Maverick Page 22

  He wasn’t right this time. Maggie straightened her shoulders and kept her mouth shut. She could probably get some valuable background information on Jack. “Why did he pick law enforcement?”

  Josie sighed. “Our Jenny married when she was really young. The boy was trouble. Jack spent hours with her, trying to talk her out of the idea. He knew Perry—knew he was no good. Jenny just wouldn’t listen. She and Perry eloped the day she turned eighteen. Perry got Jenny involved in some drug deals. I don’t think Jenny knew how deep Perry was involved, but that didn’t matter to the law.”

  An icy shiver danced over Maggie’s shoulders and down her spine. Jenny’s story was eerily similar to Melissa’s. “What happened?” “Jenny was arrested before Perry. No one could find Perry—nobody knew where he was, except for Jenny. She wouldn’t tell. Perry actually wanted her to take the blame for both of them—and he promised her he’d wait for her to get out of jail.” There was a hard, bitter edge to Josie Myles’ voice—an edge Maggie had heard in her son’s voice.

  “I’ll find you—“ Maggie shivered again.

  “Jack was furious. He found Perry—even when the police and the federal DEA agents couldn’t. Did you know he’s one of the Bureau’s best trackers?” Maggie’s gaze shot out the kitchen window. She knew. “What happened to Jenny?” “Perry squealed—and tried to pin it all on Jenny.”

  Maggie looked back in time to see Josie’s smile.

  “Jack got the police to play Perry’s tape for Jenny.” The smile became a grin. “She may have made a mistake, but I didn’t raise any stupid children. Jenny was furious. The state gave her immunity in exchange for her testimony. And Jack started getting straight A’s in school.” Josie’s eyes had a faraway look. “He never looked back—never wavered.” Her keen blue gaze—just like her son’s—pierced through Maggie. “And he swore he’d never let his heart get tangled up in a mess like Jenny’s.”

  Maggie squirmed under her stare. Jack’s heart wasn’t the problem. But could she really explain it all to his mother? Should she? Better to change the subject. “But didn’t you say that Jenny’s husband was a carpenter?” She gestured to the kitchen.

  “She met Jay five years ago. They’re expecting their second baby around Christmastime.” “How many grandchildren do you have?”

  “Jenny and Jay’s new one will make five. One each for my girls. So far.” Now she smiled at Maggie. “I’d nearly given up on Jack.”

  Maggie choked on her tea. Time to stop this before she told Jack’s mother the truth. “There’s nothing between Jack and me, Mrs. Myles. I’m a case of his—that’s all.” She could tell Josie Myles wanted to disagree but, surprising her, she simply nodded. “Tell me about your family, honey.” A better subject. Not much better, but better. “I have a sister, Melissa.” “And I’ll meet her tonight.”

  Maggie nodded and battled sudden anxiety.

  “What about your parents?”

  “They died when I was ten—a car accident.” She felt as though a huge hand were squeezing her heart. It fluttered wildly, trying to get free of the restraint.

  “Oh, now, I’m sorry. That’s a hard age to lose your folks. Not that there’s really an easy one, but ten. . .” She made a clucking sound with her tongue, shaking her head. “Who raised you then?” Mira Vista County, Arizona. She bit back the bitter words. The faces of a long stream of foster parents flashed in her mind. Most were nameless now. A headache started back behind her eyes and she could feel her pounding heart at her temples. Mrs. Myles might be easy to talk to, but Maggie hadn’t told a soul—except Jack—any of this for years and years. She didn’t see any reason to start chattering about her past now. “I had an aunt,” she evaded softly.

  “Cousins?”

  “No.” Maggie smiled politely. “I think I might take a nap now, if that’s all right.”

  “It’s fine, dear. Would you like something to eat first? I know they didn’t feed you on the plane.” “I—no.” Maggie stood abruptly and darted out of the kitchen. She dashed down the deserted hall and into Jack’s bedroom. Closing the door softly, she curled up on top of the green and blue plaid bedspread. Tears flooded her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. What was wrong with her?

  Nerves. Because of Jack’s stupid prank, and because until Melissa was here, she couldn’t relax.

