Hard to Hold

by Karen Foley

  “Madeleine, listen to me,” he said carefully. He caught her upper arms, drawing her toward him. She watched him warily, but didn’t pull away.

  “Last night was amazing,” he said, letting her see the truth in his eyes. “You and I haven’t known each other for all that long, but I’m beginning to think that you taking me hostage was meant to be.”

  A frown puckered her forehead. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that of all the people you could have ended up with, you’re with someone who knows exactly the kind of men we’re dealing with.” He paused and dipped his head to look directly into her eyes. “Which is why I don’t want you anywhere near them.”

  “Colton—” She stiffened in his arms and began to pull back.

  “Madeleine, sweetheart.” He put a finger beneath her chin and raised her face, forcing her to look at him. “I think I’m falling in love with you, but if I let you go to that mine and something happens to you, we’ll never have the chance to find out what it is we might have had together.”

  He watched as her eyes widened and her mouth parted on a soft “oh” of surprise. But everything he’d said was true. He was falling for her in a big way, and the thought of deliberately placing her in danger went against every instinct he had.

  He thought he could see a sheen of tears in her eyes. “Colton,” she finally said, “there are things you don’t know about me, things I’ve done....”

  Colton hauled her into his arms, feeling her resistance melt. “I know all I need to know, like the fact that you’re willing to risk everything for those you love. I know you did things when you were younger that you’re not proud of, but I know you did them to keep what was left of your family together.” He leaned back enough to look at her face. “I think you take insane risks, but I get why you do it.”

  Now there was no mistaking her tears. “Colton, I don’t know what to say. But if these men are as bad as you think they are, what makes you think I want you risking your life?”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “Is that your way of saying you might care for me a little?”

  Madeleine gave a choked laugh and raised herself on her toes to press a lingering kiss against his mouth. “Let me show you how much I care for you,” she whispered against his lips. “How much time do I have?”

  Colton’s heart skipped a beat. “We need to be on the road within the hour.”

  “Perfect,” she breathed. She wound her arms around his neck and led him, unresisting, toward the bed.

  * * *

  MADDIE SAT IN the passenger seat of the truck and waved through the window at Colton’s mother as they pulled away from the ranch. Maddie still felt a little overwhelmed by the events of the past day, and how his family had welcomed her so completely. But more than that, she couldn’t stop thinking about how Colton had made love to her that morning. If she’d had any doubts about his feelings for her, they’d been completely dispelled by the intensity of his lovemaking. He’d been both tender and fierce and had held for a long time afterward. When he’d finally told her she could go with him to the mine, she’d been weak with relief.

  She still couldn’t quite comprehend that this magnificent man could be falling for her. Until now, her own feelings toward him had been a confusing mixture of desire, attraction and frustration. Only when she realized he’d be putting his own life on the line for her brother did she understand the extent of her growing feelings for him. Just the thought of something happening to Colton terrified her. They’d known each other only a few days, yet he was quickly becoming the center of her world. She’d never had anyone make her feel as safe and as precious as he did, and she was racked with guilt that her first thought was for his safety and not Jamie’s.

  “I’m letting you come with me on the condition that you do exactly as I tell you,” Colton was saying now. He glanced away from the road long enough to send her a meaningful look. “Understood?”

  Maddie nodded. “Yes. I’ll do whatever you tell me to.”

  She meant it. She was so grateful that he had changed his mind and agreed to bring her with him that she would have readily agreed to any of the conditions he imposed.

  “I don’t like that these bastards will even get a look at you,” he grumbled.

  Maddie had argued that the moneylenders would expect her to bring the cash, and if she wasn’t there, they might actually kill Jamie. In the end, Colton had relented, but only reluctantly.

  “Your law enforcement friends will be there,” she countered. “You said yourself that they had a good plan.”

  “I’ve learned from experience to expect the unexpected,” he muttered.

  Maddie didn’t want to think about all the things that could go wrong. She just wanted to get to the happy ending, where she had both Jamie and Colton out of harm’s way. She could see how tense Colton was, and knew he was still trying to figure out how to make the exchange without involving her. She searched around in her mind for a way to distract him.

  “What did your mother call me when we were saying goodbye?” she asked. “She said it was my Shoshone name.”

  Colton’s mouth tilted in a half smile. “She called you Tadita.” He glanced at her, one sweeping look that took in everything, and made Maddie feel as if he had just seen into her soul. “It means One Who Runs.”

  “Oh.” Maddie digested this in silence. “What’s your Shoshone name?”

  “Kajika. It means Walks without Sound.”

  She gave a small laugh. “Wow. That’s pretty accurate.”

  “For you or for me?”

  Maddie turned to look at him. “For both of us. I feel as if I’ve been running since I was a kid.”

  Colton reached across the console and covered her hand with his, startling her. “Don’t you think it’s time you stopped?”

  “I’m trying. I’ve told myself so often that I’m a respectable member of society, I’ve almost fallen for my own con.”

