The last thought froze him in place. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe, and couldn't help but wonder where the hell that thought had come from.
"Dustin, are you okay?"
Her voice pulled him from the trance. “I'm fine."
The lie rolled off his tongue as he walked around and open her door. “Let's get moving."
* * * *
Lexi studied the scenery as it flew past. They'd driven for four and a half hours in total silence. Her insides twisted and rolled because now she was certain where they were headed. Sweat broke out across her forehead, and her palms became clammy. “Pull over. Pull over now."
Dustin guided the solar-glider to the edge of the road. Before they had rolled to a complete stop, she opened the door and bailed out. She stood there, breathing in large amounts of the cool morning air. The driver's door opened, and a few seconds later, Dustin stood beside her.
"I can't go back there.” She sounded pathetic and weak, but she couldn't help it. The thought of stepping back onto that property made her physically ill.
"Lexi—"
She cut him off “You haven't a clue what it was like. It was a total living hell."
"You're correct, I haven't a clue what it was like, and I wouldn't be asking you to do this if it weren't necessary. You are the strongest, most remarkable person I've ever had the privilege of knowing.” His voice was soft but carried a note of admiration. “I won't make you go if you truly can't face being there again. I would never hurt you, never."
Those words stopped her mental and physical rambling more than a cold hard slap would have. “Don't you need my help and my testimony?"
His dark brown eyes were soft and warm and filled with a world of truth. He honestly wasn't going to make her do this, and yet there was no way she could let him down. After all, he thought she was remarkable. “Will you stay with me?"
He looked at her with an easy, soft smile that took her breath away. Reaching out, his fingers skimmed the side of her face as he put an errant strand of hair behind her ear. He held out his hand for her to take. “From here on out, it's you and me."
Her heart fluttered, and she tried not to take his words too seriously. But still, she wondered just how stupid she was for falling in love with this very complex man. Taking a deep breath, she tried to rebuild the wall she normally kept around her heart and knew it was impossible now that he'd breached it. Instead of running like she would have only days ago, she did something she hadn't done in years. She placed her hand in his, along with her trust and faith.
* * * *
Two hours later, Lexi stood beside their glider and watched as numerous law-enforcement people moved around the school grounds. She felt like a statue—cold, hard, and unmovable. Not to mention that a ton of marble seemed to sit on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Dustin walked toward her. People glanced at him then hastily stepped out of his path. The humor that normally made his eyes sparkle and put a quick, easy smile on his lips was gone, replaced by a look of solid determination that no one dared to cross. This was how he had been the day they saved the children and when someone tried to kill her outside his office. He was all business now, and God help the person who got in his way. She was sure he would rip them apart.
He reached her, and his hard, cold eyes connected with hers. The seriousness in his eyes softened as his expression changed to something she couldn't read. He reached out as if to touch her, but stopped. He then put both hands into his jeans pockets like an uncertain schoolboy. She wanted him to take her in his arms and hold her like he'd done the night before and tell her everything would be okay.
Instead, the softness left his eyes. “The children and staff have been separated and removed from the grounds. We need you to tell us what to search for and where to look. Are you up to it?"
For years, she'd dreamed of the moment she would put a stop to this hideous place and exact revenge for the lives destroyed here. The image of her victory was always followed by the bone deep doubt that she would be strong enough to do what needed to be done. Glancing over Dustin's shoulder, she caught sight of Miranda, Grady, Alora, and Dominik.
She looked back into Dustin's eyes and knew she could do this. In her dreams, she'd always faced this moment alone. Today, though, she wasn't alone. She had friends and the man she loved to help her.
"Let's go."
His eyes softened as the corners of his lips turned up in the smallest of smiles. Then, in front of his team, he held out his hand for her to take. Her heart all but stopped at this simple, yet poignant gesture from this very proud man. She put her hand in his, and as she did, he gave her a little tug to get her moving. She gripped his hand tight as they crossed the large green lawn and entered the barn.
Dustin stood next to Lexi with his hand resting protectively on the small of her back as she described the terror that had occurred here years ago. His jaw clenched. Every nerve ending in his body felt as if it'd been stripped raw and set on fire as he listened. His team stood to the side as a forensics expert from the local SPD office searched the large space and the local officials heard this story for the first time. The looks on these agents’ faces assured him they were as horrified by the tale as he was. She finished, and the room fell into an awkward silence.
He stepped up behind her, close enough her shoulder brushed across his chest. “You've done great. How about we take a break before you take us into the woods?"
She turned to look at him. Her eyes were bright and full of determination. “I'd prefer to keep going."
God, her strength humbled him. “Let's go."
For the next thirty minutes, the group followed her through the trees. Her path wasn't direct and several times she retraced her steps, forcing the group to trail behind like cows being led to water. Finally, she stopped, dropped to her knees, and looked up at an old forked tree.
She ran her hand over the ground. “This is it."
Dustin started to go to her when one of the two men behind him spoke. “I don't believe a word she says."
