Her stomach knotted. Now she would have the blood of two Wolff siblings on her hands.
****
Quinn slowed to a crawl as he maneuvered down a dirt road leading into a secluded private marina. They had been driving four hours straight and were now on the shores of Lake Huron.
“Diakameli’s escape route is a boat?” Chris tapped his fingers on the back of the seat, his pent-up energy needing an outlet. “Guess that makes sense since he has two hostages.”
He pulled over and parked beside a boat storage unit. “We need to run recon for civilians. Private or not, I don’t want any collateral damage.”
“I’m on it,” Kell said and slipped out the door without a sound.
Quinn watched him steal around the side of the building. He hated waiting and wanted to charge in and get Avery and his sister the hell out of there, but playing this smart was key. Diakameli was armed and dangerous. Any wrong move could jeopardize the lives of the two very important women.
The passenger door opened and Kell poked his head in. “Only two civilians. One taking money from Diakameli, probably for transport, and the other preparing the yacht.”
“Let’s go.”
Quinn climbed out of the truck and made his way around the building in pursuit of Avery and his sister.
They broke off in three directions to cover all areas of escape. Quinn crouched behind one of Diakameli’s vehicles. “I have eyes on the van. No sign of the girls or Diakameli.”
“I’m on the yacht,” Kell said. “Nothing here except troops.”
“I’ve got movement inside one of the units. East side. On the water. Sounds like Diakameli.”
“Wait for me, Chris. Don’t go in alone.”
“Too late, big brother.”
His earbud went silent and Quinn cursed. After a cursory glance to make sure it was clear, he darted between the cars and sprinted to the building Chris mentioned. Gunfire came from inside.
Wanting to strangle his brother, he burst through the door. They were supposed to go in silent, get the girls, and get the hell out without bloodshed. Win the battle, fight the war another day. With Avery’s and Bailey’s lives on the line they had no choice.
A fishing boat made for the Great Lakes blocked his view, so he followed the gunfire. Skirting the boat, he saw Avery and Bailey standing at gunpoint, hands tied behind them. The shooting had stopped and Chris now stood in front of Diakameli with a knife to his throat and a look Quinn had seen before. Most of Diakameli’s men littered the floor. Except for the two holding Avery and his sister.
“You think you will slit my throat and still save these women?” Diakameli mused. “You cannot do both.”
Damn it, Chris.
The odds weren’t in their favor. Not with two guards holding weapons to Avery and Bailey’s heads. If, by chance, he took the shot and eliminated one guard, in that split second before he got off another round, the guard could fire. Quinn wasn’t taking that risk.
By now the rest of Diakameli’s army was on their way and Kell was only one man. He could only do so much. Which was a hell of a lot.
As if reading his thoughts, gunfire sounded from outside.
What he could do was even the odds. He took a step in their direction just as Bailey doubled over. She caught the guard holding her by surprise, as expected, and when he lowered his weapon, she threw her head back and head-butted him, then followed with a vicious kick to the knee. The man went down like a ton of bricks, his knee blown out.
As he ran toward them he saw Avery hook a leg around her attacker’s shin and bring him down. He managed to catch himself, but not before she charged him. Quinn saw the bastard raise his weapon and raised his own, heard the discharge, felt his heart stutter as Avery bucked before plowing the man to the ground. They fell in a tangled heap of arms and legs.
He fell to Avery’s side, cut her hands free and hugged her to his chest. “God damn it, Avery,” he whispered, pushing a strand of hair off her cheek. Her face was pale, a bruise riding her jawline. “Why do you never follow orders?”
“Don’t even, Quinn Wolff. I helped save us.”
Quinn leaned away and stared down into her gorgeous silver ringed eyes. “You put yourself in danger.”
“I had no choice,” she replied stubbornly.
“Um, can you two hash this out later? We’ve got more bad guys to deal with.”
Quinn glanced at Chris, who had Diakameli and the other guard trussed. “Go help Kell. I got this.”
Bailey grabbed one of the guard’s weapons. “I’ll help.”
“No.” He and Chris said at the same time.
She glared at them. “Those bastards kidnapped me. I’m going.”
They both had seen that look in their sister’s eyes before and they knew better than to argue.
“Watch her,” he said to Chris, who nodded before leading Bailey out the back door.
He turned to Avery. “Where did you get hit?”
“I didn’t. Just take care of him.” She nudged her chin toward Diakameli.
“Avery.”
“It’s just a scratch. You shot him, so the bullet winged me.”
“I need to look.”
She cupped his cheek. “Quinn, please. We have more important things to do.”
As much as he didn’t like it, she was right. His brothers and sister were fighting a small army. He pulled out his cell and a 9mm and handed them both to her. “Call the police, get them here.” He rose to his feet. “If he so much as twitches, shoot him.”
Avery held out a hand and he pulled her to her feet. “No problem,” she said and he had no doubt she meant it. After what the man had done to her he believed she would pull the trigger.
His gaze trapped on the blood soaking her arm.
“Go,” she urged.
He walked over to Diakameli and leaned in close. “This isn’t over.” With that, he walked out to join the fight.
