Decoded Read online

  She’d already come twice before her pleas for him to fill her were heeded. He made love to her with that same unexpected slowness, an extra tenderness in every move. Maggie couldn’t restrain her tears. They fell even as she climaxed for the third time, right along with him.

  If she had needed any other proof that Slade cared deeply for her, this had been it.

  And now it was too late. The Dragon would never let him go.

  FOR A LONG TIME THEY LAY IN each other’s arms. Slade had questions for her. He traced a path down her rib cage with his fingers. Her belly looked as smooth and flat as it had before. But it was different now. Their child was growing inside her.

  “I took a pregnancy test day before yesterday,” she said, evidently sensing his thoughts. “Then I took another and another.” She let go a big breath. “I didn’t want to believe it. I was terrified.”

  “How do you feel now?” Based on what she now knew about him, he couldn’t imagine she was entirely happy about this turn of events.

  She covered her mouth with the fingers of one hand. Her fingers shook and she blinked repeatedly. Those jewel-colored eyes shone with emotion. “I always wanted children.” She managed a smile. “My sisters have kids and I love them to death.” Her tongue swept over her lips to moisten them. “But having a kid involves two people and I wasn’t sure how to handle that part. You didn’t seem committed anywhere near that level and I’d never heard you speak of children.”

  Procreating was the last thing he’d envisioned himself doing, ever. He wasn’t father material. Hell, he wasn’t even people material.

  “After my childhood,” he confessed, “I hadn’t planned on that route.” He wouldn’t lie to her about that despite the pain the words evoked in her eyes. “But I can’t say that it feels wrong.” He caressed her belly. The idea of her growing round with his child intrigued him, filled him with a sense of something like pride and anticipation. He wanted to be a part of this miracle.

  But there was very little likelihood of that.

  “That’s good to hear.” Disappointment shimmered in her words.

  “Marek,” he said, making the decision just now. “My birth name was Tripp Marek. But I walked away from that name twelve years ago.”

  Happiness then gratitude glittered in her eyes. Sharing that small part of himself gave her such pleasure. “So we’re sticking with Slade Keaton?”

  He laughed, though the reaction had nothing to do with amusement. That was yet to be seen. After today he might not need a name. “I’ve gotten used to it,” he admitted. “If that’s what you want.”

  “‘Used to’ something is just another way of saying attached,” she pointed out.

  This time his laugh was genuine. She had a way of seeing the bright side of things. “I can’t disprove your theory.” He traced the soft line of her cheek. Touching her was something he didn’t seem to be able to get enough of. He had certainly gotten used to her. All these years he had drifted through time with no roots, no attachments. He’d found Maggie and now there was no time.

  “What’re you going to do?” The worry she felt was evidenced in every part of her, in every word she spoke. She cared what happened to him.

  How could another human care so deeply for him?

  “I have no choice but to finish this.” He had even more reason now. If the Dragon learned of Alayna’s betrayal, she would be in imminent danger. If she learned of the child Maggie carried, she would revel in destroying what was his.

  “Slade, I—”

  He pressed his fingers to her lips. “You’ll be safe. I’ve spoken to Jim Colby. They’re in Mexico now.”

  “They’re here?” She raised up onto her elbows. “How?”

  “They’ve been looking for us. They’re coming here to pick you up and take you back to Chicago. You’ll be protected until this is over.”

  “Aren’t they going to help you?” Worry cluttered her face.

  This part he couldn’t fully explain. “I can take care of myself. I want the Colby Agency’s attention focused solely on keeping you safe.” He flattened his palm on her belly. “This child is counting on us both.”

  She laced her fingers with his. “Will you be back?”

  There was a question he couldn’t answer. It was a fifty-fifty shot. “That’s the plan.”

  “I don’t want to put you on the spot about the baby.” Determination flashed in her eyes. “If you want to come back because you want this relationship, that’s great, but don’t feel obligated.”

