No Regrets

by Rebecca Deel

  Cade opened his eyes and noted the empty sofa. If Sasha was cooking, maybe she felt better. He followed the scent of food to the kitchen and leaned one shoulder against the door frame.

  Sasha stirred something in a large pot, then opened the oven to peek inside. The scent of baking bread filled the air, making Cade’s stomach rumble. She twisted, smiled. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving. You didn’t have to cook. I’d planned to pick up a meal for us at Delaney’s.”

  “I feel better and I like to cook. Sit at the breakfast bar and keep me company. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”

  “How can I help?”

  “Tell me another interesting fact about you.”

  “I’m not a fan of watching golf.”

  Sasha laughed. “I thought all men liked golf.”

  “I like to play a round. I don’t like watching someone else play. I liked your snow globe collection. Got a look at it while I was checking your doors and windows. Your turn now. Tell me something else interesting about you.”

  “I love to go to baseball games.”

  He grinned. “What a coincidence. So do I. Does it matter if it’s a professional team?”

  “No. However, I insist on a decent concession stand. My secret vice at a ball game is a hot dog or hamburger and a soft drink.”

  “Same here. Hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos. It’s a date. Know any teams around here?”

  “Actually, the high school and community college have good ones. The games are community events. Everyone in town shows up for them to cheer on the home team.”

  “I’ll be sure to find out their schedules in the spring.”

  “What would you like to drink?”

  “Water is fine.”

  She pulled two bottles of water from the refrigerator and set them on the breakfast bar. Within a couple minutes, Sasha set two steaming bowls of soup and a basket of rolls on the bar. “Chicken and wild rice soup. I can make you a sandwich, too.”

  “This is great. Thanks.” He took a bite of the soup, closed his eyes. “Sasha, this is fantastic.”

  “Glad you like it.”

  “I’m serious. If you didn’t run a coffee shop, you could open a restaurant.”

  She froze. “You think so?”

  “Oh, yeah. Think about it. Otter Creek needs another restaurant.”

  “I’ll keep the idea in mind.”

  After the meal, he carried the empty bowls to the dishwasher, wrapped the remaining two rolls, and tossed the empty water bottles into the garbage. “Do you feel well enough to watch a movie on television?” Cade didn’t want to leave her. He still wasn’t comfortable with her security situation although he didn’t figure he’d have much luck convincing Sasha to let him stay overnight on the couch. He intended to try and convince her, though.

  “Sure. I have cable and a bunch of DVDs to choose from.”

  “Only one rule.”

  “Let me guess. No chick flicks?”

  He winked at her. “You got it in one shot.”

  “I’m sure we can come up with a compromise. How about an action film with a romance subplot?”

  “I can live with that.” They scrolled through several choices and made a selection. When Sasha sat beside him, Cade snagged the afghan again and draped it over her legs, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Have you seen this movie before?”

  Sasha shook her head. “I’ve been meaning to watch it, but I haven’t had time. I’m usually planning menus for Perk and doing the books. I really hate messing with the accounts.”

  “I understand. Accounting isn’t something I would enjoy, either.”

  They were silent as the movie started. Twenty minutes in, Sasha was asleep again. This time, however, he had the pleasure of holding her. He’d already seen the movie, but the film was one he enjoyed. When the end credits rolled, the woman in his arms was still out cold.

  Cade decided to let her sleep since it was still early. Maybe his presence helped her feel secure enough to rest without fear. He hoped that was the case. Holding a beautiful woman for hours at a time was certainly no hardship on his part.

  By the time the credits rolled on the second movie, Sasha was beginning to stir.

  “Sasha.”

  She tilted her head back and opened her eyes, blinked. “I missed the movie, huh?”

  “Plus another one.”

  “I’ve been sleeping for four hours?” She groaned. “I’ll never go to sleep tonight. Naps always mess with my body clock, and I’ve had two today.”

  “Your body is healing from trauma. It’s normal.”

  “Experience?”

