Retribution (Otter Creek Book 8) Read online

  Business was booming in the restaurant as the staff waited on the early morning crowd. Quinn usually didn’t have time to stop here on mornings he had an early training class which, unfortunately, was frequent. He never could figure out why Josh always scheduled his classes before the worms stirred. The rest of his teammates should share in the joy of an early class. Being in Delaney’s on a weekday morning was a rare treat for him, one he intended to enjoy.

  His hand rested against Heidi’s lower back as he guided her into the restaurant. The company for this meal would also be a treat. He glanced at the others in the group. Well, most of the company would be fun. Levi was still unhappy about Heidi’s decision and made no bones about expressing his displeasure.

  As soon as he opened the door to the restaurant, heads all around the room turned their direction. Heidi slowed so he gently nudged her forward. Yep, he’d forgotten to warn her about small town life. Everyone in Otter Creek would be interested in them. There was a good side to the town’s nosiness. They also noticed when strangers were in their midst. The downside was everybody knew your business almost as well as you did.

  Otter Creek residents didn’t understand why Durango didn’t talk about their missions out of the country. They didn’t realize the less they knew, the better for their safety.

  Quinn decided to be proactive when conversation in the place dropped to nothing. “Morning, everybody.” He waited for the greetings of patrons and Delaney staff members to peter out before continuing with his introduction. “This is Heidi Thompson, our newest employee at PSI. Behind her is her cousin, Levi, and a couple of his friends.”

  “Welcome to Delaney’s,” a blond waitress said. She winked at Quinn. “Great to see you again, Quinn. Been a long time since I’ve seen your cute face.” When the buzz of conversation around the room picked up, she said to Quinn and the others, “This way, folks.” As she led them to two side-by-side tables, she murmured to Quinn, “Call me. I’ve missed you.”

  His cheeks heated. Not going to happen. He’d made the mistake of giving in to Daisy McClintock’s persistence and taken her out on two dates. A movie one night, a high school football game another. Twice was enough for Quinn to realize Daisy wasn’t a good match for him. She needed more attention than he could give her. He’d had to postpone one of their dates because he’d been sent with his unit on a mission. She’d let him know how displeased she was to be pushed aside for work and then not been given a full explanation. That whole side of his life was shrouded in secrecy and would never change. Could Heidi handle the secrets? Considering the strength she’d already exhibited, the answer to that question was a resounding yes.

  Quinn shook his head at the waitress smiling into his eyes with a hopeful expression. “Thanks for the offer, Daisy, but I’m off the market.”

  Her eyes widened. “Off the market? Since when?”

  “It’s recent.” He pulled out Heidi’s chair for her and sat beside her.

  Daisy’s smile became forced. She handed out the menus and took drink orders without looking at Quinn again, and hurried off to get the drinks.

  “Should we ask for a different waitress?” Heidi asked. “I’m a little worried about the food she might deliver.”

  Quinn turned, relieved to see humor dancing in her eyes. “Daisy takes pride in her work. She won’t let hurt feelings hamper the service.” At least, he hoped she wouldn’t.

  “I don’t know, man,” Dane said. “She was unhappy. Former girlfriend?”

  He shook his head. “Just a couple of dates. Daisy wanted more than I could offer.”

  “Shew. Hate to see how she’d react if you had been serious about her.”

  When the others were engaged in conversation, Heidi leaned closer. “Why did you tell Daisy you were off the market?”

  “Because it’s the truth.”

  Heidi frowned at him. “Then why did you kiss me?” she whispered, her eyes glittering.

  Wow. Daisy wasn’t the only one with a temper. “You’re the reason I’m off the market, baby.”

  Daisy returned at that moment with her coffee pot in hand, then took breakfast orders. Once she left, Quinn said, “You want to ask me anything, Heidi?”

  “You’re serious? You took yourself out of the dating pool because of me.”

  “Problem?”

  “No! I’m having a hard time processing it. We haven’t even been on a date.”

  “Give me time. I’ll remedy that. If you let me.”

