Desperado

CHAPTERONE

The ranch outside Houston was big and sprawling. It was surrounded by neat white fences, which
concealed electrical ones, to keep in the purebred Santa Gertrudis cattle that Cord Romero owned.
There was also a bull, a special bull, which had been spared from a corrida-a bullfightin Spain by
Cord'sfather,MejiasRomero,oneofthemostfamousbullfightersinSpainjustbeforehisuntimely
death in America. Once Cord grew up and had money of his own, Cord had traveled to his elderly
cousin's ranch in Andalusia to get the bull and have it shipped to Texas. Cord called the old bull
Hijito, little boy. The creature was still all muscle, although most of it was in his huge chest. He
followedCordaroundtheranchlikeapetdog.

As Maggie Barton exited the cab with her suitcase, the big bull snorted and tossed his head on the
other side of the fence. Maggie barely spared him a glance after she paid the driver. She'd come
rushinghomefromMoroccoinatangleofmissedplanes,delays,cancellationsandotherobstacles
thathadcausedhertobethreedaysintransit.Cord,aprofessionalmercenaryandherfosterbrother,
hadbeenblinded.Mostsurprising,he'daskedforherthroughhisfriend,EbScott.Maggiecouldn't
gethomefastenough.Thedelayshadbeenagony.

Perhaps,finally,Cordhadrealizedthathecaredforher...!

Withherheartpounding,shepressedthedoorbellonthespaciousfrontporchwithitsgreenswing
andgliderandrockingchairs.Therewerepotsoffernsandflowerseverywhere.

Sharp,quickfootstepssoundedonthebarewoodenfloorsinthehouseandMaggiefrownedasshe
pushedthelong,wavyblackhairawayoutofherworriedgreeneyes.Thosestepsdidn'tsoundlike
Cord's. He had an elegance of movement in his stride that was long and effortless, masculine but
gliding. This was a short, staccato step, more like a woman's. Her heart stopped. Did he have a
girlfriend she didn't know about? Had she misinterpreted Eb Scott's phone call? Her confidence
nosedived.

Thedooropenedandaslightblondwomanwithdarkeyeslookedupather."Yes?"sheaskedpolitely.

"IcametoseeCord,"Maggieblurtedout.Jetlagwasalreadysettinginonher.Shedidn'teventhinkto
givehername.

"I'msorry,heisn'tseeingpeoplejustyet.He'sbeeninanaccident."

"I know that," Maggie said impatiently. She softened the words with a smile. "Tell him it's Maggie.
Please."

Theotherwoman,whomusthavebeenallofnineteen,grimaced."He'llkillmeifIletyouin!Hesaid
hedidn'twanttoseeanybody.I'mreallysorry..."

JetlagandirritabilitycombinedtobreakthebondsofMaggie'stemper."Listen,I'vejustcomeover
threethousandmiles-oh,thehellwithit!Cord?"sheyelledpastthegirl,whogrimacedagain.

"Cord!"

Therewasapause,thenacold,short,"Letherin,June!"

Junesteppedasideatonce.MaggiewasmadeuneasybytheharshnoteinCord'sdeepvoice.Sheleft
hersuitcaseontheporch.Junegaveitacuriousglancebeforesheclosedthedoor.

Cord was standing at the fireplace in the spacious living room. Just the sight of him fed Maggie's
heart.Hewastallandlean,powerfullybuiltforallhisslimness,atigerofamanwhofearednothing
inthisworld.Hemadehislivingasaprofessionalsoldier,andhehadfewpeers.Hewashandsome,
with light olive skin and jet-black hair that had a slight wave. His eyes were large, deep-set, dark
brown.HiseyebrowsweredrawnintoascowlasMaggiewalkedin,andexceptfortheredwounds
aroundhiseyesandcheeks,heactuallylookednormal.Helookedasifhecouldseeher.Ridiculous,
ofcourse.Abombhe'dtriedtodefusehadgoneoffrightinhisface.

Ebsaidhewasblind.

She stared at him. This man was the love of her life. There had never been anyone but him in her
heart. She was amazed that he'd never noticed, in the eighteen years their lives had been connected.
Evenhisbrief,tragicmarriagehadn'talteredthosefeelings.Likehim,shewaswidowed-butshedidn't
grieveforherhusbandthewayhe'dgrievedforPatricia.

Hergazefellhelplesslytohiswide,chiseledmouth.Sheremembered,oh,sowell,thefeelofiton
hers in the darkness. It had been heaven to be held by him, kissed by him, after years of anguished
longing.Butveryquickly,thepleasurehadbecomepain.Cordhadn'tknownshewasinnocent,andhe
wastoodrunktonoticeatthetime.Itwasjustafterhiswifecommittedsuicide,thenighttheirfoster
motherhaddied...

"Howareyou?"Maggieblurtedout,hesitatingjustbeyondthedoorway,suddenlytongue-tied.

Hissquarejawseemedtotighten,buthesmiledcoldly."Abombexplodedinmyfacefourdaysago.
HowthehelldoyouthinkIam?"hedrawledsarcastically.

Hewasanythingbutwelcoming.Somuchforfantasies.Hedidn'tneedher.Hedidn'twantheraround.
Itwasjustlikeoldtimes.Andshe'dcomerunning.Whatajoke.

"Itamazesmethatevenabombcouldfazeyou,"sheremarkedwithheroldself-possession.Sheeven
smiled.

"Mr.ColdSteelrepelsbullets,bombs,andespecially,me!"

Hedidn'treact."Niceofyoutostopby.Andsopromptly,"headded.

She didn't understand the remark. He seemed to feel she'd procrastinated about visiting. "Eb Scott
phoned and said you'd been hurt. He said..." She hesitated, uncertain whether or not to tell him
everythingEbhadsaidtoher.Shewentforbroke,butshelaughedtocamouflageherrawemotions.

"Hesaidyouwantedmetocomenurseyou.Funny,huh?"

Hedidn'tlaugh."Hilarious."

Shefeltthefamiliarwhipofhissarcasmwithpainshedidn'ttrytohide.Afterall,hecouldn'tseeit.
"That'sourEb,"sheagreed."Arealkidder.Iguessyouhave-whatwashername?-Junetotakecareof
you?"sheaddedwithforcedlightness.

"That'sright.IhaveJune.She'sbeenheresinceIgothome."Heemphasizedthepronoun,forreasons
of his own. He smiled deliberately. "June is all I need. She's sweet and kindhearted, and she really
caresaboutme."

Sheforcedasmile."She'spretty,too."

Henodded."Isn'tshe,though?Pretty,smart,andagoodcook.Andshe'sblond,"headdedinacold,
softvoicethatmadechillsrundownherspine.

Shedidn'thavetopuzzleouttheremark.Hewaspartialtoblondes.Hislatewife,Patricia,hadbeena
blonde.

He'dlovedPatricia...

Sherubbedherfingersoverthestrapofhershoulderbagandrealizedwithastarthowtiredshewas.
Airportafterairport,dragginghersuitcase,agonizingoverCord'struestateofhealthforthreelong
days,justtryingtogethometohim-andheactedasifshe'dpushedherwayin.Perhapsshehad.Eb
shouldhavetoldherthetruth,thatCordstilldidn'twantherinhislife,evenwhenhewasinjured.

Shegavehimalong,anguishedlookandmovedoneshoulderrestlessly."Well,thatputsmeinmy
place," she said pleasantly. "I'm sure not blond. Nice to see you're still on your feet. But I'm sorry
aboutyoureyes,"sheadded.

"Whataboutmyeyes?"heaskedcurtly,scowlingfiercely.

"Ebsaidyouwereblinded,"shereplied.

"Temporarilyblinded,"hecorrected."It'snotapermanentcondition.Icanseefairlywellnow,andthe
ophthalmologistexpectsacompleterecovery."

Her heart jumped. He could see? She realized then that he was watching her, not just staring into a
void.Itcameasashock.Shehadn'tbeenguardingherexpressions.Shefeltuncomfortable,knowing
he'dbeenabletoglimpsethemiseryandworryonherface.

"Nokidding?That'sgreatnews!"shesaid,andforcedaconvincingsmile.Shewasgettingthehangof
this.Herfacewouldbepermanentlygleeful,likeapieceoffiredsculpture.Shecouldhireitoutfor
celebrations.Thiswasn'tone.

"Isn'tit?"heagreed,buthisreturnedsmilewasn'tpleasantatall.

She shifted the strap of her bag again, feeling weak at the knees and embarrassed by her headlong
rush to his side. She'd given up her new job and come running home to take care of Cord. But he
didn'tneedher,orwantherhere.Nowshehadnojob,noplacetolive,andonlyhersavingstogether
throughthetimeuntilshecouldfindemployment.Sheneverlearned.

Hewasbarelycourteous,andhisexpressionwashostile."Thanksforcoming.I'msorryyouhaveto
leavesosoon,"headded."I'llbegladtowalkyoutothedoor."

Sheliftedaneyebrow,andgavehimasardoniclook."Noneedtogivemethebum'srush,"shesaid."I
gotthemessage,loudandclear.I'mnotwelcome.Fine.I'llleaveskidmarksgoingoutthedoor.You
canhaveJunescrubthemofflater."

"Everything'sajokewithyou,"heaccusedcoldly.

"Itbeatscrying,"sherepliedpleasantly."Ineedmyheadreadforcomingouthereinthefirstplace.I
don'tknowwhyIbothered!"

"NeitherdoI,"heagreedwithsoftvenom.Àdaylateandadollarshort,atthat."

That was enigmatic, but she was too angry to question his phrasing. "You don't have to belabor the
point. I'm going," she assured him. "In fact, it's just a matter of another few interviews and I can
arrangethingssothatyou'llneverhavetoseemeagain."

"Thatwouldbearealpleasure,"hesaidwithabiteinhisdeepvoice.Hewasstillglaringather."I'll
giveaparty."

He was laying it on thick. It was as if he were furious with her, for some reason. Perhaps just her
presencewasenoughtosethimoff.Thatwasnothingnew.

She only laughed. She'd had years to perfect her emotional camouflage. It was dangerous to give
Cordanopening.Hehadnocompunctionaboutstickingtheknifein.Theywereoldadversaries.

"I won't expect an invitation," she told him complacently. "Ever thought of taking early retirement,
whileyoustillhaveaheadthatcanbeblownoff?"sheadded.

Hedidn'tanswer.

She shrugged and sighed. "I must be in demand somewhere," she told the room at large. "I'll have
myselfpagedattheairportandfindout."

She gave him one long, last look, certain that it would be the last time her eyes would see that
handsomeface.

Therewassomeoldsayingaboutdivinepunishmentintheformofshowingparadisetoavictimand
then tossing him back into reality. It was like that with Maggie, having known the utter delight of
Cord's lovemaking only once. Despite the pain and embarrassment, and his fury afterward, she'd
neverbeenabletoforgetthewonderofhismouthonherbodyforthefirsttime.Therejectionshe
feltnowwasalmostpalpable,andshehadtohideit.Itwasn'teasy.

"Thanksforthecaringconcern,"hedrawled.

"Oh,anytime,"sherepliedmerrily."Butyoucanphonemeyourselfnexttimeyoustickyourfaceina
bombandwanttending.Andjustfortherecord,youcantellEbhissenseofhumorstinks!"

"Tellhimyourself,"heshotback."Youwereengagedtohim,weren'tyou?"

OnlybecauseIcouldn'thaveyou,shethought,andyourmarriagewaskillingme.Butshedidn'tsay
anotherword.Shesmiledcarelessly,draggedhereyesawayfromhim,turnedneatlyonherheeland
startedbackoutthedoor.

She'd just gone through the doorway when he called to her suddenly, reluctantly, in a husky tone,
"Maggie!"

Shedidn'thesitateforasecond.Shewasangrynow,too,angrythatshe'dcomethreethousandmiles,
that she'd been stupid enough to care about a man who'd never returned her feelings, that she'd
believedEbScottwhenhesaidCordhadaskedforher.

June was in the hall, frowning. The frown deepened when she saw Maggie's face, saw the hurt the
womanwastryingvaliantlytohide.

"Areyouallright?"sheaskedinaquickwhisper.

Maggiecouldn'tmanagemanywordsatthatpoint.JunewasCord'snewloveinterest.Maggiecouldn't
beartolookather.Shejustnodded,acurtjerkofherhead."Thanks,"shebitoff,andkeptwalking.

Shewentoutthefrontdoorandcloseditbehindher.Despitethatfaintcall,Cordhadn'tpursuedher.

Maybehefeltmomentarilyguiltyforbeingsounwelcoming.Hissenseofhospitalitywasprobably
outraged,butsheknewfromthepastthathedidn'tdwellonhisconscience.Meanwhile,shewanted
nothing more than to get her long fingernails into Eb Scott. He was happily married now, and she
knewhehadn'tphonedhertobemalicious,buthe'dcausedheruntoldmiserybyupsettingherabout
Cord'scondition.Why?

Shestoodonthefrontporchforamoment,tryingtogetherselftogetheragain.Houstonwasabout
twenty minutes miles away, and she'd sent the cab off, expecting to stay with Cord and take care of
him.Shelaughedoutloud.

Shelookedtowardthehighway.Oh,well.Astheysaid,walkingwasgreatexercise.Shewasgladthat

she'dwornsneakersinsteadofhighheelswithhernicegraypantsuit.Shecouldspendthetimeittook
walking to Houston thinking about her stupidity. She noticed that Cord didn't strain his sense of
hospitalityofferingheraride,either.

She tugged her wheeled suitcase along with her down the steps and started down the driveway with
growing amusement at the absurdity of her predicament. She glanced down at the suitcase with a
whimsicalsmile."Idon'tevenhaveahorsetorideoffintothesunseton.Well,it'sjustyouandme,
oldpaint,"shesaid,reachingdowntopatthesuitcase."Let'smosey!"

Backinthelivingroom,CordRomerowasstandingwhereMaggiehadlefthim,frozenwithanger
bythefireplace.

Junelookedin,worried."Sheseemedconcernedaboutyou,"shebegan.

"Sure,"hesaidonacoldlaugh."It'stwentyminutesfromHoustonandshecouldn'tdriveouthereany
soonerthanthis.Someconcern!"

"Butshehada-!"shebegan,abouttotellhimaboutthesuitcaseMaggiehadleftontheporch.

Heheldupabig,leanhand."Notanotherword,"hesaidfirmly."Idon'twanttohearonemorething
abouther.

Bringmeacupofcoffee,wouldyou?ThensendRedDavisinhere."

"Yes,sir,"shesaid.

"AndtellyourfatherIwanttoseehimwhenhe'sthroughoverseeingtheloadingofthosecattlewe've
culled,"

headded,becauseherfatherwasthelivestockforeman.

"Yes,sir,"shesaidagain,andleft.

Cordcursedunderhisbreath.Hehadn'tseenMaggieinweeks.Itwasasifshe'dvanishedofftheface
oftheearth.He'dactuallygonebyherapartmentonce,althoughshe'drefusedtoanswerthedoorbell,
even after he'd spent five minutes ringing it. She wouldn't answer her damned telephone, either. He
didn'twanttoadmitthathe'dmissedher,orthatithurtlikehellthatshe'dwaitedfourdaystocome
andseeabouthim.

Their lives had been entwined since he was sixteen and she was eight when they'd been taken in by
Mrs. Amy Barton, a socialite whose sister was an employee at the juvenile detention center. Cord's
parentshaddiedinafirewhiletheywereallvisitingHoustononararevacation.Maggiehadbeen
abandonedbyherfamilyaboutthesametime,andbothwereheldatthejuvenilecenter.Mrs.Barton,
childless and lonely, had impulsively decided to be a foster parent to the two children. Eventually
she'dadoptedMaggie.

Cordhadbeenintroublewiththelawateighteen,andMaggiehadbeenhismainstay.Attheageof
ten,shewassomaturewithheradviceandloyaltyforhimthatMrs.Bartonhadlaughedeventhrough
her agony at his predicament. Maggie was fiercely protective of her older foster brother. He
rememberedherholdinghishandsotightlywhenhiscasewascalledbeforethejudge,herwhispered
assurancesthateverythingwouldbeallright.

Maggiehadalwaystakencareofhim.Whenhiswife,Patricia,hadkilledherself,Maggiehadstayed
rightwithhimthroughtheinquestandthefuneral.WhenMrs.Bartonhaddied,Maggiehadgivenhim
lovingcomfort,andhe'drepaidherwithpain...

He couldn't bear to think about that night. It was one of the worst memories of his life. He stared
blanklyoutthewindowatthepasturewherehisbigbullHijitoroamed,andgrimacedasherecalled
Maggie'sfaceonlyminutesbefore.Herlifehadbeennobedofroses,either.Heknewnothingofher
childhood,orwhyshe'dbeentakenawayfromherstepfather.Mrs.Bartonhadrefusedtodiscussit,
andMaggiehadavoidedthequestioneversincehe'dknownher.

Maggiehadinexplicablymarried,lessthanamonthafterMrs.Barton'sdeath,andtoamanshe'donly
knownbriefly.Ithadn'tbeenahappyrelationship.Themanshemarried,awealthybanker,wastwenty
yearsolderthanshewasanddivorced.Cordrecalledhearingthatshe'dhadsomesortofaccidentat
home,andthatherhusbandhadbeenkilledinacarcrashwhileshewasstillinthehospital.

CordhadcomehomefromAfricawhenhe'dheard,justtoseeabouther.She'dbeenathomewhenhe
came, too sick even to go to her husband's funeral for reasons nobody told him. She hadn't wanted
Cordthere.She'drefusedtotalktohim,eventolookathim.Ithadhurt,becauseheknewwhy.The
nightMrs.Bartonhaddied,he'dtakenMaggietobed.He'dbeendrinking,oneofonlytwotimesin
hislifehe'deverhadtoomuchtodrink,andhe'dhurther.Incrediblyshe'dbeenavirgin.Hedidn't
remembermuchofwhathadhappened,onlyhertearsandharshsobs,andhisshockedrealizationthat
she wasn't the experienced woman he'd imagined her. His anger at himself had translated itself into
harshaccusationsatherforwhathadhappened.Eventhroughthehazeoftime,hecouldstillseeher
anguishedtears,hershiveringbodywrappedinasheet,hereyesavoidingthesightofhispowerful
bodywithoutclothingashestoodoverherandraged.

They'dseeneachotherveryfewtimessincethen,andMaggie'sdiscomfortinhispresencehadbeen
obvious.

After she was widowed, she'd taken back her maiden name, thrown herself into her work as vice
president of an investment firm and avoided Cord totally. It should have pleased him. He'd avoided
herforyearsbeforeAmyBarton'sdeath.Shedidn'tknowthathe'dmarriedPatriciainavaineffortto
headoffhisinexplicableobsessionwithMaggie.He'dspentsomanyyearstryingnottoletherget
closetohim.He'dlovedhisprettylittleAmericanmother,worshipedhisSpanishfather.Theirtragic
deaths,inafirethathadsparedhim,hadwarpedhisemotionsatanearlyage.Heknewthedangerof
lovingthatledtotheagonyofloss.Patricia'ssuicidehadcompoundedhismisery.WhenMrs.Barton
died,itwasthelaststraw.Everythingheloved,everyoneheloved,wastakenfromhim.Itwaseasier,
mucheasier,tostopfeelingdeeply.

HisstintintheHoustonpolicedepartment,interruptedbyservicewiththearmyinOperationDesert

Storm, had given him a taste for danger that had led him into the FBI. After Patricia's suicide, for
whichhefeltguiltbecauseofreasonshe'dneversharedwithanotherlivingsoul,he'dgoneintowork
asaprofessionalmercenary.

His specialty was demolition, and he was good at it. Or he had been, until he'd let himself be lured
intoatrapbyanoldadversaryinMiami.Hisinstinctshadsavedhimfromcertaindeath,onlytolearn
thatthewholethinghadbeenasetup.Maggiedidn'tknowthat,andhehadnoreasontotellher.She
was obviously unconcerned with his health, showing up so late after the fact. He knew that his
adversary was going to come after him again. But he wasn't going to let himself be surprised a
secondtime.

Heturnedawayfromthewindowwithasighandregretted,deeply,histreatmentofMaggie.Hewas
responsible for her distaste for him, for the indifference that had brought her to his side four days
after the accident instead of hours afterward. If she'd still cared for him at all, she wouldn't have
waited.She'dhavebeenfrantictoseehim.Helaughedathisownidiocy.He'dhurther,beenicycold
toher,pushedheroutofhislifeateveryturnforyears,andnowhewasresentfulbecauseshedidn't
careverymuchthathe'dbeeninjured.Hewasonlyreapingtheharvestofhisabuse.Itwasn'tMaggie's
fault.

Foronevulnerablemoment,he'dcalledhernameandtriedtofindthewordsforanapology.Buthis
pridehadstoppedhimfromfollowingherwhensheignoredhim.She'dgoawayandprobablynever
comeback.Andhedeservedit.

Maggiewashalfwaydownthelong,paveddrivewaybetweenneatwhitefenceswhenthesoundofa
pickuptruckcomingupfastfrombehindmadeherstepoffthepavement.

Butinsteadofpassingher,thetruckstoppedandthepassengerdoorwaspushedopen.

RedDavis,oneofCord'sranchforemen,leanedforward,hiswide-brimmedstrawhatpulleddown
overhisredhairandblueeyes.Hesmiled."It'stoohottowalkasuitcasetoHouston.Getin,"hesaid.
"I'lldriveyou."

Shechuckled,evenasshewastouchedbyanactofkindnessshehadn'texpected.Shehesitatedforjust
aminute."Corddidn'tsendyou,didhe?"sheaskedabruptly.Ifhehad,shewasn'ttakingonestepinto
thatdouble-cabbed,six-wheeledtruck!

"No,ma'am,hedidn't,"hereplied."Hedidn'tknowyoubroughtthesuitcase.AndIwouldn'ttellhim
evenifhetorturedme,"hesworewithahandoverhisheartandatwinkleinhiseyes.

Shelaughed."Okay,then.Thanks!"Sheslidhersuitcaseintothebackseatandjumpedupintothecab
besideDavis,closingthedoorandfasteningherseatbelt.

Hestarteduptheengineagainandroareddownthedriveway."Iguessyoudidn'tcomefromtown?"
heprobed.

"Leaveitalone,Red,"shesaid."Itdoesn'tmatter."

"Youbroughtasuitcase,"hepersisted."Why?""You'reapest,Davis!"

"AndIdon'trespondtoinsecticide,either,"hegrinned."Comeon,Maggie.TellUncleRedwhyyou
turnedupwiththattrunkonwheels."

"All right, I came from Morocco," she replied finally when he just grinned at her scowl. "Straight
fromMorocco,atthat,despitedelaysandlayoversandflightcancellations.Ihaven'tsleptinthirty-six
hours.Iexpectedtofindhimblindandhelpless."Shelaughed."Ishouldhaveknownbetter.Helaid
intometheminuteIwalkedintothehouseandbootedmeoutthedoor."Sheshookherhead."Justlike
oldtimes.Nothingeverchanges.Justthesightofmerubshimthewrongway."

"WhatwereyoudoinginMorocco?"heasked,startled.

"HavingavacationbeforeItookupmynewjobinQawi,"sheconfessed."Mybestfriendistakingit
instead.SohereIamwitheverythingIowninasuitcase,noplacetolive,nojob,nonothing."She
shothimahalf-amusedglance."IfIweren'tsuchatoughnut,I'dbawlmyheadoff."

"Corddidn'tofferyouaroom?"heexclaimed,horrified.

"Corddoesn'tknowIcamefromMorocco,"shesaidstiffly."Hedoesn'tevenknowIwasinMorocco
inthefirstplace.Ididn'ttellhimIwasleavingHouston.Notthathewouldhavecared,evenifhe'd
noticed."Sheleanedherheadbackagainsttheleatherheadrestwithasighandclosedhereyes."You'd
thinkI'dstopbashingmyheadagainststonewalls,wouldn'tyou?"

Thethinlyveiledreferencetoherfeelingsforherfosterbrotherwasn'tlostonthemanbesideher.He
wasn'tclosetoCordRomero,butherecognizedunrequitedlovewhenhesawit.Hewassorryforthis
pretty, strong woman who looked as if she was at the end of her rope. He wondered why his boss
couldn'tseehowmuchshecaredabouthim.Hewassupremelyindifferenttoher,andhadbeenever
sinceDavishadcometoworkforhim.

"Besides," she added in a voice that betrayed more than she realized, "he's got June to take care of
him,now,hasn'the?"

Heshotheranoddglance."Notinthewayyou'rethinking,"hevolunteered.

Shewassuddenlyinterested."Excuseme?"

"JuneisDarrenTravis'sdaughter,"heexplained.

"He's Cord's cattle foreman, looks after the purebred Santa Gertrudis herd. June's taken over the
housekeeping and cooking just temporarily, because Cord's regular woman remarried and left. But
June'ssweetonaHoustonpoliceofficer,andviceversa.She'sscaredofCord.Mostpeopleare.He
isn'ttheeasiestbossintheworld,andhehasmoods."

Shewasreallyconfusednow."Buthesaid...!Imean-"sheloweredhervoice"-heinsinuatedthathe
andJunewereinvolved."

Hechuckled."Shehastobeforcedtogotohimwithproblems.Sheusuallytellsherfatherandhas
him relay any requests. She thinks Cord's a holy terror. She told me once she couldn't imagine a
womanbraveenoughtotakehimon.Itreallyamazedherthathe'dbeenmarriedatall."

"It amazed all of us, at the time," Maggie recalled reluctantly. His marriage had hurt her terribly. It
wasawhirlwindcourtshipatthat.Maggiehadwantedtodiewhenhewalkedinthefrontdoorwith
Patricia. Their foster mother Amy Barton had been equally shocked. Cord didn't strike anyone as a
marryingman.

"He hasn't had women around in years," Davis said thoughtfully. "He goes out occasionally, but he
neverbringsanybodyhome,andhe'sneveroutlate.Funny,that.He'sagood-lookingman,onlyinhis
thirties, in a dangerous profession and rich. You'd think he'd have pretty women tripping over him.
He'ssomethingofarecluse."

Sheglancedathim."Thatdangerousprofessionisprobablywhy.Heknowseveryassignmentcould
behislast.

Idon'timaginehe'dwanttowishthatonawoman."

"Dangerdrawswomen,though,doesn'tit?"

Shelaughed."Notthiswoman,"sheconfessed,stiflingayawnandlyingthroughherteeth."I'drather
marry a guy who worked the drive-in window at a fast-food joint than a professional demolition
expert.Notmuchriskofbeingblownuphandlinghamburgersandfries,"sheaddeddrolly,andwas
rewardedbyachuckle.

MaggiehadbeenbrieflyengagedtoEbScottjustafterCordmarriedPatricia.Now,shecouldadmit
thatithadonlybeenanengagementoffriends,oneofsomanyfutileattemptstogetoverCord.She
and Eb had never been really attracted to each other physically. Cord had assumed that they were
sleeping together, which explained his stark horror at Maggie's innocence years later, on the night
Mrs.Bartondied.ButMaggiehadneverbeenabletothinkofanymanexceptCordintimately-atleast,
untiltheywereintimate.Nowherolder,morefrighteningmemoriesofthingssexualwereintermixed
withnewonesofdiscomfortandembarrassment.

Why,oh,why,couldn'tshegethimoutofherheart,hermind?

"You'veknownCordalongtime,haven'tyou?"Redmused.

"SinceIwaseightandhewassixteen,"shemurmured,gettingdrowsy,lulledbythesoftmotionofthe
truckonthesmoothpavementofthehighwaythatledintoHouston."Thatoldsayingthatbrothersand
sistersfightlikecatsanddogsisn'tsofaroff,youknow,"shemurmured."Evenfosterones."

"Really?"hesaid,almosttohimself.

"Really."Sheyawnedandhisnextcommentfellondeafears.Shedriftedoffintoabriefoblivion.

Itwasn'talongdrive,butitfeltasifthey'djustlefttheranchwhenMaggiewasbroughtawakebya
tapfromDavis'shand.Sheopenedhereyesandnoticedthatthey'dalreadyreachedthecitylimitsof
Houston.

"Sorrytowakeyou,butwe'reintownnow.Doyouhaveanyideawhereyouwantmetotakeyou?"
Davisaskedgently.

"To a nice, comfortable, cheap hotel," she murmured dryly. "I'm living on my savings until I get
anotherjob,andtheydon'tamounttomuch."

Hegrimaced."Youshouldhavetoldhim."

"Oh,no!"shedisagreed.Shesmoothedherpinktippedfingernailsoverherwhitepurse."I'mnothis
responsibility.Ionlywantedtotakecareofhim.Funny,isn'tit?Hedoesn'tneedanybody.Henever
has." She turned her eyes out the window. She wasn't a weepy sort of person. She was strong and
spirited and independent. The hard knocks of her life had made her strong. But she was tired and
sleepyandshefeltCord'scoldrejectiondeeply.Shewas

momentarilyweakandshedidn'twantDavistoseeit.

Davismumbledsomethingunderhisbreath.Itsoundedlike"damnedidiot,"butMaggiewasn'trising
tothebait.

"Itisn'tright,"hesaidangrily."Lettingyououtthedoorwithoutevenknowingifyouhadawayback
totown."

"Don'tyoudaretellhimaboutthesuitcaseorthetrip,"shesaidimpatientlywhenshesawthelookon
hisface.

"Don'tyoudare,Red!"

"Iwon'ttellhimaboutthesuitcase,"heagreed,mentallycrossinghisfingers."There'sagoodhotel
downtown, not expensive, where my mother stays when she comes to see me," he added quickly.
"You'lllikeit."

Shenodded."Okay.That'lldo.IthinkIcouldsleepforaweek."

"Idon'tdoubtit."

"Tomorrow,I'llgetanewspaperandfindajob."

Sheyawnedagain."Thingswilllookbrighttomorrow."

"I'msorryyouhadsucharoughday,"hetoldherashepulledupinfrontofanice,butnondescript
hoteldowntown.

"They'reallroughdays,lately,"shemurmuredwithasmile."Lifeistrialbyfire,didn'tyouknow?It's

an obstacle course. If you survive it, you get to wear wings and float around feeling sorry for the
living!"

"Thinkso?"heteased.

"Ofcourse,whenIthinkaboutCord,Iwanttocomebackasastumpandtriphimtwiceaday,"she
commenteddryly.Sheturnedtowardhim."Thanksfortheride,Red.Thanksalot.Itwouldhavebeen
alongwalk."

"Noproblem."

He went around and got her suitcase out for her. She walked into the hotel dragging it behind her.
Davisthoughthe'dneverseensuchpoise,andthethought"graceunderfire"cameunwillinglytohis
mind.AndCordRomerocouldturnhisbackonawomanlikethat!Themanhadtobenuts.

Maggiecheckedin,wentuptoherroom,lockedthedoor,tookoffherdressandfellintothebedin
herslip.SheputCord'shandsomefaceoutofhermindfirmlyandclosedhereyes.Shewasasleep
secondslater.

Backattheranch,Cordwassippingcoffeeandgoingoverledgersonhiscomputer.He'dspentalot
oftimeawayinrecentmonths,anditwastoughcatchinguponbusiness.

Hewonderedsometimeswhyhedidn'tjustselltheranchandmoveintoanapartment.Hewasallon
his own, and he never planned to marry again. Life would be less complicated if he lived out of a
suitcase,ashe'ddonemostofhisadultlifeexceptduringhisbriefmarriage.Buthelovedhiscattle,
and the pair of Andalusian horses he'd purchased on his last visit to his cousin in Andalusia, in the
southofSpainnottoolongadrivefromtheRockofGibraltar.

Heleanedbackandstaredblanklyattheblacktypeonthecomputerscreen.Hecouldn'tgetMag.gie's
eyesoutofhisthoughts.Whenshe'dfirstseenhim,beforehespoke,thosegreeneyeshadbeenalive
with concern, with pleasure, with tentative affection, with joy. So soon, they'd faded to dullness and
thejoyinthemhadeclipsedintoasadnessthatwaspainfultorecall,althoughshe'dquicklyhiddenit.

Itdidn'ttakegoodeyesighttorecognizeherunrequitedloveforhim.Atsomelevel,he'dknownabout
it for years. He simply ignored it. She'd grown up, become engaged to his best friend, but married
someone else, been widowed-her life had been more of thorns than roses. He'd offered her pain in
returnforthoseyearsoffierceloyaltyandaffection.

Whenshe'dgoneoutofhislife,he'dexpectedtohavepeace,finally.Butthelonelinesshadwornhim
down until he became careless. In the past, it would have taken far more than a simple electronic
bombtodamagehim.

In past weeks, for reasons he didn't really understand, she'd avoided him completely. That had hurt.
He'dtakenacaseinFlorida,woundedbecauseMaggiedidn'twanttoseehim.He'dletdownhisguard
and had almost been killed, by an old enemy whose livelihood had been threatened by Cord's
investigationofanemploymentagencywithwhichhewassomehowconnected.He'dplantedabomb

andCordhadwalkedintoatrapbecausehismindhadbeenonMaggieinsteadofthejob.

Atleastshe'dfinallycometoseeabouthim!He'dknownthatEbwasgoingtogetintouchwithher.
Buthe'dstoppedjustshortoftellingthemantoaskhertocomeandseeabouthim.He'dexpected-no,
he'd hoped-that she cared enough to come running the minute he got home. But she hadn't. It had
shakenhim.

He'dbecomeaccustomedtoMaggieonthefringesofhislife,alwayslaughing,makinghimlaugh,
makinghimfeelsafe.Shewasalwaysthere,alwayswaitingforhimto...

He cursed under his breath and ran an angry hand through his thick, dark hair. Maggie had finally
given up on him. She'd decided that he was never going to turn to her with anything more than
sarcasmorindifference.

She'dremovedherselffromtheperipheryofhislifeandcuthimoutofhers.Thatwaswhathadhurt
themost.

Havingherwaitdaystoacknowledgehisinjuryhadonlyaddedfueltothefire.

Well,he'dchasedherawayforthelasttimeandhewasn'tgoingtositaroundcountinghisregrets.He
couldn'tblameherfornotcaring,whenherplaceinhislifehadalwaysbeenareluctantone,aremote
one, barely tolerated, and totally unappreciated. He couldn't remember a single time when he'd
admitted how much it mattered that she was concerned for him. He'd never told her the comfort it
gavehimwhenPatriciadied,whenhewaswounded,whenhewasintrouble,tohaveherholdhisbig
handinhersmallonesotightlyandneverletgo.

Shewasarockinhardtimes.Hehadn'trealizedhowmuchhecountedonherpresenceforcomfort,
forsecurity.

Now that comfort was removed, perhaps forever, and her absence was like a hole inside him that
nothingcouldeverfillagain.Heforcedhisattentionbacktothecomputerscreen,gratefulthathestill
hadhisvision,evenifhelosteverythingelse.Notthathewasgoingtoadvertisehisrecovery.Notyet.

ImpulsivelyhecloseddownthespreadsheetandloggedontotheInternet.Hewantedtoknowwhere
hisnemesiswasandwhatillegalactivitiesmighthavepromptedtheattackonCordinMiami.Witha
smile of pure arrogance, he walked into the back door of a government agency and right into the
protectedfilesononeRaoulGruber,whohadconnectionsintheCoted'IvoireofAfrica,inMadrid,
andinAmsterdam....

CHAPTERTWO

Afteramostlysleeplessnight,Cordsatdowntobreakfast.He'dgoneoverthelatestherdrecordswith
June's father the day before, and he was satisfied with the breeding program and the sales figures.
He'dcalleddowntothebunkhouseforRedDavislastnighttodiscussaproblemwithsomeirrigation
equipment,sinceRedhadchargeofranchequipmentandsupplies,butthecowboywhoansweredthe
phonesaidDaviswasoffonadate,asusual.Cordwonderedhowamanwithsuchacockyattitude
andsuchabigmouthcoulddrawsomanywomen.Hisownsociallifewasstagnantbycomparison.
Butthatsuitedhim,hetoldhimself.Hehadnotimeforwomen.

The back door opened just as he finished his last bite of egg and biscuit, and Davis walked in
yawning.Hishatwaspushedfarbackoverhisredhairandhewasneatasapin,inbluejeansanda
shortsleevedcheckedshirt.

He was twenty-seven, years younger than Cord, but he seemed even younger at times. Cord mused
thathe'dlivedthroughmorethanDavisprobablyeverwould.Itwasn'ttheage,didn'ttheysay,butthe
mileagethatmadepeopleold.Ifhewereausedcar,hethought,he'dbeinajunkyard.

"Iheardyouwerelookingformelastnight,boss,"Davissaidatonce,pullingoutachairtostraddle.
"Sorry,Ihadadate."

"Youalwayshaveadate,"Cordmuttered,sippingcoffee.

Davisgrinnedwickedly."Havetomakehaywhilethesunshines.Oneday,I'llbeancientanddecrepit
likeeyou."

Cord'smouthdrewdownsardonically."AndI'djustdecidedtogiveyouaraise!"

"I'dratherhavegirlshangingoutofmytruck,"Davissaid,buthegrinnedagain.

"Nevermind.We'vegotproblemswiththatirrigationsystemagain,"headded."Iwantyoutogetthat
servicemanoutthereandtellhimIwantitfixed

thistime,repairedwithnewparts,notheldtogetherwithducttapeandbalingwire."

"Itoldhimthatlasttime."

"Then call the customer service people and tell them to send somebody else. The equipment's still
under warranty," he added. "If they can't fix it, they shouldn't sell it. I want it up and running by
tomorrow.Okay?"

"Okay, boss, I'll give it my best. But you probably should have a lawyer talk to them about their
customerservicedepartment.Ithinktheyemployrobots."

Cordstifledagrin."Youtookcomputercourses.Reprogramthem."

"I'llgetrightonit,"Davissaid,chuckling.Buthedidn'tgetup.Hestaredathisboss,hesitating.

"Somethingbotheringyou?"Cordaskedbluntly.

Davis traced a pattern on the back of the wooden chair he was straddling. "Yeah. Something. I
promisedIwouldn'ttell,butIthinkyoushouldknow."

"Knowwhat?"Cordaskedabsentlyashefinishedhiscoffee.

"Miss Barton had a suitcase with her," he said, noting the sudden attention the older man gave him.
"Shecamestraightherefromtheairport.ShewasinMorocco.Shesaidittookherthreedaysjustto
gethome.Shewasdeadonherfeet."

Rememberinghiscoldtreatmentofher,Cordwasshocked."ShewasinMorocco?Whatinhellfor?"
heburstout.

"Shesaidshe'djusttakenajoboverseas.Shewashavingaholidaywithagirlfriendontheway.She
came rushing back to see about you." The younger man's eyes became accusing. "She was walking
backtoHoustonwithhersuitcasewhenIdroveupbesideher.Idrovehertotown."

Cord felt the sickness in the pit of his stomach like acid. The expression that washed over his
handsomefeaturesknockedtheoutragerightoutofDavis'seyes.

"Wheredidyoutakeher?"Cordaskedinasubduedtoneandwithoutmeetingtheotherman'sgaze.

"TheLoneStarHoteldowntown,"hereplied.

Cordmadeanawkwardmovement."Thanks,Davis,"hesaidcurtly.

"Youbet.I'llgetonthatirrigationsystem,"Davisaddedasherose.

"Do that." Cord didn't even see him go. He was reliving that painful few minutes with Maggie. He
hadn't told her that he was hurt because he'd thought she'd waited to come and see about him. He'd
assumedthatshe'dbeenintownandreluctanttocomearoundhim.Butshe'dcomehalfwayaroundthe
world as fast as she could, just to take care of him. He'd misread the whole situation and sent her
packing.Nowshe'dbewoundedandangry,andshe'dgo

awayagain;maybesomewherethathecouldn'tevenfindher.Thathurt.

Heputhisheadinhishandswithagroan.Themostpainfulrealizationwasthatshe'dtakenajobfar
away.Herememberedcallingherandgoingbyherapartmentwithoutgettingananswerinthepast
twoweeks.Nowheknewwhy.She'dleftthecountry.She'dgivenuptryingtogethisattention,andhe
hadn'tevennoticedherdeparture.Thatmusthavehurther.Maggiewasproud.Shewouldn'tbegfor
his interest. After all the years of being pushed away by him, she'd decided to cut her losses. If he
hadn't been injured, and Eb Scott hadn't tracked her down in Morocco and told her about it, he
wouldn'tevenhaveknownwhereshewas.She'dhavebeengoneforgood.

Nowthatheknewthetruth,itdidn'tsolvetheproblem.Itonlycomplicatedthings.Hewonderedifit
wouldn't be kinder to just let her go, let her think he didn't care about her, let her think that he was
involvedwithJune.

Buthewasoddlyreluctanttodothat.Itmadehimashamedtothinkhowmuchshecared,tocomeall
thatway,tosacrificesomuch,becauseshewasconcernedforhim.

Therewasonlyonethingtodo.Hehadtogoandfindher,andtellherhowbadlyhe'dmisjudgedher.
Then,ifsheleft,atleasttheywouldn'tpartwithaswordbetweenthem.

Hehadoneofhisranchhandsdrivehimintotown,wearingdarkglassestomaintainthefictionabout
hislackofsight.HegotMaggie'sroomnumberfromthehoteldesk,onthepretextofphoningher
later. Then he ducked into the elevator, went up to her room, and easily let himself in with skills
learnedinadozencovertoperationsaroundtheworld.

Shewasasleepinahugedoublebed,movingrestlessly.Itwaswarmintheroom,butshewashuddled
under the covers as if it were winter. He'd never known her to sleep with the sheet off, even in the
hottestsummernightwhentheairconditioninginMrs.Barton'shousewasontheblink.Odd,thathe'd
nevernoticedthatbefore...

Shelookedyoungerwhensheslept.Herememberedthefirsttimehe'deverseenher,whenshewas
eight.Shewasclutchingaraggedtoybearandshelookedasifshe'dseenhellandlivedtotellabout
it.Shedidn'tsmile.

ShehidbehindMrs.Barton'samplegirthandlookedatCordasifhewereresponsiblefortheseven
deadlysins.

Ithadtakenweeksforhertocomenearhim.ShelovedMrs.Barton,butshewasuneasyaroundboys
ormen.

Heattributedthattoherage.Butasshegrewolder,shebegantoclingtoCord.Hewashersourceof
stability.

Sheanchoredherselftohimandhidfromanysortofsocialactivity.Despitetheagedifference,she
became possessive of him. When he got in trouble at the age of eighteen and was faced with the
possibilityofgoingtojail,itwasMaggiewhosatbesidehimandheldhishandwhileMrs.Bartonhad
hystericsandbecamethevoiceofdoom.Maggie,inherquiet,gentleway,gavehimthecomfortand
strengthheneededtofacehisproblemsandovercomethem.

She'd only been ten years old, but she had a maturity even then that was surprising. She was an
introvertbynature,butsheseemedtosensethatCordneededsomeonebrightandhappytobringout
thebestinhim.SoshedevelopedasenseofhumorandpickedatCordandteasedhimandmadehim
play.Maggiehadtaughthimhowtolaugh.

Hestudiedherwan,drawnfaceonthewhitepillowcaseandwonderedwhyhe'dalwaystreatedheras
an outsider. He was alternately hostile and sarcastic, never kind or welcoming. Maggie had done

moreforhimthananyoneinhislifeexcepttheirfosterparent.Maybe,hepondered,itwasbecause
sheknewhimsowell.Despitehisspinyoutwardappearance,Maggieknewhimrightinside,wherehe
lived.Sheknewthathehadnightmaresaboutthenighthisparentshaddiedinahotelfire.Sheknew
thathewashauntedbyPatricia'ssuicide.Sheknewthatwhenhewasbeinghismostsarcastic,hewas
hidingwounds.Hecouldn'thideanythingfromMaggie.

But she hid her whole life from him. He knew next to nothing about her, really. She'd been a sad,
frightened, jumpy child with odd moods and terrors. She'd avoided relationships like the,devil, yet
she'dmarriedamanshehardlyknew,amuch-olderman,andbeenmarriedandwidowedinweeks.
She never spoke of her husband. She was job-oriented and somber as a judge usually. Even a brief
engagement to his friend Eb Scott hadn't really softened her much, long before her marriage to
Evans.He'dwonderedattheoutwarddistancesheseemedtokeepfromEb.Ithadn'tmadesense,until
later,whenheunderstoodthemagnitudeofhismisconceptionsabouther.

She looked so fragile, so vulnerable, lying there. Even in sleep, she looked tormented. She looked
tired.Nowonder.FlyingallthewayfromMoroccowithoutapause,andthenouttohisranchonlyto
beturnedawaypracticallyatthedoor.Hehadn'tevenaskedifshehadawaybacktotown.Thatwas
harsh.Evenforhim.

Hehesitatedforaninstantbeforehereachedoutandtouchedherarmthroughthecottonfabricthat
concealedit.

Maggiewasdreaming.Shewaswalkingthroughafieldofwildflowersinthesun.Inthedistance,a
manwaslaughing,holdingouthisarmstoher-atall,darkhairedman.Sherantowardhim,ranasfast
as she could, but she never closed the distance. He watched her from afar, like a cat toying with a
desperatemouse.Cord,shethought.ItwasCord,andhewastauntingherashealwayshad.Shecould
hearhisvoice,hearitasclearlyasifitwereintheroomwithher...

Ahandwasshakingher,hard.Shemoanedinprotest.Shedidn'twanttowakeup.Ifshewokeup,Cord
wouldn'tbethereanymore.

"Maggie!"camethedeep,insistentvoice.

Shegaspedandopenedhereyes.Shewasn'tdreaming.Cordwassittingontheedgeofherbed,one
leanhandbesideherheadonthepillowsupportinghisleaningposture.

He studied her face, devoid of makeup, framed by long, wavy dark hair in soft tangles. She was
wearingpajamas,ajacketandpantsthatcoveredherupcompletely.ItusedtopuzzlehimthatMaggie
dressedinaluxuriousbutconventionalstyletogotowork,andshesleptinthemostunisexclothing
shecouldfind.Sheneverworesexyclothes,evenwhenshe'dbeenateenager,andsheneverwalked
around in her nightclothes, even when she was little and they were living with Mrs. Barton. He
wonderedwhyhe'dnevernoticedthatbefore.

Shefocusedonhimandherfaceclenched."Whatareyoudoinghere?"

Hegrimaced."Field-dressingcrow.I'msureit'lltasteterrible,too."

Hereyebrowsshotup."Excuseme?"

He shrugged one powerful shoulder. He didn't like admitting his faults, but he owed her. "I didn't
knowyouwereinMorocco.IthoughtyouwererighthereinHouston,andthatyou'dwaitedfourdays
todriveouttoseeaboutme."

Her heart ran wild. Cord had never explained anything to her. Over the years, she'd become
accustomed to his barbed remarks, his hostility, his sarcasm. He'd never apologized or shown any
signsofcaringwhatshethoughtabouthim.

Hereyesdrankinhisstrong,handsomeface."MaybeI'mstillasleep,"shemurmured.

"Pity,"hesaid,studyingherdrowsyfacewithafaintsmile."Idon'tapologizeveryoften."

Shewatchedhim."Youdidn'ttellEbyouwantedmetocomeatall,didyou?"

Hehatedtoadmitthat.Shelookedascynicalasheusuallydid.Buthewasn'taccustomedtolies."No,"
herepliedhonestly.

Shelaughedruefully."Ishouldhaveknownthat.""WhywereyougoingtoworkinQawi?"heasked
abruptly.

"Iwasinarut,"shesaidsimply."Ineededachange.Iwantedadventure."

"Youlostyourjobbecauseofme,"hepersisted,frowning.

"Big deal! There are jobs everywhere, and I have a good background in investments. I'll find
something.

Preferably," she added teasingly, "in a multinational corporation, so that I can work overseas and
nevergetinyourhairagain."

"Whydoyouwanttoleavethecountry?"heaskedirritably.

"Whatisthereformehere?"shecounteredsimply."I'mtwentysix,Cord.IfIdon'tdosomething,I'll
dry up and blow away. I don't want to spend the best years of my life commuting to downtown
Houston to play with numbers. I'm not a baby anymore. If I have to work, at least I can choose
somethinginanexoticlocation.

Preferablysomethingadventurous,andexciting,"shesaidasanafterthought.

He frowned. "Why do you have to work?" he asked suddenly. "Amy left us both a little money.

Besides,BartEvanshadanextensivestockportfolioandyouwerehiswidow."

Her face hardened. "I didn't take one penny of his money. Not property, not stocks, not savings.
Nothing!"

Thatwassurprising."Whynot?"

Sheloweredhereyestothecoverletandclosed

thembrieflyunderawaveofpainshedidn'twanthimtosee."Hecostmethemostpreciousthingin
mylife,"

shesaidinahusky,throbbingtone.

That was an enigmatic statement. He didn't understand it. "Nobody forced you to marry him," he
pointedout,andwithmorebitternessthanherealized.

That's what you think, she thought to herself, but she didn't say it aloud. She crumpled the coverlet
underherbrightpinkfingernailsandlookedupathimbravely."Ihadhisestatedividedbetweenhis
twoex-wives."

Helaughedshortlyinsurprise."Youdidwhat?"

"Youheardme,"sheremarkedwithashrug.Sheletgoofhergriponthebedspread."Ithoughtthey
deserved the money more than I did. They lived with him longer than I did. He had no living
relatives."

Hisdarkeyesnarrowed.He'dbeencuriousabouthermarriageforalongtime.He'dnevermentioned
ittoher,becauseshecloseduplikeaclamwhenherhusband'snamecameup.Sheneverdiscussedit.
Butithadleftscarsonheremotionsthatwereobvioustoanyonewithagrainofsensitivity.

"Notahappymarriage,Maggie?"heaskedquietly.

"No." She met his eyes evenly. "And that's the only thing I'll ever say about it," she added firmly.
"Diggingupthepastsolvesnothing."

Hestudiedherwanface."Iusedtothinkthatway,too.Butthepastshapesthefuture.Inevergotover
Patriciàsdeath."

"Iknow."

Shesaiditinanoddsortofway."Whatdoyoumean?"heasked.

"Youaren'texactlyDonJuanthesedays,"shepointedout.

Hebristledwithstungpride.Itwastruethathedidn'thaveaffairs,orspendalotoftimelivingthelife

ofaplayboy,buthedidn'tlikeherknowingit.Hisdarkeyesflashed."Youknownothingaboutthat
sideofmylife,"

hesaidcoldly."Andyouneverwill."

There was a brief, incredulous look on her face, and he could have bitten his tongue. They'd slept
together,once,evenifitwasn'tamemorysheliked.Sheknewhiminawayfewwomeneverhad.It
wasathoughtlessremark.

"Onsecondthought,"hebeganabruptly.

Sheheldupahand."Yousaidityourself,diggingupthepastdoesn'tsolveanything."

Hedrewinalong,slowbreath."Ihurtyou."

Her face flamed. She wasn't going to get trapped into that conversation. "Let it go, Cord. It all
happenedalongtimeago.NowIhavetogetupandstartjob-hunting.Ifyoudon'tmindgoingoutof
heresoIcangetdressed...?"

But he wouldn't leave it alone. "You're twentysix and a widow," he said shortly, irritated by her
embarrassment.

"AndIknoweveryinchofyou.Sostopactingcoy."

Herteethclenchedsohardshethoughtshemightchipthem.Hereyeswerefurious."Youhavenoidea
howmuchIhatethememoryofthatnight,"shesaidspitefully.

Thewordsstung,asshemeantthemto.Hegottohisfeetabruptlyandnoticedhowshedraggedthe
coversuptoherchin,asifshecouldn'tbearhimtolookatherbodyatall.

"YoumusthavenoticedthatIwasdrunk,"hesaidcurtly."IfIhadn'tbeen,I'dneverhavetouchedyou!"

"Idranktoomuchmyself,"sheshotback."OrI'dneverhaveletyoutouchme!"

"Havingmadeourselvesclearonthatpoint,"headded,turningawayfromher."I'msorryaboutwhat
happened."

Hesoundedasifhewasabouttochokeonthewords.Shenoticedthathisfacewasclenchedastightly
asherfingers.

"Twoapologiesinoneday,"shesaidwithmocksurprise."Doyouhavesomethingfatalandyou're
tryingtowinpointswithGodwhilethere'sstilltime?"

Helaughedfaintly."Youcouldbeforgivenforthinkingso,Isuppose."Heturnedandlookedather
foralongtime,asifheneededtoreconcilehismemoryofherwiththereality."Youwereeightwhen
we came to live with Mrs. Barton. That means you've been part of my life for eighteen years." His

eyesgrewcontemplative.

"I'vegivenyounothingbuthostility,allthattime.ButtheminuteIgetintroubleorgethurt,youcome
running.

Why?"

"Habit,"shesaidatonce."Andamonstrousappetiteforverbalabuse,"sheaddedwithafaintlywicked
smile.

Heburstoutlaughing,andthistimeitwasgenuine.Itchangedhim.Itmadehiseyessparkle,hisface
sohandsomethatithurthertoseeit.He'dbeenthiswaywithPatricia,hiswife,shesupposed.Maybe
he'd been happy with other women, too, over the years. But he only smiled at Maggie if she teased
him.So,throughtheyears,she'dtriedtodothat.Itwasonewayofgettingattentionfromhim,evenif
theonlyway.

"Youdidn'tneedtocomehereandapologize,"sheadded."I'musedtohavingyousnarlatme."

Hefrownedasheconsideredthat.Shespokeasifsheexpectednothingelse.Therewassomuchabout
herpastthathedidn'tknow,couldn'tknow.Shevolunteerednothing.Itwasareminderthatsheknew
farmoreabouthimthanheknewabouther.

"Youcancomeandstayoutattheranchwhileyoulookforwork,"hesaidoutoftheblue.

Herheartskipped,butshewouldn'tmeethiseyes."No,thanks.IlikeitwhereIam."

He hadn't expected the refusal. "What's the matter, scared I'll lose my temper and throw you out in
yournightgownonerainynight?"

Shesighed."Itwouldbeincharacter,"shesaidwithresignation."You'dmakesureitwasonamain
street,too."

Hegrimaced."Iwaskidding!"Shelookedup."Iwasn't."

Hisjawclenched."Youdon'tknowme,Maggie."

She laughed shortly. She sat up, pushing back the thick waves of her long hair before she leaned
forwardwithherheadinherhands,herelbowsrestingonherdrawn-upknees."Myheadhurts.I'm
notusedtotravelingsofaratonetime."

"You'rejet-lagged,"hesaid.Heknewalotaboutoverseastravel.He'ddonemorethanhisshare."You
probablywenttosleeptheminuteyougothere.Youshouldhavetriedtowaituntilbedtime."

Shegavehimaspeakingglance."Ihadatryingday."

Hesighedandstuckhishandsinthepocketsofhiskhakislacks."Soyoudid."

Hereyesliftedtohisface,tracingthenewcutsandstitches."It'samiraclethatyoudidn'tloseyour
sight,"shesaidsoftly.

"Itwas.AndI'mnotgoingtomakeitpublicthatIhaven't.Notethedarkglasses,"headded,indicating
themhangingoutofonepocketbyanearpiece."Ievenhadoneofmyboysdrivemeintotownand
bringmeupontheelevator,justtokeepthefictiongoing."Hedidn'tsaywhy.Hejingledhiscarkeys
inhispocketrestlessly.

"Watch your back while you're in town," he added suddenly. "I'm pretty sure that an old enemy of
minesetmeup.IfI'mright,he'sgoingtobeonmytrailprettysoon,tomakesureIdon'tputhimout
ofbusiness.Hewouldn'tstopatattackinganybodyclosetome."

