To Take Up the Sword Read online

  “It is raining awful hard.”

  “Worse than that. The weather service has been predicting tornadic weather since yesterday. I’d been to stock up on non-perishables just before you showed up. We’re under a severe thunderstorm warning until nine PM and a watch until four AM. There’s a possibility of golf-ball size hail predicted with the storm about to pass the Mississippi line into Colbert county. It’s safer to stop, hide and wait it out. We’ll let them get ahead of us.”

  “I always hated storms. They’re bad this time of year here. So where are we going?”

  She cringed as he took another hard left through a yellow gate onto a gravel and rock drive. The Jeep spat rocks into the air as they drove up the road.

  “Belle Mont Mansion. It’s a historical plantation house. Normally they offer tours this time of year. We should be able to ride the storm out and move on.”

  Lea unbuckled her seat belt as Gabe pulled the Jeep completely behind the huge antebellum mansion and out of sight from the dirt road. There were no other cars parked on the grass designated as a parking lot only by the thin layer of gravel barely covering the area. She wondered if the caretaker kept residence here.

  “Looks deserted.”

  “Maybe they closed early for the weather.”

  A series of beeps emitted from the radio, signaling an emergency broadcast warning. Wonderful. The severe thunderstorm had just turned tornadic.

  The National Weather Service in Huntsville, Alabama has issued a tornado warning for the following counties in North Alabama, Colbert, Lauderdale, and Franklin until 9:30 PM. At 8:15 The National Weather service indicated rotation with this storm five miles south of Russellville, Alabama moving north northeast…

  “Now what?”

  “We go in. Come on.” Gabe reached under the seat and pulled out a small black case, sliding it inside his jacket to protect it from the heavy rain.

  “Are those lock picks?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Not such a straight arrow are you?”

  “Depends on who I need to be. Look over your shoulder at that wall cloud. Do you really care how we get inside?”

  “I guess not.”

  * * * *

  Gabe brushed his dripping hair out of his eyes and scanned the driveway once more, reassuring himself they hadn’t been followed. Which door had the skeleton lock? The left back entrance. Lea joined him and together they ran up the steps behind the old house and across a cobblestone courtyard. Finally out of the rain, they stood beneath the porch roof just outside the door to the left wing. He took a look at the sky and the huge wall cloud bearing down on them. Didn’t they have enough problems without Mother Nature adding to them?

  “We can’t just break in like this, Gabe. Someone’s taken a lot of time and care here. It’s not right.”

  “Would you rather stand here and greet the tornado at the door? I’ll leave them a generous donation.” He saw the worry in Lea’s eyes. Over a house, when her life was at stake. He jiggled the pick and the old skeleton lock gave way easily.

  “Inside.”

  Thunder crackled overhead, leaving the stench of burning leaves in the air. He took her hand, pulling her inside and closing the door before she could argue further.

  * * * *

  She stepped into the dark silence of the west bedroom, which had been turned into the museum and souvenir area of the building. The house felt like it was waiting. For what? She wondered, but didn’t dare to contemplate.

  “Careful.” Gabe took a mini Maglite out of his case and used it to scan the room. “We don’t want to bump into anything in the dark. There are two rooms in this wing and then a main parlor toward the front of the house. Then to the right is the foyer with the staircase to the upper level. Hopefully the stairwell door will be unlocked.”

  Lea took Gabe’s hand and let him lead her through the old house. The hardwood echoed under her feet with every step, making it seem like there were dozens of unwelcome guests instead of two. Lightning flashed and lit the room. She jumped and turned her face toward his chest.

  “What? Afraid of a little lightning? After being chased all over God’s creation by men with guns?”

  “Ghost.” She pointed toward the image of a woman.

  “That’s just a mirror. See?” He moved his light to glint off the huge mirror. “It’s actually the last of its size to survive the blockade during the Civil War. At least I think that’s what the caretaker said when I toured this place.”

  “Well. I feel stupid. You toured this place? For fun?”

  “Yeah. I love old houses.”

  “No kidding? Me too.”

