by Chloe Lang
“I just heard the good news. When’s your baby due, Amber?” one of them from nearby Clover asked.
“June eleventh,” her sister answered. “I can’t wait to be a mother.”
Gretchen walked over to Amber and told her where she was assigned.
Belle was thrilled about the new baby. She and Amber had already painted the nursery a pale green. She couldn’t wait to hold the tiny bundle in her arms. The pending arrival of the newest member of the family also reminded her of her own heartbreak and loss. She’d finally come to accept the reality of what she couldn’t change about herself.
After Gretchen moved on to her next baking station, Amber spotted Belle.
She waved her over.
“I better get back to the cookies,” Paris said. “I’m going to the clinic to check on Cindy after we’ve finished baking. If you want, you could go with me.”
“I definitely want to. You and I could grab a bite at the diner after. I bet you could use a friendly ear, too.”
Paris sighed. “Yes, I could. Doc won’t let up on trying to get me to apply to medical school. He can be such an ass.”
“I think he has your best interests at heart, even if he goes about it in the wrong way.”
“Maybe.” Paris gave her a little wave as she went back to her station.
Amber stepped up. “Hey, Belle.”
“They have apple juice for all the pregnant women, Sis. You want some?”
“I’m fine.”
Belle needed her sister right now more than ever. “Can we talk?”
“Sure. Gretchen told me I’m on cookie icing duty, which will be starting in about thirty minutes. Is that enough time?”
“Plenty.” She led her sister to the banquet room, which was already set up with tables and chairs for tomorrow’s event. “Let’s sit here.”
“I can tell you’re upset, Sis.” Amber always could read her better than anyone. “I got your text about Kip’s sister. Is that what’s troubling you? Is she still at the courthouse?”
“She is, and that’s part of what I want to talk about.”
“I’m sure Black’s team will keep her safe.”
“Shane and Corey don’t trust the poor girl. I understand their skepticism, but I want to give her the benefit of the doubt just like Mom and Dad taught us.”
“Yes, they did teach us that, Belle, but they never knew someone like Kip even existed. I think we should be cautious around Cindy for the time being. You always lead with your heart first, which is why I love you so much, but this time, please lead with your head. Okay?”
“That’s what I’m trying to do when it comes to Shane and Corey. You should’ve seen them. They treated me as if I was made of glass. Once we found out Cindy’s identity, they both kept trying, not so subtly, to keep me away from her as if she could’ve hurt me in her condition. Really, Sis, it was totally ridiculous. I don’t need protection. If anyone needs to be guarded, it is Cindy. Kip told her in the letter that he was coming to meet her.”
“I bet Jason will make sure she is watched over. About Shane and Corey being overprotective…that’s how the men of Destiny operate. I’ve had to get used to it with Emmett, Cody, and Bryant. You will, too.”
“You want me to act like a princess waiting for her knights in shining armor to come rescue her?” She grinned. “You know me better than that. I’m the one who wants to slay the dragon.”
“Hush,” Amber said, looking around the empty room. “You never know who might be listening. If Patrick heard you say that, he’d bring you up on charges.”
Belle laughed. “I know. Okay, I would slay whatever monster showed up. You know what I mean. I’m self-sufficient. Always have been. That’s the way I like it.”
“I know better. Yes, you’re strong. You’ve always been the best sister and have always been there for me. Now, it’s my turn to give you some tough love.” Amber smiled. “When it comes to Shane and Corey, I think your heart needs to be first, not the other way around.”
“They are wonderfully exciting gentlemen. I’ve been so at ease until recently. It seems they both like me, and I definitely like them.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“I suppose so. I’ve been having fun, but I think Shane wants to take it to the next level, which you and I both know I can’t do.”
“I don’t know why, Belle.”
“Of course you do. You know everything about me, Amber. You know my entire history.” Belle felt the old sting bubble up inside her. “You know what happened with Stan.”
