Devoted Defender (8 page)

“Please, have a seat while we wait on the coffee and tell me what happened,” Annie said.

She took a seat and waited for Hope to explain.

“It’s a long story. Basically, I was working on a case where the client was involved in some illegal activities. When I realized what was happening, I became a target. People I thought I could trust ended up trying to kill me. It shook me down to the core.” Hope paused. “I was physically attacked multiple times. If it hadn’t have been for Gabe, I wouldn’t be alive sitting here with you today. And Caleb also played a critical role in keeping me safe. I owe so much to him. So when we heard that the two of you were in trouble, there was no way we were just going to go home. Caleb was there when we needed him, and now we want to be there for him. And for you.”

“I’m so sorry that you went through all of that.” Annie’s heart hurt for the woman sitting across the kitchen table from her.

“It all worked out in the end. Including me falling in love with a wonderful man. But I had some real low points. And I imagine you might be having one of those valleys right now.”

Hope’s openness and honesty put Annie at ease. “Thank you so much for sharing. You’re completely right. I feel like I’m really at the breaking point. After last night when we were run off the road, I hit my head and haven’t felt sturdy since then. And that doesn’t begin to explain all that has happened.”

Hope reached out and took her hand. “I know it may not seem like it right now, but there is an end to all of this. God is still there beside you. He hasn’t abandoned you. And He won’t. You’re still here, aren’t you?”

“I keep telling myself that but sometimes it’s hard to see that amidst all the danger. This experience has really tested my faith.”

“You’ll persevere. I know it. You’re not alone and I’m sure Gabe and Caleb can come up with a plan. They work really well together. And of course, I’m not in law enforcement, but I can pitch in anyway that makes sense. Even if it’s just to be a shoulder to lean on.”

“I’m glad you’re here. Although I’m sure this isn’t how you envisioned coming back to town after your honeymoon.”

“We roll with the punches. Given Gabe’s job as an FBI agent, I know there are risks involved and I have to be ready for anything.”

Annie hadn’t spent much time with women developing friendships, but this conversation with Hope was one of the most normal things that had happened to her in a while. “And what about you? How do you like being a lawyer?”

Hope leaned in toward her. “I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. And once I was able to work at the law firm in Maxwell, it really made my career complete. I get to do what I want to do, but I’m also not sacrificing my sanity working in New York City at a mega firm.”

“That’s a big change from New York to Maxwell.”

“Yeah, and let me tell you, at first I was totally against the idea of changing my life. I thought I was a city girl through and through and that Maxwell didn’t have anything for me. But boy, was I wrong. Sometimes exactly what you think you don’t want is really what you need. And that was the case for me.”

Annie couldn’t help but ask her about Silva. “I guess you don’t have any experience with the Silva crime organization?”

“No. I don’t practice criminal law. But that type of thing is right up Gabe’s alley at the FBI. That’s specifically the kind of work he does. It’s good that we’re back now and can assist Caleb.”

“Maybe he’ll be able to help us then.”

“Definitely. Gabe values his friendship with Caleb. There’s no place he’d rather be right now.”

“Thanks for saying that.” Hope seemed so sincere. Like she actually cared about what Annie had to say and understood some of the struggles that she was going through. And as much as it surprised Annie, she was glad to be proven wrong about Hope being able to empathize with her.

“I hear that you’re a chef. I can’t cook a thing.” Hope laughed.

“I’m sure I could teach you a few simple dishes. It’s all about having fresh ingredients and then knowing how to season.” It would be fun to actually cook with someone who wasn’t an experienced chef.

Hope lifted up her hand. “You don’t understand. I’m the world’s worst cook.”

“You have more important things to do—like being a lawyer.”

“No. What you do is important, too. And it takes a lot of skill. I’ve always admired people who had cooking abilities. I just happen to have none.”

“Well, I’d love to cook with you sometime. Just give it a shot.”

“That’s a deal.”

“I would think that being an attorney is very exciting.”

Hope grinned. “It’s not as glamorous as it looks on TV. There’s a lot of grunt work. But I enjoy going to trial. That’s my favorite part, though it doesn’t happen as much as I would like.”

Annie poured them each a cup of coffee and realized that her head was no longer hurting as bad as it had been.

