Military Heroes Romantic Suspense Collection

by V. R. Marks

  "See if you can corner her near her aunt's house. You are done with the security there?"

  "Hallelujah. And yes."

  "She won't be happy."

  "Ya think? If I find out... this is a result of some lover's tiff... I'm going to shoot you."

  "I might let you."

  The call ended, Ross considered the best way to salvage this mess. It would help if he knew exactly what set her off. Whatever the cause, if he lost Allie over this, he'd never forgive himself.

  He was seriously screwed here, but maybe Eva could salvage it with a 'girls against the idiot guy' thing and Allie wouldn't walk out of his life without so much as a goodbye again.

  Well, not really again, since someone had manufactured their breakup years ago. Reminded of that detail, and hopeful those answers would earn him a few points with Allie, he picked up the cell phone and made another call.

  * * *

  Allie was reluctantly impressed at how well Eva kept up with her. Well, sort of kept up with her. She'd run a circuit of Main Street, grateful for the crisp fall air as she turned for the park trail that wound around the lake.

  There were dozens of places Bradley might be hiding along the way, and while she was sure Eva wouldn't believe her, the idea that he might attack crossed her mind more than once. She envisioned a confrontation of epic proportions and in her mind she was brave, strong, and victorious.

  She ran, and visualized, and ran harder until she realized she was fed up with all of it. From Bradley's criminal behavior to hiding in plain sight she was absolutely through. Factoring in her shameful behavior with Ross...well, she was ready to put an end to this entire dismal chapter of her life.

  Whistleblower or not, today proved the disgrace of a failed career wouldn't be unbearable if she stayed in Haleswood.

  Allie's quads burned with the effort as she sprinted uphill, doing a little Rocky-style victory dance when she reached her aunt's deck. Taking in the wonderful afternoon view, seeing Eva trudging up the hill, guilt swamped her. It was a bizarre sensation to be high from the run and still feel ashamed and hopeless. Eva didn't deserve the impromptu run any more than Allie deserved Ross' deception.

  Jeanne nailed it about the emotional roller coaster of a day.

  From the highs of loving Ross and feeling so very loved this morning, to the rather odd reconciliation with nearly everyone in town, to this strange blend of guilt over Eva and fury with Ross. Her life was an amusement park attraction of the scariest order.

  Allie waved to Eva, laughing at the rude gesture in reply. She knew she'd earned the woman's eternal hatred. "Sorry," she called when Eva was almost to the deck. "There's water inside."

  "That's a start." Eva eyed the stairs warily. "Is there an elevator?"

  "Nope."

  Eva made a scene of hauling herself up the steps to join Allie. "I wanted to shoot you about two miles ago."

  "Thanks for the self-control."

  "It was more like an order."

  "Oh." Allie unlocked the back door and opened it wide for Eva. "You talked to Ross."

  Eva bent over, gulping air. "He is the boss."

  "And I was the real target," Allie said, pulling two bottles of water out of the fridge.

  "Only for a little while. And no one was supposed to shoot you then either."

  "What a relief."

  Eva raised her bottle in a mock salute and guzzled half the bottle at once. "I don't know what he has or hasn't told you." She held up a hand when Allie opened her mouth. "No. I don't want to know. But I'd bet most of it is the truth."

  Eva didn't deserve to be caught in the middle, no matter how much Allie wanted to question her. Ross was the focus of the intense hurt and anger she'd been running out of her system.

  "I didn't expect you to run after me."

  "Losing track of you wouldn't be good for my life span." Eva wiggled her brows. "I will say he's crazy about you, in case you aren't sure."

  Allie didn't bother to dignify that. "Have you seen Roberts in town?"

  "No. Which bothers me. Ross convinced us that the good people of Haleswood would make such an issue of a stranger's arrival that it would be impossible for him to hide."

  "But no word of anyone like Roberts."

  Eva shook her head. "I didn't grow up here and trust me when I say I'm not in a hurry to return to my own hometown, but Ross? He has serious issues."

