ES_ebook_8.2.19

by Kell, Sheila

  Although she’d never expected something so poetic from him, as his bookshelf held only thrillers, she had to agree with the statement. The two of them had come a long way and overcome many obstacles to come together. The strength of their love was their foundation.

  Slipping off him, she stood to get something for them to clean up. Once clean, she curled up beside him as he’d asked. She’d have done it anyway.

  With his eyes closed, Ken slipped his hand through strands of her hair, and she welcomed the tender touch.

  “I love you.” She hadn’t meant to rush it out, but she held her breath, waiting to see what he said in response. Sure, he’d told her he loved her, but how would he receive this?

  Thinking he hadn’t heard her since his hand hadn’t stopped or even faltered, she prepared to say it again, but her nerves were a little shaky.

  Tucking a strand behind her ear, he lifted up on his elbow, then looking into her eyes, he asked, “Sam, sweetheart, the question still stands. Will you marry me?”

  With the knock on the door, Sam stiffened and he growled at the intrusion.

  Kate’s statement had her blood running cold. “They’ve got Beverly.”

  35

  Sam jumped up from bed and adrenaline raced through her body. “What? Who? Where?”

  “They picked her up trying to break into your home. Ken, Jesse’s asking for you.”

  Her breath caught at the implication. Thank God she hadn’t taken Cody to her house. But what did Bev want now? Too many possibilities existed that she’d prefer not to entertain.

  Surprisingly, Ken had dressed before she’d even laid out a top. He kissed her on the nose. “I’ll see you over there.”

  She gaped at his leaving her but understood he had his own role to play. She raced to get herself ready, wanting to figure out how to stop her friend’s madness and refusing to allow the team to exclude her.

  Pulling out her clothes that Kate had brought for her, she frowned. What did one wear to confront someone who’d played such an important role in their life only to find out they’d been manipulated and set up?

  Sam dropped on the edge of the bed. A number of emotions jumbled within her until she couldn’t figure out how she felt. The two that stood out the most were gratitude for HIS and all they’d done and uncertainty at what was to come. Make that three—her love for Cody and Ken.

  Could the three of them make a loving family? While Ken asked her to marry him before, they hadn’t talked about his feelings for the boy and becoming a father. Not everyone could step into that role effectively.

  Shrugging, since she couldn’t figure it all out at the moment, she shelved it and focused. After slipping into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that actually fit, she then accessorized.

  She looked at her appearance in a full-length mirror and then pulled her hair back into a sloppy bun with the elastic band she’d used earlier. Even though Em had picked up makeup for her, she rarely wore it since it rubbed off on her rifle butt and it also had a slight fragrance that a breeze could capture, alerting anyone to her presence. She bypassed it for this meeting.

  Satisfied she’d prepared for the coming battle, she exited the room to stop short when she saw Kate waiting.

  “I thought you might want to know that Ken is lead in the interrogation.”

  She wanted to lead this with all her being. Bev couldn’t get away with what she’d done. But that wasn’t her role on this op. Sighing, she’d trust the agents to get them through this. Her team had never led her astray, even when she’d almost gone that way. If they said let Ken lead, then Ken needed to lead.

  “Before you argue, think about it. She despises Ken and will get blistering mad and probably share everything to spite him since she’ll think we have no authority.”

  Bewildered, Sam asked, “I didn’t think we had authority. When did it change?”

  Kate laughed. “We don’t have it, but we won’t let her realize she’s right and can leave whenever she wishes. Besides, we have the authorities on the way.”

  Her mind whipped back to what was most important. “Where’s Cody?” Her breathing rushed in and out, frantic as her eyes roamed the area.

  “Calm down.” Kate’s soothing voice and soft touch on her arm relaxed her a bit.

  She trusted and believed in this woman. She’d never allow something to happen to the children.

  “He and Reagan have challenged each other to some hot game they’ve displayed on the big screen. Rylee is still with them, and AJ and Jake are also hanging out.”

  Relief spread through her body, allowing her to end this madness that could haunt Cody for years to come. “I have to see him before I go.”

  Kate raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re ready for him to see you like that?”

  When she’d accessorized, she’d strapped on a replacement weapon—thank you, Kate—on her thigh, she hadn’t thought much about it as it’d become a part of her. Cody might not understand, and she wouldn’t do that to him. “Just watch him for me, please.”

  A soft smile graced Kate’s lips. “There’s no need to ask. Now, I do believe they’re waiting for you to begin.”

  Her eyes widened. Waiting for her? The camaraderie of the team had her eyes misting with love.

  Kate nodded. “Yes, Ken went over to get spun up. He says to trust him.”

  How many more times would Kate say to trust Ken? From what she’d learned—albeit by the gossipy men on the team—Kate hadn’t trusted Jesse one iota when they’d met, and he’d tried to protect her. “Wait, what’s spun up mean?”

  Kate shook her head, but a grin remained on her face. “Oh, the military guys tend to use it. It’s when you’re reading into an op late or new intel has arrived. He’ll quickly devour everything new collected about Bev and the situation.”

