by Taylor Lee
Ryker shook his head. “No, sir, at least for now he isn’t. I chose his spread because his racist views and connections to the White Might crazies allowed me to meet up with like-minded ‘patriots’ who have a hard-on for illegals and are known for their racist views. The dead-enders I’m hanging with are often recruited by the sophisticated corruption specialists I’m after. By sucking up to Sledge’s guys, I’m getting an inside look at the haters who are rampant in your backyard. My hope is that they may intentionally or unintentionally lead me to bigger fish.” He couldn’t suppress the genuine smile that crossed his lips. “I’ll confess, Sheriff Trouble, Sledge’s gang has had the additional benefit of opening my eyes to the operation you run. While I quickly ruled you and your men out as colluders, I’ve been impressed with your ‘men’s’ level of professionalism—among other things.”
Glad that the sheriff’s lips quirked up in the semblance of a smile, confirming that he understood Ryker’s allusion to his daughter, Ryker took advantage of what he hoped was Titus’s goodwill and went for the money ball. “I have a question for you, Sheriff. Why didn’t Deputy Trouble come with you to the meeting tonight? I thought you and I had an understanding. We agreed that it was essential that she participate.”
Sheriff Trouble shook his head and gave a nonchalant shrug. “So we did, Agent Thompson. Given the importance of our conversation, I regret that Deputy Trouble refused to come to the meeting. Indeed, she was adamant that she would not attend. In that you are just now becoming acquainted with my daughter, perhaps you don’t know how single-minded she is. If she decides she doesn’t want to do something, or conversely that she does, you’d have more luck stopping a round of buckshot from a Winchester repeating rifle with your bare hands than changing her mind.” The sheriff’s eyes narrowed further, then he added in an offhand tone, “Apparently, she’d forgotten that she was doing something with her fiancé this evening. I presume it was important, as he isn’t usually on her schedule.”
As he prepared to climb into his squad, Titus said, “I’m assuming if I offered you a ride, you’d refuse?”
Ryker smiled and agreed. “No, Sheriff, riding with you would be unwise at best. I parked my Ram at Sadie’s. It takes me about twenty minutes to walk there. So far, no one has figured out where I’m coming from or why I’m on foot.” He hesitated, then shrugged. “Although it happens that’s what I was doing when Deputy Trouble spotted me the other night and decided I was up to no good. Hence my arrest and all that followed.”
Letting the pregnant silence between them stand for a long moment, Ryker decided to test the sheriff’s goodwill—at least as it came to him. “I have a request, Sheriff Trouble. I think you concur that the information I shared with you tonight is important.” At the sheriff’s agreeing nod, Ryker continued. “While you have my permission to relay the information to your deputy, I’d prefer to do that myself. Might I prevail on you to arrange a rerun for your daughter’s benefit, perhaps in your office . . . later this evening?”
****
Tanya glanced around the table, suddenly aware that everyone had stopped talking. Seeing the questioning glances from her sisters, Gunnar, and of course, Bram, she realized that someone must have asked her a question. In that Bram’s expression was even more aggravated than usual she presumed that it was him that she’d not heard. Breathing out a hard sigh, she didn’t bother to make excuses and spoke to the group as a whole. “Sorry, guys, I know I’m more out of it than usual. It’s just that, as Gunnar can testify, we’ve had a couple of challenging days.” Hoping that her partner would back her up, she was grateful when Gunnar concurred.
“Tanya ain’t shooting the shit, folks. We’ve been up to our ass in the murder investigation and then a huge arrest of illegals the other night outside of Douglas.”
“What’s unusual about that, Detective Sorenson? I rarely see either of you. For example, this is the first time that I’ve been with my fiancé in at least a week.” Bram didn’t bother to squelch his irritation. “Obviously, the two of you have the busiest schedules of any of us. I practically have to make an appointment to see my fiancé.”
Acknowledging Bram’s annoyance, Tara stepped in. “I think you may be right, Bram. Tanya and Gunnar do have challenging schedules most of the time, but I know this last week has been particularly hard for my baby sister.”
