Witness Protection

by Barb Han

  “He knows we’re here?”

  “Doesn’t need to.”

  “How do you know he won’t come walking through that door any minute? Or, worse, in the middle of the night, and scare us to death?”

  “He’s out of the country right now. We met in the military. He’s career.” He walked to the bathroom and back, delivering a dark green towel. “He’d look me up if he was on the continent.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “This place isn’t exactly the Ritz-Carlton, but it serves our purpose for tonight.”

  She tugged the towel from his hand. Her green eyes sparked with her smile as she studied the gold shag carpeting, a relic from the ’70s. “I had no idea the government paid so well. Maybe I should consider enlisting.”

  “They can be generous.”

  She glanced from the carpet to Nick. “No one can accuse this place of being boring. That’s for sure.”

  “And we have the added benefit of being completely off the grid.”

  “Right. I almost forgot. The whole part about trying to keep me tucked away and alive.” Her smile faded.

  Instead of taking a shower, she sat on the edge of the bed. “So what happens next?”

  “You clean up. Then, I’ll take a turn.” He knew what she was asking. Problem was he didn’t have an answer.

  “I’m serious.”

  “You want the honest truth?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  “I keep you alive tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll figure out the rest. Find a good place to tuck you until this mess blows over and we fit all the puzzle pieces together.” He ground his back teeth; didn’t like this any more than she did, as evidenced by her frown.

  “We? Does this mean you’re staying with me?”

  “I think it’s best for now. With any luck, Smith will find Grimes, arrest him again. It’ll turn out to be that simple, and you’ll get a new home before sunrise.”

  She released a heavy breath. “I don’t want a new home. Just a plain old home. I feel like I’ve been running so long I can hardly remember who I was before all this started.” She stood and walked, pausing at the bathroom door. “I guess it’s only been two years.”

  He could see the anguish darkening her green eyes, the frustration and loss causing her shoulders to sag. “Twenty-four months can feel like an eternity.”

  “I got too comfortable in Creek Bend. Started to think I might actually build a life there.” She closed the door behind her.

  Everyone deserved a stable home, a base. Speaking of a life, Nick had almost forgotten about his. His grandmother’s birthday party was in a couple of days. He’d been so busy with work he’d forgotten. Not that his sisters would’ve allowed him to be late. He’d have to ask why they weren’t riding him about what present he planned to bring. They generally started a month early. For reasons he couldn’t explain, a very big part of him wanted to make sure Sadie spent time with a real family.

  Could he take her home with him?

  Being with his family definitely qualified as special. He just wasn’t sure she was ready for the whole clan. Besides, he’d be breaking protocol.

  He rubbed the scruff on his chin. No. There had to be another solution. He moved to the kitchenette and emptied his pack. He made two sandwiches and heated soup. They had a few more minutes before the sun completely disappeared. They couldn’t risk using electric after dark.

  Sadie walked into the kitchenette after her shower. She’d changed into the shorts and T-shirt he’d left in the bathroom. Did her long legs feel as soft and silky as they looked? She stopped so close he could smell her shampoo and notice the freckle on the inside of her thigh. He looked up and his gaze followed a water droplet rolling down her neck and then onto her shirt. Full breasts rose and fell as lust swirled through him, pulsing blood south, which couldn’t be more inappropriate.

  He forced his gaze away, handing her a cup of heated soup before she could see the effect she was having on him. Stray beads of water anywhere on or near Sadie’s body weren’t part of this assignment.

  He wrapped a peanut butter sandwich in a napkin. “I made sandwiches. It’s not much but should keep your stomach from growling.”

  She accepted the food, looking far more excited about it than he expected. “Good protein. I used to love PB&Js.”

  “This is just a PB. Hope it works.”

  She took a bite. The moan she released wasn’t his business, either. But it still stirred a feeling. “I’ll just grab a quick shower. I already fed your dog. He should be good until morning. Save mine for when I get out.”

  Boomer was already curled up on the bed.

  “Will you leave me your gun?” Her voice rose and shook.

  “I thought it scared you.”

  “It does. To death. Even so, I’d rather be prepared in case I need it.”

  An emotion that felt a lot like pride swelled in his chest. “Do you know how to use one?”

  “I took a class. After...”

  He set the weapon on the bed. “Anybody comes through that door, aim and shoot.”

  Chapter Four

  Sadie stared at the gun. Her body trembled. Her hand shook as she held on to her sandwich. Boomer moved to her side. His gaze trained on her. His hackles raised. His sixth sense on high alert.

  She didn’t have enough saliva to manage a good spit. Every bite of bread and peanut butter was the equivalent of rubbing sandpaper in her mouth. She set down her PB sandwich and picked up her water bottle, taking a sip to ease the dryness in her throat. She picked up her sandwich and took another bite, ignoring her racing heart.

  She could do this. She could sit near the gun. She could finish her meal.

  Every instinct in her body screamed run.

