Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

C orbin positioned himself off to the side of the stage, near the front of the ballroom. It was hard to concentrate on keeping Delaney safe when she was so dang intoxicating—fire and dynamite. Her voice had a rich, full sound with a hint of the huskiness he found so alluring. The lyrics flowed out of her effortlessly as she leaned into the microphone stand to sing. It wasn’t just that she had an incredible voice, but also a compelling presence that captured the attention of everyone present. She was gorgeous, her long blonde hair shimmering against the lights. Her outfit accentuated her curves as she swayed to the music. Every time she leaned her head back, he caught a glimpse of her dangling earrings. He let his gaze linger on her shapely legs and fire-engine red, cowboy boots. Finally, he pulled his eyes away from her and back to the crowd. No wonder Delaney was on the cusp of stardom. No one could resist her.

His eyes moved over the guests, mostly high-class, smooth-talking politician types with beautiful women adorning their arms like trophies. Senator Fleming and his wife were seated in the center of the front row. Corbin recognized at least two security personnel sitting nearby, dressed in tuxedos to blend in with the guests.

At least, most everyone was seated. It made it easier to keep track of people. A wait staff dressed in black and white uniforms threaded through the rows, serving drinks and appetizers. Delaney would perform for thirty minutes, then end with Happy Birthday , at which time an enormous cake lit with sparklers would be wheeled out.

Corbin spotted Milo, Delaney’s manager, three rows back. Milo caught his gaze and offered a slight nod. The man was understandably tense. They’d spoken earlier outside Delaney’s door. Milo expressed his appreciation and relief that Sutton had agreed to represent Delaney. Then he questioned if Corbin could really keep Delaney safe here tonight. Corbin had answered honestly that he’d do his best, but couldn’t guarantee anything. There were too many aspects beyond his control. Then again, no matter how thoroughly you planned for a situation or how skilled you were, things could always go wrong. He knew that better than anyone.

No group was more prepared than SEAL Team 7 to go into that Filipino village to rescue the diplomat and his family. And yet, they didn’t count on one of their informants betraying them. By the time they realized it was an ambush, it was too late. And Doug was killed.

Goosebumps prickled over Corbin’s skin. Would that happen here? Would Hugh Allen get to Delaney? He squared his jaw, pushing aside the fears, knowing they weren’t helping. The only way he could keep Delaney safe was to remain vigilant. He scoped the crowd with a practiced eye, glancing across the room at Anton, who was doing the same. Corbin picked out the security team, sitting in strategic locations around the room. Security had checked the I.D.s of every guest in attendance. Everything should be fine.

And yet, it didn’t feel fine. The air reeked of impending doom. Something was about to happen. Corbin could feel it.

Funny that with all these people here Delaney would be so tuned in to Corbin. His jaw was stone, his eyes perpetually scanning the crowd. He exuded such a magnetic energy that she was surprised all eyes in the room weren’t drawn to him instead of her. No wonder she’d noticed him last night at the party. He was a walking poster in jeans, a white-collar shirt, and dark gray sports coat. Corbin Spencer was the kind of guy who could step on heads and make things happen. She could tell he took his job seriously and felt safer with him here. She jerked when she fumbled slightly over the last few lines of her song. Time to shift her focus from Corbin to the performance.

She flashed a bright smile taking hold of the microphone. “How y’all doing tonight, folks?” she boomed.

The crowd roared in response. Normally, she felt invigorated when she was performing, plugged into the energy of the crowd. But tonight, she was too tense to completely lose herself.

Keep the energy going , Delaney . “This next one’s a favorite. It’s called Blue Skies and Rolling Hills , written about my home state Alabama, the beautiful.” Applause sounded throughout the room. She reached for her guitar leaning close by, then placed the strap over her shoulder. She’d done a few fast songs. This was slower, allowing her a chance to catch her breath. After this, she’d do one more fast song, then sing Happy Birthday . It was almost over. She just had to soldier on to the finish line.

