Military Heroes Romantic Suspense Collection

by V. R. Marks

  No one seemed happy with his aggressive approach, or that he was giving in to the first of Bradley's demands. But Allie understood Ross, knew he would never leave a team member alone or in jeopardy.

  She took the first few steps, trying to set aside how his very presence comforted her, but her heart refused to cooperate. She needed him for this particular moment, and she understood she wanted him for all the moments yet to come. If there were any moments beyond the confrontation looming inside the door.

  The bells on the door jangled too loudly, startling her and making her forget everything but the smug look on Bradley's face as she walked to the booth where he held a gun to Eva's head.

  Composure. Confidence. She repeated the words Ross had drummed into her in the brief minutes of preparation for this confrontation. Bradley had to believe he would never see his stolen money if he harmed Eva. He had to believe she had an exit strategy.

  She had Ross outside waiting for any excuse to come in, guns blazing. The sheriff's team of volunteers had closed off the entire block, also ready to leap to her aid. She looked at Eva, who looked more annoyed than anything. Eva was counting on her.

  Confidence. Composure. And gratitude that Bradley had let everyone else leave the restaurant.

  "Stop right there," he said in a voice smooth as silk.

  His confidence and composure undid a bit of her own. Forcing her mouth into a smile, she did as he asked, trying to act as if they were still friendly colleagues instead of mortal enemies.

  "You've got me now. Let Eva go."

  "Of course not," he replied, his derision raking over her. "I want the password you owe me first."

  She nodded. "You'll have it. But it will ease a lot of the tension out there if you let her go."

  "Why would I care how uptight any hick in this town is? I'm headed for an ocean view villa in a country without extradition agreements. The password, Allie, before I have to do something rash." He pressed the gun barrel to Eva's temple. "You don't want me to leave a big mess in your aunt's tidy little eatery."

  "Why are you doing this, Mr. Roberts?"

  "Don't pull that mannerly 'Mr. Roberts' on me. This is your fault, Ms. Williams. You and your goody two shoes compassion."

  "Then I guess you'd better let her go or you'll miss your flight."

  "Not without my money."

  Please don't let the mic fail. Allie straightened her shoulders, heard Ross coaching her in the back of her mind. She had to keep him talking, had to get him to confess to his manipulation of agencies and protocols for the authorities who would listen to this recording. It was the only way to be sure he paid for his crimes.

  "I can write down the codes for you. The newest ones are in the safe in the office."

  Bradley yanked Eva up and out of the booth, used the gun to gesture that Allie walk in front of them. "Lead the way."

  She hesitated. "I give you what you want and you'll leave me alone right?"

  "Oh, trust me, we're done after today. Once I have access to my money, you won't ever have to worry about me again."

  Allie didn't trust him or his slick words at all, but she started moving toward the office and the safe. "How did you get away with your shady dealings for so long?"

  "Practice."

  The small office was cramped with the three of them, but she opened the safe and pulled out the black backpack. She was about to pull the thumb drive with the bank records out of its hiding place in the lining when he snatched it away and dumped everything on the desk. Spotting the hard drive he shoved it into his pocket.

  "Thought you didn't care about the proof of the faulty research and risk analysis?"

  He shook his head, his mouth twisted in a half smile. "Not my problem anymore. But insurance is a good thing. I did my job and I'm off to enjoy a well-deserved, extremely well-funded early retirement."

  Something was wrong. She recognized the calculating look on his face. It was the same expression he'd worn in board meetings when he had an ace up his sleeve about numbers or timelines. What was his ace here?

  A man who'd covered his tracks so carefully, who'd gone to such lengths to frame her for his crimes would have considered his approach carefully. Especially when he was backed into a corner. Bradley took risks, but only after thoroughly considering the best possible outcome for himself.

  Ross said desperate men made mistakes. Roberts was too confident and unlike her he wasn't acting. Making him feel desperate, forcing that mistake, was her only chance to get Eva out of here alive. "You'll never get away with this."

  "I already have. Quit stalling. Give me the password, I'll verify it and be on my way."

  "She leaves first." Allie ignored the quick look from Eva, keeping her gaze locked with Bradley.

  "Still worried about the underdog." Bradley sighed theatrically as he stepped aside, clearing the way for Eva to leave the office. "Go!"

  Eva hesitated. Bradley fired and blood blossomed across Eva's sleeve.

  The gunshot was too loud, or maybe it was Allie's scream that deafened her as Eva hit the floor. Bradley lurched forward and seized Allie's arm in a brutal grip. His smile was absolutely predatory. "The password."

  She trembled in his grasp, tried not to look at Eva. "Tell me why you did this. To me," she clarified. "When did you decide to pin all this on me, specifically?"

  "This is business. You've been a bleeding heart from day one. So easy to manipulate. If I merely mentioned a charitable angle, you would run with any idea."

  She gritted her teeth, knowing he was right.

  "Looking around these past couple of days, I understand how it happened. The sidewalks around here roll up by six every night. I'm rather surprised you made it all the way to Virginia without a nervous breakdown."

