Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (15 page)

“No, Yannell’s ahead of us. They’ll leave right away.”

“I thought he might want to keep her guarded here and try to get his daughter.”

“No. I suspect she doesn’t know this side of him. I’m afraid he may have already been contacted about us having her. He’ll take his anger out on Angie.”

“Maybe, he’d do a trade.”

“He’ll suspect the FBI has her. He knows they won’t hurt her, and he’s waited too long to have Angie in his clutches.”

“I see dust in the distance. We may be closer to them than we expected.” Drake pulled into a narrow opening on the right and parked.

“We’ll leave the car here.”

Brent jumped out. “Let’s go.” He grabbed one of the long range rifles Drake had thrown in the truck. They took off running.

* * * *

Angie had gasped for breath when Yannell finally tired of his game and sat back. Now they’d turned onto a two-lane, dirt road. They must be close to the airport they were using. Yannell had mentioned, in conversation with Harold that he had a jet waiting and ready to go.

Before long, she saw two hangars and a small office right off of a long driveway to the left. They turned, went past the office, and around behind the first hangar. A small jet waited for them.

Yannell pulled her out of the car. He held tight to her arm and dragged her toward the airplane. Angie tried yanking herself loose. He put his gun to her ribs.

“Stop, or I’ll shoot.”

“Maybe I’d prefer death by bullet than by your hands.”

“You can wish. But I want information first. I’ll get it.”

“Harold, carry her on the plane. But knock her out first.”

"No," Angie screamed and twisted managing to free herself. She ran away from the plane. Heavy footsteps chased after her getting closer and closer. Her breath wheezed out of her sore throat. An arm reached out and grabbed her.

Angie tried to twist free again, but the man was too strong. He put his fingers around her neck, tightened, and everything went black.

* * * *

Brent and Drake had just squatted down at the edge of the runway. They saw the man grab Angie and her go limp. Brent put the rifle to his shoulder and focused the man’s forehead in his scope.

“I can get a shot off,” Brent said. “Do you have a beam on Yannell?”

“Yes.”

“If Yannell raises a gun toward her, shoot him.”

“I’m ready,” Drake said.

Brent refocused his scope on the big man’s head, pulled the trigger, and shot. The bulky man fell. Brent was up and running across the tarmac as Drake’s gun fired to his right.

Yannell staggered back, held onto his shoulder, and ran toward the plane. Another shot hit his leg, taking him down.

Brent rolled the large man off of Angie and pulled her into his arms.

“Stop.” Yannell had managed to slip a gun out of his inside coat pocket. He held it in his shaky left hand and, still lying on his stomach, he pointed it at Angie and Brent.

“You can’t get away, Yannell. FBI agent Glynes is on his way. Shoot us and there’ll be more charges against you.”

“That bitch has been a noose around my neck for years. She knows too much.”

“I have the information ready to give to Agent Glynes. If something happens to Angie or me, he’ll still get it. Drop the gun.” Brent kept him talking to give Drake another chance to get a shot off. He moved slightly to the left, further out of range.

“Stop moving. I’ll shoot. I mean it.” Yannell’s voice sounded weaker, and his face had turned an ashen grey. Blood ran down his right arm and leg.

“You’re going to die without medical treatment. Give it up. It’s over.”

“It’s over when I say.” Yannell turned slightly, raised his left arm higher, and pointed the gun straight out toward them. Drake's bullet sent the gun flying. Yannell screamed, and lay flat.

Brent kicked the gun far away from him. Drake came running and put his rifle to the man’s head.

“Be still. I’ve called for an ambulance, and if I’m not mistaken, Brent, that’s the FBI in that black car that just turned in.” Drake glanced at Angie. “How is she?”

“Moaning. I think she’s coming around.” He pulled her tighter against his chest. His heart still pounded. Not until Drake’s last shot was he sure they’d get her away without further harm.

“Looks like you guys had all the fun,” Nate said as he got to them. The other FBI agents surrounded Yannell and three of Brent’s men followed.

Brent and Nate turned their heads at the sound of sirens. Two ambulances followed by a rescue fire truck and two police cars came speeding down the dirt road.

Angie moved in Brent’s arms. She opened her eyes and blinked. The sweetest smile crossed her face. “I didn’t know how you’d find me, but I knew you’d come.” Her voice came out raspy.

He kissed her gently on the lips. “Sweet thing, I’ll always find you.”

She nodded, and laying her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes. His heart filled with such an ache. If she didn’t marry him, life would not be the same ever. He’d just have to make sure to convince her to say yes.

The medics hurried to Yannell’s side. One turned and noticed Angie in Brent’s arms.

“Was she involved? Is she hurt?”

