by Han, Barb
She was beautiful. He didn’t need to be any closer than five feet from her to tell that. Her pale green tank pressed against full breasts, a white cotton skirt fell to her calves. Looking through binoculars, he could see her face clearly for the first time. The picture in her file didn’t do her justice. Her fiery hair framed an almond-shaped face and brown eyes with gold flecks in them. Her lips were full, pink and kissable … he stopped himself right there. Her lips were none of his damn business. He dismissed the thought as a side effect of going too long without female companionship. Another job casualty.
Besides, all the color had drained from her face, and she was blinking rapidly. Meant she was anxious. Nervous. If she was involved, she didn’t normally take meetings.
Her folded arms and squared shoulders told him she was ready to jump out of her skin if someone yelled, “Boo.” And yet, he had to give it to her, she was being brave enough to sit there anyway. Of course, he couldn’t tell if she feared the men watching her or just the possibility of getting caught in general.
Jaden glimpsed someone moving from around the side of the hotel and heading toward a cluster of palm trees. The man moved stealthily along the row of palms, crouched low enough not to draw attention to himself.
Tension permeated the beach, powering the heat and humidity times ten. Jaden’s blood was finally pumping again. Adrenaline. He wouldn’t feel this alive sitting behind a desk nursing his injuries.
The ominous storm clouds that had been threatening thickened as a light sprinkle began. The heavy clouds blocked the sun, making it dark as night. The rain shooed tourists back into the hotel, their fists full of rainbow-colored drinks with chunks of pineapple stabbed by toothpicks and set on the rims of the glasses.
Bryce took a step toward Jaden. His eyes bulged, and he made a sharp gasp to force air into his lungs.
Another rush of adrenaline hit Jaden, popping him to his feet long before his brain had time to register what had happened.
Bryce’s large frame stumbled forward, wobbled, and then abruptly sat down. He slumped forward, the look of shock still on his face, as the African gray parrot on his chest turned blood red, and the dark liquid infected every other bird like a strain of H1N1.
Shit.
Bryce was dead.
A flash of anger had Jaden ready to unleash his rage on the asshole who did this. Did they shoot Lauren too?
He caught sight of his asset struggling against a man slightly larger, but very much stronger than she, while clutching her suitcase.
Where the hell was his backup?
Cursing beneath his breath, knowing he was running out of time, Jaden had to act fast. The beach was too exposed. He couldn’t go barreling across it no matter how much his instinct told him he could take the kidnapper with ease. There were too many others covering this stretch of real estate.
At least Jaden had his mark in sight, his own weapon, and the benefit of knowing what he was up against. Knowing your enemy and how many there were created a distinct advantage.
He no longer had the element of surprise on his side. Not since Bryce.
With Lauren thrashing around, Jaden couldn’t get a clean shot. One wrong thrash and there’d be a bullet between her eyes.
He needed her alive.
The guy was hauling her toward the parking lot. Good. Jaden would be covered there. He could move undetected through the cars. He couldn’t allow them to take her to a more secure location. They’d be even better prepared there.
He had to make a move now.
Jaden moved quickly around the front side of the hotel. In the lot, there’d be a driver, at least, and probably another gunman. He already knew about the men in the towers. They’d be making their way down to the parking lot by now.
The escape vehicle should be easy enough to find. Scum like this had a weakness for large SUVs with dark windows. A vehicle that size would stick out against a sea of rusting Celicas.
Ignoring the blinding pain in his shoulder, Jaden slipped into the parking lot. He prayed they wouldn’t have more shooters upstairs, in the windows, or overlooking the lot.
A quick scan didn’t reveal any, but he didn’t exactly have time to stick around long enough to get a good read.
He had no idea what Lauren’s reaction to him saving her would be. If she fought him, that might draw unwanted attention. She could end up compromising her own rescue. He could handle the abductor. He could handle her. He didn’t doubt his abilities. He’d become the best by considering every possible angle. She was already in fight or flight mode. He needed to make a mental adjustment for that.
Jaden located the black SUV immediately. Why were bad guys so predictable? He felt better about his odds now too.
Patience.
The break Jaden was looking for came when he got close enough to see the driver was alone. He had a few minutes at best before the rest of the gang would descend on the lot.
The other guy on the beach would have stayed back to sweep the area. He was already to Bryce by now.
Damn. Bryce. Jaden hated leaving him back there on the sand. Everything in his heart made him want to stay with Bryce, in his final moments, not let some asshole criminal drag him off the beach.
Rage heated the blood in his veins to boiling. He tamped down his frustration.
Speaking of men. Where in God’s name were Gunner and the others?
Jaden moved silently through the parking lot, still seething.
Anger always made him think more clearly. The rush of adrenaline that came with it made him near invincible.
He could see Lauren fighting, being dragged toward the vehicle. She wasn’t going down easy. Good. She’d slow them down. He’d have to pick his moment to strike carefully. He needed to find the path of least resistance.
If he took out the driver, he risked drawing attention.
He needed to make a move on the kidnapper before they got to the SUV. Patience.
