Finding Trust (Centre Games) (27 page)

He opened the throttle and veered left just as he heard the first of the weapons discharge. He saw the bullets hit the water just beside him. Shit, shit, shit.

Rihanna screamed in his ear, near deafening him. He was sure he could feel her heart thumping through the double layers of life vests. He could definitely smell her fear. And that just pissed him off. Having Rihanna terrified went against every essence of his being. Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed that the other skis were being sprayed with bullets also.

After hauling left, he swung the ski right, and then hard left again, cutting a zigzagging line across the water, gaining precious inches of safety. The power and manoeuvrability of the ski soon had them out of range of the bullets. But that didn’t negate the fact that he was still mighty pissed.

He whipped around the back of a small mangrove island and noticed that the others had followed him. They all seemed to be okay. There was nothing to be gained here. They needed to get back to the house and report in to Tom.

“Are you okay, baby?”

“I’m okay—terrified but okay. They were shooting at us, Bray.” He could tell that he needed to get her back into shore quickly. She might go into shock; she’d handled the abduction like a real trooper but being shot at for the first time was something altogether different. There was nothing like a bullet whizzing past you to give you a whole new outlook on life.

“Hang on, Minky, we’re going to head back to the ramp.”

She nodded her understanding. She played the scene back through her head in slow motion this time, when the bullets weren’t real, just terrifying memories. Now with time to think about it, she realised what had been nagging at her for the last couple of minutes.

The fuzz in her head cleared and she realised she recognised one of the Chinese men on the boat. Her mind started swirling with all the possibilities, connections. It was a coincidence surely?

Brayden opened the throttle. No point in sitting on the fastest Jet Ski on the planet if you couldn’t use the speed occasionally.

They’d pulled the skis out of the water and were headed back to Brayden’s. Rihanna and Jazz accompanied Brayden in the SUV and trailer. Nobody had spoken a word since they were shot at on the water.

The silence in the vehicle was palpable. Bray pulled out of the car park and Jazz could hold her tongue no longer.

“What the fuck was that about?” she demanded of them both.

Brayden and Rihanna exchanged glances between them and Jazz immediately picked up on it.

“Oh no, you two don’t get to keep secrets any longer. Spit it out now.” Jazz’s temper was fuming and her voice was reverberating around the closed interior of the SUV.

Brayden cleared his throat. “Umm, I guess I might have a pissed off a fan or two.”

Rihanna had dropped her chin and was looking at the footwell, not daring to look back at Jazz.

Jazz saw red. “Bullshit, Brayden. Fans don’t shoot at you like that. And if they were after you, why did they spray bullets at all of us?” Jazz paused for a moment. “No answer to that, hey, hotshot? That’s because it’s bullshit. Now give me the truth.”

Bray looked beat. He knew the gig was up. “I’ll tell you what I can.”

“Well, that’s a start.” Jazz threw herself back against the seat, totally pissed off. “I’m still waiting.”

Brayden cleared his throat. “Um, Steel isn’t my only line of work, as you know. I work for a group called the Centre. We specialise in dealing with agricultural, quarantine, and biological type problems.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of what Rory said last night. So what’s the problem and why are you risking Rihanna in something?” Jazz’s pissed offed attitude was only slightly less evident.

“Well, that’s just the point. Rihanna is a major target in this operation because of her expertise and research with the Hendra virus.”

“So what is this operation exactly?” Jazz had a very bad feeling about this.

“We believe the Hendra virus is likely to be used as a biological weapon in the near future. Rihanna has been targeted by a couple of groups of extremists. In fact, she was nearly abducted on New Year’s Eve.”

“What the fuck and how come I don’t know about this?” Fury raged through Jazz.

Brayden decided to take the brunt. “You don’t know about this because Rihanna has been sworn to secrecy through government channels tied up with her research. She was not at liberty to tell you about it.”

That piece of information had Jazz’s mind whirling. So was this whole thing between Bray and Rihanna some elaborate ruse?

“So you two really aren’t together? And you’ve been playing me, is that it?” The accusation in Jazz’s voice cut Rihanna to the bone.

It was Rihanna’s turn to answer. Jazz could see the pain written all over her best friend’s face. “Actually, the relationship between Bray and me is probably the only real truth of this whole thing.”

Jazz watched Brayden nod his head in confirmation.

