“But they were—”
“It’s okay. Trust me. Please.” He held out his hand.
She hesitated, her hands shaking dangerously, her finger on the trigger.
He purposely kept his voice gentle and calming as he spoke. “Shannon, darlin’, I really need you to move your finger off the trigger and give me the gun. You think you can do that?”
Her blue-tipped black bangs had fallen into her eyes. She tossed her head, green eyes darting back and forth from the others to him. None of them had lowered their weapons. They’d simply shifted their stances so they could aim at her without him in the line of fire. They wouldn’t shoot him. But they didn’t know Shannon and weren’t taking any chances with her.
“Shannon—”
“Okay, okay.” She moved her finger off the trigger and turned the gun around.
He blew out a relieved breath as he took the gun. “Thank you. You did great.” He smiled encouragingly and shoved the revolver into his jeans pocket.
The others lowered their weapons and slowly put them away, as if they were worried that she might draw another gun.
Ian turned sideways so he could keep an eye on all of them. He smiled at Shannon again and motioned to the others. “Shannon Murphy, allow me to introduce you to the brute I allowed to beat the crap out of me at the truck stop. This is Adam McKenzie, a law enforcement ranger for the National Park Service.”
Adam nodded, but maintained a tense watchful wariness.
Shannon’s eyes widened, panic welling in them as soon as she’d heard the words law enforcement. He rushed through the rest of the introductions.
“The second one who looks like he could be Adam’s twin, but isn’t, is Special Agent Duncan McKenzie, also with NPS. Our last black-haired blue-eyed Irish lad is Deputy US Marshal Colin McKenzie.”
She swallowed, her haunted eyes zeroing in on him. “Why are they here, Ian? And why do they look so much like you?”
The knowledge was in her eyes. But she obviously needed to hear him admit it before she’d accept what to her was likely an unforgivable deception. He thought about lying. But there’d been enough lies between them already. And he knew the others wouldn’t go along with whatever story he wove, not without understanding why. All he could do was hope the fragile bond that he and Shannon had formed over the past few months survived the next few minutes.
“They’re here because they’re my brothers.”
She swallowed again, twisting her hands together. “I’m guessing that Ian Savage isn’t your real name. And you’re not really a mechanic?”
He glanced at his brothers, who were watching the conversation with riveted interest, before he met her tortured gaze again.
“I am a mechanic. I can fix pretty much anything with an engine. But I only work at the shop as my cover while working a case. My real name is Ian McKenzie. I’m a special agent for Homeland Security, specializing in the fight against human trafficking.”
A sob burst from her lips and she ran from the room.
Colin started after her, yanking open the door to give chase.
Ian grabbed his arm. “Let her go. She’s terrified of anyone with a badge. For good reason.”
Colin hesitated, then let the door close. “Special agent with Homeland Security, huh?” His voice was heavy with disbelief. “Since when?”
“Ian Savage?” Duncan cocked his head and grinned. “What a lame cover name.” He winked, letting Ian know he was teasing.
Normally Ian didn’t get Duncan’s jokes or appreciate the lighthearted way he approached life. But at this moment, he was Ian’s favorite brother.
“Let’s hold the twenty questions until Ian’s back in bed.” Adam firmly grasped his shoulders and steered him farther into the room.
“I must have hit you harder than I thought,” Ian mused. “You’re limping.”
“Old injury. You don’t get any credit for that. Come on. You’re about ready to fall over.”
“I’m only going to lie down because there’s no point in leaving now. You’ll just follow me and badger me with questions.”
Adam chuckled. “Right. It has nothing to do with how wobbly you are or that you look like you’re about to pass out.”
Ian stopped beside the bed. “You forgot something else.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m also about to throw up.”
Adam’s eyes widened. He jumped back just as Ian lost the contents of his stomach on the floor.
Chapter Six
“Four years, Ian?” Adam’s brows drew down in a thunderous frown as he dried his hands in the bathroom doorway. While he’d cleaned the floor moments earlier, and his shoes, the others had dragged extra chairs into the room. Now, as Adam took a seat, he and the others formed a ring around the bed, effectively boxing Ian in as if to keep him from trying to leave again.
“You must have gone to college after taking off and never told anyone about it. Then you joined Homeland Security shortly after you graduated.”
“Your deductive reasoning and math skills are extraordinary. You’re wasting your talents as a ranger.”
Adam’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
Colin swore. “Why all the subterfuge? We see you once, twice a year if that. And every time we ask about your life, you give a different story about your occupation. One time you were a bartender. Once you were a taxi driver in New York.”
“Don’t forget cowboy on a dude ranch in Montana,” Duncan chimed in. “That was my favorite.” He motioned toward Ian’s neck and arms. “Those tats real?”
“Why all the lies?” Colin demanded.
“I didn’t lie. I was all those things. And, yes, Duncan, the tattoos are real.”
Duncan waved toward his hair. “The blond streaks are new. Can’t say I care for them.”
