Page 1 of Shadow Redemption

CHAPTER ONE

Ruth Monihan shivered in the bright sunlight, goosebumps surging across her skin despite the soaring heat of the August day. She stopped for the third time in as many minutes and looked over her shoulder.

No one paid attention to her on the crowded Nashville street. She must be imagining things. Again. Understandable considering a few months earlier she’d been kidnapped by a terrorist. Revulsion filled her at the memory of Hugo Torino’s hands and mouth on her. But that episode of her life was in the past, Ruth reminded herself. Hugo would be locked in prison until he was an old man.

She still couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. Ruth continued forward. She should be used to it since she made her living in front of a camera. At least for now. Three more jobs and her supermodel alter ego, Roxanne, was retiring. It was past time and Ruth wanted a normal life beyond a spotlight and runway. These days, standing in front of a camera made her skin crawl and her anxiety skyrocket, a legacy from her time as Hugo’s prisoner.

Ruth crossed the street to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital with a gift bag in hand. She had a plan for life after she finished the last contracted job and the money to make her plans come to fruition. She had no debt and had taken advantage of her financial advisor’s wise counsel over the years.

She walked into the hospital lobby, a sigh escaping. Her sister, Bridget, was blissfully happy with her hunky husband, Trace, a super soldier with muscles to spare, lethal sniper skills, and a heart that beat for his wife. Ruth was thrilled for her sister and loved that her brother-in-law was so besotted with Bridget. Watching them together, though, highlighted the lack of someone special in her own life.

The mental image of Trace’s dark-haired teammate, Ben Martin, popped into her mind, a fascinating man who made time to train her in self-defense when they were in town at the same time, and who always made time to talk on the phone in the middle of the night when memories plagued her the most. Although he watched her when they were in close proximity, he’d never acted on those tantalizing hints of interest.

Ruth stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the correct floor. She leaned against the wall. Maybe Ben considered her tainted. She blinked back the sting of tears and chided herself for being ridiculous. The handsome operative didn’t shy away from her when she’d been rescued from Hugo’s clutches. Although he hadn’t asked questions, Ben must have known or suspected the truth.

That left the inevitable conclusion that Ben wasn’t interested in her as more than a casual friend. Man, that thought hurt because the mysterious, quiet operative with shadows in his eyes intrigued her.

By the time the polished silver doors opened, Ruth had her game face on. After an inquiry at the nurses’ station, she knocked on Trinity Edwards’ door and walked into the room.

An auburn-haired woman stood, her jaw dropping. “Oh, wow. I can’t believe you’re here. I thought someone would bring a signed picture. I’m Anita, Trinity’s mother.”

Ruth smiled. “Since I was in town for a few days, I thought I’d drop in to see your daughter.”

“I can’t thank you enough.” Her voice sounded choked. “You’re all she talks about.”

“Who is it, Mama?”

The soft voice drew Ruth further into the room. On the bed lay a young girl with a knitted hat on her head to cover her baldness. “Hello, Trinity.”

The girl stared in disbelief before a wide smile curved her mouth. “Roxanne! You came. Mama said you would be too busy.”

Ruth sat in the empty chair beside the bed. “I’m between jobs at the moment and thought I would surprise you. I brought you a gift.” After a glance at Trinity’s mother for permission, she gave Trinity the doll she’d mentioned saving up for in the letter she sent to Ruth. Although she felt weird about giving a Roxanne doll as a gift, she wanted Trinity to have another incentive to fight the disease attacking her fragile body.

“What is it?” Trinity’s eyes lit as she accepted the gift bag.

“Open it and see. If you don’t like it, I’ll find something else for you that you’ll like better.”

“Go ahead, baby,” Anita said.

The girl opened the bag and reached inside. When she pulled out the Roxanne doll, Trinity squealed in happiness. “Look, Mama. It’s the Roxanne doll I wanted! Thank you, Roxanne.”

Ruth grinned, some of her dark mood lifting. “Your email said that you are saving for the doll. Now, you can use the money to buy outfits or maybe a handsome escort for your doll.”

She spent another ten minutes with Anita and Trinity when Ruth noticed the child’s eyes were drooping. She rose and laid a hand on Trinity’s shoulder. “I’d love to keep in touch with you. Is it all right if I email you once in a while to see how you’re doing?”

The girl gave a sleepy smile. “I’d like that.”

“I’ll give your mom a card with an email address where you can contact me directly. I’ll let you rest now.”

A small nod and the child was asleep.

Ruth handed Anita a business card.

“Thank you so much for stopping by,” Anita said, accepting the card. “Your visit means the world to both of us. My husband will be sorry he missed you. He’s also a fan of yours.”

“Maybe I’ll have a chance to meet him the next time I see Trinity.” She glanced at the sleeping girl. “What are the doctors saying about her?”

“They’re optimistic. Even though this is her second bout with cancer, her body is responding very well to treatment.”

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