Wild on You
Page 22
She turned to the others, who clearly had no idea what she was talking about. “That’s a disguise I keep with me if I’m investigating people who might recognize me.”
“That’ll work well,” Chase said. “But you have to promise me that you’ll stay put. Saxby will be your bodyguard while Risk goes undercover. Is that agreed?” He waited for her response.
“Absolutely.”
“No running off,” Risk said. “No taking matters into your own hands. You have to trust that we’ve got it under control.”
“I promise,” she told all of them.
Chase tapped his fingers on the tabletop as he seemed to assess her compliance. “Your father will have my ass if something happens to you. So if you find yourself tempted to jump into the action, and you can’t think about your own safety, think about mine.” He gave her a subtle smile before turning to the other two. “We have to consider that this is a setup. Are you ready for that?”
Risk nodded. “I’ll be armed with my hunting rifle and backups.”
Addie’s heart plunged. “But you’ll be walking right into it.”
“We’re just preparing ourselves for the possibility. Otherwise it should be a quick in-and-out operation. He’s going to show me the cub, and I’ll have second thoughts.” Risk made a distasteful face. “I can’t shoot a baby. What kind of guy am I? I’ll back out and leave.”
“What about picture proof?” Addie asked, not wanting to think about him being in their lair. “Do you dare bring a camera? If this is an illegal hunt, they’re not going to let you document it. That’s how a country singer got arrested for illegally killing a bear in Minnesota. Elrod isn’t going to take any chances.”
“I can get some pictures with my cell phone. But if not, I’m still a witness.”
Chase closed the laptop. “We have a plan. Sax, assume you’re being watched, which means no contact between you and Risk. If these guys pick up Risk, follow at a distance. So far we have nothing concrete tying this hunt to Live Shot. If something happens, you’ll be the link.”
Addie’s heart plummeted. “If something happens?” She looked at Risk. “And how can you not look the least bit worried?”
“If you knew some of the missions we ran, you’d understand that this is nothing I can’t handle.”
“That doesn’t make me any more comfortable. Sneaking in is a better option.”
“I’ll guarantee you that if Elrod took the cub, he’s waiting for you to come save it. There’ll be no sneaking up on him. We need to get the cub and make you safe. This is the only way to do that.”
Chase got to his feet. “All right. I’ll arrange for payment. You pack, and I’ll have Artemis take you to the airfield.” He met each of their gazes. “Good luck.”
Sax and Chase departed. Risk must have sensed that she wanted to say something to him alone because he stayed behind.
She let out an agitated breath as she neared him. “Don’t—”
“Do anything crazy. Is that what you were going to tell me?”
“Yes, and there you go, interrupting me again.”
“I will say the same to you. You listen to Sax the same way you’re supposed to listen to me.”
She put her hands on his chest. “Don’t take any chances. Please.”
He gave her a soft smile and covered her hands with his. “I will do my best to keep myself in one piece.” He drew his finger up beneath her chin, tilting her mouth closer to his and planting a tender kiss on her lips. “Then you’ll have to figure out what to do with me when we’re done.”
Her heartbeat hitched. “What … what do you mean?”
He slid his leg between hers and pulled her closer. “I’ve been chasing the thrill my whole life, because it was the only way I could feel.” He braced her face with his big hands. “And making love with you is definitely a thrill. But just holding you like this, laughing with you, waking up in the morning with you in my arms …” He shook his head. “It’s a feeling far beyond storming a compound or soaring off a cliff. Not just an in-the-moment thrill but a steady thrum. You did that to me. So now you’re going to have to deal with the consequences.”
Chapter 17
Buck, Georgia, was a small town, no doubt about it. Sax and Addie were several car lengths behind him. Risk didn’t like her being alone with Sax. It wasn’t that he was worried Sax would make a move on her; not after their little exchange in the men’s room at the airport.
“I like her sexy little costume,” Sax had said with a gleam Risk knew well.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you? I’ve never seen you this jacked up over a woman. We’ve had our friendly competitions, but that was more about ego. You care about this one.”