**

“Talk to me, Caleb.” Gabe’s dark eyes were focused on him.

“What else do you want to know?” He felt like Gabe was about to conduct an interrogation. And he couldn’t blame him. He knew the entire situation seemed sketchy.

“I know we’ve been through the facts, but I need to know what’s going on in your head, and how you’re dealing with all of this, because I’ve got some serious concerns about you going on the run with Annie. I don’t think you’re fully aware what you’re up against. And one man versus the Silva network doesn’t sound like very good odds to me.”

“This wasn’t my plan by choice. More like a necessity. After the shooting at my house, I knew I had to get Annie out of there. I had no idea that we would be followed. I’m trying to juggle multiple balls in the air right now, but my primary focus has to be on keeping Annie safe. Which means I can’t really investigate what is going on with Silva and why he seems to have this unhealthy obsession with Annie.”

Gabe nodded. “There has to be a missing piece here. Yeah, Silva wants to get rid of Annie because she was a witness to a hit that he ordered, and heard an incriminating conversation, but there has to be something deeper. Guys like Silva don’t put this much effort into something like this. We’ve got to dig deeper and figure out what else is going on.”

“Given the most recent events, I tend to agree with you. Normally we’d have the FBI working that angle. Put her in protective custody. But with the intel that we have that someone in the FBI is on Silva’s payroll, I just couldn’t take that chance. Not with Annie’s life.”

“I don’t want to overstep here, but you and I have been friends for many years.”

“Uh oh. What is it?” Caleb asked, although he had a good idea where this conversation was going.

“Is there something going on between you and Annie?” Caleb paused. “But before you answer, I’m the last one to cast judgment on you, given what happened between me and Hope. I just want to make sure that you’re thinking clearly. That’s all. I remember all too well what it was like to make decisions in the heat of the moment based on my heart and not my head.”

He was close enough with Caleb that he could be honest. “There isn’t anything between us. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested. I realize, though, that this isn’t the best time to try to start a relationship. And beyond that, there are some issues that we’d have to deal with. Things I really don’t feel like it’s my place to go into. Not to mention my own hang-ups.”

Gabe took a step forward. “I would never ask you to divulge things that Annie told you in confidence. But this is a highly dangerous situation and everyone needs to be fully engaged. Silva’s organization is powerful, and as a man, Tim Silva is ruthless. And his business partners are equally as threatening. It wouldn’t be safe to go further south into Florida because his cousin covers Florida, and he’s just as bad. If Silva is taking this drastic of action, he has spread the word to all of his network partners.”

“So what do you suggest?”

“Hunkering down in a safe house would be my best suggestion.”

“Except we don’t have a safe house that’s actually safe.”

“We can find one. I have a friend at the DEA. They would have an interest in this situation, given Silva’s drug operations. I’ll put in a call and see what I can do.”

Caleb let out a breath. This was the best news he’d had in a while. “Thanks, man. I don’t know how to thank you. My back was really up against the wall.”

“You had my back when I needed it. I’m happy to return the favor.”

**

Annie watched as Caleb and Gabe walked back into her room. The men joined them in the kitchen. Caleb actually seemed much more relaxed than before. Maybe the talk with Gabe had been productive.

“I made coffee, if you guys would like any,” she said.

“That would be great.” Caleb took her up on her offer and poured himself and Gabe a cup.

“So, anything we need to know about?” Annie asked. She was anxious to hear about what the men had discussed, especially if they had developed a way out of this entire mess.

“Gabe actually has a contact at the Drug Enforcement Agency. He’s going to talk to him about trying to secure a safe house for us.”

“Really?” Annie asked. This was great news and totally unexpected. A safe house was exactly what they needed.

“Yeah. We talked about it, and I think it’s better to hide out than to try to outrun these guys,” Caleb said.

“I’ll call my DEA contact right away. Hope, why don’t you come with me while I go make these calls in Caleb’s room.”

“If you need anything, just let me know.” Hope squeezed her hand, and the kind act brought her a moment of comfort. She hoped that she would get to spend more time with this woman. The idea of having a friend appealed to her more right now than it ever had.

Hope and Gabe went into Caleb’s room, leaving her alone with Caleb. Unexpectedly, he pulled her up out of her seat and wrapped his arms around her.

