Declan (Undercover Billionaire Book 4) Read online

  The next couple of hours went by in a blur. Angela was taken into a room in the station she’d hoped to never see again. Lieutenant Bonthu entered and picked her brain, but the longer she sat there the fewer details she was able to give.

  “I know this is a lot, Angela, but we believe you ran into the ringleader of this entire syndicate. He’s a very wanted man,” Bonthu said.

  Terror filled her at those words. She’d been spotted by the ringleader of the drug organization that had been terrorizing this town for years. He had to feel the noose tightening around him with Declan Forbes on his tail. And now he was aware she’d spotted him. Everything within her needed to run, needed to keep her son safe.

  Declan was the lead FBI agent on the case that had been plaguing Edmonds for three years now. They were in the schools, had people in power in this place and others, and were growing bigger. Declan was there to stop him, and he was getting closer and closer.

  “Can you look at these pictures?” Bonthu asked.

  She was afraid to. What if they came after her? But she nodded. He pulled out a folder with a couple dozen pictures in it. On the fifth page, she froze. A shudder ran through her as she had a flashback. Something was tugging on her memory that she didn’t want to know—didn’t want to remember.

  “That’s him,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s the man on the sidewalk. That’s the same man in the park, with the gun.”

  The Lieutenant was quiet for a while. “That’s what I thought. We’ve been looking for him for a while. He’s a ghost. This is a lucky break.”

  “How in the world can you say this is lucky? He will hunt me down,” she gasped. Fear filled her.

  “We’ll keep you safe,” Bonthu promised her. She didn’t believe him, didn’t trust him. “But if you saw him, that means he’s coming out of hiding. We will get him.”

  “I need a break,” she said. “Please, let me take my son home.”

  Bonthu looked as if he wanted to argue, but then he let out a sigh and nodded. “A break might be good. It might clear the cobwebs.”

  “Thank you,” she told him.

  They walked her from the room to where Timothy sat at an officer’s desk playing a game of Uno. He smiled at her.

  “I’m beating Officer Jayden,” Timothy said.

  “Yep, he’s whooping me,” Jayden said with a chuckle.

  “How about we go home?” she asked.

  Timothy threw down his cards and raced to her, throwing his arms around her waist. She’d truly miss these days once he decided he was too big to do that. She wanted to stop time.

  “I’m having fun, but I’m hungry, so home sounds good,” Timothy told her. She loved the adoring way he looked at her.

  Officer Miller gave her and Timothy a ride home, asked if there was anything she needed, then left them alone. It was what she wanted, but it felt eerier than she thought it would. She sat down on the couch and let Timothy tell her about his day, but the longer they sat, the more worried she became. She realized she was waiting for her door to get smashed in.

  She couldn’t stay.

  Yes, she knew she had friends in this town. But they didn’t know of her past, and they didn’t know what they were signing up for by helping her. The best option for everyone involved was for her to leave.

  “We’re going to take a trip,” she told Timothy.

  “Really? Where?”

  “It’s a surprise,” she said with a forced smile. She couldn’t let Timothy know anything was wrong.

  “Yea!” he exclaimed before jumping up and running to his room.

  Angela went to her room, grabbed a bag, threw some clothes in, and then went to help Timothy. Within an hour they were ready to leave. She threw what she had to have into her vehicle, and they left the town of Edmonds as quietly as they’d arrived.

  She was doing what she had to do, though her heart was breaking into a million pieces. She had friends in this town who’d become family to her and her son. She didn’t want to leave, but she was scared and didn’t see another choice. She was doing what she had to do.

  She didn’t know what would come next. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

  Chapter One

  Declan Forbes wasn’t a do-it-by-the-book kind of man. No one would say he was an easy guy to work with or a pleasure to be around. That didn’t mean he wasn’t the absolute best of the best. It meant he was a royal pain in the ass—especially to criminals.

