DIANAPALMER
OUTSIDER
Contents
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
COMINGNEXTMONTH
CHAPTERONE
ITWASANUNUSUALLYCOLDmorningforOctoberinHouston,Texas,andColbyLane’sleftarm
ached. There wasn’t a lot left of it, thanks to a stint as a covert specialist in Africa. He’d been too
drunktotakeproperprecautionsandithadbeenshotoff,thenamputatedfromjustbelowhiselbow.
Thestate-of-the-artprosthesisheworewasclassifiedtechnology,veryadvanced,andthehandatthe
end of it looked real enough to fool most people. He even had sensation in it, thanks to implanted
computer chips. He was, he mused, a walking, talking lab rat with stealth capability. He grinned to
himselfatthementalpicturethatthoughtproduced.
Butthesmilefadedrapidly.Hewasinafoulmood.Itwasonlyhissecondfulldayonthejobasnew
assistant chief of security for the Ritter Oil Corporation’s Houston branch. He’d taken the job as a
favortohisoldfriend,PhillipHunter,whowastraininghimtobehisreplacement.TheHunterswere
consideringamovebacktoTucson,Arizona.
Meanwhile,Colbywastryingtogetusedtonewsurroundingsandatleasttwodepartmentheadswho
thoughttheyknewhowtodohisjobbetterthanhedid.He’dformerlyworkedfortheinternational
HuttonCorporationasanotherfriend’sassistantchiefofsecurity.ThentheHuttonCorporationgave
notice that it was moving overseas. He didn’t want to go with it. Colby knew Hunter from his
childhoodonthereservation.Likehim,ColbyhadApacheblood.ButColbyalsohadaninnatedislike
of tight schedules, corporate politics and wearing a suit. His background in covert operations as a
mercenary soldier, not to mention a brief stint in top-secret intelligence work for the government,
madethisroutinejobanuncomfortablefit.Officepoliticswasafarcryfromgoingaftertheenemy
withweapons.Theamputationofhisarmhadcosthimtheworkhe’ddoneallhislife.Hewasbitter
aboutthat;infact,hewasbitteraboutalotofthings.Lifehadfailedhim.Oneoldfriendhadvoiced
theopinionthatColby’sgrowingarrayofwoundsstemmedfromadeathwish.Hehadn’tadmittedit
aloud, but the accusation hit a nerve. He was tired of aching wounds, broken dreams, shattered
illusions.Hewastiredoflifeitself.
HereinHouston,hewastryingtosettledownforthefirsttimeinhislife,withtwofailedmarriages
behindhimandapasthistoryofalcoholism.He’dovercomethedrinkingproblemyearsago.Hewas
soberasajudgethesedays.Buthenolongerhadthephysicalmeanstocontinueindemandingspecial
operationsworkoverseas.Heresentedforcedretirementfromhisvocationofchoice.Hisachingarm
remindedhimofallthathe’dhadtogiveup.
He’dtriedhardtoputhispasttothebackofhismind.Hehadenoughtoworryabout,gettingusedto
this new job. His background, however, predisposed him for security work. He was an expert in
martialartsandsmallarms,nottomentioncounterterrorism.Hewasapastmasterininterrogation
techniquesandhe’dalmostlearneddiplomacy.HehadcredentialsthathadevenimpressedHunter—
nottomentionEugeneRitter,theheadofRitterOilCorporation.Nowhehadtofindawaytoexercise
diplomacywithwordswhenhewasusedtodoingitwithfirearms.Itwasn’teasy.
He walked in the front door of the sprawling modern building in an industrial complex outside
Houston,absentlydisplayinghisIDonacardclippedtohislapelashepassedthesecurityguardat
thedesk.Ironic,hethought,thathewaschiefofsecurityandstillhadtoflashhisownbadgetoget
intothebuildingheprotected.Theguardseemedtoseethesameirony,becausehecouldn’tresista
grin.Colbyreturnedit.
He was an impressive figure in his navy-blue business suit. He was tall, handsome, lean, and
physically formidable, with thick, shining black hair that held a slight wave. He had deep-set black
eyes and an olive complexion, and he wore his hair conventionally cut. He never discussed his
Apacheancestry.Itwasn’timmediatelyapparent,anyway,becausetherewasacomfortableamountof
whitebloodinhislineage.Hewaswearinghisnewestprosthesis,linkednotonlytomuscleremnants
in his left arm, but to his brain as well. It looked quite real, even up close, and he could do almost
anythingwithit—exceptlift.Hecouldeven“feel”hotandcold.Thesensorswereincredible.
Asheturnedthecornertowardtheexecutiveoffices,henoticedtwochildrenplayinginthecorridor.
Bothweredark-hairedanddark-eyed.Bothweregirls.He’dalmostforgottenthatitwasbring-your-
daughter-to-workdayforRitter ’semployees.Justwhatheneeded,afloorfullofhyperactivechildren
tocontendwithatthebeginningofanewjob.Itwasn’tthathedidn’tlikechildren.Buthewasbitter
becausehehadnoneofhisown.He’dwantedthembadly.
Hisex-wife,Maureen,hadtauntedhimwithhissterilitybeforeshelefthim.Itwasjustaswell,she’d
said,becauseshedidn’twantmixedracechildren.Shehadn’trealizedthathewaspartApachewhen
they’dmarried,orhemighthavebeensavedalotofheartache.
She’d been an obsession with him, in those days. When she walked out after only two years of
marriage, he thought he’d die. When she’d divorced him three years later, he was devastated and
turned to the bottle. It had taken him months to dry out and get his life back, with some help from
friendsandapsychologist.He’dconqueredhisdemons.Butchildrenstillremindedhimofthepain.
Oneofthechildrenranlaughingdownthehall.Theother,wholookedaboutsixyearsold,stopped
andstaredatColbyfromapretty,intelligentfacedominatedbybigbrowneyes.Shehadlongbrown
hair that reached her waist in back. She was lovely; Hispanic in appearance. Or perhaps she had
Native American ancestry. He knew that Hunter had a little girl who was on the premises today.
Perhapsthiswasher.
Thelittlegirlcamerightuptohimandreacheduptotouchthesleevewheretheprosthesisprotruded.
“I’msorryyourarmgothurt.Youshouldn’thavebeendrinking.Youweren’tquickenough,soyou
couldn’tgetoutofthewayintime.Butthishandlooksveryreal,doesn’tit?”Shetouchedthehand,
whichhe jerked backat once. “Doesit still hurt you?”she asked matter-of-factly,staring up at him
withdarkeyesthatseemedoddlyfamiliar.
His eyes exploded with rage. What had possessed Hunter to tell his daughter so much intimate
informationabouthim?HowdareachildcriticizeColbyfornotbeingquickenoughtosavehisarm!
Infact,howdareshemakesuchapersonalcommenttoatotalstranger?Hewastouchyenoughabout
missing part of his arm in the first place, without having attention drawn to it. Even close friends,
whoseinteresthedidn’tmind,knewbetterthantosaysuchthingstohim.Itmadehimfuriousthata
childshouldbesoforward.
“Whatbusinessisitofyours?”hedemandedinasofttonethatneverthelesscutlikeawhip.Addedto
thefiercescowlonhisunsmilingface,itmadehimlookveryintimidating.“Idon’tanswertokidsfor
myactions.Andit’smyarm!”
“I…I’msorry,”thechildstammered,shocked.
“Whotoldyouaboutit?”hedemanded.“Answerme!”
Sheshookherheadnervouslyandgroundherteethtogether,tearsthreatening.
He cursed harshly under his breath. “Get back to whoever you’re with today, and stay out of the
corridors!’’hesnappedather.“Thisisabusiness,notanurseryschool!”
She backed away from him with wide, hurt eyes. She turned suddenly and ran back the way she’d
come,hervoicebreakingonasob.
Hegroundhisteethtogether.Hehadn’tmeanttoattackthechildlikethat.Ithadshockedandoffended
him that a child would be so personal, and so critical, with him. He didn’t like remarks about his
handicap.Butheshouldn’thavebeensoaggressivetowardher.She’dbeenreallyupset.
Hestartedafterherdownthehall.Huntercameoutofasidedoor,hiseyebrowsarchingatthelook
onColby’sface.
“What’seatingyou?”heasked.
Colbygrimacedashefacedhisfriend,thesameheightandbuildashimself,butafewyearsolder.
Hunterhadafewgrayhairsthesedays.
“Isyourdaughterheretoday?”heaskedHunter.
“Yes.Why?”
Hefeltworsethanever.“Iupsether.Shemadearemarkaboutmyarmandithitmethewrongway.”
HeglaredatHunter.“WhydidyoutellherhowIlostit?”
Hunter ’seyesnarrowed.“I’venevertoldNikkiaboutyourarm,”hesaidcuriously,puzzled.
Heblinked. “Maybe itwas somebody else’skid. She had long,dark hair anddark eyes. She looked
Hispanic,Ithought.”
“Oh,thatmightbeMarieGomez’slittlegirl.Wasshewearinganembroidereddress?”
“No.”
Hunterhesitated.
Colbygrimaced.Thiswasnotagoodwaytostartanewjob.“Ididn’tmeantomakehercry,”hebit
off,avertinghiseyes.“I’mnotusedtokids.Whatshesaidhitmethewrongway.Buthowwoulda
stranger ’s child know such personal things about me?” he wondered aloud. He glared at Hunter. “I
didn’tsignonasababysitter.”
“It’sonlyfortoday,”Huntersaid.“Thekidswillallbegonetomorrow.”
Colbygroundhisteethtogether.“I’dbetterfindthelittlegirlandapologize.Shewentdownthatway,”
headded,andmovedreluctantlyalongthecorridor.
Hunter stood still. He was remembering something a friend and coworker here, Sarina Carrington,
had said once about Colby Lane. She and her daughter and the Hunters were good friends from
Tucson.
She’d transferred here recently from Arizona. She was working with Hunter on a project he hadn’t
yet told Colby about—in fact, he couldn’t tell him about it. But Colby was about to get a very
unpleasantshock.TherewasaconnectionthatColbydidn’tknowaboutyet,andthechildmightfigure
init.Hewonderedifheshouldstoptheotherman.Hewasn’tsurehowhecould,now.
Colbynoticedanopenofficedoorandheheardachildsobbing.He’dhavetofindawaytoapologize
for making her cry. He was no good with kids, and he hated women. Probably the child’s mother
would be out for his blood. He was new here and already he was making enemies. Old man Ritter
wouldn’tlikethat.He’dbettertrytosmooththingsover.Butthiswasgoingtobedifficult.Andhehad
questionsaboutthechild’ssourceofinformationabouthim,aswell.
He walked into the office in time to see the little girl folded close to a slender woman’s breasts,
cradledandkissed.SleekpaleblondhairwastamedinaneatFrenchtwistatthewoman’snape.Her
voicewastenderasshecomfortedthechild,rockingherinherarms.Therewassomethingfamiliar
aboutthatvoice…
Thelittlegirlpulledback,asifshesensedColby’spresence.Shelookedathimfromred,angryeyes.
“¡Matadordehombres!”sheragedathiminSpanish.“¡HijodelDiablo!”
“¡Lenguacomounaserpiente!”heshotrightback,darkeyesblazing.
Hewasjustgettingovertheshockofbeingcalledaman-killerbyachildinperfectSpanish,whenthe
blondwomanrosegracefullytoherfeetandturnedtofacehim,andanightmarevisioncordedhis
powerfulbodylikeadropfromasuddenheightattheendofarope.ItwasSarinaCarrington.Sarina,
whomhe’dhurtandrejected.Sarina,thefirstwifenobodyevenknewhehad.Ex-wife,hecorrectedat
once.Buttheshockstillhadhimspeechless.Andhewasn’ttheonlyone.
The woman stared at him, silently, with wide, shocked eyes, and her full mouth suddenly flattened.
She bent and clutched the child to her and stood up, lifting her in her arms, her own nightmares
darkening her eyes. Colby Lane! For a few seconds, she thought she might faint. Her heart skipped
like a wet engine. The years fell away and she was a teenager, hero-worshipping the handsomest,
sexiest man she’d ever known. Just the sight of him had been enough to leave her tongue-tied and
gasping. The first time he’d kissed her, the rapt pleasure in her face had amused him and he’d
laughed. She’d loved him more than her own life. It had been almost seven years since she’d seen
him.Shehadn’tevenknownwherehewas.Andthen,suddenly,outoftheblue,hewashere…!
Slowlysheforcedherselftorememberthatshewastwenty-fouryearsold,andinaveryresponsible
position.Inthepastsevenyears,she’dgrownfarawayfromthatsensitive,lovesickteenagerwho’d
inadvertentlyruinedColby’slife—andherown.
Circumstanceshadforcedhimtomarryher,andhe’dmadeherpayinaterriblewayduringtheone
daytheirmarriagehadlasted.Perhapshe’dhadreasontotreathersoterribly.Nevertheless,hewasn’t
taking out old hurts on her child! Her dark eyes narrowed and she glared at him with real hatred.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”sheaskedcoldly.“Andwhatdidyousaytomydaughter?”
Hewasonshakyground,butitdidn’tshowinhishardface.Heglaredback.“Youshouldtellyour
childnottobesoforwardwithstrangers.Sheinsultedme.”
Shefrowned,lookingintothechild’sfacesoclosetoherown.“Bernadette,isthattrue?”sheasked
quietly.
Thechild’sarmstightenedaroundherneck.SheglaredatColby.“No,ma’am,”shesaidpolitely.
“Shemadeapersonalremark.Mylifeisnoneofherbusiness,”herepliedinavoicedrippinglikeice.
“I can’t think why your life would interest anyone except you and your wife, Mr. Lane,” she said
coldly.“Certainlyitdoesn’tinterestme.”
Heletthatslide.Shedidn’tknowthatheandMaureenweredivorced.Hispridewouldn’tlethimadmit
it. He’d gone straight from Sarina after the annulment to marry Maureen in a civil ceremony.
Maureen,theloveofhislife,who’dmadehislifehell.
He was trying to reconcile seven years of distance with the woman he saw before him. She had a
child.
She’dmarried,then.He’dwonderedhowshe’dcopedwiththenightmareoftheirweddingnight.He
hadn’tmeanttohurthersobadly,eventhoughheblamedherforeverythingthathadhappened.
“Doesyourhusbandworkhere,too?”heasked,hatinghimselfforthequestion.
“Idon’thaveahusband,”sherepliedafteraminute,puttingthechildbackonherfeet.“Bernadette,
whydon’tyoulookforNikkiandgodowntothecanteentogether?”shesaidtothechild,hereyes
andvoicetender.Shesmiled,alittleuneasily.“Areyouokay,now,baby?”
“Yes,Mama.Don’tworry.”Bernadettehuggedher.Theaffectionwasreturnedgenerously.Thechild
gave Colby a second cold glare and walked out of the office past him without another word. Her
breathingsoundedodd.Probablyshewashoarsefromthetears,hethought,andfeltguiltier.
Hismindwasinturmoilashiseyeswentbacktotheslenderwomanfromhispast.“Ididn’tmeanto
upsetthechildsobadly,”hebitoff.
Sarina went back around her desk and sat down, looking very mature and businesslike. She studied
Colbylikeamuseumexhibit.“Whyareyouhere?”sheasked.“Theannulmentwascompletedseven
yearsago,asIrecall,eventhoughInevergotthepaperwork.”
Untilthatmoment,he’dneverrealizedthathehadn’tgottenafinalcopyofit.He’dnotkepttrackofit
andhe’dneverhadtoprovethathisformermarriagehadbeenannulled.Odd,hethoughtirrelevantly,
thathedidn’thaveacopyofhisseconddivorcepapers,either.ButMaureenhadthemsomewhere,he
wassure.
Heblinked,broughtbacktothequestion.“HunterwantstogobacktoTucson.I’mhisreplacement.”
That was news to her. Hunter ’s wife, Jennifer, was her best friend, and the other woman said they
loveditinHouston.Sheliftedonethineyebrow.Hereyes,darkasnight,wereherbestfeature,nextto
thosesoft,sensuallips.Shewasn’tpretty.Shehadabeautifulcomplexion,andthick,silkyblondhair.
Herbreastsweresmall,likeherwaist,butshehadflaring,nicehipsandpretty,longlegs.He’dseen
herwithoutclothingonlyonce,buthe’dnevermanagedtobanishthememory.Sarina,laughingwith
himastheywalkedinthepark.Sarina,inhisarms,dyingforhim.Sarina,cryingoutinpainwhenhe
couldn’tstop,Sarina,shudderingintheaftermathofapassionthathecouldn’tcontrol…
Hepulledhimselfbacktothepresent.Shedidn’tknowhowtorturedhe’dbeenafterward,ortowhat
depthshe’dsunktryingtoforgetwhathe’ddonetoher.Shedidn’tknow.Hecouldn’ttellher,even
now.
“HowlonghaveyoubeenworkingforRitter?”heaskedabruptly.
“Sevenyears,”sherepliedwithoutraisinghereyes.“ButI’monlyinHoustontemporarily,working
onaspecialproject.BernadetteandIliveinTucson.”
Bernadette. That name rang a bell. He recalled the happy months he’d spent with Sarina in the old
days,whilehewasguardinghermillionairefatherfromakidnappingattemptbypeoplewhowanted
thelocationofhissecretmineswhichproducedapricelessstrategicmetal.Colby,whoworkedfor
military intelligence, was assigned to keep tabs on him. In the process he’d met Sarina, who was
livingathome.They’dbecomecloseatonce.Shewasincollege,soheassumedshewasinherearly
twenties.
Hestilldidn’tknowthatshe’dgraduatedayearaheadofherclassinhighschoolanddonetwoyears
of college in one. He didn’t know, either, that she’d been only seventeen at the time of their forced
marriage. They’d been caught by her father and two of his business associates and their wives in a
compromising situation. Her father had literally forced Colby to marry her, using his career as a
threat,tosavefacewithhissocialset.Atthetime,ColbyhadbeenworkingfortheCIA,andheloved
hisjob.
Theoldmancouldhavecosthimhisprofession,andColbyknewit,sohe’dgiveninwithbadgrace.
CarringtonhadassumedthatColbyandSarinahadbeenintimate.Theyhadn’t.
Their wedding night was payback for Colby. He still regretted it. Of course, a day later annulment
papers were filed, the minute the millionaire found out from the private detective he’d hired that
ColbyhadconsiderableApachebloodandthathistotalworthwassomewhatshyoftheimpression
hisluxuriousstyleofdresshadledtheoldermantobelieveitwas.Colbydidn’tknowhowSarinahad
respondedtoherfather ’sdemandthatshelieaboutherweddingnightandsigntheannulmentpapers.
He’d left her in tears in the early hours of the morning, so angry and full of self-contempt that he
didn’tevenlookatherashelefttheroom.
Beforethatfinalmeeting,intheearlydaysoftheirfriendship,they’dtalkedaboutchildreninacasual
sort of way. She’d always wanted children. A girl, she told him dreamily, and she’d name her
Bernadette.Therewasanoldmovieshe’dseen,andthatwastheheroine’sname.Shethoughtitwas
beautiful.
“We’dheardthatHunterwantedanassistant,”shesaid,glancingathim.“Therewassomesortofdrug
raidandanarrestlastnight,”sheaddedwithoutmeetinghiseyes.“TheysaidHunterwasinonit.”
“SowasI,”hereplied.
That was a surprise, but she was good at hiding her emotions. “Were some of our people here
involved?”shefished.
Heclosedup.“Idon’tdiscussongoingcaseswithcivilians,”hesaid.
Shegavehimalonglook.“Youhaven’tchanged,”shesaid.“You’rejustasenigmaticandcoldasyou
werethen.”
“Well,you’vechanged,”hesaidflatly.“Iwouldn’thaverecognizedyou.”
“I’vegrownup,”shereplied.“Childrendo.”
“Youwerenochildwhenyoufollowedmearoundlikealostpuppy,”hesaid,wantingtohurt.
Shehesitated,butshedidn’twanttoadmithowyoungshe’dbeen.Orhowstupid.“Itwasjustabad
caseofheroworship.Idon’tdoitanymore,”sherepliedsarcastically.“Itookthecure.Remember?”
sheaddedwithpurevenom.
Hedidn’treply,butheavoidedmeetinghereyes.“Lifegoeson.”
“So they say.” She took a disk out of the drawer and fed it into her CD-ROM drive. “I have some
paperworktofinish.I’msureyouhavedutiesofyourown.”
Hehesitated.“Aboutthekid…”
Shelookedup.“Bernadetteisn’tusedtostrangersbeingharshwithher,evenifshedoeshavemixed
blood.”
“Hispanic,”heagreed,assumingthatshemeantthechildhadHispanicancestry.Hedidn’tnoticethe
faint flicker of Sarina’s eyelids. The little girl certainly spoke Spanish with some fluency. His eyes
blazedwithanger.“Myownbloodismixed,ifyouremember,”heretorted.
“AsIrecall,youdidyourbesttohideyourApacheancestry.But,then,Irememberaslittleaboutyou
as I possibly can, Mr. Lane,” she said with a cool little smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m quite
busy.”Sheturnedherattentionbacktohercomputer,ignoringhimcompletely.
Heturnedonhisheelandstalkedout.Hecouldhavechewedtenpennynails.
SARINA LET OUT THE BREATH she’d been holding since he walked into her office. She felt
drained of life, exhausted, burned out. She’d loved Colby Lane. But her relationship with him had
destroyed her life. One look into those black eyes had resurrected memories that were much better
leftdead.
She wondered what Bernadette had said to him to provoke such a reaction. The child had odd little
flashes of insight, almost like precognition. Sometimes she frightened other children with her
predictions.Shefrightenedhermother,too.Bernadette’sgrandfatherhadpossessedthesamesortof
mentalinsight.TherewasaComancheuncleinOklahomawhoalsohadit.Shehopeditwasn’tgoing
tocauseBernadettetroubleasshegrewolder.
Rightnow,though,herconcernwashowshewasgoingtomanageherjobwithColbyLaneinsuch
proximity.Hedidn’tknowanythingabouther,leastofallwhyshewashere,andshecouldn’tlethim
find out. She hoped Bernadette didn’t slip and say anything to him in Apache. Apparently he spoke
Spanish,becausehe’dansweredBernadetteinthesametongue.She’dhavetotalktoHunter.Heand
JennymissedTucsonbutitwasnewstoSarinathattheywereplanningtogoback,becauseJennywas
pregnantwiththeirsecondchildandinthecareofalocalobstetrician.
BernadetteandNikki,theHunters’daughter,werebestfriends.Thetwofamilieswereclose.Thatwas
going to make the situation more difficult. There were things that Sarina didn’t want Colby to find
out.
She’dhavetocautiontheHunterstokeepquietaboutherbackground—andBernadette’sspecialgift.
ThelastthingintheworldshewantedColbyLanetoknowwaswhoBernadette’sfatherwas.Whata
tragedythatheshouldturnupnow.
AnotherproblempresenteditselfasshethoughtaboutBernadette’sviolentupsetinColby’spresence.
ThechildhadbeendivertedtogofindNikki,andsheseemedallright.Butoftenittookafewhours
forthesymptomstoappear,andshehadsoundedveryhoarseassheleftSarina’soffice…
Sheturnedherattentionbacktothecomputer.Shedidn’tevenwanttothinkaboutituntilshehadto.
Maybe,maybe,itwouldbeallright!DamnColbyandhishottemper!
COLBY STALKED INTO HUNTER’S office with black eyes blazing. He closed the door sharply,
bringingtheotherman’ssurprisedgazetohisface.
“What’sbitingyou?”heaskedColby.
“Thatlittlegirl,theonewhoknewaboutmyarm…hermotherisSarinaCarrington,”hesaidharshly.
Huntereyedhimcautiously.“So?”
Colbyglaredathim.Hehesitated.“Sarina’smyex-wife.”
Hunteractuallydroppedthepenhewasholding.HeandhiswifehadknownSarinaforsevenyears,
andtheywereawarethatsheknewColbyLane.Butshe’dnevermentionedapriormarriage.
Colbybarelynoticed.Hewenttothewindowandlookedout,hishandsjammedintohispockets.“It
wasalongtimeago,”hesaid.“Wewereonlytogetheronedaybeforeshefiledfordivorce.”
“Whatasmartwoman,”Huntermurmureddryly.
ThememoryofthebriefmarriagewaslikeaknifethroughColby’sgut.Hedidn’tsayanythingfora
minute. “She was in college when I left,” he said aloud. “I thought she’d go into teaching or some
profession.She’saclerkhere,Igather.”
Hunter averted his eyes from his friend’s piercing gaze. “A records clerk,” he said, hoping he still
hadapokerface.“Iunderstandshedroppedoutofcollege.Shewantedajobwithlesspressuresothat
shehadtimeforherdaughter.”
That was a laudable goal, and Colby couldn’t fault it. But he was upset. He’d never expected to see
Sarina again, much less find her working in a corporation that had just hired him. The job would
necessarilyfostercontactbetweenthem.Hedidn’twantadailyreminderofhiscruelty.
“Whyisn’tsheworkinginTucson?Iknowyou’vegotabranchofficetherenow.Youwereworking
initatonetime.”
“Yes.Shewasbrieflyreassignedheretofillinforanotheremployee,”Huntersaid,graspingforany
reasonableexplanation.“They’llprobablygobacktoTucsoninthenearfuture.”
Colbyrelaxed,justalittle.“That’sprobablyagoodthing.”
“Listen,I’vegotameetingwithEugene.Wanttocome?”
“DoIneedto?”
Itwouldbetrickyifhedid.Hunterwaskeepingsecrets.Hecouldn’tletColbyinonthem.
“Notreally.I’llbriefyou.Justroutinestuff.Youcanskipthisone,”Huntersaidwithasmile.“Ifyou
wantsomethingtodo,youcangoaroundandintroduceyourselftothedepartmentheads.Youknow.
Practicediplomacy.”
Colbyglaredathim.“Mygun’sinmydeskdrawer.”
Huntergavehimawrylook.
Colbyshrugged.“Allright,I’llworkonmypeopleskills.”
“Goodidea.”Hepickeduphisnotes.“DidyoumakeupwithBernadette?”
Colbyshiftedhisarmuncomfortably.“Herideaofmakingupwouldinvolveaskinningknife,from
whatIsaw.”
Hunter almost bit his tongue trying not to make a joke about similarities between the child and the
man.
“Shelikesmostpeople.”
“Shehatesme,”Colbysaidshortly.“AndI’mnotkeenonkidswhomakepersonalremarkstototal
strangers.” He scowled. “But how in the hell did she know about my arm?” he asked angrily. “I
haven’t had any contact with Sarina for seven years, so the kid couldn’t have found out from her
mother.Andifyou’venevertoldNikki,”hefinished,lettingtheremarkspeakforitself.
“Bernadetteknowsthings,”Huntersaid.“Idon’tknowhow.Maybetherewasashamaninherancestry
somewhere.”
Colbyfrowned.“IthoughtshewasHispanic.”
“Sarina doesn’t talk about her ancestry,” Hunter said, hoping he could avoid any revelations about
Bernadette’sbackground.Hedidn’tdareleton.Sarinawouldkillhim.
“Doyouknowwhoherfatheris?”
Hunterturnedtowardthedoor.“No,”hesaid.Itwastruethathehadn’t,andhe’dneverreallythought
about it…until now. This was dangerous territory. The whole Apache nation was small enough to
makeiteasytofindrelativesonthereservations.Hecouldn’ttellColbythatBernadette’sancestrywas
Apache, and he’d almost let it slip with the shaman remark. Hunter didn’t want Colby asking
questions.
HestillhadcousinsatareservationbackinArizona.“I’llbebackinanhourorso.Holddownthe
fort.”
Colbypattedthecellphoneathisbelt.“Ifthereisanattack,I’llringyou.”
Huntermadeafaceonhiswayout.
Colbymadetheroundsoftheexecutives.Onemadeanimmediateimpression,anditwasn’tagood
one.Hewasassistantheadofhumanresources,arealjerknamedBrodyVancewhohaddelusionsof
importance.Hehadanadministrativeassistantwhowasverynice.ShewasgoingwithalocalDEA
senior agent named Cobb, according to Hunter. Colby had met her during a raid at the company
warehousethepreviousnight,whenshe’ddrivenacarthroughmachine-gunfiretosaveCobb’slife
—
andhisandHunter ’s.Shewasquiteawoman.
He rounded a corner, and there was Sarina. But she wasn’t alone. There was a tall, dark, handsome
Latin,aboutColby’sage,withher.Hewasleaninglazilyagainstthewallwithhisarmscrossed,and
thetwoofthemwereinearnestconversation.Theyweresoengrossed,andhewassointentonthem,
thathedidn’tnoticethelittlegirlrunningtowardthemuntilshecalledtotheman.
“Rodrigo!”shelaughed.“Areyoucomingtomybirthdaypartywhenwehaveit?”
“Of course!” he replied, holding out his arms. He caught her up and whirled her around, laughing
deeply.“HowcouldImissallthecakeandicecream?”
“You’d miss me, too,” she chided. She kissed him and linked her arms around his neck. “Dear
Rodrigo,whateverwouldmeandMommydowithoutyou?”
“I’llmakesurethatyouneverknow!”heteased,huggingherback.
Sarina checked her watch. “We’d better go. We still have to stop by the grocery store on the way
home.
Areyoucomingoverforsupper?”
Heshookhishead.“Thanks,butIhaveameeting.”
“Iforgot.”
Heshrugged.“Anothertime.”
ShesmiledathiminawaythatmadeColby’steethset.“Anothertime,”shesaid.
Themanshe’dcalledRodrigobentandbrushedacarelesskissacrosshercheek.“Takecareofmy
bestgirl,”hetoldSarina,winkingatthechild.
“Ialwaysdo,”sherepliedwarmly,wavingashewentoffdownthehall.
Sarina and Bernadette turned together and there was Colby, blocking the aisle, glaring at both of
them.
“There’sthatawfulmanagain,”Bernadettesaidwithacoldglare.
“Bernadette,wedon’tmakeruderemarksaboutpeoplewedon’tknow,”Sarinasaidgently.Noteven
whenthey’rerichlydeserved,shethoughtsilently.
“Sorry,Mommy,”Bernadettemutteredunderherbreath,butshedidn’tstopglaringatColby.
SarinatookherhandandwalkedtowardColby.Shestoppedwhenhedidn’tstepaside.
“Who’stheguy?”heasked,noddingtowardwhereRodrigohaddisappeared.
“A friend,” Sarina said before she thought that it was none of his business. “Rodrigo Ramirez. He
workshere,too.Wouldyoumove,please?”
“Ishethegirl’sfather?”
Sarina’seyebrowsarched.“I’veonlyknownhimthreeyears.”
HelookedatBernadettewithanarrowstare.“Ihopeyoudon’thaveanyplanstotrytoblameheron
me,”hesaidoutoftheblue,withoutacluewhyhe’dmadetheoutrageousremark.“I’dratherbeshot
thanlayclaimtoachildthatrude.”
She wasn’t a violent woman, but the sarcastic remark hit her in a raw spot. She’d had years of
anguish,fromhertroubledpregnancytoadangerousdelivery,andallthehealthproblemsthathad
comeafterward.Thecommentmadeherfurious.Withoutpausingtocountthecost,shedrewbackher
footandkickedhimintheshinashardasshecould.
Hegroanedandbentovertorubhislegwithamuffledcurse.
“Goodforyou,Mommy,”Bernadettesaidgleefully.“That’stheonethatgothitwiththebaseballbat,
too!”
Colbygapedather.Onlythemonthbefore,he’dhadtoapprehendamanathisformerjobforPierce
Huttonwhowasarmedwithabaseballbat.He’dbeenhitinthelegtryingtosubduetheperpetrator.
Howthehelldidthekidknowthat?
“Come on, Bernadette,” Sarina said, almost dragging the child along with her past the small café
downstairs.
Colbywalkedafterthem,hobblingalittle.“Thatchildisawitch!”heragedinApache.Sarinadidn’t
respond to the insult, but the child looked back at him with cold, angry eyes as he followed them
downthehall.Ifhisleghadn’tbeenhurtingsobadly,hemighthavenoticedthatsheunderstoodwhat
he’dsaidabouther.
Insidethesmallcaféoverlookingthecorridor,maintainedforRitteremployees,AlexanderCobbwas
buyingacappuccinofortheyoungwomanColbyrememberedfromtheshootout.Colbygrimacedas
henoticedCobbwatchinghimwithanunholyamusedgrin.Hisnewjobwasn’tstartingoffonthebest
offeet.
CHAPTERTWO
ITBOTHEREDSARINAthatColbyhadwarnedhernottoaccusehimofbeingBernadette’sfather.
Ofcourse,hehadnoreasontothinkitwastrue.He’dsaiditinasarcasticmannerandwasprobably
tryingtoscorepoints.Hedidn’tbothertomentionherfranticcall,andhischillingresponsetoit,all
thoseyearsagowhenshewaspregnantwithBernadette.He’dtoldMaureentotellSarinathathewas
sterileandthechildcouldn’tpossiblybehis.Whatajoke.
Butnotafunnyone.She’dcalledhiminherninthmonthofpregnancy,desperateforhelp.She’dbeen
totallyalone,withnomoney,unabletowork,andatthemercyofbillcollectorsandtheobstetrician
who was trying to save her baby. Colby had told his wife Maureen to tell her that she was lying, it
couldn’tpossiblybehischild,thatheneverwantedtospeaktoheragain.Shewasafilthylittleliar,
Maureenhadquoted,andhehatedherfortryingtoruinhismarriagetoMaureen.Ifsheaccusedhim
againoffatheringherchild,Maureenadded,Colbywouldtakehertocourt.
Afteralltheseyears,itwasstillpainfultorememberhisrejection.Hedidn’tbelievehecouldhavea
childandhe’dmadesuresheknewit.Thatwassomethingofarelief,butitwasdisturbingthathe’d
evenalludedtoitjustnow.Shelovedherdaughter.Shedidn’twanttotakeanychanceoflosingher.
But perhaps she was worrying for no good reason. Colby was surely still married to that horrible
woman,Maureen.Itwasobviousthathedidn’tlikechildren.Andifhetrulybelievedhewassterile,
perhapshisruderemarkaboutBernadette’sparentagewasadefensiveposturetoprotecthispride.
It was a sad fate that had landed him in her path, especially now, when she was already in so much
danger.HerjobentailedrisksthatwerebecomingmoreandmoreunacceptablenowthatBernadette
wasinthelineoffire.Shewasapatriotandshecoulddoajobthatnotmanyotherpeoplewanted.But
was it fair to put Bernadette at risk? If something happened to her, the child would have no living
relative save one. And he didn’t even know about her. Worse, there was the terrifying health issue
which would make the child’s chances of adoption unlikely. More and more she was regretting her
choiceofcareers.
Afewdayslater,shewaswashingdishesatthekitchensinkwhensheheardagunshot.Bernadettehad
beensittinginasmallclothchaironthefrontporch,butshecamerunninginside.
“Mommy,there’saboywithagun!”
Shecaughtthechildupinherarms.“Areyouallright?Youweren’thit?”
“No,Mommy.I’mokay.”
“Staydown!”Sarinasaid,tuckingthechildbesidetherefrigerator.Shetookdownthekeyfromabove
thedoor,theonethatfitthedrawerbythefrontdoor,incasesheneededwhatwasinside.Thenshe
wentcarefullytothefrontoftheirsmallapartmentandlookedoutthroughthecurtainedwindow.Old
SeñoraMartinezwasstandingonherporchwithbothhandstohermouth,staringafterthreeyoung
men in bandanas who were running wildly toward a waiting car. A fourth man yelled curses after
them.
Hewasholdinghisarm,fromwhichbloodpoured.Sarinaknewtheman;hewasSeñoraMartinez’s
grandson Raoul. He went to the old lady and soothed her, kissing her forehead. She took his good
armanddrewhim,fussing,intotheapartmentandclosedthedoor.
Nodoubttheshooterwastheoldlady’snephew,Tito.Hewasfourteenandheadedforjail,assureas
theworld.Heuseddrugsandhewasviolentwhenhewasundertheinfluence.Notthatthisgrandson,
Raoul, who’d just been shot defending her was any prize—he was, in fact, the leader of one of the
morenotoriousprojectgangs.ShelikedoldSeñoraMartinez.Shedidn’twantheridiotnephewtokill
her in a drug-crazed stupor. She was going to mention the incident to a friend in law enforcement.
Rightnow,shedidn’tdarecallthelocalpolicebecausehernamewouldgoonthereport.Atleast,she
wasn’trequiredtotakeanyaction.Sheclosedthedrawerbackandlockedit,puttingthekeyoverthe
doorasusual.
“Isitover,Mommy?”Bernadetteaskedfromthekitchen.
“For now,” Sarina assured her, holding out her arms. She hugged her daughter close. “You must
alwaysbealert.Youshouldn’tsitontheporchalone,baby.”
“Iknow.I’msorry.”
“Weliveinabadplace,”Sarinasaidworriedly.Shehadn’twantedtooptforanapartmentinthislow-
rent area of town, but it had been necessary. Medical bills had forced her to seek such
accommodations.
Shewatchedherdaughtercarefully,hopingthattheupsetwasn’tgoingtotriggeranattack,asColby’s
harshremarkshadearlierintheweek.ButBernadettewasn’tupsetatall.Infact,shewassmiling.
“Ilikeithere,”Bernadettesaidsurprisingly.“Theotherkidsplaywithme,andtheydon’tmakefunof
me.Mommy,amIapersonofcolor?”
Sarinalaugheddelightedly.“Well,yes,baby,youare,”shehadtoadmit.“YouhaveApacheblood.
Remember, what your grandfather told you about the Apache Women Warriors? You come from
bravepeople!”
“Wasmydaddybrave?”
Sarinabithertongue.“Ofcoursehewas,”shesaid,forcingasmile.
“Whydidn’thewantme?”Bernadetteasked.
“Bernadette…”
“Iknow,wedon’tevertalkabouthim.Butmygranddaddylovedhim.Hesaidmydaddywastroubled
anddidn’tknowwhohewas.”
“Thosearedeepobservations,mydarling,”Sarinasaid.
“Isawthatawfulmangetshot,”Bernadettesaidoutoftheblue.“ButwhenIaskedhimifhisarmhurt,
hewashatefultome.”
Sarinafrowned.“Yousawwhichmangetshot?”
“That awful man you kicked,” she said. “He doesn’t like me. Well, I don’t like him, either. He’s a
horribleman!”
Sarinaavertedhereyes.Bernadettehadmadethesestrangecommentsaboutadarkmanfromtimeto
time.Sarinaknewshehadvisions,whichveryoftenwereaccurate.Itwasagiftshe’dsharedwithher
latepaternalgrandfather,whocouldalsoseethingsbeforetheyhappened.Butshehadn’tknownuntil
todaythatBernadettehadthatmentallinkwithColbyLane.Itwasvaguelyterrifying.
Shesatdownheavilyonthesofa.“Whatelsedidyousee,Bernadette?”sheaskedseriously.
“Hedrankalotofbad-smellingstufffromabottleandamanheworkedforhithimrealhard,”the
childrecalled.“Thenheshotsomebodyandgotshotbackandhisarmwasallbloody.Itwasaplace
calledAfrica.”
Sarinawasstunned.“Yousawthat?”
Bernadettenodded.Shepushedbackastrandoflonghair.“Therewasthiswoman,too.Shewentaway
andhegotrealupset.”
Sarina’s heart jumped. Maureen left him? She hated herself for the joy she felt, even momentarily.
He’dnevergetovertheotherwoman.Thatwasafactshehadtoface.Hedidn’twantSarina.Henever
hadandheneverwould.
“Whatdoyousaywehaveapizzatonight?”Sarinaaskedthechild.
“Couldwe?Withmushrooms?”
“You bet!” Sarina got up and looked out the window again, worriedly. “I guess it’s safe to ask a
defenselesspizzaguytocomehere.”
“It’ssafe,”Bernadettesaidwithagrin.“I’llprotectyou,Mommy.Granddaddysaidhisfatherwasa
shaman,andthathehadabrotherwhocouldseethingsbeforetheyhappened,justlikeGranddaddy
andmecould.”
“Well!” She hesitated, wondering how to bring up a worrying subject. “Bernadette, I want you to
promisemesomething.”
“What,Mommy?”
Sarinachewedherlowerlip.“Thatman,today,theoneyousawshot.Iwantyoutopromisemethat
you’llnever,never,speakApacheinfrontofhim.”
Thelittlegirlfrowned.“But,why?”
Sarina drew in a slow breath. “You mustn’t ask me that. But you must promise. I know you’ll keep
yourword.”
Thechildnodded.“MygranddaddytaughtmethatImustalwaysdothat.”Shelookedathermother
quizzically,butfinallyshenodded.“Okay,Mommy,Ipromise.”
Sarinasmiledandhuggedthelittlegirlwarmly.“Iloveyou.”
“I love you, too.” She drew back. “Do you think Santa Claus would bring me a microscope for
Christmas?”
Sarinalaughed.“It’stwomonthsuntilChristmas.Isupposeitisn’ttooearlytobethinkingaboutit.
Butthemicroscopeyouwantisveryexpensive,baby,”sheaddedgently.
Bernadettelaidagentlehandonhermother ’sshoulderandlookedveryadult.“Iknowitcostsalot
formymedicine,”shebegan.“MaybeIcoulddowithoutit…”
“No!”Sarinasaidatonce.
“Butitcostssomuch…”
Sarinahuggedherclose,hereyesclosedassheimaginedlifewithoutthenewdrugs,thewayithad
been.“Idon’tcarewhatitcosts.”
BernadettelaidherheadonSarina’sshoulder.“IwishIwaslikeNikki,”shemurmured.“Shenever
getssick.”
Sarina’seyesclosed.Shewished,notforthefirsttime,thatshe’dbeenabletotakebettercareofthe
childinthebeginning.Thedoctorshadsaidthatitmadenodifference,butSarinadidn’tcompletely
believethem.IfanythinghappenedtoBernadette,she’ddie!
Thechildpulledawayandlookedintoherparent’sworriedeyes.“Mommy,I’mallright,”Bernadette
assured her. “Really.” She smiled. “I’m going to be a detective one day, working in a big city, and
there’sthisveryhandsomemanwho’sgoingtomarryme.Idreamedit.”
Sarina’seyesclosedandsheshivered.Thechildcouldtrulyseeahead.Itwasarelief,inaway.
“So you mustn’t worry,” Bernadette continued. She bit her lower lip. “I’m going to be fine.” She
didn’t add that she had worries about her mother that she didn’t dare share. She forced a smile.
“MaybeSantaClauswillbringmethatmicroscopeanyway,”sheadded,grinning.“Infact,I’malmost
surehewill!”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Itneverhurtstoask.Right?”
Sarinagotup,chuckling.“We’llsee.Now,let’sorderthatpizza!”
COLBYLANEwenthometohissmallrentedapartmentandfixedhimselfafrozendinner.Hehada
suddenurgeforpizzaandcouldn’tunderstandwhy.
Hecheckedhistelephonemessageswhilethemicrowavecooked.Therewerenomessages.Hewasn’t
surprised.TheonlypeopleheknewintownweretheHunters.Hehadnosociallifetospeakof,no
closefriendsexceptTateWinthop.TatewasinD.C.now,withCecilyandtheirson,workingforthe
governmentagain—althoughnotinanydangeroussituations.Colby’sfatherhaddiedtwoyearsago,
although he hadn’t known until he’d made a trip to the reservation the year before. He still had
cousinsthere,buttheywereoddlyreluctanttospeakofhislatefather.Allthey’dtoldhimwasthatthe
old man had lived in Tucson until his death. His body had been buried at the old Apache cemetery
nearhisformerhomeinasmall,privateceremony.Hiscousinshadbeenoddlyreticenttospeakof
theceremony.
Heandhisfatherhadn’tspokensincehemarriedMaureen.Theoldmanhadn’tapprovedofher,and
Colbyhadoverreactedtothecriticism.Heandhisfatherhadneverbeenreallyclose.He’dlovedhis
mother,butshe’ddiedwhenhewasveryyoungandhisfatherhadstarteddrinkingandbecomebrutal.
Heblamedtheoldmanforeverything.Nowthathewasolder,andhadbeenobsessedwithawoman
himself,hebegantounderstandhisfather ’sbehavior.Hewishedhe’dmadeanefforttoseetheold
manwhiletherewasstilltime.Nowhewasaloneintheworld.Nowife,nokids,noparents.Hehadan
uncleinOklahomaandacousinortwo.Hewouldn’thaverecognizedthemifhe’dseenthemonthe
street.Itwasalonelysortoflife.
WhenheandMaureenhadmarried,he’denvisionedthembeingtogetherforlifewithahousefulof
kids.Butshedidn’twantmixedbloodkids.Justaswell,hethoughtbitterly,sincehewasinfertile.He
thoughtaboutthatlittlegirlBernadette,Sarina’sdaughter,whowasHispanic.Hewonderedwhoher
fatherwas,andhowSarinahadmanagedtoconceiveachildafterthenightmareofpainhe’dgiven
her on their wedding night. He’d had a couple of neat whiskies. He’d hoped it would be enough to
leavehimincapable.Itwasn’t.Longafterward,he’dleftherintheirhotelroom,shiveringunderthe
covers,andhe’dbeeneloquentabouthowhefeltabouttheweddingthathadbeenforcedonhim.
He’dgottenhimselfaseparatehotelroomafterward,orderedawholefifthofCuttySarkandfinally
passedout,deaddrunk.Hedidn’tawakenuntilthenextday,andwhenhewenttolookforherwithan
uneasyconscience,she’dleft.Aletterhadbeensenttohimthedayafterthequickweddingbysome
attorney,withatersenotefromherfather.Annulmentpaperswouldbemailedtohimassoonasthey
couldbedrawnup,andtheywantedanaddresstosendthemto.HegavethemMaureen’s.Obviously
Sarinahadbeenwillingtolieaboutthemarriagebeingconsummatedandhedidn’tgiveadamn.He’d
signtheirstupidpapers.Maureenhadcalledhimthedayhe’dmarriedSarinatotellhimshewantedto
get married at once. He’d made some excuse and then he’d taken out his fury on Sarina. His
consciencestilltroubledhim.
He’d had a rushed assignment overseas before he and Maureen could get married. When he came
back,shetoldhimthatsheforgedhisnameonthepapersandtheannulmenthadbeengranted,sothey
couldgetmarriedrightaway.Shehadafriendwhowasaministerandhewaswillingtomarrythem.
Shehadthelicenseandeverything.Allhehadtodowassaytherightwords.Odd,thatceremony,he
recalled.
Maureenevenkeptthelicense.Hehadn’tseenitsince.Heassumedthatshe’dusedittogetherown
divorce.He’dsignedsomesortofpapers,ontackylegalstationery.Hedidn’tremembermuchofit.
He’dbeendrinkingbackthen,too.
He and Maureen had a feverish wedding night after their quickie wedding. She’d kept him at a
distanceallthetimetheyweredating.Theabstinencehadbeenonereasonhe’dfallenonSarinalikea
starving wolf, he recalled with shame. But Maureen had been an obsession. Once she was truly his,
he’dhadtoleaveherbehindinWashington,D.C.,forseveralmonthsbecausehe’dbeengivenanew
assignmentoverseas.Sarina’sfatherhadpulledstringstogethimoutoftown.Rightafterthat,he’d
left military intelligence and gone to work with a group of mercenaries. The money had been
fantastic,andhe’dlovedtheadrenalinerushes.Butthatwasovernow.
HefeltregretaboutSarina.Itmusthavetakenagreatdealofcourageforhertoriskintimacywitha
managain,hethought.Hehatedthememoryofwhathe’ddonetothatgentleyoungwomanwhose
only crime had been to love him. None of what happened had really been her fault, even if he’d
blamedherforit.Thefaulthadbeenhisown,forhavingtoomuchtodrinkatthepartythey’dboth
attended,andlettingthembediscoveredbyherfatherandhisassociatesinacompromisingsituation.
He’dblamedherforthat,butheshouldn’thave.
Shewasstillasattractiveasever,hemused.Shewasmoremature,moreindependent,morespirited
thanthewomanhe’donceknownwhowasownedbyherrichfather.Hewassurprisedthatshewas
working for a living. Her father had been worth twenty million dollars, and she was his only heir.
He’d heard that Carrington had died six years earlier. He hadn’t grieved, but he’d thought about
Sarina finally being out from under his thumb, and with money of her own. He frowned,
rememberinghowshedressed,howherdaughterdressed.Iftherewasmoneynow,itdidn’tshowin
theirclothing,orinthelowlyposition,probablypoorlypaid,thatsheheldnow.
Themicrowavebuzzedandhepulledtheinstantdinneroutofit.Hehadasmallstoreofdinnerware
andsilverwarethathe’dbroughtfromhisapartmentinD.C.HestilllivedlikeaSpartan.Oldhabits
diedhard.Hedidn’thavepossessions.Amanwhowasconstantlyonthemovecouldn’taffordtoluga
housefulofstuffaroundwithhim.
Hunter had been, like himself, in the CIA, and then in freelance covert ops before he settled into
securitywork.IthadsurprisedhimtofindHuntermarriedandwithachild.Hiswifewasaknockout
—
a gorgeous blond geologist named Jennifer who was a cousin to the wife of old man Ritter ’s son,
Cabe.
ThewayHunterandJenniferfeltaboutoneanotherwasobvioustoablindman.They’dbeenmarried
for years, but the passion hadn’t burned out, not by a long shot. Perhaps, he considered, some
marriagesdidworkout.
Hethoughtabouthisowntwofailedmarriagesandwinced.He’dchosenbadly.Maureenhadnothing
incommonwithhimandshehadn’tlovedhim.She’dlovedwhathecouldgivehermaterially.Theirs
had been an obsessive physical relationship that burned out a year down the road. He’d been
determinedtoholdon,butintheend,hehadtolethergo.Admittingfailurehadcutuphispride.
Maureenhadbeenanobsession,buthe’dlearnedthatobsessivedesirewasnosubstituteforlove.
Sarina had loved him with all her heart, and he’d pushed her away brutally. Perhaps, he thought
philosophically,hedeservedthemiseryhe’dendured.Certainlyithadpaidhimbackforthehurthe’d
causedSarina.
Hefinishedhissupper,hadashower,andwenttobedearly.Inhisyouth,hecouldgonightandday.
Now, with his war wounds hurting like hell in the darkness, he had to take advantage of any
drowsinesshewasluckyenoughtoget.Noneofhiscomradeswouldrecognizethisworn-outsoldier
whomadehislivingbyprotectinganoilcompanyfromthievesanddrugsmugglers.Hefeltfarolder
thanhisyears.
Perhapsheshouldbegratefulthathewasstillalive.Manyofhisfriendsnolongerwere.
JUST BEFORE LUNCH, Colby was walking by Sarina’s office when he saw her in earnest
conversation with the Hispanic man, Rodrigo Ramirez. Funny, they were obviously close but they
didn’tactlikelovers.Therewasnothinglikephysicalattractioninherregard,andherbodylanguage
was interesting—she folded her arms tight around her chest and her expression was completely
businesslike.Ifshewasinvolvedwiththeman,shewasgoodatkeepingthingsdiscreet.
Rodrigo was a puzzle as well. Colby had asked Hunter about him, only to be told that the man, a
Mexican national, worked as a liaison between Eugene and an equipment company owned by
Eugene’s son, Cabe Ritter. It seemed a thin sort of connection, and an odd sort of job. For some
reason,hedidn’tseeRodrigoatadeskjob.Hehadthestrangestfeelingthathe’drunacrosstheman
somewhere.
SarinapassedafiletoRodrigoandstoodup.“That’sallI’vegotsofar,”shesaid,hervoicecarrying
inthedesertedoffices—itwaslunchtimeandmosteveryoneelsewasalreadygone.
“Ihavemore.I’llputitonaCDforyou,”Rodrigorepliedinsoftlyaccenteddeeptones.“Onamore
personalnote,youneedtoconsideramove.Bernadette’stooconspicuousatarget.”
“IcantakecareofBernadette,”sherepliedquietly.“Ican’tmove.Youknowwhy.”
“Icouldhelpyou,”hebegan.
Sheheldupahand.“BernadetteandIwillmanage.It’sbetternow,anyway.”
“Why can’t I ever convince you to do the safe thing?” the Latin asked, his accent growing more
prominent.
“Safe is for old women,” she replied with a laugh. “Besides, this job is more important than any
we’veeverdone.”
“Thatitis,”hehadtoagree.“Ijustdon’tlikehavingyoutakepointonthefiringline.”
“Youneverdo,butit’smychoice.”
“Youandyourindependence—”HebrokeoffwhenhenoticedColbyLaneapproachingthedoor.He
stoodupandliftedaneyebrow.“CanIdosomethingforyou,Mr.Lane?”heaskedformally,hisdeep
voicefaintlyaccented.
ColbyglancedatSarina.“IhadaquestionforMissCarrington,”hereplied.“Nothingurgent.Itcan
wait.”
“Ihavetogo,”Rodrigoreplied,notingthetime.“I’llcallyou,”hetoldher.
Shenodded.
Whenheleft,shelookedatColbyicily.“Yes?”
“Whatdidhemean,aboutyourdaughterbeingatrisk?”heasked.
Boththineyebrowswentup.“Ismydaughter ’swelfareyourbusiness,Mr.Lane?”
“Droptheformalline,”hesaidcoldly.“Weweremarried.”
Shelaughedmirthlessly.“I’vehadheadachesthatlastedlongerthanourmarriagedid.”
Hestuckhishandsinhispocketsandstaredherdown.“Whatrisk?”herepeated.
“Weliveingovernmenthousing,”shesaid.“Therearegangsandlastnighttherewasarunninggun
battlewhileBernadettewassittingontheporch.Aneighborboywasshot.”
Hescowled.“Whydoyoulivethere?”
Shedidn’tshareBernadette’sconditionwithoutsiders.Shedidn’twanttothinkaboutthenightbefore,
when she’d been awakened from a sound sleep and had to rush with Bernadette to the emergency
room.
It was Colby’s fault, but he didn’t know it and she wasn’t going to tell him. “My daughter doesn’t
exactlyblendinawhitecommunity,”shesaidinstead.
Oneeyenarroweddangerously.“Whyareyoulivinginsuchaplace?”hepersisted.“Yourfatherwas
worthmillionswhenhedied,sixyearsorsoago,andyouwereanonlychild.”
“I’mnotworthmillions,”sheinformedhim.
“Hemusthaveleftyousomething.”
Shejuststaredathim.
“Yourchild’sfathershouldbepayingchildsupport,”hesaid,changingtacks.
