Randi was thrilled to be out of the bunker, but when she saw what the cabin above looked like, she knew they were lucky. There were only shards of wood where the cabin once stood. Although it had been an eyesore before, she would’ve preferred to see it still standing. This reinforced how bad things had become. If they hadn’t pushed the panic button to rally Watson and his men, it could’ve ended so differently.
She’d experienced it when they tried snatching Marina from the lab. They were dealing with people who were prepared to die for what they wanted. That was difficult for her to comprehend. Randi could fight to defend, not to attack. How do we win when they place no value on their enemy’s life? I couldn’t pull a trigger without thinking this is someone’s son or daughter or brother or sister.
There was nothing left to identify what or who had been there when they blew apart the cabin. It was clear there was an intruder, but how many? There was no way anyone escaped.
Randi remembered Watson mentioning the cabin wasn’t as defenseless as it looked. He’d pointed out motion detectors and well-hidden surveillance cameras throughout the cabin. He had them underground too, so the moment the intruders were five hundred yards from the cabin Watson had been alerted they were there. With advanced technology in place, Randi knew Watson and Mark would not have used deadly force if the situation hadn’t warranted it. These weren’t innocent people looking for a place to party. They were on a mission to destroy, and thank God we had backup close by.
Part of her wanted to put names and faces with her attackers so she could have some closure. It was the unknown that kept her awake at night. That wasn’t going to happen this time. Maybe it’s better this way. There is so much I wish I never knew about and, unquestionably, wish I’d never lived. If only it were as easy as erasing a chalkboard.
Randi understood the rules. It’s kill or be killed. That didn’t make it any more plausible. Haven’t enough people already died? All those people who were after Marina. Now more people because they’re after me. When will it end? Will it ever end?
It left a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. War and hate had been around since the beginning of time. Who was she to think she could put a stop to it? What we’re doing isn’t making a dent. Letting them continue without doing everything I can to stop them isn’t an option. If I quit now they win, and Maggie’s death would have been for nothing.
No matter how ugly this was, she wasn’t going to stop. This mission wasn’t just about her and how she felt. She started doing this for Maggie, but then got to know Marina and others affected by it. She’d continue this fight for all of them.
One man was ready to lay his life down for her. Although she didn’t want him to, she’d learned quickly he wasn’t one she or anyone else could control. I don’t want to lose you, Wyatt. Thinking of my life without you in it . . . isn’t the life I want.
She hadn’t talked to him since they’d left the bunker. Actually, she’d been left on her own. She’d expected Mark to come over and talk about what went wrong, but he and Wyatt were deep in conversation. Wyatt didn’t look happy and seemed to be ranting, pointing at where the cabin once was and then back at Mark.
She fully expected Mark to put a stop to it, but he didn’t seem fazed by it. In the past Mark hadn’t taken kindly to someone blowing off steam in his face. Although tempted to storm over there and demand to be brought into the loop, she thought it best to wait until Wyatt cooled off.
Nate was standing with them but not part of the conversation. He took a step back, as though he knew it was about to get ugly. I’m not sure when it became acceptable to keep me out of the loop, but it’s ending now. And if either of them tries to shut me out . . . they haven’t seen me when I’m angry.
Stomping over to where they all stood, she said, “Hate to break up this all-boys club, but I have some questions.”
Mark shot her a sharp look, and Wyatt just looked surprised. Nate broke out in laughter. “Well, this is about to get even better.”
Wyatt turned to Nate and said, “Aren’t you supposed to be in Florida?”
Nate shrugged. “Mark offered me a lift. Sounded a hell of a lot more interesting than sitting in some dingy motel, waiting for you to show up.”
“Had my hands full.”
Nate looked at Randi intensely. She felt as though he knew exactly where his brother’s hands had been. It was a good thing he knew she wasn’t Maggie or this would’ve been even more awkward. She blushed but hoped no one would notice.
“This isn’t about Nate or what happened in the bunker. I want to know if we were able to reverse trace the phone tap,” Wyatt said.
Mark nodded. “We have more than we had before, but not what we were looking for. It’s not good.”
That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. The plan seemed perfect. They knew even though their lines were highly secure government satphones, they were still being monitored. “What did you find?” Randi asked.
