Defending Sophie Read online

  Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth and watching this lovely woman before her, give her understanding, encouragement, and support for someone she doesn't know anything about gave Sophie a pinch of courage to accept.

  "Thank you. I appreciate it."

  "Good, it's settled. In an hour I'll close the shop, take you to get your phone and when we return, I'll set out getting ready for tomorrow."

  Without waiting for an answer, she turned and left the room to help a customer who had entered the bakery. Simple as that.

  Deciding that she wouldn't tell Gigi where she'd lost her phone, she sat on the same stool where she'd eaten breakfast and the most delicious piece of chocolate cake she'd ever had as a snack after her shower, and slowly rotated her shoulder. It was certainly swollen, but she could move it, though not without pain. And she'd learned earlier this morning when reaching for a pot to wash, that she couldn't reach out in front of her quickly without a burning sensation running up her neck and down her right arm. Likely due to a pinched nerve which was hopefully only from the swelling.

  Looking across this bright happy kitchen, she wished Kate were here and could see this place and meet Gigi. Kate would have loved her. And she wished Kate could have had a piece of that chocolate cake, she would have been in heaven. Which ironically is where she is now. Tilting her head back and looking up at the tin ceiling, stamped with rosettes and delicate vines, she closed her eyes and silently asked her friend to be with her now and help her get out of this situation.

  Whispering to no one, "Kate, if you can hear me, I sure could use your help."

  The bell above the front door rang and as she'd done all morning, Sophie held her breath, pressed her back to the wall, and listened to make sure it wasn't someone coming to get her. Hearing the female customer order six croissants, she let herself breathe again and stepped to the sink to finish washing the dishes soaking inside before the water cooled.

  Rinsing the sink of last remnants of bubbles and food scraps, Sophie jumped when Gigi entered the kitchen and said, "Ready?"

  Drying her hands on a towel wrapped around her waist to keep her jeans dry from water sloshing around, she could feel her cheeks tint pink. "Sorry."

  "Don't be sorry, dear. I've told you, I completely understand."

  Removing her towel, she laid it over the edge of the stainless sink and followed Gigi to the backdoor. Gigi stepped out but Sophie froze. Glancing out the door and watching Gigi walk to her car, which was parked in clear view of the backdoor, she took a deep breath and stepped out.

  "Lock it, please." Her new friend called over her shoulder.

  Opening the door, and reaching around to twist the lock, she again stepped out and pulled the door closed once she felt that she wouldn't have to run back inside. Making a dash for Gigi's car, she jumped in, and locked the doors with the touch of the button on the right armrest.

  Gigi started her car and put it in gear. "Buckle up." Was all she said as she pulled away from the sweet little brick bakery.

  The ride was quiet and Sophie couldn't help but glance at her driver. Blond hair, fine lines around her eyes and lips. The skin under her chin sagged slightly, but no more than any mature woman's did. She was beautiful. Petite framed, her hands were work roughened but not like a construction worker, rather as if she did dishes a lot and worked with implements for her job. Her body was slightly rounded, but Sophie mused not as round as she'd be if she ate those delicious baked goods every day. Gigi could bake.

  They drove along, and the closer they got to Riverton, the more Sophie twisted her fingers in her lap. By the time she saw the sign, "You are now entering the town of Riverton" her heart raced and her muscles tightened to the point of pain.

  "Where to now?"

  "Uh, if you could drop me at the Swanky Town Pub, I can find my way from there."

  "Katherine, honey, I can help you."

  She met Gigi's eyes and the worried blue ones that looked back at her made her sad, but she just couldn't put Gigi in danger if there was someone out there. "Please, Gigi, I need to do this my way."

  Gigi swallowed hard and Sophie felt terrible for all this lovely woman had done and was doing for her, and yet, she'd been dishonest from the start. Not saying another word, Gigi pulled into the parking lot of the Swanky Town and put her car into park.

  "Shall I wait here for you?"

  "No. I don't want you to get any more involved than you already are. And, thank you so much for all you've done, Gigi. I'll never forget you."

