Wraith (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Kendra Mei Chailyn

  She dumped some pancakes into an awaiting plate then picked up a bowl to spoon batter into the pan. “No,” Amelia replied. “He never spoke much about work or anything outside of the family. The thing I can say about him is when he was with me, he was all in.”

  “What about Lala? Does that sound familiar?”

  She faced him and shrugged. “No. Should it?”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Liam, look, I know you’re trying to help, but none of this is familiar to me.”

  He rubbed his back and took a breath.

  “Have something to eat,” she said. “I probably should be on my way home.”

  “You’re not making any sense. You know these people are after you.”

  Amelia stacked some pancake on a plate in front of him and eased the syrup closer. “Maybe they didn’t find what they wanted, and they’ll be gone by now. Besides, I didn’t go home last night. They can’t sit on my place forever.”

  “That’s not how it works. You don’t know these guys.”

  “You know something.” Amelia stepped toward him. “You found something, didn’t you? What is it?”

  Wraith made to answer when Doc rushed into the room then bolted back for the front door while growling. He couldn’t ever remember the wolf acting in such a manner, so he hurried after his pet. There were footprints in the snow, ones he hadn’t made. Wraith remembered where he’d walked on his patrols and the prints were smaller than his. Frowning, he went back to the kitchen. “You should get dressed,” he told her. “We’re going to have to move quickly.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  “Do you always ask this many questions? We have to get out of here now. Move!”

  Without waiting for her to answer, he darted up the stairs and shoved his laptop into his bag. He grabbed the Glock G43 from where it’d spent the night and stuck it into the back of his pants and quickly tugged his shirt down over it. He picked up the blades he kept in his night table and shoved them into the holsters at his ankles. As he rushed out the door again, he snagged the bag and found Amelia struggling to get her boots on. While she worked away he ensured the stove was off.

  She met him by the kitchen door just as something smashed through the back window. Amelia spun toward it, her eyes wide and Wraith knew precisely what would happen. He clamped a hand over her mouth, pulled her back into his chest and dragged her from the space with Doc rushing after them. They couldn’t go outside. He knew that.

  As the smoke bomb went off, he locked the guest bathroom door with the three of them inside. He yanked down the shower curtain, rolled it up and pressed it under the door to seal it then did the same to the top.

  Amelia began coughing so he quickly wet a towel and pressed it to her face. “Keep this over your nose and mouth.”

  Liam coughed too, forcing him to grab another towel and soak it. He held it with one hand up to his face but he couldn’t stomp down his anger. Poor Doc whined as he turned around and around as if trying to get out. Seeing Doc so confused and in obvious pain incensed Liam. But even as angry as he was, Liam couldn’t focus on the rage. He had to get them out of the tiny space as quickly as possible before the gas did any damage or before the intruders broke in.

  Falling to his knees, he rocked the toilet seat, pushing it back and forth roughly. When it finally came free, he eased it to the side and pulled up the floor boards as much as he could. From his bag, he dug beneath the money for a flashlight then shone it into the hole below, past the piping and the plumbing.

  Amelia was coughing more. His throat stung. His eyes burned as the smoke pooled beneath the door through the makeshift caulking. “Get in,” he called. “Be careful.”

  He thought for sure Amelia would argue but she strung the towel over her shoulder and dipped through the hole in the floor. As her head disappeared, he scooped Doc into his arms and climbed through. Once he was safe in the underground tunnel, he set Doc down then went up again to grab his bag and pull the floorboards in place.

  Liam never thought he’d have to use the escape route. It was the first thing he built when he arrived at the cabin years prior. Still, he led Amelia through the damp, cold passage, wondering if the other side would be clear for them to get out.

  Amelia had been silent, but she kept up. Doc trotted alongside Liam, silent as the grave. As they neared the exit, close to the main road, Liam could feel cold, fresh air bathing his face. Without thinking, he shoved his hand beneath his coat and pulled out the gun.

  Amelia gasped and he knew why.

  “Is that a gun?”