  Get a grip, Maggie.

  But the tears wouldn’t stop. And when she thought of Josie Myles, chatting away in her bright, new kitchen, the tears came harder. It didn’t seem they’d ever stop. Jack’s hand descended on her shoulder. His touch startled a gasp out of her that sounded more like a sob, and when he sat down beside her and hauled her into his arms, she buried her face in his chest.

  “Shhh, darlin’.”

  She hiccuped. “I d-don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she whispered.

  His hands slid over her nearly-skinned head. She thought of the times he’d fingered her curls, then of her long hair and cried harder.

  Jack made soft, soothing sounds but didn’t try to shush her again. He wrapped his arms more firmly around her, cupped her head against his chest to keep it there, and let her cry. And, since she couldn’t stop, she quit trying to dam the outburst. The comfort penetrated first. Soft, warm solace and a feeling of security that was foreign but not at all threatening. She didn’t want to move—nearly didn’t want to stop crying for fear the sensation would flee. But even after her tears dried up, Jack continued to hold her. Maggie didn’t know if it had been minutes or hours, but her comfortable position, nestled against his chest, finally registered. Afraid of the compassion, or worse, sympathy, she’d see in his eyes, she kept hers closed.

  “Jack—I—“ ”Me first,” he interrupted her, settling her head back to his chest when she tried to lift it. “I’m sorry. I should have told you my plans. And I shouldn’t have taken advantage of your head and your arm.”

  Surprise had her heart dancing in her chest. Jack apologizing?

  “What I did was wrong and I’m sorry.”

  A hint of something in his voice had her battling his hand. She won and tipped back far enough to see into his eyes. “But you’d do it all over again, wouldn’t you?” His smile disarmed her. “Well, yes. But I am sorry.”

  “You can’t be sorry if you’d do it all over again.”

  “I can if it’ll make you smile.”

  She did, unable to help herself. He tried to push her head back to his chest. She shook it. “Your shirt’s all wet.”

  “I can fix that.” He had it off, over his head, before she could blink. Suddenly confronted with that wide, muscular chest, she felt a little breathless. And very warm.

  She forced her gaze away from his muscles and up to his eyes. He was watching her mouth, which went suddenly dry.

  “Y’know somthin’, Maggie?” Not a thing, she wanted to murmur. His hands skimmed her arms, through the thin material of the shirt she’d stolen from him. Defiantly, she hadn’t changed out of it—even after he’d recognized it. Little licks of lava leapt over her where he touched her. She moistened her lips and felt him get hard under her.

  “For two years I wanted you.” His mouth inched closer, she angled her head to get it closer still. “I wanted you so much it made me crazy. I wanted to punish you for the hell you’d put me through. I figured one night with you would fix it.” The tip of his tongue traced her lower lip. Maggie reached for his arm and hung on. “One night didn’t even come close. I want you more now than ever.”

  Her heart hammered and she thought she’d drown in the waves of desire crashing over her. She tilted her head back, allowing him easier access, and an urgent invitation. He kissed her, soft, tender and sweet, making her heart ache. He pulled back after the too-short contact and stared into her eyes. “I still want you,” he repeated, looking a little bewildered. “But it’s all changed. You still make me crazy, only now I want to hold you. I wanted to bring you home. I wanted my folks to meet you—for you to see the ranch. And I don’t want to have sex wit
h you. I love you. I want to make love to you. ”

  “Don’t.” Her stomach twisted in a knot. Warm and pliable one second, she was stiff, untouchable granite the next. “Don’t start that again, Jack, please.” She forced herself to look at him and he surprised her again.

  He smiled. “You’re going to trust me, darlin’. And I can wait until you do.” “I—I can’t.”

  Her denial didn’t knock the smile from his mouth this time. “You will. You’re closer than you think. And I’ll wait. I met a beauty two years ago who’s taught me every possible aspect of waiting.”

  A beauty? She wasn’t a beauty. Melissa was a beauty. Jack’s words had her blushing anyway.

