Abducted:Reconnaissance Team (Texas Rangers: Special Ops) (7 page)

Liz registered the opening of her car door. A large body blocked the opening. She screamed. He reached across her and she struck at his face. He grunted, then grasped her shoulders and dragged her from the car. Red and blue lights bounced off her retinas. She beat his chest.

“Liz.” 

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Liz.” 

The deep voice caused her to yank her head up. She winced at the glare of the blinding streetlamp. Adam pulled her close and she collapsed into the solid warmth of his arms. Liz fisted his shirt and tears blinded her.

“It’s okay,” he soothed. “We’re all right.” 

A murmur of voices penetrated the haze.

“She’s in shock,” he said. “Get me a blanket.” 

Liz commanded her mind to clear, but the roar in her ears only thundered louder. Her legs turned to rubber. Her feet left the ground and she threw an arm around Adam’s neck to keep from falling.

“I’ve got you, Liz,” he murmured. “You’re safe.” 

She buried her face in his chest and escaped into blackness.

Ben caught sight of his boss, Captain David Medina, when Medina stepped off the elevator in the hospital waiting area. Ben rose as he approached.

“How is she?” the captain asked when he reached Ben’s side.

“No injuries. Just shock. They haven’t let me see her yet. The doctors gave her something to help her rest.” 

Medina nodded. “She was lucky.” 

“We both were.” 

“How the hell did she end up in the middle of your operation?” 

“Ms. Monahan showed up at the party in Tanya’s place.” 

“What happened to Miss Xavier?” 

“She was there,” Ben said, “with Sanchez.” 

Medina frowned, but said with his usual deliberation, “I’d say you let the operation get away from you, Hunter.” 

Ben nodded. “You wouldn’t be wrong.” He filled Medina in on the details, ending with, “There’s this guy, he gave Sanchez the rundown on my background. He isn’t one of Sanchez’s lower level goons. He’s someone more important.”

“No name?” Medina asked.

Ben shook his head. “I can get together with one of our sketch artists and get a drawing. Plus, I’ll see if I can ID him in the system. If we can get the Juarez Chief of Police’s help, I can give him directions to Sanchez’s hacienda. I’m betting Loyola won’t find him there, but there might be some clues to the whereabouts of Christina Remmey.”

Medina nodded. “I’ll speak with him. You get Davis to do some research on this guy with Sanchez. Now, the big news. The Mexican police are demanding that Adam Billings and Ms. Monahan appear to answer charges of attempted murder and evasion.” 

“Sanchez works fast,” Ben said. “If we go back, he’ll kill us. He won’t do it nicely, Captain. He won’t do it quietly. If my escape with Ms. Monahan didn’t convince him I’m law enforcement, my running the border without getting shot to pieces had to. The fact I’m a Ranger will rub salt in the wound. He’ll go out of his way to make an example of us. I’m going to have to get him first.” 

Medina lifted a brow. “If you’d done that first, boy, we wouldn’t be in this predicament. How do you propose to get him? He’s in Mexico—where he doesn’t have to hide.” 

Ben nodded. Question was: what was Sanchez more afraid of, not knowing the name of Ben’s employer, or the risk he'd have to take to come after him in the US?

* * *

“A warrant for my arrest in Mexico?” Liz stared at Captain Medina. “And a warrant for Mr. Billings—”
not Billings
“—Hunter,” she corrected. “Ranger Hunter. Him too? I don’t understand. It’s—”

“How is this possible?” Richard broke in. Liz had woken with morning sunshine pouring into the room to find him seated next to her hospital bed. “Liz was kidnapped,” he said. “
She’s
the victim.” 

“That’s right,” the captain replied. “And we’ve already communicated that to the Mexican government. However, I wanted to make you aware of the warrant.” 

“This is ludicrous,” Liz said. “I know Mr. Sanchez is a powerful criminal, but how did he get the police to issue a warrant for my arrest? There’s just too much proof to the contrary.” 

“Not the police,” Captain Medina said. “We know the chief of police, Ramon Loyola. He’s a good man and isn’t connected with the charges. The warrant was issued by the Juarez district attorney. Keep in mind, at this point, it’s not as much about the evidence as it is your word against theirs.” 

