Chapter 23

JANIE SMILED. “I’Mso glad she could catch a flight. Maria’s arrival will give David another incentive to wake up.” Her brother adored his wife.

Her smile dimmed. She wouldn’t be able to offer her sister-in-law a place to stay. Janie already knew without asking that Sawyer wouldn’t allow anyone to know the location of the safe house, much less stay with them.

She didn’t blame him. As he’d reminded her more than once, her safety was his priority. Remembering the sizzling kisses they’d shared and the care and affection he continually showed her, Janie sighed. Sawyer Chapman was an amazing man. Having him in her life was worth the stress and fear she’d experienced at the hands of the hijackers and the local affiliates of Vatos Locos.

Sawyer cupped her cheek with his palm. “Everything all right?”

She nodded.

He looked skeptical. “Talk to me.”

“I feel bad that I can’t offer Maria the same hospitality that she gave me in Talca. I know we can’t compromise the safe house’s location, but I wish I could help.”

“We can make reservations for her at a hotel near the hospital and arrange for snacks, water, and soft drinks in her room. Would that work?”

Her heart melted. How had any woman let Sawyer slip through her fingers? Janie wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Sawyer. That’s perfect.”

He brushed her lips with his. “I’m glad to take care of it for you.” After a lingering kiss, Sawyer grabbed his phone and called the hotel closest to the hospital. Following a conversation with the front desk clerk, he ended the call and said, “All set. The clerk is having snacks and drinks set up in her suite. They’ll be ready for her by ten o’clock this morning.”

“You didn’t have to reserve a suite. I’m sure she’ll be at the hospital most of the time. A room would have been just fine.” She’d have to repay him for the expense. Janie knew without asking Sawyer wouldn’t accept the offer of payment. Maybe a home-cooked meal would be a good way to show him how much she appreciated his help.

He shrugged. “Anything to make your life easier.”

Her heart melted. “That’s it. I’m keeping you.”

“Promise?”

“You’re not escaping now. You’ve spoiled me, and I’m not letting you go.”

Sawyer watched her with an intense gaze. “Early days for you, Janie.”

Wait a minute. She’d been teasing. Sort of. Her heart skipped a beat at his serious expression. “But not for you?”

“No.”

What did that mean? Surely not what she hoped it meant. They’d only known each other for a few days. What would he think if she blurted out the truth of how she felt? Would she be the only one adrift in an ocean of overwhelming emotions?

“Ask,” he murmured.

She tilted her head and gathered courage for the most terrifying thing she’d done in her life. “What do you mean by that, Sawyer?”

“You’re it for me.”

Her heart turned over. “Spell it out for me.” Did he feel as she did? It was too soon, wasn’t it?

“I love you. Is that clear enough?”

Janie stared. “Say it again.”

“I love you.” When she opened her mouth to blurt out that she loved him as well, Sawyer placed two fingers over her mouth to stop the words. “No. Say nothing right now. Think about it. Give me a chance to win your heart, Janie.”

“But….”

“Wait. Please. I’m not rushing you for an answer. I only wanted you to know where I stand, and I’m willing to wait as long as it takes. Just don’t tell me no.” Vulnerability showed in the depths of his eyes.

She couldn’t leave him in limbo while they figured out who wanted to kidnap or kill her.

Janie cupped his face with her hands. “Sawyer, stop.”

His face drained of blood.

“Look at me, love.”

He stilled, gaze locked with hers.

“I love you, Sawyer. More than I ever thought possible in such a brief span of time. But during the past few days, you’ve shown me your heart. It’s time I showed you mine. I adore you, and I know to the depths of my being that you’re the only man for me.”

Relief flooded Sawyer’s face, and he captured her mouth with his. Long moments later, he said, “Thank you for trusting me with your heart.”

She smiled. “How could I not?”

“Any chance you’ll marry me in a few weeks?”

Weeks? Whoa! Sawyer Chapman didn’t waste time when he wanted something. “I want time to really get to know you and meet your family. I also want to be available to help David if he’ll allow it.”

“No problem.”

She leaped into the unknown, praying she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life. “In that case, yes, Sawyer. I’ll marry you.”

He leaped to his feet, tugged Janie to hers, wrapped her in his arms, and swung her around. “Yes!” Sawyer stopped mid-swing and set her back on her feet. An odd expression was on his face.

“What is it?”

“I messed up.”

She blinked. “How?” Had he changed his mind already?

“I should have talked to the men in your family first.”

Men? “David’s in a coma. You can’t talk to him.” Hopefully soon, though. Unfortunately, David was combative when Sawyer confronted him in the coffee shop. He wasn’t likely to change his mind this fast. “He wasn’t your biggest fan.”

“I planned to tell him, not ask his permission.” He swallowed hard. “It’s Brent I’m worried about.”

“Brent?”

“He’s the closest male family member you have. Correct?”

Sawyer was right. Brent was family. “Yes.”

“I have to ask his permission.”

“Are you worried he’ll turn you down?”

He shook his head.

But he was worried about something, though. “What concerns you?”

“He’ll remove me from your protection detail.”

