Iron Willed Warrior (Last Refuge Protectors #5)

6. Brynn

CHAPTER SIX

Brynn

A few hours later, I strolled through the Silver Ridge historic business district. Locals and tourists streamed in and out of the shops and restaurants. Ready for a fun-filled, low-key night.

Too bad I was still very much keyed up.

Silver Ridge had just opened a small ski resort with a couple of lifts on a nearby mountain. Nowhere near as big as the famous destinations like Aspen and Breck, but this was still a happening place. I could see why the Protectors had chosen this town for Cole and me to launch our mission. Easy to blend in as just another vacationer, here for the spring skiing and the mountain scenery.

Of course, nothing about Cole Bailey had proved to be easy so far. I hadn’t spoken to him since he’d called me “honey” that afternoon. And I didn’t intend to. Not until he’d learned some basic civility. He’d been nice enough when I was a damsel with a flat tire, but the idea of me as his commanding officer? Nope, that had been too much for him to take.

Neon lights and classic rock spilled from the bar up ahead. When I walked inside, I found a mixture of skiers and hipsters mingling around tables and playing darts.

I spotted Keira right away. She stood up from a stool at a high-top table, waving me over.

“Good, you found it,” she said over the music, leaning in for a quick hug. She’d changed out of her deputy uniform and into a pair of dark jeans, a chunky turtleneck sweater, and hoop earrings. Her curly hair was piled into a poof on top of her head.

“It wasn’t that hard to find. Silver Ridge isn’t exactly New York.”

“Or even Denver?”

Smiling, I took off my coat and draped it over my stool before I sat down. “I like the town so far. All the fresh, cold air cleared my head. I needed it.”

“Uh oh. Does that mean the afternoon meeting with Cole didn’t go well?”

“Ha. That’s an understatement. Are you sure you like that guy? There’s not another Cole Bailey running around with the same face but a completely different personality?”

“Not unless he’s got an evil twin.” Keira nodded toward the bar. “Which Cole do you think that is? The good one or the bad one?”

I shifted on my stool to look. And groaned.

Really ? He couldn’t find another bar in Silver Ridge?

Cole was taking off his coat and pulling up a seat at the bar. Must’ve walked in right after me. Was the guy following me around like some creeper? But then his head swiveled, taking in the surroundings, and our eyes met. He was surprised to see me too. I felt my frown deepen.

He turned away first.

Guess what, honey. I’m not feeling too keen on you either.

Keira whistled. “Now there’s some animosity. Dang. I can feel it from across the room. I thought you two had smoothed things over.”

“We did. But it got bumpy again after you left.”

“What happened?”

“Cole doesn’t like that I was FBI. Or…anything else about me, apparently.”

This mission wouldn’t even exist without the work of the FBI task force. If the other Protectors were fine with my FBI pedigree, what did it matter to Cole? Our undercover mission would be off the Bureau’s books. It would be a Protectors mission, like I’d said.

Well, more or less.

Okay, I’d fudged a bit there. I had told Cole I wouldn’t report to anyone within the FBI. I’d failed to mention my daily reports to SAC Stanford. But keeping Stanford updated wasn’t the same as answering to him. Even if Stanford might try to issue orders. I didn’t have to accept them.

I wasn’t an FBI agent right now. But I wasn’t really a Protector, either. I’d promised Stanford that I wouldn’t let down my guard during this mission, and I would keep my word.

This alliance was tenuous already. With Cole Bailey in the mix? It felt impossible.

“He’s a hot head,” I said. “Even worse, he’s the kind of alpha who’s happy to rescue a woman, but balks at taking orders from one.”

“Huh. I didn’t get that impression from Cole before. Seemed like he had no problem working with women.”

“All I know is I can’t work with him.”

“I thought the Protectors didn’t have anyone else to replace him as your partner.” She propped her elbows on the table. It was noisy, and we were keeping our voices down, so I wasn’t concerned about being overheard.

“They don’t. I haven’t got anyone in mind either, and there’s no time to bring in someone else anyway.” Not to mention, we’d already created fake identity papers for Cole’s cover. It wouldn’t be easy to get new ones. “My only remaining option is to go it alone.”

