HOT Justice: A Hostile Operations Team - Book 14

by Lynn Raye Harris

  “Sounds reasonable to me. You getting in?”

  Haylee hesitated for a long moment, gazing up and down the street both ways. Her Uber was still a few blocks away.

  “You can cancel it, you know.”

  “Yes.” She sent the text to cancel and then went around and got into the car. Maybe it was dumb, but she didn’t think so. Payne had been forthcoming with his information and she’d texted it to Wolf. If the object was to harm her, she didn’t think the man would approach her so openly.

  “So where are you headed?” he asked, light green eyes fixing on her face.

  “Saffron Indian,” she said, making a split second decision to get Indian food in a place that was surrounded by other shops and restaurants.

  “You get that?” Payne said to the driver in the front. The man was silent, nondescript. White, brown hair, height and eye color unknown. Unremarkable in any way.

  “Yes, sir.” The car began to move and Haylee sat back against the seat, her heart thrumming and her belly twisting. What was she doing here? Her phone dinged and she knew Wolf was responding. Probably wanting to know what the ever-loving fuck she was up to.

  “So, Miss Jamison. You’re a reporter.”

  It wasn’t a question. “Yes.”

  “Reporters have to be so careful,” he said, not looking at her. “So many things they get wrong. Very dangerous work.”

  “It can be. But I do my research,” she told him.

  “That’s good. Very good.”

  “What were you doing at my house, Mr. Payne?” Because no way was he driving through her neighborhood on a whim.

  “Coming to see you, of course.”

  “But you drove by me. And then my car didn’t start.”

  “Didn’t it?” he murmured. “Too bad.”

  She ignored his almost-amused tone. “Why are you here? What do you want?”

  Payne sighed heavily. Then he turned to her, his light eyes boring hard into hers. “The SEAL you sent your information to—is he the one who rescued you in Guatemala?”

  Haylee tried not to gasp. She almost succeeded.

  Payne’s mouth twisted in satisfaction. “This is why I’m here, Miss Jamison. To warn you. Whatever you think you know about Mr. Silva—drop it and find something else to occupy your time.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t you? You went out of your way to speak with him last night. You put yourself in his path.”

  Haylee’s stomach dropped. “I did not.”

  “Oh, you definitely did. You’re curious. Your friend died, so tragic, but you’ve not accepted it. You’re looking for someone to blame. Instead of blaming your friend for making a bad decision, for taking drugs she should not have taken, you wish to assign blame elsewhere. You think that if only you could find someone to pay for her death, the abuse would stop. That people would be saved. But Miss Jamison, that is a lie—people have free will, and they abuse drugs because they want to get high. You can’t change that.”

  Haylee was hot. And cold. And furious. Her heart throbbed and her skin flamed. Her phone began to ring. She didn’t answer it. “How dare you,” she said, her voice low and hard and angry. “How dare you blame addicts for making bad choices when nobody ever made the choice to get addicted in the first place. Especially to prescription opioids. Those pills are supposed to be safe, not laced with fentanyl from China—”

  “Safe?” he interjected. “They are powerful drugs, Miss Jameson. They aren’t safe. They’re meant to help those in pain, not provide recreational highs for casual users. Those are the people who get in trouble, the ones who buy them on the black market. Not those who have legitimate conditions.”

  She wanted to reach across the seat and slap him. Not a good plan, of course. Her phone kept ringing. It stopped when it went to voice, then started again as soon as Wolf hung up and tried to call her once more.

  “I pray you never need pain pills, Mr. Payne. I pray you never need them and that the pain doesn’t stop once the pills run out. Because then we’d see how strong you really are, wouldn’t we?” She reached into her bag to silence her phone. “But why don’t you take one of your boss’s Mexican imports anyway, if you’re so sure? Just go ahead and take one. See what happens once you do.”

  Payne turned away from her, looked out the window. Then he twisted to look at her again, a vague smile on his face. “Here we are, Miss Jamison. Saffron Indian. Enjoy your meal.”

