All Your Nights

by Shirleen Davies

“There she is.” Perry spotted Brooke from his parked car and glanced at Julio, whose large frame appeared jammed into the seat of the small sedan. He’d be glad to get rid of the bodyguard and back to his normal life. All he needed to do was retrieve the flash drive, pass it on to the professor in the biotechnology department at the university, and he’d be done. From there it would be transferred to the last recipient. Perry had no idea what they would do with the drive or even what information it contained. All he knew was this would be his last job for Paco Bujazan. “Wonderful. She has the binder.” He pushed the door open but stopped when he felt Julio’s strong grip on his arm.

  “Do not fail again. I will be watching you from inside.” Julio’s feral glare and chilling message cut through Perry, who broke into a cold sweat.

  It didn’t take long for Perry to find Brooke seated at one of the work stations. He watched as she opened her binder, then pulled a spiral notepad from her purse and began to write. All he had to do was wait for the opportunity to grab that flash drive. He picked up a magazine and sat in a large upholstered chair far enough away she wouldn’t see him, with an excellent view if she walked away. He didn’t wait long.

  Brooke heard the tone indicating she’d received a text message. She knew it must be from Kade, telling her Perry had entered the library. She checked it anyway, then tried to look around without being obvious. Clive lounged against a pillar with a book in hand. He nodded to his left, indicating Perry’s location. She stood, grabbed her purse, and looked for the ladies room.

  Perry stayed seated until Brooke disappeared around a corner. He dropped the magazine and wandered toward the desk, looked around, and sat down, pulling the binder toward him. He slipped a finger between two seams, popped the nylon strips, and let the drive slip into his hand. Pocketing it, Perry set the binder back on the desk, stood, and turned right into the path of Clive and a uniformed policeman.

  “Perry Worton, you’re under arrest …”

  That was all Perry heard before fainting into the arms of the surprised agent.

  ******

  Julio hid behind a long row of books and watched as Worton regained consciousness, was cuffed, and led outside. He dashed out of the library, planning to reach the car and drive off before anyone saw him. Julio slipped behind the wheel, inserted the key, and froze at the sound of tapping on his window. He dropped a hand, trying to reach between the seats where he’d hidden a gun.

  “I wouldn’t.” Kade’s command rang through the glass and Julio turned to see the wrong end of a Sig Sauer staring him in the face. “Put your hands back on the steering wheel.”

  Julio complied as Kade pulled open the door and motioned for him to get out. He glanced around to see two other uniformed officers pointing similar weapons at him and realized there would be no escape.

  “Kade, one of the officers will take Miss Sinclair home. The other deputies will help us escort the prisoners to jail.” Clive touched Perry on the back, motioning for him to start walking as the other policemen kept their guns trained on Julio.

  “Give me a minute.” Kade dashed toward Brooke who stood next to her car, watching the scene. He could see the color drain from her face and she grabbed at the car door for balance as his arm wrapped around her.

  “It’s all right, Brooke. It’s over. We have Perry and it’s all because of you. You did great.”

  She leaned into him and let her head rest on his shoulder, taking the comfort he offered. Kade was right. She could see Perry being marched toward the jail a block away and the other man being handcuffed by two officers. The ordeal had ended and no one had been hurt.

  He could feel her breathing even out and she pulled back.

  “Thank you,” she whispered before slipping into her car and resting her head against the seat.

  Kade watched as the officer pulled away, taking her home to her family.

  “Kade, you coming?” Clive asked as he started across the street with Perry in tow.

  “Yeah, I’m coming.” He took once last look at the red SUV driving away and decided he needed to find a way to stay in Fire Mountain for a little while longer.

  ******

  “Julio Menendez is what his identification says.” Clive spoke into his phone, relaying the arrest details to Dennis Johnson back in San Diego. “Kade and I will be questioning Perry first, then turn our attention to his partner. Yes, sir, I will.”

  “You know we don’t have much on Menendez.” Kade leaned against a wall as he scanned the questions he had for Worton.

  “We can make him sweat for a while.”

