"Then you shouldn't have grabbed me like that." Alex pressed a hand to her pounding heart.
"I see that now," he admitted with a wry smile. Some fighter, this woman of Nick's, he thought.
She leaned over to get a closer look at him. "Why are you wearing that ridiculous suit and hat, Jose? And where is your magnificent mustache?"
He grinned proudly. "This is my new disguise. Don't I look respectable in a three-piece suit? We had to get out of Mexico quick. Too hot! Now we're waiting for things to cool down."
"Jose, I don't understand. Do you mean—"
"Nick will explain." He started the van and proceeded through town.
"Nick? He's here? In Phoenix?" Her racing heart almost lurched into her throat.
"Yes. He wants to see you, senorita."
"He does? I'm surprised. I thought he'd be furious because I took off without telling him, and in his van."
Jose nodded. "He was."
"What's he doing here in Phoenix?"
"I told you, Alex. It got too hot in Mexico. And he wanted to find you before . . . before you did anything else. Besides we came to get our van."
"What do you mean, it's too hot in Mexico? And how did you find me here?"
"Through your friend, Carol."
"How did you know about her? Did you follow me there?"
"No. We knew about her in Mexico. Through your emails."
"You intercepted my email?" Alex bellowed indignantly. "How dare you!"
He shrugged. "In the line of duty, of course."
"Duty? What duty?" she demanded, furious at the invasion of her privacy.
"Nick will explain," he said again.
Alex stewed quietly for a moment, trying to gain control of her anger and decide what warranted the intrusion of one's mail. "You've been following me tonight, Jose?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"For Nick."
"Then you know where I went? And why?" She realized it didn't look good that she had emerged from Jack's apartment.
"You went to the Hilton and talked to Jack Kingsley, aide to the governor," Jose droned. "Later, you met him at his apartment."
"It isn't the way it looks, Jose. He's an old friend."
"And lover."
"Not any longer. All that is in the past."
Jose shrugged ponderous shoulders. "It doesn't matter to me, senorita."
"I know how you work, Jose. You report everything to Nick. And I want to set the record straight. Jack gave me some valuable information tonight that will be helpful in the search for Jenni. I have the name of a lawyer in Ohio who takes these kids and sells them to desperate couples. Then he legalizes this whole sordid business. He may even know where Jenni is at this very minute!"
Jose pulled to a stop in front of a modest motel. "Nick will be very interested to hear this."
"He's in there?" she asked incredulously, and suddenly felt reluctant. "Are you sure he wants to see me? After . . . everything?"
"Yes. Very much."
"Jose?" She looked at him hesitantly. "I ... I don't know if I want to go in there. You see, I . . . that is, I don't think I should start something again that can't be finished."
"He insists on seeing you, senorita. You must go. . . ." Jose paused. He didn't want to sound too emphatic with this strong-willed lady but he remembered Nick's ranting and raving about Alex on the entire trip from Hermosillo, how he'd fluctuated between insane worry and vicious anger that she would put herself in such dangerous situations. Oh, yes, El Capitan was sick ... in the heart. And she definitely would see him if Jose had to force the issue.
"Jose, maybe I shouldn't—" Alex was torn.
Perhaps she should put some distance between herself and this man she hadn't trusted. She knew she couldn't trust herself to stay out of his arms if she saw him again.
The burly Mexican man sighed. There was no way he could tell Nick she had refused to see him. He would be a wild man! "Por favor, senorita. Go in there. He is injured."
"Injured? Hurt? How?"
"He was shot."
"Shot?" The image of Nick clutching his ribs and staggering down a narrow Mexican street flashed through her head. "I knew it! Those who live by the gun, die by it! I knew he was doing dangerous stuff. That's what you get when you're involved with illegal activities! Oh, damn, Jose! Here I am rattling on—how is he?"
"He'll be okay. Just a shoulder wound. But he's weak."
"You're right. I should see him. I want to give him a piece of my mind."
Jose held out the key. "Two-seventeen. Upstairs."
Alex snatched the key and flew up the outside staircase. She stopped for a moment to lean over the rail and call "Thank you, Jose!"