  Despite the accusation and suspicion, Allie never thought herself capable of murder. Until right now. With Eva bleeding on the floor for no good reason and his threatening her aunt and abuse of so many people along the way. For all those patients who would have died for his greed. Something snapped inside her and she wrestled out of his grip as she twisted around.

  "You patronizing son of a bitch. You picked the wrong patsy. I made copies of the evidence. I'll find a way to get the story out there. I have contacts and connections too, Mr. Roberts. Your face will be everywhere. You might get away today, but I won't quit until someone believes me and hauls you back to pay for your crimes against the public."

  He laughed at her, a dark and evil sound that crawled under her skin. "You can try." The look on his face was so violent, she nearly cheered with victory. Here was the desperation they needed.

  "You're trapped in here, how do you expect to get away?"

  "With my human shield," he said, jabbing the revolver into her ribs.

  She didn't have to work to bring tears to her eyes. "You'll regret this."

  "Enough babbling." He used the gun and his hand on the back of her neck, pushing her out of the office, through the kitchen and out into the delivery lot. She saw a plain sedan with tinted windows and the county seal on the doors. She nearly cheered in relief. They'd blocked his escape.

  "Come along quietly." He shoved her closer to the sedan she'd thought was her salvation. "You drive. I'll verify the passwords en route."

  She battled back tears. "You're a bastard."

  "Thanks for noticing. Soon I'll have enough money people will admire my demanding personality."

  That was hardly the confession they were looking to catch on tape. Confirming her worst fear, he trailed a finger down her shirt, following the line of the mic. She knew she was doomed.

  "Get in." He dug the gun deeper into her side when she hesitated. "I can put this bullet in your heart - quick and painless - or your gut. It's up to you." He shoved her against the car.

  She had no intention of dying today, at any speed. Holding out her hand, she asked for his phone. "I'll enter the codes. Prove they work."

  "Finally the good girl shows up to the party."

  If she
never heard that phrase again it would be too soon. Being a good girl had landed her the lucrative internship that led to her working for this deranged and greedy excuse for a human being.

  Being a good girl had meant giving Ross space when he didn't answer her letters. And being a good girl had meant losing Ross when she'd let good breeding drown out her gut instinct.

  No more good girl.

  She typed in the password and bank number, giving Bradley access to all his ill-gotten gains. The authorities wanted his confession, but she wanted a slice of revenge for the way he used her and framed her and risked countless lives. Ross would come charging in, she knew it, to prevent his escape. She braced to make her move.

  "Have a nice life." She struggled against his brutal grip, bent on distracting him from his moment of triumph. "You promised to leave me and mine alone now."

  He sneered at her, gave her a hard shake. His eyes were flat and cold and she realized she'd underestimated him again. "I promised that you wouldn't have to worry anymore. There's a difference."

  It wasn't a smile, rather a grimace full of hate. She didn't have time to wonder, hearing her death knell in the click of the revolver as he pulled back the hammer.

  "But first things first." He yanked her around so her back slammed against his chest and pressed the cold barrel of the gun to her temple.

  "Ross," she whispered it.

  He couldn't look any better than a knight on a white stallion, even half hidden by the corner of the building. He was there, his weapon trained on Bradley. She was ashamed of herself when the tears of relief spilled over and rolled down her cheeks.

  She had to find a way to give him the advantage before more bullets started flying. "Leave," she told Bradley. "No one cares about you."

  "Ah, but they care about you. Which makes you my ticket to freedom."

  "You're impossible." Determined to give Ross an opening, she tangled her feet with Bradley's as he tried to shove her into the vehicle. They both tumbled to the ground.

  Bradley leaped up, kicked her in the ribs and aimed his weapon at Ross.

  No!

  She struggled for breath as men shouted threats at each other and orders to stand down. Voices she couldn't distinguish ricocheted all around her as she threw herself at Bradley's legs. She clawed at him, threw an elbow into his ribs, and screamed as gunfire erupted. Allie lost count after the first three shots. With her ears ringing, she wasn't sure if the fourth was real or a violent echo in her mind.

  Bradley's body jerked and he slumped, pinning her to the pavement until someone pulled her free.

  Chapter 10

  Ross.

  Her hearing temporarily impaired, she couldn't make out his words, but she understood the worry and relief in his eyes and in his touch as his hands skimmed her body for any sign of injury. "I'm fine." She couldn't tell if she was talking too loudly or not at all. "How is Eva?"

  Ross held her close, and she felt as if she'd fallen under water while people moved around her without the normal accompaniment of sound. For a moment, she reveled in the solidness of him and the amazing feeling of his steady heartbeat under her cheek.

  He led her to a waiting ambulance and she saw Eva was more irritated than injured. Thank God.

  Eva sat up on the gurney, to the dismay of the paramedics. "Did you get him?" she demanded loud enough for Allie to hear. When Ross nodded, Eva relaxed again and they drove her away.

  Ross led her to the sheriff's personal car and wrapped her in a blanket before he settled her on the front seat. "I'll be right back," he promised. With a light kiss on her forehead, she watched him stride away.

  He looked so capable and determined as he spoke with Cochran and another man in a suit. Probably his FBI friend. Then she closed her eyes, leaning back onto the head rest.

