Page 10

CHAPTER 9

Seven days.

That’s how long she’d been stuck on the sidelines, recovering. Time Nova didn’t have when every law enforcement officer on the island was searching for her. Which was bad enough. But if her hunch was right, the warrant had likely gone federal, which meant Cooper and his team had been hiding her from the U.S. Marshal Service, too. A freaking complication that was likely to be what eventually bit them all in the ass because…

It was insane.

But what made matters worse was the fact she still didn’t remember everything. Namely, why she’d gone to the DEA office to begin with. Simmons barging in and firing on her was crystal clear. As was the fact Paulin had already been on the floor when she’d reached his office. But everything before and after was murky. Like shadows looming underwater. Shapes that never quite materialized.

She understood why the gauntlet ride was hazy. She’d been shot in the arm and side — had a graze across her ribs. The blood loss mixed with all the adrenaline had played havoc with her memory. But why her time at the initial crime scene was still blacked out was a mystery even Kian couldn’t answer.

Sure, he’d muttered stuff about her state of mind. That she’d been reeling from Cartwright reassigning her and Tate’s death. But she remembered the meeting in Hawk’s office like it was yesterday. So, why those thirty minutes on scene were blank…

She mulled it over, grabbing one of Cooper’s shirts. Either Blake or Emery had given her some clothes, but she preferred Cooper’s if possible. Something about the faint hint of citrus and pine soothed her nerves. And with her world on the verge of collapse, any kind of distraction was welcomed.

Having the stitches that hadn’t dissolved pull as she dragged the shirt over her head didn’t improve her mood any. Clawed away that initial surge of endorphins from wearing Cooper’s clothes. And she couldn’t help but wonder if she was destined to spend what little time they had left before the law finally caught up to them stuck chasing ghosts.

That image of a shadow played inside her head. What had been happening fairly regularly over the past week. The link she couldn’t quite make. She’d hoped the mandatory rest would make a difference but it had only served as a reminder that she’d manifested the very outcome her boss had warned her about.

That maybe she was the problem, after all.

Nova groaned inwardly. Tate would have busted her ass for all the negative thinking, quoting that the only way to win the fight was to live it. Breathe it in as if it were oxygen. That the only person who could undermine her was the one staring back in the mirror.

Which started with her busting out of the room and stepping into the fray. Cooper wouldn’t approve, but she’d convince him. Bribe him if needed. Because she knew his team had been digging for answers since she’d called Cooper’s cell and asked for help. And it was time she rejoined the fight.

Voices sounded in the distance as she eased open the door and stepped into the hallway. Not that it extended all that far. Some obscure shack on a cliff on a remote section of the island. Nova wasn’t sure how they’d secured it, especially when it was the third place they’d ventured since Hawk’s office, but at least it had given her the chance to recover. Get her strength back enough to return to duty.

Cooper was at the small propane stove making tea when she stopped just shy of the entrance. Watching him pour water shouldn’t affect her the way it did. Make the room feel warmer. And was she breathing harder from the short walk down the hall, or was it simply staring at Cooper? Wishing he’d finally hold true to his promise that they’d pick up where they’d left off.

Injuries aside, she knew he was still questioning her reaction to being pulled from Columbia. That misunderstanding she’d intended to clear up before her life had gone off the rails. The kind of conversation that was bound to crop up at the least convenient time.

Whiskey rose into a sitting position, tongue hanging out one side, ears twitching. The dog looked at Cooper then back to her, those soulful brown eyes watching Nova watch Cooper. Cooper must have felt her staring because he froze, then turned, shaking his head as he crossed his arms over his massive chest. The one she’d used as a pillow the past week. That she wanted to use for the foreseeable future. “You said you’d wait for me to bring you the tea.”

She smiled, glancing at Bellamy and Rusty when they looked over at her. “I can’t stay in that room forever.”

“You can if it means you’ll heal.”

“I’ve already healed.”

Cooper snorted. “You’re better. Probably won’t drop dead on us at any given moment. But you’re not healed.”

“We don’t have time for me to be a hundred percent. Besides, I’ve carried out entire missions with cartel assholes in worse condition than I am now, so…”

“Highlighting that you’ve made questionable decisions in the past isn’t exactly a convincing argument, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart .

One word shouldn’t make her feel giddy. But even with the obvious distance between them, he still used the endearment as if he wasn’t quite conscious he was saying it until it hung between them like a promise hoping to take root.

“Backing out isn’t always an option. At least, not one I’d survive. Like now. And while I can’t express how grateful I am that you somehow found a way to allow me this time to heal, even I know we’re out of time Because Cartwright did make that warrant federal, right?”

Cooper sighed, motioning to one of the chairs. “He did.”

“Which means we’ve got the U.S. Marshals in the mix. And those guys don’t mess around.” She all but collapsed into the seat, allowing her head to tip back. “How does one meeting turn into a complete screwup?”

Bellamy shrugged, passing her the tea Cooper handed him. “Murdering a federal agent tends to have consequences.”

“I didn’t kill Paulin, wiseass. Hell, I didn’t even try to hit Simmons, just fired off a bunch of cover fire in case he wasn’t a traitorous bastard like I suspected.” Nova rubbed her hand over her side. “Which, of course, he is. Surely, they’ve gotten back the autopsy report, by now. And I’m pretty certain Paulin still had a slug or two inside him. That, alone, should clear me.”

Bellamy glanced at Cooper, then over to Rusty before pushing to his feet. “Are you sure you’re up for this? No shame if you need a few more days.”

“God, you’re as bad as Cooper. I’m fine, Bellamy.”

“Then, let’s make this official. Coop…”

Cooper whistled for Whiskey, clipping on a lead and sending her out with Rusty as the guy mumbled something about a perimeter check. What she assumed Ethan was already doing.

Bellamy waited until Rusty was gone then headed for a door on the other side of the room. A light flickered to life when he went inside, a distinctive hum vibrating through the air.

Nova looked up at Cooper when he made his way over to her chair. Easing it back so she could stand without having to push it aside. “I swear, if that goes to Narnia…”

Cooper chuckled, remaining dangerously close when he could have backed off — given her more space. “You’d love it there.”

“Where they use swords and bows?”

“Like you don’t know how to throw a knife.”

She took a chance he wasn’t completely unaffected by being that close to her and drew her finger along his torso, smiling when he inhaled, all that blue in his eyes burning into a deep cobalt. “Not like you can. And yeah, I remember that date where you took me axe throwing. I can only imagine how deadly you are with something more precise.”

He stepped forward, increasing the pressure of her palm against his chest. “That was a couple years ago. I’m surprised you remember. Though, I do recall you hitting center mass. Every. Single. Time.”

“I’m okay. But you were masterful. And for the record… I remember every date you took me on.” She tiptoed up. Close enough she could have kissed him. “Vividly.”

Cooper swallowed. Hard. As if she was testing some part of his inner control before he leaned closer — brushed his lips across hers. “Nova…”

She smiled, closing her eyes in anticipation to the rush of adrenaline the instant his mouth claimed hers, when a throat cleared behind her.

“Seriously? I leave you two alone for one minute and you look like you’re ready for a round against the wall?” Bellamy tsked. “Save the humping like bunnies for after the briefing. I already have Waylen connecting everyone.”

Cooper clenched his jaw, looking as if he was considering punching his best friend in the face before he blew out a rough breath. Physically pulled back. “We’ll be right in… buddy .”

Bellamy chuckled, making stupid kissing noises as he turned and went inside.

Nova tamped down the punch of disappointment. Not that she’d expected Cooper to ravish her, but she could have used the endorphins before facing whoever Bellamy had Waylen connecting. “Wait. How is Bellamy even talking to Waylen or anyone? And how is there going to be a briefing? I thought this place was off-grid? That running water was the one luxury?”

Cooper grinned. “That’s what we want everyone to think if they send a drone overhead. Nothing but some propane and solar panels.” He offered her his hand. “Come on. You’ll see.”

She accepted, some of the wariness gnawing in the pit of her stomach easing from the simple brush of his palm against hers.

He stopped just shy of entering, giving her a hardened stare. “I realize you can’t sit this out but…”

“I really do feel better.”

“Do you need me to bring in a chair?”

“I think I can stand for five or ten minutes.” She frowned. “It is only going to be five or ten minutes, right? This isn’t some kind of intervention.”

