Deadly Alliance (15 page)

“Baby, it’s cold inside.”

“Sure is, baby. That means no one’s been in here.” He found matches and opened the oven door to see two logs set parallel. “Sean planned to return.” After lighting it and opening the air inlet, fire burned steadily.

She carried her backpack to the small kitchen counter and spread out a complete pantry.

“You’re a seasoned outdoors woman. I’m impressed.” He felt his stomach growl.

“Arrowhead Trader caters to hikers. I brought more than we’ll need.”

“We didn’t invite guests.”

“No sir, we did not.” She stacked a package of Stroganoff with Beef and Noodles on top of the other entrees. “We can hike out, explore, and then return here. What do you say?”

In a few long strides, he stood beside her. “I spent the morning away from you. That’s too long.” He took hold of her shoulders, pulled her in close and kissed her. For a second, he thought she’d pulled away. That moment passed in a heartbeat, and she tipped her head back, kissing him. Her touch and her warmth in her kisses was life itself. A shaft of need shot through his body, one he couldn’t act on.

He lifted a hand and pushed his fingers through her silky hair, relishing the smoothness brushing against his skin.

He needed to stuff his hard persona. Unless they were attacked, she could use comfort.

Her hands sizzled under his shirt, across his chest and over his back. “Your body is rigid. You’re standing guard.”

“I’d rather kiss you all afternoon, all night.”

“We can’t. Not now. You’re an army ranger. I’m your army ranger buddy.”

He ran his hand through his hair, hesitated. Whatever he said would make things worse. He couldn’t just stand there forever.

“Do what you have to do. I mean it.”

Not sure how she’d react to his gun, he tucked it and made sure it was covered by the back of his shirt.

Movement out the front window.

He jumped. “Steady now. This cabin has steps. There’s got to be a crawl space.” He snapped off the single overhead light.

“I think I saw the trapdoor. Over there.” She stepped along until she found it.

“Amy. Baby. It will be okay.”

“You’re the one I worry about.” Her fingers gripped his shirt. When he squatted and pried open the trapdoor, she released her fingers and disappeared through the floor.

He closed the door and gave it a pat with his hand. He turned around, left her down there, and dashed across the room for his pack. Taking his cell, he sent a text message to McGill and Guhleman. “Takbir is here, maybe Omar. I’m pushing out.” He left his phone. His rule was silence. They could talk together all they wanted, but he was a ranger. Voices broke concentration.

Although seasoned with short-sword warfighting, he chose his broadsword. Besides this ISIS weapon of choice, he carried other weapons on his body. Push on.

Finn snaked through a side window. He crouched with his fingers wrapped around the handle of his Glock, his broadsword strapped on his back, and a short knife tucked into the edge of his glove. Like Amy’s pocket knife, it never hurt to have one more advantage. He hugged the building. Trained to let his imagination run wild, he assessed numbers but came up with nothing. Slowly he moved outward.

Under the cold shimmering air, he caught the scent of earthy smoke. A peat fire up ahead. It was then he saw a militant holding an assault rifle. Behind him, hung between two trees, the Desert Standard flag celebrated dominance. Somewhere a camera was mounted and undoubtedly rolling.

Finn ran up a few paces, his protective gear blending with the snow and trees. Pivoting around the outer edges of the terrain, sound bounced from one direction only. No more sounds came. He counted the lone militant as a win and let out the long breath he’d held in. He stayed quiet and didn’t pick up footsteps or a sliver of movement. In front of him loomed the militant. Alone so far, but Finn cased out the terrain to make sure. Time to fight, and he stepped up.

“Ah.” Wearing a bandanna, the militant dropped his rifle and pulled out a long blade. “I must put you to the sword.” He held his sword at an angle.

Finn pulled his out. He positioned it to create an inverse triangular formation with Omar’s. The two men eyed each other.

Their swords clashed with a clang. The weight vibrated down his arm.

The leader spun and came back with a forward plunge.

Finn blocked it. Worked him backward. Struck left. Right. Faked a center stab, then left.

His opponent repelled. Pulled back before thrusting forward, forcing Finn to jump back.

Finn swept up, under his guard, but Omar danced aside and began a whirl. Used rotation to add speed. His sword whistled. Blades clashed. Omar’s sword had more weight.

Finn gripped the hilt in both hands. Dropped it low and charged in. He’d caught his shoulder. Saw blood.