  Haylee sucked in a breath. They were at the plaza, the restaurant was right there. She was alive. And nothing that had happened would cause even a blip on most people’s radar. John Payne hadn’t threatened her, not really. He was creepy and he made insinuations, but he hadn’t outright threatened her with anything.

  She gazed at him for a long moment, warring with herself, trying to find the right words. And then she jerked the handle and shoved the door open. He smiled at her as she climbed from the car.

  “Do be careful, Miss Jamison,” he said. “The city is so dangerous these days.” He unclipped his seatbelt, then reached over and pulled the door closed. The car accelerated down the street, whipped around a corner, and disappeared.

  Haylee’s phone blared and she snatched it up, trembling. “Wolf?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Wolf gripped his phone as Haylee said his name. “Haylee—what the hell? Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  He could hear traffic in the background. “Where are you?”

  “White Flint. He just dropped me off.”

  Wolf shoved a hand through his hair. “What the fuck? You got in the car with somebody that scared you? Sent me a couple of damned pictures? What did you think I could do to help you?”

  “I was bluffing him, Dean. Making sure he wasn’t going to strangle me and drop me in a ditch somewhere. Which he did not. It’s fine. Really.”

  He didn’t believe her. Her voice was trembling. “No. You don’t text me that shit and then pretend it’s fine. This John Payne—who the fuck is he?”

  “He works for Silva. He invited me to Silva’s table last night. And then he was in my parking lot—my car wouldn’t start—and he offered me a ride. He took me where I wanted to go, but he’s gone now.”

  He remembered the guy who’d gone to invite her to Silva’s table. A lackey, he’d thought. Though maybe the guy was slightly more than that. An enforcer, probably. Wolf didn’t like this shit. At all. “What did he say to you?”

  She took a moment to answer. As if she were gathering her thoughts. “Not a whole lot. He might have suggested that I shouldn’t dig into his boss’s dealings. And that drug addicts are pretty much scum and get what they deserve.”

  “Motherfucker,” Wolf growled. He was pissed as shit at his sister, but he didn’t think she deserved all that had happened to her. Was she responsible for her choices? Sure. But addiction wasn’t a black and white issue. She wasn’t scum. She was somebody’s daughter. Somebody’s sister. Somebody’s mother. She mattered.

  “Yes, exactly.”

  He could hear the anger and conviction behind Haylee’s words. “Tell me where you are. I’m coming to get you.” Because no way was he letting Haylee be alone right now.

  “Oh please,” she said. Not at all what he’d expected out of her. He frowned. “You explained to me last night how you didn’t have time for me, etcetera, but now you want to come and pick me up? Why now, Dean?”

  “Some asshole stalked you at your home, vaguely threatened you, and left you somewhere without a ride—and you want to know why I want to pick you up? Are you kidding me?”

  “You aren’t obligated. You already helped me once. Consider our night together as payment. You don’t owe me anything else.”

  She sounded so self-righteous. And, really, he was going to fucking strangle her. Fury flared deep inside, heating up his skin, frying his brain. She was lucky he’d been able to answer the phone anyway. If he’d been in the secure areas of HOT, he would
n’t have gotten her message for a couple of hours or more. “Haylee, tell me where the fuck you are right damn now. I’m coming to get you. We can argue about this once you’re safe.”

  “I’m safe. He’s gone.”

  “No, the asshole threatened you. You’re safe when I say you’re safe.”

  He didn’t think she’d reply. But then she did. Huffy. “Fine. But I’m starved and I’m going into a restaurant to order something to eat. You won’t get here in less than twenty minutes if you’re coming from Laurel anyway.”

  “Text me the address. And don’t leave the restaurant until I get there.”

  “So bossy. That’s not attractive, you know.”

  He growled. “Too bad, babe. Just like back in the jungle, do what I tell you. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  He heard the moment the traffic sounds faded and he knew she’d gone inside. “Do you want me to order you something?”

