“If you want me to think about it, we need to get up. The more you touch me, the less I can think.”
“Not yet. We’re always rushing off to the next mission. I want to hold my wife in my arms.”
“You like saying that, ‘my wife.’”
“Yeah, I do. I waited a long time for you to marry me. I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.”
“That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about you. You remind me to take time to enjoy life.” Stacey rubbed her cheek against his chest.
“Honey, our whole married life will be about finding the fun in living. As soon as this mission is finished, I’m taking you on a honeymoon you won’t forget.”
“Really? Where to?”
“I thought we’d start with Paris, City of Love, and go from there. Before we leave, I want you to look at some house plans. I want to get started on our house in Montana. Which reminds me, I want to make babies with you. Come here and let me plant some seed.”
Stacey laughed. “Plant some seed? Is that slang?” Stacey swung a leg over him and adjusted her position to sit over his growing erection.
“You can call it anything you want as long as you only do it with me.” Hugh reached up and cradling her cheek in his palm, brought her face down for a kiss.
§
Hugh clutched Stacey’s hand and stepped out of Shadow. The smell of burnt wood and smoke still permeated the area. They stood on the cement slab where the cabin had rested. Someone had tried to clear the area. A charcoal covered pipe sticking up in the corner was the only sign that a building once stood here. Near the road, someone had shoveled the small pieces of blackened wood and cedar shingles that hadn’t completely been destroyed.
Stacey sighed. “The boathouse is down by the lake. This way.”
She stepped off the pad and followed a trail through the woods. It was easy to see with the moon lighting up the early morning sky. In the distance, Hugh could hear the lapping of water on the shore.
The trail ended at a beach. Hugh could see cabins across the expanse of water, while a boathouse stood to the left. The smell of fresh paint filled the air.
“Someone’s been working on fixing things up. I wonder if the owner plans to rebuild the cabin.” Hugh followed Stacey to the small pier that ran next to the building.
“I always loved this place. Look at those stars.” Stacey pointed out over the lake. “You don’t see stars like that in the city.”
“The sky is beautiful tonight. Do you want me to check and see if the owner is putting the property up for sale? We have our own lake in Montana, but if it means that much to you.”
Stacey stepped up and grabbed his shirt before pulling his face down for a kiss. “You are so good to me. I don’t need another lake front property. The one in Montana is fine. It’s just that lots of good memories were made here. The best memories of my childhood.”
“We’ll make our own memories, baby. The best of your life, I promise.”
“Hey! You’re trespassing. This is private property.” A light from a flashlight shone onto their faces. “Oh, my God. Stacey? Is that you?”
Stacey looked at Hugh and frowned. The light lowered. Hugh blinked and saw a man wearing jeans and a T-shirt. The guy stared intently at Stacey, his eyes wide.
“Nadezhda said you were alive, but I didn’t believe it. Why would Dad lie all these years? Why would he keep us apart?”
“David?” Stacey took a step toward the man. The next moment they were in each other’s arms.
“Spacey Stacey, it is you. My god, how are you? What are you doing here? Did Dad send you?”
“David. You look so good. Dad did send me. He left something in my favorite spot.” Stacey turned to Hugh. “Hugh, this is my brother. David, I’d like you to meet my husband, Hugh Thunder Hoof.”
Hugh shook the man’s hand. “So, Nadezhda was here?”
“Yeah. This afternoon while I painted. She had a new husband too, a native guy like you. She looked so much like Mom, Stacey. For a moment, I thought Mom was back from the grave. It really threw me for a loop. You look like Mom, too, now that you’re all grown up. I can see Dad in your square jaw and stubborn expression.”
“What did she want?” Stacey asked. She looked at Hugh, her gaze worried.
“I thought she wanted to introduce herself. She asked about you and our childhood here. I told her some stories. Like the time you capsized our fishing boat and we had to swim to shore.”
“Did they go into the boathouse?” Hugh asked.