Her heart thudded. “Are you saying there’s a chance I might actually go to prison?”  

The captain shook his head. “No, ma’am. The Mexican authorities can’t enter the US and arrest you. The Juarez district attorney would have to initiate an extradition order, which would detail the evidence against you. The US district attorney would then have to find that the evidence held water. That’s not going to happen. All this warrant means is that you can’t return to Mexico. But taking you to court isn’t what the warrant is about. This is a strategic move on Sanchez’s part. He’s going to figure that you told us that he ordered Ben to kill you and that’s got him worried. So, if he throws mud first, that’ll make you and Ben the criminals, which casts doubt on your statements.”  

Liz’s head whirled. “I don’t understand. Adam—Mr. Hunter—said the man is a notorious human trafficker. Isn’t he a wanted criminal?” 

“He is, and we believe that if we can lay our hands on him, we can put him in jail. His discussion with Ben concerning your murder is solid evidence.”

She didn’t like the words ‘we believe,’ but released a slow breath, then said, “Of course I’ll testify.” 

Captain Medina’s expression hardened. “He’s not getting away from us, Ms. Monahan.”  

“So this Sanchez is sending Liz a message,” Richard said.

“That’s right.” 

She snorted. ”What message,
I want to kill you?
I already know that.” 

“Yeah,” the Captain replied. “But
I want to kill
you
isn’t the same as
I am powerful enough to kill you
. That’s a message that would scare anybody, and people who are scared make mistakes.” 

She frowned. “What kind of mistakes?” 

“Running,” he answered. “That would put you out in the open.” 

Fear tightened her stomach. “Is it possible he knows I’m here, in the hospital?” 

He gave her a reassuring smile. “I talked with admissions. You’re listed as Cheryl Jones.” 

“And we moved you to a different hotel,” Richard said. Liz jerked her gaze onto Richard. “Per the captain’s suggestion,” he said. “Brenda packed your things.” 

Liz looked at Captain Medina. “Things are that bad?” 

“I read Ranger Hunter’s report. He says the Remmeys introduced him to Sanchez. Sanchez is going to figure they doubled-crossed him. Moving you to another hotel allows them to tell him where you
were
staying. That keeps Sanchez thinking they’re giving him honest information. There is a method to our madness. Trust us on this one.” 

“Am I Cheryl Jones at the new hotel?” 

“No ma’am. Debbie Adams. It’s best Cheryl Jones doesn’t leave a trail.” 

“Is Mr. Sanchez really that powerful?” she asked.

“We estimate Sanchez’s organization to be worth about twenty million dollars.” 

Liz gasped in unison with Richard’s, “My God.” 

“He owns many law enforcement officers in Mexico,” the captain said. “I can assure you, that’s not the case here. But we’ve never had a bona fide run in with him before, so we can’t know who he might have on the payroll.” 

Liz looked down at her hands resting on the sheet that covered her legs. “I’m so sorry, Captain. This is all my fault. If not for me—” 

“We should have been told Ranger Hunter was undercover,” Richard interrupted.

“Richard—” 

“No, Liz. I’ve already spoken with Nina, and she agrees.” Richard shifted his attention to the captain. “We can appreciate the fact that you want to catch this man, but using civilians without their knowledge isn’t kosher.” 

“Mr. Anderson, it is kosher, and more common than you probably realize. However, I’m happy to give you the number of the two Federal agents running this operation, if you’d like to discuss the matter with them.” 

“Those agents aren’t the ones who put Liz in danger. Your Ranger—” 

“Richard,” Liz cut in.” 

“Liz—” 

“Don’t Liz me,” she said. “I know you’re looking out for my best interests, but you’re way off base. You weren’t there. So stop before I get really peeved.” She looked at the captain. “Am I in any danger?” 

“We don’t think Sanchez knows where you are, if that’s what you mean, but we have to make sure you stay safe until we catch him.” 

She nodded. “I appreciate your honesty. I assume you have a plan?” 

“We’re working on that. Sanchez is going to be worried. We plan to use that to our advantage. None of this means you should relax. In fact, I’ve arranged for someone to escort you to your hotel.” 

Her pulsed jumped. Was that someone Ben Hunter? As the dust settled and last night’s events came forward, the recollection that persisted was of Ben’s arms around her when he’d pulled her from the car, then the warmth that surrounded her as he lifted her into his embrace.

