He wouldn’t dial that number. Not yet. Galen had interfered with his business and helped that bitch steal his son. He didn’t want him to walk away without suffering. He’d give Gomez a chance to locate him first.
And then perhaps he’d invite him to his gym for a little workout.
7
“Good morning.” Judd Morgan turned away from the cabinet and smiled at Elena. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I’d offer you something to eat, but Galen is very territorial about his domain. I’m a junk-food addict. I have to sneak in here and have my Frosted Flakes.”
“I’d like coffee.” She glanced at his bowl and the box beside it. It really was Frosted Flakes. “I’ll get it. If you’re really sneaking, you don’t have much time. I think Galen and Barry are almost finished with his lessons.”
“Sounds like he’s having a great time. And he learns fast. He’s been at it for almost a week, hasn’t he?”
She hadn’t thought Morgan was even aware of what was going on in the gym. She had scarcely seen him except at lunch and dinner. “Yes, he’s getting better every day.” She poured her coffee. And she was getting better too. Every session was easier for her to watch. This was the first morning she had felt that it wouldn’t be running away for her to leave the gym. “Galen is quite a taskmaster. He never gives up.”
“No, he doesn’t.” He took a bite of his cereal. “But he won’t hurt the kid.”
“That’s what he said about you.”
He paused with his spoon in midair. “He told you about me? He must trust you. He’s been damn careful about hiding me here. But, then, you’re one of his orphans too, aren’t you?”
“I’d hardly refer to either of us as an orphan.”
“Neither would Galen, but I believe somewhere deep in that convoluted mind of his, that’s the way he thinks of us. He’s a problem-solver, and we each have a problem.” He took another bite of cereal. “He struggles against it, but it’s his nature. As for me, I couldn’t be more pleased. To hell with pride. That little quirk of his saved my neck. He whisked me out of that jam in the nick of time.”
As he had whisked Elena away from that mountain and then the vineyard. “Have you known him long?”
“About five years. We met on a job in Sydney and we’ve run into each other several times over the years.” He pushed his bowl away. “He has contacts and heard I had been set up for a fall and gave me a ring. I was only minutes ahead of the squad that was sent to take me out.”
“And he brought you here?”
“He thought it was pretty safe. They didn’t know we were that close friends.” He grimaced. “Neither did I. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to act on that phone call.”
“But you were glad you did.”
“Hell, yes.” His lips twisted. “I just wish Logan would get on the stick. I’m getting edgy.”
She changed the subject. “I saw your painting. I liked it.”
“So do I. I like everything I’m doing here. I was tired and ready to quit the game anyway.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “But you aren’t, are you?”
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “I grew pretty good at interpreting body language over the years. You’re not hiding, you’re waiting.”
She hadn’t even realized he’d been studying her. “So?”
“Nothing. Do anything you please. Play any gambit. But make sure Galen comes out of this in one piece.”
She stared at him curiously. “And what would you do if I didn’t?”
“I owe him. What do you think?”
She had never seen a more chilling smile. “Then it’s a good thing that I’ve no intention of letting anything happen to him, isn’t it?” She stood up. “Thanks for the coffee, Morgan.”
“My pleasure.”
She left the kitchen and went down the hall toward the gym. Waiting, not hiding.
Judd Morgan was as perceptive as Galen, but she wasn’t quite as ruthless as he thought. She wasn’t so filled with hate that she’d sacrifice the innocent with the guilty.
Or would she? When the time came, would she stop at anything to rid their lives of Chavez? He had hovered over her like a hideous gargoyle, always there, always a threat. She didn’t want him to have that kind of power over her any longer.
Barry’s session was over only a few minutes after she returned to the gym, and he streaked by her to go upstairs and wash up. Galen stopped her as she started after him. “You left. Everything okay?”
“I heard Morgan in the kitchen and went to get a cup of coffee. I need caffeine to get my day started.”
“If you felt the need for outside stimulus, you must be getting better.”
She nodded.
“Thank God.” He grinned at her. “I’d have been truly chastened if I was wrong. Though, of course, it doesn’t happen often and everyone is entitled to one mistake in a millennium. Still, it would—”
“Hush.” She couldn’t help smiling. He was as flushed and gleaming as Barry had been, and the energy level was even greater. She had the sudden urge to reach out and rumple his dark hair as she did her son’s. Not a good idea. “Next you’re going to throw a quote from your mum at me, and I’m not up to that.”
“Why not? You’ve had your caffeine.” His stride was springy as he headed toward the staircase. “Well, did you bond with Judd?”
“Not exactly.”
He stopped at the hesitation in her tone and turned to look at her.
“He warned me not to let anything happen to you.”
“Understandable. He’s a bit protective. He knows what a weak, fragile being I am.”
She snorted.
“But I’m curious why the subject came up.”
“He said I wasn’t hiding, I was waiting.”
“Ah, Judd is a bright man. He’d understand the distinction.”
“You didn’t talk to him about Chavez?”
