Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) (18 page)

“That’s good,” Ethan said, with an infuriating grin. “Because I need you to help me convince my brother to do something for me.”

“What’s that?” Nathan asked suspiciously.

“Cordova has some very important information in some files on his computer. I need it.”

“What sort of information?”

“The kind that can clear me.”

Bethany stared up at him. “Clear you? Ethan, why didn’t you say anything about this before?”

“I had time to think on the drive up here. When I was undercover, I managed to see a lot of things I wasn’t supposed to, and Cordova never knew I did.”

“Surely when he discovered you,” Nathan said, “he changed everything.”

“He wouldn’t have a reason to, Nathan, he didn’t know I saw it. Not everyone is as paranoid as you.”

“Damn shame too, because that’s what has kept me alive.”

“Tell me about it,” Ethan agreed, wryly.

Nathan looked at him a moment, and Bethany was certain these were the first civil words the two had exchanged in a very long time. He took another drink from the bottle and Ethan’s humor vanished.

“Cordova’s got a cover company,” Ethan said. “Their corporate computer system has all of the relevant information. I need you to hack in and get it.”

Nathan nearly choked
on the tequila. “You want me to do what?” he asked hoarsely.

“Come on, big bro
,” he said sardonically. “You’re supposed to be the computer wizard.”

“In covert ops, yeah.”

“Then think of this as another covert op. Cordova’s our bad guy, Nathan. You’ve taken down bigger fish.”

“I used to,” Nathan said pointedly. “I walked away from that life, Ethan, and you know why.”

“Shit,” Ethan snarled. “If you won’t do it for me, at least do it for Bethany.”

“Bethany?” Nathan asked softly, lifting his gaze enough to scowl at her.

“I’m being framed, Nathan. Those looking for me have orders to shoot to kill. If they take me out, who will protect Bethany? Once I’m gone, she’s fair game for Cordova.”

“Not my problem,” Nathan said tightly.

Ethan swore violently and lunged at Nathan. Bethany only just managed to step between them before they came to blows. Talk about the irresistible force meeting the immovable object.

“Stop it
, both of you,” Bethany growled, shoving the two men apart with all her might. She knew they acceded only to humor her. If they had been dead set to rip each other apart, she wouldn’t have been able to stop them.

“I should have known you’d be too much of a coward to crawl out of the bottle long enough to help,” Ethan growled. “Have you told Mom yet? Does she know her first born son is a lush?”

“Shut up!”

“
Ooohhh, I’m scared.”

“You should be, you little shit.”

“Stop it!” Bethany cried. “You two are acting like six year olds.”

Nathan glared at Ethan then looked at Bethany, his expression slowly melting. Surprisingly, he winked at her. “But we do it so well.”

Bethany fought back a laugh and failed. “I won’t argue with the facts.”

Ethan scowled
at her.

“Listen to me, both of you,” she said. “Ethan, are you positive these computer files can clear you?”

“Yeah, they show everyone on Cordova’s payroll, even the senators.”

“Senators?” Nathan asked. “You’re certain of this?”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Why in the hell would he keep such damaging information on a computer?”

“Because he’s an idiot. Why do you think, Nathan? He holds that information over their heads so they won’t turn on him.”

“Nathan,” Bethany asked. “If these files exist, can you hack in and get them?”

“Maybe.”

She frowned.

“They are probably hidden, named inappropriately, and encrypted,” Nathan said.

“But I know the file names,” Ethan argued.

“Names can be changed.”

“Not these. Cordova is a fool when it comes to computers
, but thinks he knows everything, his ego is his weakness here.”

“That also means one hell of a security system.”

“But Nathan you are the best...at least you were.”

Nathan snarled at him.

“You’ve got to try. If I don’t clear my name, I’m dead, and that means Bethany is too.”

Nathan raked a hand through his hair, cursing softly.

“Look, you’ve got the equipment, you’ve got the talent, but the question remains. Do you have the guts?”

“Ethan, I told you I wasn’t going back to that ever again. Even if I am a wizard, it’s still a huge task to break into a system without being caught. I’m not going to do it for you and I’m most certainly not going to do it for some tramp car thief.”

Before Bethany could react, Ethan drew back his fist and let fly. He struck his brother firmly in the jaw, knocking him back. Nathan crashed into the wall and slid to the floor. He slowly rose, clenching his fists.

Ethan automatically took a fighti
ng stance. “Come on, big bro, you want to bring your brown belt against my black belt? You never could make the grade, always giving up just when the going got tough.”

Nathan blanched and Bethany instinctively knew Ethan had scored a far deeper wound than what his simple words indicated. Nathan had given up, or had been forced to give up, on something very important.

“You always made sure you had to go one better than me. Hell, if I hadn’t quit, we’d still be competing.”

“But that’s the problem, you always quit.”

With a snarl, Nathan charged.

“No!” Bethany screamed, jumping in front of Ethan.

Nathan tried to stop, but he was already in the middle of a swing. His fist slammed into her jaw and darkness descended.

****

“Oh God,” Ethan cried, grabbing Bethany before she hit the floor. He cradled her to him, holding her tenderly. “What have you done?” he snarled. Fury boiled within him, hazing his vision in red. Before he realized what he was doing, Ethan drew his gun. Instinctively flicking the safety off, he pulled the hammer back and pointed it at Nathan’s head, his finger tight on the trigger. Just a little more pressure....

“Damn it, Ethan, I didn’t mean to hit her.”

“Shit, Nathan, you’re drunk, your reflexes aren’t what they should be.”

“Shut the fuck up!”

