On the Warpath Read online

  “Come on, no time for being lazy,” he told her as he offered her a hand to help her off the ground.

  Nevaeh accepted his hand grudgingly. “I’m not lazy. I’m just pacing myself.”

  Others had come out to exercise, and a few were there strictly as spectators. One such individual was Sergio Alvarado, Hayden’s friend and sparring partner. Nevaeh glanced over at him. Cute. He was the same age as Hayden but with dark Hispanic coloring and alert green eyes. Every now and then since her arrival he’d reward her with a smile, or a little nod of interest. If she was in the market for a date, which she wasn’t, Sergio would be one of the top contenders. So far he’d only spoken politely to her or inquired about her day. But she’d seen that look in his eyes before that meant he was interested. Hayden had a more serious expression at the moment. He led her to the track.

  “We’ll do the first lap slowly and then build into the second lap.”

  “Okay.” She started off, and he jogged over to catch up with her. Hayden ran ahead and then came back, issuing encouragement until she completed the first lap.

  “You need to pick up the pace now. Pretend that someone is chasing you and wants to do you harm.”

  Okay, no more toying with the arrogant agent. Nevaeh picked up the pace, and Hayden stopped talking and had to actually work to keep up with her. Midway to the finish line she started sprinting, leaving him in a trail of dust. Hayden caught up with her several minutes later, breathing hard.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you could run?”

  “You didn’t ask. I was on my high school and college track team.”

  Hayden went down on one knee.

  Nevaeh dropped down beside him, sat on the ground and stretched.

  “When do I get to meet the President?”

  “Tomorrow,” he said between breaths. “He’s giving a speech and we’re working security.”

  Chapter Three

  My, President Anderson is gorgeous. Nevaeh pulled down the hem of her navy blue jacket and adjusted the earphone in her ear as they stood on the steps of the White House while he prepared to give yet another speech on the economy. His wife Betty and young son Thad stood nearby amongst a cloister of Secret Service agents and other dignitaries.

  The sun beat down fiercely on the hot June afternoon and seemed to pick just on her. She quickly brushed the sweat away with the back of her hand.

  The President began his speech. Cameras and microphone booms were in place.

  Reporters, cameramen, politicians and the American public focused on him. Hayden

  stood poised at attention at the President’s left side while she guarded his right.

  Something glinted in the lenses of her dark sunglasses. Nevaeh turned her head slightly in the direction of the shine. Oh shit, a sniper. It all happened in a matter of a couple of seconds, not giving her time to think. The loud crack of the shot from the high-powered rifle soared through the air. The adrenaline kicked in, and Nevaeh pushed the President to the ground. Bodies shuffled around her. A swarm of agents covered him. Nevaeh swooped down on one of the rifles deserted by one of the other agents while he tended to Anderson. She lifted it to her eye, got the sniper in her scope and finger-squeezed the trigger. He fell to the ground. Another flash on the other side. A second sniper. Another gunshot. Blood splashed on her uniform. With the gun still raised, she found her target and shot. The person fell from his spot like the other. The heat and fumes from the weapon permeated the air, making her dizzy.

  “Nevaeh.”

  Someone called her name.

  “Agent Harris, please lower the rifle.”

  “What?”

  It was Sergio. “Hayden’s been shot.”

  Everything around her sped up, driving her back to reality. She lowered her arm and put the rifle on the ground. “The President?”

  “He’s okay. You saved his life, but the second sniper hit Hayden in the shoulder.”

  My partner. Nevaeh turned quickly and pushed her way through the mayhem until she reached Hayden. He lay on the ground surrounded by emergency personnel, looking ashen and weak. His eyes were closed, but she could tell he was still alive by the way his chest slowly rose and fell. “Is he okay?” she inquired frantically.

