Millions of lives are on the line. But for him, only one truly matters.

It’s not in bodyguard Jake Cantrell’s job description to share his suspicions with his assignments. Beautiful executive Sage Dumont may be in charge, but Jake’s not on her payroll. As a former special forces marine, Jake trusts his gut, and it’s telling him there’s something off about a shipment arriving at Marine Drilling International. His instinct is aroused…in more ways than one.

A savvy businesswoman, Sage knows better than to take some hired gun’s “hunch” as gospel. And yet she is learning not to underestimate the man her grandfather hired to protect her. Determined to prove Jake wrong, Sage does some digging of her own and turns up deadly details she was never meant to see.

Drawn into a terrifying web of lies and deceit—and into feelings they can’t afford to explore—what Jake and Sage uncover may be frighteningly worse than they ever imagined.

Selected praise for

The Raines of Wind Canyon

Against the Wind

“This is definitely a page-turner full of compassion and love

shared by two unlikely souls. This is a ‘don’t miss’ read.…

Kat Martin is a very gifted writer who takes you from the beginning to the end in total suspense.”

—Fresh Fiction

“Kat Martin has delivered yet another rockin’

romantic suspense. Stockpiled with suspense and passion,

Against the Wind kept me reading, dying to find out the truth.…

I’ll be intently waiting for Jackson’s brothers’ upcoming stories.

I can’t recommend [it] highly enough!”

—Joyfully Reviewed

“With the first novel of her new Raines of Wind Canyon trilogy, Martin brings us a rugged hero, a strong-willed heroine and a story filled with romance, grit, tension and suspense set in the Wyoming mountains. Martin definitely delivers.”

—RT Book Reviews

“Per her usual, Ms. Martin not only writes a highly entertaining book; in Against the Wind she also tackles some major social issues in the process…this book will not disappoint.”

—Romance Readers Choice

Against the Fire

“After reading the first book about the Raines brothers,

I knew Kat Martin would have to do something pretty amazing to make her second book as much of a joy to read.

As soon as I opened the book, I realized that she has succeeded…I simply loved this book.

I didn’t want to put it down.”

—Suspense Romance Writers

“There’s something irresistible about a bad boy.…

There’s lots of sizzle and burn—and it’s not all from

a mysterious arsonist—when Gabe meets the fiery and surprising Mattie. This sexy page-turner is a perfect blend of romance, mystery and action.”

—RT Book Reviews

“Right from the opening scene of Against the Fire, readers will be pulled into the heart-stopping action…[and] hold their breath as each fire brings even more danger for Mattie and Gabe.…

A fascinating page-turner, one you won’t want to miss.”

—Romance Reviews Today

Against the Law

“Once you start Against the Law, be prepared not to stop

until you’ve reached the end. With its nonstop action,

nail-biting episodes mixed with some sizzling love scenes,

this is one I highly recommend.”

—Romance Reviews Today

“4 ½ quills! Ms. Martin has struck the motherload…

Against the Law is by far the most powerfully intense

romantic suspense with its charismatic characters,

[and] a story line that defies gravity.”

—Romantic Crush Junkies

“An amazing story line that will keep you enthralled.”

—Night Owl Romance

Against the Storm

“As you might suspect from any Kat Martin book,

this is gloriously suspenseful, magnificent reading

and filled with hot and wonderful passion. Martin is superb!”

—Romance Reviews Magazine

“Truly a gifted author, I’ve never read a book by Kat Martin that wasn’t immediately headed for my keeper shelf. Historical or contemporary, she’s a must read for me. With Against the Storm she proves once again why I keep coming back for more.”

—Joyfully Reviewed

“Fans of Martin’s Raines of Wind Canyon trilogy are going to love meeting more of his testosterone-and-honor-laden family…the romantic suspense is tautly compelling and the psychological terror ratchets up with each red herring. Readers aren’t going to be able to put the light out until the last page.”

—RT Book Reviews

Also by Kat Martin

SEASON OF STRANGERS

THE SUMMIT

SCENT OF ROSES

The Raines of Wind Canyon

AGAINST THE NIGHT

AGAINST THE STORM

AGAINST THE LAW

AGAINST THE FIRE

AGAINST THE WIND

The Bride Trilogy

RULE’S BRIDE

REESE’S BRIDE

ROYAL’S BRIDE

The Heart Trilogy

HEART OF COURAGE

HEART OF FIRE

HEART OF HONOR

The Necklace Trilogy

THE HANDMAIDEN’S NECKLACE

THE DEVIL’S NECKLACE

THE BRIDE’S NECKLACE

Watch for the next book

in The Raines of Wind Canyon series,

AGAINST THE ODDS

Kat Martin

Against the Sun

To the FBI, DEA, ICE and other agencies

of Homeland Security, and the men and women

who work so hard to keep us safe.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Epilogue

Author’s Note

BPA

One

Middle East Unrest Travels to Houston

One Dead in Protests.

Jake Cantrell turned off the engine of his Jeep and glanced over at the front page of the Houston Chronicle lying on the passenger seat. The headline in the morning paper was a reminder of why he was there, parked in front of the mirrored-glass, fourteen-story Marine Drilling International building.

It was still hot as Hades today, the first of September, the sun and humidity baking him in his navy blue suit and white shirt as he strode toward the wide concrete steps leading up to the front doors. The clothes were the worst part of a protection detail—wearing a jacket and tie instead of the jeans and T-shirts he lived in most of the time. But the pay was top-notch and he’d been getting more and more restless sitting behind a desk at Atlas Security, handling the day-to-day management of the company while the owner, his best friend, Trace Rawlins, and Trace’s wife, Maggie, were off on an extended honeymoon in Australia.

Jake was damn glad they were finally home.

Pushing through the heavy glass doors, he entered the lobby, icy-cold in comparison to the wet heat outside. He headed for the bank of elevators and stepped inside one, pushed the button for the twelfth floor, then waited through the ride to the executive level.

The time hands on his heavy steel wristwatch said he was a few minutes early for his ten o’clock appointment with Ian Dumont, the founder of Marine Drilling, CEO and chairman of the board. The family-owned business, originally Dumont Drilling, had been in oil production since the fifties, when Ian had made his first big strike along the Gulf Coast.

Today, they were mostly in offshore oil and gas production, thus the name change to Marine Drilling International. The Dumont family was well-known in Houston society, with big money and everything that went with it.

Walking out of the elevator, he made his way across shiny black granite floor to the reception desk, where his shoes sank into thick gray carpet. The waiting area was all black leather sofas and chairs, the desk itself smooth dark walnut and chrome. Nothing but the best for the Dumonts.

A good-looking woman in her late twenties with wavy, shoulder-length, mink-brown hair was busily searching the drawers and cabinets behind the desk. The way she bent over in her tailored pencil skirt provided him with a perfect view of a very shapely ass.

He almost smiled.

Even the help was first-class.

She jerked upright at his approach, noticing him for the first time, and her face colored. It was a pretty face with amazing golden-brown eyes that looked him up and down, which took a while, Jake being six-five, two hundred thrty-five pounds.

“May I help you?” she asked.

He gave her a smile. “I’m Jake Cantrell. I’ve got an appointment at ten with Ian Dumont.”

She frowned, looked down at the computer screen on the desk, but apparently didn’t see his name. “He didn’t mention it. He’s getting ready for another meeting. You might have to wait awhile.”

“Not a problem. In the meantime, I could sure use a cup of coffee.”

Amusement tipped her mouth up, making a tiny dimple appear next to those plump, rose-colored lips. He could see the curves beneath her tailored suit, suggesting her breasts were just the right size, and her waist was small.

Jake’s groin tightened. Which surprised him, since he needed the coffee to recover from the night he’d spent with Deanna Leblanc, an old flame who was in Houston to film a TV commercial.

The receptionist cast him a look. “I’ll see what I can do.” But she didn’t make a move, just turned to the woman hurrying toward her across the waiting room.

“Oh, I’m so sorry I’m late, Ms. Dumont,” the newcomer said.

Son of a bitch. A Dumont, Jake thought. Asking her to fetch him a cup of coffee was probably not the best idea he’d ever had.

“Is Paulo all right?” the Dumont woman asked.

“My son wasn’t driving, thank God.” The real receptionist, attractive and in her mid-forties, had straight black hair pulled back in a bun and smooth, olive skin. “Paulo has a concussion and a couple of fractured ribs, but it looks like he’s going to be okay. Thank you for covering while I was gone.”

“Your boy was in a car accident, Marie. It wasn’t a problem. I’m just glad he’s going to be all right.” The Dumont woman tipped her head toward Jake, her soft mahogany curls sliding around her shoulders, making the muscles across his abdomen clench.

“Mr. Cantrell is here to see Ian,” she said. “I have to get to the meeting. Could you fetch him a cup of coffee while he waits?”

Jake felt the slight rebuke in the glance she cast his way. Clearly, she wasn’t used to fetching a man much of anything.

“Of course,” Marie said. Ms. Dumont walked away, heading for the tall walnut door leading into Ian Dumont’s imperial domain. Her strides were long and purposeful, Jake noticed, as if she had someplace important to go. He liked a woman who didn’t dawdle. And his earlier assessment was right—she had a great ass and a pair of legs that wouldn’t quit. She was only about five-six, but her expensive spike heels pushed her somewhere close to six feet.

He watched her disappear behind the door, wondering what role she played in the Dumont empire, then turned his attention to the receptionist.

Marie was smiling. “Mr. Cantrell?”

“That’s right.”

“Mr. Dumont mentioned yesterday that you would be coming in this morning. I believe he wants to see you as soon as you arrive.” She indicated the office door. “I’ll bring coffee for everyone into the meeting.”

“Thank you, Marie.”

The woman blushed as Jake turned and walked away. It was his size mostly, he figured, that made women take a second look. He was used to it by now.

He swung open the walnut door and stepped inside, finding only two people in the room—the woman he had subtly insulted and a silver-haired gentleman in his late seventies, slightly stooped but still impressive, undoubtedly Ian Dumont.

“Mr. Cantrell, I assume,” the man said. “Our mutual friend, Trace Rawlins, had nothing but good things to say when he recommended you for this job.” Trace knew Ian well. He’d recently helped design the state-of-the-art alarm system for Marine Drilling when the building was renovated. “Please join us.”

