Caught in the Crosshair

by Han, Barb

  Jaden’s arm squeezed her closer for comfort as he said, “She ever talk about your father?”

  “Said he ran out on us before she had time to tell him she was pregnant with me. Max is the oldest. So, no, I never met my father. He doesn’t even know I’m alive. He might as well be dead for all I know of him.”

  “She didn’t mention his real name?”

  “Never.”

  “Max never mentioned it either?”

  “We’re only two years apart. He was a baby when our father left. Why?” she asked defensively.

  Gunner pursed his lips. “I know this is difficult to talk about. But it’s important. We don’t know what information might be critical to figuring this thing out. It’s a long shot, I know, that your parents could be connected to this. I had to ask.”

  Were it not for his genuine look of concern, Lauren might have been more upset with where this was going.

  The only thing rooting her to reality was Jaden. With his strong arm wrapped around her waist, she could handle anything thrown her way.

  “I can’t stop thinking about Max,” Jaden said. “It’s possible he made someone mad enough to do this. Might not have anything to do with him leaving the business. These guys kill if you happen to stand on the wrong side of the street. Life means nothing to them. But why go after Lauren? She has nothing to do with her brother.”

  Gunner nodded his agreement. “It wouldn’t take much to agitate them. Menendez is especially ruthless. He might have taken Max’s leaving personally.”

  Jaden’s forehead creased even more with concerned lines. “They seem especially intent on finding her. Why? What’s to gain?”

  Gunner seemed locked in thought for a long moment. “They might want to bleed her for cash. This is sport to them. Probably nothing more. Or make Max suffer even more.”

  “It doesn’t make any sense,” Lauren said, “I don’t have tons of money.”

  “Mindless violence. They thrive on it,” Jaden agreed.

  What have you gotten yourself into, Max?

  With her mother dead and her father nowhere to be found, Lauren couldn’t face the thought of losing Max too. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

  A few moments later, she felt herself being repositioned until her face burrowed in Jaden’s chest. He murmured soothing words into her hair. “Take your time. This is a lot to absorb. I’m right here. I won’t leave you.”

  Gathering her strength, she wiped her tears and looked toward Gunner. “When do we leave?”

  “We’ll take you home as soon as we get weather clearance.”

  She shook her head emphatically. “I’m not going home. I’m going with you to get Max.”

  “No can do. It’s too dangerous,” Jaden said quickly.

  “How can I even think about going home?”

  “Gunner and I will get Max. You’ll stay here. We’ll bring him back, and you’ll go home together.”

  “He must feel so alone and confused,” she said, hearing the shakiness in her own voice. “I need to be there to see he’s okay.”

  Jaden pulled her to the side. Anger flashed in his eyes. “Too risky.”

  “This is my problem. He’s my brother. I think I realize what we’re facing. I have the bumps and bruises to prove it.”

  “We don’t even know. If there’s a leak from my agency, we could be ambushed again,” Jaden said, anger pulsing off him in waves. “Did you hear Gunner before? Did you see the blood on his coat?”

  “I have to go with you. I don’t expect you to understand.”

  “No. You don’t. And I won’t let you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Gunner’s cell buzzed. Lauren froze. If Jaden thought he was leaving without her, he was crazy.

  Gunner’s gaze shifted from his phone to Jaden. “Helena’s out front with Gage.”

  “Helena’s here? I thought she was in the States.”

  “Guess not.”

  Jaden’s response was a quick nod. “I should’ve known. Must be what he wanted to show me.”

  “You need to decide what you’re going to do with her.” Gunner’s head inclined toward Lauren.

  “She stays,” he barked.

  “No. I don’t. Besides, you guys have been talking about a mole or whatever. How am I supposed to defend myself against one of yours? Especially if they come here?”

  Anguish and frustration scored Jaden’s forehead. “Damn.”

  Gunner dragged his hand across the stubble on his chin. “She’s right. We don’t know how they’re staying ahead of us, but they are. She might be vulnerable here. The only way to ensure her safety is to keep our eyes on her at all times.”