  Cade cupped the side of her neck. “My job is dangerous. Every member of Bravo team was injured on our last mission.”

  Sasha sat up, concern filling her eyes. “Where were you injured and how bad?”

  “Knife wound to my side. The injury is healing well.”

  “Show me.”

  Wondering how Sasha would react when she saw the line of stitches, Cade released her and stripped off his shirt.

  She didn’t say anything for a moment, trailing her finger tips over his bare skin.

  Cade sucked in a breath, his reaction to her touch immediate and intense. Where two minutes ago he’d thought the temperature comfortable, now he was burning up.

  “Oh, Cade, this must have hurt.”

  His lips curved. “Not at the time.” He’d been too busy keeping the guerrilla from slashing his throat to worry about his side. Compared to wounds he suffered in the past, this was a scratch.

  “Is this Matt’s work?” she asked, indicating the stitches.

  He nodded.

  Sasha pressed a kiss over his heart. “I’m glad he was there to help you and the others. You said all of you were injured. Who patched up Matt?”

  “I did. He would have done it himself, but he couldn’t reach the wound.” He stepped back and shrugged into his shirt, then wrapped his arms around her. “I’m worried about your safety overnight.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Why? The bank robbers aren’t a threat any longer thanks to you and your teammates. I’m safe now.”

  “I’m not convinced you are. Something happened in the hospital while you were asleep, an incident I’m almost sure is connected to the fake robbery.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Uneasiness roiled in Sasha’s stomach. “Does this incident relate to the woman you mentioned to Zane?” Whatever happened must have occurred while she was knocked out from the pain meds.

  “A woman dressed in scrubs came to your hospital room early this morning, claiming to be a nurse. She insisted on checking your vitals. When she kicked Paige Lang from your room, Matt and I realized the woman didn’t have a hospital ID. We walked in just as she was about to inject you with something. I stopped her and called Ethan.”

  “What happened?”

  “He took her to the station to question her and had the contents of the syringe tested. The woman was seconds away from injecting enough heroin in your vein to kill you.”

  Sasha felt the blood drain from her face. Good grief. Why would anyone want to kill her? “Maybe she chose the wrong room.”

  “She knew your name, Sasha. This woman zeroed in on you for a reason, and I won’t give up until I know the reason behind her plan.”

  She’d survived a bank robbery that wasn’t a robbery and a kidnapping only to have some strange woman try to murder her. Someone needed to wake her from this nightmare. “Thank you for saving my life a second time. How can I ever repay you?”

  “Let me sleep on your sofa tonight.”

  “You’re worried about me.”

  “If you agree, I’ll have Matt, Liam, or Simon come stay, too, so the town busybodies won’t have anything to gossip about.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth. “Say yes, Sassy. Otherwise, I’ll have to keep watch from my SUV in your driveway and walk the perimeter overnight.”

  If he planned to keep watch all night, he might as well be c
omfortable. “Call a teammate and stay inside. I have a guest room available.”

  Cade tightened his hold on her. “Thank you.”

  “Will you sleep tonight?”

  “Some. Don’t worry about us. We’re used to pulling alternate shifts when we’re guarding a principal. We’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll make coffee while you find a teammate to assist you tonight.” She considered what food she had to offer the operatives. Sasha suspected they would need to eat. She hoped they were bored enough to need something to do while she slept. They didn’t need to worry about the extra calorie consumption, not with the pace at which Bravo team trained.

  Sasha opened her cabinet and chose a stout Columbian blend. The coffee ought to help the men stay awake. She prepped her coffee maker for the full twelve cups and pushed the start button.

  Next, she needed snacks for the men. Sasha found cinnamon rolls in the freezer that she’d baked last week and laid several on a plate to thaw in the microwave. While she waited, Sasha whipped up a batch of icing. When the rolls were hot, she spread the icing over the tops.

  “What smells good enough to eat in here besides you?” Matt lumbered into the kitchen, a smile on his face.

  On his heels was a frowning Cade. “Knock it off, Matt.”

