Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) (17 page)

“I still haven’t recovered my stamina. Honestly, it’s terrible right now. At the parking garage, I was sucking air.”

“It will return, Ethan, it’s only been three months.”

“I know, sweetheart, but that’s not my point. Aaron scared the hell out of you at the motel room and you ran right when those agents killed Simon. Then he stopped you at the corner of the motel, if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to catch you.”

She rubbed her eyes, her hand shaking.

“I know it’s hard, but your terror is clouding your judgment. You need to step back from the fear and try to look at the event as it actually happened. That doctor at the hospital wasn’t a doctor at all, but one of Cordova’s goons. And at the safe house…Holly and Jefferies weren’t direct threats to us, but they did place us…you…in a dangerous situation.”

“So you think that’s why I felt the cold
, but didn’t actually see him. It was a warning. Especially since they held a gun to your head and arrested you. If I hadn’t been able to unlock those cuffs, you wouldn’t have been able to defend me.”

“That’s it exactly. You felt his presence again right before the first safe house was attacked. If you had stuck around in that room any longer than you did, you would have been shot. The same with this morning, we left the house right as they hit. But the biggest thing was when you were driving. Bethany,
neither of us saw that black and white until it was too late. If you would have kept going like I told you, we would have been dead in a very nasty car wreck. He was herding you, getting you to run away from danger.”

She stared at him, her mind struggling to wrap around his words. “But…but why scare me so terribly?”

“Nothing motivates as quickly or as effectively as fear. Think about it.”

“He…he’s actually trying to protect me?”

“I think so.”

“When I’m near you, the cold fades. It’s not as strong.”

“Maybe that’s because Aaron knows that I’d give my life for you.”

****

Bethany tried to dismiss their conversation about Aaron’s ghost from her mind and get some rest while Ethan drove but it was impossible.

Could it be true? Was Aaron actually trying to protect her?

She might have believed him except for the memory of Aaron’s hatred. Ethan had a point about using rage, but he had not seen the look in Aaron’s eyes. She shivered.

The drive from Virginia to New York seemed to take an eternity. They had to stop a couple times for gas and it was too risky to use the credit card at the pump. They had to pay cash. So Bethany shoved her hair in a ponytail and wore a baseball cap, then purchased some goofy dime store reading glasses. The disguise was awful
, but it changed her appearance enough that they were able to progress without notice.

Besides, according to the news report she was Ethan’s prisoner. People wouldn’t expect her to be allowed out of the car on her own to make their purchases. Although Ethan wasn’t happy about it, Bethany made him stay in the car. His appearance was too distinctive no matter how hard they might try to
disguise him.

They drove in silence for a long time but as they entered New York, Bethany’s nerves clawed at her.

“Ethan, how do you know they aren’t watching your brother waiting for us to show up?”

He sighed heavily. “My brother knows how to fly below the radar. He’s a former SEAL and was involved in some pretty heavy stuff
.”

“But you know where he’s at?”

“We kept in touch discreetly, only for Mom’s sake. We hate each other’s guts, but we’re still family and Mom needs us. She’s been lost ever since Dad died.”

“Uh...Ethan...this isn’t doing much for my confidence level.”

“You think it’s doing anything for mine? My only hope is that my brother remembers we are family and the only reason why I’m putting my life on the line by contacting him is because I don’t have a choice. If you weren’t in so much danger, I wouldn’t risk it. But there is one thing I know about my brother. He would give his life to protect you.”

“He doesn’t even know me.”

“That doesn’t matter, Bethany. You’re an innocent. If there was one thing my brother has stood for during his entire military career, it was protecting innocent lives. Even though I can’t trade two civil words with him, that’s one thing I’ve always respected about him...unfortunately, he never gave me the same respect in return.”

Bethany frowned
. “Uh…I’m not an innocent, Ethan.”

“You were sixteen when Cordova threatened your father and forced you to work for him. That’s makes you innocent in my book…and his.”

They took a roundabout way through the city, Ethan making several turns and watching for a tail. He parked in a slum district.

They walked a block and a half, then entered an decrepit apartment building. A wino sat on the steps, begging for change as they passed. Ethan, gripping Bethany’s hand tightly, ignored him. They moved silently up the stairs and into a narrow hall.

The smell was not pleasant. The sound of a crying baby echoed down the hall, along with a radio playing too loud and people arguing in another apartment. Ethan stopped in front of a door.

“Stay behind me, Bethany,” he said softly. “If you feel anything or if Aaron shows up, tell me immediately.”

She swallowed hard and nodded.

Ethan drew his gun and held it down, hiding it behind his right leg. With his left he knocked softly.

Bethany gripped his sides, resting her forehead against his back, and trying to suck in a breath. If this didn’t work, if his brother turned on him like Ethan expected, they were probably both dead.

She heard several locks opening on the door. Finally, it opened and she couldn’t resist peeking around Ethan’s arm.

She blinked in shock.

The two brothers stood equal in height and build. Nathan wore faded jeans and a tank top revealing his muscular frame. He was also barefoot. In his right hand he carried a gun. Their facial structures were so similar, they could have been twins, except for their hair and eyes. Nathan’s hair was also long
, but unlike Ethan’s, his was lighter; a true blond with red-gold highlights. His eyes were as blue as the sky on a beautiful summer day.

Nathan’s crystal-
blue eyes widened, his nostrils flared slightly, and his handsome mouth pressed into a hard line. A muscle ticked in his jaw, betraying his rage.

Bethany’s grip tightened on Ethan.

“What do you want?” Nathan growled.

“You’re help, if you’re not drowning in a bottle.”

Nathan’s expression flattened and he lifted his gun. Ethan matched his action.

