The Taylor woman grabbed his arm. “Jake. Hurry. Please, don’t let Hank hurt her again.”
“Name’s Johnny Darling. And Hank had better not touch her.”
“It’s Jake Donovan. Don’t you find it interesting the initials are the same? And I’m Kaycie Taylor. We went to college together. You joined the Marines.”
“You’re the second person to ask me if I was in the military.” The burner inside his brain turned up the volume. He pressed three fingers against the one spot in his head he wanted to rip out with bare hands. The pain intensified with each headache, making him wonder how much longer until it drove him insane.
“What’s wrong?” She moved her hand to his shoulder, which he shrugged off. “Let me help you.”
“Find the ring,” he yelled over the roar inside his head.
She dug around under her feet, apparently having trouble. At last, she leaned back and offered it to him.
“Here. Take the damn thing. I hope it’s worth all the pain you’ve caused.”
“I agree that too many people will die because of Hank, but it has to be done.” Johnny laughed when she gasped. For some sick reason, he liked that he’d frightened her. Maybe she’d quit dogging him about who he was. He snorted. “Wonder if Hank’s ready to die too?”
“You were right. He’s here,” the Taylor woman announced as if he was stupid. “Stop him.”
The red car was empty, and Johnny didn’t have time to chat. Anger had taken full control of his senses. The desire to protect Holly countermanded the boss’s orders.
****
“Do it now, Kaycie.” Nate’s voice rang in her ear. “Call the play.”
Fear cut off her oxygen. For the first time since seeing Jake, Kay had to battle back panic clawing to get out.
She erupted out of the car with Jake. “Spread, Slot Right, 357 Seam, on 2.” She spoke loudly and with authority.
He stopped in his tracks. Something was happening to him. A spark of understanding? Kay bit her tongue to keep from telling Nate. Jake rubbed the side of his head a lot, but now he appeared to be digging a hole.
His shark-like eyes cleared right in front of her. The taught nerves in his face seemed to relax. For the first time today, the boy Jake, the sweet defender of the innocent, stood in front of her, his lips curving in a shy smile.
“Jake,” she pleaded. “You remember the play?” Repeating Nate, she added, “It was your favorite. You used to bug Nate to call it. Promised him a touchdown every time.”
They moved a couple steps toward each other. Confusion clouded his handsome face. He closed his eyes briefly.
“I remember ...” He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ve accepted not having a past.”
A woman’s scream ended the conversation.
“Hurry,” Kay begged.
Jake burst through the door with her right behind him. “Hank,” he shouted.
Holly, handcuffed to the bed, kicked wildly. The bastard was unzipping his pants.
“Stop,” Kay screamed and ran past Jake toward her friend.
Hank grabbed her around the middle, lifted her off the floor and threw her on the small bed next to Holly.
He leered, turned to Jake, and said, “Two chicks. Two men. Let’s have some fun with them before you kill ‘em.”
Kay dragged the trembling Holly close and held her tight, whispering, “It’s okay.”
Kay wasn’t sure where the huge knife came from, but Jake was wielding it like he knew what he was doing. The shark’s eyes were back and locked on Hank. Her insides cramped, and a chill raced across her back. She had never witnessed such hate in a person’s eyes as she saw in Jake’s.
“What’d I tell you about her?” Jake advanced just as Hank pulled a gun from behind his back. “I told you to keep your hands off.”
“What do you care? The bitch is as good as dead. Her and her friend.”
Jake advanced a step and said through gritted teeth, “You almost lost your nuts the last time you touched her. Today you’ll lose more than that.”
Let them argue. This was the perfect opportunity for Kay to gather her thoughts. Perhaps she could capitalize on the distraction.
“You don’t give me orders. You’re a bum. Were living under a bridge when you were brought into the organization. I knew then you were trouble.”
Holly clung tightly to Kay. Where were Nate and the boys? How far behind were they? “Hurry,” she whispered, praying one of her rescuers heard.
She couldn’t wait for someone else to save her and Holly. Kay battled back her own panic and set out to free her friend while the two men circled each other like wolves ready to attack. Their attention was on each other, and she’d use that to her advantage.
