Deception (Carrington Hill Investigations Book 1) (13 page)

“Where are you?”

“County Road 63.” She glanced in the rearview mirror and realized that van was catching up. “I was trying to ditch the cameras to go see Catherine.”

“Throw the car in neutral and try to steer it off the road. I’ll be there in ten minutes. And Lexi…”

“Yeah?”

“Make sure your seatbelt is on before you try anything.”

Lexi grabbed the belt and tried to pull it. “It’s fucking cut.”

“Find a way to brace yourself
. I’m coming for you.”

She heard
the rev of Jonathan’s engine as Lexi threw her car into neutral and tried to steer the car onto the slope of the shoulder. Losing control on the steep embankment, the car flipped. She let go of the wheel and leaned across the front seat, grabbing the other seatbelt, and held on for dear life as the car continued to flip and roll down the large hill and she was thrown around inside the tiny car. The sound of crunching metal filled the air as she said a silent prayer that she’d survive. Her head violently struck the hood, sending a jolt of pain through her body before she bounced back against the seat. Bile rose in her throat as black dots swam before her eyes. The pain in her head was unbearable. Her life flashed before her eyes when she clenched her eyes closed. Her grip loosened right before her world faded to black. The car was still rolling.

****

Trip’s mother
came flying into his office unannounced. She picked up the remote, clicking the television on.

“Mother, what are you doing?
”

She held up her hand. “You’re going to want to see this.”

He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the replay of a car accident on the screen. His heart almost stopped beating when he realized what he was watching. A reporter came on the screen.

“This
is a network exclusive. Our reporters were live on the scene as oil heiress Alexandria Carrington Hathaway was involved in an accident and rolled her car down into a ravine. We have no word on her condition, but we will keep the viewing audience posted as the story unfolds.”

“Trip, we have to go.”

Trip couldn’t believe what he’d seen. Nothing could have prepared him for this. His vision tunneled as his heart threatened to beat out of his chest.

“Trip.”

He heard his mother but couldn’t seem to tear his eyes off the screen, watching in horror when they replayed Lexi’s car rolling down the hill.

His mother
gripped his arms and shook him. “Mitchell Trip Hathaway, your wife needs you, and we need to go.”

He shook his head, pulling his eyes from the
television. “Thank you, Mother.”

Lexi blinked against the florescent lights above the bed she was lying in. Monitors beeped a steady rhythm on her right. Memories of the car accident came flooding back as she tried to focus on the people in the room. Trip leaned back in a chair across the room, his eyes closed. Fingers wrapped around her hand and gave a gentle squeeze.

“I’m
glad you’re okay.”

Lexi turned
her head toward Mrs. Hathaway’s voice. Her mind in a haze, she mumbled, “Why are you here?”

Mrs. Hathaway nodded toward Trip. “I may have misjudged you Lexi, but Trip is a good judge of character and he loves you.”
Mrs. Hathaway stroked Lexi’s hair the way a mother would. “We were worried. We came as fast as we could. You’ve been unconscious for over twenty-four hours, dear.”

Lexi glanced around t
he room. The aroma of roses drifted to her nose. Vases filled the room, littering all of the surface space available. Lexi struggled to clear her sore throat. Mrs. Hathaway poured water from a pitcher into a glass and helped Lexi sit up to take a sip. “He hasn’t left your side.”

She leaned back against the pillow.
Lillian rounded the bed to Trip’s chair and put her palm on his shoulder. “Trip honey, she’s awake.”

Trip blinked h
is eyes open, and his gaze held Lexi’s as he moved to her side. She heard the soft click of the door as Trip’s mother left.

He
leaned down and kissed her. “You scared me, baby.”

Her
clouded mind tried to make sense of how he would have found out. “Did the hospital call you? Is that how you found out? Or was it Jonathan?”

He pulled his chair toward her bed and sat holding her hand. “You were prime time, honey.”

