Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Exit Strategy\Payback\Covert Justice (26 page)

“I'll have to check with the owner of the property for permission,” Aiden said. “But he shouldn't have a problem with that.”

“In the meantime, Danny is the key to finding Agents Brown and McIntyre.” Nevins glanced at Nia. “Did your brother give you any indication where he was headed next?”

“He said he was going home to pay back his boss, but that was obviously a lie. Wait—why did he need money from me if he has all this drug money?”

“If the bills were marked or identifiable in any way, he wouldn't want to use them,” Agent Nevins said.

A small pickup truck pulled into the driveway and Dr. Kyle Spencer stepped out. Dr. Spencer—or Spence, as he liked to be called—had recently moved to Echo Mountain and hadn't wasted any time joining the search-and-rescue team. The team appreciated the doctor's skills, and the single females appreciated a new bachelor in town. The clean-cut, handsome physician had caused quite a stir when he'd arrived, although Aiden sensed the man wasn't interested in romance.

“Good morning,” Spence said, eyeing the agents. “Everything okay?”

“These are Agents Nevins and Parker from the FBI. They're investigating the missing agents,” Aiden explained.

“I'm on my way to the command site but wanted to check on my patient first. How's the knee, Aiden?”

“Still working.”

“Good. I brought you this.” Spence pulled a brace out of a plastic bag. “Wear it.”

Aiden must have made a face because Nia said, “I'll make sure he does.”

“And you could probably use a stronger wrap for your ankle, Nia.”

“Yeah, since she refuses to use the crutches,” Aiden countered.

Spence redirected his attention to Aiden. “Wouldn't hurt you to get a CT scan on that head of yours.”

“It's fine. No headache, nausea or anything indicating a concussion,” Aiden said.

“Is that so, Dr. McBride?” Spence jabbed.

“You said you were headed to the command site?” Nevins asked the doctor.

“I am.”

“Mind if we follow you?”

“No, although you won't be allowed to accompany our teams into the mountains. Only trained volunteers are allowed on missions.”

“But we could help.”

“Sorry, but we can't risk you becoming victims and giving us two more bodies to haul down the mountain.”

“All the same, we'd like to be close when you find our men.”

“I understand.” Spence narrowed his eyes at Aiden. “You'd better be wearing that brace by the time I get back.”

“Will do.”

“Thanks for your help.” Agent Nevins turned to Nia. “You've got my number in case you hear from your brother or you think of anything else that might be helpful.”

“Yes, sir,” she said. “Wait—what about interrogating the man who threatened me at my apartment? He's involved in this somehow.”

“We did. He's after Danny for something unrelated to our case.”

The three men took off for the command post in the mountains.

Nia stood but didn't make eye contact with Aiden. “Let's go inside and get that brace on your knee.”

As she passed him, he reached for her hand and interlaced their fingers. “Nia? What's going on in that head of yours?”

She glanced into his eyes. “They suspected you of being a drug courier—” she paused “—because of my brother.”

She shook her head, pulled her hand from his and went into the house. Aiden followed. “But I'm not involved with drugs and they know that.”

“Still...” She motioned him to a thick-cushioned chair. “Take a seat and I'll help you with the brace.”

He was about to say he was perfectly capable of doing it himself, but thought better of it. He wanted to stay close, maybe even get her to articulate her frustrations so they wouldn't eat away at her. She had to be incredibly disappointed in her brother right now.

He took off his boot and stretched his leg out on the sofa. Handing her the brace, he said, “Thanks for offering to help.”

“It's the least I can do considering all the trauma I've caused you and your family.”

As if she just realized what she'd said, she froze and looked at him. He'd never get tired of gazing into those warm brown eyes.

“Are you...? Have you been sleeping okay?” she asked.

“Sure. Why?”

“I thought...” She hesitated, focusing on adjusting the brace. “I mean, with everything that's been happening, you might...you know...”