  Tears sprang to Gigi's eyes, but she nodded once and dug into her purse. "At least let me pay you for today's work."

  "No. I used your shower, you fed me, and drove me here. Let's call it even. Please."

  "Then, at least take my card. My phone number is on it, and I'd appreciate it if you'd call me and let me know you're doing okay." She pulled a card from an inside pocket of her purse and handed it to Sophie. As she gently took the card from Gigi's fingers, Gigi added, "or, if you need me to come and get you. You call me. Deal?"

  "Deal." Leaning forward, she hugged Gigi with her left arm as much as she could in the confines of the car and with a seatbelt on.

  Unlatching her seatbelt, she opened the car door without looking at Gigi again. Her eyes darted around the parking area making sure no one was around before she ducked behind the building and made her way across the back lot. Briskly making her way to the neighboring street behind the pub, which held houses and children playing. Just one more street down and to the east and she'd be on the street across from the gas station and that much closer to her phone. She had this.

  The streets were busy, as it was now around 3:30 and school buses were busy dropping children at their various stops. Perfect time for her to blend in. She wasn't much taller than many children and actually much shorter than many of the high schoolers at only 5’2” feet tall.

  Looking across the street to the gas station, she surveyed the parking lot for signs of anyone sitting in their cars or driving around looking for her. Quickly making her way to the wooden fence where she’d hidden, she tucked Gigi's card into her back pocket and swallowed the dryness away in her throat. Walking close to the fence and boxwood hedge she saw the trash can right where it had been yesterday and jogged to it. Dropping easily down to her knees and careful not to jostle her arm she glanced under the trash can only to see that it had been moved and her phone lay crushed under one of the wheels.

  The tears that instantly sprang to her eyes blinded her vision. Immediate defeat washed over her and she let the tears flow. Scooting back against the fence, she pulled her knees to her chest and dropped her head to her knees.

  "There you are." A deep male voice said. She couldn't jump up and run before he'd reached down and grabbed her.

  Chapter 6

  Getting out of their rental, a sleek black Chevy Tahoe, Gaige and Hawk walked into the commissary on base. They all looked the same somehow, commissaries and bases. It was probably the utilitarian feel of the base and all the uniformed people walking to and fro, but that feeling of Deja Vu fell over Gaige every time he entered a military base or building.

  The fast-food restaurants lined the outside of the actual shopping area, cell phone stores, computer stores, you name it they all had mini versions of themselves positioned inside the commissary all vying for those military dollars.

  He saw Rocco enter the front doors and look around. His black hair and tall physique were easy to spot, even among all of these other military personnel. Rocco was a SEAL and SEALs held themselves differently. Taller, prouder, they carried that badass vibe with them everywhere they went. It was ground into them getting through BUDS.

  Rocco looked up and saw Gaige walking toward him and laughed. When they met they embraced and slapped each other on the back a few times.

  "Damn, it's good to see you, Gaige. How the fuck are you?"

  "I'm good, Rocco, how about you?"

  "Same shit, different mission."

  "That's for ce
rtain." Gaige and Rocco had met years prior during a mission when GHOST was only a couple of years old and the SEALs had been called in. They weren’t necessarily working together, but they had a common goal and he’d remained friends with Rocco since that time.

  Looking over at Hawk, he motioned him forward. "You remember, Hawk?"

  "Of course. How the fuck are you, Hawk? I heard you got shot not long ago."

  Gaige watched the two men hug and step back, Hawk towered over damned near everyone. Even Rocco.

  "I'm good. All healed and ready for action."

  "Glad to hear, man."

  Rocco motioned them to a side of the commissary and pulled the keys from his front pocket. Handing them over, he also pulled his phone from his pocket, tapped a few times on his screen and Gaige's phone vibrated signaling a text.

  "I just texted you the address. He said to make yourself at home, though you'll need some food. No one has been there in a couple of months."

  Taking the keys, Gaige pocketed them before shaking hands with his friend. "We'll need to catch up one of these days. Sorry to grab and run, but I've got to find someone and I'm not sure how much trouble she's in. I’ll call you to get the keys back to you.”

