“Not a chance,” Malloy said wearily, setting his head back on the seat.
“I’m staying,” Tina added, taking a good look beneath a compress on Malloy’s arm. “This one was a through and through. Not sure about the leg yet.”
Denver cut Noni a furious look, and she sat back in her seat, not breaking eye contact. He finally had to turn away to watch the snow-filled road. Nearly thirty minutes later, they pulled into what looked like a cut-down wheat field to see a helicopter waiting, silent and ready. Three men flanked it, all armed with really big automatic guns like the ones on television.
“Are you kidding me?” Malloy muttered. “Who are you people?”
Denver stopped the car, took his gun, and jumped out. “Everyone out. You’re going to safety.”
“Not until we get the baby,” Noni returned, grasping her own gun.
“Damn it.” Malloy groaned as Tina helped him out of the SUV.
One of the armed men reached into the helicopter for a silver briefcase and jogged over. He was dressed in black and had various weapons visible along his body. His chest was wide, made wider by a bulletproof vest. “You Denver?”
“Yes,” Denver said.
“This is all we could come up with in the short timeframe. We can get more by tomorrow—just let us know what you want.” The guy’s dark buzz cut caught snow, and his eyes were hidden by aviator glasses. But he moved like he could fight. Smooth and graceful. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Your vest,” Denver said. “I could really use that.”
“Sure.” The guy released the Velcro and shrugged out of it, handing it over. “Anything else?”
Whoa, this was just weird. Noni took a step back.
Denver visually scouted the area before answering. “Yeah. These three need to be taken to safety. When they’re in the air, contact Jory and find out where to take them. I also have two fifty-something women en route to South Dakota who will need to be picked up at some point.”
Malloy watched the exchange, his eyes hard. “I’m not going anywhere. I should arrest all of you.”
Noni winced.
Denver sighed. “Malloy? You’ve been shot, and your lady is in the crosshairs. Stop being a hero and get on the fuckin’ helicopter.” He turned toward Noni. “I’ll get Talia and bring her to you. This has become way too dangerous, and you need cover.”
“No,” Noni said softly, knowing if she left she’d never see him again. Oh, she trusted he’d find Talia and send her to Noni, but he’d be gone. “I’m staying. My baby will need me.” A good mother would never desert her child. She was going to be a good mother.
Malloy leaned against the SUV, his face pale with what had to be pain. “I’m a cop, dumb-ass. Somebody just shot and kidnapped me. That means I stay here and fight.” He turned toward Tina and tugged on a piece of her long hair. “I don’t know these guys, sweetheart. I think we can trust them, but you’re not leaving, either. You’ll get full protection from my people.”
Denver looked at all of them, fury in his gaze.
Noni swallowed and walked around the SUV to get in the passenger side. Chills swept her, but she held her head high. “Let’s go,” she ordered.
CHAPTER
18
Denver’s anger grew as he drove back to the safe house on the lake. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he tried to rein in his fury. How was he going to keep everyone safe if they didn’t do what he damn well told them to do? Madison and Cobb had seriously upped their game in trying to take the cop, which showed they were either desperate or getting too close. Madison didn’t seem like the desperate type.
When they arrived at the icy parking area outside the cabin, he parked and tuned in his senses. Nothing.
He and Tina helped Malloy inside, and he watched as she checked his wounds again. The arm wound was easily bandaged, but the leg still had a bullet in it.
“We have to get you to the hospital,” Tina said, her dark eyes worried.
“Take it out,” Malloy countered. “It’s not deep or near an artery. Just take it out, T.”
Denver gritted his teeth. “Knock it off. Let’s call your people and get you to safety.”
Malloy’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh, I’m not leaving. I’ve had it with this shit. I want to know the entire story. Now.” His forehead was sweating, and pain etched into the sides of his mouth, but his gaze was clear. “Or I’m arresting you.”