  He was good—and he knew it. But there was a price that came with being the best. He always wanted more. And he didn’t stop until he got it. When he was stumped on something, he took it far more personally than he should.

  And right now Declan was stumped. His case was unsolved, and no matter how many hours he put into it, he wasn’t getting closer. Just when he thought he was getting a break, getting one of the bad guys, ten more sprang up. They needed the ringleaders, and they were harder to find than Osama Bin Laden.

  There was a crime syndicate that reached far wider than the town he’d been assigned to. He was fed up with the bad guys getting victories. It was enough to make him want to find another line of work. But that would be tragic because one: he didn’t give up, and two: he wasn’t letting one more piece of scum have the upper hand.

  He walked toward his office where his boss waited to find out what was going on. Declan hated having nothing new to report. He felt like a failure. It was an unfamiliar feeling.

  In a bad mood, he moved through the hallways of the local FBI office and into the back room he’d made his own. He wasn’t pleased to see his boss sitting at his desk looking as if he planned on making himself comfortable.

  “You’re late.” Declan smirked at his boss’s words. He wasn’t late, never was, but anything less than ten minutes early was late in the director’s eyes.

  “Director,” Declan said as he moved forward. He didn’t feel like taking a seat. Declan had learned long ago there was power in stillness. He’d gotten more than one perp to speak without having to say much at all, just stare him down. He’d been told many times he had a terrifying look.

  Director Dorsey stared back. He knew this game well. They were an even match if Declan would admit it . . . which he wouldn’t.

  Finally Director Dorsey chuckled as he leaned back. The power game was officially over. Declan cracked his own smile that couldn’t be described as pleasant. He might like working alone, but he did respect this man and hadn’t been steered wrong by him so far.

  “How are you enjoying your time in this sleepy little town?” the director asked.

  “Sleepy?” Declan said, raising his brow. “I hardly think that’s an apt description with all the crap that’s been going on.”

  “I prefer the city. This is far too quiet for me,” Dorsey said. “Even with drugs, fires, and murder.”

  “I’m glad to see you have your sense of humor,” Declan deadpanned.

  “I learned long ago that if I didn’t find humor in this horrific world, I couldn’t stay in this job. Some might take it wrong, but I do what I have to in order to not bring it home to my family.”

  Declan nodded. “I can respect that.”

  There were times Declan became so disgusted with how people treated one another the only thing that kept him grounded was his family. He had a tough-as-nails hide on him, but there was only so much bad a man could handle before it was too much. He had to get away from it all. He knew for certain he couldn’t do this job if it wasn’t for his family. They might not realize it, and he certainly didn’t tell them, but it was the truth.

  His job was the main reason he didn’t do relationships. He was too hardened to be the kind of man who could be called husband. He’d watched his three younger brothers marry in the last couple of years and was very aware of the changes in them. There was a small part of him that felt jealous, an entirely new emotion for him, but the larger part knew he would never marry.

  Angela Lincoln.

  He couldn’t say o
r think her name without a growl emphasizing the five syllables. She’d been in Edmonds, which wasn’t too far outside of Seattle, for a couple of years now. He’d been trying to find out the connection and he was getting closer.

  Danger surrounded her, and if he didn’t crack this case soon, she just might become another name the FBI couldn’t help. They’d already failed her once. He wasn’t willing to let it happen again.

  He was there to learn her side of her story and keep her safe. She was off limits otherwise. So why in the hell was he thinking her name and marriage at the same time? Something had to be seriously wrong with him, and he hoped like hell he figured it out sooner rather than later.

  He couldn’t dismiss that vulnerability in her eyes, the secrets she tried to keep masked, and the longing he felt in her to break free. It was more than clear the woman didn’t trust anyone, but she worked for his brother part-time, and she’d forged friendships with his sisters-in-law, giving him the in he needed.

  He was sure she was beginning to trust the Forbes family. It was time to get her to open up to him. He could do it; he’d just need to brush off some of the harshness his brothers were so fond of telling him he wore.