  A low rumbling sound reminded her of the approaching storm.

  “Sounds like a train.”

  “I know. Let’s move. Hurry.”

  * * * *

  Gabe twisted the stairwell door knob and whispered a silent prayer it would open. He motioned for Lea to step into the stairwell first, and pulled the door shut behind them. There was barely room to move and Gabe’s height forced him to bend his head to keep it from bumping the ceiling. Finally sitting in the floor, he pulled Lea into his lap and held her.

  “It’s getting closer, louder.”

  “It’ll be over soon. This house has been standing a lot longer than you or I have. We’ll be fine.”

  “Oh God, Gabe. I’m scared.”

  The rumble became a roar. It must be almost on top of them. Lea’s breath started to hitch with panic. Gabe wrapped his arms tightly around her, pressing her soft body against his.

  “Gabe?”

  “Shh.” He slanted his mouth over hers, teasing her lips apart with his. Rolling with her until she was pinned beneath him, Gabe took her deeper into the kiss. Help her forget. Don’t give her the chance to think of anything but you. A deep mmm sound purred from her throat and he knew Lea had all but forgotten the storm. Soft fingertips slid across his waist, holding him in place. Why did he have this fierce connection to Lea? He felt as though he’d known her for years. Gabe skimmed his hands underneath the edge of her shirt and met the warm skin of her midriff.

  “Wait. Do you hear that?” Lea flattened her palms against his chest. Everything had gone still and quiet just before the rumbling storm passed over.

  “Are those crickets chirping?”

  “Yes, the storm has passed. As much as I’d love to stay around and look at the architecture here, we should get going while we have a chance.”

  “Okay.”

  Gabe rolled over and got to his feet, offering a hand to Lea. He didn’t want to give her a chance to talk about the mindblowing kiss they’d shared. Maybe Lea would just chalk it up as a welcome distraction. If that’s all it was, then why does she have such an effect on me? Lea had shown such tenderness when she touched him. Maybe. No, he wouldn’t risk another woman’s life. He’d get her to safety and then disappear from her life.

  Gabe led her back down the hall to the museum room and out into the courtyard.

  Everything smelled fresh and clean. The clouds were breaking up to show moonlight and stars in places. Gabe watched Lea climb into the Jeep’s front passenger seat. She leaned her head against the window as he got back on Highway 43 and headed toward Florence. A slow melting ache settled over him, begging him to draw her close to his side. Did her lips throb silently, begging for his kiss? Remember who you are. When this is over you’ll go back to the agency. She’s a schoolteacher. What kind of life could she have with you? Lonely dinners, late nights sitting up waiting for you grading papers to keep from worrying? Days or even weeks when she wouldn’t see you or even know you were safe? It wouldn’t be fair to either of you.

  Chapter 4

  Gabe looked over at Lea. She’d fallen asleep with her face pressed against the foggy window. They had crossed the state line into Tennessee about an hour earlier.

  A shiver racked her frame. She must be cold, even though the Jeep was warm. Gabe reached over and cranked up the heater. She seemed softer in sleep. Mayb
e he could trust her. Serena had.

  Lea slept soundlessly in the bucket seat next to him. He was so tired. It was midnight when his eyes began to droop and he got off the main highway. He hadn’t seen the goons who’d shot up the cabin since they had hit the highway heading out of town toward Phil Campbell, Alabama. One way or another, he would have to stop for a few hours. Maybe it was time to call in some backup of his own. Gabe kept his eyes on the road ahead while he hit the keys on his cellphone to bring up his address book, punched the down arrow key three times and hit send, knowing that a call would go through to his sometimes partner, Mac Graves. He could trust Mac.

  “Your rental is ash, Spiller. Where the hell are you?” Mac asked in a gravelly voice.

  “About half an hour north of the Tennessee state line.”

  “Tell me what’s going on. I thought you were hiding out from Smythe.”

  “I was. Things changed. I’ve got baggage.”

  “Roarke’s sister found you.”

