Witness Protection (8 page)

She folded her arms. “Fine. I’ll agree to let you know when I decide to leave. And you owe me a promise, too.”

“I’ll include you. But you need to remember I’m the professional here. This is my job. I do this for a living and I’m trained. Not to mention I’m damn good at what I do.”

“I’ve seen that already,” she said. Then felt the need to point out, “We’re alive but someone seems to anticipate our every move.”

His downturned lips at the corners of his mouth told her everything she needed to know about how much she’d just insulted him. She wasn’t trying to get into a fight. She wanted to be dead clear about her intention to be involved in her own future. She’d relied on the U.S. Marshals Service to keep her alive for the past two years. In that time, she’d also picked up a few survival tricks on her own. She wasn’t as naive as when she’d first joined the program, wide-eyed, believing every word that came out of Charlie’s and his supervisor’s mouths.

Charlie.

Her heart still hurt at the thought he was killed most likely because of his involvement with her. If a criminal was powerful enough to get to a U.S. Marshal, what chance did she have? Even with Nick watching her back, there weren’t any guarantees. He’d done an excellent job of keeping them safe so far, but the government wouldn’t pay him to stay by her side 24/7. Surely he had other cases to work on.

Even if he was dedicated to her, how long before Grimes caught them? His men seemed to be one step behind so far, which blew her mind. Plus, life had already taught her that depending on others brought nothing but heartache.

“I understand you think my agency let you down. But from where I sit, they’ve also been the one thing that kept you alive.”

“I won’t argue that. I have a feeling if they’d sent any other deputy, I’d be dead right now and not here in this truck.”

He ground his back teeth. Didn’t argue.

Sadie knew she was right. “So, you won’t mind if I take more of an interest in where I go and what I do next.”

“What I say goes.” Nick palmed the empty coffee cup. “You don’t do anything to get yourself killed.”

“I’ll agree to consider your opinion but from now on I make decisions for myself. Whether you like it or not.”

Nick crunched the cup in his hand.

She made kissing noises at Boomer and he lumbered out of the backseat. “I don’t see the problem with sharing information with me.”

“Can’t tell you what I don’t know.” Was it frustration deepening his pitch?

He had a point. Admitting he had no idea where Grimes might strike next seemed to darken his bad mood. Everything was uncertain in her life. “When you do find out where he is and what he’s doing, you have to promise to keep me informed. I get to know everything, including your plans for apprehending him.”

“As long as you agree not to do anything stupid that could jeopardize your safety or mine,” he whispered, toeing off his shoe at the doorstep.

“Why would I do that?” she snarled, angry at the accusation. She deserved to be in the loop. It wasn’t like she was asking to be sworn in or anything.

“Just making sure we’re clear.”

“I’m not confused. Are you?”

He blew out a sharp breath. “You don’t leave without telling me first. I don’t make a move without informing you. Sound about right?”

“Yes. Break your promise and all bets are off.”

“Got it.”

Even with the lights off, she could tell she was being led into a ranch-style home.

Despite the bickering, Nick twined their fingers. He led her down a dark hallway with Boomer on her heels. Her faithful companion. He’d done well today.

When the chips were down, he’d stood his ground and growled.

Precisely what she planned to do from here on out.

Chapter Eight

By the time Sadie cracked her eyes open again, she could tell by the amount of light streaming in through the window that noon had come and gone. When was the last time she’d slept that well? Her queen-size bed, shaker-style, with a matching chest of drawers next to it made the room feel cozy.

The decor was simple. The white sheets were soft. The bed had four thick, plush pillows. A handmade quilt with alternating patterns of deep oranges and browns had warmed her through the otherwise chilly night.

Boomer lay snoring at her side. He didn’t budge when she sat up.

Poor baby. He must be exhausted after all the walking they’d done in the past two days.

“You did good, buddy,” she said in a low voice.

He didn’t budge.

