Fatal, page 6
Adam swerved as Raina sucked in a breath. “He’s shooting at us.”
“Adam is going to get us out of here,” Lorelei said. “Keep your head down.”
Adam prayed the path through the woods was clear and visible as he turned onto it. If they got stuck, they’d be sitting ducks for the hell that was after them. He knew F-BOMB was on the way, likely along with the police and FBI, but until backup arrived, it was all up to him to get them the hell out of there.
Another bullet hit the vehicle, and a tree splintered and snow sprayed over the windshield with the next shot that missed them entirely. Adam didn’t look back, just drove. Eyes focused on the snow-covered path that he could only hope would open onto the road and not lead them deeper into the darkening woods.
Branches scraped the sides of the vehicle, causing Raina to jump with each screech. Adam’s nerves were shot, his knuckles as white as the snow that floated around them with each bump he hit in the rough road he flew down far too quickly.
Snow parted ahead. Darkness revealed a clearing.
The road.
Adam slowed his speed to make the turn back onto the main road. The packed snow and wet dirt beneath the tires sat lower than the pavement. They bounced wildly as the SUV climbed the few inches difference and slid, snow-caked tires spinning on the wet road before the treads cleared and caught.
Adam hit the gas again, glancing in his mirror for approaching headlights. When he didn’t see any, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and handed it back to Lorelei. “Get in touch with them.”
“Already on it,” Lorelei said. She had the same contacts he did, and was alternating between texting and watching their six.
The speakers in the car rang loudly, making all three of them jump. Adam sucked in a breath and hit the button to connect the call. “Yeah.”
“We’re watching you. Take your next right.”
“Copy.” The voice belonged to Liam’s boss, Daniel Dunn. As pissed as Adam was that someone got that close to them, he was grateful for the backup that was not only watching them but would be flooding the house in search of whoever was there.
“One-point-three miles, take a left,” Dunn relayed.
“Any idea who that was?” Adam asked as he watched the odometer.
“Not yet.”
“It was Damon,” Raina whispered from the back.
Adam looked in the rearview mirror at her ghostly white face and fearful hazel eyes.
“Did you see him?” Lorelei asked.
Raina shook her head. “No, I mean, I couldn’t see his face, but who else would it be?”
“It could have been someone looking for one of the people in our organization. Or it could have been random,” Dunn said.
Adam snorted. “What are the chances of either of those?”
“Slim,” Dunn admitted.
“Do you have someone going out there?”
“Ten-four,” Dunn said. “Next left.”
Adam slowed to make the turn and found himself in a neighborhood. “You sure this is right?”
“Yes. End of the street on the right.”
Adam creeped forward, looking at the houses around him and wondering why in the hell there was a safe house in the middle of a neighborhood until he pulled in the driveway. The garage door was up and his cousin was standing at the edge of it.
“His request. We’ll be in touch.” Dunn hung up the phone as Adam parked the SUV in the garage.
Liam hit another button, and the garage closed behind them. He came around to the driver’s door and opened it once the garage was closed. “You okay?”
“We’re not injured, but I’m not sure okay is the right word,” Adam answered honestly.
Liam nodded. He pulled Adam out of the vehicle and into a hug. He slapped Adam’s back roughly, holding on a little longer.
The adrenaline faded from Adam and the realization of how close they came to death hit him. He shook for a minute before nodding and letting go of his cousin.
“Caite’s got food and more is on the way,” Liam said. He pointed to the door at the back of the garage, where a closed door sat.
Adam looked over at Lorelei and Raina. Raina looked like the only reason she was standing was because Lorelei was holding her upright. Adam went to them.
Lorelei nodded at him and went into the house with Liam, leaving Adam and Raina to follow them.
“Are you okay?”
She breathed a mirthless laugh. “Really?”
He shook his head and pulled her into his arms. Just for a minute, he told himself. Because she was scared. He was being a good person.
Raina held on. She trembled against him. A wet spot formed on his shirt from her tears.
He couldn’t let go. The longer he held her, the more he wanted to. He knew it was a bad idea. Getting attached was dangerous. The proof of that was right there. He’d almost hesitated earlier when he got the text. Because he thought something might have happened to her.
But he still couldn’t let go.
She finally drew a shuddering breath and pulled back slightly. “I’m sorry.”
Adam brushed her hair back from her face and cupped her jaw. He wiped the tears lingering on her cheeks and tilted her face so he could look into her eyes. “You never have to apologize to me.”
“But—”
“Never. I am here to keep you safe, and I know I already failed you once, but I will not let it happen again. I promise you.”
Her breath hitched, but she nodded. She swallowed roughly, then glanced at the door where the others went. “We should go in. I’m sorry I kept you out here.”
“You needed a minute. Everyone understands that.”
She smiled weakly at him, then led the way into the house.
Adam hadn’t been to Liam’s house before, but he’d seen pictures. It was a simple house, neat and clean and definitely decorated by Caitlyn, Liam’s girlfriend. They walked into a small mudroom where Adam kicked off the shoes he’d shoved his feet into before they ran for their lives. Raina didn’t have shoes on.