Omar came back hard, drove him back. Finn lost his footing, felt the rush of air displaced by his falling blade. Omar raised his sword. Finn jumped, and it whooshed by his face.

This time Finn gripped the hilt, again with both hands, and repulsed his attack. He scored a blow to Omar’s hip. Thrust, strike, defend, attack. Omar went down.

Finn rolled him over. Unknotting the black ski mask from his face, he said, “Hello, Omar al-Anbari.”

* * *

Not wanting to distract Finn, Amy obeyed orders and stayed put. She forced her mind to stop racing. She needed to stay calm. Finn was busy with a bigger problem. She didn’t know if he’d survived. With a tiny flashlight, she looked around. Canned goods, dry goods. She took out her cell and started scrolling until she landed on “Hiker Nag.” She phoned Bayliss.

Hiker Nag answered. “Amy. Has the helicopter fleet landed?”

“Maybe. I hear a lot of moving metal parts. I’m hiding in a crawl space.”

Bayliss said, “Hold on. Byron’s calling.”

Amy sat back, blended into the darkness. If Byron were calling his wife, it was good news, wasn’t it? On the floor above, a shuffling of footfalls erupted. She cringed. Optimism morphed to dread. She clenched her little flashlight.

The trap door opened.

Finn reached down and pried the flashlight from her grip. “It’s over.” Strong arms slipped down and pulled her up. His eyes found hers.

“Finn.” Her gut-wrenching fear stilled. He squeezed her arms.

“Right here, baby.” He was real, actually there. Alive. His lips met hers. Strong, but soft. She tilted her face to get closer. The smell of him swirled in her head, making her dizzy. When his tongue met hers, she ached to open her entire body, not just her mouth, to him. Her nerves shot bolts of awareness to her brain. A warm ball of heat formed in her chest.

Desire. Crazy what fear did to her.

Outside of the cabin, she heard people talking. Byron. Gary Guhleman. Her phone buzzed. She looked at the panel. Bayliss. “Meet us for dinner tonight?”

Finn took the phone and said, “We accept.”

Oh sure, she thought. There was a time she’d wanted a middle-of-the-road man. Middle-management, average in every department. No part of Finn Donahue was near the middle.

Chapter Twelve

“Time to leave,” Finn said.

“Give me just a minute.” Glancing around the cabin, Amy took in all the little touches. Wilted now, a vase once held wild flowers. Sean stayed here. Logs had been placed in the grate of the potbelly stove. Tired, she moved across the one-room cabin to the window. She unlatched it and pushed it open. The strong wind coming from the north blew her hair across her face. She brushed the tangles from her eyes. Chilled, she didn’t know what was in store for her. For Finn and her, all would be different now. No more crimes to fight, and she shivered but let the wind and the events wash over her.

Finn’s fingers slipped into her hair. “Dinner, huh? This will be our second dinner date.” His thumb rubbed over her forehead.

Maybe our last. She paused, thinking of how to ask politely if he’d killed someone. “Is the other guy dead?”

“Omar? No. He went down. I didn’t kill him.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss on her nose and then her lips.

“When are we going to have the leaving conversation?” She had to ask. Tears pushed their way to the back of her eyes. She couldn’t let him see her cry.

“What do you mean? You moved from my place.”

“You’re going to break my heart. It might as well be now.” She wanted him to understand the pain he was about to inflict.

He grabbed her by the arms, dragged her up so close she could see a muscle ticking angrily in his cheek, felt the tension in his body.

She snuggled in closer.

He let out a string of swears. “Guess you didn’t know. I’ve been practicing.”

“Practicing how to leave? I thought you were practiced at that.”

He kissed her on the mouth, quick and short. “I’m practicing how to be your husband.”

Her heart jumped. “You have?”

He smiled the kind of smile that had her toes curling. “I’m permanent. If you’ll have me.” The strength in his voice and unwavering eye contact convinced her even more than his kisses.

This man had staying power. He was the man she’d been hoping for. Not practical. Magical.

His eyes grew serious. “I love you. More than anything.”

She believed him. Her heart filled with joy. “I didn’t want to fall in love. I couldn’t help it.”

He nuzzled her cheek. “Since we’ve been together, my feelings have never wavered. I knew you were the one for me.

This time, she let a tear fall. “It’s pure happiness.”

