Undercover Texas

Chapter Six



The pulsing surf of Santorini sounded in Hunter’s ear. The black beaches of the volcanic island gleamed against the turquoise sea. The woman across from him smiled, her eyes guileless, her expression open and honest.

Everything he wasn’t.

The backdrop of the ocean framed her blond hair. Several strands had escaped the sophisticated knot. He missed the flowing blond locks he’d seen when they’d first met. Now his fingers itched to release the captured tresses so they’d once again bathe her shoulders.

He prayed his gaze didn’t telegraph half of what he wanted from Erin. Every instinct within him shouted that her innocence was real, evoking a protective feeling that he hadn’t felt since his mom had gotten so sick.

He couldn’t stop staring at her. From the amazingly long lashes surrounding her emerald eyes, to the blush staining her cheeks, to the fullness of her lips. He wanted to hold Erin in his arms and fold her close. He wanted to touch her in ways no man had. He wanted her to cry out his name.

Erin took a shuddering breath and lowered her gaze. She must have recognized his want. God, she was beautiful with this naive, hopeful air he’d never experienced.

If only he could wash away the stains of everything he had done.

She cleared her throat. “Why did you choose Santorini, Clay?”

Right. Clay. Not Hunter. Not in this place.

Her gaze begged him to take their conversation somewhere safe. He reined in his desire as best he could. He didn’t want to scare her, but this primal force inside drew him. He scooted his chair a bit closer.

“I needed a vacation. My last job was...brutal.”

More than she would ever know. Blood, bullets, betrayal. Not from his team. Never from them. From the moment General Miller had tapped him directly out of his Special Ops training, the team had become his family. He would sacrifice everything for each of them, and he had no doubt they would do the same, but year after year the enemy became less clear. Informants turned on them; insiders changed loyalty more often than he changed socks. Hunter was so tired of the game. He still believed his organization’s work to be critically important, but fatigue gnawed at him from the inside. Bone-jarring, soul-wasting exhaustion.

“I guess the economy has made the consulting business tough,” she said, sympathy clouding her expression.

He shifted in his chair, the discomfort unwelcome—and disconcerting. Normally, he wouldn’t feel even a twinge of guilt in that minor of a lie, but with Erin his standard operating procedures felt wrong. He crumbled the napkin in his lap. The woman across from him was perfection. Better than he deserved. She took a sip of white wine, but instead of getting up and leaving, he reached for her hand.

She studied his fingers enveloping hers, but she didn’t pull away. Something inside Hunter swelled. She wanted him, too. He could feel it.

“Tell me more about your research,” he prompted, desperate to shift his focus from her extremely kissable lips.

Her eyes lit up with excitement. He didn’t understand half of the technical terms she used, but as each minute passed his belly twisted. When she mentioned radioactive isotopes and targeted exposures, his neck tightened. He could see the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security salivating at the potential weaponization for her nanosized robot. And the terrorists—they’d pay a fortune.

Did she understand the implications of her research? He wanted to tell her to stop, to use her talents somewhere else, but he didn’t want to dim the energy pulsing from her entire body. She saw the cure for cancer, treatment for epilepsy, healing of severed nerves.

Erin saw the good.

Hunter saw only the destruction.

Two opposites. She was brilliant, innovative, a prodigy. He was a homeless high school dropout with a knack for languages and a talent for surveillance and killing the enemy.

Did he need any other reason why they wouldn’t work?

“I’ve never met anyone as brilliant as you are,” he said, lacing his fingers through hers, unable to stop himself from touching her.

“Please don’t say that,” she said, trying to pull her hands away.

He gripped tighter. “Why not?”

She gulped down the rest of her wine. “I don’t want to be different. I’m sick of it. I don’t want to be the sixteen-year-old college freshman who no one wanted to talk to, or the doctoral student who couldn’t go to a bar with her colleagues because she was too young. Or the girl who got passed over for every dance and every party throughout her college career.”

With every word, Hunter understood more and more. He tilted her chin up. “Have you ever been on a date before?”

She flushed, her embarrassment obvious. She lifted her chin in defiance. “Of course.”

“With someone you wanted?”

“Not really.” She sighed. She pushed back from the table and rose, uncertain. “I can’t believe I just told you that. I should go.”

Hunter stood and blocked her path, toe-to-toe with Erin. Her trembling frame hovered like a hummingbird preparing to flit away.

“Have you ever been kissed?” he asked, his voice a bare whisper over the surf.

She licked her lips and nodded.

“By someone you wanted?” He stroked her cheek.

She shook her head and leaned into his touch. The tension between them had grown thick and real enough to touch.

