Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Exit StrategyPaybackCovert Justice

by Shirlee McCoy

  “You’re running away from this?” He leaned back in his chair with an incredulous frown.

  “I wouldn’t call it running as much as protecting my friends.”

  “I’d call it running, and that surprises me. I mean, you’re such a determined, strong person, yet you’re letting your brother’s mistakes drive you away from your home? You do consider Echo Mountain your home, right?”

  “You know I do.”

  “Then why let your brother take it away from you?”

  “You make it sound like he planned this. He didn’t plan to put me in danger.”

  “I’m missing something here. What?” He leaned forward and stared earnestly into her eyes.

  “I’m not sure what you want me to say, Aiden.”

  “You’re a tough woman, so why are you cowering from the consequences of your brother’s bad decisions?”

  “I’m a realist, not a coward.”

  “I didn’t say you were a coward, but you’re surrendering awfully quickly and sacrificing things you care about, especially your friends and your church community.”

  And you, she thought.

  She blinked and broke eye contact. “It can’t be helped.”

  “Because?”

  She didn’t answer. If only she’d successfully protected Danny from their stepfather growing up, things would be different. Danny would be different.

  “You need to cut ties with your brother and stop enabling him by giving him money,” Aiden said.

  “Aiden,” she hushed. “He’s my brother.”

  “He’s a grown man and should be taking care of himself.”

  “If he needs my help I have to be there for him, no matter what.”

  “He’s pulling you down, Nia. He’ll continue to drag you into his mess until you hit the stop button. He’s not your responsibility.”

  “He’s my little brother.”

  “Who’s involved in some sketchy stuff.”

  “Well, maybe if I’d been there for him…”

  The shame drifting off her body was almost palpable. There, she’d said it. Aiden had forced it out of her.

  “Nia, you can’t feel responsible for your brother’s decisions as an adult.”

  “You don’t know what it was like in our house. And I left him behind so I could go to college. Selfish girl.” She stood and started for the kitchen, needing to get away from Aiden and the truth.

  Aiden touched her shoulder. “Hey, hey, where are you going?”

  “Kitchen. For a snack.”

  “Sit down. I’ll get it.”

  She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t. Now that he knew the truth, she felt even more ashamed.

  Collapsing on the chair, she wished that Nate would come back so they could stop talking about this. She didn’t enjoy reliving the past, thinking about what she should have done for her brother. Whom she could have told.

  In retrospect, the list was lengthy. She could have exposed Walter’s cruelty, told any one of her high school teachers, her pastor, her mom’s best friend, someone. Instead, she’d kept the truth of Walter’s abuse a secret because her mother begged her to, and as long as Nia lived at home, she felt she could protect Danny from the abuse.

  Then she’d decided she wanted a life for herself, a career, which meant she had to abandon him. He’d never made her feel guilty about leaving and even told her how proud he was that she’d “gotten out.”

  But she should have known that growing up in a violent atmosphere would have residual effects. Each week at church she’d include Danny in her prayers and ask for forgiveness for being selfish.

  Eventually she’d even reached the point of self-forgiveness.

  Then Danny showed up, and she felt horrible all over again.

  “How about cheese and crackers?” Aiden said from the kitchen.

  “Sounds good.”

  A few minutes later, Aiden rejoined her at the table with a plate of sliced cheese and a box of crackers. “You need more tea?”

  “No, I’m okay.”

  “I guess it all makes sense now.”

  “What?” she said, reaching for a piece of cheese.

  “Why you’re so good at taking care of everyone else. You took care of your brother and probably your mom, too, right?”

  She nodded.

  A soft knock echoed across the room. “Guess Nate’s back,” Aiden said and pointedly looked at Nia. “We’re not done with this conversation.”

  She nodded but knew she couldn’t let him change her mind about leaving town. She cared too much about the people here. About Aiden.

  He opened the door. “What’s that look?” Aiden asked Nate.

  “Maybe it’s nothing, but a suspicious vehicle cruised by the apartment building awfully slow a minute ago. Nia, I suggest you pack a bag and move out for a couple of days until we get this squared away.”

  Aiden nodded at her. “It’s settled. You’ll move into Bree’s place, at least temporarily.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off.

  “I need to protect you, Nia. Please let me do that.”

  It was his tone that made Nia swallow her protest. She’d never heard him speak like that before, so gentle and almost pleading. She felt the pain in his words and couldn’t stand that she’d caused it.

  “Okay, I’ll pack my things.”

  *

  An hour later, Nia was settled at Bree’s kitchen table, icing her ankle and nibbling the burrito she’d ordered and Danny had never picked up. Aiden suggested they swing by the restaurant on the way to the resort. The food was still there. Danny was nowhere to be found.

  Nia wasn’t all that hungry but knew she should eat something. The past twenty-four hours had sapped her energy and strung her nerves as tight as a tennis racket. She was upset with her brother but also worried about him. She couldn’t believe he’d taken her money and disappeared without even saying goodbye or warning her that a man might come looking for him.

  As she continued to puzzle over his behavior, Bree came into the kitchen, followed by her golden retriever, Fiona. “How’s the ankle?”

