Content Warning
THISNOVELCONTAINS:
GunviolenceandmentionoftheRussianMob'sbrutality,withoutgorydetails, Adetermined,capablefemaleheroine, Awar-injuredhero,withminimaldetailsonhisamputation, Emotionaltraumafromparentsandthepastrelationship, Wildanimalattacks, Loveovercominggreatobstacles, AndexcitingoutdooradventureinthewildsofMontanaandIdaho! Ihopeyouenjoy!
Chapter6
Chapter9
Chapter12
Chapter15
Chapter19
Chapter22 23.EpilogueOne 24.EpilogueTwo
Acknowledgments
AlsoByAnneM.Scott
AnneM ScottBiography
Chapter One
SAMANTHAKERRJOLTEDAWAYfromhercomputer,herconcentrationbrokenbyaman’senragedvoiceontheotherside ofher officedoor.Samtiptoedaroundthe creakyspots onthe antique woodflooringandputher ear tothe gapbetweenthe frameanddoor.
Heroffice,anoldbrickbuildingonacornerofdowntownMarcus,Montana,shouldbethesafestplaceintheworld.Thetiny townwasknownfor mountains,rivers,andtheassociatedoutdoor sports,notorganizedcrime,intimidation,andharassment But that had changed when a man with ties to the Russian mob tried to take over her best friend’s bakery. John Scott of TriWestCoHoldingsshouldhavetaken“No,thankyou”forananswerandmovedon,buthewouldn’t.DebBoulanger,withthe helpoftheirfriends,wasfightingtoothandnailtokeepcontrolofDeb’sBakery.
Andthefight,whichshouldbeasimpleexchangeofoffersoveremail,hadturnedintoabattlethatbelongedinawarzone, notsmall-townUSA.Gunbattlesandexplosionsshouldn’tbehappening,buttheywere,becauseJohnScott,akaIgorKoslov, was actually the Russian mob’s accountant. Koslov believed Marcus was the perfect money-laundering location. Sam suspectedthatwastrue,becauseMarcusCityBank’spresident andErinMoore’smom seemedtobecooperatingwithhim. WithMurphy’sencouragement,KoslovhadgoneafterDeb’sBakery WhenDebrefusedeveryoffer,she’dtweakedhisego, too,andhe’dreactedviolently Theywerealljumpy
Samturned and glanced throughthe slats ofthe half-closed blinds. Nothingbut sunshiningthroughthe trees onanempty sidewalk,withexcitedchildrenchatteringonthelawnoftheMarcusLibrarynextdoor.Stayingclosetothewall,shebreathed throughhernose,tryingtoslowherheartrate “We’retheFBI Wedon’tneedanappointment”Themansneered,hisarroganceshiningthrough Sam’s assistant, MaryWalker, fired back. “Youcertainlydo need anappointment. We have processes and procedures for everyone’sprotection.TheFBIshouldunderstandthatandencourageit.”
Samscowled Behindtheschoolmarmtone,Mary’svoiceshookwithangerandfear Samputherhandonthedoorknob She wouldn’tallowanyone,especiallygovernmentauthorities,tothreatenherpeople “Schon,Ithoughtyou’dseteverythingup.”
Samstepped back. Thatcouldn’tbe Trevor Mills. The FBIhad beenveryclear withher theydidn’t need a small-town attorney’shelp Andeveryone includingMills knewshenever,everwantedtoseehimagain “What’stosetup?Wegoinandtalk NowgogetKerr”Theman’svoicegrated “Mr.Schon,youcanspeaktomerespectfullyoryoucanleave.”Marylostthefearandwenttoincensed.“Idon’tcarewho youworkfor.”
Wow.TheFBImusthavedraggedthebottombasementtofindsuchasexistmanfromthelastcentury.Marycouldhandlethat kindofidiotonherown;she’ddoneitmanytimesbefore.Samcouldsitbackandenjoytheshow.Besides,shedidn’twantto seeTrevorMills.He’dputaknifethroughherback,straightintoherheart.Sheputahandonherchest.She’dmovedon,but thememoryofthatpainlingered
“IamNOTyourhoney,andyoucanshow yourselvesout.Ifyouleaveyourcards,IwillseewhenMs.Kerrcanfityouin. Butonlyifsheagrees.Isthatclear?”