Bram glared at her, clearly offended. “I understand what Tanya and Detective Sorenson do is important, Tara, but certainly not more important than what I do. You must know the significant hours we doctors put in. Thankfully, I have partners that ensure I’m only on call one night a week. Even so, what I do is challenging. After all, I’m dealing with life and death issues.”
“Damn, even as little as I know about what coppers do, that sounds like a pretty good description of what I see Deputy Trouble and her sidekick do. At least the two of them put the fear of God in the shitkickers I hang with.”
At the sound of the deep voice and the feel of his presence beside her, Tanya’s stomach hit the floor. At the same time, a dark haze flooded her vision, making it impossible for her to see more than an inch in front of her. She scrabbled for a breath, but admitted she wouldn’t know what to do with it if she managed to suck one in. Through the roaring din in her ears, she heard her partner greet the interloper. “Hey there, Burke, haven’t seen you since the other night at the sheriff’s office. Glad that they sprung you. We can use that leveling effect you have on those crazy assholes you run with.” Horrified, Tanya heard Gunnar invite Ryker to join them. He ensured that she would strangle her fellow cop with her bare hands when she heard how he introduced her nemesis.
“Hey, Burke, you’re welcome to join us. Everyone, this here’s the guy that Sheriff Trouble calls Tanya’s white knight, otherwise known as Flint Burke.”
Chapter 16
Feeling as though she might faint if she didn’t get a breath in the next five seconds, Tanya gasped when Tara seconded Gunnar’s invitation. “My goodness, Mr. Burke, my father doesn’t toss around compliments like that very often. Please, you must join us. I’m Tara Trouble and this is my sister Tatiana. We both have the privilege of being Tanya’s—Deputy Trouble’s—older sisters. You know Detective Sorenson, and this is Bram Courtland, Tanya’s—”
Bram interrupted Tara, correcting her. “I’m Dr. Bramford Courtland. I’m an internist at the Highland Clinic. I don’t know how long you’ve been in Sierra Vista, but you’re likely to hear of us, if you haven’t already. We’re the largest medical practice outside of Tucson.”
Ignoring Bram’s officious introduction, Ryker’s voice was cool. “Thank you, everyone. But I don’t want to interrupt . . . ”
To Tanya’s undying embarrassment, Tara insisted. “No, you must join us. If for no other reason than I have to know how you got that unexpected tribute from my father. Anyone who knows Sheriff Trouble knows that as gracious as he is, he’s not given to hyperbole. And frankly, as accomplished and formidable as my little sis is, that she needed a white knight is even more intriguing.”
Still staring at her hands, Tanya made a desperate bargain with her angels, indicating that if they were unwilling to kill her now, the least they could do was to take out the man who was pulling out the chair beside her and preparing to sit down. She made it clear that her preference was that she be the one to die. When Ryker settled into the seat next to her and pressed his knee against hers, she promised herself that since her angels hadn’t come through, she would be the one to murder him, in the bloodiest, most painful way she could devise.
“Thank you, Tara. May I say that Sheriff Trouble is an impressive man? To have produced three of the most beautiful women I’ve met is an accomplishment.”
“Now, now, Mr. Burke. No changing the subject. Please tell us what happened, because it’s a sure thing we will never hear it from Tanya.”
“It was nothing, ma’am. One of my assholes buddies got annoyed with your sister and started to take it out on her. I stepped in.”
Tatiana looked as horrified as Tara did. “Oh my goodness, that is horrible.” Turning to Tanya, she said, “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us about that, Tanya, or that Dad didn’t. You could have been seriously hurt.”
Finding her voice for the first time and not caring that it sounded like she was just learning to talk, she muttered, “It . . . it was nothing. You know how Gunnar exaggerates.”
To her shock, Ryker corrected her. “Not to argue, Deputy Trouble, but when Manny Davis is sober, he’s no one to mess with. Roaring drunk, he’s a murderer in the making.” Shrugging off Gunnar’s colorful description, he said, “I was just glad that I was able to stop him.”