The Dumont woman was staring, one of her dark eyebrows slightly elevated in question. He noticed she was wearing a flashy diamond engagement ring. Since he felt a jolt of heat whenever he looked at her, it was probably good she was out of his reach.

Ian Dumont walked the length of the long conference table to greet him, reaching out to shake his hand—a strong, solid handshake that set the tone for the discussion ahead. He’d once had calluses on those hands, Jake figured.

“Why don’t we all sit down?” the CEO suggested.

They grouped themselves at one end of the table, which was done in the same walnut and chrome as the waiting area. Wide plate-glass windows looked down on the city streets, and modern artwork in bold bright colors lined the inner walls.

The door swung open and Marie walked in with a silver coffee service. She set the tray down on the table and poured each of them a cup.

“Thank you, Marie,” Ian said as she quietly headed back out the door. He fixed his attention on Jake. “I asked you here today to discuss providing security for one of our people during an upcoming business negotiation.”

“Right. An S. E. Dumont, you said, when we spoke on the phone.”

“That is correct.”

“Wait a minute,” the woman interrupted, her gaze sliding toward Jake. “Ian, you aren’t thinking—”

“Mr. Cantrell, I’d like you to meet my granddaughter, Sage Elizabeth Dumont.”

The room fell silent. Son of a bitch. She was his assignment?

“I don’t need a bodyguard, Ian.”

The older man turned toward her, a determined glint in eyes that looked strikingly similar to the flashing, gold-ringed brown ones belonging to his granddaughter.

“This man has experience in Middle Eastern protocol as well as a background in personal security. Isn’t that correct, Mr. Cantrell?”

“This is a business transaction,” Sage argued. “I’m not in any sort of danger.”

Both men ignored her. “Over the years, I’ve done a lot of corporate protection work, both in South America and the Middle East,” Jake said. “I worked in Saudi Arabia for three years after I got out of the marines. So yes, I’m familiar with the protocols.”

“I understand you were in Special Forces. You served in Iraq, I believe?”

“That’s right.” Ian Dumont had done his homework.

“Sage is vice president of acquisitions and distribution for Marine Drilling. Currently she is involved in a transaction that may reach the three-hundred-million-dollar mark, a deal being negotiated with Sheik Khalid Al Kahzaz of Saudi Arabia. The sheik and his family are due to arrive in just a few days.”

“I see,” Jake said noncommittally. Protecting a corporate executive was one thing. Protecting a young socialite who got her job because she was a member of the Dumont family was something altogether different.

“With your experience,” Ian continued, as Jake took a sip of his coffee, “I’m hoping you will be able to guide my granddaughter through this visit with our Saudi friends, and should any trouble arise, also keep her safe.”

“That’s what I get paid for.”

Sage shifted in her chair, irritation clear in her face. “We need to discuss this in private, Ian.”

The old man smiled indulgently. “We can do that, of course, but the result will be the same. You’re representing Marine Drilling International. You will be prominently engaged in entertaining the sheik, his daughter and son, and the remainder of his party. The unrest in their part of the world has reached all the way to our city. A man was killed in a Middle Eastern prodemocracy demonstration last night.”

“That was an accident,” Sage protested. “He was hit by a car.”

“The police are still investigating. They’re not completely certain what actually happened. And even if it was an accident, tempers are running hot on all fronts. Your safety is vitally important to me. Mr. Cantrell will make certain you are safe.”

“But—”

“It will only be during the day, for as long as the sheik is here, or when you are somewhere entertaining him and his family. Along with that, there are things you need to know that Mr. Cantrell can teach you.”

Her shoulders tightened. “I understand there are business protocols, things I need to be aware of. I planned to research the subject. I’ve just been so busy… .”

“You work too hard, my dear. You need someone to help you. Mr. Cantrell can handle that.” Her grandfather rose from his chair and turned to Jake when he stood up, too. “When can you start?”

Part of him wanted to refuse the assignment. Jake didn’t want to deal with a bossy, cantankerous female. The other part was looking for something interesting to do after weeks of mostly sitting behind a desk. And keeping a pampered young woman like Sage Dumont out of trouble probably wouldn’t be dull.

“If we have only a short time before they arrive,” he found himself saying, “we had better get started today.”

“Splendid!” Ian said.

Sage’s spine went a little straighter. She fixed her gaze on Jake. Even in her high heels she had to look up at him, which he could tell she didn’t like.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll see you in my office in half an hour. Does that work for you?”

“I’ll be there.”

And then she was gone.

As soon as the door swooshed shut behind her, Jake heard Ian chuckle. “I knew she was going to pitch a fit about this—actually, I expected far worse. But I want her safe. She means everything to me, Mr. Cantrell.”

“It’s just Jake. And you can count on me to take care of her—whether she likes it or not.”

* * *

Sage marched into her office and slammed the door. A bodyguard. It was ridiculous. She couldn’t believe her grandfather would go to such extremes. The sheik and his family would be bringing their own security people. And the police had been officially notified of the visit. There was nothing for her grandfather to worry about.

Still, she knew how much he loved her. And Sage loved him.

She sighed as she walked to her desk. Ian Dumont had raised her since she was twelve years old. She respected him more than any other man she’d ever known.

She thought of the towering hulk who had asked her to bring him some coffee. Typical chauvinist. Marine Special Forces. Served in Iraq. The guy was all male, no doubt of that. She hadn’t missed the hot gleam in his eyes when she’d caught him watching her bent over at the reception desk.

She refused to acknowledge the jolt of awareness that had slipped through her when she first saw him standing there. For heaven sake, who wouldn’t notice a man who looked like that? The Terminator—only bigger and better looking. Dark brown, neatly trimmed hair, and those eyes. Light blue and beautiful.

Still, muscle jocks and ex-soldiers were hardly her type and even if she found this one attractive, she was engaged to be married. Her fiancé, Phillip Stanton, was vice president of their North Sea drilling operation. He was a few years older than Sage, handsome and sophisticated, from one of the best families in Houston. Exactly the sort of man she had always hoped to marry.

Sage looked up at the clock on the wall. Cantrell would be here soon. When a soft knock sounded, she was sure he’d arrived a few minutes early, but when the door swung open, it wasn’t him. Her best friend, Sabrina Eckhart, swept into the office. Red-haired and feisty, and currently dating a brilliant computer geek, Rina was a successful stockbroker who earned a very good living though the market was shooting up and down like an out-of-control fire hose.

“Sorry to barge in,” her friend said, though clearly she wasn’t sorry at all. Being best friends gave her plenty of latitude, and Sage was always glad to see her. “Marie said you were alone, and it’s almost noon. I thought I’d drop by, see if I could talk you into getting some lunch.”

Sage sighed. “I wish I could. I’m up to my ears in alligators, and on top of that, my grandfather’s hired me a bodyguard.”

Rina’s blue eyes widened. “Oh, my God—not that good-looking hunk out in the waiting room.”

“That’s him. Ex-soldier and all that.”

“I can imagine. Even in a suit, the guy looks tough enough to eat nails.”

He looked exactly like the kind of man her grandfather would choose, confident and capable, and underneath that veneer of civility, a very dangerous man. “It’ll just be for the Saudis’ visit. Granddad insisted. You know how protective he can be.”

“Maybe he’s right. Did you see what happened at the university last night? The students were protesting some damn thing and a guy got killed.”

“It was an accident.”

“Doesn’t make him any less dead.”

Sage’s lips twitched. “There is that.”

Another knock sounded, this one firm and faintly demanding. “No doubt who that is,” she grumbled.

Rina’s face lit up. “The Incredible Hunk? For God’s sake, let him in.”

Sage rolled her eyes. “What would Ryan say if he saw you drooling like that?”

Rina laughed. “Not much, since I’m usually drooling over him.”

Sage started for the door, but before she had time to reached it the knob turned and it swung open.

“You did say thirty minutes?” Cantrell’s deep voice boomed into the office.

Sage’s mouth tightened.

“I was just leaving,” Rina said, wiggling her fingers over her shoulder as she walked past the tall, brawny man standing in the doorway.

“Why don’t you come right in?” Sage said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Bad idea.” Cantrell closed the door behind him.

Sage’s gaze ran over him. She couldn’t remember seeing a more impressive male specimen. One she was going to have to put in his place right from the start.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “We need to get something straight right now.”

Cantrell cocked a dark eyebrow. “And that would be…?”

“I’m the boss here, not you. You work for me. That means you do as I say.”

“Sorry, no. I work for your grandfather, not you. You’re in charge as long as it involves your job. Until this is over and you’re no longer under my protection, I’m the boss and you do exactly what I say. That’s what we need to get straight.”

Sage just stared. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m deadly serious. It’s my job to keep you alive. That’s what I intend to do.”

Sage started shaking her head. “I’m not in any real danger and I can see right now this isn’t going to work.”

“Until your grandfather says differently, it’s going to work just fine.”

And that was the moment she realized she had lost the war. Ian would never back down—not on this. If she wanted to stay in charge of the negotiations with the Saudis—make the biggest purchase of used offshore drilling equipment in the history of the company, and save them millions of dollars—she had to deal with Jake Cantrell.

She let her arms fall back to her sides. “Fine, you win. When it comes to my protection, you’re in charge. The rest of the time I’m the boss. Does that satisfy you?”

The look he gave her said that wasn’t even close to the kind of satisfaction he wanted from her. Then he blinked and the expression was gone. She might have believed she’d imagined it if her stomach hadn’t floated up the way it did.

“That’ll work just fine.” He pulled an envelope out of the breast pocket of his navy blue coat, opened it and withdrew several sheets of paper. “These are notes I made on some of the protocols you and your people will need to learn. If you’re ready, we might as well get started.”

His blue eyes ran over her, but the heat was no longer there. Still, just looking at all that masculinity packaged so nicely made her skin feel warm. She told herself whatever minor attraction she felt to Jake Cantrell was unimportant. And that all of this would be over in just a few days.