Samclamped her lips together. Ifshe laughed, she’d ruinMary’s perfect speech. Good thingshe hadn’t intervened. Mary deservedhermomentoftriumph
“Iapologize,Ms.Walker.Ithoughtsomeonehadcalledaheadandmadeanappointment.Isthereanychancewecangetinto seeMs.Kerr,orisshebookedwithclientsallday?Itisrelevanttoanongoingcasewithsomeurgency.It’smakingallofusa bittesty.”ThatwasMills’voice,butshe’dneverheardsuchaconciliatorytonefromhim.“AndMs.Walker?Ifyoucankeep thefactthatI’mhereandespeciallywiththeFBItoyourself,I’dappreciateit”
“Ithoughtyoulookedfamiliar.”Mary’svoicetrembled,thenfirmed.“How’reyourparents?” “They’refine,Ms.Walker.Sameasalways.”Trevor’stonewasbone-dry.
Hisparentswouldneverchange.Samdidherbesttoavoidthem,alongwithhers.Neithersetlikedchange.Orauthorities.Or theirownchildren,althoughtheystilltriedtocontrolthem “Idon’tgossip aboutclients or anythingto do withMs. Kerr’s practice.Nor do the restofus inthe office.” Apause and wheelsrolled Marywasleavingherdesk.“Ifyou’llfollow me,I’llshow youtoourconferenceroom,thencheckwithMs. Kerr.She’spreparingforatrialtomorrow,soshemaynothavetime.” “Wewouldappreciateit,Ms Walker I’msorrywe’remakingextraworkforyou”Shoesthuddedacrosstheancientwood floors.
Samwaitedafew moments,thenleftheroffice.Marymarchedtowardher,fistsclenchedather side,ascowl creasingher usuallyfriendlyface.“Thenerveofthatman!”Sheshuddered,thentiltedherhead.“You’regoingtoseethem,Iassume?” “Yeah”Samsighed “ThatwasTrevorMills,right?”Shedidn’twantto,butshewasanadult,notadevastatedchild Maryputahandonherarm “Yes I’msorry Icansendthemaway” “No.Witheverythinggoingon,Ineedtotalktothem.IjusthopeMillscanbemorereasonablethanthatloudmouthyouputin hisplacesonicely.”Shehadlittlehope.Trevorhadalwaysbeenimpatientanddemanding.Butshe’dchanged;maybehehad, too She’dgivehimthebenefitofthedoubt,butverylittle Andshe’dbeonguardagainstallofthem,althoughdealingwiththe loudmouthwouldbeeasierthanthebetrayer Maryscoffed.“There’s more thana few ofthose relics leftaroundhere,butI’mtoooldtoputupwiththat.I’ve probably scaredawaysomebusiness.”Shegrimaced.
“That’s business Idon’t need or want Youknow those people are the worst about not payingtheir bills” Samscowled “Besides, they’d touchme inappropriately, and I’d have to deckthem, and thenyou’d end up bailingme out of jail” Sam smirked.“Andspeakingofthat,guessI’dbetterseewhattheFBIwants.”Sheclosedhereyesandtookadeepbreath.Calm, cool,collected,professional;shewasallofthoseandmore.Shewouldn’tletpasttraumacontrolhercurrentactions.
“You’ve got this, Sam You’re a strong, successful woman who knows the law and can’t be intimidated, especially by a spoiledbratex-boyfriendfromhighschool”Marysqueezedherhandandletgo,thengaveherthreebusinesscards “Thanks,Mary.You’reright.”She shuffledthroughthe cards.Trevor, Arthur Schon, and WilliamDavidson;all three were SpecialAgents.
“Andyoulookperfect,too”Marysnickered “Showhimwhathe’smissing”
Samcouldn’thold backa chuckle. She’d changed a lotfromthatinsecure girl inhighschool who hungonTrevor’s every word and sighed over his pitiful, inadequate romantic gestures. Back then, she’d done everything she could to minimize Trevor’s unwarranted jealousy. She didn’t talkto boys outside ofclass and wore baggyjeans withoversized hoodies, low ponytails,andnomakeup Thelookalsominimizedherfather’sharshcommentary,althoughhewantedhertowearAmish-style dresses.
AfterMillsbrokeupwithher,she’dlearnedtomakeherlooksworkforher.Sheworeherlongauburnhairinaprofessional updo and accented her features withlightmakeup. Her emerald greenblouse withblackskinnytrousers and a pair ofgreen heels were professional and sexy She could easily be both, no matter what the grouchy old men claimed Their reactions weren’therproblemorfault,nomatterhowtheytriedtoblameothers.“Thanks,Mary.”