  Jaden grabbed a jacket and tossed dry clothes to her. “Fine. She goes. But she stays inside the vehicle.”

  “I’m ready,” she said when she emerged from the bathroom. Jaden’s hand closed on hers.

  He didn’t say a word as he led her out the door. His dark, brooding expression tied knots in her stomach. He didn’t need to speak for her to know what was on his mind. This mission might be a death trap.

  Lauren climbed into the back of Gunner’s Range Rover at Jaden’s urging. His heft blocked her view of the driver until she sat down and found her seatbelt being strapped around her. “I got it. Thanks.”

  Her nerves would’ve been completely unhinged by now, but physical contact with Jaden kept her a notch below panic. He’d wedged himself in the middle seat, and his thigh brushed against hers. Electricity hummed between them.

  Her first glimpse of the man in the front passenger seat almost made her smile. Were all the operatives seriously this good looking? Gage had light blond hair and green eyes. She guessed he’d stand an inch or two shorter than Jaden. He was almost as muscular.

  Gage turned around, smiled, and winked. “Nasty weather today.”

  Jaden’s shoulder came forward, blocking more of her view. “There’s no good weather for what we’re about to do.”

  She strained to get a good look at Helena.

  Huge dark brown eyes looked at her from the rearview. Long thick lashes framed them.

  “You’ve had quite a day,” her smooth voice said. “We’ll get your brother out of there.”

  A band of jealousy tightened around Lauren’s heart.

  Jaden’s muscles tensed. “When we do, you and I need to have a sit down, Helena.”

  The dark beautiful eyes blinked. Dark. Beautiful. Dangerous.

  Lauren saw a flash of rage behind those dark hues.

  “I’ve been watching this place today. Hoping. They weren’t there this morning. They must’ve brought him when things went south at the beach,” Helena said.

  The drive was short. Fifteen to twenty minutes max. The house was located in the center of town.

  “What now?” Lauren quietly asked Jaden.

  “We assess.” He paused a beat. “You wait.”

  “I didn’t ask for any of this. I wish my brother hadn’t dragged me into it too. But I’m here. I don’t plan to sit in this car while you guys risk your lives.”

  “We’re trained. You’re not.”

  A gun cocked and motion from the driver’s seat caught Lauren’s attention. Helena turned in the seat with the butt of a gun toward Lauren. “She can use my backup. We need all the fire power we can get.”

  Jaden’s hand covered Helena’s, and a tidal wave of jealousy rolled up, burning through Lauren’s chest.

  “We don’t risk civilians,” he said, his eyes flashing a warning.

  The face that came with the cat-like eyes was staggering to look at. Her hair, dark and radiant, framed an almond-shaped face. Sultry auburn streaks could be seen around the edges. She shifted her head slightly as she spoke, and light seeped in, barely settling on each strand, revealing a brilliant shine breaking through everywhere the storm’s darkness didn’t obscure. “Like it or not, she’s involved. Her help might just mean the difference between life and death.”

  Jaden’s body, poised for battle
, stiffened. His fists clenched. “I said —”

  “We have enough manpower without her,” Gunner interrupted.

  Helena’s gaze intensified. “Leave her in the car and someone has to stay back to watch her. We’ll be more vulnerable if we split up. Besides, we’ve already lost five men. It’s not prudent to risk more. I’ll cover her inside.”

  Impatience shot from Jaden’s glare. “Then she comes with me.”

  The house they watched wasn’t bigger than a shack. There was almost no yard, the buildings sandwiched right next to each other. Jaden scouted the area carefully. Lauren followed his gaze to an eighteenth century church across the street. Its whitewashed walls offered a hint of light in the darkness surrounding them. He glanced toward her, and then his gaze shifted back to the church.

  She nodded. If it goes awry, meet him in the chapel.

  Helena’s gaze locked onto Lauren, making her uncomfortable. “They say he has a tattoo of a dragon on his neck. The man who killed Tim,” she said, anger causing her voice to tremble.

