Protected Secrets

by Heather Woodhaven

  Bruce shook his head. “Right now I could care less about what you do to my company. I only want Winnie.”

  “Relax. She’s fine. She’s in the building. Napping.”

  Bruce took a step closer. Delaney matched it, but she continued to train her gun on Trevor.

  “How’d you find her?” Bruce asked. “We got rid of the trackers in the soles of her shoes.”

  Trevor at least had the courtesy to look ashamed. “The CryptTakers wanted your location. Zach insisted he have it—”

  “Zach?”

  Trevor reddened. “Doesn’t matter who he is, just that he promised not to kill you if you cooperated. Which, of course, you didn’t.” His voice seethed with rage.

  “Answer the question. How’d you find her after we got rid of the soles?”

  “I was watching from a safe distance when I saw the cops put Andy in one cruiser. You and Nancy followed another cruiser. I knew then that you’d messed everything up. But, I also knew you’d have to be at the police station a long time. I went to your house and put the trackers in her shoes and her blanket.”

  Bruce reared back. “It was in her blanket?”

  “But I checked her blanket.” Delaney furrowed her brow.

  “I couldn’t be sure you’d take the right pair of shoes. I needed a backup.”

  “How could you do this to her?” Bruce took another step. “She’s your niece! Does family mean nothing to you?”

  “I was trying to keep you safe. Don’t you get that?” Trevor snapped. “She’ll be fine. She probably won’t remember a thing.”

  Delaney’s blood ran cold.

  “What do you mean by that?” Bruce pressed.

  “I gave her a little something. If she remembers anything, it’ll be fuzzy, like a dream.”

  “You drugged her?” Bruce’s fist flew out so fast, Delaney didn’t have time to stop him. Trevor stumbled backward into the cubicle. Bruce grabbed either side of Trevor’s pressed shirt. “Where is she?”

  “Shannon has her, okay?”

  Bruce’s hands loosened and dropped his stepbrother, who slid down to the floor. “Shannon?”

  Trevor rubbed his jaw. “She didn’t like taking her the way we did, but it was necessary. She thought she would be able to keep Winnie calm if she woke up. We were going to bring her back right when it was done and Andy was released. So stop screwing things up.”

  “You and Shannon both joined the CryptTakers?”

  He shrugged. “A couple years ago. The affair started a few months later.” Trevor avoided looking him in the eye. “We didn’t mean for it to happen. It just did.”

  Delaney’s stomach churned at the look on Bruce’s face. He hadn’t had any idea that his wife had left him for his stepbrother.

  “Save me the sob story,” a man’s voice snarled from behind Delaney. “Don’t even think about it, darling,” he said as she started to spin. “Drop the weapon.”

  * * *

  Bruce turned in time to see Delaney bend over and set down her weapon. The gun rested halfway between her and Bruce but not close enough that he could lunge for it without getting shot himself.

  “There’s no need for guns, Zach,” Trevor said as he straightened out his crumpled shirt. “Why don’t you just give them some of that happy stuff you gave the guards?”

  Zach scowled as he released a disgusted sigh. “The guards didn’t see either one of us, now, did they? Instead of the no-risk operation that you promised, I’ve got two more witnesses. I can’t have that. I’m not joining Andy in jail.”

  “Don’t be hasty,” Trevor said. “We need him. He’s the only one that can get us the access to the banks now.” He nodded toward Delaney. “And besides, there are probably more of her type arriving soon. We could use her to our advantage.”

  Zach shook his head. “No. We’re cutting our losses. You’ll be my hostage, and when we get out of here, you can be sure the CryptTakers will give you all the credit for not getting the job done.”

  Trevor looked as if he was going to lose his lunch on his designer shoes. As much as Bruce wanted to throttle him, he didn’t want his stepbrother to die. Besides, he needed to know where Shannon had taken Winnie before the CryptTakers came after her, as well.

  Zach raised his gun and Bruce didn’t have time to register that the weapon was aimed at his heart. Delaney leaped toward him. The crack of the bullet didn’t reach his ears until Delaney’s back slammed against his chest.

