Page 19

CHAPTER 18

She was out of time. Cooper knew it. He felt it soul deep. That undeniable connection they’d shared since the day they’d met. Fate, he guessed.

And it was quickly counting down.

Blake and Kian had picked them up just before Flint had needed to cut across on some insane looking dirt track. What Cooper suspected was really an animal path masquerading as a trail. Flint had agreed to keep going with Emery. What would have them arriving at the DEA office about five minutes after Nova’s ETA. Close but likely not close enough. Though, that one concession had allowed Cooper’s team to take the remaining seats in the chopper.

Emery had emphasized how they needed Cartwright alive. That he was still an assistant director of the DEA and killing him would not be easily brushed aside, despite being dirty. Cooper and his buddies had agreed to leave the dogs kenneled in his and Bellamy’s trucks on the premise that the rest of Flint’s team would take them back to the ranch. Whiskey had already gotten hit once. Cooper couldn’t chance her reduced reflexes would put her at a higher risk of getting hurt again. Or worse. Especially when he knew she’d never back down. Never hesitate to heed a command or defend him even if he couldn’t voice one.

And there was the fact where he wanted to take Cartwright out himself.

He hadn’t said that to Emery. That he didn’t give a shit about the consequences. Not when he knew she would have insisted he and his team stay behind. And he’d try to take Cartwright in without killing him. But if he threatened Nova…

Fog hung over the island, only the odd patch of foliage punching through the thick bank. A flash of green amidst the oppressive gray. Whether the clouds helped amplify the light beneath or Blake truly had made a deal with a demon as her nickname in the Coast Guard implied, Cooper wasn’t sure. Either way, he owed her because…

He couldn’t see a damn thing. Just darkness, glowing patches of fog and more darkness. Those green areas as black as the night. He’d given up trying to follow any kind of pattern, praying she wouldn’t plow them into the side of a hill or worse — decide it really was too much and simply land. Because there wasn’t a Plan B. Hell, there was barely a Plan A. Nothing more elaborate than racing to the office and stopping Cartwright from killing Nova.

The bastard planned to. Cooper knew that, too. The only ending that made sense. The creep would play it off as Nova going rogue, again. Claim she’d been the one running the drugs. That Paulin had wanted to come clean so she’d killed him to save her own ass. Cooper was positive Cartwright had enough circumstantial evidence hanging around that he could sell it long enough to jet off to some non-extradition country. Or maybe he planned on joining the cartel in Columbia or wherever they were from. Not that it would matter. Nova would still be dead, and Cooper would spend the rest of his life knowing he’d failed her.

Failed them.

His headset chirped as Blake glanced back at his team over her shoulder. “We’re coming up on the office. I’ll have to set her down far enough away the sound won’t carry over that slight rise in case they’re already on site. But I’ll keep her running…”

She didn’t finish but she didn’t need to. Cooper knew what Blake was implying. That she’d be ready to fly Nova to the hospital if they didn’t reach her before it all went sideways. Why Kian had ventured along instead of Flint or Emery riding shotgun.

Cooper hopped out of the chopper as Blake settled it on the ground. He raced forward, going to one knee as he scanned the area. Not that he expected anyone to be waiting for them, but he wouldn’t risk it. Cartwright could have a contingency of mercenaries backing him up. Though, Cooper’s gut told him the man had come alone. Probably hoping to sneak in and out without anyone knowing he was there. But Cooper would be ready if an entire squad of assholes suddenly appeared out of the brush.

Bellamy tapped his shoulder as he darted past, all but sprinting across the scrubby landscape. He’d owe his best friend for that. For moving faster than was probably wise when they had no idea what they’d be facing. Essentially risking his own life to save Nova’s. Not that he expected anything less but Cooper wasn’t the only one in love. Octavia was counting on Cooper getting Bellamy back in one piece, and he didn’t want to let her down, either.

Rusty held up his fist as they neared the top of the hill, covering the last few feet of elevation slowly. Pausing for a moment before popping up and surveying the other side. He peered through his scope, scanning left to right when he froze, adjusting the lens a bit. Cooper was just about to go up and slap the man to see if he’d passed out or something, when Rusty signaled them to move.

Cooper didn’t waste a second, jumping up then running full out up over the hill and down the other side. Jumping over brush and rocks and chunks of old lava rounded from years in the wind and rain. He’d gotten halfway down the embankment when he saw their silhouettes over by the fountain. Nova off to his right while Cartwright hung back to the left. Maybe five or six feet away.