  Hayden’s eyes fluttered open. “Don’t worry about me. Protect the President.” His eyes closed again, and he seemed to drift off in a drug-induced sleep complimentary of the paramedics who worked on him. One of them removed Hayden’s jacket and shirt. Dark red blood covered his chest and his shoulder. Nevaeh looked away momentarily, ashamed at the lustful thoughts going through her mind instead of concern for her fellow agent.

  “I don’t think the wound is life threatening,” one of the paramedics said as he examined Hayden. “But we won’t know until we get him to a hospital.”

  Nevaeh nodded that she understood. She stepped away from Hayden and out of the paramedic’s way. “I’ll follow you to the hospital. I’m his partner.”

  The chief appeared. Nevaeh hadn’t seen him in a couple of days. Dan looked almost as piqued as Hayden. “I just found out,” he replied. “Are you okay?” Tiny age lines around his face stretched taut from worry.

  “I’m fine, Chief, but Hayden doesn’t look so good. He’s hurt, but the paramedics won’t know how badly until doctor checks him out. I’m following them to the hospital.”

  He shifted nervously from one foot to the other. “I understand, but I need to talk to you before you leave. Some place private.”

  Nevaeh glanced around the area that looked like a war zone with agents, police and emergency personnel running around taking care of the situation. The President was back in the White House under tight security. Other security personnel raced in both directions where the snipers lay. Nevaeh stepped aside and walked with Dan, keeping an eye on the paramedics and Hayden.

  “There’s going to be an inquiry into this,” Dan began. “I mean the shooting. Any time an agent uses a gun there is some type of investigation.”

  “Let me guess. You want my gun and badge.”

  Dan nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

  Nevaeh removed her revolver and handed it over to him. The badge followed. “The gun hasn’t been fired. I used a rifle. I gave it back to Omar Jones, the agent I borrowed it from.”

  “I’ll get it from him,” Dan replied.

  It didn’t bother her to give him her possessions since she only shot the sniper to protect Anderson.

  “You understand you have to be on restricted duty for a while.”

  Nevaeh sighed. “Understandable. Anything else?”

  “Yes, but you might not like it.”

  “Explain.”

  “I want you to take care of Hayden through his recovery period.”

  Nevaeh raised an eyebrow. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “What?”

  “I want you to look after Hayden while he recovers as a favor to me.”

  “Isn’t that what his family is for?”

  “Normally, but he’s not going to let them. He’s not the type to ask for help.”

  “Stubborn.”

  “Yeah. He’s a good man, but he doesn’t know his limitations.”

  “So why are you so sure he’s going to allow me to help him?”

  “He won’t, but he will follow an order if I give it.”

  Nevaeh smirked. “Do you want me to move into his place, or is he coming to mine?”

  “Neither. We have this place set up not too far from here in the mountains. The two of you will be going there. It’s private and will keep the media out of your hair until all of this blows over.”

  “You mean the snipers?”

  Dan nodded. “We don’t know who they are yet or who they’re attached to. Could be just the two of them, or they could be a part of a bigger organization. If it’s a part of a bigger group, it won’t take long for them to find out about you. You’re going to be famous, and you’ll go down in history as the first Native American female Secret Service agent to ki
ll two sharp-shooting snipers to protect the President.”

  “Sounds like a television show.”

  “No time for jokes, Harris. This is serious. We have to put you under protection for your own safety. So what better way than stowing you away in a cabin with Hayden.”

  “You do know I’d rather be put in a den of lions than in a cabin with that man? He’s liable to be one cranky Cajun when the pain medications stop helping.”

  Dan smiled. “I think you can handle it, and it might be nice to have a pretty nurse tending to him while he recovers.”

  She hadn’t used her triage nurse skills in years, but she supposed she could recall how to take vitals. “Okay,” she finally agreed.

  The paramedics loaded Hayden into the ambulance. “I guess I’d better go. I’ll call you later to work out the details after I make sure Hayden’s stable.”

  “Are you sure it’s such a good idea to go to the hospital? What if there’s a sniper waiting for you?”

