So he did exactly that. Though her embrace was weak and she felt like skin and bones, anything was better than the state she’d been in before.
Pulling up a chair next to her bed, he sat. “Mom, do you remember what happened?”
Instantly she looked away, but not before he’d seen the stark terror flash into her eyes. “No,” she said, in the high-pitched, querulous voice that told him she was lying. “Why?”
“Because you were attacked. Ryan has been trying to find out who did this to you.”
Suddenly, all her energy seemed to leach out of her. “I’m too tired to talk about this now,” she said, closing her eyes. “Please leave me alone and let me sleep.”
Exchanging a quick look with Latonia, who shrugged, he sighed. “All right, Mother. Sleep well.” After kissing her forehead, he left.
On the way to find Kara, his cell phone rang. Since the caller ID showed US Marshals Office, he answered immediately. His heart sank as he listened, unable to get a word in and aware it wouldn’t make any difference even if he did.
Chapter 13
When Kara heard the light tap on her bedroom door, her heart skipped a beat. “Eric?”
“Yes.”
Yanking open the door, she resisted the urge to fling herself into his arms. And then she got a good look at him.
His flat expression and clamped mouth warned her that something had happened. Whatever it was, it hadn’t been good. He met her gaze and she couldn’t help but notice the muscle flicking angrily in his jaw.
Her first thought was his mother. “Is your mother all right?”
“Oh, sure.” He dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand. “She’s awake and talking. It’s not her. The US Marshals office just called.”
“Bad news?” she asked, keeping her tone light, as if she thought she could change whatever had just happened.
“Yes.” Dragging his hand through his short hair, he stalked to the edge of the room and back. “They’ve changed their mind about letting you stay here. They’re coming to get you. They’ll be here by nightfall.”
At first, she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. Her stomach dropped as she peered up at him, trying to make sense of his words. “What? I thought you said they’d given their okay for me to hide out here at the ranch.”
“They did. Turned out the two men I met didn’t have the authority to do that. Someone from higher up pitched a fit. There’s been a direct order. You have to go.”
Terror turned her blood to ice. “What if I refuse?”
“You can try.” But his expression said he didn’t hold out much hope.
She wished he’d touch her, take her in his arms and comfort her. Instead, he stood several feet away, as if he’d already let her go.
Enough. This was too important. She couldn’t afford to make a mistake. “I’d rather stay here.”
“I told them that.” For the first time she noticed his hands were clenched into fists. “I even called our family attorney. He advised me to stay out of their way. And...” He hesitated.
“What?” Bracing herself, she waited.
“He pointed out something I don’t think either of us has considered. If Samboliono is acquitted or escapes, you’ll have to stay in witness protection the rest of your life.
His words felt like a slap in the face. “I hadn’t thought of that,” she admitted. “I never really looked beyond the trial. This isn’t fair. It’s not like I asked to witness a double homicide.”
Listening to her own words, she winced. Police lingo. A few days ago she wouldn’t have even known the term.
“I agree. It’s not fair at all.”
She grabbed his arm. “There must be something we can do.”
His gaze softened. “I swear to you, we’ll try.” He covered her hand with his and squeezed. “We’ll do whatever we have to do.”
While she wished he’d pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless, she’d take what she could get.
* * *
The two marshals who’d been sent to collect her looked more like football players or bouncers for a nightclub. Goons, she thought to herself, eyeing them. They stood with their massive legs spread and muscular arms crossed, waiting for her to pack a bag. After requesting and reviewing their ID, Eric handed back their badges with a grimace.
“Where’s Tom Field and Gus Thomasson?” Eric asked.
“They have other assignments. Our job is to pick Ms. Sheppard up and take her to safety.”
“And your names?” Eric persisted.
The two men exchanged glances.
“I’m Gray,” the shorter, stockier one said. “And he’s Shelton. Are you ready, ma’am?”
“What if I refuse to go?” she asked, trying not to sound too desperate.
Shelton shook his head. “Not an option, ma’am. Please pack or we’ll have to take you without your things.”
The other man, Gray, apparently taking pity on her dejected expression, moved toward her. “You know this is for the best. You’ll have a guard 24/7. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Forgive me if I say I’ve lost all faith in your ability to do that,” she said. “The last person you assigned to watch me tried to sell me out to the highest bidder.”
“I’m sorry about that. I promise it won’t happen again.”
As she debated how to respond, Eric moved to stand beside her. Putting his arm around her shoulders, he drew her close. “She’ll go. Give her a few minutes to get everything packed.”
Stunned and hurt at his betrayal, she let him lead her up the stairs toward her room. Once there, she pushed him away. “How could you do that? You don’t know if these men are competent or as inept as the last guy.”
“I’m not worried.”
That declaration hurt twice as bad. “I don’t believe you,” she managed, her voice hoarse, tears stinging her eyes.
“Wait.” He grabbed her hand. “There’s a reason I can say such a thing.”
Unconvinced, she waited, trying not to tremble.
“I’m not worried about their ability to protect you, because we aren’t going to rely on them alone. I’m going with you, Kara Sheppard. No way am I letting you out of my sight.”