  “Okay.” She’d try to be the good agent who knew her place. And, that place wasn’t stepping over her boss’s toes, no matter how nice there were rubbing up and down her bare calves.

  “Are you ready?” Kate asked.

  Ready as she’d ever be. No case had ever been this personal. She hoped no more would be. She nodded and walked through the large kitchen to the back exit, then down the path to HQ. After typing in her code, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

  Breathing slowly in and out while walking down the hall to keep her ire down, she ducked into the war room and stopped. All eyes turned to her, support and caring evident in every pair. She looked at her team and almost wept at their solidarity.

  This made her plan to leave them so gut-wrenching.

  36

  Maybe others didn’t notice, but being attuned to Sam’s nuances and looks, the fast display of emotions over her eyes surprised him. She’d walked in with apprehension and maybe a bit of fear. Then he’d caught a glimpse of gratitude and love, which he attributed to her notice of the team’s support.

  That final emotion in her eyes when she stopped short of the agents had to be sadness. He couldn’t comprehend it at this distance and couldn’t question it or support her until later. That knot of worry about how she’d handle this interview sat as a lead weight in his stomach.

  Her happiness was his, and when she hurt, he did too. She’d suffered enough of it that he had to end this for her, however he could. He loved her too much to allow this emotional torture to continue.

  Today, he’d finally slay the demon that had been breathing its lethal fire at her for years. He’d almost wanted her to stay away but knew she needed to be there and see this through, no matter how painful. If Beverly slung her vile words to Sam, his restraint might not be tight enough to keep him in check.

  He stepped toward her. “Are you ready?”

  With a slow nod, her weak voice called to his heart. “Yes.” As if realizing how she’d sounded, in a firmer voice, she repeated, “Yes.”

 
Ken led Alpha team agents into one side of the conference room. They’d discussed building an interrogation room but hadn’t had much need for one. They’d only brought a few people to HQ and preferred not to bring anyone into their domain. However, maybe they should consider the idea.

  On one side of the long, thick walnut table sat Beverly with Grits and Romeo standing guard behind her, flanking her seat. The conference phone and other toys Devon supplied for the room had been removed. No sense giving her any opportunity.

  Across from Beverly, he offered Sam a chair beside him before he sat. This had been his first look at the woman since she’d been brought to HQ. He’d actually been surprised Jesse had allowed that, but he’d heard she’d been blindfolded from Sam’s home to this room and had bitched about it so much, they’d threatened to gag her. He wouldn’t have put it past them.

  He couldn’t tell if her wrinkled blue silky top and wild hair had more to do with her mental or on-the-run state. Either way, she looked like a woman who’d taken a dive over the edge.

  In a planned role, Jesse walked over to him and dropped a blue folder on the table in front of him, then took up a stance to Ken’s left. Instead of sitting, Jesse stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Which was how he imagined all the men behind him to be standing. Pride swelled in him at this team.

  “Hello, Beverly,” he said evenly.

  She hissed at them. At least, he couldn’t describe it as anything else. She turned to focus her attention on Sam. “You backstabbing bitch. We had such a great plan, and you backed out.”

  When Sam tensed, Ken lowered his hand below the table and squeezed her leg.

  “Name-calling won’t get us anywhere. There is one very important thing we are going to accomplish today.”

  In a quick, jerky motion, Beverly crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not doing anything with you, husband killer.”

  Ken flinched at the name but not because he felt he’d earned it, but because he wished Adam had never lost his life. Maybe then Beverly wouldn’t have done this.

  With no need to drive his mind down that road, he continued on course. He tapped the folder in front of him. “When you first called Sam about Cody being missing, you started a chain of events that were not all within your control.”

  Her eyes bored into him with hate and contempt, but he didn’t care. One thing would get done without her admitting to anything. Some things were more important than others.

  “See, when we figured out you’d somehow played us at Cody’s expense, we started our own chain of events—fully outside your control. Before we even rescued Cody”—he refused to call him her son—“we had our attorneys start some paperwork.” He didn’t mention Devon had spoken with FBI Deputy Director Arthur Hall when they’d realized things were going tits up.

  That got her attention. Her eyes widened and she sat up straight. Maybe realizing her slip, she narrowed her eyes and acted as if she didn’t care.

  “You will sign this document to give Sam custody of Cody.” Granted, he had no clue what level of guardianship or adoption or whatever the HIS attorney had included. The man had just promised that Sam would go home with the boy.

  Beverly jammed her thumb in her chest so hard, Ken expected she’d bruised herself. Good thing there were witnesses here so he didn’t get blamed. “My son is mine. No one else gets him.” She looked at Sam with venom in her eyes. “No one.”

  Ken chuckled, and with the intensity of Sam’s stiffening, he knew he’d thrown her. She didn’t know his game.

  “Oh, I think you’ll sign. Not only is it in Cody’s best interest, but you’ve also become a very wanted woman.”

  Fear washed across her face. “What do you mean? I didn’t do anything in the US.”

  “You mean besides allowing your son to be kidnapped and transported out of the country?”

  With a smug attitude, Beverly leaned back and crossed her arms again. “I didn’t break any laws there.” At the number of snorts behind him, her startled look said she must’ve rethought that.

