Guarded by the Soldier Read online

  Ryker exchanged a wary look with Duncan before nodding. “Yeah, that’s the plan. But we have several hours of driving to do before we’re even close, so let’s not worry about that now.”

  She frowned, not liking the way he was keeping her out of the loop. “What else do you have planned?”

  Ryker sighed. “Nothing. Seth is the only lead we have, other than the word number—if that’s even what the mercenary mumbled while he was out of it.” She saw the hint of frustration in his gaze. “If you’re ready, let’s go.”

  She packed Aaron’s few things in the diaper bag. Ryker took the bag from her and slung it over his shoulder, then held out his hands for Aaron.

  Her son went to him easily, and she was struck again by how much Ryker had become an important part of their world in such a short amount of time.

  Her heart squeezed as she silently admitted how much she’d miss him once this was over.

  * * *

  Ryker kept his gaze on the road, his thoughts whirling. He didn’t like knowing he’d only have Duncan’s help for the next leg of their journey. Still, he didn’t begrudge the Callahans the need to support their spouses and children. He would do exactly the same thing if the situation was reversed.

  But he’d hoped to surround Olivia and Aaron with armed men who could look after her while he worked the case.

  “You really think he said the word number?”

  Olivia’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Yeah, I do. Mike and Duncan agreed, especially once they learned you were an accountant.”

  “But I didn’t do any accounting work for Blake-Moore.”

  “I know.” It would have made things easier for them if she had. The way things stood now, she didn’t have access or any reason to be connected to Blake-Moore’s accounts.

  Except through her dead husband and brother.

  And what about the numbers, anyway? Why had numbers sent men searching for Olivia? Was it possible she had information she wasn’t aware of? He glanced at her. “You don’t happen to have a key to a safe-deposit box or anything in that diaper bag of yours, do you?”

  She frowned. “No, of course not.”

  He’d been in the bag several times and hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary. Yet he hadn’t done a full inventory of the contents, either. Something to consider once they reached their next destination.

  His gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. This time, he was in the lead with Mike and Duncan covering his six. He was grateful to have them behind him, and knew they’d keep an eye out for anyone following them. He kept his speed about five miles per hour over the speed limit, keeping up with the rest of the traffic heading north.

  This way he could set the pace, or rather, Olivia could, as she was the one who needed frequent rest stops.

  As they rolled into Rockford, she gestured toward a gas station. “Would you mind pulling in?”

  “No problem.” He tapped the brake, letting Mike and Duncan know that they were stopping. The SUV behind them slowed, then followed them into the gas station.

  Mike pulled up to a gas pump and jumped out of the car. “May as well fill up.”

  “Okay.” He pulled in behind him, then slid out from behind the wheel. “I’ll go inside with Olivia and Aaron first.”

  “I’ll fill it up for you.” Duncan waved him off.

  “Thanks.” He lifted Aaron out of his car seat, then followed Olivia inside. She had the diaper bag, and he wondered if he should look through it now or wait until later.

  Olivia took Aaron’s hand and led him into the restroom.

  Okay, later then. He stayed near the door, but positioned himself so that he could also keep an eye on the gas pumps through the window. Duncan and Mike didn’t speak, their gazes alert on the cars coming and going around them.

  They were good friends and he was fortunate they’d dropped everything to come help.

  “We’re much better now. Thanks.”

  Olivia’s voice had him turning toward her. He’d been so preoccupied he hadn’t heard her and Aaron come out. “All set?”

  “I wanna toy!” Aaron hopped from one foot to the next. “Please, Mommy?”

  She sighed. “No, Aaron. You can’t get a toy every time we stop to use the restroom.”

  “I don’t mind—” Ryker stopped when she narrowed her gaze at him.

  “No. Not now. Maybe later,” she told her son. She took Aaron’s hand in hers, but he pulled away.

  “I wanna toy!” By the looks of it, the kid was gearing up for a full-blown temper tantrum.

