Wickingham Way (A Harbour Falls Mystery #3) (8 page)

I changed the subject. “Wow, I bet we woke Erin and Stowe up with all the noise we made.”

Adam chuckled, and with the way he was smirking I knew that had been his plan all along. “I bet you’re right,” he concurred, smug.

“Maybe they didn’t notice,” I threw out just to rankle Adam. “Who knows? They could have been doing the same thing.”

“Not as good as us, baby,” Adam said. “And regardless, I am quite sure they heard.”

Adam was probably right. Erin and Stowe would have had to be comatose to miss
that
.

In a way, I kind of liked the thought that Erin, specifically, had heard. Just so there was no doubt in her mind that Adam belonged to me. I supposed that made me just as territorial as Adam, but I didn’t really care. Two could play at that game.

Adam was right about the other thing he’s said, as well. We
were
good together. But not just in regards to sex. Adam and I were good as a couple.

In many ways we were a perfect match. Which was why that night, as I nodded off to sleep, I felt a newfound confidence that my father would be rescued, and everything would turn out right.

I just didn’t anticipate what it might eventually cost.

Chapter Six

T
he ride back to Harbour Falls was…interesting. The testosterone-fueled tension between Adam and Stowe was palpable in the confines of the car Erin drove. Agent Lenehan shifted uncomfortably in the driver’s seat as a result.

I sighed.
Yeah, I feel it too, Erin. I feel it too.

The fact remained that, despite the sort-of truce that had been reached at the cabin, Stowe and Adam just didn’t get along very well. They hadn’t for ages, and one twenty-four-hour period of peace wasn’t about to change that. Animosity between the two strong-willed men had taken hold long ago, back when Adam dated—and was then engaged to—Stowe’s sister, Chelsea.

Here in the car now, it was evident not much had changed over the years.

Stowe, seated in the passenger seat up front, stared straight ahead, jaw set and fists clenched at his sides. Adam, conversely, who was seated next to me in the backseat, alternated between fussing over me and shooting daggers to the back of Stowe’s head.

The fussing I enjoyed. The dagger shooting to Stowe’s head, I could have lived without.

Damn.

I was worried sick trying to figure out how these two stubborn men were ever going to work together peacefully. And I needed them to do exactly that, for my father’s sake.

Throwing fuel on an already simmering fire, Adam, out of the blue, asked, “So, did everyone sleep all right last night?” His tone was nothing short of taunting, smug.

My face burned hot, while Erin stifled a cough. Stowe shifted uncomfortably. Clearly, the two front-seat occupants had heard Adam’s lusty encounter with me last night.

If there was any doubt about it, though, that doubt was squashed when Stowe flippantly tossed out over his shoulder, “Kind of hard to sleep with all the noise. But we managed.” He gave Erin a wink, and she smiled tightly.

Adam chuckled and apologized.

But he was so not sorry. Adam wanted Stowe to hear everything last night. That’s why he’d been so aggressive. Not that I hadn’t loved every minute of it. Oh, had I ever. Adam had claimed me last night, partly to ensure Stowe Hannigan kept in mind that I was completely off-limits. I belonged to one man only: Adam Ward.

Even though Stowe and Erin appeared to be some sort of a couple these days, there had been a time when my neighbor had expressed interest in me. Stowe had never acted on his attraction—and he remained my friend during the whole Willow Point ordeal—but I knew his presence in my life at the time had irked Adam. The powerful Mr. Ward did not like to be challenged, and Stowe presenting me with flowers, bringing wine to a dinner he and I shared alone, and just generally spending time with me were all viewed as definite challenges.

However, there’d never been any need for Adam to worry. I was clear with Stowe from the start. My heart belonged to Adam, then and now.

Erin’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. She rolled her chocolate browns and mouthed, “Boys.”

I giggled a little, and Adam shot me a questioning look. I just shrugged.

“So,” I began, changing the subject, “what’s the plan for when we’re back in Harbour Falls?”

The more pressing matter was how we planned to rescue my father from the clutches of what remained of the criminal organization Adam had essentially crushed. Before leaving the safe house, we’d all agreed no law enforcement entities were to be called in, with the exception of the feds who were already involved in the Wickingham Way project. We’d also discussed how to handle the sure-to-arise questions regarding the missing mayor. We planned to issue a press release, stating that Mayor Fitch was vacationing in the Caribbean.

