Lone Star Burn_Watching you

by Aliyah Burke

  He stepped aside and shot a look at Patrick.

  “Don’t look at me man. My badge only says US Marshal. Word of advice, don’t piss off the feds. We can be easy to work with or we can make your life a living hell. And she’s one hell of a Marshal. You should count yourself lucky to even have met her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were one day the director for the Marshals.” Patrick hastened after her and found her already embroiled in the discussion with others around a table of maps.

  The man with the sheriff’s badge gave him a sharp nod. “Marshal?”

  “Marshal West. What’s the play?” He positioned himself away from Teena, needing to focus on the job ahead, not how he was falling for her.”

  “As I was telling your partner here, we didn’t get out here for a while which gives him a few hour head start on all of us. It’s highly unlikely that someone savvy enough to pull off an ambush of a transport, would be dumb enough to still be in the same vehicle, so the BOLO of the green van, is most likely useless. We’re still running down every lead we get on it, though. We’re not a huge department and there’s a lot of land to cover here.”

  “We appreciate all the assistance, Sheriff,” Teena said with sincerity. “I’d like to see the scene of the incident.”

  “Pretty much here. Come on.”

  They went outside and this time, Patrick stood near Teena, behind her listening as they were told where it happened.

  “Bodies have been removed but the vehicles are still up there. End of the drive to the left, we have men looking for clues along the road.”

  Teena walked off.

  Patrick fell into step beside her. “What are you thinking?”

  “He’s right. This was a well-planned attack. Seven gone and the prisoner gone.”

  They neared the first car, flipped over and crunched in like a herd of elephants had trampled it.

  “RPGs, spike strips, automatic weapons. Christ, they never stood a chance.” She shook her head and continued on.

  “Who knew of this transport?”

  “I don’t know. Frank is looking into that from his end. He’ll follow up.” She waved a hand at the mangled vehicle. The door had been taken off by the jaws of life, it had to have been the only way out for those burned inside.

  Patrick stared at it. “The lightest damage was done to the one with the prisoner, so they knew which exact vehicle he was traveling in. News, they shouldn’t have known.”

  “Exactly,” she agreed.

  The looked at each other for a moment and said at the same time, “Inside job.”

  “Damn it, I don’t want to think that.”

  “Neither do I, West but the facts are pointing in that direction.” She crouched down and hummed.

  He knelt down beside her. “What’d you find?”

  She used her pen to point.

  “What the hell is that?”

  “Paint. The kind you can spray on, then peel or wash off your car later on.”

  “How’d you know to look for that? I’m impressed.”

  “Dad was a cop I grew up looking for clues to everything. Fairly certain,” she said pushing to her feet. “They aren’t in a green vehicle anymore.” She patted her pockets. “Do you have a bag?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Do you mind getting me an evidence bag? Maybe they can track down the manufacturer of this one and find out who they sold it to.”

  “Sure.” He hurried back to do as she asked. As he returned, he read her body language. She was holding back on something, he saw the pain in how she held herself. More than just physical too. He made a mental note to look deeper into the agents who’d been killed and find a connection. There was one, he just needed to locate it.

  Later that night, while Teena slept on the couch trying to get a bit of sleep, he had his computer up and running. He pulled up the names of the ones they’d lost today. One name popped out at him.

  Lucy McKenna.

  The girl, well woman, she’d said was after him. Her friend. He angled himself in the chair and stole a glance at the woman sleeping over there. Badge still sat on her hip, glinting in the low light. Confident she wouldn’t be out long, just a small recharge. She wouldn’t allow herself a luxury of a long sleep, not when something this serious was on the line.

  He got up and covered her with a blanket tossed over the back. Crouched beside her, he dragged his hand along the side of her face. Teena’s thick lashes rested on her cheeks and for a moment, she looked peaceful. Patrick wanted to keep that look on her face, wanted to protect her.

  Chapter Three

  Teena chewed on her lower lip as she peered through the binoculars at the small cabin down in the valley. A dirty white van sat beneath an awning, partially protected by some trees.

  “What are you thinking?” Common question from Patrick over the past few days.

  They’d been beating down every lead they could pull to try and locate these bastards. Most hadn’t panned out but this one, this lead had. It’d been a few days of sleeping in crappy motels, eating shitty food. She loved her job and having Patrick with her at night didn’t hurt. Yes, it wasn’t professional but damn it all, he created a need within her, so each moment she was with him it increased. It started with separate rooms but by the time morning arrived, they were in the same bed, limbs entwined.

  “Thinking there’s no way to approach during the day. The few trees that are over the van won’t provide us any from the higher approach.”

  “I agree.” He pressed his shoulder against hers. “But it may not be any easier to approach this building once there is nightfall. If they were that prepared, who’s to say they didn’t set up a perimeter?”

  “Good point.” She inched away, leaving some space between them, needing to keep a clear head.

  He turned and glanced at her but she didn’t comment on it. “If that’s the case we have a good a chance now as we do later.”

  “Backup?”

  “We don’t know for certain if it truly is in the one we’re after.”

  “Do you buy that?” he asked. “Or are you thinking like I am, it’s the scum down there and we should just go in guns blazing?”

