Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

P ieces started falling like dominos when Corbin and Delaney got back to the cabin. Addie came in behind them, demanding to know why Corbin hadn’t told her Delaney’s real identity. Tears rose in Addie’s eyes when Delaney told her all that was happening. She looked at Corbin, fear streaking her expression as she asked. “What’re we going to do?”

A second later, Corbin’s secure phone buzzed. It was Sutton saying that he’d seen the video of Delaney online. Then he dropped a whammy—a shootout had taken place when his guys tried to capture Hugh. Three of Sutton’s guys had been killed, along with the woman posing as Delaney. Hugh had killed her himself, after he found out she wasn’t Delaney. Hugh had lost half a dozen men, but probably didn’t give it a second thought. Sutton was sure Hugh was on his way to Colorado.

Corbin’s gut churned. Pops was a fool. He’d put them all in danger. Sutton was sending a team of guys in a private plane, due to arrive in less than three hours. While that was great, Corbin knew he couldn’t trust Delaney’s, and now his family’s, fate to a group of strangers. There was only one thing he could do. It would require him to eat humble pie, but that was okay. He’d do whatever was necessary.

He punched in a familiar number. Please answer , he prayed.

“Hello.”

“Zane, hey, it’s Corbin.”

A pause came over the line.

Corbin tightened his hold on the phone. “You still there?”

“Yeah, just surprised to hear from you.”

He swallowed. “I’ve got a situation here. I’m gonna need your help and the help of SEAL Team 7.”

Zane grunted in surprise. “It must be serious if you’re calling.”

“It’s a matter of life and death.”

Another pause and then, “All right. I’m listening.”

In the matter of a few hours, the cabin was swarming with Sutton’s security guys. Delaney could sense the nervousness of the group, oozing like toxins into the air. Corbin told her about the shootings in Northern Cal, how Hugh had killed her double out of spite. Alarm trickled down her spine, sending chills racing over her body. Her throat constricted, making it hard to get a good breath. She put a hand over her chest, willing herself to calm down as she stared at the mindless comedy show blaring on the TV.

Cannon, a former SEAL from Corbin’s team, sat down beside her, a friendly smile on his face. “How ya doing?”

“All right,” she said, hugging her arms.

There was a hint of faint laughter in his eyes. “That good, huh?”

“Well, as good as a sitting duck can be,” she quipped. Why had she listened to Wallace? She was going to die. They all were. Panic sliced through her as she looked at Corbin. He was sitting at the kitchen table, intently talking to Blayze and Zane, two other former members of his SEAL team. Delaney could sense tension between the group and Corbin, knew it was because of what happened in the Philippines. But she could tell Corbin was grateful to have them here.

“It’ll be all right,” Cannon assured her. “I’ve been given the personal task of looking after you, and I can assure you, no one will get past me or my weapons.”

A laugh gurgled in her throat. Earlier, the former SEAL Team members were teasing Cannon about the arsenal of weapons he carried on his person.

He glanced at the table. “Corbin’s been through a lot … losing his best friend … and everything else that happened.”

“I know.”

His eyebrow arched as he turned to her. “How much do you know?”

“All of it. Doug … the little girl … how Corbin disobeyed orders.”

He let out a low whistle, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Wow. Corbin told you all of that?”

She nodded, wondering if she should’ve told him.

“He must really care about you a lot,” he mused.

“Yes,” she admitted. “And I about him.” She paused, wondering if she should say more. The words tumbled from her mouth, almost of their own accord. “For the record, Corbin regrets what happened. And he really appreciates y’all coming to help.”

“I’m glad we could be here. River would’ve come too, but he’s on another assignment from Sutton.”

“Regardless of how this ends, I want you to know how much I appreciate y’all coming and supporting us.” Her voice cracked. “It means a lot.”

He offered a reassuring smile. “The Lord is on our side.”

Her heart lightened a little. “Yes, I believe that too.”

Corbin looked out the window. The first light of dawn was splashing across the hazy sky. Thirty minutes ago, he’d received word from one of Sutton’s men that Hugh and his goons had arrived in town. From what they could tell, there were seven of them, including Hugh.

The plan was for Sutton’s men to stay on the perimeter of the property and keep watch for Hugh and his men to arrive. Blayze and Addie would go to the care center and watch over Gram while Zane went to Pops’ cabin and looked after him. Corbin and Cannon would stay here with Delaney. Sutton’s security team would allow Hugh’s guys to break the perimeter. As soon as Hugh approached this cabin, Zane and Pops would follow behind them, pinning them in.

