“Is that Senator Ramirez? I don’t mean to break up his interview, but I would love to meet him.” Mac raised his voice so it carried across the room. The only person who didn’t turned toward him was Lexie.
The man reached for his elbow. “Sorry, you have to leave. This is a closed interview.”
His next move Mac had seen his grandfather do more times than he could count. He shrugged the man’s hand off his arm and stepped around him as if he had every right to be there. He approached the banister. “Senator Ramirez, I sure would like to shake your hand.”
Lexie’s shoulders loosened, and she tilted her head slightly. There wasn’t anything Mac could do, but just being close eased his fear.
Senator Ramirez called out to him, somehow keeping the terror from his voice. “Sir, this isn’t a good time. If you make an appointment with my office, I would be happy to see you sometime tomorrow.”
“I understand. Just in for the day. It’s mighty nice to see you in person, especially after that nasty business at your home. Glad to see you up and about.”
Mac straightened away from the banister and slowly made his way to the back of the chamber. He relaxed his movements as he glanced at the balcony and then at the number of paintings on the walls. The tension in the room made his heart pound like a bass drum, but from outward appearances, he was just an old man taking a last look around.
Ryan’s man, shadowing his every step, charged around him and held the door open wide. Mac gave him a grin and repositioned his hat. He turned to the senator and waved. “Have a good day, Senator. It’s been a pleasure.”
“Mac, the cameras outside the chamber doors are down and the team is in place,” Jason’s voice piped into his ear.
Mac covered his mouth with his hand and coughed out, “Pull the fucking alarm.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
He came!
Lexie didn’t dare glance toward Mac’s direction but allowed his deep baritone voice to soothe her heart momentarily until her mind screamed, Get out, God, please get out!
He was in the wrong place. Even if Mac somehow fought his way through the men surrounding her and Ramirez, nothing could stop Ryan from entering the last five numbers.
She had never allowed herself to lose hope in all those years living with her mother, nor during the mourning period after Rico died. She knew her life would get better because she would make it better.
This day was a new low for her. Hope of getting out alive hung by a thin thread. But that thread strengthened the instant Mac’s voiced sounded in the room. She focused on his essence, praying that somehow she’d have a chance to tell him her feelings.
There were so many things left unsaid. She should have told him how she felt this morning, or last night, last month, last year. Why was she so afraid of falling in love again?
The pain in her life had never been because of too much love. Her mother didn’t know how to love, only how to take. The man in front of her had a great capacity to love. Daniel Ramirez just chose not to love her. Rico loved her in his own way, but she wasn’t first in his life, and never would have been.
But the moment Lexie held Gabriel in her arms, she’d finally understood the meaning of unconditional love. That tiny infant changed how she viewed the world―and she’d thought Mac McNeil was a threat to that world. Mac had the capacity to hurt her so deeply, she would never recover. So she closed her heart to protect her son.
An openhearted person put pride aside in order to accept love. A fool shoved love to the side to keep her pride alive. Somewhere along the way Lexie stopped accepting love in her life.
She was a damn fool and almost allowed the love of her life to walk away from her and Gabriel. Why did it take this moment to realize that, instead of worrying about Mac breaking her heart, she should have pulled him in close and held on for dear life?
She raised her head and stared at Ramirez. Fear lived in every feature as he looked past her. It didn’t matter at that point how horrible a father he was to her; she believed him. Ramirez wasn’t responsible for smuggling terrorists into the United States. But whether he was being set up or just in the wrong place at the wrong time when that photo was taken, Ryan would never believe him.
A fatigue-clad thug brushed her arm. The further Mac moved into the chamber, the tighter the men closed in around her. The slightest provocation would set them off. Mac was too good of an agent to attempt a rescue like this without backup. And knowing a little of his team, they knew exactly what was at stake.
She calculated the weight of the explosives and the impact that much C-4 would make on the building if Ryan set it in motion. The circuit connecting the cell phone to the detonator wasn’t child’s play either. She needed a miracle.
Glancing down at the small screen on the cell phone, her lungs relaxed. Thank God! Still only five numbers.
Time to get out, Mac. Go!
Ramirez shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “Lexie …”
She shook her head. Don’t say it’s going to be all right, because nothing about this situation is all right.
His eyes also filled with unshed tears. It wasn’t hard to decipher the heartache from what might never be said. He may have not wanted her, but he sure the hell didn’t want this to happen to her. Ramirez would never ask for it, but he needed her forgiveness.
The intense anger that filled Lexie just moments before drained from her heart. Forgiveness. Her life may be too short to hold back something so easily granted. She tilted her head and nodded. I know… you didn’t want this for me.
All she could do was pray her eyes expressed what was in her heart. Their gazes held and a temporary, unspoken truce formed between them.
A blaring alarm sounded and Lexie’s heart skipped a beat. Ryan’s voice was silent. What the hell did this mean? Mac’s team must have pulled the fire alarm. Good, that would at least get the tourists and staff out of the building.
Three soldiers circled her, placing their backs to her. The weapons they’d hid behind them when Mac entered the chamber were drawn, ready to fire.
