by Rebecca Deel
The guard motioned for Eli to lower his window. “Can I help you, sir?”
“Eli Wolfe and Brenna Mason to see Grace Peters.”
“Yes, sir. Ms. Peters just arrived. She’s waiting for you at the back of the house.” The man returned to the guard shack and released the lock on the gate.
Eli drove through the open wrought-iron arms and up the long drive, then circled behind the house. Grace’s Lexus was parked near the separate garage, hatch still open. Two large floral arrangements were in the back. He parked behind her vehicle and climbed from his Camaro, scanned the area as he opened the passenger door for Brenna.
Imaginary needles pricked the nape of his neck. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but he’d learned never to discount those needles. Something wasn’t right, but what?
“Is anything wrong?” Brenna asked.
“Not sure, sugar,” he said, his gaze quartering their surroundings again. “Stay here for a minute.” He unlocked his trunk and retrieved his Go bag, wondered if he was overreacting. Eli knelt beside Brenna, dumped his bag on the car floorboard by her feet, and unzipped it.
“What’s going on, Eli?”
“A bad feeling. We’re hedging our bets.” Something he’d learned while in the military. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and always have another plan ready. Marine Corp buddies had taught him that two is one; one is none. Intending to do better than that, he rummaged in the bag and pulled out three tiny skin-colored patches. A small inconvenience if he was wrong, a life saver if he was right. “Take your shoe off, sugar.”
Eli peeled one of the small tags and pressed it to the arch of her foot. He slid her foot back into her shoe. “Stand up for me.” He rose and stepped back, the other two tags adhering to his finger. “Do you trust me, Brenna?”
She nodded, her eyes wide, glittering with uncertainty.
He hated knowing he had put that look in her gorgeous eyes. She deserved so much better than the hand she’d been dealt in this whole situation. Brenna rated safety and security, a lifetime of love and care, something he’d like to be the one to give her if she’d let him. Yeah, he’d been sideswiped by his feelings. She mattered to him on a level deeper than any other woman had in his life. “Someone is watching us. I don’t know where he is, but I feel him just the same.” He bent until his mouth brushed against her ear. “You have one tracking tag on the bottom of your foot. I need to put two more on you. The only way to do this without him realizing I’m placing trackers on you is to kiss you.”
Her mouth brushed his neck. He felt a smile curve her trembling lips. “Tough duty, but you can handle it,” she whispered.
“I’m going to put one tag behind your ear.” He hesitated, unsure of her reaction to his next statement. “I need to place the other one on the lower part of your back, baby. Are you okay with that?”
“Shut up and kiss me, Wolfe.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he murmured. He slid his hands into Brenna’s hair, angled his head and pressed his mouth to hers. Keeping the kiss light and playful, Eli nibbled at her lips. He carefully nipped, then licked away the sting, but focused most of his attention on positioning the tag. Once it was in place, he lifted his mouth a scant inch from hers. “Remember the kiss we shared at the airport?”
“Oh, yes,” she whispered. “Best kiss of my life.”
He chuckled. “Good to know. Same for me. I need a repeat performance, sugar.” He grinned. “Will you share your gum with me this time?”
Brenna lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. “Depends. Do you like Spearmint?”
His gaze dropped to her kiss-reddened lips. “I need a sample before I decide.” Eli wrapped his arms around her and took her mouth with a hunger that surprised him. This was supposed to be for their watcher’s benefit, but Brenna snared Eli in a trap of his own making. While one small corner of his mind remained alert to their surroundings, he reveled in a kiss hot enough to sear his senses.
He believed he could control the fire Brenna stirred until he realized seconds or maybe minutes later he was on the verge of forgetting their audience. He jerked his attention back where it belonged. Eli’s hands tightened on Brenna’s waist, warning her of his intentions. She squeezed his neck before loosening her hold a little. Stay focused, Wolfe. Something told him that might be the hardest part of his task. The gorgeous writer in his arms distracted him like no other woman had in his life.
Eli changed the angle of his kiss and pressed Brenna between the still open car door and the Camaro’s frame, hoping it appeared to observers that he was losing control of his emotions, very close to the truth. He also figured the car would block most of his hand movement from the watcher’s line of sight. The thought of some thug looking at Brenna’s bare skin had his muscles hardening, readying to defend the woman in his arms.