“Chancewouldbeafinething,”shereplied.
“HuntersaidhewasHispanic,”hepersisted.“Hemusthaverelatives,orevenfriends.Itshouldn’tbe
hardtotrackhimdown.”
GodblessHunterforthatwhitelie,shewasthinking.“Whydon’tyoujustdoyourjob,Mr.Lane,and
leavemealonetodomine?”shesuggested,sittingbackdown.
“How did the child know about my arm?” he asked out of the blue, hoping to shock her into an
answer.
WhatHunterhadtoldhimhadn’tmadesense.
Shefrowned.“Whataboutyourarm?”sheasked,diverted.
Shedidn’tknow?Hestraightened.“SheknewIwas…wounded,”heprevaricated.
“Oh.” She studied his face curiously, but it gave away nothing. “I don’t know,” she lied. “Maybe
somebodymentionedittoher.”
ColbywonderedwhomightknowabouthisinjurybesidesHunter,butheletitslide.“Whycan’tyou
getsomethinginabettersectionoftown?”
“Bernadette’s had enough prejudice already,” she said reluctantly. “She’s accepted in the Chicano
community.”
“Areyou?”hechided.
“Surely you know that Chicanos can be fair as well as dark?” she taunted. “Besides, I fit in quite
nicely.
I’mliterateinSpanish.”
“Youcanreadandwriteitaswellasspeakit?”heasked.
Shenodded.
No wonder the child was fluent in that language. He was thinking about what she’d said, about
prejudice.He’dhiddenhisancestrymostofhislifetoavoidit.Sarinadidn’ttrytohideBernadette’s.
Butshewasprotectiveofthechild,andobviouslylovedher.Whywouldsheliveinsodangerousa
place?
“I’msureHuntercouldhelpyoufindabetterapartment,”hesaid.
“We’rehappywhereweare.Orareyougoingtoassuremethatgunsareonlyfoundintheminority
communities?”shechided.
“They’renotaslikelytobeusedinabetterneighborhood.”
“Ha!”Sheturnedonhercomputer.
“You’reavoidingtheissue.”
Shelookedupathim,tryingnottolethermindwanderbacktohappiertimes.“Youhavenorightto
makeitanissue,”shesaidquietly.
Hedrewinabreath.“Fairenough.”
Sheturnedherattentionbacktothecomputer.
“WhydidtheysendyouherefromTucson,insteadofjustgettingsomeonefromHoustontofillin?”
“Arewedoinganinterview?”sheasked,exasperated.
“YourdaughterlikestheMexican.What’shisname?Ramirez?”
She smiled deliberately. “I like Rodrigo, too,” she said. “We’ve been friends for over three years.
He’sbeengoodtous.”
Hedidn’tlikethat.Hedidn’tknowwhy.PerhapshestillhadafaintsenseofpossessionaboutSarina.
Theyhadbeenmarriedonce,ifonlyforadayandanight.
“Youwereincollege,”hesaid,remembering.“Didn’tyoufinish?”
Shehad,butshewasn’ttellinghim.“Idroppedout,”shelied.
“Sothiswastheonlyjobyoucouldget,Isuppose.”
Shenodded,gladthathecouldn’treadminds.
“You were your father ’s only child,” he said, frowning. “I still don’t understand why you’re living
likethis.”
“My father had emphatic ideas about what he wanted to do with his money,” she said without
resentment.She’dlongsinceacceptedherfate.“Idon’tmindworkingforaliving.”
Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.“IsupposeyouknewthatMaureenandIdivorcedtwoyearsago.”
Shelookedupwithacarefullyblankexpression.“HowwouldIknowthat?”
“Hunter knew.” He saw the faint flush in her cheeks. “He was my friend from childhood. I can’t
believehenevermentionedmynametoyou.”
Shedidn’tlikerememberingtheshockthefirsttimeshe’dheardPhillipmentionhisoldfriendColby,
when she and Jennifer were taking natural childbirth classes together. She’d admitted that she knew
him,butshe’dmanagedtokeeptheirconnectionasecret.Philliponlyknewthatthey’ddatedandthat
Colby had provided security for her father. She’d asked Jennifer to tell Phillip not to mention
Bernadette’srealheritagetoColby,butshehadn’tsaidwhy.Hunterwasintelligent.Heprobablyknew
thetruth.
Hereyeswereevenandcold.“Hementioneditonlyonce.YouweretheonesubjectthattheHunters
knewnevertomentioninfrontofme.”
His eyelids flickered. That shouldn’t have come as a surprise. But it did. “Point to you, Miss
Carrington,”hesaidquietly.
“Thisseemsanoddsortofplaceforyoutobeworking,”shesaidsuddenly,liftinghereyes.“It’sa
farcryfromthemilitary,isn’tit?”
The past few years flashed before his eyes. He saw his wounds, his conflicts with political
counterparts,hisdisillusionmentwithhislife.“Idon’tlikehospitals,”hesaid,compromisingwiththe
truth.
Shearchedbotheyebrows.
“Ispentalotoftimeinthembetweenoverseasassignments,”herepliedcoolly.
Hereyessearchedoverhim.“Itdoesn’tshow.”
Obviouslyshedidn’tknowthatheworeaprosthesis,evenifherdaughterdid.Hewasoddlyreluctant
totellher.
“YouwantedtobeadiplomatasIrecall,”hesaidinstead.
Sheshrugged.“Wemakechoices,andthenlifegetsintheway.I’mhappyenoughwiththeworkIdo.”
Hestaredatherforalongmoment,rememberinghappiertimes,camaraderie,evenherquirkysense
ofhumor.Shewassostaidnow,sodignified,thathecouldn’treconcilethewomanhesawwiththe
womanhe’donceknownsointimately.
“Takeapicture,”shesaidwithaglare.
“Youwerelikeabonfiresevenyearsago,”hesaidabsently.“Brightandglowingwithlifeandfun.”
Shelookedup,theanguishofthepastyearsinherdarkeyes,visiblepain.“Igrewup,”shesaid.
Hefrowned.“Howoldareyounow?”
Shelaughedhollowly.“Whataquestion!”
“Answerit.”
“I’mtwenty-four,”shegroundout.
He stared without speaking. In his eyes was a shadow of pain. He actually winced. “You were
seventeenwhenwemarried?”
Hisexpressionandtheoutburstweresurprising.“Youwereinmilitaryintelligence,”shepointedout.
“Iassumedyoukneweverythingaboutme.”
Hedidn’tchallengehermistakeabouthismilitarybackground.“Inevercheckedyouout,forPete’s
sake,therewasnoreasonto!”Hepushedbackastrandoffaintlywavyblackhair.“God!Seventeen!I
thoughtyouwereolder,experienced…!”
Herfaceclosedup.Shecouldn’tbeartorememberthepainandhumiliationofherfirstintimacy.She
flushedasshefiddledwithpapersonherdesk,forsomethingtodo.
“Sarina,”hebegan,tryingtofindthewordstoapologize.“Youwereincollege.Ithoughtyouwerein
yourearlytwenties.Consideringyoursocialstatus,andyourbackground,andtheageIthoughtyou
were—itneveroccurredtomethatyoudidn’thavesomesexualexperience.”
“You didn’t care what I had,” she accused darkly. “You were furious that I’d, how did you put it,
trickedyouintomarryingmebysettingyouupformyfathertofindusinacompromisingsituation.
Youcouldn’tdoanythingtohim,soyoumademepayforit.”
Hiseyesdarkenedwithanger.“Iwasupset,yes.ButIdidn’thurtyoudeliberately.”
“Really?” She got to her feet, almost vibrating with anger. “It took four stitches!” she added with
helplessvenom.
Thatdidn’tregisteratfirst.Thenitdid.Hevaguelyrememberedbloodonthesheets,andhadassumed
thatherperiodhadstarted.Butifithadn’t…
His face colored. He’d had a couple of neat whiskies to try to stop himself from touching her. It
hadn’tworked.Hiscontrolhadbeenprecariousatbest,andhe’dblamedherforputtingMaureenout
ofhisreachwiththeirunwantedwedding.
Buthehadn’tmeanttohurtherphysically.Hedrewinalongbreath.Alcoholhadbeenresponsible
forsomuchtragedyinhislife.Hehadn’trealizedituntilhegotintotherapyandhadhissinslaidout
byapsychologist.
Historturedexpressiondisturbedher.Sarinasatbackdown,avoidinglookingdirectlyathim.“Itwas
alongtimeago,”shegroundout.“Nevermind.”
He searched for words to explain it, to tell her that Maureen had deserted him for weeks, for no
reason that he ever knew. He’d been hurting inside and Sarina’s presence was like a healing balm.
Then, the very day he found himself married to her, Maureen had tracked down his friend Tate
Winthrop and got his number. She’d called to tell him that she was ready to get married now. He’d
been livid. Sarina had tricked him. He wanted revenge…but even so, he hadn’t deliberately hurt
Sarina.Orsohe’dthought,alltheseyears.
He blinked. The psychologist had told him that most of his problems had resulted from a guilty
conscience,butnottodowithMaureen.Hedranktoforgethowhe’dtreatedSarina.Theshamewas
sogreatthathe’dnevertoldanyoneabouther,notevenhisbestfriend,Tate.
Evennow,whenhelookedather,herememberedalloveragainhowbrightandlovelyshe’dbeenin
thosedays.Foroneinsanemoment,inthemidstofexplosivelydeliciousforeplay,he’dbeentempted
toletthemarriagestandandletMaureengoherownway.Theobstacleswouldhavebeenimpossible
ones,though.Hehadn’tknownhowoldSarinareallywas.Buthedidknowthatshewasthesheltered
daughter of a multimillionaire, while he was mixed Apache-Comanche and poor, to boot. Besides
that,hewasinaprofessionthatcouldcosthimhislifeanyday.Shethoughthewasinthemilitary.He
wasn’t. He worked for the CIA as a paramilitary contractor, a freelance agent who hired out as a
counterterrorismandsmallarmsspecialist,toanygovernmentwillingtomeethisprice.He’dbeen
workingfortheAmericangovernmentwhenhemetSarina.HeandHunterhadsimilarbackgrounds,
whichwaswhytheygotalongsowelltogether.Sarinadidn’tknow.
“Therewereobstaclesyoudidn’tknowaboutatthetime,”hesaidfinally,jamminghishandsintohis
slackspockets.
Shedidn’tanswerhim.Shewasrememberingthoseterribledaysafterhewalkedoutofherlife.Her
fatherhaddemandedanannulment,andSarinahadbeentoohurtandangrytorefuse.She’dhadtolie
abouttheironeintimacy.Colbyhadn’tventuredasingleobjection.Afteronereluctantphonecall,full
ofrecriminationsandnotevenoneapology,Colbyhadlefther.
“Youmusthavehatedme,”Colbyventuredwithnarrowedeyes.
She didn’t look at him. “It was wasted energy. I very soon learned how to channel it into more
positiveareas.”
“Suchasworkingasaclerkforanoilcompany?”hereplied,irritated.
“Itpaysthebills.”
“Notverywell,consideringthatpieceofsalvageyoucallacar.”
Sheliftedherheadandglaredathim.“Don’tyouhavesomethingtoinvestigate?”
Heshrugged.“Isupposeso.”
Sheturnedbacktoherwork,ignoringhim.
Hewatchedherforafewseconds,withmoremisgivingsandsadnessthanhewaswillingforherto
see.Heturnedandwalkedout.
HUNTERWASWAITINGforhiminhisofficewhenhegotthere.Theothermanwaspreoccupied.
“Somethingwrong?”Colbyasked.
Hunter shrugged. “Something. Cobb’s just found out that the DEA’s got two undercover agents in
placehere.”
“Whoarethey?”
“DamnedifIknow,andhewon’ttellme.Hewashoppingmadwhenhefoundout.Hesaystheycame
infromanotherdistrict,followingasuspectwhoworksforus.Nobodytoldhimathingbecausehe
toldthedrugtaskforcethathehadaleakinhisdepartment.”
“That’sprobablyfortheagents’safety,ifthere’saleakinhisdepartment,”Colbysuggested.
“Nodoubt.There’ssomethingelse.We’vegotanemployeewho’sinvolvedwiththewomanwhotook
overManuelLopez’sempire.”
“ThatwouldbeBrodyVance,”Colbysaideasily,smilingwhenHunterlookedsurprised.“Iwaswith
you when we invaded the warehouse with Cobb and his task force,” he reminded the other man.
“VancebailedCaraDominguezoutofjaillater.”
“Yes,hedid.”Hunter ’slipscompressed.“IshouldhavehadCobbgetawarranttowiretaphisoffice.”
“He’ssmart,”Colbyreplied.“Heprobablythinksthat’salreadybeendone.”
“Couldbe.ButweneedtokeepoureyesonVance.”
“Icouldrigawireinhiscar,”Colbymusedaloud.“Icandoitinawaythathe’llneversuspect,and
stickahomingdeviceinaswell,sothatwecantrackhismovements.”
“Idon’tknowifwecangetajudgetoletusdothat,”Huntersaid.
Colbystuckhishandsinhispockets.“SupposeIdoitwithoutyourknowledge?”
“Creativethinking,”Hunterrepliedwithtwinklingdarkeyes.
“Doweknowanybodyintheofficethathe’scloseto?”
“HewashittingonCobb’sgirlfriend.Buthe’sgivenherup,apparently,sinceshe’sbeenseensomuch
with Cobb. Which brings to mind something else Cobb told me. He says she has great skills as a
cybertech.”
“Ifshe’sthatgoodatit,she’swastedonworkingforVance.”
“True.Whydon’twemakeuseofthoseskills,then,”Huntersuggested.“PerhapsMr.Vanceisdoing
somethingsneakywithhise-mail.Weretaintherighttoinspectallcompanye-mailshere,including
personalones.Itwouldn’tbeillegal.”
Colbysmiled,showingperfectwhiteteeth.“Inwhichcase,”hereplied,turning,“I’lljustgoandhave
awordwithJodie.”
“AndI’llchecktheemployeedossiersandfindoutwhichemployeescameherefromoutoftown,”
theothermanmurmuredtohimself,becauseColbyhadalreadyleft.
He did that, his eyes widening with surprise when he realized how many secrets their friend Sarina
had been keeping from them. He knew that she didn’t want Colby to know about her past, and he
wouldn’t tell. With an efficiency that would have surprised Colby, he changed the records in the
mastercomputersothatColbywouldn’tluckuponaconnectionthatwouldrevealtoomuchtohisold
friend.Hedidn’tevenfeelguiltyfordoingit.
CHAPTERTHREE
COLBYHADJODIEstartlookingforanythingincriminatinginBrodyVance’se-mails,cautioning
her to say nothing about the assignment. She agreed readily and seemed to look forward to the
challenge.
Meanwhile, Colby waited near a canteen window at lunch and watched to see which car Vance got
into.
As he’d suspected, the personnel manager had just traded cars, probably to throw any interested
personsoffthetrack,sincehiscarhadbeenseenatthewarehousethenightofthedrugraid.Nowhe
wasdrivingalate-modelLincoln,grayincolor.Hethoughtbackwistfullytothedayswhenhehad
contacts at the DMV and could have someone run a tag for him anytime he liked. Now that he was
workingintheprivatesector,hewaslimited—especiallyinthisnewjobinanewcity.Probablyhe
couldhavehadHunterdoitforhim,buthispridewouldn’tlethim.Hefelthisstatuskeenlyinthese
earlydays.Hehadtoprovehimself.Thatmeantdoinghisowninvestigating.
At midafternoon he paused for a cup of coffee and a sweet roll in the canteen while he formulated
waysandmeansofgettingintotheman’scarwithoutbeingseen.Atleasthewouldn’thavetohave
helpwiththat.Covertactionwashisstockintrade.Hebecameawareofactivitynearhim.Itwasjust
afterschoolandRodrigowalkedinwithSarina’sdaughterbyonehand,andaboxofcoloredpencils
and a small pad in the other. He seated her at a table, put the art supplies on the table, whispered
somethingthatmadehersmile,andleft.
The child made Colby uneasy. She glanced at him with a mutinous pair of dark eyes and an
expression that made him feel guilty. He didn’t like it. He was sorry he’d made her cry. She didn’t
havetorubitin.
Worse, he didn’t understand his own bad attitude toward the child. He’d always thought he loved
children.Perhapsitwastheknowledgethathecouldn’tfatheronethataffectedhimsoblatantly.
He finished his roll and sipped black coffee, his eyes idly studying the child while she drew and
coloredonsheetsofwhitepaper.HewonderedifEugeneRitterknewthathisworkplacewasbeing
used as a day care center for his employees. Or one of them, at least. It wasn’t any of his business,
really.ButitfeltasifSarinawasmakingapoint,athisexpense;shewasshowinghimthatshecould
use the canteen as her daughter ’s private playground and Colby couldn’t stop her. The thought was
irritating.
Hedriftedoffforafewminutes,thinkingaboutbuggingVance’scarandtheequipmenthe’dhaveto
pick up at a local electronics store. He missed his former job. It had been dangerous, but never
boring.
He wondered, and not for the first time in the past two years, how he was going to adjust to daily
routine.HistimeassecuritychiefforHuttonhadbeeninteresting,buttherewerefewchallenges.At
leastbuggingacargavehimalittletasteoftheoldlife.
Hefinishedhiscoffee,coldbynow,andpoppedthecupintoatrashcannearthedoor.Thechildwas
intentonhercoloring,ignoringhim.Sheirritatedhimalmostasmuchashermotherdid,hethought
bitterly. He didn’t understand why. Then he got a glimpse of what she was drawing and his whole
body clenched. She really did have talent. The figures, despite their childish creator, were
recognizable.
She’d drawn a jungle scene, of a figure wearing dark glasses and a camouflage uniform manning
what looked like a machine gun on a trail between two large trees. They were plane trees. African
planetrees.Colbyhadmorereasonthanshecouldeverknowtobeupsetbythedrawing.
Heglareddownather,tallandintimidating.Bernadettelookedupathim,andherformeraccusing
gazewentintoeclipsewhenshesawhisexpression.Shesatverystill.
“Who told you about this place?” he demanded, as he swept the drawing up in his hand. “And this
man?”headded,turningthedrawingtowardher.“Answerme!”
He was scary like that, she thought. Nobody had ever been so harsh with her. The resentment and
angershefelttranslatedintofearasheglareddownather.“No…nobodytoldme,”shesaidinahurt
whisper.
Hewasreallymad.Shedidn’tknowwhattosay.
“Nobody, the devil,” he ground out, his eyes pained as they went back to the drawing. It made his
whole body tense. He remembered Sarina saying that the child had visions. He hadn’t believed her.
Butwhatotherexplanationwasthereforthedrawing?Hisarmthrobbedjustlookingatit.
Shesatwatchinghim,gnawingonherlowerlip.
Hishandclenchedonthedrawingashebecameawareofherunblinkingscrutiny.“Youdon’tbelong
inhere,anyway.Thisisnodaycarecenter,”headdedicily.“It’sabusiness.”
Sheswallowedhard,hereyesasbigassaucers.Shedidn’tspeak.Shestrainedtogetadecentbreath
ofairinherlungs.Hereyesgrewbrighterwiththestruggle.
Thatmadehimangrier.
Hisdarkeyesnarrowedandhedidn’tsmile.“Gotoyourmother ’sofficeandstaythere,”hesaidina
cold,commandingtone.
Shegotupquickly,grabbingatherpaperandpencils,droppingoneinherhaste.Shescrambledto
pick it up. When she turned to go quickly out of the room, Colby saw tears on her cheeks. Her
breathingwasactuallyaudible.
Hecursedunderhisbreath.Thechildhadfeelingsofglass.Hehadn’tmeanttosoundthatthreatening.
Hewasn’tusedtochildrenandthisonedisturbedhim.Howdidsheknowwherehe’dbeenshot?How
didsheknowwhatthemanwho’dshothimlookedlike?Hisarmthrobbedagainashestaredatthe
scenethatbroughtbacksomanypainfulmemoriesofAfrica.Heglaredatthedrawingandstartedto
crumpleit.Then,involuntarily,hefoldeditandputitinhisshirtpocketinstead.Thechildknewmore
abouthimthananyoneexceptHunterandhisfriendTateWinthrop,andsheknewitinwaysthatwere
eerieanddisturbing.
Everytimehesawher,herememberedthathecouldn’tfatherachild.Hefeltlessthanaman.Sarina’s
presenceupsethimmore,bringingbackallhisfailingswithavengeance.Butthatwasnoreasonto
take it out on the little girl. Nor was her uncanny gift for seeing into his private life. He shouldn’t
havebeensocurtwithher.Hefeltguiltyalloveragainashewatchedherscrubhereyeswithalittle
fist.Itwaslikeaknifethroughhisheart.Hecouldalmostfeelthepain…
Cursingunderhisbreath,hestartedtowardtheretreatingchildjustasRodrigoRamirezcameback
into the canteen. He stopped dead when he saw Bernadette. His black eyes flashed angrily as he
connectedColby’ssternexpressionwithBernadette’stears.Hebentandpickedherup,cuddlingher
close.Colbycouldhearherraspingsobsallthewayacrosstheroom.Thesoundwentthroughhistall
bodylikeabullet.
RodrigotuckedthechildunderhischinandwalkedstraightatColbywithastridethatmeantbusiness.
His black eyes were murderous. The mild-mannered clerk Colby had found vaguely pathetic was
suddenlysomebodyelse.
“If you have something to say to Bernadette, you can say it to me,” Rodrigo said icily, his Spanish
accentthickerinanger.
“Thecanteenisn’tanappropriateplaceforachildtoplay,”Colbysaidcurtly.
“EugeneRittergaveSarinapermissiontobringBernadettehereintheafternoons,”hereplied.“She
can’tafforddaycare—itwouldtakeherentireweeklysalarytoputBernadetteincare.”Itwasn’tthe
wholetruth,butitwasallRodrigofeltcomfortabletellingthisstranger.
Colbyfrowned.Hehadn’tknownitwasthatexpensive.
“Ifyouhaveaproblem,I’llinformMr.Ritter,”Rodrigocontinuedinasoft,threateningtone.“Butif
you say one word to Bernadette about her presence here ever again, rent-a-cop,” he added with
deliberateinsolence,“Iwillkickyourassfromoneendofthisbuildingtotheother.”
“You’rewelcometotry,Ramirez,”Colbyrepliedjustascoldly.LiketheLatino,hedidn’tbackdown
aninch,evenwhenheknewhewasinthewrong.
“Thatdaymaycomesoonerthanyouthink,”Rodrigosaidinasoft,dangeroustone.
Colby’seyesnarrowed.“Gee,seemeshakingwithfear!”hedrawledcontemptuously.
RodrigobitoffawordinSpanishthatmadeBernadette’seyebrowslift.Heflushedwhenherealized
whathe’dsaidtoColby,hislipsmakingathinlineasheturnedabruptlytocarrythechildoutofthe
canteen.
Colby watched them go. He hadn’t expected such a threatening stance from a man he’d considered
one step below a filing clerk. Colby wondered again why Ramirez seemed so familiar. That scene
Bernadette had drawn, quite competently, was a landscape in South Africa. Colby remembered the
locationwell.Itwaswherehe’dlosthisarm.Therewasnowayonearththechildcouldhaveknown
that.Sohowcouldshehavedrawnit?
Hecouldn’tgetthesoundofherraspysobsoutofhismind.Itwasunnatural,thewayshesounded,
andfamiliar.He’dhadasthmaasachild.He’doutgrownit,buttherehadbeenmanytripstothelocal
clinicbeforethen,especiallywhenhewasupset.
Hewentbacktohisofficeinadazeofmisery.Hesatdownbehindhisdeskandstaredblanklyatthe
wall. His arm hurt like hell. The doctor who made the prosthesis said that the phantom pain was
incurable.Hecouldstillfeelhishand,eventhoughitwasnolongerthere.Thedoctorexplainedthat
the nerve endings in the brain that controlled that hand were still intact. So to his brain, he still
possessedhishand.Itwassomethinghe’dhadtolearntolivewith.Ithadn’tbeeneasy.
ThedooropenedandhelookedupintoHunter ’sdarkeyes.
“Ritterwantstoseeyou,”hesaid.
Colbygotup.“Itwon’ttakemuchimaginationtoknowwhy,”hesaidheavily.“Ididn’tmeantomake
hercryagain.”
Hunter ’seyebrowsarched.“Excuseme?”
“Bernadette,” he said, seeing again the small face covered in tears. “I said the canteen wasn’t a day
carecenter.Shedidn’tevenfightbackthistime,shegotupandleft.”Hegrimaced.“Sarina’sfriend
RodrigosaidthatRittergaveherpermission.”
Hunter nodded. “He did. For more reasons than I can tell you right now,” he added. His eyes
narrowed.
“Justawordofadvice.Youdon’twanttogiveRodrigoanexcusetomakeanenemyofyou.He’snot
whatheseems.”
“Inoticedthat.He’snotmyideaofaliaisonofficer.So,whoishe?”Colbyaskedshortly.
Hunterhesitated.“Ican’ttellyouthat,either.Iknow.”HeheldupahandwhenColby’slipsthinned.
“It’sfrustratingforme,too.Itrustyou.ButCobbandMr.Ritterdon’tknowyouaswellasIdo.”
“HowthehellamIsupposedtoworksecurityherewhenIdon’tknowwhat’sgoingonaroundme?”
“You’ll have to trust me to keep you pointed in the right direction until I can fill you in. But stop
pickingonBernadetteorevenIwon’tbeabletosaveyou,”Hunteraddedfirmly.“Youusedtobeable
torecognizeahornet’snestbeforeyoustuckyourheadintoit.”
“I used to have a real job, too,” he returned with impotent fury. “When I was faster, younger,
stronger…whenIhadtwoarms!”
Hunterletoutalongbreath.“Itwasn’teasyforme,either,atfirst,”hesaidinasoftertone.“Ihadhell
fittingintoaprivatesectorjob.ButImanaged,becauseIhadto.You’llmanage,too.Justtrynotto
takeeverythingsoseriously.Onechildinacanteenforacoupleofhoursisn’tgoingtobringdown
thecorporation.Isit?”
Colbygrimaced.“Shethrowsoutchallengeswithoutsayingaword.Sheknowsthingssheshouldn’t
know.Itoccurredtomethathermothermighthavesentherintothecanteenonpurpose,togetunder
myskin.She’santagonistic.”
“Sarinaisn’tpetty,”Hunterreplied.“Shefightsface-on,notbehindyourback.She’shadahellofa
hardlife.Cuthersomeslack,Colby.”
Colbyglowered.“Somehardlife!Herfatherwasamultimillionaire…”
“Herfather,”Huntersaidfuriously,“putherinthestreetwhensherefusedtohaveanabortion,”hebit
off, noting Colby’s sudden stillness. “He didn’t want a mixed-blood child to dilute his perfect
bloodlines. He cut her off without a penny. Later, when she had complications and wasn’t able to
work,herefusedanyhelp,knowingthatshecouldn’tevenaffordfoodandrentandhadnobodyelse
toturnto!ShealmostlostBernadette.It’samiracleshedidn’tdieinchildbirth!”
Colbystaredathimblankly.Therevelationsshockedhim.“Therearegovernmentagenciesthathelp
peopleintrouble,”heargued.
“Right.Amillionaire’sdaughterwhosefaceisfamiliartopeopleonthestreetwalksintoawelfare
officeandasksforfinancialaidandthey’regoingtocutheracheck,”Hunterscoffed.“Theylaughed
heroutoftheoffice.Theythoughtitwasajoke.”
“Then,whataboutthechild’sfather?”Colbypersisted.
Hunterhesitated.Heavertedhiseyes.“Thefatherwouldn’tdoanything.Hedeniedthatthechildwas
his.HetoldSarinanevertocallhimagain.”Hewasn’tsupposedtoknowthat.SarinahadtoldJennifer
in confidence. But Jennifer had no secrets from Hunter. Hunter could have bitten his tongue. He
shouldn’thavetoldColby.
“Thecold-bloodedsonofabitch,”Colbybreathedharshly.“Whydidn’tshefilechargesagainsthim?
Asimplebloodtestwouldhaveconfirmedpaternity.Atleastheowedherchild-support!”
“Nobodycouldfindhim.”
“Don’t hand me that,” Colby muttered. “Any half-baked detective could have tracked him down
throughhisrelatives!”
“The father lived out of state,” Hunter said shortly. “Sarina didn’t try to find him after that one
attempt.
Shesaidthatifhedidn’twanthischild,itdidn’tmatter,becauseshedid.Bernadetteisherwholelife.”
Huntercheckedhiswatch.“We’dbettergetcracking.Ritterdoesn’tliketobekeptwaiting.”
Colby had a suspicion that Hunter knew a lot more about Bernadette’s missing father than he was
willingtosay.
“Rodrigolooksfamiliar,”hemurmuredastheywalkeddownthehall.
“Doeshe?”Hunteraskedinadeliberatelylighttone.
Colbystuckhishandsinhispockets.“Helovesthatchild,”hesaid,thinkingaloud.“Hewasreadyto
deckmeforwhatIsaidtoher.”
“He’dmarrySarinainaminuteifshe’dhavehim,”Hunterreplied.“Shewon’t.Shehasnothingtodo
withmen.”
Colby’s high cheekbones flushed with embarrassed guilt. He was glad his friend was looking the
otherway.Heknew,asHunterdidn’t,whySarinahadnothingtodowithmen.Butitraisedanother
question.
HowhadshemanagedtogetinvolvedwithBernadette’sfather,afterthepainhe’dcausedher?
WHENHEGOTTORITTER’Soffice,thesilver-hairedelderlymanwasn’talone.HehadAlexander
Cobb’sfamilyfriend,Jodie,inhisofficeaswell.Theyoungwomanwasflushedandtracesofanger
werestillvisibleinhereyes.
Ritter gave Colby a look that promised retribution at a later date, but he didn’t say a word about
Bernadetteatthemoment.
“Miss Clayburn has just quit her job as Brody Vance’s assistant,” Ritter said with a wry smile, “so
we’re rehiring her as a computer expert. Cobb says she’s on a par with cybercrime experts in his
agency,” he added. “I’d like to put her to work doing extensive background checks on certain
employees.”
“We’vegotamemberofthedruglord’steamworkinghere,haven’twe,sir?”ColbyaskedRitter.
“Almost certainly,” Ritter replied. “After what happened in our own warehouse, I’m convinced that
we’vestillgotanillegalshipmentofdrugshiddensomewhereaswell.Wehadaclosecall.”
“Colby and I had a closer one,” Hunter murmured dryly with a smile at Jodie Clayburn. “If Miss
Clayburnhadn’tdriventhatcarrightintooneofthedrugsmuggler ’saccomplices,ColbyandIwould
bothbedeadrightnow—andsowouldDEAsenioragentAlexanderCobb.”
Jodiesmiled.“Istillcan’tbelieveIdidthat,”shepointedout.“I’mmuchbetteratfightingcrimewith
computersthancars.”
“That’s what you’ll be doing from now on,” Ritter told her, and outlined her salary and
responsibilities.
Sheacceptedthenewjobatonce,andthankedEugene.Hunterwalkedherouttohercar.Shecould
fingerthefemalememberofthedrugsmugglingteam,whowasBrodyVance’sgirlfriend,andshe’d
actually planted a bug for Cobb under the woman’s table at a local coffee house and obtained
evidenceofdrugsmuggling.Carahadbeenarrested,butJodiewasindanger.Cobbwastakingher
downtohisranchinJacobsvilleforafewdaysforsafekeeping.ItwasBrodyVancewho’dletCara
Dominguez into the warehouse parking lot in the first place. He’d bailed Cara out of jail, and
pretendedinnocence.
ButRitterknewhehadtobeinvolvedsomehow.
RittersatbackintheconferenceroomchairandgloweredatColbyLanewhentheywerealone.
“Iknow,”Colbysaidonasigh.“I’vebeenunreasonableaboutthechild.Butthere’sanexcuse,evenif
itisn’tmuchofone.”Hegotup,pulledthedrawingBernadettehadmadeoutofhispocket,unfolded
itandplaceditonthepolishedwoodsurfaceoftheboardroomtableinfrontofEugeneRitter.
“So? It’s a drawing,” Ritter said, puzzled, as his blue eyes met Colby’s dark ones. “The child has
talent.
Whyareyoushowingittome?”
Colby’sfacetautened.“That—”heputhisfingeronthemaninfatigueswiththemachineguninthe
drawing“—istheSOBwhoshotmyarmtopiecesinAfrica!Andthis,”headded,indicatingthepath
betweentwotalltrees,“iswhereithappened.”
Ritterfrowned.“Youtoldthechild?”
“Itoldhernothing,”hereturnedcurtly.“I’vetoldnoone.Therewereeightotherpeoplewithmein
Africa,includingHunter,whosawitgodown.Noneofthemeverdiscusseditwithanyoneelse,much
lessalittlegirl!”
Rittersatbackinhischairheavily.Hedidn’tknowwhattosay.
“ThedayIfirstsawher,inthehallhere,shecamerightuptomeandsaidthatifIhadn’tmovedso
slowly,Iwouldn’thavelostmyarm,”Colbyaddedheavily.
“I…don’tunderstand,”Rittermurmured.
“NeitherdoI,”Colbysaidflatly.“I’msensitiveaboutmyhandicap,”headded.“Idon’tdiscussitwith
anyoneexceptHunterandmyoldcomrades.”
“Perhapshermothertoldher…?”
“Ihaven’tseenhermotherforalmostsevenyears,”Colbyinterrupted,andthenclampedhisjawshut,
becauseRitterhadn’tknowntherewasapriorrelationship.
Eugene’ssilvereyebrowsarched.“YouknewSarinabeforeyoucametoworkhere?”
Colbypickedupthedrawingandtookhistimerefoldingit.“Weweremarriedonce.Briefly.”
“Thechild…”Ritterbeganatonce.
“…isnotmine,”Colbysaidfirmly,inatonethatdidn’tinvitefurtherspeculation.
“You’resureofthat?”Eugeneplowedrightahead.
Colby’seyesloweredtotheboardroomtable.“I’msterile,”hesaidinahauntedtone.
Ritter ’sindrawnbreathwasaudible.“I’msorry.Ihavetwosons.Ican’timaginenothavingthem.”He
stoodup.“ButnoneofthisisareasontomakeBernadette’slifedifficult.Shetakesenoughheatfrom
otherstudentswithoutgettingitherewherehermotherworksaswell.”
Colbyscowled.“Heatfromotherstudents?”heaskedblankly,beforeherememberedwhatSarinahad
saidaboutputtingthechildinapredominantlyHispanicschool.
Eugene’seyeswereoldandwise.“Didn’tyouhaveproblemsingrammarschool?”
“Iwenttoagrammarschoolonthereservation,”hereplied.“AllApache.”
“Well, Bernadette isn’t so lucky,” the old man told him. “She’s had her problems with prejudice, in
Arizonaandnowhere.It’sonereasonSarinamovedintoaheavilyHispanicdistrict.Bernadettefitsin
there better than she does in a predominantly white school. In fact,” he added, “Hunter ’s daughter,
Nikki,goestothesameschool.They’vehadtheirownproblems.”
Colbyputthedrawingbackintohispocket.“Thatdoesn’texplainwhyshehastostayinthecanteenin
theafternoons,”hesaidslowly.
“DaycarecostsasmuchaweekasSarinamakes,”Eugenesaidflatly.
Colbystaredattheolderman.“Whatifawomanhadtwoorthreekids?”
“Itwouldcostmorethanshemadeatmostclericalpositionstoputthemindaycare,Isuppose.”
“That’snotright,”Colbysaidharshly.
He shrugged. “Tell the government. Meanwhile, I let Bernadette sit in the canteen, where she’s no
trouble.It’smycorporation.IcandowhatIlikeinit,withinreason.”Hisblueeyesnarrowed.“And
youwon’tcauseheranymoreproblems,willyou,Lane?”
“No,sir,Iwon’t,”Colbyrepliedquietly.“Ididn’tunderstandthesituationatall.”
“None of us understands it,” Eugene muttered, turning. “How any man could turn his back on a
beautifulchildlikethatisbeyondmycomprehension.”
“Iknowwhatyoumean.”
“Well,let’sgothroughthewarehouseonemoretime,”hetoldColby,“andseewhatwecanturnup.”
“Rightbehindyou,sir.”
THE SECURITY GUARD who’d let the drug smugglers into the warehouse was in jail pending
arraignment.RitterandColbytalkedtotheothertwosecurityguards,whomaintainedthattheyhadn’t
seenanythingsuspicious.Theydidacursorysearch,butturnedupnothingthatlookedlikedrugs.
Ritter contemplated having the warehouse searched inch by inch, but Colby felt that constant
surveillancewouldyieldbetterresults.Herecommendedtheplacementofadditionalhiddencameras
andrecordingdevices,whichwouldbeunknowneventothesecurityguards.
ThesuggestionmadeEugenegrin.Heagreedatonce,andColbyfeltbetterabouthisearlierfauxpas.
BUT HE WENT BACK to his office feeling vaguely uncomfortable, still, about the way he’d upset
Bernadette.
He’d taken out his .40 caliber automatic Glock, checked the clip, and was cocking it when Sarina
walked in without knocking. She stopped dead in the doorway as he put on the safety and stuck the
pistolbackintoitsholsterontheoppositesideofhisbelt.
Sarinastaredatthegun.Shehadn’trealizedthatColbywouldcarryoneonthejob,butitwasstupid
not to have anticipated it. The Glock was the preferred weapon of many law enforcement agencies.
Youcoulddroponeinamudpuddleanditwouldstillfire.
Butshewasn’tsupposedtoknowthat,soshekepthermouthshutandfoldedherarmsoverherchest.
“Iknowwhyyou’rehere,”Colbysaidwithoutpreamble.“YourfriendRamirezandMr.Ritterhave
bothhadabiteofme.Sogoahead.”
He’dtakenthewindoutofhersails.Hedidn’tevenlookhostile.
“Whydidyouupsetherthistime?”sheaskedinstead.
Hepulledthedrawingoutofhispocket,unfoldedit,andhandedittoher.
Sheblinked.Shedidn’tunderstandit.Shefrownedupathim.“It’sajungle,”shebegan.
Heshuckedhisjacket,unbuttonedhissleeveandshotitup.
Sheactuallygaspedwhenshesawwheretheprosthesismettheremainingportionofhisleftarm,just
belowhiselbow,andallthebloodranoutofherface.
Her reaction made him uncomfortable. Maureen had found the prosthesis repulsive, too, not that it
had mattered. He’d lost his arm after they’d separated. He’d given in to her decision to maintain a
separate residence with bad grace and stayed drunk for a long time afterward. She’d lived with the
man she later married, and became pregnant in defiance. Colby had given in to the divorce at once
whenheknewthat,butshe’dbeenoddlycarelessaboutit,andshe’dneversharedthefinalpaperswith
him.She’dactedasifhermarriagetoColbydidn’tevenexist.
Itwasduringthatseparationthathe’dlosthisarm.Hehadn’ttouchedawomanintimatelysincethe
shooting.ObviouslySarinafoundhimdistastefulaswell.Itshouldn’thavebotheredhim,theywere
worldsapartnow;butitdid.
Hedraggedthesleevedownsavagelyandrefastenedit.“IwasonassignmentinAfricaafewyears
ago,oneofseveralassignmentsItookthere.That—”hegesturedtowardthedrawing“—iswhereit
happened.ItwasjustafterMaureenmovedout.Idevelopedaseriousdrinkingproblem.Ourunitran
intoanambushthatallourintelligencehadn’tpreparedusfor.Iwasn’tquickenoughtogetoutofthe
way.Myarmwasshottopieces,althoughoneofourteamwalkedrightintothemachinegunnestand
tookitout.Ifhehadn’t,I’dbedead.Wehadadoctorinourgroupwhodidtheamputation.Wewere
milesfromahospitalandbloodpoisoningsetin.Iftherehadn’tbeenasmallclinicnearbywhereour
doctorhadaccesstosurgicalinstrumentsandantibiotics,I’dbedead.Itisn’tamemoryIparticularly
enjoy.”
Shestaredagainatthedrawing.“NobodytoldBernadetteaboutanyofthat,”shesaid.
“I’mnottotallystupid,”heshotback.“Idorealizethat.”
Shebitherlowerlip,hard.“I’msorry.I’mcertainthatshedidn’tmeanittobeupsetting.”
“Areyou?”Helaughedcurtly.“Shedoesn’tlikeme.I’vealreadymadeanenemyofher.Shegaveme
alookthatcouldhavefriedbread,andthenshedrewthis.”
Shefrownedworriedly.“Sheisn’tvindictive,”shesaid,butwithoutrealconviction.Herdaughterhad
aregrettabletemper.
“Maybe she isn’t, consciously.” He studied her curiously, remembering what Hunter had said about
herlife.“YoucouldhavehiredaprivatedetectiveandfoundBernadette’sfather,forcedhimtopay
childsupport,”hesaidbluntly.
Her eyelids flickered, but she didn’t betray the unsettling feeling that remark provoked in her. Her
armsfoldedtighter.“IhadallthetroubleIcouldhandle,atthetime,”shesaidquietly.
“Thingsaredifferentnow.”Heperchedontheedgeofhisdesk,hisblackeyesnarrowandthoughtful.
“Icanfindhim,ifyouwantmeto.”
Herfacewentpale.“Idon’t,”shesaidfirmly,andwouldn’tlookhimintheeye.“It’sancienthistory.”
“Notwhenyoucan’tevenafforddaycare,”heretorted.
Hereyesblazed.“Thatisnoneofyourbusiness,”shesaidhotly.
“Anyonewhocomesintothebuildingismybusiness,especiallynow.”Hestoodup.“We’vegotdrug
smugglersrunningaroundherewithautomaticweapons,”hesaid.
“Yes,Iheardabouttheshootout,”shereplied.“MissClayburnsavedyourlife.”Shedidn’taddthather
hearthadalmoststoppedbeatingwhensherealizedhecouldhavediedbeforesheevenknewhewas
here.Allthoseyearsofpainandheartache,andshecouldn’tstopworryingabouthim.
“Mine and Hunter ’s and Cobb’s,” he agreed. “If they’re in the right sort of mood, drug smugglers
willtakeoutanythingmoving—includingachild.”
She knew more about that than he realized. “I hardly think they’re likely to attack the canteen,” she
pointedout.
“Aweekago,Imighthaveagreedwithyou.”Hemovedclosetohersuddenly,andshegazedupat
him,toosurprisedtoreact.
Hestareddownatherwithangrydarkeyes,memoryhauntinghimasherecalledhowshe’dlooked
thatonenight,withherlongblondhairaroundherheadonthepillow,herbrowneyesshockedashe
touchedherintimately,hergaspofpleasurefollowedbyamoansographic…!
Hegroanedunderhisbreathashesawthehelplessattractiononherface.Amazing,hethought,after
whathe’ddonetoher.
Hisrighthandwenthesitantlytohersoft,flushedcheekandrestedtheregently.Hisdarkeyeswere
fullofshadows.“I’vemadeahellofalotofmistakesinmylife,”hesaidquietly.“IguessIdidn’t
thinkaboutthedamageIdid.”
She stared back at him, a little unnerved by the contact, but too helplessly enthralled to move away
from it. His touch still had the power to make her hungry. “You and Maureen left a trail of broken
lives behind you and never looked back,” she accused huskily. “It’s a little late for an attack of
conscience.”
“Whatdoyoumean,brokenlives?”heaskedcuriously.
Her face closed up. “Maybe you’ll find out one day,” she said. Her voice shook as his thumb
smoothedgentlyoverherlowerlip.
Hewatchedherreactionwithalmostclinicalcuriosity.“Idranklikeafish,”hesaidunexpectedly.“I
gotintofights.Ilostjobs.Iendedupasclosetothebottomasamancangetwithoutdying.Thenmy
bestfriend’sgirlgotmeintotherapyandIbegantorealizethatIwasself-destructive.Evenso,ittook
alongtimeformetogetmylifebacktogether.IwasobsessedwithMaureen.”
Shedrewawayfromthepressureofhishand.Maureen,again.ItwasalwaysMaureen.Whydiditstill
hurt,afterallthoseyears?“Perhapsifyou’dstayedsober,you’dstillbewithher.”
His voice was thick with pain when he said, “She didn’t want my children. She didn’t approve of
racialmixing.”
Shealmostbithertonguetryingnottoreacttothatstatement.
“So I suppose it was just as well that I was sterile,” he concluded heavily. “My lifestyle wasn’t
conducivetofatherhood,anyway.”
“Lotsofkidsgrowupinthemilitarywithoutmajorproblems,”shepointedout.
Hehesitated.Hiseyesnarrowed.“Sarina,Iwasn’texactlyinthemilitary.”
Sheblinked.“Butyouwere,whenyouwereguardingmyfather.Youwereinmilitaryintelligence…”
“That was my cover story. Actually I was working for the CIA,” he interrupted, “as a specialist in
counterterrorism, private security and hostage negotiation. Hunter and I worked together for the
Companyforafewyears,justafterImetyou.”
Shestaredathim,tryingtoreconcilewhathewassayingwithwhatshethoughtsheknewabouthim.
“Youwerea…spy?”
Heshrugged.“Inamannerofspeaking.Yourfatherhadclandestinetiestoaforeigngovernmentand
threatshadbeenmade.Wewerecalledin.”
Shewasspeechless.Shehadn’tknownthat.
“Afterward,” he continued quietly, “I was in a…conflict overseas, helping support a small African
government against a potential military coup when I got drunk, got careless and lost my arm.” He
didn’t mention that he’d worked in Africa as a mercenary. He didn’t want her to know everything
abouthispast.Notyet.
Sheleanedagainstthedoorfacing.“Bernadettesawit,”shesaiduneasily.“Ididn’trealizeatthetime
thatitwasyou.Butshesawithappen.Shetoldmeaboutitthefirstdayyouwerehere.”
“Yes,”hereplied,searchinghereyes.“Andshe’dneverseenmeinherlife.Somyquestionisthis—
howdidsheknowsuchanintimatethingaboutatotalstranger?”
CHAPTERFOUR
SARINAWASN’TTOUCHINGthatquestion.BernadettehadasolidlinktoColbyandshedidn’tdare
elaborateonwhy.“Idon’tknow,”shesaidevasively.
“Hasshedonethisbefore?”hepersisted.
She hesitated. She didn’t want to tell him how proficient Bernadette was at reading the future. She
rememberedthatColby’sfatherhadthesamegift,andthatColbymustcertainlyknowaboutit.She
didn’tdareriskhavingColbyknowsomuchaboutthechild.“Shediddreamthathergrandfatherwas
goingtodie,”shesaid,downplayingherdaughter ’samazinggift.
“Yourfather?”
“No.Her…father ’sfather.”
Hescowled.“Youknewhim?”
Sheturnedaway.“It’snoneofyourbusinessnow,”shesaid.“Myprivatelifeisjustthat—private.”
“Whycouldn’thefindBernadette’sfather,then?”hedemanded.
“Becausehissonhatedhim,”shereturned,glaringathimoverhershoulder.“They’dhadnocontact
foryears.”
Heunderstoodthatsituation.Heandhisownfatherhadn’tspokenforyearsbeforetheolderman’s
death.Hesearchedherface,noticingthelines,thedarkcirclesunderhereyes.Shelookedolderthan
heryears.HerecalledwhatHunterhadsaidaboutthelifeshe’dhad.
“Everybody turned against you,” he said softly, frowning. “You were a sweet, loving woman. You
neverdeservedsuchtreatment.”
Herexpressionwasunreadable.“Whatwasityouusedtosay?Thatwhateverdoesn’tkillyoumakes
youstronger?Igotstronger.”
Hisgazesliddownherbody.Shewasjustasdesirableasshe’dbeenwhenhefirstknewher.Buthe’d
cheatedher.Hecouldn’tblameherforhatinghim.Hedrewinalongbreath.“Ofallmymistakes,”he
murmured,“you’remybiggest.Ishouldneverhavetouchedyou.”
“Ineverunderstoodwhyyoudid,”sheaddedcoldly.
He couldn’t admit that he’d been feverishly hungry for her, despite their forced nuptials. Even the
angerhadn’tstoppedhim.Hehatedknowingthathe’dhurtherthatbadly.Hisfacehardened.“Know
whatthepsychologistsaid?ShesaidthatMaureenwasn’tmyproblem…myproblemwasyou.WhatI
did to you drove me right into a downward spin. I thought you were experienced. I do have some
memoryofthethingsIsaidtoyouwhenIleftyou.”
Sodidshe.Shecouldn’tmanagetomeethiseyeswhensherecalledthem.
“MaureenwasjustanexcuseIgavemyselffordrinking,”hesaidheavily,“becauseithurttoomuch
todigdeeperintomypast.”
Shewantedtobelievehim.Shecouldn’t.HispassionforMaureenhadbeentoomuchapartoftheir
lives.Andapparentlyhestilldidn’tknowwhatMaureenhaddonetogetColby.Sheturnedaway.
“Youdon’tbelieveit.”
She shook her head. “I was never more than a footnote in your life. We both know that. Anyway, it
doesn’tmatternow.Moveon,Colby,”shesaidwithatraceofhumorinhervoice.“Ihave.”
Heactuallywincedasshewalkedawayfromhim.
THE QUESTION OF HOW Bernadette knew about his arm haunted him. His behavior toward the
childdid,too.Shehadspirit.Hecouldn’tforgetthoseblackeyesspittingfirewhenshecalledhima
man-killer.Shewasnocoward.Shewasbackinthecanteenthenextday,butColbywascarefulnotto
gonearit.Hedidn’twanttoupsetheragain.Ithadhurthimthatshecried.Sheseemedtobeatough,
intelligentchild.Itwouldn’tdotohurtherproudspirit.He’dbeenverymuchlikeheratherage.
Thingshadprogressedinthedrugsmugglingcase.ColbyandHunterwereprivytoapieceoftapeon
which Cara Dominguez met with an associate in a retro coffeehouse called The Beat, courtesy of
DEA agent Alexander Cobb’s friend, Jodie Clayburn. It turned out that Cara did know something
aboutthemissingshipmentofdrugs,butshewascarefulnottotellherassociateverymuch.Perhaps
shesuspectedthatJodie’spresenceinthecoffeehousewasn’ttotallyinnocent.She’dbeenoutofjail
onbailondrugsmugglingcharges,butshesuddenlyskippedtownandvanished.Cobbsubsequently
fired one of his agents, a man named Kennedy, for passing information to the smugglers. Kennedy
hadbeenarrested,alongwiththewarehousesecurityguard.Cobbknewthatwasoneoftheleakshe’d
been searching for. But Cy Parks had said that there were a couple of leaks among government
sources.
ColbyknewthatCobbwasn’tdeadcertainthatCaradidn’thaveanymore“moles”inhisoffice,sohe
keptalotofinformationfromColbyandevenfromHunter.
ColbyandHunterwerestilllookingforthatshipmentofdrugs,certainthattheyweresomewherein
Ritter ’swarehouse.Buttheycouldn’tfindthem,notevenwhentheyhaddrug-sniffingdogsbrought
incovertlybyamemberofCobb’sdrugtaskforce.Thedogswalkedaroundtherowsandrowsof
boxesonpallets,buttheydidn’tgiveanysignalatall.Oneofthemnosedthewallatimeortwo,but
Colbyfiguredoutwhyeasily—somemaledoghadmanagedtogetintotheplaceandhikedhislegon
it.Ifonedogleftaurinetrail,everyothermaledogwhocamealongwouldaddhisscenttoit.The
drugs had to be in one of the higher boxes, but it would require a lot of lifting and a lot of
examination to find anything at all. Considering the size of the warehouse, it would have given
severalemployeesjobsecurityforhalfayear.Rittercouldn’tsparethemanpowerorthetimetogo
througheveryboxontheplace.
“Iknowthedrugsarehere,damnit!”HuntermutteredlateFriday.
“We’llfindthem,”Colbyassuredhim.
“Thinkso?”Heglancedathiswatchandgrimaced.“I’vegottoleave.”
“It’shalfanhouruntilquittingtime,”Colbypointedout.
“Nikki’sinaplaytonightatherschool,”theothermanreplied.“SheandBernadettehavemajorparts
inaplayfortheHarvestFestival.”
“Rittersaidthattheygotothesameschool.”
Hunternodded,hisexpressionwry.“SheandBernadettearebestfriends.Nikkilikestheschoolalot.
SodoweandSarina.”
Theypassedbythecanteen,whereBernadettewasbusydrawing.
“She’sreallygoodwithanartpencil,”Colbysaidwithreluctantpraise.
“Andnotonlywithpencilandpaper,”Hunterreplied.“Youshouldhearhersing.Shehasthevoiceof
anangel.”
Itwasodd,Colbythought,thatheshouldfeelprideinthechild,whenhe’dgivenhernothingmore
thanhostility.Therewasadisturbinglinkbetweenthem.Fewknewabouthisprivatelife;heseldom
sharedit.Butthechildwas,somehow,rightinsideit.
“Isshesingingtonight?”
Hunterglancedathimcuriously.“Asamatteroffact,shehasasolo.”
Colbyshiftedhisweightrestlessly.“Whereisthisschool?”heasked.“Andcananyonegotoseethe
program,ordoyouhavetobeaparent?”
Huntersmiledtohimself.“YoucangowithJenniferandmeifyou’dliketo.”
Colby hesitated. He didn’t know how Sarina or the child would react to his presence. But he was
curious.Verycurious.“Yes,”hesaidafteraminute.“Iwould.”
“I’mgoinghomeearlybecausewe’vegotplumberscoming.JenniferhastodropNicoleoffatfive,
to get ready for the program. Come over to the house about six and we can go together. That suit
you?”
Colbynodded.“I’llbethere.”Heturnedbacktowardhisoffice.Hedidn’tlookattheolderman.
“Thanks.”
“Noproblem.”
Colby went back to his office and opened the lower drawer. There was a bag in it from a local art
supply store. It was an impulse purchase he’d made, one that he didn’t really understand. Before he
couldtalkhimselfoutofit,hetookoutthebagandwalkedbacktothecanteen.
The child looked up when he entered. Her big, brown eyes were eloquent. She stilled at once, her
expressionuncertainandapprehensive,asifsheexpectedanewfrontalattack.
Colbyputthebagdownonthetableinfrontofher.Hepushedittowardher.Thenhejuststoodthere.
Bernadettereachedoutwithasmallhand,curious,andopenedit.Insidewerearealartist’ssketchpad,
several charcoal pencils, a professional eraser, and a whole big metal container of pastel pencils.
Therewasevenabookonpreliminarysketching.
