Never Surrender Read online

  He was gone. Doesn’t matter, you can do it. She’d just go back to the table, sit with James and Lydia, and work out a plan. That’s what she’d always done since she went under. Didn’t matter how afraid or how nauseated she felt, she took that first step and continued forward one step at a time.

  If her feet would move, she’d do that. Breathing became a little more natural, a little less painful. You wanted to do it your way. Well you are, so be happy. She covered her face with her hands.

  Toughen up, Princess, you’ve got a job to do. In another minute. Just sixty seconds was all she’d need. Oh God, the emptiness in his eyes. She wasn’t rejecting him. She turned her back to the darkness. It wasn’t helping her. It was sucking her under, and she couldn’t afford that.

  She straightened, moved until her back rested against the coolness of the painted wall. You’ll manage. You’ll be fine. Liar. She ignored her inner screaming, crossed her arms under her breasts. The buzzing of voices penetrated her maudlin meanderings. Someone called her name. She breathed deep and long. Blew out a sigh. Swallowed the acid tears. The pendant light in the other room grew brighter. The pain gnawing at her insides like a hungry rat didn’t ease. But that was okay. Pain had been her companion for the past twelve months. It kept her sharp. And sane. She’d survived twelve months in hell. She would survive one more night.

  It shouldn’t hurt this much. She pushed herself off the wall and moved toward the light.

  Time to go back to work.

  Half an hour later, Maggie had just finished brewing a pot of coffee when she heard the deep rumble of Quinn’s voice. Straightening her spine, she waited for him to enter the room. When he did, she couldn’t drag her gaze away from him.

  He was dressed in black, from the T-shirt that defined every sculpted muscle of his shoulders and torso to the low-slung jeans that fit him snugly.

  And his brow ring was in.

  She dragged in a deep breath. Her heart thudded double time as life slipped back to the night they met.

  Sexy beast. She’d thought that about him the moment she’d laid eyes on him. Now the thought was fact. Quinn turned her on by just being himself, but seeing him like this, she wanted to rip his clothes off, straddle him, and ride him into tomorrow.

  Focus, Maggie. She met his eyes, and he gave her a curt nod and settled into the chair next to James.

  Two hours and three pots of coffee later, they had a strong viable plan. Maggie rose from the table, clasped her hands together, and stretched upward.

  “It’ll be finished soon, Maggie.” James strode from the room to make the calls.

  “I’ll help you get ready.” Lydia carried dirty cups to the kitchen sink.

  Warmth spread through Maggie. They were right. It was almost over. Then maybe, just maybe, a home and babies could be hers. You’ve never wanted that. “Things change,” she muttered under her breath.

  “Did you say something?” Quinn came up behind her.

  She turned to face him, wanting to put things right between them. Seeing the coldness in his eyes, she clamped her mouth shut.

  “I’m glad I don’t have to put Angel through this,” Maggie said.

  He nodded. “You just have to convince Conrad she won’t say anything to anyone. She’ll disappear, just like you’re going to.”

  “I know.”

  The plan was a good one. It covered all the bases. She hadn’t worn a wire in years, but she was willing to go along with the group decision.

  “I have to get ready.” Maggie turned and walked away. Lydia waited in her room with a range of clothing spread out on the bed. “Your story’s plausible. I’m sure they’ll buy into it, but you need to wear something comfortable and easy to run in, in case you have to get out in a hurry.”

  Maggie laughed aloud. “Lydia, you’ve reduced all this to what to wear on a bust.”

  “I’m serious, Maggie. If anything goes wrong, get out. Don’t give those dogs any advantage over you.”

  Maggie nodded.

  “I have to help James set up a communications console. Stay strong.” Lydia hugged Maggie and left the room.

  Maggie was alone.

  Again.

  Chapter Twenty

  Quinn strode into the room. “Okay, Maggie, let’s get you wired.”

  Maggie was dressed in stretch jeans that clung to her curves and a striped top that showed more than it concealed. She turned to face him when she heard his voice. He stomped his physical want for her to the ground.