  “Better, actually. It wasn’t that serious to begin with.”

  “Want some cookies?”

  “Sure, okay.”

  Bree raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe you’re tired. That’s okay, too.”

  “I feel bad putting you out.”

  “Are you kidding? I love having company. I’ve got a second bedroom that’s hardly ever used.” Bree opened the refrigerator. “Milk?”

  “Sure.” Nia glanced down the hall at the front door.

  Bree turned around and eyed Nia. “I’m sure he’ll be back.”

  “What?” Nia looked at Bree. “Who?”

  “My brother.”

  “No, I wasn’t…”

  “It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.” Bree smiled.

  “Tell anyone…?”

  “That you’re his new project.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When someone’s in trouble he’s quick to jump to the rescue.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Nia had certainly seen enough of Aiden’s helpful side, with family, friends and sometimes even guests.

  “Unless you want to be more than just his project?” Bree winked.

  “No, of course not. He’s my boss.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Don’t start something here, Bree. I’m not going to be around that long anyway,” Nia said.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Suddenly Fiona rushed out of the kitchen, barking frantically in the living room.

  “Fiona, no!” Bree called out, but the dog didn’t stop. “Sometimes she goes crazy when deer roam the property. But she usually stops when I give the command.”

  With a concerned frown, Bree headed for the living room and Nia followed. They went to the window where Fiona was barking and pounding on the glass with her paws.

  Nia looked outside…

&n
bsp; And saw Aiden in a fistfight with a stranger.

  SIX

  “Aiden!” Nia spun around and started for the door.

  “Nia, stop.” Bree darted in front of her. “We’ll call for help.”

  “But—”

  “Aiden wouldn’t want you to put yourself in danger. You know that.”

  Nia nodded and turned back to the window as Bree made the call. “Scott, you need to get over here. Aiden is fighting with some guy out front…Okay, I will.” She turned to Nia. “I’m calling 911.”

  Nia squinted to see out the window, but Aiden and his attacker were out of sight. “Where’d they go?” She went to another window but couldn’t see past the darkness.

  “This is Bree McBride at Echo Mountain Resort. I’d like to report an assault taking place outside my cottage,” Bree said into the phone.

  “I can’t see them. Bree, they’re gone,” Nia said. She spotted the security truck racing toward the cottage, the orange light flashing on the roof.

  Bree peered out the window. “Resort security is on the way,” she said to the 911 operator.

  Someone pounded on the front door and both women shrieked.

  “Breanna, open the door!” Aiden called from the other side.

  Nia beat Bree to the door and whipped it open. She gasped at the sight of his bloody lip and the scratches on his face. He clutched his arm against his stomach as if it was injured.

  “Your arm?” Nia said.

  “Arm’s okay. Think I cracked a rib.”

  “Is he gone?” Bree said.

  “Yeah, he took off around the house and I heard his car peel out. I tried to detain him but failed.”

  He thought he’d failed? Nia’s heart pounded against her chest.

  Bree pulled him into the house. “Nia, take him back to the kitchen for first aid. I’ll wait here for Scott.”

  Nia hesitated, knowing this was her fault, all her fault.

  “Nia?” Bree prompted.

  Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Aiden. “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “What are you…? Oh no, Nia, don’t do that.” He pulled her against his chest. “We don’t know that this is related to your brother’s situation.”

  Nia pushed away. “Of course it is. Now do you understand why I have to leave?”

  Nia headed for the kitchen. The least she could do before she left town was tend to his wounds, apply ice and make him something warm to drink. She grabbed a kitchen towel and ran it under warm water.

  “Go ahead and sit at the table,” she said.

  “Nia—”

  “Please, Aiden.”

  She heard him pull out the chair behind her. She squeezed moisture from the towel and went to him, pressing the cloth to his upper right cheek. He winced slightly and she jerked her hand back.

  “Go ahead. It doesn’t hurt,” he said, his eyes intent on her.

  “You winced.”

  “I’m not used to people touching me.” He hesitated. “It’s fine.”

  She pressed the warm cloth against a cut on his cheekbone.

  “Where are your crutches?” he asked.

  She pointed across the kitchen where they leaned against the counter. “What happened out there?”

  “I saw some guy peeking into Bree’s living room window.”

  “You saw him from the resort? That’s awfully far away.”

  “I was headed over to check on you.”

  “Oh, so this really is my fault.”

  “No, it isn’t.” He looked at her with intense blue eyes. “I don’t want to ever hear you say that again. Okay?”

  Nia sighed. “Do you know what he wanted?”

  “He wasn’t a chatty type of guy. When I asked him what he was doing he took a swing at me.”

  “So he’s probably another man looking for my brother. All over two grand?”

  Aiden shot her a skeptical look.

  “You’re thinking there’s more to this than a missing two thousand dollars, aren’t you?” Nia said.

  “Seems like a lot of trouble for a couple of grand, if this guy is even one of the guys looking for your brother.”

  “As opposed to some random Peeping Tom,” Nia retorted.

  “We shouldn’t assume anything.” He winced again and she pulled away.