  “I’d prefer to do it gun’s blazing.” Anger over the senseless loss of lives hardened her tone.

  “Rules.”

  “Some days, I wish I could toss them out.”

  “But you won’t.” He chucked her beneath the chin. “And this is why I’m not a Deputy Marshal because I will.”

  “No, West. Don’t. I want this done right, so no lawyer, no matter how sleazy, can get this person off.”

  He sighed heavily but didn’t argue with her.

  She knew better, he would try something at some point. It was how he was. “Let’s pull up some aerial photos of the area and see if there’s another way in that we may have missed.”

  “Sounds good. I have the laptop in the back of the truck. Let’s go.”

  Together, they turned and walked to the back of their vehicle. Two days ago, he’d upgraded them to a SUV instead of the car. He opened the back doors and reached in to grab his computer.

  She leaned by him and grabbed two bottles of water from the cooler, then handed him one.

  “Thanks.”

  She grunted and uncapped her own bottle, taking a good swig of the liquid. Crap, even without being out in the direct sun for hours it was still one of the levels of hell. At least in her opinion.

  “Here we go.”

  She moved beside him and studied the screen. “I don’t see anything else that would be able to help us.”

  “Me either.” He typed a bit more bringing up the weather for the area. “Our saving grace may be the storm that’s rolling in.”

  “Convenient,” she muttered.

  “Yes, I was thinking the same thing, but hell, I’ll take it.”

  “Call it in, will you? I have a different call to make.” She walked away digging for her phone. She rolled her shoulders as she waited for the call to be
picked up.

  “Too soon for an update,” Frank stated the second he answered.

  “I’ve fucked up,” she blurted.

  “Wait one second.”

  She listened to his footsteps as he moved away from whomever was around. She chewed on her thumbnail as she glanced surreptitiously back to the man by the vehicle. The phone was up to his ear and he paced by the open doors of the vehicle, stride sure and confident. Appearing unbothered by the heat and she ignored the hitch in her chest as she watched him.

  “What the hell is going on?” Frank demanded.

  “I slept with him.”

  “You called me in the middle of this to tell me you slept with someone? Babe, I love you but do you really think this is the time?”

  “No, do you remember the one I told you about from Atlanta. That one-night stand.”

  He laughed. “You mean the one you still sneak off and see.” A pause. “No,” he drew out. “That’s Patrick West? Are you kidding me?”

  “Wait,” she snapped, looking to make sure he was still a ways off. “How did you know his name?”

  “Parker told me who was with you on this since I’m here in Louisiana.”

  Of course, he did. Their close-lipped boss finally decided to become Chatty Kathy.

  “That’s the one who you’ve been running off to see a few times a year and coming back with that contented glow about you?”

  “Can we focus on the matter at hand?” Irritation crept into her tone.

  “Oh, we are. This is about you and the rebel West.”

  “Rebel? He’s not a rebel.”

  “And now we’re defending him?”

  “Look, this is a problem. I need some advice here, not laughter.”

  “Are you having difficulty working with him? Like is it awkward now that you’re not sleeping with him?”

  She cleared her throat.

  “Oh, shit. You haven’t stopped sleeping with him. Are y’all knocking boots every night?”

  “Why did I call you?”

  “For some help, I reckon.” He laughed again. “What’s the problem, Teena? Is he not listening? Being all macho?”

  “All the guys I hang out with are obnoxiously macho. The issue is not with him, it’s because of him. The problem is mine.”

  “Holy shit, you’ve fallen in love with him.”

  Another turn allowing her the chance to locate Patrick’s exact position. He remained by the truck, waiting for her. Watching her as well. He didn’t hide it, but stood there arms crossed, leaning against the side of the black SUV.

  “I didn’t say that,” she commented, turning her back to the man she discussed.

  “Didn’t state you weren’t either. Are you seriously telling me that you’ve fallen in love with this man?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know. Maybe.” She scratched her head. “I’m so confused.”

  “Babe, I love you. You know this but you need to get your head on straight. This is not the time for you to be second-guessing anything. You’re going to be going in after people who just took out too damn many of our own people. If you are in love, or not. Hell, even if you’re unsure, lock it up until you get this shit figured out. You can moon over him later or cave and crawl on your hands and knees to him begging for sex. I don’t care. Right now, I need you, my partner to bring her A-game and come back home safe. Got it. Get it done and come back.”

  He ended the call and she stared at the screen before returning her phone to her pocket. This was why she loved Frank. He was her sanity and sounding board.

  “Everything okay?”

  She looked up to find Patrick standing right there, in her personal space. “Yes.”

  He reached for her and frowned when she drew backward. “Fine.” Patrick cleared his throat. “Your boss wants a call and an update.”

  “Right, I should get on that then.”

  He didn’t allow her to drop her gaze. “Probably. What are we doing here, Mason?”

  “Waiting for backup to breech and take down some scum.” Does my voice really sound so weak? Maybe that’s just to my ear.

  His grin had zero humor in it. “I meant you and me.”

