Seducing Texas (So not Prince Charming #2)(72)
Shock spreads across Wong’s face as he drops her and crumples to the asphalt. She frees herself from the tangle of arms and legs to scramble to Tanner’s motionless body. The puddle of blood has grown, and she sobs over his body.
Shane rushes over to him, checks for a pulse, and applies pressure to the wound on his chest. “He has a punctured lung. I need petroleum jelly to seal the wound, so he can breathe.”
He used to work for Fairbanks Search and Rescue. It’s how he found my dead mother before the feds.
“I have some in the chopper,” Fay says, wiping the tears with her arms.
Taking my gun, I follow her to the chopper. We stay low because guns blaze near the waterfront.
She sprints, and I honestly have never seen her run so fast. While she grabs her purse, I glance over at the water where the gunfire has suddenly died down. The Coast Guard blocks a freighter from leaving the bay. What I believe are DEA agents and the feds surround not only a platoon of Wong’s men but other dockworkers. The men on the boat are lined up and have their hands in the air.
How did they know? They haven’t been telling us shit, which makes me wonder if Timmons knows about our trip to Mexico. He hasn’t arrested us, but he hasn’t mentioned Manny’s death, which was in the papers.
As I look out onto the water and the size of the freighter, I realize this is a big seizure for the DEA and probably requires a large taskforce. Timmons has been playing us all along. Shane is pretty messed up because of him. If the reality of jail wasn’t looming over my head, I’d add him to the body count.
We race back to Tanner where Agent Timmons stands over Tanner and a paramedic attending to him.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. When I pull it out, I read several texts that must’ve come from Juarez. The last says, “I tipped them off about the drop. Wouldn’t want my beautiful lady to get hurt.”
He knew, and if he hadn’t told the feds, Wong’s men would’ve overpowered us. I don’t understand why Juarez likes me. Unlike my uncle, he’s always seemed to have his act together, so I don’t worry about him. He’s always kept a low profile. He doesn’t need the attention so many drug lords crave.
I send my reply, “Gracias. I will destroy all of the copies.”
I get a smiley emoji from the infamous drug lord that the feds don’t even have a photo of and a short message. “I would love to take you to dinner in my homeland and many thanks.”
“Gracias, but I’m getting married.”
I chuckle at the frown emoji returned, and I look over at Shane. He’s pretty messed up but waves off the paramedic. Good lord he’s tough. I smile at my strong, brave man. God, he’s gorgeous, even covered in bruises.
As I approach him, he gives me a crooked grin. Surprisingly, the feds haven’t collected our weapons.
“You need to go to the hospital,” I say afraid to touch him. He’s like one massive contusion, and I want to care for him and soothe his bodily aches.
“Willa has a helluva bruise on her sternum,” he says. “We’ll both go.”
“You saw her boobs?” I ask, teasing him.
Laughing, Shane leans on me. “I saw the pretty bra she wore for Aedan.”
Aedan blushes. His arms protectively hold her. She’s shaking hard. I never wanted to expose her to any of this. Are we really free? I don’t think Juarez will bother us, especially in Alaska or the Virgin Islands where I would like to live in the winter. I’ve heard Juarez has a place there where he takes his yacht. I don’t know which island though.
Two agents prod an unwilling Tang toward a cruiser. One agent says, “We caught this one trying to get away.”
Shane goes over to Tang. “You sure as hell f*cked up. I would’ve given you another mil when I sold this company, which is more than Wong is paying you.”
“I will get you back,” Tang threatens.
“Not where you’re going,” the agent says. “You’ll be in prison for several life sentences.” He pushes the furious Tang struggling against his restraints into the back of the SUV.
“How did you know to come here, Miss Diaz?” Timmons asks, standing way too close to me.
“How did you?” I shoot back. “Did a little birdie tell you?” Which was Juarez or one of his men.
Aedan speaks up, “Wong owns the studio I work at, and I suggested here. When a bull charged Willa at the rodeo, Shane figured out Wong was involved.”
“Yeah, right,” Timmons says. “Why didn’t you call me, Cyn?”
“We weren’t sure,” I say, which is the truth, “and I don’t like you.”
“I called you,” Shane interjects. “We’re glad you came, but I don’t expect to see much of you anymore. I’ve had a few offers for Red Sky, so I’ll probably sell and move home with my princess.” His heavily muscled arms encircle me, providing me with security, warmth, and his freakishly wonderful pine scent. He always smells like Alaska.
Timmons grumbles under his breath some obscenity.
Shane nuzzles up to me, kissing my neck. “We need to get Tanner to the hospital. I’m flying his chopper back, and the paramedic will ride with us.”
“Why wouldn’t you go here?” Timmons asks.
“Austin has better facilities, and I don’t want to stay here,” Shane says in his deep gravelly voice. “You should get your files on Monday, so we’re done.”