He kissed where tears ran down her face and toyed with her fingers. “I want a future between us.”

“Finn.” She said his name in one breath. “I never want to wake up looking into anyone else’s eyes.”

“I need you, too. Like the ground needs the rain.” He caught her hand, kissed it. “Where do you want to live? Here or LA?”

“Your farmhouse. You live there. We can’t leave your dad and Dolly. Who will feed Toughie?” She pictured the wraparound porch, his soothing bedroom, and a mean kitty peeking in windows. Never did she expect to find love. She hoped to find a measure of caring with butterflies in the stomach, but instead fell head over heels in love. She launched herself at him. “I’m totally nuts over you, Finbar Donahue.”

He caught her and kissed her hard.

* * *

Inside the cabin Byron McGill stomped snow off his boots. Guhleman slumped into a chair at the table. His face was as crumpled as the map he spread out before him. “Our mission isn’t complete, Donahue.”

“You won’t sleep until we find the bootie. Me neither.” Finn knew the bloodhound had worked himself into a stellar foul mood. After a cramped ride in the chopper and too little sleep, the agent still wanted to find the proverbial treasure. Finn drew in as much air as his lungs could hold.

At his sharp indrawn breath, Amy glanced at him. She took a seat on a chair near the window.

Guhleman munched on a bag of pretzels. He moved a kerosene lamp over the map, spread before him on the table. “Someone drew more detail here,” he said and pointed to the area between the entrance to the mine and steps. “This cabin has steps. Hey, this looks like an X.”

Finn took out his cell and connected with his dad. “Papa. You’ve looked at Amy’s map.”

“It’s right beside me.” Thankfully, it only took his dad a second to grab it.

“The small X. What do you make of it?” Finn had his dad on speaker.

“It marks the entrance to a cave.” Papa wheezed. “It’s impossible to see under the dripping waterfall. It doesn’t amount to much this time of year.”

“Okay, I’ll go out and listen for it.” Moving water took longer to freeze. Finn guessed he’d get wet going in. “Thanks, Papa.” He pocketed his cell.

The door to the cabin opened and belched a whoosh of cold air. Guhleman, McGill, and the entire crew filed outside.

“Amy?” Finn looked at the beautiful woman walking to his side. More important than recovering money was Amy.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Please do. I want you at my side.” Finn was lost in another thought. Marrying Amy. “It’s been a mystery. What will the treasure hold?”

“This is a scavenger hunt. The map is the last clue.” She laughed as the snow hit her face.

Fluffy flakes swirled down as they made their way toward the cluster of men. Snow covered the pines and ground under their feet. “Already an inch,” he said. “Guess we’ll have to cuddle up tonight.”

“Cuddle and snuggle. Hear the drips? We’re about to get wet, too.”

Guhleman was waiting. “Who wants the honors? Donahue?”

McGill motioned him forward. “It’s slippery. Go easy.”

“Here’s nothing.” Holding Amy’s hand, they ducked under the small waterfall. The cave was braced with a wooden structure. Logs had been set at an angle. Pointed tops met above them.

“Looks safe enough.” With her penlight, Amy took the lead. They made a sharp turn to the right. A narrow passageway came to a dead end. A metal bin the size of a freezer took up the space.

He tried to open it. “It’s locked.”

She shined her light around. “There’s a key.” She grabbed it off a nail. After inserting it in the lock, she wiggled it back and forth. She heard a click and stepped away.

He pushed up the lid and called Guhleman.

* * *

“A mountaintop perch makes for a tough landing for a chopper.” Finn stood there, shielding Amy from the icy sleet.

The chopper circled, and two climbers on ropes attached to it hiked down with a rescue basket.

Gary Guhleman raced toward them. “They’re here for you three. You, Amy, and McGill will be hoisted up, one at a time.”

With Amy tucked at his side, Finn leaned into the wind and faced Guhleman. “Ice buildup on a second helicopter will be bad. It creates rotor problems.”

“Correct. We’re not going tonight.” Guhleman explained he and his men were staying behind. “Tomorrow is a new day. Fair weather. Anyway, we need a transport helicopter.”

“I see,” Finn said. “Big enough belly to haul the bin.

“Correct, Donahue. FYI, your cash loss will be reimbursed. That’s a tiny fraction of what we’ve got.”

“Good enough.” Finn shook his hand. “Congratulations, Guhleman. The FBI crime commission reigns victorious.”

