Chapter 15

JANIE STARED ATBrody. “David is here?” What was her brother doing in the country? She’d only been back about 24 hours herself. Why had David flown in from Chile? “Why would he come here?”

Brody watched her. “If what we suspect is true, you know why.”

No. She shook her head, unable to believe her brother was involved in what had been happening to her for the past few days. But why else would he show up out of the blue since he was still angry with her and wanted an angle to force her to share Granny Irene’s estate?

Granted, he couldn’t pick up the phone to call Janie since her cell phone was still in Mexico, but he could have called the store. David had the number. Although he had never used it, she included it in all her emails to him.

“Did he say what he wanted?” Sawyer asked, his hand covering Janie’s.

“Not according to Jeremy. He showed up, demanded to see his sister, and refused to tell the operatives or employees why he flew in. The operatives explained Janie was out for the day and wouldn’t be back in the store. Apparently, he became belligerent with the employees and threatened them plus the operatives if he wasn’t able to contact Janie. He’s using the worried brother card to gain sympathy, but it’s not working. Jeremy and Molly are skeptical of his good intentions.”

She groaned. Of course he would demand to be in her life now. As much as she didn’t want to do it, Janie knew she had to see him. The Texas Team wouldn’t be happy with her. “I need to see him, Sawyer.”

“Are you sure you want to do that? He could be responsible for the hijacking, as well as the attempts on your life since you’ve been back.”

“And he might not be responsible.” She held up a hand, already knowing what he would say. “I know. I’m not facing reality. What if we’re wrong and he’s not responsible for what’s happening? Besides that, if I don’t see him face to face, he’ll keep after my employees and your friends until he gets what he wants. You want to talk to him, right?”

“You bet we do. We have several questions for him.”

“This is your chance to do it without having to catch a flight to Chile to find out if he’s responsible for the hijacking.”

“I still don’t like it,” Sawyer said. “I feel like I’m throwing you to the lions. If he is responsible for the hijacking, this might be a trap. I don’t want you caught in another one.”

“This is the only way. We have to try. I can’t stay in hiding forever.”

“It hasn’t been more than a day, sweetheart.”

“And already we’ve had two attempts to either kill or reacquire me.” She shook her head. “Let’s find out if David is responsible or if he’s tangled up in something and can’t get out on his own.”

Sawyer sighed. “Your heart is too soft, Janie. This is risky.”

“Please? You can make it safe for me. I’m asking you to work something out so I can have some answers and my employees will be safe.”

He glanced at his team leader, eyebrow raised.

“Wuss,” Brody muttered.

Sawyer punched his friend on the shoulder. “We’ll make it work, Janie. All of us will talk to him.”

“He’ll want to talk to me alone.” She knew David. He wouldn’t pass up a chance to press his case one more time.

“Not happening. Where you go, I go. Period.”

“He won’t be happy about it,” she warned. Her brother would be quite vocal in his displeasure.

“Tough. Your safety is my priority, not his happiness. If he loves you as much as he’ll claim, David will understand my precaution.”

Not likely. “You don’t know him like I do.”

He inclined his head. “He doesn’t know me, either. Yet.”

Well, this would be fun. Unless she missed her guess, David had met his match. “All right. I’ll follow any rules you lay down so I can see him. Maybe we’ll mend our broken relationship.”

Sawyer brushed his mouth over hers. “For your sake, I hope so.” His voice gave away his skepticism.

She felt the same way. Still, Janie wouldn’t give up on David. Despite everything, she still loved him. “Thanks, Sawyer.”

“I just hope we don’t regret this plan.” He grabbed his phone and called Jeremy. “It’s Sawyer. Brody and I are bringing Janie into Hartman. Send Moran to Main Street Coffee Shop in ten minutes. We’ll meet him there.” After answering a few cryptic questions, Sawyer ended the call and slid the phone back into his cargo pocket. “Let’s go. We don’t have much of a head start.”

“I’m riding with you.” Brody opened the back door and stepped outside to scan the area. He glanced over his shoulder. “Clear.”

Sawyer wrapped his arm around Janie’s shoulders and tucked her close to his side. After resetting the alarm, he escorted Janie to the SUV and helped her into the shotgun seat. He drove into the town of Hartman and headed for the coffee shop.

“Why aren’t we meeting David at my shop?”

“Too great a chance that the person who left the box at the front of the store will be lying in wait for you to return.”

Of course. She should have realized his logic. The precaution of staying away from the shop wouldn’t change just because her brother showed up unexpectedly. In fact, his appearance in town was even more reason to go somewhere out of her normal routine. Since Janie didn’t drink coffee, she didn’t go to coffee shops in town.

Sawyer and Brody remained vigilant during the drive. Thankfully, the journey was uneventful. Just the way she liked them. After what happened earlier this morning, she would never take a peaceful drive anywhere for granted.

When Sawyer parked in the lot beside the coffee shop, Brody climbed out and went inside the establishment. Two minutes later, Sawyer received a text. He circled the hood of the SUV and opened Janie’s door. “Straight inside,” he murmured. “We’ll sit at the back of the shop in the corner. Brody’s waiting for us.”

