by Dale Mayer
Spinning around, he watched as the cab was tossed in the air and came down on its roof. With Marielle inside.
His feet were already in motion. He heard other people coming out of the various houses to see what was going on. Jesus. With his heart pounding against his ribs and his nerves locked down, he raced to the cab – or rather what was left of it. Was she still alive?
At first glance he couldn’t find her. Then he heard her instead.
She’d been thrown to the far side of the road. Crumpled into a broken looking heap. He ran to her, his hands checking for a pulse. It was there. Thank God. He did a fast check but didn’t see any broken bones, but after a shock like that, he didn’t want to move her just in case. She needed a doctor. And fast.
Had someone tried to kill her? If so, why? Surely she was worth more alive. Unless they had picked up her research – then did they need her any longer? Or were they cleaning up loose ends?
Shadow arrived at his side in seconds. He had her missing bags in his hand, looking crumpled and charred but still intact.
“How bad?”
Marielle moaned. And opened her eyes. Her gaze locked on his face, unsurprised, almost as if she’d known he’d be there. He didn’t know how that worked, but he almost understood.
“Hey, don’t try to move just yet.” He stroked a hand across her face, brushing the hair off her forehead. “How do you feel?” he asked in a low voice. There was chaos behind him as others checked the cab driver over and tried to put out the flames.
“I’m…okay…” she said as if testing the sound of her own voice. “I’m not sure what happened, but I guess I didn’t get very far, did I?”
He saw the fear in her eyes, the barely veiled panic in her voice. She struggled to sit up.
“No. You didn’t. Sorry.” He straightened. “Are you okay to stand?” She should be flat on her back and resting, but she couldn’t do that here and neither did they want anyone coming over to check on her. The killer might be watching.
With his help she managed to regain her feet. And clutched at his chest. “So dizzy,” she muttered. “My head is pounding.”
“To be expected.”
He watched as Mason arrived with their SUV. Doors opened and with his help, she crawled into the back seat and lay down. Worried, Dane leaned over the seat and studied her. “Is there a doctor we can call?” he asked Mason.
“Yeah, we might have to wake him up though.”
Dane turned, an eyebrow raised.
“He works night shifts at the hospital,” Mason said. “Get in. We’ll find him now.”
Dane shifted to the back seat and held her still as Mason drove through the small village. The doctor wasn’t far away, but with the police coming to deal with the explosion, traffic was snarled enough to slow everyone down.
“I’m taking you both to the hotel then will find him,” Mason said. “He’s likely still asleep.”
He pulled up to a small motel. Dane watched as Shadow disappeared into the office. He turned his attention to Marielle. “Hey, you still awake.”
“Yeah,” she moaned. “But I feel like shit.” She struggled to sit upright. “I think I need to sleep.”
He studied her pale face. “We’re at a hotel. You’ll be able to lie down soon.” He lifted her out of the SUV. She could walk and talk, but the side of her head was puffy. And he didn’t like the look of that swelling.
“All I wanted was to go home,” she whispered. “Not get into an accident.”
“That was no accident.”
Chapter 6
“IT WASN’T AN accident?” She knew her head was spinning and words weren’t making as much sense as they should, but she struggled to understand the meaning behind his statement. She swallowed hard. “Was someone trying to kill me or the cabbie?”
Dane stared down at her. Who was this tall silent man who affected her so. She desperately wanted him to put his arms around her and tell her it was going to be okay. Somehow though, she didn’t think anything was going to be okay – ever again.
Her lower lip trembled. She pressed them together. This was no time to break down.
“We don’t know yet. Come on, let’s get you inside where you can lie down.” He reached inside and lifted her in his arms. She cried out at the sudden movement. He paused. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s just my head.”
“Just a little further,” he murmured. “We need you out of sight.”
She nodded and winced. “I hope you aren’t staying with me. If someone is targeting me, you are going to get caught in the crossfire.”
He snorted. “Right. Like I’m supposed to leave you alone and vulnerable to attack?” he asked incredulously, his tone almost insulted. “You did not just say that.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
His next look was dark, directed. “Enough of that talk.”
She sniffed and walked to where Shadow waited. “I’m just trying to think of you.”
“Stop thinking of everyone else for a change and look after yourself. That was why you came, right, because you need a holiday.”
“Sure, see how well that went?” she asked in a pained voice.
Once inside the two connected rooms, he carried her to the bed in the furthest corner. Gently he lowered her to the blanket covered mattress. Laying her head on the pillow, she closed her eyes in relief. She felt like crap.
She could hear the men muttering at the doorway. “If you want me to participate, you need to speak louder.”
“And if we don’t will you rest instead?” Shadow called over to her.
“Now you’re laughing at me,” she accused him, her eyes closed.
“No.” Dane sat down beside her. “We wouldn’t do that. But you can’t sleep right now.”
“I’m so tired. I can’t stay awake,” she protested weakly. She opened her eyes to see him staring down at her, worry in his eyes. Immediately she tried to put him at ease. “I’m fine.” She reached out and patted his knee.
