Chosen

by Denise Grover Swank

  “Now slowly, very slowly, pull your gun out with one finger and hold it up for me.” He reached his hand into his jacket and removed his gun. Will took the firearm dangling from the guard’s finger. “Okay, let’s go. Everyone out Travis’ side. Let’s all stay close together, shall we? Just remember I have two guns, one on each of you.”

  The men got out and walked to the back door with Warren and the guard in front, Will directly behind. Will had Travis unlock the door while he kept a gun at Warren’s back. Warren and the guard went through the door with Will following.

  “Where’s the staircase?”

  Travis showed him the stairwell door close to the back door.

  “After you, gentlemen.”

  Travis went in first, followed by Warren and then Will.

  “Walk up side by side if you, please.”

  “Will,” Warren said. “This is getting out of hand. You really don’t expect to get out of here, do you?”

  “Senator, if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’ll take great pleasure in doing it for you.”

  Warren released an exasperated sound.

  They reached the landing between the first and second floor and started up the second set of stairs. When they reached the door, Will told them to stop.

  “Now here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to walk to Emma’s room and we’re going to put her in a wheelchair. Travis is going to push it and the good senator is going to walk with me. Anyone tips off the men outside door and the senator gets shot. Sound good?”

  “Will...” Warren started.

  Will jammed the gun into his back. “Please, I’m begging you, give me a reason to go ahead and shoot you because it’s taking every bit of restraint not to.”

  Warren shut up, giving Will momentary satisfaction. “Okay, everyone close together, the gun’s trained on Warren.” Will stuck the other weapon down into his front waistband. “Senator, you’re going to tell them that you changed your mind and Emma’s going to Washington D.C. with you. Let’s go.”

  Travis opened the door and they moved down the hall. The guards looked surprised to see them, especially entering from the staircase.

  “Senator?” one of the guards questioned.

  “I’ve decided to bring our guest with me to D.C.” Warren sounded amazingly genial. “Is there a wheelchair in her room?”

  “Yes,” the nurse answered, flustered at the change in plans.

  “We’ll just be a minute,” Will told them as they entered the room.

  ***

  Emma looked up when the door opened and sighed in relief. “Will.”

  The senator and a man entered the room with Will following. Will reached around and locked the door, then turned his attention to Alex.

  Will’s eyes darkened. “Is that him?”

  Emma nodded.

  Will strode to him and slammed the butt of his gun into Alex’s head before he had time to react. Alex crumpled to the floor next to the bed.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Warren asked, his voice rising in alarm as he moved to his son.

  He pointed the gun toward Warren. “I would stay over there if I were you.”

  Alex lay on the floor in a fetal position, moaning. “Get up, you fucking maggot.” Will kicked him in the stomach.

  “Will, stop!” Emma reached over and pulled his arm.

  “I’m going to kill him, Emma.” His voice was calm, but the glare in his eyes told her he was serious.

  “No, Will. Stop. He knows who was after Jake.”

  Emma felt his bicep tense. “How does he know?”

  “I don’t know, but he says he does.”

  “What is this about?” Warren’s voice rose, indignant.

  “Ask your precious son.” Will spat and kicked Alex again. Alex groaned. “What? Not so tough with a man? Only big and bad with defenseless women?” Will kicked him again. “Get up.”

  “Will, stop!”

  Will jerked Alex up by his shirt and tossed him into the chair. He pulled the other gun out of the waistband of his pants and pointed it at Alex’s forehead while the other stayed trained on Warren. Alex paled, in spite of his tan, and blood flowed down the side of his face from the gash made by the gun.

  “Okay Alex, I’m gonna ask this nice only once. You've been warned. Where’s Jake?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Will’s face reddened and his jaw tightened. His finger twitched on the trigger.

  Alex’s eyes widened with fear. “But I know who took him if he’s alive.”

  “Who?”

  “The other group. The one that broke off of this one. They wanted him.”

  Will took a deep breath and glanced at Warren. His face was expressionless.

