14. Back To The Drawing Board
Sean woke feeling lighter than he had in a while. The Hawley threat was potentially closer, but he and Branna had figured some things out. Mostly, she wasn’t going to run without him. That worry had been nagging, but Branna took her promises seriously. He’d finally been able to fall into a deep sleep, knowing she’d be there in the morning.
He was thrilled she’d fallen in love with the Saloon and wanted to stay in Phail. With him.
When he’d seen her joy in the space, he’d almost blurted out that he was completely and totally in love with her. But he was a chickenshit and had kept his mouth closed. He might scare her off if he spoke too soon, and he didn’t want that.
Branna stirred and let out a sigh that sounded more turned on than tired. He’d spooned her in front of him, and his body had already reacted to her soft skin and curves.
He brushed his thumb gently over the breast he’d reached for in his sleep. A soft smile curved her lips and her eyes fluttered open. He hoped he could keep waking up with Branna for the rest of his days.
He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear and traced his tongue along the edge. “Morning, beautiful.”
She wriggled in his arms so her delicious ass pressed into his erection, making his eyes cross.
“Good morning.” Her voice was husky and sexy.
He kept his lips and his hand moving gently until she was squirming and panting his name softly.
Then he let his hand drift to between her legs, where he found her wet and needy. “Hell, Branna.”
She whimpered while he played with her, and soon, her panting became more desperate. “Please, Sean.”
He found her clit, and in moments, she was skyrocketing while he watched. He kept his hand moving, kept whispering in her ear, trying to draw out her pleasure.
When her eyes fluttered open, he reached behind him and fumbled in the nightstand for a condom. He shifted enough to slide it on and then closed the distance, sliding along her sensitive body.
She arched into him and called out his name again. He adjusted and lifted her leg to rest on his. Then he slid all the way in, making them both cry out.
He dropped his lips to her shoulder, to the pulse beating frantically in her neck. He kept his movements slow and steady, driving deep with every thrust. When he felt Branna start to shudder, he increased the pace. The soft gasps and pleas that escaped her had him launching toward the finish line.
He reached between them and found her clit again. Her cry was almost immediate, and then she was flying apart. With a shout of his own, he followed her over.
And if he needed to gulp in air to steady himself, he wasn’t about to admit it. Except to Branna. “You trying to kill me?”
Her laugh was shaky. “Definitely not, but I may need a year or two before I’m able to move again.”
Sean kissed her shoulder. “Me too.” He wasn’t sure if he’d ever enjoyed snuggling after sex, but with Branna he wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to get out of bed again.
He thought he might have recovered enough to take Branna again when Jabba barked and shoved open the door. In three steps, he hopped onto the bed and landed on Sean.
Branna laughed. “Good morning, Jabba. Do you need to go out?”
In response, Jabba wriggled and licked them both. Sean gave up on another round of sex and shoved out of bed. “I’ll let him out and then start breakfast. Pancakes?”
“With blueberries?”
“Obviously.”
After cleaning up breakfast, they went out to play with Jabba for a bit and then went back in to work on the bedrooms before their noon meeting with Troy and Marcus.
His two buddies showed up together. Marcus had a laptop with him, and he set it up on the kitchen table. “Shanice and Jorge Guerrero agreed to meet with us all to update everyone in a few minutes. Figured if we met with you here, it would save time and keep everyone in the loop.”
They placed the equipment so everyone was on camera and could see the screen. Branna’s knee bounced and her hands knotted together. He placed his hand over hers and she smiled up at him.
Troy put the call through and they waited while everyone logged on and greeted each other.
Jorge started the conversation. “I’m afraid there haven’t been any sightings of Hawley. The Jacksonville Police have several officers on the gang squad checking out the area. There is no evidence that Hawley is setting up shop in their city. None of the informants have picked up rumors that a new gang is moving in.”
Branna sighed. “Which likely means he was just passing through on his way here.”
Sean wrapped his arm around her while Jorge nodded grimly. “There’s no proof of that, but you should be prepared for that eventuality. We have alerted police departments and FBI offices to be on the lookout along his most likely route. Unfortunately, without a description of a vehicle or license plate to work with, the odds of Hawley being spotted are slim.”
Shanice spoke next. “I’m sending two agents your way.” She motioned people to enter the screen. “Agents Janet Buxton and Ross Newell will leave in just a moment. I wanted you to see their faces so there is no case of mistaken identity. They will pose as a couple staying at the local BB and act as tourists, wandering the town and talking to people.”
Janet grinned. “We’re hoping that if Hawley asks about any strangers, people will talk about us, not you.”
Sean had to laugh at that. Janet and Ross could in no way be mistaken for either him or Branna. Janet was about six inches taller than Branna and at least a decade older. Ross was probably of mixed race and had the lean build of a martial arts expert. Hawley would be very confused if people mentioned this couple as the new people in town, which made them perfect. The two agents signed off and headed for their car.
Shanice addressed Branna. “Now, to discuss your options. Number One is for you to leave and head to a different location.”
Branna nodded. “Would that put Phail in danger? Do you think Prince will take his anger out on them if I’m not here?”
Shanice’s face didn’t change expression. “Difficult to say. It’s doubtful, but he might. Or he might simply leave.”
Branna spoke again. “How likely is it he would torture someone for information on where we’ve gone?”
“We’ll have agents there shortly. You also have a capable team in Phail. Hawley won’t be getting close enough to anyone to torture them.”
Branna didn’t look convinced. Sean asked his own question. “With the information you have, what do you expect Prince to do once he arrives here?”
