Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6 Read online

  A minute later, Connor’s police scanner went off reporting the accident. “Looks like I’m up. Dare, do you want to come in with me to investigate any guns we might find?”

  Dare and Connor jumped from the van and headed for Connor’s cruiser parked a few blocks away.

  “You and Peter follow Granger and Kord. See if Curtis leads you to the art,” Cy ordered. “I’ll stay here and monitor it all.”

  Paxton hopped from the van with Peter and raced toward their undercover SUV. In minutes they were following Curtis per Granger’s and Kord’s locations. Paxton drove, his hands tight on the wheel. He wanted this over so badly it hurt. He wanted Tinsley safe and the only way to do that was to find the paintings.

  Paxton pulled to a stop in front of the warehouse where he’d been shot. Dark and painful memories fought to be freed, but he pushed them back. Now wasn’t the time.

  “Where is Curtis?” Paxton asked into the coms.

  “Inside. The driver is still in the car,” Granger replied.

  “An extended SUV is pulling into the back,” Kord told them. “Two men are getting out and knocking at the back door. The door is opening and they’re going inside.”

  There was no movement out front, and as Paxton scanned the warehouse, he couldn’t see any movement in the front rooms either.

  “Wait, they’re coming back out carrying large suitcases,” Kord told them.

  “Big enough for paintings?” Paxton asked.

  “Aw, crap,” Kord cursed over his coms. “It’s not the paintings. One of the guys knocked a suitcase over and white powder seemed to explode inside it. I just see puffs of cocaine floating in the air now. No paintings.”

  Peter was already calling it in to Connor, who immediately sent a unit. The SUV wouldn’t get far and Curtis was going to be pissed when a lot of his coke was confiscated.

  “That'll push Curtis over the edge,” Peter said as if reading Paxton’s mind.

  “I was thinking the same thing. If he owes money to some South American gang and loses all of his product, he’s going to have to sell the paintings ASAP.”

  “Paxton, Peter,” Connor’s voice sounded hushed over the coms. “Agent Trevino just appeared on scene and is demanding to take over. We were able to go into the house to check out the car and saw weapons and guns in plain sight. We were able to confiscate, but Trevino wants them all. No paintings, though, sorry.”

  Paxton clenched his hand into a fist. “You can’t let Trevino take over. All that evidence will go missing and no charges will be brought.”

  “I had my team move fast. I already arrested and transported fourteen Myriad members who had either outstanding warrants, possession of drugs they had on them, or unregistered firearms. I got them out of here the second their rights were read. Trevino wants them, but I’m not going to give them to him without a fight,” Connor said.

  “I’ll take care of it,” Cy’s calm voice said over the coms. “I’ve already made a call.”

  “Curtis is leaving, and he’s not carrying a thing,” Paxton sighed. “We’re coming back to the van.”

  Paxton fought not to feel defeated as they all drove back to the van. Police sirens drew close to them and sped past them on the way to arrest anyone in the SUV filled with drugs.

  When they reached the van, Connor was missing from inside, but the rest of the crew were waiting for Paxton and Peter.

  “We’ve got nothing,” Paxton said between his gritted teeth.

  “We’ve gotten a lot, Kendry,” Cy’s hard voice said. “We’ll be able to take down Curtis’s inner circle and cause him to panic. He’ll be making his move to sell those paintings soon. You need to get back to Shadows Landing now. I’ll clean things up here. Now go. Go home and protect my niece or I’ll be the one you’ll have to worry about, not Curtis.”

  “We should get to Tinsley. Curtis is out of options. He’ll be moving those paintings any day now,” Peter told him.

  The urge to get to Tinsley was almost overwhelming. “Thank you, Cy,” Paxton said, holding out his hand to Tinsley’s scary uncle.

  “It’s been fun. I’m protective of what’s mine, but you’ll do nicely for Tins. I’ll see you at the wedding. September is a lovely time to get married on the beach there.” Cy smiled at him as Paxton’s mouth just seemed to hang open. Then Cy picked up his cell phone and they were all dismissed. “Marshall, get the guys together. It’s a guys’ trip to Atlanta to take down a gang and a corrupt FBI agent.”