The song about Alabama evoked a twinge of nostalgia, reminding Corbin of the fondness he felt for Colorado. Especially Birchwood Springs where he’d grown up. He thought of his grandfather Wallace, the most stubborn man on the planet. His heart clutched as he thought of his beloved grandmother Lou Ella who was in a care center being treated for Alzheimer’s. She’d been more of a mother than grandmother to Corbin, and it tore him up inside that she didn’t recognize anyone, didn’t even know her own identity. She was a prisoner inside her own mind.

His thoughts went to his sister Adelaide, or Addie. Two years younger, Addie was feisty, outspoken and mad as a trapped wasp that he’d left Birchwood Springs. Addie somewhat forgave him for joining the Navy. But when he left again, only a few weeks after retiring from the SEALs, Addie went on a rampage, accusing him of deserting the family and leaving her holding the bag to look after their grandparents. Addie was right. He should’ve stayed, but he couldn’t stand being back there—not with Gram in a care center and his conscience railing about all the things he should’ve done differently. He had to get away, lose himself in the commotion of a bigger city. Unfortunately, there was no place far enough or big enough to escape from himself.

Working for Sutton gave him a new lease on life. And the fact that he was intensely attracted to Delaney added another layer. Whether that layer was good or bad he didn’t know. At any rate, Corbin had a second chance to prove he wasn’t a total screw-up, and he was going to do his best to step up to the task.

He looked at Anton whose eyes were fixed on a female server a few rows back. Something about the woman was off. What was it? He took an assessment. She seemed tense like she was about to spring into action. An older man waved to get the server’s attention, but she ignored him, keeping her gaze trained on Delaney. Anton must’ve noticed it too, which is why he was watching her so intently

Alarm bells trilled through Corbin. He turned his head and spoke into the tiny microphone on his coat collar, which patched him into the network of security guards. “Female server in the center, three rows back,” was all he had time to say before the woman tossed aside the tray to reveal a gun.

Corbin acted reflexively, drawing his pistol and firing. Before joining the SEALs, Corbin had been a good marksman, but with the added training, he rarely missed. The bullet hit the woman square in the chest. The force jerked her back as she let out a strangled cry, her hand going to her chest, a circle of blood spilling out from the wound. It raced through Corbin’s mind that the woman had gotten off a shot before she went down. He looked at the stage, relieved to see that Delaney was okay. Murmurs rustled through the group as people scattered like frightened sheep. The senator’s security detail surrounded him and his wife, huddling them out of the room.

Corbin heard another shot. Delaney went to the floor. His heart dropped. Had she been shot or was she taking cover? This shot was fired from a male server in the back. Before the man could shoot again, Anton fired, but missed. Another security guard shot, dropping the man to his knees. Amidst the chaos of the frantic guests, several members of Sutton’s security team moved in to apprehend the shooters. Corbin pushed his way to the stage, his only thought to get to Delaney.

It took him less than a minute to reach her, but it felt like an eternity. He was relieved that she hadn’t been hit. He helped her up, and pushed her behind him, using his body as a shield. “We’ll exit through the back,” he said gruffly. “Stay back,” he ordered the band members. They looked puzzled that Corbin was treating them with suspicion, but nodded, stepping back.

When they got off the stage, he took her hand. “Let’s go.” They ran for the back exit where the SUV was parked. All the while, Corbin looked around them, ready to fire should anyone attack.

They’d gone through the plan beforehand. In the event of an incident, Corbin would get to Delaney and they would go out through the kitchen while Anton got the SUV. There were a handful of female servers in the kitchen. When they realized Corbin had a gun, they held up their hands and backed away, faces chalky. “Over there,” Corbin ordered, using the gun to motion to the corner. These women didn’t look threatening, but he couldn’t be sure they weren’t in collusion with the other servers. “Keep your hands up,” he barked.

When they reached the back door, Delaney was about to push it open and run through, but Corbin caught her collar, pulling her back. “Not yet.” For all they knew, the shooters could’ve been a distraction to send them fleeing out the back into an ambush.

