“Once an agent...” Her words trailed off, a slight smile curling on her face. She leaned forward, folding her hands. “You said you needed my help. Let me guess. You buy Brax Mark’s story.”

  “Let’s just say I find him believable and honest, which is more than I can say for the majority of law enforcement I’ve come into contact with.”

  Jordan narrowed her eyes. “What are you insinuating?”

  “I’m not insinuating anything. This is reality, Jordan, and I need your expertise. I also need someone I can trust.”

  “They have something on you, the DEA, don’t they?”

  “We’re not just talking about the DEA and no, they have nothing on me. Did you know the FBI were also investigating this? Did you realize that they had special interest in Agent Brax Marks?” I allowed the words to sink in, waiting to see her reaction.

  She pursed her lips, saying nothing until the bartender dropped off the drinks and left. “As you know, there are several distinct departments within our organization.”

  “But you’re in charge from Chicago to the Pacific Ocean and almost down to Texas. Are you trying to tell me that there are cases that go over your jurisdiction and your supervision?”

  I’d never seen her look this uncomfortable.

  “That’s exactly what I’m telling you, Harper. There are certain cases the director handles himself, without consulting me in any manner.” She toyed with her martini before taking a sip.

  “Stone has certain evidence that implicates some powerful people, some kind of group who have loyalty to the Gambini family.”

  “What kinds of evidence?”

  “Names, dates, transactions. Even bank records. What he has is worth his life.”

  “You need to turn that over to the appropriate authorities.”

  I sighed, rolling my finger around the rim of my glass. “Who the hell can I trust? Stone was beaten for what he knew, allowed to escape because someone wanted him to lead them to the evidence. He won’t stay alive for long.”

  “Does that mean you know where it is?”

  “I know certain things, Jordan, but Stone isn’t talking. I need to make certain he’s kept alive and safe until I can talk some sense into him.” I allowed her to come to her own conclusions.

  She looked me up and down before nodding. “I’ll see what I can do but no promises. If this is a case being handled by the director, he’s not going to like that I’m sticking my nose into it.”

  “Yeah, I get that,” I said as I glanced over my shoulder. My instinct was kicking in, every person in the bar a potential threat in my mind. I was increasing the risk by telling Jordan anything.

  Now this was becoming a game of Russian roulette.

  “There’s one more thing. I need you to find out anything you can about a couple of people. I can’t dive deep into the background for fear of red flags, but you can.” I snagged the folded piece of paper, sliding it in her direction. “I’ll call you in a couple days to see if you found anything.”

  “What about the phone you used?”

  “I’m tossing it. Not taking a chance that someone can track me down. I’ll get another phone later.”

  Hesitating, Jordan finally eased it into her cupped hand. “You’re really worried.”

  “More than you know. They’re going to kill him.”

  “Who is they?”

  “That’s what I need to find out.” I took a full gulp of the drink, closing my eyes as the smooth liquor slid down the back of my throat. “Look, you’re like the only person I can really trust with this. I need to have some time to find out all the players, but Stone has to be protected in some way while I’m searching.”

  “You care about him. Don’t you?”

  I took another sip before I was able to look her in the eyes. “I’m in love with him and I’m going to kill anyone who attempts to hurt him.”

  She slipped the paper into her purse before pulling out some cash.

  “I got this,” I offered.

  Jordan held out her hand. “Least I can do.” She took another sip then rose to her feet. “Look, you and I didn’t always see eye to eye on things but remember everything I taught you about looks and appearances.”

  I lifted my gaze, giving her a respectful nod. That they could both be deceiving. An interesting thought from a woman who was as by the book as they came. “I understand.”

  “I’m going to give you a few pieces of advice, Harper. Be careful who you threaten and get out of this. I know you care about Stone, but he’s not worth losing your life over. No one is.”

  I listened to the sound of her heels clipping against the chipped tile floor as she left, waiting for the jingling sound of the small bell over the door before sagging against the table.

  How interesting two people with significant power had given me the same warning.

  Or maybe they were both a threat.

  I waited, finishing my drink, still trying to put the pieces together. More than anything, I needed to talk to Stone. No, I couldn’t stand not being able to talk to him.

  Or see him.

  Or drink in his essence.

  Or touch him.

  I lowered my head into my hands, allowing a single tear to slip past my lashes. That was it. I refused to allow anyone to come between us. As if there really was an ‘us.’

  I finally left the bar a few minutes later. When I got to my apartment, the sliver of light coming from the crack in the door was honestly something I’d expected. I eased the gun from my back before slowly pushing on the wooden surface.

  Every bit of my training came into play as I searched the premises, finding nothing, no sign anyone had been inside until I reached the bedroom. The single rose lying on my bed was a nice touch and an interesting signature.

  Unfortunately, the flower was dead.

  Just like I was supposed to be.

  The war was just getting started.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Stone

  There was no use wallowing in self-pity. I’d reached the end of the game. The odds of me staying alive until I reached trial were slim and nil. I was nothing but a caged rat in an infested storm sewer.

