Chapter Thirteen
Total blackness met Sally’s gaze when her eyes popped open. Luke must have turned the bedside lamp out after she dozed off. The bedroom door was open, giving her a straight shot to view the front entrance to the cabin as her vision slowly adapted to the dark. The lack of anything but starlight from outside, combined with silence so absolute she could hear her own heart beating, gave the impression she and Luke were the only humans for miles.
Yet something had woken her, unleashing instant dread that pinged from nerve ending to nerve ending like static electricity.
She pressed closer to Luke, craving the heat from his body to banish the sudden chill in hers. Apparently, she wasn’t the outdoorsy girl she’d thought she was. All this wide-open space made her edgy.
Sally sank deeper into the covers and forced herself to relax. They were in a cabin in the middle of the wilderness. The sound that had brought her from a deep sleep could easily have been an animal…making whatever noises animals made. An owl had hooted from a nearby tree as she and Luke returned to the cabin after the gathering at Daniel’s home. That was probably what had woken her—or a raccoon, a deer, a wolf. Every noise she heard didn’t necessarily mean her father was at the door.
The deck creaked as though an unseen weight had been brought to bear upon it, echoing through the silence of the outer room and drawing her rapt gaze to the door, where a silvery thread of light marked the threshold. Maybe something a little bigger. A bear? Mesmerized, she stared, her lungs aching for air as she held perfectly still. So intent was she that she nearly cried out when a shadow obscured the sliver of light for a second before moving on, rattling the doorknob as whatever it was continued its nocturnal exploration.
She propped her chin on Luke’s chest. Maybe it was a bear. Yeah, that’s what it is. Nothing to worry about…as long as it stays outside. Relieved that Luke and his macho friends hadn’t witnessed her spinelessness, she settled more firmly into Luke’s arms, still wrapped around her protectively.
Suddenly, Luke leaned over her, his lips hovering near her ear. “Shh,” he whispered. His body lying partially over hers, he reached toward the floor and snagged the blue shirt she’d worn earlier. “Get dressed,” he hissed, pressing the shirt against her abdomen. In one lithe movement, he pushed himself over her and landed on silent feet beside the bed.
Sally sat on the edge and slipped on his shirt. Her fingers trembled slightly as she worked the buttons. From lowered lashes, she watched Luke pull on his jeans and retrieve his handgun from the nightstand. Fear threatened to erupt into full-fledged panic, knowing Luke was on high alert. Did he think someone—maybe Clive Brennan—was outside their cabin?
Defending people clearly came naturally to Navy SEAL Luke Harding. He appeared completely comfortable with a gun in his hand. As he took her arm and pulled her from the bed, confidence and control emanated from him. He had a job to do, and it was obvious he took his promise to protect her seriously.
“Go in the bathroom and close the door.” He still whispered, and his warm breath sent a chill clear to her toes. “Stay there until I come for you.”
The cold detachment in his voice scared her to death. Sally stared as he fumbled for his cell phone, its face lighting as he sent a quick text message. She searched for some sign he was only erring on the side of caution. That he also thought it was probably a bear or a wolf—that no further danger lurked outside their cabin. What she received for her effort terrified her even more. The man she was falling in love with all over again had turned into a warrior right in front of her. He was preparing to do battle…for her…while she hid.
Her stomach clenched and she shook her head. “No. I’m going with you.” This protecting thing between them went both ways.
Luke gripped her arms. “Huh-uh. This isn’t optional. For me to do my job, I need to know you’re safe. That means you stay where I say, for as long as I say. Trust me on this, sunshine. I know what I’m doing.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “And I promise I’ll let you boss me around later.”
She could hear the teasing in his voice even as his rigid stance told her it was useless to argue. Despite her tenseness, Sally smiled. He was right, of course. She would only get in the way if she went with him. For sure, she’d be no help. No doubt she’d endanger him and herself. Still, she hated the idea of staying behind—of not knowing what was going on or if he was safe. “I’ll hold you to that.” She tried to adopt his unemotional tone, but there was no hiding her fear.
He turned her toward the bathroom, his arm around her shoulders. Sally followed woodenly, her head spinning with thoughts of everything that could go wrong. “Don’t let anything happen to you, Luke.” The vehemence of her demand surprised even her.
Something flared in Luke’s eyes, and his familiar grin flashed briefly. “Don’t worry, sunshine. I’ve got everything to live for, so I won’t be taking any crazy chances.” He pushed her backward into the bathroom and closed the door silently.