  “Nervous?” he asked.

  “Not the word I’d use to describe how I’m feeling at this moment.” She swiped her tongue across her lips.

  He moved closer to her. “Let’s get this over with.” He placed his kit on the floor, knelt before her, and pushed up her shirt until he exposed the lace of her bra.

  Quinn screwed his eyes shut, and clenched his fists to stop his hands from cupping her lush breast confined within the bra. He battled the urge to pull her close and never let her go.

  Focus, Keller. He picked up one tiny button device and placed it on her skin, another he fixed to her belt buckle. He picked up the surgical tape and ripped some from the roll. As he stuck it to her skin, he said, “This one they’ll find when they search you. The one on your belt is a location device, like the one in Angel’s ring. They won’t find it.”

  “Okay.”

  “You know I’m dead set against you putting yourself back in their domain.” His voice sounded so cold he hardly recognized it as his.

  “You’ve made your feelings clear.” Her beautiful lush lips pressed together.

  He stared into her determined eyes. “I need you to know I’ll put a hundred percent effort into shutting this gang down.”

  Maggie huffed out a breath. “Thank you.”

  He stared at her, recognized the gratitude wasn’t just lip service, then shook his head. “It’s no more than I’d do for any cop I’m working with.”

  Maggie straightened, stepped away, and pulled her shirt down.

  Quinn rose, and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll set the location device when we’re in the car.”

  “You’re driving me?”

  “Yeah.” He met her eyes.

  “Okay.” Her voice trembled.

  “After the device is set, it shouldn’t take them too long to find you.”

  Maggie nodded.

  “Put this on.” He placed Angel’s ring in her hand.

  Maggie looked at it, then at Quinn. “Is the transmitter in it?”

  “Yes. As soon as you’re in place, James will turn it back on remotely. They’ll take it from you, and they’ll find the transmitter on your chest. We’re hoping they won’t look for another transmitter.” Quinn gave her a smile. “We leave in half hour.”

  They sat together in the low-slung sports car not speaking. What could he say that he hadn’t before? He could talk ’til she was ninety, and she still wouldn’t listen. He looked out the windscreen into the darkness. How was he going to let her just get out of the car and walk into hell? He turned in the seat, strummed his fingers on the window. Because that’s what she wants.

  The radio played softly. Just as well, since the silence between them was uncomfortable. The two way beeped. Quinn tapped the button. “Hey, James.”

  “Just checking coms.”

  “Right.” He tapped again. “Maggie, talk normally, James wants to make sure your wire’s okay.”

  “Okay.”

  Quinn noticed the way her hands clasped and unclasped. She bit her lip. “Thanks for helping me. I appreciate all you’re doing.” Her eyes never left Quinn’s as she spoke.

  Another beep.

  Quinn looked away and hit the reply button. “Yeah.”

  “All good. Any time you’re ready, Maggie.” James’s voice sounded distorted.

  Quinn’s stomach dropped. He shut his eyes. “Remember, you can’t hear us. But, everything you say we can hear. Give us as much information as you can. Okay?”

&n
bsp; She nodded. “Time to move.”

  He nodded. He wouldn’t risk talking. It wouldn’t do any good for her to know how terrified he was for her.

  She pushed open the door, and cool air rushed in. She didn’t say anything, just stepped out, shut the door, and walked away.

  Quinn gripped the steering wheel like grim death, because he knew if he let go, he’d be out of the car in a shot and hauling her back. Yeah, and what good would that do? He shook his head. Let her go. She’d made her choice. She didn’t want his protection. She didn’t want him. Let her go.

  “I’m just about at the bus station.”

  Her voice in his ear dragged him back. He closed his eyes. He loved her. He always would. But it didn’t matter. It wasn’t enough for her. He hated that she put herself in danger. It was so pointless. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t, but he still couldn’t stomach watching her set herself up to be injured or possibly killed. He couldn’t simply watch her destroy herself rather than even consider letting him protect her. It would suck the life from him little bit at a time until he was nothing. No, it was best they part ways now, while he could still put the pieces of his life, his heart, back together.