Right, trigger more nightmares.

Yet except for the one he'd had outside her apartment the other day, the nightmares had been less frequent, actually, ever since she'd pounded on his cottage door and awakened him from an unusually violent one. He'd never forget the look on Nia's face when he'd answered, a horrified look. Aiden's expression had probably terrified her.

“I should get to work,” he said as he finished strapping on the brace.

“I'm going with you,” she said.

“I don't think that's a good idea.”

“I can't sit here all day and night, Aiden. I've got work to do. Besides, I'm more isolated and at risk here at the cottage than if I'm surrounded by a resort full of people...” She hesitated. “Unless you think I'm putting them at risk, too.”

“I doubt it. Drug thugs like things quick and easy. They'd avoid a resort crowd.”

“Good. Then it's settled. They probably need my help with the mud slide victims in the barn.”

“I'll come with you.”

“Aiden, you're the big boss. You've got things to do. You can't hover around me day and night.”

“You said it—I'm the boss. Therefore, I can do whatever I want.”

* * *

The day flew by, Nia managing the needs of residents in the barn, helping them find more comfortable temporary housing until their neighborhoods were deemed safe.

There were fewer displaced residents than originally expected, but even twelve people were plenty to keep Nia busy. She helped them in any way she could.

She sensed Aiden's presence every now and then, catching sight of him speaking with an employee or giving orders over his radio. It wasn't until midday that she realized if Aiden weren't around, Scott or Harvey would be close by. It seemed that Aiden had assigned Nia her own protection detail.

It felt good to work because it kept her mind off this mess she'd brought to the resort, to Aiden's life. And here she thought her brother would repay the two grand and all would be right with the world. How naive on her part.

When the clock struck six, Aiden asked her to join him for dinner in his office. They shared a meal of salmon and mixed vegetables, discussing guest requests and special events.

A police officer stopped by to say he was done dusting for prints in her office. He hovered in the doorway instead of coming into the office, acting as if he was interrupting a private affair. Nia blushed, enjoying the few seconds of misunderstanding. She liked the thought of being Aiden's girlfriend.

That was when she knew she had to excuse herself.

She downed the rest of her tea and stood. “Thanks for dinner.”

“I'll walk you back to the cottage.”

“Actually, I promised Tripp I'd check with him at the front desk before I called it a night.”

“Take the crutches.”

“Okay, Doc.” She adjusted them beneath her arms. It made Aiden feel better that she used them, so she wouldn't argue.

“I don't want you going anywhere alone,” Aiden said. “I'll walk you up front.”

Aiden's desk phone rang. “McBride...What? The whole system is down or just the south wing?...My tech didn't say anything about...That's unacceptable.”

As his voice rose in pitch, Nia felt the need to distance herself and give him privacy. She stepped out into the hall and debated walking to the front desk. No, she wouldn't go against Aiden's wishes.

“Hey, Nia,” Scott said, heading in her direction. “What are you doing out here?”

“Aiden's on a call, so I wanted to give him privacy.”

“This should have been fixed two days ago!” Aiden's angry voice drifted into the hall.

“Probably about the security system,” Scott said. “How's the ankle?”

“Better, thanks. And thanks for keeping an eye on me today.”

Scott feigned innocence. “I'm not sure I know what you're referring to.”

“Thanks anyway.”

He smiled. “Sure. I'll catch you later.”

“Good night.”

Scott left through the staff door. It banged shut behind him.

She decided rather than stand idle, she'd check her office. It wasn't far from Aiden's, and if she hovered in the doorway, he could see her from the hall.

Heading for her office, she braced herself for what she'd see once she peeked inside.

The lights suddenly went out, drowning her in darkness.

“Nia!” Aiden called.

Someone gripped her arm.

She gasped for breath.

A male voice whispered in her ear, “Don't make a sound.”

NINE

“N
ia!” Aiden's voice bellowed from down the hall.

