Chapter 18 #2
Remembering how Leo had said Daniel was the one to suggest they didn’t need a guard outside Henry’s room, she believed him.
In her ear, she heard Colt’s voice, “Maren, we’re close. Keep him talking.”
Relief and hope bubbled up along with another emotion, bringing tears to the back of her eyes.
She’d never been so glad to hear anyone’s voice in her whole life.
And it wasn’t just because he was saving her and her sister from certain death, but because she loved him.
Truly and deeply. And was willing to risk her heart for him.
She blinked up at Daniel, hating that a tear slipped down her cheek.
He cocked his head. “I didn’t take you for a crier.”
Opal shifted, leaning into Maren, drawing her attention. Her sister’s pale face didn’t bode well. She looked ready to faint at any moment. Wrapping an arm around Opal, Maren asked, “How did you and Henry get away with all that you’ve done?”
“It was easy,” he said. “We would take shifts being Shadow while the other led law enforcement on a merry chase.”
Maren’s gaze searched the forest beyond the henchmen, hoping for a sign Colt and Emmett were closing in. “I’m sure I’ll regret asking this, but why?”
Daniel tucked his chin and gave her a look that said, Seriously? “Why do you think? Money, of course. You think a man like me can live on the salary of a DEA agent?”
“Why become a DEA agent in the first place?”
He shrugged. “There was a time when I thought I could make a difference, but that’s a fantasy. So why not profit off the activities of others?”
Burning questions rose to the surface and she had to ask, “Are you in league with the baby smuggling ring operating through Colorado? Do you know Dr. Derek Rolls? Do you know where Mia is?”
He arched an eyebrow. “I know that’s why the task force was formed.
But my organization has nothing to do with any of that business.
And if I had any information, I would give it to you.
” His brow creased. “I really would, but alas, even if I had information, you wouldn’t be alive to do anything with it.
” He gestured with the gun. “Let’s get moving. ”
Noise off to the side in the trees had everyone turning as Colt and Rusk rushed into the clearing. The pair skidded to a halt. Rusk barked frantically. Haven joined in. Both dogs focused their attention on Daniel.
Maren’s heart leaped into her throat. She sent up a prayer that somehow all of them would get out of this alive.
* * *
Terrified by the sight of Maren and her sister surrounded by gunmen, Colt holstered his weapon and held up his hands.
He couldn’t let anything happen to the twins.
To Maren. She’d become his world. But right now he needed to buy time for the other task force members to find them.
“Daniel, you don’t have to do this. You can walk away.
We won’t say anything. You need to let Maren and Opal go. ”
He heard Maren’s small gasp. Didn’t she know by now he would do anything for her? He hoped she saw the gesture for what it was.
A declaration.
He loved Maren with all his heart. And he would gladly give up his mission for her, if that was what it took. He’d give up his badge and his life to protect her.
But they weren’t out of the woods yet. Daniel had his finger on the trigger and the barrel of his gun was aimed at Maren’s forehead. The sight so enraged Colt that he had to use every ounce of energy to keep from launching himself at the man and throttling him.
“I’m surprised it took you this long to get here,” Daniel said. “I knew you were following her. My people have been following you.”
The hairs on Colt’s arm rose. Were there more gunmen?
Daniel gestured with his weapon. “Stand by your girlfriend and her loser of a sister. You’ll want to die together.”
He moved to stand next to Maren and met her gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I lost the connection through our comms.”
“I’m sorry! I took off without making sure you were within range.”
“Stop your blathering,” Daniel said. “I know the perfect place for the five of you to go off a cliff.”
Colt’s blood turned to ice. The man was truly deranged to want to kill the dogs. Daniel must not know about the baby Opal carried. Or didn’t the man just not care?
Ignoring him, Colt continued to hold Maren’s gaze. “We’ll do what we have to.”
“By any means necessary,” she finished. Her gaze pointed at the leash in his hand and then to the ground.
He didn’t need to be a mind reader to understand. He inclined his head slightly to indicate he understood her intent.
They both dropped the leads on their K-9s at the same time. Exchanging a subtle nod, they shouted at the same time, “Attack.”
Confident that the dogs would do as instructed, Colt launched himself at Maren and Opal, taking them to the ground just as Daniel fired the gun. The bullet hit Colt smack in the back.
All around them, chaos ensued as the task force members and their K-9 partners erupted from the forest, the dogs barking as the team members took down the gunmen.
