Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) Read Online Free

Families who no longer welcomed him into their homes because it was his fault their fathers had died.
    He should have been more careful walking into that warehouse. His training had taught him to be prepared for possible exposure, but he had grown too complacent. Three people were dead because of his carelessness. He rubbed his eyes, trying not to notice that his hand shook terribly.
    Edwards also sat and drew a deep breath. “The DEA called me this morning. Cordova was free only two hours and one of their witnesses wound up dead.”
    Ethan blinked in shock. “What?”
    “That witness was also in protective custody. They have a mole in their department just like we did. They are transferring their remaining witness to the Marshals and we’re doing the same. The Attorney General sent down the orders. We almost lost you once, Ethan. We’re not taking chances of that happening again.” He paused and motioned for someone to enter.
    For the first time, Ethan saw two suits standing at the door. They entered and Ethan braced himself.
    “Shanahan and Floyd, Deputy U.S. Marshals,” the senior man said, flashing his identification. “Agent Lancaster, you need to come with us. We will stop by your home, allow you to pack one suitcase and take you to a safe house.”
    “Damn it, Captain,” Ethan snapped.
    “Take it up with the Attorney General,” Edwards said, shaking his head.
    Ethan rose, his arm aching terribly. He reached in his pocket with his good hand and pulled out a bottle of pills. The pain medication was like taking candy now, it didn’t help. He swallowed two pills dry. “Let’s go,” he grumbled.
    “Sir,” Shanahan said. “I must ask for your cell phone and car keys.”
    Ethan curled his lip then handed the phone to him. He took his car keys off the ring , but kept the rest.
    Shanahan tossed the phone and keys on Edwards’s desk. “This way please.”
    Ethan groused , but went with them. If they tried to confiscate his gun there would be hell to pay. Damn Cordova for escaping. Didn’t anyone realize Ethan was the best person to track him? But no, they were going to hide him and in reality make him a sitting duck. He scowled, remembering that Edwards had said the DEA had a witness and they were now the only two left alive.
    His heart twisted in his chest. If only he hadn’t failed Rochelle so terribly.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Ethan, still fuming, sat in the back of the marshal’s car as Shanahan pulled into the motel parking lot somewhere in Virginia. How many times were agents put under protective custody? Hardly ever.
    “Hell,” Ethan muttered.
    If the two marshals heard him, they ignored him. The motel was typical low budget, with a large parking lot, and doors to the rooms facing outside. Shanahan slowed the vehicle.
    “Is that Richardson’s car?” Shanahan asked.
    “Looks like it,” Floyd replied. “What is he doing here?”
    “Hopefully, he’s got more info on Cordova’s whereabouts.”
    “You’re not going to find him,” Ethan said bitterly.
    Shan ahan glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “I understand you’re pretty much the expert on him.”
    Ethan shrugged, staring out the window at nothing. “He’s in a bolt-hole for right now, until the search cools down. Probably in one of five in the New York area.”
    “How would you go about finding him?”
    “I have a few informants I’d sit down for a pleasant chat. They are locals near Cordova’s holes and would spot unusual activity. Cordova sometimes uses them for go- fers.”
    “I see, and you won’t tell us who these informants are.”
    “It wouldn’t do any good. They will only talk to me. I know...how to speak their language.”
    “You mean you know how to beat the hell out of them,” Floyd muttered and glared over his shoulder at Ethan. Floyd was a tall black man who looked like he should be a power forward for a professional basketball team , but one who dressed impeccably in Armani suits. Deputy Marshals either