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She hadn’t even understood. Until now. She’d purposely left it off of the report, editing it to protect Bart’s feelings. No one would know the difference and the whole mission would be locked away in a vault somewhere anyway.
But Bakr, with his long reach and psychotic determination, had found it. Found all of them.
She murmured a prayer to St. Michael and turned to the comfort of Carson’s warm embrace. With his heart beat steady under her ear, she waited for sunrise and prayed the sheriff would find them soon.
She was more than ready to be free of the Morcos brothers and the nightmares that came with them.
Chapter 20
Carsoncameawakeatthe sound of boots on the porch. He slid out from under Eva and pulled on his boxers. Picking up his gun, he crept out of the bunk room.
Staying low, he followed the sounds of movement outside as one set of boots circled the cabin. That didn’t mean others weren’t hiding elsewhere outside.
The firm knock on the door was unexpected, but the voice that followed had him smiling with relief. “Turkey hunting license,” the sheriff called through the door. “I considered docking your pay for stupidity.”
“Hope you didn’t,” Carson answered.
“Not yet. Better get some clothes on, deputy. We’re wasting daylight.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Here.” Eva, wrapped in a blanket, hair tumbled from sleep, stood in the hallway with his jeans.
“Told you he’d figure it out,” he said, rushing forward to kiss her soundly. “I’ll start coffee.”
“Good plan.” She shuffled off toward the bunk rooms.
When they were gathered in the kitchen with hot coffee, the sheriff brought them up to speed. “Abraham has been kidnapped.”
Carson exchanged a look with Eva, knew they were thinking the same thing. “From the FBI.”
“Yes.”
“Has Abe’s man made contact?”
“No, but the FBI got a chip on Abe somehow. He’s at the rectory behind St. Michael’s Episcopal church.”
Eva touched her pendant. “Should’ve anticipated that one.”
“He’s sent photos and threats already. The man doesn’t have long unless the ‘queen’ shows up or unlocks the file. Whatever that means.”
“Even if she gives him the information he wants, he’ll kill his brother.” Carson couldn’t imagine how that would weigh on Eva.
“And we can’t let Abe die,” she said.
“Your boss agrees,” Sheriff Cochran said. “He and I have worked up a plan, providing you two can carry it out.”
Carson listened, watched Eva’s face go pale as she took it all in. When the sheriff left, he pulled her into his arms. “You’ve said it yourself. The sniper is on our side.”
“If he’s alive.”
“You’ve gotta think positive.” He pressed her close until he could feel her heart thudding against his own. “We’ll get through this.”
“He will hurt you just to spite me.” She ran her fingers over the bruises at his neck.
“Don’t chicks dig scars?”
“Yes. We do.” She gave him a watery smile as she pulled his face down for a kiss. “But try to keep them off this handsome face.”
