“I can tell.” The bouncer pointed upstairs again, but the way he looked at her gave her a major case of the willies.
Caley weaved through the partying. The guy waiting for her wasn’t at the bar anymore. She climbed the stairs, breathing deep. Evenly. You got this, Caley. Calm down. Think straight. Upstairs a long hallway curved to the right. “Maybe I can find a way to get down a fire escape.”
“Just go into the bathroom, Caley.”
She inched down the hall. What were all these rooms? Horrible images flooded her brain and sent her sprinting, but a familiar voice coming from one of the rooms pricked her ear.
She paused and turned to the door.
“Go. To. The bathroom, Caley.” His tone came with much more force.
Ignoring Shepherd, she cocked her ear to the door.
Leo.
“This is out of control,” Leo said.
So her mentor had sold them eggs. Tossed his integrity out the door for greed.
“Caley,” Shep barked.
A large hand clasped her shoulder with some serious grip. “This isn’t the bathroom,” the guard from the door boomed. “Come with me.”
Oh no. No. No. She shook all over; her pulse thumped in her temples. “Where are we going?”
He turned her down the hall and to the left. Only two doors. He opened one of them and shoved her inside. “Sit down. I think the boss man might want to chat with you.” Another goon stepped inside. Burly Guy pointed at him. “Stand outside the door. Make sure this little honey doesn’t go anywhere.”
“I was just looking for a bathroom,” Caley said.
“Remain calm, Little Flynn. I’m with you. Not gonna let anything happen.”
She exhaled, shakily. Turned around the room so Shepherd could see everything. A desk. A couple black leather chairs. A window facing the alley.
“I’m behind the Dumpster. I got eyes on you.”
Eyes wouldn’t save her.
Burly Guy grabbed her chin, jolting her. Shep growled through the mic. “Uh-huh. I’ve been watching you. You ain’t here to party.”
Caley held back a whimper.
“Sit tight. I’m coming for you,” Shep said.
“But we’re gonna find out why you are here, pretty thing.”
She didn’t need a code word. It was clear she was in serious trouble.
* * *
Shep hustled across the alley, keeping a calm head, but his heart hammered against his ribs. He wasn’t sure who they thought Caley was. A reporter. Police. Didn’t matter. Nothing good was going to happen and he didn’t see them letting her go. Especially when they searched her and found the camera, mic and earwig.
But that bouncer wouldn’t get the chance to lay another hand on her. Shepherd was sure he had by Caley’s flinch. His blood boiled at the thought of someone inflicting pain on her.
He scanned the perimeter.
Caley was in the room, probably an office, above him. The same room where he’d seen the curtain shift that day they followed Leo.
She was in the room alone now. One guy getting “boss man” and the other guy outside her door. Two men were nothing. He could take them down with his eyes closed, but he didn’t know how many more were inside, and Shep couldn’t risk getting Caley hurt.
“Shep,” Caley whispered with a catch in her voice. “Are you still there?” Every single syllable held fear. He should have gone with his gut and refused her access to the club. But he understood her need to feel strong, to fight back.
“You don’t see me because I don’t want to be seen. Now quit talking. Sit down. There might be cameras in the office.” She was in the room without the fire escape. Not good. A bouncer stood at the corner of the alleyway. The only way up was through him.
He stayed to the shadows and sneaked up behind the guard. One precise maneuver to the neck and the dude dropped. Out cold, but that would only last about three minutes. He raced up the fire escape and peeped into the window. Empty. But he couldn’t be sure someone wasn’t out in the hall.
Shep needed this to go down quiet and fast. Taking down only those he needed to. If he caused a commotion in the hallway leading to Caley, it could get her killed. If he caused a commotion coming out, he could shield her. Either way was going to be a risk.
He glanced at the window that opened to the office Caley was being held hostage in. The ledge protruding from it was narrow, not even a foot wide. But it was his only choice. He’d have to jump, and pray his foot made the ledge and he had enough grip on the brick to secure himself.
