The Wife Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 5)

“Where’s Roth?” My husband was a volcano waiting to explode.

Both detectives glared at him, but it was Gabby who said, “We’re asking the questions.”

Levi gripped his hair and turned away before violently dropping his arms by his sides in frustration. He reminded me of the Hulk in smash mode. I’d never seen him that pissed.

Well, tough. This whole shit storm happened to me. He was worried, but I was the one who had been kidnapped by a lunatic and physically abused by a man who was after the guy I had dated once.

Once.

I wouldn’t even call it a date.

“He left as soon as he knew you guys arrived.”

“The drone didn’t see any other heat signature around the house,” Levi said.

“He must have been watching from the property across the street,” I said.

“How did you get away from this …” Kelso looked at his phone where he was taking notes. “Blaze?”

“He said he was letting me go.” My whole body shuddered. “He took me to the back of the property and …” Words stuck in my throat, my words trailed off. I squeezed my eyes shut momentarily before I exhaled a painful breath. I focused on Gabby’s calm eyes. “It happened too fast. One moment I see Blaze raising his gun toward me and then gunfire exploded.”

Levi cursed at no one in particular but continued to be a looming presence pacing behind the detectives, flicking sharp glances in my direction.

“I dropped to the ground.” I hitched my shoulders. “Blaze staggered and ran toward the front of the house while shooting at someone to my right.”

“He got away?” Gabby asked.

“Yes.”

“Roth was alone?’

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean?”

“I …” I hissed when Bristow touched my face with a dampened gauze but the sting gave me a momentary respite to collect my scattered thoughts. “Tom was talking to someone … he was wired … comms.”

“He didn’t mention any name?” Gabby was asking all the questions.

“No.”

“I was hysterical,” I admitted. “I’m not sure I remember much after that.”

“You’ve been beaten up,” Bristow said. “You are in shock.”

“Tom tried to ask me things … I don’t even remember what those questions were.”

“Did he tell you who was after him?”

“No,” I whispered. “I didn’t even think to ask him.” I broke Gabby’s gaze and stared at Levi who’d stopped prowling around and looked at me. “I just wanted to go home.”

“Fuck this,” Levi muttered and squeezed in between me and the detectives. “Can we do this tomorrow?”

Gabby nodded and looked at Kelso.

“Fine with me,” her partner said.

“I need to check your neck.” Bristow tipped my chin up, smiling at me briefly before I tilted it for his inspection. He asked me questions as he pressed gently on my throat.

“Does it hurt when you swallow?”

“A bit.”

“He didn’t fracture your larynx, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to speak and it would be too painful.”

“Good to know.”

“Do you have difficulty breathing?”

I shook my head. Bristow asked more diagnostic questions. I assured him I didn’t black out and didn’t need a hospital.

“Your voice should be less scratchy in a few days.”

“For reasons we’re not clear about,” Kelso said. “Roth didn’t give any indication why you were abducted other than to get to him.”

I nodded.

“You think you remember Blaze enough to work with a sketch artist?” Bristow asked. “Not tonight of course. You’re about to crash.”

I gave a tired smile.

“We might get a hit on the agency databases if he’s not in the Fed’s.” And without missing a beat, he added, “Mind if you lift your shirt so I can check your ribs?”

Levi scowled at Kelso who mumbled about checking something in the car. Bristow had me stand up. As I lifted my shirt, the SEAL started prodding my rib area. Meanwhile, either my husband was glaring at his friend for inspecting the bruising on my torso or he was glaring at the discoloration in that area.

“It’s bruised, not broken.”

“I feel battered. It could’ve been worse.”

There was a pregnant silence, then I became aware they were waiting for me to answer Bristow’s question. “His face is stamped in my memory. I’m probably the worst person to abduct and not wear a mask since I study facial contours as my job. I could sketch his face out myself. But I also think he’s in disguise.”

“But you said he was not wearing a mask?”

“No. His features looked natural, not even a prosthetic appliance, but he appeared sophisticated in the way he presented himself.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know the hitmen you see on TV, like the guy who went after Jason Bourne?”

Bristow chuckled. “I doubt they really look like that. Majority of them are the Goodfellas types. Now if we’re talking mercenaries, it’s different.”

“I’m not sure he had military training. He said something about losing empathy at a young age.”

“Russians are known to train their assassins from childhood.”

“What the hell did you discuss?” Levi growled. “You were having a heart to heart with a hitman?”

“Hey, you know what they say when someone kidnaps you?”

“Not when it’s a professional, much less a top tier hitman, which this Blaze appears to be.”

“He mentioned something else,” I said. “He said there was another hitman sent for Tom. But obviously they’re not very good if Tom got away … And now this.”

“Roth is a frogman,” Bristow said. “Woe to anyone who underestimates our kind.”

Gabby rolled her eyes. “When Kelly gives us a sketch of this guy, think you can run him through your databases?”

“Sure,” Bristow said, but he was looking at me. “How’s the adrenalin crash?”

“This is probably what I’m feeling.” I was wired, tired, and in between. Mostly, I was irritated and relieved.

“You need to rest,” Levi said, kissing the top of my head. I loved it when he did this. I leaned into him. I tucked away that sentiment for further evaluation. It was not the time to get all emotional about our situation going forward.

“Are the girls still awake?”

“They are.” A muscle ticked at Levi’s jaw. “Trying to figure out what to do tonight.”