  She could stop running. It was finally over.

  * * *

  Ross had finished with the legalities and kept Allie waiting in the car until Roberts was in FBI custody. Then he'd rushed Allie back to his house by the lake to recuperate.

  In the following days, they'd had visits from Dale and Sheriff Cochran and given statements to several agencies regarding Roberts' illegal activities. A search of Roberts' car turned up a rifle, false IDs, and items he'd used to disguise himself at the jail and around Haleswood. The box of Clark bars sealed the case as far as Ross was concerned.

  They'd only ventured out once, visiting Eva in the hospital, who upon her release, insisted a quiet hotel room and a stack of good books were all the company she wanted until further notice.

  Ross arranged for people to check in on her anyway.

  Jeannie had brought out enough food to feed several recovery teams, guaranteeing his secluded retreat was no longer a secret. A ship to shore call from Aunt Ruth confirmed she was enjoying the final days of her cruise.

  Now, watching Allie head out for another walk to the lakeshore, he realized it was time to let her go because he wasn't sure he could find a way to keep her. He wanted her, desperately and forever, but he felt their differing goals tugging them apart once more.

  * * *

  "Hey."

  Allie turned as Ross joined her in the sunshine at the lake's edge. She braced herself for another warm kiss, but he stopped just out of reach. She watched the measured rise and fall of his chest and knew what was coming. Don't cry.

  Since they'd returned to his house, things had been comfortable, but not quite settled. She didn't blame him that he couldn't give her what she realized she wanted most. He was antsy to get back to work with his team. Rick and others she hadn't met were already working a new case.

  "You should stay," he said, breaking into her dismal thoughts.

  "Here?" He couldn't mean the house. She was afraid her eagerness, her hope that he was offering his heart was too obvious.

  "No. With me."

  Her heart swelled with delight and love as she reached for him.

  "And the team," he added, pacing away. His gaze drifted out over the lake. "We could use better PR."

  She laughed, the sound brittle even in her own ears. "You've needed better publicity since we were kids."

  Her heart broke as his shoulders relaxed and his mouth curved into a grin. He really was talking business. Maybe business with a few benefits. She considered her body a traitor for being willing to settle for that.

  "No." It was her turn to avoid eye contact. "The FBI has what they need. Once Ruth gets back and we catch up, I'll move on too."

  "But, Allie."

  She waved off his protest. "You and I have always had our own goals and they've never quite lined up. It's time to accept that." She turned toward the path, suddenly wanting the protection of the house.

  Damn him for breaking down the wall she'd built around her heart. Damn her romantic soul for thinking they might find a happier ending this time. As much as it hurt, she was determined to remain friends. No matter the pain right now, she didn't want him to fade back into the shadows of her life. "Ross, I do appreciate everything you've done. Most likely I'd be facing a life sentence without you and your team."

  "I wouldn't have let that happen."

  The solid alibi. Had she really been angry with him for withholding that? It seemed a silly point to contest now, in light of everything else. He'd stood by her, when he could have simply offered the alibi and moved on to the next case. Eva had admitted she'd advised him to do that very thing.

  She took another step away from him, wondering how many times a heart could shatter.

  "Stay with me. Please?"

  Her heart was playing cruel tricks now, hearing what couldn't possibly have been a vulnerable crack in his voice. They were a couple of old friends and would soon be former lovers once more. They knew each other too well for games.

  "You need the job and we need your skills. I can offer you a great compensation package. Say you'll think about it."

  Impossible. Working for Ross would be unbearable, would make it impossible for her to have the life
she'd dreamed of. The words that needed to be said clogged in her throat, but she forced them out, one by one. "I can't stay. But I'll send you a PR kit you can use."

  She hurried up the path. Alone. She heard a twig snap and hoped like hell he wasn't coming after her. If he touched her now, he'd know how desperately she wanted what he wasn't offering.

  And that desperation wasn't fair to either of them.

  * * *

  Ross watched her go. Man, he'd completely blown it. How had the words come out so wrong? Yes, he wanted her to stay. With him. For him. Yes, he ran a business and hoped she'd want to be involved, to be a part of what was so important to him professionally.

  He'd planned to tell her he loved her. Instead he'd offered her a damn job. What was wrong with him? Plucking a stick from the ground, he snapped it and sent one half flying into the lake. He'd brought her out here to propose for God's sake and now she probably thought he'd found the great sex a convenient way to pass the time.

  They were both harboring old hurts that the recent days should have mended, despite the chaos Roberts caused.

  That sense of rightness when she'd been curled against him had surprised him. He realized now it shouldn't have. Allie was the woman he'd wanted his whole life. It was her face, the memory of her laughter that had buoyed him through impossible situations around the world and even last year's gunshot wound. She was the one woman he wanted beside him for the rest of his days.

  He sent the other half of the stick sailing out over the water. She thought he was offering a job rather than his heart. But she already had his heart, had in fact, been the keeper of it for as long as he could remember.

  He scrubbed at his face. So he'd botched it. That didn't mean it was over. There had been countless situations he'd conquered during his years of service with the Army. Situations with unexpected obstacles and live ammunition.