  “Yes!” was heard through the entire van.

  Tinsley had said her family was interesting, and he’d learned firsthand that was true. They made him smile and gave him the courage to do what was needed to protect Tinsley. He knew he had backup.

  19

  Tinsley was curled up in bed at Ryker’s when a soft knock at her door had her looking up from the book she was reading on her phone.

  “Come in,” she called out.

  The doorknob turned and Ryker entered. He strode into the room and sat down with a sigh in one of the chairs. “How are you holding up?” he asked her.

  “I’m fine, but something tells me you’re not.”

  Ryker waved the question away. “Just some work stuff. Nothing to worry about. I wanted to let you know that Granger called me. They’re on their way home. Should be here in the next thirty minutes.”

  Tinsley’s heart started beating fast as she sat up in bed. “Did they find the paintings?”

  “No. But they got the whole organization desperate to sell them. I’m sure Paxton can fill you in when he gets here.”

  Tinsley fell back against the mountain of decorative pillows Ryker’s interior designer had picked out. “So, it’s not over yet.”

  “It’s not but, Tinsley, I can take over. I can claim to own the gallery. Ridge and I were talking and we don’t want you in any kind of danger. I know enough about art to get by. Plus, I don’t have a family. Ridge didn’t like it but he understands. I don’t have someone who loves me waiting for me at home. That makes me the best choice for a dangerous job. Let me take on Myriad and keep you safe.”

  Tinsley’s heart broke for Ryker. “That’s not true. You have a family who loves you and I refuse to put you in danger. I don’t have someone waiting for me either. I appreciate your concern. But Ryker, I can do this. I have to do this.”

  “I know you can. I just don’t want you to. And you do have someone waiting for you—someone that Granger told me was driving over a hundred miles per hour to get back home to you. Someone who screamed into a SUV full of men that he wasn’t sleeping in the guest room anymore.” Ryker placed his hands on the arms of the chair and pushed himself up to standing. “He might not have said it yet, but that man loves you, Tinsley. It’s clear as day you love him, too.”

  “What?” Tinsley asked, stunned. No one had noticed her slow change of feelings. At least she thought no one had. She shouldn’t be surprised Ryker saw what no one else did. He had a way of sitting back and observing. It served him well in business, but it’s also what kept him from having a personal life. There were too many Biancas in the world out to land his money, not his love. It would take someone very special to break through the reinforced walls of his heart.

  Ryker gave her a small smile. “I’ve seen your paintings, Tinsley. They’re a testament to your love for him. You have your chance to be happy. Don’t pass it up. Let me fill in for you. I can bullshit my way through anything, even with some guys who know nothing about valuable art.”

  Tinsley was sure both Ridge and Ryker thought she would happily step down, but she wasn’t going to. “No. Thank you for the offer, but I refuse to step down. Ryker, this is my life. This is what I’m good at and I can help. I want to help. I don’t come into the middle of one of your negotiations and tell you that I’ll take over. Don’t come into mine and do the same.”

  Ryker was silent for a moment and then a sad smile crossed his face. “I knew you were the strong one. Everyone always looked out for you, but I saw you. I
saw you looking out for everyone else. They thought they were taking care of you, the youngest of us, but it was always the other way around. You saved me. You protected Edie with everything you had. You made sure everyone always had what was needed. You always said yes to any favor asked.” Ryker stood at the foot of the bed and his small smile turned downward into a frown. “I know what it’s like to feel compelled to do more. I won’t get in the way, but I’d feel better if I were close by.”

  “You can visit Savannah upstairs all you want,” Tinsley said with a smile. “I’ll even carry Tina if it makes you feel better.”

  “That would make me feel better,” Ryker said, reaching behind him and pulling Tina from his waistband. “Where you go, Tina goes. Got it?”

  “Yes, cousin. I got it.”

  Ryker looked down at the phone in his hand. “Paxton is here. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll all go to church together.”

  “Thank you for looking out for me, Ryk.”

