Chapter 12
Mack couldn’t stop shaking.
She was covered in blood and brain matter, sitting on the back bumper of an ambulance. They’d checked her vitals and wrapped her in a blanket, but she couldn’t stop shivering.
Mack couldn’t tell how much time had passed. It might’ve been minutes, maybe hours. Everything seemed surreal.
Harold was dead, Lupita had been arrested, and Quinn was in custody, too.
When West had cut her free, she’d tried to intervene, and set Quinn free. But West tossed her over his shoulder and carried Mack out of there over her protests.
“Mack, are you okay?”
She glanced up to see West standing there, staring at her. He had a Styrofoam cup in his grasp, which he handed to her.
Numbly she took the cup of coffee. Mack didn’t feel like drinking it, but the warmth was welcome. She pressed her chilled fingertips against the sides.
“Mack?”
“Hmm?”
“I asked you a question, but you didn’t answer me.”
“No, I’m not okay.” Mack swallowed. “And I don’t wanna talk to you.” Not right now. Maybe never again.
“I don’t give a flyin’ fuck.” West took a seat next to her. “We need to have a conversation.”
“Fine,” she gritted out. “We’ll talk. How could you do this to me?”
“How could I what? Turn a fugitive over to the cops? Easy, it’s our job.”
“No, how could you betray me?” There was no other word for it. “We didn’t need the police to finish this job, and you didn’t even ask me what I thought.”
“Let’s get the facts straight. I followed the law, it’s as simple as that.’
“That’s a bunch of crap and you know it.” Mack was over his sanctimonious attitude.
“I know, but you’ve been compromised by the situation. You think you have feelings for the man, but he was playin’ you, Mack.”
“Correction. I don’t have feelings for Quinn.” The term didn’t even come close to describing how she felt about him. “I love him. I’m in love with him. And how the hell are you in any position to decide how two other people feel about each other?”
“Mack, I’m not trying to insult you, but I don’t think you're being rational. He used you.”
She tossed her hair back. “And how would you know? You don’t have a clue what happened between us.”
West reached for her, and she slapped his hand away.
“Mack,” he said gently. “I’m grateful for his help, but it doesn’t make up for the laws he broke.”
“Doesn’t it? He’s just like you and me. Before Quinn was an FBI agent, he was a soldier. Quinn served his country and then he was betrayed by it. How about showing him a little compassion?”
“He did the crime, so he—”
Mackenzie balled up a fist. “I swear to God, if you say he has to do the time, I’m gonna punch you.”
“Mack—”
“Don’t try to reason with me, when you’re the one who’s being irrational.” Mack sucked in a breath. “And you know what? You’re a hypocrite.”
“I’m gonna let that one go since you’re distraught.” A white line formed around his mouth, and she could tell she was getting on his last nerve.
Mack was glad she’d provoked him. She was so mad right now, she wanted to hit somebody, hurt them, make them feel as bad as she did inside.
“How about we don’t? What about King’s sister? Ellie was wanted by the FBI, but we protected her.”
West gritted his teeth. “That’s different. She’s King’s sister. Besides, her boyfriend was a domestic terrorist. She was just—”
“His accomplice? Granted, Ellie was an unwitting one, but she was guilty of a crime, but I didn’t say a word. I felt the law was wrong in her case.”
“These situations aren’t the same.”
“Aren’t they?” She hopped off the bumper. “Don’t forget, the FBI has a corruption problem right now. What if one of the dirty agents gets to him?”
His jaw tightened. “I told the FBI what was going on.”
“Fantastic. Did you tell one of the unethical ones?”
West grimaced. “We did the best we could, under the circumstances.”
Mack squeezed her hands into fists. “You know what? I’m sick of people who betray me.”
“I didn’t—”
“Yes, you did. West, you don’t trust me. You surveilled me, and basically told me I’m an idiot who doesn’t know she’s being used. You know what? I’ve had enough of this crap. I quit.”
“Mack, wait!” West shouted. “Let’s talk this out.”
But Mack kept right on going.
***
“I need to see him.”
“Mack, I can’t do that.”
Sheriff Huck Wells was handsome, but Mack didn’t care. She only had eyes for one man. Huck was in his mid-thirties and wore a khaki uniform with a star pinned to his chest. He had blond hair, blue eyes, and a lot of country boy charm.
Today, however, he was a big pain in her butt.
“Yes, you can.” She pointed to a large pair of steel doors. “All you have to do, is unlock it and let me step in there, so I can speak with Quinn.”
