“Yeah, it’s secure,” Lenny replied to Yocum. “It used to belong to Dwayne’s grandfather.”
“Used to?”
“He sold it to some guy in New York, like, fifty years ago or something. Probably forgot about it, if he’s even still alive.”
“Looks like someone’s operating on outdated intel,” Cage commented to Church with a smile. “Good to know we called that one right.”
“Who else knows about this place?” asked Yocum. He looked nervous, his gaze going from left to right as they went back to the truck.
“Nobody. Jesus, will you relax? I said it’s secure, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, but what about Luther? Isn’t he going to be pissed when he finds out we’ve been skimming inventory off the top?”
“Fuck Luther, man. The guy’s an idiot, and he’s become a liability. Besides, he’s got his hands full, trying to keep the IRS off his ass and Kylie Handelmann’s dad from shooting his balls off for knocking her up. He’s not going to notice if a few crates go missing. He’ll just assume he fucked up.”
A second monitor started blinking in the war room, indicating another perimeter breach.
“Looks like we’ve got more guests coming to the party,” Cage said, turning his attention to the other screen. “Only this one’s on foot. Oh shit.”
“Is that Bree De Rossi?” Church asked in disbelief, but Cage was already on his way out the door.
Chapter Forty-One
Bree
Bree was careful about where she stepped, glad for the clear sky and shafts of silvery moonlight reaching the ground. By keeping to the tracks of flattened grass and brush made by the truck, she moved with near silence down the access road. The raucous symphony of nocturnal creatures took care of camouflaging her footsteps and the thundering beat of her heart.
She tried not to think about what creatures were making those noises because if she did, she would also have to think about what might be lurking in the shadows, and that would make her lose her nerve. In Nick’s arms, those noises had lulled her into a peaceful slumber. Now, traipsing alone in the dark on the side of a mountain, they were terrifying.
She slowed to a snail’s pace when she heard human voices and then ducked behind a tree. Peeking around the side, she was able to make out the dark truck parked just ahead. The vehicle’s headlights illuminated what looked like a slab of rock covered in weeds. Then, Lenny and the other guy appeared to step out of the rock, and she realized it was a cave of some sort.
She crept closer, hoping to get a better look. The two men went to the back of the truck and pulled out a large wooden crate, though there were no markings to indicate what was in it. She knew it was heavy by the muted grunts they made lifting it off the tailgate. Her hand reached into her pocket and wrapped around her phone, itching to snap a few pictures. Fearing the light from the screen would give her away, she decided to wait until they went inside again. Then, she’d sneak out and see if there were any more in the truck.
Without warning, a hand was placed over her mouth, and she was suddenly pulled back against a hard male chest. Bree tried to scream, but the strong arms tightened around her.
“Hush.” The word was less than a whisper, but it was enough to get her to focus. The voice was familiar, as was the scent of evergreen and sandalwood.
Nick!
“Did you hear something?” Lenny’s friend asked.
Both men stopped what they were doing and listened intently. Bree was certain her heart was pounding loud enough to be heard. Nick’s firm embrace kept her absolutely still.
After several interminably long moments, Lenny pointed his flashlight toward a fallen log to her right. Bree tensed when she saw the biggest rat she’d ever seen peering out with glowing eyes before disappearing back under the log.
“It’s just a possum,” Lenny said. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Sorry, Len. I’m just a little on edge, you know? We’re not far from Sanctuary, and after what those guys did to Dwayne ...”
Lenny let out a string of curses. “They’re going to pay for that.”
“How?”
“You’ll see. Now, come on. We’re done here.”
Nick soundlessly pulled her farther into the shadows as Lenny and the other guy got into the truck and started backing down the access road. Only once the sound of the engine faded away completely and they were plunged back into darkness did Nick loosen his grip.
Instead of letting go, he turned her around to face him. In the moonlight, she could see the sculpted lines of his face, all hard angles and pissed off SEAL.
“What the fuck are you doing out here, Bree?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but before she could, his lips crashed down hard on hers. It was potent and powerful, by far one of the most desperate kisses she’d ever experienced. Her fingers curled into his biceps.
By the time he pulled away, she felt dizzy. “I ...”
“No, don’t. Not until you’re somewhere safe and I calm down.”
He grabbed her hand and tugged, leading her through the woods.
“My car,” she said weakly.
“Where is it?”
“On the side of the road, just above the turnoff.”
He cursed under his breath and then said, “Copy that.”
“Copy what?”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Cage
Cage couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so angry—or when he’d felt such fear. He willed his thundering heart to slow. Bree was safe. Bree was with him.
Thankfully, she was also being quiet and cooperative. Was she scared? Pissed? Embarrassed? He didn’t know. At that moment, he didn’t particularly care. She’d put herself in danger, and for what? A goddamn scoop?
When they hit the trail, Smoke was waiting for them with the Jeep. Without a word, Cage ushered Bree into the vehicle, and they drove back to Sanctuary in silence. They pulled up to the main building just as Doc pulled in with Bree’s rental.
