Aedan: Harrison Ambush – Erotic Tiger Shapeshifter Romance (13 page)

“Can you take it?” When Aedan reached for it, her grandda had it at his head before he could touch it. “Okay, try again.”

Three times he wasn’t able to get to the gun before her grandda had it pointed at him. The second test was one she’d passed only recently. She’d had to do it only once in her career, and that had been too many times.

“I want you to pick up the gun. I won’t try and take it from you, but take it and shoot your brother in the leg.” Aedan looked at Riordan, then at Grandda again. “Sometimes you have to shoot someone to get to the bad guy.”

“I’m not going to shoot anyone I love. And I can’t believe that you’d ask me to do that.” Grandda lifted up his pant leg and showed him the scar that she’d put there. “You’re going to tell me that you shot yourself to get to the bad guy?”

“No. No, Nikki shot me. It was either make me too difficult for them to take, or they got away. Sometimes, like I said, the good guys have to be taken out of the picture. Can you shoot your brother without hesitation?” Aedan said that he might be able to. “Okay, I’ll let you slide on that. For now, anyway. Third question. What does this mean?”

The hand signals were as much a part of her conversation when working as using her words. The index finger and thumb out meant weapon, which Aedan knew, but when Grandda lifted it above his head, Aedan guessed.

“Take the gun? I don’t know that.” Grandda told him it meant rifle. The next two, point of entry and hostage, he didn’t know either. “What does this have to do with me going with her?”

“You want them to be killed? Because as surely as you ask the first question of them, either of them, the bad guys are going to know you’re around.” Aedan looked at her and she could see the fear there, along with anger. “You want her to come home with your daddy? If so, then you stay here with me. But I’m telling you right now, I’m more terrified of her getting hurt than you are. Every time I look at her, I hear her telling me that they were there and then the gunfire.”

“She’s my world.” Grandda said that she was his as well. Then Aedan looked at Grandda. “What was the fourth question?”

“If she’s killed, will you be able to finish the job?” Aedan slid the gun to her grandda and stood up. When he left the room, his mom went after him and Storm told Nikki it was time to go. She was out the door when Aedan touched her mind.

I love you. With all of my heart. Please come back to me, and be safe.
She told him she would try her best.
And Storm too. Watch each other’s back for us all.

Again, she told him she’d do her best. She and Storm moved along the outer edge of the Bakery, and she felt her mouth water at the smells coming from the place. They had thought about evacuating it, but were afraid that it would alert Otis that they knew where they were. But when Storm knocked on the back door, the signal that the people inside had been made aware of, the customers as well as the staff came out and ran to the street over from them. Storm looked at her when they were gone.

You ready for this?
She told her she was.
Yeah, me too. They fucked with the wrong family taking Dad. I’m telling you right now, there won’t be a trial for this prick. I’m going to end his miserable life as soon as I get answers.

If I don’t beat you to it.
As they made their way to the house where they were sure he was, Nikki thought of something else.
When this is done, I’d like to go into business with you. I’m to understand that you work for some pretty important people.

Yeppers. Your uncle, I guess.
Nikki smiled and said she’d never met him.
Well, as soon as this is over, we’ll make plans to have dinner in the place. But I’m thinking that you’ll be having a lot of dinners there when Aedan is president.

You think he will be?
Storm said that she was sure of it.
Do you think that it has occurred to Aedan that he’d been had?

What do you mean?
Nikki just looked at her, and when Storm got it, she laughed.
Christ, I didn’t even get that. We don’t need to use hand signals any more, not in this family. We’d just talk the way we are now. He’s going to be pissed if he figures it out.

Yeah, but he’s safe for now, and that’s all that matters.

They were near the building now, and Storm told her to go around to the side and meet her at the window that was open.

The houses on either side of the one that Ordan was in were empty. Not because they’d evacuated them, but because they were on the market. Nikki wondered why no one had renovated them yet, and Storm told her they weren’t sold.

Pausing when Storm did, she heard them talking. It was Otis and Joe, his right hand man. And they were talking about Savannah, Otis’s wife, in the past tense. Going to the door that would get them into the house, Nikki stopped Storm when she started to step on the stairs.

Old houses creak. Come around to the porch and walk along the foundation. It’s a trick my grandda taught me, how to get in like Mickey. Took me a bit to figure out he meant just a mouse.
Climbing up on the pretty wrap around porch, they were nearly to the door when it opened. Storm hit the man coming out with the butt of her weapon. And when he dropped to the floor, Nikki went to her right. Otis was coming up the stairs when she fired a shot at his feet and told him to stop moving.

“Nikki? What the fuck are you doing here?” She grinned at him. “Christ, will you never fucking do what is expected of you?”

