Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel (13 page)

“A few hundred. Riel had to tighten the list of mourners allowed. He doesn’t want his daughter at risk. But people are still showing up. My team’s having to turn them away.”

He shook his head. “Bet that’s fucking fun.”

Larson made an annoyed sound, then straightened when Maria stepped back from her father and looked at them. “See you inside,” he murmured before heading toward Riel Cervantes.

Cade made his way to Maria, who tried to wipe away her tears under her sunglasses. He quickly fished out a tissue and handed it to her. She seemed almost surprised, though it was hard to tell with the shades, but she murmured thanks and took it from him.

She pushed her sunglasses up for a moment, and the sight of her red-rimmed eyes was a jolt to his system.

Against his better judgment, he pulled her against him once again and headed for the entrance. He wanted to give her a moment to compose herself but didn’t want to keep her outside longer than necessary. Not when he hadn’t done the securing himself. Larson’s team might be good, but he didn’t know them.

As they stepped into the side door, Maria turned and buried her face against his side. Her body shook as she tried to hold her tears in. He just held her tighter. Fuck being professional. He’d tried that this morning, but there was no way in hell he could keep his distance from her today. Not when she needed him.

Oh yeah, he was a total masochist, because whatever happened between them was going to end badly. A woman like Maria had the ability to completely strip
him of his control and shred his heart. They were from two different worlds and if she knew the truth about him, she’d hate him. Which would destroy him—but his heart wasn’t listening to his head right now.

He just wanted to protect her from all the pain she was experiencing. The only small silver lining was that there was no coffin. Since the bodies hadn’t been released, and in some cases, some might never be recovered, there wouldn’t be a symbol for her to look at. It probably wouldn’t make things any easier for her. When she tried to muffle another sob, he tightened his grip, hating how helpless he was to shield her from any of this. He might be able to defend her physically, but there was nothing he could do to protect her heart from breaking right now.

•   •   •

He narrowed his gaze on the back of the woman’s head. Even with the light brown, almost blond hair, it had to be Maria. The hair was different, obviously a wig—a very good one because it looked real—but his gut told him it was the bitch.

That giant tattooed guy sitting next to her gave her away. All his tats were covered up because of the suit, but he recognized the man. And he looked like a street thug. But he wasn’t. No, the man worked for the government, so he had to have decent training. Of course he’d seen the agent in action, so he knew he was skilled.

Getting to her here would be impossible, though he’d temporarily toyed with the idea. He didn’t have a death wish, though. Unlike the men he worked with, he wasn’t hell-bent on some cause he would die for. No, he was in this for one very important reason. He loved money. People who said money couldn’t buy happiness were
fucking stupid and had obviously never been poor. Not truly. Not the kind of poor where you had no idea where your next meal was coming from or where you would sleep at night.

Unfortunately, taking out Maria would be tricky, with her lethal shadow. Not to mention the extra security sitting next to her and the team of men sitting behind her.

Yes, her father wasn’t leaving her safety to chance at all. Speaking of, he turned back to where Riel Cervantes stood at the front of the church, speaking quietly into a microphone about how much his late wife would be missed.

Fucking spare me.

His wife had died instantly; it wasn’t as if she’d suffered. All those wealthy people didn’t know shit about true pain. The rich kept getting richer and people like him had to struggle to get to where they were. Even Maria; she might try to make herself feel better by giving back to the poor in her community, but she always had her parents’ money to fall back on. Money she hadn’t earned. Right now she was an obstacle in his way. Her and that community center. Soon enough she’d be out of the way and he could finally make the money he’d worked so hard for. It was what he deserved.

Glancing around, he eyed each of the exits. If he had to guess, he’d say that Maria and her shadow wouldn’t be leaving through the narthex. They hadn’t come through that way, because he’d been waiting for her. No, they’d take one of three other exits, if he had to guess. As soon as the ceremony was over, he’d make his way to the end of his pew as quickly as possible and try to catch up with her.

