Last Chance

by Christy Reece

  She sensed he was about to argue, but all he said was “Fine” and continued walking.

  “Lucas!”

  He turned once more to look at her. McKenna swallowed past a mountainous lump of emotions in her throat. “For what it’s worth, thank you for giving me the best days of my life.”

  He stared at her for the longest time. She didn’t know what she wanted him to say. Whatever he said wouldn’t change what she had to do. Finally he said solemnly, “Thank you, McKenna, for sharing them with me.” He then continued toward his bedroom.

  As she watched him disappear from view, she told herself it was better this way. No anger, no recriminations, no tears. Wiping at her damp face, she shrugged. Oh well, two out of three wasn’t bad.

  fifteen

  Duffel bag in hand, McKenna stood in the foyer. She’d left the clothes Lucas had bought her in the closet. Though she would need stylish clothes for her new assignment, she couldn’t make herself wear the things Lucas had given her when she faced Damon. She refused to taint them with the stench of that bastard. She would buy clothes before she contacted him.

  “I see that you’re ready to go.”

  Whirling around, she faced Lucas. He was several feet away, in the shadows, so she couldn’t see him as clearly as she wanted…as clearly as she needed. Why couldn’t he be in the bright light so her last glimpse of him could be something to remember?

  She wanted to go to him, see him, touch him, taste him one last time. Her toes curled into her shoes and she forced her entire body to freeze. If she went to him, touched him again, she wouldn’t leave. She might be tempted to tell him things. Things that could get him killed. She’d die before she let anything happen to Lucas. She’d lost too much already.

  “Will you be back?”

  “No.”

  “So this is goodbye forever.”

  Gripping the handle of her bag so tight she almost drew blood, she whispered, “Yes.”

  He continued to just look at her, not saying anything, just looking. Why didn’t he move closer? Even as she wanted him closer, she needed him to stay at a distance. She wanted to remember him as she’d seen him this morning, when he’d woken her with a soft kiss and made slow, delicious love to her.

  Since she was the one leaving, it only made sense that she head toward the door. Legs stiff with the desire to walk in the opposite direction, she turned and made herself move forward.

  “McKenna.”

  She stopped. If she turned…no, she couldn’t. Facing the door, she asked huskily, “Yes?”

  “I know you think you have to leave. I’m not sure why now, and I won’t ask. But no matter what happens in the future, you’ll always be welcome here.”

  Tears came before she could stop them. Leaning her forehead against the door, she drew in a breath and said, “You’re the finest man I’ve ever known, Lucas Kane.” Before she could say anything more, she opened the door and ran.

  “Damn, that was intense.”

  His chest so tight he could barely breathe, he turned to Jared, who stood at the entrance of the library. He raised a brow at the man’s rudeness. “I believe I asked for privacy.”

  Jared grinned. “See, that’s where you made the mistake.” When Lucas didn’t respond, Jared sighed. “Why the hell did you let her leave?”

  “Because she thinks she has no choice. I intend to see that she has choices. What do you have?”

  “Come into the library. I have it all laid out. With what Phelps has uncovered for you also, I think we’re going to be able to pinpoint the bastard rather easily.”

  Lucas forced himself to follow Jared, though every part of his gut was telling him to go after McKenna and tell her he’d slay every dragon and demon that even looked at her cross-eyed. She wouldn’t let him. Her independence was one of the things he admired most about her. It was also one of the things that infuriated him the most. Dammit, he had the wherewithal to take out the bastard.

  Again he questioned whether he should have told her about his past. Would that have made a difference? His gut told him no. McKenna was bent on protecting those she cared for. She wouldn’t want him going after Damon, whether she knew about his background or not. Therefore, he had no choice but to remove Damon and then tell her. He refused to consider the betrayal she might feel. Better she feel betrayed than someday end up in the bastard’s clutches again.

  Lucas dropped into a chair and faced his friend. “Tell me.”

