by Lori Foster
The late June sun dawned bright, breaking the lingering shadows of the hot night, forcing Zane to shield his eyes. “Think about it while you’re on this trip.” He glanced over at Luna, who busied herself by slipping on her dark sunglasses. “You might find marital bliss agrees with you.”
Joe grinned and put an arm around Zane while they headed to the passenger’s side of the truck. The hold looked friendly, when in truth Joe needed his cousin’s support. He leaned heavily on Zane, making him scowl. “Why is it,” Joe asked, “that every guy who ties the knot wants to see that same noose wrapped around other male throats?”
“Wisdom?”
“This is funny coming from a man who shared my sentiments not that long ago.”
Zane shrugged. “Till I met the right woman. Just wait. When you meet the right one, you’ll feel the same.”
Joe considered them all right in one way or another. Not that he’d say so now with Luna surreptitiously listening in. She didn’t respond to Zane’s comments, but Joe saw the color rise in her face. Anger or embarrassment? Didn’t matter to him. Either way, he found her adorable.
Over the roof of his truck, he said, “You sure you’re okay driving the whole way?”
Joe couldn’t see her eyes through her sunglasses, but he could hear the bite in her tone. “Would you ask me that if I were a guy?”
“Uh … no. But, Luna, you’re not a guy.”
“Just shut up, Joe.” She opened her door and climbed up into the truck, sliding in behind the wheel. Joe laughed. Definitely anger.
To Zane, he said, “She’s pretty damn entertaining, isn’t she?”
“In rare moments.” The engine kicked over with a rumble, giving Zane an opportunity to speak confidentially. “Bluster aside, you sure you’re up to this?”
“Baby-sitting a couple of kids? Yeah, sure.”
“It’s not that easy, you know. From what I understand, you’re walking into a passel of trouble with half the town in an uproar.”
“No shit?” Had Luna misled him? Did it matter? Hearing that the situation might be worse than he’d been told only made Joe more determined to be there for her, to protect her and help her. To maybe see a little action.
“If I’d known you were at war with this Bruno Caldwell guy,” Zane admitted, “I wouldn’t have recommended you to Luna.”
“Then I’m glad you didn’t know …” Joe stiffened, and his words trailed off with the familiar prickling of his senses. Muscles drawing tight in preparation of a threat, he scanned the area and immediately focused on a car parked across the street. Behind the wheel sat a large man. His blond hair was nearly hidden beneath a low cap, and sunglasses masked his face. He wasn’t looking at them now, but a hard stare was a tangible thing, and Joe had already felt it.
They were being watched.
Keeping the car and driver in sight and shushing Zane at the same time, Joe tried to decide how to proceed, but already the man began readjusting something in the seat beside him. He glanced up at Joe and put the car in gear.
“Goddammit …” Joe started toward the street in a trot, but he’d barely stepped off the curb before the car sped away, kicking up gravel and dust. Well-trained, Joe made note of the car model and memorized the license plate as the car went down the street.
Zane trotted up behind him. “What the hell’s going on?”
“I need a pen and paper.” Joe turned away and almost ran into Luna. He caught her upper arms to steady her, then said, “AM768U.”
“What?”
“Remember that.” He pushed past her and went to the truck to retrieve his cell phone. “Get a pen and paper for me, honey.” He dialed, and got an answer on the second ring. “Hey, it’s Joe. Yeah, run some plates for me, okay?”
Joe was aware of Zane and Luna standing by him, silent and watchful. He knew they were oblivious to the connections he’d made throughout his career of various jobs, but they were about to witness the advantages of knowing people.
“Ready?” Joe accepted the pen and slip of paper that Luna handed to him. As he spoke, he wrote the number down. “Gold Sebring convertible. Ohio plates. Amy-Mary-768-Unicorn. Yeah, you can call me back on my cell phone.” He recited his number, then hung up.
Luna clutched at his arm. “Joe? What is it?”
Joe tucked the paper into his pocket. “We were being watched.”
“You’re sure?” She looked around with new awareness and irritation.