“I told him he was looking for you and the boy. No, I didn’t tell him that you were going to find a way to rid yourself of Chavez permanently. But he might have figured it out if he’d run across those afternoon workouts you put yourself through in the barn.”
She stiffened. She’d tried to keep those exercise sessions private.
“It’s my job to know where you are at any given time,” he said, answering her unspoken question. “Those workouts are pretty strenuous. How is your wound?”
“Healing.”
“I figured it was or I would have stepped in.” He gave a mock sigh of relief. “I’m glad I didn’t have to do it. I value my neck. You’re a truly fearsome woman.”
“And you’re full of bull.”
“But of the most entertaining variety.” He stopped with one foot on the steps. “I’ll tell Judd not to hold you responsible if Chavez gets lucky. I knew what I was getting into.”
“But you wanted to solve the problem. What is it with you? Are you so bored that you have to get involved with everyone around you?”
“I’m not bored. Not this time,” he said quietly. “I find you very … stimulating.”
She inhaled sharply. He had moved away from lightness to disturbing gravity in the space of a heartbeat. She looked away from him. “I solve my own problems, Galen.”
He nodded. “That’s why you’re trying to get stronger. How are you with weapons? Have you lost any of your skills in the past six years?”
She shook her head. “I grew up with guns and knives. That’s something you don’t lose.”
“But you do lose the edge in hand-to-hand combat. It’s something I’ll have to think about.” He started up the steps two at a time. “Right after my shower. Turn on the oven and preheat it to four-fifty, will you? I’m making biscuits this morning.”
She stared after him. It was hard to contend with all that energy and boundless self-confidence. She often felt as if she had come too near a lightning bolt. She had meant to establish her independence and also tell him she had no intention of making him a victim
. It hadn’t happened. He had caught her off guard and she had become defensive.
Later.
She sighed as she went into the kitchen to turn on the oven.
Elena was sound asleep in the hammock on the porch.
Galen carefully closed the screen door behind him and paused a moment, gazing down at her. He hadn’t seen her this vulnerable since that night at Tomaco. When she was awake, she always seemed totally alert and wary. No, that wasn’t quite true. There were moments with Dominic and Barry when she looked soft and sort of … glowing. It had been hard to keep his eyes off her.
The glow was not there now, but her cheeks were flushed from the heat. Her lips were relaxed and slightly parted and her body was—
Better not think about her body.
Better stop staring at her entirely. He had come out here to track down Judd, who was standing at the corral fence a short distance from the porch. So get down to business.
He kept an eye on her as he moved silently across the porch and down the steps.
She didn’t stir.
“I’m going to try to paint your damn corral. It’s got some interesting contrast lines and lights and shadows,” Judd said as Galen reached him. “But you could have provided me with some horses. What’s a corral without horses?”
“Empty?” Galen leaned on the fence. “Look at it this way. Anyone could paint a corral teeming with horses. It’s been done. You’ll be interpreting the loneliness, the progress of time, the cowboy myth without his old pal—”
“I’m beginning to feel ill.”
“Then I’ll let you make up your own reasons.” Galen gazed out at the mountains. “I have a favor to ask, Judd.”
“Besides doing the dishes?”
“I realize you don’t like to get your valuable hands chapped, but someone’s got to do the day-to-day drudgery. I have to save myself for bigger things.”
“Knock it off, Galen.”
The flippancy dropped from Galen like a discarded shirt. “I want you to work out with Elena.”
“What?”
“I want you to spar with her. Hand-to-hand.”
Judd glanced at Elena sleeping in the hammock. “No way.”
“She needs it.”
“You mean you want me to teach her some moves?”
“No, she might be able to teach you a few. She just needs the practice.”
Judd’s brows lifted skeptically. “She’s a woman. I have a problem with beating up women.”
“Give her a chance. She might surprise you.”
“You were in the Special Forces too. And you’ve done a hell of a lot more hand-to-hand than I have in the last few years. You do it.”
“That’s not an option.”
“Why not?”
He didn’t speak for a moment. “Because she’d know right away that I want to get my hands on her in a different way.”
“Oh.”
“So will you do it?”
He shook his head. “I’m not used to holding back. I could kill her.”
Galen looked back at Elena. It was clear she was in a deep sleep.…
What the hell. “Do you have your switchblade on you?”
Judd stared at him with narrowed eyes. “What are you up to?”
“Just a little test. Do you?”
“In my pocket.”
“Take it out, but don’t spring the blade yet.”
Judd took the knife out of his jeans. “What now?”
“Put your arm around my neck from behind.”
Judd locked Galen’s neck from behind. “This is dangerous,” he murmured. “I’ve got a lot of smothered resentment for all those dishes I’ve been washing.”
“Now release the switchblade.”
The sound was a smooth metallic click. “Why? Do you want a shave? That’s not—”
Galen pushed him aside, whirled, and held up his arm to ward off the attack.
Elena’s hand was coming down on the back of Judd’s neck.
Galen grabbed her wrist. “Hold it. It’s okay. Just a demonstration.”
