“We’re sure Audrey was working with the commander?” Jory had asked, wiping blood off his chin from his training session.
Matt nodded. “Yes. Nate found proof—and she confirmed it just before several of the blue team were terminated.”
Some of those men had become good friends—especially to Nate.
Jory plucked a lone blade of grass from the beaten earth. “We need to go. Now.” His face tightened as Nathan threw the other soldier a good six feet across the field. Raw rage and pain cut deep into the hard lines of Nate’s face. “Something bad is coming, and we all can feel it.”
“This is the first time we’ve all been here at the same time in years.” The first time the damn commander and his scientists couldn’t extort them into killing in order to keep the other brothers alive. Usually at least two of them were out on missions at any given time.
Shane studied his brothers. Of them all, Jory and Matt looked the most alike. While they all had the odd gray eyes, only Jory and Matt had pitch-black hair. He wondered once again if the two shared the same mother. Or if any of them did. He focused on Jory. “Can you do it?”
“Yes.” Jory hopped to his size fourteen feet. His shoulders blocked out the sun. So much bigger than the scrawny brainiac Shane had protected many years ago. “I can take care of the entire computer system, if you can blow this place to hell.”
“The commander will come after us.” Matt stretched to his feet, his focus on the tight form of the man standing to attention at the edge of the field watching Nathan. “I’ve got the commander, but what about Emery?”
Dread slid through Shane. “You going to kill the commander?” Could Matt kill the man who’d trained them? Even now, even as an adult with so many kills behind him, Shane still sometimes thought the commander invincible. Pure evil.
“Yes.”
Jory shook his head. “Emery deserves a chance. He was raised in this hellhole, too.”
Shane rubbed the scar on his forearm that Emery had gouged with a bent paperclip when Shane was six. Two years older and just plain mean, the brown-eyed Emery was a favorite of the commander. “Emery is crazy and evil. I say we take him out, too.”
“No.” As always, Jory looked to the side of fairness. “None of us were given a choice. We fight or our brothers die.” He glanced toward the computer center near the barracks. “Emery deserves a chance at freedom. To get his brothers to freedom.”
Matt rolled his shoulders. “It’s probably a mistake, but I agree. We let Emery live.”
“For now,” Shane agreed. “You know they’ll come after us, right?”
Matt turned toward him, pure hardness on an already hard face. “Then it was stupid of them to train us so well now, wasn’t it?” Anticipation lit his eyes on fire.
“Jesus.” Shane stood. “Do you really think one of us can kill the commander?”
Mattie lifted his chin. “I started planning his death the day I turned twelve.” Without another word, he turned toward the field to stop Nate from killing the other soldier. This time.
Shane jolted awake in the hospital bed. His head pounded. Jory. So damn smart, how the hell had he died?
The scent of wild berries filled Shane’s nostrils. Josie. He glanced around the room. Thick sun poured through the blinds, showing the hour to be about noon. The rattle of carts sounded outside in the hall. Where had Josie gone?
* * *
Josie cleared her throat, stretching her neck. “How did you get my fingerprints, Detective?” Her mind spun. What now? Should she ask for a lawyer? Nathan had already flown out of town to wherever. Not that he was a real lawyer.
Detective Malloy sat back in his chair. “I took them off the coffee cup from the last time you sat in that seat.”
“Humph. That’s not legal.”
“Sure it is.” He leaned forward, tapping a gold pen on his notepad. “Mrs. Dean, I know you didn’t kill Billy. I’ve been a cop long enough to know you’re one of the good ones. Just level with me, would you? Let me help you out of this mess.”
Josie studied his earnest eyes. She took a deep breath. Where the hell had she left her fingerprints? On the phone, but Shane had grabbed that. On Billy’s belt when she turned him over? Maybe. “Where were the prints?”
Malloy sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Just tell me what happened so I can get you out of here and somehow keep my job.”