At first, she wasn’t sure how to react. Relief, disbelief and joy filled her. “Are you sure you want to do that?” she asked.
“Positive.”
Now came the question she knew she shouldn’t ask, but also knew she had to. “Why? Why would you do such a thing?”
“Because I just found you. No way am I letting you go. Not now. Not until we’ve explored this thing between us.”
Her heart jolted as she gazed up at him, wondering if he could read the raw emotion shining from her eyes. As declarations went, this might be a bit on the vague side, but again, it was more than she’d expected. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “And Eric, I agree.”
If she expected him to say more, now was not the time.
“Come on, get packed,” he told her, giving her a gentle shove. “I’ll do the same and meet you at the top of the stairs.”
* * *
Eric didn’t want to analyze his feelings or even discuss them. He just knew he couldn’t let Kara leave his life. Not now, not just yet. Not until he knew exactly what these feelings she roused in him might be. He had a hunch, but he’d never been the impractical sort. He believed in science and logic and that side of him figured this might just be an extreme case of sexual attraction coupled with infatuation.
His heart kept insisting it might be more.
Either way, there was no chance he planned to let the US Marshals Service take over keeping Kara safe. As far as he was concerned, they’d already proven themselves inept at the task. He figured if he stepped back and let them
do their job, as they put it, the next call he’d get would be informing him Kara had been killed. And there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d let that happen.
Once he’d thrown some clothes into a duffel, he grabbed a brand-new cell phone he’d purchased to give Seth as a surprise. Aware it would have to charge, he took it anyway and left his room. Kara waited at the top of the staircase. She’d loaded everything into the same small suitcase she’d used before.
“Here,” he told her, handing her the phone. “Hopefully they’ll let you charge it in the car. I’ve jotted down the number so I can call you. And here’s mine on this sticky note. Once the phone’s charged, we’ll program it in.”
“Thanks.” Accepting it, she dropped it in her pocket, her expression worried. “Are you thinking we’ll get separated or something?”
“You never know.” He kept his tone light. “Best to be prepared, just in case. You know they’re not going to be too happy about me insisting on going.” He gave her arm a light touch and they went downstairs where their escorts waited. Big J stood a slight distance from them, his arms crossed. From the thunderous expression he wore, the marshals had evidently filled him in.
“Come here, son.” Big J beckoned Eric into another room. Steeling himself, Eric followed. He felt pretty sure he knew what his father would have to say.
Instead, Big J surprised him. “You take care of your sweetheart, you hear me?” His green gaze, the same one he’d passed down to all his children, was intense. “Don’t let those yahoos mess up again.”
“I won’t.” Giving in to impulse, Eric hugged his father, something he hadn’t done in years. “Thank you,” he managed, difficult since his throat had gone tight.
“You bet.” The older Colton gave Eric a tiny shove. “Call if you need any help.”
“I will.” Eric turned. “Let me stop in and tell Mother goodbye.”
“Wait.” Big J grabbed his arm. “Hold off on that for now. I don’t want to upset her. She’s been doing so well, I don’t want to do anything that might cause a setback. Understand?”
Slowly, Eric nodded. Though he felt disappointed that he couldn’t see his mother, what his father said made sense. “What are you going to tell her?”
“Just that you’re busy,” Big J drawled. “She’ll understand. She’s used to that.”
Eric refused to take his father’s bait. Jerking his chin in a nod, he took Kara’s arm and they followed the marshals out the door and into the car. Once inside, he captured Kara’s hand with his own, glad that she let him. They sat that way the entire time the vehicle jolted up and down on the dirt road.
Once they reach the blacktop of the main road, Eric glanced at Kara. Her full lips twitched as if she was trying not to laugh. He shook his head, his own mouth curving in response. The absolute silence in the car could be either intimidating or funny. Both he and Kara found it the latter. Somehow he didn’t think the two US Marshals would find their amusement humorous.
They continued down the road in silence. Finally, Eric’s cell phone rang, earning him a hard look from Marshal Shelton, who sat in the passenger seat.
Ignoring him, Eric answered. It was Ryan.
“Where are you?” his brother asked, not bothering to mask the urgent tone in his voice.
“En route,” Eric answered, which garnished him another quelling look, this time from the driver.
“To where?” Ryan persisted.
“Ah, I don’t actually know.”
Shocked silence from his brother. “Okay,” Ryan finally responded. “I’ll let that one go for now. I’ve got some bad news. Eventually, I’ll have to relay this to the US Marshals office, but I wanted you to know first.”
Gratified, Eric kept his face expressionless. “Hit me.”
“When we were doing the search to find out about the orthopedic insert in MW’s leg—”
“Kara,” Eric interrupted, correcting automatically. “Go on.”
“I’ll cut to the chase. Bottom line, when everything matched up, before we knew who she was, her picture and name went out over the wire.”
“What’s that mean?”
Ryan sighed. “Every police station and law-enforcement office was notified. That’s how the US Marshals found out. Unfortunately, I got a report from a NYPD buddy that the info was leaked to the mob. Not just any mob. Samboliono’s group, to be exact. Even though he’s in prison awaiting trial, his men are working off his orders.”
