by Sharon Dunn
“I’m not sure.” Serena bit her lower lip and focused on a distant object. “Sometimes when people are guilty, they protest overly loudly.”
“I was used as a way to lend the agency in Mexico legitimacy. Maybe the same is true of Dylan,” Morgan said.
“Or he was fully aware of what was going on. We’ll see,” said Serena, still lost in thought.
Serena’s phone rang. She rose to her feet and wandered away from Morgan, who listened to the one-sided conversation.
“That’s outside of anything I’ve ever dealt with. The guy has certainly proven he was on Morgan’s side.” She glanced over at Morgan. “Okay, I’ll ask her.” Serena pulled the phone away from her ear.
She turned to face Morgan. “It seems that Alex Reardon wants to see you one more time.”
Morgan tried to process what this meant.
Serena nodded as a faint smile emerged.
Morgan felt a mixture of joy and confusion. Would this only make their goodbye harder? “I guess that would be okay.” She did want to see him, even if it was the last time.
“Okay, I’ll let them know.” Serena got back on the phone and wrapped up the conversation.
Morgan was still in shock. After all she had put him through, after everything he’d lost because of her, he still wanted to see her.
Serena moved into the kitchen and set the kettle on the stove. “This guy must really care about you.”
Morgan rose to her feet and paced. She crossed her arms and stared at a landscape painting on the wall until it went out of focus. The kettle whistled. A minute later, Serena handed her a steaming mug of tea. “He must love you tremendously to agree to go through all this.”
Morgan took the mug. “He’s been through a lot already.” And still, he wanted to be with her. He’d proved his love for her over and over. She wouldn’t push him away ever again even if it was just one last time.
* * *
Alex could feel his anticipation growing as he was driven through the city streets. The thought of seeing Morgan, of holding her in his arms, sent a charge of joy straight through him. He didn’t know the man who had picked him up, but he had identified himself as a U.S. Marshal. He had agreed to wear a blindfold so he couldn’t identify the location of the safe house.
What kind of crime could Morgan have witnessed to have this high level of security? The car turned a tight corner and came to a stop. He heard the sound of the garage door opening and then the car rolled forward.
“Okay, take the blindfold off.” The marshal pointed toward a door. “Go on inside there.”
Alex pulled the blindfold off and stepped out of the car as his excitement grew. He pushed open the door, walked down a hallway and entered the living room, where Morgan sat with her head bent, looking over a map with Josh and Serena.
She raised her head, a smile lighting her face as she stepped toward him. He held out his arms, and she fell against his chest. He kissed the top of her head.
Serena cleared her throat. “I think we should step out for a minute.”
Josh nodded. They disappeared through a side door.
Alex placed his finger on her chin and tilted her head. Her eyes filled with pure love for him. His lips brushed over hers. Her hand touched his neck and trailed over his ear as he drew her closer and deepened the kiss. After several more kisses, she pulled back and looked into his eyes again. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“Me, too. Really glad.” The words were bittersweet. In a few hours, she might be on a plane and his life would have a hollow ring to it.
Josh and Serena returned.
“Morgan, we can finalize the plans and then you and Alex can have some time alone,” Josh said.
Serena addressed Alex. “We’re almost done. This won’t take more than twenty minutes.”
“Plan for what?” Alex cut his gaze toward Morgan. That veiled look fell across her face. What was going on here?
Serena stepped in. “Alex, Morgan has agreed to be part of a sting operation to catch the men who came after you two.”
He wrapped his arms around Morgan’s shoulders. “That makes her a target.” Anger colored his voice. How could they do this to her after all she’d gone through?
“It was my choice.” Morgan’s voice was steady, unwavering. “It has to be done to end all of this.”
His anger dialed down a notch. He understood her logic. Morgan wouldn’t have a normal life until the people who wanted to hurt her were in jail. “Then I’m going with you.” He drew Morgan close and gazed down at her. Josh and Serena gave each other a look.
“Give us a moment,” said Josh. They stepped into a corner, their heads close together as they talked.
“I have to do this,” said Morgan. “Otherwise, this will never end and more babies will be harmed.”
He didn’t know what she meant by babies being harmed, but he had a feeling he’d know soon enough. “Then we’ll do it together.” He squeezed her shoulder.
She gushed, “Why would you do all this for me?”
“Because I love you, silly. How many times and how many ways do I have to show it before it sinks in?”
Josh walked over to them. “The extra protection for Morgan would be good. After what you two went through on your own, Alex has proven he can hold his own.”
Serena added, “Morgan told me everything you did when the two of you had to run from Josef. I don’t think she’d be here if it wasn’t for you.”
“Let’s get you up to speed.” Josh stepped over to the coffee table. He grabbed the map and pointed out where marshals would be positioned. “Once she goes over this bridge, there’s an area that is very secluded. We think that is where Josef is most likely to be waiting. You have to let Morgan go there alone. Make some excuse—that you pulled a hamstring, that you have something in your shoe, whatever. We’ll all be close, ready to jump, but she has to look vulnerable.”
