Edge of the Enforcer (38 page)

“Do I look like a man who has trouble finding fuck-buddies? Seriously?”

Lindsey half grinned. A real-life agent, drop-dead handsome, tall, and built. Right—Stan probably got more offers than Zander.

As realization dawned in Dixon’s face, he shook his head. “Then what do you want?”

Stan gave a low laugh. “I want a submissive. With a big heart. And loyalty. I hadn’t expected courage, but damn, you have that to spare.”

Dixon stared up into Stan’s face as if he’d found a hero—and he had. Even better, he’d found a Dominant who would appreciate him for who he was. Would give him the control he wanted. Would take care of him.

As Dixon wrapped his arms around Stan, Lindsey let out a happy sigh.

The fingers she was clasping moved. Zander opened his eyes and tilted his chin toward the hallway. “I’m drowning in bleeding hearts. Can you close the door?”

As she rose, the stitches in her stomach protested.
Ow, ow, ow.
Her jeans were only half-zipped and still felt as if the waist was rubbing open her wounds.

Zander’s gaze darkened. “Babe.” When he reached for her, she evaded him and walked across the room.

As she closed the door, Dixon lifted his head from Stan’s shoulder and smiled at her, his eyes filled with joy.

Stan winked at her.

She returned to her chair and settled carefully.

“When was your last pain med?” Zander asked.

She laughed lightly. “I’m supposed to ask you that.”

“Hurts like fuck, but I’m alive.” He held his hand out. “How about you?”

“Same.” Nothing felt as good as having his hand around hers. “I love you.”

“I know.” His lips twitched when she glared.

“That’s not how you’re supposed to answer.” A tap on the door prevented her from smothering him with his own pillows. “Come in!” One painful trip across the room was enough for a while.

Dixon and Stan entered, followed by Virgil with his wife, Summer. Jake maneuvered in, using crutches.

Right behind him was Kallie, swearing under her breath at his stubbornness. She winked at Lindsey. “Hey, we heard this was where we were supposed to store the cripples.”

“Somebody fetch me a quirt,” Jake muttered, frowning at her.

“This is the place. Got a spot for you, Jake.” Lindsey pointed to the other chair in the room and said to Kallie, “I hope he didn’t punish you too badly for helping find the road.”

“Hell, no.” Kallie wrinkled her nose at her husband as he lowered himself into the chair. “He moves like a moose on stilts; he’s sure not going to catch me.”

“My mobility, sprite”—he swatted her butt—“will change. And be warned, I’m counting your insults.”

Somehow she didn’t look very worried.

Simon and Rona came in, followed by Becca and Logan, who held his son in one arm. Ansel saw all the people and gave a baby squeal, kicking to show his approval.

Lindsey’s heart lifted. “He doesn’t look any the worse for wear. I need cuddles from him, please?” Her attempt to hold her arms up for the baby was abruptly halted by the pull on her stomach. She winced. “Never mind.”

Beside her, Zander made a low growling noise. Logan’s eyes turned a steely blue, and Simon’s jaw tightened.

Doms.
“Jeez, guys, lighten up. It’s only a few cuts.” Lindsey looked to the women for support.

Instead, Rona enfolded her in a gentle hug. “You…
Crom
, girlfriend, don’t you
ever
…” Unable to finish, Rona huffed out a breath and kissed Lindsey’s cheek, before returning to Simon and pushing her face against his shoulder.

Becca’s eyes were filled with tears.

Lindsey heaved a sigh. The women were as bad as the men, and they were going to make her cry. “Get a grip, y’all. Everybody survived, mostly intact. And I’ll make Zander hold me if I have nightmares.”

The tightness eased from Logan’s face. “It helps to have someone.” He wrapped an arm around his wife and nuzzled her temple.

Lindsey smiled at him before glancing at Simon. “I want to thank y’all for your
extremely
bossy behavior in making me talk about Victor’s death. Parnell figured I’d never reveal being wanted for murder, so he didn’t expect anyone to come looking for me.” But they had.
God.
She blinked hard and looked around the room. “And thank you all for the rescue.”

“Ah, speaking of which, I almost forgot your toy.” Stan dug in his pocket and handed over her knife in a new sheath. “This is yours, right?”

“Hey, thanks.” Lindsey checked it, slipped it into her own pocket, then squeezed Zander’s arm. She’d told him how it had saved her and Becca and Ansel.

His eyes darkened with memories, but after a second, his dimple appeared. “Every cowgirl should have a knife.”

