Nowhere to Hide (Delos Series Book 1)

by Lindsay McKenna

  “Cav, I feel like there’s a noose around my neck and it’s tightening around me,” she admitted heavily, giving him a worried look.

  “Look, we need to take this a step at a time. You have good protection from Tanner and me. I’m not letting you out of my sight, Lia, until Dominguez spills what he knows to the police. And even then, you can’t get rid of me. First, we need to understand the bigger picture of what’s going on here.”

  Giving a short nod, Lia tried to tamp down her out-of-control emotions. “You know, I thought…I thought…I was safe down here, Cav. I never dreamed that Schaefer and Dominguez would find me again. My God, it’s my worst nightmare…”

  “They’re all dirt bags,” Cav growled. “People like Medina hire idiots like these two and send them out into the field. In the final analysis, he could care less about those two clowns. They were beyond stupid to try and kidnap you in a tourist area where there would be so many eyewitnesses. These guys were rank amateurs.”

  “I guess you’re right. I never thought about it from that angle.”

  Cav wanted to add that a real operator would have waited until she was alone, shot her up with a drug to dope her, then carried her limp body to the trunk of a car. But there was no way Cav would tell her any of this, either. Lia had a very active imagination to begin with, and many of her fears were based on reality, and he had no desire to stoke any of them right now.

  “Do what you normally do,” he told her quietly. “And let me and Tanner do what we’re good at. We’ll get the whole story in the next day or so. We know Medina has his sights on you and until we can figure out why and what, you’re going to be protected.”

  “Okay,” she said, her voice strained. “I feel like I’m still a target. It’s just a feeling…”

  “Feelings count, but let me get this sorted out and then we’ll make plans according to what we know.” Cav didn’t blame her for feeling that way.

  He wasn’t sure whether Medina knew that his men had botched Lia’s kidnapping, but more troubling was the possibility that Medina would send out another man or team to come after her. Once he got Lia home and met with Tanner, he’d take his colleague aside and share his concerns.

  When Cav drove up to Lia’s house, Tanner met them at the door. He had two other operators with him, and they all looked grim. Cav introduced Lia to them and took her directly into the house, asking Tanner to wait outside. He nodded, his eyes dark, but said nothing more.

  Once inside, Cav went to the kitchen cabinet, where he’d spotted a small bottle of brandy earlier that week. Pouring a shot, he took it to her in her bedroom. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling off her boots.

  “Here,” he told her, “drink this down fast. It will help settle your nerves.”

  She took it, saying, “I use this brandy in some of my recipes.”

  He smiled crookedly. “Well, right now it’s going to help you relax a little.”

  Lia tipped it into her mouth and slugged it down. Then she gasped, her hand swiping across her mouth as if it were on fire.

  Cav took the empty shot glass and set it on the bed stand, watching her cheeks turn red. He knew she wasn’t much for alcohol and it must have been burning all the way down. “I’m going out to talk with Tanner now,” he told her, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  She nodded, her hand against her throat, her voice raspy. “Okay…thanks…”

  He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her hair. Her eyes changed from fear to gratitude.

  Tanner listened to Cav’s report on what happened at the Venado Caves. His men, both former SEALs, listened closely too, saying nothing. When he finished, Cav asked, “What do you think?”

  “I think Medina’s the reason those two were sent after Lia,” Tanner said, resting his hands on his hips, his gaze skimming the area for potential threat. “I think he wants to get revenge. We’d been talking to the policia, anyway, because Dilara and Robert were coming in. We needed to get the lay of the land. The detectives at La Fortuna precinct said Medina was a mean sonofabitch who believed in an ‘eye for an eye’ when it came to messing with his interests. And he considered the women at his villa his property,” he added grimly.

  “If Dominguez supports that theory,” Cav said, scowling, “then it means Medina will probably send someone else after Lia. He’s not going to stop just because two of his soldiers got caught trying to kidnap her.”

  “Right on,” Tanner agreed. “I’m hoping if Dominguez spills his guts and implicates Medina, the Costa Rican police will go after him and take him down.”

