Shadow Guardian Read online

  “I’m fine. Thanks for everything, Nico.” She laid her hand over his heart briefly.

  Though light as a feather, her touch burned Nico to the bone. He had to get out of this room before he crossed the line with a hurting, vulnerable woman. “Sleep well.”

  Out in the hall once more, Nico leaned against the wall and drew in a shaky breath. He needed to get his head on straight before he made a mistake that could be fatal to them both.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Mercy walked into the kitchen as the sun peeked over the horizon. The aroma of strong coffee filled the air along with the scent of muffins, eggs, and sausage. The aroma combination made her feel slightly ill.

  Nico turned and closed the space between them, frowning. “You okay?”

  Ben, Sam, and Joe straightened from their places at the kitchen table.

  “I thought I was until I walked in here.” Mercy pressed a hand to her stomach. Oh, man. She didn’t want to barf in front of the operatives, especially Nico.

  “Take her outside,” Sam said to Nico. “I’ll bring her a cup of tea to settle her stomach.”

  “This way.” Nico wrapped his hand around hers and escorted her out the back door to a large patio. He led her to a cushioned outdoor couch and crouched in front of her. “Are you sensitive to smells, Mercy?”

  “Not usually. It might be the medication I’m taking.”

  “You also haven’t eaten much in the past few days. Is it too cold out here for you?”

  Mercy shook her head. “Truthfully, after being held captive in that cave, I’m enjoying the fresh air.”

  An odd look crossed Nico’s face, and he swallowed hard. “I understand.”

  She opened her mouth to ask him what that look was about when Sam arrived with a mug in her hand.

  “It’s chamomile mint. I didn’t sweeten it. If you need sugar, I’ll bring you some.”

  “No, this is perfect. Thanks, Sam. Sorry you had to go to the trouble.”

  The medic grinned. “Compared to what I’m usually handling for my teammates, this is nothing. If the nausea continues, I have a patch that will alleviate the symptoms.”

  Nico chuckled.

  Mercy sipped her tea and stared thoughtfully at Nico. “Why is that funny?”

  “Sam keeps a stash on hand in case we have to be on a boat. Trace has problems with seasickness.”

  “Problems?” Sam laughed. “He turns green the moment he steps foot on a boat. Mercy, how is your shoulder this morning?”

  “Sore,” she admitted. “I wanted to leave off the pain pills today, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to.”

  “Let’s wait until tomorrow. The time you spent in the jet and SUV aggravated your shoulder. Keep the sling on today. Tomorrow, we’ll see how you’re doing and decide whether or not to try leaving off the pain meds. There’s no harm in giving your body the chance to recover comfortably. You’ll be taking over-the-counter meds soon.”

  When the medic returned to the cabin, Nico sat beside Mercy. He scanned the area, appearing totally relaxed. Mercy figured he’d explode into action if trouble erupted and even though she didn’t see weapons, she’d bet he was heavily armed.

  The silence between them was comfortable as she sipped the tea. Mercy kept her hands wrapped around the mug, savoring the warmth. When her mug was empty, Nico placed it on the table in front of them.

  Would he answer a question? Mercy hesitated to ask, but her curiosity was aroused. “May I ask a question?”

  The operative turned. “Ask. I’ll answer if I can.”

  That made her pause. “There are things you can’t discuss?”

  “Some of our missions are for the government and classified. If you ask something I can’t answer, I’ll tell you.”

  Good enough, she supposed. Aiden hadn’t been able to talk about his work with her, either. Most of the information he gave her was about day-to-day life and the quirks of his friends and teammates. “When I mentioned enjoying being out of that cave in Mexico, an odd look crossed your face.”

  Nico stilled. “Okay.”

  “Will you tell me why?”

  Where the operative’s body language had been open although alert, now his hands clenched into fists and his jaw was set. Mercy regretted asking the question. The last thing she wanted to do was make him uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Nico. You don’t have to answer. I shouldn’t have asked.” The sense that he didn’t want to talk to her about it hurt.

  He had a right to his privacy, she reminded herself. They were virtual strangers, no matter how much her heart suggested otherwise.

  He said nothing for long minutes, long enough that Mercy was convinced what little friendship she hoped was developing between them might have been blown apart by her curiosity and made her regret the impulsive question even more.

  “I was taken captive on a mission last year,” he said, his low and rough voice breaking the silence. Nico stared into the distance, expression bleak and body tense.

  At his words, pain stabbed Mercy’s heart. Having seen firsthand what horrible people the operatives fought against, she knew he’d suffered. She almost begged him not to finish the story. She wanted to do something to alleviate the pain he must be feeling. She could only think of one thing to show her support but not interfere. She entwined their fingers and waited.

  “We were targeting human traffickers in a cesspit. The mission went south. The traffickers had joined forces with another group larger and better armed than they were.”

  “You were outnumbered?”

  He gave a bark of laughter. “You could say that. There were at least thirty tangos in that camp. We freed fifteen kids from the compound and were almost clear when one of the thugs decided to take a leak on our evac route. He fired a few shots before I took him down, alerting the others in the compound. I held them off long enough for the others to escape with the children.”

