by Cara Carnes
She admired them for not finding out the sex of the baby. Whether he or she was healthy was all Mary and Dylan cared about.
“You and Phil never had children. You were together awhile.”
“He wasn’t the one I saw as the father of my children,” Ellie whispered. “That chapter of my life won’t be opening.”
Sadness glinted in the couple’s faces. The unspoken why hung in the room like an unwelcome visitor.
“Riley’s taking you into Nomad this afternoon,” Dylan said as he stood and draped an arm around his wife. “Medina and a couple of other operatives are going along to assist.”
Ellie nodded. It was a simple trip to Nomad, so the security wasn’t necessary, but she appreciated having someone around just in case. Everyone had relented to her mother’s determination that one of Jesse’s brothers was not leading a team to haul her into the doctor.
Kamren and Dallas entered. Ellie’s stomach dry-heaved as she noted the woman’s exhausted but enraged face. She unshouldered the backpack she always wore and reached inside as she arrived at the desk. Dallas’s grim expression matched one Jesse wore often.
“Are you okay?” Ellie asked.
“No, but I will be once we skin every asshole involved with this,” Kamren said. She handed over a notebook and a laptop. “I didn’t record what she said when she came over. I know this is important, but she’s my friend and she doesn’t trust any of you enough to let me record what she said.”
Dallas drew Kamren close and kissed her head. “We got a couple more names from her. Tattoos and birthmarks on a couple more spectators. That’s what Javier called them afterward. Dickheads paid twenty bucks to watch.”
Ellie swallowed as Mary took the laptop and notebook. “Why didn’t she tell her brother Javier was there?”
“She blocked out a large chunk of what happened that night. She remembers going out to meet Nolan. She remembers being chased. The rapes. Nothing after,” Dallas said.
“She didn’t find out about Javier’s involvement until after Dom had admitted to the murders,” Kam said. “She’s hiding something, but I don’t know what or why.”
“Do you think Dom took the rap for murders he didn’t commit?” Dylan asked.
“Yeah.” Dallas sighed. “We need to keep digging and find the other recording.”
“Dallas and I made notes after she left. Between the two of us I’m pretty sure we retained about ninety-nine percent of it. He has a wicked good memory,” Kamren said. “The laptop is Javier’s. It was in his vehicle. Dani said he didn’t have any CDs or anything lying around that she ever saw, but he and the other Marville Dogs recorded things constantly. They used a cloud-based storage of some sort. Some underground vault.”
“Asking her about videos was smart,” Dylan said.
“Information is power,” Kamren said. “I learned that from you all.”
“Is it always this busy?” Riley asked.
Ellie noted the filled parking lot. “Most days, no. The clinic is around the back, near the emergency room exit. There’s a smaller area nearby to park.”
She glanced at her mother, who’d refused to let the Masons send a large squadron of commandoes to watch over her. Despite the long and very heated discussion as to why it wasn’t a good idea to go with just a few, her mother had been insistent.
Don’t need no one making a big deal about this, Ellie-belly. I’ve taken enough kindness from the Masons. I’m not spending my last days anymore indebted to them than I am now.
While Ellie appreciated the protectiveness and concern Jesse and his brothers expressed, the only thing that mattered today was getting her mom’s treatment done so they could get her back to the cottage and comfortable.
Riley navigated the SUV back there and glanced in the rearview mirror. “I’m not telling those overprotective lugs, but I’m glad they insisted on coming along.”
Four operatives led by Medina and not assigned to Arsenal teams had insisted on coming along rather than “lazing around.” Ellie recognized them as frequent visitors to her desk, where she always kept assorted candies and homemade goodies on hand.
Riley pulled up against the curb near the entry and turned the vehicle off. “Stay inside until I come around.”
Ellie had been impressed with Jesse’s little sister so far. She’d taken to her investigative work around the area with gusto and had already solved a few petty thefts in Resino. Jud was helping her work a couple of bigger cases, but neither of them had shared details.
