~~~**~~~
Spider ripped open the paper to the candy bar and took a bite, then opened a window in the camper to let some cooler air in. The AC was broken and he was ready to set the tin can on fire. He was tired of living this way. “Where the hell have you been?” He turned to nail his visitor with a frown.
“I told you I couldn’t take any chances. I’m supposed to be home sick.”
His growl bounced off the walls. “Tell me some good news.”
The woman dropped her purse on the counter and wagged her brows. “I did it. I never thought I could do something like this. No one knows.”
“You’re good at this, baby. Remember, after this is accomplished, we’ll run away from this town and never look back. I’m fucking tired of staying in this suffocating piece of shit. I’m dying to get my hands on some poker chips.” He chomped another piece of chocolate and swiped the back of his hand across his mouth.
“And get married too, right?”
“You betcha, sweet thing.” He dropped the empty wrapper into the trash can and stepped over to kiss her loudly on the cheek. “What’s wrong? You look like you lost your best friend.”
“I-I don’t know. I’ve known Carson for years. He’s a good man and he’s always been good to me.”
“Baby, are you getting cold feet?”
“Why can’t we just go away now?”
“With what, baby? How will we live? We need this. We need the money. Daddy’s little bitch is our payday.” He cackled. “Damn, it’s all good.”
“But why bother with Nix? Isn’t this risky?”
“Not when I have you on my team.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in. “You, baby, are a freaking, real-life superwoman. You have every little bit of information right here.” He tapped her forehead. “Everything I need to show Cade that he fucked with the wrong man. We’re almost there, sweet cheeks. Home free.”
She took a step back, looking at him through the veil of her lashes. “Cade is smart. He’ll know I was the one who tampered with his computer eventually. I can’t go back.”
Spider snorted. “A man who has his dick up some hot chick’s pussy is never smart. That’s why he’s at the bar and not finding out who the fuck pissed on his case. Men have been like this since the dawn of time. We have some time. Trust me.”
“When will you get the money?”
He sneered. “Tomorrow. I’ll call the bitch in the morning and set up the plans, and once I have the money in my hands, that cunt will be…” He made a slicing motion with his forefinger across his throat.
“You’re going to hurt her?” The woman wrapped her arms around her waist.
“You didn’t think we could let her live, did you? Right now we have leverage to keep her from spilling her guts, but after she thinks enough time has passed, she’ll tell her baby daddy and I’ll be his target again. And if he catches us, we’ll both go to jail. You’re not made for jail, baby.”
“You didn’t say anything about killing anyone.” Tears filled her eyes.
“And you told me you love me unconditionally.” He took a step back. “Is that not true?”
“I do love you. I’ve never had anyone who has loved me like you do.”
“But if we’re not together on this, then we’re apart.”
“No, that’s not true. I-I see your point. She will tell him everything. You can’t go back to prison and I won’t survive without you.” She stepped into his arms, clinging to him. She couldn’t go back to her life of being alone. “I’ll never doubt you again.”
He placed his finger on her chin and lifted it, looking down at her. “I can’t have you doubting me. You hear.” His gaze bore into her. “Rest your pretty head. I’ll take care of all the dirty details from this point on.”
Chapter 17
“THANK YOU FOR the ride.” Nix eased his legs across the floorboard of the passenger side of her Lexus.
“See what happens when you drink too much? You have to rely on someone else to chauffer you.”
“We are going to the same place.” He’d let her continue to believe he’d drank too much. It was worth it to be near her.
Her cell rang from the console. Nix sat up straight and grinned. “You’ll want to take this.”
“Why? Who is it?” She darted a glance at him.
He picked up the phone, clicked ‘talk’ and turned the screen so she could see it. “Pops.”
“Shh.” She brought the phone to her ear. “Dad? Yes…it’s a surprise...this late…well…okay…see you in a bit.” She clicked off before tossing the cell back into the holder on the console. “He wants to see me.”
