If she hadn’t had the vivid memory of the night she’d had with him, she’d have believed the cake could take her over the edge.
More laughter rolled over her. “James, I think you have serious competition there. I’d be careful if I were you.”
She was about to tease the two men some more, pushing the plate toward them so they could taste it, determined to remain straight faced while they did, when a rumble came down the street.
As the sound increased, they tensed and turned to see at least five motorcycles come into view and slow as they took out their guns. When they started firing at them, Mercy didn’t have time to say a word. Survival instincts kicked in while glass and death rained all around them.
Chapter Fifteen
James got his weapon as he hit the ground, pulling Mercy with him, and fighting the urge to cover her body with his. Screams from the other diners sounded as people tried to evade the death they knew was coming in the previously relaxed space.
“We’re sitting ducks here. We need to move,” James hissed as a bullet barely missed Mercy.
“There.”
James followed where Nick was pointing to a fire exit. It would mean making a run across the open expanse of the diner, but as James looked around quickly, he realized it was the best option. Then what?
“They could be out the back too.”
James didn’t give a shit about himself, but he was frightened for Mercy and of leaving Abbie all alone. If he died, they’d be vulnerable, and while he knew Mercy would be okay, he wanted years to discover her. And what of his sister and Abbie? Who would protect them? He’d never thought like this on a mission before, especially in the middle of a gunfight, but now it seemed the choices he made were changing everything. For a split second, he wondered if Mercy hadn’t been right about them mixing the job with a relationship but quickly dismissed it.
“We can’t just sit here while people die.”
He and Nick fired back, but their weapons were useless against semi-automatics.
“Okay, on my go. Ready?” James nodded as did Mercy beside him. “Go.”
James aimed toward the shattered front window as they ran toward the exit at the back of the diner. Glass rained down over them, wood splintering, screams echoing from the terrified people who’d only planned a quiet afternoon and were now fighting for their lives. He could hear sirens in the distance and sighed audibly before the sound of engines being revved filled the air. Punching the fire exit door with his shoulder, he glanced back at the devastation and a ripple of guilt plagued him. He’d brought this horror to their town. The Henchmen were after him and Abbie, and they’d proven they didn’t care who they killed to get them. An echo of fear ran down his spine as he looked at the woman he was falling in love with, and realized he’d put her in the crosshairs.
As the three of them hit the bright light of the outdoors, James prayed the bikers were leaving and not driving around the back. The rumble of their engines became distant, and James breathed a sigh of relief until he saw the blood on Mercy’s arm and nearly lost his mind.
“You’re bleeding, fucking hell.” He stalked to her and firmly but gently pushed her sleeve up to reveal a cut.
“It’s fine. It’s just a nick from the shattered glass.”
James probed the wound, not happy to take her word for it until he was sure she was telling the truth.
“James.” Her hand on his cheek had him looking into her shadowed eyes. “I’m fine.”
He nodded and released her but stayed close as they went back inside to see if they could help anyone that was injured.
The waitress that had served them was down, her vacant gaze open in shock, strawberry milkshake all down her legs. A mother was trying to calm her screaming kids to no avail, but thankfully it was fright and not an injury that had caused the terror in the children’s expressions. A retired couple were in a booth, the woman holding her scarf to the man’s chest, which was pouring with blood.
James rushed toward them. “Here, let me.” He took the soaked cloth and discarded it as he used his jacket to stem the flow.
“Bloody ruffians.” The older man gasped, pain etched on his weathered face.
“Shhh, James, don’t try to talk.”
“Hey, that’s my name too.” He pressed the cloth tighter, wanting to give the victim the best chance he could.
“A good name for a fine man,” the older man said and nodded.
“It sure is. So, who’s your pretty friend?” James winked at the frightened woman who blushed a little but kept her eyes on who he was assuming was her husband as she held tight to his hand.
“This is my Mary, so hands off, you young scoundrel.”
James chuckled. “I’m spoken for, too. My girlfriend is over there helping that mother with her children.”
“A pretty one too.”
James didn’t like the man’s color or the way his words were starting to slur. He needed the paramedics here fast if this man was going to survive.
“Am I gonna make it, young James?”
“Of course you are.”
“You serve, lad?”
“Yes, sir. Ten years in the US Air Force before I went private.”
“Ah, should’ve guessed a pretty boy would be Air Force.”
“Let me guess, you were Navy?”
“Damn straight I was. Did thirty years and served in two wars.”
“Wow, that’s impressive. Thank you for your service.” James saw the paramedics come in through the door behind him and waved them over. “Sir, the paramedics are here now, so I’m going to let them take over your care.”
The man gripped his arms with surprising strength. “Make sure you get those assholes.”
“Will do, sir.”
He moved toward Mercy and indicated he was going to make a call. He stepped toward the door where Nick was already handling the police. Hitting dial, he rang King. His heart leaped into his throat when he didn’t answer straight away.
“King.”
“It’s James. Is Abbie okay?”
“Yeah, she’s sleeping in her crib.”
James blew out a breath of relief and then told King what happened.
“You think this is connected to the FBI guy?”
“I’m not certain but ask Imari to dig deeper. My gut says it might be.”
“Sure thing. You need backup, mate?”
“No. Just make sure Abbie is safe.”
“With my life.”
He hung up, reassured that his niece was in good hands and turned to Mercy, who was laughing with the little boy on her lap as she played peekaboo with him. His heart swelled until it almost burst from his chest with what he felt for her, and he knew that he loved her. He hadn’t meant for it to happen, but it had. He could’ve lost her today to a bullet, and he would’ve lived his life knowing he hadn’t told her how he felt. As soon as he got a second alone with her, he’d remedy that.
The next few hours were spent with them answering questions and giving statements. They kept their involvement with the case and the meet with the FBI agent quiet after Shane called and told them the FBI Director wanted their involvement kept on the down-low. When they finally walked through the door of Ian’s home hours later, they were all exhausted.