Seized by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 3)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  He was silent for a good five seconds. “You have twenty-four hours. And if you decide to betray our little bargain, just remember that I’ve taken down bigger, badder assholes than Cade. You don’t want to have to spend each and every day of your little rag-a-muffins life looking over your shoulder, now do you? What sort of childhood would that be?”

  “I’ll get you the money.” When it came down to it, she didn’t care about the money. She cared for the safety of those whom she cared for, and that included Cade.

  “I’m going to get up now, little lady. I know you’re itchin’ to lash out but keep that baby’s wellbeing in mind. One little itty-bitty accident could take away the future of the unborn.”

  He stood and she stayed still, wishing she could reach up and punch him in the balls.

  “I’ll be back for the money.”

  “One question. Why did you lock me in the shed and slit my tire? If I would have died you wouldn’t be getting your money.” She wasn’t sure why, but she needed to know the answer now.

  “In my line of work, it sometimes helps to paint a clear picture for a target. I wanted you to see how easy it would have been for me to take you out. A defenseless child, well…imagine just how easy it would be to lead the lamb to slaughter.”

  “Who’s the woman who caused me to wreck?”

  “You can call her my assistant. After all, a magician always needs an assistant. Now make that money appear. I’ll be in touch.”

  ~~~**~~~

  “How did you know?” Nix sat in the chair in front of Carson’s desk. He’d divulged everything and was surprised at the other man’s reaction. There wasn’t even a sliver of anger in his expression. He could be growing softer with age, but Nix doubted it.

  “I knew she’d met you while she was visiting.” He sighed and leaned forward. “I had my men watching you the first few weeks before you signed on. Don’t take it personal. Each and every new guy gets the same treatment. We can’t be too risky. I was told that Melly went home with you. I learned about the baby from Randy. After she had the accident, he took her to the doctor and, well, it was obvious. In his defense, he had no clue I didn’t know.”

  “You knew about Melly and still brought me on the team?”

  “You didn’t know who she was.” He waved a hand through the air. “What matters is that it came to me that she could use a man like you in her life.”

  “Is that the reason why you asked me to help her?” Nix slumped his shoulders, feeling like he’d been punched in the stomach.

  “Yes. Your father thought this was a splendid idea too.”

  Nix sighed. “My father was a part of this plan?”

  “He thought by pushing you two kids together, you might like each other. Of course, I had no clue about the baby. I’m sure my daughter won’t tell me herself until she has the deed signed over. I’ve screwed up. I’ve been an overbearing father at times. I don’t blame her for not having the confidence in me to believe I could be happy about a grandbaby.”

  “Sir, with all due respect, I have to say what’s on my mind. You don’t have the right to keep the ranch from her. That’s her legacy, her home. She has a lot to learn, but she’s put in effort.”

  “But she’s not ready…”

  “Maybe not, but she has what it takes, the heart, the drive, to take on the responsibility. Whether she succeeds or fails, you must let her do this. If you don’t, she’ll never forgive you, and you, sir, will go to your grave with regret. I know you think she lives life by the seat of her pants, but really that’s just her personality, and in my opinion, she’s a lot like you. She loves life but understands when it’s time to hold the reins tight and not let go. Give her the chance to show you, all of us, what she’s capable of.”

  Carson opened his mouth to say something, but slammed it shut. He sat quiet a long moment, then nodded. “I think it’s time I gave you an assignment, a real one.” He reached into his desk drawer and pushed a folder across his desk toward Nix. “You’re a damn good rancher, but you’re also a damn good lawman. The team needs you and I’ve been selfish by keeping you from catching criminals. You’ll find all the information in there for your first case alone. It’s top secret.”

  Nix took the folder but didn’t open it. “Sir, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll take the case, but I’d like to stay at the ranch until you and Melly settle this. She doesn’t want taken care of by anyone, but I want to make sure she has everything she needs.”

  Carson nodded. “Sure. Tell me, Cade. Do you care for my daughter?”

  “Yes, sir, I do. And just so we’re clear, I’ll be a father to my child. I’ll take of them both if she’ll let me.”

  He smiled, a genuine one that reached to the grey depths of his eyes. “I know you will. I don’t doubt that for a second.” The smile then faded and he sat straight, nailing Nix with a stern eye. “Now, get your ass out of my office and find the guy on this case,” he barked. “The bastard has killed three and our informant is a sitting duck.”

  Nix didn’t waste a second. Although he was ready to take on a case, he also had left a part of himself on Shy Brooke. He’d left a message for Melly, and all he could do was hope she’d call him back.

  Chapter 15

  STEPPING AROUND THE row of desks, the woman moved quietly. Her heart was pounding and her palms were sweaty as she crossed the dim lit space to the last desk. Sitting down and clicking on the screen, she typed in a password, then dug into her front pocket for the key she had hidden there. Unlocking the top drawer, she looked down at the folder marked confidential. The plan was coming together.

  Opening the cover, she smiled. Everything was there that she needed. Pulling out a slip of paper, she smoothed out the wrinkles so it lay flat on the desk. Although she’d gone over the directions many times, she felt like she could vomit. Always doing the right thing, she would now be considered a criminal. That was, if they caught her. She had a few tricks up her sleeves that she’d learned over the years.

  She didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but she couldn’t lose the one person who meant more to her than anything. Going back to being lonely wasn’t in the cards…

