Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Exit StrategyPaybackCovert Justice

by Shirlee McCoy

“My stepfather was a cop and…” Her voice trailed off. She released a huge breath. “He wasn’t a very nice guy. Then there was the cop that arrested my little brother.” She shook her head. “They planted drugs on Danny to manipulate him into helping them nail a drug dealer. I guess you could say I haven’t had the greatest experiences with cops.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She shrugged. “I’ve been praying for God to open my heart so I wouldn’t be prejudiced against all cops, and it’s helped. But when the FBI agents came looking for you, my protective instincts overruled my compassion, I guess.”

  “At least God hears you,” he let slip.

  “I’m sorry?” She frowned as if she didn’t understand his words.

  “Nothing.”

  “God hears us all, Aiden.”

  “Or maybe some of us aren’t worth His effort.” He wanted to yank the words back, but they were out there, exposed for Nia to analyze.

  Instead of responding with some trite comment, she placed her hand on top of his and offered a warm smile. “Would you mind if I lay down until the team gets here?”

  “You trust me to keep watch?”

  “Completely.”

  *

  Nia didn’t pursue Aiden’s comment about not being worth God’s attention. Arguing theology wasn’t the way she wanted to pass the time while they awaited rescue. Besides, she knew his words were born of emotional trauma from the war. Eventually God would heal that, too.

  She decided to cherish her time alone with Aiden, time she’d probably never experience again. Aiden was a master at keeping his distance from Nia. She used to think he didn’t like her. But that couldn’t be it. After all, he’d hired her. Sure, he’d hired her for her professionalism, and organizational and customer-service skills. Nothing more.

  But she thought it odd that they rarely spent more than a few minutes alone together at work, and never outside work. They were always surrounded by people at various employee functions. Even at his mom’s Christmas open house, they were crowded into a room full of neighbors and church friends.

  The only time they’d been alone was the day she’d heard him cry out in pain and went to investigate, the day she’d spied through his bedroom window and watched him writhe in emotional pain, calling out a name: Yates.

  She’d wanted to snap him out of the terrorizing nightmare and pounded on his front door to interrupt the torture. When he opened it, he stood there for a good five seconds, looking at Nia as if he didn’t recognize her. His shirt was soaked with sweat and his eyes were bloodshot.

  That was the moment in which she’d realized Aiden’s gruffness was a cover for something else. Her heart ached for him, and she’d abandoned thoughts of quitting her job because she’d thought she’d fallen into a familiar pattern of working with another domineering male.

  At that moment she’d wanted so desperately to ease his pain, go inside his cottage and make him a hot cup of green tea. But instinct warned her not to let on she knew the truth, so she made up some lame excuse for knocking on the door, politely excused herself and took off.

  As she lay beside him studying his strong profile, Nia took comfort in the fact that he was determined to protect her, even though she sensed he didn’t think himself up to the task.

  What had happened in Iraq that haunted him so?

  She considered the agent’s comment about there being more to Aiden’s service record than was made public. Had whatever traumatized Aiden caught up to him? If that was the case, she’d better sharpen her observation skills and respect her intuition even more in order to protect him.

  Protect him? How was she going to do that when she couldn’t even walk? She yawned, realizing the adrenaline rush must have worn off because she was suddenly exhausted. She forced her eyes open, fighting sleep, but her eyelids fluttered shut again.

  As random thoughts drifted across her mind, she could have sworn she felt Aiden gently touching her forehead. Maybe it was a dream, or maybe it was real. She felt grounded when he was near, even if he didn’t seem to want to touch her, like before, when the gunshot echoed across the mountains and she’d thrown herself into his arms.

  Talk about a dumb move. It obviously made him uneasy, which was the last thing she wanted to do. Yet only a minute ago he’d held her hand so gently. She could still feel the warmth from his touch, a touch that lit her insides.

  Get a grip, Nia. This is your boss, not your boyfriend.

  Nor could he be anything more than her boss. He’d made it clear on many occasions that his plate was full with work and family. Romance was not in his future.

