Shaking her head, Rayna stiffened her shoulders. “You better go,” she told him, even though all she wanted to do was close the distance between them and rest her head on his shoulder. To let someone else fight her demons for a day. Closing her eyes, she whispered again, “Go.”
Her breath caught, a shiver running down her spine, when she felt Ryder’s lips skim across hers briefly before he rested his forehead lightly against hers. “I’ll go for now,” he finally agreed, “but this isn’t over, sweetheart.” His lips lightly touched hers again, and before she could protest, he was gone.
Chapter 14
An hour later, Ryder walked into the station, consumed with thoughts of Rayna and the hell she must live through on a daily basis. He could not imagine spending every minute of the day knowing the mob was gunning for you. That it was a very real possibility you weren’t going to wake up the next morning. Rayna’s eyes had held so much pain and suffering that morning after she realized what happened, and then she built up a wall between them, trying to push him away. Huffing softly to himself, he muttered, “That wouldn’t take much.” She held them all at a distance, refusing to even talk to them if she saw them in town.
“I’m sorry, Ryder, did you say something?”
Ryder looked over at Claire, a grin on his lips to hide the emotions he felt inside, but came to a stop in front of her desk when he saw the vague, almost vacant look in her eyes. Ignoring his brother when Creed bellowed his name from Katy’s office, Ryder rested his arms on the counter and leaned in to ask softly, “What’s wrong, Claire Bear?” Claire turned her gaze up to meet his, but did not respond. “Claire, talk to me,” he insisted. “Something is obviously going on with you. I want to help.”
Claire slowly shook her head and looked back down at the paperwork in front of her. “There’s nothing you can do, Ryder,” she whispered, “but thank you.”
That was two women in the same day who thought that he was not man enough to help them out with their troubles. He obviously needed to work harder at portraying himself as a badass. He could wrangle a 2400 pound bull, carried a gun, and was ex-special forces, for fuck’s sake. What more did they want?
Leaning in closer, he drawled, “In case it slipped your attention, beautiful, I’m the law around these parts. I can do pretty much anything I want.”
For the first time in weeks, the pale, frail girl in front of him laughed, a real laugh that actually reached her eyes, and he saw a small piece of the old Claire surface. Unfortunately, before he could say anything else, Creed was at his side. “Nice of you to show up for work today,” he snapped.
Ryder gave Claire one last grin, tipping his hat to her, before he turned and walked out the front door. He made it to his truck before a stunned Creed caught up to him. “Ryder, where the hell do you think you are going? We are shorthanded here. I need you to get your ass back in that building now!”
Ryder took a deep breath before turning around to face his older brother. “If you want my help, then treat me like a human being instead of a piece of shit.”
Creed’s eyes narrowed, “Dammit, Ryder, stop acting like a two year old.”
“I don’t know what your problem is, Creed, but after the morning I’ve had...”
Creed snorted, “You mean after waking up with the hot piece of ass next door?”
Ryder’s fist shot out, connecting squarely with Creed’s jaw, and he barely ducked in time to avoid the swing that came back at him. “You have no clue what the fuck you are talking about,” he snarled. There was no way he was going to let his brother talk about Rayna like she was trash. She was so much better than that.
Grunting when one of Creed’s fists connected with his gut, Ryder stepped back to avoid the next jab.
“What the hell is wrong with the two of you?” Katy demanded, showing up and quickly inserting herself between them. “Stop this, now! The town doesn’t need to see you two acting like fools.”
Ryder fought the urge to move her out of the way, wanting the fight. Needing it to let out all of the aggression he had pent up over the last few months.
“Ryder?” Her voice came from behind him; strong, capable, and sexy as hell. His eyes never leaving Creed’s, just in case his brother decided the fight wasn’t over, he responded, “Hey, Rayna. How long have you been there?”
“Long enough to know that I’m hot,” she quipped. “I saw your truck, and was coming over to apologize again for almost putting a bullet in you this morning, when your little party started.”
