Innocent Target

by India Kells

  James glanced at Ian “Even steel can bend under enough pressure. It’s up to us to protect all the beauty around us.”

  Ian regarded him with a clear, purposeful look before he gave a slight nod and smiled. “Knew I liked you, lad.”

  “Mercy likes you, and that’s good enough for me.” He realized it was true; James trusted her judgment.

  At that second the woman they’d not so subtly been discussing walked out onto the deck looking bleary-eyed. Seemingly without thought, she walked to him and slid her arms around his waist as he lifted his own to wrap it around her. Her head rested on his chest as her body relaxed into his. This was her way of showing him she was all in and not about to run. Being open in front of Ian when she was usually so private was a statement, and one he appreciated more than he had known.

  It had been in the back of his mind that she might regret what had happened last night. He’d feared that the best damn night of his life would be relegated to a mistake in her eyes.

  They spent the morning hanging around with Ian, the older man making them both laugh with stories from his days on the force and Mercy’s days as a rookie. It was easy to see why he had such a big place in Mercy’s heart. He loved her like a father, and she excelled under his influence. With every second that passed, he saw more things about her to fall for, and the thought both terrified and excited him.

  Mercy wouldn’t be a woman he could walk away from, and he didn’t want to, but he feared if this mission went wrong, one of them would be left heartbroken.

  Around lunchtime, the call came with the meet place and time. Nick had arrived an hour before with King, who now had a small child of his own and was probably the most prepared to deal with a newborn. Nick would go with them to the meet, while King stayed to watch Abbie.

  “Are you sure you need me with you? I’m not sure how I feel about leaving Abbie.”

  James wrapped a hand around the nape of her neck, pulling her close enough that he could feel her breath against his lips, see the flecks of silver in her gorgeous eyes. “She’ll be fine, but if you want to stay, I understand.”

  Mercy smiled, and the action softened her harsh expression, taking it from striking to downright stunning. “I’m being silly, aren’t I?”

  “No, beautiful. Not silly, just overprotective. I like it on you. A lot. I’m discovering so much about you on this trip.”

  “Oh yeah? Like what?”

  “That you love bone deep when you do, that you take on every failure as your own, and you don’t give yourself credit for the amazing woman you are.” James felt her stiffen her spine and knew he may have overdone and should probably lighten the mood. “Plus, you snore.” He watched as she blinked slowly in outrage, but he sensed the relief in her and knew he’d done the right thing.

  “How dare you. I do not.”

  “Nah, maybe not but you do talk in your sleep.”

  He gave her too brief a kiss and walked toward the door where Nick stood watching then intently, his knowing eyes assessing the changes between them and the new closeness.

  He leveled a stare at his friend, waiting for the criticism. James felt the hair on his nape prickle in readiness to defend what he and Mercy had, but the woman behind him spoke first.

  “Save it, Nick. Whatever is going on between James and I is nobody’s business but our own. It won’t affect the team or the dynamic.”

  James spun to look at Mercy who looked ready to go to war, hands on her hips head tilted back proudly, and he wanted to drag her into the nearest vacant room and show her just how fucking sexy that was.

  “Fine, but I ain’t going to any more weddings this year.”

  Mercy snorted. “Hey, hold your roll, we aren’t there yet.”

  “Whatever. Are we going or not?”

  “Let’s go meet the FBI guy.”

  Mercy went to move past him, and James caught her by the arm. She looked up at him in surprise when he dipped her back and kissed her hard. “That was so fucking hot.”

  Her peal of laughter made him shake his head. How had this woman turned the worst time in his life around as she had?

  He was still pondering that as they pulled up to the meet point. Spotting the FBI guy a mile away, he got his head in the game and focused on finding out more about the Henchmen MC and how they’d been found.

  The three of them exited the car, walking toward the man seated in a booth at the diner just off the highway. He jerked his head up as they came in and tipped the coffee cup in his hand to his lips. James slid in the booth, and Mercy followed as Nick grabbed a chair and sat on the end.