  Deadly serious now, Jared sat across from him and told him what he knew about Damon Hughes. “He’s about as bad as they come. Drugs and gambling are his mainstay.”

  “First, explain to me how the bastard escaped from prison and somehow everyone believes he’s dead.”

  “I don’t have names, only off-the-record suppositions, but they sound feasible.” Jared pulled several pages from a folder. “Here are statements, all unofficial, by prison guards, an administrator, the jail warden, and two doctors. They won’t testify in court and will deny everything if approached by any person in law enforcement, but they all indicated that Hughes had some influential friends before he went into prison, and made even more while he was there. Powerful friends. When the riot broke out, some prisoners escaped. It was reported that they were all apprehended. Several prisoners were killed in the fire caused by the riot. Damon’s friends greased some hands and got him declared dead.”

  “That’s some damn powerful greasing.”

  “Mafia money can be quite slick.”

  “Mafia? In Nebraska?”

  “Hell, the Mafia’s got connections everywhere. Though apparently this was a cousin of a cousin. Still, it got him what he wanted. Freedom without anyone looking for him.”

  “So what did he do once he got out?”

  “What he promised to do. He went into business with the people who helped him. Unfortunately, he became more powerful, and they had a parting of the ways. A few people conveniently died. Hughes continued to gain more power and money. Eventually he killed off his enemies and became the big honcho.”

  “Do we know where he is?”

  “That’s the kicker. Probably in the southeastern United States, but that’s as close as we’ve been able to pinpoint.”

  “Why do we think the Southeast?”

  Jared grimaced. “Apparently he’s told more than one person that his fiancée loves the warm weather.”

  “And I’m assuming this fiancée is supposed to be McKenna?”

  “No one has seen her, but his story is they met when she was a teenager and he’s the love of her life. She plans to join him as soon as she graduates from law school.”

  If Lucas had a sense of humor left, he would have laughed. Seeing McKenna as an attorney would be interesting. She was so bluntly honest.

  “Anything else?”

  Leaning forward, Jared said, “He’s damn dangerous, Lucas.”

  “I’ve been acquainted with quite a few damn dangerous people.”

  “You’ve been out of the game for a while, mate. Just don’t go off half cocked because of what he’s done to your girlfriend. He’s going to be surrounded by the most conscienceless people around.”

  “For just one of the things he did to McKenna, he deserves to die. But he not only destroyed her life, he wiped out an entire family. And judging by the things you’ve learned, he’s still killing. The man needs to be stopped.”

  “Agreed. Just make sure you don’t go down with him.”

  Lucas nodded but didn’t reply. What could he say? He had no intention of dying, but if he did, it would be after Damon Hughes drew his last breath. That he could swear.

  There was something else eating at Jared. Knowing the man’s penchant for detail and follow-up, Lucas asked, “What’s Humphries done now?”

  “He’s gambling again. Using his son-in-law’s name and credit cards.”

  Shit. He didn’t need this now. “Can you get to his son-in-law without tipping him off?”

  “Probably.”

 
“Go to him, tell him what’s going on. If he wants to press charges, I’ll go along with it. However, if he thinks he can pull him in without informing the rest of the family, I’d like to try it.”

  “Bloody hell, Lucas. Why?”

  There were certain personal things few people knew about Phillip Kane. Lucas would never defile his father’s memory, but Jared deserved to know why he was so reluctant to punish Humphries. “After my mother died, my father went off the deep end. He had a drinking problem not many people knew about. Humphries was one of his closest friends. Every time my father ended up in a ditch, Humphries was the one he would call. My dad finally cleaned himself up. Exchanged his love for alcohol for an obsession for beautiful women, but he never forgot what Humphries did for him. And neither can I.”

  His expression grim, Jared nodded. “I’ll talk to the son-in-law.”

  “Good.”

  “Have you made a decision about the photographs Phelps showed you?”

  “I had hoped to find the bastard before now. Since we still have no real idea where he is, I don’t have a choice but to proceed with the lure.”