Daniel screamed as Haven’s teeth sank into his forearm, forcing him to release the gun and driving him to his knees. Rusk jumped on his back, pushing him to the ground, and latched on to the back of Daniel’s shirt, shaking his head back and forth.
“Out,” Maren shouted. Haven released but Rusk continued to growl and shake his head.
Rolling to his back, Colt struggled to catch his breath from the impact of the bullet against his flak vest. He may have broken ribs, but at least they were all alive. But he couldn’t find his voice to tell Rusk to let the man go.
Then Maren was on her knees to him, holding his face in her hands.
“Rusk,” he managed in a faint voice.
Maren swiveled. “Rusk! Out! Come!”
Then the dog released his hold on Daniel’s shirt, turned and ran to Colt’s side. He plopped down on his belly and licked Colt’s hand.
Maren’s beautiful, tear-filled eyes stared at him with concern shining in their depths. “Please tell me the bullet didn’t penetrate the vest.”
Unable to speak yet, he shook his to indicate it hadn’t.
She dropped her chin to her chest, her relief obvious.
Testing an inhale, he hissed air at the sharp pain in his upper left shoulder area.
Her gaze snapped back to his. “Take it easy.”
“I know him,” Opal groused, standing over Colt. “He’s arrested me a few times. He’s your partner?”
“Yes. Yes, he’s my partner,” Maren said with a soft smile and then she kissed him.
If only Colt had strength enough to kiss her back, he would. But his heart expanded, causing more pain in his rib cage.
Sirens filled the air. Maren helped Colt to a sitting position, and he was finally able to breathe fully.
The sight around gave him grim pleasure.
The gunmen who had been surrounding Maren and Opal were on their knees, with their hands cuffed behind them.
Two additional men were also in custody.
Apparently, Daniel did have additional gunmen.
Daniel was on his knees with his hands behind his back. Pain and rage etched lines on his face.
Colt took grim satisfaction in the sight.
“Maren…” Emmett drew their attention. “There’s an ambulance here to take your sister to the hospital and have her checked out. You go with them. I’ll bring Colt.”
Maren cupped Colt’s face and dropped another kiss on his lips. “I’ll see you there. We need to talk.”
He held on to her for a moment. “Yes, we do.”
* * *
At the hospital, Maren stayed by her sister’s side as she was rushed into an exam room. Haven drew stares from the staff and patients. The nails of her paws clicked on the linoleum floor.
A nurse hooked Opal up to oxygen, fitted her with a heart monitor as well as a monitor over the baby bump.
“The fetus’s heartbeat sounds strong,” the nurse said.
Maren sent up a grateful prayer to know her baby niece or nephew would be okay.
The nurse started an IV drip. “You’re what, five months along?”
“Yes, that sounds about right,” Opal replied. “But I’m barely showing. Is that normal?”
Wanting to know the answer as well, Maren held her breath. She had no idea what pregnancy should be like. She sent up a quick prayer that all would be well for Opal and the baby.
“Sometimes. We all carry our babies differently. The doctor will be in shortly to give you an exam and can better assess how you both are.” The nurse patted Opal’s hand. “Don’t worry, Mama. I’ve been at this a long time. You and baby are good.”
“Thank you, I needed to hear that,” Opal replied.
So did Maren. She silently thanked God. As soon as the nurse left and they were alone, Opal said, “You and the DEA agent?”
“I hope so.” A knot formed in Maren’s chest. What would he say when they talked? Would he be open to hearing how she felt? Would he feel the same?
“What’s your dog’s name?” Opal asked, her gaze on Haven, who sat patiently by Maren’s side.
“Haven.”
“She did good today. That was some pretty scary stuff.” Opal met her gaze. “You have a backbone of steel.”
“Not really,” Maren admitted. “Seeing you in danger and then knowing Colt got shot while saving us, it almost undid me.” For a brief moment, she’d thought she’d lost him.
The terror of a future without him had frozen her blood.
She never wanted to feel that but it was a part of their lives and something they’d both have to contend with.
The danger of their jobs would always be present but that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy every moment they had together.
She wanted all the moments with him. And her sister and the little one growing inside of Opal.
“It would have undone me,” Opal said. “You’ve always been the stronger of us.”
“I think we’re strong together. Promise me you won’t ever disappear like that again,” Maren said, her voice breaking. “When I thought you were dead…” She couldn’t even express the pain, the grief she’d felt.
Regret flashed in Opal’s eyes. “I’m sorry about that. I just thought it would be cleaner, and easier, for you.”