Hailey's Truth

by Cate Beauman

  Bending his arm, he scrutinized his bicep again. As he flexed, blood dribbled down the mound of muscle. Hopefully, if he cleaned the shit out of it, it wouldn’t get infected. The last thing he wanted was an infection in fucking Mexico.

  Austin stepped into the spray, turned the heat up with a twist of the nozzle. He held his wound in the water, hissing out a breath from the sharp sting. He eyed the bar of soap wearily before he picked up the small cake and rubbed it over the gash. “Goddamn. Son of a bitch, that hurts!”

  Certain he’d cleaned his injury as well as he could manage, Austin scrubbed the rest of himself quickly, then dumped a glob of shampoo in his hair, wondering if he would ever get the smell of rotting garbage off his skin.

  After a second wash and rinse, Austin shut off the water and toweled himself dry. He hustled to the bedroom, pulling fresh clothes from the drawer, eager to get his call in to Ethan and get back to Hailey. He’d missed her.

  At some point along the way, the idea of cuddling up with Hailey, of wrapping himself around her and getting lost in what they could bring each other, had become more important, or at least equally as important as his job.

  In less than a week, Hailey had changed everything. The lines of what he thought he wanted had become skewed. She had somehow gone from casual friend to the woman. How the hell did that happen?

  Austin pulled on a gray t-shirt and black mesh shorts, then picked up his phone and dialed Ethan’s number.

  “Cooke.”

  “If you didn’t want me on your payroll, why didn’t you just say so?”

  “It went that well, huh?”

  “Oh, even better.”

  “What did the landlord say?”

  “Not much. He never showed up, but I did get shot at and grazed—“

  “What?”

  “I’m not finished…had to beat the shit out of several assholes, and that was before I ran from the cops. Oh, and let’s not forget the dead body. You don’t pay me enough, man.”

  “What the fuck happened?”

  “I walked into a trap. The corpse was just a bonus.” Austin rubbed his hand against his jaw, swearing when his fingers connected with the tender welt. “Either the landlord has his hand in organized crime or someone else entirely called the Site Director to set up a ‘meeting’ with me. They’d planned to mess me up, and I can’t figure out why. One guy said they were warning me off, that I needed to mind my own business. I didn’t get the chance to ask him to explain.”

  “What’s your initial impression?”

  “I haven’t got a clue. Other than asking a few questions about the kidnappings, I’ve been occupied with my vacation.” And Hailey—he kept that thought to himself. “My ‘meeting’ was arranged before, so I don’t think that’s the connection.”

  “Tell me about the body.”

  Austin sighed as he flashed back to his gruesome find. “I don’t think discovering a decomposing corpse was part of the game plan. Some poor sucker’s missing a large majority of his head. I think he was homeless. I don’t know if there’s a Zulas connection or not. I’m not calling it in. I’ll let you handle that from the States. The cops are bought. As far as I’m concerned, I never left my cabana this evening.”

  “Do we need to get you and Hailey out of there?”

  “No, I think my little adventure was exactly what my attackers said it was—a warning. And besides, where the hell would we go? Even if I took Hailey to the safe house they would find us eventually if they set their mind to it. They’re too well-connected. There’s only one way out of this, Ethan. You and I both know it.”

  “Yeah.” Ethan’s sharp exhale carried over the line. “So what do you want to do?”

  “Sit tight. They won’t be back again—at least not this group. They fucked up, embarrassed the organization. I would’ve killed them if I had to, but I have little doubt they’ll be taken care of by whoever sent them.” Austin stretched, attempting to loosen the tension coiling his muscles tight. Seconds later, a warm trail of crimson tracked down his arm. He eyed his wound, then walked to the bathroom, grabbed a length of toilet paper. He pressed the wad to his injury.

  “If things heat up, say the word. We’ll pull you both. Hunter, Jackson, and I will be on our way.”