  “The running’s over, darlin’. At least the physical part. Now it’s just the other—but we’ll get around that too. Talk to Mama. She’s good at getting to the bottom of stuff.” Maggie suddenly discovered she still clutched his arm. She released him quickly and retreated, scampering off his lap, back onto the bed. Jack chuckled. “You’re somethin’, my Maggie.” He stood, rifling through his bureau for a clean shirt. He pulled it over his head. “I’m going to fetch Melissa. Mama said you could help her fix supper if you wanted.”

  An angry little imp reared its head inside Maggie’s brain. She didn’t like the feeling that he could see through her—through the shields she’d spent years carefully putting in place. To places inside she didn’t even understand herself. Above it all she had the feeling he was laughing at her. “Did Mama tell you to apologize, too?”

  One hand on the door knob, Jack stopped. He released the knob and turned around, revealing a broad grin. “Yeah. As a matter of fact, she did. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have apologized anyway. The apology doesn’t have anything to do with the other things I said.” He crossed back to the bed, leaned down over her and watched her boldly while he kissed her mouth open. “Think about what I said.” He kissed her again. “Think about tonight.”

  Like she could think about anything else. Jack left Maggie and whistled down the hall to his father’s office. His mother would start supper soon. It would be ready when he got back to the ranch with Melissa. If Maggie came down, Mama was going to work on opening Maggie. Maggie didn’t have a chance. But when he got back with Melissa, she was going to feel a lot better.

  He knew the feeling. The three days she’d disappeared were the very worst of his life. Having her here—safe and untouchable—had done more for his head, and his heart, than he could have imagined. He’d been wrong to read so much into her finally telling him what had happened. She’d confessed to make him aware of Melissa’s danger—never realizing it only emphasized her own.

  He spun the dial for the wall safe and retrieved the evidence. Turning it in to Austin FBI headquarters wasn’t exactly going to further his case with Maggie, but he didn’t have a choice. The papers were too important to store here. He’d place a hold on the pouch, offer another copy of the hold-up note—one without her prints all over it—and when they caught Kevin and Paul, his report would explain everything.

  He flipped the safe shut and turned to the window, settling the pouch under his arm. His father was visible out back, speaking with a man. Jack could see a too-new cowboy hat, one jean-clad leg and one arm. An arm that was suddenly sporting a clenched fist. Jack started for the door.

  It was over before he reached his father’s side. Even at sixty-five, Dan Myles was a powerful force to be reckoned with. Jack watched the man stride angrily away. “Bill Jefferson?”

  His father watched the man leave also. “Yep. He’s no longer employed here.” The man swung into a late model Jeep and turned back for a final crude gesture toward the house. Jack’s mouth went dry. He swore, short and rude, thrust the pouch at his father and began to run. “Get Maggie.” he called over his shoulder. “And your cell phone. Don’t leave her alone.”

  ***

  Maggie splashed some water over her reddened cheeks and told herself no one would know she’d been crying.

  Especially if you hide out in Jack’s room until dinner time. Pulling a book off a shelf tucked into a corner, she flipped it open. But she never read more than the title. The Criminal Mind. She understood the criminal mind all too well. Had one of her own, didn’t she?

  “Think about what I said.”

  Trust. She couldn’t trust him—couldn’t trust anyone. Except herself. “And look where that got me. Hopelessly tangled up with the law. And him.”

  “Listen to him with your heart, Maggie.” Josie Myles’ words were true. But she couldn’t trust her heart any longer, either. Her heart longed for everything Josie Myles had—everything Jack had. A home. . .a family. . .roots. Her heart longed for Jack. She wanted to trust him. But he was wrong. Thanks to him, she wasn’t even one step closer to ending her life on the run. And now he’d taken nearly all her leverage—the papers were the only thing that could keep Melissa safe.

  “Think about what I said.” What did he mean, ‘except for the other’? What ‘other’? For two years her fear of Nathan Mitchell and the Cormacks had kept her feet moving. Her fear of Jack—that “I’ll find you,” had kept her looking over her shoulder. Now he had found her and she’d been absolutely correct in worrying about when he did. His eyes, from the very beginning, had made her want to give herself up—to lose herself in him. To lose control.

