Harlequin Intrigue June 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: To Honor and To Protect\Cornered\Untraceable (13 page)

“Take him, Drew,” she whispered, sitting back on her heels.

He didn't answer and she worried she hadn't actually said the words aloud.

“Please,” she begged. “It's the best solution. You can get Andy to safety. I'll deal with Craig and come find you.”

* * *

D
REW
SHOOK
HIS
HEAD
. “I'm not leaving you out here alone.” He admired her courage, understood where it was coming from, but he refused to budge from her side. She'd never be alone again if he had any choice in the matter.

“You could keep him safe in Detroit,” she pleaded. “Craig doesn't know anything about you.”

“No, Addi. We'll get through this together.” He turned her so her back rested against his chest while he used the tree for support. Her legs were pale, bracketed by his, and their hands linked lightly across her waist. In the quiet, he thought she might sleep, but soon she was toying with the charms on her necklace, a sure sign her brain was still working overtime.

“What's that?” He couldn't quite squelch the jealousy, wondering who'd given her something she valued so much.

She tensed. “You heard something?”

“Relax. I was asking about the necklace. You didn't wear anything like that—”

“When we were together,” she finished for him.

“Exactly.” It felt so natural to hear her do that again. They'd often finished each other's sentences or train of thought. He'd been curious about the necklace since he'd noticed it that first night at Mama Leonie's shack, but he wasn't sure he could cope if the answer involved Everett.

Now, after hearing everything she'd never shared with Everett, he suspected she'd never loved the man. Which gave him hope that the bastard had nothing to do with the necklace. She wasn't wearing an engagement ring, either. Not even the one he'd given her.

He waited while she fidgeted, watching her rub one toe up and down her opposite calf. Bug bites or nerves? Likely a bit of both. He knew she wouldn't lie to him, but somehow it made him feel better that she didn't just offer up a quick answer.

“You remember that necklace you gave me for our three-month anniversary?”

He'd never forgotten the little heart-shaped charm inscribed with their initials and the date they'd met. “You rarely wore it.”

“That's not true.” She made a little noise of impatience. “I just bought a longer chain and you know it.”

“Maybe,” he teased. He remembered that she didn't like anything right up close to her throat. Except his lips. The thought, the memories of having her in his arms, under him, sighing his name made him hard. Not the time or place, but he promised himself he wouldn't leave her, and he definitely wouldn't let her resume her old life before they had a chance to rediscover the explosive chemistry between them.

“Between the necklace and the engagement ring you gave me, I felt loved and safe. Weird, but true.”

It didn't sound weird at all to him. “In my cell, I used to think about holding hands with you, remembering how your ring felt between my fingers.”

“Drew.”

The way she sighed his name had his whole body aching to claim hers.

“That charm felt like my anchor. A talisman. I nearly panicked when that little diamond came loose one day.”

“Did you find it?”

“Yes, through a fit of tears,” she said. “A jeweler reset it for me, but I worried about it anyway.” She took a breath and held it. “When your dad told me the awful news, he gave me your dog tags.”

“What?” A chill raised the hair at the back of his neck. He couldn't quite picture his father doing something like that.

“For the baby,” she explained. “He stood at my door and told me the chaplain had delivered the news. He couldn't bring himself to do a formal memorial service, but he wanted me to have something to show our child.

“When he left, I slipped them over my head and wore them alongside the necklace through the rest of my pregnancy,” she whispered in a raw voice. “And the delivery, too, so it felt like you were there with us.”

He stroked her shoulders. Speaking was impossible.

“I'd had to take off the engagement ring during my last trimester. I slid it onto the same chain with your tags. On the day that would've been our first wedding anniversary, I decided to set the tags aside for Andy, but I had the jeweler make these charms first.” She held them up, even though it was too dark for him to see. “One is a miniature of your dog tag and the other is the heart charm, but I had the date changed to Andy's birthday.”

Same initials, only a slightly different meaning. Was it any wonder he loved her? “What about the engagement ring?”

“It's in a safe-deposit box waiting for the day when Andy wants to propose. I thought you'd appreciate giving him that option.”

“You were right.” Her thoughtfulness, her care for preserving the best of what they'd had only proved how right they'd been for each other. He'd been so lucky to find her. Would he be lucky enough to keep her?

“When Andy was four, I showed him your dog tags and really started explaining who you were. Andy has them still.” She twisted around, frowning. “Unless they were left behind at Nico's cabin.”

He hoped not, for Andy's sake. He kissed her right on that crease between her eyebrows. “We'll go back and look if he doesn't have them.” Drew had been motivated to protect Addi and wrap up this mess before, but he was doubly motivated now.