Jorge answered. “He’s used to an urban environment and probably has no experience with small towns. He’s likely to drive around the town looking for places you might be hiding. Once he knows the town’s setup, he will probably go to a diner or restaurant or bar to ask about you. He’ll try to keep the questions casual, but if the townspeople haven’t seen you, then no one will have any information for him.”
Which meant he’d most likely be heading to Troy’s cousin’s diner.
Branna proved she’d come to the same conclusion when she shook her head sharply. “No. He’s probably armed. Definitely dangerous. We can’t let him wander into the diner.”
Troy turned to her. “It might be smart to bring the town in on the situation. Get them to help us.”
Branna was shaking under his arm. “We can’t let anyone else get hurt. I think we need to set a trap. I’ll be the bait.”
* * *
Branna felt Sean’s hand tighten on her even as he growled, “No way in hell.” But she had to do this. She couldn’t let other people get hurt because Hawley was after her.
She turned to Sean. “I can’t put anyone in his path when it’s me he’s after. What if he grabs someone and hurts them while trying to get answers about me? I couldn’t live with that. I can’t be a coward and go into hiding while letting other people stand in my place.”
“He’s not going to hurt anyone else. But he might hurt you if he spots you. It’s too dangerous.”
She gripped his hand. “It’s not. I’m surrounded by smart people with all kinds of experience in setting up traps for criminals. We can make it so everyone stays safe, not just me. Prince is like a little kid throwing a tantrum because he didn’t get his way. Except his tantrums involve burning down buildings and shooting people. He killed one of his gang because he didn’t do what he said. If he expects me to be here, but can’t find me, there’s a chance he’ll take it out on the person who gives him the news. I can’t live with that.”
Her eyes filled with tears at the thought. Sean cupped her cheek and brushed it gently with his thumb. His eyes were intense as he searched hers. “I don’t like it.”
She almost managed a smile. “Me neither. But I think it’s the best way to catch Prince.”
Sean kissed her lightly and turned to look at the others. “What does everyone think?”
Jorge nodded. “Having studied Hawley’s file, I think Branna is correct. Her profile of him matches the one we’ve drawn up. Childish reactions when he doesn’t get his way. Violent overreactions to being questioned. He’s unpredictable and dangerous. Add in the drugs we know he uses, and that volatility rises. He’s extremely unpredictable.”
Shanice tilted her head. “Have you brought in the team from Midnight Security? They would be invaluable if we’re going to set this up quickly.”
Branna’s stomach was tied in knots. She’d suggested this, and wouldn’t back down, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t scared.
Sean squeezed her arm but aimed his question at Shanice. “Do you have an agent with Branna’s height and coloring who could pass for her at a distance?”
Shanice held up her finger and then turned to her computer screen. After a few minutes, she shook her head. “I’m sorry. This is a small office, and the only two agents who might be a good fit aren’t available. They’re both on maternity leave.”
Marcus looked at Branna. “You can change your mind on this at any time. Why don’t we try finding a scenario where you’d be comfortable doing this? But you’re under no obligation to be bait.”
She nodded. “Okay. I want to help get Prince in jail, but I’m not a good actress and I’m not very brave.”
Marcus smiled at that while Troy snorted out a laugh. Sean leaned in and kissed her hair. “Going to totally disagree on the last part, but you’re right about not being a good actress. You wear your heart on your sleeve, Sally.”
His use of the nickname made her smile. Her dad had always said there was no shame in emotions or in showing them. The Irish are a passionate folk, lassie. Show the world your heart in all its glory.
What would her dad want her to do? Probably be brave like Charlie and help make the world a safer place. “You think Hawley will probably stop at the diner?”
Everyone nodded, and Marcus spoke. “If you’re in an unknown place and looking for someone, you go where people gather. I’m assuming over your years working in the pub, you’ve had more than one person coming in to find a person or a place?”
She nodded. Her dad had made friends with most of those people. “Prince would assume I would take a job in a pub or a restaurant as I’m used to doing those jobs. If he asks anyone about a bar, he’ll be told there isn’t one. His next guess would be a restaurant. Which is when he’d be pointed to the No Fail Diner.”
Troy nodded. “Depending on the time of day, he might start there too.”
She hadn’t thought of that. “When do you think we can expect him to reach Vermont?”
Everyone shrugged. Marcus answered. “If he drives straight through without breaks from Jacksonville, he could already be in the vicinity.”
Branna tried to shove to her feet, but Sean’s arm kept her anchored in place. She turned to him. “We have to clear the diner. We can’t have him going there. We have to get everyone out of there.”
Sean placed his hand on hers. “We will, but we need a plan first. Rushing in there without one is the best way to get people hurt.”
Troy stood and reached down to kiss her cheek. “How about this? I’ll head over there now while you guys hammer out the details. I’m going to spill the beans about your situation and get people to head home instead of hanging out at the diner.”
Relief had her sagging against Sean. “Thank you. Be careful.”
He grinned. “I’m always careful. See you soon. I’ve got my phone on.”
Once he closed the door, Shanice spoke. “As soon as my agents arrive, they’ll head to the diner and act as customers. They’ll be armed and ready.”
Marcus nodded. “I’ll change out of the uniform and alternate between walking around town and being in the diner.”
Branna nodded. “I’ll act as the server. If he sees me working at the counter, he’ll come in.”
The arm that Sean had around her flinched, and he swore heartily. “What if he tries to shoot you through the window?”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m hoping he doesn’t do that. Don’t windows interfere with aiming? Wouldn’t he want to come inside first? When someone spots him, I’ll head to the kitchen as if I’m getting an order.”
Sean ran his hand over his face. “I hate this plan.”
Her heart dropped. “Because you don’t think it will work?”
His laugh was rough and raw. “Because I think it will.”