All or Nothing: A Trust No One Novel

by Dixie Lee Brown

  “What kept you?” His voice was rife with irritation. “You can leave now, Ty.”

  Tyler’s glance flickered toward her, and he rolled his eyes before he turned and left. Dillon lay down outside the ring, keeping a close eye on her.

  “I’m Walker.” The black-haired man walked a circle around her, looking her over like a prize horse he was thinking of buying. The frown on his face said he wasn’t impressed.

  “Cara Sinclair.” She stuck out her chin and tried for confident nonchalance, but he snickered. Anger stiffened her spine. “What’s your problem anyway? It wasn’t my idea to come here.” She turned to walk away.

  Suddenly, he grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms. Without thinking, she jammed her head back into his nose and mouth. When his grip loosened enough for her to get her arms free, she elbowed him hard in the stomach. He stumbled back a step. She whirled, jumped, and kicked sideways, hitting him squarely in the groin.

  He dropped to his knees, coughing. “Son of a bitch.” Blood dripped from his nose.

  Remembering what Joe said about following through, she drew her handgun, released the safety, and aimed dead center on his chest. Walker looked at her and laughed.

  Is the man insane?

  “What the hell do you want me to teach her, Joe?” His gaze shifted to the doorway. “Looks like she’s got the basics down pretty damn good. Shit! You might have warned me.” He staggered back to his feet.

  “I didn’t know,” said Joe.

  Startled, Cara looked toward the door. Joe stepped onto the mat as he gave Dillon a hand signal to wait.

  “She wasn’t nearly as hard on me yesterday. I don’t think she likes you.”

  Anger clenched her jaw as she lowered her weapon, put the safety on, and stuck it back in the holster.

  Walker laughed again. “Oh. Meaning she likes you? That’ll be the day, when the women pick you over me.”

  “Wipe your face.” Joe threw him a towel and stepped in between them.

  “Was this your idea?” Her voice was cold, each word enunciated precisely.

  “Not exactly. I told Walker to train you. Ambushing you and getting himself thrashed in the process was his idea and, turns out… it wasn’t a very good one. You were about to have a very angry dog in the ring with you too.”

  “That was pretty good, Cara,” Walker said, “but I think we can refine your technique a bit, add a few tricks. Whoever gets in your space won’t stand a chance. What do you say? Work with me?”

  What just happened? This was a different Walker, all signs of gruffness gone. Had it been an act from the time she walked in the door? She hesitated. Should she trust him? She wasn’t used to switching gears so fast. He’d scared her… and ticked her off. Walker had no idea how easy it would have been to pull that trigger. Joe knew. He watched her now with troubled eyes as if her reaction bothered him. Frankly, it bothered her too.

  She tore her gaze from his and faced Walker. “Yes, I’d like to learn.”

  “Good.” Walker smiled for the first time, showing straight white teeth which, for some reason, surprised her. “Joe, clear out. I’ve got her till noon.”

  She felt Joe’s eyes on her, but she didn’t meet his gaze.

  Finally, he turned to leave. “Be careful, Walker.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Walker snickered again.

  After Joe left, they started over. This new Walker charmed and encouraged her, making the multitude of times she hit the mat, failing to properly execute some new move he was teaching, almost bearable. Soon enough, she caught on and, from then on, he was going down with equal regularity, although she suspected he was taking it easy on her.

  She learned how to escape from any number of holds an assailant might have on her and how to use her feet to drop an attacker. In her mind, the attacker was always David. He was the reason she was here learning all of this… it was his face she imagined each time Walker came at her.

  Toward the end of their session, he handed her a knife and showed her how to aim and throw. A couple of times she actually hit the target. When they finished, she handed the knife back to him. He put it in the scabbard and pushed it into one of the narrow pockets in the leg of her pants.

  “Keep it. Never know when it might come in handy.”

  “I’ve learned so much. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Thank me by not kicking my ass next time.”

  “You had it coming.”

  “I know.” He smiled good-naturedly.