“Huh?” None of this was making sense. Did she have a concussion? Maybe she’d hit her head harder than she’d thought. “You’re not making sense.”

“You were breaking news. The television
van following you recorded the whole thing, and the crew called 911. I found out later that Jonathan showed up five minute before the ambulance even arrived. He has refused to leave the hospital until you wake up.” Trip chuckled. “He’s even talking to administration about setting up another cot in your room.”

Lexi groaned and closed her eyes. “When can I leave?”

She never received an answer because the door opened, and Director Johnson poked his head around the door. “Ah, I see you’re awake.” He pushed the door open, texting on his phone as he walked to the other side of the bed. “Sorry, I promised Sara I would give her an update.”

Lexi tried to push herself up. She paused as the room started to spin. Trip helped her an
d then hit the incline on the bed remote. She leaned back into the pillows. “Is everything okay?”

H
e nodded. “Sara’s with Catherine. It was killing her that she couldn’t be here for you.”

She turned to Trip. “Can you give us a minute?”

He shook his head. “No secrets, Lexi. Your life is in danger, and since you’re still my wife, I have a right to know what’s going on.”

Her headache was getting worse. She squeezed her eyes shut. Her
voice came out in a whisper. “Trip—”

“
No, Lexi.” Her eyes flew open when the director interrupted her protest. “It was deliberate. Someone cut your brakes. Garrett is retracing your steps, searching for clues. He said he was with you from the time you left your house until you left the spa. Is that correct?”

Lexi tried to recall the entire day
, and she nodded. “Yes, he didn’t leave until I asked him to.”

Trip’s brows dipped as he asked
, “Where were you going that you couldn’t take him?”

“To see Catherine.
I was trying to contain who knew her location. I asked him to call forensics to see if they cracked Catherine’s code. He was going to meet up with me again an hour later.”

“
Garrett doesn’t know where she is?” Trip asked.

She shook her head and then immediately wished that she hadn’t. Pain shot through her neck
, and she squeezed her eyes closed. The beeping on the machine sped up. She felt palms on her cheeks. “Lexi, are you okay?”

She took deep even breaths
, exhaling as she overcame the pain. “My neck hurts.” She opened her eyes again. “No, he doesn’t know. I told you that only a few select people know until we get this figured out.”

He placed a kiss on her cheek and moved back to the chair, never releasing her hand.

She turned toward the director. “Do you think it was Constanza’s guys?”

The
director crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not sure, Lexi.”

“Don’t forget about the investigation. Whoever hurt Catherine has motive too.” Trip glanced up at the
director. “You need to take her off the case. It’s too dangerous.”

Lexi spun her gaze to Trip’s and blinked through the dots that clouded her vision. “Like hell. Catherine isn’t safe until we figure out who’s doing this.”

Trip laid his head down on her stomach. “Lexi...”

“Trip…
Don’t ask me to step down because I won’t. You knew that before we made our agreement.”

The
director gave her hand a squeeze. “How about we table this discussion until you’re out of here?” He nodded toward the door. “I’ve increased the agents assigned to you now that the whole world knows who you are thanks to that TV station. It’s only a matter of time before Constanza’s men or others try again. We got the judge to agree to expedite his trial because of everything that’s happened. His trial starts in a week.”

The
director pulled his own Glock out of his ankle holster and stuffed it under her pillow as he kissed her forehead. “You can never be too careful.”

He left moments later.

“Where are my clothes? Where’s my gun?”

Trip kissed her forehead. “Jonathan has your guns, and your clothes are over there.” He tipped his head across the room.

Tension drained from
Lexi’s shoulders. She still had plenty to worry about, but having a gun within reach gave her a little comfort. Now getting her husband to understand there was no way in hell she was backing down was going to be another challenge.

“
Lexi, let me take you and your friends away from here.” He glanced over his shoulder toward the door. “Let the rest of them take care of this.”

“I’m close, Trip. I can feel it. If I back down now, who knows how long it will take to solve the case
?”

