In The Lawman's Protection

“Do you not get cell coverage on your phone out here?” he finally asked. He could understand if she didn’t want to contact Freihof, but surely there was something more interesting to do than just stare at her hands.

Her eyes flew to his. “I’m sorry?”

“People are on their phones all the time. It’s unusual to see someone without one these days. I thought maybe yours just doesn’t have coverage.”

She shifted a little in her seat. “Oh, yeah. That’s it. No coverage.”

“No games or anything? E-reader?”

She shifted again, looking away. “My phone...isn’t working right. So, not having coverage doesn’t matter. And it’s not much use for anything else.”

He gave her his friendliest smile. “Going to be a long trip without anything to do. Or maybe you just prefer paper books?”

That got him a real smile. “Actually, I love paper books. But I didn’t have a chance to buy any before I left.”

“Sudden trip or are you like me, a last-minute packer?”

She relaxed just the slightest bit. “A little of both, I guess. Wasn’t planning on taking the train, but the bus was full.”

Ren nodded. “Yeah, the strike. What a mess.” He shut his computer, watching to see if she would tense and turn away, pleased when she didn’t. “I suppose you’re going to mock me now.”

Those blue eyes flew to his. “I am? Why?”

“Because of my fear of flying. I just can’t stand the thought of being in an airplane. Therefore, my life involves a lot of buses, driving or, in this case, trains.”

“What do you do?”

“I have a sheep and dairy farm in Montana.”

Damn it, where the hell had that come from? A small auto parts store owner in Saint Louis. That was supposed to be his cover, something nondescript and not very memorable.

Why the hell had he told her the truth? He did have a sheep and dairy farm in Montana. His parents and brother lived and worked there. Ren had been itching to get back there himself.

But he definitely had not been planning to tell his suspect about it.

“Oh, wow, like cows and sheep?” She sounded a little excited before laughing harshly at herself. “Of course cows and sheep. I’m an idiot.”

“Nah, don’t say that. But yes, cows and sheep. We sell wool to some boutique stores out in California and across the country.”

Damn it, more truth. But he was committed to it now, so he’d have to stick with it.

“That’s pretty interesting. I’ve always loved animals, but...”

Only when it became obvious she wasn’t going to finish did he prompt her. “But what?” he asked gently.

She looked back out to the blackened window for the longest time. “But having a pet or being around them just never worked out for me.”

“Did you know that during WWI President Woodrow Wilson had a flock of sheep trim the White House lawn?”

She laughed, then looked surprised by the sound. “You’re making that up.”

“I’m not, Scout’s honor.” She liked animals? That he could give her. “My family got into sheep and dairy farming because my mother loved animals and couldn’t stand the thought of slaughter. So sheep and dairy cows it became.”

He told her some more entertaining stories about growing up with his brother on the farm, about getting chased around by chickens when he was a toddler and how his brother, Will, had thought that black sheep were dirty and tried to wash one when he was young.

And damned if he hadn’t used Will’s real name. A pretty common name, but still.

By the time he’d finished she almost looked like a completely different person. Her face was more relaxed, unguarded. Her long legs were tucked up under her as she’d turned to the side to listen to him, head against her seat, playing with the braid over one shoulder.

Every time he’d stopped telling a story, tried to get the conversation turned back to her, she’d asked another question about his life. Some downright insightful.

Had his father considered becoming a large-animal vet at one time? Yes, until he’d realized he wanted to own his animals and farm.

Did his mother ever knit them anything from a particular sheep they’d loved? Yes. Ren still had a sweater she’d made him from a sheep he’d once carried home after it had broken its leg.

Had he and his brother both reached a point where they’d felt trapped by the farm and wanted to get away?

That one wasn’t as easy to answer. Yes, Ren had left just after high school, deciding he’d preferred the excitement of joining the army than staying there any longer. The army had fast realized his ability to pick up new skills quickly, as well as his natural strength and intelligence. They’d fast-tracked him into special forces.

Ren had loved the army but had gotten out after six years when he was approached to start a special law enforcement task group that would be made up of the best agents and ex-soldiers the country had to offer. He’d birthed Omega Sector. And had been fighting bad guys ever since.

Like the bad guy sitting across from him now, with alabaster skin, her blue eyes drooping. She would’ve fooled him, he had to admit. If he hadn’t already known what she was capable of, he wouldn’t have believed it.

So yeah, he’d left the farm because it had made him feel trapped. Like nothing ever happened there. But he was beginning to realize how wrong that was. Maybe shootouts and arrests didn’t happen there, but life did.

Light did.

He’d been living in the darkness so long that light was starting to seem damn more appealing.

“You going to go to sleep there, Peaches?”

One eyebrow cocked. “Peaches?”

He shrugged. “Your skin. Just looks smooth, like peaches and cream. My mom used to make it for us.” Damn it, the truth. Again.

“Yeah, I’m a little tired. My name’s Natalie, by the way.”

He smiled. “I’m Warren Thompson, but generally go by Ren. Get some rest. I’ll make sure no one attacks you with a sandwich. We’ve got a long way to go.”

Plus, it would make it much easier for him to do what he was about to do if she was already out.

Her nod was full of trust, and just for a second guilt ate at Ren. It didn’t get any better when she tucked herself into a tighter ball on her seat a few minutes later, one small hand curled under her chin.

He forced the feelings away. He wasn’t dragging her into the darkness; she already lived there.

He just hoped he’d be able to find his way back to the light when this was all over. After what he had to do. Because the light had never seemed so far away.

Chapter Five (#u1a8163ec-4a20-5065-a000-7db087a1991b)