Walking away from him, she sat down behind her desk. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Two

The lady was hot, no doubt about it. Jake knew a lot of pretty women, but Sage Dumont had something besides a beautiful face and what appeared to be a spectacular body. No, she wasn’t just pretty. She had a certain presence, a kind of aura about her. In the marines, the guys used to say a woman had It. That inexplicable quality that drew a man when his brain told him to run like hell the opposite way.

Fortunately, Sage was a Dumont, and to Jake that screamed high society, rich and spoiled. The lady might be great for a night or two in bed, but beyond that, he hadn’t the slightest interest.

One thing he knew. She might be engaged, but she wasn’t in love. A woman didn’t look at a man the way she looked at him when she was in love with someone else.

He couldn’t help pitying the unlucky bastard she was going to marry. Jake was just damned glad it wasn’t him.

Settling in one of the two cream leather chairs across from where she sat behind a sleek, black-granite topped desk, he unfolded several printed sheets of instruction.

“Let’s start with some general background,” he said. “I’ll make it short and to the point. If you know this already, stop me.” He glanced at her, saw he had her full attention. “Saudi Arabia is a monarchy bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf and Qatar.”

“I know where it is.”

“But you’ve never been there.”

“No.”

“Then maybe you don’t know that if you aren’t Muslim, you can’t go to Saudi Arabia without an invitation, nor can you leave without permission.” He checked to see if she was getting bored. “To give you some idea of the kind of people you’ll be dealing with, visitors to Saudi Arabia have to abide by sharia law. You can be imprisoned for possessing alcohol, pornography, drugs or even pork. Thieves still have their hands cut off, and capital crimes are punished by public beheadings.”

Her face went a little pale.

“It’s a different culture,” he went on. “They don’t think the way we do. That’s the first thing you need to know.”

She took a slow breath and started nodding. “All right. What else?”

“Knowing their names isn’t enough. You’ll need to find out how they want you to address them. If they’re members of the royal family—and there are six thousand of those—you’ll address a male as Your Highness. Unless he’s in line for the throne, in which case you would say Your Royal Highness.”

“I’ll get whatever information we need.”

“Saudi men don’t usually shake hands with women. Let them make the first move.”

“All right.”

“Do you own a skirt that comes below your knees?”

Her lips faintly curved. “Not this season.”

“Then buy some. And be sure your arms and shoulders are covered. What you have on is fine, but the skirt needs to be longer.”

“These people are coming to my country—I’m not going to theirs. I don’t see why I should change to please them.”

“How bad do you want to make this deal?”

It meant everything. If she closed this purchase, she could prove to her grandfather that she was the person to take over as president of the company when Michael Curtis resigned next year.

“I’ll take care of it,” she said.

“I need the details of their visit. How long they’ll be staying. Which hotel they’ll be in, what security measures are being taken.”

“We’ve booked them into the presidential suite at the Four Seasons. They’ll have the entire twentieth floor. It’s a five-star hotel and it’s close to the office. I was planning to leave security up to their own people.”

“Bad idea. They don’t know the city or the hotel. I can take a look if you want, see what might need to be done.”

“All right, yes. That sounds like a good idea.”

“And you’ll need to inform the local authorities of the visit.”

“Already done. Everything’s covered.”

They spent the better part of another hour going over the protocols, things like not waving someone forward with your fingers, which an Arab might do to summon a dog. Or making the okay sign, forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger, which meant you were giving the person the evil eye.

Sage was exhausted by the time Cantrell unfolded his tall frame from the chair. Damn, the man was big. He had feet the size of snowshoes and big hands, as well.

She didn’t let her mind wander in the direction that led her.

Instead, she thought that for a bodyguard he seemed fairly polished and intelligent. His clothes were perfectly tailored to fit his tall, broad-shouldered frame. His suit wasn’t a two-thousand-dollar Armani, but it hadn’t come off the rack at J. C. Penney’s, either.

He glanced down at the heavy watch on his wrist. “Why don’t we take a break?” he suggested. “You haven’t had lunch. We can meet back here in an hour, get started again.”

Her shoulders sagged. “I thought we were finished.”

Cantrell’s mouth edged up, a hard mouth, but sexy. “I hate to disappoint you, but we’re just getting started.”

Sage looked at the stack of notes on her desk, thought of the endless preparations she still needed to complete to get ready for the Saudis. “I’ve got appointments all afternoon. I won’t be finished until at least seven o’clock tonight.”

“All right, I’ll pick you up here at seven. We’ll catch some dinner and continue where we left off.”

She gazed up at him and inwardly groaned. She was exhausted from working the long hours necessary to prepare for the negotiation. Now she had to deal with Jake Cantrell.

To say nothing of the tug of attraction she felt whenever she looked at him. Or worse yet, when she felt him looking at her.

She wouldn’t act on any of it, of course. She was committed to Phillip. Which reminded her to call and tell him she wouldn’t be able to see him tonight. They would have only tomorrow evening to say goodbye before he returned to Edinburgh, where his North Sea drilling operations office was located.

Reluctantly, she returned her attention to Cantrell. “I’ll be ready when you get here,” she said. And wished she’d be going home to get some sleep instead.

* * *

Jake left the office and climbed into his Jeep. He’d bought it two months ago, a replacement for Sassy, the old, beat-up one that had served him so well over the years. The new Jeep was also black, but shiny, and had a canvas top without holes. He’d had it up all summer so he could run the air conditioner, which actually worked.

He cranked the engine, thinking of the evening ahead. What the hell had he been thinking? Yes, he needed to work with Sage as much as he could before the Saudis arrived. He sure as hell didn’t need to take the woman to dinner.

Yet there was something about Sage Dumont that interested him. He tried to think of her as the spoiled rich socialite she undoubtedly was, but somehow it didn’t seem to fit.

He reminded himself that she was engaged, and that cooled his ardor a little. Not enough.

He wondered what kind of man she had chosen to marry, and how she really felt about him, then reminded himself it was none of his damned business. Disgruntled that he had taken the assignment at all, he left downtown Houston and drove to his office in the University District, where he did freelance work for Atlas Security.

Jake shoved open the office door and walked in, passing Annie Mayberry, Trace’s receptionist and office manager, who was seated at the front desk. A small woman in her sixties with frizzy blond hair, Annie ran the place like a dictator. She also mothered the single men who worked there, and though they grumbled about her overprotective nature and salty disposition, everybody loved her.

“So how did it go?” she asked. “You take the job?”

“I’ll probably regret it, but yes, I did.”

One of her penciled eyebrows went up. “She’s a real beauty, that Sage.”

Jake’s steps slowed. He stopped and turned. “You knew Sage was the assignment? Why the hell didn’t you say something?”

Annie just smiled. “’Cause I was afraid you’d say no. You know how you can be when it comes to women.”

Jake frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you think a woman has only one job, and that’s to keep you entertained in bed. You aren’t interested in a female who might stand up to you. Sage Dumont is just as used to being in charge as you are. That has to chap your behind but good.”

Amusement warred with irritation. “She’s used to being in charge, all right. She works for her grandfather. Of course she’s in charge.”

“You might want to do a little checking on that. Sage started at the bottom. She’s good at what she does, and that’s why she’s been promoted so many times over the years.”

“How the hell could you possibly know that?”

“Because, smarty-pants, I read the newspapers. They’ve done a lot of stories about her and her family. Plus I did a little checking on the internet when Trace mentioned he was recommending you for the job.”

“All right, so let’s say she worked her fingers to the bone to get where she is today. Doesn’t change the fact that as long as I’m protecting her, she has do what I say.”

“You told her that? How’d that work out?”

“We talked things over and she agreed to follow my rules.”

Annie snorted as if he was deluding himself. “She’s engaged, you know.”

He scoffed. “That’s pretty hard to miss, with the size of the diamond she’s wearing.”

“Phillip’s not the right man for her.”

Jake couldn’t believe this conversation. And yet this was Annie. She had an uncanny ability to know everything that was going on, and she was usually right. “Really. And why is that?”

“Too soft. The guy was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s never done a hard day’s work in his life. You ask me, Phillip Stanton’s a social climber. He wants to be part of the Dumont royalty. Sage is his ticket in.”

Jake mulled that over, wondering if it might be true. “So why is she marrying him?”

Annie’s mouth puckered. “I haven’t quite figured that out. If I do, I’ll let you know.”

“You do that.” With a shake of his head, Jake headed for his desk. Trace wasn’t in today, but Sol Greenway, Trace’s computer whiz kid, was pounding away on his keyboard at the desk in his glass-enclosed office.

Trace employed two other freelancers in the office. Ben Slocum, an ex-Navy SEAL, was off investigating a case, but Alex Justice, also a P.I., was working at the desk next to Jake’s.

“Hey, buddy, how’s it going?” Alex asked. He was a former navy pilot, a jet jockey who was a lot tougher than his blond-haired, blue-eyed appearance made him seem. “Heard you were taking a protection job for Sage Dumont. She is one hot lady.”

Jake grunted. “Why the hell is it everybody in the place knew S. E. Dumont was a woman but me?”

Alex grinned, a dimple appearing in his cheek. “Try watching TV sometime.” The guy was a real lady killer. Jake wondered if Sage would rather be working with Justice than with him.

“Yeah, I’ll do that,” he said. But he wasn’t the TV type. He’d far rather be outdoors.

He sat down in front of a stack of messages, calls that needed to be returned, and went to work. All the while, Sage Dumont hovered at the edge of his mind. Maybe it was time he found out some of the things about her everyone else already seemed to know.

Three

Sage had her personal assistant, Will Bailey, reschedule her afternoon appointments. She was buried in work, but the most important thing she had facing her right now was the upcoming deal with the Saudis. Today, Jake Cantrell had caught her unprepared, and that wasn’t going to happen again. She skipped lunch and had Will bring her a ham sandwich off the meal cart that circled the floors every day.

For most of the afternoon, she sat in front of her computer, poring over Middle East business protocols and reading every article she could find on the customs of Saudi Arabia. The more she read, the more she discovered she didn’t know. And the more disturbing she found the information.

She had always been independent. It was hard to imagine living under the oppressive restrictions a Saudi woman was forced to bear.

Sage reminded herself that these people were from another country, another part of the world, and she had to respect their values and lifestyle. They were here as Dumont family guests and she would treat them accordingly.