“Lexi, you’re my wife
, damn it. I can’t sit by and watch you get killed.”

She closed her eyes
, wishing she could make him understand. No amount of persuasion would make her stop digging, no matter how enticing the thought of the two of them on a secluded beach might play in her imagination. If she stopped her hunt now, she’d never forgive herself. Hell, Catherine’s life depended on her figuring out who was trying to kill them both. If she was getting close, then it was possible Trip, too, could become a potential target. In her mind, she knew what she had to do, no matter how strong the pull on her heart was.

“Trip
, go home.” She opened her eyes and held his gaze.

He stood up
, releasing her hand. “I’m not leaving until they release you.”

She held back the tears that threatened
to spill. “I want you to leave.”

“You can’t mean that.” He reached for her
, and she flinched from his touch.

“This marriage is a sham, and I’m tired of pretending. File the papers.” She balled her fist
s to stop herself from reaching for him. She bit her bottom lip to stop herself from begging him to stay. “It’s over.”

He shook his head
, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes filled with denial. “No.”

She rolled away from him to face the wall
, hiding the anguish she knew he’d see on her face. “You don’t have a choice. If you don’t file, then I will. It’s what we agreed.”

Lexi let her eyes slid
e closed, letting a stray tear escape her lids, hoping he would believe her. The room was silent for a few minutes. Her heart was breaking into a million pieces as she held her body still, afraid that Trip might see her sob. She wouldn’t let him. She broke the silence in the room, her voice loud and demanding.

“I said leave!”

“This isn’t over.” Trip’s words were but a whisper in the silence.

She heard the door open and shut. She chanced a look behind her into the empty room. Her heart lifted in relief before crashing back down
as she realized that whatever they’d had was over. It was what she wanted, right? Right. She reaffirmed her decision, remembering he was in just as much danger, if not more, than her or Catherine. Hell, it was his money they wanted.

Tears streamed down her face. Her body crumbled against the bed. The emotions hit her hard. There was no turning back now.  He
r door squeaked open, and for a fleeting second, she hoped it was Trip coming back to argue with her.

Jonathan stopped just inside the door. His eyes widened in alarm before he hurried to her side. “Are yo
u hurting? Should I call the nurse?”

His panic
ked expression and alarm would have been funny if she didn’t feel like she’d been torn into a million pieces and run over by a train. “I want to go home, Jonathan. Please take me home.”

He gave her a confirming
nod. He straightened, pulling his shoulders back and tugging on the bottom of his coat. “I’ll make it happen.”

Lexi glanced out her bedroom window at the reporters camped out beyond the gate. Several agents guarded the perimeter, looking for any sign of threat. She was a prisoner in her own home with no chance of escape. The world now knew who she was. She’d been home a full week and spent most of that time in bed, letting her bruised and battered body heal. Jonathan waited on her hand and foot with a worried expression in his eyes that resembled pity, although he would never say it to her face. She was done crying, done dreaming of a life she’d never have. Her heart still ached but not because of the accident, because of Trip. Somewhere along the line, she’d lowered the walls around her heart and let him in, realizing too late that the feelings she’d developed for him were real, the kind that come along once in a lifetime. She loved him, and because she loved him, she’d let him go to keep him safe. It was the only way.

Her bedroom door swung open. S
he turned to find Jonathan carrying in a tray with her mail underneath his arm. “Still moping I see.” He set the tray on the table. 

“I’m doing no such thing. I’m contemplating my escape.” She let the curtains fall back into place and grabbed a roll from the plate. “I don’t know how I’m going to get
out of here without being seen.”

She sat down in a chair at the table
, and Jonathan joined her. “When you’re ready, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Jonathan grinned
, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the carafe on the tray. “Sit and eat. You’re going to need your strength today.”

Her brow
rose a fraction.

“
Johnson called. Constanza’s trial starts today.”

She popped a piece of the roll in her mouth. “Do I need to be there?”