  But she’d learned long ago her body and mind couldn’t always be trusted. They’d played tricks on her since her ordeal two years ago, making her afraid of little noises and shadows. Since then, it didn’t take much to sound off her alert systems and kick her adrenaline into high gear.

  Calming breaths generally did the trick to help her relax.

  She took a few.

  Another bite of sandwich and she’d be fine.

  There were times when life called for taking one minute at a time. This minute, she could handle life. She could take another bite.

  Another minute passed and she managed to keep it together.

  She didn’t know if she should thank her judo instructor or hug her yoga coach, but right now she appreciated them both.

  A few more minutes ticked by and she heard the water in the shower stop.

  Nick didn’t take long to towel off.

  He came out of the bathroom wearing jeans low on his hips. He tucked the gun in his waistband. The sight of him shirtless sent a warm flush up her neck.

  With him in the room, she didn’t have to remind herself to take slow breaths anymore. He brought her nerves down by the sight of him, capable and strong.

  Her tense muscles relaxed as he moved to the kitchenette and picked up his PB sandwich.

  A few freckles and a raised line with deep ridges curved below his left shoulder blade. A scar?

  She shivered thinking about the ones she’d collected. “I’ve been thinking about something. Why didn’t they just wait for us at the car? They could’ve surprised us. Why block the road?”

  He shrugged, causing his muscles to stretch and thin, his movement smooth and pantherlike. “Didn’t think we should stick around long enough to find out. I stashed a backup vehicle not far from the site. There was only one way out. They must not’ve wanted us going anywhere in case we got past them.”

  Heavy pressure settled on her chest. “So, we’re exactly where they want us?”

  He took a bite of a sandwich, chewing as he t
urned. “I wouldn’t say that. I doubt they figured we’d have another escape route. This cabin is too out of the way for them to know about. It’s the reason we walked all day. I didn’t want to be anywhere near where they’d expect us. That being said, we still have to be careful. No lights after dark.”

  Sadie shifted her position, stretching her sore legs. “I have proof of all the walking, too. Right here in my calves.”

  “Sorry. A good night’s rest will help. A few stretches will do wonders, too.”

  Night would fall soon and everything would be black. The small space felt intimate. She pushed off the bed and walked into the kitchenette. “You did everything else. Kept us alive. The least I could do was walk to safety.”

  “We’ll have a few more miles of hiking tomorrow. Part two of my backup plan.”

  “Any chance you have a horse or a four-wheeler stashed out there? I don’t think my legs can take another round of Goldilocks tromping through the forest.”

  The corners of his lips curled. He took the last bite of sandwich. “Boomer here will keep the wolves away. Won’t you, buddy?”

  Boomer craned his neck and his ears perked up.

  “I doubt that.” She didn’t see the need to explain her dog’s deficiencies when it came to being badass.

  “I can help with sore calves.” Nick placed his hand on the small of her back, urging her to the bed before dropping down on one knee in front of her. He took her calf in his hand, rolling his thumbs along the muscles. An electric current shot up her leg.

  She picked up the water bottle and squeezed, praying electricity wouldn’t be conducted. The current ran hot enough to singe her fingers. His hands on her leg felt as if they belonged there.

  “You know I’m going to find him, right?”

  “Then what? Put him away and start the process of relocation all over?”

  “Lock him away for good this time.”

  “And if he gets out again? What then?”

  “We’ll throw away the key this go-round. I know you don’t trust the law. Hell, I can’t blame you. But it works most of the time. And when it does, everyone is safer.”

  “You said this might be more complicated than you originally thought. What does that mean?”

  “All we know for sure is that the case involves Grimes and your old handler. We don’t know how the two are connected aside from you. Is he out for revenge? Or is it something more?”

  “So you think this could be a lot bigger than Charlie and Grimes?”

  “Yeah. I do. All I have to go on so far is gut instinct, a dead marshal and an escaped convict. You’re the only link I have.”

  “Sounds like a mess. How on earth did you end up stuck with me?”

  * * *

  HOW DID NICK explain he’d practically volunteered for the case?

  “Smith asked my professional opinion about your case. He needed someone he could trust. He was leaning toward pulling you. I wanted to give you a chance to stay put.” Those were the basic facts. All she needed to know. Besides, he couldn’t explain to her what he didn’t understand. From the moment he’d picked up her file and saw her picture a warning bell had fired and his heart stirred. He hadn’t heard that sound or felt that feeling since the first time he saw his high school sweetheart, Rachael.

  Hadn’t heard it once since her death. Nick figured he was broken now and she’d taken that piece of him with her.

  “Where do you even start looking for a man like Grimes? Someone with enough power to get to a U.S. Marshal?”

  “He runs a tight operation. No one talks. We never would have convicted him without your testimony.”

  “At least I won’t have to go through another trial. See him again, hear his voice...” Her entire body shuttered.