Oh how I wished that was actually the case.

My father was a good man; he had no business getting tangled up in this Wickingham Way web. But alas, here we were—heading back to Harbour Falls to save my dad.

We’d already enlisted two other people’s help. Max had been notified of our impending return yesterday evening, and Nate was also up to speed. Both men would have roles in my father’s rescue, though I had no clue what those roles would be.

However, I was about to find out.

Stowe mentioned something about going over the plan once again, and Erin’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. “Maddy,” she began, “once we’re back in Harbour Falls, it is absolutely imperative you’re seen. The few men still with Ruslan will get word back to their boss once you’re spotted. Afterward, we expect Ruslan to make contact. He’ll naturally assume, rightfully so, that Adam has returned with you.”

Ruslan was still running what remained of the criminal organization the Wickingham Way project had crippled. He had been since the fall, when his father, Nikolai, had passed away. Odd, I thought, how one man’s death had precipitated the entire Willow Point ordeal. And we were still dealing with the fallout all these months later.

Erin drew my attention back to her when she said, “Ruslan knows Stowe is with us, but he believes it’s only to infiltrate our organization in order to get to Adam. Therefore, we’re going to have Stowe set up the trade for your father.”

“Who are we trading for my dad?” I cautiously ventured.

When I received no immediate answer, I knew the answer was Adam.

“No way.” I turned in my seat to face my guilty-looking guy, who was staring straight ahead so as to avoid my questioning gaze.

“Hey,” I continued, “I thought we decided last night we’d assess the situation once we’re back in Harbor Falls? There has to be a way to save my dad without risking you. Right, Adam?”

When no one answered, my voice grew frantic. “Adam?” I tried to catch Agent Lenehan’s eyes in the rearview mirror since Adam was essentially ignoring me. “Erin?”

Adam turned his head to stare out the side window, and Erin kept her focus on the road.

It was Stowe who finally piped up with, “We’re not going to really trade Adam for your father, Maddy. It’s just a setup to help us pinpoint where Ruslan is holding your dad. Once we know where he’s holed up, we can go in and rescue your dad.”

“Oh, okay,” I mumbled.

I was still uneasy about the whole thing. I mean, why were Adam and Erin so reticent to speak? I certainly hoped Stowe was telling me the whole truth. But I had to wonder when Adam kept his eyes averted. I had a feeling I was not being given the entire story. And if that was the case, then why? What else was going on here? Did the government want Adam to get close enough to Ruslan to kill him? Good God, I hoped not. However, I had to admit, it was a distinct possibility.

So just how deeply was Adam involved in all of this?

The criminal organization Wickingham Way had been designed to bring down was essentially destroyed. So why was Adam still so involved with the ongoing operation?

When I flat-out asked that exact question, everyone remained silent.

“Is someone going to fill me in on why Adam is still involved?” I pressed.

Adam placed a comforting hand on my knee. “Maddy…” He blew out a breath. “My role in this operation isn’t over until Ruslan is…incapacitated.”

“You mean dead, right?”

Adam nodded, his expression somber.

My voice hitched as I asked in a shaky voice, “Are
you
going to be the one to kill him, Adam?”

I barely heard his response as he whispered, “Maybe, Maddy, maybe.”

Now it was all clear.

Adam
was
going to trade himself for my father. This plan was about more than just pinpointing Ruslan’s location and rescuing my dad. In exchanging himself for my father, Adam could possibly get close enough to Ruslan to kill him. And a dead Ruslan would ensure the criminal organization the government had been so set on destroying would
never
be rebuilt.

Jeez, these guys are hardcore.

“Well,” I stated defiantly, “if you’re really going to go to Ruslan, then I’m going with you.”

I received three resounding
no way
responses.

Stowe added, “Adam won’t be alone, Maddy. And whoever reaches Ruslan first will be the one to…”

Stowe let that sentence dangle, but I knew what he was saying—first person to reach Ruslan would take him out.

