All or Nothing: A Trust No One Novel (32 page)

She was bent over, blow-drying her hair clumsily, when hands circled her waist, startling her. Instinctively, she straightened, bringing the blow-dryer around in an arc toward the intruder. Joe deftly caught her hand just before the appliance cracked into his skull.

“Not bad. Good reaction time. Could use a little more strength behind the swing. You’ll get that back in time.” He grinned and took the dryer from her hand. “Let me help you with that.”

She started to refuse, but he nudged her gently toward the mirror and turned the dryer on. She watched his face while he concentrated on her hair.

She loved him. She’d been afraid to admit it, even to herself, but now a wonderful sense of freedom settled over her. The words almost burst from her lips before she caught herself. She couldn’t tell him.

“There. Anything else I can help with?”

“I just need my jacket and I’m ready to go.”

He retrieved her coat and helped her put it on, then squeezed her hand reassuringly before leading the way downstairs. Cara felt the tension as soon as they left her room. The house vibrated with activity. There were people everywhere—some were strangers. She glanced at Joe curiously.

“We’re expecting a few new arrivals,” he said.

“For training?”

“These men are fully trained.”

“Why are they coming here? Are you going out on a job?” Her heartbeat picked up speed.

“Not sure yet. Just trying to be prepared.” He watched her for a moment and suddenly she realized what he wasn’t telling her. He was gathering an army because he didn’t know what David meant to do.

Guilt slammed into her. She was caught between two impossible situations, one of them forcing her to withhold information from Joe that he needed for the war he had clearly embraced. Was she endangering the people she intended to protect? Maybe she was wrong not to trust him with David’s ultimatum. Joe knew how to take care of himself and the people he cared about.

She squeezed her eyes closed against the swirling thoughts in her head and swayed, suddenly light-headed and dizzy. He caught her against him as she stumbled on one of the steps.

“Maybe we overdid it up there,” he whispered, a lopsided grin making him look younger and less like the soldier he was.

She stopped, turned toward him, and grabbed the banister for balance. “Why didn’t you ask me?”

“Ask you what?”

“Why David called—what he said?”

“I knew you’d tell me when you were ready.” He brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. His expression was kind.

She felt lower than a traitor.

Tyler’s approach ended their conversation. “Joe, we’ve got a dozen new guys coming in by tonight… a couple more tomorrow. Walker wants to know if he should keep calling.”

“Make it an even fifteen,” Joe said. “Hey, you and Rayna want to go into town with us?”

“I’ll ask her.”

“Get two or three guys to follow us in the Jeep. I feel the need for a presence in town.”

They continued down the stairs and as they hit the landing, Walker stepped from Joe’s study, phone to his ear. A flutter of nervousness brought heat to Cara’s cheeks as he hesitated then walked straight for her, stopping inches away as he finished his call and hung up.

“I screwed up,” Walker said, “but it’s not the first time and it probably won’t be the last. How about if I let you beat the shit out of me the next time we spar?”

“Let me? I’m perfectly capable of…”

He gave a satisfied grin and his eyes twinkled with mischief.

With an effort, she kept a straight face. “You should be sorry, but you can make it up to me by coming to town with us this afternoon.” A smile slowly spread across her face.

He nodded. “You got it—if the boss is done with me. Joe, I got sixteen for sure, and a couple maybes. Enough?”

“For now… until we find out what we’re up against.”

The crushing guilt again. Cara needed time to think this through, but she wasn’t going to get it now. Tyler hurried up to them again and glanced hesitantly at her.

“Rayna doesn’t want to face Cara. She wouldn’t tell me what happened, but she’s pretty upset.”

“I’ll talk to her.” Cara straightened, dread making her mouth dry. “Where is she?”

“Dining hall.”

Cara saw her as soon as she walked in. Rayna sat alone at a table in the corner of the room. Cara strode over to her and pulled out a chair.

Rayna fidgeted in her seat, finally speaking first. “I’m sorry. I guess I overreacted.”

Cara snorted. “You guess?”

Rayna grimaced and dropped her gaze.

“I thought we were friends.”

“We are.”