One deep breath and he lunged, his foot solidly landing as he gripped the window and tapped. “Caley, let me in.”
Caley rushed to the window and opened it. He placed a finger on his lips, motioning her to be quiet, and jumped inside, then surveyed the room. The minute they busted through the door, it would incite a gun war. How many men were out there?
They didn’t have much time. Any minute they’d bring up the “boss man.”
Shep glanced up. Hatch to the roof. All these old buildings would have them. Thank You, God. If they could go up onto the roof, there should be another fire escape on the other side. They could climb down and call it a day.
He checked the window again and a black sedan pulled to a stop. A man with thick black hair and an expensive suit stepped out. Shep grabbed his phone, turned off the flash and took a photo, hoping it wouldn’t be too dark to see later.
“Boss man is here.” Manager. Owner. Shep wasn’t sure, but he was the big enchilada with an entourage of men surrounding him. “We gotta go up, Little Flynn.”
Caley was in danger however he played it, but he needed to move fast. Grabbing a chair, he climbed up and unlatched the hatch to the roof, thankful for the blaring music below masking the thud of it opening.
“Come on,” he called.
“What will we do once we get up there?” Caley’s voice was strained and she was hugging her forearms.
“I hope we can make it across the roof and down the fire escape before they realize we’re gone. So put some fire under your boots and come on.” He took her hand and she climbed onto the chair, hyperaware of their close proximity. “I’m gonna boost you up.”
“Okay,” she stammered.
“Ready?” He gripped her waist and lifted her into the air. She used her arms and hoisted herself up and out. Shep put the chair back in place and used his core and leg strength to jump, grabbing on and pulling himself up, then he closed the hatch. He ran across the roof, peering over the sides.
His lungs turned to iron.
No second fire escape.
It wouldn’t take long for whoever came into the room to figure out they’d gone up. They couldn’t go back down. He glared at the building on the other side of the alley. A gap just five feet across separated them from that structure. Not bad. Caley, at about five foot three, didn’t have a long stride, though.
God, help me out here.
He faced her. Her skin had turned ghostly white. “Ever play hopscotch?”
“Why?” she asked, caution in her tone.
Shep motioned with a tilt of his head to the edge of the roof.
Caley’s sight went straight to the other side of the roof and she rushed over, peering down into the alley that separated the buildings. Sweat popped on her forehead, mouth agape, head shaking furiously. “I can’t do that. I can’t jump across there. I’m not a soldier! I study turtles!”
“Slow and steady ain’t gonna win this race.”
“No! Just...pop ’em the minute they come up. You’re a sniper! You can do that.” Her voice reached window-cracking volume and she flailed her hands wildly.
“Caley,” he said, his voice low and calm while inside he was reeling. “I’m not going to do that.” Not that it hadn’t crossed his mind, but she might get caught in the crossfire, and he wouldn’t risk it. “And you don’t really want me to.” Caley would never condone killing no matter who it was. That wasn’t who she was. But she was panicking.
And if she didn’t try her best to relax, she’d hesitate on the jump and plummet to the alley below.
Time was thin. Any minute they’d make it upstairs. Into the office. And that would be that.
“You’re a Flynn. You can do it. I know you can do it. Trust me.” Why should she, though? He’d put her in this predicament.
She licked her lips, wrung her hands together. Blew a breath. “I’m gonna be sick.”
No time to patty-cake anymore. He hardened his tone. “You’re gonna jump to that building and you’re going to make it.” He’d give her no choice. “I can’t go first. You gotta go.” He wasn’t leaving her with criminals to show up and him not here to defend her.
She raised her hands to her blond wig and fisted two handfuls. “Okay. Okay, I’ll do it.” She nodded. “I can do it.” Seemed she was more psyching herself up than convincing Shep, and panic laced her tone.
What would ease her? His words weren’t doing the job. He’d been sweet about it. And rough.