In the bag he'd packed two transmitters that would call in Casey's reinforcements. It was tempting to activate one right now and get the hell out of here, but it would potentially give Everett room to escape again. If Everett thought he'd lost all hope of stopping Addi, he would surely disappear.

When they left this swamp, Drew wanted to be sure they wouldn't be looking over their shoulders for danger the rest of their lives. Besides, Addi wouldn't rest until justice had been served to Everett.

So close. The moment that was accomplished, sooner if it proved necessary, Drew would hit his knees and beg for her to take him back. He could practically smell what life would be like with her. Waking up each morning next to the woman he loved as their son slept in his bedroom down the hall. He could hear the patter of small feet as they filled a house with children. He wanted to see her pregnant, experience every minute of that with her, if she was willing.

He stroked his hands up and down her arms, just needing the contact. She'd worn his dog tags in one way or another since he'd disappeared. Surely a shrink would agree that it symbolized a commitment of some sort. He wanted to believe, like him, she'd never given up on the dreams they'd shared.

He cringed as she went back to watching the water. They were out here partly because of him, and she deserved his best to overcome it. If by some cruel twist of fate Everett got the better of them, he knew a shrink wouldn't be enough for him to recover. He just couldn't lose her again. “Addi?”

“Hmm?”

“If I'd come forward that day in the park, would you have taken me back?”

“The minute I'd been revived from fainting.”

That scenario was laughable. “I don't think so. You didn't faint when I found you in the swamp.”

“I was in mama-bear mode and not about to let anything near my son.
Our
son.”

Her correction was sobering. “I'm sorry I didn't come forward. You might not be in this mess if I had.”

His skin sizzled when she rubbed a hand along his thigh. “I'll grant this isn't ideal, but I choose to believe we're right where we should be. The lost time is unfortunate, but I hate to think how long Everett would've gotten away with his illegal deals if I hadn't recognized something was off.”

“There is that,” he agreed.

They seemed to be out of words again and a companionable silence fell over them as they kept watch. He thought she might've dozed as her head rested on his chest, but it didn't matter. He was alert enough for both of them.

Once more he considered activating a transmitter, and then rejected the idea yet again. He'd use both of them, but not until he could put one of them on Everett.

“Drew?”

“Yeah.”

“In the morning I want us to tell Andy the truth.”

“About me?” The silk of her hair brushed his arm as she nodded. He swallowed. “Okay.” He had no idea how she'd start that conversation, but he'd happily back her up.

“Then I want you to take us to Casey.”

“If you're sure.”

“I'm sure we've wasted enough time and energy with this game of cat and mouse. I'd rather get back on the offensive.”

He was all for that. “What changed your mind?”

“Having you as an ally.”

As an answer, he felt that was a good start. “Then that's what we'll do.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and tried not to think about what she would do when the threat was eliminated and she had the world at her feet again.

Whatever happened, he wanted her to know one option was to reunite as a family.

Chapter Fourteen

Having never drifted into a sound sleep, Addison came fully awake at the sound of a boat running aground downstream. The black water of the swamps disguised all kinds of debris that frequently tangled up motor blades and dented or cracked hulls. Sunken logs, inexplicably changing depths, root systems and animal habitats all combined to make the swamps an ever-changing environment. Navigating the area was less about maps and direction and more about knowing what to watch for along the way. It had all seemed to come back to her, like riding a bike, since she'd arrived.

The sudden outburst of angry voices and resulting commotion made it a safe bet the frustrated boaters were likely part of the team hunting her. Why couldn't they shake them? The rising sun put a glow behind the trees to the east, but there were shadows still working in their favor. They needed to decide on the fastest route to rendezvous with Drew's friend Casey.

With her hand on her shotgun, she looked to Andy. Drew was already there, waking him gently and urging him to be quiet.

“Mom,” he whispered, tugging on her free hand. His eyes were wide and a little desperate. At first she thought it was the situation, but then she realized he had to pee. The very normal need made her smile. In as calm a voice as she could muster, she let him know where to relieve himself.

She exchanged a look with Drew and knew telling their son he had two parents would have to wait, not just for nature's call, but until they could speak without fear of capture. When Andy was ready, she looked to Drew. “Which way?”

“We're pinned between two teams.”

Panic threatened, but she kept her gaze on him. “What do you mean?”

Drew raised his chin in the direction of the trees. “A team went by about two hours ago and again half an hour ago in the other direction.”

“Are they lost?” she asked hopefully.

“I don't think we're that lucky.”

Damn. She calculated the choices. It would be so easy to trudge up the swamp and let Everett's men haul her in. The move sounded foolish, but she felt it would give her back some control, especially if Drew used the time to get away with Andy.

The words were on her lips, but Drew was already shaking his head. “Don't you even think about it. We'll do this together.”

“Fine.” The odds were stacking up against them anyway, and working together was better than struggling alone, she had to admit.