"Well,thatcertainlyputsmeoutofdanger,"shesaidpertly.

Heglaredather."You'refamily.Ifhedoesn'tknowit,he'llfinditout.Youcouldbeindanger.Ithink
he'sinvolvedwithpeoplehereinHouston."

"You'vehadplentyofenemiesovertheyears.Noneofthemconsideredmefamily,evenifyoudo."

His gaze was narrow and contemplative. "I don't know how I think of you," he said absently. "I've
nevertakentimetodoaninventory."

"Youcoulddoitbetweensipsofcoffee."Shelaughed.

"Don'tsellyourselfshort,"hesaidunexpectedly.

Shemethiseyes,andherwholelifewassuddenlystarkandpainfulinherface.Shecouldn'tbearthe
memoriessometimes.Heknewnothingaboutherpast.Shehopedhewouldneverhavetoknow.She
couldn'timaginewhyhewasbeingsonicetoher.Hemusthaveaguiltyconscience.

"Noneedforflattery,Cord,"shesaidwithafaintsmile."Iknowwhatyouthinkofme."

Hemovedbacktothebedandsatdownbesideher.Oneleanhandwenttohercheekandheturnedher
face up so that he could see it. He felt the tension in her, the choked breath, the wild heartbeat. Her
eyesreflectedthehelplessresponsethatherbodybetrayed.That,atleast,neverchanged.Shemight
hatethememoryofwhathe'ddonetohernolessthanhehatedithimself-butshewasashopelessly
attractedtohimasshe'dalwaysbeen.Itcomfortedhimonsomeleveltoknowthat.

"Don't play with me anymore," she said tautly, her eyes telling him that she hated the hopeless
attractionhecouldsee.Itwasalmostphysicallypainfultohavehimsonear,toseethechiseledlineof
hiswidemouthandrememberthefeelofit,toknowthewarmstrengthofthatpowerfulbodysovery
close.

He read those reactions with textbook accuracy. His proud head lifted. His eyes narrowed. His lean
handspreadagainsthercheekandhisthumbsuddenlyswepthardoverhersoftlips,draggingagasp

fromthem.

His other hand caught in her thick hair and he pulled her, lifted her, until she was lying across his
bodywithherheadinthecrookofhisarm.

Herbreastswereflattenedagainsthisbroad,hairroughenedchestoverthethincottonshirthewore.
She looked up at him with helpless desire. He gently smoothed his hand up and down her throat,
caressing, tantalizing, while his head bent and his hard lips hovered maddeningly just above her
mouth.

"WhatmakesyouthinkI'mplaying?"hemurmuredroughly.

Her nails dug into his shoulder as she hung there, vulnerable, aching for him to bend those scant
inches and crush his mouth down hard on her parted lips. She could smell the coffee he'd had for
breakfastonhisbreath.

Shecouldsmelltheclean,spicyscentofhisskin.Wherehissportsshirtwasopenatthethroat,she
couldseethethickpressofcurlingdarkhairthatcoveredhisbroad,muscularchest.Sheremembered
unwillinglythewayithadfeltagainstherbarebreaststhatonetimeintheirliveswhenshe'dthought
he really wanted her. Even the memory of pain and embarrassed shame that came afterward didn't
diminish her reactions to him. They were eternal. He touched her and she melted into him. She
belongedtohim,justasshehadattheageofeight.Andheknewit.He'dalwaysknown.

Involuntarilyhercoldfingerswenttremblingtohischeek,upintothethickdarknessofhishairathis
temple,wherethatslightwavegaveitdefinition.Healwaysfeltcleantothetouch.Healwayssmelled
good. She felt safe when she was with him, despite his hostility. He was the first male thing in her
younglifethathadevergivenherafeelingofsecurity.Hewastheonlymanshe'devertrusted.

Hecaughtherhandandheldittightlywhilehelookedintoherwideeyes.Abruptlyhedraggedher
palm to his mouth and kissed it with something like desperation, burying his mouth in it. His eyes
closedashesavoredthesoftnessofit.

Shefeltthefeverinhim,butdidn'tunderstandit.Hedidn'twanther,notreally.Heneverhad.Buthe
looked...

tormented,somehow.

He drew her hand back to her cheek and looked at her with passion. "I hurt you every time I touch
you,"hewhisperedharshly."Don'tyouthinkIknowit?"

Shecouldn'tdraghereyesawayfromhis."Youhavenothingtogiveme.Iknow.I'vealwaysknown."
Shelaughedpainfully."Itdoesn'tseemtomatter."

He drew her close and held her, his arms strong around her, his mouth against her hair. He took a
deepbreathandfeltalltheangerandmiseryofthepastfewyearsdrainoutofhim.Helaidhischeek
againstherdark,softhairandclosedhiseyes.Itwaslikecominghome.

She held him, too, drinking in the clean, spicy scent of his muscular body as she tried valiantly to
ignore the fever of passion his touch kindled. It gave her comfort, as it did him. He wasn't an
emotional person. He kept his deepest feelings hidden carefully inside. Maggie knew all about that,
becauseshedidthesamething.Ifpeoplecouldgetclosetoyou,theycouldhurtyou.Itwasalesson
MaggieandCordhadlearnedearlyintheirlives.Ithadmadethemcautiousaboutinvolvement.

Hishandbrushedthelengthofherhairandhesmiledlazily."Ilovelonghair,"hemurmured.

Shedidn'tanswer.Shedidn'thaveto.Heknewshekeptitlongbecauseofhim.

"We'repoisontoeachother.Maybe,"hebeganslowly,"itwouldbeforthebestifyoudidstartover
somewhereelse,somewhere...faraway."

"Better for me, certainly," she murmured huskily. Her fingers caressed his hair at the temple. "But
whowouldtakecareofyouifIdid?"sheadded,hervoiceteasingtodisguiseherhungerforhim.

Hisindrawnbreathwasaudible,andhisarmsloosened,freeingherabruptly."Idon'tneedtakingcare
of!"hesaidshortly.

Thetrucewasover.Justthatquickly.Shesmiledsadlyasshewatchedhimgettohisfeetandmove
awayfromthebed."Don'tpopanybloodvesselsoverafigureofspeech,"shechided.Shesearched
hishardfacequietly,savoringitsnooksandcrannies.Soon,shethought,itwouldbeoutofhersight
forever.

"I'mthroughwithwhatpassesforlove,"hesaidwithcoldsarcasm."Justincaseyoustartseeingme
asalong-rangeproject."

"DoesJuneknow?"sheaskedwickedly.

Heglaredather."Juneisnoneofyourbusiness!"

Hereyebrowsarched."Excuseme!WecanjustforgetthatIbargedintoyourhotelroomandstarted
makingpassionateadvancestowardyou!"sheaddedfacetiously.

Hiseyesweresmolderingnow."I'mleaving.""Inoticed,"sheagreed.

Hegotasfarasthebedroomdoor,andthenherememberedGruber.He'dalmostlosthiseyes,ifnot
hislife,totheman'svengeance.Maggiewasaloneandvulnerable,andGruberhadcontactshere.

"Istillwantyououtattheranch,"hesaidcurtly.

"Saveyourbreath,"shesaidpleasantly."I'mnotgoing."

"If anything should happen to you..." he began tightly, and was amazed at the fear that clenched his
heart.Ifanythinghappenedtoher,he'dbealoneintheworld.He'dhavenooneatall.

"My,my,wouldn'tthatuncomplicateyourlife?"sheinsertedpertly.

"Thatisn'ttrue,"hesnapped.

"Yes,itis,"shereplied."Youjustdon'tlikeadmittingit.IcancallthepoliceanytimeIneedhelp,they
saidsoontelevisionjustlastnight.Meanwhile,I'llfindajobasquicklyasIcanandlightafireoutof
Houston."Shesmileddeliberately."Won'tthatgiveyouawholenewleaseonlife?Iwon'tevenask
youtosendmeaChristmascard!"

Hestartedtospeak,andhecouldn't.Hejustglared.

Shestruckaseductivepose,knowingitwouldinfuriatehim.TherewasnodangerinenticingCord,
hewasimpervious.Shetuggedthepajamatoplightlyawayfromherlongneck."Wanttoravishme
beforeyougo?"

sheoffered with mischievouseyes. "I cancall room service andget them tosend up an emergency
condom,"sheadded,wigglinghereyebrowssuggestively.

"Damnyou!"hebitofffuriously.Heturnedabruptlyandslammedoutofthedoorwithoutabackward
glance.

Maggiewatchedhimgowithsparklingeyes.Shecouldalwaysthrowhimoffbalancelikethat,from
theirearliestacquaintance.Itmadeherproud,becauseevenhispreciousPatriciahadneverbeenable
todothat.Itwastheoneweaponinherarsenal,andagreatpride-saver.Itwasallbluff,ofcourse.She
tingledfromheadtotoejustthinkingabouthowitmighthavebeenifhe'dtakenheruponit.

CHAPTERTHREE

Cord'svisitunsettledMaggie.Itwasseveralminutesbeforeshecouldgetherselftogetherenoughto
showeranddressandgodownstairsforbreakfast.Shehadalightmealandlookeduptheaddresses
ofseveralemploymentagenciesinthephonebook.Thenshestartedmakingtherounds.

She'djustcomeoutofthethirdofficeonherlist,withnoresults,whenshewalkedstraightintoatall
brunetteshehadn'tnoticedroundinganearbycorner.

"Oh,I'msorry!"Maggieexclaimed,steadyingthetallerwoman."Iwasn'tevenlookingwhereIwas..."
Shehesitated.Theotherwomanwasfamiliar."You'reKitDeverell!"sheexclaimed,smilingbroadly.
"I met you and your husband at an investment seminar year before last. We've seen each other at
severalseminarssince.I'mMaggieBarton."

KitDeverell'seyeslitupwithrecognition."Ofcourse!You'reCord'sfostersister."

Maggie'sfaceclosedupatonce,defensively.

Kit grimaced. "Sorry. I shouldn't have blurted that out. You see, my boss is Dane Lassiter, who
foundedtheLassiterDetectiveAgencyhereintown.HemetCordsomeyearsagoafterhestartedthe
detectiveagency-oneofhisoperativeswasarookiewhenCordwas,andknewhim!"

"Yes. I've ... heard Cord mention him once or twice, at odd times when we were speaking to each
other,"sheaddedwithagrin.

"You don't get along well, do you?" Kit asked sympathetically. "I shouldn't have mentioned Cord.
Whatareyoudoingatanemploymentagency,forheaven'ssake?"sheadded."You'revicepresident
atKemp'sInvestmentAgency,aren'tyou?"

Maggie nodded. "I was. I gave it up to take a job in Qawi. But it didn't pan out," she summarized,
avoidingthereason."NowI'moutofwork."

"ButLogan'sgotanopeninginhisinvestmentfirm,"Kitcontinued,chuckling."Isn'tthatfateatwork?
Really,hispartnerquitandwenttoworkoverinVictoria.He'spullingouthishairtryingtomanage
all the accounts by himself. Please come and interview," she added, tugging at Maggie's arm. "He's
gotmedoingstockresearchinmysparetime,andIhateit!IworkforLassiterasaskiptracer,you
see.IhadtofightLogan,butit'snotdangerousworkandwehaveareallygoodbaby-sitterforour
son Bryce. Logan's brother's wife, Della, is pregnant and unable to work because of complications.
You'dbesavingmylifeifyoucouldtakesomeofthestrainoff.Wouldyou?Please?"

Maggielaughedwithpuredelight."Ifthere'sajobgoing,I'dlovetointerview.ActuallyIsortofhad
inmindapositionthatwouldgetmeoutofthecountry.ButperhapsIcantakethejobtemporarily,
whileyourhusbandlooksforsomeonepermanentandIlookforsomethinginternational..."

"Thatwouldwork,"Kitsaidwithagrin."Comeon!"

Maggiewenttointerview.LoganDeverellwasahugemanwithdarkhair,notoverweight,buttalland
muscular.Heobviouslydotedonhiswife,andviceversa.

"You'retheanswertoaprayer,"hesaidaftertheyshookhandsandthethreeofthemwereseatedin
Logan's spacious office, his long oak desk covered with photos of Kit and a mischievous-looking
littleboyofabouttwoyearsofage."TomWalkerandIwerepartners,untilhemovedtoJacobsville.
ThenItookonanotherpartner.

He married several months ago, but he just quit and moved to Victoria, where his wife has family.
She'sexpectingtheirfirstchild.SohereIam,empty-handedanduptomyneckinclients."

Maggiechuckled."I'mgladIhappenedalong,then.Igaveupalucrativepositiontorushbackhere,
becauseIheardthatCordwasblinded."Shesighedandsmiledself-consciously."Ihadhopedtofind
somethingpermanentoverseas."

"We'llkeepourearsopen,"Loganpromised,"ifyou'reserious.Butmeantime,howaboutsigningon
withme?

You can even have your own office," he added with a chuckle. "We acquired the suite next door.
Lassiterandhispeoplehavethewholethirdfloor.Wewentintogetherandboughtthebuilding.What
wedon'tuseourselves,werentout.Itpaysforitself."

"And,"Maggiepointedout,"it'sagoodinvestment."

Helaughedoutloud."Soitis."

Heoutlinedherduties,andhersalary,andshewasdelightedtotakethejobonatemporarybasis.She
stillwantedtogetoutofHouston.LivingnearCordwaspainfulnowthatshe'ddecidedtoburnher
bridges.She'dspentenoughofherlifeachingforamanwhodidn'tcareabouther.

Although,justforafewsecondsinherhotelbedroom,hiseyeshadburnedwithdesire.He'dwanted
her.ButthathadneverbeenenoughforMaggie.Shewantedhislove.Justassheknewthatshe'dnever
haveit.Shecouldclosehereyesandtastehisbreathonhermouth,feelthestrengthofhisarmswarm
and comforting around her. If only she could have that, just for herself, for the rest of her life. It
wouldhavebeenworthmorethanthemostluxuriouslifestyleimaginable.

PresumablyCordwantedtoliveanddiealone.Maggiedidn't.Perhapsshemightevenmeetamanshe
couldsettlefor.ShemightactuallygetoverCord.Anythingwaspossible.Evenwithherpast.

ShestartedworkatDeverell'sthenextmorning.Itwascomplicatedbusiness,butshelikedhisspinon
stocksandbonds,andshelikedthemutualfundsherecommended.Hehadastate-of-the-artcomputer
systemandanexpertwhodidnothingbutscantheInternetforstockpricesandupdateinformation.
Loganwashonest,straightforward,andhedidn'tpretendthathekneweverything.Hehadabuilt-in
senseofdiplomacythatKittoldherprivatelywasahoot-Loganhadatemperandhewasn'tshyabout
showingit.Hewasonlydiplomaticwhenitsuitedhim.

Herfifthdayonthejob,sheandKitwentouttolunchtogetherwithDaneLassiter'swife,Tess.Dane
andTesshadalittleboyandalittlegirl,andTessseemedtoregardbothchildrenasmiracles.Later,
KittoldherthatDanehadbeenconvincedthathecouldn'thaveachild.Tesshadlovedhimhelplessly,
obsessively,foryears.Ithadtakenanunexpectedpregnancyandanear-tragedytoconvinceDanethat
lovewasworthtakingachanceon.Despitetheirstormybeginnings,theLassiterswerequiteanitem
aroundtown.Itwasraretoseeonewithouttheother,andtheyusuallytraveledasafamilyunitoffthe
job.

Maggie got to meet Dane Lassiter that same day. The former Texas Ranger was tall and dark, not
reallyahandsomeman,butwithanauthorityandself-confidencethatwerestriking.Therewasjust
enougharrogancewithittomakehimattractive.He'dstartedoutwiththeHoustonPolice,wherehe
still had contacts and from which he'd garnered his first operatives when he opened the detective
agency.OneofhismenandCordhadbeenpoliceofficerstogetherinHouston.

WhentheygotbacktoLogan'soffices,KittoldMaggiethattheLassiterswereworkingonaveryhot
anddangerousassignment-tryingtoshutdownaninternationalagencythatwasreallyasmugglerof
humancargo.

Theydidn'tstopwithillegalimmigrantsintheUnitedStates,either.Theagencydealtinchildslave
labor in west Africa and South America, procuring young children to work in mines and on huge
farmsandranches.

They even dabbled in child pornography, with a branch office in Amsterdam. They literally sold
childrentoashadyglobalcorporationthroughtheagency.RumorhaditthatRaoulGruberwasthe
chiefexecutiveofficerofthecorporation-butithadimpossibletolinkhimtoit.

"Childrenbeingboughtandsoldlikeanimals?Youhavegottobekidding!"Maggieexclaimed."This
isthetwenty-firstcentury!"

"Iknow,"Kitsaidsadly."Butsomehorriblethingshappenintheworld.Whilethenewsmediaharps
on the latest political sex scandal, little children no older than six and seven are being peddled like
raw meat. They're forced to work down mine shafts, in agricultural fields, on cattle ranches, doing
dangerousworksometimestwelveandfourteenhoursaday.Therearenochildlaborlawsinthese
ruralplaces,andthechildrenareconsideredexpendable."

Maggiefelthomicidal."It'sbarbaric,"shesaidwithhuskyfury.

"I agree. That's why I'm so glad Dane took the case. He's coordinating with a whole shipload of
federal agencies, including the INS, the NEA, Customs, the State Department and Interpol. The case
has ties everywhere in the country, with a corporate network of field offices in several states." She
hesitated. "One of them is in Miami," she added. "And Dane said that Cord's accident wasn't an
accident at all. The man who's involved with the slave trafficking is an old enemy of Cord's who's
newlylinkedtothislaboroperation.Cordknowsthingsabouthimthathedoesn'twantuncovered."

Maggie'sheartjumped."CordmentionedthatIshouldwatchmyback,"shesaidslowly."Hesaidan
oldenemymighteventargetme,butIdidn'tthinkmuchaboutitatthetime.".

"You'd better," Kit said. "You might tell Cord what we're investigating," she added. "Dane and his
operativeswillhelpkeepaneyeonyou,justasthey'rewatchingme.Ifwecangetenoughevidenceon
thisrat,wecanputhimawayforever.Butit'sgoingtotaketimeandpatience.Andalotofcaution."

"Iwon'tseeCordtotellhimanything,"sherepliedinasubduedtone."Wearen'tspeakingrightnow."

"I'msorry."

"IsthereanythingIcandotohelpyouwiththecase?"Maggieasked."Mylifeissodullandboring
thatevensurveillancewouldbeexcitingrightnow."

The other woman laughed. "You wouldn't think so, if you'd ever had to do it. But I'll keep you in
mind."Shecheckedherwatch."Oops.GottorunorI'llbelateforwork.IfIdon'tseeyoubeforeyou
getoff,haveaniceweekend.Logan'sverypleasedwithyou.Iguessyouknowthat,though."

Maggiesmiled."I'mgladtohearit.Ilikemyjobalot.I'msorryIwon'tbepermanent.""Thatmakes
threeofus,"Kitsaid,andmeantit.

When Maggie got to her hotel, there was a message waiting for her to phone Cord. She hesitated
aboutdoingit.

Shewasn'tuptoanymoreangryencounterswithhim.Butshewasstillworriedabouthim,nowmore
than ever, since he'd told her about his old enemy deliberately targeting him. He could be in great
danger.Shecouldn'tbearthethoughtofanythinghappeningtohim.Shewasnervousaboutreturning
hisphonecallbutshecouldn'treallyresistit.Hemusthavegottenoverhisangerather.

Shephonedtheranch.Amanansweredandacoupleofminuteslater,Cordcameontheline.

"Youleftmeamessagetocallyou,"shesaidformally.

Hehesitateduncharacteristically."Comeouthereforsuppertonight,"hereplied.

The eyes he couldn't see, twinkled. She was surprised at his words. "Is that an invitation, or a royal
command?"

Hechuckled."It'saninvitation.We'rehavingcherrypiefordessert,"headded.

Shesighed."Hitmeinmyweakspot,whydon'tyou?"

"Ijustdid.Can'tresistit,canyou?"

Shewastiredandhungrybutshedidwanttoseehim,sobadly."Okay.I'llgetacabout..."

"Thehellyouwill.I'lldriveinandgetyou.Fifteenminutes."

Hehungupbeforeshecouldargueanyfurther.

Shegotoutofherbusinesssuitandputonjeansandaneatshortsleevedred-and-white-stripedshirt
withagrayvest.Itwasn'tcouture,butitlookedgoodonher,outliningherslenderbodyinaniceway.

Sheleftherhairlong,forCord,andpickedupalightsweaterincaseitgotcoollaterintheevening.
TherewasacoldfrontonthewayandTexascouldbecoolintheevenings,eveninspring.

WhileshewaitedforCord,shethoughtaboutwhatKithadtoldher,aboutGruberandhisinterests,
especially the remark about child pornography. She hated the very thought of children being
exploitedsexually.Shehatedpeoplewhowoulduseinnocenceinsuchaway,onlyforprofit.Itmade
herfuriousoutofallproportion.

Cordknockedonherdoorexactlyfifteenminuteslater.Shewentouttomeethimandlockedthedoor
behindher.

He was in beige slacks and a sports shirt with a beige and brown patterned sports coat. He looked
trendyandveryhandsome.

"I'mgladyoudidn'tdressup,"hesaidastheyenteredtheelevator.Hepushedthegroundfloorbutton
andturnedtostudyherinthedesertedelevator."We'rejusthavingchiliandMexicancornbread."

"Andcherrypie."Shewantedtomakesurehedidn'tforget.

He held her eyes and smiled slowly. "Amy always made one for your birthday, from scratch," he
recalled."Itwasoneofthefewtimesyoureallysmiled.Amysaidshedidn'tthinkyou'deverhada
realbirthdaypartyinyourwholeyounglife."

"I hadn't." She clutched her purse and sweater close to her chest, and her eyes reflected the old
sadness."Whenmyfatherdied,allthelaughterwentoutofmylife.ThenMamaletpneumoniatake
heroutonlytwoyearslater."

Hescowled.Thiswasnews."Whenyouwereeight,"heguessed.

Sheliftedherface."Why...no.WhenIwassix.""ThenwheredidyougountilAmyfosteredyou?Did
youhavegrandparents?"

Sheshivered."Astepfather."Hervoicewaslowandsoftandfullofpain.

He started to ask another question when the elevator stopped. She got off ahead of him and headed
toward the front, where the car was parked. He knew he wasn't being tailed, so he wasn't being
cautious.

He followed along behind her. A stepfather. She'd apparently lived with him for two years before
she'dcometoAmyBarton'shouse.Hewasfullofquestions,butshe'dcloseduplikeaflower.Itdidn't

takeamindreadertoknowthatshewasn'tgoingtoansweranymorequestionsrightnow.Hersharp
glancetoldhimso.

"How'sthejobhuntgoing?"heaskedastheyreachedtheexpensiveblacksportscarhedrove.

"I'm working already," she said. "Logan Deverell hired me to work for his investment firm, just
temporarily. His wife, Kit, works for the Lassiter Detective Agency, in the same building. They say
youknowDane."

"I do," he replied abruptly. He opened her door and helped her inside, before he went around and
climbedinunderthewheel.

Buthedidn'tstartthecarimmediately.Heputanarmacrossthebackofherseatandlookedather.
"Lassiterdealsindangerouscases,"hepointedout."Idon'tliketheideaofyourworkingsocloseto
him."

"Youdon'timaginethatIcarewhatyoulike?"sherepliedwithapleasantsmile.

Hisjawtautenedashestaredather,histhickeyebrowsdrawntogetheratthebridgeofhisnose."I'm
serious.

Lassiterandhiswifewereinvolvedinashootoutnottoomanyyearsago,rightinhisoffice.It'swell-
knownthathetakesoncasesotherdetectiveswon'ttouch."

"I'mgoingtobeinthesamebuildingwithhim,notinhisoffice,"shepointedout."Idoinvestment
counseling, not detective work. Although, a change of careers is pretty tempting right now," she
addedtoirritatehim.

He was overreacting. He knew it, but he couldn't seem to help himself. Maggie's abrupt departure
from the country had shaken him more than he'd realized at first. The thought of never seeing her
againwasunsettling.

Involuntarily he reached out a lean hand and caught a strand of her long, dark hair between his
fingers,testingitssilkiness.

"Just being in Houston right now is dangerous for you," he said quietly. "You're walking into
somethingIcan'teventellyouabout."

Whichsheknewalready,thankstoKit.Shedidn'tleton.

"I'mtwentysix,"shepointedout,tryingnottoreacttothefeelofthosesensuousfingersinherhair.

His eyes flashed up to meet hers. They were stormy, intimidating, full of secrets. "In some ways,
you'reunbelievablynaive,"hecountered."Theworldisabadplace.You'veneverseenhowdarkit
canbe."

Shelaughedwithouthumor."Doyouthinkso?"shemurmuredwithastrangelookinhereyes.

He didn't understand her response to the statement. Maggie kept secrets. He wondered just how
terribletheywere.Thetwoofthemhadneverbeenconfidants,becausehewouldn'tlethernearhim
emotionally. He'd pushed her away, kept her at bay, all the long, lonely years. For the first time, he
regrettedit.Maggiehadbeentheonepersonintheworldwhoreallycaredabouthim.Becausehewas
afraidofloss,heresistedclosecontact.

Butsoonshecouldbehalfaworldaway,andtherewouldneverbeanotherhumanbeingwhoshared
hismemories,hispain,hisloneliness.

"Youlooksad,"sheremarkedinvoluntarily.

He grimaced. "You're the only other person alive who remembers our time with Amy," he said
slowly,"mybrushwiththelaw,Patricia'ssuicide,Amy'sillnessanddeath."

"Allthebadmemories,"sheremarked.

"No!" He met her eyes. "There were other things. Picnics. Birthday parties. The time she brought
homeamodeltrainsetforChristmas-oneweknewshehadtohavemadesacrificestobuybecause
shedidn'thavemuchofherfortuneleftbythen-andtheshockonherfacewhenyouloveditasmuch
asIdid.Wespenthourslyingontheruginthedark,watchingthelightedtraingoaround."

Shesmiledwithmemory."Yes.AndIhelpedyoumakethelittlescalebuildingsthatwentwithit.You
wereoutofschoolandincollegethen,justbeforeyoudroppedoutandwentwiththeHoustonpolice.
Amywasdevastated.SowasI,"sheadded,droppinghereyes.

"YouboththoughtI'dendupinacoffinaftermyfirstweek,"hescoffed.

"Weshouldhaveknownbetter.Youwerealwaysthoroughandmethodical."

Hiseyesnarrowed."Exceptonce.ThenightAmydied."

She jerked back away from him, her scalp stinging as he was forced to let go of her hair or risk
hurtinghermore.Shemassagedthehurtplacewithherfingers,avoidinghiseyes."Thatwasalong
timeago."

"Didyoueversleepwithyourhusband?"heaskedunexpectedly.

Sheactuallygasped.Thequestionwassobluntthatshecouldn'tbelievewhathe'djustasked.

Hestudiedhershockedface,rigidwithdistaste,foralongmoment."Ididn'tthinkso,"hesaidaftera
minute.

"Hissecondwifeinthedivorcedecreeaccusedhimofbeingimpotentandabusive.Hepretendedtobe
aninvalid,buttherewasn'tanythingmuchwrongwithhim.Exceptextremealcoholism,andaviolent
temper."

Maggieknewherfacewaswhite."How...?"

"I went down to the courthouse and researched him," he said. His expression grew hard. "He had a
historyofarrestsfordrunkennessandatleasttwofordomesticabuse.Didyouknowthatwhenyou
marriedhim?"

Her jaw clenched, but her lips were trembling. She averted her gaze to the windshield. Memories
floodedhermind,sickeningmemories."Please,don't,"shechoked.

"Didhehityou,Maggie?"hedemanded.

Herhandreachedforthedoorhandleautomatically.Shewashalfwayoutwhenhepulledhergently
backinsideandclosedthedooragain.Thepositionhewasin,hisbodyclosetohers,hischestatan
angleaboveher,madehertremble.

He looked down into her wide eyes at such proximity that she could see the black rims around his
very dark brown corneas. She could see the thick, straight, short lashes on his eyelids. She could
smellthecoffeeonhisbreathandthecleanscentofhisbodyandclothes.

"Ineverunderstoodwhyyoumarriedhim,"hecontinued,hiseyesnarrowingastheysearchedhers.
"Youhadnothingincommonandhewastwentyyearsyoursenior.Itwasquick,too-lessthanamonth
afterAmy'sdeath,andoneofyourco-workerssaidyoubarelyknewhim.Everybodythoughtitwas
forhismoney.Hewasrich."

"Ican't...Iwon't...talkabouthim,"shechoked."Cord,please...!"

He felt her hand pushing against his chest, but he ignored it. "You said he cost you something
precious.What?"

Hergazefelltohiswide,hardmouth,tothechiseledlookofitwithperfectwhiteteethbarelyvisible
in its parting. She remembered the feel of it on hers. Even the memory of pain and embarrassment
didn'teasethehungerforit.Shewonderedifheknew?

Hedid.Hefeltthequickrushofherbreathathismouth.Hecouldseethehammerofherpulseatthe
collar of her shirt. He could feel the coldness of her perfectly manicured fingers through his shirt.
Shewantedhim.That,atleast,hadneverebbed.

His fingers went to her chin and traced the skin next to her lips. "And here we are again," he
whispered.Hebent,hismouthpoisedaboveherpartedlips.Hehungthere,hisfingersmaddeningon
thecornerofhermouth,onherlowerlip,wheretheytouchedinsensuouslittletracings.

Shemoanedhelplessly.Shebitthesoundoffalmostasitexitedherthroat,butsheknewheheardit.

His nose brushed against hers as he felt the softness of her lips under his fingertips. She was still
perfect to him, the most perfect woman he'd ever known, physically, mentally, emotionally. He
couldn'tgetwithintwofeetofherwithhavingherdrawhimlikeamagnet.Hewashelpless.Hehated

it.

"Cord," she groaned, stretching up toward him, enticing his mouth. Her fingers went into the thick
hairabovehisearsanddugintohisscalp,pleadingformorethanthesensualtorturehewasoffering
her. The clean, spicy scent of him was in her nostrils, the soft warm whip of his breath teasing her
partedlips.Sheachedtohavethathardmouthcrushdownonhersanddrivehermadwithpleasure!

He moved closer. His chest pressed down against hers involuntarily. He could feel her full breasts
against him, feel the hard tips biting into his chest even through two layers of fabric. Her mouth
tauntedhis,followedit,liftedtotemptitintocomingcloser.Hedrankinthefragranceofrosesthat
clungtoherandfelthimselfcavingin.Heneededtoholdher.Heneededtokissher.Hecouldn'thelp
it.Hehadto...!

ThesuddenopeningofcardoorsclosebyjerkedhimbackfromMaggie.Hesawthreemengetting
outofasedanafewparkingspacesaway,givingthemamusedlooks.

Hegotbackunderthesteeringwheelwithoutlookingatheragain.Hestartedthecarandputitinto
gear,ignoringtheglancesofthethreemenontheirwaytowardthehotel.

Maggie'shandswereshaking.Shewantedtoscreamandthrowthings.Thiswasthesecondtimeshe'd
let him torment her physically. And had she fought, protested, dragged herself away, dared him to
touchher?Ofcoursenot.She'dmeltedintohimtheminutehetouchedher.Greatself-control,girl,
shetoldherselfwithsilentcontempt.Reallygreat!

He didn't look at her until they were out of town on the road that led to his ranch. She was more
composednow,butshestilllookeddevastated.Hecouldn'tblameher.Hefeltthesameway.Hedidn't
want to be attracted to her, but he was. He always had been. But the older he got, the more
uncontrollableitwas.

"Don't beat yourself to death over it," he said carelessly. "Maybe we've both spent too much time
alonelately."

"Junewillbeshockedtohearthat!"

Hechuckledatthestinginhertone.Hegaveherawryglance."She'sdatingacorporalwiththepolice
department," he drawled. "Her father likes him, but he thinks she's too young to marry. She doesn't
agree."

Sheraisedbotheyebrows.Shedidn'tsayaword.

Hegrimaced."Iwasfuriousbecauseyouwaitedfourdaystocomeandseeme,toseeiftheblindness
waspermanent,"hesaid.

Itwasn'tmuchofanexplanation,butsheunderstood.Junewasacuttingtoolhe'dusedonherheart.
Hewasn'tcertainthatshewasjealousofhim,buthethoughtshe'dbehurtifhethrewanotherwoman
inherface.Shewas.

Itwaschillingthatheknewherthatwell.Ontheotherhand,he'dadmittedthatshecouldhurthimas
well.Itwasamilestoneintheirstormyrelationship.

Heglancedatherasheturneddownthelongdrivewaywithpaintedwhitefencesonbothsides.

"Amazing,isn'tit?"hemused."Ineverhavetoexplainanythingtoyou."

"Thatworksbothways."Sheturnedhereyestowardtheoldfightingbullinthepastureonhersideof
thecar.

"Maybeit'ssomesortofmentalshorthand."

"Maybeit'sESP,"hemurmureddryly.

"Somedaywe'llhavetofindoutifitworksacrossoceans,"sherepliedsmartly.

Thatstung.Sheprobablyknewit."Whydoyouhavetoleavethecountry?"heaskedquietly.

"Itoldyou.I'mtwentysix.IwanttodosomethingadventurouswhileIcandoitwithoutleaningona
cane."

"Adventureisn'twhatit'scutouttobe,"hetoldher.

"DavyCrockettwouldn'tagreewithyou,"sheinformedhim."NeitherwouldJimBowie,orGeorge
Custer,orCrazyHorseorPanchoVillaorGenghisKhan."

Hepursedhislips."Youcertainlycoveredallwalksoflifewiththatgroup."

Shechuckled.

"Whydon'tyoumoveoutherewithme?"heaskedoutoftheblue."Youcanlearnthecattlebusiness.
Wecouldplaywiththetrainsetsinoursparetime.I'vegotawholeroomdedicatedtothem,complete
withbuildingsandtunnels,mountainsandevenrunningwaterfortrestlestogoover."

Sheturnedherpurseinherhandsandhatedtheinvitation.Hewasinvitinghisfostersistertomovein.
Nothingmore.

Hepulledupinthedrivewaythatcircledatthefrontdoorandcutofftheengine.Heturnedtoherwith
narrowedeyes."Youwantme,"hesaidbluntly."Iknowit.Iwantyou.Youknowthat,too.Butnothing
willevercomeofitunlessyouwantitto.ImadeaviciousmistakewithyouoncebecauseIwasoutof
mymindwithgriefandalcohol.Inevermakethesamemistaketwice.You'llbesafehere."

"That'saninterestingchoiceofwords,"sherepliedslowly."Safefromyouroldenemy,youmean."

Hischinlifted."Fromhim,andfromme,Maggie,"hereplied."Iwon'tmakeyouafraidofme.Notin
anyway."

Shelaughedmirthlessly."I'vebeenafraidofyouforyears,inbetweenattacksofhelplessattraction,"
shesaidmatter-of-factly."Therehastobeacuresomewhere.IfIgofarenough,maybeIcanfindit."

Itwasaconfession,ofsorts.Herestedonearmoverthesteeringwheelandstudiedhersadly."Allwe
haveleft,"hesaidsoftly,"iseachother."

Hereyesflewtohis.Shewaspale,confused,uneasy.Shefrowned."Don'tdothat,"shesaidirritably.
"Don't make it sound like you need me. You never have and you never will. I'm a memory adjunct.
That'sallI'lleverbe."

"Our lives are intertwined. You can't break an eighteen-year bond just like that," he pointed out.
"Somemarriagesdon'tlastafractionthatlong."

Thewordfrozeher.Sheavertedherface.

"It wasn't an insult," he said at once, misunderstanding her reaction. "Your husband wasn't good to
you.Youhadeveryreasonnottowanttorememberhim."

"I have more reason than you'll ever know," she said without meeting his speculative gaze. "Happy
marriagesareafairytale."

"DaneLassiterwouldn'tagreewithyou,"hemused."NeitherwouldyourfriendKit."

Sheshrugged."Theygotlucky."

"Youdon'tthinkyoucould?"

Sherubbedataspotonherpurse."Idon'teverwanttomarryagain."

Hehesitated."Maggie,don'tyouwantchildrensomeday?"

The question sent her gaze flying up to meet his. The pain, the anguish, the haunted look in them
shockedhim.

Sheopenedthedoorandgotout.

Hefollowed,determinedtofindoutwhyshelookedthatway,whenRedDavisspedupthedriveway
and stopped even with Cord. cherry pie. You can even have vanilla ice cream on it, if you like. It's
homemade,too,"

sheadded.

Maggiesmiledather."IthinkI'vediedandgonetoheaven!"

"Theirrigationequipment'supandrunninglikeatrackstar,boss,"hecalledwithagrin."Andthey
promisedtoreplaceanypartthatmisfiresagain!"

"Goodwork."

"Thanks!Howareyoudoing,Maggie?"hecalledtoherwithabiggrin.

Cord'seyesflashed."Idon'tpayyoutoflirtwithmyfostersister,"heshotattheyoungerman,andhe
wasn'tteasing.

Davissawthat.Hecuthislosses,wavedandshotoffagaindowntheranchroad.

Cord'sattitudepuzzledMaggie.Itwasoddlylikejealousy.Butthatwasanoutlandishassumption.It
wouldtakeamiracletogetCordjealousofher.

He led the way through the living room, where she left her purse, and into the dining room. Four
placesweresetatthetable,andanolderwhitehairedmanwasoccupyingoneofthemwhileJuneput
dishesoffoodonit.

"Hi!"shecalledtoMaggie."Ihopeyoulikechili,andMexicancornbread."

"Lovethem.Andthere'ssupposedtobeacherrypie?"sheaddedhopefully.

Junegrinned,withaglanceatCord."Oh,Iheardsomebodyhadapassionforit.I'mfamousformy

CHAPTERFOUR

The meal was pleasant. Maggie liked June's father, who was a veteran cowboy. He was good
company,andhehadahatfuloffunnystoriesaboutplaceshe'dworked.Oneinvolvedhisbreakinga
mustangonaWestTexasranch.Thewildcritterhadjumpedthecorralfence,withhimhangingon,
justastheboss'swifedroveupinherbrand-newblueCadillacconvertible.Secondslater,thehorse
wassittinginthebackseat.

Maggiealmostfellover."Whatdidyoudo?"sheexclaimed.

"Pickedmyselfupoffthegroundandranformylife.Ijumpedinmyoldtruckandtookoff,without
evenaskingformyweek'swages."Heshookhishead."TheawfulthingwasthatImetthemanagain
afewyearsback,whenIwasworkingataranchoutsideSanAntonio.Itturnsoutheandhiswifewere
alreadyhavingproblems,butwhenshepitchedthatfit,hedivorcedher.Hesaidhe'dlaughedabout
meandthatmustangforyears."

"Servesyourightforrunningaway,"Junequipped.

Hechuckled."Itsurelydid.Ihaven'trunfromanythingmuchsincethen.ButIwaseighteenyearsold
andnewtocowboyingatthetime.SortoflikeRedDavisisnow."

Cord'seyesglittered."Davisisapainintheneck.Ifhewasn'tsogoodwithequipmentandinventory,
he'dalreadybeamemory."

DarrenTravischuckled."Well,he'sprettygoodwithhorses,too.Anddon'tforgetthathetalkedthat
newspaperreporteroutofdoingastoryonyourstintwiththeFBI."

"IcouldhavetalkedhimoutofitCordsaidcurtly.

"Yes,"Travissaid,clearinghisthroat."ButReddiditwithoutusinghisfists."

"Assetornot,he'dbetterwatchhisstep."

Maggie ate her chili quietly, listening to the byplay with amusement but without commenting. She
noticed June giving her curious looks, followed by curious looks at Cord. Maggie wondered what
Junehadnoticedthatshehadn't.

Cord could have told her, although he wouldn't. Davis had paid just a little too much attention to
Maggie.Corddidn'tlikeit.Untilnow,Davishadbeenoneofhisfavoriteemployees.

"Cordsaidyouwereawidow,"Travissaidsuddenly,smilingatMaggieoverhischilispoon."Wasn't
yourhusbandBartEvansfromHouston?"

Maggiestiffened."Yes."

"Dad..."Junesaidabruptly,tryingtowardofftrouble.

Herfatherwavedahandather."I'mnotbeingnosy,butIknewhim,iswhyImentionedit.Thatwas
when he was living with his second wife," he recalled, totally oblivious to the discomfort he was
causingMaggie.Hesighed,fingeringhisspoon."HernamewasDana,"headdedwithafaintsmile.
"Shewasprettyandsweet,neverhurtalivingsoul."Hisfacehardened."Heputherinthehospital."

Cordactuallyflinched.HeknewMaggiehadgonerigid.HescowledatTravis."Hedidwhat?!"

Traviswincedwhenhesawtheturmoilhewasresponsibleforinhisdinnercompanions."Gosh,I'm
sorry!Ididn'tthink..."

"Heputhiswifeinthehospital?"Cordwasrelentless."How?"

TravissentanapologeticglanceatMaggie,whowaswhiteandtotallywithoutappetitenow."Hebeat
hersenselessbecausesheburnedthebacon,"hecontinued."Itwasn'tthefirsttime,butitwaswhenshe
finallyconfessedit.Imadehertellapoliceofficer,andherhusbandwasarrestedandchargedwith
domesticabuse.Hedeniedit,ofcourse,andthenheapologizedtoDanaandtriedtogethertocome
backtohim,"headdedangrily.

"But I wasn't having that. Men who abuse women don't stop. I took her to a good lawyer and we
convincedhertofilefordivorce.Shewouldn'teventakeasettlement.Shewassuchagoodperson."
Heputdownhischilispoonwithpainfuldeliberation."Shehadastroketwomonthslaterthatlefther
paralyzed on one side and unable to function alone ever again. They said it was probably from the
beatingshetook,butnobodycouldproveit.Hehadagreatlawyer."

Cord felt sick to his stomach. He'd suspected Evans might have hit his second wife. He'd never
suspected that sort of violence. And what had Maggie gone through? He stared at her with muted
anger.She'dnevertoldhimanythingaboutthis,andshecertainlyknewaboutit.

"I'msorry,"MaggietoldTravisunexpectedly."Iknowthatshe'sstillinthenursinghome."

Travis'sintakeofbreathwasaudible."Youdo?"

She nodded. "When my husband ... died-" she almost choked on the word "-I had his estate split
betweenhistwoex-wives.TherewasmorethanenoughtokeepDanaincomfortfortherestofher
life-evenenoughtohirethebestspecialistsinstrokemanagement.Idon'tguessyouknowthatshecan
speaknow,andshe'srelearningotherskillsaswell-readingandwriting,too.Idon'tknowthatshe'd
rememberyou,butIimagineshe'denjoycompany.Shehasnofamily."

Cordwasshocked.He'dnotonlyjustlearnedwhatMaggiehaddonewithherwealthylatehusband's
fortune,butevenmoresurprisingnews.

"Yougotoseeher?"Cordasked.

She nodded. "Frequently. From what was left of his estate, after I split it between his ex-wives, I
fundedanoutreachprogramforabusedwivesthathelpsthemwithmoneytofinishtheireducationor
learnatechnicaltrade."

"Goodoutofevil,"Travissaid,andhiseyeswarmedashelookedatMaggie."You'reawinner,Miss
Barton.Arealwinner."

"Itwasawayofmakingamendsforhim.Maybehewasn'tabadpersonwhenhestartedoutinlife,"
shesaid.

"Some people just snap, in different ways. He had a drinking problem that he wouldn't admit." She
shrugged.

"Lateritturnedtoadrugproblemhewouldn'tadmit.Hewasself-destructive."

"He was a potential murderer," Cord said coldly, without knowing how close to the truth he really
was.

Maggiedidn'tlookathim.Shecouldn'taffordtolethimseehowaccuratethatguesswas.

"Hewas,"Travisagreedsurprisingly."Danatoldmethathisfirstwifehadahipinjuryfromabeating
thatlefthercrippledaswell.Shemovedoutofstatetogetawayfromhim."

Maggiesmiled."IfoundherinFlorida.Shewasworkinginahomeforelderlywomenandcoaching
a volunteer baseball team at the facility. It was a real hit. She can't run, but she can still bat." She
glancedshylyatCord.

"She'susinghershareofthemoneytofoundabaseballcampofherownforretiredpeople.Ihear
she'sgotanex-vice-presidentandtwoexgovernorsononeteam."

Everybodylaughed.ButCordwaslookingatherwithdifferenteyes.ThiswasafacetofMaggiethat
she'd never let him see. She did her good works without telling anybody. He'd always assumed that
she lived on her inheritance from her late husband. It had come as a surprise to find her having to
workforalivingatall.Amyhadleftthemalittlemoney,butshe'dlostthebulkofherfortunetobad
investmentslongbeforeshe'ddied.

He'doftenwonderedifthatwasn'twhyMaggiechoseinvestmentasacareer.

Nowhecouldseehowcaringapersonshereallywas.BartEvanshadleftanestateworthafortune.
Hecouldn'timagineawomanwhowouldwillinglygiveupthatkindofmoneyoutofthegoodnessof
herheart.Untilnow.

"Shewentthroughenough,likepoorDanadid,todeservesomethinggoodinherlife,"Travissaid,
watchingMaggie."Butyoukeptnothingforyourself.Why?"

Maggie lifted her coffee cup in numb hands and sipped at the cooling liquid. "I wanted nothing of
his."

Travis'seyesnarrowed."Yourmemoriesmustbeprettybad,too."

She didn't answer. She didn't look at him. But her fingers trembled as she put her cup down.
SomethingexplodedinsideCord.

Hetossedhisnapkindownimpatiently,gottohisfeetandpulledMaggietohers."Youcanhaveyour
cherrypielater.Iwanttotalktoyou,"hesaid,noddingtotheothersashetookherhandandledher
awaytohisoffice.

Heclosedthedoorbehindthem,glaringather."WhydoIconstantlyhavetolearnthingsaboutyou
fromstrangers?"hedemanded."Youcouldn'ttellmethattheratwasabusingyou?I'dhavemopped
thefloorwithhim!"

"FromAfrica?"sheaskeddeliberately."FromtheMiddleEast?FromCentralAmerica?Andexactly
howwouldIhavefoundyoutotellyou?Andwhywouldyouhavelistened?Youhatedme!"

It was a painful question. His conscience had driven him clear of the states after Amy's funeral. He
couldn'tevenfaceMaggie,rememberingwhathadhappenedbetweenthem.

Heturned, with hishands rammed deepinto his slacks' pockets."Eb could havefound me," he said
dully.

"Icanhandlemyownproblems,Cord,whetheryouthinksoornot,"shereplied.Sheperchedherself
onthethickarmofaleatherchair."I'dalreadystarteddivorceproceedingswhenBart...crashedhis
car.Ididthemfromthehospital..."Shestoppedatonce,butitwastoolate.

Hiseyesflashedatherfromthewindow."Thehospital?!"

Shebitherlowerlip,hard."Allright.Iwashisthirdvictim.Butitwasonlytheonetime,"sheadded
firmly.

"Andheknewassoonashe'ddoneitthatI'dgoafterhimwitheverythingIhad.Itoldhimso,even
beforetheambulancecame!"Herfacelookedodd,fullofhatredandoutrage."Icalledmyattorney
andthepolice,inthatorder,andIhadacallintoEb,"sheconfessed,avertinghereyes.

Thatirritatedhim."WhytoEbandnotme?"

Because Eb would have known where to find Cord, and she'd wanted him at that moment, wanted
someonetoshareherpainandgriefandanger.ButithadtakenEbawhiletophoneback.Bythen,
she'dcometohersenses.

Shetoldhimonlythatshe'dhadanaccidentanddidn'twanthimtofindoutandcontactCord,because
itwasaminorone.She'dliedherheadoff,thenandnow.Shewastiredoflies,butafraidtoletCord
knowthetruth.Itwouldservenopurposenow,excepttohurthim.Shecouldn'tdothat.

"Hewasafraidofyou,"sherecalledquietly."Ithinkthatwaswhyheran."

He moved close to her, staring down into her eyes intently. "Keep going," he coaxed when she

stopped.

She shrugged. "He got in his car and took off as soon as the ambulance picked me up. He was
drinkingheavily.

Heranhiscarintoatelephonepoledoingninety.Itwasinstantlyfatal."

"Andnogreatloss,"herepliedtersely."Allthistime,andyouneversaidaword!"

"Thepastisthepast,Cord,"shetoldhim,hereyessearchingoverhisfacelikelovinghands."You've
had tragedies enough of your own, without adding my problems to them. I'm an adult. I have to be
responsibleformyself."

Hisfaceclenched."Isthatwhatyouthink?ThatI'mtoowrappedupinmyselftocarewhathappensto
you?"

"I'mjustastraykidthatAmyBartonpickedup,"shereplied."Norelationtoyou.Noneatall."

Thathurt.Itreallyhurt.HewaspicturingMaggiebeingbeatentoherknees,badlyenoughtosendher
tothehospital,byadrunkenman,andnoonetoprotecther.HehatedthethoughtofBartEvans.He
wanted,sobadly,togobackintimeandbelessselfish.Ifhe'dstayedinHouston,insteadofrunning
offtolickhiswounds,Maggiecouldhavebeensparedthatanguish.He'dfailedher.Anditwasn'tthe
firsttime.

"He'dneverhavetouchedyouifI'dbeenintown,"hesaidcoldly.

She lowered her eyes to her lap. If he'd been in town, and learned the truth, he'd have killed Bart
Evans.Itwasbetterthatheneverknew.

"Itcuredmeofwantingtogetmarried,atleast,"shesaidwhimsically.

"Whatawaste,"hesaidwithoutthinking.

Shelookedup,surprised.

He wasn't smiling. He looked sad. "What a hell of a life you've had," he murmured. "And I have a
feelingthatIdon'tknowthehalfofit."

Herflushofcolortoldhimthathe'dguessedaccurately.Hewonderedjusthowmanyterriblesecrets
shewaskeeping.

"Youdon'ttrustmewithsecrets,doyou?"heasked,frowning.

Sheclosedup."Youhaveenoughofyourown.Idon'tsharemine."Shestoodup."Iwantmycherry
pie."

Hecaughtherbythewaistasshestartedpasthim."Notyet.Evansmusthavehadareasonforhitting

you,nomatterhowdrunkhewas.Whatwasit?"

Herheartranaway.ShecouldstillpicturehisfuriousfacewhenherealizedthatCordwasresponsible
forhercondition.Hewasoutraged,infuriated,readytokillher.

Hereyeswereshadowed,fullofpain.Barthadtoldherwhathewasgoingtodotoher,andthatshe'd
never disgrace him. He was going to eliminate this problem! And he'd hit her, and hit her, finally
knockingherviolentlydownoverthestairrailingandintoamarbletable.She'dfoughtback,forall
thegooditdidher.Butwhenshehitthetable,breakingit,andfelttheagonizing,twistingpaininher
belly,sheknewwhathe'ddone.

She'dscreamedathim,threatenedhimwithwhatwasgoingtohappenwhenCordknew.Hewasn'tso
drunkthathedidn'trememberwhoCordwas,andwhathedidforaliving.He'dmanagedtodialthe
emergencynumberandwaitedonlyuntilaweeping,moaningMaggiewascarriedofftothehospital
untilhe'dpackedabagandgottenintohisluxurycarforarushedtripoutoftown.Ithadendedinhis
owndeath.Maggiehadherowngrieftoface.

"Youlookasifthememoriesarekillingyou,"Cordremarked,bringingherbacktothepresent.He
drewhercloser."Talktome.Tellme."

Hersadeyesmethisandsheshookherhead."It'sallover."

Histhumbsmovedlazilyagainstherribcagewhilehewatchedherreactiontohistouch."Youlikeme
to touch you," he murmured quietly. "I don't know how I went so many years without noticing. Or
maybeIjustdidn'twanttonotice."

Shepulledagainsthishands,tonoavail."I'mleavingthecountryverysoon,"shepointedout,hating
thebreathlesssoundofhervoice."Youwon'teverhavetonoticeanythingagain."

"I'llbecompletelyalone,"hesaidsolemnly."Sowillyou."

Herfacetautened."I'vealwaysbeenalone,"shesaidinahuskytone."Letmego."

Hecaughtthehandsthatpressedintohischestandguidedthemuparoundhisneck.Sheshiveredand
triedtopullaway.Hisarmsencircledherandcapturedherthere,againsthim.

"Noyoudon't,"hesaidsoftly."It'stimewebothcametotermswiththis."

Shewaspanicking.Itwasinhereyes."Idon'twanttocometotermswithanything!Ijustwanttogo!"

He scowled, all too aware that he was aroused and she knew it, and that her hips were straining
violentlyawayfromhis.

"You'reafraidofme,"hewhispered,shattered.

Shebitherlowerliphard."I'mafraidofanyman,thisclose,especiallyyou!"sheblurtedout,visible
tearsstinginghereyes."Oh,please,letmego!"

He allowed her to move back to what she considered a decent proximity, but he wouldn't let go
completely. "It couldn't have been that one night with me that made you this way," he said, thinking
aloud."Becauseyou'vealwayswornclothesthatshowednothingofyourbody.Youdresslikeanold
womantogotobed.Youdon'tevenflirt-exceptonetimewhenwewentouttodinnertogetherandran
intoEbScott.Andyouonlydidthattoirritateme…

"Ineverunderstoodwhyyouaskedmeoutatall.You'donlyjustgottenbackintothecountry."

Hereachedoutandslidhishandagainsthercheek,caressingit."Itwasanimpulse,"hesaidsoftly."I
wantedtoseeifmarriagehadchangedyou.Ithad,butnotinthewayIexpected.Youwereevenmore
tenseandnervousthanbefore.NowIunderstandwhy."

Shemethisgaze."No,youdon't,"shesaidabruptly.

He bent unexpectedly and put his mouth against her eyelids, closing them. She shivered, once, and
thensherelaxed,lettinghimdrawherclose.Hekissedhereyebrows,runninghistonguesoftlyalong
them,andthenhekissedhercheeks,workinghiswayuphernoseandovertohereyesagain.Itwas
themosttendercaressshe'dfeltinherwholelife.Itshockedherintosubmission,whensubmission
hadbeentheverylastthingonhermind.

Hishandsslidupherbackandintothethickwealthofherlonghair."Ilovelonghair,"hebreathed
againsthertemple."Youknowit."

Herhandscurledintothethickhairbehindhishead,shortandcoolinherfingers.Herbodywason
firewithunsatisfiedhungersthatshehadn'tfeltinyears,notsincethenightAmyhaddiedand,atfirst,
she'dvibratedwithdeliciousunknownsensationswhenhestartedtouchingher.

Thememorymadeheruncertainandshestiffenedagain.

Heliftedhisheadtolookdownintoherfrightenedeyes."Iwasdrunk,"hesaidverygently,because
heknewwhatshewasremembering."Nomanshouldevertouchawomaninthatcondition.Iwasn't
brutaltoyou,butIhurtyou,justthesame,becauseIwasoutofcontrol."

Hereyeswerewideanduncertainandstrangelycurious.

"Youdon't understand," hemurmured, reading itin her face. "Aman has tocontrol his desire long
enoughtoarousethewomanhe'swith,Maggie,"hesaidgently."Ittakeslongerforawomantofeel
thethingsamandoes,especiallywhenit'sherfirsttime."

Sheflushedalittle,butshedidn'tlookaway.

