The tow-haired boy had to be Donovan’s adopted son, Mark. She recognized his little sister Susie from her picture. TJ and Max’s son and daughter were playing. They had several stuffed animals and some small cars and trucks.
“Later,” the nurse explained.
Gina sat down close to the children. They were as beautiful as Nellie claimed.
“Can I help?” she asked the nurse.
“Hi! Do you know the Callahans?”
“Darin and I are partners at HPD.” Her heart took a quick breath. Darin’s family was so different from her own. Her mom had been sickly all her life, finally succumbing to cancer when the girls were in high school. Her dad had died in a job-related accident when the girls were young and her mother remarried. At the time, Elton Griffin seemed like the answer to their prayers. He had a good job working with computers and for a while her mother seemed happy.
Then she and her sister started their periods and became more mature. That’s when the groping started.
Gina told her mother what Elton was doing. She wouldn’t listen. She told Gina she was imagining things. Elton wouldn’t do such a thing.
Gina did a little babysitting. She saved until she had enough money to put a lock on their door. From then on the sisters spent more time in their bedroom with the door locked than anywhere else.
Until the night everything changed.
These children were the fortunate ones. TJ’s baby girl looked up at her and grinned. Gina held out her arms picked her up and held her tight. “You’re so pretty,” she said, brushing blondish red hair back from the baby’s sweet little face.
The baby chattered in a language only she could understand. Gina laughed aloud.
“Aren’t they adorable?” asked the nurse.
“They are,” Gina agreed. “Do you have children?”
The nurse didn’t have time to answer before the children’s parents swooped down on them, gathered them up and made ready to leave.
“Will you and Darin have time to come by the ranch?” Nellie asked.
“We don’t,” Darin said as he stood beside Gina. “We’ll grab a bite at Molly’s and get back to our job.”
“It’s such a short visit,” Nellie complained. “We haven’t had a minute to get acquainted with Gina.”
Gina made it a point to go to each member of the family and shake hands. She really was glad to meet them. It gave her a much clearer picture of who Darin was. She liked what she saw.
“Will you come again?” Nellie asked.
“I’m not sure,” she said, hedging. “We’re pretty busy.”
“I understand.”
Nellie gave Gina a kiss on the cheek, which took her by surprise. She’d barely met the woman.
When they finally made it back to their car Gina had a moment of clarity. This was the way families should be. Not the abused children Maddy worked with—not the sisters’ abusive childhood that had left her and her sister scarred. A family like the Callahans was full of joy and love. Gina vowed if she were ever so lucky to have a family of her own she would pattern it after the one she’d just witnessed.
After lunch at Molly’s, where it seemed everyone there had to stop at the table to say hello to Darin, and be introduced to the woman with him, they made the trip back to San Antonio and were soon back on the plane.
It took every minute of the time back to Houston to get into their disguises and get in a little more practice. When they disembarked at Hobby in Houston, the man and woman who stepped off the plane weren’t recognizable as the two who had entered.
Chapter Fourteen
“I hope the mike is working in the Rolex,” Gina said as they walked toward the Mercedes waiting for them.
“I’ll turn it on and check with the FBI later,” he told her. “By the way, you look sensational.”
“Typical male. You like the boobs.”
Darin chuckled. “Damned right.”
“Thank the bustier I have to wear to get this stupid look. Damned thing itches.”
He burst out laughing. She loved the sound.
As they got within hearing distance of the car they went into their act. On the way to the hotel the FBI driver glanced into the rearview mirror every so often and shook his head.
Stepping into the lobby of the Indigo was like stepping into another world. Luxurious was a good word to describe the damask upholstered chairs, the marble floor flowing to the mahogany registration desk.
Tall ceilings and rich wallpaper added to the ambience.
“Nothing like the office, is it?” he said in a low voice.
“Don’t even go there,” Gina whispered.
The driver carried in their bags. “Call me when you need the car again, sir,” he said. “We’ll be ready day or night.”
Darin nodded.
The mirrors on the wall reflected two strangers waiting to register. The man was big. His Stetson sat squarely on his head. Long black-gray hair could be seen beneath it. The scar under his left eye turned heads. The woman wore a tight short black skirt with a top showing a lot of cleavage, black boots and big hair completed the picture. Gina didn’t recognize either one. She’d bet Darin didn’t either and prayed no one else would.
A man in a business suit came up to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Farley?”
“Yes,” Darin said, his voice impatient.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Please...” He waved for a valet. “We’ll show you to your suite.”
Gina didn’t question the fact they hadn’t formally registered. Evidently, their bill was prepaid. Thank you, Agent Peavy.
The valet opened the door to a suite almost as large as Maddy’s apartment. Gina caught herself just before she let out a gasp of pleasure. Meg Farley was accustomed to such lavishness even if Gina Carlson had never seen anything like it.
The room had wide windows covered in drapes with deep rich tones of red and gold. The couch was in a softer gold while the carpet was of the same deep red. The armoire holding the TV was in dark oak, as were the table and chairs.
