The Baby Assignment Read online

  As Tanner turned to her, Addie let out a cry. Macy saw the flash of panic on Tanner’s face. He bounced the baby in his arms, talking in soothing tones.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he murmured. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. I promise.”

  Macy’s very bones ached at his tender words. He would have been a good father. If only...

  No, she couldn’t think about that.

  “We’ll talk tomorrow,” she assured him.

  The last thing she wanted to do was prolong the amount of time she spent with Tanner. It would be too painful, not something she wanted to endure. She would find the answers, be done with this, and hopefully never have to see him again.

  As she opened her mouth to say goodbye, a noise outside drew her ear. Was that...a gunshot? She sucked in a quick breath.

  Tanner visibly tensed beside her and reached for his gun. Before he could grab it, she heard a groan outside.

  Tanner’s partner fell to the ground.

  The next instant, three men wielding military-grade guns and wearing ski masks burst into the building.

  * * *

  Tanner grabbed Macy and rushed toward the hallway. He pushed her inside the first room he came to and quickly scanned it. Good. No windows.

  He thrust Addie into Macy’s arms, apprehension welling in him at the gravity of the situation. “Stay here. Lock the door. Get in a closet. Understand?”

  He didn’t have time to rationalize or reassure her. All they could focus on now was survival. Time was of the essence.

  Macy’s eyes widened, but she nodded, looking shell-shocked.

  He gripped her shoulder. “You’re strong. You can do this.”

  Before she could say anything else, he shut the door and waited until he heard the lock click in place. Then he ducked behind a corner, careful to remain covered. Footsteps pounded toward him in the distance.

  A bullet whizzed through the air, hitting the wall in front of him. Tanner fired back, missing the shooter by mere inches.

  More footsteps scrambled in the waiting room.

  Another bullet hit the plaster behind him. He had to put an end to this. It had been risky bringing Addie out today, but Tanner had followed procedure. That procedure had gone totally wrong, unfortunately.

  Lord, please keep Macy and Addie safe. Please. He’d never forgive himself if they were hurt on his watch.

  In an instant, both Macy and Addie’s faces flashed through his head. Despite his history with Macy, he still felt an unusual surge of protectiveness about her.

  His presence here could have put her in danger, and he couldn’t live with himself if something happened to her because of him. Even if the woman had left him and turned his life upside down.

  He peered around the corner again and raised his gun. The smoky, acidic smell of ammunition filled the air as this place of healing became a place of violence. The irony hit him, but he couldn’t linger on it now.

  A masked gunman ducked for cover behind a plush chair. The man popped up when he spotted Tanner. Before the man could take a shot, Tanner fired. The assailant yelped and fell out of sight.

  Tanner knew this was far from over, though.

  Where were the other gunmen? Just what were they planning?

  He grabbed his phone and called his office. “Immediate backup needed. We’ve got an active shooter situation at the Third Day Psychotherapy Center. Three gunmen.”

  “Backup is en route.”

  Before Tanner hung up, another gunman stepped out from behind the glass-enclosed reception area and raised his gun. The bullet grazed Tanner’s biceps.

  He flinched but ignored the pain. Instead, he fired back, hitting his target on the shoulder. The man groaned and retreated.

  Silence stretched through the air.

  Who were these guys? They shot like professionals, like people who had experience. And that fact didn’t settle well with Tanner.

  He assumed Addie’s mom was fleeing from a domestic situation, an abusive boyfriend or husband. But if this current incident was connected with Addie—and he believed it was—then this was much bigger than he’d surmised.

  Slowly, Tanner crept toward the waiting room. He had to see what was going on out there and try to get a read on things. As his foot hit broken glass, he looked down. A trail of blood led to the back exit.

  Had all of them retreated or just one?

  Remaining close to the wall, Tanner continued to check the area. He had to make sure everything was clear before he went to get Macy and Addie. He wouldn’t relax until he saw them again and knew they were safe.

  Just then, another bullet shattered the silence of the room. The fish tank behind him exploded, and water gushed to the floor.

  Tanner dove behind the couch, his pulse pounding in his ears. This place was a battle zone.

  He glanced at the office door where he’d placed Macy and the baby. At least he knew no one had gone in there. They were safe. He planned on keeping it that way.

  Another thought rammed into his mind.

  What if there was another way into that office? What if those gunmen had only been a distraction while another man went after Addie and the woman he’d once loved?

  Two

  Macy froze beside the heavy wooden desk as silence stretched outside the room where she and Addie were hidden.

  She’d heard the gunfire. The shouts. But she had no idea what was going on out there. She had no way of finding out—unless she opened a door, which she had no desire to do.

  Tanner probably hadn’t realized there were two doors that led into the room, and she hadn’t had the chance to tell him. He’d probably assumed the other doorway was a closet. In reality, it connected this office with the reception area.

  Leaving Addie on the floor, Macy had locked that door and shoved a bookshelf in front of it. Would it be enough? She prayed it was because she was out of options in here.

  A slight noise caught her ear, and she raised her head high enough to peer over the top of the desk.