  Cav rubbed his jaw and grimaced. “Medina’s been operating here for a long time and they haven’t touched him yet.”

  “Well,” Tanner said, “Maybe this time they will. You know General Culver has global reach because he works with NATO. He could put pressure on the Costa Rican government to move in and take out Medina.”

  “If they don’t arrest Medina,” Cav added, “then he’ll be free to come after Lia again.”

  “Maybe,” Tanner said, lifting his chin and looking up at the wispy, fog-like clouds starting to form over the jungle again. “Lia needs to return to the States and work with Dilara at the main office in Alexandria. She’ll be safe there.” His unwavering gaze held Cav’s own. “Here, she’s a target.”

  “My thoughts were the same,” Cav admitted. “But I don’t know if she’ll go. She has attachments here.”

  “First things first,” Tanner said. “Get over to the precinct and give your statement. I’ll coordinate everything from my end. Just have the policia send me an email document of their interview with you. We need to keep Robert and Dilara updated as things develop.”

  “Right,” Cav agreed. “I already told Lia you’d be on watch while I go talk to the policia.”

  “Yeah,” Tanner said, “I’ll remain in the house while my guys stay nearby.” His eyes grew thoughtful. “We’ll take good care of her. Don’t worry.”

  Cav nodded. “Thanks,” he said, shaking Tanner’s hand. He knew full well that Tanner realized Cav was emotionally involved with Lia, and he didn’t care. What was true—was true.

  Lia slowly woke up when she heard two men talking in low tones in the living room. The door to her room was open and she slowly wiped the sleep out of her eyes. She noticed it was almost dark out and slowly sat up. Having taken off her dirty clothes, she’d pulled on a clean white tee and a pair of dark blue linen trousers. Her feet were bare. She heard a door open and close. Pushing to her feet, she met Cav in the kitchen as he was walking toward her bedroom door. His face was unreadable and she felt that guardian-like energy around him.

  “What’s going on?” she mumbled, halting in front of him. “Is everything okay?”

  Cav reached out to touch her cheek, observing the worry in her drowsy, half-opened eyes. “How about a cup of coffee to wake you up? Are you hungry?” He knew that when Lia was upset, she wouldn’t eat.

  “Coffee sounds good,” she muttered, sitting at the kitchen table. “Did you just get back from the police station?”

  “Yes, I got here about twenty minutes ago,” he said, puttering in the kitchen to make them coffee. “The policia took my statement. I’m cleared and still carrying a weapon on me. I went over to the hospital and talked to the detectives over there.” He flipped the switch on the coffee maker and then opened the cabinet door, pulling down two mugs. Bringing them to the table, he saw anxiety growing in her eyes. Cav sat down at her elbow. “Dominguez just got out of surgery and he’s going to make it.”

  “Thank God,” Lia muttered, rubbing her face, trying to wake up. “What did he say?”

  “He spilled a lot. First, he confirmed that Medina was out for revenge after you drove Lupe to the San José airport.”

  Lia eyed him, her lips thinning. “Did Medina know that he and Schaefer had already served prison time for assaulting me?”

  “Yes,” Cav admitted, moving the cup slowly around between his long
fingers. “Originally, Dominguez said Medina was going to kill you, but later he decided to kidnap you.”

  Eyes widening, Lia sat up. “But…why?”

  Cav wasn’t going to lie to her about this. “Medina was going to keep you at the La Fortuna villa as a replacement for Lupe.” He saw her eyes widen. She paled as the implications of his words hit home.

  He reached out and growled, “Don’t worry. It’s not going to happen.”

  Shaken, Lia stared back at Cav. “What’s stopping him?”

  “The Costa Rican government for starters. I talked to the policia chief here at La Fortuna. Because Dominguez has implicated Medina directly, they’re finally going after him. They’ve been wanting to get him for a long time, but now they have a witness, Dominguez. Plus you.” Cav looked at her closely, gauging her strength to do what might come later.

  “You know what this means, right? They’ll take Medina down and put him in jail. Then, there will be a court case and you’ll have to testify.”

