Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2)

by Jeannette Winters

  “Or we use this to our advantage, make him believe we are on his side and kill him when he is no longer indebted to us for saving him. We’ll kill him no matter what, but must it be today?”

  A car door slammed shut.

  “Did you hear that? We kill this one now, and take the other one unprepared.”

  He could tell they were getting flustered. If they shot him now, whoever just pulled up would surely take off. This was the opportunity Mark had been waiting for. They were not in sync with what to do. That made easy pickings because their focus was scattered. Unlike mine right now.

  While they were still arguing, one man turned away and his gun was now aimed in the direction of the front door. There was no doubt in Mark’s mind that once the front door opened, the gunman would have a clear shot for an ambush. He could see the cold look in their eyes. They were ready to die, and ready to kill, but Mark wasn’t going to let that happen.

  Now or never.

  Mark gritted his teeth, twisted his body, and grabbed his gun he’d stashed. Instinct and muscle memory kicked in as he shot twice without thinking about it. The first bullet went straight into the forehead of the man who had his gun drawn on him. Even before he started to fall, Mark got the second shot off with a direct hit into the back of the head of the man who had his gun trained on the door, waiting for someone to enter. There was no hesitation. He knew it was kill or be killed. One split second meant the difference between going home in a box or not. Mark didn’t blink as they both dropped to the floor. This was who he was, what he did. Many people might not find it pretty, but what he did made it possible for people to sleep at night and to feel safe. If they really knew the dangers lurking, the entire country would be in a constant state of fear.

  It wasn’t time to relax, to drop his guard. Mark knew only of these two, but until this house was searched top to bottom, he wasn’t going to rest.

  The front door slammed, and bags dropped to the floor. Then silence. Mark waited. He was hoping it was Don, but then again, it could be more men belonging to this group. He wasn’t taking any chances and kept his gun drawn, aimed at the hallway and ready to kill.

  “Mark?” Don called into the house.

  Thank God it’s not Hannah. She didn’t need to see this. Actually, no one does. It’s not pretty, but it’s reality. And ugly one that I see way too often. A flood of emotions ran through him as never before. Facing death didn’t scare him, but he pictured Hannah’s sweet face as those fuckers spoke. He tried to keep the feelings at bay, but they kept creeping in. He wasn’t about to share that with Don or anyone else.

  “I’m right where you left me.”

  Don came around the corner with Mark’s gun drawn. His eyes widened as he came across the first man. Don kicked the guns away and stepped over the body, and then saw the second one closer to Mark. He did the same to his weapon. It was obvious both men were dead, but Mark wasn’t going to questions Don’s judgement. If he hadn’t pulled the trigger himself, he probably would’ve done exactly the same. Only trust what you did yourself. Others perceptions could be clouded, and that cost lives.

  “What the hell happened?”

  “The tenants decided to do some research themselves. They found out the hard way. I don’t like being threatened.”

  “I can see that. Is that all of them, or are there more bodies lying around throughout the house?”

  “I only know of these two. But I can’t go and search. I’ve called my team. Until they give the all clear, you’re to stay exactly where you are. I don’t want them accidentally shooting you.”

  “That’s comforting. While we wait, want to tell me what the fuck happened? I was only gone an hour.”

  Don was surprisingly calm and displayed his usual biting humor. Mark was certain he wasn’t quite as calm as he led him to believe.

  “Something must have tipped them that they were being watched. Whatever it is that spooked them, it doesn’t matter anymore. I wish I had an idea what they were doing here in the first place. This is not a place to blend in. Hopefully I’ll know more when I get into their apartment and go through their computers and gear. They were armed, Don. Right here under Hannah’s roof. All this time. Fuck.”

  “True, Mark, but you couldn’t pick an easier landlord than Hannah.”

  That’s so damn true. Someone needs to explain how risky that is. He watched Don pull out his cell phone and start snapping pictures. He expected Don to be upset, grossed out, or ill. This was not a behavior he’d ever seen before.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Documentation is key to any investigation. Don’t you ever watch any of the NCIS shows?”

  You can’t be serious. Don continued to snap photos. He was right, but what the hell?

  “This is no television show, Don.”

  “You’re right. But I figure pictures first. Then I’ll call the sheriff’s office.”

  “No. No local authorities messing with this. This belongs to the Navy and Homeland Security. If you call them, I’ll probably be spending time in prison, and I’d be lucky to get a phone call.”

  Don snapped a few more pictures then stopped. “I can’t believe this.”

  “What?”

  “My guys just finished this apartment. You’ve got blood splattered all over the walls, and the hardwood floor is going to need to be sanded and polished.”

  Now wouldn’t be the best time to tell him about the French door glass, or what the spare bedroom might look like. Mark was shocked at how calm and cold Don was about all this and thinking of repairs needed. It was going to hit him later. He just didn’t know it yet. I’ll be here when it does.

  The sound of the choppers overhead reminded him there would be some explanations needed.

  “Don. Give me your hand. I’ve got to get the fuck off this floor before my team gets in here.”

  Don reached out his right hand to Mark and hauled him to his feet. Fuck! Mark’s back felt like it was going to fucking snap, but it was good to be vertical again.

