Wild Borders (21 page)

* * * * *

By the time Rick finished following up on a few leads and made it back to the office, he was burned out and ready to head home. Not to mention concerned by Juarez’s statement about danger to his family and himself.

“Hey, McAllister. Take a call before you book on out of here.” Daryl Jones held up the phone as Rick started to leave the station.

Rick took the receiver and dragged a hand over his hair. “McAllister here.”

“We know where you live,” a deep male voice said.

An iron fist clamped Rick’s gut. “Who is this?” He barely had the presence of mind to motion to Daryl to have the call traced.

“We know you live with your mother and stepfather. And you have a handsome young son. He is nine, no?”

Rage filled Rick, a wave so powerful that his entire body shook. “Listen, you son of a bitch, you so much as come near my family and you’re a dead man.”

“Tch—tch. Such anger. Ah, and we must not forget the lovely
señorita
staying with you.”

Rick clenched his fist. “What the hell do you want?”

“Turn in your resignation by tomorrow morning and walk away, Agent McAllister.”

The line went dead.

* * * * *

“Oh, my god,” Lani whispered while she stared at the blue plus sign on the test stick. “I’m pregnant.”

Lani’s head spun and for a moment darkness closed in on her. The stick clattered into the bathroom sink as she grabbed the rim to steady herself. When the feeling passed, she made sure the toilet lid was down and collapsed onto it.

If Theresa hadn’t gone through a pregnancy while Lani worked at the magazine, she would have had no idea that it was possible to get morning sickness so fast. But Theresa had been ill almost from the moment she’d conceived. And thanks to modern day tests, it was possible to detect pregnancies within days.

So many feelings surged through Lani. Intense joy that she’d never known before filled her, and she almost laughed. She felt giddy and lightheaded.

She was going to be a mother. A mother!

It didn’t seem real. A life was growing inside her. She did the math, and realized she would be giving birth in April.

Giving birth. A baby.

She was having Rick’s baby.

The thought filled Lani with sheer pleasure. Rick’s baby. Her baby. Their baby.

If only he loved her…like she loved him.

And there it was. How she’d struggled to deny it.

I love Rick.

What a realization to come to, sitting on the toilet seat in the bathroom, just having found out she was pregnant with his child.

Rick was such a good father. Sadie and Chuck—what would they think about having another grandchild? And Trevor. Would he really like to have a kid brother or sister?

Lani sighed and pulled the clip out of her hair. She couldn’t deal with it, not at that moment. She needed time to absorb it all. Even if she was in love with Rick, and even if he did love her, did she want to get married? Hadn’t she already learned her lesson?

More doubt crept in, stealing her joy. She didn’t have the slightest idea what to do as a parent. How could she be a good mother? And could she make it on her own as a single parent?

After a few moments, she got a grip on her emotions, took a deep breath and forced herself to stand. She knew she would do whatever it took to give her baby the best home possible.

And maybe it would be with Rick.

* * * * *

As soon as the line went dead, Rick dialed home. “Mom,” he said when Sadie answered. “Is everyone okay?”

“Fine,” Sadie replied. “Why?”

Rick ran a hand over his head. “I don’t have time to explain. Is everyone home now? Lani, too?”

“We’re all here.”

“Good. Make sure everyone stays inside, and keep the doors locked. Don’t open the door for anyone.”

Sadie hesitated. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain when I get there. I’ll see if a unit can get to the ranch and sit out front until I make it.”

After he hung up with Sadie, Rick asked Daryl to radio for an agent to stay at the ranch, and had a quick conversation with Miguel Martinez.

Before Rick left the station, he asked Daryl to book four seats out of Tucson to San Francisco for late that evening. Rick gave him the passengers’ names and his credit card number.

The thirty-minute drive home seemed more like an hour. He pounded the wheel in frustration. Sal radioed in that he’d reached the ranch, and reported that all appeared to be fine.

As Rick drove up to the house, Roxie bounded out to greet him. Sal sat parked in an agency green and white SUV.

Rick climbed out of his truck and walked up to Sal. “See anything?”

“Nada.” Sal nodded toward the house. “I called from the car and told them to sit tight.”

“Thanks,
compadre
.”

“Want me to hang around for awhile?”

“I don’t expect anything to come down until tomorrow.”

Sal whistled. “I don’t have a good feeling about this. Maybe you should do as they said, and resign. For now.”

Rick glared at his friend. “No way in hell I’m going to tuck my tail between my legs.”

“Sure you don’t want me to hang around?”

“I’m going to get my family out of here, and then take care of business tomorrow.”

“Gotcha. See you
mañana
.”

Rick didn’t wait to watch Sal leave. He hurried to the house and Sadie opened the door at once.

He locked the door behind him. “You all need to get packed.”

Sadie’s face creased with concern. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m sending you to Callie’s.” Rick raked his hand through his hair. “Daryl booked seats out of Tucson to SFO for eight tonight. That gives you four hours to get packed, drive to Tucson and get to the airport.”

