The man with the knife jerked Josie’s head back. He forced her down on her haunches as he gripped her hair. He kept his knife to her throat. “I’ll kill her.” He spoke the words with bravado, but Landon could see his nervousness.
“If you do, I put a bullet into your brain.” Landon moved into the room, his training keeping his head clear and calm. “Slide your knife to me on the floor and let her go and I just might let you live.”
The man hesitated, his knife dangerously close to Josie’s throat. One quick movement and she’d be dead.
Landon didn’t plan to give the man the chance. He squeezed his Colt’s trigger.
A hole appeared in the man’s forehead, spattering blood and matter on the wall behind him.
The knife tumbled onto Josie’s lap. The man collapsed onto the floor, a single drop of blood rolling down his forehead from the hole.
Sirens could be heard in the distance. Landon looked to O’Donnell. “Clear the rest of the house.” The agent gave a nod and Landon holstered his weapon before he went to the woman. “I’m Special Agent Walker with the Department of Homeland Security. Are you Josie Cox?” He took her hand and helped her to her feet.
Her eyes were wide and frightened. “Who were those men?”
“Some of the men who are after your daughter.” Landon rested his hand on her shoulder. “Other than the cut, did they hurt you?”
Josie shook her head. “No. I think they would have killed me if you hadn’t been here.” Her voice trembled. “Is Tori okay?”
“She’s fine and we have her in a safe place.” Landon tried to reassure the woman as O’Donnell checked the man he’d shot for a pulse. He shook his head, indicating that the man was dead.
Landon turned his attention back to Josie. “Where is your husband?”
“Probably at St. Elmo’s bar in Brewery Gulch.” Josie touched her hand to her cheek, winced, then brought her fingers down to see they were coated with blood. “At least I hope he’s there and other men haven’t found him.”
Landon grabbed a plain white T-shirt from off a chair. “Hold this to your cheek to stop the bleeding until we can get the cut attended to.” She took the T-shirt from his hand and pressed it over the wound. “How did your husband get out of the house without the agents noticing him?” Landon asked.
Josie gave a nod in the direction of the bedroom. “I’m guessing he went through our bedroom window and made his way through the neighbors’ yards then took a back route to the gulch. The man has to have his booze and I won’t allow any around here. I empty the bottles in the sink if I find them.”
At the sound of vehicles coming to a stop outside, O’Donnell turned and headed out of the bedroom.
Landon gestured to the doorway. “Are you steady enough to walk?”
“Yes.” Josie wobbled for a moment and Landon prepared to catch her if she fell. But she didn’t and he walked beside her to the front door. She kept the T-shirt pressed to her cheek.
“Can you do me a favor?” Landon asked.
Josie, still clearly shaken, managed a nod. “Anything.”
“Does Tori have a clarinet here?” He looked down at the petite woman. “She wanted it if you were okay.”
“Of course. I’ll get it.” Josie seemed glad to have something to do. “Hmmm…I think she left a box of reeds here the last time she visited too. That girl is always practicing. I don’t think she can live without playing her clarinet.”
Landon accompanied her to a pretty back room with lots of pink that must have belonged to a much younger Tori.
Josie picked up a small black case resting on the white nightstand next to the bed. “This isn’t nearly as nice as her professional one, but at the time we couldn’t afford anything that cost more.” She glanced at the mirrored dresser. “Ah, here’s the box of reeds.” She picked up the small box and paused long enough to put it inside the clarinet case.
“I’m sure she’ll appreciate it,” Landon said, walking with her through the house and to the living room where a pair of agents now waited. “Stay with Mrs. Cox,” Landon instructed before he left the woman and went outside.
The mountainside streets of Bisbee were so narrow cars could only park on one side of the street. The emergency vehicles had parked in a line with barely enough room left for any car to pass.
Police, DHS agency vehicles, an ambulance, and a fire truck helped crowd the place. O’Donnell spoke with police officers. Paramedics treated the two agents who’d been gassed.