There was clothing folded on top of the five-drawer chest. She slipped out of the covers quietly, so as not to disturb her hundred-pound hero who was now growling and panting in his sleep. No doubt, he was reliving the ordeal from last night.

Sadie placed her hand on his side and soothed him until his breath evened out and he snored peacefully again. She moved to the dresser and examined the clothes. Jeans and a T-shirt suited her just fine. Her pink silk bra and panties had been washed and folded neatly in the pile. Red heat crawled up her neck at the thought of Nick handling her undergarments. Warmth flushed her thighs. Because it wasn’t so awful to think of him touching her personal things...and she knew instantly she was confusing her feelings for him.

Feelings
was a strong word.

She appreciated his help. He was her knight in shining armor, ripping her out of the hands of killers. Who wouldn’t be wowed by that? What she experienced was gratitude. Nothing more. So why did she feel the need to remind herself of the fact?

One thing she knew for certain was that she’d been so tired last night she scarcely remembered taking a shower or changing into bedclothes. Nick had brought them in while she was showering, saying he’d borrowed them from one of his sisters. She didn’t even want to think of the current running through her at the realization she was completely naked behind the shower curtain not five feet from him.

How long had it been since she’d been held by a man? Two years.

The last time she and Tom were together they’d had their usual Friday night movie at his place. He’d ordered deep-dish pizza from their favorite restaurant on the corner just as they had every week for the entire year and a half they’d been dating. If anything, Tom was consistent. Boring?

Where did that come from?

To be fair, her ex was a little too predictable, but he was also decent. There were no surprises when it came to Tom, and Sadie appreciated him for it. Wasn’t knowing she could count on someone a good thing?

Why did it suddenly feel as though she’d been settling?

Her aunt had been unpredictable, and look how their relationship had ended. Sadie had felt no need to visit the woman one last time before she’d left Chicago.

The time she’d stopped by after her first semester of community college, her aunt had practically blocked the door. Sadie’s excitement at having made good grades shriveled inside her at her aunt’s reaction to seeing her. She’d expected a warm greeting, and chided herself for being foolish when she didn’t receive one.

When she pressed to come inside so she could pick up a few of her things, her aunt had turned on the tears. She’d complained of not having space or enough money for rent before delivering a crushing blow. She’d sold all of Sadie’s belongings.

Her heart broke that day.

She’d left many of her prized possessions behind until she got settled in her new place. Between work, class and study, she hadn’t had time to stop by and retrieve them once the semester hit full stride.

Gone was her mother’s wedding ring. Gone was the baby blanket her mother had crocheted for her when she was born. Gone was her father’s revered vintage coin collection.

Everything from her parents had been sold, stripped away from her.

She’d stood in the doorway, feeling raw, exposed and orphaned all over again.

Her stomach twisted, the pain so very real. Even now.

Tom could be unyielding, but he would never have done that to her.

Did he make her pulse race the way being around Nick did? No. She and Nick ran from bullets and murderers. Of course her blood would be pumping and her adrenaline surging. And he did so much more to her on the inside. Her heart fluttered when he was close. Electricity pulsed between them. Her thighs warmed.

The comparison to Tom was apples and oranges. She loved Tom. Didn’t she?

Not the same thing,
a little voice told her. She ignored it. When this blew over, she would still end up alone with a new identity, a new lie.
If she survived.
Grimes seemed intent on making sure she never had to hide again. Or breathe.

She pushed aside those heavy unproductive thoughts and slipped on the jeans. They fit well enough. She cinched her waist with the belt and pulled on the T-shirt.

After dressing, she moved down the hall toward the sounds of voices, her heartbeat climbing with each step closer. There had to be at least six or seven people in the room. She followed the chatter, stopping at the door to the kitchen where a handful of people sat around the table. Her nerves stringing tighter with each forward step.

Nick stood at the kitchen sink, looking out the window.