She placed her feet against the headboard, inhaled a deep breath, and wrapped her fingers around the bar holding Holly hostage. Pushing with her legs and pulling with her hands, she summoned every ounce of strength and said a short prayer.
The headboard cracked. The loud noise reverberated through the room. Hank whirled and aimed the pistol at Holly.
Without thinking, Kay shoved her friend flat on the bed and used her body as a shield.
Kay didn’t see the knife leave Jake’s hand, but Hank’s eyes went wide, and his gaze lowered. His hand clutched his belly where only the handle protruded. The blade was buried deep in his stomach. His knees buckled, and he fell to the floor.
The door burst open, and windows on either side of the house exploded. Three men rushed inside, with Nate in the lead. A gunshot reverberated through the small cabin.
Nate stumbled, gathered himself and kept coming toward her and Holly. Kay had never been so happy to see him.
Tyrell and Marcus stared as if Jake had dropped in from Mars. Both shook their heads as if to clear away the shock. Then they went after the man who called himself Johnny Darling. The man who couldn’t be anyone but Jake Donovan raised his fists in self-defense mode.
Nate gathered her into his arms. His heart beat wildly under her ear. His chest pumped up and down. She pressed closer as he kissed the top of her head, rocking back and forth.
“Oh. My. God,” he murmured into her hair.
“It’s over, and we’re okay.” She relaxed, loving the feel of his arms wrapped around her.
“Well, I’m not. Fighting in Afghanistan didn’t scare me this bad.”
Kay flinched as blows were exchanged and bodies tumbled to the floor. It was two against one, and soon, Jake lay facedown. Marcus’s foot pressed against the back of his neck while Jake struggled to free himself.
“Holly?” Jake called from his position on the floor. “Are you okay?”
Holly slid the broken bed part through the handcuff, scrambled off the bed, and crawled to Jake’s side. Tears streamed down her face. “I’m fine.”
“Get away from him.” Tyrell’s words were thick and harsh. Worry lines on his face seemingly had aged him years. “He killed a man right in front of you.”
“No. He saved my life. Now get off him,” Holly protested, her blue eyes sparking anger. She sent a searing glance at Marcus and slapped his leg. “You’re hurting him.”
Marcus stepped back, lifted Jake’s head, and applied pressure to his neck.
Relief Holly was alive hadn’t stopped Kay’s tremors, but she reluctantly extracted herself from Nate’s warm embrace and went to her sobbing friend. Maybe talking would help. “It’s over.”
“Make them stop,” Holly begged.
Jake’s eyes rolled upward, and he went limp. Marcus released the chokehold and slid the unconscious Jake to the floor. “There. He’ll be out for a minute or two.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Holly protested. “He’s not a bad person.”
“He kidnapped you. And would’ve killed us both.” Kay understood her friend had suffered a great deal of pain and trauma. Holly’s reaction was probably the result of shock.
“No. He wouldn’t have ...” Holly’s gaze drifted down the front of Kay’s blouse
. Small hands gripped Kay’s shoulders. “You’re bleeding.”
“No, I’m not.” Her lungs emptied themselves of air when she looked down to find blood on the front of her blouse. She’d been caught up in the moment and hadn’t noticed her chest was wet and sticky.
“Nate?” She whirled toward him. Her heart went into free fall. His hand covered what had to be a bullet wound. Not even getting shot had stopped him from reaching her.
She rushed to him just as sirens blared through the silent countryside. He pushed himself further onto the bed and leaned back, using the wall as a brace. His face was pale, and his eyes were dull. She didn’t know how the police knew to come, but she was grateful help was close by. She pulled off a pillowcase and stuck it under his hand. Then she wrapped her arm around him and gathered him to her chest.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” He coughed, sucking in a deep breath. Pain deepened the lines around his mouth. His lips were drawn into a thin line. “I had to call my FBI contact. We were about to break too many laws.”
Tyrell strolled over as if they were at a picnic in the park. His actions didn’t fool Kay. His caramel skin had a pallor to it. Fear, something she’d never seen him display, oozed from his every pore and sent her heart into a spiral. If he was scared, she was terrified.
