Disillusioned Page 3

  It was Kade Wheaton.

  The man who’d broken her heart, who’d humiliated her, who she hadn’t spoken with in years because even the memory of him was too painful.

  Recognition flashed on his face before a smile curled his lip. “Nikki? Long time no see.”

  CHAPTER 4

  Kade Wheaton stared at Nikki Wright for a moment, wishing he had more time to absorb her lovely features. She was still pint-sized, with curves in all the right places. She had silky brown hair that fell below her shoulders, a cute button nose, and striking cheekbones. Her olive skin always looked tan, and her gray eyes currently looked stormy.

  He’d known Nikki was going to be here, but he hadn’t expected to feel such a strong reaction to her.

  But this wasn’t the time to dwell on that, and based on the scowl across her face, she wasn’t in the mood to be admired, especially by him.

  He clicked the locks in place behind him and stepped into the apartment. He didn’t understand everything going on, but he knew enough to realize this was serious. Dead serious.

  “What are you doing here?” Abhorrence stained her gaze, and her hands went to her hips.

  “I called him, Nikki,” Bobby said. “He was the only person I could trust.”

  “You have the navy! The government. Probably the CIA. At the very least you could have called Raz. And you called Kade?”

  “Ouch,” Kade muttered. All of these years, and she still seemed so angry. The thought pressed heavily on him. Of course this should be the least of his concerns at the moment. There’d be time later to address what had happened eight years ago.

  “There are very few people I can trust right now, Nik,” Bobby said, no hint of apology in his voice. He turned to Kade. “Can you get us out of here?”

  “Yes.” Kade tossed them some bags he’d thrown together. “Put these on. They’ll help to disguise you when we leave.”

  Both Bobby and Nikki did as he asked. Nikki pulled on a blond wig and a baseball cap along with a baggy sweatshirt. Meanwhile Bobby donned a shaggy brown wig and a cardigan sweater that gave him a hipster vibe. It would suffice. From a distance, no one would recognize them. Hopefully it would buy them enough time to escape.

  “Any idea who these guys are who are after you?” Kade asked, strapping the now empty bags across his shoulder.

  “They’re the guys I got away from,” Bobby said. “The terrorists found me here, and they have US citizens working for them. Sleeper cells. The works.”

  Kade exchanged a glance with Nikki and saw the tension in her face. Confusion and a hint of apology seemed to linger there also. He realized she didn’t know what to make of Bobby’s words either. But until Kade discovered the truth, he had to just focus on keeping Bobby alive. Nikki, too.

  “We better get you out of here before the owner of this apartment gets back. Then we’ll have a whole ’nother situation on our hands,” Kade said, feeling like he was bracing himself for battle, similar to the ones he’d orchestrated as a SEAL. “You two ready?”

  They both nodded, Nikki a little more hesitantly than Bobby. They started toward the door, and Kade lifted up a prayer for their safety. The situation would be tricky, to say the least. They needed all the favor possible right now.

  After Kade checked the hallway, he motioned for them both to follow. Before Nikki slipped by him, he squeezed her shoulder. She flinched visibly and pulled away from his touch as if he were the boogeyman.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he told her, deciding to ignore her obvious rejection. “I promise.”

  “No offense, but I stopped believing anything you told me years ago.” She jutted her chin in the air and walked ahead.

  Was there any way he could not take offense to that? He kept quiet, though.

  “I have my Jeep parked on the street,” he said instead. “All we have to do is make it out of this building, walk less than a block to my vehicle, and we’ll be okay. You guys can handle this.”

  They started down the hallway, moving at a casual pace. No one came toward them or approached them from behind. So far, so good. But Kade couldn’t let himself relax.

  “Let’s take the elevator,” he said. “Stay casual. Loose. We’re just three friends out for an early dinner.”

  The device dinged, and its doors opened. The space inside was empty. Thank goodness.

