Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Exit Strategy\Payback\Covert Justice (35 page)

“Back in Detroit, I got into some—” he glanced at Nia “—some trouble with a drug operation. The two feds that arrested me said if I helped them they'd give me immunity.”

“Those feds being Nevins and Parker?”

“Yeah. They were on a special task force to weed out corrupt agents. They wanted me to steal a few grand from my boss, who they claimed was working with them.”

“Federal agents working with a drug cartel?” the chief scoffed.

“I know, I'm an idiot, but they were offering me a deal to stay out of jail, so I'd pretty much believe anything.”

“What happened next?” Nate asked.

“My job was a deliveryman, so I picked up a messenger bag but didn't deliver it. Brown and McIntyre were supposed to arrest me. When the cash went missing, that would be Nevins's evidence they were dirty. But I didn't get arrested, and the bag had way more than a couple of grand inside. Then people started trying to kill me.”

“Oh, Danny,” Nia said, touching his hand.

“What people?” Nate asked.

“My boss, Parker and Nevins, take your pick. So I ran. Hitched my way out here to see Nia. I guess they assumed she was in on it, or she'd launder the money through the resort or something. I don't know. I thought about shipping the money back to my boss, but what if someone else opened the package and kept it for himself? I figured the money was my only leverage. I didn't know what to do.” He sighed. “I watched Nia take off into the mountains and I followed her. When I saw Brown and McIntyre go after her, I fired off a few shots to scare them away but I didn't shoot them, honest.”

Nia glanced at Aiden. “That must have been the gunshots we heard.”

He nodded.

“But not the gunshots that killed Agents Brown and McIntyre,” Nate said.

“Gus Chambers probably shot them,” Danny said. “He's muscle for the Detroit operation.”

“And he came to retrieve the money?” the chief said.

Danny nodded.

“But why kill two federal agents?” the chief asked.

“Unless Gus didn't kill them,” Nate offered. “It's more likely Parker and Nevins shot the other agents. After speaking with the FBI, I got the impression Agents Brown and McIntyre were suspicious of Parker and Nevins, so Parker and Nevins wanted them out of the way. Plus, if they pinned the murders on Danny, that would turn up the heat.”

“Right, so more law enforcement would be on the lookout for him,” the chief said.

“Once they found him, he'd be arrested for murder.” Nia squeezed Danny's hand.

“And no one would believe my word against a cop's.”

The room fell silent as they all digested Danny's story.

“So, where is the money?” the chief asked.

Danny looked away.

“Danny, these are the most trustworthy men I know,” Nia said.

He sighed. “At the cottage.”

“Bree's cottage? With the golden retriever?” Nia asked.

“Yeah.”

“Why there?”

“I was going to stash it at your apartment that first night, but your boss showed up. Then I heard Gus was in town and didn't want to give him a reason to come after you. I needed to stash it in a place they couldn't trace back to me.”

“How did you get into her cottage?” Aiden said.

Danny glanced at Nia. “I sneaked into the house the day I texted you to meet at the restaurant. I was going to sneak in after you left, but when the dog escaped and you ran after it, that's when I went inside and hid the money. You came back into the house and almost caught me, so I hid until you left.”

“That must have been what set off the alarm,” Aiden said.

“So, where's the money now?” Nate asked.

“I hid it behind a dresser upstairs.”

“I'll get on it,” the chief said.

* * *

The next few days were a blur. The FBI had Danny under constant protection, and by Wednesday he was well enough to be released from the hospital. He'd agreed to go back to Detroit, where the FBI would question him further. The hope was if he cooperated and told them everything he knew about the drug gang, they'd dismiss the original charges brought by Nevins and Parker.

* * *

It was hard saying goodbye to her brother, but she felt as if he was finally on the right track.

She glanced at the mended Peace figurine Aiden had left on her desk. Unfortunately, she didn't feel as if she and Aiden had gotten back on track. Since she'd returned to work, Aiden had been polite and businesslike yet kept his distance, like before...

Before they'd kissed, before she'd told him she loved him.

That day at the falls when he'd said it was all over, had he meant their relationship was over, as well?

No, that was the one good thing that had come out of this violent mess: she and Aiden had admitted their feelings for one another.

How did that suddenly disappear?

