Chapter 8

EIGHT

WEDNESDAY, 4:30 P.M.

One look at Caleb's red face and fierce eyes and Juliette wanted to hunt down all of Caleb's enemies, including Ivy's grandparents. How couldn't they see what a great father he was to Ivy?

"How can they do this to you?"

Caleb shrugged, the crinkles around his eyes more pronounced from fatigue. "My attorney doesn't think they have a case. Tessa had a will that named me Ivy's guardian. But I don't need terrorists kidnapping her to give them ammunition to take her from me."

Juliette put her hand over Caleb's. He didn't flinch. And she knew his rules about people invading his personal space. Touchy-feely was never an adjective used to describe Caleb.

But he let her hold his hand. Until Noelle cleared her throat. Juliette had almost forgotten she was there. "We need to talk about the danger. Now that the hackers have contacted Ivy, what does this mean?"

Caleb withdrew his hand, and Juliette missed his touch. He sat back and sighed. "She not only memorized their program but realized that the code isn't right. She can fix their ransomware."

"So," Noelle said, "she can recreate the program, and she can fix it so it works."

"Not to mention that she is now an eyewitness to their crimes," Juliette said. "Ivy knows their entire plan."

Things had gone from dangerous to downright deadly. Juliette's mind whirred with contingency plans for both Caleb's and Ivy's safety. She turned to Noelle. "If the hackers realize their error and know that a twelve-year-old girl could fix the program, Ivy becomes an asset. Caleb is a target to take out of their way, but they might find taking Ivy is more valuable to their operation. They both need protection."

Noelle stood and nodded to Caleb. "Save your cash. You might need it, and considering your history with Juliette, we'll figure out the cost later." Noelle might as well have winked and nudged Juliette with the word history .

"Thank you," Caleb said. "Right now, I need to text Agent McGregor. We have a new lead, and I need to let him know the hackers tried to recruit Ivy. Maybe they can check out this supposed Layna. She probably isn't even a student at the school." He tucked the cash into the pocket of his jeans and withdrew a cell phone from the other pocket.

"I think we need to move now," Juliette said. "It's simply not safe to stay here any longer. We can crash at my house overnight and head to the safe house tomorrow morning. At least we'll have the Elite Guardians taking turns watching the place."

"I already told Ivy to pack a bag. We can stay at a hotel, but maybe your place is more secure."

At the mention of her name, Ivy bounded into the room with several heavy bags in tow.

"What? I'm not leaving without my books."

"Don't worry, Ivy," Juliette said. "We'll make room for your books at our slumber party. We'll stay up, watch movies, and eat junk food."

Ivy squinted her eyes, as if pondering Juliette's offer. "Can I pick the movie?"

"If you're like your uncle, I'll be stuck watching Star Wars ." She made a face, and Ivy laughed.

"Don't be ridiculous. This is a Star Trek household. I mean, the original Star Wars trilogy is okay, but the new ones…"

Juliette tuned out Ivy's highly opinionated movie review and took in Caleb's rigid shoulders and the hard-as-steel determination in his eyes. These hackers had awoken the warrior in him, and he was gearing up for a fight. She'd seen Caleb go toe to toe with a man twice his size in a basic training exercise. Caleb had a fierce side to him that rarely saw the light of day.

Until someone messed with his family.

He caught her glancing at him as Ivy prattled on about Jar Jar Binks, whoever or whatever that was. Heat fanned across her. She turned her attention back to Ivy and nodded as if this was the most interesting conversation on the planet.

It was not.

A knock at the door sent Juliette's pulse thumping, and Caleb checked it out. He let Agent McGregor into the apartment, followed by Noelle, back from her security sweep.

Caleb tilted his head toward the bedroom at Ivy and she understood. She complied, though her frown followed by an exaggerated sigh suggested that she wanted to be part of the adult conversation. He ushered the agent into the living room.

"Can you make sure Ivy is entertained while we talk?" Juliette asked Noelle.

"On it." Noelle ducked into the bedroom and closed the door behind her.

Agent McGregor took a seat in the chair and cleared his throat. "The safe house won't be ready until tomorrow."

"They'll stay with me tonight, with round-the-clock protection." Juliette sat down next to Caleb on the couch.

McGregor nodded and let out a long breath. He steepled his hands in front of his lips. "I know you won't want to hear this, Caleb, but in light of the new evidence, we'd like for you to consider allowing Ivy to meet with the hacker group."

"No," came Caleb's swift reply.