"Yourbodydidn'trejectme,butyouweretenseandembarrassedandIwenttoofast,"hesaidwitha
frown."Irememberthinkinghowodditwasthatyourbodydidn'tfeelvirginalevenifyourreactions
werethoseofaninnocent."

Sheclosedhereyesandhatedherpast.Shehadn'tknownthatamancouldtellthat.

Hestaredatherwithgrowingsuspicion.Awomanwhohadbeenabusedasachild...

Shetuggedathisarms,breakinghistrainofthought.

"No,"hesaidsoftly,pullingherback.Hetiltedherfaceuptohis.Hiseyesweresmoldering,intenton
hermouth."Ishouldhavedonethisyearsago,"hemurmuredashebent."Ikissedyouwhenwewere
younger,butIbarelybrushedyourmouthwithmine.Thistime,"hewhisperedhuskily,"I'mgoingto
doahellofalotmore...!"

Shewaited,breathless,forhimtosuddenlychangehismind,forcardoorstoslam,forsomethingto
interruptthesensualhazehe'dcaressedherinto.

Nothing did. His fingers cupped her chin and his hard mouth settled slowly, gently, firmly, on her
partedlips.

Itwaslikenotimebefore.Shefelttheverytextureofhislipsastheymovedsoftlyoverhermouth,
teasing,tasting,lifting.Itwasasifheweresketchinghermouthwithafinesablebrush.Shewentvery
stillasheseducedhermouthwithslow,skillfulcaresses.

Shefelthisthumbworkingatthecornerofhermouth,testingitssoftnessashekissedit,enjoyingits
texture,itsslowresponse.

Henibbledherlowerlipwithhisteeth,smilingwhensheliftedtowardhimforthefirsttime.

"That'sit,"hewhispered.Hislipsworkedtheirwaybetweenhersandhehesitated,hisbreathcoming
quicklyathermoistlips."Openit,littleone,"hewhispered."Openit.Letmeinside..."

Thewords,unfamiliar,deepandsensual,didsomethingunexpectedtoherbody.Shefeltheatshoot
throughher.

Shefeltallherdefensesfall.Shearcheduptowardhim,openingherlips.

Shefelthisarmsslowlylift,rivetinghertohiships.Shefelthisexcitement,butshedidn'tprotestthe
intimacy.

Itwasdrugging,tofeelhimwantingher,totastetheheatandpowerofhishardmouthasitexplored
hersdeeply.

Eventhatterriblenight,atfirst,therehadn'tbeenthisslow,druggingintimacythatmadeherwantto
feelhismouthonherbody,hishandsonherbareskin.Thedepthofherhungershockedher.She'd
neverknowndesire,exceptforbrief,infrequenttasteswhenshewaswithCord.Thiswasanadventure
intheworldofthesenses,aslowbanquetoftastingandtouching.

Shewasn'tevenawarethatherfingerswereonthehemofhisknitshirt,orthathewasliftingawayto
coaxthemunderit.Shemovedherhandsquicklyuptothethickpeltofhairthatcoveredhiswarm
muscularchest.Shefelthimgaspagainsthermouthwhensheburiedherfingersinit.

Shedrewback,uncertain.

His face was hard, his cheekbones flushed, his mouth swollen from the long, intimate contact with
hers."Ilikeit,"hesaidinahuskytone."Wait."Hedraggedtheshirtoverhisheadandthrewitaside.
He didn't even look to see where it landed before he pulled her hands back to his body and guided
themagainstit.Hiswholebodythrobbed,vibrated,fromthisalmostinnocentloveplay.

"Don'tbeafraid,"hewhispered,ashebentbacktohermouth."I'dcutoffmyarmbeforeI'dhurtyou
again!"

Shefeltthat,inthetendernessofhistouch,intheexquisitecaressofhismouthonherlips.

Shegaveintothemoment,refusingtothinkofthepastorthefuture.Evenifitwasallshecouldever
have,shecouldhavethis.Shereacheduptohimandliftedherbodyagainsthisuntiltheywereriveted
togetheratthehips.Hegroanedharshlyandbentquicklytolifther.

Shefelthimmoving,felttheshockofhisstepsagainstherbodyashecarriedhertothechaiselounge
and draped her over it. He slid alongside her, his mouth under her shirt as his fingers worked at
buttonsandcatches.

Shefelthimshiverfaintlyashislipsmovedontothesoftskinofherbreast.

Butjustashepushedthebraoutofhisway,shefeltaskirloffear,andshecaughtittoherbreast,
refusingtoletgo.

He wasn't angry. He only smiled. He bent again and his lips opened, smoothing over the soft skin
abovethebra'sedge.Shecaughtherbreathwhenshefelthistonguethere,too.

Therewassomethingshewassupposedtodo.Shecouldn'trememberwhatitwas.Hislipstrespassed
further and further and she arched up, pulling the fabric out of the way of his mouth. It felt, oh, so
good!Shewanteditlower.Shewantedhismouthtocoverthattinyhardnessthatached,thatthrobbed,
thathurt,forhistouch.Shewantedhimtokissit...

Shefelthislaughterrippleagainstherbreast.Shedidn'trealizethatshewasspeakingaloud,orthat
hersuddenweaknessincreasedhisstrength,hisvirility.

"You make me feel ten feet tall," he whispered against her skin. His hand slid along her rib cage,
feelingtheundulatingmotionofherbodythatwastryingsohardtocoaxhismouthlower.

Shemoanedwithpurefrustration,outofhersenseswiththesingle-mindedpursuitofpleasure.She
couldn'tbelievewhatshewasfeelingwithhim.Itwasunimaginable,withherpast.

Heliftedhisheadandlookedrightdownintoherwide,frustratedeyes."Doyouwantmetosuckle
you?"hewhisperedsensuously.

"Yes!" she moaned, beyond pride, beyond embarrassment. Her body twisted up toward him. "Oh,

Cord,please,please...!"

Hetouchedhermouthgently,hisheartburstingwithherheadlongresponse,withherhungerforhim,
despitethepast,whenhe'dhurther.

"Iwoulddo,"hewhisperedhuskily,"anythingforyou.Anything!"

Hebenttoherbody,tuggingthebraoutofhernervelesshandstodashitandtheshirtandvestonto
thefloorbesidethem.Hisfacewasintentwithpleasure,withneed.Hetouchedherfirm,prettybreast
with its rosy little crown as if it fascinated him. Then he bent with a faint groan, and covered it
tenderlywithhislips.

Heheardherhelplesscryofpleasureashebegantosuckleher,histongueworkinghardagainstthe
nipple,theroughpressuredraggingashockedlittlesoundfromherthroat.

Sheliftedtohismouth,archedherbodytoholdhim,tempthimthere.

"Isitgood?"hewhisperedhuskily.

"Yes...!"Hervoicebrokeonthewords."Yes...!"Shepressedhermouthdeeplyintohisthroat,opening
it,tastinghisskininathrobbinghotsilence."Please...don't...stop!"

Helaughedhoarsely."Idon'tknowifIcould,"hewhisperedroughlyashebenttoherbodyagain.

Whenhismouthfinallyliftedandmovedtocoverhers,shemetithungrily,herarmsdragginghim
downtoher.

Hewaslost.Hepressedroughlybetweenherlonglegsinthejeans,hisbodythrobbing,aching,ashe
movedagainstherinahelplessparodyofintimacy.Sheshiveredandsobbedandclungashekissed
her.Justalittlelonger,justalittlelonger,justalittle...!

Hefeltherbodythrustingupathisandherealizedalmosttoolatewhatwashappening.Hegroaned
out loud and suddenly dragged his body away from hers. He flung his legs off the divan and bent
forward, with his elbows propped on his knees and his head in his hands. He shuddered again and
againwithfiercepain.

Maggiesatup,too,herbarebreastspressingtohisbareback."Cord,"shewhispereddazedly.

"Don'ttouchme!"heexploded,thrustingherawaywhilehestillcould.

He dragged himself to his feet, still shivering as he went to the liquor cabinet behind his desk and
pouredwhiskeyintoaglasswithshakinghands.

Maggiewasscramblingbackintoherclothes,horrifiedandsickenedatherbehavior.Shecouldhear
voicesfromherpast,accusingvoices,whisperedvoices,disgustedvoices.Shewasnobetterthana
streetwalker.She'dheardthemsaythat.She'dheardthemwhisperthat.Andatherage...!

Shegottoherfeet,wide-eyed,shaking.SheranforthedoorandwentthroughitwhileCordwasstill
tryingtorecoverfromwhathadhappened.

She'dforgottenherpurse,butitdidn'tmatter,shewasn'tgoingbackforit.Shewentoutthedoorand
satdownontheporch,hopingnobodyhadseenorheardwhatwasgoingoninthatroom.Howcould
sheeverfaceCordagain?Shewasdevastated!

Evenasshewasthinkingit,thefrontdooropened,andhecameoutontotheporch.Hestoppedashe
sawhersittingontheswingwithherarmstightlyaroundherself.

Shesawhislong,powerfullegsinfrontofher,andtheshinypolishofhisblacktooledleatherboots.
Shedidn'tlookup.Shecouldn't.Shewastooashamed.Nowhehadagoodreasontohateher.

CHAPTERFIVE

Butthedisgust,theanger,thatMaggiehadexpecteddidn'tcome.Cordsatdownbesideherandslidan
armbehindher.Hestaredatheruntilsheliftedhershamedfaceandmethiseyes.Theyweren'tangry,
ordisgusted.

Theywerequiet,curious.Theywerekind.

"Weneedtohavealongtalkaboutthedangersofheavypetting,"hesaidwithafaintsmile.

Shecoloredfuriouslyandavertedherfaceagain.

"Maggie, you didn't commit a cardinal sin," he said gently. "Will you please stop looking like a
whippedchild?"

Shefeltthetearsfallingdownhercheekswithoutrealizingituntilsheheardhisshockedbreathand
felthisarmscatchingherup,liftingherontohislap.Heheldhergently,smoothingherhair,untilthe
sobslessened.

"I don't have a handkerchief," he remarked ruefully, using his fingers to loosen the last stray tears
fromhereyelashes.

"NeitherdoL"Shefumbledinherpocketandfoundapapertowelshe'dstucktherethatmorningafter
usingittodryherhands.Amazingforesight,shethoughtmiserablyasshemoppedherselfup.

Herockedtheswingintomotion,watchingherlieexhaustedinhisarms."Ifeellikeateenager,"he
murmured.

She glared up at him from red eyes. "Don't you ever do that again!" she raged from hurt
embarrassment.

Hetouchedhersoftmouth."Spoilsport,"hemurmuredsoftly,andhesmiled.

Sheflushed,loweringhereyestohischest.Thatremindedherofhowthey'dbeen,justatthelast,and
shemovedhergazebeyondhimtothepastures.

Heheldherdownandkeptswinging.Heshookhishead,staringoutatthegrazingred-coatedcattlein
hispasture."Idon'tknowwhyIeverthoughtyouwereexperienced,"hesaid.

"Myprivatelifeisnoneofyourbusiness!"shemuttered.

"Thenwhydidyouletmetakeoffyourbra?"heaskedreasonably.

Shehithischestwithatightlittlefist.Hecaughtit,chuckling,andunfoldedit,pressingitintohisknit
shirt.Hestretchedandexhaled,hisfacemorerelaxedthansheeverrememberedseeingit.

"Ihavetogobacktotown,"shesaidtautly.

"Wehaven'thaddessert,"hereturned."Youcanhavecherrypieandhomemadevanillaicecreamand
coffeewhenyoureyeslooknormalagain."

Sheknewwhathemeant,theywereprobablyswollenandfieryred,astheyalwaysbecamewhenshe
cried.

Cordwasgettingapictureofherthatborenoresemblancetothewomanhethoughtheknew.There
wassomethingsexualinherpast,butnotapleasantmemory,andlongago,maybeinchildhood.If
she'dspenttwoyearswithastepfather,Godknewwhatshemighthaveenduredasalittlegirl.Itmade
himsicktorememberhisowntreatmentofherduringtheironeintimacy.

"Doyoustillride?"heaskedlazily.

"Ihaven't,inyears."

He smoothed his fingers over her long, pink fingernails. "You've toned the polish down, haven't
you?"hemurmuredabsently."Youusedtowearredonyournailsallthetime."

"Pinklastslonger,"shereplied.

"Youcancomebacktomorrow,"hecontinued."Wecangoridinginthemorning."

Shewonderedifshewouldn'tdobettertojointhePeaceCorpsinthemorning!Itwaseasierwhenhe
hatedher.

Nowshewasfacedwiththechoiceofrunningagainorbeingseducedintoasexualrelationshipwith
him.Shewasn'treadyforthat.Shemightneverbe.

Henoticedherlackofresponsetothesuggestion,andherworriedlook.Hetippedherfaceuptohis.
"Iwon'tseduceyou,"hesaidatonce."That'sapromise."

Herlowerliptrembled.Shedraggedhereyesdowntohiscollar.

Hischestroseandfellagainsther.Hesmootheddownherlonghairworriedly.Shewasfragilelike
this. She was vulnerable in a way he'd never dreamed she could be. It was a shock, to see a strong,
independent,fierywomanlikeMaggiereducedtoabsolutesubmissioninaman'sarms.Especially,he
thought,inhisarms.

Hedrewherclose,restinghischeekagainstthehairathertemplewhiletheswingrockedbackand
forth, its chains making a rhythmic metallic sound. Cattle lowed in the distance, and he heard dogs
bark-probably his nearest neighbors'. They barked at most everything. The sound was oddly
comfortingintheearlyevening.Itwasgrowingdark.Heheardcricketsandbirdshummingaround
them,whilethescentofhoneysuckleandjasminesettledontheheavy,humidnightair.

"You've got fireflies everywhere," she murmured, watching the insects emit brief green flashes as

theyflewamongtheflowersandthetreesneartheporch.

"Rememberwhenyouusedtocatchtheminamasonjarwithholesinthelid?"hemused.

Shelaughedsoftly."AndAmymademeletthemgo.Shecouldn'tbeartoseeanythingshutup,evenan
insect.

Buttheywerepretty."

"They'reprettierflyingaround,"hechided.

Shecurledherfingersintothesoftfabricofhisshirt.Shewashelplesswhenheheldher.Sheshould
resentit,shetoldherself,butallshecouldmanagewasdelightedhappiness.

Hisfingerscurledintohers.Hischeekmovedagainsthersoft,coolhair."Idon'tthinkIeversatand
heldyoulikethis,didI?"

"When I was nine," she recalled. "The neighbor's cat, the one they had declawed, bit my arm. I
squalledandcried,andyoupickedmeupandrockedmeuntilAmygothome."

"I'dforgotten."

"Ofcourse,"shesaidwithoutrancor."Itwasn'timportant."

Butitwastoher,becausesheremembered.Hewonderedhowoftenhe'dhurtherwithhisindifference
overtheyears.Itwasbeginningtodawnonhimhowdeeplyherfeelingswent,especiallyafterwhat
hadjusthappenedinhisstudy.

"Wecouldgoridingtomorrow,"herepeated.

Shehesitated."Ihavealotofpaperworktogetthrough,"shesaidfinally."Butthanksanyway."

Heliftedhisheadandlookeddownintoherface."You'regoingtotakealongstepbackandrefuse
any invitation I make from now on," he guessed accurately. "Then you're going to get out of the
country as fast as you can, so that you don't suffer another lapse of willpower with me. Does that
aboutcoverit?"

"Inanutshell,"sheconfessed,becauseitwasuselesstolienow.

Hetracedhersmallshell-likeear."Runningawayisn'ttheanswer."

"Iwon'tbeyourmistress,"shesaidcurtly."Justincasetheideahadoccurredtoyou."

"Ithadn't,"herepliedwithequalbluntness.Hisfacewassolemn,thoughtful."Somethinghappenedto
you, something traumatic," he continued. "You can't even talk about it. I should have been more
perceptive.AndIshouldneverhavetouchedyouwhenI'dbeendrinking.Itmakesmesicktothinkof
thedamageIdidtoyouthatnight."

Hereyebrowsarched.Shehadn'texpectedregrets-notfromhim.He'dneveractedasifheweresorry.
Infact,he'dblamedherforthewholesordidmess.

"Yes, I know," he mused, as if he read the thoughts right in her mind. "I blamed it on you. I hated
myself.Icouldn'tevenbeartothinkofwhatI'ddone,andtosomeonewho'dalwaysgivenmecomfort
andaffection."

"Youneversaidthat."

Heshrugged."HowcouldI?Prideisanobstacletomostapologies.Ihadmorethanmyshare.Itwas
toughbeingaSpanishkidinanAmericancity.Ididn'tfitinanywhereatfirst."

"Ididn'trememberthat,"shesaidsuddenly.

"Youdidn'tevennoticethatIwasforeign,"hereturned."Youappropriatedmethefirstdaywewere
together.

YouwerefluentinSpanish,evenattheageofeight.Youneversaidwhereyoulearnedit."

"From my mother," she replied. "Her mother was from Sonora, in Mexico." She smiled. "And her
mother's mother was one of the women who traveled with the revolutionaries under Pancho Villa
duringtheMexicanrevolution!Mamahadapictureofhergrandmother,wrappedinammunitionbelts
andcarryingacarbine!"

Hewaspleasantlysurprised."Oneofmyfather'sgreat-unclesfoughtwithVilla,"herecalled."Hisson
stillbreedsfightingbulls.HelivesnorthofMalaga,inAndalusia.He'smycousin."

"Ineverthoughthowharditmusthavebeenforyouhere,atfirst,"sherecalled."Youalwaysseemed
maturebeyondyouryears,andyouwereneverafraidofanything."

Hesmiled."Neitherwereyou.Well,maybeofbitingcats,"headded,teasing.

Shelaughed."Andsnakes,"shesaid.

Hetracedherthineyebrowslazily."Youwereanoddchild,"herecalled."Attimes,youseemedfive
years older than your actual age. And you never seemed to like boys." He pursed his lips. "Except
me,"headdedtauntingly.

"Youwereclosetohand,andyoualwaysprotectedme,"shepointedout.

"Youprotectedmeaswell,"hesaid,andhedidn'tsmile."Ididn'tlikeitverymuchatthetime,butit
washardtomiss.SometimesIfeltlikeapossession."

She studied an undone button at his collar. "You were the only security I had. In fact, you were the
onlysecurityI'deverknown.Ifeltsosafewithyou,asifnobodycouldeverhurtmeagainaslongas
youwerenear."

"ThenImarriedPatriciaandyougotinvolvedwiththatwild-eyedartist,"hesaid,scowling.

"Hewasgay,"sheblurtedout."ManniewasoneofthebestfriendsIeverhad.Hetaughtmetotakelife
atfacevalueandneverrunfromtrouble."Shefrownedsadly."HegotAIDSandnobodywouldtouch
him.Iusedtovisithimatthenursinghome,justsoIcouldhughim.Youcan'tcatchitthatway,you
know,andsickpeoplemisshumancontactthemostofeverything.Butmostpeoplearescaredtoget
close." She smiled. "I remember newsreels of Mother Teresa handing an AIDs infected child to a
businessmanandhowterrifiedhelooked.Shewasn'tafraidatall."

Hisfingerscontractedonherback."Youmakemeashamed."

"Ofwhat?"

Hesmoothedherhair."Yougivesomuch,Maggie,"hereplied."Idon'thavethatgenerosityofspirit.
I'vehadtofightforeverythingIevergot,evenwhenIwasakidinSpain.Myfatherwasabullfighter,
youknow,"headdedwhenshelookedpuzzled."EveninSpain,bullfightingisunderfire."

"Ididn'trealize...!"

"I was sorry I hadn't died with my parents in that fire," he recalled. "I had nobody back home who
couldberesponsibleformeandsincemymotherwasanAmericancitizen,theycouldn'tdeportme.I
endedupwhereyoudid,injuvenilehall.Iwasburiedingriefandangeratfate,atGod,ateverybody."
Hesearchedherface.

"ThenAmytookmehome,andtherewasthisquietlittletomboywhosatwithmeontheporchand
spokethemostbeautifulSpanishtomewhenIrefusedtorespondinEnglish."Hesmiled."Youmade
mefeelathome,whereveryouwere.WhenIgotintroublewithdrugs,yousatbesidemeandheldmy
hand,sotight,andpromisedmethateverythingwasgoingtobeallright.Igotteasedaboutthatalot.
Abig,strong,toughguylikemeateighteenbeingcomfortedbyaten-year-old."

"Iwasoldformyage,"shesaid.

"Youstillare."Hecaughtherhandinhisandheldittight."YouandIshareabond.I'vealwaysknown
it,evenwhenIresenteditandtriedtoignoreit."Helookeddownintohereyes."Itisn'tpossibleto
ignoreitanymore.

Notafterwhatjusthappenedbetweenus."

Shescrambledawayfromhimandstoodup,breathless."Please.Idon'twantto...Ican't...dothat."

He moved in front of her. The sunset beyond the porch was spectacular, all reds and golds and
oranges,butshewasn'tlooking."I'mnotaskingyouforonesinglething,"hesaidgently.

She looked up at him with emotional scars that were briefly visible. "I'm afraid of sex," she
whispered,asifitweresometerriblesecret."It'ssordidandnasty,and..."

He put his fingers over her lips, shocked. "Maggie, lovemaking is a beautiful expression of what a
manandawomanfeelforeachother,"hesaid

earnestly."It'snotsordidandnasty.IfImadeyoufeelthatwayaboutit,Godforgiveme!"

He looked wounded. She drew back from the contact of his fingers. "You didn't," she said. "What
happenedthatnightwas...unfortunate.Iwasdrinking,too,andIguessIdidsomethingthatmadeyou
thinkIwantedit.I'msorry,too.Icouldneverwant...that...tohappenifIwassober.I'vehateditmy
wholelife."

Hewasreallyshockednow.Shelookedsomber,butcompletelyhonest."Why?"heaskedsoftly.

Shewinced."It'ssohorrible,"shewhispered,hereyesvacant."Sohorrible!"

Thelookonherfacedisarmedhim.Hecouldn'timaginewhathadhappenedtomakeherfeelthatway
aboutphysicalintimacy.Shesaiditwasn'therexperiencewithhim.What,then?Hepromisedhimself,
hewasgoingtofindout.

Meanwhile, he was going to start over with her. That brief interlude had assured him that they had
something powerful together, something that needed exploring. He, who shunned intimacy, was
suddenlyhungryforit.

"Ifyouwon'tgoridingtomorrow,howaboutamovienextweek?"heaskedabruptly.

"Cord, it's not a good idea," she said quickly. "We can just forget today. It was a flash in the pan. It
didn'tmeananything!"

"You'reafraid,"hesaidgently."Iknowthat,andI'mnotgoingtobackyouintoacorner.Wecanbe
friends,ifthat'sallyouwant.ImeantwhatIsaidinside,"headdedinadeep,huskytone.Hisdarkeyes
almostglowedwithemotion."I'dgiveyouanythingyouwanted,Maggie.Anythingintheworld!"

Shefeltherbodytingleassherememberedwhenhe'dsaidit.Evennow,hisvoicewassotenderthatit
madeherache.Butshedidn'ttrusthim.Itwastoosoon.Sheturnedawayfromhim,towardthefront
door."Iwantmycherrypie."

"Justaminute."Hedrewherintothelightofthewindowandcheckedhereyes.Hesmiledandtouched
hermouthgently."You'lldo.Iwouldn'twanttheTravisestothinkImadeyoucry,evenifIdid."

Shelookedupathimquietly."IthoughtyouweredisgustedatthewayIacted,whenyoupushedme
away,"shestammered."Ifelt...dirty."

Hiseyesclosedandhecursedsilently."Never!"hesaidharshly,openinghiseyesonawaveofregret.
"I was trying to spare you another trauma," he said honestly. "It's too soon for that sort of physical
involvement, for both of us. We're different people now. I was shocked when I knew about your
marriage, and ashamed of the way I'd treated you. I never meant things to get so physical." He
shrugged."IkissedyouandIcouldn'tstop."

His cheekbones went ruddy and he looked away, almost as if he were embarrassed to admit that. "I
pushedyouawaybeforeImadeanotherstupidmistakethatIcouldn'tundo."

"Oh,"shesaid."Thatwaswhy?"

Hemethereyes."Thatwaswhy,Maggie.Disgust?"Helaughedshortly."Whatajoke.IthoughtI'ddie
tryingtoletyougo.I'venever..."Hestoppedandturnedaway.

Shetouchedhisarm,verylightly."You'venever...?"sheprompted.

Hisheadlifted,buthewouldn'tlookather."I'veneverwantedawomansomuch."

Sheletgoofhim,butthewordsechoedinhermind.Notdisgust.Desire.Violentdesire.She'dfeltit,
too.

"Isitnormal?"shewhisperedaloud,withoutrealizingshehadspoken.

Heturnedback."Iswhatnormal?"

"Towantsomebody,likethat,"shesaidshyly.

"Haven'tyoueverwantedamansomuchthatitwasliketorturetopullaway?"

Shestuckherhandsinherjeanspockets.Shelookedathischest."Onlyyou."

Hewasquietsolongthatshethoughtshe'dinsultedhim.Thenshenoticedhischestrisingandfalling
atafast,hardrate.Shelookedup,surprisedtoseeahot,almostviolentlookinhisdarkeyes.

Shegrimaced."ThereIgoagain,eatingmyfoot.Sorry.Ireallydowantmycherrypie."

Sheopenedthedoorandhestoppedher,hishandgoingpastherear.

"I'msorry,too,sorrytoasksoblatantaquestion,,butIneedtoknow.Maggie,haveyoueverhada
man-besidesme?"

Sheswallowedhard.Theywerefarbeyondlies."Notthatway,no,"shesaidwithquietdignity,and
withoutrealizingherexactphrasing.

Cord'sarmwasremoved,asifheranswerhadshockedhim.Whichithad.

Shewentthroughthedoorandbacktothekitchen.Afteraminute,hefollowedher,quietandsubdued.

They were polite and pleasant to each other until the pie and coffee were consumed, but both had
withdrawn from their former intensity. They avoided any personal conversation. They smiled and
talkedandthenCorddroveMaggiebacktoherhotel.

Despiteherprotests,hewalkedhertoherdoor.

"It'stoolateforyoutoberoamingthehallsofanyhotelalone,"hesaidwhentheyreachedherroom.
"Itmaybeafewyearslate,butI'mgoingtotakebettercareofyou."

Sheglancedathimcuriously."Don'tgetintoanynewhabits,"shetoldhim."I'monlyintownuntilI
findthejobI'mlookingfor."

Hisfacehardened."Andthenit'sgoodbyeforever?"

Shecouldn'tlookathimandagree."Thefartherapartweare,thebetteroffwe'llbe,"shesaid."I'd
only poison your life. Neither of us is looking for anything permanent, and I can't even look at
somethingtemporary.I'mnotmeantforbrief,intenseaffairs."

Helaughedhuskily."That'sajoke.You,havinganaffairwithanyone,evenme."

Shelookedup,curious,withherkeycardinsertedintotheslot."Why?"

"You'vegotmorehang-upsthanyourealize,"hesaidsoftly.Heshookhishead."Itwilltakeapatient
mantogetthroughallofthem."

"Somethingnobodywouldeveraccuseyouofbeing,"sherepliedsweetly.

Hepursedhislips."Oh,Idon'tknow,IthoughtIwasdoingprettygoodforawhiletoday."

Shegothismeaningandglaredathim.Hewasgrinning,thebeast!

For the first time in memory, he gave her slender figure a speaking, sensual scrutiny. "You have a
beautifulbody,"heremarked."You'reslender,butyourbreastsarejustright..."

"Youstoptalkingaboutmybreasts!"sheexclaimed,foldingherarmsoverthemdefensively.

"It's better than doing what I'm thinking," he replied with a long, meaningful glance at them with
pursedlips.

Shefelttheheatgothroughherlikeajoltoflightning.Itshowed,too.

Hesmiledslowly."IseeyouknowwhatI'mtalkingabout,"hechided.

"Idonot!"

Hisgazefelltohermouth."I'dlovetokissyougood-night,Maggie,"hesaidinatonethatcurledher
toes."ButIdon'tthinkI'devergetoutthedoorifIdid."

Shecouldn'tmanageasnappyreply.Hedisabledallherdefensiveskillswhenhespokeinthatlow,
velvetytone.

He knew it. His eyes met hers, and the smile faded. "You just went on the endangered list," he said
abruptly."Iwon'tcomeatyourblindside,andIwon'tpressureyou.ButIwantyou."

"I'vetoldyou...!"

"It'sreciprocal.Youcanhavemewheneveryouwantme,"hecontinued,asifshehadn'tspoken,his
voicedeepandsoftandslow.Hisgazewasrelentless,sensual."Whereveryouwantme.Onabed,in
thefloor,standingagainstawall,Idon'tcare.Butitwillbeyourdecision,andonyourterms.From
nowon,Iwon'teventouchyouunlessyoutellmeyouwantmeto,"headdedquietly.

"I...don'tunderstand,"shestammered.

Hereachedoutandtouchedhercheek,hiseyesnarrowandquiet."Ispentagoodpartofmylifein
lawenforcement.IknowanabusedchildwhenIseeone,"hesaidbluntly."Evenifittookmeyearsto
realizeit."

Shewinced.

"Don'tdothat,"hesaidroughly."It'snothingtobeashamedof!Achildcan'thelpwhathappenstoher
orhim!"

Tearswelledupinhereyes.Shefeltdizzy.Thehallstartedspinningaroundassickeningmemories
floodedintohermind,cripplingher,terrifyingher."Cord,"shewhispered,andfaintedathisfeet.

Whenshecameto,shewaslyingonthecoverletofherbed.Cordwassittingbesideherwithaglass
ofwaterinhishand,hisotherhandbehindherhead,coaxingherlipstoit.Hisfacewaswhiteunder
itstan.

Shemanagedasipandchoked.Heputtheglassdownandhelpedhertositup.Hesmoothedherhair
whileshefoughtforbreathandsanityagain.

"I'msorry,"hesaid."Ishouldhavekeptmymouthshut."

She swallowed and swallowed again. He had no idea what sort of memories he'd resurrected. They
weren'tassimpleordirectashisassumptionofwhathadhappenedtoherasachild.

"Areyougoingtobeallright?"hepersisted.

Sheforcedasmile.Itwasn'thisfault.Hedidn'tknowaboutherpast.Hemadeassumptions.Somany
peopledid,withoutaclueastothedepravitytowhichsomemencouldstoopintheirpursuitofthe
goodlife,thefastbuck.

"It'sallright,Cord,"shesaidinawanvoice."I'vehadahardweek.Maybeitjustcaughtupwithme.
Delayedjetlag."

Hiseyeswereworried.Hewasn'tbuyingit."Don'tyouwanttocomebacktotheranchwithme?"he
asked.

"Junecouldstaywithyou."

She shook her head. "You don't understand. It was all a long time ago. I've come to grips with it.
Really."

Henoddedandgaveheranimpatientstare."Ofcourseyouhave,sweetheart.That'swhyyoufainted."

Hereyelidsflashedattheendearment.She'dknownCordforeighteenyears.He'dnevercalledherby
apetname.

He seemed to realize why she was shocked. He chuckled softly. "Is that a weak spot? I'll have to
exploitit."

"Itwon'tworktwice,"shesaidfirmly."Right.Honey,"hedrawledsoftly.Sheflushed.

His eyes sparkled with delight. "I'll think up a few more before I come back next week. I'm free
WednesdayorThursday.Youcanpickthemovieandtherestaurant."

Shewasworried."Cord...?"

"Iwon'ttouchyou,"herepeated."Dinnerandamovie.Period."

"But,I'mgoingaway,"shecontinued."Itwilljustmakethingsworse..."

"Worseforwho,youorme?"heasked.

"Allright,forme,"shesaid,hatingthefactthatheknewhowshefeltabouthim."Don'ttormentme…

He hesitated. She did look tormented. He took one of her hands in his and held it tight. His thumb
smoothedoverherneatfingernails."You'vegoteveryrighttofeelthewayyoudo.Idon'tblameyou.
But don't push me completely out of your life, Maggie," he added, lifting dark eyes to hers. "I can
evensettleforfriendship,ifthat'sallyouhavetooffer."

Theremarkwassurprising.Shedidn'treallytrustit,either,becauseshe'dfelthishungerforher.How
ironic, that she loved him but couldn't imagine making love to him, and he wanted her but without
lovingher.

"Wecouldgobacktobeingfosterchildren,"shesaid.

"Fosterbrotherandsister?"heasked,andhedidn'tsmile.

Shenodded.

Heletgoofherhandandgottohisfeet."Ifthat'swhatyoureallywant,okay,"hesaidwithcoldpride.

"Butbesure,Maggie.Beverysure.Thereareplentyofwomenintheworld,someofwhomwouldn't
consideritanordealtobemylover."

Thathurt,asitwasmeantto.Shepickeduptheglassofwaterandsippedit.Shedidn'tspeak.Words
wouldchokeher.Sheknewhewasgivingheranultimatum.Itwastheoldgame,alloveragain,strike
outbeforeyouwerehit.Butshewasn'tgoingtoplayanymore.

"Noreply?"hetaunted.

Shesippedthewateragain.

Hesworeroundly,turnedonhisheel,wentoutthedoorandslammedit.Asecondlater,heopenedit
again.

"Keep this damned thing locked," he said shortly, dark eyes blazing. "I told you before, I have an
enemy,andhemaytrytotargetyou.Don'ttakechances."

"Okay."

Hewaitedwithvisibleimpatienceuntilshegotupandstartedtowardthedoor.Heglaredather.His
bodyachedjustlookingather,andshewasclosingdoorsbeforeheevengotthekeyinthelock.

"Don'tworry,youmadeyourpoint.Bodiesarecheap,"shesaidasshemethiseyes."Youcanfindone
anywhere."

Hisjawclenched."Thatwasalowremark,"hereplied.

Sheshrugged."You'vealreadytoldmeI'mnotintherunningunlessI'mwillingtojumpintobedwith
you.

Therearewomenlinedup,waiting.Igetthepoint."Shesmiled."Luckyyou!"

Helookedasifhewantedtobiteoffpartofthewall."Thatwasn'tthepoint!"

"Goodnight,Cord."

Hesteppedoutintothehall,butheturnedalmostatonce.She'dfaintedbecausehementionedherpast.
Shehadhiddenterrorsbecauseofit.Andherehewas,pressuringher,whenhe'dpromisednotto.It
wasfrustrationtalking,nothisheart.

He stared down at her with regret eating at him. "I tell lies," he muttered. "I make promises I don't
keep."Heshrugged."Iwouldn'twanttogooutwithme,either,afterthewayI'vebehavedtonight.But
keepyourdoorlocked,okay?"

"Okay."

Heshruggedandstarteddownthehall,bothhandsinhispockets.

Shestaredafterhim.Whenhegottotheelevator,shewasstillthere,hereyesonhim.Hegotinand
startedtopushthebuttonwhenhesawher.Hehesitated,frowning,hisstareintent.Hemoved,justa
fraction,asifhethoughtaboutgettingofftheelevatorandcomingback,rushingback,toher.

Thatthoughtwasfrightening.Shewasn'treadyforit.Shecouldn'tbearanotherpassionateembrace
tonight,notafterthethingshe'dalreadysaid.

She moved back into her room and closed the door, hard, leaning back against it with her heart
pounding.

CHAPTERSIX

Maggiesleptfitfullyfortherestoftheweekendandwasbleary-eyedanddrowsywhenshegotinto
the office on Monday morning. She'd showered, and been embarrassed all over again when she
lookedinthemirrorandsawavividredmarkonherbreastwhereithadbeensuckled.Therewere
otherfaintmarks,too,allevidenceofatorridinterlude.

Nobody could see the marks, of course. But the memory had kept her awake half the night with
burningrecollectionsofCordinherarms,hiskissesonhermouth.Afteryearsoffutiledreams,the
reality was such a shock that she could barely believe it. Above all, he'd been cold sober, and he
certainlyhadn'thurther.He'dbeensotenderthatherbodyrippledalloverjustthinkingaboutit.Even
daysbefore,despiteherfeelingsforhim,shecouldn'thaveimaginedhimlikethat.Hermemoriesof
his lovemaking were painful. But perhaps the new memories would be even worse. Cord was a
wonderfullover.Nowsheknewwhatshewasmissing,andwhatshestoodtoloseifshereallytooka
joboutofthecountry.

Butwhatgoodwoulditdohertostay?Cordhadbeenfuriouswithherbecauseshewantedtodistance
herselffromhim.Ithadbeeninself-defense.Shehadnothingtolookforwardtowithhim,despitehis
new attitude. He didn't want to get married. She did. She'd lied about it to spare her pride, but she'd
havelovedbeingmarriedtoCord,bearinghischildren.Hischildren.Thepainwentthroughherlike
aknife.Shefinishedgettingdressedandrefusedtothinkanymoreaboutit.

She had sessions with two clients, and fortunately, she was astute enough to convince them that she
wasalertandonthejob.

Kitinvitedherouttolunch,packingacamera.

"What'sthatfor?"sheasked.

Kit grinned. "We're having lunch at a restaurant right next door to the agency where this guy we're
investigatingworks,"shesaid."I'mhopingtocatchhimwithsomebody,anybody,wecanphotograph.

Westilldon'tknowwhathisexactconnectionsare,ortowhom.Itwouldgiveusafootupifwecould
getagoodphotoofhimwithoneortwoofhiscronies."

"Whatagreatidea!Doesyourhusbandknowwhatyou'reupto?"Maggieaddedquickly.

"No,"shesaid,andscowled."Anddon'tyoudaretellhim.Loganisabatteringramwithbigfeetand
ears.Heisnotliberated.ButthisismyjobandI'mdoingit.Whathedoesn'tknowwon'thurthim."

"Icanseeusnow,withyourhusbandracingdownthestreet,chasinguswithacomputermouse."She
grinned.

"Butwon'titbefun?!"

"Fun,andbeneficial,too,"Kitsaidsmugly."Thisguyneedstobestopped.Imaginelittlekidsbeing

boughtandsoldontheinternationaljobmarket.IfanyonedidthattoBryce,I'dturnhimeverywhich
waybutloose!"

Maggieunderstoodhowtheotherwomanfelt.

They ate at a steak restaurant two doors down from an employment agency with a very nice
storefront.

"Are you sure that's the one?" Maggie asked under her breath when they were past it. "Gosh, it's
elegant!"

"Of course it is. That's their cover. And not only in Texas. They have agencies in Florida and New
Yorkaswell,"Kitreplied."ButLassitersaystheotheragenciesarelegitimate,andjustafrontforthis
one.ThisJobFairisconnectedwithaglobalcorporationthatdealsinstolenchildrenthattheyusefor
freelabortomakeprofits,andGruber'scontrollingitsomehow."

"Whatasickworldwelivein,"Maggieremarked.

Theyplacedtheirordersandsippedcoffeewhiletheywaitedforittobeprepared.

"Look,theretheyare!"Kitgroaned,lookingoutthewindow."They'llgetawaybeforeIcanevenget
mycameraout...!"

"No,theywon't."Maggiegotup,weavingthroughthetables,andrushedoutside."Followmewiththe
camera,andhurry!"

Twomen,oneshortandbalding,theothertallanddark-headedandtough-looking,weretalkingon
thesidewalkinalanguagethatsoundedlikeSpanish.

"Jake!"Maggieexclaimed,movingquicklytowardthetallermanwithahugesmile."Hownicetosee
you again! I thought I recognized you..." She trailed off deliberately and assumed an embarrassed
look."Oh,I'msosorry!Ithoughtyouwereabusinessassociate.Please,excuseme!"

Sheturnedandwalkedawayquickly,hopingagainsthopethatKithadbeenquick.Shewentbackinto
therestaurant,resistingtheurgetoturnaroundandseethemens'reaction.

Kit was grinning when Maggie got back to their table. "I got it! You brainy lady!" she exclaimed.
"Lunchisonme!"

"That was exhilarating," Maggie replied breathlessly. "I think I may be a natural born detective. Do
youknowwhotheywere?"

"Theshortmanistheonewe'reinvestigating.HisnameisAlvarezAdams.ButIthinkthetalloneis
the associate we've been trying to connect him with, the man who's in charge of the African child
tradeamancalledRaoulGruber.HeworksmainlyoutofMadrid,buthehascloseconnectionswith
JobFair, and we think he and Adams are joint partners with the global enterprise. It's so chilling to

thinkabout.We'vegotcontacts-well,Mr.

Lassiterhascontacts-inallthegovernmentagenciesthatdealwiththissortofthing,andwe'refeeding
whateverwegetrighttothem."

"Ihopetheycanshutdowntheoperation."

"Sodowe,"Kitsaidglumly."ButunlessthismanisGruber,wedon'thavemuchofachance.Adams
is so slippery that we don't have a single thing on him. On the other hand, if he's working with
Gruber,there'stheconnectionandwe'vegotafoundationtobuildon."

"Did they pay me much attention when I came back in?" Maggie asked, because something was
nigglinginthebackofhermindabouttheman.

"The tall one watched you all the way." Kit confirmed her worst suspicions. "It was almost as if he
recognizedyou.Isn'tthatwild?"

Maggie's heart jumped. What if the man was the one who had tried to kill Cord? Hadn't Cord said
somethingaboutanemploymentagencyconnection?Shehadtoknowifitcouldbethisone.

Butshedidn'tsayanythingtoKit.Therewasnoreasontomakeherboss'swifefeelbad,becauseKit
hadn'taskedhertodoanything.Ithadbeenherownidea.Evennow,shedidn'tregretit.Shefeltasif
sheweredoingsomethingimportant,somethingworthwhile.Besides,she'dhadatasteofthefamous
adrenalinerush.NowonderCordwouldn'tquitwhathedid!

Shewentthroughtherestofthedayinadaze,certainthatshedidn'twanttospendtherestofherlife
advisingpeopleonstocks.MaybeMr.Lassitercoulduseanotheremployee?

But her foolhardy action weighed on her mind. She began to realize how dangerous Gruber might
really be. If he knew who she was, and suspected that she was spying on him, things could get
dangerous.Sowhenshegotbacktoherhotel,shephonedtheranch.Cordwasn'tthere,butsheleft
wordforhimtocallher,andwentintohersmallsittingroominhershortsandT-shirt,barefoot,to
workonthelatestaccountfiguresonherlaptopcomputer.

Twohourspassedbeforesheevenrealizedit.Theinsistentbuzzofthedoorbellcaughtherattention.
Asshewenttoanswerit,sherealizedthatshehadn'teventhoughtaboutsupper.Shelookedthrough
thepeephole,andtherewasCord,indesignerjeansandboots,aWestern-cutshirtandbolotie,witha
Stetsonslantedacrosshiseyes.

Surprised, because she'd only asked him to phone, she opened the door. He gave her a long,
appreciativelookbeforehewalkedinandletherclosethedoorbehindhim.

"Iwantedtotellyou..."shebegan.

Hebent,liftingherclearofthefloorinhisarmsinmidsentence,andkissedherhungrily.

Sheforgoteverythingshewasgoingtosay.Shelethimkissher,entrancedbythesoftdelightofhis
lipsonhers.Hewasn'tdemanding,insistent,evenpushy.Hewasslowanddelicatelysensuouswithout
anythingblatant.Shemelted.

Heliftedhisheadandlookedintohereyeswithoneeyebrowraised."Yes?Youwantedtotellme...?"

She couldn't get her breath, much less make her brain work. "You're wearing a cowboy hat," she
pointedout.

"I'macowboy.Whatdidyouwanttotellme?"

Shelaughedsoftly,embarrassed."Ican'tthink."

"I'mflattered."Hepursedhislips."Wantmetodoitagain?"

Sheswallowed."Notrightnow."

Heputherdowngently."That'spromising,atleast,"heremarked."Whatareyoudoing?"

"Inputtingdata."Shegesturedtowardthecomputer,shakenbyhisactions."Iforgotthetime."

"Obviously. Let's dress you in something nice and go out to eat at this steak place I know," he
murmured,watchingher.

"We'renotdressingme,"sheinformedhim.

Hesighed."Theregoesdessert."Hefrowned."NotthatImind,butwhydidyoucallme?"

Shewipedherhairbackwithanervoushand."Iwasgoingtotellyouaboutthemanwesawatlunch,
walkingwithAlvarezAdams,"shebegan.

Allthehumorwentoutofhim.Hewassuddenlydeadlyserious,andshehadanunwelcomeglimpse
ofthemanhebecamewhenheworkedasamercenary."HowdoyouknowAdamsandwheredidyou
seehim?"

"Kitrecognizedhim.Lassiter'sinvestigatinghim.Weateatarestaurantnexttowhereheworks,that
JobFairemploymentplace,"shecontinued,curiousabouttheexpressiononCord'shardface."There
wasamanwithhim,atallanddarkmanwithascaracrosshismouth..."

"Gruber!"heexclaimed."He'sinHoustonalready?MyGod!"

Shepausedwithoutanotherword.Thenamewasveryfamiliarnow.

"Didheseeyou?"hepersisted.

"Well,Iwastryingtotellyou,Kitwantedaphoto

ofthemenandtheywereabouttoleave,soIwentoutsideandpretendedtoknowthetallone,then
admittedthatIdidn'tsoKitcouldgettheirpicture.Theydidn'tknowshegotit,"sheaddedquickly,
becauseCordlookedfrightening.

"Youlittlefool,"hesaidunderhisbreath."RaoulGruberisthemanwhoplantedthebombIfound.He
triedtokillme.He'snotstupid.He'llknowbynowwhoyouareandwhoyouwerewith,whichmeans
youandyourlunaticfriendarebothindanger!"

"IshouldcallKit,"shebeganworriedly.

"Youshouldpack,"hesaidfirmly."You'renotstayingherealone,notwhenGruberknowswhoyou
are. By now he'll know where you are as well. Go and get your things together. Do it right now,
Maggie.I'mnotleavingwithoutyou.KitisLoganDeverell'swife,isn'tshe?"

"Yes,but..."

"I'llphonehimwhenwegettotheranch,"hesaid."Getpacked.You'recheckingout,rightnow."

Shehesitated.Shewasbeingrailroaded.Shewasamodernwoman.Sheshouldn'tknuckleunderlike
this.Thereweredozensofbookswrittenaboutmen.likeCord.Sheshouldhavereadone.

"Whatareyouwaitingfor,abulletthroughthewindow?"heburstoutwhenshestoodwhereshewas.
"I'mnotmakingconversation!Thismanstandstolosemillionsifhe'sexposed.He'skilledchildren,
forGod'ssake!Hewon'thesitateatonestubbornwoman!"

Sheputherhandsonherhipsandglaredathim."Nowyoujustlistenhereaminute...!"

He was too worried and exasperated for courtesy. He picked her up, threw her over one broad
shoulderandwentoutthedoor.Hecloseditbehindhimwhilesheragedathisback.Hecarriedher
downthehalltotheamusedlooksofguests,andrightintotheelevator.

"Cord!"shesquealed,embarrassedtobeinhershortsandinsuchaposition.Heshiftedherintohis
arms.

"There,there,darlin',"hesaidgently,exchangingawarmlookwithanelderlycouplethatwasriding
downtothelobbywiththem."She'sinthefamilyway,"heconfided,toMaggie'shorror."Iworryif
sheevenwalks."

"Iknowjusthowyoufeel,"theelderlymansaid,whileMaggieglaredandtheelderlywomanlooked
amused.

"She-"heindicatedhiswife"-wasworkingatadrugstorewhenshewentintolabor,andshewouldn't
gothehospitalbecausetheyweredoinginventoryandshewasneeded.Shehadthebabyrightonthe
floorinHealthandBeautyAids!"

Theelderlywomanscoffed."Itwasababy,notalife-threateningevent!Don'tyoulethimcoddleyou

toomuch,dear,"shetoldMaggiegently."Exerciseisthebestthing!"

Maggiewantedtosaysomething,butshedidn'tgetthechance.Theywereheadingthroughthelobby
as he called goodbye to their companions. A minute later, bare feet and all, she was sitting in the
passengerseatofCord'struck.

"I'llgobackforyourclothesandyourlaptop,"hetoldhersmugly.

"Youdon'thavethekey!"shemuttered.

Helookedamused,despitethegravityofthesituation."HowdoyouthinkIgotintoyourroomthe
morningafteryoucamebytheranch?"

"Youlock-picker!"

"Count on it," he mused. "I'm a professional mercenary. I have all sorts of skills you don't know
about.Sittight.

Iwon'tbeaminute."

Shethrewupherhands.Arguinggothernowhere.Nowshewasgoingtoarriveattheranchinshorts
and no shoes, and everybody would stare. Well, let him explain her state of dishevel, she thought
furiously!Shehopedeverybodystared!

Minutes later, with her suitcase and other carryalls packed and thrown into the back seat, they were
back at the ranch. Maggie, still self-conscious about her appearance, walked into a pretty bedroom
behindCord,whowascarryingherluggageandherlaptop.Fortunately,neitherJunenoranyoneelse
wasinsight.

The room was done in pinks and blues, and had a canopied bed. "Wow," she murmured. "Whoever
decoratedthiscorneredthelacemarket,huh?"

Heturned."Idecoratedit,"hesaid.

Shewaswonderingforwhom,becausehe'dboughttheranchafterPatriciadied.

"WholikesFrenchProvencalfurnitureandPriscillacurtains?"heaskedwithlong-sufferingpatience.

Herheartjumped."Ido,"sheblurtedout."But...whywouldyoudecoratearoomforme?"

"Temporaryinsanity,"hemuttered."I'mhavingmyselfpsychoanalyzedFriday."

Shecouldn'tstoplookingathim."Youreallydidthis-forme?"shestammeredinhelplessdisbelief.

Hemovedcloser,takinghergentlybytheshoulders."Whyareyousosurprised?Itoldyoubefore,
you're an integral part of my life. I always assumed that you'd come here and spend the night

eventually,evenifitwasonlyfortheoccasionalweekend."

"Youneversaidthat,"sherepliedsadly."Youneverevenhintedatit."

His fingers tightened and released on her shoulders. "It's hard for me to let people close," he
confessedreluctantly,andhewouldn'tmeethereyes."Ilostbothparents,mywife,Amy...Idon'thave
agoodtrackrecordwith...affection."

Hewasgoingtosaylove,buthecouldn'tgetthewordpasthislips.Shecouldunderstand.She'dbeen
betrayed herself, by the people who should have put her welfare first. Trust didn't come easily to
eitherofthem.

Shesearchedhiseyesslowly,seeingthedeeplinesbetweenhiseleganteyebrows,thelinesofstress
betweenhisnoseandhismouth,thehardsetofhisleanfacewithitsolivecomplexion.

"Iknowhowthatfeels,"shesaidslowly."Exceptthatpeoplehaveleftyoubecauseofcircumstances
theycouldn'tcontrol,evenPatricia.Inmylife,thepeoplewhowereclosesttomehavebetrayedme."

"Whobetrayedyou?"heaskedsoftly,discerningthatshewantedtotalk.

"Justabouteverybody,"shesaidafteralongmoment.Shewinced,rememberingBart'shorribleact
anditsultimatecost.Hereyesclosedandopened."I'llnevertrustamanagain."

"Can'tyoutellmewhathappened?"hepersisted,tiltingherfaceup.

Shesearchedhiseyesslowly."Itwouldbecruel,"shesaidabsently,andthenregrettedtheslipofthe
tonguewhenshesawhisintelligenteyesflicker.

Theunexpectedanswermadehimcurious."Crueltome?Why?How?"

Shepulledawayandmovedtohersuitcase."I'mgoingtoputonsomethingelse."

"What'swrongwithshorts?"heasked,diverted."You'rehome."

Sheshrugged."Idon'teverwearshortsexceptwhenI'malone."

Hewaswatchingher,alert,assessing."Whomolestedyou,Maggie?"

Shedroppedthepairofjeansshewasholding.Hewenttothedoor,closedit,andcamebacktoher,
turninghertofacehim.Heforcedhereyesuptohis."Itwasyourstepfather,wasn'tit?"Shewinced.

"Didyouhavetherapy?"heasked.

Sheshookherhead."Icouldnevertalkaboutit,toatotalstranger."

Histhumbsrubbedgentlyagainsthercheeksasheframedherface."Iknowawoman.She'samerc.
but she has a degree in psychology. She's tough and honest. I think you'd like her. She's the sort of

personyoucouldtalkto,andshecouldhelpyou."

"Doyouthinkso?"

Hebentsothatshehadtomeethiseyes."Doyouwanttogothroughlifealone,withoutafamilyor
children?"

"Idon'tknowifIcanhavechildrenanymore,"shesaidhuskilyandinpain.

Hishandsstilledonherface."Why?"

"The beating I took when Bart hit me ...was...devastating," she confessed hesitantly. "I fell into a
marble coffee table and it shattered. I damaged one of my ovaries. The other one works ... but the
doctorstoldmethatitmightbedifficulttogetpregnant."

Heimmediatelythoughtofwaysandmeanstogetherthatway,anditshockedhim.Children,family
life,hadneverbeenapriority.Hewasinalineofworkthatpredisposedhimtobachelorstatus.

But she looked torn, wounded, helpless. Inadequate. He thought about the long, lonely years ahead
whenshewouldsubstituteworkforloveandcompanionshipandthefamilyshecouldhavehad.Itwas
aterriblewaste.

Hescowledashelookeddownintoherwanface."Difficult,butnotimpossible,"hesaidhuskily,and
hiswholebodywenttaut.Helaughedattheunexpectedarousal.

"What'ssofunny?"

Hepursedhislips."Ithoughtaboutkidsandgotaroused.That'safirst."

Sheflushed,pullingawayfromhim.

With a long sigh, he pushed his itching hands into his slacks pockets to keep from grabbing her.
"Well,it'sachallenge,isn'tit?Iloveachallenge."

Herhandswereshaking.Shefoldedthematherwaist."Ireallyshouldchange."

"Ireallywouldlovetowatch,"hesaidsoftly,andhedidn'tsmile."Yourskinhasadelicatesheen,like
thatonapearl.Youfeellikethemostdelicaterosepetal,silkyanddelicious,andthesmellofroses
clingstoyoulikeanaura."Hesearchedoverherhair,herface,herbody,hungrily."I'vehadwomen
allmyadultlife,notindroves,butinsufficientnumberstoappreciatethem.Yousurpasseveryoneof
them,ineveryway.IfIhadanidealofwomanhood,you'dbeit."

Shedidn'tknowhowtotakesuchsweepingcomments.Theyembarrassedher,evenastheyflattered
her.ButthiswasCordpassingthemout,Cord,whohadbeenhermostpersistentenemyforyears.

"Areyou...feelingsorryforme,"shequeried,"andthat'swhyyousaythosethings?"

Hescowled."WhywouldIpityyou?"

Becausesheknewpity.Shehadanintimateknowledgeofit.Peopleweresorryforyou,theytriedto
spoilyoutomakeupforthetrauma.Theywantedtohelp,andwhenwordswerealltheyhadtouse,
theyflattered.Butthewordsmeantnothing.

"Somanysecrets,Maggie,"hemurmuredashewatchedherponderhisremarks."Youdon'ttrustme,
either,doyou?"

"It'snotpersonal,"shesaidinastarkwhisperwhilehereyesmirroredtroublingmemories.

"IfI'mslow,andcareful,andIdon'tpressureyou,"hesaidgently,"canIwinyourtrust?"

"Whatwouldyouexpectinreturn?"sheaskedwithhelplesssuspicion.

Thatwaswhenherealizedwhatalong,slowroaditwasgoingtobe.Anditwouldn'tbeanovernight
victory.

