Close Cover (Masters and Mercenaries #16)(91)

He wanted to run right this fucking second. Instead he opened the gun closet and tucked his Colt into the back of his jeans and covered it with a hoodie he did not need. But it seemed better than walking out and letting everyone know he was carrying.

He strode out, his heart thudding in his chest, but he was calm, cool. He had to stay in control for her sake. He nearly knocked into her. “What’s wrong, chèrie?”

Her eyes were wide with fear. “Some men are here and they said I have to go with them.”

“Remy, these men are here to take Lisa into custody and transport her back to Texas. This is Marshal Jones and Marshal Porter.” Armie was in street clothes, a sure sign that they’d gotten him out of bed to deal with this problem. “They say she’s a material witness in a federal case back in Dallas. Do you know anything about that?”

He tangled his fingers in hers, giving her a reassuring squeeze as he faced the men who’d come for her. “Of course we know about the case. Lisa has been cooperating on every level. The last we heard, the prosecutor wasn’t re-trying.”

“Things have changed,” one of the men said. Marshal Porter was tall and broadly built. He wasn’t hiding the fact that he had several firearms on him. His jacket was off in deference to the heat and Remy could see he had two guns in holsters. “The prosecutor’s office has new evidence. It’s important that we get her to safety. Hence the warrant to take her into custody. No judge fills that out unless he knows the situation is serious.”

“How am I not safe here?” Lisa asked, her voice shaking a bit. “I’m perfectly fine testifying, but I’m not going into some sort of witness protection plan.”

“I have a warrant that says you will,” the second man said. Marshal Jones was thinner than his partner, his eyes narrowed with irritation. “You will surrender to my custody and be removed to a safe site. From there we’ll discuss your situation.”

“Armie, did you check their badges?” He wasn’t sure how much time Biondo would need. Talking seemed like the best way to give it to him. The minute he had the chance, he would go for one of the boats. If he could get to the keys.

Armie frowned. “Of course.”

“I’d like to see them, please,” Remy said. “And I’d like to see the warrant as well. Lisa, call your brother-in-law. I’ll send him a picture of the warrant and he can advise us. Her brother-in-law is an attorney.”

If he knew Ian, Mitch was already on it, but he wanted to give Lisa something to do and Mitch might be able to explain what was going on so she wouldn’t be shocked. And Big Tag would know this was going down far sooner than they’d thought.

“Ma’am, there’s no need to bring lawyers into this,” Porter said. “You can call him when we get you to safety.”

She was already dialing.

Armie seemed to sense something was off. He glanced between Remy and the two supposed marshals. “I think we should take this back to the station.” He gave them an amiable smile. “No place is safer than the sheriff’s office.”

“Mitch, I’m sorry to wake…yes. Okay. I understand. Yes, that’s happening now.” She went silent, turning away but staying close to Remy.

Yes, Mitch was going to do his job and everyone would have a heads-up that this was going to go south and fast. She would know to follow his orders and his lead.

“Yes, I think that sounds like the perfect thing to do,” Remy said. Keep ’em talking. Give Biondo time to get into place. Of course part of the problem was they were standing in the middle of the main aisle. They could easily block either the front entrance or the one that led to the patio and the dock. Biondo had been smart enough to find them, to track their opponents. He might wait until they had a shot at getting out either of the doors. He needed to move them further in. “How about Lisa goes and packs an overnight bag for the two of us and I’ll get everyone some coffee? I assure you it’s way better here than it is at the Sheriff’s. That man drinks motor oil.”

Armie smiled, an expression that didn’t come close to his eyes. “I need pure caffeine. You’re the only one who likes all those flavored things. But definitely make a pot. It’s going to be a long night.”

Jones put his hands on his hips as he followed them. “There is no need. Ms. Daley, I am an officer executing a valid and lawful warrant. If you do not come with me, I will have you arrested. If your friends here attempt in any way to stop me from doing my job, I will not hesitate to arrest them. Sheriff, I expect that you will also do your job.”

“This is a highly unusual situation, Marshal,” Armie said. “I don’t usually have law-abiding citizens dragged out of their homes in the middle of the night. I am the duly elected sheriff of this parish, and one of the reasons I was elected was to protect my people. So while I will absolutely follow the letter of the law, I will also ensure that every i has been dotted and t crossed before I allow you to waltz out with one of my people.”

“Porter, it looks like we’re going to have trouble with the locals,” Jones said with a frown.

Lisa had hung up and moved to the bar with Remy. “You’re not going to have trouble. I’ll go with you. Let me grab my bag. It’s upstairs.”

It wasn’t. Her purse was sitting right behind the bar, but likely Mitch and Big Tag had told her to get out of the line of fire.