Risk finished washing his hands and flicked the water at Sax. “I care that you don’t put your moves on her and ding her heart.”
Sax flung his hands back at Risk. “Let me tell you why you have nothing to worry about, my friend. First of all, I can tell she means something to you, and I’d never put moves on a woman you care about. Second, and it pains me to admit this, she doesn’t give me a second look. I’ve even given her the Sax smile”—he demonstrated his ladykiller grin—“and nothing. I was just testing my theory, is all. And she proved it a thousandfold. ’Cause guess where those pretty blues went after they skipped over me? Yeah, you, buddy. So relax. I swear, you’re more worked up over me sitting in a car with your babe than going into enemy territory.”
Afterward, Sax had let it drop, thankfully. Addie had ridden with Risk until they reached the outer limits of Buck, where they stopped for a meal. Then she got into the car with Sax. No, Risk wasn’t worried about the two of them being together. He just wanted her with him.
He glanced at the map, spread open on the driver’s seat with Elrod’s property marked in highlighter. They were driving along the border, at least the parts where the road ran along the outer edge. A shiny new fence kept trespassers out. And if that didn’t deter the more monkey-minded, the TRESPASSERS WILL BE ELECTROCUTED signs sure would. Risk could see the wiring to back up the threat. There would be no sneaking onto the property.
Which also meant there would be no sneaking off it, if it came to that.
He went as far as he could go, turned around, and headed back to the inn. Calling it rustic would be doing it a favor. Sax and Addie continued down the road, but they would stay close.
The lobby, such as it was, looked no bigger than Risk’s room over at Chase’s. His boots clunked across the wood floor as he approached the desk.
A gangly guy looked up from his hunting magazine. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Saxby Cole. I’ve got a rez for tonight.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll need your driver’s license and credit card.” The guy slapped a piece of paper on the counter. “Fill out this here form.”
Risk produced Sax’s license and card. They looked close enough, if the guy didn’t scrutinize the picture. Risk now had blond hair and green eyes to match the descriptions. Once he processed Risk’s card, he handed both back. “There’s a bed tax and a county tax of fifteen percent each. You’ll have to get a hunting license. Go to Bedford’s Hunting Supplies for that, as well as anything else you might need.”
“Thirty percent in taxes? How much is the license?”
“Two hundred.”
Risk blinked. “Licenses are usually about ten dollars.”
The man’s expression remained placid. “The fees go to land enrichment, wildlife management, and road maintenance.”
Risk put his cards back in his wallet and bit back, And do they offer you a cigarette after screwing you? “Thanks for your assistance.”
“Your room’s two-twelve.” He handed Risk a key. Not even a key card but an old-fashioned metal key. “Enjoy your hunt.”
Risk headed out in the truck Chase had arranged for him to rent. He’d driven it through a muddy field to spray on a respectable coating of red Georgia
clay. Sax and Addie were in an SUV with four-wheel drive, in case they needed it.
When Sax fell in behind him, Risk gave him a call. “I’ve got to go get screwed—I mean, a license—at the hunting supply store. I think I understand why the sheriff is covering for Elrod’s activities. His operation probably funds the whole damned town with ridiculous fees and taxes. You and Babbette can wander in on your own. Maybe you’ll glean something I won’t.”
Risk pulled in to the gravel parking lot and waited for the dust cloud to settle before getting out. He was tired of dust, having probably breathed in about eight pounds of it during his deployments.
The bell rang when Risk pushed the door open. The guy behind the counter was big and burly and probably hadn’t trimmed his beard in twenty years. “You must be Cole,” he said.
“Guess the guy at the lodge told you.” Which meant they had an information network going.
“Yep. Got your paperwork all ready. He told you about the license fees?”
“Sure did. About choked.”
The guy chuckled. “Shocks a few, but we’ve got some of the best hunting land in the county. Takes a lot to keep it up.”