Butasshestrolledtotheconferenceroom,allthoseoldfeelingsofinadequacyfloodedback,alongwiththeghostofgrief. Ortriedto.Samkickedheremotionstothecurb,bringinghercourtroompersonaforward.She’dbefairbutfirm.Sheopened theconferenceroomdoorandtookonestepinside,leavingthedooropen “Gentlemen Ionlyhaveafewminutes WhatcanI doforyou?”
“We’lltakeallthetimeweneed.Sitdownandlisten.”Themansittingclosesttothedoorsneeredather.Hisblacksuitwas shiny,likepolyesterironedtoohot.Itfitpoorly,andhisthin,gray-streakedhairhungingreasystrands.
Samstaredintotherudeman’seyesuntilheshiftedinhisseat,thenraisedhereyebrows “No Asamatteroffact,mytime hasjustrunout.Goodday,gentlemen.”Shetookatinystepback,expectinganegativereactionfromtherelic. “Davidson,arrestherforRICOviolations.”Hejabbedtheshoulderofthemansittingnexttohim.Davidson,amiddle-aged white man with brown hair, wore a plain black suit. He could easily fit into any corporate environment. He didn’t move, ignoringtheolderagent
“Really,SpecialAgent…”Samlookeddownatthecardinherhand.Anact;shehadanexcellentmemory.“Schon.”Shemet hisgazeagain.“You’dbettertellmeexactlywhatthosechargesareforandinrelationtowhom.Youreallyshouldknowbetter thantothreatenanattorneyatlaw.”Sheleanedtowardhim,keepingeyecontact.“OrdidyouthinkthatsinceIonlyworkcivil cases that I know nothing about criminal law? That is a very poor assumption And you know what they say about assumptions”
Schon’smouthgapedlikeabig-mouthbass.Samheldbackasmile.
Trevorsaid,“Sam ”
Shespuntowardthethirdmanintheroom,theoneshe’dignored,lookingatthetableinfrontofhim Shewasn’tengagingin astare-offwithherpast “SpecialAgentMills,Idon’trememberallowingyouthecourtesyofusingmyfirstname AsIsaid, goodday.Iwillsendyouthenameandnumberofmy lawyershouldyoubesofoolishastochargemewithacrime.Especially forracketeeringandcriminalenterprisewhenIhavenothingtodowitheither.”Sheturnedbutpausedinthedoorway,giving themonemorechance
Trevor said, “Ms Kerr,we reallyneedyour help Pleaselisten Itinvolves Deb’s Bakeryand would ultimatelyhelp your friendsavoidanymoreunpleasantnesswithJohnScottandTriWestCoHoldings.”
Sheturnedagain,lookingatTrevor’seyebrows.Meetinghisgazewasmorethanshecouldhandleatthemoment.“Iamthe attorneyofrecord for Deb’s Bakery Iintend to continue inthatrole Anyinvolvementinthatmatter would be a conflictof interest,andI’mboundbyattorney-clientprivilege,whichyoushouldknow” Trevorshookhishead.“Ms.Kerr,there’snoconflictwithyourrepresentationofDeb’sBakery.We would appreciate your help.”
Shestaredathim,thenatDavidsonwhowiselysaidnothing,andbacktoSchon,whoopenedhismouth Shecouldn’ttrust them.They’d twisther words and arresther. She needed legal help fromsomeone used to dealingwithoverzealous federal agencies.Sheshookherhead.“Afterthreateningme?Notwithoutmyattorneypresent.Setupanappointmentwithmyassistant fornextweek.Goodday,gentlemen.”Shelefttheroombutpausedoutsideinthehall,listening.
Marystoodthere,mouthing,“Goodjob!”
“Mills,youscrewedthisallup.”Schonhissedthewords.
“I screwedthisup?Areyouinsane?Nobodythreatenstoarrestalawyerwithoutcause.You’redone.Gobacktowhatever basementtheydraggedyououtof.”Chairsscraped.
Samand Marytrotted across the lobby, avoidingthe worstofthe creaks AtleastMills showed a little intelligence Mary slidintoherchair,shooingheraway.“Igotthis.”Shegrinned.
