Wickingham Way (A Harbour Falls Mystery #3) (9 page)

Chapter Eight

T
he excitement over Helena’s pregnancy and the curiosity as to what kinds of kinky things Stowe was in to would have to wait…at least, for the time being.

Helena and I stepped into the living room and sat down at the end of the sofa, where Nate and Stowe made room for us. Adam and Erin, seated in chairs nearby, waited for us to get settled.

“Okay,” I said after a minute. “How’s this going down?”

Adam shuffled some papers and then began to review the plan that had been devised to rescue my father. The reality and the seriousness of the undertaking splashed over me like a bucket of ice water. My father was in real peril. He could even end up…dead. I guessed I’d been trying not to think about how my dad was being held captive by the remaining members of a ruthless organization, tattered though it was at the moment. But now I had no choice but to face facts—like how Adam was going to put himself in jeopardy to rescue my father. All because he loved me, which was why I piped up at one point and asked if there was possibly another way to save my dad.

I was told no. The plan was set, and everything was final.

It sure was final; the very next day the plan went into motion.

As Erin had mentioned on the car ride back to Harbour Falls, it was imperative that I was seen out and about in town. But not with Adam. That would be way too obvious, arousing suspicion that our return to Harbour Falls was a setup, which it was, of course, but Ruslan didn’t need to know that little fact.

So when I headed over to my father’s house—the stately white-frame structure in which I’d grown up—it was Erin who accompanied me. She was there as a friend but also as protection. I knew somewhere under the smart business pantsuit she was wearing there was a hidden firearm.

I felt safe with Erin, but still, she was only one person. Who knew how many men Ruslan had working for him in Harbour Falls?

“Shouldn’t we have more cover?” I asked Erin as I made an unnecessary turn. I was trying to take the longest route possible to maximize opportunities for me to be seen.

“Look around, Maddy,” Erin replied as she twisted in the passenger seat to face me. “We’re not as alone as you might think.”

“Really?”

I was doubtful until I really began to pay attention to the cars around us. I quickly realized we were being shadowed.

“The car behind us…” I nodded up to the rearview mirror to bring attention to the plain, dark sedan tailing us. “Is that an agent?”

“Yes, Maddy,” Erin assured me. “He’s one of many.”

The extra agents made me feel more secure but also uneasy. It stood to reason that if our people were around—ones I hadn’t even noticed, at first—then Ruslan surely had people tailing us as well.

But that’s what we want
, I reminded myself. The plan was for me to be seen. And then Stowe would wait for Ruslan to (hopefully) make contact.

I’d been informed Ruslan was still under the impression Stowe worked for him. He thought my neighbor was only on the Wickingham Way project as a mole of some sort. How wrong he was.

Anyway, continuing with what I’d been told of the plan…

After contact was initiated, Stowe would confirm to Ruslan that Adam was indeed back in Harbour Falls. And then a trade would be arranged—Adam for my father. Once a location was chosen—by Ruslan—Stowe and Adam would meet up with the crime boss to complete the trade. Unbeknownst to Ruslan, however, Nate would also be with them, and possibly Max.

The deal would never happen. If all went well, my father would be whisked away to someplace safe, and Ruslan would be terminated. I still held out hope that Stowe—or Nate—would be the one to kill the man. I really didn’t want Adam to do it.

Throughout the years following Chelsea’s disappearance, so many people had suspected Adam of playing a role in her untimely departure. Many believed he had murdered his fiancée to end her blackmailing scheme. But Adam did not kill Chelsea or anyone else. And I didn’t want him to start killing people now, even the bad ones.

Damn, I’ll be glad when all this is over
, I thought.
Then Adam and I can get back to each other.

During our time at the cabin, Adam had asked me where I planned to live, permanently. He wanted to know if I ever intended on going back to California…or if I had maybe considered staying on in Maine. I’d actually thought about it a lot, so I was able to give Adam an answer right away. I planned to remain right where I was—in Harbour Falls.