Fortunately, no vehicles had blocked in Landon’s Explorer. On his way out of the yard, Landon met up with Lieutenant Marks.
“I think we’ve been seeing too much of each other lately.” Marks grinned. “Way too much.”
“Agreed.”
Marks frowned. “Josie and Henry Cox live here. Are they all right?”
“Mrs. Cox is just shaken up and has a slight injury.” Landon stared down in the direction of Brewery Gulch. “We need to find Henry Cox. Mrs. Cox said he must be at St. Elmo’s. We need to get both of them into protective custody.”
“Why don’t I come with you?” Marks walked beside Landon as he headed toward his SUV. “I know what Henry Cox looks like and he knows me.” Marks shook his head. “Even though I’ve known the man for years, he’s not what you’d call an agreeable person. Getting him to a safe house isn’t going to be easy.” He looked at Landon and gave him a wry smile. “Unless you have a fully stocked bar.”
They reached Landon’s agency SUV. “I don’t think it’s in the taxpayers’ budget.”
Landon took a moment to tell O’Donnell where he intended to go. O’Donnell would stay to work with police and DHS until Landon returned.
Landon maneuvered the SUV through the glut of vehicles so he could go down the narrow street. Only one vehicle could travel down at a time, so oncoming traffic had to pull to the side to allow him to pass. He turned on the red and blue grill lights so he didn’t have to worry about anyone not giving him the right of way.
Once they were in Brewery Gulch, Landon put a police placard on the dash as they parked illegally, as close to the bar as they were able to. They walked the rest of the way down the gulch.
They reached the bar and Marks gestured to the neon St. Elmo sign. “Even though there are live bands and dancing, locals and tourists come to St. Elmo’s for one reason.”
Landon’s lips twisted with humor. “To drink excessively.”
Marks gave a quick grin. “Exactly.”
Landon pushed open the door and they walked into the dimly lit interior. Above them swung neon signs for numerous brands of beer, along with a neon sign of a crawling man beneath the words: Drunken People Crossing. Beware. Over the bar, behind countless bottles of liquor, hung a backlit stained glass sign—St. Elmo, Since 1902.
It took a few moments for Landon’s eyes to become accustomed to the darkened bar. He took in the few people inside, including two men sitting at the bar and a couple in the corner who were sitting on stools at a high top.
“There he is, good ol’ Henry Cox, safe and sound.” Marks went straight toward a man at the end of the bar who lifted a draft beer with a full head of foam. Henry had the flushed features some alcoholics had and a beer gut to go along with it. His wrinkled light-colored button-up shirt as well as his tan slacks clung loosely to his frame.
Marks leaned on the bar beside the man. “How’s it going, Henry?”
Henry turned dull red eyes on Marks, eyeing the police lieutenant’s uniform. “What the hell do you want? I ain’t done nothin’ wrong.”
Landon watched the exchange, on guard for any belligerent behavior from the drunk.
“No, you haven’t done anything wrong.” Marks shifted to stand closer to Henry. “Not that I know of.”
Henry gripped his beer mug, raised it to his lips then hesitated. “What the hell do you want?”
Marks kept his gaze on Henry. “A man attacked Josie.”
“My Josie?” Henry’s mug thunked so hard on the b
ar top that beer sloshed over the rim. He came out of his drunkenness, his eyes wide, and said with clarity, “Is she okay? I’ll kill the sonofabitch who hurt her.”
Marks put his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “She’s shaken up and has a small injury, but otherwise she’ll be fine.”
“Holy shit.” Henry slid off his barstool and would have fallen if Marks hadn’t grabbed him by one arm. “I gotta get home to Josie.”
Marks gripped Henry’s arm. “We’ll take you.”
The bartender noticed Henry leaving. “Pay your tab, Henry.”
Landon pulled out his cred wallet. “Will twenty cover it?”
