Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six (55 page)

Owee kazowee!
That hurt. Andie winced at the pain in her wrist. Snow fell all around her, but the air was sharp and sweet. She sucked in the wintry air greedily and fluttered her eyelids. Why were they so heavy?

Her ears pounded with the sound of an avalanche and she was surrounded by voices. All were strangers, except one.

“C-Cade?” Her throat creaked.

“Andie. Oh, baby. Can you hear me? Can you sit up for me?”

“I re-remember.” She felt his strong arms around him, and he held her tight. “Cade, I saw everything.”

He showered her with kisses, and picked her up. “We have to take you to the hospital to get checked. Everything’s going to be okay.”

“What happened?” The light was too bright and her head was still fuzzy.

“My mother and father were shot. They’re still alive. I have to check in on them, too.”

“Shot? By who?” Andie lifted her arm and looked at her chest, panic electrifying her veins. “I have blood all over me.”

“My mother took the shot for you.”

“She did? She was the one who took the chips from me.”

Cade’s face whitened and his features froze, clearly both shocked and disappointed at his mother. Andie’s gut twisted. Had Barbara been in on the sting or was she trying to steal the chips for herself?

“Sir, sir. You’re going to have to let us take her,” a paramedic interrupted and got between them.

“I’ve got her, really,” Cade said.

“She might need oxygen and we need to put in an IV. The Narcan wears out faster than the heroin. She’ll need a drip,” the woman explained.

“Okay.” Cade laid Andie gently onto the gurney and dotted a kiss on her lips. “I love you more than the entire universe. Marry me, as soon as you can.”

Before Andie could answer, the paramedics slipped an oxygen mask over her mouth. Another one threaded an IV into her arm. She winked at Cade and shook her head. No way was she going to answer him. She was going to hold out for the grand proposal, something big and memorable, not while she was being carted away by the paramedics.

Sheesh. Men were so unromantic.

# # #

“Did you see that? She just turned me down.” Cade’s jaw dropped as Ronaldo clapped his hand on his shoulder. The guy he’d found tied up was Fernando with the bloodied face. This hotshot was Ronaldo, no blood, no bruises.

“Dude, of course she did,” Ronaldo said. “You’ve got no flair, no imagination. Women love a big production. Something huge and never done before. Why don’t we look at Youtube videos of proposals to get some ideas? Besides, you have to have a ring. That’s Marriage Proposal 101.”

“And how would you know?” He shoved his friend playfully.

“I’m in show business. Trust me. You got to go long and go deep.”

“I don’t know about that, but I can’t wait to take Andie home.” Cade picked pieces of broken glass off his clothes and skin.

“No way, you can’t come to Vegas and not see a show, or do something different. It’s like going to Central Park and not taking her on the carriage ride. Total dud.” Ronaldo gave Cade a fist bump.

“Okay, but I’ve seen enough casinos for a while.” Cade rolled his stiff neck and shoulders. “So, tell me, how did you know about this sting?”

“Fernando has me as backup. That way I cover his ass in case he’s compromised. Things were getting dicey since he suspected a leak. That’s why I clued you in, but I didn’t want you to blow Andie’s cover. After you yanked the hidden mic from Andie’s hair, I set her up with the four-leaf clover mic. Since Fernando was a double agent, they didn’t suspect him or me.”

“Wait, so it was you who stole Andie away from the roulette table?”

“The one and only.” Ronaldo puffed his chest. “Being his look alike allowed us to be in two places at the same time. I sent Andie back to the room because Natasha was supposed to deliver the chips, but evidently Devon got to them and set a trap for Andie.”

A buzzing chill seized Cade’s scalp. “You think Owen was the one who tipped off Devon? How’d he get the keycard to get in the room?”

“You two talking about me?” Owen waddled up to them and put an arm around each of their shoulders. “Actually, Natasha admitted Devon’s her boyfriend. He hacked into her laptop and was listening in on the device. I’d say it was a stroke of luck that Cade ripped the listening device from Andie’s hair.”

“So what the hell happened next?” Cade shot a glare at Ronaldo. “Your brother was bad?”

“No, no, no. He infiltrated the gang, but Devon caught him and beat him up, then tied up Natasha. Since I’m his twin, I got to go ahead and complete his mission, which was to outfit her with the four-leaf clover listening device.”

Cade turned to Owen. “What about you? Did you know any of this?”

“Nothing. I didn’t even know Ronaldo was involved,” Owen said, shrugging and looking innocent. “The cops showed up and Natasha sent them to rescue all of you. She spilled everything, how Devon started dating her a few weeks ago and how stupid she had been to show him some of her gizmos.”