A quick glance in the bedroom showed a king-sized bed in the same wood. Good copies of paintings by Monet hung on every wall.
“Do you have a masseuse on duty?” Gina asked. “I want these kinks out of my back tonight.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll have someone sent right up.”
“Good. Tell them I want hot rocks.”
“Of course.”
Darin gave the man a bill and waved him away.
Gina stepped close to Darin, put her arms around his shoulders, and whispered close to his ear. “Has the room been swept?”
Darin cleared his throat. Being so close, his body next to hers in an intimate embrace made her body heat up. “I called Peavy before we left the plane. It’s been swept so it’s safe to talk. The FBI will have someone come in every two hours to make sure it stays that way.”
“Good.” She let out a relieved sigh. “I’m not sure I can keep this up 24/7.”
“I don’t know about that. You’re good.” He gave her an admiring look that sent heat to her face.
“You don’t do so bad yourself.” Though Darin as himself was much more appealing, they had a job to do. Every detail had to be just right. To do otherwise could prove deadly.
“What do you think?” she asked softly. “Will they make contact, or will we have to?” If they had to, it would be awkward since they didn’t know which cartel was involved.
“They will. I’m sure they knew the minute we checked in.”
“Scary.”
“Yes. But it makes our job easier.”
A knock at the door stopped their conversation.
“That’s my masseuse.”
“Enjoy yourself,” he said. “I’m going to wander into a few of the hotel shops.” Darin kissed her goodbye on the lips before the masseuse, table in hand, walked in.
Why did he have to kiss her? Then she realized he was just staying in character. But her thumping heart wasn’t part of the script. I
t upset her that she couldn’t seem to help herself where Darin Callahan was concerned.
She spent the hour-long massage time thinking of him. She wasn’t quite as worried now as she had been about his disguise or his ability to carry off the role. He was better than she hoped. She only prayed the two of them would make it believable when they were faced with drug dealers and possibly a killer.
She couldn’t help but wonder if she could handle the kisses that went with their pretend-marriage. Every single one left her weak and shaky.
****
An hour and a half later, Darin walked back into the room. He would never grow accustomed to such lavish furnishings. He’d been raised on a ranch. His lifestyle then and now wasn’t comparable. To tell the truth, he preferred his simple home with its traditional furnishings to all of this redundant stuff the hotel charged a mint for. The ranch with its familiar rooms that hadn’t changed in years was far more comfortable. Did that make him old-fashioned? He didn’t care. This wasn’t him. But it was Dutch Farley. For the next few days he’d have to act as if this outrageous luxury was his due.
Gina wasn’t in the expansive living area. The door to the bedroom was shut. Her massage had to be over by now. He knocked softly.
“Come in,” she said.
Though the overhead light was off, the room was flooded with the gleam from several nightlights. They were everywhere. Two in the bedroom, one in the bath. Gina's gun lay on the table beside the bed where she was engulfed in one of the hotel’s fluffy white robes. Her hair was damp, her face free of makeup. She looked more beautiful than ever.
“What’s with all the nightlights and the gun?
“It’s the way I sleep.”
The look in her eyes defied him to question further, so he changed the subject.
“You look better without all of the Meg Farley get-up.” He couldn’t seem to catch his breath. “Did you enjoy your massage?”
“It was wonderful. I could get accustomed to the pampering.”
He chuckled. “What about the rest of this?” He waved his arm to encompass the suite.
She made a face. “Not interested. Too much upkeep.”
“That’s one way of looking at it.”
They were making small talk, avoiding any mention of the fact there was only one bed in the suite.
“I was going to suggest we divide the bed into two sections, but if you sleep with lights on that’s out,” he said.
Darin opened drawers and closets until he found what he wanted. “I’ll sleep on the couch.” He pulled extra bedding and a pillow from a closet.
She stood to take them out of his arms. “I’m smaller than you. I’ll be more comfortable and I’ll take my lights with me.”
“Nope. This will do just fine.”
Gina shrugged. “How about we take turns?”
They would discuss the subject later. “I’ll get my shower and be out of here in no time.”
Fifteen minutes later she was still sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked irresistible. The urge to crawl into bed and curl up next to her swept over him like a Texas tornado. He went weak with the wanting. I have a job to do and can’t be distracted by the most desirable woman I’ve ever met.
It sounded good. All he had to do was get the hell out of this room.
Instead of walking toward the door, he walked over to the bed, leaned over and kissed those incredible lips.
Gina gasped.
“Just practicing,” he teased. “You said yourself our cover has to be foolproof.”
****
When the door clicked shut behind him Gina let out a long, shaky breath. Another swift kiss and she was hot all over. The first time she might understand. But every time the man kissed or even touched her she felt something. Was this normal? If so she’d been abnormal her entire life.
What would happen if she carried this a step further? What if she actually slept with him? She shuddered at the thought. She couldn’t. After years of therapy one would think her fear would be a thing of the past. In some ways it had helped tremendously. She no longer thought the abuse in her childhood was her fault. Elton Griffin was the perpetrator, she and Maddy his innocent victims. But neither of them had healed enough to let a man into their lives. Her two experiences were such disasters that no man had turned her on since. Now she was attracted to Darin and didn’t know what to do about it.