Hunter intertwined his fingers with hers. She looked up at him with such a trusting gaze she hurt his heart. Erin Jamison couldn’t be real.

“I want to kiss you,” he said, his words so full of want he barely recognized himself.

Her eyes widened.

“Do you want me?”

She leaned into him. Her lips parted in silent invitation. The patrons in the restaurant faded away.

He closed his eyes and brushed his mouth against hers, gentle and more beautiful, more tender than anything he’d known. He couldn’t tell which of them shivered. Perhaps they both did. Her softness parted and he tasted the sweetness, the invitation in each caress.

Something strong and tight clamped around his heart. Stunned, he lifted his head. Her green eyes had turned foggy.

She didn’t speak. She just stared into his eyes.

He couldn’t rip himself from the spell she cast onto him.

“Come with me,” he said, his voice shaking with longing. He dropped a wad of cash on the table and held out his hand, praying she would agree, hoping she wouldn’t run the other way.

She squeezed his hand, not letting him go.

He shoved aside his better judgment. He couldn’t resist her, even though he knew he should. Erin’s light would bathe him in warmth. He could feel it. For one night, he would experience what he’d never thought he could find.

She plastered her body against him, gripping his arm tight. “This is crazy,” she whispered. “I don’t do things like this, Clay.”

“Neither do I,” he whispered. And for once his words weren’t a lie.

Hunter led her onto the beach toward the bungalow he’d rented for the week. The waves rolled in close to them. He turned her into his arms. “Last chance, Erin. I can take you back to your room, but if we go inside, I won’t be able to resist touching you. Are you ready for that?”

She smiled and lifted her hands to his chest. “I came here to experience life for the first time. I want you to be my teacher.”

She pressed her mouth to his. He didn’t hesitate. He scooped her into his arms.

He might regret ignoring his conscience, but for tonight he would hold heaven in his arms.

* * *

HUNTER DIDN’T KNOW WHAT FELT worse, the fog in his brain or the daylight streaming in and assaulting his vision. He squeezed his eyelids shut and let out a groan.

A gentle hand pressed against his forehead.

“Erin—” he whispered.

“Just don’t try to kiss me, bud.”

Hunter’s eyelids flew open and took in Doc’s unshaven features. The man had saved his life more than once. He’d have to start a tab, and when Hunter finally paid Doc, the price would be steep.

His gaze scanned the room. Empty. His shoulders tensed and his pulse raced. “Where’s Erin?”

“In the bathroom bathing the kid.” Doc propped one combat boot on his leg. “The baby’s yours?”

“Couldn’t you tell?”

“He’s cuter than you, but I would have recognized that crazy hairstyle anywhere. I always thought you used gel to get that interesting rooster effect.”

The lips of Hunter’s mouth tilted up and he rubbed his face. “He’s my son, Doc. What the hell am I supposed to do about that?”

“I’m sorry,” Doc said quietly. “Do you have a plan?”

“Keep them safe,” Hunter said, meeting his friend’s gaze. “Even if Erin wasn’t a target, you know I can’t be part of his life.”

“Sucks.” Doc nodded slightly. “Does Miller know?”

“No one knows. Except for the lawyer I hired to set up a trust for Brandon. Just in case.” Hunter sighed. “And Leona.”

Doc rubbed in chin. “You know she and Miller came up together, right?”

“Don’t go there, Doc. She’d never let me down. Besides, once I leave this shack, she doesn’t know anything about the rest of my plan.” Hunter sat up and took inventory of his body. He moved his shoulder. Sore, but bearable. “How long was I out?”

“Twenty-four hours.”

“Too long in one place. We need to get out of here. Thanks, Doc. I feel human again.”

“Good. You’re going to need all your strength. I heard from Daniel.”

“How is he?” Hunter asked, his voice low. The operative had been kidnapped and tortured for weeks around Christmas. He’d barely survived.

“It took a good six months, but physically he’s mostly healed. Emotionally...I’m not convinced,” Doc said. “He asked about you.”

“Why? I haven’t seen him since we broke him out of that dungeon in Bellevaux.”

“He’s trying to get reinstated for active duty. He heard your name mentioned in the facility where he goes for his postcaptivity shrink visits.”

Hunter shuddered. “I bet he hates those.”

“Oh, yeah. But he said someone dropped a hint that you might be suffering some sort of breakdown.”

Hunter shoved back the bedding and placed his feet on the floor, testing his balance. He weighed this new information in his mind. “That doesn’t make any sense. I’m supposed to be on vacation.”