  They all stepped in, and Kade pressed the “1.” Just as the doors started to close, a hand appeared. Kade braced himself for a confrontation, reaching for the gun hidden beneath his leather jacket.

  A moment later, two guys crammed into the space. They were probably in their early twenties, right out of college, and looked like the idealistic type who worked in the Capitol.

  The two men didn’t even seem to notice Kade, Bobby, and Nikki.

  “Did you see that news story about that POW being released from the hospital?” one of the guys said to the other. “What do you think? Is he really a victim, or did he defect to the other side?”

  “Who? Lieutenant Wright? No way did he ‘escape,’” the other guy said. “I think the terrorists sent him back here to wreak havoc.”

  Bobby bristled beside him. Kade tapped him with his elbow, caught his eye, and slowly shook his head. Bobby’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing, did nothing. Thank goodness.

  Kade had also seen the breaking news coverage earlier. It didn’t look good. The picture the media painted of Bobby could do irrevocable harm and make a case in his favor nearly impossible.

  “He needs to be in jail. Maybe in Gitmo. But not here,” the taller of the two men continued. “He doesn’t deserve any of the freedoms we have here. Traitors should pay.” His voice changed and his head wobbled like an actor’s as he said, “And that is my official statement on the matter. I’ll be taking no more questions at this time.”

  The guy with him laughed. Definitely congressional aides hoping to break into the DC political circuit. Kade had seen their types before.

  They were clueless. They had no idea about the sacrifices service men and women made in order to give people the very freedoms these men wanted to take away. Kade had been Special Forces, but now he worked to help those on the front lines when they returned home. Through the organization he’d started, Trident, he helped ex-military to reintegrate into their former lives. The toll that fighting in war zones took on these men and women was unfathomable, yet was so easily discounted by some.

  He had to bite his tongue not to say anything now.

  Thankfully, at that moment, they stopped on the first floor. Kade waited until the two men stepped out, and then he motioned for Bobby and Nikki to follow him. The ground-level floor—where all the shops were located—was busy with people out for Friday dinner. He hoped to use the crowd to his advantage.

  They casually walked toward the exit doors that led to the busy street outside. Kade scanned everything around them as they walked, looking for any suspicious signs. So far, so good.

  They stepped out onto the sidewalk, where people hurried briskly back and forth. Vehicles stuck in the gridlock honked at each other. Car exhaust and the smell of pastries from a nearby bakery wafted around them. A group of professionals walked past, arguing about politics and elections and trying to figure out the world’s problems.

  Safety was close. So close.

  “That’s my black Jeep,” Kade told Nikki and Bobby. It was parked on the street, which would make for a quick getaway. “You can see it from here. We’re almost home free.”

  “Not quite.” Bobby nodded straight ahead. “There they are.”

  Kade followed his gaze. Sure enough, three men in suits were walking their way. Based on their intense gazes and quick steps, they were on a mission. A deadly mission.

  “Bobby, buy a paper from the machine over there. Now.”

  Bobby turned and began fiddling with the coin-operated newspaper rack.

  “What about me?” Nikki said, her voice just above a whisper. She drifted closer to Kade. Certainly not on p
urpose, he thought, not based on her chilly greeting earlier.

  “There’s only one surefire way to get them to stop looking.”

  “What’s that?” she asked.

  He grabbed her hand, pulled her toward the building, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Before she realized what was happening, he pressed his mouth against hers.

  Nikki instantly tensed, and Kade could tell she wanted to fight him with every fiber of her being. But after that second passed, her shoulders relaxed. Not her lips, however.

  It had been a long time since he’d kissed Nikki. Her strawberry scent was tantalizing and brought back sweet memories. Being close to her felt good; somehow it felt right.

  If only he was doing this for pleasure. If only Nikki would ever forgive him.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Kade watched the three men approaching. They were almost close enough to touch. Their eyes, though concealed by sunglasses, obviously surveyed the area, searching for something, someone. For Bobby and Nikki.

  Their gazes fell on Bobby, who fiddled with the newspaper dispenser.