  Ryker nodded and then left her room. Moments later she heard the pounding of footsteps running up the stairs and then he was there. Paxton looked frazzled. He’d raked his fingers through his hair so often, it was practically standing up. But his eyes said it all. They were dark with passion and his breathing was heavy. She opened her arms and he raced to her.

  Paxton’s arms tightened around her. He buried his face in her neck and only then took a deep breath. His hand ran over her hair as he sat on the bed, just holding her. “I missed you.”

  Tinsley smiled against his head as she gently threaded her fingers into his hair. “I missed you, too.”

  “I’m sorry, Tinsley. I failed you. I didn’t shut the whole operation down.”

  “You hurt them, though.”

  “Yes, but now they’re like a wounded animal and even more dangerous. They’re coming here next. I don’t know when. I just know they will come for you to sell the paintings. They need them sold,” Paxton told her. He finally released his tight grip on her and leaned back enough to cup her cheeks with his large hands.

  “They’re not coming tonight,” Tinsley said gently. “Tonight we can just love each other.”

  A sly smile formed on Paxton’s lips. “Are you telling me you love me, Miss Faulkner?”

  Tinsley laughed before leaning forward to kiss him. “You know I love you, Agent Kendry.”

  Tinsley placed her lips on his, but then it was all Paxton. He angled her mouth to kiss her deep, long, and hard. Only when she was breathing heavily and lost in a pleasured daze did he break the kiss. “I love you, too, Tinsley. You’ve been the only one for me since I first saw you.”

  Tinsley knew when there was a time for words and when actions spoke larger than words. Now was a time for action. “Make love to me, Paxton.” Tinsley scooted into the middle of the bed and pulled off the tank top she was wearing. She shimmied out of the matching sleep shorts and drank in the sight of Paxton undressing.

  Their eyes never left each other as he grabbed a condom and crawled up her body. Tonight was different. It was deeper. It was slower. It was intense as every touch and every kiss painted the story of their love upon their bodies and hearts.

  “Get ready,” Tinsley whispered the next morning.

  “Did I really just put down a donation for barbecue? We are in a church, right?” Paxton asked as he surveyed the packed church led by Reverend Winston.

  Reverend Winston had given a sermon about never underestimating the smallest of the flock. Paxton had looked repeatedly at Tinsley, but she didn’t act singled out. The littlest of Lydia’s kids came up to collect the donations. Tinsley had instructed Paxton to place the donation in either container one or container two after eating a sampling of the two different barbeques. This was the most surreal church service he’d ever seen.

  “Yes, and as soon as Reverend Winston announces a winner, we run for that restaurant. Since I’m small, I can dart around the crowd easier and I’m usually the first from the family there. If you get there first, get a table for all of us. Darn!” Tinsley cursed as she looked around at the congregation.

  “What?” Paxton still had to be dreaming after a night of the most amazing sex of his life.

  “Quad Clemmons is here. He has a full scholarship on the top basketball team in the country. He’s fast. Really fast. Okay, here we go.”

  Tinsley already had one foot into the aisle as Reverend Winston spoke. “We conclude today’s service with the winner of the barbeque. It’s close, but the winner this week is Low—”

  Paxton couldn’t even hear the full name of the restaurant because people were suddenly going crazy. “Go!” Ridge yelled, shoving Paxton into the aisle. Paxton followed the crowd outside where he heard engines gunning, tires squealing, and two old men on motorized chairs racing off down the street.

  Even the knitting club ran past him. That was enough to get him into action. “Tinsley!” he yelled, seeing her sprinting up ahead of him. Next to her was a young man with hair cut short on the sides and back, but long curls on top of his head. He had to be Quad Clemmons because he was at least six foot seven and was sprinting past people with ease. Tinsley tried to cut him off, but he practically hurdled her.

  “Go, Tinsley!” Ridge yelled from somewhere up ahead of them.

  Ellery ran past with the baby strapped into the stroller. “If you want to be in this family, you need to condition better!” she yelled over her shoulder.