“Do you think Hugh’s out there?” The naked fear in her deep brown eyes ignited a fury in Corbin that burned acid through his veins. Everything in him wanted to come face-to-face with Hugh Allen so he could pummel the monster, then bury him. He sucked in a breath, trying to control the anger. He didn’t want to lose his head and have a repeat of what happened the night Doug was killed. He had to remain cool, alert. He eased open the door and peered out, noting two things simultaneously. The rain had stopped and the SUV was parked just outside.

“Anton, are you there?” He held his breath, waiting for a response, his mind going through alternate options. Senator Fleming and his wife had been taken to his study, at least that had been the plan. If all else failed, he could take Delaney there until more help arrived.

“I’m here,” Anton said.

Relief washed over him. They just had to make it to the SUV, a few steps away. “I’ve got Delaney. Is the coast clear?”

“Yeah, man, from what I can tell.”

“Are you sure? You’ve got to be right about this. Look around the area. Is there anyone out there?”

“I don’t see anybody. It’s clear.”

Corbin wished again for his former SEAL team members. If they assured him the coast was clear, he could bank on it. “Okay.” He’d go with Anton’s assessment and pray it was correct. He locked gazes with Delaney whose face was rigid. “You all right?”

She nodded, her lips vanishing into a thin line. His heart bled a little when he saw her clenched fists. She was petrified, but she was a fighter.

“The SUV’s right outside. Anton’s waiting for us. I’ll cover you. Just stay next to me. Be careful though. I’m sure the pavement’s slick.”

They made it only a couple of steps before a bullet whizzed by Corbin’s right ear. “Get down,” he yelled, pushing Delaney to the ground. The shot had been fired from across the yard. He crouched down beside Delaney, then saw the shooter partially hidden behind a tree. He aimed and fired a single shot. “Gotcha,” he muttered as the man went down. He looked around. There were more of them out there. He spotted one at two o’clock. Another at four o’clock. He fired. Shots came from behind them. He glanced back over his shoulder. Sutton’s security guards were returning fire. They had to move now while the snipers were distracted. “Let’s go!” They sprinted to the SUV. Corbin yanked open the door and pushed Delaney forward, diving in behind her. “Go!” he yelled as Anton stepped on the gas. The tires squealed, bullets pinging the windows, as they drove off. Corbin had never been so grateful for bullet-proof glass. He made a mental note to thank Sutton for the SUV.

He turned to Delaney. “You okay?”

She nodded, a stricken expression on her face, as she looked down at her wet clothes. He suspected from the glazed look in her eyes and her shaking hands that she was in shock, but thankfully, she hadn’t been shot. He leaned forward, his head going between the seats as he glared at Anton. “I thought you said the coast was clear.”

Anton shook his head. “Sorry, man. I thought it was. I had no idea those guys were out there.”

Corbin clenched his jaw. “The next time you tell me it’s clear, you’d better know it.” Had Anton not been driving, he would’ve finished the brawl they started earlier. And this time, there wouldn’t be any security detail to stop him from pounding Anton’s head. He gave Anton a long, hard look to let the man know he had his number before sitting back down in the seat.

“Where to, Miss Mitchell? Back to your place?” Anton asked, keeping his eyes on Delaney, not daring to look at Corbin.

Delaney turned to Corbin. “Is it safe?” The words came out screechy, tears gathering in her eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she muttered, shaking her head and wringing her hands.

Corbin touched her ice-cold hands. “It’ll be okay. Look at me,” he commanded.

She let out a soft whimper.

“Look at me!”

She turned toward him.

“I’ll keep you safe. You have my word.”

She searched his face, and even in the near darkness, he could tell she was trying to decide if she could trust him. Finally, she nodded, her shoulders relaxing a fraction.

Anton glanced back at them. “Miss Mitchell, I took the liberty of calling my company. They have a team of bodyguards waiting for us at your condo.”

