Guarded by the Soldier Read online

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  Ryker’s gut was twisted in knots, although he did his best to hide the tension. The last thing he needed was for Olivia to pick up on his concern.

  He desperately wanted to meet up with Duncan and Mike. The two men flanking his six would make him feel much better. While Aaron had run around chasing butterflies, he’d secretly watched the highway, trying to decide which of the black SUVs that went past might be the mercenaries.

  The vehicles whizzed past without slowing, so he felt certain they were safe.

  But ditching the tan sedan was still a top priority.

  The vehicle ran well enough, eating the miles to Bloomington, with flat, boring countryside whizzing past them. He preferred woods or mountains that were nice to look at while providing cover, but the lack of cover went both ways.

  And hopefully they’d be back in Wisconsin in the next day or so.

  He passed the first few Bloomington exits, searching for something a bit more remote. Maybe the north side of town, where they’d be just a little closer to their ultimate destination.

  Olivia shifted in her seat, and he knew she was uncomfortable sitting for so long.

  “Almost there,” he assured her.

  “There, where?” The smile that curved her lips made his breath catch in his throat. She was stunning when she smiled, and he told himself he was a jerk for even thinking of her as an attractive woman.

  Not only was she pregnant but he’d helped kill her brother and the father of her children. The fact that she didn’t seem to blame him was humbling. Still, he knew more of the grim details than she did. “Keep your eyes peeled for something farther off the interstate. Something that won’t be easy to target.”

  “Not easy to target.” She paled and he inwardly smacked himself for using such a blunt term. “Okay, then.”

  “Use my phone to find something small and outside the city proper.”

  “I found a motel that advertises two-bedroom suites for a decent price,” she said to him a few minutes later. “Take the second exit.”

  He did and found the place. It wasn’t a highly rated motel, but it would work. After pulling up near the lobby, he took his phone and called Duncan to let him know where they were.

  “Got it. We’re finally past the accident scene, so we should make good time from here.”

  “Great.” He couldn’t hide the relief. Soon he’d have more than enough backup. “See you soon.”

  He booked a suite on the first floor for easy access. He paid in cash, but was forced to use a credit card for incidental expenses. He convinced the manager not to run the card until they checked out by giving him another fifty bucks.

  The suite was a bit musty, but overall clean. He carried the car seat and Olivia’s bag in and set them near the doorway. Aaron was thrilled to be out of his car seat, running around the room with his new toys. Olivia stretched out on top of the bed with a low groan.

  “Where are my ankles?” She looked down toward her elevated feet with a forlorn expression. “I had them a month ago, but now they’ve disappeared.”

  He wasn’t sure how to respond, so he changed the subject. “Are you hungry? I can grab us something to eat while we wait for the guys to arrive.”

  “I’m always hungry, but it feels like we should wait for the guys.”

  “They won’t mind. There’s a fast-food restaurant across the street. I’ll pick up something to go.”

  She didn’t look thrilled, but pushed herself upright. “Okay.”

  He didn’t want to leave her alone, but he could see how tired she was. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you rest for a bit? Just tell me what you’d like, and I’ll head over with Aaron.”

  She hesitated, uncertainty shadowing her gaze. Finally, she nodded. “Thanks. I’ll have a grilled-chicken sandwich if they have it. Otherwise a cheeseburger.”

  “Grilled chicken.” He nodded and held out his hand toward Aaron. “Ready to take a walk?”

  For the first time, the child hung back, as if he wasn’t sure about leaving with a stranger. Ryker was glad the boy was wary, but didn’t like the idea of scaring him.

  “Go on, Aaron,” Liv encouraged. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

  “All right. But can I get a toy?”

  “Sure.” He felt certain there would be a toy in the kid’s meal.

  Aaron crossed over and put his small hand in Ryker’s. The trust in Aaron’s gaze was nearly his undoing. He couldn’t stand the idea of the little boy and his pregnant mother being in danger.

