by Carolyn Lee
What about Keegan?
What about him? They had just met. No matter what Angelina said, there was no way Keegan had already fallen in love with her.
Her mind made up, Nikki relaxed back against the chair and let the sun heal her soul. It would be a shame to leave this beautiful place knowing she would never return there. Clara was a pretty neat woman.
Who was so desperate to find her son a wife she put him on a dating website.
The James family was more messed up than her own. Hell, she fit right in with them. All the more reason to move on. She needed a less dysfunctional existence. And a quick nap. The sun felt so nice. It was so peaceful. Maybe she would just close her eyes for a few minutes.
23
Keegan
Keegan looked up when Logan's wife entered the room. He, Logan, Will, and Kaiden were sitting at the kitchen table coming up with a plan for the evening.
"Hey, Angie, where's Nikki?"
"Outside on the patio calling her boss."
The very mention of Henry angered him. He had tried to tell Nikki the older man had a thing for her but she had denied it, making the events of the previous evening that much more uncomfortable for her.
"I should go check on her."
"I’m sure she is fine," Kaiden said. "Nikki is a big girl. She knows how to work a cell phone."
"She's going to be upset after talking to Henry."
"Why?" Will asked.
"He, um, sort of interrupted something last night."
"Were you two at it again?"
"Gee, Will, you make us sound like a couple of teenagers."
"You were acting like it yesterday."
Keegan considered that. "Yes, I suppose we were. Anyway, he also seems to have a thing for Nikki."
"The old dude?" Will made a face. "That's nasty."
"He is also her father's best friend."
"Gross," Angelina said. "No wonder she is all out of sorts. Between you and Henry—"
"What is that supposed to mean?" he snapped.
"Relax, Kee." Logan's voice held a slight warning.
"It's okay, Logan. What I meant was, you boys can come on a little strong. It seems to be genetic or something. Most women aren't used that sort of attention so quickly."
"What's wrong with going after what I want? It worked with you," Logan said, kissing his wife.
"Think of the situation we were in? Everything was intense in those few days."
"True."
"Anyway, Keegan, she cares for you. She is just a little overwhelmed by everything."
"Did Nikki say that?"
"She didn't have to. Then there's the case. She has invested a lot of time in it only to have another agency yank the rug out from under her."
"We are working together," Will said.
"Are you?"
"Of course. Look, I'll go talk to her if you want."
"Talk to me about what?" Nikki said from the doorway.
Keegan rose and went to her side. "We are trying to make a plan for tonight."
"Without me?"
"Angie said you were on the phone. I figured we would just bring you up to speed."
"Oh."
"Intel says they are getting on the road by the on ramp where interstate sixty-four joins the Blue Ridge Parkway. About ten miles south there is a picnic area where the buyers are meeting them after sunset. We need to get down there and into place before they show up. Obviously, they will be armed and dangerous. Ma? Can we hit up the closet up before we leave?" Kaiden called to Clara who was in the living room.
"Of course, dear. I added a few new toys too."
"Closet? Toys?" Nikki asked.
"Our mother is a collector of weapons."
"Really." She smiled. "I knew I liked your mother."
"I'm heading back into town to get in a nap and bring my agents up to speed," Will said, rising from the table. "We will come back for dinner if you are cooking, Auntie Clara."
"How about a roast with all the fixings to hold you tight while you stake out the park?"
"Sounds perfect, Auntie. You're the best."
"I know. But I still love to hear you say it." Clara's ruddy complexion turned a bit pink as Will kissed her cheek.
"Can I ride into town with you? I need to grab something from the store," Nikki asked.
"I can take you wherever you need to go," Keegan said. "Will has to work."
"There's no reason for you to take me when Will is already heading there anyway. I'll entertain myself while he does what he needs to do and then come back for dinner. I don't get away from Virginia Beach very often and it's so beautiful here."
"But—"
"I'm sure Will is going to take good care of her, Kee," Angelina said, giving him a look that said remember what I told you about being too intense.
He nodded. "Okay. I just thought I'd offer."
"I'm going to grab my purse. Be right back."
When she was gone, Angelina put an arm around him. "It's okay, Kee, she'll be back. She might just need a little space for a bit."
"I don't get it. Last night she—I mean, we—and today it's like we don't even know each other."
"Sometimes a woman's thoughts can be her own worst enemy. And her best friend. If I had to guess, Nikki just needs to think some things through."
"I don't mean to be intense."
"Of course, not, sweetie," Clara said. "Your daddy was the same way. So serious all the time. It's one of the things I loved most about him."
"I'm ready when you are." Nikki stood in the door again, her purse over her shoulder.
"See you all in a couple of hours."
"You sure you don't want me to take you?" Keegan asked Nikki, ignoring Angelina's hand on his arm.
"I'll be fine. Hang out with your family." She softened her words with a half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Maybe Angie was right. As a family, they could be a little overwhelming.
"All right. See you in a bit." He wanted to go over and kiss her but Nikki was doing her best to keep a little distance so Keegan would respect that, as much as it killed him to do so.
As the front door closed, Keegan let out a long sigh.