  When Declan had decided to become an FBI agent, he knew his life would be isolated. He’d served as a Marine for eight years and had seen things he’d never tell anyone about. But when he left the Corps, he’d needed a career that motivated him, challenged him, and more importantly, gave him the opportunity to do something right in a broken world.

  For the most part he felt his job gave him that and more. But sometimes it was frustrating. It was hard at times to tell the bad guys from the good. Criminals had grown smarter over time and he wasn’t sure which side of the law most people were on anymore.

  He did have faith in Angela. He knew part of her story, though he’d tried to find out more. He would get to the bottom of it, and then maybe he’d retire and start the next chapter of his life.

  The possibilities were endless for Declan just as they were for his siblings. Though they’d grown up with proverbial silver spoons in their mouths, they hadn’t taken that as a right to do nothing with their lives. They’d wanted to carve their own paths without the power of their name behind them.

  Declan was different from his brothers, more hardened, but over time his tough exterior had started to crack. Maybe it was being with his family so much, and maybe it was due to a particular woman he couldn’t keep off his mind. But whatever it was, he was changing. He wasn’t sure he liked that.

  “Did you go somewhere?” Director Dorsey asked.

  Declan gazed at his boss. “I’m right here,” he said. He had drifted a bit. He didn’t normally do that, but he was in a safe environment, allowing him to let down his guard.

  Dorsey nodded. “You’ve always done exceptional work, Declan. The way you think makes you an ace agent. We’ve allowed you liberties because of that. This case is stumping us all. Even the men at the top haven’t a clue how to crack it. What are your thoughts? What’s being done?”

  Declan decided the time had come to sit. He moved to one of the uncomfortable office chairs and took a seat. He didn’t like not having all the answers, and Dorsey was aware of that. He was also patient for the most part. Dorsey knew Declan didn’t spout words to hear himself talk. When he spoke there was meaning behind what he was saying.

  “We’ve made breaks in the case,” Declan finally said. “We just can’t seem to find the men at the top, though we have a good idea of who they are.”

  “Or the women,” Dorsey pointed out.

  Declan smirked. “Are you being politically correct?”

  “I’ve been in this business for what seems like forever, and I learned long ago not to underestimate the power of a determined woman. Power is an aphrodisiac to us all, and women can get into places and do things men can’t. They make damn fine criminals, and they’re harder to catch.”

  Declan almost chuckled. “I came to that same conclusion. I don’t know in this case, though. We have too many leads pointing to one man.”

  “We know this ring stretches far and wide. We need to tighten the circle,” Dorsey said.

  “I think there are more insiders than we originally thought. The group has too much power to not have help from higher levels than we were originally aware of.”

  Dorsey didn’t blink. “Why do you think we’re having this meeting one on one?”

  Declan didn’t trust most people in general. That was why he worked so well with Dorsey. His boss was less trusting than he was, and that was saying a lot.

  “I’m not sure why we’re having this meeting at all,” Declan told him. “I don’t have any updates. Don’t think that doesn’t piss me off.”

  Dorsey stood up. Declan did too. “I wanted to talk in person. I’m not sure who’s doing what right now, but I don’t trust our secure phone lines. I want this case solved yesterday, and I want more answers. We have a few leads and I’m expecting some calls, but again, I’m not trusting that the information we’re getting through the phone is for our ears only. I want you to report to me in person when you can. I want as little information over the phone as possible.”

  The director stood and Declan joined him. “I can do that.”

  “I’m heading out for now. I have another meeting, but walk with me to my car.”

  Declan didn’t argue. He followed the man he’d worked with for several years.

  They left the office, continuing to talk as they moved through the small building and stepped out back where a large black SUV waited. As they approached the vehicle, Declan’s mind was busy calculating everything he’d learned in the past few years. It was hard to have a decent conversation with anyone, even his boss.

