Of All the Luck!

by Joanne Locker

  “What branch are you?” Jacobson asked, caught completely off guard.

  “Retired Special Ops,” Cal said quietly. “Liz doesn’t know. And you can all be thankful I wasn’t armed when we came through that door.”

  Jacobson nodded. “There was no way to warn you without giving ourselves away. Victoria thought of this place, and at the time, we were pretty desperate.”

  “I know that feeling; you’re welcome here.” He sighed, and then said, “I need to go and finish dealing with Liz. I’m sure she’ll be apologizing for acting like a spoiled child when she comes out.”

  “She isn’t used to these types of situations, Cal. Go easy on her…” Jacobson suggested.

  “Like I said, she’s been gearing up for an attack. It was time to lay down the law on her backside, and, not to worry… Her pride got the worst end of it even though her butt isn’t going to like those chairs for a couple of days.” He smiled at them and then headed back to the bedroom.

  Liz was not in the corner; she was lying on the bed, crying. “You are supposed to have your nose in that corner, little girl.”

  “I tried, but I couldn’t do it. I felt helpless, Cal. It made me very small again.” Her eyes begged him for understanding.

  “Did he do that, too?” Cal asked quietly, but not for the first time since he met the love of his life he wished he could have ten minutes alone with that bastard uncle of hers.

  “Yes!”

  “You should have told me right away,” he said soothingly, sitting down on the bed and gathering her close to hold her.

  “I thought I could do it, but I couldn’t. Please don’t be mad at me,” she whimpered.

  “I’m not mad at you… Him, I could kill,” he stated forcefully, and to his surprise she giggled.

  “I love you, Cal. I’m sorry I was such a brat.” She meant the words and he knew it. As far as he was concerned, they were square again.

  “That’s what I wanted to hear, sweetheart. Let’s put this behind us now. Pull up your pants and we’ll go out and try to figure out how to make them feel at home in our home.” He chuckled. “This is certainly an unusual situation.”

  “I hope I didn’t upset Victoria…?” Liz fretted as she fixed her clothing. “I would hate to lose her friendship. I saw her for lunch in between appointments sometimes… when she wasn’t too involved in a book. She is a great cook, too.”

  “Good. Maybe she’ll whip up something special for dinner tonight if we ask her nicely.” He took Liz’s hand and then led her out into the common area of the cabin.

  Liz took a deep breath and then said, “I apologize for the way I behaved earlier. I was surprised to find you here and I reacted badly. Please forgive me.”

  “There is nothing to forgive, Liz. We are the ones who are out of line; breaking in and staying here without your permission is wrong,” Griffin said quietly, doing his best to make her feel better. He looked at Jacobson, and the other man would have had to be blind not to realize what he wanted.

  “Don’t worry, Griff. I know what I need to say.” He grinned at the other man. “Liz, I was rude to you and I’m so sorry that I took an attitude. This situation is serious; a true matter of life and death. It really concerns me that you and Cal are here, and now in danger. That concern falls on my head, and keeping you safe became my responsibility. I didn’t stop to consider how damn bossy I sounded. I hope you’ll forgive me and give me an opportunity to show you I do have some manners.”

  Liz smiled at Jacobson and then at Griffin. “Thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt. You are being nicer to me than I deserve.” She looked around and then asked, “Where is Victoria? I want to let her know that I’m not a bit upset you all are here. I am thankful she knew me well enough to know that coming here to be safe was definitely all right.”

  “She’s in our room, Liz. You’re welcome to go on in and talk to her. She’s not very happy with me or with Jacobson,” Griffin sheepishly admitted.

  “It isn’t your fault that my mouth got me into trouble,” Liz muttered, and then she headed for the other big bedroom.

  * * *

  “Excruciating pain or millions of dollars, Xavier?” General Weatherby taunted the other man from the front seat of the limo. “You have little time to decide.”

