by Lori Foster
Dare said, “You better be right about this.”
Knowing himself to be a great judge of character, Jackson said, “I am.” With the others listening in, he added, “I’ll send Spencer on his way, then meet you at your place.”
Arizona’s shoulders slumped. Did she really think he’d abandon her?
He looked to Alani for help. As if she’d been waiting for him, she smiled, then leaned over to talk quietly with Arizona.
“There’s one more thing,” Dare said.
What now? “I’m listening.”
“Tobin called Trace to share an interesting bit of info.”
Jackson stiffened. It took Dare only moments to fill him in on the call, and the particulars obliterated any doubts Jackson had. “Got it.” Since Jackson already knew where Trace and Dare were stationed, he said, “I’m sending on the bounty hunter, so try to make sure there’s someone left for him to collect, okay?”
Dare laughed at that and disconnected the call.
Knowing the rest wouldn’t be easy, Jackson walked over to Alani. “Looks like it’s all settled.”
Trembling with fury, upset, or both, Arizona stormed into the kitchen.
“This has been very hard on her,” Alani said as if to defend Arizona. “Give me a minute to talk to her, okay?”
Fascinated, especially since Arizona left him floundering more often than not, Jackson asked, “What will you say?”
“That she should trust you, of course.” She went on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss before rushing off after Arizona.
Humbled by her faith, Jackson stood there a moment before he realized how Spencer stared after Arizona. Like a man unsure of which goal to pursue, he looked very undecided.
“Make up your mind fast.” Jackson would give him back his gun once they were ready to part ways. “I can handle it just fine without your involvement.”
Pensive, Spencer said, “If I don’t bring them in alive, I don’t get paid.”
Somehow, Jackson thought money didn’t factor into Spencer’s involvement. “That concerns you?”
Finally Spencer drew his attention away from Arizona. “Not really, no.” Unflinching, he studied Jackson. “You?”
“Dead or alive, I want them gone.”
Glancing back at Arizona one last time, Spencer nodded. “Good enough.”
“Tread carefully.” Jackson folded his arms over his chest. “She’s been through a worse hell than you can imagine.”
“You’d be surprised what I can imagine.” Something in Spencer’s voice told a deep, dark secret. Face devoid of emotion, he headed for the door. “I’ll wait out front.”
Just then, Jackson heard the argument erupt, and he went to investigate. Arizona tried to insist on leaving, and Alani was just as insistent that she not.
“You’re going with us,” Jackson told her, putting an end to it. He wouldn’t have his plans screwed at this late date.
Defiant to the bitter end, Arizona squared off with him. “I have my own car.”
“I’ll have someone get it.”
Her small body vibrated with tension. “I have stuff in my trunk that I need.”
“Then we’ll collect it first,” Alani told her.
That didn’t convince her. “I need my gun back.”
To maintain control, Jackson refused. For now. Later, he’d probably feel better knowing she was armed.
It took a lot of coaxing and an inordinate amount of patience on his part to finally get Arizona out to the parking area. When she stomped ahead of them, Jackson caught her arm and drew her back.
Seeing Alani as the more compromising of the two, he whispered to her, “Stay behind me.”
She gave him one startled look—and did as requested, urging Arizona to do the same.
And wonder of wonders, Arizona complied.
Even in the middle of a carefully wrought plan, Jackson couldn’t miss the importance of that. Arizona might pretend that Alani had no impact on her, but like him, she’d already been drawn in.
Alani had that effect on everyone.
With the women cooperating, Jackson let out a breath, but he wouldn’t be completely at ease until he got them both back to his place.
One look at Spencer, and he knew he felt the same.
“Give me back my gun.”
They were out in the open, but darkness had fallen. His apartment complex had good security, and bright lights kept the immediate area well-lit. But that only made them more of a target to anyone hiding in the shadows beyond. It was a quiet area, far enough away from the actual building to make him uneasy.
As the women got into the car, Jackson handed over the semiautomatic to Spencer. “Don’t you want to know where to collect your bounty?”