Despite the bad blood between them, Corbin was intensely grateful that his former SEAL Team came so quickly to help, proving that no matter what happened in the past they’d always be brothers in the end. Sutton had provided them with bullet-proof vests, radios, and enough artillery to start World War III.

Corbin did a check. “Blayze, how ya doing?”

“All clear here.”

“Thor? How about you?”

“Everything’s good here.” Zane laughed. “Wallace is telling me about the grizzly bear.”

“That dumb story’s what got us into this mess,” Corbin grumbled. “Take everything the old man says with a grain of salt.”

“I’ll be sure and tell him you said that,” Zane teased.

Corbin groaned loudly.

“The man’s tough, a real-life Jack Reacher,” Zane said, a touch of admiration in his voice.

“Yeah, Pops is tough,” Corbin admitted, “but not invincible, contrary to what he believes.”

“I hear ya,” Zane chortled. “Same goes for all of us, brother.”

“Amen.” Corbin smiled at the reference. Things were still tense between him and Zane. After all, Zane was the CO of their rescue mission in the Philippines and took it as a personal insult that Corbin defied his orders. But the fact that Zane had rushed to help and brought in the troops, spoke volumes. Corbin vowed then and there that he’d return the favor anytime it was needed.

The radio crackled. He was about to check in on Sutton’s guys when he heard shots, followed by shouts. “We’re under attack,” a man screamed.

“And so it begins,” Corbin said under his breath. He looked at Cannon who tightened his hold on his assault rifle.

Delaney’s face drained. She was sitting on the floor in front of the couch. Down low and away from the windows. “What’s happening?” she demanded

“Hugh’s here,” Corbin said. “His men broke through the perimeter, as planned. Sutton’s guys know what to do to make it look real.”

She nodded, biting her lower lip.

A series of loud pops sounded through the radio. He heard shattering glass, and explosions bigger than rifles and pistols could make, causing his blood to run cold.

“Take cover!” Zane yelled.

Grenades? Flash bangs? Rocket launchers?

Corbin’s heart dropped. Had they underestimated their opponent? “Zane? Are you there? Zane!” he yelled.

Silence.

Corbin clutched his rifle, willing himself to remain calm. Zane was more than capable of handling himself in any situation. He had to hold onto the hope that he and Pops would be okay.

The next five minutes rolled by excruciatingly slow. Relief pelted through him when he heard Zane’s voice. “Corbin?”

“You okay?” Corbin yelled into the radio.

“We have a situation,” Zane said, his voice tight and controlled.

“Okay.” Wariness trickled over Corbin as he glanced at Cannon who also looked concerned.

“Send Delores out if you want your buddy and your grandpa to live,” a scratchy voice hissed into the radio.

Delaney let out a cry. “Oh, no.” Her hands went to her mouth.

Corbin inched to the window and looked out. A cold sweat broke across his forehead when he saw Zane and Pops standing with their hands up, guns pointed at their backs.

Delaney jumped to her feet, tears welling in her eyes. “I have to go out there,” she cried. “He’ll kill your friend and Wallace without blinking an eye.” A sob wrenched her throat as she wrung her hands. “I was a fool to bring Hugh here.”

An image of Doug flashed through Corbin’s mind, his lifeless stare, eyes like glass. Then he saw the little girl, heard the mother’s shrieks. His throat thickened as he swallowed hard. Corbin sucked in a breath, trying to clear his head. Panic was knocking at the door, and he knew it wouldn’t take much for that panic to turn to rage. He locked eyes with Delaney, a feeling of intense love rushing over him. He had to keep her safe, at all costs. If anyone’s going into danger today, it’s me.

Corbin looked out the window to assess the situation. Hugh was standing to the right of Zane, a brazen expression on his face. He was holding the radio in his left hand, a pistol in the right. Two tangos were behind Zane and Pops, pointing guns at their backs. There were two other tangos, one on each side of the gunmen holding Zane and Pops. Five men in all. Had one of Hugh’s men been shot? Or was he still lurking around somewhere? What happened to Sutton’s men? They should be closing in.

Even as the thought entered his mind, he saw movement behind a tree, realized Sutton’s men were here. There were ten of them in all. “Did you see that, Big Gun?” he asked Cannon who was at the other window.