“I promise you that we’ll figure this out,” he said, his voice calm and soothing.

As he held her tightly in his arms, she realized just how much she had come to depend on him. An unlikely ally in this fight. A fight that didn’t seem to have an end as each moment brought another challenge and another deadly threat.

“Caleb, I’m sorry that I’m not stronger about all of this.”

“There’s no need for you to apologize, Annie, because what you fail to see is that you are beyond strong. You’ve kept it together from day one. From the moment you had the presence of mind to get out of Doc Perry’s house and avoid being taken by McCoy, you’ve been fighting back each step of the way. You’ve shown that no matter what the challenge, you’ll rise to the occasion.”

“I don’t see myself like that.” She couldn’t believe that he saw her that way, because inside, she felt full of fear.

“Well, that’s the way I see you.”

She continued to hold onto Caleb, though she knew a million different reasons that she shouldn’t lean on him so much. But at that moment, none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was that he was there by her side when she needed him the most. That he continued to put his life on the line for her—a woman he’d only known a short time.

As she looked up into his big blue eyes, she gained strength from him. When he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers, she felt shaky again—but this time in a good way. Like she was floating on a cloud. The spark was undeniable, unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

Was this what it was like to really have feelings for someone?

When he pulled back from the kiss, the stubble on his chin tickled her cheek. She didn’t want this moment to end.

Caleb took a step back from her just as Gabe and Hope walked back into the room.

“We’re a go on the safe house,” he said. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Caleb hadn’t been thinking when he had kissed Annie. It just happened. And he had been worried about her reaction. But when he had opened his eyes and locked onto hers, there was no mistaking that she had felt something there, too. Something that neither of them seemed to think was a good idea, but that hadn’t stopped him from acting.

The larger issue was whether he should even allow himself to develop these feelings for Annie. He knew he was a guarded guy when it came to his emotions. But being in this situation with Annie had totally messed up his equilibrium. The emotions he was so used to having completely in check weren’t any more. It was like she had the only key to the box where he’d stored up all of his feelings.

He’d already made one dangerous mistake because of what he felt for her. He couldn’t afford for that to happen again. But even telling himself all of that, he hadn’t been able to stop from kissing her. Because right then and there, it felt like the right thing to do.

They backtracked and drove a few hours north, headed toward Atlanta, and arrived at the address provided to Gabe by the DEA contact who they were supposed to be meeting at the safe house in the Atlanta suburbs.

Once Gabe had given the all clear to enter the safe house, Caleb escorted Annie inside.

A tall man with dark hair and a leather jacket met them inside. This had to be the DEA agent.

“I’m agent Kane Sloan with the DEA.” Kane outstretched his hand and made introductions with everyone.

“Are you sure this location is secure?” Caleb asked. It was his job to question Kane because he couldn’t take anymore unnecessary risks. The fact that Gabe trusted Kane was the only reason they were here. But Caleb still had to confirm and hear it from Kane’s own lips.

“Yes. I personally reserved this safe house for another project I’m working on. I just won’t use it while you’re here.”

“We appreciate you jumping in to help,” Caleb said.

Kane nodded. “I would like to be able to talk to Annie about what she witnessed at the Perry house. Gabe briefed me, but I’d like to hear it from her.” Then Kane turned his attention to Annie.

Immediately Caleb’s protective instincts kicked in. The last thing Annie needed to deal with right now was an interrogation. “Annie’s had a rough day. Maybe she can fill you in later. I’m sure she wants to get settled in.”

“No,” Annie said. “That’s okay, Caleb. I appreciate everything Kane is doing for me.” She looked over at Kane. “I will try to help out in any way that I can.”

Kane smiled at Annie and Caleb couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. He’d only met Kane two minutes ago, and he was already wondering if Kane would be a better match for Annie than him. He had to keep himself in check.

He listened as Annie told Kane all she knew about what happened that night at Doc Perry’s house and what she’d heard about Tim Silva. Which admittedly wasn’t a whole lot. Doc had gotten in over his head with a very dangerous man.

