Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) (9 page)

“We caught our mole.”

“I think there is another one.”

Jefferies scowled at him.

“I think there’s another one and he’s going to hit tonight.”

“Impossible, only four people know where we are and two of them are here babysitting you.”

“Who are the other two?”

Jefferies just laughed at him.

Ethan thought for a moment. “The captain is one, so who is the other?”

Jefferies shook his head and rose from his chair.

“Fine, don’t tell me. But damn it, you’ve got to be ready for that hit tonight. You’ve got to protect Bethany.”

“Why are you so sure about this? You know something we don’t?”

“I just know how Cordova operates. He won’t let this opportunity slip past him.”

They fell silent as Bethany returned, looking refreshed. In fact she looked damn beautiful. Her hair was slightly damp and she wore a snug fitting tee shirt and jeans, carrying her jacket over her arm. Ethan swallowed hard.

She tossed her jacket on the couch next to Ethan. “Can I get something to eat?”

“Help yourself,” Jefferies said, his eyes never leaving her. Ethan gritted his teeth.

Bethany went into the kitchen for a moment then stuck her head around the corner, frowning at Jefferies. “What about Ethan?” She asked. “Aren’t you going to let him eat?”

“The cuffs stay on.”

“Good grief! He hasn’t had anything all day.”

“The cuffs stay on.” Jefferies stepped closer to her, his gaze raking over her body.

Bethany blinked at him and took a step back. Ethan saw her draw a deep breath and steel herself. Jefferies made her feel threatened. Ethan’s raged burned hot in the pit of his belly.

“If you won’t un-cuff him, at least let me give him some food.”

Jefferies didn’t reply.

She clenched her fists, her eyes shooting emerald sparks. “Even that scumbag, Cordova, got better treatment in jail than you are giving Ethan.”

Finally Jefferies nodded. “All right. Give him something to eat, but the cuffs stay on.”

Bethany darted to the kitchen.

Within moments she returned with two sandwiches, and two sodas. “This is all they have,” she said softly as she sat beside Ethan. “I hope you don’t mind turkey with the works.”

“I’ll eat anything right now. But I could really go for a beer.”

She flashed him a smile that sent his heart racing. “Me too.”

Damn. She was sitting entirely too close. Ethan’s body came alive. The fresh scent of her shampoo filled him. She held the sandwich to his mouth and allowed him to take a bite. Ethan nearly groaned.

Bethany leaned closer and closer, taking a bite of her sandwich, then giving him his. She also held the soda for him to drink. Every time she brushed against him with more pressure; her hair, her shoulder, her arm, her breast. She was going to drive him insane. His body felt as if an electrical current jumped through it with each touch and his desire grew.

“What is up with these two?” she whispered.

“What do you mean?”

“Why do they think you’re responsible for murder? Why won’t they believe me? I was there, I saw what happened. Your actions were justified.”

His lips lifted slightly, at least she still believed in him. “Unfortunately, my past with the ATF isn’t all that stellar. In case you haven’t guessed, I have a great ability to piss people off.”

Bethany fought down a smile. “So I’ve noticed. But being difficult to get along with is a long way from murder.”

“Because of my reputation, these agents honestly believe I could murder in cold blood.”

She gazed at him a long moment, her green eyes luminous in the soft light. “You’re not a murderer.”

The soft power of her voice touched something deep within him.

The two agents stepped into the kitchen to speak quietly, but still in full view. Bethany continued to hold his sandwich for him, but her free hand reached into her jacket.

“You okay, sweetheart?” Ethan whispered after he swallowed his latest bite of sandwich.

“If being scared to death is okay, I’m just peachy.” Her free hand moved behind him and rubbed his back.

Ethan had to close his eyes for a brief moment. Her touch was vibrant, bringing his skin alive. What would it be like to have her touch him without the interference of clothing?

“Bethany,” he whispered, leaning closer, wishing he could capture her mouth with his. “You know....you know something is going to go down tonight.”

