“We developed a friendship, nothing more.”

  His faded blue eyes twinkled at her. “Whatever you say, but don’t wait until it’s too late to grab happiness.” Sadness shone in his eyes, and she heard it in his voice. She glanced around and realized the others had left.

  “They’ve gone to get coffee,” he said.

  “Did you wait too long?” Angie asked.

  “I did.” He looked off down the hall. “We were young cops working together. Our blood ran hot for each other. But we thought we’d wait to marry until we got a raise.” He looked down.

  Angie saw the fine lines around his face and the wrinkles in his neck. He was older than she’d thought originally, or she guessed he was older. He sat silent for several minutes, and then cleared his throat.

  “We’d stopped a speeder. She got out while I radioed in the tag information. I saw the window go down. It all seemed like a regular stop for speeding. Too late, I saw the muzzle of the gun.

  “I jumped out and yelled, but the sound of the gun firing echoed in my ears. I ran to her, and the car shot off. Taking careful aim, I shot through his back window. I hit him, and he wrecked his car against a lamp post.” Tears were in his eyes when he raised his head. “Her name was Estelle. I called for help and knelt at her side. There was a lot of blood. I made a pad of my jacket and put pressure on her chest. She reached out and touched my arm. A faint smile curved her sweet mouth and she whispered she loved me. Then she closed her eyes, and she was gone.”

  “I’m so sorry for your lost.” Angie glanced at his ring finger. She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “You never married?”

  “No, madam. When you find the right one, no one else seems to suit. But I didn’t tell you my story to make you sad. I wanted you to realize how fragile life can be. Don’t miss out on the best of it.”

  Chapter Two

  Russ stepped back in the room. He came to Angie’s side. “I see you’ve met Jacob. He’s a close buddy of Flint’s. How are you?” Russ asked Jacob.

  “I was fine before this happened.”

  “It brings it all back to you every time one of our guys gets shot,” Russ said.

  “Yes. Thank goodness it doesn’t happen as often as when I was on the local police force.”

  “Flint’s parents were relieved to hear he’s out of surgery and that it wasn’t as severe as they originally thought.” Russ smiled at Angie. “You’ll get to meet them this time. Unless you run off again.”

  “There’s nowhere to run. You’re in my territory now.”

  “So I am. I’d planned to fly to Atlanta next week to ask you out to dinner.”

  “Aren’t there any women in South Dakota? Flying here for a dinner date seems a bit extreme.” Angie watched his expression closely. His smile had her pulses racing.

  “There are nice women at home, but they aren’t you, honey.”

  His whiskey-smooth voice sent chills down her back. He reached out and took her hand in his, and the warmth of his grip made her weak in the knees.

  “If Flint’s doing well, perhaps we might go to dinner tomorrow night.”

  “Dana’s coming to town for the weekend.” She kept her expression composed.

  He looked totally unconcerned by what she’d said. “We’ll take her with us. The two of you have to eat.”

  “I’ll ask her when she arrives tomorrow afternoon. Is that too late to let you know?”

  “Not at all.” Russ turned when a dark-haired man wearing a white coat entered the room.

  “He’s beginning to stir if one or two of you at a time would like to see him.”

  Jacob pointed to Russell and Angie. “Let them go first.”

  The man nodded and pointed to the doors where they were to ring a bell. He strode off in the opposite direction.

  Russ pushed the button and a nurse came to the door. “You’re here to see Agent Rikward?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Come this way.” She led them past several cubicles and then stopped outside Flint’s. “He’s still groggy. He may not know you at first. You can stay five minutes this time.”

  “Thanks,” Russ said. He led Angie into the glass enclosed cubicle.

  There were tubes connected to Flint and blood being administered. But he was breathing on his own. His eyes were closed.

  Russ motioned for Angie to move to Flint’s right side. She did and put her hand on his arm. His eyes blinked several times as he focused on her.

  “Am I dreaming, or is it Angelina?”

  “It’s Angie and Russ,” she said. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I stepped in front of a big truck. Did I get the man who shot me?” he asked Russ. Then he added, “You didn’t have to come so far.”

  “I was afraid someone had actually managed to get through your thick armor and hurt you.” Russ smiled at his best friend. “But on a more serious note, I understand your attacker died at the scene.”

  “Damn, now we won’t know who sent him.”

  “You think it was a setup?”

  “He was waiting in the shadows near where I’d parked my car. He called my name. When I turned to see who it was, he shot me.” Flint nodded his head. “It was planned.”

  The nurse stepped to the doorway. “Whatever you’re talking about is raising his blood pressure. Change the conversation or leave.”

  “Yes, madam,” Russ said. Then he leaned close to Flint and teased him. “You have a tough nurse. You’d better do as she says.”

  Flint looked at Angie. “I don’t mind changing the subject. How did you get here?” he asked.

  “I heard about the shooting on television. Since I’m not family and I knew the hospital wouldn’t give me any information, I called Russ.”

  “You can be family, if you want.” His lips curved slightly.

  “Your parents will arrive shortly,” Angie said to change the subject.

  “You’re always flitting away from the serious subjects,” he mumbled as his eyes closed.