The bartender gave a nod, a flicker of concern in his eyes when he saw the badge. Landon slid free a twenty with a five for a tip and dropped them on the bar before turning away and following Marks.
When they got the drunk man into the back of the agency SUV, Landon drove back up the mountainside to Temby. Marks returned to his duties after Henry Cox had settled in.
O’Donnell walked Josie over to the SUV. Paramedics had bandaged Josie’s cheek and she likely needed stitches. They’d have to get a doctor to the house where she would be staying. It wouldn’t be safe to take her to a hospital.
Josie climbed into the back with Henry, who started asking her what the hell had happened. Josie set Tori’s clarinet between the front seats.
O’Donnell and Landon left Josie and Henry to their discussion and spent the next ten minutes sweeping the SUV, using a special piece of equipment that could detect tracking devices. When they had checked out the Explorer, they climbed in, and Landon had to once again navigate the narrow street and hill.
“Where are you taking us?” Henry demanded.
Landon glanced at Josie and Henry in his rearview mirror. “The men who attacked Josie are only two of many who will attempt to kidnap you or take your lives. We’re getting you someplace safe.”
“I’ll be safe in my own damned home.” The belligerent drunk stepped hard on Landon’s nerves.
Landon glimpsed back at the road. “Your wife might agree with me.” He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Josie nod.
“They almost killed me, Henry.” Josie’s voice trembled. “I don’t want to go back. These agents can protect us.”
The bleary-eyed drunk swayed. “I can protect you.”
“Like you did today?” Josie pushed her untidy hair out of her eyes. “When you were at St. Elmo’s instead of home like you were supposed to be?”
Landon glanced again at Henry in the rearview mirror.
The man looked as if he might argue but wisely clamped his mouth shut.
Maybe he isn’t so stupid after all, Landon thought then immediately dismissed the notion. He had the keen ability to judge people and he figured he’d pretty much nailed Henry’s type.
Landon’s thoughts turned to Tori. He had the impossibly strong urge to be with her again, to watch her, to protect her. He needed to drop off Josie and Henry then get back to Tori.
Chapter 14
The day dragged so slowly Tori thought she’d lose her mind. With a paperback in her lap, she sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the window in the bedroom she’d been given. Again she wanted to raise the blinds, this time to view the sunset, but she stayed away from the windows as the agents had insisted.
She wondered where in the Sierra Vista area they were. She’d heard it had grown unbelievably large for the area since she had last been here and it had been dark when they’d driven to the town. They could be anywhere. Close to the desert, close to the Huachuca Mountains, or in the middle of town. She had no idea.
Earlier, one of the agents guarding her had given her the news her parents had been transported to a safe house and were no longer in any danger. Despite the fact she thought the agents were keeping something from her, much of the tension in her body had dissipated when she’d learned her mother and father were safe. Landon had taken care of them just like she’d asked.
It terrified her to think about the cartel finding her parents like they’d found Gregory.
And hurting her parents the way they’d hurt Gregory…
Her eyes ached and her fingers hurt from clenching them so tightly on the book.
She wondered when Landon would return, or if he intended to leave her protection to the three agents with her now. She should probably feel safe with these agents, but for some reason she only felt truly safe with Landon. He’d saved her when the cartel had attacked the house last night.
The fact she wanted him didn’t have anything to do with the fact she’d been ready to jump him before the lights had gone out.
No.
Well maybe.
“That’s lust talking,” she mumbled to herself.
“What about lust?” came a deep male voice from behind her.
She started and jumped to her feet, the paperback hitting the floor with a thump. Her face flamed as she spun to face Landon, seeing the corner of his mouth tipped into a sexy grin.
Her mind raced to change the subject. “How are my mom and dad?”
He set down her clarinet case. “They’re fine. Your mother got it out of your bedroom.”
“So she’s all right.” Tori smiled with relief. “Thank you.”
“You apparently like pink,” he said with humor in his voice.