“Getting shot hurts like a bitch, don’t it,” he joked, pulling Nate’s hand and the pillowcase away. Kay’s temporary bandage was already soaked with blood. Tyrell sat on the other side of Nate and gently lifted him off the wall. Kay helped lay him down so Tyrell could check the wound. He folded the hem of Nate’s bloody T-shirt in his giant hands and ripped. “Let’s have a better look.”
“Oh, God,” Kay barely found her voice. Blood flowed from a wound in Nate’s shoulder. She tried to swallow, but her mouth couldn’t produce one drop of saliva. This could not be happening. Please, don’t die, she prayed.
“Muscle,” Nate said in a whisper. One corner of his mouth lifted in a sad attempt at a smile. “Not bad.”
“Little Mama,” Tyrell said. “Find me a clean towel or rag.”
She ran around Holly, who appeared to be in shock. Kay grabbed a dishtowel from the counter, and hurried back to Tyrell.
“I hope that’s clean.” Nate’s wisecrack was replaced with a groan when Tyrell pressed the towel hard against the wound.
Kay clamped her hand around Nate’s and squeezed. The ache in her heart almost doubled her over. She plastered a fake smile on her face, trying to be strong for him.
“Marcus has gone back up the road to lead the locals and feds in.” Tyrell spoke as if administering aid to a wounded friend happened every day. “I’m hoping they brought an EMT, because you’re bleeding all over the fucking place.”
Nate blinked slowly. His eyes fluttered closed.
“Stay awake,” Kay patted his cheek, her heart lodged in her throat. “Don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said with a ghost of a smile. Then he went limp.
“No!” Kay screamed.
Chapter 26
Nate opened his eyes to narrow slits, tried to unscramble his brain. What the hell was going on? His arm hurt like a son of a bitch. Shifting his shoulders sent excruciating pain to every nerve ending. Damn, he’d been shot and was in the hospital.
Voices came from every direction and in surround sound. The room had turned into Grand Central Station. A couple of men talked about him as if he weren’t there. His favorite female voice gave him a reason to wake. Kaycie’s soft tone always stirred him and made waking worthwhile.
He rolled over. Sharp pain brought his memory better into focus. That asshole Hank got off a lucky shot, and a bullet wound up in Nate’s shoulder. Which probably explained why he’d reached into the recesses of his memory and dredged up the worst day of his life.
Hell, last thing he remembered was Kaycie’s frightened face before she’d faded from his vision. At least he’d made it to her before he blacked out.
A cool hand brushed his hair off his forehead. He expected soft lips to follow. Then he’d open his eyes and surprise her.
“Let him rest. Come on, we’ll buy you lunch.”
Why were Wayne and Tomas in Oklahoma?
“I’m not leaving until he wakes,” she protested.
Good girl. Nate kept his eyes closed and remained still. Listening.
“It’s important that we talk with you.” Wayne sounded official. “And you need to eat.”
“He’s right, Kay. Finish up with DPD. I’ll stay here with the patient.”
Nate’s eyes snapped open at the sound of Dalton Murphy’s voice. What the hell was the FBI doing in the room?
“Welcome back.” Kaycie’s face loomed over Nate. Damn, his heart lurched. The dark circles under her eyes meant she hadn’t rested in a while. Her refusal to leave his side gave him hope.
His throat was dry, but he had to try to speak to her. “It’s good to be back.”
“You scared us.” Tears rimmed her eyes.
“She’s right.” Tomas stepped up beside her. “I was afraid you’d die and leave this mess on Kay’s shoulders.”
Shit. Nate had no doubt there was a lot to explain, but why had the Dallas detectives come to Oklahoma? What else was going on?
Nate had asked Dalton to call Dallas PD at the last minute. What Nate hadn’t expected was the two detectives and the agent himself to show.
“Hello, Tomas,” Nate growled. “Happy not to have disappointed you.”
Tomas’s lips curved into a sneer. “After the Oklahoma authorities are finished, I’ll be talking to the Dallas DA about an obstructing justice arrest warrant for you and your men.”
Nate opened his mouth to argue, but Dalton stepped forward. He dropped a hand on the bedrail. Nate got the subtle message and shut up.
