Shadow Guardian

by Rebecca Deel

  Mercy blinked. What did a United States senator know about gunrunners and their behavior patterns?

  “That would be smart,” Nico agreed. “Based on the continued attacks, they aren’t shifting to an easier target. Mercy has a price on her head, and so does her family.”

  Blood drained from Sean’s face. “The Scorpions put a hit on you? This is insane. There’s no purpose.”

  “She knows something,” Nico murmured.

  If anything, Sean grew paler. “What? What do you know? You must tell me, Mercy. I’ll authorize more protection for you than your friend can provide. I know important people. I’ll make sure you have the best protection the US government can provide.”

  “The same government that has more leaks than a sieve?” Nico huffed. “No, thanks.”

  Mercy shook her head. “I don’t want anyone else watching over me. Nico and his friends are amazing.”

  Startled, he turned to Nico. “Friends?”

  “We’re a team of five.”

  “Overkill, isn’t it? Unless you aren’t as good as Mercy thinks you are.”

  “It’s not overkill. What do you know about the Scorpions, Senator?”

  He shrugged. “They’re thugs. What’s to know?”

  “They’re a bunch of well-armed thugs, gunrunners with an almost unlimited supply of weapons at their disposal. You know anything about that?”

  “Why would I?’

  Mercy blinked. Sean was answering every question with a question. What was going on with him?

  “Family connections, Senator Jeffries.”

  A frown. “Jeffries Industries is an import/export company. We don’t deal with gangbangers and terrorists.”

  “Get real. Your company does business with anyone with the money to pay for your service or product. What product or service from Jeffries Industries interests the Scorpions?”

  “Careful.” A cold smile curved his lips. “I’m still licensed to practice law.”

  Nico shrugged. “Stating facts. What do you know of your father’s recent activities?”

  Sean scowled. “What is this? I didn’t ask Mercy here so I could be interrogated.”

  “Answer the question, Senator, then you can ask Mercy whatever you want to know.”

  “I’m too busy to keep up with my father’s social calendar. I know he traveled out of the country on several occasions recently. I haven’t seen him for weeks.”

  Nico stared at Sean. “You sure about that?”

  “Are you accusing me of lying?”

  He reached into his pocket and extracted the picture Mercy drew. “While Mercy was in the hands of the Scorpions, she saw someone who wasn’t part of their organization. I asked her to draw his face.” Nico handed it to Sean.

  Sean glanced at the drawing and froze. “You’re saying Dad was down in Mexico in the Scorpion’s compound?” He turned to Mercy. “You’re mistaken. You must have seen Dad somewhere else and thought some other man resembled him.”

  Sympathy filled Mercy at his obvious distress. “I have a good memory for faces. Besides, I haven’t met your father.”

  “I’m telling you he wasn’t in Mexico. However, I’ll ask when I see him to be sure.”

  Mercy didn’t know Sean, but she knew him well enough to know he was lying about more than one thing. He might not want to admit why his father was in Mexico, but he suspected the reason and didn’t want to tell them.

  “Ask your questions,” Nico said.

  Sean turned to Mercy. “Tell me what happened in Mexico, honey. Don’t leave out any details.”

  Mercy tightened her grip on Nico’s hand and told Sean about the abduction at the funeral, the cave, and her sessions with Hector and his merry band of thugs. When she mentioned the threats of rape and white slavery, Sean looked sick.

  The senator dragged a shaking hand over his face. “I need a drink,” he muttered and shoved away from his desk. Sean crossed to the other side of his office to a cabinet. He yanked open the doors, grabbed a bottle filled with amber liquid, and poured three fingers worth into a tumbler.

  After tossing back the contents, Sean coughed slightly, closed the cabinet again, and faced Mercy. “How were you shot?”

  “Hector’s men opened fire on us as we ran to the plane.”

  He scowled at Nico. “You should have protected her better. I’m tempted to have her put into protective custody since it’s obvious you can’t do the job.”

  “Try it,” Nico said, his voice soft. “I’ll find her and we’ll disappear. You’ll never see or hear from her again.”