“Yeah, but only while I was with them. I never told her about you hiding in the attic, and reading for hours, while you listened to the sound of the water. Do you think Dad left something in the attic for you?”
“Let’s go see. Why are you here fixing up the boathouse?”
“Dad told me to buy the property when it came up for sale several years ago. I bring the family up for two weeks in the summer. Dad sends people up here sometimes to rest after missions. I normally come by once in the winter to make sure everything’s okay and restock the kitchen. Since the cabin burned to the ground, I decided to come up and see the damage.”
“So you own the place?” Hugh asked.
David took out a key and opened the door. He switched on the overhead light. An expensive boat floated inside the building.
“Not really. It’s part of a trust. Dad set it up after Mom died. I took over handling the legalities after I passed the bar. This is the Akilina Pride, named after Mom. I bought her when I finished my first big case.”
“Wow, she’s a beauty. David, we have to find time to catch up, but right now I need to see if I can find what Dad left me. Can I borrow your flashlight?”
David handed over the light. “You’re one of his operatives, aren’t you? The bastard turned you into a spy. Is that why he kept you hidden from me?”
“No. He kept me hidden because it wasn’t safe for any of us.” Stacey began to climb a ladder at the back of the small building. Her voice came through the slats of the roof echoing in the small space. “Why do you think he kept you at arm’s length your whole life? Dad has some powerful enemies. After they killed Mom, he kept all of us undercover.”
“You knew about me all these years? Why didn’t you ever contact me?” The hurt in David’s voice was easy to hear. Hugh felt sorry for the guy. Whether it was the right thing or not, the general had done a number on all his children.
“Hugh? I think I found something.” Stacey’s voice came from the ladder.
Hugh hurried over and steadied her as she climbed down. In her hand was a small book.
“A Nancy Drew Mystery?” Hugh asked. Stacey nodded and handed him the flashlight.
“It was wrapped in plastic. I loved these books. They’re what got me excited about reading.”
She began to flip through the book. Three envelopes were stuck between the pages and fell to the floor. At the end of the book, a small pocket had been cut out of the pages to hold a flash drive. Stacey tucked the drive into her pants pocket. Hugh reached down for the envelopes. A bullet hit the light with a sharp ping. The room was thrown into darkness, Stacey tackled her brother to the ground.
“How did they find us this time? We’ve got to get out of here.” Stacey pulled her crossbow from her coat pocket. Hugh had his ready in his hand.
“They’ve probably got people watching David.” Hugh crept to the window in the door and tried to see out. The bullet smashed out one of the panes. He couldn’t see anyone, but time was of the essence.
“Me? Why would people be watching me?” David asked.
“I told you, Dad has some really bad enemies.” Stacey knelt next to her brother.
“David, the boat? Is it ready to run?” Hugh asked. “I’ll sneak around to the waterside and unlock the doors. You guys floor it for the other side of the lake. I’ll meet you there.”
“I ran it this afternoon while the paint dried, but what about you? How are you going to get to the other side?”
“Hugh, I don’t want to split up.” Stacey frowned.
“Don’t worry about me, Stacey. Take your brother and go.” Hugh motioned for them to get on the boat as he made his way toward the front. “I’ll step into Shadow and take out anyone trying to stop you. If I can, I’ll find out whose side the shooter is on. Wait five minutes once you get to the cabins on the other side, then take your brother to the airfield. I can always Shadow Walk to D.C. You need to get that information to Raven.”
Stacey nodded. “Come on, David. We need to do what he says.”
Chapter Eighteen
It happened, again. She would leave Hugh behind, but he was right. This flash drive couldn’t go through Shadow, so Stacey needed to run and take her brother with her.
David turned on the engine and pushed the throttle wide open. The boat jumped forward hitting the wooden doors and bouncing them open. Thunk, thunk, thunk, bullets hit the wooden surface. They roared out of the boathouse heading for the middle of the lake.