Jazz took a deep, calming breath. “Well, I guess that’s something. I haven’t been
totally
lied to.”

Rihanna had turned around to look back at Jazz. “I never lied to you, Jazz. I just haven’t been able to tell you the truth. And it’s been killing me. You know I hate keeping anything from you.”

Jazz scanned Rihanna’s face. She was telling the truth. Jazz had known Rihanna too long. In fact, Rihanna almost looked relieved.

“Okay, I can accept that for now. Fill me in on the rest.”

Rihanna and Brayden took turns in filling her in with the details of what had transpired over the last week.

My God, how was Rihanna still functioning sanely with what had been thrown at her? Jazz knew that Rihanna would need her more than ever now.

“Just so you’re clear, Brayden, I’m not leaving Rihanna in this mess without me,” Jazz stated emphatically.

“I figured as much. You couldn’t even if you wanted to. You’ve been seen with us now, so you’ve just become a target as well. I dare say that the boss will want you to sign some forms declaring that everything you have been told and learn as part of this will be kept fully confidential, yada yada yada.”

“That’s fine. Good thing I’m kind of between jobs at the moment. So am I able to stay at home?”

Rihanna looked at Brayden with curiosity. “No, I don’t think the boss will come at that. I think you’ll be with us at my place.”

“Okay, at least I’ll get some time with Rihanna.”

Rihanna flashed her a warm smile. Clearly she was happy to have Jazz around. Jazz also got the impression that Rihanna was really happy to have a clear conscience.

“So who do you think those guys really are?” Jazz had switched to business now.

“Well, I think they just announced they were involved by the shots they took.”

Brayden and Jazz discussed the events of the afternoon a little further and organised for Rory to escort her back to her place to retrieve some clothes and other belongings.

Rihanna had been quiet for a few kilometres, clearly deep in thought; something was bothering her. All of a sudden, she gripped the dashboard and spun to face Brayden.

“I know what the target is.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“Go ahead, Brayden.” The voice of Tom Anderson came through loud and clear over the speakerphone sitting on the coffee table in the family room. Brayden, Rory, Quade, Jazz, and Rihanna were all sitting on the comfortable couches, leaning forward to be clearly heard over the device.

They were all tense with excitement for different reasons. The activities of the afternoon had frightened the girls but had only seemed to piss off the guys even more. Rihanna and Jazz were both ecstatic to have a reason to be spending time together.

Brayden seemed relaxed enough but Rihanna sensed that he was curious how things would work out with Jazz now being required to be at least temporarily located with them. Quade was his typical quiet, brooding self and Rory was in fine form as always.

“Have you been briefed on the activities of the afternoon, boss?”

“If you mean the surveillance that turned out to be a one-sided gunfight, then yes I have.” The boss sounded less than impressed. “Rheeba filled me in. I’m still at a loss as to why you took a second pass at the cruiser.”

Quade looked at Brayden and they both looked at Rory. Rory shook his head and mouthed, “I’m not touching it.”

Brayden cleared his throat, clearly not comfortable answering. “Ah, we decided to have another look. Didn’t really see much the first time past.”

“And what, may I ask, did you hope to see the second time?”

Rihanna didn’t think she’d ever heard such a cold, cutting voice. This guy seriously knew how to chew someone out.

“Not sure, boss. We just thought a second pass may have given us some more information.” Brayden made a face indicating he was dying here.

“Well, obviously you were wrong and nearly got half my team and two civilians wiped out at the same time. Not such a good call in hindsight, Mr
. James.”

“Ah, no, boss.”

“Right. So, Miss Carter, I assume you have been advised that you will now be the guest of Brayden and the team until further notice?”

“Yes, I have,” Jazz said, clearly having no intention of being intimidated by Tom Anderson.

“It has also been explained to you about the necessary confidentiality documents you will need to sign?”

“Yes it has.”

“Good then, let’s get on with the important stuff. Exactly what do you think the target is, Miss Mason, and why?”

Rihanna took a deep breath and then slowly stated, “I think the target is the major thoroughbred sale and summer racing carnival on the Gold Coast, Tom.”

Gasps went up all-round.

“Why do you think that, Rihanna?”

“I realised on the way home that I recognised one of the Chinese men on the boat. He’s a client of our practice,” she revealed, feeling sick that somebody associated with their veterinary practice was probably behind this. At least it wasn’t her staff as the Centre had first thought.