  Obligation hadn’t entered the scenario. He couldn’t describe what he felt. Not yet. This was all too new to him. But he recognized what Maggie felt. Fear. Uncertainty. Heartache. He deeply regretted that she suffered those feelings because of him.

  She fidgeted with the sheet. More questions were coming. He could guess her concerns. “I’m type A positive. No known diseases or allergies. No malformations. No surgeries.”

  She made a face. “I hadn’t even thought of that.”

  “But you have a question?” Or two or three. He smiled. Her desire to know him warmed him. Something else he had gotten used to.

  She searched his eyes, more of that worry in hers. “Why won’t you let the Colby Agency help you? How can you hope to win against her army?”

  This was maybe the third time in twenty-four hours that they had had this conversation. “No one can help.” The Colby Agency would want to involve the authorities and that would be a monumental mistake. This situation would not be resolved through routine methods, particularly not legal avenues. The Dragon owned too many high-ranking members in positions of authority.

  “Is it because Lucas is your father?”

  He wasn’t surprised that she had put two and two together. “He has no direct correlation to my decision.” Was that the truth? Taking down the Dragon would surely be viewed as a triumph among men like Lucas.

  “I won’t keep nagging you about it,” Maggie relented, “but please consider allowing them to help. If not for yourself—” she placed his hand on her belly “—for this child. This child deserves whatever you have to give him or her. Don’t cheat this baby out of that opportunity.”

  He hushed her with a kiss. It was the only way to avoid responding to her challenge.

  A child.

  He was going to be a father.

  If he survived the coming battle.

  “Wait.” A new kind of horror had claimed her expression.

  Tension triggered his adrenaline. Was she in pain? “What’s wrong?” His first thought was the baby.

  Maggie searched his face, his eyes. “You said she was the willing surrogate of the first four… Have there been others?”

  That was the other side of his nightmare. “Six. Ranging in age from eight to fourteen.” He had not forgotten those children… He would not forget.

  “Can we help them?”

  He stroked her cheek. How had he zeroed in on the one woman who possessed the power to make him feel that compassion she wielded like a weapon? “I will stop her. And this time the Code will be broken for good.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  2:35 p.m.

  The village was too quiet. Lucas had a bad feeling deep in his gut.

  Jim had parked the rented car behind an old church just off the center of town. They had walked from there. The lack of activity wouldn’t have concerned Lucas since it was siesta time, but the circumstances had him on the highest level of alert.

  “I’ve spotted three vehicles that appear out of place.” Jim leaned one shoulder against the wall of a butcher shop. Lucas didn’t have to be able to see his eyes beneath his dark sunglasses to know he was closely surveying the situation.

  “They’re here,” Lucas agreed. “I can feel them.” He’d been in this business too long to ignore his instincts. They were walking into an ambush. He leaned against the same wall. The question was, what were they going to do about it?

  “Ian is arranging backup.”

  “Thomas Ca
sey is, too,” Lucas commented. “But they won’t be here in time.” He and Jim had driven straight here from the airfield. Jim had gotten the call from Keaton en route to meet the agency jet. Another car had been arranged for Ian and Victoria. Ian had strict orders not to let Victoria out of his sight. Lucas wanted her fully protected.

  “What’re your thoughts on how we should proceed? If Keaton is correct, the Dragon will make another attempt to gain access to Maggie so she can use her for bait. They may have struck already.”

  Lucas removed his sunglasses and tucked them into his pocket. “They’re still here. They’re waiting for something, but we can’t wait.” Lucas suspected that he was what they were waiting for. The Dragon had learned of his arrival. “Backup is too far away. We’re outnumbered. We can’t let this turn into a massacre.”

  “That would make this an even bigger tragedy.”

  Lucas couldn’t agree more. “I’ll take the car and go to Maggie. You wait for backup and give chase.”

  Jim straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re assuming they take you both alive.”