“Well, just like everyone else, the DEA has their own angle when it comes to the Silva organization. Right now, the DEA is focused on trying to tie Silva to some large drug ops that have occurred down in south Florida over the past few months,” Kane said. “Silva’s organization has reached a new level. They’re trying to tangle with some of the established groups that have been around much longer. Which is why you’ll be safe here until we can figure out the best course of action.”

Caleb had to bite his tongue. He didn’t like Kane stepping in and taking charge. But he also knew that he needed the DEA’s support especially given the FBI situation. He should just be quiet and thankful that they now had a safe house. “Do you have any intel on the FBI agent working with the organization?”

“No. But we’ve kept our DEA operation walled off from FBI for a variety of reasons,” Kane said.

“Turf war,” Gabe said. “Don’t try to act like it isn’t.”

“But in this instance, Gabe, it works in your favor,” Kane said. “I’m not the enemy here.”

“Same here,” Gabe said. “This is going to take a team effort.”

“Thanks, everyone,” Caleb replied. “It will require us all pitching in. And, Kane, this safe house is a huge contribution.” He looked over at a weary Annie. “But I do think we would probably like to try to get some rest. It’s been a long couple of days for us.”

Annie looked over at him and gave him a small smile—but it was big enough to remind him of the kiss they’d shared earlier.

“I’m going to take Hope back home to Maxwell. But if you want me to come back after that, I will.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Caleb said. “We’re off the grid right now. We just need to make sure it stays that way.”

“I’ll check on you two in the morning,” Kane said. “Here is a burner phone I picked up for you.”

Caleb had already taken out his SIM card from his phone earlier. He was glad to have a burner now. “Thanks for everything,” he said.

“No problem. Lock up and watch your back,” Kane said.

**

Annie watched as everyone else left the safe house, leaving her alone with Caleb. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. They’d basically been on the run for the past twenty-four hours and it was difficult for her.

He walked over to her after he locked the front door and set the alarm system per Kane’s earlier instruction. He gently took her hand in his. “I know this is completely crazy, Annie. But at least now we have some support from the DEA. And having this safe house is clutch.”

“Do you think it’s really safe?”

“I’m not going to lie to you. Nothing is a hundred percent right now. But this is as close as we’re going to get. The only people that know we’re here are people we know we can trust. It’s why we’re keeping the circle so small.”

She hadn’t had much time to fully process the kiss between them. But as he stood there now holding her hand, it felt so natural. “Speaking of that. Don’t you need to check in again with Mac and Gabby?”

“I will. I just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed first. Talk about a whirlwind.”

She nodded her head. “I think some sleep will make a big difference. Maybe I’ll finally get some, now that we have at least a little more stability than before.”

He dropped her hand and brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. At his touch, she wondered if this could even be real.

“Pick whatever room you want and I’ll choose one close by. I don’t want to stay on different floors. Just in case.”

“Sure.” She didn’t like the sound of those contingencies. But she appreciated that he was on high alert. The events of the past days let her know that danger was lurking around every corner.

“And are we okay?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know if I overstepped with you. We really haven’t had a chance to talk about it.”

Yeah, that kiss was everything. She tried to find the words to respond. “I’m okay if you’re okay,” she replied.

He smiled and her heart warmed. “I’m more than okay on that front. It’s everything else that we need to get squared away.”

Although a bit of doubt and fear started to creep into her mind. Should she really think that something between them was possible? She’d been cautious of relationships for over a decade. And now she was considering what? What did he want out of all of this? Was she even capable of having a normal romantic relationship?

“I can see the wheels turning in your mind,” he said. “Talk to me, Annie.”

She wondered how much she should share with him. He already knew she had scars from her past, so she might as well be honest about her lack of experience in the romance department. “I’m not really good at this whole thing, whatever it is that is happening between you and me. I don’t date.”

“Like ever?”

“Nothing of any substance. It’s just been easier that way. It’s not like I had a good role model in that area. So I have been much more hesitant than most people. The last thing I want to do is repeat the cycles of my past.”

He took a step closer to her. “You’re not your mother, Annie.”

“My mind tells me that, but it’s harder to convince the heart that I am really capable of living differently than she did. You know?”

“Why don’t you let me help you then? I’ve also put up barriers around myself for years. We can work through this together, can’t we? If you just give me a chance, then maybe we’ll tear down barriers together.”