  His arms instinctively went around her waist as she dropped like a dead weight, taking him to his knees on the ground with her. The gun now within reach, Bruce grabbed it with his left hand.

  Seeing the murderous look in the man’s eyes, Bruce didn’t take the time to aim properly and just pressed the trigger. The gun kicked back.

  Zach’s right shoulder flung backward and he bellowed as his shirt reddened.

  Doors on either side of the floor slammed open. “US Marshals. Drop your weapons!”

  Bruce let the gun fall to the ground as agents covered in tactical gear rushed in from all directions, rifles up. They surrounded Zach, shouting orders to get on the ground, despite his bloodied shoulder.

  Delaney’s head rested in the crook of Bruce’s right arm, her eyes wide, her face panicked. A choking sound came from her mouth, followed by a huge gasp. She began coughing and groaning.

  “Help me,” Bruce called out. He looked down at her stomach where her hands were clutched. He carefully moved her hands away. She cringed, but he didn’t see any blood. Instead he felt hard material underneath.

  A deputy dropped to his knees. “Are you wearing a concealed vest?”

  Delaney nodded, still coughing.

  The deputy pulled up her shirt just enough to see the black material and a bullet embedded in the fabric. He ripped off the quick-release fastener on the left and winced.

  “What? What is it?” Bruce’s heart pounded fast.

  Delaney sucked in another breath. “He’s trying not to tell me I’m going to need stitches.”

  “A lot of stitches, and you’ll end up with the nastiest bruise you’ve ever seen. You should be grateful that’s all you’ll need, wearing such a thin vest and taking a bullet at such close range,” the deputy said. “If the shooter had used a 9 mm instead of the .45 Magnum, I doubt this thing would’ve stopped it. The plate bent the bullet enough so that only the tip injured her.”

  She groaned. “Still felt like I was hit with a hammer.”

  He pulled out a first-aid kit the size of a pack of index cards from one of seven pockets lining his pants legs. “Get the vest off of her.”

  Delaney pointed toward her right shoulder. Bruce found and unlatched the fasteners on either side. The deputy pulled the vest away while leaving her shirt on top.

  “If the bullet had gone any deeper, you’d probably need surgery.” He pursed his lips. “It looks like a puncture wound to me but only flesh deep. You should feel better without that sticking into you.” The deputy attached thick gauze and tape, and pressed the bandage against her abdomen before pulling her shirt back over it. “Keep pressure on it. You’ll definitely need it checked out. I’m not a medic.” He rose. “An ambulance is on the way.”

  “Help me up,” she said to Bruce.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course, I’m sure.”

  He cradled her in his arms and lifted her to stand. His thoughts were muddled as he tried to sort out what had just happened. He turned to the deputies who had handcuffed Trevor. “Where’s Winnie?”

  Trevor’s eyes and mouth were clamped shut.

  “Trevor! Where is she?”

  He groaned. “With Shannon, like I told you.”

  “Where?”

  Delaney stepped forward. Her hand was still on her stomach, which should have made her look fragile, but when the other deputies
saw the look on her face, they stepped to the side. She tilted her head and stared at him until Trevor lifted his eyes to meet hers. “See,” she said, in a soft but firm voice, “if you think not telling us where to find Winnie gives Shannon a chance to escape, you’re wrong. If you think she could survive on the run from both the CryptTakers and me, you’re wrong, as well. I can guarantee you that I will do my part to leave no stone unturned to find my daughter.”

  Trevor’s eyes widened. “Your—” He glanced at Bruce and could clearly see the truth all over his face as his shoulders sagged. “They’re holed up in Bruce’s office on the third floor. Knock three times or Shannon’s supposed to come out blazing.”

  “What? What do you mean blazing?”

  “She wouldn’t hurt Winnie. You know her.”

  “Do I?” Bruce bellowed.

  The deputy closest to Bruce picked up his radio and issued a command that no one approach any closed doors on the third floor without prior approval. “Thanks,” Delaney said.