  They’d started to walk out when he stopped them. “Sorry, guys, I can’t keep my eyes open.”

  “Go to sleep. It’ll help you get better quicker,” Angie said.

  “Will you be back?” Flint asked.

  “Dana’s coming to town. We’ll both come and see you.”

  “Maybe she can talk some sense into you,” he mumbled and went back to sleep.

  His nurse waited at the cubicle door for them. “Tell the next two to wait about fifteen minutes before coming in.”

  “Will do. Thanks.” Russ held Angie’s hand as they walked back to the waiting room to give the FBI men the message. Then they took the elevator downstairs.

  Russ stopped her in the entranceway to the hospital. “It’s late. I’ll follow you home.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Do you want to go out for a late dinner?” Russ asked.

  “No, I made lasagna tonight. I can warm it. You can be my taster and tell me if it’s all right to serve to Dana.”

  “A guinea pig in other words.”

  She grinned. “Sort of.”

  “I accept. Lead me to it.”

  They strolled to the parking lot. “I’m glad Flint wasn’t hurt more seriously,” Russ said. “I’m going to ask him to come to the ranch to recuperate although his mother will want him under her care. Why don’t you come, too?”

  Angie stopped walking and faced him. “Just leave my job and go off to South Dakota? Is that what you’re suggesting?”

  “Dana said she offered you a position.”

  “But I turned it down. I have a perfectly good job here in Atlanta.”

  When they got to the parking lot, Russ pointed to his car two rows ahead of hers. “I’ll wait for you and follow you as I said.” But first, Russ insisted on walking with her to her car. Once she was inside with the doors locked he strode back to his vehicle.

  His loose-limbed stride reminded her of an athlete. Just seeing him and hearing his voice had brought back all the feelings she’d tried to leave behind in South Dakota.

  Why did I ask him back to my condo? I have little resistance to him or Flint and less since I haven’t seen them in so long. She was annoyed with herself. She started the car and drove out of the parking area. Russ, in his rental car, pulled out behind her and stayed close.

  In the distance Angie thought she saw a gray car, but it was too far back to be sure. Russ coming home with her was a good idea if only to be certain she got there all right.

  * * * *

  Russ noticed the car behind him. It never got close, but it stayed there the whole way. What was going on?

  He’d been pleased when Angie asked him to her condo. Was the car behind him part of the reason? If she was scared, she wouldn’t want to go home alone. He’d hoped she’d had a change of heart. Seeing her had increased his desire and determination to have a more intimate relationship with her. If she gave him a chance tonight, he was taking it.

  She drove to the parking garage and put in her card. The gate opened slowly. Russ watched for the car that had been trailing him. It slowed, and then the driver drove straight on down the main street. He suspected if he hadn’t been here they’d have turned and followed her to the garage.

  The gate closed after they entered, Angie motioned for him to park beside her. On the elevator, he asked, “Did you see a car following me?”

  “There was one way back behind us, but it didn’t come closer.” She kept her eyes on the elevator door.

  “They slowed when they passed the street by the garage. It was a gray sedan. I couldn’t tell the make.” Russ watched her reaction and saw the slight shiver and heard her soft gasp. “You’ve seen the car before tonight.”

  The elevator door opened and Angie strode out and to her condo. She unlocked the door and Russ walked in behind her. He made sure the lock was fastened before he turned to her.

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  She froze and refused to admit to herself that someone was stalking her, again. “I saw a gray car once. No one is following me. Why would they? All of Gregor’s men are dead or in jail.”

  “Yet someone tried to kill Flint tonight, and it appears to me they may be interested in you.

  Still, it doesn’t make sense.”

  Angie strode to the kitchen and took out the lasagna. Russ was right behind her. He took the pan and put it back in the fridge.

  “I’m not hungry. At least not for food.”

  Squaring her shoulders, Angie tilted her head and frowned at him. “So you came home with me hoping we’d have sex?”

  “No, honey. I hoped we’d make love.”

  “What’s the difference?” she blurted out. She saw tenderness and passion in his green eyes.

  “Sex is good, but with caring and love it becomes different, more special. You can walk away from a fun night of sex. But throw in love and you don’t want to leave the person. Surely you’ve had a man in your life that you loved or thought you did.” His velvet-edged voice made her yearn for what he’d described.

  He was right. She’d had it once or thought she did. “I was engaged.” She bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to tell him any of her history.

  “Ah, how long ago did it end?”

  “About eighteen months ago.” Her face burned with embarrassment when she remembered the last time she and her fiancé had been together.

  “And you were engaged for how long?”

  “I don’t have to answer your questions.”

  “No. You don’t. I’d rather do this.” He stepped across to her and pushed her body up against the cool wall. His fingers traced the line of her cheekbones and tense jaw.

  “Relax. We’ll have fun. No commitments.”

  “Is that what you want?” she asked.

  “No. But at this time, it’s all you want. We’ll get to know each other better.”

  His lips brushed along her neck and kissed the hollow spot between neck and shoulder.

  Heat sparked deep in her belly, and her juices wet her panties. Unfulfilled desire made her body ache.

