She gulped down bile.
Nate turned toward her, a bloody mess, pure fury in his gray eyes. “Are you all right?”
No. Not even close. “Yes. What’s the plan?”
He grinned bloody teeth. “Sparkly shoes mean we’re heading out via air.”
“Huh?” Her brain had slowed to a crawl.
“Get in that helicopter while I sabotage the other two.” He staggered toward a helicopter.
Oh. The Deans used a fake Pinterest site to relay messages? Audrey tried to ignore the immense pain attacking her body. What had she injured when she’d hit the ground?
No time for that. She reclaimed the laptop and limped over to crawl into the front seat of a Black Hawk. She kept the door open and her legs out just in case. A sharp pain stabbed along her ribs, and she bent over. “Ow.”
Nate whirled toward her. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Another pain hit. Not again. “Please, Nate. Let’s go.”
Nate finished whatever he was doing with the other two vehicles and hitched over to her. “Get secure. This is going to be bumpy.” He frowned. “Hasn’t it been five minutes?”
Audrey wiped dirt off her chin. “Why?”
The outside door opened, and almost in slow motion, Isobel Madison clicked into the room. Her gaze on the tablet before her, she stilled, her head jerking up.
Isobel reached for her cell phone.
Audrey jumped from the helicopter, gun out and pointing. Her ribs ached. Bad. “Drop the phone, Mother.”
Nate stood next to the helicopter, his gaze going from one woman to the other. “Nobody has to get hurt here,” he said through swelling tissue.
Audrey swallowed and set her stance. “I will shoot you. Drop the phone.”
“You will not.” Isobel sighed and glanced at Nate. “Where’s the commander?”
“I shot him.” Audrey’s knees began to tremble. She’d shot two people. Her breath caught, and she tried to remain standing.
Isobel’s eyes widened. “Where?”
“Down there. Go check on him but drop the phone first.” Audrey’s knee buckled, and she kept upright only through pure stubbornness.
Isobel’s gaze darted to the far doorway and back to her daughter. She glanced at her phone. “You won’t shoot me.”
“I will.” Audrey’s hands trembled, and she tightened her hold on the gun. Another pang rolled through her abdomen, and she swayed. “I don’t want to shoot you, but to protect this baby, to protect Nate, I will. I swear, Mother. I. Will. Shoot. You.” She meant every word, but she hoped she didn’t have to shoot.
“Audrey, don’t,” Nate said softly.
She kept her aim steady and turned slightly to look at his battered face. “I love you. I love this baby, and nobody is going to hurt either one of you. Get in the helicopter, Nate.” If a choice had to be made, she’d choose her baby and Nate. “I’m sorry, Mother. But I’m taking a stand.”
Her mother’s eyes blazed a light blue. “I can’t believe you’re mine.”
Audrey sighed and allowed sorrow one brief moment. “I’m not.” She turned toward Nate, wincing at her aching stomach. “Let’s go.”
He eyed her and nodded before hitching his bulk around the front of the bird. Audrey turned back to her mother. “Drop the phone. Now.”
Isobel’s eyes flared. “I will never understand you.” She threw the phone onto the ground.
“I know.” Sadness filled Audrey as she turned and lifted herself back into the bird. “Go check on Franklin. He may be dead.”
With a soft cry, Isobel ran for the back door.
The world exploded outside. Even protected by metal, Audrey felt heat. Oh, no. What was happening? Even though she had emotionally let her mother go, she was pathetically grateful Isobel had headed downstairs in the metal shop and hadn’t been caught in an explosion. Maybe Audrey hadn’t let go completely, but who could?
She hurried to shut the door and turned toward Nate.
He frowned. “That was more than five minutes. I had my brothers set the explosives and get back to safety where they could remote detonate.” He leaned over and pressed a hard kiss against her mouth. “I love you, too.”
She gulped as he flicked a bunch of levers. “Your brothers?”
“Bombs and other explosives set around the entire perimeter. The commander’s forces won’t know where to concentrate.” Nate pressed a button, and the ceiling folded in two. “We’ll go pick my brothers up now.”
