Ranger Protector

by Angi Morgan

  Her breath quickened. So did his.

  She tried to break free from his mouth and return the intimacy. He kept his mouth against her skin.

  She wiggled. He pulled her body in tighter.

  She turned her face to his. He kissed her like he’d never kissed anyone before. And he kissed her again. And then again.

  She tried to back up. He planted his feet firmly apart.

  “Not here. I’m not letting our first time together be in a room above my parents.” He kissed her long and hard, stretching the last moments, tasting more than just the spices from dinner. He tasted what he knew was her unique flavor.

  “I get it.” She kissed him again. “The psychological damage it might do to you is too great to think about.”

  “You are definitely a tease,” he said between more kisses.

  “Jack,” his father said with a soft knock on the door.

  Even though he hadn’t planned to go any further than kissing Megan, having his dad interrupt and send him to his childhood bedroom wasn’t pleasant. That psychological damage might happen anyway.

  “Yes?” Jack answered when he could breathe normally.

  “The men will be heading to Austin first thing in the morning. I told them to expect Megan. That’ll save you some time.”

  Megan shook her head, mouthing “no.”

  “Good night, son.”

  Jack stepped away from Megan and pulled the door open.

  “I appreciate the time-saver, but I’ll drop Megan off in the morning. I gave my word to keep her safe.”

  His father turned, mumbling another good-night as he headed downstairs.

  Jack leaned against the doorjamb, amazed that his mind had changed so quickly about keeping her with him. “He’s right. You should go back with the armed escort. You’d be safer and...yeah, definitely safer.”

  “What’s the fun in that?” She winked and closed the door.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The phone rang, and Alvie Balsawood swiped the reject button. Even if he’d been prepared to deal with the question he was certain would be asked, he was in the security line at the airport. Summoned to Dallas by his partners, he needed to deal with the problem Megan Harper had created.

  The men on loan from the money side of the partnership had barely cleared the vehicles before the Wimberley police had arrived. They’d been full of one excuse after another and whined about injuries. If he’d been in the same room, he might have committed murder himself.

  As it was, he’d barely contained his rage and limited it to turning the stereo on high and yelling under its noise. His neighbors banged on the walls, but nothing else happened.

  He’d warned his partners that meeting in person wasn’t a good idea. In fact, it was a terrible idea. He hadn’t secured all the potential copies of the files, and they hadn’t secured Megan or either of the men sent to keep her from harm’s way.

  Through with security, he stood in line for a coffee and breakfast sandwich. He wasn’t going to starve just because he was on a flight. The phone rang again. He glanced at the caller ID and swiped Reject...again.

  He searched the crowd, wondering if any suspicious men were around to drug him like they had done to Megan. They probably did have someone watching to verify he got on the plane. But what they didn’t know was that he’d already transferred all the money to an offshore account. He wasn’t heading to Dallas for the big explanation meeting on a plastic sheet that could be used to dispose of his corpse.

  No, sir, there’d be no last-minute murder of Alvie Balsawood. He was too smart. This whole scam had been his idea. Dallas had worldwide connecting flights, and he intended to use one.

  He was escaping while he still could before he was caught and couldn’t name his partners for a deal. Yes, he could describe Therese, the one person he’d been face-to-face with. Anyone could tell she wasn’t the money or decision maker.

  That left Alvie with nothing. No bargaining chips and totally expendable to the money person. As badly as he wanted Megan to fall from grace or be executed on her knees, he had a greater desire to live the rest of his days on a beach.

  * * *

  “DOES HE THINK he can take my money and just fly away?” Rushdan Reval shoved his finger into his wide-open mouth to pick a last bite of food from his teeth.

  Undercover for almost eight months, Therese Ortis watched. The overfed, overindulged, totally spoiled twentysomething Rushdan dragged the fingernail along his desk. She closed her eyes while he used the same finger for a toothpick again. The habit was disgusting. Made more so because she wasn’t allowed to do anything accept watch while it took place.

  It was a part of his thought process. If she looked away, he’d think she wasn’t listening and only bring her closer.

  So she waited, watching the sun push upward over Dallas, reflecting off the glass high-rises. Rushdan had moved to the fifth floor of his new and unfinished building on the south side. It was rare to be called to her employer’s office this early. She normally oversaw his night interests.

  “The plan is solid, with one glitch,” he finally continued, “whoever gave the warning to Wade Hamilton. Get rid of that problem and the three subsequent errors are easily eliminated. Then we’re back in business.”

  He dropped his heavy body into a chair near the windows, his back to her. Another indicator that he really didn’t expect her to answer. She might stand here for a half hour without uttering a word, then be dismissed.

  It might be because she didn’t complain that he spoke so freely to her. She didn’t mind. Her real job was to listen and send the information back to her true employer.

  “But who is the traitor, do you think? Not Balsawood, obviously.”

  Therese was careful to keep her expressions minimal. She didn’t want to react to his conclusions—just in case he might actually suspect her.