The guy was armed. His pistol like a black omen against the glaring headlights. Most likely a Glock. Hell, the guy was so cocky it was probably his damn service weapon. Some story he’d concoct about Nova trying to kill him so he had to shoot her in self-defense. And at that range, it didn’t matter if he was skilled or not. He simply had to aim in her general direction and he’d catch some piece of her.

At least she was still wearing her vest. Not that it would save her from a head shot, but it would give her a chance if Cartwright missed. Or went center of mass out of sheer habit.

Which the fucker did a second later. No warning, no aiming, just him suddenly lifting his weapon and firing. Twice. Nova shot backwards, landing on the gravel surface in a spray of dirt and mud — a shower of stones arcing through the air. She hit hard, barely moving as Cartwright darted over to the fountain.

Dead.

That’s what the bastard would be in about ten more seconds. Cooper just needed to get a bit closer…

Was that where Nova had hidden the ledger? Because the asshole definitely had something in his hand when he straightened a few moments later. Whatever it was, Cartwright tucked it into his shirt then walked over to Nova, standing above her as he turned his weapon over in his hand.

This was it.

Cooper stopped, and went to his knee, again, lifting his rifle to his shoulder.

“Jesus, Coop, we’re still too far away.” Bellamy went to his knee beside Cooper. “You could hit Nova.”

Bellamy had a point. Cooper wasn’t a sniper, despite being an excellent marksman. And it was on the edge of his effective range. But if he didn’t try, Nova was dead.

Cooper lined up the target, released his breath, then fired.

Cartwright jerked, staggering back several steps before regaining his balance. The bastard was obviously wearing body armor. Either a soft vest like Nova or maybe something more robust. Which meant, Cooper needed to change his tactics.

He fired, again, dropping the guy when he caught him in the thigh. He stayed vigilant, prepared to land the next round in his head if he so much as twitched before one of his teammates reached him, when Rusty gave him a twirl of his hand. Already closing in on the bastard, Rusty’s rifle notched in his shoulder as he slowed enough to keep it aimed at Cartwright.

That was Cooper’s cue to move, Bellamy shadowing his every step. In case Cartwright really did have men cruising the area. Because Cooper was completely fixated on Nova. Tunnel vision. Dangerous, but all his mind seemed focused on was replaying the way she’d been knocked off her feet. How she hadn’t moved, since.

He hit the far side of the lot running flat out. Counting on his teammates to eliminate any threats if they suddenly popped up. He all but skidded to a halt, going to his knees beside Nova a few seconds later. He checked her pulse, looking at Kian when the man dropped in beside him.

Kian didn’t waste time. Had his medic bag open as he leaned over Nova. “Nova? Honey, open your eyes if you can hear me.”

It took a moment before she blinked, wheezing as she tried to gasp in her next breath.

“Shit. Help me get her vest off.”

Cooper held the material away from her body as Kian grabbed his scissors, cutting through the Velcro on the sides before tossing the front section on the ground behind him.

She managed to grab Cooper’s hand. “Can’t…”

“Breathe. Ya… Kian?”

The man had a syringe in his hand, was already cutting through her shirt. “Trachea’s deviating toward the left side. Fucker probably broke a couple ribs. She’s likely got a tension pneumothorax. Hold still, Nova. This is going to feel so much better in about five seconds.”

He traced his fingers along her ribs then stuck that needle in. There was a rush of air then Nova was sucking in an actual breath, her muscles noticeably relaxing.

Kian taped the damn thing in place, then did a full body sweep, shaking his head once he’d finished. “You just keep on testing my abilities. I think you’re actually worse than Blake.”

She smiled, groaned, reaching for her side, when Kian grabbed her wrist.

Kian tsked. “I need you to stay still. Blake’s repositioning the chopper as we speak. Just give me a few minutes then we’ll be on our way. You’ll need to stay in the hospital for a few days but once again, you seem to have defied certain death. You and Cooper might want to buy a lottery ticket before this luck runs out. Coop? Can I trust you to keep the lady from ripping out that needle while I check on Cartwright?”

Cooper gave his buddy a light shove. “I think I can handle it.” He snorted when Kian rolled his eyes then took off. “And you claim I’m a nursemaid.”

“You… are.” She winced, trying to look off to her right when Cooper placed his other hand on her shoulder, daring her to challenge him.

Nova sighed, staring up at him as if she’d never expected to see him again. “Cart…”

“Fucker’s alive. At least, Kian’s treating his leg wound, so I assume he’s not completely at death’s door.” Cooper arched his brow. “I can change that, if you want me to. If him still breathing is going to mean you never get a moment’s peace.”