  Kade tried not to freeze, to look obvious. Instead, he pulled Nikki closer. His mind raced and his body went on alert, ready to run if it came down to it.

  As the men took another step toward them, Kade braced himself for the worst.

  CHAPTER 5

  Nikki’s mind seemed to blitz out on her. She needed to worry about the men chasing her, and instead she was fighting outrage and awkwardness as Kade’s lips covered hers. It had been a long time since they’d kissed, and all she wanted right now was to smack the man.

  Before she could, Kade released her.

  “Stay close,” he whispered, his Texas accent sounding as tantalizing as ever.

  His breath on her cheek caused unwelcome ripples to surge up her spine.

  The men, Nikki reminded herself. This was about the men chasing them and not about her broken heart.

  Her gaze fluttered to the side. Spotting the men, she held her breath. She didn’t release it until they passed.

  Kade’s plan had worked. The men hadn’t recognized them. They were safe again. For the moment, at least.

  As Kade started to back away, Nikki’s cheeks flushed. Her whole body reeled, for that matter. Especially her lips, which still stung. The realization only caused her resentment to grow.

  Even more frustrating was that part of her longed for more, craved it even.

  She was thirty years old. She shouldn’t be reacting like this.

  Kade’s arms still circled her waist. He could let go of her anytime now. He could step back so she couldn’t smell his leathery scent. So she couldn’t feel his solid muscles beneath her fingers. Couldn’t feel the warmth emanating from his skin. Just like old times.

  Old times that had ended horrendously.

  Only after the men were a good ten feet away did Kade release her.

  “Sorry about that,” Kade whispered, still standing too close for comfort. “But people generally avert their gazes when two people are kissing because they feel awkward.”

  “I understand the awkward part.”

  His eyes danced, but only for a moment. He was obviously unaffected by what had just happened. As he should be. He’d lost interest in Nikki a long time ago. That had been abundantly clear.

  “Let’s go,” he said.

  They joined Bobby, keeping their steps slow in order not to draw attention to themselves. Finally they reached the Jeep and climbed inside. Nikki hopped in the back with Bobby and immediately hit the lock.

  For a minute—and just a minute—they were safe. Nikki was certain this was no more than a temporary reprieve. There was no quick fix to the situation, and this nightmare was just beginning.

  “Stay low in your seats,” Kade said as he cranked the engine and glanced in the rearview mirror.

  Why did he always seem so in control, like he knew what he was doing? It was frustrating. Or maybe Nikki resented how even-keeled he remained while her own life seemed to spiral out of control.

  As Kade eased out into traffic, Nikki glanced behind her. No cars appeared to be out of the ordinary. It seemed like regular rush hour traffic. But she wasn’t ready to let down her guard.

  Her gaze flickered to Bobby. He sat beside her, staring ahead. That lifeless expression Nikki had become familiar with over the past two weeks had returned to his eyes.

  What had happened to her brother during those years of detainment in the Colombian wilderness? Would he ever be the same? Even come close to resembling the man he used to be? She feared the answer was no.

  There were no words for the moment. Nikki knew that. Right now they just had to get out of the city and put as much distance as possible between themselves and these men. She’d have time to think later.

  She put her hand on her brother’s forearm, and he flinched. She waited a moment before asking, “Are you okay?”

  He didn’t say anything, only nodded.

  Nikki wished she could get inside his head. She had no idea what was going on in there. Was he scared? Had he expected this? Did he know who those men were?

  Nikki knew, however, that questions overwhelmed Bobby and made him shut down more.

  She cast another glance over her shoulder. The sun was beginning to sink as they cruised toward the interstate system that surrounded Washington, DC, like a bowl of spaghetti. Nothing suspicious caught her eye. It looked like a normal display of vehicles headed home after work.

  Her shoulders started to relax.