The mudroom opened to a bright and welcoming kitchen with sky blue cabinets and black countertops and appliances. A wooden table sat on the far side of the kitchen with Lorelei, Liam, and Caitlyn around it.
Caitlyn jumped up when she saw them and came over. She winked at Adam and wrapped Raina in her arms. “I’m Caitlyn, and I am so sorry for what you’re going through. I know a little, but this is just too much.”
“Thanks,” Raina whispered.
“Come sit. Do you want coffee? Tea? Food? Lorelei said she was making dinner when she heard the noises. Lily is coming with food and dessert, because she loves to bake. I think most of the team is coming.” Caitlyn went into the kitchen to start a tea kettle, talking over her shoulder as she moved around the space.
Raina followed Caitlyn, smiling just enough for Adam to think she was okay.
Adam joined Lorelei and Liam at the table.
“Any word?” Adam asked.
Liam shook his head. “No one was there. There were tracks, so there’s no question if someone was there, but they were long gone. Footprints led to tire tracks. They’re going to see if they can get an idea of what kind of vehicle they might have been on, but for now, we just know someone tried to get in.”
“What about the cameras? Did you get a look at him?”
Liam shook his head again and glanced at Lorelei. She winced, clearly knowing what was coming. “He was smart. Likely was there before or spent time looking at the place. Wore white to blend in and avoid cameras for a lot longer than we thought possible. We’re guessing he might have been hiding in the woods for a little while, covered so the exterior of his snowsuit was cold and hid his heat signature longer.”
“Then what the fuck are all your fancy toys for?” Adam growled.
“Trust me, I’m just as pissed as you.”
“Really? Someone was shooting at you tonight?”
Liam pressed his lips together and shook his head.
“This whole thing is fucked up.”
“Yeah, it is. But you guys are here. We have space to put you up for the night, and we’ll work on a plan tomorrow.”
“I told him they should go on the run,” Lorelei said.
Adam shot her a glare that would have made most men cower in fear, but Lorelei was far stronger than any man Adam had ever known, and all she did was stare back at him.
“On the run?” Liam asked.
Lorelei shrugged. “A couple traveling would draw less attention than three people in a safe house. We’re sitting ducks. And without knowing how long this is going to take, we’re only going to draw more attention to ourselves over time. People notice things. They’ll notice when no one leaves or when something is delivered. We don’t go outside. The driveway is cleared, but you never see anyone. It’s almost crazy it took as long as it did for someone to show up.”
Liam looked between the two of them. “She’s not wrong. I think you should consider it.”
“Consider what?” Raina asked.
“The two of you pretending to be a couple and leaving town,” Lorelei said.
Raina looked at Adam. Her eyes widened. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, the doorbell rang.
“Who’s that?” Raina blurted. All the fear she was working on pushing down rushed right back to the surface. Logically, she knew Damon wasn’t going to show up and ring the doorbell. He wouldn’t let anyone know he was there until he was already inside and had a knife to her throat.
But she was still scared. Terrified.
“That’s Lily. She said she was going to bring food.” Caitlyn squeezed Raina’s shoulder on her way by and went to the front door.
Raina heard happy voices and a baby’s gurgle before the door closed and locked and the two women and a little girl came back into the kitchen.
“This is Lily,” Caitlyn said, carrying the bag of food that smelled like heaven to Raina’s suddenly starving stomach.
Lily smiled at everyone. Her blue eyes were kind. She was curvy and instantly put Raina at ease with her friendly attitude and concern. “How are you?”
Raina shrugged, knowing no one would believe her if she said she was fine.
Lily nodded. “I get that. Want to hold the baby? She seems to make everything better.”
Raina chuckled and accepted the little girl. She reached up and grabbed Raina’s hair, holding on tight and tugging.
“Tessa,” Lily scolded softly. She reached over and extricated Raina’s hair from Tessa’s grip. “Sorry. I’m developing a bald spot from her doing that. I think she’s afraid someone’s going to drop her.”
“How old is she?” Raina asked.
“Seven months. She’s trying to start crawling, but she’s not quite there yet. I don’t think I’m ready for that.”
Raina chuckled. She always thought she’d have kids. She’d hoped for them when she was younger. But tomorrow wasn’t certain for her at the moment, so there was a small part of her that was grateful she hadn’t brought a child into the disaster her life had turned out to be.
Especially one with Damon. She’d thought she was pregnant once. It was the driving force behind her leaving him for good. She was wrong about the pregnancy, but she knew she couldn’t stay any longer. That she couldn’t risk herself and a baby.
“Do you have kids?” Lily asked.
Raina shook her head, staring into the blue eyes of the little girl.
“Are you hungry?” Caitlyn asked Raina, pulling her focus from the baby.
Raina’s stomach answered for her with a loud rumble that made all of them chuckle.
“I agree,” Lily said. “Archer was watching the house where you were tonight, so I was keeping myself busy by cooking. It’s busywork for me. Distracting enough to make the time pass quicker.”
“Don’t let Lily fool you. She’s an amazing cook,” Caitlyn said.
Raina followed the women to the food lined up on the counter. Lily took Tessa back while Raina filled a plate with food. Some kind of pasta casserole loaded with meat and cheese, an entire tray of broccoli, and the softest bread Raina had ever had in her life.