“The tap is coming from the Department of Homeland Security. We couldn’t pinpoint the exact agent,” Mark said.
DHS? That’s where I worked when I was . . . Mirranda. She knew why Mark couldn’t obtain the full reverse trace. An internal system scrambles anything coming in. It was a safety net so other countries couldn’t spy on the US. Even though we were doing the spying. What she couldn’t understand was why DHS would be monitoring them.
“Are you positive, Mark?”
His expression said he didn’t like being doubted. “I’m trying to get a list of who in DHS could pull this off.”
“I can get that.”
Wyatt asked, “How?”
“I have a few friends there. Of course, they think I’m dead, which might be a hindrance.”
“You can’t let them know you’re alive,” Mark barked. “If you do, everything is blown out of the water.”
“Mark, I have other ways of doing it. Maggie can ask for a favor.”
“And they would do that why?”
“I know how they work. I can do this. Maggie can do this.” She knew it wasn’t going to be quite as easy as she was making it out to be, but she was their best shot. The less either of them knew about it, the better.
“I may have let you put yourself out as bait one time, but there is no way I’m letting you go there when we know the mole is one of them,” Wyatt said as he spun her around to face him. “That’s precisely what he or she is counting on.”
She looked at Mark, who shrugged, then at Wyatt. Damn it. You knew about my plan all that time and didn’t tell me. Great pair you two make . . . dominating jackasses. “I don’t remember needing your permission. Any of yours for that matter. I’m doing this, so you can either help me or not.”
“She’s right, McVeigh. Whoever the bastard is, Johnson is dead because of him. I want him.”
“At all costs, Collins? Because the price might be Randi, and you know that ain’t going to fucking happen,” Wyatt snapped, his jaw twitching in anger.
“She’s not going in unprotected,” Mark added.
“Randi’s not going at all,” Wyatt retorted.
She threw up her hands. “I don’t think either of you are listening to me. I’m in control of what I do. Consider yourselves lucky I’m not going in and telling them who I am. Now if you two are done, I need a few things before doing this. I’ll get you a list.”
Mark and Wyatt glared at each other. At least they stopped talking long enough to hear me.
She anticipated pushback but didn’t receive any. That concerned her. Either they were humoring her and had no intention of letting her do this, or things were so bad she was their only option. Guess we’ll find out.
“I know a place we can go and firm up the plan,” Mark said. “A small town in Honeywell. It’s not far from here.”
“Is it safe?” Wyatt asked.
“Safe enough that my kid sister, Casey, lives there with her husband, Derrick.”
Randi knew exactly what he meant by that even though Wyatt didn’t. Derrick’s first wife and daughter had been killed the same day as Maggie. The dam that was blown to destroy what happened in a secret lab in North Carolina also killed a few innocent people. There was absolutely no way Mark would take them there if he thought any danger would follow.
“Sounds good,” Randi replied.
Wyatt didn’t look enthusiastic, but he nodded and headed toward Watson’s chopper. Wyatt’s attitude didn’t seem to disturb Mark one bit as he followed along.
Randi turned to Nate who seemed to be contemplating what just occurred. “Is your brother always like this?”
“Difficult?”
“Controlling,” Randi said. There were other less ladylike words that had come to mind.
For the first time, Randi saw Nate’s playfulness turn serious. “He’s always in control, but this is different. It’s not the situation he’s trying to control. If it were, there’s no doubt in my mind he’d control.”
It was a cocky statement, but Nate wasn’t boasting about Wyatt. It was fact, and Wyatt had demonstrated that while they were in the bunker. “So what’s going on? Why is he acting so—?”
“Protective. None of this is how he normally operates. Trust me. I’ve seen him in action plenty of times. He doesn’t get rattled and never loses his cool. Yet, I hear it in his voice, and he looks like he wants to rip someone’s head off. Hence, why I’m in no rush to board that chopper.”
“We’re all under a lot of stress.”
“It’s not stress. This attitude is all about protecting you. Don’t be so hard on him, Mirranda.”
She glanced toward the chopper then back to Nate. “I can handle myself.”
Nate shook his head. “I don’t doubt that. If you couldn’t, Mark wouldn’t let you near his team. This isn’t about what you can handle. Wyatt’s a great guy caught in a battle between love and duty. Give him time to figure it out and adjust.”