Joe wanted to curse himself. Alarming her had never been his intent, but at the same time, he knew he’d do whatever was necessary to keep her safe, and it wouldn’t hurt for her to be on guard. “No, but I don’t believe in coincidence.”
“Was it that damn Bruno Caldwell again?”
She looked ready to do bodily harm on his behalf. Joe shook his head. “I couldn’t see the guy well, but he appeared younger, with longish dark blond hair almost touching his shoulders. Bruno is mostly bald and very dark.”
She twisted her mouth in thought. Joe wondered if she even knew she still held on to him. “Should we call the police?”
Slipping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her protectively close to his body, Joe asked, “And tell them what? That some bastard was watching us from across the street? There’s no law against that.” He urged Luna back to the truck and behind the wheel. The sooner they got out of town, the better. “No, I’d rather do this my way.”
Zane tightened his mouth. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means I trust myself and my own capabilities more than anyone else.”
“I don’t like this.” Zane crossed his arms over his chest. At six-two, he stood an inch shorter than Joe and was a good forty pounds lighter, but at the moment he managed to look big enough. He nodded to Joe’s hand. “You intend to use that on him if you catch him?”
Startled, Joe saw that he had retrieved his balisong knife without even realizing it. He was twitchy enough with the situation to flip it open and shut, open and shut. The blade was long and lethally sharp, and when he held it, it became an extension of his arm. Balisong knives weren’t meant for throwing, but when Joe locked it open, he could propel it with deadly accuracy. He was so used to the knife he could open it faster than a switchblade.
When the intruder had come into his apartment earlier, he’d deliberately left the knife behind. His night vision was better than good, but with Luna on the couch, or maybe lurking around, he hadn’t wanted to take any chances that she’d get sliced by accident.
Joe flipped the knife shut and tucked it away. “Yeah, I’ll use it if I need to.” At that moment, he met Luna’s gaze and saw her apprehension. He turned away from her and muttered low to Zane, “Damn it, you’re scaring Luna. Quit worrying and just close the place up tight for me, okay?”
“Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Curling his lip, Joe said, “Yes, Mother.” Being coddled by his cousin was a most discomfitting happenstance. “By the way, I contacted Alyx. She should be here soon to lend you a hand. She knows what things are mine, and what came with the apartment. Make damn sure she’s never left alone, though, okay? You know how she is. If she sees anyone spying on the place, she’s liable to go right up to them and demand they turn themselves over to the law.”
Zane grinned despite his bad mood. “She’s still fearless, huh?”
“Fearless and flippant and brassy as hell.” Joe didn’t like to consider all the ways his sister’s personality mirrored his own. He’d been a very bad influence on her. “I swear she’ll never marry because she scares all the guys half to death.”
“She’s a little like Luna in that respect.”
Lowering his voice even more, Joe said, “Yeah, well, Luna doesn’t scare me. I can handle her.”
“Spoken like a man blinded with lust. You know you’re going to eventually eat those words, right?” Zane shook his head and laughed. “God, I just hope I’m around to see it.”
“Don’t hold your breath, okay?” He g
ave Zane a light shove to get him back on track. “After you pack up the rest of my stuff, turn the keys over to the landlord and split. I’m paid up a month in advance, but if there’s a problem with the lease, just let me know. Alyx can store my things. Got it?”
Luna stuck her head out the window. “Are we leaving sometime today, or do you two biddies plan to gossip all damn day?”
Just that easily, she lightened his mood. “Nag, nag, nag.” Joe startled his cousin by pulling him into a bear hug. His sore ribs protested, but it was worth it for Zane’s reaction. He walked away while Zane sputtered behind him. After sliding into the seat next to Luna, Joe buckled his seat belt and gave a weary groan. “Mind if I doze while you drive? I’m a little tuckered out from all the excitement.”
Just as Joe had intended, her anger evaporated. Funny how Luna had always hidden that wide nurturing streak of hers. He liked it. He liked her, and he had no qualms with her rush of concern. With most women, it had felt smothering, but with Luna, it just felt … nice.
