Shelter: The Blackbridge Series, #5

By Claire Boston

*** 2020 Romantic Book of the Year Finalist (Romantic Suspense) ***

 

She's desperate to fit in. He's searching for forgiveness. Can they break their emotional chains to free true love?

Border Force Agent Zamira does everything by the book. But when she hears rumors of a missing friend held captive, she opts to ditch the rules and go rogue. Met with suspicion upon her arrival in Blackbridge, she sweet-talks a handsome resident and watches sparks fly at exactly the wrong time…

Jeremy volunteers to fight fires to atone for his father's death. With his feelings heavily guarded, he's surprised when the beautiful Zamira sets his heart racing. But after the agent's quest puts them both in harm's way, he hopes the dangerous hunt won't cost him yet another person he loves.

As shadowy figures track Zamira's every move, finding her friend may mean ignoring the deepest connection she's ever felt.

Can Zamira and Jeremy liberate the girl and free their hearts?

 

Shelter is the fifth book in an enthralling romantic suspense series. If you like wounded heroes, small-town Australian settings, and fast-paced action, then you'll love Claire Boston's gripping tale.

Buy Shelter to watch two heroes fight for their future today!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bantilly Publishing
• Release date: Jun 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781925696349

Claire Boston

Claire Boston has loved dragons, magic and everything fantastical since she read The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. As a child she used to sneak to the bottom of the garden in the hope of finding fairies. Alas she never found any, so she brought them alive in her own imagination. As she grew older, she fell in love with romance and romantic suspense when she discovered her mother’s stash of Nora Roberts novels. When Claire began writing, she was torn between fantasy and romance so in the end decided to write both. Her stories are full of love, adventure and escape. When Claire’s not writing she can be found creating her own handmade journals, swinging on a sidecar, or in the garden attempting to grow something other than weeds. Claire lives in Western Australia with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and is currently learning how to crochet.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Blurb

Dear Reader

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Epilogue

Thank you for reading!

Acknowledgements

Shield

Also by Claire Boston

About the Author

Copyright

About Shelter

She’s desperate to fit in. He’s searching for forgiveness. Can they break their emotional chains to free true love?

Border Force Agent Zamira does everything by the book. But when she hears rumors of a missing friend held captive, she opts to ditch the rules and go rogue. Met with suspicion upon her arrival in Blackbridge, she sweet-talks a handsome resident and watches sparks fly at exactly the wrong time…

Jeremy volunteers to fight fires to atone for his father’s death. With his feelings heavily guarded, he’s surprised when the beautiful Zamira sets his heart racing. But after the agent’s quest puts them both in harm’s way, he hopes the dangerous hunt won’t cost him yet another person he loves.

As shadowy figures track Zamira’s every move, finding her friend may mean ignoring the deepest connection she’s ever felt.

Can Zamira and Jeremy liberate the girl and free their hearts?

Shelter is the fifth book in an enthralling romantic suspense series. If you like wounded heroes, small-town Australian settings, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love Claire Boston’s gripping tale.

Buy Shelter to watch two heroes fight for their future today!

Dear Reader,

This book is set in Australia and as such I’ve used UK English spelling rather than US English. What this means is that my US readers might notice words spelled differently to what they are used to: colour, not color, realise not realize and towards rather than toward. I can’t guarantee there are no spelling mistakes in this novel (because one or two always slip past me), but many of the differences you may notice are because of the differences in UK and US spelling and grammar.

There is also a little bit of Aussie slang and terms that may be unique to Australia. I think most are understandable from the context, but if there’s anything you get stuck on, send me an email at [e-mail] and I’ll be sure to add it to the glossary on my website.

I really hope you enjoy visiting the south coast of Western Australia while you’re getting to know Jeremy and Zamira and all the wonderful people of Blackbridge.

Happy Reading!

Claire B

DEDICATION

To all the volunteer fire and rescue crews out there who give up their time in order to protect and save the community.

Thank you.