“Yep. Two of Sutton’s guys at two o’clock. Another at nine o’clock.” Cannon looked at him. “I’m sure the rest are close by. How do you wanna play this?”

“Like we planned in the event of a worst-case scenario.” Corbin would go out with his hands up and talk to Hugh. He would walk into the line of fire in an attempt to save those he loved, just as Doug had done. At the word scumbag , Cannon and Sutton’s men would start firing. Corbin could only hope Zane and Pops didn’t get killed in the crossfire. He offered up a silent prayer for their safety. An ironic laugh bubbled in his throat. How many times had he wished to relive the Philippines debacle? Not like this , his mind screamed. Not like this!

He put down the assault rifle. He had a Glock tucked into the back of his jeans. Another small pistol at his ankle. “You know what to do,” he said to Cannon. “Keep her safe.”

“Heart of a warrior,” Cannon said with a nod.

Delaney’s face caved as she rushed into Corbin’s arms. “Don’t go out there. He’ll kill you.”

“I’ll be all right.” He hoped that was the case. But more than anything he had to keep Pops and Zane safe.

“Time’s running out!” Hugh yelled. “Ten … nine … eight …”

Corbin cupped her face. “I have to.” He had to get out there fast.

“I love you,” she uttered.

“I love you too.” He pressed his lips to hers.

Hugh’s voice rattled through the radio. “Seven … three … one.” A shot cracked through the air.

Corbin and Delaney both jumped.

A raucous laugh scratched through the radio. Then he swore. “Guess we don’t know how to count in Alabama.”

Nausea swept over Corbin. He looked at Delaney’s stricken expression. Without another word, he stepped through the front door. His heart ripped in two when he saw Pops on the ground. His hand was over his shoulder, blood pooling out.

Fury twisted through Corbin, and instinct made him want to pull out his Glock and start shooting. Then he looked at Zane.

He gave Corbin an imperceptible nod that said, You’ve got this.

It was amazing how much confidence that single look gave Corbin. He held up his hands walking out slowly.

“That’s far enough,” Hugh said when he got to the bottom of the steps. His cold eyes raked over Corbin. “So you’re the one who’s been hiding Delores?” His voice was friendly, conversational, a parody of Delaney’s more refined Southern accent. “Delores always did like the pretty types. My brother was a pretty boy.” A macabre smile twisted over his face. “Better send her out. Or this will end badly.”

Corbin glanced at Pops. His face was pale as sand, but he seemed to be hanging in there.

“The Bible says an eye for an eye,” Hugh said, a casual lilt in his voice. “Delores has to pay for what she done to my brother.”

“What about turning the other cheek?” Corbin demanded, locking eyes with the monster. “Your brother broke into Delaney’s house, tried to rape her. He deserved to get shot … deserved to die.”

Hatred flashed in Hugh’s eyes, the apathetic mask falling away. “She beguiled my brother!” he screamed.

“Your brother was a wife beater. And you stood back and let it happen.”

“Shut up!” Hugh screamed, firing a shot at the ground, a mere foot from where Corbin was standing.

Corbin jumped, his heart going into his throat.

“I said bring her out.” Hugh pointed his gun at Pops’ chest. “Or the old man gets it!”

Delaney looked at Cannon who was standing by the window, his body tensed as he waited for the code word. She had to act now while he was preoccupied. Her childhood flashed through her mind. The persistent rumble of her hungry stomach, the filthiness of the trailer, her mother’s empty promises that she’d change. Hugh had used the drugs as a means of control, giving her mother a little more each time, until she was totally at his mercy.

It had been a frigid day in February when her mother was buried. In her mind’s eye, Delaney felt the swirl of the sleet around her, matching the coldness of her heart. Delaney stood over her mother’s coffin and watched it being lowered into the ground. Everything within her wanted vengeance on the man that brought her mother to this point. But she’d been helpless then.

Today, however, there was something she could do. No longer would she stand by and watch Hugh kill the people she loved. A surge of energy spiked through her as she sprang into action. “I’m right here, you scumbag,” she yelled, rushing out the door.

“Scumbag!” Corbin yelled at the same time Delaney came through the door. Time seemed to slow as he pulled his gun and shot Hugh straight through the heart. His eyes widened in surprise as he went to his knees then fell facedown into the snow. Cannon must’ve gotten the tango holding a gun on Zane. He fell back. A bullet whizzed past Corbin’s right ear as he aimed and took out the tango next to Pops. Zane went down and grabbed the guy’s gun that Cannon had shot. At the same time, Sutton’s men fired from behind.