  “What if we date and a relationship doesn’t work out? We work together, Quinn. I don’t want to sabotage my job at PSI and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  “We’re adults. We’ll handle it. We need you in the S & R program. Besides, I’m not your direct boss. If this doesn’t work, we’ll figure out a working rhythm.”

  “Quinn, you said you wanted to talk about the past,” Levi said. He glanced around the noisy restaurant, doubt on his face. “You want to do that in here? Might be hard to carry on a conversation in this place.”

  “I didn’t realize the restaurant would be so busy this morning. We’ll wait until we return to Heidi’s place. We don’t need an audience hearing our conversation.” Sharing the information with future friends was up to Heidi. Quinn didn’t want her past shared on the grapevine unless she disclosed the information herself.

  Once breakfast was served, they demolished the food in short order. As always, the meal was perfect. Rio made them promise to stop at Darcy’s deli the next morning. “You’ll love the food. She’s amazing in the kitchen, and out of it, too.”

  “Not biased are you, Rio?” Angel teased.

  “No, ma’am. Just honest.”

  “And head-over-heels in love with that beautiful woman.”

  Quinn and the rest burst into laughter at Rio’s flushed face. Seeing his friend so happy pleased Quinn. The medic deserved that classy pianist. She was a very special lady with a heart of gold and the courage of a warrior.

  When they returned to Heidi’s, a black SUV was parked in the driveway with a police cruiser idling behind it. As they unloaded from the vehicles, Josh climbed from his cruiser.

  Their unit leader looked tired. Too many nights with little to no sleep. “Josh, why are you here?” Quinn asked.

  “Babysitting your new ride. Bear and a buddy brought it to Otter Creek. We wanted to make sure no one had a chance to monkey with this one.” A smile curved Josh’s lips. “Bear said the next time you let one of his vehicles get blown up, he’ll charge you double and give you the most trouble-prone vehicle he can find.”

  Quinn winced. “It wasn’t my fault.”

  Dane snickered. “I don’t think Bear agrees with you.”

  “You’re moving better than I expected today, Heidi,” Josh said. “How’s the head?”

  “Headache’s gone.”

  A nod, then he shifted his attention to Quinn. “What’s the plan for today?”

  “Asking questions.” He introduced Levi to Josh and explained about the tracker in Charlie’s collar.

  Josh whistled. “Maddox won’t be happy about that. Somebody dropped the ball. Another reason I stopped is to tell you Remy and Lily Doucet will be here by noon. Ethan called in a favor with Maddox.”

  “Why are the Doucets coming?” Angel’s voice was sharp. “I know we screwed up before, but we won’t make the same mistake, and Levi promised to follow instructions.”

  Josh’s eyebrows rose. “This is not about you, Martinez, although you should know if you mess up again, you’ll be coming to PSI as trainees. I guarantee you won’t make a mistake like that again by the time we’re through with you. The Doucets will be protecting my niece or nephew. Ethan wants Durango ready to move on Muehller at a moment’s notice without leaving Serena and the baby vulnerable.”

  “Sorry,” she murmured. “Dane and I got an earful from Nate and Maddox. Guess I’m touchy.”

  “You’re lucky nothing happened to your principal.” A sharp look at Levi. “The next time
he doesn’t cooperate, tackle him.”

  “Hey!” Levi scowled.

  “Better than being dead.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Serena laughed, holding the sides of her stomach. “Nate, you’re killing me. My bladder is the size of a thimble these days.”

  Durango’s EOD man tossed her a wicked grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Come on now, sugar. You know I can’t help it. I have to get my revenge on Josh while he’s not around. My unit leader knows too much about me for me to do this while he’s around. He might spill embarrassing tales to my beautiful wife. I’d just as soon avoid that if I could.”

  “You think I’ll be able to hide my secret knowledge from my brother? Ethan says my facial expressions give away every thought in my head. I couldn’t lie to my parents, even by omission. They always knew something was wrong. Madison and Megan accused me many times of tattling on them as we were growing up. I never said a word, not that they believed me.” She finished chopping the last of the celery and slid the cutting board across the counter to Nate, narrowing her eyes. “Did Josh really wear a burka or did you make that up?”