“I’d like to think so, but the last time I checked, friends trusted each other. You’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg, Rayna, and you couldn’t handle it. I have to do something now that’s going to look really bad, and you’re going to have to take it on faith that whatever happens, I would never put you, or Joe, or anyone else here in danger. I’m not sure you’re up to the challenge.”

Rayna looked wounded as she blinked back tears. “Joe taught me when I first came here, if you’re not part of the team, you’re the enemy. There are no gray areas. Where do you fit, Cara?”

“I’m just a stranger, passing through. I don’t have the luxury of joining your team.”

“Well, I wanted you to. I wanted you to stay here and be my friend. I needed you to stay.” She lost her battle with tears, and others in the dining hall seemed tuned in to their conversation.

Cara lowered her voice and leaned closer. “I can’t stay.”

The young girl frowned. “Does Joe know?”

“Yes. He still thinks he can change my mind, but he’s taking me to town to buy traveling clothes. You were right about him and me. It’s tearing me up to think about leaving, but I have no choice.”

“Are you sure? There are always choices.”

“I wish it were that simple.”

Rayna fell silent again for a moment. “Will you stay in touch?”

“I will… if I can.” Cara didn’t hold out much hope of that being an option. “Meanwhile, we still have today. Is my friend going to town with me, or not?”

Tuesday, 1:32 pm

C
ARA’S STOMACH GROWLED
as they all seated themselves at the Main Street Pizza Parlor for a late lunch. Joe was a different person, open and jovial with his men, attentive and protective of her. Seeing him so happy and lighthearted made her wish for things that could never be.

She exchanged a glance with Rayna. The younger woman apparently noticed Joe’s cheerful mood, too, and studied them both curiously.

Cara’s guilt squashed the joy she should have felt. She forced a bright smile, but if she didn’t confess her secret soon, the weight of it would crush her. Was telling Joe the right thing to do? What if someone was hurt or killed? What if that someone was Joe?

“Cara and I will check out the clothing stores on Main Street and then head over to the shopping center,” Joe said as they finished and prepared to leave. “Don’t forget—Dennelli, or someone who works for him, could still be out there. Keep your cell phones handy and your eyes open.”

She hated being the center of all the commotion. Walker winked as he rose to follow Jim, Steve, and Sanchez from the restaurant. Tyler and Rayna remained at the table.

“I need to do a little shopping myself,” Rayna said. “If you don’t mind, Cara, maybe Ty and I could tag along.”

“Mind? Clothes shopping almost demands a woman’s opinion.”

Tyler shook his head and glanced toward Joe. “I think we’ve just been insulted.”

“Don’t worry, Ty. It will ultimately come down to what we think looks good,” Joe drawled.

Cara laughed. “Really? Someone’s a little full of himself today.”

“With good reason.” With a smile in his eyes, he rose and helped her up.

“Oh my God!” Rayna looked back and forth between them.

“Am I missing something?” Tyler asked.

Joe slipped his arm around Cara’s waist and propelled her toward the door, leaving Tyler standing at the table with a confused look on his face. Rayna would no doubt fill him in soon enough.

“She came to talk to me, you know.” Joe leaned close to her. “Told me about her and Ty. Took a lot of guts and maturity. I was pretty proud of her.” He glanced toward Cara. “I know you had something to do with that.”

“Me?”

He snorted a laugh. “You’re not going to deny it, are you?”

“No.”

He pulled her closer and, for the first time in her life, she felt cherished.

Tuesday, 4:26 pm

C
ARA LEANED HEAVILY
on Joe as he found them a table at a little coffee shop in the mall and finally collapsed into her chair. Who would have thought he actually liked to shop? She practically had to drag him out of the last two stores. He’d chosen things for her she would never have picked for herself and made her try on each item. That would have been a trial in itself, if he hadn’t stepped into the dressing room with her.

“It’s okay.” He smiled at the attendant whose face registered disapproval. “She’s my wife.”

“Liar,” Cara whispered as he closed the door behind them and bent to kiss her. Secretly, she thrilled at the pride in his voice.

She found the perfect white sweater to replace the one Irene loaned her. The rest of the time, she shopped by price, having little money to spare. Joe wasn’t helping in that department, however. He retrieved a royal blue sweater she’d put back on the shelf and placed it in her basket.