Prologue

Jeremy Mendelson cut the last leg for his new desk and switched off the table saw, the high-pitched buzz fading in the night. He lifted his safety glasses onto his head, brushing his hair off his face and studied his design. Not particularly inspiring. It seemed pointless to make an office desk when he had his whole house to himself and could use the kitchen table.

The scent of smoke tickled his nose. He checked the floor and bench, but nothing was smouldering.

He sniffed again, the smell stronger this time and more acrid. Not a neighbour’s log fire, but more the stench he associated with a house burning down.

His stomach clenched as he strode to the entrance of his shed and scanned his property. His porch light was a beacon against the heavy clouds obscuring the moon and stars. He shifted his gaze higher, above the trees marking his property border, and his pulse skyrocketed. An unmistakable glow. Fire. Too big to be his neighbour with a simple bonfire and far too late at night.

He grabbed his phone from his pocket, dialled triple zero as he left his shed and ran across the yard to his house. I’ve got a fire on my neighbour’s property, about ten kilometres east of Blackbridge, Western Australia. He gave the address as he raced into his bedroom, tripping over the boots he’d left on the floor. Where was his gear? Flung over the chair in the corner where he’d left it the last time he’d washed it.

He pulled on his pants while holding the phone between his chin and his shoulder. It dropped to the ground and he threw on his shirt before picking it up. What was that?

What can you see?

He strode into his living room. Just a bright glow from here. His bulldog, Fetch was curled up snoring, his head hanging off his bed. He’d be fine. The fire wouldn’t spread, they’d had a lot of rain in the past week.

Keys. Where were his keys? He scanned the piles of papers and models on the table, the clutter on the kitchen bench and finally saw them in the bowl by the door. For once he’d left them where he was supposed to. On his way out, his fingers brushed the frame containing a photo of him and his dad on a fishing trip. Focus, he murmured and headed out to his ute.

Is anyone inside? the dispatcher asked.

I don’t know. He hoped not.

The drive to his neighbour’s property took only a minute and as he pulled in, he swore. A lot of people milled outside the burning building, staring at the flames, a couple gesturing frantically. It’s an outbuilding, well alight. If anyone’s inside, there’s not much time to get them out. He parked at a safe distance and ran to the migrant workers. Anyone inside?

One Asian man yelled at him in another language and pointed, gesturing frantically. Not helpful.

Where was Henk? Jeremy scanned the area until he spotted him. Henk stood apart from his workers, yelling to another man. Didn’t he have a garden hose anywhere? Jeremy checked the outside of the building as he strode to him.

Anyone inside?

Henk jolted. Jeremy, thank God you’re here. I didn’t hear the sirens. He glanced behind Jeremy and frowned.

They’re still en route. Is everyone accounted for?

He shook his head. No. Annisa is still inside.

Jeremy swore and told the operator, then asked, Where would she be?

Probably her room – back, right-hand corner.

Of course it fucking was. The furthest away and closest to the fiercest flames. No sirens yet. What’s the layout? Doors open or closed?

Long corridor runs down the middle of both floors with rooms on either side. I think the fire started in the kitchen at the far end of the corridor. Ask the workers about the doors.

Jeremy threw his phone to Henk. Update dispatch. He ran back to the group of Asian men. Did you leave the doors inside open or closed? Annisa might have gone into one of the rooms and become disoriented.

The men stared at him and one said, "Annisa di dalam."

Shit. That sounded like Indonesian. "Bicara bahasa Indonesia?"

"Melayu."

Close enough. He repeated the question in Indonesian.

"Buka."

Open. It meant the ventilation would feed the fire, but also prevent a build-up of gases that could cause a backdraft. The flames were already at the main door. Foolish to go that way without a breathing apparatus and a water hose.

Jeremy grabbed the ladder and a hammer from his work ute. He pointed to the man. Hold the ladder, he said in Indonesian. To the rest he said, Move back, and gestured.

They did as he asked.

That window? he yelled at Henk over the crackle of the fire and pointed.

Yeah.

In the distance, sirens wailed but not close enough. The extra minutes could be the difference between life and death. He had to go. No one else would die on his watch. Pain washed through him and he gritted his teeth. Focus.

