Hard Core (Onyx Group)

by Jennifer Lowery

  But he wouldn’t be there. He’d made that abundantly clear. And she was not the kind of woman who relied on a man for her happiness. That, she could do on her own. There’d been a time when she didn’t need anyone or anything to achieve her goals. She simply reached out and took them with the world at her feet. She must once again become that woman.

  As soon as she got through today.

  “You can put your shirt on now.” Cristian straightened and stepped back.

  Alana reached for the button-down shirt draped over a kitchen chair. “Gavin will notice I’m wearing a vest.” She slid her arms through the sleeves.

  “He won’t have time to notice.” Mercer spoke from where he sat in one of the armchairs in front of the fireplace, loading a high-powered rifle. Alana glanced at it and suppressed a shudder.

  “Okay?” Cristian asked.

  She nodded, though she lied. She wasn’t okay. She was a mess. Her palms were clammy, the vest making her sweat, and her heart pounded irregularly in her chest.

  “We have your back.”

  “I know.”

  “Then stop fidgeting.”

  She took a deep breath, then let it out slow. “Okay,” she said. “I’m ready.”

  * * * *

  “Pull over here,” Cristian said to Mercer. They were on the edge of the city, near the lakeshore, heading down a deserted road toward an abandoned factory warehouse.

  Alana could see it in the distance, cold and empty, against the backdrop of a bright blue sky that belied the panic building in her chest.

  Mercer pulled Sam’s truck over to the side of the road. Both men grabbed their weapons and jumped out. Alana slid into the driver’s seat and gripped the wheel with both hands to keep them from shaking.

  “Drive to the warehouse and park in the center of the lot,” Cristian instructed, leaning inside the door. “This is the only road leading in or out, so there’s no risk of an ambush. Stay in the vehicle until Ross has cleared his. Understand. Do not, for any reason, get out of the truck.”

  Alana nodded. “I understand.”

  “I’ll be on top of the warehouse and Mercer will cover the road. Stay in the truck, Alana.”

  She met his eyes. “I will.”

  “I mean it.”

  “I know.”

  They shared a private moment, each knowing this may be the last time they ever saw each other. Alana hadn’t told him she’d placed a few calls over the past couple days and was re-entering the medical program at Harvard in the fall. They remembered her and were giving her a second chance to finish her internship. A miracle in itself. She’d been certain that when she dropped out of the program to follow her father, they’d written her off. Maybe there was a place for her in this world after all.

  “Go.” Cristian broke contact and closed the door. He tapped on the roof and she shot forward.

  Time to face the enemy.

  Driving slowly up the narrow road, she glanced in the rearview mirror to see that Cristian and Mercer had disappeared in the trees lining both sides of the road. Her vest sat uncomfortably around her, sweat rolling down her back.

  When she came to the center of the parking lot, she stopped and turned off the engine, rolling the windows down to allow a breeze. It was eerily quiet. She searched desperately for signs of Cristian or Mercer, but they were nowhere in sight. That didn’t help ease her nerves any.

  “Relax,” Cristian’s voice said in her ear, causing her to jump. She’d forgotten about the transmitter he wired before they put the vest on.

  “I’m trying.” She felt foolish talking to herself. At the same time, it comforted her to hear his voice.

  “Cristian?”

  “I’m here.”

  “I was accepted into Harvard this fall.”

  A pause. “That’s good, Doc,” he said softly.

  Somehow those words tore at her heart. What did she expect? A proposal? A plea to stay with him so he could be there when she came home from a ninety-six hour shift, exhausted and frayed? Romantic vows to give up his life and spend the rest of it with her?

  No, she wouldn’t want that. Cristian was a mercenary and she had accepted that the day he’d saved her life. He was good at what he did and if it made the world a safer place, she would support it. She knew from firsthand experience how violent the world could be.

  So why did it break her heart that he was so willing to let her go?

