Drake (Men of Versteck Valley Book 3) Read online

  His silence screamed at her.

  What had she done? Theo Barnes was a wealthy businessman with round the clock security. No doubt he had crazies coming after him and his family all the time for ransom or worse. It boggled her mind that Gavin compared the Senator to Theo. That was a bridge she never imagined existed.

  “Gavin. I can’t leave her out there with no help. I can’t. I’ll admit I didn’t think of the pushback with dealing with a high-powered person and I should have,” she said quickly. “But at the time, she needed my help, and I gave her my word that I’d keep her secrets and assist her when the time comes.” She swiped her tongue over her dry lips and pushed her hair behind her ears. “Will I lose my business behind that decision?” She trusted him to give it to her straight.

  “Possibly. They’ll come after it and you personally to stop any investigation of him.”

  She flinched at his frank response. Swallowing hard, she looked around her newly decorated office and wanted to cry or yell at the injustice of it all. She worked 10 to 12 hours days for over a year to get to this point, and when she was finally showing a decent profit, she could lose it all. More importantly she took care of her father and others depended on her as well.

  “What do you suggest I do?” She closed her eyes in shame. Blind ambition to show the old boys she didn’t need them to succeed landed her in this mess. Gavin had supported her decision back then, but she never shared the nuts and bolts of her clientele with him. If she had, she might’ve avoided this looming disaster.

  “You’re going to open the green satchel? Follow her instructions?” His voice clearly said that it would be a mistake.

  “What would you do if it was Theo or me?”

  For several moments he said nothing. “Point taken. You’ll need a good security company to help follow her instructions to find and rescue her. I’m sure that’s a part of it.”

  Relieved he would help, she pulled out a notepad. “Yes, she mentioned I’d need to hire someone, but it has to be low-key. No one can know.”

  “That’s best but unrealistic.” He inhaled. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes, of course. But I’m her attorney and need to oversee whatever’s happening.” Gavin had a habit of taking charge and going forward without permission.

  “What do you want me to do, Faith?” He sounded aggravated, and she had to tread carefully.

  “I want you to give me names of trustworthy security companies I can interview to search for my client. After I open the satchel and get her instructions, they can move forward.” It sounded logical to her.

  “You’re going to be a target.”

  “What? Why?”

  He cursed. “Aren’t you listening to me? Francesca isn’t here. It’s possible she’s been removed from the equation. She left information that can-do similar damage to Bloom that Francesca could. Who has access to that information? Who has to be removed to protect the Senator now?”

  With each word he spoke, cold dread traveled down her back and pooled in her belly. She opened her mouth to speak and couldn’t. None of that ever occurred to her. Had it occurred to Francesca? Did she realize the possible danger Faith would be in by leaving her with access to those files? Had Francesca set her up?

  No. Faith refused to believe that.

  “Are you still with me, Faith?”

  “Yes. You’ve hit me with a sledgehammer, and I’m slowly getting up. None of that occurred to me. Attorneys aren't normally targeted. We represent the law and our clients.”

  “Under normal situations, you’d be right. But I told you this is a different level and they don’t play by anyone’s rules except their own. Believe me, when I say, problems are handled quickly, efficiently, and quietly with no one ever learning the truth. I won’t let you be blind-sided, you mean too much to me. We’ve been friends too long for me to lie and sugar-coat this for you. If you go forward, I need you prepared to fight for your life, because it may very well come down to that,” he said.

  Faith swallowed hard and dropped her forehead into the palm of her hand. “Thank you. I admit I don’t know how things operate at this level. I have a business, staff…” she closed her eyes as she thought of her father. “Family. I don’t want anything to happen to any of them.”

  “I know. I know,” he said softly. “When I learned her lover’s name, I freaked because I know what it means. Worst, I knew you didn’t have a clue and would think you could handle this with your sword of justice lifted high. Faith, these guys make and bend laws. They have deep pockets and own public servants. You can’t ever keep anything of Francesca’s at home or in your office.”

  She looked at the marketing proposal and nodded. “I’ll clear everything before I go to the bank. What else?” Gone was her “I can do it on my own,” attitude. If Gavin was right, and she believed him, she needed his expertise to wade through this legal quicksand.

  “I can give you the names of a couple of security firms to handle your search, but there’s only one I trust implicitly. They can’t be bought or bullied or blackmailed to turn on you or botch the search. I know the owners personally and have trusted them to watch my back and Theo’s.”

  Faith understood that was high praise indeed. “Hired. Give me their number, I’ll call them and fill them in on what needs to be done.”

  “They handled the initial investigation.”

  She blinked a couple of times. “Oh? They’re the ones who entered her home and found out the Senator’s name?”

  “Yes. I trust them.”

  When he didn’t say anything else, she inhaled deeply. “I’ve hired small companies in the past for surveillance work, but I can’t say I trust any of them not to sell me out. What do I need to do? How do I contact them?”

  “Can I make a suggestion?” His voice carried his concern.

  “Please do, I’m at a loss right now. My thoughts are all over the place, and I haven’t even looked in the satchel.” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and tried to focus.