Love? Wyatt loves me? She wanted to tell Nate he was way off base. Randi knew he liked her, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Wyatt hadn’t spoken any words to indicate it was anything more than an attraction. His actions when the intruder alert went off said it might be more. Maybe Nate’s right. Maybe Wyatt cares more than he’s letting on.
His words were reflecting what was in her heart as well. Randi wished she and Wyatt had taken the time to talk about it while they were locked down, waiting to be rescued. Instead, Wyatt withdrew and became the soldier, leaving no room for light conversation, never mind something as deep as their feelings for each other. Now it was too late.
“It’s complicated, Nate.”
“Don’t make the same mistake Maggie did.”
Randi’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t ready to talk to him about it. It was too close to home. The timing couldn’t be worse. Looking into Nate’s eyes, she could see this wasn’t easy for him either. I’m sure every time you look at me you see my sister and remember. If it were as easy as changing my looks, I’d do it. Your pain is so much deeper. Trust me. I know, and I’m sorry.
“Nate, things with you and Maggie were so different from what’s happening now.”
“Different time, but if you’re not careful the end result may be the same. Hiding things from Wyatt isn’t a healthy way to start a relationship. Let him be there for you. If you don’t and something happens, he’ll spend the rest of his life wondering what he could’ve done differently. He’ll always wonder if he could’ve saved you.”
Randi reached out and touched his arm. These words of wisdom weren’t about Wyatt and her any longer. She was positive Maggie had no idea what her actions were going to do to Nate. If she had, Randi thought she’d have done things differently. “I’m sorry Nate. I know she loved you very much. So much that she couldn’t bring herself to let you be hurt.” Either of us. And I wish to God she’d opened up earlier.
“Yeah, living without her in my life is so much fucking better,” Nate replied bitterly.
Randi was riddled with guilt. Nate hit the nail on the head. She was doing exactly what Maggie had. The only difference was Randi hadn’t been killed. Yet. Things were far from over, and she was pushing Wyatt away. That needed to stop. She’d need to come clean with him when they were alone in Honeywell. It’s time to start treating him like I want to be treated.
She gave Nate a quick hug and said, “We can’t change the past, Nate. But I promise you, I’m going to try not to reenact it with your brother.”
He gave her a tight squeeze and said, “I think that would make Maggie happy.”
Randi would like to think so too. Maggie would have been genuinely happy for Randi’s happiness. And Maggie, even in all this shit, I am happy. Crazy, but I’m happy for the first time in a very long time.
Watson walked over to them and said, “I suggest you two get on my chopper before Collins and McVeigh start throwing punches.”
Nate laughed. “That bad?”
“Can’t have two bulls in one pen.”
Randi winked at Nate. “Looks like it’s going to be a long flight to Honeywell.”
“They all are when Wyatt’s on board.” Nate leaned closer to her and whispered, “His bark pales compared to his bite. But the man’s sweet on you, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
As they boarded Watson’s luxury chopper, she made eye contact with Wyatt. He was glaring at her so hard it gave her chills. She knew he’d been watching her with Nate and could tell it was more than just a casual conversation. He probably thought she was dropping another bomb on him. Like finding out Maggie was dead wasn’t enough already. I’m not dumping any more bad news on him. No matter what Wyatt thought, he was way off mark, but she didn’t think he’d believe that for a minute. Especially with the look on Nate’s face while we spoke. There was no doubt Wyatt was protective of his kid brother. It’s who he is. And one of the things I . . . love . . . about him.
As the chopper took off she closed her eyes, thinking of Wyatt. So much had transpired since they met. Maybe too much. No one had to tell her that relationships born in the heat of battle didn’t last. It was natural to be drawn to someone you were trapped and secluded with. We didn’t meet at a bar or coffee shop. We started by lying to each other. If we can’t learn to be honest, even to ourselves, then we don’t have to worry about where this will go. It will only go downhill.
When she opened her eyes and looked at Wyatt, she could see he was in deep thought too. Was he also thinking about where they were going from here? If only it were as easy as sitting and talking it out. Some things can’t be resolved by talking. I’m going to have to learn to trust, and he’s going to have to accept that I’m not a porcelain doll.
