Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Exit Strategy\Payback\Covert Justice (21 page)

“No, thanks. Wouldn't want to wake him.”

She glanced down for a second, then pinned him with soft brown eyes. “I'm sorry that you and Danny got into it. He didn't—” she hesitated “—hurt you, did he?”

“Hey, I was the one who had him pinned, remember?” he teased.

But they both knew she wasn't referring to physical injuries. Which meant she'd sensed the physical altercation had set off his posttraumatic nightmare.

“I know, but I wish it hadn't happened,” she said.

He didn't want her feeling responsible for his problem. “You and your brother work things out last night?”

“More or less. I'm not sure we'll ever completely work things out. It's a complicated relationship.”

“Aren't they all.”

His cell vibrated. “McBride,” he answered.

“You okay, boss?” Scott asked. “You didn't come back last night.”

“I was watching over Nia.”

“Okay, well, what do you want me to tell employees about the staff meeting?”

“Ah, right, the staff meeting.”

“That's this morning,” Nia said, panicked.

“Sorry, Scott,” Aiden said into the phone. “I guess with everything that happened yesterday, I lost track of things. We can reschedule—”

“No,” Nia interrupted. “It was a major hassle getting everyone's schedules worked out so we could meet. Tell them we'll be there in twenty minutes.”

“We?”

“Sure. I'm coming with you.”

He read determination and something else in her eyes, something he'd never seen before. A softness when she looked at him.

“Nia, you're supposed to take it easy. We'll manage.”

“I need to be there. Be right back.” She headed to her building barely using the one crutch.

Aiden wanted her to stay home and take care of herself, not come to work. Then again, maybe work would keep her mind occupied and off the events of the past eighteen hours.

“Boss?” Scott said.

“Tell everyone to assemble in the barn in twenty.”

“Will do. How's Nia?”

“She seems okay.”

“Is she still standing beside you?”

“No. Why?”

“Deputy Walsh wasn't able to confirm the two men looking for you were federal agents,” Scott said. “They could be undercover and using aliases. With your permission I'd like to do a little digging of my own.”

“Sure. Go for it.”

“Okay, see you when you get here.”

“Thanks.” Aiden pocketed his phone and considered that bit of information. If the guys weren't federal agents, who were they and what did they want with him?

One thing for sure: Nia's instincts had been on the mark. Those men weren't who they said they were. She had never spoken much about her past, and Aiden wondered if her childhood had been a violent one that she'd rather not relive. Maybe that was why she didn't ask him about his own trauma: because she'd felt the same type of shame, the kind you felt when trauma consumed you.

Nia couldn't have experienced the level of trauma that Aiden battled—at least, he hoped she hadn't. No one should be saddled with the kind of guilt that weighed down his heart each and every day: guilt about the last time he spoke to his father before his death; guilt about Yates dying right in front of him; and even guilt about not being able to protect Bree from an abusive ex-boyfriend.

Aiden had gone nearly a month without nightmares and he'd hoped he might be past all that. Apparently last night's hand-to-hand combat with Nia's brother ignited the trauma.

Whipping open the door, he stepped out of the truck and stretched his arms over his head. He glanced at her apartment window, imagining her deadbeat brother passed out on the couch. Aiden was pretty sure that guy didn't have Nia's best interests at heart.

But Aiden did. She'd done so much for him, and not just as the resort's concierge.

He wasn't sure how he was going to maintain his distance since he'd have to stay close to protect her, but somehow he'd manage. He had to fortify that boundary in order to keep his perspective. Emotions made you weak and sloppy, and he couldn't afford to be either if he was going to keep her safe.

* * *

Aiden kept the meeting short, mostly because he wanted to get Nia back home with her ankle elevated. It was obvious the woman didn't know the meaning of the word
relax
as she darted here and there on one crutch, passing out materials and making sure everyone had a beverage. It was as if she was playing hostess. Aiden mused she'd make a great hostess, and a wonderful wife someday.

Whoa, watch it, buddy.

An hour later the meeting ended and a few people approached Nia, asking about her fall and subsequent injuries.

“So, nothing serious?” Tripp, the front-desk associate, asked.

“A minor head cut and sprained ankle. I'm really fine.”

“Are you taking time off?” Tripp said.

“I don't plan to.”