“Thank you, Anton,” Delaney said, her voice strained.

“I hope that was okay,” Anton continued. “I figured it couldn’t hurt to be safe.”

Corbin’s senses jumped to full alert. When had Anton had time to call his company? There had been scarcely enough time for the man to get out of the mansion to the SUV. Corbin’s mind raced through the events of the evening. He’d noticed the server because Anton was watching her. He assumed it was because the woman looked suspicious, but what if it was because Anton was waiting for her to act? Anton told him the coast was clear when there were shooters all over the place. The man had to have noticed something. Had Sutton’s security team not come through the back and started shooting, Corbin and Delaney would’ve been goners.

Delaney’s stylist had described the delivery man as muscular with a line tattoo on his wrist. Corbin leaned forward, trying to see, but Anton’s wrists were facing the steering wheel. He turned to Delaney and whispered. “How far are we from your condo?” She was about to speak when he put a finger to her lips. “Quietly,” he hissed.

She looked puzzled. “About five minutes,” she said softly.

His eyes locked with hers. “Do you trust me?”

Concern washed over her as she started blinking. “W—Why? What’s happening?”

“No time to explain,” he muttered. He whipped out his Glock and pointed it at Anton’s head. “Pull over.”

Anton’s eyes bulged. “Are you crazy, man? I’m on your side.” He jerked the wheel, causing them to swerve to the right before he regained control of the SUV.

Delaney gasped, looking at Corbin like he’d lost his mind. “What’re you doing?”

“I said pull over!” he repeated, his voice cracking like thunder. He rammed the barrel of the pistol into the back of Anton’s head. “I won’t ask again.”

“All right,” Anton blustered. “Miss Mitchell, this guy’s crazy.”

“You’d better have a good explanation for this,” Delaney said through narrowed eyes.

“Turn off the engine,” Corbin said when the SUV came to a stop. “Now!”

Anton complied.

“Hands off the wheel.”

Anton turned to look at Delaney. “Miss Mitchell, this is ludicrous.”

“Turn on the overhead light.”

“I knew you were crazy at the bar. I should’ve busted your pretty face when I had the chance.” Anton flipped on the light, his eyes narrowing to black slits.

“Now roll up your sleeves and turn your hands over, palms facing up.”

Anton barked out an incredulous laugh. “You’re losing it, man.”

It was at that moment that understanding registered on Delaney’s face. She squared her jaw. “Do as he says.”

“Not you too. Fine, palms up. Want me to play patty cake next?” Anton sneered.

“The tattoo that Gina saw. On the deliveryman that gave her the rose,” Delaney exclaimed at the same time Corbin saw the tattoo, realizing it was an arrow.

Anton reached for his gun, but Corbin was faster. He jammed the pistol into Anton’s head. His voice was controlled, deadly. “Slowly, remove the gun from your holster. No sudden moves. I really don’t want to have to splatter your brains in front of the lady,” he said morosely. “Drop it on the seat,” he ordered when Anton held up the gun. He glanced at Delaney. “Get the gun. Do it!” he yelled when she hesitated. She leaned over the seat and grabbed it, then dropped it on the seat beside them like it was a hot coal.

“Now the cell phone.” He grabbed it from Anton’s hand and placed it on the seat beside him. “How much did Hugh pay you to become a traitor?” Corbin asked, disgust churning in his gut. Hugh had been able to get to Delaney’s closest point of contact. No one could be trusted.

“A lot more than your lady back there.” Anton rumbled out a laugh, his voice going vicious. “This world ain’t a big enough place for you to hide. He’ll find you. You too, pretty boy.”

Corbin swore when Delaney sucked in a ragged breath. Stress was taking its toll. Her breathing was shallow and labored, and he feared she might start hyperventilating. Time was ticking away. For all they knew Hugh and his goons could be closing in any minute.

He pointed the gun at Anton’s head. “Drive us to Sutton’s mansion. Any funny movements and you die!”