Caitlyn and Lily followed right behind her and led her to the dining room where a bigger table allowed all of them to sit together. Lorelei, Liam, and Adam came in a minute later with their own food, and Raina remembered what Lorelei said before Lily showed up.
“Why do you think we should pretend to be a couple?” Raina asked Lorelei.
Lorelei glanced at Adam. He scowled in her direction, but he smoothed out his expression when Raina caught him. Lorelei turned her gaze to Liam, who looked far more approving of the idea.
When Lorelei met Raina’s gaze, Raina braced for whatever Lorelei was going to say, but she was not prepared for the truth.
“A couple is irrelevant. No one notices or cares. The three of us together draws attention. Especially when we’re in the house and no one leaves or comes in. Hiding draws attention.”
“And you think being out in the open won’t?”
“I think if your story is good, no one will think twice about it. Maybe change your appearance so you look a little different, but nothing major. We believe Street has a network he’s using to track you. If you leave town, his reach won’t be as comprehensive.”
“We’ll be safer.”
Lorelei nodded. “I believe so, yes.”
“I think she’s right,” Liam said. “We can maintain surveillance on you. Track your vehicle and phones, monitor your locations, but leaving the area will make it harder for Street to have eyes on you.”
Raina looked at Adam. “You don’t agree.”
Adam held her gaze for a long moment. “It would leave us without anyone else if something happens. We’d be on our own without backup.”
“But you promised you wouldn’t let anything happen to me again.”
“Yeah, I…” Adam nodded. “I did, and I meant that, but if Street—”
“If he finds us, I know you’ll do everything you can to protect me.”
“I would, yes.”
“Then I think we should do it. Clearly, staying here isn’t working. He’s already found us twice. And leaving means getting out. Fresh air and sunshine and living for however long I have left.”
“Raina…”
“No,” she said sharply. “I don’t want to die in a safe house. I don’t want to die at all, but I sure as fuck don’t want to die hiding from him where he’s going to find me in just a few weeks. I want to live. See things. Enjoy my life. I’m going to be scared no matter what. I’m going to be looking over my shoulder until he’s six feet under, and maybe after that, too. But I’m sick of being stuck in a safe house.”
Adam looked like he was going to throw up. His face went pale, his lips twisted into a grimace.
Raina looked at Lorelei and Liam. “Is there someone else who can go with me?”
“What?” Adam barked.
Raina leveled him with a look that relayed exactly how she felt about his refusal. “You don’t want to go, I do. They agree with me. You’re outvoted. This is happening, and if you won’t do it, I’ll find someone else who will.”
Adam scowled at her.
Everyone else in the room stayed silent, even baby Tessa. The tension in the room was thick. But Raina refused to back down.
“Fine,” Adam said. “I’ll do it.”
Raina forced a sneer into a smile. “Gee, thanks.”
Adam scowled again, looking like he’d rather do anything else.
That was just fine with Raina. She’d keep her distance from now on. She needed him to protect her. She didn’t need him for anything else.
7
Adam didn’t say much after he agreed to go on the run with Raina. It was a horrible idea. Being alone with her? The only thing that would do was wear down his resolve to keep his distance from her.
But he was out-voted. And fuck if he was going to let anyone else pretend to be the other half of a couple with her.
“We should all get some sleep,” Lorelei said after too many hours of planning and talking and absolutely zero information about whoever had tried to get into the safe house. “We’ll touch base with our bosses in the morning and finalize the plan from there.”
Adam grunted his response, more than a little annoyed with his partner. Maybe if he was able to think clearly, he would have agreed with her about this plan, but clear went out the window when Raina walked in the door. Adam hadn’t been able to focus on anything else. And now he was going to be the only one standing between Raina and the man who thought she was his and intended to kill her once he proved she was.
What the fuck was he thinking?
The others got up and moved toward the stairs that led to the second floor, where the bedrooms were. Adam knew there were three bedrooms upstairs, which meant two people would have to share if he followed the crowd.
“Are you coming?” Lorelei asked.
Adam shook his head. “There are only three bedrooms. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Lorelei looked at Liam for confirmation. At his nod, she turned back to Adam. “I’ll take the couch. You didn’t get much rest today.”
“I’ve been on nights. I’m good. I’m not tired enough to go to sleep yet, anyway.” The lie slipped out easily. Adam choked back the yawn that tried to disprove it.
Lorelei looked closely at him, likely seeing through his deception, but she didn’t call him on it. “Okay. Good night.”
“Night,” Adam said, waving to the others. He forced a smile as they all headed up the stairs.
Raina never looked back.
Adam listened to the sounds of the house, water running, toilets flushing, doors opening and closing before everything upstairs fell silent. He turned on the TV and lowered the volume, needing something to distract him before he got too wrapped up in what tomorrow would bring.
A pretend vacation with Raina pretending to be in love with him. He was so fucked.
The TV flickered and played a movie. One movie turned into another one, and Adam finally drifted to sleep. When the early morning light streamed through the gauzy curtains and shined on him, he woke up just as slowly as he fell asleep.