  “Sure. There’ll be hundreds of agents there. You know how it gets when a fellow agent is shot.”

  Dan nodded. “True. Don’t worry about the cabin—it’s loaded, and what you don’t have…”

  “I know. I can get it from the land.” She mentally scanned her closets at home to find the location of the fishing pole. She hadn’t had time to relax in quite some time.

  Dan waved and walked away.

  Nevaeh looked down. Blood. Shit, my uniform is ruined. Where had the blood come from? She walked toward the parking lot, ignoring the congratulations from her fellow agents, and got into her SUV and followed the ambulance to the hospital.

  Chapter Four

  “I don’t need a babysitter,” Hayden said as he watched Nevaeh, who sat in a chair across from him reading a novel. Every now and then she looked over to check if he was still alive.

  “Wasn’t my choice, Hayden. The chief ordered me to look over you.”

  Hayden tried to sit up, but the pain in his shoulder was excruciating. “That bastard nearly took my arm off.”

  “The doctor said you’ll be as good as new in a couple of weeks. You just need to rest.”

  “Rest is the last thing on my mind. I need to work.”

  “Boy you’re stubborn. The President is okay and won’t be giving any more outdoor speeches for a while.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I checked the schedule before I left D. C.”

  “No, I mean, how did you know about the snipers?”

  Nevaeh put the book down. “I didn’t. I just happen to see both rifles gleam in my sunglasses. I can’t explain it any more than that.”

  “Thanks, I mean for saving the President.” He paused. “And me.”

  “No thanks needed for doing my job.” She rose. “I bet you’re hungry.”

  His stomach growled the answer loudly. Suddenly he smelled delicious aromas filtering in through the room past the scent of rubbing alcohol.

  Nevaeh smirked. “There’s fried fish, mashed potatoes and green peas.”

  “Fish? Where did you get fish?”

  “There’s a small lake nearby. It’s loaded with speckled trout.”

  His favorite. “When did you have time to fish?”

  “While you were asleep. That medication keeps you unconscious most of the time. I think I like it. Maybe I’ll ask them to write you an ongoing prescription.”

  “Funny.” Her answer made him feel awful. He didn’t like being a burden, especially not to a female.

  Nevaeh waved goodbye and headed out of the room, giving him a few minutes alone to use the restroom if he could find it. He threw his feet over the side of the bed and tried to stand up. The action made him dizzy. What had they given him? Hayden staggered toward another door off the side of the room and opened it. Besides a standard toilet and tub he found an extra-large shower. His body craved cleanliness. Where were his things? He spotted a clean bath towel and some toiletries. That was all the incentive he needed. He emptied his bladder without any problem, but he had to fight like the dickens to get out of the long-sleeved pajama top. Who put him in those infernal things? He hadn’t worn pajamas since he was a child. He finally managed to wiggle out of the top and notice the pristine white bandage that covered his arm from shoulder to elbow. There was no way he could get into the shower without getting it wet. He opted for the tub.

  Hayden peered out of the window while he disrobed, spotting tall oak trees and deep green brush foliage. Where the hell am I? He climbed into the tub and sank down in the warm water just as the door opened.

  Nevaeh glared at him. “What are you doing?”

  “What does it look like? Didn’t they teach you about privacy on that reservation?”

  Nevaeh ignored his comment and leaned inside the doorjamb. “Didn’t they teach you common sense on that damn bayou? You can’t get that shoulder wet. It can get infected.”

  “What am I supposed to do? I needed a bath.”

  “That’s why I’m here. I’m supposed to sponge you off.”

  It sounded sexy when she said it. “Intriguing.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself.”

  “Too late. I’m already envisioning all sorts of lascivious scenarios…one including you in a tight white nurse’s uniform.”

  “I’d slap you on the back of the head for that remark if you weren’t already injured. Now give me that towel so I can wash you back.” She moved toward him.

  “Stop. I don’t have any clothes on in this tub.”

