If You Only Knew

Chapter Twenty-Five



* * *





WHY THE HELL couldn’t they catch a break? The sun was setting on a long-ass day, and they were no closer to finding Rayna than they had been that morning. Ty stepped out on the deck again, crossed to the dog, and patted his head before plopping into the porch swing. Ribs whined and laid his head on Ty’s leg, trying to communicate some unknown thought with his brown eyes.

“I know, boy. I miss her too.” Ty scratched the dog’s ears until Ribs turned toward the sound of someone climbing the deck stairs.

Nate stepped into view. “The police found Sean’s car.”

Ty jumped to his feet. “Where?”

Nate strode toward him. “Abandoned on a forest service road near Mount Hood. The passenger side panel was smashed in, but it’s still drivable. Looks like someone dumped it.”

Ty waited for the rest of the information, but apparently Nate was going to make him ask. “Any blood?”

“No. No sign of a struggle, either. You know Rayna wouldn’t have gone quietly if there was anything to be gained by fighting.” Nate bent to pat the dog.

For a stray that no one wanted around yesterday, Ribs had done all right for himself. Not one person had passed him by today, while Ty was present, who didn’t first stop and pat his head or rub his belly. Trust Rayna to see the good in him, rather than judging him by appearances.

Goddammit. He needed her to be all right. This waiting and not knowing was driving him crazy. “I have to get out there and start looking. I can’t take this.” He walked a few feet, then stopped and paced the other direction.

“It won’t be long now, buddy. They’re going to ask for the public’s help. Someone will remember seeing the accident. We’ll find her.” Nate straightened, and empathy stole into his expression.

Ty turned away. Sympathy in his friend’s eyes was only going to make him lose it quicker. He took two deep breaths, collected himself as best he could, and turned back. “I hope you’re right.”

Ribs gave a barely audible woof seconds before Joe stepped from the house holding his cell phone out in front of him. Walker and the rest of the team followed.

“Okay. Ty’s here and you’re on speaker.” Joe set the phone on the patio table.

“Hey, Ty… everyone.” Rayna’s voice escaped the device, sounding small and uncertain.

Ty’s breath caught in his throat. Relief that she was alive almost swept his legs from beneath him. It was a second before he could find his voice. “Hey yourself, sweetheart. Are you all right?” Was Sean listening to every word?

“I don’t have much time, so take down this address—eight five four three seven Northwest Burnside.”

“Got it. Is that where you are?” Ty pressed close to the phone, feeling his only connection to Rayna fading already.

“Ty… just you and Bree. Come to the front. Someone will let you in.” Rayna’s instructions were clipped and rehearsed.

Obviously her spiel had been scripted. She didn’t answer any of his questions, reciting the instructions she’d no doubt been given instead. Ty’s gut tightened. In the metallic ring of her words, Rayna was trying to tell him something. Clearly, Sean was right beside her, forcing her to deliver words he’d written for her, but there was something hidden between the lines.

He had to keep her talking until he could figure it out. “This damn dog is going nuts here, missing you.” Any subject would do.

There was a short silence. “Be here at midnight. Come unarmed.”

“Rayna, I’ll be there, but you know I can’t come unarmed. Tell Sean that’s asking too much. Is he there? Let me talk to him.” Ty gave no thought to what he was saying—only that he had to keep her on the line.

Whispering could be heard from someone in the background before she spoke again. “The dog was right to go after the first cat. He was the more dangerous of the two.”

That last bit was rushed, and Ty was sure he heard her gasp just before the phone went silent.

“No!” Ty clenched his fists to keep from grabbing the phone and heaving it as far as he could.

“Totally scripted until that last part.” Joe retrieved his phone.

“Yeah. What the hell was that, anyway? Maybe she’s hurt and out of her head?” Nate pushed his ball cap back off his forehead.

Ty shook his head. “No. She knew exactly what she was saying. In that barn yesterday, Ribs took down the biggest, most dangerous cougar even though a smaller, equally formidable danger came at them from behind. I think she’s telling us the first danger is the one to worry about. Andre took her first—he’s the first danger. She’s telling us Andre has her.”