“That decision is up to her boss,” Aiden chimed in. “And he'd feel better if Nia took the necessary time off to nurse her injuries.”

“Interesting how you're referring to yourself in the third person, big brother,” Bree said with a raised eyebrow.

“Like that, huh?” Aiden countered. He didn't want to argue with his sister today. He simply didn't have the energy after his mostly sleepless night.

“Thanks, everyone. Back to work,” Aiden ordered.

Nia started for her office.

“Nia, you should—”

“Come on, boss,” she interrupted. “At least let me go through my inbox.”

“Okay, if you wrap it up by one.”

“Deal.” She left the barn and Aiden followed.

Scott approached Aiden. “We've got an issue with the pool-access door. Key cards are sporadically not working.”

“That's why I hired the new tech.”

“Carter's on it, but I thought you should know.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“A day, maybe two.”

“He needs to speed things up.” Aiden glanced around and lowered his voice. “Anything more on the federal agents?”

“No, sir. I've got some feelers out.” They entered the resort's main lodge. Scott hesitated by his office. “We'll figure it out.”

Aiden's gaze wandered to Nia as she turned the corner.

“You're worried about her,” Scott said.

“She could have been seriously injured yesterday.”

“Why do I sense there's something else?”

Aiden glanced at Scott. “Her estranged brother showed up out of the blue last night. He and I got into it.”

“Estranged as in...?”

“I don't know yet. Wouldn't surprise me if he's into something criminal. He gives off that vibe.”

“Want me to...”

“Yeah, check him out. Danny, or Daniel Sharpe.”

“You think he's dangerous?”

“I do. He's got a solid left hook and a cocky attitude.”

“Aiden!” Nia screamed.

FOUR

A
iden raced toward the sound, his heart pounding against his chest. How could Nia be in danger at the resort surrounded by all these people?

He rushed into the doorway of her office and froze. She stood beside her desk, hands cupping her cheeks. It looked as if a tornado had whipped through her office. Papers littered her desk and the floor, a chair was upside down, and a blue glass vase was in pieces by the window.

He calmed his breathing. She was okay. No one had hurt her.

Scott hovered beside Aiden. He sensed a small group of employees forming in the hallway.

He didn't take his eyes off Nia. “Everyone, back to work,” he said.

Wearing a puzzled frown, she leaned against her desk while plucking a few pieces of paper off the top.

“I don't understand,” she said. “Who would do this?”

Aiden glanced at Scott. “Call Echo Mountain PD to report the break-in, check surveillance video from the last twelve hours and keep digging into those federal agents.”

“Yes, sir.”

Aiden stepped into Nia's office and shut the door.

Nia glanced at the floor where a figurine lay broken in half. It was a delicate woman with her hands pressed together in prayer.

“My Peace figurine.” She started to kneel down, but he put out his hand.

“I've got it.” Aiden picked up the two pieces and analyzed them. “A little superglue and she'll be as good as new. I keep some in my office.”

She eyed the broken figurine in his hand. “Thanks.”

A lost expression settled across her features. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be okay. Instead, he plucked a table lamp off the floor and placed it on her credenza.

“I don't get it,” she said. “There's nothing worth stealing except my computer and it's still here. How did someone ransack my office without anyone hearing it?”

“Must have happened in the middle of the night when this part of the building is empty. Front-desk personnel are too far away to hear anything.”

“You think it was the federal agents looking for information on you?”

“We're not even sure those men are legitimate federal agents.”

“Well, whoever they are, they're exceptionally skilled if they can get into my locked office without being noticed.” She shuddered.

“We shouldn't assume this was a targeted break-in,” Aiden offered, grabbing a stapler and file tray off the floor. He slid them onto her paper-covered desk.

“This is a mess. I need to—”

“No, you don't. This office is off-limits until we speak with the authorities. They might decide to dust for prints.”

“Oh, okay,” she said, as if the mention of authorities made everything worse.

Someone had been rifling through her things. Looking for what?

That was the part that plagued Aiden. The perpetrator obviously thought Nia had access to important documents worth breaking the law for. The next question was, were they worth hurting someone over?

He needed to keep an eye on Nia, at least until they figured out who ransacked her office.

“Is anything missing?” he asked.

“I don't think so. But it's hard to tell.” Her brows furrowed in a look of devastation.