  Her tone was clipped and he knew she was annoyed at his autocratic ways. Too bad.

  “No, I’m good. Get yours to go.” He was already on his feet and moving. He stopped briefly to give Saint a heads up, covering the phone while he said, “Haylee’s in trouble. Going to pick her up.”

  “Copy,” Saint replied, not missing a beat. “Need backup?”

  “I don’t think so. She’s at a restaurant in White Flint. Got a photo and ID of the guy who dropped her. Can you run a check?”

  “Yeah. Text it to me.”

  Wolf sent the text and kept walking. “You still there?” he asked.

  “I’m here. Just ordered. You sure you don’t want anything?”

  “I’m good.”

  She sighed. “I have to pee, and I’m not taking you in there with me. So I’m hanging up now, but I won’t move until you get here. Promise.”

  “Share your location with me so I know if you leave.”

  “I said I wouldn’t,” she huffed.

  “I know that, Haylee. I’m more or less thinking about if that guy comes back and tries to force you to leave with him. If I have your location, it’ll help.”

  “Oh. Of course. I’ll do it. The moment we hang up.”

  “Good. Be there as soon as possible.”

  “Don’t get a ticket for me, Dean,” she said wryly. “Because I’m not paying it for you.”

  He laughed. “Not getting a ticket. Just hang tight for a few.”

  “Got it. Now let me go before I pee my pants.”

  Wolf ended the call and fished out his keys. Then he clicked his truck open, jumped inside, and started it up before shoving into gear and flooring it out of the parking lot.

  Haylee sat at a table near the counter and waited for her food. When her order was ready, she sat back down and continued to wait for Wolf to arrive. Maybe she should have eaten here anyway. But it wasn’t five minutes after she’d gotten her food that he arrived. She knew him the instant he breezed through the door, tall, blond, and sexy as sin. He was wearing military camouflage today and her heart tripped over itself like someone who’d just gone ice skating for the first time. Back and forth, around and around, flailing about—and then landing hard on a solid surface, feeling dazed.

  She was definitely dazed. He’d been spectacular in his rented tuxedo last night, but the uniform was even more attractive. Wolf was made to wear a uniform. The female members of staff, as well as the lady patrons, seemed to agree with her because all eyes turned to follow him as he made his way toward her.

  His handsome face was set in a scowl. She didn’t miss the way he cased the room, or the way her heart tripped when he settled that gaze on her as he approached. She forced herself to get to her feet, though it took a moment for her brain and her limbs to connect. She held up the bag, smiling and trying to be casual with him. “You’re so gonna regret not getting your own.”

  “Nah, I’ll just swipe some of yours.”

  Haylee pretended to be taken aback. “Seriously? I asked if you wanted your own and now you think you’re getting mine? No way, mister.”

  He swiped the bag from her hand. “Chicken tikka masala with rice and an order of naan, am I right?”

  She blinked. “Yes. How did you know?”

  “First of all, chicken tikka masala is the most ordered dish by Americans. And second, unless you’re a secret linebacker for the Redskins, you’ll eat approximately half of this and save the rest for another meal. But I’m not hungry, so you’re good.”

  Haylee folded her arms over her chest and tossed her hair. She liked it when they teased each other. It gave her a little thrill, though maybe she should be annoyed instead. “Maybe I’m a secret Ninja or something. You ever think of that?”

  He snorted. “No. You ready to go?”

  “Yes. But you really didn’t have to come get me. I could have Ubered home.”

  He put his hand against her back, his fingertips sizzling into her even though there was the fabric of her shirt between them. “After you texted me the plate, photo, and ID of a man you weren’t certain meant you any harm? No fucking way, baby,” he growled in her ear.

  She loved the way his voice vibrated down her spine. And it annoyed her too. Why did she have to be so attuned to this man? Why couldn’t she ignore his effect on her? His fingertips burned into her skin and her sex tingled with heat at the feel of his hot breath in her ear.