“Doctor Asshole? The man with the gambling addiction? Yes. I know what happened. You dodged a bullet.”
“Losing him was hard, but it wasn’t what broke my heart. That relationship was clearly doomed from the very beginning.”
“He’s the jerk who pushed you to the curb when you needed him most. He’s a bastard, Belle. I’m glad you’re not with him anymore. You deserve better.”
“Have you forgotten why we broke it off?”
“Yes, because he’s a self-centered dick, that’s why.”
She couldn’t help but grin. Amber always had her back, especially in her darkest time. “That’s true, but I really can’t blame him. We both wanted kids. What crushed me was the fact that I couldn’t have children.”
Amber grabbed her hands. “It still could happen, Belle.”
She shook her head. “With my endometriosis, the odds are better for me winning the lottery than getting pregnant. I’ve had the surgery. I’ve done the hormones. I’ve done everything medicine has to offer. Nothing. It’s never going to happen, Amber. Even though I’ve accepted that fact, I’m still dealing with it. I think about it every day. Having Juan in my life has softened much of the hurt. He’s my boy. I love him with all my heart. I’m ready to pursue adopting him, though I know it will be difficult being a single woman.”
“Have you told Shane and Corey? They clearly are fond of Juan, too. Don’t they deserve the chance to tell you if whether you can have their children or not makes any difference to them? They might be just as happy adopting.”
She shook her head. “Why should I tell them now? Don’t you think it’s way too early for that kind of conversation? Let’s just say I go down the relationship highway with them until I can bring up my illness. Even if they told me it didn’t matter, I would know it really did.”
“You can’t know that, Belle. You aren’t a mind reader.”
“But I do know it. Besides, it still matters to me. I will not take away anyone’s chance at having a child.”
“Does that mean you are only going to get serious with men past their prime, men who have already had children with other women?”
“I hadn’t thought about it, but that isn’t a bad idea. Maybe I wait until I’m forty before I put myself out there for a serious relationship.” Belle laughed like she always did when trying to hide her pain. “A little gray hair, a few more pounds, some wrinkles. That way any man who would date me would know what they were getting into.”
“I never thought you would be such a chicken, Belle. Where’s my tough sister, the one who put herself through nursing school waiting tables on the graveyard shift?”
“I’m still that tough sister, Amber.” She didn’t feel that tough, but hoped it didn’t show. “That’s why I’m making this tough decision.”
Chapter Four
Standing in a recently vacated part of TBK’s headquarters, Corey entered his security code into a keypad.
“Welcome, agent.” The computerized voice from the hidden speaker sounded British, which amused him. “Place your right hand on the pad for final verification.”
He did, and the door to Shannon’s Elite’s temporary offices opened.
In the high-tech conference room were some of the other members of the team around the long glass table.
Dylan sat next to Jason and Nicole Coleman, Jason’s deputy sheriff.
Jena, the talented hacker, sat across from them with
her husbands, Sean MacCabe and Matt Dixon.
“Shane’s not with you?” Dylan always did get right to the point.
Corey shook his head. “Black assigned him to guard duty for Kip’s sister for the time being.”
“I bet we’ll all get a crack at guard duty as long as Trollinger remains in town.” He couldn’t agree more with Jason’s assessment.
“Black will not trust anyone but his own agents to guard her,” Dylan stated flatly.
Sean put his arm around Jena. “I doubt Black will let the woman leave until we get our hands on Lunceford.”
“You’re right about that, Mr. MacCabe.” Black walked into the conference room with Joanne Brown, his second in command of the team. “Cindy Trollinger is our best chance at capturing Kip Lunceford. Have a seat Corey. There’s much to discuss.”
“You can say that again, boss. Shane and I were there when Kip’s sister passed out at Lucy’s.” He recalled how quickly Belle had reacted to help her and just as quickly had been ready to accept her story on its face. He loved how trusting Belle was, but it also worried him. “I don’t have a good feeling about this Cindy woman, boss.”
