She turned her head and looked directly into his eyes. “Don’t you see? I must be the worst judge of character when Ava’s the first woman friend I make.”
“We don’t know for certain. Close your eyes. I’ll keep you safe.”
“The nurse will come in and make you get out of my bed.”
“Her and how many men?”
Haley fell back asleep with a smile on her face.
The evening nurse made her rounds and stopped at the door. Ranger put a finger over his lips.
She moved farther into the room and whispered, “You aren’t allowed in her bed,” she said and gave him a stern look.
“I am when she’s crying and needs support.”
The nurse shook her head. “Not even then.”
Ranger slipped out of bed without waking Haley. “Are you happy now?”
The nurse frowned. “I don’t like people who abuse the rules.”
He shrugged and walked to the window. Then Ranger watched the nurse carefully as she checked Haley.
The evening nurse put her nose in the air as she walked by him. She sniffed, and mumbled, “Some people think they can break all the rules.” She ignored Ranger as she stalked out of the room.
Shadow slipped into the cubicle. “I brought you some food, chips, a sandwich, a cookie, and a drink.” He handed the two paper bags to Dirk. “I’ll take over. Go out and take a break to eat.”
“Thanks. You and Anais must have had a lot to talk about,” Dirk said, looking at his watch.
Shadow grinned from ear to ear. “We’re having another baby.”
“Congratulations. You need to go home and celebrate.”
“I will when this is all settled. Anais understands, and honestly, I think my wife prefers me gone during the sick part. Her sister’s with her, or I’d insist on being there.”
Ranger glanced at Haley. “She had a bad dream a while ago, but has been sleeping better.”
“Go eat and don’t worry. You trust me, right?”
“I do, and I’m going.”
When Ranger got to the waiting room, he gobbled his food down. I was starved and didn’t realize it.
He looked at the card the doctor left him and pulled out his cell. It rang before he made the call.
A deep, husky voice said, “You may be clever, but I’m richer and more dangerous. I will get both of you. I don’t like thorns in my side,” the man snapped. The call ended abruptly.
Forgetting his intention to call the doctor, Ranger put in another call to Tex.
“Thanks. I got a call a few minutes ago. I’ll forward it to you. There’s something familiar about the voice.”
“I’ll get right on it. Send it now.”
Ranger forwarded the message and thought of the call he’d meant to make to the doctor. He stared at his phone for a second, and it rang. He blinked his eyes in disbelief. Just the man I’d been thinking of calling.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Foster, this is Miss Quinn’s doctor.”
“Coincidently, I started to dial your number when you called. Do you have some news?”
“Yes. The lab called. They said the shake had enough poison in it to finish killing Miss Quinn. I don’t know what made you jerk that drink from her, but if you didn’t, she’d be dead.”
A shiver went down Ranger’s back. “Damn, I hoped I was wrong. She’ll be upset to hear her best friend at work wanted to kill her. I’ll call the police and tell them. They’re holding Haley’s so-called friend, waiting for the results about the milkshake.”
“I’ll call them. The police will want to hear it from an official at the hospital, and I’ll tell the lab to send the reports to them.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He hung up.
Ranger texted Shadow. “There was poison in the shake.”
Shadow rushed out to the waiting room. “She’s still sleeping.”
“The doctor called to tell me. His next phone call is to the police.”
“Good.”
“I also talked with Tex, just before the doctor. Someone who sounded vaguely familiar called to assure me he’s still after Haley and me. Tex is on it.”
“He’ll find out who made the call.” Shadow leaned back in his chair. “I think we may get the real boss of our recent problems and end it finally. Yep, thanks to Haley.”
“She’s paid an awful price. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if we didn’t get to her in time to grab the milkshake.”
“Me either.”
“I’m going to sit with Haley. I don’t want her alone for any time at all.”
“I’ll call the base and talk with the captain about all that’s occurred.”
“Do.” Ranger took quick steps from the waiting room and to Haley’s bedside. He felt her skin. It was cool and her breathing regular. Then he pulled up the large, soft chair beside the window.
The nurse came in just as he’d rearranged the room.
“Why did you move the furniture?”
“So I and whoever takes my place can watch her and taste any food sent to her. She is not going to die. I plan to marry her, and we’ll live happily ever after.”
The nurse, who’d been so rigid about everything before, laughed. “Marriage is a wonderful thing, and I love my husband dearly, but it’s never just a road of roses. When those rough patches come, remember you love her, and that’s more important than any argument.” She patted him on the arm and walked out.
Ranger realized his mouth was open and shut it. Who knew there was a soft lady underneath all that starch?
One of the richest men in the country put down his phone. Ava had been allowed one phone call. Hysterical, she told him she planned to confess all to the police. He reminded her that her brother still worked for him, and he might kill him if she did tell all. So far, the threat had kept her quiet. Her brother was all she had.
I saw how to use her. The brother didn’t know of the threats, but she knew I’d do what I said. Still, I can’t presume the same threat will work this time.