“Everything has to be a big production with those Masons.” Ellie’s mom unlatched her seatbelt in the back and moved to open the door, but Riley was already there with the walker. “I can get my own damn self out.”
The blonde smirked. “Good to hear, Ms. Travers. I’ll help Ellie instead.”
Ellie exited the vehicle but was crunched between it and Riley as the blonde waited for Medina, who was prowling toward them. Three men exited The Arsenal vehicle which had followed them from the compound. Backup. Riley and a team of five men were all her mom would agree to—and only because Ellie had insisted to appease Jesse.
The Arsenal’s truck headed toward the smaller parking area. Two of the operatives who’d exited the vehicle headed around the side of the building, which the other made his way around the other side. A shiver traveled up Ellie’s spine when she noticed holstered weapons on their hips.
They were not messing around.
“We’ll cover the three exits and the parking lot,” Medina said. “You good for the interior? I can call for more.”
The man was tall and wide and exuded lethal confidence like all the Arsenal personnel did. Riley sized the man up. “You know I can kick your ass.”
“I know you’ll try.”
“Jud’s been training me.”
Medina smirked. “There’s only so much kick in a pint-sized package. Are you clear for the inside or not?”
“What would you do?” Riley asked.
The man smiled. A glimmer appeared in his gaze. “Bonus points for being smart enough to recognize when you’re in over your head.”
“Stow the smartass,” Riley growled. “Ellie’s mom needs to get inside. Standing isn’t likely simple for her.”
The man’s light brown complexion darkened with a blush as he looked around. “Call Zoey and have her patch into the hospital’s security system. We’ve got gear with us. That’ll give the five of us and you additional eyes on the areas we can’t physically cover. HERA can scan for anyone near Phil’s size and warn us if anyone is spotted.”
Riley nodded. “Right. Right. Okay. Do it.”
“Already done,” Medina said with a grin.
The blonde’s gaze narrowed. “Are you humoring me, Medina?”
“I wouldn’t be suicidal enough to mess with my bosses’ little sister,” the man said. “Get Ms. Travers inside. We’ll get patched into the security feeds.”
“Stay close,” Riley ordered as they made their way into the congested lobby of the cancer clinic.
The progression halted long enough for Riley and one of the operatives to sweep the interior of the small clinic. Ellie stood beside her mom and watched the methodical way Jesse’s sister helped ensure the location was safe.
Riley returned and offered Ellie’s mom a smile. “We’re clear.”
Ellie’s mom continued to the right and down the narrow hallway leading to where she’d be treated. Ellie flashed an apologetic smile at the nurse behind reception. “Sorry, she’s having a bad day.”
“No worries. It’ll be quieter back there anyway. You know the rules. One person only in the treatment area. Your friend can wait in the room nearby. I’ll put her in number two.”
Ellie nodded.
“I’m not leaving your side,” Riley said.
“They’re close.” Ellie caught up with her mom, who was already sitting where she needed to be. “You shouldn’t go wandering off by yourself today, Mom. Riley’s trying to keep us safe.”
&
nbsp; “No one’s messing with us in here. Not everything’s about a Mason. I can’t even die in peace without you bringing that boy and his notions into it.” Her mom’s voice rose. “Not everything’s about you.”
Ellie kept quiet and glanced across the narrow hall. Riley had dragged a chair from the small consultation room and was sitting in the doorway. She’d see straight into the room without issues. The woman’s gaze was narrowed. She’d lip-read every harsh word Ellie’s mom had spoken.
A nurse shuffled into the room with a blood-draw kit. “I need to get some blood, Ms. Travers.”
“Damn vampires. You’ve got enough.”
Ellie smiled. “I’m Ellie. I don’t believe we’ve met. Are you new?”
“I started a few days ago,” the young woman said. A deep bruise along her eye drew Ellie’s attention. She tied off her mom’s arm and started working on finding a vein. “That blonde across the hall with you?”
“Yeah. She’s a friend,” Ellie said.
“She shouldn’t be back here.”
“It was cleared. I’m having a few…security issues.”