"You look like you just lost your best friend, boy," Clara teased.
"I hear you signed me up on a dating website." Changing the subject was his best tactic at the moment. He really didn't want to discuss Nikki anymore. Not until he had a chance to get her alone and make sure that they were okay.
"I haven't posted it yet. It was just a little something to keep me busy—just in case you changed your mind about letting me help you find a wife."
"I don't need help."
"I know. Nikki is perfect for you. Don't mess it up."
"Ma—"
Clara shrugged. "I'm just saying. She couldn't get out of here fast enough."
"Thanks, Ma."
"Don't worry. It will work out. I'm never wrong about these things."
"I hope not."
"Come on, brother. Let's go check out the new toys." Kaiden pulled Keegan into a headlock and dragged him toward the gun room.
"Let me go!"
"In a minute."
"I hate you."
"I know. You keep telling me."
"Why couldn't I have been an only child?"
"And miss out on all this?
They stopped in front of the door that looked like a coat closet. Kaiden let him go and unlocked the door.
"Whoa, Ma. You did get some new ones."
"You like?" Clara appeared in the doorway, wearing a big grin.
Kaiden grabbed up a brand new, shiny black .308 rifle. "Let's go out to the range."
"That's the smartest thing you've said since I got here," Logan said, entering the room.
"Every now and then I have a moment." Kaiden laughed and darted out of the room. "Last one to the range has to clean all the guns!"
"Like hell." Keegan grabbed an identical rifle and took off after his brother.
Two hou
rs later, they were headed back inside to clean up when Kaiden's phone rang. He handed it to Keegan. "It's for you. It's Will."
"Hey, bro, everything all set?"
"I've got some bad news," Will said.
"There was a change of plans?"
"Something like that."
"What do you mean?"
"It's Nikki."
"Is she okay?" A lump of panic settled deep in Keegan's stomach.
"She's gone."
Keegan stopped walking. "What the hell do you mean, she's gone?"
"We were supposed to meet at the motel. I dropped her at the supermarket. She was going to walk the couple of blocks to the motel and we were all going to drive back up the mountain. She didn't show and no one has seen her since she left the store."
"Son of a bitch! She left! I knew she was pissed about something."
"Um, I don't think so. She would have taken her purse if she left, don't you think?"
"What do you mean? She did have it."
"Yeah, until I just found it in a trash can on the sidewalk."
"Damn it! I knew I should have gone with her!"
"I'm sorry. I just can't figure it out. No one knew we were here."
"Stay where you are, I'm on my way."
Tossing the phone back to Kaiden, he ran for the house to grab his keys and wallet. He could hear his brother and Logan following him but he just grabbed his stuff and ran for his truck.
"What’s wrong?" he heard his mother call after him.
"Nikki's missing!" Kaiden called back.
"What do you mean, missing?"
"Will just called. Found her purse in a trash can and no sign of her anywhere," Logan said jumping in the backseat.
"Be careful!" Angelina yelled as they tore out of the driveway and barreled down the mountain.
The truck hit a huge pot hole and veered sharply to the left. Keegan corrected the wheel and kept on going.
"You won’t be any good to Nikki if we wreck on the mountain," Kaiden said.
"We won’t wreck." Keegan slapped the steering wheel. "How the hell did he lose her?"
"No one knows what happened, Kee. Let's get there first then start asking questions."
"We have to find her."
"We will, brother. We will."
24
Nikki
Searing pain burned the back of her skull. Nikki tried to reach up and rub away the ache but her hands were bound together. She could feel the ropes biting into the skin at her wrist as she tugged against them. It would help if it weren't so damned dark. Maybe if she sat up, she could get her hands free. A whack to the head as she tried to move ended that endeavor. The space was small. She smelled gasoline and dirt.
The last thing she remembered was stepping out of the supermarket after picking up a card with more minutes for her cell phone. She was headed to the motel where Will and his agents were waiting for her. The ride down the mountain had given them a chance to talk. She was less aggravated about losing out to the ATF after Will assured her she would be just as much a part of the raid as the ATF was.
As she strolled through the quaint little town, Nikki thought about Keegan and all that Angelina had told her about him. The truth of it was that she really liked him. Yes, his intensity scared her a little but really what scared her the most was her own feelings for him. That had been the catalyst for her little tryst into town—time to think and deal with the emotions without those blue eyes reading her thoughts and baring her soul. Right about the time she had decided that didn't want a transfer because she wanted to explore what has happening between them, something had hit her square on the back of the head, sending her into darkness.
Ironically, she was still in darkness. Darkness that was now moving. How had someone managed to throw her limp body into the trunk of a car without anyone in town noticing?
The vehicle picked up speed. They must be leaving the slower town roads and getting on an interstate. If she remembered correctly, interstate sixty-four, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and another smaller route all intersected about the same place on the edge of town.
If she could just get to her phone in her pocket, she could call for help. Except her phone didn’t have any numbers in it except Henry's. Keegan's number lay at the bottom of the Lynnhaven Marina and she had never bother with getting Will's. Wiggling herself over on to her back, Nikki worked the pocket of her jeans until the phone slipped out and into her fingers. When she pushed the key pad, the screen lit up and illuminated the tight space. Working the keys as best she could, Nikki sent a text to Henry.
