Jude #2
“Yup. During World War II, Maine was called the breadbasket of New England because of all the grain it grew for the war effort. Most of these farms grow barley. It’s good for livestock feed, and the really good stuff gets sold to craft brewers.”
We zipped around the edges of the property toward where the trail signs pointed back to the forest. So far we’d seen nothing out of the ordinary.
But when Mila squeezed my thigh hard, my hackles rose.
“Jude, look at all those trucks.”
As I turned back to the farm, several black SUVs pulled up in front of one of the old buildings.
“Just cars, Trouble,” I said, shaking off the strange sensation.
“So hordes of blacked-out luxury SUVs usually congregate at rural barley farms?” she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Get closer. I wanna take a look.”
“No.”
She punched my shoulder hard enough to have me lurching forward. “We came all the way out here. Stay in the forest, but go around the other way. I just want to see.”
Grumbling, I pulled into the forest and found a path deeper through the trees. I kept my speed slow to keep the sound of the engine subdued and so she could get a good look.
“Keep going.”
The trail ended near the road fifty yards or so from the parking lot. I stopped inside the tree line, hopefully out of sight.
“They’re all wearing sunglasses.” Mila huffed out a laugh. “And one is wearing a suit. Loop back around. I wanna take photos of the license plates.”
“You will not,” I hissed. “They’ll hear us snooping around. This thing is not quiet.”
“Just one more loop,” she pleaded. “Go really slow. If I see anything fishy, head to the forest and drive like hell.”
“Fine.”
Despite my better judgment, I headed back in for another loop. At the entrance, I zeroed in on a posted sign, studying the marked paths. “Let’s take this blue trail, see if we can find a better angle.”
I took a hard left and drove up a small hill that gave us a better vantage point while still possessing enough tree cover to provide protection.
With a gentle squeeze, she said, “Slow down.”
Once I’d hit flat ground again, I reduced the speed and focused on keeping steady while she inspected the goings-on.
“I see motorcycles,” she hissed. “Looks like the assholes from the Ape Hanger.” Her body shifted behind me. “Hold on. Can you pull up behind that bunch of trees and stop?”
Following her orders, I pulled behind a wide oak, but kept the engine running.
She hopped off the back and crept toward the edge of the trees, easing her phone from her pocket as she went. For several seconds, she stood still, snapping photos.
As she mounted the ATV again, she said, “I zoomed in. The black Tahoe has government plates.”
“Fed?”
“I think so. And isn’t it strange that small-town biker criminals and federal agents are hanging out at a random out-of-the-way farm?”
Without responding, I headed back to the main trail.
When we were far enough away that I was certain they wouldn’t hear the motor, I gunned it, speeding out of there like a bat out of hell.
I wanted no part in whatever was happening on that farm.
The ride home was bumpy, cold, and terrifying.
My sole focus was getting Mila back into the safety of my house.
When the ATV was parked and we’d dismounted, I grasped the back of her jacket and shut the door, trapping her inside.
“Ow. Jude, relax.”
“I will not relax,” I growled, backing her against the wall. “This is officially insane. We’ve got the evidence, Mila. You’ve done an amazing job. It’s over now. We call Parker and hand it all over. She’s qualified to go get the bad guys.”
She stomped her foot. “But we now know the feds are in on it!”
“Maybe. Even more reason to get her involved. Or maybe they’re investigating.”
She shot me a glare. “Don’t be na?ve. I knew they were dirty.”
Fuck. Annoyance flared to life in my veins. I’d been in over my head since the night she walked into my house bleeding, but this was getting too close for comfort.
“Mila, I need to say something and you’re gonna listen.”
She was holding her helmet to her chest, her face burning with anger, her eyes murderous.
“You are reckless and impetuous and fucking incredible. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t let you put yourself in danger. You may not like it, but I’m in this with you now.”
She nodded, her jaw still clenched tight.
“The thought of you getting hurt or being in danger is so crushing I feel like I can’t breathe. Maybe this is a danger bang to you. Maybe that’s all I am in your eyes.” My heart clenched at the thought, but I had to say it. “But you mean something to me. You are important to me.”
“Jude.”
I held up a hand. “Let me finish. You owe me nothing. But like it or not, you’re mine to protect.”
She gasped, her eyes widening.
“And I will protect you.”
She pulled her arm back and threw her helmet at me. “I don’t belong to anyone. There is one thing I care about, and it’s getting justice for Hugo.”
Her words stung, and I took a step back, reeling from the rejection. I couldn’t be the only one feeling this way. And yet…
Her eyes flared with anger. “I owe you for all you’ve done. And I’m so grateful, but we’ve got to end this.”
“Stop,” I said, holding up a hand. “We need to be strategic.”
She put her hands on her hips, glaring at me. “You need to stop being so bossy.” She was shouting now, and I couldn’t stop myself from shouting back.
“Then stop almost getting yourself killed,” I replied as I straightened again. “I need you. Your mom needs you. Hugo needs you. Stop punishing yourself and think about this. What you’ve done is remarkable. Let’s take the next logical step.”
I braced for her to find another object to hurtle at me. To yell or stomp off.
The last thing I expected was for her to burst into tears.
“Okay,” she said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
This was the second time she had cried today, and it was just as painful for me as the first. Like my heart was being ripped apart. All I wanted to do was make this woman smile and laugh, and yet I caused her constant tears.
I pulled her into my body, reveling in the feeling of her being safely tucked in my arms.
“You’re right,” she said. “I’m so scared and so tired.”
I held her tightly. “Tomorrow,” I said into her hair. “I’ll call Parker and set up a meeting. You can share everything, show her the maps. She’ll make a plan. There’s enough here for several warrants at the very least.”
She nodded into my chest. “Do you really think this could be over soon?”
My heart tightened painfully. “Yes, Trouble. I know it.”