  Romance, something Nia ached for yet wouldn’t risk with just any man, especially after her dismal track record of picking the absolute wrong men to spend time with.

  The sound of rain tapping against the tent fly relaxed her even more. She drifted off into a lovely daydream about she and Aiden taking a boat out onto Lake Hawthorne, warmed by the sunshine as they enjoyed the subtle, rhythmic movement against the calm waters. They held hands, shared secrets and even laughed.

  Suddenly a large speedboat headed in their direction, aiming right for them. Grabbing the oars, they tried to paddle away but weren’t fast enough. The speedboat was barreling down on them…

  “Nia!”

  She gasped, opening her eyes. Aiden’s handsome face stared down at her.

  “They’re here,” he said.

  “Who…what?”

  “Harvey and his team, remember?”

  “Oh, right.” She sat up.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  “Bad dream?”

  “Yep.”

  Because she feared that the boat in her dream represented the ultimate destruction of anything good in her life.

  And in this case, anything she could share with Aiden.

  *

  Later that evening, Nia was embarrassed by all the attention she was getting, especially from Aiden. He hadn’t left her side since they brought her down from the mountain. Aiden stayed close at the hospital, questioning medical staff about Nia’s injuries and course of treatment.

  She was amazed that Aiden had hung around for five hours until she was discharged. She told him to drop her off at her apartment in town, but he said he had something to pick up at the resort. It turned out to be a care package assembled by Bree, who was on the SAR K9 team, and other SAR friends. Some of them were waiting for her there, including Aiden’s sister and her boyfriend, Scott, the resort’s new security manager, along with Grace, head of the SAR K9 team, and the three men who’d rescued her this afternoon: Harvey, Nate and Will Rankin, a young widower with two little girls.

  As Nia sat in the employee lounge with her wrapped, sprained ankle up on a chair, the group discussed the day’s events.

  “It’s a good thing your injuries weren’t serious,” Will said. “That was quite a drop.”

  “In case I forgot to say it before, thank you for coming to get me.” She nodded at Harvey, Nate and Will. Nia felt especially bad that she’d put Will in danger considering he was sole parent to his two girls.

  “I’m glad I could be there,” Will said. “You were there plenty of times for me.”

  After Will’s wife passed away from cancer, Nia had joined a group of ladies from church who’d made it their goal to help Will through the darkness of grief. They’d brought him food, run errands and even held special prayer meetings.

  “I’ve made some inquiries about the agents who followed you into the mountains,” Deputy Nate Walsh said. “I hope to hear back tomorrow.”

  “Did they come back down the mountain?” Nia said.

  “No one’s seen them since they left on their hike this afternoon.”

  “Do you think they ran into trouble out there?” Grace asked.

  “Maybe they left town,” Aiden offered from the corner of the lounge.

  Nia suspected his comment was meant to ease her worry.

  “I don’t get why they follo
wed you up there in the first place,” Bree chimed in.

  “They were determined to talk to me about my boss.”

  “You’re sure they were federal agents?” Scott asked.

  “They flashed ID.”

  “What I don’t get is—”

  “Enough,” Aiden interrupted his sister. “Nia needs a break from all the questions.”

  “Why, so she can get back to work?” Bree teased.

  “Always busting my chops,” Aiden muttered. “Don’t you have to get some sleep so you can be up with the sun to plant rhodies on Overlook Drive?”

  “I can function on very little sleep.” Bree crossed her arms over her chest.

  Bree and Aiden had an interesting relationship, Nia mused. They poked and prodded one another and loved each other dearly.

  “I’d better get going,” Will said. “Call if you need anything, Nia.”

  “Thanks. Hug the girls for me.”

  “You bet.” Will nodded at the group and left.

  “Come on, sweetheart, I’ll walk you back to the cottage,” Scott said to Bree.

  Bree gave Nia a hug. “We’re so glad you’re okay.” Bree glanced at Aiden. “Right, big brother?”

