Authors: Dixie Lee Brown
He turned away to shake hands with Joe, and then slapped Ty on the back. “Good to see you, partner.”
Ty peered at him closely. “By the looks of your face, maybe I should’ve gotten here a day earlier.”
“Hope you don’t mind us crashing your place.” Strong and confident, Joe wore his leadership like a mantle, yet had the respect of each of his soldiers, down to the last man and woman.
“Naw.
Mi casa, su casa.
You’re welcome anytime. Especially when you bring good news like locating Marco. When do we leave? I’ve got some vacation I’ve been saving for exactly this reason.”
Ty and Joe exchanged a glance.
“What’s wrong?” Dread ballooned in Alex’s stomach as her gaze swept from one to the other.
Don’t let it be bad news about Marco.
“You remember Juan Sanchez? He was here with us last time.”
“Sure I remember him. Hispanic. Medium height. Stocky. Nice guy.” Nate looked from Ty to Joe.
“A couple weeks ago, Sanchez went undercover with the human trafficking ring that’s holding Marco.” Ty brought Nate up to speed first.
Alex had to steady herself against the tremor that rocked her at the words. No matter how many times she heard
human trafficking
it made her sick. She’d been there and it couldn’t be summed up in two neat and tidy words. It was filth—nothing more, nothing less. Joe had assured her that Marco was being held by the ring as a favor to FBI Agent Sean Phillips, that they believed Phillips represented the United States government, and that there’d be a big payoff in it for them. They evidently didn’t know Phillips had gone rogue. If they learned that, Marco’s situation would suddenly become much more precarious.
“Sanchez didn’t check in last night.”
“Is there an alternate check-in time?” Nate set the helmet on the bike’s seat and rested his hands on his hips.
“Eight a.m. If he doesn’t make contact, we’ll be airborne in thirty.” Joe checked his watch. “Just over an hour and a half. You two look like hell. Maybe you should get some shut-eye before we go.”
“I wouldn’t mind that.” Nate led off toward the house.
Alex hung back and brought up the rear, which, in hindsight, was probably a mistake because Joe regarded her suspiciously. “Took you longer than I thought it would. Any problems last night, Alex?”
Feeling like the rabbit that couldn’t decide which side of the road was safest when the speeding car whizzed by, Alex stopped, glanced at Joe, then at Nate, who paused and turned slightly. She opened her mouth and prayed for words that wouldn’t paint her in the worst possible light—but Nate rushed to fill the gap.
“Not her fault. I was involved in a stakeout last night. I asked her to wait, but it took longer than I thought it would. Poor kid. It’s no wonder she’s beat.” After lying through his teeth, he had the nerve to wink at her.
Alex let her breath out and forced a feeble smile. “You know how slow cops are,” she mumbled.
Nate shook his head and snorted a laugh.
Ty studied his ex-partner. “Did you step in front of someone’s fist?”
Nate tentatively probed the lump that had risen on his cheekbone. “Something like that. Had a little run-in with a drug dealer who thought I might have something of his. He managed to threaten everybody I know before he was done, including you. And he got away, so watch your back, buddy.”
Ty’s eyes widened, and he laughed. “Right. Like that’s never happened before.”
Walker stepped out of the back door just as they reached the deck. “Well, it’s about time.” He threw an arm around Alex’s shoulders and then shook hands with Nate. “Coffee’s on.”
“Think I’ll wait on coffee until I get cleaned up. Might even shut my eyes for a few. Did you find something in there to fix for breakfast?” Nate entered the kitchen and started for the refrigerator.
Ty cut him off. “We’ll find something. Go, get some rest. You too, Alex.”
Nate’s gaze landed on her for a split second before it moved on. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” He grabbed a glass from the cupboard by the sink, filled it with water, and carried it from the room.
Sweet, uninterrupted sleep sounded so good to Alex—and so impossible. She followed Nate upstairs a few seconds later, intending to change into her running clothes and slip out the front door. As she reached the second floor landing, Nate disappeared into his room. His broad shoulders slumped, and she wondered if it was fatigue or some burden he carried that now partially consisted of lying for her.