Pulling the slide partially back, he found a shell in the chamber, the gun still loaded. Satisfied, he looked around the area. “Something’s not right.”
Perceptive. But then Jackson had already guessed that. “Ride with us.”
Eyes narrowing, Spencer said, “All right.”
When Spencer climbed into the backseat with her, Arizona caught on. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?”
“Marc Tobin called.” Neither Spencer nor Arizona asked for details, but Jackson supplied them anyway, keeping the explanation of Tobin’s relationship to Alani brief and to the point so as not to embarrass her. “He remembered that one of the people who had him was a woman.”
In the front seat beside him, Alani frowned. “A woman? Could it have been the woman I saw at your apartment?”
“The one who drugged me.” Jackson hated coincidence. “They had him blindfolded, so he couldn’t see her, but she was there while they worked him over. He says he could tell by her laugh that she was female.”
Breathing a little faster, Arizona dropped back in her seat. “Her laugh,” she repeated in a barely perceptible whisper. And then, voice stronger, “What did she look like?”
Jackson deferred to Alani. Something troubled Arizona, something beyond the idea that he could have been hurt. “Mid-thirties. Brown hair—”
“And brown eyes.” Shooting forward in her seat again, Arizona struggled for breath. Spencer started to reach for her, but she already had her door open. She lurched out of the car and stalked several feet away.
Shit. “I’ll get her,” Jackson said to Alani, then opened his door and stepped out. He didn’t approach Arizona, but then he didn’t have to. She only went so far before turning and storming back. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Her lips trembled, then firmed. Stopping short of reaching him, she stiffened her spine and jutted out her chin. “She was my height?”
Alani had gotten out of the car, too, but stayed near her door. She spoke to Arizona over the roof. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember. I was…shocked to find Jackson with a woman.”
Jackson never took his gaze off Arizona. “You know who it might have been?”
As Arizona squeezed her eyes shut, Spencer stepped from the car. “I do.” He leaned on the car beside the open door. “Chandra Silverman.”
“No.” Arizona shook her head. “She’s dead. Tell him, Jackson. They’re all dead!”
Under normal circumstances, Arizona would never betray any aspect of his work, he knew that. What she implied was not something condoned by the legal system. But this wasn’t normal circumstances, and Arizona edged on hysteria.
When he didn’t reply, she grabbed his shirt. Almost pleading, she whispered, “She’s dead, isn’t she?”
His big hand wrapped around her fragile wrist, and with his thumb he soothed over her chilled skin. “I know of three men, Arizona. That’s all.”
She tried to shake him. “The bitch who ran the show?”
“Other than you, I didn’t see any women that day.” Jackson had a horrible feeling about things.
“But…” Arizona searched his face. “She was there. She was always there.”
“Probably enjoying herself.” Spencer ran a hand over his head
. “She’s more evil than any man I’ve ever met. And I know for a fact Chandra is alive and well, because she’s the main one I’ve been tracking.”
By small degrees, Arizona gathered herself. “All this time…”
“You thought she was gone?” Spencer asked. “Then who the hell have you been tracking?”
“Her lackeys. Her associates. Anyone who ever took part in her sick games.” Wrapping her arms around herself, Arizona laughed. “God, this is a twist, huh?”
Spencer pulled her around to him. “Whatever she did to you, Arizona, she’ll pay.”
Arizona laughed even harder. “I thought she was dead, and that wasn’t payment enough.” She tried to shove away from him, but he only tightened his hold.
Alani walked to their side of the car. She leaned into Jackson. “I’m so sorry.”
Arizona looked at her. “We need to get out of here.”
Grim, Jackson moved Alani behind him. “Too late.” A silver BMW, headlights off, pulled in and blocked them.
“Ohmigod.” Alani clutched her purse against her chest. “It’s the car.”
Not comforting Alani was one of the hardest things Jackson had ever done, but he had to focus on that car. “Both of you, stay behind me.”