Hislipspartedashelookedatherandhungeredforher.Hefrowned,becausehehadn'tthoughtmuch
abouttheendresult,onlythepaththatledtoit.Hecockedhishead."I'mthirty-four,"hesaidslowly.
"I've lived fast and hard. I've done things I'm not proud of, and I've done a lot of them for nothing
more noble than money. But this Gruber thing has changed me. Now, I want to stop him and his
cronies,anditisn'tformoney."Hehesitated,choosinghiswords."IfIhadachild,ofeightornine,
andhadtoseeitbecomenothingmorethanaslaveinacocoafield,oramine,orasweatshopandI
coulddonothingtosaveitbecauseIhadnomoneyatall..."Hedrewinasharpbreath.

"Cocoafield?"Shemovedclosertohim,curious."Littlechildren?"

He nodded. "Little children. Some are sold for as little as eleven or twelve dollars, because their
parents can't provide for them and hope they'll find a better life working for some multinational
corporation in another country. But what happens is the children are taken away, worked up to
eighteen hours a day and beaten when they don't work. And they're never given a dime for their
labors."

Shegasped."GoodLord!Howcanthingslikethathappeninacivilizedworld?"

"Civilization isn't all that far-reaching," he told him. "Especially in developing nations which need
economicassistancejusttokeeptheirpeoplefromstarving.Manyofthemlooktheotherwaywhen
their own citizens become slave dealers. But Gruber is setting a precedent-he's organizing a global
labor pool to sell to those corporations which will deal with him, to cut their production costs in a
tighteningretailmarketthatlowerstheirprofits."

"That'sdirty,"shesaidicily.

"Dirty.Cowardly.Merciless.Yes,itis.Andveryfewofthenationsoutsidetheindustrialonescan,or
will,crackdownonthelaborexploitation.Someofithasbeenexposedontelevisionnewsprograms,
butitwasmostlytheuseofchildlabortoproduceretailmerchandiseforresaleinthiscountryand

others.Anditwasasanitizedversion.Theydon'tshowthescarredlittlebodies,orthemalnutrition,
or the squalor in which these children live." His face hardened. "Gruber also has a nice little
prostitutionracketgoing,withthesamesource,whichexploitsyounggirlsassexualslaves.Imagine
atwelve-yearoldgirlwho'sneverknownaman,inabrothelwhereshe'sworkedlikeamule."

Shecould.Sheloweredhereyes,sickened."Heshouldbestopped."

"I agree. But--'t he added, cupping her face in his hands "-you don't need to be involved in this. By
stickingyournoseintoitwithKit,you'veputyourselfsquareonthefiringline.Ican'tletyougethurt.
I'll go see Lassiter tomorrow and we'll make plans. I know more about Gruber than he does, and I
haveaccesstoinformationevenhecan'tget.I'llshare."

Hereyeswidenedwithfear."Butyoucouldbehurt,too...!"

"Oh,Ilikethat,"hesaidinahuskytone."Ilikehavingyouafraidforme.Youalwayshavebeen.Why
didn'tIseeit?"

"Youdidn'twantto,"shesaidabruptly."You'vegivenupseeingthingsthatmakeyoufeel."

Henoddedslowly."Yes.Andsohaveyou."

Shecouldn'tdenyit."Peoplecanhurtyouifyouletthemgettooclose,"shemurmuredabsently,lost
inhisdark,warmeyes.

Histhumbsmoothedgentlyoverherpartedlips."AsIhurtyou,"hesaidquietly."Youcan'timagine
howmuchIregretwhatIdidtoyou,thatnight,"he

addedwithgenuinesorrow."ForyearsIdreamedhowitwouldbe,tomakelovetoyouslowlyand
gently,tobringsoftlittlemoansoutofyourthroatandmakeyouflyintothesunwithdelight.And
when the opportunity finally presented itself," he said on a heavy, harsh sigh, "I damaged you, in
everywaypossible."

She deliberated on what to say, on how to answer him. It was surprising that he'd thought about it
beforeithappened."Ididn'tknow...thatitwouldhurtsomuch."Shecouldn'ttellhimthatshehadall
toomuchknowledgeofwhathappenedbetweenmenandwomen,orthatherpasthadconvincedher
thatsexwouldbeeasyforherifshecouldstomachit.

"Youweren'treadyforme,"hesaidsimply."Ididn'tarouseyou."

Shesearchedhishardfacewithcuriouseyes."Isthatwhathappened,inyourstudytheothernight?"
sheaskedinasmallvoice."Isthat...howitwouldhavebeenifyou'dbeensober?"

"Yes,"hereplied.Hetracedhermouthwithhisforefinger."Iwouldhavedonethat,andmore."

"Anditwouldn't...havehurt?"

"Maybealittle,"hesaidhonestly.Hecaughtbothherhandsinhisandheldthem."Avirgin'sbodyis

tight inside," he said. It can be uncomfortable for a woman if she's not aroused properly first. The
rush,plusthealcohol,iswhatmadeitsopainfulforyou."

"Oh."

His fingers entwined with hers, liking their warm softness in his grasp. "At least, there wasn't a
physicalbarriertogetoutoftheway."

Shecouldn'tmeethiseyes.Shecouldn'tbearthememory.Shecouldn'teventalkaboutit.

He seemed to understand. He bent and kissed her eyelids. "I'm not making accusations. I know you
wereavirgin,Maggie."

"How?"sheblurtedout.

"Because everything I did shocked you," he said flatly. "And because you were obviously
uncomfortablejustatthelast."

Shecolored,keepingherfacedown.Herhands,inhis,werenerveless."Iwasafraidofit."

"Ofthepain,"heagreed.

"No. Of the..." She swallowed. "It kept feeling better and better, and I thought I was going to burst
wide-open.Iwasafraidofthepleasure,itwasgoingtobetoomuch..."

Hejerkedherintohisarmsandheldherhard,bruisinglyhard.Shecouldhearhisheartbeat,strong
andfastagainstherbreasts.Hegroanedonce,harshly,andheldherevencloser.

"What'swrong?"sheasked.

Hischeekrubbedagainsthers."Atleastyouhadsomething,"hemuttered.

Herfingersworriedthepocketofhisshirt."IfI'dgivenin,ifIhadn'tfoughtagainstit,what...would
havehappened?"

"Haveyoueverhadaclimax?"hewhispered.

Shejerkedinhisarms.Sheknewwhathemeant,evenifshehadn'texperiencedit.

"No,"shesaidafteraminute.

Hismouthtouchedherfacelightly,hislipshot

andhungryastheymovedontohermouthandkisseditwithgrowinginsistence.

"Suppose,"hewhisperedroughly,"youletmegiveyouone."

Her heart jumped. His hands had moved down to her hips and were pulling them rhythmically into
his,inthesamewayhehadinthestudy,onthechaiselounge.Herbodybegantotauten,tobumwith
curiosityandgrowingpleasure.

Hernailsdugintohischest,butshedidn'tprotest.Shewascurious.Shewasalive.Shewashungry.

Hemoved,sothatonelong,leanlegslidinbetweenbothofhersandbegantomoveinaslow,deadly
rhythm.

Herbodyfolloweditsdartingmotion,liftingtowardit,hungryfortheclosenessofhim.

"Icangiveyouheaven,"hemurmuredagainstherpartedlips."Letme."

She opened her mouth to his hot, deep kiss, moaning when it sparked off even more drugging
sensationsofpleasure.

"Yes?"hewhisperedintohermouth."Maggie,yes?"

She wanted to say the word. She shouldn't. It was wrong. He would despise her. He would taunt her
withit,ashehadbefore.Hewould...oh,ifonlyhewouldneverstop!

Shemoanedandhermouthtuggedawayfromhisjustabreath,justenoughtogetthatonewordout
thatwouldopenthegatestoparadise,thatwouldmakeherhiswoman,trulyhiswoman...!

The knock on the door was hard, loud and cruel. He jerked back from her like a man in a daze,
shiveringwithreaction,withfrustrateddesire,withshockedwonderatherheadlongresponse.

"Yes?"hecalledharshly.

"Sorrytodisturbyou,Mr.Romero,butthere'saDaneLassiteronthephone,askingforyou!"came
June'shesitantvoice.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Cordwasstillunsteadyonhisfeetwhenhepickedupthetelephonereceiverinthelivingroom.

"Romero'"hesaidinavoicethatsoundedstrangled.Nowonder.He'dalmostseducedMaggieright
there,whenhe'dpromisednotto.

"DaneLassiter,"camethereplyinadeep,slowvoice."IjusthadacallfromLoganDeverellabouta
photographhiswifeandMaggieBartonconspiredtogetatlunchtime.HasMaggietoldyou?"

"Yes,"herepliedcurtly.

"DoyouknowwhothemaninthephotowithAdamsis?"

"Iknowallright.ThephotoKitDeverelltookwasofAlvarezAdamsandamannamedRaoulGruber.
Gruber traffics in child labor and he's opening up new areas of exploitation in West Africa and
CentralAmerica,morechildrentomakemoneyforthemultinationalcorporationheheads.Gruber
plantedthebombthatalmostblindedme.Maggieputherlifeonthelinewhenshemetupwithhim.I
madehercomeouttotheranchwithme,sothatIcanprotecther."

Therewasabriefsilence."1see."

"Youdidn'tknow?"

"IknewAdams.I'vebeenworkingonhimforfourmonths,tryingtofindenoughevidencetoforce
hisarrestforimportingandexploitingillegalaliens.IknewthathehadacolleaguenamedGruber,
andmyinformationwasthatJobFairhadlinkstohim.Ididn'tknowthatthemaninKit'sphotowas
Gruber.IphonedyoubecauseIthoughtyoumightbeabletoidentifyhim."

"Icanidentifyhim,allright.Gruber'sakiller,"headded."Hedoesn'tstopatmen.He'skilledchildren.
Iknowhimfromyearspast.HesuckeredmygroupintoacoupattemptinAfricathatcostusseveral
men.Weendedupfightingkidswithautomaticweapons.WewentafterGruber,butheduckedoutof
thecountryandwecouldn'ttracehim."

Therewasanotherpause."It'slikepeelinganonion,"Lassitersaiddeeply."Justwhenyougettowhat
youthinkisthelastlayer,anewonepresentsitself."

"Iwanttotalktoyouinperson,"Cordsaid."Ihaveaccesstosourcesofinformationthatyoudon't.I
cangiveyouGruberandprobablyAlvarez."

"I don't want them," came the suddenly amused reply, "but I'd love to give them to a government
agencythatdoes.Myclientisn'tthatgenerous.HisfamilywouldlikeAdamsservedupcold."

"Hisfamily?"

"Ican'tdivulgemuch,"Lassitersaid."ButIcantellyouthatAdamswasinvolvedintheabductionand

murder of two of their sons. They were accidentally taken in a raid on a small Central American
village,andwhentheauthoritiesgottooclose,Grubersimplyhadthemalleliminated.Theparents
havearichcousinwhocametomeinanattempttoprovideevidenceofit.IwasinvestigatingAdams,
but then the trail led to Gruber. Adams has no record for violent crime. Gruber does. I think my
clientsfingeredthewrongman."

"They have, if my information is accurate," Cord said. "And I think it is, because I got it from a
memberoftheU.S.Senate,whowantsGrubershutdownasbadlyasIdo."

"Youhaveniceconnections,"Lassitermused.

"Oh,I'vegotsomeevenbetterthanthat,"Cordchuckled,"includingaforeignheadofstate.I'llgive
youasmuchhelpasIcan."

"IunderstandthatLoganDeverellandhiswifehavehadahellofamixeraboutheractionstoday,"
Lassiterremarked."Idon'tthinkshe'llbetakinganymorephotographsforme,evenifI'mallowedto
keepherintheagency.Logandidn'tknowaboutGruber,buthedidknowthatAdamsisdangerous.He
wasprettymad."

"Maggie's impulsive," Cord said quietly. "She doesn't always think things through before she acts. I
gatherthatKitismuchthesame."

"The difference is that Kit has a two-year-old son. She can't afford to put herself at risk. I'm in all
morningtomorrow.Howdoeseightthirtysuityou?"

"Suitsmefine,"Cordsaid."IcandropMaggieoffatherofficeontheway."Hehesitated."Listen,I
don'tliketheideaoflettinghergobacktoworkatall,butIdon'tfancyanotherconfrontation-Ihadto
pickherupandcarryheroutofthehoteltogethertotheranch."

"I've got operatives with no pending cases," Lassiter said immediately. "Maggie will be safe in this
building.Igiveyoumyword."

"Don'tunderestimateGruber,"camethetersereply."Idid,anditalmostcostmemylife."

"We learn from mistakes, if they don't kill us. I've made my share of them, too. I'll see you at
eightthirty."

"Fine."

Cord hung up and traced a line down the receiver while he thought about Maggie's situation. He
wouldn'tbeoverprotective,buthedidn'twantheranyplacewhereGrubermightbeabletoabducther.
Gruber wouldn't hesitate at killing her. She didn't seem to understand how dangerous the man was.
Cordwouldhavetokeepacloseeyeonherwithoutappearingto.Shewasfiercelyindependent.

BythetimeJunehadalatesupperonthetable,Maggiewasbackinherjeansandshortsleevedknit

sweater,withherhairinaponytailandnomakeup.Shelookedyoungandoddlycarefree.

CordwatchedhercovertlywhileshetalkedtoJuneaboutanewfabricthathadturnedupinclothing
lines,softandnice-looking.Thetwowomenseemedtogetalongverywell.Cordwasgladaboutit,
and sorry that he'd tried to give Maggie a wrong impression of his relationship with the younger
woman.Itcouldhavehaddisastrousconsequences.

HenoticedthatMaggiewasreluctanttomeethiseyes,buthecaughtherglancingathimonce,andit
madehimfeellighterthanair.

NeitheroftheTravisesknewwhyMaggiehadcometotheranch,butCordhadtotellthem.Whenhe
wasn'taround,foranyreason,hehadtohavesomeoneawareofthedanger.

"IwantyoutotellDavis,too,"CordtoldTraviswhenhe'dsummarizedtheproblem."IfI'mnothere,
thetwoofyouhavetomakesuretheranchissecure.GruberwillhesitatetorushinifheknowsI'm
here,butI'mnotsurehowmanycontactshehas,orwhattheyknow."

"I'm glad you agreed to come out here, where Cord can look out for you," June told Maggie with
genuineconcern.

Maggielookeduncomfortable.

Cordpursedhislips."Oh,shedidn'tcomevoluntarily,"hetoldthem."Icarriedheroutofthehotel
overmyshoulder,kickingandscreaming."

"In front of God and the whole world!" she exploded, flushing. "And what you told that elderly
couple...!"

Hechuckled."Well,itkeptyoudivertedsothatyoudidn'trushbackupstairs,didn'tit?"

Shesighedangrily."HonesttoGod,ifAmycouldseeyounow."Sheshookherhead.

"She'd probably be laughing her head off in the hereafter," he finished for her, his dark eyes
twinkling.

Juneglancedfromonetotheotherandsmiled.She'dneverheardCordRomerolaughuntilMaggie
came back into his life. When she and her father had first come to work for him, he was a little
intimidating,andheneverseemedtosmile.Hewasallbusiness,andthereweresomewary,tough-
lookingmengoinginandoutofthehouseatoddhours.Junehadbeennervousaroundhimmostof
thetime.

But now, with Maggie, he was like a different person. She got a glimpse of the man he had been,
perhaps, before his line of work made him hard and cold. She wondered if he realized how much
Maggiehadchangedhimalready.

"Barefootandinshorts,"Maggiescoffed,sippingcoffee."Ifanyofmyclientshadseenme...!"

"You'dbedoingmorebusinessthanyoucouldhandle,"Cordmused."Iknow-"hehelduphishand
“thatwasasexistremark.But,honey,youdolookenchantinginapairofshortsandwithyourhair
down."

Maggie looked flustered. She couldn't even come up with a snappy reply. She finished her coffee
instead.

Later,theywentintothelivingroomtowatchtelevision,butMaggiewasuneasy.

"Youdon'treallythinkGruberwillcomeafterbothofus,doyou?"sheasked.

Cord smiled. "Of course he will;" he replied. "I'm going to see Lassiter in the morning and we're
goingtotalkaboutstrategies.I'lldropyouoffatyourofficeontheway.I'llcomewithDavistopick
youupafterwork,too."

Shestartedtoprotest.Hermouthwasopen.Butallatonce,sheclosedit.Thiswashisbusiness.He
made his living anticipating dark threats, danger, violence. If the man did have evil in mind, there
wasn'tanybodybetterthanCordtodealwithit.

"What?Noprotests?"Cordexclaimed.

Sheshiftedonthesofa."You'reverygoodatwhatyoudo,"sherepliedsoftly.Hereyestouched.his
face."Iknowyoucandealwithanythingthatcomesup."

Hewaspleasantlysurprisedattheremark.Hesmiled."Thankyou,"saidsoftly.

"I'mnotflatteringyou,"shereturned."Imeanit."

Hiseyessearchedhers."Youfeelsafewithme."

"Oh,Iwouldn'tgothatfar,"sheproclaimedwithagleaminhereyes.

He chuckled. "Now, that really is flattery," he told her. He switched channels. "Remember this?" he
asked,turningtoaTVstationthatairedepisodesofclassicTVshows.Theywererunningapolice
dramathatCordandMaggiesharedaloveformanyyearsback.

"Yes!"sheexclaimed."Iusedtositandwatchitwithyou,ontherareoccasionswhenyoucamehome
forweekends."

"Istillwatchit."

Shesmiledshyly."SodoI."

"Atleast,"hesaid,almosttohimself,"someofthememoriesaregoodones."

Maggiesleptsoundlyforthefirsttimeinyears,cocoonedinthesoftbedintheroomthatCordhad

decorated just for her. She still could hardly believe that he'd gone to that much trouble. Especially
withthedifficultiesthey'dhadbeingciviltoeachotherintherecentpast.

Butitwasdifferent,now.Therewasatendernessbetweenthemthatdelightedher,surprisedher.She
feltasifshehad,truly,comehome.Cordwasgentle,teasing,relaxed.Despitetheturbulentphysical
passiontheyshared,theycouldsitandwatchtelevisionlikefriends,ortalkaboutpoliticsandcurrent
newseventswithoutquarreling.Theyhadmoreincommonthantheyeverhadbefore.

Cordhadn'ttouchedheragainafterthepassionthey'dsharedinherbedroom.Buthe'dwalkedherto
her door and touched her hair in the ponytail, and smiled down at her before he went to his own
room.Shefeltcherished.

Whatevercameoftheirnewrelationship,itwasawonderfulglimpseintoaworldshe'dneverknown.

Maggiedressedinaneatnavy-bluebusinesssuitforworkthenextmorning,arrivingforbreakfast
withherpurseandlaptopinhand.

Cordwaswearingslacksandarib-neckedsilkshirtwithasportscoat.Helookedpowerfulandvery
sexy.

Maggie'shandsitchedtosmoothoverthatshirtfrontthatrevealedeverymuscularinchofhisbroad
chest.

"Youlooknice,"heremarkedwithasmile."Veryneatandprofessional."

"I'macorporatewoman,"sheinformedhimwithagrin."Ihavetoprojectaclassyimage."

"Youprojectaclassyimageinshorts,"hesaid,knowingitwouldprickhertemper.

Itdid.Sheglaredathimoverbaconandeggs."Idon'thavetousesextogetclients."

"Idon'trememberinsinuatingthat."

Sheateaforkfulofeggswithattitude."I'veseenwomendoit."

"Notyou.Neveryou."Heleanedback,hisbreakfastfinished,withhiscoffeemuginhishandandjust
looked at her. "You do nothing suggestive. You don't wear clothes that even hint at the curves
underneath. You walk in a businesslike way. You don't flirt. You don't entice." He sighed, frowning.
"It'sagoodbusinessimage.Butyou'redenyingyoursexappealentirely."

"Businessdemandsthat,"sherepliedquietly.

"Awomandoesn'tbecomeamanjustbecauseshewearsapin-stripedpantssuitandablousewitha
tie,"hereplied."Butitmakesherlooklikeahybrid.Menworkinpreviouslyfemininejobslots,like
floristsandfabricsalesmen,buttheyhaven'tstartedwearingskirts.Ithinkawomanshouldbeableto

takeprideinherfemininitywithoutbeingaccusedofusingittofurtherhercareer.Butthat'snotthe
problem with you, is it, Maggie? Your prickly hang-ups show even in the way you dress," he said
gently."Itamazesmethatittookmealmosteighteenyearstoseeit."

Shedidn'tknowhowtohandletheconversation.Hewasgettingintouncomfortablypersonalareas.
Hewasagiftedinterrogator,andheknewpeopleverywell,rightdowntotheirbones.Shedidn'twant
himdelvingtoodeeplyintoherpast.

"LogangaveKithellyesterdayaboutthatphoto,"heremarked.

"They have a little boy," she recalled. "I guess he was upset that she'd done something potentially
dangerous."

"He wasn't the only one," he replied solemnly. "I'm the risk-taker in this family. I've handled
dangeroussituationsmostofmyadultlife,andI'mdamnedgoodatit.Yousticktoyourstockquotes
andleavedetectiveworktotheexperts."

Hewasright,butshedidn'tlikeadmittingit."Oh,right,let'skeepfragilelittlewomenoutoftheline
offire!"

"Fragile, hell," he said with an amused glance. "You're exactly the sort of companion I'd want in a
firefight.

You'vegotnerve,andyoudon'tbackaway,ever."

Thatsurprisedher.Shestaredathimwithevidentconfusion.

"Butthisisn'tafirefight,it'sacovertcoveringaction,"hecontinued."Andyou'reoutgunned.Gruber
hashiredthugsinhisorganizationwhohaveageniusforgettingintoandoutofprotectedplaces.I've
hadtocallinmarkersfromhalfadozencolleaguesjusttokeeptheranchsafe."

"Huh?"

Hejustsmiled."Readytogotowork?"heasked,checkinghiswatch.

"Sure.Anytimeyouare."

She got her laptop and her purse and followed him out. He paused to speak to June on the way,
cautioningheraboutkeepingdoorslockedandwindowsshut.Heputonhisdarkglassesbeforethey
wentoutside.

They moved to the garage just in time to see a tall man in dark clothing carrying some sort of
electronic device leading a huge black and brown German shepherd out of the building. He gave
Cordacurtnod,butdidn'tstoptospeak.

"Thanks,Wilson,"Cordcalled.Theothermanthrewupahand.

"Whatwashedoing?"MaggieaskedwarilywhenCordwalkedtothedriver'ssideoftheblacksports
carhedrove.

"Hewascheckingfornitrates,"hesaid.

Shefrowned."Fertilizer?"

Hepursedhislipsandlookedamused."Somethinglikethat."

Hereyesnarrowed."Idon'tknowanythingaboutthatelectronicdevicehehad,butIdoknowthatthey
useawandliketheonehewascarryingattheairport.Theyaren'tcheckingforfertilizer,either."

"You'retoosharpforme,honey,"hedrawled,withoutevenrealizinghe'dusedtheendearment.Buthe
notedhersoftflushwithpleasure."Hewascheckingforabomb."

Hergaspwasloudinthesilence.

"Iwon'thidethingsfromyou,"hesaid."You'reagrownwoman.Youcanhandlethis.Gruberisthe
sort who wouldn't think twice about setting a bomb here, and he wouldn't mind killing innocent
peopletogettome,ortoyou.Fromnowon,untilIsettlewithGruber,I'llhavetohavethecarsand
themachinery,theoutbuildingsandespeciallythehouse,sweptforbombsandbugsconstantly."

Thedangercamehometoherinthatinstant.ShelookedatCordandrememberedthebombthathad
almostkilledhim.Thefreshwoundswerestarkagainsthisolivetan.Theyweren'tdisfiguring.Infact,
theygavehimaroguishlook.

Herhandsclenched."I'vebeenverynaive,"sheconfessed.

"Youaren'tusedtothissortofthing.Iam,"hesaid."AndbecauseIam,"headded,tossingherthecar
keysasheslippedapairofdarkglasseson,"you'redrivingandI'mblind."

"You'veneverofferedtoletmedriveyoubefore,"sheremarked,hereyesonthekeys.

"Trusttakesalittlework.Andalittletime,"hesaidgently.

Shelookedupathimworriedly."I'mnotusedtotrustingpeople."

"NeitheramI,"heremarked."Butwecanlearn.Can'twe?"

Hesitating,shenodded.Thenshesmiledandgotinbehindthewheel.

Sheloveddrivingthesportscar.She'dhavelovedoneofherown,butshe'dneverbeenabletoafford
suchluxury.Shealmostlaughedattheironyofherposition,drivingtheonemaninherlifewhowas
morethancapableoftakingcareofhimselfandeveryonearoundhim.But,ashesaid,thefictionof
hisinjuryhadtobemaintainedifhewasgoingtogetthebestofGruber.

She glanced at his profile when she stopped to turn onto the main highway. She'd never let herself

thinktoodeeplyabouthiswork.They'dlivedseparatelivesforalongtime.She'dneverseenhimin
action, although she heard from Eb Scott, among others, about the chances he took, the cases he
worked. She remembered when he'd been shot, when Patricia had committed suicide. It had been
Maggiewhohadstayedinthehospitalwaitingroomdayandnight,forthethreedayswhenhewasin
intensivecare.She'dtriedtophonehiswife,butPatriciahadn'tansweredthephone,andMaggiehad
assumed she was out of town. She hadn't been able to find anyone who knew where she was. The
tragedydidn'trevealitselfuntilCordwasreleasedfromthehospital,andhe'dfoundherbody.Ithad
changedhimterribly.Afterthat,hequittheFBIandtookfreelancejobsthatmostothermercenaries
wouldn'thavetouched-mostlyinvolvingdemolitions.Hewasanexpertatdefusingbombs.

Hefeltherinnerturmoil."Youdon'tlikewhatIdoforaliving,doyou?"heasked.

"No,"shesaidhonestly.

She stopped for a red light and he studied her stoic expression. "I've never thought seriously about
givingitup.

Thoseadrenalinerushesareaddictive.Thegreaterthedanger,thebiggertherush."

"Inoticedthatmyself."Shelaughedshortly."Butyou'veneverbeenfamilymanmaterial."

Hefrowned."Whydoyousaythat?"

"Icanseeitnow,you,withawifeandbaby,rushingofftodefuseatickingbombsomewhere,"she
saidwithnorealmirth."Idon'tthinkthere'sasanewomanonearthwhocouldlivewiththatsortof
uncertainty.Itwouldkillamarriageattheoutset."

He was silent while they waited for the light to change. His lean, strong fingers traced the dash
absently."I'veneverthoughtaboutmyjobinthatlight."

"Noreasonto,"shesaideasily."Youhavenoonetoconsiderexceptyourself.Youcandowhatyou
pleasewithoutworryingaboutanyoneelse'sreactions."

Hiseyesnarrowedashelookedatheravertedface.Shewasspeakingconversationally,butherbody
wasgiving away secrets.She was rigid.Her hands were tightlyclenched in herlap, the nails biting
intoherpalms.Itoccurredtohimthatshe'dknownaboutsomeofhismoredangerousexploits,and
thatshe'dworriedabouthim-worriedalot.Hethoughthedidn'thavetoconsiderherfeelings,butif
she cared about him, certainly she'd brood on the dangerous chances he took. He reversed their
positionsandthoughthowhe'dreactifMaggiedefusedbombsandtookmercenaryjobsinhighrisk
cases.Amazing,howsickitmadehim.

Henoticedthatthelighthadchanged.Shesteppedonthegasalittletooheavily,jerkingthecar.He
was thrown off balance by his worried thoughts and barely kept from pitching forward against the
seatbelt.

"Sorry,"shesaidtersely.

Cord never made ungraceful movements. She wondered what he'd been thinking to unsettle him.
ProbablyaboutPatricia,shethoughtmiserably.PoorPatricia,who'dlovedhim,too.

When they got to the Lassiter-Deverell Building, Cord walked beside Maggie into the elevator,
sunglassesinplaceandholdingherarmasifheneededittoguidehim.Hestoodbesideherwithout
speakingastheyrodeuptoherfloor.Hislackofconversationmadeheruneasy.Hewasbrooding.

Theygotoffonherfloorandwalkeddownthedesertedhalltothewoodendoorwithabrassplate
announcingthatthiswastheofficeofDeverellInvestments.

"Thanksforcominginwithme,"shebegan.

Hetouchedhercheekgently."There'sanoldsaying,aboutnotjudgingpeopleuntilwe'vewalkedin
theirshoes,"hesaidoutoftheblue."I'vegonethroughlifewithoutconsideringhowIaffectedother
peoples'liveswithmyactions."

"Wejustagreedthatyoudidn'tneedto,"shepointedout.

Hisfacewasdrawn."Howmanysleeplessnightshaveyouspentovertheyears,worryingaboutme?"

Hereyebrowsshotup."I'llhavetocheckmydiary,"shesaidlightly.

Hisfingertipswenttohermouthandtracedtheupperlip."Iwishyouwouldn'twearredlipstick,"he
murmuredquietly."IfIkissyou,they'llthinkIlandedtheleadinCabaret."

Herheartskippedwildly."Whatdidyoudrinkforbreakfast?"sheaskedwryly.

"Coffee,justlikeyou."Hisfingersdidn'tmove.Hescowledathermouthwithvisiblecuriosity,witha
growing hunger to bend and catch her lips under his. He felt his breath choking him as he recalled
unwantedmemoriesofhersoftbreastunderhislips,herfaintmoanslikemusictohisears...

Hejerkedhishandbackandlookedmoreformidablethanever."IcouldretireonwhatI'vegotinthe
bank,"hesaidabsently."Demolitionworkisn'tmuchmorethanahobbythesedays.Ilikebreeding
purebredbulls."

"Arewehavingthesameconversation?"sheasked."Weweretalkingaboutcoffee,asIrecall?"she
prompted.

Hesmiledather,withgenuinewarmth.Itmadehiseyessoft,crinklyatthecorners.Itmadehishard
mouthlooksensuous.

"You look elegant with your hair in a braid," he remarked, "but I like it long and soft around your
shoulders."

"Iworkhere,"shepointedout."Idon'twanttodiverttheclientsbyflauntingmysexyhair.Thinkof
thecomplicationsifIhadtotosssomeoneoutthewindowforgettingfreshoverAT&Tpreferred!"

Hechuckleddeeply."Youdon'tresorttothosemethodswithme."

Sheshrugged."You'respecial."

Thesmilefaded.Hiseyesdarkened,asiftheglibremarktouchedasensitivespot."Soareyou,"he
saidinarough,huskytone."MorespecialthanIeverknew."

"Stopit,"shechided,tryingtowardoffmorecomplications."You'llmakemeblush."

Hebentunexpectedlyandbrushedhislipstenderlyoverhereyelids,closingtheminaflutteroflong
lashes.

"Youdon'tleavetheofficeunlesssomeonegoeswithyou,"hewhispered."Youwaitformetocome
and get you when you get off work. I'll have Davis drive me, to make it look good. If anything
happensinbetweenthatworriesyou,youcallLassiter'sofficeoryoucallme.Orelse."

"Orelsewhat?"sheaskedhuskily.

"Or I'll carry you down to the car and take you home right now." He lifted his head to search her
mistyeyes.

"ConsideringthestateI'minjustatthemoment,thatmightnotbemybestideatodate."

"Thestateyou'rein?"shemurmureddrowsily.

Heglancedupanddownthehall,founditdeserted,tookherbythewaistandgentlypulledheragainst
him.

"Thisstate."Hesmiledruefully.

Shejerkedherhipsbackfromhisandafilmofcolorlayalongherhighcheekbones.

He shrugged. "Think of it as an unavoidable response to an attractive woman," he murmured with
helplesspride.

"Morelikely,it'saresponsetoenforcedabstinence!"sheshotback.

Hiseyebrowslifted."HowdoyouknowI'veabstained?"

Shecoloredevenmore."Yourprivatelifeisnoneofmybusiness!"shemuttered,glaringupathim."I
don'tcarehowmanywomenyouhavesexwith!Youcansleepwitheverywomaninthebuildingfor
allIcare,fromthecleaningladyup!"

Hewassuddenlylookingoverhershoulderwithunholyamusement.

She groaned inwardly and turned. Logan Deverell was standing in the open office door with a
speakingglance.

Loganclearedhisthroat."The,uh,cleaningladyisfifty-two,twicemarried,"heremarked,"andshe
onlyhasthreeteeth..."

"Leadmetoher,"Cordenthused."Experiencedwomenturnmeon!"

Maggiechokedbacklaughter,dashedpastLoganandshotintoherownofficewithaspeedthatleft
Cordchucklingmerrily.

Cord was shown into Lassiter's office by the secretary. Dark-eyed, dark-headed Dane Lassiter rose
frombehindhisdeskandmovedarounditwithtracesofalimptoshakehands.

"As you might notice," Lassiter said dryly, "I've had my own share of physical trauma. I let my
attentionwanderduringashootoutwhenIwasaTexasRangerandgotshottopieces.Ilostmyjob,
but I ended up with something almost as good," he indicated the office with a bland smile. "An
infrequentlimpisn'tabadtrade-off."

Cordsmiledandremovedhisdarkglasses.Atleasthereonthisfloor,therewasnoneedtopretend.
"Youcanseemylatestmishapinmyface.I'mdamnedluckytobealiveandstillhavemysight."

Lassiternotedthescarsaroundtheotherman'seyesandnoddedslowly."Defusingbombsissuicide.
Whydoyoudoit?"heaskedwithcustomarybluntness.

Cordshrugged."MywifecommittedsuicideandIfeltresponsible.IguessI'vebeenpunishingmyself
forit."

Lassitergavehimameaningfullookandmovedbackaroundthedesk.Onitwerephotosofablond
womanandasonofabouteight,alongwithablondgirlnotmuchyounger.HenotedCord'scuriosity
andsmiledastheysatdown.

"Oursonanddaughter,"hesaidwithnoticeablepride."TessandIdidn'tthinkchildrenwereevena
remote possibility." His face tautened. "She almost lost her life with our first one. You never know
howyoufeelaboutawomanuntilyou'refacedwithlosingherforever.Igotmyprioritiesstraightin
abouttensecondsflat."

Cord wondered at the emotion in the other man's deep voice. He had a feeling Lassiter's road to
fatherhoodhadn'tbeenaneasyone,buthecertainlylookedlikeahappymannow.

"Theybothwanttobedetectives,"Lassiteraddedwithalookofabsolutedisgust."Andmywife,"he
addedwithmutedoutrage,"isoutrightnowwithoneofmyowndamnedoperatives-whowon'tbean
operativeverymuchlonger,Ipromiseyou!-tryingtogettapeofGruberandAdamsintheJobFair
office!"Hethrewuphishands.

"Theybuggeditandstakeditoutwithoutevenbotheringtotellme,andTessissupposedtobeata
staff meeting here in two hours." He stared at Cord, who was struggling not to laugh. "They say
marriageandmotherhoodsettleswomen.Hell!"

Cordgaveitupandburstoutlaughing.Somuchforhisillusions.

CHAPTEREIGHT

ItwasallCordcoulddonottorollonthefloorlaughingatLassiter'sexpression."Howdidtheybug
theoffice?"

Cordaskedtheolderman.

Lassitersatbackheavily."Posingasexterminators,"hesaidwithbarelyconcealedirritability.

Cordgrinned."ShouldIaskwhyanexterminatorwascalledin?"

"Why the hell not?" Lassiter exclaimed. "Tess and Morrow went to a pet shop and bought thirty
hissingcockroaches,puttheminabox,andshotthemintoJobFairduringlunchwhentheofficewas
closed!That'swhentheysplicedintothetelephoneline.Whenthecallwentoutforanexterminator,
theyinterceptedit,movedin,andplantedbugseverywhere.ApparentlyGruberandAdamsdidn'teven
suspectthem,becausetheyhaven'tswepttheofficetoday.Iexpectthemto,anyminute,"headdedicily.

Cordgrinned."Well,it'sinnovative."

Lassitershrugged."Hissingcockroaches."Hethoughtaboutitforaminuteandchuckled."Isupposeit
is.Tessisn'tbadatdetectivework.Butshe'ssettingabadexampleforourkids,"headded."Theyputa
listening device in the teacher's desk and had tape of her making a steamy cell phone call to her
boyfriend during lunch. God knows what they planned to do with it. Fortunately we caught them
beforetheyhadtimetomakeplans!Wegroundedthemfortwoweeks,andlaughedintoourhatsfor
daysafterward,"heconfessedamusedly.

"Whataformidableduothey'llmakelateron."

Lassiternodded.Heleanedforwardthen,solemn."I'dliketoknowwhatyouhaveonGruber."

Cordpulledathickpaddedenvelopeoutoftheinnerpocketofhissuitandpusheditacrossthedesk.

"Documents, photos, background information on both Gruber and a man named Stillwell, the
figureheadpresidentofGlobalEnterprises,Limited,whichisthemultinationalcorporationfounded,
we believe, for the express purpose of exploiting child labor in developing countries," he said,
explainingthecontents.

"There'saCDinthereaswell,withwhatIdownloadedfromtheCIAandInterpolfiles,"hecontinued.
"We suspect that JobFair and Global Enterprises are connected, and that both have a direct link to
Gruber,butnobody'sbeenabletoproveitsofar.ThephotoKitDeverelltookisthefirstbreakwe've
had.Butitwon'tbeenoughwithouthardevidencethatGruberistherealheadofGlobalEnterprises.
Thatwouldgiveusanairtightcaseifwecould.Thecorporationisknowntodealinchildexploitation
forprofit,withJobFairasitssupplier,andit'srecentlybeenunderfireinAfrica.Iwasinvestigating
JobFairwhenGrubercaughtmeoffguardanddamnednearblewmyheadoffwithaplantedbombin
Miami."

"Howaboutthecorporation'sboardofdirectors?"Lassiterasked.

"That'sapossiblebackdoor,"Cordtoldhim."I'vegotsomebodyworkingonitrightnow.Oneofthe
directors lives in Amsterdam and has been accused, but not convicted, of heading a child
pornographyandprostitutionring.AnotherisSpanishbutlivesinMorocco.Hedealsinprostitution
as well. Pity we don't have somebody who could go overseas and ferret these guys out. We might
makeaconnectiontoGruberifwedughardenough."

"Howdid you getCIA and Interpolfiles, if I mightask?" Lassiter murmuredwith admiration as he
examinedthepapers.

"Don't,"camethedryreply.

Lassitergavehimacuriousglance."It'sonlyillegalifwe'rehelpingthebadguys,"herationalized.

"Now,that'sjustwhatItellmyselfeverytimeIdoit,"Cordagreed.

Lassiter's gaze went back to the papers on his desk. He was scowling. "This is interesting. Alvarez
Adams has, financial ties to Global Enterprises, Inc., although JobFair doesn't-at least on paper. Do
youknowmuchaboutit?"

Cordshookhishead."Onlywhat'sthere.It'shardtoresearch,evenforspecialists.Theycovertheir
tracksverywellelectronically."

"Iwouldn'tknoweither,exceptthataformeragentofmineworksfortheFBIoutofWashington,and
a friend of his is with a-" he hesitated "-shall we say covert organization with underworld
connections.GlobalEnterprisesrunsahugecocoaplantationontheIvoryCoast,aswellasmining
operations and cattle ranches in South America. We know that thousands of children are employed
withoutpayintheseenterprises.Theproblemisthat,eventhoughthecountrieswherethey'relocated
are willing to help, they don't have the financial resources to combat a multinational corporation
worthbillions."

"That'sthecruxofthesituation,"Cordagreed."Money.Italwayscomesdowntomoney."

"Sad commentary on the world, isn't it?" Lassiter replied. "But while we're feeling sorry for those
poor kids, how about the Hispanic women who are brought into this country illegally to work in
sweatshopsorprostitution?Theyluretheminwithpromisesofmoney,andwhentheygetthemhere,
theythreatenthemwithdisclosureandprison.

"I never knew how widespread the problem was until I started investigating Adams," Lassiter
concludedwithaheavysigh."Itturnsmystomach.EvenifIweren'tgettingpaidfortheinvestigation,
I'dtakeiton.Thesepeopleneedtobestopped."

"Theydo,"Cordagreed."Butyoucan'tgoatanorganizationwiththissortofmoneyandpowerhead-
on.Youhavetoslideinthebackdoorwhenthey'renotlooking.It'sgoingtotakealotofmanpower,
andhelpfromsomepowerfulgovernmentagencies."

Lassiter grinned. He pulled a file out of his desk drawer and slid it across to Cord. "You didn't see
this,"headded.

Intrigued, Cord opened it. He whistled under his breath. "And I thought I had connections," he
murmuredashewentthroughthelistofcontacts.

"They'renotallcontacts,justyet.That'swhereIthoughtyou'dcomeinhandy.Seetheoneatthevery
bottom?"

Cord did. He chuckled. "That's right. I'd forgotten that I had a cousin who works in imports and
exportsinTangier.Untilrecentyears,whenIstartedsearchingforfamily,"heconfessedonamore
sombernote,"Ididn'tknowtherewasanyleftexceptanelderlycousininAndalusia,nottoofarfrom
Malaga."

"Youlostyourparentshere,didn'tyou?"Lassitersaid.

Cordnodded."Inahotelfire.Ihadnocloserelatives,althoughIhadAmericancitizenshipthrough
mymother,"

headded."ButifAmyBartonhadn'tcomealong,Idon'tknowwhatI'dhavedone."

"I don't remember the hotel fire personally, but I read about it. There wasn't a lot about it in the
newspapers because of a high profile sex scandal here in Houston about the same time," he added.
"Twomenwerearrestedfortraffickinginchildpornography.Itwasaheartbreakingcase,andthere
was a lot of public outrage. They were sentenced to life in prison, but one of them was killed in a
prisonriotnotmuchlater."Heshookhishead.

"Weliveinaperverseworld."

"Wedo,fromtimetotime,but..."

Beforehecouldgetthesentenceout,thedooropened,andayoungwomanwithlongblondhairand
darkeyesburstinwithatapeinherhand.

"Dane,guesswhatwegot...?"sheburstout.

The change in Lassiter was sudden and stark. His genial expression eclipsed into one of tormented
relief.Hejerkedoutofhischairandcamearoundthedeskwithhardlyanyevidenceofalimp.

"Youcrazy,half-witted,stubborn...!"Beforehegotallthewordsout,hehadthewomanupinhisarms
andhewaskissingherwithaviolenceandpassionthatknockedthebreathoutofCord.He'dnever
seensuchstarkemotioneruptoutofaman,especiallyonewhoseemedascoolandself-possessedas
Lassiter.

ThewomankissedhimbackjustashungrilyandthenseemedtonoticeCord,andpulledawayalittle
withaself-conscioussmile.

Lassiter didn't let her go. His face slid into her throat and he still held her close. "Hissing
cockroaches,forGod'ssake,telephonerepairmen...!"Hecursedonce,harshly.

"Now,now,darling,I'mfine,"TessLassitersaidgently,smoothinghisdark,darkhair."IhadMorrow
withme.

YoustolehimfromtheFBI.He'sverygood."

"DamnMorrow!I'llhavehimforbreakfast!"Lassiterraged,andCordnotedwithsomeamusement
thattheoldermanlookedperfectlycapableatthatmomentofroastinghiserstwhileemployeeovera
slowfire.

Tess grinned. "I was never in danger. Dane," she added, patting him on one shoulder, "we're not
alone."

Themanseemedonlythentorealizewherehewasandwhathewasdoing.Withagroanhepulled
back from her, but his dark eyes couldn't let go. Cord felt like a voyeur just looking at the two of
them.Whattheyfeltforeachotherwassotangiblethatitfilledtheroom.Andthey'dbeenmarried
almostnineyears,herecalledwithfaintshock.Imagineanemotionsopowerfulthatitstillburstits
bondslikethatafternineyears!Itunsettledhim.

Lassiterwentbackaroundhisdesk,leadingTessbythehand.Hesatdown,withherbesidehischair,
herhandonhisshoulder.

"Sorry,"hesaidstiffly."Shetakeschances.Morrowwon't,anymore,byGod,whenI'mthroughwith
him!"headdedtersely.

"Morrow'snice,andItalkedhimintoit.Hesaidyou'dshoothim,butIpromisedyouwouldn't.Here,"
sheadded,placingthetapeonthedesk."Wegotgoodtape.You'regoingtolovetheinformationyou
getfromthis.

Hello,"sheaddedshyly,glancingatCord."I'mTess,Dane'swife."

"Thesourceofmyonlyulcer,"herhusbandreplieddryly,alittlecalmernow.

"Usandthekids,"sheaddedwithaproudsmile.

"But we try not to get on his nerves too much." "This is Cord Romero," Lassiter introduced. "Oh,"
Tessexclaimed."You'reMaggie's

brother!"

Hisfacetautened."Wewerefosterchildrentogether,"hecorrected."We'renorelationtoeachother."

"Sorry!"Tesssaidatonce,andblushedasshesmiled."Maggiedidn'texplain."

Thatwasdamnedirritating,andhewasgoingtohavesomethingtosaytoMaggieaboutitlater.

"That'sit,walkinandstarttrouble,"LassitertoldhiswifewhenhenotedCord'sexpression."Never
mind, what's on this famous tape that you think would have compensated me if something had
happenedtoyou?"

Tessgrinnedproudly."AcluethatmaytieGrubertothatmultinationalcorporationAdamsisworking
with.It'srightthere,ontape,inhisvoice.Thecorporation'spresidentisamannamedStillwell,and
he'sonthetape,too!"

Lassiterburstoutlaughing."Youlittletorment,"hemurmured,butwhenhelookedupather,hisface
wasbeaming.

Shebentandkissedhisforehead."Iloveyou,too.NowI'mgoingtohavebreakfast.Don'tbehardon
Morrow,okay?He'sreallysorryalready."

"We'lltalkaboutitlater.Bringmebackabearclaw,willyou?Wantanything?"heaskedCord.

"Thanks,butMaggieandIhadabigbreakfast."

Lassiterstoodupanddugintohispocketforabill.HehandedittoTess,smiledfaintlyandnudged
hertowardthedoor."Don'tgetintoanymoretroubletoday,"heinstructed.

"AndIwasgoingtostandoutsidethebankwithapocketfulloftwentiesandfishforpickpockets!"
shescoffed.

"Out!"

Shewrinkledhernoseathim,exchangedalookthatcouldhaveheatedcoldwater,andleft.Lassiter
satbackdownwhenthedoorclosed,andittookhimaminutetogethismindbackonbusiness.

"You'vereallybeenmarriednineyears?"Cordhadtoask.

"Almost."Heshookhishead."Itdoesn'tseemlikeevenayear.Okay.Let'slistentothistape!"

HeputitintotheplayerandCordsatback,hismindtroubledwithimagesofLassiterandhiswifein
thatunexpected,furiousembrace.Ithadneveroccurredtohimthatmarriagewouldn'ttaketheedge
offpassion,leavetherelationshiplukewarmandcomplacent.Hewashavingtomentallyrewriteall
hisformeropinionsofit.

Hehadtoforcehimselftoconcentrateonthetapewhenitbegan.Helistenedabsentlyuntilsomething
caught his attention. There was a new voice on the tape, identified by Adams's voice as someone
calledStillwell.

Lassiter stopped the tape. "Stillwell is the visible president and chief stockholder of Global
Enterprises,Ltd.,"hetoldCord."Ifithadofficesinthiscountry,everygovernmentagencywehave
wouldbeinvestigatingit.ItsheadquartersareinMorocco,inNorthAfrica,andalleffortsbytheWest

AfricangovernmentsontheIvoryCoasttoprosecuteitforexploitationofchildren,andwomen,have
failed.Moneyandpowergiveimmunityonacontinentwheretheannualwageislessthan$300per
household.

"Some parents sell their children without even realizing they've done it. The company gives them
moneyinadvanceofachild'swages,beingtoldthatthechildrenwillearnafortuneinjobsabroad.
By the time they realize that the child isn't coming back, it's too late to do anything. Most children
can't even be traced," he added with disgust. Before he started the tape again, he added, "The
corporationlieslowinMorocco,outofreachoflegislatorsinthepoorercountries."

Onthetape,Adamswastellingotherpeopleintheofficethathe'dlookedintotheidentityofayoung
womanwhocameupandspoketohimandhiscompanionoutsidearestaurantthedaybefore,thatshe
wasthefostersisterofanoldenemy,amannamedCordRomero.

CordexchangedaworriedglancewithLassiter.

Thetapecontinued.AvoicequicklyidentifiedbyLassiterascorporationpresidentStillwellinformed
theothersthathewascertainthathewasunderinvestigationbytheInterpol,butthathewascertain
theyhadn'tbeenabletoconnecthimtoanythingillegal.He'dmadecertainofit,headdedinadark,
ominoustone.

Gruber spoke now. Cord recognized his voice and told Lassiter who it was. Gruber mentioned an
investigation by the Lassiter Detective Agency being conducted against Adams. He said that he'd
observedaseconddarkhairedwomaninthedoorwayoftherestauranttakinghisphotowithAdams
while the first woman detained them by pretending to recognize Gruber. He described the
photographerandAdamsidentifiedherasKitDeverell,anagentwithLassiter'sagency.Therewasa
profanecurse.

Grubersaidthathe'dassignedamantogetridofCordRomerobecausehewashelpingafriendina
government agency investigate an illegal immigrant smuggling operation in Miami that could link
GrubertoGlobalEnterprises.AbombhadbeenplantedandCordhadbeendivertedtodefuseit.Sadly
ithadn'tkilledhim.NowtheyhadtotakecareofRomerobeforehecameatthemagain.Evenblind,
hewasformidableandhenevergaveup.Itwouldn'tbeabadidea,Gruberadded,totakeoutMaggie
Barton as well. The Lassiter Agency was too high-profile to target, it would get the Texas Rangers
involved as well as the Houston police if they tried. But Romero was a different proposition, and
accidentsdidhappen.TheycouldtargethisfostersisterandmakeRomerothinktwiceaboutopposing
them.Heknewamanwhocouldassistthem,aprofessional.

Cordalmostflewoutofhischairasheregisteredthethreat.Lassiterturnedofftherecordingandthe
menexchangedglances.

"Ihadn'tanticipatedthat,"Lassitersaiddarkly.

"Itwashisnextlogicalstep,"Cordreplied."Damntheluck!IfGrubercallsinaprofessionalhitman,
allthemercsIcanhirewon'tguaranteeMaggie'ssafety."Hesighedheavilyandranahandthrough
hisdarkhairwhilehebrooded.HeglancedatLassiter."SupposeIgetheroutofthecountry?"hesaid,

thinkingaloud."AndyoubackoffyourinvestigationofAdamsatthesametime.They'llbeconfused.
Adamsmightthinkhewaswrongaboutbeingtargeted.Hemightevengetcareless."

Cord began to nod, his eyes glittering. "Maybe I can do some investigating. We know Gruber has
connections in Tangier and Amsterdam, as well as Madrid." He pursed his lips, thinking fast. "He
thinksI'mblind.Maybehe'llassumethatI'mgettingmyselfoutofthelineoffirebecausehetriedto
havemeassassinatedinMiami.HemightalsoassumethatMaggiewasgoingalongtonurseme.He
obviously thinks I'm blind, thank God." He nodded slowly. "It just might work. If it does, Gruber
might even give up his assassination plot. Suppose I go to visit my elderly cousin in Spain, with
Maggie?"

"Thatcouldputyoubothinevenmoredanger,"Lassiterpointedout.

"ButitcouldalsothrowGruberoffbalance,"camethereply."IfheandAdamsrelaxtheirguardand
getcareless,you'vegotachancetocatchthemintheactwiththatbugtheyhaven'tdiscovered.Wecan
tie them to Stillwell, with that tape. And I can have the freedom to do some digging into Gruber's
businessconnectionsinEuropeandAfrica.I'llwearmydarkglassesandletMaggieleadmearound.
EvenifGruberfollowsus,hewon'tthinkI'mcapabletogettinguptomuchmischief.Meanwhile,you
canhaveoneofyourcontactsinthatcovertagencydoalittlediggingontheIvoryCoasttoseeifthey
canconnectJobFairandGlobalEnterprises.

Can'tyou?"heproddedwithagrin.

Lassiterchuckled."Ilikethewayyouthink.Lielowandcarrythewarintotheenemy'scamp.Attack
whenit'sleastexpected."

"Exactly.Besides,"Cordaddedthoughtfully,"Icancallinmarkersfromoldcomradeswho'dloveto
seeGrubergodownforthatcoupattemptafewyearsback.We'veallgotscarsfromit.Oncewe're
outoftheStates,theoddsbecomeeven.Ihavecontactsoverseaswhocan'toperateinthiscountry."

Lassiter nodded slowly. "It might work. Not that it isn't going to be dangerous," he added. "What if
Maggiedoesn'twanttogo?"

Cord lifted both eyebrows. "You don't know Maggie'" he said with a soft laugh. "The more
adventurousitis,themoreshe'lllikeit.Shehasarecklessspiritandshe'ssaidmorethanoncethat
she'dlovetodosomethingdangerous.NotthatI'lllethergetintotrouble."

"Auniquewoman,"theothermanremarked."Veryunique,andgoodcompanyunderfire,"

Cordadded.Hegotoutofthechairandshookhands."I'llstarttheballrolling.""Keepintouch."

"I'llcertainlydothat."

CordputonhisdarkglassesandsatinthewaitingroomuntilhegotRedDavistocomeandpickhim
upandtakehimbackouttotheranch.Lassiterwaiteduntilheleftbeforehewentbackintohisoffice
and,onawhim,turnedthetapecassettetotheflipside,expectingnothingmore.Butthenextwords

thatwerespokencaughthimlikeablowinthethroat.

"Wecan'ttargetLassiter,andRomeroisformidable,"Stillwellagreedwiththeothermanonthetape,
"butitmaynotbenecessarytouseahitman.IknowsomethingaboutMaggieBartonthatyoudon't.
I'vegotclippings,videos,stillphotos.Itcostmeanarmandalegtoturnthemup,butthey'llstopher
dead.Shehasapastthatshe'ddietokeepquiet.AllwehavetodoistellherwhatI'vegot,andshe'll
stopRomerodoinganymoreinvestigationintoouraffairs.Iguaranteeit.We'llbesafe."

"You're sure of that?" Gruber asked contemptuously. "I can't think of anything that would stop
Romero, short of a bullet. Even blind, he's dangerous. What if Lassiter teams up with him? There's
somesortofconnectionthere.

Besides,Romeroknowsalotaboutme.Toomuch."

"Hemusthavesomeaffectionforawomanhewasraisedwith.Ifwescareherenough,she'llfinda
waytomakehimbackoff."

"You can try," Gruber said, unconvinced. "But if your way doesn't work, mine will," he added
ominously.

Lassiterlistenedtotherestofthatsideoftherecording,butitwasbriefandnothingelseofinterest
turnedup.

He pondered his course of action while he and Tess shared pastries and coffee. Tess, dared to do
anythingelsethatwasrecklessfortheday,wentbacktoherdesktoworkoncasesandLassiterwent
downstairstoLoganDeverell'sofficetoseeMaggie.

She was just saying goodbye to a client when Dane Lassiter walked in and asked to speak to her in
private.Sheinvitedhimintoheroffice,awareofcuriouslooksfromLogan'ssecretary.

"HassomethinghappenedtoCord?"sheaskedimmediatelywhenthedoorclosedbehindthem.

"Cord'sfine,"heassuredher.Hisblackeyesnarrowed."WehavetapeofaconversationinAlvarez
Adams'

office.Oneofhiscronieshassomepotentiallydamaginginformationaboutyou-videotapesandstill
photos..."

