Her Master Defender (The Masters Men Series) (22 page)

Copper’s clear mezzo-soprano voice reached his ear blending perfectly with his brothers’ bass. He closed his eyes and concentrated on their voices. The sound took him beyond his surety of God’s retribution, and Cardone’s threats, to a place of peace.

After the singing, and announcements of the week’s upcoming events, the pastor began the sermon. Dos tried to remember Sunday school classes about forgiveness and grace, but they eluded him. Knowing the pastor never preached hail and brimstone, but compassion and love didn’t help. Dos only heard the negatives, and felt as if every single one was aimed at him.
Guilty
might as well have been branded on his forehead.

Panic built inside him until he could no longer hear the pastor’s voice. Sweat beaded on his forehead. The stained glass windows started closing in. He had to get out. Sliding his foot to the left he bumped Copper’s foot. She stroked his hand with her fingers. The panic receded.

Music started again. Dos made it through the first chorus of the final hymn, but it wasn’t easy. His hands were sweating again. His heart racing, he looked down at the floor as his throat closed. No words would come out as the second verse began.

This time, Copper’s hand covered his on the pew in front of them. She braided her fingers with his calming him a little. Tres’ hand clasped one shoulder and Ace’s the other offering their strength.

Forcing his head back up, he joined in. Through the song and benediction his brothers didn’t remove their hands. Copper had pulled his hand between both of hers. He didn’t deserve their support and comfort, but he was glad for it.

As they walked to the exit Copper stayed beside him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“I keep telling you you’re not a very good liar.”

Grinning, he squeezed her hand. “I’ll be fine.”

They stood with his brothers waiting for the rest of the family so they could say good-bye. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket while they were discussing the investigation on the break-ins.

“Masters,” he answered without looking at the readout.

“Did you find absolution?”

The voice sent chills down his spine.

“Garrett?” he choked out. How the hell did he know where they were?

“Or just a distraction? The Colonel’s daughter, huh? Nice. Is she good? I’ll bet she is. I’m not usually into sloppy seconds, but in her case, I’ll make an exception.”

“If you even touch h--"

“Don’t make threats you can’t follow through on. The attacks are getting worse, aren’t they? Your body’s losing the battle. You’re going down, Major. And I’m gonna have a front row seat to watch.”

Copper watched Dos as he held the phone to his ear. At first, she thought it was her father checking in about Cardone. When Dos’ face paled and his eyes narrowed she knew it wasn’t the Colonel.

“Dos? What’s wrong?” she asked, as he crushed the phone in his hand.

“Dos, who was it?” Ace asked.

Copper glanced behind them. His mother was walking their way. She took his hand and rubbed it between hers. “Your mom’s coming over, Dos; you need to snap out of it.”

That seemed to get his attention. He turned his head and looked at her, but Copper could see he wasn’t quite back to reality yet. “Yes, I loved the service. Thanks for bringing me.”

She tipped her head toward the sanctuary a little as she spoke, hoping he would get the hint.

“No . . .” he cleared his throat. “No problem.”

“Copper, I’m so glad you could join us. It was a lovely service, don’t you think?”

“Yes, Jean, I have to agree with you there,” Copper said, diverting the woman’s attention away from Dos’ still overly pale face. “My church recently moved into a new building farther away. I might have to start coming here on a regular basis.”

“That would be wonderful, dear. And, of course, feel free to sit with us whether Dos is with you or not.” Jean turned to face her sons. “Are you all coming over to the house for brunch?”

Copper watched all three men shake their heads.

Tres was on duty at the station soon. Ace said he had to work on a closing argument he had the next day. That confused Copper since she thought he owned the security business. She waited for Dos to make their excuses, knowing they were going to discuss strategy with his brothers. When he didn’t speak up right after his brothers, she stepped in.

“Unfortunately, I’m afraid I asked Dos to help me with some things, too. Maybe another time?”

“Of course, I know you all have your own lives. Take care,” Jean said, kissing each son’s cheek and hugging Copper before walking away with her husband.

The moment his parents were out of earshot she turned to Dos. “Who was on the phone?”

He shook his head.

“Don’t give us that,” Tres said. “You went pale as death.”

He met his brother’s stare. “Garrett.”

Copper watched as Dos turned away.

“I need to get out of here.” Without another word, he walked toward the door.

Copper looked at his brothers. “Tres will you get his coat? I’ll make sure we wait for you outside.”

Relieved when she got to the door and saw Dos had stopped, she walked up to him. He appeared to be looking for someone in the parking lot. “What did he say?”

“He asked if I’d found absolution.”

Tres and Ace joined them at that moment. “For what?” they both asked before Copper could get the words out.

Copper knew he didn’t want to answer, at least not truthfully. His desire to keep his family out of his troubles was palpable, though at this point unavoidable. She watched him take the coat Tres held for him.

“My sinful life, I guess,” he said slipping on the coat.

Copper watched his eyes scan the parking lot again. It was still full. Most people seemed to have stayed for coffee. She wished she had a cup in her hand right now. The sun might be shining but the wind was picking up. She couldn’t stop shivering.

Dos’ arm came around her, his hand rubbing up and down her arm. She looked up at him, but his gaze remained on the cars. How had he known she was cold?

“You’re freezing,” he said, finally meeting her gaze. “We should get a move on. We’ll meet you guys at the station to go over things, right?”

“Yep, I asked Gina to join us as well,” Tres said.

