“It feels like we’re always having this same conversation.”
“Maybe because you never listen.”
He picked her up into his arms, holding her close. She stared into his eyes, wanting to swim in the dark depths. What she wanted was to forget the hurdles that existed between them. He sat down on a bale of hay, keeping her on his lap.
“Why do you make things so hard between us?” Amusement glimmered in his eyes.
“Why do you brush off the important things?” She swallowed hard when he brought her hand to his lips to kiss the backs of her knuckles, then entwined their fingers. His heat seeped into her, hypnotizing her senses. She couldn’t imagine anything better than being here with Deegan. He made everything seem so calm, so right, and why did she lose all logic when he looked at her with his amazing eyes?
“I’ll quit the Department.”
She blinked, not sure she heard right. “Quit? You can’t do that.”
He shrugged, stretching the sleeve of his shirt up on his large bicep. “There are other jobs, but there’s only one you.” He nuzzled his nose against her neck. “Stop fighting me, sweetheart. Stop fighting these feelings.”
17
Deegan could see the wheels churning through her eyes. He’d never been the best communicator, but he also didn’t like beating around the bush. He slid his finger along the delicate line of her cheek, following the plumpness of her bottom lip, wanting to undress her and explore her with his tongue. Yet, now wasn’t the time. He needed her to understand that he was serious.
“See what I mean. Everything is just so simple for you. As if sleeping together mends all the issues.”
He touched her hand and she trembled under him. “I decided this before we slept together.”
Shoulder slumped and wearing a frown, she gave her head a small shake, sending tendrils of hair around her cheeks. “Well, I’m glad you have this all figured out.”
“I don’t, sweetheart, but sometimes things come along that we can’t fight. I can’t fight my feelings for you any more than I can predict what tomorrow brings.”
“This is too much to think about on an empty stomach.”
He smiled. “You’re hungry?”
“Very much.” She stood.
“How about I make you my specialty.” He stood, taking her hand and together they walked outside.
“Specialty?”
“Meaning it’s about the only thing I can make.”
Ten minutes later, Deegan was in the kitchen taking out slices of cheese, salami and ham from the fridge and grabbing a loaf of bread from the cabinet. Heating a skillet on the stove and dropping in a dollop of butter, he tossed in a handful of ham and warmed it, then toasted the bread until golden brown. He layered mayonnaise, mustard, salami, ham, cheese then topped it with a toasted slice of bread. After two sandwiches were made, he set the paper plates on the bar where she was sitting and he joined her.
“They smell delicious.”
They ate in silence and the moment she chewed her last bite, he swiveled on the stool and looked at her. “Now that you have a full stomach, we can discuss what we started down at the stables.”
She looked uncomfortable as she slid off the stool, grabbed her empty plate, and threw it in the trashcan. “Thank you for that delicious meal. I’ll clean up the mess.”
“I made it so I’ll help and we can talk while we’re doing it.” He joined her in the kitchen, remembering what almost happened between them before when they were here together.
Kiersten made no argument with him but opened the door to the dishwasher and loaded the pan and silverware while he closed the containers on the deli meat and cheese and replaced them in the fridge. It didn’t take long before the kitchen was spotless and they still hadn’t said one word.
“How much longer do you plan to procrastinate?” he said.
She turned to look at him, working her bottom lip. “You really want to do this? Discuss you and me, and a baby?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“I think you’re crazy,” she blurted out.
“Maybe just a bit, but aren’t we all?”
“You’re not thinking clearly.” She stepped out of the kitchen and plopped down on the couch, pulling the pillow into her lap. Was it to keep her from feeling vulnerable? He’d never hurt her, not intentionally.
Sitting on the coffee table, the wood creaked under his weight, but it was the best seat in the house if he wanted to see her face while he talked to her. Bracing his elbows on his knees, he hesitated before starting the conversation. Kiersten was a hard nut to crack, and he didn’t want to “crack” her, but marinate her in his attention. “My clock is ticking too. Up until lately I haven’t really thought about my future, kids, but there’s a time for everything.”