Nikki: Kidnapped. Trapped in the trunk of a car. No idea make or model. Was in Staunton. Think we're on a highway. Can't reach Keegan or Will. Need help.
Henry: Are you okay?
Nikki: Yes. Tied up and head hurts. They took my gun.
Henry: Sit tight. I'm on it!
While she waited, Nikki used the glow from her phone to look at her surroundings. There was a rusty screw driver stuck in the trunk floor but other than her, nothing else was in the space. She had to get her hands free. The ropes were tight but not tied well. With some effort, Nikki worked the bonds away. The car was moving at a pretty good clip. She was fairly certain they were on the interstate. If only she could see outside.
The screwdriver.
If she could get it free, she could use it to pry the tail light out of the way. All she needed was to see one sign or mile post so she could give Henry an idea of where she was.
Speaking of Henry, the phone buzzed indicating an incoming text message. Except it wasn't from Henry.
Keegan: Nikki! Are you okay?
Nikki: Had better days.
Keegan: Henry called. We are doing everything we can to find you. Can you tell me anything that might help?
Nikki: I think it’s a small car. This trunk is cramped. Hold on.
She set the phone aside and reached for the screw driver, giving it a yank. The tool moved surprisingly easily. Taking the pointy end, she jammed it in the space where the light cover attached. After a bit of manipulation, the plastic snapped and the cover flew off the back of the car.
Shifting as much as she could, she peered out the newly opened space. Trees, ran uphill on both sides of the road.
Nikki: I think I am on the Parkway. I popped a tail light.
Keegan: What do you see?
Nikki: A lot of trees going uphill on both sides of the roadway.
Keegan: Any signs?
Nikki: I don't have much of a view.
Nikki: Wait! I just saw one of those picnic area signs.
Keegan: On our way.
Nikki: I hope you have a lead foot.
He didn't reply. With any luck, that meant he was already on his way. She could hope anyway. In the meantime, she needed a plan. Tucking the screwdriver in the waist of her jeans was as close as she would come to being armed. It would help if she knew how many captors she had.
After what felt like hours, the car seemed to change direction and slow down some. After a minute or so, the vehicle came to a complete stop. From her peep hole she could see more trees and could hear voices. Several different voices. They were at a rest area.
Grabbing the screwdriver, she started digging at the lock. If she could pop it, she could get away. Maybe. It was worth trying.
The tip of the tool fit into the space on the third try. As she tried to put pressure on it, the screwdriver slipped, puncturing the palm of her hand.
"Son of a bitch!" she muttered, biting back the scream of pain she really wanted to let loose. Blood dripped down her arm as she jammed the tool back into the lock and yanked for all she was worth. Her efforts were rewarded with a soft click as the trunk popped open.
Pushing up ever so slightly, she peaked under the edge of the trunk lid. They were definitely at a rest stop. The car was backed up to a wooded area. Tucking the screwdriver back into her jeans, Nikki lifted the lid a little more and looked around. Not seeing anyone she decided to take her chances. Opening
the trunk wide, she climbed out and ran for all she was worth toward the wood line.
"Hey!" a voice yelled behind her. "Stop!"
Nikki ran faster. A gun shot filled the air, the bullet splitting the bark of a tree in front of her. Nikki ran faster. There was blood all over her hand, down her arm, and now it splattered on her shoes and jeans as she ran. A second shot whizzed by her ear as Nikki ducked into the tree line.
She could hear voices shouting, followed by a few more gunshots. Veering right and following the edge of the parking area, Nikki searched for a place to hide. With any luck, her captors would run deeper into the woods, not expecting her to double back. The back of the building containing visitor's information and bathrooms came into sight. The yelling seemed to be getting further away so she ran around the far side of the structure. Back pressed to the cool bricks, she edged her way to the corner that faced the parking lot. Grabbing her phone out of her pocket, she turned on the camera function. It wasn't nearly as nice as the phone she lost but it would get her a picture of the car to send to Keegan.
As soon as she snapped the photo, two men came running out of the trees. She immediately recognized one of them as the man that had seen her at the barn. Nikki ducked back behind the building and slipped into the woods again. She could hear cursing and the slam of the trunk lid. Tires spun and an engine raced as the late model Honda roared out of the lot.
Wiping the blood away from the screen of her phone, Nikki sent the picture to Keegan with a text.
Nikki: That's the car. I'm out. They're gone.
Keegan: Where are you?
Nikki: Stand by.
She stepped back out of the cover of the trees and cautiously worked her way to the front of the building. The black Honda was nowhere to be seen. Her hand was still bleeding pretty good. The place was deserted so she quickly stepped inside the ladies’ room and grabbed some paper towel to wrap around her hand before ducking into a stall.
Nikki: Definitely on the Parkway. Sign says mile marker thirty.
Keegan: Are you safe?
Nikki: I guess.
The door to the bathroom slammed open, crashing against the cinder block wall. "Come out, come out wherever you are!" an evil voice echoed through the room.