He slid his hands around to her back and beneath her shirt at her trim waist. As soon as his fingers touched her warm flesh, a shudder wracked his body. How could Brenna’s skin be so soft beneath his hands? Much as he wanted to stroke the living satin a few moments longer, he didn’t dare. Eli forced himself to concentrate on slipping the last tag from his finger to the small of Brenna’s back. With a last lingering caress, he moved his hands back to her waist, broke the kiss, returned to her lips and stole a few more light caresses, then stared down into her beautiful face.
Brenna smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. “So what do you think about my gum?”
“Spearmint is my second favorite flavor.”
“Hmm. What’s your first?”
“You.”
“Eli, Brenna.” Grace stepped onto the gray flagstone patio and waved. “Will you bring those flower arrangements into the house for me?”
“No problem. We’ll bring them inside in a minute.” After Grace returned to the house, Eli’s gaze shifted back to Brenna. “Talk to me for a minute or two, sugar.”
Concern shimmered in her gaze. “Is something else wrong?”
“Couple of things. One, I want to give the adhesive a little longer to set.”
“And the other?”
His lips twitched. Embarrassed to admit the truth, he still forced himself to suck it up and be honest with her. “Baby, your kiss almost set me on fire. I don’t think I can walk anywhere just yet.”
Brenna’s cheeks flushed. “The feeling’s mutual.”
Eli cupped her face with both hands, as if contemplating a renewal of their kiss. “If something happens and we are separated, don’t touch the tags, not even to check if they are still in place. You don’t know who is watching or if a camera will capture the movement.”
The color drained from Brenna’s face. “Do you think the Scarlett Group will try to take me here?”
“I don’t think so, but I’m not taking a chance. You mean too much to me not to use any tool at my disposal to secure your safety.” Eli dropped his hands and urged Brenna to move ahead of him toward Grace’s SUV. He lifted the largest arrangement while Brenna grabbed the smaller one. After shutting the hatchback, he followed her into the Sartelli kitchen, a symphony of Italian tile floors, black marble countertops, and gourmet cookware. No food aromas greeted him. The Sartellis must be having their party catered. Can’t say that surprised him. He couldn’t picture Elena Sartelli slaving away in the kitchen, preparing for a party.
“Thank you so much for bringing those inside.” Grace sighed. “I’ve been running errands all day, helping Mrs. Sartelli prepare for tonight. Dana was supposed to do this and Mrs. Sartelli has been frazzled the whole day.”
“Is Mrs. Sartelli here? I have a few questions I want to ask her.” Eli asked.
Grace shook her head. “She had an appointment to have her hair styled for tonight. She won’t return until 5:00, in time to dress for the party.”
Yeah, should have figured that for himself. Guess he’d have to catch Elena tomorrow to ask her about Dana and Julie.
“Where should we put these arrangements?” Brenna asked. “I don’
t know about the one Eli is carrying, but this one is heavy.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Brenna. Yours goes in the dining room.” Grace pointed to the other side of the kitchen. “Straight down that hall and take a right. You can’t miss it. Eli, take yours to the front entrance. Follow Brenna down the hallway, but keep going until you see the front door. There’s a large circular glass table in the middle of the entranceway ready for the arrangement. Come back in here when you’re finished. I’ll have glasses of cold Coke for you and we can talk.”
After dropping off the arrangements and retracing their steps down the hall, Eli and Brenna seated themselves at the kitchen table.
Grace brought their drinks and sat across from them. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you meeting me like this.”
“You told Brenna you were afraid to talk at work. Was Sartelli in the office?” Eli sipped his carbonated drink. Man, the icy Coke hit the spot on such a scorching day. He drank almost the entire glass before he realized it.
“Sartelli had meetings scheduled all day. He’s been grousing the whole week about Mrs. Sartelli’s lousy timing for this party. He has several construction bids out and some negotiations for others around Davidson County. He’s been a real grouch today.”