  Until she looked at Kade. His arm was stretched all the way to the steering wheel, and his rippled muscles and bulging biceps left no questions about his strength and discipline. His Jeep was clean and neat with not so much as a straw wrapper on the floor. She’d glimpsed two black bags in the back. Was he always prepared and at the ready? She knew the answer. Yes. He was just that kind of guy.

  A cross dangled from the rearview mirror, and her stomach turned. At one time, they’d not only shared an attraction for each other, but also a mutual faith. They’d been able to talk for hours about the issues on their hearts.

  They hadn’t spoken in years. Not since they’d broken up. Time had only made him more handsome, if that was possible. He was still a head turner, but she knew that he’d never wanted the distinction. That made him even more attractive.

  As she glanced at the slight scruff on his jaw, her lips tingled. Their kiss replayed in her mind. Her body wasn’t working in conjunction with her thoughts. Her brain knew it was a bad, bad idea to even entertain the thought of kissing Kade Wheaton. Her body really needed to get the message and stop reacting like a schoolgirl with a crush.

  Nikki cleared her throat and leaned toward him. They needed to have a serious talk. She’d been calling the shots the past couple of weeks, and letting Kade sweep in and take charge could set a dangerous precedent. No one cared for her brother like she did. Bobby was all she had left in this world, and she wasn’t going to easily give up all she’d worked so hard to achieve. “Where are we going?”

  “I know somewhere we can lay low for a few days, until we can get this mess figured out. We’ve got to go off grid.”

  “Off grid?” He sounded like a spook. He’d fit in perfectly with that kind of life, because spooks were all liars. Maybe that’s why he’d gone from one day being ready to marry her to the next day wanting to break up. Maybe it had all been a lie.

  These thoughts had turned over in her mind for the past eight years. Eight years was a long time to think about something.

  Kade had given her no explanation—only that there were things he wasn’t able to tell her. Nikki’s mind had spun with possibilities. Could there be another woman in his life? Was that the big secret?

  Or maybe the conquest was over and he’d gotten bored? Nikki knew how alpha males operated. Her family had been full of men who fit that description.

  Or maybe he’d hoped to date Nikki in order to advance his own career by buttering up her father, who’d worked as
an undersecretary for Homeland Security. Kade had been promoted to captain while they’d been dating. Had Kade accomplished his mission and moved on?

  Funny that she’d fallen for the same kind of guy twice. Pierce had only used her to get close to the people in her life also. He was FBI and career driven, fresh out of Quantico when they met at church.

  Kade rubbed his jaw. “Sorry again about that kiss.”

  “Let’s just forget about it.” Nikki shifted, trying to get comfortable with the seat belt around her waist and over her shoulder. It made it hard to lean forward and talk privately. “So you didn’t answer my question. Where are we going?”

  He’d only said “somewhere.” That wasn’t good enough. Their lives were in Kade’s hands right now, and although Bobby was sure they could trust him, Nikki wasn’t.

  “A friend of mine has a place in Cape Thomas. We can stay there.”

  “On Virginia’s Eastern Shore?” Nikki rubbed her temples, fighting a headache. She vaguely remembered hearing about the town. She’d read a magazine article years ago that described it as one of the places time had left behind, with a charming location on the Chesapeake Bay, a landscape full of farms and a rich history.

  “That’s right. A little town that time forgot about. My friend’s place is secluded.”

  “Does your friend realize he could be harboring people who are on terrorists’ most wanted list?” Nikki had to ask the question. Kade’s friend should know what he was getting himself into. It was bad enough that their own lives had been turned upside down. She didn’t want to wreak havoc for other people also.

  “He trusts me.” Kade glanced at her in the rearview mirror, his warm brown eyes assessing her, just as he’d done in the past. “It’s going to be okay, Nikki.”

  She licked her lips, his words causing a surprising resentment to rise in her. “Everyone says that. But sometimes things aren’t okay. They can’t be okay. Why don’t people ever want to acknowledge that?”

  Kade said nothing for a moment. “How about this: I don’t know if it will be okay, but I’ll be there with you throughout the process.”