“Okay.” Audrey buckled in, her mind reeling, her abdomen undulating. Something bad was happening, but they had to get free. “Um, can you see to fly?”
“Sort of.” He ignited the engine, and a second later, they lifted into the air.
Audrey’s stomach cramped, and she squeezed her abdomen. “Oof.”
“What?” Nate kept his gaze outside.
She tried to take several deep breaths, her gaze outside at the fires billowing up from all around. Soldiers scurried to and fro, shooting, but not at anybody. “I’m not sure.” Trying to remain calm, she pressed a hand to her inner thigh. “I’m bleeding. The baby.”
Chapter 33
Nate flew the copter through the storm, his heart thundering. Visibility sucked. “Lean back and take several deep breaths.” He had to get Audrey to a doctor. Now.
She nodded and leaned her head back, closing her eyes. Even so, a tear leaked out to wind down her face. “This is my fault.”
“No, it isn’t.” He needed both hands on the stick, or he’d reach for her. His hearing was off, and he couldn’t get his bearings. “You’ll be okay. I promise.”
A light glimmered up from below, and he followed it, setting down right outside his cabin.
Shane and Matt ran out through the swirling wind and angry rain, both loaded down with gear. The senator jogged out afterward, his arm in a sling.
Matt opened the back hatch.
Nate ensnared Audrey and gently lifted her, stepped into the storm, and into the hatch. “I can’t see to fly,” he muttered. The senator scooted in next to him.
Matt nodded, shut the door, and jumped into the pilot’s seat. Shane stretched into the passenger seat, and they rose back into the rumbling clouds.
Nate gathered Audrey close, his breath heating. She felt so small and defenseless in his arms, and for the first time, he didn’t know what to do. She huddled into him, her head on his chest, her knees gathered to her stomach.
“Audrey?” He leaned close to her ear.
She sniffed. “I hurt. Something’s wrong. Cramps.”
No.
Matt reached a low flying altitude and glanced over his shoulder. “We’ll reach the SUV we have hidden in five minutes. Be prepared to run for it.”
“No.” Nate swallowed, his ears buzzing. “We need a hospital, Mattie. Now.”
Matt stilled, his gaze lashing to Audrey. “The copter is probably tracked, Nate. We have to ditch it. Now.” The helicopter rocked to the side as the storm battered it. Lightning blazed outside.
Nate rubbed a hand down his face. “Drop us off and keep going. It’s the baby. Please.”
Matt cut Shane a look. “They’re tracking us right now. If we make a stop, they’ll know it. They’ll come after you.” He grimaced and turned back to the stick.
Audrey groaned, her body shaking.
Nate tucked her closer. “There’s no choice. Drop us off and get to safety.” He’d figure something out after seeing a doctor. Even if he had to call the real cops, he’d do it to protect her. As if they could.
The senator patted Audrey’s shoulder. “I’ll come with you.”
“No.” Nate shook his head. “You’ve disappeared, and you have to stay that way.” He leaned to better view Matt’s face. “Audrey shot the commander. He’s slowed down.”
“Dead,” Audrey moaned.
“No.” It wasn’t a kill shot. “You didn’t kill anybody, baby.” Even the soldier outside the room had been wearing a vest. “I promise.”
Her body relaxed against him as if she’d been carrying a weight. “Okay.”
Nate bit back a growl. He’d been so close to ending the commander, but he hadn’t had time with the soldiers descending on them.
Shane looked back at Audrey, concern cutting grooves near his mouth. “Inova in Falls Church has one of the best neonatal programs in the world. They have a heliport.” At Nate’s raised eyebrow, Shane shrugged. “I memorized hospitals from here to home just in case.”
Thank God for his brothers. Nate nodded, emotion tearing into him. “Drop us off and go hide the copter. We’ll meet you at home.”
Matt fought the storm while Nate fought the fire inside him. He’d been so cocky. So sure he’d be able to get Audrey out safely. Shane strapped on a headset, his deep voice making arrangements with the hospital.