“That include Elrod’s land? That’s where I’m going.”
The doorbell dinged, and Risk casually glanced over. Sax and Babbette sauntered in, she looking around the store and snapping her gum. Risk felt a hitch in his chest, and no, it had nothing to do with the sassy wig or fake boobs.
“Anything I can help you folks with?” the guy called out to them.
“Wanted to check out your shotguns,” Sax said. He had dyed his hair darker and sported a mustache so he wouldn’t look like the picture on the driver’s license Risk was using.
“Be right over.” The guy turned back to Risk. “Elrod’s land is private, ain’t got nothing to do with the county. You’re lucky. It’s by invite only.”
“I won an auction for a blind hunt.” Risk flexed his hands. “I’m former military. I’m feeling a need to shoot something. It’s been a while.”
“Thank you for your service. Which branch?”
Probably wouldn’t hurt for these guys to know what they were dealing with. Maybe it would make them think twice before fucking with him. “SEALs.”
The guy’s eyes widened, but he played it cool. “You’re going to like the blind hunt, I promise you that. He’s always got a special surprise.”
Risk didn’t like the sound of that.
Addie’s voice carried like a song. “Lookit there, honey. It’s a fort!”
Sax patted her shoulder in the most condescending way he could probably manage. “Darlin’, that’s not a fort. It’s a deer stand, for waiting until one of those doe-eyed critters comes wandering by so you can shoot it.”
“You are so mean!” Addie probably knew well what it was.
Risk had to fight back a grin. Instead, he rolled his eyes at the clerk, who was shaking his head.
“Come on over to this end of the counter,” he said. “I’ll finish processing your license.”
The desk behind the counter was cluttered in paper. Signs and slogans covered the walls. A handwritten one read: The only good wolf is a dead wolf. Whack ’em and stack ’em. Kill ’em and grill ’em .—Ted Nugent.
The clerk followed his gaze. “I keep that up there to rile the people who come in to protest wolf kills.”
As the guy continued with his paperwork, Risk wondered what other incendiary posters were on the wall. Then he saw a wanted poster that sank his heart—it bore Addie’s face, and it stated that she was wanted for criminal trespassing. When the clerk turned and opened a file drawer, Risk snapped a picture and texted it to Sax. Risk could hear them in the back of the store; then he heard the cricket sound of Sax’s phone.
Their conversation went silent. Risk sent one more text: Get her out of here. He made a point of asking a bunch of inane questions about local hunting conditions to occupy the clerk as Sax and Addie meandered out of the shop. He paid the fee, thanked the guy, and headed out.
It was only after he’d driven out onto the highway that he called Addie, who also had an untraceable cell phone. “Even as Babbette, you need to keep a low profile. You do not want to be arrested in this town.”
“I’ll stay in costume the whole time I’m here,” she said. “Which hopefully won’t be long.”
“I’ve got a call coming in.” He glanced at the screen. “Bill. Maybe it’s time to play.”
“Be careful.” Her fear came across loud and clear.
“I will, babe.” He wondered if the endearment would make her smile or freeze. He added a soft “Bye” before disconnecting. He engaged the call. “Sax here.”
“You ready for some shooting? We still got some daylight.”
“You bet. Where do I go?”
“I’ll meet you at the lodge. We’ll personally escort you to the hunting property.” His chest tightened. “I’d rather drive myself. Though I appreciate your hospitality.”
Bill’s laugh was harsh. “Boy, it ain’t got nothing to do with hospitality. If we don’t know you, we don’t trust you. So if we don’t take you to the property, you don’t go. What’s it going to be?”
Son of a bitch. But the fact that the guy was willing to put him off boded well for them not being on to his real identity.
“All right, but this better be good. I’m not going through this cloak-and-dagger shit and paying all this money to shoot some fancy deer, right?”
“It’s no deer. In fact, I guarantee it’s nothing you’ve ever shot before. See you in a few.”