“Can you expand on that for us, please?” Black asked.
“I think that fainting spell was all a ruse. I can’t put my finger on it, but according to Belle, Doc, and Paris, her vitals were normal. The fact that Cindy got inside the restaurant before she fainted seems quite strange to me.” He took a seat next to Dylan. “There’s got to be more to this.”
“I’m sure there is. That’s why you are all on my team. I trust your instincts.” Black sat at the head of the table. “I understand we have a good lead that came from the letter Miss Trollinger brought with her.”
“Who has the letter?” Brown moved next to Nicole.
“I have the original. I also made a digital copy for everyone.” Dylan activated his ROC. “Check your secure files. Lunceford could be in Seattle.”
Corey looked at the copy on his screen, even though he had listened to Belle read it at the clinic. Could it really be the key to Kip’s true location?
After everyone finished scanning the letter, Black nodded. “We can’t accept this on face value. This could be just another of Lunceford’s grand schemes. I’ll contact my counterpart in Seattle and have him send some operatives to this UPS store to retrieve whatever is in that box. Miss Trollinger must remain under guard. Whether she’s telling the truth or not, which remains to be seen, Kip is clearly interested in her.”
“We’ve checked her background,” Jo said. “So far, everything points to her story being true.”
“Check it again.”
“Matt, Sean, and I can dig deeper into Trollinger’s records.” Jena typed something into her ROC. “We’re very familiar with Kip’s digital fingerprints. If he’s tampered with them in anyway, we will know.”
“Perfect,” Easton said. “Jo, you get with our counterparts at Langley and let them know this new development.”
“On it, sir.”
“Right now, Shane is outside Trollinger’s room. I’m talking with Doc Ryder about the situation after this meeting.” Easton always had all of his thoughts in strategic order. “I think we should have two agents with her at all times.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Jason had incredible drive and a passion for right and wrong that had always impressed Corey. “I can head there right now.”
“What do we do after Doc releases her?” Nicole’s question had merit. She was a terrific agent.
“I’m going to ask the good doctor to keep Miss Trollinger a few more days until we can decide what our next steps are and verify her story.” Easton looked at his watch. “It’s 2:15. Jason, you and Shane finish the first shift. Let’s go eight hours for now. If we need to expand that, we can later. Dylan and Nicole take the next one at ten. Corey and Jo will be on at six in the morning. I know tomorrow is the big Thanksgiving meal. I’ll fill in the gaps so everyone can get a good dinner.”
Sean leaned forward. “Matt and I can start up the next shift after that.”
“Not yet. I need you two and Jena working on the system round the clock. Find a way to keep that bastard out.” He motioned to Jo. “Time to introduce everyone to our new team members.”
“Yes, sir.”
“New members?” Corey wondered how big the Agency wanted this team to be.
“Our mission has been expanded, Marshall.” As three faces appeared on the large monitor on the wall, Easton continued. “Although Lunceford remains our main target at this point, we are now tasked with fighting a wider variety of international cyber terrorism, with special focus on the former Soviet Union. Let me introduce you to your newest team members, agents Brock Grayson, Cooper Ross, and Jonas Ward. Welcome, gentlemen, to Shannon’s Elite.”
Their images flickered and then turned to static.
Suddenly, a face they all knew very well filled the screen.
Kip Lunceford glared at them with his soulless eyes. “Hello, Shannon’s Elite. I know you have my sister.”
Jason and Dylan jumped to their feet.
Jo was frantically punching the keys to her ROC. “How the hell did he get past our security?”
Kip’s lips curled into a hideous grin. “Jena’s hurdles were quite impressive and a bit of a challenge, Agent Brown. But I finally got through them. I’m that good.”
Corey saw Sean, Matt, and Jena working away on their devices, clearly trying to trace the bastard’s location.
“Lunceford, I’m prepared to offer you a deal,” Easton said calmly. “Are you ready to talk?”
