Risky Return (Covert Operatives Book 3)

by Virginia Vaughan

  “Are you settling in?”

  He turned to find Rebecca standing in the doorway and his heart clenched. He put away his gun as the truth slammed against him like hitting a brick wall. Loving her would never be off the table for him.

  “I hope you’re not angry that I insisted you stay here,” she said.

  “No, Rebecca. I think it was a good idea. I’m glad you suggested it. We need to lay low, remain indoors until we find out who is after you or until we can get that meeting with the FBI.”

  She nodded. “I have a few vacation days I can take from work. I’ll email my boss to let him know. But I have court on Wednesday that I can’t miss and a meeting at the community center tonight.”

  He shook his head and turned back to unpacking his bag. “It’s too dangerous for you to be out in public like that.”

  “I’m in charge of the night.”

  He sighed, not understanding why she would willingly put her life on the line to attend some meeting. “Can’t you reschedule?”

  “I run a program at the local community center for teens. It’s called Life Skillz. I host workshops that teach teenagers—mostly foster kids, but everyone is welcome—about life skills like cooking, shopping, meal planning, money management. You know, things these kids need to know in order to succeed.”

  “It might not be safe for you.” But even as he spoke, he knew his arguments were falling on deaf ears.

  She persisted. “These kids have practically nothing. I can’t let them down. I can’t cancel on them, especially if all we’re doing is hiding out. As long as Missy is hidden and safe, I have to think about the other kids under my care. They need me. Besides, if I cancel, that means they’ll be out on the streets doing who knows what.”

  He was impressed. She wasn’t fooling around when she said she wanted to help these kids. She was making a difference in their lives. It was such a contradiction to him. She’d grown up in privilege and wealth, yet she’d turned her back on it in order to reach out to those in need. She’d made it a mission in life. He admired her. That was the girl he remembered but it had only been a glimpse of the kindness inside of her when she was a girl. Now, she’d grown into a woman with convictions and values that changed lives. But it didn’t make his job of keeping her safe any easier.

  “You haven’t changed, have you? You’re still stubborn and determined.” He’d meant it as a compliment, but her expression clouded.

  “Is that why you left me? Was I too difficult?”

  His heart broke at her question and he jumped to respond. He didn’t want her to have those doubts. “Absolutely not. I loved your determination. It was always one of your best qualities.” He reached out and pushed a strand of hair from her face as she stared up at him, and he felt a piece of his heart rip away. How had he ever walked out on this woman? “It still is.”

  “But you didn’t love it enough to stick around, did you?”

  Her words—and the ache visible in her eyes—were enough to gut-punch him. It was time to address this. “My leaving back then was all about me, Rebecca. I was scared and overwhelmed. It had nothing to do with you.”

  “It felt like it had something to do with me. I was desperate and alone and you were just gone.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She stared at him like she was expecting more. Some deep explanation that would explain away his foolish reaction to all that had happened. But there wasn’t one. He’d been a scared kid in way over his head and he’d finally realized he couldn’t handle the responsibilities.

  Rebecca wiped away a tear that had slid down her cheek. “That’s in the past. It doesn’t matter anymore. What does matter are these kids and I won’t let them down.”

  “Then I’m coming with you.”

  “Thank you, Collin. These kids need all the help they can get to survive.”

  And with a woman like Rebecca on their side, how could they lose?

  * * *

  Collin didn’t like the risk Rebecca was taking, but he admired her determination to be there for the kids she mentored. He wished the place had private parking but it didn’t, so he chose a spot across the street, as close as he could get to the door of the community center. He scanned the area before letting her get out. He didn’t see evidence of anyone watching them or planning an attack. He opened the trunk and took out the box filled with sewing supplies, socks and patches, then walked with her inside. But he wasn’t letting down his guard. She was exposed here and he didn’t like it. This would be the perfect opportunity for someone to try to get to her when she was in public. He cringed at the large glass windows on the front of the building. He’d hoped at least to be in an area he could contain. Anyone could see in and that meant anyone could be out there watching and waiting for the opportunity to strike.

  She unlocked the door and turned on the lights. “The first thing we have to do is set up. There are tables and chairs in the storage room. Tonight, I’ve got Melanie Donnelly coming in to teach the kids basic sewing skills, patches, darning socks, that sort of thing. She used to teach home economics at the high school until they cut the program two years ago. It’s important that they know these skills.”

  He helped her line up the tables and chairs and set out the supplies, all the while keeping his eyes and ears open for any indication of trouble. “Where does the money come from?” he asked, noting that everything they needed seemed to be in the box.

  “I set up a fund that operates on donations,” she stated, but the way she averted her eyes told a different story. He wondered how many people were keen to donate to foster kids. Not many, he imagined, which made her sacrifices even greater. These kids were fortunate to have someone like Rebecca on their side.

