Checkmate

by Kris Norris

  Kendall cleared her throat, drawing her gaze away from his bare chest, hoping the increased dizziness she felt was just her concussion. “I remember my mother kissing everything better,” she whispered. “It’s one of the few pleasant memories. It seemed to work back then.”

  Dawson reached out, caressing her face with his fingers. Her skin burned beneath his touch, searing a path straight to her groin. She whimpered, wondering if he’d had this effect on every woman he’d ever touched. “It still does,” he said. He moved closer, kissing her head. “I figured I should return the favor.”

  Kendall moaned. His body was so close she could feel his heat, taste the spicy scent of his skin. Her womb clenched in protest, and if it wasn’t for the fear coursing through her veins, she would’ve finished what they started on the ridge. “Dawson?”

  “Yes, Kendall?”

  His words whispered across the shell of her ear, leaving her gasping for breath. She shifted closer, not wanting to lose the intimate connection between them. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. What I said to you last night, it was out of line…no, it was way more than that. I was upset, and not just because of Garrick.” She paused, steadying her nerves. “Upstairs, in my room. I’m not very good at…” She stopped, unsure how to explain.

  “You don’t like letting anyone inside those walls of yours, do you?”

  “It’s not that…yes it is, but…damn.” She closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest. How could she explain something she didn’t understand herself? She’d built the walls to protect herself against Garrick. So there’d never be anyone he could use against her. But she’d hidden behind them so long she’d trapped herself inside.

  She felt Dawson smile against her head as he stroked her hair. “It’s okay. Besides, what you said to me later more than made up for it.”

  She pulled back. “What do you mean? What did I say to you later?”

  “You don’t remember?” he said, his voice full of innocence. “You know, what you told me when I carried you to the couch.”

  “You carried me to the couch?” She furrowed her brow. “Did we do anything else?”

  Dawson smiled, brushing his lips against hers. “Nothing you didn’t enjoy.”

  “That’s not funny, Dawson,” she scolded.

  “Relax,” he chuckled. “You were far too drunk to do anything other than pass out.” He grinned again. “But you were very sincere. And I’m betting completely honest.”

  She was just about to respond when the phone rang again. “It’s as if he can see us for God’s sake.” She answered it. “It’s only been fifteen.”

  “Did I interrupt something?” asked Garrick. “Don’t tell me you were just getting to the best part.”

  “Where next?”

  “Tell me, Kendall. Do you avoid talking about him because you love him, or because he’s a terrible disappointment to you?”

  “The only man I find disappointing is you.”

  “If that were true, you wouldn’t sound so upset. You enjoy the challenge just as much as I do. That’s why you’re out here. Give Conner the phone. I’d like to talk to him again. In private.”

  “Anything you need to say, you can say to me. This is between us, Garrick.”

  “Then why did you bring him along? If you didn’t want him exposed to my charm, you should’ve left him back home.” His voice angered. “Now give him the phone!”

  Kendall huffed, handing Dawson the cell.

  “What now?”

  “Perhaps it might be wise to remind Kendall that I make the rules,” said Garrick.

  “I’m sure she’s well aware of that. How’s Trace?”

  “Anxious. Well, he would be if he were conscious. I spared him the torment of watching his sister’s progress by forcing him to rest. He seems to be getting used to the drugs.”

  “You’ll pay for this,” Dawson promised.

  “Oh, I’m sure you believe that. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Now I wanted to speak to you because I believe you want to see Kendall get through this alive. Is that true?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good,” said Garrick. “Then tell me. Before when she asked me to be reasonable, was it because she was hurting or was it you?”

  “It was me.”

  “Then the pain I hear in her voice is real.” Garrick paused. “How bad are her injuries?”

  “Bad enough.”

  “I see. Then I’ll cut you a break. See the X on the map?”

  Dawson glanced down. “Yes.”

  “There’s a car waiting for you at that location. Get her there anyway you have to. There’s another map in the car that will lead you here.”

  Dawson glanced at his watch. “How long do we have?”

  “Take as long as you like. Believe it or not, we do have one thing in common. We both want Kendall to make it here alive. There is one catch however. Trace. You see the drugs I gave him will eventually kill him, if he’s not given the proper antidote.”

  “You bastard!”

  “Now, now Conner. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Kendall needs you to be strong. Trace has about three hours left. I figure if you push her, you could get here in under two. Of course, a more reasonable time is over three. The choice is yours.”

  Dawson cursed as Garrick hung up the phone. If he told Kendall about Trace, she’d kill herself getting there in record time. But if he didn’t, she’d never forgive him.

  “What did he say? Where are we going next?”

  “Here!” Dawson pointed to the X. “He said there’s a car waiting for us along with another map.”

  “That’s a fair distance. How long do we have?” asked Kendall.

  “He said he’d cut you a break. He believes you’re really hurt, so he isn’t giving us a time limit. He told me to get you there any way I could.”

  Kendall stared at him, her eyes marred with disbelief. “That doesn’t sound like Garrick. There’s got to be a catch.”

  “He wants you alive, Kendall. End of story.”

  “Then why do you look so sad? You’re not being honest with me. He’s up to something. That’s why he wanted to talk to you instead of me.” She stood up, swaying against a tree.