Nate tuned him out, listening for the baby’s heartbeat. His vision sucked, and his hearing remained static. The drugs still thumping through his bloodstream messed with his entire system. The second they landed, he was going to hand Audrey to Shane to see if Shane could hear anything.
The city flashed by below them.
Matt glanced back. “Put on some clothes.”
Oh, yeah. Nate reached for a duffel with one hand and tugged on a dark shirt. He moved Audrey as gently as possible to the side, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. The senator tucked her into his good side and murmured calming words.
Nate exchanged his jeans for clean ones and also threw on socks and boots. Reaching into another bag, he took out some antibacterial wipes and removed most of the blood and grime from his face and hands before slapping a Yankees cap on his head.
As smooth as silk, Matt landed the helicopter. Orderlies rushed toward them, and Nate lifted Audrey out before depositing her on a gurney.
Shane jumped to the ground and slid a gun in the back of Nate’s waistband.
Nate nodded, his throat clogging. “I’ll be in touch. Watch the videos on the laptop. Jory’s alive.”
Shane blinked and took a step back. His eyes blazed dark and gray. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Nate gripped his arm and leaned toward his brother. “I’m positive.”
Shane swallowed.
Nate turned to run after the gurney and his family.
Seconds later, the helicopter rose slowly into the sky.
Nate followed Audrey until a nurse made him stop and fill out a bunch of forms. He used one of his many identifications, citing a car accident that would explain both of their bruises. Then he had to wait. He sat in the waiting room on an orange chair, one eye on the hall for a nurse, the other on the door for the commander.
The outside door opened, and he tensed.
Matt and Shane jogged inside, their hair wet, jackets covering what had to be a cache of weapons.
“What are you doing here?” Nate whispered, leaping to his feet.
Shane frowned. “Where else would we be?”
Matt clapped Nate on the shoulder. “We deposited the helicopter in the middle of a grocery store parking lot, secured transportation, and high-tailed it back here.”
Nate shook his head. “Where’s the senator?”
“Waiting with the engine running,” Shane said, his gaze encompassing the entire room.
Nate had to get them out of the hospital. “The commander will know we stopped here.”
“No shit.” Matt frowned and brushed water from his hair. “But we didn’t want to block the heliport with his piece of crap. We moved it.” He reached under his jacket and drew out the laptop. “Any news on Audrey?”
“No.” Nate swallowed, too much emotion swamping him at once. “You need to go.”
Matt’s eyes darkened. “Never alone, Nate. Period.”
The back of Nate’s eyes stung.
Matt glanced down at the dented silver computer. “This shows Jory is alive?” Matt’s voice broke on the end.
“Yes.” Nate patted his older brother’s arm. “Watch it. You’ll see.”
A nurse hurried down the hallway toward him. “Mr. Jones?”
“Yes.” He moved toward her. “What’s going on?”
“Mrs. Jones is all checked in.” She smoothed back gray hair and looked up a foot toward his face. “You can go sit with her until the doctor comes in.” Sympathy glimmered in her eyes. “You look like you need medical attention, too.”
“I’m fine.” He turned and followed her, his gut clenching. Something was really wrong. He could feel it.
When he reached Audrey’s room, he paused at the doorway. She lay in the bed, covered by a white blanket, a bruise on her cheekbone. Fragile and soft, she didn’t belong with bruises.
She turned. “Hi.”
He forced himself into the room and took a chair by the bed, taking her hands in his. “I’m so sorry, Audrey.”
“Nothing is your fault.” She took a deep breath. “The doctors did a physical exam, and I am still bleeding. He went to get an ultrasound machine. I’m so scared.”
“Me too.” Nate kissed her hands, tears gathering in his eyes. “I was so sure I could rescue you and find out about Jory.” Not for a second had he doubted his plan. Idiot. For the first time in his life, he felt true helplessness. There was nothing he could do to save his own baby. As much as he tried to focus and listen for a heartbeat, all he heard was the thunder outside. When would his senses return?
The commander had wondered how to break him. This was it.
A tech rolled a machine into the room, and seconds later a man in a white lab coat followed. He stuck out a hand for Nate. “Dr. Shawnesee.”