  When this was finished, he’d tell her how he felt. Maybe she’d forgive him. For now, he’d focus on the job of helping her get her own life back.

  “You can do this, Maggie.” Her voice came through so clearly, she could have been sitting beside him.

  He wished the communication was two way with her so he could assure her she would do it.

  Maggie’s heart thudded harder as she crossed the road toward the shopping center. She knew they’d be there watching. Waiting. It was what she’d bargained on. She caught her reflection and was grateful her desperation didn’t show.

  “You can do this, Maggie,” she whispered as she crossed the concourse toward the lockers.

  People were everywhere, blending into their surroundings, making it difficult to focus on any one person. Glancing toward the exits, she was comforted knowing Quinn was close by and Cooper kept watch on the car park. Her gaze strayed toward the shopping center. Then she saw the road that led directly to the roof from the bus station. Stop second-guessing yourself. You covered everything. “Stay focused, boys.”

  “Talking to yourself is the first sign of madness,” Felice stated in that purring, girlie voice.

  Schooling her features against showing disgust, Maggie turned and battled the urge to slap Felice down or, better still, wrap her hands around the bitch’s throat and choke the living daylights out of her. “Why are you here, Felice?”

  “Who did you expect?”

  “Someone higher up the food chain.”

  Felice raised her brows and pursed her lips. “Well, well, Maggie’s being sarcastic. How sweet.” She grazed Maggie with cold eyes. “Follow me.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because if you don’t, that woman pushing the pram will be shot.” Felice gestured toward the food court. “Your choice.” She smirked. “I’ve got people everywhere, so don’t get all heroic. I don’t want you dead. Follow me.” With that, she turned and swayed toward the entrance to the shops.

  It was Maggie’s worst nightmare. These past few days she hadn’t wanted to involve anyone else for fear they could be injured or worse, killed. Now this corrupt cop threatened innocent bystanders.

  Was Felice bluffing? Probably, but Maggie wasn’t prepared to call it. Felice was involved in an organization trading in human flesh. Life’s cheap to her, but not to me.

  Locking her emotions away, Maggie followed Felice, ensuring her expression was indifferent. It was hard, because Maggie cared. Desperately. With one single sentence, Felice had taken control of the situation, but not for long. At the moment Maggie might be powerless, but she drew comfort knowing her support team had her back.

  Maggie was taking them down.

  Tonight.

  Maggie’s plan had gone belly-up the minute that conniving witch showed up. She’d believed it would have been one of Conrad’s henchmen, probably Paulie, and was prepared for that, but when her former best friend showed, it threw her.

  Now she had to be a brilliant actress, or there was no way Conrad would believe Maggie had decided to ditch being a copper because her ex-lover was going to turn her in, and there was no way she was going to take the rap for a murder she didn’t commit. It took every relaxation breathing technique Maggie knew to calm her nerves.

  She could imagine Quinn’s reaction when he heard Felice’s threat. He would think of another strategy to keep those people safe.

  Show no fear.

  Somehow Maggie had to give Quinn her location. But how?

  Ahead of her, Felice stopped and turned. “No point dragging your heels. It’s not going to change the outcome.”

  “There’s not a lot you can do inside this center,” Maggie said.

  Felice actually smirked. The witch thought she was so damned smart. Maggie bottled her rising anger. If she lost control, they’d win. That’s the difference between us—she thinks she’s good, and I know I am. By the end of this night, Maggie’s reputation would be intact, and Felice would be scum in the pond of convicted felons, where she belonged.

  “Where are we going?” Maggie kept her voice level.

  “You already know.”

  “How do you expect to get me out of here?”

  “You’ll walk directly to a waiting car.”

  “I still can’t see a way out.”

  “As if I’d take you out one of the main exits. C’mon, you think you’re smart. Figure it out.”

  Maggie had to keep her talking, so Quinn would pick up on what Felice planned. “How could I know where we’re going?”

  “You passed it on in your communications to Doug.”