  “Do you think it’s a gun?” Liam asked.

  She made an annoyed sound with her teeth, but he kept his focus on the light up ahead. At the exit, he pushed the gun into his pocket and gripped the grill. Though the bars were covered in snow, it seemed the trees on the other side bore the brunt of the winter. Gritting his teeth, he pushed, causing his muscles to strain. It came loose in this hand and he dropped it to the ground. “Wait here until I come back for you.”

  Without waiting for her to answer, he climbed through, grabbed his gun and ensured the area was cleared. He returned for Amelia as promised and soon they were trudging through snow toward the main road.

  Just as they were about to step onto the paved surfaced, he noticed there were a few black SUV’s parked to the side. Glancing over his shoulder, he reached for Amelia’s hand and the three ran over to one of the vehicles. He tried one door after the other until he found an unlocked one. Liam was pretty sure this vehicle belonged to the people who’d invaded his sanctuary.

  “We can’t just take this,” Amelia said.

  “How else are we getting out of here?” Liam asked, inspecting the underside of the vehicle carefully. In the wheel well, he found a tracking device. He dislodged it and crushed it under his foot. Opening the door, Doc hopped in and pushed himself between the front seats to the back. “Get in.”

  She seemed to hesitate for a moment, and he walked around to the driver’s side and climbed behind the wheel. He hotwired the SUV and by the time he shifted into drive, Amelia was in and buckled up.

  He drove them away from the cabin knowing he probably could never go back. No matter how this game ended, the cabin wasn’t his home anymore. It saddened him, but he kept the thought to himself. “Your father saved the life of a prince’s son many years ago,” Liam explained. “This was before I met him. As thanks, the prince gifted your dad a painting called The Land of the Seven Moons by a painter named Gogit Lala.”

  “Never heard of him.”

  “Not many have. Those who have, know his paintings are worth almost a hundred million dollars, each.”

  “And this prince just gave this one to my dad?”

  “What price are you willing to pay for your son’s life?”

  “I don’t have a son.”

  Liam refrained from rolling his eyes. “The truth is, the prince loves his son more than anything in the world. This kid is to carry on the prince’s lineage. It’s kind of a big deal. Your father never wanted the painting but it…”

  “It’s disrespectful to say no.”

  “Precisely. So, he took it and hid it away. He knew a lot of people would be after it, so he didn’t tell anyone where he hid it. The thing is, rumor has it, he used your retinas as the code to open the vault to where ever he has it hidden.”

  “I’m sorry—he did what?”

  “I said it was a rumor. I don’t believe it. I mean your father wasn’t a stupid man. But it doesn’t stop people from wanting to see if it’s true.”

  “Okay, so if they’re after me now that means someone figured out where he hid this Lala painting or they’re hoping he told me where it is.”

  “Either could be true. Or they’re close to finding it and want to have you around for when they do.”

  “That’s reassuring.”

  Liam checked his mirrors. The road behind him was clear except a moose who chose then to run across the street behind the SUV. H
e refocused on the road. “My plan is, to get to the Lala before they do and move it somewhere else.”

  “If you can figure out where it is.”

  “Right. In three days, we have a flight to catch. In the meantime, we’re going to have to find a place to lay low.”

  “How do I know I can trust you?” Amelia questioned. “For all I know you’re in on this.”

  He glanced at her quickly. “If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead. And the best part, you wouldn’t have seen it coming.”

  She shrank back into her seat.

  “Do you think I went out of my way to move to god’s nowhere because I’m after some stupid piece of art? The minute you’re safe, I’m putting you and that cursed painting in my rearview. Got it?”

  She said nothing for a moment, and he looked at her again then back at the road before hanging a sharp right. The look on Amelia’s face told him she hadn’t expected him to be so brutally truthful. Honestly, Liam couldn’t say he cared much. All hell was about to break loose and he couldn’t stop to spare her delicate sensibilities no matter how sexy she looked in one of his shirts.

