Shadow Guardian

by Rebecca Deel

  Jon chuckled. “Not long. She married me in a small, private ceremony six weeks after we rescued her and her sister. In fact, we married the same day as Brenna and Eli.”

  “Sweet.”

  The SEAL flinched. “Not sweet. Logical. The women are close. It made sense to marry on the same day.”

  “Thanks for telling me,” Mercy said. “I’m glad to know about you and Dana, but I wasn’t angry at you, Jon. Nico told me you were worried about my safety. How can I be angry when you’re looking out for my best interests?”

  His lips curved. “Wish my wife was as reasonable.”

  “She’s independent?”

  A look of pride filled Jon’s eyes. “She’s getting there. It’s a constant battle for me to balance giving her freedom and protecting her. Dana also struggles with repercussions of her captivity. One day she’s fine going out on her own to buy groceries. The next, she’s afraid to leave the house for anything unless I’m with her. I’m thankful those days are growing farther apart.”

  “Has she talked to a counselor about what happened to her?”

  “Yeah, Marcus Lang. He’s great with her. She likes the fact he’s in Otter Creek and she can talk to him about painful things without Marcus being in the same room. The separation is better for her. She’s still uncomfortable being in the same room with a man unless I’m with her or Eli.

  “Nico set up a counseling session with Marcus for me. Talking without dealing with another man in close proximity helped.”

  Nico’s gaze shifted to Mercy. Had he made her uncomfortable by being in the room when she talked with Marcus? Mercy asked him to stay with her. Maybe he should have left anyway.

  Jon stood. “Nico, I have information on the estate. Where do you want me to set up?”

  “The kitchen is the easiest place to gather. Mercy and I will be there in a few minutes.”

  With a nod, the operative left.

  Nico tugged Mercy to her feet. “Come on. I have a few things to give you.”

  She frowned. “But you’ve been with me constantly since you rescued me in Mexico. I don’t need gifts, Nico.”

  He turned and faced her, curious. “What do you need?”

  She was silent a moment, watching his every move. Finally, she said, “You. I need you.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Nico cupped Mercy’s cheek and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. “You have me, kitten.” More than she realized. Maybe more than she was ready for. “Come on.” He wrapped his hand around hers and led her upstairs to his room.

  He opened his Go bag and pulled out the box Zane had given him at Fortress headquarters. Opening it, he dumped the contents on his palm. Oh, yeah. This was perfect. He’d have to send his friend a case of root beer, his favorite beverage.

  Mercy’s jaw dropped. “Jewelry.”

  “Not just any jewelry. The ring, earrings, and watch have tracking devices embedded in them. If you insist on attending this party, you’re going to wear all of them. I don’t care if it goes with your dress or not.”

  She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him. “You’re worried about the Scorpions capturing me again?”

  “Until the organization doesn’t exist anymore, I’ll be concerned for your safety.”

  “I don’t mind wearing them.”

  Nico eyed her. “I hope you don’t because I’ll want you to wear them any time we’re apart, especially when I’m on missions. I need the reassurance that my co-workers can find you if there’s trouble while I’m deployed.”

  He fastened the watch on her wrist, slid the ring on the fourth finger of her right hand, and motioned for her to remove the earrings she wore and replace them with the new ones.

  A moment later, she turned to let him see. “What do you think?”

  “You’re beautiful.” He dropped a quick kiss on the bridge of her nose. “Then again, you’re always beautiful to me.”

  A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “You make me feel beautiful.”

  Nico lowered his head and captured her mouth with his, the kiss hot, deep, and possessive. A short time later, he forced himself to let go of the addicting woman and stepped back. “We need to join the others.” Before he moved too fast and crossed a line neither of them was ready to cross.

  His team and the SEALs waited in the kitchen. They had laid out supplies on the breakfast bar to make sub sandwiches for an early dinner.

  “Grab a plate,” Trace said. “Jon’s ready to give us a rundown of the Jeffries estate.”

  Once Mercy made her sandwich, Nico signaled Jon to begin the briefing while he put together his own meal.