  “No.” Olivia looked tired and stressed, not that Ryker blamed her. But she ignored Aaron’s cries, took him by the hand and dragged him toward the door.

  Feeling helpless, he trailed behind them. Aaron dug in his heels yanking Olivia off-balance. He swooped the boy into his arms and strode outside.

  “Enough.” His stern tone surprised Aaron, and he stopped crying.

  He gently set the boy in the car seat and buckled him in. The kid was still crying, but not nearly as out of control as he had been. When he glanced over at Olivia, she offered a weary smile. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He hated the idea of her dealing with Aaron on her own, especially in her condition.

  Sweeping his gaze over the gas station, he looked for anything out of place.

  Nothing. Aaron’s crying hadn’t drawn much attention, either. Guess that wasn’t unusual when it came to kids.

  Yet, he felt unsettled, the back of his neck tingling with warning. It wasn’t over yet. He slid behind the wheel, eager to get back on the road. Mike and Duncan let him pull out first, then followed.

  “We’ll be at the Wisconsin border soon.” He could tell by the toll station looming up ahead. “Beloit is only thirty miles from here.”

  “Good, I guess.” She looked hesitant about returning to Madison as she rested her hands on her abdomen. “I’ll be sorry to see Mike go.”

  “We’ll be okay.” He infused confidence in his tone. He slowed to get through the toll, then increased his speed. The roads were wide open now, without much traffic. There weren’t a lot of homes or businesses along this stretch of the highway and the prickly feeling wouldn’t leave him alone.

  He plucked his phone from the console between them and called Mike.

  “What’s up?” Mike’s tone was on alert.

  “Let’s change the meeting spot to Delavan.”

  There was a pause. “Okay, any particular reason why?”

  “It’s smaller, easier to pick up a tail.” Beloit was a larger city, and he felt better about going to a smaller, contained area.

  “Okay, I’ll let Miles know.” Mike hung up.

  Olivia’s gaze showed her concern. “You think they’re still following us?”

  “I don’t know.” And he didn’t like the feeling of being in a fishbowl, where their two SUVs could be seen for miles. “Probably not.”

  She didn’t relax, but grasped the hand rest on her door like a lifeline.

  Several miles had passed by, when his phone rang. Olivia picked it up and put it on speaker. “What’s wrong?”

  “We’ve got company.” Duncan’s terse tone filled him with dread.

  “How many?”

  “Just one SUV that I can see. But we have to assume they have reinforcements nearby.”

  Farm fields stretched on either side of them, and Ryker second-guessed his decision to bypass Beloit for Delavan. But it was too late to change direction now. He pressed on the gas, increasing their speed. “Where’s Miles? Can he meet us?”

  “Yes, he’s on his way. We’ll take care of the tail. You get Olivia and Aaron to safety.”

  “Got it.” He tightened his grip on the wheel. When he saw an abandoned field without crops, he knew it was the best option. “Hang on, we’re going off-r
oad.”

  “Off-road?” Her appalled echo was cut off as they bounced off the highway and headed straight through the empty field.

  “Hang on.” The vehicle bucked and rolled over rocks and chunks of earth. The four-wheel drive helped keep them steady, and he took the shortest route directly toward another road he could just barely see off in the distance.

  He darted a quick glance at the rearview mirror. Mike and Duncan were farther back now, and he knew they would do whatever was necessary to keep the guys from Blake-Moore from coming after them.

  The sound of gunfire had him clenching his teeth. He didn’t normally pray, but it may be that the Callahans’ and Hawk’s faith was rubbing off on him, because he found himself asking for help and guidance now.

  Lord, if You can hear me, please give me the strength I need to get Olivia and Aaron away from the Blake-Moore Group. Help me keep them safe!

  NINE

  Liv clutched the door handle in a tight grip, trying not to cry out at the way the SUV jolted and rolled over the dirt and rocks of the field. With the other hand, she held her stomach, as if willing the baby to stay put.

