Indecent Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 3) (29 page)

At the trial.

At the sentencing.

At any parole hearings in the future.

Travis would be there to make sure the authorities were aware of all the facts. Tom Lovell had killed two people and tried to kill two more. And that’s what they knew about. He could have other victims strewn across the United States that no one was aware of.

Prather and the local lead detective exited the apartment and gave Travis and Wyatt a nod. “We’ve got him. You were right. He was shacked up here with another girlfriend. That guy sure has a way with the ladies.”

When Travis had seen how smoothly Lovell had played both Alana and Iris, he’d postulated that there might be more women out there. Women who might be dazzled enough to give Tom refuge while he was on the run. It was there that Wyatt had started his investigation, and with some questioning of Tom’s friends and neighbors he’d found the identity of a third woman. Surveillance on that female had proven fruitless until she’d stopped into a local retailer and purchased a supply of men’s clothing, all in Lovell’s size.

Armed with that proof, Stone had used his limitless patience to sit outside the apartment building for weeks watching nothing but the comings and goings of the girlfriend. But Wyatt had known that with each passing day Tom would feel a little bit safer and eventually cabin fever and inactivity would force him out of the house. Then they’d know for sure. It had taken weeks but Wyatt had spotted Lovell this morning going on a Starbucks run.

It had taken several hours to gather the personnel and put together a plan, but the SWAT team had just delivered the arrest warrant from Florida. Tom would be heading back to face trial for his actions.

“When will you send him back?” Travis asked as he waited for a glimpse of the man who had been his soul focus for the last month and a half.

“In the morning,” Prather replied, still not acting very friendly despite being handed a double murderer on a platter. He had egg on his face regarding Martin’s arrest so Travis didn’t expect that any of them were in the detective’s good graces. “He’ll spend the night in county and then me and my men will escort him back. The DA is already prepping the case for trial but I’m sure he’ll offer some kind of deal. Who knows? Maybe he’ll confess and save the taxpayers some money. Seems like the type that might want to brag about it.”

Two uniformed cops escorted the woman out, her hands cuffed behind her back, tears running down her face. Travis felt a twinge of sympathy as she’d been taken in like so many others, but giving aid and comfort to a known criminal was never a good idea no matter how charming and loving he seemed.

Standing in the middle of the walkway Travis waited, his hands curled into fists, nails digging into the meat of his palms. He just needed this one moment and then he could go home. Back to his friends, family, career, and of course Aubrey. She was finally feeling more like herself although she still sometimes had nightmares about that day. She worked with a therapist but the doctor had been brutally honest with both Aubrey and Caroline. They might always have flashbacks to that moment, although they should get fewer and far between. Being shot at was a life-changing moment and the brain was a tricky thing. It wasn’t going to let go of the trauma all that easily.

Two more uniformed officers finally exited the apartment, this time with Lovell between them. The man looked a little roughed up, a bruise beginning to form on his cheekbone, as if he’d resisted attempts to bring him in but otherwise it was the same smirking Tom Lovell.

They’d all been fooled.

Lovell was cuffed and each arm was held by a cop as they escorted him right to Travis, stopping about three feet away. Travis studied the man that had shot Aubrey in cold blood, leaving her for dead.

“Hello, Tom.”

Lovell smiled but it looked more like a snarl. “Hello, Travis. Funny meeting you here.”

“It’s not funny at all. I’ve been looking for you, actually. You hurt something of mine. You shouldn’t have done that.”

If Lovell was afraid he didn’t show it outwardly but Travis did see the man’s chest rising and falling slightly faster than before. It could have been for a myriad of reasons, not just Travis. Lovell was losing his freedom as of this moment so that might account for the agitation.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about. This is all a misunderstanding.”

The corner of Travis’s mouth quirked up. Lovell was going to go down with the ship. He’d never confess because he believed he could talk and charm his way out of anything.

“Aubrey and Caroline are alive, Tom. Alive. They have an interesting story to tell. Alana’s singing like a bird, too.”

There it was. Lovell’s smile faltered but for mere seconds. Travis was sure he was already formulating his next sure fire, foolproof plan.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Travis. This has all been a huge mistake. You’ll see.”

Travis leaned forward but the cops stepped back, feeling the rage that was carefully held in check.

“You made a huge mistake, Lovell. You hurt people I care about. I’m going to make it my personal mission to see you rot behind bars. I’ll clear my desk of any and all projects and make it my life’s work. Do you get what I’m saying? I’m going to become the thing that makes you wake up in the middle of the night screaming and covered with sweat.”

With that, Travis turned on his heel, not bothering to see Tom’s reaction. It didn’t matter because Travis had spoken the truth. He would make sure Tom faced justice for what he’d done. Legally, of course. He was no vigilante. But he wanted to ensure that Lovell knew that there was someone out there that gave a shit.

Travis and Wyatt climbed into the rental car and backed out of the parking lot, pulling into the traffic headed to the airport. It was time to go home.