“Daydreaming at work, Miss Sharpe?” Aiden said from her doorway.

“Oh, hi.”

“Did your brother get off okay?”

“He did.”

“Good. I'm glad.” He stepped into her office and placed a folder on her desk. “Some vendor inquiries about Independence Day weekend events. Please narrow down that list by the end of the day tomorrow.” He turned to leave.

“What's wrong?” she said.

He hesitated, then turned to her. “I'm sorry?”

“You're not talking to me.”

“Aren't we talking right now?”

“You know what I mean.”

He glanced at the floor but didn't respond.

“Are you angry because I worked with the agents to bring in my brother?” she asked.

“I'm not angry.” He hesitated. “I'm disappointed.”

Her heart sank. “In me?”

“In the choice you made not to share your decision with me.”

“I didn't need your permission.”

“That's not the point. Couples, partners, rely on each other equally. That doesn't seem to be happening here, between us. You rely on yourself, and you shut me out—”

“I wanted to protect you.”

“Nia, every time you keep something from me, something potentially life threatening, you're basically reminding me how broken I am.”

Nia stood abruptly. “Don't say that. I've never thought of you as broken. Ever.”

“Actions speak for themselves.”

“Aiden—”

“I've got work to do. If you'd like to take a few days off to recover from the past week, I'd completely understand.”

He left her office and closed the door.

* * *

Aiden stood in the hallway for a good five seconds. He'd done it. He'd said what was on his mind. Not easy for a guy who usually kept his feelings bottled up inside.

He headed for his office, but instead of going in, he went outside to get some fresh air, to think.

He loved Nia. No doubt about it. And maybe she loved him. But theirs had to be an equal love, the kind of love that encouraged honesty, respect and trust. He'd been honest about how he felt. He knew that was the only way to see if a relationship had the foundation it needed to survive the trials of life.

They'd already experienced their share of trials. You'd think after everything they'd been through, their relationship would be stronger. Perhaps it could be, but not if she continued to protect him. He hoped he'd gotten through to her, that she understood where he was coming from and how he got here.

What happened next was totally up to Nia. In the meantime, he'd put up the wall and be his usual gruff self. After all, he may have lost Nia, but he was still manager of the resort.

* * *

When Nia stopped by Bree's for a quick visit, she found Bree and Scott having coffee with Nate Walsh.

Bree led Nia into the kitchen and poured her a cup of coffee, as well. “Nate was filling us in on Gus Chambers.”

“They'll deal with him back in Detroit,” Nate said. “He still claims he wasn't out to hurt you, Nia, that he wanted to pick your brain about your brother.”

“He sliced Aiden with a knife,” Nia countered.

“Says he was trying to intimidate Aiden into stepping aside, but Aiden charged him.”

“My brother.” Bree shook her head.

“Hey, your brother is a hero in my book,” Scott said.

“I still can't believe Agent Nevins killed his partner,” Nia said.

“He was going to pin that murder on your brother,” Nate offered. “It looks like Parker wasn't dirty, but Nevins needed him dead so Nevins could recover the money himself. Nevins could claim Danny killed Parker, so Nevins had to kill Danny, but Danny never confessed the whereabouts of the money.”

“So Nevins traded his integrity for a couple hundred grand,” Scott said.

“Actually, it turns out there was more than two hundred grand in Danny's bag. It was closer to half a million bucks, but he claims he didn't know that. Anyway, I'd better get back.” Nate stood and glanced at Bree. “How's your sister doing?”

“I think she's okay, although she's not asking as many questions as usual.”

“She might have nightmares for a while,” Nate said. “Get her to talk about them. That usually helps.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“I'll walk you out,” Scott said. “Gotta get back to work anyway.” He kissed Bree on the cheek.

“Later, handsome,” Bree said.

The men left the cottage and Bree cracked a playful smile.

“What's with the smile?” Nia said.

“Methinks Deputy Nate has a crush on my little sister.” She sat at the table and sighed. “Love is in the air.”

“For some of us,” Nia muttered.

“Okay, what's up, girlfriend?”

Nia didn't intend to complain about Aiden, but Bree kept pushing.

“Aiden didn't approve of my decision to work with the feds,” Nia said.

“And now he's, what? Ignoring you?”