  “As will Dominguez, right?” she countered.

  “Yes.” He reached out, moving his fingers slowly up and down her lower arm. “But it could be hard on you, Lia.”

  “If they catch Medina…it could take them years to come to trial,” Lia muttered. “And then I’ll be a target of whoever takes over his operation. He could even run it from his jail cell.”

  “All true,” Cav agreed, unable to deny the points she made. “And that’s if they can catch him. I’m not sure how well the Costa Rican police will get the job done. They seem efficient enough and knowledgeable, but…”

  She turned her hand over, sliding her fingers between Cav’s, seeking his warmth and support. “This is such a hot mess,” she uttered, exhaustion edging her words.

  “The whole thing puts you at risk,” he agreed. “Even if Medina is caught, he can still come after you with what’s left of his empire.”

  “I know,” she said wearily, absorbing his touch, his fingers wrapping around hers. Right now, Lia desperately needed Cav. He represented protection, but even more, her heart was involved with Cav, the man, not Cav, the operator. She knew she was putting him at risk, too.

  “All I wanted to do is work for Delos Charities and help the kids here at La Fortuna, Cav. It all seemed so simple until we helped Lupe escape. God!” She shook her head, looking away for a moment. “Now, everything’s changed. Even if Medina is caught and jailed, he still holds power here in the northern highlands. It won’t matter if he’s in prison or not; he’ll still go after what he wants.”

  “Look, Lia,” Cav began gently, “We need to get you out of here. I know how much you love your kids and I know you’ve made a life for yourself down here.” He saw anguish enter her gray eyes. “Dilara and Robert are worried about you. They realize now that Medina isn’t going to stop trying to take out his revenge on you. If you were home, in the States, you’d be safer.”

  Lia felt her world crashing down upon her. Thank goodness for Cav’s quiet, solid presence. He was helping her steady her emotions. She whispered, “I know I’m putting everyone at risk down here. I realize that now that Medina has targeted me. As long as I stay here, the school they’re rebuilding is at risk too, as are the new teachers. And the children…”

  She took a deep breath, and then lifted her gaze to his. “As are you and Tanner’s men. Medina is well known for seeking revenge, Cav. He doesn’t stop. I’ve seen it before.”

  “Yeah,” he muttered, “that’s about the bottom line on all of this, Lia.” He gave her another minute then asked, “How do you feel about leaving? You might work with Dilara at headquarters instead.”

  She looked down at their joined hands. “I don’t want to,” she said, her voice wobbly. “But I know I have to. I won’t put others at risk for me, Cav. I won’t do it.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I think it’s the best option for now.” He lifted her hand and kissed it, proud of her commitment to those she loved. “Even if you leave and the police capture Medina, he could still take revenge on the Delos school they’re rebuilding. Nothing is assured, Lia. But getting you out of here will go a long way by removing you from his gun sights.” His voice thickened. “I really like what we’ve discovered with one another, and I’m not willing to give it up, either. But I want you out of here because you are his target.” He searched her face for her compliance. She was silent, so he went on.

  “Lia, I want the right to get to know you under less stressful circumstances. I want you to have a life again. I strongly feel you need to leave here as soon as you can. Medina doesn’t know that the police are going to arrest him in San José at his villa. And as soon as they do, he’s going to put the word out to take you out.”

  He caressed her cheek. “I want you safe, Lia, and back home in the States. It will be good for both you and Dilara if you work with Delos in Virginia. And selfishly, I admit that I’ll sleep a helluva lot better knowing you’re stateside.”

  “You’re right,” she agreed. “Of course I hate the idea of leaving, but you’re right, Cav. I won’t put others at risk here.”

  At that, Cav told Lia the final reason she should return to the States. “I took the liberty of speaking to Dilara about this after I found out what the Costa Rican government is going to do. She wants you home so much, she’s setting up a condo near headquarters, just for you. You’ll have a home to go to, and Dilara will take good care of you during this transition.”