Her pulse quickened—a combination of fear and longing for something more. But there was a voice in her head telling her that she was foolish to think she’d have a normal relationship. “Can we talk about this later? I’m exhausted.” Her shoulders slumped a little.

“Of course. I know you’re tired. Go get settled in. I’ll check on you in a little bit.”

“All right.” She felt a tinge of disappointment that he didn’t push the issue further. But he was doing exactly what she had asked. She couldn’t blame him for respecting her wishes. She started to walk away, eager for a moment of respite, but Caleb’s burner phone rang. She stopped as he answered the call.

“Gabby, I’m putting you on speaker. I’m here with Annie.”

“Hey, you two. I got the burner number from Gabe. He just filled me in on what’s been going on. I can’t believe all of this. You sure that you’re both okay?”

“Yes, we’re fine,” he said. “Annie got busted up a bit when we hit the tree trying to evade the SUV that was stalking us, but she’s been bouncing back really well.”

It was nice to hear him say that, because she didn’t feel like she was handling anything well at all.

“Thank the Lord that it wasn’t any worse, then. From what I understand, the two of you could very well be dead right now.”

Gabby’s words sent another shot of fear through her.

“But we’re not,” Caleb said. “We’re both safe.”

“I’ve been busy investigating the Silva network,” Gabby said. “Unfortunately, Phil Perry was right. There is a move to expand the drug operations out of Atlanta and into certain suburbs and small towns, especially on the storage side. I also think I found a warehouse in Maxwell that Silva’s people have purchased under the name of one of his many shell companies. So I’m going to keep an eye on the activity there. I know you were concerned about the organization’s presence in Maxwell. Hopefully I can get some evidence that will lead you to conduct a police investigation and shut him down before he gets too far off the ground. I’ll want to make sure that they are fully operational in the warehouse before I make any sudden moves, because I don’t want to spook them.”

“Gabby, you should step back,” he said.

“Why in the world would I do that? I’m finally getting somewhere,” she said.

Annie could hear the frustration in Gabby’s elevated voice.

“This is way too dangerous now, Gabriella.”

“Don’t you even go there, Caleb. You know that only mom and dad used to call me that name.”

“And since mom and dad are no longer with us, I have to be the parent here and step in.”

“It’s unfair for you to do that,” Gabby responded.

“This isn’t one of your usual PI jobs. If Silva finds out you’re snooping around, he won’t give a second thought about having one of his guys, like McCoy, take you out. I can’t be worrying about you getting in the crosshairs while Annie is also being targeted. It’s just too much. Again, I’m asking you to back off of this. Now.”

Annie started to put the pieces together. Caleb hadn’t mentioned anything about his parents before. And now she understood why. They were dead. Just like her mom. She’d been so focused on her own family drama, that she hadn’t even bothered to ask him about his parents. She should’ve never been so focused only on herself.

“You wouldn’t be saying this to me if it was Mac doing it,” Gabby shot back. “In fact, you’d be asking for his help. Encouraging him to find out more information. Do you realize how that hurts me? I’m a big girl. I can do the job I was trained to do.”

“Actually, under these set of circumstances, I’d be worried about him too. But at the end of the day, Gabby, you’re my baby sister. And it’s my job to protect you at all costs. Even when it ticks you off that I’m trying to do so.”

“Are you sure you aren’t the one who hit your head in the accident? I’m a PI. I do a lot of dangerous assignments all the time. And you’ve never told me not to do my job before. Ever.”

“And that should tell you a lot right there. This is on another level. I’m asking you to do this for me. Please let this go. At least for now.”

Gabby let out a loud sigh. “Only because I can tell that you’ll be worried nonstop if I don’t, and we can’t afford to have you distracted right now. I’ll fill Mac in on everything I know and go from there.”

“Thanks, Gabby.”

Gabby hung up without saying anything else.

Caleb looked directly at her. “Gabby’s great at her job. I don’t doubt her abilities at all. But I can’t help but worry about something happening to her. And I just couldn’t handle that,” Caleb said. “I couldn’t handle losing her.”

As she watched him, she saw some level of vulnerability. “I didn’t know about your parents. Look at me.” She threw her hands up. “I’ve been so self absorbed. It’s completely embarrassing.”