She finished reading one last article on the screen, feeling even more exhausted than she had before. She had half an hour before Cantrell was due to pick her up. Allowing herself a brief respite to recover a little of her energy, she closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair.

“Napping, Ms. Dumont?”

She shot upright in her chair, nearly launching herself across the desk. She blinked, her gritty eyes focusing on the imposing man standing in front of her.

“I was working. I—I must have nodded off.” Why was it he always caught her off guard? Damn the man for his timing, among other things.

“Maybe eating something will help.”

“I had a sandwich earlier off the cart,” she said a little defensively.

Cantrell looked at her as if sizing her up. “That’s not much. You ready to go?” He wasn’t wearing the suit he’d had on earlier, but a pair of faded jeans that hugged his long, powerful legs, and a dark blue T-shirt. The T-shirt stretched over a chest that was ridiculously wide and banded with muscle. She had to tear her gaze away.

“I need to make a quick trip to the washroom,” she said, “then we can leave.” There was a private bathroom in the office, one of the privileges of being a VP. Grabbing her purse, she darted inside, made a toilet stop, brushed her teeth, applied a little fresh lipstick. She straightened her ivory suit jacket as she walked back out the door.

Cantrell was waiting, taking up far more of her spacious office than most men did. She felt those blue eyes on her, assessing her in some way, and a little curl of heat settled low in her belly. She wondered what those perceptive eyes saw when he looked at her.

He followed her to the door, but it opened before she reached it, and her fiancé walked in. Immaculately dressed in an Italian designer suit, six feet tall and lean, with blond hair, hazel eyes and darkly tanned skin, Phillip looked as if he had just stepped off a Ralph Lauren billboard.

His gaze went to Cantrell, then returned to Sage. “I thought we were going to dinner.”

“I’m sorry, Phillip. Didn’t you get my message?” She sighed. “Ian hired Mr. Cantrell to help me learn the protocols before the Saudis arrive. We have to work on that tonight.”

“I see.”

“Phillip Stanton, this is Jake Cantrell.”

Phillip extended his hand. Jake shook it and stepped away, clasped his hands in front of him and splayed his legs, going into bodyguard mode. Phillip eyed him sharply. Sage caught a hint of disdain. Clearly, Phillip wasn’t happy that she would be working with Jake.

“Ian mentioned you,” he finally said to Cantrell. “He told me you would be providing protection for Sage while the sheik and his family are here.”

“That’s right.”

“Ian can be ridiculously protective.”

“Maybe. Or maybe he’s just being smart.”

A muscle tightened in Phillip’s lean cheek. He was better-looking than Cantrell, Sage decided, but the bigger man was far more imposing. She tried not to draw a comparison, which Cantrell would surely lose. Phillip held an MBA from Princeton. He knew classical music, appreciated art and ballet. Things they enjoyed together. Cantrell was a marine who knew how to fire a gun.

Which, she noticed as he turned to the side, probably explained the lump in the waistband of his jeans beneath his T-shirt. Surely he didn’t think it was necessary to carry a weapon. She made a mental note to broach the subject as soon as they were alone.

“Are you sure you can’t put this off until tomorrow?” Phillip asked her, positioning himself between her and Jake.

“I wish I could. You know how important it is to me, Phillip.”

“Of course, darling.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek, flashed a look at Jake. “Take care of her, Cantrell.”

Jake’s mouth edged up. “I plan to.”

There was something in the way he said it that made her feel like blushing. Phillip cast him a last hard glance and walked out of the office.

Sage waited long enough for Phillip to reach the elevator, hoping to avoid any more of the subtle tension swirling between the men. Then, slinging her leather bag over her shoulder, she started once more for the door.

“There’s a Chinese Express just down the block,” she said. “We can go there.”

“I’ve got a table for us at Bella’s Cusina. It’s only a few blocks farther.”

She glanced back at him. It was a power play, pure and simple, a move to let her know she might be a Dumont, but he was the one in charge.

“You won’t be on the job,” he reminded her.

“So you’re the boss tonight, is that it?”

“Exactly.”

She blew out a breath. What did it matter? It was only dinner. Besides, she had to admit there was a tiny part of her that liked when a man took charge.

It didn’t happen often. And it wouldn’t last long.

“Italian sounds great. If you want to know the truth, I’m starving.”

Cantrell smiled. It was the first real smile she had seen and it made her breath catch. This wasn’t good.

Walking together across the reception area, they stepped into an elevator and headed downstairs. There was a security guard at the desk in the lobby. He came in after closing and stayed until midnight, then someone else took over till the company opened in the morning.

“We’ll be back a little later, Marvin,” she said to the guard, a big, pudgy black man with a kindly face. “By the way, this is Jake Cantrell. He’s providing security for the next few days. It’s all right for him to go in and out whenever he needs to.”

“That’s what Mr. Dumont said.”

She should have known her grandfather would make it easy for Cantrell to do his job. Ian wanted her safe. He was determined.

“Your grandfather gave me a parking pass,” Jake said. “My Jeep’s in the executive lot. With those shoes, maybe you’d better ride.”

She looked down at her Jimmy Choos. Riding would be good. “Might be hard to find a parking space at the restaurant.”

“I don’t think so. Not this time of night.”

He led her to a fancy black Jeep that seemed the perfect fit for him, having big wide tires with chrome rims and a roll bar that would show when the top was down. Which, thankfully, it wasn’t. As hot as it was, she was glad to get in out of the heat.

He helped her climb inside, which wasn’t that easy in a snug skirt and high heels. As she snapped her seat belt into place, Cantrell rounded the car, then slid in behind the wheel and cranked the engine.

It didn’t take long to reach the restaurant, and since most people in the downtown area went home after work, there were parking places in the lot. The maître d’, a little man with slicked-back black hair, greeted them effusively. Clearly, he knew Cantrell.

Or maybe he was just afraid of him. Sage hid a grin.

“Mr. Cantrell, it’s good to see you. I have your table ready, if you’ll come this way?”

“Thanks, Mario.” A big hand settled at her waist as Jake guided her to a table with a red-checked cloth and a little red candle in the middle. Typical Italian, but the place seemed downright homey. Sage liked it right away.

She sat down and picked up a menu. When the waiter arrived, she ordered the pasta primavera with extra vegetables.

“I’ll have the lasagna, and bring us a couple glasses of Chianti.” Jake glanced over at her. “Unless you’d like something else?”

“I’d love a glass, but I wasn’t planning to drink. I need to have my wits about me.”

“You don’t have to finish it.” He nodded at the waiter and the man disappeared, returning a few minutes later with the wine.

Sage took a sip, glad Jake had ordered it, after all. She felt suddenly nervous as she looked across the table at the handsome man.

“So you’re going to marry Phillip Stanton,” he said, taking a drink of his wine.

“That’s right. We thought maybe sometime next year.”

“But you don’t live together. Your grandfather mentioned that when we discussed some of the security issues.”

“No. Phillip spends a great deal of time out of the country. In fact, the day after tomorrow he’s returning to his office in Edinburgh.”

“Makes things a lot easier.”

She wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that, especially when she noticed the way those blue eyes slid over her.

Cantrell turned his attention to business, pulling folded sheets of paper out of his back pocket. “First, I’ve got a couple of questions.”

“Fire away.”

“How long will the Saudis be here?”

“The trip is open-ended. I’m hoping not more than a week. They arrive on Tuesday. I figure we should give them Wednesday to relax, then bring them into the office on Thursday and begin the negotiations.”

With a faint smile, Cantrell started shaking his head.

Sage knew right then it was going to be a very long night.

* * *

Jake leaned back in his chair. He had a nice view of a very pretty woman, all smooth skin, golden eyes and softly curling dark brown hair. For several long moments he allowed himself to enjoy it, didn’t even fight the hardening of his body beneath the table. Unfortunately, his relationship with Sage Dumont was strictly business. He intended to remind himself of that on a daily basis.

“To start with, Thursday and Friday are going to pose a problem,” he said. “That’s more or less a Saudi’s weekend. They’ll expect you to entertain them on Thursday, then Friday is a day of relaxation and meditation. Like our Saturdays and Sundays.”

Jake caught Sage’s exasperated sigh as she set her wineglass on the table. “The office is closed on the weekend. That means we’ll have to wait until Monday before we even start.”

“You might as well resign yourself. The Saudis take everything slowly. They’ll need to get to know you before they even begin to think about negotiations.”

“I read that, but I didn’t think it would mean losing almost a week.”

The waiter arrived just then with their food. Jake let the conversation drift while they dug into their meals. The lasagna was damn good, as always. Bella’s was a personal favorite of his in the area. From the look of pure pleasure on Sage’s pretty face, he figured she was enjoying it, too.

“This is wonderful,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I can’t remember when I’ve had a chance to do more than grab a snack here and there.”

Jake was beginning to think maybe Annie was right, and Sage had climbed the corporate ladder with a lot of hard work. Not that being a Dumont hadn’t opened the door.

“Okay, what else?” she asked.

“You’ll need someone you work with to attend the meetings with you. He’ll be the one who asks most of the questions.”

“But I can handle that.”

“If you do, they’ll think you’re a lackey. They’ll figure they should be speaking to someone else, someone who has the actual authority.”

Sage shook her head. “I spent half the day reading up on all this, and I still don’t have a clue. I hate to say it, but I’m glad you’re here to help.”

Jake’s eyebrows went up. He hadn’t expected to hear those words, at least not so soon.

“There is one thing,” she said.

He swallowed the bite of lasagna he had taken. “Which is…?”

“I don’t like the idea of you carrying a gun. I assume that’s what you’ve got clipped to your belt. Do you think it’s really necessary? I mean, as big as you are, and with the training you’ve had, surely you can handle any problem that might come up without shooting someone.”

“Probably.” He took a drink of his wine. “The problem is, if the other guy is carrying and I’m unarmed, then you and I are both in deep shit.”

Sage sat up a little straighter. “I think we should wait and see if a gun is really something you’ll need.”

“No.”

Her lips tightened. “I don’t like handguns.”

