The Protective Warrior Read online

  “They’ll be fine,” Isaac said.

  MacKenzie didn’t even want to respond. Because of her, Isaac’s entire family was in upheaval.

  They rode for about an hour. There was no moon and the stars weren’t much help. It was such a dark night that although her eyes adjusted she could still only see shadows and the horse underneath her. She shivered and wished she’d put her sweatshirt on. There were no muggy summer nights in the mountains of Colorado. It was probably fifty degrees and her hands felt like they were turning to ice cubes as she gripped the reins.

  She wondered if Isaac had gotten lost, but then he said, “Whoa,” to his horse and her horse stopped also. She heard his boots hit the ground then he was at her side, reaching out to her. MacKenzie swung her leg over and gratefully accepted his help to the ground. Her legs were rubbery and buckled underneath her.

  “Sorry.” Isaac held her close. “You’re probably exhausted.”

  “Don’t you ever be sorry for saving my life,” MacKenzie spit back at him.

  Isaac laughed softly. “I’m not sorry to be here with you.” He kept his arm around her waist and directed her through the darkness, across what must’ve been a small yard and up some porch steps. MacKenzie felt her way through the dimness with him. He opened the door and helped her to a wooden chair. A few seconds later he struck a match and lit a lantern. MacKenzie looked around at the cabin, grateful to be able to take in the world again. It was one open room with the kitchen and living room connected. There were some doors at the back that she assumed were bedrooms or maybe a bathroom, and a winding staircase to a loft.

  “There’s no power, but we have water that runs from a pressurized spring so the toilet at least flushes and we don’t have to haul water. It might get a little chilly tonight, but I don’t dare light a fire.”

  “It’s great.” It was already chilly, but she wasn’t going to complain. She didn’t need electricity if she could be with Isaac and be safe.

  “I’ll be right back.” Isaac went outside and came back with their bags. “Are you ready for bed?”

  MacKenzie nodded, though she didn’t know if she’d sleep. He took her hand. “Your hands are freezing.” He covered both of her hands with one of his and MacKenzie let his warmth seep into her. His eyes grazed over her in the dim light of the lantern and she wished he’d hold her close for comfort and more, but he broke her gaze and led her into one of the bedrooms. A double bed was all made up like it was waiting for her.

  “Things might be a little dusty. We try to wash the bedding every time we come and hang it out to dry. When mom was alive, she’d haul it all down to the house and wash everything up, but dad and I aren’t that ambitious.”

  “It’s great. We can do laundry tomorrow. Give us something to do.”

  Isaac shifted from foot to foot and dropped her hand. He set her bag down then studied her with an almost frightening intensity. MacKenzie was certain he wanted to tell her something, but he simply said, “I’ll, um, see you in the morning. Let me know if you need anything. The bathroom’s right next to you and I’m just in the other bedroom if you need anything.”

  “Thank you,” MacKenzie said. She waited until he shut the door then slipped out of her shoes, fished her sweatshirt out of her bag and pulled it on then lay down on the bed fully clothed. She didn’t brush her teeth or wash her face and she didn’t even care. Her energy was gone as she finally felt safe. Safe in a cabin somewhere in the mountains. Crazy. But it was Isaac. The guns she’d seen strapped to his saddle didn’t hurt either. She wished he could’ve just held her through the night, but being alone like this she didn’t want to push any boundaries.

  Saying a prayer on her back because she was too tired to even crawl to her knees, she drifted off to sleep hoping things wouldn’t be awkward with her and Isaac now. Why hadn’t he said whatever he’d wanted to say and why hadn’t he kissed her goodnight? Silly things to worry about when the FBI presumed her dead, Tureen was probably still around, Klein might be gone, and Solomon Squire was coming after her.

  Isaac plowed up the mountain, MacKenzie staying close behind him. His arms and legs were plastered with spider’s silk. It wasn’t easy hiking with the trail he’d used so many times being overgrown, but it was doable and he loved that MacKenzie could keep up with him so easily. His last girlfriend, Celeste, would’ve shown up for a hike in heels and expected him to carry her.