Janie glanced around as they hurried to the door of the shop and Sawyer ushered her inside.

Brody lifted a hand, and they joined him at the back corner table. Sawyer seated Janie, then the two men sat with their backs to the wall.

“Want tea or something else?” Brody asked her.

She shook her head. “I don’t think I could keep anything down.”

“We don’t have to do this,” Sawyer said. “We can leave right now.”

“I wish. I can’t.”

“Your choice for now. If you decide at any point that you want to end the meeting with David, tell me, and we’ll be out of here.”

“Heads up,” Brody murmured, gaze on the man who walked into the coffee shop.

The stranger spotted the group in the corner, and headed in their direction, his gaze fixed on Janie. He strode to her chair, yanked her to her feet, and wrapped her in a bear hug. “Janie! Thank God you’re all right. Why didn’t you call me as soon as you were free?”

Stunned at David’s enthusiastic hug, Janie wrapped her arms around her brother. “I’m sorry, David. I didn’t have my phone. The hijackers forced us to leave everything on the plane.”

“That’s no excuse. You have my number. You should have called me from the shop at least. I was worried sick about you.”

Janie freed herself and stepped back. Sawyer had stood and was behind her. “We didn’t exactly part on good terms, bro.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, sis. You should know that by now. It’s us against the world, right?”

Maybe. The problem was David said all the right things for an audience. As soon as they were alone, however, all bets were off.

“Who are your friends?” her brother asked.

Sawyer held out his hand. “I’m Sawyer, Janie’s boyfriend. This is Brody, my teammate. Please, join us. Would you like coffee?”

David’s eyes narrowed. “Boyfriend? You didn’t mention you were dating anyone, Janie. When did this happen?”

“It’s recent.”

“I’m going to order coffee for us and tea for Janie. I’ll be back,” Brody said and rose. He went to the counter to place an order.

“How recent?” David demanded, ignoring Brody’s absence. “I should have heard about this.”

Since when? He’d shown no interest in her dating life. “It doesn’t matter,” Janie countered. “I’m a grown woman. My relationships are my business.”

“What do you know about this guy? He could be after your money.”

“Like you?” Sawyer asked, his voice mild.

David scowled. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. I know how much pressure you’ve been putting on Janie to divvy up Granny Irene’s estate against the wishes expressed in her will.”

“So? It’s only fair. Janie and I are Granny Irene’s only remaining relatives. I deserve half of the estate.”

“Your grandmother disagreed, Moran.”

“You know nothing about our family,” Janie’s brother snapped. “Keep your nose out of our business.”

“Anything that concerns Janie is my business.”

“He’s right, David.” Janie eyed her brother. “Sawyer knows about the will and why Granny Irene set the terms as she did.”

“She was wrong,” he insisted. “I’m fine. I don’t have a problem. If you won’t believe me, ask Maria. She doesn’t lie. She’ll tell you that Granny Irene was dead wrong.”

What was the point of arguing? David wouldn’t be satisfied unless Janie gave him exactly what he wanted. “Why are you here, David?”

His jaw tightened. “Really? A bunch of deranged hijackers kidnapped you and you ask me that? I was worried about you. When I didn’t hear from you, I was afraid you’d been seriously injured in the hijacking. No one could tell me anything. It’s like you vanished off the face of the earth.”

Janie stared. Seriously? Her brother hadn’t even bothered to take her to the airport the morning she left Chile. “I still could have been in Mexico. You took a risk coming to Hartman. Why would you do that?”

“Where else would I find you if you were rescued? You wouldn’t have come back to Chile where Maria and I could care for you properly. I had to come to you.” He sounded bitter about the matter.

Temper lit a fire in Janie’s blood. How dare he put this on her? He was the one who had frozen her out unless he was trying to wear her down and sway her to his way of thinking.

Brody returned carrying a tray with four drinks. He handed the first one to Janie. “Tea for the lady.” Then he handed Sawyer and David cups of coffee before taking the last one for himself. He set two bowls filled with creamer and sweetener in the center of the table.

Brody and Sawyer ignored the bowls. David doctored up his drink with a lot of creamer and sugar.

“You need to come back to Chile with me,” her brother said after a long sip of his coffee. “Maria is worried sick about you, and I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t bring you back home.”

She heard what he didn’t say. David wasn’t worried about her. “I’ll call her tonight.”

“That’s not good enough. I’m not letting you upset my wife. She’s pregnant. Maria can’t have shocks to her system. It’s not good for her or the baby.”

“Really, Moran?” Sawyer watched him much as a cat did a mouse. “Not above using blackmail to get your way, are you?”

“Shut up. This is none of your business. It’s between me and my sister, so butt out.”

“Not happening,” he said, voice soft. “The danger to your sister still exists. She’s not safe, especially anywhere in South or Central America.”

David stared. “What are you talking about? Of course, she’s safe.” He rounded on Janie. “What is this clown filling your head with, sis? This is ridiculous. The hijackers aren’t in the US. No one is after you now.”

“You’re wrong.”

