Don't Let Go

by Rebecca Deel

  Disgust swamped Simon. No man worthy of the name would ever treat a woman like that. “What about the second incident?”

  “Another village where the Barones were operating was decimated. Most of the men were away fighting the Taliban. Only the old and sick plus the women and children were living in the village.” Raw fury filled Ethan’s voice. “The CO believes they killed everyone in that village, including the kids. But once again, there was no proof so he couldn’t charge the Barones. The best he could do was write them up every time they screwed up and send them back to a regular unit with demotions. Both were skilled, but had no respect for authority or the chain of command. They mustered out and returned home. Rothchild lost track of them once they were stateside.”

  And these were the men targeting Zoe? Resolve hardened in Simon. These clowns were not going to get their hands on his woman again.

  “I’ll be two hours from Hanover later this morning.”

  He blinked. “Why?”

  “Lost child in the national park. The little girl wandered away from her family’s campsite while everyone was sleeping. The local cops haven’t had much luck tracking her down. Neither have the S & R teams. I’ll be flying in to track her. If I have a chance, I’d like to stop by to see your father.”

  “Dad would love to see you again.”

  “Good. Simon, I don’t have to tell you how dangerous the Barones cousins are if what I know about them is true. They’re good at killing and like it. You and Liam need to watch your backs.”

  “Believe me, we are.”

  “I assume you have a watch on Hollister.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Keep someone on him. Your trainee is a loose end. You’re still a target along with those you love. The cousins won’t think twice about using any one of your family members or Zoe to draw you out. Don’t give them an opening.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I’ll be in touch soon.” Ethan ended the call.

  Simon returned to his research, sending an email to Zane with a few questions five minutes before Zoe’s door opened and she stepped into the living room.

  He set the computer aside and met her halfway. Simon gathered Zoe into his arms and held her for a moment. He was still amazed that she melted against him instead of pushing him away. After what he’d told her of his skills, he was grateful every time she allowed him to touch her. Maybe in fifty years, that expectation of rejection would leave. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself,” she said, her voice still husky from sleep. “Any news from the hospital?”

  “Dad’s fine. Hollister, too.”

  “Good.” She eased back to meet his gaze. “Sorry I conked out on you last night. You should have woken me and told me to go to bed instead of carrying me there.”

  “I enjoyed doing it. Don’t rob me of the pleasure of carrying my girl against my heart.”

  Her breath caught. “Simon.”

  “I speak the truth.” He brushed a gentle kiss over her mouth. “Did you sleep okay?”

  Zoe gave a short nod. “What about the rest of Bravo?”

  “They’ll be here in a few minutes. We need to order breakfast.”

  Once they perused the menu, Simon called in the order. “Would you like hot tea? I brought tea packets with me from home for you.”

  Her lips curved. “I’d love a cup.”

  Simon nuked a mug of water with a tea bag. When the heating cycle ended, he led Zoe to an outdoor couch on the balcony. At this hour of the morning, he didn’t believe she was in danger. The town hadn’t begun to wake and no other buildings close by were tall enough for a sniper to get a good bead on Zoe.

  She looked surprised as he sat beside her on the couch. “Is it safe to be out here?”

  “It’s fine as long as we’re seated. I thought you’d enjoy the fresh air and quiet atmosphere before the day cranks up.”

  “No, this is perfect. You knew I was feeling hemmed in, didn’t you?”

  Instead of answering, he kissed her temple and draped his arm around her shoulders.

  She settled deeper against his side and sipped her tea. As they enjoyed the silence and peace, Hanover began to stir and the stars faded as the sun rose to reveal a cloudless sky, hinting at the day’s warmth.

  Simon thought of the little girl, lost somewhere in the national forest to the north of his hometown and prayed Ethan found her trail quickly. So many dangers lurked in the area for someone young and inexperienced in survival. This little one was defenseless against the natural predators in the area, not to mention the challenges of navigating the terrain.

  “What are you thinking about?” Zoe asked, voice soft.

