Texas Wildcat (19 page)
“You look beautiful today, Kelly,” he greeted, coming over and picking up her hand, placing a kiss on it.
She gave him a cool, measuring smile, withdrawing her fingers. “Thank you, Gage. Please, have a seat.”
He walked to the leather chair opposite her own and casually sat down. His brown eyes narrowed upon her. “Word’s gotten around that you had a close call over in Saudi Arabia.”
Kelly met his gaze with a slight smile. “You know me, Gage. I’m always in hot water of some kind.”
He laughed softly. “Yes, you always were bent upon self-destruction of some sort.”
“I don’t call living life self-destruction.”
“Todd saw it that way.”
“I’m not married to Todd anymore, so it’s a moot point, isn’t it?”
Gage crossed his legs. “More to the point, did Blanchard pipe stand up to the stress of the desert test?”
Kelly swallowed her building anger, watching him closely. “Yes, it did stand up to the demands placed upon it. Why do you ask?”
“Just because of the gossip going around the industry about Blanchard Pipe.”
“Yes, I’m aware of it.” She leaned forward on her elbows, forcing a sweet smile and hating every second of it. “Tell me, Gage, what do you think I should do about it?”
“Honestly?”
“Have you ever been less than that with me?” Oh, God, she could barely stand herself. Wallace actually thought she was as dumb as she was acting.
“Of course not, Kelly.” He smiled broadly. “You know I’ve always had your best interests at heart.” He got up, pacing slowly, keeping his gaze upon her. “And speaking of heart…” He stopped, turning fully upon her. “My offer still stands. I think matrimony would be an excellent political move for you.”
Bile rose in her throat and Kelly had to forcefully stop herself from releasing the tight rein on her temper. She swallowed hard. “I’m more concerned at the moment about my father’s formula. R and B Steel didn’t mix it correctly and that’s why that one batch of pipe blew.”
Wallace’s brown eyes lightened considerably and he stepped over to her desk. “Kelly, you know my steel company would mix the formula for you. I’d give you a fair deal.” He shrugged. “You can’t stand another bad batch mixed up, you know…” he drawled.
She got up, walking to the window, her back to him. Why had she thought she could carry off this confrontation? He was acting as if he were completely innocent. Crossing her arms, she turned on her heel to face him. “You’ve been wanting our business for a long time, Gage.”
“True. What steel company wouldn’t?” Her green eyes narrowed. “Tell me,” she began lightly, “do you know Mark Hamilton?”
Wallace didn’t blink. “Who?”
Her heart beat more quickly. “Mark Hamilton, the metallurgist over at R and B Steel.”
He pursed his lips. “No…although I’ve heard the name somewhere.”
I’ll bet you have, Kelly thought savagely. She walked determinedly back over to her desk, glancing at the intercom, which had purposely been left in the “open” position. In her secretary’s office was Detective Barbara Whiting. The Houston policewoman was there to listen, record and bear witness to Wallace’s confession.
If
she could get him to confess.
“You claim you don’t know Hamilton,” she snapped. “Then why the hell does he say you paid him twenty-five thousand dollars to spoil our formula?”
Wallace’s eyes showed momentary surprise. He raised his chin, his lips thinning. “I underestimated you, Kelly.”
She gave him an icy smile, her eyes glittering like green shards of glass. “Completely.”
“You realize you can’t prove a thing, my dear. I’ll admit to you that I paid off Hamilton. But I’ll swear just the opposite if you try to take this to court. It’ll be my word against Hamilton’s.
Kelly remained frozen for fear of her temper exploding. Her voice was low, quavering. “This is one time when you don’t have all the cards in the poker game, Wallace. This entire conversation has been taped. Detective Whiting, you may come in now and read Mr. Wallace his rights.”
Shock registered on Wallace’s drawn features. “Give a woman a company to run and she thinks she can play with the big boys.” He exploded into a bitter laugh, watching as a tall, brunette woman in civilian clothes entered the office.
The adrenaline that had been pounding through Kelly’s veins was making her shaky. Relief coursed through her and she took a deep breath. “You never did think a woman could make it in a man’s world, Gage.”
Wallace saw the detective open her badge case to prove her identity to him. He twisted his head toward Kelly. “You’ve got the fight of your life on your hands, Ms. Blanchard. My attorneys will still get me off. You’ll see.”
Kelly’s eyes flashed fire. “The evidence is already in.” She gave him a fixed smile. “Hamilton never would admit who paid him off. But your confession makes that unnecessary. And it was a woman who was your undoing. I think I’m going to get as much satisfaction out of this as you did trying to destroy Blanchard Pipe for your own selfish ends.”