  Chapter 4

  The heater in the SUV sounded like breeze blowing through leaves in the summer time. Amelia remembered how cold it had been outside and figured she’d enjoy he warmth while it lasted. She made a mental note never to complain about the winter in Toronto again, before reaching forward to open the heat vents a little wider.

  Settling back into her seat, Amelia tried relaxing. She wanted to make the thoughts in her mind shut up. Every time she looked over at Liam, the questions screamed louder. Finally, she took a deep breath and turned her vision outside. For as far as Amelia could see, along the side of the road, was snow. She kept her gaze there for if she didn’t, she’d stare at Liam. She’d admire his chiseled cheekbones, the proud stance of his nose, the beautiful pout of his lips.

  Nope, couldn’t happen.

  Liam was out of her league and only doing her father a favour, therefore, not husband material. Once this whole mess was over, if she was still breathing, she’d go back to Toronto and try to salvage what was left of her life.

  Then again, if she could get her hand on the painting, she could sell it to a museum or something and not have to worry about even going back to Toronto at all.

  That’s the kind of fucked up thinking that’s wrong with this.

  Amelia shook her head to clear it. What she should want to do with the damn piece of art was burn it to a crisp.

  No. All those were dangerous thoughts. There should be no room for any of it inside her mind.

  She licked her lips and stared at the snowflakes now falling from the sky.

  For a long time, she basked in the sense of silence in the vehicle. Amelia always liked peace and quiet but the air in the Jeep was almost too much. She almost wished she knew where the damn painting was so she could just hand it over and get on with her life. As the car sped through the desolate streets of Kirkland Lake, she leaned her forehead against the window. The cool of the glass dulled the throbbing behind her eyes.

  Doc whimpered, and she looked up in time to see him pushing through the seats. She watched him rest half his body in her lap, his head on top of his paw. Though still a little nervous, she rubbed his head gently. “You know something, Doc?” she asked softly. “I think I’m in love with you. But you can’t tell the girl wolves. They might get jealous.”

  Doc looked up at her and she laughed softly.

  Having the wolf in her lap comforted her.

  Amelia glanced over at Liam quickly then ahead out at the dark road. He turned right and before the car even had time to be straightened, he hit a left. She wondered about this man—this man of little words and more action. He hadn’t asked many questions but dropped his life and picked up with hers. He had a tunnel under his cabin, and snuck around the woods like the Huntsman. Liam was handsome—built, beautiful eyes, kissable lips—what was a man like him doing with a tunnel under his cabin and a gun in the back of his pants?

  “Where are we going?” She asked.

  “Temiskaming Shores.”

  “Why? I thought our flight leaves from Kirkland.”

  “We have to kill three days.” He replied. “We need a place to lay low for the time and we need a different vehicle.”

  She nodded.

  “Besides, we can’t take Doc with us. I won’t leave him with just about anyone. I will leave him with someone I trust.”

  They drove for about forty five minutes until they passed a Welcome to Englehart sign. Liam pulled into the parking lot of a rental agency. It didn’t look like much—a small house like structure sitting by itself with a neon arrow pointing toward it.

  “Stay here with Doc,” he said.

  “Um…”

  Liam stared at her and she frowned but nodded.

  He exited from the car, pulling his hood over his head and made his way into the building. Amelia tried keeping her eyes on him, but he vanished behind the ads the agency had pasted to the window. Doc climbed across again to stand on Liam’s seat and stared out the glass. Amelia rubbed her palms against her thighs wanting to call Lisa but knew she couldn’t. If her father was right about them tracking her phone, Amelia knew they’d most certainly do their homework and find out about Lisa. The further she stayed away from her best friend, the safer Lisa would be.

  Then it dawned on her. She was alone in the world. Her mother had died over ten years before and her father was either dead or about to be. With Lisa out of hug reach, Amelia was by herself. Sure, there was Liam and Doc, but Liam was only doing a favour for a man Amelia wasn’t sure deserved such loyalty.