  Since she was the person who brought the authorities into the mix. She’d done it against her handler’s recommendation. She’d even risked her cover by sending the information to her supervisor. But when Megan had been sent to investigate, the opportunity to bring in a separate agency seemed the logical choice.

  Right up until Rushdan was notified by that creepy state insurance guy who’d come up with the insurance-fraud scheme. A scheme that had absolutely nothing to do with why she’d gone undercover with Rushdan’s organization, which was the reason her superiors didn’t want her to risk the work they’d done to find out where the real money came from.

  “Do you have any theories, Therese?”

  “Pardon?” she said softly.

  She glanced slightly behind her at the two men standing guard on either side of the door. Neither had a weapon in hand and neither seemed to have itchy fingers. That might be a good sign.

  “I know that you’re friends with Megan Harper, the stupid almost cop that’s ruining my sweet insurance profit.”

  “I don’t understand, Rushdy,” she answered with her best innocent attitude. “I want to help, but can you remind me which Megan we’re talking about? Is she the one in the kitchen or out front? And oh, I think one just works Tuesday through Thursday on account of college classes. What did this chica do?”

  Rushdan flicked a finger. “Bring him in.”

  One guard opened the door. The other waved. Two additional men she’d seen around the nightclub dragged a man between them into the middle of the room.

  “I’m sorry you have to witness this, honey, but I need some answers.”

  One of the guys kicked the captive’s ribs. He moaned and covered his middle, protecting himself from another blow.

  “Damn, you can stop anytime now.”

  Wade Hamilton. It was the only man it could be if it involved the insurance fraud. She knew they’d been tracking him. And she knew his voice.

  Startled could no longer be
a part of her vocabulary or reactions. Training had helped, but after eight months of being around beaten men and abused women every day, she’d become numb—or self-preservation had kicked in.

  “Do you know this man, Therese?”

  She hoped and prayed that Wade could keep his own surprise under control. He had no idea who she was or what she did.

  “Is this Megan? No wonder I was confused, Rushdy. I assumed it was a girl, but you can never tell nowadays.” She hid a short laugh behind her hand. “Sorry. No. I don’t think I’ve seen this guy. Was he a problem at one of the clubs?”

  “This is a different problem. You sure you don’t recognize him?”

  “He might have come by, but he ain’t no regular.” She bent down to make eye contact, hoping Wade could keep it together. Their eyes locked. Hers with what she had practiced as confusion and his full of defiance. “No. He seems a little old for my places.”

  “Probably. You’ll let me know if anyone comes asking questions about him.”

  “Sure thing. Is there anything else?”

  “You’re good, Therese. I’ll check in this afternoon for my usual.”

  “I’ll tell the chef.”

  Therese had to step over Wade’s body on her way out of the room. Her mouth and throat were so dry she swung by the break room down the hall for a bottle of water. There were all sorts of illegal snacks in the refrigerator. She was careful to check the seals and make sure the bottle didn’t leak prior to drinking.

  Slipping young women drugs was commonplace here. And yet another illegal activity her bosses weren’t concerned with. When she took these men down...there would be so much satisfaction.

  Once in the stairwell, she was unsure how she’d managed to stay on her heels. It was the first time in months that she’d felt she might not make it out alive.

  All for a woman she’d barely known two years ago but had changed her life with a simple comment of going after what she wanted. Therese had been recruited for special training soon after.

  Everything would be on schedule if she’d obeyed her supervisors, should have listened to her handler, should have kept her nose out of this scam and stuck with her real objective—finding Rushdan’s funds and the men writing his programming.

  Hell, why not go a step further? She paused on the stairs while she thought everything through. They’d eventually lock Wade up on the first floor. She could get in that room—it was just a matter of avoiding cameras and not being seen. A hat and a pair of overalls would help with that.

  Everything was already at risk. Megan, Wade Hamilton...even her own life. Why not jeopardize eight months of undercover work?

  Chapter Nineteen

  “One call?” Looking frustrated, Megan pushed her fingers through her hair, gathered it together at the base of her neck and fluffed it out again. “I’m really amazed that your dad made one call and cleared me so I could come with you today. And that he woke the state attorney general up from a nap.”

  They’d been on the road for four hours, but Megan had only been awake the last fifteen or twenty minutes. He missed the banter when she was asleep, but the conversation about his dad could wait.

  “Tell me why we didn’t contact your father when you had me handcuffed to your end table two days ago?”

  Or maybe not.

  “You know why. At that time you were headed to the Rangers.”

  “I think it has something to do with you not wanting to talk to your father.”

  “Tread lightly.”

  Jack was about to state that they’d already been over those details, but something stopped him. That involuntary prevention stemmed from a place buried deep in his head that had something to do with relationships. Or the need for sleep. He’d had little of either recently.

  Megan hadn’t asked a real question. She was making a point, still believing it was a matter of pride that had kept him away from his father.

  “You’re wrong.”

  “About...?” she asked.