“Nick Jones.” Nate shook the doctor’s hand, careful not to bruise it. The doctor stood a foot shorter than Nate and appeared to be all of eighteen years old.
“You look like you need an examination. That must’ve been some car accident.” The doctor moved a rolling seat into position.
Nate swallowed. “I’ll get checked out after you’re done here.” He couldn’t even say the word baby.
“Okay. Let’s take a look, shall we?” The doctor did something with a wand and handed it to Audrey with instructions.
Nate’s world fuzzed, and he dropped into the seat, his head in his hands.
All of a sudden, a rhythmic thump, thump, thump filled the room.
Nate lifted his head slowly, not wanting to believe. His heart thumped so strongly against his broken ribs he winced. His breath actually stopped.
“Yep. There he is.” The doctor pointed to the screen. “Heartbeat is good. Let’s check out the amino sac.”
Audrey reached out and grabbed Nate’s hand. Hard.
Hope. The feeling spread through Nate until his body refused to move an inch. Not one inch.
The doctor pointed out organs one by one and spent several minutes making sure Audrey and the baby were perfectly healthy. Finally, he printed out a 3-D picture of the little guy. “Your son is doing well.”
Audrey half sat up. “What about the bleeding?”
“You have two bruised ribs from the car accident. My guess? That caused bleeding.” The doctor stood. “You need rest, Mrs. Jones. I recommend you stay here overnight, and then it’s bed rest until you don’t bleed for two days straight.”
Audrey burst into tears.
Nate reached for her with one hand and shook the doctor’s with the other. “She’s just relieved,” Nate said. He couldn’t describe his own feelings—they went way beyond relief. His hands shook, and deep inside, emotion welled. The baby. The baby—his baby was all right.
“I know, although I’d like for your wife to take it easy for the next few months. Bed rest isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s time to take it easy.” The doctor shook his hand. “Tell the nurse when you’d like to be examined, Mr. Jones.” With a happy wave at Audrey, the doctor skipped out of the room.
Nate hugged her tight, a prayer he hadn’t realized he knew tumbling from his lips. “You’re all right.”
“I know.” Audrey wiped off he
r face. “The baby is okay.” Her blue eyes seemed dazed.
“He’s fine.” Nate eyed the door. “You can’t stay here tonight.”
Audrey swung her bare legs toward the floor. “We should go. Now.”
Matt and Shane instantly appeared at the door.
“Well?” Shane asked.
“Baby is fine,” Nate said, a smile welling up. “Audrey needs bed rest.”
“Awesome.” Shane bounced back on his heels. “Two Humvees just rolled up outside. We need to go. Now.”
Nate helped Audrey to stand. “If you saw two, they’ve already covered the other exits.”
Matt nodded. “Get ready to fight, gang.”
Audrey cleared her throat. “Why?” She pointed to the window across the room. “We’re on the first floor, right? Where’s the car?”
Matt eyed her and then the window. “In the parking area over there.” He frowned. “Let’s go.”
Nate opened the window and jumped out first. Audrey tried to swing one leg over, but Matt caught her, lifting her. “Bed rest,” Matt said, handing her over to Nate.
Nate held her tight, hunching his body over her to shield her from the blustering wind and rain. He had to get her somewhere warm. Now. Shane and Matt jumped out silently.
They made it through a tangle of shrubs and dying flowers before a bright light descended on them.
Guns cocked and echoed louder than the storm.
Nate’s shoulders tensed, yet he gently set Audrey on her feet, pushing her behind him.
Soldiers in black surrounded them.
Chapter 34
Audrey’s bare toes squished in the mud. Rain splattered her gown to her body, and she shivered. Thunder bellowed high above, and for a moment, silence ruled.
Then all hell broke loose.
The Dean brothers moved as one: Matt went left, Shane turned right, and Nathan blazed forward. Hard and fast, they punched and kicked, often simultaneously.
A shot fired.
“Alive,” one of the men in black yelled. “Unconscious is okay.”
Audrey backed away until her butt hit the rough bark of a tree. So the commander wanted them alive. But even so, with the ferocity of the punches being thrown, somebody could be critically hurt.
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