“Lindsey.” Stan’s voice was serious. “Time for less enjoyable topics.”

Her heart sank despite the fact that she’d known what was coming. “I need to go back to Texas, right?”

“You do. Immediately. I doubt you’ll end up being charged once all is said and done. All the same, you have warrants stacked up that must be cleared.”

“Will I have to go to jail?”

A shadow darkened his face. “It’s not my decision or jurisdiction, and—”

“No. You won’t,” Simon said firmly. “As it happens, Xavier was quite annoyed at being left out of the fighting.” His lips quirked. “So he and Abby are flying to San Antonio today. They—and your new lawyer—will meet you at the airport when you arrive. Your lawyer doesn’t think you’ll need bail; nonetheless, you’re covered if it’s necessary. No jail, Lindsey.”

“Xavier can’t up and simply leave.” She stared at him. “He has a business and—”

“And a very bossy wife who loves you like a sister,” Rona said.

Zander squeezed Lindsey’s fingers. “Thank Xavier for us both. I didn’t want her there alone, but the doctor won’t discharge me for a couple of days.”

As relief relaxed her muscles, Lindsey sagged in her chair. She wouldn’t have to spend Christmas in jail.

She was going home. To Texas.

* * * *

On Christmas Eve, Lindsey settled down with her niece in front of the fireplace. How many hours as a little girl had she spent on this hearth, watching the fire and daydreaming about her future?

The path to her future sure had gotten derailed, hadn’t it?

She shook her head, enjoying the piney fragrance from the massive Christmas tree in the corner. Angels lined the mantel, a knee-high Santa Claus at the door held umbrellas, and the antique nativity scene was set up in the dining room. All so familiar.

It was reassuring to return and see Melissa continuing the old traditions. Since only Melissa had an interest in ranching, she’d taken the central ranch and her two sisters the outer areas.

Her mouth twisted. If Mandy had drawn the high card, she’d have gotten the border property, and Victor would have gone after her. Thank God that hadn’t happened.

Clattering noises came from the kitchen where Mama and Mandy were preparing a stew. Rather than cooking, Lindsey had been assigned the Emily-sitting chore—which wasn’t a hardship in the least. She nuzzled the baby’s soft blonde curls. “Did you know you’re my favorite niece?”

Lindsey looked up as Melissa came in. “Hey.”

“Hey, sissie.”

As Melissa hung up her coat, Lindsey returned her attention to Emily. “You are definitely the smartest baby in the whole world.” Big brown eyes looked up as Lindsey nodded solemnly. “And the bravest. And prettiest.”

“And going to be the most conceited,” Melissa added in a wry voice. She came over to kiss her daughter’s head and give Lindsey a gentle hug before dropping into a chair. “You’re spoiling her, you know.”

“Yep. I can’t help it if you and Gary created a superior child.” As she made a buzzing noise against the little arm, Emily giggled.

“Her daddy totally agrees with you.” Melissa held her palms out to the fire. “Lordy, I hate mucking out stalls.” At Lindsey’s raised eyebrows, she muttered, “We gave the hands some holiday time.”

“Soft touch.” Lindsey pointed her finger at her sister. “Mama warned you ranching was a twenty-four/seven job.”

“I should have listened. She’s usually right…as long as she isn’t talking about sex.” Melissa rolled her eyes. “Remember when she told me I could get pregnant from kissing? How old was I? Seven?”

Lindsey snickered. “Well, sheesh, what kind of a tramp were you, smooching with Danny in first grade?”

“He gave me a Pokémon card,” Melissa said with dignity. “Of course, I kissed him.”

“Those were the days. You know, when I started dating Peter, she delivered the never-let-a-guy-past-first-base lecture.”

“Did I hear that spiel? Oh wait, I remember—you can’t get him excited because blue balls can be fatal.”

“Yep, that’s it. So then Peter gropes my boobs, and I worry all damn night if I should have told his mother—you know, in case she needed to call an ambulance.”

Melissa let out of scream of laughter.

“It’s not funny.” She scowled. “I thought I’d killed the poor boy with my slutty behavior.”

“Lordy, I’ve missed you.” Dragging in a breath, Melissa wiped her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re back. Have you been here all afternoon?”

The last few days had been hectic, and although her mother and sisters had come to San Antonio for a quick welcome home, Lindsey hadn’t had any time to talk. “Nah, only for an hour or so.” She grinned at her niece. “Enough time to get acquainted with your little flirt.”