I touched my swollen cheek. “I don’t want them to see me this way but …” Anxiety riddled my chest. “But what if Blaze comes back for me? Or his employer sends someone else…” Rising panic shrilled my voice. “Oh, my God, who’s with them?”

Levi settled his hands on my shoulders. “They’re fine. When you got kidnapped, Kelso immediately ordered a patrol in front of Cillian’s house.” He glanced at the detective who returned from the outside. “Right, man?”

“Yes,” the detective said. “The watch officer assured me there’s a patrol parked in front of their house.”

I relaxed a little. “I don’t want to be separated from them tonight.”

“Same,” Levi said. “But know you bought yourself a bodyguard, babe. No arguments.”

“I’m not arguing,” I mumbled.

“We’ll think of something,” he assured me then glanced at the detectives. “Let’s reconvene tomorrow.”

Bristow packed up. “As soon as you’re up to it, Kelly. We’ll need that sketch.”

Levi

“I forgot to tell them about the other guy,” Kelly said after we made a short stop at her house to pick up some clothes. She and I had discussed how to hide her battered face from the kids. The swelling had worsened, and the discoloration was darkening.

My brows drew together. “Blaze had a partner?”

“Yes, but he was only at the studio.”

I whipped out my phone and did a group message to Bristow and the detectives. “There’s another player.”

Kelly glanced at what I was typing and continued, “I only caught a slight glimpse of his profile and hair, but I noticed neck tattoos.” She rubbed her temples. “How could I forget that there was another?”

I sent those details over and pocketed my phone. “Let’s focus on our current problem. I’ll carry you in from the vehicle. Hide the bruised side of your face against my chest. I’ll handle them.”

“Thanks,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry I worried you tonight.”

“Not your fault.”

“I know you blame my relationship with Tom.”

My hackles bristled at the term relationship, but Kelly hadn’t noticed.

“He’s really just a good friend.”

I ushered her to the door. “I don’t want to discuss Tom Roth right now. Let’s get you settled at Branna’s. I’ve already told her we’re sharing a bedroom.”

Kelly eyed me through her swollen eye. It was difficult to hold her gaze and not want to kill someone. Not having an image of Blaze in my mind was eating my insides like acid. Reminding myself that my wife was alive and with me was the only thing that kept me from going feral.

We didn’t say anything else on the short drive to her grandparents’ house. When we pulled into the driveway, Cillian was waiting.

He went around to Kelly’s side. My own anger was reflected on his face as he stared at his granddaughter.

He softened his features when he opened the passenger door. “Oh, princess.”

“I’m okay, Gramps. It looks worse than it feels.”

“Now I know that’s a lie,” Cillian said. “But we won’t discuss that tonight.”

“I’ll come get you,” I told Kelly. “Don’t move.”

“Not moving.”

I came around and scooped her against me. My heart expanded when she tucked into me. No matter how much I wanted her back in my arms, this wasn’t how I wanted it to happen. I’d willingly crawl over a bed of nails if I could spare her that pain and horrific experience.

Cillian was a silent mountain of anger by my side. In the world he’d lived in, the only appropriate response was revenge.

“Mama!”

“Mom!”

The girls rushed to us at the door.

“She’s out of it,” I told them. “Let’s save this for tomorrow, okay?”

“Sorry to worry you, munchkins,” Kelly mumbled, turning slightly to face the girls but keeping a good deal of her swollen cheek hidden.

“I’m glad you’re okay, Mom,” Whit said in a shaky voice. “Did they get the driver who tailgated you?”

“Kelso and Gabby are on it.” I strode into the house. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Your mom is getting heavy.”

Kelly turned into my chest and pinched my nipple.

“Fuck.”

“That’s what you get,” she whispered.

I double-timed it up the stairs and into the guest bedroom Branna prepared for us. The girls wanted to follow, but luckily, she intervened. “Come on, you young ones. I only let you stay up this late so you could say goodnight to your mom and dad.”

“Whew, that was close,” Kelly said. “Can’t wait to take a shower.”

“I’ll help you.”

“I think I can mana—”

“I’ll help you,” I repeated, lowering her onto the bed. When she was about to protest again, I put a finger on her lips. “Give me this, beautiful. Please.”

“—kay.”

Looming above her, I said, “Don’t move.”

I met Cillian and Branna in the kitchen. She was preparing tea for Kelly.

“I brought in your duffel,” Cillian said.

I thanked him.

“The girls?”

“They’re settled in bed,” Branna said. “They’d been getting all worked up with worry.”

“Sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for?” Cillian said. “Who else would take care of your girls if Kelly needed it? You always have us to rely on.”

I huffed a short laugh. “Well, thanks then.”

“Do they know who took her?” Branna asked. “Please tell me that part is over.”

“We’re not sure yet, but it might have something to do with Tom.”

“Tom?” Cillian’s brows drew together. “I’ve known that lad a long time. He’s a good kid. Have they found him?”

I evaded his question. “He’s mixed up in this shit somehow.”

“Something’s not right,” Branna said. “How did Kelly get away?”

“The detectives are investigating. I’ll tell you soon. It’s not bad, but it’s not good either because we’re not sure if they’ll send someone after Kelly again.”

“Did they just let her go?”

“Someone rescued her,” I hedged and tipped my head to the tea. “I’ll come back for that. Kelly wants to freshen up and needs my help.”