“Kay,” Dalton said, his tone that of authority. “You guys go to lunch. I need to speak with Nate in private.”
Wayne crossed the room and shook Dalton’s hand. “Next time DPD would appreciate a heads up you’re running an operation in our backyard.”
“Sure thing.” Dalton delivered a grin that made Nate bite back a laugh. The agent turned toward Kaycie, and this time his smile appeared to be genuine.
Before Nate could speak, Kaycie was whisked from the hospital room and out of his sight. He tried to sit up, causing shards of fire to shoot across his chest and shoulder. Dalton lifted an eyebrow, picked up the control, and raised the head of the bed.
“Thanks,” Nate grunted. He waited for the pain to subside while sweat soaked through the thin hospital gown
“Nobody ever said getting shot was fun.” Dalton passed Nate a glass of water, which he gratefully drained and then handed back.
“No shit.” A couple of deep breaths and the discomfort eased.
It wasn’t just his shoulder that ached, his head was spinning like a top. How upset was the Dallas Police Department? How much trouble would they cause? The last thing Nate wanted was to cause Kaycie trouble.
He nodded toward the empty doorway. “Is he bluffing?”
“Yeah. Big talk in front of the pretty lady. You’ve had a couple of lucky breaks over the past few days. Biggest one was me coming down.”
“I’m glad you did. What are you doing here? Rumor has it you never leave Atlanta.”
“I travel occasionally. Besides I was getting tired of that desk.” Dalton, easily as big as Tyrell, dressed in the typical dark suit and white shirt, moved a pile of newspaper from a chair and sat. “Don’t thank me yet. I want something.”
“I figured.” Nate squinted to read the headline on the paper. “Is that Sunday’s? Last thing I remember it was Friday. I’ve been out for two days?”
“Yeah. Doctor said the slug wasn’t hard to remove, but you had lost a lot of blood. Luckily, there’s no permanent damage.” Dalton tossed the front section of the paper on the bed. “And it was damn tough keeping your picture off the front page. If your face, name, and background had leaked, you’d be useless to
the FBI.”
“And I appreciate you handling things.”
“DPD wanted you for a number of charges. You and your lady friend lied more than once to Wayne and his partner.”
“So now you’ve lectured me and I’m appropriately contrite, bottom line it. What’s coming?”
“Nothing. I convinced them you were working on contract for me. Which, if they figure out I lied, I’m on the DPD shit list forever.”
“Is your lie going to backfire on you?”
“No. But there’s a price for my help. When you’re on your feet, I need you on the Colombian assignment we talked about.”
Nate sank deeper into the pillows.
Was this where he and Kaycie ended? Wasn’t his job for her over? Time to move on to the next one. She’d been upfront with him. Told him the sex was going to be a temporary thing.
“Hey.” Dalton snapped his fingers in front of Nate’s face. “Did you hear anything I said?”
“Sorry. I heard.” Nate shoved his emotions down deep where they belonged. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, especially for Tyrell and Marcus. They were just helping me. I owe you one.”
“Damn right.” Dawson laughed. It eased the stern scowl he always wore. “And as soon as you’re strong enough to travel, I’ll send you the intel, and we’ll get started laying the groundwork.”
“On what?” Damn, Nate’s mind kept drifting. He really hadn’t been listening.
“Colombia? The drug cartel? I know you’re still groggy, but I need to know you’re in.”
“That’s a tough one, Dalton. Things are still unsettled here. The guy who killed Hank? He’s not who he says he is.” Nate paused when Dalton held his hands in the timeout position.
“I heard all about it from Tyrell and Marcus. Donovan’s fingerprints confirmed their claim. Johnny Darling doesn’t exist. However, Jake Donovan has been missing from the neurosurgical ward at Walter Reed for over a year. He’s got a piece of shrapnel embedded in his brain, right above the amygdala.”
“His what?”
“I’d never heard of it before either. The amygdala controls your emotions. The file I read said Donovan might be the worst case of traumatic brain injury to come out of the war.”
Hell Or High Water (Lost and Found, Inc.) Page 18