  ~~~**~~~

  Nix emptied his Coke and gestured for the bartender to bring him another. He hadn’t been to a bar in years and not had at least one drink, but he needed to keep his head on straight.

  “Cade, it wasn’t your fault.”

  At the sound of Jameson’s words, Nix turned his cheek and looked down the polished bar. “The only two people who’d seen that file, knew the name of the informant, was the team. I left the file in the locked drawer and I sure as hell didn’t send the email.” Nix blew out a long breath. He hadn’t seen Melly in two days and he wasn’t sure she ever wanted to see him again. The assignment Carson had handed him was blown out of the water. The informant was pulled from the case after his identity was leaked in an email that came from Nix’s computer.

  “Was the boss angry?”

  The bartender brought his Coke and placed it before Nix. He took a long drink before he finally answered. “Angry. Disappointed. This rides on my ass and mine alone. From the second that file was in my hands, it was my responsibility to keep the informant safe. Hell, we both know how serious this is. He could be dead. Thankfully, he didn’t walk back into the danger zone.”

  Jameson rubbed his forehead. “And you’re certain you didn’t accidently send the email?”

  “How does one accidently send an email?” Nix took another long swallow of his drink, trying to wrap his brain around the facts. After Carson had called him into the office and told him about the informant, Nix had been doing nothing but looking at all the avenues of what could have happened. He wasn’t even sure the boss and half the team believed Nix didn’t fuck up and send the email. “I’ve got to catch the bastard who did this. How will the team trust me?”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that.” The other man pounded Nix on the back. “The team doesn’t like screw-ups, but they know you
wouldn’t put a man in danger, not intentionally. Hell, we’ve all been there. The first year on my job I got shot from my own carelessness.”

  “I’d take the bullet any day than look like I breached confidentiality and played a role in almost killing a man.”

  “There’s a silver lining here, Cade.”

  “Yeah? What the hell could that be?” He was grumpy and he missed Melly. Wanted to see her, wanted to tell her about his day, but he was too chicken shit to go see her. On top of everything, he was going to be a dad. What the hell…

  This was unexpected. But he would be the best he could be.

  “If anyone can figure out who the hell did this, it’s you. You weren’t inducted as a Hawk for your looks, man.”

  His buddy did have a point. Maybe he’d been too caught up lately in the emotions swirling around in his heart that he was missing something—maybe even something blaring him in the face. He started to take another swallow when he felt a poke on his shoulder. He swiveled on the stool and squinted because his eyes were a little fuzzy. He wasn’t imagining Melly. She was standing, flesh and blood, in front of him. Her cowgirl hat was pulled down on her head, but her frown couldn’t be missed. He glided his starving gaze down her red shirt that didn’t hide the fact that she had nice, firm breasts, or how the skinny jeans fit her lush curves in a way that made his mouth water. She was tapping the toe of her boot and her hands were on the flare of her hips. As good as she looked, the frown put a hitch in his happiness some. Now what in the hell had he done?