  Mercy’s fingers tightened around his. “You sacrificed yourself to save the others?”

  “I would have had it been necessary, but that wasn’t the plan. Getting separated from my team was pure bad luck. A severe storm had blown in. Trees were falling because the wind was high and the ground a soggy mess from the rain. Anyway, a large tree fell between me and my teammates. One of the limbs knocked me out. When I woke up, I was in the hands of furious human traffickers.”

  “They left you?” Mercy’s stomach twisted. “Your current teammates went off and left you in the hands of traffickers?”

  “They were outnumbered three-to-one and had fifteen children to save. If they had stopped to rescue me, they would have been captured or killed, and the kids would have been either sold or killed within 24 hours. My teammates made the only choice they could under the circumstances. They rushed the children to safety and returned for me. Obviously, they got me out.”

  “How long were you a prisoner?”

  “Seventy-two of the longest hours of my life. They alternated between keeping me locked in a dark cave and making me pay for costing them so much money.” He fell silent again.

  “Tell me.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t want to know the details, Mercy. It’s enough for you to know that I spent a month in Sorensen’s recovery room.”

  “Oh, Nico. You fully recovered?”

  “I’m fine.” He squeezed her fingers. “More important, the children have been reunited with their families and are receiving the help they need to put that ordeal behind them.”

  “I’m sorry I asked but thank you for telling me.” She thought he would free his hand. He didn’t. Maybe he needed the comfort of her touch as much as she needed his to convince herself he was alive and well. Stupid. She’d only known Nico two days and most of that time she’d been asleep. How could he come to mean something to her this fast?

  They sat in silence together, watching the sun rise higher in the sky, warming the air and reminding Mercy that she was free and safe. At least for the moment. How long would that last? “The Scorpion
s aren’t going to stop, are they?”

  “Not until we make them stop.”

  “How? You can’t stop them if you’re babysitting me.”

  He looked at her. “You don’t want me watching over you?”

  Mercy frowned. “That’s not what I meant. I’m glad you’re protecting me. I trust you with my life. However, you can’t be in two places at once. You will have to go after them.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.”

  “Why not?”

  “The Scorpions have placed a bounty on your head.”

  She stared at him, stunned by the news. “How much am I worth to them?”

  “They’re offering two million.”

  Two million dollars. “What a waste of their money. I don’t have any power or influence, and I don’t know anything important. I do my best to stay out of the political arena. No one would pay that much to free me from the Scorpions.”

  “I don’t think your uncle would agree with that assessment of your value to him. He’s the one who called us in.”

  “Fortress?”

  “The president requested Shadow unit specifically.”

  “Why?”

  “We spend a great deal of time in Mexico and have developed many contacts throughout the country.”

  “Will you go after the Scorpions, Nico?”

  “If they don’t come to us.” He lifted his free hand and trailed the backs of his fingers down her cheek in a light caress that stole her breath. “One way or another, I will take care of this, Mercy. No one is going to hurt you again while I still draw breath.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  After Nico coaxed Mercy into eating a plain toasted bagel, he took her into the office on the first floor. “I asked Maddox for a few things I thought you would like. Jon and Eli left them in here.”

  Her eyes lit when she saw the drawing pad and the broad assortment of pens along with the copied photo of Sorensen and his family. “Thanks, Nico. My fingers have been itching to draw. You found a photo of Dr. Sorensen for me.”

  “You’ll be in seclusion for a while. Depends on how quickly we resolve your problem with the Scorpions. Since I didn’t know what you liked to read, we opted for several magazines and an e-reader. Download as many books you want.” He didn’t intend to tell her the e-books would be charged to his account. Covering the cost for her books wouldn’t be a hardship.

  “That’s perfect. I love to read.”

  Pleased he’d guessed right, he said, “I hope this helps make you more comfortable while we dismantle the Scorpions.”

  “I’m a low-maintenance woman with simple tastes, and I spend a lot of time by myself. As long as I can draw and spend some time outside, I’ll be fine no matter how long you and your team take.”

  Nico’s heart lurched. Mercy didn’t have a boyfriend? “You have friends, right?”

  “A handful. They have full-time jobs and families to care for. I drifted away from friends I made when I was married to Aiden. They don’t know what to say to me now that he’s gone. I think they’re afraid to talk about military family life for fear of upsetting me. When we talk, the conversations are stilted. In a world of couples, I don’t fit anymore.”

  Sympathy bloomed inside him. “I’m sorry. You not only lost your husband, you lost your friend group as well.”

  “Yes, exactly.” Mercy leaned back against the desk. “You do understand.”

  Now was the perfect opportunity to find out if she had someone special in her life. “What about a boyfriend?”

  She let out a short laugh. “No one’s expressed interest.”

  Nico blinked. “The men in Kentucky must be idiots.”

  Surprise crossed Mercy’s features. Before she could comment, Nico’s phone signaled an incoming call. He checked his screen and frowned. “You’re on speaker with Mercy,” he told Zane when he answered.

