Disillusioned Read online

  Sunlight streamed in through the windows, promising . . . hope.

  What a joke. Hope wasn’t even on the horizon, only survival.

  She’d been asleep, she realized. Dead asleep. How could she sleep like that after everything that had happened?

  She must have needed the rest. Maybe it was having Kade put her to bed and having him so close—just the next room over. She’d always felt safe when he was around. Even now, with so much tension and brokenness between them, somehow she knew he’d protect her to his last breath if he had to.

  That didn’t excuse him for being a total jerk, however.

  The pounding sounded again and snapped Nikki back to the present. Something was going on downstairs, and she needed to figure out what.

  Had someone found them?

  She had to move. Move!

  She threw her legs over the side of the bed and quickly pulled on the outfit she’d worn the day before. She twisted her hair back into a sloppy ponytail and crept out of the room.

  An unfamiliar voice drifted upward from downstairs.

  The high tones didn’t spur images of a soldier or terrorist. It sounded like a . . . woman? Nikki peered around the corner.

  “I’m a friend of Savannah’s. She told me not to worry about her house while she was gone, but I wanted to be nice and water her plants this morning. She didn’t mention anything about guests.”

  “It was all last minute,” Kade said. He had a dish towel slung over his shoulder.

  Knowing Kade, he’d done that on purpose to make himself look more casual and unassuming. He thought ahead like that.

  “Who are you?” The woman was tall, with short, dark hair that had a streak of blue near the bangs. She was thin, dressed with a bit of an edge to her—dark clothing, lots of bracelets on her wrists, and heavy eye makeup. She obviously wasn’t the type to back down.

  “I’m a friend of Jack’s.” Kade glanced back as Nikki came downstairs. “This is . . . Nikki.”

  The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Are you with Hope House?”

  Nikki had no idea what Hope House was, but she could feel the situation growing out of control. She needed to step in. Females, in her experience, were usually less intimidating than men. Maybe she could put this woman’s fears at ease.

  “I want to say I’ve heard of Hope House, but I’d be lying,” Nikki said. A measure of honesty could help ease people’s suspicions.

  “It’s a shelter for women who’ve been trafficked into the country and need a safe place to stay, to heal.”

  “It sounds like something that’s much needed, unfortunately,” Nikki said, softening her voice. “Everyone needs a safe place.”

  “There’s already a waiting list to get in. My friends are doing good work.”

  “I’d say,” Nikki said.

  “I don’t want to see it ruined.”

  “Neither do we,” Nikki assured her.

  Something switched in the woman’s eyes. They’d passed her test, Nikki realized. The beginning of cautious trust had formed in her gaze.

  “By the way, I’m Marti.”

  Kade shifted and cast Nikki a glance. He was obviously in a hurry to get this woman out of here before she figured out what was going on. The plan had been that they wouldn’t have any visitors here or let anyone in town see their faces.

  “Savannah really felt called to start the ministry,” Marti continued. “We’re still getting everything in order, but we hope to have our first residents by the beginning of the year. I keep saying ‘we’ like I’m in charge or something, and I’m not. Savannah is just my best friend.”

  “I personally spoke to Jack and Savannah yesterday before they left for their honeymoon,” Kade said. “We have their full and complete permission to be here.”

  “I understand. It’s just strange because they never mentioned this to me. I thought you might be squatters.”

  “It was last minute,” Kade said.

  She nodded again, seeming to relax some. Until her eyes traveled behind them.

  Nikki’s shoulders grew tight as realization dawned in her gut. There was only one other person who could come down those stairs.

  Bobby.

  What if Marti recognized him from the news? What if she turned them in?

  As if to confirm the thought, Marti’s eyes lit up. She nodded as a sly smile spread over her lips. “Bobby Wright,” she muttered. “I never thought I’d run into you here.”

  CHAPTER 9

  No one said anything, even as Marti’s gaze bobbed back and forth between each of them. She’d obviously watched the news and seen Bobby’s face there. This wasn’t looking good.

  “Let me guess: This is a government cover-up, isn’t it? The military set you up to look like the bad guy. Maybe you knew too much about one of their top secret programs and they’re trying to silence you?” Marti continued. “Or maybe you were never captured at all, but the US is trying to ignite tension between this country and Colombia . . . only I’m not sure what their motivation would be. Does Colombia have resources we need?”

  They all continued to stare at Marti, nearly dumbfounded at her blathering. Her theories. Her speculation.

  “I’m sorry.” Marti frowned. “I’m a conspiracy theory nut. I have a tendency to go overboard sometimes. I can see I’ve freaked you all out.”

  “Maybe slightly,” Nikki said, realizing that she’d been holding her breath.

  “I’m assuming if Jack and Savannah let you stay here that you’re all the good guys and you needed a place to lay low. I get that, and I won’t tell anyone you’re here.”

  “We’d appreciate it.” Kade shifted by the front door, his muscles still tense and his gaze hard.

  Marti pointed behind them. “Look, can I come inside? I won’t overstay my welcome. I promise.”

  Nikki and Kade exchanged a glance. Finally Kade nodded. “Come on in.”