“Just remember we’re all on your side.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound ominous, at all.”

Cooper gave her hand a squeeze then walked into the room, shuffling them over until they were standing behind a bank of monitors. The kind she expected the DEA head office to have but definitely not something some shack in the woods would feature. And how did they even have a signal?

Cooper arched a brow, nodding to his right. Silently asking her if she wanted him to distance himself. She simply shook her head. In fact, if she had her way, he’d be behind her to catch her when she fell because all that talk about being strong and ready to rage war faded as the monitors flickered to life. And she couldn’t help but wonder she’d dug herself a hole she’d never get out of.

Bellamy glanced over his shoulder, eyeing Cooper then focusing on her. “Before you get all antsy, everything is highly encrypted through a number of satellites. It was actually constructed by a friend of Waylen’s as a safehouse of sorts for just this occasion. Which is why we didn’t come here until we thought you’d be vertical, again. But if you’re really up to it…”

Nova merely nodded.

“Then, let’s cut through the bullshit. Nova. I think you know most of the folks on the screens. But we’ll make a few introductions. The man standing beside Flint and Emery is Captain David Milligan, Emery’s boss?—”

“Her what now?” Nova glanced at Cooper, wondering if this was the part where they simply took her into custody.

Cooper sighed, inching closer. “Relax, sweetheart. No one’s carting you off to jail, just yet. But in order to get ahead of this shit storm, we needed to make a few alliances once we got enough intel to prove that, at least to those willing to listen, you aren’t some rogue agent looking to become the next Joaquin Guzmán.”

“Intel? What intel? And why didn’t we have this conversation six days ago?”

“Because you were passed out from blood loss six days ago. And five days ago. And four… You get my drift. If I had my way, you’d still be in that room, in the dark while we worked the case, but…” He shook his head. “You’re more stubborn than most, so…”

“I don’t have time to be kept in the dark, Coop.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “And while we’re at it, do I even want to know who the guy is standing between Blake and Kian? Because he’s got CIA written all over him.”

The guy snorted. “CIA? Now, I’m insulted.”

Hawk laughed from the far monitor. What looked like his office in the background. “Another one who’s got you pegged, Adam.”

“I do not look like I’m CIA.”

“Trust me. You really do.” Hawk grinned. “That’s Adam Porter — Deputy U.S. Marshal.”

Nova inhaled, giving Cooper a shove. “He’s a freaking marshal? Are you insane?”

Cooper held up his hands. “Easy?—”

“Easy? There’s a federal warrant out for my arrest and you’re all chatting with a marshal? Christ.”

Porter grunted. “If I was going to toss your ass in jail, Agent Martin, you’d already be behind bars. The fact you’re there, instead…”

Nova shook her head, thankful when Cooper grabbed her and pulled her against his chest when her legs buckled. “This is seriously messed up.”

“I told you it was too soon.” Cooper held firm. “Shit, I should have brought in that chair?—”

“No, I just… I need someone to start talking.”

“Actually, I think that’s your job.” Porter nodded at her. “I want to hear exactly what happened, from the moment you arrived at the crime scene until Cooper and his team picked you up.”

Nova snorted. “That’s going to be a bit hard since I still don’t remember the crime scene.”

“None of it?”

Pain pulsed through her temple, that ghostly silhouette wavering in the distance. “I remember a shadow on the wall.”

“Whose shadow?”

“If I knew that, Porter, I wouldn’t be standing here feeling as if my head was going to explode trying to force it all back.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “It’s been haunting me since I first woke up, but I don’t know why.”

Cooper’s breath feathered over her neck. “Let’s not get hung up on that one point. But you were talking to Paulin when I came back in after having Whiskey scent the area. And I definitely heard you say ‘where and when’ to him.”

“Where and when? Jesus, even I think that sounds more like a drop. And I didn’t tell you why I was meeting him?”

“Only that it was to discuss the case. And you were definitely antsy.”

“That’s because the Paulin I knew before was a back-stabbing asshole who would have sold out his own mother if it had benefited him.”

Porter chuckled. “That sounds like motive.”