“She’d better be checked. She was kidnapped by those two.”

Brent hadn’t noticed her neck until they laid her on the stretcher. “What the hell? I should have killed the SOB.”

Faint bruises covered her white skin.

“Looks like he tried to strangle her and changed his mind at the last minute,” the medic said. “We’ll take her to the hospital for a more thorough check. But I expect other than a sore throat that she’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, we’ll follow behind. Are you all out of San Antonio?”

“On the outskirts. We were the closest to you.”

Brent held her hand as they wheeled her to the ambulance. She woke briefly. Fright came into her eyes when the men started to put her inside the ambulance. “Who are you?”

“It’s all right, sweetheart. They’re the good guys. They’re taking you to the hospital to get checked by the doctor.”

“Please go with me. Don’t leave me alone.” She clung to his hand.

Drake touched Brent’s shoulder. “Go on. I’ll follow in the truck.”

“Thanks. You guys have a problem with me riding along, because I have to tell you, that’s the only way she’s going.”

The medic grinned. “Get on board. I don’t think you’re a guy I want to have mad at me.”

“What do you want us to do, boss?” one of Brent’s men asked.

“Unless Agent Glynes needs you, go back and wait at Drake’s ranch. You have the GPS to his place, too. Drake, can they bunk there for a night?”

“Sure, longer if needed. Go on.”

Brent jumped in beside Angie. He glanced out the back window as they rode off. Yannell was being loaded into the other ambulance. No doubt Nate and his cohorts wouldn’t be far behind. He waited until they were closer to town before he tried to call Mick.

“Where are you?”

“I stayed behind to help protect the sister just in case it was needed.”

“Good. We’re going to the hospital to have Angie checked. I’ll contact Jackson. I’m sure he’ll let you and Angie’s sister stay there for tonight. How is she doing?”

“Scared. Although I assured her she wasn’t going to be hurt. Is her father all right?”

“He took several bullets. He’ll live to go on trial. Do you think she knows what he’s into?”

“My guess is no. At least not on a conscious level.”

“This is going to be a mess before it’s over, especially for her. I’ll let you know when we’re getting back to town. The other guys are bunking at Drake’s.” He closed his phone and found Angie staring at him.

“It’s going to break my sister’s heart, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so, honey.” He brushed his hand across her forehead. “Don’t worry. She won’t be alone. She’ll have you and me to help her.”

Apparently satisfied, Angie’s eyes closed, and her breathing eased. Brent looked at her small hand cradled in his large one.

Damn, this little cowgirl had lassoed his heart tight. He’d feel a lot better when he had that ring he bought on her finger.

Chapter Eleven

Angie rode back to Saddle Creek in the backseat of Drake’s truck, held tight in Brent’s arms. The doctor had said she’d have a sore throat for days, but no permanent damage had been done. None on the outside, anyway. She wondered if she’d ever get rid of the nightmare when Yannell tried to choke her while he glared at her with his crazed eyes and red face.

A kiss brushed her hair. “Don’t think about it, sweetheart. It takes time, but nightmares fade gradually. As long as I can keep you feeling safe, you’ll get a little better every day.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?”

“Been there and seen things I never want to recall.”

“Is that why you want to leave your job?” She choked as the words scraped along her sore throat.

“Don’t talk. Rest. But, in answer to your question, partially, and the timing is right.”

“I’m scared to meet my sister,” she whispered.

“Don’t be. From what I’ve heard she’s a nice lady. If she hated you, she’d never have tried so hard to find you. Developing a relationship with her may take time, but it will happen.”

Angie burrowed her face into his chest. “You smell good.”

She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

* * * *

It was dark when they drove into the drive to Drake’s house. Brent couldn’t remember when he’d slept last. He climbed out of the truck’s back seat and carried Angie inside the ranch house.

Janice waited in the living room. “Take her straight up to your room. We only have the one guest room.”

“No problem. I can bunk with my men.”

Angie raised her head and tried to smile, but her head fell back against Brent’s shoulder.

“Thank goodness you two got to her in time. She still looks very pale,” Janice said, following Brent to his room. She pulled the covers back, and Brent put Angie down. Immediately, she turned on her side, sighed, and went back to sleep.

“What happened?”

“If you’ll feed me, I’ll tell you while I eat. After that I’m going to crash.”

“Come on, I have supper in the oven.”

Drake pulled Janice to him when she came into the kitchen. “I missed you.”

“Same here.” She smiled and touched his face. “I was worried until you called and said you were all right.”

“Darlin’, you knew with Brent and I both on the job the bad guys were bound to get caught.”

Laughing, she went to the stove to serve up their meal. “Well at least I knew if big egos and strong bodies could do the task, the two of you would succeed.”