  “Every word is true. Your brother doesn’t make a pretty woman.”

  She grinned. “I’m not surprised. He wasn’t a very cooperative model when we tried dressing him in Mom’s wedding gown when we were four. He was an uncooperative nine-year-old who was mortified to wear a dress.”

  Nate burst into laughter. “I’d have given anything to see that.”

  “Did Josh’s ruse work? He’s tall for a man, much less a woman.”

  “Oh, it worked. He stayed seated so no one knew how tall he was and hid his face to disguise the beard shadow. Josh covered the kid with a blanket and he played possum for us.”

  Incredible. She didn’t know many children who would have helped in an escape attempt. “I can’t believe the boy cooperated.”

  “We told him we were playing a quiet game. Whoever stayed quiet the longest got a treat.”

  “Must have been a good treat. What was it?”

  “Skittles. The kid was crazy about the candy. There was no way Josh could be quiet all the way back to the landing zone.” Nate shrugged. “The kid was bound to win the game.”

  Thinking of all the things that could have gone wrong made Serena’s stomach tighten into a hard ball. “And if the boy didn’t cooperate long enough?”

  “We had contingency plans.”

  She could imagine. Her brother and his unit would have done anything to protect that boy, even sacrifice themselves for his safety. Warmth spread in her chest. Her amazing husband would have done the same in his years as an Army Ranger. Serena thought about his shoulder scar and realized he’d already taken a bullet to protect a child when he was with the Las Vegas police.

  Her gaze dropped to her stomach and she prayed Ethan wouldn’t have to sacrifice himself to save her or their baby. “Thanks for keeping an eye on me, Nate.”

  “Any time, sugar. You know that. Working with you is never a hardship. Who else can I exchange recipes with?”

  She couldn’t imagine him wanting any of the home cooked meals she prepared for Home Runs. Nate was doing a favor for Josh and Ethan. Watching over her meant others scrambled to cover his responsibilities at PSI. “I still wish it wasn’t necessary. I hate interfering with everybody’s schedule.”

  “Only for a short time, Serena. In fact, we have a couple from Fortress arriving in a few hours to watch over your baby.”

  “Why? I thought Durango was switching off the babysitting duties.”

  “Maddox owes Ethan a few favors. Your husband is collecting one so we’re free to help him corral Muehller.”

  Serena was relieved that her husband would have the whole team as backup this time. In the last confrontation with Muehller, Ethan had faced off with the assassin with Rod and a few green cops. Enough doom and gloom talk. Time for a change of subject. “Stella looks terrific.”

  Nate dumped the celery into the dutch oven along with the rest of the ingredients for beef stew and set it on the burner to simmer while he and Serena began preparing the next meal. “Makes two of us who think that. I’m crazy about that woman. She’s the love of my life, Serena. I don’t know what I would do without her.”

  Serena understood. She loved Ethan with every beat of her heart, with every breath she took. Two years of marriage and she was more in love with her husband than on the day she married him. Soon, they would add a baby to their family. She couldn’t wait to hold her son or daughter.

  She rubbed her aching lower back, then began chopping onions for the next dish.

  “Back hurting?” Nate was watching her.

  Serena shifted her weight. “Been aching for several hours. I’m fine, Nate. Stop worrying.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” he muttered. “Don’t go into labor on me, all right? I’m inexperienced at impending fatherhood.”

  “I’ll do my best,” she said, her tone dry. If she had any control over labor, Baby Blackhawk would already be in her arms. “Do you and Stella want kids?”

  “Eventually.” He browned hamburger for chili. “We want a couple years to ourselves first. When she’s ready, Stella’s going to be a great mother.”

  “Is she happy working as a detective in a small town?”