  The front door of the shack opened as a black SUV roared up.

  “Get down!” Jaden said as he folded forward.

  Lauren slid until her knees butted against the back of the driver’s seat.

  Their car was hidden from view, but no one seemed in the mood to take unnecessary chances.

  “They’re most likely moving him again,” Jaden whispered.

  “No. If they take him somewhere else, we’ll never find him,” Lauren said, desperation a lead weight sinking to the pit of her stomach.

  “This is good. We don’t know what we’re up against inside the shack. This way, we can follow them. Strike when we’re ready,” he said.

  The door to the SUV opened and closed, and then it was on the move again.

  Helena didn’t immediately move. “They’re watching. Two big men at the front door.”

  “Patience. We’ll catch up to them,” Jaden confidently said.

  Lauren’s stomach lining was braided from stress. “How do we know they have Max?”

  “We don’t for sure. This could be a decoy,” Jaden said.

  Gunner leaned forward. “I’m betting they’re moving him. They’ll want to take advantage of the break in weather. They don’t normally leave a witness in the same place for long.”

  Lauren wished she felt more reassured.

  “They’ve gone back inside,” Helena said, starting the engine. “It’s safe.”

  She wheeled left, the same way the SUV had gone moments before.

  God, I hope we’re not too late.

  “How will we find them?” Lauren asked.

  “Easy, they’ll be the only other car on the street,” Helena said, her slight accent almost a purr.

  A stab of jealousy Lauren had no right to own hit her.

  Jaden’s left hand covered hers. Her body ached to be in his arms again. His right hand palmed his gun.

  In the front seat, Gage shouldered a weapon that looked like an assault rifle. Lauren knew very little about guns, but this one seemed especially threatening. Gunner had his weapon out and ready.

  The weight of just how deadly this situation was rocketed a shot of adrenaline through her.

  “Turn right,” Gage said. “Now!”

  Helena jammed the wheel in time for Lauren to see brake lights ahead as the SUV turned down another side street.

  “There! I see it,” Lauren said, she held onto the gun Helena had given her with shaky hands.

  After a few twists and turns, Helena roared up behind the SUV. God, please let my brother be in there.

  The SUV hit the brakes hard, and the Range Rove slammed into its bumper. Thankfully, the jolt wasn’t strong enough to deploy the air bags. Gunfire ensued as the SUV fishtailed in front of them.

  Helena maneuvered around the left side of the SUV. Blacked out windows made identifying anyone inside impossible. Jaden bolted into action next to Gunner, firing his weapon. Tat. Tat. Tat. The noise was so loud Lauren’s eardrums rang.

  The passenger side window shattered.

  The SUV jerked right.

  Damn.

  Helena hit the brake and slammed the Range Rover into Reverse as Jaden slipped out the door.

  “Bring them to me,” was all he said before he disappeared around the block.

  Shit.

  Helena hit the gas so hard the tires spun, trying to find traction on the wet concrete. They caught, and the Range Rover jerked forward. She rounded the corner and caught up to the SUV. She came up on its right side, forcing it into a left turn.

  One more, and Jaden would be in range.

  Helena forced another turn, and the knot in Lauren’s stomach tightened. She saw the minute Jaden stepped from a building.

  His shot must’ve been dead on. The SUV jerked sideways before running head on into a building.

  All three operatives descended from the Range Roger.

  The scene slowed to a crawl for Lauren. Bullets flew. Sounds warped. Her heart stayed in her throat.

  By the time she gathered her senses, a man was being pulled from the SUV. Max?

  His frame was thin, his body limp, but she’d recognize her brother anywhere.

  Relief washed over her until she got a good look at his face.

  Jaden climbed in the back, holding Max. “Go!”

  The others slid inside the Range Rover. Helena stopped at the door, aimed her weapon, and shot. An explosion rocked the pavement.

  For a split-second, Lauren feared they’d been hit.

  Jaden’s hand covered hers reassuringly. “Max is safe.”