  “We need to talk,” she said.

  “Here?”

  “Over at the jukebox will be fine.” She turned and sashayed that direction. He took the time to enjoy the sway of her beautiful hips and bottom, then remembered his buddy was still there.

  He saw Jameson grin. “Sorry.” Nix pushed himself off the stool.

  “Hell, no apology necessary. Can’t say I blame you. Not one bit.”

  Strolling toward the jukebox, he stepped up next to her and looked at her profile. She seemed focused on flipping through the choices of music. He bent close to her, “It’s good to see you, sunshine.”

  Several seconds passed and she looked up at him. Her lips were pursed and there was a glow about her, yet the dazzle in her eyes came from frustration and not the same joy he was feeling. She turned her attention back to the jukebox. “What’s the best song to play at a time like this. Lyin’ Eyes? No, how about, Suspicious Minds. Both would be fitting.” She dropped in some quarters, pressed the buttons then turned to him, nailing him with a pensive glare.

  He leaned against the jukebox and smiled, first time in two days. “Please fill me in. What have I done?”

  “Well, let’s see…maybe you can fill me in on what it’s like to work for my father. I mean, I knew you being here was for my father, but you’re not just in his pocket. You’re also on his team.”

  Had he really thought she wouldn’t find out? “Who told you?”

  “It doesn’t matter, but what does is how did you think I wouldn’t find out?” She snapped up a thin brow.

  He brought his glass to his lips and took an easy swallow. At this point, it didn’t matter that she knew. In fact, he was relieved. Maybe Carson finally told her. “I figured you would. I planned to tell you myself once the month was up.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “So, that’s why you agreed to this? You were sucking up to the boss.”

  “Do you need me to answer that question?”

  “I feel you do.”

  “Then the answer is, at first, yes. One, when I agreed to the assignment I didn’t know you were his daughter. Two, I’d never turn down an assignment.” After his latest conversation with Carson, Nix knew a lot more about the situation, but it wasn’t his place to tell Melly. He couldn’t risk causing more of a rift between father and daughter. They were both stubborn, but they cared and loved each other. “Making love with you wasn’t part of the assignment. I need you to understand that.”

  The corner of her mouth played with a frown. “I want to believe that.”

  “You should. I wasn’t being deceitful with you when it came to my job, and your father. He asked me not to tell you because he knew you wouldn’t like it. I think there’s something more important we need to be discussing.” He leaned in. “Our little surprise.”

  She exhaled a long breath. “Yes, we will, but it’ll have to wait.”

  “Wait for what?”

  “I’m having dinner.”

  “Alone?”

  There was a long hesitation. “No.”

  Nix chuckled, then looked down at her. She was serious. “Is it a dinner date? With a man?”

  “Well, he’s not a squirrel. Yes, dinner with a friend. I-I probably shouldn’t have stopped, even told myself not to, but I saw your truck in the parking lot and had to get a few things off my chest. Now I’ve got to go.” She stepped passed him, but he caught her.

  “I don’t like this,” he admitted.

  “So now you’re trying to tell me what I can do?” Her eyes took on a fiery glare.

  “No, I’m not trying to tell you what you can do, but let’s not forget you are carrying my child.”

  “And that doesn’t make you my caretaker,” she huffed and headed for the door.

  He easily caught up to her. “But it does give me the right to be concerned.”

  “Then so be it. Be concerned and we’ll talk later. I promise we will.” She reached for her phone that was buzzing. She clicked a button and he heard her say, “Yes. You can’t miss it. It’s the steak restaurant with the cowboy neon sign. I’ll be there in five.” She gave Nix a small wave before she stepped through the door.

