by M J Adams
From his room, Max had watched all the news channels, looked at everything on the Internet. The media used all the old pictures too, and they made it look like Cora and Rich had the perfect marriage, she walked the dogs seven days a week while Rich went to his studio and produced films and television programs that won awards.
He played his part perfectly, the grieving husband holding his wife’s dog and pleading for whoever had her to bring her home.
Max had stopped watching then. His sources inside the police department said there were no leads. All the dogs had made it home, including hers, and there was no evidence whatsoever, not even a tread left behind.
Their take had gone exactly as it should, and Max should be happy. He was happy, and when the clock ticked to seven-thirty, he knocked sharply on the door a few times. He couldn’t help counting as he waited for her to open the door, though he wasn’t in the Rangers anymore and didn’t need to go banging down the door.
“Cora,” he called when she didn’t answer. They’d taken shifts overnight, standing outside her door, and since there was only one way in and one way out, she had to be in there.
He knocked again, his pulse kicking against his ribs. If Luke were with him, he’d tell Max to chill, that she probably just needed to pull on some pants.
Sure enough, Cora opened the door a few seconds later, tugging at the bottom of the T-shirt he’d given her last night. It was her size, and it lay flat as she smoothed it. She looked at him, the color in her face already better this morning.
“We’re rolling out in ten,” he said. “You ready?”
She threw her arms out to her sides. “Packed and ready.” She stepped outside and let the door close behind her. He’d heard her crying the night before, and as he always did when he got a new person to protect and relocate, he tried to put himself in their shoes.
Cora didn’t want the life she’d had in Hollywood Hills, he knew that. But she missed her dog. She probably wanted her purse. That pair of shoes she loved. To tell her friends and family goodbye.
Max had left his life behind, not caring about the shoes, the people, or the dogs. But everyone was different, and he’d learned that women needed some time to process their losses. Once he passed her to Luke, she could get some of her feelings out.
Max’s job was to get the charge and get her back to Parkwood without a single clue as to where she’d gone or who had taken her. It took a lot of planning and coordination to make that happen, and Max did all the prep himself. All the research. Everything.
Luke and Isaac, the other two men on his crew he’d been serving and protecting with for the past three years, were busy in Colorado prepping for Cora’s arrival. But two days was more than enough to clean a room and stock it with supplies. Read the files Max had prepared and get some survival lessons together for a woman of her size and body type.
Ten hours later, Jonas finally crossed the line into Parkwood, Colorado. Cora had slept a lot of the way and asked him questions for part of it. He’d answered her as honestly as he could, everything from where they were going to what she might find when she got there. But he knew from personal experience that there was nothing like Parkwood Academy. Even the best description he could give didn’t do it justice.
The building sat on seventy-two acres on the edge of a State Park, with trees everywhere. Max knew where the property line was, but it had taken him six months to find it. The building itself housed thirty to forty people at any given time, with rooms for everyone.
At twilight, the lights came on outside the Academy, making it seem like a charming, mountain lodge, set against the Rocky Mountains. Cora peered over him, trying to get a look at the building.
“How big is it?”
“Big,” he said. “Don’t worry, you’ll be assigned a guide, and he won’t leave your side for the first few days.”
“Who’s my guide?”
“Luke Holt,” he said. “He’s part of your team.”
“With Isaac Ramsey.”
“Right.”
She swallowed and sat back. “Maybe you could just give me the tour.”
“That’s not how it works,” he said.
“Why is that?”
“We don’t do anything singularly,” he said. “Teams of no less than three, at all times. I never bring my own team on takes. They’ve been here, preparing for you.” He patted her leg, wishing the action didn’t make his blood run a little hotter. “Don’t worry, Cora. We know what we’re doing.”
She accepted his answer, and he didn’t like it. “You know,” he said. “You’re going to have to learn to use your own mind again.”
“I use my own mind.”
“You believe everything I tell you.”
She blinked at him. “What else am I supposed to do? I’m thousands of miles from my home, and I don’t even have my purse—or my phone.” Her eyes blazed angry blue fire at him, and he’d be sure to put it in his debrief for Luke and Isaac.
The door opened before he could answer, and Luke stood there, his cropped-close blond hair making Max roll his eyes. Of course Luke would clean up for their new charge.
“Speak of the devil,” he said, sliding out of the vehicle. His muscles hurt from sitting for so long, and he clapped Luke on the shoulder as he moved past him. He stood beside him as Cora followed him and gained her feet on the gravel.
“Luke,” he said, his eyes glued to Cora as she stretched. “Cora Middleton. Cora, this is your next leg of the journey. Luke Holt.”
“Hello,” she said, anxiety in her eyes and her voice. She cut a look at Max, who wanted to reassure her.
“He’ll take you on a tour of the place, and I’ll meet you back in your room with all your things.” He took a step back, ready for a shower and something to eat that hadn’t been fried.
“Wait,” she said, and he paused. “You’re going?” A flicker of her eyes to Luke, who hadn’t said a blasted word. Always trying to be more intimidating than Max. Luke was just as wide and just as tall, but he was pale where Max was dark. And so clean-cut. Max was rougher around the edges, and he knew it. Thrived on it.