“Wow,”shesaidsoftly.Shelookedupathimquizzically.“They’reforme?”
Henodded.
Shesmiledshyly.Itbrightenedherwholeface.Herdarkeyesglowedasshemethis.“Thankyou.”
Heshrugged.“Youhaverealtalent.”
Thesmilegrew.Thenitfaded.Shelookedguilty.“I’msorry.”
Hefrowned.“Forwhat?”
Sheshrugged.“ThatpictureIdrew.Itwasn’tanicethingtodo.”
He moved a little closer, his expression curious. “How did you know about that place…about what
happenedthere?”
Herdarkeyesweretroubled.“Idon’treallyknow,”shesaidhonestly.“I’vealwayshadit.Iseethings.
Idreamthingsthatcometrue.Isawthathappentoyou,”sheadded,pointingtowardhisleftarm.She
grimaced.“Itwas…itwasterrible.”
Heswallowed.“Yes.”
“Mygranddaddysaiditwasagift,andthatIshouldn’tbeafraidofit,butIam,”sheconfessed,her
eyesloweringtotheartsupplybag.“Idon’twanttoknowbadthings.”
“Isitonlybadthings?”
Shenodded.“There’sanewone.Ican’ttalkaboutit.Ican’ttellMommy.”
Hefrowned.“Tellherwhat?”
Shelookedupwithpaininhersmallface.“Somethingbadisgoingtohappentoher,”shesaid.
Hehadacurioussinkingsensationinhisstomach.“Doyouknowwhatitis?”
“No, I don’t,” she told him. “But Mommy’s going to get hurt. I don’t know what to do. I can’t stop
thingsfromhappening,Ijustknowaboutthemsometimes.”
ThethoughtofsomethinghappeningtoSarinawasdisturbing.Hemovedcloserandkneltbesideher
chair.Hewassotallthathiseyeswereonalevelwithhers.“Whereisitgoingtohappen?”heasked
softly.
Herdarkeyesmethis.Theywerebrightwithworryandfear.“Inabigplacewithboxes,”shesaid.
“Atnight.”
Hefrowned.Theonlyplaceheknewthathadboxeswasthewarehouse.ButSarinahadnobusiness
thatwouldtakeherinthere,atnightoranyothertime.
“YouworkwithNikki’sdaddy,”shesaid.“Takingcareofpeoplewhoworkhere.”
Henodded.
“Canyoutakecareofmymommy,too?”sheasked.“Sothatshedoesn’tgethurt?”
He searched her eyes. “Yes, I can. I won’t let anything happen to your mother,” he assured her in a
calm,confidenttone.“Ipromise.”
Sheswallowed.“Thanks,”shesaidshyly,layingasofthandtentativelyonhisbroadshoulder.
Hertouchmadehimfeeloddinside.Heshrugged.“You’rewelcome.”
“Youdon’tlikeme,”Bernadettesaidsuddenly.
Hefeltguiltyalloveragain.Hefrowned.“Itisn’tthat,”hesaidhesitantly.“I’mnotusedtokids.And
besidesthat,Idon’t…sharemylifewithpeople,”hetriedtoexplain.
Shenodded,asifsheactuallyunderstood.“Me,neither,”shesaid,soundingmuchmoreadultthanher
sixyearswouldallow.“TheotherkidsthinkI’mspooky.OrtheypickonmeonaccountofI’m…”
She hesitated, remembering that she wasn’t supposed to tell him she was Apache. “Different,” she
addedafterashortpause.
“EventheChicanos?”heaskedwithasmile.
Shesmiledback.“No.Notthem.Theygetpickedon,too,justlikeme.”
He knew how she felt. He had no special gifts, but he’d been an outsider all his life, in one way or
another.Firstfromhispeople,thenfromhisfather,thenfromsocietyitself.Maureenhadtaughthim
never to trust a woman. The world had taught him never to trust people. He was locked up inside
himself.Hecouldn’tgetout.
“Huntersaysthatyousing,”hesaidafteranawkwardsilence.
Shenodded.“I’mgoingtosingtonightatourplay.”
“I’mcomingtotheplaywithHunterandJennifer,”hesaid.
“Youare?”Hereyeswerewideandsoft,andsheremindedhimsuddenlyofhisownmother,whomhe
rememberedwithloveandsadness.Itwassomethingabouttheexpression…
Shemadehimuncomfortable.Inmanyways,shewasapotentreminderofallthathe’dmissedouton
inlife,ofhisflaws,hisinadequacies.Hegottohisfeet,vaguelyuneasy,awareofanoddsensation,as
ifhewerebeingwatched.
Heturned,andtherewasSarinainthedoorway,herfacetroubledandcurious.
Discovered, she wiped the expression from her face and tried not to show how much Colby’s
tendernesswithherchildhaddisturbedher.
“Timetogo,pumpkin,”shetoldherdaughterwithawarmsmile.
“Okay,Mommy.Lookwhathegotme!”sheexclaimed,openingthebag.
“Artsupplies?”ShelookedatColbywithopencuriosity.
He stuck his hands in his pockets. His expression gave away nothing. “If she’s going to draw, she
shouldhaveproperequipment,”hesaidgruffly.
Sarinapursedherlipsandpeeredinthebagagain.“Atleastitdoesn’ttick,”shemurmured.“Areyou
sureyoudidn’tslipanypoisonintothepencilpoints?”
“Thatwasn’tnice,Mommy,”Bernadettetoldher.“Yousaidwemustalwaysbepolitetopeople.”
“Yes,weshould,”Colbyrepliedwithamischievoussmile.“Yourdaughterneedstoteachyousome
manners.”
Sarinaglaredathim.“Sometimeswecanchoosewhichpeoplewewanttobepoliteto,”shehedged.
“Isthatanywaytotreatapersonwhowashiredtokeepyousafe?”heasked,tongue-in-cheek.
She grimaced. “All right, I’ll be polite,” she said curtly. She wasn’t comfortable with his changed
attitude toward Bernadette. He’d been eloquent about her in recent days. There were good reasons
whyhecouldn’tspendtoomuchtimearoundthechild.
“Thank you,” Bernadette told Colby as she took her mother ’s hand, after putting her drawing and
pencilsinthebaghe’dgivenher.
Heshrugged.“You’rewelcome.”
Sarinanodded,uncertainofwhattosay.SheturnedandletBernadetteoutofthecanteen.
Bernadette’s excited voice floated back to him as they walked away. “He’s coming to hear me sing
tonight!” Bernadette told her mother excitedly. “And he said I could draw very well! He isn’t a bad
manatall,Mommy!”
Itwaslikebeinghitinthestomach.Thechild’senthusiasticresponsetohimwasdisturbing.Hefelta
warmglowinside,likenothinghe’deverknown.Hefeltasifheknewher,andhedidn’tunderstand
why.
Itmadehimfeelevenguiltierthatshewassoreceptivetohim,afterhe’dbeencrueltoher.
Sarina,listeningtothechild,wasconcerned,morethanever.IfColbygottooclosetothechild,he
mightlearnthingsshedidn’twanthimtoknow.Bernadettewasobviouslyfascinatedbyhim,andit
seemedthatColbywasdiscoveringfeelingsforheraswell.Itwasgoingtocomplicatethings.
THE SCHOOL PLAY was a new experience for Colby. He’d never seen one, except when he was a
child. They were doing something called a Harvest Celebration. Apparently it was politically
incorrect to mention Halloween these days. There were no spooky decorations like the ones they’d
had at his school when he was a child, no Halloween carnivals with children all dressed up going
from room to room to explore haunted places or fish for prizes or play games. He was amazed at
howmuchanoutsiderhefelt.
Thechildrenweredressedinregular,butnice,schoolclothes.Theytoldabouttheharvestofthefirst
Thanksgiving,andhowpeoplehadgatheredcropsinthefall,andtheyrecitedpoemsaboutautumn.
Therewerepumpkinsonthestage,buttheyweren’tcarved,andtheydidn’thavecandlesinthem.
NikkiHunterrecitedapoemaboutapplesbeinggatheredinanorchard.ThenBernadettecameupto
the microphone, looking very nervous. A large woman sat down at the piano and began to play an
introduction. Bernadette, her dark hair straight and shiny around her face, wearing a pretty brown
dress with a white collar, searched the audience until she found her mother and then Colby and the
Hunters.
Shesmiled.
Thepianistnodded,andBernadettesang“BlessthisHouse.”Colbyfeltchillsrundownhisspine.The
childwasincrediblygifted.Hervoicewashighandclearasabell.Itwaspainfullyfamiliar.Heclosed
his eyes. He could hear his mother singing to him in the late evening, smiling as she tucked him
gentlyintobed.
Thelastofthesongfadedawayandtherewasapplause.Colbycamebacktothepresentandjoinedin,
smilingatBernadette.Shesawhimandsmiledback.
Thecurtainclosed.Apparentlytheplaywasover.TheHuntersmovedforwardintothecrowdtolook
forNikki.Bernadettewasalreadyrunningdowntheaisletobeswungupagainstabroadshoulder.
RodrigoRamirez!Colby’steethclenched.Hehadn’tseentheman,orSarina,forthatmatter.They’d
beenafewrowsaheadofhimandontheothersideoftheauditorium.
Hehesitated,buthecouldn’tseeanyreasonnottotellthechildhowbeautifullyshesang.IfRamirez
didn’tlikeit,tough.
Hewalkeduptothecouple.Bernadettesawhimandbeamed.
“Youdidcome!”sheexclaimed.
Hesmiled,ignoringRodrigo.“Hunterwasright,”hesaidgently.“Youdosinglikeanangel.”
“Thanks,”sherepliedshyly.
“Where are the carved pumpkins and ghosts and witches and black cats?” he wondered, looking
around.
“Be quiet or you’ll get us thrown out,” Sarina said in an undertone. “It’s controversial to celebrate
Halloweenthesedays.”
Hemadeasoundunderhisbreath.HeglancedatRodrigo.“Notinyourcountry,itisn’t,”hemused.
“Ofcourse,thereit’sthefirstdayofNovemberwhenyoucelebrateElDiadeLosMuertos.”
Rodrigo’sdarkbrowsshotup.“Indeedwedo.Howwouldyouknowthat?”
“Igetaround.”
“I’msurprisedtoseeyouhere,”hecommented.
“Hegotmelotsofpencilsandstuff,”BernadettetoldRodrigo.“He’snotabadmanafterall.”
“Haveyoucheckedthewallatthepostoffice?”Rodrigoaskedunderhisbreath,withacoldglareat
Colby,whoreturneditwithinterest.
“Weshouldprobablygo,”Sarinasaid,feelingthetensiongrow.“Rodrigo’shadalongday.”
“Oh, I can see that being a liaison officer would wear a man out, all right,” Colby replied blithely.
“Allthathardlabor…”
Rodrigo’s black eyes flashed. “Yes, it must be as tiring as doing security work. Checking all those
doorstomakesurethey’relocked…?”
ColbytookastepforwardandSarinamovedbetweenthetwomentograspherdaughter ’ssmallhand
andRodrigo’sarm.
“Timetogo.Goodnight,Colby,”Sarinasaidatonce,almostdraggingRodrigoalongwithher.
BernadetteclungtoRodrigo’sneck,smilingbackatColby.“Goodnight,”shecalled.
Henodded,glaringattheotherman.Heshovedhishandsintohispocketsandstoodthere,glowering.
Hunterhadtospeaktwicebeforeherealizedtheywereleaving.
Jennifer,blondandgorgeous,smiledtoherselfasColbydroveawayfromtheirhouse.Nikkiwasin
herroom,finishingupherhomeworkbeforegoingtobed.
“HeandRodrigoaregoingtobumpheadsatsomepoint,”shetoldherhusband.
Huntersmileddownather.“Theyjustdid,”heremindedher.Hegatheredhercloseinhisarms.“But
that’shisproblem,notours.”
Shesmiledback,tugginghisheaddownsothatshecouldkisshim.“I’mtwomonthsalongtoday,”
shewhispered.
Oneofhisleanhandswenttotheslightswellofherstomach.“Icanhardlywait,”hesaidsoftly.
“You’ve brightened all my dark corners, just by being in my life. I never dreamed I could be so
happy.”
Shegrinnedathim.“Andyouspentallthoseyearsgloweringatmeandpretendingtohateme.”
Heshrugged.“Ifinallyhadthegoodsensetolooktwice.”
Shechuckled.“Sure,afterIgotshot.”
He hugged her close. “Don’t remind me,” he bit off. “That was a near thing. If the marksman had
slipped,you’dhavebeendead.Therewewere,intheArizonadesert,milesfromadoctororaclinic.
Goodthingitwasonlyafleshwound.Butitscaredthehelloutofme.IknewthenhowIfeltabout
you,”heconfessedinadeep,huskytone.“That’swhyIliedabouthowIfeltandran.”
“Didn’tdoabitofgood,didit?”sheteased.“Youcameback.”
“Mylifewasempty.”Hebentandkissedhertenderly.“IwassoafraidI’dlostyou.Eugenealmostsent
mebacktoArizona,didheevertellyou?HethoughtI’dhurtyouenough.”
“Hetoldme.Buthewashappywiththewaythingsturnedout.”Shestaredupathiminthelightfrom
thefrontporch.“ImissmycousinDanetta.”
“Iknow.WecangobacktoTucsonwhenIgetColbyproperlysettled,ifyoulike.”
Shehesitated.“Youknow,Houstonreallyisn’tsobad.Nikkilovesthisschool,andsheandBernadette
seemtoreallyfitin,forthefirsttime.”
Hefrowned.“You’dliketostayhere?”
She gnawed her lower lip. “Let’s wait another month or two before we make a final decision, can
we?”
Hesmiledslowly.“Whateveryoulike.Colbymaynotbetoohappy,havingtoplaysecondbananato
me.”
“Colby’s not like that, and you know it. He was perfectly happy working under Tate Winthrop in
Washington,D.C.”
“Isupposehewasatthat.Well,we’llwaitabitandseewhathappens.”
Shesmiledandkissedhimagain.
THENEXTDAY,ColbywaswalkingpastHunter ’sofficewhenhesawRamirezstrollingbesidean
oldfriendwhomhehadn’tseeninyears,CyParks.Hegrinnedandhiseyessparkled.
“Cy!Longtimenosee,”hesaidatonce,reachingouttoshakeCy’shand.
“That’syourfault,”Cychuckled.“Itriedtokeepintouch.Ididn’tknowyouwereworkinghereuntil
AlexanderCobbphonedme.How’sitgoing?”
Colbyshrugged.“I’llgetusedtocivilianlifeeventually.”HeglaredatRamirez.“Whatareyounow,
theofficialgreeterforthecompany?”hedrawled.“Ofcourse,theyusuallyareolderpeople…?”
Rodrigo’sdarkeyesflashed.“Ifyou’dcaretostepoutbackwithme,I’llshowyouhowoldIam!”
“Itwouldbeapleasure,”Colbyagreed,blackeyesflashing.
Cy stepped between them. “Sorry, but I’m pressed for time,” he said with a speaking glance at
Rodrigo.
HecaughtColby’sgoodarm.“Comeon,Colby.Cobbaskedmetostopby.I’vegotsomeinformation
forHunter.”
“Howdoyouknoweachother?”Rodrigoasked,curious.
Cygavehimablankstare.ColbycaughtCy’seyesandgaveasilentwarning.Hedidn’twantRamirez
knowingabouthispast.Hedidn’twantanyoneknowing,especiallySarina.
“Colby’s an old friend of Micah Steele, who lives in Jacobsville now,” Cy hedged. “They used to
worktogetheryearsago,withHunter,inanunrelatedfield,”headded,tothrowRodrigooffthetrack.
“ImetColbyinWashington,D.C.,whenMicahworkedthere,”withoutaddingwhereColbyhadbeen
workingatthetime.
“Micah’s good people,” Colby drawled. “I owe him my life.” It was true. Micah had amputated his
destroyedarm.
Huntercamedownthehall,havingspottedthesmallgroup.
“Parks!”Hunterchuckled,joiningthem.“Goodtoseeyou.”
“Goodtoseeallofyou,too.It’sbeenalongtime,”headded,wincinginsideasherealizedwhathe’d
justsaid.Hedidn’tdareletonthatheandRodrigowereoldacquaintances,too.
“Why,exactly,areyouhere?”Colbyaskedsuddenly,frowningatCy.
“I had Cobb ask him up,” Hunter explained. “He knows more about Lopez’s old operation than
anyone.”
“Well,notmorethan…”Cybegan.
“Looselipssinkships,”Hunterinterruptedwithafirmstare.
Cy was quick. He realized that he wasn’t supposed to let anything slip about Rodrigo’s undercover
workinLopez’sorganization.HewonderedwhyHunterwaskeepingthatsecretfromhiscoworker,
butheletitdrop.
“I might have some helpful information,” Cy conceded, smiling. He deliberately didn’t look at
Rodrigo,whomanagedtoseemdisinterestedandexcusedhimselfabruptly.
HUNTERLEDCYandColbyintohisofficeandclosedthedoor.Hewasgratefulthathe’dbeenin
timetostopRodrigofromquestioninghowCyknewColby.Itwasgoingtobetrickynow,keeping
thetwomenfrommakingawkwardconnectionsaboutthepast.Hecouldn’tblowRodrigo’scover,no
matterwhathehadtodo.WhileRodrigohadn’tactuallybeenwiththemduringthetimeColbylosthis
arm,hehadbeeninonarelatedoperationwithMicahSteele.HeandColbyhadseeneachotherina
stagingarea,butnonameshadbeenexchangedandtheygotnomorethanaglimpseofeachother.
ThatwasaluckybreakforHunter.Rodrigoobviouslydidn’trecognizeColby,andviceversa.
Cyhadhisforeman,HarleyFowler,watchingthewarehouseontheedgeofCy’sproperty,whichlate
drug lord Manuel Lopez had built to use as a distribution center for his cocaine shipments. Just
recently,therewassomenewactivitythere.Hewasgoingtoenlistanotherex-merc,EbScott,tohelp
with the surveillance. Eb had a state-of-the-art facility in Jacobsville where he taught tactics and
combatandinterrogationcounterterrorismtechniquestomilitarypersonnelfromallovertheworld.
Two years earlier, Cy and Eb Scott and Micah Steele had shut down Lopez’s operation, along with
locallawenforcementandDEAagentCobb’sinteragencydrugunit.Therehadbeenafirefight,but
many of Lopez’s people went to prison. Lopez subsequently snatched Micah Steele’s stepsister and
tookhertoCancún;Micahhadmountedacommandounitofmercenariestorescueher.Rodrigohad
beenoneofthem,havingworkedundercovertohelpbringdownLopez.Thedruglordhaddiedina
mysteriousexplosionnearNassau.Colbydidn’tknowaboutRodrigo’spartinit,andhecouldn’tbe
told.Cobbhadbeeninsistent.
ButwhatCyParkswasabletotellHunterandColbyabouttheorganizationofLopez’sformerempire
gave them more leads to run down. Colby was still curious about the apparent rapport between Cy
ParksandRodrigo,buthewasdivertedenoughbythenewinformationnottopursueit.Perhapsthe
Mexican was just good with strangers. After all, Colby reminded himself, the man did work as a
liaisonofficer.Hehadtohavegoodcommunicationskills.Ofasort.
BeforeCyleft,heinvitedColbydowntohisranch.“Youstillride,don’tyou?”Cyasked,“Inspiteof
that?”Heindicatedtheprosthesis.
Colbydidn’ttakeoffense.Cy’sleftarmwasbadlyburnedfromthefirethathadkilledhisfirstwife
and his son years ago. He smiled. “I mount offside, but I can ride anything you can saddle. I miss
havinghorses.”
“Youranquarterhorsesintheolddays,”Cyrecalled.
“IhadtogivethemupwhenIwentfreelance,”hesaid,knowingCywouldunderstandhemeanthis
mercenarywork.“Thanksfortheinvitation.I’dlovetogetonahorseagain.”
“AnySaturdayyou’refreewilldo,”Cysaid,smiling.“Justgivemeacall.YoucanmeetLisa.We’re
expectingourfirstchildinafewweeks.Lisalostourfirstone.”
“Youlandedonyourfeet,though,”Colbyremarked.
“Andhow!Seeyou.”
ONEOFTHELEADSheandHuntergotfromCyParkswerethenamesoftwoRitterpersonnelwho
hadtiestoCancún.Itdidn’tmakethemguilty,butitwassuspiciousthatbothofthemwouldbenew
employees.GaryOrdonezwasassistantsupplyclerkforthecorporationandhadafatherwithashady
background. Daniel Morris was an equipment operator whose background included jail time for
distributingdrugs—Ritterwasgung-hoabouthelpingrehabilitateex-cons.
Colby wondered if the two had anything in their files that would point to a connection with Cara
Dominguez.Theobviousplacetofindthatoutwasinthepersonneloffice.SohedroppedbyBrody
Vance’sofficetomakeenquiries.
He expected it to be easy. After all, he was assistant security chief and he had a legitimate right to
search the files if any employee was suspected of having criminal ties. He also wanted to see how
Vance reacted to the names, both of which he was certain had a connection to the local drug
trafficking.
Brody Vance, however, balked at even the thought of disclosing confidential information about
anyonewhoworkedforthecompany.
“I’msorry,”hetoldColbybluntly,“butmydepartmentdoesn’tmakeahabitofdishingoutpersonal
informationaboutourworkers,toanyone,eveninsecurity.”
Colbylookedatthemanasifhesuspectedhissanity.“We’relookingforadrugsmuggler,”hetold
Vance,andhedidn’tsmile.“Wecan’tallowthecorporationtobebroughtuponchargesofaidingand
abettingcriminalactivities.”
Vanceshiftedandlookeduncomfortable.“I’msorry,that’smyrule.”
Colbycockedaneyebrow.Heopenedhiscellphone,dialedHunter,andwaited.WatchingVance,he
beganspeakinginApache.
“Thisguywon’tletmelookatthefiles,”hetoldtheotherman.“Ithinkhe’shidingsomething.”
“Wantmetocomedownandhelpyouconvincehim?”Hunteraskedamusedly.
“Whynot?”
Heclosedtheflipphoneandpocketedit.
Vancestaredathimnervously.“Whatlanguagewasthat?”
“Oneofseveral,”Colbyrepliednonchalantly,“thatIlearnedwhileIwasworkingfortheCIA.”He
didn’tidentifythelanguage.
ThelookonVance’sfacewaspriceless.“YouworkedfortheCIA?”hestammered.
Colbydidn’treply.Itwasadeliberatesnub,givingVancetimetoconsiderhowdangerousitmightbe
todenytheothermanaccesstothosefiles.Hecouldn’taffordtobringsuspiciondownonhisown
head.
VancewasobviouslyreconsideringhispositionaboutthetimethatHunteropenedthedoorwithout
knockingandwalkedin.
Hunterhandedthemanasheetofpaperwhichcontainedthenamesofthesuspiciousemployeesand
somedamaginginformationaboutcriminalactsintheirpasts.Vancegroundhisteethashereadthem.
“Nowyou’llopenthosefiles,”Huntersaidquietly.“OryoucanexplainyourreluctancetotheDEA.I
can have one of their senior agents over here in five minutes, along with Eugene Ritter and one of
ourcorporateattorneys.”
Vanceswallowed.Hard.Heclearedhisthroatandsatdownathiscomputer.Hishandswereunsteady
onthekeyboard.
“I’llprintthemoutforyou,”Vancesaidmeekly.
HunterlookedatColbyandhadtofightagrin.“Seehowitworks?”heaskedColbyinApache.
“Yeah,wellthemightywarriortherelooksasifhemightneedtochangehistrouserswhenweleave,”
Colbyreplied.
Vance,inthedarkbecausehedidn’tspeakthelanguage,retrievedtwosheetsofpaperfromhisprinter
andhandedthemover.
“Naturally,”hetoldthemen,tryingtobackpedal,“privacyisagreatconcerntoushere.”
“And I’m sure the drug dealer ’s employers will thank you for your efforts to shield them,” Colby
said.
ButhesaiditinApache.
Hunter caught his arm and propelled him out the door before he had the opportunity to say it in
English.
“Nicegoing,”hetoldHunterwithagrin.
“When you’ve been in the security game as long as I have, you learn to deal diplomatically with
hardheads like Vance,” Hunter told him, grinning back. “It isn’t much different from interrogation
technique,butitworkswellonwhitecollartypes.I’lltutoryou.Now,ifyou’llpickuptwocupsof
coffee from the canteen, I’ll go down to the warehouse and check this information out with the
supervisors.”
“I’llmeetyouinyouroffice,”Colbyrepliedwithachuckle.Despitehisbackground,hewasn’tmuch
morethanabeginnerinthissortofcivilizedverbalwarfare.Mostofhisworkhadbeendonewithan
automaticweapon.
MINUTESLATER,SarinawaswalkingpastBrodyVance’sofficewhensheheardhimcurse.
“Youcan’tdothat!”heexclaimed.“I’malreadyundersuspicion…”
Sarinakeptgoing,hereyesonafilethatshe’dopened,appearingoblivioustoeverythingexceptthe
papershewasreading.
Vance noticed her passing by his door and suddenly broke into fluent Spanish and continued,
unabashed.“Ihadtogivethemtheinformation!Ican’taffordtogetfired,andthey’resuspiciousof
mealready.No.No,youcan’tgetintothewarehouse.Theyhaveitunderconstantsurveillance.Yes,
ofcoursetherearecameras!”Hepaused.“WhatdoyouthinkIam,anelectronicsengineer?”Another
pause.“Well,I’mnotstickingmyneckoutagain.YouaskChiva.No,she’sinCorpusChristi.Yes,you
dothat.”Thephonewentdown.
Sarinawasexcited.Sheknewshe’doverheardsomethingcrucial,buthowwasshegoingtoexploitit?
“¿Haoidoalgodequehablabayo?”Vancesaidatherback.
She did understand what he’d said in Spanish, but she didn’t dare react to the question. She kept
walking.
“MissCarrington?”
Sheturned,fakingsurprise,tofindBrodyVancestandingathisofficedoor.“Yes,Mr.Vance?”
“Didyouwanttoseemeaboutsomething?”
Sheblinked.“Sorry?”
“DidyouhearwhatIwassaying?”hepersisted.
Shemanagedadumblook.Sheheldupthefile.“IwasgoingoverthismaterialbecauseIhavetoget
ittoMr.Ritterbyquittingtime.Sorry,butIwasn’tpayingattention.Didyoucalltome?”
Heseemedtorelax.“No.Itwasnothing.Ijustwantedtomakesureyouwerehappywithyourjob.”
“Veryhappy,”shesaid,smiling.“Thisisaniceplacetowork.”
“Yes,itis.Well,don’tletmekeepyou,”headded.Hesmiledandwentbackintohisoffice.
Sarinahurrieddownthehall,hereyesdartingbehindhertomakesureshehadn’tbeenfollowedby
BrodyVance.She’dtellHunter.Hecouldnotifytheappropriatepeople.Shewasexcited.Theirfirst
break!
Buthewasn’tinhisoffice.ShewenttowardthesmallcubiclewhereRodrigousuallyworked,buthe
wasn’t there, either! With a muffled groan, she turned and started back around the corner when she
ran,literally,intoColbyLane.
“Just the man I’m looking for,” she said, taking him by the sleeve to tug him along into her own
office.
“What’sgoingon?”heasked,surprised.
“IoverheardBrodyVanceonthephone,”shesaidatoncewhenshe’dclosedthedoorbehindthem.
Herdarkeyesweresparklingwithintrigue.“Hewastalkingtoawoman,bythesoundofit.Hesaid
that he’d given information to somebody, that he couldn’t help it, and that she couldn’t get into the
warehouse because there were surveillance cameras! He also said that he wasn’t an electronics
engineer,soIgatheredshewantedhimtodisablethem!”
He smiled. “Damn, you’re sharp!” he exclaimed, delighted to know that they’d spooked Vance into
usinghisphone.Theycouldgetatraceandfindoutwhohewastalkingto.Hecaughtherbythewaist
andpulledheragainsthim,grinningashebenttocatchhersoftmouthunderhisinaquick,hardkiss.
He laughed at her surprise. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist it,” he said softly, letting her go. “I’m proud of
you.”
Sheflushedhelplessly.Thesoft,quickcontactrattledher.
Hesawthat,andhisdarkeyesbegantoglitter.“You’rewastedonclericalwork,”hemused.Thenhe
frowned. “Vance must be gutsy to make a statement like that out in the open, especially after what
HunterandIdidtohim.”
Shedidn’tunderstandwhathemeant.Hedidn’telaborate.
“HewasspeakinginSpanish,”shecorrected,andherecalledthatshewasfluent.
“Didheseeyou?”
“Yes.Buthedoesn’tknowIspeakSpanish,”sherepliedwithagrin.“Iwasapparentlyreadingapaper
anddidn’tevenlookathim.”
“You’veputusaheadofthegame,”hesaidwithgenuinepraise.“I’llgetHunterandwe’llseewhatwe
candowiththattidbitofinformation.Maybewecanflushhimout.Thanks,Sarina,”headdedgently.
“You’reawonder.”
“Noproblem.”Shehatedthepleasurethepraisegaveher.
Hecockedhisheadandstudiedher.“Youmightconsidercomingtoworkforme,”hemurmured,not
altogetherjoking.“It’smoreexcitingthantypinguprequisitionforms.”
Sheavertedhereyes.“That’snotabadidea.MaybeI’llthinkaboutit.”
“Youdothat.”HeleftherinherofficeandwentlookingforHunter.Thismightbejustthebreakthey
neededtofindthatdrugshipment.
CHAPTERFIVE
HUNTERWASTALKINGtoanaccountantnearthefrontentrancewhenColbyfoundhim.
“Somethingwrong?”Hunterasked.
Colbygrinned.“Nothingmajor,justalittlesnagweneedtodiscuss.”
“Sure.”HunterexcusedhimselfandjoinedColbyfartherdownthehall.
“WespookedVance,”hesaidwithbarelycontainedglee.“Sarinaheardhimtalkingtoawoman.He
switchedtoSpanishwhenhesawher,unawarethatshe’sfluent.Hesaidhehadtogiveusthenames,
and she asked if she could get into the warehouse. He said no, because it’s under constant
surveillance.”
“GoodforSarina!”
“She’s wasted in clerical work,” Colby scoffed. “What a dead end job for a woman with her
potential!”
Hunter groaned inwardly. He couldn’t give her away. “Well, she does like the work,” he said
evasively.
“WecanhavethenumberthatVancecalledtraced,”headded,workingoutstrategies.
“Doyouknowsomeoneatthephonecompany?”Hunteraskedwistfully.
“Ihavemycontacts.Lateron,I’llsharethem,”hepromisedwhenColbylookedfrustrated.“Listen,I
know you feel like I’m deliberately keeping you in the dark. But I can’t buck Cobb. This is his
operation.He’sbeenworkingonitforalongtime.”
“That’s not a problem,” Colby assured him. “I’ve been in the same position you are, from time to
time.” He pursed his lips and frowned. “I really need to stick that wire in Vance’s car, in case he
decidestomeetpersonallywithhisevasivegirlfriend.”
“There’sgoingtobeastaffmeetingthisafternoon,”Huntermentioned.“He’llbetiedupforatleast
anhour.”
Colby’sdarkeyestwinkled.“Whataluckybreak.”
HEHADTHEWIREinVance’scarinminutes,aswellasahomingdeviceunderthetrunk.Itwould
beabackup,incaseVancesomehowdiscoveredthewire.ButsinceVancedidn’tthinkhewasunder
suspicion,Colbymused,heprobablywouldn’tevenlook.Now,alltheyhadtodowaswait.
He’d planned the next day to spend some time monitoring Vance’s movements on his way to work.
The weather put a hitch in the plan. Rain started coming down in buckets and didn’t stop. Parts of
Houstonwerepronetoextremeflooding.FortunatelyColby’sapartmenthousewasn’tnearariver.
Butwhenhegottowork,Huntermethiminthehall.
“You’vegotanSUV,haven’tyou?”heaskedtheyoungerman.
Colbynodded.“Why?”
Hunter hesitated. “I know you and Sarina have your problems, but she and Bernadette are stuck at
their apartment and can’t get to Sarina’s car. The water ’s up to the fenders. I can’t leave because
Ritter ’s coming over with Cobb to discuss a new development. We’re all supposed to meet in the
conferenceroomlaterthismorning,includingyou.CanyougoandgetthemanddropBernadetteoff
atherschool?”
“Sure,”Colbysaideasily.Thatkisshe’dexchangedwithSarinahadrattledher.Hestillfeltitonhis
mouth. Bernadette was warming to him as well. He thought that Hunter could have as easily asked
Rodrigotofetchthem,andhegrinned.HewasoneupontheMexican.Hehatedknowinghowclose
themanwastoSarinaandthechild.Hedidn’tquiteunderstandwhyhefeltthatway.
“Don’tforgetthestaffmeetingatten,”Huntercautioned.
“I’llbebackinplentyoftimeforthat,”Colbyassuredhim.
ITWASTRICKYgettingneartheapartment’sparkinglot.Mostofitwasunderwater.Colbyparked
severalyardsawayonthenarrowpavedroadabovetheapartmentcomplexandgotoutthehip-high
wading boots he used when he went fishing. He pulled them on. He had a feeling Sarina and her
daughterwouldhavetobecarriedoutorspendthedaywithwetfeet.
Thebuildingwasold.Sarina’sapartmentwasbadlyrun-down.Thestepswerecrackedandtherewas
peelingpaintonthedoor.Onescreenonawindowwasloose.Theunitneededpainting.Someofthe
other apartments were in worse shape, though. It was really a low-rent area. His keen eyes caught
signsof gang graffition the sideof an adjacent unit,marking their territory.Hunter had taken him
aroundtownandalertedhimtothedifferentmarkings,justincasetheyhadanyganginvolvementin
the smuggling operation. This was not a good place for a woman and a little girl to be living. The
onlyattractivethingaboutitwasprobablythelowrent,heconsidered.Itmadehimuncomfortableto
seethepovertyinwhichthetwoofthemlived.Thechildwassweet,andhadsuchpromise.Thisarea
hadrunninggunbattles,ganggraffiti,andprobablydrugsaswell.Sarinahadtocopewithallthatas
wellassupportingherchildalone.HewasfuriouswhenheconsideredhowlittleBernadette’sabsent
fatherhaddoneforthem.
Hewadeduptothedoorandknocked.
Therewasapause,beforeSarinaopenedit,herdarkeyeswideandcurious.
“Huntersaidhewascoming,”shefaltered.
“Nothisfault,”Colbyreplied.“Cobb’sonhiswaytherewithEugeneRitter.Huntercouldn’tgetaway,
sohesentme.”
“Oh.”Sheseemeddisorientedforaminute.Hereyeswerebloodshot,asifshehadn’thadmuchsleep.
Colby’sblackeyeslingeredonherslenderfigureinthebeigesuitshewaswearingwithhighheels
andaverybecomingfloweredscarfaroundherneck.Herhairwaslong,drapingoverhershoulders
likecornsilk.Herememberedsuddenly,reluctantly,thefeelofitagainsthisbarechest…
“We’d better get moving before the water gets any deeper,” he said curtly, trying to curtail the
memory.
Itwasarousing.
“Comeon,Bernadette,”shetoldthechild.“Gotyourraincoat?”
“Yes,Mommy.”
Thechildwaswearingayellowslicker.Itwasstainedandlookedasifithadcomefromayardsale.
Sarinadidn’thavearaincoat,apparently,becauseshewasclutchingaratty-lookingumbrella.Odd,he
thought,howthesightoftheirfinancialconditionhurthim.
“Oh,hello,”Bernadettesaid,brighteningwhenshesawwho’dcometorescuethem.
“Hello,”hereplied,tryingtosoundpleasant.Hesmiled,too.He’dgiventhechildenoughheartache
asitwas.Hehadalottomakeuptoher.“I’dbettertakeherfirst,”hetoldSarina.
Shehesitated.“Shehastogointhebackseat,ifyouhaveapassenger-sideairbag,”shetoldhim.
Helookedblank.“Ibegyourpardon?”
“If the air bag deploys for any reason with a small child in the front seat, it could be fatal,” Sarina
explained.
Heshookhishead.“Welearnsomethingneweveryday.”Hebentdown.“Ready?”heaskedthechild.
Shenodded,holdingherbookbagoveroneshoulder.
Heswungherupeasilywithhisrightarm.Thefeelofhersmallarmsclingingtohisnecktrustingly
madehisheartmelt.“Holdon,”hesaidsoftly,smiling.“Iwon’tdropyou.”
“Iknowthat,”shetoldhim,grinning.Herarmstightened.
HeturnedandwalkeduptheslopepasttheparkinglottowherehisblackSUVwasparked.
“That’saverybigtruck,”Bernadettepointedout.“Canyoucarryahorseinit?”
Hechuckled.“Idon’tthinkso.Why?”heteased.“Areyouthinkingofbuyingone?”
Shelaughed,too.“IwishIcould.WegotoJacobsvilletoseeafriendofRodrigo’swhohasaranch
there.Heletsmeridehishorses.Ijustlovethem!”
“IhaveafriendinJacobsvillewhohasaranchmyself,”hemurmuredwithoutnamingCy.“Iusedto
havehorses,too,whenIwasyounger,”herecalled.“Istilllovetoride.”
Theyreachedthetruck.Heopenedthedoorandputhergentlyinside.“Fastenyourseatbelt,”hetold
her.
“Ialwaysdo.MommysaidImustalwayswearit.”
Hesmiledather.“Mommy’sright.Watchyourfingers.”Heclosedthedoorgentlyandwentbackfor
Sarina.
The rain had slackened to a mist. She closed the umbrella and looked at him uncertainly. She knew
thattheprosthesishewore,howeverhightech,wouldneversupportherweight.
Hehesitated,feelinggrim.Hehatedhisdisability.
“Icouldtakeoffmyshoesandwalk,”shesaid,gentlysothatshedidn’tbruisehisego.Helookedso
wounded.Shemovedclosertohim,herdarkeyeseloquent.“It’sallright,”shesaidsoftly.
Hehatedthecompassion.Hehatedhisweakness.Hiseyesblazed.
She looked up at him. He was a stranger, for all that they’d been close years ago. She didn’t know
whattosay,whattodo,tomakethingseasierforhim.“OneofmycoworkerslosthislegsinIraq,
back in Desert Storm,” she said. “He has two artificial ones. They’re not high-tech, like your
prosthesis,”shecontinuedgently,“butthey’resofunctionalthatnobodyintheofficecanoutrunhim
inintra-unitcompetition.”
Hefocusedonthatatonce.“Intra-unit?”hewondered,becauseheknewtherewasnosuchcompetition
atRitter ’sbusiness.
Her eyes flashed at the slip. She cleared her throat and thought fast. “Back in Tucson,” she said
quickly,
“wehadteamcompetitionsinsports.”
“Oh.”Hedrewinaslowbreath,hiseyessteadyandcuriousonherhairintheelegantupswepthairdo,
herbodyclothedinasimplebeigesuitwithanoff-whitecottonblouse.Herememberedherinsilk.
His hand went to the collar of her blouse and touched it lightly. “The first time I saw you,” he said
absently,
“youwerewearingabluesilkblousewithwhiteslacks.Yourhairwasinapigtail.Youwereplaying
withthatgoldenretrieveryouhad…”
Hergazefellassherecalledwithbitterpainwhathadhappenedwhenherfatherkickedheroutofhis
house.
“What’swrong?”heasked,sensitivetohermoods.
“Myfatherhadherputdown,whenhethrewmeout,”shebitoff.
He remembered her love for the sweet, obedient animal. Her father had been a monster! The
rememberedpainwasvisibleinhereyes.Involuntarilyhisarmsslidaroundher,pullingherclose.He
wrappedheruptightinhisembrace,androckedher.Theexpressiononherfacehadhurthim,asso
many things did now. His eyes closed as he drank in the faint rose-scented cologne she wore, the
cleanherbalscentofherhairunderhischeek.“I’msorry,”hewhispereddeeply.“Iknowhowmuch
youlovedher.”
Thetearscamemoreeasilybecauseshewastired.Shehadn’tsleptlastnightaftertheharrowingtrip
totheemergencyroomwithBernadette.Shedrewinaharshbreathandwipedangrilyatthetearsas
shepulledaway.
“Sorry,”shemurmured.“It’sbeenalongnight.Ihaven’tsleptmuch.”
He frowned. “Why?” he asked angrily, immediately concluding that her friend Rodrigo had
somethingtodowithherweariness.“DoyouandRamirezhavepajamaparties?”
Herdarkeyesopenedwide.“InfrontofBernadette?”sheasked,shockedathislackofperception.
Darkcolorflushedhishighcheekbonesandhislipsmadeathinline.Hehadn’tmeanttosaythat.
“Here,”hebitoff,bending.“Itwillhavetobeafireman’scarry.Ican’tliftwiththeprosthesis.”
Hesoundedsobitter.“Idon’t…don’tmind,Colby,”shewhispered,stillunsettledbywhatappearedto
bejealousy.
His eyes met hers and held them. He felt his breath suspend deep in his chest as emotion shivered
throughhimlikeelectricity.Hehesitated,hisbighandgoingtohercheek,histhumbslidingtenderly
overherfull,softlips.
“Sevenyears,”hewhisperedunsteadilyashismouthslowly,hesitantly,coveredhers.Henibbledher
upperlipwithtender,sensuousskill,theprosthesishardatherbackashetuggedhercloser.
She felt like a girl again, uncertain of herself, too easily overcome by the need to be held by him,
kissed by him. The years fell away as his mouth opened, pressing her lips apart so that he could
deepenthekiss.
Hegroanedsoftlyunderhisbreathandsuddenlyswallowedherupwholeagainstthelean,hardwall
ofhisbody,kissinghersohungrilythatshecouldn’tevengetenoughbreathtoprotest.
Hishandtangledinherhair,disarranginghairpinsashismouthbecameinsistent,devouringherthere
ontheporchofherapartmentastherainsuddenlyincreased.Neitherofthemnoticedit,untilasmall
voicecalledfromtheback.
“Mommy,we’llbelateforschool!”BernadetteremindedherfromtheopenbackdooroftheSUV.
Colbypulledbackasifhe’dbeenslapped.HelookedintoSarina’swide,shockedeyeswithafeeling
ofdisbelief.Hisheartbeatwasshakinghim.Hisbodywastautwithdesire.Hemovedbackastepto
keepherfromfeelingit.
“We…uh,we’dbettergo,”shemanaged.
Hermouthwasswollenfromtheheatofhiskisses.Herhairwasfallingdown.Shewasflushed.Her
eyeswerewideanddark.
Helikedthewayshelooked.Hesmiledslowly,thewayhe’dsmiledathersevenyearsago,beforethe
tragedyoftheirmarriage.
Thatsmiletookherbreathaway.Shecouldn’tevenmanagewords.
“Doesn’thekissyou?”hetaunted.
Whileshewastryingtofindasuitablycuttingreply,hebentandliftedhergentlyoveroneshoulder,
pocketbook,umbrellaandall.
“Offwego,”hemused,headingforthestepsinthebank.“Holdon,now.Wewouldn’twantyoutogo
headfirstintoanastymudpuddle,wouldwe?”
Shecouldbarelybreatheatall,andhermouthwassore.Shehadn’trememberedhowexperthewas,
howsensuous.Thathorriblenightthey’dspenttogetherhadbegunasaveritablefeastofthesenses
whenhestartedkissingher.She’dbeenonfireforhim,untilthepainstarted…
Hewasupthestepsinaflash,hispowerfulbodystillinprimecondition,despitehiswarwounds.He
putherdowngently,grinningatBernadette,whogrinnedbackandclosedherdoor.
HeopenedthepassengerdoorandguidedSarina’scold,tremblinghandtothehandholdjustabove
thedoor,helpingherboostherselfupintothehighvehicleandintotheseat.Hepausedtotakeoffhis
wadingbootsandthrowtheminthebackofthetruck.
Sarinawasstilldazed,sittinginthefrontseatbutwiththedoorstillopen.Hegrinnedwidelyashe
fastenedherseatbeltandthenclosedthedoorbeforehewentaroundtohisownside.Heclimbedin
withalighterheartthanhe’dhadinyears.
“Everybodysettledandbuckledintight?”heasked,lookingatBernadetteinthebackseat.
“Roger,wilco,”shesaid,givinghimathumbs-up.
His eyebrows lifted and he chuckled. “Good to go,” he replied, flashing a dark, smiling glance at
Sarina, who was trying to redo her hair. He reached over and pulled down the visor, which
automaticallylitupatbothsides.Hiseyesmethersatverycloserange,droppingsensuouslytoher
swollenmouth.“Thereyougo,”hesaidsoftly.
“Thanks,”shewhispered,almostchokingonemotion.
HestartedtheSUVandbackedoutintotheparkinglot.HeglancedatthemapHunterhadgivenhim,
butitdidn’tincludetheschool.“Somebodywillhavetodirectmetotheschool,”hepointedout.
“Turnrightatthestopsign,”Bernadettesaidatonce.“Thenyougothroughthreetrafficlights,and
it’sontheleft.”
Hesmiled.“Okay.”Heturnedwheresheindicated,butatthebottomofthehill,thewaterranacross
theroadinaflood.Heturnedrightontoanother,smallerroad.
“But…”Bernadettebegan.
“Youneverdrivethroughstandingwater,whenyoucan’tjudgethedepth,”hetoldhergently.“WhenI
wasaboy,theyhadtorescuefiveconstructionworkersfromatruckthatstalledinthemiddleofthe
roadinwhatlookedlikeatrickleofwater.Theyhadtostandontherooftokeepfromdrowning.”
“He’sright,”Sarinasaid,smilingovertheseatatherdaughterasshestruggledtospeaknormally.
“RememberhowquicklythedipsintheroadfilledupinTucson,evenwhentherainwasmilesand
milesaway?”
“Yes,Mommy,”Bernadetteagreed,smiling.“Iforgot.”
ColbyglancedmischievouslyatSarina,whowasstillstrugglingwithherhair.“Sorry,”hesaidsoftly.
“Youdon’tevenhaveabrush,doyou?”
Shegrimaced.“Notwithme.”
“We’llmanagesomethingbeforewegettotheoffice.”
HEPULLEDUPINFRONToftheschool,undertheshelter,sothatSarinacouldclimboutandget
Bernadetteoutofthebackseat,withherbookbag.
“Aren’tyougoingtocome,too?”thechildaskedasSarinastartedtoclosethedoors.
Hehesitated.Thequestionwasunexpected.
“Youhavetocomeinwithus,”shepersisted.
ColbycutofftheenginelikeasleepwalkerandcamearoundtheSUV.He’dprobablyhaveaparking
ticket when he emerged. Bernadette caught his good hand in hers and held on tight, grabbing her
mother ’satthesametime,herbookbagslungoverthebackofhertatteredraincoat.
Hecouldn’texplainthewayhefelt,havingthatsoftlittlehandclaspedsotightinhisown.Itactually
hurthim.He’dmissedsomuchinhislife,butthemostnoticeableandpainfulomissionwaschildren.
He’dwantedthem…!
Theywentintotheofficefirst.Sarinasmiledattheclerk,awomanwearingnomakeupandafrown.
SheperkedupwhenshesawColbyandgrinnedwidely.
“Hello,Bernadette,”shesaid,butshewasstaringatColby.
“I know we’re late,” Sarina said quickly. “We were flooded, and Mr. Lane had to come get us…we
worktogetheratRitterOilCorporation.Mr.Laneis…ourassistantchiefofsecurity.”
“I’mRitaDawes,”theotherwomanpurred.“Sonicetomeetyou,Mr.Lane.”
“CanyougiveBernadetteaslipforherteacher?”Sarinaaskedgently.
“Certainly!”Thewomanwrotequicklyonaslipofpaper,whichshehandedtothechild.“Thereyou
go,dear.”
“Thankyou,”Bernadettesaid.Shehuggedhermother.Then,withouthesitation,sheturnedandlifted
herarmstoColby.
Heswungherupandreturnedthehug,smiling.“Haveagoodday,”hesaid,lettingherdownagain.
Shegrinnedupathim.“You,too.”
Sheturnedandwentoutintothehall,butshestoppedsuddenlyasablondboywithtwocompanions
spottedherandsmiledwithpuremalice.Sarinasawtheboyandheldherbreath.Colbydidn’tknow,
butitwasnosecretattheschoolthatBernadette’sancestrywasApache.Sheheldherbreath,hoping
againsthopethattheboywouldn’tletthecatoutofthebag.
“There’stheArizonaaborigine,”theboydrawled.“Whydon’tyougohometoyourmudhutandtake
yourbackwardculturewithyou…”
HestoppedsuddenlybecauseColbywastoweringoverhim,gloweringdangerously.
Colby went down on one knee, so that his black eyes were on a level with the boy’s. “Bernadette
comesfromalonglineofshamans,”hesaidinacold,softtone,withoutrealizingexactlywhathe
wassayingintheheatofanger.Subconsciouslyhe’dnotedherancestryasApachewiththereference
tomedicinemen.“Herpeoplewereontheseshoreslongbeforeyourslanded.WhenyourEuropean
culturewashidingincaves,herswasbuildingcanalsandirrigatedfarms.Iwouldn’tcallthatinferior.
Wouldyou?”
Theboyreddenedwhilehistwocohortslookedon,embarrassed.“Uh,no.No,sir,”headded.
Colby stood up slowly, putting the boy at an even greater disadvantage. “Have a good day,
sweetheart,”
hetoldBernadetteinasoftertonethanherealized.
Shelookedupathimwithpureheroworship.Shesmiled.“Thanks!”
Heshrugged,glaringattheboy.“Ithoughtbullyingwasagainsttherules,”headded,hisblackeyes
glittering.“Perhapsweshouldspeaktotheprincipal.”
Theboylookedscared.“Hey,man,I’mnotbullyinganybody!Honest!Comeon,guys,we’regoing
tobelate.”Heandhisfriendsalmostran.BernadettegaveColbyawickedsmileasshefollowedafter
themdownthehall.
Sarinaandtheclerkweresmiling.
“Haveyoueverthoughtaboutacareerineducation,Mr.Lane?”theclerkasked.
Hecockedaneyebrow.“Idon’tdodangerouswork,”hereplied,tongue-in-cheek.Heglancedathis
watch.“We’dbetterhurry,”hetoldSarina.“I’vegotameetingatten.”
“Ofcourse.Thankyou,MissDawes,”sheadded,smilingoverhershoulder.
“Itwasnotroubleatall!”MissDawesreplied,sighingoverColby.
Sarinafeltatwingeofjealousy,whichshecarefullyhidbeforeColbycouldseeit.MissDaweswasn’t
bad-looking.
They went back to the SUV. He noted the lack of a ticket with relief as he pulled out of the school
parkinglotandbacktowardthehighway.
“Thanks for what you did back there,” Sarina said in a husky tone. “That boy has caused us some
problems.HeupsetsBernadette.”
“Hewon’tanymore,”hesaiddecisively.
Shesmiled.“Probablynot.”Hisprotectiveattitudetowardherdaughterbothdelightedanddisturbed
her.Itwouldn’tbewiseforhimtogettooclosetoher,incaseBernadetteletsomethingslipthatshe
shouldn’t.SherecalledcuriouslytheremarkColbyhadmadetotheboyaboutBernadette’sancestors
being shamans, or medicine men. He didn’t know about her ancestry. He couldn’t. Where had the
remarkcomefrom?
He tried to close his left hand around the steering wheel and it locked. He cursed under his breath
whenhetriedagainwiththesameresult.
“What’swrong?”Sarinaasked,curious.
“Theprosthesislockeddown,”hemuttered.“Damnedstate-of-the-arttwitchypieceofjunk,”headded
furiously.“Iwasbetteroffwiththehook.Itdrewstares,butatleastitwasdependable!”
“Doyou…haveaspare?”shewondered.
“Yes.It’snothigh-tech,butit’sfairlyrealisticanddependable.I’llhavetostopbymyplaceandgetit.
Sorry,”headded,glancingather.“We’llbeevenlater.ButIcan’tworkwithoutit.”
“Idon’tmind,”shesaid,andmeantit.
HEPARKEDINFRONTofhisapartment.Itwassurprisinglyelegant,aquietgatedcommunitywith
goodsecurityandlighting,andevenafrontporch.Itwasfarbetterthanherown.
She’dplannedtositintheSUV,butheopenedherdoor,andhelpedherdown.
“Ittakesafewminutestogetitinplace,”hesaid.Hisfacetautened.“AndImayneedalittlehelp,if
youdon’tmind.”Hewasthinkingoftheharnessthathadtospanhischestandbebuckledinplace.He
coulddoithimself,butitwastime-consumingandtheywerealreadylate.
“OfcourseIdon’tmind,”shesaideasily.
Heunlockedthedoorandusheredherintothelivingroom.IthadMediterraneanfurniture,andearth-
toneddrapesandcarpet.
“Wantcoffee?”heasked.
Shesmiledandshookherhead.“I’mfine.”
“Iwon’tbelong.”
Hewentoffdownthehall.Shelookedaround,notingthattherewerenopersonaltouchesatalltothe
décor.Therewasn’tevenaphotograph.Hisbarrenlifewasquiteevidentandheprobablydidn’teven
realizeit.
She got up and looked at the small stash of books on a side table. He liked the Greek classics, she
noted,intheoriginalGreek.She’dforgottenwhataneducatedmanhewas.
“Canyouhelpmewiththis?”
Sheturned,andherbreathcaught.Hisshirtwasoff.Hisbroad,muscularchestwithitssexycovering
ofblack,curlinghair,andhisshouldersandflatstomachwereonblatantdisplay.
Hisfacetautened.“Iknowit’sdistasteful…”
“Whatis?”sheasked,genuinelysurprisedbythecomment.
“This!”Heheldupthestump,whichendedjustbelowhiselbow.
“Oh,”shefaltered.“Isit?”
“Whatwereyoulookingat?”hedemandedhotly.
Hereyeswenttohischestandstomachinvoluntarilyandsheflushedassheavertedthembacktohis
face.
Hisexpressionwasodd.Hehadtheprosthesisinhisrighthand,butheputitonthesidetableandwent
to her, his heart pounding like mad as he realized that it wasn’t his arm that was making her so
unsettled.
Hepausedjustinfrontofher,scowlingatthewaysheflushedandsteppedback.Shemighthavegone
farther, but the wall stopped her retreat. He moved until he blocked her in there. His dark eyes
searchedhersinthehot,tensesilence.