  “Otter Creek isn’t small any more. Ten thousand people and growing each day.” He smiled. “She loves small town policing. It’s different from being a marshal. She protects friends and neighbors instead of setting up safe houses and alternate identities for witnesses or informants. Stella says this is the best job she’s had and she loves her boss. Ethan is tough, fair, and one hundred percent behind his people.”

  Three hours later, she and Nate stored meals in the freezer except for the night’s dinner which was in the refrigerator waiting for Nick to heat in the microwave. Serena’s sister Madison was under strict instructions from her husband and the fire department not to touch the oven or microwave. Bad things happened when Maddie cooked. Serena didn’t understand how a woman who created beautiful knitted masterpieces from intricate instructions consistently failed at reading recipe directions.

  Nate carried Serena’s equipment and food for Megan’s meals to his SUV, then returned for her. When he opened the door, his expression was grim. “Ready?”

  “What’s wrong?” Had he heard from Ethan?

  “Stay on my left side, sugar. Once we’re outside, move as fast as you can.”

  “Nate, you’re scaring me.”

  He cupped her cheek, holding her gaze. “I’ll take care of you and your baby.”

  Serena straightened. No one was going to hurt her baby, including an international assassin with a thirst for vengeance. “Let’s go.”

  Respect filled Nate’s gaze. “Good girl,” he murmured, turning toward the door. “Wait until I tell you it’s clear.” The operative stepped out on Madison’s porch and scanned the neighborhood. His attention focused on the Endicott’s home across the street. A moment later, Nate motioned for Serena to join him. “As fast as you can,” he said, holding Serena’s arm.

  Good thing, too. Ten feet from the car, Serena stumbled and would have gone down had Nate not been holding her arm.

  “Almost there,” he said. “My SUV is reinforced. You’ll be safe.”

  “Do you see anyone?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  “But you did see someone suspicious earlier.”

  “Too far away for an ID.”

  She wrapped her coat and arms around the bulging belly. Not much protection against a sniper’s bullet.

  When they reached the SUV, Nate lifted Serena and placed her inside before rounding the hood and sliding behind the wheel. He cranked the engine. “Seatbelt.”

  Serena yanked the belt over her shoulder and belly as a wave of pain tightened her stomach muscles. Her gasp had him whipping his head her direction.

  “Serena?”

  “Contraction. I’m fine, Nate. Go.”
<
br />   “Contraction? You’re in labor?” His voice rose.

  She frowned. “I only had one contraction. I’ll let you know if I have more.”

  “Yeah, you do that.” He set the vehicle in motion. He drove onto the street. A crack sounded and the driver’s side window became a spiderweb of cracks.

  “Get down as far as possible, but don’t undo the seatbelt,” he snapped as he floored the gas pedal. The SUV raced down the street away from the threat. Nate activated his Bluetooth and called Ethan.

  Seconds later, Ethan’s voice came through the speakers. “Blackhawk.”

  “It’s Nate. Serena’s not hurt, but someone shot at my SUV.”

  Another pain hit Serena. A soft moan escaped.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” Ethan asked.

  “This is really bad timing, but I might be in labor.”

  “Nate, head for the hospital,” Ethan ordered. “I’ll meet you there.”

  “We’re seven minutes out.”

  “Copy that. Serena, I’ll have Dr. Anderson meet us at the hospital.”

  “I love you, Ethan.”

  His deep chuckle filled the interior of the vehicle. “I hope you say that in a few hours.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Heidi wrapped her hands around a mug of coffee, grateful for the warmth seeping into her cold hands. The coldness was due to the discussion which still lay ahead. She despised talking about her past. Sharing made her feel as though she were pulling the curtain back on her life and allowing anyone to see the movie of her life. A horror film instead of a sappy love story. So many lives touched by her father’s selfishness.

  She lifted her gaze to see Quinn watching her, understanding in his eyes. This discussion wouldn’t be easy for him, either. Revisiting the worst time of your life? Not for the faint of heart. Yet more proof Quinn Gallagher was a hero in every sense of the word. He didn’t shrink from the hard things. Quinn had experienced hardship and heartbreak in the years since she left Black River.