“He said he’d call with the time they expect to put you on the stand.”

Lexi nodded. Just another reminder of how different her
lifestyle was from Trip’s.

Jonathan walked to the window, his eyes appraising the situation below, if she knew him at all. He would have made a successful agent had he chosen that route. “Give me an hour
, and I’ll get you out. Eat your breakfast, Alexandria,” Jonathan said as he left her room.

With no appetite
, she managed to eat half of what he’d brought her. Today threatened to be a long day, and she would need the energy. She picked up the mail from the table and thumbed through the envelopes. Her heart stuttered when she recognized Trip’s attorney’s insignia in the left corner. She reminded herself she’d wanted this. It had to be this way. She slowly slid her finger along the seal and pulled out the papers to find what she’d hoped for. She flipped through the divorce papers and rubbed her thumb over Trip’s signature on the last page. He must be pulling strings to get the divorce expedited; normally legal procedures took weeks if not months. Memories of the time they shared together flashed in her memory, giving her an idea of what she could have had if things had been different, but they weren’t. 

Lexi signed the last page and moved on to the rest of the mail
, stopping on an envelope addressed to Lexi Hathaway with no return address. She slid her finger under the flap and pulled out a typed letter at the same moment her door burst open and Trip rushed in. “Lexi, they took her.”

His brows knit as his gaze went to the table
to find the divorce papers. He lifted his gaze to hers and stepped closer.

“Who is
her
?”

Trip shook his head and lifted a similar letter in his hand. “I got this in th
e mail. It says they took Celia, and if you testify, they’re going to kill her.”

Lexi’s
gaze flew to the letter in her hand, quickly confirming that she’d gotten the same message.

“I tried her cell
, and Emmitt hasn’t seen her since yesterday.” Trip ran his hand through his hair. “What are we going to do?”

Lexi moved to her closet and pulled out the black bag she’d taken from her apartment. She pulled out the map and information she’d constr
ucted against Constanza and hit speed dial on her phone. “Marco, I need intel.”

Trip collapsed
onto her bed. “Is he FBI?”

She shook her head and covered the phone. “No.”

She relayed the information from the letter. “Pull up the information I sent you on Constanza. I need satellite images of all his known properties. They kidnapped my sister-in...” She paused realizing that, when the papers were finalized that Celia was no longer her sister-in-law. “…Celia Hathaway to keep me from testifying. I need to know where they’re holed up.”

“No problem
, luv. Since the car chase, I’ve kept surveillance on his crew, just in case.”

She turned toward the window.
She lowered her voice. “In case what?”

He chuckled “In case I needed to save your ass again.”

She was speechless. She had more people who cared about her than she thought. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me. It was strictly for my own benefit. I couldn’t have my partner coming up missing. That wouldn’t look good for the company.”
Even though his words were true, she’d expected that he had another reason. He was like a brother to her. A smart, decisive, deadly brother. She couldn’t have asked for anyone better to watch her back.

“I’ll
meet you in the park in thirty minutes. I have a feeling I know exactly where she is. We need to strike before they move her.” Marco said before hanging up.

Lexi shoved her gun in the back of her jeans and another one in her ankle holster. She
shoved her badge on her belt and grabbed Trip’s hand and started pulling him from the room. “You need to go home and wait.”

He pulled her to a stop.
“No way. I’m coming with you.”

“I c
an’t risk it. You can’t help me; you’ll just get in the way.”

Trip pulled his hand from hers and crossed his arms over his chest. His jaw set into a
hard line. He raised his brow. “How are you going to get out of here?”

She glanced down the hall. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. She spun on her heel and
took the stairs two at a time with Trip following behind her, yelling, “Jonathan!”

He met her at the bottom of the stairs.

“What’s my escape route?”

He glanced down at his watch. “I’m afraid it won’t be ready for another thirty minutes.”

She let her head fall back. Her muscles tensed. “We can’t wait.”