“Noted.” He returned his attention to his food. Sage fumed in silence, but the smell of the delicious pasta was nearly irresistible and pretty soon she was eating with the same gusto as before. She nearly cleaned her plate, and ate at least two pieces of toasted garlic bread. Jake enjoyed food, lots of it. He liked that she wasn’t a priss about eating.

They carried on with their work, and he was impressed that she seemed to know more than he’d thought. When the meal came to an end, he paid the bill, which would go on his expense account, and they rose from the table.

“We’ll need to brief your people,” he said. “And you have to get those Saudi names. I’ll be in at nine in the morning. That’ll give you a little time.”

She nodded, but he could tell she wasn’t looking forward to seeing him.

“We got a lot done tonight,” he said as they drove back to the office. “More than I thought we would. Your research really helped. Now you need to go home and get some sleep.”

She shook her head. “I’ve still got a few things to do here at work.”

Jake reached over and caught her hand, saw the surprise on her face. “I’m beginning to understand how important this deal is to you, Sage. You’ll need to be at your best when the Saudis arrive. Get some sleep. We’ll start again tomorrow.”

She nodded, and he let go of her hand. He didn’t say any more as he dropped her off in the executive parking lot, but couldn’t help wondering if Phillip Stanton would show up at her apartment and spend the night in her bed.

The thought didn’t sit well.

Jake had taken an instant dislike to the man, who was a little too much the way Annie had described him. Soft and self-indulgent, more worried about himself than what might happen to the woman who was going to be his wife.

The Jeep engine purred as Jake waited for Sage to slide behind the wheel of her silver Mercedes S550, start the engine and drive out of the lot. He’d been right about her being rich. Everything about her spoke of money and class. She was a little cantankerous at times, but not as bad as he had expected. He wasn’t sure yet about the spoiled part. He’d get around to deciding on that.

In the meantime, he needed to take his own advice and get some sleep. He’d already canceled the plans he had made for the evening. Funny thing was, even the thought of a night of hot, raunchy sex wasn’t enough to stir his interest in Deanna Leblanc.

Four

Jake awakened at his usual early hour, five-thirty, and rolled out of bed. His apartment off Buffalo Speedway was a small oasis in the middle of the huge metropolitan area, a two-story rectangular complex with fountains and lakes in the center, and trees and grass all around.

He’d been born in Iowa, raised on a farm. After his father died, during Jake’s senior year in high school, he’d felt compelled to stay and help his mom, but as soon as he’d finished junior college he had joined the marines. He had worked outdoors ever since. The lush foliage and grassy landscape outside the windows made his apartment a respite from the hustle and bustle, the closed-in spaces of the city he worked in, at least for the time being.

Over the years, Jake had never stayed in one place too long. Instead, he’d enjoyed the challenge and excitement, the financial rewards, of taking jobs all over the globe. Though lately he’d been thinking that might change.

He was beginning to feel as if Houston was home, beginning to build a network of people he cared about. Thanks to a friend named Abraham Lincoln Jones, a man Jake had worked with off and on, he had even gotten involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. It felt good to be part of a community for the first time in his life.

Still, he wasn’t sure it was possible for a man like him to settle in one place for long.

Jake yawned as he walked into the kitchen and went about making a pot of coffee. He felt refreshed today, almost glad he hadn’t been up half the night getting laid.

Almost.

The problem was, he didn’t want Deanna. His dumb-ass libido had begun to fixate on Sage Dumont. Last night he’d dreamed about her, a lusty dream that had left him covered in sweat with a raging hard-on. The bad news was he couldn’t even remember what they had done together.

Not enough, that was for sure. As he climbed into the shower, he turned down the temperature until the water was just above chilly. He would be spending another day with Sage—hell, he’d be with her at least another week. He almost laughed. If he took a cold shower every day, it wouldn’t be enough.

He turned off the water, towel-dried his hair, shaved, then dressed in a yellow oxford cloth shirt and another of the tailored suits he kept for protection details, this one dark brown. In the kitchen, he poured a cup of the freshly brewed coffee and took a sip.

Heading for the front door, he collected the copy of the Chronicle that waited for him every morning. As he started back to the kitchen, he read the headlines and jerked to a halt.

Saudi Sheik to Arrive in Houston

Potential Oil Rig Deal with Marine Drilling International

Jake’s jaw tightened. Ian Dumont had assured him the story was being kept out of the papers. He continued reading only long enough to see Sage’s named mentioned as the vice president in charge of the transaction.

Son of a bitch. Downing his coffee in a couple of gulps, Jake grabbed his Heckler-Koch .45 and shoved it into its leather holster. Then he clipped the holster on his belt, grip forward on his left side, where it was easy to reach with his right hand. Plucking his suit coat off the back of a kitchen chair, he headed for the door.

He knew where Sage lived, a high-rise in the Galleria District. Her grandfather had already arranged clearance for Jake to access the building whenever he needed.

He fired up his Jeep.

His job had just kicked into high gear.

* * *

It was still early, just after six, but Sage was dressed and ready for work. She had her bag slung over her shoulder and car keys in hand when a hard knock sounded at the door. She frowned. Why hadn’t the guard in the lobby phoned before sending someone up?

She peered through the peephole and recognized the massive chest blocking her view. When she opened the door, Jake Cantrell strode past her into her condo.

“I thought we were meeting at the office,” she said, a little annoyed.

“Have you seen the paper?”

“I saw it. Someone leaked the story. So what? The press would have gotten wind of it sooner or later.”

“Helluva lot better if it had been later.” Those beautiful blue eyes ran over her, making her stomach flutter. “I see you’re ready to go.”

“I was just leaving. I’ve got a lot to do.”

“Fine, then, let’s head out.”

Irritation filtered through her. “Look, you didn’t need to come here. I’ve been driving myself to the office every day for the last six years.”

“Maybe so, but from now on you’ll be going with me. I’ll arrange for a car, so you won’t have to ride in the Jeep.”

“It isn’t the Jeep I mind, it’s you.”

He grinned, that sexy mouth curving upward. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Oh, dear God, that grin… It was devastating.

“How did you get past security downstairs?” But suddenly she knew. “Ian, right?”

“Your grandfather’s a very efficient man.”

She cast Jake a look, then followed him out the door. They rode in the Jeep to the office, stopping at a bakery along the way so he could buy something to eat.

“Didn’t have time for breakfast,” he said, and she thought that a man his size definitely needed plenty of fuel to get started.

Jake insisted she come with him into the bake shop. She nearly swooned at the delicious smells inside.

“Two ham-and-cheese croissants,” he ordered, “two chocolate doughnuts, coffee, and whatever the lady wants.”

At least he wasn’t one of those guys who always had to order for a woman. Well, except for the wine last night, and she had to thank him for that. After the delicious meal, she had slept like a baby for the first time in weeks.

“I’ll have a glazed doughnut, please, and coffee.”

He flicked her a glance. “You sure that’s enough?”

“I’m not hungry in the mornings. I usually skip breakfast altogether.”

He cast her a long, sensual glance. “Maybe you need to work up an appetite.”

Her breath caught. He was giving her that look again, the one that said he could make her ravenous, and not just for food. Then it was gone, as if she’d imagined it.

“I’ve got to get to the office,” she said.

“Ten minutes and we’re out of here.”

They sat at a small round table, Jake barely fitting in the little, wrought-iron chair. They finished eating quickly and were on the road again.

It was a little past seven when he pulled into the executive lot and turned off the engine. It wasn’t until they rounded the building, heading toward the front door, that Sage understood why he had come to pick her up.

* * *

“I had a hunch this might happen when I read this morning’s paper.” Jake surveyed the crowd that had begun to gather in front of the mirrored-glass building. “I didn’t figure they’d get here so early. Is there a back way in?”

“No. Just the emergency fire exits. They let you out but not in.”

He moved a little in front of Sage, putting himself between her and what appeared to be students from the MSA—the Muslim Student Association who had been demonstrating at the university a few days before. Some young men wore traditional Muslim garb: white, flowing robes called thobes and headdresses secured by an agal, the black rope that held them in place. Caftan-style dresses in various colors and patterns were worn by a number of the women, who had their heads and necks hidden by colorful scarves.

There were other young people there, kids in Western dress who sympathized with the cause, some of them carrying signs. One read Students for Middle East Democracy. Another, Free Libya. A third said Stop the Bloodshed. The group was relatively small, not more than thirty people, and fairly well behaved.

So far.

Another group milled around to one side. Jake couldn’t tell exactly who they were. But there were always radicals drawn to protests like these, people just itching to cause trouble, he knew. As the crowd spotted them climbing the wide concrete steps toward the front door, a soft rumble of recognition turned into a muffled roar, and he went into high alert.

Someone shouted, “Friends of the Saudi royal oppressors!”

Someone else shouted, “Freedom from tyranny!” and hurled something in their direction. A tomato splattered against the wall next to Sage’s head. She made a little sound in her throat as Jake pushed open the door and shoved her into the lobby.

“Oh, my God,” she said, pressing her back against the wall there. “Oh, my God.”

The security guard came out from behind his desk and started hurrying toward them. Jake waved him away.

He caught hold of Sage’s shoulders, felt her trembling. “It’s all right, Sage. The people out there are mostly just kids, trying to be supportive of a cause they believe in, or at least think they do. They’re harmless, for the most part.”

Her trembling eased a little. She steadied herself, straightened, and Jake released her. “It’s…it’s not like the sheik is in line for the throne or anything. He’s just a businessman.”

“As I said, they’re mostly trying to make a point. Unfortunately, there are radicals in every group. They’re the ones we need to watch out for.”

“Oh, God.”

“Look, we’ll work out a better way to come and go. Put a man on the back door, and develop a strategy to keep things running smoothly. We need more security people in here to make sure none of the protestors try to come inside. And we’ll need men outside, too, to ensure your employees’ safety.”

“Can you handle that?”

“Trace can. I’ll call him, have Atlas provide the extra men we need.”

Sage looked up at Jake, her eyes bigger and more golden than usual. “I had no idea something like this would happen. Now I see why Ian hired you. I’m glad you’re here.”

Jake thought of how protests like this had a way of swelling, how there was a good chance things could get worse in the next few day. He thought of the danger Sage might actually be facing. “So am I,” he said, and realized he meant it.

