“I’ll admit, sequestering your friend in Nowhere, Texas, was a good idea. A place where she didn’t have any ties—what’s it called again?”
“Shiloh Springs.”
“Right, without anybody except your family knowing about any connection to the small-town Texas, it was the ideal place to sock her away. Although, if they did a search on your father’s family, it would be an easy jump, since this Douglas Boudreau is your father’s brother. Can you see where I’m going here?”
The mulish set of her jaw gave way to a tiny tremble, and he felt like a jerk for upsetting her, but somehow, he needed to make her see the gravity of the situation, and the fact Amir had threatened her life. Loyalty to her friend was a great thing, and he’d do everything in his power to help Salem and keep her safe. But his number one priority was and would continue to be Gabi’s safety. Because deep in his gut, Dylan knew the worst-case scenario hadn’t played out yet. His instincts—those instincts that kept him alive behind enemy lines—were blaring danger signals at full volume.
Gabi shifted in the seat, facing him as much as the seatbelt allowed. “I hate this. I hate Salem is stuck in a sucky situation, where she’s afraid not only for her life, but her unborn child’s life, too. She should be doing all the fun stuff that goes along with having a baby. Dammit, she isn’t even getting proper medical care, because even the best electronic medical records can be hacked.”
Well, hell. Medical care hadn’t even occurred to Dylan, though it should have. “How far along is Salem now?”
“Almost eight months.”
“How many people know she’s in Shiloh Springs?”
“My Aunt Patti and Uncle Douglas. They’ve got her stashed away in a cabin on their property. They own a pretty decent sized spread in Texas, and part of it’s still isolated enough nobody goes there, not without a good reason.”
Dylan tried to imagine taking care of an eight-month pregnant woman in an isolated cabin, probably without electricity or phone service. He hoped at least she had a cell phone for emergencies; otherwise, she was really screwed.
“Only your aunt and uncle? Nobody else knows?”
Gabi shook her head. “If things get bad, Aunt Patti and Uncle Douglas have a whole slew of sons they can call in to lend support, but I didn’t want a whole bunch of people knowing where she is, not until I could figure out a permanent solution. Some way to get Tarik off her trail once and for all.”
“Gabi, it isn’t going to happen. To men like Amir, control and power is everything. Having a child, especially if it’s a son—nothing will stop him from finding the child and taking them back.” He didn’t bother to add Amir probably wouldn’t care if Salem came along. Chances were good if he could take the baby and get rid of the mother, if the opportunity arose—he didn’t want to finish the thought. In the mindset of far too many men, women were expendable, easily replaced with another without much fuss or bother.
“Dylan, he’s a monster. We can’t let him get his hands on Salem or the baby. I’m afraid he’ll kill her.”
He reached across the space dividing them and grabbed her hand, squeezing it. “We’re not going to let anything happen to your friend or her baby. Your brothers and Carpenter are going to coordinate things from New Orleans. I’m going to assess the situation in Shiloh Springs, and we’ll figure out a way to keep Salem and the baby safe, and get Amir out of the picture once and for all.”
“I want to kill him.” Her words were barely above a whisper, and Dylan wasn’t sure Gabi realized she’d said them aloud. Murder wasn’t an option, not for Gabi. He wouldn’t let her carry the burden of ending someone’s life. She was too soft and gentle, and her soul would wither under the weight of guilt. If things got too ugly, and Amir needed killing, he’d be the one to do it. And he’d make sure the body was never found.
It was almost lunchtime by the time Dylan drove into Shiloh Springs, Texas. As small towns went, he didn’t spot anything unusual or out of the ordinary. Nothing screamed a terroristic stalker might be roaming the streets of their fair city. Hell, he’d bet Gabi and he were probably the only strangers in town.
“Park over there,” Gabi pointed to an empty spot on the right, and he eased the car into the space, noting they were in front of the local police station. Interesting. He glanced at her, noting the clenched hands in her lap and the tightness of her jaw.
