Page 107 of Trapped

Knox grinned again and stepped back outside.

Cash dragged in a breath and let it out.

Sophia laughed. “I can walk in front of you, if you want.”

“I’ll be okay in a minute—as long as I know there’s a bed waiting for us in the very near future.”

She clasped his hand. “Oh yeah.”

He dragged in several more breaths and ran his free hand through his hair. “Okay. Let’s go.”

The rest of the Decorah Security group was waiting in several vehicles that had been hidden in an underground garage.

“Ride with me,” Frank Decorah said.

They both climbed into the back of his SUV, and he pulled away.

“We were a little worried back there,” Frank said. “When Montgomery pulled his stunt with the music box.”

“Luntz wasn’t going to kill me—until I told him where to find the money and the treasure.”

“Luckily, because he sure looked like he wanted to.”

Sophia winced.

Frank drove through the national forest, then headed north.

“You did a fantastic job of getting Luntz and Montgomery to talk. The military will be able to go back to the area where he sent you and get the loot. And the villagers can verify what happened. So, it’s over for you, except testifying at the trials.”

“Yeah,” Cash murmured. “And I’d say my military career is over, too. It may be illogical, but I’ll never trust the chain of command again.”

“But you trust us,” Frank said.

“Yes,” Cash answered.

“Good. Because I was hoping you’d join our organization. We’ve got a lot of ex-military and ex cops. You’re just the kind of guy we need. And you obviously fit right in.”

Cash took a breath. “I . . .”

“You don’t have to give me your answer right away. But I did talk to the Defense Department, and they’re willing to expedite your Army discharge—if that’s what you want.”

Cash felt his chest expand. “I don’t have to think about it. I know the answer. I felt at home the moment I sat down and started talking to all of you.”

“Good.”

Sophia gripped his hand tightly. When he looked at her, she smiled.

He pulled her close, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

“It’s really over,” she murmured. “I can hardly believe it.”

“No, it’s just beginning,” he said, feeling happier than he had since the night he’d first made love with her. There was so much he wanted to say to her. But not in front of anyone else—even his friends.

Still, he knew by the warm look in her eyes that she was on his wavelength. And as soon as they were alone, he was going to start making up for all the lonely years. She grinned at him. And he grinned back, sure that the rest of his life would be so much different from anything that had gone before—except for that one glorious night that had kept him going for all these years.

“Happy?” she whispered.

“Yes.”

“Well, I predict you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

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