  "Don't we all," Allie muttered. "I came here to hide for a few days, but Ross and Bradley's hired thugs found me easy enough."

  Eva's gaze sharpened. "That is not on us. We don't operate that way. Roberts went overboard trying to get you and that data back, from what I could find. Based on the sheriff's request, the thugs found you first."

  "You were actually doing neighborhood patrols for Cochran?"

  Eva stretched her arms high overhead. "Two birds one stone."

  Allie gave up. Only Ross could explain why he'd agreed to come after her and do the whole recovery operation for Roberts.

  "It's a long walk back to town, but it might be good for you."

  "You gotta be kidding. Ross told me to keep you up here. I'm not leaving until he gives me the order."

  "Well by all means, let's both head back to town."

  "Absolutely not. Roberts is around here somewhere and I'm not letting you expose yourself again."

  Allie chuckled. "If he wanted to catch me on my run, he could have. We trained together occasionally for triathlons and charity races."

  "Then every ache and pain I endure will be worth it since he didn't get to you. Ross would never forgive me if you got hurt. Today's little jaunt aside, I love my job."

  Allie wondered what held the most appeal. Spying on people, learning all the juicy secrets hidden in their backgrounds, or kissing the boss to test the reactions of the suspect. Irritated with herself, she capped the water bottle and bent over, reaching for her toes. "You might want to stretch too."

  "Yeah, I'm not a total loser about fitness." Eva shifted to stretch her quads. "I prefer a climate controlled gym and a punching bag. Among other things."

  They talked workouts until they were interrupted by the squeal of brakes in the street.

  Eva raised a brow. "Guess that's my cue. If you need me, call."

  Allie nodded, not bothering to point out her cell phone was in the restaurant safe. She heard Eva and Ross exchange updates in hushed tones, but she didn't try to catch the details.

  Though his footsteps were muffled by the long carpet runner in the hallway, she knew exactly when he reached the kitchen.

  She felt his eyes on her, as she had so many times in the past days. It was silly to give him the cold shoulder for doing his job, but she couldn't quite bring herself to turn around.

  "Don't bolt. I can't keep up with you like Eva did."

  Allie continued staring out at the lake. "She's devoted to you." Her mouth was dry but her voice was steady when she added, "I'm done running."

  "Allie, whatever Cochran said, I can explain."

  "Why don't you explain the alibi? It obviously wasn't any conversation with Nicole that convinced the sheriff I wasn't anywhere near Bradley when he faked his death."

  "No." She heard him take another step closer. "I had to give him the alibi, but I couldn't say it in front of you. Not then. You never would have stayed with me."

  Allie spun around at that. "There wouldn't have been any reason to stay with you if you'd told him the truth when we were there in the office."

  "You'd been shot at, attacked with a Taser, and tailed. You needed me."

  Needed was right. She resented the need she felt even now just looking at him. She fought off the urge to forget her current predicament in favor of rehashing their past. "I suppose you're right. I was exhausted and must have been a pitiful sight in your eyes."

  "That's not what I meant."

  "What I mean is that it would have been nice to hear the truth from you."

  "You promised to trust me."

  His words,
so gently spoken, fell like an anvil on her heart. She rubbed her fist against her sternum, trying to blunt the pain. She'd made that promise when she was completely lost in the afterglow. Love was the worst. Truth was, she'd loved him forever and she was afraid not even his deceit could convince her heart he wasn't worth it.

  Because no matter the hurdles back then, she'd seen through the bravado to the real Ross. And the real Ross was incomparable.

  "Allie?"

  "Why did you make me promise that? What were you afraid of?" She saw him flinch as if she'd slapped him. Good. She shouldn't be the only one uncomfortable here.

  There he went with the calming breath. In a way she appreciated the tell, taking it as a sign that his answer mattered to him.

  "We were trying to flush out Roberts. I wanted that promise in case he tried to turn you against me."

  "In case he demanded you do what you were hired to do?"

  His gaze dropped to the floor. "Or that."