Nothing. They were on a job. Too much hinged on its success. If they screwed it up by letting personal feelings get involved, they shouldn’t be cops.
With that thought she curled up in bed and let the tears fall.
She traced her lips with a finger. He tasted so good—felt so good—smelled so good. How could she turn away from him when she wanted to do just the opposite? Maybe it was a good thing she was his partner and fraternizing was forbidden. She was too scared to take this further anyway.
The bed was luxurious, soft, and inviting. She should be able to fall asleep immediately. Instead, she lay there tormented by the fact that even if they weren’t on a job nothing would change. She wanted what she was afraid to have—afraid that if she had it she would shrink in terror and scare the poor man to death in the process.
It was early morning before her exhausting thoughts allowed her to sleep.
****
Darin didn’t do much better.
He was up at dawn. After folding the linens, he placed their breakfast order. Opening the door to Gina’s room he saw she was asleep and quietly put the linens back in the closet. It wouldn’t do for one of the help to see them and report it to the wrong people.
He put on his robe, applied the fake scar, put on his wig, and waited for breakfast.
A white envelope on the floor by the door caught his attention. Were they being contacted already? Was the sting going down now? He prayed so.
He sat down to open it. His mouth went dry as he read.
Jumping up he ran into Gina’s room. She was still sleeping peacefully. He walked over to the side of the bed. She was beautiful. Her blond hair curled and spread over the pillow. Dark lashes lay against perfect cheekbones. He brushed a stray hair from her face.
The next thing he heard was the click of a revolver. Close. Shock kept him as still as a statue.
“What the hell are you doing?”
He swallowed hard. It wasn’t often a gun was aimed at his head. Plus, he’d never seen a more beautiful, snarling woman holding one. The look in her eyes told him she wasn’t kidding.
When he regained his voice Darin managed to say, “That’s my line.”
She lowered the gun, put it back on the table. “Never sneak up on me again.”
“You can bet on it.” He watched as she visibly gathered herself together. The episode had frightened her as much as it had him. But what set her off?
“I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m sorry.”
She brushed her hair back with impatient fingers. “Never mind. But I’m serious about anyone sneaking up on me.”
“I promise to knock, ring a bell, yell, stomp my feet, or make noise anyway I can think of to announce my presence from now on.”
Her lips twitched.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
“Wanna tell me what that was all about?”
“No.”
He shrugged, then turned to leave the room.
“Why were you standing over my bed like a burglar or something worse?”
Maybe he had just scared her. They were in a strange place, and they didn’t know each other well. “Someone slipped this under the door. Read it.”
“Understand you are interested in the purchase of goods my company may be able to supply. If interested, call the number on the enclosed card.”
“They bought it,” Darin said. “All we have to do is make believers out of them.”
“We need to let the FBI know.”
He punched the diamond on his Rolex, announced himself and read the note. “We’ll make further conta
ct when we know where and when we meet.”
Double-clicking turned off the transmission. He looked at Gina. Her red silk pajamas did things to his libido. Then he remembered the gun aimed at his head.
“Do you usually wear silk PJ’s?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Nope. But Meg Farley does.”
He wanted to ask what she did wear, but thought better of it. He headed for the living area. “Better get dressed. Breakfast will be here any minute.”
They heard a soft knock at the door.
Gina flew out of bed. “It takes me an hour to get dressed in that get-up and fix my hair. You’ll have to go to the door.”
Darin opened the door to let in a valet with a breakfast cart covered with dishes exuding the wonderful aroma of delicious-smelling breakfast foods.
As he tipped the valet, his stomach rumbled.
“Breakfast is ready,” he said knocking loudly on the bedroom door.
“I’m not.”
“Come and eat while it’s hot. You can dress later.”
A minute later, he called out again. “C’mon. It smells too good to eat cold.”
“I’m really not hungry.”
“Pretty please?” She was probably embarrassed by the gun incident. He would be, too.
Still in her robe, she came out of the room and took a seat at the table. It didn’t take long before they put a good-sized dent in their eggs benedict, soft, melt-in-your-mouth rolls, and dark, hot coffee. There was no way either could do more than taste the selection of fruit and pastries.
He smiled to himself. There was nothing wrong with Gina’s appetite.
“I ate too much,” she groaned.
“You need to eat. You’re too thin.”
She chuckled. “I won’t be if I eat many more meals like this one.”
He picked up the phone. “Time to make an appointment.”
“I’ll get dressed.”
An hour later, they were at the elevator. Darin didn’t know who was more nervous. He’d put his gun in his right boot and made sure the mike was working on the Rolex. He was as ready as he could be and hoped he wouldn’t start perspiring.
Gina looked wonderful. Her long shapely legs in black tights and her enticing cleavage would distract every male who looked their way.
Promise Renewed Page 14