  “Look at the pretty boy over here.” The man with the husky voice, his body covered in crude tattoos swaggered toward me, parting the sea of men as if he owned the joint.

  I stood with my hands on a section of the bars, trying my best to avoid eye contact with the other prisoners. The entire jail stank of urine and sweat, disgusting in every manner; overcrowding was the norm. There were at least ten assholes in a cell meant for six.

  I had a feeling some of the baddest asses had been determined to be my cell mates. Then again, I wasn’t entirely certain of anything, including all the charges. My attorney hadn’t been that forthcoming as of yet. Sure, all the t’s had been crossed and the i’s dotted, but that was about it, the ridiculous little man citing a heavy workload as his excuse for not seeing me more often.

  I shot the jerk a hard stare, hoping he’d back off. The dude was younger than I was, but he’d seen his share of fights throughout the years.

  “Aw. I think we hurt his feelings,” the dude said, able to get at least two of the others to laugh.

  I was cranky as fuck, hadn’t had a full hour of uninterrupted sleep in four days and I was itching for a shower. The asshole picked the wrong day to piss me off. I stood to my full height, standing several inches over the majority of them. I swaggered forward, again hoping that my brawn would negate a fight.

  I was wrong.

  I went down twice, fighting my way back to a standing position, taking several swings, hitting my target every time. The beating kept coming, the various names shouted from their twisted mouths what I’d come to expect.

  Dirty cop.

  Dead meat.

  Snitch.

  Yeah, I’d heard them all.

  These bastards were no doubt members of the Red Devils or possibly sent directly from the Gambini organization. Either way, I wouldn’t last inside long without a shank being shoved into my gut.

  As the blows came fast and furious, the worst jabbing me in my kidneys, I did what I could not to break any bones. That was all I committed myself to. The hard punch I gave the first guy tossed him against the bars, the sound finally forcing one of the doors leading to the outside world to open, cops running inside.

  “What the fuck?” one of the cops barked.

  The yelling coming from the prisoners echoed in the space, the hard pounding picking up in intensity even as the guards attempted to open the doors and break up the fight. That’s when I heard Parker’s voice.

  “Get him the hell out of here and keep those animals locked down!” Parker snapped.

  Suddenly two arms grabbed me, dragging me out of the cell. Even though one eye was already swollen, I was able to see the smug look on Parker’s face. I hated the man with a passion.

  I struggled as the cops kept their hold, ready to give Parker a piece of my mind. I was finally dumped into one of the interrogation rooms, Parker following behind me. What was surprising was that neither cop had forced handcuffs on my wrists. I laughed and rubbed my eye, wiping the blood on my ugly orange regulation inmate wear. “What the fuck do you want, Parker? We have nothing to talk about.”

  “I think we do, Brax. Or should I call you Stone like your girlfriend does?”

  The question riled me and I reacted, shooting him a nasty glare as I took two long strides in his direction, ready to slam him against the wall. I realized at the last second he was probably counting on my bad behavior. “Leave her out of this. She’s nothing to me.”

  “Uh-huh. You forget how well I know you.” Parker took a step away, leaning over the table in the middle of the room. “She cares a hell of a lot about you, Brax. She doesn’t want to see you get hurt or railroaded. She’s one tough lady.”

  I had tried not to think about her, but all I could do was see her face, hear her voice inside my head. “Is she... all right?”

  “She’s already given me the riot act,” he said, laughing. “Seriously, we need to talk.”

  I noticed his glance toward the mirror. He didn’t want us to be bothered. I had to admit, I was curious what he was going to say. “Fine. Let’s talk.”

  “Need to get you cleaned up first. I’m taking you to the infirmary. Then we’ll have a frank discussion.”

  I would ordinarily fight any offer the man made, but I sighed then gave him a single nod. This should prove to be interesting.

  I was led by two cops into the infirmary, Parker immediately having some kind of discussion with the doctor on call before coming in and closing the door.

  “We have some time,” Parker said, tossing me a towel before folding his arms and leaning against the door.

  “What do you want? I’m done and we both know it.”

  “I think that depends on you. I hear you copped to everything. The murders. The kidnapping. All of it. Why?”

  I looked away, taking the time to wipe the blood from my face. “I have no other choice.”

  “I think this is about protecting Harper, which is admirable but stupid.”

  “I told you. Leave her the fuck out of this.”

  “And she’s not going to allow that to happen, Brax. Get that through your head. She’s going to fight the system, including the entire Gambini family until she gets answers. She’s making accusations and threats involving members of our police department, the DEA, and the freaking governor for that matter. How long do you think she’s going to live?”

  I was sick to my stomach, wanting nothing more than to have her in my arms and... And... Fuck! “What the hell is going on here, Parker?”

  “You tell me.”

  “Don’t do that shit to me. I did my job. I went undercover for months dealing with the El Capitan’s cruelty, securing evidence linking the Red Devils directly to the Gambini family. I have inside information about drug deals as well as prominent dealers. I was prepared to hand everything over on the day the agents were killed and I was arrested.”

  “You hid it, didn’t you?” Parker had an incredulous look on his face.

  I chuckled at the question. “If you’re talking about the evidence, you’re damn straight I did.”

