“So what’s the case? Does it have anything to do with horses being stolen, because Faith’s horse has gone. It must have happened overnight. The cops were here earlier but from what I could see they did a piss poor job of investigating.”
“That’s because the Feds are in deep and didn’t want the cops messing with the scene while they did their own investigating. An arrangement has been struck between DC and Houston PD. They’re working together but are letting the FBI take the lead.”
Greg snorted. “That sounds unlikely, the local police don’t like people intruding on their turf, even if it’s the FBI.”
Tex chuckled. “True, but considering the rodeo is in town, the local force have their hands full dealing with everything else going on. This case has been going on for months. What I’m about to say to you stays between us, Cowboy. I’m giving you information I shouldn’t, but I have a feeling if I don’t, you’ll go off and do your own thing.”
Greg heard the warning in Tex’s words and wasn’t sure he appreciated the tone, but the other man was helping him. He wasn’t about to put him offside. “Fuck, Tex. I’m not going to do anything to put Faith in danger. I care too much for her to do that. But you’re right, I need to keep a close eye on her. I can’t do that properly if I don’t have all the facts.”
“Okay, I figured as much but I needed to check the lay of the land. If what you said is true about Faith’s horse going missing, then this would be the twelfth horse in the last six months that’s been taken. But I’d bet there’s been more horses taken over the years. Horses that owners figured just got out and ran away. They probably never considered that the animals had been stolen.”
“What the hell? I know rodeo horses are expensive, but I didn’t know there was a black market for them. Does anyone know what’s been happening to them?”
“Some are sold to unsuspecting people, but the majority are being hauled across the border into Mexico. Cartels are finding uses for them and they want quick horses.”
Greg processed the information and tried to make the connection between taking rodeo horses and the cartels of Mexico. “Wouldn’t it make sense to take racehorses instead of rodeo horses?”
“You’d think, but the security around prized racehorses is a little tighter than around rodeo horses. Think about it, Cowboy, you’ve been there. How many regional rodeos are there? The arenas are located in the middle of these small towns. The horses are most likely corralled with a few others. Easy pickings for professionals who want to get in and out without being detected. And no one in town would be suspicious of a large horse hauler rolling down main street.”
Tex’s point was solid and valid. How many times had his horses been in a pasture while he’d been sleeping in a trailer twenty feet away. “Shit. I take it the reason the Feds got involved was because a big name horse was stolen?”
“That and a prominent congressman bought his little girl a horse, one that happened to have been stolen. When the horse’s true owners found out where their horse was, there had been a big fight. The congressman’s little girl was devastated she had to give her horse back. It was enough to raise suspicions and people started to put two and two together and then the Feds got involved.”
“It makes sense that they chose Faith for the assignment. If they knew about her rodeo background she was the logical choice. Plus people who competed when we were young and still competed wouldn’t blink an eye with her popping back on the scene.”
“Exactly. They’ve gathered a lot of information, but still haven’t been able to find anything to crack the case. The fact these fuckers got ballsy enough to steal from a big event like the Houston one shows they’re feeling confident that they’ll never get caught.”
“Is there anything else I need to know?” he asked Tex, anxious to get back to Faith. She may not want him nearby, but he was going to do everything he could to keep close to her.
And he had the perfect idea too, one that wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows. At least he hoped it wouldn’t.
Chapter 8
Knowing that Greg was still lurking around had Faith on high alert, but she had to push the man out of her mind. He was taking up too much head space. If only it was as easy to eject him from her mind as it had been to physically walk away.
Liar. You wanted to turn around and run back to him.
She cursed her inner voice and her observations. That girl needed to keep her opinions to herself.
“Right, did you find anything when you looked through the file?” Eddy asked as he strode into the small room off the stables.
“Yes, I think I’ve found a pattern and I can’t believe we didn’t think of it earlier.”
Eddy leaned forward. “I’m listening.”
“Let’s think about it. Chester and Simba were the horses belonging to the two guys who were always winning the team roping events. Now Ginger was taken because I’m currently the favorite to win barrel racing here. Looking back over the file, all the horses taken have been from people who are winning or are favorites to win. Clearly the thieves are chasing the fast horses.”
“But to make it not so obvious they’re also taking other horses. Wasn’t the horse the congressman bought for his daughter, a steer wrestler’s horse?” Eddy interrupted.
“You’re right, it was.”
Eddy scratched his chin. “Hmm, you may be on to something. Let me dig into what we’ve got. I mean so far we’ve only recovered one horse, which is annoying the shit out of me. If what you’re saying is true. then we may have already lost Chester and Simba. Like some of the other horses they’ve taken, they could be so far over the border recovering them will be impossible.”
Dread filled Faith. This was what she’d been worried about. She couldn’t let anything happen to Ginger. She’d been entrusted with the horse’s care and she’d failed the owners.
“I agree, which means we have to make sure we do everything possible to crack this case before it gets too late for Ginger.” She drummed her fingers on the table next to her. “This place has surveillance. It’s too coincidental that they had a problem with it last night of all nights. What about where Chester and Simba were held. Did they have issues with their security cameras and system that night as well?”