Sadie frowned. “You still haven’t told me what this is all about.”

“Let’s get Dad,” Rick said and Sadie hurried to find Chuck and returned with him.

After Rick explained the threat, Chuck nodded. “I think a trip to see your sister’ll do us some good.”

“Where’s Lani?” Rick asked.

“She went into the bathroom right before you called,” Sadie replied. “I just heard the shower start up. I haven’t had a chance to tell her anything.”

Rick kicked off his boots. “I’m gonna take a quick shower in your bathroom, while you’re packing. And then I’ll tell Lani she needs to get her things together.”

* * * * *

Thinking about her pregnancy, Lani continued to vacillate between joy and sheer terror as she showered. She wasn’t ready to be around anyone, and a shower was as good an excuse as any to have some time to herself. It had the added benefit of relaxing her and helping bring everything into focus.

All she could think of was the baby. Every other thought had dissipated. Would it be a boy or a girl? Should she find out beforehand, or let it be a surprise? Where should she shop for baby clothes and furniture?

She had the overwhelming urge to share her news. To shout it from the rooftops.

No. Calm down.

After she climbed out of the shower and dried off, she realized she hadn’t thought to grab any clean clothes. She wrapped the towel around her, and cracked open the bathroom door.

From the front room she heard Sadie say, “Come on, Trevor. You can help Grandma and Grandpa get things together in our room.” The boy chattered something about visiting his Aunt Callie, and then Lani couldn’t hear them anymore.

Otherwise the coast was clear, so she slipped across the hallway into her room.

Just as she was about to drop the towel to pull on a T-shirt, there was a light knock at the door, and Rick opened it. For a moment he stood in the doorway, drinking her in with his azure eyes. An almost pained expression crossed his face, his desire and need as clear as if he’d told her in words.

She straightened and dropped the T-shirt, her pulse hammering in her throat. “Rick.”

Warmth flushed over her from head to toe, and she couldn’t take her gaze from his.

Easing into the room, he shut the door, never taking his eyes from hers. The lock clicked, and in one long stride he stood inches from her.

He caressed her cheek with his finger, his touch sending shivers throughout her. “Darlin’. What you do to me.”

Then his arms enveloped her. She forgot about the towel and it dropped to her feet as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She couldn’t help herself. He held her tight, his denim shirt and jeans rough against her breasts and thighs, his buckle scraping the delicate skin of her belly. They kissed, his need matching hers with such intensity that she was wild with it.

Hard. Fierce. Demanding.

To hell with everything. She needed him.

“My god,” he whispered against her mouth. His hands cupped her naked hips and he pressed her close to the thrust against his jeans. “You burn me up.”

She brushed her lips over his cheek, softly kissing his stubbled face, leading to his ear. Like hers, his hair was wet and he smelled of soap. He lowered his head and captured her nipple in his mouth. Her knees weakened and she moaned as she melted against him.

“I need you so much.” He moved his tongue to her other nipple and she could barely control the cries building up in her throat. “Tell me you need me like I need you.”

“Yes, Rick. Now.”

She helped him peel off his clothes, running his hands over his bare chest, his hard thighs. They were unrestrained in their haste, and sank to the rose rug. He grabbed a condom, and it was all she could do not to tell him it wasn’t needed.

Not yet. Wait for the right moment.

He slid into her and she knew he filled her so completely, in every way. Her body, her heart, her soul.

And when she came, it was like it all fused together, and every part of her became one with Rick.

I love him I love him I love him!

When their lovemaking ended, they were both breathing hard, a sheen of perspiration coating their skin. Even then, he didn’t stop kissing her. It was like he couldn’t get enough. He kissed her lips, her cheeks, her ears her eyebrows, her throat.

“We need to get dressed,” he finally said with obvious reluctance. “Though I would give anything to stay right here with you.”

“Mmmm.” She nuzzled his neck, drinking in his scent. At that moment she knew that even if he didn’t share her love, she would take whatever part of him that he gave her, for however long it would last. “Let’s stay like this. No one would miss us, would they?”

“Temptress.” He rolled away, eased to his feet, and started putting on his underwear. He looked so good to her, that she could barely take her eyes off him.

She stood while she fastened her bra and then stepped into clean panties. “Who seduced whom, might I ask?”

With a laugh, Rick pulled on his jeans, watching her dress. “You were naked.”

“I was not.” She sniffed and slid into a pair of shorts. “I was wearing a respectable towel. And you barged in.”

His voice was muffled as he yanked a T-shirt over his head. “You left the door unlocked.” He pulled on his denim shirt over the T-shirt.

Shaking her head, Lani buttoned up her blouse. “I didn’t expect a lecher like you to just waltz in here and seduce me.”

“Lecher, huh?” With a grin he brought Lani close and kissed her so long and passionately that her limbs turned to gelatin.