  “Let’s see what happens. I don’t want to leave unless we run out of options.” He walked to the window, stared at Hailey’s room. This project meant so much to her, both personally and academically. She needed these free credits. “We have other problems. Our accommodations for Project Mexico are a joke.”

  “Were you expecting the Hilton?”

  “No, but I was expecting more than a heap of rubble. A door that actually locks would be a nice start.”

  “The Site Director assured me we were all set. The Dean signed off on it.”

  “It’ll be hard to provide protection for a dozen people in a place like that. The university either needs to release more funds for another agent or find us something else.”

  “What a goddamn mess,” Ethan grumbled. “We don’t have time to dick with this. Let me call the Dean. I’m threatening to pull you and Jackson. That should get a few results.”

  “Keep me informed. Oh, and I’m short a weapon. I had to toss mine—didn’t have time to grab the casing after I fired.”

  “Can you hold off until Jackson arrives?”

  “I’d like to think so.

  “Watch your back.”

  “I’m planning to.” The line went dead. Austin shoved his phone in his pocket, opened the door, peering outside, wary of another trap. When he figured the coast was clear, he locked up and jogged over to Hailey’s cabana. He knocked on her door. “Hailey, it’s me.”

  He waited.

  Austin knocked louder, assuming she’d finally gotten around to enjoying the huge bathtub. A slow smile spread across his face; perhaps he would join her. “Hailey, come on.”

  Still nothing.

  His smile faded as he pounded against the door again. Unease roiled his belly. “Hailey, open up.” He glanced over his shoulder, toward the docks, down the beach. Had they gotten to her? What if his ”meeting” had been a diversion?

  His heart pounding, he backed up, ready to bust down the door, stopping just before his shoulder met the wood. He needed to think, not overreact. Hailey had probably gotten sick of waiting. She was probably up enjoying the hotel’s nightlife.

  Even as Austin sprinted back to his cabana for the spare key, he knew he wouldn’t find her among the other guests. She said she would stay in her room. She said she would wait for him there. God, if something had happened to her… A sheen of cold sweat slicked his body, his stomach sinking further as he thought of the things they could’ve done to her—or might be doing now. The Zulas were known for their brutal, if not barbaric retaliatory tactics.

  Austin shook his head, unable to stand it. Hailey was fine; she had to be.

  He hurried back to Hailey’s cabana, fumbling with the lock, his fingers unsteady. The fear rushing through his system, devouring him whole, was a new sensation. He’d never cared for anyone the way he was coming to realize he cared for Hailey.

  Finally, the key gave and he threw the door open. “Hailey!” He checked the bathroom, the closet. “Hailey!” She wasn’t here, but he already knew that.

  Austin glanced around the room, spotting her cell phone on the bedside table. He had to sit from the fresh wave of terror weakening his knees. She wasn’t here, and she didn’t take her phone. Hailey always took her phone.

  Austin pressed his fingers to his brow, commanding himself to think. If he wanted to find her, he needed to pull it together. His heartbeat pounded in his chest, echoing like a drumbeat in his temples. One step at a time, Casey. Take it one step at a time.

  He stood again, attempting to gain a tenu
ous grip on his emotions. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, unclenched his fists. Austin counted to ten, opened his eyes, then glanced around the room, now in professional mode. Everything appeared as it had before he left. Hailey’s laptop lay open on the bed, a pen and pad of paper next to it. If the Zulas took her, she hadn’t struggled.

  Austin picked up Hailey’s cell and searched through her information.

  She’d responded to a text from Sarah less than three hours before. “Not so long ago,” he muttered, trying to reassure himself. They had three hours on him. As a SEAL he’d rescued hostages that had been missing for days, weeks even.

  He scrubbed his fingers against his forehead as fear cracked his shield of cool. Three hours was a lifetime. Austin shook his head. This type of thinking wasn’t helping.

  Forcing himself back to work, he scrolled through the conversation Hailey and Sarah had, looking for something that might tell him where she could be. Austin stopped dead as he read her thoughts. He’s everything I never thought I could have.