Gunnar eagerly upped the ante. “Hell, man, you not only stopped him, you threw some of the wickedest MMA moves I’ve ever seen.” Turning to the rapt audience, he exclaimed. “Ask any of Sledge’s guys. They’ll tell you Burke was beyond impressive. Scared the shit out of all of us.” He focused a questioning frown on Ryker. “By the way, dude, I’ve been wanting to ask you where the hell did you learn to fight like that?”
Ryker shrugged again. “Here and there. I’ve had a shitload of practice. I grew up in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. You learn young how to protect yourself or you don’t live to tell about it.”
Like her sister, Tara was shaking her head. “All I can say is thank you, Mr. Burke. And it’s not surprising that we didn’t hear about it from Tanya. She is the toughest person I know. We are all in awe of her, which is why it is so upsetting to know she could have been hurt.”
Noting that unlike the others, her fiancé hadn’t bothered to express his concern about the danger she’d faced, and seeing Tanya’s flushed face, Ryker knew she was close to the breaking point. Deciding not to point out what a self-absorbed, uncaring rake Bram was, Ryker pasted a false grin on his face and said to Gunnar, “Not to seem like a lush, but when you invited me to join you, I hoped it would be possible to test drive one of those outrageous drinks the deputy favors. I believe Dante calls them porn star martinis.”
Bram Courtland broke in. “I advise you to reconsider, Mr. Burke. I try not to don my official medical hat any more than I have to. Fortunately, Tara and Tatiana are not as careless as my fiancé and are taller, so they can handle more calories. But I think it’s only fair to warn you that those drinks have a minimum of seven hundred fifty calories each. Essentially the same as a Big Mac, and they are just as dangerous to your health and waistline.”
Ryker leaned back in his chair and pinned a hard gaze on the condescending doctor and drawled, “Hell, man, in that case I think you should request a double PS martini. Don’t know if you’ve looked in the mirror lately, buddy, but you’re a little on the puny side.” Glancing from Tanya to Bram, he added, “By the way, Doc, a word to the wise. Since you appear to be in the advice-giving mode, here’s my advice: don’t mess with perfection.”
Ignoring Bram’s startled gasp, Ryker rose to his feet and shoved back his chair. “Sorry folks, but I see that my crew has arrived. I better join them. Don’t want them to think I’ve abandoned the dark side.” Nodding to the group, he said with a quizzical smile, “It was nice meeting you all.” He leaned down and met Tanya’s flushed gaze. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Deputy? Hate to bother you when you’re visiting with your family and friends, but it will only take a minute.” Reaching down, he gripped Tanya’s upper arm, raising her from her chair, making it clear that resistance wasn’t an option. Tugging her out of earshot of the wide-eyed group staring at them, he met her angry glare with what he was sure was one of his.
“Listen up, Deputy. Meet me in the sheriff’s office at 10:00 p.m. Not a minute later. You hear me?” When she shook her head and refused to meet his gaze, he tightened his grip on her arm. “Look at me, Tanya.” He waited until she glanced up at him, then said, “Nod if you understand.” At her brief nod, he turned to leave, then looked back and glared at the ring on her finger. In a low voice, he taunted her. “I see you’re still wearing that chastity belt, sweetheart.” He grunted and said with a sneer, “Now that I’ve met him in person, I can understand why you wear it. He’s a winner if I’ve ever seen one. Not!”
Tanya didn’t know how long she stood watching him cross the noisy bar, patrons on all sides parting to let the tall, grinning man stride through. Finally shaking herself out of her traumatized stupor, she forced herself to go back to her table. She knew the first thing she was going to do was insist that Gunnar get her a double porn star martini. She would get it for herself, but she’d be lucky if her trembling legs could get her back to the table, much less the bar, without giving in completely.
****
“Are you really going to drink that, Tanya?” The disgust in Bram’s voice mirrored the tight expression on his face as he glared at the pint-sized glass of frothy liquid. When she just flipped him a disparaging shrug, he added, “Obviously, you are trying to annoy me and just so you know, you are succeeding.”
When Tanya continued to stare at a spot on the table and didn’t respond, Bram refused to let it go. His next remark confirmed that he’d been as put off by the interloper who’d crashed their party as Tanya knew that Ryker had been of him. She should have known that Bram wouldn’t accept criticism, particularly regarding what he considered his expertise, which Tanya had decided was waist management—specifically her waist.
