Caught in the Crosshair (21 page)
Read Caught in the Crosshair Online
Authors: Barb Han
He spun around as she moved into his line of fire. He hesitated.
The barrel of her gun pointed directed at Lauren. He quickly adjusted.
One shot. One kill.
Jaden’s finger twitched on the trigger.
Fuck.
He couldn’t do it. Couldn’t shoot her. She was one of his. He never left his own behind.
Besides, this was his fault.
Jaden immediately moved in to get a visual. Luring her, he made sure she heard the door click as he slipped inside the dark storeroom. Light spilled into the room as she followed. She obviously wanted to take him out badly to expose herself like that.
Jaden could use that against her.
He tucked Lauren behind a row of boxes in dead silence. He pulled his cell from his pocket, texted Gunner to alert 911.
A long strip of cord found its way into his hand. Lauren’s doing.
How’d she do that?
She of all people knew this storeroom. When he was sure she’d made it back to her hiding spot safely, he stepped into a rack so that the swish of clothing could be heard.
He could feel Helena closing in.
The light flipped on as Lauren screamed.
“Now, you’re going to watch her die,” Helena said. Her shrill voice sounded like someone different.
“No one else dies because of me, Helena.”
“An eye for an eye.”
“She didn’t do anything to you. Would Tim want you to take an innocent life?”
Her moment of hesitation was all he needed. He dove into her, knocking the gun from her hand.
Lauren scrambled to her feet and ran out of the storeroom.
Helena’s fists came flying at him, connecting with his face.
He grabbed her hands, located the cord, and tied them behind her back.
“You bastard. It’s your fault he’s gone.”
“I know.”
“My life is over.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“Kill me. I don’t want to live without him.”
“I know.”
Tears flooded her cheeks as her shoulders quaked. “I don’t want to live …” Sobs echoed through the back room.
“I know. But it’ll get better. We’ll get you the help you need.”
“Why? I don’t deserve it. I tried to kill you. Why would you help me?”
“Like it or not, you’re my family now. And I won’t turn my back on you.” He wasn’t sure if his words got through or not, but he would ensure she got the help she needed. “You’re not one of them. You’re one of the good guys. What did you do with Gage?”
Helena’s blank eyes stared forward.
“Tim wouldn’t want this.”
A flicker of anguish crossed her features. “At headquarters. Tied up.”
A tsunami of relief washed over Jaden. He immediately texted the news to Gunner.
Within moments, a squad car appeared, complete with the blare of sirens and flashing lights.
Lauren stood, watching it all, not really comprehending any of it. She was in shock as any civilian would be.
Jaden kept a close eye on her.
“How’d you get here? It’s impossible. No one can be in two places at once. I saw you on the news,” she said and her voice was even, emotionless.
Jaden couldn’t tell if she was glad to see him. He’d have to wait for her to regain her senses to know if she’d ever forgive him for pushing her away. “Computer trick. Gunner and I came up with it.”
Almost out of thin air, when his name was said, Gunner appeared. “A crew is on the way to pick up Gage. Everyone okay here?”
“Not everyone,” said Jaden, motioning toward the sobbing Helena in the back of the squad car.
“I’m sorry,” he said to Jaden.
“Me, too.”
He turned to Lauren. The light.
Mine.
Men in uniform were everywhere. Her precious business was marked as a crime scene. She was most likely in shock.
Jaden took the keys from her and locked up. He guided her back to the safe house where she’d be more comfortable.
Had he gone too far in pushing her away before?
His heart was ready to burst from one of his own betraying him. Didn’t change the fact Tim was dead because of him. He would not survive the guilt without Lauren.
Could she forgive him?
The moment he walked out of her life he knew he’d made a grave mistake. If she would only let him stay, he would never leave again.
Once she’d showered and changed, she looked a little more settled in reality. She emerged from the bedroom in perfect timing, since Jaden had just finished pouring two glasses of red wine.
For a long moment, neither spoke. Jaden feared the worst. She might never let him back in her life.
He had to know for sure.
This moment was similar to the backward spiral off a dive boat. Nothing had to make sense. No rules. He pulled her toward him and leaned in until his forehead rested against hers. She smelled clean, a mix of fresh flowers and soap.
Guiding dark locks of hair behind her ear, he ran the back of his forefinger down her arm. Her body quivered with his touch. At least she still reacted to him physically. God, her skin was soft. Her eyes wide. Those beautiful golden eyes. She was the light.
Lauren pulled back, and his heart stuttered. Fear that he’d blown it overwhelmed him. Jaden Dean had never been afraid of anything.
Until now.
“You blew your cover. Does that mean you’ll be finding a new job? Maybe sticking around this time?” she asked, not giving away her true emotions.
He couldn’t be so close to her without touching her. His hand came up to her face, and he guided her lips within an inch of his. She didn’t fight him.
Was it even possible to hope she’d figured it all out? Did he still have a chance?
His voice was low, husky, when he whispered, “Are you sure you want this? Me? I’m far from perfect.”
“I need real.”
“The next time I’m in your bed, I won’t leave. Ever.”
“What about the curse?”
“I believed something was wrong with me. That’s why everyone around me died. I realized it was because of their choices, not mine. I choose you.”
“Good. Because that’s exactly what I want. You.”
His heart practically burst with love. “Then let’s make it official.”
He bent down on one knee. “I love you. I don’t want to spend another minute without you. Being away the last twenty-four hours was worse than death. I don’t ever want to leave you again. I want to make this permanent. I want you to be my wife.”
Her expression was unreadable when she asked, “Your real name David Wells?”
“Yes.”
“Then who would I be marrying? David Wells or Jaden Dean?”
“Both. But I haven’t been David in a long time. Does the name on the wrapper matter? It’s still me. The man who can’t get enough of you.”
“No. It doesn’t make a difference to me. I was just wondering if I’d be Lauren Wells or Lauren Dean,” she said, and she finally smiled.
It was pure sunshine on his heart.
“If you marry me, I’ll let you pick. We can be whoever you want. How about that?”
“Yes. I will marry you.”
His chest swelled with pride when he heard the word “yes.” It was the only thing that mattered. Everything else could be figured out along the way.
Jaden swept her off her feet, buried his face in her hair, and carried her to bed.
“I hope you plan to be here for a while,” she said, and her eyes were glittery with need.
“Sweetheart, I never plan to leave.”
I hope you enjoyed CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIR!
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Barb Han lives in North Texas with her husband, has three beautiful children, a spunky Golden Retriever/Standard Poodle mix, and too many books in her TBR pile. When she’s not writing, researching, or otherwise getting lost in a story, she volunteers at her children’s school, is in the kitchen creating dinner, or can be found on or around a basketball court.
Writing contemporary romance and romantic suspense has been a dream come true for Barb — something she’s wanted to do for as long as she can remember.
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