  “I meant to tell you,” she continued. “I…didn’t know how. I wasn’t sure they would accept me back. I never finished my internship. But, not because I chose not to.” She paused to draw in a deep breath. It was now or never to tell her secrets. “I failed out of my internship. I couldn’t handle it. Couldn’t take the pressure associated with my gift. I was a child prodigy with hands as steady as a rock. From the day I was old enough to understand what my father did, I knew I would be a surgeon just like him. It was all I ever wanted.”

  She stopped to wrap her shaking fingers around the steering wheel, knowing Cristian was listening and not judging. That, she saved for herself. “My mom died a week after I dropped out. She had run down the block to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner. The store was…” She swallowed as memories invaded like it was yesterday. “The store was robbed and she got shot by a twenty-year old kid who got away with fifty-nine dollars and a carton of cigarettes.” A humorless laugh escaped her lips. “Her life was worth fifty-nine dollars. He went to prison, but it never seemed enough.”

  The other end of the mic remained silent and she plunged forward. Too late to stop now. “Dad and I walked away from our life a couple weeks later and went down to Nicaragua. Searching for peace, understanding. Trying to cope with losing the most important thing in our lives. We ran. Hid. We both knew it, but it was easier than facing life without Mom. I…I never told my dad what I did. He doesn’t know I failed. And now he never will. I never thought I would be here again.”

  When he didn’t say anything, she pushed forward. “So, I guess I’ll be moving back to Massachusetts when this is over.”

  “Gallagher has family in Boston. I’ll call him.”

  Not the answer she’d hoped for. She didn’t want him to help her move, she wanted him to stop her. “Thanks, Cristian.” She hoped he didn’t hear the hitch in her voice. “For everything.” I’ll miss you. But she didn’t say those words out loud. That would be too final and she couldn’t do final right now.

  “Car coming from the south.” Mercer’s voice came through the earpiece. “And, Doc, good for you. We need more people like you fighting the good fight.”

  “Thanks,” she said, embarrassed that she’d said that on an open line. She had meant it for Cristian’s ears only. “I didn’t know you were listening, Mark.”

  “Sorry. Open com. Looks like our guy. Slade, you set?”

  “Ready.”

  “He’ll be in your sights in four minutes.”

  Four minutes. Alana’s heart skipped a beat. Showtime. She watched, gripping the wheel, as a black sedan with tinted windows moved slowly toward her. Just knowing who was inside made panic wash over her.

  The car pulled to a stop directly in front of her, blocking her exit should she need a quick getaway. Unlikely she would need a hasty retreat with two mercenaries covering her, but there was always a chance. Working the ER had taught her to expect the unexpected and never take anything for granted.

  They sat there, bumper to bumper, with no signs of life inside the sedan. Heart pumping, she tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. What was he waiting for? How could she be sure Gavin was even in the car?

  Another few minutes went by, ratcheting up her nerves to the breaking point. Sweat rolled down her back beneath the vest. Finally, unable to take it anymore, she reached for the door handle.

  “Stay put,” Cristian’s voice growled in her ear.

  Heaving a sigh, she sat back, her hand sliding off the door handle to rest in her lap. The seconds ticked by until finally the rear passenger door opened. Frown
ing when no one got out, she peered closer just as Cristian’s cellphone rang from the seat beside her. Glancing over, she saw an unlisted number and debated if she should answer it.

  “Answer it,” Cristian advised.

  “What if it’s for you?”

  “Just do it.”

  Grabbing the phone, she punched the button and put it to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Hello, darling. Are you enjoying our little Mexican standoff?”

  Gavin. She peered at the windshield but could see nothing. “Not really.”

  “Me neither. What do you say we put an end to it?”

  “Yes,” she breathed.

  “Will you join me in my car?”

  “I’d rather meet here.”

  “Because you have snipers waiting for me to exit the car?”

  She glanced at the rooftop where Cristian was positioned. He wouldn’t have a shot with Gavin’s car parked like it was. Neither would Mercer, who watched the road, making sure Gavin hadn’t brought backup.

  “I came alone.”

  “Then you have no reason not to join me. Or, maybe you need an incentive. I have someone here who wants to talk to you.”

  Frozen in place, Alana heard rustling in the background, a whimper, then a soft voice came on the line. “Senorita O’Grady?”