  “I need to see her right away.”

  She nodded. “I wouldn’t make you wait. We’ll go up and have the deputies escort us in after the three knocks.”

  Bruce led her to the elevator. He was in a hurry, but he wasn’t about to make the woman who took a bullet for him go up the stairs. They stepped through the steel doors.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  He reared back. “Me?” Bruce couldn’t fathom why she was worried about him. “I want to throttle my brother and ex-wife, but as long as Winnie is safe and sound, that’s what matters.”

  “What Trevor said—”

  It dawned on him that she meant the news about Shannon’s affair with his stepbrother. He offered her a small smile. “It hurt to know, but as soon as he said it I realized it didn’t surprise me.” What did surprise him was that Delaney cared enough to ask. He sighed. “In many ways they’re made for each other.” He couldn’t take his eyes off Delaney as the elevator ascended. “Why’d you do that? Jump in front of me?”

  She blinked slowly, and then a small smile spread across her face. “What was I supposed to do? Let them try to kill you?” She parroted the words he’d spoken to her once.

  He tried to match her smile, but he couldn’t. If he had lost her... He drew in a breath. His bones burned hot with shame for even imagining Delaney would lie to him or manipulate him to get to Winnie. She was not like Shannon or Trevor. This woman didn’t belittle integrity. She sought it. She wanted to please the Lord, as he did. They both made mistakes, but they both wanted to get up and do the next right thing. What if they were made for each other? Could she ever entertain the idea?

  Her expression sobered. “I couldn’t let you die.”

  “Don’t tell me it’s your job.”

  “Well, it is, but I did it also because...” She worried her lip and turned away.

  The unsaid words hung in the air. Bruce couldn’t think for a second. He loved her. He did.

  Did she?

  “I...I couldn’t let Winnie’s father die.” She said meekly. “But...”

  “I love you.” The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them. Deep down he wanted to know her feelings before he put his own out there, on the chance she would stomp them or use them to her advantage, but the woman in front of him didn’t use words flippantly. Actions meant something to her.

  She blinked rapidly. “I love you, too.” The words came out in a whisper. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. With one hand pressed against her abdomen and the other hand holding her gun, she pulled her shoulders back. “Point me to your office, then stay back.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Delaney had never appreciated her training more than at this moment because without that practice she never would’ve been able to corral the hundreds of thoughts and feelings begging for attention. She shoved them aside to deal with later, after she knew Winnie was safe.

  Bruce frowned. “If Shannon sees me first, it’s less likely she’ll shoot.”

  Delaney wanted to argue, but given his history and Trevor’s admission that Shannon hadn’t wanted any part in kidnapping Winnie in the first place, she weighed it against her own plan. “We’ll compromise, then.”

  She gestured for two deputies to follow them. Her stomach burned with hot pain. Grandpa had insisted she wear what used to be her grandma’s concealable vest. It was much thinner than the ballistic vest she normally wore during a raid, but it had done the job. Mostly. “You’ll stand behind me.”

  “And risk you getting shot again? No.” He noted her determined face and pointed to one of the other deputies. “What about him? He has on a tactical vest.”

  The deputy looked at them with one eyebrow raised but didn’t comment.

  If Delaney hadn’t already declared her resignation in two weeks, she would’ve been embarrassed that a citizen was openly worried for her safety. She stepped forward to the wooden door Bruce had indicated and knocked three times, then stepped to the right side, effectively blocking Bruce. One deputy stood at an angle to her and the other stood on the opposite side of the door.

  The doorknob turned and swung open. A petite blonde woman stood behind the door. “Trev—” Her mouth gaped open as the deputy in front charged and pulled her arms behind her back in a split second. Shannon looked past Delaney. “Bruce?” Her voice wobbled.

  “Where is she?” Bruce said.

  Delaney took one step into the office. In the opposite corner, her sweet little girl slept, curled up with Lovey. She ran to Winnie but stopped herself from picking up the little girl. She turned to Bruce. “She’ll want her dad when she wakes up.”