“ThefirsttimeItookmyshirtoff,youhadthatsamelookinyoureyes,”hesaidhuskily.“I’dstripped
youtothewaistandkissedyourbreasts,andyougaspedwhenyoulookedatme.WhenItookyouin
myarms,Ithoughtyouweregoingtofaint.Youmoaned…”
“Please,”shewhisperedfrantically,tryingtolookawayfromhim.
Hesteppedrightupagainsther,hisgoodhandgoingtothewallbehindher,hishipsleveringdown
againsthers.Hisarousalwasinstant,painful.Heactuallygroaned.
“Colby!” she protested. Both her hands went to his chest, but she couldn’t make them push. He felt
good.Hisbodysmelledofsoapandcologne,thatsexybrandhe’dwornsomanyyearsago.Thethick
hairunderhercoldhandsfeltgood,too,likethewarmmusclesitcovered.
“Sevenyears,”hewhispered,holdinghergaze,“andIstillgohardasarocktheminuteItouchyou.”
“Please!”sheprotested,embarrassedenoughtopush.Shecouldn’tbudgehim.
“Youhaven’tchanged,Sarina,”hesaidinasoft,huskytoneashisgazefelltohermouth.“You’reas
innocentas you werethen, despite thebirth of a child.”He frowned. “Howdid you get Bernadette?
Didyoureallygivebirthtoher?”
Hereyeswidened.“Whataquestion!”
“IknowIgaveyouscars,”hepersisted.“Emotionalandphysical.Ican’tbelieveyouwereabletogive
yourselftoanotherman,afterwhathappened.”
Sheswallowedhard.“Thisis…notyourbusiness!”
Hisfacecontorted.“Idestroyedyouasawoman,don’tyouthinkIknow?”Hiseyesclosedasdesire
pulledhimtightasarope.“IhadtwoneatwhiskiesbeforeIcametoyou.Ithoughtthey’dsedateme.
Butnothingdid.Icouldn’tstop!”
Thefearsubsided.Helookedtormented.“Excuseme?”shefaltered.
Hemethersearching,curiousgaze.Hedrewinalongbreathandslowly,deliberately,movedhiships
against her so that she could feel him intimately pressed to her belly. “Can you feel me?” he asked
somberly.
“ForGod’ssake…!”Shetriedtoshiftaway.Hecaughtherhipwithapowerfulhandandheldherstill.
“I never meant to hurt you deliberately,” he said softly. “I wanted you so much that I lost my self-
control. That’s why you had to have stitches. I’ve always had to be careful with women. One even
refusedme,alongtimeago,whenshesawmearoused.”
Theblushwasfuchsiabynow.Allthoselongyears,she’dbeensocertainthatitwasrevengeonhis
part.Shesaidsoinvoluntarily.
Heshookhishead.“Itwasneverrevenge.”Hebenthishead.“AndifI’dknownyouwereavirgin,”he
whisperedagainsthersoftmouth,“despitethecircumstancesofourmarriage,I’dhavetakenallnight
withyou…!”
JustasshestartedtoremindhimaboutMaureen,tosaveherself,hishipsmovedgentlyagainsther.
Hismouthcoveredhers,penetratingitwithslow,easythruststhatcreatedodd,frighteningsensations
inherslenderbody.Shewantedhimtostop.Shedidn’twanthimtostop.Shemoved,moaning,asthe
threat of him became a sensual promise instead. Her arms lifted helplessly to curl around his neck.
His hand slid to her full breast and teased around it until she shifted, coaxing it to the hard tip that
achedtofeelitundertheclothofherblouseandherbra.
She felt the clasp give, but she was far too intent on the slow, hot crush of Colby’s mouth to care.
Whenshefelthisfingersmovingonherbareskin,shemoanedagain,herbodyslumpingagainsthim
asdesireuncurledinsideherandbegantothrobinthemostsecretplaces.
The years fell away. Colby’s knee invaded the tight clasp of her long legs and he moved into total
intimacy with her. She shivered, sobbing as the heat and power of him began to knock down her
defenses.
Hismouthgrewmoreinsistentashishipsdraggedsensuouslyagainsthers,theexquisitehardnessof
himrubbingagainstherinawaythatmadethrobbinglittlewavesofpleasureshiverthroughher.
Beforesherealizedit,shewasopeningherlegstolethimcloser,intoarhythmic,insistentintimacy
ofmovementthatthreatenedtosatisfyherrightthroughherclothing.
Heheardanoise,buthewastoofargonetoidentifyit.Itwasinsistent.Heliftedhishead,drowningin
thescentandfeelofSarina,inanarousalmorepowerfulthanhe’dfeltinyears.
“No,”shewhimpered,tuggingathisneck.“Colby,no…”
Hekissedheragain,buttenderlythistime,ignoringthepainfulneedofhistautbodyasheheardthe
stridentringingofthetelephone.
Heliftedhisheadslowly,dragginginaharshbreath.Shewashis.Hecouldhavepulledherdownon
the sofa and done anything he liked. He cursed as he realized the damned telephone was going to
makethatimpossible.
Agroanescapedhistightthroatashemovedback,hisarmslidingaroundherwaisttopullherwith
himashereachedforthephone.Hecouldn’tbeartolethergo.Hismouthclosedonhersagainina
brief,hungrykiss.
“Lane,”hebitoffintothephone,breathless.
Therewasapause.“Colby?”
Heclearedhisthroat,staringatSarina’sface.“Hunter?”
“Whereareyou?”Hunterasked.“Andwhere’sSarina?”
“We’reputtingonmyprosthesis,”hesaid,soundingdazed.
“Uh,couldyouputitonalittlefaster?”Huntersaid,amusementinhistone.“We’reallwaitingfor
youinRitter ’soffice.”
“Waitingforme,”heechoed,hiseyeslostinSarina’s.
“Themeeting?Theteno’clockmeeting?”
“Meeting. Right.” His eyes widened. “The meeting!” He cleared his throat, letting Sarina go all at
once.
“Atten.”Hiseyeswenttotheclock.Itwastenpastten.“I’llbethereinfiveminutes.Sorry!”
Hehungup.“ThatwasHunter,”hesaidhuskily,staringintohermistyeyes.“We’relate.”
“Yes.Ofcourse.”Sheflushed,reachingbehindhertofindthelooseclaspofherbraandrefastenit.
Shestraightenedherblouseandtuckeditin,breathless.
“Here.Helpme.”Hepausedtoslipthesockoverhisstump.Thenheputontheharnessthatheldthe
prosthesisinplaceanddrewherhandstotheclasp.Theywerecoldandtrembling,buttheymanaged
tobuckleitinplace.Hetestedtheartificialfingersandthegrip.“Thanks.”
“You’rewelcome.”
He tilted her flushed face up to his eyes. “I’ll apologize, if you want me to,” he said softly. “But I
won’tmeanit,”headdedhuskily.
Sheswallowed.“It’sokay.”
Hetouchedherswollenmouth.“I’vemessedyourhairupagain.There’sabrushinthebathroom.”
“Thanks.”
He let her go with obvious reluctance and finished dressing, his body still poised on the edge of
anguish.Hehadn’tmeanttotouchher.Theywentbacktoworkinatautsilenceandpartedcompanyat
theentrance.Hewenttohismeetinginafogofemotion,barelyawareofHunter ’samusedglances.
CHAPTERSIX
COLBYFELTasifhewereinadazeashelistenedtothediscussionaroundtheboardroomtable.His
bodythrobbedpainfullyfromrecallingtheexquisitetasteofSarina’smouth.
“Isaid,whereareyoumonitoringVance’scar?”AlexanderCobbrepeated.
ColbysuddenlyrealizedthattheDEAagentwasspeakingtohim.Heclearedhisthroat.“Sorry.The
unit’sinmyoffice.”
Cobbnodded.“Canyougettape?”
“Ofcourse.”
“There’soneotherthing,”Hunteradded.“CyParkstoldusthatthere’sbeensomeactivityaroundhis
ranch,whereLopeztriedtosetupthatdistributioncenter.Theholdingcompanystillownstheland.”
Cobb’seyesnarrowed.“Itmightbeworthwhileforoneofustogodownthereanddoawalkaround.”
“I’llgoSaturday,”Colbyvolunteered.
Cobbnodded.“Thesoonerthebetter,”headded.
“Congratulations,bytheway,”Huntertoldtheagent,wholookedsheepish.
Colby’seyebrowsarchedcuriously.
“HemarriedJodieClayburnovertheweekend,”Hunterinformedtheotheroccupantsofthetable.
“Idon’tremembertellinganybody,”Cobbsaidafteraminute,frowning.
“Iusedtobeaspy,”Huntersaidblandly.“Iknoweverything.”
Cobbonlylaughed.HewentbacktohisofficeandphonedCyParks,tomakesureheandacoupleof
guestswouldbewelcomeSaturday.Theywere.
COLBY STOPPED by Sarina’s office at lunchtime. “I’m going down to Jacobsville to see a friend
this weekend,” he told her without elaborating, having just made the decision. “He owns a ranch.
WouldyouandBernadetteliketocomealong?Sheloveshorses.Wecouldgoriding.”
Shelookedupathimwithwide,softeyesthatstillheldtheexcitementofthemorning.“Uh,well,yes.
When?”
“Saturday.We’llleaveearly.”
Shenoddedslowly.“Okay.”
Heleanedagainstthedoorjambandlookedather,hisdarkeyesglitteringwithemotion.
Herfacecolored.“Wasthereanythingelse?”
Heshookhishead.“Ilikeyouinpink,”hesaidsoftly.“ButIlikeyourhairdown.”
Theforceofherunsteadybreathingpartedherlips.Shefeltflustered.
His own breathing was rough. He wanted her. The years rolled away and she was young again,
vulnerableagain.
“Havelunchwithme,”hesaidhuskily.
Sheswallowed,hard.“I…well,thatis…”
Rodrigowalkedin,smilingather.“Readytogo?”heaskedgently.
Colby’seyesblazedwithanger.“Doyouhangfromtheceiling,waitingtodroponpeople?”
Rodrigogavehimacoldglance.“Don’tyouhavedoorstocheckorsomething?”
“IwasaskingSarinatolunch,”Colbyrepliedcoldly.
Rodrigo smiled icily. “She’s having lunch with me.” He caught her hand in his, noting its sudden
coldness.
ThatactionmadeColbytenselikeaspring.Hiseyesbegantoglitterdangerously.
“Colby, I’m sorry.” She managed to get between the two men, both of whom towered over her,
withoutseemingtointerfere.“IpromisedRodrigo.”
Hewasbreathingthroughhisnose.Hismouthwasathinline.Hewassuddenlyviolentlyjealousof
theothermanandbarelyabletocontainaphysicalresponsetothatinsolentsmile.
“Sure,”hebitoff.“Someothertime.”
Heturnedandwalkedout.SarinagaveRodrigoaspeakingglance.
Heshifted,puzzledbyherexpression.“Surelyyoudidn’twanttogooutwithhim,afterthewayhe’s
treatedBernadette?”
“HerescuedusfromthefloodthismorningandtookBernadettetoschool,”shesaidhuskily.
Hisdarkeyesnarrowed.“Hehasadrinkingproblem,”hesaidabruptly.
“Hehadone,”shecorrected.
“Doyouknowanythingabouthisbackground?”hepersisted.“Hewas…”
“Aspy,”sheinterrupted.“Iknowthat,Rodrigo.”
Hehesitated.“Ithinkhe’shidingsomething,”hesaidworriedly.“Weneedtocheckhimout.”
She cocked her head and looked up at him curiously. “Do you have something against him?” she
wonderedaloud.
Oddlyheavertedhiseyes.“Nothingpersonal.”
“We’re both regulation types,” she pointed out. “Maybe we wouldn’t work out as secret agents,
consideringsome of thethings they’re expectedto do in thefield, but thereare people without our
brandofscruples,youknow.It’snotablackmark,exactly,isit?”
Hefrowned,asifworriedaboutsomethinghedidn’twanttoputintowords.“No,ofcoursenot.”His
eyesnarrowed.“You’renotgoingsoftonhim?He’satotalstranger,Sarina.”
Shesighed.“Notreally.Iwasmarriedtohim.”
Helookedabsolutelyshocked.
“Itwasalongtimeago.Themarriagewasannulled,”sheaddedquickly.“Heguardedmyfather,when
Iwasstillinschool.”
“When,exactly,wereyoumarriedtohim?”heaskedpointedly.
Sheglancedatherwatch.“We’rerunningoutoftimeforlunch.Weshouldprobablygo.”
“You’reavoidingthequestion.”
Shesmiled.“Yes,Iam.Niceofyoutonotice.Comeon,beforethephoneringsandIgettrapped!”
Hefollowedheroutofherofficewithadark,coldsuspicionthathecouldn’tovercome.
SATURDAYMORNING,ColbyhelpedBernadetteintothebackseatoftheSUVandbuckledherin.
She was wearing old boots and older jeans, with a red checked shirt. Her eyes were bubbly with
excitement.
“Ilovetoridehorses!It’sniceofyoutoletusgowithyou!Isitabigranch?”
Hechuckled,feelingmorerelaxedthanhehadinyears.“Yes,itis.Herunscattleaswellashorses.I
thinkyou’lllikeit.”
HeopenedthepassengerdoorforSarina,whowasdressedsimilarlytoherdaughter,exceptthather
long blond hair was in a braid hanging down her back. He had on jeans and boots, too, with a
chambrayshirt.Sarina’swaslightweightdenim,withembroideredpinkrosesonit.Shelookedtrim
inthosetightjeans,veryfeminine,andshemadehimacheinallthewrongplaces.
Hegotinbesideher,bucklinghisseatbelt.“Doyouride,too?”heaskedher.
Shenodded,smiling.“Rodrigotaughtme.”
Hisfacecloseduplikeaclamshellundersiege.Hestartedtheengineandpulledoutofherparking
lotwithmutedviolence.
Sarinawonderedattheforceofhisanger.IthadbeenthesamewaywhenRodrigohadtakenherto
lunch.Hecouldn’tpossiblybejealousofher…
“Howmuchdoyouknowaboutyourliaisonofficerbuddy?”heaskedcurtly.
Shedidn’tdareanswerthat.Sheclearedherthroat.“He’sbeenagoodfriendtous,Colby.”
He hadn’t. It ate at him like acid. He hated knowing how much she’d suffered since their brief
marriage.Itwasn’thisfault,notreally,butithurthimjustthesame.Ifhe’dbeenaround,he’dhave
donewhathecouldforher,despitethewaythey’dparted.
“Youusedtohavehorses,didn’tyou?”sheasked,tryingtodiverthim.
“Yes, some years ago I bred quarter horses on a ranch in north Texas and had a man who showed
them for me. We won ribbons,” he said. “My father raised them in Arizona when I was a boy. He
wasn’t keen on quarter horses. He had a herd of Appaloosas. He bought and sold them to put me
throughschool.”
He didn’t like speaking of the old man. He had some regrets about the distance that had separated
them.
Bernadettestartedtospeak,butaquicklookfromhermothermadeherkeepquiet.
“Youstillride?”sheaskedcarelessly.
Heglancedathercoolly.“Ihavetomountoffside,butyes,Istillride.”
Sheflushed.“YouknowIdidn’tmeanitthatway.”
Hegrimaced.Hiseyeswentbacktothehighwayaheadofthem.“I’msensitiveaboutit.”
Sheglancedattheprosthesis.Itwastheoneshe’dhelpedhimputonearlierintheweek.Sheblushed
assherecalledwhathadhappenedinhisapartment.
Hesawit,andbegantorelax.Helikedherresponsetohim.Itwassurprising,consideringhowbadly
he’d hurt her. Impulsively his right hand slid over hers where it lay in her lap. He felt it jerk with
surpriseashelinkedhisfingersintohers.Hepressedthemhungrilyandfelt,delighted,thereturning
pressureofherownhand.Shelookedathim,hereyesfaintlyhungry,herlipsparted.Helookedback,
achingtodomorethanholdherhand.
“Lookout!”Bernadettecalledfromthebackseat.
Colby’seyeswentbacktotheroadandheswervedtoavoidrunningofftheroad.“Thanks,tidbit,”he
said,laughingashemethereyesintherearviewmirror.“Igotdistracted.”
Shegrinnedback.“Isitfar?Arewealmostthere?”
“Almost,”helied.Itwasanotherhalfhour.Hedidn’tletgoofSarina’shand,though.Infact,heheldit
eventighterashedrove,thewheelheldquiteeasilyintheprosthetichand.
BernadettegaspedwhenhepulledupinCyParks’syard.“But,thisiswhereRodrigobringsus!”she
exclaimed.“Mr.Parkshasaprettypintohorsethatheletsmeride!”
Hescowled,meetingSarina’ssurprisedgaze.“RamirezknowsCy?”
Sheswallowed,choosingherwordscarefully.“Theymetafewmonthsagoandmadefriends,”she
lied.She’dhavetogetCytoonesideandcautionhimnottotellColbywhatheknewaboutRodrigo.
“IthoughtRamirezwasfromMexico.”
“He,uh,workedinJacobsvillebriefly,”shelied.
Shewashidingsomething.HestaredatherforalongmomentuntilheglimpsedCycomingdownthe
stepstomeetthem.
“Gladyoucouldcome,”Cysaid,greetingthem.“Sothisiswhoyourguestsare!Asithappens,this
isn’t their first time on the place.” He grinned at Bernadette. “Long time no see, sprout,” he teased,
rufflingherthickhair.“I’llhaveHarleysaddleBeanforyou.”
“Bean?”Colbywonderedaloud.
“She’sapinto,”Cydrawled,grinning.Helookedoverhisshoulder.“Hey,Harley,howaboutsaddling
Bean and Twig for these two, and Dusty and King for Colby and me? I need to talk to Colby for a
minute.”
“Surething,”Harleycalledback.“Hey,Bernie,comeonandI’llshowyouhowtodothatdiamond
hitchagain.”
“CanI?”sheaskedhermother.
“Goahead,”Sarinasaidwithasoftsmile.
BernadetterantojoinHarleyinthebarn.
“We’vegotasituationhere,”Cybegan.“TheoldLopezwarehouseisstillinoperation.IhadEbScott
putasurveillancecameraoutthere.I’vegotsomeinterestingtape.”HenoticedColby’ssuddenglance
atSarina,andadded,“Sarina,Lisa’smakingcoffeeinthekitchen.Wouldyouliketogoandtalkto
heruntilwe’rereadytogo?”
Sarinahadtohideasmile.Cywastryingnottoblowhercover.“Okay,partner,”shedrawled,“I’llgo
hideoutwiththewomenfolk.Ifanyvarmintscomegrowlingaround,youjustletmeknowandI’ll
chase’emoffwithmypetticoat.”
“Sassy,”Colbymurmuredinadeep,sensuoustone,hisdarkeyestwinklingather.
She grinned back. “Just being helpful,” she replied, giving Cy a speaking glance about being
relegatedtothesidelines,withherhistory.Cyknew,butshedidn’tdareletColbyknow.Notyet.
CYTOOKCOLBYintotheofficewherehissurveillanceequipmentwaskept.Hemovedswitchesand
indicatedacomputerscreen.Severalmen,andawoman,werespeakingSpanishinwhatlookedlikea
heatedencounter.
Colby’seyesnarrowedashetranslatedmentally.“They’retalkingaboutabigcocaineshipmentthat
they’vegotconcealed.It’sstillinHouston.Theywanttobringithere,buttheycan’tfigureouthow
to.”
“They’re also considering trucking it down, but one of the others thinks that’s too conspicuous. He
wantstodoitinold,beat-upvanswithlotsofkidsinside.”Cy’sfacehardened.“That’ssick.”
“It’sjustbusiness,tothem,”Colbyreplied.
“I’m going to keep the tape running and have some of Eb’s men monitor it around the clock,” the
oldermanmused.“NowayamIgoingtoallowdrugsmugglerstofindasafehavenrightbesidemy
ownland!”
“I’vegotoneoftheircolleagueswired,”Colbytoldhim.“AndI’mgettingdataofmyown.I’llshare,
ifthere’sanythingofvalue.”Hiseyesnarrowed.“HowisitthatyouknowRodrigo?”
Cy’seyebrowslifted.“ImethiminHouston,”hesaidwithastraightface.“IknowEugeneRitter.He
wasintheofficeoneday.Westartedtalkingandfoundwehadalotincommon.Heaskedifhecould
bringSarinaandBernadettedownwithhimtoridehorsesandIsaid,sure.”
Colbyhadbeenincovertopsforalongtime,andheknewCyfromtheolddays.Heknewwhenhe
wasbeingconned.
“JustacceptwhatI’mtellingyou,”Cysaidfirmly.“Everythingwillbecomecleardowntheroad.”
Colbygloweredathim.“Ifeellikeadamnedmushroom.”
“It’sniceinthedark,”Cymused.“I’vebeenthereseveraltimesmyself.”
Colbyshookhishead.
TheyrodedownthesamewoodedpaththatColbyandCyhadriddenweeksearlier.Thefoliagewas
turningtoredsandgoldsandoranges.
“Iloveautumn,”Colbymurmuredaloud.
“It’smyfavoriteseason,too,”Sarinaconfessed.
“Reinhiminalittle,baby,”ColbycalledtoBernadette.“Youdon’twanthimtorunawaywithyou.”
“Yes,Ido,”sheteased,grinning.“Ifhetriestorunaway,I’llbendhim.”
Colbypulledinhismountandsmileddelightedlyatthechild.“Youknowhowtodothat?”
“Sure. I pull him around with one hand and one leg, and bend him when he tries to take off
unexpectedlyandrunawaywithme.IlearneditfromoneofCy’smen,whousedtotrainhorses.”
Hegrinnedback.“Andwhatdoyoudoifherears?”
“Holdontohismanewithmyhandsandhisbackwithmykneesuntilhecomesdownagain.Gravity
isourfriend,”sheteased,laughingwithherdarkeyesaswellashermouth.
“Daredevil,”heaccused.
Sarina,watchingthem,wassoawareofthesimilaritiesbetweenthemanandthechildthatshehadto
fighttears.ItwasacutelypainfultoseewhatBernadettehadmissedinheryounglife.Rodrigowas
kindtothem,andBernadettelovedhim.Buthewasn’therfather.ShewonderedifColbyrealizedwhat
achangedmanhewaswhenhewasaroundBernadette.Helaughed,heteased,heplayed.Themanshe
remembereddidthosethingsrarely.Inthepastfewweeks,sincehe’dcomebackintoherlife,he’d
beenacold,unfeelingstranger.Buthere,withthechild,hewasverydifferent.
Colbysawherwatchinghimandfrowned.“Somethingwrong?”heasked.
Sheforcedasmile.“Nothing.”Sheturnedherattentionbacktothetrail.
Onthewaybacktotheranch,ColbyandCyexchangedmischievousglances,dugintheirheels,bent
overtheirmounts,andracedtothegate.BeforeCyhadtimetodetouraroundit,Colbyhadjumped
thefenceandwasreininginatthebarn.
“Slowpoke,”hetoldCy.
Theothermanchuckledasheswungdown,breathinghard.“AndyoucalledBernadetteadaredevil!”
heaccused.
“Ihaveafriendwho’dhavejumpedthegate,insteadofthefence,”hereplied,indicatingthelackof
spacebetweenthegateandthelogooftheranchonaboardaboveit.
“You’dhavedoneityourselfafewyearsago,”Cychuckled.
Colbyshrugged.“I’mtryingtosettledown,”hedrawled.HegaveSarinaapointedglanceashesaid
it,andnotedwithdelightthefaintcolorinhercheeks.
THEYHADANEARLYLUNCHwithLisaandCyandthenclimbedintotheSUVforthedriveback
toHouston.
The earlier intimacy seemed to have drifted away. Sarina was pleasant, but reserved. He felt the
coolnessbetweenthemandwonderedwhathadcausedit.
Sarina was unusually quiet on the ride home. He dropped them off at their apartment. Bernadette
grinned at him and thanked him for the trip, rushing off inside to watch a television program she
liked.
Sarinastoodonthedoorstepwithhim,hesitantanduneasy.HeandBernadettewerefindingmoreand
moreincommon,andtherewasavisibleaffectionbetweenthem.Whatifheaskedtherightquestion
and the child blurted out an answer? How was Colby going to react? There was one other
complication, too. He had no idea what sort of work she did, and she knew already that he wasn’t
goingtoapproveofit.Shewastryingnottolookback,buthe’dhurtherbadlyintheolddays.The
new passion between them was dangerous. She didn’t want to risk her heart on him again. She’d
backedoffinself-defense.
Shemanagedasmileasshelookedup.“Itwasaniceday.Thanks.”
Hemovedclose,tiltingherfaceuptohis.“I’vemissedsomuch,”hesaidhuskily,ashesearchedher
eyesintheporchlight.“Afamily,children.”Hisfaceclenched.“Twomarriages,andI’vestilllived
alonemostofmylife.”
“Lobowolvesdo,”shesaid,tryingtomakeajokeofit.
His arms slid around her and pulled her close. “No. Wolves mate and protect their cubs, and their
mates.” He bent and kissed her gently. Her mouth was cool and unresponsive. “What’s wrong?” he
askedquietly.
Sheswallowed.“Coldfeet,”sheconfessed.
He looked at her long and hard. After a minute he stepped back. “Yes,” he said. “I know what you
mean.”Hewasthinkingaboutallthethingsshedidn’tknowabouthimandthelifehe’dled.Hewasn’t
beinghonestwithher.Perhapsshesensedit.“Well,goodnight.”
Shemanagedasmile.“Goodnight,Colby.”
Hestartedofftheporch,hesitated,andlookedbacktofindherwatchinghimwithasoul-deeppainin
herdarkeyes.
Hewentbacktoher,framingherfaceinhishands.“Tellmewhat’swrong,”hesaidroughly.
She couldn’t hold back the tears. They ran silently down her cheeks, into her mouth. He bent and
kissedthemaway.
Hefoldedhercloseandheldher,rockinghergently.Hischeekdrewagainstthetopofherhead.She
smelled of roses. They stood that way for a long time. Finally he eased her away from him and
lookeddownatherwithquiet,softeyes.
Hedidn’tsaygood-nightagain.Hewalkedaway.
Shewentinsidereluctantly,andlockedthedoor.
RITTEROILCorporationcelebrateditsfiftiethanniversarywithastaffpartythenextweekonFriday
night.Alivebandprovidedmusic.EugeneRitterhadrentedabanquetroominalocalsteakhouse,
andabuffetwasarrangedonalongtableagainstthewall.Childrenwereinvitedtoattendalongwith
their parents. There were lots of kids. Sarina was amused at them trying to mimic the adults on the
dancefloor.
Shenursedaglassofchampagne.Shehadnoheadforalcohol,soshelimitedherselftoonedrinkon
afullstomach.
Colbyjoinedheratthedrinkstable,askingforatallglassofgingerale.HegrinnedatSarina.“I’ve
beenonthewagonforalmostthreeyears,”heconfessed.“Idon’twanttofalloffagain.”
Shenodded,searchinghisdarkeyes.Hewasstillhandsome.Herheartachedeverytimeshesawhim.
HelookedaroundforBernadetteandfoundherexcitedlytalkingtoNikkiHunterandalittleboy.
“Shemixeseasily,doesn’tshe?”heaskedSarina.
“Notreally.She’scomfortablewithpeoplesheknows,butshe’sshyingroupsshedoesn’tknow.”
“I used to be like that,” he mused. “I still am, to a degree.” He kept staring around the room with
narrow,coldeyes.
Shelookedupathimcuriously.“Whatareyoulookingfor?”
“Ramirez,”hesaidcurtly.
Shehidasmile.“Hesaidhewasgoingtobelate.”
“Hemusthaveneededaquicknap,”Colbymuttered.“Allthattiringliaisonworkmustbehardona
manhisage.”
Sheturnedagiggleintoacoughandcoveredhermouth.
Heglaredather.“He’stoooldforyou.”
“Heisn’t,”shereplied.“He’sjustthirty-five.”
Hisdarkbrowsmet.“Helooksolder.”
Sheturnedhereyestoherdrink.“He’shadadifficultlife,”shesaid,avertinghergaze.
HewasgoingtoquestionthatwhenBernadettewalkeduptohimtrailingNikkiandthelittleboyshe’d
beentalkingto,aswellasthreeotherchildrenofcomparableages.
“Thisishim,”Bernadettetoldthem,pointingatColby.“Hecarriedusboththroughthefloodtohis
truckandthenhedroveustoschool!He’sverystrong!”
TheotherchildrenfollowedherraptgazeandColby’shighcheekboneswentaruddycolor.
“Hecanrideahorse,too,andevenjumpfenceswithit!”Bernadetteadded,herdarkeyeswideand
softastheylookedupathim.Shesmiledshyly.
Hesmiledback.
“Let’sgowatchthedrummer,”thelittleboyenthused.“He’splayingasolo!”
They followed him. Bernadette looked back over her shoulder, grinning at him, as she joined the
children.
“You’reahero,”Sarinasaidamusedly.“Yourescuedusfromthegreatflood.”
Hechuckled.“Well!”NotforworldswouldhehaveadmittedhowittouchedhimtobeBernadette’s
hero.Hesippedgingerale,watchingthecouplesonthedancefloor.HeglanceddownatSarina.“Do
youstilldance?”
Herheartjumped.“Sortof.”
“Sortof?”Hetookhisglassandhersandputthemonanemptycornerofthedrinkstable.
“Ihaven’tdancedinalongtime.”
“NeitherhaveI.Maybewewon’tcrashandburn.”Hepulledhergentlyintohisarmsandfoldedher
closewhiletheyshiftedaroundthefloortothelazy,seductiveLatinrhythmoftheband.
Sarinawasclosertoheaventhanshe’dbeeninsevenyears.Thefeelofhistall,leanbody,thewarmth
ofhisarms,wenttoherheadalittle.Sherelaxedintohispowerfulbodywithatremblinglittlesigh.
Colbyfeltitandhisbodywentrigidwithdesire.Ithadneverhappenedwithanywomanthatquickly,
exceptwithMaureenattheverybeginningoftheirturbulentrelationship.Itshockedhimthathewas
stillsoattunedtoSarina,despitetheiryearsapart.
Shemovedbackalittle,hidinghereyesfromhim.
“Stillshyofme?”hemurmureddeeply,chuckling.“Allright,chicken,I’lltrytobehavemyself.”
Helethershiftherhipsbackfromthepressofhis,butherestedhischeekonhersofthair.
“Themusicisnice,”shemurmuredasthemusicworkedonhermood.
“Soitis.It’sbeenyearssinceI’vebeeninthissortofsituation,”heconfessed.“Idon’tgotoparties.”
“NeitherdoI,asarule,”shereplied.Shehesitated.ShewasrememberingBernadette’sbirthdaythe
followingday.ShehadtoremindRodrigotobringthecakewithhim,becausethebakerywasonhis
waytoherapartment.ShewonderedifitwouldberecklessandstupidtoinviteColby.Sofar,hehad
noideaofBernadette’sexactage.
“You’reveryquiet,”heremarked.Hisfingerscurledintohersandhislipsmovedagainstthetopof
her head. “I’ve been busy this week with internal security upgrades, but we could go down to Cy’s
tomorrowandgoriding,ifyoulike?”
“Ican’t,”shesaidsoftly.
Hestoppeddancingandlookeddownatherwithintentdarkeyes.“Whynot?Coldfeet?”
Sheshookherhead.“No,it’snotthat.”Shegrimaced.“Bernadette’shavingaparty,”shesaid.
“Whatsortofparty?”heaskedsuspiciously.
Shehesitated.
“Well?”hepersisted.
“It’sherbirthday.”
Hewassilentforseveralseconds.“Isee.”
“Iwouldhaveaskedyoutocome,butyouandRodrigo…well…”
“Youdon’thavetospellitout,”hesaid,butherelaxedalittle.Shewasn’ttryingtopushhimoutof
herlifeatall.Helookeddownintoherdarkeyes,andhesmiled.Thearmwiththeprosthesisdrew
hergentlycloser.“SupposeIcomelate?”
Shesmiledback,hereyestwinkling.“Thatwouldbenice.Bernadettewouldenjoyhavingyouthere.”
Henodded.Hisgazefelltohersoftmouthandheeyeditwithpurespeculation.
“Colby,”sheprotestedhuskily.
“What?”hewhispered,andhisheadactuallystartedtobend.
Abighandcamedownonhisshoulder.“Myturn,Ithink,”cameaLatinaccentedvoicefrombehind.
Colbystoppedandturned,hiseyeswide.“Howthehelldoyoudoit?”heaskedicily.“You’relikethe
creepingfog,youappearoutofnowhere.”
Rodrigosmiledicily.“Keepthatinmind,won’tyou?”
He danced Sarina away deliberately, without looking back at Colby, who stood on the sidelines
smolderingquietly.
“Thatwaswicked,”SarinatoldRodrigo.
Hechuckled.“Itkeepshimonhistoes,doesn’tit?Whattimedoyouwantmetheretomorrow?”
“Abouteleven,andareyougoingtobringthecake?”
“Certainly.” His dark eyes narrowed on hers. “You’re letting the rent-a-cop get too close,” he
cautioned.“He’sgoingtostartfiguringthingsoutanydaynow.It’sariskwecan’ttake.”
Shegrimaced.“Iknowthat.It’sjust…”
“Don’tbeafool,Sarina,”hecautioned,hiseyesnarrowingwithconcern.“He’salreadythrownyou
overonceforanotherwoman.”
Herfreehandtracedapatternonhisjacket.“Ihaven’tforgotten.”
“He’sdonesomequestionablethingsovertheyears.”
Shelookedup.“Howdoyouknowthat?”
Heclearedhisthroat.“Cytoldme,”hesaid.“Iwentdowntohisplacetocheckonafewthingstoday.
HesaidthatLanetookyouandBernadetteridingdowntherelastweekend.”
“Cycanmindhisownbusiness,”sherepliedhotly.
Thefuryinhertonecaughthisattention.Itdidn’ttakeamindreadertoknowthatshewasfallingin
lovewithColbyLanealloveragain.Itdisturbedhimthathecouldn’tthinkofanywaytostopit.He
wantedtotellherwhatheknewaboutLane,butitseemedlowandcowardlytofighttheothermanthat
way.Theyweresortofonthesameteam,andheandSarinacertainlywereallies.Itwasn’taltogether
business,either,thatmadehimwanttointerfere.HehadfeelingsforSarinathathecouldn’tcontain.
Lane was a train wreck that threatened to rip his cozy relationship with Sarina and Bernadette to
shreds,andhecouldn’tfindawaytostopit.
“Lane’sbadnews,”hesaidcurtly.
“Iknowthat.”
“Butitisn’tstoppingyoufromgoingoutwithhim,isit?”Hestoppeddancingandlookeddownat
her.
“Sarina,exactlywhendidyouknowhim?”
Shecouldn’tlookathim.“Sevenyearsago.”
Hecouldadd.Andsubtract.Hedrewinalongbreathandmuffledacurseunderit.“He’sBernadette’s
father,isn’the?”heasked,icilyblunt.
CHAPTERSEVEN
SARINA MANAGED to lift her eyes to Rodrigo’s. It was impossible to lie to him. She shrugged.
“Yes.
Buthedoesn’tknow,”sheaddedgently.“Andthere’snousetellinghim.Hissecondwifeconvinced
himthathe’ssterile.Hedoesn’tbelievehecanhaveachild.”
Heletoutalongbreath.“Thatexplainsafewthings.”
“Soitwouldn’tdoanygoodtomentionit,”shecontinued.“Thepastistrulydead.Icouldn’thavea
relationshipwithhimnow,notonlybecauseofBernadette,butbecauseofmyjob.He’dbelividifhe
knewaboutit.”
Hesawthemiseryinherfaceandfeltguiltyforbringingitup.Heshookhergentlyandgrinned.
“Dance,”heteased.“We’reattractingattention.”
“Andwe’redoingitwithoutguns,”sheexclaimedunderherbreath.“Wow!”
“Stopthat,”hemuttered.
“Sorry.Couldn’tresistit.Don’tforgetthecake,okay?”
“You’vebeenremindingmeforaweek,”hepointedout.“Oncewouldhavedoneit.”
“Pointtaken.”
“IhopeshelikeswhatIgother.”
“Whatisit?”
“Oh,no,”heteased.“Itellyou,andyouletthecatoutofthebag.I’mnottellingyouanysecrets.”
“Well,pinaroseonme…!”
A big hand came down on Rodrigo’s shoulder. “And now it’s my turn again,” Colby said, twirling
Sarinabackintohisarms.HegaveRodrigoasmuggrin,whichinturn,infuriatedtheotherman.
Rodrigo’sdarkeyesflashed.“Whydon’tyoutakeyourattitudeandshoveitrightup…!”
“Couldyoucontrolyourself?Therearewomenandchildrenpresent!”Colbysaidwithmockhorror.
Rodrigolookedasifhemightactuallyimplode.Hisolivetanreddenedundertheforceofhisanger.
“Pitiful self-control,” Colby said, clicking his tongue as he danced Sarina away, leaving a silently
cursingRodrigobehind.“Areyousureyouwanttogetmixedupwithamanlikethat?”
Shewouldn’tlaugh,shewouldn’tlaugh…!
Hedrewherheadtohischest,amusedathereffortstohideherreactionfromherLatinfriend.“Don’t
sparehisfeelings,forGod’ssake.”
“You’rehorrible!”sheexclaimedbreathlessly.
Heshrugged.“Itry.Ifyou’regoingtodosomething,youshoulddoitwell,Ialwaysthink.”
Sheletoutalongbreath.“PoorRodrigo!”
“He’llgetoverit,”hemused,smilingdownather.“Theworldisfullofunattachedwomen.”
“Iamunattached,”shepointedout.
Heshookhisheadslowly,smilingdownather.“I’vegotsquatter ’srights.”
Shemetthatsoftgazeandherheartdidaflip.Pastandpresentmerged,andshewantednothingmore
thantobeheldclosetohimandloved…
Thebighandcamedownonhisshoulderagain.“Andit’smyturnagain!”Rodrigopurred,ashespun
Sarinaintohisarmsanddancedheraway.
Colbyglaredafterthem.ButaminutelaterthemusicendedandRodrigohadtostop,becausetheband
wastakingabreak.Hewenttoretrievehisgingeralewithasmuggrin.
HepausedtospeaktoHunterandJenniferforaminute.Whenhelookedaround,SarinaandRodrigo
were missing. Bernadette was still playing with Nicole and the little boy who seemed to be part of
theirgroup.
Curious, he spotted the two against a wall, talking seriously. There didn’t seem to be any romantic
feelingbetweenthem,atleastnotonSarina’spart,andtheylookedassolemnasmorticians.
He managed to move a little closer, his keen eyes going to Sarina’s lips as she spoke to Rodrigo.
Whatagoodthing,hethoughtamusedly,thathewastaughtlip-readingaspartofhiscoverttraining.
Hefrownedashepickedupdisjointedphrases,becauseshekeptturningherheadasshespoke.There
was something about a stakeout, and surveillance, and an upcoming operation in which she was
involved.
It made no sense to him. What sort of operation would involve a clerk in an oil corporation? Had
Rodrigoinvolvedherinsomesortofproject?Worse,hadHuntertakenhimathiswordthatSarina
was cut out for something better than menial work? What if Hunter had her watching the drug
suspects?
Hisheartstoppedatthethoughtthatshemightbeinvolvedinsomethingdangerous.Bernadettehad
nobody except her mother. Surely she wouldn’t risk her life when she had a child to raise? He was
furiousathimselfforevenmentioningSarina’spotentialtoHunter.
Hemovedaway,frowning.HewasgoingtohavetotalktoHunteraboutthat.Sarinahadachild.She
couldn’tbeinvolvedindangerouswork.
Hehadanothersipofgingeraleandwaitedforthemusictostartupagain,butitdidn’t.Apparentlyit
wastimetoleave.Hewasvaguelydisappointed.He’dhopedtohaveanotherdancewithSarina.
Holdingherinhisarms,evenonadancefloor,wasaddictive.Butveryquickly,sheandBernadette
wereheadingforthebackdoor.
Heinterceptedthemoutside.
“I’llseeyoutomorrowafternoon,”hetoldBernadette.
Herdarkeyesbrightened.“You’recomingtomybirthdayparty?”sheaskedexcitedly.
Herenthusiasmwarmedthecoldplacesinsidehim.Hesmiledwithgenuineaffection.“Yes,Iam.But
I’llbelate.Aboutfouro’clock.Isitokay?”
“It’sgreat!”shesaidenthusiastically.
“Ifyouhavecake,”hestipulatedwithmockseriousness.“Ilovecake.”
“Chocolate,asIrecall,”Sarinasaidwithoutthinking.
Hisdarkeyesmethers.“Yes.”
Sheflushed.Shehadn’tmeanttosaythat.
“Andyoulikestrawberryicecream,”headdedwithafaintsmile.
Hereyesdanced.She’dneverimaginedthathe’dremembertrivialthingsabouther.
“Seeyou,”headded.
“Are you two ready to go?” Rodrigo asked, ignoring Colby as he fished his car keys out of his
slacks’
pocket.
Colbygavehimadarklook,whichwasreturnedwithinterest.
“Goodnight,Colby,”Sarinasaid.
“Goodnight,”hereplied,winkingatBernadette.
“Seeyoutomorrow.Atfour,”thechildaddedwithagrin.
“We’llprobablyrunoutofcakebeforethen,”Rodrigosaidblandly.
“Noproblem.I’llbringanotherwithme.”
“Goingtobakeityourself?”Rodrigomutteredunderhisbreath.
Colby glared at the older man. “Sure I am. Did you knit that suit yourself?” Colby added with a
speakinglookattheotherman’sdarkjacket.
“Let’s go,” Sarina said quickly, getting between the two men. She literally led Rodrigo out by one
handjustashehadhismouthopentoanswerColby’smockingtaunt.
COLBYDIDN’TSLEEPwell.SomethingSarinahadsaidkeptnudgingatthebackofhismind.
SomethingaboutBernadette’sbirthday.Resolutelyherefusedtolisten.Hegotupbeforedaylightand
madecoffee.Later,hedressedandwenttothemalltoshop.Hehadnoideawhattogetalittlegirlof
seven. But as he was passing one of the science shops, he stopped suddenly. He couldn’t get the
thoughtofamicroscopeoutofhismind.
He walked into the shop and talked with the salesman about a particularly expensive one that
connectedtoacomputer,sothatspecimenscouldbesavedonCD-ROM.
“It’sabitextravagantforaseven-year-old,”thesalesmansaiddubiously.
“She’snotyouraverageseven-year-old,”camethetongue-in-cheekreply.
He produced his credit card. The store provided a sedate wrapping, but added a colorful ribbon to
offsetit.
With the present wrapped, and secure in the SUV, he went to have a leisurely lunch and then went
walkingaroundthemall.Hewasuneasyaboutwhathe’d“overheard”whenRodrigoandSarinawere
talkingprivately.Somethingwasgoingonbetweenthosetwo,butnothingofaparticularlyromantic
nature.Itwasdrivinghimcrazy.Shewasdrivinghimcrazy.Hekeptrememberinghowshefeltinhis
arms, that morning in his apartment. He’d thought of little else since then. She didn’t hate him. She
wantedhim.Butitwasn’tgoingtobeeasy,gettingherbackintohislife.Shestillhadhiddenfearsof
intimacy, and he had a few of his own. If he got closer to her, and lost control, as he had all those
yearsago…
Heturnedawayfromtheclothingstorewindowhe’dbeenlookinginandwalkedbackdownthemall.
It was almost four. Time to go. He climbed into the SUV and drove toward Sarina’s apartment. He
hopedRodrigowasthere.Hewaslookingforwardtohelpingthemanheadfirstintowhatwasleftof
Bernadette’scake.
THEREWERECOLORFULballoonstiedtothewornwrought-ironrailingonthefrontporch,and
scattered bits of pretty paper and ribbon in the trash can next to the door. He tapped gently and
Bernadette came running to the door, pretty in a pink striped dress with white stockings and pink
sneakersthatlookednew.Shehadajauntychiffonbowclaspedinhernewlyshort,darkhair.
“Hi!”sheexclaimed.“Youcame!”
“IpromisedIwould,”heremindedher,withaglanceatSarina,whowaswashingdishesatthesink.
“Comeonin,”shecalled.“Isavedyousomecakeandicecream.Wantcoffee?”
“Please.”Helookedaround.NoRodrigo.Hegrinnedashetookoffhisjacket.Hewaswearinggray
slacksandalong-sleevedshirtandbluepatternedtiethathighlightedhisdarkgoodlooks.Hedidn’t
often wear short-sleeved things—the prosthesis, for all its realistic look, was more noticeable in
them.
Newlyrepaired,thehigh-techprosthesiswasbackinplace.
“Thisisforyou,”hetoldBernadette,handingherabeautifullywrappedrectangularbox.
“CanIopenit?”sheasked,alleyes.
Hesmiled.“Goforit.”
Sheputitdownonthecoffeetable,frowning.“It’sheavy,”shemurmuredasshetoreatwrappingand
ribbon.
Sarinabroughthiscoffeeinawhitemugandstoodbesidehim.
“You’llthinkI’velostmymindwhenyouseeit,”hesaidwithoutlookingather.Hewasbeginningto
havesecondthoughtsaboutthepresent.“Idon’tknowwhyIboughtit…”
ThelastofthepapercameoffandBernadettelookedathermotherwithquietdismay.Sarinaworea
similarexpression.
Theybothlookedathim,withoutspeaking.
Afaintruddyflushcoloredhishighcheekbones.“Icanreturnit,”hebeganslowly.
“No!”Bernadetteexclaimed,wrappingherarmsarounditwithhorror.
“Then,what…?”hebegan.
Sarinawenttothesmalldeskinthelivingroomandopenedadrawer.Shepulledoutacoloredsheet
andhesitantlygaveittoColby.Itwasacoloradforahigh-techmicroscope;theonehe’djustgiven
Bernadette.
“Itoldherwecouldn’taffordit,”Sarinabeganslowly.Sheflushed.
Bernadettewastouchingitasifshestillcouldn’tbelieveitwasreal.Thereweretearsinhereyes,too.
“I love to go to school because we have a microscope like this in our classroom,” she said. “I go
earlysometimessotheteacherwillletmelookatparameciuminit.”SheturnedtoColby.“Thanks,”
shesaidhuskily,andheldoutherarms.
The expression in her eyes hurt him. That affectionate gesture hurt him. He’d been horrible to the
child,butshehadn’thelditagainsthim.Hewentdownononekneeandgatheredherclose,feeling
hersmallarmstightaroundhisneckasshehuggedhim.Hesighed,kissingherdarkhair.Seven.She
wassevenyearsold.ItwasOctober.
Seven?Hewentrigid.ItwasOctober.Shewassevenyearsold.She’dbeenconceivedsevenyearsand
nine months ago. In January. Seven years ago. He and Sarina had been married in January. Seven
yearsago.
Aflashofpainhithimsohardthatheshuddered.HedrewbackfromBernadettewiththehorrorin
hiseyes.Hismindwasajumbleofhalf-finishedthoughts.Maureenhadlied.Hewasn’tsterile.
Bernadette’sfatherhaddesertedSarinawhenshewaspregnant.Shewasindirestraits,sickandalone,
herfatherhadthrownheroutofherhomebecausesherefusedtohaveanabortion.Thefatherofher
childhaddesertedher.He’d…desertedher!
“Oh,sweetJesus!”hechoked,inatonethatwaspainfullyreverent.
Bernadettelookedathimforaminuteandthenmovedaway.Shewenttoacabinetandpulledouta
photoalbum.
“Bernadette,no!”Sarinasaid,horrified.
ThechildlookedupatherwithColby’seyes.“It’sallright,Mama,”shesaidsoftly.“Heknows.”
Sarinaalmostfellintoachair,hereyeswidewithpainandsickknowledge.
BernadettetookColby’shandandpulledhimtothesofa,andpushedhimdownonit.
“Look,”shesaidinApache.
Hestaredatherhelplessly,seeinghimselfintheshapeofhereyes,hermouth,hernose.Shewashis
child.Hischild!
“Look,Father,”shesaidagaininApache.
Thewordshadpassedbyhisnumbbrain,butnowherealizedthatshewasspeakingtohiminhisown
tongue.Shewasn’tHispanic.ShewasApache.
“Mychild,”hewhispered,inApache.
Shesmiledathim.“Thiswasmygranddaddy.”
Shepointedatthephotoalbum.Ashefocusedonit,herealizedthathewasgoingbackintime.There
was Sarina, very pregnant, smiling with joy radiating from her face. There she was in the hospital,
lookingveryillanddespondent.Thereshewas,withseveralpeopleincludingEugeneRitter,home
from the hospital in a small apartment with lots of presents for the newborn. She was holding
Bernadetteinherarms.Besideherwasanold,stoopedmanwithwhitehairandabiggrin.Hisfather!
HelookedatSarina,shocked.
Shemovedhershouldersuncomfortably.“I’dgivenup,”shesaidhuskily.“Iwasallalone.Icouldn’t
gethelp…fromanywhere.Therewasnofood,exceptwhatmycoworkersbroughtoccasionally,andI
wastooproudtotellthemhowlittleIhad.Icouldn’tevenwork.Thenyourfathershowedupatmy
door,withhissuitcase.Hesaidthatthechildwasagirl.He’dtakecareofmeuntilshewasborn,and
he’dtakecareofheraftershewasborn,sothatIcouldwork.”
“Howdidheknow?”hemanaged.
“Idon’tknow.Hejustdid.Heprovidedforusoutofhissocialsecuritycheckuntilshewasborn.
Eugene Ritter paid my medical bills. He hardly knew me except as an employee, but I’d become
friendswithPhillipandJennifer.Isupposetheytoldhim.”Shemadeagesturewithonehand.“Your
fathercouldcook,andhedid.OnceIwasbackonmyfeet,andcouldgobacktowork,hestayedwith
Bernadette.Yearslater,”shesaid,skippinghernightclassesatcollegeandthenewjobshetooklater,
“whenhehadcancer,Inursedhim.Whenwelosthim,”sheaddedunsteadily,“itwasablow.”
BernadettewaswatchingColbyclosely.Hergrandfatherhadtoldhersomethingtotellhim,andsaid
shewouldknowwhenitwastime.Shewascertainthatitwasn’ttimenow.Themanbesideherwasin
greatpain.Hiseyeswereblindwithit.
Sarinabitherlip,hard.
He looked into her dark eyes, barely seeing them. “Maureen told me nothing about any phone call
fromyou,”hebitoff.“IwasinAfrica…”Hegotupblindly.
Shestaredathim.Hehadn’tknown?
“She convinced me I was sterile,” he said, his voice choked. He looked back at Bernadette, at his
daughter,witheyessofullofpainthattheyseemedblack.“Alltheseyears…”
Sarinagotup.“Colby…”
Beforeshecouldgetthewordsout,therewasascream,high-pitchedandcarrying.
Colby’s first thought was that his pistol was in the glove compartment of the SUV. He was out the
doorinaflash,hiseyessearchingforthesourceofthescream.
Hefounditquickly.Anoldwoman,stoopedandsilver-hairedandbuxom,wasoutsideonthegrassin
front of another set of apartments, pleading loudly in Spanish with a violent young man who was
rainingviolentblowsonherwithbothfists.
Withouthesitation,Colbybrokeintoarun.Sarinaalmosttookoffafterhim,untilsherealizedhowit
wouldlook,andthatshedidn’tdaregetinvolved.
TheboysawColbycomingandlookedupwithaviciouslaugh.HestartedtowardColby,butitwas
alreadytoolate.Colbyaimedaroundhousekickathisheadandbroughthimdown.Herolledandgot
tohisfeet,butbeforehecouldraisehisfists,Colbyaimedanotherkickathisdiaphragmandbrought
himdownagain.Heflippedtheyoungmanontohisback,whippedoutahandkerchief,and,usinghis
kneetoholdhimdownandhisarmsinplace,quicklytiedtheboy’sthumbstogetherbehindhiswaist.
Theboywasscreamingcurses,violentlythrashing,hiseyescloudedandglazed.Sarinawatchedwith
fascination. She’d never seen him in action. Now she realized with a start how professional and
capablehewas.Thelossofpartofanarmhadn’tslowedhimdownonebit.Thatmilitarytraining,
shedecided,neverworeoff.
The boy was still cursing blindly. Drugs, Colby noted with fierce anger. He knelt beside the old
woman,wonderfullygentle.“Areyouallright?”
She was sobbing helplessly. “Why? Why?” she choked. Bruises were coming out all over her bare
arms,herface.
“Comewithme,”hesaidgently,helpinghertoherfeet.“Canyouwalk?”
“Yes,”shewhimpered.
He led her gently back to Sarina’s porch, where she and Bernadette were waiting. “Keep her here,
whileIgetthepolice,willyou?”heaskedsoftly.
“Ofcourse,”Sarinasaidatonce.“SeñoraMartinez,comeinsideandletmecleanyourface.”
“Nopolice,oh,please,”shechoked,pleadingwithColby.“Younounderstand.HeallIgot,todomi
familiaenestepais.Yougivehimtopolice,theyputhiminjail,helearnmuchandneverbethesame
boyagain!Inohavethewords…!”
Colbyheldherhandandassuredher,inSpanish,thathewouldtakecareoftheboyandhewouldn’t
gotojail.Shekissedhishand,herwrinkledoldeyesstillpouringtears.
“I’llbeback,”hetoldSarina,notingherfaintsurprisethathewasasfluentasshewas.
“I’ll take care of her,” she promised, and tried not to worry about him, because he still had the
aftermathofthatterribleshockinhiseyes.
“Iknowyouwill,”hereplied.Hereachedtowardhercheekandabruptlydrewhisfingersbackand
turnedaway.Hehadnorighttotouchher,afterwhathe’ddonetoherlife.
Hewalkedbacktowardtheboy,pullingouthiscellphoneontheway.Itwasgoingtobetrickyifany
witnesseshadalreadydialed911.Hehadtotrusttoluck.
Theboywasstillyellingobscenitiesandstrugglinglikeabeachedfishonthesidewalk.Colbystood
overhim,dialingthephone.
Anolderboycamerunning.HestoppedshortofColby.Hewaswearingabandanaoverhisheadand
hehadtattoosonbotharms.Colbyinstinctivelymovedintoarelaxedfightingstance,justincase.
Theboynoticed.Hehesitated.“YoucometoseeMissCarrington,”hesaid.
“Yes.”
“Youcallingthecops,huh?”heaskedbelligerently.
“No.I’mnot.”
Theboyhesitated.“Thenwho…?”
“What’syourstakeinit?”Colbyaskedcoldly.
“I’mRaoul.He’smycousin,Tito.”Helookedtowardtheopendooroftheapartment.“Youseenmy
grandma?”
