Page 50 of Special Agent Anastacia

Ana had no illusions about the suspicions both Dave and now Nash were withholding. The only reason the Roddams hadn’tleft their property like the rest of the residents were doing is because they were being stopped. And she had a good idea of who would be insane enough to do something so idiotic. Only a maniac who believed he had sixty thousand reasons. Crazy bastard couldn’t help himself. Blinded to anything but the craving for his father’s bounty, he’d obviously kept up his vendetta.

Getting that money mattered more to him than any one person or their lives. He’d do whatever he felt necessary in order to get his way. Realizing that with so much happening all at once, the cops had dropped the manhunt, she figured he’d made his way through town without anyone paying much attention.

Aware that neither of the Roddams had a clue where it could be stashed, Ana feared for their lives. With a murdering wingnut like Vlad, who’d have no qualms about threatening to kill whoever they held most dear, she instinctively knew their twelve-year-old son would be in the most danger. Hadn’t he threatened Lew in the same way with Maria? It made sense that Vlad wouldn’t hesitate to use Justin to get what he wanted.

Discovering her strength waning, and unable to believe that a sport she exceled in would let her down, she floated on her back to rest her arms and catch her breath. Nash stopped beside her, flipped the water out of his hair, and reached for her body. “You’re exhausted, baby. No surprise. Fighting fires can take a lot out of you, and you’ve been going strong for hours. Let me help you.”

Unwilling to give in and yet knowing she was only holding them up if she didn’t, she twined her hands into his belt and caught a ride beside him, paddling with her feet to keep them moving.

In no time, the big dude swam alongside the boat, lifted himself onboard, and then reached down to pull her in too.Letting him help, she soon scrambled over the side and lay in a puddle for seconds to catch her breath.

Like a puppy, Nash shook off the water and asked, “Where’s the key, baby?”

Pulling herself upright, she headed to the helm where an overhead canopy covered the steering wheel. In a small, hidden pocket on the side of the boat, she lifted the cover and reached in, pulling out a string with a key attached. She handed it to him and then moved aside.

In seconds, they were flying across the lake in the direction Dave had given him. “Can you see their house from the water?”

Throwing the towel she’d found in a cupboard aside; she pointed in a direction further north. “It’s around that bend. Remember when we were there doing surveillance?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s the hill we hid behind.”

“Okay. I see it now. Should we drive right to their property? Do you think they’ll be able to spot us from inside the house?”

“If they’re looking, maybe. It’s pretty dark and smoky now so if we turn off the lights and float in, we might go undetected. They don’t have a dock so we’ll have to get as close as we can and use the rope to tie to shore.”

“Right. You’ve had more experience with this particular boat, how about you take over the wheel and ease us in. I’ll get into the water with the line and find a tree to use.”

“Okay.” Ana didn’t see the kiss coming, but when it landed, she succumbed with more passion than she expected. Her heart had taken quite a beating when she thought she might never see this man again. It had been too close a call. With that thought in her head, she clung hard. “Don’t get killed tonight, baby. I couldn’t stand it.”

“Backatcha, darling.” He kissed her again, then pulled back to look into her eyes. “We’re a couple now, right?”

She nodded first, then added a verbal reply. “Yeah.”

“I want a long honeymoon when the time is right. You good with that?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“And kids. Lots of kids.”

“Whoa.” She peered into his grin and finally nodded. “Okay… yeah, but no more than four.”

He kissed her hard, then slipped over the side into the water, pulling the rope with him. Stopping, he turned back. In a loud whisper, he added, “And a dog.”

Grimacing, she leaned closer. “Gonna have to discuss that one. I might need some convincing.”

“Good. I’m a great convincer – got special moves that’ll probably work.”

Her “cheeky bastard” followed him into the darkness and only a chuckle floated back to her.

Chapter Thirty-six

Smiling with satisfaction, Nash looked for the perfect spot to tie up the boat. Understanding they’d just declared themselves made him happier than he thought possible. And the fact that he’d ensnared Ana into making promises turned his insides to mush. Now the idea of taking her into danger almost put him to his knees.

His brain told him to stop with her here and now. To get the stubborn woman as far away as possible. But he knew deep down, he couldn’t do it… nor would she let him. It was obvious, she’d fight him all the way.

On shore, he’d seen her checking her holster. No fool… she’d assumed they’d be walking into danger. Groaning, he had to accept that this treacherous mission was her stomping grounds. And all he could do – if worse came to worse – was try and get between her and a bullet.

---