“Damn it,” Bethany hissed, impulsively stepping between them. “Stop it, both of you.”

“Bethany, get back,” Ethan snarled.

Nathan’s eyes widened. He grabbed her arm and yanked her forward.

Bethany stomped on Nathan’s bare foot and twisted out of his grasp.

Nathan cursed violently.

Again both men leveled their guns at each other.

“Knock it off!”

Ethan’s lips twitched. “If she could do that to you, what do you think she would do to me if I held her against her will?”

“Is that true?” Nathan asked Bethany. “I heard you were his hostage.”

Bethany rolled her eyes. “You of all people should know not to believe everything you hear on the news.”

Nathan’s harsh expression melted into a wry grin. “I’m impressed, little bro.” He lowered his gun and relaxed. “Won’t you come in?”

Said the spider to the fly,
Bethany thought, fear clenching her stomach into a sickening knot.

Ethan curled his lip, but put his gun away. They entered Nathan’s apartment. Bethany’s gaze jumped from corner to corner. This was nothing like she expected. It was scrupulously clean. Computers and an amazing assortment of electronic gizmos adorned the place.

“Wow,” Bethany breathed.

Nathan finished locking the door behind them. “My dear brother didn’t tell you? I’m a computer geek.”

“I see that.”

Ethan and Nathan returned to eye each other as if they would tear each other apart in an instant.

Bethany again stepped between them, firmly pressing her back against Ethan’s chest. She removed her cap and the foolish glasses. Ethan’s fingers stroked gently through her hair, freeing it from the ponytail. She wanted to close her eyes and sigh with relief.

Nathan watched them closely, shoving his gun in holster he wore clipped to his belt. He strode to a desk and picked up an open bottle of tequila, slugging back a long drink. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Ethan stiffened with his actions, his hands falling on Bethany’s shoulders.

She looked up at him, noting the flat, desolate look in his eyes. So, Ethan hated his brother’s drinking. Nathan believed Ethan would take a woman hostage, he proved that when he tried to grab her.

“You got yourself in a shitload of trouble, little bro,” Nathan said.

“The only reason why I’m here is because of Bethany,” Ethan growled. “I’m being framed, Nathan, but its Bethany who is at the most risk and that is unacceptable. If we agree on only one thing in our lives, I know we agree on saving innocent lives.”

Nathan stared at Ethan a long moment, then turned his gaze to Bethany. “From what I hear, she’s not that innocent.”

“I told you,” she said to Ethan.

“You don’t know the full story, Nathan,” Ethan snapped. “Cordova would have killed her dad if she didn’t cooperate.”

Nathan’s gaze flicked to a bookshelf with a few decorative items. Encased in clear glass, Bethany saw a watch with a shattered crystal. She remembered what Ethan had told her about his...and Nathan’s…father.

“So what do you want from me?” Nathan asked, taking another drink.

Ethan cursed under his breath and Bethany turned to stop the insult before he uttered it. She cupped his cheek in her hand. “Patience, Ethan, please,” she said softly. “I know it’s hard, but fighting will solve nothing.” Ethan gazed at her a long moment then abruptly deflated. Again she saw the deep pain in his eyes. Meeting with his brother was tearing him apart but he was doing it for her.

“I don’t believe this,” Nathan said softly and set the bottle down with a thunk.

Bethany looked at him in confusion
, but he was watching his brother, all traces of hatred gone, a look of amazement on his face.

“I don’t want her hurt, Nathan. I can’t risk them finding her. I need her to be safe.”

“Sure, bro,” Nathan said readily. “I’ll help however I can.”

Bethany glanced from him to Ethan and back again. “Wait a sec. Why are you suddenly being so civil?”

Nathan chuckled softly. “I like her. She gets straight to the point, doesn’t she?”

Ethan visibly relaxed, his lips tugging upward. “That she does.”

“Will you two stop talking like I’m not here?”

“Sorry,” Nathan replied. “This goes back a long way.”

“I realize that,” Bethany snapped. “But why are you being so civil to each other all of a sudden? Five seconds ago you were ready to tear each other apart.”

“Years ago, I accused Ethan of never being able to understand me and my decisions until one thing happened in his own life. It never did, until now.”

“What was that?” Bethany asked in confusion.

“Do you remember that conversation, little bro?”

Bethany looked at Ethan, but he continued to glare at Nathan. “I remember it.”

“Am I right?”

Ethan didn’t reply, he couldn’t even hold his brother’s gaze.

“I thought so.”

“Look,” Bethany said. “I don’t care what you two think just as long as you work together on this.”

“Your wish is my command, my dear,” Nathan said.

Bethany suddenly remembered that Ethan had used the exact same phrase not long ago. She looked at both brothers and abruptly started laughing so hard she had to sit down. They both stared at her in confusion, the expressions on their faces so similar she only laughed harder. “My God,” she said when she could finally breathe. “No wonder you two don’t get along, you’re both so alike it’s scary.”

“Bethany,” Ethan said, his voice pained.

Nathan looked at his brother. “What do you need, Ethan?”

“First off, protection for Bethany while I’m...out.”

Bethany’s humor vanished. She glared at him. “Hold the phone, you never—”

“Bethany,” Nathan said sharply. “If Ethan has a plan, he deserves to be heard.”

“I can find Cordova’s trail,” Ethan said to Nathan. “But I’ll need a day or two and I can’t take Bethany with me.”

“You are going to hunt Cordova?” she asked.

“I’m not going after him, just finding out what bolt-hole he’s in. Once I discover that, I’ll know which escape route he plans to use and there’s something else I need to look for.”

“I am not leaving you,” Bethany snapped.