  Doc started wagging his tale and Amelia leaned inward to see why. Liam approached and opened the door. Instantly, the wolf licked his face.

  Liam laughed. “Aww, knock it off, would you Doc?”

  The wolf growled, licked him again then sat on the seat.

  “Here,” Liam said, reaching around the dark wolf to hand her a set of keys. We’re going to have to dispose of this SUV. You drive the rental behind me with Doc.”

  “Okay,” Amelia said, glad to actually be doing something.

  “Come on, Doc. Down you go.”

  The wolf obeyed and Amelia climbed out the other side. Liam led her to a blue Jeep Rubicon. Instead of walking away, he allowed Doc into the passenger side then waited until she climbed in and started the ignition. Amelia turned the vehicle around and followed Liam back to the stolen SUV. She then waited for him to precede her from the lot. All the while driving after him, she wondered what he would be doing with the vehicle. The answer came as they pulled up to a deserted watery area. Instead of stopping, Liam kept going. In fact, Amelia could have sworn he sped up.

  She screamed and closed her eyes tightly.

  Time ticked slowly by. She didn’t dare open her eyes because a part of her didn’t want to know.

  Tick—tock.

  Tick…

  A sharp knock on the window made her jerk around to see Liam standing by the Rubicon. After rubbing her eyes, she looked where the van was and noticed it was now sinking beneath the lake water. She pushed opened the door and dove into Liam’s chest. She clung to him tightly then stepped back and smacked him on the arm.

  “What was that for?” Liam asked.

  “I thought you were in there!”

  Liam smirked. “Were you worried for my safety, Blackbird?”

  Grumbling under her breath she walked around the Rubicon and climbed in beside Doc. “Just get in and drive.”

  “Come on, Blackbird. No need to get testy. I’m sorry I scared you.”

  She glared at him. “Don’t call me that.”

  The rest of the trip happened in relative silence until Amelia turned on the radio. The moment she did, Twisted by Keith Sweat filled the speakers. Groaning, she changed the station and to her horror, it was playing Tweet’s Oops, Oh My.

  What is happening right now?

  “Something wrong?” Liam
asked. There was an air of teasing in his voice.

  “You know what’s wrong!”

  “What am I? A mind reader? It’s obvious those songs bother you and I don’t know why.”

  Amelia glared at him. “I know you’re white but seriously, you have to know what Keith Sweat sings about.”

  “I’m assuming Keith Sweat was the first singer.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, we’re both adults, Amelia. I’m thinking we can both listen to a dirty song without you throwing yourself into my arms.”

  “Stop talking.” Amelia growled. “Stop talking, right now.”

  Liam laughed.

  Again, she pressed the button, searching for a station that wasn’t playing freak me music. Finally, she found a country station doing a George Strait marathon. Though Country wasn’t her jam, it was safer than the others.

  They made it to their destination and almost instantly the door to the house opened. Doc became antsy, wanting to get out of the jeep so Amelia quickly alighted. The wolf darted by her and disappeared into the bushes to the right.

  “Doc! Come back!” Amelia hollered, turning to go after him.

  “Let him go,” Liam advised. “How’d you like some guy running after you when you’re trying to go to the bathroom?”

  “Wraith!” The woman at the door cheered. “Aren’t we a sight for sore eyes?”

  I bet he is.

  Liam hurried over to her, lifted and spun her before setting her back on the ground. Amelia wanted to throw up.

  “I wish this was a social visit, Lili, but I need your help.”

  “Who is your friend? Your very pretty friend.”

  When Liam turned to look at Amelia, it was almost with the expression as if he’d forgotten she was there. She was the third wheel again. With a deep breath, she walked around the vehicle with a smile pasted to her lips and an extended hand.

  “I’m the Blackbird.” Amelia hissed then instantly regretted it. She said the phrase with too much venom. All she could hope was Liam didn’t hear it.

  Lili arched a brow then glanced over her shoulders. “Come inside.”

  After Lili disappeared into the house, Liam grabbed Amelia’s arm.