The tone of Josh’s voice revealed the level of danger this operation involved. Alex would do anything to ensure Morgan’s safety. So much could happen in that moment when she was exposed.
“Both of you will be wired so we can communicate with you,” Serena added.
The four of them ate a meal together and reviewed the plan several times. Alex alternated between studying the map and talking with Morgan through the evening. She told him about Mexico and the baby-snatching ring and all she had been through up to this point. The more they talked, the more he saw that maybe they could build a life together when this was all over. He only hoped they got that opportunity.
TWENTY
The morning was overcast with an on and off drizzle as Alex pulled into the parking lot that bordered the park.
Morgan sat in the passenger seat, her stomach tied in knots. The only thing that lessened her fear was having Alex close.
A car that she knew had two marshals in it pulled into the lot a few minutes later. The other marshals were already in place along the trail.
Alex turned to face her. “You ready for our jog?”
She nodded. If he was feeling any fear, he certainly wasn’t showing it. They pushed open the doors.
Alex gathered her into his arms and held her. His warmth surrounded her, giving her strength. His heart beat against her ear as she rested her head on his chest. If only this moment could last forever.
He pulled away and kissed her gently. “Let’s do this.”
Morgan looked into his eyes. “Okay.”
They headed toward the jogging trail. She kept the pace slow, not wanting to expend too much energy. Morgan glanced around. The weather had kept most people away. A few people walked their dogs, and she saw joggers and bicyclists on the trail up ahead. They rounded a corner and entered an area of the park that was heavily wooded. Morgan slowed down even more. She
could see the bridge up ahead.
The sound of Alex’s feet pounding behind her stopped. She gazed over her shoulder; he had stopped and was leaning over with his hands on his knees. He offered her a nod. The expression on his face was probably designed to assure her that everything was going to be okay.
Morgan jogged over the bridge and slowed to a stop. She studied the thick trees around her. A marshal was supposed to be stationed somewhere around here. She did a calf stretch and watched the perimeter. She continued to stretch, tuned in to the sounds around her.
All she heard was the drizzle of rain on leaves. As she leaned to touch her toes, her heartbeat drummed in her ears. Despite the coolness of the morning, she was sweating. How long should she wait here?
She stretched a few minutes more and then she heard Serena’s voice in her ear. “He might be a no-show. Why don’t you get moving? Walk, don’t jog.”
When Morgan looked over her shoulder, she couldn’t see Alex. What kind of order had he been given? She walked, glancing side to side. She heard noise behind her, a bicyclist moving at a high speed.
“On your left,” said the bicyclist.
Morgan moved to the right edge of the trail. Tire wheels whizzed. The blow to her head was so sudden she barely comprehended that it had come from the passing bicyclist. She saw a whir of color and heard the wheels spinning away and fading as she fell to the ground. Hands hooked under her arms and dragged her into the trees. The last image she saw before everything went black was of Josef Flores sneering at her.
* * *
As he had been ordered, Alex jogged over the bridge. He spoke into his mike. “She’s not here.”
Serena’s voice vibrated in his ear. “Keep jogging. She hasn’t come into view of the next marshal.”
He slowed his pace. Up ahead, a bicyclist sped down the trail and disappeared around a corner. Alex took in his surroundings. He was only yards from where the next marshal was stationed and still no sign of Morgan. He quelled the rising panic with a deep breath.
You’re no good to her if you fall apart.
He focused on what he needed to do, not on what might have happened to her.
“Her wire’s been cut off.” Serena’s voice held a note of anxiety. “We’re moving in.”
Alex scanned the area. She must have been hauled into the trees. He searched one side of the trail, which led back to the more crowded part of the park. He dove into the other side, scanning side to side as he zigzagged through the trees. The trees thinned to a lake where rowboats could be rented. A man was pushing a boat toward the water. He recognized him as the one Morgan had called Josef. Morgan could be passed out in the boat...or dead. Josef must be planning on dumping her in the lake.
Alex raced up to them, catching Josef off guard. Josef reached into his coat for a gun. Alex hit Josef across the jaw and the gun went flying.
He could see Morgan in the boat, looking lifeless and pale.
Dear God, don’t let her be dead already.
Josef lunged at him, his hands prepared to wrap around his neck. Alex dodged him and landed a blow to his back and then another to his head. The larger man went down to the ground.
Morgan’s boat had drifted farther away from shore.
Alex spoke into the mike that fed to the marshals. “I’ve got Josef. He’s on the shore by the boat rental.”
Josh’s voice came through loud and clear. “We’re on our way.”
“I need to save Morgan.” The tremble in his voice gave away his fear. What if he hadn’t found her in time?
Alex scooped up the gun, shoved it in his waistband and swam toward her. His muscular arms sliced through the cold water, but the weight of his clothes slowed him down.
He grabbed the rim of the boat and pulled himself in. He saw Josef begin to stir on the shoreline. He leaned over Morgan. All the color was drained from her face and her lips had turned blue. His heart seized. He placed a hand on her cold cheek. Water from his hair dripped onto her face. “Morgan?”