“Devon. I should have known, and Dick too.” Cade blew out a breath. “What was my mother’s role in all this?”

“Your mother was a wild card, and so was Dick, although he might have been working with Devon,” Ronaldo said. “Man, your family’s really fucked up.”

“Tell me about it.” Cade’s heart twinged for his mother who’d been shot protecting Andie. “I need to go to the hospital and check on my mother and Dick. And of course, Andie, who’s probably in the best shape of the three.”

“Yeah, you take care, buddy.” Ronaldo winked. “And next time you try proposing, run it by me first.”

“Alright, dude.” Cade waved him off. He jogged and caught up with the paramedics. “Hey, let me get a ride with her.”

“Only if you sign autographs,” the female paramedic said. “Looks like you have some cuts we need to tend to.”

Cade hopped in and took a seat next to Andie. He threaded his fingers through hers and held on tight. Her gem green eyes held his gaze, full of warmth and love.

“You know what I’m thinking? That pass interception at the Super Bowl was the best thing that ever happened to me, because you, Antoinette Marie Wales, intercepted my heart and ran it all the way back for a touchdown.”

“Yes, Mom, I’m fine,” Andie said on the phone the next morning while Owen sat at her side in the hospital room. “Yes, Cade found me. I went to Vegas with a friend.”

It was always better to stick to the semblance of the truth.

“Again? What kind of friend? The last time you were in Vegas, you ended up married.”

“Don’t worry,” Andie reassured. “That’s not in the cards this time.”

“Not unless you want to go to jail for bigamy,” her mother said.

“Actually, I remember now. I filed the divorce before my accident. Then we filed again, so I’ll be doubly divorced in six months and free and clear by the beginning of February.”

Andie waited for her mother to finish ranting, said she loved her and her father, and hung up.

“Did I hear that right?” Owen said from the visitor’s chair. “You’ll be free by the next Super Bowl?”

“First week of February. Yep. So, what’s next? Are we going home? Where’s Cade?”

Owen set a small Coach bag and a carry-on on the bed. “Gift from Cade. He’s taking over for the rest of your time here in Vegas. He’s with his mom right now, but you should get dressed so you’ll be ready when he comes to help you check out. How’s your head?”

“Still hurts, but luckily, I didn’t lose a piece of my scalp. The fake hair and fake skin Natasha attached to the transmitter tore off. I can’t believe she screwed up so badly. At least she taught me to relax. It’s not just breathing, you know.”

“Okay, you relax. I gotta get going.” Owen bent over and kissed her on the cheek.

“One last thing, did they catch Rob?”

Owen’s mouth elongated into a satisfied grin. “Oh, yeah, they did. The lucky four-leaf clover mic and the earpiece recorded everything. He’s as done as a roast with a four-inch fork.”

# # #

Cade walked into his mother’s hospital room. She sat at her bedside dressed and ready to check out. Her arm was in a sling and it was wrapped up in bandages. Fortunately for her, she was only grazed by the bullet.

“How’s Andie?” she asked Cade first thing.

“She’s doing great. They had her on a Narcan drip and fortunately, all the effects of the heroin were reversed.” He hugged her. “Thanks for jumping over her when Devon shot.”

“Yeah, well, it was the least I could do.” She blinked but avoided Cade’s gaze.

“You going to tell me why you and Dick were there?”

“I didn’t want Andie to go through with the drop. It would have been too dangerous, so I took the chips instead. I had no clue Devon would find her.”

Was she lying again?

Cade crossed his arms and tightened his jaw. From what he’d heard from Ronaldo and the police, the bag of chips had not been turned in.

“What did you do with them?” he asked.

“What did I do with what?”

“The chips. If you’d handed them to Devon, he wouldn’t have gone to look for Andie.”

“I can’t tell you or it’ll compromise the investigation. Any news on Dick?” She blinked with large, falsely innocent eyes.

“He’s still in critical condition. They operated and are monitoring him. Why do you care?”

Tears swam in his mother’s eyes. “He wasn’t supposed to be there. He should have trusted me.”

Cade bit his tongue and refrained from snide remarks about how thieves and liars could never trust each other. It all reminded him of the ending of a Scooby Doo cartoon where the villains would have all gotten away if it hadn’t been for the nosy kids, in this case, Andie and Owen.

“Well, let me know if you need a ride anywhere,” Cade said. “You going back to rehab?”

