“You are acting like a deranged killer.” She got out from under his brotherly grip and traipsed along beside him as he stomped to Shepherd.
Wilder stopped short in front of Shepherd, his neck and ears a deep shade of red and his hands balled into fists at his side. He aimed a hard glare at Shep and thumbed toward Caley. “I just intercepted your asset,” he hissed.
“I’m well aware, but since you’re her brother I didn’t see the need to put a bullet in you or give chase.”
Wilder’s emerald green eyes smoldered. “If you’d given chase, you’d have lost.”
Shepherd raised an eyebrow. “Doubt that.”
Wilder inhaled, lips pursed. “She could have died.”
“She,” Caley howled, “is right here listening to you bozos argue when you’re on the same side! What is wrong with you? Both of you?”
Wilder whirled on her. “You’ve been attacked repeatedly! A truck almost ran you over. He’s supposed to be protecting you better than that.” He pointed an accusing finger at Shepherd.
Shepherd bristled.
“I’m alive because of him.” She took a breath. Calmed down. Wilder was overprotective, especially after losing Meghan. Fear was driving him. He wasn’t really angry at Shepherd. He’d called him his number one. He loved him like a brother. “He’s done everything to ensure my physical safety.” He’d murdered her heart.
Shepherd narrowed his eyes, cocked his head. Just like the night she’d been mad but offered him a sandwich anyway. She wasn’t going to falsely throw him under the bus because he didn’t return her feelings.
“But you could have been killed.” He turned on Shep. “Why weren’t you on her like glue?”
Every emotion that had been shaken in the past two hours blew, and tears sprang in her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to appear to be a weak, sniveling female, but she was broken. Tears turned to sobs. “Because I said I needed space from him. Because he’d rather be a on a cruise than with me. So sue me! And now I need it from you!” She turned in a fury and headed toward the center.
“Caley,” Shepherd hollered.
She glanced back, but Wilder had blocked his path, a hand planted firmly on Shep’s chest. “What did you do to my sister? I told you not to hurt her!” Wilder continued to drill Shep with a death glare.
Too late. And Caley didn’t have time to stick around and listen. She had to pull it together, then she planned to get those logbooks from Leo. She marched up the boardwalk, swung open the center door. Something hard jabbed her ribs.
“You’re not going anywhere.” Rob from the bar had a gun to her side. On the other side of her was the bouncer who’d held her hostage at the club. “Anywhere but with us,” he said, shoving her around the building.
A black sedan was parked near the front door.
The bouncer opened the back door and shoved her inside. Rob slid in beside her. Gun aimed at her. “Someone wants to have words with you, Meg. Isn’t that the name you used?”
* * *
Shepherd stood at attention while he took his Alpha Charlie from Wilder.
Three weeks. Sounds about right.
The blow of Caley’s earlier words had landed in his gut. His heart. Like all his bones were shattering and his chest was imploding. He’d rubbed at it ever since, and still the pain wouldn’t leave. He’d loosened the two buttons on his shirt, as if it’d help him breathe, but it hadn’t worked because Caley was oxygen and she was gone, leaving him to suffocate.
Alone.
Wilder had called late last night to let Shepherd know he was on his way, and Shep had been conflicted. He didn’t want Wilder to come. He wanted to see it through. Like he’d said he would. For once. But he didn’t tell Wilder that. Fear had won out. Fear that if he stayed he’d fall off the pedestal Caley had put him on. Afraid he’d fail her. Prove he wasn’t worthy of a woman of her caliber.
And he’d done exactly that.
She’d come face-to-face with the man he truly was.
A man he wished he wasn’t. He pawed his face and ground his jaw.
Caley Flynn loved him. Needed him. God only knew why. Even just now she’d defended him. Though he’d caught her remark about physically keeping her safe.
Emotionally, he’d wrecked her. He’d wrecked himself too.
She’d stood before him in a gorgeous red dress and lips painted crimson. He’d wanted to lace his hands through that thick dark hair. Kiss those lips. Promise to keep her safe and secure. She’d laid it all out on the line and his insides had caved in.