It was all over in a matter of seconds. Corbin’s first thought was for Delaney. He turned, overjoyed to see her standing, unscathed. A sob wrenched her throat. He looked at Pops, relieved he was okay. Zane was helping Pops to his feet. He, too, was okay.

It was a miracle that they were all alive!

Two of Hugh’s men were killed and the other three were being handcuffed by Sutton’s men. Delaney stumbled down the steps where she fell into his arms. Cannon came out behind her. “Sorry, I didn’t realize she’d gone out until it was too late.”

“No worries, my friend. She may be little, but she’s stubborn.” Corbin pulled her close, rubbing her back. “I’m glad you’re okay … and that it’s over.”

Delaney pulled away and looked at Hugh’s lifeless body, a shudder running through her. “Is he dead?”

“Yes, he’s dead.”

Her shoulders sagged in relief, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’m glad it’s over.”

Corbin looked over as the man next door came outside, a suspicious look on his face. “What’s going on here?” he demanded. A look of horror came over him when he saw the dead bodies.

“Nothing you need to be worried about, Gus,” Pops said, leaning on Zane for support. “Go back inside.”

Gus rushed back in and slammed the door behind him.

“We need to get Wallace to the hospital,” Zane said, “before he loses any more blood.”

Corbin nodded, noticing that Zane was putting pressure on the wound to stay the bleeding. He left Delaney’s side and went to Pops, patting his arm. “You’re gonna be okay,” he said, his voice hitching. He didn’t want to even contemplate how close he came to losing Pops.

“I’ll be all right,” Pops said with a wry smile. “Told you the only way to put an end to this was to lure out that old grizzly bear,” he quipped.

Corbin laughed in surprise. “Well, your spirits are certainly fine. You’re a stubborn old man. I’ll never hear the end of this one.”

Pops cocked his ear. “How’s that?”

“You were right.” Corbin rolled his eyes. “But don’t let it go to your head.”

“Just call him Jack Reacher,” Zane said with a laugh. Then he grew serious, his eyes locking with Corbin’s. “I’m not gonna lie. You had me worried there for a minute.” He paused. “But you did good. Doug would be proud. Once a frog man, always a frog man.”

Emotion balled in Corbin’s throat as he swallowed. “Thanks,” he said gruffly.

The radio crackled. Cannon walked over and picked it up. “Yep … glad to hear it … we’re all good here... That was Blayze,” he said a few seconds later. “Your grandmother and sister are doing fine. All has been quiet there.”

Sirens sounded in the distance.

Wallace grunted. “Now the police come after the trouble’s over. Figures.”

Cannon smiled. “So, who wants to explain this?”

“I’d might as well do it,” Corbin said, “the sheriff already hates me. I figure he’ll just add this to the list.”

“Go easy on Sheriff Hendricks,” Wallace cautioned, “he’s had a hard time since his wife passed and—” The rest of his sentence got cut off as he winced in pain.

“Let’s get you to the hospital,” Zane said.

“I’ll be there shortly, as soon as I get this squared away with the police,” Corbin assured him. He looked at Delaney who was staring at Hugh, a dazed expression on her pale face. She was in shock. He put an arm around her. “Let’s get you inside where it’s warm.”

She nodded numbly.

When they got inside the cabin, she turned to face him. “Is Wallace going to be okay?”

He offered a reassuring smile. “Yes.”

“Should we go to the hospital with him?”

“We will, as soon as we get everything sorted out. Meanwhile, Zane will be with him.”

Her lips pressed together in a tight line as she nodded. “Thank you, for everything.”

“No thanks necessary.” He cupped her face. “I love you, Delaney Mitchell.”

“I love you too.” Tears wet her eyes. “Promise me that you’ll never leave me.”

“I promise,” he whispered as his lips touched hers with the softness of a feather.

Her arms went around him as she pulled him close, clinging to him. Gratitude washed over him as he held this amazing woman in his arms. She’d been through so much heartache and yet she was still standing strong. Through the window, he caught a glimpse of the sun, which had risen to its full height, shining brightly in an azure sky.

“Look, it’s going to be a beautiful day,” he proclaimed.

Delaney turned to look, a smile touching her lips. “Yes, I’m glad the last of the clouds have finally gone away.”