“Ma-ma-da-da-aaa,” Emily responded happily and yanked Lindsey’s hair.

Melissa frowned. “Do you have to go back to San Antonio?”

The sound of Amanda gossiping about school came from the kitchen, and the scent of venison stew filled the air. Lindsey felt wrapped in the sounds and smells of home. “Nope. All the briefing stuff is done. I might have to testify at Ricks’s trial, but Stanfeld thought he’ll try to cut a deal instead.” She remembered the best news. “They located the Mexican boy who escaped. He was at a Catholic mission, and the priest figured out who he was. Juan backed up what I said, and he’ll be back with his family this week.”

“Excellent.” Melissa sipped her drink and frowned. “Seriously, though, are you safe now? Will Ricks come after you?”

“Agent Bonner says doubtful. The judge denied bail, and they’ve impounded all his criminal gains. Since he’s a cop, he’ll be occupied with trying to survive prison.”

“Oh. Right. You know, I don’t have a problem at all with him having to fight for his life.”

Her sister’s voice was too grim. Needing to change the subject, Lindsey nodded at the side window, where a low table displayed a wealth of African violet plants. “Thank you for rescuing my babies, by the way.”

“My pleasure. Nonetheless you owe me twenty dollars for bribing the housekeeper to fetch them out. Mandy is tending the snake and spider plants from your ranch house.” Melissa rolled her eyes. “She talks to them the same way you did.
‘And how are my snakes and spiders today?’
You two really are warped.”

“Hey, plants are sensitive,” Lindsey said in a self-righteous tone. “You have to be nice to them.”

“Did I hear Melissa come in?” Their mother appeared in the doorway. Her perfectly colored hair was clipped on top of her head, and she wore a trim slacks-and-sweater outfit.

Lindsey smiled as love surged through her. All Southern gentility and fussiness, and yet there wasn’t a sweeter woman in the world.

“Dinner will be in another hour. Lindsey, honey, I made you a margarita.” Her mother set the drink down on the coffee table. “Where’s Gary?”

“He’d started feeding the stock when I came in.” Melissa glanced at the darkening front windows. “He should be done soon.”

“Good timing. Mandy ran upstairs to have a quick shower.” Their mother beamed around the room. “It’s nice to have my babies all in one house again.” She patted Melissa’s head. “And even nicer someone else is stuck cleaning this monstrosity.”

It had all worked out wonderfully too. When their mother took a place in town, Melissa and Gary had chosen to live in the Rayburn house instead of his adjoining ranch. There was nothing like marrying the boy next door and merging ranches. And even though her sister had fallen for Gary way back in high school, their love had lasted.

Lindsey felt her pleasure waver. She hadn’t heard from Zander after leaving him at the hospital three days ago. Nothing. Of course, he couldn’t call her, since her cell phone was in a ditch somewhere on a snowy mountain. The problem was that the times she’d tried to reach him, he hadn’t answered his phone. Everything went to voice mail.

The hospital said they’d discharged him yesterday.

Maybe he’d managed to get the number here, though. “Did you check your messages today?”

Melissa rolled her eyes. “I started, but I can’t tolerate those: ’
This is so-and-so from the such-and-such paper.’
They filled my voice mail.”

“Right. Sorry. Give it another week, and I’ll be old news.” Tonight she’d listen to the messages.

The anxiety had her squeezing Emily so tightly her little niece giggled. Maybe Zander wasn’t interested any longer. No, that was silly. He’d almost died for her.
Jeez, girl, stop being so vulnerable.
There was an explanation why he didn’t answer his phone. Probably the battery’d died or something.

And hey, if he didn’t want her, he’d face her and tell her it was over.

The thought made her feel as if her heart had been trampled under a cattle stampede. Had been ripped and flattened.

No. That wasn’t it.
They had something between them. It hadn’t disappeared because a half-a-continent and a few days separated them. She sighed. God, she’d be happy when her emotions weren’t bouncing around like grasshoppers on drugs.

Outside, the two ranch dogs set up a clamor. Melissa tilted her head. “Guess Gary finished already.”

A tap sounded on the door.

“He must have his hands full. Did you ask him to gather eggs, Mama?” Melissa opened the front door. “Hey, did you— Um, hi. Can I help you?”

Uneasy at the alarm in her sister’s tone, Lindsey handed Emily to her mother and hurried over. What if there were still bad cops around?

“Is Lindsey here?” The voice held more gravel than the road out front. Deep. Hard. Raw. Zander was here.