“Not right now. Your brother, Donnie, is picking me up. You go take care of Andie. She’s mighty special and you don’t ever want to mess that up.”

He hugged her tight. Despite everything, she was still his mother, even if she had a dodgy past, or was involved in some way in the scam. “Love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, son. Give Bret a kiss from me.” She caressed his cheek. “You are the best thing that ever came out of my life. Take care of yourself.”

“You too.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you back home.”

“Yes, home. There’s no place like it.” She waved as he strode from her room.

# # #

Andie unzipped the carry-on from Cade, and a smile warmed her face. It was filled with shopping bags from clothing and shoe stores. A note sat on top of the bags.

She opened the envelope.

Good morning, beautiful. You know how the saying goes, what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, I wanted you to know that everything that goes on with you, stays with you. Today is our day, and I aim to create beautiful and long-lasting memories. Enjoy your gifts, and I’ll see you when you’re ready to start our adventure.

Loving you, always and forever, Cade.

Andie’s heart flushed with joy as she removed the bags from the carry-on. A colorful bouquet of daisies—pink, white, yellow, and ruby red smiled from among a few stunning maroon and rusty orange ones. The flowers were tied with a pink ribbon on which Cade had written: Andie + Cade = LOVE. Dangling from the ribbon was her ruby red slippers charm necklace. He’d remembered, and so did she, finally. Cade had bought the necklace for her to show her he was her home.

Andie attached the necklace and kissed the flowers before setting them on the table. She’d need a vase to keep them blooming. Next, she turned her attention to a bag from a chocolatier and pulled out a box of chocolate truffles. Cade had remembered how much she loved raspberry chocolate crème. She popped one in her mouth and smiled, moaning with delight.

A long necklace box opened to a silver filigree choker with a sunburst gemstone, fiery orange with streaks of deep red and yellow. She dangled it, wondering which one he’d want her to wear. The new necklace matched her hair, fiery strands of red mingled with darker reds and lighter blond strands.

Clothes and shoes followed. A white strapless sundress decorated with orange wildflowers and green vines and white stiletto slip-ons. Cade must really think of her as fresh and innocent, but with a wild side.

Another bag contained makeup—the exact brands she used. How did he know? He must have either observed her or maybe George had given him the bag she’d packed while pretending to go to New York.

In any case, Cade was a real catch, and she couldn’t wait to experience the surprises he had in store for her. Smiling, she went into the bathroom and took a shower, then dried her hair and fixed herself up.

He’d even included her ladybug perfume, Dot. She dabbed on the happy and cheerful fragrance and waited for him to return.

# # #

Cade stood at the door of Andie’s hospital room and blinked once, twice, then three times. Andie was more beautiful and radiant than he’d imagined possible. She came toward him, a goddess in a sexy sundress. Her perfectly complexioned skin was smooth and moist with lotion and she dazzled him when she picked up the daisy bouquet and pressed them to her heart.

“Ready to make memories?” He swept her into his arms for a kiss, although not sloppy, since she’d spent time making up her face.

“Not just that.” Her voice was husky with promise. “I remember everything.”

He did a double-take and stared into her luscious green eyes. “Everything?”

“While I was high on dope. Who would have thought?”

“You remember meeting me in the library?”

Her face reddened. “Yes, and what you caught me doing. Was I such a perv?”

“Oh, no. You were hot. I just knew librarians were the hottest women. That’s why I headed there. You’d melt all the snow in Iceland. What else do you remember?”

“You falling off the mountain, us looking for Gollie, the food trucks, the lobster rolls and the Chinese pork buns.”

“Pork buns? I don’t remember those.”

“Actually I just added that in to see if you’re alert.”

He kissed her, full on the lips, relishing her softness, and inhaling her sweet scent. It felt wonderful to have her safe in his arms again, and best of all, she remembered. Everything. And she still loved him.

“I’m so happy. You’re back. All of you.” Cade whispered into her mouth before finishing the breathtaking kiss.

“Don’t you want to know about the bun I’m baking for you?” Andie winked.

“Sure, but let’s go for our Vegas adventure first. Then, I’m all about buns. Nutty, sticky buns with walnuts are my favorite.” He couldn’t help giving her ass a nice squeeze. “Not that you don’t have nice sticky ones.”

“And you have a huge lobster roll somewhere.” She licked her lips and wiggled in his arms. “Promise me I choose the restaurant, and you choose everything else?”

“Promise. I don’t know why you’re having cravings for buns, but so do I.” He hooked his arm around her back, and together they walked out of the hospital.