Why would he do that? It wasn’t like she’d ever been very nice to him. It was as though he’d sensed her despair and purposely deflected the heat from her. Did he expect something in return? She frowned and balled her hands into fists. Over her dead body.
Alex marched down the hall toward his room and rapped sharply on the door before she jerked it open and slipped inside. The curtains were closed, and she stopped to allow her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit interior.
“Hey, sis, I’ll be leaving town for a few days . . . Patagonia Lake in Nogales, Arizona . . . yeah, thought I’d do a little fishing.” Nate lifted his head from the pillows to glare at Alex, raised an eyebrow, then groaned and threw an arm over his face.
Alex quickly closed the door, blocking out the light from the hallway. Too late it came to her that she should have stayed on the other side of the door. Undecided and annoyed with herself, she just stood there, hand on the doorknob, biting her lip.
“Listen, Susie. I had a little trouble last night. Some dirtbag made a vague threat against you and my nephew . . . Gina and Ashley too.” Nate rolled onto his side with his cell phone pressed to his ear and studied Alex, obviously listening to the voice on the other side of the call.
He must be talking to his sister—giving her a heads-up about Daniels—and Alex had intruded without even knocking. Could she have been any more thoughtless? She turned the doorknob, hoping to make her escape without disturbing him any further, but he shook his head and held up his index finger.
“I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. This kind of thing happens all the time, but I’m not taking any chances. There’ll be cops parked on your blocks and doing extra drive-bys until this is over . . . No need to worry, Susie. This is just a precaution . . . Let Gina and Ashley know too, all right? . . . I’ll call you as soon as I get back.”
He dropped the cell phone on the bed without taking his eyes off hers. “I don’t remember inviting you in, but since you’re here you might as well make yourself comfortable.” A faint grin dispelled his irritated expression and changed the timbre of his voice.
Alex chafed under his amusement. She despised the nerves twisting her stomach into knots. It was Nate. No one else had that effect on her, which made it all the worse. She couldn’t let him have that much power over her.
She drew up straight and stepped to the center of the room. “Why did you lie to Joe?” She winced. Her words sounded too accusing, even to her ears.
Nate rotated onto his back, slid one arm under his head, and his grin broadened. “Whoa. I didn’t lie to Joe or anyone else. That’s not something I’d do—and especially not for an ornery spitfire who doesn’t appreciate anything I do for her.”
Alex strode angrily toward the bed, but he pointed a big, beefy finger, and his warning glare silenced her.
“I only controlled the amount and type of information divulged.”
She snorted rudely. “Is that cop-speak for bullshit?”
He raised both hands. “You didn’t want Joe to know, right?”
He was right, but that definitely made her want to scream. It irked her to admit she condoned, even welcomed his manipulation of the truth, but she finally forced a brief nod.
“I didn’t see any reason why Joe needed to know the details of a PPB investigation he’s not involved in either, so I gave him the short version.” His gaze locked on hers and humor sparkled in his blue eyes. “Yes—you
do
owe me one . . . and yes—I
do
intend to collect.” A teasing smile transformed his features.
Alex huffed a breath, but again he stopped her with a look.
“You didn’t ask me about your handiwork last night. Is that because you don’t care? Or because you’re afraid to find out?”
“Fear is a waste of time.” Alex struggled to breathe normally. This was the question she was dying to ask, but had been unable to form the sentence. Somehow he knew.
“Fear can save your life if used wisely.” His tone was matter-of-fact.
“You’d have to know how many times I’ve prayed for death to understand the absurdity of
that
statement.” Surely she didn’t say that out loud, but the guarded expression in his eyes seemed to indicate she had. “I didn’t ask because there’s nothing I can do about it now . . . but I would like to know.” She met his gaze and braced for the worst.