Samslipped inside her office butleftthe door cracked. She’d avoided lookingatthe man, butifMaryneeded help, she’d wadein.Noexcouldmakehercower,nomatterhowcringe-worthyherbehaviorhadbeen.Hishadbeenworse.
Trevorsaid,“Ms Walker,Ms Kerrsaidshe’dhavetimenextweek,butisthereanywaywecangetanappointmentsooner?
I’mverysorryfor mycolleague’s behavior.” He sounded sincere, but federal agencies bent the truthwhenit served them. Trevorhadalwaysbeencharming,andhe’dprobablyimprovedthoseskillsintheFBI.
“She’sincourtalldaytomorrowanddoesn’ttakeFridayappointments.”Mary’stonewashostile.“Yousaidthiswasatimecriticalmatter?”
“Yes.Please.Wereallyneedherhelp.”
Trevor’sbeggingimprovedSam’smood.ShetextedMaryathumbs-up.She’dtalktothem,butwaitinguntilnextweekwould givehertimetofindthebestlawyerforthejob.
“IcanfityouinnextWednesdayafternoonattwo That’sthebestIcando”
“Thatwouldbefine,Ms.Walker.Thankyou,andIhopetherestofyourdayisgreat.”
Mutteringaccompanied shufflingfeet and fabric rubbing, thenthe door slammed. Samopened her door and leaned inthe doorway.“Areyouokay?Iwasgoingtostepin,butyouhandledthatthrowbacksowell.Youdidn’tneedme.”
Maryhuffedachuckle “Thatguywassomethingelse,wasn’the?I’vegottosayI’mdisappointedinourfederalemployees First,wegetacoupleofnewbiesshufflingaroundtownaskingridiculousquestionsandmakingdemands NowwegetanoldfashionedbigotwhothinkstheFBIcanactliketheGestapo.AtleastTrevorwasreasonable.”Shewaggledherbrows.“He’s agedwell.Matured,even.Goingtogivehimanothershot?”
Samshivered “No Those days are gone I’ma verydifferentperson He’s justsomeone Iused to know” She’d never go backtothedayswhenhissmallestwishwashercommand Hewasn’tgettinganotherchanceatbetrayal Marychuckled.“He’schangedinmorewaysthanone.That’safine-lookingman,now,notaboy,alongwithlovelymanners. Andsomeone’stoldhimtogethissuitstailored.”Shefannedherface.“Nothinglikeagood-lookingmaninawell-fittedsuit.” Herbrowslifted “Ididn’tseearing,butmaybehe’sgotagirlfriend” ThejoltofjealousyshockedSam Whatshe’dsaidwastrue shedidn’tknow TrevorMills Hewasastranger,withalife sheknew nothingabout,farfromMarcus.Butthey’dbeeninseparableforyearsuntilheleft,andthatkindofclosenesslefta mark.
Butintheend,TrevorMillshadleftherwithnothingbutemotionaldamage
That’swhatsheneededtoremember hemay havedevelopedskillsandmuscles,buthisbasepersonalitywasunlikelytohavechanged Evenifhehadchanged,shecouldn’ttaketherisk.TrevorMillswastrouble,nomatterhow muchhigh-school Samwished otherwise.He’dcruellydroppedher,leavingherdevastated;ittookyearsforhertorecover.
Chapter Two
TREVORSTAREDATTHETVinhisblandhotelroom,buthewasn’twatchingthetalkingheads No,all hecouldseewas Sam.She’d beenprettyinschool buthad matured into a gorgeous woman. He’d seenher around town, butinher office, up closeandpersonal,he’dlongedtopullherslimbodyintohisarmsandreleaseherlongauburnhair.Alltheseyearslater,and hestillhaditbad.
Hisresponseswereridiculous Hedidn’tknowheranymore Fromthewayshe’ddealtwiththeirintrusion,andherrecordas asuccessfullawyer,she’dfounddeterminationandstrengthsincehe’dleft.
Whilehedeeplyregrettedhislastmalicious,nastywords,hisdeparturehadobviouslybeenforthebest.Itwasashe’dbeen told ifSamhad stayed withhim, she wouldn’thave grown. She’d have moved frombase to base withhim, becomingthe epitomeoftheNavywife,stiflingherambitionsforhis
And inthe end, she’d have resented it. He’d seenithappen, time after time. They’d getoffthe ship, returningto cheering familiesandeagerchildren,butmorethanafewspouses’smileswouldbeforcedornon-existent.Orworse,thesailor man orwoman wouldreturntoanemptyhouse.Ordiscovertheirsignificantotherwascheating.Successfulmarriageswerefew andfarbetweenintheNavy
ButifheandSamhadtriedandfailed,itwouldn’thavebeenthemilitary’sfault He’dbeentoospoiled,tooinsecure,andtoo selfishtobeadecenthusband.