  “If anyone asks, I got slammed against a door jamb by one of the guys in the scuffle.”

  “Yeah. I know the drill. If you want, I’ll even hit you to make it look more believable.”

  It was good to know Don had his back, but even the thought of being hit by Don made him want to cry in agony. He’d broken protocol, and there were going to be some tough questions to answer. At least, Hannah is not here to hear them.

  As she approached the driveway, the noise had gotten louder. She looked up and saw a military chopper heading in the same direction as she was going. Strange. I’ve never seen that before. Where could they be going?

  As she rounded the last bend, she got her answer. The chopper was descending to her lawn, and men were leaping out with weapons drawn. Two more choppers were already on the ground. What the hell is going on here? I don’t get visitors, never mind a military invasion.

  Hannah slammed on her brakes. She didn’t know what was going on, but she knew it was a place she didn’t belong. I knew I should’ve stayed with Bailey in Providence.

  Then Hannah remembered why she was here, to talk to Mark. Oh, God. He’s inside. Without even thinking, she threw the car in drive and headed right for the house. Two men dressed in black blocked her way with their weapons aimed at her. She stopped her car and raised her hands. I can’t help you if I get myself shot.

  The men approached her car from different sides. The one who came to the driver’s door barked, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

  “I’m . . . I . . . the . . . I own this place.” She hadn’t realized how much she was trembling until she tried speaking. “What do you want here?”

  “Ma’am. This is official business. It is none of your concern.”

  His voice said he was in control and she shouldn’t question anything, but Mark was in there, and she wasn’t going to sit back and do nothing.

  “Who are you after?”

  “He’s none of your concer
n.”

  Oh God. They are after Mark. But that can’t be right. Homeless is not a criminal offense. And what is the worst he could have, an unpaid parking ticket? She needed to set them straight. “You have the wrong place. He wouldn’t do anything wrong. He’s a good man. Unemployed, but a hardworking man, and I’ll vouch for him.”

  They didn’t say anything. Only stared at her.

  “Please, you have to believe me. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s gentle and loving and sweet.”

  “Who are you talking about, ma’am?”

  “Mark. Mark Collins, my . . .” She wasn’t sure what to call him. Her lover? That sounded so damn cheap. Her boyfriend? No, that label was currently being used by someone else. Saying he was the man she loved but hadn’t told yet definitely was more information than these men needed. “He’s my friend.”

  She watched the two men exchange looks. One seemed amused and cracked a smile. Hannah found nothing humorous in this situation. Mark was someone she cared deeply about, and these two goons were standing in her way. This was her property. She had every right to go where she wanted. Heck, they hadn’t even shown her any identification.

  “I don’t know who you think you are, but you’re on my property, and I know my rights.”

  “You’ll wait right here until the house has been cleared. Understood?” His tone reminded her of Mark giving her orders.

  Hannah sat back in the seat and wouldn’t look at either of them. There’s only one thing she needed to know, and that was if Mark was okay. Please be okay, Mark. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you. There’s so much I have to say, and we didn’t part on good terms in Texas. Is this a sign that we shouldn’t discuss it? Were you doing something illegal that day when you took that phone call in the bathroom? Is that why my house looks like something from an action film just before it all went bad?

  As she sat in her car with her hands on the steering wheel, the men who had rushed into the house with guns now came out, but not alone. Mark was with them. He was walking with the help of the man in front, while a few others followed behind. The guns were pointed down, which appeared to be a good sign. But Mark looked anything but happy. Actually, he looked like hell. He wasn’t walking like himself, tall and strong. Something was very wrong.

  Looking more closely, she saw spots on his white T-shirt and more on his jeans. As they moved closer it was evident what those spots were. Blood! Oh no! He’s hurt!

  “Get out of my way,” she said as she opened the driver’s door, slamming it into the man’s shin. They might not let her drive her car to the house, but damn it, she was going to see Mark now.

  Although she knew it must have hurt like hell, the man didn’t budge. She shut the door again, and totally un-lady like, she pulled herself up in her seat, grabbed the skirt of her dress and hopped out the back. This was one of the times a convertible came in real handy.

  She didn’t look over her shoulder to see if they were chasing her as she ran toward Mark. Hannah wasn’t ignorant that the men surrounding Mark held their guns firmly. If they were planning on shooting her, they better do it quickly because nothing was going to stop her from being with Mark. He was hurt, and he needed her.

  When Mark saw her, he stopped, as did the others helping him.

  “Hannah. What are you doing here?”

  She pushed past the first man that had a hand on Mark’s bicep while leading him out of the house.

  “Let go of him. He’s hurt. What did you do to him?” She put an arm around Mark’s waist, and she felt him tense up and suck in his breath. “Did you beat him?” she asked harshly.

  The man snorted. “No.”

  “Hannah, I’m okay. But why are you here? You’re supposed to be in Rhode Island.”

  “I had to see you. There’s something I need to tell you. Something you should know.”

  “What is that?” Mark asked.