  Austin sat down again, surrounded by pieces of Hailey. Her peach blossom scent filled the room. Her smiling face nestled cheek to cheek with Kylee’s filled the screen on her computer.

  Somehow Hailey had become everything he never knew he wanted.

  In defense, Austin looked away from her laptop and scrolled through her phone once more, making certain he hadn’t missed anything. There was nothing.

  He searched her computer’s history next. An article about the teen girls’ disappearance was the only activity.

  Austin got to his feet and dialed the front desk.

  “Front desk.”

  “Yes, this is Austin Casey down in the cabana suites. I’m having trouble locating my…girlfriend, Hailey Roberts. Has she signed up for any events tonight, or have you seen her around?”

  “Let me check for you, Mr. Casey.”

  “Thank you.” He paced the floor. The wait felt like an eternity.

  “Mr. Casey, I’m not seeing that Ms. Roberts signed up for any of our activities, and I haven’t personally seen her pass through the main lobby here this evening.”

  He closed his eyes. “Okay, thank you.”

  “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “No, thanks.” He hung up, barely suppressing the need to slam the receiver back in its cradle. Where the hell was she?

  Austin dialed Ethan’s number next.

  “Hel—“

  “I can’t find Hailey.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me; I can’t find Hailey.” He spewed his helplessness in a wave of heat. “She said she would stay here and wait for me, but she isn’t here. Her phone is, so’s her laptop, but there’s no Hailey.”

  “Did you check in with the hotel?”

  “Of course I did.” He paced about, his fear winning again as he heard the concern in Ethan’s voice. “I’m just telling you now so if I don’t find her in the next hour, you’ll be ready to get your ass down here.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “My God, Cooke, do you know what they could be doing to her? What am I going to do if—“

  “Pull yourself the fuck together and do what you’re trained to do,” Ethan snapped. “Go look for Hailey. This isn’t helping her.”

  “I’m leaving now.” He hurried to the door, flung it open.

  Hailey gasped, her hand flying to her chest as she stepped back. “Oh, Austin, you scared me half to death.”

  Austin stared as relief warred with sharp, ripe anger. “Everything’s fine, Cooke.” He pressed “end,” tossed the phone on the bed, dragged Hailey against him. “God, Hailey, my God. Where have you been?” He closed his eyes and breathed her in as he nestled her head to his shoulder, brushing back the soft locks of hair escaping her up-do.

  Her arms came around his waist, washing away the worst of his mad.

  He opened his eyes, pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Where have you been?” He eased her back, needing to see again that she was truly safe. “I’ve been half sick…” He saw Jeremy then, dressed in slacks and a button down, standing in the shadows of the porch. Barely masked surprise filled Jeremy’s eyes as he looked away. Immediately, Austin knew. Here was the connection to his “warning” from the Zulas. Jeremy had something to do with it. It was written all over his face.

  Fury rushed back so fast Austin all but choked on it. He gripped his hand against the doorframe, afraid that if he let go, he would start pummeling Hailey’s brother and wouldn’t be able to stop. He struggled not to lash out as he glanced back at Hailey’s puzzled expression. “Where have you been? I thought something happened to you.”

  Her frown deepened. “Didn’t you get my note? I taped it right here to the door.” She pointed to the spot behind him.

  “No, I didn’t get it.”

  She rested her hand over his tensed one, squeezing. “I’m sorry, Austin. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”

  Worry? Worry didn’t even come close. If only he knew what to do with the barrage of emotions raging through him. He wanted to hold her close as stirrings of what might be love smothered him. He wanted to push her away in sheer frustration from her inability to see her brother for what he was.

  “I was with Jeremy.” She smiled over her shoulder. “We had dinner together—finally.” She turned back. “I had the most amazing time.” Her beautiful smile deepened.

  Austin nodded. It was the best he could do.

  “Give me just a second, ‘kay?” She skimmed her finger over Austin’s knuckles, then walked to Jeremy, who was still standing silent in the shadows like the coward he was. Hailey wrapped him in a hug. “Thank you. I had so much fun. This was such a special night.” She kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”

  He whispered something close to her ear and she chuckled.