  Dawson grabbed her. “Look at yourself! You can’t even stand up without falling over! You can’t keep this up.” He looked down, shaking his head in remorse. “I’m sorry.”

  If I have to choose between saving Trace and saving you, I’ve already made my decision.

  Dawson could hear his words echoing in his head. He was making his choice. And as he gazed into Kendall’s eyes, he knew she was thinking the same thing.

  “Oh God, it’s Trace, isn’t it?” She tried to pull out of his embrace, but she wasn’t strong enough to break his hold. “He’s not giving us a limit, but he’s set it up so something happens to Trace if we don’t get there quick enough.” She tried again only to end up sobbing in his arms. “I can’t do this, Dawson. I can’t give up now.”

  “I know how much you want to save Trace, but I can’t stand here and watch you push yourself over the edge. You’re hurt, Kendall, and if you don’t get that head looked at soon, you won’t have to worry about Trace, or Garrick, because you’ll be dead!”

  “Then help me,” she begged.

  Dawson stilled. Those were three words he never thought he’d hear her say. Even when she’d needed him to help her walk, she’d phrased it differently. “Kendall…”

  “Please. I know I don’t have the right to ask. But I am. I’ll do anything you ask of me. Play it anyway you tell me. Just please, help me get there.”

  “You’re asking me to give you over to that monster.”

  “No. I’m asking you to get me there, so you can protect me from him.”

  He cursed. This was why he’d never crossed the line before. “We’ve only got three hours. Garrick gave Trace some sort of drug. He said it’ll kill him if he doesn’t get the antidote in time.”

  Kendall pulle
d back, her arms wrapped around him. She smiled and took his lips in hers. They were warm and wet, and it was all he could do to stay on his feet as she gave in to him, allowing the walls to drop. He knew the moment she’d let him in, her heart finally linked to his. He squeezed tighter, savoring the brief moment, knowing she’d rebuild them the moment they parted.

  “You don’t fight fair,” he said, planting a soft kiss across her forehead.

  “I never said I did.” She touched his face. “Thank you. And not just for Trace.”

  “Come on. If we’re going to get there in time, we’ll have to fly.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You’re absolutely insane!” Dawson grabbed Kendall as she stumbled toward the car. “What on earth possessed you to try a stunt like that?”

  Kendall stilled in his arms, resting back against his chest. “We needed to make up some time, and that was the easiest way.”

  “You call sliding three hundred feet down a muddy escarpment easy?”

  “It would’ve taken us forty minutes to weave our way through that trail. It only took ten to slide.”

  “You mean fall, ‘cause that’s basically what we did.” He brushed the hair from her eyes. “You opened up that slice on your head. And you’re walking even worse than before.” He held up his hand. “How many fingers?”

  “Why do people always ask you that? Like I don’t know how many fingers you can have on one hand.”

  “How many?”

  “Three! Of course you have two hands, but there’s still only three on each one.” She squinted at him. “You’ve got two heads too, but somehow that works for you.”

  “Very funny, Kendall.” He looked at her eyes, judging their responsiveness. “You need to get to a hospital. You’ve thrown up twice since we rested. That doesn’t bode well.”

  “You can take me there with Trace.”

  “Or I can wait five more minutes until you pass out.”

  “Just get in the car,” she huffed.

  Dawson mumbled under his breath, helping her over to the passenger side. He could tell by the swirl of anger in her eyes, she knew his observation was right. He also knew she wouldn’t give into the pain until Trace was safe. He sighed.

  What if you can’t save them both?

  She was right. They’d come too far to give up now. And if nothing else, he might at least get a chance to take Garrick out. He opened the door for her, watching her sway on her feet.

  “Thanks.”

  “Let’s just hope you’re still thanking me when this is over,” he grumbled as she swung her legs inside and closed the door. He walked over to the driver’s side, slamming it shut. “Try the glove compartment again.”

  Kendall opened the latch, pulling an envelope out of the darkness. “Here, you read it.”

  “What’s the matter, can’t focus?”

  “You know I can’t. And the shifting just makes me nauseous.”

  “Kendall.”

  “Please, Dawson, just open it. Trace doesn’t have much time left. It’s already been two hours.”

  Dawson pulled at the flap. “Just like Garrick said, another map.”

  “What does this one say?”

  “It says, ‘there’s no place like home.’ ” Dawson drew a sharp breath. “Son of a bitch.”

  “What?”

  “He’s leading us back to your vineyard. To a small outbuilding near the very edge of the property.”

  “The old cellar?”

  “No way! I searched every square inch of that place. Every room in the house, every vat of wine, every Goddamn grape vine! I had my team do a complete sweep of the grounds. I know they searched that cellar.”

  “Maybe Garrick waited until after you searched them to move Trace. I told you, contingency plan.”

  “But I had agents patrolling everywhere.” He slammed his fists on the wheel. “I should’ve seen this coming. It’s the perfect ending to his game. He gets to flaunt our ignorance in our face. I underestimated him.”

  “No, you tried too hard to protect me.” She touched him on the arm. “Come on, let’s go. None of the other stuff matters now.”