The oldest woman, the one who had to be Gran, sat with a large pair of scissors and a stack of cloth. She met eyes with Sadie first. “C’mon on in, dear. Take a seat. Nick will get you a cup of coffee.”

Nick had already begun pouring.

When attention turned toward Sadie, she wished she had the power to shrink. She knew all of two people in the Campbell family. Nick and Luke. And Luke wasn’t in the room. She tentatively stepped inside, her back plastered against the door frame. Her heart pounded her chest and her breath came out in short bursts. She almost turned back and retreated to her room, offering an excuse about needing to go to the bathroom. Families were scary.

“Go ahead and sit, dear. We’re a loud bunch, but we don’t bite.” Gran motioned toward the chair next to hers. She looked younger than her years. Her white hair was in a tight bun positioned on the crown of her head. She wore jeans with a blouse, and a turquoise necklace with matching earrings.

Sadie eased onto the edge of the chair, wishing she could crawl out of her skin and disappear for all the eyes on her, staring. “Good morning. Uh, I’m sorry to sleep so late. We got in pretty late last night.”

“I’m glad you’re here. Feel free to call me Gran just like the others. And don’t worry about what time you get up around here. I bet you’re starving.”

“I’m on it,” Nick said, handing her a cup of fresh coffee. “How’d you sleep?”

“Fine. Better than fine actually. I almost forgot who I was.”

He gave a knowing glance before diverting his gaze to the hallway. “How’s Boomer? Still asleep?”

“He didn’t even budge when I got out of bed.”

“I can feed him as soon as he wakes,” Nick said. Then tension lines bracketing his mouth told her he hadn’t forgotten about their discussion last night.

She needed to soften the message, set things right with him, but she already felt as out of place as celery in cherry-flavored yogurt.

Although, looking around, everyone seemed so at ease with each other. The vibe in the room was comforting.

Nick returned a moment later with cream. “Pass the sugar, Meg.” He turned to Sadie. “This is my sister Meg, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Pleasure. I’d stand, but...” Meg, with a cute round face framed by cropped brown hair, leaned back from the table far enough for Sadie to see a round pregnant belly. “I’m due soon.”

Sadie’s heart squeezed. Her thoughts snapped to Claire and the baby she would never see. “When?”

“Any day now.” A tall, blond, attractive man with a runner’s build moved beside Meg and planted a kiss on the top of her head. His affection toward his wife could melt a glacier. “How’s your back today?”

Meg’s cheeks turned a darker shade of red. “It’s better.”

“What can I get you? Another pillow?” he asked.

“Nothing. I have everything I need right here.” She smiled back up at him and patted her big belly.

Sadie had to tear her gaze away. The tenderness and love between them brought a flood of tears threatening. She sniffed back her emotions and took a sip of the hot coffee as a pang of self-pity assaulted her. Had Claire gone into labor? Was her little girl swaddled in her arms? Did the sweet baby have her mother’s honest blue eyes? Her father’s dimples?

The tall man interrupted her moment of melancholy, introducing himself as Meg’s husband, Riley.

Sadie took his outstretched hand, praying he didn’t feel hers shake. She wished Nick was closer. He was the only thing familiar to her in the room. He stood at the stove over a pan of eggs.

A figure cut off Sadie’s line of sight. She stared at the hand being stuck out toward her. “I’m Lucy.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sadie shook the hand being offered, surprised at the strength coming from someone who couldn’t be more than five-foot-four-inches tall. The term “
cute as a bug in a rug”
had to have been invented for Lucy. She had curly brown waves that fell past her shoulders, big brown eyes and Luke’s dimples.

Luke came through the back door. A six-foot-two version of the Campbell men followed. “I see you’ve met the clan. Except for my brother Reed.” Luke motioned toward his younger brother. “Our mother will be here tomorrow.”

Reed tipped his black cowboy hat and smiled. His cheeks were dimpled, too. “Ma’am.”