  Jared stared hard at him for several seconds, then sighed and said, “When are you going to start the game?”

  “Tomorrow. Phelps will release the gag on the tabloid, with the understanding they get to run the photo first. Then it’ll go viral. All major newspapers will run it the next day, with a small, tantalizing story regarding my new love interest. I’ll go to the States, make myself open and available. Hopefully by this time next week, Mr. Hughes and I will become acquainted.”

  “Have you considered the man might just kill you outright, no questions asked?”

  Lucas shrugged. He had considered it. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

  “When I told you that you needed to stop playing around and settle down, I had hoped you’d fall for a nice, calm English girl. Not a wild child from Nebraska.”

  “My feelings for McKenna don’t even enter into this. Damon Hughes is the kind of man we used to fight against. Even if I didn’t know McKenna personally, I’d still go after the man.”

  “Just be damned sure you stay alive.” Jared’s smile was one of grim humor. “The Millington Award is just a few weeks away. I’d hate to have to accept for you posthumously.”

  Paris

  Running on determination, nerves, and a gallon of caffeine, McKenna entered Noah’s office. Yesterday he’d only given her the bare facts of Jamie Kendrick’s disappearance. Today she hoped to learn more. With LCR’s assistance, she would rescue the woman. Noah undoubtedly already had a scenario planned, but McKenna had her own ideas. She only hoped Noah would go along with them.

  Noah stood as she entered the room. “You’re looking well, McKenna.”

  She nodded. “I’m one hundred percent again.”

  “Good.” He gestured to the small conference table. “We’re ready to get started. I’m assigning Dylan as your backup, with an assist from Aidan Thorne. I’ve asked Samara to sit in with us, too.”

  McKenna spared a small smile for Dylan and a larger one for Samara. Since she’d never worked with Aidan before and had only met him once, she gave him a nod and seated herself at the table.

  “Okay, here’s what we know. Jamie Kendrick disappeared weeks ago. No one reported her missing because she was new in town. The part-time jobs she had were the kind that people often quit without giving notice. Her apartment rent was paid through the end of the month. Mail was stopped at the post office. Someone stuck a postcard in a mail slot asking that the mail be held. Since she knew so few people, it was assumed she had just left town.”

  “What about her apartment? Anything left behind?” Dylan asked.

  “No. Whoever took her wanted it to look like she’d moved. Nothing, not even a dish, spoon, or square of toilet paper, was left. The apartment was a furnished rental. So it looked as though she had just moved out.”

  “And the reason she’s considered a missing person now is that she failed to show up for a court date?” McKenna said.

  Noah nodded. “Her ex-husband had been charged with abuse. Bastard is in jail, so they know he didn’t take her. They think he might have hired someone. From the sound of it, he’s pretty torn up.”

  Aidan snorted. “Yeah, sounds like a real prince of a guy.”

  “Point is, police are treating it as a missing-person case now, but they’re still looking at the obvious, which is that her ex-husband had someone abduct her to keep her from testifying.”

  McKenna shook her head. “That’s because no one knows she looks identical to a woman being stalked by a maniac.”

  “I’ve talked to one of our FBI contacts, Honor Stone. She knows the special agent in charge of the investigation.” He met each person’s gaze, then his eyes settled on McKenna. “You remember her? She worked on Keeley Fairchild’s missing children case.”

  “Keeley Mathison now,” Samara added.

  He smiled at his wife, then looked back at McKenna. “I told Honor our theory. She’s checked Hughes out and the story of his death still stands. Whoever helped the man disappear knew what they were doing.”

  McKenna shrugged. No big surprise there. Why wouldn’t they believe prison officials instead of one helpless, seemingly drugged-out teenager? Especially when it had been so expedient.

  Noah leaned forward to lock gazes with her. “We all agree that there’s an amazing resemblance between you and Jamie Kendrick. And the fact that she’s mysteriously disappeared is suspect, but it could all still be a coincidence. Are you sure you want to risk it?”

