The Tracker Page 17

  I held his gaze. “Why do you?”

  He choked out a laugh. “God, woman, you’re making me crazy. I should tie you to the bed so you can’t follow me.”

  Heat swept into my cheeks. “You wouldn’t.”

  He chuckled softly. “No, I wouldn’t. Not unless I was staying there with you.”

  My face grew hotter as I imagined all the kinky things he might do to me while I was tied to his bed. I lowered my gaze. “She’s my sister. You can’t be in control of everything all the time. Let me come with you. Let me help. Please.”

  He rubbed a hand over his face. “Fine. But you’re taking a weapon. Do you know how to shoot a gun?”

  My mother had had a small pistol. I’d first found it when I was ten, not long after my father had died. Two men had shown up at the door, telling my mother the sad news. My mother had gotten high that night in her misery, forcing me to take care of Eliza who’d only been a few months old. I’d become a surrogate mother that night, taking over Eliza’s care from that day forward. My mother never recovered from my father’s death. It was as if she forgot she had children after he died. I only had a few memories of my father. But they were all good memories.

  Another man showed up at the door a little later, as I was feeding Eliza a bottle of formula, and after a lot of yelling and crashing noises from my mother’s bedroom, he left, slamming the door behind him. My mother’s sobs urged me to investigate. After putting Eliza to sleep, I tiptoed into my mother’s room.

  “Mom?” My breath caught and my heart raced as I spied her lying on the bed, naked, her face bloody, bruises slowly forming on her pale skin. I cringed, hurrying toward her, tears streaming down my cheeks. I’d held her for hours afterward, until she finally stopped crying and went to sleep.

  I’d found the gun under her pillow then. I’d sat there with that gun in my hands long after she’d fallen asleep, stroking the barrel, running my fingers over the cylinder as I spun it around and around and around, imagining all the evil men I could kill with it.

  “Jess?” Tracker’s voice pulled me out of the memory.

  I drew in a deep breath and focused on his stern face. “Yes, I know how to shoot.”

  I’d practiced with that gun, over and over, day after day. Point. Pull the trigger. Die assholes. I vowed I would kill any man who hurt my mother again. Except the gun wasn’t loaded. My mother couldn’t afford to buy any bullets for it. So my fantasy of murdering all the evil men who abused women never became a reality.

  Later, after my mother died, I went to a gun range and learned how to shoot. I’d gone every day for several weeks, perfecting my aim. I could hit a stationary target dead on. Though it had been a few years since I’d fired a gun, I had no doubt I could still do it.

  Tracker went to the pantry area and removed several guns, stuffing one in his boot and another into a holster he secured to a belt around his waist. He handed me a small black handgun.

  “This should work for you. All you have to do is point and shoot. And yes, it’s loaded.”

  I took the weapon from him, turning it over in my hand, feeling powerful with it in my grip.

  “This is the safety.” He pushed a small lever down. “Now it’s ready to fire. I would recommend leaving the safety on until you’re ready to shoot.”

  I nodded, flipping the safety back in place. No problem.

  I lifted the gun and pointed it at the wall. I imagined all those sick bastards who’d hurt my mother.

  “Bang,” I whispered.

  Tracker slipped his hand over the gun and lowered my arm to my side, his gaze holding mine.

  “You’re not going in there to kill all the men who hurt your mother, Jess. They’re long gone.”

  Heat crept into my cheeks. How did he know I’d been thinking that? I lowered my gaze. “I know.”

  A sad smile pulled at his mouth. “Try to be careful with that gun. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t shoot me with it.”

  I stuffed the small gun into the front of my leggings. “Don’t worry. I’ll only shoot the bad guys.”

  I might not have been able to do anything to the men who’d hurt my mother.

  But I now had the ability to kill those who’d taken my sister.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Jessica

  No sooner had we stepped out into the corridor when Gordon intercepted us, coming across the hall and blocking our path. He was loaded down with weapons, a rifle slung over his shoulder, a gun attached to each hip, and what looked like a fanny pack full of bullets strapped above the guns at his waist.