  “I talked to Ethan an hour ago. He’s flying to a town two hours from Hanover.”

  “Why?”

  “A missing child.”

  “Why is Ethan coming for that?”

  “He’s one of the best trackers in the country. Law enforcement agencies call him when they need help with a search for missing children.”

  “He’s that good?”

  “I wouldn’t want him on my trail if I needed to stay hidden.”

  “I’ll be sure to stay off his radar if I’m on the run.”

  Bravo joined them in the suite for breakfast thirty minutes later. While they ate, Simon and his teammates exchanged information and bounced ideas off each other on ways to protect his father when he returned to the ranch. His father would insist on returning home as soon as possible, more than likely before the doctor wanted to release him. Bravo needed a plan before that happened.

  With the breakfast cart consigned to the hall, Simon and Zoe headed to the hospital to check on his father. The rest of his team would arrive within the hour to take over the watch from the Texas unit.

  Because of the early hour, Simon easily found a parking space. Circling the SUV, he opened Zoe’s door. Before she could slide to the pavement, Simon cupped her chin and captured her lips with his own. He was dying for a taste of her.

  A moment later, he eased back, pleased with the dazed look in her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “For a kiss?”

  He chuckled. “That and for coming with me instead of overseeing the remodeling at your shop.”

  “Being with you isn’t a hardship.”

  Simon dropped a light kiss on her lips and stepped back, hand extended to help her to the asphalt. As they walked toward the hospital, two men dressed as orderlies raced from the entrance.

  Senses prickling, Simon moved in front of Zoe, his hand edging toward his holstered Sig. At that moment, the two men spotted them. One of them smiled and aimed a weapon at Simon.

  He pivoted, grabbed Zoe, and took them both to the ground behind a car just as the gunman fired the first shot. adrenaline pouring into his veins, Simon lifted her into a crouch and motioned for her to follow him. He led her toward the corner of the lot where bushes were thick with foliage and large trees spread branches laden with leaves, creating a pocket of gloom.

  Choosing a large SUV with a good size wheel well, Simon positioned Zoe in the deepest shadows against the wheel. He shifted in front of her. “Watch behind us,” he whispered. He didn’t think there was a third thug in the vicinity, but he never assumed anything.

  When she nodded, he grabbed his Sig and scanned the area. One of the gunmen ran toward the far side of the parking lot while the second man searched for their location.

  Simon volleyed his glances between the approaching man and his retreating buddy. Everything in him urged him to turn the tables on the two men and stalk them. If he left Zoe’s side, however, she’d be vulnerable to attack.

  He glanced back at her, grateful she chose to wear black today. She’d be hard to spot.

  “Go get him,” she whispered. “I’ll be fine.”

  Torn, he checked the position of the men again. When he heard an engine crank at the far end of the lot, he nudged Zoe toward the bushes. “Hide in there. Don’t move until I tell you it’s safe to come out.”

&
nbsp; Zoe moved silently between two of the nearest bushes and disappeared behind the dense foliage. Excellent. If Simon couldn’t see her, the thugs wouldn’t either.

  He focused his attention on the thug heading his direction. The man moved like he was trained. No sound. Economy of motion. Every move practiced and eyes continually scanning. When sirens sounded, the man scowled and cursed.

  When his partner drove toward the corner where Simon and Zoe were located, the closest gunman shifted position. He stilled a moment, then aimed toward the bushes where Zoe hid.

  Simon pulled the trigger, hitting the gunman center mass. The thug looked down at his chest, stunned shock on his face. His knees gave out and he dropped to the asphalt.

  The car with the second thug raced toward Simon. At the last moment, he swerved around his fallen partner and sped through the parking lot toward the street. The car skidded onto the main street, turned away from the approaching sirens, and disappeared from view.

  Weapon trained on the fallen gunman, Simon kicked away his weapon and checked for a pulse. Nothing. After a final glance around to be sure there was no other threat to him and Zoe, he holstered his weapon. “Zoe, you can come out now.”