“ Alone ? Against—” Keira glanced around us, then whispered, “Stillwater?”

“If that’s what it takes.” But I didn’t want to think about that right now. I needed tonight to regroup. I would touch base with SAC Stanford, let him know what was happening, and then I’d figure out what to do next. Tomorrow. “Do you want a drink?” I noticed Keira didn’t have one yet.

“Dean’s working bar tonight. He does table service. Here he comes.”

A good-looking guy was making his way over to us. He wrapped Keira in a hug, and I noticed the way her face turned dreamy when she was tucked into him for that brief moment.

Then he held out his fist to bump against mine. “So you’re Brynn. Welcome.”

“My reputation precedes me?”

“In a way. I’m a friend of Owen’s.” Dean’s hair curled over his ears and at his nape, overdue for a haircut. Stubble framed his easy-going smile. He winked, handing us a couple of menus.

“Dean is another unofficial Protector,” Keira explained, her tone rich with admiration.

A line appeared between his brows. “Not exactly. I help out with certain things when I can.”

“He served in the USMC, like you, Brynn.”

I felt my expression light up. Always enjoyed meeting a fellow Marine. “Semper Fi. Where were you stationed?”

Dean’s smile stayed, but it wasn’t as carefree as before. “Swapping stories will have to wait. Gotta make my rounds before my customers get restless. What can I get the two of you? ”

We ordered a couple of beers and some nachos. After Dean left, I glanced pointedly at Keira. She was biting her lip.

“He got out of here fast,” I said. “Did I say the wrong thing?”

“No, it’s not you. He’s laid back about almost everything, but Dean rarely gets into the specifics of his military service. I wasn’t thinking when I brought it up.”

“ Ah .” I understood without needing to know more. Not everyone was able to talk about their deployments. Certainly not with someone they’d just met in a crowded bar, even a fellow Marine.

Keira was staring at the tabletop, so I put my hand over hers. “Not your fault either,” I said. “He’ll know you didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Dean’s great. He helped rescue Owen’s girlfriend, Genevieve, from a killer last year. The same incident that first brought Cole to Hartley.”

“Right.” I’d heard all about it from River. That had been the Protectors’ first brush with Stillwater.

“Dean was their driver during the rescue op. Owen wants to make him a full Protector, but that’s just not going to happen. Dean doesn’t touch weapons anymore.”

A Marine who’d sworn off violence? I could fill in the blanks for myself. But whatever had really happened in his past, that was Dean’s business. I wasn’t going to push.

Keira sighed, glancing at the bar. “When I told him I was moving to Silver Ridge, Dean looked for a place here too. He’s a snowboarder, and he was excited about the new resort here. He teaches lessons during the day and bartends at night. But he’s kind of a nomad, you know? I have no idea how long he plans to stay in Hart County.”

A different server brought over our beers. Not Dean. We thanked the girl, then sat forward again. I took a long swallow of my drink, enjoying the play of hops and yeast on my tongue.

“You and Dean sound close,” I said.

“Not as close as I’d like to be. I’ve dropped plenty of hints, and he let me down gently.” She rolled her eyes. “He thinks I’m too young.”

“How old are you?” I knew she wasn’t that long out of college, but I didn’t know numbers.

“Twenty-six. Dean’s thirty-four. Barely seems like a difference to me, but I guess he’s seen a lot more of life than I have.”

“ Ah ,” I said again. This was all becoming clearer. “If he’s a nomad, then maybe he’s doing you a favor, even though it doesn’t feel like it. Plenty of older men wouldn’t turn down the attention of a younger woman. They’d just enjoy her for a while and leave her in the dust.”

Wow, that had sounded bitter.

I laughed to lessen the harshness of what I’d just said. “I’m sorry. You don’t need my cynicism rubbing off on you.”

Keira sipped her beer. “Were you speaking from experience?”

“Unfortunately.” My fingers slid through the condensation on my glass. “I was with a guy who promised me the world. All I really wanted was his love, but even that was too much to expect.” I forced a smile. “That’s why I’m a cynic. But you’re way ahead of me. You’re crushing on a far superior guy. Even if Dean isn’t the one for you, you’ve got excellent taste.”

“That’s looking on the bright side. Dean’s an amazing guy.”