Although hiding deep along the inlet had given them better protection through the night, now they were stuck. Drew boosted Andy onto his back again while she slipped the bag across her body and checked the load on the shotgun. They didn't risk the noise or movement of tearing down their shelter. “Your call,” she said. “I'll follow you.”

His brown eyes held hers for a long moment as he silently confirmed her full meaning.

She wished he'd hurry up and start moving. At this point the direction didn't matter; she just wanted to get on with it. Standing here waiting to be discovered was making her antsy. She didn't know exactly what he had planned, only that she trusted him to make the right call. For all of them.

“We'll circle back to Nico's cabin.”

She nodded. If the radio was still there, if the boats were intact, they had better options.

They set out at a brisk pace and soon crossed the broken twigs and stomped undergrowth from where the other team had been wandering through the night. It wasn't the ideal family hike and she gave a start when Andy asked about fishing.

She held a finger to her lips.

“But it's early. The fish will be biting.”

“Another time, I promise,” Drew said, cutting short the protest.

“I can walk,” Andy started again a few minutes later.

“I'll let you prove it later,” Drew answered.

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

“'Kay.”

Addison shook her head at the two of them as she fell into step behind Drew. His long legs made quick work as he marched along in the fresh tracks left by the others. No point asking why; she was sure he had good reason for taking this route. It was certainly easier walking in areas already torn up by people who didn't care about leaving a trail.

The voices from the boat faded, but the occasional attempts to restart the motor cut through the natural morning sounds of the swamp, jarring her every time. A shout from behind had her turning and she caught movement from the direction of their inlet camp.

“We've been spotted.”

Drew shifted gears, his long legs creating distance. She jogged behind him, hitting the dirt when a gunshot sent a flock of birds into the air.

“Run!” Drew put Andy down, placed their son's hand in hers and sent them on, turning back to deal with the attack.

She ran as fast as Andy could go, sliding into the only cover as soon as she spotted a knot of bushes. Sinking to her knees in mud, she propped Andy on her hip. “Tell me if someone comes up behind me.”

She waited, willing Drew to join them. She wouldn't let him change the definition of
together
now. He jogged into view moments later and offered her a hand out of the muck.

“They're trying to flush us out,” he said as another bullet bit into a tree well above their heads. “Either they've never used those guns, or they want you alive.”

It wasn't much relief and she had no confidence that Everett's orders would leave Andy and Drew alive, too.

“Too bad. I don't want them at all.”

His smile was edgy and dangerous. “Then we'd best hurry.”

* * *

T
HEY
REACHED
THE
tree line near Nico's cabin and skidded to a stop. Drew was surprised it was still standing. He'd expected them to have burned it to the ground, eliminating Addi's options. He didn't see any activity and the place appeared deserted, but the fire pit had been used recently. Probably this morning, he thought, catching the faint scent of wood smoke in the air.

Only a short hike between them and the boats they'd left. Everett's men would be on them any minute, and if they didn't move now, it would be open season on Addi. “We'll go for the boats.” And deal with it later if they were no good.

They made it across the clearing and through the marsh grass and trees to the far shore. Spotting the boats they'd pulled onto the shore, he stopped, assessing the area for any threat. It was the perfect spot for an ambush. If he only knew how many they were up against.

“That's Nico's boat.” Andy pointed.

“Right.” But Drew's boat, the faster of the two they'd brought, was missing. Drew knew Addi trusted the old man, but if Everett had turned him, it explained how they'd been found.

“Craig doesn't know anything about Nico or his mother.”

“You're sure?”

“Yes,” she said through clenched teeth. “The water is our best hope to escape.”

Knowing she was right didn't make it any easier to race across the open space, into what could easily be a trap. He was surprised when no one rushed from the shore or the water to intercept them.

Beyond a quick prayer of gratitude, Drew didn't waste any thought on their good fortune. At first glance, both Addi's and Nico's boats looked to be in good condition.

“Help your mom,” Drew said to Andy while he took up a covering position. “Can you start either motor?”

“Sure.”

Another three-round burst of gunfire chipped away at the knot of mangroves they'd used as a dock the other night.

Behind him Addi cried out and his blood turned to ice. “Are you hit?”

“No.”

“Andy?”

“No.” Her voice was choked with tears.

He turned. Addi had gathered Andy into a tight embrace, blocking the boy's view of the boats. “Oh, no.” He saw the body of an older man with graying hair and a rangy build floating facedown in the water behind one of the boats. Produce, dry goods and a box of sodas were scattered around the body.

“It's Nico.” She gulped, struggling for composure.

“Addi, I'm sorry.”

“Nico?” Andy asked, straining for a look.

“You keep your eyes on the water,” Drew instructed him. At seven—nearly eight—he didn't need to stare death in the face. “Let me know if you see anything moving out there.”