  “You want me as much as I want you. Why don’t we enjoy ourselves?” He pulled back and gazed into her eyes.

  Desperate hunger had her body saying yes. Still, her fear of seeing his disgust afterward made her push him away.

  “I’m not ready.”

  “Will you ever be?” His brow wrinkled.

  “I don’t know.” She slipped around him, putting more space between them.

  “I’m not giving up and neither is Flint.”

  “You are two stubborn men.”

  “Yes, we are, and I’m not leaving you alone tonight. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

  “Normally I’d tell you to leave, but I am worried about the mysterious car. I have a second, smaller bedroom. You don’t have to sleep on the couch.” Angie led the way down her short hall, past her room to the smaller one. “The second bath is here in the hallway. I’m going to bed. It’s very late. I have to be at work at nine.”

  “I’ll set my phone for seven. Then I can make sure you get to work before I return to my hotel.”

  Angie turned to walk in her bedroom. She closed the door and let her head rest against it.

  When he’d pushed her against the wall, she’d come so close to inviting him to her bed. But the scene with her fiancé had flashed vividly in her memory. They’d been perfect for each other, or so she told herself. The wedding was planned and only a month off when it all came crashing down on her.

  I have to forget and not let one incident keep me from having a full life. But whenever I’m tempted to try again, embarrassment holds me back.

  Chapter Three

  Russ lay in the bed and pictured Angie so close. He moved around trying to get comfortable, but thoughts of her kept him awake.

  I’m sure she was aroused and wanted me as much as I did her. Then without explanation her body tensed and she pushed her way out of my arms. It happened after she told me about being engaged.

  Still restless, he got up and walked to the window. A full moon lit the perimeter around the condominium. He spotted a slight movement in the darkness near the side of the building across the street. Russ let the curtain drop and looked out around the edge of the drapery. Another movement and a small light like a cigarette being lit. It might be a homeless person settling for the night, or a more sinister person keeping an eye on this building. The garage gate faced where the person hid.

  Russ pulled on his jeans and T-shirt. Barefooted, he tiptoed to the living room and opened Angie’s purse. He got the key to her front door, and then saw a small camera at the bottom of her bag. He stuck it in his back pocket.

  He doubted he’d get a chance to take a picture of the guy, but he’d have it with him just in case. Russ slipped out of the door and locked it behind him. He took the stairs and hurried down to the garage level.

  Quietly and with quick movements Russ opened the door and squeezed out. He crept along the outer wall until he got to the gate. Then he peeked around the edge of the wall.

  A man leaned against the doorway across the street. He was about five eleven and wore dark clothes and a hat with the brim pulled down.

  “What are you doing here?” Russ yelled.

  Startled, the man looked up and stepped forward. Russ jumped out from behind the wall and took his picture. The man pulled a gun. Russ clicked the camera once more before jumping back behind the thick concrete wall. He heard footsteps coming in his direction. Cautiously, he stepped further into the darkness behind a large van.

  The man rattled the gate. “Give me the damn camera.”

  Slowly, Russ slithered around the garage to the elevator. A bullet hit close to his head. He bent lower. The man shook the gate hard trying to break it open.

  Russ reached up and touched the button to the elevator. The door opened. A bullet flew over his body as he rolled onto the lift’s floor. Several more bullets soared over his head. He’d have to chance it and push a floor number. He shoved his finger against the lowest one. The lift’s doors began to slowly close. Russ heard the man cuss as his attempt to get the camera failed.

  Russ’s heart pounded and his breath came in rapid gasps. They’d be waiting for him and Angie to leave in the morning.

  He pulled out his phone and called 911. “Shots were fired at my condominium.” He gave the address of the condo and clicked off his phone. Then he called Flint’s supervisor, Conaire MacMurra, better known as Mac, and told him what had happened.

  “I’ll be there with several of my men. We’ll take the camera to process the pictures and two of the men will guard you and Angie Farris wherever you go.”

  When Russ unlocked the door and walked inside, Angie stood in the hallway. “Where have you been? I thought I heard shots.”

  “You’d better sit down, and I’ll tell you what happened.”

  Angie stared blankly with her mouth open. When Russ finished talking, she took her camera out of his hand.

  “You have a picture of this man on my camera?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s great, I think.”

  “Once the police have the camera we’ll be safer. It’ll be too late for them to try and retrieve it, and they’ll know we’re aware they’re watching.”

  “I have an uneasy feeling. Whoever this person is they’re not going to give up without a fight.”

  “That’s true.” Russ called Mac again.

  “We’re almost there,” he said.

  “I’m thinking these people may be after whoever helped take down Gregor. Do you think he’d go after the men in prison who gave information?”

  “Damn, I don’t know. To be safe I’ll call the wardens of the prisons where they’re incarcerated and warn them.”

  “I’ll call the people in South Dakota who were involved and give them a heads-up,” Russ said. When Russ ended his call, Angie stepped closer.

  “Dana is flying here tomorrow morning.”

  “I’ll call their home and warn them. I doubt Chayton or Steel will want her to come right now.”