A group of Dumpsters would give him enough clearance to take out the guy unnoticed. Might even buy Jaden the time he needed to snatch Lauren and get them both to safety.
Crouched low, he made it to the Dumpsters quickly, quietly, and unseen.
He stayed low as they approached. Patience.
She kicked and screamed, despite the kidnapper’s hand over her mouth. She had fight in her.
Jaden needed the right moment to strike. Let them come a little closer.
Now.
In one sweeping motion, Jaden snatched them both.
Fists were coming at him hard, as were kicks, but he easily wrestled the South American to the ground. Lauren was over top of him, slamming her fists into him as he held onto her leg.
“Don’t fight me,” he growled at her, their gazes holding briefly, while pulling his Glock from the waistband of his jeans. He pressed the cold metal severely against the kidnapper’s forehead, the bullet meant for him already loaded in the chamber. “Or I’ll shoot you too.”
Fear had her golden eyes opened wide, but her jaw was set.
“Help me tie him up,” he demanded, pulling his own belt from his jeans and wrapping it around the kidnapper, strapping his arms to his sides.
Lauren hesitated for a split second before she kneeled down and ground her knee into the kidnapper’s back.
He winced, and then smiled up at her through the pain.
“You won’t get away with this, perra,” he said through a sneer. A tattoo of an angel covered the left side of his neck.
Lauren’s fist balled, reared back, and then slammed into his face. “That’s for Max.”
He spit blood.
“Hold on there,” Jaden said, surprised. A spray of bullets rained on them from every angle. He’d be amused were it not for the shrapnel flying near his head.
“Get up.” Jaden forced the South American to his feet and pushed him in front of them, figuring she wouldn’t mind using this piece of scum as a human shield.
He took Lauren’s hand, feeling a sudden spark run
between them, and he tucked her behind him.
Pressing the barrel of his gun to the back of the South American’s head, Jaden used the man as cover as he moved them toward the beach. If they could get on the other side of the horseshoe, they could use the building as cover.
The spray of bullets continued from the parking lot. AR-15s? Tactical weapons? Jaden made a mental note and moved on.
It looked as though the gang had regrouped.
A crack of thunder fired overhead. The sky was becoming darker by the second, and there was only one choice — keep moving to the beach.
Jaden kept Lauren tucked safely behind him and the South American in front as he stepped backward toward the surf. The beachgoers were long gone. At least Jaden didn’t have to worry about innocent people getting hurt.
Out toward the coastline, he glimpsed a worker bringing in a small dive boat with a handful of tourists who looked to be returning from a scuba excursion.
He could make a play for the hotel or get them out to sea.
He scanned the area. Five jet skis to the left. No keys. They would be at the check-in station a hundred yards away at the palm hut. Half dozen kayaks. No good.
The boat offered the best chance to get Lauren and himself away from the heavy artillery moving in their direction.
“On three, run like hell,” he demanded. The weight of the man in front of him said he’d been dead for the last few steps. His thin jacket, a Kevlar vest no doubt, was the only reason they were alive.
“One. Two. Three.”
Jaden pushed the body forward and cut around the building, which momentarily blocked the spray of bullets.
“They won’t stop for long. Move.”
Lauren did. She ran right behind him until they reached the boat where the worker was out helping folks still half-dressed in Scuba gear. A quick glance onboard revealed more equipment. Good, that might come in handy later.
Jaden pointed the gun directly at the worker’s heart. “We’re taking this.”
The man put up his hands and half-smiled nervously. “No worries, mon.”
Lauren scrambled onto the watercraft.
“Get down.” Jaden commanded, keeping an eye on her as he turned the boat around. She curled up on the floor, hugging her overnight bag and shivering. Fierce as she’d been moments before, now she looked small and out of place. Her white cotton skirt hiked up around her thighs revealing far too much leg for Jaden to completely focus.
What was happening here? Jaden had never allowed himself a moment of distraction on a mission before.
Besides, he’d learned the hard way that looks could be deceiving.
His gut told him she was innocent. Could he trust his instincts with everything going on? His brain refused to be fooled.
Bryce was dead because of her.
Jaden checked the gas gauge, gripped the throttle, and sped them out of sight into the choppy waters of the sea with one question …
Where in the hell were his men?
Other questions quickly followed.
What was her real involvement and why did she have her overnight bag in a death grip?
Chapter Two
Ominous gray clouds hung in the sky. The air became thick and heavy. The wind picked up. Jaden had bigger problems brewing than a storm.
It wouldn’t take long for the men chasing them to find a boat or the key to one of those jet skis.
He pulled binoculars from the hook and scanned the coastline.
Damn.
Three jet skis had split direction. One to the north. One to the west. And one heading right toward him.
Jaden pressed further out to sea, full throttle, heading south. “Stay down.”
A sharp crack sounded. Shit. Bullet.
He pulled his Glock from the waistband of his jeans. “Change of plans. Drive.”
Lauren pushed herself upright and fought against heavy winds. As soon as she took the wheel, Jaden aimed and fired.
His shot was a little wide. The jet ski was gaining on them. He made an adjustment for velocity and wind and then fired again. The man on the jet ski flew forward as the watercraft abruptly halted.