“Look, Hunter, I would argue this is just a snafu except for one thing. Your name has made it on a search list. Someone is looking for you. I had to do some fast talking—and grand theft—to get here. There are suits combing the area for you. Air, bus, train—they’re all being watched.”

Hunter rose and paced across the floor, a flurry of curses escaping him. “That screws up the next phase of my plan. I wanted to take a small plane to Texas. Logan set me up with the lawyer. He lives in Carder.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“I’ve got to get rid of Erin and Brandon.”

“Are you planning to feed us to the alligator?” Erin asked, standing in the doorway with a washed and polished Brandon on her hip, her expression frozen and unreadable.

“That’s not what I—”

“Da—” His son reached out his arms.

Hunter’s knees shook and he stared at the grinning baby.

Doc cleared his throat. “I’m heading outside for a few.” He left the room and softly closed them inside.

Brandon squirmed in Erin’s arms. “Da...Da...Da,” he chortled, stretching out to Hunter.

Reluctantly, she passed the squiggly baby over. Hunter took him and settled his son in the crook of his arm.

“Da!” Brandon grinned.

Hunter worked his throat around the knot that had risen in it. “When—”

She shrugged. “It’s an easy word to say.” She twisted her fingers in her lap. “What did you mean you have to get rid of me?”

He shoved his hand through his hair. “Look, it’s all part of helping you disappear. Erin and Brandon Jamison died in that fire. You no longer exist.”

“I’ve thought about this, Hunter, but I can’t believe someone can’t help us. The FBI, somebody. I know you’re just trying to protect us, but it’s not your job. It’s mine. I’m glad you’re better,” she said, “but this is too much. We need to go back to our life.”

He could feel the frustration rising within her, but that was nothing compared to his own. How stubborn could one woman be? How could he make her believe him? “Erin, your work makes you valuable,” he said, his voice rising. “These men are ruthless. I’ve known more than one person to just disappear. I refuse to pick up the paper someday and have you and our son another statistic.”

“Isn’t that what we are already?” Erin challenged.

“But you’re safe.”

Brandon leaned back and stuck his thumb in his mouth. He lay cradled against Hunter’s chest, content and happy. The slight weight stung Hunter’s eyes.

This wasn’t what he wanted, but it was what had to be.

Hunter put his hand on his son’s head. “If I can find you a new life, a new identity, then you have a chance to start over. You can be safe, and no one will ever know. It’s the only way.”

“But my work, how could I continue it? Long distance?”

“You wouldn’t. You are too innovative, too special. They would know. Your new life will have to be completely unrelated. If anyone were to suspect—”

“No more research,” Erin said quietly.

“Not as a scientist.”

Erin hugged her arms around her body. “I’ve worked my entire life to succeed at a profession I was born to work, and you’re telling me that my career, my dreams are simply gone?”

He leaned forward. “Is your job worth your life? Or our son’s?”

* * *

THE OPPRESSIVE HUMIDITY CLUNG to every inch of Erin’s skin. She tugged the clingy T-shirt she’d bought. She wanted nothing more than an air-conditioned house, her laptop and Brandon. Without Hunter.

“There has to be another way.”

Brandon wriggled in Hunter’s arms and tugged at his father’s nose. He was fascinated by his daddy, just as Erin had been.

For a week she’d believed Clay was absolutely perfect.

Hunter was determined to take her life away.

He shoved his hair through his hair. “Look, once you’re safe, I’ll do everything in my power to figure out some way for you to come out of hiding, but until we can eliminate the threat, you’ll have to stay hidden.”

Doc slammed open the door. “We got company. They found us faster than I thought. At least five coming in on an airboat. Maybe more.”

Hunter glared at Doc. “Someone followed you.”

“No way, man. I’m better than that. I told you, they’re canvassing everywhere. It was only a matter of time.”

Hunter lifted Brandon and handed him to Erin.

“How much time?” she asked, and clutched her son in her arms.

“Not much,” Doc said.

Hunter opened a secret compartment. He pulled out a huge weapon and handed one to Doc. He snapped a magazine in the second submachine gun and then tucked a knife into his boot.

Hunter’s jaw tightened, and he slipped two clips into his vest pocket before handing a pair to Doc. “Let’s go.”

Erin hugged Brandon close and followed Hunter and Doc to the door. Hunter glanced out the window and let out a sharp curse. He yanked the curtains closed.

“They’re too close. We’ll never make it to the boats, much less out the inlet in one piece.”

She gripped the back of his shirt. “Can we go out back, across the land?”

Hunter looked at Brandon. “Me and Doc. Maybe. But we’re too far out. With you and the baby, I just don’t think we’ll make it.”