  “Where the hell are you two off to?”

  “We’re heading out to find another lead on her sister.” Tracker tried to walk around Gordon, but the hulking redhead stepped in front of him.

  “Get the fuck out of our way.” Tracker shoved at Gordon’s chest, but the man barely moved.

  Gordon glowered at Tracker. “Not gonna happen.” He puffed out his massive chest, looking like a red-headed gorilla. “You’re not going alone, motherfucker. I’m coming with you.” Gordon glanced at me. “You sure you want to tag along? You could die out there.”

  I nodded. “I have a gun.” I showed him the small handgun in the front of my pants.

  Gordon chuckled. “Good for you.”

  How had Gordon known we were heading out? Had he somehow felt Tracker’s emotions and figured out what Tracker was doing? Why else would he have all those weapons at the ready?

  Tracker took advantage of Gordon’s distraction and slipped past him, heading down the corridor. “You can come if keep an eye on Jess for me.”

  Gordon wrapped a thick arm around my shoulders and pulled me against his side. He winked. “I kinda like that job. I get to stare at a pretty girl while he does all the hard work.”

  Tracker paused in the corridor and spun back to face us. The way he scowled at Gordon made me think he didn’t like Gordon touching me, even if it was innocent. “Quit groping Jessica and get a move on. I haven’t got all night.” Then he swiveled back around and disappeared down the dark tunnel.

  Gordon guffawed and urged me along beside him, his arm still around my shoulders. “He’s a bit cranky, isn’t he? You must not be sharing his bed yet or he’d be a lot happier.”

  Heat washed into my cheeks.

  Gordon chuckled softly. “You don’t have anything to be afraid of, Jessica. Tracker treats women better than anyone I know.”

  From out of nowhere, my voice rose up, speaking without my approval. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet.”

  Gordon nodded. “Smart girl. You don’t want to jump into something you’re not ready for. Have you thought about what I told you?”

  “Yes,” I whispered, glancing down the tunnel in the direction Tracker had gone, but he’d truly disappeared into the darkness. “I want to be here for him. I want to help him any way I can. I want to be the woman who helps him heal.” My face grew hotter at the admission. Gordon was an easy person to talk to. I could see why Tracker trusted him so much. “But I’m not sure how he feels about me. I know he wants me. He told me he did. But that’s just sexual attraction. What if that’s all he feels for me?”

  Gordon contemplated my words for a long moment as we continued on through the dark tunnel after Tracker. Finally, he gave me a gentle squeeze and released me. “Tracker wouldn’t invite you into his bed if he didn’t feel something for you. He’s not a man-whore like some of the other dregs. I’ve never seen him act the way he does around you. You’re making him soft, Jessica. Making him weak. And from a soldier’s standpoint, that’s bad. It makes him vulnerable when he needs to be strong. But luckily for him, I’m coming along on this mission to help him with that. I’ll try to keep him from being distracted by your presence so he can do his job.” He winked again, making me blush. Then he sobered. “You’re asking if what he feels for you is more than just sexual attraction?” He sighed, rubbed his hand through his beard. “Yeah, he cares for you. It’s messing him up inside.” He lowe
red his voice. “Like I told you earlier, you could hurt him. Hell, you might even be what destroys him.” He cleared his throat, then marched forward into the darkness.

  Gordon’s words left my head spinning as I hurried after him.

  I didn’t want to hurt Tracker. I certainly didn’t want to destroy him. I had never planned on staying after he found Eliza. I had never expected him to ask me to. I was a nuisance, a burden that I was sure he wanted gone.

  How could I destroy a strong man like him?

  Gordon’s words confused me. And filled me with longing. With hope.

  Did Tracker care for me? Was it more than sexual attraction?

  Damn Gordon. His words gave me far too much to think about.

  I needed to come to a decision about one thing.

  Was I going to give in to the attraction that sparked between Tracker and myself whenever we were together?

  Or was I going to ignore it, push it—and him—aside, until I left?