He couldn't stand it. Aiden put his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. He thought he was doing this right; he hoped he was doing it right. She slid one arm around his waist and squeezed, returning the hug.

Stroking her back, he said, “It'll be okay.”

They stood there for a good minute and he realized how utterly normal it felt to be holding her, comforting her.

Suddenly she pushed away. “Of course it will be okay. I'm being overly dramatic, sorry.” Stepping away without using her crutches, she opened her office door. “Can I check my email from your office?”

“Not unless you take these.” He grabbed the crutches and handed them to her.

“Fine,” she said and headed into the hallway.

His heart still pounding from the hug, he followed close behind her.

Then he had a horrible thought: What if his office had been broken into, as well?

“Hang on,” he said, touching her shoulder. “Let me go in first.”

He walked ahead of her and his phone buzzed. He ripped it off his belt. “McBride.”

“What's going on?” his sister said. “I see police cars out front.”

“Someone broke into Nia's office.”

“What? Why?”

“Not sure.”

“Should I come back to be with Nia?”

“No, finish planting the rhodies. I'll take care of her.”

“But you have a resort to run.”

“Believe it or not, I have been known to multitask,” he said, trying to ease his sister's panic.

“I'll believe
that
when I see it.”

“Thanks for the call.” He clipped his phone onto his belt and glanced at Nia. “My sister's afraid I can't take care of you.”

Once uttered, the words took on a whole new meaning. It wasn't just about taking care of her by helping her process the break-in. The implication exposed the reality that Aiden, in fact, was not equipped to take care of a woman emotionally, even one he cared about deeply.

Nia frowned. “I feel bad taking you away from work. I'll head back to my apartment and check email from there.”

“No.” He stopped and looked into her sweet brown eyes. “You should stay at the resort in case the police need to speak with you.”

She needed to stay close so he could protect her.

“Of course, but that won't take all afternoon,” she said and kept walking.

As they approached Aiden's office, he tried coming up with other reasons to keep her here other than the obvious: he feared she might be in danger. What if she'd been in her office when the guy had broken in? Nia had been known to stay late at work, especially if there was an event planned for guests the next day and she wanted to make sure everything was in order.

“What's wrong?” she asked as he unlocked the door to his office.

“Nothing. Why?” He swung the door wide and held his breath. Nothing had been disturbed.

“You do this jaw-clench thing when you're stressing about something.”

“Jaw clench, huh?”

“Yep. I know there's trouble when I see that.”

“I don't like people breaking into my resort.”

He motioned her to his computer, feeling exposed by the personal items lined up on his desk: a framed Seahawks ticket stub from the game he and his dad had attended years ago; a photo of Aiden, Bree, his sister Cassie and their mom, taken on the front porch of the farmhouse; and the Faith plaque Bree had given him when he'd returned from his tour of duty.

“‘Faith is when you close your eyes and open your heart,'” Nia read. “That's lovely.”

Aiden's eyes scanned the words every day, yet they never seemed to touch his heart. He placed the Peace figurine on his desk. “I'll get to this later.”

“Thanks. Do I need a password?” Nia set her crutches against the bookshelves and adjusted herself in his chair.

He reached out to steady the chair, careful not to touch her. What was his problem? It wasn't as if a casual touch would hurt her.

Touching Nia in any way, shape or form would be way beyond casual.

She glanced at him. “You can change the password after I check my email.”

“I trust you,” he said, yet giving her the password would be awkward. He had no choice. “It's Yates627.”

She typed it in and opened the email program. “So, what's a Yates?”

“Army buddy. Didn't make it back.”

Her fingers froze as she typed in her email password. “Oh.”

“Police are going to be looking for me,” he said. “You okay in here?”

“Sure.”

“Text me if you need anything.”

Without thinking, he brushed his hand against her arm. He wasn't sure why he did it, but suspected it was his way of making a physical connection to the one person he'd told about Yates. He'd never before mentioned the guy's name, or the fact he'd died, to another human being, not even his own family.

Not until now.

He had to get out of here and fast, before she sensed the shame coursing through him every time he thought about his friend.

“Aiden?” Nia said as he approached the door.

He turned to her.

“I am sorry about your friend. I'll say a prayer for your wounded heart.”

With a nod, he left the office, a ball of emotion forming in his throat.
His wounded heart
, an apt description of the worst of his injuries he'd suffered while serving his country.

