Protected by Shadows

by Aliyah Burke

  “The entire thing?”

  “Yes.”

  “Reason?”

  “It’s a good place to hide and if Trevor has his group, why not hide them out there? We’d never find them.”

  “I’ll get them to you.” Masters was gone.

  He dropped his head and closed his eyes. All she had to do was hold on. He’d find her, somehow.

  “What’d he say?”

  “He’ll get them to me. But until then, all I can do is wait.”

  Gio placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll find her.” He stepped back. “Have you told her?”

  Valentino looked at his younger brother. The arrogance that had been present when Gio was a fighter pilot was still there, but there was also a peacefulness that Valentino hadn’t noticed before. “Told her what?”

  “How you feel.” Gio unwrapped some gum and popped it in his mouth.

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because the two of you have been in love with one another practically since you met.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Gio shook his head. “You can play dumb all you want, but I know the truth. So does Jaydee. I’m sure the others do as well.”

  “Let it go, man.”

  His brother laughed but thankfully didn’t press him further. Gio was out checking over the helicopter when a man from the main building approached him.

  “Can I help you?”

  “This arrived for you.” He held out the box that had been under his arm.

  Confused, Valentino took it and sliced it open. A computer lay inside. The man left and he opened the lid then powered it up.

  “What’s that?” Gio asked.

  “Arrived for me.” He drummed his fingers on the tabletop as they waited. His phone rang. “Yeah?”

  “Check your email,” Masters stated then hung up.

  He figured it out. The computer was to replace the one that had been blown up along with Lexy’s house. Sitting before it, he called up his email and downloaded the files Masters had sent him.

  Together, he and Gio looked them over, trying to figure out where to start. The sound of a clock ticking wouldn’t leave him alone and he knew he was in the greatest race of his life.

  * * * *

  Someone was watching her. Lexy could feel their gaze upon her. She didn’t want to open her eyes, but she also didn’t like being at this disadvantage. Every inch of her hurt and she slowly sat as she cracked her eyelids, which were caked with grit.

  A lantern illuminated the room and a man sat in a chair across from her. Starting at his feet, she worked her way up, her gaze trailing over the loafers, linen pants, white shirt and up to the face waiting for her. He was handsome enough. Hair smartly cut and he presented well. Problem was, something about him didn’t add up. She couldn’t sense emotion about him.

  “Trevor Mansfield, I presume?” she said, wiping her eyes.

  “You know me.” His smile lacked any warmth.

  “Not really, just heard the name a few times.” She scooted back until the wall supported her. “What do you want with me?”

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  So this is the route you want to go? Fine, I can play along. She nodded. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

  He went to the door and stuck his head out. Lexy watched him move, sighing in a mixture of frustration and disappointment when she realized she wouldn’t be able to take him in a fight. He was wiry and strong. He did his best to hide it, but she hadn’t spent years looking at physiques and making quick assessments for nothing. Sure she was a vet, but muscles were muscles and she’d also had to go through human anatomy as well.

  She had him figured out. He tried—and from the looks of things had succeeded—throwing people off by coming across as an unassuming male who blended in well with others. He wasn’t overly buff or looking like a caveman. No, he was put together and was in control of his emotions. At least so far that was what she’d noticed.

  He stepped back in with a cup and handed it to her. She took it and cautiously sipped it. If he was going to drug her, there wasn’t much she could do about it. She needed to drink.

  “It’s not drugged or poisoned. I went through a lot to get you here. Why would I kill you so soon?”

  So soon? Okay, not at all comforting. “I want to know why you wanted me here. And where is here?”

  “Here is where you’ll stay until we move again. That’s all you need to know. As for your other inquiry. I didn’t think John would be able to handle you.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Handle me?” There was a tiny voice which told her to behave, but she ignored it. “Who’s this John? Is he the freak who called all the time with those dumbass demands? Is he the one who killed my brother?” She sat forward, the remaining water falling to the floor.

  “Death is a part of life.”

  “You bastard. That was my brother! And it wasn’t a part of life, he was killed by one of your crazy followers.” Her hands were fists at her sides.

  “So you’re not as docile as you first appeared.” He actually sounded amused by that.

  “I’ll show you docile,” she muttered, forcing herself to relax.

  “Do you know much about this group?”

  “Nope.” She made sure there was no interest in her tone.

  He didn’t blink. “We are going to return the country to how she should be. America should be a proud country, not limping along, barely surviving.”

  “So you’re leaving and giving it all back to the Natives?”

  “No. But the government needs to fear its people. Not control them.”

  She snorted. “Good luck with that.”

  “It’s how it is supposed to be.”

  She shifted on the bed, bringing her legs up. “Oh, I’m sure. But good luck. How things are now, the rich just get richer and the poor poorer.”

  He leaned forward. “Exactly. And that’s not how it should be. We’re going to change that. Make those in office work for us. Not work to pad their own accounts by making side deals which ultimately hurt their constituents.” He sat back. “Not to mention the country.”

  “What do I have to do with this?”

  “John wanted to use your connections then keep you.”

