Black Ops Chronicles: Dead Run (31 page)

Max sighed and rested his head on the back of his chair. “You know why. You saw how much I hurt her. She thinks I betrayed her to save my job. And if that’s not bad enough, I nearly got her killed. She’s probably still angry about it.”

“You can hardly blame her for being pissed. Regardless of your motives, you lied to her.” Levi hesitated, his eyes hardening. “She’s had a rough life, Max. Her father died when she was nine. Mother abandoned her in the emergency room of a hospital six months later.”

“Abandoned her? Jesus. Why?”

“Turns out mom had a new boyfriend who didn’t like kids. Decided to keep the guy, ditch Tess. The State of Utah put her in foster care, but according to her, the homes were owned by Mormons. They didn’t want her if she wouldn’t convert, so she bounced from one to another.” He sighed. “You know how stubborn she is, Max. Pissed her off when they shoved religion down her throat. I think a year’s the longest she stayed in any one home. Poor kid’s never had a family.”

“Jesus,” Max repeated. A stab of sympathy pierced him, so sharp and painful, he flinched.

“She met Nick when she was especially vulnerable,” Levi continued. “He wanted her—probably because he knew I loved her—and he could be very charming when it suited him. Tess never stood a chance.”

Max studied him a minute. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“She needs you.”

“I doubt that. She made it pretty clear she’ll never forgive me.”

“So, it’s not that you don’t love her?”

Max rubbed his temples, wishing he had some of Tess’s aspirin for his headache. “You know I do. But so what? It doesn’t change anything.”

“Then why did she almost get herself killed trying to save you when she thought you
were
in trouble?”

“What?”

“Tony came after her. Told her he’d kidnapped you and wanted to exchange your life for hers.”

As Levi explained what had happened, Max shook his head, unable to get his mind around what he was hearing. “Christ! Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. In fact, Tony got a lot more than he bargained for. By the time I got there, she’d beaten him half to death.”

“Son of a bitch! But she’s really okay?” Max asked again, needing the reassurance. “He didn’t hurt her?”

“Nothing more than a few bruises.” A wicked grin flashed across Levi’s face. “I’d loved to have seen her going after him with that sock of coins.”

Max smiled as he remembered her attacking the guy in the cave. “She is pretty handy with it.”

“Apparently. And Tony won’t be coming after her again.” Levi’s smile faded and he ran his hands through his hair. “As much as it pains me, she loves you. She’s barely surviving without you. And from what I see, you’re in the same shape. If you’ve got an ounce of sense, you’ll get on a plane and go after her. She’s gone back to the cottage in Baja. Go find her, Max. And make her listen.” He stood up. “And now, I think I’ll see if your secretary will let me take her to dinner.”

“Wait,” Max said. “Give me Jonas’s phone number.” If Tess still loved him, he was damn sure going after her. He pocketed the number Levi scribbled on a Post-It and pressed the intercom. “Leanne, will you ask Ron to take my classes this week, starting with this morning at eleven? I know he’s available. Tell him I’ve got an emergency and have to go out of town.”

“Sure, Max, I hope everything’s okay. Do you want me to make some airline reservations for you?”

“No, I can do that.” He winked at Levi. “After you’ve confirmed with Ron, you can have the rest of the day off. I guess ‘the hunk’ wants to get to know you.”

The squeal of glee through the intercom made both men laugh.

CHAPTER 24

10:03 p.m., Baja California Sur
:

Unable to sleep, Tess walked down to the beach. Barefoot, as usual, she kneaded the sand with her toes. A rainstorm in the distance caught her eye.
Maybe that’s why I’m so restless
.

Her stupid dreams hadn’t helped her edginess any, although she couldn’t see how the ones she’d had the last few days could possibly foretell the future. They all revolved around the same thing—Max saving her from some vague danger. But that couldn’t happen because Max was out of her life now. As she’d told Levi, sometimes a dream was just a dream. Still, that didn’t keep them from making her uneasy.

Or am I just lonely
? She hadn’t expected to feel this alone. Not here in the cove. But even having Griffin back didn’t ease the ache inside her. She’d finally accepted that Levi was right. Max hadn’t really betrayed her. Not intentionally. It wasn’t his fault his attempt to protect her had backfired. And she’d even admit that, yes, she might be a bit too stubborn. On occasion. Maybe.

A drum roll of thunder echoed down the beach. Though still some distance away, the clouds were closing in, blocking the moonlight. She could smell the rain approaching but decided to stay on the beach. Heavy and warm, rainfall here often resembled a pissed-off water sprite throwing a temper tantrum. Fine with her. Maybe a good, angry storm would make her feel less heartsick.

The breeze picked up, ruffling the tattered old shirt she wore. It had been Max’s. Tess had found it in her duffel bag in Salt Lake City and couldn’t bear to throw it away. Now she was glad she’d kept it. It made him seem a little closer. Did he ever think about her? Miss her? God, she hoped he was suffering, too. At least a little.