And Nia had been the only one to see it. The fact she was going to pray for him eased the tension in his chest, especially after everything she'd been through these past twenty-four hours. The woman was amazing.

Who knew, maybe her prayers would be heard and, through a lovely creature like Nia, God would find the mercy to help Aiden move through the darkness and into the light. Aiden may not be worth God's efforts, but Nia surely was.

He hesitated, wanting to go back and tell her not to waste her prayers on him, that she should save them for those who were more worthy. But then he'd have to explain why he didn't feel worthy of God's love, and that was not a conversation he could have with Nia, not today, not ever.

* * *

It took Nia a few minutes to digest Aiden's words. He'd lost a friend to battle, obviously a good friend since he used the man's name as his password, a daily reminder of their friendship. She wondered what the numbers 627 meant. Perhaps the man's birthday?

As her attention drifted from the doorway where Aiden had walked out with a defeated look on his face, she refocused on her immediate surroundings. The Faith plaque had such a calming effect on her when she read the words, yet she sensed they did nothing for Aiden's emotional pain.

Taking a deep breath, she folded her hands. “Dear Lord, please help Aiden find peace. He's such a good man and suffers in silence, all alone. Please bless him with your love to heal his wounded heart. Amen.”

That was truly all she could do. Nia knew that you could desperately want to help someone find emotional healing, but unless they wanted it for themselves, it would never happen. The thought brought back memories of her mom crying in her bedroom and Nia trying to console her. Mom wanted out of a bad marriage to Walter but didn't have enough faith in herself, or the Lord, to find her way to freedom. She would agree to leave her abuser one day, yet two days later she'd be in his arms, dancing in the living room. Walter could be charming when he wanted to be.

A lot like Danny. Walter wasn't even Danny's biological father, yet sometimes they seemed so much alike, perhaps because Walter was Danny's male role model?

“Moving on,” Nia whispered to redirect her thoughts from the negative memories. There was no sense dwelling on the past.

After she checked her email, she would head back to her apartment, take Danny to the bank and get him the money he needed to repay his boss. Done. He'd be free and clear once again and on his way to settle things. Life would get back to normal.

She glanced around Aiden's office, which only reminded her how
not
normal life was at this very moment. Sure, she'd wandered into his doorway at times, but she'd never breached the threshold. She'd sensed Aiden liked his privacy.

She suddenly felt as if she shouldn't be here. She felt as though she was violating his personal space.

“Check email and get moving,” she ordered herself.

As she clicked open her emails, she scanned the subject lines for anything urgent. She read an email from Scenic Tours confirming a Seattle boat cruise scheduled for a group coming in at the end of the week. The Metter reunion was being hosted this weekend, and the family member who'd booked the reservation wanted to line up special activities for the attendees. She confirmed the boat tour and moved on to other emails.

She decided to check her spam folder in case something had inadvertently ended up there.

“How odd,” she said, eyeing an email from Danny's account, Lionsfan[email protected] Since it was from two days ago, she figured he was letting her know he was coming to town. She clicked open the email, but all it contained was a website link. She'd have to let him know his email address had been hacked. And here she'd thought he was being polite by sending her an email notifying her of his visit.

A half hour later she was about to sign off, when Aiden stepped into the office. “The police are ready to talk to you whenever you're done.”

“Okay, I'm finished.” She grabbed her crutches before Aiden could lecture her yet again about using them. “Where are they?”

“Your office. Although I can have them interview you at another location if it's too upsetting to be there.”

“Thanks, but I can handle it.”

They headed down the hall.

“Any crises I should know about today?” she asked.

“Nothing I can't handle. Besides, you're officially off duty.”

“Did the police figure out how someone got into my office?”

“Scott checked key-card activity, and someone entered at 3:00 a.m. and exited at three-thirty. We're thinking that might have been the intruder.”

“Did you get him on security video?”

“We did, but the guy wore a hoodie and was looking down.”

“Just one guy, huh? So it wasn't the two supposed federal agents?”

“No one's seen them since yesterday, and there's been no room activity. They'll probably send out a SAR team today to locate them.”

She turned the corner to her office and hesitated in the doorway. Deputy Nate Walsh was going through her things. “Hi, Deputy Walsh.”

“Please, call me Nate.” Nate offered his hand and she shook it. “Glad you're okay.”