Alsu had no idea who Shea worked for, what she did. And Shea kept it that way. Plausible deniability. No way would she risk the woman’s life for herself. The woman had come highly recommended from a maid service and Shea had forged a bond with the smart woman from day one. She suspected Alsu knew more than she let on, but she didn’t let it affect their relationship. The woman followed instructions incredibly well. Struggled with modern technology but learned quickly. All assets to Shea. Not to mention it curbed the loneliness of her work. It was nice to have someone around in those rare times she was able to come home.
Home. The warehouse wasn’t her home. Not really. It was simply a place to lay her head while she worked in country. Her roots were buried in the south part of Boston. Where she’d lived a hum-drum life with good parents and a sister who drove her nuts.
Shea swallowed hard. What she wouldn’t give to have her sister back, asking her question after question about things Shea didn’t always know the answers to. If only she could travel back in time and stop the car that ran a red light and caused her parents car accident on that dark, stormy night. To stop Diakameli’s army before they planted the bomb that took her sister away from her.
Granted, she’d gotten the bastard in the end, but that didn’t ease the empty ache in her soul those events caused. Didn’t bring her family back. Or her baby.
The baby Kell didn’t know anything about. She hadn’t had the courage to tell him about the pregnancy or the miscarriage. They both had careers that took them all over the world to do dangerous things. She’d been terrified when she confirmed her pregnancy. And elated at the same time. Somehow, the baby had brought her peace. Filled something inside her she didn’t know was devoid. She’d been happy in her life, settled. Or so she thought. The baby threw a monkey wrench in everything she knew. Yet, somehow she’d welcomed it.
The loss had been too great. It sent her into a tailspin of wrath. And landed her here. Running for her life with the man she’d fallen in love with four years ago, but couldn’t be with. Especially now. Kell would never forgive her for what she’d done. Not that she would blame him. She’d kept a pregnancy and miscarriage from him. He’d been a father for three months and he had no idea.
And she had no idea how to tell him.
Shea pushed the painful thoughts out of her mind. Now definitely wasn’t the time for regrets.
“Someone’s coming,” Kell said, shifting into a more combative position.
She did the same, prepared to fight for her life. She’d been given a second chance and she didn’t plan on going down anytime soon. Her most trusted confidant at the Company had betrayed her. Betrayed their country. And he needed to be brought to justice.
As soon as she got her ducks in order. Right now they were scattered to the four ends of the earth. And she hated it. She liked all her balls in the air, controlled by her hands. This didn’t settle well at all.
What would Dan do when he discovered she had escaped? She was a threat and he would do everything possible to stop her from turning him in to the authorities. The wars going on wouldn’t compare to the wrath Dan would rain down on her. She needed to regroup, make a plan. Work up a defense for when he did come.
And somehow protect Kell from getting involved. He didn’t deserve being drawn into her problems. Knowing him as she did, she knew he would stand by her side and fight with her. It was who he was. What he did. The Wolff brothers were nothing if not loyal. They stood up for what was right and weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty doing it. She’d witnessed that with Quinn when he rescued that humanitarian aid worker, and with Kell who saved the other aid worker. They protected Kell from her which had hurt, but she completely understood. She’d walked out on him four years ago without a word. He should hate her. But here he was, saving her life.
A man was yelling in outrage. American. No, no, no. Shea risked a peek around the bumper of the car, felt Kell tug her back.
She pressed her back against the roof, her adrenaline pumping again. “They’re going to kill him.”
“Nothing we can do,” Kell said in a grave voice. Confirming what she already knew. They couldn’t help the victim for fear of putting themselves in danger, too.
All they could do was sit there and listen as the man was forced to his knees. Shea heard him hit the pavement, forced down hard.
One of the men shouted in broken English, “Death to Americans.”
A gunshot rang out.
Shea jumped.
Cheers went up in the street.
Kell clamped a hand down on hers, preventing her from jumping up and doing something. Anything.