“She’swithSarinaandBernadette,”Colbysaid.“She’sprettyroughedup.”
Hegroaned.“Tito,youidiot!”hegroanedattheboy.“Youestupido!”
“Hecan’thearyou.He’sbombedoutofhismind.”
Theboyranahandoverhisface.“She’sgotnobodybutmeandTito.He’shernephew,andhelives
withher,”hesaidharshly.“Hegoestothestoreforherandkeepshersafe.Itoldhimthatstuffwas
poison…!”
Colbyheldupahand.Hehadthemanhe’dphonedontheline.HespokeinfluentSpanish,tellingthe
man that he had a young boy high on drugs, he’d battered his grandmother and he needed help. He
nodded,awareoftheolderboy’swide-eyedsurpriseashecontinuedtolisten.Heanswered,telling
themanwherehewas,andaddingthathe’dbetterbringhelp.No,thepolicehadn’tbeeninformed.He
washopingtheneighborshadn’tphonedforhelp.Henodded,spokeagain,andhungup,closingand
repocketingthecellphone.
“Who’dyoucall?”theolderboyasked.
“A friend of mine. An old…colleague, you might say,” he added with a faint smile. “He runs a
halfwayhousedowntown.He’lltakeyourcousinanddryhimout.Afterward,he’lltrytogethimin
treatment.”
Theolderboyletoutahoarsesigh.“It’smorethanhedeserves,afterwhathe’sdone,”hesaidcoldly.
“Buthe’sfamily,thestupididiot!YousureGrandma’sallright?”
“Goseeabouther,ifyouwantto.I’llwaithereforEduardo.”
“Okay.”Hehesitated.“Thanks.”
Colbyshrugged.“Ifhedoesn’tshapeup,it’sjustpostponingtheinevitable,”headded.“Andnexttime,
hemightkilltheoldwoman.”
“Yeah.Iknowthat.I’llkeepclosetoGrandmaforawhile.AndI’lldowhatIcanforhim.”
He went off in the direction of Sarina’s apartment. Colby stood above the hog-tied drug user and
closed his ears to the profanity. He looked around at darkened windows and a couple of fluttering
curtains.
Thesepeopleknewthatitwasdangeroustoknowmuchaboutcrime.Hedidn’timaginethatthepolice
wouldbecalledin,thistime.
Tenminuteswentbybeforeabeigevanpulledupintheparkinglotbetweentheapartmentunits.A
maninapriest’shabitgotoutwithtwostrongyoungmenandwalkedtowardColby.Hegrinnedashe
heldouthishand.
“Compadre,”hegreeted.“Howlonghasitbeen?”
“Eightyears,asIrecall,”Colbysaid,returningthefirmhandclasp.
“Youlookwell.”
“Sodoyou,exceptforthestrange-lookingcamooutfit,”hechided,indicatinghisoldfriend’swhite
collarthatdenotedapriest.
Eduardochuckled.“Itdidtakesomegettingusedto.”
Colby nodded toward the boy writhing on the ground. “I don’t know what he took. Judging by the
contortionsandtheglazedlook,it’seitheracidorcrackcocaine.”
“Notmuchtochoosebetween,”Eduardosaidwithclinicalinterest,“althoughacid’seasiertokick.”
Henoddedtohiscompanions,whoheftedtheboylikeatigeronapolebetweenthemandcarriedhim
off,strugglingandcursing,tothevan.“We’lltakecareofhim,don’tworry.”
“Whatawaste,”Colbymuttered.
“Drugsalwaysare,”theothermansaidheavily.“Doesitoccurtoyou,compadre,thatourworldis
longonpressureandshortonrelaxation?Toomuchstress,toomuchresponsibility,toomuchworry,
andthisbecomestheanswer.”Heindicatedtheboybeingputinthevan.“Theoldwoman?”
“Willbeallright,”Colbysaid.“She’sonlybruisedandhurt.Butapparentlyhetakescareofher,buys
hergroceriesandlooksoutforher.She’llbealone.”
“We’lldowhatwecantogethimbackonhisfeet.Meanwhile,I’llmakeitmybusinesstokeepaneye
onher.Anyotherfamily?”
“There’sagrandson,he’swiththeoldwoman.Heseemsresponsibleenough.”
“Tellhimwecanprovidewhattheoldwomanneeds.Allhehastodoiscallme.”
“I’lldothat.Thanks.”
Eduardoshookhandswithhim.Heshookhishead,hisblackeyessparkling.“Whatalongtimeago
wemadeourlivingwithviolence.”
“Wewereyounger,”Colbyreplied.Hiseyesbegantolosetheirlight.“Andunaware.”
“Yes.Takecare.Comeandseemewhenyouhavetime.I’llbetIcanstillbeatyouatchess.”
“Youandachessmaster,maybe,”Colbychuckled.“Seeyou.”
Thepriestthrewuphishandandwalkedbacktothevan.
Colbywentbacktotheapartment.Theoldwomanhadbeengivencoffeeandcleanedup.Sarinawas
sittingbesideher,lookingwarilyattheyoungmaninthebandanawhostillheldaclothwithiceinit
tohisgrandmother ’shead.
TheylookedupasColbyenteredtheapartment.
“He’sonhiswaytothehalfwayhouse.FatherEduardosaidthatifyouneedanythingatall,señora,”
hetoldthewoman,“he’lldowhateverhecanforyou.He’sagoodman.”
“Hemustbe,totakemyTitoandsavehimfromjail,”theseñorasaidheavily.Hereyeswereswollen
withtears.“Thankyou,forwhatyouhavedone.”
Colbyshrugged.“Denada,”hesaideasily.
She got up, with her grandson supporting her. “You’re all right, man,” the boy told Colby with a
solemnlook.“Iwon’tforget.”
Colbywalkedoutwiththem.Theboyhesitatedontheporch.“Youneedanything,”hetoldColby,
“anythingatall,youaskme.Anything.Ioweyou.”
Colbymovedcloser,sothatSarinacouldn’toverhearhim.“ThenlookoutforSarinaandthechild.
Thisisadangerousneighborhood.Iknowthatgangsoperatehere.Ican’tbewiththemallthetime.”
Theboygavehimanodd,puzzledsmileandextendedhishand.Colbyshookit.
“Igiveyoumyword,”hetoldColby.“Nothingwilleverhappentothemhere.”
“Thanks.”
The boy managed a smile. “I love my grandma,” he said. He helped her along the sidewalk, back
towardherapartment.
SarinacameoutontotheporchtostandbesideColby.
“He’sgoingtokeepaneyeonthetwoofyou,”hetoldherquietly.“You’llbeallright.”
“Oh.”Shenodded.Hereyesweredarkwithshockandexasperation.“You’vejustaskedtheleaderof
thebiggestgangintheprojectstotakemeonasadependent,andyouthinkit’sallright?”
CHAPTEREIGHT
COLBYGAVEHERanoddlook.
“Didn’tyouknow?”sheasked.
“HowwouldIhaveknown?”hereturned.
“He’swearingthecolorsandtattoosoftheSerpientes,”shetoldhim.
Onedarkeyebrowwentup.Hestareddownatherthroughnarrowedeyes.“Learnedthatatwork,did
you?”heaskedsoftly.
Shehesitatedforasecond.Sheclearedherthroat.“Allright,Rodrigotoldme,”shesaid,avertingher
eyes.
“Theliaisonofficer?”hechided.
“Hehasafriendinlawenforcementlocally,”shesaid,whichwasnolie.
“Isee.”Hedidn’t,buthismindwaswhirlingagainwithnewknowledgeofherandofBernadette.
Bernadette. His daughter. He moved closer to the door and watched the child hooking up the
microscopehe’dboughthertoasmalllaptopcomputer.
“Sheknowshowtodothat?”heasked,surprisedatherintelligence.
Sarinanodded.“She’sverysmartwithelectronics.Like…youwere.”
Heturnedandlookeddownatherwithtroubleddarkeyes.“ItoldHunterthatBernadette’sfatherwas
acold-bloodedbastard,”hesaidhuskily.“Iwasright.Iam.”
“Youdidn’tknow.”
“No. I didn’t know. Maureen never said a word about your phone call.” He shook his head. “I was
blindedbylust,”hebitoff.“IwantedMaureensomuchthatIcouldn’tseepasther.WhatdoIhaveto
show for that marriage? Years of hell, when the excitement wore off. And look at your life, and
Bernadette’s.”Hesighed.“YoutoldmethatMaureenandIwentalongleavingbrokenlivesbehindus.
Ididn’trealizewhatyoumeantuntilnow.”Herflushmadehimfrown.“There’smore?”
Shehesitated.
“You’dbettertellme,”hesaidbitterly.“Itseemstobethenightforconfession.”
But he looked as if he couldn’t take much more. Still, he wasn’t budging. She grimaced. “Maureen
wasmarriedwhenyouweregoingwithher.”
“Married?!”
Sheswallowed.“WhileyouandIweredating,shewasbusytryingtogetaquickiedivorceinReno.
Hefoughtit.Thedayyoumarriedme.”Shecouldn’tbeartolookathim.“He…killedhimself.Soshe
camehomefree,afterall.”
Heactuallyleanedagainstthewallforsupport.Ofallthehorrorsofthenight,thatwastheabsolute
laststraw.Heclosedhiseyes.Hefeltacoldchill.Itwasmistingrainandhewasoutinitwithouthis
jacket.Chillsweredangerous.Hestillhadthefevershe’dacquiredinAfrica,andtheyrecurredifhe
wascarelesswithhishealth,buthewastooupsettothinkabouttherisk.
“Hekilledhimself,”hesaidhuskily.Helookedather,seeingthepainandanguishofherpregnancy
farmorevividlythanhewantedto.“Youlosteverything,almostlostyourlifehavingBernadette.She
grew up without a father. An innocent man died so that Maureen could marry me. And I expected a
happylife,afterallthatdestruction.God!IgotwhatIdeserved.”
Shedidn’tknowwhattosay.She’dhadnoideathattherevelationwouldhithimsohard.Infact,she’d
oftendreamedofseeinghisfacewhenheknewthetruthabouthisdaughter.Butitdidn’tgiveherthe
satisfactionshe’donceexpected.Ithurt.
“Colby…”shebegan,tryingtofindthewords.
Heturnedawayfromher.“TellBernadettegood-nightforme,willyou?”heaskedroughly.“I’vegot
togo.”
“Thankyouforherpresent,”shefaltered.
Hecouldn’tevenanswer.Apresent.He’dmissedherwholelittlelife,madeanenemyofhertheday
they met, and here he was bringing her a single present when he’d missed giving her dozens.
Birthdays,holidays,specialdays,he’dmissedthemall.WhilehewastryingtogetMaureentocome
backtohim,hisdaughterhadbeenlivinginpovertyandgrowingupwithoutafather.Hekeptwalking
blindlytowardtheSUV.
THEWORDSHAMMEREDinhisbrainuntilhethoughthe’dgomad,longafterhewasbackathis
apartment.Hewasgladthathedidn’tkeepalcohol,becausetherewasagreattemptationtoblowyears
ofabstinenceandtieoneon,royally.
Butthatwaylaydisaster.Hetookashowerandfellintobed,soworn-outbythestressofthenightthat
heactuallyslept.Butbymorning,hewasfeverishandsickasadog.
Hetooksomeaspirinandwentbacktobed,certainthatitwasjustachill.ButbylateSundaynight,he
wasdeliriouswithfever.Hecouldn’tevengettothephonetocallforhelp.Infact,hedidn’twantto.If
hedied,maybethepainwouldstop…
“MAMA!Youhavetowakeupnow!”
Sarina opened her eyes immediately, accustomed to having to look after Bernadette during her
attacks.
“Areyouokay,baby?”sheaskedasshesatup.
“I’m fine, but Daddy isn’t,” she replied. “We have to go to him. He’s very ill. Mama, I think he’s
dying!”
“Gotohim…”Shelookedattheclockbyherbed.“Baby,it’sthreeo’clockinthemorning!Ihaveto
getupatseven…”
“Please!”
“But,Ican’tfindmywaytohisapartmentinthedark,”sheargued.“AndI’msurehe’sfastasleep.We
couldcallhim,”sheoffered,becausethechildwasvisiblyupset.
“No!Youhavetocome,rightnow,orhe’sgoingtodie,Mama!”
The urgency in the small voice decided her. Bernadette did seem to know things that other people
didn’t.WhatColbywasgoingtosaywhensheknockedonhisdoorwasunsettling,butsheallowed
herselftobeconvinced.
She threw on jeans and a sweatshirt while Bernadette got into her school clothes and gathered her
books.
“Whyareyoudoingthat?”Sarinaasked,puzzled.
“You’ll have to let me go home with Mr. Hunter and go to school with Nikki,” she said matter-of-
factly.“Daddy’sinreallybadshape.”
“Willhebeallright?”Sarinaaskedreluctantly.
“Yes.Ithinkso,”sheaddedworriedly.
Sarina let out the breath she’d been holding and locked the apartment behind them. There was no
doubtinhermindthatBernadetteknewwhatshewassaying.ShehadalinktoColby.Apparentlyhe
hadonetoheraswell,shethought,rememberingtheexpensivemicroscopehe’dbroughtthechild.
ButshehopedBernadettewaswrongaboutthedangerhewasin.
THE SECURITY GUARD on duty at the gates let them into the apartment complex because of
Bernadette’s tears. He even walked to Colby’s apartment behind the child, who went straight to his
doorwithsereneconfidence—eventhoughshe’dneverseenColby’sapartmentinherlife.
“He’sverysick,”Bernadettetoldthesecurityguardworriedly.
Withagrimace,heunlockedthedoor.“Letmegoinfirst,”hesaidfirmly.
HewentintotheapartmentwhileSarinamentallycompiledalistofgooddefenseattorneys…
Buttheguardwasbacksuddenly,hisfaceworried.“Doyouknowwhohisdoctoris?”heasked.
Shewentinpasthim,almostrunning.Colbywaslyinginhisbedwearingonlyblackboxershorts,
shiveringandwetwithsweat.Hedidn’trecognizeher.Hisskinwasblazinghottothetouchandhis
eyeswereblindwithfever.
SarinajerkedupthephoneanddialedtheHunters’number.Onlysecondslater,Phillipanswered.
“Colby’sverysick,”shesaidatonce.“He’srunningahighfeverandhedoesn’tknowme…”
“Malaria,”Huntersaidatonce.“He’shaditbefore.Golookinthemedicinecabinet.Thereshouldbe
aprescriptionbottleofquinine.”
Shewentintothebathroomandlookedthroughtheusualover-the-countermedicinesuntilshefound
two prescription bottles. One was high-powered pain medication. The other was quinine, recently
filledandfull.
Sheranbacktothephone.“Ifoundit.”
“Seeifyoucangettwoofthemintohim.I’monmyway.”
Shewenttothekitchenandgotaglassofwater.Bernadetteandtheguardlookedonasshegothis
headupandhismouthopenedandforcedhimtoswallowtwoofthetablets.
“It’smalaria,”shetoldtheguard.
“HowdoyougetmalariainHouston?”hewonderedaloud.
“HegotitinAfrica,”Bernadettesaidinaworried,subduedtone.“Hewasinaconflictthere.”
“Awar?”
“Heworkedforthemilitaryuntilrecentyears,”Sarinasaiddully.
“Youcannevertellaboutpeople,canyou?”theguardwonderedaloud.“Buthe’satoughsortofguy.
It’snotallthatsurprising.”
Bernadettereachedoutandtouchedhisdark,wavyhair.“Oh,Daddy,”shesaid,andhervoicebroke.
Sarina reached down and picked her up, hugging her close. “He’ll be all right,” she promised the
child,prayingthatshewasright.Helookedbad.
“His best friend is on the way over,” she told the guard. “Phillip Hunter. They work for Ritter Oil
Corporationwithme.IthinkHunter ’snursedhimthroughthisbefore.”ShedescribedHunter,justin
case.
“I’llwaitforhimatthegateandlethimthrough.Youstaying?”heaskedSarina.
Shenodded.
HeruffledBernadette’shair.“Hopeyourdadgetsbetter.”
“Thanks,”shesaid,wipinghereyes.
He went out, closing the door behind him. Sarina hugged Bernadette close and rocked her. It was
painfultoseesuchahealthy,vitalmanlikethat.Sheknewinstinctivelythattheemotionalshockofthe
daybeforehadhelpedrevivethediseaseinhim.He’dlefthisjacketbehind,anditwascoldandwet
outside,eventoday.SheputBernadettedownandlookedatherworriedly.
“I’mokay,”Bernadettesaidsoftly.“Youmustn’tworry.Icanbreatheallright.”
Sarinaletoutaworriedsigh.“Okay.Didyouuseyourmedicinethismorning?”
“Yes,Idid,whileIwasgettingdressed.”Shesmiled.“Thisnewstuffreallyworks,Mama.”
“Itdoes,doesn’tit?”
Therewasthesoundofavehiclepullingupoutside.Sarinawenttoopenthedoor.
Hunterlookedhalf-awake,buthesmiledather.“Howishe?”
“Bad,”shesaid,notpullingherpunches.“HeknowsthatBernadetteishisdaughter.Hehadseveral
shocksyesterday,andhewasoutinthecoldrainwithoutajacketlastnight.Hegotchilled.”
“That’swhathappenedlasttimehegotit,”Huntersaidonasigh.“Toomuchstressandnorelief.He
won’ttakeadrink.”
“Idon’tblamehim.”
Hunter walked into the bedroom. Bernadette was sitting in the chair by the bed with one hand on
Colby’sgoodarm,singingsomethingsoftlyinApache.
“Noneedtoaskifyouspenttimewithashaman,”Huntermused,havingrecognizedthechant.
Bernadettelookedupathimandsmiled.“Granddaddyusedtosaythatmedicinewasokay,butitnever
hurttosayaprayerwhileyougaveit.”
“Hewasright.”
HuntermovedtothebedandexaminedColby,whowasstillburningwithfever.Hesighedandtook
offhiscoat.“It’sgoingtobealongnight.”
HEANDSARINAtookturnsspongingColbydowntoreducethefever.Huntercalledadoctorwho
wasapparentlyalsoagoodfriend.ThemanlivedinJacobsville,whereCyParksalsolived,buthe
seemedmorethanwillingtodriveuptoHoustontoseeaboutColby.
“Couldn’tyougetsomebodycloser?”Sarinaaskedcuriously.
Hunternodded.“Yes,Icould,butMicah’sknownhimalongtimeandhe’sfamiliarwiththefevers.He
waswithusinAfrica.Infact,hesavedColby’slifebyamputatingthatarmwhenhewasshot.”
Sarina was very still. She was remembering something that she’d heard Cy Parks say, about going
withagrouptoAfricaandfightinginaconflictthere.ShestaredatHunterwithhersuspicionsinher
eyes.
Hewasquick.“Don’tmakeassumptions,”hecautioned.
“YouandCyParkswereinAfrica,”shesaidslowly.“SowasColby.”
“Alotofpeoplewere,andsomeofthemweresanctionedbygovernmentagencies.It’sclassified,”he
added.“Ican’ttalkaboutit.”
“Oh,” she said, relieved. She laughed softly. “Sorry. I was remembering something I heard about a
group of mercenaries who helped restore the government in an African state. Rodrigo told me, in
fact.”
Rodrigohadbeenwiththem,Hunterrecalled,buthewasn’ttellingSarinathat.OraboutColby.When
Colbywantedhertoknowabouthispast,he’dtellher.Ontheotherhand,hewonderedhowColby
wasgoingtoreactwhenheknewaboutSarina’slineofwork…
HeleftherspongingColby’sfaceandchestandcasuallymentionedgoingoutsidetogetsomething
outofhisSUV.Butwhenhegotoutintothedarkness,hephonedMicahbackandwarnedhimabout
sayinganythingtoSarinaaboutColby’spast.
THEBIG,BLONDMANlookedfarmorelikeawrestlerthanadoctor,Sarinamusedasshewatched
himworkingonColby.Butheknewwhathewasdoing,thatwasobvious.
“Well, he doesn’t get any smarter, does he?” Micah mused after he’d given Colby a thorough
examinationandaninjection.“Heknowswhatstressdoestohim.”
“Hey,atleasthe’sgotmalariainsteadofahangover,”Hunterpointedout.
Micah’sdarkeyestwinkled.“Who’sgotthemedicaldegreehere?”
Hunterglaredathim.“IknowmalariawhenIseeit.I’vehaditthreetimesmyself.”
Micah harrumped and closed his medical bag. “As it happens, you’re right, it is malaria. The fever
will break in a couple of days. Keep shoveling quinine into him. I could give you Mepacrine, but I
thinkhe’dratherhaveabuzzinhisearsthanturnyellow.”
“He’dagreewithyou,”Huntersaid,smiling.
“Trynottolethimgetchilledagain,”Micahsaid.HeglancedcuriouslyatSarina.“Areyoustaying
withhim?”heaskedher.
SheexchangedglanceswithHunter.“IguessIam,forthenextdayortwo,”shesaid.
“Keephimwarmandfullofliquids,”hesaid.“Quinineeveryfourhours.Thedirectionsareonthe
bottle.”
“Okay,”shesaid.
Hiseyesnarrowed.“You’renotMaureen.”
Herfaceclosedupandherdarkeyesglitteredangrily.“No,thankGod,I’mnot.”
“Amen,”hereplied,ignoringHunter ’sworriedlook.“Shealmostdestroyedhim.”
“Sarinawashisfirstwife,”Hunterinserted.
Micah’sdarkeyeswidened.“Excuseme?”
“Themotherofhisdaughter,”Hunteremphasized.“ThelittlegirlsittinginColby’slivingroom,”he
added.
MicahfelthisownforeheadandlookedatHunter.“Imustneedalongrest.Ithoughtyousaidhehada
daughter.How,whenhe’ssterile?”
“Heisn’t,”Sarinasaidfirmly.“Andifyou’veseenmydaughter,youcouldn’thaveanydoubts.She
looksjustlikehim.”
“Inoticed.Iwasn’tdoubtingyou,”Micahreplied.“ButifyouknewColbyasIknewhim,”hebegan.
“I’msureyouhaven’tgottimetogointothat,”Huntersaidfirmly.
Micah glanced at him and got the point. “Yes. Right. I do have to get home. Our own daughter is a
yearoldnow,”hetoldSarina.“Nothinglikechildrentomakeamarriagehappy.”
Sarina’sfaceclosedupandMicahgrimaced.
“I’llwalkyouout,”Huntersaid.
“Thanks.”HeglancedatSarinaandsmiled.“He’llbeallright.”
“Thanks,”shesaidsoftly.
Heshrugged.“Allinaday’swork.IlikeColby.”
Shemanagedasmile.“Me,too.”
“Iguessso,ifyouhadachildtogether,”hechuckled,notingherflushashepickeduphisbagand
followedHunterout.
Bernadettejumpedupfromthesofaandrantothebigman.“Ismydaddygoingtobeallright?”she
askedquickly.
Micahlookeddownintotheworrieddarkeyes,solikeColby’s,andhesmiled.“Yes,”heassuredher.
“He’sgoingtobefine.”
“Thankyou,”shesaidwithashysmile.
Heruffledherhair.“You’reverywelcome.Youcangointhere,ifyoulike.”
“Thanks!”shereplied,runningtowardColby’sroom.
MicahglancedatHunterandnodded.Shewas,indeed,theimageofherfather.
WHEN THEY WERE STANDING beside Micah’s Porsche, the physician gave his old comrade a
strangelook.“Whydidyoukeepinterruptingme?”
“Sarinadoesn’tknowaboutColby’spast,”Hunteremphasized.“Whenhe’sready,he’lltellher.”
Heglaredattheotherman.“There’snothingsobadaboutwhatwedid.Wewereidealists.Wedidalot
ofgood.”
“Iknowthat,butyoudon’tunderstandthesituation.She’snotwhatsheseems,”headded,andleftit
there. “Take my word for it, there are going to be fireworks when they know the truth about each
other.”
“Callie and I had our own fireworks,” he said reminiscently. He grinned. “Now we think she’s
pregnantagain.”
“Congratulations,”Huntersaid,grinning.“WethinkJenniferis,too.”
Micahwhistledsoftly.“Mustbethewater,”hemused.
Hunterchuckled.“Maybeitis!”
INCOLBY’SBEDROOM,BernadettesatwithhermotheruntilHuntercamebackinside,alone.She
kissedherfathersoftlyontheforeheadandwenttogetherbooks,becauseHunterwasgoingtodrive
her to his house, to stay with Jennifer and Nikki until her mother was home again. Sarina wasn’t
leaving,despiteHunter ’sbelatedassurancesthathecouldtakecareofColbyifshe’drathergohome.
“Youhaveotherthingsgoingon,”sheremindedhimfirmly.“InursedColby’sfatherandworkedat
thesametime.Icanbesparedforacoupleofdayseasierthanyoucan.”
Hegaveheraknowinglook.“Andyourinterestistotallyindifferent?”
Sheswallowed,avoidinghisknowinggaze.“Hewasmyhusbandonce,”shesaidsoftly.
“Inhismind,hestillis,”Huntersaidsurprisingly.Hemethershockedeyeswithasmileinhis.“Don’t
believeit?MentionRodrigoaroundhimandwaitfortheexplosion.”
Sheclearedherthroat.“Theyjustdon’tgetalong.”
“Bull.He’sjealous.That’spartofwhat’swrongwithhim.”Hewasseriousagainthen.“Listen,thefact
that he met what had to be a major crisis in his life without turning to the bottle should tell you
something. Years ago, a bad day was enough to put him on a roll with a bottle of neat whiskey. He
won’triskaddictionagain,becauseofyouandBernadette.He’dratherdie.”
“Hewon’t…?”sheaskedquickly,thefearinhereyes.
He grinned. “Not Colby,” he replied. “He’s just discovered a reason for living. Lately all he talks
aboutisBernadette.”
“Really?”Bernadetteaskedfromthedoorway,wide-eyed.
“Really,” he told the child. “You can draw and sing like an angel and speak Spanish. He’s very
impressed.”
Bernadettegrinned.
Sarinahuggedher.“BegoodforJennifer,”shetoldher.“I’lltakecareofDaddy.Okay?”
“Okay,”Bernadettereplied.
“Gotyourbreatherandyourrescueinhaler?”sheadded.
Bernadettenodded.
“Offyougo,then.”
“Goodnight,Mama,”shesaid.
“I’llbebackassoonasIgetBernadettesettled,”Huntertoldher.
“Icanmanagethenextfewhours,”Sarinasaidgently.“Youhavetowork.Theycandowithoutme.
I’mnotthatessentialatRitterOil.AndI’mnotthatessentialfortheotherreasonjustyet.”
Hunter grimaced. “Okay, then, we’ll take it in shifts. If it gets really bad, I’ll call Cy and have him
comeup.OrIcouldcallRodrigo…”
She raised an eyebrow. “He’d sponge Colby down with boiling water and give him hemlock to
drink.”
Hunterchuckled.“Rivalstothebitterend.”
“We’repartners,”sheemphasized.
“That’swhatyouthink.Comeon,Bernadette,let’sgo.I’llbebackinthemorning.Needmetopickup
anythingonthewayback?”
“Yes,”shesaid.“Someorangejuiceandaspirin.”
“Willdo.”
HE AND BERNADETTE left, and Sarina sat down in a straight chair beside Colby’s bed. He was
tossing and writhing on the bed, his powerful body wet with sweat, his hair limp with it. His eyes
opened, but they were sightless. When she got up and put a gentle hand on his shoulder to test his
temperature, he groaned. High fever seemed to create pain with the lightest touch. She frowned,
worried.Everybodysaidhe’dbefine,butitwasterribletostandbyandwatchhiminsuchagony.She
feltresponsible.He’dhadsomanyblows,insosmallaspaceoftime.Longago,she’ddreamedof
hittinghimintheheadwiththetruthofhiscruelty.Butnowthatithadhappened,shetooknopleasure
fromit.Hehadn’ttoldMaureentosaythathewantednothingtodowithSarinaandherunbornchild.
Hehadn’tevenknownaboutthephonecall.Hereyesclosedinpain.Maureenhadlied.Thewoman
haddestroyedlivesandwalkedoverbodieswithoutahintofcompassionorregret.
Colby had loved his second wife. She knew that knowledge of Maureen’s cruelty had added to the
emotionalscarshewasalreadycarrying.Ithurthertoseewhatapricehe’dpaidforhisinfatuation
withtheotherwoman,becauseitwaspatentlyinfatuation.Perhapsragingdesirehadplayedapartin
hisdevotiontoMaureen,orpridethatwouldn’tadmittheterriblemistakehe’dmadeinmarryingher.
Herolledoverontohisbackandgroanedagain,hiseyeshalf-closed,hislipsparched.“Thirsty,”he
choked.“So…thirsty.”
Shewenttothekitchenandaddedwatertocrushedicefromtherefrigerator.Shewentbackintothe
bedroom,sittingbesidehimtogentlylifthisdarkheadfromthepillowandlethimsipthecoldwater.
Hemoaned,swallowingthirstily.Shelethisheadbackdownandputtheglassaside.
Thepillowwasslipping.Sheslidherhandunderitandfroze.Quicklyshepulledoutthepistoland
openedthebedsidetable’stopdrawer.Shecheckedtomakesurethesafetywason,andputitinside
the drawer. It was a .40 caliber Glock, probably the one he carried at work, and it was loaded. She
hadn’tsuspectedthathemightsleepwithaweaponunderhispillow,butitwasn’toverlysurprising.
Manyex-militarymenandpoliceofficersdid.
She went to get another basin of water and a clean washcloth and towel. She bathed him with cool
water,pausingtotowelhimdrysothathedidn’tchill.Shedrewtheclothoverhisbroad,muscular,
hair-roughened chest and down to his stomach. He arched sensuously and moaned. She noticed a
sudden change in the contours of his body. Her own skin felt hot. She waited a minute, and then
switchedherattentionstohisarmsandneck.
“Ididn’tknow,”hewhispered,clenchinghisteeth.“Didn’tknow…!”
Shedabbedatthewetnessonhisforeheadwiththewetcloth.“It’sallright,Colby.It’sallright.”
Hemovedrestlessly,hisbreathcomingquickandhard.“DamnRamirez!”hebitoff.“Hecan’t…have
her…she’smine!”
“Colby,”shewhispered,faintlyshocked.
Hiseyesopenedandlookedupintohersblindly.“I’llneverletgo,”hesaidharshly.“Neveragain!My
child…mybaby…sheshouldhateme—!”Hisvoicebroke,andhearchedagain.“Damnme!”
“Oh,Colby,don’t,”shegroanedsoftly,reachingdowntotouchhisleancheek.
Allatonceshewaslifted,rolled,flungontothebedbesidehim.Hethrewalonglegacrossherhips
andlookeddownather,blinking.“Sarina?”hewhispered,dazed.
“Youhavemalaria,”shewhisperedback,reachinguptotouchhischin.
“Malaria.”Hehesitated,breathingdeliberately.“Malaria.”Hiseyesclosed.“I’msoweak…”
“You’llbeallright,”shepromised.“Adoctorcame.Hegaveyoumoremedicine.Itwillpass.”
“So…hot.”Heletgoofherandrolledontohisback.“Sothirsty.”
Shescrambledoffthebedontheoppositesideandwentbackaroundittograsptheglassofwater.
“Here,”shesaid,sittingdownonthebedtolifthisheadagainandofferthewater.
Hesippeditslowly.Heshivered,asthechillsbitintohimagain.“Cold,”hegroaned.“Socold.”His
eyesopenedandhewatchedherputtheglassdown.“Warmme,”hewhispered.“Liewithme.”
Shehesitated,butagainhereachedupandcoaxedherdownontothebedwithhim,wrappingherup
againstthelengthofhim.Heshiveredagain,aharshrippleofmotiondownhisbody.“Holdme.”
Itwasn’twise.Butthen,whenhadsheeverbeenwise?Withalongsigh,shesliddownagainsthim,
hopingthattheembroideryonherneatjeanswasn’tgoingtobetooabrasiveonthebareskinofhis
thighs.Shelethimfoldhercloseandsheslidherarmsunderhisandaroundhim,pillowingherhead
on his shoulder. He shivered one last time and then relaxed with a long, shuddering sigh. Seconds
later,hisbreathingbecameregularandsherealizedthathewasasleep.Sheshouldgetupatonce,she
reasoned.Shemeantto.Butthewarm,tenderclaspofhisarms,thenoveltyoflyingagainsthim,was
toomuchforher.Sheclosedhereyesandslept,too.
THEREWASAMUFFLEDLAUGH.Sarina’seyesslidopen.Therewasabroad,hairychestbelow
hereyesandawallbeyondit.Shewasn’tathomeinherownbed.Shewas…wherewasshe?
Shestartedtoliftherhead,andColby’sfeverbrighteyeswereaboveher.
“Ifyouhaveplanstoravishme,I’denjoyitmoreifyou’dwaituntiltheworstofthechillsandfever
pass,”hesaidinahuskytone,studyingherwithdarkintensity.
Shepursedherlips.“Iguessyou’rewonderingwhatI’mdoinghere,”shebegan.
“Intheapartment,orinmybed?”heaskedwithafeebleattemptathumor.
“Well,both,Iguess.”
Hedrewinasharpbreath.“Igotchilled,”herecalled.“DoIhavemalariaagain?”
“Yes,”shesaid.“HunterandIaretakingturnsnursingyou.Itookhisplaceearlythismorningwith
yourtreatment.”
He lifted an eyebrow and looked down their bodies, locked together under the sheet. “Has he been
sleepingwithme,too?”hemused.
“Stopthat,”shemuttered.
Hesmiledslowly.“Ineverlikedmosquitosbefore,”hemurmured,tracingapathdownhercheekto
herfullmouth.“Butmalariaseemstohaveatleastoneunexpectedbenefit.”
“Youwerecold,”shebeganquickly.
Hecockedaneyebrow,glancingtowardthecoversrolleddowntotheendofthebed.
“Don’tlookatme,”sheprotested.“Youjerkedmedownhereandrefusedtoletgo!”
“AmIcomplaining?”Hebentandkissedhernose.Buttheachingmiserycamebackwithavengeance
whenhemoved.Hegroaned,shuddering.“Foraminute,Ifeltbetter,”hesaidroughly.
Shepulledoutofhisarmsandgotup.“Couldyoueatsomething?”
“Idon’tknow,”heconfessed.“Thefeverseemstobebetter,buttheachingandnauseaisback.”He
closedhiseyes,shivering.
“Maybesomemilk?”
“Ican’tdrinkmilk,”hereplied.“I’mlactoseintolerant.”
“SoisBernadette,”shesaidwithoutthinking.
“Bernadette.Mychild.Mylittlegirl.”Hegroanedagainastheemotionalpaincamebackfullforce.
Shegrimaced,notcertainwhattosay.
Hiseyesopened,bloodshotbutpenetrating.“Whydoyouliveintheprojects?Anddon’thandmeany
bullaboutdiscrimination.”
“Bernadette has asthma,” she said bluntly. “Until just recently, any upset has involved trips to the
emergencyroom.Theyhaveheronanewmedicinethatseemstopreventattacks.Atleast,sofar.
Medicalbillshavecrippledmybudget.”
Hestudiedherquietly.“Ihadasthmaasaboy.Igrewoutofit.Perhapsshewill,too.”Hesearchedher
eyes.“Upsets.Liketheonesshehadwithme,whenIfirstwenttoworkatRitter ’scompany?”
Sheflushed.
Hegroanedagain.“MyGod,thesinsjustkeeppilingup,don’tthey?”
Shesatdownonthebedbesidehim,hereyesquietandsoft.“You’vehadtoomanyshocks.Youhave
tostoplookingback.Bernadettecaresforyouagreatdeal.She’slookingforwardtohavingafather
ofherveryown.Youhavetolookahead.”
Hischestroseandfellheavily.“Coalsoffire,Sarina.”
She smiled gently. “You’re not as bad as you make yourself out to be. You didn’t know what was
goingon.Ididtrytotellyou,”sheadded.
“Ishouldhavegonelookingforyou,justtomakesureyouwerereallyallright,”hesaid.“ButAfrica
changedme.Afterward,Idranksomuch…”
“Butnotanymore,”shepointedout.“Ifanymaneverhadavalidexcusetolookforabottleafterlast
night…”
“I’mtiredofcrutches,”heinterrupted.“Ihaveresponsibilitiesnow.”
Hereyebrowsarched.
Hegloweredupather.“Thefirstorderofbusinessistogetyououtofthathellholeyoulivein.Then
wegoshopping,forbothofyou.”
Sheputherfingersacrosshismouth.“Firstyougetwell,”shecorrected.“Thenwecanargueabout
whetherornotyou’lltakeovermylifeandBernadette’s.”
Hiseyestwinkled.“Lookout,”hemused.“Ilikearguingwithyou.”
“Youthinkyouknowme,dearman,”sheteased.“Butyoudon’t.”
“Thinkso?”Heswallowedanotherburstofnauseaandshiveredagain.“Damneddisease.Ipickedit
upaboutthetimeyouwerecarryingmydaughter.Thereareseveraldifferentkindsofmalaria,butI
got landed with the one type they can’t cure. I’ll always have recurrences if I do stupid things like
standinginthecoldrainwithoutacoat.”
“Youwon’tdoitagain,”shepromisedhim.
Helikedthatassertiveness.Hesmiledthroughthemisery.“Iwouldhavewalkedalloveryouseven
yearsago,Sarina,”hesaidsoftly.“Doyourealizeitnow?”
He was strong-willed, and she’d been submissive and worshiping in her youth. She nodded. “Yes. I
thinkIdo.”
Hefrowned.“HowdidyouknowIwassick?”heaskedsuddenly.
“Bernadettewokemeoutofasoundsleepatthreeinthemorning,”sherepliedsolemnly.“Shesaid
thatyouwereverysickandwehadtocomeseeaboutyou.Shecharmedthesecurityguardintoletting
us through the gate, and then she came like a homing pigeon to your front door. He let us in and I
calledHunter.Bernadette’swithJenniferandNikkifortheforeseeablefuture.”
“Iwouldhaveletmeliehereanddie,”hepointedout,“ifIwereyou.”
Shetouchedhistanned,muscularshoulder.“NotwithBernadettecryinghereyesout,youwouldn’t.
ShesathereandsangtoyouwhileHunterandIgotthedoctor.”
“Chanted?”
“Haveyouforgotten?Hergrandfatherwasashaman,”shepointedout.“Hetaughtherhealingskills.
Ordoyoureallythinkthatquininealonegotyouthroughthenight?”
Hechuckled.“Didyoueverknowwhereshegotthatbeautifulsingingvoicefrom?”hemurmured.
“Mymothersanglikeanangel.SheusedtositbesidemewhenIwassickandchanthealingwords.
ShediedwhenIwassix,”herecalledhuskily.“Myfatherdranktoexcessanddidn’trealizethatshe
had pneumonia. She died while he slept off a three-day bender. I helped my cousins gather her
possessionsandburnthem,aftershewasburied.MyfathercrawledbackintothebottleandIwentto
livewithacousin.Wewereenemiesmywholelifeafterthat.”
“Yes,Iknow,”shesaid.“Hetoldusallaboutit.Heknewwhyyounevercontactedhim.Hesaid,”she
addedhuskily,“thathedeservedit,forlettingherdieanddesertingyou.Healsosaidthatmaybewhat
hedidforBernadettewouldmakeupforit,alittle.”
CHAPTERNINE
COLBYDIDN’TSPEAK.Hiseyesclosed.Hewasfightingchillsagain,andtryingnottoshowhow
Sarina’sexplanationhurthim.He’dnevermadetimetomakepeacewithhisfather.Now,hewishedhe
couldchangethat.Butitwasfartoolate.
Sarinalethimdriftofftosleep,andwhenHuntercamebacklaterthatmorning,shewentbacktoher
apartmentlongenoughtotakeabathandgetachangeofclothestocarrybackwithher.
Colby’sseemingrecoverywasafalsestart.Byafternoon,hisfeverwasupagainandhewashaving
chills and aches again. Sarina and Hunter kept the vigil between them. He went to work briefly, to
make sure the man he’d left in charge at work was doing what he was supposed to. He gave in to
Sarina’s refusal to leave Colby. She took catnaps at the foot of his bed, and ladled medicine and
orangejuiceintohim,bathedhimwhenthefeverwentup,andworriedincessantly.Hemoanedand
talked in his sleep. There was a lot about Africa and some firefight he’d been in. There was more
about Bernadette. He raged and cursed as he lived through some sort of interrogation with what
soundedlikeaterrorist.Noneofitmadesense,unlesshewasrememberinghisgovernmentwork.
SarinatalkedtoBernadetteonthephone,reassuringherthateverythingwasgoingtobeallright.She
only wished she could believe it. She’d never seen a major attack of malaria in her life. She knew
she’dneverforgetit.
Butonthefourthday,Colbysuddenlyralliedandthefeverwentdown.Hewaspastthecrisis,Hunter
saidwithrelief.Now,itwasjustamatterofrestandfood.
Colbybecameawareofthegrunginessofhishairandbodyandhegroaned.Hehadtohaveashower.
Itremindedhimtoomuchofthewayhe’dbeenwhenalcoholhadtakenitstollonhim,whenhedidn’t
careifhelivedordied,orstank.Nowthingsweredifferent.Hehadafamilythathewasresponsible
for.
Hedraggedhimselftothesideofthebedandstoodup,wobbling.Hehadn’trealizedhowweakhe
wasuntilhislong,powerfullegsstartedshaking.
He made it to the bathroom and turned on the shower, leaning against the tiles to stabilize himself
whilehetookdeepbreathsandcursedhisownweakness.
“Whatintheworlddoyouthinkyou’redoing?”Sarinaexclaimed,pausingattheopendoorwitha
cupofcoffeeandaplateofbutteredtoastinherhands.“Iwasbringingyoucoffeeandtoast!”
“Itcanwait,”hesaidhuskily.“Ihavetohaveabath.Canyouchangethebedlinenforme?”headded.
“Sheetsareinthelinencloset.”
Shewentpasthimandturnedofftheshower,puttheseatonthetoiletdown,andcoaxedhimtositon
it.“YoustayrighttherewhileIdoit.”Sheturnedofftheshowerandwenttowork.
Colby sat quietly, amused at her assertiveness. When she came back, his dark eyes were gleaming
withcraftiness,althoughhedidn’tletherseeit.
“I’llwaitoutsidethedoor,”shebegan,“incaseyou’renotasstrongasyouthinkyouare…”
“I can’t stand up in the shower alone, much less prop and bathe with only one hand,” he added,
indicatingthestumpofhisleftforearm.Actuallyhecould,buthehadulteriormotives.
Sheblinked.“Well,”shehesitated.
“You’llhavetoclimbinwithme.Ifit’snottoomuchtrouble,”headdedwithdowncasteyes.“Irealize
thatamaninthisconditionmightberepulsivetoyou.”
Herhearttwisted.“Ofcourseyou’renot!”sheprotestedatonce.
Hefeltlighterthanair.“Well?”
Sheclearedherthroat,hesitating.
Hegotupfromthetoiletseatandmovedtowardher.“Tellme.”
She swallowed hard. “I haven’t taken off my clothes in front of anybody except my doctor in my
wholelife.Notevenwithyou,thattime.Itwasinthedark.”
His face softened magically. “I haven’t, either,” he confessed. “Perhaps you don’t remember that
Apachesareinherentlymodest.Iswamintrunksevenasaboy,whenIplayedintheriverwithother
boys during the monsoon season.” He smiled, recalling how rarely the rivers actually contained
water,onthereservation.
Herstrainedexpressionlightenedalittle.Butshewasstillhesitant.
He moved closer, his dark eyes quiet as they looked down into hers. “I hate feeling grungy,” he
coaxed.
“Besides,I’vegotnicecleansheets.Wouldn’titbeapitytoclimbbackintothemlikethis?”
Shemanagedasmile.“Iguessso.”Herheartwasbeatingdouble-time.Shewonderedifheknew.
Hetracedapathdownhercheek.“Weweremarried,”heremindedher.“Yougavemeachild.”
Shedrewinafatalisticsigh.“Okay.TrynottonoticehowredIget.”
He chuckled, reaching inside the shower stall to turn on the flow and check the temperature. He
unsnappedthe boxers andlet them drop,climbing in under thewater, with hishand propped on the
tilesandhisbacktoher.“Don’ttakelong,”hesaid.“I’mprettywobbly.”Whichwastrue.
Shetookoffherblouseandslacksandshoes,hesitating.Butheswayedandcursedhuskily,andshe
became more concerned than embarrassed. She dropped her lingerie along with her clothes on the
vanity.Shepulledtwodarkbluewashclothsfromthetowelholderandclimbedinwithhim.
Heglanceddownather,hisdarkeyesfascinatedwiththepinkperfectionofherbody,fromherhigh,
taut breasts with their dusky crowns to the indentation of her small waist and the flatness of her
stomach.Darkcolorfloodedalonghishighcheekbonesandhehopedthathewastooweaktolethis
upsurgeofdesireforhershow.
Itwasaforlornhope.He’dbeentoolongwithoutawoman.
Sarina’sgazedroppedshylyfromtheheatofhiseyesandencounteredthemajorphysicaldifference
between them. Color flooded her face as she averted her eyes to the muscular wall of his hair-
roughenedchest.
“Youmusthaveseenacenterfoldfromtimetotime,”hechidedgently.
Sheswallowedasshehandedhimthewashcloth.“Notlikeyou,Ihaven’t.”
Hechuckled,delighted.Helaidthewashclothoveronebroadshoulderwhilehepoppedopenthelid
onthebottledbodywash.“It’samoremasculinescentthanyou’reusedto,I’mafraid,”heindicated.
“Butwe’llmanage.Canyousoapmyclothformeanddomyback?”
“Of…of course.” She took the body wash and the cloth and got to work. His back was broad and
heavily scarred. She winced as she drew the soapy washcloth over the taut muscles. “You carry the
storyofyourlifeonyourback,”shesaidsadly.
He’dforgottenthescars.Hisbodytautened.“Arethescarsdistasteful?”heasked.
“Don’tbesilly,Colby,”shesaidquietly.“Youknowthey’renot.”
Herelaxed.Thelacerationsmadehimself-conscious.“That’ssomething,Iguess,”hesaidheavily.
His insecurity made her feel funny. It was such an odd quirk, in such a very self-confident and
masculine man. She smiled as she drew the cloth down to the taut line of his buttocks. Her hand
hesitated.
“Chicken,”heteased.
Shesighed.“Anatomywasneveroneofmybestsubjects.”
“Thisisaperfectopportunitytopickitup,”hemused.
Shelaughed.Shedrewtheclothdownthebacksofhislegs.Itwasliketouchingwood,themuscles
weresohard.“Youmuststillworkouteveryday,”shecommented.
“Ihaveto.EvenifI’minadifferentlineofwork,muchofwhatIdoisstillphysical.WhenIworked
forHutton,Ihadtogoafterthievesandeventerroristsatimeortwo.Wehadafirefightwithagroup
ofwould-beassassinsbarelythreeyearsago,rightoutsideWashington,D.C.”
Shegnawedherlowerlip.“Ididn’trealizeitwasthatrisky.”
“It’sonlyriskyifyouletdownyourguard,”hecommented.“Idrankheavilyintheolddays.Iforgot
severaldosesofquininewhenIwasinAfrica,whichiswhyIgotmalariathere.It’salsohowIlost
myarm.”
“Butyoudidn’ttakeadrinkatallafteryoufoundoutaboutBernadette.”
Hischestexpandedonalongbreath.“Icouldn’tdothattoher,”hesaidhuskily.“I’mnotmuchofa
father,Sarina,butI’mnevergoingtotakeanotherdrinkandputheratriskinanywayatall.Her,or
you.”Heturnedaround,hiseyesdarkandsomberastheymetherswiththeshowersprayallaround
them.Hetooktheclothfromher.“Myturn,”hesaidhuskily,andwenttoworkonherownbody.
Her breasts tautened instantly, from the brush of his hand and the abrasion of the cloth against her
skin.
Sheflushedaswell.
“Youaren’tusedtobeingtouched,”hesaidsoftly.
“I’mnot,”sheagreedinanunsteadytone.
Hesmiledslowly.“Thepoorliaisonofficer.Nowonderhehassuchaleanandhungrylook.”
Theflushworsenedasheworkedhiswaydownherflatbelly.“Idon’t…feellikethatwithRodrigo.”
Theclothhesitated.Hemethereyes.“Ever?”
“Ever.”
“Youfeellikethatwithme,”headdedquietly.
“You’resureaboutthat,areyou?”shemused,tryingtomakelightofit.
Hishandmovedagain,spreadingsoapandscatteringnervesashewatchedherface.“Yes.I’msure.”
Heturnedhergentlytodoherback.Thefeelofhimbehindher,thesprayofthewater,theintimacyof
whattheyweredoingmadeherfeelswollenallover.Shewantedsobadlytoturnaroundandpress
herbodyhardagainsthis.Thedesirewasalmostpainful.
He was experienced enough to know it, but he wasn’t going to risk rushing her. He handed her the
washcloth,sothatshecouldrinseandhangit,andhereachedforthebottleofshampoo.
Heeasedherbackintotheshowersprayand,holdingthebottlecapinhisteeth,squeezedshampoo
directlyintoherhair.Hereplacedthebottlecapandbegantoworktheshampoointoherlong,wet
blondhairwithhisfingers.
“Youmanagethatverynicely,”shecommented.
Hechuckled.“Youlearnhowtocutcornerswithadisability.”
“Ofcourse.”
Heguidedherbackintothespraytorinseherhair.Thenheexchangedplaceswithheranddrenched
hisownhair.“Yourturn,”hesaid.
Shesqueezedshampoointoherhand,replacedthebottle,andthenrealizedthatshe’dhavetostandon
tiptoetogettohishair.Hewasmuchtallerthanshewas.Shefoundthatitinvolvedanintimacythey
hadn’tsharedsincethenightthey’dcreatedBernadette.
Hisreactionwasalittledisconcerting.Thesecondherbreaststouchedhischest,assheliftedagainst
himtoshampoohishair,hewenttautandgroanedaudibly.
She froze in position, her hands in his hair, her eyes faintly surprised as they met the glitter of his
own.
“Ihaven’thadawomaninalongtime,”hegroundout.
Shestillhesitated.“Isthis…painful?”
Hishandslidtothebaseofherspineandpulledherhardagainsthim.“Thisis,”hesaidhuskilyasthe
threatofhisbodypressedhardintoherbelly.
Herlipsparted.Sheshiveredattheblatantcapabilitythatwasjustfaintlythreatening.
“YouhadBernadettenormally,didn’tyou?”heaskedinastrainedtone.
Shenodded.
Hischeekbonesflushedagain.“Maybeyoucouldtakeallofmewithoutpain,afterthat,”hesaidina
soft,sensuoustone.
Eroticimagesfloodedhermind.Shewasalreadyvibratingwithdesire,thisclosetohim.Thelookon
hisface,addedtothevividimagesofthestatement,madehercolorandafaintshudderthathecould
feeleasedthroughherbody.
Hebackedintothesprayofwater,rinsingthesoapoutofhishair.Secondslater,hebent,andhishard
mouthmovedverygentlyagainstherpartedlips.Hewashesitant,carefulwithher.Hebrushedather
upperlipandslidjustthetipofhistongueunderit,teasing,arousing.Onepowerfulleginserteditself
slowlybetweenhersinasensualmotionthatmadeherwanttoeasehispassage.Herlegsslippedapart
andshegaspedasshefelthimmove,sothathisbodywaspressedintimatelytoherown.
He felt her immediate response. His mouth opened and hardened urgently on her soft mouth. She
moanedasthekissbuilttounmanageableproportionsandherbodybegantoshiverwiththeforceof
herhungerforhim.
Hedrewback,turningofftheshower.Hereachedfortowelsandblottedthemoisturefromherbody
whileshedidthesameforhim.Hehandedherthehairdryerwordlessly,hiseyesmakingthreatsand
promiseswithequalblatantmeaning.
Shecouldbarelybreathe.Therewasalingeringfearofrememberedpain,butherbodydidn’tcare.
Sheachedtolieinbedwithhimandlethimdoanythinghelikedtoher.
Andheknew.Itwasinthetautlinesofhisbody,theglitterofhisdarkeyesasshefinisheddryingboth
hiswavydarkhairandherownlongblondtresses.Hetookthehairblowerfromherandunplugged
it.
Shemadeonehesitantmovetowardherclothing.Heblockeditbypullingheragainsthim.
Shecouldn’tresisthim.Curiosityanddesiremixed,makingherhelpless.
“Itwon’thurt,”hebitoff.“Comehere.”
He kissed her hungrily, his mouth urgent and ardent on her own. His hand caressed her, testing the
softweightofherbreasts,thesoftnessofherskin.Hepulledhismouthfromhers,bentandputhis
lipsoverahardnipple,easingitcompletelybetweenhislips.
She gasped out loud and arched toward him. The pleasure was maddening, narcotic. She couldn’t
stop.
Shedidn’twanthimtostop.Desireseepedintoeverycellofhertautbodyashismouthfoundhersoft
belly.
Seconds later, he had her by the hand and he was pulling her along with him to the bedroom. He
barelyhadthepresenceofmindtocloseandlockthedooronhiswaytothebed.
“Colby, we…shouldn’t,” she faltered as he eased her down on her back and followed her onto the
cleansheets.
“I would try to be rational,” he whispered as his mouth began to work its way down her soft, taut
body.
“ButIdon’tthinkIhavetime…Sarina!”
Itseemedalmostindecent,thewayhetouchedher,theachinghungerofhismouthonherskin.
Pleasure built on pleasure as she writhed under his expert touch. It had never been so urgent, so
desperate,noteveninthefirstfewecstaticminutesoftheirweddingnight,beforehehurther.
Despitehisownachingneed,hewasslowandtenderwithher,makingsurethatshewascompletely
arousedandreadyforhimbeforeheeaseddownoverhertremblingbody.
“I won’t hurt you,” he whispered at her mouth as he moved into complete intimacy with her. “No
matterwhatittakes.Trustme.”
Hernailsbitintohisbroadshouldersasshefelthimteasing,pressing,penetratingsoftly.Heliftedhis
headandlookedintoherdark,frightenedeyes.
“I wouldn’t deliberately hurt you to save my own life,” he whispered tenderly. “I won’t take my
pleasureattheexpenseofyours,either.Especiallynotnow.”Hiseyesclosedonawaveofpleasureas
he moved higher against her and felt her gasp and pull at him. “You gave me a child,” he bit off,
shudderingwithpleasure.