Doc peeked through the window. “If we’re going, it has to be now. Verify five bogeys,” he said.

Hunter’s eyes narrowed and Erin shivered at the steely cold of his expression. “Go out back and around on the west side of the house. There’s a mother gator on the east side near a clump of trees.”

Doc nodded.

“What about me?” Erin asked.

Hunter opened the closet door. “Get in there and don’t make a sound.” He handed her a revolver. “Hunker down in the closet. If someone breaks in, don’t hesitate. Point at the guy’s chest and pull the trigger.” He flicked on the safety and handed her the weapon.

The roar of an engine moved closer. Erin held Brandon and sank down in the closet. She gripped the gun tight. Hunter gave her a small grin. “Just don’t shoot me.”

She nodded. “Hunter...be careful.”

He winked at her. “Five is nothing. Doc and I can take care of this.” He crouched down. “I won’t let either of you down. I promise.”

He twisted the lock and closed the door.

A few minutes later, Erin heard a loud curse.

“Seven, not five,” Doc barked.

A machine gun spit bullets. They thwacked against the wood. Would they come directly through the door? Erin ducked down farther, making herself and Brandon as small a target as possible. Her entire body shook. More gunfire ripped through the air. Brandon whimpered and Erin whispered in his ear.

Glass exploded way too close. A loud crash shook the building. Footsteps thundered at her.

“They got in,” Doc yelled.

“Find her,” a voice shouted.

There were only two doors to check. The bathroom door slammed open. Shouts sounded from outside, but she couldn’t tell who. What if Doc and Hunter couldn’t stop them? Two against seven weren’t very good odds.

The doorknob shook.

“Gotcha,” the voice said.

Erin squeezed the gun tight.

The door smashed in.

Erin didn’t hesitate. She pointed the gun at the man’s chest and fired. He grunted and fell back. Then groaned.

No blood. He wasn’t dead.

Oh, God. Bulletproof vest?

He rolled over, panting.

No. She’d never let him take her.

She had only seconds. She needed another weapon.

Clutching Brandon in her arms, Erin vaulted over the guy with a kick to the head and sprinted into the bathroom. She locked the door but knew the flimsy wood wouldn’t protect her for long. A loud curse echoed at her.

Another round of machine-gun fire pelted the air.

Frantically, Erin yanked open the bathroom drawers. She scanned each compartment. A nail file wouldn’t cut it. Neither would the long-reach lighter. She opened the medicine cabinet. Shampoo. Toothpaste. A can of deodorant.

A chemical formula flooded through Erin’s head.

Deodorant. Aerosol deodorant. Flammable.

The lighter.

It could work.

She grabbed the can and snapped off the top, then thrust Brandon into the bathtub

“It’ll be okay, cutie. I promise.”

She closed the curtain on him. Seconds later the guy pulverized the door.

She clicked on the flame and pressed down.

The deodorant spewed out the nozzle.

Fire erupted and flew onto the man’s chest and face. He shouted and fell back, rolling to douse the flames.

Erin aimed the can at him, her body tense.

Hunter rushed into the room.

Screaming, the guy rolled over and pointed his weapon at Erin.

Hunter didn’t hesitate. He pulled the trigger.

The man’s head exploded.

* * *

OUTSIDE, THE SWAMP HAD GONE eerily silent. Hunter didn’t give the man on the floor a second glance. He planted himself between the attacker’s body and Erin, and he pulled her shaking body into his arms.

Footsteps pounded on the wood. Hunter twisted slightly, still holding Erin, and raised his weapon at the open door.

A patterned knock sounded.

Hunter lowered his weapon at the signal and Doc walked into the room, his machine gun at the ready.

“They’re alligator food,” he said, then took in the burned man on the floor, and the spray can in Erin’s hand. “Damn, girl. Remind me not to piss you off.”

“Oh, God.”

Erin dropped the can, covered her mouth and ran into the bathroom. Hunter met Doc’s gaze with a grimace.

“I did the same thing,” Doc said. “First kill, but don’t tell anyone.”

“Me, too,” Hunter said. “Help me get rid of this. She doesn’t need to see it.”

They disposed of the body in the swamp. The floating plants churned under the water, and soon the body had been pulled under.

The noises of the swamp had returned to normal by the time they walked back into the shack.

“Can you clean it up?” Hunter asked Doc. “I need to check on her, and we don’t have much time. No telling how many know our location.”

Doc nodded and Hunter stood just outside the remnants of the bathroom door. He knocked on the doorjamb. “Erin?” He poked his head in.

