Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(4)

Rowan’s gaze shifted from the screen of her phone to the man weaving in and out of traffic with a skill she envied. “What were those noises?”

“You sure you want to know?”

Bile surged into her throat. “Tell me.”

“The first sound was the door being kicked in.”

Blood drained from her face. Rowan had hoped Brent thought the noise was from Heather knocking something over in her haste to flee from her house with Alexa in her arms. “Are you sure?”

“I recognize the sound, Rowan. I’ve kicked in plenty of doors on missions over the years.”

Over the sound system, a male voice said, “Kind of busy here, Brent. What do you need?”

“A cop.”

“Hold on.” Taylor’s voice became muffled for a minute, then became clear again. “Okay, go.”

“Been on the phone with Heather….” He paused, looked at Rowan.

“Maxwell,” she supplied hastily.

“And you are?” Taylor asked.

“Rowan Scott, Heather’s sister.”

“I see. What’s going on, Brent?”

“Got a call for help. Black van with red racing stripes slowly cruising the street and repeated hang ups. While she was on the phone, someone kicked in the door and fired a weapon.”

No. Oh, no. Someone shot at her sister and Alexa. Where was that creep Jay when he was needed? Never around, she thought bitterly. Rowan had tried to warn Heather that Jay wasn’t good for her or Alexa. Now someone could have hurt them. Her brain just wouldn’t contemplate anything worse. She didn’t want to throw up in Brent’s SUV. Not a great way to impress a guy on the first date. Except now there wouldn’t be a date. Couldn’t he drive any faster?

“Address.” Taylor snapped.

Brent supplied the information as he swung onto Nolensville Road and dodged more traffic.

“I’m sending a couple prowl cars. I’ll be right behind them.”

“Tell the responding officers I might be on scene before them. I’d prefer not to be cuffed or shot in front of my date.”

A snort. “She know what you do?”

“Sort of.”

“Right. Try not to kill anybody before we get there.”

Rowan’s eyes widened. Was Taylor serious? She turned to Brent, noted the determination on his face, the air of readiness. Oh, yeah, Taylor was serious. What kind of work had Brent Maddox been assigned to in the Navy?

“Copy that. No guarantees. Thanks, buddy.”

“Yep.”

When she was sure the call had ended, Rowan said, “Heather wasn’t kidding about Jay. He’ll be livid about cops swarming his house.”

He slid her a cool look. “Doesn’t matter whether he likes the police presence or not. Any man worth the name would want his wife and child safe.”

“Jay Maxwell isn’t a good husband or father, Brent.”

His jaw flexed. “Is he abusive?”

“I don’t know.” Probably.

“But you suspect he is.”

“I haven’t seen bruises on my sister or Alexa.”

“If he is abusing Heather, Jay is smart enough to aim for places covered by clothes.”

“Heather’s fear of Jay has grown in recent months, but she wouldn’t tell me why. I can’t force Heather to leave her husband. Believe me, I’ve tried.”

Brent’s hand covered hers. “You can’t guilt Heather into leaving Jay. She’ll end up going back to him which puts her and your niece in the middle of danger again.” He squeezed her hand. “You would also become a target for retaliation.”

Scary thought. Rowan avoided Jay Maxwell whenever possible. She purposely timed her visits to see her sister and Alexa when she knew her brother-in-law was out of the house. The few occasions she’d mistimed her visit, Jay had given her the creeps. “The last thing I want to do is attract Jay’s attention.”

Brent’s hand tightened on hers. “Did he hurt you?” When she remained silent, he growled. “If it happens again, I want to know, Rowan. No matter what happens between us, I’ll take care of Jay Maxwell.”

“That’s not necessary.” She didn’t want Brent in trouble over her sister’s scumbag husband.

“Promise me, sweetheart.”

Her heart tripped, then surged ahead in a mad rhythm. Sweetheart? Wow. She enjoyed a sweet name like that as long as he meant it. “I promise.” But she’d do her best to avoid that call. Rowan had a feeling Jay wouldn’t stand a chance against someone like Brent Maddox. The Navy man didn’t deserve whatever backlash would follow if Brent crossed Jay.

Rowan didn’t have concrete facts. The rumors, however, were plentiful. Jay Maxwell was not a man to cross unless you were into pain. How could her sweet sister have fallen for a man like him?

Brent turned onto Shadow Lane and stopped the big vehicle half a block from Heather’s house. “Stay here,” he said and unbuckled his seatbelt.

“Where are you going?”

“To check things out.”

“I’m going with you, and don’t bother telling me it’s too dangerous. That’s my sister and niece in there.”

He studied her face for a second, then nodded. “I suppose it’s safe enough up to a certain point. If I tell you to do something, do it without questions. I want to help Heather and Alexa, but your safety is as important to me.”