Nova glared at Porter. “If I killed every man who fit that description, I’d have a few hundred graves scattered around Bogotá. It’s part of the job, though I got lucky because Tate wasn’t...”

She inhaled as more images shuffled inside her head, making the room spin. Tate, spread out on the floor, his sightless eyes staring at her. Blood pooling around his body. Something blue peeking out from between his clenched fist.

Fingers snapped in front of her face and she jerked back as Cooper yelled at Bellamy to get some water. Her stomach roiled and she turned, dry heaving against the rush of nausea. Kian was talking in the background, the entire room buzzing to life.

Cooper went to scoop her into his arms when she finally managed to suck in some air — wave him off.

She held up her hand, accepting the glass Bellamy offered her. “I’m fine, I just need…”

“To lay down. Hell, maybe get a freaking MRI of your head.” Cooper braced her weight when she finally got her feet under her. “Seriously, Nova.”

“Forget about my head for a second. That crime scene… Can you describe it to me?”

Cooper frowned. “And have you pass out for real this time?”

“It was like Tate’s wasn’t it? Someone was dead and it looked just like Tate’s photos.”

Cooper glanced at the monitors — probably asking Kian if he thought Cooper should answer — only to nod. “Damn near identical.”

“And I freaked out then, too, right?”

“Yeah. Which was why I thought it was odd you were standing in that room when I came back.”

“My clothes.”

Cooper arched a brow. “Your clothes?”

“From that night. Did you find anything in them?”

“Kian? Brother, you cut them off her.”

Kian furrowed his brow. “I only went through them to see if there was a wallet — maybe some kind of medical alert card I should be concerned about before treating her. But the only unusual thing I found was a piece of tape. I think it might have been blue or green, but it was soaked with blood. If there was anything on it, it was long gone.”

Tape…

That one word had it all coming back. How Paulin had confessed he’d been dealing. That he wanted out and needed her help. That he had additional intel regarding Tate’s death.

She leaned more heavily against Cooper, trusting he’d keep her from falling as she focused on breathing — letting all the memories filter into place until the worst of the pain had passed, and she felt confident she could straighten without puking.

Cooper tsked when she raised her head, tugging her fully against him. “A few more breaths because you still look like a damn ghost.”

She smiled. She loved that about him. How he understood her in a way no one else had. As if they had some kind of connection etched into their DNA.

That being together had been an act of fate.

Cooper grunted when she finally inched forward, giving her a hard stare. What clearly indicated his next step would be hiking her up on his shoulder and carting her back to bed if she so much as shivered.

Kian cleared his throat. “Are you good or should I let Cooper act on all those protective instincts practically radiating off him?”

She gave Cooper’s hand a pat, still bracing some of her weight on him as she looked at the monitors. “Having a night’s worth of memories slam into my head was bound to have an effect.”

Porter perked up. “So, you remember why you went to the DEA office? Alone?”

“That tape Kian found. That’s the reason. It was from one of the bricks of cocaine left inside the lab.”

“And that’s important because…”

“Because it was also one of the pieces I put on the two bricks Cooper’s team found in Bogotá when they were sent in to retrieve Octavia. The ones I placed inside the evidence locker at the office before leaving for the States.” She met Porter’s gaze. “In Columbia.”

“You’re sure?”

“Unequivocally.”

“And you think Paulin somehow got his hands on them?”

“The last time I saw them, they were secured in the Colombian DEA office and then I find them at a crime scene here, so you connect the dots. And I’m betting any record of me logging them in has conveniently disappeared, leaving me holding the bag on two kilograms of cocaine.”

Porter arched a brow. “Let me get this straight. You found evidence that suggested Paulin was involved with dealing stolen DEA drugs to further some hidden agenda. Then the man calls you and asks to meet when he’s still supposed to be on O’ahu, and you go there alone? Why the hell didn’t you take Emery or at least Harris with you?”

Nova sighed, glancing at Emery then Cooper. “It seemed like the best option at the time.”

“Bullshit. You’re way too savvy to make that kind of monumental mistake.”

“Are you sure about that? Because it’s obvious I’ve been off my game since Tate died.”

“Not buying it, Martin. In fact, I’m betting it has nothing to do with the state of your head, and everything to do with the guy standing behind you.”