Her watery blue eyes had been like daggers piercing his skin. Honest. Vulnerable. Hopeful. Then destroyed.
As she’d slipped away down the boardwalk, his eyes had burned and filled with moisture.
And he had stood there a shell of a man.
I need you.
I love you.
Please don’t go.
He was coming apart at the seams; every rip and tear killing him even now as Wilder continued to waste a reprimand on him. “Are you listening?” Wilder snapped his fingers in front of Shep’s face.
No, he was trying to keep his 240 pounds of bone and muscle standing upright.
“Did you hear me? Why does she need space? Why is she crying like a puppy? Is something going on between you two?”
“No.” Shep shook his head. “That’s why she needs her space, if you gotta know. Because she does want something from me.” And he wanted to give her everything she asked for and more. But couldn’t.
Caley couldn’t love him. She was confused. Had to be.
“What is she thinking?” Wilder raked a hand through his hair.
Exactly.
“You haven’t committed to a woman in the twelve years I’ve known you! You can’t do that to her. She’s special.”
His blood ran hot, the pain of it all searing through him like an electrical storm. “You think I don’t know that?” he barked. “You think I’d treat your sister with anything less than respect? And when did you become her daddy? Last I checked she had one.” He’d moved into Wilder’s personal space. “You shouldn’t even have a say in who she sees or who she doesn’t see. I don’t need your blessing, Flynn.”
Wilder put a finger near Shep’s nose. “First off, get out of my face. Second, she’s only twenty-six! She’s a baby.”
“She’s not a baby. She’s a grown woman. And I love her!” he shouted, then stumbled backward stunned at his own admission, but he’d never spoken truer words. His fight dissolved and he couldn’t catch his breath. These feelings he couldn’t put to words, was too afraid to... Love. That’s what this was. And he’d let it walk away, slip through his fingers.
No, he’d walked away.
Like he always did.
Shepherd had abandoned her.
Done exactly what he feared most.
Proving he was everything he’d ever been told he was.
Pathetic.
Worthless.
Hopeless.
Rotten.
“Why do you think I walked away? I know I’m no good for her.”
If Wilder realized how much pain Shep had just caused his sister, he’d throw down right here on this beach. Fire him. Turn his back on him.
Like Caley had earlier when she wouldn’t let him touch her. It had scared him half to death seeing her bent over at the knees on the beach. Knowing he’d done it.
When she told him to leave without a goodbye.
Goodbye.
His stomach roiled. He’d walked away from so many. But this woman... This woman had ruined him for anyone or anything else.
How could he continue to work for Wilder, knowing he’d have to see her on occasion? Maybe someday with another man. His knees nearly buckled at the thought.
He swallowed the mountain of emotion clogging his airway, blinked back the stinging pain.
Wilder stood wide-eyed, equally stunned. Face pale. Jaw to the sand.
“And I’m quitting.” He had to. He’d book that crui
se. Sail away. Exist somewhere else.
Wilder gave his head a good shake, eyes still foggy. “What? I know I’ve been hard on you, and this argument—”
“Has nothing to do with it.” He turned to give Caley one last look. But she wasn’t in their line of sight anymore. “Where’s Caley?”
Growling, Wilder sprinted toward the crowd, Shep right beside him, heart thudding against his ribs. They burst into the center, rushed to the door that led to the offices and lab. Empty.
“I can’t believe it. We let her out of our sight. This is my fault,” Wilder said.
“It’s mine.” Shep punched a wall and they rushed into the aquarium.
Toby was inside feeding turtles. “Hey, Dr. Fines is looking for you.”
“Why?” Shepherd asked.
“I don’t know but he seemed upset.” He shrugged.
They raced out back and down the boardwalk. Guests mingled as if nothing were wrong. Leo rushed from the dormitory. “I’ve been looking for you.” He did a double take at Wilder. “I was in my office when one of those bouncers from the club forced Caley into a car. The head bartender was with her too.”
Rob.
“Did you call the police?” Wilder barked.