  Leya! Shock and fear raced through her.

  “I’ve got a clear shot.”

  Cristian’s voice registered through her shock and with a cry, Alana threw the cellphone down and bolted out of the truck. In slow motion, she saw Gavin climb out of the car with Leya next to him, a human shield. All she could think about was saving her friend, whom she’d thought dead.

  Throwing herself in front of Leya, she heard a shout, realizing as she tackled both Gavin and her friend to the ground that it was her screaming.

  “Alana, dammit!” Cristian cursed in her ear as she hit the ground hard, rolling over Leya. Someone grabbed her from behind and tossed her into the car. Leya landed on her a second later, followed by Gavin, who shouted at his driver to go. The car shot forward before she could react.

  Sitting up, she reached for Leya, pulling her into a hug and glaring at Gavin over her shoulder. “What did you do to her?” she demanded, feeling Leya tremble against her.

  “Nothing that wasn’t necessary,” Gavin said as the car careened around a tight corner. Away from Cristian.

  Leya cried softly against her shoulder and Alana held her tighter. The poor girl must be terrified. But what a relief she was alive. Alana was too angry to let relief overwhelm her. Leya had been a prisoner at Gavin’s house and she hadn’t even known it. While she’d paraded around being treated like royalty, Leya was being held captive. Guilt burdened her outrage.

  “There are bruises on her face,” she pointed out. “Untie her hands.” A woman as gentle as Leya wouldn’t need to be tethered. The plastic ties were unnecessary and infuriated her even more. “Now, Gavin.”

  Sighing, Gavin pulled a knife off his belt and cut the ties. Leya’s arms immediately went around her, holding on for dear life. Hating Gavin for being rough with the girl, she said softly, “Don’t worry, Leya, he won’t hurt you ever again.”

  Over Leya’s shoulder, she shot daggers at Gavin. “You didn’t have to hurt her.”

  “Stop with the bleeding heart. Did you think I wouldn’t keep something as leverage?”

  It had never crossed her mind, proving she really didn’t know this man. “Where are you taking us?” Not knowing if she was out of range or not, she decided to try and get details so Cristian could find them. It bothered her he was no longer talking to her.

  “Somewhere we won’t be found.”

  “Where is that?”

  Gavin settled back in his seat. “Somewhere far away from here. You seem awfully curious all of a sudden. Why is that?”

  “I deserve to know where you’re taking us.”

  Gavin suddenly reached over and snatched the transmitter out of her ear, taking a couple strands of hair with it.

  Alana gasped and reared back.

  “As I suspected.” Gavin rolled the window down and tossed the transmitter onto the street.

  “It seems we have company.”

  Alana glanced out the back window to see Sam’s truck barreling toward them. Cristian. Thank God.

  “Who is coming?” Leya cried.

  Alana patted her back. “Someone we can trust.”

  Leya shook her head. “No, there is no one. They are all dead.”

  Fresh pain shot through her. “You’re not. I’m not. Hold it together, Leya. We’re going to be safe. I promise.” The promise given in Cristian’s honor. She believed with all her heart he could save them. When that man set his mind to something, he didn’t stop.

  “Lose them!” Gavin snapped to his driver. Then he turned to Alana. “Have I underestimated your relationship with the mercenary?”

  “Mercenary?” Leya repeated, her head coming up. “The man from the island is here?”

  Alana pushed her head back down and addressed Gavin. “There is nothing between us.”

  Gavin’s eyes narrowed into slits. “After the last time, I should hope you learned your lesson. I will not share you, Alana. Have you forgotten the rules?”

  The car swerved right. Tires squealed. Alana bounced off the door, a chill sweeping down her spine. “I haven’t forgotten.”

  “Good girl. I knew my instincts were right about you. You realize, darling, how fine a team we’re going to make, don’t you?”

  A team. With him kidnapping innocent people and her harvesting their organs so he could sell them to the highest bidder. She remained silent. Gavin didn’t need to know that no matter what, she was not teaming up with him.