Arizona snorted. “Spencer just booked.”
Perfect. “He knows what he’s doing.” At least, Jackson hoped he hadn’t misjudged things there. “Show a little faith.”
“I could—”
Alani interrupted her, saying, “We’ll do exactly what Jackson tells us to!”
As the car stopped, Jackson backed up, forcing the women behind the car. “Alani?”
“What?”
Terror made her voice high and thin, torturing him. “I’m asking nice.”
“Asking what?”
“For you to trust me now.”
He heard her draw a deep breath, then another—and finally she smoothed her hand down his back. “I do.”
One day, she’d be saying that in front of a preacher. “Thanks, babe.” Smiling in satisfaction, Jackson stepped forward, more than ready to get the show on the road.
TAKING ARIZONA’S HAND, Alani hunkered down behind the car. Her heart beat so fast that she thought she might pass out.
It was Arizona who whispered, “Breathe. I’m strong, but I’m not sure I can carry you if we need to run.”
Under less dire circumstances, Alani might have laughed. “I won’t faint, I promise.”
“Glad to hear it.”
God, she sounded like Jackson. In some ways, they were so much alike that it made perfect sense for them to be pseudosiblings. Alani was very glad that they’d had each other.
She peeked around to see what was happening.
As the BMW’s doors opened and people stepped out, Jackson stood beside the driver’s door, the epitome of confidence. Three men…and one woman.
Lousy odds, but when it came to handling bad situations, she’d put her money, and her heart, on Jackson. Please, please, please don’t let him be hurt.
The woman held a gun loosely in her hand, her arm down at her side. And she smiled.
“That’s her,” Alani whispered to Arizona. “That’s the woman who drugged Jackson.”
“Chandra.” Arizona stared at her with a laser beam of red-hot hatred. “If ever a person needed killing, she’s it.”
Smug, the woman—Chandra—stepped toward Jackson. “I wouldn’t suggest you try anything.”
Behind her, arms crossed, the musclemen waited.
“No?” As if bored, Jackson stepped away from the car—moving the danger farther away. “Why not?”
“Your backup is done for. They think they’ve solved everything.” She shrugged. “Of course, that was just part of my plan.”
“Yeah?” He took another step away. “What plan is that?”
“The plan to keep them preoccupied with others. The plan to set up all of you.” Her eyes glittered. “The plan to get even, of course.”
“Huh.” With a lack of concern, Jackson said, “I’m surprised you came yourself. Even a complete psycho has to realize that’s a risky move. Or is it just that you couldn’t afford any more henchmen?”
“I wanted to see you die!” The outburst left her flustered, and she quickly collected herself again. And then, on a tittering laugh that sent goose bumps down Alani’s spine, she purred, “You don’t recognize me, do you?”
“Sure I do. You’re Chandra Silverman.”
Her expression hardened.
“They were good drugs, but they didn’t stop my brain from working. You had to know I’d figure it all out.”
“All of it? I doubt that.” Chandra moved closer to him while the men held guns and watched. “I’ve always enjoyed an…elaborate revenge.”
“How elaborate?”
The sinister smile widened. “For starters, I had decided to have you. Did you know that?”
“Damn, lady, that is cruel and unusual punishment.”
“Shut up!” Again, she collected herself. Breathing deep, she looked him over, then cocked out a hip. “I would have had you, and then rendered you useless. For a man like you, that’d be the best revenge.”
Quietly, Jackson said, “Even drugged, that never would have happened.”
“Ha! You wouldn’t have had a choice. Believe me, it would have been a done deal if that prissy little bitch hadn’t showed up.” Looking beyond Jackson, she murmured, “But she did show up, didn’t she? She threw off my plans, so now she has to pay, too.”
Hearing such a direct threat made Alani’s throat go tight. Without saying a word, Arizona leaned into her, bolstering her.
Chandra continued to smile. “Tell her to come out from behind the car.”
Succinct, Jackson said, “Dream on.”
“There’s nowhere for her to go. You realize that, right?”