  They needed to track down the men in charge of the Blake-Moore Group, and soon.

  Outside, the warm early June sun was still high in the sky. He swept his gaze around the motel parking lot before heading out toward the restaurant.

  He didn’t think they’d been followed, but couldn’t shake the impending sense of doom. Maybe once Duncan and Mike arrived, he’d be able to relax a bit.

  The line was long at the height of the dinner hour. While he and Aaron waited, the kid changed his mind several times before settling on chicken strips.

  When he had their meals and more bottles of water securely tucked into the to-go bags, he took Aaron’s hand again and walked him back over to the motel. Still nothing appeared out of place, but he hoped Duncan and Mike would get there soon.

  He entered the suite and tiptoed across the main living area to the bedroom where Olivia had been resting. She was asleep. The peaceful expression on her face was like a sucker punch to the gut.

  She deserved to look that restful every day. Not chased by jerks with guns.

  “Mommy?”

  “Shh.” He put a finger to his lips while closing the door. He steered the boy toward the television. “Let’s unpack your meal, then find something for you to watch, okay?”

  “Okay.” Aaron knelt in front of the coffee table, waiting for him to place the chicken strips, French fries and carton of chocolate milk in front of him. The toy was a plastic lion, but Aaron pounced on it. “Mustafa!”

  “Sure, kid.” He had no clue who that was, but was grateful Aaron was happy. He found a children’s channel on the television and gestured to the table. “Eat your food, okay?”

  “Okay.” Aaron chomped on a French fry.

  Ryker sat on a chair near the door, instinctively taking the defensive position, and quickly ate his meal.

  His phone vibrated, and he picked up Duncan’s call. “Are you close?”

  “Ten minutes. Do you need something to eat?”

  “We’re good. Just grabbed something from across the street. But pick up something for yourselves. Once you get here, we’ll need to find a place to ditch the sedan. It’s not safe to have it nearby.”

  “Okay, make that fifteen minutes, then, so we can swing by and get food.”

  “Not a problem.” Ryker smiled as he disconnected from the call. It felt good to have backup so close.

  “Ryker?” Olivia’s sleepy voice came from the doorway. He swung around to face her, relieved that the color had returned to her cheeks. “I didn’t hear you return.”

  “You needed the rest.” He stood and gestured to a chair near Aaron. “Have a seat. I’ll get your food.”

  “Thank you.” She’d finished her meal by the time Duncan and Mike arrived.

  “Thanks for coming, guys. Olivia, this is Duncan O’Hare and Mike Callahan.” He gestured to the two men. “Duncan is a cop and former soldier who served with me in Afghanistan, but Mike is just a cop.” He cocked a brow toward Mike, letting him know he was teasing.

  “Just a cop.” Mike let out a snort. “Gee, thanks. It’s nice to meet you, Olivia.”

  “Yes, it is,” Duncan chimed in. “Ryker, are you ready to roll out to ditch the car?”

  “Sure.” He gestured toward Mike. “Would you mind staying here with Olivia and Aaron?”
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  “Are you sure you trust me? After all, I’m just a private investigator turned cop.”

  “Yeah, I trust you.” One of the things Ryker had missed after leaving the army was this brotherly ribbing. Having no siblings of his own, he’d enjoyed the camaraderie of the men who’d fought beside him. “We won’t be long.”

  “I think I can handle it,” Mike said dryly.

  Ryker nodded at Olivia before leaving the motel. He drove the tan sedan to a strip mall he’d remembered seeing on the way in. Leaving the car behind gave him a measure of satisfaction.

  One less way for the Blake-Moore Group to track them down.

  Back at the motel, he drew the two men aside to fill them in on everything that had taken place in the past twenty-four hours.

  “Blake-Moore strikes again.” Mike scowled. “Hawk I could understand. After all, he’d witnessed a crime. But coming after a pregnant woman and her son? What kind of threat are they?”

  “I don’t know.” Ryker glanced between the two men. “I’d like to move again tonight, but Olivia is exhausted. I’m afraid to push her too far. If she goes into premature labor...”