“It looks great on you.”

“It’s a little pricey. I can’t really afford it.”

“It’s a good thing you’re not buying it then.”

“Oh no, don’t even think you’re…”

He put his fingers lightly over her lips, stopping the flow of words. “This shopping trip is my gift to you. Go or stay—it doesn’t matter.”

She hadn’t bothered to argue, seeing the determination in the squaring of his jaw.

As they waited for their coffee, she watched him. Did he truly love her? He certainly treated her like she was important to him. No one had ever made her feel important—not even Brian. She owed Joe so much. She owed him the truth, and she owed him her trust that he was capable of taking care of himself, his team, and her. With a deep breath, she braced herself.

“Joe,” she said.

“There you are.” Rayna and Tyler spotted them and headed toward their table. Rayna sat down, while Tyler went to order coffee. Joe looked at Cara expectantly.

“Later.”

Walker and Steve found them a few minutes later, followed by Sanchez and Jim.

“Did anyone see anything out of the ordinary today?” Joe asked.

“Saw our buddy, Sam, stocking up at the hardware store,” Walker replied.

Cara frowned, and he shrugged.

When they finished their coffee, they loaded their purchases in the Hummer and headed home, Tyler and Rayna in the back and the others following in a Jeep. Cara couldn’t keep her eyes open. Each time her head fell forward, she jerked awake again. Joe finally pulled her over to lean on his shoulder. She loved the way he tucked her close to him. He smelled so good sleep went clear out of her head.

They arrived home just before dinner. He went to his study to return phone calls. Her plan to tell him about David’s call would have to wait. She went to her room and threw cold water on her face, hoping to revive enough energy to stay awake during dinner.

When she walked into the dining hall a few minutes later, the buzz of conversation dropped a few notches. She glanced around the room. There were at least a dozen new faces—strangers who watched her appraisingly. She felt exposed. Anxiously, she grabbed for a plate and almost dropped it. The conversation stopped entirely. Walker and Steve suddenly appeared at her side.

“Go sit down. I’ll get you a plate,” Walker said in a low voice.

Steve took her good arm and guided her to a nearby table where Rayna and several men she knew already sat.

Walker waited while she seated herself. With a wry grin, he announced loudly, “She may be bruised, but the other guy didn’t get up.”

The dining hall erupted with laughter, catcalls, and whistles. Cara couldn’t help smiling as she shook her head at him. He winked, as she knew he would.

Joe entered a few minutes later, filled his plate, and came to sit beside her, greeting some of the new men by name.

“Sorry I’m late. Some of these guys aren’t as civilized as the regulars. It won’t hurt for them to know you’re with me, if that’s okay with you.”

She rested her hand on his arm and smiled.

He introduced her to most of the new men while they ate. A different dynamic filled the room—a feeling of impending danger. It wasn’t clear if it was because of the newcomers, or in spite of them.

“It’s just temporary.” Joe walked her to her room after dinner. “They’ve been here before, and they know how I operate. There won’t be any trouble.”

“I’m not worried about them.”

“Can I come see you later?”

“You’d better.” She kissed him lingeringly before he walked back down the hall toward the stairs. Would he still look at her with love in his eyes after she told him?

Tuesday, 8:55 pm

C
ARA SHOWERED, SLIPPED
into the new plush, white robe Joe insisted on buying, and lay down on the bed to catch her breath. It had been a whirlwind day, and it wasn’t over yet. How would he react? Would he understand why she’d agreed to David’s terms?

At a soft tapping on the balcony doors, Cara pushed herself up on her good arm and smiled as Joe slipped into the room. He walked swiftly to the bed, stretched out beside her, and pulled her close.

“Finally.” He nuzzled her ear and then found her mouth.

She pulled away as soon as she could. “I really need to talk to you.”

He waited for a moment, until his hand dipped beneath the edge of her robe and found she had nothing else on. Eagerness shone from his eyes as he tugged on the belt and spread the fabric open. He groaned and bent to kiss her deeply.

“Can it wait?” He smiled as his hand traveled the length of her, and his arousal touched her thigh. His eyes darkened as they stared into hers. She pulled his head down and kissed him invitingly. Another few minutes wouldn’t hurt anything.