  “So don’t keep me waiting in suspense.” Will gritted through his clenched mouth. “Where are they?”

  “Ari...zzzona.” Alex stammered.

  Emma heard the senator’s sharp intake of breath. Apparently, Alex’s information was news to him.

  “Arizona’s a big state with lots of desert, Alex. Afraid you’ll need to be a tad bit more specific than that.”

  “I don’t know, north of Tucson, about hundred miles northwest. That’s all I know.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Will pushed the gun into his forehead.

  Alex’s eyes widened and his lip trembled. “I swear to God, that’s all I know.”

  “What is the group called?”

  Alex looked from Will to his father, then back to Will. “They go by ‘the Cavallo.’”

  Emma let a sigh of relief. It was something.

  Will stuffed the gun in his right hand into his waistband and smashed his fist into Alex's nose. “You’re lucky that’s all you’re getting from me but if I ever see you again, I will kill you.” Will looked up. “Where’s the wheelchair?”

  Travis wheeled it to the bed. Will had him lower the guardrail. “Travis, you’re going to carefully help her into the chair.” He helped her slide over the side of the bed. She tried to ignore the pain shooting through her leg.

  Emma wore a hospital gown that opened the back, it started to slip as she got down. Embarrassment should have been the last thing on her mind, but she felt her face redden anyway. Will walked up behind her and pulled the back closed as she sat in the chair. She panted as she recovered from the pain.

  “Okay, Travis back over with Senator Warren.”

  Will leaned over her head from behind. “You okay?” he whispered.

  “Yeah, I just want out of here.”

  He reached up and pulled her IV bags down and put them on her lap. He grabbed a blanket off the bed and tossed it over her legs, keeping the gun on the two men against the wall.

  Will opened the drawers of the supply cart in the corner and pulled out a plastic bag. He had Travis stuff the bag with supplies while he kept a gun pointed at Senator Warren. Will took the bag and hung it on the back of the wheelchair.

  “Okay, let’s get this show on the road. Travis pushes Emma, then Warren in front of me. Sorry, Alex, you have to stay behind.”

  Alex had passed out in the chair.

  Will unlocked the door. They filed out of the room and headed for the elevator. The guards watched with curiosity.

  Will leaned toward Warren’s ear and whispered something.

  Senator Warren looked at the guards and smiled. “Alex needed a few minutes to make some calls so if you could leave him undisturbed for a while, it would be most appreciated.”

  Emma was amazed how calm the senator appeared.

  The elevator doors opened. Travis wheeled the chair in with Senator Warren and Will following behind.

  “You really don’t think you’re going to get away with this, do you?” Warren asked after the doors closed.

  “Why, yes, Senator. I believe I will.”

  “I will track you down and I will collect what is mine.” The hatred in his voice was unmistakable.

  “In that case Senator, expect to collect a bullet in your head
because that’s the only thing I have that is yours.”

  The doors opened and the group emerged from the elevator. The security guard looked up from his desk in surprise.

  Warren jerked slightly. “Good evening. We came to bring Ms. Thompson with us. We parked out back so we’ll be headed that way.”

  The security guard nodded, unconcerned.

  The sun was setting as they left through the back door. Shadows darkened the parking lot behind the building.

  Will kept a gun on Warren’s back while Travis helped Emma into the back seat.

  “Okay, Travis, you get behind the wheel, and Senator, you sit in front with him.”

  “But there’s a dead man in there,” Warren protested.

  “Somehow I don’t think he’ll mind sharing his seat.”

  Travis got behind the wheel, while Warren slid in next to the dead guard, cringing with disgust. Will climbed in the back seat next to Emma and pointed the gun at Warren’s head. He reached forward and inserted the keys into the ignition.

  “Let’s get moving.”

  Travis drove around the back of the buildings, reconnecting with the circular drive. Half way between the buildings and the front gate, Will made Travis and Warren haul the dead body out of the front seat and into the trees along the side of the drive. They got back in and headed for the guard booth.