Physical contact.
That’s what made her feel safe.
He tugged her against him, gripped her in a firm embrace. “You got this, Flynn. And I’ll be right behind you.” She burrowed against him and a pent-up breath released. “You can do this. You’re the bravest, strongest woman I’ve ever met.” He pulled back to peer into her eyes, framed her face. “You run with all you got, spring off and push your body forward.”
She nodded emphatically.
Fog cleared from her eyes. Courage rested in place of fear.
“Now.”
She positioned herself into a runner’s pose. “One, two, three...” She ran like the wind and hurled herself off the building.
Shepherd silently prayed, his stomach in knots and sweat slicking down his back.
Caley had it! She was going to make it.
She shrieked.
Shepherd’s heart lurched into his throat.
Her foot landed on the edge of the other building’s roof, but slipped.
She fell backward.
“Caley!”
Shepherd burst across the roof.
Caley grasped on to the ledge with one hand, dangling. “Shepherd,” she cried, “I can’t... I’m slipping!”
Shepherd landed on his feet, knelt.
Caley’s fingers continued to slip.
Four left...
Three...
He grabbed just as the last finger slid away. With an iron grip on her wrist, he hauled her into his arms, not because she might need it, but he did. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
The roof door sprung open.
“Get them!” someone barked.
Shots fired.
NINE
Caley squealed and ducked. Shepherd shielded her and shoved her forward. “Run for the roof hatch,” he barked.
Shots continued to fire. Concrete sprayed in the air.
Men yelled.
Caley couldn’t hear. Couldn’t process.
Her pulse roared in her ears and she couldn’t catch her breath.
Shep grunted as he yanked the roof hatch open. “Down. Let’s go.”
Caley scrambled down the roof hatch and dropped into what looked like an office in this restaurant’s second floor. Shep dropped behind her.
Chatter and the smells of Cajun spices hit her senses, but Shep didn’t give her time to get her bearings before he yanked the blond wig from her head and tossed it, cracked the office door, scanned the hall, then dragged her beside him as he strode down the hall.
“They’ll be waiting for us outside. They won’t make trouble in the building but we can’t stay in here all night.”
Caley’s breath was shaky and her hands trembled, her knees wobbled. She needed a minute to pull it together but she didn’t have a minute. “I jumped off a roof.” How had she done that?
“You did good.”
“I could have died.”
“But you didn’t.” Shepherd paused. The clatter of dishes, laughter and chatter grew closer. Must be an upstairs dining area, as well. He laced his hand in hers. “Smile,” he whispered as they approached round tables with soft candlelight. Diners enjoying a meal. Oblivious to the fact that Caley and Shepherd were running for their lives.
Shep never stopped scanning, calculating. Caley thanked God for his set of unique skills.
A server stepped in front of them and Shep moved behind him, like a shield, following him down the stairs into the main dining area and to the swinging kitchen doors.
“What now?” Caley asked.
“We’re going out the front doors and blending into the crowd. They won’t shoot us in a crowd.”
“But what if they’re standing out there?”
“Count on it.” Shep guided her past tables. Outside the glass windows, the streets were packed with people. “But it’s our best shot. Keep your head down, lean into me.” Shep shoved the front doors open. A mix of smoke, spices and perfumes hit Caley like a ton of bricks.
Her chest continued to pound, but she trusted Shepherd with her life. If anyone could get them out of here safely, it was him. She pressed into him and kept her head down as he bobbed in and out of the sea of people.
Two guys in front of them laughed and carried on a conversation about the local college football team. Shep tapped one guy’s shoulder. “Hey, I’ll give you a hundred bucks for your ball caps.”
“You serious, dude?”
Shep scanned the throng of people, reached into his pocket and brought out two fifties.
“Sweet!”
The college-aged guys gave Shepherd the hats and pocketed the money. Shep slid a ball cap onto Caley and on himself.