“I’ve got you, Liz,”
he’d said.
“You’re safe.”
And she’d believed him.

Of course, she’d been in shock, at least that’s what she’d told herself a thousand times. But the memory of his arms around her had remained.

She pushed aside the distraction as she had every time it had surfaced and said, “Thank you, Captain.” 

“I can take you to the hotel,” Richard said. “In fact, we can take a plane directly back to Dallas.” 

“Returning to Dallas isn’t possible just yet,” Captain Medina said. “We need Ms. Monahan to give formal statements to us and the FBI and, when you return to Dallas, arrangements have to be made for your protection until this is over.” 

“You go on,” she told Richard. He started to shake his head and she cut off the response she knew was coming. “Richard, what are you going to do if someone comes after us? You’ve never shot a gun in your life.” 

“That’s not true,” he said. “If you recall, Nina has a nice collection of guns. We’ve done plenty of shooting.” 

“That little Smith & Wesson revolver you shot disappears in your hand. It doesn’t count as real shooting—and neither does target practice. I’ll get things worked out and be on the first plane home.” 

And she would put this nightmare—which included Ben Hunter-- behind her.

Later that morning, as Liz packed a few incidentals Richard had brought to her, a knock on her hospital door brought her head up and around. Adam Billings—no, Ben Hunter—stood in the doorway. In a flash, she took in the white shirt buttoned to just below the collar, the Ranger badge pinned over his left breast, Levis that hugged long, lean legs, and brown cowboy boots. Then she froze. This wasn't the man who, dressed in a tux, had escorted her to the gala last night. This was the Ranger who had taken on sex-trafficking mobsters and saved her life in a high-speed car chase through Juarez, Mexico. She couldn't help another glance at the badge. Yes, in full Ranger tradition, the badge was cut from a Mexican coin. It suited him.

Liz lifted her gaze to his face. A corner of his mouth lifted in an uncertain smile and butterflies flitted across the insides of her stomach. This was the first time she’d seen him since admission to the hospital last night. The nervousness was nothing more than uncertainty over how to react to the man who had saved her life—and seeing him looking like—

“The only thing missing is your Stetson,” she heard herself say.

“The Stetson's in the truck,” he said.

Liz flushed.

“Can I come in?” he asked.

She broke the stare. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry. Come in.” 

He crossed to where she stood. “You look good.” 

She laughed, thankful the sound came out natural. “I’m a bit better than I was the last time you saw me.” 

His smile faded. “I’m sorry, Liz.” 

A strange tremor replaced the butterflies. “You saved my life.” 

He gave a deprecating snort. “It's a damn good thing, seeing as I'm the one who put you in danger. When you showed up instead of Tanya, I should have bagged the operation.” 

“Tanya? What has she got to do with this?” 

“Strictly speaking, nothing. But when she canceled out on you, then showed up on Sanchez’s arm, I should have known things were out of control.”  

“I see.” Liz dropped a small tube of toothpaste into an inside pocket of her overnight bag, then sat down on the chair beside the bed. “Tanya wouldn’t have liked being deserted, but she wouldn't have come looking for you.” 

“No.” 

“I put a big kink in things, didn’t I?” 

He smiled. “If you’re the worst kink I run into, life won’t be so bad.” 

She flashed a small smile, but the warmth evaporated too quickly. “I blew your cover and nearly got us both killed.” 

“It was a tough spot.” 

“I understand there are warrants for our arrests in Mexico,” Liz said.

“I’m sure the captain told you that we’ll deal with it.” 

Despite Captain Medina’s assurances, she planned to talk with her lawyer. She was nervous—truth be told, she wasn't quite over last night’s harrowing events—but she said, “If you’re worried I might go back to face the charges in an attempt to expose that man, no need. I’m not that naïve.”  

Ben’s expression sobered. “I’m glad to hear that. That would force me to come for you.” 

She gave an exaggerated shudder. “Being on the run in Mexico once is quite enough, thank you.” 

“If anyone questions you about the arrest warrants, don't talk about it.” He gave an apologetic smile. “The warrants are for Elizabeth Monahan and Adam Billings.” She frowned, and he added, “Adam Billings doesn't exist. Technically, Ben Hunter isn't wanted.” 