He shoved the hammer into a pocket and leaned the ladder up beside the window. Hold it, he barked, pounding the sides of the ladder. The worker nodded and steadied the ladder.

He ignored the nerves humming in his stomach and climbed. No light inside from the fire, so he switched on the torch on his helmet and scanned the room. Empty. Damn it.

Annisa! The roar of the fire swallowed his words.

The window was open a crack, but didn’t budge when he tried to widen it. Locked. At least there wasn’t any smoke up here yet. He checked over his shoulder as he pulled out his hammer. No flashing lights. He had to go in. Lowering his helmet shield and leaning away from the window, he smashed it.

No backdraft.

Thank God. Annisa! He ran the hammer handle around the window frame, smashing as much glass as he could, and climbed through, testing the floor before he put any real weight on it.

It held.

An unmade single bed, a storage box against one wall and no room for anything else. He checked under the bed. Clear.

Shit.

Going further into a burning building with no means to communicate with the people outside was straight up stupid.

He scrambled across the floor to the door and peered outside. Annisa? he yelled. Smoke gathered on the ceiling, blocking the torchlight.

Something, maybe a sob, to the left. Annisa, if you can hear me, yell out.

"Tolong!"

Indonesian again. "Kembali ke kamarmu. As he spoke, he crawled towards her voice, keeping the wall on his left. He coughed, moving faster. The smoke could be deadlier than the flame. Annisa."

A dark shape in front of him took form. Annisa huddled at the top of the stairs, her eyes wide, body shaking. She sobbed something but he didn’t understand. Black smoke billowed up the stairs, and he turned his head, blinking his eyes. Too thick. Too easy to get lost down there. Better to go back.

His eyes watered and his lungs burned. This way. He tugged her arm, gestured for her to follow him.

She shook her head, wrenched her arm away.

"Cara ini, silakan."

When he got out of here, he’d practise his Indonesian.

She didn’t budge.

He didn’t have time to wait. His head already spun from the smoke. Don’t panic. He crouched down and hefted her over his shoulder. She weighed next to nothing. She shrieked and hit him, but he held her legs tight against his chest and double-timed it back to the room at the end. As he burst through the doorway, a masked face was at the window.

Lawrence.

Annisa stopped struggling as he passed her out the window to his fire captain. The floorboards under his feet bowed. Move!

Lawrence was already in motion, shimmying down the ladder. Jeremy lunged for the window sill to haul his arse out as the floor gave way.

The crack of disintegrating wood and a roar of flames with a huge burst of smoke and heat. He hung from the window sill, not daring to peer down at the inferno beneath his feet. He felt it fine.

Broken glass dug through his gloves and he hissed as he struggled to pull himself up.

Chin ups were also going on his to-do list.

Muscles straining, head spinning, he scrambled for better purchase and got his arms over the sill, his thick jacket protecting him from the broken glass. Strong arms dragged him further over and then the person lugged him over his shoulder and carried him down the ladder. He was dumped unceremoniously next to the ambulance.

Anyone else inside? Nicholas asked.

Jeremy coughed, shaking his head, sucking in deep breaths of fresh air. Not that I know of.

Guy, one of the paramedics, pushed him back so he sat on the edge of the ambulance. Annisa lay inside on the bed, being attended to by Cynthia. Guy handed him an oxygen mask, and Jeremy put it on as he took stock of the situation.

Several team members hosed the flames, and the fire hissed in protest.

Any injuries? Guy asked.

Jeremy’s throat and eyes burned and his hands hurt like a mother-fucker. Shards of glass stuck out of his gloves.

Guy swore. Let me check that.

Jeremy gritted his teeth as Guy pulled the glass out and then slid the gloves off. A couple of gashes in his left hand were bleeding.

You might need stitches, Guy said as he cleaned the cuts.

Jeremy grimaced. He had a full schedule of work next week.

How’s your breathing?

Lifting the mask away from his face, he croaked, Throat hurts, so do eyes.

We’ll rinse out your eyes in a minute. Guy bandaged his hand as Lawrence walked over.

Is he all right?