“Do you have a name for this man?” Tom pressed on, a voice of authority through the phone.

“We know him as Fu Chow.”

“Anything else you can tell us about him?”

She thought for a moment, trying to recall everything she knew about him. “We first did some independent yearling assessments for him about three years ago. Since then, we have done the same each year. He generally calls us up with the auction lots he’s interested in and then Dad generally goes and does an independent inspection for him before the sale begins.”

“Isn’t that a bit unusual?” the boss asked.

“In what way?”

“Well, I was of the understanding that all horses put up for sale had already passed veterinary inspection and x-rays.” That raised a few eyebrows around the table. Who’d have thought the boss knew anything about horse sales?

“That’s true but Fu Chow has always maintained that he wanted my father’s opinion on the horse and the x-rays before he hands over millions of dollars,” she answered patiently.

Rihanna noticed the nodding heads around the table at that logic.

“Has he approached you this year to do similar?” The logical question was one she didn’t have an answer for.

“I couldn’t say, Tom. I haven’t had any real contact with the clinic in the last week. Besides, he always dealt directly with my father. I’ve only met him because I went to a few cocktail parties associated with the sales with my father.”

“Okay, thank you for the information, Dr Mason. I’ll discuss this with the other Dr Mason and we’ll reconvene at oh eight hundred tomorrow.”

In typical Tom fashion, the line went dead again.

Everyone took a refreshing breath and sat back in their respective chairs, tension gone.

“Is he always that intense?” Jazz asked.

“Yep, always. Boss is ex-military, a retired general. So he still thinks he’s operating with full military personnel. He can be a bit over the top and he takes intimidation to a whole new level,” Rory filled in for her.

“Whose turn is it to cook?” Brayden queried, looking from Rory to Quade.

“Don’t look at me, man. You got a night off last night, if I remember correctly, because you and Rihanna were busy.” Rory wiggled his fingers into air quotes to emphasise “were busy.”

Brayden stood and pulled Rihanna with him. “Guess we’re up, babe.”

“Guess so,” she said, following along and heading to the kitchen.

“How long will dinner be?” Jazz called from the family room.

“About an hour, why?” Brayden responded.

“That’ll be enough time for Rory to take me to get my clothes and stuff.”

Rory got to his feet. “Guess I’ll have that beer when I get back.”

Quade sniggered. “More for me.”

“Bullshit, you’re coming, too. Move your ass,” Rory declared, prodding Quade with his foot.

“Why?”

“You can keep an eye on things while I help Jazz. I’ve got a nasty feeling things are going to escalate after this afternoon.”

Brayden hoped that Rory wasn’t right on that particular feeling. That was one they could all do without.

“If you insist.” Quade pouted.

“I do, asshole.”

The three of them got up and headed down the hall.

“Make sure you check the security system after we leave, Stud,” Quade called.

“Done,” was Bray’s quick reply. And he did just that. Rihanna noticed the black Jeep head out through the gates as she collected items to start preparing the spaghetti bolognaise Bray had decided they were having for dinner. A few seconds later, Brayden returned and pulled her into his arms. He gave her a tight hug and rested his chin on her head. It was so nice to have someone to cuddle when things were shitty.

“Alone at last,” he declared.

Rihanna giggled at his comments. “I bet it feels like you’ve been invaded. First me, then the guys and now Jazz.”

“Something like that. I’d be happy for the last three to disappear sometime soon.” He moved slightly back from Rihanna and lifted her chin to meet his lips. He gave her a light kiss that was full of feeling. “You I want to keep a lot longer, maybe even forever.”

Rihanna’s heart thundered in her chest. Brayden had declared at least twice in the last twenty-four hours how serious he was. Was she ready for this? Was she ready to be in a relationship with him? More to the point, did she want to be without him? It was a very bleak thought, but they had other things to discuss.

She gently pushed herself away from his hold and picked up a knife and started cutting up onions for the spaghetti sauce. “What are we going to do if I’m pregnant, Brayden?” she said quietly, keeping her head down, watching the blade slice through the onion.

“What do you mean, Rihanna?”

“Do you want to keep the baby?” she asked in almost a whisper.

“Yes.” His answer was strong and clear. She felt immediate relief wash over her. Terminating a baby was not something she thought she’d be able to handle.

“So you’re okay being a dad?”