The man leaned forward in the chair. "We researched the name Layna in the school records. Just like you suspected, there's no student by that name. We think Rushmore tried to contact her, but we'd like to turn the tables on them. This may be the only way for us to take them down. They must have left Ivy a way to contact them."

Caleb glared at Agent McGregor. "I will not let Ivy be used as bait for hackers. We still don't even know where Theo is. She's twelve. And once they find out that she can recreate their program, they'll target her for sure."

"We understand your concern. For now, we're waiting for Rushmore to make contact about Theo."

Juliette interjected. "But what are they going to do once they realize the laptop is in FBI custody?"

No one responded. She knew the answer, and based on Caleb's clenched jaw, so did he.

Theo's life was on the line. So was Ivy's.

Agent McGregor took out his phone. "Consider allowing her to draw the hackers out into the open. Because they already know what she can do."

He handed the phone to Caleb. "This is another conversation we uncovered between the hackers. Our agent was able to decode it based on Ivy's notes. She's on their radar."

Caleb's hand trembled as he took the phone. Juliette pressed in close to him to see the screen. The message jumped off the screen, and her vision blurred at the email chat between the hackers.

General: The girl knows too much. We need to take her out.

Liberator: No. She can help us. You said you could recruit her.

Rough Rider: Agreed. She's an asset. We use her to send a message to her uncle. He needs to pay just like those corporate pigs. He helps them hide our hard-earned money.

"How can we let her face off against these men? She's just a girl." Juliette stood, hands on hips, glaring at the FBI agent.

Caleb sucked in a breath and rubbed his hand across his face, his five-o'clock shadow coming on strong. "I can't let her do this. These are more than just hackers. They're kidnappers and highly skilled thieves. She needs to be protected, not paraded around town so she can be a target."

A pulsing headache threatened to destroy Juliette's ability to keep her cool. She needed to get her new clients settled without the stress of Mr. FBI Agent hanging around. "It's been a rough few days. Caleb and Ivy are going to be protected tonight. We can regroup at the safe house tomorrow. But for now, let's let Caleb rest and think things over."

Agent McGregor shook his head. "We need to interview Ivy regarding all she knows about the laptop, the program, and the hacker group. At least ask if they've told her how they'll be in touch."

So much for resting. Caleb slumped back onto the couch. "You can interview Ivy, but no mention of her meeting with these hackers. Let me decide this, not her."

The agent nodded in agreement, and Juliette retrieved Ivy. The girl plopped down on the couch next to Caleb.

"Did Layna give you a way to contact her?" Caleb asked.

Ivy's eyes widened. "Layna gave me a phone. I'll get it." She dashed into her bedroom and emerged with an iPhone.

"I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about this."

Juliette's heart broke at Ivy's naivety. She sat down next to Ivy, sandwiching her between herself and Caleb. "Ivy, Agent McGregor informed us that Layna isn't a student at your school. We think she might be part of Rushmore. She's not to be trusted."

"Maybe I can talk to her, then. Convince her to help us. I'm sure?—"

"Ivy." Caleb's voice held a mix of censure and compassion. "You need to stay away from Layna. She's not your friend. She's trying to hurt you."

Tears brimmed Ivy's eyes, but she nodded.

For the next two hours, Ivy answered all of the FBI agent's questions about her discoveries on the laptop. By the end, Juliette was drained of every ounce of energy she possessed. She could only imagine how Caleb and Ivy felt.

The crowd of people in the apartment finally lessened as agents packed up the cell phone and laptops and left. Agent McGregor made his departure, and Noelle headed back to the Elite Guardians' office to make preparations for security for the night.

Ivy headed to her bedroom to finish packing, and Juliette moved closer to Caleb on the couch. "It will be okay. Noelle and I will make sure you're both protected."

His eyes darkened. "We'll all make sure someone is with her twenty-four seven. I'm just concerned that someone might figure out that Ivy can remember everything. These bad guys kidnapped Theo, which isn't playing by hacker rules. They're out for blood. My blood. And Ivy's."

She didn't need to be reminded of how dire the circumstances were. "I'm calling in all the reinforcements I know. We'll all do our best to make sure you are both safe."

Something flashed across Caleb's face—a mask Juliette hadn't seen since their basic training days: a look of fierce protection. No one messed with Ivy and got away with it.

"Promise me," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Ivy is your client. Take care of her."

Juliette grasped Caleb's hand, and again he didn't shrink back. "Caleb, you're one of my best friends, and I've got your back no matter what. I'd lay down my life to protect Ivy. And you. You know I don't back down from a fight, and I protect my people. I'm not going to let anything happen to either of you while I'm on duty."