His brows shot up. “Do your friends know you’re here?”
“What friends?” An hour ago, Mack quit working for Black Star. She’d gotten dozens of calls and text messages, but she’d shut her phone off. She wasn’t ready to deal with all of them yet.
He pursed his lips and they had a silent stare off.
Mack refused to back down.
“You aren’t gonna try anything, are you?”
“I know you guys think he’s Clyde, but I’m not Bonnie. All I wanna do is talk to him.”
Huck grunted in response, as though he didn’t quite believe her, but he grabbed the keys from the peg on the wall and unlocked the door anyway.
“You’ve got five minutes.”
“Thank you, Huck.”
“Don’t thank me, I’m really not doing you a favor.”
The jail only had two cells, and there were no other prisoners in the room. Had Lupita been taken to a different place? Or maybe they were interrogating her. Regardless, Quinn was sitting on a stainless-steel bench, but he stood when he spotted her.
Mack wrapped her fingers around the cold bars. “I’m getting you out of here.”
Quinn shook his head. “Mackenzie, we both know I’m never gettin’ out of jail. I’m being transferred to the FBI tomorrow, and then I’ll be in federal custody.” His face was grim. “I doubt I’ll live long enough to see my trial.”
He was probably right. Between the FBI and the cartel, he’d pissed off some very powerful people. More than likely, the cartel or a crooked FBI agent would take him out.
“Quinn, I love you and I’m gonna save you. No matter what it takes.” She’d already come up with a plan, and it was a terrible one, but she didn’t have any other options.
He closed his eyes. “You deserve a man who’s a hell of a lot better than me.”
“Quinn, I don’t give a damn what you’ve done. I want you.”
“Mackenzie, you just watched me kill a man and he wasn’t the first.”
“Harold was a monster.”
“The point is, Harold has a family. He got what he deserved but they didn’t. And they have the right to punish me.”
“And what about me?” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “What am I being punished for?”
Quinn sighed. “Don’t cry over me. I’m not worth it.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t accept that.”
“Mack…please.” Quinn wrapped his hands around hers.
“What?”
“Promise me something.”
“Anything. Just ask.” There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for him.
“I want you to forget about me.”
Her lower lip trembled. “What? How can I?”
“I mean it. I want you to be safe and happy, which means you’ve gotta stay far away from me and this mess.”
No, I can’t.
Mack’s throat ached. “But I lo—”
“Mack, it’s time to go.” Huck stepped into the room.
She didn’t give a damn about what was best for her. For once, Mack was going to fight for what she wanted.
Mack only had one chance to save him.
And she was going to take it, even if it meant committing a crime of her own.
***
“I thought you’d never leave.”
Mack sprang up from the back seat and shoved a gun into Alan’s side.
It was nearly ten o’clock at night, and she was in the parking garage by FBI headquarters. The place was deserted. Thankfully, Alan had parked far away from the security cameras.
No doubt, so he could meet up with cartel thugs in secret.
Alan glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Mack? What the fuck are you doing? Have you lost your goddamn mind? If you think—”
“Shut up and listen.” Mack cocked the trigger. “I know you were in on it.”
“In on what?”
“In case you haven’t realized, Alan, I’m not in the mood.” She pushed the gun against his ribs. Hard. “I know you were part of Harold’s operation and you sent the homicidal agent after me.”
“Mack, you sound insane. Are you even listening to yourself? These paranoid conspiracy theories are—”
“You got that right out of Harold’s playbook, huh?” Mack cut him off. “You used to be a field agent, right on the Arizona border, before you started rising up through the ranks.”
“Yes. So, what?”
“And Harold was your supervisor for a few months.” She chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve been looking through your service records.”
“It doesn’t prove anything.”
“It’s enough to raise a few eyebrows, especially when the FBI starts investigating itself for corruption. And since Harold’s dead, I bet you moved up a rung or two in the cartel organization. I’m sure you’ll be questioned.”
Alan cleared his throat. “What do you want?”
Ha. Gotcha. “You’re gonna consult with your bosses and then cut Quinn loose.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Ask me why.”
“Why?” he asked, through gritted teeth.
“Because we wire-tapped Lupita and Harold, for days. I’ve got all kinds of things on the recording.” Mack waited, hoping her bluff would pay off.
“I see, and you’re gonna blackmail me.”
“I prefer to think of it as an exchange of favors. Drop the new charges against Quinn and give him parole for the robbery.”