“Why would he do that?” She held up a hand. “Wait. Never mind. This is the same deal as what he tells the other operatives involved with their principals, isn’t it? The distraction thing.”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Sawyer was silent a moment, then said, “Please, let me handle it.”

“But it’s not right for him to separate us.”

He cupped her nape. “I won’t let him do that, but I may not be part of your protection detail.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You will. Trust me, all right?”

For the moment, Janie would let Sawyer work it out on his own. If Brent tried to replace her protection detail, he’d have a fight on his hands from Sawyer and from her. “All right.”

Jesse walked into the security room and stopped just inside the doorway. “Should I leave again?”

Sawyer shook his head. “Find anything?”

The medic glanced at Janie. “I did.”

Her stomach knotted. “Is this about David?” What had she not known about her brother and would it come back to haunt David or her?

“Indirectly. I asked Simone to check into Maria’s background.”

“Why?”

“It’s standard procedure to check into everyone connected to our principals,” Sawyer said as he seated her at the computer console. “You’d be surprised how many problems lurk in background checks.”

She sat as her knees weakened. Jesse’s girlfriend must have found something. “Don’t keep me in suspense, Jesse.”

“Your sister-in-law, Maria, has relatives who are in the upper ranks of Vatos Locos.”

Janie’s breath stalled in her lungs. “Is she sure?”

“Simone traced the family line and last name of Reyes.”

“That’s a popular last name in Chile.” Janie had lost count of the people she’d met with that last name while visiting Maria and David. “It’s like Smith or Jones.”

The medic’s expression was sympathetic. “You’re right, but Simone doesn’t make that kind of mistake, Janie. She traced the family lines back several generations and hacked into databases, bank records, hospital records, and the like. She’s not wrong. Your brother’s wife is connected to the gang targeting you.”

Stunned, she sat back in her chair. “But it makes little sense. I didn’t detect any animosity from Maria, and I lived with them for two weeks. Wouldn’t I have sensed something was off?”

Sawyer wrapped his hand around hers. “Maybe she wasn’t involved in what’s been happening to you.”

“He’s right,” Jesse said. “Although Simone is still digging, she has yet to find evidence Maria is involved with Vatos Locos.”

She appreciated their efforts to protect her and spare her feelings. However, the facts had to be faced. “But Maria’s family members are part of the gang. She told me she’s close to her family and is in contact with them daily.”

“We’ll look into it more, Janie.” Sawyer raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

“If Maria is involved with the gang, is David safe with her?”

“He has a bodyguard outside the room.”

“You were inside with me. Can the bodyguard stay inside, too?” There had to be something they could do to protect David from either Maria, her family, or other gang members.

“You weren’t in ICU,” Jesse said. “You were in a private clinic in Texas for a few hours. Your brother is still critical. The medical staff is already making an exception in allowing the guard to stand watch in the hall. They won’t allow us to post a bodyguard inside that small room.”

Sawyer frowned slightly. “I might have a solution to our problem.”

“What do you suggest?” Janie asked.

“We can hide a camera and listening device in his room so the bodyguard can monitor things from the hallway.”

Relief flooded her. “That’s a brilliant solution. Who can set that up?” The sooner the better, as far as she was concerned.

“I’ll take care of it when we visit David.” He paused, then said, “We should take care of this before your sister-in-law arrives.”

Right. If Maria planned to hurt David, she would never act on her plan if she knew she was under observation.

She sighed. And now she felt like a terrible person for even entertaining the notion that the sweet woman she’d spent two weeks with might be capable of something so awful.

“We need to stop by Fortress headquarters so I can pick up equipment.” Sawyer cupped her cheek with his palm. “Any chance you’d be up to going to the shop extra early this morning?”

“Sure.”

He glanced at Jesse. “You interested in an early morning run?”

“Of course.” The medic pulled out his phone and sent a text. “Can we stop for breakfast before we head to Nashville?”

Janie grinned. “Instead of going to the coffee shop, what if I call the Sunrise Cafe and have Sunny put together three breakfast specials to go?”

“That sounds fantastic.”

“Thanks, Janie.” Sawyer brushed his mouth over hers. “You’re an angel.”

“I’ll remind you of that when I’m tired and cranky.”

He chuckled. “Deal.”

Janie stood. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll be ready.”

Soon, they were on the road back to Hartman. For once, Janie wished she was a coffee drinker. She could use a heavy shot of caffeine.

As Sawyer crossed Hartman’s city limits, he glanced at Janie. “Need anything before we go to the shop?”

“I imagine you and Jesse could use more coffee.”

“Always. What do you need?”

“Since I doubt any store that’s open this early has Irish or English Breakfast tea, I’ll settle for a soft drink with caffeine.”

“I’ll see what I can find.” Sawyer parked at a large gas station and went inside. He returned five minutes later carrying a cardboard drink holder with three to-go cups and a plastic bag.

He handed Janie one cup, then handed the second cup to Jesse. “Coffee for us,” he said to Janie. “English Breakfast tea for you.”

Her breath caught. “I didn’t know they stocked my favorite tea.”

“They carry boxes of English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast. I bought a box and dumped a tea bag in hot water.”