“It’s too late,” Kell warned.
Shea fisted her hands. She’d taken so much in her lifetime, when would it be enough?
The cheers amped up, closer now. They were coming toward them. And if they went past they would see them.
“Move,” Kell ordered, moving into a low crouch. He moved toward the front of the car, staying down as to not be seen.
Shea pushed to a squat, wincing when she put weight on her ankle. She barely made it around the front of the car before the small mob stampeded by. Her heart leapt into her throat. Only a few feet away lay a dead man. And, closer than that, the men who would kill them too just for the color of their skin and what they believed.
Darkness fell around them, providing cover from the mob. Street lights came on only to be shattered by rocks thrown by the melee.
As their voices faded in the distance Kell scanned the streets over the top of the hood.
“Clear,” he said. “Let’s go.”
They ran between houses, through back yards, around cars for blocks until they finally reached Shea’s house.
“Back door,” she said, leading Kell through the backyard of neatly cut grass and well-maintained landscape. Not maintained by her. She didn’t do horticulture. Her thumb was as black as one could be. Her sister had given her an African Violet once for her birthday. It died three weeks later. No-one bought her another one.
She reached above the overhang for a spare key and used it to let them in. The alarm didn’t sound audibly, but she quickly put in the code to stop it from sending a distress signal. Not that anyone would probably come. The police had bigger issues than a domestic house call.
A light from the kitchen cast a soft glow on them as they walked in.
Someone gasped.
Alsu stood in the doorway, hand to her mouth, eyes wide. Shea could only imagine what she looked like. But she was happy to see Alsu alive and well. The virus hadn’t spread to these parts. Yet. Only a fool would think it wouldn’t.
“Miss Shea,” Alsu cried, running to her. Alsu enveloped her in a big hug, the woman crying in relief. Shea hugged her back.
“You are hurt,” Alsu said, pulling away and giving Shea a once-over. “Come, I will heal you.”
Shea resisted, but knew she wouldn’t put the woman off for long. She was equally as tenacious as herself.
“Are the security measures in place?” she asked.
Alsu nodded vigorously. “Yes. I did everything you instructed me to do. It is true? They are warring?”
“Yes. But, don’t worry. We’re safe here.” She turned to Kell. “You two have met?”
He nodded.
Of course they had. He wouldn’t have found her if they hadn’t.
“Yes, I met the wolf,” Alsu agreed.
Shea’s brows rose. The wolf? Interesting interpretation. He didn’t seem bothered by it, simply amused.
“Can you find a change of clothes for the wolf and prepare a small meal?” In effort to be prepared for anything, Shea kept a closet full of spare clothes, both for men and women, in various sizes. You just never knew when a disguise or change of clothes would be needed. Although, this was the first time she’d had to.
Alsu nodded and rushed off to do her bidding. Shea had no appetite whatsoever, but they needed to eat for fuel. This night was far from over.
“I’m going to d
o a walk-through,” Kell said. “Double check the locks.”
She didn’t argue, just nodded and let him do what he had to. Telling him there were bars on the windows, an invisible fence, cameras, and motion detectors around the house along with a full set of monitors in one of the rooms upstairs wouldn’t matter. He needed to protect and she didn’t have the energy to stop him.
In fact, she felt like collapsing and sleeping for days. After a hot shower. Not only to get rid of the dirt and sweat, but to ease her sore muscles.
It took Kell ten minutes to secure the house. Felt like an eternity. When he returned to the kitchen she was sitting at the table, head in her hands. God, she felt like she’d been hit by a Mack truck. Or maybe ten.
Alsu had already found a change of clothes and set them on the kitchen table and was now at the stove preparing something for them to eat. Despite her lack of appetite, it smelled wonderful.
“You look like hell,” Kell said.
She lifted her head. “Thanks.”
Alsu came over with two bowls full of vegetables, lamb and homemade noodles in a rich broth. A chunk of homemade bread balanced on the edge of each bowl.