She pursed her lips as if she was considering his offer before giving him a slight shake of her head. “Let him… rot.”

“That’s my girl.” He leaned forward, careful not to put any pressure on her. “When I realized you were gone… Don’t scare me like that again.”

“I’ll do…”

“Your best. Ya, I figured as much. At least, maybe now, you’ll only have cartel assholes to worry about.”

She laughed, then cursed, releasing his hand long enough to punch his arm. “You ass.”

“You’re right. I’m an ass. But as long as I’m your ass, I can live with that.”

She beckoned him down with a slight tilt of her head, sighing when he dropped a gentle kiss on her lips. “Coop, I…”

“Tell me later. When you’re not colored purple.”

“So, never?”

“Very funny.” He glanced up. “Blake’s here. And before you even think of arguing, no, I’m not leaving your side for any reason, so… make peace with that.”

Nova glanced at Emery when the woman headed their way. “And if I… end up in jail?”

“Then, I’ll be sitting right beside you. Which means Bellamy will be pissed because he’ll have to bail us both out.” He nodded at Emery. “You look like you should have opted for the chopper.”

Emery rolled her eyes. “Remind me to slap Flint later. And you, too. I thought I made my position clear regarding Cartwright?”

“The bastard’s still breathing.”

“You still shot him.”

“Trust me. I had every reason to make it a permanent condition.”

Emery gave Nova a once-over. “Then, I’ll just say thanks. Milligan’s already talking to some Director Shaughnessy? He’s lifting that warrant as we speak. Said he’ll be in contact once you’re back on your feet and that you’re to stay on the island in the interim. I figured that wasn’t going to be too hard of an order for you to follow.”

Nova nodded, her eyes drifting shut until Cooper brushed his hand along her cheek.

“Keep those gorgeous green eyes on me, sweetheart. At least until there’s not a needle stuck inside your chest helping you breathe.”

She blinked a few times. “Buzzkill.”

“I promise I’ll make it up to you later. Now, hold tight. Blake’s as crazy as you are, so this ride should be interesting.”

Nova sat in the hospital bed, watching Cooper pace the length of the room, stopping every other trip to gaze out the glass wall. She’d been stuck in there for three days, and she had to admit, even she was starting to get a bit stir crazy.

“Coop. Baby, you’re making me tired just watching you. Emery said she’d be here once she had some answers, which she obviously doesn’t have, yet.”

Cooper stopped, turning to face her and damn, just taking in his sculpted frame and stunning blue eyes had her struggling to breathe. Not like before when her right lung hadn’t been able to inflate. This was more a sensation of falling without ever reaching the ground.

The man huffed, scanning the area, again before moving over to her bed. “How hard is it to compile all that evidence into one nice, neat package?”

“Apparently harder than we thought.” She motioned him over with a wave of her fingers. “It’s going to be okay. You already said Waylen and Bellamy were able to crack the rest of the ledger codes. But there’s nearly a year of entries. Drug logs to run the data against. It might not seem all that difficult, but it’s a lot of intel to get through. That takes time.”

“How can you be so calm when it’s your life they screwed with?”

She smiled. “That’s easy. I’ve got you, and that’s all I need.”

Cooper chuckled. “Talk like that is libel to get us kicked out of this place.”

“Good, then drop your pants, flip me over and pound into me because if I have to stay here another night…”

“Seriously? We leave you two alone for five minutes to grab food you can actually eat, and this is what we come back to?” Bellamy shook his head as he, Rusty and Ethan stood in the doorway. “I’m really questioning that claim of restraint, buddy.”

Cooper flipped him off, accepting the brown bag he handed over. “Please tell me this is a cheeseburger.”

“Extra cheese, hold the onions.” Bellamy waved at Nova. “Which, I get now.”

“Wiseass.”

Bellamy grinned, handing Nova another bag. “Veggie burger? We need to have a chat, sister.”

Sister.

They’d all been slipping that in occasionally since she’d woken at the hospital with a chest tube sticking out one side. They’d removed it this morning, though she’d likely be sidelined for at least a month in order for it to fully heal.

She scrunched up her nose. “You’re just sore because Octavia’s snubbing meat until she stops puking, and you’re only able to eat it when you’re out with your team.”

“It’s worse than watching you and Cooper eye-fuck each other.”

“Since that’s all I’m going to be getting for a while…”

“Says the woman who just begged my best friend to flip her over.”

“Is this a bad time?”

Nova skipped her gaze over to the door, groaning inwardly at Emery, Flint and Milligan standing in the doorway. Of course, they’d shown up now.