Almost afraid to ask, Eric did anyway. “What’s that mean for us?”
“They not only know where she is, but I have no doubt they’re sending men to get her.”
Eric cursed. “Which means it’s a damn good thing that I don’t have any idea where they’re taking us.” Now he had both marshals’ attention. The driver—Gray—kept an eye on Eric in the rearview mirror while Shelton had turned to face the backseat. The questioning look on both their faces demanded answers. Eric ignored them, at least for now.
“Maybe,” Ryan allowed. “But you need to know. I’d suggest you find out as soon as you can. And Eric, stay alert. Watch and be ready for anything.”
“Thanks, I will.” Keeping his tone light, Eric knew Ryan wouldn’t have given him such a warning if he wasn’t worried. Heck, with the way the US Marshals had performed so far, Eric couldn’t blame him.
After ending the call, Eric smiled at his front-seat pals. “Well?” Shelton asked, not bothering to hide his impatience. “What was that all about?”
Eric gave Kara’s hand a quick squeeze. “That was my brother Ryan. He’s a detective for the Tulsa PD. Y’all should know he’s learned there’s been a leak somewhere in the NYPD. Samboliono and his men know where Kara is—at least the general vicinity.”
“How?” The marshal barked. “How do you know this?”
“My brother has a buddy in the NYPD. When Kara’s picture went out over the wire, he heard some scuttlebutt. Samboliono’s guys know. Word has it they’re heading for Tulsa right now, so I hope you’re not taking us anywhere near there.”
“We’re not,” Gray spoke up. “Actually, we’re heading south, to Texas. She should be safe there.”
“Texas isn’t that far from Tulsa,” Kara worried. “Shouldn’t you take me farther?”
Neither of the marshals answered. Kara swallowed, glanced at Eric and shrugged.
Slightly annoyed, Eric leaned forward. “I believe the lady asked you a question.”
“Sorry.” Glaring at Eric, Gray sounded anything but. “Ma’am, I promise you we have everything under control. Please, let us do our job.”
She nodded and opened her mouth. Eric shot her a look telling her she’d better not apologize. “You’ve done nothing wrong,” he whispered in her ear. “Don’t let them intimidate you.”
Exhaling, she leaned into him. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Especially thank you for coming with me. I feel a lot safer with you here.”
A warm glow filled his heart at her words. To keep from revealing his emotions to anyone else in the car, he turned and focused his attention out the window. Ryan had said to stay on his toes. So he couldn’t afford to let anything or anyone distract him, especially not his beautiful charge.
* * *
While Kara wasn’t 100 percent sure why Eric had decided to accompany her, the fact that he had made her heart sing with joy. She knew he cared about her, even though he hadn’t said all that much. Sometimes, actions definitely spoke louder than words. Still, she longed to tell him her own growing feelings, and maybe show him how she felt with her body. Not now, certainly. But she hoped soon.
Though patience had never been one of her strengths, she knew the time would come when they’d talk and share their feelings. She believed Eric cared for her as strongly as she did for him. Though her immediate future might be in jeopardy until the trial and con
viction of the mobster, she refused to let go of the shining hope for her life beyond all this. She’d always envisioned her future, and the possible life she could see ahead of her now beckoned like a bright light on the dark horizon.
Her life. A life that hopefully would include Eric. She’d wanted to open a restaurant; her pretty hefty savings account could testify to that. What better place to do that than Tulsa? With Eric by her side, anything seemed possible.
Once she made it past all this, that is.
Her stomach flip-flopped. Despite her mental admonishment not to be anxious, she couldn’t seem to calm herself. It didn’t help that the two US Marshals entrusted with her care were clearly on edge. Both the driver and his shotgun passenger kept checking the side mirrors as well as the rearview mirror, as if they expected to be followed. Or shot at. Or something.
Twice she opened her mouth to ask about this and thought better of it. She wasn’t sure she really wanted to know.
Still, their edginess increased her nervousness, and she fidgeted in her seat. Eric finally reached for her and pulled her close against his broad chest.
Relieved, she gave up all her tension and relaxed against him. “Thank you,” she murmured, knowing he’d understand.
“It’s okay.” The deep rumble of his voice under her ear made her smile. “We have to trust that these guys know what they’re doing.”
“Do we?” she murmured back. “Look how edgy they are.”
He nodded and tightened his arms around her. “After what’s happened so far, do you blame them? I’d rather them be watchful than complacent.”
The words had no sooner left his mouth when something exploded outside the window. The car swerved, tires squealing.
“Blowout,” the driver shouted, his grip white-knuckled on the wheel as he fought to maintain control.
Eric tightened his grip on her. “Hold on,” he ordered. “We’ll be all right.”
But as the vehicle spun and hit the guardrail, metal screeching and sparks flying, she knew they wouldn’t. They’d been going at least seventy when the tire had blown. They’d be lucky not to roll over.
The Temptation of Dr. Colton Page 18