Stacey knelt at the back trying to see who might be shooting at them. A bullet bounced off the boat near her hand. She gasped. Stacey caught a glimpse of someone with a rifle using a night vision scope. If the shooter hit the gas tank, they’d be toast. She braced herself.
The boat bounced across the water. Nothing happened. Hugh. He must have gotten to the man with the gun. She sighed in relief and crept toward where her brother tried to steer while still staying clear. Hopefully, Hugh would dispose of the body in the lake. They didn’t need her brother arrested for murder.
“I think Hugh got him,” she said next to his ear. “Head for the cabin with all the lights.” Stacey pointed at the property directly across the lake. “How did you know I was at the boathouse?”
“I didn’t,” David yelled over the roar of the engine. He slid onto the seat next to the wheel. “I was sleeping in the back of my SUV. Something woke me up and I decided to walk down to the lake.”
“Where is your vehicle parked? I didn’t see it by the road.” Stacey stood behind his chair holding onto the back.
“Yeah, I did a little four wheeling. Pulled down closer to the lake. I’ll have to go back and get it.”
“I’ll send someone for it tomorrow. You’re coming with us tonight. You said you had a family?” She couldn’t let him go back now.
“Yeah, you’d like my wife. Amber doesn’t put up with Dad’s attitude. She told him to stop bossing us around if he ever wanted to see his granddaughter.”
“You have a daughter?”
“Amy. She’s turning six. You’ll have to come meet her. She reminds me of you at the same age. I’ve missed you, sis. If Dad was here right now, I’m afraid I’d punch him in the face.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Stacey grimaced. They’d lost out on so much. “Dad was trying to protect us, David. I’m afraid he’s gotten into something he can’t control. When you get home, take your family and disappear for a while. I’ll give you a number to call if you need anything. When it’s safe, I’ll let you know.”
David pulled back the throttle and guided the boat to the pier. Stacey jumped out and tied the lines. She glanced around. Where was Hugh?
David stepped off the boat. He stood a few inches taller and reminded Stacey of their dad.
“What do we do now?”
“We get to the airport,” Hugh said, appearing next to them from a puddle of shadow.
David jumped. “Nice trick. You must be one of Dad’s special agents.”
“He’s special all right. I guess we’re stealing a vehicle?” Stacey asked.
“Hey, it’s bad enough someone shot at us, I’m not getting into trouble for stealing a car.” David crossed his arms and glowered.
“No need. You can relax, David.” Hugh clapped the man on the shoulder. “Raven arranged transportation. Someone should be picking us up. Come on. We need to get to the little bait and tackle place. It’s not far.”
“Raven? You mean Raven Darkwood?” David asked. “I haven’t seen my old college roommate since my wedding. I know he got married last year. I was out of town on a case and couldn’t get away to attend. I’m sure my wife sent a gift.”
“That’s nice, David. Now we need to get out of here and quickly. We don’t know if the shooter called for back-up.” Stacey took her brother’s arm and pulled him into a trot beside her. They followed a path that would lead back to the main highway.
“But my boat, my stuff…”
“We’ll take care of it, keep going.” Hugh followed behind, keeping a lookout for trouble.
When they reached the highway, Stacey steered David to walk next to the tree line. They’d be able to see a car coming and duck behind a tree. A thin light began in the east. With their black Shadow Walking clothes, they’d soon be noticed. Stacey chewed her bottom lip. What information did her father leave and what about David?
They hurried down the road. Soon, the old wooden structure of the bait and tackle shop came into view. Stacey remembered visiting with the owner when she was young. The old marine had been a friend of her father. A single light bulb lit the outside of the building. A black sedan sat idling in front.
“Stay here,” Hugh said, patting Stacey’s arm as he headed past her. “I’ll make sure that’s our ride.”
Stacey pulled David into the trees and crouched. Hugh disappeared into Shadow. Thank goodness he wasn’t taking any chances. The next moment, he appeared behind them. Stacey jumped.
“It’s okay. Go ahead.”
“Shit! How’d you do that? I saw you walk past us.” David shook his head. “No wonder my dad recruited you.”