“Okay.”

He wanted to comfort them both, but escaping was the priority.

“Can you get the other boat in the water?”

She nodded as another shot splintered the stilt. Drew fired into the trees, hoping to pin back Everett's men for just another minute or so.

“Ready.”

He heard the motor start. “Go on, then. Leave the bag.”

“Not without you.”

“I'll catch up.” The boat wasn't that fast. “Stay near the bank.”

He heard a splash, then the rumble as the motor revved.

Spotting movement at the tree line, he squeezed off a three-shot burst and the pained scream confirmed he'd hit flesh. He could hold off Everett's men, giving Addi and Andy time to get away. Someone on this swamp would help her. He just had to give them the chance. He'd been trained to hold the line and—

“Drew!”

It was Andy's screech that tugged him away from that sucking abyss that whispered he was only good enough as a sacrificial distraction. They'd warned him about moments like these when the past would cloud the present. Although he was more than willing to do whatever kept Addi and the boy safe, this wasn't the best place to make a stand.

How could he have forgotten about the other team on an attack boat? She needed him. Too much swamp remained between her and Casey's protection. Drew reached into the bag and pulled out both transmitters. He shoved one into his pocket and toggled the switch on the other, tucking it into the mud near the mangroves. Assuming it didn't get shot to pieces or carried away by an animal, it would give Casey's men a place to start searching and hopefully result in a decent burial for Nico.

As Addi urged the boat out into deeper water, Drew scrambled along the bank, trading fire with the men behind them. Anticipating the best place to join her, he hollered and pointed. She waved back, acknowledging. There was something to be said for knowing a person well.

“Mom, wait for him!” Andy's cry carried across the air, filling him with determination. He wouldn't miss, wouldn't renege on his promise to see her and Andy through this.

When Drew glanced their way, the boy was lying low in the boat, his head barely visible. Whatever Addi had said had calmed him down. They had a great kid, he thought, rounding the point and jumping into the water. He ignored the idea of any wildlife as he trudged through the waist-deep water to the waiting boat. He came up to the side, tossed in the drenched gear and wet gun first, then pulled himself in.

His boots were barely clear of the water before Addi gunned the motor. The bow reared up a little before the boat leveled to skim across the swamp.

Heedless of his soaked clothing, Andy crawled closer to give him a hug. “Seventy-three seconds.”

Ah, so she'd distracted him by making him timekeeper again. “Is that good?”

Andy shook his head. “It was too long without you.”

“But I made it.” He gave his son's shoulder a squeeze.

Andy nodded. “I'm glad a gator didn't get you.”

“I'm glad the bad guys didn't get you.”

Another hug. Drew thought he could get used to this.

“Are you going to stay with us forever?”

He looked back at Addi, but she didn't seem to hear anything over the growl of the motor and her eyes were on the water ahead of them. “That's up to your mom.” But he sure hoped it worked out that way.

“But she's gonna have a baby. You have to stay and be the dad for it.” His face clouded with worry, that familiar Bryant frown creasing his brow.

“What?”

“You and her were kissing. I saw. Kissing makes babies.”

Drew was not getting into
this
right now. “Andy, the three of us have a lot to talk about.”

“I want you to be my dad.”

“I'd be honored.” It was the best he could do, considering the poor timing of this conversation. “The three of us will— Get down!” he shouted as another attack boat approached behind them. He pushed Andy to the little protection offered by the hull of their shallow flat-bottomed boat and reached for the shotgun. It was the only dry weapon.

Addi twisted around, then swerved across the swamp as she searched for cover behind an outcropping of trees. Their boat wasn't fast or agile and Everett's men had no intention of allowing them out of this swamp.

A warning shot fired from the shore just as she made the turn. Though Drew was prepared to shoot back, it wasn't worth the risk of Andy getting hit in the cross fire.

They'd been flanked by a team of professionals. The best they could do was surrender and hope the orders were to take them in alive. “Time to cooperate,” he said, lowering the shotgun and raising his hands.

Her face went pale, but she nodded, cutting the motor and raising her hands, as well.

A voice boomed from shore, “Addison Collins!”

She faced the man shouting at her. “Yes?”

“Mr. Everett wants you to come with us. Put up a fight and we'll shoot you where you are.”

“I promise you I'll find a better opportunity,” Drew said under his breath. Or he'd die trying.

“
We
will find a better opportunity,” she said, her mouth set in a grim line.

The attack boat came up alongside them, the leader clearly irritated by their resistance. “I'll come with you,” Addi replied when they demanded it. “Just let my son go.”

Drew was impressed by her courage, knew she had to ask, but he wanted to keep Andy with them.

“All of you or none of you,” the leader said, raising an assault rifle.