“So did you get what you came for, boss?” Wyatt asked softly, his expression neutral but Travis had learned a few things about the man in the last few days. Wyatt Stone might not show much emotion but there was a hell of a lot going on underneath that serene exterior. Things Stone didn’t talk about and probably never would.

“I did. I wanted him to know that I wouldn’t give up, no matter what. Not sure it made any difference though. I doubt he really thinks he’s going to be tried and convicted.”

Wyatt shrugged, never taking his eyes from the road. “I’ve known men like that. They live in a different world from you and I. They’re free from consequences there and they’re more than a little narcissistic. But I think you’ve got him dead to rights this time. Unless there are some weird technicalities, he’s going to prison.”

It would never be enough but Wyatt was right. Lovell would never change. Put him behind bars and move on with life.

Travis had kept his promise to Aubrey.

*     *     *

“You’re home.”

Aubrey had been curled up on the couch watching television when she’d heard Travis’s truck pull up in front of the house. Now she was wrapped in his arms and the last two lonely days were erased from her memory, joy curling her toes and making every cell in her body alive and tingling.

“I am home. You shouldn’t have waited up. You need your rest.”

Sighing, she pressed another kiss to his hard jaw line, a light stubble tickling her lips. “I’ve been resting for weeks. I’m ready to get back to living life again. I’m not made to watch television and eat chocolates all day.”

While recovering, Travis had spoiled her terribly and it was time she did some spoiling of her own. She knew very well where he’d been the last few days. He hadn’t hidden anything from her as he’d methodically hunted down Tom Lovell. He’d been calm and sweet since the shooting but she’d been aware of the anger simmering just under the surface. Travis was a protective man and someone had hurt people he cared about. He wasn’t going to just sit back and observe. He was a man of action.

“As soon as the doctor says you can go back to work and not a day sooner. Try and enjoy your time off while I’m being tortured by your temp replacement. I think she hates me.”

“More like she’s terrified of you,” Aubrey retorted. “You’re constantly barking at her about something.”

“Because she’s constantly screwing something up,” Travis countered. “Not everyone is as efficient as you are.”

If the man she loved wanted to give her a compliment she wasn’t going to argue. Instead she took a deep breath and asked the question that had been hanging between them since he walked in the door.

“So you found him. Did you talk to him?”

“I did and he didn’t say anything that I didn’t expect him to.” Travis nodded and pulled her closer. Aubrey leaned into his body, drawing strength and warmth from his nearness. “There was no grand confession. He’ll deny to his last breath. Right now he’s in custody and headed back to Florida where he’ll face trial along with Alana.”

Not sure what to say, Aubrey simply chose to say nothing at all. She was glad Tom Lovell was behind bars. Sometimes she felt like he was behind every bush and tree, watching and waiting to try and kill her again. His incarceration would help with the fear and nightmares but nothing was going to erase the memories.

She’d grown incredibly close to Caroline in the past month and a half as they’d both healed from their wounds. Caroline had moved to Montana, wanting nothing to do with her old life in New York City. Travis had given her a job heading up social media for Anderson Industries and so far she seemed to be doing a great job.

“Good. I want to start thinking about the future and not dwell on the past.”

“I’m so glad you feel that way, baby. I have just the thing to help you with that.”

“How do you–”

She didn’t get to finish her question. Travis had gracefully fallen to one knee, her hands still clasped in his own. Faced with the sight of him before her, somehow she managed to stay upright and conscious. Barely.

“Aubrey, I love you more every day. Like you, I want to think about the future. You are it. My home. My heart. My world. Will you make me the happiest man in Montana and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Like all the too handsome Anderson men, Travis was beaming and showing off that sexy dimple in his cheek. He was pretty sure of her answer but he didn’t appear overly confident.

Just in love.

“Yes,” she whispered, a catch in her tight throat. “A million times yes.”

A small velvet box appeared from his pocket and then a gorgeous platinum ring with three emerald cut diamonds was slid on her finger. He stood and pulled her in for another kiss. Then another. And then another. By the time he stood back to survey her hot cheeks and dreamy eyes he was grinning from ear to ear.

“I think it’s time to start our new life, Mrs. Anderson. Any objections?”

She couldn’t think of one.

She had everything she’d ever dreamed of.

Thank you for reading Danger Incorporated – Indecent Danger

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Olivia Jaymes is a wife, mother, lover of sexy romance, and caffeine addict. She lives with her husband and son in central Florida and spends her days with handsome alpha males and spunky heroines.

She is currently working on a series of full-length novels called The Cowboy Justice Association. It’s a contemporary romance series about lawmen in southern Montana who work to keep the peace but can’t seem to find it in their own lives in addition to the erotic romance novella series – Military Moguls and the romantic suspense series – Danger Incorporated.

Visit Olivia Jaymes at

www.OliviaJaymes.com

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