  Rocco smiled. "I'll hold you to that. I've got an exercise I have to return to across the way, but stay in touch. And keep your head down. Maybe once you find your person, we can get some drinks, it’s been a while since we’ve all had the chance to knock a few back."

  Rocco turned to shake Hawk's hand, repeated the sentiment, and waved as he headed out the door. As Gaige watched his old friend walk out, a familiar face walked in. Fucking Reed Killian walked through the doors. Gaige remembered him from years ago during AIT and again when they were stationed at Fort Jackson. Reed was a major suckass who would stab anyone in the back if he thought the higher-ups would give him props. He ratted out any person in the unit, no matter how small the infraction just to get in good with the upper brass. Last time he'd seen this asshole he was a Second Lieutenant, though he'd heard he'd been promoted since then.

  Their eyes met and Reed's face showed everything. First surprise at seeing Gaige here, then the mask came on and his military face with it. Walking straight toward him, Gaige stiffened and readied himself to be pissed off.

  "Vickers, what are you doing all the way out here?" He looked the same. That same sickening smile that was more false than a stripper's tits. His white-blond hair slicked back made him appear bald from a distance. His light blue eyes always assessing and looking for a flaw.

  "Just visiting. You stationed here?"

  He wore civies so his rank wasn't apparent by his dress.

  "Yes. I'm Captain now."

  "Well, I think we all knew you'd climb the ranks no matter who you had to step on to do it." Even his chuckle was disgusting. "Same old Gaige Vickers, cynical and untrusting. What are you doing these days, bagging groceries I assume."

  "Something like that." It wasn't worth correcting him, that's what he wanted. Besides, GHOST was under the radar and elite. "Gotta run."

  Gaige moved toward the door, Hawk followed him, and they walked to the SUV. He jumped into the driver's seat, started the truck, pulled his seatbelt around him, and as he looked up, Killian stood just outside the door watching him. That same creepy feeling he always got around Killian crawled its way up his spine.

  "Fucker."

  "Yeah. Gotta story there I assume."

  "You assume correctly. Look for a grocery store with my GPS, please. Address is in Rocco’s text. I don't want to shop here."

  Hawk pulled his phone from his front pocket and began tapping. The GPS located a grocery store five miles away and on the way to the cabin, so Gaige pointed the SUV in that direction and took off. Pulling his own phone out, he tried calling Sophie again and still got no answer.

  "My gut says somethings wrong. It could just be running into Killian, but something still feels off."

  "I agree. Time to have Wyatt trace her phone." Hawk responded.

  Gaige tapped a couple of icons on his phone, to call GHOST headquarters. Wyatt answered on the second ring. "Lawson."

  "Wyatt, I need you to trace Sophie's burner. I also need you to trace her regular cell phone, too. I'll text you the numbers." He forwarded the numbers to Wyatt and waited until he had a response.

  "Got it. I'll ring you as soon as I have something."

  Stopping in the parking lot of the grocery store, they went in, grabbed some food, and left with little fuss. They didn't know what facilities they'd have at the cabin, but assumed the basics. Grabbing frozen meals that could be baked or microwaved, fresh fruit, instant oatmeal, coffee, and juices they left a few minutes later, each carrying two bags.

  Setting the GPS for the cabin, they proceeded to find their home away from home, but each mile that passed, Gaige's gut tightened. Where was she?

  Finding the cabin, they entered and dropped their groceries on the table. Hawk tossed the frozen goods into the freezer and Gaige wandered through the house. It was dated, that was apparent, but other than being dusty, it had been someone's full-time home at one point. It appeared everything they'd need was available. Two bedrooms, nothing frilly and pink, which Gaige admitted to himself was a bit disappointing as he'd love a picture of Hawk laying in a girly room.

  His phone rang and he didn't let it ring a second time. "Vickers."

  "I got a ping on her phone, though it's weak. It appears she's across from a gas station on the edge of Riverton. I'll send you the location on your phone. You're only eight miles away."