* * *

Sage led Jake into the conference room. “I hope this will do. There’s a phone in here and a computer. Is there anything else you’ll need?”

“I just have to make a few calls, get things rolling. I was hoping we’d have another day or two before things got stirred up. Looks like that’s not going to happen.”

She tried to smile. She still felt shaky inside, a little off-kilter. “Marie just got here. I’ll have her bring you some coffee. Let me know if there’s anything you need.” Sage closed the conference room door and for a moment leaned against it.

She had scoffed at her grandfather, thinking it ridiculous to hire a professional bodyguard. It was beginning to look as if he was right.

Which was usually the way it worked. She’d been twelve years old when her grandfather’s detective had found them—Ian’s son’s runaway wife and daughter hiding in a Chicago tenement. When Louis, Sage’s father, had died, Ian had come for them. He had convinced her mother to return with him to Houston.

From that day forward, Ian Dumont had raised her. Sage had just turned fifteen when her mother died of breast cancer, and after that her grandfather became her whole world. Over the years, she had learned to trust him as she never did another man.

Sage wasn’t convinced she was in any serious danger now, but she didn’t want to be assaulted or harassed just for coming to work. Jake would make sure that didn’t happen.

Jake. Besides being dangerously attractive, he was an interesting man. Smarter than she’d given him credit for. And from the moment he had spotted the threat in front of the building and taken charge, she had known with complete certainty that he was capable of protecting her from whatever might come.

A thought that eased some of the tension inside her.

Sitting down in the cream leather Eames chair behind her desk, she went to work. She started making calls, digging up the information Jake had asked for, and some she needed, as well. She had the name and contact information of the aide who was handling the Saudi end of preparations for the visit, Caseem Al Dossari. She made a list of questions, then phoned the man in Saudi Arabia.

Did the sheik or his family have any special needs? Did anyone require or prefer any special foods? Was there anything in particular the family wanted to see or do while in Houston? Most importantly, how did the sheik and his family wish to be addressed?

The man patiently answered each of her questions and added a few more details he thought might be useful.

Sage finished the cell and spent the next few hours going over her notes and making other calls.

It was almost noon when she finished the call and her assistant buzzed her on the intercom.

“Yes, Will?”

“Mr. Cantrell has a few things he needs to go over.”

“Of course. Send him in.” She sat up a little straighter, tossed her hair back over her shoulder as Jake walked through the door.

“I just wanted to let you know we’ve got security coming in this afternoon. They’ll be round-the-clock in the building until the negotiations are finished.”

“That’s a relief.” Not wanting to be at even more of a height disadvantage, she stood up and walked toward him.

“You come up with those names?” he asked.

Sage couldn’t stop a smile. “The sheik’s full name is His Highness Sheik Khalid bin Abd al-Kahtani bin Abd Al Kahzaz.”

“There’s a mouthful.”

“Formally, we’re to call him His Highness Sheik Khalid Al Kahzaz. Being a little less formal, we can leave off the His Highness and go with Sheik Khalid.”

“That’s better.”

“I have the son and daughter’s names, as well. Roshan’s twenty-six and A’lia’s twenty-two. I’ve got a list of all their personal likes and dislikes, which I’ll be discussing with the hotel, and some things they’d like to do while they’re here.”

“Such as?”

“The daughter loves to ride. I thought we’d take them out to Ian’s ranch for a couple of days. Give them a real taste of Texas.”

“Where is it?”

“Out along the Brazos less than two hours away. We’ve got twenty-five hundred acres out there. There’s a main house and a separate guesthouse. It should be perfect.”

“I’ll need to see the place ahead of time, check the security.”

A soft knock sounded. Phillip’s knock. He didn’t feel he should have to go through her assistant to speak to her. It irritated her a little.

Her fiancé smiled as he stepped through the door and kept the smile in place when he spotted Cantrell. “Just wanted to check in, make sure our evening was going forward as planned.”

It was Friday, Phillip’s last night in Houston. He wouldn’t be back in the country for at least two months. Fridays were one of the nights he stayed at her apartment when he was in town. Tuesdays and Fridays they went out to dinner, came home and made love. It fit into both of their schedules.

Sage had never given that fact much thought until she glanced at Jake. She couldn’t imagine Jake Cantrell planning his calendar around the two days a week he intended to have sex.

The thought made her feel uneasy, and somehow restless. She didn’t know why.

She shoved the thought away, looked up at Phillip and smiled. “It’s Friday, and your last day in the city. Of course we’re going out as planned.”

Cantrell’s blue eyes fixed on Phillip. They seemed darker, somehow more intense. “If you don’t want company, I’d advise you to change your plans.”

Sage’s mouth thinned. “What are you talking about? What Phillip and I are planning has nothing to do with you.”

“Have you looked outside lately?”

“No, why?”

“Because that little scene you caught this morning has grown, the crowd already more than doubled. My job is to protect you. You’re stuck with me until the Saudis are gone.”

Her shoulders stiffened. She wanted to tell him to take his protection and shove it. That he was overbearing and domineering, and she didn’t like it.

She looked at Phillip, who was waiting for her to do exactly that—tell Cantrell to stay out of her personal affairs. She thought of the night ahead, of Phillip in her bed, of another round of unimaginative lovemaking and very little passion. Suddenly, it was the last thing she wanted.

“I think Mr. Cantrell is right. Ian wouldn’t have hired him if he didn’t trust his judgment.”

“Nonsense. Most of those people are students from the university. They’re hardly a threat.”

“Until this is over, what I say goes,” Jake said. “And if she goes out with you, I’m coming along.”

Phillip bristled. But he wasn’t a fool and he was certainly no match for Cantrell. Not that he would consider behaving as anything less than a gentleman.

“Why don’t we go get some lunch?” Sage suggested, ignoring the guilt slipping through her, the feeling that she was somehow betraying Phillip. “We can say our goodbyes in the dining room.”

“I planned to have dinner at the club.” River Oaks, the most exclusive country club in Houston. “That’s hardly the same as lunch in the executive dining room.”

Jake didn’t say a word, just stood there with his legs splayed and his hands crossed, staring straight ahead, looking like an employee—for once.

Sage almost rolled her eyes. He could be as irritating as Phillip.

“Fine, let’s go.” Phillip waited while she grabbed her bag, then took her arm and walked her out the door. She wondered why he hadn’t suggested staying home tonight, having dinner in her apartment. But their relationship had never been one of grand passion. It was comfortable, the kind both of them felt could stand the test of time.

“I’ll be in the conference room when you’re done,” Jake said, following them out of her office.

Phillip’s jaw looked tight as he watched Cantrell’s tall frame disappear inside the room. Turning, he led Sage toward the elevator and the small but first-class restaurant on the fourteenth floor.

She tried to convince herself she was furious at Jake. That what she was feeling wasn’t relief.

Five

The weekend arrived. Both days, Jake escorted Sage to the office, where only a few people were working in the building. There were just a few protestors out in front, and none of the chaos that had greeted them coming and going on Friday. These were kids. Most of them wanted their weekends off.

While Sage caught up on things at the office, Jake began the work he needed to do before the Saudis arrived. As the protests had grown, his job had expanded. Fortunately, Ian had given him the authority to arrange whatever additional security was needed during the visit.

Jake made a trip to the Four Seasons, walked the twentieth floor, checked the exits, checked the lobby, dining rooms and kitchen. The hotel was well run, and nothing unusual caught his eye. He spoke to hotel security, alerting them to the Saudis’ visit, advising them to treat the matter as a celebrity stay and keep the information quiet.

The staff assured him that wouldn’t be a problem. Oil-rich Texas was used to visitors from the Middle East. It was only the recent unrest that complicated the situation.

On Sunday afternoon, after Sage finished work, she and Jake drove out in the Jeep to the Dumont family ranch, south and a little west of Houston. The weather had turned slightly cooler. Jake hoped it stayed that way. The Saudis were certainly used to heat, but the humidity was something else.

He glanced over at Sage. She was dressed in jeans, sneakers and a white cotton blouse. The shirt was tied up in front, giving him a glimpse of bare skin. Though perfectly modest, it was driving him crazy. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders, the way she usually wore it, making him want to run his fingers through it.

His heart rate went up and yet again his groin tightened.

He thought of the brief exchange he’d had with Phillip Stanton in her office on Friday, recalled the evil little demon that had driven him to ruin Sage’s last night with her fiancé.

The protests in front of the building weren’t enough to keep her from dining out with the man she was going to marry. Jake could have escorted her home and checked things out, made sure everything was okay. They had planned to have dinner at River Oaks, and getting inside the exclusive country club was next to impossible.

Jake just couldn’t stand the thought of the guy in her bed.

Sage was staring out the window now, her mind somewhere else. Probably on business. “Why’d you do it?” he asked.

She glanced up at him. “Why’d I do what?”

“Let me push you into canceling your date with Phillip. You knew the protest wasn’t enough of a threat that I needed to be with you all evening. You also knew if you gave me any kind of resistance, I would have backed down.”

She didn’t deny it.

“So why didn’t you fight me?” he pressed.

A slow breath whispered out. “I don’t know.”

“I think you do.”

Sage shifted in her seat, to see him better. “What are you saying, Jake?”

“I don’t think you wanted to be with Phillip that night. I think you were glad I gave you an excuse. What I don’t get is why you’re marrying him.”

He figured she would launch into him, tell him it was none of his business���which it wasn’t.

Instead, she leaned back in the seat. “I met Phillip right after I started working for the company. He was already a vice president, not as important a job as he has now, but someone my grandfather had high hopes for. A few years later, we started dating.”

“So you’ve known him quite a while.”

“That’s right. We got along well from the start. Same interests, same goals. Phillip and I… We’re extremely well-suited.”

“How’s that?”

“We both love classical music and ballet. We’re interested in art and the theater.”

“That’s enough for you? That Phillip likes ballet?”

“Which I’m sure you don’t.”

He grinned. “Watching a bunch of men prancing around in tights? Not a chance.” In the mirror, he saw her lips curve in a smile.

“We share the same interests, as I said, and my grandfather and I talked about it. He thought it was time for me to think about my future. Marrying the right person is important to my career.”