  “I’m assuming that’s what they’re waiting for.” Lucas surveyed the deserted streets. “She’ll want us alive.” There was no doubt. She had been toying with Lucas already. Jennifer Ashton, an old friend and trusted resource, had killed herself because of this demented woman. She’d been watching him and Victoria in Puerto Vallarta a few weeks ago. Whatever she wanted, whatever Keaton’s original motives for coming to Chicago, Lucas intended to see that neither of them hurt Victoria.

  The possibility that Keaton was his son and that he had been left to that twisted woman’s devices had fractured Lucas’s soul. Victoria had been right when she said that Keaton had likely been used and abused in every imaginable manner. How could a son have been kept from him all these years? Worse, how could he have allowed his own flesh and blood to suffer such a fate? There was no way he could have known, and still the regret ripped him apart.

  Jim had been taken from Victoria and James, her first husband. But they had searched for him for years. Lucas hadn’t even known to look.

  But ignorance was no excuse. There was no excuse.

  He had to make this right now.

  “I should run this by—”

  Lucas held up a hand, stopping Jim. “I don’t want this to touch Victoria any more than it already has. If it’s me she wants, I’m not allowing anyone else to be endangered. I don’t work that way.”

  Jim removed his sunglasses. “I’m not certain you’re thinking clearly, Lucas. The possibilities in this case are far too personal for you to make rational decisions.”

  There was no time to debate the issue. “I have to do this, Jim. Have you got my back?”

  The pause before Jim answered rattled Lucas far more than it should have.

  “Always, Lucas. Always.” He slid his sunglasses back into place. “I’ll be watching.”

  Jim walked away. Half a block down he disappeared into an alley. If any one of the Dragon’s men attempted to intercept Jim, they were dead. The element of surprise in an unexpected ambush on the enemy’s playing field could take a man out before he started to fight. With Jim braced for an attack in neutral territory, the attackers wouldn’t have a chance.

  Lucas slid his eyewear in place and walked back to the car. Maggie was waiting.

  So was a war that had been a long time in coming.

  MAGGIE PACED THE FLOOR. Slade had been gone for more than an hour. No one from the Colby Agency had arrived. As if that wasn’t enough to have her nerves on edge, an SUV had driven past the house twice in the past fifteen minutes.

  They were here.

  Maggie didn’t need a sign or a knock on the door. She could feel the evil pressing closer.

  She couldn’t wait any longer. A weapon and a hiding place were critical.

  She stared at the handgun on the table. Slade had left that for her. Not one time in her life had she fired a weapon. He’d shown her how to take the safety off, how to take aim and how to fire.

  Could she point it at a living, breathing human and do it? Maggie didn’t know.

  To save her life and that of her child? Yes, of course. But the hesitation Slade had warned her about would be the only mistake necessary to cost her both those precious things.

  She picked up the gun. It felt even heavier than it had when he’d insisted she hold it. She inhaled a deep, solidifying breath. Now for the hiding place.

  There didn’t appear to be a cellar. No closets. There was just one place.

  Under the bed.

  The gun clutched tightly in her right hand, Maggie checked the door locks once more, then walked to the bedroom. The tangled sheets tugged at her heart. She and Slade had made love here only a few hours ago. Closing her eyes, she prayed again for his protection.

  Getting on her knees, she checked under the bed.

  Nothing but dust bunnies. Trying not to breathe in the dust, she scooted under the bed. The space was cramped, so she lay flat, her face and her weapon aimed at the door. If anyone came into the room and looked under the bed, she intended to squeeze the trigger just like Slade said.

  The minutes ticked off in her head, keeping time with her pounding heart. She alternately prayed and cried until she felt exhausted. Closing her eyes, she focused on thoughts of the future. Would her baby be a boy or a girl? Would she keep running the coffee shop or hire a manager so she could be a full-time mom?

  The front door creaked.

  Maggie’s eyes flew open and her heart stumbled.