“So Mr. Sanchez doesn't know who you really are?” 

Ben nodded. “It's ridiculously unfair and the irony isn't lost on me, but we're hoping it gives us an edge.” 

Liz nodded. “The irony would have been me mucking up your investigation a second time by accidentally revealing your identity.” 

He advanced two steps and squatted eye level with her. “Not one drop of this is your fault. Nothing you do could be wrong.” 

“But it could hurt you.” 

He flashed that same smile he had last night and her heart stopped for an instant. “Nothing you do could hurt me.” 

Liz tapped a finger to his skull. “You need to have your short term memory checked.” 

He grasped her hand. Her gaze snagged on his long, tanned fingers, and the warmth that seeped from his flesh caused a shiver.

“I'm not an undercover agent by trade,” he said, drawing her attention back to his face. “I agreed to this assignment because I was the best choice for the job on such short notice.” He grinned and released her hand. “Kind of like you.” 

She snorted. “You don’t seem to be any better at it than I am.” 

His brows lifted. “You looked spectacular in that dress. You got noticed.” 

That she had. Now she hoped that notice didn't extend to the media. The attention could damage Nina Bruno. A memory struck.

“Wait a minute, your identity. Last night when Mr. Sanchez told you to kill me, he said,
‘It wouldn’t be your first.’
You told him you had murdered someone? What is that, a plus on your resume?” 

Ben laughed and stood. “A big plus, as a matter of fact. I denied it, of course.” He winked. “That’s what criminals do. But he didn’t believe me because that’s what turned up when he checked me out, which is exactly what we wanted.”  

Liz shot to her feet. “You have a criminal record? Why didn’t that show up on the background check the Thompson Agency ran? The background checks on all models include criminal records. How did they miss the fact you’re a murderer?” 

“The Feds kept my record clean when I applied with Nina Bruno.” Ben grinned. “But don’t forget, Ben Hunter is straight as an arrow. It’s Adam Billings who isn’t a nice guy.” 

Liz eyed him. “What is Adam Billings’ current criminal record?” 

“Smuggling illegal weapons into the US comes to mind.” 

“Illegal weapons?” she exclaimed.

“Easy, Liz. I’m not guilty of the charges.” 

She nodded. “I know. It’s just this reads like a bad novel.” 

“Not too bad of a novel, I hope. I was a pretty good escort the first half of the evening.” 

“You were a terrible escort,” she replied. “You argued with me all night.” Liz recalled Adam Billings’ portfolio. “That explains why most of your work took place in Eastern Europe.”

Ben nodded. “It was the only thing the Feds did right.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“We aren’t seeing eye-to-eye with the FBI on this case. Speaking of the suits, have you spoken with them yet?” 

She shook her head. “No, but your chief said he would set up a meeting. He doesn’t want me going to their offices here in El Paso, in case they’re being watched.” A ripple of fear clenched her stomach, but she kept her voice level, “He said they are particularly interested in Tanya.”  

“We’re interested in her ourselves.” 

Liz said, “He asked me about her.” 

“What happened?” Ben asked. “Why did she ditch Nina Bruno Designs?” 

“At first, we thought Jorge made her a better offer. But she seemed surprised to see me wearing the dress at the party, so I suspect it was more.”

“More?” he asked.

“Someone didn’t want us to show up with the dress. It could have been Jorge. Who knows?” 

“Isn't her not showing a breach of contract or something?” 

“It's not straightforward,” Liz replied. “Tanya's contracted for a movie and asked for a stipulation that allowed her to bow out of the event if a conflict arose.” 

“That doesn't sound like a good deal for you,” Ben said.

Liz rose and picked up the chewing gum sitting on the bed and put it in the bag. “We wanted Tanya to model that dress and we’d never had any problems with her in the past.” 

“Sounds to me like Tanya was keeping her options open.” 

“I think that's exactly what she was doing.” Liz zipped up the bag. 

“Come on.” Ben smiled and the butterflies made another pass along the insides of her stomach. “I'll take you to your hotel.”  

She picked up her phone from the bedside table. “Is that necessary? Captain Medina said I’m registered under an alias. Mr. Sanchez can't know I’m here.” 