“No, it's not like that. But he's closed himself off again.”

“What does that look like? I'm curious.”

“He avoids eye contact, keeps his physical distance, and he shuts down every time I'm near him. It's like his thoughts are locked in his mind fortress, and he's not letting me in.” She stood and paced to the window. “We grew so close during the last week. We know things about each other, personal things. But now it's like I'm back to being an employee, nothing more. He accused me of shutting him out, yet he's doing the same thing to me.”

“And how does that feel?”

Nia spun around. “Horrible. It's like he doesn't care about my feelings. I mean, how could he...?” Her voice trailed off.

The anger and frustration, the gut-wrenching pain of being shut out by Aiden was exactly what Aiden must have felt when he found out she'd decided to help the agents find her brother, without talking to Aiden first.

“Nia?” Bree said.

“I think I get it. I understand how he felt.” She let the wave of emotions wash over her: the shame and hurt of being excluded.

“What do I do now?” Nia said. “I love him so much.”

“Well—” Bree crossed her arms over her chest “—love is awesome, but it has its challenges. Like being honest with one another. It sounds like Aiden was honest with you today. Are you willing to do the same?”

* * *

Aiden locked up the barn and headed for his cottage. The SAR meeting had gone well, although his mind was only half in the game tonight.

He couldn't stop thinking about Nia. Would she accept his offer and take a few days off work? He'd miss her if she did. Sure, he kept his distance, but he always felt better when he knew she was on resort property.

“You have to stop doing that,” he grumbled.

He had to stop thinking about her, wondering how she was doing, if she had nightmares from the shooting at Spruce Falls. He missed her so much, even though she worked in the same building. What a mess.

“Hey,” Nia said.

He glanced up and noticed her sitting in a chair on the front porch of his cottage.

“I'm sorry. Did I miss a meeting?” he asked.

“Nope.” She stood and approached him.

“Are you okay?”

“I will be.” She looped her hands around his neck and kissed him.

Her lips were warm and soft and tasted of cinnamon. She broke the kiss and said, “You're right. It feels horrible.”

“W-w-what?”

She smiled. “No, not the kiss. That was lovely. I meant, being shut out feels horrible.” She released him and took a few steps away. “At the time I made the decision to shut you out, I couldn't get an image out of my head.” She turned to him. “The image of you lying in the hospital bed with a bandaged arm and a bruised face. And it was my fault.”

“Nia—”

“Don't interrupt. This baring-of-the-soul thing is terrifying, and I could very possibly run away so I won't have to finish.”

He cracked a slight smile. She was absolutely adorable. “Go on.”

“I've been trained since childhood to take care of other people, on my own, in silence.” She sighed. “But if you decide to give me another chance at this partner thing, well, I'll promise to include you in my decision making, even if I think you'll disapprove.”

“We won't always agree on everything. That's life.”

“True. And we may not agree on this, but I'll always protect you, Aiden. That's what I do for the people I love.”

“I am so blessed to be on that list.”

“You're at the top of that list, my love.”

“There's no place I'd rather be.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

* * * * *

Look for more books in
Hope White's
ECHO MOUNTAIN
miniseries
later in 2015. You'll find them wherever
Love Inspired Suspense books are sold!

Keep reading for an excerpt from PERMANENT VACANCY by Katy Lee

Dear Reader,

Have you ever felt as if experiences from your past continue to make you question your decisions in the present? Life is full of lessons, personal growth and even regrets, and some people struggle with those regrets a bit longer than necessary.

In
Payback
, Aiden regrets the harsh words he shared with his father the last time they spoke, and Nia regrets not being able to help her brother make better decisions about his life. Yet everyone has his or her own journey, and hopefully, through faith, friendship and prayer, we make our way through life challenges toward peace.

Thanks to Nia's compassion and love, Aiden learns self-forgiveness, and Aiden helps Nia accept that she's not responsible for her brother's mistakes, mistakes that put her life in danger.

Throughout the course of their story, Nia and Aiden learn to appreciate each other's desire to protect the people they love. They also learn how to let go—of their personal regrets, their fear of intimacy and their need to control everything around them.

I hope you enjoy their journey as a couple, as they grow in their faith, and learn to embrace the blessing of love.

Peace,

Hope White