“Fine. A man named George pushed me off the elevator to the ninth floor of my office building. He was working for Max Penton and wanted my files. I ran from him to hide in the room with Billy’s body.” Josie sucked in air. “Then he came after me, so I hit him and ran.” No way would she bring Shane and his brothers into this.
Intelligence lit the detective’s dark eyes. “Are you all right?”
His concern warmed her. “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you report the kidnapping or the dead body?”
“I was scared.” Maybe Malloy had the same ingrained instinct to help that Shane did. Why not give it a shot? “I got away, but I knew George would come back after me. I thought Shane had already left town. I’m alone, Detective.” She lifted her chin to meet his gaze as she lied. “You’ve been after my husband since day one. I figured Billy would be found by the construction crew, and I could just stay out of it.”
Malloy blew out a frustrated breath. “Was your husband with you on the ninth floor that day?”
“No. Shane wasn’t involved at all, Detective.”
“Man, I wish you would let me help you.” Malloy’s upper lip quirked. “Yes, well. Billy was clearly laundering money for a drug dealer, and as you’ve said, Max admitted he killed the guy.” A knock sounded on the door, and Malloy called, “Come in.”
The receptionist, a forty-something redhead with curved hips under a tight pencil skirt, hurried into the room to set down two steaming coffee mugs. She yanked a file out from underneath her arm. “Detective Malloy. Here’s the file you requested.”
The scent of gardenia perfume competed with the warm coffee smell.
Malloy sat forward, accepting the file. He tugged on his tie, while a fine blush wandered across his beefy face. “Thank you, Ms. Smyth.”
“Anytime.” She patted his shoulder, turned on three-inch heels, clipped toward the door, shutting it with a sharp snap.
Malloy flipped open the file.
Interesting. Josie sat back, letting a smile play on her face. “Ms. Smyth is pretty.”
Malloy jolted, lifting his head. “Hmm. I hadn’t noticed.” He glanced at the papers spread out before him.
Oh, he was just too cute. “Liar. She has nice tastes in ties.”
Malloy lifted an eyebrow, and then a wide grin slid across his face. “She has even better taste in men.”
“Yes, she does.” Josie smiled back.
“Do you think perhaps you’re clinging on to a life that doesn’t exist? I mean, you’re throwing your life away for a man who will destroy you?” Malloy’s eyes softened.
The kernel of truth in the possibility cut deep. “Are you about to turn into a bully, Detective Malloy?”
His expression didn’t change. But his jaw tightened. Ah. He didn’t like that thought. Yet the cop wasn’t the only one in the room who could dig under the surface. She’d navigated a scary world all by herself her entire childhood.
“Definitely not. I won’t bully you, Mrs. Dean.” Malloy rested his elbows on the table and exhaled loudly. “I really do want to protect you. I can. Let me help.”
“How?”
“Tell me the truth about your husband—was he there that day?”
She shrugged. “No. George came after me for Max’s files, told me that Max had killed Billy. I believed him.”
“How did you get away from a killer?”
She smiled sadly. “I’m a survivor, Detective, and I got away from him the same way I kept Max from killing me.”
Malloy gave a short nod of acknowledgment. “Tell me about your husband.”
“You k
now as much as I do.” Josie glanced at her watch. “Shane was a marine, and he disappeared for the last two years.” No way would she tell the detective about Shane’s life or the danger that stalked him. “I don’t know where.” Ironically, neither did Shane. Yet. She’d also meant it when she’d told Matt they were family. Her concept of the word might be colored by need, but she’d protect both him and Nathan from discovery. “I have nothing new to add.”
Malloy studied her and then shook his head. His chair scraped the concrete as he stood. “Good enough. Are you sure you want to go back to the hospital? I can have a black-and-white take you anywhere you want to go.”
“I’m sure.” She brightened her smile to reassure him. “Trust me. I’ve got this covered.” And she did. Almost losing Shane to a bullet had made her realize she’d fight for him and for their future. They’d figure out the kill chip, and they’d move on together. It was time to get hold of her husband and explain their future. He was going to trust her, and she was going to love him. Forever.
It was as simple as that.