  “Why haven’t I seen you before now?”

  “I keep to myself. Most of these other guys think I’m crazy. You know—post-traumatic stress disorder. I let them think what they want.” He shrugged. “I’ve got a little bungalow on the eastern perimeter. You should visit sometime.”

  “Maybe I will… sometime.”

  When she walked out into the sunshine, Tyler was waiting for her. He raised his eyebrows. “So, what did you think of Walker?”

  Cara smiled and shrugged. “I think he’s crazy.”

  Tyler grinned. “You got that right.”

  As she and Tyler entered the dining hall, Joe walked out with a plate of food. “Grab some lunch, Cara, and meet me in the study.”

  She took a sandwich and bottle of water and followed him to his study. “Did you find out anything about David?” She closed the door behind her.

  “Murphy’s working on it. Ty has some feelers out too. Don’t worry. We’ll know he’s coming before he gets here.” He scrutinized her and it was useless to try to hide the anxiety that washed over her.

  Her shoulders sagged and she set her plate down. “Why is he doing this? Why can’t he just get over it?” She stepped toward the window and looked out at the lake. “I don’t want to see him. I try not to be, but I’m still afraid of him.” Cara groaned as soon as the words escaped. Why did she say that? Joe didn’t need to know how scared she was. She turned.

  He stood behind her.

  “I can handle it. I’m not going to let him get to me.”

  He fixed her with an appraising look. “I bet you can handle just about anything. Not everyone would survive what you’ve had to deal with. You should give yourself more credit.”

  She’d never thought of herself as weak before she married David. He’d proven it to her time and time again. Joe’s words lifted her spirits. She had survived, and she was free, for now anyway. Maybe he was right.

  “There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy fear, either. It usually makes us smarter.”

  “I should be a flippin’ genius by now, then. I hate being afraid.”

  “Will you trust me?”

  It was impossible to look away from the burning intensity in his eyes as he stepped closer and, in that moment, there was no doubt Joe would keep her safe… or die trying. That thought saddened her and made it hard to speak.

  “Yes.” She looked down.

  Joe reached toward her and gently nudged a lock of unruly hair back from her face. His hand brushed her cheek. She shivered. He tilted her chin so she was forced to look at him. His eyes grew dark, piercing her with the question that hung between them. The room was suddenly too warm. Cara’s breathing faltered. Raw emotions, long dormant, rushed to the surface, making her knees tremble. She wanted to feel his strong arms around her and the firmness of his lips on hers. Her feverish reaction shocked her, and she took an involuntary step back, breaking the spell.

  Joe backed away, a flash of regret in his eyes before his expression became impenetrable.

  Embarrassment warmed her skin until she broke into a sweat. What words could she use to explain? Maybe it would be a mistake to try. Her reaction was lust, but it was the intensity of her need that scared her to death. Joe was a dangerous man and would use whatever power she gave him. She wouldn’t give any man that much control over her. Not again.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Cara. I guess Irene was right. I’ve made no secret of the fact I think we’d be good together, but I’m not going to push you. Yo
u’ve had enough things forced on you… I’m not going to be one of them. I’ll be here when you’re ready, but you’ll have to make the first move.” His voice was soft as his gaze rested on her.

  David had taught her well to fear acts of intimacy. The chances of her making the first move were slim to none. Strangely disappointed, she tried to think of something clever to say, but witty remarks didn’t seem quite right for the present situation.

  Joe walked toward the door. “High ropes—fifteen minutes.” His expression was unreadable again.

  Monday, 7:00 pm

  JOE DIDN’T APPEAR in the dining hall for dinner. Cara couldn’t help checking the door every few minutes, waiting for his appearance. She groaned. Could she behave any more like an adolescent? What the heck was she doing? A relationship was a bad idea. An ex-husband unwilling to let her go, with the power and resources to crush anyone in his path, made her poor relationship material, to put it mildly. Besides, she’d learned her lesson. She’d developed a healthy distrust of men based on the one she knew couldn’t be trusted. Maybe it wasn’t fair, but it worked for her. It was time to grow up and get over this infatuation.