Jake clicked on his turn signal and passed a few cars, then pulled back into the right lane. “Your grandfather raised you after your mother died. I saw that in an article on the internet.”

“He raised me from the time I was twelve. He’s the best man I’ve ever known.”

Jake frowned. “What about your father?”

She gazed down at her hands, then looked back through the windshield at the road. “My father died when I was twelve. It’s a long story. It’s enough to say that when he died, I hadn’t seen him in eight years.”

It was obviously a subject she didn’t want to discuss, and Jake didn’t press her. But his curiosity was piqued. There was something about Sage that didn’t add up. She just didn’t seem to be the self-centered heiress he’d expected. And he thought he had just uncovered the first clue to solving the puzzle.

They reached the impressive wrought-iron gate that marked the entrance to the property. A sign overhead read Double D Ranch. “Double D” for Sage and Ian Dumont? Or for Ian and his dead son, Louis?

Sage gave Jake the security code. He punched in the numbers and the automatic gate swung open. They drove till the highway was well out of sight and the Spanish-style ranch house appeared, huge and white, with a red-tile roof, several turrets and patios. Even the matching guesthouse was big.

Sage was right. The place could easily handle the Saudis and the entourage that was sure to be traveling with them.

There was also a large, tile-roofed stable, and an indoor arena surrounded by lush green pastures. Horses grazed and galloped across the countryside.

“Pretty place.”

“It’s a great getaway,” Sage said. “There was a time when Ian raised the finest cutting horses in Texas. Riding is kind of a passion of mine. My only real hobby, I guess you could say. Lately, I just haven’t had time.” She turned to Jake as he pulled up in front of the house. “Do you ride?”

“Not if I can help it.”

She looked disappointed. He tried to imagine Phillip Stanton on horseback, but the image wouldn’t come.

They parked the Jeep and headed into the main house. It was fully staffed, and decorated, too, in a Spanish style, with lots of old wood, bright serapes and heavy old-world antiques.

By the time Jake had surveyed the two houses, walked the stables and the grounds, he only had one comment.

“Your security here sucks. You want the Saudis to stay in this place, you’re going to have to do something about it.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I was afraid you’d say that. Nothing’s been done in years. I guess we just felt safe out here.”

There were vast open stretches of grassland. Lots of native trees and abundant wildlife. Horses roamed the pastures, deer grazed in the fields and the birdlife was spectacular. A hawk soared overhead as if to make the point.

“So what do you want to do?” he asked.

She glanced back at the house. “How fast can something be done?”

Jake pulled out his iPhone and punched in Trace’s home number. “Hey, buddy, I’ve got a problem.”

A low grumble preceded his friend’s soft Texas drawl. “It’s Sunday, you know. This is supposed to be my day off. I’m spendin’ time with my wife.”

Jake could hear the pride in his friend’s voice. Trace was married and in love. Jake had never seen him so happy.

“I’m out at the Dumont ranch. The place is huge, with lots of land, main house, guesthouse and stables. Some of the security cameras aren’t working and the alarms are years out-of-date. The whole system needs to be replaced. How long will it take you to upgrade?”

Trace muttered a word Jake couldn’t quite hear. “I’ll get on it. I can have someone out there today. We can do a perimeter installation, mount new cameras, put some temporary equipment in the house, guesthouse and stables, till we have time to do a permanent replacement.”

“There’s a housekeeper, foreman, some ranch hands. We’ll let them know your men are coming.”

“We…?”

“Sage is with me. Can you be finished by next weekend?”

“Enough for you to feel safe.”

“Good enough.”

Jake clicked off and shoved the phone back into the pocket of his jeans. “Trace is going to take care of it. He’ll have enough of the system up and running to keep people safe. Let’s talk to your foreman, let him know what’s going on.”

Sage nodded. “I can’t believe how complicated this is getting.”

“Three hundred million is a lot of money.”

“If I make this deal and we get hold of a platform and some used offshore equipment, it’ll be a huge savings to the company.”

“And that means a lot to you.”

“Yes, it does.”

“Then let’s get to it.” Setting a hand at her waist, he guided her toward the foreman’s house. Without her high heels, she seemed almost tiny to him. Jake felt a surge of protectiveness, and told himself it was all right to feel that way, since it was his job. He thought about how much softer she seemed out here, miles away from work.

He told himself not to think of how sexy she looked in the snug jeans, with that little bit of skin showing at her waist. Told his mind not to stray where it had no right to go.

He told himself to remember Sage was off-limits. But he couldn’t quite convince himself.

* * *

Riding the elevator up to her apartment on the tenth floor, Sage felt Jake’s hand at her back.

“You don’t have to come in,” she said, as the elevator doors slid open and he guided her out into the hall.

“That’s what I get paid for. I’ll just take a quick look around, make sure everything’s okay.” He walked past her as she opened the door and turned off the alarm, then watched him disappear down the hall. It had been a long day and she was exhausted. The security situation at the ranch was worse than she had expected. The system needed upgrading anyway, so doing it now wasn’t really a problem, except that the matter had become urgent.

She thought of the surprisingly comfortable day she had spent with Jake. He was easy to talk to and actually listened to what she had to say. She tried not to compare him to Phillip, whose mind always seemed to be somewhere else.

Things had gone well at first, but as the day progressed, the easy conversation had slipped away, replaced by a slowly building sexual tension.

The ride home had been silent, marked by a shared look now and then that seemed to scorch the air between them. She had never felt anything like it.

Thank God they were home and he was leaving.

She watched him return to the entry, thinking how much space he took up, even in her large, airy apartment. “Did you really expect to find someone lurking in here?”

“No. But don’t be surprised if trouble starts again tomorrow. Seems like once these things get rolling, they take on a life of their own.”

“I hope you’re wrong.”

“So do I. It would make my job a whole lot easier.”

She looked up at him, standing there in front of her. God, he was handsome, and so damned male.

“Is that all I am to you, Jake? A job?”

His blue eyes ran over her. Something shifted between them, and the air seemed to simmer and heat.

“That’s the way it started,” he said, his gaze on her face.

“And now?”

His nostrils flared. He was standing closer than she’d realized. So close she could see his chest rising and falling, each breath coming faster than the last. He was wearing a dark green T-shirt and jeans, and when she glanced down she saw there was a heavy bulge beneath his zipper. He took a step toward her, and instead of moving back, she rested her hand on his chest. She could feel the thick muscle, the bands of sinew that tightened beneath the soft cotton fabric.

Her heartbeat quickened. She stared at his mouth and wanted him to kiss her. It was insane. She was engaged to be married. She wasn’t the type of woman who betrayed her fiancé by kissing another man.

She tipped her head to look up at Jake’s face, saw the hunger in those blue, blue eyes, and her whole body went hot. One of his hands slid beneath her hair, tilting her mouth toward his. She felt the roughness of his palm against her scalp, the raw power he commanded. He bent his head, lightly brushed her lips, and heat and need poured through her.

She exhaled a breath and her eyes closed. She wanted this kiss…wanted it so badly.

His mouth hovered over hers, just a breath away. “What about Phillip?” he whispered.

“Phillip?” Her eyes fluttered, slowly opened. Then the name hit her like a splash of cold water and her stomach knotted. Sage jerked away. “Phillip. Oh, my God.”

Those fierce blue eyes bored into her. “I don’t share my women, Sage.”

Humiliation burned through her, and fury boiled in her blood. “Get out.” She pointed toward the door with a hand that trembled. “Get out of here right now.”

The edge of his mouth harshly curved. “I’m leaving. But I’ll be back in the morning. Seven o’clock.”

“Six!” she demanded, just to save a little pride. “I have work to do.” She wanted to throw something at him, wanted to tell him never to come near her again. He had humiliated her, shown her how susceptible she was to him.

Her eyes stung.

“Lock the door behind me,” he said a little more gently, and then he was gone.

Sage’s throat closed up. He had made a fool of her, preyed on the attraction she felt for him. Clearly, he believed he could have her anytime he wanted.

It wasn’t true. She wouldn’t do that to Phillip.

She leaned back against the wall and released a shaky breath. It was nothing, she told herself. A moment of weakness, nothing more.

It wouldn’t happen again. Sage ignored the little tremor of regret that whispered through her.

Six

On Monday morning, Jake pulled up in front of Sage’s apartment in one of the big black SUVs that belonged to Freedom Limousines, the fleet owned by Abraham Lincoln Jones.

Linc was a longtime friend and a man Jake trusted. As a kid, Linc had boosted cars for a living, until he got busted and tossed into juvenile hall. Unlike other kids his age, he had realized the error of his ways, straightened up his life and become a successful Houston businessman.

He still knew cars, knew how to handle a vehicle better than any Hollywood stuntman. Linc had agreed to be Jake’s personal driver during the Saudis’ visit.

The Cadillac Escalade rolled to a stop beneath the overhanging portal of the high-rise apartment building where Sage lived.

Jake opened the door and climbed out. “I won’t be long.”

It was six in the morning. Damn the woman. Ian was right—Sage worked too hard. But the early departure was partly Jake’s fault. If he hadn’t goaded her last night—if he hadn’t given in to that single moment of weakness—she would have agreed to the later hour and gotten at least a little more sleep.

He should have left her alone. But he hadn’t expected the hunger to be so intense, hadn’t known for sure until last night that she wanted him, too.

It didn’t matter. The attraction between them wasn’t going anywhere, and he had a job to do.

With a nod to the security guard, he took the elevator up to Sage’s apartment and knocked on the door. An instant later, she pulled the door open.

“I see you’re on time,” she said sharply. “Let’s go.”

He’d meant to ignore what had happened last night, go on as if it didn’t matter. Maybe he would have, if it weren’t for the faint purple smudges beneath her eyes, the stiffness in her posture that told him he had hurt her.

She tried to brush past him, but he caught her arm, stopping her. She was wearing her high heels, putting her back in her confidence zone, and he was glad.

“About what happened last night…”

Her chin went up. “Nothing happened. Don’t pretend it did.” She tried to walk past him, but he wouldn’t let her go.

“Nothing happened. But don’t think I didn’t want it to. I wanted it too much, Sage.”

