The Baby Assignment. Christy Barritt

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ in my job description.”

      Macy didn’t want to debate with him about whether or not he was qualified. Instead, she needed some space from him—and soon. “Let me walk you to the door.”

      Quietly, they walked down the hallway, through the office, and toward the front entrance.

      Why had a mom abandoned her baby at the FBI office? The maternal bond was exceptionally strong, so what had made her so desperate? Macy didn’t have time to think too much further about it now. Her thoughts were racing all over the place since she’d first seen Tanner at her door.

      They paused in the waiting room. The office wasn’t very large. There were five psychologists here and three administrative staff members. They all felt like family and often spent weekends doing cookouts at each other’s houses.

      The place had recently been redecorated in subtle shades of blue and brown—colors that promoted serenity. A saltwater aquarium, another object that calmed people down, was placed strategically in the corner, and soothing music usually played overhead.

      Macy glanced outside and saw an agent standing at the door. Tanner followed her gaze.

      “My partner,” Tanner explained.

      As Tanner turned to her, Addie let out a cry. Macy saw the flash of panic on Tanner’s face. He bounced the baby in his arms, talking in soothing tones.

      “It’s going to be okay,” he murmured. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. I promise.”

      Macy’s very bones ached at his tender words. He would have been a good father. If only...

      No, she couldn’t think about that.

      “We’ll talk tomorrow,” she assured him.

      The last thing she wanted to do was prolong the amount of time she spent with Tanner. It would be too painful, not something she wanted to endure. She would find the answers, be done with this, and hopefully never have to see him again.

      As she opened her mouth to say goodbye, a noise outside drew her ear. Was that...a gunshot? She sucked in a quick breath.

      Tanner visibly tensed beside her and reached for his gun. Before he could grab it, she heard a groan outside.

      Tanner’s partner fell to the ground.

      The next instant, three men wielding military-grade guns and wearing ski masks burst into the building.

      * * *

      Tanner grabbed Macy and rushed toward the hallway. He pushed her inside the first room he came to and quickly scanned it. Good. No windows.

      He thrust Addie into Macy’s arms, apprehension welling in him at the gravity of the situation. “Stay here. Lock the door. Get in a closet. Understand?”

      He didn’t have time to rationalize or reassure her. All they could focus on now was survival. Time was of the essence.

      Macy’s eyes widened, but she nodded, looking shell-shocked.

      He gripped her shoulder. “You’re strong. You can do this.”

      Before she could say anything else, he shut the door and waited until he heard the lock click in place. Then he ducked behind a corner, careful to remain covered. Footsteps pounded toward him in the distance.

      A bullet whizzed through the air, hitting the wall in front of him. Tanner fired back, missing the shooter by mere inches.

      More footsteps scrambled in the waiting room.

      Another bullet hit the plaster behind him. He had to put an end to this. It had been risky bringing Addie out today, but Tanner had followed procedure. That procedure had gone totally wrong, unfortunately.

      Lord, please keep Macy and Addie safe. Please. He’d never forgive himself if they were hurt on his watch.

      In an instant, both Macy and Addie’s faces flashed through his head. Despite his history with Macy, he still felt an unusual surge of protectiveness about her.

      His presence here could have put her in danger, and he couldn’t live with himself if something happened to her because of him. Even if the woman had left him and turned his life upside down.

      He peered around the corner again and raised his gun. The smoky, acidic smell of ammunition filled the air as this place of healing became a place of violence. The irony hit him, but he couldn’t linger on it now.

      A masked gunman ducked for cover behind a plush chair. The man popped up when he spotted Tanner. Before the man could take a shot, Tanner fired. The assailant yelped and fell out of sight.

      Tanner knew this was far from over, though.

      Where were the other gunmen? Just what were they planning?

      He grabbed his phone and called his office. “Immediate backup needed. We’ve got an active shooter situation at the Third Day Psychotherapy Center. Three gunmen.”

      “Backup is en route.”

      Before Tanner hung up, another gunman stepped out from behind the glass-enclosed reception area and raised his gun. The bullet grazed Tanner’s biceps.

      He flinched but ignored the pain. Instead, he fired back, hitting his target on the shoulder. The man groaned and retreated.

      Silence stretched through the air.

      Who were these guys? They shot like professionals, like people who had experience. And that fact didn’t settle well with Tanner.

      He assumed Addie’s mom was fleeing from a domestic situation, an abusive boyfriend or husband. But if this current incident was connected with Addie—and he believed it was—then this was much bigger than he’d surmised.

      Slowly, Tanner crept toward the waiting room. He had to see what was going on out there and try to get a read on things. As his foot hit broken glass, he looked down. A trail of blood led to the back exit.

      Had all of them retreated or just one?

      Remaining close to the wall, Tanner continued to check the area. He had to make sure everything was clear before he went to get Macy and Addie. He wouldn’t relax until he saw them again and knew they were safe.

      Just then, another bullet shattered the silence of the room. The fish tank behind him exploded, and water gushed to the floor.

      Tanner dove behind the couch, his pulse pounding in his ears. This place was a battle zone.

      He glanced at the office door where he’d placed Macy and the baby. At least he knew no one had gone in there. They were safe. He planned on keeping it that way.

      Another thought rammed into his mind.

      What if there was another way into that office? What if those gunmen had only been a distraction while another man went after Addie and the woman he’d once loved?

       Two СКАЧАТЬ