She waved and Jose ducked. Damn woman! Despite all his careful efforts to remain incognito, to hide the injured Nick and slip this woman in to see him, she now blew any cover he thought he had! Jose immediately moved the van to an obscure location and continued his vigilance. Tomorrow they would be gone and he could sleep.
Alex burst into the room. The two days since they'd seen each other seemed like two years. Emotions flashed in their eyes—fury, irritation, passion, love—who could know which was dominant in that split second? Certainly not Alex. Maybe she felt all of those and more. Her indigo eyes flared then caressed Nick's entire length as he lay stretched out on the bed. She wanted to touch him, all of him but stood there drinking in his masculinity, just staring. He sat shirtless, leaning almost casually against the headboard of the bed, the white bandage on his shoulder contrasting with his bronzed skin. Her eyes went to that bandage and she swallowed hard. Damn him, anyway! How could he get himself so hurt? It was crazy, but that injury made her mad!
"Nick—"
Nick's alert dark eyes darted over Alex. Her blond hair spilled rebelliously around her shoulders, her lacy dress was twisted and somewhat frumpy. God! She was a beauty! He sighed and the breath seemed to come from deep within his soul. After all his fretting and worrying, here she was, safe and all in one gorgeous piece. He wanted to grab her and cuddle her gently and spank her, all at the same time! They began speaking, but not to each other.
"Alex—"
"Nick, how did this happen?"
"Alex, I have been worried sick about you. Why did you leave like that? I told you to wait."
"You shaved your mustache! Just like Jose! Why?"
"I had to see you tonight, Alex. Had to know that you were safe."
"Did you have to follow me? Scare me half to death? Inspect my mail?"
"That was a damn-fool thing you did, leaving by yourself."
"How can you say I'm foolish? Look at you! All shot up!"
"Traveling alone across Mexico is bad enough. But getting involved with that ring in Jessup was dumb!"
"Speaking of dumb, if you hadn't been involved with illegal smuggling, you never would have gotten shot!"
"Alex, those people are dangerous. And now that you've seen them and can identify them, you're in even greater danger."
"So we can hide out together? Is that what you're suggesting?" She smiled devilishly. "You should have seen me in action, Nick. You, of all people, would have been proud. I had a pretty good story going with them. I can lie almost as good as you can."
"I've never been so scared in my life! I should have gone after you! Made you come back! Dammit, woman, when you got into that camper, I almost came unglued!"
She looked at him askance. "How did you know that?"
"I was watching your every move!"
"How?"
"I . . . can’t reveal."
"Oh, so the devil has ways and means! If you were watching, why didn't you come on out and help me? I needed a fake husband anyway. I had to invent a story about where he was and why he wasn't with me. Pretty good, too, if I do say so myself."
"That's the problem. You were doing so well by yourself, the decision was made to let you continue. Anyway, we'd never been all the way through their system, like you were. But that doe
sn't mean I was at ease with you getting so close to them. You were in too much danger."
"How could you let me go through all that hell? You knew Jenni wasn't there."
"It wasn't entirely my decision." His eyes softened. "But now we have them, Alex. Every stop you made. It's all on film."
"Nick, I don't know what you're talking about. Why would you take pictures?"
"That's the trouble. We've been talking too much. Come here, Alex." He voice was low and thick.
Drawn by a power greater than her common sense, Alex slid next to him on the bed. She kissed him and ran her hand across the sizzling skin of his bare chest, relishing the touch of his banded muscles. "Oh, Nick, I've missed you so. This illegal stuff you're mixed up with has to stop! I love you too much to stand back and watch you risk your neck like this. What if you'd been caught? Or killed?"
His lips caressed her cheek and found her eager, pouting lips. "I think I am caught, mi vida. In your loving trap." His fierce kiss halted further conversation.
"Nick, I can't deny my love for you. It goes beyond anything I can control."
"Alex, mi vida, you set me on fire."
"I want to love you, Nick, but not like this. I can’t stand to see you injured. And hiding from the law in some sleazy motel on the edge of town."
