The Belial Stone (The Belial Series #1)(53)

He handed Patrick the M4 and, at the priest’s raised eyebrows, replied, “I’m very security conscious.”

Patrick nodded with a small smile and checked the weapon. Henry turned and handed Danny a Beretta with the safety on. Danny’s face was filled with fear. Henry’s heart clutched. He was supposed to be offering Danny a safe haven. The boy had experienced enough violence in his short life.

Gently, he wrapped Danny’s hand around the weapon. “It’ll be all right, Danny. It’s just in case. You won’t have to use it. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Okay?”

Danny nodded, fear causing his whole body to tremble.

Henry placed a hand on his shoulder and gave what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze. His throat felt thick when he thought of Danny being caught up in this.

Henry looked over at Patrick. He’d read up on him before he and Laney had arrived. The Scottish priest had been an incredible soldier in his day. The sight of the machine gun nestled familiarly in his arms gave him a sense of hope. Maybe they could survive this. But looking at Danny, he promised that regardless of the cost to himself, Danny would survive

Patrick glanced at Danny and then back at Henry. He nodded, his face determined. Henry knew the priest had just promised to defend Danny as strongly as he would.

“Okay, let’s go.” With a calming breath, Henry led them across the landing and down to the first floor of the house.





CHAPTER 44



Saint Paul, MN



In the living room of the suite, Jake glanced at the door Laney had closed. He’d taken a quick shower and changed. When he’d gotten back to the living room, he heard Laney’s shower still running. She’d been in there a long time. She’d only turned it off a short time ago. Maybe he should check on her.

He shook his head. Or maybe he should just give her some space. He leaned against the wall across from the door and stared at it.

He was out of his league here. If it were anyone else, he’d probably just bang on the door and tell them to get a move on. Here, he didn’t know what to do. Part of him wanted to kick down the door, hold her, and tell her everything was all right.

Another part told him he should just leave her alone. He was the last thing she needed right now. She’d been through hell and he’d failed to protect her. And besides, she was a professor with a nice normal life. What could he possibly offer her?

Jake leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He couldn’t get the image of Laney curled up and covered in blood out of his head.

He banged the back of his head against the wall in frustration. What the hell had he been thinking bringing her here?

He cursed himself for not taking stronger precautions. He didn’t think they’d follow them to Saint Paul. Why hadn’t he noticed the surveillance?

He’d been off his game this whole investigation. He didn’t know if it was because he was worried about Tom or because he was attracted to Laney. Generally, he knew the second someone glanced at him for too long. His platoon buddies use to joke that he was part psychic, he was so attuned to danger. Where was that ability lately?

Whatever the reason, his radar was off and Laney was paying the price for it. Well, this latest attack was the last straw. He might not know what to do about how he felt about Laney, but he sure as hell knew how to keep her from getting hurt again.

His head jerked up as the bedroom door opened. Laney stood poised in the doorway. She looked around the room before her eyes landed on him. Her eyes were red from crying. He wanted to kill those men all over again/

Jake pushed away from the wall. He opened his arms. She flew across the room and into them. Jake held her, his heart aching at the fear that trembled through her. She'd been so strong and handled so much. Damn them for doing this to her.

He couldn't let her be put in danger again. When the plane arrived, he was going to lay down the law – she was going back to Chandler Headquarters in Baltimore. At least if she was back in Maryland, he’d know she was safe.





CHAPTER 45



Baltimore, MD



The first floor was silent. Patrick followed Henry down the staircase, keeping one hand out to grab Danny, who was walking so close to Henry he could have been his shadow. Adrenaline racing through him, Patrick mentally pulled up the floor plan from the first floor. He knew there was a front door and a back, but there were a ton of doors along the veranda. He hoped Henry had a plan.

The front door flew open. Patrick shoved Danny up against the wall, his gun trained on the entrance. Henry took a defensive position in front of both of them.

“Mr. Chandler,” a man called as he stumbled into the hall. He was bleeding badly from a wound in his right shoulder. Scratches and cuts were scattered across his face and arms

Henry quickly descended the rest of the stairs and crossed the foyer to reach him. “Kevin, what happened?

“They took out my vehicle.”

Patrick took a deep breath, releasing his grip in Danny. The injured man must be Henry’s head of security. “It’s okay, Danny. Come on.”

Danny seemed frozen to the spot, unable to move. Putting his arm around him, Patrick said. “It’s time to go. We’re going somewhere safe, okay?

Danny looked up at him, his eyes impossibly large and way too young. He nodded.

“Your men?” Henry was asking Kevin as Patrick and Danny joined him.