Guy nodded. They both need a proper examination at the hospital, but there’s nothing life-threatening.

Good. He turned back to Jeremy. What the fuck do you think you were doing?

Jeremy shrugged. There wasn’t time to wait.

Bullshit. Instead of hauling one person out of the house, we had to haul two.

The top floor gave way.

Lawrence grunted, unimpressed. I’ll check on you when this is out. He walked away.

That sounded like a threat. Guy laughed.

Jeremy shrugged. Yeah. He’d get reamed. But at least the woman had survived.

You ready to go? Guy asked Cynthia.

When you are.

Come on, Jeremy. Let’s get you into the ambo and strapped in.

As Jeremy stood, dizziness washed over him. He swayed and put his hands out for balance. Guy steadied him. Take it easy, mate. With an arm under Jeremy’s elbow, Guy helped him into the vehicle.

As he was strapped in, Jeremy glanced out the door. Everything was under control.

Ready? Guy asked.

Jeremy nodded. Annisa was strapped onto the bed and she gave him a small smile.

That one smile made all the shit jobs Lawrence would give him worth it. He grinned at her.

Wait for me. Henk climbed into the ambulance. I can’t have my worker going to hospital alone.

Annisa’s eyes widened, fear crossing them.

Jeremy frowned. Henk could be a jerk, but why was she scared of him?

His gut clenched. Something wasn’t right.

He’d keep a close eye on Annisa and make sure she was fine.

Chapter 1

Zamira, what is this crap? Zamira’s colleague, Murray waved a policy document in front of her.

She flinched at the demand and squinted, her eyes adjusting to the brighter light outside the meeting room she’d been stuck in for the past four hours. The new policy on the treatment of asylum seekers. She’d spent weeks writing it and another couple of months to get the approvals needed to make it policy. She gestured for him to accompany her and hurried towards her desk, distancing herself from the tedium of the meeting.

Murray rolled his eyes. It’s rubbish. We can’t do all these things out in the field.

She straightened her spine. Be polite, be respectful. He was in charge of the operations team she wanted to join. Those items came from recommendations in the recent review. It’s best practice.

He sighed in exasperation. Best practice but not practical. We don’t have the time or the resources. It’s obvious you’ve never worked out there.

She flinched at the accusation. Yeah, she hadn’t worked in the field, but it wasn’t through lack of trying. She wanted to work for Border Force’s Task Force and stop the mistreatment of migrants and asylum seekers, but unlike him, she was stuck behind a desk writing policies instead. She bit back the desire to snap at him and said, The document was available for comment for several weeks before it was approved.

I’ve got more important things to do than read documents. He stormed off.

Zamira sighed and sank into her office chair. Now wasn’t the best time to tell him how much she wanted to be part of the Task Force. But then again, there was never a good time.

She rubbed her thumb against the silver pendant her grandmother had given her. She was the reason Zamira wanted to work for the Task Force – to stop other migrants from being treated like slaves the way her grandmother had been when she’d first arrived in Australia. She had won her freedom by following the rules until it was the right time to act.

When was right? Zamira had been a policy writer for so many years, sticking to the rules, ensuring best practice, and she’d got a reputation for being a stick in the mud. Her parents’ advice to keep her head down and do things by the book so she’d be noticed and promoted had certainly backfired. She wasn’t moving anywhere. She hadn’t even been short-listed for an interview last time she’d applied.

Zamira checked the time. Less than an hour until her leave started and she’d escape the grey winter dreariness of Melbourne and head for sunny Cairns. A week taking photos, doing yoga and reading the latest Marvel comics was what she needed. She’d have time to re-evaluate her job and decide where to go from here.

She dug her mobile out of her bag. One message. She logged back into her computer and then checked her voice mail.

It took her a second to recognise the frantic Malay words. It’s Annisa. Zamira, please help me. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have run away, I should have told you I was coming. But it’s too late. Henk won’t let me go so I lit a fire. I’m in hospital in Blackbridge. Help.