“Tanya, whether you admit it or not, your diet is exceedingly unhealthy. And if you think that gym rat, who seemed to think that a fifteen hundred-calorie alcoholic drink is appropriate for a short woman and that a slim, healthy man is puny is right, you are seriously deluded. In fact—”
“Shut the fuck up, Bram!” Even Tanya was surprised at the words that sprang from her lips. At the gasps from around the table, she slammed her eyes shut. Knowing how close she was to breaking down completely, she pushed back her chair, preparing to leave. Bram’s angry response stopped her.
Struggling to maintain his composure, Bram rose unsteadily to his feet. His voice was strained, his words clipped. “Don’t bother to leave, Tanya. Clearly you are intent on challenging me in the rudest, most unladylike way possible. Rather than accepting your childish abuse, I will behave like the gentleman that I am and assume that you have your period . . . or something and are incapable of behaving like an adult.” He took several steps toward the doorway, then turned back. His challenge was clear. “Please don’t call me until you are prepared to apologize to me for your exceedingly inappropriate behavior. That is the least that I expect from you.” His anger sheathing him like a glove, Bram strode to the exit.
The silence hung over their table like a dense cloud of acrid smoke. Tanya sucked in a breath, preparing to try to explain her unexplainable behavior when Tara broke the silence.
“Uh . . . your period, Tanya? Wow, talk about a low blow—no pun intended.”
Startled, Tanya looked at her oldest sister, not believing the amusement she saw in Tara’s dancing eyes. Before she could come to grips with her sister’s response, she heard Tatiana’s shuttered giggle that became an outright laugh when Gunnar muttered, “Hell, even I know you don’t blame anything on a chick’s period!”
For at least the next five minutes, the four of them convulsed with a mixture of shrieking laughter and ribald comments each one trying to outdo the others’ outrageousness. Their hilarity ground to an abrupt stop when they realized Tanya was no longer laughing but sobbing, a flood of tears coursing down her cheeks.
Tara moved into the seat next to her and pulled her into her arms. She felt Tatiana’s comforting body on her other side as her sister reached for her hand.
Tara spoke first. “Tanya, honey, what’s wrong? Talk to me.
To us.”
Tanya shook her head fiercely, knowing that the last thing she could do was try to explain to her accomplished sisters, much less her clueless partner, the horrible mess she was in. She couldn’t make sense of it herself. How could she explain that the supposedly racist drifter was in actuality a hot shit undercover FBI agent? Moreover, that their father liked the daunting man. He’d even said he was glad the renegade was in her life. Whether he would if he learned that Captain America had run her off the road last night and attacked her was questionable. Particularly since in the process the imposter gave her an orgasm she didn’t know anyone, least of all her, could experience. And after he’d driven her to the top of an erotic precipice and shoved her over, he’d declared unless she threw over the man she was pledged to marry, he was done with her.
After her loving sisters had managed to help her control her sobs and insisted that she drink a glass of water and even take a few sips of the infamous double PS martini, Tara addressed the elephant in the room.
“Honey, we don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to, but a blind man can see that you and Bram are having problems.”
“Ya think?!” Gunnar quickly shuttered his outspoken response at Tara’s fierce frown. He quickly added, “Sorry, Tanya, it’s just that—”
Tatiana broke in. “It’s okay, Gunnar, all of us can see that Tanya and Bram are going through a rough patch. That happens in all relationships.”
At Gunnar’s raised eyebrow, Tara stepped in and hugged Tanya closer. “Gunnar’s right and so is Tatiana. Relationships are never easy. Especially when the two people are as different in as many ways as you and Bram are.”
Tanya understood that her sisters weren’t going to let her off the hook when Tatiana said carefully, “But, honey, we all couldn’t help but notice how that hot guy came to your aid.” She quickly added, “I’m not talking about when he fought that Manny Davis freak who attacked you. That was stunning enough. But what struck me, little sis, was when he took on your fiancé.” She hesitated, then added softly, “Which I for one was glad he did.”