“Are we planning on talking to the local cops?” Turning off the engine, he draped his arm across the steering wheel, and waited for her answer. Her expression was a bit pensive mixed with indecision, and he waited patiently. He didn’t have a problem letting her take the lead—for now—unless things got dicey, in which case all bets were off. Guarding Gabi took top priority in his books, and he meant to keep her safe at all costs.
“My cousin, Rafe Boudreau, is the county sheriff. He, um, works out of this office, since he lives in Shiloh Springs.” Running a hand through her hair, she spun to face him. “Look, Rafe’s one of the good guys. But he’s going to be a tad bit upset I didn’t tell him I was stashing Salem on his parents’ property. He tends to be overprotective where his family is concerned.”
Smart enough to read between the lines, Dylan figured if it was private family business, he didn’t need to know. If it turned out to something be more, he’d deal with it. His gaze darted to the windshield, and noted a tall, dark-haired man in a brown uniform leaning against the red brick building façade, watching them closely. He gave him a respectful nod.
“He your cousin?”
Gabi’s head turned in the direction he indicated, and a smile spread across her face, lightening the tension from moments before.
“That’s Rafe. Come on, we might as well get this over with.”
He’d barely gotten out of the car before Gabi flung her door open and raced toward the other man, launching herself into his arms. The tight feeling in his chest surprised him, and he watched the stranger spin her around, heard her laughter filled the air.
“Gabi! It’s great to see you. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
Dylan noted even with the other man’s relaxed posture, his eyes never stopped looking, watching everything around him. Especially Dylan.
“Who’s your friend?”
Gabi took a step back from Rafe and clasped Dylan’s hand. The instant contact eased a bit of the coiled tension in his gut. He relaxed enough to take the other man’s outstretched hand.
“Dylan Roberts. I’m a…friend of Gabi’s.”
Rafe studied him closely, not that the other’s perusal bothered him. He’d made his own study of the tall Hispanic male. Dark brown hair curled beneath the brim of his tan Stetson. Brown eyes met his and he read the question within their depths, as well as the affection for the woman at his side.
“Rafe, have you got a few minutes? We need to talk.”
Rafe’s attention switched back to Gabi, with a laser focus Dylan could appreciate. “Of course, hon. Let’s go to my office.”
In under a minute they were seated in the sheriff’s office. Rafe perched on the edge of his desk, arms folded across his chest. Though he appeared relaxed, Dylan felt the coiled tension beneath the other’s man’s casual demeanor. He played the mild-mannered country sheriff well, but beneath the surface lurked a warrior spirit. One he recognized from dealing with similar warrior-alpha males most of his military career.
“I’m gonna go out on a limb here, and ask if Mr. Roberts here is a military man.” Though his question was addressed to Gabi, Dylan answered.
“Navy SEAL.”
“Former?”
“A SEAL never really retires.” Dylan leaned back again the seat back. The more he studied the sheriff, and watched the way he interacted with Gabi, the easier he felt revealing the reason they’d come of Shiloh Springs.
Rafe tossed his hat onto the desk and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m guessing this has something to do with the message I got from Carpenter Security then. You working with them?”
&nbs
p; “No,” Gabi answered.
“Yes,” Dylan responded at the same time. “I’m Gabi’s bodyguard.”
Rafe focused gaze lasered in on Gabi. “Why the hell do you need a bodyguard, little cousin?”
“I don’t. I just have too many overprotective brothers who work with an even more overprotective friend, and all of them can’t seem to mind their own business. Besides, I’m not the one who needs protecting.”
Rafe straightened and walked around the desk, sliding onto the chair. “And here I thought today was going to be a slow day.” He let out a long sigh before turning back to Gabi. “Spill it.”
Gabi twisted her hands in her lap, and without thinking, Dylan reached across and grabbed one, squeezing it gently. “It’s like pulling off a Band-Aid. Just spit it out, it’ll be easier that way.”
“Hey, I don’t like yanking off Band-Aids. I’m more of an ease them off an inch at a time kind of gal.”
His lips tugged upward. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Gabi…” Rafe’s lips turned up at the corners, and Gabi’s face flushed at his attention. Interesting. Definitely more of a big brother vibe than an attraction. Good.