“Yep, I am. I always wanted to be a dad, just never thought it would happen to me,” he answered, drifting off as he prepared to fry up the onions and garlic she’d chopped.

“Why’s that?” she asked curiously, preparing the tomatoes for the sauce. This conversation seemed easier to have if they both had some other task to occupy their hands and didn’t require them to look directly at each other.

“Well, my life has been about the Centre, and the band to a lesser extent, since I was eighteen. I’m thirty-four years old now and I’ve kind of just stayed on this same path until now.” He paused. “That is, until you came along. I guess you’re making me re-evaluate a lot of what I want out of life.”

“Is that a good thing, this re-evaluation?”

“I think so. You make me feel whole, for the first time ever, I think.” His voice was confident, true.

“That’s good,” she said almost absently, not quite knowing what to say.

“What about you, Rihanna? How do you feel about a baby?”

She took a deep breath to calm the nerves that had overtaken her stomach. “Umm, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t freaked out by the idea.” She realised how bad that must have sounded when she heard Brayden suck in a sharp breath as if he’d been struck.

“That’s not how I meant it. I’ve always wanted to have kids someday. I guess I just never thought it would happen by accident. You’ve probably guessed by now I tend to have my whole life well planned and organised.” She could see him nodding his head, bent over the stove. “Although I have to say that you’re the only person I’ve ever met that I can imagine having a child with.”

“What scares you the most, Minky?” he said quietly.

“Being so in love with someone that when they’re gone you wish you were too.” Her voice trailed off, choppy with emotion and threatening tears.

Her eyes clouded with unshed tears. She felt his arms come around her and she immediately buried her face into his chest, letting the tears fall.

“Tell me about it,” he whispered into her ear.

She wept softly against his chest for a few more seconds before taking a deep breath to chase the worst of the tears away.

“My mum died from cancer when I was sixteen. Since then, I’ve watched my dad become more and more of a shell to the point where I often expect he’ll just will himself to die, just to be with her again.” She took a shuddering breath. “I’m not sure I can let myself love someone that much.”

He squeezed her tightly, finally understanding why she often held back. Why she had perfected the ice façade. Bray rubbed his hand slowly through her silken hair. He didn’t say anything. What could he say to that?

“All I can promise, Brayden, is that I’ll try.”

“That’s all I can ask, baby. And know this: I’ll always meet you at least halfway. And for the first time in my life, I have someone I really want to love and make a future with.”

She nodded her understanding. “I do, too, Bray. I just wish I wasn’t so scared.”

He thought of all she didn’t know about him and the gut-gnawing fear returned. He was asking all this of her and yet he was hiding half of his true self. It was killing him, one knife twist to his gut at a time.

“I need you to promise me something else, Rih.” He cupped her face, raising her eyes to look into his. “I need you to promise me that you’ll always talk to me about whatever is concerning you. Jazz is your best friend and I get that and I respect it. But this is our relationship and the only two people that can make it work are you and I.”

“Okay, I promise you that.” She smiled up at him.

The knife in his gut twisted a full rotation back the other way.

***

“How do you sit here and watch him do that, and not want to jump him?” Jazz asked her.

“Who says I don’t want to jump him?” Rihanna giggled.

The girls were curled up on the outdoor lounges, sipping green tea. Brayden was sitting at the outdoor table, a notebook on the table, a pencil behind his ear and his beautiful acoustic guitar on his knee.

Rory had taken a call from Tom Anderson shortly after dinner. A few minutes later, he and Quade had headed off in the black Jeep. Apparently the boss wanted something checked out. Brayden was delegated to “babysit the girls.” Quade had made sure he rubbed that in hard before he’d left with Rory. Brayden had said it was no hardship and another round of lighthearted ribbing had ensued between the guys.

The call out had ratcheted up everyone’s tensions. Rory was right when he’d made the comment about things escalating after the shooting today. They all needed to be even more on guard.

The likely targets knew they’d been made and would be doing what they could to close ranks, escalate, and execute their intended operation. At this stage, Rihanna’s guess of the yearling sales and summer racing carnival was the best bet they had.

The girls chose to sit and sip tea and chat to pass the time before bed. He wouldn’t be going to bed before he heard from Rory and Quade, and he had a feeling the girls were of the same opinion but hadn’t said anything. Everyone was feeling the tension and looking for something to do to help relax but still remain alert. Brayden chose to pick up his guitar and try to focus his emotions on creating some new music for Steel.