by Wendy Davy
“Release my brother.” Santiago waved the gun.
Gage forced his fingers to relax and rolled off of Rafael. Although his leg felt as if it had been shattered again, he’d been in worse situations. But, never with a woman standing between him and a bullet.
And, she’d yet to move out of the way.
“Let her go,” Gage rasped. “She’s no threat to you, or Mercado. She didn’t witness anything.”
Santiago curled up his lips into a wry grin. “That’s not my problem.”
Rafael rose to his knees, blood tricking from his nose. He fisted his hand, and Gage prepared for the blow he knew would come.
Rafael’s fist connected with Gage’s jaw, and pain radiated through his head.
“No!” Cara shrieked.
“Don’t move.” Santiago had his gaze, and the gun trained on her.
Otherwise, Gage would’ve returned Rafael’s blow, with interest. Instead, he slowly climbed to his feet. He could no longer rest his weight on his left leg, and he used the wall for support.
Cara’s tearful gaze met his, and his heart shifted. He had to protect her, at all costs.
Father, I know my life was spared for a reason, let me at least keep Cara alive.
He steadied himself the best he could and glanced at the two men. He’d spent enough time in Mercado’s compound to know how little Mercado thought of his nephews. Perhaps he could use that to his advantage.
“It’s been a long time.” Gage focused on Santiago as he eased toward Cara. “How has Alejandro been treating you?”
Santiago’s gaze darkened. “That’s none of your concern.”
“You do realize he plans to hand his business over to his son one day. There will be nothing left for you and Rafael. Your father taught Alejandro everything. How is it fair you will have nothing in the end?”
“Is that true, Santiago?” Rafael sputtered as he swiped a hand across his nose. “Alejandro promised.”
“His promises mean nothing.” Gage interrupted as he inched closer.
“Shut up, McKenna.” Santiago’s eyes narrowed, his lips turning into hard, thin lines.
Rafael stood, his brows drawn together. “What about the trust Papa left to us?”
“Mercado used it to impress the Serrano cartel,” Gage continued. “The money is gone.”
“Enough!” Santiago’s hand shook as he took aim at Cara’s chest, his finger wrapping around the trigger.
Gage’s stomach dropped—instead of buying them time, he’d pushed Santiago too far. Acting on pure instinct, he lunged toward Cara, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and spun, shielding her body with his.
The sound of gunfire blasted through the small apartment, and Gage dove for the floor, bringing Cara down beneath him. The bullet ricocheted off the wall; drywall and chipped paint rained down on them. He spotted his gun, lying a few feet inside Cara’s bedroom. But, he couldn’t reach it without leaving Cara exposed. Unwilling to take the chance, he closed his eyes and braced for the next bullet’s impact.
“Wait! You might hit the woman.” Rafael shouted. “I wanted some time with her first, just like we planned.”
“Plan’s change.” Santiago’s voice had taken on an odd, hollow quality as if his soul had blackened as deep and dark as his eyes.
Gage shifted his weight and looked over his shoulder. Rafael stood close enough to reach. Ignoring the pain in his leg, he lifted his foot and shoved his boot into Rafael’s shin.
Rafael lost his balance and fell just as another bullet exploded from the barrel.
20
Cara feared the worst as Gage jerked and then more weight pressed down on her back. “Gage?” Unbidden tears fell from her eyes, soaking into the carpet. She attempted to press up, but couldn’t move. “Gage!”
“Stay down.” He whispered in her ear.
Relief flooded through her—at least he was still alive.
“Rafael…no!” Santiago’s stricken voice shook. “What have you done, McKenna?”
Siren’s sounded in the distance, and Cara assumed a neighbor had called 911 upon hearing the gunshots. She dared look behind her. Rafael lay in a heap, half on top of Gage, his eyes wide open and lifeless.
Cara sucked in a stunned breath.
“Don’t look.” Gage urged.
But, it was too late. The image was burned into her memory.