The second man gave a low snort. “Neither do I, but she has a fine butt. I'd have followed it all day without complaining. I swear I'm going to have wet dreams for a month just thinking about what I could do to her."
Dustin's eyebrows snapped together as he turned to face the pair. He wanted to rip the second man's heart out of his chest and feed it to him. Apparently, his face revealed his anger, because both men took a step away from him. He didn't say a word as he moved his left hand slightly and formed a small but powerful air-ball which he directed at the ground about a foot in front of the second man. The air-ball shot from his hand, hit the ground, and ricocheted off the hard-packed dirt. There was a low thump as the air-ball connected with the man's crotch followed by a sharp scream as he fell to the ground.
Dustin looked at the man's buddy. “Get him out of here, and don't either of you come back."
The first man helped the other to his feet, and the two of them made their way back toward the church encampment. When the pair disappeared, he turned his gaze to the rest of the group. Everyone returned to work. Well, almost everyone. Miranda and Alora laughed outright, while Dominik shook his head and Grady raised one eyebrow.
"Was that really necessary?"
He spun around at the sound of Lexi's voice directly behind him. “It was."
She studied him for several seconds, as if trying to decide what she should say. “Can we go someplace else? I really don't want to watch them dig."
"Let me check with Grady first, then we'll be on our way. Why don't you go talk with Alora and Miranda? This won't take long."
He watched Lexi until she was safely ensconced with the two other women before heading to where Grady and Dominik stood. “If you two have everything under control, I'm going to get Lexi away from here."
"We'll make sure everything is taken care of. We stopped at the local hotel back in town and acquired rooms for the night. Why don't you two head back t
here?” Grady gave a shake of his head. “I never thought I'd see you besotted."
"I am not.” The words came out hard and fast, even as his chest constricted and his palm became clammy.
Dominik dug into his pocket. “Only the guilty protest so quickly."
Grady smiled as he rocked back on his heels. “I think you're on to something there, Dominik."
"I do believe I am,” Dominik answered with a grin.
"Give me the bloody key,” Dustin ground out between his teeth as he held out his hand.
Dominik handed over the key. Dustin turned on his heel and stormed back to where Lexi stood. Grady and Dominik's laughter followed him. Dustin didn't want to think about what his two friends had said, because he feared it might be too close to the truth, and that scared the hell out of him.
* * * *
Dustin crawled into bed and pulled Lexi into his arms. Her body was still warm from their recent round of lovemaking. She curled up next to him, her head on his shoulder. The scent of them filled the air.
After leaving the church compound, they'd returned here and rested until the others arrived. Then, all six of them went out for dinner. They decided they would all stay the night at the hotel. The other four would return to the office early in the morning, while Dustin and Lexi would go back to the scene and make sure no other information was needed before heading back home.
Lexi stretched next to him like a lazy cat, distracting him from his thoughts. Slowly, her body relaxed, and her breathing became deep and steady. He was glad at least one of them was resting, because he knew he wouldn't.
Today had been a partial success. They'd gotten the warrants to search the church grounds and office. Thanks to Lexi, they would have enough evidence to send Reverend Fairchild and Rick Nelson to the Death Dome. The problem was, they still had to find the two men, and that was turning out to be a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
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Chapter Eleven
Several days later, Dustin used his key to let both him and Lexi into the Meteor Designs store. She was climbing the wall, wanting to return to work after so many days away, but there was no way he would allow her out of his sight to roam around the store in the middle of the day. This after-hour's trip with extra security was a compromise. It was eight at night, and he, Lexi, and two other agents—Briana Guthrie and Mac Davison—stood outside her shop while the others remained at the office following up on leads to nowhere.
The lack of progress worried him. No matter how hard they looked or how many places they searched, they came up empty-handed. It seemed the Reverend's followers were a large and loyal group. They'd come close a couple of times, but so far the two men managed to elude SPD agents.
Dustin opened the door, switched on the light, and scanned the store as the others stepped inside. Briana and Mac moved toward the far end of the store where the dressing rooms were located.
Lexi scooted by him. “I'm going to my office."
"Wait for me.” He followed her past shoe displays and clothing racks.
She stopped by the closed door to the back rooms and turned to him. “Nobody knew we were coming here. Heavens, we didn't know it until twenty minutes ago ourselves. There is no way anyone is here waiting for us."
He wished he felt the same confidence and started to tell her so when the door behind her flew open. Dustin reached for his gun and grabbed for Lexi at the same time. He wasn't fast enough. Rick Nelson's fist connected with Lexi's chin, sending her to the ground.
Rage filled Dustin, but he couldn't let it distract him. If he did, none of them would make it out of this mess alive. Behind him, he heard another door open, followed by gunfire and the distinct sound of people screaming. He glanced over his shoulder in time to see both Briana and Mac go down as two unknown assailants turned toward him. He risked a quick glance at Lexi. She was dazed, but not unconscious, thank God.