“And you think your time is right now?” One dark brow came up.
“I think we have a future. I think you do too and that’s why you’re so scared.”
Her fingers moved across the fringe of the pillow, plucking and wrapping the strands around her fingers. Was she trembling? “I’m not scared. I’m rational.”
“Okay, but even rational people have to realize when there’s something great within their reach.”
She removed the pillow and planted her feet on the floor, situated between his legs. “Decisions like these can’t be made quickly. I’m tired.”
He scraped his hand down his jaw. “Want me to take the couch?”
“No, I want you to sleep with me. Only holding, no sex, because right now I need to allow my brain to get back on track.” Her cheeks turned a slight pink, making her look adorable. When didn’t she?
“I’m going to take a shower. Okay?” He needed a cold one. Ice cold. And a very long one to scrub out the dirty avenues of his brain so he didn’t screw up and get a hard on. He wanted her to see that he was more than a fuck. If a man had the balls to ask a woman to have his baby, then he needed to prove he was a mature man who could control his body.
“Sure. I’ll meet you in bed,” she said, and he watched her sashay her little ass down the hall toward the bedroom.
He stepped into the bathroom, closed the door, and knocked his head against the wood and cursed. He braced his hands on the edge of the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. “Bro, you’re in big trouble.”
“Deegan? Did you say something?” Kiersten called out.
“Uh…no.” He opened the door and there she was, standing by the bathroom and fuckity fuck! She was wearing that T-shirt again. The one that had so many holes—peep holes.
“Alright. Just checking. Do you have a fresh towel in there?”
He looked at the shelf. “Yes. I’m good.” Liar. You’re freaking going insane.
“See you in bed.” She gave him a small smile and again he watched her walk.
In the shower, he turned the temperature to blue-balls-cold and stood underneath the spray until he believed he was sufficiently an ice cube. Scrubbing quickly, he got out, dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist. He forgot to bring a fresh pair of boxers in with him.
Kiersten was asleep when he walked into the bedroom. The sheet was slung over her hip with one toned leg sticking out. What he wouldn’t give to wake her with his tongue.
He pulled on his boxers and…
“Do you prefer a side?”
He jumped a little, thinking she was asleep.
“I can sleep on either.” He tossed the wet towel over the arm of the chair and crawled into bed.
She rolled and looked at him, smiling. “Who would have even thought this would happen. That we’d be sharing a bed.”
“Yeah, I certainly wouldn’t have thought it possible, unless it was a burning bed.”
“You really thought I disliked you that much?”
“Pretty much. I’ll never forget the time you called me into your office and told me I was an incapable dimwit that should be working a chain gang and not a crime scene.”
She popped her head up,
her mouth twisting. “I said no such thing.”
He laughed. “No, but I could read between the lines.” He closed his eyes, feeling exhaustion fill his muscles.
“Do you like undercover work?”
“I do.” He opened one eye to a slit. “Do you enjoy being a supervisor?”
“At times. I can’t believe the killer hasn’t called yet.”
He opened both eyes. “Honestly, I’d forgotten about the case.”
She was plucking at a thread on the sheet. “That’s easy to do here on the ranch. It’s like an island.”
Should he even mention that it was easy for him to forget anything when she was around. No, he needed to keep things distant if he planned to keep his hands off her. “Much different out here than in the city.”
Her hair was spread out over the pillow. Her cheeks were rosy, and she looked beautiful. “I guess I should let you sleep.”
“I reckon so.” He closed his eyes, feeing an urge in his body. Behave yourself.
“One more question, Deegan.” Her voice was soft. “What do you know about children that would make you offer to have one with me?”
He didn’t even open his eyes. “Not a damn thing. But what I do know is that I want you, Kiersten. Not for just today. Not for just tomorrow. But for always.”
Then silence took over as they fell asleep.