“Sit. Eat,” Alsu ordered.
Kell sat across from her and picked up his spoon. He tasted the soup, raised his eyebrows and took a bigger bite. “This is good.”
Alsu glowed and turned to Shea, motioning for her to eat. Weary, she picked up her spoon.
16
Jamshid, Azbakastan
Shea let out a low moan as hot water fell softly over her head and shoulders, washing away the hell she’d been through. She’d set the spray to ‘rainfall’ so it wouldn’t pelt her bruised skin. The bandage was still on her wrist, somewhat protecting her wound from the water.
Kell was set up in the spare bedroom, complete with a private bath. She denied any thoughts of him naked in the shower, water sluicing over hard muscle and smooth skin. Smooth except for the scars from childhood and his career. She liked his scars. They were sexy. Proved he was every bit the warrior he portrayed.
“Stop,” she muttered to the empty stall, reaching for the shampoo. If she didn’t put a stop to her thoughts now they would wander into territories she couldn’t afford to go. Sex with Kell was mind-numbing and athletic. The best she’d ever had. The kind you dreamed about at night. Woke up sweaty and aroused, longing for the scent of him, the feel of him. His hands on your body, taking you to heights you begged to feel again and again. And that was putting it lightly. Sex with Kell topped all of that. Blasted it right off the charts. The things he could do to her body. The things he could make her feel. Unmatched.
Shea scowled and poured shampoo into her hand. Kell would never make love to her again. Not after he learned the secret she kept from him.
Refusing the regret and sadness that threatened to overtake her, she washed her hair, ignoring the pain in her wrist. The physical pain replaced the emotional and that was just what she needed right now.
Once she’d scrubbed all traces of her near-death experience she climbed out of the shower and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel.
Alsu waited for her when she stepped into the master suite.
“Come now. Let me help.”
Shea went willingly and sat in the chair Alsu had pulled out from the wall. Modern medicine cured many ailments, but didn’t compare to the old world methods used by the Azbak people. This wasn’t the first time Alsu had tended to Shea’s wounds. She knew her foul-smelling remedies would heal her faster than any hospital.
She sat back and let Alsu work her magic. When told to drink a disgusting smelling liquid she did it without argument. Wouldn’t do her any good to argue anyway. Alsu would get her way.
The liquid burned it’s way down her throat, already taking effect. Her limbs began to tingle and go wonderfully numb. Her eyelids grew heavy, her muscles relaxing. She didn’t feel the sting of whatever medicine Alsu used on her wrist before she wrapped it in a fresh bandage. Didn’t object when Alsu helped her to her bed and tucked her in, pulling the covers up to her chin.
“Rest now,” Alsu murmured, laying her hand across Shea’s forehead. Similar to a mother’s touch.
Shea’s eyes closed and she fell into a peaceful, much needed sleep.
A knock on the door brought Kell’s head around from where he stood by the window, looking out to make sure everything was quiet in the neighborhood. For now. This little reprieve wouldn’t last forever. The wars would eventually move into all parts of the city. Even the wealthy ones.
He strode to the door and pulled it open to see Alsu standing there with a tray of bottles and bowls and cloths.
She pushed past him and set the tray on the dresser.
“Sit,” she ordered, motioning toward the chair in the corner.
He hadn’t taken the time to get dressed after his shower and stood there wrapped in a towel. Alsu didn’t seem to notice, simply gave him a look that dared him to refuse.
So he didn’t. He crossed the room, sat down and waited.
“I heal you,” she said, mixing some concoction in a bowl that looked like it had been dug out of the ground of an ancient archeological site.
She stepped behind him and put a hand on his shoulder so he would lean forward. Then she applied the goop to the wound on his back where the bullet had grazed it. It stung like hell but he didn’t make a sound or move. He’d been through worse treatments than this. Much, much worse.
When she finished with the paste she put a bandage over the wound and patted his shoulder.