  Cade’s teammate laughed. “I’m yanking your chain, Cowboy. You know I wouldn’t poach.” He turned back to Sasha. “Seriously, what smells so good?”

  “Cinnamon rolls.”

  Matt groaned. “Oh, man. Cade, I just might fight you for this woman. She’s beautiful and she cooks.”

  A muscular arm circled her waist as Sasha finished icing the last cinnamon roll. She smiled at Cade over her shoulder and set her bowl in the sink. “Do you add anything to your coffee, Matt?”

  “Nope. Can’t carry sugar and creamer on missions. Bravo team members drink coffee straight.”

  She set two mugs on the counter, then rummaged for a bag of chips she placed beside a bowl of bananas and apples. “I have chicken and wild rice soup in the refrigerator. You have the rolls, chips, and fruit. Water and tea are in the refrigerator, too. More coffee is in the cabinet along with the filters. Get whatever you need while you’re keeping watch.”

  Sasha circled the breakfast bar and hugged Matt. “Thank you for helping Cade protect me tonight.”

  “No problem, Sasha. Are you calling it a night?”

  “I shouldn’t. I’ve done nothing except sleep since Cade brought me home from the hospital.” She sighed. “Although it’s hard for me to believe, I don’t think I’ll have a hard time falling asleep.”

  “How is your head?”

  “Headache is more manageable now.”

  “Good. Let me know if that changes.”

  She patted his arm. “Nice to have a medic in the house. The bathroom is the first door on the right in the hallway. Washcloths and towels are in the cabinet in the bathroom.”

  “Come on.” Cade held out his hand to her. “I’ll walk you to your room. I want to make sure everything is secure before you turn in.”

  “Okay. Goodnight, Matt.”

  “Sleep well, Sasha. Cade, I’m going to walk around the outside. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  When she and Cade reached her bedroom door, he said, “Wait here.” A moment later, he returned. “It’s clear. Leave your curtains closed and your light off. Let’s not pinpoint your location in case someone is watching.”

  “You’ll tell me if something happens?”

  “Absolutely. If you hear anything that makes you uneasy, tell me. One simple rule for you to follow. If there’s a problem overnight, do exactly what Matt or I tell you to do. No questions until you’re safe and the danger is past.”

  “I promise.”

  After a kiss far briefer than she wanted, Cade nudged Sasha inside the room and closed the door.

  Sasha leaned against the door for a few seconds. Wow. A Cade Ramsey peck was potent. She’d probably pass out after a real kiss. Sasha completed her bedtime routine by the dim glow of night lights. She started to put on her pajamas, then thought better of it. Although she didn’t think a problem would develop overnight, she’d rather not have to run in her nightwear and slippers.

  A comfortable track suit and her socks seemed like the best alternative. Sasha placed her tennis shoes near the bed for easy access and prayed the precautions were a wasted effort.

  Instead of taking the chance of getting tangled up in her sheet and comforter, she dragged the quilt up from the foot of the bed and spread it over her. Despite the naps, she fell asleep fast.

  Sasha woke in the early morning hours, coughing. She opened her eyes, blinking against the darkness. Why were her eyes stinging? Another round of coughing racked her body.

  She threw off the quilt and sat up. The coughing intensified. What was wrong with her? Was she coming down with a cold or the flu?

  Someone pounded on the door, hard. “Sasha?”

  “Cade,” she choked out, then fell into another coughing fit.

  The door opened, then, “Matt,” Cade shouted. “Fire.” He rushed inside Sasha’s bedroom.

  She had the presence of mind to snatch her shoes from the floor and grab her cell phone from the charger on the nightstand before Cade scooped her into his arms and raced down the hall.

  Matt waited for them by the back door, gun in hand. “I called 911. The fire department should be here soon. We have to get her out of here.”

  Sasha waggled her shoes. “I can run.” Her voice came out hoarse.

  Cade set her on a chair. “Hurry.”

  Hands shaking, she tied on her tennis shoes. As soon as she finished, Matt opened the door far enough to slip into the backyard. When Sasha tried to follow, Cade stopped her.