  She appeared seconds later and threw herself into Simon’s arms. “Are you hurt?”

  “That was going to be my question to you.”

  “A scratch from the bush. You?”

  Thank God. “Uninjured.” Keeping his body between Zoe and the dead man, he called Trent. He’d need help protecting Zoe in two minutes or less.

  “St. Claire.”

  “It’s Simon. I need you at the hospital.”

  “What happened?”

  “Two gunmen shot at me and Zoe.”

  “Are they dead?”

  “One of them. The other got away.”

  “Injuries?”

  “None for me. A scratch on Zoe. I’ll need help covering her while the cops sort everything out.”

  “Copy that.”

  Simon slid his phone away and wrapped both arms around Zoe. He breathed in the familiar apple scent of her shampoo. He could have lost her in a heartbeat if the gunman had fired before Simon pulled the trigger. The idea made him break into a cold sweat. “Are you sure you’re all right, baby?”

  She nodded.

  “Here’s what’s going to happen. The cops will be here soon. My teammates will be right behind them. I’ll be handcuffed. It’s standard procedure when the police realize I’m armed with a man dead on the ground. Things will work themselves out. But it may take a while for the evidence to bear out our story.”

  Zoe’s head lifted, her eyes wide. “He’s dead?”

  “He aimed his weapon at the bush you hid behind and was ready to pull the trigger. I didn’t have a choice.”

  She cupped his face. “I know you wouldn’t kill without a reason, Simon. I know.”

  Simon rested his forehead against hers and waited for the police. Thankfully, Bravo arrived before the police. Trent volunteered to stay with Zoe and sent the rest of the team to check on Simon’s parents and the Texas unit.

  Within less than a minute of law enforcement’s arrival, Simon was in handcuffs and stuffed in the back of a patrol car, sans his weapons. He breathed easier when Detective Chisolm arrived thirty minutes later. A patrolman spoke to the detective and gestured toward the car where Simon sat.

  Chisolm dragged a hand down his face and made his way to the car. He opened the door and helped Simon out. “Why am I not surprised?”

  He scowled. “I didn’t go looking for trouble.”

  “No, but it sure found you, didn’t it? Who’s the dead man?”

  “Garrett Barone.”

  The detective narrowed his eyes. “The sniper who shot your father?”

  “Although I don’t have proof, he’s probably the trigger man.”

  “Tell me what happened and don’t omit anything, Murray, because this doesn’t look good.”

  Simon relayed the incident from the time he and Zoe arrived at the hospital to the moment he made the decision to pull the trigger to protect Zoe.

  “How many shots did you fire?”

  “One.”

  Chisolm stared at him. “What about the shooter? How many times did he fire?”

  “Seven.”

  “Did he hit anything?”

  “Not us, which is all I care about. The owners of cars with busted windows and bullet holes in the doors will think otherwise.”

  “How can a trained sniper miss two targets?”

  “Hitting a moving target is harder than it looks.”

  “You didn’t miss.”

  “I have more training than he did and I’m on the gun range more often. We train bodyguards. Can’t have green recruits shooting better than we do. We train for missions of our own and I’m partners with our team’s sniper. I’ve learned a lot from him.”

  “Sounds like our sharpshooters could use lessons with McCoy.”

  “He’s a great trainer. Hanover PD wouldn’t be the first police department to bring Liam in to conduct training sessions.”

  A wry smile curved the detective’s mouth. “I’ll pass the word along the chain of command.”

  “Good. Now, what about removing these cuffs? I can’t protect Zoe as well like this.”

  “Looks like your friend has her covered.”

  “She’s mine to protect.”

  “I’ll unlock the cuffs, but you stay put until I finish Zoe’s interview.”

  Simon turned his back to the detective and a moment later, his wrists were free. He signaled Trent to stay with Zoe.

  As she talked to the detective, Simon watched Zoe’s face and body language. When she rubbed her arms despite the heat of the day, he straightened. She needed a blanket or sweater and a drink with sugar in it. Maybe the hospital cafeteria sold hot tea. He’d give Chisolm five more minutes before he insisted Zoe go inside the hospital. The detective could finish the interview later.