  “Yes, and I found the diamonds. I’ve just got to stay alive long enough to get them to you. Smythe didn’t cause the cabin fire, or if he ordered it, he wasn’t there to see it through. None of the men I saw fit his general physical appearance unless he’s grown two feet and added a hundred pounds. I think they could be working for Smythe. Roarke hid the diamonds in a small ceramic statue and gave them to her sister.”

  “Did she know about them?”

  The million dollar question. Lea’s future hinged on what he would say. Gabe thought over his answer carefully. Had she known? Was she guilty of concealing evidence along with a host of other charges, or had her own sister played her for a dupe just like she had her husband? “No, Leannan O’Neil had no knowledge of the diamonds or that the statue was anything more than an ugly keepsake given to her by her sister.”

  “How many men?”

  The change of topic meant Lea was off the hook. Gabe breathed a sigh of relief. “There were two when she lost them at a truck stop outside of Birmingham by hitching a ride with a truck driver, but when she got to Jasper and rented a car, that probably put them back on her trail. She’s been running on credit cards. They tracked her right to my front door. So we know these guys have someone techie enough to do that much.”

  “Not very street smart for a cop’s sister, is she?”

  The comment made Gabe bristle with insult. “She’s a grade school teacher, sheltered. I’m surprised she made it this far without getting killed. They blew up her house.”

  “I see. I met her at headquarters. She looks a lot like her sister, pretty little thing.”

  “Shut up, Mac. There was nothing between Roarke and I. She was a partner and friend. That’s all.”

  Mac never passed up the chance to rib him about the pretty cop. What he’d said was true. As much as he physically was attracted to her, that was where it stopped for him, but it had been his fault she was killed. He owed her vengeance. Nothing more.

  “Okay, okay. Remember that art theft case a couple of years back? There’s a safe house we used as headquarters for the op. As soon as you can, get off the interstate and take the exit to a place called Waynesboro, Tennessee.”

  “Okay.”

  “The main part of town is laid out like an old town square with four exits. Go straight from the entrance and take the second road out of the square. Go six miles and you’ll see a large white farmhouse with a screened-in porch on your right. The key is in a combination lock box under the small metal bridge that crosses the brook at the side of the house. Combination is 1988. Sit tight. I’ll come to you.” Mac clicked off.

  He took the next exit with a lodging sign, yawning as he pulled into a gravel parking lot with a blinking motel sign overhead. The place left a lot to be desired, but the structure appeared sound, if in need of renovation. He wished he’d chosen a different vehicle, or at least a different color. The shiny yellow Jeep would stick out like a sore thumb in the empty parking lot and prove a sure identifier for the men after them. They would have to ditch it before the next stop.

  Gabriel tried to wake Lea, but she barely stirred. The blue windbreaker she wore was thin, allowing him to follow the line of her shoulder with his hand. He found himself wanting to kiss her awake, but noting the dark circles under her eyes, he wondered when she’d last felt secure enough to really sleep. Besides, he didn’t have the right.

  He locked the doors, cracked the windows. Lea had dragged him into this mess. They would have to start trusting each other, if they wanted to survive. They had a good lead on their tag, but who’d sent the thugs? Smythe? Or someone else? Gabe walked over to the glass and steel enclosure where the motel caretaker sat.

  “Help, you?” The ancient night man at the desk spoke in a deep hacking rasp that betrayed a lifetime smoking habit, from behind a little round metal grate in what Gabe assumed was bulletproof glass. Always a great sign. An idea came to him as he thought about signing the card. From here on out, they’d be going under the radar. He let his voice slip into a deep burr.

  “Aye. I need a room for the night.”

  The old keeper looked toward the Jeep and the redheaded girl, and leered. It was obvious what usually went on here, by the man’s expression.

  Might be a good idea to sleep on top of the sheets.

  “Sure, got one room.”

  The lot was empty. Gabe frowned. “One hundred dollars, first night. Stay awhile, price drops. Pretty little thing you got there. Expecting company?”