If Sally had thought it was dark in the bedroom, the tiny bathroom, without even a window, was pure inky blackness. She could hear nothing, not even Luke’s footsteps walking away. Rejecting the idea of turning on a light, in case that would give away her location and somehow endanger Luke further, she braced against the dread clawing to escape as she tried to talk herself down. Claustrophobia had never been a serious problem. Until today. The walls were closing in on her. Her lungs burned for want of a complete breath. The room, a dark, lifeless tomb, stole not only air and freedom but her very life.
Sally groped for the doorknob, turned it as quietly as she could and pulled the door open a sliver. Her face pressed to the opening, the slight chill seeping through the crack brought reason back to her frazzled thoughts. The dim grayness that filtered through the bedroom windows grounded her. Dawn—it would be light soon. Relief washed over her, and she leaned her forehead against the cool wood of the doorjamb.
How long she stayed there before the sound of footsteps and voices reached her ears was unclear. Her head jerked up, and her breathing stilled as she listened. Male voices spoke in low tones from the front room, but she couldn’t make out whose they were or what they said. Quietly, she slipped through the opening and tiptoed toward the open bedroom door. Lamplight suddenly shattered the darkness beyond, and she jumped, pressing herself against the wall near the doorway.
“Who’d you say you’re looking for again?” Luke’s voice sounded friendly enough, but she heard the wary edge embedded within.
“Don’t play dumb, Harding. I’m too tired and too fucking pissed off to enjoy the game. Like I told you outside after you assaulted me, I’m a US Marshal. My name’s Greg Lambert, and I’m here to take Sally Duncan and her little girl into protective custody.”
Sally recognized the voice even before he gave his name. How had he found her? Why was he still looking after she’d told him not to? Thank God Jen wasn’t there. She carefully peeked around the doorframe.
Luke stood near the lamp in the center of the room, his back to her. His gun was shoved in the waistband of his jeans, snug against his bare back. Tension radiated from him like sunlight.
He laughed mockingly. “I don’t think Ms. Duncan is expecting you, Marshal. In fact, I’m damn sure she said she’d call you when she wanted you to drop by. Yet here you are, slinking around outside my cabin like a common thief.”
Greg stood just inside the cabin entrance. He was armed as well. Sally could see the bulge of his handgun beneath the edge of his jacket. Short blond hair, fortysomething, a rugged face beneath a black cowboy hat and long, slender, jean-encased legs ending in cowboy boots wasn’t exactly the picture she’d had of him, but she’d recognize his slight drawl anywhere. He was nervous and wary, never taking his eyes off Luke.
Greg spread his arms in an I-don’t-know-what-to-tell-you gesture and a smile that didn’t reach his eyes appeared. “There’s a killer after my witness. I’m well aware of what she thinks she wants, but it’s been my experience that women in Ms. Duncan’s situation don’t always know what’s best for them.”
“Oh, and you do, I suppose?” Anger flared hotly in Sally’s veins as she pushed herself away from the wall and surged into the room. “You don’t get to decide what’s best for me, Marshal Lambert.” She stopped just inside, feeling suddenly exposed and out of control, Luke’s instructions echoing in her mind even as the realization it was too late dropped like a rock from a tall building.
The satisfied grin on the marshal’s face did nothing to alleviate her annoyance, but it was the disappointment and apprehension in Luke’s visage as he whirled around that made her regret her hasty entrance.
Then, as though to reinforce how badly she’d screwed up, the marshal pulled his weapon, took three long strides and pressed his gun into Luke’s back, disarming him all in the space of two seconds.
“Why don’t you have a seat, Harding? Are you going to give me anymore trouble? I know you think you’re protecting Sally, and I can appreciate that. I won’t cuff you…unless you make it necessary.”
It was all over before Sally started breathing again. Luke’s gaze pierced her as he raised his hands and moved toward the couch, with Greg prodding him in the back with his gun.
Regret formed a lump in her throat. Why hadn’t she listened?
Greg faced her. “Let’s go, Sally. Where’s the kid?” His gaze traveled the length of her. “You might want to put some clothes on.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Greg.”
He dipped his head, and an impatient sigh issued forth. “We’ve got a long trip ahead of us, Sally, and you can argue the whole time if that makes you happy, but you are coming with me…with or without the kid.”
Sally gasped. “You can’t do that!” Fear constricted her throat. What if he did it anyway? She couldn’t let that happen.
“That part’s entirely up to you, but don’t test me. I don’t think you really want to leave Clive’s grandchild behind, do you?” With his free hand, he motioned toward the bedroom.
“Grandchild?” Luke stared at her.
“She didn’t tell you?” Greg laughed. “Yeah, it’s her old man she’s been hiding from all these years.”
Oh God. It’d taken Greg only five seconds to out her in front of Luke. Five seconds she’d never live down. Shame and humiliation swamped her. The shock and revulsion in Luke’s expression as he turned his face away left her empty and aching. “I’m sorry, Luke.” The words were barely a whisper, and he gave no indication he’d heard them.