  “No.” He didn’t want her to relive the experience, either. “His conviction still stands. If anything he’s made appeal impossible. I’m sure his lawyers are frustrated. We’ll get him and keep him locked up this time.”

  “You said he moves illegal stuff from South America to Canada. To do that, he must have connections in both. Maybe I’ll get lucky and he’ll leave the country.”

  He issued a grunt. “You don’t trust me to catch him?”

  She laughed. Her smile broke through the worry lines bracketing her mouth. “It’s not you.”

  “Oh, we’re going to have that conversation. It’s you and not me.” His attempt to lighten the mood was met with another smile.

  His cell vibrated. He glanced at the screen. A text from Smith.

  Deputy Jamison is missing.

  Nick pinged back, asking if this was somehow connected to Sadie’s case.

  Smith responded that he couldn’t be sure, but his contact had said he’d been spotted with one of Grimes’s men several times in the past couple of weeks.

  Nick could feel Sadie watching him as he absorbed the news that a supervisor in the U.S. Marshals Service might be involved in the case. Was Jamison in league with Grimes? With Charlie?

  “What is it?”

  “A supervisor inside the agency is being investigated.” The reality staring at him from his three-by-four-inch screen startled him. Grimes’s involvement with the agency could very well move up the chain. Sadie had never been more in danger.

  “Whoever is doing this, I screwed with his livelihood. A man like that isn’t going to forget, now is he?”

  “Not likely.”

  “Then he’ll keep coming at me until I’m dead.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Not if I can get to him first.”

  “But there’s more than just him involved.”

  He set his cell on the floor, and added pressure to the muscle in her silky calf. “When he was in jail, his business was the most vulnerable. His men were busy keeping rivals from taking over. Now, everything’s changed. With him out running free, he can focus on what he wanted to get done. And, yes, his plans most likely involved leaving the country at some point. I’d almost hoped he was going to do that before because it meant he wouldn’t be coming after you.”

  “I’m just unlucky, I guess.” She clasped her hands. Subject closed.

  He could see fear in her green eyes and it ate at his gut. He shouldn’t want to be her comfort.

  “I noticed a scar on your back. Mind if I ask how you got it?” She turned the tables.

  “A stint in the army.”

  “Did you serve overseas?”

  “One tour in Afghanistan was all it took to figure out military life wasn’t for me. I got out when my number came up. Decided to fight the bad guys at home instead.”

  “We’re lucky to have you here.”

  He cracked a smile, trying to break the tension. “You are not lucky.”

  “That’s the understatement of the century.” She rolled her eyes and almost smiled. “In a weird way, this is kind of...nice. I’m not used to being able to talk about being in the program. It’s hard to hold everything in all the time. Pretend to be someone you’re not.”

  He nodded.

  “I kind of like not having to lie to you about my background or who I am. I feel like I’m deceiving nice people all the time. Worse yet, I’m always afraid I’ll slip and introduce myself by my real name. I’ve always been a terrible liar. I walk around feeling like a fraud.”

  “I can imagine.”

  She looked straight at him. “What happened to the witness who disappeared? Do you know?”

  He hesitated for a second. “We tracked her into Canada. There wasn’t much we could do when she crossed the border with her husband and kids. They had dual citizenship, so they didn’t come back. Not that it would’ve done any good. No one can be forced to testify unless they have something to lose.”

  “What happened? I mean, she was obviously ready to go to t
rial at one point. What changed her mind?”

  He looked at her deadpan. “She heard about what happened to you.”

  “Can’t say I blame her.” Sadie’s eyes grew wide as she stifled a yawn. “No offense to the U.S. Marshals office.”

  “None taken. I get to walk away from most cases feeling good about the job I did. Then there are those rare ones like this.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Not calling me lucky.”

  He smiled warmly but didn’t say anything.

  “I try to be grateful no matter what. But after everything I went through it’s hard sometimes,” she said.

  “I have a superstitious grandma who drilled that whole gratitude bit in my head. I dreamed about catching bad guys when I was little. Hell, who am I kidding? After my father disappeared, I did my level best to become one of them. Life sucked. I wasn’t grateful for much of anything.”

  “Were you angry?”

  He nodded.

  “Your family help you get through it?”

  He nodded again. “Not sure where I’d be without them.”

  “Sounds like you have a lot to be grateful for.”

  That much was true. “Remind me of that the next time I want to pull my hair from them driving me nuts.”

  She laughed and he could feel her relax in his hands. He couldn’t touch her much longer without giving away the effect. He needed to think about changing the oil in his car or caulking the tub when he got home. Anything besides the way her milky-soft skin felt pressed against his thumbs and how she flared his instincts to protect her that went way beyond the badge.

  “Besides, you can decide for yourself if you like them when you see them.”

  Chapter Five

  Sadie’s jaw went slack. “You’re taking me to your house?”

  “Not exactly. We’re going to my grandmother’s ranch. I grew up there. I’ve given this a lot of thought and it’s the only place I can guarantee your safety.”