  Inside Gabe went hot with rage, but outwardly his face was a mask of concern. “No. My wife and I have been on the road awhile.” He nodded toward Lea. “She’s pregnant. Traveling is not agreeing with her.” He signed the registry Duncan and Allaina McKade. “Going to her ma’s for a visit.” He concluded the transaction before the nosy old man could ask more questions, and went back to the Jeep with his key in hand.

  He pulled in front of thirty-four and killed the engine. Touching Lea lightly on the shoulder, he tried to wake her. The little witch stretched out into a sinuous bow, mumbled something hot and dark, and then held up welcoming arms. He accepted them, thinking it would look good for the crotchety old man if he carried her in.

  Her body was a fever pressed against him, soft and giving. Tormenting. He managed to get the door open and slammed it with a heel. The sound didn’t wake her. He checked the bed before he laid her gently on the brightly striped coverlet. She smiled in her sleep. A groan escaped from his lips as she worked her hands underneath the hem of his t-shirt and slid them up the skin of his chest and around his back to bring him closer to her. He couldn’t take advantage of the situation but…one kiss, just one more to work her taste out of his system. One more and maybe he could forget the heat she offered. Gabe didn’t hesitate when she pulled him down to her or as her lips pressed and teased his open.

  “Leannan.”

  * * * *

  A devil’s tongue whispered her name dark and silky as she kissed him, playfully exploring his chest, shoulders, and mouth. Every inch of her inside and out burned with an ache for Gabe’s touch, his kiss. Through the fog, Lea felt the lean muscular form of hot-blooded male lying on top of her. Gabe’s scent enveloped her and she woke with a start.

  “Gabe, oh my God.” She pushed at the hard wall of his chest.

  He kissed her again.

  “Mmm. What do you think you’re doing? We can’t do this.” She tried to make it sound like a threat, but her voice came out husky and wanting.

  “Mmm, Leannan, you started this. Your body says different.” Gabe didn’t budge, but instead trailed his hand down to her waist, skimming the side of her breast and eliciting a tremor from her.

  “I was asleep and you shouldn’t take advantage.” She tried to wiggle her way free and was rewarded with a groan.

  “Sweetheart, if I’d wanted to take advantage of you, we’d be naked and you’d be too busy to complain. It was a kiss, Lea, that’s all.”

  That was no ordinary kiss, but she’d let it go for
now. “Will you never get tired of manhandling me?” She watched Gabe get up and walk across to the door to check the locks, then check the back door of the room as well. He took one of the two chairs in the room and wedged it under the front door knob.

  “Where are we? Looks like one of those rent-by-the-hour places.” She looked around. The room had a TV on a small cart. “There’s a coin machine on the bed, Gabe, and the TV.”

  The bathroom appeared to be clean as far as she could tell from her place on the bed. Two large windows with the standard motel blinds faced each other from opposite sides of the room, and the giant bed she lay on was the focus of the room.

  “Unless you’re kinky, don’t put money in them. We’ve covered several hundred miles. We’re somewhere off the interstate inside the Tennessee state line. We’ve got a lead on those men, and I have to rest. You could use some sleep yourself.”

  “Sure. Do you think it’s safe to stop? I mean, they could catch up to us fairly easily.”

  “We don’t have a choice. If they find us, I’ll be ready. Just a couple of hours, Lea. When was the last time you really relaxed and slept?”

  “A while. So who gets the bed?”

  “It’s a big bed. We can share.”

  * * * *

  Lea’s long red hair tumbled wild, unkempt from sleep. Her windbreaker was unzipped revealing the smooth skin at her throat. Hell, he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more than to join her in the huge bed, and not for sleep. He wanted to take her up and over into oblivion until neither of them could feel the grief and fear, but Lea wasn’t ready for that.

  Lea glared at him, climbed off the bed and grabbed the extra blanket out of the closet. “I don’t think so. I’m sleeping on the floor.” She flipped her hair behind her shoulder.

  “Scared?” He took her lack of answer as an agreement. If she’d rather sleep on the floor than share the bed with him, that was fine. “Here. Take this.” Gabe handed her his small clutch piece. “Keep it with you, just in case.”