  This wasn’t the time or place. At least not for her. She’d already ventured way out of her personal comfort zone by opening up to Frank and wasn’t about to do this once more, especially not with the man who created all this cyclone of emotion within her. “It’s all I’m going to talk about right now.”

  He raked his gaze over her. “I could persuade you.”

  Of that, she had no doubt. “I’m not arguing that you have the skills to talk me out of my clothing, West, but not even you can make me talk if I don’t want to.”

  He cocked a brow. “Care to place a wager on that thought?”

  The decadence his tone was bathed in created ribbons of desire that wound around her and dragged over her hypersensitive skin. “No, I don’t.” What she did want was her place, a tall drink, and Patrick waiting to join her in the bedroom. She screeched that unnecessary and dangerous thought to a halt. As she’d mentioned before not the time or place.

  Hiding behind the job. Frank had accused her of that a time or two.

  The rumble of an engine split the silence and he gripped the back of her head seconds before he claimed her mouth. He dominated her and she sagged into him, resting her hands on his chest. Whether to push him away or grip him closer, she hadn’t been positive which. However, the moment her fingers wound into the fabric of his shirt, she had her answer.

  As usual, her body won out. Feelings. Emotions. Overtook the logic and reasonable thinking she was capable of.

  They’d just separated when the approaching vehicles pulled up. Her palms were sweaty and her heart thundered out with a powerful cadence. The lead vehicle stopped and the back opened, men in full tactical gear spilling out.

  The driver jumped out, eyes flickering between them once he peered at them over the tops of his sunglasses. “Are we interrupting, Deputy Marshal?”

  She raised her eyebrows.

  “Marshal Simmons. Drove the tactical team. Have my orders that you’re in charge until Deputy Marshal Larkin arrives.”

  Her brain shifted into work mode, shutting out everything else. “Sun’s going down. Let’s review the plan once more.”

  Within moments, they all stood around a folding table that held the details of their plan. Darkness had settled by the time everyone was ready. She adjusted the velcro on her vest and checked, then double checked her Glock. Larkin had arrived, taking over. She’d met the man once before. She liked him. Made her feel good that he remembered her as well. In her periphery, she watched West go through the same actions she’d just finished. He met her gaze. She held briefly, then looked away.

  The building was surrounded from all sides, Larkin gave the “go” command and as one, they began approaching. Explosions rung around as they breeched the cabin. Chaos surrounded her, people yelling, smoke bombs, and tear gas going off.

  “Get down, get down. Down!” Cries ran in her ears.

  She pushed on, flanked by ATF and FBI agents, then local law. They’d all shown for this, desperate and hopeful to catch the ones who’d killed some of their own. Once the next room had been cleared, the others pressed on. She stopped when a glint caught her eye.

  Shit.

  “Stop. Stop. Stop!” she yelled and lunged for the point man, shoving through the two behind him.

  Teena got to him the moment the explosive blew. The flames and concussive force of the blast knocked her off her feet. She cried out as projectiles hit her, tearing into flesh. Darkness engulfed her as she slid from the wall to the floor. She went from conscious to unconscious with flicks of light being shined in her eyes. But the shroud won out and she allowed the night to cover her once more.

  αβ

  “Teena. Are you awake? Can you hear me?”

  She fought to get her lids up and found Frank standing over her. The words wouldn’t come at first, so she licked her
lips once more and tried again. “Yes. I hear you. What happened and why am I in the hospital?” Christ, she hurt.

  Frank sat and took one of her hands in his large one. “Bastard rigged the cabin. Tripwire was hit.”

  Fear slammed her. Had they lost more men? “And?”

  “We got the bastard. Five of y’all went to the hospital but he’s been caught. Or rather, they. Mikaal Visnic’s people broke him out and were responsible for everything. The planning, execution. Mikaal is back in custody.”

  She tried to sit up.

  Frank shook his head. “No way. You were cut up pretty bad. I’m glad you had the sense to wear your vest.”

  She didn’t like it, they weren’t made for women with a chest but a man. Still, she wasn’t stupid and didn’t view herself as invincible. “I listen to rules,” she said with a yawn.

  “Right,” he drawled. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Don’t scare me like this again, ever.”

  “Am I interrupting?”

  She found Frank’s comical expression amusing but it hurt too much to smile. Beyond him, filling the doorway stood Patrick.

  “No,” Frank said without looking at the other man. “We’ll have plenty of time together later.” Her partner winked at her and had she the energy, she would have punched him, well aware of the pot he was stirring. But that was his way.

  When Patrick finally stood next to the bed, Frank got to his feet and stared at Patrick. “Name’s Frank.”

  “Patrick.”

  Frank faced her once more and winked. “I’ll give you two a moment. Can I bring you anything, babe?”

  “She’s fine.” Patrick’s tone held an edge.

  Frank didn’t move until she shook her head. Her energy depleted already.

  “Back soon.” Frank gave her a smile, squeezed her bandaged hand carefully, then left.

  The room was quiet while Patrick took over Frank’s vacated chair. His gray eyes were hard, expression stern. He stared at her and the tension ratcheted up between them.

  She caught her breath when he reached out and dragged the tips of two fingers along her cheek.