Thefeelofhimstretchingherintimatelywasadelightbeyondexpression.Hershortnailsbitintohis
shoulders as she arched her hips toward his, enjoying the contact as it became more and more
intimate.
In spite of his reassurances, she’d expected some pain. There was none. Only pleasure that fed on
itselfashismotions,tenderandslow,becamerelentlesslymoreintimate.
“Allright?”hewhispered,smilingashefelthereagerresponse.
“It’s…incredible,”shechoked,shiveringwitheveryslowthrust.
“Andwe’vebarelystarted,”herepliedhuskily.
Hereyesopenedwide.Barelystarted?Thepleasurewasalreadytakingher.Shewasreachingtoward
somethingintangible.Therewasahighplace,somewhereabove,andshestrainedtoreachit.Shesaw
him,buthistautfacehardlyregistered.Shewasintentonthedeepmotionsthatbegantospiral,the
tensionthatgrewuntilshewasopenlyshudderingwitheveryliftandfallofhisleanhips.Hermouth
opened soundlessly and she moved with him, aggressive now, demanding, as she tried and tried to
reachthathighlevelofdelightthatwassurelygoingtokillher.
“Slowly,”hewhispered,hishandstayingherthrashinghips.“There’snorush.”
“I’mdying,”shechoked,sobbing.“Please…!”
Hesmiled tenderly. Shehad no ideawhat was about tohappen. She thoughtin terms of momentary
satisfaction.Hewasthinkingbeyondthesefewsecondstothenextfewminutes,ashetaughtherthe
soft,rockingmotionthatescalatedthepleasuresecondbythrobbingsecond.
Restingonhiselbow,barelyawareofthemissinghandinhisblindpassionforher,hishandmoved
betweenthemintointimacy.Hetouchedher,strokedher,whilehishipsleveredevencloser.
Shestaredupathimincredulouslyasthesoftmotionofhisfingersshotherrightovertheedgeof
sanityintoahot,swirlingagonyofsatisfactionthatshesobbedoutagainsthiswarm,hardmouth.
Herbodyrelaxedandshestaredupathim,embarrassed.
Heshiftedallatonce,movedhigheronherbody,andhersensitizedfleshreactedwithanevenmore
explosiveclimaxthanhe’djustgivenher.Sheconvulsedunderhisdelightedgaze,bothhandsgoing
tothebackofhispowerfulthighstoholdhimtoher,tourgehimevencloser.
Hewassweating.Hewasstillweak,andhislegswereshiveringwiththetensionandtheexpenditure
ofenergy.Butforthelifeofhim,hecouldn’thavestopped.
“Please,”shesobbedagainsthismouth.“Closer…!”
“Risky,” he whispered back, but he wanted to be closer, too. He hesitated, reached for a pillow and
pushed it under her hips. The elevation pushed her over the edge again, almost at once. He felt her
bodyaccepthim,theheatandsoftnessofitenvelopinghim,embracinghim.Hecouldn’tholditany
longer.
Hedroveforhisownfulfillmentinablind,tautagonyofmotion.Hefeltittakehim,whiphisbody
intoatensionthatfeltasifitcouldbreakbones.Then,inablazeofecstasy,itthrewhimupintothe
starsinamaelstromoffierydelight.Hecriedoutendlesslyashispowerfulbodyconvulsedoverand
overagaininthecradleofhersoftness.
Shewatchedhim,fascinated.Herownbodywaslanguidnowwithsatiety,butshestillrespondedto
the fierce motion of his hips. The abrasion brought yet another climax, more powerful and
frighteningthanalltheothersputtogether.Shesobbedandmoanedastheexquisitepulsingwenton
andonandon.
Finallyhecollapsedheavilyonherdampbody,gaspingforbreath.
Shecradledhim,blindwithfulfillment,aliveasshe’dneverbeeninherlife.Theweightofhimwasa
pleasure so deep that she shivered with it. There had been no pain, none at all; only an ecstasy that
she’dneverdreamedexisted.
“Areyouallright?”hewhisperedatherear.
“Oh…yes,”shechoked.
Heliftedhishead.Hishairwasdamp,likehers,buthisfacewasmorerelaxedthanshe’deverseenit.
Hiseyesweresoftanddark,intensewithfeeling.Hecouldn’tfindtherightwordstoexpresswhathe
wantedtosaytoher.Hebentandtracedhermouthtenderlywithhislips.Hekissedhercheeks,her
forehead,herclosedeyelids,withbreathlessaffection.
Sheshivereddelicately.Everytimehemoved,thepleasurebitintoheralloveragain.Shebeganto
shiftunderhim,tobringitback.
Helookeddownatherquietlyandcaughtherhipinasteelyclasp.“No,”hewhispered.“Itwillmake
youverysore.Wehavetostop.”
Shecoloredandstilled.“Sorry…”
“I’dkeepitupforhours,ifIcoulddoitwithouthurtingyou,”hebitoff,hisdarkeyessmoldering
withpassion.“Ilovewatchingyou.Butitwillbepainfullater.”
Shedrewinalongbreath.“I’m…newtothis.”
“Iknow.”Hesaiditwithheartfeltfeeling.Hekissedhereyelidsshut.Hisownbodyshiveredfaintlyas
hebegantowithdrawfromher,verycarefully.Herolledontohisbackandshuddered.“Justanhour
agoIthoughtIwasdisabled.”
Sheliftedherselfontoanelbowandlookedathislean,smilingface.“Excuseme?”
His eyes opened, quiet and soft. “I haven’t made love since I lost part of my arm,” he explained
simply.
“Iwasafraidto.Ididn’tknowifIcould,withouttheprosthesis.”
“Thatwasalongtimeago,”shesaid.
“Yes.”Therewereoceansofmeaningintheword.Heliftedaneyebrow.“YouandIfittogethervery
nicelynow.”
Shecolored.“Inoticed.”
Hestretchedachingmusclesandshivered.“I’mnotasinshapeyetasI’dliketobe,”heconfessed.
Her fingers went to his hard mouth. She traced it tenderly. “I hope this doesn’t set you back,” she
worried.
“Iwouldn’tcareifitkilledme,”hemused.“Itwouldhavebeenworthit.”
Shesearchedhiseyescuriously.“Itwasn’tlikethisbefore.”
“You were afraid of it, before,” he replied quietly. “And a virgin.” He winced. “And I wasn’t cold
sober.Itstillhurtsme,toknowhowmuchdamageIdidtoyou.”
“It was a painful time for both of us,” she replied. Her fingers traced his arm down to the missing
forearm.“Isit,well,normal,tofeelsomuch…?”
“Normal,butnotusual,”hetoldher.Hisfacewassolemn.“I’veneverfeltanythingthispowerful.Not
withanyone.”
Thatmadeherfeelbetter.Shesmiledsoftly.
Heshiftedontohissideandpulledheragainsthim,drawingthesheetoverthemwithalongsigh.“We
couldbothusesomesleep,”hesaidsoftly,reachingforthelight.
“But…”
“Butwe’renotdressedanditisn’tbedtime.Iknow.”Hechuckled,foldinghercloser.“Humorme,I’m
sick.”
Sheslidonelonglegagainsthisandsighed.
“Quitthat,”hemurmuredsleepily,“I’mspent.”
Shesmiledagainsthisshoulderandclosedhereyes.Inseconds,shewasasleep.
AFTERTHEYWEREDRESSEDandhavingsoupathiskitchentable,shefeltguiltyandashamedfor
whathadhappened.Despitethefactthatthey’dbeenmarriedonce,theyweren’tnow.Herconscience
hurt.
Henoticedherdowncastexpressionandwasuncertainofthereasonforit,untilherememberedhow
spontaneoustheirboutofpassionhadbeen.Hegrimaced.
Shesawit,andfrowned.“What’swrong?”sheasked.
“Iwascareless.”
Shehadn’trealizedituntilhespoke.Herlipspartedonasoftbreath.“Oh,dear.”
Hereachedacrossthetableandcaughtherhandinhis.“We’lldealwithwhateverhappens,”hesaid
firmly.“Don’tborrowworries.Okay?”
Shenoddedslowly.
Hesearchedherdark,quieteyes.“We’reonlynowlearningeachother,inallthewaysthatcount,”he
continued.“Wehavetolearntotrusteachother.Nosecrets.Ever.”
Secrets.Shehadahumdingerofasecret,anditwasgoingtochangehisentireperceptionofher.She
wanted to tell him, but she wasn’t allowed to. Besides that, she was hesitant to shatter the new and
delightfulintimacythathadhappenedbetweenthemsounexpectedly.
Shedidn’tknowthathewassilentlythrashinghimselfforhislackofhonestyabouthispast.
“Nosecrets,”sheagreedafteraminute,andsmiledathim.
He smiled back. He had to tell her, he thought. And soon, while there was still time. He hoped she
couldlivewithhispast.
SHEWENTHOMEthatnight,reluctantly,butshe’dleftBernadettealonetoolongalready,andColby
wasmorethancapableoftakingcareofhimself.Shefoundherselfsuddenlycaughtupinawhirlof
activityatwork,withRodrigowatchingherlikeahawkandobviouslydisapprovingofthetimeshe’d
spentwithColbywhilehewasrecuperating.
“He’sgoingtogetsuspicious,”Rodrigowarnedher.
“Thenlethim,”sherepliedmoresharplythanshemeantto.“Thejobisn’tmylife,Rodrigo.”
“Itwas,”hepointedout.
“He’sBernadette’sfather,”shesaidquietly.“Ican’tshuthimout.”
“Can’tyou?”Hisdarkeyesnarrowed.“Andwhatdoyouexpecthe’sgoingtosaywhenhefindsout
whatyoureallydoforaliving,Sarina?”heasked.
CHAPTERTEN
SARINAFELTTHEBLOODrushintoherface.Itwasn’taquestionshewantedtoface.Colbysawher
asacomplacentfilingclerkwithalow-stressjob,ashadowofthewomanshe’dbecomeintheyears
they’dbeenapart.Shewassuddenlyfrightened.Sheshouldhavetoldhim,despitethefactthatshe’d
beensworntosecrecy.Sheshouldhavetoldhim!Itwouldbeworsebecauseshehadn’ttrustedhim.
Ontopofthat,hewasn’tgoingtoliketherisksshetook.He’dthinksheshouldhavegivenitupfor
Bernadette.Perhapssheshouldhave.
Rodrigosawthetormentinherfaceandfeltguiltyforwhathe’dsaidtoher.Hetookalongbreath.
Shewasfallinginlovewithherex-husbandalloveragain,andhewascaughtinthemiddle,withno
waytostopit.Well,hemightbeabletostopitbytellingherwhatColbyhadbeeninthepast.Buthe
hadn’ttherighttoincreasehertorment.
“Soon,you’llbeabletolevelwithhim,”hesaidtautly.
Shenodded.Shelookedupathimsadly.“I’msorry,”shesaidquietly.“Iknowthatyouhad…hopes.”
Heshruggedandmanagedasmile.“I’llstillbearoundsomewhere,ifyouneedme.”
“IfonlyIcouldhavebeenhonestwithhimfromthebeginning,”shesaidafteraminute.“Idon’tknow
howhe’sgoingtotakeit.”
He didn’t, either, and he couldn’t quite relinquish some hope for himself. “For now, we have other
thingstothinkabout.We’veputintoomuchtimeonthiscasetoriskblowingitnow.”
Hereyesweretroubled.“Iknow.”
Hegottohisfeet.“Supposewegodowntothefiringrangewhenwegetofffromwork?Thisisnota
goodtimetogetrusty.”
“Goodpoint.I’llaskJennifertoletBernadettevisitNikkiforanhourortwo.”
“Seeyoulater,then.”
Shenodded,onlyhalfhearinghim.
THEYSPENTANHOURonthefiringrange,duringwhichsheoutscoredRodrigoandgavehima
mischievousgrin.
“Rubitin,”hemuttered.
Sheunloadedherautomatic.“Despiteeverything,I’vereallyenjoyedworkingwithyou.”
“Samehere.”
“Iwish…”
Heheldupahand,smilingwistfully.“Youcan’thelpwhatyoufeel,”hetoldher.
“Isupposenot.”Shetouchedhisarmgently.“Thanksforbeingsuchagoodfriend.”
Hegrinned.“I’llalwaysbethat,nomatterwhat.”
COLBY HADN’T COME to work all day, and when she went to pick up Bernadette from Hunter ’s
home,neitherofthemhadheardfromhim.Sarinaalmostphonedhim,butshewasuneasyaftertheir
feverishintimacy.Shewasshy,uncertainofherwelcome.Perhapshehadregrets,andthat’swhyhe
hadn’t gotten in touch with her. It was disturbing, that intimacy had caused more problems than it
solved,thatitshouldhaveputsuchdistancebetweenthem.Maybehe’dhadarelapseanddidn’twant
hertoknow.Hemightbeinbedandunabletogetup.
Shedidfinallypickupthephoneanddialhisnumber,buttheansweringmachinepickedupandshe
wastoouncertainofherselftoleaveamessage.ShetriedHunter,buthewasn’tavailable,either.She
didn’tcallbackbecauseBernadettewasgivingheroddlooks.Shedidn’twanttoworrythechild.
Butherownworrywouldn’tgoaway.Shebakedtwoloavesofbananabreadandputoneintoaplastic
container.Shetuckeditintohercarunderamagazine,sothatBernadettewouldn’taskaboutit.She’d
really expected Colby to phone, at least. She’d called Hunter this morning, and she knew now that
Colby was all right and that he was planning to return to work on Monday, but that didn’t take the
placeofaconversationwithhim.
ItwasSaturday,andafterdroppingBernadetteofftospendthedayandnightwithNikkiHunter,she
stoppedbyColby’sapartment.
Hesitantlysheknockedatthedoor,practicingherexcuseforcoming,justincasehewasn’tgladto
seeher.Sheclutchedtheplasticcontainerofbanananutbreadtightlyinherhands.Shewaswearing
jeansandasweatshirt,herhairleftlongbecausesheknewhelikeditthatway.Shehopedhewasn’t
goingtobeangrybecauseshe’dshownupwithoutaninvitation.
But when the door opened, she got the single worst shock of her recent life. A pretty young blond
womanwearingashortbathrobe,andnothingelse,wasframedinthedoorway.
“Yes?”sheaskedwithapleasantsmile.
Sarina couldn’t manage a single word. So this was why Colby hadn’t contacted her. This was why
he’d kept to himself lately. And he’d gone from her, to this woman…just as he’d gone from her to
Maureen,yearsago.Why,why,hadsheexpectedhimtochange?Unfaithfulmenneverchanged.Why
didn’tsheknowthat?!
Thescarletblushandflashingdarkeyesmadetheotherwomanhesitate.Butbeforeshecouldspeak,
Colby came into the room, his hair still wet from the shower, his lean hips wrapped in a blue bath
towel.
“Cecily,Imeanttotellyou…”Hestoppedwithacomicallookinhiseyes.Hisjawdropped.Aruddy
color came up under the skin of his high cheekbones as he took in the tableau. Cecily and himself
havingobviouslyjustcomefromashower,apparentlyalone,andashatteredSarinastandinginthe
doorway.“Sarina…?”hebeganslowly.
Sheswallowedhardandregainedsomeofhercomposure.“BernadetteandImadebanananutbread.
Sheaskedmetostopbyandgiveyoualoafofit,”sheliedthroughherteeth,forcingasmile.“You
look…muchbetter.”
He was lost for words. He couldn’t even speak. He knew what she was thinking, and also that his
chancesofmakingherlistenatthemomentwereaboutasgoodashischancesofwinningthelottery.
Shewasn’tlikelytodoubttheevidenceofhereyes.
Sarina thrust the plastic container into Cecily’s hands. “You can share it,” she said roughly, and
turned.
She almost ran for the safety of her car, leaving a shell-shocked Colby staring after her with
tormentedeyes.
CecilyandColbyhadbeenfriendsforalongtime.Sheknewhewasveryupsetandnotlikelytotalk
to her about the woman who’d just left. She drew in a slow breath, wishing that her husband, Tate,
wouldhurryoutoftheshower.
“Whowasshe?”sheasked.
Hedidn’tlookather.“Myex-wife,”hesaidtightly.
Cecilystaredathimblankly.“Yourwhat?”sheexclaimed.
“I was married twice,” he said dully. “Sarina was my first wife.” He swallowed hard. “We have…a
littlegirl,Bernadette…she’sseven.”
Cecilypulledoutachairandsatdown.Hard.
Tate Winthrop came into the room rubbing his long hair with a towel. He was Lakota Sioux, and
lookedfarmoreNativeAmericanthanColby.Hisdarkeyeswentfromhiswifetohisbestfriend.
“What’sgoingon?”heasked.
“Colby’sex-wifejustshowedupandsawuslikethis,”Cecilysaid,movingtoherhusband’sside.
“Maureen?Shecan’tbehere,sheandherhusbandareontheirwaytoNassau.That’swhysheasked
metogiveyouthosepapersshefound,”Tatesaidobliviously.
“NotMaureen,”Colbysaid.
“Hehastwoex-wives,apparently,”CecilytoldTate,tongue-in-cheek.“Thisone’sblondandtheyhave
adaughter.”
Tateleanedagainstthecounter.“Adaughter?MaybeIhaveafever,”hesaid,touchinghisforehead.
“Maybe you do,” Cecily said blithely, “but he’s still got a daughter. Did you know you had a
daughter?”sheaskedColby.
Heshookhishead.“Notuntilafewdaysago,”heconfessed.“It’sbeenashock.”
“Well,goafterher,Colby,”Cecilyinsisted.“Youcantakeaphotographofthethreeofusandexplain
thingstoher!”
Hisfaceclosedup.“Notuntilshehastimetocooldown,”hesaid.“Shewon’tlisten.”
“Makeherlisten,”Tateinterjected.
Colbydidn’t soften. “That’seasier said thandone.” He hesitated. “I’llgive her afew minutes to get
homeandthinkthingsthrough,”hedecided.“Then,I’llphoneher.”Hedidn’taddthathe’dbeluckyif
she didn’t slam the phone down the second she heard his voice. Cecily didn’t know it, but Sarina
wouldberememberingthathethrewheroverforMaureen.She’dseethisashistoryrepeatingitself,
especiallysincehehadn’tbeenintouchwithhersincetheirpassionatenighttogether.She’dbehurt,
andafraid,andshe’dblamehimforallthepainshe’denduredinthepast,andtoday.Hewasalready
losingher,andthey’dbarelybegunagain.He’dcompoundedtheproblembybeingtoouncertainof
hisfooting,andthedelicatenewfeelingbetweenthem,togetintouchwithher,tooashamedofhis
blatant seduction of her. He’d meant to call her today and see how things stood. But it was too late.
Thelookonherfacetoldhimso.She’dneverbelievehimaboutCecily.
Cecilywatchedhimcovertly,seeinghisreluctancetophonethewoman.Shewantedtotellhimthathe
wasmakingahugemistakebyputtingitoffevenjustafewminutes,buthe’dalreadyturnedaway.
Tate exchanged a speaking glance with her. Colby had a knack for self-destruction. He’d stopped
drinking,buthewasstillonacoldpath.
COLBYDIDTRYPHONINGSarinajustafewminuteslater.Ashe’dexpected,shehungup.Hetried
hercellphone,butapparentlyitwasn’tturnedon.Hesentatextmessage,anyway,hopingitwouldget
througheventually.
He was hesitant to go after her because of their past. He didn’t want to admit that to his two best
friends,whowereleavingearlythenextmorning.Hedecidedthathisbestbetwasjusttogotoher
apartmentandmakeherlistentohim.Hewasstillwobbly,buthewascertainlystrongenoughtoput
hisfootinherdoorandrefusetoleave.Surelyshe’drememberhowclosethey’dbeen,howmuchhe
caredforher.Evenifhehadn’tsaidit,shemustknowit.Everythingwouldbeallright.
Exceptthatfatesteppedinattheworsttime,itmighthavebeen.Justafterlunch,hehadanurgentcall
fromHunter.
“Areyouwellenoughforastandoff?”heaskedhisfriend.
Colbywasn’t,really,buthe’dbeenoutofactiontoolongalready.“Sure.What’sup?”heasked.
“We’vehadatipthatthere’ssomethinggoingdownatthewarehousetonight.We’vegotajointdrug
taskforcesettospringthetrap.I’dliketohaveyoualong.”
“I’llbethere,”hesaidatonce.“Where,andwhen?”
Helistened,assuredHunterthathe’dbealong,andhungup.
“I’ll have to go,” he told his friends. “This is a long-standing problem. We’re hoping to have a
solutiontonight.”
“Don’tgetshotbeforeyoumakeitupwithSarina,”Cecilysaidfirmly.Shedrewaphotographoutof
herpurseandhandedittohim.ItwasofthethreeofthemwithTateandCecily’slittleboy.“Showher
this.Itwillexplainalot.”
“Okay,”hesaid,slidingitintohisownwallet.“Thanks.”
Shesmiledathim.“Itwillworkout,Colby.I’msureitwill,”sheadded.
Hechuckled,huggingherandthenTate.“Well,atleastI’vestillgothopesofit,”hesaid.Hestood
backandstudiedthemboth.“Ididn’trealizehowmuchachildcouldmeanuntilIhadoneofmyown.
IwishyoucouldmeetBernadette,”headdedsadly.
“Maybenexttime,”Tatesaidgently.“We’llbebackthiswayagain.”
“It’sadeal.Now,”Colbysaid,movingalittlelessstronglythanusual,“I’dbettergetcracking.”
“There’s just one more thing,” Tate said, following the other man into his bedroom. “I spoke with
MaureenbeforeweleftD.C.”
Colby’seyesflashed.“That’sallover.”
“Iknowthat,”Tatesaidcurtly.“Buttherearethingsyouhavetoknow.Wecantalkwhileyoudress,
can’twe?”
Colbydrewinanirritatedbreath,buthenodded.
Tateclosedthedoor.Heputathickenvelopedownonthedresser.“Shegavemethat.”
Frowning,Colbyopeneditandfound…
“Theannulmentpapers?”heexclaimed.Helookedthroughthepages.“Sarinasignedthem.But…butI
never did!” he added, disbelieving when he saw the blank spaces where his signature should have
been.
“I thought her father had managed to do it without any help from me. I must have been out of the
countrywhenthesecame.Ineverknewaboutthem!Maureensaidshesignedthemforme.Shelied!”
“Didn’tyouwonderwhyitwassoeasyforyoutomarryMaureen?”Tateasked,verycarefully.“You
didn’tevenhavetoproduceidentification,didyou?Andtherewasnomarriagelicense.”
Colbyfeltacoldnessinthepitofhisstomach.“Spillit!”hesaidimpatiently.
“Maureen confessed that you and she were never legally married,” he said heavily. “There was a
clauseinherfirsthusband’swillthatkeptherfrominheritingapennyofhisestateifsheremarried.”
“Shecouldn’thavegottenapennyofinsurancebecausehekilledhimself,”hesaidroughly.“Sarina
toldme.”
“Yes,hedid,”Tateagreed,“buthestillleftseveralthousanddollarsandafewoilstocksinawillthat
namedherbeneficiary.Shewasn’tabouttogivethoseup.”
Colbywastryingtotakeitallin,andfailingmiserably.“I’mstillmarriedtoSarina.”
“That’s right.” He shrugged. “Maureen didn’t have the nerve to tell you herself. She said she was
sorry,butitwasn’tasifsheplannedtostaywithyouforever.”
“Iknow.Shelikedthebanker ’shoursandhisfather ’sfortune.He’llinheritoneday.”
“Iunderstandthatanewgrandchildwasthethingthatcinchedthedeal,”Tateaddedcoldly,“because
hernewfatherin-lawwantedtomakesureshewasn’tmarryinghissonjustforhisfortune.”
Colbyonlynodded.Hedidn’taddthatshe’dconvincedhimhewassterile.NoneedforTatetoknow
that. Colby fingered the unsigned papers. This was a new complication. How was he going to tell
Sarinathattheywerestillmarried,whenshehatedhimalloveragain?
“IwonderwhySarina’sfatherdidn’tpursuetheannulment?”Tateasked.
Colby was only half-listening. “I’m sure he thought the attorney had taken care of it. He never
bothered with details that underlings could handle. I was out of Sarina’s life. That was all he cared
about.Atleast,untilsheturneduppregnant.HethrewheroutandshealmostlostBernadette.Shewas
destituteandveryill.Ineverknew.ShephonedmewhileIwasinAfrica,andMaureentoldhertostay
outofmylife,thatIwantednothingtodowithher.ShenevereventoldmethatSarinacalled!”
Tatewinced.
Colbysawit.Hiseyesdarkened.“LuckyMaureen,thatshedidn’tcontactmedirectly.”
“Ifshe’dknownthatyouwereintouchwithyourex-wife,shemightnotevenhavegivenmethose
papers,”Tateagreed.“Fateworksinmysteriousways,doesn’tit?”
“Yes.”
“Yourdaughter,”Tatesaid,hesitating.“What’sshelike?”
Colby’seyeslitup.Hesmiled.“She’slikeme,”hesaidwithhelplesspride.“Stubbornandproud,and
she’snotafraidofanything.She’ssmart,too,likehermother.”
“Whatdoeshermotherdo?”
Colbysighed.“She’saclerkforanoilcompany.”
“Notacareerwoman,”Tatemurmured.
“Luckyforme,”Colbychuckled,reachingintohisclosetforhisclothes.“Icouldneversettlewitha
womanwhohadaprofession.”
BYTHETIMEColbywasdressed,Tateknewallaboutthepint-sizefemaleversionofherfather.He
grinned at his former partner ’s enthusiasm for the child. He’d always thought Colby would make a
goodfather.Hewasafraidsomeyearsago,though,thatitwasCecilywhomColbyhadseenasthe
motherofhischildren.ButCecilyhadeyesonlyforTate,ashe’dlearnedtohisdelight,andthetwo
ofthemhadbeenveryhappilymarried.
“WhatdoesSarinalooklike?”Tateasked.
Colbysmiled.“She’sblond,slender,verylovely.Darkeyes.Andshe’saterrificmother.”
“MaybeCecilyandIwillgettomeetheronedayunderbettercircumstances.”
“I’m sorry about the way it worked out today,” Colby said ruefully. “I had plans to storm her
apartment tonight. But I can’t let Hunter down. We’re setting up a drug bust, and I’m essential
personnel.”
“Shootstraightandremembertoduck,”Tatecautioned.
“Irememberhow,”Colbychuckled,andpattedhisfriendontheshoulder.“Ihopetobebacktonight.”
“Ifyou’renot,we’lllockuponourwayoutoftown.ButIwanttohearhowitwentwithSarina.And
thedrugbust.”
“I’llmakeapointoftellingyou,evenifithastobebyphone.”
COLBYDROVEtotheoffice,parkinginfrontwherehesawHunter ’sSUV.Hecheckedhissidearm,
pulledanextraclipfromthepocketofhisvehicle,lockedupandwentinside.
Hunter, old man Ritter, two DEA agents including Alexander Cobb, and five members of the Drug
TaskForcefromotherlawenforcementagenciesweregatheredinRitter ’soffice.Hunterintroduced
Colby,andthenpulledhimtooneside.
“Youstilllookpale,”Huntersaidquietly.“Ifyou’renotuptothis,sayso.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t,” Colby said. “I’d never risk anyone else’s life by showing up half
prepared.Youknowthat.”
Hunter smiled. He clapped the other man on the back. “Okay.” He reached in his belt and handed
ColbyanHKMP-5automaticweapon.
“ImissmyoldUzi,”Colbytoldhim,tongue-in-cheek,ashehandledtheweapon.“Isitlegalforusto
havethese?”
“Whenyou’rebackingupgovernmentagents,itis,”Hunterchuckled.“Nevermind,justuseit.And
don’taskwhereIgotit,”headded,withaquickglanceattheHoustonSWATteamthatwasalready
gearinguptogivesupport.
“Okay.”HeholsteredhisGlockandcheckedthemagazineintheMP-5beforehecockeditandputon
thesafety.
AlexanderCobb,aseniorDEAagent,movedtothefrontofthegroup.“We’vegottwoofourpeople
supposedlyworkinginthewarehouse.They’reknowntotheemployeesandapparentlyjustchecking
outashipmentforMr.Ritter,sotheywon’traiseeyebrows.Iftheyseeanythingsuspicious,they’ll…”
Hestoppedashiscellphonejangled.Heflippeditopen,putittohisearandlistened.“We’reonthe
way,”hesaidatonce,closingitup.“It’sago,”hetoldtheothers.“They’rejustbeyondthefirstline
ofpallets,andshotshavebeenfired.Don’tshooteachother,”headdedwithafaintsmile.
Whichwasacuefortheotherstoshrugintotheirjackets,whichidentifiedtheminlargewhiteletters.
ColbyandHunterexchangedglances.Theyweren’twearingID.
THEY WENT OUT THE DOOR and piled into their various vehicles, Colby sharing Hunter ’s, and
gunnedtheenginesontheirwaydowntheblocktothemainwarehouse.
Theparkinglotwaswelllit,andtherewasavanbackeduptotheloadingdock.Nobodywasnearit.
Asthegroupexitedtheirvehicles,withweaponsdrawn,andstartedintothewarehouse,moreshots
wereheard.
Colby hesitated long enough to draw his firearm and cock it. As he paused by the door, a local
policemancameupbesidehim.
“Holditrightthere!You’renotwearingID,”themansaidcurtly,hispistolmenacing.“Whoareyou
andwhatareyoudoinghere?Weweretoldtowaitfororders.”
“I’mRittersecurity,”Colbyreplied.
“Oh.Arent-a-cop,”themansaidwithfaintcontempt.“Well,don’tgetinthewaywhenwegoin.You
mightgethurt.”
Colby gave the man a glare that could have stopped traffic. “You wait for orders, if you like. I’m
goingin.”Beforethepolicemancouldsayanotherword,Colbydartedinsidethewarehousewithhis
MP-5
raisedinposition.
Two men with automatic weapons opened fire at once from behind boxes stacked on wood pallets
downalongaisle.
Colbydived,rolled,andfiredtwoquickshots.Onemanfell.Hewasonhisfeetagainanddownthe
aisleinaheartbeat.Thiswasoldhattohim,afterallthelongyearsincounterintelligenceandcovert
ops.Hewasvaguelyawareofthepolicemanfollowinginhiswake,andshadowyfiguresagainstthe
oppositewallofthesprawlingwarehousewhichwereprobablythedrugtaskforce.
HewonderedwhereCobb’sundercoveragentswere,buthedidn’thavetimetolookforcivilians.He
wasuptohisneckindrugsmugglers.Theyseemedtocomeoutofthewoodwork.
Hetappedhisearpiece,buttheunitthatconnectedhimtoCobbandtheotherswasn’tworking.Hastily
hefeltbehindhimandhisfingerstouchedadanglingwire.Theconnectionwasbroken,buthedidn’t
havetimetofixit.Anothersmugglerwasfiringathim.
Hedodgedbehindastackofboxesandclosedhiseyes,listeningforsound.Heheardaboardcreak
abovehisheadandloudbreathingfromjustbehindhim.Hewhirledinaheartbeat,theMP-5suddenly
leveledcalmlyatthepoliceman’snose.
TheothermanhadtimetogaspbeforeColbycursedanddrewtheweaponupintoaforty-fivedegree
angle pointing at the ceiling. He snapped off several quick rounds at a moving shadow, paused and
fired several more shots just ahead of the second creak his ears detected. There was a cry of pain
fromaboveandafaintthud.
Heturned,avoidingthepoliceman’scuriousgaze,andeaseddowntheaisleassoftlyashecould,with
adeterminedlackofrhythm.He’dlearnedasahunterthatrhythmicstepsalwaysdenotedahuman,
especially in the forest. Even here, it was a giveaway, despite his rubber-soled shoes. The footsteps
behindhimquicklyfollowedinhisownpattern.
Hedrewalongbreathashecontinued.Therewasanothershot,andanother.HehopedHunterwasn’t
in trouble. Damn the stupid electronic ear that wasn’t working! He had no idea where the other
membersofthedrugunitwere,orwheretheundercoveragentswere—hedidn’tevenknowwhothey
were, or what they looked like! The whole situation was a tragedy in the making. It would be a
miracleifitworkedout.
HethoughtbrieflyofSarinaandBernadette,andhowlonelyhislifewasgoingtobewithoutthemif
he couldn’t make things up with Sarina. But such thoughts were dangerous, right now. He had to
concentrateonthesituationathand.
Twomeninsweatsdartedacrosstheaisle,firingastheyran.Colbyquicklydroppedonewithashot
intheleg.
“Gettheotherone!”hecalledtothepolicemanbehindhim,whodartedacrosstheaislewithhispistol
raised next to his ear, ready to fire. A shot from nearby shattered the sudden silence. But it was
followed by two more shots, each from a different gun. Colby had long ago learned to tell the
difference.
AsColbyroundedthenextcorner,hewasjustintimetoseeamaninadarksuitrunningdownthe
aisleandvanishingintoanotherstackofboxes.Onthefloor,doubledover,wasafigureinabaseball
capandablackjacketwithDEAinbigwhitelettersonitsback.Thefigureseemedtobeinpain.
Colbyrantothedownedagentandkneltbesidehim,stillscanningtheareaforotherarmedmen.
“Areyouhit?”heaskedcurtly.
“Just…a flesh wound,” came an oddly familiar female voice. “Don’t sit there, get after him! Don’t
youdareletthatsonofabitchgetaway!”
Heturnedhisheadtowardher,gapingashemetflamingbrowneyesinaflushedface.Thebaseball
cap concealed a head of long blond hair. “Sarina?” he exclaimed, shell-shocked. “Sarina! What the
hellareyoudoinghere?”heexploded.
Sheglaredathim.“Nevermindthat.It’sBrodyVance,”shesaidangrily.“He’swiththesmugglersand
heshotme.Gogethim!”
“You’rewounded!”hebitoff,staringatthetornupperarmofherjacketashetriedtoreconcilewhat
hewasseeingwithwhathe’dknownofSarina’sjob.
“It went through, clean. I tell you, I’m all right, Colby. Don’t let Vance get away! And don’t shoot
Rodrigo—he’swithus.”
Thepolicemanjoinedthem,whippingoffhistie.“I’lltakecareofher,”hetoldColbysolemnly.
“You’rebetterarmedthanIam.”HeindicatedtheMP-5.“Go!”
ColbysparedSarinaalast,anguishedglance,beforehejumpedtohisfeetandrusheddowntheaisle
inthedirectionVancehadgone.
CHAPTERELEVEN
COLBY HAD TO FORCE his mind to work again. The shock of seeing Sarina wounded was bad
enough, without the knowledge that she was almost certainly working with the Drug Enforcement
Agency.Shehadapistolandapparentlyknewhowtouseit.Shehadskillsshehadn’tsharedwithhim,
evenwhenthey’dbeenthemostintimate.Theimplicationshurthim.She’dliedtohim.She’dmade
him believe she had a dull, safe job, and here she was participating in a dangerous raid. She had a
child!Whatwasshethinking?
Themorehethoughtaboutit,theangrierhebecame.Faintgunfirefromthebackofthewarehouse
caughthisattention.Hemovedtowardit,theMP-5raisedandready.Hiseyeswerealmostblackwith
fury.Godhelpthesmugglerwhomovedintohispathrightnow.
Withhisbacktothehighpalletofboxes,heeasedaroundanothercornerandcautiouslypeeredinto
theaisle.
RodrigoRamirezwasthere,hisbacktoColby,hishandsraised.HewasalsowearingaDEAjacket,
and suddenly everything made sense. Rodrigo and Sarina weren’t lovers, they were partners. They
wereDEAagents!Infact,hewascertainthattheywerethetwooutofstateundercoveragentsCobb
hadbeensofuriousabout.They’dbeenrightunderColby’snose,andhehadn’tknown.Hewondered
ifHunterhad.
Heclenchedhisteethwithmuffledfury.Buttherewasnotimeforspeculationnow.Hehadasituation
developingrightinfrontofhim.Ashewatched,itbecameclearthatoneofthedrugsmugglershad
the drop on Rodrigo. The man with the gun was speaking in rapid Spanish into a cell phone, and
noddingashestaredatRodrigo.
Whilehewasdiverted,Colbydartedintotheaisleanddroppedthemanwithonequickshotintohis
hip.Evenasthesmugglerfell,groaning,Colbymovedrelentlesslytowardthedownedmanwithhis
gunleveledathim.HepaidnoattentionwhatsoevertoRamirez.
Inrapid-fireSpanish,hequestionedthewoundedman,whowasholdingthebleedingwoundtightly.
“Tellme!”Colbydemandedinacalm,icytone.“WhereisVance?”
ThemangrimacedandColbykickedthecellphoneoutoftheway,droppedtooneknee,andputa
thumbsquarelyovertheman’scarotidartery.“Tellme,”hesaidsoftly,inavoicethatcutlikeaknife,
“ordiehere.”
ThemansawinColby’seyesthathemeantit.HemanagedtoswallowandthensaidthatVancewas
headedforabargeanchoredinthecanaljustbehindthewarehouse.
Rodrigomovedtojoinhim,bendingtoretrievehis.45fromthesmuggler ’swaistband.“Thatmeans
we’llhavetoworkourwaythroughaciviliancrew,”Rodrigosaidcoldlyashecheckedandcocked
theweapon,puttingonthesafety.
Colbygottohisfeetandlookedattheothermanforthefirsttime.“You’reDEA.SoisSarina,”he
saidcoldly.
Rodrigo looked back at him with the same controlled anger. “Yes. And you’re no military man. I
knewyoulookedfamiliar,butIcouldn’tplaceyouuntilIheardthewayyouspoketothatpendejo,”
headded, nodding towardthe downed man.“I was in Africasix years ago,when Cy Parks brought
youintointerrogateaprisoner.Icouldneverforgetthetechniqueyouused.Theintelyougotfrom
the man saved our lives. Even if your methods were, shall we say, eccentric,” he added, tongue-in-
cheek,“weowedyouforthefavor.”
Colby remembered a man in fatigues who wore sunglasses and was part of another paramilitary
groupheadedbyDutch,Archer,andLaremos.Hiseyesnarrowed.“YouwerewithArcher,”hesaid
abruptly.
Rodrigonoddedcurtly.“AndyouwerewithParks.Bothofusweremercs.”
“Doessheknow?”Colbyasked.
“No,”Rodrigoreplied,hiseyescoldwithdislike.“Notabouteitheroneofus.”
Colbydidn’tsayaword.ItwassurprisingthatRamirezhadn’tblownhiscover.
“Thinkyou’vegotmeoverabarrel,don’tyou?”Rodrigoasked.“Well,Sarinawon’tmind,evenif
youtellher.We’vebeenpartnersforthreeyears.”
“DEAfieldagents,”Colbysaidicily.“Andshe’sgotalittlegirl!”
IthadoccurredtoRodrigothatColbywasgoingtobesoupsetwhenheknewwhatSarinadidfora
living,butthemanwasmorethanupset,hewaslivid.
“Thehellwithit,”Colbybitoff.“Idon’thavetimeforpersonalproblems.We’vegotdrugsmugglers
tocatch.”
“Where’sSarina?”Rodrigoasked.
“Backtherewithalocalcop,”Colbysaid,avertinghiseyes.“Shecaughtabullet.Justafleshwound.”
Rodrigohadtofighttheurgetorunbacktoher.Butheknewhisduty.Hehadtodoit.
Hepulledoutthe.45andglancedatColby.“WhydoyougetanMP-5andIonlyhaveapistol?”
Colbygavehimasuperiorglance.“Huntergaveittome.Helikesme.”
“Helikesme,too,”Rodrigosaidcurtly.
“Yeah?Well,helikesmebetter,”Colbyshotback.“Let’sgo.”Hehesitatedastheyroundedanother
corner.“Ifyourearpiecestillworks,bettertellthetaskforcewherewe’regoing.”
Rodrigodid.
THE CANAL WAS FULL of vessels, everything from boats to barges. The Houston channel ran
between warehouses and shipping offices all along the waterfront. Civilians were everywhere, and
therewereatleastthreebargessnuggledupagainstthepiers.
“Damn!”Colbyexclaimed.“Whichone?”
Rodrigowasthinking.Henotedthenamesofthebargesandmentallycomparedthemagainstcargo
listshe’dbeencheckingearlierthatday.“Theblackone,”hesaidatonce.“TheBogotá.”
“Areyousure?”
“No.Butit’snotabadguess,”Rodrigoreplied,walkingquicklytowardit.“CaraDominguezisfrom
Colombia.”
“Notbad,”Colbyhadtoadmit,buthediditgrudgingly.
Rodrigo holstered his weapon. “You’d better put that away as well,” he told Colby. “If they know
we’relookingforVance,we’llnevergetaboard.”
“He’lltellthemwe’reafterhim,”Colbysaid.
RodrigoshuckedhisDEAjacket,leavingonlyhissuitcoatshowing.Heplacedthejacketontheside
ofaboxnearthedocks.“He’llbehidingbelow.Heprobablywon’tevenseeuscoming.”
“Gotanyideaabouthowwe’regoingtoboardthatvessel?”Colbyasked.
Rodrigosmiled.“Waitandsee.”
TheoldermanignoredColby’sglareandwalkedelegantlytotheship,whereitscaptainwasgoing
overacargolistwithtwoothermen.
“Goodevening,”RodrigosaidinSpanish.“Weunderstandyou’repreparingtoleaveportwithyour
cargo.”
“Yes,”thecaptainsaid,frowningsuspiciously.“Whatbusinessisthatofyours?”
Rodrigopulledouthiswalletandflashedhisbadgejustenoughsothatthecaptaincouldseeit,butnot
read it. “We’re ICE,” he said blithely, “Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We have reason to
believethatyouhavetwoillegalaliensonyourvessel.We’reheretoapprehendthem.”
The captain, who’d been tense and nervous, suddenly relaxed. “Illegals.” He shrugged. “Well, we
mighthaveoneortwo.Idon’thavetimetocheckbackgroundsoneverycrewmanIhire.Whatare
theirnames?”
“Wedon’thavenames,”Rodrigosaidsmoothly.“Onlydescriptions.I’llknowthemwhenIseethem.I
havephotographs.”
Thecaptainfrowned,checkinghiswatch.“Ihaveatimetable,”hebegan.
“Fifteenminutes,”Rodrigotoldhim.“That’sallIneed.Myassistant—”hejerkedhisthumbtoward
Colby“—andIwillfindtheminnotimeifyou’llallowusaboard.”Whenthecaptainhesitated,he
added,“ItwilltakelongerifIhavetocallmysuperiorsandhavethemsendadditionalpersonnel.”
Not to mention the suspicion it would cause, the captain was thinking. He cleared his throat. “Very
well,then.Butnomorethanfifteenminutes.”
“Ofcourse,”Rodrigosaidcarelessly.
HemotionedtoColbyandtheywalkedrightaboardthevesselwithoutasinglehitch.
“You’rehandy,”Colbymused.
“Idoalotofundercoverwork,”Rodrigoreplied.“Whichiswhytheyhavemeonthisassignment.”
HeglancedatColby.“IinfiltratedLopez’sorganizationseveralyearsago.Iknowthingsnobodyelse
doesabouthowthedrugsaretransported.”
Colbywasimpressedagainsthiswill.“CyParkssaidthathewasacquaintedwithanundercoveragent.
Hemeantyou,Isuppose.”
“IhadacousinwhoworkedforLopez.Hewaskilledshortlyafterthelastbigraid,inJacobsville.”
Hesighed.“Lopezkilledmysisteraswell.Shewasworkinginanightclubandhetookafancytoher.
Sheresistedhimandhekilledher.”
Colbyglancedathim.“I’msorry,”hesaidgenuinely.
Rodrigoshrugged.“Itcouldaseasilyhavebeenme.Igotlucky.”Hedidn’tmentionthatAlexander
CobbhadraisedhellwhenheknewthatRamirezwasoneofthetwoundercoverDEAagents.They
hadahistory.Rodrigohadransackedhisofficejustafterhissister ’sdeath.
Theywereaboardtheshipnow,andpassingeasilyamongthecrewmen,whodidn’tknowquitewhat
tomakeofthetwomeninsuitswalkingsoleisurelydownthedecks.
“If Vance sees us, he’ll run,” Colby said. “Especially after wounding Sarina. Assault on a federal
officer…”
“…isafelony,”Rodrigoagreed.HeglancedatColby.“WewantVancealive,”heemphasized.
Colddarkeyesmethis.“He’llbealive.Sortof.”
“No,”theoldermansaidfirmly.“Weneedhimtofindhiscohorts.CaraDominguezisstillfreeand
runningthingsforthedrugcartel.Vancecanleadustoher.”
Colby’sjawtensed.“Spoilsport,”hesaidangrily.
“Don’tthinkIwouldn’tlikeashotathimaswell,”camethecoldreply.“It’sjustthatwedon’tdare.
Notnow.”
Colby’s mood lightened. “Later, we could pose as federal marshals and offer to transport him to
trial,”
hesuggested.
Rodrigo smothered a laugh. “You have to stop thinking like a merc. There are rules here in the
States.”
“Evenifyoucan’tbreakrules,youcanbendthem,”Colbyoffered.
“Isn’tthatwhatgotyousenthomefromAfricainthefirstplace?”heasked.“Bendingruleswithyour,
shallwesay,inventive,interrogationtechniques?”
“Peopletalkedtome,”Colbydefended.
“Notwillingly.Becareful,”Rodrigoaddedastheyhesitatedattheladderintothecargohold.“He’s
stillarmed,andhe’llbeexpectingsomeonetofollowhim.”
Colby gave him a sarcastic glance, his hand going inside his jacket to the concealed automatic
weapon.
Rodrigoglancedatit,frowning.“Theyshouldhavegivenmeone,too.”
“Admittingwhatabadshotyouare?”
Rodrigo’steethclenched.“Admittingthesame?”
Colby hesitated suddenly as they entered the cargo hold. He put an arm behind him, to motion
Rodrigo to one side. He froze in place, not moving, not breathing. He was almost grateful that
Rodrigohadasimilarbackground,becauseanoisycompanionwouldhavegottenthembothkilled.
There,justahead,weretwoarmedmen,talkingtoBrodyVance,whowaspushingbacksweatydark
hairandshakingwithfear.
“Didtheyrecognizeyou?”oneofthemenwasdemandinginaccentedEnglish.
“No!”Vanceburstout.“I’msuretheydidn’t.Well,theagentIshotsawme,butnotcloseenoughto
recognizeme,I’msureofit.Hewasblondandthin.Helookedfamiliar…Anyway,I…”Hehesitated
andgroaned.“Ishothim!Hemaybedead!”
“That is nothing to us,” the second man said, his voice devoid of any accent at all. “If you weren’t
recognized,youcangoback.”
“No!They’llknow!I’llgotojail!”
Thefirstmanpointedapistolathisheart.“Jailisnotbetterthandead?”hedrawled.
Vanceputupbothhands.“Please!Pleasedon’tkillme!”
Colbywasthinkingfast.HeandRodrigocouldwadein,shootallthreemenandarrestthesurvivors.
Butif Vance didn’tknow he’d beenrecognized, he was valuablein place. Hecould give them Cara
Dominguezifhewerecarefullyhandled.Themanwasacoward.Hecouldbeuseful.
HeglancedoverhisshoulderatRodrigoandsawtheintelligenceintheman’sdarkeyes,andanod.
Hejerkedhisheadtowardtheaccessladder.Withoutaprotest,Rodrigoeasedbackwarduntilhewas
outofsightandclimbedup.Colbyfollowedhim,closinghisjacketovertheautomaticweapon.
Theywalkedtogetherdownthegangplanktothepier.
“You’reclean,”Rodrigotoldthecaptainwithagrin.“Noillegalsthere.Thanksforyourtime.”
“Itwasnotroubleatall,”thecaptainsaidwithblatantrelief.
“Goodday,”Rodrigoreplied.HeandColbywalkedbacktowardthewarehouses.
“YOU’REQUICK,”Colbysaid,hesitatingoutsidethewarehousewhereaSWATteamwasmopping
up,alongwithDEApersonnelandthetaskforce.“Ihopedyou’dunderstandwhatImeantbeforethey
sawus.Vanceismorevaluableonthejobthaninjailrightnow.”
“Iagree.”Rodrigomovedforward.“I’llmakeitrightwithCobb.Iowehimafewapologiesbefore
hecandrawhissidearm,”headdedenigmatically.“ButIwanttoseehowSarinais.”
ColbyfollowedRodrigobackintothewarehouse.Heknewthatshewasright,itwasafleshwound,
andnotlife-threatening.Buthefeltguiltyandoutragedandupset,allatonce.
Shewasoutfrontwiththeparamedics,oneofwhomwaslookingatherarm.
ShelookedupwhenColbyandRodrigoapproached,butshewouldn’tmeetColby’scoldglance.
Rodrigosquatteddowninfrontofher,hisfaceconcerned.“Areyougoingtobeallright?”heasked
gently.
She smiled at him in a way that made Colby turn to stone. “I’ll be fine.” She laid a hand on his
shoulder.“Areyouallright?”
Henodded,catchingthehandtoholdittightlyinhis.
“DidyougetVance?”sheaskedColby,hereyesmeetinghisforthefirsttime.
“No,” he replied. “He didn’t recognize you and he still has ties to Dominguez and her operation.
We’regoingtopretendhewasn’tinvolvedandseeifwecanusehimtoleadherintoatrap.”
Shestartedtoprotestangrily,butRodrigopressedherhand,hard.
“He’sright,”hetoldherfirmly.“Vancecan’tbeapprehendedjustyet.”
“Heshotme!”sheraged,herdarkeyesfierceandoutraged.“Assaultonafederalofficerisafelony!”
She glared at Rodrigo. “And why are you suddenly taking his side against me?” she demanded,
jerkingathumbtowardColby.
Rodrigoglowered.“He…savedmylife,”hesaidreluctantly.“Oneofthemuleshadthedrawonme.
HeknockedhimdownwithabulletandquestionedhimaboutVance.”
“Uh-oh,”Colbygroaned.
“Youfeelguiltyforsavingmylife?”Rodrigomused.
“Notthat.IusedVance’snameinfrontofthemule,”Colbycorrected.“We’llhavetohaveHouston
PD
find a way to hold him incommunicado until we wind up this case.” He turned away from Sarina’s
accusingeyes.“I’llgotalktothem.”
“Calm down,” Rodrigo told Sarina when Colby was out of earshot. “Smoke is coming out of your
ears.”
Shealmostshudderedwithanger.“Ouch!”sheprotestedasthemedicputonatemporarybandage.
“Sorry,ma’am,”heapologizedwithagrin,“butwehavetogetyoureadytotransport.”
“It’s a flesh wound,” she growled at him, her dark eyes sparking with temper. “I don’t need to be
transportedanywhere!”
“Oh,yeah?”hereplied.“Whenwasyourlasttetanusshot?”
Sheblinked.Shecouldn’tremembereverhavinghadone,unlessitwaswhenshewasachild.
“Ifyoucan’tremember,that’sanotherreasontogetinmytruck,Rambo,”themedicsaid,chuckling.
“Abulletwoundcaneasilygetinfected,”Rodrigointerjected.“Ispentaweekinhospitalsomeyears
agofordoingwhatyou’retryingtodo.Youcan’tgohomeandwashitoutwithperoxide.”
Shesighedangrily.“Okay,I’llgo.ButI’mnotstaying,”sheaddedasshegotintotheambulance.
Rodrigodidn’tsayanotherword,butheandthemedicexchangedknowingglances.
COLBY,MEANWHILE,hadhuntedupthepolicemanwho’dfollowedhimintothebuilding.“Ineeda
favor,”hetoldtheman,acorporal,judgingbyhisnametag.
“Whatisit?”themanasked.
He started to reach into his pocket when he noticed that one of the servos in his artificial arm had
stoppedworking.Cursingviolently,hetookoffhisjacket,drapeditoveranearbyrail,andshotup
hissleeve,exposingabulletlodgedintheprostheticarm.
“Damntheluck!”heraged.“Thisthingismoretroublethanit’sworth.”
Thepolicemanwaseyeingitcuriously.“How’dyouloseyourarm?”
“InAfrica,doingcovertops,”herepliedabsently,checkingthedamage.“Well,I’llhavetogohome
andgetmyspare.”
Thepoliceofficerhadstraightened.“Listen,”hesaid,“I’msorryaboutthatrent-a-copcrackearlier,”
he said genuinely. “It’s just that I’ve had my problems with security guards who thought they were
EliotNess.”
Colby gave him a grin. “So have I,” he mused. “In fact, we had one like that in D.C. when I was
workingsecurityfortheHuttonCorporation.Hemadesuchanuisanceofhimselfthatwelockedhim
inaclosetwithoneoftheterrorists.Whenhecameout,hesaidhewasgoingbacktowalkingdogs
foraliving.”
“Terrorists?”thepolicemanqueried.
Colby nodded as he replaced his sleeve and put his jacket back on. “They tried to blow up one of
Hutton’soilplatforms.WeturnedthemovertoInterpol.”
Themanwasverystill.“Huttonwasinvolvedinthatkidnappingoverseas,theonethatalmoststarted
awar.Itmadeinternationalheadlines.”
Colbyshrugged.“ThatwasbeforeIwenttoworkforhim.Iwasdoingastintforoneofthecovert
agenciesinD.C.”Heleanedtowardtheman.“Justbetweenyouandme,privatesectorpaysbetter.”
Thepolicemanchuckled.“MaybeI’llhityouupforajoboneday.”
“Yeah?AndmaybeI’llhireyou,”Colbyreplied,grinninggood-naturedly.“Listen,IaskedthatgoonI
shot about Vance’s whereabouts. We’ve decided to let Vance go back to work and pretend we don’t
know how involved he is in the drug smuggling plot. We need to make sure he doesn’t pass that
informationontoanyofhiscolleagues.”
“Theoneyoushot?Didn’tyouknow?”thepolicemanasked.
“Knowwhat?”
“Thefooltriedtotakeanotherpatrolman’spistolwhilehewashandcuffinghim.Theystruggledand
thepistolwentoff.Theperp’sdead.”
Colbywhistled.“Solvesmyproblem,butnotinawayI’dprefer.”
“Iknowwhatyoumean.Bettertakecareofthatarm,”headded,notingthattheservosseemedtobe
movingwithoutpurposeandmakingalotofnoise.
“Yes,Ihad,”Colbysaid.“Thanksforthebackup,bytheway.”
“Noproblem.IlikeworkingwiththelocalDEAboys.Theyneverhogthecreditwhenwegoalong
onraidswiththem.Seeyou.”