He covered her hand with his. “Stop trying to make me feel better.” But his touch was gentle even if his tone was exasperated.
“Don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”
“And if you get hurt, who is going to look after you?”
“Doesn’t matter,” she murmured, her voice drowsy, sluggish. “No one left to care.”
“Don’t talk like that. You want whatever time you have left with your mother.”
“There is no time left. She’s almost gone.”
*
THE SADNESS IN her voice almost broke his heart. He also knew how that attitude could impact healing. In a harsh tone he snapped, “I didn’t think you were a quitter.”
She gasped, jolted awake and cried out, “I’m not a quitter, how could you say that?” But the movement turned her face white, and she collapsed back on the bed.
Shit. “Easy, you need to lie still. Don’t move.”
But that wounded look in her eyes made him feel like a heel. He stood up and stared at her in remorse.
Mason walked up behind him. Dane hadn’t even heard him come in.
“Into ripping the wings off butterflies now?” Mason asked.
Dane sat back down, still staring at Marielle. “Don’t you start, I feel bad enough,” he muttered, hunching his shoulders. He had a good reason for saying what he said, but it sounded stupid to him now.
“The doctor is here,” Mason said behind him. “Move out of the way.”
Dane studied the doctor as he walked across the room. He stood up, planning to stand by the door for fresh air, but Marielle grabbed his hand and wouldn’t let him go.
He crouched beside her. “It’s the doctor. I’m only getting out of the way.”
“Is he…safe?”
Her whisper was so low, nervous, he couldn’t help but squeeze her hand in reassurance. “He’s fine.”
But she wouldn’t release him, leaving him no option but to stand there on guard. And may
be that was what she did need as the doctor was a big bull of a man. As soon as she caught sight of him, Marielle tried to sink lower in the bed, which considering she wouldn’t let go of his hand was almost impossible. He crouched down again. “You have to let him take a look. He’s here to help.”
Her gaze slashed his way, as if considering his words. She then gave a single nod.
“Hello,” she said to the doctor looming over her. “Thank you for coming.”
She said it in such formal polite tones, Dane was surprised. Until he realized she was preparing herself behind a front of social niceties for an unpleasantness to come.
The doctor turned to look at the men. “Everyone out. I need to examine her.”
Several men went to the door. The doctor’s gaze landed on Dane. “You too,” he barked.
Marielle gasped and gripped Dane’s hand tighter. He could feel the tremors rippling through her arm.
Well, that answered that. Dane widened his stance and held onto her hand, his gaze hard. “No.”
The other men spread out around the room. Their stances stalwart.
Mason, in a mild voice, said, “We’ll be staying right here. If you need us to turn our backs for privacy, then some of us will. There will always be eyes on you though.”
“You called me,” the doctor said. He ran a hand through his hair.
“And someone tried to kill her,” Dane snapped.
The doctor’s eyes widened. His gaze strayed around the room at the men standing guard then nodded once. “Then let’s do this fast.”
Chapter 7
ONLY FAST DIDN’T mean painless as Marielle quickly found out. By the time the doctor had checked her over and poked and prodded his way around her sore body, she was shaking uncontrollably.
From shock or injuries she didn’t know. But nausea was sliding up her throat. She closed her eyes and curled up in a ball, trying to force the bile back down. A blanket was tossed over her, the top tucked securely around her head.
“She should be in hospital.”
“Is she badly injured?” Dane asked.
“Head wounds are tricky,” the doctor announced. “We need to keep an eye on her.”
“Someone is trying to kill her,” Mason repeated. “They are likely to try again. Do you want her in your hospital?”
“No.” The doctor’s response was instinctive then he added, “Then she stays here.” He frowned.
She could feel the encouragement in the doctor’s gaze as if willing her to not be badly hurt so he could leave in good conscience.
Personally, she just wanted him to leave.
“Call me if there’s any change. You’re going to need to wake her up on regular intervals. Check that she’s cognizant. Any change and you have to bring her in.”
Marielle tightened her hand on Dane. She never took her eyes off the doctor. Please let him leave now.
Mason nodded. “We will.”
She shuddered with relief as the doctor stepped back and walked to the door. She was still too tense and locked down, holding on by sheer nerves, waiting until he left the motel room.
As soon as the door shut, several of the men moved outside talking to the doctor, a heavy ripple slid down her body and unlocked her muscles. A long way from relaxed but not quite so frozen.
“Better?” Dane asked, his voice low, concerned.
She nodded, just the barest of movements, but it brought on a boom in her head. Instantly hot tears flooded her eyes to add to her trouble. She turned her face into the pillow to hide them.
“Dane, can you come here, please,” Mason called from the doorway.
“No,” Dane answered, his voice calm, direct.
She squeezed his hand for a moment longer. Then loosened her grip. “I’m okay. You can go.”
He held her hand until she let hers drop down releasing him.
Then he walked over to Mason. She couldn’t hear what was said but figured she was the topic of interest. Again.
Still, maybe she could get her emotions back under control. It was over for now. She snuggled deeper into the pillow and closed her eyes.
Snippets of conversation floated by.
“Four hour shifts.”