  Last night had lasted much too long as he hadn’t been able to sleep much worrying about MacKenzie’s safety and this awkwardness that had settled between them when they’d gotten to the cabin. He wanted to tell her how protective he felt of her and that he thought he was falling in love with her, but it didn’t seem to be a great idea with the two of them alone and her so vulnerable. He probably should’ve reassured her that he wouldn’t bring her to an isolated spot to take advantage of her if that was what she was worrying about, but it was probably more that she was just scared to death. Anyone would be with a known crime lord after them and the betrayal of an FBI agent making them lose trust in the system.

  The higher they climbed the lighter the air seemed to feel, literally and figuratively. It was a cool morning so his fingertips were stiff, but his back was sweating from the hard climb. They finished the last few switchbacks and reached the summit that overlooked the beautiful valley of Crested Butte. MacKenzie sighed and it sounded like a happy sigh.

  “It’s so pretty.”

  Isaac nodded. “I love this perspective.”

  “Maybe we should just stay here. I feel safe and I can see for miles around so I’ll know if anyone is coming after me.”

  Isaac glanced down at her beautiful face. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “It does feel safe up here, doesn’t it? But I promise you, Mac, the cabin is very safe and no one is going to get past me, or my dad and Josh.” He knew that was a big claim, but he’d fight next to his dad and Josh anytime. If only Cal could come, without Haley and Taz, he’d really feel the odds were in their favor. Cal was a former soldier and had been a security expert for his billionaire buddy before he became a billionaire himself.

  “Thanks,” she murmured, not sounding a hundred percent convinced.

  Isaac pulled his arm back and called his dad first. Of course there was no preamble. “Everything’s quiet here,” his dad said. “I got the herd fed. I’m patrolling the property and getting the ammo and guns lined up.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “You bet it is. I hope they come soon.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Be careful.”

  His dad snorted and hung up on him. Isaac let out a strangled laugh. “The guy is nuts.”

  “Is he afraid?” MacKenzie’s voice cracked.

  “Oh, no. He thinks this is a party.”

  “Oh, Isaac. He doesn’t know. What if they do that to your dad, what they did to …” Her voice quavered. “That man?”

  Isaac’s gut tightened at the thought of what that man must’ve gone through and the possibility of someone hurting his dad. He still missed his mom and didn’t know what he’d do if he lost his dad too.

  “Is there anyone else who can help him?” she begged.

  “Let me call Josh and see what he’s learned, then I’ll see about some reinforcements.” He hated to bother Cal days before his wedding, but this was MacKenzie’s life they were talking about. And maybe his father’s. Cal would help. He knew it.

  “Hey,” Josh answered on the first ring. “No sign of Squire. I’m getting a bit of run around from the FBI. They won’t tell me status on Tureen, but I did find out through some back channels that Klein survived. He’s still in the hospital. I’ll try to figure out what hospital and see if I can’t contact him directly.”

  “Okay. I’m thinking of asking Cal to come stay with my dad.”

  “That’s a great idea, but keep Haley and Taz away.”

  “You know Cal will be with me on that one, and luckily he’ll be the one who has to deal with Haley.”

  Josh laughed.
“Check back in tonight and be safe.” Josh hung up.

  Isaac glanced over at MacKenzie as he pressed Cal’s phone number. She gripped her hands tightly together, watching him instead of the scenery. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

  “Hey, Isaac,” Cal called out happily. “Your sister’s going to be ticked that you’re calling me instead of her.”

  Isaac laughed, but it sounded uneasy even to him. “Give her a hug from me.”

  “Happy to give her lots of hugs, but we’ll be there soon and you can give her your own.”

  “Um, Cal, we need to change the plan.”

  “Back up?”

  “MacKenzie’s in trouble. She witnessed a murder and was in protective custody. An FBI agent betrayed the operation and shot another agent, and she ran. That’s why she came here.”

  MacKenzie’s eyes brightened. Isaac took her hand and squeezed it gently. She turned her head away and swiped her fingers over her cheek.

  “Whoa. So you need me?” He sounded as excited as Isaac’s dad had to play warrior.