Ian shot him an aggravated look. “Can’t say I care about your opinion.”
Duncan grinned.
Colin frowned. “Those were never real jobs. They were cover for whatever you were doing for Homeland Security.” He waved toward the other two. “It’s not like we can’t relate. We’ve all done undercover work. And we’re brothers in blue in addition to blood. We would have kept your secrets, been there for you over the years instead of—”
“Instead of judging me and telling me what a screwup I was all the time?” Ian started to cross his arms, but the sling stopped him. “Thanks, but no thanks. I got enough of that from all of you—and Dad—while growing up.”
Adam fisted his hand on top of the bed railing to Ian’s right. “That’s not fair. You were a screwup back in those days. You vandalized houses, stole cars, did drugs. All we ever did was try to help you.”
“Uh, no. You beat the crap out of me and tattled to Mom and Dad. And for the record, I’ve never done drugs. Not even while undercover.”
Adam rolled his eyes. “What are we? Ten? Let’s talk about this like grown adults. Or if we can’t do that, let’s speak to each other as the professionals that we are. Ian, if you’re in some kind of trouble, we can help.”
Ian snorted. “Of course you’d think I was in trouble.”
“Stop it.” This time it was Duncan who spoke up, sounding serious for a change. “I don’t think Adam was saying that on a personal level. He meant on whatever case you’re working. You told that girl—”
“Shannon.”
“Right. Shannon. You told her that you were working as a mechanic as your cover. That you specialize in fighting human trafficking. Is that why you’re in town? You’re after a trafficking ring? Where does Shannon Murphy fit into that? Who is she?”
Adam tapped the railing. “And what does it all have to do with Butch Gillespie? Has he risen from common pimp to running modern slavery rings?”
Ian straightened, then sucked in a breath and rubbed his aching ribs. “Gillespie? That’s his last name? You know him?”
“When I was a Memphis cop, I worked on numerous task forces. That included vice, specifically prostitution. Gillespie was arrested during one of our raids. The net was wide, mostly circumstantial evidence. He was one of the fish who got away. Not enough to hold him beyond the first twenty-four hours. No one was willing to turn on him, make any deals. He walked. But there’s no doubt in my mind that he was one of the ones behind the ring we broke up.”
“When was that?” Ian asked.
Adam considered it a moment. “Two, maybe two and a half years ago.”
“What did you find out about him? Did he run with anyone called Axel or Jagger?”
“Not that I remember. His right-hand guys went to prison. No way they’re out already. Are Axel and Jagger the other two big guys who were leaning against that van when I saw you?”
Ian nodded. “My thug contact, the scrawny guy by the front bumper, finally got me a face-to-face meeting after I’d been trying to talk deals for weeks using him as an intermediary. I’d hoped to make the bust tonight, rescue dozens of girls and bring down a major trafficking hub right here in Gatlinburg.”
Adam held his hands out. “Sorry, man. I had no way of knowing you were working a case. I didn’t even know you were in town. Maybe if you’d told us that you had—”
“Don’t,” Ian warned.
Adam let out a deep breath. “No judgment, all right? I’m just saying that had I known you were a special agent with Homeland Security, I wouldn’t have interfered. As for Gillespie, if you want, I can call some of my guys in Memphis and have them email me what they’ve got on him.”
Ian stared at him in surprise. “O...kay. Sure. I’d appreciate that.”
“You don’t have to act so shocked. We’re brothers, in and out of uniform. I’m always here for you, Ian. We all are.”
Duncan and Colin nodded as if on cue.
Ian was so used to being on the defensive around his family that he wasn’t sure how to react to this new uneasy truce, of sorts. He finally nodded his thanks, hoping that was enough.
Duncan thumped the railing. “Homeland Security, huh? Impressive. Tell us about it.”
It was surreal sitting in the hospital bed chatting with his brothers. That never happened. Since leaving home at eighteen, his return visits had been short and more for his mom than anyone else. He’d never once considered that the others might really care about him. Or did they?
After giving them a small glimpse into the kind of work he did, he said, “Tell me the truth. If I wasn’t in law enforcement, would you even be talking to me right now?”
Duncan considered the question, then rested his forearms on the railing. “Probably not. Your turn. If you weren’t still woozy and thought you could get past the three of us, would you still be here?”
He reluctantly smiled. “Probably not.”
Duncan grinned. “Back to your current case. You working alone?”
“Except for a liaison agent I meet at a pizza parlor every now and then so he can update my boss and provide resources, it’s just me. I’ve spent months following dozens of tips and leads through three states. Everything pointed to Gatlinburg being a hub, a distribution point. We’ve made some minor busts along the way. But here in Tennessee, I’m hoping to bring it all to a head. I want Butch and his men in handcuffs. But mostly I want to rescue the girls he’s currently holding. Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out where he’s keeping them or I’d have gotten them out by now.”
“I’m so sorry,” Adam repeated. “I had no idea about the damage I was doing when I confronted you in that parking lot.”