  “Okay,” she agreed, grateful, yet feeling her heart breaking into a thousand pieces. She was going to leave four years of her life behind, a life that she had loved. She would miss everyone, especially the children and their parents. Blotting her tears, Lia stole a look into Cav’s face.

  Now, she saw so much he couldn’t hide from her because they were connected. “And what about us?” she asked, forcing herself to speak the scariest words. “I don’t want to lose what we have. But I know you’ll be off this PSD as soon as I fly out of here. What then, Cav?”

  He took a deep breath and put his other hand on top of hers. “Nothing changes, Lia. Just because you leave the country we’re in now, doesn’t mean you’re leaving me behind.”

  “But,” she stumbled, “your job of guarding me will be done once I get on a plane for the States.”

  “Yes,” he admitted heavily, “it will.”

  “And you’ll go back to working with Robert, accepting new missions from him.” She saw the rawness in his expression, glad that he wasn’t hiding from her any longer. Cav had always been open and vulnerable with her and she could feel him struggling to answer her questions.

  “I need to talk to the General,” Cav admitted. He stroked her fingers, watching her, weighing how she felt. Cav could feel how torn up she was, how much she was losing when she thought of leaving La Fortuna. “We’ll work something out,” he promised her. “You just walked into my life, Lia and I don’t want to lose what we have. I want the time, the space, the freedom from danger so we can explore a future together, don’t you?”

  He drilled her with an intense look, trying to see into her heart—one that had already been shredded by the last twenty-four hours. Did she have the internal strength, literally, the heart, to include him in her life once she got to Virginia? Or not? Lia had been through so much that Cav honestly didn’t know the answer. And that scared him more than facing a bullet or dying.

  CHAPTER 16

  Lia thought she’d known what it felt like to have her heart ripped open, but she hadn’t. Not until now. She felt Cav’s suffering, his need for her. That kiss out on the precipice had sealed something beautiful between them, but right now, it couldn’t be acted upon.

  “Yes,” she whispered, her voice shaky, “I want the chance to get to know you, Cav.”

  Instantly, she saw relief sweep over him, his mouth softening at the corners. Suddenly, his radio came to life, and he murmured, “Sorry…” as he turned to answer the call. Then, she saw his face tighten, and terror moved through her. She tensed, w
aiting to hear what had happened.

  Cav ended the call and turned to her. “Tanner just picked up info on Medina,” he told her, his voice low. “He knows what happened to his men, and that his plan to kidnap you failed. The police apparently have a bug in his villa. They’ve called to tell us that Medina is putting out a hit on you. Right now.”

  Stunned, Lia could only stare at Cav.

  “We’re leaving here in about ten minutes,” Cav told her. “Let’s get your suitcase. Put in whatever you’ll need, okay? Tanner says that Dilara has been informed, and she’s already bought you a first-class ticket on the next jet leaving Costa Rica for Washington, D.C.” He looked at his watch. “That’s four hours from now. We’ll get you to the airport, keep you guarded and get you on that flight home.”

  Everything was moving at lightning speed as Lia hurried into her bedroom. Cav had pulled her one suitcase from beneath her bed and opened it atop her mattress. Her hands shook, her mind whirling as to what to take with her and what to leave behind. She felt herself beginning to panic. Medina wanted her dead or kidnapped—and Medina usually got what he wanted.

  Cav moved quietly around, now fully on guard, in warrior mode. Soon, she heard a van pull up outside the door.

  “Stay here,” Cav ordered, squeezing her shoulder. In a few moments, Tanner and two other operators were in the house, waiting for her to finish packing. When Lia came into the living room, she felt as if she’d entered a war zone. The men carried M4 rifles in harnesses, their faces hard, their eyes alert. The only time she’d been more frightened was when Schaefer and Dominguez had attacked her five years ago.

  “I’ll take the suitcase,” Cav said, gently placing his hand on the small of her back. He looked over at Tanner and gave a nod.

  Instantly, two of the operators opened the door and checked, then cleared the immediate area outside the door. They stood on either side, motioning Lia to leave the house. Cav helped her into the van and sat next to the window. She sat beside him, her mind in shock, her body needing his closeness.