“Great. You can drop me off and then go have a nice visit with your dad.” Maybe Carson would finally come clean about everything.
“Drop you off? I can’t do that. Dad said he needed to see me right away.”
Nix laughed, but when she didn’t crack a smile, his humor fizzled. “Of course. You’re not joking.” He’d rather not be in between the two tonight.
“Maybe you and my dad can catch up on what’s going on at work. Talk a little office.” The sarcasm in her voice couldn’t be missed.
He rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“What are you not telling me?” She turned off the radio.
“Someone broke into my desk, found confidential information and sent an email to an informant from my computer. It exposed him, ruined the entire case. So you can imagine your dad’s not too happy with me right now.”
Was it his imagination or did she slow the vehicle?
“Does my father think you sent the email?”
“No, but he’s pissed. This put an undercover’s life in danger.”
“Sure, but there are cameras in the building? That’ll prove who did this.”
He looked at her profile. “If they were working.”
“Not working by accident or on purpose?”
Nix swiped a hand down his jaw. “That, we can’t be sure.”
“Dad is clever and he wouldn’t have brought you onto the team unless he was sure you could be trusted. He certainly wouldn’t have asked you to help me at the ranch unless he thought you were capable. You’re not a newbie who fat fingered a key.”
He swiped his eyes. “Yeah, but this doesn’t happen to me.”
“And you’re not the type to sit at a bar instead of chasing after the person who did this.”
“Oh, it might look like my internal chaos is because I can only think about you, but trust me sunshine, a lawman always has his head on an open case,” he drawled. “I’ll catch the bastard.”
“Hm. What makes you think it’s a male? Just curious.”
“And what makes you think it could be otherwise?” He looked at her profile.
She shrugged. “Women are capable of secrets too.”
“Yeah, that’s for damn sure.” He lowered her eyes to her stomach.
“Could it be one of the Hawks?”
He stared out the window into the darkness. “I don’t think so. And we know it’s not your dad. That leaves Claire and she doesn’t have access to confidential files, or our desks. Anyway, she’s so timid, she’d probably pass out if someone said “boo’. The guys think she has a crush on me, but that’s not what I feel when she’s around.”
“She could have a crush, but you’re safe. I know she has a boyfriend. Actually, I’ve noticed a lot of changes with her over the months.”
“Like?”
“Breasts implants. A tan. Working out.”
“Okay?”
“Claire changed so drastically, so yeah, I think you shouldn’t cross her off the list of suspects.”
“Maybe your dad needs you on the team because men don’t think of things like boobs and tans as suspicious behavior.”
“Sure you do, but you allow the wrong part of your body to respond to big boobs. I do agree, the Hawks need a woman on the team.” She winked. “And I need to run Shy Brooke. It’s in
my blood.”
“And you have your dad’s DNA. It’s time you two settle your differences.”
“Is that right?” She turned her cheek to look at him.
“Hell yeah. You’re not the only one with secrets.”
“Are you going to tell me what that means?”
“No. You’re a bright woman. You’ll figure it out.”
~~~**~~~
Melly stared at her father who was sitting in his leather recliner nursing a sweet tea. A cigar had been snuffed out in the ashtray on the table. She’d tried to convince him many times to give up the habit, but she decided it was a waste of breath. He looked almost frazzled with deep set wrinkles around his thin mouth and eyes. At first, she thought his uneasiness was because she’d brought Nix along, but once they were settled in the office and the tension could still be cut with a knife, she knew there was more and her stomach lurched. If he found out about the baby, would he pull the plug on the ranch? Would he be happy that he was going to be a grandpa?
“Do you have something you’d like to tell me?” Carson had a look, one she’d learned well growing up. Each time she was late, dated a new boy, or dressed a certain way he didn’t approve of, he gave her a certain look. Back then she’d squirm, but there came a point when a child needed to stand their ground. Although she felt sweaty, she held her chin high.