Her eyes fluttered open and relief spread through him.
Focus came back into Morgan’s eyes. “You’re soaking wet.”
“I know. Let’s get you to a safe place.” He grabbed the oar and rowed toward the shore opposite Josef. Josh and another marshal showed up on the shoreline and handcuffed Josef, who was still trying to recover from Alex’s attack.
Alex stepped out of the boat into the water and pushed it the remaining distance to shore. He held out a hand for Morgan to take.
Serena was waiting for them on the opposite shore. She ran toward them. “Come on, we’ve got to get you guys out of here. We’ve got Josef, but the other man is still at large.”
“The guy on the bicycle,” said Morgan.
“Let’s go.” Serena, who was usually cool under pressure, had a lilt to her voice that gave away that even she was concerned at this point.
She led them through the trails out toward the parking lot.
Alex crawled into the backseat with Morgan and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her forehead. “We’re almost home, baby.”
* * *
Serena wove through traffic. “I’ve got a tail.”
Trying not to panic, Morgan craned her neck. There were two lanes of traffic, so she couldn’t figure out who was following them.
“The white compact car about three cars back?” Alex asked.
Serena turned down a side street. “That’s the one.”
After twenty minutes of quick right turns and weaving through residential neighborhoods, Serena parallel parked the car. She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. She checked her mirrors several times and then got out and searched the trunk. She returned with a blanket. “I know you need to get out of those wet clothes, but this should help keep you warm.”
Alex spread the blanket over both of them and held Morgan close. Eventually, his shivering subsided.
Serena made several phone calls, the gist of which was that they were being taken to a different safe house. They drove out of the city and through the day until late afternoon. This safe house was much like the other one, just a house in another subdivision in another city.
After parking in the garage, Serena rested an arm on the seat back. “Josh should be waiting for us inside.”
Morgan had barely had time to process everything that had happened. As the adrenaline wore off, fatigue set in. “I’m glad they caught Josef. I hope it helps in some way.”
“You made a huge difference. Josef Flores is no longer a factor. We clearly have a leak in the department and Dylan McIntyre is a strong lead. Also, we know Baby C’s mom’s name was Vanessa.”
Alex held her tighter. He whispered in her ear, “I’m so proud of you.”
Serena looked at Morgan. “We’ll stay here with you tonight and then we’ll bring a marshal to stay with you for a few weeks until we can set you up with your new identity.” Serena pushed open the car door. “Alex, we can arrange for transport for you back to The Stables.”
Serena’s words sent a panic through Morgan. So this was goodbye. They had put it off as long as they could.
Alex turned to face Morgan, his eyes filled with love. “I don’t want to go back to The Stables. I want to stay with Morgan.”
Morgan’s heart fluttered when he gazed at her.
“We only relocate spouses and children with the one in witness protection,” said Serena.
Alex never took his eyes off of Morgan. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He gathered Morgan’s hands in his. “Morgan, will you marry me?”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Of course it was what she wanted. “Yes, Alex, I’ll marry you.”
“If they can, do you want one of the marshals to marry us right away?”
Even though she was weary,
cold and hungry, joy burst through her. “Oh, Alex, that sounds like a wonderful idea.”
He kissed her.
Ten minutes later, she found herself searching the closet in one of the bedrooms that contained a sparse amount of clothes in various sizes. She found a light blue dress with crochet on the hem and sleeves. Not much of a wedding dress, but it would do.
She heard a tapping at the door, then Serena came in holding a bouquet of tulips and daffodils. “From the yard. I know it’s not much.”
She took the colorful bouquet. “They’re beautiful.”
When Morgan stepped into the living room, Josh was waiting, holding a Bible. Alex had changed, too. It looked like he had found a pair of jeans that fit, but his shirt was a plaid short-sleeve done in shades of green and pink.
As she stood beside him, his smile warmed up the whole room. She touched his rather loud shirt. “It’s a story to tell our grandchildren, right?”
Alex smiled and they both turned to face Josh.
“When the paperwork goes through, you’ll be married under your new identities. You understand that, right?”
They both nodded.
Josh opened the Bible and spoke. “The four of us are gathered here to witness the sacred rite of marriage before God...”
TWENTY-ONE
As he surveyed the busy airport, Alex grew anxious. Morgan had gone to get something to drink more than twenty minutes ago. They needed to get to their gate. Josh had given him the information about their new identities, but Alex had kept their destination a secret from Morgan. He wanted to surprise her with where they were being relocated. The marshals were waiting for them at the gate.
He turned a half circle, scanning the sea of faces. What if something had happened to her? He walked toward where she’d pointed when she said she was going to get a drink. He rounded the corner and still didn’t see her. Tension threaded through his chest.
This couldn’t be happening. She wasn’t at the coffee shop or anywhere else. Had they been followed to the airport and now the thugs had nabbed Morgan?
Alex turned again and hundreds of faces raced past him, none of them Morgan’s.
