Page 56 of Beachcomber Danger

She’d had the same impression, but that analysis would have to wait for another time.

“I have Cap with me. We’ll disarm this in no time. Get back down the stairs and far away.”

She didn’t answer. She didn’t move.

“Shana?”

“I’m right here.” She said the words so that they left no doubt she was staying right where she was. It was irrational as all hell, but she couldn’t make herself move away from him, not when he was risking his life to save hers.

This was all or nothing.

She heard a quiet conversation between Cap and Dane and some movement. Shana closed her eyes and did something she never did. She prayed.

“We’re cutting the wire. Cap knows what he’s doing.”

She heard more movement and then silence.

Then the door swung open and Dane stood in front of her. For an instant, he stared at her. She must look like shit, but his face told her it didn’t matter. His face told her he loved her. Before she could say a word, before she took another breath, he pulled her into his arms and hauled her from the basement stairs up into the hallway. The sinewy muscles of his arms bunched around her, his hands tightened over her, crushing her to his hard chest where his heartbeat pounded fiercely.

It was one of those hugs of a lifetime, the kind she would never forget, the kind she would want to relive in her old age to make her feel warm.

Cap brushed past them and she thought fleetingly of Sassy, but as she pressed her face into his neck, whispering words into his ear, she didn’t care about Sassy. She didn’t want to let go of this man, God help her.

*****

They all piled into the convertible, Shana riding shotgun. She filled them in on what she’d learned from Preston and Emeline and reached over to take his hand. Dane wanted to hold her hand and drive off into the sunset, but it wasn’t in the plans for tonight. It was nearly seven p.m. and he knew all the world was looking for him, but since their priority was to keep an eye on the President at the same time, he had a chance. He might be able to stop the Chambers before they got to the President—without being arrested first.

“Did I mention to you that the President is not a double?” he said to no one in particular.

“Shit.” Cap banged a hand on the back of his seat. “Jam your foot on the damn accelerator, man.”

“Damn.” Shana leaned toward him, closer than before. He slid a look at her, but she was solid. No tears, only urgency. Her face looked battered and he had to look away to keep himself from driving her to the hospital right now.

Dane punched the gas pedal as far as it would go and swung onto the beach road. They sped around the curvy roads toward Tisdale and Gay Head beach where the President and his entourage were staying. He hoped to hell he would get to the estate unmolested by police cars, but it was a long shot.

“Cap, call the Governor on his private line.” He gave Cap the number.

“Tell him to clear the way for us, we’re coming in hot. And tell him Preston and Emeline are already at the party. Best guess is they’re dressed as servers.”

Cap made the call as Dane rounded a curve and saw flashing lights in the road ahead.

“Shit. Shit. Shit.”

He slowed the car and looked at Shana.

“I’ve seen myself in the mirror. I can’t help you today big boy. You’re on your own.”

Dane realized Shana didn’t know that he’d broken out of jail to get to her.

“Cap, you’re on. Take out your badge.”

Dane pulled the car over as the state policeman waved a flashlight waved toward the side of the road like a flagman on an airport runway.

“I have the Governor on the line.” Cap handed Dane the phone as the car stopped and he got out to confront the officer headed his way.

As soon as the officer recognized Cap, the stern demeanor changed to subordinate. There was a short conversation and some pointing at the road before Cap returned to the car. Dane watched all this while he listened to the Governor lecture him on the wisdom of breaking out of jail, and especially doing it with the gun of a federal agent.

“You finished? Because we’re headed your way and we need you to clear it for us.”