  “Doug? You mean Inspector Roberts?”

  “Inspector Douglas Roberts. Correct.” She pouted.

  “Why on earth would Roberts tell you anything?”

  “Pillow talk,” Felice replied with a self-satisfied smirk then commanded, “In here.”

  Maggie clamped her mouth shut, refusing to comment on that last bit of information. Was Roberts really involved? Or was Felice playing mind games? At least Maggie had gotten Angel and Beth out, and even though it hadn’t panned out exactly as she’d planned, Angel was safe.

  Felice raised her delicate brows. “What are you waiting for? The door’s unlocked. Go in.” She stepped aside to let Maggie enter first.

  Maggie hesitated. “What sort of name is Babbette’s Boutique?”

  “Move.”

  When Felice followed her inside, Maggie visualized ramming her elbows back hard into Felice’s body, and when Felice folded over in pain, Maggie would turn around and smash her knee into Felice’s face. An attempted escape would seem more realistic rather than just complying with orders, but the threat of an innocent person getting shot curbed the impulse.

  For now.

  Lingerie hugged mannequins in the dimly lit shop. Display cases were arranged throughout the intimate space. Felice hadn’t checked Maggie for a wire yet, and she was a cop, so it should have been the first thing she did. What does she know that I don’t?

  “Past the shelving to the right, there’s a door. Push it.”

  Maggie followed Felice’s command, and cool, night air touched her skin.

  “Keep moving.” Felice pushed Maggie between the shoulders.

  Maggie turned to face her tormentor. “That’s once. Don’t try for twice. You’ll regret it.”

  “Just keep moving, or be responsible for some kid being left motherless,” Felice’s said.

  “Soon it’ll be you and me. No threats, no civilians needing protection. We’ll see how tough you are then.”

  “Move. Now!”

  “Whatever.” Maggie turned, sauntered out the door, and scanned the vicinity. It was a delivery area for this small section of shops. There was only one vehicle. Maggie had to let Quinn know what type of car they she would be in. Eventu
ally, they had to drive out one of the main exits where Quinn and Cooper would be watching and waiting.

  Maggie stopped, stared at Felice, then took in the full stretch limo, all black and shiny with tinted windows for privacy. Anything could happen in that car. Scary. “What, you’re moonlighting by driving a hearse?”

  As the back door opened, Maggie’s gaze focused on the well-polished shoes resting on the footpath. Even from this distance, the crease on the cuff of the trousers was noticeable. There was only one person she knew who dressed so immaculately.

  “Conrad.” Maggie buried her emotions deeper as he alighted. He stood tall and straightened his shoulders, lifting his chin to stare at her. The heat of his rage touched her through the night air.

  “Move.” Another shove in the back. Felice stepped into Maggie’s space, pulled Angel’s ring from her finger, and tossed it into a nearby dumpster. “Say good-bye to Quinn.” Then she cackled.

  “Not looking good,” Maggie whispered, praying the signal was getting through. Head high, she walked toward the limo.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Quinn pushed the button on the two-way radio. “James, you getting this?”

  “Yeah.”

  He pushed it again. “Coop?”

  “On it.”

  “Where are they exactly?” Quinn’s voice rose.

  “Checking her signal against the plans now,” James said.

  “They’re putting her in a bloody car and taking her. This isn’t going down right.” Quinn punched the steering wheel.

  “Yelling’s not going to fix it.” James was in control.

  Quinn wasn’t, and he didn’t like it, not one iota. “Have you found it yet?” This time he kept his tone neutral.

  “Rooftop. Door backs onto a lane used by shops for deliveries,” James said.

  “How do they get out onto the main road?” Quinn demanded.

  “Cooper is watching that exit. He’ll buzz the minute he sees the car,” James informed him.

  “Right.” Quinn disconnected. His fingers strummed the steering wheel as he waited. He couldn’t believe he’d been talked into this. It went against every instinct ingrained in him. He should be with her. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel in an effort to rid himself of the frustration clouding his ability to reason. The radio beeped.