Wyatt hated having to trust Mark, but he had no choice. Mark had been working this piece a lot longer than he had, and starting from scratch made no sense. What pissed him off even more was Randi listened to Mark’s suggestions without question. Like being here in Honeywell. I’m not sure this hole in the wall is even on the map.
When Watson landed his chopper in the middle of the street, he thought the guy had lost his freaking mind. They’d just left a highly secured bunker where he thought they would be safe, and now Watson was making a grand entrance. Might as well paint a target on our backs. Because we sure as hell don’t look like we belong here.
As the dirt settled from the landing, several people came out to see what the commotion was. They were all dressed in jeans and cowboy hats. Mark was the first off the chopper. Wyatt expected the law to approach at any time. Instead, a woman came out of the Wild Sass Saloon, ran across the street, and threw herself into Mark’s arms.
Wyatt almost burst out laughing at Mark’s apparent discomfort. Although he didn’t push her off, he wasn’t hugging her back either. She’s obviously not Mark’s sister or his wife, Hannah.
“Who’s the woman?” Nate asked.
“Not sure,” Wyatt answered. Not sure I want to know. Seems . . . pushy.
The woman linked her arm in Mark’s and headed back to the chopper.
“Y’all gonna sit in there, or you plan on comin’ in and havin’ a cold one?”
Nate practically leaped from the chopper. “Don’t know your name, ma’am, but a cold one sounds damn good right now.”
Wyatt shook his head. Nate had no idea who was inside or what to expect, yet he left them all behind and was halfway in the saloon without looking back.
Randi was the next out, and she reached out her hand. “Hi. I’m Ra—Graham. Nice to meet you.”
“Mark will tell y’all we don’t go by last names here. My name’s Sissie. I own the Wild Sass.”
Randi smiled and said, “My name’s Maggie.”
Wyatt knew how much she hated having to use her sister’s name. Mark had made it clear, and Wyatt agreed, it wasn’t time to change that.
“Welcome. What’s your boyfriend’s name?” Sissie pointed directly at Wyatt, and it threw him. He’d never been called anyone’s boyfriend. He was about to set her straight when Randi answered, “Wyatt.”
Sissie’s eyes lit up. “Good southern name. But you don’t strike me as a southern boy.”
Wyatt stood by Randi and said, “No ma’am, I’m not.”
Sissie reached out and touched Wyatt’s biceps. “Nice. Very nice.” Then she winked at Randi, who blushed. “Guess they grow them big up north too.”
And this is where Mark brings us to talk? We really need to rethink our level of trust in him. He’s lost his fucking mind. Sissie didn’t look like a threat, but Wyatt didn’t like being touched by strangers.
“Y’all better be hungry. Come on and have some steak and taters.”
Food sounded great. The company he might be able to do without. I like quiet when I eat, and I’m not sure Sissie could be quiet if she tried.
He was about to say something when Watson stepped out. “You know everything’s bigger in Texas,” Watson said.
Sissie, who’d been all giddy and hyper a minute ago, simmered down. “Yes, they sure do.” Even her voice had changed. Wyatt was surprised by the exchange. Did they know each other? Although Watson was his normal arrogant self, he seemed to make Sissie nervous. Funny because out of all of them he was the least intimidating. He might carry a gun, but Wyatt would bet it was only for show.
“Welcome to Honeywell.”
“You got a cold one on tap with my name on it?”
“Not sure. What’s your name?” Sissie asked almost shyly. Wyatt didn’t know her, but she’d just done a one-eighty.
“Ryan Watson.”
“Yes, sir. Right this way, Mr. Watson,” Sissie said.
Wyatt wanted to jump right in and ask why he was called by his last name. He could sense Sissie was a pile of nerves. It reminded him of that romance movie Randi had been watching. Gives me the same creepy, want to be sick feeling too.
He turned to Randi, who was also taking in the entire situation. She, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear. Great. This is not the tactical meeting I thought we’d be having. Hopefully, the beer and steak are worth it.
Wyatt offered Randi his arm, and she smiled at him, taking it. If work wasn’t on the agenda, then he was going to enjoy this time with her.
That didn’t mean he was going to let down his guard. Everyone else might seem to think all was good and dandy. He wasn’t so sure. Nothing was ever as good as it seemed, and this place seemed too damn good.