“That makes sense.” Joe slipped his cell in his pocket. “That could explain Sean’s disabled car. Andre’s people might have run them off the road.”

Walker nodded. “They would expect him to be with Bree, but Andre would recognize a bargaining chip when he sees one.”

“So, it appears Andre has sent Bree and me an invitation to join them.” Ty glanced at Bree. Her obvious readiness to accept was for a different reason, of course. She wanted Andre dead. Did she care or even want to know what happened to Sean?

That wasn’t Ty’s concern. He only had one at the moment, and that was Rayna. He’d get her back no matter what was required of him.

Ty glanced at his watch. “It’s about eight. That gives us two hours to perfect a plan and get in position.”

“Two?” Nate scratched his head.

Walker chuckled. “Always do the unexpected.”

“Right. We’ll be there by eleven. We’re not going alone, and we’re not going unarmed, either. I think a little diversion would be a nice touch.” Ty caught Nate’s eye.

“Aw, shit. I’m not going to like this, am I? What’s up, buddy?”

“Can we use your Suburban and the Jeep?”

Nate nodded, that same skeptical expression on his face.

“Joe, Walker, Jim, and Steve will go in the Suburban, park a couple of blocks away, and take up positions around the building as backup. Nate, you’ll drop Bree and me at the end of the block and shadow us. Sanchez stays here with Madison and Maria in case it’s all designed to get to the little girl.” Ty still watched Nate, waiting for the light to dawn.


“Yeah? Where does this diversion you mentioned come in?” Nate was in serious denial.

“That would be Alex.” Ty grinned as a jubilant whoop came from behind Joe and Walker. The woman stepped between them, a grin from ear to ear.

“I love a good diversion. What’s the plan?” Alex followed Ty’s gaze to Nate’s face.

“Oh no… hell no!” Nate shook his head. “No, there’s no way in hell, Ty. Not my car…” He threw his hands up and stomped off toward the door.

“Forget it, Nate. We’ll come up with something else.” Joe shot Ty a worried frown.

Ty shook his head, unable to erase his smile. “Wait for it.”

As though on cue, Nate returned from the kitchen, jingling a set of keys. He lumbered toward Alex and hung the keys tantalizingly in front of her face. When she reached for them, he jerked them back.

“Don’t scratch it, dent it, or get it dirty. If you do, I’ll kick your ass… even if you are a woman.”

He held the keys out again, and she snatched them.

“I’ll do my best to keep your cute little ride in one piece, but don’t make the mistake of thinking my being a woman makes any difference in the ass-kicking department.” Alex skipped down the deck steps and strode toward the garage.

Nate’s jaw set resolutely as he turned to face Ty. “We need to talk, buddy.”

Joe and Walker exchanged a glance. “We’ll get the gear from the chopper. I threw in the night vision equipment this time too.” Joe’s gaze slid to Nate, then back to Ty as everyone started to disperse.

Within seconds, Ty was alone with Nate. He dragged over one of the patio chairs and seated himself, giving his friend the floor. Nate dropped into a chair across from him.

He took his baseball cap off and tossed it on the table. “You know I can’t let you kill the man in cold blood. Right? I’ll have to stop you, which is ridiculous for me to even contemplate, considering the army you’re bringing to the fight.”

“We’re not murderers. You know me better than that, but I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to get Rayna back alive. Tell me… how do you see this ending? Do you think Andre will forget why he’s been looking for Bree for six years and agree to stay away from her and Madison? Because, short of him being dead, that’s the only thing that will guarantee he won’t come after Rayna again next year or the year after that.”

Nate scowled and shook his head slowly. “I understand where you’re coming from, buddy, but we’re not the judge and jury.”

“In this instance, you’re wrong. I’m always going to protect those I care about. If that makes me judge and jury… so be it.” The dog laid his muzzle on Ty’s leg and stared at him, probably unnerved by the tension in the air. Ty ruffled his ears absently.

A strange smile quirked Nate’s lips for a heartbeat, then disappeared as his gaze swept to Ribs. “You’re taking that mangy dog with you when you go back home.”

“Rayna will no doubt insist on that.” The tension lifted from Nate’s face as Ty studied him, but what would happen if his friend suddenly found himself at odds with the rest of the team? “Nate, why don’t you stick around here and keep an eye on Madison? I never intended to put you in a position where your job might be on the line. I didn’t do that six years ago, and I won’t do it now.”

“What? Stay out of it and miss all the fun? Not f*cking likely. Besides, you should have let me in six years ago so, in a way, you owe me this.” Nate put his hat back on and pulled it low over his brow. He squared his jaw, and determination shone from his eyes.

Ty couldn’t remember one time his partner had ever let him down. “Thanks, Nate. I…”

Nate waved his words away. “You’d do the same for me. I have to go give a driving lesson. Where did you find that stubborn, mouthy, opinionated woman anyway?”

Ty chuckled. “You forgot hot.”

“Definitely, damn hot.” Nate slapped Ty’s shoulder as he walked by.

Should Ty tell his friend that Joe had rescued Alex two years ago from a Singapore brothel where she was being held captive? That she had no memory of her name or life prior to waking up in a cage three years before that? She was the best student Walker and Joe ever had, absorbing what they taught like a dry sponge. One thing Ty should probably share with Nate if he was going to spend much time around her—don’t piss her off.

Ty went upstairs, intent on getting a few minutes of sleep, but thoughts of Rayna and the hours she’d spent in his arms tormented him to the point of pain. God, if he ever got his hands on her again, he’d never let her out of his sight. He’d learned one thing for sure—he was no good without her. He’d move to LA if that’s what it took to keep her. First, though, he’d have to convince her he was happily-ever-after material. Could he walk away from his job and find a safer way to make a living?

Finally, he rolled off the bed, shed his clothes, and stepped into the shower. The hot water brought a flush to his skin as he waited for it to wash away the ache within his chest. It never did. He dressed in clean blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black jacket. At nine thirty he jogged down the stairs.

Everyone was congregated in the kitchen. Maria had made sandwiches, and Ty helped himself, giving her a smile and a wink. Her answering expression wasn’t quite as distrustful as it had been this morning, but he was obviously still someone she intended to avoid if possible. Ty didn’t blame her. He’d been an a*shole to Bree this morning. Some things couldn’t be fixed.

Walker distributed weapons and night vision equipment as needed. Everyone was dressed in dark colors, except for Alex. She looked the part of a young, carefree college student with skintight red capris, a white knit pullover accentuating her curves, a red and white silk scarf tied around her neck, and her black hair pulled into a ponytail. If Ty didn’t know how deadly she was, he could easily mistake her for an airheaded female looking for nothing but a good time.

At ten, they loaded into the vehicles. Bree rode with him. Nate begged off, insisting he ride with Alex while there was still any chance of teaching her how to drive. Alex seemed to take his complaints good-naturedly, but Ty worried that Nate would push too far. When Ty threw him a warning glance, Nate just smiled and slammed his door.

A steady drizzle fell, lessening visibility on the highway. Luckily, traffic was almost nonexistent, so they made excellent time. That all changed, of course, when they reached the outskirts of the city that never slept. Half of Portland was apparently still up and on their way somewhere.

Ty and Bree led the way, with the GPS Joe had provided. Bree sat quietly, only speaking when one of his questions demanded an answer. The tenseness of her posture and her defensively crossed arms made her state of mind obvious. She was nervous—maybe even scared. Why wouldn’t she be? She’d turned her back on this kind of activity a number of years ago. Now she was forced to participate in something she wasn’t prepared for. It would give anyone reason to pause.

“Our intention is to take charge at the door. If things go as planned, you won’t have to go inside.” Ty didn’t look at her.

She laughed, reminding him of the old Bree he’d known back then. “It’s the if-the-plan-falls-apart I’m worried about.”


“Yeah. I see your point.” He glanced her way. “Why did you leave the FBI, Bree? Weren’t you safer there than out in the open, running?”

“Sean thought it was the right thing to do. Then he kept after me until I was convinced marrying him was the only way to keep Madison safe.”

“That’s why you married him? You didn’t love him?” Realizing she’d turned down the same offer from him, relief flooded him.

“Looking over your shoulder twenty-four-seven tires a person out. He was there, offering to take care of us, when I couldn’t go a step further by myself. I know I settled, and I know it was a mistake. If nothing else, the events of the last twelve hours have proven that.” She wiped at her eyes impatiently. “I’ve made a mess of things.”

“But you’ve got Madison, and we’ve got a chance to make this right.” Ty pulled over into the parking lot of an all-night convenience store.

The Suburban pulled in behind them about a minute later, and right behind them the Mach I rumbled to a stop. Everyone, except Bree, stepped out and congregated around the front of the Suburban.

Joe opened a metal container and distributed earwig listening devices that fit securely in the ear. “Better give one to Bree too. She okay?”

Ty glanced toward the Jeep where she waited. “Not really, but she’ll get through it.”

“What about you?”

Ty could never bullshit Joe. His boss always saw right through him. “Whatever it takes, I’m bringing Rayna out of there.”

Joe slapped him on the shoulder. “I know you will, but don’t forget we’re a team.”

Ty smiled. “Not likely to forget that again.”

Joe met Ty’s gaze. “I heard from my FBI guy a few minutes ago. Apparently, the Russians have quite a list of crimes they’d like Andre to pay for. If we can get him out the back door of the building, there’ll be someone waiting to make sure he never touches Rayna or Bree again.” Joe turned and headed for the Suburban.

Ty watched him go, shaking his head. Joe always had his back. More than that, everyone on his team watched out for him. They were family. He belonged with them in Montana. How had he thought he could forget them and walk away?

He strode to the Jeep, climbed in the backseat, and in the rearview mirror, saw Nate lean through the Mustang’s window and impart some last-minute wisdom to Alex. Then he straightened, pulled the brim of his cap down low, and stalked toward the Jeep.

“Let’s get this over with.” He slid behind the wheel, put the vehicle in gear, and squealed from the lot.

The Suburban peeled off behind them, making a left turn as they neared the riverfront. Alex pulled over and parked a block behind them. Ty caught his partner watching her in the mirror. “Alex will be careful.” He wasn’t sure his words were very convincing.

Nate snorted and kept on driving. He turned right at the next corner, parked, and cut the engine. The three of them climbed out. Ty handed Nate a rifle and night vision goggles, but he held his hand up in refusal.

“I’ll be too close for either of those to be of any use. I’ve got my forty-five. I’m good.” He started to turn away. “Keep your head down—both of you.” He strode off, fading into the shadows.

Bree and Ty each grabbed two extra magazines for their handguns, then locked up the Jeep and started down the street toward the address Rayna had given him. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about the very real possibility that Andre might have disposed of her after she’d made her phone call. Ty couldn’t go there and stay sane. Irrationally, he believed he’d somehow know if she were dead. Wouldn’t he feel the emptiness in his soul?

No one else moved on the block as they approached their target. There were no streetlights in this part of town, and it probably wasn’t the best place to stroll in the middle of the night. Joe and the rest of the team were out there somewhere. Bree walked stiffly beside him. Had it been a mistake to bring her? Too late now. They were committed.

She caught him watching her and smiled halfheartedly. “Just hold up your end. I’ll take care of mine.”

As they edged to the front of 85437 Northwest Burnside, the door burst open and two gunmen rushed out. Ty went for his gun, but it was already too late, and he laid a hand on Bree’s arm to stop her from trying. Two doors down, Nate stumbled from the shadows, another gunman behind him with a weapon to his head.

It was an ambush.

“No one move,” Ty said, more for Joe’s benefit than anyone closer.

“Very good.” A man spoke from the deep shadows within the building and then stepped into the dim street.

Andre—and he held Rayna as a shield in front of him, a knife to her throat.