The man with Mac ordered him out the door. There had to be something she could do. Again she yanked at her bindings as nerve-wracking energy pumped through her veins.
After several moments, the ear-piercing alarm shut off and loud grunts filled the room. Mac!
She twisted her head, but Ryan’s men blocked her view. Hell, if this was it, she sure wasn’t going to sit like a wimp and wait to die. Lexie couldn’t stand, but she could rock back and forth, and hopefully knock one of the goons off balance.
Kicking off with the tips of her toes, she rocked to one side. Using her body, she swayed to the other side, knocking into a hard hipbone. The man lost his balance and stumbled into his partner as all hell broke loose around her.
A gun fired from behind her. The man working the camera dropped to the floor, blood seeping through a wound in his chest. The door in the front of the chamber banged opened; Jason and several agents stormed into the room. Before she could form a thought, Ramirez leaped from his chair and raced toward her, sending her chair to the floor. Lexie tucked her head to her chest as a muffled scream burned her throat. He then shielded her body with his.
Was the guy crazy? Lexie screamed in her head for Ramirez to get out of there.
And where the hell did Ryan disappear to? With her head still tucked to her chest, the green glow of the cell phone screen peered at her like a serpent. Five numbers. Why didn’t he ignite the explosives?
Ramirez grabbed at the knot at her front. He was working so frantically, he was getting nowhere fast. She tried to speak but again only mumbled sounds came through.
Lexie had been so focused on Ramirez, she sucked in a breath when Mac’s head came into view.
“Damn it, Lexie. This is getting old,” he said, and righted the chair. “If you keep this up, I’m going to be an old man before we even have our first child.”
She shook her head back and forth. What was wrong with
these people? Didn’t they get that there was a damn bomb on her chest?
“Yeah, that’s not happening. I’m not leaving you, sweetheart.” He took his thumb and forefinger and eased the corner of the duct tape gently off her skin. When he pulled, it still hurt like hell, but she didn’t care.
“Ryan can dial the number on the vest …”
Mac lowered his mouth to hers giving her a scorching kiss. “No, he can’t. We jammed the signal, but he is probably searching for another network. We need to get this off you.”
“Of course. I’m the worst engineer alive. Being a super FBI agent-in-charge, it’s perfectly legal for you to disrupt cellular signals. I should have thought of that.”
He cupped her face and brought his lips back down on hers. “Lexie Trevena, you are one gutsy lady.”
“McNeil, remove that damn vest and then kiss me silly.”
Several men with thick, padded gear approached her. “Agent McNeil, get the senator out of here.”
“No. I’m staying.” Ramirez said. “That’s my daughter.”
“Sir …”
“Don’t waste time arguing with me. Get her out of the fucking vest before that madman finds a way around your jammer.”
“I’m not leaving her either.” Mac pulled off the fake facial hair and wig.
“You’re both idiots,” Lexie said.
“Mrs. Trevena, if you can sit really still, I need to look at the wires,” a man in a blast suit said.
“The vest is like a strait jacket. It’s just tied on. As for the circuit, it’s pretty complicated.”
“Then let’s get the vest off you.”
He cut through the tape holding her to the chair. With the same precision, he cut through the knots, easing the vest away from her. As soon as it was free, he gently placed it in a containment vessel and headed toward the door.
Mac lifted her into his arms, holding her so tight, she couldn’t catch a breath. Placing his arm under her legs, he cradled her against his chest. “Tell me you’re okay.”
She let out a pent-up breath. “Much better now. And you?” she said, wiping a hint of a tear from the side of his face.
Mac’s lips came down on hers and this kiss was him claiming her, placing his mark on her soul. She belonged to him.
Lexie cupped her hands around his neck, and accepting the condition he set, kissed him back, sending him her own claim. She loved this man. Fate had given her another chance, and this time, she wasn’t going to let Mac go, ever.
Mac broke the kiss and with one hard, crushing hug, headed toward the door just as Jason entered.
“The drone?” Mac’s voice was harsh, demanding.
“Ours. Sarah did it. All that is left is Ryan.” He approached Ramirez. “Sir, if you will come with me.”
Her father blocked Mac’s exit. “I would like to have a minute with my daughter.”
Mac moved around him. “Senator, you have had twenty-four years. She’s now mine. You’re going to have to wait your turn.” He nudged his brother, who gave him a wide smile and strolled out of the room. Once downstairs in the rotunda, he glanced at Lexie.
“Was I wrong?”
Lexie cupped his neck and pulled his mouth back onto her for a quick kiss. “No. I don’t believe he’s responsible for what Ryan accused him of, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready for a loving family reunion. I may not ever be ready, Mac.”
Her voice cracked but for the first time, she didn’t care. She wanted Mac to be part of her life, the good and the bad. This day was definitely going on the books as a bad day.
“When you’re ready, I’ll be right by your side. If that day never comes, I’ll support that, too.”
Lexie couldn’t help cradling deeper in his arms. “I need to say things … you need to know …”
Mac stopped in the center of the rotunda and cut her off with another kiss. When he finally broke free, his eyes were filled with moisture. “I can feel you, Lexie. I want the words.” He scanned the area around them. “But I’ve been waiting too long to hear them here.”