  “Thanks for meeting with us, Agent Rao.”

  The man was in his early thirties, tall with a medium build, brown hair and intelligent brown eyes that regarded them suspiciously. “No problem.”

  He said the words, but James felt his tension and suspected he was only there because someone had forced the issue. “What can you tell us about the Henchmen?”

  Rao regarded him with a hard stare before he glanced at Mercy and then Nick. “I can tell you that you’re out of your depth. If your sister got herself mixed up in this, then she’s probably already dead.”

  His callous remark had James seeing red. He rose to his feet, ready to get in the man’s face as Mercy laid a hand on his arm.

  “James.”

  “The fuck you know about my sister?”

  Rao held up his hands in defense, but James knew by the smirk on his face that he’d already gotten the reaction he wanted. “I meant no harm, just trying to be truthful. The MC is brutal. They won’t let anyone leave once they’re on the inside. They also killed the person who took your DNA samples so you can bet they have a finger in lots of pies along the coast.”

  “So nothing fucking useful then.”

  Rao smirked and then shrugged. “Like I said, you’re out of your depth. Leave this to the experts. Perhaps if your sister calls then have her call the local office, and we’ll bring her in.”

  James stood, and Mercy and Nick followed. “We’ll take that under advisement.”

  He walked away without looking back, but something made his gut twisted in a way he didn’t like. Shit was about to heat up, he felt it in his blood.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The tension was so dense in the car it was a wonder the metal top didn’t burst off. Mercy sat in the back, while the two stiff and silent men rode up front. Nick was silent because it was who he was, James’s silence was because of what Agent Rao had said about Bethany.

  She’d said little during the meeting, but from start to finish, something felt off, way off.

  Pulling out her phone, she sent a text to Imari to request a quick search on Agent Rao, what he did, his cases, and his reputation. All the shiny and nasty bits that could give her a better picture of the man, although her instincts told her that her first impression was most probably on point.

  It became more of a challenge to think, caged as she was with two beasts on the point of being unleashed, especially since they had another hour before reaching Ian’s home.

  They were entering a more urban area and Mercy decided she needed a break. “I’m hungry.” She got no response from the men and rolled her eyes, not happy at being ignored. “I’m hungry now!”

  Nick grunted, and as he was driving, he took a turn into another street where there were several restaurants and shops. “There should be some fast-food drive-throughs around here.”

  “Stopping wouldn’t hurt any of us.”

  Both men grunted this time, which was a positive sign from James. She’d take any small improvement on the general atmosphere.

  Nick parked on the side of the street, and Mercy hopped out. The air was warm and with the sun filtering through the colorful buildings, she almost felt like she was on vacation. Not that she was delusional about the danger hovering over their heads and the threat to Bethany’s and Abbie’s lives, but sometimes, a swift and temporary change of scenery could help her see things more clearly. A
t the least, it would prevent her from knocking their heads together and cracking them open to allow some light through. A more reasonable option was to put food in their bellies.

  A quick scan over the area told her it wasn’t a tourist spot and the few people around were locals. It reduced the risks as intruders would stand out like a sore thumb.

  Leaving the two men to their brooding, she walked down the street, knowing they’d follow.

  After checking a few store windows, she lingered inside a baby shop, making a few purchases for Abbie. The poor angel was living on bare essentials, and it was fun to see Nick squirm around all the pink frills. James didn’t seem out of place at all, although all the ladies only had eyes for him. Mercy was caught up too. He was so handsome, it filled her belly with flurries, with a thousand possibilities. The feeling so new to her, it made her feel both stronger and more vulnerable than ever.

  After finding the most adorable onesie with funny pandas for Abbie and the softest blanket ever, James snatched everything out of her hands before she could pay for it, giving her a quick wink. It wasn’t a smile, but it was a beginning.