  The drive back to the safe house seemed to take forever. Max might be safe, but he was unconscious. Fear gripped Lauren. He had to be okay.

  As they settled Max inside headquarters, Gunner said, looking concerned, “Think you can rest until air transportation arrives? You both look exhausted.”

  She shot a worried look toward Jaden. Gunner, Gage, and Helena seemed honest enough, but she wasn’t exactly trained to pick out the good from the bad. Could they trust anyone? Everyone in Jaden’s agency was trained to make people believe they were someone else. Hadn’t Jaden said something about eyes giving it away? Wouldn’t a man who’d been trained to hide his identity be skilled at tricking people? There was nothing in their eyes to indicate bad. Nothing in their demeanor to signal any one of them as a threat. Nothing about their words.

  “Gunner’s right. You need rest,” Jaden said. His tense posture said he was poised for battle. “I’ve got a few of my own wounds to dress. Plus, I need time to think about this.”

  “Only if you promise to wake me if there’s any change in my brother’s condition,” she said through a yawn, checking on Max again.

  His face, battered and bruised, sent her heart into a free fall.

  Jaden quickly reassured her Max’s pulse was strong. “You have my word,” he said. “Now sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up. Right next to you.”

  Jaden was telling her he’d keep an eye on things. She knew firsthand how he could handle himself in pretty much every situation. He’d collected the bumps and bruises to prove it.

  “We need to get back out before the weather turns again,” Helena said, looking antsy.

  “I know how bad you want these guys. Believe me, I do too,” Jaden said.

  Her mouth twisted in anger. “No one wants the man who killed Tim dead more than me. Those men didn’t do it. I need to go back to the house and watch. He’s close by and I can feel it.”

  “The dragon tattoo?” Jaden asked.

  Gage eased off the desk he’d been sitting on. “I’ll go with her.”

  Jaden shook his hand. “Be safe out there. Report back when you can.”

  The door closed and Jaden’s attention turned to Lauren. “You need sleep.”

  “And a hot meal. A warm bed. If a plane can fly, you’ll wake me up immediately, right?” she asked, stifling another yawn.

  “As soon as the storm breaks, we’ll get you b
oth out of here. You’re going home.”

  Home? Where was that anymore?

  Home felt a lot like Jaden. You’re tired and scared. He offered temporary shelter from a raging storm.

  ***

  A few hours of sleep and dry clothes made all the difference in the world to Lauren. She woke to find Jaden’s arms wrapped around her, her back pressed against the crook of his arm, and her head resting on his shoulder.

  The moment she stirred, his eyes flew open, and his arms tightened around her protectively.

  “I’m okay. Just thirsty. I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said.

  He repositioned, loosening his grip. “Don’t get up. Stay here. Rest. I’ll get water for you. I want you to save your strength. We have a long journey home later.”

  As soon as he moved, she missed the feel of his strong, warm body against hers. “Has my brother’s condition changed?”

  Jaden shook his head. “He’s stable.”

  “I can hardly imagine what it’ll be like to finally make it back to Dallas. I would swear I left ages ago. I’m afraid everything will be different by the time I get home. Like I’ve been away for years instead of days,” she said.

  “Your brother’s safe. You’re safe. Nothing else matters,” Jaden said, returning with a fresh bottled water for her.

  Because of you, I’m alive. What about you, Jaden? Who keeps you safe?

  Lauren heard rhythmic breathing coming from the makeshift bed near the fire where Gunner slept.

  “Speaking of my brother and his safety, what about the hospital? I mean will anyone be able to get to him there?” she asked in a whisper.

  “If he’s turning State’s evidence, then he’ll receive the best possible protection and care. Believe me. They’ll do everything in their power to keep him alive to testify. It’s not for the reason you want, but the result is the same,” he said, taking his seat next to her again.

  She leaned in closer to him, wanting to be as near as possible. “Can I stay at the hospital with him?”

  “You can visit. He’s in critical condition which probably means ICU, so we’ll have visiting hours to consider. Other than that, you should be fine. We’ll have to figure out a way to disguise you.”