  Chapter 7

  "I've been looking for you. Are you alright?"

  Fighting to get out of his iron grip Sophie tried twisting and pushing away. She yelled out as the white hot pain slid down her arm and up her neck from her shoulder. She instinctively cradled her right arm in her left and the solid hands that had held her before, gentled and his arms wrapped around and pulled her into a hard chiseled body. The voice suddenly took on concern.

  "Hey. It's me, Gaige. I'm here. I'm not going to hurt you."

  Her watery eyes looked up the chest in front of her and into the face of the man she'd crushed on over and over through the years.

  A sob broke out as all of the horrors of the past few days rushed through her. Gaige picked her up and carried her to a black SUV. Climbing in the back with her, a monster of a man climbed behind the wheel and began driving them. Somewhere.

  "Hey. Why didn't you answer your phone?"

  Clearing her throat, she sat up and his arms braced her and moved her to the seat behind the driver. He twisted to look at her and she knew the second his eyes landed on her face. More specifically, the bruise on her cheek and jaw. His tensed and his face grew hard and unreadable.

  "Tell me what happened to you. I can see this." His fingers gently caressed the bruise on her face. "And it appears you have an arm or shoulder injury as well."

  His fingers took hold of the collar on her button up shirt and gently pulled the collar back. She flinched away and his eyes, those gorgeous green eyes she'd been so mesmerized by years ago, landed on hers. "I'm a medic, remember?"

  She hesitated, mostly because she wanted to stare at him for hours. Also because she'd now have to tell him what had happened. She hoped like hell he'd believe her and not think she was crazy.

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded as her left hand swiped at the tears that trickled down her face. He gently moved her shirt from her shoulder and though it was barely perceptible, he grimaced. Ducking his head to capture her gaze, he said softly, "I need to make sure it isn't dislocated. It may hurt just a bit."

  He held her eyes until she swallowed then nodded. Bracing herself for the pain, she had to admit, he was as gentle as he could be. His fingers kneaded the tissue around her shoulder joint to make sure it wasn't dislocated. She knew it wasn't but a masochistic part of her wanted him to touch her. She felt safer being with him already. For the first time in a while, she wasn't alone. Having no one to tu
rn to when things got tough, sucked.

  He touched a sore spot on her shoulder and she flinched. "Sorry, Soph, I'll be careful."

  She nodded, still not sure she should trust her voice. Emotions were high and she didn't want to cry again and look weak to him. Not to him.

  "Okay, rotate it as much as you can for me."

  She moved her shoulder and winced when it pained her, but she still continued to move it. This was nothing compared to what she'd been through.

  “Can you reach out in front of you?”

  She did as he asked but sucked in air as the pain shot through her.

  "Okay, we'll be at the cabin soon enough. There I can take a closer look, but I don't think it's dislocated, so that's good. But I do think you'll need to rest it to help it heal. We'll ice it and figure it out."

  "Okay. Thank you." She watched his Adam’s apple as it bobbed up and down. He swallowed multiple times and for some reason, it was sexy. Her eyes traveled up his throat to his jaw, then up until their eyes locked. "What cabin?"

  He smiled for the first time and it was as if the sun shined right inside the vehicle. "I have a friend who has a friend with a cabin. It keeps us away from the general public and allows us the time and privacy to figure out what's going on with you."

  "Okay." His fingers gently brushed her jaw again, but she didn't wince this time. "Who did this to you?"

  "I don't know. He jumped me from behind. I dropped my burner phone and it slid under the trashcan with wheels. I came back this morning to get it because it was my only line to you. But, it had been broken when they emptied the garbage today. That's where you found me, crying and trying to figure out what I'd do next."

  "Where's your phone? You're real phone?"

  "I dismantled it, and then threw it away so they couldn't track me."

  "Who is they?"

  "I'm not a hundred percent sure. I only told one person that Kate hadn't killed herself and that was Chet Forest. He had to have told someone else. He wouldn't do this to me."