“They both made it. You nicked the femoral artery of one of them. It was close, but the EMTs got there in time. Unfortunately, Daniels and his crew are out there on the street somewhere. The snitch who turned me on to this supposed drug deal—they found him floating in the Columbia River early this morning. Burke and Anderson, the detectives who were backing me up, got caught in my mess and didn’t have a chance. All in all, not a great day for the good guys.”
“Do you think your uncle stole something from Daniels?”
“I don’t know—but Daniels thinks so.”
Alex searched his eyes. “He’s not done with you, is he?”
“After the fiasco last night, I think he’ll back off, at least for a while. In case I’m wrong, I’ve requested surveillance on my sisters, their families, and my ex-girlfriend. I’ll fill Ty in so he’ll be on guard. That’s everyone Daniels made threats against . . . but then there’s you.”
“Me? Why would he care about me?”
Nate heaved a sigh. “Because you stuck your nose in his business last night and cost him the game. Don’t underestimate him, Alex. He’s not your usual petty crook. The way he talks, the way he dresses, the men he surrounds himself with, lead me to believe he has friends in high places and money to buy whatever information he needs. So humor me and keep your eyes open until we get this guy behind bars.”
“I always do.”
“Good. Then get some sleep, Alex.” Nate burrowed into the pillows, dismissing her.
“I don’t really sleep.” She shrugged and turned toward the door. “Nightmares . . .”
“Come back here.”
His command jerked her gaze over her shoulder as she continued to stride toward the door. She slowed in confusion.
He pointed at her. “Don’t go out that door. Come here.”
“I beg your pardon?” She turned back and fixed her hands on her hips.
Nate crooked his finger. “Come. Here.”
“You do realize you’re not my boss, right?” Alex cocked her head to one side.
“You do realize I can beat you to that door if you don’t come here, right?”
Alex studied him for a moment before a laugh burst from her. “Let’s just say that’s true, although I’m sorely tempted to make you prove it.” She marched to the side of his bed and frowned. “Is there something I can do for you?”
Nate winked. “Maybe another time. Right now, I only want to help with the nightmares. Lie down.” He patted the bed beside him.
“You must think I’m stupid.” Her eyebrows shot up when he grabbed her wrist.
“Look, we’ve only got an hour to get some shut-eye. I’m not going to sleep knowing you’re in a room down the hall having nightmares. So the best thing for both of us is if you stay here. I’ll keep the bad dreams away.” He let go of her wrist and patted the bed again. “Promise.”
“You’re crazy. You can’t keep a promise like that.” It was impossible—but she really wished he could.
“Try me. What have you got to lose?”
That was true enough. She didn’t have anything to lose. Wherever she slept, the result would be the same. Nate didn’t realize what he was letting himself in for, though. It would serve him right for being so bossy.
Alex gingerly crawled onto the edge of the bed with her back to Nate and lay barely breathing.
After a couple of seconds, he chuckled. “You’re going to have to get a little closer for this to work.” He reached around her and his biceps bulged as he drew her backward to spoon against him.
“You’re so full of it. This
isn’t
going to work.” It was only a token objection. Being surrounded by his warmth would be all too easy for Alex to get used to, and that terrified her.
“Zip it, Alex.” He tucked her closer.
S
OMEONE RAPPED SHARPLY
on the door. Nate groaned. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes since he closed his eyes. He’d have gone right back to sleep if not for the warm, feminine form jabbing him in the ribs as she scrambled to escape his embrace.
The insistent tapping came again.
“Easy.” He instinctively tightened his arm around her. At the same time, he raised his head and looked toward the door. “Be right there.”
As footsteps receded, he laid his head back down next to hers and drew in the clean, fresh smell that lingered in her hair. Her scent reminded him of summer, and sunflowers, and county fairs.
Obviously he was going soft in the head.
Alex flung his arm off and rolled to her feet. “I have to go.” She glanced toward the door nervously.