  The back door opened and a man stepped out, calling inside as a sleek silver lab jumped down and immediately sat at the man’s feet.

  “Nice dog,” Declan told Dorsey.

  “Yeah, I wanted her to be your partner, but I don’t think now’s the right time. But soon.”

  Declan glared at his boss. “I don’t work with partners, not even canine ones.”

  “You don’t always get what you want,” Dorsey told him as he signaled and the lab moved to his side, waiting for a command. If they did place the dog with him, at least he was pretty sure it would obey.

  “I don’t get what I want most of the time,” Declan said. He glared at the dog who didn’t seem offended or interested.

  “That’s all for now. Give me good news, Declan . . .” He paused for a long moment. “And do it soon.”

  Declan had no doubt this was an order. He didn’t do well with orders any more than he did with rules. He never should’ve joined the FBI.

  “What’s the mutt’s name?” Declan asked.

  “Cynder.” Dorsey was smiling big now. He was truly enjoying himself. Declan wasn’t going to show him how irritated he was. He was also done with this conversation.

  “She makes a great partner for you. Enjoy her,” Declan said. He was glad he wasn’t taking her. Dorsey didn’t respond.

  “Cynder, come,” Dorsey said. Just like that, the dog stood and followed him.

  Declan began walking away. He wanted out of there before the director changed his mind and sent him home with the dog. He had enough to deal with without taking on the responsibility of a pet.

  “Sir,” someone yelled. Declan stopped his exit. He moved back to the director as an officer approached, out of breath.

  “Calm down and talk,” Dorsey said, his feathers not easily ruffled.

  “A big deal just went down. We didn’t catch them, but we have a witness,” the officer said before hanging his head. “Or we did have a witness. We’ve lost her.”

  Declan watched as the director’s head nearly came off his neck.

  “What are you talking about?” Dorsey asked. “And you better explain in as few words as possible.”

  “That means talk fast,” Declan added.

  “Angela Lincoln spotted who we
think is the head of the whole syndicate. She came to the station . . . and now she’s nowhere to be found.”

  Declan desperately wanted to punch someone—hard.

  “Was she abducted?” Declan asked, trying not to freak out.

  “No, she fled. The officers went back to her place and she’d left a note. She apologized and said she had to keep her son safe.”

  Declan let out a relieved breath when she didn’t appear to be in immediate danger. He was well aware that could change if she really had spotted the head of the organization.

  “Do you know where she went?” he asked.

  “No,” the officer said.

  “Why wasn’t I called right away? Why wasn’t I brought to the station?” Declan demanded. The officer shifted on his feet.

  “I don’t know. I’m just the messenger,” he said. Declan had the urge to smash his fist into something again. He had to clench his fingers together and try desperately to calm himself. “We didn’t think she’d run, though.”

  “She’s terrified. She shouldn’t have been left alone,” Declan told him.

  “There’s no way any of us could’ve known what would happen,” the officer replied.

  “Are you new to the force?” Declan asked in a deceptively quiet voice.

  “No, I’ve been on for about five years,” Miller replied.

  “Then you should’ve known a scared witness is a dangerous witness. There’s no excuse for this.”

  “I’m not in charge,” Miller said. Declan growled a bit, causing Cynder to tense next to Dorsey. Miller sighed. “But yes, we screwed up.”

  “I’ll find her,” Declan said. “And I’ll be the one keeping her safe until we catch these guys.” The authority in his voice was so final, not even the director tried to argue with him. He needed to get on her trail immediately if he had any chance of keeping her and Timothy out of danger.

  “You’ll do it,” Dorsey said. “Let’s not let these guys get away with anything else. They’ve terrorized this town long enough.”

  Declan didn’t say anything else. He walked away this time, more determined than ever before. He’d go to her apartment first then make some phone calls. He’d find her no matter how long it took. He just hoped it was sooner rather than later.