Sadie smiled, trying not to show her nerves, and turned to Gran. “You have quite a beautiful family.” Her voice hitched on the last word. Truth was, she had no idea how to interact with a family. It had only been she and her parents when she was a child but they both had worked long hours in the small trinket store they’d owned. She was lucky if she saw them for more than a half hour before bed every evening.

“We’re blessed.” Gran beamed.

Nick delivered a plate of food, and the earlier chatter resumed. Sadie was thankful the spotlight wasn’t on her anymore. As it was a rash had crawled up her neck. A few deep breaths and she might be able to stop it from reaching her face. She focused on the food. The eggs were scrambled with chopped red pepper and onion. A couple of homemade biscuits smothered in sausage gravy steamed. This was heaven on a stick.

Sadie wasted no time devouring her meal.

Nick had taken the seat across from her. “Guess you were hungry. I have more.” He made a move to stand.

“No. Don’t get up. I’m fine.” Sadie’s cheeks heated when she realized he must’ve been watching her eat the whole time.

The satisfied smile curving his lips warmed her heart more than she should allow. She couldn’t risk getting too comfortable. She wondered just how much everyone knew about her aside from Luke. He knew enough.

“Meg’s on leave until the baby’s born. She and her husband work for Plano P.D. And Lucy works in the Victim Advocate Unit for the sheriff’s office.”

Was he reassuring her everything would be okay? Maybe he’d misread her tension.

Luke and Reed stood at the kitchen sink, eating fresh cut watermelon.

Gran’s gaze narrowed on the outline of weapons in their waistbands. “I hope I don’t have to remind either of you about the ‘
nothing that fires is allowed in the house’
rule.”

Luke shot a concerned look toward Nick. After picking them up last night and hearing the threat, Luke seemed more comfortable keeping his weapon as close as possible. He seemed to be waiting for acknowledgment from Nick that it was okay to leave his gun outside.

Nick barely nodded.

“Go on. Don’t make me repeat myself.” Gran shooed them toward the door.

“Sorry, Gran.” Luke glanced back in time to see Nick smoothing his hand down his ankle.

His slight nod said he understood. Nick was telling him where to hide his weapon.

A boulder would’ve felt lighter on Sadie’s chest at the reminder of just how much danger she was still in. To be in a room full of law enforcement out on a country road, and still need to have weapons within reach at all times didn’t say good things for her situation. Plus, being in a room full of well-intentioned strangers shot her blood pressure up. At this rate, she’d have hives before she finished her coffee.

“I should check on Boomer.” She made a move to stand, but Nick held his hand up to stop her.

“I got this.” He picked up her plate and set it on the counter before disappearing down the hallway.

Lucy looked at her intently. “So, how’d you get my brother to come back home?”

“Now, Lucy, that’s none of our business, right?” Gran shooed her away, winking at Sadie.

Apparently, not everyone knew the real reason she was there.

Nick returned a minute later with her hundred-pound rescue trailing behind. Boomer’s ears perked up as soon as he saw Sadie and he trotted over to her side, tail wagging.

“Sweet boy. Did you get some rest?” Sadie asked, grateful she had something familiar to focus on besides Nick in this room full of strangers.

Nick’s hand grazed hers as they scratched Boomer’s ears and her skin practically sizzled where he made contact. An electric current raced up her arm.

She stood. “He probably needs to go out.” She practically ran through the opened screen door to find a place where she could think straight.

Boomer’s nose immediately scanned the ground. He stopped at a tree and hiked his leg.

The screen door creaked and Nick bounded down the porch stairs holding a plate. “Don’t have any kibble, but I figure he won’t object to biscuits and gravy.” He set the meal down on the ground.

Sadie rubbed her arms to stave off a chill even though the thermometer displayed a number in the high seventies. “Darnedest thing about living in Texas. Never know what the temperature’s going to be this time of year.” She turned her back to Nick and looked out on to the wide-open sky.