Zamira’s heart beat fast as she grabbed a pen and replayed the message. Her second cousin, Annisa had run away from her small village in Malaysia a month ago, leaving only a message to say she’d got a work visa and gone to Australia. She hadn’t been heard of since. Annisa’s mother had contacted Zamira’s mother and Zamira had spoken to her supervisor. No visa had been issued in Annisa’s name. If she’d been telling the truth, the documents must have been forged.

Zamira googled Blackbridge, her chest tight. Her family blamed her for Annisa running away. She’d met her cousin six years ago when she’d gone to Malaysia with her grandmother to meet family and explore her heritage. Annisa had been twelve at the time with big dreams of what she’d wanted to do with her life. Zamira had kept in touch with her, encouraging her to study and expect more from life than being a wife. When Annisa had spoken about coming to Australia, Zamira had sent her books to help her learn English and Annisa’s parents had put a stop to their correspondence. They hadn’t wanted Annisa to leave. That had been over a year ago.

The search results appeared. Blackbridge was a coastal town in the south of Western Australia. The other side of the country. She rang the number back and it went straight to message bank. Hi, you’ve called Fleur. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you.

Zamira hesitated. She didn’t know who Fleur was or whether leaving a message would get Annisa into trouble. She hung up and called the hospital number instead. Can you please put me through to Annisa Ramanan’s room?

I’m sorry, she was discharged this afternoon.

Zamira’s heart sank. Thank you. She hung up. Think. At least she knew what town Annisa was in. She walked to her supervisor’s office, nerves fluttering in her stomach. Just outside she stopped, took a deep breath and then tapped on the door frame. Vince, I just got a message from Annisa.

He didn’t look up from his computer. Later, I’m busy.

She swallowed her nerves and her frustration, took a deep breath. She’d catch more flies with honey, even if she wanted to swat him. I’m so sorry for interrupting, but it’s urgent. I told you my cousin is missing after she left a note saying she was going to Australia.

He scowled, glancing at her and gesturing for her to continue.

She’s in a WA town called Blackbridge. The man she works for won’t let her go.

How do you know?

She left me a phone message. There was a fire and she was in hospital, but she’s been discharged.

Vince typed a few things into his computer, his frown deepening. You said Blackbridge?

Yes.

I’ll make some calls. He gestured towards the door.

Dismissed. She bit her tongue and returned to her desk, playing with the silver pendant around her neck to calm the annoyance. She had a bunch of emails to respond to before she left, but after each one she glanced towards his office. Finally, her phone rang.

My office.

She hurried in, wrapping her necklace around her finger as she entered.

Close the door. His tone was grim.

Her muscles tensed as she did as he asked.

What I’m about to tell you is strictly confidential — got it?

Of course. She had the appropriate security clearances and had signed a confidentiality agreement when she’d started.

Someone in Blackbridge has been identified as a person of interest by the Task Force. They’re watching him and gathering evidence. I’ve got to assume it’s the guy your cousin is with.

Can they get her out?

Eventually. If they go in now, it will ruin the whole investigation and they’ve been working months on this.

But she might not be safe.

Vince swore. I’m sorry, Zamira. It’s out of my hands.

Not good enough. Vince—

I’ve done all I can.

What about the police? Can’t we call them?

Not without tipping off the guy. He stared at her. Don’t even think about calling them. This is Border Force business. It’s confidential.

Her chest squeezed, and she slowly breathed out before she said something that would get her into trouble. Thank you for trying. She kept her back straight as she walked out of the room. She’d lose her job if she called the police, but she couldn’t leave Annisa there alone. Annisa had been a sweet, optimistic girl full of enthusiasm and the wonder of life. She had little experience beyond her small village and must be frantic and afraid. And it was Zamira’s fault she’d decided to run away.

Zamira checked the time. Five o’clock. The desire to walk out without finishing her emails was strong, but it wasn’t fair to take her dissatisfaction out on her colleagues. Tension settled onto her shoulders as she responded, answering questions about policies, procedures, and legalities of certain actions, but all the while, the image of Annisa, a teenager who was a little too bony, but still with a wide grin, hovered in her mind.

What could she do?

She