  Travis slowed the car as they approached the station.

  “Tell him we’re headed to Rapid City,” Will said.

  He told the guard their destination and the guard waved them through. They turned onto the two-lane road, the opposite direction of the airfield.

  Warren sat still for the next five miles, surprisingly quiet, although Emma was sure he wanted to say something by the way his jaw jutted forward and his lips twitched.

  “Okay Travis, pull over here.” They were in the middle of nowhere, wheat fields flanking the road.

  Emma was glad Will told him to stop. She couldn’t stand being in the same car with Senator Warren much longer. Will might have two guns, but Warren oozed power and control. He was not a man to be underestimated.

  “Time to part ways, boys. I need you to get out and stand in front of the car.” They opened the doors, leaving them open as they climbed out. Will slid out the back door, still pointing the guns toward them as they walked to the front. They raised their hands and squinted from the bright headlights.

  “I’m going to have you boys hand over your cell phones, if you please. One at a time. You first, Travis.” Will said, standing in front of the car, partially obscuring Emma’s view of Travis. After a moment, Will leaned forward, taking the phone from Travis’ outstretched hand.

  “Senator?”

  Senator Warren looked disgusted, but pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Will.

  “Now I’m going to have you boys move over to that side of the road.” Will pointed to the road on the driver’s side. “Be sure to stand on the shoulder so you don’t get run over now.”

  “We will meet again, Mr. Davenport,” Warren said as he walked across the road.

  “Believe me, Senator Warren, I’m counting on it.”

  Will shut the passenger door then got in the driver’s side, tossing the cell phones on the front seat. He lowered the driver’s window and kept his gun pointed at them until he was a safe distance down the road.

  Emma let out a sigh of relief. Will watched her in the rearview mirror, his face serious. But she saw the hint of a smile.

  “What?” she asked.

  “God, you’re a hell of a lot of trouble.”

  She scowled at him. “Nobody asked you to come back, Will.”

  “Who said trouble was a bad thing?” He winked.

  Emma cocked her head and glared. “I’m still pissed at you. You were just going to leave me there.”

  “I didn’t think I had a choice, but once I realized who Alex was, there was no way in hell I could.” His eyes turned serious. “It’s not going to be easy, Emma. We’re going to be running. I’m still not sure I made the right decision getting you out of there.”

  “I’d rather be running with you than imprisoned with them.”

  “I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe. I swear to you, Emma.”

  She wondered if she should question his trustworthiness, but he just risked his life to get her out, not to mention pissing of a very powerful politician. “I know. Now, let’s just get the hell away from here. We need to go find Jake.”

  “Already issuing orders?”

  “Didn’t you tell me that was my job?”

  “Yeah, I just didn’t expect it so soon. Why do I think I’m going to regret that?”

  “Shut up and drive, Will.”

  He looked in the mirror and smiled.

  ***

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As always, I thank my children for tolerating Mommy jumping off the deep end to write this book. Chosen was my second completed novel and it grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and didn’t let me go until I wrote The End. (Yes, I’m a dork and always write The End on first drafts.) This is when my children realized maybe Mommy was serious about this writing thing.

  I also want to thank my daughter-in-law, Cody. If it weren’t for Cody telling me that my then four-year-old son Ryan could only count if he touched her fingers, Chosen would never have been born.

  Equally important in Chosen’s birth is my dear friend David Paul. If it weren’t for his continued encouragement and support, I would have stopped at chapter one. He always believed I was capable of telling this story even when I was sure I wasn’t.

  I also have to thank Brandy Underwood, who’s read the first draft of everything I’ve written and still comes back for more. She’s a huge support, encourager and self-proclaimed president of my (non-existent) fan club.

  Of course, I couldn’t have done this without my critique partners: Trisha Leigh, Eisley Jacobs and Kathy Collins. They make me look good and keep me sane. Well, as sane as I am capable of.