  “I’d like to help set up your personal security which is my biggest fear right now. You can focus on finding your client, but I’d be devastated if something happened to you. There are only a few people in my life I call friends, and you’re one of them.”

  Tears welled in her eyes as he spoke. She heard the sincerity of his words and forced back a sob. This was serious stuff. “I love you, too and yes, please take care of it. I hadn’t even thought about it.”

  “Good and thank you. That takes a lot off my mind knowing you’ll be protected. One other thing. Do you remember Drake Sanderson? I introduced him to you at the conference.”

  She wondered why he would bring that guy up now. “The one you said was your friend?”

  “Yes, him. I want to ask him to come and work with you on this. If I had his special skill-set, I’d come myself. But I don’t. He’s more capable of helping you in this matter.”

  Faith frowned. “What do you mean work with me? What kind of skill set does he have?”

  “Drake’s an attorney, he was in law school with us, graduated in the top five percent, too. He’s worked a lot of cases that required the kind of security Francesca used, and you’ll need. He’ll see things you can’t see and help avoid pitfalls.”

  “Why does he need to work with me? Can’t he just consult?” Gavin was going too far. He knew she didn’t want to bring another lawyer into her firm not after what she went through.

  “Faith?”

  She counted to ten before answering. “Gavin?”

  “Can you set aside your biases until after we find Francesca? Can you focus on maintaining your company and staying safe until this is all over? He’s not working for you, won’t be your employee. He’ll be working with you to reach the same goals of finding your client while keeping you and yours safe from harm.”

  When he put it like that, she felt small and petty. She had asked for his help, almost begged for it and balked when things were uncomfortable. If she lost her company o
r anything happened to her or her staff, she would be more than uncomfortable. Besides, this was a temporary situation. She could handle it and Drake until Francesca was back safe.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. You know my history but I won’t wallow in it and will lock it down to focus on the job at hand. You’ve helped me a lot. Honestly, I wouldn’t have known who to contact or trust. Thank you, so much,” she said sincerely.

  “We go way back, and you’ve been there for me too. Especially when Susan left and refused to talk to me. I was a basket-case. You helped me through that, and I’ve never forgotten,” he said.

  “It’s what friends do,” she said not wanting him to dwell on that dark time when the woman he loved gave him an ultimatum. Gavin loved Susan deeply, but he wasn’t ready for marriage. He had baggage he needed to deal with, and for whatever reason, he couldn’t share it with Susan at that time. Instead of trusting what they had, Susan broke things off when Gavin didn’t marry her right away.

  In the aftermath, Faith had called to talk to him about a problem at work, and when she heard the misery in his voice, she took off from work, flew to Missouri and stayed with him for four days. Mostly she listened and allowed him to talk through his pain and anger. When she left, he had decided Susan hadn’t been the one. Faith never mentioned Susan or the fact Gavin hadn’t been in a serious relationship since.

  “That’s why I need to take care of your security, make sure you’re safe, and in good hands with people I’ve vetted and trust,” he said.

  Faith realized they had come full circle. Gavin had chosen the security company, hired Drake to work with her and probably had done a few other things she wasn’t aware of. She waited for the anger, the outrage, the disappointment.

  Nothing.

  This whole situation shook her confidence. She had never worked with anyone in Theo’s league, and if her normal method of defending her client would be swallowed in the system, she had no idea what to do. Gavin had thrown her a life-line. Not only to protect her but her business as well and she would grab on with both hands to survive.

  “Thank you, I appreciate it. When do we get started? She’s been missing almost a week already.”

  “Today,” he said, all business.

  “Alright. I’ll pull all the information I have on her and store it in the safety deposit box.”

  “Don’t write anything down, Faith. I know you have this thing about notes, but once they search your office, you don’t want anything there.”

  She paused at the confidence he spoke with as if it was a matter of time.

  “Asher will set up a system where you’ll keep your notes so no one can access it, I have one, and it’s good,” he said.

  “Asher?”

  “He owns the security company. Would you prefer him to fly there later today or will a teleconference work better?”

  Things were moving fast. “I’d like to meet him and whoever’s going to work the job.”

  “You’ll meet him and Drake, plus the men watching you but not the ones who will search for Francesca. It’s better that you don’t know that.”

  She thought about it. “You’re sure?”

  “You need to be able to honestly say, I don’t know,” he said.

  “Oh. Alright. In that case, no problem. What time will they arrive?” She stared at the rest of her mail and debated whether to open it or not. Her life had taken a weird turn, and she wasn’t sure when things would return to normal or if they ever would.

  “One second.” He placed her on hold for a couple of minutes. “They can be there by two, so they can go to the bank with you. Will that work?”

  She thought of Francesca’s request. One of the things Faith was supposed to do was hire people to search for her client. Would Francesca mind if they read the documents in the satchel?

  Faith wasn’t sure. She would look at the information first and only allow them to see things that would assist in finding Francesca. How will you know what’s pertinent or not?

  She wouldn’t.

  “Yes, I’ll have things arranged by then.”

  “Don’t go to the bank without Drake or Asher. Wait for them. Your security team should be there within the hour.”