“That’s right,” he said, putting a smile on his face. “It’s okay, Cora. Luke’s ready for you.” He nodded to her, and then to Luke, and he went to get that shower.
“Ma’am,” Luke said as he walked away, already pouring on that Southern charm. Max ducked his head, his smile genuine now. Luke would have her spilling her guts in the next ten minutes, and Max whistled as he went up the side steps and into the Academy.
Chapter 3
Luke
Luke kept her arm in his, because he suspected she needed the human connection. From the profile Max had given him two nights ago, Cora had been living in despicable conditions for a year now. Little to no food likely. Probably other basics taken away. Neighbors and clients reported she’d lost weight and sometimes asked to be paid in cash.
Her husband belonged in jail, but he was rich and powerful and well-connected. Luke knew the type.
“Where are you from?” he asked her, bypassing the doors where the other men went.
“California,” she said, glancing at him. He’d showered and shaved only an hour ago, so he’d be fresh for her. For their hour-long tour which ended in the chapel—and hopefully with her trust securely cemented in him for her conversation needs.
“I’m from Georgia,” he said, drawing out the word. “Trained at Fort Benning just a few miles from my house. I was a Marine before that.”
“I’m sorry. Before what?”
“Oh, I thought Max would’ve told you.” But of course he hadn’t. Max didn’t say much on the trip to the Academy. Only answers to the questions his new charges asked. Luke had worked with him long enough to know the drill. “I’m an Army Ranger. Max too. And you’ll meet Isaac when we finish the tour.” He nodded up ahead. “We have stables out here. Some people find the horses comforting. You can sign up to come feed them, or ride them, or learn to take care of them.”
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br /> He continued telling her about the seven horses they had on the property, as well as the history of the Academy. “It used to be a private boarding school,” he said. “Over two hundred students lived here. Professors too. There are tons of pictures in the main hall. Do you have kids, Cora?”
“No,” she said, her voice a bit on the quiet side.
He pointed in the distance. “The State Park is back there a bit. The Academy is on seventy-two acres of land. The gardening crew is fifteen strong, even in the winter. It snows a lot here.” He shivered, and that elicited a smile from her.
Finally.
“This Georgia boy has a hard time in the cold.”
“I would too,” she said.
“LA?” he asked, though he already knew.
“Yeah. My whole life.”
“My brother moved to LA about a decade ago. He loves it. Well, besides the traffic.”
“The traffic is horrendous,” she said.
“His wife is from California. She says you get used to it.” Luke took a deep breath. “Should we go inside? I can show you the kitchen, the dining room, the gym, and the recreation room.”
“Sure,” she said, and he rounded the corner and went in the side door opposite the one Max and the Lyons brothers had used. “You can go in or out any time you want, if you’re not in class. The rec room is open twenty-four hours a day. Some of our charges have a hard time sleeping at night. You can stay in your room or come downstairs.” He nodded to things around the room.
“Entertainment center. Computers, with Internet. No porn or violent video games.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “If people are waiting, limit your time to fifteen minutes, if you could. There’s no contact with anyone from your previous life, though. We already know who those people are, and the messages will be blocked.”
“Really?”
“Sadly,” he said. “Everyone tries, so it’s okay if you do. Max will find out, and he’ll tell me, and I’ll remind you of the rules.” He pointed to the other side of the room, pausing for her to ask the question every charge asked.
He really needed to stop thinking of Cora as his charge and as herself. It took Luke a couple of days, but he’d get there, just like he always did.
“Is Max in charge?” she asked, right on cue.
“Yes,” he said. “He’s our team leader. Isaac and I have roles, as does Max.” He paused and moved in front of her. “As do you.”
“Me?”
Luke looked right into those blue eyes, exactly the same shade as June. He swallowed, reminding himself that Cora was not his wife. Not his.
He stared too long, because Cora shifted her feet and tucked a loose piece of her hair that had fallen out of her ponytail.
“Yes, you,” he said with a smile, covering his lapse. “You’ll be here for two weeks. We’ll see you every day. For the first few days, you’ll always be with one of us. We’ll make a plan for your relocation based on your desires, your occupation, your safety. It’s pretty intense. If you don’t progress as quickly as you’d like, sometimes we extend your stay.” He smiled, and she did too. Luke noticed it was a bit crooked, and a small dimple appeared in her right cheek.
“So there’s ping pong over there,” he said. “Pool in the corner. Foosball. Horseshoes outside. There’s a pool around the corner and down the hall. There’s plenty to do here when you’re not in classes.”
They crossed the expansive room and went into the main hall. “Here’s where you can get the history of the Academy and the town. It’s about twenty thousand people, with all the conveniences of modern life.”
She laughed. “Starbucks?”
“Of course,” he said. “But you don’t leave the grounds while you’re here. Ever.”
“Ever?”
“Ever,” he said. “That’s non-negotiable. If you need something, you talk to Max. He’ll get it for you.”
“What about you?” she asked, and Luke could’ve sworn she was flirting with him. “What do you get for me?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked. “I’m the talker.” He grinned and laughed, showed her the dining hall, the kitchen, and the public restrooms. “You have a bathroom you’ll share with no more than three other women.”