"Alex, my sweet, naive darling. Don't you know whose side I'm on by now? I'm with you, always have been."
"Nick, I'm no good at this Bonnie and Clyde stuff. It's good for jokes, but not in real life. I can't stand the thought of you hiding out or risking your neck. I want you safe with me."
"I'm not hiding from the law, Alex." He chuckled low. "I'm trying to lay low in case some of my recent clients hold a grudge."
"What do you mean? They're after you from Mexico?"
"Maybe. You never know, when you've been playing both sides against the middle, like we have."
"Both sides? You mean you haven't been doing anything illegal?" She puzzled over his words. "But the birds—that was illegal. And the guns. That had to be, especially with this injury you have. Furthermore, why are we here, if not hiding out?"
"I can see I have a lot of explaining to do."
"Apparently, you do."
In the darkness of the motel room, with his good arm securely around Alex, Nick began: "For your safety, I couldn't tell you much. Jose and I are working as undercover agents for a special joint force of our governments. We infiltrated smuggling rings to detect various schemes. Both countries are losing millions of dollars each year in contraband. We attempted to put a stop to it. But, damn, I'm afraid it's like a finger in the dike. We nabbed a few, but the baby ring is the crowning jewel. Now our sting operation is finished."
Strangely, Alex started to laugh. She felt slightly delirious, even giddy in her relief. "I don't know whether to be angry that you didn't trust me enough to tell me or completely relieved that I haven't fallen in love with an outlaw trying to hide from the law."
"It wasn't a matter of trust, Alex. I was instructed to tell no one. Jose was even forbidden to tell his wife details, only that it was important. It's difficult when your business supersedes your personal life. I could only hope that someday you'd understand why I wasn't totally honest with you. I felt helpless when I could see you slipping away from me. There wasn't a damn thing I could do about it, either. Nothing short of restraining you, and believe me, I considered it."
"You can restrain me now." She nuzzled his chest teasingly. "In spite of everything, Nick, I did trust you. Because I loved you so. Now, I love you even more, if that’s possible."
He caressed her lips with his, tenderly relishing their taste. "I love you, too, Alex. . . ."He admitted it gruffly, almost reluctantly, then pressed their bodies together, seeking complete absolution in the closeness.
"Hold me, Nick. Don't ever let me go."
"All night long," he mumbled sleepily, and kissed her hair.
"Not just tonight. Forever."
"Forever."
"Nick? I want ..." Her finger erotically traced his upper lip.
"Tomorrow, darling."
"Nick, I want you to let your mustache grow back again."
"Later, darling. Go to sleep."
Alex smiled happily and drifted in contentment. Her beloved had returned to her. For how long, she didn't know, but right now she didn't care. She only knew he was here with her, and had vowed his love. To Alex, his love was all that mattered. She memorized the gruff way he said it. I love you . . . Alex . . . forever.
They were awakened early the next morning by a loud pounding. Nick rose stiffly and spoke earnestly to Jose through a small opening in the door. With a grateful nod, he accepted two steaming cups of coffee. He took a deep breath and turned back to the still-snoozing Alex. An increased flow of adrenaline pumped in his veins. The flush of excitement accelerated his brain. His blood quickened. The wheels were in motion. The whole thing was coming down. The circus tent would fold today.
"Get up, Alex. Here's coffee. We have a busy day ahead."
"What time is it?" she groaned through kiss-swollen lips and buried her face in the pillow.
He set the coffee cups on the bedside table and braced his head and chest over her. "Alex." His voice was unusually gentle. "Turn over. I have something very important to tell you."
She lay perfectly still and mumbled, "Tell me you love me, Nick. And that we won't go on meeting like this in motels."
"I love you, Alex. I promise we won't continue to meet in cheap motels. Now, come on ... I think we've found Jenni."
Alex's heart froze. A chill ran through her entire body, followed by a flash of fire. There was a touch of exhilaration, a moment of depression. Her flesh went hot then cold. Her feelings soared then plummeted. She wanted to cry out, to shout for joy.