“Nope. Come on now, we’re going to go and check on my future father-in-law. And he’d better not be hurt, or so help me, there will be hell to pay.” Storm followed them to the basement. When she started to drag Joe down with them, dragging him by his feet, Nikki pointed out that they might need him awake at some point. So the two of them carried him down the steps. “This was too easy.”

“No shit.” Picking up the half bucket of cold water that was near the door, Storm tossed it on Joe and he came sputtering awake immediately. Storm smiled at him. “Hello, dumb ass. How’s it feel to know that you’ve been bested by the best?”

Having the two of them sit on the floor with their hands on their heads was done quickly. Nikki kept thinking that it had been entirely too easy to get in and get the two men. While she tried to think, Storm searched the two of them and tossed their weapons on the ground by the door.

“Do we call them and let them know that it’s over?” Storm said she was used to dealing with the shoot now and ask about it later sort of way of doing things. “We’re missing something. Something big. What is it?”

“Maybe we’re just that good.” Nikki asked her if she believed that. “No. You’re right, this was too easy. And look at them. They know it too.”

Otis was smiling and Joe looked like he was hurting, but wasn’t saying much either. She started to ask them, knowing that she’d not get an answer, when she heard someone come into the building. Storm put her gun to Otis’s head when he opened his mouth. Nikki stuck her gun in Joe’s mouth when he did the same thing. Whoever it was, they knew him.

“Hello? Otis? Joe? Where are you?” Storm shook her head in answer to Nikki’s silent question if she knew him. “Otis, I have that information that you asked for. Hello?”

As soon as the man entered the room, Nikki tossed him to the floor. When she had her booted foot on his back, she looked at Joe when he started cussing. Well, this was a nice turn of events, she thought.

“Unhand me, you fool. I’m the sheriff around here, and I won’t have you treating me this way.” She flipped him over and pointed her gun at him. “What the fuck are you? Ninjas?”

Both her and Storm were dressed head to toe in black spandex. She had never worn anything like this before, but found not only was it easier to move in than jeans and a tee shirt like she usually wore, but it made her feel sexy too.

“Yes, we’re ninjas, and you’re an idiot. What kind of information did you have for Otis?” When he didn’t answer her, she kicked him in the ribs. She was sure that it wasn’t painful; the man had to be carrying about fifty extra pounds of padding in the way of fat with him. “I asked you a question. What did you have for Otis?”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” She just rolled her eyes at him. “Okay, I was playing them. When Joe there asked me to find some information on the Harrison family, namely Bri, I found it for him.”

The gun going off in the small room made her jump. Joe was dead, his brains and blood splattered all over the wall behind him, as well as Otis and the sheriff. When she looked at the other woman, Storm only shrugged before speaking.

“They were going to take Bri. It’s bad enough that they took Ordan, but to take that sweet woman just doesn’t set right.” Nikki had to hold back a smile as she continued. “I think my finger slipped. That’s what I’m going to say if asked. It was an accident because I was so nervous.”

Nikki didn’t think anyone would ever believe that Storm wasn’t in complete control all the time, but said nothing. Otis was screaming about murder, while the sheriff, Dave Wyler, was crying about how he’d only come in when he’d found the door opened. Ordan woke to that and smiled at her.

“Hello, my darlings. You come to take me home?” Storm laughed and so did Nikki. This family was certainly going to be fun to get to know, that was for sure.

Chapter 11

Aedan was biding his time. He knew that they had to be talked to…briefed, Riordan called it; questioned, Paddy called it. Either way, he had to wait until they were released before he could have his turn at his mate. And he wasn’t sure if he was going to be pissed first or just glad to see she’d made it out alive. He’d been tricked. It had taken him nearly ten minutes after they left to figure it out.

“That alone should tell you that you were better off here.” He asked Paddy why. “You figured it out, for which I’m glad…I’d hate to have my little baby married to a man who couldn’t think on his feet, but it took you too long. Next time you’ll be better, but this time, I think you might have gotten them hurt.”

“Neither of them were even touched.” Paddy said that he knew that, this time they’d been all right. Aedan wanted to be pissed, but Paddy was much too calm for him to be more than mildly annoyed. “How did you allow her to do this? I don’t mean becoming a cop, but leaving the house every day knowing that you might not see her again. I don’t know that I’ll be able to do it.”

“You hurt for them. If you tried to tell her to stop it, doing something that she loves so much, she’d do it for you. In a heartbeat. But she’d be unhappy and you know it.” Aedan said he would as well. “See, that’s what you have to do. Learn to say you love them every minute you have them with you. Because you know as well as I that either of you could just be crossing the street at any time and get yourself killed. Or that you could lose a child to some senseless act and have your life crumble when the other half of you hides in their head.” Aedan knew he was talking about his own wife.

When they brought the body bag from the basement he wondered what had happened there, but didn’t care so long as it wasn’t his family. Adkins was brought out next, his arms cuffed behind his back, his body covered in blood. When he was put in the back of the cruiser, Mac came to stand next to Aedan and asked him if he was all right.