Nate swung his feet to the floor, irrational resentment stealing over him. “Right. Run along then, because we wouldn’t want anyone to think you were with me.” Aw, hell. He should have known better than to rise to the bait. The jealous teenager routine wouldn’t impress anyone.
She straightened and glared. “Well, don’t get your boxers in a twist. I have to work with these guys and . . . it’s just better not to let these kinds of rumors get started.”
He stood and towered over her. “In spite of what you might have heard, you’re allowed to have a life, Alex. And . . . for your information, I don’t wear boxers . . . and you’re welcome.”
Wrinkles appeared on her forehead when she frowned. “For what?”
“You didn’t have any nightmares, did you?”
“Oh, right.” She laughed scornfully. “I’m sure you had everything to do with that.”
Nate grabbed his baseball cap from the bureau, strode to the door, gripped the knob—and hesitated. A deep breath expelled as he tried to figure out why the hell he was delaying her departure. Lord knew he should be glad to see the last of her. She waited, hands on hips, clearly ready to bolt as soon as he opened it. Why the hell was he trying to push her buttons? She was mad at him often enough without that.
Just open the door already.
For whatever reason, he stood still until she met his gaze, impatience narrowing her eyes to slits.
Her annoyed expression almost wrung a smile from him, but he managed to maintain a straight face. “So, you’re going to deny my powers, huh? Would you be convinced if you spent the entire night with me? I’d be happy to go the extra mile for you. If you ever want to try again, come on back.”
Two dots of red brightened her cheeks. “Smart-ass. You are so incredibly full of yourself.”
He opened the door, and she hastened by him. Setting his Seattle Seahawks hat on his head, he considered catching up, planting a wet one on her cheek, and thanking her for sleeping with him just to see her blush again. Luckily, he came to his senses.
“Hey, there you are, Alex.”
A man’s voice drew Nate’s attention as he stepped from the room after her and closed the door.
“Hi, Jimmy.” Alex’s greeting was warm, and the blush was back in her cheeks.
Nate instantly bristled.
Jimmy?
Apparently, Alex was on very friendly terms with Jim Brady.
Jim stopped when he saw Nate, and the welcoming smile he’d had for Alex disappeared. His gaze swept back to her. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” she snapped at him, but the color in her cheeks deepened until Nate almost felt sorry for her.
“Jim, nice to see you again.” With a hand extended, Nate stepped toward six feet of corded muscle and aggravation.
Jim crossed his arms over his chest, totally blowing him off. Nate could practically see the wheels of suspicion turning in his mind, and he could have short-circuited Jim’s concerns with one or two words, but hey—nobody’s perfect, right?
What was the relationship between Alex and
Jimmy
? Not that Nate planned to let anything serious happen with Alex, but it was always smart to know when another man had already staked a claim. It wouldn’t do to let Jim’s possessive attitude get under his skin. Not if the man had a right to it.
Nate looked at Alex for a clue to the riddle, but she turned her back. Stepping closer to Jim, she put her hand on his arm, and the two of them walked away toward the stairs. Alex whispered something Nate couldn’t hear as she leaned close to Jim, and they both laughed.
Okay. Guess he found out what he needed to know. It couldn’t be too serious, though, or surely Alex wouldn’t have let him bully her into hitting the sheets for a little shut-eye. No man, least of all the obviously pissed-off Jim Brady, would appreciate his woman sleeping in the same bed with another man. For damn sure, Nate didn’t want to cross swords with him. A former Navy SEAL, Jim had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nate could only imagine the campaigns he and men like him had undertaken in the name of patriotism. Many times, the intense training and the covert nature of the job changed them in ways that made it hard to fit back into civilian life. Ty had told him that Jim opted not to return to his hometown, fearing the violence that regularly recurred in his mind, choosing to live and work as one of Joe’s team instead. That spoke volumes about the kind of man he was and the private hell he endured.
So Nate would stay away from Alex out of respect for Jim Brady, if for no other reason. Should be easy enough since they were at each other’s throats most of the time anyway.