  A weapons buyer who’d been busted in Georgia had admitted Beverly had been at a purchase with Alejandro. Apparently, it hadn’t been the first time, but they wouldn’t bring it up for Sam’s sake. They’d leave the arrest and investigation to the alphabets.

  He went for another tact. “How’d you get back from Mexico so fast?” And, he wanted to add, without triggering an alarm.

  “Alejandro had plenty of resources for me to use. The right amount of money greases many palms.”

  “I didn’t realize you had a lot of money.”

  “Alejandro always said what’s his is mine.”

  “And now it’s all yours?” he hedged. Although he didn’t need it, he wanted her to confess to Alejandro’s murder. They were handing her over to the FBI either way, but it’d be satisfying to accomplish it. But Cody came first.

  “Of course,” she said flippantly.

  “How did Alejandro die?” He held his breath, hoping she’d turned smug enough.

  “I shot him. Just like I should’ve shot you instead of toying with you until that asshole”—she pointed at Jesse—“arrived.”

  At her confession, Devon, who’d situated himself by the door, slipped out quietly.

  Leaving that line of questioning there and not hinting that she’d hung herself, he tapped the folder again. “You’ve just admitted to killing Alejandro and using his resources to come back here.”

  “That’s a crime in Mexico. You have no authority.”

  He didn’t, and it showed that she’d been sane enough to plan this so she’d escape punishment. “You’re right, I don’t.”

  That surprised her and took the wind out of her sails.

  “See, what I meant by you confessing to killing and using his resources, those people whose money he took to buy guns or who he owes for the guns will be very interested in how to access what they consider theirs. Now, I imagine if they knew where to find you….” He let it hang with whatever assumption she chose to make. In no way would they be so low as to let her loose with those dogs or lie to have her sign the documents. She didn’t know that though.

  He slid the papers across the table, and Grits held out a pen. They watched her like a hawk since they knew a pen could be a mighty weapon.

  As if she’d discovered something funny, she smiled that odd smile that curled his blood. With a shrug, she signed everywhere before Grits snatched the pen from her and picked up the papers.

  She wore that smug smile again. “It doesn’t matter what you think. It needs to be notarized, and without that or either of our attorneys present, those papers are worthless.”

  Now Ken’s smile grew smug. This wasn’t their first rodeo dealing with crazies. A man in a crisp, gray suit stepped from the back of the room. “Beverly, meet our attorney, Sebastian Davenport, and the man who will notarize what you just signed and verify your verbal approval.” Sebastian slipped around the table, collected the folder from Grits and departed.

  Anger slanted across her face so deeply her features began to morph into something sinister They already knew that to be here, but her look seemed to change. “You tricked me.”

  “How’s that?” Ken asked.

  “You said you’d turn me over to those who want Alejandro’s money if I didn’t sign.”

  “Actually,” he said with too much joy, “I never said that. I only said what if they knew where you were.”

  Her eyes narrowed and crimson crept up her neck. Whether in anger or embarrassment, he didn’t care. Before she schooled her features, her face fell. He freely admitted this was the first time he’d enjoyed seeing someone else’s pain. It could be wrong of him. Too much about her brought out his “not giving a shit” flag.

  With that paperwork, Sam would be free. Cody would be hers. She had no idea what else they’d planned, and he hoped she coul
d accept it as the way it needed to be for all involved.

  Devon returned with a harried man in an ill-fitting tan suit. FBI Special Agent Finley Anderson. The agent had never impressed him, but he still was FBI. It’d taken him so long to arrive that they hadn’t waited and had started without him. Fin—as he hated to be called, so, of course, they called him that—could have the tape of the session, along with the honor of taking her into custody.

  The FBI wanted info on Alejandro the same as the Mexican government. They could play their little wars without HIS being in the middle.

  After this transfer, HIS would wash their hands of the situation. But they’d always keep Beverly in their sights. The woman had hurt one of their own and her child for vengeance.

  Beverly turned her glare on Sam and pointed a finger. “This is all your fault. I’ll find a way to make you pay for helping him escape and taking my son away from me.” Her evil stare flitted to him then back to Sam. “Maybe I’ll finish what I started with your lover. You never should’ve crossed that line to be with someone like him. One of the men responsible for your husband’s death. You sicken me.”

  He opened his mouth to speak but figured Sam needed to respond even though every cell in his body wanted to reach out and protect her. To show his support, he lightly squeezed her thigh and waited.

  “I feel sorry for you, Bev,” Sam said softly. “You wasted so long in misdirected hate and almost had me fooled, almost convinced me to do something I’d never be able to take back. Jesse and Ken didn’t kill our husbands, and I think you know that. The terrorists who shot up the convoy are responsible. And if I hadn’t had this great group and the love of a wonderful man—” She turned to him, and he wanted to kiss her and thank her for the show of love. “—I wouldn’t have realized what I’d been missing… would still be missing. I only hope you’ll realize it before too long.” She paused, and the sudden change and steel in her voice ricocheted up his spine. “Touch Cody and I’ll kill you.”