  Xavier reached a decision. Why should he turn down all that money to keep that snotty bitch safe? It was a damned shame that Ian and Griffin would die, too, but it couldn’t be helped. His body was already in pain from the torture he’d suffered earlier. He wasn’t going to face that again, not to protect a woman who hated his guts. Given a choice of saving him or earning over a million dollars, the redhead would sell him out in a heartbeat. He was going to lie to Weatherby, but by the time the old man learned it was a lie, he would be safely out of the county and he would disappear after removing all the money from the Cayman account. “I’d rather have the millions, Weatherby. If that bitch was sitting right here she would spit in my face. I’ll tell you where she is hiding once the transfer is complete.”

  “You wouldn’t be planning to screw me over, would you, Xavier?” Weatherby asked, looking at him in the rear view mirror.

  “I am a man of my word; you should know that by now,” Xavier said smoothly. One thing he knew how to do after all these years was how to lie. He was one of those rare individuals who could lie and still pass a lie detector test. That was a secret that he kept close; never knowing when his life would depend upon the skill.

  “Your very life depends upon the truth, Xavier.” It was only ten minutes later that he pulled into a warehouse, using a remote control to open the large door so he could maneuver the car inside. Several men approached, waiting for orders from General Weatherby. “Assist Xavier into my office,” he ordered, and then slowly made his way to the room that looked like a war room.

  Xavier was smart enough not to give the men any excuse to pound the crap out of him. He was ordered into a chair and had to smile when he was hooked up to a lie detector. “I’m disappointed in you, General. Don’t you trust me?”

  “I wouldn’t trust my own mother if she was alive,” the man answered. He hated his mother, and when the opportunity presented itself, he put a pillow over her face and smothered her. He figured it was a just payback for all the time she mistreated him when he was little. Soon enough he would have to face the Almighty and answer for his crimes, but he wasn’t scared. He was a real bastard and he knew it. When someone crossed him, he saw to it they paid, and if Xavier gave him an address he could use to find Victoria Conway, then he would reward the man. He could go to his grave knowing he’d paid back everyone who’d ever made him suffer, and the Conway bitch had to die… and soon. He could feel his body dying inch by inch, and the pain engulfing him was intolerable. If not for that woman, he would take a shot and end it all. “Hook him up.”

  Again Xavier cooperated. The thought of all that money was making him giddy. Why shouldn’t he cash in and retire in the sun? After all these years of serving his country faithfully, he was broke and in debt up to his eyeballs. Giving up Victoria would be sweet revenge. He tried to come up with a viable address that the General would believe and once he did, he relaxed. It would be sweet to be able to afford to do everything he’d ever dreamed of doing.

  * * *

  Liz tapped on the door of the bedroom just in case Victoria was asleep. She didn’t want to wake her.

  “I do not want to talk to you, Griffin Conway!”

  “It’s me,” Liz said, giggling as she pushed open the door so she could enter. She immediately closed it behind her. “Your temper is as bad as mine is, Victoria.”

  “I am so sorry those two idiots got you into trouble with Cal, Liz. I could wring Griffin’s neck!”

  “Oh, don’t do that,” Liz said cheerfully. “I don’t think Cal would like it. Those three men are acting like long lost friends.” She walked on over to the bed. “Do you mind if I join you?” she asked, and when Victoria motioned for her to climb in b
ed, she eased herself onto the bed, lying on her tummy, just like Victoria was doing. “My bottom doesn’t feel like sitting right now,” she admitted. “I want to apologize to you for acting like such a bitch. It had nothing to do with you, Victoria. Seriously. It was just a shock to get here and find all of you inside, and then to have Jacobson get all bossy with us, as if we couldn’t think for ourselves. I lost my temper,” she admitted. “Please forgive me.”

  “There is nothing to forgive, Liz. We are the ones who need to ask for forgiveness. We broke into your home, knowing full well that this could turn into a shooting gallery if we were discovered. That is a pretty serious demand on a friendship.”

  “I’m glad you turned to us, Victoria, and you can stay here as long as you wish. I promise I won’t have another tantrum like that one.” Liz was embarrassed.

  “Did Griffin tell you what this is all about?” Victoria wanted to know.