“I am. Is Andi okay?” He said she was baking, something she did when she was upset. “Good. You should be about as big as a house in no time if her being upset is all it takes. I love her, too. You know that.”

“I do, and thank you. Ennis is looking Dad over. He was asked to by the Feds that showed up about an hour ago to make sure that he’d not been hurt. I heard one of them say that Dad was fine but going on about pie. Andi will be thrilled to know that he’s told several men they could come and have a couple of slices with him.”

Aedan nodded and tensed up when Ennis came out with their dad. “He’s fine. Nothing but a headache that will be gone as soon as he shifts.”

The rest of his brothers were there as well, and each of them hugged their dad before Mom got to him. Aedan made his way to his dad and took the big hug in stride. Patting him on the back, they both held each other just a little longer than the others had. His dad was just fine. And so was Nikki.

The Feds were taking over. Aedan had heard it was because it was a multi-state issue, but Paddy had told him that it was more than that. It wasn’t until the motorcade pulled up that he remembered that Paddy was Howard’s dad. He had no idea who might have called him until Paddy went to him and was hugged. Then Howard came and stood next to him.

“Is she all right?” He told him that he’d not been able to see her yet, but Ennis said she was. “Good. This is going to end a great many things for her, my showing up. She’s not going to be happy.”

“You’re going to out her.” He nodded. “Why would you do that? I mean, she loves what she does.”

“Because, my dear boy, I can’t have my future replacement’s wife working undercover when she needs to be picking out her presidential plate pattern.” He looked at the house, then back at him. He could only imagine what she’d pick. “Besides, it’s time, don’t you think, that I acknowledge her for a job well done? She’s been working very hard, and has been beaten up enough for several lifetimes.”

Aedan didn’t think she’d see it that way. And he was pretty sure she was going to hurt her uncle when she found out what he was up to. But as soon as she came out of the house with Storm, he made his way to her. All thoughts of undercover took on an entirely different meaning to him. He needed his mate.

As soon as he was close enough to touch her, she backed away. His heart shattered in his chest and he felt like he’d been slapped. But she smiled at him and he reached for her again. This time she held out her hand to stop him.

“They need to take my clothing.” He growled. “For evidence. Joe was killed while we were down there, and they want to be certain that Storm and I are telling them the truth.”

“You had to do it.” She shook her head and he waited for her to say more. But when she looked over at Storm, then turned and smiled at him, he asked her what had happened.

“Her finger slipped.” They both looked at Storm, then at each other again. He burst out laughing. It defused his anger and hurt just in that moment. Both of them were still laughing when she was led to a small room and given a pair of scrubs to pull on.

When she came out of the room, he picked her up and was headed for his car when he was stopped by men in suits. He wasn’t going to play nicely if they tried to stop him again. The first man smiled and asked if the president could have a word with Nikki.

“No.” The man cleared his throat. “You asked, I answered. I said no. Go away. She’s my mate, and I can’t be without her much longer.”

“He said to remind you that you have a dinner engagement in twenty minutes.” Aedan wanted to scream. “And he also said to tell you that things are set up for you nicely. That Browning helped.”

“The only thing I want help with is getting away from here.” The man nodded. “I swear to Christ, this is not making me happy.”

“Yes, sir, I can see that, but the sooner you get this over with, the quicker you can take her back to your home and
talk
.” He made the word talk sound like he no more believed that was what they were going to be doing than Aedan did. “In two hours tops, you’re going to be done.”

He wasn’t going to be that lucky. When Nikki was led away for the second time, Aedan figured that the man was right. The sooner they were all satisfied that they had all their answers and the bad guys were gone, he’d be able to spend a long time with her in his arms. As soon as she realized where she was going, Nikki turned to look at him.

“You did this?” He said that he had nothing to do with it. “You do know that once this hits the papers, and there is no doubt that it will, I’m done as an undercover cop.”

“That’s what I told him. But he said that he wanted to talk to you and this was the only way.” She nodded and looked at Howard, but didn’t move. He leaned into her throat and nipped at her skin there, and then bit her earlobe. “I want you to do this so we can go and out the governor. After that, you’re going to be naked and over my cock before we even get to the house.”

“You promise?” He said that he did. “All right, but I’m telling you right now, I’m not going to be nice at dinner. I’m hungry and pissed off. This Ellison person is just one more cog in my wheel of shitty shit going on.”

“I expect you to be no nicer to him than he’s going to be to us.” She turned and looked at him. “This meeting is not going to go as he plans. And I’m done fucking with him.”

She looked back at her uncle before speaking. “When you’re president, you’d better never make a person wait to get laid. Or me for that matter.” He said he’d never do that. “And I want to work with Stormy if she’ll have me. I think the two of us will do good things.”