Gabi blew him a raspberry, and Dylan watched the little wisps of hair flutter with the movement. Damn it, he needed to stop watching Gabi so closely and concentrate on the sheriff. Get a read of how much he knew, and whether the man could be trusted.
“Does Momma know you’re here?”
“Not this time.” Gabi kept her eyes lowered, and Dylan almost laughed at the frustrated little girl tone in her voice. He’d love to play poker with her sometime. She’d lose every single hand.
“Gabi, stop stalling. Tell Rafe what’s going on, and why we’re here.”
“Fine. I have a friend who’s in trouble.”
Rafe straightened in his seat, his full attention riveted on Gabi. “You know I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Gabi smiled. “I know, but I couldn’t ask for your help. At least not officially. And I don’t want to get you in trouble. Which is why I went to Aunt Patti instead.”
Dylan bit back a chuckle at the expression of disbelief the sheriff’s face, before his look changed to one of resignation. “What the hell have you been up to that needed Momma’s input?”
“As I started to tell you, I have a friend who’s in trouble. Somebody bad is looking for her and she needed a place to crash. Someplace where nobody could find her. I—she needed to be in a place where she was protected and cared for. Staying with me wasn’t an option.”
Rafe leaned back, arms crossed over his chest. “Momma would be the perfect person to help you squirrel away your friend. Lemme guess, she’s at the cabin?”
“It seemed like the perfect hideaway. No telephone. Generator power, hidden away where unless you’re family, you don’t have a clue it’s even there. Aunt Patti and Uncle Douglas have made sure Salem’s got everything she needs.”
Rafe’s eyes widened. “You dragged Daddy into this, too?” He raked his hand through his hair. “Alright. Give me details. Facts. Who’s after your friend? What kind of time frame are we looking at for keeping her isolated from the rest of the world? I’ve short-staffed at the moment with this damned flu bug going around, but I can pull in my brothers if we need surveillance or round-the-clock guards.”
Dylan decided he’d sat quietly long enough. His first impression of the sheriff seemed on point. The man knew his job, and reacted well when a bombshell was dropped in his lap. He’d be an asset in handling Salem and keeping Gabi safe at the same time.
“I’m working with Samuel Carpenter and Carpenter Security Services on the situation. We can go over logistics and timetables later. Here are the facts as of this morning. Tarik Amir, a wealthy and powerful citizen of the United Arab Emirates and Salem Hudson’s fiancée, is Gabi’s best friend. The man allegedly abused her for several months, and she somehow managed to escape him and get back to the U.S. She contacted Gabi for assistance in hiding out from Amir. According to what you’ve heard, Gabi contacted your mother and father, and they’ve managed to keep Salem off Amir’s radar.”
Rafe studied him closely as he relayed the facts, listening intently to every word. Dylan knew he’d have questions. Hell, he still had questions himself, but his priority remained keeping Gabi safe, which meant keeping Salem safe, too.
“Damn, this whole thing is going to blow up into an international screw-up of major proportions, isn’t it?” Rafe drummed his fingers on the desktop. “I’ve got a few contacts I can call, people I can bring in if the need arises. My brother, Antonio, works for the FBI. He’s in Dallas, but he could be here in a few hours.”
“Carpenter’s got people working this round-the-clock. Stefan Carlisle is handling the computer work, and I’ve been told he’s the best. They’re tracking Amir’s every move. We left New Orleans before dawn and drove to Arkansas and into Oklahoma before heading to Shiloh Springs. If anybody was tailing us, I’m sure we lost them. But you might have your people keep an eye out for any strangers suddenly appearing in town.”
“You’re expecting trouble then?”
Dylan nodded toward Gabi. “She’s been getting threats from Amir. The last one—let’s just say Carpenter felt she needed a bodyguard for a reason.”
A string of curses flew from Rafe’s mouth, colorful and explicit enough even Dylan was impressed. He’d curbed his tendency toward colorful language around Gabi, but he agreed with the sheriff’s sentiments.
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll call Momma and give her a head’s up you’re on your way. She and I need to have a little chat anyway. In the meantime, you and Dylan head to the Big House and get settled in. I’ll head over there after I’ve put some safeguards in place and have my guys keep their eyes open.”