He snorted. “Are you fucking kidding me? There’s no way they’re gonna go for it. He’s a convicted felon, who broke out of prison, and he killed a man in front of law enforcement officers.”
“Actually, they were on the other side of the door. They heard a gunshot but didn’t see him pull the trigger.”
“Oh, you wanna debate semantics with me?”
“No, I want you to save Quinn and your career at the same time. See? It’s a win-win scenario.”
“And if I don’t go along with this insanity, what are you gonna do about it?”
“Did you forget about the gun in your ribs?”
“You’re not a killer, Mack.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
Because she wasn’t.
At this moment, she was capable of just about anything. Mack literally had nothing left to lose. She lost Quinn, her job, and her friends. It was a dangerous frame of mind.
“I am. You forget I know you. Are you thinkin’ about goin’ to the press?”
“Of course not.”
His shoulders slumped in relief.
Mack let him savor the tension release for a moment, so she could snatch it away again.
“Have you ever heard of a useful idiot?”
Alan blinked. “What?”
“A useful idiot.”
“No,” he snapped. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talkin’ about.”
“Listen up. It’s a political term for someone being manipulated or used by another, for their own selfish gain. And I’ve got a couple of fools in mind. I already made appointments with both senators from the great state of Kentucky. See, if I approach a reporter and come at the FBI with my tarnished work record, people will dismiss me.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“But I am. Now, pay attention, this is a very clever plan.”
“Mack…”
“You see, I’ve got very juicy background information I can give these eager senators, who will be only too happy to tell the press for me. Maybe they’ll convene some very high-profile hearings, and drag your superiors through the mud, in order to score some votes. I wonder how fast they’ll pink slip your ass.” Mack snapped her fingers. “And poof. There goes your pension. Next, you’ll probably be charged with—”
“You wouldn’t dare. Your affair with Harold would be all over the newspaper.”
Mack knew she’d be putting herself in a very vulnerable position. She’d be the latest version of Monica Lewinsky, without the stupid beret. When Mack had gone to work for Black Star, she’d left the humiliation behind her
There wouldn’t be a safe haven anymore. The story would blow up so big, her face would be on television all around the world.
But she didn’t give a damn—freeing Quinn was worth it.
“Yes, but I’m used to being slut-shamed and ridiculed. Besides, I’d take some satisfaction out of seeing you get knocked off your pedestal, too. You sat back and watched while Harold smeared my name and drummed me out of the agency. You knew what a sleazy prick he was, and still you did nothing.”
“You can’t do this.”
“Actually, I can, and I will.” Mack was prepared to make good on her threat, if necessary.
“You’re wrong.” He closed his eyes. “I did what I had to do for my family. We have three kids and my wife got sick—”
Mack’s finger twitched on the trigger. “So, you helped drug dealers smuggle their poison into the country. Well, if you did it for your family, then it’s heroic.”
“Don’t you dare judge me.” Alan had a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel
She sighed. “That’s what people do. They judge others, so they can feel better about themselves and I think it’s time I spread some of the shame around. Unless we have a deal?”
Alan said nothing.
“As soon as I walk out of this car, this offer expires.”
He still didn’t speak.
Mack opened the car door and it made a metallic scraping noise.
“Wait! Give me the digital files and sign a non-disclosure agreement, and then I’ll free Quinn.”
Mack put the gun away. “Like I’m gonna trust you. I’ll hand over the audio files when I pick Quinn up from prison. You won’t be transferring him to federal jail either. He’s gonna stay right where he is, so Huck can watch over him. And if anything happens to him, I’m gonna hold you personally responsible.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m thinking an eye for an eye sort of thing.”
A long silence ensued.
“Fine. You’ve got yourself a deal.” He turned in the seat and he offered her his hand. Mack shook it. “I’ll take care of it tomorrow morning.”
“Start the paperwork tonight. It’s gonna take some time.” Mack hopped out of the car. “Pleasure doing business with you, Alan.”
***
When Mack arrived back at HQ, West was standing near in the foyer.
She was intending to scoop up her gear and be out the door before they had a chance to talk to her.
“Hi,” she said. It was lame, but Mack was at a loss for words.
“Are you alright?”
Strangely enough, yes.
Sure, she’d threatened an officer of the law, albeit a crooked one, but she was strangely upbeat. Knowing Quinn would be fine, made everything okay somehow.
“Mack?” West prompted.
