Chapter Thirteen
Chase watched as the realization of what he said washed over her. She shook her head then leaned against the railing as if for support. “How long have you known?”
“Well, I didn’t know the other night when you were fucking my brains out.”
She staggered as if he’d hit her, and he instantly regretted his choice of words.
“Chase, let me explain – ”
“You’re running from your husband.” He suspected the man with the long hair and top-bun was connected to Garcia, and not actually a seasoned camper.
“He’s not my husband anymore.”
“Are you telling me Mateo Garcia allowed his wife to divorce him?” Was there a shred of truth in what she just said? And even if she wasn’t married any longer, Garcia wouldn’t like his wife, ex-wife, disappearing into thin air.
“What do you know about him?”
“I know he’s an integral part of the Sin Piedad drug cartel. The second largest cartel in Mexico.”
“Is it your hobby to research drug cartels in your spare time?”
“I asked you several times to tell me what you were running from and each time you looked me in the eye and said nothing. Then you tangled your web around me, and now I’ll be on the list of people he wants to kill.” He’d allowed that web to cover him. He wanted her, knew he should’ve stayed away from her, and didn’t. He didn’t trust his gut again and now he was falling in love with Mateo Garcia’s ex-wife.
“Who are you?” She stuck her chin up. “You haven’t been completely honest either, and I didn’t push you. I figured you had your story and you’d tell it if you wanted to. Is your name even Chase Shepherd?”
“It is, lady. It is. I never lied.”
“No, you withheld the whole story. That’s splitting hairs.”
He cleared the space between them wanting to draw her into his arms and kiss her senseless. He gripped her shoulders. Her gaze never left his. “You don’t want to know my story. And I wish I didn’t know yours.” He released her and stepped back needing air and space and time to figure out what to do.
She did need his help, and if she was running from Garcia she needed more than just his assistance. She couldn’t go to any protection program. They’d never be able to keep her safe forever. He had the skills, and the resources to find Garcia and put an end to him. Those resources were inside his house at that very moment and all he’d have to do is tell them the woman he loved was in trouble. They would ask no questions, but he couldn’t allow Deke or Max to get hurt for him. No one else would die because of him.
And did that oath apply to Raine and Landon now?
“Tell me your story.” She didn’t come near him. Didn’t touch him, and he wanted her to.
God, he wanted to hold her and tell her she’d be all right. “Now isn’t the time.”
“Really? When is? Do you think after today we’ll ever speak again? If you won’t help me, I’ll have to pack up and go tonight. I can’t take the chance that Matt or his men show up while we’re all sleeping.”
He could stay up all night and watch. He’d done it before. He could keep her safe as long as she stayed in Silent Water. “Let’s go to your place. I’m freezing my balls off standing out here waiting for more snow.”
****
“Hey, pal.” Chase ruffled Landon’s soft hair as he passed by into the kitchen. The kid smelled like powder and salty butter.
Landon jumped onto his knees from his spot on the couch almost knocking the bowl of popcorn over. “Chase, did you come to watch the movie with us? I can restart it if you want.”
“Thanks, but your mom and I have to talk. Maybe another time, okay?” There wouldn’t be another time. He’d allowed himself to feel something for this kid, and that had been a mistake too. Christ, the mistakes piled up around him like manure.
He took the seat opposite of Raine. She never let her stare waver. Her determination screwed up his heart. “I can keep you safe, but I can’t get you a gun.”
“Why not? I don’t have the time to hunt down a local gang and buy it off the street.”
He let out a deep breath. “You can’t get a gun legally, and I won’t break the law, but I have the skills to keep you safe, and I have the resources.”
“What kind of resources? You’re going to hit them with your spatula?”
He smirked. “You weren’t far off when you asked if I was a police officer. I’m a former special ops team leader for an agency called The Omega Team. We take on all kinds of cases, even dangerous ones like your husband’s cartel.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re like that character Liam Neeson played in that movie where they take his daughter?”
This time he laughed. “Yeah, something like that.”
“But you said ‘former.’ What happened?”
He traced a scratch on the kitchen table unable to look at her. “I killed an undercover detective during an operation last year. I couldn’t work after that.”
The warmth of her hand covered his stopping his fingers from running up and down that stupid groove in the table. “Chase, look at me.”
He lifted his gaze to hers. Her blue eyes darkened with a tenderness that might undo him. He didn’t deserve kindness for what he did. He’d screwed up, killed a man, and had to rebuild his life or suffocate in the anger and anguish.
“In the little time we’ve known each other, I know you didn’t kill anyone on purpose. I’ve seen glimpses of your big, warm heart when you forget to put up that guard of yours. Whatever happened wasn’t your fault.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Six months ago, we were on assignment as undercover drug dealers. We’d arrived at the drop location. This was going to be big for us. Another undercover team from another organization showed up not knowing Omega Team was there. We didn’t know they were undercover either. We figured they were the guys ready to sell and we had them. We were going to use them to get guys higher up. A fight broke out. Everyone drew their guns. I tried to talk everyone down, but their guy was a rookie and hot headed and he kept trying to get in my face. He shoved his gun right against Deke’s head. Max and I surrounded him, but he wouldn’t stand down. I couldn’t let Deke die. I didn’t have a choice.”
The words burned his throat. He hadn’t told that story since he had to recap the incident for Grey Holden. He swore he’d never talk about it again. He just wanted it behind him, and here he was telling a woman on the run from a drug cartel.
She pushed up out of the chair and came around to him placing her cool hand against his hot face. “You were brave and you saved your friend. You didn’t know that man was an agent too. If you had, you would never have hurt him.”
“Doesn’t change the fact I see his dying eyes every night.”
“Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you about who I really am and I’m sorry I asked you for the gun. Landon and I will leave tonight. It’s safer that way. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She brushed her soft lips against his stirring the desire to take her into the bedroom and show her how much he cared for her.
He stood and took her soft hands in his. “Don’t go. I can protect you. Deke and Max will help me. We’ll wait for Garcia and his men and take them when they get here.”
“How can you do what no one else has ever been able to?”
“What makes you think I can’t?” He wanted to erase the doubt in her eyes.
“You’re answering my question with a question again.” She gave him that sweet smile of hers.
“I don’t want you to go. A few weeks ago, all I wanted was for you to turn that piece of crap car you drive back around and get off my property. Now I want you in my arms where I can keep you safe. You and Landon opened up something in me I thought I nailed closed.”
“You’re putting yourself at risk for us. I didn’t want you to do that. That’s why I wanted the gun. I’ll wait for whoever comes and I’ll kill them. Even then, I’m not sure we’ll be able to stay here. If I kill one of Matt’s men, he’ll keep coming after me. But if I kill him, then I’ll be left alone. What I have in my favor is Matt didn’t tell anyone we ran away. He would want to save face and make up a story. I counted on that and have to assume he did. If he goes missing, it won’t be me they question. They’ll think their enemies got him. Landon and I will be free.”
“You’re right about Garcia. The word is out you went to Florida to live with your parents.”
“My parents are gone.”
“It’s his cover, babe. Say you won’t go. Let me protect you.” And what if he couldn’t? Would she be better off if she ran? But how far and for how long? He had a chance to give her a life, and that would mean pointing a gun at another man. Could he do it this time?