“Don't even think about it,” the man threatened. “I don't want to hurt him but I will.”

Her pulse pounding in her ears, she nodded her understanding. He yanked her back, away from her office, away from the hall leading to Aiden's office. With a firm grip of her arm, he pulled her into a nearby storage closet.

No, God, please don't let her die this way, at the hands of a criminal in a closet just around the corner from Aiden's office. He'd never forgive himself, and she still had so much good work to do on this earth.

The closet door shut with a soft click. She felt her way to the corner, using the crutches as a guide. She knew this closet. It was where they kept office and party supplies for special events. She headed for a shelf where they kept scissors, thinking she could use a weapon right about now, except the man could easily overpower her, using the weapon on Nia. Maybe not such a good idea.

“Sit down,” he said.

She collapsed and hugged her knees, feeling so utterly vulnerable.

A small light clicked on.

Sitting across the storage closet was the agent from the other day, the one calling himself Greg Brown.

“You're alive,” she said.

He winced as he positioned himself across from her. “I need to find your brother.”

“I don't know where he is.”

“I don't believe you.” He was sweating and clutching his side.

“Where's your partner?” she asked.

Feet pounded in the hallway just outside the closet. The emergency lights must have come on.

“Nia!” Aiden's voice echoed through the door.

She heard a click and glanced at Greg. He gripped a gun in his hand. It wasn't pointed at her, but she didn't miss the threat. She noticed blood on his hand.

“You're bleeding,” she said.

“Do you and your brother share a bank account?” he said.

“No, I wouldn't be that foolish.”

“Why did he come out here?”

“He said he wanted to get a job and earn money to pay off his employer.”

A pained chuckle escaped Greg's lips. “Get a job, right.”

She decided to keep talking to him in a normal tone in the hopes he'd come to his senses and let her go. She was not the enemy, nor was she involved in Danny's business. “Sounds like you know him pretty well.”

“Obviously not well enough or I would have seen this coming.”

“Seen what coming?”

“The betrayal.”

“You too, huh?”
Bond with him, Nia.
That will help.

“When things calm down out there, you'll need to come with me,” he said.

“Why? I have nothing to do with Danny's business.”

“I can't keep chasing him, but he'll come to me if I've got his sister.”

She'd let him think she'd go willingly off resort property with him, yet somehow she'd escape.

“Don't do anything stupid or I'll shoot that boyfriend of yours.”

“I don't have a boyfriend.”

“Nia! She was just here,” Aiden said to someone, probably Scott.

“He sounds like a boyfriend,” Greg said with a smirk.

She decided to turn the tables. After all, she knew he wouldn't hurt her if he planned to use her as bait.

“Why did you turn corrupt?” she said.

He didn't answer, just stared at her. A few seconds later he said, “Who told you that?”

“No one needed to tell me anything. You've kidnapped me and are threatening me with a gun. A federal agent wouldn't do that.”

“You'd be surprised what a federal agent would do.” He cracked open the door to see into the hallway.

Nia took the opportunity to grab scissors off the shelf behind her. Could she do it? Could she really stab a man, a man she knew was already injured? No, she'd have to figure out something else.

“On the count of three, you head for the staff exit and I'll follow. Get up.” He eyed the hallway and then motioned her into the doorway. “One, two, three.”

She took a few steps out of the closet, spun around and swung the crutch at the agent. Greg put up his hands in self-defense and then tried grabbing the crutch. She managed to pull away and nail him in the stomach. He stumbled backward into the dark storage room. She took off down the hall, clinging to the crutches but not using them.

The door to the employee entrance opened. Aiden and Scott entered in a full sprint.

“Nia!” Aiden called, rushing up to her. He caught her in his arms just as she thought she might collapse.

“Storage closet. He's got a gun” was all she could get out.

“Get her out of here,” Scott ordered.

“But—”

“Go!” Scott snapped at Aiden.