She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and glanced down the beach. A man walked toward her. A surge of hope swamped her—the rush of emotion so severe, for a second, she couldn’t breathe.
No, it’s not Max. Not his build or the way he walks
. A wave of crushing disappointment swept away the hope.
What’d you expect
?
Max is never coming back. Get over him
.

Watching the man approach, she sensed something familiar about him. Just my traitorous heart looking for Max in every man I see.

Suddenly, her instincts shouted,
Run
! The order surprised her. She didn’t have to run anymore. And this man didn’t appear to be a threat. Dressed in jeans and a light jacket, with a floppy, big-brimmed hat on his head, he looked like a tourist. Probably just another poor slob who couldn’t sleep.

But the fear clawing its way up her throat didn’t subside. She wouldn’t run, she decided, but it was late at night, and the rain was heading this way. Nothing to stop her from going back to her cottage right now.

Turning for home, she forced herself to take calm, deliberate strides. If they were a bit longer and faster than normal, well, it
was
late. And she was alone and unarmed. Only common sense not to want to encounter a strange man on the beach.
Run, damn it
!

Breaking into a sprint, she threw a quick glance over her shoulder. Shit. He was chasing her. She’d never outrun him. Not barefoot. She heard him come behind her and dodged. No good. He snagged her arm, pulled her to a stop, and whirled her around.

His hat had come off in the chase and now she could see his face. “Tanner? Where the hell did you come from?”

“You don’t seem glad to see me.”

The sneer in his voice pissed her off, but the malice in his eyes sent a flock of razor-toed insects skittering through her gut.

“Why should I be?” She focused on her anger, rather than her fear, and jerked her arm out of his grasp. “How did you find me?”

He grabbed her again before she could flee. “I still have contacts. I’ve kept tabs on you, figured you’d have to leave Jonas’s protection eventually.”

“The contract’s been canceled. Tony’s dead. So’s Nick. It’s over, you bastard. Now. Let. Me. Go.” Trying to loosen his grip, she pried at his fingers.

He tightened his hold. “You owe me. Nick never paid me for turning you over.”

He wants money
? The fear ebbed, leaving behind a disgusted amusement. “What is it with you pricks? You can’t seem to kill me, so everything’s my fault. How the hell does
that
work?”

“I’m not here to listen to your smartass comments.”

“What are you here for? I don’t have your damn money.”

“I didn’t come for the money, though there’s no denying you’ve cost me.”

“So sue me.”

He took a pistol from his pocket. “I had to go into hiding because of you, bitch. And without the half mil to make it worth the inconvenience.”

Her heart took a hard, fast leap into her throat. “Shooting me’s not going to help. Besides, I thought you didn’t want my blood on your hands.”

“I didn’t. But as you said, Nick and Tony are dead. You’re the only witness left. If you die, there’s no evidence against me.”

“Not true. Everyone knows what you are now. Nick confessed, and I gave a deposition.”

“So what? A good attorney can get those thrown out. Just need a bit of tampered evidence and a story of how I was abducted by Tony.” He shrugged. “I’ll get away with it.”

Thunder crashed. The storm clouds crawled closer.

Tanner gestured with the gun. “Move on down the beach.”

She didn’t budge. “Where to?”

Her thoughts flashed to Max. He’d never know she’d forgiven him, or how much she loved him. Or what had happened to her. A terrible sadness welled up inside her. After everything she’d been through, this was so unfair.
Why the hell does this shit happen to me
?

“I told you to head down the beach,” he said.

It wouldn’t do any good to run. He was stronger and faster. Still, she refused to make it easy for him. “And I asked where to.”

“See that area over there, sticking out into the water? With all those lovely rocks? You’re going to have a nice little accident.” He gave her a shove. “Now move.”

Her mind locked onto the outcrop. She knew it well. Many of those “lovely rocks” were bigger than her fist. They’d make good weapons. So she didn’t resist when he gave her another push. All she had to do was grab one and hit him with it. Of course, she had to do it
before
he shot her.
Shit, shit, shit
!

***

Max yawned as he parked the rented Jeep in Tess’s driveway. He’d caught six hours of sleep on the plane but figured he could do with another twenty-four straight. Maybe then he’d be back to normal.

The cottage was dark. He checked his watch. Ten minutes after ten. She’d probably gone to bed already. No problem. He’d just wake her up. He grinned in anticipation. Leaving his bag in the car, he headed for the front door. When knocking brought no response, he pounded on it. Nothing. He tried the knob. Unlocked. Stepping inside, he noticed she’d left the curtains open. Moonlight flooded the room, although the rumble of thunder advertised an approaching storm.
Christ, I hope she doesn’t make me sleep in the car
.

Griffin sauntered out of the bedroom and twisted himself around Max’s legs.

“Hey, little buddy. Glad to see she got you back.” He picked the animal up for a nuzzle. “Did you leave her sleeping all alone in there?”

Carrying the cat, he headed for the bedroom. The bed was empty. Tess’s backpack sat on the floor beside the dresser. Her clothes hung in the closet and her shoes stuck out from under the bed. Naturally.