Risk called Addie instead of Sax to update them on the plan. He just wanted to hear her voice. He pulled in to the parking lot and grabbed his shotgun case and ammo out of the back. As was his habit, he patted the Glock at his ankle and the KA-BAR knife at his back. Sax pulled his truck in to a spot at the far end of the row of motel rooms; he picked the perfect angle so the SUV looked unoccupied.
While Risk waited, he checked in with Chase. After hearing a quick rundown of the situation, Chase said, “My guy hacked in to the website. Even though it’s password-protected, they’re very careful about the information they put out there. They have three classes of hunt: A, B, C. No explanation as to the difference. It’s basically a request form. You check off one of the challenge levels, such as easy, quick and easy, medium, or challenging. There’s also a box where you can request a certain kind of animal. Unfortunately nothing that authorities can use. Hopefully you can get in, get what you need, and get out fast.”
A huge mud-splattered truck barreled into the parking lot and pulled up next to Risk. The mud barely covered an array of anti-establishment bumper stickers. Some of them were so vitriolic that Risk wouldn’t be surprised if the truck’s owner had gotten a visit from the Secret Service.
“My ride’s here.” Risk gave Chase a quick description of the truck and the driver but couldn’t see the license plate. He tucked his phone into his pocket, grabbed his rifle case, and got out.
Bill eyed the case. “Whatcha got?”
“Thirty-oh-six.”
Bill gave an approving nod as Risk got into the truck.
Risk thought the guy was probably Walter Elrod, given the pictures he’d seen. Why he was passing himself off as an employee was a concern.
Bill pulled out onto the road. Risk glanced in the side mirror and saw Sax follow a few seconds afterward. He kept a decent distance between the vehicles. A beat-up truck pulled out in front of Sax and slowed his pace. Though the road had a double line, Sax looked as though he were considering passing. Until the sheriff’s vehicle that was coming the other way did a U-turn and came up behind him.
Bill turned right on the road that bordered the southern boundary of Elrod’s property, and sped up. “We don’t have but about four hours of light left. I guess it depends on how fast you want the hunt to go.”
“That depends on what animal I’m hunting.”
Bill gave a long nod. “I guess it does at that.”
Risk nodded toward the lethal fencing. “You get a lot of poachers?”
“We get a lot of everything.”
The guy wasn’t offering much in the way of information. Ten minutes later, he turned down a road littered with all kinds of warning signs. One read: TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT. SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT AGAIN.
Nice.
Another one read: WITH THE PRICE OF AMMO, NO WARNING SHOTS WILL BE FIRED.
Bill hit the button on what looked like a garage door opener, and the gate that blocked their way drifted open. Aside from the road, it was solid woods here. Maples, oaks, and evergreens let through shafts of sunlight, but mostly it was shady. Risk admired Addie for coming onto this land by herself, knowing she wouldn’t be welcome. The woman had some balls, no doubt about it. The place gave Risk a bad feeling, despite the natural setting.
As they continued on for another mile or so, he spotted an internal fencing system intermittently marked with fluorescent ribbons. “Quite an operation you have here.”
“Yep.”
Finally Bill pulled up to the cluster of buildings. A large house sat in the distance, but the rest looked like barns—other than the metal one with glaring fluorescent lights inside that made him think of a veterinarian’s facility.
Bill put the truck in park and nodded ahead with his chin. “Doesn’t look like much, but it supports this whole town. Hunters come here from all over the world.”
“My friend said there were three classes of hunts: A, B, and C. What are those?”
“If he didn’t tell you, he figured you probably didn’t need to know. You’ll be doing a B hunt—beyond the standard prey.”
He got out, and Risk followed suit. The rifle wouldn’t do much good if he were ambushed. It would take too long to unzip the case and ready the gun. That’s what the Glock was for. He carried the case in his left hand so his right hand would be free to draw.
Two men were pushing a huge steer into a pen. The beast appeared to be drugged. It was resisting, but sluggishly.