“I can’t believe you gave that guy a hundred dollars.”
“I’d have given five hundred if I knew it would keep you safe, Little Flynn.” He paused and someone bumped into them, cursed and moved around them.
“What is it?”
“Up ahead.” Burly Guy and a lanky man. “Plan B.” He zigzagged and cut into a comic-book store. A few graphic novel geeks looked up. A guy with thick black-framed glasses and unruly hair nodded.
“You looking for something in particular?”
“Your office,” Shep said and the cashier’s eyes went round like saucers. “This girl’s ex-boyfriend tried to attack her. Him and his friends are casing the strip. We need a place to hide out until it’s clear.”
The cashier didn’t seem to buy the story.
Caley stepped forward. “Please, help me. He’ll kill me if he finds me. He’s crazy.” The desperation in her voice wasn’t an act, her words never truer. “Please. You’d be a superhero.” Maybe that would stroke his ego. He did work in a comic-book store.
He darted his sight from her to menacing Shepherd. “Okay. But just for a few minutes. I’m not supposed to let anyone back there.”
Caley grabbed his hand. “Thank you.”
His cheeks turned pink and he led them to the back office.
“If anyone comes in and asks if you’ve seen us, the answer is no.” Shep gave him a stern look. “And remember, I can hear you from in here.”
“Yes, sir.”
The cashier went back out.
Shepherd hurried to the exit that led into the alley but stayed indoors. “We have a better chance staying in the crowd, but...” Frustration laced his voice. “You holdin’ up?”
Barely.
“I think so,” she whispered.
He turned from the door, held her gaze.
“Thank you.”
“It’s my job.” He looked away.
Was the physical contact, the embrace that had given her the comfort and strength she needed to brave the jump, been his job? Should she ask?
Now wasn’t the time.
“I know I’ve already said it, but I can’t believe I jumped off a roof.” She bent at the knees, the aftershock stealing her breath.
“Wilder’s going to kill me.”
“Kill you? He should kiss you.”
&n
bsp; “Kiss me? I nearly got you killed. I broke my word—I promised to keep you safe. I keep saying I’m sorry. It’s true.”
“Shepherd Lightman!” A white-hot heat drove through her veins. “How can you say that? I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you. Who knows what they’d have done to me before murdering me? All you’ve done is keep me safe. Rescue me. Risk life and limb for me. Stop saying you’ve failed or I’ll... I’ll... I don’t know what I’ll do!”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
While she was feeling brave, she might as well jump. She was getting good at it. “You hugged me.” She strode across the office and straight into his personal space, causing him to shift. “Physical contact.”
“I did.” He had more grit and gravel in his voice.
“Was that just doing your job? Or...or was something behind it?” She had to know. Shepherd didn’t give affection freely. But he’d given it to her. What was backing it up? Did he...did he care about her? Caley the person and not Caley the assignment?
Would it matter? She wanted to confidently believe it wouldn’t. But she’d be lying. She cared for Shepherd more than she should. More than she wanted to. Confusion whirled in her heart.
He shrugged one shoulder. “Physical contact calms you down. You were so scared. Seemed the right solution.” He refused to look her in the eye.
“Well, don’t do it again.” She held back burning tears. She was just a mission. It had been a means to an end. He probably didn’t think she was brave or capable. Those were simply words to get her to jump. To do what he wanted. Soldiers accomplished their missions no matter what it cost. Right now it was costing her heart. “Am I clear, solider?”
He sighed and stepped forward, opened his mouth to speak but clamped it shut.
“Am. I. Clear?”
“Roger that,” he muttered. “I’m going out front. Stay here.”
“Roger that,” she repeated. She needed a minute to pull it together. To win the war going on inside her. You can’t love a soldier, so stop pining for one. Stop it right now, Caley. He’s not the guy for you. He said it himself.
Shep came back inside the office. “We’re movin’ out.”
Deep Waters (The Security Specialists) Page 12