  At the five-minute mark, Chisolm motioned to Simon. He jogged to her side and drew her against him to share his body heat. “Am I free to take Zoe inside? I need to check on my parents.”

  “I’ll go with you. The ME’s at the scene of a fatal accident on the other side of town and will be another thirty minutes.”

  Simon led the way to the hospital with Zoe tucked against his side and Trent at his back. Once they were inside, Simon’s urgency to reach his parents escalated. Yeah, his teammates were on watch and would have notified him if the gunmen had reached his father’s room. Simon worried about the repercussions of fear and stress on his father.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Simon strode into his father’s room with Zoe and Trent on his heels. Since Hollister’s room had also been a target according to the Texas unit’s leader, Detective Chisolm opted to begin his interview with the trainee.

  Simon’s mother launched herself at him. Arms closing around her, Simon hugged her. “Are you okay?”

  She shuddered. “I’m still shaking, but we’re fine. Thank God for your friends.”

  He looked at his father over her shoulder. “Dad?”

  His eyes gleamed with a mixture of fury and concern. “I want out of this room. I’m a trapped rat in here. There isn’t another exit and I’m weak as a newborn colt.”

  “As soon as the doctor says you’re ready, we’ll get you out.”

  “Make it happen, Simon. Those men could have hurt Lisa. It’s one thing for them to come after me. I have to protect my wife.”

  “I’ll talk to B.J. Maybe he can convince your doctor to release you early. If it’s not safe for you, you’ll have to deal. I won’t put your life at risk by taking you away from medical care you need.”

  “Find a way,” his father snapped.

  Don Murray might be injured, but he still had a steel spine and a stubborn streak a mile wide. “I’ll do my best.”

  A commotion sounded outside the room. Simon released his mother and moved in front of her and Zoe. He and Tren
t prepared to defend his loved ones from a new threat until he heard his sister Tracey’s angry voice in the hallway.

  Terrific. She sounded like she was on the warpath. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Optimistic thinking, that. He glanced at his team leader who gave a short nod.

  He entered the hall to see Tracey trying to bulldoze her way past Matt and Jesse.

  “Get out of my way before I have you arrested,” his sister hissed, her face flushed, eyes glittering.

  “Tracey.”

  She shifted her ire to Simon. “I should have known you’d be here. Are these goons with you? Tell them to step aside.”

  Wow. She was in fine form this morning. “Chill, Tracey. This is Trent, Matt, and Jesse. Guys, my sister Tracey Bolliver, mayor of Hanover.”

  Bravo’s leader nodded in acknowledgment. “Ma’am.”

  “Now that we’re best friends and all, step aside, boys.” Tracey’s words practically dripped with sarcasm.

  Trent glanced at the nurse who watched them with a frown on her face. When she gave a curt nod, the operative stepped aside.

  Tracey marched past the men into their father’s room, trailed by her bodyguard.

  “Sorry about that,” Simon murmured to Trent. “Tracey’s driven and intense.”

  His friend stared. “I worked with SEALs who weren’t that intense. Your sister is in another category.”

  “She’s like a category 5 hurricane. Dad claimed she’d rule the world when she grew up.”

  Matt glanced at him. “I would have let her go in the room, but the nurse insisted the room had too many people inside. Tracey argued with her and tried to throw her weight around. That’s the only reason I stepped in.”

  “Dad, you can’t do that!” Tracey’s voice raised in agitation. “I won’t allow it.”

  This time, Simon looked at the nurse, his eyebrow raised.

  She rolled her eyes and waved him on.

  “I’ll wait with Trent and the others,” Zoe said.

  “Go,” his team leader said. “I’ve got her.”

  Simon retraced his steps and grasped Tracey’s arm. “Come with me.” When the bodyguard made a move to intervene, Simon stopped him with a pointed stare. The guard didn’t like it, but he backed down.