  Next comes a long list of people who read this book in its many edited forms and loved it. When I thought this book would die on my hard drive, someone else would ask “When is Chosen getting published? I want to share it with my friends.” I wish I could name you all but unfortunately there’s too many. (Probably fifty to sixty of you. I honestly lost count.)

  I also want to thank the Baxter Boozers Bitchin’ Book Club: Heather Ann McDonnell, Alison Turner Wilhem, A. Alex Hubbarth, Kelly Patterson, Lisa Kasko, Amy Anderson and a few others not mentioned. They read the earliest version of Chosen for their June 2010 book club then had a Skype chat with me to discuss it. Their enthusiasm made me believe I had something worth publishing.

  And finally, I want to thank my copy editor Jim Thomsen, who could see things I couldn’t, both good and bad, and helped me make Chosen even better.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Denise Grover Swank lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She has six children, two dogs, and an overactive imagination. She can be found dancing in her kitchen with her children, reading or writing her next book. You will rarely find her cleaning.

  You can find out more about Denise and her other books at www.denisegroverswank.com

  HUNTED (The Chosen #2)

  Chapter One

  Beads of sweat clung to Will Davenport’s forehead as he watched the house through binoculars. A gust of wind kicked up a swirl of sand that blew into his eyes and mouth.

  Fucking sand. He turned and spit. He’d had enough sand to last a lifetime. When he left Iraq, he swore he’d never go back. And he hadn’t, but Arizona in the end of July was too similar to suit him. His frustration mounted with every passing minute. There was absolutely no activity in the house, not that he could see, and he dreaded reporting the results.

  Emma wouldn’t be happy.

  His intelligence had told him the group known as the Cavallo had made a safe house out of this small stucco residence in the middle of nowhere. Reports that a small blond boy had b
een seen here over a week ago seemed to confirm the information, but the lack of activity suggested otherwise. Not that Will was surprised. They’d probably moved Jake.

  Will climbed down from the rocks and walked the short distance to his car, deciding it was time to check out the house in person. Emma was going to kill him. She begged him to scope out the location a few days ago to see if her son was here, but he had refused to leave her. She’d almost died from the gunshot wound to her thigh and, until a few days ago, she’d been deathly sick. He hated leaving her even now, but she wasn’t up to withstanding the heat. Nevertheless, leaving her in the shabby motel for an extended period of time wasn’t acceptable either. He wanted to confirm his suspicions and get the hell back.

  Emma was a hunted woman.

  Will pulled close to a low wall surrounding the yard. There was little natural cover, just sand and a few cacti. While all signs pointed to this place being deserted, he wasn’t stupid enough to walk up to the front door. Grabbing his shotgun, he got out of the car and ducked behind the wall. He waited, searching for any signs of activity inside. Seeing none, he darted across the yard to the side of the stucco house. A gunshot rang out, catching him by surprise.

  He hadn’t expect that.

  Will regrouped, considering his options. He doubted Jake was inside, but it wasn’t an assumption he wanted to rely on. In fact, he hoped he was wrong. But it made sense that whoever was inside would be waiting for him. He’d made more than a few enemies in the last couple of weeks.

  He clung to the side of the windowless wall, then crept to the back corner. A detached garage in the back corner of the yard looked deserted, but so had the house. With no car in plain sight, if whoever was inside had one, it had to be in the garage.

  Will ran across the back yard to the dilapidated wooden outbuilding almost making it to the corner when a bullet whizzed past his head. Whoever was inside was sloppy. More confirmation that Jake wasn’t here.

  Will easily kicked in the door behind the garage and found a beat-up Camaro parked inside. The rest of the building was empty except for a pair of rusted metal shelves against one wall. He opened the car’s passenger door and checked the glove compartment for the title and registration, without success. Groping under the seats, his fingers brushed against a gun under the driver’s seat. Loaded. Will smiled. He was running low on weapons. The car might actually serve a purpose if it had air conditioning. The clunker he parked out front didn’t.