  More anger flared and she fought to tamp it down. She raised an eyebrow. “Connections? Like this supposed one I had to the people out west where you wanted the code?”

  “A code we never got.”

  “Not my fault. I did what I was supposed to. Perhaps you need to get more loyal psychos.”

  “My followers are patriots.”

  “You say patriots, I say psychos.”

  “Get in here,” he called out. A tall man entered, not the one from earlier but just as burly and imposing. Trevor stood and reached into his pocket before withdrawing a lighter. “Expose your arm.”

  He did and she was soon staring at the man holding his arm over the flame without a word. The stench of burning flesh filled her nose and she shook her head.

  “Get it looked at,” Trevor said, returning the lighter to his pocket. “They will do anything for me and the cause.”

  “Just confirming how much of a psycho they are. If burning your arm is supposed to show loyalty to you, that’s not what it is, it’s insanity. How did that act help your cause? Now you have a man who’s injured. Seems a bit counterproductive to me.”

  Trevor’s eyes narrowed. “Come.” He went to the door.

  Lexy scooted off the narrow mattress and followed. When Trevor stepped out however, she stopped. He paused and looked over his shoulder at her.

  “Problem?”

  “Many. But I was told I’d be killed if I left this hut.”

  “You’re with me. Come.”

  She went after him and looked around as he led her through more dwellings and past one with antennas peeking up from it. Technology was her friend and she made note of which building it was.

  He eventua
lly guided her into a small clearing. Two men were there and each was holding dogs. Fear pooled in her gut. Was this the end? It took a lot for her to accomplish, but she made sure none of her uncertainty showed on her face.

  “You are going to be a wife.” Trevor tugged on a sleeve of his shirt. “Mine, to be more specific. John wouldn’t be able to handle you. And besides, he has some things to answer for.”

  “Sorry, already married. And even if I wasn’t, I’d never marry you or this John person.”

  Trevor stared at her and she nearly stepped back. There was emotion in his eyes, but it wasn’t anything comforting. It was rage, fury, darkness. “Yes, Valentino Cassano. I took his other wife from him. And I’m taking you.”

  “Where are you taking me?” came a voice from her left.

  She looked and watched as another man was shoved into view by the man who’d taken her to the outhouse. Blue eyes were wide and his face drained of color when he saw her and Trevor there.

  “John,” Trevor said calmly. “You disobeyed me.”

  “I didn’t mean to, sir. I was eager to have her as my bride.”

  Trevor walked over to him and backhanded him across the face. Blood spurted and John stumbled back, nearly falling to the ground. Trevor stared at her and she didn’t flinch, returning his look with a bored one of her own.

  “You blew up her house.”

  What? Val? Oh, dear heavens. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from showing any emotion. She broke the eye contact with Trevor and looked long and hard at John. He was familiar to her. Anger unfurled inside her as she realized it was from work.

  “Stephen,” she hissed. One of the kennel workers. “You. You did all this to me? To Eugene?”

  “You didn’t give me the time of day,” he said, wiping the blood from his face. “I had to get your attention.”

  She jumped at him and put her fist into his nose. “You got it now, you slimy fucker! I can’t believe you, you killed my brother.” She jumped after him only to be swiped up by the big guy and held immobile. “Put me down, dammit!”

  He did, but didn’t release her.

  “See, John. I didn’t think you would be able to handle her and this proves me right. You won’t have her.”

  “But she’s mine.”

  “I don’t belong to anyone, you codsucking fuck,” she snarled.

  Trevor pulled out a knife—where it had been on him, she hadn’t a clue—and approached John. “Now, we have a problem here. Your disobedience may have cost me Valentino Cassano. And the pleasure of taking another of his wives doesn’t work if the man is dead!”

  “I can fix it. Let me find out if he’s dead or not,” John—Stephen—pleaded, not just with his voice but his entire expression.

  Trevor looked at her. “You will be one of my wives.”

  “Fuck you,” she snapped. The man holding her shook her so hard her teeth rattled.

  “You agree or I kill him.”

  She shrugged. “Kill him then.”

  It shouldn’t have surprised her when he slit the man’s throat, but it did. As John lay dead on the ground, she kept her focus on Trevor.

  “And this man and this one as well?”

  She lifted a shoulder unenergetically. “Whatever, man. They’re your lackeys. I don’t give a damn if they die or not.” Callous or not, it was how she felt.

  Trevor narrowed his eyes at her before nodding. “That’s right, you’re an animal lover.” He approached one of the dogs, brandishing the knife.

  “Don’t hurt him!” she cried out, straining toward the canine.

  Trevor’s smile was evil. “I think we found out how to control her.” He stepped over John’s body like the man wasn’t even there. “Put her back in the hut. I have some things to do. I’ll be seeing you in a while, Alexsa.”

  The one who’d been restraining her kept his hold on her as they went back to the hut. He pushed her inside. When she turned to face him, his expression was unreadable. A few charged seconds passed before he left, shutting the door forcefully behind him.

  She sank to the bed and hugged her knees to her chest. Her home had been blown up and they figured Valentino had been in there. The tears came and she didn’t stop them. What the hell was she going to do? There didn’t seem to be any end in sight to this nightmare.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “We have to call it. Running on fumes.”