“Then I’m glad he’s your friend.”

“Suppose it’s better than nothing.” She lifted her glass, clinking it against mine. “Dean is renting a place next door to the bar,” she added. “Cole is staying with him. ”

My eyes hit on Cole again. He’d turned in his seat, watching me over his shoulder. We both looked away.

I cleared my throat.

“Why’d you move to Silver Ridge?” I asked. “You’re a lot farther from the sheriff’s department headquarters.”

“My patrols take me all around the county. Plus, my parents and sister moved nearby. A lot of bad things have happened around Hartley in the last few years, you know? My family wanted a little distance.”

“Stillwater,” I said under my breath.

She nodded solemnly. “But there’s not really an escape. Not until Stillwater is gone, and then there will be new bad guys to fight. That’s why I asked to join the Protectors myself.”

I grinned. “Really? Good for you. They need some feminine energy.”

Her glossy lips pursed. “Owen said no. He lets me help out here and there, but he claimed he needs me to focus on being a deputy. I realize that I don’t have that military credibility, and I don’t have the same training. But I’ve accomplished a lot. I’m proud of who I am. I was top of my academy class. Yet once again, I’m told I’m too young and inexperienced. How will that change unless they give me a chance? It’s bullshit.”

She accentuated the last word by setting her glass on the table with a thump.

“Have you ever killed anyone?” I asked.

“Yes. Last year. Well…Owen and I were firing on the same guy, so I can’t be sure, but I aimed to kill. And I don’t regret it.” Her voice gained in intensity. “I’m not delicate, any more than you are.”

“But it’s hard to hear no. I understand. I’ve been there.”

“Really?”

“Are you kidding? So many times. I’ve had to prove myself over and over again. As a Marine, as an agent. I heard it from my own family.”

You’re weak , my uncle sneered. You’re never going to cut it.

I forced that voice out of my head.

“It took years to get where I am,” I continued, “and it’s still not easy. You just have to keep proving the doubters wrong.”

She groaned. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do. It’s exhausting.”

“It can be. But it’s worth it. You should sign up for extra trainings. Take hand-to-hand combat lessons beyond the basics that the department offers. It’ll make you a better cop, and Owen might change his mind about sending you on Protectors missions.”

She chewed her lip, hesitating over her next words. “Or you could teach me. I’ve been undercover for a sting operation before. A larger department down south needed female officers to pose as underage girls. I loved catching those predatory bastards and sending them to jail. I could step in as your partner on the Stillwater mission.”

I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Maybe a few years down the road, I’ll take you up on that. Not yet.”

Keira sighed. “I knew you were going to say that. Had to try anyway.”

“And I admire you for it. It takes bravery to put yourself out there.”

“I’d like to put my bravery to more productive uses.”

“I’m sure you’ll get your chance. Eventually.”

On my periphery, I felt Cole’s gaze on me again. That man was proving impossible to ignore.

But if he had something to say to me, he’d have to make the next move.

Keira and I talked for a while longer. A couple of guys stopped by to chat us up, but we politely brushed them off.

And would you look at that? Cole was eyeing me again.

Was he trying to turn me to stone with that glare? Or beam some kind of message into my brain?

I started to get up. “I’ll get us another round.”

“No, I need to hit the bathroom anyway. I’ll be right back.”

While she was gone, I took out my phone. I sent Charlotte a quick text, saying I’d made it to Silver Ridge.

Charlotte:

Riv said there were some fireworks when you arrived?

Me:

You have no idea.

Charlotte:

How bad is it?

Me:

I’ll figure something out.

Charlotte:

You’re worrying me. And you’re worrying River.

Me:

He just doesn’t like when he’s not in control of everything.

Charlotte:

Pretty sure that’s you.

Ha. We were all a bunch of control freaks. That wasn’t going to change.

The stool across from me scraped against the floor. A heavy body sat down.

It wasn’t Keira .

Cole set a beer in front of me, then set down his own. “I’m here to apologize.”

I tucked my phone away. “So that’s why you’ve been staring at me the last hour?”

“I was deciding what to say.”

“Can’t wait to hear the rest of it.” I tugged the beer closer and took a sip. Same ale I’d been drinking before.

Wait.