  Just before the top of the hour, kids started filing into the center. Collin was surprised by how many were there, especially on a Friday night. It was better that they were here than out on the streets, though. He watched Rebecca move through the crowd, speaking to each kid and offering her help. She wasn’t just sitting on the sidelines. She was getting involved. He’d run away from his problems, but she’d stayed and jumped into life.

  He liked this life she’d made for herself and found himself wishing he was a part of it. But what did he have to offer these kids? Sure, he had skills in weaponry and covert security. Certainly nothing he could share with kids. They surely saw enough gun violence on the streets and in video games. He knew kids, especially boys, needed male role models, but he couldn’t even offer them tips on growing into a good man. You don’t get to be called that when you’d done the things he’d done.

  But Rebecca seemed to be flourishing just fine without him. Aside from crossing a baby-selling ring, she’d built a good life for herself and was making a difference. Was that why God had brought him here? To see how well she was doing without him? To give him peace about that terrible mistake he’d made? Or to punish him by making him witness that she didn’t need him?

  He shook his head and tried to get a grip. Was he really thinking about himself as part of her life? It was ridiculous. They’d had their time and he’d blown it. He had to stop thinking that way.

  After the session, several of the kids stayed behind and helped put the chairs and tables back into the storage room, then cleaned up. Rebecca loaded what was left of the supplies back into the box and Collin carried them to the car as Rebecca shut off the lights and locked up.

  He opened the trunk and placed the bins inside while Rebecca stopped to speak to a young girl who’d stayed behind. Collin waited and watched until she hugged the girl and hurried across the street. Once again, he was struck by her beauty and kindness. She was the most selfless person he’d ever known and he’d had her in his life and let her go. As she crossed the street, light from the streetlamp flowed over her, illuminating her beauty and the soft, delicate lines of her features.

  His breath left him.

&nb
sp; She was so beautiful.

  Light hit her again and he turned to see a car approaching. It was coming at her fast and seemed to be speeding up as it neared.

  Another attack.

  “Watch out!” Collin hollered as Rebecca crossed the street and the car gunned for her.

  His instincts kicked in and he ran across the street, tackling Rebecca and knocking her out of the way just as the car swerved toward her. He rolled to his feet, grabbed his gun and fired at the car as it sped off. One shot hit the back window but the car didn’t stop. It turned the corner and disappeared, its tires screeching against the asphalt.

  Collin turned back to Rebecca on the ground. “Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine,” she said.

  His heart was pounding so loudly he nearly couldn’t hear her response over his own pulse racing. Seeing her lying on the asphalt, old bruises mingling with new scrapes, caused anger to rip through him.

  “What happened?” she asked. Her voice was strained and full of fear.

  “That car just tried to run you down. Did you recognize the car or the driver?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t even see it coming.” She held his hand. “Collin, if you hadn’t been here...”

  “I knew coming here was a mistake.”

  “It was important.”

  “It nearly got you killed. Whoever is after you knows your routine. They knew they would find you here.”

  “I won’t make apologies for caring for these kids,” she said, jutting her chin stubbornly as he helped her to her feet. “And I won’t give up on them. Any of them.”

  He did admire her determination, but how was he going to keep her safe when she insisted on putting herself in risky situations? He kicked himself for getting so wrapped up in Rebecca that he hadn’t seen the danger coming. It had been a novice mistake. One that he wouldn’t let happen again.

  SIX

  Her hands were shaking but it had nothing to do with the near miss she’d just experienced and everything to do with Collin. Being so close to him again was beginning to wear on her nerves. She was trying to remain cold and aloof but it was hard. This was the man she’d loved enough to marry and have a child with.

  It seemed like a lifetime ago that they’d been so happy. And it was a lifetime. She wasn’t that girl any longer. She was a mature woman with a life of her own. But she’d never forgotten how it felt to be in love. She’d counted on him to be there for her, but he’d let her down. Now, so much was at stake.

  Ignoring her feelings wasn’t working and neither was denying them. She was falling for him again and she couldn’t allow that to happen. She had to put the brakes on this once and for all. Collin was being kind, possibly even trying to make up for the way he’d left her all those years ago, but she didn’t want his pity or his guilty conscience. She had to think about Missy and keeping the girl safe.

  Two sheriff’s office cruisers arrived and the area was soon surrounded. Kent got out of his car and approached them, his face hard and angry. “I suppose now you’re going to tell me I had a hand in this, too?” He stared from one to the other. “I want to know what is going on and I want the truth.” He looked at Rebecca. “Why does someone want you dead? And don’t try to act like you don’t know. I think it’s time you come clean with me about what exactly is going on here. I can’t protect you if you continue to keep me in the dark.”

  Was Collin right? Had she been a target tonight because someone knew her routine? Everyone in her life knew about the foundation and her work with Life Skillz, and she’d done quite a bit of publicity trying to raise donations. She glanced at Collin. He was trying so hard to protect her, but maybe it was too much for him to handle alone.

  She glanced at Collin. “What do you think?”

  He sighed and rubbed his face. “We need him, Rebecca.”

  Her hands were shaking with fear but she had no choice but to trust him. “The girl who went missing, Missy Donovan.”