Cooper winked at her, the ass, then waved them in. “Actually, now is perfect if it means you’ve finally got some intel.”

Emery walked inside, Flint moving in behind her. He gave the room a scan, then alternated his focus between Nova and the hallways outside. As if he expected more cartel assholes to phase out of the walls. And hell, maybe that was part of the reason they were there, to tell her their efforts hadn’t done a damn thing to deter that cartel from calling Hawai’i home.

Milligan stayed off to the right, looking only a bit less haggard than when Nova had last seen him at the factory.

Emery accepted the french fry Cooper offered her, chewing on it before sighing. “So, do you want the good news or the kinda crappy news?”

Nova eased back against the bed, hating how every small move echoed through her ribs, reminding her she was lucky to be alive. “I’ve had a lot of crap news lately, so dazzle me, first.”

Emery laughed. “I said good, not dazzling, but. I’ll start with confirming that you’re officially warrant free and that your record has been expunged of any hint of drug trafficking or murder.”

Nova snorted. “I guess that’s a positive, seeing as I didn’t actually do any of those things.”

“See, not dazzling. Second, according to Director Shaughnessy, you’re officially on the DEA docket here until you’re strong enough to have a video chat to discuss next steps.” Emery glanced at Cooper. “Not sure if that’s a pro or a con, but…”

“Honestly, neither when I’m sitting here feeling every rib move when I breathe thanks to my traitorous ex-boss. What about Simmons? Cartwright? Is none of that part of the good news?”

Milligan moved forward when Emery glanced over her shoulder at him, and Nova knew she wasn’t going to like what the man had to say. “Both men are still recovering, albeit, slower than you. Simmons has made it crystal clear he wants a deal.”

Cooper edged closer to her. “And, is that on the table?”

“We’re all professionals here. You folks know the score. If the intel he has can bring down major players who pose a security threat to our country, then he’ll get WITSEC and whatever else he wants. That’s how we make a difference.”

“And the fact he likely killed Agent Paulin? Tried to kill Nova multiple times?”

“Won’t factor in. But that’s out of my hands and Porter’s. This has gone all the way up the chain. All we can do is hope the bastard gets sent somewhere unpleasant.”

“And Cartwright?” Nova braced herself for the inevitable. “Is he asking for a deal, too?”

“Unknown. Right now, ex-Assistant Director Cartwright is staying completely silent. He hasn’t spoken a word. That might change once he’s cleared to go to lockup but…” Milligan pushed out a heavy breath. “You should prepare for that to happen.”

“Perfect. They get new identities for undertaking heinous crimes and I get mine spit-shined for stopping them.”

“Shaughnessy has given me his word you’ll be free from any kind of fallout over what Simmons and Cartwright accused you of.”

“Sure, except where once it’s out there, it can’t ever be truly taken back. There’ll always be agents who question if I’m really clean or if I’m just smarter than they were.” She pinched the bridge of her nose to stop the pounding from behind her eyes from spreading. “Is that it? Anyone else getting a free walk I should be concerned with? Do we know what cartel they were dealing with?”

“Flint? You want to answer that one seeing as your team’s been running that off-the-books op for me?”

Flint grunted, looking less than happy. “In a word, the Yakuza.”

Rusty and Ethan coughed, looking at Cooper and Bellamy before uttering, “What?” in unison.

Flint held up his hand. “Bowie and I weren’t able to get any admissible intel, but we had a chat with a lingering mercenary we found out by the docks. And he said their boss back in Columbia was being backed by a Japanese mafia organization.”

Rusty huffed. “That’s a bit more than crappy news.”

Ethan nodded. “Remember that Yakuza group we tangled with in Brazil? I swear I still have nightmares.”

“The only positive news is that they seem to have retreated, at least for now.” Flint looked them each in the eyes. “But…”

“But, they’ll be back.” Cooper took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Then, I guess it’s a good thing you’ve got a team behind you.”

Cooper laughed when Flint cleared his throat. “Make that three teams and a police force. Though, that’s all going to have to wait until you can walk across the room without needing a sedative after.”

Nova smiled, nudging Cooper with her elbow. “You know what makes me tired?”

“Enough. Sheesh.” Bellamy headed for the door. “I also got a couple pizzas. I’ll go grab them. You’re all staying, by the way, and we can work out a security rotation for the first few days once you’re back at Cooper’s. After that, I guess it depends on what you and Shaughnessy decide, Nova.”

What she decided.

Nova looked up at Cooper, hoping he read the answer in the way she smiled at him as she squeezed his hand. Because the answer was simple. She’d find a way to stay, even if it meant breaking ranks.