“Do you realize that’s the first time you’ve ever apologized to me?”
Adam snorted. “It’s the first time you ever deserved it.”
Ian’s jaw tightened.
“That was a joke. Not a good one, but an attempt regardless.” Adam smiled, but his look was wary. “I’m not Duncan. I don’t have the silly gene.”
“Hey, hey. Duncan’s in the room here, guys,” Duncan said.
Adam arched a brow. “Insulting you wouldn’t be any fun if you weren’t.”
Duncan grinned. “There’s hope for you yet, my serious brother.”
Adam rolled his eyes. “What’s your number, Ian? I’ll text you once I hear back from Memphis PD about Gillespie.” He pulled out his phone.
Ian hesitated.
Adam arched a brow. “What am I supposed to do? Shine the bat signal and hope you see it?”
The weight of all three brothers’ stares focused on him. Did they think that this civil conversation meant all was forgiven? That they could suddenly be friends? When they thought he was Ian the rebel, Ian the delinquent, they wanted nothing to do with him. But now that they knew he’d followed the family tradition of going into law enforcement after all, they suddenly wanted to be cozy?
Screw that.
They might consider everything that had happened as water under the McKenzie family bridge, but he wasn’t ready to throw out an olive branch. Especially since he hadn’t taken this job to make their retired-judge father proud. He’d taken it in spite of his father, to right the terrible wrong that Mighty McKenzie had done so many years ago. Not that anything could ever atone for what he’d done.
For what Ian hadn’t done, but should have done.
He rattled off a number and waited until Adam had saved it in his contacts. “That’s my boss’s line. His name is Barry Nash. You can text him about the case file on Gillespie. He’ll see that I get the information.”
Adam jerked his head up. “You gave me your boss’s number?”
“It’s the best I can do right now without risking blowing my cover. I don’t have an electronic trail in my real name here in town. I’m Ian Savage. Period. Mostly I use burner phones.”
Adam gave him a resigned look. “All right.”
Surprised at how easily his oldest brother had given in, Ian thanked him. “I appreciate you accepting my decision.”
“Oh, I’m not accepting it. I respect that you don’t want us interfering in an investigation. But now that we’ve found you again, I have no intention of letting you disappear like you usually do. Things are different now, Ian.” He held up his left hand. A gold band winked in the overhead lights.
“What the—You got hitched?”
“Last June. And both Colin and Duncan are engaged. They’re tying the knots in a double ceremony this Christmas. Are you going to miss every important moment in our lives because of your silly grievances against Dad and your resentment at us for not hating him like you do? Or are you going to finally grow up and work through whatever made you leave all those years ago?”
“Get out.”
Adam blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Get out. Forget about Gillespie. I’ll get the information myself. Forget about me and my silly grievances. I never asked for this little reunion, and I have no intention of growing up anytime soon.” He pushed the call button on the side of the bed.
Colin put his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Come on. He’s not ready. We’ll come back later.”
“What exactly do you think Dad did?” Adam demanded.
“Nurse’s station.” A woman’s voice crackled through the speaker built into the bed railing.
“I have some guests who’ve overstayed their welcome,” Ian told her. “They don’t seem inclined to leave on their own.”
“Do you need me to call security, Mr. Savage?”
Ian arched a brow.
Adam swore. “This isn’t over.” He stood, jerked his suit jacket into place and strode to the door. Colin followed without a backward glance. Duncan gave Ian a sad smile and exited with them.
“Mr. Savage?” the nurse called out again.
“Never mind. They’ve left now. Thank you.”
He wrestled down the bed railing that Adam had raised after Ian had nearly thrown up on him. He swung his legs over the side and used the bedside phone to call Shannon’s cell. No answer. He left her a message, then called his own cell in case she’d answer that. She didn’t. For a day that had started out so promising, it was turning out to be one of the worst ones ever. And he’d had more than his share of bad days in his twenty-seven years.
Less than five minutes later, he walked out the emergency room doors without anyone trying to stop him. Not wanting to risk his brothers seeing him if they were still hanging around the hospital, he’d phoned for a car for hire to pick him up a few blocks away.
He was halfway through the parking lot to the agreed pickup place when he spotted a familiar black Charger parked in one of the spots. His black Charger. He hurried toward it, half expecting to see Shannon waiting there. His shoulders slumped with disappointment when he saw it was empty. He’d stupidly hoped she might have come back to give him a chance to explain. Where was she? Had she hired someone to drive her home, as he’d planned for himself? Maybe she’d left a note inside the car.
He’d just unlocked the door when tires screeched behind him. He turned to see an all-too-familiar white panel van, idling behind the Charger.
Ah, hell.
He kept his expression bland and nodded at Butch, who was driving. “I was going to call you to reschedule our meeting since we were rudely interrupted.”
“I’ll just bet you were, cop.”
The side door slid open to reveal Blade aiming a sawed-off shotgun at him. “Get in.”
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
Приобретайте полный текст книги у нашего партнера:
