Game On (11 page)

“I have no idea. I thought it was about hiring you but that doesn't make sense. I've never hired you or any private investigator before, so…”

“So that can't be the mistake they're talking about. Did you make someone angry with something you did or didn't do?”

“Of course. No matter what politicians do, we make someone mad.”

“Mad enough to kill you? You need to bring in the FBI or whoever it is that protects you people.”

“The FBI didn't take me seriously.”

“Maybe they'll take it more seriously now.”

“As far as I can see, nothing's changed to make my safety any more of a priority than it was before. We still don't have any concrete proof. If the guy had taken a shot at us, that might make a difference.”

She picked up a chocolate cupcake mounded high with chocolate frosting. “This looks great. Let's assume it wasn't a gun for a moment. Then why did the guy run when I chased him?” She took a bite. The chocolate swirled on her tongue. It had been a long time since she'd had homemade chocolate frosting.

“If he's part of the stalking, he wouldn't want to be caught, right? That could explain why he ran. Or it could be because you chased him.”

“True, but if there is some sort of organized stalking going on, it's hard to imagine they ended up here in Maiden. After all, it's been months since you were here, and no one knew you were coming, right? They would have no reason to believe you would even be in Maiden.”

“But they shouldn't have known I went to see you either. And someone showed up at your office. So what are you saying? You don't think the guy had a gun at all? It was just some guy taking my picture?”

Maybe it was the person responsible for the VidLife posting. One more thing she needed to tell Lucas about. “And was as harmless as the guy inside the diner. That's what I'm saying. It's possible I misjudged the situation.”

“You? Misjudge? Is that even possible?” He grinned.

“It happens from time to time.” She licked the frosting off her fingers. “On the other hand, if it was a gun, all bets are off.”

“Well, was it a gun or not?”

She closed her eyes, thinking back to that afternoon. She opened them and stared into his blue eyes. “I can't be sure now, but I was positive it was a gun at the time.”

“So what should I do? What's the plan? Should I resume my duties in DC with you following me as we originally planned? Or what?”

“I guess so, since I don't have a better idea. But if you have one, I'm all—”

A car backfired and Nikki fell backwards. A sharp pain in her arm suddenly spiked through her skin. She looked down at the spreading wet spot that turned one side of her shirt red.

“Nikki,” Lucas yelled from somewhere—it sounded very far away.

Why was she lying on the deck?

Another explosion. Not a car backfiring—they were too far out to hear cars. A gunshot.

“Get down, Lucas. Someone's shooting at us.”

Another bullet whizzed through the air.

The deck rattled as Lucas fell.

13

Dear God, not again.

Lucas dropped to the deck floor, then crawled around the table as more gunshots exploded.

Nikki was sprawled on the deck, her shirt bloody. Her eyes were closed. She wasn't moving and hadn't said anything since she'd yelled they were being shot at.

His mind flashed to Victoria lying on the floor of that convenience store. He blinked the memory away. Had to stay in the present. Had to help Nikki. When Lucas finally reached her, he put two fingers on her neck. A pulse—she still had a pulse.
Thank You, God.
He touched her cheek. “Nikki.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “Someone's shooting at us.”

“I know. You were shot. I need to stop the bleeding.” He reached up to grab napkins off the table. Another shot exploded.

Her eyes fluttered shut once again.
Don't think about it. Just do what you have to do.
He tore off his shirt and pressed it against her shoulder. “Nikki. Nikki. Wake up. Open your eyes. Please.”

Her lids opened, but her gaze was unfocused. She moaned.

“Nikki, you've been shot.”

“Kind of thought that.” A weak smile.

“Lucas…house…need…to get…in the house.” Her words burst out in short blasts.

“I'll carry you.”

She grabbed his arm. “No. Can't…gotta… stay…down. Don't…give…target.”

How could he move her? He didn't want to drag her. That might cause more damage, but they had to get off the deck. “Can you crawl?”

“Think so.”

He helped her to her knees.

A path of blood marked her trail as she crawled towards the door.

Lucas hovered close behind her, shielding her from any more bullets.

Once they were in the house, Nikki sat back against the wall. Breathing hard. Sweat beaded on her forehead. So pale—just like Victoria.

He shook the thought away and knelt beside her. “Let me—”

“Lock the doors. We can't let them get in.” Her words came out between the gasps of pain. “And stay away from the windows.”

“I need to—”

Her voice was adamant. “You need to make sure they can't get in the house.”

He bolted the door they came through and then ran to the front door to bolt it. He'd not opened any windows, so they were as secure as they could be. Which wasn't much security at all.

Nikki still leaned against the wall when he came back, taking deep, slow breaths. Her eyes were closed.

He stared at her shirt, now covered in red.
Please, God, don't let her die.
He leaned down to her. “I'm right here, Nikki. The house is secure.” Locked doors wouldn't stop them if they really wanted to get in. “Wake up. You can't go to sleep.”

“Not asleep…trying to think. Did you call 911?” Her emerald-green eyes were cloudy with pain.

“Can't. There's no cell-phone signal out here. And the cabin doesn't have a landline.”

She gave him a weak smile. “Well, I think we can assume I was right about the man with the gun.”

“You're a tough one, huh? Making jokes after getting shot.”

“Don't feel tough. Feel tired. Arm hurts. Need to rest.”

“I know it hurts, but you can't go to sleep right now.” He touched her cheek. “I'll take care of you. I promise everything will be OK.”

She stared at him with those beautiful green eyes, a lifetime of hurt and mistrust reflected back to him. Finally, she nodded. “I believe you.”

Hearing those words meant more than he could say. He wouldn't let her down. “Let's get to the car before they make their way back here.” He opened a drawer, pulling out several kitchen towels. He handed one to her.

Wincing, she pressed it against the wound. “Help me up.” She leaned against him as they walked.

At the door, he stopped. “Maybe I should get the car and then drive as close as I can get to the door. That way, you don't have to run as far.”

“No, let's go together.”

“OK, let's do this.” He opened the door and stepped out.

Gunshots split the quiet of the evening.

Lucas pushed Nikki back inside and slammed the door. “Well, I guess that won't work.”

“Must be two of them.” Her face contorted in pain, and then her hand reached out to him as she crumpled to the floor.

His mind went blank. This couldn't be happening. He leaned over. Relief flowed through him when he found her pulse. She was still alive. He gathered her up and placed her on the couch. He checked her forehead, knowing it was a ridiculous thing to do. He relocked the front door. “Please, God. Keep her safe.”

Nikki moaned.

“Nikki, can you hear me?”

She didn't respond.

Falling to his knees, he knelt beside Nikki. “Please, God, don't let her die too.” He ran his finger down her cheek. Her skin was so pale and clammy—just as Victoria's had been.

The robbery had been a blur until the moment the gunman turned and aimed at Lucas. But he hadn't shot Lucas. It had been Victoria who fell to the floor.

His life had changed in a heartbeat.

Victoria's last heartbeat.

The papers had portrayed him as a hero. Some hero. He couldn't even save his wife.

And now Nikki was shot because of him. The women he cared about always ended up hurt. Or dead. He closed his eyelids and prayed with all that was in him. He opened his eyes, leaning closer to Nikki.

Her breath was shallow, but she was still breathing. Nikki opened her eyes. “What happened?”

Tears filled his eyes. “You passed out and scared me to death.”

“Sorry. How inconsiderate of me.”

His hand brushed her cheek. “No, I'm the one who's sorry. For getting you in this mess. That's why I fired you.”

“Listen to me.” She grabbed hold of his arm. “Not your fault. It's my job. It's what I do.”

“Then you should think about changing jobs.”

“Yeah, maybe I should. And so should you. Apparently, someone doesn't like the way you're doing yours.” She struggled to sit up. Gently, he helped her to a sitting position.

“I think you need to rest some more.”

“We need to get out of here.” She tried to stand, but swayed. Obviously, still woozy. She sat back down. “Maybe I'll rest for a minute. Need some water.”

“How about some aspirin?”

“Bring me the bottle.”

Lucas stopped in his old bedroom and found a T-shirt. As he was putting it on, he stared at the window. It might work. No—it would work. It had to. There weren't many other options for getting out of the house.

And he needed to get Nikki to the hospital. He grabbed a T-shirt for her and then hurried to the bathroom. His arms were full of first-aid things as he walked back into the living room.

Nikki's eyes were closed. Had she passed out again?

He breathed a sigh of relief as she opened them.

“Don't look at me as if I'm dead. It hardly even hurts.”

“Yeah, right.” He placed rubbing alcohol and bandages on the coffee table as he handed her the aspirin bottle. After she swallowed them, he sat down beside her. “Here, let me do this.” He peeled off her blood-soaked shirt. Blood seeped from her arm, not her shoulder or chest. He looked for a corresponding bullet hole and found it. The bullet went through and through—wasn't that what they called it on those police television shows?

“Don't be looking at things you shouldn't.” Nikki gave a weak smile.

He chuckled as he opened the rubbing alcohol. “Don't worry. That's the last thing on my mind. This will sting.” He poured it on her arm.

She clenched her teeth. “Guess I'm not looking my best at the moment.”

“You always look good.” He took another towel and dabbed at her arm. “I don't think you're bleeding right now. Is that a good thing?”

“I don't know. I've never been shot before.”

“Never been shot? What kind of private investigator are you?”

“The good kind that doesn't get shot.”

He wrapped gauze around her arm and then used the surgical tape to keep it in place. “I'm so sorr—”

“It's not your fault. Stop apologizing.” Their gazes met. “I mean it, Lucas. No matter what happens, you need to remember that. I made my own choices. Let's focus on getting out of this mess. You can be sorry later. Help me put on this T-shirt.” She pulled the shirt down over her hips. “Sooner or later, they'll come in here to finish the job.”

“I wonder why they haven't come in yet.”

“Because they aren't sure if we have any weapons or not.” She gave him a hopeful glance. “I don't suppose there are any guns here.”

He shook his head.

“How can you not have guns at a cabin in the woods? A bear could pay a visit at any time.”

“After my father died, Mama moved them into town. Guns make her feel safe.”

“I can understand that. One would make me feel a lot safer right about now.”

“Don't you have one?”

“I do, but it's in the car.”

“Why?”

She gave him a sheepish look. “I had no need for it in here. I thought. Obviously, I was wrong. “

“Aren't you the funny one?”

Their gazes met.

He saw the same sadness he felt when he thought about what might have been. He reached out and caressed her cheek. “I really am sorry.”

“We need to be long gone before they decide to storm the house.”

“I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it will work.”

14

Nikki was glad Lucas had an idea, because she sure didn't. Between the pain and the blood loss, it was hard to think. But her mind was beginning to focus. She didn't think she'd die from the bullet wound. “So, what's your idea?”

“Come on, I'll show you.” Lucas helped her to her feet.

Nikki stood up. “Good, no dizziness.”

“Why don't I believe you?” Apparently, he didn't.

She took hold of his arm. “Well, not as much as before.”

Lucas opened a door to a bedroom with two twin beds. “This room has windows facing the side. Hopefully, they aren't watching here. Maybe we could climb out and head into the woods that way.”

Could she do that? She would have to. “At least it's large enough to climb through.” Nikki looked out the window. “That's quite a drop.”

“That's because the cabin is built into the side of a mountain. I'll jump first and then I can catch you.”

“I have a better idea. You go for help and I'll stay here.”

“That's not happening.” He shook his head. “I'm not leaving you.”

“Oh yes, you are.”

“I am not leaving you here with at least two shooters and no weapons to defend yourself. What kind of man do you think I am?”

She had to make him see reason. “I'll find a really good hiding place. When they come in and see the open window, they'll assume we both left through it. They'll either go after you or leave. Either way, I'll be fine. Chances are they won't even bother to look for me in the house.”