Witness Protection 2: The Return of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

by Holly Copella

  She continued to stare at him as a thousand thoughts flooded her mind. She wasn’t even sure how to respond, but she needed to say something.

  “What if I didn’t want you to be such a gentleman?” she almost whispered while staring at him as her heart pounded to her own words.

  It was his turn to stare at her. She’d successfully rendered him speechless and immediately wondered if it was a mistake coming on so strong.

  “I’m sure we could come up with some sort of arrangement,” he replied softly.

  Despite her pounding heart and the slight dizziness she suddenly felt, she smiled warmly.

  “I’d like that.”

  Ross appeared relieved, although neither moved. He suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her briefly but passionately. He broke off the kiss as quickly as he’d engaged and smiled with some embarrassment.

  “I’m sorry,” he announced. “My brain shut off for a minute there. I don’t want you to think any less--”

  Lee threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with desire and urgency. She wasn’t about to let the moment pass. Ross immediately returned the kiss with added aggression while pulling her against him. His hands firmly traveled her back and hip, pressing her against the half wall for additional support. She felt the brandy bottle as she hit it. The bottle fell from the wall and shattered on the terrace floor below, startling both. Ross jumped away from her to the loud crash that surely woke everyone. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into her room, shutting the balcony doors behind him. He peered out through the part in the sheer curtains. When other lights on the second floor came on, he let the sheer curtains fall back into place.

  †

  Lee nuzzled Ross’s chest as they lie together beneath the slightly mussed covers. He held her against him, his eyes closed and a permanent grin on his face. Lee ran her hand along his chest and shoulder and sank into her own thoughts. She didn’t know what would happen with her and Ross, but she decided it was time to live in the moment for a change. And she was enjoying this moment. Ross chuckled softly in his throat, catching her attention. She lifted her head and met his gaze. He saw her look and maintained his smile.

  “My brother-in-law and niece are going to be shocked that I’m actually bringing a girlfriend home,” he informed her. “Since my sister died, it’s just been the three of us.”

  “You live with your brother-in-law and niece?”

  “Well, not technically,” he replied. “They live in the guesthouse, although my niece spends more time in the main house. After my sister died, my brother-in-law needed someone to help raise his daughter, and I needed help with the ranch.”

  Lee’s expression dropped slightly as she stared at him through the dim lighting. “Ranch? As in horses and cattle?”

  “Not really a ranch. More of a gentleman’s farm. Less than one hundred acres,” he corrected. “I have a few head of steer, half a dozen horses, some pigs, chickens, and a few dogs and cats.”

  She stared at him as her mind reeled with the new information. He stared back at her and appeared concerned.

  “Does the idea of a ranch bother you?” he suddenly asked as his body tensed. “It’s really just a hobby. I keep the farm animals as lawn ornaments. I wouldn’t dream of butchering them, if that’s what’s worrying you.”

  Lee suddenly laughed and clung to him. “No, I actually like the sound of a ranch,” she remarked and held back her pleased smile. “I’m just trying to imagine you in a cowboy hat and boots.” It was true; she was trying very hard to imagine that.

  “Wait until you see me at the annual barn dance,” he announced cheerfully. “Nothing more amusing than a former Navy SEAL doing a drunken hoedown.”

  She grinned and kissed him quickly on the lips. “I’m looking forward to it. I, uh, sort of have a thing for cowboys.”

  “I’m glad to hear,” he announced. “Being a cowboy was a dream of mine since I was a boy. Of course, I’ll have to teach you the hoedown.”

  “Deal,” she replied happily.

  †

  Seven o’clock the following morning. Ross and Lee hurried down the stairs to join the others already waiting in the foyer. They received strange looks from his men, although Whiskey Tango Foxtrot appeared to be short two men. Holden glanced at his watch then looked around.

  “Where’s Zack?” Holden demanded hotly. “And why is he always missing?”

  Ross glanced around the foyer and appeared curious. “Kirk’s not here either,” he announced then glanced at Sal. “Which rooms are theirs?”

  “Oh, you don’t need to worry about them,” Sal announced while casually waving. “I made a deal with your friend last night.”

  All eyes were suddenly on Sal with shared concern.

  “What deal?” Ross asked sternly.

  “I cut a check for eight hundred thousand and threw the helicopter in,” Sal announced cheerfully. “He really wanted that helicopter. Seeing how Finn was my pilot--”

  The men stared blankly at Sal, alarming him with their looks. He eyed each man in silent question.

  “Please tell me they’re still out back,” Ross muttered.

  “No, they left half an hour ago. Zack said they’d meet you in Colorado,” Sal remarked and stared back. “Why? What’s the problem?”

  “The idiot doesn’t know how to fly a helicopter,” Monroe snapped. “Although he has mastered the art of crashing one.”

  Sal stared at them with his mouth hanging open and appeared at a loss for words. “Oh--”

  Holden groaned and removed his cell phone. “I’ll tell Jackie to contact them and talk him down.”

  †

  The helicopter teetered while flying through the air at high speeds, scraping the tops of trees as it passed over them. Zack sat before the controls with his headset on while hooting and hollering like a deranged lunatic. Kirk clung to the side and seat while staring frozen out the windshield, screaming in terror. The helicopter flew into the horizon.

  The End

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  Reviews left on Amazon are appreciated!

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