  Joining a stern-looking Nick on the sidewalk, James on her heels, she continued walking until a wonderful smell filled her nose, a mix of melting butter, sugar, and orange peel. Her nose led her into the most delightful bakery. The outside was a bright turquoise color, and so was the inside, an incredible ocean vibe awaiting hungry customers.

  Mercy slid into a secluded booth by the front window, and as she hoped, James slid in beside her as Nick took the opposite seat.

  A waitress, dressed for a 50s diner, approached with a smile and a spring in her step.

  “Good afternoon and welcome! I don’t recognize you so you must be first-time customers! I’m Stacy. What do you fancy today?”

  James and Nick grumbled something about only wanting a coffee, but Mercy was having none of that and smiled back. “What’s your specialty? What do you recommend?”

  At her question, Stacy lit up. “Oh! That’s a trick question! I love the key lime pie, that’s a staple. The homemade strawberry shortcake is divine. We do have a raspberry and pear cobbler to die for, or, if you like classics with a twist, I’ve heard that our Death by Chocolate can nearly produce spontaneous orgasms.”

  That last word magically perked the men up and shaking her head, Mercy winked at Stacy. “As my friends here don’t want anything, I’ll have one of each, and I’ll make sure to finish off with the orgasm.”

  If Mercy had surprised her, the waitress didn’t let it show and strutted away with their order.

  Nick leaned back. “You said you were hungry, but I didn’t know you were looking for a sugar rush.” A faint grin pulled at the mouth of the typically solemn man, and there was teasing when he looked from her to James. “Or an orgasm.”

  James frowned in mock menace and leaned forward. “We’re only here for the sugar. The rest, she’s well provided for.”

  “Come on, guys. And here I thought you were gentlemen.”

  Stacy stopped the playful rant by bringing three coffees in one hand and a large tray in the other. With each plate she put on the table, Mercy was overwhelmed by how amazing they looked, and she couldn’t decide which one to start with.

  It was clear the men were debating helping themselves and she glared, pulling the plates toward her.

  James didn’t seem to agree with her greed. “You can’t eat all that by yourself.”

  Mercy picked up her fork and gestured at the two men. “Neither of you are going to taste any of it unless you change your attitude. Nick you need to loosen up, and James you need to detach yourself from your emotions. I know you’re afraid for your sister, but falling for the taunts of an FBI agent won’t help, especially when I suspect Agent Rao has ulterior motives.”

  After dropping that unconfirmed bomb, Mercy drove in, taking a bite of cobbler and was stunned at the burst of tangy-sweet flavor in her mouth. She couldn’t stop herself from checking out the shortcake and then the pie, unable to decide which one was best. She’d always had a thing for sweets, but this bakery was taking it to a brand-new level, and she hesitated before tasting the chocolate.

  James put a hand on her thigh. “Whoa, what was that? Do you know something about Rao that we don’t?”

  Pausing from her indulgence, Mercy leaned back in the booth, holding her coffee in her hands. “Listen, James, I’ve worked with the FBI a lot, and it’s true, those agents can be cocky and arrogant, but they always have the mission in mind or an ulterior motive. They’re like bloodhounds on steroids, checking theories or questioning and weighing options. Rao? I didn’t feel that in him. He was boasting for sure, testing us, especially you, James, by saying all those awful things about your sister. Did you notice that he didn’t ask one question? We come with a case related to the Henchmen, and he basically tells us to fuck off. Any FBI agent worth his salt would’ve at least used us, see how our case and finding Bethany could bring him closer to his own goal. Did you feel that hunger? I certainly didn’t.”

  James frowned while Nick put a finger on the plate and slid the cobbler in front of him, grabbing a fork. “Now that you mention it, Rao was such an ass it was difficult to see beyond that.”

  As Nick took a bite, James did the same with the shortcake, and Mercy didn’t comment, glad he was loosening up.

  “Why didn’t you confront him about it?”

  Good question. “My first impulse was to do exactly that, and to punch him in the face too, but my instinct nagged me to stay quiet.”

  Nick snickered on a bite. “Yeah, that doesn’t happen often.”