  “How? You were arrested within minutes.”

  I laughed as I walked closer, staring straight into his pupils. “Isn’t that interesting how that happened, an entire SWAT team showing up maybe two minutes after the bullets began to fly. Do you think maybe an anonymous call was made prior to the gun battle even ensuing? Maybe that was you?”

  Parker stared at me as if he’d never put the timing together. “I didn’t do that, Brax. I’m on your side. Where is this evidence?”

  “Somewhere in Washington State along with enough evidence on several major players in town that I could have them put away for life. You see, I did my homework and the El Capitan for as smart as he was liked to brag like nobody’s business. He still to this day expects that he’s going to become a made man, set for life. I didn’t have the heart to break it to him that the Gambini family was just using him. Carmine Gambini only cares about his immediate family.”

  “Yeah, that’s true.”

  “But when the El Capitan drank, he talked, and I listened.”

  “Then we need to get this evidence here,” he said, far too much eagerness on his face.

  “So I can be killed? Negative, Parker. I’m going to hold onto the location as a bargaining chip. Now, you’re going to make certain that you steer Harper in another direction. I don’t care how you do it, but you’re going to find a way or I’ll have a chat with the press, perhaps paying someone to retrieve this beautiful bundle of evidence for their shot at major success.”

  Parker exhaled. “I know you don’t have faith in anyone, but I’ll tell you the same thing I told Harper. You’re going to have to trust me. I’m the only man who can keep you alive.”

  “Oh, yeah? Sorry if I have difficulty believing you.” I purposely took two steps back, grinning at him.

  “I know why Harper was fired.”

  He threw the words out there, as if they should matter.

  “She was trying to protect a young woman and her job got in the way,” I said with no inflection, although I’d had a feeling that the moment she’d killed the drug dealer, she’d become involved in whatever game this really was.

  “Let’s just say that her involvement in tracking you or in her obtaining the job as a bounty hunter wasn’t an accident or a coincidence.”

  Within seconds, my hand was wrapped around his throat. “You had better tell me what you’re getting at, Parker, or I swear to God, I will find a way to kill you.”

  My old partner knew better than to challenge me. He threw up his hands, his eyes never leaving mine.

  I eased back, shocked that there weren’t two officers storming the room. After taking several deep breaths, I rubbed my eyes, uncertain of what the fuck to say to the man.

  “I know you care about her, Brax, but don’t lose your head over this. There are too many pieces not adding up and no, I haven’t been able to figure them out, but Harper is definitely one of the keys. Every law enforcement agency has a piece of this and you’re smack in the middle. I’m beginning not to know the players from the good guys,” Parker said in an exasperated tone. “By the way, you can tell her that her assumptions are right.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The plane. The crash. The pilot is alive.”

  Stunned, I had no idea what to say or how to react. “What? That. Fucking. Bastard.”

  “Yeah, that’s some balls there. The guy is pretty banged up, but he’ll live.”

  I was shaking from anger, realizing that it was likely our location had been known from day one.

  “I’m checking on the Washington sheriff now. That girl of yours is smart. Might want to think about hiring her.” Parker grinned, as if this was merely just another case that would be solved with hard work.

  “Just remember what I said, Parker. Keep her out of everything and you might get a huge promotion out of all of this.” I snickered at the thought.

  “There’s a lot more you need to know,” he said, refusing to back down. “And you’re going to listen.”

  He rattled off additional information, some of which I had difficulty believing. Then again, the pieces were beginning to fall into place.

  Parker shook his head before leaving the room. I turned around, slamming my hands on the examination table, tossing everything I could get my hands on. What the hell else could the bastards do to me? I no longer gave a shit.

  When I heard the door, I bristled. “Haven’t you said enough, Parker? I’m through with the bullshit.”

  “I hope that doesn’t mean you’re really through with me.”

  My entire body became tense, a cold chill racing down my spine. Even her words rang in my ears. I turned around, blinking several times in an effort to shove away the emotion crawling through every cell in my body. “Why are you here?”

  “Because I had to see you. Because I couldn’t stay away.” She inched closer, pressing her hand against her mouth. “What happened? Oh, God. I could kill the bastards!”

  I held my ground, trying not to react. “It’s nothing.”

  “Bullshit. Those assholes inside the cage hurt you. Why?”

  “You know why,” I managed, forcing myself to look away.

  “Well, I’m going to find a way to get you out of here. Parker assured me that he’s going to place you in protective custody.”

  “Right. As if you could believe a word that fucker has to say.”

  Harper huffed, shaking her head. “There are very few options right now. We backed ourselves into a corner.”

  “There’s no we, sweetheart.” I could barely manage to get the words out of my mouth.

  “Don’t play that game with me, Stone. I heard what you said in Montana and also know you’re full of crap.” Her lower lip quivered as she fisted her hands. “Our connection is strong, electrifying. We have to work together. We can do this.”

  “I told you that you mean nothing to me. Get out of here,” I said with absolutely no conviction. Her face was ashen, her hands shaking as she walked toward me. I’d never felt so low, worthless in my life.