  Sean eyed him, then turned to Mercy. “He can’t do that. You shouldn’t trust your life to this man.”

  “Nico will do exactly what he says.”

  “He’d send you away without any protection? That’s crazy.”

  “Nico would go with me. He’d never set me up in a different place and walk away.”

  “How long have you known him? Were you seeing him two weeks ago? Is that why you turned me down?”

  “I don’t belong in your world. I have no interest in the Washington political scene. I like my quiet life where no one cares what I buy at the grocery store or what I wear to yoga class, where I ate dinner and who I was with.”

  “You would be the perfect first lady, honey. Just give me the chance to prove it to you. Dump this loser and let me show you the finer things in life. You deserve better than this clod.”

  Nico growled.

  “First, I would be miserable in a fishbowl like the White House. Second, who said you’re going to win the nomination for your party much less win the national election? Third, I married Aiden because I was head-over-heels in love with him. If I marry again, I won’t settle for less. I refuse to be anyone’s trophy wife.”

  “One day you’ll see Nico for the lowlife he is.” He glanced at his watch and scowled. “I have a meeting in five minutes. Where are you staying? How can I contact you again?”

  Nico rose and held out his hand to Mercy. “Get word to President Martin. He knows how to contact Mercy.”

  “I need to see Mercy tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m presenting her drawings to my father tonight at his birthday party. Mercy needs to be there.”

  “No, she doesn’t. You do remember that she’s in danger from the Scorpions, right?”

  Sean brushed aside Nico’s concern. “The party is at the Jeffries estate. It’s well guarded. We have extensive security.” He turned to Mercy. “You know my father is a huge fan of your work. This would make his night.”

  “I don’t want to disappoint him, Sean, but your parties are notorious for being packed with people. I’m not a security expert, but that doesn’t sound safe for me.”

  “Why would gunrunners crash an old man’s birthday party? Please. You’ve already told me everything you know and it’s not worth killing you over.”

  And that was supposed to make her feel better? “Maybe you should tell the Scorpions that. I don’t think it’s wise, Sean. I’m sorry. Please express my regrets to your father.”

  “There’s another reason why you must come tonight. My father is leaving in the morning to go overseas. He won’t return for six weeks. If you want to talk to him about his presence in that Mexican compound, you’ll have to talk to him tonight.”

  Oh, man. Couldn’t the man stay in the country more than a few days at a time? Mercy sighed. “All right. What time?”

  “Mercy.” Nico turned her to face him. “It’s too dangerous.”

  “We need answers, Nico. We’ll bring your team.” She placed her hand over his heart. “I’ll be safe with the five of you watching over me.”

  Mercy glanced over her shoulder at Sean who observed their interaction with rapt attention. “You don’t mind if I bring my security detail?”

  “Of course not.”

  His expression and body language said otherwise. Mercy didn’t care if Sean liked the arrangement. Taking Shadow to the party was the only way Nico
would agree to let Mercy attend.

  While she dreaded the coming evening, she would regret missing an opportunity to find information to stop the Scorpions.

  Nico stared at her, anger simmering in his eyes. “What time, Jeffries?”

  “Seven o’clock. Need directions?”

  Nico shook his head. “My team and I will be armed. Warn your security. If they stop us because of the weapons, we’ll turn around and leave.”

  “Understood.” Satisfaction and relief gleamed in his eyes.

  “We won’t stay long,” Mercy warned him. “No matter what’s on the party agenda, if you want me to help you present the pictures, you’ll have to present them as soon as we arrive.”

  “After I introduce you to Dad, we’ll unveil the pictures.”

  Nico pressed his hand to the small of Mercy’s back and guided her to the door.

  “Wait. What time should I expect you? I need to tell the gate guards.”

  “No, you don’t. See you tonight, Jeffries.” He opened the office door and ushered Mercy from the room.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  “I’m sorry, Nico.”

  He turned to look at Mercy’s beautiful face as they strode down the hallway surrounded by his teammates. “Try again, kitten.”