  “You know he won’t talk. He’ll wait until Paco sends an attorney.”

  “If he sends one. Julio might just be expendable. Well, let’s get started with Worton.” Clive opened the door to the interrogation room and followed Kade inside.

  Perry sat erect, his hands shaking even though he clasped them tight, causing the knuckles to turn white. Perspiration beaded on his forehead and he looked as though he’d be sick at any minute.

  “Can I get you some coffee or water, Mr. Worton?” Kade asked from his position across the table.

  “No, nothing.”

  “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m Special Agent Nelson and this is Special Agent Taylor. We’re both with the DEA.”

  Perry glared at them, throat working. “I remember.”

  “Why don’t you tell us what happened in the library and why you were in possession of a flash drive containing data directly related to the Bujazan drug cartel?”

  ******

  Brooke’s head ached by the time the officer pulled to a stop in front of the MacLaren house. The headaches from her concussion had lessened each day, and she’d thought they were behind her, but the stress of today had ignited a doozy. She longed for a hot compress and a soft pillow.

  “How did it go?” Annie asked as she wrapped an arm around Brooke.

  “They were right. Perry came after the flash drive and now he’s in custody. Kade and Clive are questioning him. It’s over.”

  Annie pulled away, noticing the grimace on Brooke’s face and suspecting she’d reached her limit. “How’s your head?”

  “About to explode.” She tried to make light of it but failed. “I’m going upstairs for a while.”

  She kicked off her sandals, slipped out of her jeans, and crawled under the covers, already beginning to feel better. Although she’d been around guns her whole life, she’d still had an anxious moment watching Kade in action. He’d surprised her by walking up and wrapping an arm around her, quashing the unexpected shaky feeling which ripped through her body. The feel of him pulling her close triggered much more than just a sense of comfort.

  She knew he’d return to the ranch, if for no other reason than to pick up his truck. He’d come to Fire Mountain for a purpose, to obtain the data and arrest whomever came after it. Kade’s job would now take him back to San Diego, or wherever the agency sent him next. Brooke wondered if she’d ever see him again after today and felt a sharp stabbing sensation in her chest. She wasn’t ready to let him out of her life, yet she had no way of holding him. Her head reminded Brooke the strong attraction had everything to do with lust and nothing more. Her heart told her otherwise.

  Her eyes closed as she remembered their ride to the reservoir. She’d learned so much about him, yet she was certain there were secret depths to Kade Taylor that had yet to be revealed. She wanted to know them all.

  “Brooke, are you asleep?”

  Brooke woke from a deep sleep and stretched. “No, I’m awake.”

  Annie walked in and smiled at her daughter who still lay cocooned in her bed. “How’s your headache?”

  “Gone for now.” She threw back the covers and swung her feet to the floor, before noticing the sun no longer shone through her bedroom window. “What time is it?”

  “After seven. Agents Taylor and Nelson have been in with Heath for over an hour. Every once in a while I hear them laughing, then all goes quiet.”

 
“Do you know what happened with Perry?”

  “Just that they are waiting for a couple of U.S. Marshals to arrive to escort Perry and the other man to San Diego. It’s doubtful they’ll arrive before tomorrow.” Annie strode toward the hallway and turned back. “I thought you’d like to know, in case you have questions.”

  Brooke grabbed her jeans and top, then ran into the bathroom. Five minutes later, she’d dressed and took the stairs at a fast pace. She told herself her interest lay in the need to know about Perry and whether or not he confessed. In truth she wanted, no, she needed, to see Kade. She stopped at the study door and knocked.

  “Come in.” Heath saw Brooke poke her head inside and motioned for her to take a seat.

  “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” Brooke’s heart tripped over itself at the way Kade allowed his gaze to sweep over her in frank appraisal. “You have news?”

  “He sang like a bird.” Kade let his eyes roam over her tight jeans, clingy white t-shirt, and slim sandals. She’d pulled her blond hair into a ponytail and wore no makeup. He had to control the intense desire which swept through him at the sight.