  Duncan and Mike exchanged a glance. “I think we’re safe here,” Duncan said. “We’re armed. We can take care of anything that comes up.”

  “Yeah. That’s good.” Ryker relaxed for what felt like the first time in hours. His head still throbbed, as did the wound on his thigh, but he didn’t care. “I need to hit the shower and get a couple hours of sleep, but I can take the second watch.”

  “Go.” Duncan waved a hand. “I’ve got first watch and Mike can take the second watch. You’re no good to us if you’re not one hundred percent.”

  Ryker nodded, knowing they were right.

  A hot shower did wonders to ease his pain. The wound on his thigh didn’t look too terrible. If it got worse, he’d pick up gauze and antibacterial ointment.

  He fell into a deep sleep, secure in the knowledge that Mike and Duncan were watching over things.

  But then a loud thudding noise brought him upright. He blinked, trying to get his bearings.

  Another thud, then a muffled shout. He shot off the bed and grabbed his weapon.

  Blake-Moore had found them!

  SEVEN

  A thud woke Olivia from a sound sleep. Had someone fallen? She pried open her eyes and peered at the cheap alarm clock on the nightstand.

  Two in the morning. She glanced down at Aaron who was curled next to her. The noise hadn’t woken him.

  Another thud and a muffled shout sent fear spiking through her body. What in the world was going on?

  She slid out of bed, steadying herself with a hand on the wall. Her bladder urged her toward the bathroom, but before she could take a step, she heard a sharp report.

  A gunshot?

  No! Please, Lord, help us! She bent over and scooped Aaron into her arms, although she wasn’t sure where to go or what to do. Where was Ryker? Duncan? Mike?

  She had no weapon of any sort. Not that she’d know what to do with one anyway. There was a bathroom within the suite, so she went inside, locked the door and glanced around, her thoughts whirling.

  The Blake-Moore Group must have found her. Again. She wanted to cry, to rant and scream in frustration, but forced herself to swallow the cries burning the back of her throat.

  Think. Think! Her gaze landed on the toilet. The motel hadn’t been updated in years, and the toilet tank was similar to the one she had at home, with a heavy ceramic cover on it.

  “Mommy?” Aaron raised his head, rubbing at his eyes.

  “Shh. We have to be quiet.” Olivia set him down in the bathtub, the safest place she could think of. “Stay here, okay?”

  “I don’t wanna.” His lower lip trembled and she was very much afraid that he’d begin wailing at any moment.

  She lifted her heart in prayer. God, please protect us!

  “Mommy?” Her son lifted his arms toward her, his gaze begging.

  “Shh. Please, Aaron. I need you to be quiet. We don’t want the bad guys to find us.” She hated scaring him but was more worried about what would happen if he cried loud enough to draw attention. She quickly lifted the heavy porcelain cover off the tank and held it over her head, positioning herself behind the door.

  If anyone came inside, she’d whack him over the head, hopefully with enough force to knock him unconscious.

  Time passed in slow motion. The noises coming from the main suite area concerned her. What if something happened to Mike and Duncan?

  To Ryker?

  Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest and her arm muscles quivered beneath the weight of the toilet tank lid. She blinked back tears, trying to convince herself that Ryker would survive.

  That they would all survive.

  “Olivia? Are you in there?” Ryker’s familiar voice made her knees go weak.

  Thank You, God!

  “Yes, we’re in the bathroom.” She lowered the lid of the toilet tank and moved out from behind the door. After setting the tank cover back in place, she opened the door, grateful beyond belief to see Ryker standing there. “What happened? Is everyone all right?”

  “Yeah, but we need to hit the road.” His face was drawn into tight lines, his gaze grim. “Now.”

  “They found us?” Silly question, since she knew they must have. “How?”

  Ryker slowly shook his head. “They must have followed us. I didn’t see them, but they must have had a line on our vehicle. Get your things together.”