“I realize a whole lot of things. Now you should realize how bad your planning ability is.”
Chandra shook her head on a laugh. “I’m excellent at what I do.”
“Yeah?” Jackson moved slightly closer to her. “That’s why Marc Tobin is safe? That’s why I took your men out of commission so easily? That’s why you got busted that first day at my apartment?” He snorted. “Doesn’t sound like good planning to me.”
For a second, Chandra showed her anger, but then she merely laughed again. “Get her out here, or I’ll shoot you.”
As if he had all the control, Jackson said, “Why don’t you tell me first what this is all about? Why me?”
“You stole from me.” She shrugged. “One of my favorite girls, too.”
Jackson’s entire demeanor changed. Voice filled with deadly menace, he said, “You threw her away.”
Pleased to get a rise from him, Chandra curled her mouth. “No, I tried to kill her. Those are two very different things.” She waved the gun barrel at him. “You robbed me of my satisfaction, and you demolished my men.”
“I’ve demolished a lot of your men. So what? They sucked anyway.”
The guys watching took exception to that, and reached for their guns. Chandra raised a hand. “Not yet,” she said. She looked beyond Jackson, and made brief eye contact with Alani. “She’s back there with your girlfriend, isn’t she? I followed her here, so don’t bother denying it.”
“She’s no concern of yours.”
“There’s where you’re wrong. I’m thorough. You said so yourself, if you recall. I destroy those who cross me. And that means I’ll have them both, and you’ll watch as they die.” Keeping the gun on Jackson, she spoke toward the car. “Now, girls, why don’t you come on out before I let my men dissect him?”
Knowing what she would do, Alani grabbed Arizona’s arm. “No.”
Undecided, Arizona chewed her bottom lip. “I have to.”
Panic beat in Alani’s heart. “Absolutely not.”
Chandra heard their exchange, and laughed. “Step out or he’s dead. The choice is yours.”
Swallowing back a
groan, Alani grabbed on to Arizona, but that only got her half dragged along when Arizona did as ordered.
“I’m sorry,” Alani said to Jackson.
“That’s all right, doll. No harm.” He kept his back to her, his posture relaxed—and despite facing the armed lunatics, that helped Alani to be brave, too.
“Loyal little thing, aren’t you?” Chandra said to Arizona.
Arizona smirked. “I’m surprised you can even say the word. Usually dead women can’t talk. And you are dead—whether you realize it yet or not.”
Oh God, oh God. Alani tried to think what to do.
“Still as mouthy as ever, I see.” Chandra tipped her head. “Arms out.”
Staring straight at Chandra, Arizona lifted her arms.
Chandra tsked in mock disappointment. “Weaponless? You’re slipping. And here my men were so looking forward to disarming you.”
“They won’t touch her,” Jackson promised.
“They will get their fill,” Chandra countered.
“No.” And he approached Chandra.
Stunned by the bold move, she ordered, “Stop right there.”
“I don’t think so.”
Her jaw clenched, and she turned to aim the gun at Alani.
Heart stuttering, Alani shrank back—until Jackson moved into the line of fire. That scared her even more. But he stopped before Chandra fired, and now he stood oh so much closer to her.
Alani fixated on that gun. She hated guns, all of them, but to see one aimed at Jackson amplified everything tenfold.
“Let’s get it all said, lady. Why did you drug me in the first place?”
“For one thing, I needed to search your place.” She lifted a slender shoulder. “I figured you had to have a clue around somewhere that’d tell me where to find my property. Yes, I knew you took her. You didn’t see me that night on the bridge. You never suspected that a woman could be involved, did you?”
He laughed. “I’ve known plenty of sick females. There’s nothing unique about you.”
“Think again.” She stepped up to him, the gun held tight in her hand. Jackson just stared down at her, insolent, unmoved, showing not one iota of fear. “Most people would have gone after their property and been satisfied. But not me. I tracked you that night, and you’ve been a project of mine ever since. I have detailed plans for you.”