  “That’s great news.” Her voice sounded breathless and husky at his unguarded assessment of her. “Mother told me a couple of marshals are coming to town to escort the men to San Diego.” She took a seat on a leather sofa, folding her hands in an attempt to still the sensations which wouldn’t be stilled.

  “Mr. Worton, yes. Unfortunately, we can’t hold Julio Menendez much longer with what we have.”

  “But, I thought…” her voice trailed off.

  Kade stood and walked to the sofa, taking a seat next to Brooke. “There’s no reason to believe Paco will send more men to come after you or your family. He’s back in Mexico with his family and the damage is already done. They wanted the flash drive, nothing more.”

  Brooke squirmed and tried to edge away at the sense of heat radiating from Kade’s body. She ran a hand around the neck of her t-shirt then brushed a hand across her forehead.

  “Are you all right?” Kade cast her a somber yet knowing look, as if he, too, felt the same sensations.

  “Yes, fine,” she said, and cleared her throat. “Well, I guess you and Agent Nelson will be heading back to San Diego.” Brooke stood and took a few steps to the edge of the desk, leaning a hip against it.

  “As soon as the marshals take Worton into custody.” Kade’s eyes searched her face for any trace of regret at his imminent departure, but she kept her features hooded. He stood and walked toward the door. “I’d better get the paperwork finished.”

  “Will you join us for dinner?” Heath asked.

  Kade took one more quick glance at Brooke before responding, noticing her expression still hadn’t changed. “That would be great.”

  Chapter Seven

  Brooke lounged in the big upholstered chair she used for reading and tried to concentrate. The study had become her safe haven, a place she went to be alone and think. Tonight the peace she sought escaped her.

  Eric had stopped by in time for dinner and now gathered with the other men in the great room. She could hear their voices and laughter as each contributed stories to the conversation. They’d asked her to join them, but she’d declined, preferring to start the process of distancing herself from the man she most wanted to be around. Brooke had been down this path before, with Perry, falling for someone who had no intention of ever staying faithful. She didn’t see Kade as the same type of man—the differences between them were great. However, a job which created a nomadic lifestyle for the DEA agent, coupled with her insecurities about relationships, made it difficult to contemplate any type of relationship between the two of them.

  “Am I interrupting you?”

  Brooke looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and closed the book. Her gaze moved upward and locked on Kade’s deep green eyes. She wondered if he had any idea how she felt about him.

  “Not at all.”

  “Your mother is serving dessert and coffee. I thought I’d take a walk afterwards. Would you come with me?”

  Say yes, she told herself. “I’m pretty beat. Can I take a rain check?”

  His mouthed curved upward. They both knew the likelihood of seeing each other after tonight were slim. “Sure, Brooke.” He pulled a card from his pocket and held it out to her. “In case you threw away the first one I gave you.”

  She took the card, knowing she wouldn’t use it. If he wanted to see her again, he’d have to be the one to make the first move once they were both back in San Diego.

  “How about dessert, you two?” Annie poked her head in the library and held up the tray in her hand. “Come up for air, Brooke. It’s one of your favorites.”

  She followed Annie into the dining room, Kade right behind her, and took her usual seat. This time he grabbed the chair next to her, brushing her thigh with his as he sat down. She tried to scoot her chair over, only to find she’d been wedged between Eric on one side and Kade on the other.

  “Any word from Cam?” Eric asked Heath as he scooped some cobbler into a large bowl.

  “He spent the day going over the buy out details with all three partners. So far, he’s impressed with the operation and hopes to wrap everything up within the week.” Heath sipped his coffee and shot a look at Jace. He and his wife Caroline had stopped by to learn the outcome of the day’s events and talk about the proposed acquisition. Heath and Jace both knew if they decided to proceed, they’d be facing a major obstacle in Rafe. Neither looked forward to the inevitable confrontation.

  “Will either of you be heading up there?” Annie asked. She knew the difficulties with the purchase. In her heart, she hoped it would go through and perhaps reunite the three brothers.