“Wasn’t there a note in the file?”
Having just reviewed the contents she would’ve remembered if there was a reference to any security issues. “No. There wasn’t. I’m beginning to think that one or maybe more of the competitors is involved in this. I think we need to do deeper background checks on everyone.”
“I agree, it’s looking more and more like the ring has an inside connection.” Eddy glanced at the utilitarian leather watch on his wrist. “We need to get back to the Stadium. I’ve arranged for another horse to be delivered to the arena. We need to get back out there and keep our attention focused on the job at hand.”
The underlying message was loud and clear, no more distractions. If only it were that easy to banish Greg from her mind.
Faith sat astride Smokey, a large grey mare, waiting for her turn to practice around the barrels. The first run she and Smokey completed had been her worst time in months. Smokey was fast but she lacked the natural turning ability Ginger appeared to possess. Hopefully by the time the first event came around she and Smokey would be better in sync than they currently were.
Eddy strolled up. “Okay, you were a little wide taking the second barrel. I know she’s not Ginger but she’s a good horse. Loosen up a little yourself, your tension may be radiating down to Smokey, causing her to be a little skittish.”
This was another reason why Eddy was on the assignment with her. He knew his stuff which made the cover even more authentic.
“Gotcha.”
Faith rolled her shoulders and willed herself to relax. She closed her eyes and instead of envisaging a peaceful beach on an island in the middle of nowhere, Greg’s face popped up. His smile was wide and sensuous. It was the smile he’d given her before he’
d driven into her body the second time they’d made love. Surprisingly her body went languid instead of tense like she had worried it would make her seeing him in her mind’s eye.
“That’s it. Now go do your stuff.”
Eddy slapped Smokey on the rump as she dug her heels into the horse’s side. The animal sprung into action and Faith raced out into the arena, kicking up dust as she went. She rounded the first barrel nice and tight. She straightened and headed for the second barrel, the one that had caused her issues on her first run. Smokey swiveled around it perfectly before they made tracks for the final barrel. As she whipped around it and dug her heels in again to increase her speed for the final straight line finish, Faith was confident that she’d sliced off a lot of seconds from her first run.
She galloped out of the arena, pulling the horse to a stop. The flanks of the horse heaved in an effort to draw in air. Her lungs expanded and retracted rapidly as well, but God she was elated. The horse had performed better than expected, considering it was only the second run.
Eddy came up to them a big smile on his face. “This time was 13.10 seconds. That’s an amazing run, Faith. Well done.”
There was an element of playing up his enthusiasm as part of their cover, but there was also genuine excitement in Eddy’s face.
Faith leaned over and patted Smokey’s neck. “Good girl,” she crooned. “You did amazing.”
“Shit, Faith, you were flying. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you circle those barrels like you just did.”
Faith’s head whipped up when she spied Greg coming up to where she and Eddy were. Did the guy not take any hints? Although secretly, a buzz of excitement and desire ignited inside her at knowing Greg had witnessed her run.
But did she plan on letting him know that? Hell, no.
“What are you doing here, Greg? I told you to go away.”
Eddy looked between the two of them and grabbed Smokey’s reins from Faith’s fingers. “I’ll take care of the horse.” He sent her a pointed look, silently adding while you take care of this.
Faith slid off the horse and watched as Eddy led her away. When they were out of hearing distance she whirled on Greg, hands on hips. “Shit, Greg, how many times do I have to tell you that you need to leave me alone.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I have a job to do and your presence isn’t helping me stay under the radar. You upset Randy the other night and if he sees you hanging around, he’s going to get suspicious.”
“Suspicious about what, Faith? As far as he knows you’re a barrel racer. He also knows we used to hang when we were both on the circuit all those years ago. He’s not going to bat an eyelid seeing us together. Besides, I saw him at the stables and I told him I was here with you. He also took great pleasure in telling me that he’s the best bronc rider now, not me.”
Faith clenched her fists at her side. She’d made a monumental mistake sleeping with Greg the previous evening. It appeared to have given him ideas he had no place having. Now he told Randy that they were together. Well maybe not in so many words, but he alluded to it, not to mention the way he handled Randy’s unwanted advances at the cook-off.
This assignment was quickly going to shit and if she didn’t get a handle on Greg and his presence, then the whole case could be in jeopardy.
She looked around and noticed a couple of people milling about, studying the both of them, speculation in their gazes.
Great, just what she needed.
Faith directed her gaze at him. “Walk with me,” she commanded and started off in the direction Eddy had disappeared to. She didn’t look to see if Greg was following, she didn’t have to. It was like an invisible thread had formed between them and she sensed that he was following her.
Once they were outside, she headed for the back of the building. Hopefully they’d get some sort of privacy but the chances were slim. The cook-off weekend was in full swing as well as the carnival. Come next week when the rodeo was going strong there would be masses of people visiting. For years she’d heard about it and now she was going to experience it for herself. This definitely was a perk of the assignment.