  Bruce dropped to one knee and felt for her pulse. Delaney took comfort in Winnie’s soft, rhythmic breathing and the way her long lashes fluttered ever so slightly against her cheeks.

  “She should wake up soon,” Shannon said softly.

  They both turned to her at the same time.

  Bruce stood. “What’d you give her?”

  “I’m sorry, Bruce,” Shannon said. “I didn’t want to be a part of this. We never wanted to hurt you. Trevor insisted your business wouldn’t even be hurt, that you would never have to know.” She lifted her chin. “It’s always been Trevor. I didn’t think he had any interest in me, but when I found out he always had, I—”

  Bruce’s eyes bulged in a look of disbelief. “Just tell me what you gave her.”

  Shannon looked flustered but not a single hair fell from her updo. “I don’t know. It was a small dose of whatever they gave the security guards. Trevor measured it and gave her the shot. She’s supposed to wake up soon.”

  The radios crackled with news of an ambulance on the scene. Delaney turned to the closest deputy. “Please ask the paramedics to come here.”

  The other deputy shoved Shannon out of the room, reciting her Miranda rights. “Wait,” Delaney called. She walked to the doorway and aimed her question at Shannon. “Where’s the tracker?”

  Shannon glanced around as if fearing someone would overhear. “Underneath the embroidered puppy.” The deputy moved Shannon to the elevator, leaving Delaney speechless. She turned around. “How could it be underneath the puppy? That’s so small.”

  Bruce was a step ahead of her. He grabbed a pair of scissors from his desk and carefully cut a few stitches of the seam on the Lovey. It was enough for his finger to get in between the two pieces of fabric and slide underneath the faded blue puppy. Judging by his expression, he’d found it. He pulled out what looked like a sticker. “The smallest GPS tracker on the market.” He shook his head and handed it to her. “I don’t know how I’m going to forgive them.”

  “You have to make the choice to forgive, but you also need to give all your hurt to God. Sometimes hourly.” She sighed and glanced down at her beautiful daughter. “I should know. I had to forgive myself for...”

  She
couldn’t even say it. The only sound remaining in the room was that of Winnie breathing. Bruce stood up and crossed the room.

  Her stomach grew hotter, but Delaney didn’t think it was due to the flesh wound. All the thoughts and feelings she’d shoved aside came rushing back. She’d admitted her love for Bruce. Had she imagined that he’d proclaimed his love for her? Did the moment with Shannon or the reminder of Delaney’s past change things?

  Bruce wiped away a tear that was on her right cheek. His fingers were soft as they slid gently down her face and around the back of her neck. “I love you, Delaney.” He leaned over and kissed her so softly and yet so fully that she lost her balance. His other hand caught the small of her back and kept her upright just as the paramedics entered the room. She winked at him. “Don’t get a big head, thinking you’ve knocked me off my feet. It’s just because I was shot.”

  A twinkle appeared in his eye. “I really hope we get to test your theory after you’re all patched up.”

  Movement on the couch caught her attention. Winnie was upright with her thumb in her mouth. “Why do you have my Lovey, Daddy?”

  A strangled laugh escaped him. He picked up Winnie in his arms and kissed her forehead. Winnie scrunched up her nose and looked at Delaney. “Why is Daddy crying?” Her eyes widened. “’Cuz he doesn’t have a Lovey?”

  “I’m pretty sure you are his Lovey,” Delaney answered, her heart beating hard against her chest.

  Bruce beamed and turned to her, his smile fading. “Are you okay? You’re turning pale.”

  She had a hard time processing his words. She wanted to tell Winnie right then just how much she loved her as well, but it wasn’t the right time. She hadn’t even had the conversation with Bruce about it, and she didn’t want to rush things.

  Besides, he still had a trial to testify in, and the need for WITSEC hadn’t been ruled out as of yet.

  Her head began to spin. A paramedic asked her to sit down as Winnie pointed to Delaney’s hand, still putting pressure against her wound. Blood seeped past her fingers.