  Valentino swore but nodded. Gio swung the chopper around and headed back to the airfield they’d set off from. In the fading light of day, Valentino marked through another set of places they’d checked.

  Yes, it was progress. No, he didn’t feel good about it. He was desperate and needed to find her.

  “I need some chow, a refuel and then I’m good with heading back up,” Gio said in his ear.

  “I know. Me too.” And Valentino hated admitting it. In his mind, there should be no breaks until she was found.

  They landed and he had some guys refuel the chopper while he and Gio each showered then grabbed some food. They were eating at a small diner when his phone rang.

  “What do you have?” Valentino said, having recognized Masters’ number.

  “We found one of his locations. Taking it down now and will be interrogating all the people we’ve rounded up.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Arizona. In the middle of the goddamn Chihuahuan Desert. One of his strongholds if I’m to believe what one said. Trevor’s not here. They said he went to take care of some things and get his newest wife.”

  “Lexy.”

  Valentino gripped his fork so hard it left an imprint on his palm.

  “Most likely,” Masters agreed. “I have to get going. Will keep you updated.”

  Their call ended and he placed his phone on the table. At Gio’s look, he filled his brother in.

  “What the hell is he doing in the desert?”

  “Best we can figure is he has a few strongholds. But really, out in the middle of nowhere, it’s a great place to store weapons. I know he’s gone after Lexy. I won’t lose her, Gio.”

  “I think she’s safe for now, Valentino.”

  “How do you figure that when she’s at the whim of a fucking madman?” he snapped.

  “This man has a hard-on for you, bro. Think about it. He showed himself before with Alyssa. He wants you there for whatever he has planned for Lexy as well.”

  He mulled that over and gave a short shrug. “Perhaps.” But what was Trevor trying to do with Lexy? Turn her against him as he had Alyssa? Valentino shook his head. No way. That wouldn’t happen. You didn’t think it would happen with Alyssa either, his brain reminded him. Not an encouraging thought in the least.

  Two women approached the table and gave them smiles. Gio returned them, but Valentino basically scowled. As they scurried away, Gio chuckled.

  “You should try smiling. You may learn something.”

  “You’re married. As am I.”

  “Smiling at a person doesn’t stop just because you’re married, Valentino. We need the locals to like us. Not hate us.” He stood. “You get this meal, next one’s on me. I’m going to find out where we’re landing next. Meet you at the helo.”

  Valentino was exhausted and had to force himself to finish up the food. Waving for the bill, he thanked the waitress when she brought it. Draining the rest of his coffee, he walked to the counter and asked for two to go then paid the bill, leaving a nice tip. Drinks in hand, he left the diner and made his way to the chopper where Gio was performing his check.

  “Here.”

  “Thanks.” Gio took the coffee and drank some. “I found where we can land next and fuel up while continuing the progress up the chain. I’m going to need some shuteye at some point though. I don’t want to miss what may be the one thing we needed to find to lead us to her.”

  “There was a hotel back past the diner. We could grab a room and crash for a few. Maybe Masters will have garnered something from those they took in by then.”

>   “I think that sounds like a plan.”

  Locking the helicopter, Gio fell into step with him as they again left the airfield. At the hotel, they tossed their cups and walked inside.

  “Evening.” A man sat behind the counter.

  “We need a room for the night. A double, please.”

  He stood. “Just passing through?”

  “Yes, sir,” Gio answered first. “My brother and I are on a vacation. You know, time away from the wives.”

  The man nodded and handed them two keys and a sheet of paper. “Just sign the bottom if you please.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Gio signed with a flourish.

  “Military man?” he asked after looking at the name.

  “Yes, sir.”

  The man scratched his chest. “I was in the Army back in ’Nam.”

  “Thank you for your service.” Gio pulled out his wallet and paid him in cash.

  “And you for yours, Commander.”

  “Is it like that for you all the time?” Valentino asked as they went to the room numbered five on their keys.

  “Not always.” Gio unlocked the door and pushed it open.

  Clean and neat were the first two things that popped out at him. The second were the beds. Until Gio’d mentioned it, he’d been ignoring how tired he was, but now exhaustion swarmed him.

  They took care of things and each of them collapsed on a bed.

  * * * *

  Five hours had passed when his cell chimed and Valentino answered immediately.

  “Yes?”

  “West Virginia.”

  He sat and clicked on a light. “The entire state is within the mountains.”

  “It’s all I have. And it narrows down your area of searching. I’ve deployed some UAVs over there equipped with thermal imaging. A few techs are staring at the shots as they come in.”

  Gio sat as well and yawned before cracking his neck. “Time to go?”

  Valentino nodded at his brother who headed for the bathroom. “When will they get there?”

  “Images are coming in already, we’re looking for another setup similar to the one we found in the desert. But as of yet, I’ve not been alerted that anything matches. Will let you know, I have to go.”

  “Thanks, Masters.” He hung up and waited for Gio to depart the bathroom. Valentino took a quick shower and redressed in his clothes. He felt a bit more awake and alert. The few hours they’d slept had helped him immensely.