“I know,” she said, her voice thick.
She looked up at him, her lips only inches from his. Her hand rubbed lower on his back then descended to where his hands were cuffed behind him. Ethan closed his fingers to squeeze hers in reassurance, but she moved slightly and he missed. He felt a strange pressure on the handcuffs and stiffened.

“What are you doing?” h
e asked, his voice barely audible.

She rolled her eyes. “Ethan, are you always this forgetful? Licensed locksmith, remember? I have a few handcuff keys I’m trying right now. Just don’t move. You’ll have to pretend you’re still cuffed or they will lock you up again.”

Ethan’s jaw dropped. Again he had underestimated her. Abruptly, he fought down a smile. “I don’t know whether to kiss you or arrest you.”

She smiled up at him and again Ethan thought her lips were entirely too close to his. “You should kiss me,” she said, stunning him even more. “I guarantee it will be a lot more pleasant than arresting me...for both of us.”

Dear God, how he wanted to. He glanced again at the agents who took no notice of them. His gaze slid to the table where Jefferies had placed Ethan’s Colt Defender. He should have secured it properly, but Ethan was grateful he had not. As long as it remained on the table, it was accessible. Ethan knew he would need it soon. He looked again at Bethany and his desire to kiss her returned with a vengeance. He started to lower his head despite his better judgment.

Ethan heard a small click and realized she had unlocked the cuffs even though all he could think about was kissing her senseless.

“Hey,” Jefferies snapped. “Are you two done with that food yet?”

Ethan and Bethany both jumped and guiltily backed away from each other.

Jefferies stepped forward, glaring at them. Ethan recognized the look in his eyes. Bethany was a beautiful woman and he was jealous. Why would she prefer a rogue agent to one on the right side of the law? It galled Jefferies, Ethan knew.

“I think this is enough for tonight.”

Bethany bristled but Ethan nodded and stopped her sharp retort. “He’s right, Bethany, you need to get some sleep.”

“Like that’s going to really happen.”

“Try, please?” he asked gently. “You really need to rest.”

“Okay,” she said reluctantly. “But only because you asked so nicely.” She
rose then gave Ethan a quick kiss on the cheek, absolutely stunning him. She glared at Jefferies then grabbed her jacket, and walked past Jefferies with an impudent toss of her head.

Jeff
eries’s gaze shot daggers at Ethan.

****

Bethany lay on the bed shaking. She remained fully clothed and still wore her jacket and shoes. Right before she entered the house, the terrible icy chill had descended on her. Bethany was learning to recognize the signs when Aaron’s ghost would appear, the dreadful cold was one of them. But to her shock, she never actually saw the spirit. Then terrible cold and dread had faded. Why?

Although Bethany hated to admit it, the closer she had moved to Ethan the more her terror had diminished. He seemed to have been genuinely worried about her.

Then those asshole agents arrested Ethan. What in the hell were they thinking? But she really shouldn’t be surprised. Bethany knew how Cordova operated. By tangling Ethan in a frame-up, the risk increased one of his own people would shoot him, leaving her completely unprotected. Besides, she wasn’t sure if her testimony alone would be enough to convict Cordova. Bethany had a strong feeling the government needed Ethan’s testimony just as much as hers.

She forced her thoughts down. Ethan was right, she had to try to get some rest. Bethany looked around the room. It had two twin beds in it, but Agent Holly hadn’t joined her, still conversing with Jefferies. Jesus, that man gave her the creeps.

Ethan thought these two weren’t on Cordova’s payroll. So that meant there was a hit planned tonight. What could she do? She still had the keys to their vehicle in her pocket. When the shit hit the fan, Bethany would head straight for Ethan and stick to him like glue. She only hoped the agents wouldn’t discover the unlocked handcuffs. Bethany could unlock them again, but she didn’t want to do it while someone was shooting at her.

