Southern Charm (Southern Desires Series Book 5)

by Jeannette Winters

  Although Wyatt hadn’t said a word, she could sense him getting closer. Here goes nothing. Taking a deep breath, Randi smiled a genuine smile. Somehow she was looking forward to seeing him again. It made absolutely no sense with the situation between them as strained and new as it was, yet seeing his face, hearing his voice, was exactly how she wanted to start her day. A better view than any balcony can offer.

  It felt corny thinking that way. Butterflies filled her stomach as she prepared to meet his gaze. Let it be the one that says he finds me desirable, and not an unwanted trespasser.

  As she started to turn to greet him, she felt a strong arm reach around from behind. With her small frame, his arm easily crossed completely over her chest, pulling her roughly against him. The pressure against her carotid artery sent her into a panic. This wasn’t Wyatt. Her life was in danger.

  Desperately grasping and clawing at her attacker’s forearm proved to be fruitless. There was no way she could overpower him. Realizing her helplessness, she tried to cry out, yet she omitted less than a gurgle.

  Still in his choke hold, he spun them around. Frantically Randi tried arching her back in a last ditch effort to throw him off balance. All it did was cause him to tighten his hold on her. Her head began to spin, and the sound of waves crashing on a rocky beach echoed through her. Randi’s eyes fluttered one last time as she tried to hold on to consciousness.

  Everything she’d done over the past six years flashed in front of her within a second. None of it mattered if it all came to an end now. There were many things still left unsaid. So much more to do.

  She had to warn the others. They were right; this wasn’t over. Please don’t let this be the end.

  As her attacker began to spin her around, his grip tightening, she caught a glimpse of Wyatt. Was she dreaming? Had he come to rescue her, or was her heart calling out to his one last time? Wyatt!

  She’d never know as she drifted into blackness.

  From his position in the hall, Wyatt saw the door to his room was open. It was a fucking mistake he knew he’d never make. Always concerned about the sensitive material and weapons he traveled with, the do not disturb sign remained on the door at all times. Any time he left his room he locked his laptop, files, and any guns not on his person in the safe.

  He had no idea who or how many might be inside, but they weren’t leaving with whatever they were looking for. He pulled his Glock out from the waistband of his jeans, and becoming hypersensitive to his surroundings, he approached the entrance.

  Leaning against the wall, he listened intently. The only voices he heard were those from farther down the hallway. Focusing all his attention on even the slightest detail coming from within, he heard the wind blowing into his room. He couldn’t tell if someone was inside or not.

  With his gun cocked and ready, Wyatt swung around, his body filling the frame of the door. It made him a target, but if someone was inside, he was banking that his aim was better than theirs.

  He had trained for any scenario and fully anticipated finding someone armed. Knowing the layout of the room made it easier to quickly scan the room and spot two intruders. One was by the closet where the safe was located, his back turned to him. The other was by the balcony. Neither were aware they weren’t alone.

  Wyatt was about to give the men a warning to surrender when the second man turned to face him. Wyatt felt as if a punch had landed in his gut, realizing why the man was focused elsewhere. Mirranda was in a sleeper hold, eyes shut and lifeless. Fuck!

  Knowing damn well the bastard could easily snap her neck at any time, Wyatt didn’t hesitate. One round hit the man in the forehead. Before the other could even get his weapon in position, Wyatt shot another two rounds, dropping him to the floor as well.

  He wanted to run up to her, pull her into his arms, and make sure she was okay. Yet, he wasn’t sure there were only two. Anyone else would have heard the shots and would be there shortly. He needed to clear the room first.

  Shutting the door and locking it behind him, he approached the body by the closet. Although he knew the man was dead, he needed confirmation before moving to the bastard who’d been holding Mirranda. He wanted to rush to her side, but first he needed to secure the perimeter. This was no time for emotions to trip him up because he’d be no good to either of them if he was dead too. With his gun trained on the bathroom door in case there was another, he bent down and felt for her pulse. Thank God.