I looked toward the bar and spotted Keira standing with Dean, both of them watching us. “Keira said something to you. She told you to come over here?” I hadn’t noticed her talking to Cole. She must’ve done it while I was distracted with my phone.

She’ll make a good operative after all , I thought. That woman was more devious than I’d given her credit for.

“She did. But I already planned to apologize. I shouldn’t have called you ‘honey.’ That was unnecessary.”

“Getting straight to it, aren’t we?”

“I’m a candid guy.”

“Then I’ll be blunt as well. You wouldn’t have called a man honey , I assume. You have a problem with me being a woman.”

He grumbled, tapping his fingers on the table. “I have valid concerns about you being an FBI agent. Former agent,” he corrected, before I could do it. “That’s nothing to do with you being a woman.”

“What a concession.”

“But you can’t deny that Stillwater enjoys victimizing women in particular,” Cole said. “So can I look at you and not be aware of that fact? No. I can’t.”

My hand tightened on the glass as my spine stiffened. “Are you saying I have no place going undercover? That I’m not strong enough for this?”

“Hell, no. I’m not saying that. I’ve seen you in action, and so has River. Plus, your experience speaks for itself. I’m not questioning your abilities. Okay? Let’s just get that out there.”

I exhaled, the tight knot of muscle between my shoulders easing a bit. “Then what are you saying?”

“That you cannot go undercover alone. And yes, that is partly because you’re a woman. Because I cannot stand the thought of the sick leader of Stillwater, whoever he is, ordering his thugs to hurt you.” He’d said all this in a rough whisper, just barely audible over the background music. His blue eyes were intense on mine.

“Didn’t think you cared,” I said.

“The things Stillwater does? I don’t want that to happen to anyone.”

“But you’re not talking about anyone . You’re talking about me.”

“True. I am.” Cole was on the other side of the table, but he leaned over well into my space, close enough I got a whiff of spicy cologne with a hint of tobacco beneath. The combination went into my lungs and lower, hitting below my stomach with a swirl of flutters and spreading heat.

This time, it was me who blinked first. Averted my gaze.

“I accept your apology. I’d rather not do this alone.” For one, because SAC Stanford would probably try to jump in as my partner himself before he let me go unassisted. His wife Marie would kill me. “But you don’t trust me. I don’t trust you. We’re at an impasse.”

“We can start over.”

“For the second time in one day? Don’t you think that’s excessive?”

The muscle in his jaw pulsed. Another stare-off ensued.

Gah, why did his eyes have to be so blue?

Dean, the bartender, appeared beside the table. He had a couple of shot glasses in one hand, a bottle of top-shelf whiskey in the other. “On the house,” he said. “How about a toast?”

“To what?” I asked.

“Making new allies.”

Cole lifted an eyebrow at me in a silent question. There ’ s more at stake , I reminded myself. And maybe, just maybe, I’d been all wrong about him. I wanted to be wrong about him. So we could get back to the mission and fighting Stillwater instead of each other.

I nodded.

Dean splashed amber liquid into each glass. Cole lifted his up. I did the same, then tossed it back. The smooth burn trailed down into my stomach, leaving warmth behind.

Cole moved more slowly, bringing the glass to his lips while his eyes didn’t leave mine.

We both set our glasses down.

Dean grinned. “You going to stay here and chat? Work out your differences?”

“I don’t think we’re being given any other choice,” I pointed out. “I sense a conspiracy.”

“You’re right about that. River has been texting me nonstop for updates, and Keira has orders from Owen to lock you two in a room until morning if necessary. I hear you’re on a strict timetable? They want you to be best buds and prepping for the op by tomorrow.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Cole said.

I lifted an eyebrow. “We will?”

“Yep.” Cole tapped the table by his empty shot glass, and Dean poured another. “You should leave the bottle.”

Dean glanced at me.

I made a beckoning motion with my fingers. “Every Marine worth her salt can hold her liquor. Bring it.”

The bottle thumped onto the table. “Then I’ll put it on River’s tab.” With a wink, Dean spun and headed back to the bar.

“Guess we have to find a way to get along,” Cole said, pouring me another shot.

“And we have to do it fast.” Whether we liked it or not.

It was going to be a long night.