She began fussing over him. “Do you need a pain pill? I have them in my purse. And here, I thought you might want a pillow, so I brought one with us.” She pushed it behind his head while Joe reclined his seat a little and stretched out his long legs. “Get comfortable and relax. I’ll wake you when I stop for gas, okay?”
Zane leaned into the car. “Quit spoiling him, Luna. He’s insufferable enough as it is.”
“I know,” she said with gentle sweetness, “but I’d hate to see even a snake suffer.”
Zane laughed while Joe pretended to be insulted, but in truth, he didn’t mind her quips. He knew Luna was struggling with things. Smarting off was her way of dealing with the strength of her attraction to him. He wasn’t blind. He knew she felt the chemistry almost as much as he did.
The little lady wanted him, but it scared her. He scared her. And for a woman like Luna, fear was unacceptable.
He’d ease her into things, Joe decided. That is, if he could keep himself in check. It wouldn’t be easy if she kept being so grumpy and teasing and sexy. He leaned back and closed his eyes. “Say goodbye, Zane.”
“Goodbye. And don’t forget to check in once you’re in North Carolina.”
“We’ll call,” Luna promised. “Thanks for everything, Zane.”
“No problem.” He stepped back. “Let us know if you need any help with the kids, okay?”
“I will.” She put the truck in gear.
“And, Joe? Watch your back.”
Joe saluted him, and Luna pulled away. To Joe’s surprise, he was sleepy. Maybe he would just rest his eyes for a little while. Luna was certainly capable of following the directions and getting them there safe and sound without his assistance.
Minutes later, Luna smiled over at Joe as he began to softly snore. His hands were over his hard abdomen, his fingers laced together. His head had slid off the pillow to slump against the door window, and the early morning sunshine glinted off the small gold hoop in his ear. His long, dark lashes softened his features, a sharp contrast to the beard shadow on his chiseled jaw and the slight kink to his once-broken nose.
Even mountains had moments of weakness, it seemed. She sighed.
Why, oh, why did that have to make him more appealing?
Given the simple clothes and shoddy residence, he’d assumed Joe Winston was broke. That assumption had to be reassessed when the expensive black muscle truck drove past the alley where he’d set up. Joe Winston was either truck poor or selective in where he spent his money. And with Joe’s reputation, he’d bet it was the latter. The man didn’t strike him as a fool.
With a covert attention to detail, he watched the flashy truck pass. He’d already turned off the “big ear” and removed the headphones. Good thing, too, or the rumbling of that powerful engine would have deafened him. The eavesdropping device was set to click off at any loud noise, but sometimes it wasn’t quick enough to keep him from having his brain rattled.
When he’d first bought the “big ear,” it had taken him a while to figure out how to use it effectively. From a distance, it picked up the slightest whisper. But it also picked up everything else, making it difficult to use in congested areas. Luck was with him this morning, because Winston had decided to slip away with the dawn. There’d been some disruption with the waking birds, but he’d heard what he needed to hear.
So, Winston was aware of Bruno. He supposed that wasn’t really a big surprise. Winston couldn’t have lived so long by being an idiot. The fact that Joe knew might complicate his job, but he wouldn’t let it get in his way.
Not this time.
Now that the area was clear, he stepped out of the car and went to the front to remove the phony plates and replace them with the originals. He did the same at the back of the car, then tucked both fake plates into his satchel, along with the “big ear” and an assortment of other tools. For this mission, he’d packed a stun baton that delivered five hundred thousand volts of discouragement to assailants, night-vision goggles, a supply of nonlethal ammunition and the general assortment of hand and foot restraints, both steel and nylon.
He paused for only a moment. There’d been some mention of kids. That made his stomach feel a little icy and caused him a few cramps. His conscience was so old and rusty, he sometimes doubted its existence, but he wasn’t so hardened that he could discount the possible threat to kids. Hell, he didn’t want any innocents caught in the crossfire, but definitely not kids.