  Nix stood there for a good thirty seconds staring at the closed door. So, she was meeting someone at the steakhouse and she was being awfully vague. Logic told him to respect her privacy and talk to her later, and yet a more personal feeling told him he had every right to be curious.

  He felt a tap on his shoulder. “Looks like she left,” Jamison said. “Are you hungry?”

  Nix frowned and started to suggest they grab a pizza, but then he smiled. “Hey, are you in the mood for a steak?”

  “Hell, when aren’t I in the mood for a steak?”

  Nix nodded and led the way through the door, not allowing himself to feel any guilt. After all, a man needed to eat.

  The restaurant was only a few blocks west of the bar. It was a night nice out, every star in the sky twinkled, and on nights like this the entire town was out and about. The steakhouse was a popular place for their juicy selections of local meat as well as their freshly made pies of every variety. Any other evening, Nix would have foregone the crowd and chosen a place less packed, but tonight he couldn’t wait to sink his teeth into a thick cut steak…and find out who the hell Melly was off in a hurry to see.

  Nix pulled into the parking lot and spotted a parking space when a sleek silver BMW darted around the corner, shooting out in front of Nix’s truck and slid right into the only available spot. Frowning, Nix growled and found a parking space across the street in the furniture store’s lot and he and Jamison headed for the restaurant about the same time the driver of the BMW slid out. Nix wasn’t surprised. He always believed a fellow picked the vehicle that fit him and the tall athletic built man with the shock of dark hair, tanned skin, and expensive clothes looked like he belonged in the city, not out here in the country.

  As they passed, the city slicker gave Nix a flash of a smile and a simple nod of greeting. He let the man go ahead because it wasn’t as if Nix was in any hurry. “Hey, Jamison, do you know who that is?” The man looked familiar, but he certainly wasn’t from the area.

  “Never seen him before.”

  The place was swarming. All the tables were taken so Nix and his buddy chose two stools at the bar. Before he sat down, Nix scanned the room, looking for the one person he came to see. Melly.

  The tall guy from the parking lot made his way through the maze of tables
and Nix saw Melly stand and wave. His stomach turned and his gut clenched when the city slicker strolled up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her—a little too close for Nix’s comfort. She was smiling and a sharp pain of jealousy circled his heart. Damn, this was why he shouldn’t be here. He didn’t need this. It wasn’t as if he had any rights to her. Just because she was carrying his child didn’t mean she couldn’t date, even hug another man.

  Like hell. Nix growled and took the stool, ordering a beer while keeping his gaze on the couple across the room.

  “I thought you weren’t drinking tonight?” Jamison nudged him.

  “It’s either a drink or take a fast run around the building. I’ll take the beer.” Nix thrummed his fingers on the table in restless energy. He pointed to the dartboard. “Let’s play. Loser pays for dinner.” He had to do something to keep himself busy.

  “Sounds good to me. You realize I’m king of darts, right?”

  Barely hearing Jamison, Nix’s gaze was on the Melly. She and the yuppie were sitting now and he was leaning in saying something. Maybe he was telling Melly that real men did get manicures or have their brows plucked. Blowing out a breath, Nix rubbed his jaw. He was being petty. Not watching where he was going, he bumped a waitress knocking a bottle from her hand and sending the beer splashing all over the front of Nix’s Wranglers. “Ah, shit!”

  “I’m so sorry,” the brunette apologized.

  “No, it’s not your fault. It’s all mine. Here, I’ll buy that one.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a bill and handed it over. “You keep the change.”

  The waitress’ eyes lit and she stuffed the twenty in her pocket.

  “You okay, man?” Jamison asked once they reached the dart board.

  “Hell, I don’t think so.”

  While Jamison took the first turn, Nix slid up onto a stool and watched the yuppie at Melly’s table lift a hand and wave to a nearby waitress who was busily serving plates at a nearby table. So, he was a man who relied on his looks because he had the attitude of a dead fish. What was Melly doing? Fine, maybe she didn’t want Nix, but she deserved the best.