She'd been through this expectancy and building of hopes so many times before, she steeled herself. The pain of disappointment was doubled, tripled, when anticipation was high. She refused to believe it, to build up false expectations. Yet Nick had never said those words: I think we've found her.
She flipped over, her indigo eyes round and full. "Nick?"
He nodded silently. "We think she's in Ohio."
"Ohio? All the way to Ohio?" Was it possible? Alex swallowed hard and closed her eyes, trying to force back the gush of hot tears that burned the insides of her lids. "You . . . you've found her?" Did she dare believe it?
"I'll explain the details on the plane. We have an early flight to catch. We need to get you some decent clothes. A lace dress is a little too much for the occasion." His tone was gently cajoling, urging.
Alex scooted up to a sitting position. She felt paralyzed by a strange combination of optimism and dread fear.
Nick shoved a cup of coffee into her hands with tight-lipped orders. "Drink. And hurry."
"Nick, I'm scared. Oh, God, I'm scared."
His voice took on a strict matter-of-factness. "Alex, get a hold on yourself. We need you to identify the child if it's Jenni, and to press charges. You are the crucial person who will break this ring up. We're going to nail them, from the scumbag who picked Jenni up off the street in Mexico to the lawyer who provides legal adoptions to innocent couples. Now, come on!"
He propelled Alex through the motions of a shower, then Jose drove them to Carol's for a change of clothes. The meeting between Carol and Nick was disappointingly brief. However, they both understood there were more important things to do today.
As they rushed out the door, Carol reminded Alex, "Let me know what happens. Please! Call me. I'll be waiting to hear from you."
Alex turned back to her friend. "I will. Thanks."
"Good luck," Carol whispered hoarsely. Sudden tears sprang to her eyes as she watched the rickety gray van drive away.
As they approached Sky Harbor Airport, Alex dug frantically in the back of the van. Finally she found her prize, the item she'd dragged all the way from Mexico for this very moment.
Almost in a daze, she kissed Jose's ruddy ch
eek. "Thanks, Jose, for everything."
"Bring back la nina, senorita."
She nodded, unable to answer.
Nick hurried her down the concourse just as the loudspeaker was announcing their flight number. Alex boarded the plane with a frayed but well-loved teddy bear tucked under one arm.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The low drone of the jet's engines was strangely comforting. Closer and closer to my Jenni, Alex kept repeating.
"How did you get this lawyer's name?"
Alex handed the slip of paper to Nick. "From Jack Kingsley. He said this lawyer in Ohio had been suspected of shady dealing for a number of years but they couldn't pin anything on him."
"Now they can," Nick muttered sardonically. "With your testimony, Alex, they can put him and the entire ring away." Nick folded the paper and stuffed it in his pocket. "Away for good."
Alex pondered for a moment. "Including Margaret?"
"Who's Margaret?"
"Margaret Hannah. The woman who keeps the babies in Jessup."
"Oh, yes. Definitely. Her too."
"Nick, she . . . she believes she is doing the right thing, finding a loving home for these kids."
"Is she?"
Alex took a deep breath. "I don't know. She doesn't mistreat the kids. She takes care of them."
"The law doesn't have a heart, Alex," Nick affirmed stoutly. "It's against the law to steal babies and sell them."
"I know. But she didn't actually steal them herself."
"She's an accomplice, Alex." He sounded tough and unyielding.
"Yes, I realize that." Alex studied Nick's face. Now, without the mustache, the scar on his cheek stood out more clearly and she wondered how he got it. His eyes were steady and alert. But she still couldn't read anything there. He was trained not to reveal feelings. Was he also trained not to feel emotions? "Nick, is it all happening today? On a Sunday?"
"Depends." He left unsaid the deciding factor —if Jenni was found. "But, soon. We’re sure of it."
"Then you knew about the lawyer all along?"
"Yep. He's on our list of suspects. But as Jack said, until now we didn't have anything that would stick, or anyone to file charges. You see, it's difficult if not downright impossible for a poor Mexican woman to pursue her missing child into the States. Now, with you to press charges, Alex, we'll slam them all behind bars until they're old and gray."
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