She couldn’t help a grin. “You saw my bedroom.”
He grinned back. “Couldn’t miss it.”
She blinked as it occurred to her he hadn’t said anything about her father. “My dad?”
Landon’s expression turned serious. “We got there in time to save your parents. Two of our agents were attacked, but they’re alive.”
“Two of your agents were attacked?” Tori’s eyes widened. “Because of me?”
“Like I told you before, it isn’t your fault.” Landon stepped closer and clasped her hands in his. “They were gassed, but they’ll be fine.”
She sagged with relief. “Thank God.”
He looked grim. “We’ll take Diego and his organization down and they will pay for what they’ve done.”
It occurred to her that he’d said they’d gotten to her mom and dad in time to save them, but nothing about their well-being. “My parents—were they harmed at all?”
“The men roughed up your mom a little and she sustained a wound to her cheek.” Landon’s voice hardened. “Your father was at St. Elmo’s when it all went down.”
“They hurt Mom?” She heard the near panic in her voice. “I want to see her.”
“It’s safer to keep you apart.” Landon moved his palms up and down her arms in a gentle caress clearly meant to calm her. After a few moments, some of the tension keyed up in her dissipated. Some.
She blew out a long breath. “As long as they’re safe wherever they are.”
“It’s getting late.” He studied her. “You look as if you can use some rest.”
“Are you going to leave me?” She spoke the words before she could stop herself and her face warmed again.
“If you want me to stay, I will.” His features didn’t look as harsh in the dim light of the lamp on the nightstand.
Without thinking, she raised her hand and ran her finger along the thick scar on his cheek. Her voice softened. “What happened?”
He froze and pain flashed in his gaze. “A motorcycle accident.” His words came out terse, almost angry.
She jerked her hand away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
His features relaxed. “Don’t be sorry. It happened a year ago. My fiancée, Stacy, died in the accident.”
She could feel the strength of his grief but also his acceptance. She touched his arm, trying to comfort him in what small way she could. “That’s awful.”
“Yeah, it is.” He looked away before meeting Tori’s gaze again. “It took me a long time to get past it, but I’ve finally come to terms with what happened.”
Tori gave a slow nod. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”
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“To Hell and back.” He reached up and toyed with a strand of her hair. “What about you? Your boyfriend is dead.”
“He verbally and emotionally abused me. I finally got smart and left after—” She shook her head. “He as good as raped me the night before I left. He thought I cheated on him and he forced himself on me.”
Landon’s expression grew dark. “Sonofabitch.”
“That’s how I ended up here. I fled the next day.” She dropped her gaze. “But for him to die in such a horrible way. I feel responsible.”
She didn’t know that she’d ever stop feeling responsible.
* * *
“Hey.” Landon drew Tori into his arms. At first she resisted, but then she relaxed and burrowed into his embrace, her cheek pressed into his T-shirt, her body so soft against his. He looked down and saw tears squeeze from beneath her closed eyelids as she stifled a sob. “It’s natural to want to blame yourself. I blamed myself for my fiancée’s death when the blame should have been squarely on the hit-and-run driver.”
He never expected those words to come out. He’d felt responsible for her death for so long. Was it true he didn’t feel that way any longer? Or had he said it only to make Tori feel better?
If he hadn’t been at fault, he couldn’t use that excuse any longer to push people away.
He’d probably have no problem coming up with something else to keep others at a distance.
“Did they find the driver?” Tori’s question drew him back to her. Her face pressed into his shirt, her body warm in his arms.
“Yes.” He stroked Tori’s hair. “The driver wrapped his car around a telephone pole and managed to live through it. The drunk bastard is in prison for what he did.”
“Even though it doesn’t make up for what happened, I’m glad you had at least some resolution.” Tori shifted against him, as if she wanted to get even closer.
Almost absently, he rubbed his thumb along Tori’s delicate jawline while they both remained quiet. He liked the way she fit in his arms. It felt…right.
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