Anger filled him again when he realized she’d heard their conversation. “Well, the party’s over.” Turning his back on Creed, he allowed himself to drink in the sight of the gorgeous woman in front of him. “Want some lunch?”
“Wait a minute,” Creed ordered roughly, “what do you mean you almost put a bullet in Ryder this morning?”
When Rayna would have responded, Ryder shook his head. “It was nothing.”
“It was obviously something,” Katy said, concern in her voice.
Sighing, Ryder looked over at his sister. Knowing she would not stop until she knew the truth, he shrugged, “Not really, sis. I went to hang out with Rayna last night, and ended up crashing on her couch. She had a nightmare this morning that I was stupid enough to interrupt. End of story.”
“Ryder...”
Reaching out, he took hold of Rayna’s hand and laced their fingers together. “End...of...story,” he said slowly and deliberately, looking Creed in the eyes. “Come on, Rayna, it’s lunchtime, and I missed breakfast.”
Rayna hesitated before following him down the street to Mac’s Diner. “Your brother looks really pissed,” she finally said, gently untangling her fingers with his.
Ryder shrugged, “He always looks like that.” Rayna raised an eyebrow, but did not press him.
When they reached the diner, Ryder held the door open for her, and then followed behind her, waving to some of the local ranchers who ate lunch there several days a week.
Motioning to an empty booth in the back, Ryder walked up to the front counter and grinned at Dottie. “Hey there, darlin’,” he said with a wink, “I don’t care what I have for lunch, but I definitely want some of the apple pie for dessert.”
Dottie cocked her hip, placing a hand on it, and raised both eyebrows. “After the show you and your brother just put on out in front of the station, you must be starving.”
“Awe, Ma’am, you know how brothers can be,” he grinned. “Those were just little love taps.” There was no way Dottie saw the fight from inside the diner, but Serenity Springs was a small town. It didn’t take long for news to spread like wildfire.
“Love taps,” Dottie huffed, shaking her head at him even as a small grin appeared. “I’m glad my sister and I never shared any of those love taps when we were growing up.”
“Who’s the pretty little thing you are with?” Garrett Thompson asked, setting his cup of coffee down in front of him. “I wouldn’t mind buying her dinner.”
Ryder chuckled, “Good luck with that.”
Walking back to where Rayna sat waiting, Ryder removed his hat and hung it on the wall next to the booth, before taking a seat across from her. “What would you like for lunch?”
“Look, Ryder...” the way she paused, Ryder figured she was going to tell him that she needed to leave. Instead, what he heard was, “I don’t have many friends. Actually, I don’t have any friends at all.” Folding her hands on the table in front of her, she went on, “That’s by choice. Diego will kill anyone and everyone he thinks I’m close to. Not only that, but being around me is dangerous for other reasons as well, which you learned this morning.”
“I’m not afraid of Cortez,” he said softly, “and I am definitely not afraid of you.”
“Maybe not,” Rayna whispered, “but if something were to happen to you, I would never forgive myself.”
Ryder covered her hands with one of his. “Why don’t you let me worry about that?” There was something about this woman,
so stubborn and intense, willing to die to bring a man to justice, but not willing to allow others to stand beside her against that man.
“Can I take your order?”
Ryder held in his laughter when Rayna yanked her hands back, a dark blush staining her cheeks. Glancing at the pretty blonde in front of them, he grinned, “I’ll take the special, please.”
“Sure,” she said, returning his smile. “And for you, Rayna?”
Interesting, Ryder thought when he saw a look pass between the two women. He knew the waitress, Melissa, began working at Mac’s just before Rayna arrived in Serenity Springs, and she was also new to town. Could it be possible that they knew each other? Of course it was, he thought, lowering his head to hide his expression. The FBI wouldn’t send her on a mission like this alone. He, Creed, and Katy had just assumed they were the only ones around who knew what was going on, but that was naïve thinking on their part. It would have been a stupid move sending Rayna in with just the Caldwells for backup, and the assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations did not get where he was today by making stupid moves.