Deegan popped up from the bed, unsure of what awoke him until he saw that the screen on his phone was lit up. Max had left a voice message.
“I think I know who killed her, Deegan. Meet me at my office tonight.”
Looking over at Kiersten, she had her back to him and the sheet was tossed to the side. The T-shirt had ridden high up on her waist and her itty-bitty blue thong exposed her firm ass. His cock jerked and he could barely breathe, but he had a crime to solve.
Shaking her shoulder gently, he then swept the hair off her cheek. She stretched, and her eyes fluttered open. “Deegan? What’s wrong?” She sat up.
“Max called me. He said he has news.”
18
Kiersten wasn’t sure Deegan had made the best decision by going alone to see the Senator. Of course, she understood that Kline felt comfortable with Deegan and wouldn’t want to speak in front of her.
After he dropped her off at the office and she sat behind her desk, she stared at the ceiling, clicking the pen in restless energy.
Sitting up, she reached for the envelope of pictures, then spread them across her desk while closely examining each for the tenth time. Why did she feel as if she were missing something?
Dropping her pen, she picked up one picture and brought it closer. Grabbing the magnifying glass from the drawer, she scanned every detail. There it was! A reflection in the window. It was faint, but it was there, and it was of the killer. She was certain.
Getting up, she hurried for Jamie, the tech guy who never seemed to leave his office. He was eating a sandwich, and when she stepped in, he looked up. “Hi,” he mumbled through a mouthful.
“I need your help.” She swept around his desk and placed the picture in front of him.
He put his food down and swiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “What can I do for you?”
“Do you see the reflection?” She stabbed her finger on the picture over the killer’s image.
Jaime lifted it, squinting to get a closer look. “Yeah…I think I do…”
“Can you magnify that image so I can get a better look?”
He shrugged a bulky shoulder. “I can try, but the image quality is bad.”
“Whatever you can get from it will work.”
“Okay. Let me see what I can do.” He placed the picture in the scanner, looking up at her. “This might take some time.”
She stood straight and crossed her arms. “I need it ASAP. It’s important.”
Jamie was the best tech guy she knew and he’d always been there to help, no matter what she asked…or what time of day it was. She knew he was dependable. “Give me about a half hour.”
In her office, Kiersten paced the floor for the next thirty minutes. She could only hope that Jamie could clear the image up. This could be the break they were looking for.
Ten minutes late, Jamie swept in, this time eating a glazed donut.
She stopped pacing and looked at him, not able to read his expression. “Well?”
“Not good,” he said.
She blew out a breath and clenched her teeth. “I figured—"
“It’s awesome.” He held up the magnified picture proudly.
Kiersten grinned and grabbed the picture. She couldn’t make out the man’s face, but she could make out that he was wearing fatigues and the name on the jacket read, “T. Evans.”
She nibbled her bottom lip. “That name. Do I know it from somewhere?”
“I’m one step ahead of you. I think this is what you’re looking for.” Jamie held up a copy of a newspaper article. “You probably remember when Senator Kline was running for office and the Wyoming Journal printed this.”
She read the headline, ‘Good enough to serve. Good enough for Wyoming’.”
Kiersten couldn’t believe her eyes. In the photo was a row of men, all in ACUs. In the center of the group was Max Kline…a much younger Kline. His arm was over the shoulders of another man. The name on his lapel was what grabbed her. “T. Evans.”
She lifted her chin, smiling, but it quickly fizzled. “The man standing next to the Senator is our killer. I have to warn Deegan.”
Her mind was all over the place and she needed to talk to someone.
Five minutes later, she tossed her phone to the passenger seat and pressed on the gas and pulled out of the exit. She saw bright headlights coming close and lifted her hand to protect her eyes. The car seemed to pick up speed as it drew nearer with its bright lights on. Realizing something wasn’t right, Kiersten clutched the gear shift to slam it into reverse, but she was too late. The car smashed into the Jeep, sending it hard against the cement wall. The sounds of glass breaking and metal crunching were loud in her ears. Smoke shot up from under the hood and she felt a stabbing feeling in her side.