He tapped in another number. “I have a case for you.” He gave the man on the other line the address of the jail where the police held Ava. “See she has an accident before she’s transferred to the larger jail.”
“Yes, sir. Same price?”
“I’ll give you an extra five for this one.”
“She must be an important lady.”
“If she spills her guts, she might bring us all down.”
“Then I need to get to her first.”
“I expect a call very quickly that you’ve done the job.” He ended the call. He prepared his cigar and lit it. He took a deep breath and let it out.
I’ll cancel all jobs and disconnect from all my questionable relationships. There’ll be no trail to follow to me. He glanced into the mirror.
“It was time to end this venture anyway,” he said to his image. “Perhaps Miss Quinn helped me by ridding me of the gang after her.” He saluted himself in the mirror. “Another job well done. Now, what shall I do for entertainment and the accruing of more money?”
Ranger sat thinking about all that had occurred since he’d met Haley. He smiled at her, sleeping in the hospital bed. She had changed his life and what he wanted out of life. As he closed his eyes, he considered how fast everything was happening. Suddenly, he jerked up straight in his chair, pulled out his cell, and called the local police. He asked to speak with the Chief.
“Do you still have our prisoner in your jail?”
“Yes, I was going to call you. A man who said he was Captain Buchanan is sending an armored car for the prisoner. He said you and another one of his men would ride back with her.”
“I called to ask you to have someone watch her until we transfer her to the other jail. Whoever’s behind the attacks on Haley might want to kill Ava before she can start talking.”
“I thought of that, and one of my best men is standing by her cell. Her food is coming from ou
r kitchen. We have a small police force and prefer to cook our food or warm it from home.”
“Excellent. The person behind this may want to kill her to shut her up.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Ranger ended the call and put in the numbers for Captain Buchanan.
“Hello, this is Buchanan.”
“Captain, the police chief told me you were sending an armored car for our prisoner, Shadow, and me. I can’t leave Haley alone.”
“Of course not. There’ll be an ambulance with a nurse to take care of her until she gets to the hospital here. I hope to get permission for her to stay at our hospital to start rehabilitation.”
“Thank you. We’ll be ready to leave this place.”
“Is her mother still there?”
“She left this morning to go home and pack her bags. She’ll stay with me to help care for Haley until she’s better.”
“Good, then we’re all set. See you soon.”
The ambulance arrived in the early afternoon. Haley was awake and excited to go to the hospital rehab that had been arranged for her. Nurse Dryden had talked to the nurse who came with the ambulance and instructed her about medicine and Haley’s care. She kissed Haley goodbye and then turned to Ranger. “Don’t forget to visit sometime, my handsome friend,” she teased.
“Haley and I will be back to see you. You can’t get rid of us so easy.”
“If you don’t come, I’ll haunt you in your dreams.”
Ranger cracked up, and Shadow smiled. “We won’t disappoint you,” Ranger promised.
Haley was on a stretcher in the back of the ambulance. Ranger sat beside her. She slept most of the trip.
Ranger asked for both the armored car and ambulance to stop. He traded places with Shadow. “I want to talk with Ava.”
Shadow nodded. “No problem.”
They started up again as Ranger sat beside Ava. “Why did you do it?” he asked her.
She was so silent, Ranger thought she might not answer him. Then she said, “The man behind all of this threatened to kill my younger brother. He’s the only family I have. My brother works for him, but he doesn’t know what the boss holds over my head. When his boss discovered how close my brother and I were, he forced me to agree with his plan. If not, he promised he’d have my brother killed.”
“What happened to the rest of your family?”
“They were killed by another group. My brother and I were the youngest, and our parents sent us away to this man who promised he’d take care of us and treat us as his own.”
“Do you know his name?”
“Most everyone does. He’s an important person in San Diego and Washington. He backs many people running for office and donates much money to worthy causes. No one would believe he was our boss.”
“Ah, I know. I thought I recognized the voice. Just recently at a large affair for donors, we talked to your boss briefly. When I saw him and asked my date about him, she said Mr. Zilah is known for his generosity and wealth.”
“Ah, yes.” Ava smiled bitterly. “Mr. Zilah hides a dark side very well. But the few who have seen it know not to cross him.”
“The police will keep you safe, and if you tell them all about his organization, you might get a lighter sentence.”
“Can you and Haley ever forgive me?”
“No, and if I ever see you around Haley again, I’d make sure you went to jail forever. Do you understand?”
Ava lowered her head and whispered, “I do.”
“Good.” Ranger touched the driver’s shoulder and asked him to pull over again. When he and Shadow traded places, he was surprised to see Haley sitting up on the stretcher drinking a soda.
Her nurse smiled. “She’s doing better, more awake, thirsty, a bit hungry.”
“I’m beginning to feel like myself again,” Haley said.
“You came close to leaving us.” Ranger leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
“I have a difficult time believing Ava did this to me.”
“She feared for her brother’s life, but she might have gone to the police instead of poisoning you.”