  Tyler sat with her at dinner and introduced her to Juan Sanchez, another full-time resident at the compound. Jim and Steve joined them. Then Rayna walked in, dished up a plate, and came to sit at their table. She didn’t say very much, and Cara didn’t push her, but it was a start. Tyler gave her an I-told-you-so grin, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

  She retired to her room early, took a long shower, and settled in the comfortable bed to read until she got sleepy, but sleep didn’t come. She was still wired from the events of the day.

  It was much easier to navigate the high ropes course this afternoon than it had been on her first try. She completed all the obstacles, including jumping off the platform on the zip line as if it was nothing. She was especially proud of that. Joe was somewhat withdrawn, but when she leaped from the platform without hesitation, she heard the laughter in his voice as he cheered her on. When she reached the ground, he gave her a broad grin and a thumbs-up. It touched her that he understood what it meant to her. Later, she realized he was probably just happy he was getting down quicker this time. He was a man ruled by his own agenda.

  The clock said midnight. Her room was too warm and stuffy, and she was no closer to sleep now than when she lay down. She threw back the covers, put on her robe, and stepped out onto the balcony. The clear fall evening was chilly, and a full moon hung low over the landscape, so close she could touch it if she tried.

  A jingling noise behind her made her whirl around, her heart pounding. Dillon pressed his wet nose into her hand.

  “What are you doing here?” Cara jumped again when a shadow beyond the dog shifted.

  “He couldn’t sleep.” Joe sat in a chair against the wall. “He’s wondering if he can keep you company.”

  “Of course he can, but why?” She swallowed hard against the uneasiness that made her mouth suddenly dry.

  He rose and approached her. “I have a confession to make. I haven’t been completely honest with you, but then I think you knew that. I’ve known since this morning Dennelli was in Montana. It’s a pretty good bet he’s coming here. His message on your cell phone seems to confirm that. I’m sure he thinks he’ll be able to take you out of here. He won’t succeed, Cara. I’ll make sure of that.”

  Her heart pounded in her ears, and it hurt to breathe. “Where is he now?”

  “Missoula. He’s got a handful of well-armed men and a chopper. He’ll probably show up here tomorrow or the next day. It depends on how soon he realizes he won’t catch you out by yourself.”

  “You should have told me this morning.”

  “Ty’s contact only verified the information about an hour ago. I didn’t want you to worry if it was a false alarm. I won’t make a habit of keeping things from you. That’s a promise.”

  “This will cause you problems. I should go.” They’d been through this before, but she couldn’t get past her fear for these people who’d welcomed her and made her feel like she belonged.

  “You’re here. You’re staying. I’ll handle Dennelli. Your assignment is to have a little faith in me and my team. Will you do that for me?” He stared hard at her. Confidence radiated from him.

  Cara smiled in spite of the dread swirling in her stomach. “I’ll do my best.”

  “You’re exactly where you should be. Dillon is here because I knew you’d sleep better with him in the room… unless you’d rather I slept in your room.” He flashed his grin.

  “Dillon will do just fine, thank you.”

  “I haven’t forgotten. The first move is yours, but I didn’t think it would hurt to give you an opening now and then.”

  Cara dropped her gaze and turned away. She had to get a grip. There were enough problems in her life. This attraction she felt for Joe would only complicate things.

  “Tell me about your father,” Joe said.

  “My father?” Cara welcomed the change of subject. “Jacob Sinclair never really wanted to be a father. He opened the distributing company before I was born. That’s where he spent most of his time so he didn’t have to be home with his family. My mother raised us, until she died when I was five. Brian was older, and he took over trying to raise me.”

  “We spent hours on the firing range when we were kids, trying to perfect the one skill my father respected, hoping he’d notice.” She laughed, recalling his ambivalence toward the children he’d brought into the world.

  “Is your brother as good a marksman as you?”