Unhooking her seatbelt, she could breathe better, but her entire passenger side was caved in.
Kiersten fluttered her eyes, feeling a pain in her temple.
Lifting her hand, she gently touched the spot where a thick warm wetness covered her skin. She was cut by the flying glass. Squinting, she leaned forward, swiping off shards of glass from her clothing, forcing her body to move if only a few inches.
She needed to make sure the other driver was okay…
Placing her fingers on the handle, she jumped when the driver’s door opened from the outside and a bright light flashed in her eyes, blinding her. Her head throbbed.
What the hell?
“Move your light,” she commanded.
Nothing.
“I need to get out of here.” She looked for her phone. It was no longer on the seat. “Can you help me?”
“Of course. That’s why I’m here,” a woman said with a deep accent.
*
Travis Evans dragged on his military jacket and buttoned it, looking at himself in the mirror. His hair was in a classic taper cut and his clothing was pristine without one wrinkle in the fabric. His shoes without a smudge of dirt and laces perfectly tied. His commander would be proud.
Going into the kitchen of the rental apartment, he picked up the hammer and smashed his phone. Turning on the garbage disposal, he dropped in the remains of the phone, followed by his ID and debit card. The disposal churned the contents as he waited.
“Are we ready?”
Turning at the sound of the man’s voice, he found Sargent Cord Whitmire, also dressed in fatigues. Evans stepped forward, jetted his gaze down the man’s clothing and growled, “Your clothes and hair are disheveled. Fix it!”
Whitmire stepped in front of the microwave and bent to look at himself in the window, fixing his hair until every strand was in place. “We�
�re not going to a beauty show, friend.”
Evans didn’t have time for the man’s sloppy behavior. “Is everything wiped clean? Walls. Floors. Bathroom. Toilet paper holder.”
“We could eat off the floor they’re so clean.”
“Good.” He stepped over to his rifle case and latched it.
Lustra stepped into the doorway. She was wearing a black tank top that showed off her toned arms and fatigue pants that she bought online. Her long thick hair was pulled back into a severe ponytail. Her nose was wrinkled. “That was easier than I thought it would be.” She laughed.
“All done? And done right?” he sneered.
“Yeh. Pleeease tell me it’s time we finish this.” Lustra rolled her eyes.
Dragging the bag and case over his shoulder, Evans pushed his sunglasses on his face. “We all know what our jobs are. Whitmire, you’re with me. Lustra, you’re at the location. If Whitmire and I aren’t there by twenty-four-hundred, then you know what to do.”
“Burn everything,” Lustra answered.
“Let’s roll.”
*
The building was quiet and dark when Deegan made his way up to the third floor where the light was on in Max’s large office. His friend was sitting behind his desk with his head bent. At first Deegan didn’t think Max had heard him enter, but he said, “Thanks for coming.” He looked up and slid his reading glasses off his face and dropped them on the desk. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
“You said you think you know who the killer is. Tell me who it is.” Deegan was ready to get this case over with.
“Sit down first.” Max nodded toward the chair.
“Fine, but I don’t have a lot of time.” Settling into the comfortable chair, Deegan didn’t take his gaze off his buddy.
“You’re good. Real good.”
Deegan scratched his temple. “Apparently I’m not because I don’t have the puzzle pieces together, but I think once you tell me the name, it’ll all make sense.”
“Travis Evans was a nineteen-year-old boy I served with in Iraq. He was gone before you got there. He was a damn good soldier. Bright, loyal, the military was his life. As we both know, the military isn’t for everyone.” He blew out a long breath. “I took him under my wing, even saved him a couple of times. He was hurt and was given a medical discharge, although he pleaded with the commander to let him stay, but it didn’t happen. When he showed up here—”
Taken by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 6) Page 14