  “Yes. Dad’s at the house, watching for the guy who’s after her, a Solomon Squire, crime lord out of Chicago. He flew into Denver yesterday but is now unaccounted for. We think he might’ve traced her connection to Haley. Can you keep Haley and Taz away?”

  “Yep. I’m going to send them with Maryn and Alyssa, somewhere safe, and I’ll get Beck and Tuck to come with me.”

  “Really?” Isaac’s hope spiked. That was an army that few people would mess with. From the stories Cal had shared with him, Tuck not only had resources and knowledge, but had been through Afghanistan with Cal and knew death and fighting. Beck was a tough guy who’d played hockey in the NHL. Scars and fighting were a way of life for him.

  “You’re not with your dad?” Cal asked.

  “No. We went to the hunting cabin.”

  “Gotcha. Keep MacKenzie safe and we’ll be there in a few hours.”

  “Thanks. I can’t tell you what this means.”

  “Really?” Cal’s voice deepened. “You got the hots for Haley’s friend?”

  Isaac couldn’t help but laugh and tug MacKenzie closer. “Definitely.” She looked at him like he was crazy. “I’ll call you again tonight when I hike up for coverage.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Isaac didn’t envy Cal the battle he would have keeping Haley away from the situation, but he knew she would do it to protect Taz.

  “The wedding?” MacKenzie asked, her lips drooping.

  Isaac hugged her. “Oh, sweetheart. No one cares about the wedding.”

  “Haley sure does!”

  “The wedding will happen once we know you’re safe. It’ll be fine. Cal’s bringing Tuck and Beck with him.”

  She drew back and stared at him with wide eyes. “What about Maryn, Alyssa, Haley, and Taz?”

  “They’ll get them somewhere safe.”

  “Isaac, I can’t handle so many great men being in danger for my sake.”

  “Am I a great man?” He was no billionaire or experienced combat man like the other three, but he would do everything in his power to protect her.

  She thumped her hand against his chest. “You know you are.”

  “Maybe you should give me a kiss or something to thank me for putting myself in danger.”

  MacKenzie smiled, stood on tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Isaac pulled her in and enjoyed every second of their connection. Their lips were still a centimeter apart when she whispered, “How am I going to thank all those other men?”

  His gut tightened with jealousy. “Their wives can kiss them to thank them for protecting their friend.”

  She tilted her head to the side and smiled coyly. “What about your dad and Josh?”

  “Don’t you even think about kissing either of them,” he grunted out with a low growl.

  She batted her eyelashes then let out a cute little giggle. Isaac loved the sound and the flirtation. He kissed her soundly again, feeling much better than he had in the past twelve hours. Everything was going to be okay. He knew it.

  13

  The rest of the day was a contrast of emotions. Worry for Trevor, Josh, and her friends’ husbands nagged at MacKenzie, but being with Isaac was wonderful and almost took her mind off the nightmare her life had become.

  In some ways she wished Squire would show up so the waiting and apprehension would end. Isaac was so positive that Squire didn’t stand a chance against Cal, Tucker, and Beck, but she couldn’t stand the thought of one of them being hurt. She thought about Haley, Taz, Maryn, and Alyssa and her heart would drop, then Isaac would distract her with playing some crazy card game or tease her out of her worries.

  It was nearing dusk when they finished their simple dinner of pork and beans and canned peaches. They’d hiked up to the summit again a couple of hours ago and everyone had reassured them there was no sign of Squire and everything was going to be okay. Isaac and MacKenzie sat in the porch swing, holding hands as she shared some of the hilarious things her second graders had said to her.

  “I bet all the little boys are in love with you,” Isaac teased.

  “Of course they are.” She flipped her hair and then threw her hand on her hip.

  Isaac chuckled. “So I have lots of competition.”

  “You have no idea.” She lowered her eyelashes, feeling suddenly shy. They’d been so comfortable around each other all day and him touching her, while still sending thrills through her nervous system, was becoming a little bit familiar, but he hadn’t kissed her since this morning’s hike.

  “I’d better make sure to be more impressive than the competition.”