  Heath glanced at Kade and Clive, hesitant to say too much in front of them. Both knew MacLaren Cattle had been looking to buy a company in Montana. The business and partner names hadn’t been shared.

  “It’s doubtful. We believe the deal may have a better chance if Cam is the lead negotiator.”

  “Do you go through this often, purchasing other companies?” Kade asked, taking the opportunity to shift in his chair and lean a shoulder against Brooke’s at the same time his leg found a comfortable spot resting against hers.

  “Lately, it seems we’re doing more of it than anything else,” Jace said as he finished off his cobbler. “All the businesses are connected, so we’re expanding where we already have expertise.”

  Kade looked at Brooke. “Once you finish your degree, will you be applying your skills to the family business?”

  Brooke choked and grabbed for a water glass at the same time Kade patted her a couple of times on the back.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Fine.” She coughed again and noticed Kade had yet to move his hand from her back. Instead, he rubbed slow circles with his palm. The contact sent shivers through her body and heat spiraling up her neck and face, before he let his hand drop to rest on his thigh.

  “We’ve never spoken with Brooke about a role at MacLaren, although Jace and I have discussed the possibility on numerous occasions.”

  “You have?” she asked, surprised they’d even consider her experience as benefiting the company.

  “Of course. We’re expanding and your knowledge of management systems could prove valuable in tying the businesses together.”

  The room quieted as Brooke absorbed this new turn of events.

  “All right, time for me to take off.” Eric grabbed his empty plate and started for the kitchen.

  The others followed, with Caroline and Brooke helping Annie clean up after shooing the men from the kitchen. The women needed their own time and this seemed to be the most suitable place.

  “What’s with you and Kade?” Caroline asked as she rinsed and placed silverware in the dishwasher.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Kade wasn’t someone Brooke wanted to discuss, especially when her feelings for him were so new.

  “Come on, Brooke
. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”

  “Or his hand when you had the coughing spell,” Annie added.

  “Come on, Mom. Can you imagine someone like Kade being interested in a woman like me? Boring, bookworm, Brooke. He’d go for excitement and someone, well, you know.” She illustrated with her hands the type of women she thought Kade would find attractive. “We’re as different as any two people could be.”

  “You don’t believe two people who are opposites can find happiness?” Caroline asked.

  “I didn’t say that. Look, he rides a chopper, and works undercover in some of the worst motorcycle and drug gangs around. Do you know what members in those clubs have to do to be accepted?”

  Both Annie and Caroline stopped what they were doing. “What?”

  “He wasn’t specific, but I checked several of the clubs on the Internet and what they do is graphic and public. Kade lives on the edge, while I live comfortably within the walls of a large university.” She took a breath, wishing it were otherwise.

  “If he did ask to see you, what would you say?” Annie asked.

  She let out a slow breath. “Honestly, I don’t know. The smart choice would be to tell him no, for all the reasons I mentioned.” She leaned against a counter and folded the towel in her hand. “The problem is, I can’t think straight when he’s around.”

  Annie and Caroline shot a quick look at each other. Both had gone through the same mental confusion when dating their husbands, Heath and Jace.

  “And if he wants to be friends?”

  “That’s a good question. He’s a complicated man who tends to keep his personal life to himself. Truthfully, I don’t know much about him, except I believe he has a good heart, is dedicated to his job, and works hard.”

  “Is it possible you’d ever run into him once you get back to school?” Caroline asked.

  “It’s doubtful. His world and mine are just too different.”

  Brooke fell silent. She couldn’t afford to get involved with someone whose life centered on adrenaline pumping, on-the-edge assignments. When she met the right man, he’d be more like her, with a love for books and academics. Perhaps one of the professors on campus or a corporate type, the kind of men who visited the school in search of new ideas. Three-piece-suit men with a list of credentials behind their names. A leather-clad, motorcycle riding, action-centered drug agent would never find someone like her appealing. The type of life she led, aside from the last few weeks, would bore Kade before long and he’d end up seeking someone more exciting, breaking her heart in the process.