She tightened her hold on him. She couldn’t get close enough. “Then later. You and me, we’ll make it a date―our first date.”
The front entrance of the Capitol was crowded with law enforcement personnel, and from the sounds of sirens in the distance, more were on their way. The visitors had been placed behind barricades at the 11th Street entrance.
Mac strolled out the center doors as Jason took Ramirez out the left side.
“Mac, put me down. I’m fine.”
“Nope. In my arms, I at least know where you are.”
“This time it wasn’t my fault, not that you can blame me for the last time either.”
He gave her a deep stare, then lowered her feet to the ground. Lexie lifted her face into the sun and allowed the light breeze to wash over her. She hadn’t been inside the Capitol building for long, but it felt like an eternity. She scanned the tree-lined walkway as a sense of peace consumed her. It wasn’t over, but for now, she was so thankful to be alive.
Mac’s hand rested on her waist, his fingers pressing her up against him. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, an image clicked in her head. She released Mac and took two steps toward the edge of the stairs leading down to the park area. Something wasn’t right, but like a word that sat on the tip of her tongue, the clarification was just beyond her reach.
The scene in front of her was too familiar. She had lived in Austin most of her life and had been to the Capitol many times. But she hadn’t been by the area in months. Why did it seem so familiar to her?
Then the memory came back crystal clear: Ryan’s ranch house, the images on the wall, including the Capitol building. The other buildings she didn’t recognize stood in front of her. “Mac? The other pictures on the wall …”
A reflective light flashed like a beacon from the roof of the parking garage across 11th Street. She twisted around and spotted her father. Without thinking, she threw herself into her father, knocking him to the ground just as a boom sounded. Something stung her left shoulder, and a hot piercing pain sliced through her. Mac yelled her name, pulled her off Ramirez, and shoved her into the cool entrance.
He spun her around and eased her into his arms. “Shit, Lexie.” He pulled the back of her cotton T-shirt away from her shoulder.
“Thank God! The bullet just grazed the skin.” Mac’s voice broke before he gave her a slight shake. “What the hell were you thinking?”
For once, she understood his reaction. “I wasn’t thinking. I just reacted. I saw the flash on the roof across the street and just …”
The adrenaline pumping through her body drained and her knees no longer held her. Before she hit the floor, Mac caught her in his arms and they sunk to the tile. Nausea roiled in her gut and a shiver raced through her.
“Jason,” Mac’s voice roared in her ear. Jason joined him on the floor. Mac took her chin in his hand. “I have to go after Ryan.”
“I know,” she said, searching his face.
Mac lifted her under the arms and held her until she steadied herself. She tugged on his collar and gave him a quick kiss. “Be careful.”
“I have to do this, Lexie. I can’t let that asshole get away.”
She dropped her arms. “I need you to know …”
“What?”
She moved in close. “I love you. Like I’m seriously in love with you.”
“I know.”
She punched him in the shoulder. “You don’t know. I just figured it out myself.”
He let out a laugh. “I knew because I couldn’t feel like this without the connection being mutual. Since you think this is the time to express our intentions, I’m adding mine. I have loved you for a damn long time, and I’m not letting you go.”
She lowered her head to his shoulder and pressed her palm at his heart. “Good to know. Now go catch that bastard.”
Mac placed her in Jason’s arms and grabbed an assault rifle from one of the agents. She w
atched him until he was out of sight.
“He has backup, lots of it, Lexie.”
“Doesn’t make this easier.”
“I know the feeling.” Jason peeled the fabric off her back shoulder.
She let out a shaky breath. “How bad is it? It hurts like hell.”
“It’s just a scratch, but you took about ten years off Mac’s life.”
She searched the rotunda. “Where is the senator?”
“The agents didn’t give him a chance to thank you for saving his life.” He took her hand in his. “How about we get you out of here?”
An idea formed in her head. It was crazy and would send Mac over the edge when he found out, but a force she didn’t understand pressed her to move. She turned to Jason and planted a smile on her face. “Let’s instead go help Mac, together.”
A low growl came from deep in his throat. “No, damn it. Hell, no. Mac will kill me.”
“Jason, one day, we are going to laugh and laugh about this.” Without giving him a chance to react, she grabbed his weapon out of his hand and raced out of the front entrance.
“Damn it, Lexie, I’m not laughing.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The burn in Lexie’s side hurt as badly as her shoulder. She loved a good run. This wasn’t one. It was an all-out sprint. Jason’s heavy boots crunched on the loose gravel close behind her.
The entrance to the garage across the street was like a smorgasbord of law enforcement. They were probably doing a floor-by-floor search. Lexie veered off down the Capitol side of the street.
This wasn’t right. Ryan had planned everything so carefully. Trapped in a parking garage wasn’t his style. There had to be another escape route, something only a crazy-ass person like Ryan would think of.
She slowed and envisioned the ranch house wall in her head. The other buildings meant something. On instinct, she began to walk east down 11th Street. Just as she made it to the next block, someone grabbed her arm from behind. She made her lips form a grin and faced Jason. He wasn’t amused.
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