Innocent Target Read online

  “Your sister has it?”

  He saw the surprise in her face as he nodded. “Yes, Mel has it. She struggled for a while with getting pregnant. The thing is, I don’t like you because I think you’re some kind of broodmare, Merc.” He saw her eyebrows raise, and his lips twitched with the first smile in the last thirty-six hours. “I like you for you. I won’t promise this will work between us or that we won’t face problems along the way, but you’re the woman I see when I think of my future. That doesn’t necessarily mean children or a white picket fence. It means you and me together, side by side.”

  “What if it doesn’t work out? One of us would have to leave, or you could change your mind and decide you want kids, and I’m not enough of a woman for you.”

  “Who said that to you?”

  Mercy looked away. “Nobody.”

  He reached up and gently forced her eyes to him. “Who, Mercy?”

  “Nobody that matters anymore.”

  “It matters if he hurt you, if he made you feel less than the amazing woman you are.”

  Her eyes held so many emotions; it was hard to pinpoint just one swirling in the blue depths.

  “Give me some time to think about it. This is a lot. Protecting Abbie and finding Beth has to be our focus right now.”

  “But you’ll think about it? And does it include kissing? ’Cos, I really want to kiss you right now.”

  His head moved, and she caught his chin with his lips just millimeters from her own. “No, kissing is most certainly not on the table. You scramble my brain with your wicked ways.”

  James grinned at the husky desire in her voice and the playful way she rejected him, but he felt lighter as he dropped a soft kiss to her cheek and made his way back to the other side of the table. “I’ll give you time, Merc, as long as the answer is yes.”

  Mercy rolled her eyes at him and dug her fork into her eggs.

  They spent the rest of the morning juggling Abbie, and doing the research Imari had asked them to do on the tattoos.

  Around two in the afternoon, Shane called. “We have a sighting of your sister.”

  James felt his body go rigid at his boss’s tone. “And?”

  “She was coming out of a gas station just outside Jacksonville.”

  “She’s heading back toward the MC but why?”

  “Not sure, you know her better than us. Would she go back to him?”

  James paced as Mercy watched him intently. He placed the phone on the table and flicked it to speakerphone. “It makes no sense for her to walk back into the lion’s den.”

  “Unless they have something else on her that we’re missing.”

  James looked at Mercy. “What are you thinking?”

  “What if Scorpion isn’t the father? What if it’s someone else and she’s trying to protect him by going back without Abbie?”

  “It’s a stretch,” Shane answered.

  James pushed his hands through his hair. “Maybe, but it does sound like something Beth would do. She’s always been protective with a slight reckless streak.”

  “Can we get a DNA test done on Abbie? Scorpion is already in the system.”

  “I have a friend in Daytona Beach who might be able to help us with that.”

  Mercy looked at him, and he nodded, trusting her.

  “I don’t like the idea of you guys leaving there. It puts you at risk.” Shane sounded worried.

  James lifted Abbie into his arms as she began to fret. “What choice do we have?”

  The line was silent as Shane came to a decision. “Fine, but wait for back-up. I’m sending Nick, Caitlin, and Knight to you. Emme and I are working the mole in the FBI angle.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Is anyone going after my sister?”

  “Mason and Cain.”

  James nodded even though his boss couldn’t see him. “Good, that’s good.”

  “Sit tight. The guys will be with you soon.”

  James glanced at Mercy, hating that their time alone was ending but wanting his sister safe was still his priority. “Okay.”

  He hung up, and Mercy moved to him, her hand touching his forearm. “She’ll be okay. She’s smart.”

  “Yeah but she’s also vulnerable, and Scorpion is an animal.”

  Mercy said nothing but her touch calmed the feeling of being pulled in two. He just hoped he got the chance to see what else they could be.

  Chapter Eight

  The trip from Daytona Beach and back had been even worse than Mercy had anticipated. They had planned to leave as early as possible, and James had packed everything to make sure they wouldn’t need to stop for any baby stuff.

  However, little Abbie wasn’t feeling very cooperative. Two hours before they were due to depart, she started screaming at the top of her lungs. Mercy almost fell off the sofa, her voice surprisingly powerful for someone so small.

  Like a zombie, James did the basics of changing her, giving her a bottle that she refused, and pacing with his niece, trying to calm her down.

  Mercy tried her best to help but felt helpless. They tried to put her down, switched carriers, and when nothing helped, James decided to head to Daytona right away, hoping that the car ride would work its magic.

  The rest of the team had called to say they would meet them in Daytona as they had a lead on Scorpion and were taking a detour.

  An hour before they arrived and probably exhausted, Abbie fell into a fitful asleep. One look at James confirmed how tired the man was, tired and deeply worried. There was a lot on his shoulders, and still, he soldiered on.

  As they were earlier than expected, they called the lab, in the hope of speeding up the process.

  For once, they were in luck, the technician living nearby. Nick, Caitlin, and Knight were still on their way and would arrive when the entire procedure was completed.

  The sun was barely over the treetops when they got out of the lab, Abbie screaming at the top of her lungs, unhappy at having been swabbed and pricked at for science.