Santiago stood as if paralyzed, his gaze darting between his deceased brother and the gun he’d fired.
Gage shoved off the body, scrambled to his feet and kicked the weapon out of Santiago’s hand.
Santiago blinked, and then as if snapping out of his shock, he let out a low, guttural sound. He stepped forward and rammed his foot into Gage’s injured leg.
Gage let out a howl of pain and crumpled to the floor.
Cara crawled on her knees toward the gun, but Santiago had already backed away toward the door as the sounds of police vehicles grew closer.
“You’ll pay for this.” Santiago gave one last fleeting glance toward Rafael and then disappeared.
Cara planted herself in Gage’s arms, sobs wracking her body.
“Are you all right?” Gage worked to catch his breath.
“I think so.” She managed to utter through tears. Her ribs ached from impact with the floor, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was they both made it through this alive.
Moments later, police officers filed in the door, weapons drawn.
Gage held up his hands. “I’m Special Agent Gage McKenna. DEA.” He presented his ID, and with it came a healthy amount of respect from the responding officers. Within ten minutes, no less than a dozen of Baltimore’s finest filled Cara’s modest living room, including a few detectives and three more federal agents.
Medics arrived. Questions were asked. Meanwhile, Cara stayed wrapped in Gage’s embrace, unwilling to let him go as her body continued to shake.
“You should go to the hospital and get checked out.” Gage urged her as he wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. “I landed hard on top of you.”
“I’m just a little sore and possibly bruised. You’re the one who should get some X-rays taken of your leg.” She took a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves.
Gage straightened his knee, as if testing the extent of damage. “I’m all right. I know what it feels like to have broken bones. Santiago’s kick hurt, but I’m still in one piece.”
The medics gave him pain medication, and within a half hour, his normal tanned pallor returned.
By some providence, or maybe the fact Gage was a federal agent, they avoided being hauled into the police station. But the questions came, over and over again. Different angles, different detectives, all blurring together in one unending scenario. Several times the detectives attempted to separate Cara from Gage, but Gage refused to allow it. He was there, warm and protective, remaining by her side throughout it all.
By the time they were finished, exhaustion weighed heavy on Cara’s shoulders, and that horrible image of Rafael emerged in her memory. She glanced to where his body had been, and shuttered. “Did they find Santiago? He blames you for Rafael’s death.”
Gage wrapped an arm around her waist as he guided her outside and toward his truck. “They’ll find Santiago soon enough. He couldn’t have gotten far.” He stepped off the curb, using his cane for extra support.
“Wait. My passport.” Cara backed up a step, pulling from his grasp.
Gage held up a hand. “We can’t take anything from the apartment until CSI gives the go ahead.”
“But I need my passport.” Throughout all the commotion, Jonas’s status remained a constant worry. “We have to get to my brother.”
“Not tonight. We’ve missed our flight.”
“But if Santiago contacts Mercado, he’ll know Rafael is dead. What if Mercado takes out his revenge on Jonas?”
Gage smoothed a palm down Cara’s arm, and dipped his head. “There’s nothing we can do right now.”
Cara needed reassu
rance, and doing nothing was out of the question. “Yes there is. We can pray.”
“Of course. You’re right.” Gage drew in a breath and grasped her hands before closing his eyes. “Father, please protect Jonas as he faces Mercado. This situation seems impossible but we know all things are possible through You. You saw me through my trials. You kept me alive. Now it’s Jonas’s turn to get through this. Please—”
The satellite phone chimed, and Gage released Cara’s hands. “I’d better see who this is.” He checked the caller ID, and then slowly met her gaze. “It’s from Jonas’s phone.”
Cara’s knees weakened, and her throat dried. “Oh, Lord. Is it too late?”
Don’t be afraid.
The subtle, quiet words entered her heart, and calmed her anxiety. Whether God had seen fit to speak to her personally, or whether it was one of those twin connections she’d had the rare occasion to feel, somehow she knew Jonas’s heart was still beating. She could feel it, sense it in her soul.