  They needed to make sure to stay on Marti’s good side.

  As soon as Marti stepped into the house, she darted toward the stairway, extending her hand to Bobby. “I’m Marti. Nice to meet you. Sorry to sound weird, but I’m a little starstruck.”

  Bobby stared at her for a moment. Then, to Nikki’s surprise, he accepted her outreached hand. He looked like he had a bad hangover or something, which Nikki knew wasn’t true. But it could be the drugs he’d been taking.

  He mumbled something that Nikki couldn’t understand. It wasn’t quite long enough to be “Nice to meet you,” but she imagined the sentiment to be the same.

  Kade closed the door, exchanging another glance with Nikki. He was worried, Nikki realized. Really worried.

  Nikki knew they had to plan their moves carefully or this whole situation would spiral out of control. “Why don’t you have a seat in the kitchen, Marti? Can I fix you some coffee?”

  Marti widened her eyes and shook her hands in the air. “No, I’m okay. If you can’t tell, I’ve already had four cups.”

  Nikki stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Look, Marti, it’s important that no one knows we’re here.”

  “No matter what they’re saying on the news, we’re not a danger to anyone.” Kade came to stand closer to them.

  “Oh, I never believe anything they report on the news.” Marti acted as if they were talking about something simple like a movie review or a restaurant opening. “You know what I say? Those reporters have an agenda. Always. There’s no such thing as unbiased.”

  Nikki glanced over at Bobby and saw his eyes riveted on Marti. Why shouldn’t they be? The woman was charismatic, not to mention nice to look at.

  Bobby had always liked the kind of girl who could hold her own. He’d had three serious girlfriends in his life, and each relationship had ended because of disagreements—neither side wanted to back down. Bobby was strong willed, and he liked women who were his equal in that area. He killed the opposites attract theory.

  “Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t as discerning as you are, Marti.” Kade frowned ag
ain.

  As Nikki looked up at him, she sucked in a quick breath at her rush of attraction. Like any good military man, he was already dressed. He was wearing jeans, a well-fitted—too well-fitted for her comfort—T-shirt, and his trademark cowboy boots. He’d shaven, his hair had a touch of moisture still, and she’d bet he’d even made his bed, all tucked in at the corners with sheets pulled tight.

  “There are plenty of people who’d love to have Bobby’s head on a platter, served up to the highest bidder,” Kade continued.

  “We can’t let that happen. We need to keep your presence here under wraps.” Marti turned toward Nikki. “So let’s make a list, okay? I’ll run to the store. It’s better if no one sees you, just in case.”

  “It is,” Nikki agreed.

  “It’s a small town,” Marti continued, pacing the floor like she owned the place. “News travels quickly, especially about outsiders. So you all stay here. I can be your liaison while you’re in town. How’s that sound?”

  Kade shifted, his hands on his hips. He was assessing, evaluating, contemplating.

  “Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?” he asked.

  “No, but I never do, and it all seems to work out somehow.”

  Nikki smiled. She already liked Marti. But she also worried that her carefree attitude would end up hurting her.

  There were already too many people whose lives were in danger. Nikki didn’t want to add anyone else to the list.

  Kade closed his Bible and leaned back in the overstuffed chair in the corner of his simple bedroom. He’d made a few phone calls, and he didn’t like what he’d learned.

  He’d talked to both his former commander and two SEALs he’d worked with in the past, and he’d brought up the subject of Bobby Wright. All three men seemed to think Bobby was guilty. There were rumors that before Bobby disappeared, he’d been talking with sympathizers. He’d even sneaked into the villages and befriended some locals who had known ties with the terrorist organization.

  As worry started to set in, Kade knew there was only one thing he could do. Before he could have hope in winning any kind of physical battle, he had to take things up with God. He’d never won a war without going to his knees first. The act probably seemed inconsequential to many people, but he knew he had no chance of winning without God on his side.

  He dwelled for a moment on some of his favorite Bible verses.

  But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

  My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:3–4

  No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

  He repeated the verses, lifted up a prayer, and then stood. Now it was time to implement those verses. He had to live on the assurance that God would guard him against all that lay ahead.

  Kade had hoped to keep their stay here quiet, but Marti’s unexpected visit had thrown a wrench in those plans. His gut told him that she was trustworthy, but he still needed to be careful.

  At the moment, Marti had gone to the store to pick up some supplies for them. Maybe her presence was a good thing. After all, they needed someone who could come and go without drawing attention, and Marti seemed more than willing to help.

  “You look like you just lost your dog.”

  Kade glanced up and saw Nikki standing in his doorway. Surprise washed over him that she’d go anywhere near his room.

  “If only a lost dog was my biggest worry,” he admitted, standing and pacing closer to her.

  “I get that.” She frowned and crossed her arms, leaning on the door frame.

  “How are you today?” he asked quietly.

  “Oh, you know,” Nikki said, shrugging. “My house has burned down, along with everything I owned. Someone framed Bobby so everyone would think he was building a bomb in my basement. Oh, and I’m apparently wanted by the police. So overall, just your average day.”

  “I’m glad you can make light of this,” Kade said. “So you’re not even entertaining the possibility that Bobby was making a bomb in your basement?”