He’d changed and grownsince then, butifhe’d stayed, neither ofthemwould have matured. They’d have held eachother back Ormaybetheywouldhavebeatentheodds,growntogether,encouragingandsupportingeachotherduringgoodtimesand bad
Trevortiedhisrunningshoe.Regretwasuseless,buthiscrueltyhadsentthatshipsailinglongago.Samwouldneverforgive him andsheshouldn’t.Allhecoulddowasavoidherwhenhecouldandgivehereverycourtesywhentheyhadtointeract. He’dbetheconsummateprofessional,theepitomeofafederalagent,sworntoupholdtheConstitution,justashe’ddoneinthe Navy
Even if she believed he’d changed, she wouldn’t want him, anyway. Asimple internet search proved she had a thriving business,datedsuccessfulmen,andwasanup-and-comingpillarofMarcus.HelivedinanapartmentoutsideofWashington, DC,withahorriblecommute,andtraveledenoughthathecouldn’tevenkeepaplantalive
Heslidhisrunningharnesson modifiedforconcealedpistol carry andwarmedupforhisdailyrun Alongonetoburn offtheinconvenientlonging,thetripdownmemorylane,andthestrangenessofreturningtoMarcus.
Runningthroughtownwasn’tlikelytoimprovehismood Butthesunwasshiningandhecouldn’tstandthetinyhotel gym Evenifhissupervisorwantedhimtostayoutofsight,fewwouldlookathisface.Evenfewerwouldrecognizehim.Theslim chancewasworthbreathingfreshair.
Besides,thecurvedbladetakingtheplaceofhisrightfootprovidedanexcellentdistraction.Bythetimeanyonelookedathis face,he’dbegone Aftertheinitialadaptationperiod,he’dbecomeabetter,fasterrunner Andinasuitorjeans,fewrealized hehadaprostheticfoot.Evenheforgotaboutitmostofthetime;he’dlearnedtoaccommodatethechange.
Hedidn’thavetroubledating,either.Findingalong-termpartnerwasmuchharder,althoughtheinjuryhadlittletodowith that. His profession and travel schedule killed relationships before they began. Working fromhome hadn’t made it easier, either Findinga stable,career-mindedwomanwhowanteda real relationshipwas practicallyimpossible He’d beenonso many bad dates that he’d stopped. He still used dating apps, but only to find out-of-town dinner companions without expectationsformore.
Outsidethehotel,hepulledthebrimofhisrunningcaplow,activatedhisfitnesstracker,andran.HetrottedalongthetreelinedstreetsofMarcustowardtheBitterrootMountains,pushinghiscaresandworriesaway He’denjoythepeaceful beauty aroundhim;therestcouldwait.
But the memory of Sam’s composed face obscured the trees and mountains, and the melody of her voice washed the BitterrootRiver’s rushaway. He sprinted backto the hotel, his gaspingbreaths and burningmuscles shovinghis memories away
Later thatevening, Davidsontexted him. Schonwas onanairplane home, no longer able to damage the case. Betweenthe juniorssentearlierandthatguy,itseemedlikesomeonewasactivelytryingtosabotagetheoperation.
Andtheywere.Thequestionwaswhoandwhy;therealreasonhewasinMarcus. Hefloppedintotheuncomfortablehotelchair AppearingatSam’sofficeriskedhiscover,andhisbosswasn’thappyabout it. Buthe could recover ifhe kepthis head down, executed the plan, and MaryWalker kepther mouthshut. Marywasn’t a problem,butexecutinghisplanmeantgoinghome.Almostthelastthinghewantedtodo.