“Shadow is doing reconnaissance.”
“Body washed up in river.”
She bolted upright. And cried out, her hand going to her head. When she could, she asked in a low voice, “What body?”
Mason glanced at Dane. Dane shook his head and walked closer to her. “Mason has been told that Dr. Michaels, your professor friend, is dead.”
“What?” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and went to stand up, but the boom dropped in her head and she collapsed back down.
“Damn it. Stay still.”
She stared up at him, but there were two of him now. “Which one of you two was telling me off? That’s the one I’m going to give a piece of my mind too.”
“What are you talking about?” they both said in unison.
She blinked several times. “Mason?”
“Yes.” The voice came from the side, but she didn’t turn and look at him directly. “Does Dane have a double?”
“Uhm no,” he answered cautiously.
“Uh oh. Then I’m seeing double.”
She closed her eyes and blinked. “It’s really not fair.”
A gentle hand came down to pat her leg. “What’s not fair?”
“I shouldn’t have to see two of you, you know. It’s hurting my eyes.”
Chuckles came from the far side of the room.
She opened her eyes and glared at him. “You’re really too gorgeous to be two of you. It’s not fair.” She lifted a hand and added, “Go away.”
Exasperation in his voice, he answered, “Hell no. And you’re being ridiculous.”
“Now you’re just being mean.” Tears immediately filled her eyes. “I said, go away.”
“I’m not going away.” In fact, he scooped her up and realigned her down the bed so she could rest more comfortably and sat down beside her. She rolled over and turned her back to him.
He added just low enough for her to hear if she strained and not for the rest of the roomful of men, “Besides, I’m not sure I can anymore.”
“Sure you can,” she snapped without rolling over to face him. “Get up and walk away.”
Determined not to engage in this ridiculous conversation, she slapped a hand over her ear and refused to listen.
She could still hear his snort of amusement though.
*
DANE COULDN’T STOP smiling at Marielle. Mason stood at his side, a wicked grin on his face. “Looks like another SEAL has fallen,” he said in a low voice.
“What?” Dane said absentmindedly, still staring at the woman lying in front of him.
“I said, there’s a virus going around.”
Dane swiveled and stared up at him. Then caught his meaning. Years of avoiding commitments had him instinctively snapping in horror, “Hell no. Not me. Not now. No way.”
Swede chuckled from the door. “Sure looks like it to me. Kinda glad I missed out.”
“No, you’re not,” Mason said in a serious tone. “And he won’t either when he gets over the shock.”
“Nothing to get over. I’m not in shock because there’s nothing to get over.” Dane stood up and walked to the exit. “I’m going out. Need some fresh air.” And he stormed outside, the gang’s laughter following him.
Outside he stood on the small walkway that led to the other rooms. He’d never live this down, and the only way to put a stop to it was to take it in as good natured teasing.
He leaned against the wall and let the night air wash over him. He opened his hand and studied the deep crescent moon indents in his palm.
She’d dug in and held on tight while the doctor had examined her, but she’d never made a sound. And she’d trusted Dane to look after her. He knew she’d be upset if she saw the damage her fingernails had done. But he wasn’t. It had shown a level o
f grit he couldn’t help but admire.
He’d seen several women with the same qualities lately, but they hadn’t been his women. Marielle wasn’t either, no matter what Mason said. The other two had been women he’d been interested in, but they’d bonded with his team mates in a big way. Not sure bonded was the right term as it made them sound like owner and pet, and they were anything but.
Still the connection had happened early and fast. And permanent.
He’d watched it happen. Twice. But hadn’t ever expected to come close to something like that himself. The trouble was, he wasn’t sure that was what he was up against now either.
Besides, he had to stay focused. Someone had tried to kill her.
As he leaned against the wall, he caught sight of a Jeep driving into the parking lot. Hawk. Dane detached from the shadows and walked down to meet him.
“The cab driver didn’t make it,” Hawk reported.
“Ah hell.”
Hawk nodded. “He had a wife of forty years, two kids and four grandkids.”
Damn it. It was hard to stay impersonal when these victims became people. It was also the part that kept him doing what he was doing. For the people.
“Anything on the bomb?”
Hawk shrugged. “No idea on the maker. The detonator was on a timer. When it was put on, who knows.”
“The driver started his day over six hours ago. So was the bomb intended for her, for him, or random.”
“For her.” Dane thought about what he knew. “Do we know where he was before this call?”
“Yes.” Hawk pulled out his notebook. “He lives only a few blocks away. Apparently he was eating lunch with his wife.” Hawk glanced a her. “He’s the only cabbie for miles. There was two but one retired.”
“So then if she was looking for a ride home, really the best option was a cab and in this case there was only him.” Dane nodded. “So that was easy enough but how did they know she was taking a cab and how did they know when to have the bomb detonate?”
“Track her cellphone? Bug the house – both houses?”
“As for how to know when to detonate the bomb? Likely a visual confirmation that she was inside Considering there were two houses involved here already, why not a third? Or maybe the fourth house has guards. Or spies.” He shrugged. “Maybe it was to throw us off. Do you trust her?”