****
Once Quinn disappeared, Avery let out a long breath. Her arm was on fire. The bullet felt like it had only grazed her but it hurt like hell.
She looked at Diakameli, who lay on his stomach with hands and feet tied in some military style binding. No way he would get out of that. And Chris had tied it extra tight. She could see the bindings cutting into the man’s skin, but felt little sympathy.
While holding the gun on the man glaring at her, she dialed 911 and reported the situation. Then tucked the phone in her pocket.
“You’re going to let me go.”
Her gaze landed on Diakameli. Good God, the man was arrogant. “Shut up.”
“You don’t ask how I know this?”
“I’m not letting you go, so it doesn’t matter.”
Buzzing started in her ears. Faint, but annoying. She shook her head to clear it, but it wouldn’t stop.
“You are losing blood. Why did you lie to your bodyguard?”
She glared at him as the buzzing grew louder. “I can call him back in here.”
The taunt had the desired effect. Diakameli sobered instantly. They both knew if Quinn came back in there he’d kill him.
“I am willing to make a deal with you.”
The gun in her hand wavered as she swayed. Maybe she would sit for a minute. She dropped to the ground, more because her knees gave out than by choice. But she never lost sight of her target.
With a scoff she said, “A deal with me? You expect me to believe that? You want me dead.”
“I find self-preservation more important at the moment.”
She pinned him with a hard stare, which proved difficult given the dots dancing in front of her eyes. “I will never untie those bonds.”
“I think you will when you hear what I have to say.”
“Yeah? And what’s that?”
“I know where your friend is.”
Everything inside Avery went cold. “You’re bluffing.” At least she hoped he was because if he was telling the truth he indeed held the upper hand.
She met Ramil’s cold, black eyes. He told the truth.
But Nate was in Azbakastan searching for Macy right now. What if he’d already found her? If she let Diakameli go it would be for nothing.
And if Nate hadn’t found Macy?
Indecision warred inside her. Quinn would never forgive her if she let him go. This was the man responsible for murdering his brother. For murdering her friends. Kidnapping and torturing her. And so much more to his own people she couldn’t even begin to fathom it. How could she let him go?
How could she not?
If it meant saving Macy then she had to.
She hadn’t been able to save her friends and it was her fault they were dead.
“Give me his name,” she choked out.
“Release me.
She leveled the gun on his forehead. “The name. Then I untie you. But, know this. I will only untie you. It’s up to you to get to that boat.”
“His name is Aziz Tsevetkovsky.”
Swallowing nausea, she rose shakily to her feet.
Images of her friends flashed through her head. The burning vehicle. Scott shot. The pain they inflicted on her. Rage and grief filled her. Did he really think she would let him go?
Walking over to him, she pressed the barrel of the gun to his forehead, watched with satisfaction as his eyes went black with realization. This time she had the upper hand.
The scent of apricots filled her senses and memories of what this man did to her assaulted her. The pain. The fear.
Her finger tightened on the trigger.
“You dirty American bitch,” Ramil hissed.
“You’re going to rot in prison for what you’ve done,” she said, fighting narrowing vision.
The ringing in her ears grew louder and she shook her head to clear it. Ramil suddenly rolled over and swept her feet out from beneath her. Her injured arm hit the ground hard, the gun skidding across the floor. Her vision narrowed, her head spun.
Slow to react, her body fighting her, she scrambled for the gun. Ramil kicked her with his tied feet, hard enough to drive the breath out of her lungs. Then he was on her, pummeling her with his bound hands.
The last thing she remembered was the scent of apricots and pain before she passed out.
****
Quinn stood back as the paramedics lifted Avery into the ambulance. Her face was too pale, and she looked delicate lying on the stretcher. He knew better. Avery wasn’t fragile. She was strong. Too damn independent for her own good.
A scratch.
Fuck.
He didn’t know what went down inside the storage unit but when the cops showed up and took over arresting Diakameli’s army, he came in to find Avery beaten and passed out and Diakameli gone. The yacht was still anchored in the marina but he had heard a speed boat in the distance.
Diakameli’s ropes lay on the floor. He had escaped without taking Avery with him. A man running for his life didn’t have time to take a hostage.
“We’ll meet you at Sutton County General,” the paramedic said before he closed the doors.
“She’s gonna be fine,” Kell said.
Quinn nodded and strode toward his truck. They stripped out of their gear and stowed it before climbing in. It didn’t take long for Chris to voice what they were all thinking.
“You never should have left an injured woman to guard a terrorist.
Quinn braked for a stop sign. “You tied him up.”
“And the bastard didn’t escape those bindings without help.”
He stomped on the gas and the truck shot forward. “Avery didn’t let him go. You saw her, he beat the hell out of her.”
“We don’t know what happened. Why’d she go close enough for him to get the drop on her?”
“I don’t fucking know. But until I get Avery’s side of the story I’m not passing judgment. And neither are you.”
The warning didn’t go unheeded. Chris sat back in his seat, scowling out the window. Kell glanced at Quinn, but remained silent.