“Now that makes a good headline.” Tonight Guhleman seized two hundred million in drugs and cash. Money laundering used by the Waterfront Roaches included biker gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers. In one week, the task force took down the Irish rivals, a partnership between Takbir and the Surenos. They put an end to a warlord’s trail of destruction. “So, get the hell out of here,” Guhleman said.

“We’ll come back another time,” Amy said, “under happier circumstances.”

“This circumstance,” Guhleman said, “makes me damn happy. Cupboards are stocked with food. We’ll be content in the cabin.”

“There’s more supplies in the crawl space,” she added.

“Great. Have a safe ride home.” Guhleman turned away to give landing instructions to his pilot. “Drop them on the Harp Hotel helipad.”

* * *

Just an hour later, after their stroll to Burlie’s, Amy leaned on Finn’s shoulder. The scent of his cologne had always been pleasant. It whispered of maleness, boldness. She’d fallen prey to his lazy smile and smooth ways.

Bayliss, Byron, Cassidy, and Spencer sat at their table for six.

Cassidy said, “Sunday nights here are over the top. The owner turned his jazz cafe into a winner.”

“Yup,” Finn said, “We’re back for more fun. Just talked with the saxophonist. Ted Meyer gave me his card for our gig coming up.”

Amy snickered at that. “The wedding gig?”

“Here we go. See you later.” Bayliss dragged Byron onto the dance floor.

“What’s going on with you two?” Cassidy the snooper asked. She looked at Amy, Finn, and back to Amy again.

At exactly the same time Finn and Amy said, “We’re getting married.”

“When?” Spencer asked.

Amy looked at Les’ son. “Sooner. Rather than later. Why wait?” She gazed up at Finn. “You stuck it to my heart so hard.”

Mr. Charming bent to touch his forehead to hers. “Tell me what you think. How about the Saturday of Trout Days?”

“That’s when your dad is marrying Dolly.”

He kissed her and then pulled back.

“Shall we have a double wedding with them?” Amy said to the tall, broad-shouldered man who was practicing to be her husband. “It will be on a pontoon, correct?”

Spencer turned his head toward Cassidy. “Honey, what are we doing that weekend?”

“We’re free,” she said. “If three couples can have a triple wedding, let’s crowd in.”

“It will be good to have you with us.” Finn chuckled, and like the gentleman she knew him to be, said, “Uno, dos, tres. Triple wedding.”

“We’ll figure out what shades to wear,” Amy said to Cassidy. “Dolly is wearing an ice blue cocktail dress with a matching faux-fur shrug.”

“Actually, I bought my wedding dress.” Cassidy was more than ready. “It’s a Vera Wang, blush pink with a satin wrap.”

“Excuse us while we dance.” Finn took Amy’s hand, pulled her beside him, and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.

She shivered when he lifted her shirt and slid his hand over the sensitive skin of her lower back. He enfolded her other hand in his, laid it against his shoulder. As they swayed to the beat, he drew her close with their thighs brushing.

She touched her forehead to his shoulder, inhaling his spicy scent. Manly. Honest. As she relaxed, they slid around the dance floor like puzzle pieces.

He came so close she could feel his hardness and enjoyed it way too much, making her look forward to going home to his farmhouse. Her gaze searched his, and he didn’t look away. “What happens next is going to make me happy.”

“I’m going to spend the next fifty years doing my best.”

“That’s a wonderfully long time,” she whispered.

“I want you to be mine.” He slid to his knees.

Finbar Donahue. It wasn’t like him to bow before anyone. “Finn.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. As he opened it, an emerald-cut diamond blazed up at her. “Tell me you’ll be mine. Always, Amy.”

“I’ll be loving you always.” She expected him to stand, but he was still on his knees.

He stared upward. “You’re the best woman in the world.”

He slipped the ring onto her finger. “It needs a slight adjustment,” she said, “but you are a perfect fit for my heart.”

“I knew you were a keeper.” He went quiet for a few beats.

“When you looked me in the eyes,” she said, “you trusted me.”

“My mother left when I was a toddler. The experience knocked me down. I stumbled around like a ghost.”

“You were innocent. Lost faith.”

“I’m back on my feet. Might have to regress a bit.” He laughed.

“Go ahead, be my little boy.” She pressed her breasts against him. “I’ll never let you go.”