“Are there men here?” she asked. “Besides you guys, of course.”
“All the protectors are men,” he said. “Former military or former cops. Most of us are trained in special ops or have a specific skill set that allows us to do this job well. Most of the charges are women and children, but we do get a few men going through our program each year. Usually from Witness Protection.”
She nodded, pressing her lips together. Cora stifled a yawn, and Luke decided he better get her up to her room sooner rather than later. “Let’s stop by the chapel, and then I’ll take you to your room. You got a nice one on the top floor.” He gave her a smile he hoped was warm, and she was definitely relaxed with him now.
He led her to the front corner of the Academy, where a small, eight-row chapel sat. “This is our sanctuary,” he said, gazing at the stained-glass window on the far wall. It was dark now, so the window wasn’t as glorious as it would be in the daylight. Someone had lit a few candles, and Luke slipped his arm out of hers and walked reverently down the row.
“I come here a lot,” he said. “If you need me, and I’m not in class, I might be here.” He looked over his shoulder to find she’d followed him. “My wife died three years ago,” he said softly, a flash of pain passing through him. There, then gone. “I started here a couple of weeks later.”
“Were you…? I mean, what happened?”
Luke lit a candle and placed it on the altar, a quick prayer crossing his mind. “She was in a car accident late at night. I don’t know where she was going or what she was doing. I was on my way home from a tour overseas.”
He looked at her, those eyes wide and compassionate. Luke’s job was to make sure she knew the men here were human. That she could be human too, but she already possessed the concern and care most charges had to learn.
Some of them had such hard lives, they functioned the only way they knew how. Gritty. Closed off. Uncaring.
Cora put her hand on Luke’s arm. “What was her name?”
“June.” He looked at her, once again getting lost in her blue, blue eyes. “She had eyes like yours.”
Cora smiled, but it wobbled a little bit.
“I’m sure you’re tired,” he said. “Let’s get you up to your room.” He explained how there were no elevators in the Academy and pointed out the side stairs in case of an emergency.
“Can anyone come to the Academy?” she asked.
“No,” he said. “We’re a half a mile behind a guarded gate. No one gets through without a keycard, identification, and advanced clearance.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Not even you. You came in clear this morning, or you wouldn’t be on the property.”
They reached the top of the steps and he paused, his heart beating a little faster from all the climbing. That was all. Not because Cora’s hand was still in his. “Everything is extremely secure here, Cora. Rich won’t be able to come here. He won’t be able to send anyone here. You’re safe.”
“Safe,” she repeated.
Luke had the strangest urge to sweep his lips along her forehead, but he caught himself in time. She was beautiful. Quiet, but full of fire. He could feel it in the soles of his feet. She’d come right back to life in a couple of days, and then he, Max, and Isaac would have their hands full.
“You’re here in the heart of the Academy,” he said, leading her toward the first hall on the left. “No window, unfortunately, but the rooms on the top floor have a skylight.” He knocked on the door, because Isaac should be waiting inside.
Sure enough, his buddy said, “Yep,” and Luke opened the door to find Isaac standing several feet inside the room, near the dresser. He wore black from head to toe as if he wanted to inspire fear in Cora from the very first moment.
Luke almo
st started laughing, but he held back. “Cora, this is Isaac Ramsey. He’ll be your instructor for the next couple of weeks, but don’t let him give you any crap.” He saluted the man he owed his life to and backed out of the room before turning to go.
“Luke?” Cora asked, and he twisted back to her, his pulse accelerating when she said his name. June had been soft-spoken too, and Luke once again reminded himself that the woman in front of him was not his wife.
“I’ll see you later, right?”
“Tomorrow,” he said. “Trust me, you won’t be able to get rid of any of us.” He chuckled, waved, and left.
As he walked away, he heard Isaac say, “Max will be back soon. We have so much to do before then. Do you have the running shoes he gave you?”
Luke felt bad for Cora, who he knew just wanted to sleep. But tomorrow there would be no morning wake-up call, and it was important she got all the information before she slept.
Luke headed down to the kitchen for the chocolate chip cookies he brought to all his charges on the first night. And if he ate two or three while he waited for Isaac to deliver his spiel? All the better.
Chapter 4
Isaac
Isaac ran his hand over his bald head and grinned at her. “Your hair is so much better than mine.”
She ran her hand along her head too, smoothing back the wisps as she smiled. She looked worn around the edges, and Isaac once again hated that he was the last stop their charges had to endure before bed.
“Max has clothes for you here,” he said, indicating the dresser. “There’s a small closet there too, but I don’t think Max likes hangers much.” He tapped the top of the furniture. “Toiletries here. Your bathroom is just through this door.”
Isaac stepped over to it, feeling clinical as he finished Luke’s tour. “Just you and Olivia will be using this one for now, and she leaves on Saturday.” He didn’t go inside, but Cora squeezed past him, her bright blue eyes watching him the whole time.
He knew it could be a little much to have three burly Army Rangers suddenly thrust into her life, and she seemed to be handling it okay.