“You’re a God damned alcoholic! If you don’t crawl out of the fucking bottle, you’re going to kill somebody.”

Nathan stared at him, clenching and unclenching his fists. Finally, he stepped back. “I’m...I’m sorry.”

Ethan slowly lowered his gun.

“You...you can take her into the guest bedroom. I’ll do as you ask.”

“I don’t know if I can trust you with her now.”

“Damn it, Ethan, it’s not my fault she jumped in the way.”

“You baited her then we got into it. What did you expect?”

“Will you two stop yelling?” Bethany asked, stirring in Ethan’s arms.

He couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped him. He put his gun away. Glaring at his brother, Ethan picked Bethany up and carried her to the guest bedroom.

“Honestly, Ethan,” she
protested. “I’m okay.”

“You’ve already had your bell rung once and it gave you a mild concussion. I don’t want it to get worse. What in the hell were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t.”

“Obviously.” He gently eased her onto the small double bed.

“Ethan, don’t blame your brother.”

“Then who else should I blame?”

“I can tell he is hurting over something. You only provoke him.”

“It’s the only way to get him to face reality, Bethany. You don’t know my brother like I do.”

“Did it ever occur to you that he needs a friend instead of a brother? Maybe he needs someone to stand by him and believe in him.”

“I tried that, Bethany, it didn’t work.”

“You tried tough love. Why don’t you try listening to him for a change instead of competing with him?”

“I
gotta admit,” Nathan said from the door, startling both of them. “You’ve got one smart lady, little bro.” He carried three cups. “I made some coffee.”

Bethany smiled up at him and took the offered cup. “Thank you.” Although all she wanted to do was rub her jaw. Damn, her teeth hurt.

“I’m sorry,” Nathan said softly. “I didn’t mean to hit you and I’m sorry I insulted you.”

“Apology accepted.”

“Come on,” Ethan said tightly. He gently pried the cup from her fingers. “We are leaving.”

“Ethan, I’d told you I’d help you,” Nathan protested.

“And I told you I don’t trust you around her.”

“Ethan, stop!” Bethany snapped.

“She’s right, little bro. Did it ever occur to you that I needed a friend, one who didn’t compete with me at every turn, one who accepted me despite my faults?”

Ethan’s gaze locked on Bethany’s. She arched an eyebrow.

“All right,” Ethan said, with a heavy sigh. “Let’s talk.” He sat beside Bethany on the bed.

“Is hacking into the computer system the only way you can get that file?” Bethany asked.

“As far as I know.”

“What if it’s not accessible?” Nathan asked.

“Then I’m screwed.”

“What exactly am I looking for?”

“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time...when I was undercover, I took notes about the computer Cordova uses, the relevant files, and so on.” Ethan pulled a battered piece of paper out of his wallet and handed it to his brother. “Here, see if this is enough to get in.”

Nathan gazed at it. “Okay, this looks like most of the information I need. I’ll see what I can do.” He left the room.

Ethan stared at Bethany and sighed heavily. “I’m seriously questioning the wisdom of bringing you here, Bethany. I have to go check with a few people to find out what’s up with Cordova.”

“I’m not sure that’s wise at all. If either Cordova’s people or the law find you...they will kill you, Ethan.”

“Don’t worry about that, sweetheart. I can go where I need to without a problem. But it’s too dangerous to take you with me. I can move faster alone.”

“I realize that.” She paused and thought for a long moment. “Are you sure you have to do this?”

“I’m positive. But I don’t trust Nathan while he’s drunk.”

“He doesn’t seem that drunk to me. I think he just lost his temper because of you.”

“Trust me, he’s more wasted than you think. Nathan could always fool people, even Mom. But he could never fool me. He can walk a straight line and talk normally even with a full bottle of tequila rotting his gut. But it’s his temper I’m worried about. He loses it too easily when he’s been drinking even when I’m not around to provoke him. I’ve bailed him out of jail more times than I can count. It also slows his reflexes. If he would have been sober, he would have been able to stop that swing even with you jumping in front of me.” He gazed at her pointedly.

“I don’t want you doing this.”

“I have to, sweetheart,” he paused and scowled. “But I need a vehicle, I don’t want to leave you without an escape if the worst should happen.”

“What about Nathan?”

“He has a motorcycle and it’s his baby. Besides, I need something bigger like a Suburban.”

Her lips tugged upward. “I thought you said no stealing.”

“Sweetheart, I don’t know if you saw the sign, but it was right before a cliff, it said Last Resort…and I just jumped.”

She laughed softly, her fingers caressing his face. But then she scowled. “Do you know the area around here?”

“No, but Nathan does.”

“I have an idea. You two are very alike even though you don’t want to admit it.”

“So?”

“I think I can change his attitude about this…tramp car thief. Can we convince him to come with me? I need someone who knows the area because I don’t dare steal a car too close to his apartment, it will draw too much attention.”

He stared at her a long moment. “Shit, Bethany, you’re going to take him on one of your little joy rides, aren’t you?”

Her grin broadened.

“Damn, you’re ten pounds of crazy in a five pound bag. I don’t want you tangling with the cops again.”

“I’m not going to tangle with the cops. I don’t want to steal from an honest person, Ethan. We’re going to hit the local drug dealers.’

Ethan groaned and hung his head. “Damn it, Bethany.”

“Oh, I almost forgot.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a wallet.

Ethan stared at it a moment. “That’s Nathan’s.” He started laughing and pulled her into his arms. “My God, Bethany, why do I feel like I’m running a con here.”

“Because we are…
kinda. Hey, you’re an undercover agent, that makes you a grifter of sorts.”