  She looked at the men. Declaring her love for him as he was being taken away by the military for God knows what reason probably wasn’t the most romantic way to say it. But he’d be gone and this might be her only chance. Bailey was right. She felt for Mark in a way she’d never felt for another. That meant she’d fight for him and stand by him. It didn’t matter that he had nothing. She didn’t either, and he knew that. So what if she’d lose the house. As long as they had each other, the bank could have the building and anything else they wanted.

  Hannah turned to the man and said, “Whatever he’s done, I’m responsible; he works for me. So if you’re taking him in, you’re taking me too.”

  The man looked at her then at Mark. “Ma’am. You’re not allowed where we’re going.”

  Then he’s not going either.

  “Hannah, why are you here?” Mark asked, his voice firm.

  She turned to Mark. His beautiful honey-brown eyes were dark and filled with stress. She wished she knew if this was the right thing to do, and hoped the guards didn’t tackle her to the ground and beat her too, but she was going for it.

  Hannah threw her arms around Mark’s neck and felt him wince in pain. If they only had a few minutes, she was going to make them count. No one’s ever guaranteed tomorrow.

  “It doesn’t matter to me what they think you may have done. I know you. You’re so loving and gentle and kind and probably the most trust-worthy person I’ve met. I was wrong for running out on you in Texas. I didn’t know what I wanted then. But I do now. That’s why I’m here.” She kissed him on the lips briefly then said, “I came here to tell you that I love you, Mark Collins. I love you just the way you are.”

  One of the men made a comment she didn’t quite hear. But whatever it was, pissed Mark off as he darted him a look that said he better shut up.

  Then Mark turned back to her. “Hannah, there’s so much we need to talk about. But not now. There are things I need to take care of first.”

  “You don’t have to face this alone. I’m here with you. Let me help. I’ll vouch for your character or whatever you need.”

  As they spoke, more men came out of the house. Some of them were carrying boxes and she could also see another carrying sealed plastic bags with the word EVIDENCE written on them. I hope they’re not taking things from my apartment without a search warrant. But then again, what is in there to take? I have nothing of any value, and the worse they will find is a little something hidden in my nightstand drawer. And that’s not illegal. She didn’t care, they could search all they wanted, there was nothing to find.

  What she wasn’t expecting was what the next set of men were carrying. They held two cots. Each cot had a long black zipped-up bag. She’d seen them in movies. They were used for removing bodies. It was evidence, but of a different kind.

  Then she looked at Mark. “Are those—?”

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  One brief word was all he said to her. Men carrying dead bodies out of her home and all he gave her was something she already knew.

  “Did you ki—?”

  “Yes.”

  She refused to believe that. Mark would never hurt anyone. All he wanted to do was protect her. Someone like that would never take another person’s life. But when he spoke, his eyes were as she’d never seen them before. She couldn’t explain it, but it caused a chill to run through her body. He was, even though injured, a man of power and control. It both excited and scared the hell out of her.

  “Sir, we’ve got to go. The commander wants you debriefed immediately, and we want to clear out of here before the local authorities show up. If they do, they’re going to ask questions that we’ve not been authorized to answer yet.”

  Sir? Why are you calling a prisoner sir? She looked at Mark and was confused.

  “Don’t tell me what I already know, Johnson. We leave in five. Get the bodies on the chopper and get them out of here. Tell the others to grab all the surveillance equipment. I know some of it was smashed, but I backed up everything we’ll need for the reports. Leave nothing that says we were here. Understood?”<
br />
  “Yes, sir.”

  “And everything out of that guy’s apartment. This is our one chance to collect what we need to make it count.”

  Hannah’s eyes widened with shock. Mark was speaking as though he was the one in charge. And the others were acting as though he was too. None of this makes sense. You’re a handyman. They’re military. Why are they listening to anything you say?

  “What about your friend Don?”

  “He can be trusted. He knows the drill,” Mark stated firmly.

  “And this woman? Should we take her in for questioning? After all, she owns the place.”

  She watched Mark’s eyes turn dark, almost black. “Hannah had no prior knowledge of what her tenant was up to. Actually she still doesn’t. And I prefer to keep it that way.”

  “I strongly suggest tha—”

  “Then put it in your report that I declined your suggestion.”

  The man nodded to Mark before he started barking orders at the other men. She’d never witnessed anything like this before. And I don’t want to again.

  “Collins, the men found an unidentifiable white powder. It doesn’t appear to be cocaine.”

  “Bag it and send it to be analyzed ASAP. These guys were doing something, but I know it’s not drug running.”

  She was hoping Mark was going to explain what was happening when he turned back to face her. He didn’t.

  “Hannah, I need to go. Don is inside and will explain what he can. Right now, I need you to promise me not to say a word about what you just saw. Not to anyone, understand?”

  She looked at him, not saying a word. Her ears were hearing, but she wasn’t believing. This isn’t some spy movie. We’re just regular, ordinary, boring people. So why all this suspense? Why the mystery?

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can so we can finish this conversation.” He kissed her on the forehead then turned to the man still standing next to him. “Johnson, three minutes and counting. Let’s get these birds in the air before the sheriff gets here from town.”