Still,hepickedupthephoneanddialed,relievedwhenvoicemailanswered.“Hi.It’sTrevor.I’mintown.I’dliketotake youtwotodinner Pleaseletmeknowagoodtimeandday Seeyousoon”Heclickedtheredbuttonandsighedagain,notsure ifhewantedananswerornot
Mostdays,itwas easier toforgethe hada family.Certainly,neither his parents nor brother remembereduntil theyneeded money.Dylancouldaskallhewanted,butTrevorwasn’tgivinghimanotherpenny,nomatterhowmuchhismothermightbeg. Thekidneededtogrowupandgetajob,notwastemoneychasingdreamshedidn’thavethetalentfororthedeterminationto pulloff
Butno matter how unreasonable his father’s plans were, Trevor couldn’tletthe familyfarmfail. He’d bailed themoutof foreclosure three times. The first time, he ended up joiningthe Navy; his signingbonus went straight to Marcus Bank. The secondtime,he’dsavedenoughthathepaidoffthearrearsincashwithoutawordtohisfather Hesentawiretransfertothe bankandarrangedameetingbetweenhisparentsandthecountyextensionagent,sotheycouldmodernizethefarm Momattended the meeting, but his father refused to go. Which meant nothing changed because Father made every single decision.IncludingsigningTrevorupfortheNavy.
Thethirdtime,heinsistedonchanges Hewroteloanpaperworkthatincludedaddinghisnametothemortgageandthedeed Hisfatherblusteredandcursedbutintheend,realizedhavingamostlysilentpartnerwasbetterthannothavingafarm Trevor alsoinsistedonmodernization.Again, his father putup a tremendous fuss butinthe end, grudginglyadopted about halfthechangesnecessary.Sincethen,they’dpaidlateafewtimesbutrecoveredbeforeforeclosureproceedingsoccurred.If
hehadtobailthemoutagain,he’downtheentirething,includingthefarmhouse
Thechangesimprovedthefarm’sprofits,whiledamagingtheirrelationshipevenmore.Butitdidn’tmatter.Hisfathercould hatehim,buthe’dsurviveandthefarmwouldremaininthefamily.
Maybehe’dtakejustMomtodinner.Thatwouldbemuchmorepleasantthanputtingupwithtwomenglaringateachother whileMomworkedtosmootheverythingover ButMomwouldnevergoforit,alwaysinsistingona“family”meal,including hisbrotherandfather.
Whichbrought himbackto Sam. If he’d stayed, if she’d married him, they’d be inthe same leakyboat withhis parents. Miserable,drowning,butunabletoletgo,surehewasaliferaftwhenhewasactuallyananchor.Andifhe’dstayedherein Marcus,underhisfather’sunyieldingthumb,hewouldn’tbeananchor;he’dbecementboots
Still,the fantasywas undeniablyappealing. Trevor moved to his bed, staringatthe ceiling. He and Sam, livingina small houseinMarcus,abouttohavetheirfirstchild.He’dbeworkingthefarm,andshe’dbealegalassistant.Theywouldn’thave much,butthey’dbehappy.
Buttheywouldn’t Becausehe’dbeena“mywayorthehighway”kindofboy,andSamwouldhavewiselytakentheofframp tosuccess.
No,aspainfulasitwas,itwasbetterthisway.Hesethisalarmandgotreadyforbed.He’dcallMomtomorrow. Afterarestlessnight,hewoketohisalarmanddressed,readytoputhisplanintoaction.He’dtalktohisparents.Thenhe’d figureoutwheretheMarcusCityBankemployeeswentfor breaksandlunchandcontactthosewhowouldn’trecognizehim Supposedly,hewasgoodattalkingtostrangers,evenifhe’dfumbledabilliontimessincehe’dreturnedhome.
Pickinguphiscarkeys,heletthemdangle.Hecouldn’tdothatyet.Hehadtogetavehiclewithoutgovernmentplates.Well, hecouldalwayswalk.NothingwasthatfarinMarcus.Besides,heshouldscanthroughtheFBI’sexteriorsurveillanceofthe bank;thatshould show himwhere the employees went He opened his laptop and scrolled throughthe video files The FBI analystslabeledthestoredvideoswithlastnameor location,withatimeanddatestamp.Theyhadcameras outsideMarcus CityBank,alongMainStreet,aroundDeb’sBakery,andotherbusinessestargetedbyKoslov.
Analert flashed onhis screen; vehicles belongingto knownKoslov associates were drivinginto town. But theyweren’t stoppingatDeb’s Bakery Sammightbeatarget hehadtoprotecther Butshowingupather office,armedanddangerous, woulddefinitelyblowhiscover
Hisphonechimedwithatextfromarestrictednumber.CouldbeanFBIcontact,anothergovernmentalagency,orascammer. Butitwasnoneoftheabove.