“Wow,” she whispered as she clung to him. It was a few seconds before her legs would hold her up.

Just as she was about to tell Rick that she wanted to go somewhere special to talk with him, he said, “I’m going to miss you.” He stroked damp hair from her face, his features suddenly serious. “I can’t stand to be away from you.”

“Are you—” Hair at her nape prickled as a chill crept over her. “Are you talking about when I leave for San Francisco?”

“Yes and no.” He brushed his lips over hers. “I came in here to tell you—and then lost my head.”

Her soul turned to ice and she stepped out of his embrace.

Rick reached for her hand. “You need to fly to San Francisco with my family tonight. I’ve made reservations, and—”

You
what
?” She shrugged away from him and planted her fists on her hips. “You think you’re going to ship me off like a piece of luggage?”

“You don’t under—”

“No man is ever going to tell me what to do again.” Her voice rose. “We may have had sex, but that does not give you the right to order me around!”

“Damn it, Lani.” He clenched his jaw, his face hard. “I got a call today. A man threatened my family.”

A frigid wave of fear crashed over her, chasing away her anger. “Oh, my god.”

Rick ran a hand through his hair. “The sonofabitch said if I didn’t turn in my resignation, he would come after my family. He named everyone.” Rick grabbed Lani by her shoulders. “Including you.”

“Me?” She shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“Somehow they know that you’re my woman.” He motioned to the door. “Now let’s go. There’s not much time. Chuck’s driving you all to Tucson and flying you out to San Francisco to stay with my sister Callie, where you’ll be safe.”

My woman.
He called me his woman.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she said. “I’m staying.”

Rick clenched and unclenched his hands as Lani stood there, her brown eyes flashing defiance. He all but wanted to shake some sense into her. “This is serious. These bastards threatened you, too. I need you somewhere safe while I hunt them down.”

Lani shook her head. “I have two more interviews to do and I am not going to let anyone run me off.”

“This is serious. It’s not a joke.”

“I’m not joking. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”

“Don’t you understand? I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

Rick’s words poured into Lani’s heart. Half of her wanted to give in, to let herself be shuttled off safely away from the bad guys. But the other half of her knew she had a job to do. And the thought of being too far from Rick while he faced danger—no. Not happening.

“I’ll be fine.”

“You can’t stay here.”

She tilted her chin. “Are you telling me I’m not welcome in your home?”

He grabbed his socks and boots and started pulling them on. “You know that’s not what I meant. They could come after you here.”

“I’m not going back to San Francisco until next weekend.”

Rick took a deep breath and counted to ten as he finished putting on his boots. “Then we need to take you to a hotel.”

Lani seized a pair of sandals out of the closet. “Are you going?”

“No. I’m staying here.”

She pursed her lips. “Fine. I’ll check into a hotel on my own.”

“Tonight.”

“Tomorrow.” She spun on her bare heel and marched out, carrying her sandals.

“
Well, hell
,” he muttered as he followed her from the room.

Chuck, Sadie and Trevor were packed and waiting when Lani and Rick stalked into the living room.

“Ready, Lani?” Chuck asked.

“I’m not going,” she said as she gave him a hug. “I’m checking into a hotel tomorrow.”

Rick stood behind her with his arms folded, his brows furrowed and jaw set.

Sadie glanced at Rick, then hugged Lani. “You sure you don’t want to come with us? I bet you’d be an excellent tour guide.”

Lani smiled. “One of these days I would love to show you around the Bay Area. But I have a couple more interviews and a deadline to meet.”

Sadie patted Lani’s shoulder. “You go ahead and use my vehicle while we’re gone.”

“Thanks.” Lani squatted down in front of Trevor. “Hey, Taz. Take care of your grandparents and I’ll see you soon.”

The boy threw his arms around Lani. “You promise you’ll still be here when we get back? ‘Cause I’m really, really, really going to miss you!”

“I’ll try.” She pulled back. “I’m going to miss you, too.” She ruffled Trevor’s hair. “Can you do something for me while you’re on the plane?”

“What?”

“Draw a picture for me, okay?”

“Sure!” Trevor nodded, and brushed hair out of his eyes. “I’ve got my crayons and coloring pencils and paper packed in my backpack. Wanna see?” He started to unzip his pack, but Rick grabbed him by the waist and swung him high. Trevor squealed with laughter.

“Slow down, Pardner.” Rick hugged him tight. “You need to get to the airport so you can catch that plane and go see your cousins and Aunt Callie.”

Rick set Trevor down, hugged his mom, then helped carry their luggage out to Chuck’s truck. Sadie promised to keep the cell phone on, and to call Rick once they hit the freeway, and again in Tucson and in San Francisco. Callie and the kids would be meeting them at the airport.

He breathed a sigh of relief as the red taillights disappeared into the night.

But Lani. He turned to her and frowned. How could he keep her safe?