  Mercy grabbed the car keys and instructed James to sit in the back. Maybe him keeping close to her would somehow calm the baby down. The way James hopped in the back without a word, showed they had both run out of ideas, and were running on fumes instead of much-needed sleep.

  As she pulled into traffic, Mercy made a quick call to the team. Nick answered at the first ring. “Hey, we’re five minutes out. I can hear the baby is alive and well.”

  Mercy glanced in the rear-view mirror at James, to see a worried expression on his face. “Yes, she’s not happy at the moment. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we’re heading back.”

  There was some sort of shuffle, and what she believed was a curse over the speakerphone. “You should have given us a heads up.”

  “Abbie made the change, Nick. If you disagree, you’ll have to take it up with her, diapers and all.”

  Caitlin was laughing in the background, and that made Mercy smile.

  As she took a look in her mirrors again to check on James, it was the traffic that drew her attention. Through the increasing number of vehicles, she spotted two bikers at a distance and several cars behind them. It could mean nothing; they could just be going about their business like everyone else. However, with the current circumstances, she couldn’t dismiss their appearance so quickly, especially so early in the day.

  “Are you guys coming from the 95?”

  The question seemed innocent, but James peeked up from Abbie, whom he’d finally been able to calm down.

  “Why are you asking?”

  She took the next turn and saw the entrance to the interstate. “I may be wrong, but I’m about to find out if we’ve picked up a tail.”

  Immediately, James looked back, making it look as if he was leaning over Abbie. “The two riding about a quarter-mile back?”

  Mercy kept her speed constant. “Yeah. I couldn’t get a clear look, but I swear they appeared as soon as we got in the car after the lab.”

  Nick came back on. “I’m sy
nching with your GPS. You’re five minutes from us, we should have a visual on the two bikers any second.”

  If the bikers followed, it meant that either they’d been very unlucky, or someone had gotten wind of their intention. Being pessimistic in this situation wasn’t too far-fetched—only one way to prove her theory and hopefully she was wrong. “I’m going to exit at the next interchange and take the 95 south.”

  “Wait for us, Mercy, we’re almost on target.”

  “I can’t risk letting them know we suspect them. If you arrive like the cavalry, and they probably already know who we are, there’s a risk they could start shooting. Our car can’t outrun modified Harleys, and I have Abbie. If I exit and return on the interstate, we’ll have our confirmation. And if they are after us, we have a better chance to lose them in Daytona Beach. I’m about to exit. You guys, wait at the exit for the Speedway. I’m staying on the line.”

  James locked his gaze over the mirror, clearly unhappy about the situation, but trusting her behind the wheel.

  “How’s Abbie holding on?”

  “Sleeping. Which is good if you’re right.”

  Mercy smiled. “And how’s her uncle?”

  James frowned. “He’ll probably have a conversation with the driver when this is all over.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m going to protect both of you.”

  The easy banter that had lifted her spirit was short-lived when her followers turned as she turned, accelerated when she did, and as expected the bikers behind them also took the interstate.

  “Guys, we’re officially being followed.”

  Nick grunted on the line. “Okay, you’re five minutes from us. We’ll hop behind you as you pass by.”

  There was less traffic southbound, which put the two men in plain view. Mercy accelerated and hoped to stretch the distance between them as much as possible, but less than a minute later, it was clear their tails wanted to make a move.

  “Guys, they’re accelerating. I think they want a showdown sooner rather than later. I don’t have a choice but to test the engine.”

  As she spoke, she stomped the gas, and the car pushed forward. Immediately, she knew their vehicle didn’t stand a chance. At least the exit was within sight. Weaving through the light traffic, Mercy made sure to keep a few cars between them and their pursuers until she could get off the interstate.

  “I’m heading toward the Speedway on 92.”

  “We see you. Hang in there.”

  There was more traffic here thanks to morning workers in transit, which helped put more distance between them. Mercy knew she could take more chances, being encased in metal whereas the bikers had to evade potential risks.

  She ran a red light and horns and shouts filled her ears but she ignored them.

  “Take a left on Daytona Boulevard, it will give us a few options, and we won’t end up caught by the ocean.”

  Following James’s suggestion, Mercy took the turn at full speed, the drift smooth and controlled and rushed forward, hoping to increase their lead.

  “We have a visual on the bikers. They’re turning onto Daytona Boulevard. We’re waiting for a clear shot.”

  She knew the team would have their back, but the risk was still there. They were about to hit a shopping area and Mercy knew she had to find a way to level the odds and protect Abbie.

  “James, prepare to get out with Abbie.”

  “What?”

  “There’s no time to argue. We need to take those guys down, and it’s impossible with you and Abbie on board. I’ll take a hard left and stop. Take Abbie and hide.”

  James opened his mouth reply, but Nick started talking at the same time, telling them that the bikers were closing in on them.

  As she spoke, Mercy took a hard left as James unhooked his niece from the carrier and cradled her close to his chest, one hand bracing for the deceleration, the car coming to a momentary stop.

  James dashed out and closed the door, hiding between trash containers as Mercy sped up, putting distance between them. Now that Abbie was safe, she could have some fun and make sure the bikers tailing would remember their ride for years to come.