“We’ll explain later, David. We’ve got to get this information to Raven. Let’s go.” Stacey once more pulled on David’s arm.
They ran to the car and climbed in, Hugh taking the passenger seat, and Stacey climbing in the back with David. Charlie White Owl was in the driver’s seat. Stacey introduced him to her brother as the car turned onto the road and sped away.
“So you guys had some excitement?” Charlie asked.
“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Hugh answered. “Though I’d love to go on a mission where the enemy doesn’t have us in their sights. I’m wondering if we have another mole in our organization. Not many people knew about this mission.”
“Or it could be like you suggested before. Zenith had someone watching David,” Stacey said from the backseat.
“I’ll run diagnostics when we get back to Isanti,” Charlie said. “Raven called me directly. Maybe they’ve bugged the phone lines.”
“If we didn’t have the flash drive in our possession, we could have gone into Shadow and gotten away easily. Do you think they knew we were coming to retrieve it?” Stacey asked.
“Maybe.” Hugh sighed. “I’m wondering if it’s safe to send Raven the data on that drive.”
“Let’s see what it is first,” Charlie said. “I should be able to put it into our system and with Isanti’s firewall and encryption codes, I doubt anyone could get to it.”
“How much further to the airfield?” Hugh asked.
“Not much, maybe ten minutes. Use my phone and call the pilot. Tell him to prepare for our arrival.” Charlie handed his phone over. “It’s the last number I called, hit redial.”
§
Stacey pushed her brother up the stairs and into the plane. Not a shot was fired. She sighed in relief as she took a seat and buckled up. Hugh closed the door, the plane already moving. Maybe they’d finally caught a break.
Charlie walked over and opened a cabinet displaying a computer and printer.
“As soon as we’re in the air, I’ll take a look at the flash drive.” He sat in a chair and buckled up.
Hugh took the seat next to Stacey and strapped in as the airplane began to rush down the airstrip for takeoff. He reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips, as the plane took to the air. She blushed knowing her brother watched them.
“We should be in Washington DC in an hour and f
ifteen minutes. I’ll call Raven and arrange for the plane to take David home.” Hugh squeezed her hand.
“Where is home, David?” Stacey looked at her brother. He took note of Hugh holding her hand.
“I live in Chicago. I wanted to put some distance between me and Dad.”
Stacey nodded. “Will you be able to take your family and get out of town?”
David rubbed a hand over his face. “It won’t be easy, but I can do it. I have a friend who offered his vacation house to us whenever we wanted. He’s a partner in the firm.”
“Don’t tell us where it is,” Hugh said quickly.
“Right. If you don’t know, you can’t tell. So who’s going to pick up my car and move the boat back to the boathouse?”
“We’ll make sure it happens. Give me the keys.” Hugh took the keys and handed them to Charlie.
The plane leveled off and Charlie started powering up the computer.
“Would you like a drink?” Stacey asked her brother.
“If you have juice, or water would be great.”
Stacey nodded and got up from her seat. She headed to the cold storage and passed Charlie the flash drive as she walked by. She retrieved several drinks, handing them out as she made her way to her seat. David took his and then yawned.
“Sorry, I guess I’m still tired. I worked hard yesterday and then you guys showed up this morning.” He shrugged.
“Sleep if you want. There’s nothing to do until we land. You and Charlie will be staying onboard, so you can sleep all you want.”
David yawned again. “Okay. I’m glad you’re back, Stacey. Please keep in touch, now that I know you’re alive.”
Stacey patted his hand. “I will. Sleep. We’ll talk later.”
David nodded. After finishing off his bottle of water, it wasn’t long until his breathing deepened and he slept.
Charlie made a strange sound and studied the computer screen. Stacey and Hugh walked over to see what he looked at. On the screen was a diagram with names and places on each line.
“What is that?” Stacey asked leaning forward.
Trapped In Shadow (Shadow Walker Romance Series Book 4) Page 17