While he might not be able to do any damage here, he had another plan. One she wouldn’t see coming. He’d be able to track her without worrying about avoiding detection from a trained operative. Then when the time was right, he’d strike and eliminate her.

Command center: central location for processing data, giving orders, and supervising a critical situation.

M
aria might have felt stupid keeping her sunglasses on, but as she used Cade to block her, covertly looking over his shoulder at the crowd of mourners, she saw she wasn’t the only one. There were more than a handful of famous people in attendance, and the shades were so typical of many in this crowd. For once, she didn’t think the act of wearing them was pretentious.

The artificial barrier over her eyes made her feel saner. Even having a small way to block out the rest of the world was a comfort. Her pain was hers and she didn’t want to share it with anyone else.

Except maybe Cade. That thought was terrifying in its own way. She shouldn’t be leaning on him for anything. Not after the way he’d disappeared on her when her brother died. But he was here now and even though it was for his job, he was an incredible comfort.

Her aunt was speaking now as the service finally wound down. Maria had loved hearing everything different friends and family members had to say about her mother, but her heart could only take so much. It was
like nails being pounded into her chest with each person that got up on the podium. One more person solidifying that yeah, her mom was gone for good and that this wasn’t some nightmare.

It was real and horrifying and she just wanted to curl into a ball and cry, blocking out the rest of the world. She didn’t want to hear any more damn words. She just wanted to leave and be alone in her misery.

After sobbing in the shower this morning until she didn’t think she had any tears left, she wished she could be numb. But she wasn’t. No, she wasn’t that lucky. Every second that passed was agony.

Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against Cade’s shoulder. His arm had been around her the entire service and he tightened it as she moved in. His spicy scent wrapped around her, just as much a comfort as his physical presence. She didn’t even know where to go with the feelings he evoked in her. It was as if he calmed part of her when she needed it most. He just had that rock-solid, steady thing about him. The type of man you could depend on for anything. It was deceiving, though, and despite that she tried to remind herself of that, it didn’t matter. She soaked up all his comfort without reserve.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her aunt stopped talking and the priest wrapped things up very quickly. That was out of character, but Maria had a feeling her father might have said something beforehand. He could be forceful like that. He wouldn’t want anyone preaching at his wife’s funeral and wouldn’t be shy about making that clear.

She was vaguely aware of the crowd starting to stand and shift toward the middle and outer aisles.
Instinctively she stood, but her knees were shaky. Emotionally exhausted, she felt as if she’d just run a marathon for how weak she was.

Cade moved up beside her impossibly fast. He kept his hand at the small of her back, another possessive gesture that didn’t go unnoticed.

“We’re going out the same side exit,” he murmured as they followed after a couple of the security members walking to the outer aisle. It was the quickest route.

Glancing around, she watched as people slowly made their way to the back of the church. She spotted so many people she knew, including her best friend and a handful of kids from the center. Just seeing them made a fresh wave of tears well up. She knew they must be wondering why she wasn’t at the funeral and hoped Leah had made something up. The only person whose opinion mattered was her dad’s, and he knew she was there. Eyes burning, she prayed for the security men in front of her to move faster. Her chest ached as she tried to stifle the sobs she’d been holding in since the moment they arrived. It wouldn’t do for her to break down and make a spectacle of herself, drawing attention to her and Cade. She didn’t care about personal embarrassment, but right now she knew she needed to remain unnoticed for safety reasons.

A big echo from the back ricocheted through the church as something slammed into the stone of the entryway. It was followed by a startled hum of voices that seemed to grow louder. Maria glanced in the direction but couldn’t see anything over the throng of heads. As they reached the end of the pew, Cade placed a hand on her shoulder, signaling for her to stop as he stepped
forward and started talking to one of the security men who’d been in front of them.

Even though the guy wouldn’t be able to see what was going on either, he had an earpiece and it seemed as if he was relaying what had happened. Their voices were too low for her to hear over the rest of the din of people murmuring among themselves.

When she saw her father standing by the middle altar hugging her aunt, she thought she would lose it. Seeing her father cry was too much. The icing on the shittiest cake in the world.