  No premature labor. Please.

  “Mommy!” Aaron’s fearful cry stabbed her heart.

  “Isn’t this fun?” She glanced over her shoulder at her son and forced a reassuring smile. “Mr. Ryker is taking us four-wheeling.”

  “No! Don’t wanna go four whee-ing.” Aaron’s lower lip trembled and he tucked his thumb into his mouth, a sure sign he was upset. “I’m scared.”

  “It’s okay. There’s no reason to be scared. Mr. Ryker is getting us to safety.” A quick glance at Ryker’s grim expression was not reassuring. “How about we sing nursery rhymes?”

  Aaron seemed to consider her idea then plucked his thumb from his mouth. “Humpty-dumpty sat on a wall,” he sang.

  “Humpty-dumpty had a great fall,” she chimed in.

  Ryker raised a brow, but didn’t interrupt their singing as they finished the nursery rhyme. She was glad to see the highway was getting closer now, and thought it was possible that he’d make it to safety.

  Pop! Pop!

  Liv sucked in a harsh breath and turned to look through the back window. The men from Blake-Moore were shooting at them? An SUV that looked much like the one they were using had followed them onto the field.

  Why wouldn’t they just leave her alone?

  Because of the numbers? Numbers she didn’t know anything about. She didn’t understand. It didn’t make any sense.

  Ryker’s jaw was tight as he pressed harder on the gas, the SUV swaying even more as he obviously tried to shake off whoever was following them.

  And what about Duncan and Mike? Were they okay? Or had the Blake-Moore Group gotten to them? She closed her eyes and prayed for all of them.

  Dear Lord, help us! Protect us! Show us the way out!

  Time seemed to move in slow motion. Each jerky, rocky movement of the SUV made her feel sick to her stomach. She prayed she wouldn’t throw up her breakfast.

  Then abruptly, Ryker reached the end of the field, going up and over the ditch to the highway. The moment the SUV was on level ground, he hit the gas hard, going from fifteen miles per hour to fifty, then more.

  “Mommy, let’s sing another one.”

  Her son’s request helped keep her from screaming in frustration. She darted a glance behind them, realizing the pursuing SUV was far back, still in the field.

  “Hey, how about ‘Three Blind Mice’?” Ryker’s suggestion had her gaping at him in surprise.

  “Three blind mice, three blind mice,” Aaron sang. “See how they run. See how they run.”

  When Ryker joined in, tears pricked at her eyes. He was so understanding, so sweet. So kind and gentle toward her and Aaron.

  She didn’t know what she’d do without him.

  Ryker didn’t let up on the gas for several miles. When Aaron grew tired of the nursery rhymes, Ryker handed her his phone.

  “See if you can reach Duncan.”

  Her fingers were slick from sweat, but she managed to call Duncan, placing the phone on speaker. Her throat grew tight as the phone rang several times without an answer.

  Finally, she heard Duncan’s voice asking, “Are you safe?”

  “Yeah, for now.” Ryker glanced again at the rearview mirror. “But I think both of our vehicles have been compromised.”

  “Ya think?” Duncan’s droll tone almost made her smile. “We’ll stick with the plan to meet in Delavan for now. We’ll find a way to get new wheels once we get there.”

  There was a moment of hesitation before Ryker agreed. “Yeah, sounds good. You and Mike are okay, too?”

  “Yep. We took out their tires. Should slow them down.”

  “Thanks. We’ll be in touch.” Ryker turned his attention back to the highway.

  She blinked. “You mean, that was Duncan and Mike shooting? Not the Blake-Moore Group?”

  He met her gaze for a brief moment. “I was hoping so.”

  She slumped in her seat as relief washed over her. “I thought—” She abruptly stopped, glancing back at Aaron.

  “I know. I’m sorry.” Ryker reached over to take her hand in his. “The good news is that we managed to get away unscathed.”