  “Wait.”

  Seconds later, the medic returned. “It’s clear immediately around the house. I felt eyes on me, though.”

  “Copy that. Head for the stand of trees to the left. We’ll circle around to the end of the block and work our way back.” He palmed his weapon and wrapped his free arm around Sasha’s shoulders. “Run as fast as you can, Sasha. Ready?”

  She nodded. Sasha kept her eyes on the trees Cade had mentioned. The three of them were mere feet from safety when shots pierced the sounds of the roaring fire.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Cade propelled Sasha forward and dropped back to place his body between her and the shooter. Matt pivoted and fired behind them. The three of them raced for the safety of the trees.

  When Sasha slowed just inside the tree line, Cade urged her deeper into cover, worried the shooter might keep firing at them. While his teammate trailed behind, Cade wrapped his hand around Sasha’s and urged her to pick up the pace.

  Ten minutes later, they broke from the tree line on the far side of the wooded area and worked their way back to the street where Sasha lived. Two police cars and a fire engine were on the scene, firefighters battling to save her home.

  Three houses away, Cade nudged Sasha toward a detached garage on a poorly lit part of her neighbor’s lot. “Matt, stay with Sasha.” He jogged up the street, heading for the police chief who stood in a neighbor’s yard, scowling.

  “Ethan.”

  “Sasha?”

  “Up the street and safe. Matt’s with her.”

  The subtle tension in Ethan’s frame eased. “Sit rep.”

  “I checked the perimeter about forty minutes ago. I heard Sasha coughing fifteen minutes later. When I went to check, her room was filled with smoke. Matt and I took her out the back door toward the tree line, and someone fired shots at us.”

  “Injuries?”

  He shook his head.

  “I already know the answer, but I have to ask. Anyone else in the house?”

  Another head shake.

  “Where was the shooter?”

  Cade pointed to the house next to Sasha’s. “West rear corner. Homeowner has a large bush that’s perfect for concealment.”

  “I need to talk to Sasha.”


  “I’m not bringing her into the open.”

  “Understood.” He turned. “Rod, I’ll be back. Tell the fire chief I confirmed the house is clear of occupants.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Ethan followed Cade down the street where Matt and Sasha waited. “Are you okay, Sasha?”

  “I’m fine, thanks to Cade and Matt.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I’m afraid my house isn’t, though.”

  “That’s what insurance is for. The arson investigator will be out here when the sun rises.”

  Cade drew Sasha into his arms, offering support and comfort. There was no doubt in his mind the fire had been set by the shooter to smoke Sasha out of the house, making her an easier target.

  “Tell me what happened,” Ethan said. “When did you go to bed?”

  As Sasha answered his questions, her body started to shake so hard her teeth chattered.

  The police chief tossed his keys to Matt. “I have a blanket in the hatchback.” When the medic loped off, Ethan took his place in blocking Sasha and Cade from the prying eyes of neighbors or the shooter if he or she stuck around. Doubtful. Too much activity around the area to go unnoticed for long. A neighbor was sure to look out a window and see a stranger lurking in the shadows.

  Matt returned, blanket in hand. Cade loosened his arms enough for his teammate to wrap the covering around her, then tucked Sasha against his chest again. “Finish your questions, Ethan. I need to take Sasha somewhere safe to decompress.”

  He didn’t know what form decompression would take. Men and women he’d worked with in the military and Fortress all reacted to combat situations in different ways. Sasha’s reaction might be volatile considering she’d been attacked twice in as many days, and she wasn’t used to dealing with anything more dangerous than the rare irate customer who didn’t like the coffee or a pastry.

  “Doesn’t seem to be a safe place for me,” she said.

  “Your house may be damaged, but you don’t have new injuries,” Ethan pointed out. “Your bodyguards did their job well.”

  She burrowed deeper into Cade’s arms. “I’m not disputing their abilities. I don’t know what would have happened if Cade and Matt weren’t with me.”