“It's one of the missing agents,” Nia said. “He threatened me.”

“Just go. I'll handle this.” Scott motioned them away.

Aiden led Nia outside into the cool night air. His radio beeped. “McBride,” he answered. “Have them come to the employee entrance when they get here,” Aiden said.

Aiden escorted Nia to a nearby wooden bench and knelt beside her. “Police are on the way. Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “I'm okay. He wanted to use me as bait for Danny.”

“But you're really okay?” He squeezed her hand.

“Yes. He didn't hurt me.”

“I am so sorry.”

“Thank you.”

“It's my fault. If my security system was working properly, if—”

“Don't.” She pressed her fingertips against his lips. A moment of awareness sparked between them. She'd never touched him in such an intimate way, but she had to stop him from beating himself up. “I should be the one apologizing since it's my brother that brought all this trouble down on us. You sure you don't want me to move away and take all this with me?”

“If you leave, this place will fall apart.”

* * *

Aiden wanted to say he'd fall apart, but this was not the time to let emotions take over, especially since she needed him to be strong, not needy and weak. Only a strong man could protect her.

“No concierge is irreplaceable, Aiden,” she said.

He glanced into her shuttered brown eyes. If he kept referring to her as
just
an employee, he'd lose her for sure.

“The guests aren't the only ones who would suffer from losing an exceptional concierge,” he started, edging dangerously close to the line. “Your church community and friends would suffer if you abandoned them.”

“But I would be protecting you.”

“And who would protect you, Nia? You'd be out there, all alone, running from men who could overpower you...” He paused. “And hurt you.”

He shook his head, glancing at their entwined fingers. They were still holding hands.

As if she feared his discomfort at the intimate touch, she slipped her hand from his.

“I don't want to argue with you,” he said. “But I'm worried about you. You've been through a traumatic event and it can cause delayed effects.”

“I told you, I'm fine,” she said.

“You should see Spence.”

“I don't need a doctor.”

Aiden heard police cars pull up behind them and a door slam. “Where is he?” Nate Walsh asked.

“Storage room on the left about fifty feet from the exit,” Aiden said, but didn't take his eyes off Nia.

She glanced over his shoulder. “There's an ambulance. Oh no, Scott—”

“Shh,” Aiden comforted her. “They probably sent it as a precaution.”

Nate rushed inside with another cop. Aiden shifted onto the bench beside Nia and pulled her against his chest. He felt a half second of resistance, but then she relaxed and leaned into him.

He instinctively stroked her arm, hoping to keep her calm.

A few minutes later, two paramedics wheeled a stretcher out of the building, Nate hovering beside it.

Nia sat straight. “What happened? Is Scott okay?”

“I'm fine,” Scott said, wandering over to where Aiden and Nia were seated. “The agent was suffering from a gunshot wound to his side.”

“The blood on his hand,” Nia whispered.

“I guess when you hit him to get away, you hit the bull's-eye.”

“His wound?”

“Yep. He was unconscious when I got to him.”

“Scott!” Bree cried, launching herself into his arms. Fiona danced around their legs, barking excitedly.

“I'm fine, honey,” Scott said.

Nia's eyes widened as she stared at the stretcher. The reality of what had happened hit home, and her entire body started trembling.

“Shh, it's okay,” Aiden said, holding her tight. “You're okay now.”

“But...I did that. I k-k-k-illed him?”

Aiden glanced at Scott.

“He was still breathing,” Scott offered.

“Hear that, sweetheart? He's still alive,” Aiden said. “He probably passed out from blood loss.”

“I noticed blood...on his hand.” Her trembling intensified.

“We need to get her to the hospital,” Aiden said to Scott and Bree.

“No, no hospital,” Nia argued. “I'm not hurt. Please, Aiden.”

“Let's get her to the car,” Scott said.

“No hospital,” Nia said, more insistent.