Elena started to struggle and then stopped. “The hell it was.” Her eyes were dazed and she shook her head to clear it.
“She was asleep.” Judd was staring thoughtfully at Elena. “Sound asleep.”
“Until she heard something unfamiliar and then caught sight of you holding me in a headlock. Battle instinct. We’ve both seen soldiers dead to the world respond automatically when an enemy comes near.” He released Elena and stepped back. “She was fast, wasn’t she?”
“And you were stupid,” Elena said coldly. “I could have killed Morgan.”
“If I hadn’t been expecting you.” He turned to Judd. “That was a shuto blow aimed at the back of the neck. If it had landed, you’d have been permanently crippled or dead. Are you still worried about hurting her?”
“Hell no.” He snapped his switchblade shut and jammed it into his pocket. “Let her look out for herself.”
“Who said I didn’t?” Elena glared at Galen. “What’s happening here, dammit?”
“You evidently impressed Judd as being too gentle to defend your life and limbs. I just gave a little demonstration to show him he wouldn’t need to bother his conscience about it. You’ll do it, Judd?”
He nodded slowly. “In the gym tomorrow morning?”
“Late afternoon. Barry takes his nap then,” Galen said. “And not the gym. The barn.”
“You’ve got it.” Judd moved toward the house. “But I only do those damn dishes every other night.”
“If you insist. But be careful, I’d take it badly if you accidentally killed her.”
“You can’t have it both ways.”
“Sure I can.”
“Will you talk to me?” Elena said to Galen through her teeth as Morgan disappeared into the house. “What’s all this about?”
“You need hand-to-hand practice. Judd has graciously agreed to act as your sparring partner. You’ll find he’s very good.”
“And what if I don’t want his help?”
“Then I went to the trouble of getting you two together for nothing. I hate it when a plan doesn’t come together.”
“And I hate it when someone makes plans without consulting me.”
“Don’t you need the practice?”
“Yes.”
“And wouldn’t it be foolish not to take advantage of a willing and able partner?” She scowled at him.
“And why wouldn’t I assume you’d do anything necessary to get ready for Chavez?”
“You could have asked me.”
“I wasn’t sure I could get Judd to cooperate. Then I would have had to disappoint you.”
“I’ve been disappointed before.”
“I know.” He met her gaze. “And it makes me sad. I didn’t want to be the one to do it again.” He started for the porch steps. “Are you going to use Judd?”
“Yes.” She grimaced. “But you’re the one I should have chopped. If you’re looking for a problem to solve, go look somewhere else.”
“But you’re such great material.” His dark eyes were twinkling as he glanced over his shoulder while opening the screen door. “And I should call your attention to the fact that you didn’t chop me. You did your damnedest to save my neck. Does that mean you’re growing fond of me?”
“It means I was half asleep.”
“Crushed again. Oh, well, better my ego than my larynx.” He disappeared into the house.
She gazed after him with exasperation. He should have consulted with her. It was true that he’d done her a favor enlisting Morgan to spar with her, but that didn’t mean he had a right to assume control. He was bulldozing ahead, providing what he thought she needed, manipulating the people around him.
But it hadn’t been bulldozing to arrange for her sessions to be in the barn instead of the gym. She was getting less traumatized about that nightmare setting every day, but Galen had realized she wasn’t ready to be thrown into combat in those s
urroundings. He had displayed an understanding and sensitivity for which she was deeply grateful. What the hell kind of man was he?
She shouldn’t think about him. He was too disturbing both mentally and physically. Lately she had found herself watching him instead of her son during those morning sessions. At first it had been an objective admiration of his quickness and the almost animal grace with which he moved. She wouldn’t lie to herself and claim what she was feeling now was still objective. The heat was too strong to be anything but sex.
She instinctively shied away from the thought. Not with Galen. Not with anyone. She couldn’t face it. Accept what Galen offered and don’t get involved. Don’t ever let yourself willingly do what Chavez made you do. Run away, keep up your guard.…
Run away?
She stiffened as she realized what she was thinking.
Good God.
“You’re all sweaty,” Barry said. “And you’ve got straw in your hair. Have you been playing in the barn with Judd again?”
“Yes.” She brushed a kiss on his forehead. “What have you been doing?”
“Galen went into town and bought me a keyboard. Dominic says it will work just like the piano I had at home.”
“That will be fun for you.”
“Can I come and watch you next time you’re in the barn?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I let you watch me in the gym.”
Barry would be frightened silly if he saw those workouts. Judd Morgan was good, innovative, and totally ruthless, and her response was equally unrestrained. It had been a valuable eight days and she felt almost at her old level of competence. “Sometimes grown-up games can be kind of scary.”
“But you told me I had to face scary stuff, and most of the time that made it go away. Remember when I thought there was a monster under my bed? We got down and looked.”
“Maybe after a few more sessions I’ll let you come.” She changed the subject. “Will you play me ‘Yankee Doodle’ after I get out of the shower?”