“I’ll take you.” Trip’s demeanor had changed from one of panic
the way he came bursting into her room to one of assurance, his business face was back. “They won’t be able to follow us.”

She turned toward him
, debating her options and cursing her lack of exits from the house. Something she’d have rectified when this was all over. “How?”

He tilted his head to
ward the back terrace. His eyes twinkled. “The same way I got here. I’ll fly us out.”

He was her only way out
, and she was smart enough to realize it. The point that she needed to rely on him weighed heavily on her shoulders.

“Alexandria
.”

She turned back to Jonathan. “What are my other options?”

Jonathan shrugged. “The cavalry won’t be here for thirty minutes.”

Lexi stomped to the back
patio. “You’re up, Hathaway.”

He followed behind her
and slid into the helicopter. He waited for her to get in the other side and handed her a headset before he started flipping switches and the blades whirled to life. She hadn’t had a choice; time most definitely wasn’t on her side. She positioned the microphone in front of her lips. “Can you get me close to the park at Fifth and Jenks? That’s where I’m meeting Marco.”

He
nodded, lifting them up into the air. Though the liftoff was smooth, her stomach flipped from the sudden moment as they left the ground. She wasn’t afraid of heights, but that didn’t mean she liked riding in helicopters. The
whoop whoop
sound of the blades slicing through the air made her nervous. It was something she couldn’t control. Grasping the side of her seat, she glanced around and made the mistake of looking at how high they were from the ground. Her house looked like a little dollhouse the farther they lifted into the air. Her stomach rolled.

They landed in a clearing about half a mile from the park. She released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding
and flung the headset off. She unhooked the seatbelt and was about to hop out when Trip caught her arm. She waited until the helicopter was powered down, and he pulled off his headset. “Lexi…”

She placed her hand over his. “I’ll bring her back.”

He cupped her cheek and leaned in to press a quick kiss to her lips. “Be careful.”

She nodded
, questioning her decision to divorce the man who held her heart. Situations like these were exactly why he didn’t need her in his life. She pushed the thoughts away. “I’ll call you when we have her. Make sure the rest of your family is at your house and increase your security.”

She hop
ped out and turned back to him. “Text Johnson and tell him what’s going on. Have them stall my testimony if they already set it. This bastard is going down.”

He nodded. She turned and sprinted toward where Marco and several of his men
waited.

She slowed
, catching her breath. Marco leaned against the hood of his SUV. His lips tilted at the corners. “Leave it to you to make such a grand entrance.” He nodded toward the helicopter lifting off the ground. “Was that your hubby?”

“
Soon-to-be-ex,” she corrected him. “What have we got?”

He turned and pointed to the satellite images he had
spread on the hood of the SUV. “Thanks to your undercover intel, we’ve pinpointed it down to three properties. All of the other ones are devoid of heat signatures.”

She scanned the images and pointed to the one with the most heat signatures. It was a warehouse along the marina. “
Here.”

She glanced up to see his grin widen. “That’s where I was thinking too.” He rolled up the images. “I’ve already sent men to watch the other two places. They’ll tell us if they see any movement.”

She nodded, sliding into the passenger seat of his SUV. She clicked her seatbelt in place. “How many are going with us?”

He hesitated
then glanced her way, throwing the SUV into drive and hitting the gas. “I’ve called in the entire team.”

His answer surprised her. Some of the tension lifted from her shoulders. She was working with the best. She had no doubt they’d get
Celia out. They were damn good at what they do. She wouldn’t have put her money into the company if she didn’t think they were the best. Ex Marines, CIA, and special operatives. They employed the best. “Are you armed?”

His question pulled her out of her thoughts. “Yes.”

He nodded. “Stick close to me when we go in.”

Marco was trying to protect her,
and she appreciated it. Her body was still sore from leaving the hospital only a week and a half ago. They discussed the strategy they were going to use, only disagreeing a few times when he’d argued that it might be best that she let the team go in. She refused.

“I’m the one they want. I’m the one they’ll get.”