Accidental Shield (Marriage Mistake #6)(101)

“Damn, you’re good, Calum. There’s a place for you at the Bureau any time, you know, if you ever decide you’re bored with retirement.”

I laugh. “I’ve had that offer before. The answer’s still no.” I click off, and a part of me feels proud. But I know damn well I’ve had enough sleuthing and chasing after this.

A nice, dull retirement farming coffee doesn’t sound half bad. Hell, maybe I’ll even think about doing turtle tours myself.

Just as I’m dropping my phone back in my pocket, it vibrates again.

Cash.

He’d already called once, updating me on Ray’s condition.

I tap the answer icon.

“Flint? They’ve got Valerie and Ray Gerard!”

My insides freeze over. “They’ve...what?!”

“They came in through the back, cut the power, including the backup generator. Must’ve had a boat.”

Goddamn. My blood runs ice-cold.

“I told you to get a fucking boat!” Cash screams at me. “I could be chasing them right now if you had one.”

It’s too late for the boat, but not for Val.

I’ll die before that happens.

I won’t lose another victim to Joel fucking Cornaro. Pulling the gun out of my waistband, I swing it at the two goons. “Whoever doesn’t tell me what I want to hear gets a bullet square between their eyes. You get one chance to answer. Understood?”

Their heads almost pop off nodding.

“Where are they taking the Gerards? Where would Cornaro bring prisoners?” It steams out between my teeth, pinched together so hard I think I’ll snap my jaw.

Both men talk so fast, my head spins.

As soon as I’ve heard enough, I head for the door.

“They have her on his yacht,” I tell Cash, flying down the hall at a ground-eating run.

“Where?”

“Kahe Point.”

“The power plant? Jesus,” he growls. “How? The Coast Guard patrols out there constantly.”

“Bastards are hiding in plain sight. All the more reason to move.” I click off and shove the phone in my pocket while running for my truck.

It makes a twisted kind of sense. The docks near the power plant are the only ones large enough to accommodate a large yacht out that way, other than the large public marinas, and they’d want to avoid them for good reason.

The plant has twenty-four seven surveillance, but unless it’s an actual trespass of property or FAA airspace restrictions, minor infractions go unreported. Plenty of ships have been known to shore up on the docks during rough weather.

I hope that’s still the case.

We have to get to these pirate fucks.

One wrong move at the wrong time, and Val’s dead. I have no doubt about it. Their failed attempt to kill her before just makes them more determined.

I’m almost screeching out of the parking lot, when a vehicle flies in, blocking my route. Hitting reverse, I back up enough to make it around the SUV.

“They’re inside!” I shout at Anderson.

He hits the gas, moving out of my way and shouting through his window, “I won’t ask where you’re going, but call me if you need backup!”

I don’t want backup, dammit, but I need it.

It just can’t be the FBI. Not yet.

Hitting the call button on my steering wheel, I reconnect with Cash. “Call in everyone. We need all hands on deck for this. And find out where the hell Davis is. He went after the SUV that dropped off Ray!”

“On it, Flint. She’s going to be—”

I hang up. Don’t need anyone telling me she’ll be okay. That everything’s gonna be fine and dandy.

It’s very not okay.

Val’s changed my fucking life. Changed the way I think. Reached down inside me and altered the makeup of my soul.

I’ve been fighting it tooth and nail, pretending it’s not there, but there’s no denying it.

She’s in my head first thing when I wake up and before I drift off to sleep.

She made me feel again.

Living with Val was so easy, so real, right from the start—even when she was a walking amnesia case.

She’s in my marrow, my beating heart, my depths.

This shimmering bright spark I never knew I was missing until it was there, lighting my fire, and I don’t want it fading again.

She can’t be missing.

I want her.

I love her.

Fuck! My fist crashes against the steering wheel.

Hell of a time for a visceral, emotional confession, I know.

But I never stood a chance against those gorgeous gold eyes, that adorable laugh, that rocking body.

Valerie Gerard is candied perfection wrapped in sunshine. And I’ve already laid claim, even if I haven’t done it openly.

I’m not losing her. Not to anyone, especially these savage pukes!

I’m still working myself into a frenzy when Cash’s name appears on the dashboard screen a minute later. I click the answer button on the steering wheel.

“Davis just got there. Same with the others,” Cash says. “He followed the men who dropped off Ray, where they met a boat, and says to turn off the highway a mile before the plant. We have to hit the docks from Waimanalo Gulch or we’ll set off sensors.”

“Copy that.” I hang up and stab my foot harder on the gas pedal.