“Do as he says, Sally. Get dressed and go get Jen.” Luke’s gaze locked on the marshal. The bitterness in his voice cut her to the bone. “Tell Daniel and Ellen you couldn’t sleep without her—anything to get her out of there without bloodshed.” His gaze dropped to the gun in Greg’s hand.
Sally stared at Luke until he looked toward her. She wanted him to know she was sorry…for everything. His dark scowl and the muscle that worked in his jaw wasn’t conducive to explanation. Would he ever forgive her for betraying him?
Her heart beat wildly and weakness spread quickly through her limbs. Light-headed, Sally labored for her next breath, each inhale becoming harder and shallower than the last. The all-out panic attack had come from nowhere. The more she tried to calm herself, the less oxygen reached her lungs. Feeling faint, she looked around blindly for a place to sit before she made a complete fool of herself by passing out. Regulating her breathing was key to retaining consciousness—and now wasn’t the time to keel over. Managing only short gulps of air, she fumbled her way past a bookshelf to a straight-backed chair along the wall.
A quick glance at Greg’s worried countenance told her he’d noticed her distress…and that was when the idea came full-blown. She sagged in the chair, emphasizing the wheeze that was already present with each inhale. From beneath lowered lashes, she saw Luke sit forward, uneasiness furrowing his brow. Greg paid no attention to Luke; concern for his witness displayed on his face.
“Stay put.” He tossed the warning to Luke. Greg holstered his weapon and stepped toward her. “What do you need? Got any paper bags around here?” He gently rubbed her back as he leaned closer.
“I don’t…know. Maybe…some water?”
His gaze swept the cabin’s interior, zeroed in on the sink and started that way. Sally rose silently to her feet as soon as his back was turned. A foot-tall sculpture of a bear on the bookshelf beside her caught her attention. Without daring to glance at Luke, she clutched the metal statue in both hands. Greg was filling a cup with water when Sally swung. At the last instant, she flinched and swung short, hitting him a glancing blow from the back of his head to his left shoulder.
He grunted and sagged over the sink, spilling the water down his front, and his free hand flew to the back of his head. As she recoiled in horror, Luke was beside her almost instantly, taking the marshal’s gun and retrieving his own. Then he jerked the man up by his jacket and forced him down on the couch.
Greg swore under his breath as he held his head in his hands. “This is going to go badly for both of you.” A groan punctuated his statement.
“You’re probably right…unless we can come to some kind of understanding.” Luke stood on the other side of the coffee table.
Suddenly, the door burst open and three huge, camo-covered men stormed the room, weapons drawn.
Sally started, still trembling from the idea of caving in someone’s head with a piece of art, but neither Luke nor Greg flinched.
“What the hell, man? Are we late? Looks like you’ve got it under control.” Travis lowered his weapon, looking strangely disappointed.
A smirk appeared on Luke’s otherwise stony face. “Sally took matters into her own hands.”
The men chuckled, but Luke didn’t join them.
“I knew there was more to the little woman than met the eye.” Travis ran an appreciative gaze over her.
“Sally, you might want to get dressed now.” Luke gave her a cursory glance, as though he was embarrassed by her.
Wasn’t that just the whipped cream on top of their reunion sundae? Heat flooded her cheeks as she dropped her gaze, unwilling to meet the uncomfortable glances of Luke’s friends. Had she just made the biggest mistake of her life by angering Greg? Too late. The marshal didn’t look like he was in to second chances at the moment. First order of business: get dressed. Second: find Jen. Then decide on the third thing.
“Would you boys mind staying with Sally for a bit? Marshal Lambert and I need to have a conversation.” Luke glanced at each of them in turn.
Sally didn’t expect him to look at her for approval, so she wasn’t disappointed.
“Marshal?” The usually quiet Coop was the first to voice the question.
“Shit, Luke. What the hell?” Apparently, Travis was just getting up to speed, worrying about his involvement in obstructing justice.
“Marshal Lambert is in charge of protecting Sally.” Luke turned back to Greg. “But the witness protection program is voluntary. Isn’t that right, Lambert? You can discourage her from quitting, explain the danger and try to persuade her to accept the new identify you’ve procured for her and disappear. Kidnapping—removing her forcefully by threatening to leave her daughter behind—that’s low. I’d think that would be frowned upon by the US Marshals Service.”
Greg glared at him from the couch.
Luke nodded his head toward the door. “We need to talk about how this is going to end.” He turned his back on Greg and stepped toward the door. Travis, Coop and Matt parted to let him through and then watched distrustfully as Greg rose and followed him from the cabin.