  MacKenzie glanced up at him. He trailed his hands through her hair and to her shoulders. His green eyes sparkled at her as he slowly lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers. He took his time and she reveled in the movement of his mouth and hands. The crickets chirping in the background, the stream trickling by, and the porch swing all disappeared. There was only her and Isaac. MacKenzie wrapped her hands around his biceps and held on.

  He pulled back and grinned at her. “Was that as good as some Chicago city boy?”

  MacKenzie tried to slow her breathing. “I thought you were competing with my second graders, but you want to take on the whole city of Chicago?”

  Isaac nodded, tracing his thumb along her jaw. MacKenzie paused as if to consider, but when his face got too serious, she had to admit. “I think you could best anyone in the world with a kiss like that.”

  He grinned and bent to kiss her again, but suddenly stopped. His head whipped around and he grabbed her by the waist and threw her toward the cabin door.

  “What—” MacKenzie cried out.

  Isaac ripped the door open and shoved her inside just as gunshots shattered the peaceful night. She screamed and rolled behind the door, covering her head with her hands. The door slammed behind Isaac, more gunshots dinging into the wooden exterior. She searched him for blood, but couldn’t see anything.

  “Are you okay?” she gasped out.

  He nodded tersely just as the picture window overlooking the front porch shattered. Isaac grabbed her hand and tugged her to her feet. “We’ve got to move!”

  They ran through the cabin and into Isaac’s bedroom. The window was already open. He flipped the screen out, caught her around the waist, and lifted her out. Her feet touched the ground and a second later he’d jumped out to join her. There were still gunshots barraging the front of the cabin. Hopefully they hadn’t come around back yet or entered to see their prey was gone.

  Isaac took her hand and they sprinted into the forest toward the trail they’d taken twice to make phone calls. MacKenzie wanted to ask him what his plan was, but couldn’t catch a breath with the pace they were keeping. Luckily, there was no moon like last night so it was dark enough maybe Squire and his men wouldn’t be able to track them. A cold fear grabbed her gut. She’d heard the FBI agents saying these guys had top of the line equipment. They probab
ly had infrared scopes. If they did, she and Isaac had an even bigger disadvantage. Oh, they were so dead!

  She suddenly realized she hadn’t heard any shooting behind them for a few minutes. Had they put that much distance behind them or had the men stopped shooting since they’d realized they weren’t in the cabin anymore?

  Her legs burned as they raced for the summit. Bushes and tree limbs batted at her and she kept rubbing at her face that felt like it was covered with spider webs. She didn’t know if they were on the trail or just plowing straight up the mountain. The incline needed to stop. It was vicious. Even though she worked out hard every day, they’d climbed this twice today with very little sleep last night and the fear was sapping energy. Whatever happened to the adrenaline that was supposed to kick in and help you go faster?

  They reached the summit and Isaac whipped out his phone. “You okay?” he whispered while the call connected.

  “Um, no?”

  “They hit you?” Isaac’s voice pitched up in fear.

  “No, just scared,” she panted out.

  He squeezed her hand then muttered, “Come on, Cal, pick up.”

  MacKenzie could hear something moving through the brush below them. “Isaac!” She grabbed onto his arm and pulled him down. Luckily he went with the motion or she wouldn’t have been able to budge him. Bullets whizzed through the air and pinged into the trees.

  “Follow me,” Isaac whispered.

  He crawled through the underbrush and she trailed his movements, rocks and twigs scratching at her face and arms.

  The bullet barrage stopped and a smooth voice called out from much too close by, “MacKenzie? Why do you keep running, love?”

  MacKenzie’s entire body shuddered. She’d heard that same voice that fateful night. He’d said things in his honey tongue as nicely as could be, while he and his brother tortured that man.

  “Who’s your friend?”

  Feet treaded through the underbrush toward them. MacKenzie kept crawling, but couldn’t imagine any scenario where they escaped. Solomon Squire was going to find them, have his fun with them, and then, if they were lucky, put a bullet in their brains. Oh, why had she gotten Isaac into this? Were all the other men who’d come to protect her already dead? Tears leaked out of her eyes. This was all her fault. She never should’ve come to Crested Butte.