Zach was back with his grandparents. Taggart had arranged FBI protection for the family until Zapata was arrested or the feds felt sure the man was no longer a threat to them.
The night on the road had been long and tiring, yesterday equally exhausting. At least he’d been able to sleep late this morning, his rest deep and undisturbed with Carly’s sweet little body draped over his chest.Snuggling led to a round of sleepy, very satisfying sex, which led to showering together, which heated things up all over again.
They were both dressed now, Carly in the kitchen, Linc in his home office catching up on e-mail. Work was mounting up in Dallas, but after what had happened, no way was he leaving. He could barely let Carly out of his sight.
Something had changed for him that terrible night on the road. Though he had known the truth deep down, the danger they had faced together had forced him to admit how deeply he cared for her.
Carly was strong and determined. She was loyal and courageous. She was everything he admired in a woman or for that matter, in a man. Carly wasn’t just the right woman for him, the lady he wanted beside him as his life moved ahead, he was in love with her, deeply and without reservation, the forever kind of love he’d never thought to have.
Now that he was certain of his feelings, he intended to do something about them, had already made plans. He just had to convince Carly.
Needing a second cup of coffee, he padded barefoot down the hall, following the aroma of a fresh brewed pot. Spotting Carly at the kitchen counter, Linc walked up behind her, eased her back against his chest.
“Got a cup for me?” he asked.
She turned into his arms, lightly rested her palms on his chest. “I might. You could try bribing me with a kiss.”
He grinned and happily obliged. His body stirred but now wasn’t the time. “Unfortunately we have to behave,” he said, ending the kiss before he was ready. “Tag should be here any minute.”
“I wonder what he wants.”
The ranch was still under heavy security, the reason the guards out front had just phoned. They’d stopped Tag Joyner at the gate and called Linc for permission for Tag to enter the property.
Accepting the cup of coffee Carly poured for him, he wandered into the living room, over to the window. Tag, who had been to the ranch house before, rode his flame-striped, metallic red Harley up in front, jammed down the kickstand with a heavy motorcycle boot, and swung a long leg over the seat.
Settling a black leather saddlebag over one shoulder, he walked up on the porch as Linc opened the door.
“Good to see you, bro,” Linc said, the men leaning in to clap each other on the shoulder in a man hug. He stepped back to let Tag in. “What’s up?”
“Got something for you. It’ll cost you big if it’s real, but it’ll be worth it.”
Carly walked into the room as Tag opened the saddlebag. She smiled. “Hey, Tag.”
“Hey, Carly.” Pulling out a clear plastic Ziplock bag with a paper coffee cup inside, he handed it to Linc.
“What is it?”
“Guy came forward to claim the reward you offered. Rides with the Bandidos. Wants fifty thousand for what’s in that bag. Says the terrorist the FBI killed in that shootout—Hassan Al-Razi?”
“Yeah?”
“Says he’s Raul Zapata’s brother.”
Carly’s eyes went wide. “You’re kidding.”
Tag pointed to the bag. “The DNA on that cup should prove it.”
Linc’s gaze shot to Carly’s, then returned to Tag. “Where’d he get it?”
“Out of Zapata’s house. Apparently our guy worked for him off and on. Mostly protection, nothing illegal, or so he says.”
Linc held up the Ziplock bag. “If what he claims is true, he’ll get the fifty thousand. It’ll take a few days to find out, but if it’s real, he’ll have his money.”
“I’ll tell him.” Tag flipped the saddlebag closed and settled it back over his shoulder. “You think they’ll catch him?”
“They damn well better.” But with each passing day, Linc worried the bastard was going to skip the country and get away. If he did, the threat would always be hanging over their heads.
“Gotta hit the road,” Tag said. “See you at Jubal’s.”