“No, dad. I’m sure you’ve Googled everything you need to know about me.” With the lifting of her father’s brow, she dropped back into the cushion of the couch. “Sorry.. Maybe I do have a few things I’ve kept secret, but…well, for good reason.”
“Are you in trouble, Melly?” Concern etched new lines around his eyes.
“I-I…no.” She hid her shaking fingers clutched in her lap.
“I received a call.”
Were all her secrets unraveling? Did the man who called himself Andy contact her father too?
She looked back to Nix who was sitting quietly, maybe even a little green around the edges. He’d attempted to stay in the car, but she’d insisted he come inside with her. “A call from who?” She directed her question to her dad.
Carson leaned his elbows on his knees and said, “Brad called.”
And there it was. The bat to the head. Melly was even a little woozy. “He and I aren’t getting back together. Let me just get that out there.”
“That’s not what he said. You asked him for money.”
For the first time, Nix made himself known. He snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. Melly didn’t look at him because she didn’t know what was worse, Nix knowing that she had asked to borrow money or that her dad was about to lecture her. She did know that she had a bone to pick with both. “He had no right to call you.”
“He’s worried about you and I’m glad he reached out to me. For Christ’s sakes, Melly. Fifty grand? Why on earth would you ask your ex for that much money?” Carson’s eyes glittered with confusion and frustration.
Her confidence at the beginning of the conversation dwindled some. “It’s private, but it’s not like he doesn’t owe me.”
“You are in trouble, aren’t you?” Carson spit out, then turned his gaze upon Nix. “You’re supposed to be watching her.”
“What’s truly fascinating is that you know your daughter, and you still think that’s a conceivable request,” Nix drawled.
“I’m beginning to think I’ve made the wrong decision in choosing you—”
“Stop that. This isn’t Nix’s fault.” Melly shook her head. “I’ll tell you why I asked for money if you promise to not freak out.”
“Does this have anything to do with the baby? If you need anything, you know I’ll help you,” Carson offered.
Melly’s breath came out in a groan. She shot Nix an annoyed look. He was not-so-surprisingly rubbing the deep creases on his forehead. “Nix!”
“I realize you are working hard to keep secrets from me, but some are not meant to be kept,” Carson sighed. “Do you think I’m so barbaric that I’d deny you the ranch because you’re having a baby?”
She brought her chin around, feeling the burning of tears at the back of her eyes, but she refused to falter. “I planned on telling you, but I guess I believed you’d think this was another irresponsible act on my part. I wanted to prove to you that I can do this. I can run the ranch. Dad, I really am capable. I’m not Mom, but I’m a lot like her.”
“Sweetheart, maybe I was wrong for making you jump through hoops, but parents sometimes make big mistakes when they’re trying to protect their kids. I’m not too prideful to admit that I’m wrong at times. Nix says you’re ready and I believe him, and even if you aren’t, then I can’t stand in your way.”
Her mouth dropped and she quickly shut it. “Are you being serious?”
Carson nodded. “Yes. Don’t be angry with Nix for telling me about the baby. I have respect for a man who can stand up and tell the truth. But for now, we need to concentrate on what led you to ask for money? Brad said he sensed something was wrong. I don’t like the man, but it took great guts for him to call me.”
“Is it for the ranch? The baby? I told you I’d help,” Nix said.
Lowering her eyes to her clasped hands, she sighed. “. A man came to Shy Brooke. He called himself Andy. I didn’t recognize him, but he knew who I was, and he also knows you Nix. Apparently, from what he said, you wrongly put him in prison and he thinks he deserves a monetary payback. He threatened the baby and you if I didn’t pay him what he thought was a suitable amount for his personal damages.”
“Fifty grand, right?” Nix bit out.
“Yes. If I gave him what he requested, he said he’d go away and we’d never see him again. If I refused he said he’d cause harm to those I care for. You must understand why I wanted to take care of this on my own. I was afraid of what he’d do. He’s evil and he means every word.” She watched Nix’s jaw go hard. “He knows personal things about us and he says he watches.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” There was a tight frustration in his voice.