Bethany lay on top of the covers, in the dark room. She had checked the window, discovering it secured. She tried to close her eyes and relax just a little.

Voices from the living room continued, but they had changed. No longer were the agents talking. Had they turned on the television? Ethan remained silent, she would recognize the deep pitch of his voice in a room full of people.

Bethany’s skin crawled as the terrible cold descended again. She sat up. Oh shit!

A creaking sound caught Bethany’s attention, coming from the window. The temp dropped even more. She wasn’t sticking around for Aaron to show up this time. She vaulted from the bed and ran for the door.

“Ethan!”

Automatic gunfire ripped through the window, shattering glass, tearing through wood and pelting into the mattress. Bethany screamed while bullets flew, along with glass and wood.

She ran into the hall. The two agents, their guns drawn, ran toward her. Holly grabbed her and shoved her toward the living room. Bethany saw Ethan at the end of the hall, still in the living room. He leaped to his feet, free of the handcuffs. The two agents had no idea he was loose, thank God.

Bethany staggered into the entryway just as the door flew open. Two men loomed, looking like something out of a commando raid. They pointed their automatic rifles at her. She dove and covered her head as the spray of bullets ripped through the drywall just above her prone body.

Ethan started toward her
, but stopped when another commando came through the living room window and fired at him. Ethan lunged into the kitchen.

Bethany looked up in horror at the two coming through the door.
Oh, God!

Gunshots thundered behind her, slower and louder. Jefferies had returned and fired at the two men in the door. One dropped and did not move. Jefferies hit the second and he recoiled
, but managed to return fire. Bethany screamed as Jefferies dropped dead at her feet. Behind him, down the hallway, she saw Holly sitting with her back against the wall. Blood covered the agent’s chest. She lifted her gun and emptied the clip into the bedroom. When it clicked, she dropped her arm and did not move again. But no one entered the hallway from the bedroom.

Ethan fired at the man in the living room. All Bethany could see was a muzzle flash
, but the man fell.

She sucked in her breath and tried to crawl toward Ethan. Bethany had no idea if anyone else was outside. A hand grabbed her leg and yanked her to the ground. “Ethan!” she cried in terror, kicking at her assailant.

The man Jefferies had wounded managed to crawl toward her. He pointed his rifle at her and squeezed the trigger. Bethany uselessly cringed but the rifle only clicked. Her heart pounded.
Jammed!

The man swore violently, shifted his hold on the rifle and swung it at her.

At the first n
oise of the attack, Ethan leapt to his feet, ridding himself of the cuffs. Two men came through the front door, at the same time one crashed through the window in the living room.

Ethan lunged to the table and grabbed his gun. He pointed it at the man who came through the window
, but the man squeezed the trigger on his automatic rifle. Ethan dove into the kitchen, the bullets narrowly missing him.

The spray hesitated and Ethan came out from behind the corner, shooting. Two bullets struck the man’s chest and the last, his forehead. Ethan’s .45 caliber Colt Defender, with hollow point, copper jacket, Hydra-
shok bullets, knocked the man off his feet and killed him.

Ethan heard Bethany screaming his name and he lunged into the hall. He saw one man, wounded, lift his gun not to shoot her
, but to hit her.

“No!” Ethan roared
, aiming his weapon.

The butt of the rifle descended, slamming into Bethany’s head. Blood spattered. For a heartbeat, Ethan was once again in the warehouse, watching Cordova lift the hammer and strike Rochelle.

“No!” Ethan roared again. He pulled the trigger rapidly, emptying his clip into Bethany’s attacker. It wasn’t until his gun clicked uselessly did he realize he needed to reload and that all was quiet.

He stood alone.

The acrid smell of gunpowder filled the air along with the sickening stench of blood. The house fell silent except for the soft, settling creaks of bullet damaged wood and glass. Ethan remained frozen, shaking violently, his heart slamming hard against his ribs. He couldn’t tear his gaze from Bethany’s limp and blood spattered form.