“What?” She blinked. “Right. Yes, I’m cool.” Mack nodded to the staircase. “I just came for my stuff, and then I’ll get out of your way.”
West shook his head. “No, ma’am. You’re not gettin’ out of here without talkin’ to the crew. Come on, they’re in the meetin’ room.” West didn’t wait for her response. Instead, he walked down the length of the hall, and she followed him.
It would be rude not to say goodbye. Right?
When she strolled into the room, everyone was seated at the table. Her gaze touched on each of them. And her heart throbbed like an invisible hand had reached through her ribcage and grasped it, squeezing.
The whole gang was there.
West and Annie, Lucy and Storm, King and Sassy, Ellie and Zane, and Nox and Maeve, too. All of them had gotten their happily ever afters.
Once again, she was left standing alone.
Although Mack was pleased they’d found joy. All of them deserved a partner, who loved and cared for them, although Mack couldn’t help but envy their good fortune.
“Hey.” She waved. “I just wanted to say goodbye before I left.”
A heavy almost funereal silence hung over the room.
West cleared his throat. “We heard about Quinn.”
“How?” Mack had just negotiated with Alan last night.
“Huck called early this morning.” West shifted uncomfortably in his seat. It was clear he didn’t approve, even though he didn’t say so. “Apparently, somebody pretty high up at the FBI called him and asked him to keep the prisoner for the next couple of weeks. Your name didn’t come up, but I added 2 and 2 and figured it out. Apparently, they won’t be takin’ him to federal prison.”
“How about that?” Mack refused to elaborate about her role in Quinn’s release.
Storm spoke up. “So, everything’s copacetic, right? You’re not in trouble? And your boyfriend’s free to go?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Mack bit the inside of her cheek. Quinn wasn’t going to jail, but it didn’t mean they’d be together. Quinn seemed to think he didn’t deserve her.
Or maybe he just didn’t want her.
“Oh yeah?” Nox crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell him that.”
“But you’re not in trouble?” Storm probed.
Mack appreciated his concern. He’d always looked out for her, even if she didn’t agree with his methods.
“No, I’m not in trouble. More than likely, Quinn’s going to get probation. My guess is it will be pretty intense, maybe with electronic monitoring and regular check-ins. I’m sure the FBI is going to impose all kinds of conditions.”
“And what about you?” Ellie asked. “Where will you go?”
Mack shrugged. “I don’t know yet.” She hadn’t made any other plans, other than freeing Quinn.
At the moment, she’d lost her housing and job.
Correction, you gave it up because you were pissed off.
Everyone eyed West who was busy studying the table.
She backed toward the exit. “And I should probably get moving.”
“We’ll miss you, Mack,” Annie said. There were tears shining in her eyes and she blinked them back.
“I’m gonna miss you, too.” A hard, thick lump formed in Mack’s throat.
Nox made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “This is some bullshit. Mack, you can’t leave. We need you.”
“But I quit, and I know you guys don’t approve of Quinn. Lately, my actions have been questionable, too.”
“Let’s get somethin’ straight,” Nox said, interrupting. “I don’t give a damn who you fuck. It’s none of my damn business.”
As usual, Nox was rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. At least you didn’t have to guess what he thought about any given situation.
“We’re not together anymore. I’m sure Quinn’s gonna move on and do his own thing.”
“I doubt it. Let’s get to the important question. Does he make you happy?” King asked.
“Yes, but it’s not…we’re not a couple.” Were they even listening to her? “We never were.”
Zane snorted. “That guy’s been stuck on you for weeks. He ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
Mack deliberately squashed the hopeful impulse. It was best not to have any expectations.
“I know you guys don’t like Quinn and you have every right to be suspicious of him.”
“Yeah, we pretty much hate him,” King said. “Dislike is way too generous a term. We—”
“Buuuuttt,” Storm interrupted quickly. “We love you, enough to put up with him.”
Annie elbowed West. “Are you gonna fix this or what?”
West spoke up. “I should’ve trusted you more, Mack, and I’m sorry.”
Mack bit her lower lip. “For what it’s worth, West, I’m sorry, too. I was angry and upset. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“Yeah, I think we did.” Mack wasn’t stupid enough to let pride keep her from the people she loved.
“So, you’re gonna stay.” Nox didn’t ask a question. It was a statement.
Mack sucked in a breath. “West...?”
West grinned. “I don’t see any reason to break up the team.”
She beamed. “Then I’m not going anywhere.”
It wasn’t quite the happy ending she’d been longing for, but at least Mack had her family back.