  I didn’t know.

  And that scared me.

  Gordon had said I had Tracker all messed up inside.

  But I was the one who was all messed up inside.

  And it was time I figured it all out.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Tracker

  “You sure you want to go back in there?” Gordon eyed me from the seat of his Harley as we pulled up in front of the building. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

  The same blond sergeant had been stationed at the military barricade just outside of the city when we’d arrived. He’d let us through without question. I think he was afraid of us. I was just glad he wasn’t giving us any trouble. We had enough to deal with without having to worry about the military hunting us as well.

  The dregs had brought my Ducati back to the garage and fixed it up. Luke and Ryan were mechanics and kept everyone’s vehicles operable. They’d repaired my bike so it was rideable again, though it was still scratched and scraped from sliding on its side down the road. Not as pretty as it once was, not that it mattered. It ran.

  Most of the street lights here had been shot out, casting an eerie darkness over the empty parking lot. Jessica had ridden on the back of Gordon’s Harley the entire way. His bike had room for a passenger, while mine didn’t. I’d encouraged her to ride with him—welcomed it, even—not wanting her pressed against my back distracting me the entire way. Not that it helped. She still distracted me the entire way. I thought of her behind Gordon instead, pressing up against him, and that caused jealousy to spear through me. I ignored her now, trying to push her out of my head, looking only at Gordon.

  “Yeah. This is where I got a visual of the girl. In the stairwell. I just need you to help watch for threats while I’m focusing on any leads.”

  Gordon nodded. He knew that when a vision hit me, it took me out of the present for several seconds and made me vulnerable to attack. “Okay, then. Let’s do this.” He turned his bike off and flipped the kickstand down. I did the same. He checked his weapons and I checked mine.

  I glanced over at Jessica as she dismounted and removed her helmet. She ran her fingers through her dark hair before setting her helmet on the seat. God, she was gorgeous. How could she be so unaware of her own beauty? I closed my eyes, trying to block her from my mind. Bringing her here was a bad idea. Last time, she’d almost been kidnapped by a guy high on drugs. This time, something worse might happen to her. But Gordon was here. He would protect her with his life.

  Gordon turned to Jessica. “Stay close to me, girl. My job is to protect you, and I can’t do that if you go running off. Whatever happens in there, you stay with me, got it?”

  She glanced over at me. “What if Tracker needs my help with something?”

  Gordon snapped his fingers in front of her face, and she flushed, pulling her gaze back to his. “Tracker can take care of himself. If you get hurt, it’ll be my ass he kicks. Now get your gun out and be ready. You might have to use it. And please, don’t shoot one of us.”

  She let out a soft huff and yanked the gun from the front of her leggings. “I’m not that stupid. I’ll only shoot at the bad guys.”

  Gordon chuckled, then snatched up her small hand in his giant grasp. “Let’s go.”

  I led the way forward. Reaching the entrance, I paused, and glanced back at Gordon. “I’m trusting you with her safety. Please don’t let me down.”

  Gordon snagged Jessica’s waist and drew her close to his side. “I’ll take care of her like she was my own woman.”

  Jessica blushed, her gaze darting to mine. It was obvious Gordon was making her uncomfortable, but she’d wanted to come along, so she would just have to deal with it.

  I turned back to the task at hand. Emptying my mind of all thoughts, I went into “mission mode”. Gently pulling open the door, I cautiously entered the building, glancing around, my senses attuned to the smallest sound, the slightest movement. Gordon and Jessica followed me, their guns at the ready. The lower section of the stairwell was empty this time, the transients having moved on. But the higher we climbed, the more people we encountered. Most moved aside to let us pass, recognizing that we were dangerous. A few questioned us, but they were ignored, and they stepped back as we trudged upward.

  Trusting Gordon to keep Jessica safe, I focused hard on trying to get a vision of Eliza. If I could get a read of the girl, then I might be able to pinpoint her current location.

  I paused at each floor to center myself and see if I could see Eliza. But nothing came to me.

  Fourth floor.