“Because the man said he’d find you and kill you. That you couldn’t catch him in time. He was the one who caused the accident and he had also locked me in the shed. This was his way of showing me how easy it would be for him to hurt me…you. My God, the baby when he or she is born.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I-I—we, can’t let this maniac stay out on the streets.” She was shaking so badly that her teeth chattered.
“Wait. What accident? And what shed? Bring me up to speed,” Carson groaned.
Melly patted his hand. “I didn’t want you to know. You’re always so protective and I thought you’d overreact.”
He had a pinched expression. “Nix, fill me in.”
“Rest easy, Carson. I handled the situation…at least what I knew of the situation.” He gave Melly a frustrated glare. “I ran for fingerprints, put up security cameras all over the property. How did the bastard get on the property?” Nix growled.
She swallowed hard. “I don’t know. Someone had to let him in. He told me Randy did, but I don’t believe that, and yet, he knew the routine at the ranch. I know he’s been there many times.”
“Someone who knows the gate code. There’s no freaking way he could get past the perimeter without the security system alerting you or me. The gate would be easier to breach. All he’d need is the code.” Nix rubbed his jaw. “And he called himself Andy?”
“I’m sure it’s not his real name, but yes.” “Hell, I’ve put away a lot of criminals.” This might not be easy.”
“He’s a brave man. He didn’t seem too concerned walking onto the ranch.”
“His mug has to be on camera. Did you get a good look at him?”
“He was wearing a cap and large sunglasses. He also had a tattoo of a star on his face…here on his cheek.” She pointed to a spot on her own face.
Nix blew out a breath and shook his head. “That’s a sign of a lengthy prison term or that he’d lost a friend while in prison. The tattoo is probabl
y fairly new.”
“Let’s take a look at the camera footage,” Carson said, “but with him wearing a cap and glasses, we might not get a good identification.”
“I’ll run the database to see which prisoners have been released in the last six months. That could take some time.” Nix pulled out his phone and started tapping away at the keyboard. “I’ll start the team on pulling up records. I’ll also enlist my brothers for help.” He paused his fingers. “That’s if you’re okay with this, sir?”
“Yes. Good idea. We need to move fast on this.” Carson stood and went to sit on the corner of his desk. “When were you supposed to meet him to give him the money?”
Melly shifted on the seat. “He said he’d give me twenty-four hours. Should be tomorrow morning, but I don’t have it to give. That’s why I was hoping Brad could help.”
“Don’t worry about the money, Melly. We’ve handled cases like this before without having one dollar. There are ways around that. Either way, we’ll nail the bastard,” Nix growled. “He won’t get away when he has the Hawks and the Cade brothers searching for his ass.”
“Melly, I’m sorry. You should have felt comfortable coming to me and telling me you were threatened.” Carson looked like he’d aged ten years in ten minutes.
She saw how her father’s shoulders slumped and her heart twinged. Going to him, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Dad, I would have made this decision no matter what. Just as you want to protect me, I want to protect those I love.”
He looked at her and she realized how much she regretted that they’d drifted apart. He patted her hand. “Patty warned me if I didn’t lighten up I’d lose you.”
“You haven’t lost me. I’m here and so is your grandchild.” She placed a palm against her stomach. “This baby will need a grandpa to take him or her fishing and for rides, like we used to when I was little.”
An unexplainable sadness flashed over his expression. He gave her a weak smile and reached across the desk for his phone. He
dialed a number and said gruffly into the receiver, “Jamison…yeah…get me fifty grand in fake bills…the best. ASAP...Great.” he dropped the phone in its cradle. “Just in case we don’t find this guy before he calls, we’ll be prepared. He looked at Nix. “You stay clear of the ranch. Just in case we have someone working on the inside, we don’t want you giving away the fact that we know of this scheme. You look like you could bite a nail in half.”
Seized by the Lawman Page 16