  “He couldn’t have, Kade,” she said. “I was watching him the whole time. Someone must have moved in and planted that stuff while we were at the hospital. Which makes me believe Bobby even more.”

  “Where is Bobby?” Kade asked.

  “He’s in the kitchen making pancakes. I told him about the news report, and he went straight to the kitchen. Cooking has always helped him cope. Why?”

  Kade could feel the tension in her as he walked toward the door. He glanced out before shutting it quietly and moving closer to Nikki for privacy. He heard her breath catch at his nearness. Any other time he might have enjoyed the reaction, but there was no time for that now.

  “I just talked to a few people,” he started.

  “I thought contact with the outside world was a no-no.” Her eyes held challenge.

  “It was a secure line, and I didn’t give any indications that I’d been in touch with Bobby. I said I was away on business.”

  She nodded. “I figured your association with us would be common knowledge by now.”

  “I’m sure it is in some circles. But the information hasn’t been leaked yet.” He shifted, not 100 percent sure how to bring up the subject. He had to simply dive in because there was no easy way to say this. “Nikki, some of Bobby’s friends think he was sent back here to help execute a terrorist attack.”

  Fire lit in her eyes. “He would never do that. You know that. I know that. I don’t care what the media says.”

  “A lot of people think he would. They think that’s why he was able to escape the detainment camp. That’s why he called you instead of the military to get him back into the country. And that’s why he doesn’t want to speak to anyone else right now.”

  Nikki frowned and shook her head, the motion becoming faster the longer she did it. “Everyone’s looking for him right now. He would be the worst person to execute a terrorist attack.”

  “Maybe he’s supposed to be a distraction.” Kade kept his words light and nonaccusatory.

  Nikki rubbed her forehead and stared at the wall for a moment. “I don’t even know what to say. What else did you hear? Anything useful?”

  He bit down, realizing she might not be ready to hear all of this. But this was no time to handle things with kid gloves. “The government will put all of their resources into finding Bobby. If ARM is behind this, they’ll do everything in their power to make you and Bobby look guilty.”

  “You’re going to be labeled as an accomplice, Kade.” Nikki shook her head. “You could leave now. I’ll tell them you had no idea what was going on when we called you, that—”

  His hand covered her shoulder, silencing her and making her freeze like a Popsicle in one motion. “I’m in this with you, Nikki.”

  She frowned. “You’re putting yourself in an awful position, Kade.”

  “You said it correctly: I’m putting myself into this position. It’s my choice.”

  She stared at him, emotions that he couldn’t read playing out in her gaze. Finally she nodded and stepped away, a certain coolness coming over her. “Don’t say I didn’t give you the chance to run.”

  He raised his head as he smelled something strange. Was that . . . smoke?

  Nikki must have smelled it also, because her eyes widened. They both took off down the stairs and ran into the kitchen.

  The griddle where Bobby had been making pancakes was on the counter, four burnt pancakes still on top. Smoke rose from them.

  Where was Bobby?
r />   Nikki rushed to the counter and unplugged the appliance. Using a fork, she tossed the pancakes into the sink. She glanced back at Kade, panicked.

  “I’ll check the rest of the rooms downstairs for Bobby,” Nikki said.

  “I’ve got the upstairs.”

  He took the steps by two, hoping Bobby had simply wandered upstairs to lie down. But in his gut he knew he hadn’t heard anything. He was trained to listen for abnormalities. It was a part of his wiring now.

  Kade pushed the door to Bobby’s room open. An empty bed stared back. He hoped Nikki had been luckier.

  They met at the base of the stairs. One look at her face, and he knew she hadn’t found him either.

  “He’s gone,” Nikki whispered.

  Kade only knew they had to find him. Now.

  CHAPTER 10

  “Bobby!” Nikki yelled her brother’s name one more time as she fought off panic. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, and reality—or paranoia—began to wash over her. Something bad had happened. She was sure of it.

  There was no answer.

  He’d been right in the kitchen when she’d gone upstairs to ask Kade a question. He couldn’t have gone far in such a short amount of time.

  Her breaths came faster.

  What if members of ARM had found him? What if the terrorists were here now? What would they do with Bobby?

  No, she couldn’t think like that. He’d probably just wandered away for a few minutes. Maybe he’d needed some fresh air. That seemed more likely. She had to stop going to worst-case scenarios.

  “Stay here,” Kade ordered, heading toward the back door.

  Nikki sucked in a quick breath when she saw him pull a gun from his belt. What was he planning on doing with that? Using it on Bobby? Or did he honestly believe the enemy could be outside?

  Either way, it left Nikki unsettled and anxious.

  “I can’t stay here,” she mumbled. No way. Not when her brother needed her.

  “I don’t know what we’ll find outside.”

  “It can’t be worse than my imagination right now.”

  “Stay behind me then.” As Kade stepped out onto the deck, Nikki followed. She peered beyond him, hoping to catch a glimpse of her brother. Maybe he’d just gone out for some fresh air. The morning was beautiful, after all. Full of sunshine and blue skies and fresh dew on the grass.