“I know. Still, I feel sorry for her.”
“You, my dear, are too kind.”
Haley laughed. “I never thought you’d say that to me. I haven’t been so kind to you.”
“That is because you regard every man as being like your Dad, and it isn’t so.”
“I know. I’ll try to do better.”
“Shadow said you’re taking me home to your house. That isn’t necessary.”
“Yes, it is. Your mother will arrive at about the same time as us. She’ll go with us to my house and care for you, especially when I’m not there.”
“I’m getting my strength back.”
“Squeeze my hand.”
She tried.
“See? It will take time before you can care for yourself. And I want you near me and awake so that we can get to know each other better.” Ranger leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I plan to marry you. So get well fast.”
“Do I have anything to say about this?”
“You can say yes.”
Armed guards surrounded the armored car and ambulance as soon as it rolled to a stop on the base. Ranger’s team, led by the captain, surprised him by marching to the ambulance.
“We’re going to surround her so no one has a chance to harm her.” Captain Buchanan added, “One of the team will be with her at all times until the danger is over.”
Ranger took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat. He turned to Haley right behind him on the stretcher. “The guys have come to welcome you home.”
They surrounded Haley, she started to cry. “You are too good to me. I started this whole problem by being so stubborn and not telling anyone where I’d gone.”
Captain Buchanan took her hand and squeezed it. “You helped us get rid of a group of terrible men who’d harmed many people. Don’t forget that part.”
“Thank you,” she said and gulped.
The men formed up around her, and Ranger led the way as she was rolled from one ambulance to another. Ranger got in beside her and the nurse.
“I pulled some strings. Because she helped our team and is your fiancée, she’ll go to our hospital. I imagine they’ll discharge her soon,” the Captain said.
“Her mother arrives today, and they’ll stay at my house.”
“Good. Even if we go on a mission, one of the men on Alec’s team can guard your house.”
“Thanks, captain. We appreciate all you’ve done.”
Buchanan nodded, shut the door, and waved for the ambulance to move on. Then he turned and checked all the rooftops.
“Heath and Gordy go up on the rooftops and check more completely before we bring out the prisoner. We don’t want anything to happen to her before she gets to testify against the big guy running this operation.”
“Yes, sir.” They raced off to search the area.
“Someone was here recently,” Gordy hollered down. “But they’re gone now.”
Buchanan went into the armored car and sat beside Ava. “You’ll be safe getting to jail, and I’ve talked to the Sheriff. He’ll see you survive to testify against whoever has been leading these operations.”
She didn’t look at him, but said, “Thank you. I’ll give you his name, in case he gets to me. His reach is far and lethal.”
“Will you tell me with my recorder on?” Captain Buchanan asked.
“Yes.” She told him all she had said to Ranger and more. “No matter what happens to me, I want him to go down and my brother to be free.”
“What’s your brother’s name?”
“They call him Volker.”
Captain Buchanan nodded. “I’ll let the police know to notify me when they’ve arrested Volker, and I’ll attempt to talk to him. But if he’s involved and has robbed or killed anyone, I doubt he will get any leniency.”
“I understand.”
“Then
let’s get you safely to jail.”
On the ride home from the hospital the next day, Ranger glanced over at Haley. “Your mother is happy about your discharge. I offered to bring her along, but she’s busy cooking up a wonderful lunch for us.”
“You’re sure you wouldn’t rather my mother and I go to my house? My mother can take care of me, and I have enough money to hire help if needed.”
“I want you at my home. We’ve never had an opportunity to get to know each other. I expect you’ll still try to deny the feelings between us, but I hope to change your mind.”
She was silent, and he glanced at her. “I don’t know what to say. There are feelings between us, but anytime I’ve tried to have a long-term relationship, the ship sank.”
“It’s not a teasing matter to me.”
Haley took a deep breath. “It isn’t to me, either. But I’m afraid we’ll end as my other attempts did, and…” She turned toward him and bit the edge of her lip. The silence between them seemed loud. “I’m afraid I’ll fall in love with you, and you’ll break my heart.”
Shocked, Ranger looked for a parking place and stopped. He moved the seat back, slid to the middle, and pulled her into his arms. After kissing her, he leaned back to look at her face.
“I promise you I’ve never had these strong feelings for anyone else.” He grinned slightly and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I guess my heart was waiting for you. We’re both taking a risk, but I think it’s a risk worth taking, and it will work out for us.”
Ranger cupped her face in his hands. “I know it doesn’t seem like we’ve known each other very long, and yet we’ve gone through so much since we met.” He tipped her face up and kissed her stubborn brow, her cheeks, and then he kissed her lips. She opened her mouth, and his tongue slid inside, tasting her sweetness, caressing the softness. At the same time, his hand slid up to cup her breast. She sighed when his fingers touched her nipple.
Ranger eased back and glanced around. “We’d better go home before I have you undressed.”
Haley’s face flushed with heat and she moved away from him.
The SEAL’s Surprise Mate - Rachel McNeely Page 13