  “Okay. I’m not sorry about agreeing to go to the party. I am sorry I upset you.”

  “Party?” Sam glanced over her shoulder at them. “What party?”

  “Senator Jeffries is throwing his father a birthday bash. He’s insisting Mercy attend. We’ll talk about the situation later. Right now, we need to leave D.C. and find a clothing store.”

  He stifled a laugh at the scowls on his teammates’ faces and the low-voiced complaints. On the walk to the SUVs, Nico remained silent. When Mercy repeatedly sent worried glances his direction, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Don’t worry. We’ll work out the details so you’re safe.”

  “Will you yell at me when we’re alone?” she murmured.

  His gaze locked on hers. “I don’t have a reason to yell.”

  “But you don’t want me to do this.”

  “No, I don’t. I understand your reasoning, but it’s risky.”

  “Attending that party is the quickest way to discover what Dwayne Jeffries knows.”

  “Maybe. We won’t have a chance to interrogate him in a crowded party.”

  “What if we ask to talk to him in a quiet room?”

  Nico squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll try.” If the senator’s father was involved with the Scorpions, he doubted the man would agree to a private interview. He breathed a sigh of relief when he tucked Mercy into the passenger seat of his SUV with Joe and Sam in the backseat.

  Once Nico headed out of D.C., he called Trace. “There’s a shopping center with a clothing store halfway between here and the safe house. That’s probably the best bet to purchase what we need for tonight.”

  “Please tell me we don’t have to dress up in monkey suits,” Ben grumbled.

  “Not if I can help it.” He wasn’t a fan of tuxedos himself. The high collars and tie choked him.

  “What about me?” Sam asked.

  Nico glanced in the mirror and grinned. “No tuxedo for you, either.”

  “Ha ha. If I wear a fancy dress, my movements will be hampered. And the shoes?” Sam gave a mock shudder. “I’m not running after a gun slinging terrorist in high heels.”

  Mercy twisted in her seat. “What about black pants and a black shirt or sweater along with black ankle boots? You’ll have full freedom of movement if you need it, and you’ll blend into the surroundings.”

  “That sounds perfect. Great suggestion.”

  “You have fashion advice for the rest of us, Mercy?” Trace teased.

  “Sorry. I’m fresh out of suggestions for the day.”

  The operative chuckled. “We’re on your six, Nico.” He ended the call.

  An hour later, Nico parked near the entrance to the clothing store. “Will this work for you, Mercy?”

  “I’m sure I can find something.”

  He escorted her into the store, then trailed Mercy and Sam. His teammates hustled to the men’s department, figuring they’d be finished with their purchases long before the ladies were.

  Turned out, they finished at the same time. Since Trace knew Nico’s sizes, he’d picked up what Nico needed.

  Taking Mercy’s selections to the checkout counter, Nico paid for her purchases. He found it interesting that Joe did the same for Sam although the medic had an intense whispered discussion with him about it. The spotter prevailed.

  Back in the SUV with their packages, Nico called Jon. “We’re thirty minutes from the safe house.”

  “You’re clear. We haven’t had any activity on site.”

  The ball of ice in Nico’s stomach melted. “Good. I need information on Senator Jeffries’ estate.”

  “Why?”

  “Jeffries is throwing his father a birthday party tonight and plans to present Mercy’s pictures to him. He insists she attend.”

  “And you’re allowing her to go?” Jon’s icy question had Nico stiffening.

  “I want to,” Mercy cut in before Nico could defend his decision. “Sean’s father is leaving the country tomorrow and won’t return for more than a month. This is our only opportunity to question him about his presence in that compound.”

  “It’s not safe and puts your security detail in the crosshairs. Did you think about that in your campaign to get answers, fast?”

  “Jon.” Nico’s hands tightened around the steering wheel. “Enough.”

  “I’ll see what I can find out about the estate before you arrive.” Jon ended the call.

  Joe whistled softly. “What’s eating him?”