So where the hell was she? He put Griffin down and made a quick search of the cottage. No Tess.

She must’ve gone down to the beach.
Should I go look for her
?
Maybe I should wait here
. No, he needed to hold her way too much to wait.

The breeze had picked up. The storm was closing in. Why hadn’t she come back? He hoped he could find her and get back to the house before they both got drenched.

Walking up the beach, he came to the grove of palm trees he’d hidden in the day Nick and his goons showed up. He smiled at the memories and stopped to run a hand over the bougainvillea Tess had used for cover when she tried to shoot Nick. And then, she’d whirled around like a Tasmanian
Devil
and aimed the gun at him.

Christ, she’d looked magnificent holding that damn revolver. He could remember much too clearly the punch of desire he’d felt.
You’re getting old, Max, if being threatened with a gun makes you horny
. Chuckling at himself, he moved on through the grove.

He heard Tess’s voice and headed for her, wondering
who
on earth she was arguing with. At the edge of the trees, he froze.

Tess stumbled down the beach, followed by a man with a gun. Son of a bitch, that’s Tanner! Rage propelled Max forward before he stopped himself and yanked his temper back under control.
You’re going to get her killed, you idiot
.
You don’t even have a gun
.

Armed or not, he’d been hoping for a showdown with that bastard, and it looked like this was it. He wouldn’t let Tanner hurt Tess. No matter what it took. Keeping the two figures in sight, he crept after them, his footsteps silent in the soft sand. When they stopped at a rocky outcrop, his heart leapt into his throat. Tanner gestured with the gun. Tess’s chin shot up, and her eyes narrowed. A look Max remembered well. Stubborn wench!

Damn it, angel, please don’t piss him off. He’ll shoot you before I can figure out how to take him down
.

He needed a weapon. Since he didn’t have Tess’s coins, he’d have to use a rock. Crouching, he studied his choices. The rocks weren’t as plentiful here as they were where Tanner and Tess had stopped, but he found one that fit snuggly in his hand.

Hefting it, he crept into position behind Tanner. He saw Tess’s eyes widen when he stepped into her view. Apparently, Tanner did, too. He whipped around, firing his gun. A bullet slammed into the ground at Max’s feet.

“
No
!” Tess launched herself onto Tanner’s back. She threw one arm across his neck, wrapped her legs around his waist, and clamped a hand over his eyes. Tanner jerked and spun, trying to buck her off. Clawing at the hand that Tess kept glued to his eyes, he fired blindly.

Lightening speared the sky. Thunder roared. Overhead, the clouds let loose. Sheets of warm, hard rain beat down, cutting visibility in half.

“Hit him,” she yelled. “Hurry up, before he shoots you.”

“Try holding him still,” Max retorted as he danced after Tanner, hoping for a clear shot at his head.

“Should I paint a bulls-eye on his ass while I’m at it? Just hit the son of a bitch. Anywhere!”

“Get off me, you bitch!” Tanner screamed, bringing the gun up and firing blindly over his shoulder.

Ducking her head to the side as he fired, she clamped her teeth on his ear. He bellowed, almost twisting himself in half as he tried to throw her off. But the agile little monkey stayed put.

Max readied his rock. As the two-headed monster spun past again, he brought it down on what he hoped was Tanner’s head, not Tess’s. Tanner grunted and staggered sideways, but the bastard stayed on his feet.

“Jesus,” Max growled. “He’s got a head like a brick.”

“So, hit him again. Harder.”

“Right. No problem.”

Max could barely see through the curtain of rain, but he brought the rock down again. Connected. Tess jumped clear as Tanner tilted forward and went down, face-first.
Uh-oh
. Max thought, wincing at the sharp, cracking sound Tanner’s forehead made when it connected with the rocky ground.

Avoiding the red puddle spreading out from Tanner’s forehead, Max took the gun the FBI agent had dropped and slipped it into his own pocket. With the blood coming from Tanner’s ears and the brain matter splattered over the rocks by his head, he didn’t bother checking for a pulse.

Tess came up beside him. “Is he dead?”

“Afraid so.” He pulled her into his arms. “Jesus, I’ve missed you,” he murmured. “Let me hold you a minute.”

“What the hell are you doing here, Max?” She glanced down at the body. “Oh, right,” she said and jerked away from him before he could stop her. “You came for Tanner.”

***

Tess knew she sounded ungrateful. Max had just saved her life. But the pain of seeing him again was more than she could stand. He hadn’t come for her. He’d just followed Tanner.

Max sighed and wiped the water off his face. “You want to talk about this here, or would you rather get out of the rain?”

She pushed her sopping-wet hair back. “What about Tanner’s body?”

“Leave it. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to kill him. He hit his head on a rock when he fell.”

“So we just leave him there?” she demanded in disgust.

“He’s doesn’t care, angel. He’s dead. And this is a foreign country. I’d rather not spend the next few weeks in a Mexican jail while they scratch their heads over this.” He brushed more rain out of his eyes. “I don’t like it, either. But the safest thing to do is to drive into the village in the morning and tell the police there’s a body on the beach.”