  “Maybe you should.” She motioned to the cloth. “I hate that I’m hurting you.”

  “You’re not.”

  His gaze caught hers and she couldn’t look away. This man had been through enough pain, enough trauma in his life. He didn’t need more piled on because of her.

  Scott and Bree entered the kitchen. “Police are on the way,” Scott said. “How bad were you hurt?”

  “Not bad,” Aiden said.

  Scott sat across the table from him. “Did you recognize the guy?”

  “No, but I can give police a decent description.”

  “We may not need it if resort security cameras got a clear shot of him.”

  Nia stood.

  “Nia?” Aiden questioned.

  “I need to pack my things. I’ll call a car service and have them take me to the airport tonight.”

  “Wait—where are you going?” Bree asked.

  “It’s probably best if you don’t know.” Nia headed into the hallway, frustration tearing her apart.

  “Nia, hang on,” Aiden said. He caught up to her and handed her the crutches. “Sit with me for a second?”

  It was a soft-spoken request, so unlike his usual tone. He must be hurting from the fight.

  “Sure.”

  They went into the living room and sat on the sofa.

  “I realize you think leaving is the best for everyone,” he said.

  “It is.”

  “I disagree. It’s not the best for you, is it?” Aiden questioned, pinning her with those incredible blue eyes.

  She glanced at her fingers in her lap. “What’s best for me doesn’t matter.”

  “How can you say that?”

  “Aiden—”

  “Hear me out. You’ve got friends here, good friends, and a great job, right?”

  “Yes, but I can’t put those friends in danger. After what happened tonight—”

  “That was my fault. I went after the guy instead of calling Security. My choice. Now I need you to reconsider yours. You can skip town, but know this—the past will keep following you.”

  “What if that man had broken into Bree’s house?”

  “Trust me, Bree knows how to handle herself, and Scott would have been here within seconds of the alarm going off.”

  “Aiden, I have to protect them.”

  Silence filled the room. Had she convinced him of her goal?

  “Nia, remember all those days I was working at minimum power because I wasn’t sleeping?”

  She glanced down. She did but never would have brought it up.

  “You know what I’m talking about,” he said. “I could have lost my job as manager of the resort. I could have messed up my future, big-time, but you propped me up and kept things running. I’d like to return the favor and help you through this.”

  “That’s sweet. It really is.”

  “But?”

  “It’s my battle to fight.”

  “And you’re going to fight it by running away?”

  “It’s the best strategy.”

  “Not from where I’m sitting.” He took her hand, and her breath caught in her throat. “You’ve been strong for me. Now be strong for yourself. Don’t run. Stand firm and fight, and we’ll be right there with you. Me and my sister, and all your friends from the resort and church.”

  “No, if someone got hurt…” She hesitated. “If you were hurt…” she croaked.

  “I’m tough and I know you are, too. Don’t let the past steal one more minute of your future, okay?”

  With a nod, she realized she’d never thought of it that way.

  *

  When Aiden awoke on Bree’s sofa the next morning, his sister was s
tanding over him with a wry smile on her face.

  “What?” he said.

  “Good morning to you, too. Here’s your coffee.” She handed him a mug.

  He sat up a little too fast and clenched his jaw against the pain of sore ribs.

  “Yeah, you’re really tough,” Bree said.

  He snapped his attention to her.

  “I overheard some of your lecture to Nia last night,” Bree admitted.

  He grabbed the mug, took a sip and moaned, closing his eyes. His sister had a way with coffee.

  “It wasn’t a lecture,” he said.

  “Okay, big brother.”

  He glanced toward the stairs, worried. “She didn’t leave, did she?”

  “Nope. Still in her room. Asleep, I hope. She needs the rest after everything she’s been through.”

  “Thanks again for letting her stay with you.”

  “Of course. She’s a welcome addition to my family.”

  Aiden narrowed his eyes.

  “What? It gets lonely with just me and Fiona,” Bree said. “And I have a feeling my future husband is going to want something bigger in which to raise our children.”

  “Children? Whoa, you’re not even married yet. We are talking about Scott, right?” he teased.

  Giggling, she gave him a playful smack on the head. “You’re smarter than you look.” She turned and started for the kitchen. “I made Swedish pancakes for breakfast, with jam and whipped butter.”

  Aiden leaned back and sipped his coffee, smiling about his sister’s giggle. It had been a long time since he’d heard that sound, the sound of joy. He was glad she’d found it again, especially with a solid guy like Scott.

  “You coming?” Her voice carried down the hall.

  He stood and bit back a groan when he spotted Nia standing in the hall. She studied him with a worried look in her eyes.

  “I’m glad you’re still here,” he said.

  “You made a compelling argument.”

  He motioned them toward the kitchen. “Dad always thought I’d make a great lawyer.” He felt a pang of loss at the mention of his father.

  “You’re sore from fighting with that guy last night, aren’t you?” she pressed.

  “Nah, it’s sleeping on Bree’s uncomfortable sofa.”

  “Yeah, right,” Nia said sarcastically as they entered the kitchen.

  “What? Ask Scott. He’ll confirm it.”

  “Confirm what?” Bree was setting the table.