I’d seen Adam handle firearms with ease. At the lighthouse months ago, and just the day before, when Stowe showed up with Erin at the safe house. But just how well-trained was he? Was Adam an operative of some sort?

“Do you work for them?” I asked under my breath. “Like on a regular basis?”

Adam knew I was asking if he was some sort of an agent, like Erin.

He shook his head. “No, my business is in computer security, Madeleine. As you already know.”

“Then why—”

Adam interrupted me. “This case is different, Maddy. It was my decision to agree to see it to its conclusion.”

“Okay,” I drawled, still a little confused.

And then it hit me; Adam was still a part of the Wickingham Way project for
me
, for my protection. Until Ruslan was neutralized—permanently—there’d forever be a price on Adam’s head. And that meant I would remain in danger as well.

“Damn,” I mumbled as the full implication of Adam’s involvement washed over me like an icy cold wave.

I shuddered, and Adam pulled me close to him.

I realized there was no other way. My dad needed rescuing, and Ruslan had to be stopped for good. And if that meant Adam would have to become a killer, then I’d have to accept it.

Didn’t mean I ever had to learn to like it.

Chapter Seven

W
hen we arrived at my Victorian rental in Harbour Falls, Nate and Helena were waiting on the walkway leading to the porch.

I practically jumped out of Erin’s car to run to and embrace Helena. She’d become my best friend in Harbour Falls, and I’d missed her quite a bit the past few weeks.

“Maddy,” Helena squealed as I threw my arms around her. “I’m so glad you’re back. I missed your visits to the café.”

Helena and I had grown close since ever since my arrival back in town in the fall, but we’d really bonded after what happened up at Willow Point. After our ordeal, we’d visited one another almost daily until Adam and I had been forced to leave the area. But now we were back, ready to resume our lives. Well, after we rescued my dad and dispatched Ruslan, of course.

“I missed you, too,” I said to Helena as I gave her one last squeeze, before stepping back.

Helena and I took the moment to assess one another, and then we simultaneously blurted out, “You look great.”

Everyone laughed, and Adam and I took the opportunity to introduce our friends. Nate and Helena already knew Stowe, of course. Stowe just nodded a hello, then hung back to let us continue the introductions. Nate knew Erin from working with her on the Wickingham Way project, but Helena had yet to officially meet Agent Lenehan.

“Nice to meet you,” Helena said as she shook Erin’s hand.

I’d forgotten how pretty Helena Jackson was. She certainly held her own next to the stunning Erin. Helena was a gorgeous woman in her own right—long blonde tresses, soft features, pretty blue eyes. And Nate was just as attractive—mocha-toned skin, amiable brown eyes, making the two of them together a rather stunning couple.

I glanced over at Nate, and he gave me a smile. “It’s good to have you and Adam back,” he said quietly. “Just wish it was under different circumstances.”

I nodded once and looked down at the walkway. Helena touched my arm. “Hey, your father is going to be okay, Maddy.”

I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t start crying. I prayed Helena’s words would prove prophetic.

Adam cleared his throat and suggested we go into the house, since it was rather cold to stand around outside.

Once we were all inside the Victorian, I excused myself to the kitchen to make coffee for everyone.

Helena followed, and I said to her over my shoulder, “Seems like all I do nowadays is make coffee for everyone.”

Helena laughed. “Ha, try running a café. You’ll get so sick of serving coffee that you’ll want to scream.”

“Good point,” I replied as we stepped into the kitchen. Sighing, I added, “I missed this. It’s good to be back, even if the circumstances are crummy.”

“I know, Maddy. I’m happy you’re back. I just wish…” She trailed off, which was just as well.

I didn’t want to think about my father being held captive somewhere. If I did, with the way I felt right now, I’d lose it. I busied myself with reaching for four coffee cups that were up high on a shelf, but when I wasn’t able to grasp the two in the back, Helena, who was much taller than me, retrieved them.

“Thank you,” I said.

We sat down at the kitchen table and waited for the coffee to brew.

“So, how was the safe house?” Helena asked, one eyebrow rising suggestively.

I knew Helena well enough to know she wasn’t asking about the décor. Nope, she wanted the down and dirty details of my time alone with Adam. She was not only trying to be a friend and keep my mind off my dad, but Helena flat-out loved to gossip. She especially adored girl talk, particularly the naughty variety.

