Devoted Defender by Rachel Dylan Page A

between you and Annie?” Caleb paused. “But before you answer, I’m the last one to cast judgment on you, given what happened between me and Hope. I just want to make sure that you’re thinking clearly. That’s all. I remember all too well what it was like to make decisions in the heat of the moment based on my heart and not my head.”
    He was close enough with Caleb that he could be honest. “There isn’t anything between us. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested. I realize, though, that this isn’t the best time to try to start a relationship. And beyond that, there are some issues that we’d have to deal with. Things I really don’t feel like it’s my place to go into. Not to mention my own hang-ups.”
    Gabe took a step forward. “I would never ask you to divulge things that Annie told you in confidence. But this is a highly dangerous situation and everyone needs to be fully engaged. Silva’s organization is powerful, and as a man, Tim Silva is ruthless. And his business partners are equally as threatening. It wouldn’t be safe to go further south into Florida because his cousin covers Florida, and he’s just as bad. If Silva is taking this drastic of action, he has spread the word to all of his network partners.”
    “So what do you suggest?”
    “Hunkering down in a safe house would be my best suggestion.”
    “Except we don’t have a safe house that’s actually safe.”
    “We can find one. I have a friend at the DEA. They would have an interest in this situation, given Silva’s drug operations. I’ll put in a call and see what I can do.”
    Caleb let out a breath. This was the best news he’d had in a while. “Thanks, man. I don’t know how to thank you. My back was really up against the wall.”
    “You had my back when I needed it. I’m happy to return the favor.”
    **
    Annie watched as Caleb and Gabe walked back into her room. The men joined them in the kitchen. Caleb actually seemed much more relaxed than before. Maybe the talk with Gabe had been productive.
    “I made coffee, if you guys would like any,” she said.
    “That would be great.” Caleb took her up on her offer and poured himself and Gabe a cup.
    “So, anything we need to know about?” Annie asked. She was anxious to hear about what the men had discussed, especially if they had developed a way out of this entire mess.
    “Gabe actually has a contact at the Drug Enforcement Agency. He’s going to talk to him about trying to secure a safe house for us.”
    “Really?” Annie asked. This was great news and totally unexpected. A safe house was exactly what they needed.
    “Yeah. We talked about it, and I think it’s better to hide out than to try to outrun these guys,” Caleb said.
    “I’ll call my DEA contact right away. Hope, why don’t you come with me while I go make these calls in Caleb’s room.”
    “If you need anything, just let me know.” Hope squeezed her hand, and the kind act brought her a moment of comfort. She hoped that she would get to spend more time with this woman. The idea of having a friend appealed to her more right now than it ever had.
    Hope and Gabe went into Caleb’s room, leaving her alone with Caleb. Unexpectedly, he pulled her up out of her seat and wrapped his arms around her.
    “I promise you that we’ll figure this out,” he said, his voice calm and soothing.
    As he held her tightly in his arms, she realized just how much she had come to depend on him. An unlikely ally in this fight. A fight that didn’t seem to have an end as each moment brought another challenge and another deadly threat.
    “Caleb, I’m sorry that I’m not stronger about all of this.”
    “There’s no need for you to apologize, Annie, because what you fail to see is that you are beyond strong. You’ve kept it together from day one. From the moment you had the presence of mind to get out of Doc Perry’s house and avoid being taken by McCoy, you’ve been fighting back each step of the way.