  “What about her?”

  “She’s not missing anymore. She showed up at my door a few nights ago. She escaped from her abductors. They’d been holding her captive until she gave birth. They took her baby from her, Kent, and sold it. And she’s not the only one. She was only one of many girls being held there.”

  His face paled and he stumbled over his next words. “What? She was kidnapped and she escaped? Where is she now?”

  She hesitated. Missy had been safe at the motel so far and she didn’t want to jeopardize that.

  When he noticed her hesitancy, he continued. “We need to get her into protective custody and I need to question her.”

  “She won’t,” Rebecca said. “She’s too frightened of police. She says she saw someone with a badge talking with her captors.”

  “Can’t you tell her there’s nothing to be afraid of?”

  Rebecca only stared at him and Kent got the point that she wasn’t so sure there wasn’t anything to be frightened of.

  He locked eyes with her. “It wasn’t me, Rebecca. If there’s a dirty cop involved in this, it’s even more important to find out who it is. They’ll find her eventually and she’ll be killed or reabducted.”

  She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” She couldn’t risk anyone else knowing Missy’s location. She didn’t know if she was doing the right thing or not, but telling him felt wrong.

  Kent heaved a sigh of exasperation. “I can’t believe you don’t trust me.”

  She stared at him but didn’t flinch. “I’m not sure anymore who I can trust.”

  She turned to Collin as Kent walked off and he put his arm around her and pulled her into a hug. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to get through this.”

  “I don’t like this feeling,” she told him. “I’ve spent my life trusting people and now everyone I know is suspect.” She glanced up at him. “Everyone except you.” She touched his arm, sending sparks through her skin. “I’m so thankful you’re here with me, Collin. You’re the only person I know I can trust.”

  She saw a flash of something in his face. Was that regret that he’d gotten so involved in this? It was such a messed up situation.

  She turned and saw Kent on his phone, but he was watching her. Was she doing the right thing by not trusting him? Or was she putting Missy’s life in even more danger?

  * * *

  Rebecca gathered the papers she’d printed out. After being nearly run down on the street, the rest of the evening had been quiet. She didn’t like being cooped up in this house and always looking over her shoulder for danger. She was ready to go back to her ordinary, simple life.

  She glanced at Collin in the next room. He was busy, too. She had to admit, she would be sad to see him leave once this was all over. If there was a bright side to this situation, it was seeing him again. She pulled at the chain around her neck and fingered the ring on it. She hadn’t worn this ring since returning home after he left, but she’d never been able to fully put it away. Janice had once questioned her about it, but Rebecca had insisted she’d found it and liked it, pretending it held no significance to her at all. That had been hard, but thankfully, Janice hadn’t pressed the matter. These days, Rebecca mostly wore it beneath her shirt to avoid the questions.

  She pulled herself away from watching Collin and the little-girl feelings his presence brought up and tried to concentrate on the work she’d had sent over from her office. She had other kids that needed her besides just Missy and the teens from Life Skillz. She had several cases to prepare for court. If she dropped the ball on any one of them, a child could fall through the cracks in the system and wind up in a bad situation.

  On court day, they saw at least forty cases and Rebecca had to be prepared to make recommendations for each one. It was her job to evaluate a child’s living situation and act in the best interest of the child. In Missy’s case, her drug-addicted mothe
r had tried to regain custody of her several times but had failed the court-mandated drug tests. She’d finally given up her rights and turned the girl over to the system. But other kids had different stories. Some parents fought hard to get their kids back and she admired those who changed their lives and did what they needed to do for their child. But then there were the parents who saw nothing wrong with their living situations and believed their child, or children, had been taken from them unjustly.

  She glanced at one file that illustrated the latter. A ten-year-old girl named Olivia had been removed from a home because of abuse by her mother’s boyfriend. Olivia’s mother was trying to get her daughter back but refused to cut ties with her abusive partner. Rebecca didn’t enjoy taking away someone’s kids, but she understood the need to give a child a safe environment in which to grow up. Olivia’s mother had chosen to put the attention of a man before the safety of her child. She didn’t know if she was abused herself, although Rebecca suspected it. But it wasn’t her place to make that call. Her job was to decide what was in the best interest of the child and, in this case, it was permanent removal. When they went back to court she would make her recommendation to the judge.

  She glanced up and saw Collin standing in the doorway watching her. He looked like he had something important to say. “What’s up?”

  “I’ve been thinking about this issue with Kent. You’ve been giving him information piece by piece. It’s not working. We need to tell him where Missy is.”

  “Collin, I don’t think—”

  “We need to trust him with this at least until we can get in touch with the FBI.” Before she could protest again, he continued with his thoughts. “It’s been several days already since Missy escaped. The bruises on her are starting to fade and any information she has about the ring’s location may be time sensitive, as well. If they can’t find her, they may pick up and change locations. If that happens, we will never find out who is behind this ring, who is trying to hurt you or if they’ll ever stop.”