never spoke to her anyhow and he certainly hadn't been interested in her, ever. He kept his voice low but walked her faster down the runway. "I have a car already. Keep your head down the entire time and don't stare into any cameras."

  Cameras? She'd tell everyone she was kidnapped and being held against her will.

  She had planned her run once they reached a crowd. If she made it home, then she'd call his mother and tell her what he did. She lifted her chin. That sounded stupid, but her feet followed him. There was no way he'd protect her. She knew the score, though she stayed at his side. "What cameras? What are you talking about?"

  Pandemonium was how she saw the crowd in Maine. She had tunnel vision. Once again people were everywhere, and the smell of colognes infiltrated her mind. Joe's warmness near her thigh sent a calm wave inside her. Anyone here might be out to kill her.

  Liam stopped at the door and she flinched. Had she said the wrong thing? He stared at her hard. Her heart beat wildly though she stayed still. A moment later, he nodded then guided her inside.

  She clutched his hand and lowered her head. Right now, if she stared at his feet then she could breathe. Nothing made sense. She gulped, gazed up and her heart nearly froze.

  Joe's growl reverberated in her mind.

  Liam blocked the man in a black tee shirt from pummeling into her, as Joe leapt into the fight. The man then tried to punch Liam, but Liam's defense punch knocked the man backwards as Joe bit down on his ankle to take the man down.

  She lost the ability to move, but then Liam braced her shoulder and told her, "Run and don't stop."

  Liam petted Joe and said, "Let's go."

  Directions were helpful. Her feet and body moved like the wind. Liam's feet pounded behind her.

  Then another set of steps were vibrant in her ears. She turned backwards, and saw the man with the black tee shirt with a bloody sock and torn shoe. Her throat was parched, but she called out, "Look out. He has a gun."

  The words were how she recognized what was in the man's hand.

  Liam called out, "Cover your head, Sherry."

  She put her arm over her head and ran to the door. Joe raced her and pulled her to go faster than normal. A split second later, something fired in the air. Her heart must have fallen into her stomach. Liam couldn't die because of her. Neither should the copilot’s child. She stopped and turned. Liam slammed into her as Joe barked his orders that to her said 'let's go.'

  Liam's wall of muscles surrounded her, and despite how she might get a few bruises, she also felt safe. She licked her lips as he balanced and then let go of her. Then she straightened her shirt and asked, "Did he shoot you?"

  "He missed."

  Her heart beat was warm. Then he placed his hand on her hip and motioned for her to turn towards the curb and for the first time, she noticed he held a gun in his free hand. She pushed his hand off her, but then he pointed towards a fancy black car and yelled, "Get in."

  This was it. If she went with him, then she made this choice. If she stayed, someone else might be here and try to kill her. She pressed her lips together. Then without a word, she jumped into the car then stare
d at Liam. He took the wheel. "Keep your head down."

  "Liam, who was that?" She lowered her body as low as she could. "Since Victor took that video of me, my life has been a disaster."

  Liam raced down the street. His forehead wrinkled. "What video?"

  "Never mind." Sherry massaged her neck and closed her eyes. Victor's words echoed in her head that she shouldn't trust Liam, but it was Victor that started her life in the downward circle. "I don't know what I did."

  His hand pressed against her arm. The smell of pine cones wafted in her lungs and prompted her to open her eyes as he asked, "What video?"

  She shook her head. None of what happened made any sense. Two weeks ago, she was a librarian. "It was a stupid video Victor put online where he asked me questions about my necklace."

  Liam kept his gaze on the road, but his eyes narrowed. "Do you still have the necklace?"

  Her throat was tighter. Maybe Victor was right. "Is that why you are helping me? Do you want it too?"

  "I don't know what video you are talking about or the necklace."

  His voice sounded earnest. Her entire body grew goose bumps. She believed him even though she said, "I don't believe you."

  He pressed a hand to his head. "I swear on my mother's life, I don't know what you are talking about."

  She leaned forward and put her hands together like she prayed. Liam Collins was reputable. She knew his family. She liked his family. It was him she didn't like and that related to high school. She should let that go. She swallowed and sat straight. "I like your mother."

  He nodded. "My mom likes you too. You can tell me what's going on."

  Joe wagged his tail and brushed against Liam like they were friends. He had never done that to Victor, not once.

  Her heart beat grew as her body was warm. Her eyelids wanted to flutter close and sleep. She hadn't done that in days, but she kept that to herself. She shrugged and stared out the window at the pine trees that smelled like Liam. "I can't answer that."

  "Why not?"

  She turned and stared into his baby blue eyes. He should understand. Awareness of him grew, but she didn't say anything. "Cause I don't know. Two weeks ago, my grandmother died suddenly. A week ago, I received a few things from her will. Then Victor shoots a video of me five days ago. He was killed two days ago, and now people want to kill me."

  "You think it's about the necklace?"

  She reached up and fingered the gold medallion, like if she held it in her hand it might somehow protect her. She didn't show it to him, but held her chin higher. "What else would it be?"

  He shrugged. "That Victor himself was wanted and that you have something of his."

  A huge wave washed through her body, and let her breathe for the first time in days. Her eyes even watered slightly. She had been about to break up with Victor because she didn't trust him, and then he died. She swallowed like she was done with her all night tossing and turning. "If that's it. Whoever is chasing me can have it."

  He made a tisk with his tongue. She assumed he meant no. Then he said, "It doesn't work like that."

  If this wasn't about her necklace and about some dirty dealing of Victor's then her life could return to normal. She folded her hands on her lap as they climbed a mountain in the black car. "Where are we going?"

  "To my cabin."

  "On Valentine's?"

  "So?"