  “Yes.” She had to force the word past her constricted throat. He was right, and she knew God was continuing to watch over them.

  But those moments when she feared a bullet would find its way into the car, hitting Aaron or Ryker, had been awful.

  Her stomach cramped and she gasped and held her breath, rubbing her fingertips over her belly in a soothing manner. Stress was bad for the baby.

  They’d been under stress pretty much nonstop over the past three days. And she had a horrible feeling the ongoing stress wasn’t about to end anytime soon.

  “Olivia?” A hint of fear threaded Ryker’s tone. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. We’re fine.” She did her best to sound confident, even though she was anything but. “Everything is fine.”

  Ryker’s gaze was skeptical and she knew he didn’t believe her. But she refused to consider the prospect of being in premature labor.

  No way. Uh-uh. Not happening.

  Ryker fell silent, although ripples of concern emanated off him like heat waves. Ignoring his negative energy, she continued to concentrate on breathing deeply, in and out, while smoothing her hands over her belly. The odd cramping sensation faded away. After a full ten minutes, she decided there was nothing to worry about.

  She and the baby were fine.

  The sign for Delavan indicated they were only ten minutes away. For once, she didn’t need to use the restroom and hoped they could switch vehicles quickly and get out of town, before anyone from the Blake-Moore Group caught up to them.

  She longed to feel safe. To not constantly glance over her shoulder to see if anyone was behind them.

  Was it too much to ask to bring her baby into a secure world where danger didn’t lurk behind every corner?

  The depths of despair pulled at her, and she did her best to shove it aside.

  Willa had told her several times that God helps those who help themselves. Now that they’d been found for the fourth time in less than three days, she needed desperately to keep believing that God was watching over them.

  She couldn’t give up. Not now, and maybe not ever. If she needed to change her identity and disappear for good, then fine.

  That’s exactly what she’d do.

  It would be worth starting over under a new identity in order to have the safety and security she needed to raise her family.

  * * *

  Ryker was thankful that Mike and Duncan had bought him time to escape the mercenaries. Yet the fact that they kept coming was gravely concerning.

  Whatever they wanted from Olivia was big.
Big enough to risk losing several good—if misguided—men in order to get it back.

  As they came into the town of Delavan, he slowed his speed, unwilling to draw undue attention from the locals. His goal was for the three of them to look like a happy little family.

  And if his chest tightened at the thought of having a family of his own, he ignored it.

  Glancing around the quaint town, he tried to think of a way to ditch their current SUVs for something untraceable. As much as they’d managed to stay one step ahead of the Blake-Moore Group, if by the skin of their teeth, he didn’t like the way they kept showing up.

  Especially knowing they wouldn’t stop until they had what they wanted. Which meant he needed to find it first. Whatever it was.

  His phone rang, and he handed it to Olivia, who put the call on speaker. “Yeah?”

  “We’re about ten minutes out of Delavan. Miles is bringing an unmarked SUV to a small restaurant called the Early Bird Café.” Duncan’s voice was calm and steady. Ryker was relieved to have a fellow soldier with him. “We’ll meet there, but you’ll want to park the SUV a good distance from the restaurant.”

  “What’s the ETA for Miles?” He glanced around as he headed into the downtown area, searching for the café. It was located on the corner of Main and Birch streets.

  “Hopefully ten to fifteen minutes.”

  “I see the café.” He drove past it, looking for a good spot to leave the SUV. “We’ll see you there.”

  “Will do.” Duncan disconnected from the call.

  “Where are you planning to leave the car?” Olivia’s voice held a note of uncertainty.

  “Not sure.” He turned right on the opposite side of Main Street. When he saw a small police station, he grinned and gestured toward it. “There.”

  “Won’t the police be all over an abandoned SUV?” Olivia looked apprehensive.

  “Under normal circumstances, yes, but with Duncan’s and Mike’s connections to the Milwaukee Police Department and Sheriff’s Department we can get the locals to let the SUV sit for a while.”