Copper remained close to Dos’ side as they started to walk toward the truck. Once inside he didn’t waste time talking. He pulled out of the spot and drove up and down every aisle in the lot. Obviously, not finding what or who he was looking for, he left the lot and started toward the station.

Realizing he believed whoever called was close by, Copper started to watch her mirror and look in parked cars as well. Not that she’d recognize someone watching them. It was more a reflex action. She had to admit, considering the timing and the comments of the caller his suspicions were valid. To distract herself from the fear of being followed she continued with their previous discussion.

“What do you have to feel guilty about?”

When Dos didn’t reply or even grunt she looked across the cab. His you have got to be kidding look spoke volumes. Copper knew it had been the wrong question. Having lived around soldiers most of her life asking one such a question was stupid. They all carried a portion of guilt, deserved or not. Even she did. But for someone with Dos’ sense of honor, it would be even more so, and the deaths of his teammates would weigh very heavy.

“This is his fault, not yours.”

“I think we’ve already had this discussion.”

“Well, we’re having it again. I may have only known you a short time but your honor is clear for anyone to see. You would have gladly died in their place. I know that it killed part of you watching them suffer. I know the kind of man you are.”

“You have no idea what kind of man I am,” he said, looking at the rearview mirror again.

“Yes I do,” she insisted. “You’re the kind of man who protects others. Killing is a last resort for you. My father wouldn’t have picked you otherwise.”

“Your father isn’t perfect. He made a mistake.”

Copper shook her head. “With Garrett, yes, but not with you. He trusts you, and I trust him. He’s not perfect, but he’s right more often than not.”

Dos didn’t bother commenting as he pulled into a spot in front of the police station. It would be a waste of breath. She wouldn’t listen. Copper believed there was good in everyone.

“Grab your backpack, too,” he said as she started to get out. Knowing they were being watched he had no intention of taking the truck when they left.

He walked close behind her hoping to protect her if Cardone’s men decided to shoot first and ask questions later. Opening the door he followed her into the station after glancing up and down the street.

“Hey, Detective, you under cover or something?” a young officer asked from behind the front desk before someone smacked him on the shoulder.

“That’s not Detective Masters,” the man behind him said, then faced Dos. “Major.”

“Brent,” Dos said. He didn’t flinch at the title knowing the younger man had served and only recently come back to civilian life. It was a hard habit to break.

“Sorry, sir,” the young officer said.

“No problem,” Dos replied as someone else walked up to him. “Hey, Smitty. I thought you retired.”

The older man had known Dos’ family forever. Before their father had been killed, Smitty was his partner.

“Yeah, well, have to do something with my spare time. My wife says I drive her crazy underfoot all day.”

Dos didn’t believe a word of it. He knew the man just missed the life. Smitty would be a cop until the day he died, retired or not. Like he would be a soldier, no matter what he did.

After accepting the man’s hug Dos introduced him to Copper.

“Glad to see at least one of you boys is finally giving up on that vow. And in a great way,” Smitty said winking at Copper.

“Sorry to disappoint, but we’re just neighbors. We’re here about an open case. We need to talk to Tres and Gina.” Dos tried to ignore the slight look of hurt that flashed in Copper’s eyes at his explanation. Better she understand now than later. Especially since later might not be in the too distant future for him with Garrett following and the damned virus increasing its attacks.

“Shame,” Smitty said before walking away.

Dos led Copper to the elevator since the detectives were on the second floor. He hoped there would be other people on it. If they were alone he had no doubt she’d start asking questions. Questions he didn’t want to answer.

Hope died when the doors opened and everyone got off.

“A vow, huh?”

Dos ignored the prodding.

“Did all three of you take it?”

“Yep.”

“When?”

“Twenty-four years ago.” He hadn’t really meant to answer but now that he had, the shocked look on her face made him glad he did. Now maybe she would realize it wasn’t a passing phase or macho game.

“Twenty-four years? What were you ten?”

“Twelve,” he answered stepping off the elevator and looking for Tres. Spotting him he started toward his desk before Copper could comment.

“There isn’t much new on either break in. Other than destroying the place, they didn’t leave much evidence at her business. Lab’s backed up, so the DNA from the second isn’t back yet,” Tres said when Dos got closer.

Dos shook his head. “I really didn’t expect anything. I wanted to discuss the fax I sent you last night. And, see if you’ve still got that old Chevy next door.”

“It’s there, but why?”

The suspicious glint of his brother’s eyes wasn’t lost on Dos. “I think he’s following us.”

“The phone call,” Tres said.

Dos had the grace to nod.

“I think it’s time we put you two in protective custody.”

“I’m all for leaving Copper--"

“Like hell,” she said crossing her arms and glaring at him.

Did she have to look so damned tempting when she argued? How the hell was he supposed to fight with those eyes shining and that gorgeous skin glowing?

“You’re not leaving me anywhere.”

Holding up his hands in surrender he nodded. “I didn’t think it would fly.” He had known she wouldn’t go for it, but when the offer was made he’d had to try. “You need to change out of that dress, though,” he said turning back to Tres. “Where’s Gina?”

“Right behind you, big guy.”

“Hey, G. Do you have some jeans or something in your locker Copper can borrow?” he asked. She nodded and the two women walked away.

“I really wish Ace . . .” Dos stopped when Copper appeared at his side again.

“If you leave I’ll--”

Dos shook his head stopping her words. “I won’t.”

She stared at him for several seconds before nodding. Dos watched her walk away. He couldn’t pull his gaze back to his brother until she disappeared behind a door.