  “Good morning, Mercy. How’s the shoulder?”

  “Sore, but I’m improving. Nico and Sam are taking good care of me.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “What’s up, Z?” Nico asked.

  “Fed problems.”

  “What kind?”

  “The worst. The alphabet agencies and Secret Service want to talk to your girl.”

  Nico expected Mercy to object to the moniker and was surprised when she didn’t. “Do they know about the bounty on Mercy?”

  “Oh, yeah. They don’t care. They insist on talking to her anyway, taking a swipe at us in their demand.”

  “Let me guess. If Fortress can’t protect her, the feds will?”

  “Smart man.”

  “How long can you delay? She’s not ready for an interrogation.” If Nico had his way, she wouldn’t talk to them at all. He knew that wasn’t likely. “Tell them she’s injured and still recovering.”

  “Tried that. Didn’t fly. According to them, if she’s healthy enough to travel from Mexico to the US, she can talk to law enforcement agencies who need answers. They’re playing the national security card.”

  Of course they were. “It’s too soon.” He didn’t want her enduring an interrogation. Mercy thought she was ready. She wasn’t. The questions would continue for hours, and Nico didn’t believe her strong enough for the grueling ordeal.

  “Nico.” Mercy laid a hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine.”

  He covered her hand with his. “This isn’t a good idea. Besides the feds grilling you, we’ll have to meet them somewhere. That means finding a place secure enough to protect you.”

  “Why won’t you bring them here?”

  “Compromises the safe house,” Zane said. “Trust me, someone will notice if a bunch of obvious fedmobiles drive to and from the cabin, and report the unusual occurrence online.”

  “He’s right,” Nico said. “Zane, book us a suite at the Garden Hotel in Murfreesboro, the honeymoon suite if it’s available so Mercy can rest if she’s tired. The feds can keep themselves occupied until she’s ready to answer more questions.”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow at noon.” Not enough time for her body to recuperate, but hopefully she would rest better tonight than she had this morning. “No matter how much they push, I won’t bring her out of hiding until then. My priority is her safety and wellbeing.”

  Zane chuckled. “Maddox will take great pleasure in passing along the message. Mercy, rest as much as you can today. Tomorrow will be long and hard. I’ll be in touch, Nico.” He ended the call.

  Nico slid his phone into a pocket and turned to Mercy. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “You don’t think I can handle it?”

  He needed to tread carefully. Wouldn’t do to tick off the lady if it wasn’t necessary. “You’re not at full strength and haven’t talked to anyone about your kidnapping and cave imprisonment.”

  She flashed him a smile. “I talked to you.”

  “I’m not a counselor.”

  Her smile faded. “Did you talk to someone after your experience?”

  Nico snorted. “I didn’t have a choice. Maddox insisted.”

  “Did it help?”

  He nodded. “I still have flashbacks, but they’re not as frequent.” Why had he admitted the truth to a woman he’d known two days? Would Mercy view him as a head case?

  “I’m glad,” she murmured.

  “Would you be willing to talk to a Fortress counselor?”

  “Do you think I should?”

  “You’ll handle the interrogations better tomorrow if a counselor helps you work through the details before you tell your story to the feds.”

  “Interrogations? Plural?”

  “Oh, yeah. Each agency will take you through the story multiple times, asking different questions each time.”

  “Can’t they interview me at the same time?”

  “That’s not how it works. Each agency has their own agenda, and with feds, they don’t believe the other agency’s interrogator will get the answers everybody needs.”
r />   “Do you have a counselor in mind?”

  “He’s a good friend and counsels many of the units my teammates and I work with. He lives in Otter Creek and is friends with the man who owns this cabin. The counselor I talked to retired a few months ago. This man used to be military. He understands PTSD better than a civilian counselor would.”

  Mercy sighed. “I wanted to draw today.”

  “You’ll have time for that, too. Will you let me call and set up a video chat with him?”

  “All right.”

  Relief swept through him. Nico called Marcus Lang, the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Otter Creek. When his friend answered the phone, Nico said, “It’s Nico. You’re on speaker with a friend. Her name is Mercy.”

  “Hi, Mercy. I’m Marcus Lang. What do you need, Nico?”

  “Counseling session for my friend. She was kidnapped and tossed in a cave by terrorists.”

  A soft whistle from the pastor. “Rough. Are you in town or will this be by video chat?”

  “Video. We’re holed up in a safe house at the moment.”

  “Ah. Give me ten minutes to drive home, then contact me.”

  “Thanks, Marcus.” He turned to Mercy. “I’ll get you a bottle of water.” He inclined his head to the chair behind the desk at the computer. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll return in a minute.”

  He grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator and a box of tissues. Although she was a strong woman, the decompression process could include a round or two of tears. She hadn’t had a chance to deal with the trauma yet.

  Nico stopped Joe in the hallway. “Tell the others to stay away from the office. Mercy will be talking to Marcus in a few minutes.”

  Concern filled his friend’s eyes. “She okay?”

  “She hasn’t had a chance to process what happened to her in Mexico, and now the feds insist on interrogating her.”