Ben shrugged. “I have to protect you.”

She didn't miss the sensual note in his voice. A fuzzy feeling that came from knowing that an attractive man found her attractive sent a ripple of warmth through her. But she wouldn’t go there. Despite his skill in saving her life last night, a twenty-eight-year-old man was just too young for her forty-five-year-old brain—probably for her forty-five-year-old body, too, if she were honest. A mental picture flashed of him standing in front of her, naked, tanned shoulders going on forever. Did he have a smooth chest, or downy soft hair that trailed downward into—she broke from the vision and knew a moment of confusion when her gaze fixed on the patch of dark skin visible through the opening in his collar.

“Liz?” 

She jerked her head up. He stared, eyes so intense her mouth went dry. “Ben, I—you would be better off with a woman closer to your age. Sheila Antonio, for example.” 

Amusement appeared in his eyes and she realized she’d given away her thoughts—and he hadn’t said a word to solicit her response.

“I’m not interested in Ms. Antonio,” he drawled.

“She clearly found you attractive.” 

“Yes, and she is nice,” he said with startling conviction. “But she isn’t my type.” 

“Not your type?” Liz said. “She’s stunning.” 

“Do you think that’s my only requirement? And by the way, if it was, you could give Sheila Antonio a run for her money.” 

“She’s got to be twenty years younger than me.” 

“Not quite,” he replied.

“So you two got to know one another well enough to discuss your ages,” Liz said. Why did that depress her?

“She offered plenty of information.” He shrugged. “Don’t fault me for being a good listener.”  

The nurse appeared in the doorway, a clipboard in hand, and saved her from answering.

She smiled. “Am I interrupting?” 

“No.” Liz squashed the urge to look in Ben’s direction. “Please come in. You’re here to sign my release papers?”

She nodded and approached. At the bed, she halted. “You ready to go home?” 

“Never been more ready,” Liz replied.

“Good.” The nurse scribbled something on the clipboard. “Is your friend taking you home?” 

“I am,” Ben said before she could reply.

Liz shot him a recriminating look.

The nurse smiled. “You’re all set. I hope we don’t see you anytime soon.” 

“You and me both,” Liz said.

She nodded to Ben. “Take good care of her.” 

“You got it.” 

Liz waited until the nurse left, then faced Ben. “Let’s get something straight.” She didn’t miss the ghost of a smile that lifted a corner of his mouth. “I don’t date twenty-eight-year-old men.” 

“No ma’am,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t patronize me. I’m old enough to be your mother.” 

“You’re not my boss anymore,” he said, and she remembered his response last night about her being old enough to be his mother and being his boss:
Two points we’ll discuss later.

“One out of two is enough to cancel a contract,” she said.

“So you won’t date a man young enough to be your son.” 

“It’s icky,” she said.

He laughed. “Liz, somehow, I don’t think you find me
icky
.” 

“No,” she admitted. “But it could get there.” 

He grabbed her bag. “We’re good to go, then.” 

“Mr. Hunter—” 

He stepped closer. “Liz, I’m thirty-four.” 

“What?” 

Thirty-four?
He was eleven years younger, not seventeen? That meant—that meant nothing. Thirty-four was still young, even if he was a too-smart thirty-four, who read every thought in her head.

She pinned him with a stare. “You lied on your application?”  

He shrugged. “Would you have hired me if I’d said thirty-four?” 

“Maybe.” 

“Be honest, you wanted a young buck.” 

“Thirty-four is a young buck!” 

“Not as young as twenty-eight. Not even in the same league.” 

“Wait a minute,” she said. “It’s more likely you’re lying now. You don’t look thirty-four.” 

Ben grinned. “I don’t, do I?  One of the reasons I was perfect for the assignment.” 

Being drop-dead gorgeous didn’t hurt, either
,
she thought.
And that smile.

“What was the other reason?” she asked.  

“My need to stop Carlos Sanchez from enslaving more young men and women.” 

Liz startled. “You? But you can’t be the only officer who can stop him.” 

“I don’t work alone.  I’ve got a whole team behind me.” 

“A whole team?” 

“Didn’t the captain tell you?” Ben asked.

“Tell me what?”