  Only then did he exhale. He’d seen more action in the field than he’d like to recall, but this was different. He hadn’t waited for either of them to shoot first. This was a “protect Mirranda at all costs” mentality. Wyatt didn’t care if he needed to face a dozen men, he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

  Once he confirmed they were safe for the moment, he replaced his Glock in his jeans, bent down, and lifted Mirranda into his arms. He gently laid her down on the bed. The welts around her throat were red and raised. There was some discoloration on the bottom of her left jaw as well as blood on her fingers. He looked at the dead man on the floor, whose arms oozed blood.

  You put up one hell of a fight. Good girl. But you weren’t any match for someone like him. The guy easily matched Wyatt’s build. It pained him to think what the guy could’ve done to her if he hadn’t shown up when he had. The way the man had his arm around her throat was a move he knew too damn well. One you used to immobilize or kill. Looking back at Mirranda, he reached out and gently brushed her long blonde hair from her face. Another second and he might’ve finished the job.

  He hated to admit it, but he was glad they were dead. Two more he didn’t need to watch his back for. He hadn’t been gone long, so these bastards had been watching him. He hadn’t seen them around the hotel before, but he knew he’d been distracted the last few days. I could’ve cost us both our lives. I can’t let that happen again.

  Mirranda stirred slightly. She wasn’t innocent in all this, yet he still had no idea how she fit into it. There were questions that needed answers, and he’d be asking them as soon as she was able to answer.

  Wyatt knew the shots would be questioned, and two dead bodies in his hotel room were going to be difficult to explain. Reaching for the hotel phone near his bed, he pressed two for the service desk.

  “May I help you?” the woman on the line asked.

  “Put the manager on,” Wyatt barked.

  “Sorry sir, he’s been called away.”

  “Trust me. I’m the reason he’s getting calls. Now put him on the line.”

  He could hear her voice tremble as she spoke to someone nearby. A man with a thick Hawaiian accent came on the line.

  “This is Mr. Alho, the manager. Why do you think you’re who I am looking for?”

  “Since I have two dead guys in my room, I’d say it’s a safe bet. I need you to call the police. I also need you to have a doctor sent to my room to check out Ms. Graham.”

  “Two dead men? Mr. McVeigh, what is going on? How did …?”

  “Just fucking call them. And have your security keep their eyes open. I don’t know if there were more than two.”

  “You’re not joking, are you?” Mr. Alho stammered.

  “Nope.”

  Wyatt hung up the phone and sat quietly on the bed near Mirranda. All hell was about to break loose once the police arrived. Until then, he needed to figure out some things for himself. Things he couldn’t or shouldn’t share with them.

  Wyatt didn’t need anyone to tell him this wasn’t a random breaking and entering. These two were hired hands. For exactly who, Wyatt didn’t know. There was a list of people he’d pissed off over the years. Yet, he’d always gone with his gut, and right now it was telling him he’d ruffled the feathers of an entirely new bird. One that involves Mark. How, I’m not sure, but I know damn well these two knew who Collins was.

  Grabbing his cell phone, he walked over to each of the men, snapped their pictures and texted them to Nate. Then dialed his number.

  “What the fuc
k happened?”

  “Early morning visitors. I guess by the timing this is linked to the findings from yesterday.”

  “Why do you say that?” Nate asked.

  “They were in my room, one trying to get into my safe.”

  “And the other?”

  The picture of Mirranda about to be killed flashed back at him. “He had Mirranda.”

  “What do you mean had her?”

  “In a sleeper hold, probably about to snap her neck.” The words flowed out like any other report he would’ve given. He knew he needed to distance himself from his emotions or he couldn’t protect either one of them.

  “What was she doing in your room?”

  “I don’t know.” He wasn’t sure if she’d come in with them and something went wrong or if she had walked into this and it was just bad timing. I’m not sure she’ll tell me the truth. Haven’t heard it from her yet. Why should I think that will change?

  “Fuck, Wyatt. I need to go back out there. You need me.”