“She’d be lucky to have you. If she doesn’t want to, you can open your own private practice, and you and your grandda can be private investigators if you want.” Nikki said she liked that idea. “All right, let’s go and talk to your uncle, then have a terrible dinner with Ellison. After that, naked and fucking shall commence.”

When she got to the president, Nikki was smiling. He wasn’t sure if it was because of what he said or that she was thinking of something evil to do to his body. Whatever she wanted, he was game. Aedan wasn’t going to let her out of his sight again if he could help it.

He was also going to marry her, legally. As soon as it could be arranged. While the two of them spoke, Aedan reached for his mom. He knew that she’d be able to get a quick wedding together better than anyone.

You’ll have to give me a couple of days to plan. I’m so happy to have your dad back with me
. He told her he was as well.
I’m glad that you’re marrying her, but I’m thinking that you might want to have something bigger. A large wedding with lots of guests
.

Why would we want that
?
It was okay for the others to have a little ceremony
. She laughed.
Mom, what are you planning
?

The future president will need the votes, don’t you think
?
And what better way to get those than a lavish beautiful wedding with lots of family and friends
. He liked her thinking.
Of course you do, son. I’m your mother after all
.

~~~

Nikki hated the dress she had on. And it felt like she was too exposed. But every time she tugged at the front of it, Aedan would put it back to rights. She finally gave up and asked him what they were doing tonight.

“Ellison thinks that he’s going to talk me into not running against him this term. I think. Anyway, he’s sent in a crew of men, his men, to bug the entire restaurant and to plant a few of his men in the place to listen in. Howard told me that there were nine cameras in the place, and two recorders. I can’t wait to see his face when we’re shown to an entirely different room than the one he’s had set up.” Nikki asked him why that was going on. “Howard is going to join us for a drink before. I think that will make the man sit up and take notice of me, don’t you?”

“You’re hard not to notice.” He smiled at her. “I don’t understand why he’d think this was going to work with you. I mean, I’ve read your stand on things…your proposals when it comes to jobs and other issues that have come up. And I know you well enough to know that you’ll get them done too, no broken promises from you.”

“I like that. I might use that as a slogan. No broken promises, Harrison.” She told him it sounded stupid. “No, it doesn’t. It’s perfect. But in answer to your question—thank you for trusting me, by the way—he hopes to make me look foolish in just the way that you told me he would. Or if need be, make me appear to be foolish. Hot tempered too, I think.”

“You’re the most level headed person I know. Except when it comes to me.” Aedan told her that it was because he loved her. “And I love you as well. But seriously, this thing is going to backfire something huge. He has to take that into consideration. I mean, he’s taking a huge chance with this.”

“I don’t know, to be honest. But whatever it is, we’re going to come out on top, I think.” She hoped so too. “I’m getting a late start on this election. I know that and so does Ellison. Whatever he has in his head, it’s going to be huge and explosive.”

“I’ve had enough shit going on today. Let’s try and keep the exploding to a minimum if you don’t mind.” He laughed and she leaned back against the seat. “I’m exhausted. When this is done, I want a nap. For about a week.”

She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew Aedan was waking her up. Getting out of the limo, she stood in front of one of the prettiest buildings she’d ever seen. Then she remembered the houses that they’d seen when getting Ordan out, and decided to ask Aedan about them.

“Riordan owns a lot of empty buildings downtown. He and Storm are working to get more businesses to come to the area and fill the shops again. What is it you had in mind?” They were taken to the bar where Ellison was, and she looked up at Aedan to answer him. “You look at me like that too much and we’ll never make it to the salad.”

“Behave. I thought they’d be nice shops, yes, but I was thinking like something fun. My grandda has always wanted to have a fishing store. Mostly I think it was just a place he could play in. He makes flies for fly fishing. Sell some bait and a few other things that the rich think they need, but mostly a place he could work his hobby in.” Aedan said he liked that idea. Then he asked about the other building. “A Christmas shop. Opened year round, and full of only things that are for the holiday.”

“You love Christmas.” She told him it was her favorite time of the year. “All right. As soon as we get up tomorrow or the next day, I’ll look into it for you. It’ll be a nice investment for us, and you can play there when you’re not working with Storm.”

Before she could tell him she wasn’t going to turn it into a shop for herself, they were standing with Ellison. The man gave her the creeps, and when he put out his hand for her to shake, she felt her cat run over her skin. Apparently, she didn’t care for him either.

“You were right about this place, Aedan. Very nice place. I don’t get to go out as much as you young people do, but that’s something that comes with the job of being governor, I guess.” He laughed like he was making a huge joke. “We’re going to be seated now that you’re here. I hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and ordered us a few appetizers to start with.”

“Not at all. I want to introduce you to my wife, Nikki Harrison.” It was the first time someone had called her that, and she thought it sounded wonderful. “Nikki, this is Dewey Ellison and his wife…I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”