I didn’t mind sharing some details of my alone time with Adam. Some things—like chatting up your hot guy with your good friend—just never got old. With that thought in mind, I got right to it.

“Oh my God, Helena.” I drummed a hand on the table and suppressed a silly-girl squeal. “I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it was having Adam all to myself out there in the woods.” I sighed contemplatively. “No work interruptions, no business trips, no Fade Island concerns… It was heaven.”

“Hmm,” Helena hummed, “that good, huh?”

“Yep,” I confirmed, “it was great.”

“What about the sex?” she asked slyly.

I giggled. “Well, let’s just say Adam is a sex god.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Helena replied matter-of-factly. “Adam is a hottie.”

“He is,” I agreed.

Helena laughed, but then added in a serious tone, “Hey, don’t tell him I said that about him. Adam already has a big enough ego.”

“That’s not the only thing that’s big.” I waggled my eyebrows.

“Ugh.” Helena smacked my arm. “I do not need to hear that much detail. I think of Adam as a brother, and I’d like to not think about his big dick every time I see him.”

I busted out laughing, and Helena soon joined me. I also solemnly promised not to give her any more detail on Adam’s impressive, er, assets.

“Things must be great with you and Nate, too,” I began, smoothly changing up the subject to her and her husband. “You both look really happy.”

Helena smiled and nodded. “We are, Maddy. And I have to say, with all that terrible stuff regarding my stepfather behind us, it’s like a weight has been lifted from our shoulders.”

“I’m sure.”

“Oh, by the way,” Helena whispered as she glanced back to the doorway. “I have to tell you something, something important.”

“What is it?” I asked worriedly, hoping she didn’t have some kind of bad news.

Thankfully, her news was fantastic!

“I’m pregnant,” Helena exclaimed.

“Oh my God.” I was so excited for her that I leaned over and hugged her tightly. “Helena, this is so incredible. I’m so happy for you and Nate.”

Truly, I was thrilled. Nate and Helena had been married for almost a decade, but had never been blessed with children.

“It finally happened, Maddy,” Helena said into my hair. Her voice cracked as she held onto me.

I planned to ask Helena for some details, like how far along she was, but Erin unfortunately chose that exact moment to walk into the kitchen.

I leaned back in my chair while Helena wiped at her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Erin said when she realized she’d walked in on a private moment. She gestured to the doorway. “Uh, I can leave—”

“No, no,” Helena interrupted with a wave of her hand. “Don’t be silly. Come on in and join us.”

Erin pulled out a chair and sat down hesitantly. The coffee was ready, so I got up and poured three cups.

“We’ll take some in for the guys in a minute,” I said as I passed out the coffees and sat back down.

Erin thanked me and lifted her cup to her lips. “I’m sorry Stowe acted the way he did in the car.” She took a small sip of coffee and set the cup back down. “I mean with Adam.”

“Oh…” I waved my hand dismissively. “It’s no big deal. Adam and Stowe just don’t get along. It goes way back, but they’re obviously still ridiculously competitive with each other.”

“Yeah, I noticed that last night,” Erin mumbled into her cup as she took another sip.

I suppressed a laugh, well aware of what Erin was referring to.

Helena, though, was confused. She asked, “What? What happened last night?”

Helena glanced from Erin to me. Awaiting details, I supposed.

I felt my cheeks heat. I wasn’t embarrassed to tell Helena about last night, but I was hesitant to discuss my love life with Erin. Of course, she’d already
heard
quite a lot, thanks to Adam and his damn competitiveness with Stowe Hannigan.

Helena said, “I’m waiting.”

So…I spilled the beans.

“Uh, just, Adam was rather…exuberant last night in bed. I guess we got kind of loud.”

Helena laughed and shook her head.

“Exuberant? Loud? That’s putting it mildly.” Agent Lenehan took another sip of coffee. “At one point, Stowe and I thought we might have to come in and rescue you.”

I knew Erin was joking, so I thought,
What the hell
? We were having fun; I decided to just go with it.

“You sure would have gotten an eyeful if you’d done that,” I muttered.