  “He’s worried about Mercy.” Nico clasped her hand. “I think her being kidnapped and transported to Mexico reminds him too much of his wife’s situation.”

  “Dana was taken by human traffickers,” Sam pointed out.

  “They were both ill-treated and threatened with rape and sex slavery. This operation brings back bad memories. He thinks I’m irresponsible for allowing Mercy into the open.”

  If a SEAL of Jon Smith’s caliber thought Nico was making a mistake, he had to consider the possibility that he was dead wrong in his decision, a decision which might cost Mercy her life if he’d miscalculated.

  “It’s my choice,” Mercy reminded him. “I want to spend my time getting to know you, not running from terrorists who think I know something important. If going to this party moves me one step closer to that goal, I’ll follow through with the idea. I know you have to go to another assignment eventually. I don’t want to watch over my shoulder for trouble as I go about my day while you’re gone. I also don’t want to worry whether or not you’re distracted when you leave.”

  Leave her while she was still in danger? Nico drew in a careful breath. He didn’t think he could do it. Yeah, Nico had made plans to hand off her protection to a team he trusted. Now, that team was protecting her family. More important, leaving Mercy was no longer an option. She meant too much to him to walk away from her while there was a possibility of trouble finding her.

  Maddox wouldn’t be happy if Nico refused to deploy with Shadow, especially if this situation with the Scorpions couldn’t be resolved soon. He squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure it out.”

  When Trace and Nico parked the SUVs at the house, Eli was waiting for them at the back door. “Trouble?” Nico asked.

  “Mercy okay?”

  Ah. Eli must have been listening to the phone conversation with Jon. “She has a mind of her own. I can’t keep her locked up.”

  A slow smile spread across Eli’s face. “Dana and Brenna don’t let us get by with caveman tendencies, either. Believe me, we try.”

  Nico chuckled as he circled the SUV to open Mercy’s door, then helped Joe with the bags. He kept an eye on Mercy as Eli left the porch and swept Mercy into a one-armed hug. The
SEAL talked to her a moment, his voice low enough that Nico couldn’t hear the conversation.

  After a moment, Mercy nodded and went inside the house.

  As Nico and the others approached, Eli shifted into their path. “I thought you would visit the senator and hustle our resident artist back into protective custody. Looks like you made a surgical strike through a store.”

  “What are you doing?” Nico’s eyes narrowed.

  “Giving Jon a minute to eat crow without an audience. What’s in the bags?”

  “Not cargoes and t-shirts, unfortunately.” Joe leaned against the side of the house. “Jeffries’ party will be attended by the Washington elite. We settled for black dress pants, jackets, and tailored shirts.”

  Eli winced. “Ties?”

  “No, thank goodness,” Ben said.

  After a quick glance over his shoulder, Eli stepped aside. “Thanks,” he murmured to Nico.

  He led his teammates inside. When he didn’t see Mercy, Nico took the stairs two at a time and dropped off her bags in her room, then took his jacket, pants, and shoes into his own room.

  That done, Nico searched for Mercy. He found her in the office on the first floor with Jon, sitting in an arm chair, listening with rapt attention to the SEAL. Not wanting to intrude, Nico turned to go when Jon called out.

  “Join us, Nico.” The operative vacated the chair next to Mercy’s and motioned for Nico to take his place. Jon leaned back against the desk, arms folded across his chest.

  “Finish your story, Jon.” Mercy reached for Nico’s hand. “You have me curious. You can’t stop now.”

  “Not much more to tell. Eli and I and two Fortress teams invaded the island, rescued Brenna and Dana, and dismantled the human trafficking ring.”

  “What about the girls who had been taken and sold?”

  “I tore apart the traffickers’ computer records. We tracked down and freed those who were still alive.”

  “How many did you lose?”

  “Too many.” Jon’s eyes looked haunted.

  “How long did Dana make you wait until she married you?”

  Nico captured Mercy’s hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, grateful she’d read the pain in Jon’s eyes from the losses of the girls and turned the conversation to a topic guaranteed to lighten the SEAL’s mood.