  “Of course. This place would fall apart without her,” Aiden said.

  Bree shook her head.

  “What?” Aiden said.

  “It’s always about work with you.”

  “Hey, what’s the update on the mud slide victims?” Nia asked.

  “No fatalities and everyone is accounted for,” Scott said.

  “Praise God,” Grace said.

  A moment of contemplative silence blanketed the room.

  “Well, keep that ankle elevated,” Bree said.

  “Will do, thanks.”

  Bree took Scott’s hand and they left the lounge.

  “I’d better be going, too.” Grace grabbed her purse.

  “I’ll see you to your car,” Harvey said. He cast a quick glance at Nia. “Buddy system, got it?”

  “I know, I know. Next time I won’t go hiking without a buddy.”

  Aiden’s phone buzzed. “This is Aiden…Uh-huh. Sure, that’s fine.”

  But by the tone of his voice, Nia could tell it wasn’t fine. He shoved the phone into his pocket.

  “What’s wrong?” Nia asked Aiden.

  “Nothing you need to think about. Let’s get you home.”

  “Can I help?” Harvey offered.

  “Nope, it’s all good.” Aiden extended his hand to Nia. “Ready?”

  “I can give her a ride,” Grace offered.

  “Thanks, but I’m her boss. I feel responsible for her.”

  Right, her boss, not her friend, nor her boyfriend. He had to suspect she cared about him more than she should; therefore, he felt it necessary to make the boundary clear.

  She ignored his hand and stood.

  “Hey, hey.” Aiden shoved the crutches at her.

  “It’s not that bad.”

  “Let’s keep it from getting worse.”

  She adjusted them under her armpits. Trying to get her balance, she wobbled and Aiden gripped her arm to keep her steady.

  A flush crept up her cheeks. She was so not the helpless waif she seemed to be at this moment.

  “I’m not used to these things,” she said.

  “Give it time,” Aiden encouraged her.

  She got her balance and glanced into his eyes. “I’m good. You can…” She nodded at his hand.

  His fingers sprang free of her arm. “Right, sorry. I’ll grab the care package.”

  Even with the basket of goodies in his arms, he managed to open every door for her as they headed to his car.

  “My car. How will I—”

  “Bree and I will bring it by tomorrow,” he said.

  “Or maybe I can have my neighbor drive me to the resort.”

  “I meant it when I said you should stay home, take it easy.”

  “Okay, boss.” She wondered if she’d made him so uncomfortable this afternoon that he didn’t want her around.

  She was thinking too much and it was giving her a headache. Once inside his truck, she buckled up and rested her head against the seat. The day’s events caught up to her in a big way. With a sigh, she closed her eyes.

  Aiden got behind the wheel and clicked the radio on low to a classical station. She’d never pegged him as a classical-music fan.

  She let the sounds of string instruments wash over her, pushing aside fear and anxiety about the day’s events.

  “Nia?”

  She opened her eyes. They were parked in front of her apartment. “Wow, that was fast.”

  “You were out that whole time? That doesn’t seem right. Maybe we should call the doctor.”

  “Aiden, stop fretting. I’m exhausted and I’m the type that can fall asleep like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Nothing to worry about.”

  She opened her door, but by the time she got the tips of her crutches on the ground, Aiden was there, offering his assistance. She cracked a half smile. “Thanks, but I’m good.”

  He grabbed the basket from the backseat and escorted her to the building.

  “Thanks again for staying with me at the hospital. I really need to go online and give you a five-out-of-five star review as a boss.”

  “Yeah, right,” he said with an edge of sarcasm to his voice. “Keys?” He extended his hand and she plopped them into his palm.

  Holding the basket in one hand, he managed to unlock the door with the other. As he swung it wide, she realized he’d never been inside her home.

  “You may set the basket on the dining room table,” she said, cringing at the sight of her messy living room.

  He slid the basket onto the table and went into the kitchen.

  “What are you—”

  “Making you an ice bag for the ankle.”