“I know you’re just stalling to try to give your little trio tech team a chance to find me. Won’t happen. The maze I put up would take them hours to crack. Now, shut up, Black, and listen. As I said before, I know you have my sister. Trust me. You won’t for long.”
“It’s our understanding that you two have never met,” Easton said.
“What does that matter? She’s my sister, my family, my blood. Don’t you dare harm her or you will suffer. It’s in your best interest to back off. I’m coming to get her and there is not a fucking thing you can do to stop me. Haven’t you learned by now that I’m smarter than all of you?”
The screen went dark.
Easton looked at Sean. “Anything?”
The Texan shook his head. “He was telling the truth about the maze he set up.”
“And it’s already collapsing and shutting down.” Matt sighed. “He’s gone.”
“I recorded his transmission on my ROC.” Jena continued to impress all of them. “I think we might be able to use something inside it that can help. Yes. Here it is. Though I can’t give you the exact location, it did originate from the state of Washington.”
Easton nodded. “Good work, agent.”
Sean and Matt beamed with pride for their wife.
“We might actually get the bastard.” Nicole voiced what they all were clearly hoping.
Cindy’s letter was proving to be more valuable than any of them imagined.
Jason stood. “Time for me to get to my guard duty.”
Easton nodded. “Once Grayson, Ross, and Ward get to town, we’ll reassign the shifts. I know you and Nicole have other duties to attend to.”
“Nothing is more important than capturing that motherfucker.” All of them felt the same way as Jason. “My duty as sheriff is to make sure everyone is safe in Swanson County. Guarding his sister is part of it right now.”
“Since Kip has cracked our systems again, let’s go dark with all our communications. Face to face only from here on. With any luck, whatever Kip’s gift to Cindy is will lead us straight to him.” Easton turned to the tech trio. “You have any ideas about keeping Lunceford out?”
“We do, but it will take time,” Jena said.
“Make it so.”
“And please, as fast as possible,” Jo added.
“We’ll meet back here in twenty-four hours unless something happens before then. You are dismiss
ed.”
Corey’s gut tightened as an image of Belle helping Trollinger at Lucy’s appeared in his mind.
Kip Lunceford was coming to Destiny. They didn’t know when, but they all knew he was.
Corey didn’t want to be too far from Belle ever, so he headed straight to the big baking event at the Dream Hotel.
* * * *
Belle hurriedly went up the courthouse steps with Paris. “I hope your patient is feeling better.”
“I’m sure she is.” Paris walked through the large wooden doors. “You saw her vitals. It’s weird she passed out, don’t you think?”
“I wouldn’t rule out anything yet.” She nodded. Cindy’s temperature, color, heartbeat, and respiration had been perfect, though she had seemed a little disoriented. “Did Doc run a blood test?”
“Yes. We should have the results shortly.”
They walked into the grand entry of the Swanson County Courthouse. The building was over one hundred years old. The floors were a rich marble and the walls were a pale gray. Ornate dark oak doors and molding lined the space.
They turned down the hallway that led to the temporary clinic and hospital rooms.
Shane sat in a chair next to Cindy’s door appearing more serious than Belle had ever seen him before. “Hello, ladies.”
“Hi.” Belle felt a shiver run up her spine as their eyes locked.
“Surely, the baking isn’t over yet.” Shane stood, his intense gaze never leaving hers.
“Could you move aside, soldier?” Paris had a job to do and, being a good nurse, was obviously not willing to be kept from it.
“For you, yes. You’re Trollinger’s nurse.” What did he mean by that?
“Do you think you have a right to keep me from going in, Shane?” Belle folded her arms over her chest. He had no idea how stubborn she could be, but he was about to find out. “I’m here to assist Paris. So if you don’t mind, we’d like to check on Cindy.”
He hesitated, remaining between them and the door.
“I’m a nurse, too. I can help. Let me do my job.” She could see in his face that he was torn about allowing her in. Did she need to tell him that she knew how to take care of herself? “Shane, please.”