  “Okay.” She didn’t need to be told twice. She quickly used the bathroom, then carried Aaron back into the bedroom. Her zebra bag was in the main living space, and she only had the one set of clothes, so there wasn’t anything to grab other than Aaron’s plastic lion and toy plane.

  When she stepped into the suite, she stopped abruptly, her gaze landing on the two men dressed in black lying on the floor. One of them was bleeding badly; the other didn’t show any signs of blood.

  “Are they dead?” She couldn’t help asking.

  “Just one of them.” Ryker’s voice was low and harsh, as if it pained him to know that one of the men had died.

  Mike and Duncan were tying the wrists of the guy who wasn’t bleeding. The man let out a low moan and she knew then that he’d only been knocked out.

  Not dead. Like the other.

  Nausea swirled and she did her best to stave it off. Ryker had the zebra bag over his shoulder, watching as Mike and Duncan hauled the guy up and into a chair.

  Ryker leaned close. “Who sent you?”

  The man stirred, but didn’t say a word. His eyes remained closed, and she couldn’t tell if he was only pretending or if he was semiconscious.

  Ryker gave him a hard shake. “Wake up! Who sent you?”

  Still nothing. The man’s eyes remained shut, his head lolling to the side. She felt sick, realizing he likely had a head injury of some sort.

  Which wasn’t good, but was better than being dead.

  Mike and Duncan stood back, watching, their expressions grim. She shifted Aaron in her arms. “Come on, Ryker. Let’s just go.”

  He ignored her. “What does Blake-Moore want with Olivia?” he asked the intruder.

  “Nuther.” The word was mumbled in a way that made it difficult for her to understand. The man’s eyes were still closed, but he frowned as if confused about what was happening.

  “Nothing? Don’t tell me nothing. Why are you here?” Ryker shook him again. “What do you want with her?”

  “Nub...ber...” His voice trailed off again, his jaw hanging slack.

  If it was an act, it was a good one. Her stomach swirled again and she had to swallow hard to stop from throwing up.

  “Ryker, we need to get out of here.” Duncan stepped forward. “They could have called for additional support from th
e mercenary group. Or the noise may have drawn attention from the local police. We can’t stick around.”

  “Fine.” Ryker left the man on the chair and stood, raking a hand over his hair. “Let’s go.”

  Liv headed toward the door, but Ryker stopped her with a hand on her arm. His voice was kind now. “Let me carry Aaron.”

  “All right.” She handed her son over. By this time, Aaron was used to being in Ryker’s arms and didn’t protest.

  Instead, her little boy snuggled against Ryker’s chest, sucking on his thumb again, as if instinctively knowing he was safer there with Ryker than anywhere else.

  Duncan led the way outside. Ryker remained behind Duncan, with Mike covering her back. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if they came upon other men from the Blake-Moore Group. How much more could they take?

  She straightened her spine and shook off the overwhelming sense of despair. They were alive, which was the most important thing right now.

  She felt humbled to realize Ryker and his friends had risked their lives to keep her and Aaron safe.

  Just as he’d promised they would.

  “Get in.” Ryker held the passenger door of a black SUV open for her. She glanced in the back, relieved to see Aaron’s car seat was already buckled in.

  Moments later, Ryker slid behind the wheel. He gestured for Mike and Duncan to roll out first, in an identical SUV, then followed them.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” She reached out and lightly rested her hand on his forearm. His skin was warm beneath her fingertips. “I heard a lot of noise.”

  “I’m fine.” His words were clipped and she realized he was angry. “I should have moved from the motel as soon as we ditched the sedan.”

  “If they had followed us from the dealership, they likely would have followed again.”

  He let out a heavy sigh. “Thankfully, they must not have realized I had Duncan and Mike with me. I’m sure if they’d known, they would have come with more men.”

  More men. She shivered despite the warm June night air. It was horrifying to think that there would be more men coming after them.

  Forever, or at least until they’d gotten what they’d wanted.