When they reached the hospital Quinn told Chris to stay put and went inside with Kell. Kell placed calls home while Quinn talked to the nurse about Avery. Minutes later they met outside the ICU.
“Where is she?” Kell slipped his cell phone in his pocket.
“Surgery. The bullet didn’t go through. It lodged near her shoulder. The nurse is confident she’ll pull through without complications.”
“I’m glad, brother. Want a cup of coffee?”
“No. I’m good.”
Kell strode across the hall to the waiting room.
Quinn followed. No sense waiting out here. The nurse said it would be a while.
After Kell got a cup, they sat down.
“Chris is just pissed because that guard swiped at him with a knife.” Kell sipped his coffee.
“He’s not wrong. Avery let Diakameli go. Or she was going to. I just can’t imagine why.”
An elderly woman came in, spotted them, and sat near the door. She took out a ball of yarn and began knitting.
“You can ask her as soon as she recovers. Nurse say how long she’d be in surgery?”
“Couple hours.”
Kell nodded. “Everything is handled at home. Mom’s anxious for us to get back.”
“I’m sure.”
“She’s accepted Avery as one of her own, you know.”
Quinn leaned his head back against the wall. “I know.”
“And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Have you forgiven yourself enough to see what’s right in front of your face?”
“What are you talking about?”
Kell leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “Ryan. Avery.”
Quinn stared at the ceiling tiles. “I’m right where I should be.”
“Really? So Avery knows how you feel about her?”
“Drop it, Kell.”
Kell crushed his empty cup in hand and rose to his feet. “You haven’t changed one bit, big brother. One day, you gotta let go.” He walked to the trash can and threw his cup away, leaving Quinn to wonder what the hell that was supposed to mean.
****
Avery let out a groan. Pain shot down her left shoulder and arm when she tried to move. Around her she heard the beeps and murmurs of a hospital.
“Avery?”
She opened her eyes to face Quinn. He stood tall and strong next to her bed, brows drawn in concern.
“Are you in pain? I can get the nurse.”
“No. Just a little stiff.” She glanced around the hospital room. “Where am I?”
“Sutton County General. EMS brought you here from the marina. Why didn’t you tell me you were badly wounded?”
“Because your brother needed your help.”
His frown turned into a scowl. “You can’t keep putting yourself in the line of fire like that. It’s my job to make those decisions.”
“Would you have gone if you knew?”
His warning growl answered her question. She knew this man better than she knew herself and he never would have left her side if he knew. And she couldn’t have the blood of another Wolff brother on her hands.
A nurse came in, checked her IV and vital signs, then left them alone again. Avery took a deep breath and spilled her secrets.
“Quinn, I have something to tell you.”
His hand covered hers, warm and strong. “I know you let Diakameli go.”
“I was going to, but at the last minute I couldn’t do it,” she said quietly, staring at their joined hands. “What you don’t know is why I did it.” She met his gaze. “Aziz Tsevetkovsky.”
He cocked a brow.
“That’s the name of the man who bought Macy.”
Quinn straightened, his hand leaving hers. “You were going to trust Diakameli with a name that is probably fake.” He pinned her with a h
ard stare. “Damn it, Avery. Nate is in Azbakastan looking for your friend right now. If she’s alive, he’ll find her. Diakameli would say anything to get free. He played on your sympathy.”
Stung by his words, she said, “I know. Please, give the name to Nate. Have him track it down.”
He held her gaze for so long she began to worry he wouldn’t do it. Then, he spoke. “I’ll give Nate the name, but regardless how this turns out, Diakameli is still a threat. He’ll go to ground like he always does. I may not be able to find him, Avery.”
His words settled heavily on her shoulders. Everything he said was true. And it was on her. “Well, don’t worry. You’re released from your obligation. You can’t guard me forever. Homeland Security is tracking him now, I don’t think he’ll risk crossing our borders anytime soon. You have more clients who need you.” She drew in a deep breath. “Forget all about me, and go back to your family, Quinn. Please. Move on with your life. They need you.”
She looked away so he didn’t see the tears in her eyes. The pain those words caused her tore her heart in two. Pushing him out the door somehow made it easier than watching him walk away on his own steam.
Somehow, she didn’t think she’d recover from that.
****
Quinn scrubbed a hand down his face and let the door to Avery’s ICU room close behind him. Kell met him in the hallway.
“What happened?”
“Diakameli gave her the name of the man who bought Macy.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah.”
“She was losing blood, Quinn.”
Quinn shook his head. “No. That’s what she does. She’s a damn pain in my ass.”
Kell clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Just got off the phone with Chris. Guess there was a speed boat missing from the marina.”
The boat he’d heard. “Diakameli’s gone to ground. He won’t be back anytime soon. But I’m still going to get that bastard for what he did.”
“Copy that,” Kell said quietly, growing somber. “It’s time we all move on, big brother. For Mom and Dad.”
He looked at his brother. Could he do that? Move on. His parents needed closure. The family did. That meant walking away from Avery.
With Diakameli posing a threat, he’d had an excuse to keep her in his life. Now that the man was gone, Avery had no reason to stay.
Maximum Risk Page 23