Erin replied, “I don’t doubt it. Adam can certainly be intense. I mean, he’s pretty intense when it comes to work. And from what I heard last night, he’s obviously that way in
other
areas of his life as well.”

Again, though I knew it was silly, a tiny pang of jealousy reverberated through me. It was clear Erin knew Adam well enough to have had opportunities to observe my man’s intensity.

Oh well. I was just glad the agent who worked so closely with Adam was now with Stowe.

And that made me curious…

“So-o-o.” I rested my chin on my hand and eyed Erin. It was her turn to give up the goods. “Now that we all know how competitive those two are, I’m guessing maybe Adam might have…I don’t know…possibly
inspired
Stowe last night.”

Helena shot me a wide-eyed, raised brow look that screamed,
I can’t believe you just asked that.

But I had, and now it was Erin’s turn to blush.

The usually cool and collected agent played nervously with a strand of her strawberry blond hair. “Uh, actually…”

“Yes?” I wasn’t letting this woman off the hook. She was obviously close with Adam, so she may as well get close to me too.

Or so I reasoned. But, truth be told, I was also insanely curious.

Erin took another sip of coffee, while Helena and I waited. Hell, Helena seemed to be just as curious as I was now that her initial surprise at my brazenness had subsided.

“Okay, okay.” Erin set down her cup and smiled.

In satisfaction, it seemed to me. I imagined her reviewing in her mind what she and Stowe had ended up doing last night.

I tapped my cup in anticipation, and at last, Erin lowered her voice and said, “Actually, I think Stowe
was
inspired by Adam. I have to say, Maddy, he did things to me last night that I didn’t think he had in him.”

My mouth gaped. I was shocked.
Didn’t think he had it in him?
Stowe was hot, he was dangerous, and he’d been a criminal up until just a couple of months ago. And Erin herself could be rather dangerous. So what could Stowe possibly have done that was so surprising to Miss Secret Agent?

I was dying to ask, insanely curious as always, but I didn’t have the nerve to keep prying.

Helena did, though. “Ooh, so what’d he do?” she asked without hesitation. “Stowe is so big and buff and manly, so I can only imagine.”

Erin hesitated, then took a breath. She opened her mouth but stopped.

I was sure we’d never find out, but finally she began, “Okay, so you both know Stowe and I carry handcuffs, right?”

Helena and I nodded in unison. There was a dishrag on the table, and Helena snatched it up and started twisting it in her hands. My friend was as rapt with attention as I.

“Well, I also have a set that can be secured around the ankles.”

I was speechless, but Helena asked what I was secretly thinking. “Who handcuffed whom?”

“Stowe handcuffed me. Uh, face down on the bed,” Erin whispered. “And then he—”

“Hey, babe,” Nate said to Helena as he walked in and unknowingly interrupted Erin’s salacious story. “Where’s that coffee? We’ve been waiting forever.”

“Damn it, Nate.” Helena threw the dishrag at him.

He caught it easily. Nate apparently knew his wife quite well, for as he walked to the counter where the coffeepot sat, he said, “Aah, I’m interrupting some kind of little tawdry sex discussion, aren’t I? No wonder you forgot to bring in the coffee.”

Little tawdry sex discussion? Ha, if Nate only knew. We ladies could outtalk the men when it came to sex.

Helena’s husband poured three cups of java—for himself, Stowe, and Adam—then left, smiling and shaking his head. But the moment for risqué storytelling had been lost.

Erin’s expression grew serious. “We should join the guys in the living room. We have a lot to discuss.”

She was right. We had yet to finalize the plan—the plan for rescuing my poor kidnapped father. The respite from the seriousness of the situation we faced was over.

Erin rose and refilled her coffee. I remained seated at the table, and Helena covered my hand with hers. “Are you all right?”

I nodded once. “I guess.”

Erin left, saying she’d be in the living room, waiting with the guys.

I sighed and turned to Helena. “It was just nice to forget about what’s going on for a little bit.”

“I know, Maddy, I know.”

Helena and I rose and refilled our cups and then headed to the living room.

Lighthearted girl-talk time was over. Sadly, we were back to dealing with harsh realities.