His grip tightened around hers. "What happened to us, Jules? I miss us. We used to be close, and then you left."

"I know." Her fingers tingled from his touch. "I'm so sorry, Caleb. I made a rash decision, and it was the wrong one. But maybe we can start over? Pick up where we left off?"

Would things ever be the same between them? Because unless Juliette could rein in her emotions, she wanted far more than a friendship with this man.

But did he feel the same gravitational pull, drawing them closer than a friendship?

* * *

THURSDAY, 12:45 A.M.

A thump shattered the silence, and Caleb jumped off Juliette's couch, his gun in his hand, ready to face off with the source of the sound.

"It's just me," came a whisper from down the hall. Juliette turned on a lamp. "Sorry if I woke you. I thought I'd get some water and bumped into the end table. I didn't want to turn on a light in case you were sleeping."

He sank back on Juliette's couch and stashed the gun in the drawer of the end table. Of course he'd been awake. His mind refused to quit.

"I was up. Just replaying everything on an endless loop."

Juliette handed Caleb a glass of water and sat next to him, curling her feet up under herself.

"I love what you've done with this place, Jules. It suits you." The soft light filtered through the living room complete with historical elements that Juliette used as accent pieces. His favorites were the Civil War–era banker's desk and the antique typewriter that graced it.

Juliette snuggled into the plush sofa cushions. "I know. It's a bit eclectic. I wanted to keep the historic charm of the house, but I needed some lighter colors and a modern flair. I kept a lot of my grandmother's antique lamps and fixtures and made them into art pieces. Some of these things have been in my family for generations. I just couldn't part with them. Even though I grew up in Atlanta, we visited Savannah every summer, and this place feels like home."

Caleb sighed. "Do you think I'm overreacting to having Ivy involved in this investigation?"

"No, I think you're playing it safe. And when it comes to Ivy, her security is all that matters."

"I can't let anything happen to her." He looked at Juliette. Seeing her brought back a slew of memories he wasn't prepared to deal with. But one thought screamed for his attention: he should have been there for Juliette, holding her hand during chemo. Why hadn't she trusted him with this burden?

He needed an answer. "Hey, Jules? I'm so sorry you had to go through cancer treatment alone and I wasn't there for you. But…why did you shut me out?"

She shook her head. "There wasn't anything you could do. You needed time to grieve the loss of Laz. Plus, you had your own drama to deal with. I couldn't let you take on my issues. It didn't seem fair."

"When you left, I didn't fight for you. I should have done more to find you."

"I didn't want to be found," she whispered.

He swallowed. Was this just something he'd have to try to let go of? "I know you'll make a good bodyguard for Ivy. Hazard Pay Montgomery will show up just when I need her to. Unlike me, who plays it safe every single time." Ivy would be safe with Juliette, but at what cost? He prayed nothing would happen to either of them.

"I'll watch out for her," Juliette said. "And you too."

He swallowed a lump forming in his throat. "Back at you. We're in this fight together."

Sure, they were battling threats from these hackers-turned-terrorists. But the bigger battle, the one his soul raged against every day, still lingered. He still couldn't risk his heart. Because it hurt him to the core to think about the what-ifs. "We always did make a formidable team."

She smiled. "Well, I shoved you out of your comfort zone from time to time."

"We taught each other a lot during some dark days," he said.

"Right. I've missed you being my nerd translator."

"I've missed that too. I never even started your Marvel education."

Her laughter cut him off. "Some things never change. Ivy definitely takes after you." Her words mixed with a giggle and sent his pulse skyrocketing. He fought every impulse to grab her hand, which defied logic. He never let people invade his space. But Juliette? He leaned in closer, erasing the space between them as if the move was as natural as breathing. Her eyes connected with his, making him want to dive into the depths of their past and discuss the things that had remained unsaid for years. The hurt and loss. The pain that connected them.

Whether it was fatigue or Juliette's magnetic presence scrambling his brain, he struggled to form coherent sentences.

"I'm sure losing your sister was hard on both you and Ivy. I can't imagine. Especially after losing Laz." Whoa. Apparently Juliette wasn't having the same brain scramble.

"Hard? Try apocalyptic devastation. Finding out Tessa had died in a car crash just brought me right back to that day on the mountainside, watching Laz die and being helpless to rescue him. I got to the Humvee too late. I've lost everyone—my parents, Laz, Tessa…" He didn't finish the list. "The grief piles up to where it's easier to shut down than risk my heart. I can't lose Ivy."