  She listened to him search her cabinets for a plastic bag, then dig in her freezer for ice. She wanted to tell him to stop, that she could take care of herself, but didn’t want to seem rude.

  He returned to the living room with the ice bag. “You want to lie down?”

  “I got it, thanks.” She put her hand out and he gave her the ice.

  “You can manage carrying—”

  “I’m fine.”

  With a nod, he headed for the door. “I’ll wait in the truck until I see your lights go out and I know you’re asleep.”

  “That’s really not necessary.”

  “Nia.” He pinned her with those striking blue eyes of his. “This is not a negotiation.”

  “Well, it shouldn’t take long. I’ll probably flop down on the bed and fall asleep in my clothes.”

  “As long as you get a good night’s sleep. I’ll check in tomorrow.”

  With a nod, he shut the door. Nia exhaled a gasp of air. She’d been holding her breath. Why, because she desperately wanted his approval of her apartment? She shook her head.

  She was tempted to turn off the lights to release him from his duties, but she knew he wouldn’t buy it. Hobbling down the hall, she flipped on the bedroom light, tossed the ice bag on the bed and went back to turn off the living room lights.

  She leaned the crutches against the bathroom wall and washed her face. The ankle wasn’t extremely painful, which was good. Of course, Aiden was right. Icing it would make it feel even better.

  The sound of a barking dog echoed through her closed window. It reminded her of Bree and members of the SAR team who’d rallied around her at the resort. It felt so good to have friends. It had taken Nia more than seven years and multiple moves before she’d felt at home and connected to people.

  She made her way to the bedroom and leaned the crutches against her nightstand. She turned off the bedside lamp and flopped down, so very glad to be in her own bed. The full moon illuminated her room through the sheer curtains.

  She casually flung the comforter over her body and said a quick prayer, giving thanks that her injuries had been minor and that both
she and Aiden were safe.

  A thud echoed from the living room.

  Nia jackknifed in bed. Had she imagined it?

  Silence rang in her ears as she strained to listen.

  Another thud followed by a crash made her grab her cell phone and dive out of bed. She scrambled behind her reading chair in the corner and dialed 911.

  Be calm. Tamp down the adrenaline rush. Use your head.

  “Nine-one-one emergency,” the operator answered.

  “There’s someone in my apartment,” Nia whispered.

  Footsteps pounded into her room.

  THREE

  She held her breath, tensing every muscle in her body against the anticipated assault of a stranger.

  Silence filled the room. She swallowed back her terror.

  “Nia?”

  She peeked around the chair, recognizing her brother’s profile. “Danny?”

  He eyed her. “What are you doing back there?”

  “Ma’am, we’re sending an officer to—”

  “No, it’s okay,” Nia interrupted the 911 operator. “It’s my brother.”

  More footsteps pounded into the room. Someone launched himself at Danny.

  Aiden.

  “Wait, Aiden!” she cried.

  Aiden whipped Danny to the floor and pinned him with a knee against his back.

  “Call 911!” he ordered.

  She clicked on the bedside lamp. “Aiden, it’s okay. It’s my brother.”

  Aiden had that look in his eyes, as if he was someplace else and couldn’t hear her. His brain must be pickled in adrenaline. As Danny struggled against Aiden’s hold, Nia crawled across the bedroom and placed a calming hand on Aiden’s back.

  He snapped his attention to her, his eyes ablaze.

  “It’s okay,” she said. “That’s my brother, Danny.”

  Aiden glanced down at Danny, then back at Nia. “Your brother?”

  Nia nodded. “Yes. Everything’s okay.”

  Danny squirmed. “Get off me.”

  Aiden shifted off him and stood. She noticed his hands were trembling.

  The last thing Nia wanted was to cause more trauma, and she certainly didn’t want Aiden feeling embarrassed about protecting her. But the truth was, she hadn’t seen Danny in three years, and he didn’t have a key to her place, which meant he’d broken in. He must be desperate. She hoped he was here to see her, not to steal something to pawn.