  “The estate is located outside Knollwood, a city an hour north of D.C. Two hundred acres of prime real estate, rolling hills, a creek, extensive landscaping. You already know they breed prize horses. Although the place is beautiful, the estate is a security nightmare. Jeffries hired Westgate Security to keep an eye on everything.” His lip curled. “There’s no way to secure that property, Nico, even if Westgate had been anywhere close to the skill level and quality of Fortress. Sure, it’s fenced for the horses. Doesn’t stop a person from climbing through the fence and sneaking into the buildings.”

  “Security arrangements?”

  “Cameras and motion sensors. Guards at the gate. Roaming guards at night.”

  And a lot of holes where intruders could slip through undetected. He glanced up after he shoved a mug of water into the microwave to heat for Mercy’s tea. “Dogs?”

  “Negative. Jeffries tried. Apparently, the dogs scared the horses and employees.”

  “House security.”

  “Cameras, motion detectors. At night, the guards do rounds inside the mansion and outside twice an hour.”

  “Clockwork?” Trace asked.

  “What do you think?” Scorn filled the SEAL’s voice. “They roam on the hour and half hour in the same pattern.”

  Idiots. When the heating cycle finished, Nico dumped a bag of tea into the water to steep and placed it in front of Mercy. “You said there’s extensive landscaping.”

  “Yeah.” Jon frowned. “Too close to the house. Too many places to hide in the shadows. It’s not safe for Mercy.”

  “Jon.” Although Eli’s tone was mild, his eyes warned his friend to back off.

  The sniper held up his hand. “Stating a fact, not pronouncing judgment.”

  Nico checked the time. “We have two hours before we leave. Time to come up with a plan to keep her safe and give us the best chance of getting answers from the senator’s father.”

  By the time Mercy left to prepare for the party, Nico’s team had hashed out a plan and memorized several escape routes. He pointed out a spot on the map half a mile from the estate. “If we’re separated, this will be our rendezvous point. No matter what, we can’t allow the Scorpions to take Mercy again. As desperate as they are to capture her, Mercy won’t survive a second encounter with Hector and his friends.”

  He and his team scattered to change clothes. As he slipped on his jacket and made sure his weapon was easily accessible, Nico’s cell phone rang. He checked the screen. “What do you have for me, Zane?”

  “You were right. Sean Jeffries was involved in an affair that led to the birth of a daughter named Georgia two years ago.”

  Did that information have anything to do with Mercy’s situation? “What about a connection between the Jeffries and the Scorpions?”

  “Still chasing leads. So far, I’ve struck out. Rumors are rampant about a connection between Dwayne and the Scorpions, but I haven’t uncovered a link. I also can’t find a link between that group and Sean. Just a lot of speculation about a connection.”

  Nico rubbed his jaw, frustrated with the lack of concrete evidence against the two men. He’d been sure they were at the root of the danger to Mercy. “All right. Expand the search to the senator’s staff and Dwayne’s management team. There has to be something, Z. I feel it in my gut.”

  “I’ll keep looking. One other thing. I�
��ve searched for the information leak. The leak is outside the ATF.”

  “How can that be? The ATF agents indicated their raids were sabotaged. That information has to come from inside.”

  “Not necessarily. You’re in D.C., Nico. That place is a hotbed of secrets and intrigue. If someone in power knew the right people, he could find out anything he wanted.”

  “Jeffries?”

  “It’s possible. He’s in the right place and has his hands on sensitive information. I’ll let you know if I find proof. In the meantime, keep a close eye on your lady.”

  “We’re escorting Mercy to Dwayne’s birthday party. Sean is presenting his father with Mercy’s pictures tonight and insisted she attend.”

  Zane sighed. “Let me guess. The senator invited everybody he knows to attend the party and security is lousy.”

  “You got it.”

  “What do you need from me?”

  “She’ll be wearing the jewelry you provided.”

  “Ah. Want me to activate the trackers?”

  “Please. I’m praying this is overkill, but I’d rather be safe. The Scorpions are determined to get their hands on Mercy. I just wish I knew why.”