She was on the bathroom floor, Brandon cradled in her arms. The baby must have sensed something because he didn’t cry, he just patted her arm.

He looked up at Hunter. “Mama.”

“I know, sport.”

Hunter crouched down. “Erin, we have to go. Can you understand me, sweetie?”

She looked up at him. “I killed him. Burned him to death. How could I do that?”

He gripped her tight. “Listen to me. You did the only thing you could to protect yourself. He would have had no remorse handing you and Brandon over to the terrorists.”

She swallowed deeply.

“You done good, Erin.” Her scooped her beneath her arm and helped her to her feet. “Now let’s get out of here.”

She held Brandon close, and Hunter led them across the shack.

She glanced down at the scorched floor. A shiver washed through her, but then she stiffened her back and adjusted their son in her arms.

Man, Erin was one tough woman when she had to be.

Hunter escorted them to the small dock. His gaze swept the area. No body parts that he could see. He kissed her temple. “Will you be okay while I finish packing up?”

Erin took in a deep breath and glanced over at the alligator’s nest. The creature gave them a harsh glare, then hunkered down by her eggs. She nodded. “Get us that new identity, Hunter. Brandon has to be safe.”

Hunter nodded and returned to the shack. Doc held up the packed duffel. “Supplies, ammo and your antibiotics. I swept it for bugs. Clear. You’re good to go.”

“Thanks.” They searched the premises for any identifying items and eliminated the fingerprints.

Hunter took one last look. “So much for this place being safe.” He kneaded the muscles at the base of his neck. “Doc, my plan is completely screwed. I was supposed to meet someone to have their new identification finalized today. Pictures, fingerprints, birth certificates, the works. No way that’s happening. I have to find an alternative source.”

“Then you know who to call.” Doc tugged out a phone. “One of Logan’s specials. For emergencies.”

Hunter grabbed the secure equipment and dialed a number.

“Carmichael.”

“Should I call you Your Highness?” Hunter said.

“Shove it, Graham,” Logan grumbled. “My life is a pain in the butt tonight. I have to attend a meet-and-greet with a bunch of muckety-mucks from France and Germany in a few minutes. Luckily, Kat promised to make it worth my while later if I behave,” he said. “I plan on smiling until my cheeks hurt tonight so she’ll misbehave later. Now, what do you want so I can get on with the torture of my evening?”

Hunter had to smile. Despite the frustration, he could hear the contentment in his friend’s voice. The man was so in love with Kat and his kids he couldn’t see straight.

“Logan, I need help. I set up a rendezvous with your Texas contact. I missed the deadline and the contact number is no longer valid.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty standard.” Logan paused and mumbled something to someone on his end. A few seconds later a door shut. “What aren’t you telling me? You should have the resources to do this job in less time than I can find another option.”

Hunter hated what he had to admit, but now was not the time to hold back from those he trusted. “I didn’t give you all the information, Logan. I’m sorry, but this entire operation is unsanctioned. It’s personal.”

Logan didn’t respond, but Hunter knew his friend was still on the other end.

“I have a son,” Hunter said. “He’s one, and his mother is in big danger. She’s been mentioned in chatter.”

Logan let out a low whistle, and Hunter knew the ex-CIA operative understood the implications.

“She and my son have to have new identities, but I need someone below the radar. Way far off so that no one could ever connect me to them.”

He could hear Logan’s fingers drumming on the table. “I may have an option. Where are you right now?”

“Florida Panhandle, but I need to get to Carder. I have to see that lawyer you recommended.”

“Then this will work. Noah Bradford has a contact from when we worked a drug cartel job just across the border. She’s a bit of a hermit, but the gal can get you anything you need. She’s another Carder, Texas, connection and doesn’t live too far from what used to be my ranch.”

“Oh, man, I’m sorry about the Triple C.”

“I made it out with my kids and Kat,” Logan said. “That’s all I care about.”

“I may need more than one day in Carder to get everything done. Is there someplace out of the way where no one would think to look?”

“The ranch burned to the ground, but I have a small cabin near the back acre, not too far from a stream. The cowhands stayed there to guard the herd from rustlers back in the day. It’s not much, but it’s a roof.”

Hunter let out a slow breath, one he’d been holding. At least his small family would have a place to sleep. “Thanks, Logan. I owe you.”

“You helped me save Kat’s life. You owe me nothing.” Logan paused. “Just keep your son safe. In the end, family is all we have to hold on to.”

Hunter ended the call and met Doc’s gaze. “All I have to do is find a completely anonymous and unexpected way to get to Carder, Texas, without getting killed between here and there.”