After the waitress left, Ryder changed the subject, talking about his mare that was about to foal. And when Melissa delivered their lunch, he pretended not to notice when Rayna slipped the napkin from under her plate into her pocket. She was good, very good. If he wasn’t watching closely, he never would have noticed.
“Why don’t you come by one night this week and see the ranch?” he offered, after they finished their dessert. “Or you could come out on Saturday? I have to ride out and fix some fence on the south end of our property. I would love the company.”
He watched the war waging clearly in her eyes, hoping things would go his way, but knowing they probably wouldn’t. He was right. “I don’t think so, Ryder. I’m really busy with things right now.”
“What things?” he could not resist asking.
“Staying alive,” she whispered, with a sad smile.
“Rayna...”
She stood, reaching out to place a hand on his arm when he would have followed. “I’ll try and come to see you soon.”
I won’t count on it, he thought as he watched her leave. Shaking his head, he stood, taking out some money and leaving it on the table. He didn’t have the bill yet, but a fifty would cover it, and give the young waitress a decent tip. He’d had enough fun for the day. He needed to get his ass into work and hope his brother didn’t beat the shit out of him for real this time.
Chapter 15
“So,” Creed grumbled, when Ryder sat down across from him fifteen minutes later, “are you ready to talk about what’s really bothering you?”
Ryder shrugged, tilting his Stetson back on his head, a small smirk forming on his lips. “Maybe I just liked to see what it takes to get under your skin? It is kind of fun to see you riled up.”
Creed leaned back in his seat, crossed his arms over his massive chest, and cocked an eyebrow. “I call bullshit.” When Ryder refused to respond, Creed asked, “How was lunch?”
“The food was good, and the company even better,” Ryder replied, as he began to tap his fingers on his leg, in tune to a rhythm only he could hear. It was a song from long ago, one he had almost forgotten, written for a girl with long dark hair, and pretty brown eyes. Being with Rayna had him remembering so many things from the past, some good, some bad. This one was definitely in the good category. It filled him with happiness and made him itch for his guitar.
“Where do you want me today?”
“Jace will be by to pick you up soon.” Creed hesitated a moment, “Ryder, do you think you should be spending time with Rayna?”
Ryder glared at his brother. He didn’t have to explain himself to anyone, and right now he wasn’t in the mood to listen to a lecture. “I think I better get to work.”
“Look, Ryder,” Creed sighed, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his desk, “all I’m trying to say is that it may not be the best idea to hook up with her.” His eyes clouding over, he muttered, “The woman seems to have a death wish. She’s on a mission right now that could get her killed. It wouldn’t be good to get tangled up in that mess. Chances are, it won’t end well.”
“It’s our job to make sure nothing happens to Rayna. Maybe you should worry about that instead of how much time I’m spending with her.” Ryder’s jaw tightened as he fought for control. Somehow the woman had already managed to get under his skin, and the thought of her dead made him want to beat the hell out of something. Instead of pulling his brother over the desk, and finishing what they started earlier, Ryder stood and walked to the door. Looking back, he told Creed, “What I do on my own time is none of your business.”
“It is my business, dammit.”
Ryder shook his head, pointing a finger at Creed. “You are my brother, Creed, not my keeper.”
“Your damn right I’m your brother,” Creed exploded, rising from his chair so quickly that he knocked it over. “I’m trying to look out for you, Ryder. We are family. It’s what we do!”
Ryder stared at his brother for a moment before swallowing hard and looking away. “Right now, all I need is your support. I’m drawn to her, Creed. I don’t know what it is about Rayna, but I want to spend time with her. Get to know the person she has become. A part of me cared deeply for her when we were kids, and I’m finding out those feelings are resurfacing.” He’d never told his brothers or Katy about that summer he spent with Macey. He had come so close to asking her out, but in the end, he shied away from it, afraid it would ruin his friendship with her sister.
“I thought it was Olivia you loved?”