Under the shade of a large tree, Faith leaned against the trunk, forming the words she wanted to say in her mind. When he stopped in front of her she lifted her gaze, as much as she could considering she still had her cowboy hat on.
“Greg, I know your natural instinct is to protect. I understand that, but most of the people you have to protect are in trouble and they need help. I’m not in trouble. I don’t need help and I’ve been trained. I know how to kill a person with my bare hands. I can shoot a gun with precise aim. I may not have all of your skill sets, but I have my own. If the agency didn’t trust me enough to do this job, they wouldn’t have sent me.” She took a breath, noting that his expression hadn’t changed one iota since she started talking. “You have to let me do my job. You can’t interfere. This is my career. I’ve worked long and hard to get where I am. I don’t need to you come along and mess this up because of some sort of I am SEAL I must protect attitude.”
Still Greg hadn’t moved and she couldn’t deny it was unnerving. Any other time she’d be impressed with the attention he was giving her. Wasn’t it a complaint of many women, their guys didn’t listen when they talked?
Well no issue here.
“Are you finished?” he asked. “Or do you have more you want to say?”
“No. I think that’s all I need to say.”
“Good, now you can listen to me.”
“Only if you tell me that you’re going to leave me al—” A finger landed on her lips stopping the flow of words.
“I believe it’s my time to talk.” His finger still rested lightly against her lips. “Are you going to let me say what I want to say?”
She rolled her eyes but nodded her head.
“Good,” he said and removed his finger. Her tongue whipped out and swiped across her dry lips. Greg’s eyes flared at the action and the gold flecks in his eyes brightened in desire. An answering want burned low in her belly. “I know your job is important to you, Princess, I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that, you have to believe me. But I’m a SEAL. My go to nature now is to protect those I care about. And—” He reached out and brushed a finger down her cheek. “—I care about you, Faith. A lot. So I’m going to be here.” She opened her mouth to protest but he held up his hand. “Nope, still my turn. I promise that I will not do anything to risk the real reason for you being here getting out. I don’t want anything to happen to you. None of the people here know I’m a SEAL. All they know is that I went into the Navy. Let me play the part of your boyfriend. Let me see if I can pick up on anything someone says. Something that may help you, that you or Eddy don’t have a chance to overhear. Let me do this, Faith. Please?”
God, it was so hard to resist him. He’d always been that way. When they’d been competing together, every time she’d scoured the list of competitors, aching to see the name Greg Robertson. Back then she longed for the courage to grab him and kiss him. Willed him to do the same and yet he’d always held back.
And then he’d gone to Paris and the attack had happened and he’d lost his best friend. He’d come back a different person. Unreachable in his grief, and she hadn’t known what to say to him at the one and only event he’d competed in after Paris. Next she’d heard he’d joined the Navy and she figured her chance with him was gone.
Yet here he was, standing in front of her, letting her know he believed in her and trusted her but wanted to help.
Fighting what she’d longed for all those years ago and had only increased since spending the night with him seemed futile.
Eddy was going to have a conniption when he found out Greg wasn’t going to be disappearing any time soon. But for once she was going to let herself have what she wanted. And what she wanted was Greg.
“Yes.”
Chapter 9
Energy buzzed around the arena and from Greg’s position he could just make out Faith at t
he far end of the tunnel.
Opening night had arrived at the rodeo and since their confrontation a couple of days ago, he hadn’t been far from Faith’s side. He would like to have spent the nights with her, but she’d put her foot down and said no when he’d asked.
He’d respected her wishes, gave her a kiss at her door. He’d then gone to his room and taken a cold shower. When that didn’t ease his desire he’d taken matters in his own hand. That was the last thing he wanted to be doing for the next few days.
“I’m glad you’re sitting with us Greg, although I’m sure you’d rather be where Faith is.” His mom raised her voice so she could be heard over the cheering as the riders started coming in.
A prick of guilt hit him, he was supposed to be spending his time with his mom and dad, but once he’d seen Faith again, family time had been forgotten. His leave would be up in a few days too and he wanted to spend as much time with Faith as he could. So far he hadn’t heard anything and Faith was remaining tight lipped about how the investigation was going.
He reached out and took his mom’s hand in his, raising it to kiss her knuckles. “I’m sorry, Mom, I know we were supposed to be doing things together, but….”
His mom patted his cheek. “It’s okay, Son, I understand. I’m glad you found Faith again. I always thought you two would make a lovely couple when you were competing all those years ago.”
“What?” His mom couldn’t have shocked him more if she’d announced she and dad were splitting up. “Why did you think that?”
She shrugged. “You were always spending time together and I know you used to take her out in your truck in the evenings. I was waiting for the day when you’d bring her home for dinner, but you never did. And then you went off and I hardly see you now.”
Fuck, how could he be such an ass? His mom wasn’t guilt tripping him at all, but he couldn’t stop it from consuming him. “I really am sorry, Mom. I promise I’ll spend the day with you. We’ll go shopping and have lunch.” Faith would probably be very happy to hear that he wasn’t going to be bugging her all tomorrow.
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