Dylan stood and held out his hand to Rafe. “I’ll check in with Carpenter and Gabi’s brothers, and I’ll update you next time we talk.”
Rafe strode across the office space and pulled Gabi into a tight hug. “Cousin, how do you always manage to get into trouble every time you’re in Shiloh Springs?”
“Hey, I didn’t do anything except help my best friend. And I’d do the same thing again, because she doesn’t deserve what she’s been through. Nobody does.”
“You’re right. Alright, go on. I’ll see you shortly.”
“Love you, Rafe.”
“Love you too, little cousin. Now, stay out of trouble.”
Dylan gently took Gabi’s arm, steering her toward the door. Rafe already sat behind his desk again, picking up the phone. Dylan led Gabi through the station and out to their car, wishing there was more he could do. Sitting and waiting didn’t bode well with him; he was more of the round up the bad guy and beat him to a bloody pulp person. Too bad Amir wasn’t close by, because he’d be more than happy to teach him the proper way to handle a woman, and it wasn’t with threats, or intimidation, or leaving them physical and emotionally scarred.
He might not be a patient man, but he’d guard Gabi and be ready. Because there wasn’t a shadow of doubt in his mind sooner rather than later, Amir would show up in Shiloh Springs, and he intended to stop the man’s threats. Permanently.
9
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
Gabi watched Salem waddle across the small kitchen, a hand in the small of her back, and plop down onto the chair by the small table. Studying her friend closely, she noted all the ways Salem’s body had changed since the last time she’d seen her. Although she was in her eighth month of pregnancy, she was still woefully thin, except for the pronounced beach-ball belly housing her unborn child. The sallow paleness to her skin worried Gabi, and she hoped Salem was eating enough to keep herself and the baby healthy. The dark circles beneath her eyes gave silent testament to her lack of sleep. Not for the first time, Gabi wished she had better news to share with her friend.
“Where else would I be? I promised I’d be with you when you have this baby. I wouldn’t miss it for the wo
rld. I can’t wait to spoil my future goddaughter or godson rotten.”
“Gabi, there’s still a long time to go before I deliver. And by the way, you’ve always been a lousy liar. I know something’s wrong, so you might as well spit it out.”
Darn it, she’d never been able to lie worth a damn to Salem. The woman was like a human lie detector, so her B.S. meter was probably dinging like crazy.
“Salem…”
“He’s found me, hasn’t he?” Salem’s voice cracked as her words trailed off, and Gabi noted the slight hitch in her friend’s breathing.
“No! He doesn’t have a clue where you are, I swear!” Gabi grabbed Salem’s hand, squeezing it. “I’m not gonna lie. He is in the States, but as far as I know, he’s nowhere close. Last I heard, he’s up north, New York, I think.”
“I have to leave. If he finds me…I’ll go to—”
“Stop it. You’re not going anywhere.”
“Gabi, I can’t let him find me. He’ll take my baby away and I’ll never see him or her again.”
“Nobody is taking your baby. I promise you’re safe, and going to stay that way. Now, calm down. Getting all excited can’t be good for you or the baby. Tell me about Uncle Douglas and Aunt Patti. Have they been taking care of you?”
Salem smiled, her hand rubbing absently on her protruding stomach. “They’ve been wonderful. They make sure I have everything I could possibly want, and one of them stops by every couple of days to check in. If I need anything, I call them on the burner phone you got me, and it’s taken care of. They’ve been a godsend, although I know I’ve disrupted their lives.” She rested her hands atop of pregnant belly.
Gabi bit back her laugh. Salem had no idea what she was talking about. If there were two people who could roll with anything life threw at them, it would be Douglas and Patti Boudreau. Their entire family was made up of men whose lives closely resembled Salem’s. Preteens and teenagers who’d been abandoned, neglected, or abused. Every one of their sons had been adopted into the Boudreau family, and raised with the kind of love and understanding they’d never experienced until they’d become part of the Boudreau clan.
Guarding Gabi - Kathy Ivan Page 6