  Turning her gaze to the window, she said a silent prayer that Cristian would get to them before Gavin made good on his comment.

  * * * *

  “I can shoot out a tire.”

  Slade sent Mercer a hard glance and turned his eyes back to the road, his grip tightening on the wheel. “Not without endangering Alana’s life.” The dark sedan fishtailed around a corner ahead of them, heading toward the expressway. Horns blared as it cut off other cars.

  With a sound of frustration, Mercer ducked inside the window and laid his gun across his lap. “We can’t let them onto that freeway. It’s rush hour.”

  “I’m not losing her.”

  Aware of Mercer’s gaze on him, Slade continued to watch the road and the sedan. “Stop staring at me,” he snapped.

  “You said ‘her’. You aren’t going to lose her. Not ‘them’ since there are two women in that sedan.”

  The petite, dark skinned woman looked familiar, but he couldn’t place her. Alana blocked his shot to save her. Obviously one of the tribal women from the island, given the way Alana had reacted to seeing her. A source of blackmail on Ross’s part. He knew Alana would do everything in her power to protect the girl. Ross had counted on it and now he had them both.

  “That’s what I meant.”

  “No, it’s not. You’re in love with her.” The awe in Mercer’s voice made Slade scowl.

  “Slip of the tongue.”

  Mercer held up a hand. “I’m not judging you. I like Alana. She’s got guts.”

  Slade couldn’t argue with that. She was a strong, brave woman. Hard to not admire her after what she’d been through. “She has a life to get back to.” He jerked the wheel, narrowly missing a small Honda. He would follow the sedan to hell and back if it meant Alana was safe.

  “You don’t think you fit in her life?”

  “No.”

  “Shouldn’t she have a say?”

  Slade stomped on the brakes to avoid hitting an SUV that pulled in front of him. He cast a glance at Mercer. “We’re mercenaries. We don’t fit the happily ever after.”

  “I’ve never heard you say those words.”

  “What?”

  “Happily ever after. You never talk like that.”

  “I was making
a point,” Slade groused.

  “There’s nothing wrong with wanting a happy ending. Who wouldn’t, with a woman like Alana? She’s beautiful, talented, intelligent.”

  “I made a promise to her father.” He pressed the gas pedal and the truck shot up the ramp onto the busy expressway.

  “So this is all part of that promise?”

  Slade didn’t answer. He couldn’t. None of the rules applied when it came to her.

  “I think I’ll be careful not to promise any fathers to protect their daughters in the future,” Mercer said. “Not if it means love and marriage.”

  “I said nothing about marriage.”

  “That’s the natural order of things. Would it be so hard to imagine?”

  No, it wouldn’t, and that was the bitch of it. Because he loved her, he had to let her go. She deserved a fair chance. With someone who fit into her lifestyle. He was not that man. She saved lives, he took them. He couldn’t ask her to accept what he did for a living.

  “Drop it.” Slade changed lanes to tail the sedan.

  Mercer held up his hands in surrender. “It’s dropped. Wonder where they’re headed?”

  “Hell if I know.”

  “We could run him off the road.”

  “Not here. Not without risking innocent lives.”

  “A game of cat and mouse it is.”

  “He’s driving like a maniac,” Slade muttered, switching lanes with a jerk of the wheel.

  “Dangerous…oh, shit! They’re going to collide!”

  Time suspended. The sedan swerved into the outside lane, gauged the distance wrong, and smashed into a white Cadillac, sending it careening into the guardrail. It bounced, spun in a half-circle, and came back around to slam into the back-end of the sedan with a sickening grind of metal. With stunning force, the sedan flipped, jumping the cement divider to land on its side in the opposing lane. Cars skidded to a stop to avoid hitting it, ramming into each other in their efforts. Glass shattered, horns blared.

  Heart in his throat, Slade slammed on the brakes, skidded to a stop and stumbled out of the truck. Mercer whipped out his cellphone to call 911 and direct traffic. Slade’s boots pounded across warm pavement. He vaulted over the hood of a Honda. Panic ripped at his chest. All he could think about was Alana.