Sally quickly disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Her emotions were all over the place. Anger, humiliation, frustration and dread—all playing hopscotch on her chest. If she’d thought it was possible to hide away in this room forever, she’d have given it a shot. Anything not to have to face the three men in the front room. And she wasn’t so hot on encountering Luke anytime soon either.
She shook her head and her chin came up. She’d hidden long enough. It was time to take a stand and face things head-on. Starting with getting dressed and making a pot of coffee for the men who’d been left to babysit her. Sally pulled on jeans and a sweater, removing Luke’s shirt and tossing it on the bed.
When she stepped from the bedroom, Travis was positioned by a front window, obviously on sentry duty. Coop sat on the couch, reading a magazine he’d picked up from the coffee table. Matt, bless his heart, was already brewing coffee. Sally nodded to each of them in turn and stepped toward the big man arranging five coffee mugs on the counter.
“How do you take yours, Sally?” Matt poured steaming hot liquid in four of them.
“Black is fine.” She forced a smile as she gratefully accepted the coffee he handed her.
Coop and Travis sauntered over and each grabbed a cup.
Travis grinned at her, lifting his coffee in salute. “That marshal should have known better than to threaten Baby Bear. Mama bears never stand for that shit. Way to go, Sally.”
Coop and Matt mumbled their agreement.
She grimaced, uncomfortable with their praise when Luke was so obviously displeased with her involvement. “Thanks, guys, but I can’t help thinking I shouldn’t have come here. It wasn’t my intention to bring trouble into Daniel and Ellen’s home. And you guys shouldn’t have to take care of me either.”
“Oh, hell. Daniel would do anything for Luke. He can take care of what’s his too. If he’s even half as tough as his brother, Ian, he’s one tough mother. Pardon my French. Any friend of Luke’s is a friend of ours.” Coop glanced at the other two, who nodded their agreement.
Sally smiled half-heartedly as heat seared her cheeks. Luke wouldn’t even look at her before he left with Greg. What would his friends think of her once they found out she’d managed to upset him to the point of turning his back on her?
Travis returned to his station by the window and Coop kicked back in a tweed recliner nearby, nursing his coffee. Sally glanced up as Matt stepped closer.
“Want to talk about it?” His voice was low, as though he purposely spoke so no one else would overhear their conversation.
Of Luke’s three friends, Sally had been instantly drawn to Matt “MacGyver” Iverson. His compassion, his honesty and his obvious respect for Luke instilled trust in her for the dark-haired man. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him of Luke’s anger.
“About what?” Sally met his gaze.
Matt chuckled. “Luke and I are tight. He wouldn’t let a little thing like that marshal showing up here bother him overmuch. But he definitely had a mad on, so I’m betting something didn’t go the way he planned.”
Sally opened her mouth to deny having any part in it when Matt’s eyebrow shot up and he crossed his arms, watching her expectantly. She snorted derisively. Matt might talk slow, but he didn’t miss much. Still, she couldn’t tell him the whole truth. Not the part about Clive Brennan being her father. And especially not how she’d betrayed Luke—betrayed them all—by withholding that information. She turned her back to Travis and Coop just in case they glanced her way.
“I’m afraid it’s my fault. Luke told me to stay in the bathroom, but I started to have a panic attack trapped in there, so I opened the door. I just needed some air, but then I heard voices, and I snuck closer so I could hear. I overheard Marshal Lambert say he didn’t think I knew what was best for me and Jen.” Sally paused and raked a hand angrily through her hair.
Matt leaned closer. “Made you mad, didn’t it? I don’t blame you. How long have you been making decisions for yourself and that little girl? Nobody else knows what’s best for the two of you. My guess is, that marshal only said it to get you to show yourself.”
“Well, it worked. I went barreling out into the front room, not realizing what I’d done until I saw the expression on Luke’s face. He looked so angry. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got in his car and…” Sally took a small sip of coffee, needing a little time to fight back the tears that suddenly threatened.
Matt scoffed. “Ah, angel, Luke ain’t goin’ nowhere. That man’s got it bad for you. He carried that picture of you and little Jen everywhere. He needs you like he needs air. He’ll be back. You can take my word on that. He gets all tweaked sometimes—we all do, but he’ll get over it. He knows you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him…even if you don’t follow directions very well.” He gave her an exaggerated wink.
Laughter bubbled from her throat. “I may be lousy at following directions, but why do men think their instructions are irrefutable?”
Matt grinned broadly and clinked his cup with hers. “Because, darlin’, we’re always right.”
With a roll of her eyes heavenward, Sally lifted her mug in silent appreciation for his friendship, a smile sliding easily over her face. It slipped away just as quickly as Luke strode through the door.