Maggie went white in the face. Lassiter helped her into a chair and got her head down between her
kneesjustbeforeshepassedout.

Hecursedsilently.He'dhopedStillwellwaslying.Obviouslyhewasn't.

Shemoaned,withherheadinherhands."DidCordhear?"shewhispered.

"No.He'dalreadylefttheoffice."

Sheswallowedhard,twice,andslowlysatbackup.Herfacewasflushednowfromtherushofblood,
butshelookedworn,anddefeated.

"Idealinconfidentiality,"Lassitertoldheratonce."Ineverrevealpersonalinformation,notevento
Tess.

Nothingyousaytomeinconfidencewilleverleavethisroom."

ShecouldseewhyKitDeverelllikedthistaciturn,quietman.Shehesitated,butonlyforaminute."I
know the photos and videotapes he's talking about," she said huskily. "They could destroy my life."
Sheswallowed."IwouldratherdiethanhaveCordseethem,"sheaddedsimply.

"Thatbad?"Lassiterasked.

"Oh,yes,"sheassured."Definitely,thatbad."

"Tellmeaboutit."

Shehadn'texpectedthatshecouldevertellanyone.ItwassurprisinglyeasytotellDaneLassiter.The
agony of the past burst from her. It was like lancing a boil. It felt good to finally be able to tell
someonewhathadhappened.Lassitersatquietly,uncondemning,andlisteneduntilshewasthrough.
Hewaspalebytheendofthestory,buthedidn'tlookatherwithcontempt,ordisgust.

"Corddoesn'tknow?"heaskedafteraminute,surprised.

She shook her head. "Amy never told him. I tried to, once, but I couldn't. It would ... change things
betweenus.

Hemighthateme..."

"Forwhat?"heexclaimed."Godinheaven,itwasn'tyourfault!"

Shegrimaced."That'swhateverybodysaid.ButtheylookedatmeasifIwastoodirtytoevercome
cleanagain."

Hisblackeyesglittered."Cordwouldn'tblameyou.He'dbehomicidal,butnotatyou."

Shemethiseyeslevelly."That'sachanceI'mnotwillingtotake,Mr.Lassiter,"shesaidquietly."Cord
hasresentedmeforalongtime,activelydislikedmeevenlonger.Untilveryrecently,Iwasathornin
hissideandnothingmore.He'sbeenkindtomesinceIcamehomefromMorocco.Icouldn'tbearto
losehisrespect."

He could have told her that it wouldn't happen, but she was terrified. It was in her wide eyes, her
strainedface.

"I'mnotgoingtotellhim,"hepromisedher."Butthereisanotherthingyoushouldknow.Gruberis
convincedthatnothingshortofmurderwillfreehimfromCord,andhementionedtargetingyouas
well.Butthisothermanthinksblackmailmightworkbetter."

"WhatcanIdo?"sheaskedmiserably,neartears.

"Nothing,byyourself,"hesaid."ButCordhasaplan.Hecantellyouaboutit.Don'tpanic;"headded
firmly.

"Gruber'sarat,buthe'snotinvulnerable."

She wasn't really listening. She knew now that Cord's enemies had information about her that Cord
didn't.Theywouldalwayshaveit.Shefeltlikescreamingwithrage.

Watchingher,Lassiterreadherconcern."Stillwell'sevidencecanbeeliminated,"hetoldher."Ican't
haveanythingtodowithitofficially,butIcantalktosomepeopleonyourbehalf."

"Great,"shemuttered."Wecantakeoutanadinthepaper.Telleverybody!"

He shook his head. "It won't be like that. You have no idea what I know about some of the most
influential people in the state. I share the information with several contacts, and all of them are as
tight-lippedasIam.It'swhyI'mstillinbusiness.Leaveittome,MissBarton,"headdedquietly."I'll
takecareofit.Youhavemyword."

Tearsstunghereyes,butshewastooproudtolethimseethem.Sheliftedherchinandblinkedthem
away.

"Thanks,"shemanaged.

"Youshouldhavetherapy."

She ignored that. "I appreciate your telling me what you knew." Her face tautened. "You won't tell
Cord?"

"Iwon'ttellCord,"Lassiterassuredher."Butdon'tunderestimatehim,either.He'sformidableunder
fire.IfGrubercomesathimhead-on,he'llregretit."

"Hedoesdangerouswork.Iknowhe'sgoodatit.Ijusttrynottothinktoohardaboutthedetails,"she
added.

"You can take it from me that Romero is a dead shot and a formidable adversary in intelligence
work,"hesaid.

"You'resafewithhim..

"I know that." She smiled up at him. "Want to give me a job? I might as well learn the trade if I'm
going to become a walking target for international criminals. I can shoot a gun if I have to." She

pursedherlipsandhereyestwinkled."AndIlookreallygreatinatrenchcoat."

Hechuckled,relievedtoseeherbouncebacksoquickly."Digitout.I'llkeepyouinmind.Meanwhile
I'lldowhatIcantogetenoughevidencetogoafterJobFairandGlobalEnterprisesatthesametime."

Shedidn'tsaywhatshewasthinking,whichwasthatexposureofthecriminalswouldinevitablylead
toherownexposure.Theywerethesortofpeoplewho'dtakerevengeanywaytheycouldgetit,and
Maggiewasvulnerable."Thanks,Mr.Lassiter,"shesaidsolemnly.

Heshrugged."Weallhavesecretsthatwe'drathernotrevealtotheworld,"hesaid,hiseyesdarkand
quiet.

"Toooften,thatinformationispotentialforblackmailers,especiallyforpeopleintheupperlevelsof
society.

Painandsufferingmeannothingtosomepeopleifthere'saprofittobehad."

"That'sthetruth."

"Don't worry about Stillwell's file," he repeated. "But it would be to your advantage to tell Romero
everything,"

headdedwithgenuineconcern."Justincase."

Shesmiledwanly."ThatwouldtakemorecouragethanIhave,"sheconfessed.

Hefeltsorryforher.Hewishedhecoulddomore.HewantedtotellherwhatCordhadinmind,but
she'dfindoutsoonenough.Hesaidgoodbyeandlefttheoffice,determinedtofindawaytogetthat
fileoutofStillwell'soffice.

Maggiehadn'tconsideredadirectcontactfromCord'senemies,butaphonecallsoonbeforequitting
timestoppedherheartinherchest.

"If you're smart," the sly voice said when she picked up the receiver and identified herself, "you'll
make Romero back off. We have some interesting video of you in, shall we say, compromising
positions?ThinkhowRomerowouldreactifhesawit.Whatanastygirlyouare,MissBarton!"

"Youbastard,"shechoked,furious."Youuttercoward!IfIcouldgetmyhandsonyou...!"

"Don'tpushyourluck!"thedarkvoicesnarled."MakeRomerokeephisnoseoutofJobFair.Thinkof
somewaytomakehimbackoffinvestigatingus,anddoitquick.Oryou'regoingtobeastaronthe
eveningnews!"

Thereceiverclicked.Maggiegotupfromherdesklikeazombie,stumbledintothebathroom,locked
thedoor,andthrewup.

Maggie gathered her seared nerves by the end of the day and forced herself not to consider how
devastatingthethreatofdisclosurewas.Shehadtothinkpositively.Shehadtothinkaboutthehelpless

victimsofJobFairanditsmajorclient,GlobalEnterprises.Butallshecouldconsiderwasthehorror,
thedisgust,inCord'sbelovedfaceifheeversawthosevideotapes.Sheknewhe'dneverforgiveher.
Evenhispasthostilitywouldpalebycomparisonwithwhatshe'dsuffer.Shehadtoholdherheadup
andpretendthatnothinghadhappened.

Butthatwasalmostimpossible.WhenCordcametopickherupatquittingtime,wearingdarkglasses
andwithDavisbehindthewheelofaranchpickupinsteadofthesportscar,shewasquietandremote
allthewaytotheranch.IfsheonlyknewhowtotellCordthethreatsthathadbeenmadeagainsther.
LassitersaidCordwasgoingtotakeheroutofthecountry,butshewasn'tconvinced.Cordwasn'tthe
sorttorunfromathreat.Whatifshecouldn'tconvincehimtoleavetown?Theideaofherpastbeing
revealedincolorvideoontheeveningnewsmadehersickatherstomach.

"You'rebrooding,"heremarkedwhenDavisparkedCord'scarinthegarageandleftthemtogoback
towork.

"I've had a hard day," she told him with a forced smile. "Nothing to worry about." She gave him a
longlookandfeltnearpanic."Idon'tsupposeyou'dliketogoofftoTahitiwithmeandbecomea
beachbum?"sheaddedwistfully.

Hechuckledwarmly."Whynot?"

Sheshrugged."Iguesswe'dbeinevenmoredangerthere."

He studied her closely. "Tahiti is in the wrong direction. Too hot. But how would you like to go to
Spaininstead?"heaskedoutoftheblue.

Herheartjumpedasshelookedupathim."Spain?Youmeanit?"

He linked his long arm across her headrest and looked down at her. "I mean it. I understand that
Gruberhasmadesomeveiledthreatsagainstbothofus,"hesaid,withoutrevealinghowheknewit,
and unaware that she'd spoken to Lassiter. He saw her pale, but he didn't understand what she was
thinkingthatledtosuchasharpreaction."Iwanttothrowhimoffthetrack,makehimbackoff,while
Lassiterappearstodothesame.Ifwecanmakethemencareless,we'vegotachancetostopthem.If
weleavethecountry,AdamsandGruberandStillwellwillthinkthepressure'soff.Ihaveanelderly
cousininSpain.Wecangovisithim,oratleast,appearto."

"WhatifGruberfollowsustoSpain?"sheasked.

"I'mablindman,"hesaidblithely."WhatdangercouldIposetohim?"

"That'sathought,"shehadtoadmit.

"It might get dangerous, there's always that possibility. But I can protect you. I've got a few friends
who won't mind tagging along at a discreet distance. In any case, you'll be safer out of the United
Statesthaninitrightnow."

Shedidn'tthinkaboutthewording.Shepeeredupathimwithtwinklingeyes,forcingherworstfears

tothebackofhermind.Itwouldbeanadventure.ShewouldbewithCord.Itwasonelastchanceto
sharesomethingwithhimthatnowomaninhispasteverhad.Andifworstcametoworst,ifshewas
...shot...she'dhavehadthetimewithhimtocarryintothedarkwithher.

She looked into his eyes with faint hunger. He would never have to know the truth if anything
happenedtoher.

Butshewouldhavesuchmemories...!Theprospectbecameexciting.

"Icanseemenow,withanofficialnumberandatrenchcoatandagun,"shetoldhimwithagleeful
grin. "I've almost talked Mr. Lassiter into hiring me, but this sounds much more adventurous. Call
InterpolandtellthemI'mavailable!Doesthejobcomewithoneofthosecyanidepills,justincase?"
sheadded.

He laughed, delighted at her response. She had courage and spirit and style. He admired her more
thananywomanhe'deverknown.

He touched her cheek with a teasing finger. "It comes with a damaged mercenary and a .45," he
chided.

"Not so damaged," she said gently, and reached up to touch, lightly, the skin beside the fresh scars
aroundhiseyes.Shewinced."Andverylucky!"

Hewaswatchingherface,drinkinginthehelplessaffectionheractionsbetrayed,hervisiblelonging
forhim.

"Verylucky,indeed,"hesaidunderhisbreath.

Shehesitated,frowningthoughtfully."Cord,youaren'tjustplanningavisittoanelderlyrelative.Are
you?"

Hetracedhernose."Leaveitalonefornow.We'regoingonablindman'sholiday.You'llbemyeyes.
We'llleavethecountryandletthemthinkthey'vefrightenedusoff.Thenwe'llgiveGrubersomerope
andseeifhe'llobligeusandhanghimself!"

CHAPTERNINE

Maggiepackedjustenoughtofillacarry-onbag,excitedattheprospectofanescapadewithCord,
even under the circumstances. She didn't question why Cord, a man who never ran from trouble,
should be so anxious to get away from an investigation of the man who'd almost killed him. But it
savedher,momentarily,fromfearofdisclosurebyAdamsandhisassociates.They'dthinkthatshe'd
convincedCordtoleavethecountryandbackoff,andthey'dbeplacated,ifonlytemporarily.

For the moment, JobFair and its threatening file could be left far behind. For a while, at least, she
would be safe from reprisals. In that brief time, she could indulge her long-standing fantasies of
Cord,beingwithhim,travelingwithhim,beingpartofhislife.Shecouldsharethedanger,thechase,
theexcitement.Howeverlongitlasted,whateverthecost,shethought,itwouldbeworthit!

HelookedupwhenshecameintothelivingroominslacksandaT-shirtunderajacket,herlongdark
hairinabraiddownherback,heronepieceofluggagecarefullypackedandtaggingalongbehind
heronitsrollers.

"Youdopacklight,"heremarkedapprovingly.

"Idon'treallyhavethatmuchstuff,"sheremindedhim."Exceptformyphotosofmyparentsanda
coupleofpiecesofcostumejewelrythatbelongedtomymother,whichI'mleavinghere,myclothes
areallIown."

He'd never considered the scarcity of her memorabilia. Of course, his was similarly restricted.
Everything his parents had with them was burned up in the fire. There were no relatives except his
elderlycousin.Hisparents'

homehadbeenarentedone,andwhatevertheyhadwassoldatauctionaftertheydied.Theauthorities
assumedthatCordhaddiedwiththem,notbeinginformedtothecontraryuntilCordwasofageand
abletocontactthem.

He was looking at Maggie oddly. "No heirlooms?" he asked abruptly. "Not even from the great-
grandmotherwhorodewithVilla?"heteased.

Sheshookherhead,notwantingtotellhimthateverythinginherhomehadbeenconfiscatedbythe
authorities long ago. God knew what had happened to it. She'd never asked, afraid to prompt new
curiosityaboutthecase.

Thatwascurious,Cordthought.Shehadastrangeattitudetowardpossessions.Shedidn'taccumulate
things.Infact,shewaslikehiminherSpartanattitudetowardhome.

"We'llprobablyhavekidswhoarepackrats,"heremarkedabsently.

Sheforcedherselfnottoreacttothepainfulremark.Sheevensmiled."Speakforyourself.Mykids
aregoingtobeneatfreaks."

Hecockedaneyebrow."Whendoyouplantohavethesemythicalspotlesschildren?"

"Aboutthesametimeyoustartyourownfamilywithsomeone,"shereturned."AndGodhelpher,the
poorwoman.She'llbestuckathomewhileyou'reofftryingtogetyourselfblownup."

Hedidn'treactwithamusement,assheexpectedhimto.Helookedverysomber."IfImarriedagain,
I'dcomehomeandraisepurebredSantaGertrudisherdsires.MaybeI'ddoalittleconsultantworkfor
EbScottinmysparetimeathisantiterrorismschoolinJacobsville."

"That'llbetheday"shesaidabsently.

"You never know.': he replied. "I do dangerous work. I told Lassiter that maybe I did it to punish
myselfforPatricia'ssuicide.PerhapsthatwasclosertothetruththanIrealized.Ifeltguilty."

Shedidn'tknowhowtoanswerhim.He'dlovedPatricia.She'dlovedhim.Maggieknewnothingof
mutualloveaffairs.She'dneverhadone.

"Marriageisarisk,evenwhenyouloveeachother,"shesaid,rememberingherbriefmarriagewith
angerandpain."Doitinahurryandyoupaytheprice."

His eyes narrowed coldly as a wave of unexpected jealousy racked him. Her husband had been
abusive,butshe'drushedintomarriagewiththemanjustthesame."You'dknow,wouldn'tyou?"

She blinked, coming out of her bitter reverie. "Yes, I would. Shouldn't we go?" she added, turning
awayfromhim.

Amazingly,shefelthiswarm,steelyhandsonhershoulders,stayingherretreat.Hisbreathsighedout
againsthernape."IfI'dknownwhathewasdoingtoyou,"hesaidcarefully,"I'dhavetornhimapart!"

"Whywouldyouhavebothered?"sheasked."Youdidn'tcarewhereIwent,aslongasitwasoutof
yourlife.

Yousaidso."

Hiseyesclosed.Thememorywasagonizing.He'dsaidalotofthings,insultingthings,thathehadn't
meant.

He'dbeenshocked,ashamed,disgustedwithhimself.HetookitoutonMaggie.

"I'm...sorry,"hebitoff.

"Oh,that'sgreat,weshouldcallthenewspeople,"shemurmureddryly."AnotherapologyfromCord
Romero.

Wow!I'llbetthey'rewearingovercoatsinhellrightnow."

Helaughedsoftly."Isupposetheyare.I'mnotverygoodatapologies."

"You don't need to be. You're never wrong," she agreed with a wicked glance over her shoulder.
"Shouldn'twego?"

"Isthereafire?"

She pulled away from his hands and turned toward him unflinchingly. "Broken mirrors can be
patched,butthey'realwaysdistortedafterward.Ithinkrelationshipsarelikethat,"shetoldhimquietly.
"Youdon'treallylikeme.Gruber'smadethreatsandyou'reprotectingme,becauseit'sthewayyou're
made.Butoncethedangerisallgone,itwillbejustthewayitwasbefore.You'lltoleratemeonthe
outskirtsofyourlife."Shesmiledsadly.

"I'vehadyearsofthat.Iwantanewstart,somewhereelse.Iwant,"shehesitated,avertinghereyes,"I
wanttobefreeofthepast."

"Runningawayisn'ttheanswer."

Shelookedupintohisirritatedfacewithrealpain."Yes,itis,Cord,"shesaidhuskily,seeingdreams
die as she remembered Stillwell's threat and the information he had about her. "Sometimes it's the
onlywaythereis."

Hedidn'tunderstandherattitude.They'dbeengrowingcloser,physicallyandemotionally,sincehis
brushwithdeath.Shewastakinggiantstepsbackward,justwhenhewantedtobeginagainwithher.

"Whydon'tyoutakeonedayatatime?"headvised.

Shelaughed.Ithadahollowsound."Itwon'thelp.Nothingwillhelpanymore.Please,canwego?"

"I'llhaveaquickwordwithJune,"hesaid.

"I'lltakemycaseout..."

"Youwillnot,"hesaidfirmly."Wilson'sinthebarnwithoneofhismen,andJune'sfatherandRed
Davisaren'there.There'snoonerightoutsidethedoor.You'llstayrightinthisroomuntilIgoout
withyou."

"Allright,Cord,"sheagreedeasily.Shesatdownonthearmofthesofaandwaitedpatiently.

"What,noargument?"heaskedwithmocksurprise.

"Idon'thaveagunyet,"sheremindedhim.

"Don'tholdyourbreathwaitingformetogiveyouone,either,"hemused."TheonetimeItriedto
teachyoutoshootarifle,youdroppedthedamnedthingonmyfoot."

Because being close to him shook her up. Because her whole body had reacted with predictable
delight.Shecouldn'ttellhimthat.

"It weighed half as much as I do, and you didn't hand it to me, you tossed it at me," she replied. "I
couldn'tevenfigurehowtogetthesafetyoff."

Shedidn'taddthatshe'dsincelearnedtoshootapistolwithquitegoodaccuracy.EbScotthadtaught
her,duringtheirverybriefengagement.

"Youwereengagedtoaprofessionalsoldier,"heremarked."Ebshouldhavetaughtyou."

"Ebwasbusysavingtheplanetfromevil,"shereturnedfacetiously.

"Doyoueverregretnotmarryinghim?"heaskedabruptly.

Sheshookherhead."Weweregoodfriends.Itwasnevermorethanthat."

"Thenwhygetengagedtohiminthefirstplace?"

Because you married Patricia, she thought, feeling the anguished pain all over again. Cord had
walkedintoAmy'slivingroomwiththepetiteblondeonhisarm,ignoringMaggie,andannounced
thattheyweremarried.

HehadhisarmtightaroundPatricia'sthinshoulders,andtheywerebothbeaming.Maggiehadsmiled
withherheartbreakinginsideher.Shesmilednow.Shewasn'tgoingtolethimknow.

"Hewasadish,"shesaidairily.

Hegloweredatherforaminutebeforehewentoutthedooranddownthehalltothekitchen,leaving
Maggietimetocollectherself.

Cordhadatwinengineplane,andhefrequentlyflewhimselftocattleauctionsandbusinessmeetings,
butwiththefictionofblindness,nobodywouldbelievehecouldfly.SothistimeheputMaggieinthe
carwithhimandhadRedDavisdrivethemtotheairporttocatchaflighttoSpain.

"Isthisasafewaytotravel?"sheaskedasthejetliftedintotheairoverHouston.

"Relativelysafe,"wasallhe'dsay.

Theyflewfirstclass,somethingMaggiehadn'texpected,toMadrid.ShesatbesideCordintheareaof
aplaneshe'dnevergracedinherlife.Shealwaystraveledcoach,becauseshedidn'thavethemoneyto
affordsuchluxuries.

Cord had apparently arranged for them to change planes to travel to Spain from New Jersey. The
flightwaslongandMaggiecouldn'tsleep.Sheacceptedwatereverytimetheflightattendantsoffered
it.Shegotupandwalkeddowntheaisle,stretchingherlegs.Shelistenedtomusicontheheadphones.
The movieironically, a disaster picture-didn't interest her. Apparently it didn't interest Cord, either,
because he was plugged into a laptop computer and the Internet. Since he had the window seat, she
couldn'tlookpasthimattheaisleinacovertattempttoseewhathewasdoing.Hewasn'tinclinedto

talk,andshewas.Buteventually,sheclosedhereyesand,amazingly,fellasleep.

He shook her gently when they landed at the busy Barajas Airport in Madrid. She opened her eyes,
stretchedandyawned,andeasedintotheaislewhentheplanetaxiedintoitsconcourse.Shetugged
hercarry-onbagfromundertheseatinfrontofherandwaitedforCordtomoveoutwithhisown
carry-on,thelaptopneatlytuckedinsideit.TheyimmediatelygotontoacharterflighttoMalaga,in
southernSpain.

Aftertheflight,theywalkedupthelongrampintotheconcourseandCordstoppedunobtrusivelyand
nudgedherintherightdirection.Sheglancedaroundheratallthetravelersandrememberedhertrip
toMoroccowithGretchen,becausemanyofthepassengerswereMuslim.Itwasn'tunusualtoseemen
inlongrobesandwomenwithheadscarvesamongthejeansandpantsuitsoftheothertravelers.

Thewallshadtravelpostersandshefoundherselfreadingthemwithouthesitationordifficulty.That
ability to understand Spanish brought back painful memories of her first years with Cord, when a
sharedknowledgeofSpanishhadgivenheraspecialplaceinhislife.Inrecentyears,ithurtherjust
tohearit.Butnowitallcamebackinarush.

"Youdon'tspeakSpanishmuchanymore,doyou?"Cordaskedsuddenly,glancingather.

"Notforyears,"sheconfessed.

"Notsinceyougrewup,"hecorrected.Hesearchedhertautface."Youhadthemostuniqueaccent,"
herecalledwithasmile."MexicanmixedwithadeepSoutherndrawl."

Shewrinkledhernose."I'vestillgotit.They'dflogmehereifIspokeSpanish,withmyaccent,"she
agreed.

He chuckled. "People are more tolerant these days. You haven't lived until you've heard someone
fromRussiaspeakit."

Thatamusedherandshelaughed.

"That's better," he said gently. "You were looking a little fraught there for a while. I shouldn't have
ignoredyouonthewayover."

Herfaceclosed."Idon'tneedbaby-sitting."

"Don't you?" He looked around them, as if he were searching for someone. "I phoned my cousin
beforewelefttheStates.Heofferedtosendamantopickusup,butItoldhimwe'drentacarand
driveup.Idon'tliketheideaofastrangermeetingushecouldbeanybody."

"Dotheyhaverentalcarshere?"sheasked,feelinglost.

Hechuckled."Theyhavethemeverywhere.Comeon."

Heletherleadhimtopassportcontrolandthenontothegroundfloorwheretherentalcarcounters
werelinedup.Hewaitedwiththesuitcaseswhileshefilledouttheformandgotthekey.Thensheled
himoutintothescorchingsummerheatofMadrid.

"Cousin Jorge lives north of Malaga," he told her. "Picasso was born in Malaga," he added. "Jorge
has a big farm-they call them ganaderias here in Andalusia. Jorge still raises fighting bulls for the
corrida, the bullfighting ring. A Romero from Ronda, not related to us, was the father of modern
bullfighting. Jorge has fewer bulls now, and since he's a bachelor, when he dies the ganaderia will
havetobesold."

"It'sashame,"sheremarked.

"Lifegoeson,"hesaidwithoutsentiment."You'lllikehim.Hecantellsomeincrediblestoriesabout
theolddaysofbullfighting,whenmygrandfatherwasamatador."

"Ilikehistory."

"SodoI."

"Andalusia is the home of the flamenco," Cord told her. "It has been traditionally performed by
gypsies, and it varies in style depending on the area where it's performed. There are Roman ruins
everywhere-there's even a small one on Jorge's ganaderia," he added with a smile. "Nearby is the
CostadelSol,theplaygroundofmillionaires,andthefamous`white'towns.Fartheralongthecoastis
Gibraltar, still a British possession, and across the Straits of Gibraltar is Morocco. To be more
specific,Tangier,"heremindedher.

Shegrinned."IlovedTangier.I'dlovetoseemoreofit."

"You'llprobablygetyourchancelater,"hesaidmysteriously.

"Dotheydriveonthewrongsideoftheroadhere?"sheworriedastheyreachedtherentalcar.

"Theydonot.Theydriveontherightside,hereandinGibraltar,"headded,smilingathersurprise.
"ThereweretoomanywreckswhenotherEuropeanshadtoswitchsidesoftheroadinGibraltar,so
theymadeitconformtoSpainandMorocco'sdrivingrules."

"Thankgoodness!"sheexclaimedwithrelief.

Shedidn'ttellhimthatthemostexcitingthingabouttheupcomingdrivetoJorge'shomewassharing
itwithhim.She'dneverbeensohappy,despitethepotentialdangerthatsurroundedthetrip.

The countryside was exquisite, dotted with olive groves and cypress, with ancient buildings in the
inhabitedareasandcattleandhorsesgrazinginpicturesquepasturesalongthewindingroad.There
was no real traffic outside the city, and Maggie relaxed a little as she drove. She didn't drive in
Houston,preferringcabstothedifficultownershipandexpenseofacar.

Eventually they came to a wroughtiron gate with the name "Romero" on a painted board beside it.
Cordgotoutandopenedthegate.Shedrovethecarthrough,andthenheshutitagain.Minuteslater,
they drove up between fenced pastures to an elegant arched home that resembled adobe structures
MaggiehadseeninTexas.Thehousewaswhitewithared-tiledroof,andtwoshaggydogssatonthe
frontporchnexttoawhitehairedmanleaningonacane.

"Cousin Jorge was my grandfather's brother's son," Cord informed Maggie as she stopped the car.
"Whichmakeshimmycousin."

"He'sveryelegant,isn'the?Helookslikeanaristocrat."Maggiecommentedastheelderlygentleman
madehiswaydownthestepstogreetthem.

"He'sacard,"hereplied,smiling."You'llseewhatImeanwhenyougettoknowhim."Hegotoutof
the car and let the old man come to him, hugging him warmly. They exchanged greetings before
Maggiewasintroduced.

Theoldmantookherhandtohislipswithaflourish.

"Itisagreatpleasuretomeetthemostimportantwomaninmycousin'slife,"CousinJorgesaidin
passableEnglish,andgrinned.

She laughed self-consciously. "I'm only his foster sister, but I'm very glad to meet you, too," she
replied.

Hegaveheranoddlookbutheshrugged."Please,comein.Ihavehadroomsmadereadyforyou..."
Hehesitated,botheyebrowscomingtogetherinamonstrousscowl."Youdonotsharearoom?"he
addedsuspiciously.

Maggieburstoutlaughing."Oh,thatwillbetheday,"sheburbledhelplesslyanddidn'tdarelookat
Cord.

Theoldmanchuckled."Forgiveme.Idonot,howdoesonesayit,`movewiththetimes."'

"Don'tyoufeelbad,"Maggiesaideasily,takinghisarm."1don'tmovewiththem,either.Sadthatwe
can'tsaythesameforsomeotherpeople,"sheaddedwithameaningfulglanceatCord.

Whentheywereinthehouse,Cordtookoffthedarkglasses."I'mindisguise,"hetoldtheoldman
somberly."Iwasinjuredinanaccident,andthemanwhodidthistome,"heindicatedthewoundson
hisface,"wantstotryagain.Icameoutofthecountrytothrowhimoffthetrack."

"Youmusttellmeallaboutit,"Jorgesaidwithasmile."Iamnostrangertoviolence,asyourecall.
Come."

He led them out of the hall, into the living room. The interior of Jorge Romero's house was
immaculate, like something out of a designer magazine. The floors were marble, old, elegant. The
woodwasstainedoak.Thecarvedceilingwasaworkofart.TherewerePersiancarpetsonthefloors
andsilkcurtainsatthewindows.Thefurniturewascoveredinsilkaswell,exceptforthedeep,high-

backedarmchairs,whichwereleather.

"Yourhomeisbeautiful,"Maggieremarked.

"Abachelor'shomemustsubstituteforawifeandchildren,"heinformedherwithasadsmile."Ilost
myfianceeduringourcivilwarhere.Shewasabeautifulyounggirlwhosesmileliftedmyheart.She
wasbymysideinthethickofbattle,andabulletendedherlife.Iwasneverinclinedtoreplaceher."

"I'msorry,"Maggiesaidwithgenuinesympathy.

He shrugged and smiled at her. "We all have trials as we go through life. Mine have been less
traumatic than those of many other people," he explained. "Sit here," he offered her a seat on the
daintylittlesofa."AndIwillhaveMarisabringushotchocolate.Youlikehotchocolate?"headded
quickly.

"Iloveit,"sheagreedwithasmile.

"Thatisgood.AsyoudrinkcoffeeinAmerica,wedrinkchocolateinSpain.Iamfondofit."

Heexcusedhimselfandwalkedtowardthebackofthehouse.

"Ilikehim,"MaggietoldCord.

"He likes you. I'm not allowed to sit there," he added, standing over her with his hands deep in his
slacks'

pockets."It'swherehisfianceesat,whenhisfatherownedthishouseandJorgewascourtingher."

"I'mflattered,"shereplied.

Hesearchedherfacequietly."Iwishwecouldsharearoom,Maggie,"hesaidquietly.

Sheavertedhereyes."Don't."

Hisindrawnbreathwaslowandimpatient."Youwon'tletmein,willyou?"heaskedcurtly."Youmeet
everyoverturewithamaddashforthedoor."Shestudiedherclenchedfingers."Yousaid...""Ilied!"
Heturnedawayfromher."I'mgoingoutofmymind."

She didn't understand. Her green eyes followed him as he walked to the window and looked out.
While he was brooding, Jorge came back, and very soon Cord's outburst was lost in conversation
lacedwithdelicioushotchocolateservedindaintychinacups.

Jorgedidn'townatelevision.Thatevening,theyallwentoutontothewide,longfrontporchandsat
inrockingchairs,listeningtothecattlelowinthedistance.

"Thisiswonderful,"Maggieremarkeddreamily,closinghereyes."It'sjustlikeatCord'sranch,late

intheevening."

"Youlivewithhim?"Jorgequeried.

"No.I'mstayingthereforawhile,"shereplied."It'srathercomplicated."

"Shedoesn'twanttotellyouthatwe'rebeingtargetedbytheassassinImentionedearlier,"Cordtold
the old man, despite Maggie's attempt to hush him up. "He's buying and selling little children into
slavelabor,andwe'retryingtoshuthimdown."

Theoldmanbecameastranger.Heleanedforward,hisleanfaceintentintheyellowlightbeaming
outthroughthewindows.

"Three of my men were with me in the Republican army," he told Cord. "We are old, but at your
disposal."

Cordgrinned."Thanks.Imaytakeyouuponit.Ibroughtalongafewfriends,"headdedtoMaggie's
surprise.

"You'll find them bivouaced in your pasture, one of your grain storage sheds, and in the barn out
back.Ihopeyoudon'tmind."

Jorgechuckled."Mind?Itwillbelikeoldtimes.Anadventure!"Hehesitated."Butthelovelylittleone
here...!"

heexclaimed.

"She'dgorightintothetrencheswithme,"hetoldJorge,"justasyourLouisadidwithyou."

The old man and Cord shared a look that Maggie couldn't begin to interpret, but it made her feel
warminside.

"WhatIproposetodo,"Cordsaid,"withyourpermission,isleaveamanheredisguisedasmyself.I
wantyoutoappeartotraveltoTangierwithMaggie,asifyou'reshowingherthispartoftheworld.
Areyougame?"

"I live a boring and uncomplicated life," Jorge said with a twinkle in his dark eyes. "Adventure
becomesthestuffoflegendstosuchamanasIhavebecome."

"I'mnotleavingyou!"Maggiesaidatonce,herwideeyesrivetedtoCord.

Hisheartlifted."I'mnotleavingyou,either,"hesaidgently."I'mgoingindisguise,asJorge."

Theoldmanchuckled."Youmusthavesilverhairandwalkwithastoop,"hepointedout.

Cordgrinned."Oneofmymenwasonthestage.He'sanexpertatdisguise.Myownparentswouldn't
knowmewhenhegetsthroughworkingonme."

Jorgelookedsadforamoment."Irememberyourparents,verywellindeed.Yourfatherhadmagic
inhishands,inhisbody.HewasnotSanchez,buthewasskilled."

"SanchezRomerowasmygrandfather,"CordtoldMaggie.

"Yes.Ihaveaposter..."

Theoldmanopenedahugecabinetandtookoutaposterofabullfight,vividwithredsandyellows
underthethickblacklettering.ItadvertisedthefinalappearanceofthegreatSanchezRomerointhe
greatbullringinMadrid.Heremovedapainting,aportraitofthesameman.

"He was magnificent," Maggie said against her will, drinking in the elegant, muscular lines of the
handsomeblack-hairedman.Hehadanarroganceandgraceofcarriage,eveninthepainting,which
wasstrikingandattractive.

"Hewasgoredashestoodontiptoetodeliverthemuerte,"theoldmansaidsadly."Iwasjustbehind
thebarrera,cheeringhimon."Hiseyesclosed."Itwasasifthebullhadabundleofcolorfulragson
hishorns.

Sanchez's traje de luz shone like pure gold in the sunlight as the bull ran around the ring, to the
horrorofthecrowd."HeglancedatMaggie,waitingforherreaction.

Sheonlysmiledsadly."IhadanunclewhodiedinarodeooutsideHouston,"shesaid."Dangerous
sportsarealwayslife-threatening.Butpeopledieonfootballfieldsofheatstroke."

"You will wish me to remain inside during your absence," the old man said suddenly, glancing at
Cord.

Henodded."Andawayfromyourfriends."

"Iunderstand."Hegrinned."Iamtobe'undercover."'

Cord chuckled. "You'll be safe, as well," he pointed out. "Some of my men will remain here. Two
otherswillbewithMaggieandme,also'undercover."'

"Youareabraveyoungwoman,"JorgetoldMaggie.

Shegrinnedathim."I'velivedaboringlifemyselfuntillately.I'vegotatrenchcoatonlayaway,"she
addedwithamischievousglanceatCord.

Hesmiledatherwithobviouspride.Itmadeherheartfly.

CHAPTERTEN

Maggie listened while Cord outlined his plans for travel to Tangier the following day. They would
drive one of Jorge's Mercedes to the ferry and go across to Tangier, car and all. In Tangier, they
would stay with Cord's cousin, Jorge's grand-nephew, Ahmed, a Berber who owned a small
import/exportbusinessthere.

TherewasnotimeforaleisurelyvisitwhileGruberandhisfriendsworkedatobliteratingtracesof
theircollaboration.Cordwouldhavetoworkfast.Meanwhile,thevisittohiscousinwouldgivethe
impressionthathewasstayingwithfamilyduringhisrecuperation,andMaggiewastakingadvantage
of the holiday to see Morocco as well as Spain in the company of Cord's cousin Jorge. If Gruber
checked,CordtoldMaggie,he'dfindoutthatJorgehadcousinsinTangier,whichwastrue.Infact,
CorddisguisedasJorge-andMaggiewouldbestayingwithoneofthemwholivedinthecity.

Shetriednottobeconcernedaboutthemasquerade,butitworriedher.Shewasn'tafraidforherself.
ShewasfearfulofwhatmighthappentoCordifGruberdiscoveredhisdisguiseandhisrealintent.
The headquarters of Global Enterprises was in Tangier. If Gruber realized that she and Cord were
diggingforevidence,theirliveswouldbeinterribledanger.Despitethecompanyofthoseshadowy
friends of Cord's, she had reservations. They were compounded by the knowledge of what Gruber
andhiscronieswoulddotoheriftheydiscoveredherpartinthis.Sheknewtheywouldn'thesitateto
make public her most terrible secrets.. She remembered Lassiter's stern advice, that she should tell
Cordthetruth.Butnotyet,shetoldherself.Notjustyet.

Itwasn'tsurprisingthatshehadanightmareaftershewenttosleep.Thetensionofthepastfewdays,
compoundedbythethreatsofblackmail,broughtbackhorriblememoriesofherchildhood.

Shewassobbingpiteouslywhenshefeltstrongarmsliftherclosetoawarm,strongbarechest.She
wascradledthere,hernosetickinginthethickpeltofhair,whileshecried.

"There,there,"asoothingdeepvoicewhisperedatherearwhileabighandsmoothedherlong,wild
hair.

"You'reperfectlysafe.Iwon'tletanythinghurt

YOU."

Shebecameslowlyawarethatshewasnolongerdreaming.ThespicyscentofCord'scolognewasin
her nostrils, along with the prickly feel of the thick hair that ran in a wedge down his chest to his
belly.

Her hands were flat against his body, feeling its strength. She'd been relaxed while he held her, but
nowshewasnervousagain.Hereyesopenedandshedrewbackabreath.

Thebedsidelightwason.Thedoorwasclosed.Shewassittingupintheconcealinglacywhitecotton
gown she'd brought to sleep in, with its puffy sleeves and modest neckline. Cord was sitting on the

bedbesideherinatowel.

Heliftedaneyebrowamusedlyatherflush."You'veseenmewithoutit,"heremindedher.

Sheswallowed.Shewasstilluneasywithhim,withanyman,likethis.Sherealizedthatherinhibitions
anddistasteforintimacyhadallbutruinedherlife.

He pushed back the thick hair from her cheek. "Don't you think it's time you told me the truth,
Maggie?"heaskedsoftly.

Shebitherlowerlip,hard."I'dratherdie,"shesaidonahuskylaugh,butshemeantit.

"Why?"

Herfacecontorted."Painfulsubjectsarebestleftalone."

He tilted her eyes up to his. He was somber, sternlooking. He felt the tension in her hands and he
smoothedthemoutgently,pressingherlongfingersagainsthisskin."IwasontheInternet,whenwe
flewhere,"heremarkedoutoftheblue.

"So?"shemurmurednoncommittally.

"Aren'tyoucuriousaboutwhy?"hepersistedslowly.

Hereyesliftedtohisandaflashoffearbrightenedthemmomentarily.Surelyhecouldn'thavefound
outanythingthere,notwhenthefileswereprotected....

Hedrewinadeepbreath."Idon'tevenknowhowtotellyou."Hisfingersslidaroundhers,warmand
strong.

"Lassiter mentioned something to me while we were talking, about a criminal case that came up in
Houstonatthesametimeasthehotelfirethatkilledmyparents."Hesearchedhereyes."Idon'tknow
why, but it started me thinking about criminal cases... So I dug into some old files, using codes I
haven't resorted to in years, and I found out..." He hesitated, noting the look of stark horror on her
whiteface.

Shetriedtojerkawayfromhim,sick,horrifiedathavinghimseethephotos,knowingthetruth.She
sobbedlikeawoundedthingasshefoughthishands.

Buthewasfartoostrong.Heeasedherdownontothebedandpulledheragainsthim,holdingher
gentlybutfirmly,withherwetcheekpressedagainsthischest.

"Youshouldhavetoldmeyearsago,"hewhisperedharshly."God,whenIrealizedwhatI'ddoneto
you...!"Hisindrawnbreathwasharsh.Hisarmstightened,containingherhelplessshivers."Igaveyou
hell.Ihurtyou,madeyouafraidofme-soafraidthatyouhadtohidethetruth.HowdoIapologize
for what you went through because of the way I behaved? And I never even knew... You and your

damnedsecrets,Maggie!"heconcludedwithfierceanger.

"Amythoughtitbest..."shebeganhoarsely.

"Amy?" He drew away from her, scowling. "Amy was dead when you married Evans," he said,
misunderstanding.

Hereyesopenedwider.Shedidn'tunderstandwhathemeant.

Hegrimaced.Helookeddownatherwithpaininhisdarkeyes."Wemadeababytogether,thenight
Amydied,"hesaidunsteadily."Evanscausedyoutomiscarry,inadrunkenrage."Hegroundhisteeth
togetherandtherewasanguishinhisexpression."God,baby,I'dhavekilledhimifI'dknown...!"

Shereachedupandcaughthimaroundtheneck,pullinghimclose,soclose!Hedidn'tknowaboutthe
other!Itwasallright.Sheburiedherfaceinhisthroat,clinging.

Shefeltsomethingdampagainsthercheek.Tearsstungherowneyes."Ineverwouldhavetoldyou,"
she choked, her voice breaking. "I never wanted you to have to know. I knew it would hurt you, so
much...!"

Hegroaned.Hismouthsearchedoverherfaceinhot,quickkissesthatsuddenlyslowedandbecame
breathlessly tender. His big body relaxed into hers, pressing her gently into the mattress. He
whisperedsomethingshecouldn'tunderstandasonelong,powerfulleginsinuateditselfbetweenboth
ofhersthroughthecottongown.

Ordinarily she would have been intimidated by the movement. She would have been nervous, shy,
hesitant. But he was sharing grief with her. She'd lost their child and now he knew. The pain was
suddenlybearable,onlybecauseheknew.

"Oh,Cord,"shewhisperedbrokenly,accommodatingtheslow,sensuousbrushofhisbodyoverhers.
Herarmscurledaroundhischest."Iwantedourbaby,"shesaidathisear."Iwantedhimsomuch.And
Barthitmeandhitme!Iremember...Irememberlyingthere,bleedingandbroken,cursinghimatthe
topofmylungsforwhatIknewhe'ddone.ItoldhimI'dtellyou,andhe'dneverhaveaminute'speace
fortherestofhismiserablelife."

Hereyesstungwithtears."ItoldhimI'dgetevenwithhimifitwasthelastthingIeverdid...!"She
swallowed.

"Hekilledhimself,"shewhispered."Imadehimkillhimself.I'vehadtolivewiththat,too,ontopof
everythingelse...!"

"Damnhim.Ifhehadn'tcommittedsuicide,I'dhavekilledhimmyself!"hechoked.

"HewasanalcoholicandIneverknewuntilafterImarriedhim.IsuspectedIwaspregnant.Iwanted
thebabytohaveaname,andIwasafraidtotellyou..."

"Yes.Iwascrueltoyou.Horriblycruel."

She nuzzled her face against him. "You were shocked. I'd been engaged. You thought I was
experienced.It'sallright."

"Itwillneverbeallright,"hesaidharshly."Ididn'teventhinkaboutconsequences."

"We'd both been drinking," she said quietly. "Don't beat yourself to death with it. It won't change a
thing."

"Itwon't,"heagreedheavily."I'msorryyouhadtogothroughthatalone."

Herhandssmoothedoverhisdarkhair."IphonedEb."

"Yes,Irememberyoutoldmethat,"hesaid,andhistonewascold.

"I...wasgoingtohavehimgetintouchwithyou,"sheconfessed,"inamoment'sinsanity.Butthen
theytoldmeaboutmyhusband'swreck,andIdidn'tmakethecall."

His big hands slid warmly against her body as he shifted slowly. His mouth brushed at her throat,
stirringher."Iwouldhavecomeimmediately,"hewhispered."Infact,Ididcome,soonafterward,the
minute I heard that you were in the hospital. I never knew exactly why you were there." His hands
contractedbruisingly."Youwereathomebythenbutyouwouldn'tevenlookatme!"

Shekissedhisthroatgently."You'dhaveseenrightthroughmeifIhad.Iwantedonlytospareyouthe
heartache.Itwasover.Tellingyouwouldhaveaccomplishednothing,excepttohurtyou."

Hemadearoughsoundinhisthroat.Hismouthfoundherbreastthroughthethickcottonandpressed
hardagainstit."Ideservedtobehurt."

Shesmiledthroughherexcitement.Itwasdrugging,tobeheldsoclosebyhim,sohungrily.

"I'veneverhurtyoudeliberately."

"IwishIcouldsaythesame."

Herfingerstoyedwithhisthickhair.Itwasdelightfultobeabletotouchhim,liewithhim,bewith
him. Her body tingled, and she felt no fear at all, only a sense of unreality. One of her long legs
movedinvoluntarily,slidingagainsthis.Tohersurprise,thetinymovementarousedhimblantantly,
andatonce.

Hestiffened."Ithinkyou'dbetternotdothatagain,"hesaidthroughhisteeth."Sorry."

Heletoutaheavybreathatherear."Iwishwewereinahotel."

"Why?"sheaskedcuriously.

Helaugheddeepinhisthroat."Icouldcallroomserviceforanemergencycondom."

Shelaughed,too.Hermouthmovedlazilyagainsthishotneck."1likefeelingyoulikethis,"shesaid,
hervoicefaintlysurprised.

Hisbighandcaughtherhipandpulleditupintohis,lettingherfeelthefullpowerofthearousal.His
fingerscontractedandheshiveredfaintly."Iwanttogoinsideyou,"hebreathedatherear.

Hersoftgaspwasaudible.Shecouldn'tbelievehe'dsaidsomethingsoblatant.

He moved lazily against her, while his mouth slid to the square neckline of the gown. He traced its
linewithhislips,nuzzlingunderittodrawhismouthagainstthepetal-softskin.

Shemovedrestlessly,burningupwithpleasure."Thatfeelsgood,"shemurmureddazedly.

Histonguetracedapatternonherflesh."Letmetakeyourgownoff,andI'llshowyousomethingthat
feelsevenbetter."

"Youneverstruckmeasthesortofmanwho'daskfirst,"sheteasedbreathlessly.

"Onlywithyou,"hereplied."Doesthisthingunsnaporunbutton?"

Hisfingersnudgedbuttonsoutofbuttonholeswhileshelaughedsoftly.Heliftedhisheadandlooked
downintohereyes.Heeasedhisforefingerundertheedgeofthefabricandteasedapathhalfwayto
herhardnipple,watchingherlikeahawktojudgeherreaction.

Herlipsparted.Shewasfindingitincreasinglyhardtobreathenormally.Hernailsbitintohisupper
armsashepoisedjustaboveher.Impulsively,shelookeddown.Thetowelhadfallenawayfromhis
hips,buttheywerepressedsocloselytogetherthatshecouldn'tseeanything.

"Wanttolook?"heaskedgently,andliftedhimselfafewinchesaboveher,tolethersee.

Her breath caught. He was amazingly beautiful, like a sculpture she'd seen once. She lay still, just
staringattheperfectionofhislean,hard-muscledbody.Helookedformidable,butshewasn'tafraid
ofhim.

"You'reveryaroused,"shewhisperedboldlyandliftedhereyesbackuptohis.

Hishandslidgentlyinsidethegowntocoverhersoftbreast."Hardandhungry,"heagreed."Butif
you'll let me have you, I can promise you it won't hurt. Lovemaking is beautiful. It has a rhythm. It
buildslikeasymphony.

Thepleasureismoreexquisitethanwordscandescribe."Hesearchedhereyeswhilehecaressedher
tenderly, feeling her helpless response in the lifting of her body toward his hand. "I want you very
much."

"Idon't...takeanything,"shemanagedtosay.

His fingers found her nipple and tested its hardness, his forefinger brushing it gently until she
stiffenedwithpleasure."Idon'thaveanythingtouse.Itwouldbereckless.Irresponsible."Hesmiled
slowly,hisdarkeyesflashing."Itwouldbedelicious!"

Herexpressionwasoneofexcitedcuriosity.She'dneverhadpleasurefromaman.Evenwithhim,it
had been uncomfortable and frightening. She no longer felt the inhibitions or fear. The tenderness
he'd shown her in recent days had changed her. Perhaps it had changed him, too, because he wasn't
makingdemands.

Her fingers lifted to trace his hard, chiseled mouth. Her eyes gleamed with wonder. "Cousin Jorge
wouldn'tlikeit."

Heonlysmiled.

Her body shifted, just a breath. It arched faintly. His fingers went back to the buttons and slowly
unfastenedthemtoherwaist."Situp,"hewhispered.

Hedrewherupwithhimandslidthegowndownoverherhips,tossingitoffthebedalongwithhis
towel.

Under it, she was wearing simple cotton briefs. He removed those, too, with his mouth making
excitingforaysoverherbelly,sothatshedidn'tprotesthersuddennudity.

Henippedherhipwithhisteethandlaughedatherhushedgiggle.Hislipsopenedslowlyonherflat
stomachwhilehishandfoundherinawayshehadn'texperiencedinheradultlife.Thetouchbrought
backterriblememoriesandshestartedtoprotestwhenashockofdelightarchedherhips.Itreflected
intheeyesthatmethiswhenheliftedhishead.

Heheldherstartledgazewhilehecoaxedherbodyexpertlytopermitevengreaterliberties.

"This is just the beginning," he whispered as she began to move involuntarily and whimper
rhythmicallywiththedefttouchofhishand."I'mgoingtomakeyouclimax,"hesaidhuskilyashis
mouthloweredtohers."Andwhenyoureachit,I'mgoingintoyou,hardanddeep!"

Shemoanedintohismouth,thewordsasarousingaswhathewasdoingtohereager,delightedbody.
Hernailsbitintohim."It's...wonderful,"shechoked.

"It'sfun,"hebreathed."Gloriousfun.Touchme."

Herhandfoundhimalittleshyly,andshemadeahuskylittlesoundwhenhenibbledherlowerlipand
laughedhuskily.

"Ineverthought...itcouldbelikethis,"shemanaged,shiveringwiththeincreasingpleasure."Inever
imagined

...Cord!"Shegasped,stiffening,shudderingashetookherfasterandfastertowardsomeimpossibly

pleasurableheight.

"Ilovelookingatyou,"hewhispered,hiseyessmolderingashewatchedherbody,delightinginits
slenderbeauty.Herbreastswerefirmandpert,theircrownsredandhard.Herlegswerespreading
wideasshewatchedhisfaceandliftedtothetouchofhishand."Yourbreastsarebeautiful,especially
likethis,withyournippleshardandredaswine."

Shewasbarelyhearinghim.Hereyeswerefixed,herbodyshiveringnowwitheachtouch,herarms
besideherheadasshewatchedhimblanklyandsobbed,prayingthathewasn'tgoingtostop.

"Youwon't...stop?"shewhisperedhelplessly.

Heshookhisheadslowly.

Her hips lifted to him. It was incredible that she could lie here, nude, letting him make love to her
body,andnotfeelashamed.

Histouchbecameinsistent."Itexcitesmewhenyouwhimperlikethat,"hesaidgruffly."Doyoulike
it?"

"It's...so...good!"shebitoff.

"Itgetsevenbetter."Hedidn'tstoptouchingher,buthedidmove,sothathisbodywaspoisedover
hers, his powerful legs pushing hers even wider apart. He eased down, his hips hovering while he
increasedthepressureandtherhythmofhishandonher.

Shecriedoutsoftly,bitingherlipasthepleasurecameinsuddengreatwaves.

"Yes,"hesaidroughly."Yes.I'mgoingtopushyourightovertheedgenow.Don'tthink,justletme
haveyourbody.Letmehaveallofyou.Letmegointoyou,Maggie...!"

She stiffened suddenly under a crashing tidal wave of pleasure that reached a frightening level of
pleasure, and yet there was still something more to attain! Her back arched as she looked into his
eyes, drawing her knees up on either side of her body to coax him down to her as the glory of
physicalecstasyconvulsedher.

"God...!"hegroanedhelplessly,andhishipsthrustdownashishandliftedtoherwaist.

He went into her body with a violent motion, aware that she was more than ready to accept him, to
accommodate him, to swallow him up whole. He looked straight into her dilating eyes as he thrust
fiercelyintoherpronebody.

"Watchme,"hechoked."I'llletyouseeme.I'llletyouhaveme...!"

Hisvoicebrokeontheexplosiveclimaxthatstiffenedhimviolentlyaboveher.Hiseyeswereglazed.
Hisbreathingseemedtohavestopped.Histeethclenchedandheshudderedagainandagainandagain.

"Oh...God...it's...like...dying!"hecriedout."Maggie...Maggie,darling...!"

Hiseyesclosedandheconvulsedsoharshlythatshewasactuallyafraidforhim.Shereachedaround
his hips with her long, elegant legs, surprised to find that the gentle shifting of her body made the
convulsionsworse.

His fists clenched beside her head. He sobbed harshly, rhythmically, like the contractions of his
powerfulbody.

"Cord?"shewhispered,shiveringintheaftermathofherownexquisiteclimax.

"Can't...stop,"hegasped."Can't...stop!"

"My darling," she whispered, kissing him everywhere she could reach, comforting him as he
explodedinherarms.Sheheardhisharshbreathingatherearashelaycompletelyonher,hiships
stillmovingconvulsively.

Shefelthiminsideher,hardandwarmandbig,velvetysoftoverthehardness.Sheclosedhereyesto
savor the delight. She felt him in her body, felt the release that seemed to go on forever, and she
sighed,cuddlinghim.

She'dneverfeltsoclosetoanyone,ever.

"Maggie:' he groaned hoarsely. His hands went under her back as his mouth searched for hers. He
kissedherfiercely,groaninghelplesslyintoheropenmouth.

Shecradledhim,smilingunderhisdevouringkissesasheslowly,slowly,begantorelax,shivering
nowintheaftermathofphysicaldelight.

Herhandssmoothedoverhisdarkhairtenderly.They'dmadelove.Shecouldgiveherself,without
fear or shame. She could be a whole woman. She'd never thought it would happen for her, not like
this,neverwithCord.

Hisbighandssmoothedthelengthofher,fromherbreaststoherhips,whilehislipsbegantosearch
tenderlyoverherface.Hesmiled.Helaughedmysteriously.

"What'sfunny?"sheaskeddrowsily.

He kissed her softly. "I'll tell you one day." He started to lift away and her arms caught him,
protesting.

Helookeddownatherwithbreathlesstenderness,hisblackhairdampwithsweatashestudiedher
flushedface.

Impulsively he moved his hips and felt her body open to him. He withdrew a heartbeat and then
moveddownagain.Shemovedwithhim,.herlegsbrushinghisasshefeltthepleasurebeginallover.

She lifted her hips, grinding them into his, as her teeth clenched. "Oh, dear Lord," she choked.
"Cord!"

He moved then, fiercely, dragging his hips from side to side, watching her eyes widen with every
hardbrush.

Hisfacetautenedwithdesire.

"I'mgoingtohaveyouagain,"hesaidhuskily."Feelmeswell,baby.Feelmedeepinyourbody!"He
groanedandhiseyesclosedasthefiercearousalburstthroughhimandmadehimhelplesstostop.

"Iwantyou,"shewhisperedblindly."Iwanttofeelyou...explode...inme!"