  “It isn’t pride like you’re thinking. We had limited choices at the time. We didn’t know if the SUV guys would follow from the diner or if they’d hurt my family. We didn’t have any idea they had the resources that they did. Heading south actually gave us a lot of information about our opponents.”

  “That’s true. Waiting also got us frozen. Oh, wait—that was just me. Plus a wrecked truck—totally you—and almost killed. Okay, that was the both of us. Other than that, we’re good.”

  Exchanging veiled barbs with Megan was new territory. She was someone he wanted to pursue a relationship with. He’d been the first—okay, the second—to admit that his father had gotten them free and saved a lot of hassle, headlines and reprimands at Company B.

  Now he and Megan were free to make calls and investigate without avoiding the police. But he wouldn’t admit to anyone that avoiding everyone for two days had been the wrong decision. It had also given them time to get to know each other.

  “Dammit, for once in my life, I’d prefer a woman who can just tell me what she means. You know?” He must really be more tired than he’d admitted to anyone or even himself. He hadn’t meant to lead with that blunt statement.

  Megan laughed. “I have never been accused—” she laughed harder “—of being coy or not speaking my mind.”

  “Sorry,” he mumbled, knowing he really was.

  “For what? For speaking yours? Do you really think I’d talk to you freely and not expect the same from you?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know what to think about. I’ve never met anyone like you. And don’t expect that I will again.”

  And he hadn’t. Toni was the only woman he’d taken on a fourth date, and he’d eventually asked her to marry him. He could acknowledge that Wade had more experience when it came to dating. But the possibility of dropping Megan off and never seeing her again... His mind kept shouting that he couldn’t let that happen.

  “Wait just a second, Little Jack. That sounds dangerously close to attraction.”

  “You’re a smart woman, Megan. I don’t believe you ever thought otherwise.”

  “Okay, kidding aside. You’re a cool guy. When all this is done, I could see us going on a date or two. The long-distance commute thing might present a problem. But we have to find your partner and the people behind this madness before we think about that.”

  “Agreed.” On everything except the one or two dates. He had every intention of taking her on a fourth. Then a fifth.

  Damn, he was seriously attracted to Megan.

  “Does it worry you that your partner hasn’t checked in since that message yesterday?”

  “No. Yes, but he said ‘border-style,’ which means no communication until I check the drop.”

  “I’m completely changing the subject, but I still can’t get over how quickly your dad found the link to all those fires.”

  “A link, yes, but we still don’t know who’s behind everything or why your friend Therese warned you.”

  “Acquaintance. We were in the San Antonio PD academy together. I think we had drinks and one profound conversation about going for what we wanted. She resigned soon after. I have no idea how she’d know my life was in danger.”

  “Or how she rescued me from the border. As far as connecting the dots of the fires goes, I’m sure you would have. No one gave you a chance.” Thinking about his dad’s feat, it was sort of amazing that he’d put everything together so quickly.

  “Sure. Back in my quiet office, where you wanted me to be today. Why didn’t you want me to investigate the rest of this case with you? Tired of me?”

  “I’m escorting you to the Dallas PD so you can give a statement, Megan. That’s all. Dropping you off. Not taking you with me to meet Wade.”

  “Or find him if he’s in trouble. I understood and agreed that was the only option, Little Jack. But I
don’t have to like it.”

  “You’re making that very clear.” Little Jack. Man, he hated that nickname. “Actually, my dad was a hell of a cop. Little towns like Liberty Hill might not have a lot of crime, but being the chief of police, he had more to do than just handing out citations or—”

  “Or directing the homecoming parade?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can I be honest?”

  “Have you been anything else?” he asked, truly curious.

  “I guess I haven’t. I sat handcuffed in that patrol car thinking I was going to dislike your father. After what you told me, it sounded like he deliberately ruined your operation for his own political gain. You know, he sounded like a politician.”

  “Don’t let the niceness and competence fool you. He has a very hands-on campaign. He approved the TV ad about me becoming a ranger. And he’s a good enough cop to know why I wasn’t available for his spotlights.”

  “You’re much calmer than I would be.”

  “I’ve had some time off to think about it.” He took the last sip of his coffee. “Enough time for Wade to get me into another mess. No offense.”

  “It’s okay. I totally get it. None of this was your choice.”

  “I wouldn’t say that. I seem to recall choosing the diner, which is the first place they caught up to us. Then I chose where we stayed for two nights, and they caught up with us again. And last night, since it was my family, you could probably assume that was my choice, too.”

  “Stop. I’m laughing so hard you’re going to be forced to make a pit stop.”

  It was good to hear laughter about everything. She laughed so hard she practically snorted, making her laugh harder. Whoa, man. He was falling too hard, too fast, and knew almost nothing about this woman.

  “So why, after living all over the world, did you decide to live in Texas?” he asked. If he was falling, he could get the ball rolling to become better acquainted.

  “Why not? Don’t Texans believe this is the best place on the planet?”

  “Texans might, but what about you?”