  The Collins version of a cabin was quite elaborate. She stayed in his mother's 'small villa' in Italy a few summers ago and felt guilty for taking advantage. Her heart thumped if she stared into Liam's eyes so she stared at the sunset. "So we're just going to stop at your house, celebrate Valentine's day together, and expect no one will get us there?"

  "I installed state of the art security and I can order the helicopter to get us out without anyone thinking twice." He answered fast. "Liam Collins' alias works for his father's company and his brother is the CEO. As long as my cover wasn't breached, it's not unheard of for an entitled son to abuse the corporate perks."

  "The CIA doesn't know who you are?" She leaned closer to him to see if he sweat.

  He shook his head as he pet her dog. "Of course they know, but it's deep in my personal file. And I'm retiring."

  Victor had always grinded his teeth when she asked him questions and he avoided Joe at all costs. Liam didn't have a lying tell that she could recognize. She turned away and stared out the window. "When we get there, I'm searching you down for a USB stick or something else Victor might have planted on you that might get you tracked."

  Her entire body stiffened as she realized. "He touched my necklace."

  He nodded. "I want to exam that too then."

  No. She didn't want to take off what her grandmother had said was a secret that might help her "I don't know if I trust you."

  "I don't know if you have a choice."

  True, but she'd not agree.

  5

  Sherry

  Liam closed the cabin door. She walked to the living room and collapsed onto his couch. Running meant she never had a moment. The seat cushion under her backside felt luxurious and comfortable enough to nap in. She closed her eyes. Perfection was possible on Valentine's weekend.

  Then she felt Liam's shadow over her.

  "Strip." Liam's voice was gravely but firm. Sherry held her breath. She'd not about to strip and take off any of her clothes, right now.

  Joe must have agreed as he came in front of her and growled at Liam.

  She opened her eyes and lifted an eyebrow as adrenaline coursed through her. "Excuse me?"

  He dropped folded clothes next to her, then petted her dog.

  Joe wasn't being much of a guard near Liam.

  She stood and ran her hand through her hair as he said, "Put these on Sherry and take a shower. Scrub everywhere."

  He checked a map on his phone and didn't even stare at her. She picked up the clothes and hugged them to her body. He had to have a reason for saying that. The air felt electrified as she gritted her teeth. "What are you talking about?"

  There was a blue dot on his phone though he stared at her. His blue eyes sparkled and seem to whisper in her mind 'hero.' She pressed her lips together and would never say that. He didn't blink as he said, "I think you have a tracking device on you. We've been followed."

  Since Victor died, she'd not had the chance to be in one place for an hour without something. Every cell in her body was on alert and she squirmed. Her clothes were stiff and itched her as she held her breathe. "Who would do that?"

  Liam's eyes stared at her like she should have figured it out. She lifted her chin as he said, "Your fiancé."

  Victor disappeared and reappeared suddenly in her life, more than once. They were in the middle of her telling him to leave her alone, forever. She had taken her ring off to give it to him, but none of that mattered. She stared blankly at Liam as she said, "I don't believe you."

  "You're white as a ghost which means you do." Was she white? Probably. If anyone set her up, it would be Victor. She swallowed as Liam then said, "How else are men at every airport and likely on their way to my house right now?"

  Her heart raced as she clutched the clothes like that might cushion the sudden speed. "Is that the blue dot on your phone in your hands? Are we in danger? Should we leave?"

  He placed his hand on her shoulder and pointed to a door. "Wash and change, but be fast."

  His not answering was an answer. They didn't have a lot of time. She hustled to the door and then as she reached for the knob, she stared at the white gold on her finger. She slipped it off and wrestled with her wrist as she told him. "Wait. Come here. Take the diamond ring on my hand and the bracelet. Victor gave them to me. Check these too."

  He reached in his pocket and somehow found a plastic bag. Were all agents equipped at all times? He then held it out for her and asked, "You believe me?"

  She slipped the jewelry inside. The brush of her skin on Liam's hands sent a spark through her. She jumped to get away. Then she rubbed her
necklace. Victor had wanted her to take it off once she received it, but she never had. This might be a clue, but he hadn't touched it. She pressed her lips together and averted her gaze. "Yeah. I'll be fast in the bathroom. Promise not to leave me."

  Liam went to the kitchen and fed her dog. Joe wagged his tail. Without one glance at her, he said, "Sherry, I'll be here for you."

  She probably should tell him everything. The necklace had somehow changed how Victor came into her life, and she suspected he had wanted to use her for it the whole time. She stood at the door and lowered her face to stare at the ground. "I'm starting to believe you even if I am still mad at you."

  He walked down the hall, but called out. "Toss out your clothes."

  For now, she had someone to help her. She closed the door and stripped. Victor's name reverberated in her mind. He had a tendency to go too far to get what he wanted. Boundaries had been an issue.

  She turned on the shower, washed her hair and let the icky feeling sink to the bottom and wash out of the drain.

  * * *

  Finished, she towel-dried her hair and threw on the mustard yellow shirt Liam left her. Clearly the engineering society had a limited budget. She then tugged on a pair of sweats that felt like silk against her body. She checked the brand and read Kate Sparrow. Liam's sister-in-law and the party thrower of his family. Glass shattered outside.

  Her heart accelerated as her dog barked. She threw open the door and called out, "What's that sound?"

  "Throw out your clothes." Liam's voice traveled down the hall as his feet shuffled. Joe reached her first as he jumped up to her waist. A second later she stared into Liam's blue eyes at the door. She could get lost in his gaze. She shook her head and turned away to pick up her clothes. Then she handed them to him as he said, "Someone is trying to breach my security measures."

  Joe barked toward the living room and showed his bared teeth.

  Her entire body froze. Someone was here? Then adrenaline pumped in her veins as her body went numb. It was time to run. "Should we go?"