Leo toed the sand. “I wanted to get to you first.” No. He was protecting himself. Maybe his own daughter somehow. “Do you...do you think they’ll kill her?”
“No,” Shep and Wilder boomed. But loose ends were being cut.
Wilder clasped Shep’s shoulder. “They have my sister.”
As if Shepherd would let Wilder do this alone. He may have lost Caley and her love forever, but he wouldn’t rest until he found her. He could at least make up for walking away by finishing this—like he’d wanted to all along. She could count on him.
“They might have taken her to the club,” Shep said. Already they were hauling it to the parking lot.
“I’m going too,” Leo said. “What if they have my daughter?”
“Fine.” No time to argue. Caley was in danger. And he blamed himself. They climbed into Shep’s rental car.
God, please let her be at the club. Let us find her and keep her safe. He’d never forgive himself for this. Never.
Would Caley?
THIRTEEN
“No mercy,” Shep said as they pulled into the alley at the Nest. The place would be in full swing. It was almost 2000 hours.
“No mercy,” Wilder agreed.
Dr. Fines shouldn’t have come with them. Palms rubbing on his thighs, continual licking of his lips. His fear would slow them down, but his daughter might be in danger and he loved her. “What does that mean?”
“It means whatever we gotta do to get answers and find Caley is what we’re gonna do.” Wilder chambered a 9mm into his Sig Sauer P226. “So I hope you don’t have a weak stomach.”
“If you do, then stay put,” Shep added, removing his Sig from his ankle holster. “’Cause we’re not gonna feel bad about it.” He swung open the driver’s-side door, Wilder right next to him, Leo bringing up the rear.
They strode straight to the bouncer guarding the back door. Shep pointed his gun at the bouncer’s head. He went for his sidearm. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Shep warned. “Where’s Kyle Marx?”
Wilder aimed his gun on the bouncer, as well, surveying the alley at the same time. “My sister is missing. And this guy pointing a gun at your head. He’s in love with her. So I’d think real smart and real fast about your answer.”
Shep removed the gun from the goon’s holster and shoved it in his waistband, keeping his gun trained between the man’s eyes.
“He’s not here.”
“Where is he?” Shep demanded, sliding off the safety on his gun. “I’m not even gonna count.”
“I don’t know.” Panic rose in his voice. “Rob said he’s not coming in tonight.” Bouncer’s eyes darted from Wilder to Shep. “He has another business in Tampa. Sometimes he’s there for several days.”
“What kind of business? A club?”
“No.” Sweat poured down his cheeks. “Exotic animals.”
“Where in Tampa?” If they were taking Caley there, to Marx, then they had a thirty-minute head start already.
“I don’t know, man. Never been. I just watch the door.”
Yeah. Right. Shep put him out cold using pressure points before he could inhale another breath. Wilder dragged him behind the Dumpster and zip-tied his hands behind his back, then his feet.
Leo stood, mouth agape.
“You can stay out here or you can come with us, but we won’t have time to save your hide if you get in a jam.” Shepherd put his hand on the back door. “In or out, Fines?”
“I’m...I’m in. I’m in.”
Shep nodded, surprised. Man had moxie. He’d give him that.
Inside the back area, two bouncers flanked the stairs leading to the offices. “I’ll take the one on the left,” Shepherd said.
Wilder grinned. “Nice of you to leave me the bigger guy.”
Shep chuckled and they rushed the staircase.
“Hey! How’d you get in here?” said the goon on the right.
“I’m glad you asked,” Wilder said and had him out on the floor as fast as Shep took out the guy on the left. They dragged them under the staircase, zip-tied them and made haste upstairs. “Next time, give me more of a challenge. And there will be a next time, as I do not accept your resignation.”
Shep had no choice. Wilder would have to get over it.
They sped down the hall to the office Caley had been held in once before.
A door opened and they trained their guns.
Billy Reynolds.
He glanced at Leo, at Shep. Recognition dawned and his eyes bugged out. He ran like a rabbit, taking a hard right. “This one’s mine,” Shep hollered as he bolted.