He pressed a fist to his guts and told himself he’d just have to trust Winston to keep them out of it. He had more important issues to concentrate on, like the fact that Winston had claimed his destination. North Carolina. He glanced at his watch. Yep, he’d have to haul ass to catch up.
He left the Sebring in the alley, assuming the cops would locate it soon enough and return it to its rightful owner. If he found a minute or two, why, he’d even give them an anonymous tip. But not yet.
Before setting up this morning, he’d parked his well-used and nondescript brown sedan only a few yards away. The car was part of his necessary equipment. With a thick metal mesh screen securely fastened between the front and back seat, it served as an adequate cage for transporting captives. There were no door handles on the inside, no way to escape. Once he locked someone in back, they’d stay there until he released them. He’d be willing to bet Winston had once owned a similar vehicle.
Satisfied that all was in order, he stowed everything in the trunk, including the stupid cap he’d worn, then headed out of town. He got on 75 South, the same route he knew Winston and the woman would take. He left the window down so the humid air could keep him alert. His blond hair blew in his face, reminding him that he needed a haircut. He’d take care of that—after he took care of business.
Within twenty minutes, he caught up to the truck. They were in the slow lane thanks to towing a red Contour, and for the same reason, they were highly visible. Nice of them to make his job easier.
By all accounts, Winston was a sharp son of a bitch. But so far, he’d made one mistake after another—starting with being caught off guard several nights ago.
Unfortunately, that bitch Amelia had shown up, squawking and carrying on in a conspicuous show of concern for Winston’s wellbeing, before he could make his move. Because of her, he hadn’t had a chance to do his job then. But he wouldn’t let another opportunity pass him by.
It didn’t matter how good Joe Winston might be.
He figured he was better.
“Where the hell is this place? We’ve been driving for hours.”
Luna took a fortifying breath. Joe was obviously tired, uncomfortable and cranky. She felt for him, she really did, but he should try it from her position. She was fed up with his attitude, her back and neck were sore from eight hours of driving, and she wanted food. Not fast food with its greasy smell and heavy taste, but real food. Even peanut butter and jelly would do, but no way in hell could she choke down another drive-through hamburger. Ugh.
&nbs
p; “Not much farther,” she said through her teeth, when she really had no idea. She’d called Patricia hours ago, once she was sure it was late enough for everyone to be up. Patricia would be watching for her, but with all the stops Joe had insisted on making, she’d have to wait longer than expected. “The directions say we keep going southeast until we hit Welcome County.”
Joe pulled his gaze away from the passenger door side mirror. “Welcome County?”
“I know. Neat name, huh?” For most of the day Joe had either slept or eaten, which gave Luna little enough time to tell him about their destination. The man had an unbelievable appetite. He claimed to be making up for the days he hadn’t eaten, so Luna had tried not to complain about stopping—again and again—at a variety of restaurants. She’d eaten a little herself, but she wasn’t big on fast food.
“I’ve been there,” Joe told her. “Back when I was still a bounty hunter. I happened into a situation where I busted a couple of guys rather than just the one I’d been tracking. The other guy had an outstanding warrant, so I contacted the officials in that area. They were more than a little relieved that I’d found him. The cop in charge told me that he’d made them all look like fools by evading arrest. When they came to get him, they thanked me and invited me down to visit. I needed a break, so I took them up on their offer.”
“And spent all your time drinking and accosting the local females?”
Joe laughed. “No, smart ass. Several women tried to accost me, but I mostly spent my time fishing and boating and just lazing around. It had taken me over six weeks to catch the guy I was after, so I’d earned a break.”
“You fish?”
Joe laughed. “I tell you a great story about how I nabbed the bad guys, and that’s all you notice? Yes, I fish. When I get a chance. Not that I’m an expert or anything, but I found it pretty relaxing.”
Pleased by his comments, Luna said, “Then you’ll love where we’re staying. The house is located on Quiet Lake. It’s a little over fourteen acres, and they own it.”
It was Joe’s turn to be surprised. “They own a lake?”