And I can't lose you again.

The unbidden thought short-circuited his brain. Where had that come from?

"What happened with your mom?" Juliette leaned closer—close enough that he caught a whiff of her coconut shampoo. "You don't talk about it. Ever."

He sighed. He didn't want to share, but the way she put her hand on his arm coaxed the story out of him. "My mom walked out of my life. I was six, and she just said goodbye like she was heading to the office. And never came back. Tessa and I grew up taking care of each other. Because after that, my dad found companionship in the form of whiskey. Alcohol took him from us early."

Her hand covered his, sending an electric current racing through his body. "I can't imagine being so young and having my family destroyed like that," she said.

"According to my dad, she'd never wanted to be a mother."

"Well, I'm not leaving you or Ivy." He blinked in surprise, and she added, "While I'm on duty as bodyguard, anyway."

The words squeezed his heart. Wasn't there any way he could get her to stick around once the bad guys were behind bars and life got back to normal again?

Normal. That's all he wanted for Ivy. He wanted her to have a childhood free from the adult stresses like he'd faced. But look how much grief she'd already encountered in her twelve years. "Ivy's lost so much. I'm so angry that these hackers are trying to destroy the last ounce of innocence she has in this world."

His eyelids grew heavy, and Juliette stood. "It's late. We both need some sleep." She said goodnight and headed to her room.

It didn't take Caleb more than a few minutes to pass out.

A thump sounded in the dark, and Caleb was up off the couch with a gun in hand before his eyes fully opened. A motor roared in the distance. He shook off the vivid nightmare of Ivy being chased by a man in black.

He checked his watch. Five a.m.

"What was that?" Juliette whispered, her gun in hand.

"Ivy?" he mouthed.

Juliette moved close and kept her voice low. "I just checked. She's asleep."

They crept across the living room to the front door, each ancient floorboard creating a symphony of squeaks and groans.

Juliette peered out the window next to the door. "I heard some kind of crash. Alana is on duty, and I texted her to check it out." They checked other windows and didn't see anything suspicious.

"Well, I'm up now." Caleb stretched, reassured by the knowledge that someone was checking on the source of the noise. But his gun wasn't going to leave his side just yet.

Juliette headed to the kitchen and filled the empty coffee pot with water. "I guess we're both up for the day," she said. "We should probably sit and talk about a strategy before Ivy wakes up."

Caleb sat and propped his elbows on the kitchen table, resting his head in his hands. "I hate to have Ivy out of my sight, but I want to see my office. Find out how bad the explosion was. They should be able to let me in if it's structurally sound. Maybe Noelle or Alana can take Ivy to the safe house, and we can stop at the office. I get the feeling that at least one of the hackers could be someone that works for me. If so, I'd like to find some evidence before they destroy it completely."

"Once it's business hours, I can ask if the building has been cleared and if we can have access. I'm sure Matt can get us special permission."

A knock sounded. Caleb jumped to his feet, and Juliette rushed to the door to check out the peephole. "It's Alana. And she's with someone." She swung the door open, and in strode a black-haired woman with incredibly intense eyes. Between those and her all-black outfit, she was definitely a believable bodyguard—fierce. A man appeared in the doorframe, leaning on Alana for support. He looked rough, like he'd gone down in round one with Mike Tyson. His face sported multicolor bruises with a nice-sized gash across his forehead.

Caleb took a step backward the second recognition hit him. "Theo?"

The man stumbled into Juliette's apartment. "Caleb?" The man's eyes widened, and his voice rasped like a man who'd been stranded in the desert for ten days.

"It's me. Here, have a seat. We'll get you some water and call an ambulance. But what happened?"

Juliette handed Theo a bottle of water, which he drained in a few big gulps. She introduced Caleb to Alana Flores.

"Alana, where'd you find him?" Juliette whispered.

"Crumpled up by the mailboxes on the side of the road in front of the house," Alana said. "I've already alerted the FBI. I was out back when I heard a car, but by the time I rushed to the street, it was gone. I heard a groan and spotted this guy. I cut the zip ties on his hands and feet and brought him in."

"How are they tracking us?" Juliette voiced Caleb's concern.

A knot tightened in his gut. He needed answers now, because these hackers were keeping one step ahead of them. "Theo, what do these hackers want?"

Theo put the bottle on the table, wincing from the movement. He looked Caleb in the eyes.

"They want you, Caleb. They're coming for you."