Adam had been elated, especially when I told him I’d already made arrangements with Katie, my best friend and agent, to put my Los Angeles house up for sale. Upon hearing that news, Adam promptly asked me to move in with him on Fade Island. Of course, I had agreed.

There was so much good ahead of us.

I smiled to myself as I counted off all the positive developments. One, I’d finished my novel—the love story inspired by my relationship with Adam—and sent it off to my publisher earlier that morning. And two, with Helena pregnant, I wanted to start planning a baby shower for her. She’d mentioned that the baby was due in early October, so I was thinking of throwing the shower in September. On top of all those positive developments, there were still preparations to be made for Trina and Walker’s upcoming wedding, as well.

Adam’s sister and her fiancé were getting married in May, down in Boston. Adam was to be Walker’s best man, and to my surprise and delight, Trina had asked me to be a bridesmaid.

I must have still been smiling as we reached the driveway of my father’s house. When I pulled in and placed the car in park, Erin asked me what I was thinking about that was making me so happy.

I told her about Adam’s sister’s upcoming nuptials.

“I just hope all of this will be over by then.” I tapped at the steering wheel, worried. “The wedding is only six weeks away. I can’t imagine Adam participating if he’s still a target.” I took a deep breath. “And God forbid if my dad isn’t rescued by then.”

Erin turned in her seat. “Your father will be rescued, Maddy. I promise. The backup team will be in place. If things aren’t going well with the original plan, they’ll swoop in.”

If things aren’t going well with the original plan…
What did that mean exactly?

I was afraid to ask what constituted failure in the eyes of the ruthless, covert branch of government Erin worked for. I cared for all four men—Adam, Nate, Max, and Stowe—to varying degrees. And though Adam’s safety was and always would be my top priority, I would never forgive myself if any of the four didn’t make it out from the rescue attempt unscathed.

That included my father, of course.

I leaned back in my seat and ran my hands down my face. “So, what are we supposed to do here at my dad’s house? Is it good enough if they see us in the driveway, or should we go in?”

“We should probably go in and stay for a few minutes.” Erin appeared thoughtful for a beat, and then she asked, “Is there something you can carry out of the house as we’re coming back out? It will make this stop appear more legitimate if Ruslan is told you really were here to pick something up.”

I considered. “Hmm, I have some clothes from way back. They’re up in my old room. I could put some things in a box and carry it out. Would that work?”

“That’d be perfect, Maddy.” Erin lifted the handle and opened the passenger side door. “Let’s get started.”

As we walked into my childhood home, I asked, “How long should we stay?”

“Not too long. Fifteen, twenty minutes should be good.”

To waste a little time, I showed Erin around the downstairs area, grabbing up an empty cardboard box before we left the kitchen. I led Erin upstairs to my old bedroom, and she stood by the closet, holding the cardboard box I’d grabbed while I tossed a bunch of old, outdated clothes into it.

“If you want any of those midcalf Capri pants, circa 2002, knock yourself out,” I teased when I noticed Erin checking out the things I was throwing into the box.

Erin was much taller than me, so the pants would never fit her. Plus, I didn’t think the always-stylish Agent Lenehan was all that interested in my early 2000s-style garments—clothes I’d worn in high school—but it was fun to kid around some and lighten the mood.

“Uh, beautiful as they are”—Erin coughed—“I think I’ll pass.”

I laughed and said, “Good decision.”

Soon, the box was full. “Do you think it’s been about twenty minutes?” I asked Erin.

“Yeah, we can go now.”

When we reached the top of the stairs, I remembered something. I paused and said to Erin, “Oh, can you wait here a minute.”

I ran to my father’s bedroom and grabbed a small overnight bag. I threw a change of clothes into the bag, for when my father was rescued. I also added a pair of his pajamas and a few toiletries. Adam had informed me my father would be brought to the rental home if the rescue attempt was successful. Dad wouldn’t be returning to this house until round-the-clock protection was in place.