Hecriedout,thewordsbringingasudden,unexpectedclimaxthatwrappedthetwooftheminahot,
helplesstangleofmovement.

"Cord,"shewhispered,liftinghermouthtohisear."Cord...makeme...haveababy!"

The words deepened the climax into unexplored territory. He felt his body whip helplessly above
hers.

Shewatchedhim,herownexcitementblazingupinthehotsilenceoffleshbrushingflesh,thesound
ofthesheetbrushingthemattressunderthemunexpectedlyloudastheystrainedtogetherinafrenzy
ofmotion.

She felt herself throbbing, and then her own body matched the racking convulsions she felt in him.
The whole world seemed to blur and fly away as the pleasure throbbed in her lower belly and
suddenlyburst.Shefelttheheatofitsurgethroughherinwavesofunbearablepleasure...Sheheard
Cord'sstrainedbreathingaboveher,feltthebelovedweightofhispowerfulbodyasheshiveredin
theaftermath.

Hisarmscradledherasherolledoverontohisside,onelonglegthrownoverherhips.

"Thatwasafirst,"hewhispered,hisvoicedeepwithexhaustion.

"Hmmm?"shemurmured,stilldazed.

Hekissedhereyes."Doyouknowwhatanorgasmis?"

"No,but1thinkIjusthadone,"shewhisperedbackwithasoft,secretlaugh.

"I'veneverhadanexperiencelikethiswithanyoneelse."

Herlegcurledintohis."Honest?"

"Honest."Hekissedhersoftmouth."Youwhisperedformetomakeyoupregnant,"hebreathedinto
heropenlips.

Sheflushed,embarrassed.

Hefelttheawkwardmovementofherbodyandliftedhisheadtolookintoheruncertaineyes.

"It'stoolatenowforyoutounwhisperit,"hepointedout.Hepursedhislipsandlookedrakish_"I
forgethowmanyspermaman'sbodycanproduce,butIthinkIjustsetaworld'srecord."

Sheflushed,butshesmiled,too.

"Whatthehell,"hemurmureddrowsily."Theworldwon'tendifyougetpregnant."

"Youshouldn'tworry,"shebegan."Itwouldbealongshot..."

Helookedintohereyescuriously."I'mnotworried,Maggie,"hesaidgently.

Shegrimaced."Youhavealifestyle..."

He kissed her eyelids closed. "We won't solve all the problems tonight. Let's face one problem at a
time.Gruberisourpriority."

"Gruber.Iforgot."

Hecockedaneyebrowandgrinned."Didyou?"

"Don't get conceited," she chided. "Probably there are at least ten other extraordinary lovers in the
worldwhocouldpleasuremealmosttounconsciousness."

"Don'tgolookingforanyofthem,"hesaiddarkly.

Shesighedandlookeddownbetweentheirbodies."Ididn'texpectittofeellikethat,"sheconfessed.

Hepulledslowlyawayfromher,watchingherasshesawtheirbodiesseparate.Sheflushedalittle,
butshedidn'tlookaway.Hefollowedhergazeandsmiledslowly.

"Thinkofitassexeducation,"heteased.

She lifted her eyes to his face. "It's so funny," she tried to explain. "I know all about it, but I know
nothing.Iknewnothing,untiltonight.Ithought..."Shehesitated."Itisn'talwayslikethat,isit?"

"Notforme,no,"hesaidquietly."I'veneverhadsexthisgood."

Shefrowned."Wasitjustsex?"

Hescowledthoughtfullyandtracedapatternoverherrelaxedbreasts."Itwaslovemaking,"hesaid
quietly,"inthepurestsense."Hesearchedhereyesrelentlessly."Ithoughtaboutmakingyoupregnant,
even before you whispered to me. It aroused me. It really aroused me. I'm not usually quite that ...
potent."

Herfacerelaxedasshestudiedhisleanface.Heseemedconfused,uncertain."It'sbeenalongtimefor
you,hasn'tit?"sheasked.

Hiseyesshotbacktohers."Youthinkabstinencecouldproduceanexperiencelikethis?

Shesighed."Idon'tknow.Couldit?"

He didn't speak. With a long sigh, he lifted his legs off the bed and searched on the carpet for his
towelandhergownandbriefs.Hetossedthemtoherwithoutquitemeetinghereyes.

"What'swrong?"sheaskedgently.

Hewrappedthetowelaroundhiships."Ididn'tmeantodothis,"hesaid,turningtostareatherwith
troubledeyes."Igenuinelycameintocomfortyou.AfterwhatIlearned,aboutourbaby,"headded
slowly,"Iwouldn'thavetakenadvantageofanightmaretomakeyougiveyourselftome."

Sheheldthenightgowntoherbreastsandwatchedhim."Iknowthat."

He sighed. "Maggie, you thought I'd found out something else, something besides the baby, didn't
you?" he asked out of the blue. His eyes narrowed as she stiffened. "What other secret are you
keeping?"

CHAPTERELEVEN

MaggieheldherbreathwhileCordstudiedherreactionstothatbombshellofaquestion.

"After what just happened between us," he said persistently, "there shouldn't be room for a single
secret."

Shestilllookedworried.Shewantedtotrusthim,butitwasmorefrighteningnowtohavehimknow
aboutherpast,afterthetendernessthey'dshared.Itwouldmakeher...dirty,somehow.

He could see the torment in her face, and he backed down. He'd ferreted out the miscarriage. With
time,hecouldfindouttherest.Itmustbesomethingterrible,forhertoreactlikethis.

"Here."Hecoaxedherintoliftingherarms,andheslidthegownoverherhead."Wantashower?"he
askedwithaslowsmile."Wecouldhaveonetogether."

"CousinJorge..."shebegan.

"...isaman,"hesaidcomplacently."Andheknowswhatit'sliketobeatthemercyofdesire."

"Sodoyou,"sheremarked,andlookeduneasy.

He searched her troubled eyes. He traced her soft lower lip with a lazy forefinger. "When I was
younger, before I married Patricia, I had my share of adventures with willing women," he said
bluntly."ButIgrewoutofit.Idon'thavethesamecuriosity,andevenifIdid,Iwouldn'tuseyouto
satisfyit.Okay?"

She bit her lower lip, feeling sad and not understanding why. "I don't ... know a lot about this, on a
personallevel,"shesaid,tryingtomakeherselfclearwithoutresortingtothetruth."Tonightwassort
ofafirstforme."

"Itwasforme,too,"herepliedquietly."I'veneverfeltanythinglikeit.Iwanttobetenderwithyou.I
wanttolistenandtouchandtaste,evenwhenitgetsviolent."Hiseyesshimmeredwithdarkwarmth.
"Whathappenedisn'tsupposedtobepossible.Amanspendshimselfandthenittakestime,alotof
timeusually,beforehe'sevencapableagain.Imanagedittwicewithoutstoppingtobreathe."

Herfacebrightened."Didn'tyou,before?"Shewantedtoknow.

"Hell!" He laughed, genuinely, at her mischievous expression. "No, I didn't, before," he confessed.
"Satisfied?"

Shestretchedslowly,watchinghiseyesfollowthemovementofherbody."Very,"shesaidhuskily.

He drew in a long breath and got to his feet, wrapping the towel back around his lean hips. "I'm
leaving,"heinformedher."Evenifyou'renotsoreafterthat,Iam.Iwantashowerandagoodnight's
sleep.Tomorrow,Ihavetoagefortyyearsandacquireastoop."

Shelaugheddelightedly."Ineedatrenchcoatandagun,"shepointedout."I'llrideshotgunforyou!"

He looked down at her, drinking in her radiant face, the excitement mingled with tenderness in her
greeneyes.

"Youtakemybreathaway,"hesaidhuskily.

Thewordsconfusedher.Shedidn'tunderstand.

Helaughedathisownsenseofwonder.He'dknownMaggieforsomanyyears,yetuntiltonight,he'd
knownnothingsolittleabouther.They'dcreatedachildtogether,lostit,andhe'dneverknown.Now
thathedid,it...

involved them, as they'd never been involved before. All the grief and pain of their lives had
contrivedtomakethemcloserthanever.Perhapsthatwaswhatrelationshipsgrewoutof,hethought
whilehestudiedher,theygrewoutofhardshipandpain,makingtwopeopleclingtoeachotherand
sharetheirproblems.

"Whatareyouthinking?"sheasked.

"ThatyouandIarecloserthanmostpeople,"hesaidsoftly."AndIdon'tmeanjustinbed."Onebroad
shoulderlifted."We'vesharedsomeofthemostpainfulepisodesofourliveswitheachother.There's
abond.UntilIknewaboutthebaby,Ineverreallyfacedit."

Hereyes-weresad."Ishouldhavetoldyou."

Henodded."Youshouldhave,butIcertainlyunderstandwhyyoucouldn't.Nobody'stoblameforthat
except me. I pushed you away out of shame and self-disgust." He sighed gently. "I'll never do that
again,"headdedhuskily."Andifyougetpregnantfromwhatwejustdid,youwon'tbeabletohideit
fromme.Iwon'tletyou."

Shesmiledfaintly."Imightneverbeabletogetpregnantagain,"shesaidsadly.

He lifted an eyebrow haughtily. "Are you paying attention? I have industrial-strength sperm. In the
historyoftheplanet,therewasneveramanmoreinspiredtoproducethemthanIwastonight.And
youthinkyoucan'tgetpregnant?Ha!"

Shelaughedwithpuredelight.Hiseyesweretwinkling.Shelikedthewaytheycrinkledatthecorners
whenhesmiled.

Hebentandkissedhergently."I'mgoingtobed.Youshould,too.We'vegotalongfewdaysaheadof
us."

"Iknow."Shewatchedhimlikeabird,herheadturnedtooneside,hereyesbrightandcurious.

"Somethingbotheringyou?"heasked,becausehedidn'tunderstandherraptregard.

Shemovedhershouldersandsmiledshyly."No."

Heliftedhischin."Don'thandmethat,"hesaid,readingthroughthesubterfuge."Spillit.”

Shetoyedwithhergownanddidn'tlookstraightathim."Lassitersaidhe'dgivemeajobifIwanted
it."

Therewasalong,heavypause.Shedidn'tdarelookup.Shewasfishing.

Finallyhesighed."Okay,"hereplied."Whenthisisover,andI'vetaughtyoutheropes,ifyouhaveto
findoutaboutdetectivework,he'sagoodplacetostart.Butonlyuntilthekidscomealong,"headded
firmly,bringinghershockedeyestohislean,solemnface."Whilethey'reyoung,they'llneedyouat
home,along with me.We'll give thema solid foundation, andthen when they'rein school, you can
pickupyourjobagain."

Hereyeswerefullofwonder.Hewastalkingaboutasharedfuture.Heneverhad,before.

"Don'tlookatmeasifthewholethingismyresponsibility,"hechided."Youweretheonescreaming,
`Makemepregnant!"'

Sheflushedandburstoutlaughing."Youstopthat!"

Hegrinned."Ilikekids.Theycanalllearntobecowboys."Hefrownedthoughtfully."Butwewon'tlet
them learn about wires and listening devices," he added, remembering what Lassiter had told him
abouthisownchildren."Lassitermadearealmistakethere,withhiskids.Wearen'tgoingtorepeat
hismistakes."

Shegrinnedback.Itwasallapipedream,ofcourse.Shecouldn'tgetpregnantandhewouldn'tsettle
down.

They were daydreaming out loud. But it was such a wonderful picture that she didn't say a word in
protest.

LivingwithCord,havinghischildren,sharinghislife...thatwasrealfantasy.Andevenifshebought
into it, there was still her past, the sordid horrible past that would destroy what was left of her life.
Onceheknew,he'dneverwanttotouchheragain.

The thought tortured her, but she kept smiling. She didn't let him see that she knew it was an
impossibledream.

He didn't know about her past, and he couldn't find out. Those records were sealed. Even if he had
passcodes,theywouldn'tdohimanygood.Stillwellhaddocumentsandvideotape,buthewasn'tlikely
tosharethoseunlesshehadto.Maggiewasgoingtomakesurehedidn'tgettheopportunity.Ifshe
hadto,she'dgoafterStillwellherself,onceCordtaughthertheropesofthisspygame.

"Youlooklikeyou'replottingsomething,"hesaid.

Shechuckled."Iam."

Hepursedhislips."Whatadeliciousthought.Ilikepink,ifyou'reconcoctingseductionplans."

"Ilikepinkmyself.Waitandsee."

He sighed and smiled ruefully. "Considering my present state, and yours, I'll have to. Sleep well,
sweetheart."

"You,too,"sherepliedinthesamesofttonehe'dused.

Heleft,reluctantly.

Shegotintotheshowerandputonafreshgown,pausingtostripthebedandremakeit.Sheworried
that Jorge's maid might discover that hanky-panky was going on in the bedroom, but when she
thoughtaboutthesheerdelightofCord'slovemaking,shecouldn'tmanagetobeashamedofit.Inall
herlife,therehadonlyeverbeenCord.Whateverhappenednow,shehadoneperfectnighttotuckin
withhermemories.

Everyonewassomberatthebreakfasttable.Cord'seyeswerewarmandgentleashegreetedher,but
there was no opportunity for shared memories. He was there with two strange men, one wearing a
hoodeddjellabahmadeofoyster-coloredsilk,theother,atallLatin,inaconventionalsuit.

"This is Bojo," Cord introduced the silk-clad man who smiled pleasantly at her through an
abbreviatedmustacheandbeard,"andthat'sRodrigo,"headded,noddingtowardthehandsomeLatin,
whoalsosmiledpleasantly.

Shestudiedthem."Covertops101,"shesaidfinally,nodding."Ican'twaittoseewhatthelabwork
involves!"

Itbrokethemup.Everyonelaughed,includingCordandJorge.

"Itoldyoushewasgame,"Cordtoldthenewcomers.HegrinnedatMaggie."Thisiswhereyouget
yourtoygunandpracticedodgingbullets."

"Leadmetoit,"shereturned.

"Firstthingsfirst."Cord'seyesnarrowedasheoutlinedtheplanforhisassociates.

"We leave Peter and Don here, to watch over Jorge and keep things safe," Cord told the others.
"Rodrigo,you'regoingtobemyvaletforthetrip.Bojo,"hesighed,shakinghishead,"you'regoing
tobeourguideagain,I'mafraid."

Bojoshruggedandsmiledcomplacently."IfyouaskHisHighness,theSheikhofQawi,hewilltell
youthatIammorethanadequatetothetask."

"I'lltakeyourwordforit,"Cordtoldhim.HeglancedatMaggie."MichaSteeleheadsupagroupof

mercs, of which Bojo is vice commander. I've worked in and out of it between government
assignments."

ShewasamazedthatCordwassharingtheseintimatedetailsofhislifewithher.Itmusthaveshown,
becausehesmiledandgraspedherhandtightlyinhisbesideherplate.

"No secrets, remember?" he chided gently. He glanced at Jorge. "You'll be safe here," he told his
cousin."Peterwon'tletanythinggowrong."

Jorgechuckledwithdelight,especiallyafternoticingthecloseclaspofCord'shandinMaggie's."I
stillhavemyrifle,"hetoldtheyoungerman,"andIamstilladeadshot.Onemustbe,whenonehas
bulls the equal of my own. I also have caballeros who work for me on the finca, most of whom
servedinthemilitarybeforetheycamehere.No,Iamsafe.ItisthefourofyouforwhomIworry,"
headdedwithaspeakingglancetowardMaggie.

"I'minverysafehands,"shetoldhim,feelingwarmalloverattheexpressioninCord'sleanfaceas
helookedather.

"Thesafest,"Cordsaidgently.Heliftedherhandtohismouth."Now,"hesaid,releasingit."Let'sget
downtologistics."

Therewereweapons,ofcourse.Maggiewasgoingtohavetolearntoendurethem,shetoldherself,
becausetheyweregoingupagainstsomeofthemostdangerousmenonearth.Amultimillion-dollar
enterprise would arm itself to the teeth if it were threatened, and Gruber wouldn't hesitate to kill
anyonewhoposedathreat.SowhenCordranherthoughthemotionsofloading,locking,andfiring
a.45caliberautomatichandgun,shepaidattention.

He set up a target in one of the deserted pastures and stood behind her while she mastered the
twohanded technique of balancing a heavy automatic weapon and sighting it without closing both
eyes.

"Justrelax,"hechidedatherear,movingcloser."It'snottheenemy."

Sheleanedbackdeliberatelywithasoftmoan."Ican'tconcentrate,"shemurmuredhuskily,lovingthe
feelofallthatwarmstrengthatherback."Iwanttomakelove."

Hisbreathcaughtandhelaugheddelightedly."SodoI,"hemurmured,kissingherneckfiercely."But
neitherofusisinanyconditionforbedroomgymnasticsthismorning!Besides,wehaveamission.
Thatmeansnosex."

"That'sforfootballplayers,"shescoffed.

Henippedherearwithhisteeth."It'sformercs,too.Youjustjoinedtheunit,sopayattention."

"Afterward," she said deliberately, with a twinkling glance over her shoulder into smoldering dark
eyes.

"Afterward,"heagreedhuskily.

Sheshivered.Hereyesheldhisandsheburnedfromheadtotoe.

Hecaughtherwaistfirmlyandshookher,hisleanfaceevidenceofapassionjustbarelyrestrained.
"IfIstartkissingyou,we'llhaveeachotherontheground.Peoplewillstare.Really."

Shelaughed."Okay.I'llbehave.Showmeagain!"

Attheendofanhour,she'drecalledherearliertrainingwithEbScott,andwasmakinginroadsinto
thetarget.

"Verynice,"hemurmured."You'reaquickstudy."

"Inevertoldyou,butEbshowedmehowtoshoot,"shesaidwithoutthinking."Cord!"

Hereleasedhissuddenlybruisingholdonherwaistabruptly."Sorry,"hesaidatonce.

Sheturned,hereyesapologeticassheliftedthem."-Ididn'tmeantobringitup.Butwhilewe'reonthe
subject,"

she added gently, "you must surely know by now that I'm in love with you. I have been since I was
barelytwelve."

Hescowled,surprisedbythebluntstatement.

"Eb will tell you that I broke things off because he couldn't give up working as a mercenary," she
continuedbravely."ButtherealreasonwasbecauseIcouldn'tbearforhimtotouchme."Shesmiled
sadly."Iwantedyou..."

Hecaughtherupinhisarmsandkissedherwithslow,fiercepassion,feelinghistautbodyrivetitself
toeveryinchofhers.Withahuskymoan,shereacheduptohimandclung,herfeetoffthegroundas
he lifted her. For those few seconds, they were alone in the world, bound by forces stronger than
eitherofthemhadrealized.

Timepassedbyinaheatedfervor.

"Ihopethesafetyison,"anamusedvoicemurmuredcloseby.

Theydrewapartatonce.CordlookedatBojowithhismindinlimbo,andMaggiestaredathimwith
equalblankness.

"Thepistol?"heprompted,noddingtowardMaggie'shandcurledsotightlyaroundCord'sneck.

"Pistol. Right." She cleared her throat and abruptly moved back from Cord, handing him the gun,
handlefirst.

"Safety,"hemurmured.Hishandswereunsteadyasheputiton.

Bojo laughed wickedly. "This is going to be the most interesting covert mission, of my life," he
remarkeddryly,andwalkedoffwhiletheywerestilltryingtoregaintheirpoise.

During a lull in the preparations, Cord led Maggie out to the barn and the large corral that
surroundedit.Hegesturedacrossthehillstowardthegrazingcattleinthedistance.

"ThebullsthatJorgeraisesforthebullring,"hepointedout."Hedoesn'traisemanythesedays.Ithink
he'slostheart.Intheolddays,whenthingsweredifferent,therewasalmostareligionbuiltaroundthe
art-noticeIdidn'tsaysport-ofthecorrida.Mygrandfatherwouldstand,theysaid,inthecenterofthe
ringwiththefightingcapeandwait

for the bull. Consider," he added with bright eyes, "that the bull weighs half a ton and is bred for
aggression and stamina. My grandfather would wait for the charge and move not a muscle, not an
eyelash,astheanimallowereditshornsandcamestraightforhim!Then,withaflickofthecape,he
woulddistractthebullatthelastinstantandtheaudiencewouldgaspasthehugeanimalbrushedright
againsthiminitsfuriouscharge."Hesighed."Abravebullwouldbespared,itslifedemandedbythe
spectators.Whiletheloserswouldbefedtothecommunity."Heglanceddownatherwithacurious
smile."Howwoulditbeforyou,"heaskedsoftly,"ifyouhadtowatchmedressinthetrajedelutes,
thegolden`suitoflights'wornbyamatador,andknowthatIwentintotheringwithonlymycapeand
mycouragetoprotectmefromhornsassharpasspears?"

Shedrewinaslowbreathandshiveredinthehotsun.

He caught her gently by her nape and pulled her into his body, held her, comforted her against a
phantom thought that he was ashamed for voicing. His hand soothed her neck. "My mother and my
grandmotherfacedthatagonymostoftheirmarriedlives.MymotherwasAmerican.Shehadabrave
heart,muchcourage,butshewentwhiteandthrewupeverytimemyfathersignedanewcontractand
wenttheroundsoftheferias."Hesighed."Idon'tthinkIcoulddothattoyou,"hesaidinasoft,absent
tone.

Sheslidherarmsaroundhimandpressedtightintohisarmswithasoftmoan.Hebelongedtoher
now. She wondered if he even realized it. Her heart almost burst with joy. She put all thoughts of
tomorrowoutofhermindandfelthisarmsclosewithwonder.Shedrankinthecleansmellofhis
powerfulbody,thewarmthofhimsoclose.Sheclosedhereyeswithasmile,listeningcontentedlyto
hissteadyheartbeatunderherearwhilehisdeepvoicecontinuedabouttheolddaysofthebullfight.It
was one of those few moments in a lifetime when everything is, for a space of minutes, absolutely
ethereal,joyhanginglikeadropofrainfromatremblingdryleaf,theveryhesitationpregnantwith
anticipation.Sheknewthatshewouldrememberitallherlife,nomatterwhathappened.

Thatafternoon,theyweredressedintheirvariousdisguises,withtheexceptionofBojoandMaggie.
Cord had acquired a wig that looked remarkably like Jorge's wavy white hair, along with one of
Jorge'ssuits-fortunatelytheywereofasimilarheightandhissilver-headedwolf'sheadcane.Healso
hadanicestoopthatJorgechidedhimfor,althoughitwasaccurate.Jorgehadcripplingarthritisof
thespine.

Rodrigo,theLatin,waswearingtheelegantsuitofavaletandhoveringnearCord.Bojoputonhis

dark glasses and pulled the hood over his short black hair. Maggie, in a neat white pantsuit with
lowheeledshoes,alacyscarfoverherlonghair,whichwasloosedownherback,anddarkglasses
coveringhereyes,clungtoCord'sarm.

WearingadressyhatasJorgedid,withdarkglassesoverhiseyestohelpthedisguise,Cordstooped
andwalkedalongbesideMaggietowardthecar.

Minuteslater,theyweredownthelongpaveddriveway,throughthewroughtirongatethatclosedand
lockedbehindthem,andontheroadtotheCostadelSolandGibraltar,andtheferrythatwouldtake
themtoTangier.

AfterpassingthroughpassportcontroltwiceoncearrivingatGibraltarandthenagainforentranceto
Morocco-Rodrigo, with Bojo in the front seat beside him, drove them into the city of Tangier. It
wasn't Maggie's first glimpse of the exotic place, having been there with Gretchen Brannon only
weeksbefore.She'dlosttouchwithherfriend,andshehopedthatthejobshe'dgivenupinQawiwas
working out for Gretchen. Like everyone else, she'd maintained the fiction of Cord's blindness. If
Gretchenknewanythingofthem,she'dbeentoldthatCordhadn'tregainedhissight.HopefullyMag
giewouldgettocorrectthatfalseimpressioninthemonthsahead,ifeverythingwentwell.

SheglancedatCordbesideherinthebackseat,gettingagoodideaofhowhewouldlookasanold
man.Shewouldhavegivenanythingtoshareherlifewithhim,togrowoldwithhim.Shelovedhim
morethanherlife.

Shealwayswould.Butifhersinsweredisclosed,Cordwouldn'twantheranymore,shewascertainof
it.She'dbestpayattentiontowhatshewaslearningoffirearmsandcovertops,sothatshecoulddoas
shethreatened,andbegLassiterforajobasaprivateinvestigatorwhenthiswasallover.Ifshecould
stayinHouston,sheaddedmiserably.Itmightbetoopainful,ifthetruthcameout.Therewereother
cities,sheconsoledherself.ButnoneofthemwouldcontainCord.

They came into sight of a pretty little villa with a wroughtiron gate reminiscent of the entrance to
Jorge'sfincainSpain.Therewereflowerseverywhereoncetheygotinsideit.Thehouseitselfwas
twostorieshigh,whiteadobe,withredtilesonitsroof.Theentranceleddownahallwaythrougha
wooden door and opened to inside balconies, dripping flowers, and a courtyard where a fountain
pulsedwithwaterymusic,inapatioofblueandwhiteceramictilesinelegantpatterns.Thetileswent
halfwayupthewallsaswell.EverywhereinTangierwasthesweetscentofmusk.

A tall, elegant young man came out to meet them. "Cousin Jorge!" he said loudly, taking the "old
man's"handinbothofhis."Howwonderfulthatyoucouldcometovisit!AndthismustbeMaggie,of
whomyouhavespoken,whoaccompaniedpoorCordtoSpain.Welcome,welcome!"

"Thankyouforyourhospitality,CousinAhmed,"CordsaidinaniceapproximationofJorge'shusky
deepvoice,speakingloudlyenoughthattheservantscouldhearhimwithoutstraining."Cordthought
itmightbegoodforMaggietoseesomethingofTangier,whileherestedforadayorso.Ithinkhe
cravedsomesolitude.

Hislackofvisiontroubleshimgreatly.Thisismyvalet,Rodrigo,"heintroducedtheircompanion,
whobowed,

"andourguide,Bojo."

"Theyarebothwelcome,also.Come,letmeshowyoutoyourrooms!Carmen!Comeandmeetour
guests,"hecalledastheyenteredtheopendoorofthelivingroom,aspaciousexpanseofpolished
woodfloorsandantiquefurniturewithbrocadedraperies.Aprettyyoungwomancameforwardwitha
babyinherarms.ShegreetedMaggieeffusively,andthemenwithasomewhatsubduedmanner.

"Carmenandourson,Mohammed,"Ahmedintroducedhisfamily."Sheisonherwaytohersister's
houseforavisit,butshewantedtomeetyoubeforesheleft."

As they spoke conversationally, it was very obvious to Maggie why the young woman was being
moved,withherchild,fromthepremises.Itwouldtakeheroutofthelineoffire,iftherewastrouble.

Carmenwasescortedoutbyherhusbandtoawaitinglimousine,putintoit,andwavedgoodbye.The
servants, a woman and a man, both small and dark and apparently not Muslim by their apparel, led
Maggie to an upstairs bedroom next door to the one that would be occupied by Cord and Rodrigo.
Bojowasdownthehall.Maggiewasrathersadaboutthearrangements,becauseshewantedtobein
Cord'sarmsinthedarkness,asshehadthenightbefore.

Theyhadalightlunchandwenttositintheenclosedpatioanddrinkhotchocolateandtalk.Itwasa
lazy, pleasant afternoon. Soon afterward, Ahmed announced that he would have to make an
appearanceathisoffice,whereheworkedintheimport/exportbusiness,sincehe'dtakenoffhalfthe
day to spend with his arriving guests. He left his visitors in the care of the servants, who were
obviouslynotinonthemasquerade,soCordandMaggiehadtobeverycarefulnottogivethegame
away.

Later, when Ahmed had returned, supper had been served, and it was time to retire, Cord went into
Maggie'sbedroomtocautionherabouttalkingtotheservants.

"We can't trust anyone," he said gently. "It has nothing to do with credentials. This city was always
knownforinternationalintrigue,anditstillis.ThereareconclavesofpeoplefromalloverEurope
here, and some of them are shady characters. We can't possibly know these people who work for
Ahmed.Hedoesn'ttrustthem,either,forwhatit'sworth."

Shetracedapatternonthefrontofhiswhiteshirt."Sowecan'tsleeptogether,"sheagreed.

His big hands spanned her waist. "You don't regret that any more than I do," he said gently. "I can't
thinkofanythingIwantmorethanyouinmyarmsallnight,closeandsafe."Hebentandkissedher
tenderly."Itisn'tjustsex,either,"hewhispered,"althoughit'sgreatbetweenus."

"I understand," she said, and she did. There was a need to be with him all the time. It was
overpowering, breathtaking. She searched his dark eyes. "I feel odd today," she said huskily. Her
fingersreacheduptotouchhismouth."Ihatebeingawayfromyou,atall."

He bent and brushed his mouth over her eyelids. "It's very natural when people become lovers," he
toldher."Orevenwhentheydon't.Feelings,emotions,likethisbecomeirresistible.Itingleallover
everytimeIlookatyou.

AllIwanttodorightnow,infact,iseaseyoudownonthatbedandkissyouuntilmymouthhurts."
Hesmiledruefully.

Shepressedclose,butnottooclose,andlaidhercheekagainsthisbroadchestwithasigh."Ijustwant
toholdyou,"shesaid,hervoicechokedwithemotionshecouldn'tcontain.

He moaned softly and lifted her close, carrying her to an armchair in the corner. He cuddled her
againsthimandkissedherfacewithbreathlesstendernesswhilehecradledherinthewarmdarkness.

"Wehavetostop,"hesaidafteraminute."Godforbidthatoneoftheservantsshouldsnooparound
hereandwonderwhyyou'rekissingamanoldenoughtobeyourgrandfather."

Shechuckledsoftly,tracingthewhitewigonhishead."Whynot,whenhe'ssosexy?"

He kissed her one last time and, regretfully, got to his feet, setting her firmly on hers. "Keep both
doors locked, the one onto the balcony as well as the one leading into the hall. Here." He pressed
something small into her hand. "It's a listening device, disguised as a button. Put it on the bedside
table.Ifanythinghappens,talkloud."

"I'mnotarmed,"shepointedout.

"And you won't be, at night," he replied. "I almost shot Bojo one dark night when he came in
unexpectedly,andI'vebeenhandlingagunmostofmyadultlife."

Shegrimaced."Igetthepoint."

Hetiltedherchinupandstudiedherflushedfacewithappreciation."Youlookloved.""Sodoyou,"
shechidedsoftly.

Hechuckled."I'mgoingtobedwithRodrigo."

"MyGod!"

Heglaredather."Notlikethat!"

Shesighed."Thankgoodness."

Helaughed,shakinghishead."You'regoingtobethedeathofme."

"Don'tevenjokeaboutit,"shesaid.Shestaredupathimsolemnly,asshehadwhenshewastenandhe
was eighteen, and he was in trouble. "You have to be careful. I wouldn't want to live, if anything
happenedtoyou,"

sheaddedwithasimplicitythatwasprofoundinitslackofemphasis.

Hisfacetautenedashelookedather.Hefeltagain,thatunwelcomesenseofachingfearthathecould
loseher,theknowledgethatthiswomanwasallhehadintheworld.Hisfingersbrushedhercheek
lightlyandhefoughtforself-control.

"I'm not reckless," he said softly. "And even when I take chances, they're weighed and calculated.
You'remyloosecannon.YouhavetodoexactlywhatItellyou,nohesitation."

Shesmiled."Haven'tIalways?"sheteased.

He drew his fingers back. "That's a can of worms I'm not opening tonight," he teased. "Sleep well.
Lockeverything."

"Youbet,boss!"shesaidbrightly.

"Oh,doesn'tthatsoundsweetandsubmissive?"hedrawled."IfIdidn'tknowyoubetter,Imighteven
believeit."

Shecurtsied.

Hemadeafaceandleft,closingthedoorfirmlybehindhim.

CHAPTERTWELVE

Thenextday,CordandMaggieloungedaroundthevilla,withCordstillinhisdisguise.Meanwhile
BojowentintothecitywithCousinAhmedforatourofthecity-butactuallytodosomeundercover
workforthemission.

Bothmenweregoneuntilverylate.

WhenBojoreturned,hewentimmediatelyinto"Jorge's"room,whereCordwaslyingdown,Rodrigo
wasmovingclothesfromaclosettoachairandAhmed'sdeterminedlittlemaleservanthoveredwith
noapparentexcuse.

"Ahmedaskedmetosendyoutohim,"Bojotoldthesmallman,withasmile."Wearegoingoutfor
theevening,andhewishesyoutohelphimselecthisclothing."

"Si,senor,"thelittlemanreplied,buthecastasuspiciousglanceatthenewcomerbeforeheclosedthe
door.

Immediately when he left, Cord sat up in bed and snapped a nod at Bojo, who pulled a small
electronicdevicefromhispocketintheslitatthehipofthedjellaba,andbegansweepingtheroom.

Their worst suspicions were confirmed when the detector found two bugs, one in a table drawer
besidethebed,theotherinthebathroom.Bothwereleftinplace,soasnottoalertthepersonwhohad
placedthem.

Cordgrimaced,furious.Bojoshrugged,curiousastohowtoproceedwithathirdunknownperson
"in"theroomwiththem.

Rodrigoputdownthejackethewasholdingandbeganmakinghandgestures.Cord'seyesbrightened.
Hegrinned.Henodded,andrepliedtothegestures.Bojowaspuzzled.Later,Cordwouldexplainthat
Rodrigo was adept at Plains Indian sign talk, and had taught Cord once on a surveillance mission.
Theylikedtouseittoconfoundothermercsintheirgroup.Butnow,itbecameaveryhandytool.

Withit,CordtoldRodrigoinsimpletermsthatheandMaggieweregoingtobreakintotheofficesof
GlobalEnterprisesthatnightwhile,apparently,inafancyrestaurantwithAhmed.RodrigoandBojo
wouldcoverforthem.Rodrigowastogetouthisnightgear,inahiddencompartmentofhissuitcase,
andamatchingonehe'dbroughtforMaggie.HewastogetMaggieinhereonsomepretextsothat
shecoulddonit.HewasalsotosweepMaggie'sroomsforbugs,notmissingtheonehe'dtoldherto
placebesideherbeddisguisedasabutton.

Thatdone,RodrigobeganspeakinginlazySpanishaboutthecomingeveningaffairandwhatwould
"Jorge"

liketowear.Bojojustshookhishead.

MaggiewassurprisedwhenRodrigorequestedherpresencein"CousinJorge's"room,butshewent

withoutaskinganyquestions.Oncethedoorwasclosedbehindthem,shefoundCordinaskin-close
black outfit of pants and long-sleeved turtleneck silk shirt, with a shoulder-holster containing the
same.45caliberautomaticweaponhe'dbeenteachinghertoshoot.

Hewasn'tsmiling,andhedidn'tlooklover-like.Hewastaciturnandformidable-looking.Maggiegot
aglimpseofthemanhemustbewhenhewasonamission,anditchilledheralmostasmuchasthe
sightofthegun.Hewasn'tanobviouslymuscularman,butinthosegarments,everypowerfulinchof
himwaslovinglyoutlined.

Shecaughtherbreathattheexpanseofmuscleandthesheeranimalmagnetismthatheradiated.She
knewthewarmstrengthofhimintimately,knewtheinexhaustibleenduranceofthatbody,andhadto
fightblushesasshestaredathim.

Hemovedforwardwithquick,economicalstepsanddrewheroutofviewofthewindowtoawalkin
closet.Hehandedheranoutfitthatmatchedhisandnodded,pushingherintotheclosetandclosing
thedoorbehindher.

Dressing in the confines, while the men spoke of commonplace things outside the closet, was
amusingandshehadtotrynottolaugh.Whenshewasenclosedinblacksilk,sheopenedthedoor
andwalkedintotheroom,pullingherhairoutoftheneckoftheshirtabsently.Thesilencegother
attention. She looked up to find three pair of exceptionally masculine eyes helplessly drawn to her
figure. Cord was almost vibrating with the exquisite desire she kindled in him. Bojo and Rodrigo
werejustasentrancedandstaringlikefiends.

Cordswattedtheothertwomenwiththetiehewasjustputtingintoplaceoverthevestedblacksuit
he'ddonned.Theygrinnedsheepishlyandmadeexcusesaboutdressing,sotheycouldleave.

MaggiegrinnedatCord.Hedidn'tgrinback.Hisgazewassomber.Hewaswearingthewhitewig.

"Porfavor,nina,"hesaidinanimitationofJorge'sdeepvoice,forthebenefitoftheeavesdroppers.
"Couldyouhelpmewithmytie?Doexcuseme,butImustlistentothenews.Anoldman'swhim!"he
addedamusedly,andturneduptheradio.

"Ofcourse,CousinJorge'"shesaid,anddrewcloseastheradioboomedinSpanish.

"I'lldothis,"Cordsaidintoherear."You'llneedtoputyourdressoverthat.Goodthingyoulikelong
sleevesandskirts."

"Isn'tit,though?"sheteasedasshewentbacktotheclosetanddugoutthedressshe'dwornintothe
room.Shepulleditoverherheadandfastenedit,carefultotuckawayanyrevealingtracesofthesuit
under it. She glanced at Cord, whose tie was now immaculately done up, and he surveyed her
narrowlyandnodded.

"Wemustnotstayouttoolong,"hecontinuedinhisdisguise."Igrowfatiguedeasily.AndIfearthat
in a day or so, we must go home. Cord will be missing us. I do not like leaving him alone in his
condition."

"Itamazesmethathedidn'tmindbeingleftwhilewecamehere,"sheadded,inherrole.

"Heknew,asIdid,thatyouwouldloveaglimpseoftherealTangier,theonethetouristsneversee,"
herepliedwithasoftchuckle.

"Iamenjoyingit,"sheagreedwithapursingofherlips.

Hecockedaneyebrow."AsamI,"hesaidsoftly.

Theknockonthedoormadethemstart.Cordcalledforthepersonoutsidetocomein,andthelittle
servantentered,hisblackeyeseverywhereashecarriedablackmantillatoMaggieandplaceditin
herhands.

"Sehor Ahmed thought you might need this, against the chill of evening," he told her. "Can I be of
service,senor?"headdedto"Jorge."

"No,myson,"Cordrepliedwithapolitesmile."Asyousee,myyoungfriendhassortedoutthetie!"

"Si,"thelittlemanreplied."Yougotoalatesupper,yes?"

Cordyawned."Notsolate,"herepliedwithachuckle.

"Ofcourse!Quetienenunbuennoche,"theservantadded,withabow,andleftthem.

Cord drew Maggie close to whisper in her ear, "He's thrilled. He wants time to go through our
luggage!"

"Morelucktohim,ifhecanfindanything!"Shegiggled.

Hetweakedherhair."Gocombyourcurlylocksandcomedowntothelivingroom."

"Onmyway,"sheagreed.

Thebriefrideinthecargavethemnotimetotalk,becausethedriverlistenedcarefully,thoughnot
blatantly,toeverywordtheyspoke.

Butonceinsidetherestaurant,inthefoyerwhereBojoquicklyandunobtrusivelycheckedforbugs
andfoundnone,theycouldspeakfreely.

"Justafterweorder,"CordtoldAhmedandBojo,

"Maggie will ask me to escort her into the garden to see the flowers and the fountain, which are
famous,whilewewaitforthefoodtobeprepared.Wewillorderaspecialdishofmuttonwhichtakes
at least forty-five minutes to prepare. That gives us a window to get to Global Enterprises, only a
blockaway,anduseBojo'sinformationtogetin."

"Whataboutthesafe?"Bojoasked.

Cordonlygrinned."IfIcan'topenasafe,I'minthewrongbusiness."

"Sorry,"Bojomurmured.

"Therewillbesecurityguards,"Cordadded."Butoneofthemwasreplacedthismorningbecausethe
regular man had colic." He contrived to look innocent of helping the man acquire it. "He's on our
payrollandwilldiverttheotherguards."HeglanceddownatMaggie."Iwantedyoualongbecause
you'reslenderenoughtofitinsideanair-conditioningductthatleadsdownintotheoffice.Wecan't
walk through the front door. And there are steel doors front and back, bolted, not electronically
locked,thatseparatethefronthallandthekitchenfromtherestofthehouse."

Nowsheunderstoodherrole,andshegrinned."Bojo'sthin,too,"shepointedout.

"Yes, but his presence would be missed. Yours won't. Who would suspect you of being a secret
agent?"heteasedgently.

Hereyessparkled."Goodpoint."

"Checkyourwatches."Hegavetheminutes,theseconds,andthenthesignaltosynchronizethem.

Bythattime,thewaiterwasreadytoseatthem.Theyfollowedhimtoatablenearthedoubledoors
that led into the garden, and Maggie saw a colorful bill of large-denomination Moroccan paper
moneyslippedfromBojo'shandintothewaiter's.Itwasaveryconvenientlocation.

They talked conversationally of Morocco and its dispute with Spain over illegal Moroccan
immigrantstricklingacrosstheStraitsofGibraltarontotheIberianPeninsula.

"Another example of slave traffickers at work," Ahmed said quietly. "They agree, for a price, to
smuggleillegalimmigrantsovertheStraits,andnotjusttorelocate.Manyofthemareyoungwomen,
children, used in prostitution. There is also a link to Amsterdam, to the district where more
traffickinggoeson.Ourgovernment,inconjunctionwiththeothercountries,hastriedtostopit,but
wehavebeenunsuccessful."

"Moneyandpowermakeformidableadversaries,"Cordreplied."I'veseenitinplentyofotherplaces,
especiallyinAfrica."

"Where some friends of ours were involved with Gruber, to their cost," Bojo added darkly.
"ColleaguesdiedinafirefightwhenGrubersoldthemouttothegovernmentforces."

"He'llpayforit,"Cordpromiseddarkly."Andforhisothersins.Heisn'twalkingawayagain."

"D'accord,"BojoagreedcurtlyinFrench.

The waiter came and they ordered the exquisite mutton dish, exclaiming to Maggie its perfection.
Whenthewaiterleft,"Jorge"offeredMaggieawalkinthegardens,atthesametimeapologizingfor
hisadvancedagemakinghimabarelyacceptableescortforsuchalovelyyoungwoman.

Shelaughedandtookhisarm,andtheystrolledoutthroughtheFrenchdoorsintothegarden.

Cord drew her along to the thick growth of olive trees and suddenly whisked her through a
wroughtirongateandintoahiddenalcove.Herippedoffhistieinthedimlightfromtherestaurant.

"We'll leave our evening clothes here. Can you run in those shoes?" he added, nodding toward her
feet.

"They'realmostflatheels,andrubber-soled,"sheassuredhim."Icankeepup."

"Goodgirl.Ready?"Hepulledthe.45fromhisholster,checkedit,cockedit,putonthesafety,and
replacedit.

That was when she noticed the thin leather sheath under his other arm on a holster. It contained a
knife.

Shedidn'tdarereacttothesetoolsofthetrade,butshehopedagainsthopethatshewasn'tgoingtobe
inthemiddleofafirefight.ShehopedshehadenoughcouragenottoletCorddown.Shedidn'tknow
forsure.

Nobodydid,untiltheywereinthesituation.

HedarteddownasidestreetwithMaggierightbehindhim,keepingtotheshadows.Theofficesof
GlobalEnterpriseswereonlyaquickwalkfromtherestaurant,atwo-storyadobebuildingthatwasn't
modern or pretentious. It was rather like some of the shops in the grand socco, the bazaar, that
Maggiehadseenwhenshewentonthewalkingcity'tourwithGretchen.

"Itdoesn'tlookimposing,"MaggiewhisperedatCord'sback.

"Neitherdoesablackwidowspider,atfirstglance,"hereplied."Carefulnow.Notalking."

"Okay."

Heledtheway,stealthily,tothebackofthebuilding.Therewasasurprisingarrayofelectronicsat
the door, which he bypassed with a small device. But beyond that door was a steel door, with more
locks.Cordledherarounditandintoasmallkitchen,desertednow.

Hegotachairandunfastenedagratedduct,obviouslyamodernair-conditioningconduit.Heputit
downcarefully,stoppingtolisten.

He pulled Maggie to him. "You go that way, to the next grating," he told her, pulling out a hastily
drawndiagramandshowingittoher."Youhavetobecarefulnottomakenoise.Yousawmetakethis
grateoff.It'sjustamatterofpushing,it'snotse

curedwithscrews.Butdon'tletitdrop!Thenyou'regoingtohavetoholdontotheceilingandlet
yourselfdown,sothatyoucancometothisdoor,"heindicatedtheclosedandlockeddoorattheend

ofthekitchen,"andunboltitforme.Thinkyoucandoit?"

"Icandoit,"sheassuredhim."Ihaven'tspentallthoseyearsworkingoutfornothing."Herheartwas
racing.

Shelookedupathim."Therearemenwithgunssomewhereinhere,aren'tthere,Cord?"sheasked
huskily.

Hisfacewashard."Yes,"hesaid."Ifyoudon'twanttherisk..."

Sheputherfingersoverhishardmouth."I'monlyafraidforyou,notformyself.I'vedonemartial
arts,andnottoolongago.Icanclimb,andIcanjump.Iknowhowtodothis."

"Iknowthat,"hesaidtautly."ButsomehowitwaseasierwhenIwasjustplanningit."

Shesmiled."Don'tworry.Iwon'tletyoudown.Heregoes."

She stood in the chair, caught the upper edges of the duct, and pulled herself up with painstaking
effort.Shewasmonthsawayfromhertraining,butshewasstrongandathletic.Asanafterthought,
shetookoffhershoes,anddroppedthemcarefullydowntoCord.Shegavehimathumbs-up,gother
bearings,andbegantocrawlstealthily,awarethattimewaslimitedandtheymightnothaveenough.

Itwasdarkandcoldintheduct.Shehopedthattheguardswouldn'tnoticethechangeinpitchofthe
airstreamwithherbodyinhibitingit.Shemovedquicklyinthedirectiononthemap,pausingtolook
forthegrates.

Herheartstoppedwhenshefoundnotone,buttwoofthem,eachinadifferentdirection.Nowwhat?

Cord, waiting in the kitchen with his .45 automatic now in his hand, was listening for movement
anywherearoundhim.Therewasaflashoflightthroughthewindowandheduckeddown,moving
thechairaside,sothatnoevidenceoftamperingwasvisible.Itwasoneoftheoutsideguards,andnot
thesmallonehe'dhiredtoreplacetheregularguard.Themanoutsidewasn'tonhispayroll.

Themanmovedclosetothewindowandaimedthelightinagain,asifhesuspectedsomething.Cord
plasteredhimselfagainstthewallandwaited,prayingthatMaggiewouldn'tchooserightnowtoopen
thatkitchendoor.Ifshedid,thelightwouldreflectthemovement,andthey'dbeinashootingbattle
withnothingaccomplished.

His heart raced and his tall body tensed. He took the safety off the pistol and delved into a special
pouchonthebottomofhisholsterforthesilencerhealwayscarried.Ifworsecametoworse,he'd
dropthemanrightthroughthewindow.Ifhecameintotheroom,itwouldbequieter.Eitherway,he
couldn'triskdiscovery,notwhenhewasthisclosetobringingdownGruber'sevilempire.

Backintheduct,Maggiewasmakingquickdecisions.Sheclosedhereyesandworkedtoremember
the map Cord had shown her. Her hands trembled as she fought fear and confusion. Then she
remembered.Thecorridorsplit,butthekitchendoorwastoherimmediateleft.Thatmeanttheduct
onherleftwasthecorrectone!

Sheslidtoitandbegancarefullytopushatonecornerofthemetalwhilecatchingthegratefirmly
withherfreehandtopreventitfromfallingandalertingsomeone.

It was new, fortunately, so it gave easily, loosening itself from its hinges obligingly. She caught it
withbothhandsandgingerlydrewitupintotheductwithher,placingitcarefullytothesidebutwith
an edge easily reachable from someone below in case it had to be placed back after they were
through.

Heart pounding, blood racing, she caught the edges of the opening and slowly, carefully, lowered
herselffromit.Itwasaboutathree-footdroptothelinoleumfloor,butshediditaslightlyasacat.
Shestopped,waiting,listeningforsounds.Shedidn'thearanything,exceptforafaintnoisefromthe
kitchen.SurelythatwasCord.

Shepaddedquicklytothekitchendoorandworkedtheboltquietly,drawingitbackuntilthedoorwas
easilyopened.

But just as she started to turn the doorknob, she felt something, a flash of intuition, almost as if
someone had called her name quickly, in warning. She frowned, wondering if she were being
fanciful.Butshehesitated.

Inthekitchen,Cordhadbothhandsonthebuttofthe.45andhadtensedtoturnandthrowashotout
the window the second it became necessary. The guard was standing there, fixed securely in place,
talking to someone on a mobile phone. His voice was too muffled to understand, but Cord feared
discovery.

Shootingtheguardwasgoingtosolvenothingifhe'drelayedthenewsoftheirpresencetoathird
party.Hecursedunderhisbreath,furiousattheunexpectedcomplication.

Andtherewasnowaworseone.Hecaughtamovementoutofthecornerofhiseyeandturnedhis
headintimetosee,justforaninstant,theturningofthedoorknobthatledoutofthekitchenintothe
restofthehouse.

Hegroundhislipstogether.IfMaggiewalkedintotheroom,shewouldbeshotimmediatelybythe
guard, who was standing just outside the window. He had to save her, at whatever cost. If only he
couldwarnhertostaywhereshewas,nottoproceed...!

Atthewindow,theguardhesitated,spokeintothephoneonceagain,madeashortreply,andsuddenly
thelightwasgone.Bushesoutsidemadeacracklingsoundasthemanretreatedtothepavementwith
lazystepsandlookedaroundthedrivewaywiththeflashlightbeforecontinuingonhisway.

Cord almost shivered as he relaxed his tense muscles. And at that moment, the doorknob slowly
turnedagainandapalefacepeeredarounditcautiously.

Cordrushedtoher,openingandclosingthedoorquicklybehindhimashewentintothenextroom
withher.Hecrushedherintohisbodyandkissedherhungrily.They'dhadaclosecall,andshedidn't
know.Hedidn'twanthertoknow.

Henoddedtowardthedooraheadofthemanddeployedherjustbehindhim.

Theymovedslowlyintothehall.Fromtheschematic,CordknewthatGruber'sofficewasupstairs,
and protected by various electronic alarms, including infrared. But he had that angle covered. The
wooden doors that locked front and back were only window dressing. It was the two inside steel
doors,oneblockingtheentrancetothehallinfront,andtheoneinthekitchen,intherear,thatwere
Gruber's real protection. Gruber was certain they were impregnable, and they were-but he'd
overlookedtheair-conditioningducts.

Footsteps alerted Cord a second time when they were going up the stairs. He pressed Maggie back
against the wall beside him and they waited until the steps died away down the upstairs hall, in the
oppositedirectionfromtheoffice.

Cordmovedforwardagain,likelightningthistime,andstraightdownthehalltoGruber'soffice.He
whippedoutasmallcase,hadMaggieholdapenlightforhim,andsettowork.Barelyaminutelater,
theywereinsidethedooranditwasclosedbehindthem.

Cord knew that the room was certainly bugged, and booby-trapped. He positioned Maggie by the
doorandsignaledhertostandthereandlistenforvisitors.Hetookoutasmalldeviceandwatchedit
revealacrisscrossoflaserbeamssweepingthefloor.Hemovedcautiouslypastthem,avoidingalast
onethat swung neck-high,and went tothe big safe behindGruber's sweeping oakdesk and went to
work.

Everysoundwasmagnified.Maggiechewedonafingernail,absentlywonderingifCordstillhadher
shoes.Herfeetfeltgoodonthebarefloor,butitwasgoingtobedifficulttoexplainbarefeetinthe
restaurant. But there were other concerns just now. She checked her watch and groaned. They had
barelytenminutestofinishandgetbacktotherestaurantbeforethefoodwasserved,iftheydidn't
wanttoarousesuspicion.Howcouldtheypossiblybreakintoasafeandgetoutwithoutdiscoveryand
getbackinthatshortlengthoftime?

Her heartbeat intensified. She watched Cord's quick, deft movements with terror. This was the real
thing,sherealized.Thiswaswhatcovertoperationswasallabout-stealthanddanger.Discoverywas
behind every heartbeat, death at the trail of every drop of sweat. One wrong move, one accidental
sound,anditwasallover.

She thought of how many times Cord must have done this very thing in his career, first in law
enforcement,andtheninmercenarywork,andshepaled.

Shewasn'tacoward,butthewaitingwasunbearable.Sheknewthathermusclesweregoingtostart
convulsinganysecondfrombeingheldsotight.

Then, all at once, the safe door swung open gently and Cord was inside, with his penlight, going
throughsectionsasifhehadallthetimeintheworld.Shewantedtogoandseewhathewasdoing,
butshekepthereartothedoorandlistened.Fardownthehallwerefootsteps.Slowly,sherealized
thattheywerecomingcloser!

Shecouldn'ttellwhatCordwasdoing.Hedidn'tseemtobetakinganythingoutofthesafe.Heworked
quickly and then suddenly closed the safe, just as heavy footsteps came closer down the hall, and
sounded as if they were going to make it right to this door! What if it was the guard, and he had a
key?

Cord glanced at her, and she motioned furiously toward the door. He nodded, eased cautiously but
quicklybackthroughthelaserbeampatterntoherside,anddrewherwithhimbehindthethickdrapes
thatfelltothefloor.

He held her hand tightly in one of his, while the .45 was now held, with the safety off, against his
chest.

Therewasaloudnoise,asifofakeygoingintoalock.Suddenlythedooropenedandthelightwent
on. Maggie had steeled herself not to react, not to move, not to breathe. Beside her, she could feel
Cord'stallbodystillandtensed.Neitherofthembreathed.

Secondslater,thelightwentoff,thedoorclosed,andthekeywentintothelockagain.Therewasa
whine,asifelectronicdeviceswerebeingreset.Thenthefootstepsdiedaway.

Cordlaughedsoftlyatherear,buthedidn'tspeak.Hedrewherfrombehindthecurtains,handedher
thepistol,withthesafetyon,andlistenedatthedoor.Thefootstepshaddronedawayandended.

Hewenttoworkagain,andsecondslater,theywereinthehall.Heresetthesecurityswitchesagain,
eased down the hall with Maggie at his back, listened, and then worked down the steps with her,
avoidingoneparticularone-thesameonehe'davoidedonthewayup.She'dhavetoremembertoask
why.

He led her back into the room adjoining the steel door of the kitchen, put her up into the air duct,
removedthechairandwaiteduntilshereplacedthegrateandwasmovingtowardthekitchen.Thenhe
movedtothesteeldoor,positionedthebolt,wentthroughitandhearditslidesatisfyinglyintoplace.
Hetriedthedoor,relievedtofindthattheboltwassecure.

Maggie appeared in the kitchen duct. He reached up to help her down before he replaced the duct
cover and moved her to the door with him. He checked his watch. The guard was due to make the
roundsagaininthreeminutes.Itwouldbeclose.

He interrupted the electric current, put Maggie out onto the stoop and followed her, reinitiated the
currentflowandreenteredthesecuritycodes.Thenhegrabbedherarmandsaid,"Run!"

Theydashedacrossthedriveway,intothebushes,throughthem,andsprinteddownthestreet.Behind
them,theyheardnofollowingfootsteps,noalarms.

Breathless,theydidn'tstopuntiltheyreachedthecourtyardofthehotel.Cordwaslaughing.

Maggieshookhim."Thatwasterrifying!"shesqueaked."Howcanyoudothatdayafterday...?"

