Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(41)

The words were too true, and stung more than they should have. Zach rubbed his chest to alleviate the invisible pain. “I know.” If he’d imagined that Jenna and Sam wouldn’t have to leave today, the unrealistic hope had vanished in one click of the camera.

Zach scanned the parking lot. For such a small town, too many shoppers stood gaping. “We’re attracting attention,” he said, and pushed their cart toward the back of the vehicle. “Show’s over, folks,” he shouted.

At his confrontation, the looky-loos stared anywhere but at them and quickly packed up their groceries or disappeared into the store.

Zach thrust the first bag into the back of the Range Rover, taking his frustration out on the sacks of clothes and supplies Jenna would use when she left him for good.

Jenna passed him a sack from the cart. “How did the photographer find us?”

Zach took the merchandise and stowed it. “There was a couple in the clinic who recognized me. I’d bet on them.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “Let’s get out of here. This paparazzo, singular, may just be the first wave of paparazzi, plural.”

Zach stuffed the last of the supplies into his car, the cold fury at being caught reverberating through him when he slammed the tailgate. He paused; his neck tensed, the hairs standing at attention. He perused the surroundings. Suddenly, the parking lot was empty of people.

“What’s wrong?” Jenna asked, her voice low and tense.

“Maybe nothing. Keep an eye out. I want to check something.” He knelt next to the truck.

“Should I get Sam out?”

“Not yet, but be ready.”

The instincts that had saved Zach’s life more than he cared to admit sounded in his head. He scooted under the vehicle and plucked a small but powerful flashlight from his pocket. After a visual search, he ran his fingers along the rear axle feeling for tracking devices or worse. He let out a quick exhale. Nothing. He slid out and checked under the hood for the same.

“Let’s go,” he said quietly. “I want you away from here.”

Zach tossed the new prepaid cell phone into the front seat and opened the door for Jenna. She grabbed the handle to heave herself into the tall vehicle when two men came out of nowhere. Before Zach could react, the leader grabbed her, pulling her close.

“You weren’t hard to find, Zach,” the man said. “You don’t seem to truly understand what lying low means.”

Zach froze. The same words he’d said to Theresa. His calls were being monitored.

“Come with us.” The man opened his jacket and revealed an Uzi under his coat.

“Did you just walk off my movie set, Brutus?” Zach said with a smile, sticking his unknown adversary with a traitor’s name.

“Nice try, Montgomery, but you won’t learn my identity so easily. I thought you were supposed to be one of the best at the game.”

Zach shifted his body, searching for a good angle. “Jenna, get in the car.”

She tugged her arm.

“Don’t try anything, lady, or you and your kid won’t leave this parking lot alive.”

Zach’s body tensed, struggling not to react to the deadly weapon just inches from her. “Jenna, get inside and lock the doors,” Zach ordered, raising his hands. “I’m giving her the keys. She has nothing to do with our…supervisors’ request for my presence.”

Brutus loosened his grip a bit.

Jenna’s hand folded just like he’d taught her.

She wouldn’t dare.

Zach stepped forward.

She pivoted on one foot and shoved her knuckles into the guy’s throat.

She didn’t follow through. Shit. Brutus growled and shoved her face to the pavement. He whipped out his Uzi, pointing the barrel at a terrified Sam. “This is on your head, Montgomery,” he yelled.

“Duck, kid!” Zach yelled. Sam’s head went down. Zach spun around and shoved his foot into Brutus’s neck, shattering his larynx. He crumpled to the ground trying to no avail to suck in air. The gun clattered to the ground.

Brutus was dead.

Too late to save his comrade, the other man jumped into the fray.

His mistake was ignoring a still-downed Jenna. She cocked her leg as he stepped past her. She shoved her heel into the guy’s groin. He doubled over with a grunt.

“Like I said, a natural.” Zach pounced onto the moaning man, holding his 1911 against the man’s temple. “Who sent you?”

The operative’s red face twisted in pain, but he pursed his lips. Zach bent closer. “Listen to me, buddy. I could end you right now. You know it. So do I.”

“You do, and you’re rogue,” the man said. “The Company wants to talk to you.”

“Two of our pilots tried to kill me,” Zach said, his voice flat. “Your friend here threatened to take out a five-year-old child. I’m not coming in until I know who ordered the hit. You tell our supervisors that.”

The man’s eyes widened.

“So, they didn’t give you that little piece of information.” Zach rose but didn’t let the sight of his 1911 waver from the guy’s temple. “Clean up this mess and don’t bother coming back to Hidden Springs. I won’t be here. Which ticks me off by the way, ’cause I really like this town.”