  "Ross." She suddenly wanted a stiff drink even knowing she shouldn't have one after the exertion of her long run. It wasn't smart to get loopy, but the words were racing though her mind and saying them seemed daunting. Beer was a fair compromise. "I'm having a beer," she declared. "Want one?"

  "Sure."

  She ignored the question in his voice, determined to spit out her feelings. "You know the last time I was in town for any length of time?"

  He took the beer with a caution she imagined soldiers reserved for disarming bombs. "No."

  "Our ten year high school reunion." She could tell by his furrowed brow he had no idea where she was going with this. "I came back for you."

  "I didn't RSVP."

  "Call me ever-hopeful." She took a long pull on the beer, letting the rich amber lager cool her throat and smooth out the rough edges of her nerves. "Where you're concerned the facts have never managed to sway me. I knew you weren't on the list but I came anyway."

  "For closure."

  "No, actually. For openers." This time he tipped the longneck bottle back and she had to drag her gaze away from his throat. When did she ever find a throat sexy? When it was Ross. She knew how he'd taste, knew exactly what would make him shiver. And she needed to forget that and say what needed to be said.

  "I'd promised myself if you did show up and if you were unattached..." She took another pull on the bottle for courage. "I promised myself I would tell you how I felt. The possible scenarios played through my head for days."

  "So you were relieved when I wasn't here."

  "Not even close." She picked at a loose corner of the label on the bottle. The feeling of that long ago disappointment hadn't dulled much. "You sent in a picture."

  He nodded. "From Kuwait, I think."

  "Might as well have been the moon as far as I knew. But you looked happy. And well-armed."

  He smirked. "It was a good deployment."

  "It was a lousy high school reunion. From my perspective anyway." She leaned back against the counter and tried to decide if what she hadn't gotten then had any bearing on what she wanted now.

  "I bet you wanted to give me the 'I forgive you' line," he said.

  She chuckled at that. "It would have been touching. A poignant and tender start to our new relationship."

  "We were going to have a new relationship? I'm sorry I wasn't there." He stepped closer, his arms caging her against the counter. "I'd give anything to hear those words right about now."

  She stared up into his dark brown eyes, recognizing the sincerity and warmth and genuine concern as he held her gaze as captive as he held her body. "Tell me how you ended up working for Bradley."

  His head drooped and she couldn't stop herself from touching him. She smoothed his hair back and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. Whatever they might be now or in the future, he was first and foremost her oldest friend and she treasured him.

  "I'm sorry, Allie. The oddballs don't usually fool me."

  "Tell me, Ross," she whispered.

  "My team has a great reputation in the field and contacts in law enforcement," he said toward the floor. "All of that is true."

  "Mm-hmm." She pushed her hand through his hair again.

  "He said he heard about us from a satisfied customer. He dropped the right names and I verified the recommendation."

  "I imagine word of mouth is your best advertising."

  "Usually. He presented your situation as a disgruntled employee who'd stolen sensitive data. He implied it was a formula worth a fortune."

  "And he said I stole money too," she added when he seemed to hesitate.

  "That was all before I knew he meant you." Ross raised his head and she sympathized with the pain and dismay sketched across the tight lines of his face. "When he handed over your personnel file and recent picture I had to take the case."

  "To get even."

  "No." He pushed back and paced across the kitchen as if he couldn't bear her touch any longer. "Maybe. At first it was morbid curiosity and a helluva lot of money. Who would've thought Haleswood's sweetheart would turn into a felon?"

  "Definitely not me." She laughed. "No way you could pass up that kind of opportunity."

  His grin was crooked, as if he wasn't sure he could trust the expression or her. "When I saw you, I knew something was off. We stayed on you, I read the report after every shift, and it became less about Roberts and more about you.

  "You came running back here and I cursed your name. It was like you knew I was out there and you were torturing me. You, above all people know why I avoid this place."

  She nodded. Not bothering to point out that he'd based his business nearby, if not in Haleswood itself. Ross was immovable when he set his mind to something. If he wasn't ready to overcome the past, if he was determined to run away as soon as they were done here, there was no persuading him otherwise.