Gage hesitated answering the call, and Cara placed a hand on his, hoping to ease the fear building beneath his vivid blue irises. “He’s alive.”
****
Gage answered the call, praying Cara was right. “McKenna.”
“I’ve made it out of the compound.” Jonas’s voice sounded strained.
Gage let out a deep breath. “Thank God.” After coming so close to losing Cara, he needed some good news. After all, it was his fault she’d had a gun pointed at her.
Tears glistened in Cara’s eyes. “Is it Jonas?”
He nodded. “And you talk about me having a sixth sense.” He mouthed the words to Cara, and then spoke into the phone. “How did you escape?”
“I don’t have time to explain. We have to get moving, fast.” Jonas rushed through his words.
“We?” Gage gripped the phone tight, and met Cara’s questioning gaze. “Were you able to get Eve and Carlos out too?”
“Yes, just barely. We’re on our way to Cedar Island.”
Gage took in the information, assessing and gauging the best course of action. He didn’t mind that Jonas’s plan was to come to the island, in fact, he preferred it. With the two of them there, they could work as a team to protect Cara, Eve, and Carlos.
“We’re not on the Eastern Shore right now.” Gage braced for Jonas’s reaction.
“Why not? I asked you to keep Cara there.”
Scrubbing a hand down his face, Gage admitted, “We were on our way to Columbia.”
The string of curses littering the airwaves would’ve turned Cara three shades of red if she could hear them. Gage didn’t care much for it either, but he couldn’t exactly blame Jonas for his reaction. Leaving the Shore had been a risky move that had nearly gotten Cara killed. An apology seemed too little too late, so he didn’t even go there.
“You can take it out on me when you get to the house,” Gage promised. “For now, Cara and I have a long drive ahead of us.” He glanced at her. Dark circles under her eyes showed her fatigue. He resisted the urge to pull her into his arms. Instead, he helped her into the awaiting truck and then climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Where exactly are you?”
Gage cringed. “At her apartment. Yeah, I know. It was a bad idea.” How had it ever sounded like a good plan? He glanced at Cara, and the reason he’d given in to her came rushing back. She’d pleaded with those fancy blue eyes of hers, and he’d caved.
“There’s something else you should know.” Gage plowed forward; might as well put it all on the line. “Santiago and Rafael were waiting for us at the apartment. Rafael is dead. Santiago escaped.”
Silence came from Jonas’s end, which was somehow worse than the cursing.
“Cara is safe,” Gage added.
“Let me talk to her.”
Gage handed over the phone, started up the truck and shifted into reverse. He gave one last glance toward the apartment and the crime scene tape crossing the doorway. Cara should’ve never had to go through that terror. And he had no one to blame but himself.
When Santiago had pointed that gun at her… Gage shivered, unwilling to explore the thought further. He would not, could not go there.
Cara’s warm hand pressed into his. “I’m all right.”
He spared a glance sideways, and met her gaze. “I thought you were talking to Jonas?”
“I was but he had to go. You must’ve zoned out.” Her gentle smile twisted his insides, but in a good, soothing way.
“Guess I did.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry all this happened.”
“Don’t blame yourself. I would’ve gone home to pick up my passport, with or without you. I’m glad you were there. You saved my life.”
Gage scoffed. “I shouldn’t have let you leave the island in the first place.”
“I make decisions for myself. Besides, I think Santiago and Rafael have some part to blame in all this.”
He took the ramp leading to the interstate, which would eventually lead them back to Route 13. “I blame Mercado, too.”
“That makes both of us. Now that we’ve gotten that settled…” She slipped her hand from his, shifted against the passenger side door, and curled her feet up under her. A yawn escaped her lips as she closed her eyes. Before long, her slow, even breathing indicated she’d fallen asleep.
Gage wished she had leaned in the opposite direction and used his thigh as a pillow. But then again, that might not be such a good idea. She was innocent, after all. How she’d made it to twenty-seven and remained a virgin boggled his mind. But at the same time, he respected her for it.