He caught her up in his arms and kissed her so fiercely that he bruised her mouth. She held on for

dearlife,aroused,hungryforhim.Thedangerhadbeenthecatalyst.Shewantedhim...!

Whileshewasfeelingit,shewassayingit.Heeasedthemintothelittleshedwherethey'dlefttheir
clothingandclosedthedoor,shootingthebolthometoshutthemin,awayfromtheworld.Oblivious
totime,danger,threat,hebackedheragainstacold,stonewall,jerkedfabricoutofthewayandput
hismouthhardoverherswhilehewentintoherwithaneconomyofmotionthatlefthergasping.

Hismouthopenedandbitatherswhiletherhythmcurledherhipsupintohiswithheatedabandon.

"Don'tcryout,"hecautioned,hisvoiceclippedandhuskywithpassion.Hepinnedhertherewiththe
weight of his body, the rasping of silk and the quick rush of their breathing the only sound in the
confinedlittlespace.Hisbodythrustintohersfiercely,hismouthhard,insistent,onherpartedlipsas
hefeltthespiralofpleasurebuildlikegas-ignitedflames.

"Harder,"shegroanedintohismouth,hervoicebreaking."Oh...Cord...doit...hard!"

Herbodyopenedtohim,incitedhim.Shecouldhardlybelieveshewasthesameinhibitedwomanof
onlyamonthago.Hernailsbitintohisshouldersassheliftedintothehardcurveofhim,hermouth
searchingfeverishlyforhisasshepusheduptomeettheviolentthrusts.Hewaspotent,sopotent,and
shefelthiminsideherbody,fillingit,expandingituntilshethoughtshemightburstopen...!

She groaned piteously into his mouth and clung with her legs as well as her arms as the waves of
fulfillment caught her up and convulsed her in his powerful hold. She felt his fingertips biting into
her flesh as he crushed her hips under his in one long, exquisite straining together that brought a
sound very like a harsh sob from the mouth possessing hers. He shivered with the aching, hot
pleasurethatrivetedhisbodytohers.

Sheshiveredwithhim,drowningintheexquisiteheatofjoythatwassonewandsoexciting.Shefelt
him deep in her body, throbbing, sated, helpless to withdraw. She laughed secretly and pressed her
openmouthtohisthroat.

Hemovedagainstherinvoluntarily,prolongingthestabsofdelight,untilhewasabletogethisbreath
again.

"No,"sheprotestedhuskilywhenhebegantowithdraw.

Hekissedherhungrily,buthedidn'tobey."Idon'twanttostop,either.Butwehavetogetbacktothe
table,orwe'regoingtoarousesuspicion,"hesaidunsteadily,kissingheronelasttime.

"Idon'twantriceandmutton,Iwantdessertagain,"shemoaned.

Hechuckledweakly."AndIthoughtyouwereinhibited,"hedrawled.

"Notwithyou.It'sthedanger,isn'tit?"shewhispered."It'sanaphrodisiac...haveyoudonethiswith
otherwomenafteramission?"shedemandedjealously.

"In a potting shed behind a hotel with armed men all around?" he exclaimed while he did up
fasteningsagain.

"With any other woman but you? Are you nuts? Here," he added, handing her a tiny package of
antibacterial tissue. "It won't do for an old man and a young woman to come back in smelling
suspiciously,"headdedwithagrinthatgrewevenmorewickedwhenshegasped.

She adjusted her own clothing and put her dress back on. But her feet were still bare. "Cord, my
shoes...!"

Hepulledthemoutofhispocketsandhandedthemtoher.Healsoproducedasmallbrush,andsmiled
whilesheputherhairbackintoorder.

"There,"hemurmured,studyingher."You'lldo."Heputhiswhitewigbackinplace,reacquiredhis
stoopandhiscane,andopenedthedoor.

"But, the safe ... you didn't take anything out of it," she protested, suddenly remembering his bare
hands.

"Didn'tI?"heasked,buthesmiledanddidn'tsayanotherwordasheescortedherslowlybackintothe
restaurant.

Thewaiterwasjustbringingthemuttonas"Jorge"seatedMaggieatthetable.

"Justintime,"Cordsaidinhisthreadyadoptedtone."AndIhaveworkedupanenormousappetitein
thegarden!"

ToMaggie'scredit,shedidn'tblushorgasp,butshecouldn'tquitestopsmiling.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

The return to Ahmed's house was almost anticlimactic, after the exciting evening Cord and Maggie
hadshared.

Shelookedbackonitwithwonder.She'dpassedherfirsttestoffire,andcomethroughitrelatively
unscathed.

Shedidn'thavetoaskifCordwasproudofher.Theanswerwasinhiseyes.

Shewasalittleuneasyabouttheirpassionateencounterintheshed.Ithadbeenaspur-of-the-moment
thing,andverysatisfying,butitdisturbedherthatshehadsolittlecontroloverherpassions.Wasthat
normal?shewondered.Shehadnowayofknowing.Cordlookedatherinadifferentwaynow,with
possessionandpride.Itmadeherheartsing.If

onlyshecouldstoptime,shethought,andkeephimfromeverknowingaboutthepastthathaunted
her.Ifonlythistinyspaceofdayscouldbeinsulated,packedcarefullyintoaboxandheld,cherished,
forever!

"We must leave in the morning on the ferry," "Jorge" announced when they were inside Ahmed's
elegantlivingroom."Iamsorry,butIworrytoleaveCordalone,inhiscondition."

"I quite understand," Ahmed agreed with a sigh. "But it has been a delight to have you here, and to
meetMaggie."Heliftedherhandandkissedherfingersgently."Youareexceptional,mademoiselle,"
headded,andwithhiddenmeaningthatdidn'tescapeMaggie,orCord.

"Ithasbeenagreatpleasuretoseesomethingofyourcity,"Maggiesaid."Ihopetocomebackagain
oneday."

"Youwillalwaysbewelcome,"Ahmedsaid."And,ofcourse,sowillyou,CousinJorge."

Cordonlygrinned.

Theferrywassupposedtoleaveat8:00a.m.But,asonthetripover,itleftatthewhimoftheoperator.
Itmightbenine,itmightbeten,andpeoplelinedupintheircars,talkingandreadingandlisteningto
musicwhiletheywaited.Inthispartoftheworld,Maggienoted,hardlyanybodyrushed.

Herhandsgrippedthesteeringwheelhard.

"Youmustrelax,nina,""Jorge"said,noddingtowardthedashandmakingasignthatitwasbugged.

She groaned out loud. Would they never be free of surveillance? She could understand that Gruber
wouldbehavingthemwatched.Butthey'dsuccessfullypenetratedhisdefensesthenightbefore.What
they'd accomplished was still a mystery to her, but Cord seemed satisfied. She wondered what he'd
learned,andwasfrustratedthatshecouldn'ttalknormally.

"It'ssofrustrating!"sheexclaimed,andshedidn'tmeanthewaitfortheferry.

"Jorge"threwupacarelesshandandgrinnedatRodrigoandBojo,whoweresittingunperturbedin
the back seat, listening to a Spanish radio broadcast. "It is so natural," he chuckled in his disguised
voice."Bepatient.Itwillnotbesomuchlonger.ThenwecantellCordaboutourexcitingvisitwith
Ahmed.Heisagoodman.

Simpatico,no?"

"Si,"sherepliedwithoutthinking.

"Iforget!Youspeakmylanguage!"

Shegrinnedathim."Yes,Ido,don'tI?"sheteased.

Suddenlytherewasmovementahead,andshebegantorelax.

"DidInottellyou?Andherewego!""Jorge"saidcontentedly.

TheycrossedontheferrytoGibraltaragainandthenonintoSpainwithappropriateformalities,such
as showing their passports and letting the authorities look in the car to make sure they weren't
bringinginanythingillegal.Itwastime-consuming,butMaggiedidn'treallymind.Shefeltsaferand
safer,especiallywhentheywereontheroadbacktoJorge'sfincaandshecoulddrive,relaxed.Well,
almostrelaxed,sheamended,glaringatthedashboard.

Whentheyparkedthecar,Cord,BojoandRodrigojumpedout.CordimmediatelymotionedtoBojo
and pointed to the dash. Bojo nodded, taking a small packet of tools out of his djellaba. Cord said
somethingtoRodrigoinsuchrapid-fireSpanishthatMaggiecouldn'teasilytranslateit.Rodrigowent
straighttothebarn,wheretheothermenwerewaiting.

CordandMaggiewentintothehouse,whereJorgewaswaiting,pacing.

"Diditgowell?"Jorgeasked,notingthattheyweresuspiciouslysilent.Helaughed."Itissafetotalk.
Your men have gone over the house with, how do you say, a fine-tooth comb. There are no
surveillancedevicesherenow!"

"Thank God!" Maggie exclaimed huskily. "I'm so tired of spying eyes! I'll never feel comfortable
againwhenIthinkI'malone!"

"Now you know how it feels, don't you?" Cord chuckled. He pulled off the white wig and became
seriousagain.

"We're flying to Amsterdam this afternoon," he told Jorge. "Rodrigo's going to drive us up to the
airportinMalaga,andwe'regoingfromthere."

"Indisguise?"Jorgemurmured.

"No.Well,inaway,"Cordreplied,smiling."I'llwearmydarkglassesandletMaggieleadme.That
disguise.

Thanksfortheloanofyouridentity."

"Didyoufindtheevidence?"Jorgeasked.

"Yes,"Cordreplied.Butthatwasallhesaid.

Maggiesatupwiththemenaftersupper,butonlyforalittlewhile.Shetookaleisurelybathinthe
elaboratelytiledsunkentubandenjoyedtheluxuryofbeingsubmergedinwaterwhilethejetsshot
wateragainsthertiredmuscles.Shewassorefromtheactivityofthenightbefore,nothavingdoneas
muchrunningandclimbinginrecentmonths.

Thebathroomdooropenedandclosed.SheopenedhereyesandwatchedCorddropthetowelaround
hiswaistbeforeheclimbedintothetubwithher.

“’Jorge'"shebeganinathinlittleprotest.

"Isaman,aswediscussedoncebefore,"hechuckledhuskilyashelevereddownoverherandfound
hermouthhungrilywithhis.

Shemoanedandreacheduptohim,electrifiedbythecontactwithhiswarm,roughskinagainstevery
inchofhers.Butverysoonthewaterbegantosplashoutofthetubandontothefloor.

Withagroan,CordgotoutofthesunkentubandreacheddowntoliftMaggie,butthebrushofher
body against him was too much for his self-control. He dragged towels down onto the wet tile and
easedherdownontopofthem.Secondslater,hisbodywascrushinghersintothem.

Therushingofthejetsbarelytouchedherearsastheylayonthetiledfloorinatangleofwettowels
andurgentmovement.

Shearcheduptothehard,hungrythrustofhisbody,watchinghimwatchherastheymadelove.Itwas
moreurgenteachtime,morepassionate,moresatisfying.Shelovedhiseyesonherwhilehesatisfied
her. She loved the muscular thrust of him above her, the ragged sound of his breathing, the fierce
darknessinhiseyesashetookher.

"Ican't...getenough,"hewhisperedroughly.

"NeithercanI."Shearchedhertorsotocoaxhismouthdowntoherhard-tippedbreasts.Shewatched
himsucklethemwhilehemovedonher,andshegaspedwithgrowingdelight.

Hishand'wasatherhip,clenching."I'msorry,"hebitoff."Ican'tholdit..."

Herlegscurledoverhistensethighs."Don'teventry,darling,"shewhisperedintohisinsistentmouth.

Theendearmentkindledaclimaxthatstiffenedhimconvulsively.Shefelthisbodyjerkrhythmically

whilehismouthgroanedintohers.

Itwaswonderfultofeelhimthrob,toknowthathetooksuchpleasurefromher.Sheliftedtolengthen
thetremorsandsuddenlyfeltherbodyexplodefromthemovement.Shecriedoutunderhismouth,
frightenedofthesurgeofpleasurethatexceededanythingshe'dfeltwithhimbefore.

His head lifted. Even in the silvery aftermath of his own climax, he could feel hers. He moved,
watching her reactions, measuring his strokes to give her the ultimate pleasure he could offer. She
wasfrightenedofit,hecouldseeitinherwildeyes,hertremblingbody.

Heonlysmiled,becauseheunderstood.Itwasdifficulttogiveupsomuchcontroltoanotherhuman
being.Butshecouldlearn,ashehad,totrust.

"Youwon'tdie,"hewhispered,ashemovedevendeeper."Butyoumaythinkyouhave..."

Thewordsfadedintofrantic,desperatemovementassheclenchedherteethandstraineduptoward
himwithherlastwhisperofstrength...

It was like a dark, sweet convulsion, she thought as fulfillment washed over her like a throbbing,
suffocating tidal wave of pleasure. She was blind, deaf, dumb, to everything except the release of
tension. Her body was in a painful arch, her eyes on his blurred face as she gave herself to the
darkness....

Thereweretender,breathlesslysoftkissesonherclosedeyelids,herpantingmouth.Shefelthardlips
movingovereverypartofherwhileshelaythrobbing,throbbing,throbbingfromthehot,drugged
pleasurehe'dgivenher.

Hechuckled."Youmakemefeellikethebestloverwhoeverlived,"hewhispered.

"Youare."

Henibbledherear."No.YoujustreacttomeasifIwere.Itisn'tthephysicalbondatall,Maggie,it's
theemotionthatproducesthepleasure."

"Youmean,becauseIloveyou,"shewhisperedback.

Therewasafainthesitationinthelipsworshipingherrelaxedbody."Imean,becauseIloveyouas
well:"

Shewasgoingcrazy.Sheknewit.Herhands,thathadbeengrippinghisbuttockssotightly,relaxed.

"Didn'tyouknow,honey?"heasked,liftinghisheadtolookdownintoherwide,satedeyes.Hewasn't
smiling.

Herfingersliftedtohisbelovedfaceaboveher.Shecouldstillfeelhim,deepinherbody,throbbing,
asshewasthrobbing.

Hebrushedhismouthlightlyoverhers."HowmanytimeshaveIhadyou,"hewhispered,"andnever
botheredwithasingleprecaution?"

"Itwouldbehardformetogetpregnant,"sherationalized.

"It'sgoingtobeeasierthanyoueverdreamed,"hesaiddrowsily."Ilovebabies."

Shewasconfused.Perhapstheconvulsivepleasurehadpoppedamajorartery.Shesaidso.

Hechuckledagain,movingsothatthepleasurereturnedinteasinglittlespasms."Probablyweboth
did,butmakingbabiesisexciting,andIcan'tstoptrying."

Herhandssliduptoframehisface."It'stheexcitementofit,"shetriedtoexplain,worried."It'snew,
and..."

Henibbledherupperlip."It'snewandexciting,andthat'swhyIkeepneglectingprotection,hmm?"

"Isn'tit?"

"Newandexciting?Yes."Heliftedupfromherandlookeddowntheirbodiestowheretheywerestill
tightlyjoined."I'mthirty-four,"hesaidhuskily."You'retwentysix."Hiseyeswentbacktomeethers.
"We'reusedtoeachotherinallthewaysthatmatter,andnowwefindanexplosivepassionthatshows
nosignsofweakening.

Infact,ifwhatjusthappenedisanyindication,"headded,movingagain,sensuously,andwatchingher
moan,

"we'rebecomingquiteadeptatgivingeachotherpleasure."

He started to lift away and she protested, but he sat back from her, kneeling over her prone body,
studying every inch of her as if he'd never seen a woman nude before. Probably it should have
embarrassedher.Itdidn't.Shelikedhiseyesonher.

"When we get back to Houston, the minute we get back," he added to emphasize it, "we're having
bloodtestsandgettingamarriagelicense."

That was part of the fantasy. She smiled. She was dreaming, of course. She knew it, now. Cord
Romerowouldnevermarryagain.Hadn'thesaidsoamilliontimes?

"Whyareyousmiling?"heaskedwarily.

"I'mdreaming,"shesaidsimply.

He moved, an arrogant shift of his knees to push her long legs apart. He was still capable and
growingmoresobythesecond.Hecaughtherupperthighsanddrewheruptohim,positioningher.

"Cord..."shewhisperedworriedly.

"Youcantakeme,"hewhisperedback.Hebegantoeaseinsideherintiny,quicklittlethrustsofhis
hipsthatbroughtunexpectedlyintensespasmsofpleasure.

"It's...too...soon,"shechoked.

He was watching her body absorb him with eyes that contained equal measures of wonder and
excitement."I'venever...doneitlikethis,"hegroaned.Hishandstightenedonherthighsandhiseyes
begantodilate."I'veneverwatched...sointimately.."

"Whatdoyousee?"shewhisperedbreathlessly.

"Iseeyou...havingme,"hebitoff,flinchingasthepleasurebegantothrob."Iseeyouopening...for
me!"

Shelookeddownandheliftedheraway,lettinghersee.Itwaserotic.Itwasblatant.Itwas...!

She was moaning, twisting, throbbing. Her eyes were open, but she saw nothing. The pleasure, so
intensebefore,wasunbearablenow.Shecaughtthewettowelsinbothhandsandgrippedthemuntil
herknucklesturnedwhitewhileheinvadedherwithslow,hard,mercilessthruststhatliftedherhips
rhythmicallyatfirstandthenviolentlyquick.Herlastsanethoughtwasthattheyweregoingtohurt
each other. A second later, she became a meteor, flying headlong through space in a throbbing,
fiercelyhottunnelofpleasure.

Cordfeltherreleaseinthesecondsbeforehewastwistedandconvulsedbyhisown.Hefellonher,
hisbodyheavyandhotandwetwithsweatastheylayshiveringtogetheronthetowels.

She trembled, gasping, as the exhaustion finally worked its way with her and left her too tired to
moveorspeak.

Herheartbeatwasshakingbothofthem.

Hepulledawaybeforeshecouldprotest,ifshe'dhadthebreath.Shefelthimgettohisfeetandlift
her,carryinghertothebed.Herlastmemorywasofthecoolsheetsaboveandbeneathher,andthe
darknessallaround.

Thenextmorning,shewasmoresorethanever.

She woke moaning and trying to find a comfortable position, which there wasn't. She got up and
dressed,wincingateventhemostdelicatetouchofintimatethingsagainsther.

ShewasbrushingherlonghairwhenCordopenedthedoorandcamein.Hewaswearingslacksanda
knitshirt,hisdark,slightlywavyhaircombed,immaculate.Hemovedbehindthevanitystool,took
thebrushfromherhands,andbegantoworkonherhair.

"You'reuncomfortablethismorning,"hesaidwithoutpreamble."I'msorry.Iknowbetter,butonceI
touchyou,Ican'tseemtostop."

Shemethiseyesinthemirror,surprisedbytheapology."Icouldn'tstop,either,"sheremindedhim,
andshesmiled.

He bent to kiss her hair tenderly before he renewed his efforts with the brush. "Brought you
something."Hetookasmallvialoutofhispocketandpresseditintoherhand.

"Whatisit?"sheasked.

Helookedvaguelyuncomfortable."It'sforthediscomfort,"hemurmured.

Shewashorrified.Hadheaskedoneofthewomeninthehousehold...?

Hesmiledhelplesslyatherexpression."Ihadtousesomemyself,"hesaidsheepishly.

Hereyebrowslifted.Thiswasreallyinteresting.Mengotsore,too?

Hechuckled."Yes,"hesaid,asifheknewwhatshewasthinking."Mendo,too."

"Wow."

"Nowyouknow,"hesaidcomplacently.Hefinishedwiththebrushandputitonthetable."Butjustfor
therecord,iflastnightwasmylastfewhoursonearth,Iwouldn'thaveonesingleregret."

"NeitherwouldI."Shedrewhishandtohermouthandkissedthecallusedpalm."Iloveyouwithall
myheart."

"As I love you," he bit off. He bent, tugging her mouth up so that he could kiss it with fierce
possession.

Afewsecondslater,heforcedhimselftolifthishead.Hiseyeswereturbulent,hisheartbeatviolent.
"ThemoreIhaveyou,themoreIwantyou,Maggie,"hesaidhuskily."Thatisn'tgoingtostop.That's
whywehavetogetmarried.I'mold-fashionedaboutkids.Nobody'scallingminebastards."

Herfingerstouchedhishardmouth.Itwascontagious.Shewasbeginningtobelieveshecouldhave
hischild.

Hereyeswerewideandsoftwithwonder,withanticipation.Itwasallpartofthefantasy.Itwasn'treal.
Butshewasinsulated,cocooned,rightnow.Shecouldbelieve.Shecouldlove.Shecouldacceptlove
andthephantomimageofpleasure.Shecoulddream.

"Youcanhaveanythingyouwant,"hewhisperedhoarsely,seeingacceptanceandjoyinherfaceand
misreadingthedaydreamylook."I'llstayhomeandraisecattle."

And he'd hate it, and her, and the baby, she thought. But it was a dream, and they could share it for
now. The risk of someone discovering her past was too formidable to let her look very far ahead,
especially with Cord. He was going to be so disgusted if he ever found out. She couldn't let that
happen.Shehadtokeephiminthedark,inthatoneway.Shewascertainshecouldn'tgetpregnant,
after what the doctors had said, and she'd been honest with him. He didn't believe it, but it wouldn't

makeanydifference.She'dgrowoldalone,butshewouldhavetheseexquisite,deliciousmemories
of Cord making love to her. Along with the excitement and danger of the present, there was the
physicaldelightofit.Shewasgratefulforeverysecondthathelookedatherwithdesire.

"You'renottalkingtome,"hemused.

"Doesitmatter?"sheasked,lettinghereyestraceeveryinchofhimthatwasvisibleinherlongvanity
mirror."Ijustwanttolookatyou.You'reperfect,Cord.Allofyou."

Hesighed.Somethingwasbotheringher,andshedidn'twanttotellhim.Heknewitwasmorethan
hermiscarriage.Hesparedamentalcurseforherexhusbandwho'dcostthemtheirchild,andforhis
maltreatmentofherthathadkeptherfromtellinghimshewaspregnant.Hecursedthepastforthe
misunderstandings, the torment. He wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. He
wanted a family and a home and her in it. But she was only giving lip service to his suggestions.
Why?Whatelsewasshehiding?

Hedecidedthathewasgoingtohavetoignoreherrighttoprivacyanddigfurtherintoherpast.She
wasnevergoingtotellhim.Hewouldhavetofinditouthimself.

Buthedidn'tleton.Hesmiled."Ilikelookingatyou,too,sweetheart,"hesaidsoftly."Withorwithout
clothes."

Shesmiledback.Andforafewpreciousseconds,theywerealmostoneperson.

TheplanetriptoAmsterdamdidn'ttakelongatall.Afterapleasantsnackanddesultoryconversation
withCordabouttheirdelightfulvisitwithJorge,theywerelandingatSchipholAirport.

ItwasbigandsprawlingandmostofthesignswereinDutchandEnglish.AfewwereinPolish,and
sheremarkedonit.

"They have a large immigrant Polish population," he told her. "But you'll find signs in Japanese as
well.Theygettouristsfromallover."

"DoIhavetodriveagain?"shemoaned.

"Theydriveonthesamesideoftheroadwedo,"hechuckled."JustlikeinSpainandGibraltarand
Morocco.

But,no,youdon'thavetodrive.We'llgetacabtoourhotel."

"Wherearewestaying?"

"Where the action is," he teased. "Right on the Dam Square. The palace is across the street, a wax
museum is next door, there's a sidewalk cafe, exclusive clothing shop windows to explore, the war
memorial,andjustdownthestreetaways,thecanals."

"Wecanseethecanals?"sheexclaimed.

"Wecangoonthem.Thereareboattours.Iwon'tbeabletoseeanything,"heteased,alludingtohis
darkglasses."Butyouwill.Youcanbemyeyes."

Theybothknewitwasajoke,buttheydidn'tknowifanyonewaswatchingorlisteningwhohadties
toGruber,evenintheairport.Stealthwasthewordoftheday.

Shetookhishandinhers."I'llbeyoureyes,yourears,anythingyouwantmetobe,"shewhispered
huskily.

"Justsoyouknow,"sheaddedsoftly,"thepastfewdayswerewortheverythingthat'shappenedtome
inmylife.Everything!"

Thatsoundedfinal.Hefrowned.Whatwasshetryingtosaytohim?

"Weshouldgo,"shesaid,lookingaround."Howdowegetoutoftheairport?"

"Throughpassportcontrolandcustoms,justlikeSpain,"hetoldher."Followthesigns."

"They'reinDutch!"shewailed.

"They'reinEnglish,too.Justkeeplooking."

Theytuggedtheircarry-onluggageonwheelsalongbehindthem,withMaggieleadingCordbythe
handastheymadetheirwayfirsttoamoney-changingbooth,andthenthroughpassportcontroland
thentothecustomsdesk,wheretheywerepassedthrough.Theywalkedoutintobrightsunshineand
hailed a cab. The cabs, like those Maggie had seen in other countries, were Mercedes-Benzs. She
remarkedonit.

"They're dependable," he chuckled. "That's why so many people have them." He paused to give the
nameofthehoteltothedriver.ThemantriedtoaskaquestioninEnglish.Cord,surprisingMaggie,
switchedimmediatelytoDutch.Heandthemanlaughedtogetherandexchangedpleasantries.

"ItoldyouIspokeDutch,"hesaidaftertheywereunderway,grinningatMaggie'ssurprise.

"Itsoundsfascinating,"shereplied.

"It's an interesting language. And the Dutch are fascinating people, as you'll discover when you've
been here a couple of days. They're intelligent, industrious, and they have one of the most efficient
land-claiming operations on earth. You did know," he added, "about the system of dykes that holds
backtheocean?"

"I read National Geographic," she pointed out. "Yes, indeed, I know how the dykes work and how
desperatelytheDutchpeoplehavetofighttokeeptheircountryabovewater.It'sawe-inspiring."

Henodded.Henoticedthedriver'seyebrowsraisedandrepeatedwhatheandMaggieweresayingin

Dutch.

ThedrivergrinnedatMaggieandincreasedhisspeed.

Ittookseveralminutestogetthroughthecityofnarrowstreetsandtrolleycarsandbicyclers.There
werebicyclelanesnexttothetrolleytracks.Thestreetsweresofilledwithnativesandtouriststhatit
wasawondertoMaggiethatanybodycouldmoveatall.

"It's so crowded!" she exclaimed. "Is it because of the summer tourist season?" she asked as they
approachedahugehotelandpulleduptothedoorunderanawning,whereauniformedmanwaitedto
greetthem.

"It'salwayscrowded,"heassuredher,reachingintohispocketforthefareinDutchguilders.

"Isthisit?"sheaskedasthedoormanhelpedherfromthecab.Shewasn'tterriblyimpressedwiththe
outside,andnearby,whereastatuesatinthecobblestonedsquare,dozensofyoungpeoplelounged
aroundlookingbored.Somehadguitarswithcupssittingnearby,obviouslyfortips.

"Thisisit.Waituntilyouseeinside,"headdedwithagrin.

Shetookhisarmandledhimtothedesk.Thewholeoftheinsidewascarpeted.Thedeskwaslong
andbusy.

Beautifullyupholsteredfurniturewasspreadaroundthelobby.Therewasaphotographoftheroyal
familyincludingQueenBeatriceonanearbywall,areminderthattheNetherlandshadamonarchy.

Past the chairs was a dining room, and elaborate desserts and tea in delicate china cups were being
placedonlinen-coveredtablecloths.

"Isn'tittooearlyforsupper?"Maggieasked."Peopleareeating..."

"Thatishightea,MadameRomero,"theclerktoldherwithasmile,liftinghiseyebrowsatherlook
ofsurprise.

"When you are taken to your room, you might like to come back down and experience it, if you
haven'tbefore.

Also,wehaveanexquisiterestaurantwithaworld-classchef,andourmorningroomforbreakfastis
abotanist'sdream."

"Yes,itis,"Cordreplied,pushingtheregistertooneside."Youneedtosignusin,Mrs.Romero,"he
addedpointedly.

Shecouldtellthathiseyesweresmilingbehindthosedarkglasses.Shedidn'thavetoaskiftheywere
sharingaroom,either.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Infact,theyweresharingasuite.Ithadasittingarea,withafaxmachineandphone,asafeandasmall
bar with refrigerator, and a separate bedroom with a double bed. The bathroom didn't have a
whirlpool bath, but Maggie wasn't sorry. Her memories of those were delightful, but temporarily
uncomfortable.

Cord tipped the bellboy, and waited to speak until he'd explained where everything was and how it
workedtoMaggieandclosedthedoorbehindhim.

Cordputhisfingertohischiseledmouthandtookouttheelectronicdevicewhichwasnowfamiliar
toMaggie.

He swept all the rooms twice before he was satisfied that there were no bugs in the room. But
afterward,heglancedacrossthewayatthebuildingbehindthehotel,andwhenheclosedtheblinds,
heputanotherdeviceonthetableandactivatedit.

"Incaseanyone'slistening,allthey'llhearisstatic,"hetoldMaggie.

"Buttherearen'tanybugs,arethere?"sheasked,confused.

"Amaninthebuildingacrossfromuscouldpointamicrophonethiswayandeventhroughglassand
concrete,hecouldhearuswhisper,"heconfided."Hecanevenseeus,throughthewalls-or,rather,
ourbodyheat-withaninfrareddevicethat'sreadilyavailableonthemarket."

Sheshookherhead."Ineverheardofsuchthings."

"You will, if you ever go to work for Lassiter." He took her by the shoulders and bent to kiss her
forehead gently. "I've got some work to do on the laptop, but we can go down and sample high tea
first,ifyou'dliketo?"

"Iwould,"sheconfessed."I'vereadaboutitforyears,andIdon'tknowwhatitis,really."

"Let'sgofindout,then!"

It was delightful. There were cucumber sandwiches, small pastries, any sort of tea you liked, or
coffeewithrealcream,andevenfruitandvegetablemedleyswithdippingsauce.Therewerealsoreal
linennapkins.

"It'ssoelegant,"Maggieexclaimed,fascinatedbythepeoplearoundheraswellasthelittlemeal.

He smiled through his dark glasses. "So are you," he said softly. "Elegant, strong, fearless and
passionate,"headdedhuskily.

"Adjectivesthatwouldalsoapplytoyou,"shereplied.

Hereachedacrossforherhandandhelditclose."Wemakeaninterestingcouple."

"Don'twe,though?"Shesmiledandreachedforherteacup.

Therewereallsortsofshopsonthesamelevelasthelobby,withexpensivedesignergoodsaswellas
souvenirs.

Maggie bought watercolors of the canals, along with wooden shoe key chains and blue delft china
piecesthatdoubledassalt-and-peppershakers.

"Iknow,I'matouristatheart,"Maggieconfided."ButIcan'tgohomewithouttakingsomethingfor
myfriends.

IwonderhowGretchenisdoinginmyjob?"

Cordgrinned."Iknow,butI'mnotsaying,"hemurmured."They'vehadtheirownlittledisturbances
lately.Butverysoon,you'regoingtoseeyourfriendGretcheninawaythatwillshockyou."

"We'regoingtoQawi?"sheexclaimed.

"Notyet."

"Tellme!"sheinsisted.

Buthewouldn't.Whentheygotbacktothehotelroom,hesuggestedthatshehaveanap.Whileshe
slept, he plugged in his laptop and went to work, sneaking inside protected files with an ease that
wouldhavesentcoldchillsupMaggie'ssoftarms.

Threehourslater,shewokeup.Cordwasalreadydressedinasuit.Helookedstrange,remote,and
hiseyeswereverydarkandshadowed.

"DidIoversleep?"sheaskedworriedly.

Heshookhishead,amerejerk."Youneedtoputonsomethingnice,"hesaidinaneutraltone."It'sa
five-starrestaurantanditwillbefull.Imadereservationsforeight."

"Eight!I'llnevergetusedtothetimepeopleeatinAfricaandEurope,"shemurmuredassheslidher
longlegsoffthebedandsatup.

"Itgrowsonyou,"hesaid."I'llwaitinthesittingroom.I'vegotafewmorecontactstomake."

"Cord?"

Hepausedwithhishandonthedoorknob.Hewouldn'tlookather.

"Iseverythingallright?"sheasked,concerned."Hassomethinghappened?"

"Something."Hisvoicewasoddlychoked."Comeoutwhenyou'reready."Heclosedthedoor.

Itwasasifalltheteasinganddelightineachother'scompanyhadgoneinapuffofsmoke.Cordwas
good company, pleasant and courteous, and as remote as if he were living on another planet. He
barelylookedstraightatMaggie,andhewasunusuallytense.Heorderedwhiskeyaswell-something
she'dneverknownhimtodo.Hedidn'tdrink.

After the second highball, he ordered a seafood dish for himself and a special salad that Maggie
wanted.Theyateinsilence.Shefinallygotuptohelpherselfatthedessertcountermainlytogetaway
from his brooding countenance. She couldn't imagine what had upset him like that. She knew
instinctivelythathe'dhadanemotionalblowofsomesort.Shewonderediftherewasanotherwoman
in his life, if he'd had second thoughts about their sudden intimacy, if he had cold feet about
committinghimselftoher.Maybehe'dsatisfiedhishungerandhiscuriosityaboutherbody,andhe
wasalreadytiredofit.Thatthoughtwasdepressing,soshepickedupaflanandapieceofcakeand
devoured both with afterdinner coffee. Cord sat nursing a third highball and didn't eat half his
seafood.Hehadnodessertatall.

The worst surprise came when they were back in the room. He took off his dark glasses and
suggestedquietlythatshemightwanttogotobed,becausetheyhadalongdayaheadofthem.She
askedwasn'thecoming,andnotedthathestiffenedasifthequestionwasactuallyoffensivetohim.

She swallowed a choking misery of lost confidence, smiled forcibly and went into the bedroom
alone.

Hedidn'tcometobed.Whenshewokethenextmorning,shefoundhimsprawledonthesofa,stillin
hissuit,withdisheveledhairandsmellingofwhiskey.Shenotedfouremptylittlebottlesofitstacked
on the coffee table along with two empty Coke cans and a glass. On top of what he'd had in the
restaurant,thatwasenoughtorenderevenastrongmanlikeCordunconscious.Itbotheredherthathe
dranklikethat.Somethinghadtohavegonewrong.Shedidn'tknowwhat.

Butwhatupsethermostwassomethingshefoundinthefaxmachine,amessagethathadcomefrom
Houston, from Lassiter's detective agency. It contained only a couple of sentences, but they were
enough to make her wish she was dead. The message gave the date of a trial, and she knew whose.
Therewasoneotherbriefsentence."Hardcopyconfiscatedanddestroyed,nonegatives.Information
availablewhenyoureturn,ifyouinsistonseeingit."

She didn't wake him. She went down alone to breakfast, feeling numb. Lassiter had somehow
managedtogettheinformationaboutherawayfromStillwell,buthestillhadit.Cordknewtherewas
something,andwantedtoseeit.Lassiterwasgoingtolethim,unlesssheintervened.Shecouldtell
Cordherself.Orshecouldplayfortimeandsimplyvanishwhenthiswasalloverandtheywentback
totheStates.Shehadhermemories.Perhapstheywouldbeenough.

She knew why Lassiter hadn't included particulars of the case in a fax. It was too explosive, and
Gruber would be around. Her face paled as she wondered if Gruber, too, knew what was in those
files?Hemust,becausehe'dbeenintheofficewithAdamsandStillwellwhenLassitersaidhe'dheard

about the information on the tape. All three men knew, whether or not they could prove it. If they'd
obtainedhardcopyonce,whatwastostopthemfromduplicatingitagain?

Herlifeseemedlessvaluablenow.Shewasgoingtobepreyfortherestofherlifeifshedidn'tfinda
secure hiding place. It would take her away from Cord, because he was going to see the truth for
himselfwhentheygotbacktoHouston.OnceheknewdamnLassiterforofferingtotellhim!-she'dbe
alonefortherestofherlife.

Tears of frustrated fury stung her eyes. Lassiter could have found some excuse not to tell him! He
soldherout.

Every single human being she'd ever known had done that. Why would she never learn that she
couldn'ttrustpeople?

Shesippedhotcoffee,infusedwithwarmcream,andstaredfixedlyatheruntouchedbreakfast.She
mustmakeanefforttoeatsomething,shetoldherself.Starvingwouldsolvenoproblems.Shepicked
upherforkandmadesmallinroadsintobaconandeggsandabutterycroissant.Idlyhereyeswentto
the abundant greenery in the huge structure, which was like an indoor greenhouse. Ordinarily she
wouldhavedelightedinhersurroundings.

Nowshejustfeltsick.

Shewasawareofmovement,andlookedupintoCord'squiet,lifelesseyes.

"Careforcompany?"heaskedwithnarrowedeyes.Sheshrugged,andwouldn'tmeethisgaze.

He knew then, without a doubt, that she'd seen what was in the fax machine before he took out the
sheetofpaperanddestroyedit.

Heputdownhisownbreakfastandcoffeeandpulledoutthechairnexttohers.

"Secretsaredangerous,Maggie,"hesaidcurtly.

Sheliftedhereyestohis.Shelookedlikeacorneredcat."IfyoureadthatfileaboutmethatLassiter
has,whenyougetbacktoHouston,"shesaid,hervoicetremblingasshechoseherwordscarefully,
"you'llneverseemeagaininyourlifetime."

His hand hesitated on the thick china coffee mug. He studied her, frowning. "Is it really that
important?"heaskedwarily.

She swallowed. Her hands trembled as she picked up her own coffee mug. "Can't you just have
somebodyburnit?"sheaskedonacoldlaugh.

"Can'tyoutellmewhat'sinit?"hecountered.

Shespilledcoffee,hotcoffee,onherslenderhands.Shemanagedtosetthecupdownwithoutdoing

furtherdamage.Cordcursedunderhisbreathandgotanapkinaroundherstingingfingers,wiping
themgently.

"Youdon'tshareanything,"hesaidinaslow,cautioustone."Ihadtofindoutaboutthemiscarriage
andyourhusband'sabusethehardway.Nowhere'sonemoresecretthatyou'renotgoingtotellme.
Youdon'ttrustmeatall."

"That'sright."Shelookedstraightintohiseyes."You'realreadysuspiciousofme,"shesaid,nodding
whenhereactedtotheremark."Lassitertoldyoujustenoughtomakeyouwonder,toquestionwhat
youthinkyouknowaboutme,aboutmylife.Youwanttoseethefile.Youwanttoknoweverything.
Buttherearesecretsthatshouldstayburied,Cord.Therearethingsaboutmethatyoushouldnever
havetoknow."

"That'sratheranoddwording,isn'tit?"heaskedcuriously.

Sheloweredhereyesquicklytoherstalebreakfast."Ihatemylife,"shesaidhuskily.

"Maggie!"

"I do!" She put down her napkin and pushed back her chair. "I never should have gone back to
Houston,"shesaidwildly."IshouldhavestayedinTangier,foundajobdoingsomething,anything,
sothatIwouldneverhavehadtoseeyouagain!"

Hisfacehardened."Youhaven'tbeenactingasifyoufeltthatway,"hesaidatonce,andthencould
havebittenoffhistonguewhenhesawherreaction."Certainlynotinbedwithme!"

She felt the accusing words like a body blow. "No, I haven't acted that way," she said in a thready
whisper."I'vebeenbehaving...justaspeoplealwaysexpectedthatIwould,whenI...grewup!"

Shewhirledandtookoff,rightoutthedoorofthehotelintothestreet,withherpurseclutchedclose
againstherbody.Cordcouldn'tchaseher,atleast,notwithoutgivingupthepretenseofblindness,and
whywouldheriskthat?Shedidn'tknowwhereshewasgoing,anyway.Shehadherpurse,butnother
passport,itwaslockedup,withherairlineticketsandCord'spassport,inthesafeinthehotelroom.
ButshecouldgetawayfromCordforawhile,andshewasgoingto.

She made her way to a shop that sold tickets for the canal boat ride, a two-hour tour of the city by
water.ShedoubtedthatCordcouldfindherinthethrongsofpeople,andshedidn'tcare.IfGruberor
hispeoplehadfollowedthem,ifhewaswatchingher,somuchthebetter.Maybehe'dshootherand
putheroutofhermisery!

That was great thinking for a strong, adult woman, she thought, chiding herself for her cowardice.
ButshewaslosingCordalreadyandithurtsomuchthatshewasn'tthinkingclearly.Whathe'dsaid
beforewasexactlywhathewasgoingtosaywhenheknewthetruthabouther.Hethoughtshewasa
tramp.Maybeshewas.Maybeshealwayshadbeen.Withtheticketinhand,shefollowedtheclerk's
directionsdownthelongstreettowherethetourboatwasdocked.

Cordwasfurious.He'dalreadymadeoneseriouserrorofjudgment,andattheworstpossibletime.
He had agents here in Amsterdam who were processing the information he'd given them from
Gruber's safe, and they were even now questioning his business associates over a thriving child
pornography network. In fact, there was a studio within a stone's throw of the hotel where Interpol
agents, aided by Dutch police, were serving a warrant at that very moment. Gruber was securely
linked to Global Enterprises, where surprise raids in Africa, South America and the United States
were taking place this very day. Stillwell was already in custody, along with Adams, and both men
weresointimidatedbyacontactofLassiter'sthatthey'dswornnevertorevealawordaboutMaggie
toanyone.

Gruber,however,wasadifferentstory.He'dblow

Maggie'scoverifhecould,anywayhecould,totheinternationalpressifhecouldgetthemonthe
story. By now, he knew that Cord had unmasked his illegal operation, and he would be out for
revenge.

CordwasgoingtotellMaggieatbreakfastthatshehadtostayclosetohim,inthehotel,whereshe'd
besafewhileGruberwasbeingtakenintocustody.Buthe'dmadestupidmistakes,blurtingoutthings
heshouldneverhavevoiced.Thefaxhadbeenareallystupidone.HecouldhaveaskedLassitertoe-
mailhimthemessage,buthe'dbeenbusyontheInternetatthetimeandLassiterneededtoreachhim
at once. It made him furious that he'd been careless enough to let Maggie see that fax. He'd done
collateraldamagealready,andthenhe'dmadethatdefensiveremarkabouthergoingtobedwithhim,
whichputtheknifeintoherwithavengeance.She'dneverforget.Hecouldunderstandhowshefelt,
too.Theinformationhe'dseenhadbeen...traumatic.

Hehadn'tbeenwearinghisdarkglasses,andhe'dcomeintotherestaurantalone,withoutthepretense
ofbeingguided,andMaggiehadbeentoopreoccupiedtonotice.Hewastrailinghernow,certainof
theoneplacehewaslikelytofindher.She'dbeonaboatsomewhere.Heknewit.Allhehadtodo
wasfindher,buthehadtodoitquickly.Hewhippedouthiscellphone,dialedanumber,andspoke
intoitbriefly.

HefoundoutthatGruber'sstudiohadbeenraided,andtwoemployeeswerenowincustody.Several
small children were also in custody, protective custody, while agents fanned out in all directions
tryingtolocateGruber,whohadfledthescene.

ThemanwasarmedandwouldbecomfortablekillingMaggie,ifhecouldfindher,andCordaswell,
ifitwerepossible.Cord'sheartstilledinhischestasheimaginedhowhurtMaggiehadbeenbyhis
remotenesslastnight,andhisverbalcrueltythismorning.Shehadnoideathathewastryingtodeal
withhisownactionsinthefaceofwhathe'dlearned.Hewasheartsick,heartbroken,atthewayhe'd
treatedherforsomanyyearsinhisignoranceofherrealbackground.Hewaspayingforthatinways
shecouldn'timagine,andnotdealingwithitwellatall.

Nowhe'dapparentlygivenhertheideathathefeltdistasteforher.She,notknowingwhathe'dalready
ferreted out, was afraid of their return to Houston and his discovery of the truth. She expected
censure, disgust, distaste-and with his reactions of the night before to go by, she was certain of the
outcome.Butshedidn'tknow.Shecouldn'tknow,howhefelt!

He broke into a fast pace as he neared the canal with its boat docks at its edge. His heart was
hammering.

Amsterdamwasabigcity,butGruberknewitintimately,andhehadspieswhocouldfindanybody.
Cordhadhisowncontacts,buttheyweren'thelpinghim.HehadtofindMaggiebeforeGruberdid!

Therewereplentyoftourboats,andtheycoveredalotofareaonthisstretchofthecanal.Cordhad
noideawhichoneMaggiewouldhavetakenwithoutsearchingthem.Hehadonephotographofher,
however, a dog-eared, crumpled one of her at Christmas when she was sixteen, that he'd carried
aroundwithhimmostofhisadultlife.Shedidn'tlookmuchdifferentevennow.

Hepulleditoutandstartedshowingittoemployeesofthevarioustourboatsallalongthecanal.

Justashereachedthelastboatinline,whichwaspullingoutintothecanal,awomanrecognizedthe
faceheshowedherandpointedtotheboat,whichwouldclearthedockinanotherfewseconds.

Hehandedtheemployeealargebillandmadeaflyingjumpattheboatwhileshewasshoutingtohim
thathehadtobuyaticketinoneoftheshops,thatshecouldn'tsellhimone.

Itwasnouse.Hewaslimberandathletic,andusedtotakingchances.Hewentflyingalongthedock
andjumpedrightoutoverthecanal,landinghardandrollingonthedeckinthenickoftimetoavoid
divingintothedarkbrown,smellywatersofthecanal.

Maggiewasseatedatatablewithtwocouplesandanelderlywoman.Oneofthecouples,newlyweds
theoldwomansaidcomplacently,werepassionatelyimmersedineachotherwhiletheboatpulledout
intothecanal.

Shefeltaloneandbetrayedandutterlymiserable.Shedidn'thaveacamera,whichwasjustaswell,
becausetherewasnobodytotakeaphotoof.Shestaredblanklyoutatthewaterastheboatrockedand
turnedandstartedoutintothewater.Therewasyellingoutsideonthepier,butshecouldn'tseeabove
thelevelofthepolesthathelditoutofthewater.Therewasahardthumpandraisedvoicesupahead
inthecabinwherethepilotwassitting.

Shestaredattheaisle,barelyhearinganofferofrefreshmentsfromayoungwomangoingdownthe
otherway.

Secondslater,adisheveledCordRomerostrodedowntheaisletowardher,lookingfurious.

Herheartbouncedintoherthroat.Hetookaseatbesideher,watchingallaroundforsignsofdanger.

"Goaway,"shechoked.

"Theonlywaybacktoportistoswim,"hemutteredunderhisbreath,"anditwouldtakeanactofGod
togetmeintothatwatervoluntarily."

Shewouldn'tlookathim.Shefoldedherarmsacrossherbreastsdefensively.Shefelteightyearsold

again.

Heleanedback,nottouchingher,andstudiedheravertedface."Gruberescaped,"hesaidatherear.
"We'vegotenoughevidencetosendhimupforyears,butwehavetocatchhimfirst.Meanwhile,"he
addeddarkly,"he'llbelookingforus,anditwon'tbetowishusapleasantholiday!"

Sheswallowed.Theywereinaverypublicplace.Sheturnedandforcedhershamedeyestolookupat
Cord,whowasn'teventryingtodisguisehisangerandfrustration.

Herlowerliptrembledasshetriedtofindsomethingtosaytohim.She'dneverbeensounsettled,so
terrifiedofthefuture.

Hisbighandcaughtinthehairathernapeandpulledherfaceunderhis.Hekissedherverygently,
awarethatshetrembled.Hismouthmovedtohereyelids,hercheeks.

"Ah,youarenewlyweds,too,ja?"theelderlyladyaskedwithachuckle.

Cord glanced at her. "Not yet. But very soon, we will be," he agreed huskily, and the look he gave
Maggiewassmoldering.

Shedidn'tevenhaveaprotest.Shestaredathimwithherheartinhereyesandwishedwithallhersoul
thathemeantit.Butshewasrememberingwhatshe'dfoundinthefaxmachine.

"Don'tlookback,Maggie,"hesaidsoftly.

"We'vebothdonetoomuchofthatalready.Wehaveafuture,together.Ipromiseyou,wedo!"

His eyes were punctuating that promise. She gave in to temptation with a shaky little sigh. Without
anotherpeep,shemovedclosetohimandlaidhercheekagainsthisbroadchest.Odd,shethought,
he'djerkedwhenshedidthat,asiftheactionsurprisedhim.Butshefeltsafeclosetohim.Itwasthe
onlyplaceshe'deverfeltsafe.

Hisarmcontractedprotectivelyandhischeekrestedagainstherdarkhair."Youhaven'tbeenthinking
straightforthepastcoupleofweeks,haveyou?"heasked.

Sheblinked."Idon'tunderstand."

"Iknow."Hekissedherdarkhairandsighedheavily."We'recloserrightnowthanwe'veeverbeen."
Hisarmtightenedagain,andhismoutheaseddowntoherear."Iwanttomarryyou,Maggie.Iwantit
morethananythingintheworld."

Herindrawnbreathwassoaudiblethattheothersatthetableglancedathercuriously.

Shelookedupathim,confused,thrilled,afraid.Shecouldn'tagree,shecouldn't...

He moved to fish out his wallet. He produced a folded paper and handed it to her. "Here. Have a
look."Shenoticedanofficialsealembossedatthebottomevenbeforesheunfoldedthepaper.Herlips

partedonasoftexplosionofbreathasshestudiedthepaperthatCordhadobviouslycarriedwithhim
forsometime.

Shelookedupathimwithwide,shockedeyes."It'samarriagelicense,"shesaidhuskily,"withboth...
withbothournamesonit!"

Heshrugged."Itseemedlikeagoodideaatthetime,"hemurmured,searchinghereyes."Infact,it
stilldoes,nevermorethannow."

She bit her lower lip almost in two. "It's a very ... bad one," she choked. She handed him back the
paperandfoughtdowntears."Youhavenoideaatallwhatthiscoulddotoyou.Youdon'tknowwhat
Lassiterhasinthosefiles,whatGruberwoulddowiththeinformationifhecouldgettoareporter!"

Heheldherclosewhileherefoldedthepaperwithonehandandstuckitinthepocketofhisjacket."I
don'tcarewhathedoes,orwithwhat,"hesaidfiercely."Youbelongtome.I'mnotgivingyouup.Not
ever!"

Sheclosedhereyesandwantedtobelievethathemeantit.Buthedidn'tknowwhatGruberhad.Once
hedid,itwouldchangeeverything.Shewantedtobawl.Itwouldn'thelp,butshedidn'tknowwhatelse
shecoulddo.

Thatlittlepieceofpaperdestroyedherpeaceofmind,evenwhileitmadeherglowinsideasiffrom
thelightofahundredlovingcandles...

Thesuddenshatteringofglasswassurprising.SheliftedherheadandlookedatCordblanklyinthe
spaceofsecondsbeforeshewaspushedforciblytothedeckandhelddown.

Therewerescreamsandshoutsoffear.Theboatstoppeddeadinthecurrentandbegantodrift.

Cordliftedhisheadlongenoughtolooktowardthecabin.Hesawthepilotslumpedinhisseatand
kneweverythingatonce.

"Staydown,baby,"hewhisperedtoMaggie."Don'tmove!Doyouhearme?"

"What'sgoingon?"sheaskedunsteadily.

"Gruber,unlessImissmyguess,andwe'resittingduckshereinthemiddleofthecanal!"

"Butwhatareyougoingtodo?"sheexclaimed.

"Getusoutofhere,whilethere'sstilltime.Staydown.Everybody,keepyourheadsdownandkeep
calm!"hecalledtotheotherpassengers."Keepawayfromthewindows!"

He darted down the aisle to the accompaniment of other bullets that rained down into the boat.
Apparentlysomeonewasshootingatthemeitherfromthenearbybridgeorthewalkbesidethecanal.
Theangleofthebullets,though,indicatedahighplace.

Maggiepeeredupoverthetableandlookedthroughthewidewindows.Therewasaglintofmetalon
thebridgejustaheadofthem.

"Cord,he'sonthebridge!"sheyelled.

He'd already pushed the pilot onto the floor and shouted at the tour guide to take care of him. He
workedthecontrolsandsuddenlyshottheboatahead,zigzaggingitsothathemadeadifficulttarget.
Therewasshatteredglassinfront,buthe'dknockedenoughofitoutsothathecouldseeahead.

Thetrickwasgoingtobegettingtheboatthroughthenarrowopeningunderthatbridge.Itwasone
he remembered from other trips to the city. The boat had to be angled in, and even then, there was
onlyacoupleofinchesofclearanceoneitherside.Addedtothat,therewereothertourboatsonthe
canalsandtheyoftencamecloseontheride.

Hehadanidea.Ifhecouldgettheboatunderthebridgeandgetout,hemightbeabletogettoGruber.
Butthatwouldrequiresomeonetodrivetheboatthrough.

"Maggie!"heyelled."Getuphere,quick!"

She darted down the aisle without hesitation, and went right to him, weaving as he darted the boat
alongtherivertotheaccompanimentofgunfire.

"WhatcanIdo?"sheaskedatonce.

"Youcandrivetheboat,honey,I'mjumpingship."

"What?"

Hegunnedtheengineandsethisjawasheguidedthewideboatunderthebridge,scrapingoneside,
andputitinneutral.Hejerkedouthis.45automaticandputMaggieintothedriver'sseat,hurriedly
familiarizingherwiththecontrols.Herhandstrembled,butshelistenedandnodded.

"Idon'twanttodothis,"hesaidhuskily."Idon'twanttoputyouatrisk,butifIdon'tstophim,he'll
killsomebody.Youunderstand?"

Shepulledhisheaddownandkissedhimhungrily."Don'tgetkilled.Iloveyouso!"shechoked.

"No less than I love you, Maggie. Nothing in your past will ever change that!" he swore fervently.
"Believeit!"

Hekissedherhungrily,feelingherinstantresponseevenashepulledbackandstoodup,cockingthe
gunandtakingoffthesafetyasheheadedforthestepsthatleduptothehull."Gettheboatthroughthe
bridge,evenifyouhavetoscrapethepaintoffdoingit,andzigzagitwhenyoucomeoutfromunder
thatbridge.Don'tstopforasecond.Ifhegetsaclearshot,he'lltakeit.Theonlyadvantagewe'llhave
isthathe'llbeshootingfromoverheadandhewon'tbeabletoseeinside.Canyoudothis?"

Shenodded."IcandoanythingIhaveto,"sherepliedfearlessly,andlookedatthatmomentasifshe
could.

"Don'tpanic,whateveryoudo,"hecounseled."Justconcentrateonthejobathand."

"Icandothis.Youbecarefulanddon'tgetyourselfshot!"sheaddedfirmly.

"Who,me?"Hegrinned."Becarefulyourself,sweetheart."

Hesavoredthelookonherfaceforaninstantbeforeheturnedanddashedupthestepswithdeadly
efficiency.

Maggiewatchedhimgo,butsheturnedimmediatelybacktothecontrolsandputtheboatingear.It
wastimetoemulatearacingboatdriverandsavelives.Shewasn'tgoingtoletCorddown.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Cordleapedfromtheboattothefilthyundersideofthestonebridgeanddartedtotheironstepsthat
led up to the top of the bridge. He clutched the .45 carefully in one hand while he climbed with the
other.

Hecouldheartheboatstart.HeknewthatMaggiewouldhaveitinsightofGruberanysecondnow.
Gruber,withanyluck,wouldthinkthatthescrapingsoundmeantthattheboatwastemporarilystuck
underneath and the pilot was having trouble getting it out. He might think the pilot was dead and
somebodyelsewastryingtofreetheboat.Eitherway,hewouldn'tbeexpectingCordtoattackhim.
Cordhoped.