  “I need you to stay the hell away. Keep looking. Whatever you stumbled on yesterday made someone unhappy.”

  “You need backup, Wyatt.”

  “So do you. These guys are playing for keeps. They’re not military, but they sure as hell are professionals.”

  “Mercenaries?”

  “No. I think this goes much deeper. If I’m right, these two will be linked to the shooting in Providence and also in Savannah. Run the info. I’ll text you when I’m free to talk. Until then, don’t send anything.”

  “Wyatt, this is a secure line.”

  “It is, but we don’t want the police asking to see it. I can’t do much from a jail cell.”

  “Roger that. Wyatt, I need you to do me a favor.”

  His hands were full at the moment, but he’d do anything he could for Nate. “What do you need?”

  “Protect her. She’s . . . all I have left of Maggie. I need to know what happened, Wyatt. She’s the only one who can tell me.”

  Wyatt heard the plea in Nate’s voice. He’d do everything he could to honor that request. He only hoped at the end of it all Mirranda would come clean with the truth. If not to him, then at least to Nate.

  “Will do.”

  There was a knock on the door. “Open up. This is the police.”

  Wyatt got up from the bed and headed toward the door. With Mirranda still out cold, he had no one to back up his story. Of course, this is my room.

  He opened the door, and the room filled with police suited up with proactive gear. “Two perps, both dead.” Wyatt held his Glock from the barrel and handed it to the officer in charge. “Three rounds fired. One into the guy by the balcony, two in the guy by my safe.”

  “Mr. McVeigh, we’ll need you to come to the police station with us.”

  Wyatt didn’t want to leave her alone, and didn’t trust anyone but Nate to protect her. The sergeant must’ve picked up on that as he said, “I served two tours overseas. I understand that we leave no man or woman behind. I don’t know what went down here, but I give you my word as a Marine, I’ll stay here until you return.”

  Wyatt glared at him, not liking it one bit, but his options were limited. The sergeant was correct; he wasn’t above the law. Two men were dead and in his eyes they deserved what they got. It was a dangerous game they played, and they happened to come out the losers. Wyatt knew one wrong move and it could’ve ended entirely differently. Instead of going to the police station, Nate could be going to the morgue to identify Mirranda and me.

  Before leaving, Wyatt walked back over to the bed, bent over, and placed a kiss on Mirranda’s forehead. Damn, I don’t want to leave, but I’m going one way or the other. I promise I’ll be back.

  As he followed the officer out of the room, he was filled with mixed emotions. Although he’d told Nate to stay the hell away, he was the one person Wyatt knew he could trust with his life. Right now he wasn’t sure if he needed to trust him with Mirranda’s as well. So many things had been left unanswered on both their parts. Time was running out, and the games needed to stop. If she was truly just a victim in all this, as he hoped, she’d better say it now. If he found out she was somehow involved, no matter what his promise was to Nate, she’d go down with the others. No matter what anyone says, this is not over until I have all the missing pieces.

  Chapter Seven

  Her eyelids felt as though they were taped shut. She tried to open them, but couldn’t. Randi could hear voices in the distance. Wyatt? Is that you? What happened?

  Was she asleep? Was this all a dream? It didn’t feel real. Randi moved and knew it was no dream. Her body ached. Trying again she slowly opened her eyes. The brightly lit room caused her to squint.

  A man was standing beside her. She thought it was Wyatt, but his build wasn’t correct.

  “Doc, your patient is awake,” an officer said.

  She didn’t recognize the man near her. “Who . . .?” she squeaked, her voice so ragged it hurt to speak.

  “Ms. Graham. Don’t try to speak. I’m the house physician, Doctor Smiley. You need to rest.”

  He didn’t match his name one bit. The stern look on his face and his monotone voice almost made her cringe. Doctor? What happened?

  Randi looked around the room. It was filled with police, blocking her view. Cameras continued to flash as she tried to sit up.

  “Ms. Graham, you can’t get up,” the doctor said, placing a hand on her shoulder to keep her down.