  "When that kid took a shot at you…" his voice trailed off.

  "You were upstairs searching my room."

  "Yes, but – "

  She crossed the kitchen, backed him into the refrigerator, her finger drilling into his chest. "Own it," she ordered in a voice that would've made Jeannie proud.

  "Yes. Fine! I was searching for that damned hard drive in your room when I heard the gunshot. But you have to believe me, Allie. I had no idea Roberts had hired anyone else. My team doesn't do things like that. I don't take the nut jobs cases. This one slipped right under the radar."

  She understood all too well. If she'd recognized her boss for the scum he was, she never would have taken the job. "Bradley can do that. He's an expert at telling you what you need to hear. Occasionally he even means it." Ross looked so upset and uncertain, the friend side of her wanted to comfort him and tell him it would all work out, but she wasn't sure she was ready to say those words. She didn't know how she wanted it to work out.

  "I made arrangements with my contact at the FBI. He wants to talk with you. He thinks he can put Roberts away for a long time. With your help."

  A chill skated over her skin. She wanted to blame it on the typical let down after a long run, but she knew it was really about this tangled case. She needed a shower and clean clothes and time to think. "I'm going to clean up. Can I ask a favor?"

  "Anything."

  "My things are at the Rooster." Watching him closely, she caught the spark of interest and intent. "Would you please pick them up?" There, she'd given him access to the data he'd wanted all along.

  "I'm not thrilled about leaving you alone."

  "I'll be okay." Just okay. She headed for the stairs, telling herself it would all soon be over. Both her trouble with Bradley and her time with Ross. Because she'd read the truth in his eyes. Ross still wanted the hard drive. Not for the money or to satisfy a 'nut job' client, but for his newly defined mission to turn the client over to the FBI. She knew he believed he was protecting her, and she knew he was probably right.

  Still the disappointment pricked her pride and her heart.

  Facing down the man who'd destro
yed her career and set her up to take the fall for his crimes was vital. But she'd never be able to move on if she let Ross handle it his way, without her. And facing down the longing in her heart for her best friend and the man who'd been the star of all her hopes and dreams for the future... Well, she didn't know where to begin the closure process where Ross was concerned.

  "Allie!"

  His shout halted her at the landing. She swiveled around, and her knees nearly buckled at the sight of his pale face. "What happened?"

  "He has Eva. We have to go."

  She raced down the stairs, her heart in her throat as he turned the phone to show her the picture he'd received. "Oh, my God." Eva was glaring into the camera, a gag in her mouth. "Where? What do we do?"

  The phone chimed as if on cue and they read the text together. "Cock-a-doodle-doo. Bring me what I need or she'll be dead by midnight."

  The post run chill was forgotten in a new, hot flash of adrenaline. Allie was at the door when she realized Ross wasn't behind her. "Come on!"

  "One second." He was dialing from Ruth's landline. "Nichols." He waited a beat, steady as a rock. She watched in amazement as he transformed into a battle-hardened tactician. It was a little sexy with a big side of scary. "Roberts has taken at least one hostage at the Midnight Rooster in Haleswood. Coordinate with local officials. I'll be on scene in less than five minutes."

  The voice on the other end was yelling as Ross replaced the handset. His face was grim but determined. "Let's go."

  * * *

  Allie fisted her hands in the pockets of Ross' denim jacket. He'd insisted she put it on when she couldn't stop shivering, but now, standing in the street staring at the restaurant, her palms were damp and her whole body felt feverish.

  The worst case scenario kept running through her mind. Bradley wouldn't cooperate regardless of his promises. He'd kill Eva no matter what she said or did. The microphone Ross had taped to her chest could fail and they'd never have the confession needed to send Roberts to jail where he belonged. And how was she supposed to make the safe word, 'grits', sound like normal conversation if Bradley went ballistic?

  She knew she looked nervous and having Ross give her the sign to calm down wasn't as helpful as he meant it to be. He'd be right behind her, literally, as he stood alongside the sheriff and the one other deputy. Last she'd heard the FBI was still several minutes out.