  “Some. I have the feeling they shared more with Cal than with me. Cal was Special Ops, but don’t tell him I told you. I’m not supposed to know, and the only way I found out was by doing some serious snooping. If we have trouble, he will do his share to keep all of us safe. I know how to use a gun, too,” she admitted. “Cal doesn’t know that, but my Dad made it a point to teach me how to protect myself. I’ve never had the occasion to put any of it into practice, but if need be, I won’t hesitate.”

  “You sound so brave, Liz. I’m quite impressed.”

  “I’m not brave; I’m actually afraid. I would like to step out there and tell all those people to just forget it. No shooting allowed! Why are they after you, Liz? Griffin said you have a stalker, but I don’t believe that is all of it.”

  “I put this man behind bars; he was trafficking in human flesh. He was released on a mercy leave because he is dying, but before he dies, he wants to see me dead. He’s been chasing me all over the country. Each time we settle in somewhere and think we are safe, he sends his men to capture me and kill anyone I am with. Griffin is concerned they will come here now.”

  “We’ll deal with them if they do,” Liz said with confidence. “Don’t you worry, hon. You are safe here.”

  “Liz, you are very special. Thank you.” Victoria was touched. “I suppose I should see what I can find to fix for dinner. Griffin will start hollering in a few minutes and complaining that he is hungry. Does Cal have any foods like he especially likes or dislikes?” The last thing she wanted to do is upset the man by fixing a meal he wouldn’t touch.

  “He isn’t picky, and he is looking forward to having something special for dinner. I don’t cook much, but I can follow orders if you boss me around?” she offered.

  “Well, then, I order you to place pillows on the chairs that you and I will be using,” Victoria said with as straight a face as possible, trying not to giggle when she saw the look on Liz’s face. “I think that is a good project,” she stated calmly.

  “Are you trying to get me spanked again?” Liz asked, and when she saw the glint of humor in Victoria’s eyes, she laughed.

  “No, the last thing I want is for you to get another spanking that is my fault!” Victoria said as she carefully got off the bed.

  “It wasn’t your fault, Victoria; I am the one who acted like a spoiled brat. Now, come on and let’s go and feed these men.”

  As they were leaving the bedroom, they heard gunfire…

  Chapter Nine

  Xavier lied to General Weatherby, but just as he knew he would, he passed the lie detector test. He watched as the elderly, dying man transferred ten million dollars into an account in the Caymans. “I am impressed, old foe, but I can’t stick around to discuss old times. I’m sure you understand.”

  Xavier was almost giddy with relief when General Weatherby and his men left, leaving him alone to make his way to the airport and go into hiding as quickly as possible. It was a sign of how desperately Weatherby wanted to find Victoria Conway that he was grateful enough for the information to leave Xavier alive. Not at all like General Weatherby, but he’d generously paid off the nurse who’d cared for him, and killed one of his own men for thinking of killing the young woman. Even a year ago that wouldn’t have been the case. Xavier didn’t waste time going home; even if Weatherby didn’t discover his deception, Victoria and Griffin Conway would, and so would Jacobson. They would come after him; of course, he wasn’t named head of the agency without a reason. He was a damn good agent, and he knew how to disappear. He was going to do just that, and hope that General Weatherby died before he got to Victoria. He might not like the bitch, but he did respect Griff, and Griff loved the annoying woman. He didn’t really want anything to happen to Ian, either.

  * * *

  The gunshots continued, and Victoria reacted immediately. “Keep down, Liz.” Liz immediately dropped to the floor, just as Cal burst through the doorway. “We’re fine in here, Cal. Griff and Jacobson?” she demanded.

  “They’re fine. Liz, honey, stay down. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe, babe.”

  “Hand me a gun, Cal; I know how to use it.” He didn’t argue, but immediately gave the woman he loved the gun he was carrying and then pulled another from his waistband.

  “Don’t shoot unless you have to, Liz, and if you do shoot, shoot to kill. If these are mercenaries after Victoria, then they won’t hesitate to kill any of us.”