  The sound of keys clicking on Zane’s keyboard came through the phone’s speaker. “Done. Her trackers are active. Let me know when you’re back at the safe house and I’ll deactivate them.”

  “Copy that.” Nico ended the call and left the room. Since Mercy’s door was still closed, he joined his unit in the kitchen. He smiled at the sight that greeted him.

  “What?” Ben groused, tugging at his collar.

  “Us. We’re all dressed like penguins except for Sam and the SEALs.”

  Eli chuckled. “That’s the advantage to being the backup rather than on the main security detail. Jon and I will wait at the rendezvous point and swoop in to save the day if you and your team run into trouble.”

  Shadow protested Eli’s assertion.

  Upstairs, a door opened, then shut.

  Nico walked to the foot of the stairs while his teammates traded insults with the SEALs and waited for Mercy to appear. His eyes widened when she descended. Good thing he would be armed tonight. The way she looked in the sparkling champagne-colored dress, Nico would be hard pressed to keep suiters away from her.

  He held out his hand as she reached the last steps. “You look incredible, Mercedes Powers. You’ll outshine every woman at that party tonight.” Nico kissed the back of her hand.

  Mercy’s cheeks flushed. “Thanks.”

  He led her into the kitchen. Wolf whistles broke the sudden silence that fell in the room.

  “Sugar, you look drop-dead gorgeous,” Eli murmured. “Poor Nico will have his hands full keeping other men at bay.”

  “Let’s load up.” When Nico pulled out his keys, Joe held out his hand.

  “I’ll check your ride.” He and Trace walked out the back door, scanners in their hands. When Joe returned, he said, “We’re clear.”

  Nico walked with Mercy to the SUV, lifted her into the front seat, and handed her the seatbelt. A moment later, the three SUVs headed toward the Jeffries estate.

  When they arrived at the front gate, Nico lowered his window. “Mercedes Powers and her security detail. The second half of my team is in the SUV behind me.” The SEALs had turned off the main road a half mile back and parked in the shadow of a clump of trees.

  “ID?”

  “Take Mercy’s picture and send it to the senator for confirmation. You have one minute. If you don’t confirm by then, we’re leaving.”

  The guard, a beefy guy with a high-and-tight haircut, scowled at Nico. When Nico refused to back down, the guard freed his phone from the holder on his belt, snapped Mercy’s picture, and shot off a text. Two seconds before Nico told Trace to turn around, the guard signaled to his partner to open the gate and moved aside.

  Nico and Trace parked at the edge of the driveway near the side of the house. Shadow exited the vehicles and scanned the area. Nico took his time circling around to Mercy. When he was satisfied, he nodded to his teammates and opened Mercy’s door. “We’re entering the house through the kitchen. Less people around to worry about. The party is in the third-floor ballroom. We’re taking the stairs.”

  “Right.” She smiled. “No place to go in an elevator.”

  Nico scooped her from the seat and set her down. “Straight to the door, kitten.” He hustled her across the open space, surrounded by his teammates. “Smart idea wearing flat shoes.”

  “In case I have to run.”

  He hoped it didn’t come to that. If it was necessary for Mercy to run, the situation was dire.

  Nico moved in front of Mercy. When the knob to the kitchen door turned easily in his hand, he walked inside followed by Joe. As they surveyed the kitchen, the staff and caterers twisted to stare at them with curiosity. No one objected to their presence or made threatening moves. The aroma of food and the clink of china and crystal filled the air.

  Satisfied it was safe for Mercy to enter, Nico motioned for her to come inside. She slipped her hand into his. “Stay with me no matter what.”

  Nico signaled Ben and Trace to go up the stairs ahead of them. Sam and Joe followed Mercy and Nico.

  “How do you know where to go?” Mercy whispered.

  “Memorized the house layout. We also know the parties on this estate are always lavish and held in the ballroom.”

  A door at the top of the stairs opened and the noise of the party spilled down the stairwell. Nico swept Mercy behind him and pressed her against the wall, blocking her from view with his body.