  So unnecessary. Just like the memories of their night together. Her lying beneath him, legs spread wide to accommodate his big body, his hard cock pounding into her and taking her to a heaven she wanted to experience again.

  They walked out of the restaurant and into the parking lot. Traffic buzzed up and down the street and cars moved through the lot. Wolf steered her toward a silver Chevy Silverado, unlocking the doors and starting the engine remotely before they reached the truck.

  Once she was inside, her food at her feet on the floor, he went around and got in, then reversed out of the parking spot. The smell of the food made her belly growl. She opened the bag and pulled out a piece of naan bread. “I live at 1050 Brighton Way,” she said as he headed for the exit.

  “Not taking you home, Haylee.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Saint’s running a check on John Payne. We’ll see what he turns up before we go back to your place.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “Not too long.”

  “Define not too long.”

  “Depends on how professional Payne is, I guess. He’s not a petty criminal, most likely, so we’ll have to dig. Couple of hours at least.”

  She frowned. “So where are we going in the meantime?”

  “My place.”

  Her belly tightened. “That’s not necessary, is it?”

  “Yeah, it is. I’m taking you to my place where you can eat and relax—and tell me what you’ve gotten yourself into with Oscar Silva.”

  “I haven’t gotten myself into anything with Silva! I didn’t even talk to him alone last night. You were there. You saw it.”

  “Define alone.”

  She frowned. “Okay, so we were at a table alone some of the time. But we were never alone in the sense nobody was there to see us. We never disappeared into a hallway or anything. Not like I did with you.”

  He seemed to ignore that statement. “That doesn’t mean anything. You clearly pissed off someone—which is also why you’re going to tell me exactly what happened and everything Payne said to you.”

  She thrilled to the note of command in his voice even while she chafed against it. She’d been on her own, doing her own thing, for a long time. Her and Nicole against the world. Two chicks in the city, making their way and having fun while they did it.

  Until Nicole started taking pain pills.

  Haylee wasn’t inclined to let anyone else take control, but maybe it was time to let it happen. Just for a little bit. Wolf was a good guy and he had her best interests at heart. She knew that from before.

  “I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” She tore o
ff a hunk of bread with her teeth and chewed. Thank God for yummy Indian food to make it all right again. At least for a little bit. “But first you need to know that someone dropped off an envelope with photos and papers on my doorstep last night.”

  His eyes shot to her before going back to the road. His grip on the wheel tightened. Was that a tick in his jaw?

  “Somebody dropped an envelope on your doorstep? What precisely were the photos and papers about?”

  “I’m not entirely sure yet. But there was one of Silva, Frank Watson, and a man called Donnie Setter. Setter is Watson’s cousin and he owns an import/export business in New Mexico.”

  “Where are the papers now?”

  “In my apartment.”

  “Tell me you made copies.”

  “I did, actually. Well, I mean I took pictures of them all and loaded the pics to my cloud.”

  “I want you to send me the pictures.”

  Her heart thumped. She hadn’t expected that. “Why do you want them?”

  “Because my guys can check those out too. Don’t you think it’s pretty convenient that the papers arrived last night and Payne was here this afternoon?”

  “You aren’t suggesting he’s the one who left them?”

  “Not at all. But what if he knows that somebody did? Could be why he showed up today.”

  “And he could have showed up because I was talking to Silva last night.”

  “True. Do you have any idea who could have dropped them off? Did you see anything?”

  “I didn’t see anything, no. And I’ve been thinking about it since I found them and I really don’t know who would have brought them to me. I’ve asked a lot of questions of a lot of different people, but most of the answers were unremarkable. Some people denied knowing Silva at all. Some acted scared out of their wits at the thought of saying anything even slightly negative. I’ve got one guy willing to talk a little—but even he doesn’t say everything. So far, Silva can’t be definitively connected to anything shady.”

  “People won’t talk, but they’ll leave anonymous deliveries. Interesting.”