  “I understand, Cal. I’m not afraid,” she said, giving him a smile as the shots continued. “The shots sound like they are coming from hunters,” she suddenly announced. “There are only two guns.” When he looked at her in surprise and admiration, she said, “I’m not a novice around guns, darling.”

  “We are going to have to have a serious talk,” Cal told her, and with a final warning to stay down, he left the room to consult with Griffin and Jacobson. “Liz thinks it’s hunters; only two guns fired.”

  “I agree with her,” Jacobson announced, relieved. “However, they could want us to think that while they get closer. The girls all right?”

  “They’re fine,” Cal replied.

  Twenty or thirty minutes later Griffin rose from his position beside the door and said, “I think we’re in the clear.”

  “I agree,” Jacobson rose, too. “I really don’t relish the idea of having to run again with Victoria in the car.”

  Rather than take offense, Griffin laughed. “I don’t blame you, man. That woman can be a handful when she is on a tear, and she’s had her panties in a twist for days now.”

  “Amen,” the younger man said. “She’s a great cook, though, and I sure hope she takes pity on us and fixes one of her great meals tonight.”

  “I was planning to do just that when those shots were fired,” Victoria said with a smile. “Do you think it safe to start something now?”

  “Should be, honey,” Griff spoke to her. “Do you want some help?” he offered.

  “I’m going to help, Griffin,” Liz spoke up. “I’m hoping to learn something.” She followed Victoria to the kitchen area of the cabin and laid her gun beside Victoria’s on the counter, but where it was still within grabbing distance should the need arise.

  Ian kept his eyes on the two women while they quickly prepared a meal. Neither of them appeared to be particularly worried, not even Victoria. Ian had a feeling that she would welcome a confrontation with General Weatherby. He finally took out his cell phone and checked it once again. It was unlike Xavier to be out of touch for so long and he was growing concerned. The General wanted Victoria so badly that it was possible he’d managed to take Xavier.

  “What is it, friend?” Griffin asked quietly. The last thing he wanted was another argument with his wife. Victoria was testy as could be, and even with a sore butt, she wouldn’t hesitate to argue over every little thing if she felt threatened by a decision that he and Jacobson made without her input.

  “We should have heard something from Xavier by now, Griff. I’m thinking of calling him.”

  “No.” Victoria glowered at him and moved closer s
o she wouldn’t have to speak loudly. “I think he is responsible for letting General Weatherby find us.”

  “That isn’t true, Victoria,” Griffin argued.

  “Prove it isn’t true,” she countered. “Every time we think we are safe, someone shows up. I might not be the most intelligent woman in the world, but I can’t believe it is pure luck on General Weatherby’s part. Xavier is not the innocent schoolboy you two want to make him out to be.”

  “He sent me to help you, didn’t he?” Ian demanded. If the stubborn woman wasn’t married to Griffin, he would turn her over his knee and not stop spanking her until she admitted she was wrong!

  “Maybe he dislikes you, too…?” Victoria stated, turning up her chin. “Did you stop to consider that possibility?”

  “Victoria, finish cooking and let us handle this. You have never liked Xavier, and, honey, there is nothing I can do to fix that dislike, but trying to make Jacobson hate Xavier is above and beyond what I will tolerate.” His eyes met hers and she realized he wanted her to shut up… or else. That look never boded well for her butt.

  “Just remember what I said. If you talk to Xavier it will put us in danger again.” Victoria turned her attention back to the stove, although neither Griffin nor Ian thought she wasn’t listening to every word they said.

  “I’m going to try his emergency number,” Ian told Griffin, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a disposable phone. If Xavier didn’t answer it would mean they were on their own. He punched in the numbers and it went to voice mail. Xavier was either dead or unable to speak at all.

  “Let’s eat,” Victoria said. “You two can worry about that idiot Xavier later!”

  “Do you want another spanking, Victoria?” Griffin demanded, tired of all her smack about Xavier. He didn’t mind that Cal and Liz were right there, either. He already knew that Cal was a like-minded man when it came to maintaining order and discipline. Ian already knew that he spanked Victoria, and would probably applaud him if he spanked her for badmouthing Xavier.