  She eased away from her brother, pressing her hand to his cheek. “Thanks for the adventure. I’ll never forget it.”

  “Me either.” Jeremy’s eyes flicked up to Austin’s before he looked back to his sister. “I’m going to head out. Mateo wants to meet up at the casino.”

  “Okay. Have fun. I love you.”

  Austin clenched his jaw until it ached. He turned back into the room, unable to take anymore. When was Hailey going to fucking wake up? Maybe she never would. Maybe she couldn’t. Where would that leave them? He would never be able to turn a blind eye to who Jeremy was, not even for Hailey. He rubbed his hand over the nape of his neck, wincing from the ache in his battered shoulder.

  The door closed. Hailey walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek to his back. He was instantly surrounded by her peachy scent.

  “Austin, again, I’m so sorry about the note. The wind must’ve caught it.”

  Or someone took it down, was his guess. He didn’t touch her, couldn’t turn around and look at her yet. He couldn’t think straight when he stared into those big honey eyes. “You didn’t bring your phone.”

  “I know. I forgot.”

  Austin stared at the wall, trying to control the anger he couldn’t shake. “All of this could’ve been avoided with a simple call, Hailey. They didn’t have a phone at the restaurant?”

  “Actually, I didn’t eat at the resort.” Her voice burst with excitement. “Jeremy’s boss wanted to meet me. I had dinner on that big, beautiful yacht.”

  He whirled, unable to believe what he was hearing. “You had dinner with Jeremy’s boss? On the yacht?”

  “Yes.” She beamed. “It was wonderful and exciting and pretty much just absolutely amazing. The food was divine and…” she trailed off, her smile vanishing. “Austin, why are you looking at me like that? Are you mad at me?”

  Mad? Was he mad? He thought of her out on the boat, surrounded by the Mexican Mafia, dining with the
leader of the most notorious drug gang on the North American continent—defenseless—while he fended off thugs hunting him by the same man’s order. He stepped forward, grabbing her arms, ready to explode. “You were out on that yacht with Donte Rodriguez and you want to know if I’m mad? I’m way passed mad, Hailey. I’m in a whole other stratosphere. What were you thinking?” He turned away and marched to the bathroom.

  “What do you mean, ‘what was I thinking?’ I had dinner with my brother and his boss,” she tossed back. “What’s wrong with that?”

  He whirled. “Everything!”

  “Why? Why is everything wrong? Donte is superbly nice. He’s a great man. Jeremy finally has a good influence in his life. How is that wrong?”

  “You don’t know that man, Hailey. You know absolutely nothing about him.” He rushed to her again, holding her face in his hands. “Why can’t you see? Why won’t you see?” He pivoted away. “My God, Hailey. I was sick, sick with worry. Now you’re standing here safe and I’m sick all over again.”

  “I don’t understand you.” Her voice broke as she pressed her palm against her forehead. “What do you want from me, Austin? I don’t see what you’re talking about. I met Jeremy’s boss and saw a man of great wealth. I saw a charming individual who involves himself in several charitable causes. I saw a person who has the potential to change my brother’s life for the better. If you want me to see something else, then by God, Austin, spell it out.” Tears rushed down her cheeks. She didn’t give him a chance to fire back. “You hint at things, but you never say anything outright.” She pointed accusatorily. “I know you don’t like Jeremy; I get that. You’ve made yourself very clear on that point. Quite frankly, he doesn’t like you either, but why does it have to matter?”

  She turned toward the huge picture window, heaving out a shaky breath. “The entire time I was on the boat, I thought of you.” Her voice grew quiet. “I wanted you. I couldn’t wait to come back and share everything that happened. This was the first time I actually saw a glimmer of hope for Jeremy, and the only person I wanted to share that with was you.” She moved to the edge of the bed, not meeting his gaze, and sat, shoulders slumped, elbows resting on her thighs, hands covering her face.