  Fifth.

  Sixth.

  We were getting too close to Gunner’s lair. We needed to tread carefully now. More people were on the stairs, but no one I considered a threat. Most of these people were harmless. They stepped aside to let us pass, some watching us curiously, others hurrying away in fear.

  I paused on the sixth floor landing and closed my eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of something.

  And then a vision slammed into me.

  Eliza.

  She was gagged, her hands tied behind her back, sitting with several other girls who were obviously prisoners. I dove deeper into the vision, trying to pinpoint her location. Someone was speaking rapidly in Spanish. A man. Shouting at the girls and pointing his finger at them.

  “Tracker, on your left!”

  A gunshot rang out.

  I ducked to the right as the vision slipped away. I blinked, coming back to my surroundings.

  A man fell down the stairwell toward me, a hole in his chest. I glanced back at Gordon, who slowly lowered his gun.

  “Thanks, man.”

  He jerked his head in a nod. Then he raised his gun and fired twice more as more men came down the stairs. I pushed myself backward, sliding down the stairs on my ass toward him and Jessica, firing at the men who swarmed down the stairwell after us. Gordon snatched Jessica up into his free arm and stumbled back, losing his balance on his prosthetic leg as he tripped backward. I dropped the gun in my lap and latched onto the handrail with one hand, reaching out with the other hand, and grabbed his forearm, keeping him from falling. We all teetered on the stairs for a few seconds before he steadied himself and Jessica, then grunted a “thanks”.

  Then more armed men came up the stairs from below, and more spilled down the stairs from above. I snatched my gun back up, my finger on the trigger.

  Fuck. We were surrounded.

  Gordon and I stood together halfway between the fifth and sixth floors, with Jessica in between us. We exchanged a long glance. A dreg’s connection with his partner went deep. Each dreg shared his partner’s experiences to some extent, both good and bad. The physical. The emotional. The spiritual. Gordon experienced a lot of what I went through, though to a lesser degree, and I experienced his pain in some way or another. It was an unusual connection, something I doubted I would ever experience with anyone else once Gordon was gone. Would this be the last time I saw my best friend?

  We’d survived worse odds before. But w
e’d never had a woman to protect while doing so. Gordon gave a slight, barely perceptible nod. He would take care of Jessica.

  The men surrounded us, at least twenty or thirty of them, pointing their guns in our faces. We kept our guns pointed at them in turn, not wavering for a second.

  And a standoff began.

  No one moved.

  If it had just been Gordon and me, we could have attempted to fight them off and kill as many as we could in the process. But Jess was here. I couldn’t risk her life like that. Gordon and I exchanged another glance. We would play this by ear and see what happened. Though we’d been trained in the art of violence, we only used it if we needed to. Sometimes negotiation worked better than killing. I should have asked the other dregs to keep Jessica locked up until we got back. If something happened to her, it would be my fault for letting her come along.

  A laugh floated down the stairs from above. “Come, Mr. Tracker! Gunner’s been expecting you.” A large black man carrying an illegal assault rifle came down the stairs. He motioned us forward with the gun. The other men parted to let him pass, never taking their guns off us.

  I hesitated. Should we see what Gunner wanted? He might have information on Eliza’s whereabouts. The vision hadn’t told me where she was right now. I nodded at Gordon and we slowly moved up the stairs, never lowering our guns. Up we climbed. Seventh floor, with guns angled at us from all sides.

  Eighth floor.

  This was Gunner’s lair. The eighth floor. The black man led us forward and paused outside of the main suite. He went inside and closed the door. We waited, tense, guns never wavering, while the armed guards kept us in their sights. In a shootout, we would probably lose. But we’d sure kick some serious ass before we went down.

  The door to the suite jerked opened and the man who’d entered motioned me forward. “Just you.”

  Gordon tensed beside me. Being separated from my partner was not ideal, especially in a dangerous situation such as this. I couldn’t leave Gordon and Jessica out here with these bastards. Not happening. I shook my head.

  “They come with me.”