“Yeah, take the gangly kid,” Wilder hollered back, but he didn’t follow. He must have been heading into the office to find out the location of Kyle Marx’s exotic animal business.
Shep yanked Billy by the scruff and pinned him against the wall, gun under his chin. “You been holing up here, Billy? I didn’t know party-goers got to hang around in the offices.” He kicked open an office door, dragging Billy inside. Leo stepped inside with him.
“Where’s Darcy?” Leo demanded.
“I don’t know!” Billy answered.
Shep slung him against the wall, not even trying to be delicate. Billy grunted.
“Where is Caley?”
Billy’s face turned red. Shep loosened his forearm from Billy’s throat and switched tactics, using the gun again. “Do I look like someone who plays games?”
Billy licked his lips. “No. No you don’t. I don’t know where she is. I promise.”
“What happened to Mary Beth? And don’t lie to me.”
“It was an accident.”
“What was an accident?”
Sweat poured down Billy’s face. Shep switched off the safety making sure Billy heard the click. “One in the chamber with your name on it.” He wouldn’t kill him. But he would scare him half to death to get answers.
“We know about the turtle eggs you and Darcy dug up and brought here to the club. We know Mary Beth filmed it on her GoPro.” Leo spoke with a calming voice. Professor-like.
“Did she call you out?” Shep asked.
“She thought I was cheating on her with Darcy. But I wasn’t. So she followed me one night down to the beach and caught us poaching eggs.”
“How could you?” Leo asked.
“The eggs. The turtles...the turtles paid big and I needed the college tuition.” Billy’s eyes reddened.
“Why did you kill her?”
“I didn’t mean to. I wanted to make things right with her, so we met up at Palm Lake. But she wasn’t there to get back with me. She told me she’d figured out the discrepancies in the turtle logs. She’d thought it might be Ashley or Toby, but after what she saw on the beach, she knew they weren’t doing it. She threatened
to go to you, Dr. Fines. And Caley. It would have ruined me. It got heated and she went to leave. I chased her down. And...it just happened. I freaked out. I didn’t even know she was dead until she stopped kicking.”
“Why didn’t you take the GoPro?” Shep asked, disgust churning in his gut.
“I didn’t know she had it with her. I thought she might have left it in her dorm, but you caught me before I could finish searching. So I checked Caley’s house but you interrupted that too!”
As Shep suspected. He assumed Caley had found it. “You hurt an innocent old woman.”
“That was an accident too!” Billy broke down, sobbing. “I didn’t want to stage Mary Beth’s death. I loved her. But Darcy went to Kyle. We took Mary Beth. Darcy changed her into a swimsuit and we put her near the shore. Placed the kayak in the water. I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
But it did. “You did mean to attack Caley. That was no accident. And what about the oxygen tank? Did you do that?”
“No way. I wouldn’t do that. Kyle knows a dive guy. I just...I just told him which tank was hers. He wanted her dead from the start. I had no control.”
Shep squeezed Billy’s shoulder, but refrained from doing what he’d like to do. Beat him within an inch of his life.
“Who attacked Caley on the beach?”
“One of Kyle’s guys.”
The door swung open and Shep aimed his gun.
Wilder.
Wilder glanced at Billy. “He know anything?”
“More than enough.”
“I came up empty-handed. No address for the exotic animal business in Tampa.”
Billy coughed, face reddening again. Shep eased up, giving him air. “I know where it’s at. We’ve taken turtles there. I’ll help you. Whatever you want.” He rattled off the address to Shep while Wilder called Tom, revealing CliffsNotes-style what was going down and where he could come pick up the big baddies, including Billy Reynolds.
Shep pulled the same knockout number with Billy and left him in the closet for the police to detain. They didn’t have time to stick around. “We need to haul it. Won’t be long before someone realizes those guards aren’t guarding anything. And we’re almost an hour behind.”
Wilder took the lead as they made their way down the hall and back outside the club. Blue lights flashed in the distance.
Deep Waters (The Security Specialists) Page 17