“We'll take you back to Bree's,” Aiden said. “Okay? No hospital.”

Nia nodded against him. He picked her up and then eyed his sister. “Crutches?”

“Got 'em.”

Aiden carried Nia to the truck and set her in the bench seat between him and Scott.

“I'll meet you at the cottage,” Bree said.

“Wait—call Spence,” Aiden said. “See if he's back from the mission.”

“Will do.”

Scott pulled away, heading for the cottage.

“Agents Nevins and Parker are going to want to talk to her,” Scott said.

“Tomorrow,” Aiden said.

“Their agent's been shot. They may not want to wait until tomorrow. They'll probably show up at the cottage.”

“Then let's set her up at Quinn's apartment for the night. That way, they won't know where she is.”

Scott took a left and headed for the private residence.

Quinn, the resort owner, was on a business trip, so he shouldn't mind if they used his apartment for Nia. They'd left him a message about the break-in and would need to debrief him about the rogue agent in his storage closet. But that could wait. The last thing Nia needed was to relive tonight's trauma by retelling every detail to the agents.

Again, Aiden worried that they'd arrest him for interfering with an investigation, but his primary concern was Nia. Keeping her safe, helping her cope with the trauma of the past few days.

Scott pulled up to the private garage and Aiden reached for the truck door.

“No,” Nia said, clinging to him.

She was still trembling and it drove him nuts.

“I need to open the garage door. Be right back.”

He begrudgingly removed her hands from his body. He got out of the truck and punched in the code on the side of the garage, scanning the property, paranoid about any number of bad guys following them and hurting Nia.

Scott pulled into the garage and Aiden helped Nia out of the truck. He picked her up yet again, and Scott came around to open the door to the apartment. They flipped on a few lights.

“Where are we?” Nia asked.

“Quinn's apartment. You need peace and quiet.”

He settled her on the living room sofa and adjusted some throw pillows at one end.

Scott hovered close by, awaiting further instruction.

“Why don't you lie down?” Aiden said to Nia.

She nodded and stretched out on the sofa.

“I'll make you some tea,” he said.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed.

“I'll be right there,” he said, pointing to the kitchen, not fifteen feet away.

She slowly released him, his fingers burning from the warmth of her touch. He nodded for Scott to join him in the kitchen. Aiden filled the teapot and put it on the stove, then turned to Scott.

“This is unacceptable, Scott. Our key-card system isn't fully functional, and it hasn't been fixed for days. And how did the guy cut the power? We can't provide a safe environment if we don't have our act together.”

Scott planted his hands on his hips and glanced at the floor. “I know. I'm sorry.”

“I'm not blaming you, but I'm frustrated.”

“I'll take care of it, sir.”

“You don't have to call me ‘sir.' We're way past that.”

Scott glanced at him. “I feel responsible.”

“So do I, so does Nia. How about we all stop drowning in guilt and fix the problem before it happens again? First, we need the security system up and running ASAP. Make whatever calls you need to make, wake people up and solve this problem. We should also increase security personnel. It can't be you and part-time Harvey, not as long as Nia's life is in danger. I've got a list of people I trust, people with law-enforcement backgrounds. I want two men working twelve-hour shifts for total coverage. Technically, they'll be hired as maintenance officers. Third, you were a cop. Use those detective skills to anticipate their next move.”

“Kind of hard when we don't even know who ‘they' are.”

Aiden found the tea and plopped a bag into a mug. “Let's assume the drug cartel sent thugs to find Danny and get their money back.”

“And Danny led them directly to his sister. Nice,” he said sarcastically.

“I have a feeling Danny doesn't think beyond his own needs. So, let's assume he's left town. The threat should follow him, right?”

“Not if they don't know where he went. They'll keep mining their contacts.”

“You mean Nia?”

“Unfortunately, yes. It would help to know how those first two federal agents fit into this.”

“Agents Nevins and Parker said there's a good chance they're corrupt.”