  “Better. He craved Dad’s approval more than I did. He started competing and even won a couple of trophies. Dad finally noticed, and from then on, he and Brian were practically inseparable.”

  “Did you resent that?”

  “It wasn’t so bad. I had friends, and it wasn’t long before I left for college. Then I met David and things went downhill from there.” She gazed out at the lake shining in the moonlight and blinked back tears. When her voice was steady again, she laughed dryly.

  “My life sounds sad when I tell the story all at once like that, but it wasn’t all bad.” She turned to smile at Joe. His gaze was on the horizon and he cleared his throat before he spoke.

  “Your life is just getting started. It can be anything you want it to be.” His tone left no room for doubt.

  Again, she marveled at his commitment to her. “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Irene said you pick up strays… like me. Why?”

  He shook his head slowly. “Irene is a great lady. It wouldn’t be the same around here without her.”

  “Is it true?”

  “I suppose it is. Irene and a few others came here out of horrendous circumstances. They stayed because they didn’t have anywhere else to go, or because they thought they owed me something. But the word stray implies you’re lost and helpless. I don’t think either of those words apply to you. You just need a little help getting through a rough patch and you’ll be good as new.” He paused and stepped closer. “Then, if you decide to stay, it will be because you want to.”

  His eyes were warm and inviting. The spell he wove banished her loneliness and made her feel safe. What was the harm in accepting comfort when it was offered? Part of her recognized the danger. The other part didn’t care.

  He sighed. “You’d better take Dillon into your room now and see if you can get some sleep. Waiting for you to make the first move is proving to be more difficult than I thought.” He grinned crookedly as he turned her toward her room and commanded the dog to follow.

  For a moment, she wanted to stay, to put her arms around his neck and give in to these feelings that raced up and down her spine every time her eyes met his, but that wasn’t possible… not now… not with David occupying her every thought.

  “Good night, Joe.” She stepped through the balcony doors with Dillon on her heels, and Joe closed the door firmly behind her.


  Chapter Fifteen

  * * *

  Tuesday, 12:20 am

  JOE ANSWERED THE phone on the first ring. “What do you have for me, Murphy?”

  “Dennelli should be arriving in about four hours. His chopper is on standby, and his men are heavily armed.”

  Murphy’s latest update came as no surprise to Joe, but it just didn’t make sense. What was Dennelli after? Frustration ratcheted his anger a notch higher. “The bastard would have to be crazy to think he can take her by force, and he’d be stupid to come in here and start a war he can’t possibly win.”

  “Or desperate. Which brings us to the question, why does he want her back so bad? There has to be more to the story than just a man who’s having second thoughts about the divorce he gave his wife. Maybe she’s got some evidence that would put this guy away.”

  “She wants him out of her life—that’s all. If it was just a matter of Cara knowing where the bodies are buried and him wanting to shut her up, I’d know how to handle that. For some reason, he wants to punish her, and I’m afraid there’s only one way this can end.”

  “I think you need to operate under the assumption Dennelli isn’t quite rational, especially where Cara is concerned, and that he’ll do anything, including starting a war, to get her away from you.” Murphy hesitated. “Have you considered just putting them in a room together and letting them hash it out?”

  “That’s not going to happen. Cara is scared to death of the creep. She’s convinced he’ll kill her and, from the little I know about their relationship, I believe her. She’ll be safe here for the time being. I’ll handle Dennelli when he shows up. When we finish with Sinclair, I’ll figure out what to do about Dennelli for the long term.”

  “That sounds like a dangerous proposition.”

  “Not as dangerous as what she’ll face if I don’t.”

  “I’ll see if I can dig up anything that will help. I presume you’ll be ready for him when he shows up?”

  “Count on it.”

  Tuesday, 4:14 am

  IN THE EARLY hours of the morning, something pulled her from a deep sleep. It was a few minutes before the whirring beat of rotor blades brought her fully awake. A helicopter, close. She raced from the bed to the balcony, searching the sky. Dillon whined nervously beside her.