  The bikes were going full throttle. Nick was close by, but not close enough to have a clear shot. They’d soon be back on the busy boulevard, with a lot more people around, so if she was going to act, it was now or never.

  “Nick! Keep back and stay away from my trajectory.”

  “What?”

  Before she could explain, she let one of their attackers reach the side of her car and as he whipped out a weapon, rammed him hard.

  Mercy didn’t look at what happened to him and aimed for the second motorcycle. The guy had slowed down as a protective stance, but that would be his downfall. Mercy applied the brakes so fast the man couldn’t react. His bike hit the back of the car, and he flew over it like Superman before hitting the pavement hard.

  Mercy slammed the car to a stop, got out, gun ready, just as Nick and the others did the same, surrounding the two men.

  As Caitlin and Knight went for the first man, who was scrambling up, Nick came by her side to examine the second attacker. One quick look confirmed he had cracked his skull on the street, and there was nothing more to be done for him.

  Nick clapped her shoulder. “Quick thinking, Mercy. Perfect timing. You saved Abbie.”

  And James, she thought with silent relief. “It will be a mess to explain to the authorities.”

  “Yeah. Caitlin’s calling Emme. And then she’ll call the cops.”

  When she turned to see if everything was under control, she saw James jogging their way, Abbie safe in his arms.

  Her action was purely instinctual, but she wanted to check for herself that they were all right. One look at the baby confirmed she was safe and sound. Before she could ask James if he was okay, his free hand caught the back of her head, drawing her close until he could take her lips.

  It shocked her system, and lust replaced adrenaline in an instant. His taste made her open her mouth. The man was a deadly weapon, and she almost forget where she was, but his niece was having none of it. Little Abbie wiggled and whined, returning both of them to the present.

  When Mercy stepped back, flushed, James stroked her cheek. “Are you all right?”

  His concern made her smile. “If you’re safe, I’m fine.”

  Emotion swirled in his eyes before he nodded and let go of her. She could hear sirens in the distance.

  Mercy swallowed hard and shook the fog from her brain. There would be statements to do and tons of paperwork, but if it meant James and Abbie were safe, it was worth it.

  Chapter Nine

  James glanced at the shocked faces of his teammates, feeling more than a little surprise himself. He hadn’t meant to kiss Mercy and out them in such a way, it had just happened. His heart had been in his mouth when she sped away. Watching from a distance as she took out the two bikers’ intent on who knew what. That the woman who was coming to mean everything to him hadn’t hauled back and slugged him was evidence enough of how shaken up she was.

  Nick held his gaze a moment longer. A slight twitch of his lips made James frown before his niece pulled his attention away. She had been fussy more than usual today and knowing less than he should about humans so small, he didn’t know if it was normal or not.

  Half of him wanted to go to the nearest emergency room and have her checked out, just to make sure nothing was going on that he should know about, the other half knew he was overly worrying.

  Mercy moved closer, her hand pulling the blanket away as she peered at Abbie and then up at him, worry in the pale blue orbs. “She’s not a happy baby today. Do you think she’s okay?”

  James loved how much she cared for others; it was one of the things that drew him to her. He fought the desire to kiss her, knowing he probably wouldn’t get away with it a second time.

  “Not sure, I was thinking the same thing.”

  Mercy blew out a breath. “We should get her checked out, jus
t in case.”

  “We don’t have any paperwork for her, and anything going into the system will give whoever is after her a heads up.”

  Nick walked over as the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance. “I called it in and called Shane too. They’re sending EMTs. They can check this little one out for you.”

  James let the pressure in his chest go at the words. “Thanks, Nick.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. We have some serious fucking explaining to do.”

  “Do we have an ID on them?” James asked as he glanced around at the amassing onlookers.

  “Knight is checking now. He snapped a picture and sent it to Imari. But the patches they’re wearing identify them as Henchmen.”

  The EMT drew up at the same time as the police cars; Nick ushered James and Mercy toward the crew. “Get checked over while I handle the police and make sure you get your story straight before you speak to anyone.”

  James pulled Mercy close as the paramedics checked over the two bikers. “Well?”

  “Simple. I’ll tell them that they were racing and surrounding the car. I swerved when one got too close and hit him when I corrected. Then I panicked and hit the brakes and the other one ran into me from behind.”

  James raised an eyebrow. “You think that will work?” Even he heard the doubt in his voice.

  “Got any better ideas?”

  He was an idiot, but even her snark turned him on. Hooking her around the waist with his free arm, he pulled her close and spoke against her lips. “You’re a handful.” He dropped a kiss on them, light and teasing but felt her melt into his body. He assessed her face for a moment before speaking close to her ear. “But fuck if it doesn’t turn me on.”

  He let her go then as the paramedic moved in and checked him, Mercy, and Abbie over. Neither one of them corrected her when she referred to Mercy as Abbie’s mother, and it made his chest tighten with want. Not sexual this time, but bone deep in his heart. The thought of a family with Mercy held only contentment instead of the usual fear that the thought of making a commitment had before she’d come into his life.