  Her gaze stopped at the door that was partial blocked by the bookshelf. The door handle jiggled ever-so-slightly.

  Her breath caught.

  That wasn’t Tanner. Or was it? No, he would announce himself.

  She gripped the edge of the desk, hardly able to breathe. Fear rippled up her spine, fear like she’d never felt before. How was she going to protect Addie if these gunmen confronted her? She had nothing to defend herself with. Nothing that would stop them. Macy had no doubt they would kill her if she stood in their way.

  She swallowed hard. She didn’t want it to come to that, but she’d do whatever necessary to protect this child, even if it meant sacrificing herself in the process.

  Who were these men? She assumed they were connected with Addie. It was the only thing that made sense to her. But she supposed they could in some way be tied with the counseling center. An angry client suffering with a psychotic break maybe. It had happened before, though never to this extreme.

  It didn’t matter right now.

  Survival was the only thing that was important.

  She glanced beside her. She’d placed Addie out of sight beneath a heavy wooden desk. The baby lay on the carpet there, oblivious to danger but getting agitated by the minute. Thankfully the child hadn’t screamed amidst the commotion. It made Macy wonder if Addie was accustomed to chaos and unaffected by it. Children had the amazing ability to cope throughout life’s traumas.

  Thank goodness she couldn’t crawl yet. Macy hoped the baby was safer there, out of sight, than in her arms. Macy remained beside her, comforting her. Praying. Warding away worst-case scenarios.

  Her back ached as she hunched over. Her legs cramped from the confined quarters. But those things were the least of her worries.

  This wasn’t ideal. None of it was. But Macy co
uldn’t stand out in the middle of the room like an open target.

  And she could no longer just stay here defenseless. Certainly there was something in this room she could use as a makeshift weapon. There had to be.

  Before she could lose her courage, she scrambled out from her hiding place. With trembling hands, she opened the door to the supply cabinet behind her.

  She scanned the shelves there. Was there anything she could defend herself with? A stapler? Not ideal. She picked up a bottle of toner, and an idea fluttered through her mind.

  She ducked back under the desk, unscrewed the cap on top, and waited.

  Her stomach clenched tighter and tighter with each second that passed. What was happening on the other side of that door?

  Addie let out a little squeal, and Macy tried to shush her. The sound was so sweet and such a contrast to the dangerous intensity of the moment. Macy wanted to relish the sound, to absorb it and the innocence it emanated. But this wasn’t the time.

  She held her breath, listening, trying to anticipate what would happen next.

  Another round of gunfire exploded outside.

  Tanner...had Tanner been hurt? She didn’t care about the man anymore, but she didn’t him to be injured...or worse.

  She closed her eyes and tried to control her breathing. Tried to use the techniques she taught others who suffered with anxiety. Tried to visualize positive outcomes.

  You can do this, Macy. You’re smart and capable.

  But the mind had always been her battleground, not her office space. Not guns or violence. Her weapons were self-control. Faith. Reprogramming thoughts. Prayer.

  A surge of anxiety rose in her, and she gripped the toner more tightly.

  Shouts sounded outside.

  What was going on? Part of her hated hiding out, while the other part was too terrified to move.

  All of this over a baby? That’s what her mind kept going back to and tried to wrap itself around.

  Every child was important...but what made Addie such a commodity to someone that they’d go to these lengths?

  Or maybe this wasn’t about Addie at all, she reminded herself. It could be related to one of her other cases, one of her clients. There was so much she didn’t know, but she was certain that she had to protect this child.

  “It’s going to be okay, precious,” she whispered. She gently poked the baby’s stomach, and Addie kicked her legs, temporarily distracted from her growing agitation. “We’re going to get things figured out for you. Somehow. Some way.”

  We? She meant Tanner. Tanner would figure this out. Macy would do whatever she could to help, but this was above her skill level.

  Just then, she heard something scraping against the floor.

  The shelf, she realized.

  Someone had gotten the door open and was now shoving the bookshelf out of the way.

  The scraping sound stopped.

  That meant someone was inside the room with her.

  The skin on the back of her neck crawled.

  Macy gripped the toner more tightly. If only she could see what was happening.

  She put a finger over her lips, urging Addie to remain quiet. As if the baby could understand.

  She lowered her head, trying to peek through the crack between the desk and the floor. She saw black combat boots headed her way.

  She sucked in a quick breath.

  It was one of the gunmen.

  Her blood went cold.

  Her heart pounded furiously into her ears as she pushed herself deeper under the desk. No, no, no...

  Please, baby Addie. Stay quiet.

  The baby was getting tired and irritated. It was probably time for her to eat. Or her gums could hurt with incoming teeth. Or her diaper could need to be changed.

  From his current angle, the man couldn’t see them. But the farther he came into the room, Macy knew the gunman would spot her. And when he did...

  She shuddered as scenarios rushed through her mind.

  He stepped closer, closer. Footsteps padded on carpet. Macy could hear him breathing, his inhales and exhales heavy and laced with adrenaline. Danger crackled in the air.