  Okay, Paxton was done. This might be the most bizarre event he’d ever witnessed, but Miss Mitzi the cat lady was not going to beat him to the restaurant. Paxton ran as hard and fast as he could. He’d caught up to Ridge as the line of people slid to a stop. Tinsley and Ryker were up front behind Quad.

  “Up here!” Tinsley waved and the slowpokes of the Faulkner family moved up in line.

  “That’s my boy,” an older version of Quad said, slapping his son on the shoulder. “You shaved a whole three seconds off from spring.”

  “Wait, doesn’t he play for—” Paxton began to ask, but Tinsley just nodded.

  “With the best conditioning coaches in the country. That’s cheating, Quad,” Tinsley teased the college-aged young man who towered over her.

  “Sorry, Miss T, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do for the fam.” He rested a hand on her shoulder and Paxton almost laughed at how it engulfed Tinsley’s small frame.

  “You’re going to owe your old babysitter tickets to the championship game to make up for it,” Tinsley grinned up at him.

  “From your lips to God’s ears. We were so close this March.”

  Then the line moved and the restaurant filled in seconds. Paxton noted that as soon as the race was over, the competition faded and a jovial family-like atmosphere took over. Lydia and all her kids came over to say hello. Ellery and Gavin made rounds with their baby to talk to each table. People cruised from table to table until the first round of food came out. Then everyone was seated and ready to eat.

  They were halfway through their meal when Tinsley’s brow furrowed. She picked up her phone and answered. “I’m sorry, I’m at family lunch. Can I call you back?”

  Paxton and Ryker leaned forward to hear better, but everyone else was too busy talking to notice the way Tinsley had paled.

  “You’re here now? I’m sorry, we’re closed Sundays.”

  That got Ridge’s attention and he leaned closer, too.

  “Of course, Maurice. I’ll be right there,” Tinsley said, hanging up. The table was completely quiet. “They’re here with the paintings.”

  “It’s the smart move. They saw the whole town running to the restaurants. They’ll know the police station is empty and the chance of someone walking off the street to come see what you have is slim to none,” Paxton told her as they both stood up. “I’m coming with you. They’ll need help bringing it into the gallery, after all.”

  “I’m coming too,” Ridge said, standing up.

  “No, it’d be too obvious. Tell Granger and Kord that Paxton will be in c
ontact with them. Have them check for people surrounding the gallery. You can all walk down after lunch if Paxton texts that it’s okay. We can’t blow his case now.” Paxton looked at Tinsley and saw the command in her. Gone was the woman who’d smile and do anything to please her family and in her place was a warrior. “Let’s go.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Paxton said with a smirk. He saw her touch the small of her back and then relax a little. He wondered what was hidden under the little pink cardigan sweater.

  They didn’t talk as they walked toward the gallery. Tinsley kept her eyes on the large van out front and Paxton tried to nonchalantly look around to see if Maurice and Murray had company with them.

  “Hello, gentlemen. I’m sorry for the delay. On Sundays, everyone eats together after church. I had to hunt down my helper to carry in all the paintings you said you brought.” Tinsley smiled as if nothing was wrong. Paxton tried to keep his head down in case someone recognized him. Who knew if Trevino had handed the Myriad’s a new photo of him?

  “We’re sorry to intrude on your personal time,” Maurice said smoothly. “Our grandmother has taken a turn for the worse and requires an expensive surgery that insurance won’t cover. Our older brother has asked us to sell these as quickly as possible.”

  Tinsley looked at the two men sympathetically. She reached out with both hands and squeezed their hands. “Your grandmother is blessed with such good grandsons. I’ll pray for her and her surgery.”

  “Thank you, Tinsley,” Murray responded. His eyes kept traveling back to Paxton. “We got this. You can go back to your lunch if you’d like.”

  “Whatever is fine with me. I don’t mind helping. I know Tinsley is very concerned about damaging the art. Did you know the value of even the most famous masterpiece can fall ninety percent if it’s damaged just a tiny bit?” Paxton bullshitted. He had no idea if it were true or not, but it had the desired effect.

  “Murray, why don’t you help him with the art,” Maurice suggested, looking nervously at the truck.