Chapter 27
Determination animated Josie as she hustled through the station and into the waiting room, where she stopped short.
Tom jumped out of an orange chair. Daniel slid to his feet slowly.
Josie shook her head. “Tom? Dan? What are you doing here?”
Tom glared at the detective. “We stopped by the hospital to see you, and the on-duty nurse told us you’d left with a detective.” The outside door opened and a curvaceous woman in tweed clicked Jimmy Choos toward them. “Ah. Here’s my lawyer,” he said with satisfaction.
The lawyer stood eye to eye with Malloy. “Jennifer Daly from Thymes, Witherspoon, and Craft.” She shuffled muscular calves, handing him a cream-colored business card. “Did you read my client her rights?”
“Nope.” Malloy slid the card into his jacket pocket. “She’s not under arrest and was free to go at any time.”
Josie stiffened. “I don’t need a lawyer. We were just finishing the paperwork.”
Malloy smiled at the lawyer. “Yep. Sorry to waste your time, ma’am.”
Tom slid his arm around Josie’s shoulders. “I’ll taking you home, Josie.” He tugged her gently toward the door.
“Call me if you need anything, Mrs. Dean,” Malloy said behind her.
Warmth filtered through Josie’s stomach as they hurried outside into pure late-fall sunshine. Crisp and chilly. Her mind spun. Why were Tom and Daniel at the hospital? Were they going to try and save her from herself, too? She was a grown woman who knew what she wanted. Besides, she could always save herself if necessary. “How in the world did you afford a lawyer?”
Tom grinned. “That’s my client—the one who wants to invest in fast-food restaurants. She’s a lawyer.”
“Ah. The woman with the hands. I take it you flirted?”
Tom shrugged. “I’m still waiting for you.”
Sadness at what could’ve been caught Josie up short. Tom was a good guy who worked hard—who would’ve given his all to any relationship. He’d be a fantastic husband and an even better father to kids—and he’d be safe. No danger courted him. But her heart had gone another way. She smiled. “Thank you for coming.”
Tom led her to his truck, opening the door for her. “Of course. I’m sorry we didn’t get here sooner.”
Josie hesitated and then pulled herself up into the seat.
Daniel jumped in beside her, and she scooted to the center.
Tom hustled around to climb into the driver’s seat. “Have you eaten?”
“No. I just want to go back to the hospital. Will you take me?” She knew what she was asking.
He started the ignition and pulled out of the lot. “No.”
“Our game is in an hour.” Daniel stretched his neck. “If she wants to go to the hospital, we should take her.”
Josie turned to him in surprise.
He shrugged. “I’ve been in love before. Yeah, it ended badly. But for a while there, I had fun.” A grin lifted his upper lift. “For a brief time, I even loosened up.”
“Yeah, right,” Tom muttered.
Josie sighed. “Tom, you can’t save me from myself, no matter how badly you want to.” The words sounded as stupid as they felt. But the truth was the truth.
Tom frowned, squinting at the rearview mirror. “Sure I can.”
Josie swiveled her head. “What are you looking at?”
“A van. A black van pulled out right after we did.” Tom shrugged. “Now I’m imagining cloak-and-dagger stuff.”
Daniel frowned, glancing in the rearview mirror. “It is keeping pace with us.”
The van followed, and dread heated the air in Josie’s lungs.
* * *
Shane forced the pain down, striding toward Matt’s Jeep in the hospital parking lot. “Did you get my blood samples?”
Matt nodded, jumping inside. “Yes. All of your records, as well. There’s no trace left of you here.”
“Good.” Shane edged inside, folding his arm over his aching midsection. The bullet hadn’t done any real damage, though he was still sore. In fact, his entire body hurt like a raw wound. “I need a vacation.”
Matt snorted. “You just spent a day in a bed. That’s all you get.” He started the ignition and pulled out of the lot. “Your memory is back?”