  Ignoring him, Mercy continued. “That’s why, while you boys were sulking in the front seat, I reached out to Imari, asked her to dig into him. I think if we can get a better overview, our next encounter with him may be more productive.”

  James took a bite, half enjoying, half thinking. “He agreed to meet with us, so what was his purpose?”

  “Maybe he wanted to know what we knew and what we intended to do?” Nick pushed the empty plate aside, and his fingers inched toward the key lime pie. “Maybe it was his way of sizing us up.”

  Taking another sip, Mercy considered it, but James, with his frown growing darker, indicated he might have a theory of his own. Her hand went to his on her knee and squeezed.

  “I’m replaying the encounter in my head, and he did say all the right things to make me angry, to almost go for him. No questions, no offers of help, no tips on the Henchmen.”

  Mercy nodded. “Fishy and weird.”

  James finished his dish and fought Nick for the key lime pie. The dark-haired man stole a bite anyway. “So, what should we do now?”

  That was the hard question. “I feel that something is wrong but is it because we’re not looking in the right place to find Bethany or because someone is blowing smoke up our asses to blind us from the truth? I hope digging into Rao will set us straight.”

  With a sigh, James took his coffee. “If there’s something to dig up, Imari will find it.”

  “What do we do while we wait?” Nick said as he eyed her chocolate dessert, but Mercy was having none of that.

  “I think we need to be patient and see. Until we have a real thread to pull, or Bethany gives us a sign, we’re stuck. In the meantime, I’ll have my chocolate orgasm. Alone.”

  James chuckled, sliding his hand up a little, in a not so subtle hint as she took a bite.

  If she hadn’t had the vivid memory of the night she’d had with him, she’d have believed the cake could take her over the edge.

  More laughter rolled over her. “James, I think you have serious competition there. I’d be careful if I were you.”

  She was about to tease the two men some more, pushing the plate toward them so they could taste it, determined to remain straight faced while they did, when a rumble came down the street.

  As the sound increased, they tensed and turned to see at least five motorcycles come into view and slow as they
took out their guns. When they started firing at them, Mercy didn’t have time to say a word. Survival instincts kicked in while glass and death rained all around them.

  Chapter Fifteen

  James got his weapon as he hit the ground, pulling Mercy with him, and fighting the urge to cover her body with his. Screams from the other diners sounded as people tried to evade the death they knew was coming in the previously relaxed space.

  “We’re sitting ducks here. We need to move,” James hissed as a bullet barely missed Mercy.

  “There.”

  James followed where Nick was pointing to a fire exit. It would mean making a run across the open expanse of the diner, but as James looked around quickly, he realized it was the best option. Then what?

  “They could be out the back too.”

  James didn’t give a shit about himself, but he was frightened for Mercy and of leaving Abbie all alone. If he died, they’d be vulnerable, and while he knew Mercy would be okay, he wanted years to discover her. And what of his sister and Abbie? Who would protect them? He’d never thought like this on a mission before, especially in the middle of a gunfight, but now it seemed the choices he made were changing everything. For a split second, he wondered if Mercy hadn’t been right about them mixing the job with a relationship but quickly dismissed it.

  “We can’t just sit here while people die.”

  He and Nick fired back, but their weapons were useless against semi-automatics.

  “Okay, on my go. Ready?” James nodded as did Mercy beside him. “Go.”

  James aimed toward the shattered front window as they ran toward the exit at the back of the diner. Glass rained down over them, wood splintering, screams echoing from the terrified people who’d only planned a quiet afternoon and were now fighting for their lives. He could hear sirens in the distance and sighed audibly before the sound of engines being revved filled the air. Punching the fire exit door with his shoulder, he glanced back at the devastation and a ripple of guilt plagued him. He’d brought this horror to their town. The Henchmen were after him and Abbie, and they’d proven they didn’t care who they killed to get them. An echo of fear ran down his spine as he looked at the woman he was falling in love with, and realized he’d put her in the crosshairs.