  And here she sat—in Austin, Texas, in his bedroom—without her sister, without her evidence—without him. Damn if she was going to sit. He could at least take her to the airport with him. She tossed the book onto the bed and headed for the door.

  Maggie flung the door open just as Jack’s father lifted his hand to knock. The older man had one hand raised to his ear with a cell phone and her pouch clutched in the other. His eyes were pale blue. They didn’t show any emotion at all.

  He spoke into the phone, but kept his gaze on Maggie’s startled brown eyes. “No, she’s with me now. I won’t, son. Right. Just a minute.” He handed the phone to Maggie. She lifted it to her ear. “Jack?”

  Jack didn’t waste any time on preliminaries. “Paul’s here.”

  Maggie knees were suddenly gelatin. She leaned against the door frame and barely felt Dan Myles’ hand offering her support. “Here?” she repeated numbly.

  “I’m following him now. You and Pop are going to get Melissa, then go to headquarters in Austin. Understand me?”

  He was following Paul Cormack. “To headquarters,” she parroted softly. He was following Paul Cormack. The unknown factor—but Jack knew him. What had he said? “He’s a Cormack. You don’t want to know him.”

  Maggie shuddered and dragged her attention back to Jack.

  “. . .meet up with you there.” He didn’t elaborate on what he’d be doing in between. “I need your word, Maggie—that you won’t try to get away from Pop.” She blushed and shot guilty eyes up to the man who watched her intently. “I—“ ”There isn’t time, Maggie. I need your promise. Now.”

  “I promise.” The words were easy when she pictured him following a Cormack. “Jack, be careful—“ She was sorry she’d blurted out the warning when she could hear him grinning through his next words. “Real careful, darlin’. We’re not done—you and me—hell, we haven’t even started. Stick close to Pop and I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  Twenty minutes later, Maggie kept her eyes firmly on the scenery outside the window of the Lincoln Continental. The car surprised her—apparently not all ranchers drove pickup trucks.

  Jack’s father barely spoke to her, but she could see the concern in his eyes. “You’re to come with me,” he’d told her, and seemed a little surprised when she nodded. She didn’t know why she’d grabbed her briefcase—habit, probably. But now she rolled its stitched handle in her fingers and stared out the window as the car sped down the highway toward Austin.

  She didn’t see any of the ranches or farmland they passed. She paid no attention when Dan Myles rolled up all the windows and started the air conditioner. Her thoughts—her heart—were w
ith Jack.

  Where was he? Why had Paul been at the ranch—at his father’s ranch? Maggie’s fingers tightened convulsively around the handle of her briefcase. Where was Kevin? Close? “How long until we get to the airport?” Her eyes never left the scenery outside. ***

  Kevin Cormack shut off his cell phone and slid it back into his pocket with a smile. This was even better than his original plan. Divide and conquer. He’d heard the line in an old movie once—one of his favorites. The old war movies were the best—the ones where men could really be men. Where they didn’t care who got in their way. You wanted it—you went and got it. However you could—whatever it took.

  Myles was chasing after Paul. The Chambers bitch was at Daddy’s ranch. And he’d have Melissa in about ten minutes. Never mind that originally his plan was to have Paul watching Melissa while he dealt with Maggie. He could take care of both Chambers girls. First Melissa, then her sister. His lips curled into a cruel, thin line. Nathan and Billy never gave him enough credit. He was lots smarter than they thought. The edges of his sneer turned up briefly. Obviously he was smarter. They were dead.

  *** Maggie felt the heavy hand descend on her shoulder and slowed her dash into the crowded airport. Jack’s father was right. There was time—Melissa’s plane wasn’t even on the ground yet—wasn’t even due to land for another ten minutes.

  She shot an apologetic glance to the older man. He smiled—a brief tug at his lips that was gone almost immediately, but that small smile settled her heart a little. The pressure on her shoulder eased, but he didn’t release her. She didn’t want him to. His presence was comforting. She didn’t want to think about why.

  At the baggage area, she claimed a spot by the wall next to the opening where passengers arrived. Jack’s father moved into place right next to her. He, too, surveyed the people scurrying around them.

  “Close to your sister, are you?”