“Are they celebrating a special occasion?” Brenna asked, sipping her own beverage. “Oh, wait, isn’t this the engagement party for Maria?”
“That’s right. Mrs. Sartelli and Mrs. Martin have been planning this party for several weeks.” Grace smiled. “They spared no expense. Only the best for their children.” She described the vast amounts of food and drinks to be served and the latest speculation on the location of the upcoming Christmas wedding and honeymoon.
Somewhere in the lengthy descriptions, Eli realized his vision had become blurry. He blinked. No difference. He frowned. Was he that tired? He had to admit, a nap sounded good about now. Maybe another glass of Coke or coffee. Yeah, coffee. Caffeine. That’s what he needed. Hardly able to keep his eyes open, Eli tried standing, but toppled to the floor, coordination nonexistent.
From somewhere far off, he heard Grace call his name and laugh. Why was she laughing?
He had to get off the floor. Brenna was in danger. Eli rolled to his side and couldn’t move further. He grasped at tendrils of thought winding like ribbons through his mind. What was wrong with him? Was he finally losing his mind?
Eli’s eyes were so heavy. He fought to keep them open, lost. Had to be drugged. God help him, he’d failed to protect the love of his life. His last coherent thought—Brenna.
Brenna watched in horror as Eli fell to the floor. She jumped to her feet and almost hit the floor herself with the first step. Grasping the edge of the table, she forced her body to move around the table toward Eli, ignored Grace’s maniacal laughter. Why wouldn’t she shut up and help Eli? The room tilted although she knew that wasn’t possible.
The floor was flat, despite her perception telling her otherwise. Crawl. She could crawl to Eli, tilting floor or not. After a few seconds, Brenna’s hand received the message her brain sent to let go of the table.
She dropped to the floor, her gaze fixed on Eli’s prone body, determined to reach him. Her arm extended as if in slow motion. Brenna grasped Eli’s shoulder and rolled him to his back. He groaned. Her hand slipped. She bit her lip, used the pain to focus for a few precious seconds. Had to try again. Eli. She edged closer, closer.
Someone was sobbing. Who was crying? Brenna tasted salt on her lips. Realized she was crying. No more tears. So tired. She just wanted to sleep for a minute.
She shook her head. Get to Eli. Then nap. With the last of her strength, Brenna crawled the remaining inches to Eli. Had to protect him somehow. More tears. Too tired. She sprawled across his chest and collapsed. Her eyes drifted shut.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Eli. Wake up, buddy. I need your help.”
Eli frowned, batted at the hard hand shaking him from sleep. Still so tired. Couldn’t have slept more than a couple hours to be this wiped out. What was Cal doing in his apartment this early in the morning anyway? His friend usually called before barging in with food. Another scowl. Whatever Cal had brought smelled more like rubbing alcohol than food.
He wanted to slide back into oblivion. Later. Eli would talk to his friend later. He settled deeper into the pillow.
“Come on, Eli. Fight the drug. I need help to find your girl.”
His girl? Eli groaned. Who was Cal talking about? What girl?
“That’s right, Eli. Wake up and look at me.” The same hard hand tapped his cheek. “Open your eyes, sleeping beauty.”
Eli forced his eyes open to slits. Bright lights almost blinded him. He squeezed his eyes shut again. “Lights,” he croaked. Why had Cal turned on every light in his bedroom? He tried to throw his arm over his eyes and block the light, but someone grabbed his wrist and held it still.
“What did he say?” another man asked.
Cal brought someone else to his place? Eli hoped he’d gone to bed wearing sleep shorts.
“The lights are bothering him.”
Footsteps, then blessed relief as the light disappeared. Eli opened his eyes again, searched for Cal and noticed his surroundings. Not his bedroom, that was for sure. It smelled medicinal. He blinked. A hospital? How did he end up here?
“Eli? Are you with me?” Cal stepped into Eli’s line of sight. “Hey, buddy. About time you woke from your nap.” He held up a glass with a straw in it. “Drink this. You’ve got to be thirsty.”
Eli eyed the cup, sudden suspicion forming in his gut. A thought flashed through his mind too fast for him to grasp. Something to do with a drink. He scowled. His brain worked as though wrapped in multiple layers of cotton.