Cade was still talking to one of the men and Maria knew if she tried to talk to him, she’d break. She clutched onto the forearm of one of the other security men and pointed to the exit. Her throat tightened, making it impossible to speak. It ached so badly from trying to hold back her tears.

He understood, though, because he nodded and hustled her away, his expression sympathetic. Seconds later they were outside. Bending over at the waist, she placed her hands on her knees and tried to drag in a deep breath. As air filled her lungs, she felt less light-headed but not much better than she had inside.

“Can I get you anything?” the man asked softly as he stood next to her. She’d seen him around the grounds of her parents’ home before but couldn’t remember his name.

She shook her head. “No, thank you.” Her voice was raspy, unsteady as tears clogged her throat.

“Maria.” At Cade’s tight voice she stood to find him barreling out the side door, his expression dark.

“Don’t,” she snapped, unable to handle any
chastising. She’d been with a security guy, so it wasn’t as if she’d just run outside without any protection.

Before he could respond, her friend Leah hurried out the door, followed by two annoyed-looking security guys. When she hugged Leah, the men stepped back and she heard Cade mutter something under his breath about the weak security, but at least he didn’t try to stop her.

“Is this a new look?” Leah asked, her voice watery and her eyes red.

Maria let out a harsh, shaky laugh. “Not exactly.”

“I didn’t realize it was you at first, but then I saw him,” her friend said quietly, nodding behind Maria.

Right. Even if she was in disguise, Cade definitely wasn’t. “Thanks for coming.”

She snorted. “As if that was ever in doubt. Honey, I’m so sorry about your mom. What do you want me doing right now? I want to help you any way I can.”

Maria shook her head. “Just keep doing what you’re doing at the center. That’s the biggest thing you can do right now.”

Leah nodded and took Maria’s chilled hands. “That’s a given. Do you want me to bring meals over? Do you need help with—”

“I need Dr. York’s contact info,” she said abruptly. That he could possibly help with her memory loss problem just popped into her mind. It was a long shot, but at this point she was willing to try pretty much
anything
. This helpless sensation of not being able to remember was too much. She had to get her memories back from the night of the explosion. The need clawed at her insides. Her mother’s murderers would be brought to justice. Something important hovered at the corners of her memory. She just had to dig it out.

Leah’s blond eyebrows furrowed together, but she nodded. “Okay. I’ll text you the information in a sec. I’ve got it stored in my phone.”

“Thank you—”

“Maria. We need to leave
now
.” Cade’s firm hand landed on her elbow. She looked up to find a hard expression on his face. Not directed at her exactly, but he was annoyed.

“I know. I just—”

“Maria?” She looked up at the sound of a familiar male voice calling her name.

“Fucking security,” Cade muttered as he moved to stand in front of her, blocking her from the man heading her way.

Andre was a family friend and knew her fairly well. She should have known the wig wouldn’t fool everyone. She nodded at him but let him cross the ten or so yards to meet her instead of making a move toward him.

“I’ll text you right now. Call me if you need anything. Or if you just want to cry. I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night and you want me to bring ice cream and a bottle of wine over, I’m there.” Leah dropped a quick kiss on her cheek before hurrying away.

“Cade, he’s fine,” Maria murmured, low enough for Cade to hear as she placed a hand on his forearm.

He ignored her as he positioned himself in front of her.

“I knew you wouldn’t miss the funeral. I don’t understand why your father said you weren’t here,” Andre said as he reached her and Cade. He gave Cade a confused look. “Who are you?”

“He’s . . . a friend.” Maria completely stepped out
from behind Cade’s protective stance. “Thank you for coming, Andre. I’m sorry I won’t be able to be at my father’s after this, but I appreciate you attending today. Both my dad and I do.” She felt so lame doing the polite small talk but knew she had to be civil.

The majority of the people had come because they truly cared her mom was gone. She couldn’t forget that even through the piercing agony searing her chest.

“Of course,” he said quietly.