Finding a woman like her was one in a million. No. Gage corrected himself. Cara was one of a kind, and he envied the man who would become her one and only. Sometime over the past few days, he’d begun to think of her as not only his responsibility, but as his. The idea of any other man becoming her husband was…unthinkable. He wanted her for himself. To have. To hold. Forever.
But, what did he have to offer? For months, he’d led a reclusive lifestyle, and he had no idea how long that would last. Perhaps, for the rest of his life. Cara deserved a better future than he could provide. When the time came to let her go, he’d just have to find a way to cope.
21
“We’re home.” Gage gently stroked her cheek, and Cara leaned into the sensation of warmth and security as she slowly woke.
“What time is it?” She shifted, and stretched stiff muscles.
“It’s after two in the morning.” Gage’s voice sounded raw with fatigue.
Green numbers glowed on the dashboard’s clock, confirming the time. Guilt prodded her. “I should’ve helped you drive. How’s your leg?” She blinked, but her eyes refused to remain open.
“Better.”
“Mmm. That’s good.” With the truck’s engine turned off, the warmth in the cab slowly dissipated. She scooted over and snuggled against him.
“Sorry, but we’re going to have a cold boat ride to the house.” He rubbed her arm as if preparing her. “The temperature’s dropped into the forties.”
Cara groaned. “I don’t want to move. Let’s just sleep here tonight.” She tucked her face into his neck. His scent, all male with a hint of spice, surrounded her. She inhaled. “You smell good.”
“Cara.” He breathed her name on a sigh. “It’s not safe.”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere. There’s nobody around. I don’t think Santiago followed us.”
“That’s not what I’m referring to.” His voice deepened, taking on a gravelly edge. “Think about what you’re asking me to do.”
“What do you mean?” Then it dawned on her. She’d just asked Gage to sleep with her in a parked truck. Her cheeks flushed hot and she inched away. “I didn’t mean that kind of sleep.”
“I know you didn’t.” A nearby lamppost illuminated his taught features. “But, we both know where this attraction we have for each other could lead. I’m exhausted and more prone to give in to temptation. I figure you might be, too
. That’s why I’m going to take you to the house, and get you settled in upstairs. Alone.”
Gage exited the truck and loaded their gear into the boat, leaving Cara with her spinning thoughts. He was right. She might have allowed things to happen, even instigated something she wasn’t prepared to finish.
Gage’s regard for her and his self-control more than impressed her. It carved out another notch in her heart that only he could fill.
Lord, I’m falling for him. But, does he have a place in his life for me?
Gage waved at Cara, signaling he was ready for her. She braced herself for the cold and climbed out, locking the truck behind her. Careful not to slip on the narrow wooden planks, she walked the length of the pier. When she arrived at the boat, Gage stood below, looking much like he had the first time they’d met. His face was cast in shadows, and he had a hood covering his head.
She turned around and stepped down to the first ladder rung. He gripped her waist, and she released her hold on the pier, confident he’d bring her to safety. He pulled her close, and she slid down the length of him, completely at ease. They settled into the seats, side by side. Cara snuggled against him, not only for warmth, but because she liked being close to him.
He started the engine and pressed the throttle. Again, as he had the first night, he sped through the winding creek as if he had night vision.
“I still don’t understand how you know where you’re going with all these twists and turns.” She called over the engine’s sounds.
“It’s not that hard. The trick is to keep to the north side. The southern parts of the creek end up in a dead end.”
Cara nodded and relaxed, enjoying the hum of the motor, the sounds of the water rushing past, and the husky scents of earth and wetlands. Before long, Gage slowed the motor.
“Are we there already?” She didn’t see the house yet. Except for dim light from a crescent moon and a sprinkling of stars, darkness claimed the area.
“Not yet.” Gage’s tone sounded crisp against the stillness of the night.