“Yes. Everything except for the last two years. The recent stuff should be coming back next.” Shane eyed the traffic. “The nurse said Josie left with Detective Malloy?” He’d called her cell phone several times, but she hadn’t answered. Hopefully she’d just forgotten to turn it on. Unease and anger ripped through his skin.
“Yep. You can’t blame the guy. Nothing is adding up for him.”
“All of it adds up except my part.” Shane grinned. “Poor detective.”
Matt frowned. “You don’t think Josie will tell him about us, do you?”
“No.” Loyalty coursed through his little wife. But she shouldn’t be facing the cop alone. Hell, she shouldn’t face anything alone.
“Neither do I.” Matt signaled and changed lanes. “Though I don’t like Malloy dragging her down to the station for questioning.”
“No. Though he seems like a pretty decent guy. My guess is he wanted to give her a chance to get the heck away from me.” Shane tensed, wincing at the sudden pain. “I’m taking her out of here tonight. We’re heading to the ranch in Montana.”
“You could come to Seattle, if you want.”
His brother would break every rule he’d created. “No. There’s a reason we’re all in different cities right now, Matt. You know it.” Time was drawing near. They’d make their move and take out the commander as well as his scientists. “Frankly, I’m surprised you’ve managed to keep Nate on the ranch these past four years.”
Matt shrugged. “I didn’t give him a choice. Of course, I’ve no doubt he’s been looking for Audrey and her deranged mother on his own.”
Yes. His love and the scientist who’d created them. “How are you sure he hasn’t found them?”
Matt cut his eyes to Shane. “Because they’d be dead.”
“So you want him still on the ranch?”
“No. He’s chomping to get back in the field. If you take Josie to Montana, then you can take over the intel during the final three months.” Matt signaled and changed lanes.
Nate deserved a time in the field since he’d been cooped up so long. Shane cleared his throat as his brother focused back on the road. “There’s something I’ve never asked.”
“Then don’t.”
His brother certainly knew how to cut to the chase. Yet it was time for answers. “Do you really think Audrey set Nathan and the blue team up? She seemed so kind to have engineered so many deaths.”
“I think so.” Matt’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.
“Why? Why would they do that?”
Matt shrugged. “Because they could? To get Nate back in line? To get us all back in line? Maybe to
show us that there would never be a normal life, we’d never be truly free.”
“They had to know it would backfire.”
Buildings flew by as Matt accelerated. “I assume they thought Nate would attack the commander or try to escape—anything that would give them the excuse to kill him.”
Which was why they all were located at the base camp at the same time. “To motivate the rest of us. To show us the consequences.” As twisted as it sounded, the interpretation made sense. “They miscalculated.”
“Damn straight.”
Shane shifted his bruised body on the seat. “Nate is living to find Audrey. What happens when we finally catch up to her and the commander?”
“I don’t want to think about that.” Matt pulled around the corner and parked next to a deli. “Something to worry about on another day. Go get your wife. I’ll wait here.”
Shane nodded and jumped out of the Jeep.
* * *
Josie clutched her hands together, her gaze on the side mirror of Tom’s truck. “They’re still behind us.”
Tom tightened his jaw. “Okay. Let’s slow down and get a look at them.”
Panic caught Josie’s breath in her throat. The two men in the truck weren’t trained. An accountant and a construction worker… they couldn’t deal with the people Shane dealt with. She was about to get her friends killed. “No. Just get off the highway—hurry.” Had the commander found her?
Daniel shook his head. “We need to see who it is.”
Tom nodded. “Trust me.” He pulled into the right lane and slowed down.
The van wavered, and then sped up, coming abreast of their vehicle.
Josie cringed back into the seat, her eyes wide. A teenager drove the van, his cell phone to his ear. He sped up, and the logo for a local bread company shone on the side.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Josie huffed out a laugh, settling back into the seat. “I feel foolish.”
“See what Dean is doing to you?” Tom shook his head.
“Yes.” Though there was nothing wrong with being a little bit paranoid. That way nobody could sneak up on her. She doubted either man in the truck would appreciate that logic. “Please take me to the hospital.”
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