Dustin turned back to Nelson. The man aimed a gun at Lexi's head, Dustin raised his own weapon and pointed it at Nelson's heart. Forcing himself to put his fallen co-workers out of his mind, Dustin concentrated on Nelson and on getting himself and Lexi out of here “Lexi, can you get up?"
Slowly, she stood and, to his amazement, shook off the hit she'd taken.
"You okay?” he asked.
She wiped the side of her mouth with her hand. “I'm good."
Nelson smiled like a man who expected the world to do whatever he wanted and never ask why. “Elizabeth is our one and only failure. We cannot let her keep spreading her illness. The Reverend wants me to finish the job we started so long ago."
Nelson spoke with the self-assurance of a man who believes every word he utters, and that was the most terrifying fact of all. Dustin prayed he could rattle Nelson's confidence by taking control of the situation. “Lexi and I are leaving now."
He focused on Nelson and not on Lexi or the blood running from her lip. If it were only him and Nelson, Dustin would rip the man apart. But Nelson was strong, and he wasn't alone. Plus, Dustin wouldn't be able to concentrate on Lexi. That would leave her vulnerable, and he had no idea what Nelson's partners might do. “Come on, Lexi."
Rick Nelson laughed. “It has taken me fifteen years to find her. I'm not losing her again."
It has taken me a lifetime to find her and I'm not about to lose her, either.
Dustin used his free hand to push Lexi toward the front door. Once she was behind him, he raised his hands and created a wall of wind that nothing, not even bullets could penetrate. “Run!"
The report of gunfire filled the air. Dustin ignored the sound as he backed toward the door. It wasn't until he felt a burning in his left arm that he realized a bullet made it through the wind. Shit, that had never happened before. He looked down to see a small dart sticking from his arm. His concentration broke as his vision blurred, and the wall distorted.
"Dustin!"
He felt Lexi's hands grab for him as he collapsed to the floor. He pushed her away with what energy he had left. “Go!"
"Not without you."
He tried to tell her it was too late for him, but he couldn't form the words. Lexi screamed. He knew Nelson had her, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. He heard Nelson giving orders to the two other men and tried to reach his communicator. Dustin needed to pass the information to Grady, but his body wouldn't respond to his commands. Sweat poured off of him, and he wondered what was in the dart, but he knew it didn't matter.
His breathing grew shallow as his heart slowed. An image of Lexi floated through his brain, and he forced his wandering mind to hang onto it. She smiled at him with a lifetime of love shining in her eyes. Too bad he wasn't smart enough to realize how he felt before it was too late. He felt his heart take a slow beat and knew he was going to die regretting he'd never told Lexi how he truly felt.
* * * *
Grady's head snapped up from his research when the red lights indicating an agent with a medical emergency came on. Dominik was already running toward one of the flash units carrying his crash bag.
"Who's down?” Grady asked.
"Martinez!” Hodge called as he stepped into the unit.
"Hold, Hodge. You need backup and more gear.” Grady reached for additional weapons and protective wear.
"No time, sir, his heart is about to stop,” Hodge replied as he activated the unit.
"Fuck. Move it! And be careful!” Grady stepped into the transport unit and raised his gun. He watched team members do the same as he activated the preprogrammed destination. There was no way of knowing what they would face once they arrived, so they were always prepared for the worst. Losing a fellow agent and friend was as bad as it got.
* * * *
Dustin didn't come slowly back to the world of the walking and talking. No, he was jerked back from the edge of eternity with brute force and no finesse. The headache was brutal, and his body felt like it had been dragged a couple of miles behind a freight-glider. Despite this, it was damn good to
be alive.
He blinked and squinted against the light. Serious black eyes stared back at him.
"Hodge."
"How do you feel?” Hodge's tone was all business.
Dustin pushed himself to a sitting position with minimal help. “Couldn't be better. I owe you."
"Just don't do this again. I'd hate to have to find a new drinking buddy.” Dominik bagged the dart.
"How are Mac and Brianna?” Even though he was terrified for Lexi, he needed to know how his team members were doing. They'd all already lost too many friends.
"Brianna took a bullet to the shoulder, and Mac was hit in the side. Both are being worked on and about to be transported to the hospital.” Dominik gave this report without an ounce of emotion, but his eyes gave him away.
"Keep me posted."
Dominik responded with a slight nod of the head.
"What happened here?"
Dustin turned at the sound of Grady's deep voice. He studied Dustin with hard eyes, and Dustin considered sugarcoating the event, but Grady wouldn't be fooled. Dustin told them the chain of events all the way up to the moment he passed out. “What the hell was in that dart?"
"An extremely concentrated dose of Hydro-Nidean. It's used in hospitals to put people to sleep for surgery. If you weren't carrying the upgraded communicator with the life monitoring program, we'd have never made it to you in time. We also would have lost Mac. The upgrade saved two, maybe three, lives tonight.” Hodge didn't meet Dustin's gaze as he packed his crash bag. “I'll take the dart back for analysis. It might reveal some useful information. You should get yourself to the clinic for a full body scan, but I guess I'm wasting my breath telling you that at the moment."
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