  “I kind of figured that out. I don’t bathe in my clothes either.”

  He couldn’t let her get any closer. He had one powerful erection building beneath the bubbles.

  “Believe it or not, you’re not the first naked man I’ve seen. You see a lot when you’re training to be a nurse.”

  “You were a nurse before you were an agent?”

  “Does it surprise you that I did other things before I met you? I did have a life.”

  “No, but I didn’t picture you for a nurse…a ninja, maybe.”

  Nevaeh cracked a rare smile. “I’m not that bad.”

  “Maverick. I’m understanding why they teamed the two of us up.”

  Nevaeh walked over to the tub and stooped over. “Give me the towel and let’s get this over with.”

  Hayden handed her the towel and the soap. “You’ll have to finish this for me.” He paused. “Where are we?”

  “In a cabin, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Virginia.” Nevaeh took the towel and began washing his back, gently at first, far away from his injured shoulder but making contact with the good one, soaping his clavicle and down his back with a towel and warm sudsy water.

  His body stirred. Hayden lowered his hand to his lap to cover his growing erection, embarrassed at the reaction.

  Nevaeh chuckled huskily.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You don’t have to hide it. At least now I know you’re human. For a minute I wasn’t sure.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I just mean that an erection proves you’re not entirely disgusted about having a female as a partner, and you don’t find me repulsive.” She moved around to the front of him and continued to wash him, taking it slow down his chest until she reached his abs.

  Hayden stopped her before she could go lower. “No, I’m not repulsed and I’m not gay. You do have some redeeming qualities, and you’re a damn good shooter.”

  Nevaeh stopped and removed her hand. “Thanks. I was just doing my job.” She looked down at his face.

  Hayden gulped. Those brown eyes were going to be the death of him. He shuddered involuntary and took the towel away from her.

  Nevaeh stepped back and turned her head. “I’ll be in the kitchen reheating the food if you need me.”

  She could bring the food into the bathroom and reheat it on his sizzling hot body. “Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Nevaeh left the room.

  Hayden quickly washed and then m
aneuvered his way out of the tub. Once dried, he wrapped the towel around his waist, walked over to the sink, shaved and brushed his teeth before returning to the room. The aroma of fish frying greeted him once he’d dressed and slowly walked into the kitchen. He found Nevaeh seated at a small brown wood table with a plate of food in front of her and with one waiting in a spot for him. It was the first time he had ventured into the kitchen or any other part of the cabin since the ambulance brought him there. The place was big and comfy, with enough room for both him and Nevaeh to move about freely without getting into each other’s way. He’d never lived with another person except his parents and family, and he found it a bit odd. Hayden sat down. The pain shot though his shoulder.

  “How are you feeling? Maybe it’s too soon for you to be moving about.”

  “I’ll survive.”

  She frowned at him from across the table. “I didn’t ask you that. Don’t think I didn’t see that strained look on your face when you sat down. Maybe I should have brought a tray to your room. You’re still pretty weak from the blood loss.”

  She made him feel like an invalid. “You don’t have to go out of your way to be nice to me.”

  “I’m not going out of my way,” she replied with a pout. “You’re just being stubborn. You know, it is okay to say that you don’t feel well. You won’t lose any macho points with me.”

  Hayden groaned. “I didn’t mean it that way.” Why couldn’t he just accept her help graciously? She probably had other things to do than just nurse him. He smiled at the words—nurse him. He looked over at her chest. He bet she could suckle a baby with those.

  Nevaeh picked up her fork and began eating. She looked real pretty with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and without makeup. Most women couldn’t pull that off or wouldn’t be caught dead without lipstick.

  Following her lead, he picked up his fork and began eating too. “This is good.” The fish was delicately seasoned with salt and lemon. It melted in his mouth. He sampled the other dishes. Man oh man, this is the life. “I haven’t had anything this good in a long time.”

  “Thanks. I thought you might like a home-cooked meal for a change.”