Ryder met his brother’s gaze, wondering how much of his past to share with him. “Before Olivia, there was Macey,” he finally responded, before turning and leaving the office.
Chapter 16
He’d finally found her. It had taken his snitch in the FBI long enough, but he finally knew where Macey Fuller, the daughter of the son of a bitch who tried to put him away years ago, was. Nobody went up against Diego Cortez and lived to tell about it. Nobody. He remembered the promise he made Robert Fuller years ago when he left the courtroom. It was a promise Diego intended to keep. The traitor’s entire family would die.
Looking down at the file in front of him, a slow, evil grin spread across Diego’s face as he picked up the picture on top. Dark brown hair, wide, captivating eyes, stunning in every way. Too bad he wouldn’t be able to enjoy her for awhile before her death.
“Macey Fuller,” he muttered in satisfaction, “you’ve broken your cover and moved back to Serenity Springs. You should not have let your emotions get in the way. Because you did, I now know not only who you are, but where to find you.” Running his thumb down the side of the picture, he rasped, “You will die, just as I promised, but first...let’s have a little fun.”
Placing the picture back in the file, Diego shut it slowly. Picking up the phone, he made a call, giving the person on the other line specific details of the job he wanted done. “No, there is no rush with this one,” he said quietly, “take your time. Play with her some first. Find out if there is anyone she is getting close to. I will use them as leverage and kill them if I have to. For now though, Macey is your main objective. Do not kill her before I give you the order. I will let you know when I am ready for it to be done.”
Hanging up the phone, Diego leaned back in his chair, signaling to the woman who stood stiffly in the corner. “You have done good, my dear. You will be properly rewarded.”
He fought the urge to laugh at the revulsion in the eyes staring back at him. He knew she didn’t want to work for him. She had no choice. When he threatened someone, he threatened their entire family, and she loved hers very much.
Chapter 17
Rayna stood with her hands on her hips, a proud, satisfied smile on her lips, as she slowly gazed around the sparkling kitchen. She had never enjoyed cleaning, but it was one of those necessary evils. As hard as her mother tried to instill the importance of
it in her, Rayna always slipped out in the middle of it every Saturday, and ended up helping her father outside.
Glancing at the clock, she realized it was early afternoon, and decided to head into town for a late lunch. Leaving the kitchen, Rayna paused at the sound of a vehicle coming down the road. Walking to the window, she peeked through the curtains and watched as a dark blue sedan turned and slowly made its way down the long driveway.
Rayna’s eyes narrowed as she drew her gun. She did not recognize the car, and even though she highly doubted Cortez’s men would show up at her door in broad daylight, it was better to be safe than dead.
As Rayna watched, the car stopped in front of the house. The door opened, and an older woman, tall and slim with dark hair speckled with grey, got out. After a quick look around, she leaned back into the vehicle and retrieved a large wicker basket. Slamming the door shut, she made her way across the lawn and up the steps to the front porch.
Rayna’s heart dropped in her chest when she realized who the woman was. No, she thought, why was she here? Squeezing her eyes shut tightly, Rayna inhaled deeply, then slowly let the breath back out. After two more deep breaths, trying to calm her emotions, she placed her gun back in its holster. She would terrify the woman if she opened the door with her 9mm held high. After the second knock, she made herself holler out, “Coming!” as she went to the front door and unlocked it. Opening it, she tried to smile as she gazed into the beautiful green eyes of the Caldwell matriarch. Wondering briefly if her children had told her who Rayna was, she said politely, “Good afternoon, ma’am. What can I do for you?”
Holding out a hand, Cara replied, “I’m sorry it has taken me so long to make my way over here. I’m Cara Caldwell. My husband, two boys, and I live just over the hill. I wanted to welcome you to Serenity Springs.” She handed the basket she held to Rayna. “I made some blueberry muffins for you, and there are a couple of apple cinnamon ones in there too.” Laughing, Cara told her, “Caiden stole most of them this morning before I could stop him. They are his favorite.”
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