“You’ll have more if you don’t listen,” the woman said, her voice low.
“Excuse me?” Ellie tightened and glanced at Riley.
“You call out to her and I’ll push this into your mom’s vein.” Ellie looked down at the empty syringe. Air?
Fear clamped around Ellie’s lungs. She looked at the woman, then down at her mom, whose eyes were wide.
“Leave her alone,” Ellie said.
“Keep quiet and listen,” the woman whispered. She angled to the side and looked at Ellie. “They’ve got my kid. I do this or my boy dies.”
“Do what?” Ellie asked softly.
“You’ve got something they want. A CD. Where is it?”
The CD. Ellie let anger roll through her a moment. “The Arsenal has it.”
“My boy’s gonna die if I don’t get that CD.” Tears appeared in the woman’s eyes.
Ellie glanced at the hall and noticed Riley watching. The woman’s body hid the empty syringe. Ellie needed help. But how?
She swallowed and recalled the hand signals she’d watched Jud and Dallas train Riley on. She held her left hand up in what she hoped to hell translated to “enemy.”
“Marshall Mason has it,” Ellie said. “You don’t have to do this. They’ll help you find your son.”
Riley prowled forward, gun drawn. The woman’s steps were so quiet they were unheard by the nurse threatening her mom. Ellie’s pulse quickened when Riley shoved the gun against the woman’s head with one hand while the other grabbed the syringe. A second later the woman was on the floor and Riley was straddling her.
“I think we need an assist back here, Medina,” Riley said into the Bluetooth she was wearing. She glanced up at Ellie. “Are you okay?”
Ellie glanced down at her mom, who’d yet to move or speak. She untied the band around her mom’s arm and nodded. “We’re okay. Thank you.”
Riley nodded as she pulled the nurse up. “Let’s step into the hall and have a chat while we wait for someone to come pick you up.”
“What was that, Ellie-belly?” Fear clung to her mom’s words.
“We’re safe, Mom. Riley handled it.”
“What have those Masons gotten you into?” Ellie sighed and realized her mom didn’t remember the multiple conversations they’d had about why they were staying at the Mason ranch for a while. Days like this made her want to cry.
The woman who’d raised her was slipping away a little each day. All Ellie could do was make the best of the situation and ensure she had everything she could possibly want. Keep her comfortable, safe, and happy.
“Nothing, Mom. This is Phil.”
“Phil? That woman didn’t say anything about Phil.”
“The CD she was asking about was in the Bible. Remember I mentioned there was one stuck in with my things, and I said I should return it?”
“The one I told you to burn because that bastard ain’t ever getting into heaven no matter how much scripture he read?” Her mom’s eyes narrowed. “I told you he was trouble.”
“I know, Mom.” Ellie patted her mom’s arm.
Her mom coughed, then cleared her throat. Face pale and hands trembling, she looked up at Ellie. “I need some juice.”
Ellie peeked around the corner at where Riley and Medina were with the nurse. “I’ll get you some in a minute.”
Her mom coughed again. Guilt overrode the concern about safety. The nurse had been caught and the area had been swept earlier. Surely getting juice from the breakroom would be safe. “I’ll be right back.”
She stepped into the hall. Medina and Riley were talking. The man had taken possession of the nurse a short distance away. She flagged them to get their attention. “I’m gonna grab my mom some juice.”
Riley’s gaze narrowed. “Don’t go far.”
“I won’t. It’s just in that room.” Ellie motioned toward the second door to the right where the nurses kept juices and other beverages for the patients to sip on.
The room was empty when she entered. She moved toward the refrigerator along the back wall, but movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention as a door squeaked open.
The emergency exit.
A scream rose in her throat as she took a step backward—away from the man dressed in scrubs. He closed the distance and latched a hand across her mouth.
She punched and kicked. Screamed against the hand.
“Bitch! You’re gonna learn not to fuck with us. You should’ve kept your mouth shut.”