  A man and woman with slurred speech laughed at some private joke and stumbled their way past the Fortress operatives. Once they exited into the kitchen, Nico and the others resumed their trek to the third floor.

  They exited the stairwell into a crowded hallway outside the ballroom. Ben and Trace led the way through the glut of people. Nico wrapped his arm around Mercy’s shoulders and tucked her close to his body, assessing every person who came near her as a potential threat. Sam and Joe kept pace behind them, protecting their backs.

  Inside the ballroom, Nico spotted Senator Jeffries standing beside his father. The men were surrounded by a bevy of men and women, laughing and talking to the Jeffries and each other.

  Great. They stood on the opposite side of a room teeming with people. Nico envisioned a dozen scenarios for their journey through the sea of celebrants, all of them bad.

  As Shadow moved closer, the senator glanced up and saw them approaching. Relief flooded his face. He leaned close to his father’s ear and said something to him, then pushed through the crowd toward Mercy.

  “I’m so glad you could make it, honey.” Jeffries took hold of her arm. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you to my father. After we get everyone’s attention, we’ll present Dad with his gift.”

  Nico clamped a hand over the senator’s wrist and squeezed. “Let go. Now.”

  Sean Jeffries’ face reddened. He looked like he wanted to protest, but thought better of it and released Mercy’s arm.

  “Lead the way.” Nico stared at the senator until the man turned on his heel and pushed through the crowd of well-wishers toward his father, jaw set.

  Dwayne Jeffries looked up as they approached and broke away from the crowd surrounding him. The senator’s father was a distinguished looking man with pure white hair and piercing blue eyes. He clapped his son on the shoulder. “Introduce me to your friends, Sean.” His gaze settled on Mercy, speculation in his gaze.

  “Dad, this is President Martin’s niece, Mercedes Powers.”

  Nico frowned, not appreciating the senator insinuating Mercy’s worth lay in her relation to the president instead of in her own value as a person.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mercedes.” Dwayne pressed Mercy’s hand between his palms.

  “I understand you have several of my drawings in your home.”

  He gave a puzzled frown. “I do?”

  She smile
d as she freed her hand. “You know me better as MJ Powers.”

  Delight filled Dwayne’s face. “I’m a huge fan of your work. I had no idea you and Sean were good friends.”

  Mercy slid her arm around Nico’s waist, an action which filled him with satisfaction. “This is Nico.”

  After a cursory nod, the senator’s father shifted his attention back to Mercy. “Would you like to see my collection of your art?”

  “I’d love to. I’m curious about which drawings you chose for your personal residence.”

  “Later, Dad.” Sean gave a hand signal to Theo, his aide. Seconds later, the musicians stopped playing and the crowd quieted as Sean led his father to the microphone on the raised platform.

  Nico guided Mercy forward with his hand on her lower back, Sam and Joe close behind. Trace and Ben moved to the sides of the platform and faced the crowd.

  “Thank you for helping to celebrate my father’s birthday tonight,” Sean said into the microphone. “As part of my gift to Dad, I commissioned a series of drawings by a renowned artist, Ms. MJ Powers. We’re honored to have Ms. Powers with us tonight.” He held out his hand to Mercy.

  Nico reluctantly released her. She stepped up on the platform beside the senator as the audience applauded.

  Sean wrapped his hand around Mercy’s and tugged her toward the first covered drawing.

  Catching her slight wince, Nico had to make himself stand in place.

  Together, the two of them unveiled each of the five drawings. Dwayne and the crowd responded with enthusiasm. Nico understood their appreciation. Mercy’s work was exceptional.

  “Again, thank you for coming. Enjoy yourselves.” Sean signaled the musicians and music flooded the ballroom once again.

  Nico moved to Mercy’s side. “The drawings are spectacular.” He cupped her cheek. “I’m glad I had the chance to see them.”

  “It was a fun project.”

  “Ms. Powers, thank you for the estate series. I’m overwhelmed.” Dwayne captured her hand again.