He surveyed the water. The other assholes were out of sight. Taking back the wheel, he reached into his pocket for his cell. If he’d kept the boat inside of fifteen miles of shore, give or take, he might be able to grab a signal even through the clouds and rain. It was a stretch. He knew. Yet with fewer obstructions on the water, the signal could bend over the horizon a bit. Besides, it was the safest way to let his agency know he needed a pick up.
Nothing.
“Get back down. Just in case,” he said to Lauren.
She immediately dropped to the floor and curled up in a ball.
The radio on board worked. He sighed sharply. Everyone and their cousin would be monitoring communications. The Coast Guard and his agency would be good things. The men with guns chasing them, not so much.
Filing the thought, he turned up the radio volume and switched to channel sixteen. He listened before transmitting.
“Aunt Betty heard you come in late for curfew last night,” came through a few beats later. “You wanna explain where you were?”
He recognized Helena’s voice immediately. What was she doing at headquarters? He’d ask later. She was asking if he could give his coordinates. No. He couldn’t. He didn’t like using VHF. Not even in code. He felt too exposed. Plus, he didn’t want her involved.
“Party got crashed. Nothing is ever as it seems when South Americans show up.”
“So true,” she acknowledged.
“Have to make sure my date makes it home.” All he had to do was stay on long enough for Helena to locate him and not a second longer. The cartel spent almost as much money on monitoring equipment as the Department of Defense. Luckily, research and development at the DOD kept them one step ahead. Barely.
Then again, looked like the cartel scored tactical weapons. What was next?
“I’m coming to get you,” she said, no sign of her South American accent present in her voice now. Anger.
“No. I lost another man today. I won’t lose you too. Stay put. I’ll keep you informed.”
“Can’t.” The determination in her voice spoke volumes about her intent. She could wind up compromising the mission in order to find the man who killed Tim. There was no way he could convince her to back off. He’d have to make a mental adjustment for that. Yet, including her was too risky. She was too emotionally attached. Loose threads.
Time was running out on the call. The cartel had sure as hell gone to a lot of trouble to pick up his party date. Why? She looked harmless enough, curled up in a ball in the hull. Her lip quivered even when she put on a brave face. Then he reminded himself of the expression if looks could kill. In his profession, they usually did.
“Keep your date heading south,” came over the frequency. “The weather isn’t cooperating.”
Away from shore? Okay. “Affirmative.”
“Gage just handed me a note. Sunnyside vacation reps are waiting at the open house. What does it mean?”
Hell if he knew. He had to think. It was code to keep Helena from figuring out where he should go. Gage knew her mental state. Good. But, what was he trying to say? Sunnyside? What did that mean? Vacations were taken by the sea. Reps? How did they play into it? Reps with an open house. He got it. Real estate. Condos. Seaside Condos. A safe house. Jaden kept his eye trained to his watch. Home base should have him. He hoped like hell no one else did. He couldn’t risk waiting longer. He turned off the radio, and smashed it using the fire extinguisher on board.
Lauren recoiled and gasped. “Why’d you do that?”
“To protect us from your friends. Why’d you come here?” he asked intently, turning his attention to her. Experience had taught him she wouldn’t tell the truth, but he could tell a lot about her by the lies she told.
Shaking off the confusion and shock, she sat up. “Who are you? And I don’t know those people.”
“I’m Jaden Dean. I own a private security firm called Manpower and Technical Solutions, and I’m looking for you,” he said, thumping the fuel dial as it floated, keeping his compass pointed south.
“Why?”
“It’s my job.”
She clucked her tongue disapprovingly. “To do what? Find me, or protect me?”
“There a difference?”
“Yes. A big one at that, seeing as how you nearly got us killed back there.” She sat upright and crossed those long runner’s legs, tugging her skirt below her knees.
“I just saved your life. Or maybe you hadn’t noticed you were being dragged to your death?”
She stared out at the seas for a long moment saying nothing. “They might have been taking me to my brother. Are you going to use me to get back at them?” The disdain in her voice was palpable.
“No. I’m the good guy.”
A disgruntled grunt escaped her. “I can decide that for myself. Is someone paying you to find me?”
“I get paid to do my job.”
“Who hired you?”
“I don’t know,” he said honestly. Even so, he didn’t like the mistrust in her eyes. He couldn’t say he blamed her. The simple truth was he didn’t know. His contacts were clean. This assignment had come from a big shot in D.C. Not that he would’ve shared the information if he’d had it. Several of his men were dead, and this cartel was the link. Still, for some unknown reason, it mattered to him that she trusted him. He told himself this would go a lot smoother if he won her confidence and that was all. “What’s in the overnight bag?”
“Money.”
“If you don’t know those guys, why’d you bring a bag full of cash to the beach?”
“I had no choice.” She looked at him deadpan, her pupils still dilated from adrenaline and fear. “If you’re so good at your job, why don’t you know already?”
His lips compressed.
“It’s because of my brother, isn’t it? The reason you’re here,” she asked. A mix of emotion played across her features. Anguish? Was there a soft heart underneath her brave exterior? He already knew she was beautiful, intelligent.