“Mr. Wallace? I’m Detective Whiting of the Houston Police Department and I’m placing you under arrest. You have the right to remain silent…”
It was over. Wallace stood there stonily as the detective read him his rights. With one last venomous glance, he left her office. Words weren’t necessary, Kelly thought, collapsing in her chair. Tears streamed down her cheeks. It would be a long and costly court battle, but she didn’t care. It was the only way to salvage her father’s name in an industry where a gentleman’s agreement was still respected and sealed with a handshake. Wiping the tears away with the back of her hand, she looked over at the calendar. If only Sam were home…But it would take another four days to load the equipment and fly it back Stateside. Right now, her emotions were stripped and raw. Kelly craved his closeness and the silent support he always gave her by simply being there. This was a battle she had to fight for herself, she realized. And fight she would. “At least I didn’t lose my temper,” she groused, blotting her eyes once again.
Going to the washroom, Kelly repaired her makeup and put a touch of lipstick on for good measure to bolster her bruised ego. The day was only half over, she realized. And it was almost noon. Today she needed a drink. The idea was a tantalizing reprieve and she went to her office, grabbing her purse.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Kelly swallowed a gasp. Her eyes widened. “Sam!” she cried, throwing her arms around his neck.
He grinned, pulling her against him, loving the feel of her soft curves against his body. He inhaled deeply of her warm scent. “God, you smell good,” he whispered, burying his face against her hair, “like fresh apricots. And you look beautiful.”
Stunned at his appearance, she could only hug him tightly. “Oh, Sam…I’m so glad you’re home! So glad….”
“Hey…tears?” He released her, cupping her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze. “Of happiness, I hope?” he teased.
“Yes…no…oh, I just had that meeting with Wallace,” she blurted. “Don’t mind me, I’m just a big crybaby.”
Sam chuckled softly, pulling a clean handkerchief from the pocket of his white uniform. “I happen to love a certain big crybaby. Now stand still for just a moment and let me wipe the tears away.”
Kelly stood obediently, her heart thumping wildly in her breast. She blinked several times, searching his face. He was freshly showered and clean shaven. His uniform was white and fresh. “When did you get in? I mean—”
He dropped a kiss on her lips, effectively silencing her. She tasted sweet, clean and inviting as he explored her responsive lips. Finally, he drew away, his eyes turbulent with awakening desire. “I talked Coots into letting me come home early. I didn’t want you facing Wallace alone,” he explained.
Kelly’s face grew tender. “Oh, Sam…”
“Looks like I was a little late.”
She leaned against him, slipping her arms around his waist, content to be held by him. “No, you’re never too late.”
“Were you able to make him admit his part in the bribery?”
“Yes, but it was a terrible scene.”
Sam nodded. “Now it means a court battle.”
“Yes. Wallace is running scared, Sam. And it’s about time.”
He gave her a brief hug. “Come on, let’s talk over the details at lunch. Hungry?” There was mirth in the depths of his blue eyes as he gazed down at her.
She gave him one fierce embrace and then slipped her hand into his. “Starved for you, Sam Tyler.”
He shared a wicked smile with her. “Then I have a better idea. You have any pressing appointments this afternoon?”
She shook her head. “What did you have in mind?”
He guided her down the hall and out to the white Cadillac with the Boots and Coots emblem on the doors. “I told Coots I was taking a few weeks off.”
“Weeks?” she gasped, turning to him, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Sam’s laughter was infectious as he drank in her indignant expression. “Oh, I see. The lady thinks I’m inviting her to my bed not for an afternoon but for a couple of weeks!” She turned crimson. “You’re such a—”
“There she goes again, blowing off all that Irish steam. Accusing me of being a sex fiend when my intentions were strictly honorable.” He grinned, his teeth white against the bronze of his flesh, his blue eyes crinkled with laughter. He gripped her arm. “Come on, Kelly Blanchard, let’s go eat. We’ve got a whole lifetime of plans to discuss this afternoon.”
* * *
New York Times
bestselling author
LINDSAY McKENNA
brings you into the line of fire with Operation Shadow Warriors…
The Alpha Platoon. A unit of Navy SEALs stationed in the unforgiving heat of Afghanistan…who just learned that their newest team member is a woman. But Bay Thorn has a spine of steel—and the chops to prove it. Without a team to back her up, however, she’s dead in the water. And her only ally is Gabe Griffin, a lone SEAL who is lethal, dangerous and unbearably attractive.
Between the open hostility from Bay’s team and the harsh Al Qaeda territory, Gabe is a lifeline for her. But mutual respect quickly grows into mutual attraction. And with each day and every assignment, the longing only deepens. They mustn’t speak of it. Mustn’t act on it. Because in this line of work, falling in love can get you killed….
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Trained to kill, but built for love…
From
New York Times
bestselling author
LINDSAY McKENNA
Captain Morgan Boland is at the top of her game, as is navy SEAL Jake Ramsay, her former lover. Then a military computer selects them to partner in a special op. The mission can’t be compromised by their personal history—and they have truckloads of it.
But the Afghan assignment might provide the discipline they need to finally get it together—outside the bedroom, that is. A lot has happened over the two years since they last went their separate ways. And there’s way more to Morgan than Jake has ever given her credit for….