ThisisWiz.MichaelandNicAcerunderfireat9th andBaker.E&Eonfooteastbound,headingtoSam’soffice.Need extraction.
They didn’t have surveillance on that location. Clicking on the Main Street surveillance, he didn’t see any vehicles highlightedasthreats.Samwascurrentlysafe,butwiththeAcersheadingthere,shewouldn’tremainthatway.Heclosedthe laptop,threwitinhisgobag,grabbedhiskeys,andran.
Deb’s boyfriend, Michael Acer, and his brother, Nic, owned Acer Home Improvement Michael had rescued Deb from certaindeath,andNichadhelped.Acer’scurrentremodelingprojectwasintheheartofMarcus’residentialarea.Thatmeant Koslovwasexpandinghisattack,increasingthechancesofcollateraldamage.Rescuingthetwomenwouldkeepthetownof Marcussafer,justifyinghisinvolvement.Thenthey’dpickupSam,becauseshewasalmostcertainlythenexttarget.Hopefully, hisbosswouldagree Buthewasn’tlookingforwardtohisnextconversationwithher IntheSUV,heusedthevoicetotextoption.
Hehoppedin,beltedup,andspunoutoftheparkinglot.
“WouldyoulikemetoreadyourtextsfromRestrictedNumber?”theSUV’spleasantfemalevoiceasked. “Yes.”Hedroppedhisphoneinthecupholder.
“Iwillreadyourtexts Restrictednumbertext"
Copy.PickupSamnext.I’venotifiedNic’swifeandkids.She’sonthewaytomyhouse.Joinushere.
Wiz fired off directions like a general. He shouldn’t be surprised; she’d run military-style operations before. But the invitationtoherhousewasshocking.
Hescreechedaroundthecorner.Nearing7th Street,heslowedandrolleddownhiswindow.Athree-roundburstofriflefire sounded,echoingoffthebuildings Hecouldn’ttellwherethesoundoriginated “Restrictednumbertextreads."
On8thstreet
Trevorsteppedonthegas,careenedaroundthecorner,andspottedamusculardark-hairedmancrouchedagainstahouse,his pistolraised Trevorslammedonthebrakes,screechingtoastop “Comeon,getin!”
MichaelAcerspun,pistolup Trevorgrabbedhisbadgeandhelditoutthewindow “FBI!TrevorMills,remember?” Acerhesitatedforasplitsecond,thenrantothefarsideoftheSUV.“Nic,comeon.It’sthefeds!”Heopenedthebackdoor anddoveinside.
Amanonthe other side ofthe street, AR-15 rifle inhis hand, sprinted for the opendoor, jumped in, and slammed itshut “Go!”
Trevor pressed the accelerator before Nic gotthe word out. Loud thwacks made himduck, and stars appeared across the backwindow.He screeched around the nextcorner. Theyhad to getSam she’d be the nexttarget. “Acer, right? Call Sam. We’llpickherup,thenNic’swifeandkids”Hopefully,Wizhadalreadygottenthedependentsmovingbecausehedidn’tknow wheretheywere Samshouldbeinheroffice;hertrialwasthisafternoon “You’rereallyMills?”NicAcerpointedhisrifleatTrevor’shead. Theydidn’thavetimefortwentyquestions.Trevorthrewhisbadgeholderintothebackseat. Michaelpickeditup.“TrevorMills,SpecialAgent.”
Trevorhatedhearingthattitle Normally,hewasjustanFBIAgent Hedidn’thavethefulltrainingforthe“Special”status, butherequiredthetitlefor hiscurrentduties.Hisbossinsistedhisprior Naval Officer trainingmadeupfor thedeficits.He wasn’tsosure.
Nicpulledtherifleaway.“Goodenough.”
Michael calledSam,insistingshelockdownherofficeandmeetthem Unfortunately,hetoldSamthatTrevorwasdriving, whichwouldsurelychaseheraway.
TrevorshotaglareatAcer.“Isshecoming?”Heranhislefthandacrossthetopofhishead,thendroppedit.Badhabit;it was a dead giveaway that he was nervous. He screeched around another corner they had to reach Sambefore Koslov’s peopledid
“She said she’d be ready, butshe wasn’texcited aboutit.” Michael satbackand fastened his seatbelt. “She’s callingthe courttoletthemknow.”