“Hey, Nate.” Walker waited at the bottom of the stairs. “Joe would like to see you in the living room if you’ve got a minute.” He continued on toward the kitchen.
Nate entered the living room, and Rayna approached him, giving him a warm hug. “It’s so good to see you. Thanks for letting us use your place again.” The pretty blonde was Ty’s girlfriend and just about the best thing that ever happened to him.
“No problem. How’s that mangy dog?” Six months ago, Rayna had been adopted by a dirty, half-starved stray that had been hanging around Nate’s house—a pit bull, no less. The dog had saved her life taking on a couple of cougars, earning himself a one-way trip to Montana and a new home.
Rayna’s eyes sparkled. “You wouldn’t recognize him. The cougar that gets in his way now won’t stand a chance.”
“Glad you two found each other. Speaking of finding people, where’s my former partner?” Nate scanned the room and located Ty standing with Joe.
“He and Joe are hatching some kind of a plan. Now that you’re here, maybe they’ll tell us what’s up.” Rayna turned to watch the two men.
Joe caught Nate’s eye and strode toward him. “Get any sleep?”
“About an hour.”
“Alex too?” Joe made the question sound innocent enough.
“She slept too.”
“Good. Let’s sit down and I’ll bring you up to speed.”
Nate took a chair across from Joe. Ty and Rayna sat together on a sofa close by.
“Sanchez called in this morning. Hostilities between neighboring cartels are heating up down there. Sanchez missed check-in last night because Diego Vasquez, the man who’s holding Marco, sent him and a contingency of foot soldiers north to the border to guard a shipment. They were ambushed just south of Nogales and had to shoot their way out. Sanchez didn’t sign on for that, and I want him out of there before he catches a stray bullet.” Joe’s concern was evident in his haggard features.
“According to Sanchez, Diego has taken good care of Marco, which means he hasn’t been touched by the other aspects of Diego’s business—yet. As you know, the boy was stolen from his mother eight months ago by Sean Phillips in order to force Maria to participate in his criminal activities, one of which was kidnapping Rayna from this house the last time we were here. Apparently, when Phillips negotiated with Diego to hide the boy, he made some insinuations that weren’t true and some promises he couldn’t possibly keep. Diego was under the impression Phillips, being a federal agent, had the weight of the U.S. government behind him and that there’d be a payoff for his efforts, either in cash or political favors.
“When Phillips dropped off the grid, Diego’s moles learned he was dead and couldn’t locate anyone else who was interested in retrieving the boy. Diego finally came to the conclusion he’d been played and would be getting squat for babysitting all those months. But that’s okay if you’re Diego Vasquez, because smuggling drugs and doing favors for corrupt federal agents is only part of your game. He can still sell that five-year-old kid and make his money back a thousand times over—which is what he intends to do. Sanchez said Diego has a buyer lined up, and Marco starts the journey to his new home on Saturday.”
Rayna inhaled audibly, followed by a muttered curse. Nate’s stomach churned threateningly as he tried to wrap his head around the insanity. No way in hell was that going to happen. “When do we leave?”
“Right away,” Joe said. “We’ll stagger our arrival in Nogales—go in small groups. Flying a U.S. military Huey in there will attract attention. No way around it. So Ty and Rayna will leave tonight, take a commercial flight into Nogales International, and check into a motel near the border—as Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock. They’ll be one possible exit strategy.” Joe paused and glanced at Ty.
Ty’s gaze swept to Nate. “You still like to camp?”
Nate shrugged. “Haven’t camped since Val left, but I’ve still got all my equipment.” Val had been his high school sweetheart and everyone, including himself, thought they’d be together for the rest of their lives. Two and a half years ago, she’d left him, unwilling to live with the uncertainty of being a cop’s girlfriend, much less anything more serious.
He raised a questioning eyebrow and looked back and forth between the two men, unable to shake the feeling he was missing something obvious. “I’m in. I don’t care what you want me to do, so let’s stop tiptoeing around. Okay?”