Themanwasdesperate,andhewouldkill.Knowingthat,Cordsteeledhimselfforwhateverhappened
next. His only regret was that he hadn't spoken honestly to Maggie first and told her what he really
knew.

Thenoiseofthemotorboatbelowcamouflagedthelastfewstepshetook.Hesawashort,darkhaired
manwithanautomaticweaponhuddledagainstthebridgelookingdown.

Cordaimedandyelledattheman,inDutch,todrophisweapon.

Predictablythemanturnedandfiredathim.Cordfiredback,evenashefeltahotstingingpaininhis
leftshoulder.Theothermancrumpled.

Corddidn'ttaketimetogotohim.Therewasabridgefurtherup,andhesawtheglintofmetalthere,
too.Thismanwasn'tGruber.Maggiewasonthecanal,headingtowardsuddendeath,andtherewas
nowaytogettoherintime.HisonlyhopewastodrawGruber'sfireorgettothenextbridgebefore
Maggiedid.

Or...Hehadanidea.Hegrabbedhiscellphonefromhispocket,notingidlythattherewasbloodon
thefaceofit,anddialedtheemergencyservicesnumber.Hegavehisname,whatwashappening,and
askedforassistance.

Luckilytherewasapolicecarnearby.Itwouldbesentatonce.

Cord was running even as he stuck the phone back in his pocket. It would take more luck than he
believedintogetapolicecarthereintimetosaveMaggie.Hefeltsickandhisarmwasthrobbing
now,buthewasn'tgoingtoletGruberkillMaggie.

Hedartedpastathrongoftourists,awarethathewasfrighteningpeople,bothwiththepistolandthe
bleedingwoundvisibleagainstthepalenessofhisshirt.Buthekeptgoing,hisheartpounding,ashe
picturedabulletfindingitswayrightintothecockpit,rightintoMaggie,fromthatbridgeahead.

"Gruber!"heyelledatthetopofhislungs.

Even above traffic and mumbled conversation, his voice carried. The man on the bridge stopped,

turned,looked.

"I'mhere,Gruber!"Cordyelled,hislonglegsmakingshortworkofthedistancebetweenthem.

Gruber moved to the edge of the bridge and laughed, aiming his weapon down at the boat that was
quicklyapproachinghim.

"Maggie, turn the boat, turn the damned boat!" Cord yelled at the canal. Certainly she couldn't hear
him,notabovetheroaroftheengines...!

Butevenashetoldhimselfthat,theboatbegantoturn,slowly,awkwardly,butpresentingitsbackto
theangrymanonthebridgewhowasnowfiringhaphazardlyinafurioustemper.

Cord was within firing range. He wasn't sure of his aim. He felt as if he might pass out soon. He
droppedtooneknee,yelledatmillingpedestrianstogetthehelloutoftheway,aimedascarefullyas
heeverhad,tookabreath,andfired.

Itseemedtotakeyearsforthebullettogettothebridge.Itwasasifeverythingwasmovinginslow
motion. His vision slowly blurred. The pain was monstrous all of a sudden. His shoulder was so
heavythathecouldn'tholditup.Nausearoseinhisthroat.Hewatchedthemanonthebridgeturnin
hisdirection,slowly,andheknewthathewasasittingduck.Buthewasgoingdownfighting...

Thepolicewereeverywhereintheaftermathofexplosivegunfire.TheydirectedMaggietogetthe
boat to the side of the canal, where a policeman jumped onboard and guided it to where another
policemancouldusethebowropetotieittothestepstemporarily.Paramedicsappeared.

Maggiewashelpedoutoftheboat,becauseshewasinsistingatthetopofherlungsthatshehadtoget
toCordandshewouldn'tlistentoexcuses.Shedidn'tseehimanywhere.Therewasamandownonthe
bridge,butthatcouldn'tbeCord.Wherewashe?Washeallright?

She raged at the authorities to hurry. In desperation, one of the policemen led her to an area of
sidewalksurroundedbyconcernedfaces.

Cordwasproppedonanelbow,bleedingfromtheshoulder,hispistolstillgrippedinhisbighandas
hecursedroundly."Willyougettoher...?"hewasyelling.

Hersuddenappearanceelectrifiedhim."Maggie!"heshouted,inatoneshe'dneverheardhimuse.

"Cord!"Maggiecried,throwingherselfdownbesidehim.Shetouchedhisface,histhroat,whilehe
gatheredherinforciblywiththearmthatstillworked,holdingherascloseashecould,mindlessof
thebloodhewassmearingoverherclothing.Sheheldhim,too,sobbingwithrelief.

"Icouldn'tseeyou!"hegrowledatherthroat."Ididn'tknowifIgothimintime!"

"I'mfine!Iheardyoutellingmetoturntheboat,evenifitdidsoundlikeawhisperinmyear.Oh,
thankGod,you'realive,"shechoked."ThankGod!"

"I'malive,"hesaidhuskily."Evenifalittleworseforwear."

That reminded her that she'd seen blood on his clothing in the brief seconds before he hauled her
down into his arms, and he was sitting on the sidewalk. She pulled back a little and almost lost her
composurewhenshesawthebloodpouringfromthewoundinhisshoulder."You'rebleeding!"she
exclaimed,horrified."Please,"shebeggedthepolicemanaboveher,"gethelp!"

"Thisisallveryirregular,"themanwasmuttering,buthespokeintowhatlookedlikeacellphonein
alanguagethatshedidn'tunderstand.

MaggietookCord'sbighandinhersandheldontight."Don'tyoudie,"shechoked,terrifiedbythe
blood.

"Don'tyoudie!Ican'tlivewithoutyou.Iwon't!Doyouhearme?"

He chuckled at her vehemence. "Honey, I've had a lot worse than a bullet in my shoulder," he said
soothingly.

"Ithurtsandthere'salotofblood,butI'mnotgoingtodie.AmI,Bojo?"

"Ishouldthinknot,"Bojomurmuredfrombesideher,withagrimsmile."Cordisahardmantokill.
However,"

headdedwithawrylookatthedownedman,"ifhedoes,Igettokeephispistolandthatnicewatchhe
wears."

Maggiewasaghast,butCordburstoutlaughing.

TheyoungpolicemankneltbesideCordwhiletheywaitedfortheparamedics.HepulledbackCord's
shirtandlookedbeneathatthebleedingwound."Itisnotakillingwound,"hetoldMaggieinhalting
English."Youunderstand?"

"There'ssomuch...blood!"shesputtered.

"Itmayhitanartery,Ithink..."

Bojointerruptedhimabruptly,kneelingtoputpressureagainstthewound.

"Kill me and be done with it, why don't you, damn it!" Cord cursed. But the bleeding slowed. Bojo
chuckled. Àh, no, Maggie would take the gun and shoot me if I did." He turned toward the police
officerandspoketohiminDutch.Themanrepliedinthesamelanguage.

"Whatishesaying?"MaggieaskedBojo."WhatareyoudoingtoCord?Andwhereintheworlddid
youcomefrom?"sheadded,recoveredenoughnowtobeshockedathissuddenappearance.

"Never mind what he's saying. I am putting pressure on the wound to slow the loss of blood. Oh,
we've been here since the beginning," he replied easily. "Cord had us around the city, staking out

Gruber'sbusinessassociates.You'llbegladtoknowthatthepolicehaveallofthem,besidesenough
evidence to have Stillwell and Adams tried in the world court on various counts of international
criminal charges. Gruber, too, if he's still alive," he added with a cold glance toward the bridge,
wherepolicewerestandingoveraformontheground.

"He'llbeluckyifheis,"Cordsaidquietly."Icouldn'triskMaggie'slifebyaimingtowoundhim,"he
addedflatly,claspingMaggie'scoldhandhardinhisownwhileBojocontinuedtoexertpressureon
Cord'sshoulder.

Theyoungpoliceman'sphonebuzzed.Heansweredit,frowned,nodded,spokeintoitandhungup.

"Themanonthebridge,"hesaidtoCord,jerkinghisheadtowardGruber.Hehesitated,searchingfor
theEnglish."Notalive."

Cord'sdarkeyesnarrowed."Noloss,"herepliedcurtly.

The other man understood. He looked down at Maggie. "Ambulance comes now," he said, and
secondslater,thesirensbecameloudinMaggie'sears.SheheldontoCord'scoldhandandprayed
and prayed while he just smiled at her and spoke reassuringly through his pain. Bojo kept right on
pushingagainstthewounduntiltheparamedicscamerunningtowardthem.

Shewasn'tlisteningtoCord'sreassurances.Itmightnotbeafatalwound,butshewantedCordinthe
hospital,andquick.Hewaslosingbloodatafantasticrate.Shedidn'tevenknowCPR.Shewasgoing
tohavetotakecourses,shetoldherselfidiotically,ifshewasgoingtolivewithamercenary.Itdidn't
even occur to her then that she'd sworn to run if Cord discovered her past from Lassiter's files.
Runningwasthelastthingonhermind.

Cordhadshownheramarriagelicenseandshewantedtouseit.Thefuturecouldtakecareofitself.
Fornow,atleast.

Weary,worrisomehourslater,MaggiewassittingbesideCordintheprivateroomhe'dbeentakento
after surgery to remove the bullet-with only local anesthetic, to her dismay. Two policemen, plus
BojoandRodrigo,werejustoutsideinthehall.Theyhadn'tvolunteeredanyinformationonwhythey
werethere,butMaggiewasn'tstupid.Grubermighthaveassociateswhowerestilllooseinthecity.
Cordwasgoingtobewatched.ItsetMaggie'smindatease,somewhat.

Hewasgoingtobefine,theypromised.He'dbeoutofthehospitalthenextdaywithanamplesupply
ofantibioticsandpainkillers.Theycouldflyhomewhenevertheyliked.

Thiswaswelcomenews,butfrighteningtoMaggie,whodreadedhavingtemptationputinCord'spath
bythatfileofLassiter'swhentheyreachedHouston.ButCordwasaliveandimprovingalready.He'd
befine.Thatwasallsheneededtoknow.

She'd hoped to have a few minutes alone with him, but men in suits came and went with alarming
regularity, speaking in all sorts of languages. One had a thick burr, another a French accent. Two
others looked as if they were cut out of sheet steel and had never smiled in their lives. Cord later

identified them as American, but wouldn't tell her from which agency. The others were a mix of
foreignagents,somefromInterpol.

Sitting with her in the hall while Cord entertained his guests, Bojo studied her curiously. He was
surprised at the difference a woman could make in a man. First Philippe Sabon, then Micah Steele,
andnowCordRomero.HewantedtotellMaggiethatherfriendGretchenhadbeeninasmuchdanger
asshehadbeen,andwasjustnowinAmerica-avisitthatwouldendmomentarilyifheknewSabon-
andthathe,himself,wasalreadyoverdueinQawiafterdoingthisfavorforCord.Hemustleavethe
country, and quickly. The aftermath of a coup attempt in that country had almost cost Gretchen her
life,nottomentionPhilippeSabon's.Thatterrorhadbeenaverted,withhelpfromsomepowerfulex-
mercenaries and a lot of courage from the sheikh himself. But there were details to attend to, and
Bojowasneededratherdesperately,alongwithhismen.

She glanced up at Bojo, noting that he was still blood-stained from his work on Cord, which had
probablysavedhislife."Ihaven'teventhankedyouforallyou'vedone,"shesaidgently.

Heshrugged."Ihavedonemyjob,"heremindedherwithasmile."Cordismyfriend."

Shelooked toward theclosed door ofCord's room. "If hehad died," shesaid quietly, "there would
havebeennoplaceonearthwhereIwouldbelong,everagain."

"Youwillfindthathefeelsthesameway,"hetoldher."Ifyoudonotknowalready,"headdedwitha
grin.

Shegrinnedback.

Whenheleft,sheclosedherwearyeyesandsighed.Despitetheterrorofthefuture,itwasbetterthan
theterrorofdayspast.Shewouldget

throughit.Somehow,shewouldgetthroughtheuncertaintyandthefear.Itwasn'tgoingtobepossible
towalkawayfromCord,whateverhappened.Hewouldhavetopushheraway.

Two hours passed before he was through talking to his visitors. She went back inside to find him
lounginginthebedintheunbecominghospitalgarment,waitingforherwitharuefulsmile.

Shewenttohimatonce,sittingdowninthechairbesidethebed.Shereacheduptotouchhisface,his
mouth.

Tearsstunghereyes.Shetriedtoavoidthem,butthefearandpainandworryofthepasthourshad
ruinedherself-control.Hottearsrolledhelplesslydownhercheeks.

"Hey,"hesaidsoftly."I'mnotgoingtodie.Honest."

Shemanagedawaterysmileandheldhishandtight.

Hesearchedherfaceslowly."Youlooklikehell."

"Thinkso?Youshouldlookinamirror,"sheadded.

Heforcedagrin."No,thanks.Hey."

"What?"

His fingers edged between hers. "When we get a minute, I'm going to buy us a ring each. My hand
feelsnaked."

Herheartjumped.Sheremembered,then,thefoldedpieceofpaperhehadinhiswallet.Ithadbeen
rescuedfromhisinnerpocket-fortunately,theoneoppositethesideofhischestwherethebullethad
hit.Shehaditinherpursenow,safeandsound.

"You didn't even hint that you were thinking of getting married," she accused, but she didn't sound
angry."Infact,yousworeyouneverwould."

Heshrugged."IhadahardtimewithPatricia,"hesaidafteraminute."Iwasneverinlovewithher,
Maggie, and she knew it. I married her for a lot of reasons, none of the right ones. You were so
young,baby,"headdedhuskily,andtheanguishhefeltwasinhisdarkeyesastheysearchedhers."I
didn'twanttoseduceyou,andIwasafraidImight.Youwere...youare...thedearestthingonearthto
me. It was nothing more than a halfhearted attempt to protect you from a relationship I didn't think
youwerereadyfor."Hesighedheavily.

"ThenPatriciacommittedsuicideandIhadtolivenotonlywiththeguiltofherdeath,buttheguiltof
knowingthatIneverlovedher.Sheknewit,too."Hecaughtherhandtightinhis."Justas,I'msure,
yourhusbandknewyouneverlovedhim."

"Hewasn'tlovable,"shesaidtightly."Andafterhecostmethebaby,Ihatedhim.ButIfeltguiltythat
hedied,thewayhedied.Hecouldn'thelpbeinganalcoholic.Hestarteddrinkingwhenhewasvery
youngandcouldn'tstop."

Hesmoothedoverherfingers."Ihavealotofregrets.Aboutthebaby,aboutyourmarriage.About
thewayItreatedyou,allthoselongyears..."

Sheputherfingersoverhishardmouth."You'retheonewhokeepssayingwehavetostoplooking
back.Youreally...wanttomarryme?"sheaddedhesitantly.Hisfacehardened."MorethanIwantto
goonliving."Hesoundedasifhemeanteveryword.

Shesighedworriedly."Therearestillthingsaboutmypast.Thingsyoudon'tknow.ThingsI...can'ttell
you."

"Hey."

Shelookedup.

"Let'stakeitonedayatatime,"hesaidgently.

"SupposeweflytotheBahamasinsteadofsailing?"

headdedandgrinned."Wecangetmarriedthere.""Wecan?"

"Yes,wecan."Hecarriedherpalmtohismouth.

"Iwanttomarryyourightaway,Maggie'"headded.

"Idon'twantyoutohaveasinglechancetorunawayfromme,everagain."

"WhataboutGruber'smen?"sheaddedworriedly.Hecockedaneyebrowandsmiled."Allincustody.

Hiswholeoutfit'sfacingjailtime,incountriesallovertheworld.Thecasewillmakeinternational
headlines.

AndyouandI,"headded,"arefinallysafe.""Safe."Shestudiedhisbighand."I'veveryrarelyfeltthat
wayinmylife,exceptwhenIwaswithyou.

I'dgivenuponyou,though,"sheaddedwitharuefulsmile."Idecidedthatyou'dneverbeabletocare
aboutmeandImightaswelltrytofindalifesomewhereelse."

"Youleftthecountryandtriedtoputanoceanbetweenus."Hiseyesdarkened."Itunnervedme.Idon't
havealifewithoutyou,Maggie,"headdedsolemnly."Idon'tthinkIhave,sinceIwassixteen."

Shesighedworriedly."Cord,aboutthatfileLassiterwantstoshowyou..."

Hisfingerscurledtightintohers."Hecanburnit,withmycompliments.Ifitmeansthatmuchtoyou."

Hereyesbrightened."Youmeanit?""Yes.Imeanit."

Herheartlightened.Shefeltasifshecouldfly.ThensherememberedhoweasilyStillwellandAdams
hadgottenintohersealedrecords."But,StillwellandAdams..."

"Lassiterhasfriends,"hereplied."Iwon'ttellyouwho,orwhat,theyare.SufficeittosaythatAdams
and Stillwell are very small fish and they are in imminent danger of being swallowed whole by a
shark-eveninprison-iftheyopentheirmouths."

"Wow."

"Wow."Helookedatherwithtenderconcern."Youneedsomesleep,"hepointedout.

Shesmiled."I'llsleepwhenthisisallover.I'mnotleavingyou.Notforanything.Idon'tcareifthey
dosayit'snotaseriouswound.I'mhereuntiltheyletyougo."

Hiseyesnarrowedwithemotion.Hedidn'tevenargue.Hisfingersbruisedhers."Okay."

Itwasaconcession.Hewasgivinghereverythingshewanted.AndLassiterhadn'tbetrayedher.He'd

savedher.

Shewonderedifitwouldbepermissibletohugamarriedman.WhentheygotbacktoHouston,she
wasgoingtofindout.

TheyletCordoutofthehospitalthenextafternoon.Theywentbacktothehotel,totakeupresidence
in the suite he and Maggie had hardly enjoyed since their arrival. The hotel staff was attentive and
theylackedfornothing-exceptBojo.He'dtakenoffthenightbeforewithaquickgoodbyetoMaggie
andapromisetoletCordknowhowthingsweregoing.

Rodrigo remained, and proved a valuable ally in the logistics of the move from the hospital to the
hotel. The other men had gone as well, and Maggie found out only later why. Gruber's entire
operationhadbeenshutdownovernight,includinghismultinationalcorporation.Governmentagents
from all over the industrial world had converged on the shady businesses Gruber had headed, and
childrenhadbeenrescuedandtakenhomefromsomeofthedarkesthellholesonearth.Prostitution
rings and child pornography rings had been splintered by enthusiastic agents. Stillwell and Adams
were under arrest and, after trial, facing extradition to Amsterdam for trial in the world court.
Lassiter'sclients,whosechildrenhadbeenkidnappedandkilled,hadfoundpeace.

Twodayslater,RodrigoflewtoQawitojoinBojo,andCordandMaggieflewtotheBahamas,where
theyweremarriedbyanAmericanministeratabeautifulluxuryhoteloverlookingNassau=afterthe
appropriatedocumentswerepresentedandofficialrequirementsweresatisfied.

Maggieworeawhitecottonskirtandpeasantblouse,bothwithacresofwhitelaceandwithasprayof
whitejasmine in herhair. When Cordlooked into her eyesafter they madetheir vows, she thought
she'd never seen such an expression of tenderness in her life. It was as if she were reborn. Cord
remarked with a husky laugh that he felt just the same. The parallel lines of their lives were now a
circle,bondedforever.Afterthreedaysofsightseeingandfeverishpetting,theyboardedacruiseship
forMiami,fromwhichtheywouldflyhometoHouston.

Maggiefeltasifshe'dlivedafairytaleasshelayinherownnarrowbedacrossfromherhusband's
intheelegantstateroom,feelingsafeandsecureandloved.Cordhadn'twantedthemtoshareabed
just yet, because of his shoulder, he said. But he kissed her coming and going, and she felt on the
vergeofsomethingextraordinary.

ItwasjustthatCordkeptwatchingherwithahaunted,darklookinhiseyesthatshecouldn'tpuzzle
out.Itdidn'tgoaway,either.

ThedaybeforetheydockedatMiami,CordwasontheInternetwithhislaptopwhenshewentoutfor
air.Hecametofindherondeckwithexcitingnews.ItwasashocktodiscoverthatGretchenhadleft
QawiforTexasandwasbackatheroldjob.Shewasalsomarried...tothesheikhhimself,Philippe
Sabon. There had been a coup attempt and Gretchen had been in the thick of battle alongside her
husband.Maggiecouldhardlybelieveit.

"And to think, it was my job that I gave up," Maggie murmured, nuzzling against Cord's uninjured
shoulderastheywatchedtheseaglimmerlikejewelsinthesunshine."Justimaginewhatcouldhave

happened."

"You'remarried,"hepointedout,chuckling.

"I was engaged, and I didn't even know it," she accused mischievously. "How could you get a
marriagelicensetomarryawomanandnottellheryou'ddoneit?AndIdidallthatagonizingover
sleepingwithyou...!"

"Whichyoudidbeautifully,"headdedwithawicked-smile.

"Myconsciencebeatmetodeath!"

He grinned shamelessly. "You knew when I did it that I had forever in mind. I don't sleep with
innocents."

"Iwasn'tinnocent."

He touched her forehead with his lips. "Don't be ridiculous. Of course you were. I'm the only man
you'veeverhad,evenifitwasn'tanexperienceyouwanttoremember,thatfirsttime."

"Even that time was magical," she whispered. "And the other times have been earthshaking." She
looked at him curiously, noting the way he avoided her gaze. "It is just your shoulder, isn't it?" she
addedworriedly."Imean,youstillwantme...?"

"OfcourseIstillwantyou,"hescoffed."Butmyshoulder'sverysore,"headdedwithoutlookingat
her.

"Okay.JustsolongasIknowthatit'stemporary."

Hepursedhislipsandgrinnedather,althoughitseemedalittleforced."SoI'mthatgood,amI?"

Shetweakedthehairathistempleasshereacheduptoholdhim."Whatatrialyou'regoingtobe."

Hesmiledatherlovingly."I'lldomybesttoreformbythetimethekidscomealong."

"Yousoundverysurethatwe'llhavethem,"shesaid,notasconfident.

"Iamverysure,"hesaid,andlookedasifhemeantit."Meanwhile,we'llgettoknoweachother,all
overagain."

She didn't argue about having children. But she had serious doubts about her fertility, her ability to
copewiththepastifitevercroppedupagain,andevenhersuddenstatusasamarriedwoman.Finally
shedecidedtojustletthecurrenttakeherdownriver,figurativelyspeaking,andstoptryingtoswim
toshore.

Houstonlookedfamiliarandforeignatoneandthesametime.Itseemedyearsinsteadofscantweeks
sincethey'dleftit.

The ranch was warm and welcoming. June met them at the door, having been forewarned of their
arrivalbyacallfromCordontheplane.HerfatherandRedDaviswerewaitinginthelivingroomto
shakehandsandoffercongratulationsandwelcomethemback.

IttookawholedayforCordtogetcaughtuponranchbusiness,andtherewerephonecallsande-
mailsandfaxesthathadtohavereplies.Hebroughtinhispart-timemalesecretaryandfellbackinto
hisroutine,woundedshoulderandall.

Feeling oddly neglected, Maggie walked the floor and worried. She'd had her own room their first
nightback,mainlybecauseofhisshoulder.Heinsistedthatshewouldn'tbeabletosleep,becausehe
wasrestless.Itwasthesameexcusehe'dusedatthehotelinAmsterdamandevenaboardship,when
they married. He'd had his own bed, and she had hers, although they shared a stateroom. She knew
therewasmoretotheproblemthanthat.

Indesperation,becausehewastotallyuncommunicative,shephonedTessLassiterandwenttoseeher
attheoffice,pretendingthatshewasgoingshoppingforsomefemininenecessities.Cordgaveher
thekeystohiscarandtoldhertobecareful.EvenwithGruber'smenroundedup,shemightnotbe
totallysafe.HehadDavisgowithher,toherdismay.

"Thisisyouroldofficebuilding,"Davisprotestedwhensheparkedonthestreet.

Sheglaredathim."Thankyou,Ididn'tknowthat,"shedrawledsarcastically.

Hesighed."Maggie,whatareyouupto?"

"Nothing that you can tell Cord, and I mean it," she added, holding up her left hand with the small
goldbandthatCordhadputonit.

Hegrimaced."Husbandsandwivesshouldn'thavesecrets."

"Tell him that," she replied. "I'm going inside to see Tess Lassiter and if you breathe one word to
Cord,I'llhaveyoubarbecuedoverthatcoalpitoutback.Doyouhearme?"

Hestaredather."I'dtasteterrible."

"Notifweusedenoughbarbequesauce,andI'mnotkidding.Waitforme.Iwon'tbelong."

"Okay.IfthepolicecomeandarrestmeforparkinginaNoParkingzoneandItellthemyoumade
mepromisetostayhere,andtheyshootme..."

She gave an exasperated sigh. "All right! You can drive to the mall and have coffee at that famous
littieshopyoulike,"shechided."I'vegotmycellphone.Gotyours?"

Hetookitoutofhispocketandshowedittoher.

"Great.I'llphoneyouwhenI'mreadytoleave!"

Shegotoutandwentintothebuildingalone.

TessLassiterwasuneasyaboutwhatMaggiewantedtoknow."It'sclassifiedstuff,"shebegan.

"What's classified stuff?" Dane Lassiter asked with a smile as he walked into the office with his
briefcase.

Tessexchangedacomplicatedglancewithhim.

"Okay, come on in," Dane told Maggie, opening his office door. "Sweetheart," he addressed Tess,
"howaboutgettingmeabearclaw?I'mstarving.Theydon'tfeedyouatfederaloffices."

"Pooroldthing,"Tesssaidwithatendersmile."I'llseewhat'sleftatthebakery.Maggie,canIgetyou
anything?"

Maggieshookherhead.Shewastoonervousto

eat."Thanks,anyway."

"I'llbebacksoon."Tessclosedthedoorbehindher.Daneleanedforwardandstaredacrosshisdeskat
Maggie,hisblackeyessteadyandunblinking.

"YouwanttoknowwhatCordgotoutofme."

Sheswallowedandflushed."Yes.I'msorryIwastryingtofindoutfromTess."

"It'sallright,"hesaidquietly."Itmustbeeasierforyoutotalktoawoman."

"Itis,"shesaid,surprisedathisperception.

Hedrewinalongbreath."EvenafteralltheyearsI'vebeeninthebusiness,somethingsgetnextto
me.Thiscasehasbeenanexample.StillwellandAdamsareinjailwaitingtobearraigned.They're
goingtoturnstate'sevidence,inexchangeforlightersentences."Hisfacehardened."Theywon'tbea
threattoyou,everagain.Ipromiseyoutheywon't."

"Cordtoldme.Thanks."Shehesitated,claspingandunclaspingherhands."Therewasafaxyousent
toCordinAmsterdam,"shebeganfinally.

"I told him nothing," he said at once. "But he knows how to break into encoded files," he added
uneasily.

Herheartstopped.ShelookedatDanewithhorrorinhereyes."Youmean...heknows?Heknows...

everything?"

"Itlooksthatway."

Shebitherlowerlip.Shewasrememberingthingsthewayhe'dactedthatnight,theoddremarks,the
assurance that he loved her, no matter what had happened in the past. He knew, and he hadn't said,
because she'd threatened to run away. She'd spent years running away, from emotions, from
attachments, from commitment, from everything, out of fear. She was afraid of what Cord would
thinkofher.Butheknew.Andhelovedher.

Shestudiedthesmallgoldbandonherfinger,theoneshe'dchosenforitssimplicity.Cordhadputit
onforher,andhe'dlookedintohereyes...whathadhesaid?Thatnomatterwhathadeverhappened
inthepast,theringwasasealontheirfuture,apromiseofmutualsupportthroughfireandfloodand
disaster.Surelyherpastwouldcomeundertheheadingofadisaster.

ShelookedupatLassiter.He'dbeensayingsomething.Shehadn'theardhim.

Hesmiled."Youhaven'theardaword,haveyou?Isaid,Cordphonedmeonasecurelineandtoldme
that he was going to come home and make sausage out of Adams and Stillwell, and that he'd
personallyhangGruberouttodry.I'veneverknownanyonethathomicidal,exceptmaybemewhen
mywifewasshot,beforewemarried,"herecalled."Hewantedblood.Ispenthalfanhourtalkinghim
outofit,whileheragedintwolanguages.Ithinkhe'dbeendrinking,too-andIcantellyouthatCord
Romerodoesn'tdrink.Thatwasthebestindicationofhowupsethewas.Hewashurtthatyouhadn't
trustedhimenoughtotellhim,inallthoseyearshe'dknownyou.Hesaidtherewasnothinginhislife
thathewouldn'tgladlyhavesharedwithyou."

Herfacecleared.Thingsfellintoplace.Herlifebecameanopenbook,apattern,thatshecouldsee
for the first time. She hadn't trusted Cord. She'd been afraid that he would think less of her, that he
wouldn'twanther,thathe'djudgeher,assomanyotherpeoplehad.Butwhensheturnedthatscenario
around,whensheconsideredhowshe'dhavefeltifithadbeenCordinherplace-shewassickather
stomach.

"Ifailedhim,rightdowntheline,"shesaidunsteadily."IneverthoughthowI'dfeel,ifhe'dhadsucha
pastandhadn'twantedmetoknow.Itallcomesdowntotrust,doesn'tit?"sheadded,meetinghisdark
eyes."Ifyoulovesomeone,youhavetotrustthem."

Hesmiledslowly."I'mgladyou'regettingthepicture."

"And nothing you do, nothing you have done, will ever make any difference," she continued, as if
she'djustfoundpuretruth."Becausewhenyoulove,it'sunconditional."

"Exactly."Hepursedhislips."Whydon'tyougohomeandtellCordthat?"

Her eyes brightened. It was like free fall. She didn't have to be afraid. She never had to be afraid
again,evenofdisclosure.Cordlovedher.Hiswastheonlyopinionthatwouldevermatter.Itwasso
simple,andshe'dneverconsideredthatonesimplefact.

Shealmostleapedoutofthechair."Whenthekidsgetbigger,Iwanttocomeandworkforyou.Can
I?"

Hechuckledheartily."That'sthespirit.Andyes,youcan."

Shegrinned."I'llholdyoutothat,Mr.Lassiter.Thankyou.Forkeepingmysecret.FormakingAdams
andStillwellkeepit.For...everything!Ithinkyou'reterrific."

Hegottohisfeetandshookhandswithher."Justfortherecord,"hetoldher,"sodoesmywife."

Shechuckled."I'mnottheleastbitsurprised!"

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

The next few minutes were a blur of activity. Maggie almost knocked Tess down getting out of the
building.Shethankedher,blessedDane,promisedtophone,anddivedintothecartheminuteDavis
pulledupatthecurb.

Sheinspiredhimtobreakspeedlimitsandsighedherreliefthattheyweren'tpickedupbythestate
policeastheypulledupinfrontofthehouse.

She opened the door even as Davis was putting on the brakes. She dived into the house, past a
surprisedJune,rightintotheofficewhereCordwasspeakingonthephonetosomeoneaboutabull.

Sheclosedandlockedthedoorbehindher,almostshiveringwithherdiscoveries."I'msorry,butyou
havetohangupnow,"shetoldCordinashakylittletone.

"Why?"heaskedwiththereceiveraninchfromhisear.

Sheshrugged,smiledsheepishly,andstartedtotakeoffherblouse.

He dropped the receiver. It was the first time in their lives that Maggie had ever been forward with
him.Infact,he'dbeencertainthatherpastwouldprecludeanysuchdelightfulopportunities.

"I'llcallyouback,"hetoldwhoeverwasontheotherendofthephone,andhungup,quick.

Meanwhile,Maggiehadshedblouseandbraandwassteppingoutofhershoesandworkingonthe
zipperofherslacks.

Shewenttowardhim,totallynude,enjoyinghislookofshockedpleasure.Shetookhimbythehand
andledhimtothesofa,sprawlingonitinbreathlessabandon.

"Well?"sheaskedhuskily."Areyouuptoit?"

Heactuallyshiveredashishandswenttoripoffhisknitshirt."I'llshowyouwhatI'mupto,"hesaid
inahuskytone.

She watched him undress, stretching sensuously as the fabric came away from that tall, powerful
body.

"Didyoulockthedoor?"heaskedroughly.

"Oh,yes,"shemurmuredwithasmile."Youlookverysexy."

"I'd love to tell you how you look," he said, sounding as he were choking, "but I don't think I have
time!"

Neitherdidshe,whenshesawhimwithoutthelastbriefcovering.Hecamedownbesideher,leaning

heavily on his uninjured arm, and his mouth went homing to hers. His long legs were insistent,
feverishlyinsistent,astheypartedhersandhewentdownagainstherwithuncontrollabledesire.

"I'msorry,"hegroundout.

Sherelaxed,smilingunderhismouthashewentintohersuddenly,urgently.Shegaspedalittleand
archedtogreethim,feelinghismouthswallowthehuskylittlenoiseashebegantomoveonherwith
practicedskill.

She wrapped her long legs around his and shivered with the increasing stabs of pleasure that built
fromhisuninhibitedpossessionofher.Shereachedunderhim,herfingersslidingdownthecurveof
hislongbacktohisbuttocks.Shedughernailsin,pullinghimcloser,whileherockedonherina
fiercelyardentrhythm.

She felt him tense more and more as the heated tension built. Their movements were loud in the
lockedroom,theirbreathingrasping,desperate,astheyclungtogether.Sheopenedhermouthwide
andfelthistonguepenetratingitasgreatsuddenwavesofdeliciousheatexplodedinpleasuredeep
insideherbody.Sheconvulsed,cryingpiteouslyintohishardmouthashethrustagainstherviolently
inthelastharshcontractionsoffulfillment.

He groaned hoarsely into her mouth, his powerful body arching downward and holding there,
pushing,grinding,straining,asifevenskinclosewasn'tquitecloseenough.Heshudderedoverher
evenasherownbodypulsedinardentrelease.

Shefeltdampnessunderherpalmsasherestedheavilyontopofherintheaftermath,hismouthopen
againstherthroatashepulsedinsideher.

"Icanfeelyouthere,"shewhisperedinhisear.Herlegstightenedaroundhim.

"I can feel you, too," he whispered back, moving roughly from side to side to make her gasp with
returningspasmsofpleasure."MyGod,whatanexplosion!Iwasn'tsureIcouldbearit."

"Iknow.Me,too."Shestraineduptowardhim."Iloveyousomuch.Iloveyoumorethanmylife!"

Hegroanedharshlyatherearandkissedheragain,hishipsmovinghelplesslyagainsthersuntilhe
felthimselfsuddenlycapableinsecondsandgaspedwithreturningdesire.

"Yes,"shewhisperedathisear,almostchokingonthedelightofhismovements."Canwe,again?Can
we?Oh,Cord,Iwant...you...somuch!"

Hismouthfoundhersandhismovementsdeepened,lengthened,slowed,untilshewasshiveringwith
everyagonizingbrushofhisbodyonhers.

He laughed suddenly and rolled onto his back, still joined to her, still shivering. "My arm's giving
out,"hewhispered.Helookedupatherwithfiercepassion."Takeme."

"Wh...what?How?"sheexclaimed.

"Like this, you little puritan," he chided, taking her by the hips and showing her the movement. He
grimaced, shifting the wounded shoulder. "It's too much, too soon, but I can't stop. You can't stop.
Maggie!Youcan't...

stop!"

Hegroanedharshly.Shesighedandsetherlips,movinguntilshefoundthepressureandtherhythm
that made him gasp. After a while, it became exciting, and pleasurable, and then it was fun. She
laughed.Helaughed.

Untilthepleasurebitintothemsodeeplythatthought,andspeech,becameimpossible...

Shelaybesidehim,dampanddrained,withonelegthrownoverhis,socontentthatsheneverwanted
tomove.

"I'mnotcomplaining,"hesaidatonce."Butcouldyoutellmewhatbroughtthaton?"

Shekissedhisuninjuredshoulderlazily."It'sallamatteroftrust,"shesaidsoftly."Ihaven'tgivenyou
any.IthoughtitwastimeIdid.SoIhadtoshowyouthatIcouldbeawoman,withoutbeingashamed
of myself, of my past, of my body." She sighed. "It's glorious, being a woman, Cord." Her hand
rubbed slowly over the thick wedge of hair that covered his chest, and he arched toward it with a
silverygroan.

"It'sgloriousforme,too,"hemanagedtosay,stillingherhand."Butyou'reoverestimatingbothof
us.I'mwasted."Helaughed."Reallywasted!"

Shesmiledcomplacently."I'mgood,"shemurmured.

"Oh,you'rebetterthanthat."

Shekissedhisshoulder."Thanks."

Heshifted,sothatshewascloserathisside."WhatdidLassitertellyou,exactly?"heasked.

Shestilled."HowdidyouknowIwenttoseehim?"

"Simplelogic,"hemurmuredlazily."Youcouldn'trestuntilyouknewwhathe'dtoldmeaboutyou."

"Hedidn'ttellyouanything,"shesaidknowledgeably.

"See?"

Herfingerscurledintohischest."Hedidn'ttellyou.ButIhaveto.Cord,whenIwassix,my.mother
died," she began slowly, painfully. "My stepfather was left with me. He had a friend. They liked to
drinkbeerandplaycards,andtheydidn'tliketowork.Neitheroneofthemcouldholddownajob.
Foroverayear,Iwastoleratedandnotmuchmore.Mystepfatherwasgoingtoputmeincare,and

thenanothermansaidIwasacutekidandhewonderediftheycouldn'tusemetomakemoney."She
swallowedhard."Mystepfatherandtheothermangotintouchwithsomeonewhowas...intochild
pornography."Shefelthimtenseunderher,butshedidn'tstop.

"Theygotanotherlittlegirlandtwolittleboys,andtheymade...moviesofus..."

"Stopit!"hegroundout,hishandtightinherlonghair."Youdon'thavetodothistoyourself!Idon't
havetoknow...!"

"Yes, you do," she said, despite the trembling of her lower lip and threatening tears. "I have to tell
you.Youhavetolisten.Theymademoviesofus,pornographicmovies.Wewereforcedtodothings
we didn't understand, and if we didn't, they used doubled-up belts on us. That made bad marks, and
they were even madder because they had to stop until we healed. After that, they used ... other
punishments, ones that didn't show." She closed her eyes, feeling Cord's powerful body tense with
rage.Unconsciouslyhernailscurledintohim."Iwasn'tinschoolandatruantofficercametofindout
why.Itwaswhilewewereinfrontofthecameras....Hesaw,throughawindowblind,andhewentto
getthepolice."

"ThankGod,"hemuttered.

"Yes.Wewereashamedandfrightened.Thepolicewereverykindtous.Theyhadawomanofficer
cometotakechargeofmeandtheotherlittlegirl.Butaswewentout,aneighborwomanlaughedand
saidwe'd grow upto be prostitutes,and it served usright, nasty littlekids." She shivered. "Nothing
everhurtsomuch."

Hisarmtightenedaroundher."Finishit,"hesaidtightly.

"Mystepfatherandhisfriendwenttojail.Therewasalongtrialanditwasasensationalstory.Itwas
inthepapers,ontelevision,radio.Thevideotapesweretakenintoevidence,butonegotoutandwas
lockedawaybysomeone-that'sthetapeStillwellandAdamshad,Iguess,becauseweweretoldthat
theothersweredestroyedeventually."

"Thatwaswhenyouweretakentojuvenilehall,"heguessed."Afterthetrial."

"Yes.They...thoughtIwasyoungenoughthatitwouldn'tdamagemeemotionally,"shewhispered."I
spoketoachildpsychologistacoupleoftimes,andthenIjustsortofgotlostinthesystem.Thereare
somanylittlekidsinthesystem,"shesaidhelplessly.

Hesmoothedherhairandkissedittenderly."Yes.Toomany!"

"Mystepfatherwaskilledinariotinprison.Theotherman...Iguesshe'sstillthere,somewhere,"she
added.

"Hediedofcancertwoyearsago,stillservingtimeinafederalprison,"hetoldherabruptly.

"Oh." She sighed heavily. "So they're both gone..." She held her breath even as she felt him tense.
"Howdidyouknowthat?"

Therewasalong,raggedsigh."Ibrokeintotheprotectedfiles,whilewewereinAmsterdam."

Sheliftedupandlookedathim."SoLassiterwasright?Youknew,allalong?Andyoustillmarried
me?"Shesoundedasifshecouldn'tbelieveit.

"OfcourseIdid,youidiot!"hesaidfuriously."WhatsortofhumanbeingdoyouthinkIam,thatI
couldholdapastlikethatagainstyou?Iloveyou!I'mdamnedsorryforwhatyouwentthrough,and
evensorrierthatIneverknewaboutitinthefirstplace,butitdoesn'tmakeabitofdifferencetome!"

"Itdoesn't?"sheasked,stunned.

"No. It doesn't." He pulled her down and kissed her hungrily. "It won't make any difference to you,
either,eventually,Maggie,"hesaidgently."Youbelongtome,now.I'llcherishyouaslongasIlive."

Shelookedintohisdark,angryeyes."Youbelongtome,too,"shewhispered."Don'tyou?"

"Allofme,"heagreedhuskily."Heart,bodyandsoul."

Shefeltodd-relaxed,happy,unbearablyandpleasantlysurprised.Shesmiledslowly."Iseducedyou."

He chuckled, despite the gravity of the discussion they'd been having. "Masterfully, at that," he
murmured."I'mshockedtodiscoverthatI'msoeasy."

Hereyebrowslifted.Shesmiledwithdelight.

Until recent days, it had never occurred to her that intimacy could be so much fun. With Cord, life
itselfwasanongoingadventure.

"I'mveryglad,"sheteased."Itgivesmeconfidence.Imightdoitagain,infact."

"Wow!Somethingtolookforwardto,"hemurmureddeeply.

Shesmiledandlaidhercheekagainsthisbicepstosearchhiseyes."Youaren'tdisgusted,"sheasked
hesitantly.

"You were a child, Maggie," he said gently, but with gravity. "How could I be disgusted? I don't
understandhowanyadultcouldexploitachildlikethat.It'ssavage."

"Greedypeopledon'tcarehowtheymakemoney."

"True."Hetracedaroundhersoftmouth."Amyshouldhavetoldme,"hesaid."Youshouldhavetold
me.

Thingswouldhavebeensodifferent..."

"You'dhavefeltsorryforme,"shesaidsimply."Anythingisbetterthanpity."

Hewinced."Ididn'thaveacluewhatyourpastwaslike.Iseducedyou,thatnight..."

Sheputherhandoverhismouth."AndnowI'veseducedyou,andwe'reeven,"shetoldhimfirmly.
Shepursedherlipsthenandlookeddownthelength,ofhisrelaxedbody,enjoyingthepleasureofhis
firm,muscularphysique."ButIdiditbetterthanyoudid,thefirsttime."

Helaughed."Noargumentthere.Butthen,"headded,bendingtokissher,"youweresober."

She kissed him back lazily. "You said you knew, in Amsterdam." It explained his recent behavior,
whichhadbeenapuzzleuntilnow.

Henodded."Ididn'tknowhowtotellyou.Iwasashamed,shocked,hurt.You'veneversharedanyof
yourworstpainwithme.Notevenaboutourbaby,whenyoumiscarried."

"Ididn'ttrustyouenough,andI'msorry,"shereplied."Ithoughtyou'dneverwantme,really,andthat
it would just be one more rejection." She searched his hard face lovingly. "Then you said that you
lovedme.I...wassureIwasdreaming.Icouldn'tquitebelieveit."

"Butyoudonow."

"Yes.Idonow,orIcouldneverhavetoldyouaboutwhathappened.Ididn'tknowthatyou'dalready
ferreteditout."

Hesmiledagain."Whichproveshowmuchyoutrustme,"hesaidsoftly.Hekissedhernose."Maggie,
we'regoingtohavealotofyearstogether.AndI'mgoingtowearyourheartoutlovingme."

"Iwon'tmind."Shetracedhismouth."ButIwishwecouldwecouldhaveanotherbaby,Cord."

He drew her close. "You have to start believing in miracles, my darling," he murmured drowsily.
"You'vehadfewenoughinyourlifeuntilnow.But,trustme,they'regoingtostartpoppingoutlike
measles."

"Doyouthinkso,really?"sheasked.

"Really.Damn.I'msleepy..."

Theinsistentknockingonthedoorwokethemhourslater.

"Mr.Romero!"Daviswasyelling."Areyouokay?I'vegotakey,andI'mcomingin...!"

"Davis,youcrackthatdoor,andyou'refired!"Cordragedjustasthedoorbegantoopen.

Davissawapileofclothingonthefloorthatledinatrailtothesofa,whereapairoffuriousdark
eyesmethimoverthebackofit.

Thedoorslammed,akeydroppedonthefloor,andbootedfeetranpell-melldownthehall.

Despite the near calamity of the situation, Cord looked down at a drowsy Maggie and burst out
laughing. When she realized what had almost happened, and her gaze was directed to the clothing
strewnalloverthefloor,shecouldn'thelpjoininghim.Lifewasglorious.

Several months later, Cord was helping herd a small group of purebred young bulls to the waiting
truckswhenaspeedingsportscarscatteredthemallovertheyard.

Hecursed,butnotloudly,becauseMaggieflewoutofthecarandrantowardhimatbreakneckspeed.

Hekickedonebootedfootoutofthestirrupandreacheddowntopullherupinfrontofhimonthe
saddlewhenherealizedthatshewasn'tevenslowingdown.

"Wouldyoumindtelling..."hebegan.

Herardentmouthstoppedhiminmidsentence.

He kissed her back hungrily, instantly aroused by her headlong passion and wondering dimly if it
wouldbepossibletoseduceheronhorsebackinfrontofthewholedamnedcrew.

"Here, feel," she whispered against his hard mouth, pulling one of his hands to her flat stomach.
"Maggie,therearedamnedcowboyseverywhere,"hetriedtogetout.

"There'sababyinhere,"shewhispered,pushinghishandcloser.

Hestiffened.Heliftedhisheadandstaredatherblanklywhilethetearfuljoyinhergreeneyesandthe
laughtercomingfromherthroatmanagedtosinkin.

"You'repregnant?"heaskedonanexplosionofbreath."Pregnant?"

"Very,verypregnant,"shemurmuredagainsthismouth.Shelinkedherarmsaroundhisneck."Three
months.Ididn'tevenhavemorningsicknessandIthoughtIcouldn'tgetpregnant,andthenIrealized
wehadn'thadanymonthlyproblems."

"Wehadn'thadanymonthlyproblems?"heaskedwithgrowingdelightandamusedaffection.

Shehithim."It'sourbaby.We'rebothhavingit.Now,listen.Anyway,Iwenttoseethedoctorandhe
didthisonelittlebloodtest.Idrovesofastgettingheretotellyou...!"

Sirensinterruptedher.

"Oh,dear,"shesaidnervouslyasshelookedbehindher.Twostatehighwaydepartmentvehicleswere
drawingupafewyardsaway,lightsflashing.Cowboyswhohadstoppedloadingtowatchthebossget
kissedhalftodeathwerenowwatching,withinterest,thearrivalofaherdofpolicemen.

TwouniformedofficersgotoutofseparateTexasDepartmentofPublicSafetyhighwaypatrolcars
andwalkedaroundthesportscartowardthemanandwomansittingsoclosetogetheronthehorse.

"I'mverysorry,"Maggiebeganhopefully.

"Lady,youweregoingeightyinafifty-five!"theolderofthetwomenreplied,ticketbookinhand.

"And you passed both of us on the four-lane like we were backing up!" the younger one added
belligerently.

"She's pregnant," Cord told them blatantly, chuckling as Maggie squirmed sheepishly and made the
horsejump.

Hecalmeditwithagentlehandonitsneck."We'vebeenmarriedfourmonths,butadoctortoldher
yearsagothathedidn'tthinkitwouldbepossibleinthefirstplace.Sowe'rehavingsortofamiracle.
Andababy,"headded,grinningfromeartoear.

Theoldermanlookedattheyoungerman.

"Thelawisthelaw,"theolderonesaiddoggedly.

"Sure it is, and we can give out warnings to people we don't need to arrest," the younger one said,
grinning."I'dputanewlypregnantwomanatthetopofthelist.Sotellhernottodoitagainandthen
wecancongratulatethemandgobacktowork."

Theolderofficerstudiedthepeopleonhorseback.Hescowled."Youlookfamiliar,"hetoldCord.

"Ishould,"Cordrepliedwithagrimace,havingbelatedlyrecognizedtheotherman."Youwerejust
leavingtojointhehighwaydepartmentforcewhenIwasarookieontheHoustonpoliceforcehere,
yearsago."Henotedthestripesontheman'ssleeves."You'vecomeupintheworld."

Themanlookedbackathimandhisstoicexpressionsoftened."Sohaveyou,apparently,butthat'snot
where I remember you from, I'm sure of it," he replied, with a long look at Maggie. He pointed a
fingerather."Youstopspeedinginmycounty,"headmonished."Babiesdon'tdowellatsupersonic
speeds.Gotthat?"

"Oh, yes, sir," she promised, and grinned. "I'll teach him to obey all the traffic laws." "Her," Cord
corrected.

"We'rehavingagirl."

Sheopenedhereyeswide."Goddoesn'ttakeorders."

"Wecanasknicely,"heretorted."Ilikelittlegirls.Wecanteachhertobreedbulls."

"Wecanteachhertocatchcrooks,too,"shepointedout.

"That'swhereI'veseenyou!"theolderpolicemansuddenlyblurtedout,slappinghisforehead."You're
thetwowhobrokeuptheinternationalchildslaveryring!Bothyourpictureswereinthepaper,along
withthefront-pagestory.YouactuallyshotitoutwiththeheadguyinAmsterdam!AndtheLassiter
Detective Agency turned in two local businessmen who were up to their necks in the conspiracy. I

usedtoworkwithDaneLassiterbeforehebecameaTexasRanger,yearsago."

The younger officer was staring from Maggie to Cord while the older one was speaking and he
grinned."Sonofagun.Itisthem!"

Maggiefeltliketheheroineofacliffhangermovieserial.Shechuckled,tighteningherarmsaround
Cord'sneck.

"I'llsaysomethingniceaboutyouwhenIwritemymemoirs,ifyouwon'tarrestme,"shepromised.

"Lady,youshouldwritebooks,notmemoirs,afterwhatIreadinthenewspapers,"theolderofficer
said."Withastorylikethattotell,whatabestselleritcouldbe!"

She thought about that and lights flashed in her head. "You know," she began slowly, and with
growingenthusiasm,"that'snotabadidea!"

Six months later, Maggie turned in a novel about international espionage to an editor in New York
who'dreadtheearlierdraftandcontractedtopublishit.Simultaneously,Maggieproducedababyboy.
It came as a surprise, because neither parent had wanted to know the sex of their child until it was
born.They'dchosennamesforeithersex,butCordwascertainthey'dbeusingCharleneMaria.

When they were home with the baby, sitting on the front porch late in the afternoon, Cord looked
downatthechildinherarmsandsighedlovingly."JaredMejiasRomero,"hemurmuredproudly."I
amveryhappytobeyourfather.ButwestillneedalittlesisterforDaddytospoil."

"Daddy can spoil Jared until that happens," Maggie told him with a grin, knowing he was perfectly
pleasedthattheyhadahealthybaby."Maybethey'rerightandlightningcanstriketwice.Butevenifit
can't,I'mveryhappywithwhatwegot."

"SoamI."Hekissedherandthenhissonastheysatintheswingonthewarm,enclosedsunporchand
watchedthebigbulleathayfromthebackofapickuptruckinthepasturebesidethedriveway.Itwas
Februarynow,stillverycold,andsunsetwasjustbrushingtheclouds.Thehorizonwasablazewith
color."Mywife,thewriter,"hemurmured.Heglancedatherwhimsically."Still,itbeatshavingyou
runaroundinatrenchcoatpackingagun."

Sheshothimawickedgrin."Thinkso?IdohavetohavefreshmaterialifIgetofferedanotherbook
contract."

He lifted an eyebrow. "I'm not signing on to bust up any more illegal labor rackets, or defuse any
bombs,orhelpBojowithanymoremissions,incaseyoueverwondered,"heinformedher."Iraise
cattlenow.Period."

"Cattleareexciting.JustlookatoldHijitothere,"shemused,studyinghim.Shepursedherlipsasa
new plot announced itself in her head. "Hmm. Suppose somebody stole him and it came out that he
hadamicrochiphiddeninhiseartagthatcouldprovesomeoneguiltyoftheattemptedassassination
of...hey,whereareyougoing?Cord!Comebackhere!"Hekeptgoing,laughingallthewaydownthe

hall. Maggie turned her eyes to the sleeping face of her baby in his warm little footy pajamas and
thoughtaboutallthelong,hard,painfulyearsthathadledhertothisplace,thistime,thishappiness.

Byfacingherpainandherpast,she'dsteppedintoanewworldofjoy.Ifonlyshe'dknownlongago
thattheonlywaytocopewiththedarknesswastoturnandfaceintoit,insteadofrunningawayfrom
it.Ifonly...!

ButshehadCordandababy,andlifewassweeterthanshe'ddreameditcouldbe.Regretswerelike
thecloudsonthehorizon,soonblownawaybythelazysummerwindsandlostinthesplendorofthe
sunset;justastheenduranceofpainwasrewardedbyunexpectedpleasureoncetheordealended.It
wasone of theshimmery curiosities oflife that God kissedthe emotional cuts,just as mothers and
fatherskissedtherealones.AphysicistwouldquoteNewton'sThirdLaw-everyactionproducedan
equalreaction.ButMaggielikedherpoeticversionbetter.

Shekissedthetinyforeheadsoftly,soasnottowakethebaby,andherheartliftedlikearocketwith
joy.Downthehall,sheheardfamiliarfootstepscomingbacktoher,beatingafirm,steadytattoothat
echoedinherheart.

"Ithoughtitwascloudinguptosnow,"Cordremarkedashereacheddowntotakehissoninhisarms
andrelievehertiredarms."Butlookatthatsunset!"

She smiled up at him. "The clouds are all gone, my darling, they've drifted away on the wind," she
saidsoftly.

"Remembertheoldsaying,`redskiesatnight,sailor'sdelight'?Justlookatthatsky!"

Hedrewherupwithhim."I'mnosailor,andyou'regettingfanciful,"heteased."Comeandlet'shave
supper.

I'mstarving!"

She reached up and kissed him. "You're always starving." She grinned wickedly and wiggled her
eyebrows.

"Luckyme!"

"No,"hewhisperedlovingly,andkissedherback."Luckyme!"

Sheclungtohisarmastheywalkeddownthehallwiththeirson,watchinghisfatherlookathimwith
the most beautiful, loving expression she'd ever seen in those dark eyes, for anyone other than
herself.

"Youknow,"shesaid,thinkingaloud,"Ithinkbabiesaremoreexcitingthaninternationalintrigue."

Hechuckled."We'reinaperfectpositiontofindout."

"Yes,weare."Shesighedcontentedly."Weare,indeed."Shelookedupathim."Foradesperado,"she
murmured,"youmakeaprettygoodfamilyman."

"Thankyou.I'llrecommendyouforpromotionwhenwe'rerecruitedbytheFrenchForeignLegion."

"Allright!Dotheytakewomennow,andcanthebabycome,too?"sheaskedexcitedly."Howdowe
join?"

Heaimedaswatatherbacksidethatshedodgedskillfullyandwithalaugh,remindingherthatsome
desperadoesneverreallylosethehabit.Andshewouldn'thavehadhimanyotherway.

TableofContents

CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
CHAPTERSIXTEEN