“Yeah.”
ColbymadehiswaybacktoHunterandlaidhisMP-5alongsidetheotherspecialweaponsthatHunter
hadborrowed.
“Damn,Hunter,willyouandyourpeoplestopliftingourstuff?”theSWATsergeantmutteredashe
checkedtheweaponsandunloadedthem.
“AsGodismywitness,”Colbytoldtheman,handoverhisheart,“Ihavenoideahowthatweapon
managedtogetinmybelt!”
Hunterdraggedhimawayjustintime.
Whenhewasalone,Colby’smooddarkened.He’dtoldSarinathattheyshouldn’tkeepsecretsfrom
each other ever again, and she’d agreed. She’d been lying the whole time. How could she be so
intimatewithhimandnottrusthim?Itdestroyedhisfaithinher.
But there was Bernadette, his daughter, his child. He couldn’t turn his back on the little girl now,
regardlessofhowhefeltabouthermother.Hegrimaced.Whatdidhefeelforhermother?Hewas
confused.
Nevertheless, he drove straight for the hospital when he left the warehouse, despite the
malfunctioningarm.Certainlythewoundwasn’tfatal,buthecouldn’thelpworryingaboutSarina.He
couldn’tleaveRodrigototakecareofher,either,despitehischangedopinionoftheman.
HefoundSarinastillinacubicleintheemergencyroom.ThedoctorhadorderedX-raysandshewas
waitingfortheradiologisttoreadthem.
“Itoldhimitdidn’thitthebone,”shewastellingRodrigo,“buthewouldn’tlisten.”
“Youshouldhaveshowedhimyourmedicaldegree,”Rodrigodrawled.
Sheglaredathim.
“Whatdidthedoctorsay?”Colbyasked,joiningthem,hisfacegivingawaynothingofhisfeelings.
“He’s a resident,” she corrected curtly, holding her arm. “He said that I seem to have a gunshot
wound.”
Colbycouldn’tsuppressagrin.
“He’sbusyreportingittothepolice,”sheadded.
Hiseyebrowswentup.“DidyoushowhimyourID?”heasked.
Theglaregotworse.“Ididn’tgetthechance.HethinksI’manescapedcriminal,apparently.Icouldn’t
beartodeprivehimofhisevening’sentertainment!”shescoffed.
Rodrigoshrugged,asiftosay,youtalksomesenseintoher.
Justashestartedto,theresident,asolemntallyoungmanwithfairhairandthickglasseswalkedback
inwithapoliceofficeronhisheels.
Allatthesametime,Rodrigo,Colby,andSarinaproducedtheirbadgesforhisinspection.
ThepoliceofficergaveColby’salongstare.Hegavetheresidentaspeakinglook,apologizedfor
inconveniencingawoundedagent,andleft.
Justforspite,ColbyallowedtheresidentapeekathisID.Itwastheoldone,ofcourse,his“company”
card.
Theresidentclearedhisthroat.“Iamobligedbythehospitalregulationstoreportallgunshotwounds
tothepolice.”
Colby folded his wallet. “You can take my word for it that the young woman is not an escaped
fugitive.
However,” he added with narrowed eyes, “if her wound is not treated promptly, I will have a word
withtheadministratorofthishospital.”
Theresidentgotbusy.
APRACTICINGPHYSICIANcameintochecktheresident’sdiagnosis,andapprovedthetreatment,
butwouldnotallowSarinatogohome.
Heheldupahandwhenshebegantoargue.“Wehaveplentyofemptybeds,andbettersafethansorry,
especiallywhenthebulletpassedsoclosetothebone.Ifyoudoallrighttomorrow,I’llallowyouto
leavefirstthingMondaymorning.”
“Monday?”sheexclaimed.
“Seehowitfeelswhenpeoplewon’tletyoudowhatyouwanttodo?”Colbyasked.
Sheglaredathim.“Youhadmalaria!Youhadnobusinessoutofbed!”
“Titfortat,”heretorted.
“He’sright,”Rodrigointerrupted.“Youdon’tneedtobeintheapartmentalone,especiallynow.And
Bernadettewouldn’tknowwhattodoifsomethinghappened.”
Sarinaglaredathim,too.“She’sstayingwiththeHunters,”shesaidafteraminute,whensherealized
thatragingatthemenwouldn’tdoanygood.“I’llaskJenniferifshecanstayuntilMonday.Theycan
dropheroffatschoolwithNikki.ButwhatdoItellher?”
“I’llgobytheretomorrow,”Colbysaidquietly,“andtellheryouhadanemergencymeetingoutof
townforMr.Ritter.”
Shehesitated.“Allright.”
“Icouldtakehertothezootomorrow,”Colbyadded.
Sarina’sdarkeyesflashedangrily.“Youandyournewlover?”
Rodrigoperkedup,staringcuriouslyatColby’sdarkeningcheeks.
Colbyglaredather,ignoringtheMexican.Hisfacehardened.Notforworldswashegoingtoadmit
the truth. Let her sweat. “As it happens, she’s flying out in the morning,” he drawled. “I’ll be all
alone!”
“Pity,”shebitoff.“You’regoodatkeepingsecrets,aren’tyou?”
“Andyou’reafineonetotalk,”heshotback.“Whatthehellsortofmotherrisksherlifeforajob
whenshe’sgotachildtoraise?”
CHAPTERTWELVE
SARINA’S FACE went white. She’d expected that question from the minute Colby saw her on the
floorinthewarehouse,butshestilldidn’tknowhowtoanswerit.Shedidn’twanttoanswerit.He’d
given her hope that he cared, that he wanted a future with her. And then he hadn’t phoned her, and
she’dfoundhimhalfnakedwithanotherwoman.Itwasjustlikebefore,whenhe’dhadMaureeninthe
background and pretended to be interested in Sarina. He’d betrayed her once. Why wouldn’t he be
willing to do it again? He was never going to be a faithful husband. She’d been living in a dream
worldofhappyendings.Herewasthereality.
She lifted her face belligerently. “I’m a good agent, and I very rarely walk into situations this
dangerous.Rodrigocantellyouthat.”
“Idon’tcarewhathetellsme,”Colbyrepliedbeforetheothermancouldspeak.“Youtookabulletin
thearmtonight.Afewinchestotheleft,andyou’dbedead!”
“I’mnot,”shepointedout.Sheglaredathim.“Youhaveajobthat’smoredangerousthanmineis,”
sheadded.“PlanningtogiveitupforBernadetteandtakeanicesafedeskjob,areyou?”
“Thisisn’taboutme.”
“You’reherfather,”sheburstout.
“You’rehermother,”heshotback.“Doyouplantoraiseherinbetweengunbattles?”
“Youshotaman!”
“Youtriedtoshootone!”hereturnedhotly.
Rodrigo stepped in between both of them. “She’s wounded and you’re malfunctioning,” he pointed
out.
“Both of you need some minor repairs. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to postpone World War III until
you’reinbettershape.”
Colbygloweredathim.Thenheshruggedanddrewinalongbreath.“Isupposeitwouldn’tbeabad
idea,atthat,”hehadtoadmit.“Ineedtogohomeandfindmysparearm.”
Sheheldherarm.“Icouldusesomethingforpain,”sheconfessed.
Rodrigonodded.“That’smorelikeit.”
Sarinaglaredathim.“You’reonhisside,”sheaccused.
Heshrugged.“Hesavedmylife.Temporarily,”headdedwithawryglanceatColby,“Iowehim.”
“Youcansavemylifeatyourconvenienceandeventhingsup,”Colbysaidagreeably.
“I still owe you for the other time,” Rodrigo said without thinking, remembering Africa. But he
stoppedshortandlookeduneasy.
“Whatothertime?”Sarinaaskedcuriously.
“Thereweretwoguysinthewarehouse,”Colbysaideasily.“I’vegottogo.Don’tletherassaultthe
residentandescape,”hetoldRodrigo.
“Heisn’tmytype,”shesaidirritably.“Idon’tlikefairmen.”
“Wenoticed,”Rodrigodrawled.
Colbyglaredathim.
Theresidentcamebackbeforehecouldspeak.HelookedfromthementoSarina,whowasgiving
himacoldstare.Herhandwenttothebuttofher.45.
“Nowseehere,Iwasonlyobeyingtherules,”theresidentsaidquickly.
Sheliftedthepistoloutandhandedit,slowly,toRodrigo.“Keepitforme,”shetoldhim.
Hegavetheresidentablandsmile.“Iwouldn’tworry,shemissedthelastguysheshotat.”
Colbywasfeelingtheeffectsofthenight.HeglancedatSarinaandtriednottoletitshowthathewas
stillconcerned.“Yougoingtobeallright?”
Shenodded.“It’sjust…”
“…afleshwound.Right.”
“Sure,”shesaid.
“We’resendingyoualongtoaroom,”theresidenttoldSarina,withquickglancesatthetwomen.
“Therearesomepaperstobefilledout,butwe’llsendoneoftheofficeworkersdowntoyourroom
totakecareofallthat.Uh,ifyou’reready?”headdedwithameaningful,butnervousglanceather
twovisitors.
“Ihavetogo,”Rodrigosaid.HetouchedSarina’shandgently.“Ifyouneedme,I’mascloseasthe
phone.”
“Thanks,”shesaidandsmiledathim.
He left. Colby drew in a harsh breath. “I’ll keep Bernadette in the dark. I’ll come and pick you up
Mondayandtakeyouhome.”
“Rodrigocandothat,”shebitoff.
“Certainlyhecan.Buthe’snotgoingto,”hereplied.“YoucangowithmetopickBernadetteupat
schoolMondayafternoon,ifyou’refeelinguptoit.”
Shewantedtoargue,butherarmwashurtingandshefeltsick.
He nodded to the resident. “I’ll go, so that you can get her settled.” He noticed her grimace as she
movedofftheexaminationtable.“Iknowhowthatfeels,bytheway,”hetoldher,noddingtowardher
injured arm. “I’ve been shot several times over the years. Tomorrow, you’ll be glad they didn’t let
yougohome.”
“Quite right,” the resident agreed. “You’ll be sick and in a good deal of pain, more than you’re
feelingnow.I’llwriteupsomethingforthataswell.”
“Goodnight,”Colbytoldher.
She glared at him, but she was already wilting. It wasn’t much of a glare. He turned away without
comment.Hehadmorereasonthanshedidtobemad,butthiswasn’tthetimeforit.
Hewentoutofthecubiclestillfeelingbetrayed.HecouldhaveshownherthephotographofTateand
Cecily,buthewastooangry.Letherthinkhehadawomanontheside.Hedidn’tcare.She’dliedto
him.
HEWASONHISWAYhomewhenasmall,tragicfaceflashedbeforehiseyes.ItwasBernadette.She
was crying, distraught. He couldn’t get the picture out of his mind. It made no sense. It was almost
midnight.Shewasasleep.Hecouldn’tgotoHunter ’shouseandwakeeverybodyup…
Yes,hecould.Hedid.ThedooropenedandHunterwhistledsoftly.
“Thank God you’re here, although I don’t understand why.” He stood aside and Bernadette came
runningtoColby,wearingpurplepajamas,herfacewetwithtears,hereyesredandswollen.
“Daddy!” she exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms. “Daddy, Mommy got shot, just like in my
dream!Isshedead?”
OnlythendidColbyrememberBernadette’spremonition,abouthermothergettingshotinabigplace
amongagroupofboxes.He’dpromisedherhe’dtakecareofSarina.Buthehadn’tknownabouther
DEAworkthen.HedrewBernadettecloseandwalkedthefloorwithher,soothinghergently.
“It’sallright,baby,”hewhispered.“Mommy’sfine.Mommy’sjustfine.”
“Butshewasbleeding,”Bernadettewhimpered.“Isaw!”
Colby’sarmstightenedevenmore.Thedamagedservowasloudintheroom,buthedidn’tnotice.He
satdownonthesofawithBernadetteonhislap,andpulledoutahandkerchieftodryhereyes.
“Listen,”hetoldher,“Mommy’sverybrave,soyouhavetobebrave,too.They’regoingtokeepher
in the hospital until Monday. But I promise that she and I will pick you up at school Monday
afternoon.Ipromise,Bernadette.”
She began to calm, just a little. She looked up into his eyes and saw no lies there. She slowed her
breathing.“Okay,Daddy.”
The word, still rare, made him feel taller, stronger. He smiled at her, brushing back the damp hair
fromherbig,browneyes.Tearswerestilltricklingfromthem,butslowing.“I’llneverlietoyou,”he
said.
Shenodded.“Iwassoscared.”Shedrewinashakybreath.“WhydoIhavetoseebadthings?”
“Idon’tknow,baby.Butyourgrandfatherdid,too.HerodeallthewaytoschoolonahorseonedayI
wasingrammarschoolbecauseheknewI’dhadabadfall.Nobodytoldhim,hejustknew.I’dbroken
myleg.Heshowedupjustastheambulancegotthere.”
Shesmiled.“Hetoldme.”
TheHunters,allthreeofthem,werestandingbesidethesofa,listening.Nikkiwasinhergown.The
adults were wearing sweatpants and robes. Bernadette was in pajamas. Colby sighed. “I guess I’m
overdressed,”hetoldHunter.“IthinkIshouldeitherputonpajamasmyself,orgohome.”
Hunter was listening to the artificial arm. “I’d say the second idea was your best bet,” he agreed,
notingthearm.“Diditmisseverythingvital?”
Colbynodded.“Justabadlyplacedshot,”hesaidlazily,smilingatBernadette.
“Iwouldn’tsaythat,”Hunterchuckled.
Colbygotup,placingBernadettebackonherfeet.“CanshestayuntilMondaymorning?Icantake
hertoschool,”hevolunteered.
“Noneed,”JennifersaidwithasmileasshecuddledupsleepilytoHunter.“SheandNikkicanride
together.”
“Then Sarina and I will pick her up Monday afternoon at school. That reminds me,” he added,
lookingdownatBernadette.“Wouldyouliketogotothezootomorrow?”
“Oh,yes!”sheexclaimed.“CanNikkicome,too?”
“Sure,”Colbyagreed,smiling.
“Inthatcase,we’llallgo,”Huntersaid,“andmakeadayofit.Ilikezoosmyself.”
“That’sbecauseyou’vespentsomuchtimearoundanimals,”Colbymurmured,tongue-in-cheek.
“Presentcompanyexcepted?”Hunterchuckled.
“Well,sortof.”Colbyheldhisleftarm.“I’dbettergetmygizmohomebeforeitself-destructs,”he
added.“Whattimetomorrow?”
“Abouttwelve-thirty?”
“That works for me. I can sleep late. I’m still a little rocky from the malaria,” Colby had to admit,
“andtonightwasn’texactlyapicnic.”HebentandpickedBernadetteupwithhisrightarmandhugged
herclose.Itwasgettingtofeelverynatural,huggingthechild.Hesmiledashekissedherwetcheek.
“Gotobednow,okay?”
“Okay.Night,Daddy.”
“Goodnight,baby.”
THEZOOWASATREATforColby,whohadn’tbeentoonesincehewassmall,andthatonehad
beenmoreofanexoticanimalfarmthanazoo.Thisonehadveryelegantoutdoorconfinementsfor
the animals, so that they didn’t seem to be caged at all. He especially liked the reptile exhibit.
Bernadettedidn’tseemtominditatall.SheheldColby’shandproudly,smilingatotherchildrenshe
metasiftoputhimondisplay.Hefeltherprideinhim,andwashumbledbyit.
Theyatehotdogsandwalkeduntilhislegsached.Thentheywenttothepark,wherethecolddidn’t
seemtodeterswinging,andheandtheHuntersrestedonbencheswhileNikkiandBernadetteranto
theswings.Itwasagoodday,hereflected.Beingaparentwasnothinglikehisexpectationsofyears
ago.Itwasbetter.
JenniferHunterphonedthehospitallater,sinceColbyhadrefusedto,withoutstatinganyreasonforit.
ShetalkedtoSarina.Rodrigohadbeentoseeher,butshewasfeelingvaguelydeserted,especiallyby
Colby.
“Wewenttothezoo,”Jennifertoldher.“YoushouldhaveseenBernadetteatthereptilehouse.She’s
fearless, just like Colby. The keeper actually let her hold an albino python, and she wasn’t the least
afraid.”
“Shelikessnakes,”Sarinasaid,smilingtoherself.Sheshiftedinthebedandwinced,becausethearm
wasreallysoreandshehadsomefeverandnauseaaswell.“DidColby…sayanythingaboutme?”
“No,”Jenniferreplied.“Ithinkhe’sstillinshock.Phillipsaidhehadnoideawhatyoureallydidfora
living.He’stakingithard.”
“Hemightaswellgetusedtoit,”Sarinasaidangrily.“I’mnotgivingupmyjob!”
“Both of you are going to have to make some major adjustments one day,” the other woman said
gently.“Achildneedstwoparents.Idon’thavetotellyouthat.”
Therewasabriefsilence.“No,youdon’t.IsupposeI’mstillupset.”
“Abouttheshootout?”Jenniferasked.
No, about the almost nude blonde in Colby’s apartment, but Sarina wasn’t comfortable sharing that
withJennifer.“Yes,”shelied,“abouttheshootout.I’mhavingsomefeverandpaintoday.Isuppose
theywererightaboutmakingmestayhere.”
“I’msorryyoumissedthezoo,allthesame,”Jenniferchuckled.“Bernadettewashavingthetimeof
herlife.”
“I’mglad.I’vespentsomuchtimeworkingthepastfewyearsthatshehasn’thadasmuchfunasI’d
haveliked.”
“NowthatColby’saround,he’lltakeherfromtimetotime,”Jennifersuggested.“Nikkilovesgoing
placeswithherdaddy,andshowinghimoff.”
“Phillip’sagoodfather.”
“Colby’sgoingtobeagoodone,too.”
Therewasapause.“Idon’tsupposeyouknowthatColbycamebyintheweehoursofthemorning?”
“What?Why?”
“He said he saw Bernadette crying. A vision, Phillip calls it. When he got here, we were all in the
livingroomtryingtoconvinceherthateverythingwasallright.Colbytoldherjustalittleofwhat
happened,buthereassuredher.Shewassmilingwhenheleft.”
Sarina was silent. Then she sighed. “I thought he might have that emotional link with her that his
fatherhadwithhim,”shesaidsoftly.“BernadettehadapremonitionabouthimgettingshotinAfrica,
youknow.Theyhadanencounterthedaytheymetbecauseshetoldhimallaboutit.”
“Yes,Philliptoldme.It’samazing,isn’tit?”
“Yes.Hergrandfatherwasjustthesame.Hesaidhealwaysknewwhensomethingbadhadhappened
toColby.”
“Itmustruninfamilies,”Jennifersaid.“IknewawomanwhosebackgroundwasScotch-Irish,who
hadthe‘secondsight.’Shehadthesamesortoflinkwithhermother.Shegotonaplaneandflewtwo
thousand miles to be with her mother when the woman had a major heart attack. Nobody had even
phonedher.Shejustknew.”
“Bernadette’sgrandfathersaiditwasagift,butBernadetteisupsetbyit.Sheonlyseesbadthings.”
“Still,itmustbeacomforttoknowwhensomething’swrong.Youmightbeabletosavealifewithit,
dependingonthesortofpremonitionyouhad.”
Sarinasighed.“Iguessso.ButIwishthevisionsweren’tsoupsetting.”Shehesitated.“Colbydidn’t
mentionanotherwoman,didhe?”
“Ofcoursenot,”Jenniferchuckled.“Whywouldhe,especiallynow?”
“Nevermindme,”Sarinasaidquickly.“I’mjustfeelingfuzzy.Thanksforcallingme.KissBernadette
good-nightformeandtellherI’llseehertomorrow.Thedoctor ’salreadypromisedIcangohome
unlessIgetworse.I’mnotgoingto,”sheaddedfirmly.
“Okay.Iwill.Sleeptight.”
“You,too.”
COLBYWENTBACKtoworkwiththesparearm,havingovernightedthemalfunctioningoneback
tothelabwitharequestforhastyrepair—justlikelasttime.Hewasbeginningtowonderifthestupid
thingwasevergoingtobedependable.
SARINAHADABADNIGHT,andSundaywasevenworse.Shedozedbetweenroundsofantibiotic
andpainkiller,mentallycursingColbybecausehe’dbetrayedherwiththatwoman!Itwouldn’thave
been quite so bad if she didn’t keep reliving that night in Colby’s apartment. It was the sweetest
memoryinrecentyears,andshe’dbuiltdreamsonit.Now,thosedreamswereflyingawayintheface
ofreality.
ShewonderedwhatColby’snewparamourhadthoughtwhenSarinashowedupathisdoorwiththe
banananutbread.ShehopedthewomanhadgivenColbyhellallday.Itdidn’tmakesensethathe’d
throwheroverforsomeoneelsejustacoupleofdaysaftersuchatempestuousinterlude.But,then,
Sarinadidn’thavemuchofatrackrecordwithmen.
ShethoughthowkindRodrigohadbeentoherandBernadette,andshewishedwithallherheartthat
shecouldlovehim.Itjusthadn’thappened,evenbeforeColby’ssuddenreappearanceinherlife.The
firsttimeshe’dseenColby,herhearthadturnedcartwheels.Itstilldid.Shehatedherfeelingsforhim.
Especiallynow.
Hehadapointaboutherjob,butshewasn’tgoingtoadmitit.She’dbeenwoundedinthelineofduty.
So easily, she could have been killed. Then what would have happened to Bernadette? Colby might
agree to take her, but what would he do with a small child in his life? Apparently he was new to
securitywork,andtheoldlifestilltuggedathimfromtimetotime.Wasn’titpossiblethathemight
findawaytoleaveBernadettewithsomeoneandgobackintothemilitary?He’dbeenacareerman.
Surelyitwashardforhimtogiveitup,especiallyforajobthatmustbeboringmostofthetime.
Sherecalledhiseasyhandlingofthewild-eyeddruguserwho’dsentherelderlyneighborrunning.
Sherememberedhimonhorseback,jumpingafencewithhisdarkeyesglitteringintriumph.Hehad
a wild streak that had never been quite tamed. Odd, she considered, how he’d fit in with a military
lifestyle.
Most military men were conservative, businesslike, withdrawn. Colby wasn’t a sedate man, and he
wasn’t particularly conservative. He had a lot more in common with men who lived on the cutting
edge of reason, like those in special operations or SWAT teams. She’d read once that no man who
couldpassastandardpsychologicaltestwouldqualifyforoutfitslikespecialforcesordeltasquad.
Maybe Colby had had disciplinary problems, and that was why he’d taken early retirement. She
wonderedwhatbranchofthemilitaryhe’dservedin.She’dneveraskedhim.
Shelaidbackintoherpillowsandtriedtowatchatelevisionprogram.ShemissedBernadetteandher
ownapartment,sparsethoughitwas.Shewasn’tusedtoinaction.
MONDAYATNOON,Colbyappearedinherroom,accompaniedbyherdoctor.
“Youcangohome,”hetoldher.“Thenursewillhavetwoprescriptionsforyouatthedesk,including
antibioticsandapainkiller.”Helookedatheroverhisglasses.“Don’ttakethepainkillerwhenyou’re
usingyourgun.”
Sheglaredathim.“InevertakeanythingwhenI’musingmygun.”
“Goodforyou.Keepdoingthat.Well,I’llsaygoodbye,”headded,withanamusedsmileatColby,
wholookedasifheweretryingtoswallowawatermelon.“Callmeifyouneedme.”
“Iwill.Thanks,”Sarinaadded,withasmile.
Heleftandshegottoherfeet.Shewaswearingthesameclothesshe’dhadonwhenshearrived,and
therewasabulletholeandtracesofbloodonthesleevewhereshe’dbeenhit.
“Ididn’thaveachangeofclothes,”sheremarkedwhenshesawColbyglancingathersleeve.
“Ishouldhavethoughtofthat,andofferedtobringyouclothing,”hesaidquietly.
“It’sallright.I’mgoingstraighthome.IcanchangebeforewegotopickupBernadette.”
“Ithoughtwemightgetlunchandtakeithome,”hesaid.
Sheshrugged.“Thatwouldbenice.”
“Chinese?”
She looked up, surprised. In the old days, when they’d been close and growing even closer, they’d
spentalotoftimeatChineserestaurants.TheybothenjoyedChinesecuisine.
“Well, yes,” she stammered. She laughed self-consciously. “I haven’t had Chinese takeout in a long
time.”
“Neither have I,” he said, his tones austere. He picked up her suitcase and she took one last look
aroundtheroomtomakesureshehadn’toverlookedanything.Thenhefollowedheroutthedoor.
There was a slight wait at the nurse’s station while they located her prescriptions and then another
slightwaitatthepharmacyneartheparkinglot,wheretheywerefilled.Bythetimetheygotaway,it
waspastthelunchtimerush.
ColbyleftherintheSUVwhilehewentintotheChineserestaurantandgotsweetandsourporkfor
herandsesamechickenforhimself.
Hehandedhertheplasticbagcontainingtheirfoodandclimbedinunderthewheel.Shenoticedhis
prosthesisonthesteeringwheel.
He sighed. “It’s not as pretty as the other one, but it works very well,” he remarked. “Actually the
simplehookisthemostefficient.Butitseemstointimidatepeople.”
“Colby,whichbranchoftheservicewereyouin?”sheaskedsuddenly.
Hefelthiswholebodygostiff.Hedidn’twanttoanswerthatquestion.Certainlyheneededtimefor
theexplanationsthatwouldfollow.
Shefrowned.“What,wasitsometop-secretoutfit?”shepersisted.
“Somethinglikethat,”hesaidslowly.“Areyoucomfortable?Icanturnuptheheaterifyou’regetting
chilled.Itwascoldoutthismorning.”
“I’mfine,”shesaid.
“We’lljusthavetimeforlunchbeforewehavetopickupBernadette,”headded.
Shewasdiverted,andtalkwascasualtherestofthewayhome.
HE PUT OUT THE FOOD on the table while she got out plates and found soft drinks for both of
them.
Shewasunusuallyquietwhiletheyate.Noneoftheirproblemshadgoneaway.Shewasstillthinking
about the woman she’d found in his apartment, and he was still thinking about her unexpected
professionandthecertaintythatshewaseventuallygoingtodiscoverhisownjadedpast.
“Thanksforcomingafterme,”shesaid.
Hesmiled.“Ididn’tmind.”
Shetookanotherforkfulofriceandcarrieditslowlytohermouth.“Haveyouheardanymoreabout
Vance?”
Heshookhishead.“It’stoosoon.Ifhe’sbackatworktoday,we’llknowwe’reontherighttrack.I
haven’tspokenwithHunterthismorning.”
“Ihaven’t,either.Iguessoneofusshouldcalltheoffice.”
Hepulledouthiscellphone,pressedanumber,andlistened.“Yes,it’sme.IjustpickedupSarinaat
thehospitalandbroughtherhome.We’regoingtopickupBernadetteatschoolandthenI’llbein.”
He hesitated. “Yes. Yes, I thought he might. Good. Then we’re still on track, I guess.” He hesitated
again.
“Yes,Iknow,”hesaidheavily.“Butwe’reboundtogetabreaksoonerorlater.”HelookedatSarina.
“She’sbetter,butstillnotonehundredpercent,”hesaid.“I’lltellher.Thanks.Seeyoulater.”
Hehungupandputthephonebackinsidehisjacket.“HesaidRitterandCobbtoldhimtoletyoustay
outuntiltomorrow,ifyou’redeterminedtocomebackinundercover.”
“Ineedto.Ican’tletRodrigodown,”shesaid,withoutlookingathim.
“CobbwaschewinguptenpennynailstryingtofigureoutwhothetwoDEAundercoveragentswere,
andIunderstandhehittheceilingwhenhediscoveredRamirezwasoneofthem.Theyhaveahistory
ofsomesort,”heremarked,thenglaredather.“YouandRamirezcertainlyhadmefooled.”
“We’vedoneundercoverworkbefore.IworkedforRitterwhenIwascarryingBernadette,”shesaid,
“and while I was in college. When this problem came up, he naturally thought of me. I brought
Rodrigoinaswell.”
“Youpickedadangerousprofession,”hesaid.
Shelookedupathim.“Sodidyou,”sheshotback.“Ordoyouthinkbeinginthemilitaryisapieceof
cake?”Sheloweredhergazetoherunfinishedrice.“Isthatwhereyoumether?”
“Her?”
“Thatblondwomaninyourapartment,”shesaidstiffly.
Hisbreathcaughtinhischest.Hewasabouttoanswerwhentherecameahardknockatthedoor.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
COLBYEXCHANGEDGLANCESwithSarinaandcarefullyslidhishandintohisjacket,againstthe
coldbuttoftheautomaticashemovedtothedoorandlookedoutthroughtheVenetianblinds.
Shewastemptedtopullherownserviceweapontobackhimup,butsheknewitwasunnecessary.
She’dseenColbyinaction.Shehadnodoubtatallthathecouldhandlewhateverturnedupoutside.
Buthequicklyremovedhishandfromthejacketandopenedthedoorwithoutturningontheoutside
light.
It was Señora Martinez’s grandson, Raoul. He moved into the room quickly and closed the door
behindhim.
“I wanted to tell you,” he said to Colby, “that my cousin is through treatment and himself again,
thankstoyouramigo,thereformedpriest,”headdedwithagrin.“Hehadalottosayaboutthetwoof
youinAfrica.”
Colbysmiled.“Hewasoneofourbest,beforehetookonthecollar.”
“Heisstilloneofyourbest,”theboyreplied.HeglancedatSarinaandgrimaced.“Iwasnotintime
towarnyouabouttheraid.Iamverysorrythatyouwerehurt,señorita,”hetoldSarina.
Shemanagedasmile.“Thanks.”
“ButIhavecometomakeupforit,”hecontinued,hiseyesnarrow.“Thiswoman,thisDominguez,is
destroying us all. She has no thought for anything except her own profit. She sacrifices us as if we
wereants.Mysecondcousin,aboyoffifteen,diedintheattemptonthewarehouse,andshegavenot
one word of apology to his mother. She said only that his own stupidity and clumsiness caused his
death.”
Colbydrewinaroughbreath.“EvenLopez,asbadashewas,neverkilledchildren.”
The boy raised an eyebrow. “We understood that your group had something to do with his sudden
disappearance.”
“Aformermemberofit,”Colbysaid,uncomfortablyawarethatSarinawasintentontheconversation
andknewnothingofhisrealpast.
“Nowwearebetweenthewomanandacountrymanofherswhoisonlyalittlelessbloodthirsty,”the
boysaidheavily.“Sowemakeadecisionthatthewomanmustgo.Sheisintentonprofitandhasno
thoughtforlife.”
Colbybecamesomber.“I’mlistening.”
“ItmustneverbecomeknownthatIaminvolved,”hesaidfirmly,glancingatSarina.
“Itneverwillbe,”Colbypromised.Sarinanodded.
Heshrugged.“Theyareplanningtomovetheshipmentsoon,toalocationsouthofhere,inasmall
townknownasJacobsville.Lopezoncehadabasethere,whichisstillownedbyaholdingcompany
inhisname.”
Colby’seyebrowsliftedsuddenly.“Doesn’tsheknowthatJacobsvilleisahotbedofformermercs?”
Theboygrinned.“No,”hesaid.“ShebelievesitwasarumorconcoctedtomakeLopezlookstupid.”
Colbyactuallylaughed.“Hermistake.”
“It will be,” the boy agreed. “I know nothing more, but I will tell you what I can.” He glanced at
Sarina.“Ioweyoubothformycousin’srecoveryandthesalvationofmygrandmother.ButIwillnot
betraymycomrades,evenso.”
Colbyheldoutahand.Theboyshookit.“Igiveyoumyword,”Colbysaid,“thatyourpartinthiswill
neverberevealed.”
Hesmiled.“ThisIknowalready.Thepriestwasveryforthcomingaboutyou.Imustgo.”
“Howisyourgrandmother?”Sarinaasked.
“Verywell,thankyou,”hereplied.“Thepriesthastwomencomeeveryweekandshopforher.One
cleansherapartment.Thesemercs,”headdedwithachuckle,“haveremarkableskills.Adios!”
Heleft,ascautiouslyashe’dcome,andSarinastaredatColbywithoutblinking.“Howisitthatyou’re
friendswithapriestwhowaswithyouinAfrica,andhewasamerc?”
Hedrewinalongbreath,andturned,hiseyesnarrowastheymethers.“Iwasn’texactlyinmilitary
intelligenceallthoseyears.”
“No?”Shestaredharder.
Hegrimaced.“Icouldn’tsettleintheregularmilitary.IwasevenoutofplaceintheCIA.Ibecamean
independentcontractor.”
Her expression tautened. “That’s why you were in Africa,” she began slowly, her eyes wide with
suddenknowledge.“Youwerepartofamilitarycoupthere!”
Henoddedslowly.“Weoverthrewadictatorwhowaskillinghundredsofinnocentpeopledaily,”he
confessed.“Weputinagovernmentthatwaslessbrutal,andfriendlytoourcountry.”
“We?”shepersisted.
“Okay,”hesaidonaroughsigh.“MeandEbScott,CyParksandMicahSteele.”
Herlipsfellapart.“Cywasamerc?”
Boy, was she in for some big surprises soon, he thought solemnly, especially when she discovered
that her friend and partner Ramirez was up to his neck in the same work. But he didn’t feel
comfortabletellingherthat.Notyet,atleast.
“AndMicahSteele,”shecontinued,thinkingback.“ThatwaswhyPhillipcalledhimuphere.Hewas
withyouinAfrica.Heknewwhatwaswrongwithyouevenbeforehecame.”
He nodded. “He saved my life…performed an amputation with only a native intern as an assistant,
undercombatconditions.”
Sheturnedaway,unsettled.
“Well,” he said irritably, “now you know how I felt when I found out the hard way that you were
moonlighting as a field DEA agent involved in shootouts with drug smugglers!” he returned
defensively.
Shehadtogritherteethtostemanoutburst.Hewasright.They’dbothkeptdangeroussecrets.But
heractionswereatleastunderstandable.Hisweren’t.
“I had to support myself and my daughter,” she said without looking at him, “who had a serious
asthmaconditionthatcouldhavekilledherwhenshewasyounger.IhadtogetthebestpayingjobI
couldfind.
Workingasaclerkforanoilcompanydidn’tcutit.”
“Youcouldhavebeenpromotedintomanagement,”heshotback,glaring.
“Right,”shelaughedhollowly.Shesatdownonthearmofthesofa.“Ican’torderpeoplearoundwith
any sort of success. That’s why I’m still a field agent. I don’t have what it takes for management.
Somepeopledon’t,”shedefended.“Thatdoesn’tmeanIcan’tbegoodatwhatIdo.”
“I’ll agree with that. You’ve got grit and you’re canny,” he said surprisingly. “You’re a natural for
securitywork.”
“IlikewhatIdo,”shecountered.
Heturnedandmovedclosertoher,hisdarkeyesquietandquestioning.“Idon’t,”hesaidflatly.“If
anythinghappenstoyou,Bernadettegetsstuckwithme.I’mnotagoodrisk.”
She didn’t know how to take that. Her eyes darkened with pain. Was he telling her that they had no
futuretogether,evenafterthepassionateinterludesthey’dshared?
Hesawherexpressionandunderstoodit.Hemovedastepcloser,hisgoodhandtouchinghercheek
very lightly. He grimaced. “I’ve made too many mistakes, haven’t I, Sarina?” he asked softly. “I’ve
gotsomuchtomakeuptoyouandBernadette.Idon’tevenknowwheretostart.”
“Beinghonestwithmewouldbeastart.”
Heraisedaneyebrow.“Lookwho’stalking.”
She flushed slightly. “I had orders, strict orders, to keep my identity to myself and share it with no
one.”
“YoushareditwithHunter,”heaccused.
“I was ordered to, by a regional DEA official who outranks Cobb,” she said flatly. “He knew that
Cobb had at least one informer in his organization and he wasn’t taking any chances with an
operation this big. Hunter had to be told. You didn’t. You were a relative newcomer here and the
officialdidn’tknowyoufromasponge.”
“Iguesshedidn’t.”
Shebackeddownalittlewhenshesawhisbrooding,huntedexpression.“Ididn’tlikekeepingsecrets
from you,” she confessed. “But after that Saturday morning at your apartment…” Her voice trailed
offandsheturnedaway.“Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”
“Yes,”hesaid.
She moved into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee, checking the time. “We have about twenty
minutesbeforewehavetoleaveandgetBernadette.Icouldmakeusasandwich,”sheoffered.
“I’mfullfromlunch.”
“SoamI.”
He hesitated. “But we could go by the pizza joint on the way home instead and get Bernadette
somethingwithalotofpepperoniandmushrooms.”
Shelaughedinvoluntarily.“Howdidyouknow…?”
“Ikeephavingtheseoddcravings,”heconfessed.“SinceIrealizedIcouldn’tbepregnant,”headded,
tongue-in-cheek,“IattributedittothatoddlinkI’vegotwithmydaughter.”
Shesmiled.“Sheknowsallsortsofthingsaboutyou.Idon’tunderstandhowitworks.ButIknowthat
yourfatherhadit,too.”
“Sodoesmyuncle,”hesaid.“He’sComanche.TeacheshistoryatacommunitycollegeinOklahoma.
Hisson,myfirstcousinJeremiahCortez,iswiththeFBI.”
“I’llbethe’sakeeninvestigator,”shecommentedasshepouredcoffee.
“Actuallyhedoesn’thavethegiftthewayhisfatherdoes.NeitherdoI.Bernadetteputsusallinthe
shade.”Hesatdownatthekitchentableandacceptedhiscoffeeblack.“Doesshetakealotofheatfor
itatschool?”
“Shetriestohideit,”Sarinatoldhimasshesatdownacrossfromhim.“Itfrightensher.”
“Icanunderstandwhy,ifshesawhowIwaswounded.Oneofmyownmenthrewup.”
Sheglancedattheprosthesis,tryingnottoimaginethepain.Itmusthavebeenterrible.Shecouldn’t
imaginehisMaureenbeingparticularlysympathetic,either.
“Colby,”shebeganwithoutlookingathim,“thatblondwoman…”
Hecockedhisheadandlookedather,hard.“Ihaven’tchangedfundamentally,evenifyouarefinding
outthingsaboutmethatyoudidn’tknow.AmIthekindofmanwhogoesfromonewomantoanother
withoutconscience?”
Shelookedathimworriedly.“YouwentfrommetoMaureenthatway.”
He grimaced and sipped coffee. “I was obsessed with her,” he said after a minute. “Before I ever
reallyknewyou.Iwasattractedtoyou,hungryforyou.ButIwasblindedbywhatIfeltwithMaureen.
Itwasfool’sgold,”headdedquietly.“Ionlyhadtolivewithhertorealizehowlittleshecaredfor
anyone,exceptherself.ShefoundmerepulsivewhenIlostmyarm.Shecouldn’tbeartolookatme
withoutmyshirt.”Hemethereyesandsmiledgently.“Youneverseemedtonoticeitwasgone.”
“Itdidn’tmatter,”shereplied,helplesstolie.Hereyesmethisevenlyandherheartjumpedupinto
herthroat.“Youstillhaven’tsaid…”
Withalongsigh,hepulledoutthephotoCecilyhadgivenhim,thathe’dkeptinhiswallet.Hepushed
itacrossthetabletoher.
Shepickeditup,surprised.“Who’sthemanbesideher?”
“Herhusband,mybestfriend,TateWinthrop.He’sOglalaLakota.ThewomanisCecily.Theyhavea
terrific little boy who’s just one year old, and they’re pregnant again. Tate was in the shower when
youcameby.”
Shegrimaced.She’dassumedhewascheatingonherandactedaccordingly.Shehadn’tevengiven
himthebenefitofthedoubt.Shefingeredthephoto.“I’msorryIjumpedtoconclusions.”
“Withmytrackrecord,youwereentitledto,”hesaid.“Butfromnowon,”headded,“wehavetotry
tobehonestwitheachother.”
Shelookedupfromhercup.“Thatmightbealittledifficult.”
“Forme,too.I’musedtokeepingsecrets.”Heshrugged.“Thenwestarteven.Westartover.”
Sheswallowed.“Towhatend?”
“Bernadette needs two parents,” he told her quietly. “A father and a mother. I do realize that I’m
startinglate,butI’mnotgoingtoquitonher.”
“She’sveryimportanttome,too.”
“WheredoesRamirezfitintoyourfuture?”headdedsuddenly.
Shegrimaced.“Colby,he’smypartner.We’veworkedtogetherforthreeyears.Surelyyouknowhow
itis,whenyou’reunderfirewithpeople.There’sabondthere.”
Hisdarkeyesnarrowed.“Isthere?”
“Heneedsme,”shepointedout.
Thatwaslaughable.Ramirezwasevenmoreofalonewolfthanhewashimself,andhehadahistory
that was going to make future work relations with her very difficult, when she knew them. But it
wouldlooklikejealousyifhebroughtituprightnow.Hewasjealous,ofcourse.Hejustdidn’twant
hertoknowit.Ramirezwouldgloat.
“Suppose,”hebegan,“wetakeitonedayatatime,fornow?Justuntilthisdrugsmugglingracketis
tidiedup,andweknowwherewestand?”
“That’sagoodidea,”sheagreed.
“NowthatweknowthesmugglersaregoingtomovetheirproducttoJacobsville,it’snotlogicalto
keepstakingoutthewarehouse.WeneedtomakeamovedowntoJacobsvilleandsetupoperations
therewithEbandCy.”
“But,myjob,”shebegan.“Yourjob…!”
“We’ll work it out with Cobb and Ritter and Hunter,” he said. “It’s well-known in the company that
youandIarekeepingcompany,andthatBernadetteandIaregettingclose.Itwouldbeprettynatural
ifwewentdowntoJacobsville,wherewebothhavefriends,andtookafewdaysofftogether.”
“Well,it’snotbad,asablind,”sheconsideredaloud.
He frowned. He didn’t mean it that way. But she sounded serious. Perhaps it was too soon to start
makinglong-rangeplans.
“Iwishweknewwherethosedrugswerehidden,”shesaidafteranuncomfortablesilence.
“So do I, but at least we have some idea of where they’re taking them, if the gang leader wasn’t
leadingusastray,”hepondered.“CyknowsthelayofthelandaroundJacobsville,andheandafew
friendsputLopezontherun.Iftheydiditonce,theycandoitagain.”
“Iguessso,”sheagreed.
“IlikeJacobsville,”hesaidabruptly.“It’ssmall,butthat’snotsuchabadthing.IrememberwhenI
wasaboy,”headdedquietly,“andifanyonegotsick,thewholecommunityshoweduptohelptake
careofthem.Itisn’tthatwayincities.”
“I wouldn’t know much about small communities,” she said quietly. “I lived very high. I had
everything in the world, except love.” She laughed hollowly and didn’t look at him. “Money alone
isn’tenoughtomakeanyonehappy.”
“Bernadettelovesyouverymuch,”heremarked.
Shesmiled.“Yes,shedoes,”sheagreed.“AndIloveher.She’sthemostimportantthinginmylife.”
“I’mbeginningtounderstandthatfeelingmyself,”hesaidslowly.“I’dliketobearoundforher,when
sheneedsafather.”
Herheartwasturningcartwheels.Washewasofferingherafuture,orjustpointingoutthathe’dbe
visiting his daughter? “Are you going to be around? How about the call of the wild, Colby?” she
askedsolemnly.“You’vebeenrestlesseversinceyou’vebeenattheoilcompany.”
Hecurledthecupintohisbig,leanhands.“Iwon’tdenythatit’shardtogiveuptheadrenalinerush.
But I’m getting too slow for combat,” he admitted a little curtly. “I’ve lost my edge. Besides that, I
wanttostayalivelongenoughtobecomeagrandfather.”
Shesmiledslowly,butsheavoidedhiseyes.“Doyouhonestlythinkyoucouldsettledowninasmall
townsomeday?”
“Why not?” he asked. “I might actually enjoy the security of neighbors and friends in a small
community.Especiallyamongafewex-mercs,”headdedonlyhalfhumorously.Heglancedather.
“Whataboutyou?HaveyoueverthoughtofmovingBernadettetoasmalltown?Andifyoueverdid,
couldyougiveupfieldworkforit?”
“Idon’tknow.Maybe.”Shegrimaced.“ButevenifIhadajobhereandaplacetomoveto,Ijustdon’t
knowhowI’dexplainittoRodrigo.”Shestoppedabruptly,afraidshe’dmadeherwishesalltooclear.
“Icouldexplainitforyou,”heofferedwithaglintinhisdarkeyes.“IthinkIstillhavesomebullets
inmyleftpocket…”
“Youstopthat,”shesaid.“Bernadetteloveshim.”
“Shelikesallsortsofserpents,”hereplied.“Youshouldhaveseenheratthereptilehouseatthezoo.
SheevenknowsthenamesinLatin.”
Shegrinned.“Itaughther.Ilikesnakes,too.”
“Well!”heexclaimed,andreturnedthegrin.“LuckyRamirez.”
“Colby!”
Heglancedathiswatch.“We’dbettergetgoing,hadn’twe?”hesaid,finishinghiscoffee.“Wedon’t
wanttobelate.”
Shegaveupandletthesubjectgo.Hewasn’tgoingtotaketoRodrigo,evenifhalfhisfamilydid.But
shewonderedifhe’dbeenseriousaboutsettlingdown…
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
COLBY ARRIVED at Ritter Oil just after Sarina did, and he went straight to Hunter with what he’d
learnedfromthegangleader,andhisproposalaboutdoingsomesnoopinginJacobsville.
“Thehitchisthatwe’llhavetoexplainourabsencefromhere,withoutarousingsuspicion,”headded.
“AndyouandJenniferwillhavetoagreetokeepBernadetteforthreeorfourdays.Wehavetohavea
solidreasonforbeingintownthere.”
Hunter pursed his lips, considering this. “We might stage a conversation for Vance’s benefit,” he
began.
“Not a bad idea,” Colby had to agree. “I’ll have Cy put it around town that I might be looking for
property,withSarinaandBernadetteinmind.Gossiprunsrampantinsmallcommunities.Iremember
thatfrommyownchildhood,”headded,chuckling.
“SodoI.Cywouldbewilling,I’msure.Micah,too.”
“IowehimoneforcomingallthewaytoHoustontotreatmeformalaria,”Colbysaidwithasmile.
“You’dhavedonethesameforhim,ifcircumstanceshadbeenreversed.”
“Iwould,”Colbyagreed.
Hunterfrowned.“IwonderwhyVanceiskeepingsuchalowprofilelately,”hesaid.“Hehasn’tmade
asinglewavesincetheassaultonthewarehouse.”
“He probably thinks we suspect him,” Colby replied. “And he’s not wrong.” His eyes narrowed
angrily.
“He could have killed Sarina. I owe him one for that bullet he sent into her. If I could get enough
evidence…”
“Iknowhowyoufeel,”theoldermaninterrupted.“Butwehavetokeepplayingawaitinggamehere,
untilwehaveasolidlead.Yourbitofinformation,ifit’strue,isabighelp.Butuntilweactuallysee
drugsbeingmoved,wecan’tproveathing.AndifSarinafingersVanceforshootingher,”headded,
“theregoesanychanceofflushingoutCaraDominguezandherlieutenants.”
“Iguessso,”camethequietreply.
“Don’t be so impatient!” Hunter chuckled. “We’ll nail Vance, and Dominguez, and the rest of the
bunch.Ipromiseyouwewill.Don’tforgethowlongittookCyandtheotherstobringdownLopez.”
“Iknow.Thingsmovesoslowly.”
“Buttheydogetdone.WhileyouandSarinaareinJacobsville,therestofuswillputalittlemore
pressureonVanceandseewhathedoes.I’llhaveoneofourmenmonitorthatwireyouputinhiscar.
Sofarhe’sbeenprettyquiet.”
“He’llslipeventually,”Colbysaidwithcertainty.“Theyalwaysdo.”
“GiveCymyregards,”Huntertoldhim.“Maybeonedaywecanhaveareunionandtalkabouttheold
days.”
“I’llseeifIcanarrangethat,”Colbytoldhimwithagrin.
TWODAYSLATER,ColbyandSarinawereinstalledinseparateroomsintheJacobsvilleHotel.
Colbymighthavesuggestedasingleroom,buthewasn’treadytosharewhathe’dlearnedabouttheir
marriagewithherjustyet.Shewasstillwaryofhimanddistant,despitetheirintimacyintherecent
past.Hedidn’twanttopushtoohard.Hewantedhertothinkaboutallhe’dsaid.
They went together to Eb Scott’s training camp. Colby felt right at home with the mercs. He was
somewhateasierwithhispastnowthatSarinaknewaboutit.Herreactionhadn’tbeenquitewhathe
expected.Shewasastraightarrow,veryconventional.He’dexpectedthatshemightnotwantanything
todowithhimonceshefoundoutabouthispast.Ithadn’tbeenlikethatatall.
Notthatshewaslettinghimgetanycloser.Shewaspolite,courteous,andascoolasicewater.
“You’requiet,”heremarkedastheygotoutofthecaratEb’sranch.
“Idon’thaveanythingtosay,”shereplied.
“You’restillmadaboutVance,”heguessed,noddingwhenshegavehimastartledlook.“Iwantedto
take him in, but Hunter stopped me. He said we couldn’t afford a ripple in the stream.” He looked
angryandfrustrated,allatonce.
She was vaguely surprised at the anger. She turned to look up at him, her dark eyes wide and
quizzical.
“Ididn’tthinkitmatteredtoyouthathegotaway.”
“Heshotyou,”hesaidcurtly.
Sheturnedaway,butnotbeforehesawafaintsmileonherlips.
Eb Scott was tall and lean, with blond-streaked brown hair and green eyes. He shook hands with
Colbywarmly.
“Longtime,nosee,”hesaid.“You’veweatheredwell.”
“So have you,” Colby replied. He glanced around the camp, which he knew was state-of-the-art. If
therewereanyadvancementsinsurveillance,Ebhadthemfirst.“You’veexpandedsinceIwashere
last.”
“Thatwasyearsago,”Ebremindedhimwithagrin.
“Iguessitwas.”HeturnedtoSarina.“Youdon’tknowEb,doyou?”
Sheshookherhead,smiling.“I’veheardofhim,ofcourse.Cymeanttointroduceus,buttherewas
nevertime.”Sheheldoutherhand.“I’mSarinaCarrington,DEA.”
Ebshookthehand,glancingatColbycuriously.
“Weweremarried,once”wasallColbywouldadmit.“Wehaveadaughter.She’sjustturnedseven.”
EbhadheardaboutColby’smarriage,butfromwhatheknew,thewomanhadbeenabrunette.This
onewasablonde.
“Youprobablyknewhissecondwife,”Sarinasaid,anticipatingthequestion.“I’mthefirstone.Butwe
wereonlymarriedforoneday.”
Ebraisedaneyebrow.“Wiselady,toknowsoquicklywhatarottenhusbandhe’dmake.”
Colby burst out laughing. Sarina was surprised, because she’d expected him to take offense.
Apparentlythesetwokneweachotherverywell,indeed.
“Whatareyoutwodoingdownhere?”Ebasked.“IthoughtyouwereworkingforRitter,inHouston.”
“Iam,”Colbysaid.“Butwe’vehadsomedrugsmugglingcomplications,andweunderstandthatabig
shipmentofcocaineisgoingtobesentdownhereforconcealment.Weplantostopit.”
“Goodforyou,”Ebsaid.“We’vehadenoughdrugsmugglersheretolastusalifetime.CyandMicah
andIshutdownLopez’soperation,withalittlehelpfromHarleyFowler,andputLopez’smenonthe
street.”
“Iheard.Goodwork.”
Ebshrugged.“Itwasn’tthatdifficult.Heunderestimatedusrightdowntheline.”
“His successor is heading in the same direction,” Colby told him. “She thinks Lopez’s survivors
inventedthemercenariestoexplaintheirfailure.”
“Obviously she doesn’t read magazines,” Eb mused, recalling that his operation in Jacobsville had
featuredlargelyinoneaboutthetimeLopezdied.
“She’saverysuperiorsortofwoman,inherownmind,”Sarinainterjected.“Butshedependsonthe
wrong people. One of her operatives spilled the news that she was going to attempt to move the
shipmentfromitshidingplaceatourwarehouseinHouston.Heassumedthathewastheonlymanin
thecompanywhounderstoodSpanish.”Shesmiledwryly.“Hismistake.”
“Ifyouknowtheshipmentisinthewarehouse,whydon’tyoujustdoaninventory?”Ebasked.
“Youhavenoideahowbigthewarehouseis,”Colbyreplied,“orhowmanycartonswouldhavetobe
openedandinspected.Besidesthat,”headdedwithnarrowedeyes,“Idon’treallythinkthedrugsare
incartons.Ithinkthey’reconcealedsomewhereelse.”
“Where?”Sarinawantedtoknow.
Hegrimaced.“I’mnotsure.Justahunch.”
“Yourhunchesusedtobeprettyaccurate,”Ebrecalled.
“Theystillare,”Sarinamurmured,withoutlookingatColby.
“Well, we’ll get Micah and Cy in, and hold a council of war. I’ve got contacts everywhere,” Eb
mentioned.“AndCyknowsamanwhowentundercoverinLopez’soutfit…”
“Iknowhim,too,”Colbysaid,andhiseyesspokevolumestohisoldcomrade.
Eb was quick. He knew immediately that he wasn’t supposed to mention Rodrigo in front of the
woman.
“We can discuss him later,” Eb said, carelessly. “Come on in and I’ll give you a tour of the place.
Sally will be home from school about four. We have a son who’s in day care while mommy and
daddywork,buthe’llcomewithher.Youcanmeethim,too.”
“Youwithawifeandson,”Colbyshookhishead.“Who’dhavethoughtitsixyearsago?”
“Icouldsaythesameofyou,”Ebreturned,grinning.“Haven’twechanged,though?”
“Wehave,indeed,”Colbyagreed,withawarmsmileatSarina,whosecheekscoloredjustfaintly.
EB’SOPERATIONwasenormous.Thereweretwobarrackswithelectronichookupsandeverysort
ofgadgetknowntomodernscience.Therewasahugemetalbuildingusedformartialartstraining.
Therewasagunrange.Therewereexercisetrailsthroughthewoods,andmarkedareas,includingan
urban setting, where mock combat took place. There was even a track where one of Eb’s experts
taught defensive driving tactics. It was a counterterrorism school of which any country would be
proud.
“Wedoalotofcontractworkhereforvariousgovernments,”Ebtoldthem.“IaddpeopleasIneed
to.