“The rest of us will take the chopper as far as Tucson this afternoon. Jim and I will make our way to Nogales and cross the border. I’ve got an old friend there who’ll put us up for a day or two. Walker will work his way across the border and stay out of sight until we need him.” Joe leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs.
“And . . .” Nate readjusted his hat. What could be so bad they didn’t want to tell him?
“I have a friend in Nogales—Special Agent Benjamin Greeley, FBI. He’s been investigating Diego’s activities for about a year and was instrumental in locating Marco. Ben has agreed to help in exchange for any information we can give him on Diego’s slave ring. He’ll arrange for the transportation we need. As soon as we land in Tucson, there’ll be two Jeeps and an RV waiting. You’ll take the RV and drive to Patagonia Lake for a couple days of camping, hiking, and fishing.
“If Marco is for sale, I’ll try to convince Diego to sell him to me. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to hit them hard and fast, then decide the best way to get the kid across the border. Right now, I’m leaning toward using the RV. You’ll only have to get him as far as the border. Then use your badge and call in the U.S. cavalry if necessary. No one should suspect tourists in a gas-guzzling motor home, holding up traffic, of being the getaway car. Everyone will think it’s just you and your wife enjoying a little R and R.”
“Whoa, wait a minute.
Wife?
” Nate was pretty sure he already knew the answer, and Joe’s silent stare confirmed it. Considering how irritated she’d been with him when they left his bedroom, and how protective Jim Brady had acted when he’d seen them exit together—hell no.
“If you’re considering having Alex and me play house, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.” Before he got the words out, he sensed her watching him. “I mean, you don’t need me and Alex to team up. You’ve already got Ty and Rayna. They like each other. Hell, they practically
are
married. They’re perfect for the part.”
“That’s why the two of them are going in together. They’ll stay in a nice hotel, play the newlywed tourists, and be ready to transport Marco north if it falls that way.” Joe glanced toward the doorway, then back at Nate. “You know me. I like choices, and I’d really like to have both options available until we see how this goes down.” Joe paused and the room remained eerily quiet. “But, if you’d rather not, just say the word. We can always switch it up.”
A low murmur drew his gaze to the doorway. Alex stood between Walker and Jim. Body stiff, disappointment darkened her features as she pursed her lips and rubbed the palms of her hands against her legs. At least Jim should be happy with Nate’s assessment of the situation, but it was impossible to read his deadpan stare. The meaning of his I-warned-you smirk, however, was pretty clear.
Shit!
Nate couldn’t catch a break. He met her gaze, knowing he owed her an explanation, but Alex spoke first.
“I can do this.” Her voice was quiet and earnest as she searched Nate’s face. “I have to. Marco is waiting. Please give me a chance. You won’t be sorry.” She took a step toward him, then stopped and glanced at Joe.
“I’m sorry, Alex. It’s Nate’s call,” Joe said.
Nate studied her hurt expression and glanced at the bristling man beside her. Just what he needed. A knife-happy, unpredictable, emotionally crippled partner with a bodyguard following her around, ready to beat the shit out of anyone who touched her.
He scowled. If he was honest, there was way more to his reluctance than that. His attraction to her was like a persistent itch—one he couldn’t quite reach, and it bugged the holy crap out of him. He was totally unprepared for the consequences of scratching that itch, yet her unique blend of strength and vulnerability drew him like no other woman ever had. He’d already screwed up, pushed too hard, and stolen a kiss she wasn’t ready to give. If they spent two days together in a motor home, Lord help them. He might as well figure on getting his ass kicked, physically and emotionally, because, sure as hell, he wasn’t coming out of this unscathed.
He turned toward Joe and resettled his cap on his head. A deep breath escaped, and he found Joe watching him. “Alex is with me.”
Surprise flitted over Joe’s face, and all Nate could do was shake his head. He didn’t know why he had to give her the chance she asked for or why he couldn’t stand the hurt that shone from her eyes. It didn’t matter why because he’d made up his mind.