He snorted. “Prove it. You can’t, can you? Your boyfriend just doesn’t want you out of his sight and out of his influence.” David stabbed a finger in her direction. “I told you this guy was after our money.”

“That’s enough, David.” She’d had enough. The accusations were uncalled for. “I’m not going back to Chile. I have a business to run.”

“You have employees. They can take care of your little store for a few days.”

“They’ve already been carrying the load for over two weeks. I’m not asking them to do it again this soon. It’s not fair to them.”

“You have that little control over your own workers?” He shook his head. “Fine. I’ll take care of it for you.” He stood and wrapped his hand around her wrist and tugged. “Let’s get it over with, then we’ll swing by your house to pack a few things before we go to the airport.”

She gasped at the sharp pain in her wrist.

In less than a beat, Sawyer gripped David’s wrist. Her brother hissed and released her, shaking his hand.

“What are you doing? I should sue you for bodily harm.”

“First, Janie said she wasn’t going to Chile. You weren’t listening. Second, you don’t put your hands on her without her permission. Period. Third, no one hurts Janie and gets by with it. Fourth, she doesn’t have her passport. She can’t travel internationally without that passport.”

“Oh, yeah? How did she get back into the country?” he demanded.

“Private arrangements.”

“This is ridiculous,” David snapped. “I want to take her home.”

“Forget it.”

“I can’t go, bro,” Janie said. “Even if I wanted to leave, I won’t bring danger to your wife and baby.”

“That makes little sense. You’re safe now.”

“She’s not,” Brody said.

“What do you mean?”

“Since Janie’s been back in the US, she’s been a target.”

“All the more reason to get her out of here.” He swung his gaze back to Janie. “Come on, sis. You shouldn’t be hanging out with losers. I can protect you.”

Janie couldn’t help it. She laughed. “Trust me, David. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He looked offended. “Why do you say that?”

“We’re in black ops,” Sawyer said.

Her brother’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? Janie, are you crazy? These guys are mercenaries. You shouldn’t have anything to do with them. They’re dangerous.”

“You bet they are. The best kind of dangerous. They protect innocents like me in dangerous situations.”

“For money,” he snapped. “They charge people for this noble service of theirs.”

“Believe me. I’m grateful for what they do.”

David stared at her with speculation in his eyes, then shifted his attention to Sawyer. “You rescued my sister from the hijackers, didn’t you?”

Sawyer inclined his head.

“I knew it.” He rounded on Janie again. “How much did these jerks charge you?”

“Nothing.” It was true. Although she’d offered to pay, Brent had refused her offer. “They work for Brent’s company, so no money exchanged hands.”

David’s jaw tightened. “I should have known. When did you start dating this guy?” he asked with a glare at Sawyer.

“It’s recent.”

“How recent?”

“None of your business, David. I’m a grown woman. I don’t answer to you.”

“I’m just looking out for you.”

“I’m lucky Sawyer and his team were close enough to rescue me.”

“Wait a minute.” David’s eyes narrowed. “The news said a group attacked the hijackers and killed dozens of people. You’re trying to tell me these two guys did all that damage?”

“There are five of us,” Brody murmured. “I won’t apologize for doing what was necessary to rescue Janie.”

His face flushed. “I didn’t ask for an apology. But the facts prove my point. You and your buddies are mercenaries. You kill people for money.”

“They did their jobs, David,” Janie insisted. “Because of it, I’m still alive. Now, back off.”

He held up his hands. “Fine. Have it your own way. I have things to do.” He stalked from the coffee shop.

Janie closed her eyes for a moment, then sighed. She looked at Sawyer and Brody. “I apologize for my brother. He shouldn’t have insulted you.”

“It’s not your fault, baby,” Sawyer said. He squeezed her hand. “His attitude isn’t on you.”

“It’s not fair, you know. David doesn’t know you at all, yet he’s judging you by your job title. He doesn’t see the honor and integrity you and your teammates have.”

The two men exchanged glances, then Sawyer said to her, “Thanks for saying that.”

“You don’t know how many people have accused us of being baby killers,” Brody said grimly.

Her eyes widened. “Should I not have mentioned to David what you do for a living?”

“He knows Brent and what Fortress does. As soon as he found out who we work for, your brother would have known.” Sawyer shrugged. “We usually tell the public that we work for a private security company without giving too many details. It’s a protection for ourselves and our families.”

“I didn’t even consider that, Sawyer. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to compromise anyone’s safety.”

“You didn’t. Like I said, David knows about Fortress. No way to hide the truth from him, anyway. Besides, if he is involved in the attacks on you, I want him to know you have people watching over you who have your best interests at heart. For me, the stakes are a lot higher and more personal.”

Brody finished his coffee. “Ready to get out of here now? We’re too exposed with this many windows in the coffee shop.”

Janie stood and picked up her tea. “I’m ready.”

Brody and Sawyer tossed their empty to-go cups of coffee and escorted Janie outside the shop.

She glanced at the other side of the parking lot and froze. Her brother was arguing with two men. Both of them appeared to be of Hispanic descent.