“It’s okay.” Cal moved the cup closer and positioned the straw at mouth level. “This is just water. You have to flush that crap from your system.”
What crap? He wondered at his own reluctance to drink the water. Cal was his friend, an occasional fellow teammate on the Zoo Crew. The cop could be trusted. Eli accepted the straw and drank. He was so thirsty and the water tasted amazing.
Outside the room, a ruckus erupted in the hall. “Sir, you can’t barge in there.”
“Watch me.”
A small smile settled on his lips. Jon.
The door flew open. “How is he?” Jon crossed the room in three strides.
“He’s going to be fine,” Cal said. “The doctor already pumped fluids through him with an IV and gave him something to counteract the drug.”
Drug? He’d been drugged? That was important. More thoughts raced through Eli’s mind at the speed of lightning, but he couldn’t grasp any one of them long enough to understand the threads. Why couldn’t he think?
“Eli, do you remember what happened?”
He hesitated, thought back. “I remember driving, kissing Brenna.” Eli sat bolt upright. “Brenna!” Adrenaline dumped into his system. “Jon, she’s . . .” The sentence was gone before he could finish it. Frustrated, he stared at his friend.
“She’s what, Eli?”
“I can’t remember. Why can’t I remember?” He swallowed hard. What was wrong with him? Some kind of latent memory problem stemming from his SEAL duty or his black ops work? Was he losing his sanity after all?
“You’ve got to remember,” Jon said, his gaze intent. “Brenna’s missing.”
Eli flung the sheet from his body and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “We have to find her. I can’t lose her, Jon.”
“Eli, wait.” Cal grabbed his arm and held on. “Where are you going?”
“I . . .” His memory blanked again. He gritted his teeth. What had Cal said? Drugged. He’d been drugged. “Who drugged me? What did they give me?”
“Rohypnol.”
Eli stopped struggling against Cal’s restraining hand. “The date rape drug? That’s the same garbage the Scarlett Group uses on their victims.” He grasped Cal’s shirt in a white-knuckled grip. “Who? Who did this t
o me?”
“I was hoping you could tell me, but I have a good idea.”
“Who?” Eli snapped.
“Grace Peters.”
“Grace?” Stunned, Eli released Cal and dropped his hand to the bed. He grimaced at the stabbing pain from the IV needle. “Why would she drug me? She was trying to help us find Dana.” Wasn’t she? But if she had been trying to help, why drug him? Had she drugged Brenna as well?
“She has to be involved with the Scarlett Group,” Jon said.
Eli forced himself to reason beyond the drug haze and sense of failure. Please, God, not again. He couldn’t fail Brenna, too. He didn’t think he’d ever get over the guilt if he lost Brenna. “No way Grace could lift Brenna into a vehicle without help. She’s also not capable of dragging an unconscious woman.” He refused to let the word “dead” past his lips, let alone think it.
“Who said anything about them dragging Brenna away?” Cal said.
Eli grabbed Cal’s shirt and yanked him close to his face. “Don’t go there, Taylor. Brenna wasn’t part of this. She didn’t set me up and she sure didn’t drug me.”
“How do you know that?” Cal stared at him, his gaze cold. “You can’t remember anything. Maybe Brenna and Grace worked together.”
“Why?” He twisted Cal’s shirt to the point of ripping the fabric. No way. He refused to believe Brenna would hurt him like that.
“You wouldn’t let up. You and Jon are determined to find Dana. Maybe Brenna has been playing us all for fools, pretending to search for her sister. What if she didn’t want you and Jon to find her? What if Brenna was the one who sold Dana to the Scarlett Group? It’s obvious from what happened this morning in Murfreesboro that you and Jon are making the Scarlett Group uncomfortable. Maybe Brenna asked Grace to slip the drug into your soft drink. You’re lucky they didn’t shoot you when you were unconscious.”
Soft drink. Eli twisted and turned those words in his mind. Yes, a Coke. Grace gave him a Coke. Satisfaction swirled in his gut. Grace gave Brenna one as well. But Dana’s so-called friend hadn’t drunk anything. “You’re wrong about Brenna.”
