please, please help me find the ones responsible for the drug smuggling and the murder of Captain Pike.
For the past four months, Gisella and her company of Rangers had worked hard trying to gather the evidence needed to take down the organization responsible for their leader’s murder. Just recently, she and her fellow Rangers had taken the information contained on the flash drive they’d found on Melora Hudson’s estate a few weeks ago and narrowed down the possibilities of where the drugs could be entering the country from across the border.
Melora’s husband had been killed because of his association with the Lions of Texas, an elite group responsible for millions of dollars worth of drugs coming over the border, and Melora had almost been killed herself. Fortunately, they’d found what the killers were after and now the Lions had no reason to go after her anymore.
And thanks to the information on the flash drive, Boot Hill seemed to be the next logical choice in their hunt for the top members of the criminal organization. Gisella and the other Rangers believed the drugs coming into San Antonio, and all parts of Texas, were originating from that tiny, almost nonexistent blip on the map.
When Brock had failed to show up for their scheduled meeting a few hours earlier, she’d gotten tired of waiting around, did a little snooping and found out from one of the other agents where he was.
She’d punched in the location of the church in her GPS and driven straight there.
Not wanting to give herself away, she’d circled the building twice, then found a suitable parking spot that would enable her to be of some help should Brock need it, yet far enough away not to tip off the informant.
When she saw how Lenny had been acting, the hairs on her neck stood straight up. When that happened, she knew to pay attention. She’d pulled her weapon. Creeping in closer hadn’t been a problem underneath the shelter of the trees.
Now, the ordeal was coming to a close. As she reached her vehicle, she heard the scream of sirens and saw the flashing lights of the approaching ambulance.
Help had arrived and she could get back to the office. Anxious to get on with her reason for being in El Paso, she drove with a single-minded purpose and thought about the man she would be working with.
A very good-looking—in a Brad Pitt sort of way—man. From the sandy blond hair and flashing blue eyes to the perfect smile. Her heart trembled at the memory of the smile that flashed white teeth and deep dimples. The fact that he probably hadn’t shaved in two days didn’t detract from his attractiveness at all. On the contrary, she liked the rugged look.
Gisella blinked at her thoughts. What in the world was she doing? She didn’t think she even liked the man and she was daydreaming about how good-looking he was. When was the last time she’d done that?
She couldn’t remember.
You’re here for a reason, she reminded herself sternly. The mental admonishment brought her up short.
She was here to find a way to bring down the Lions of Texas, a group responsible for the death of her boss, Captain Gregory Pike. The Lions had already made millions of dollars smuggling their drugs over the border from Mexico. Her desperate hope was that Brock Martin might have some answers for her on where their entry point was.
When she’d learned she was to be paired up with the drug enforcement agent, she’d done her homework and researched everything she could find on him.
Which wasn’t much.
But she had learned that he’d been working the border for more than 10 years, was experienced and well-liked in his department. She hoped together they could pool their resources and bring down the Lions.
She parked at the entrance to EPIC—the El Paso Intelligence Center. Agencies currently represented in the building included the Drug Enforcement Agency and almost every division of law enforcement one could think of. Their job was to keep the border—and the citizens in the surrounding small towns and cities—safe.
And she was going to have a hand in that.
Climbing out of her car, she headed inside and made her way to the department she’d left only a couple of hours ago in order to rescue her temporary partner.
Sitting at her desk in the office she’d been assigned upon her arrival, she stared at the desk opposite hers.
Brock Martin. DEA agent. One who sometimes acted as the Lone Ranger. Sometimes followed the rules, sometimes not. But still, from all appearances, a good man who got the job done.
“Lord, I hope You’ll let me in on this plan of Yours that seems to be unfolding.”
“Talking to yourself?”
Gisella jerked at the deep voice and whirled to find Brock standing in the doorway looking at her. She felt the heat crawl into her neck and knew within seconds her cheeks would be fiery in spite of her olive skin. “Something like that. You got here fast.”
He pulled off his gloves then shrugged out of his heavy coat to drape it over the back of his chair. As he lowered himself into the seat, he said, “Backup got there pretty quick. I didn’t have to hang around much longer.” He steepled his fingers under his chin. “So. We’re going to be partners for a while, huh?”
“Looks that way.” She tried to ignore how well he filled out his pullover gray sweatshirt and how his blue eyes regarded her with an intensity that seemed to reach into her very soul. She cleared her throat. “So…why didn’t you have any backup tonight?”
“Not everybody takes backup with them when they meet an informant.”
She eyed him. “The smart ones do.”
He blinked. Then barked a laugh. “Right. Well, it just so happens that I had backup with me, but he got a call that his wife was in labor. Needless to say, I sent him on his way.” He rubbed a hand across his lips then frowned. “I’ll admit, Lenny surprised me. For over a year, the man has provided solid information—and made a small fortune off of me.” He shrugged. “I had no reason to suspect tonight would be any different.” Another pause as he looked at her. “I’m glad you tracked me down.”
Without another word, she nodded. She was glad, too. His last sentence might be considered a thank you. She decided she liked him a little better after all.
“So, show me what you’ve got.” He rolled his chair around so that he sat shoulder to shoulder with her. Unprepared for the sudden move or the next wave of awareness that shot through her, she gave a small jump. Wow, he smelled good—even after that tussle with Lenny.
She cleared her throat and reached into her briefcase. “All we have to go on right now is this information. It was on a flash drive that was found in Melora Hudson’s house. She was married to a man who was involved in the Lions and was killed two years ago because of it. His body was only found recently—near a drug drop site. It just goes to show you that these people will stop at nothing to protect their interests.” She waved the book at him. “I printed all of the information on the drive off and made this little black book here. I needed it on paper form to study. Anyway, so far, we’ve uncovered the fact that drug shipments are coming out of Juarez, Mexico.”
“Which is why you’re here, right?”
“Right. And here.” She pointed to the initials B.H.TX. “This is