As we left the house, Erin offered to carry the box of clothes I’d gathered while I held onto the bag with my dad’s things.

Suddenly, I had an idea.

“I don’t want to just throw away those old clothes.” I nodded to the box Erin was carrying as we walked to the car. “Do you mind if we drop those off at the Goodwill store on the way back?”

“No, not at all,” Erin replied. “In fact, that gives us another opportunity to make sure you’re seen.”

It was decided, so we made a quick stop at the Goodwill store in town. And it was when I returned to the car—after turning in the box of clothes—that Erin got the call we’d all been waiting for.

“Ruslan made contact,” she told me after she disconnected.

“What does that mean exactly?” I asked as I belted myself in.

“The plan’s in motion, Maddy. Stowe and Adam set up a time to meet with Ruslan.”

My hands shook as I started the ignition. “So, when is this all happening? When are they meeting?”

“Tonight.”

Chapter Nine

“
P
romise me you’ll be careful?” I placed my hands on Adam’s chest. His skin was so warm, the muscles beneath so solid.

It was six in the evening and Adam and I were upstairs in the bedroom of the Harbour Falls rental. Adam, Stowe, Nate, and Max were scheduled to leave to meet with Ruslan in an hour.

Of course, Ruslan expected Adam and Stowe only. And even though the Adam-for-my-father trade was just a cover, to me, this whole plan still felt like Stowe was offering up Adam for a slaughter.

A chill ran down my spine at that horrible thought, and I reminded myself—again and again—that Stowe wasn’t really trading Adam for my father. It was only part of the ruse for the guys to get close enough to Ruslan to kill him. And though I trusted Stowe—to a point—it comforted me to know Nate and Max would also be on hand, albeit in background roles.

Adam covered my hands with his and lowered them to my sides. “Maddy, everything will be fine. Besides the four of us, there will be agents nearby, including Erin. They’ll step in, if needed.”

I wasn’t all that reassured seeing as the trained agents wouldn’t exactly be in the thick of things. Still, I was compelled to ask, “How many agents will be available to you if you need them?”

Adam turned to face the dresser, while I sat down on the edge of the bed.

“I don’t know,” Adam said as he shrugged on a bulletproof vest. “Not too many or it will attract attention.”

I started to protest, but Adam shot me a look in the mirror above the dresser that made me decide not to press the issue. So instead, I watched as Adam buttoned up a dark dress shirt over the bulletproof vest he’d just slipped on.

“Maybe you should stay here,” I threw out.

I was grasping at straws, but it was worth a try.

“There’s not really going to be a trade tonight, right?” I continued when Adam didn’t respond. “Why put yourself in danger?”

Adam’s back was to me, but he glanced up in the mirror again, his eyes meeting mine in the reflection. I smiled tightly, and Adam smiled back. His smile never reached his eyes, though.

“I have to go, Madeleine.” Adam exhaled loudly. “You know I’m still part of the Wickingham Way project, and this is what’s required of me. Besides, I don’t want any fuck-ups when we get your father out of there.”

I nodded, accepting Adam’s words and his decision. I knew better than to ask where specifically my father was being held. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t insanely curious. I guessed a part of me wanted to know so I could potentially follow Adam and the others. In the past, I would have done so in a heartbeat.

But it seemed everyone was on to me these days. All the Wickingham Way players knew I’d been impulsive in the past, and, consequently, no one had divulged much of anything. The most I’d been told was that my dad was being held in an abandoned warehouse somewhere.

The only warehouse area I knew of was over in Harbourtown, the neighboring town to Harbour Falls.

I’d spent my share of time in Harbourtown while investigating the Harbour Falls Mystery. Billy’s, a rundown bar, was located in the heart of the warehouse district, where Chelsea Hannigan, Adam’s ex-fiancée, once hung out on a regular basis. The clues I’d obtained from my visits to Billy’s had led me to the truth of what had happened to Stowe’s sister all those years ago. But I wouldn’t have been able to uncover what turned out to be the most vital clue without the help of Jimmy, a young kid who had bartended at Billy’s back in the fall.