  He gave her a quizzical look and squeezed her hand. “What are you talking about? I’ve seen the worst side of human nature and society, and, darlin’, I can tell you with absolute certainty that you are more than respectable.”

  Maddie appreciated his words, but when she considered her upbringing, and even the current trouble that Jamie had gotten himself into, she wasn’t so sure she believed him. She’d worked hard to get where she was, but sometimes she felt her life was a sham. Eventually, someone was going to figure it out, and then she’d lose everything.

  Again.

  “What if I told you that I enjoyed winning that money at the blackjack table?” she asked quietly. “What if I said there was a part of me that missed that lifestyle?”

  “I’d say you’re not being completely honest. Is that really the kind of life you’d want for yourself?” he asked quietly. “Or for your brother?”

  “No,” she conceded. “Of course not. But sometimes I worry that what I can give him won’t be enough.”

  “He’s twenty years old, Madeleine. You’ve given him plenty. The best thing you can give him now—once we get him back, of course—is some solid advice and a dope slap to the back of his head.”

  Maddie laughed. She could picture Colton doing that with his own brothers.

  They were less than five miles from the outskirts of Reno when Colton pulled off the highway and into the parking lot of an auto repair shop.

  “What are we doing?” she asked.

  Colton drew the truck alongside a parked car and turned off the ignition. “We’re switching vehicles,” he replied, checking his watch. “Once you make the call, I’ll drive you out to the mining site.”

  Maddie watched as he reached across her knees and opened the glove apartment to withdraw a pistol. She stared at him.

  “Has that gun been there this whole time?”

  Co
lton slanted her one grim look as he checked the cartridge, and then slid the weapon into the back of his waistband. “Yes.”

  “Even that night I took the truck?”

  “Yes. Which was why I was so desperate to find you.”

  Maddie suppressed a smile. “Was that the only reason?”

  He didn’t look at her as he reached behind his seat, then handed her a bulletproof vest, but Maddie didn’t miss the smile that curved his mouth.

  “Here, put this on.”

  “Is this what I think it is?” She knew her voice betrayed her alarm, but she was suddenly aware of just how dangerous this could get.

  “It’s for your own protection. You should wear it under your clothes, so take off your T-shirt.”

  Maddie pulled it over her head, and made no protest as he helped her into the vest, securing the Velcro fastenings for her. Once he was satisfied, he handed her shirt back to her, helping to tug it into place.

  “The T-shirt is baggy enough that you can hardly notice it,” he said, surveying her critically.

  “It’s so heavy.”

  “Stop complaining,” he chided her gently. “This could save your life.”

  “What about you? Will you be wearing one, too?”

  Instead of answering her, he reached behind his seat again and retrieved his backpack, dumping it on her lap.

  “You’ll want to hang on to that.”

  “What’s in here?” Maddie unzipped the top and peeked inside. What she saw made her gasp. She turned to Colton, stunned. “Where did you get this?”

  He arched one black eyebrow. “What did you think we were going to use to get your brother back? Wampum?”

  Maddie frowned. “I never asked you for the money.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “So I’m guessing this is on temporary loan from the U.S. Marshals Service?”

  Colton shrugged. “You can’t get your brother back unless you have something to give in return.”

  “I don’t want you to get in trouble if something goes wrong and you end up losing the cash.”

  To her surprise, Colton grinned. “I promise you, I am not going to lose that money.” He sobered. “It’s time for you to make that call.”

  Maddie checked the clock on the dashboard, shocked to see that it was already ten o’clock. Pulling her cell phone out, she drew in a deep breath, aware that her heart had begun to pound hard in her chest. With her eyes on Colton, she redialed the number from the previous day.

  “Where are you?” snarled a male voice.

  “I—I’m just outside of Reno,” Maddie stuttered.

  “Take Highway 80 to Exit 99. Head north five miles until you see the turnoff to the abandoned silver mine. Follow that road to the mine complex, but do not—I repeat, do not—drive into the complex. Park by the gate and walk the rest of the way. And come alone. We’ll be watching.”

  Before Maddie could utter a word in response, the line went dead. She stared blankly at the phone for a moment, before turning to Colton. “He didn’t even let me speak.”

  “What did they say?”

  “You were right. He wants me to go to the abandoned silver mine off Highway 80. He said to park by the gate and walk in, and to go alone.”

  She shivered.

  “Hey, come here.” Reaching across the seat, Colton pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “I’m going to be right there. You’re not going to do anything alone, okay?”

  “You can’t come with me,” she protested, her voice muffled against his chest. “It’s too dangerous.”

  She felt his body vibrate with quiet laughter. Then he tipped her face up and searched her eyes, his expression one of tender exasperation. “Maddie Howe, when are you going to learn to trust me?”

  She felt herself go a little weak beneath his scrutiny, and she blushed. “Maybe I need another lesson in trust building,” she suggested, feeling shy.

  He kissed her sweetly, bracketing her face in his big hands. “With pleasure,” he said against her mouth. “We’ll start tonight. But right now we need to get going.”