  A long sigh escaped. “My gut tells me he has her. And since we’re the only ones who even know he’s alive, no one will be looking in his direction. He can dispose of her, sell her…whatever he wants to do with her.”

  McKenna refused to acknowledge the ice-cold fear that raced through her veins as she remembered some of Damon’s favorite punishments. This wasn’t about her any longer. This was about saving a woman whose only crime was the misfortune of looking like someone else.

  She took another breath and said, “But even if he doesn’t have her, I’m ready to confront him.”

  Noah and Samara exchanged a concerned look. “Confront him? How?”

  Knowing that she would see censure in their eyes didn’t stop her from looking around the room as she explained. Fear had kept the truth hidden for too long. “I know how to contact him.”

  “How’s that?” Noah asked.

  “When he left me that last message, telling me he killed my neighbor, he gave me a phone number. I know I should have gotten it over with, confronted him then. I was too scared…a coward.” She straightened her shoulders and set her jaw. “I’m not scared anymore.”

  Noah shook his head slowly. “There’s not a person at this table or in this world who would ever call you a coward, McKenna. You’ve endured things no one ever should have to experience. And you’ve saved a lot of lives, so don’t ever use that word again.”

  Since she continued to be scared, she couldn’t agree with Noah’s assessment. However, the words were a balm to the ragged edges of her mind where her conscience had chiseled condemnation.

  “Since you know where he is, I’m assuming you have a plan?”

  “Yes. I’m going to trade myself for Jamie.”

  Three men cursed simultaneously. Samara was the only one who didn’t seem surprised. “What happens if you can’t find her?” Samara asked.

  “I’ll stay until I find her. Once I do, I’ll get her to safety and then…” She took a breath and finished. “I’ll take Damon out.”

  “We don’t, as a rule, take people out,” Noah said.

  McKenna snorted softly. “I’ll be glad to try to make a citizen’s arrest, but I doubt he’s going to come quietly.”

  “You misunderstand. Damon Hughes dying would be no big loss. However, you’ve got two LCR operatives and me on standby, just waiting to help you.” Noah’s eyes narrowed as he stared into space for a mome
nt. Then he looked around the room. “Perhaps we could do this without an exchange.”

  “What do you mean?” McKenna asked. “He’s not going to give her up without getting me.”

  “We could trick him into giving her up, but before he got to you, we could get him.”

  McKenna was shaking her head before he finished his sentence. No way in hell was she putting LCR people at risk for something that she could have prevented. If something happened to one of them…horror twisted her gut. She couldn’t live with that on her conscience.

  “Don’t shake your head till you hear the plan, squirt.” Dylan’s lazy voice interrupted her thoughts.

  Her mouth was so frozen, she couldn’t even come up with the half smile his nickname usually caused. “I can’t allow—”

  “McKenna, you’re part of a group now. We work together to save others and we band together to help each other. Understand?”

  Emotion lumped in her throat unexpectedly. Damned if she would give in to the silly emotional tears that were pounding behind her eyes. For someone who’d been on her own for so long, having these people treat her like family was overwhelming. And then her conscience snarled a warning: Remember what happened to your last family because of you.

  Since everyone’s eyes, including Samara’s, were staring at her with the conviction of Noah’s words, McKenna didn’t bother to argue. If it came down to it, she would protect these people in any way she could. Telling them this wouldn’t help.

  Since she hadn’t spoken, Noah apparently believed he had her agreement. “Once we have Jamie safely in our sights, you back away and we’ll do what needs to be done. If we can take Hughes peacefully, we will. I think we can ensure that the next prison he’s taken to will hold him.”

  She didn’t know how she felt about that. For so long she had dreamed about killing Damon. Of course, that was always once she got up the courage to actually confront him. But now that she would soon confront him, how would she feel if the man didn’t die? She needed to think on that a little more.