But Jimmy was dead now…kind of, sort of, because of me.

I was sitting, picking at a loose thread on the comforter, sad and lost in thought, when Adam stepped over to me. “Hey, hey,” he said soothingly. He sat down next to me and wiped at a tear I hadn’t even noticed had fallen. “What’s wrong? I can tell these tears are from more than just you worrying about tonight.”

Adam had grown to know me so well, so there was no point in keeping from him all the things that were wearing me down.

“It’s just finally all catching up to me,” I admitted as I wiped away a tear. “I was thinking about Jimmy.”

Adam rolled his eyes, and I clutched his arm. “Adam, I feel responsible in some ways. If I hadn’t involved the poor kid, he’d probably still be alive today.”

Another tear escaped, and Adam swiped it from my cheek. He cupped my chin and urged me to meet his gaze. “Listen, Maddy. You didn’t kill Jimmy, Ami did. You can’t blame yourself for the actions of someone else.”

“But Adam, if I hadn’t—”

He silenced me with his lips. I slanted my head, and our kiss deepened. Suddenly I couldn’t get enough of Adam. Without breaking our kisses, he allowed me to push him back onto the bed. We were both wearing jeans, but I undid mine and tugged them down my legs. After that task was accomplished—albeit awkwardly—I straddled Adam and got to work on his jeans.

“Maddy,” he breathed out raggedly, “we don’t have much time.”

“I know.” Adam lifted his hips, and I slid his jeans down. “We can be quick, yeah?”

I didn’t want to stop, and neither did Adam. I gathered as much when he offered no resistance. Instead, he leaned up and kissed me.

The men involved in tonight’s rescue were to meet at Stowe’s house shortly, but I could think of nothing but the guy beneath me. I needed him, physically. And judging from how hard he was under my hand, it seemed he needed me just as much, and in the same way.

Neither of us bothered to remove any additional clothing. Adam pushed his boxer briefs down just enough so I could settle my body back over his. With a snap, he tore away my silk panties and then shoved me down on him.

I hissed out a breath but welcomed the rough intrusion. I began to move immediately, sliding up and down his swollen length.

“Fuck, Maddy,” he rasped.

Adam had hidden his own frustration and stress better than I had realized. But now he unleashed all of his own pent-up emotions. He flipped me over onto my back, while his fingers dug into my hips, and his teeth latched onto my neck. He thrust into me with fervor. And when he released into me, he was at just the right angle to bring me to climax along with him.

I cried out, mostly in pleasure but also in pain as his teeth sank deeper into the tender skin on my neck. Still, I had no complaints. Times like this, when Adam was raw and feral with me, were often the best. And this encounter was no exception.

Afterward, Adam rolled off of me and adjusted his boxers and jeans. He then wrapped me up in a blanket and kissed me lightly on the lips. “I’m sorry, Maddy.” He leaned back and smoothed hair away from my forehead. “I didn’t mean to be so rough with you again. It seems the past couple of times we’ve been together have been so…”

“Urgent?” I offered.

Adam nodded and began to apologize.

But I stopped him by placing my hand on the side of his cheek. I rubbed at the light stubble. “It’s all good, Adam,” I assured him. “I feel fine. I actually kind of like it when you let go like that. Couldn’t you tell?”

I raised an eyebrow, and Adam suppressed a chuckle. “Yeah, I guess so.” He shook his head. “I just don’t want to ever hurt you somehow.”

“I know, Adam. And I’d stop you if that ever started to happen.”

“Promise?” he asked.

“Cross my heart.”

We sealed our promise with a kiss, but then it was time for Adam to go.

As I heard the front door close, I curled up in the blanket and sent up a prayer that everything would go as smoothly as my relationship with Adam had been going lately.