Thedefensivedrivingrangeisnew.Soisthecombatarea.Wehavetokeepupwithcurrentterrorist
trends. Street fighting is a recent innovation, starting in Iraq. We have an instructor who teaches
Arabic and Farsi, along with some Bedouin dialects. I had plans to teach demolition and bomb
dismantling, but Sally put her foot down. She hates explosives.” He shrugged. “You win some, you
losesome.”
“Shejustdidn’twantyoublownup,”Colbyventured.
He chuckled. “It was just as well. I’d planned to ask Cord Romero to teach the course, but he got
marriedandhasachildontheway.He’sgoingtoretirefrommercworkandraiseprizebulls.”
“He and Maggie were in the papers a few months ago,” Colby recalled. “They shut down a child
slaveryringandkilledtheringleaderinAmsterdam.”
“Theydid,indeed.Andjustthink,shewasformerlyaninvestmentcounselor.”
“She,”ColbyjerkedathumbatSarina,“wasanoilcompanyclerk.She’soneofthebestintelligence
agentsI’vecomeacrossinrecentyears.”
“Igotshot,”Sarinaremindedhimdryly,butglowingfromthepraise.
“Anybody can get shot,” Eb said. “I’ve got a few holes in my hide, too, and not from carelessness.
Thewoundsheal,eventually.”
“Eventually,”Colbyagreed.
SALLY CAME HOME with their little boy, who was the image of his dad. He was shy around the
newcomers,butsweet.
Eb’swifetaughtgrammarschool.Shewasblondandslender,andobviouslyinlovewithherhusband.
SheandSarinakepteachothercompanywhileEbandColbytalkedoveroldtimes.
ThenextdaytheyspentwithCyandLisa,attheirranch.Theyarrangedforsomesurveillanceatthe
known haunts of the late Manuel Lopez, with trusted cowboys riding fence lines and keeping their
eyesopen.
“Didyouknowthatthere’saranchnearbythat’supforsale?”CyaskedColby.
“No.Whatsortofranch?”hereplied.
“It’snotabigone,bylocalstandards,”Cytoldhim.“Butithaspotential.Lotsofgoodgrazingland,
plentyofwater.Itcouldsupportaniceherdofhorses.”
ColbyglancedatSarina,whowaslisteningcarefully.“Whereisit?”heasked.
Cygrinned.“I’llshowyou.”
They left Lisa at the house, because her pregnancy was advanced and she found riding difficult. It
madehersick.CyloadedhisvisitorsintohisbigredExpeditionanddrovethemoverpasttheDBar
G,JuddandChristabelDunn’sprosperouscattleranchtotheoldHobDowneyproperty.
“Hob was killed by one of the notorious Clark brothers,” Cy told them. “He was a good old man,
everybodylovedhim.Thepropertyhasbeendesertedeversince.”Heparkedatthefrontdoorofthe
ramshackle ranch house. “The land is the thing,” he added when he saw their dubious looks. “The
houseisadeadloss.”
“Itis,”Colbyagreed.“I’dpullitdownandrebuild.MaybeaSpanishrevivalstyle.Itwouldfitinwell
withallthoseagavesandcacti.”
Sarina glanced at him with a warm smile. “Yes, it would. And painted a pale yellow, like desert
sand…”
“…itwouldbeperfect,”hefinishedforher.“Bernadettewouldloveit.Shecouldridehorsesevery
day.”
Sarina’s heart jumped up into her chest. Her eyes widened, darkened, as they met his across the
backseat.“Yes,”shesaidsoftly.“Shewould.”
Theyexchangedalookhotterthanajalapeñopepper.Cyclearedhisthroattogettheirattention.
“Andwe’rehere,”hesaid,hidingasmileashegotoutatthefrontdooroftheramshackleshack.At
theendofthedrivewaywasadull,lacklusterForSalesign,whichhadobviouslybeenthereforquite
sometime.
“AndyWebbhastheoptiononit,atJacobsvilleRealty,”Cytoldthem.“SinceoldHobhadnoliving
relatives,there’snoonetoinherit.Someoftheproceedswillgotowardhisburialandtherestwillbe
invested, with the proceeds to go to our local needy fund. Hob always used to say that poor people
needed more help than they ever got from the government. This way, he can go on helping, even
thoughhe’snolongerhere.”
“Hemusthavebeenaniceperson,”Sarinasaidsoftly.
“Hewas,”Cyreplied.“Whydon’tyoutwolookaround?I’llsitinthetruckandtalktoLisaonthe
phone.”Hegrinnedsheepishly.“Wedothatalot,withthebabyalmosthere.”
Colby chuckled and drew Sarina along with him. “If you’d known him six years ago,” he told her
wryly,“youwouldn’tthinkhewasthesameman.Marriagehaschangedhim.”
“Heseemsverymuchinlove.”
Hecaughtherslenderhandinhis.“Heis.”Hewalkedtothebackoftheproperty,wheretheyardwas
thickwithdenudedrosebushesandshrubs.Beyondwasopenpasturethatrantoalineoftreesfaron
thehorizon.“Lotsofspacehere,”hemused.“Likebackonthereservation,whenIwasaboy.”
“Yourfathertalkedaboutitalot,”shesaidsoftly.“Heknewhemadealotofmistakesinhislife.He
wassorryforallofthem,especiallywhenhelosttouchwithyou.Hefeltresponsible.”
His hand contracted around hers. “I blamed him for every bad thing that ever happened to me,” he
reminisced.“EvenafterIwasgrown.”Hisbroadshouldersroseandfell.“ButI’mjustbeginningto
understand how he felt. He loved my mother, but he couldn’t give up the bottle. After she died, he
musthavehatedhimself.Itonlymadethedrinkingworse.”
“Hedidhatehimself,foralongtime.ButwhenheknewIwascarryinghisgrandchild,hesoberedup
andnevertookanotherdrink.Notevenabeer.Helikedtothinkhemadeupforalittleofthepastby
thewayhetookcareofBernadettewhileIworked.Helovedherverymuch.”
He turned and looked down at her somberly. “So do I, Sarina,” he said in a tone like rich velvet.
“Moreeveryday.”
Shesearchedoverhisscarredface,uptohisdark,quieteyes.She’dlovedthismanhalfherlife.She
wonderedhowsheevermanagedtolivewithouthim.Lovewasatenaciousthing,shepondered.
Tenaciousandterrifying.
Hetouchedhersoftmouthwithhisfingertips.“Youlovedme,”hesaidinaquietharshtone.“Iknew
it,butIstillgaveyouhell.IdeservedwhathappenedtomewithMaureen.Youdon’tbuildhappiness
onsomeoneelse’sdespair.”
Herheartjumped.“Youlovedher,”shebegan.
“Hell,”hesaidharshly,“Iwantedher.Ineverlikedher,asaperson.Shewasselfishandgrasping,and
sheneverputherselfoutforanyone.Ifeelsorryforthechildshe’llberaising.Itwillprobablybein
juvenilehallbeforeit’sthirteen.She’snobody’sideaofamother.”Heshookhishead.“AndIwanted
childrenwithher.Luckyme,thatweneverhadone.”
“Didn’tyoueverwonder,aboutthatnightwespenttogether?”sheaskedcuriously.
He laughed softly, with self-contempt. “I thought you were experienced, remember. I thought you
were on the Pill. It never occurred to me that there might be a child.” He searched her eyes slowly.
“HaveyouthoughtabouthowitmighthavebeenifMaureenhadn’tdeliberatelyignoredyourcallfor
help?”
She managed a weak smile. “I did, occasionally. I couldn’t help wondering what you would have
done.”
“I’dhavecometoyoulikeashot,”herepliedimmediately.“Iwantedchildrenmorethananythingin
theworld,”hesaidwithfaintbitterness.“IwasconvincedthatIcouldn’thaveany.”
“Thenmaybeyouwouldn’thavebelievedshewasyours,”shebegan.
He put his forefinger against her lips, to silence her. “It’s easy to get a DNA test these days. There
wouldn’thavebeenanydoubtforlong.EspeciallyonceIsawher,”headdedgently.“Ineverthought
of you as the sort of woman who’d go from one man to another so quickly. Especially,” he added
uncomfortably,“afterwhatIdidtoyou.”
Shemovedintohisarmsandpressedagainsthim,embracinghiswaistsonaturallythatheenveloped
herwithdelight.“Maybewe’renotrememberingthesamethingthatyoudidtome,”shewhispered.“I
wasrememberingwhenwetookashowertogether,whileyouweregettingovermalaria.”
He actually shivered. His mouth searched for hers, found it, ground into it in the windy chill of
autumnthatsurroundedthem.Hegroanedwhenhefeltherinstantresponse.
“It was glorious,” he whispered roughly. “I’ve never felt anything like it. Especially after…” He
stoppeddeadandliftedhishead.“Oh,God,”hewhispered,hisfacetautening.
“What?”shewondered.
“Sarina,wedidn’tuseanything,”hesaidheavily.“Baby,youcouldalreadybepregnant.”
Her delicate features lifted in a warm, comfortable smile. “I suppose I could,” she replied,
overwhelmedwithpleasureatthewayhelooked—wonderingandhappy,allatonce.
Hechuckled.“Youwouldn’tmind?”
Sheshrugged.“Ilovekids.”Thesmilefaded.“Except…”
“Except that we aren’t married,” he said for her. The smile grew softer. “When we get this case
solved,we’llmakedecisions.Okay?”
Shefeltasifshecouldwalkonair.“Okay,Colby.”
Hekissedheragainandreluctantlylethergo.
Theywalkedaroundtheproperty,discussingitsmerits.Colbyfeltherpresence,assheseemedtofeel
his,becauseherfaceflushed.Hereachedbesidehimforherhandandlockedittightintohis.Hefelt
asifhewerevibratingwithneed.Hewonderedifshefelttheheatashedid.Helookeddownather
andsaweyesalmostburningwithhunger.Hisleanfingerstightenedalmostpainfullyaroundhersas
Cyjoinedthematthefrontgate.
“Howmuchofthelandisinpasture?”Colbyasked,tryingtomakehisvoicesoundnormal.
“Abouttwo-thirdsofit,”Cysaid.“Therestisinhardwoodsandastreamrunsthroughit.You’dhave
goodwater.Well?Whatdoyouthink?”
“WheredowefindthisAndyWebb?”Colbyaskedabruptly,andsmiledatSarina’sobviousdelight.
Cygrinned.“Ijusthappentoknowwherehisofficeis.Climbin!”
JUSTTHATQUICKLY,Colbymadethedecisiontobuytheproperty.Hedidn’tknowifSarinawould
wanttoliveonitwithhimpermanently.Therewouldbeharddecisionstomake,forbothofthem,if
shedid.ButBernadettewouldhavebothparentsandsecurity.Perhapshecouldselltheideatoheron
thatbasis.Heknewthathewasnevergoingtosurvivelettingheroutofhislifeagain.Sheandtheir
daughterhadalreadybecomepartofhisverysoul.
Cydrovethembacktotheranch,wheretheyhadsandwichesandcoffee.Thentheyleft,reluctantly,to
gobacktothehotel.
ColbystoppedatSarina’sdoor,hesitating,becausethiswasasmalltownandtheyweren’tknown.
They had separate rooms. It had never bothered him before, taking a single woman into his room
duringlongtripsabroad.Butnow,inthistight-knitcommunitywherehewasconsideringsettingup
house,hedidn’twanttodoanythingtosullyherreputation.Andshedidn’tknowaboutthatso-called
annulment.Itwasacardhewasn’treadytoplay.
Hetuggedheragainsthim,likingtheclean,sweetsmellofherbodyandherhair,whichsheworeina
ponytailtoday.
“How’sthearm?”heaskedgently.
She smiled, trying to appear calm when her whole body tingled at the contact with his. She wanted
nothingmorethantodraghiminsideherroomandpushhimdownonthenearestbed.Sheknewhe
wouldn’tresist.Sheknewhewantedherjustasbadly.
“It’smuchbetter,”shesaidatonce.
Heliftedaneyebrowandtuggedhercloser.“Youwouldn’tbetryingtoseduceme?”hedrawledwith
twinklingeyes.“BecauseIhavetotellyou,I’measy.”
Shesmiledback.“WhatifIamtryingto?”
“You’reoutofluck,prettygirl,”hemurmured.“Ihavesomethingalotmorepermanentinmindthan
astolenhour.Especiallywithanaudience.”
“Audience?”
Hequirked an eyebrowto their side,where the proprietor ofthe hotel wassweeping off his porch.
Notthatitwasdirty…
Shelaughedsoftly.“Smalltowns.”
“Yes. I think I might like to live here, Sarina,” he said after a minute. “I’ve never really belonged
anywhere,exceptonthereservation.ButI’vegrowntoofarawayfromittobeabletogoback.Here,
I’dbeamongoldcomrades,peopleI’veknownforyears,peoplewhosharemyownhistory.”
“Youmean,giveupworkingforMr.Ritter?”sheasked,alittleworriedly.
Hemethereyes.“I’dliketogiveitatry.Arealtry.”
“Oh.”
Hescowledandtiltedherfacebackuptohis.Hereyesweredark,sad.“What’swrong?”
Shedrewinaslowbreath.“Idon’tactuallyworkforMr.Ritter.IworkfortheDEA,outoftheTucson
office,”shesaid.“Ihavetogoback.”
“Doyou?Why?”
Shecaughtherbreath.“Becauseit’smyjob!Ihavetomakealiving,Colby,”shepersisted.
Heslidhishandunderherleftoneandtuggedituptohisbroadchest.“Youmightbepregnant,”he
remindedher.“Doyoureallywanttohaveanotherchildalone?”
Hereyesweretormented.“Ofcoursenot.Itisn’tthat…”
“Then,whycouldn’tyouworkhereinJacobsville?”
Sheblinked.“TheDEAdoesn’thaveanofficehere,”shestammered.
“Thereareseverallawenforcementagencieshereinthecounty,”hesaid.“Everytownhasapolice
force. Cash Grier, Jacobsville’s police chief, is especially hard on drug dealers. So is the sheriff,
HayesCarson.Cysaysthey’rebothalwayscomplainingthattheydon’thaveenoughinvestigators.”
“Youmean,leavetheDEAandgotoworkhere?”shequestionedslowly.
Henodded.“IcouldhitEbforajobathisschool.I’mamasterinterrogator.Iusemethodsthataren’t
in any book of rules. And I have a reputation with intelligence gathering and martial arts. I think I
couldfindaplaceformyself.”
Shecouldhardlybelievewhathewassaying.Butheactuallyseemedtobeserious.“BernadetteandI
couldcomeandvisityouattheranch…”
“YouandBernadettecouldlivewithme,attheranch,”hereplied,verysolemnly.“I’vemadeahellof
alotofmistakesinmylife.Mostofthemhavehurtyou.Nowyouhavetodecidewhetherornotyou
thinkyoucanspendtherestofyourlifewithme,here.”
Her lips parted. It was like a dream come true. There were obstacles. There were concerns, like
movingBernadettetoastrangetownwhereshe’dhavetogiveupherfriendsandmakenewones.But
justthethoughtofitwastantalizing.
“Thinkaboutitforaweekortwo,”hetoldher.“Youdon’thavetomakedecisionstonight.AsIsaid
before,atDowney’splace,we’lltalkaboutitagain,afterwebreakupthissmugglingoperation.How
aboutthat?”
Shesmiledwithherwholeheart.“Okay,”sheagreedbreathlessly,laughing.
Hesmiledback.“Okay.”
Shereacheduptentativelyandtouchedhischeekwithjustthetipsofherfingers.“Ineverevenhoped
thatyoumightconsidersomethingpermanent.”
Hecaughtherbythewaistandtuggedhercloser.“Iliketheideathatyoumightbepregnant,bythe
way,”hewhispered,lovinghersoftflush.“Wemightthinkabouthavingseveralmorechildrenwhile
I’vegotthestamina,”hewhisperedwickedly.
Sheblushed.“I’dlikethat,”shewhisperedback.
“I know something I’d like better, just at the moment,” he murmured, bending. His hard mouth
brushedoverhersoftonewithalazy,graduallyinsistentpressurethatmadeherbodyacheallover.
Shereachedupandheldhimclose,moaningashisarmscontractedandhedeepenedthekiss.
Itwasallhecoulddotostop.Hepulledaway,hisbodytaut,hisfacerigid.“Notyet,”hegroundout.
“Spoilsport,”shechidedbreathlessly.
Heburstoutlaughing.“I’mtryingtomakeanhonestwomanofyou!”
“I’malreadyanhonestwoman.Wecanstillhavesex.It’sokay.”
Hewonderedhowhe’dlivedsolongwithouther.Hegatheredherupcloseinawarm,affectionate
embraceandrockedheragainsthim,stilllaughing.“You’regoingtobeahandful,”hemused.
“You’regoingtoloveit,too,”sheshotback.
Hesighed,puttingherslowlyaway.“Ihavetogetsomesleep.Sodoyou.Tomorrow,we’regoingto
put out feelers and see if we can’t flush some drug dealers. I’m impatient to get this operation
finished.”
“Funny,”shemurmured,“soamI.”
Helethergo.“Sleeptight.”
“You,too.”
“Breakfastatseven,”heremindedher.“Iwanttogetanearlystart.”
“Suitsme.Good-night.”
Hewrinkledhisnoseather.“Good-nightyourself.”
HE DIDN’T SLEEP. It was a shock to find her willing to live with him. He hadn’t mentioned
marriage,buthewascertainsheunderstoodthatwaswhathemeant.Theywerestillmarried,andhe
hadyettotellher.Therewastime,hedecided.Now,therewasallthetimeintheworld.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
THEWIRECOLBYHADplacedinBrodyVance’scarpaidofftheverynextday.HuntercalledColby
onhiscellphonewithnews.
“The tip you got was apparently right on the money,” Hunter said, alluding to the young gang
leader ’s anonymous conversation with Colby, who hadn’t mentioned his identity to Hunter. “The
Dominguez woman’s feeling safe,” he told the other man. “She’s considering moving the shipment
tonight, or tomorrow night, to Jacobsville. We don’t know where it is, but we have some idea of
whereit’sgoing.
Wasthereahoneyoperationdownthereatanytime?”
“Cymentionedone,atthebackofhisproperty,”hereplied.“Hesaidtheholdingcompanystillowned
it,althoughit’sbeenderelictsinceLopez’soperationwasshutdownhere.”
“Bingo!”
“Listen,canyoutalktoCobbandtellhimtotakethesurveillanceoffthewarehouse,justfortoday
andtomorrow,andmakesurethatVanceoverhearsit?”Colbyasked.
“Areyounuts?”
“Wedon’tneedtoknowwhereitis,Hunter,aslongasweknowwhereit’sgoing,don’tyousee?”
Hunterpaused.“Isupposeyou’reright.Butit’srisky.”
“Not if we have Eb and Cy and Sarina and myself down here waiting for it, with any backup Cobb
feelscomfortablesending,”headded.“Iwouldn’tmindhavingRamirezalong,”hesaidreluctantly.“I
don’tliketheguy,butCysaysthere’snobodybetterinatightcorner,andIfoundthatoutfirsthand
duringthelastraid.”
“Cy’sright,”Huntertoldhim.“Okay.I’llsendhimdowntoCy’stoday.Hecangetamotelroomand
betherewhenthedambreaks.”
“Take good care of Bernadette,” Colby warned. “I don’t think Vance would hesitate to have her
snatchedifhecouldgettoher.She’dbeagreatbargainingtool.Bynow,theoutfitissuretoknow
thatSarinaisaDEAagent.”
“IspentseveralyearsworkingfortheCIA,”theothermanremindedhim,tongue-in-cheek.
“SodidI,”Colbyreturned,“butit’sstillbettertospelleverythingout.Isn’tit?”
“I guess so,” came the resigned reply. “We’ll make sure Bernadette’s safe. You and Sarina look to
yourownbacks.Thisisadangerouscrowd.”
“Soarewe,”Colbysaidwithagrin.“Butjustincase,youwatchyourownback.”
“Gotyou.”
Colby debated whether or not to tell Sarina that he’d asked Rodrigo to come down and join the
operation. Some part of him was still jealous of the attention the other man got from Sarina and
Bernadette.Hedecided,finally,toletitbeasurprise.Itwassafer.
COLBY RELAYED what Hunter had told him to Cy and Eb and Sarina as they all sat around the
diningroomtableatCy’slaterthatday.
“I’vemadeafewphonecalls,”Ebadded,toyingwithhiscoffeecup.“We’llhaveplentyoflocallaw,
aswellasthefeds.Itlookslikewe’regoingtoshutdownoneofthebiggestdrugoperationsinsouth
Texas sometime in the next forty-eight hours, if Dominguez doesn’t get cold feet and change her
mind.”
“Ihopeyou’reright,”Ebsaidsolemnly.“Thisisadirtybusiness.Idon’twantitinmycounty.”
“NeitherdoI,”Cyadded.“DidColbytellyouhe’sbuyingHobDowney’splace?”
“Are you?” Eb asked with a grin. “Then how about signing on with me? I need someone to teach
martialarts.”
“You’reasgoodasIam,”Colbyreplied,chuckling.
“But I don’t have the time to do administration and teaching as well, not with a child to raise,” Eb
replied.“I’llpayyoudoublewhatRitter ’soffering,andyoucansetupyourowncurriculum.”
Colbypursedhislips.Thiswasmorethanhe’dhopedfor.“Autonomy?”
“Complete autonomy,” Eb agreed. He cleared his throat. “As long as you don’t try to teach
interrogationtacticstoanyofmystudents.”
Colbygavehimadrolllook.“Spoilsport.”
“The deputy director of the FBI had a lot to say about your presence in Africa after the embassy
bombings,”hereplied.Hiseyessaidmorethanthewordsdid.
“Theysentmehome,”Colbysaid,shrugging.“Beatsmewhy.Iwasonlyaskingsimplequestions.”
“Itwasthewayyouwereaskingthem,andwhatwith,”Ebmused.
Colbyglaredathim.“Igotresults.”
“AndtheBureaugotlawsuits,”Ebnodded.“Nointerrogationtactics.Period.”
Colbyshrugged.“Okay.Butifweeverneedinformationfromahostileforce…?”
“You’llbefirstonmylist,”Ebpromised.“Well?”
ColbyextendedhishandandshookEb’s.“Putmeonthepayroll.I’llneedtogiveRittertwoweeks’
notice.”
“Allright!”Eblaughed.
SarinametColby’ssearchingeyesandsmiledsobrightlythathisheartskipped.Noneedtoaskifshe
waspleasedwithhisdecision.Hefeltwarminside.
But before he could speak, there was a knock at the door. Lisa opened it to admit a tall, handsome
Mexicanwithlaughingdarkeyes.
“WasIexpected?”heaskedwhenColbyglaredathim.
“Youwere,”Cyagreed,shakinghishand.“ColbyaskedHuntertosendyoudown.”
Sarina’seyeswidenedlikeplates.RodrigoliftedbotheyebrowsatColbyandsmiled.“Youaskedfor
me?”hequeried.
Colbyclearedhisthroat.“Yes,actually,Idid.Cytoldmeaboutyourparticipationinanearlier…
undercoveroperation,”hesaid,withoutlettingonthatRodrigohadbeenamerc.Hehadtochoosehis
movesverycarefully.Sarinamightreactbadlyifherattedonthecompetition.
Rodrigo’seyebrowsliftedevenmore.“Yes?”
Colbyshrugged.“Youhaveanadvantageonallofusabouttheoperationintheseparts.Itwouldbe
stupidtoleaveyouout.Especiallynow.”
Rodrigotriednottolooksmug.Hecouldn’tquitemanageit.
“And you can drop the smug expression,” Colby added with a glare. “Or something might
accidentallyslip.”
Rodrigoknewwhathemeant.Butheonlychuckled.“Idonotthinkitwouldmattermuchanymore,”
heconfessedquietly,withaknowingglancetowardSarina,whowasopenlystaringatColbyasifhe
belongedtoher.Whichhedid.
Colby let go of the anger when he saw where Rodrigo was looking. His eyes met Sarina’s and she
blushed. That amused him and defused the tension. He chuckled along with the older man. “Point
taken.Let’sgetdowntobusiness,shallwe?”
THEREWASacomradeshipinthegroupofformermercenariesthatSarinaenvied.Shewasgoodat
herjob.She’dbeeninlife-and-deathsituations.Butshefeltasoutofplaceasaturnipinthegathering.
Hergazewenttothesmalltown’spolicechief,CashGrier,wholookedasoutofitasshefelt.Hewas
standingonthesidelineswhileColbydiscussedtacticswithEbScott,CyParksandRodrigo.
Cashglancedatherandgrinned.“Feelingoutofplace?Alone?Unnecessary?”
Hereyestwinkled.“Howdidyouknow?”
Heshrugged.“Ireadminds.”
“Nicetalent.”
“Actuallyit’sthewayIfeelmyself,”heconfessed.“Iwasneverreallypartofagroup.”
“No?Whatdidyoudo?”
Heleanedcloser.“Naughtythings.Verynaughtythings.However,I’mreformednow,”heassuredher
withagrin.“TippyandIareverypregnant.”
“Tippy?”
“Mywife,”hereplied.“Iwantagirl.Shewantsaboy.Butwe’llbehappyenoughwitheither.”
Shesmiled.“Congratulations,”shesaid,wonderinghowsuchalonewolfsortofmanhadendedup
married.Hedidn’tlookthetype.
Atall,good-lookingmaninasheriff’suniformcameintotheroom,grimacedashesawthegroupof
menandautomaticallymadeabeelineforCashandSarina.
“Ifeel—”HayesCarsonbeganinhisdeepvoice.
“Outofplaceandunappreciated,”Cashfinishedforhim.“Andweknowexactlyhowyoufeel.Thisis
SarinaCarrington,”heintroduced.“DEA.”
“HayesCarson,JacobsCountySheriff,”theothermanreplied,extendingahandforhertoshake.
“Hey!”Cashcalledtothegroup.
Theyallturnedandstaredathim.
“Isthisaclosedoperation,ordoyoutakeoutsiders?”
Theylaughedandjoinedtheotherthree.
“Sorry,”EbScottsaid,extendingahandtofirstCash,thenHayes.“Wewerereminiscing.”
“Don’ttellme,”Sarinajoked.“YouwerealltogetherinAfrica.”
“Howdidyouknowthat?”Ebaskedcuriously.
“Justaneducatedguess,”Sarinasaid,andshewasgivingRodrigoaverystrangelook.
Hemovedtoherside,hishandsdeepinhispockets.HeshotaglanceatColby.
“Hedidn’ttellmeanything,”Sarinatoldherpartnerofthreeyears,withaglare.“Butit’shardtomiss
thatyoufitrightinhere.”
Rodrigogrimaced.“IwasnotalwaysaDEAagent,”heconfessed.
“Nokidding?”shedrawled.
“Don’tgivehimanyheat,”Cytoldherfirmly.“Ifitwasn’tforRodrigo,we’dneverhaveshutdown
Lopez.HegotaleaveofabsencefromtheDEAandactuallywentundercoverinLopez’soperation.
Hedamnedneargothimselfkilledintheprocess.”
Sarinacaughtherbreath.“Younevertoldme!”sheexclaimed.
“Well,lookwho’stalking?”Rodrigoshotback.“Didyoutellmeyou’dbeenmarried?”
“IwouldhavethoughtyouwouldassumeIwas,sinceIhadachild,”shereplied.
Hegloweredather.“Plentyofpeoplehavechildrenwithoutmarriage.”
“Idon’t!”shereturned.
Colbysteppedbetweenthem.“Weareallheretofightdrugdealers,”hepointedout.
“Arewereally?”shemuttered.
“AndyounevertoldmethatyouwereaDEAagent,”Colbyadded.“Ihadtofindoutduringadrug
raid!”
“Hehasapoint,”Rodrigotoldher.
“Youcanshutup,”sheinvited.
“Isn’tthatyourboss?”Cashaskedsuddenly,indicatingatall,grimlookingmanwithdarkhairand
greeneyesstridingtowardthem.
SarinaandRodrigoturnedimmediately,snappingtoattention.
“Soyou’rebothalreadyhere.Good.Good,”AlexanderCobbsaid.“Iassumeallofyouarepartofthe
deal?”headded,notingthegroup.
“Weknowthelayoutoftheland,andatleasttwoofuswereinvolvedinshuttingdownLopez,”Cy
volunteered.
Cobb narrowed his eyes at the other man. “I remember,” he said curtly. “You walked right into my
operation without my knowledge, thanks to Kennedy—who is now serving time for conspiracy to
distributedrugs!”
Rodrigo held up his hand. “May I intercede? I was working undercover in Lopez’s operation at the
time,andtheyintervenedtokeepyourmenfromkillingme.”
Cobb’s lips made a thin line. “Obviously they missed. And lucky for you that I’ve mellowed since
then,”headded,andRodrigosmiledsheepishly.
“Some target practice might not come amiss,” Cash murmured dryly. “My men are required to
qualifyontheshootingrangemonthly.”
“Yourmendon’tshootpeople,”Ebpointedout.
“Well,iftheyeverhavetoshootanyone,wedon’twantthemtomiss,nowdowe?”Cashagreed.
“Whodoyouhavestakingoutthesmugglers’localwarehouse?”CobbaskedCy.
“Oneofmymenwithapairofbinocularsandacellphone.”
“Andiftheyspothim?”Cobbpersisted.
“He’swearingaGhilliesuit.”
Cobbblinked.“WherethehelldidyougetaGhilliesuit?”hedemanded.
Cash raised his hand. “I wasn’t using it for a day or two.” He glanced down at Sarina’s puzzled
expression.“IgotitatFortBragg,yearsago,”hewhispered.“ArmySniperSchool.Butdon’tworry,
it’sjustmyspare.”Hegrinned.Shedidn’tknowwhethertolaughorrun.Hecouldn’tbeserious,of
course.
Cobb gave Cash a curious glance, but he didn’t pursue it. “Okay, then, can we assume he’ll let us
knowtheminutehespotstraffic?”
“Wecan,”Cyassuredhim.“Itlookslikealongnight.”
“Ormaybetwoorthreeofthem,”Colbyadded.“Hunter ’sgoingtotipoffVanceunobtrusively.Then
wehavetohopethatDominguezwilltakethebait.”
“Absolutely.”
THEYSETTLEDDOWNtowait.Itwasn’tlongbeforeCyhadaquickcommunicationfromHarley.
Hechuckled.“Itseemsthesmugglershavejustmovedinashipmentofbeegums,”hesaiddryly.
“Beegums.”Cobbnodded.“Openorclosed?”
He asked Harley. “Closed,” he replied. “And get this, there are men with automatic weapons all
aroundthebeegums,makingsurethosebeesdon’tescape.”
The task force grouped together. Everyone started checking guns and ammo, and communications
equipment.Theysynchronizedwatches.
“Everybodyready?”Cobbaskedthegroup.
Thereweremurmuredassents.Therewasnojokingnow.
ColbytuggedSarinatoonesideandlookeddownathersolemnly.“How’sthearm?”heaskedwith
someconcern.
“I’mgoingtobejustfine,aslongasyouandRodrigoaretheretobackmeup,”shesaidwithatiny
smile.
Hechuckled,havingalreadydecidedthatRodrigowasnolongerathreat.Hewinkedather.“I’dkiss
you,”hewhispered,“butwe’dneverliveitdown.”
Shewrinkledhernoseathim.“Afraidofgossip?’shemused.
HeglancedatCashGrier,whoseeyesweresparklingwithgleefulmalice.
Colbyindicatedtheotherman.“Areyou?”hewhispered.
Shechuckled.“Well,maybejustalittle,”sheconfessed.
Hecockedhispistolandputonthesafetybeforeheholsteredit.“Later,”hepromisedwithtwinkling
eyes.
Shenodded.“Yes,”shesaidbreathlessly.“Later.”
“Let’sgo!”Cobbcalled.
Thevariousmembersofthetaskforcemeltedintocarsandsetoffforthewarehouse.
COLBYANDSARINAwerealmostatthesitewhenColby’scellphoneranginsistently.Heglancedat
it,sawHunter ’snameonthecallerID,andturneditoff.He’dcallhimbackaftertheraid,hedecided.
“Bettershutoffyourphoneaswell,”hetoldher.“Wecan’taffordtohavethemringbeforewe’rein
position.”
“Goodpoint,”sheagreed,andshutherownoff.
They pulled up behind Cobb and Cy, on a dirt road several hundred yards from the entrance to the
warehouse.
Everyonegotout,checkedweapons,andgatheredfortheassault.Butbeforetheycouldact,EbScott
movedinfrontandheldupahandurgently.
“Holdon,”hesaidcurtly.“There’sacomplication.”
HelookedstraightatColbyandSarinaashesaidit,andColbycursedunderhisbreath.“Bernadette!”
hesaidatonce.
Ebgavehimanoddlook,buthenodded.“TheDominguezwomanhasher,”hesaidtightly.“Hunter
tookthekidswithhimandJennifertoarestaurant.Bernadettewenttotherestroomanddidn’tcome
back. Hunter is furious with himself, but it’s too late for regrets now. The Dominguez woman says
eitherwebackoff,or…”Helettherestslide.Thereweremurmuredwhispers.
ColbyglanceddownatSarinaandgatheredherclose.“It’sallright,”hesaidsoftly.“Trustme.”
“YouknowIdo,”shesaid.“But…”
Hepressedhisfingersagainsthermouth.Hemovedawayfromthelawenforcementcontingentand
drewasideEbandCy.“Ineedahostage,”hesaid.“Someonehighlevel.”HeglancedatCobbandthe
others.“You’renothereforthenextfifteenminutes.”
Cobb,alerttowhatwasgoingon,noddedsolemnly.
The three men moved off together into the darkness. Sarina stood with the other law enforcement
officers,gnawingherlip,andprayed.
TENMINUTESLATER,Colbycamebackaheadofthem,hisfacegrim,hiseyesflashing.“They’ve
got her at the old Johnson place, near where Sally Scott lived before she married Eb. I need two
willingvolunteers.”
“Me,”Sarinasaidatonce.
“Me,too,”CashGriersaid,andhewasn’tsmiling.“I’vegotmyrifleinthebootofmycar,withnight
vision,”headdedgrimly.“ColbyandSarinaandIwillgointogether.Whenwe’vegotthechildinthe
clear,we’llgiveyouthegreenlight.”
“Arifle?”Sarinaaskedworriedly.“Listen,ifthey’vegotherclosetothem…”
EbScottmovedtoSarina’ssidewhileCashwenttogethisgear.“Youdon’tknowGrier,andhewon’t
tellyou,butIwill,”hesaid,loweringhisvoice.“Hewasacovertassassin.Thereisn’tanybodybetter
withasniperkit.Butyoudidn’thearitfromme.”
Sarinaletoutabreath.“Okay.Thanks.”
EbnoddedandwentwithCyandtheotherstothebackofCy’sExpedition,wherehisowncacheof
weapons was stored. Cash came back in a riot jacket and a face mask, carrying the rifle over his
shoulder.Helookedasgrimastheothers.
HayesCarsonmovedcloser.“Listen,countyenforcementismyjurisdiction,”hetoldCash.
The older man turned to him. “Can you hit a target in the dark at six hundred yards and not miss,
whenachild’slifehangsinthebalance?”heaskedcurtly.
Carsonletoutabreath.“No.”
“Ican,”Cashrepliedwithsupremeconfidence.HemotionedtoSarinaandColbywithhishead.“Let’s
go.”
Colbydrove.AstheynearedtheJohnsonplace,CashhadColbystoptheSUVandlethimoutwiththe
rifle.
He checked his cell phone. “Turn yours on, if it isn’t already,” he told Colby. “And don’t make a
move on the house until I take out whoever ’s holding the child. I’ll send a signal, just one. Go like
hellwhenIdo.”
“Roger.”
Cashtookoffintothewoods,sosilentlythatSarinawasamazed.
“How did you find out where they had her?” she asked Colby as they moved closer, without lights,
andstoppedjustoutofsightofthehouse.
Heglancedather.“Youdon’twanttoknow.Really.”
Shepursedherlips.“Theywon’thurther…?”
Theywould,andheknewit.“Theywon’tgetthechance,”hetoldSarina.Heclosedhiseyes,hoping
againsthopethathisoddpsychicconnectiontothechildwouldworkthisonetimewhenherlittlelife
might depend on it. Father, he thought silently to the old man he’d treated so badly in recent years,
helpmesaveher!
Asifinadream,hesawBernadette,herdarkeyessolemnandunblinking.Hesawthroughhereyes
the room, the window, the man standing behind her with a loaded pistol while a dark woman, Cara
Dominguez,spokeonaphone.Therewasanotherwomanaswell,armedwithanautomaticrifle,and
anothermanwithapistol.
“God,”hewhisperedunsteadily.“Keepyourheaddown,baby.Keepyourheaddown!”
Evenashethoughtit,heheardthefirstofthreeshots.Theywerequick,deliberate,and,apparentlyso
accuratethatthepeopleinsidecouldn’tevenreact—becausethephonesuddenlyrang.
“Let’sgo!”ColbytoldSarina.
BothhadtheirpistolsoutandtheywererunningforBernadette’slife.
Colby didn’t stop to open the door, he kicked it in. He went low, Sarina went high, as if they’d
practiced the assault all night. The Dominguez woman had Bernadette around the neck and she was
crouched,thepistolatthechild’sneck.Theotherthreemembersofhergroupwereonthefloor,one
dead,twobadlywoundedanduseless.
“Iwillkillher!”shetoldColby,screaming.“Youwillnotstopme!”
Colby took a slow, careful breath. He didn’t lower his pistol. “Baby, you know what to do,” he
whispered.
“Yes,Daddy,”Bernadettesaid,hervoiceshaking,buthereyesfullofcourage.
“¿Que?”theDominguezwomandemanded.HergriponBernadettetightened.“Whatareyou…?”
Bernadette’s eyes closed and she went completely limp all at once. She was small, but such a dead
weightthattheDominguezwomanhadtoshiftherweightsuddenly.ThetinymovementgaveColbya
shotandhetookit.Hegotthewomaninthechest.Shegroanedandfell,herlungpunctured.Thegun
fired,butintothefloor.
Atthesametime,thedownedmangothisfingersaroundhispistolandraisedit,butSarinawasequal
tothetask.Shewingedhiminthearmholdingthegunanditflewoutofhishands.
Colbyshotforwardandscoopeduphisdaughter,holdinghersotightthatsheshivered,herlittlearms
hard around his neck. Sarina disarmed the woman on the floor and kicked the man’s pistol aside
beforeshewentrapidlytoherfamily.SheslidanarmaroundBernadette,too,andkissedherhair.
“Iwasscaredtodeath,”Sarinasaidshakenly.
“Greatshot,bytheway,”hetoldher,grinning.“Icouldn’thavesavedmyselfintime.”
“Thanks.Oh,Colby!”shegroaned.“Whataclosecall!”
Hekissedherhungrily.“BernadetteandIknewwhatweweredoing,baby,”hetoldSarina.“Wejust
couldn’ttellyou!”HesmiledatBernadette.“God,I’msoproudofyou!”hetoldher.“Soproud!You
wereverybrave.”
“Soareyou.Iheardyou,inmyhead,”shetoldhimseriously.“Yousaidtokeepmyheaddown.
Somebodyshotthosemen,beforeyouandMamacame,andthatotherwoman…!”
Cashcameupontheporchsosilentlythatnobodyheardhimuntilhewasintheroom,therifleslung
overhisbroadshoulder.Hesurveyedthedamageandnodded.
“I need to get in more practice,” he muttered coldly as he noted the two who were only wounded.
Theygavehimhorrifiedlooks.
“Youdidgreat,fromourpointofview,”Colbysaidsincerely.Heheldouthishand.“Thanks!”
“I’llsecondthat,”Sarinasaidwithatearfulsmile.“Thanksamillion!”
He shrugged. “All in a day’s work,” he assured them, as he shook Colby’s hand, and with a warm
smile at Bernadette, who returned it. “But I count favors,” he told Sarina. “And I really need an
investigator.
MakingdrugcasesisthebiggestpartofwhatIdohere.I’vegotamissingwomanwho’suptoher
neck in the Dominguez operation. She’s still out there, somewhere, and she’ll probably replace
Dominguez.
Thisisn’tover,byalongshot.”
ShelookedathimandthenatColbyandBernadette.Shesmiled.“Okay,”sheagreed.“I’llgiveCobb
my resignation today,” she said. She glanced at Colby’s delighted smile. “Where are we going to
live?”
“We’ll rent a house for the time being,” he said huskily. He cuddled Bernadette close. “How would
youliketoliveonaranchinJacobsville,baby,andhaveyourownhorses?”
“Oh,Daddy,I’dloveit!Canwe?”
HelookedoverherheadatSarina,inawaythatcouldhavesetfiretodryleaves.“Yes,wecan.”
“Areyougoingtomarrymymommy?”shepersisted.
Hesmiled.“We’lltalkaboutthatlater.Rightnow,we’vegotadrugbust…”
Cash’sphonerang.Heansweredit,glancingatDominguez,whowascursingsteadily.“Stopthat,”he
muttered,“there’sachildpresent!”
“AndshespeaksSpanish,”Colbyseconded,glaringatthewoman.
“Right,”Cashsaidintothephoneandclosedit.Hegrinned.“Itseemsthattherestofthebeekeepers
arenowincustody,alongwiththeirproduct.They’llbeguestsofthefederalgovernmentforsome
time.”
“How…”Colbybegan.
“Oh,Iphonedthem,”Cashsaideasily.“IsawDominguezgodowninmyscopeandfiguredyouhad
thesituationinhand,soIgaveCobbthegreenlight.Heandtheresttookouttheoperation.”
“Weweren’tevenneeded,”Sarinasighed.
“Iwouldn’tsaythat,”Cashreplied,notingtheresultsoftheirraid.“Niceshooting,”hetoldthemboth.
“Not so nice,” Colby muttered. “I wasn’t aiming for her shoulder,” he added deliberately, and the
womanonthefloorstoppedcursingandwentwhite.
“Youcanpracticeonourlocalgunrangewheneveryoulike,”Cashtoldhim.“Sortofathank-youfor
lettingyourwifeworkforme.”
“You’re welcome,” Colby said, looking past him at Sarina with warm eyes. He still had to tell her
abouttheirmarriage.Hehopeditwasn’tgoingtobeadisappointment.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
LATER,whenCashfoundouthowColbygotBernadettetogolimpinthenickoftime,hetookthem
alltohishouseandintroducedthemtohisbeautiful,andverypregnantwife,Tippy.Shehadthesame
gift that Colby and Bernadette shared, and found the successful end to the kidnapping not at all
unusual. Despite her fame—she’d been both a model and film star—she was as down-to-earth and
charmingasherhusband,andheryoungbrotherwholivedwiththem.
ColbyandSarinaleftBernadettewiththeGriers,andyoungRory,whiletheywentbacktothemotel
and talked about the future. But talk was on the back burner the minute the door closed. In the
aftermathofterrorandpotentialtragedy,theywerebothtooarousedtoneedwords.Theyendedup
ononeofthebigdoublebedsinatangleofarmsandlegs,throwingclothingoverthesideasfastas
theycouldreleasehooksandbuttonsandsnapsandzippers.
Theycametogetherinafirestormofpassion,barelycapableofrationalthoughtatall.Shearchedup
tomeetthefuriousthrustofhisbody,clingingasthemovementssentherquicklyrightovertheedge
oftheworld.Asshefellintowhatfeltlikethrobbingfire,sheheardhisharshgroanatherear.
Consciousnesseludedherforbreathlessseconds.
When she opened her eyes again, she was shaking in the aftermath. So was he. They were both wet
withsweat.
Shemanagedweaklaughterandthengroanedasherarmprotestedtheexerciseshe’dexactedfromit.
“Doesithurt?”heaskedapologetically.
“Yes,butIdon’tcare,”shelaughedwickedly.Shelookedupathim,feelingthethrobofhimdeepin
herbody.Sheshiveredagain.Shelinkedherarmsaroundhisneck.“Don’tstop,”shewhispered.
“I’m not sure I could,” he replied, grinning back. His hips rose and fell and quickly humor melted
intoarekindlingofthehelplessardorthathadsentthemspinningdownintooblivion.Heheardher
voiceathisear,whisperingthatshelovedhim,thatshe’dneverstoppedlovinghim.Thepleasurewas
sointensethatheactuallycriedout.
WHATSEEMEDlikehourslater,theyloungedtogetherontherumpledbed,catchingtheirbreath.
“Volcanic,”hemurmured.
“Feverishlypassionate,”shereplieddrowsily.
“I’mrunningoutofgoodadjectives,”heremarked.
“Me,too.”
Herubbedhischeekagainstherhair.“Doyourememberthoseannulmentpapersthatyourattorney
senttomesevenyearsago?”heaskedabruptly.
“Yes,”shemurmured.“I’dforgottenallaboutthem.”
“Ineversignedthem,”hetoldher.
Ittookaminuteforthattosinkin.“Youwhat?”
“Ineversignedthem.”
Shedrewbackandmethisdark,softeyes.“Butifyoudidn’tsignthem…”
“…they never went through the process,” he finished for her. “We never had an annulment. And
MaureenandIwereneverlegallymarried.”
Shesatup,shocked.“How?Why?”
“Herlatehusbandleftawill.Ifsheremarried,shelosteverypennyinhissavingsaccount.Therewas
alotofmoneyinit.Soshegotafriendtopretendtobeaministerandmarryus.Inevercheckedthe
marriagelicense.IfIhad,I’dhaverealizeditwasphony.”
Shewastryingtofigureitallout.“We’restillmarried.”
Hesmiled.“Convenient,isn’tit?”heasked.“Instantfamily,justaddhouse.”
Shelaughed.Cried.Shehuggedhimclose.“Oh,mygoodness!”
“I’vebeen wracking mybrain for away to tell you,”he confessed. “Especiallywhen it looked like
Ramirezwaswinning.”
“I’mveryfondofRodrigo,butIcouldneverfeelthatwayabouthim,”shesaidsoftly.“He’sjustmy
partner.”
“Formerpartner,”hesaidfirmly.
Shelookedworried.“Iknow.ButI…”
“Former partner,” he repeated. “He can still come and see Bernadette from time to time,” he
conceded.
“Shegenuinelycaresabouthim.Andviceversa.”
“That’sniceofyou,”shesaid.
Hegrinnedather.“Yes,itis,isn’tit?”
Shecurledclosetohim.“Ithinkwe’regoingtobeveryhappyhere.”
“SodoI,baby,”hereplied,cuddlingher.“SodoI.”
THEHUNTERScamedowntoseethenewproperty,withNikki.
“I’m damned sorry about Bernadette,” Phillip told Colby solemnly. “It’s not like me to be off my
guardlikethat.”
“Dominguezwouldhavefoundaway,nomatterwhohadher,”Colbysaidsincerely.“Who’dexpecta
childtobesnatchedinpublicview,inarestaurant?”
“Isupposeso.Ifeelbad,justthesame.Bytheway,”headded,“guesswherethedrugswerehiddenin
thewarehouse?”
“Youfoundthem?”Colbyexclaimed.
“Found where they’d been,” Hunter corrected, smiling. “Remember the dogs sniffing around the
wall?
Well,duringthetenureoftheformerguard,theonewhowasarrested,thesmugglersactuallybuilta
falsewallwithplywoodandrepaintedit.Damnedgoodjob.TurnsoutoneofthosemenVancewas
protectingwasacarpenter.”
“I’llbedamned,”Colbychuckled.“WhataboutVance?”headded.
“Arrestedandchargedwithconspiracy,”Hunterreplied.“ThatshouldmakeSarina’sday.”
“Indeeditwill.”
“Domiguezisinthehospitalwitharound-the-clockguards.Whenshe’sable,sheandherconfederates
willallbeescortedoutofJacobsvillebyU.S.Marshals.Thatshouldbeprettysoon.”
“I won’t mind seeing her go,” Colby said curtly. “She was willing to kill Bernadette. One of her
henchmenhadmybabywithaguntoherhead.IfGrierhadn’tbeenaround,”headded,“Idon’tknow
whatwe’dhavedone.Inevertrainedasasniper.”
“LuckyforyouthatGrierwashere,”Huntersaidheavily.
“Youaren’tkidding,”Colbysaidquietly.“Imagine,amanwithabackgroundlikethatbeingableto
settleinasmalltownlikeJacobsville.”
“He’slearnedtolivewithhispast,”Hunterreplied.“Somethingwe’veallhadtodo.”
“Someofusarestilltrying,”Sarinapointedoutasshejoinedthem,smiling.“Ordidn’tyouhearyet
aboutthesmugglerwhorantothesheriffforprotectionafterColbyquestionedhim?”sheaddedwith
apointedglanceatColby.
“IhadtoknowwheretheywereholdingBernadette,”Colbydefendedhimself.Heputahandoverhis
heart.“ButI’mreformingaswespeak,”hepromisedwithagrin.
Theyalllaughed.Bernadette,who’dbeenplayingwithNikki,hadasuddenchangeofexpression.She
wenttoColbyandtookhimbythehand.
“Ihavetotalktoyou,Daddy,”shesaidsolemnly.
“Okay,”heagreedwithasmile.“Whatisit?”
She pulled him to the end of the porch at Cy’s house and pushed him gently into the swing. She
jumpedupbesidehim.“Youmustn’tinterruptme,”shesaid,“becauseIlearneditallbyheartandI
havetosayitstraightthrough.Okay?”
“Okay,”heagreedcuriously.
“Heregoes.”ShelaunchedintoashortspeechinApache.
Colby’sfacewentwhite.Heknewthewords.Hisfatherhadwrittenthemtohim,whenhewasmuch
younger. He’d thrown the letter away, half read. But now he listened, intently, while his daughter
spokethehealingwordsthatburnedthemistawayfromthepastandmadeapathforColbybackto
thefatherhe’dknownasaboy.
Bernadettehesitatedonlyonce,justattheend.“Youaremyson,”shetoldhim,“andIwillalwayslove
you, no matter what you do, no matter what you are, no matter where you go. As my eyes close
forever,itisyouthatIseebehindmyeyelids,asIwalkintothedarknesswhereyourmotherawaits
me.Asafatherforgiveshischild,sothegreatspiritforgivesallhischildren,evenme.Iwillalways
watchoveryou,andyourchild,andherchildren.AndIwillalwaysloveyou.”
Shestoppedspeaking,becausetearswererollingdownColby’sdarkcheeks.
She reached up and brushed the tears away with her small fingers. “Granddaddy said that I would
knowwhentotellyou.Itwastherighttime,wasn’tit?”
“Yes,mybaby,”hewhispered,pressinghislipstoherforehead.“Itwastherighttime.”
“Iloveyou,Daddy.”
He closed his eyes as he held her close, remembering all the loneliness of his life, all the pain and
griefandmiserythathe’dexperienced,thathe’dcaused.Itwasalongpathfromtheretohere,with
hischildagainsthisheartandafuturewithherandhermotherthatlookeddiamondbright.
“Areyousad,Daddy?”sheasked.
Heheldhercloser,glancingpastheratSarina,whosmiledathimwithmistyeyes.“No.I’msohappy
that it’s overflowing,” he whispered. He kissed her cheek. “I love you, too, Bernadette. With all my
heart.”
“AndMommy,too?”
“AndMommy,too,”heagreed.
Shegrinned,lookingsomuchlikehimthatitwasuncanny.
Hetuggedatherhair.“Icouldeataverylargepizzarightnow,”hesaid.
“SocouldI!”sheexclaimed,jumpingdown.
He got up from the swing, feeling twenty pounds lighter and a foot taller. He hoped that his father
could see the small family circle, arm in arm, walking together, wreathed in love. He was almost
certainthathecould.HeheldBernadette’slittlehandtightinhisown,anddrewSarinacloserathis
side.Amanwhohadlove,hedecided,needednothingmore.Nothingmoreatall.
WatchforDianaPalmer ’snextbook
HEARTBREAKER
availablefromSilhouetteDesire
inSeptember,2006.
ISBN:1-55254-492-3
OUTSIDER
Copyright©2006byDianaPalmer
Allrightsreserved.Exceptforuseinanyreview,thereproductionorutilizationofthisworkinwhole
or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrievalsystem,isforbiddenwithoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher,HarlequinEnterprises
Limited,225Duncan
MillRoad,DonMills,OntarioM3B3K9,Canada.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no
relationwhatsoevertoanyonebearingthesamenameornames.Theyarenotevendistantlyinspired
byanyindividualknownorunknowntotheauthor,andallincidentsarepureinvention.
ThiseditionpublishedbyarrangementwithHarlequinBooksS.A.
®andTMaretrademarksofthepublisher.Trademarksindicatedwith®areregisteredintheUnited
StatesPatentandTrademarkOffice,theCanadianTradeMarksOfficeandinothercountries.
AbouttheAuthor
DianaPalmerbegansellingromancenovelsin1979.Shehasover40millioncopiesofherbooksin
print,whichhavebeentranslatedandpublishedaroundtheworld,andshehaswrittenover100books
for Silhouette, MIRA and Harlequin Books. Her awards include 10 Waldenbooks national sales
awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime
AchievementAwardforseriesstorytellingfromRomanticTimesMagazine,severalAffairedeCoeur
awards,andtworegionalRWAawards.Shehasbeenmarriedtoherhusband,James,since1972.
ComingNextMonth
IfyouenjoyedtheeBookyoujustread,thenyou’lllovewhatwehaveforyounextmonth!
ONSALEINAUGUST2006
HERSTODESIREbyMargaretMoore,HQN
HERECOMESTROUBLEbyLeslieKelly,HQN
SARAH’SCHILDbyLindaHoward,HQN
YOURPLANETORMINEbySusanGrant,HQN
SUMMERLOVIN’byCarlyPhillips,HQN
CROSSMYHEARTbyCarlyPhillips,HQN
DEADSILENCEbyBrendaNovak,MIRA
BODYMOVERSbyStephanieBond,MIRA
RISKYBUSINESSbyNoraRoberts,SILHOUETTESPECIALRELEASES
THEBLONDEGEISHAbyJinaBacarr,SPICE
TableofContents
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Document Outline
- ��
- CHAPTER SIXTEEN
- CHAPTER ONE
- CHAPTER TWO
- CHAPTER THREE
- CHAPTER FOUR
- CHAPTER FIVE
- CHAPTER SIX
- CHAPTER SEVEN
- CHAPTER EIGHT
- CHAPTER NINE
- CHAPTER TEN
- CHAPTER ELEVEN
- CHAPTER TWELVE
- CHAPTER THIRTEEN
- CHAPTER FOURTEEN
- CHAPTER FIFTEEN
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