  Dawson cursed, revved the engine and tore up the road.

  * * * *

  “There it is.” Kendall pointed to a small set of wooden doors. “I think it was originally a bomb shelter, but I was told my mother’s family used it as a wine cellar. They kept the special bottles down there.”

  “Nothing like hiding something in plain sight.” Dawson looked around. “He’s watching us.” He pointed to a large tree. “Camera.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it. I can’t focus that far away.” She turned to him, her arm still around his shoulders. “Ready?”

  “Just remember what I told you in the car. And as much as I hate the plan, don’t go changing it. You promised to play it my way, and I’m holding you to that.”

  Kendall nodded, trying to keep the bile from rising in her throat. She’d felt much braver in the car when she’d suggested the more questionable aspects of their plan. But now that she was moments away from facing Garrick, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to go through with it. “I’ll remember.”

  They walked across the barren ground. The doors were old and rotted, and it took Dawson two tries to pry them apart. “There’re six steps. Can you do that by yourself?”

  “Sure.” She stepped over the lip, swaying. “I’ll see you down there,” she said, disappearing into the ground.

  The steps creaked beneath her feet, casting dust into the air. Shadows covered the walls, hiding every detail, as she turned at the bottom, searching the room for any movement. A faint chuckle drew her attention. She took a tentative step forward, her eyes adjusting to the dim light, revealing a large figure in the center of the room.

  “Kendall, how nice of you to drop by. Hope you didn’t have too much trouble finding the place.”

  Kendall shifted toward him. “Garrick.”

  “Looks like Conner was telling the truth,” he mused. “You don’t look good at all.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you. If I’d known we’d be meeting in such elegant surroundings, I would’ve dressed for the occasion.” She inched forward as Dawson climbed down the stairs. “Where’s Trace?”

  “All in good time,” he said, watching Dawson step up behind her. “Conner, how good to finally meet you. Why don’t you both step inside?”

  “We’ve done everything you asked, Garrick,” said Kendall. “Now where’s Trace?”

  “Easy, Kendall. Perhaps you should sit down before you fall down.” He motioned to a chair just off to her right. “Judging by the way you’re standing, I wouldn’t be surprised if that were any second now.”

  “Stop pretending you give a damn and show me my brother!”

  Garrick laughed and stepped aside. Kendall gasped, but didn’t move, grounded by Dawson’s hand on her wrist.

  “Sorry about the scratches, but those happened before I made you the promise.” He watched her closely. “Why don’t you come over and say hello? Trace has been dying to see you.”

  “How could you?” asked Kendall, as she stared at Trace’s wounded body. The gash across his chest was red and inflamed, and most of his upper body was covered in bruises. His head was bowed to his chest, and he was drenched with perspiration.

  Garrick smiled. “What’s the matter, don’t you want to see your brother?” He looked at Dawson. “Oh, that’s right. I’m sure your companion warned you about that. After all, if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be doing his job. Isn’t that right…Special Agent Dawson Cade?”

  Dawson smiled. “Did you know from the beginning, or after last night?”

  “Oh the picture was very convincing. I have to say, you did a great job, and all in only six minutes. You had me fooled. But I never leave anything to chance. I’m sure Kendall told you about that.”

  “So, now what?” asked Kendall.

  “Now we decide how our meeting will end.” Garrick raised his
arm and pulled down his sleeve. “Do you know what this is, Agent Dawson?”

  “It’s a type of detonator. I’m betting it’s rigged to your pulse.”

  “I can see why Kendall chose you. You do have strengths. Tell me, Kendall. Was it Conner or Dawson you were talking about when you told me he made you scream?”

  “Stop it!” She took a staggered step forward, bracing her arm against the wall. “I’m here. So uphold your end of the bargain and let Dawson take Trace out of here.”

  “Dawson wasn’t part of our bargain.”

  “You said you’d let Trace go. It’s clear he’s in no condition to do that alone. So in order for you to keep your word, you’ll have to let Dawson take him out.”

  “Do you really think I’m that reasonable, Kendall?”

  “Of course not. But there’s no way you’ll lay one finger on me as long as they’re still here.” She took another step. “How bad do you want me, Garrick?”

  “Bad enough to let your brother go free. It was never about him.” Garrick dropped a key on the floor and backed up several paces. “All right, Kendall. Have it your way. Walk over to your brother and release his chains. Feel free to say your goodbyes. Then join me back here. Oh, and Dawson, your observation was only half right. The detonator is rigged to go off if my pulse goes too low, or too high. So save your thoughts about shooting me once Trace is free, or you’ll be killing Kendall as well. And I doubt you just endured my game to kill her at the finish line.”

  “Why you son of a—”

  “It’s okay,” interrupted Kendall. “Fine, Garrick, if that’s how you want it.”

  “Kendall you can’t.” Dawson tightened his grip. “You promised.”

  Kendall pulled her hand free. “I’m sorry.” She stumbled to Trace’s side, snatching the key off the floor. “Trace?”

  Trace groaned, but didn’t answer. She reached behind him, turning the key in the lock. The chains fell to the floor.

  “Now put the key down and walk back to me,” said Garrick.