  Randi looked at his hand, then at him. She might not have a voice, but she could still give him a look, warning him she wasn’t to be underestimated.

  “Let her go,” the officer said. “I’m Sergeant Ozaki. Your friend, Wyatt McVeigh, asked me to keep an eye on you until he returned.”

  The doctor moved out of the way as Ozaki reached out to help her up. Randi was leery of accepting his kindness. I can’t believe Wyatt would have someone protect me. You might be the police, but I trust no one.

  That wasn’t true. She knew she could trust Mark and Kevin. Even Don Farrell had proven himself to her. Their loyalty, although geared toward their own mission, was without question.

  “Master Sergeant Graham, you can trust me. I don’t know what really went down here, but I was in the Marines long enough to know this isn’t what it seems to be.” Ozaki’s voice was barely a whisper only she could hear.

  She looked him directly in the eyes, trying to get a read on him and the situation. Her recollection was limited. Wyatt wasn’t there, and she really had no option but to take the man at his word. Randi wasn’t going to go as far as trusting him.

  She let Ozaki help her up. Her chest felt battered and bruised. The doctor eyed her every move, but she wasn’t going to show her discomfort one bit. I don’t know where Wyatt is, but I’m sure as hell not going anywhere until I know what happened.

  She walked from the bed to look past the policeman photographing a body by the balcony. It was all coming back to her. Although she hadn’t seen her attacker, this had to be the man who’d grabbed her from behind; his forearm was covered in blood where she tried to claw her way free. Unsuccessfully. Randi brought her hand to her throat. She didn’t need a mirror to know how close to death she’d been. The swelling said plenty. And the pain right before I lost consciousness isn’t something I’m about to forget either. She turned away from the sight of the first man.

  “Are you okay?” Ozaki asked.

  Randi wasn’t some fragile girl. Ozaki had no idea what she’d seen over the years. It wasn’t that she’d become immune to the sight of death. Survival mode kicked in, and Randi knew if he wasn’t lying there, she would be.

  She looked to the other side of the room and saw a second man in the same situation as her attacker. Whatever happened here after she blacked out, was something she wanted—no needed—to know. Through the pain, she asked, “How?”

  “McVeigh said he came back to his room, and the door was open. He saw victim number one with a chokehold on you and you were
out cold. McVeigh must’ve expected trouble of some sort because he was carrying a Glock, fully loaded. There were only three shots fired, and they were all from his weapon. Since there are no other witnesses, we only have his account of what went down. Is there anything you’d like to add?”

  Randi had more questions than answers. Like what were these guys doing in Wyatt’s room? Why does he carry a Glock? She shook her head. Whatever she had, was something she’d only share with Mark and Kevin. Although she wanted him to, Wyatt hadn’t made it on her exclusive list of allies yet.

  When she started toward the door, Ozaki reached out, grabbed her arm, and asked, “Where are you going?”

  The pain shot right through her, and she bit her lip trying not to wince. “My room.” Even those simple, little words hurt.

  “I promised to protect you until he returned.”

  Randi wasn’t positive if he was protecting her or trying to keep her from leaving. Ozaki was right about one thing, all they had was Wyatt’s explanation of what went down. That wasn’t good enough for her. She’d learned to gather her own facts because no one ever told the entire story. Myself included.

  She didn’t need his permission to leave. Not anyone’s. Right now she needed to go to her room and get Mark on the line. She knew he wasn’t overseas, and if he wasn’t going to tell her what the hell was going on, then the line of communication was about to be cut both ways.

  Randi headed out of the room, leaving Ozaki shaking his head. I was a one-lady show in the beginning. I’ll do it again if I have to.

  Once inside her room, she texted a group message to Mark, Kevin, and Don. “Call NOW!”

  Normally, Mark would decide who needed to be on the line. Right now she wanted to come clean with what she knew and get what she needed. If I’m right, this is going to affect us all.

  Within minutes her phone rang. It was Mark.

  “Graham, this better be fucking urgent,” Mark said half growling on the line. “I’m deep undercover and can’t risk blowing it.”