  A click signaled the door had closed. Footsteps on the tile floor were so soft, she scarcely heard the sound. Maybe she only sensed the noise since she knew for sure someone had come inside.

  Maggie released the safety on the weapon and adjusted her hold on the butt.

  The roar of blood rushing through her brain drowned out any other noise. The intruder or intruders would be searching the house. It was only a matter of seconds before this room would come under scrutiny.

  She had left the bedroom door open. Maggie saw the shoes before she heard the man’s approach. He moved around the room. To the far side of the bed. To the window. She saw the hem of the curtain near the floor shift as he looked outside.

  She stopped breathing as the toes of his shoes came to rest next to the bed. Moving one tiny increment at a time, she shifted her aim toward that side of the bed.

  The intruder turned. One knee went down on the floor.

  Maggie’s hands shook.

  A face appeared.

  Her fingers went limp. The gun clattered to the floor.

  Lucas.

  She was sobbing hard by the time he helped her to her feet. He hugged her until the hysteria subsided.

  “They’re here,” she said when she found her voice.

  Lucas nodded. “I know.”

  “How will we escape?”

  The front door burst inward. Then the rear.

  Lucas pulled her behind him and leveled his weapon on the bedroom door.

  Dear God. They were coming.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Marek Compound, 6:00 p.m.

  Maggie sat very still in the chair to which one of the men had tied her. Across the room, the woman who called herself the Dragon spoke quietly with the men who had brought them here.

  Lucas sat a few feet away. The entire trip here, tied up in the cargo area of the SUV, he had whispered reassurances to Maggie. Despite the black bags over their heads, hearing his voice had kept her from losing her mind to the panic. Once they had arrived the bags had been removed as if their captors wanted them to see that there was no escape.

  This place was like a prison. A huge compound with a towering wall protecting it from any outside threat. The interior was massive and austere. The stark spaces were frightening and cold. Several large monitors were mounted on the wall in this room. Information and images streamed on each one. The interrogation room, the woman had called it. There was nothing enduring
or homey about any part of this place that Maggie had seen. The idea that Slade grew up in this heinous institution-like setting squeezed Maggie’s heart painfully.

  She and Lucas had not been questioned, but Maggie imagined that was coming. Soon. The band around her neck chafed her skin. It wasn’t a part of the restraints. But both she and Lucas had been fitted with one when they were dragged into this room. Maggie wondered if it was a GPS device of some sort.

  As if she had telegraphed her thoughts, the Dragon turned and strode across the room. Maggie shuddered inwardly. The woman looked so much like Victoria. I t was uncanny. Disturbing.

  “Where is he?”

  Since she stared at Maggie, she assumed the evil witch was talking to her. “He left.” She infused as much strength in her voice as she could muster. “He’s never coming back. You won’t find him.” Pride welled inside her at how she’d managed to get it all out. “He didn’t tell me where he was going,” she added.

  A palm collided with her jaw, sending her head snapping back. Maggie shook herself, blinked back the tears and glared at the woman who had slapped her. “You asked.” Her cheek and lip throbbed. “Wasn’t I supposed to answer?”

  The Dragon shook her head. “You are quite pathetic. What he saw in you escapes me. I trained him better than that. I suppose there is no accounting for taste.”

  Maggie refused to let those ugly words touch her heart. She also held her tongue. Pushing the woman would only get her hurt and Maggie had to protect her baby. The thought of the life growing in her womb made her smile inside. That was one secret this witch would never know. She didn’t deserve to know.

  “Why don’t you let her go,” Lucas suggested. “It’s me you really want.”

  The Dragon laughed, the sound anything but humorous. “Don’t flatter yourself, Lucas. There was a time when that was indeed the case, but that time has long passed. You are of no significance to me.”

  Lucas laughed. “Ah, but you remain significant to me and a number of others. There are so very many out there who still want you. The CIA and Interpol have never stopped looking for you. They’re getting closer than you know.”