  “That fast?”

  “Yes, I’m serious about keeping you safe. They’ll wait for Asher to make the introductions. Stay near the office, handle business as usual and call me any time, day or night,” he said.

  “Thanks for everything. I appreciate this,” she said again looking around wondering where she would set Drake up.

  “Call me tonight after you meet with the team,” he said and disconnected.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Why was she so nervous? Faith looked around the small area she had Zelda set up for Drake’s office. It held a desk, a computer, and a chair. Whatever else he needed they’d get. They were all winging it with this new situation. She rubbed her palms across her arms and left the room. An hour ago, she gave Zelda the rest of the day off and locked herself inside the office.

  She wasn’t scared. Cautious.

  Several times she looked outside to locate the people protecting her but never saw them. How many cups of coffee or bottles of water had she drank since that early morning call? Too many. She held her hands in front of her and watched slight tremors run through them.

  A quick glance at her watch and her heart slammed in her chest. They would be here any minute. Faith moved quickly to her office to check to make sure she had the safety deposit key and the documents to place in the box.

  She had both. There was a discreet knock on the main entrance door.

  Swallowing down her fear, she reminded herself that Gavin vetted these men and one had been a classmate at law school. She would look Drake up when she got home.

  “Come in,” she said, her voice smooth and totally at odds with her jumping nerves and racing heartbeat. She forced herself to meet their gazes. Drake’s gray eyes seemed warmer than before as he stepped in first. Dressed in black pants, cream shirt, a jacket, and cowboy boots, he looked just as good this time. She blinked as he passed her and almost missed the long scar that ran the length of the next man’s face. Tall with several tattoos, a wide chest and blue eyes, he wore his hair pulled back in a ponytail insuring the scar was front and center. Two men entered behind him and closed the door.

  Unsure what to say, she turned to face the four men.

  “Hello, we met at the conference in Atlanta. I’m Drake Sanderson.” He pointed to the man with the scar. “This is Asher, he owns the security company and these men, Franco and Paul, works for him.”

  Glad to look away from Asher’s penetrating gaze, she faced the other men. “Nice to meet everyone.”

  Blonde, average height, with short hair, pale skin, and golden-brown eyes, Paul looked as if he had just stepped out of military training and stood at attention. He looked younger than Franco, who stood almost a head taller than his partner, with molten dark brown eyes beneath thick slashing eyebrows. Muscular with a deep tan, Franco wore his long hair pulled back into a ponytail. Both nodded after the introduction but didn’t say anything.

  “These men will shadow you 24-7,” Asher said. “They’ve been outside watching the building until I arrived. Once your system is installed, they’ll monitor everything and everyone who enters the building or parks outside along the curb. For now, two men is all you need. I’ll add more as time goes on.”

  She had no point of reference and nodded. Butterflies fluttered around her belly as reality slammed into her. This is really happening. Shivers ran through her as she squeezed her hand tight to keep anyone from seeing them shake. She bit the corner of her bottom lip to keep it still. Fear lodged in her chest and sank its roots into her heart. What had she done?

  “One of them will be in your office when you’re here. When you leave, they’ll drive you wherever you need to go and accompany you everywhere. You can park your car in your garage until this is over.”

  She looked at the two men an
d then at Asher.

  “It’s better if you’re not behind the wheel,” Asher said.

  Her face burned at the implication. She forced out one word. “Alright.”

  Asher turned to the men. “Go and get situated, I’ll let you know when to return.”

  The two men nodded at her, turned and walked out.

  “Where’s your office?” Asher asked.

  “Um, through here.” Uncertainty dogged her steps as she led them to the back, opened the door and entered.

  “Gavin told you not to write anything regarding this case down, right?” Asher asked.

  “Yes. I pulled all the hard copies and have them to place in the safety deposit box.” She pointed to her files.

  “Good.” He sat at her desk, pulled out a device and started typing.

  Faith stared at him in horror. She had confidential client information that no one should see on that computer.

  “What time does the bank close?” Drake asked, drawing her attention.

  “Huh?” She spun around to face him. “What?”

  “The bank? When does it close?” Drake said.

  Inhaling, she fought for calm. “Five. We need to be there before 4:30.”

  He nodded. “Did Gavin explain exactly what we’re going to do?” His calm question helped ease her ratcheting fear. Somehow she had lost control of the situation, and it bothered her more than she could admit. This was her business, her office, and her client.

  “Not everything.” She looked over her shoulder at Asher. “What are you doing to my computer?”

  “I’m making sure it can’t be hacked and setting up a secure system for you to use. It takes a bit of time, so I’m starting it, and we’ll test it at the bank. The only reason we’re not talking much here is that we haven’t scanned your office yet. When we return from the bank, my team will be here installing your new security system so you can work safely.”

  “Oh? I didn’t know. He…Gavin didn’t mention any of that.” She would stop tripping over her words any minute.

  “Gavin’s a big picture guy,” Drake said. “He says what he wants accomplished, the end results but doesn’t get into details how it’ll happen. Haven’t you noticed that about him?” His teasing grin invited her to smile.