He nodded. “Justwantto keep her alive. You’ve all bittenoffmore thanyoucanchew.” Theyhad no idea what level of criminaltheyweredealingwith
Michaelsnorted “Oh,andyourorganizationhasbeensohelpful Thoseidiotsinthebadsuitsareajoke We’vedonewhat we’vehadtodo.Andwewouldhavesurvivedthistoo.”
Trevor skidded around a few more corners, too busydrivingto replyor lookat his passengers. Reaching downtown, he slowedtoavoidhittingpedestrians.“Callher.”HehadtogetSamawaysafely.
Michaelsaid,“Getready,we’realmostthere”Hemusthaveputthephoneonspeaker “Okay.Idon’tseeanyonesuspicious.”Sam’stonewaslessworriedthansheshouldbe. ButshewascluelessabouttheBratva.Shewasakittenbattingatamountainlion.“Likeshe’dknow.”
Michaelsaid,“Sam,Wizsaysthere’sasuspiciouscarnearyou.Canyougettothebackdoor?Andwheredowemeetyou?” AbouttoturntopullupinfrontofSam’sofficedoor,Trevorstompedonthebrakes Heyankedthewheel,turningthewrong way.Sam’sofficehadabackalley;he’dhopethatwasclear.TheFBI’svideosurveillanceteamshouldhavenotifiedhimof theactivityatSam’s.Onemoresignthingswereveryrotten.
“Yes.Alleywaybehindthebuilding.”Fabricrustled.“I’mheadedtherenow.”
Trevorskiddedaroundtwomoreturns,thencrossedthestreetandenteredthealleybehindSam’soffice “Alwaystrouble” Hiswordsweredeliberatelyantagonizing;Sam’svoicewasshaking.Annoyingherwasasmallpricetopayifitkeptherfear atbay.
Samscoffed.“Likeyouaren’t,Mills?Saveit.”
Trevormashedthebrakes,skiddingtoastop “Now!”Michaelyelled
The backdoor opened, and Samranout, jumpinginto the frontseat. Alleys meantambushes. Mills shotdownthe narrow, potholedtrack,lookingforsnipersatthetopofthebrickbuildingshemmingthemin.Hepassedaconnectingalleytohisright.
Halfwaydownthenextbuilding,acarpulledinfrontofthem.HethrewtheSUVintoreverseandsteppedonthegas,usingthe mirrorsandbackupcamera Theearlierbulletimpactsprobablyobscuredthebackwindow
Hereversedthroughthealleyintersectionhe’dpassedearlier,thenthrewtheshifterintodriveandpeeledaroundthecorner, dustrisingbehindhim.Samstruggledwithherseatbelt,buthedidn’tdareslowdown.Speedwaslife.Hestoppedbeforethe nose ofthe SUVcould emerge betweenthe buildings and eased forward. Glancingbothways, he saw no obvious ambushes andsmashedtheacceleratordown,tiressquealing
Flyingtowardthemainhighway,hedidn’tstopbutslidaroundthecornerandaccelerated,thenturnedleftontotheEastside Highway.Hewasdrivingtoofastfortown,butslowingwasn’tanoption.HehadtogetSamtoWiz’shouse;thesafestplace nearby.
Michaelsaid,“Nic,KimandthekidsareheadedtoWiz’s She’sdrivingandWizissendingthedronetowatchher” Amazing that a civilian had better equipment than the FBI did Or maybe it was another sign of the corruption in the organization.
They left the town behind, passing small farms and large residences and the Marcus airport. As traffic lessened, Trevor pushed the SUV faster With each vehicle he passed, he got a better feel for the SUV’s capabilities and drove more aggressively Atleasthe’dtakentheBureau’sevasivedrivingcourse
Finally,hespottedaredSUVinfrontofthem.Hepulleduprightbehindit,andthedriverslowed. “Hey,we’rebehindyouintheblackSUV,”Nicsaid.“Speedupanddon’tworry.Yeah,babe…”
Trevor watched their surroundings carefully, drivinga too-cautious eightymiles per hour But he understood; the highway wasnarrowandNic’swifehadpreciouscargoonboard
He couldn’t help glancing at Sam. If circumstances had been different, they might have had two or three kids in their backseat.HefollowedNic’sSUVuptheranchroadtoWiz’smansion,hisbacktighteninginsidethenarrow,fenceddriveway.
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