Pain ripped through her body as she was slammed to the floor. He struck her head. Her face. A fist? No. It was harder. She punched and scraped her nails on his arms. His face. He slammed her head against the floor. Once. Twice.
Blackness assailed.
11
Jesse glared at Howie as the man drove to Nomad Memorial. The vehicle had hit ninety-five, but it felt as though they were standing still. The search of Phil’s house was a bust. Nothing of value had been found. Frustrated, he and Fallon had wired the entire house while Jesse’s team patrolled the perimeter with drones. A mouse couldn’t fart or take a dump in that place without being seen and heard.
While they’d been wasting their time at Phil’s, some nurse had threatened Ellie.
“Riley neutralized the nurse,” Vi said over the vehicle’s speakers.
They’d already been on their way to the hospital because staying away from Ellie was like blocking out the sun—impossible. Jesse had been worried.
The truck slowed as they entered Nomad.
“Second assailant on scene,” Medina growled into the com. “Fuck. Stay with me Ellie. I’ve got you.”
No. Howie gunned the engine again and turned onto a side road that paralleled the congested main highway leading to the hospital.
“Suspect down,” Riley said into the com.
“Ellie? How’s Ellie?” Jesse’s voice rose, making the word more a scream than a question.
No response.
The vehicle turned into the back entry of the hospital parking lot on two wheels. Jesse vaulted out and sprinted inside. Only ten minutes had passed since Riley had called in the nurse incident.
Ten minutes.
He followed the shouts and bustle of activity. Medina, Riley, and three other operatives were in the hall. A swarm of people filled the area. Tears trekked down Riley’s cheeks as she leapt into Jesse’s arms.
“I’m sorry. I’m so, so, sorry. I shouldn’t have let her get the juice. I thought we were secure. We swept the area and had the nurse detained. No other threats were picked up.”
Jesse didn’t care about the how. Not now. He pulled away from his sister and tried to enter the room but froze.
Blood pooled around Ellie’s still form. A man in a white coat was shouting at the people gathered around him. They hoisted her onto a nearby gurney.
“Ellie-belly!”
Ellie’s mom
was clutching the entryway. Pale and terrified. He shifted his attention, even though it pained him to leave Ellie’s side for a second. She’d want her mom secure and calm.
“She’s going to be okay, Ms. Travers.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “Let me help you to a seat.”
“That nurse threatened her.”
“In a minute, you tell Riley everything you heard, okay?”
The woman nodded. “She’ll be okay?”
“I won’t rest until she is.”
“She’s in this mess ’cause of you and me. She never would’ve married that mangy mutt if you hadn’t left and I hadn’t gotten sick again.”
Jesse tightened. The woman had a way of carving out a heart without leaving a mark. “You’re right. The biggest mistake I ever made was leaving her. I’m guessing one of yours was around the same time—when you told her not to share your illness with anyone. We’ve both done wrong by her, but I mean to make it right. You’re either with me on this or you aren’t.”
The woman regarded him a moment. “She’s better off without you.”
“Yeah, she is.” Jesse let the fact settle between them because all he wanted was to make sure Ellie was okay. Worry worked his breathing into shallow, quick pants. His vision blurred. Sweat beaded along his brow.
“Deep breaths. Focus on me.”
Nolan. Jesse rested his forehead against his brother’s and forced deep breaths in. Fear choked him, kept the words tumbling in his brain from escaping. Ellie couldn’t…
Die.
Just the word sent a shockwave of new emotions to the forefront of his mind. He stumbled as his vision tunneled a moment. Blackness swept across his peripheral vision, but he focused on his brother’s steady voice.
“Deep breaths, Jesse,” Nolan said, his tone calm and determined. “It’s just you and me.”
But it wasn’t. Ellie’s blood ran like a river a short distance away. If Jesse breathed deep enough, he could smell the coppery scent in his nostrils. Doctors and nurses were working on her right now. He’d failed her.
He should’ve taken her to the hospital himself. Then maybe she would’ve been okay. His breathing steadied and the blackness in his vision dissipated. He squeezed his brother’s arm and forced a deep exhale.