  Maddie nodded, willing herself to remain calm. She told herself again that Colton knew what he was doing. He specialized in outsmarting the bad guys, and she just needed to trust him. She climbed out of the truck, gingerly holding the backpack of money.

  Crouching down by the front of the car, Colton reached under the wheel well and withdrew a car key. Unlocking the doors, he indicated that she should drive.

  “You’re going to let me out about a half mile from the entrance. Then you’ll park at the gate, and you’ll walk twenty paces, drop the backpack and then return to the car. Understood?”

  Maddie frowned. “Shouldn’t I wait for them to bring Jamie out?”

  “No. I want you to drop the money and get your ass back into this vehicle.” Seeing her expression, his own grew hard. “I’m dead serious, Madeleine.”

  “Okay, fine,” she said reluctantly. “Where will you be?”

  “I’ll be positioned where I can protect both you and your brother.” His voice told her that the less she knew, the better.

  “Be careful.”

  She knew Colton had his own misgivings about what they were about to do, especially regarding her own role in getting Jamie back. She also knew that as much as Colton wanted her to trust him, he also needed to trust her. There was no way she was going to screw this up, not when she had so much to lose.

  They drove in silence until they reached the turnoff to the abandoned mine. Maddie realized her heart was racing and her breathing was shallow. She slid a glance toward Colton.

  “Your brother is going to be fine,” he assured her. “Just remember to drop the bag and get your ass back to the taxi. No heroics.”

  Maddie nodded, but her palms were moist, and she couldn’t prevent her imagination from conjuring up lurid images of worst-case scenarios. Before long, they turned off the main road, and she caught a glimpse of a weather-beaten sign indicating the direction of Murray’s Silver Mine. As they drove, the road gradually deteriorated, until it was little more than a gravel trail, deep with ruts, and with nothing on either side except dusty hills. Scrubby trees and sagebrush dotted the landscape, and enormous boulders and rock formations broke the unrelenting bleakness of the landscape.

  “Let me out here,” Colton finally directed.

  Maddie slowed the car, and he turned to look at her, his hand on the door. “This will be over soon,” he promised. “Everything is going to be fine.”

  Maddie swallowed hard and nodded.

  She watched Colton step off the road, and then he vanished behind a line of craggy rocks. Drawing a deep breath, she continued along the dirt road and finally drew to a stop at a chain-link fence that blocked any farther progress. Beyond the broken gate, the road continued toward an ancient complex of buildings and outhouses. The largest, a three-story structure that looked as if it had been built a hundred years earlier, leaned precariously to one side. Beyond the buildings was the entrance to the mine itself. It consisted of a vertical shaft that opened directly into the ground, identifiable by the dilapidated hoisting house that had been erected over it. Miners would be lowered into the hole inside a cage attached to a cable. The entire mining operation looked like a ghostly remnant from the Wild West.

  Maddie drew in a deep breath. The mining site had an ominous feel to it, and as she climbed out of the car, she had the eerie sensation of being watched. She hitched the backpack over one shoulder and slowly made her way through the broken gate and along the road. Her feet kicked up small clouds of dust, and the sun beat down on her head and shoulders. The protective vest was heavy, and a trickle of moisture made its way between her breasts. Maddie was acutely aware of the silence that surrounded her. She was tempted to look back over her shoulder, t
o see if she could spot either Colton or any of the other men, but she didn’t dare.

  As she drew alongside the first building, a small clapboard structure dark with age and weather, she thought she detected movement behind the dusty windows. The thought of someone watching her—someone who might want to hurt her—was almost enough to make her bolt. Instead, she continued walking, pretending she hadn’t noticed the furtive activity.

  She had reached the point in the road where Colton had instructed her to drop the backpack and return to the car, but her attention was riveted on the main building, where she could hear raised voices from inside.

  As she cautiously took several more steps, the door of the building opened abruptly, and her brother was thrust out. He blinked in the bright sunlight and staggered several feet toward her before collapsing to his knees in the dust.

  Maddie gasped in horror.

  His hands were tied behind his back, and even from a distance she could see he had been severely beaten. His face was swollen and discolored, and one eye was completely shut. Blood oozed from several cuts on his face and neck, and his shirt was filthy and torn. Blond head bowed, he knelt in the dirt, swaying as if he might pass out.

  Forgetting Colton’s instructions, Maddie bolted forward, only to have the ground around her feet erupt in a series of tiny dust clouds. At the same time, she became aware of the sound of rapid gunfire, and realized they were shooting at her! She skidded to a stop, unable to drag her gaze from her brother.

  “Stop! Don’t hurt her!” Jamie was crying, his tears mixing with the blood and dirt on his face as he tried to crawl toward her. “Please don’t hurt her.”

  “Jamie, stay there,” she urged, terrified that he would be shot and killed.

  Two men emerged from the building, one of them holding what looked like a semiautomatic rifle, and the other brandishing a pistol. Both were big and burly, and Maddie guessed them to be in their late thirties. The man with the pistol turned his gun on her, while the other kept a watchful lookout, continually sweeping his rifle around the area.