  She put a hand on Addie’s chest as the baby’s lips pulled downward like she might cry.

  Macy held her breath, hardly able to hear over the blood rushing in her ears.

  You can do this. You can do this.

  She sensed the gunman was closer. Only seconds away from spotting her.

  Just then, Addie let out a whimper.

  Macy had to take action. The gunman’s footsteps quickened, headed her way. She waited until his shadow blocked the light above her.

  Then she sprang from beneath the desk and flung the toner at him. Powder went into his eyes, and he howled with pain, bending over and turning in a partial circle.

  Quickly, Macy grabbed Addie, climbed from her hiding spot, and rushed toward the doorway. Before she got there, the man growled, “Stop right there.”

  His voice chilled her to the bone.

  Macy turned, anxiety stretching through each of her muscles. She kept Addie shielded and looked over her shoulder.

  Dear Lord, please protect us.

  The man wiped his eyes with one hand, but he held his gun with the other. The barrel was pointed straight at her. Malice stained his gaze as he stared at her and blood oozed from his shoulder.

  “Give me the baby,” he demanded.

  “No,” Macy said, holding Addie more closely.

  The baby whined again, and tears appeared in her eyes. The poor thing. Could she sense the danger in the air? Her agitation only compounded Macy’s stress.

  If Tanner wasn’t here now, he must be hurt. The only way he’d let this confrontation happen was over his dead body. The thought caused a lump to form in Macy’s throat.

  Moisture tried to rush to her eyes, but she held it back. This fight wasn’t over. Not yet.

  “Did you say no?”

  Macy pulled Addie closer. “Stay away from this baby.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You don’t know what you’re getting into, lady.”

  “You’re a monster.”

  “I’ll show you a monster if you don’t hand over the girl.”

  “No,” she repeated.

  “Have it your way.” He raised his gun toward Macy’s chest.

  Gunfire blasted through the air. Macy braced herself for the pain that she was certain would come.

  * * *

  Tanner stood in the doorway and watched the masked gunman collapse to the ground. He hadn’t wanted to shoot him, but he’d had no alternative. It was either the man died or Macy.

  The choice was a no-brainer.

  “Tanner?” Macy whispered.

  Macy’s stunned eyes met his. In four steps, he reached her, bypassing the gunman, now sprawled on the floor with blood gushing from his chest.

  Tanner kicked away the man’s gun and quickly checked him for any other weapons. There were none.

  He’d already confirmed that the other men he’d shot had fled, so they shouldn’t be any danger to Macy or Tanner right now.

  Despite all their past history, Macy fell into his arms, her limbs trembling and her eyes watery. The intensity of the moment had broken down their walls...at least temporarily. That situation would have shaken up the strongest of persons.

  Tanner had seen it in her eyes: Macy had thought she was going to die.

  He’d also seen her willingness to lose her life rather than give up Addie. It was admirable, but not surprising. Macy had always been unselfish.

  That was part of the reason why their breakup had been so difficult and hard to accept. So much about it still didn’t make sense.

  He held her another moment, relishing her familiar, clean scent. She still wore that perfume that smelled like fresh
cotton. He’d missed it.

  Protect your heart, he reminded himself.

  Almost as if she could sense his thought—or as if she’d come to her senses—Macy stiffened in his arms.

  Addie’s cry turned into a wail, and they both stepped back. Macy drew in a deep breath and raised her chin, obviously trying to compose herself. Addie’s chubby fingers reached for Macy’s hair, her fingers tangling with the dark brown locks.

  Tanner knew that Macy hadn’t intended on touching him or letting him hold her. He could still read her like a book, even after all these years. The way she averted her gaze, looked away, rolled her shoulders back.

  He had to admit that it had felt good to have her in his arms again. Her hair, as she’d nestled under his chin, had felt soft, and she still fit so perfectly into his embrace.

  But it was all over now. There was no need to yearn for the past—not when it could never be re-created.

  “Are you okay?” he asked softly, keeping a hand on her arm to steady her.

  She nodded, bouncing Addie on her hip, but her trembling limbs belied the action.

  “I’m fine.” She blanched when she saw his arm.

  He looked down. Blood gushed from his biceps. It was only a surface wound, one that looked worse than it actually was. His adrenaline had been pumping so hard that he hadn’t noticed the injury.

  “You’re hurt.”

  He shrugged. “I’ve been through worse.”

  “What happened?”

  “Bullet.”

  Macy squeezed her eyes shut, as if she couldn’t stomach the thought of it. When she pulled her eyes open again, her gaze drifted downward to the man on the floor. “Is he...dead?”

  Tanner squatted and felt for a pulse on the man’s beefy neck. “Not yet, but almost.”

  She paled even more. “Who were they?”

  “I don’t know. There’s a lot we don’t know and a lot that doesn’t make sense.” He reached down and pulled the man’s mask off, anxious to see the concealed face.

  A Caucasian man, late twenties, short blond hair and a scar across his cheek stared back at him. Tanner had never seen the man before.

  “You know him?” Tanner asked.

  Macy shook her head and then looked away.