“You sleep now,” she said, packing up her supplies. Without another word she left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
He rolled his shoulders, his limbs going numb. His eyelids began to droop. Maybe a few hours wouldn’t hurt. He’d need it to make a plan on what to do next.
First, he needed to check on Shea. He dressed in the jeans and loose-fitting white shirt that buttoned up the front and left the room. The house was quiet so he walked quietly to Shea’s door. He raised his hand to knock, then paused. What if she was asleep? He didn’t want to wake her.
Instead of knocking, he cracked the door open and stuck his head inside. Shea lay in a California king bed amongst more pillows than necessary for one person, eyes closed, breathing softly.
He resisted the urge to go to her. Smooth the wet hair off her face. Climb in with her.
Damn. Bad idea. There were so many walls separating them he couldn’t scale them all. And he shouldn’t. His being here wasn’t about reconciling the past. It was about him rescuing Shea. He’d done that and once it was safe to travel he would go back to Michigan. Take another case. Put Shea in his rearview. Put the past to rest.
Somehow.
Knowing what he did, how in the hell did he put that behind him?
Backing out, he closed her door and returned to his room. He was too exhausted to analyze things now. Better to stay in the present so they could get through this in one piece. The past should remain there.
Kell dropped down on the bed and closed his eyes. If there was one thing he knew for sure. The past never stayed buried.
He just hoped to hell he could handle it when it came knocking.
Kell woke with a start, bolting out of bed, crouched in a fight stance. Nothing moved in the room. Darkness. Except for a sliver of moonlight coming through the window. The soft blow of cool air coming through the air conditioning vents.
He lowered his hands, not sensing any danger. Something had awakened him. What was it?
Making no sound, he left the room and stepped into the hallway, looking both ways. Nothing.
Then he heard it. A low moan. Keening. It tore at his soul.
Silently, he walked to Shea’s room and opened the door. This time he didn’t hesitate before walking in.
Shea whimpered, her arms outstretched as if she were reaching for something.
Kell moved to the bed, pulled the covers back and settled in next to her. He turned on his side, spoonin
g her. She fought against him, still asleep.
“Shhh,” he whispered, stroking her damp hair. “You’re safe now. I’m here.”
Over and over he murmured soothing words in her ear, holding her tightly against his body, absorbing her heat, until finally she went still. All the tension left her muscles, leaving her lifeless next to him.
“She’s gone,” Shea murmured in her sleep.
Her sister. His chest squeezed tight. He knew about loss. Knew how it felt to lose a sibling. Hell, he was still raw from losing Ryan. Knowing Shea, she probably hadn’t truly grieved. She would dive into her work, use that as an outlet for her feelings. Another thing he could relate to. He’d barely had any downtime since his brother’s death. Easier not to slow down. That invited nightmares. He had enough of those.
He nuzzled Shea’s shoulder. “I’m here.”
God, she smelled so good. Familiar. Right. They had connected on many levels in Bahodir. It may have only been a weekend fling, but it threw him into a tailspin he had yet to come out of.
Being here, lying next to her, brought back old feelings, memories of that weekend. Things he didn’t want to think about. This was about Shea. Not what he longed to do with her.
She shifted, snuggling closer to him. A soft sigh escaped her lips as her breathing returned to normal.
Kell squashed his bodies reaction to having a beautiful woman pressed against him. Sex wasn’t a place either of them could go ever again. Too many walls to scale. Things that couldn’t be reversed.
He let his eyes close. Tomorrow was a new day. They would decide where to go from there.
17
Cedar Falls, Michigan
Avery pushed her cart in place behind the next person in the checkout line of the grocery store. Her gaze strayed to a rack of bridal magazines in the impulse buying area of the line. Along with little things like batteries, chapstick, lotions and earbuds. They were put there so people would pick them up as they waited.
Worth the Risk (Book 3, Wolff Securities Series) Page 9