She sipped and groaned. “It’s wonderful. Thank you, Sawyer.”

They parked behind Natural Bliss minutes later. Almost like magic, a figure emerged from the shadows in the alley.

“Wait here.” Sawyer exited the SUV and met the man. They shook hands, and the stranger handed Sawyer something. After another minute, the man left.

Circling to the passenger side, he opened Janie’s door and helped her to the asphalt. “Ready?”

“With my favorite tea and two excellent helpers, how can I not be ready?”

He smiled and guided her toward the back door.

“Didn’t Fortress upgrade my locks yesterday? I don’t have a key.”

Sawyer showed her a shiny key on his palm. “I do.”

He expected that problem and solved it. Sawyer Chapman was amazing. He entered the premises first and checked that all was secure before he allowed her into Natural Bliss.

Soon, the three of them worked quickly to create new stock for the shop. To her surprise, Janie discovered the shop had sold almost everything yesterday. Nice problem to have, but it meant they’d have to work faster today.

By the time they finished their tasks, the sun was just peeking over the horizon, changing the sky from black to steel gray with streaks of pink, red, and orange. A beautiful dawn, Janie thought as she set the last of the new stock in place and returned to the back room and the Fortress operatives. “That’s the last.”

They stored the supply tubs and cleaned up, then Jesse and Sawyer escorted Janie to the SUV. After a detour by Sunshine Cafe, they joined the traffic on Interstate 40 and headed toward Nashville.

Janie breathed a sigh of relief when Sawyer parked in the underground garage at Fortress Security headquarters an hour later. Thank goodness traffic had been lighter than normal since they’d left Hartman so early this morning.

“Let me know when you’re ready to leave. I’ll be with Simone.” Jesse exited the SUV and headed for the elevator.

Sawyer circled the hood and opened Janie’s door. He lowered her to the concrete. “Do you want to meet Goose?”

Her breath caught. “I’d love to meet him. Is he here?”

“He’s always with Simone or Jesse. Brent isn’t sure about giving Goose the title of mascot, but the dog has special permission to be in Simone’s office when she’s on site.”

“Perfect. Now, how can I help you?”

“I’ll show you an equipment vault where I’ll pick up what I need to set up surveillance in David’s room.”

He walked with her to the elevator and pressed the button for a subterranean level. Less than a minute later, they walked down a concrete corridor with several steel doors on each side of the hall.

She also noticed several surveillance cameras set up along the hall. “These are all equipment rooms?”

Sawyer stopped in front of one door and glanced at her. “Some are.”

Janie eyed him. “Do I want to know what’s behind the other doors?”

“Weapons, ammunition, C-4, blasting caps, grenades, rocket launchers, and more.”

Her mouth gaped. “Good grief.”

“We have to be better armed than the terrorists we go up against on missions. Fortress has two floors of equipment rooms and weapons supplies.”

Oh, man. She knew his job was dangerous. This information, however, brought Janie face to face with reality. “Some of these rooms better have protective equipment for you and the other operatives.” If they didn’t, she would scour the Internet to find things to protect the man she adored with every fiber of her being.

Sawyer cupped the side of her neck and brushed his thumb over Janie’s cheek. “Our safety comes first always. Brent pours a lot of money into training his assets.” He kissed her lightly, then turned to swipe his identity card through the reader, then input two long strings of numbers, and finally allowed the security system to scan his retina. Tumblers shifted, and Sawyer opened the door.

Janie surveyed shelves filled with surveillance equipment. Most of the equipment was a mystery to her. Sawyer had no problem identifying and choosing what he wanted to use to protect her brother.

He slid the equipment into a cloth bag, led her from the equipment vault, and locked the room again. “Ready to meet Goose?”

She grinned. “I can’t wait.”

Sawyer chuckled and nudged her toward the elevator. Once they arrived on the fourth floor, he guided Janie to the right. They stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor. From inside, they heard the sounds of a dog barking and a man chuckling.

After a quick knock, Sawyer opened the door. “I brought a visitor to meet Goose.” He ushered Janie inside the office.

A toy poodle raced toward Sawyer, yapping in excitement. Chuckling, he picked up Goose. “Hey, Goose. How’s my night watch buddy?” Several licks later, the dog noticed Janie, wiggled his tail in greeting, and gave a high-pitched bark.

Janie’s heart squeezed. “He’s beautiful.”

A woman approached. “I agree.” She held out her hand. “I’m Simone.”

They shook hands. “Janie. Thanks for lending Jesse to us. His help has been invaluable.”

“He’s wonderful, isn’t he?” Simone beamed at her future husband.

Jesse captured Simone’s hand before turning to Sawyer. “Ready to go?”

“Not yet. I need to see Brent for a minute.” He glanced at Janie. “Want to spend a little time with Goose? I won’t be long.”

And he didn’t want her to go with him. That much was obvious. Hopefully, Sawyer and Brent could hash this out with the right outcome. If they couldn’t, she’d pull out the big guns. She and Rowan would tackle Brent and his stubbornness. She smiled. Brent wouldn’t stand a chance. “I’d like to play with Goose.”

He looked relieved. “Great. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He gave her a light kiss and left the office.