A new rush of people exited the side door and Cade let out an angry curse, earning a surprised glance from Andre. When Maria spotted Wayne Gregory among the crowd of mourners, she frowned. She hadn’t realized he was attending, though she did appreciate it. Still, if she had to make small talk with any more people, she was going to collapse.

Luckily Cade didn’t give her a choice. He held firmly on to her elbow. “We have to leave now. Excuse us.” Cade didn’t give either one of them a chance to respond as he steered her toward the stone walkway.

Unfortunately they had to head past all the people milling out. She turned her face toward Cade’s chest as they passed Wayne, letting Cade guide her. She avoided looking at everyone she recognized and getting caught up in a conversation. Not that Cade would have let her stop anyway.

He was moving her along at such a fast clip she could barely keep up. She nearly stumbled in her heels, skating past a couple of the mourners, but Cade didn’t even let her apologize as he whisked her away.

“Slow down,” she snapped.

“I should throw you over my shoulder and carry
you.” There was a barely contained note of anger in his voice.

Why the hell was he angry with her? She’d just come from her mother’s funeral. But she didn’t question him as they backtracked their original route. She was half jogging by the time they reached the truck and he unceremoniously shoved her into the passenger seat.

“What the hell’s the matter with you?” she practically shouted as he slid into the driver’s seat.

“You were too exposed. Why’d you leave like that?” His voice was sharp as he started the engine.

“I wasn’t alone. I had a security guy with me.”

“Some fucking security.” Now the rage was there, but not directed at her. Still, she could see it simmering beneath the surface of those green eyes.

“What happened?”

“Some idiot knocked over one of the big vases of flowers and people apparently forgot how to fucking walk. They started using the side exits. And security couldn’t
maintain
them.” There was a definite bit of sarcasm behind those words as he put the vehicle into gear and pulled away from the curb.

“What were they going to do, shoot them?” Her voice was wry.

Some of the tension eased from his shoulders as he gave her a ghost of a smile, but his profile was still hard as he drove them away from the church. “Why’d you leave like that?”

“I was about to have a breakdown for the fiftieth time and needed to breathe. I didn’t want a bunch of people staring at me if I started sobbing uncontrollably. I needed some air.” She understood he had security concerns, but
she wasn’t trained for a situation like this. She was barely hanging on to her sanity right now.

Now his expression completely softened and he shot her a quick glance as he pulled up to a stop sign. Reaching out, he cupped her cheek, his gaze intense as he watched her. His big hand was so gentle it stunned her. The feel of his callused palm against her skin was startlingly reassuring. “And I need you safe,” he whispered.

Well, hell. She couldn’t get angry at that.

Just as quickly he dropped his hand and returned his attention to the street. As he drove through the quiet residential streets, she tried to get ahold of the jumbled mess that her mind was right now. But it was no use. Today had been awful and last night . . . “Why’d you leave so suddenly last night?”

Cade’s hands jerked slightly on the wheel, but he didn’t respond. Just looked in the rearview mirror before pulling into a small parking area next to a local park. There was no one around and no cars anywhere, but he still scanned the area diligently before putting the SUV into park and looking at her.

He cupped her cheek again in that sweet way of his and his eyes dipped to her mouth. For a moment she saw a flash of raw, unrestricted desire in his eyes. He leaned forward a fraction but stopped himself. Still, he didn’t drop his hand, just lightly rubbed his thumb over her cheek. The action was so soft, but it was in opposition to the hunger burning in his gaze. “Last night was . . .”

He seemed to struggle with his words, as if he wanted to say the night before had been a mistake. She was glad he didn’t. She could tell he didn’t plan to take things any further between them, though. But she didn’t have a problem acting on her need. She just wanted a few
minutes—okay, hours—of pure pleasure. Something to wash away, or at least mute, the grief burning out of control inside her. Cade was the only one who could help her temporarily forget. She knew this wouldn’t be about a relationship or anything long-term. He’d already shown her that he had no problem walking away. So right now she didn’t feel bad for wanting to use him just a little bit to help ease her grief.