Her eyes found his. They were golden and full of fire. Disbelieving.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was out of line. Nothing like that will happen again.”

For a moment she just stared, her eyes fixed on his. Then she relaxed. “We’re both under a lot of pressure. Things happen. It’s better if we just forget it.”

But he wouldn’t forget. Every time he looked at her he would curse himself for not tasting her, not seeing where that single kiss might lead. His gaze remained on hers. “Are you sure that’s the way you want it?”

She didn’t even blink. “That’s the way it has to be.”

Jake stepped back and let her pass. “There’s a car waiting downstairs. Let’s get you to the office.”

Sage just nodded.

Walking out of the lobby moments later, she stopped when she spotted the big black SUV with the dark tinted windows. “And here I was expecting a stretch. Should have known that wouldn’t be manly enough for a marine.”

He grinned. “Just a little too conspicuous.” He opened the rear passenger door, waited till Sage slid across the butter-soft, black leather seat, then followed her inside.

“Sage Dumont, meet Lincoln Jones. Linc owns the limo company. He’s a friend of mine and the best wheelman around.”

Linc, a tall, slim African-American man with short kinky hair and a very white smile, was a good-looking guy. Never married but hopeful, he always said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jones,” Sage said with a smile.

“It’s just Linc, and same here, Ms. Dumont.”

“Since you’re a friend of Jake’s, let’s just make it Sage.”

He grinned and turned back to the wheel, started moving the heavy vehicle forward. Jake glanced at Sage, a little surprised at how accessible she seemed to be. She might be a Dumont, but she treated people as her equal. Another point in her favor.

They reached the office in record time. As they had planned, Linc pulled the Escalade into the executive lot. Jake made a call to the security guard at the back door, and they entered the building that way.

It wasn’t until Sage’s friend, the little redhead he had seen in her office before, arrived at noon that the problems began.

* * *

Sage was sitting behind her desk, the phone pressed against her ear, when the door swung open and Rina walked in. They were planning to go to lunch. Since there hadn’t been any problems over the weekend, and no trouble when she’d come to work that morning, Sage figured she’d be able to get away for a couple hours—without her overbearing bodyguard.

He’d surprised her with an apology for his behavior last night—which had been her fault as much as his.

She wished she could have stayed mad at him, convinced herself he was just another arrogant male. But he had spoiled that by actually behaving like a human being.

She blocked him from her mind as Rina rushed toward her across the office, her face flushed, her blue eyes wide.

“Oh, my God, Sage, have you seen what’s going on outside?”

Sage stood up behind her desk. “No. What is?” Her door swung open just then, at the same instant her intercom buzzed.

“We’ve got a problem,” Jake said, striding in as if he owned the place.

Will raced in behind him. “Sage, the police are downstairs.”

Sage shot Jake a glance. “What’s going on, Jake?”

He tipped his head toward the big floor-to-ceiling windows on one wall of her spacious office. “Take a look.”

Will backed out of the room and closed the door.

“Jake, this is my friend Rina Eckhart,” she said. “Rina, meet Jake Cantrell.”

Rina gave Jake a head-to-toe once-over, which took a while, since she was so petite and he was so big. “Nice to meet you, Jake.”

He smiled. “You, too, Rina.”

Sage went over to the window and looked out past the wide steps at the front. A familiar sight greeted her—only now the protest was three times bigger.

“I guess the students are back.”

“They’re back, all right,” Jake said, walking up beside her. “Along with two other factions. Besides the students, there’s a pro-American bunch thanking God for keeping our troops safe in the Middle East, protesting sharia law, advocating for women’s rights and anything else that comes to mind. Another group is demonstrating against Israel and pushing for a Palestinian state.”

Sage turned to look at him, felt that same little kick she always experienced when he was near. “I can’t believe this. All we’re doing is trying to buy a used drilling platform and a shipment of pipe.”

“Believe it. There’s plenty of friction out there. The cops have arrived to try to keep things under control. It remains to be seen how much good it will do.”

“Don’t these people have to get permits for this kind of thing?”

“I talked to the police. The main group has done the necessary paperwork. Aside from that, there’s a thing called freedom of speech.”

Worry knotted her stomach. “The Saudis are due at the airport tomorrow afternoon. What are we going to do?”

“We’re going to handle it,” Jake said firmly. “Linc’s got a fleet lined up to meet the plane and take them to the hotel. They’ll have their own security while they’re there, and we’ll put a couple of people on it, too. The sheik and his family will be at the hotel the rest of that day and Wednesday. The ranch won’t be ready till the weekend. That leaves only Thursday and Friday to worry about.”

“On Friday they’d like to attend prayers at the local mosque. That’s the Da’wah Center. It’s right downtown.”

“Good. We’ll have them taken them there and picked up, return them to the hotel. That leaves only Thursday.”

Sage worried her bottom lip. She looked up at him. “I wonder if they’ve ever been to an IMAX.”

Jake flashed her one of his devastating grins. “Probably ten of them in Saudi Arabia, but it’s still a good idea. Anything that’ll keep them away from the office.”

“The daughter wants to go shopping,” she said, her mind beginning to work.

“I imagine you can handle that.”

“Are you kidding?” Sage smiled, Jake’s confidence easing her nerves. “The Galleria is my home away from home.”

“She’ll have to be accompanied by a male family member. There may be more than one, and they’re sure to have bodyguards. I’ll get one of the other guys at my office to go along. Alex Justice is an ex-navy pilot. He’s capable and he knows the drill.”

Sage turned to Rina. “Maybe you could come with us. With two other women in the group, A’lia won’t stand out so much.”

Jake’s gaze flicked to the redhead. “Good idea. Can you make it?”

Rina grinned. She was always up for an adventure. “I’d love to come along. I’m a shop-till-you-drop kinda’ gal, and I’ve never met a Saudi princess.”

“All right, then. We keep them busy and away from the office. With nothing going on here, there’s a good chance things will start cooling down. By Monday of the following week, you’ll have done enough small talk to satisfy their customs and earn their trust. If the protests are over, you can bring them into the office and start negotiations.”

Sage shoved back her hair, lifting it away from her face. “You make it sound easy.”

“It could be. With any luck, it’ll all work out the way we plan.” But his smile couldn’t hide the unease in those sexy blue eyes. She knew it was the same worry she was feeling.

She looked over at her friend, determined to carry on as normally as possible. “You ready, Rina?”

“Sounds like Jake has everything under control, so yeah, let’s go.”

Sage turned to him. “We’re going to Gravitas for lunch. Rina’s car is in the lot. We’ll go out the back way so no one will see us. You and I can talk some more when I get back.”

Jake just smiled. “I’ll tell Linc we’ll be needing the limo.”

She didn’t argue. She didn’t care who drove them; she just wanted out of there. “All right.” Sage started for the door, but Jake’s long strides got him there before she did. He pulled it open, stepped back for them to walk out, then followed on their heels.

Sage stopped and turned. “Please don’t tell me you’re going with us.”

“All right, I won’t.”

But deep down, she had known he would demand to accompany them. With the protests going on out front, it was his job.

He pushed the button on the elevator, and when it arrived, followed them inside.

She gave it one last try. “Jake, please…”

“I won’t sit at your table. In fact, you’ll hardly know I’m there. That’s the way it works, Sage. This won’t be for long. In the meantime, you might as well get used to it.”

“I could sure get used to it,” Rina teased with a grin.

Sage bit back a smile and shook her head. They headed for the back entrance out of the lobby, which led to the executive parking lot. When the guard pushed open the door, Sage jerked to a halt.

“Son of a bitch,” Jake muttered beneath his breath. The group out front had morphed into a mass of people at the back door, slightly smaller, but no less disturbing. He let the door swing closed, but not before Sage got a look at the media trucks parked at the curb, the cameras aimed at the crowd, as well as the back door of the building. It was turning into a circus.

Jake was on his iPhone, in contact with Lincoln Jones. He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

“Linc’s pulling up as close as he can get. He’ll have the passenger door open. When I say go, walk as quickly as you can to the car and get in.”

Sage glanced at Rina, who didn’t look nearly as perky as she had before. “Are you ready for this?” she asked.

Her friend’s slim shoulders straightened. “I guess if I want to eat, I don’t have any choice.”

“Go!” Jake said, and they hurried toward the car. He was blocking the way like a pro football tackle, herding them into the car, then jumping inside himself. Linc gunned the engine and they shot out of the parking lot, the tires squealing, the crowd surging toward them, waving their signs.

If she closed her eyes, Sage could still see the one that read Keep American Money in America. And right beside it, Dumont Millions Earned at the Price of Betrayal.

* * *

“We got company,” Linc said, his black eyes fixed on the mirror above the windshield.

Jake turned in his seat, saw the white media van cutting in and out of traffic behind them. “Get rid of them.” He checked to make sure the women had their seat belts fastened as Linc gunned the powerful engine.

A couple of screeching turns, roaring through a few yellow lights, blazing down a straightaway, careening around another corner, and the van was no longer in sight.

“Everybody okay?” Jake asked.

Sage smiled. “When you said Linc could drive, you really meant it.”

Rina grinned and leaned back in her seat with a theatrical sigh. “Reminds me of my high school days.”

Jake’s eyebrows went up. “You drove like that in high school?”

“I had a boyfriend whose dad was into drag racing. Jimmy had a hot Camaro. We did a little drag racing at night.”

“That’s illegal, you know,” Linc said from the driver’s seat.

Rina laughed. “Fun, though.”

Jake almost smiled. He was beginning to like the saucy little redhead. And she seemed like a good friend to Sage. There was no heat in the flirty looks she cast his way. It was just to tease her friend.

They reached the restaurant and Linc drove theEscalade up in front. Jake helped the women out, then escorted them both inside the brick building.

Gravitas was hip and modern, the food upscale and interesting. The maître d’ approached Sage smiling, a short guy in his thirties with brown hair thinning on top.

“We have your table ready, Ms. Dumont.”

“Thank you, Ned.”

He flicked a glance at Jake. “Will there be three in your party?”

“No,” Jake answered.

The man seated the ladies, then returned. “One for lunch, sir?”

“I’m Ms. Dumont’s personal security. I need to make a sweep of the restaurant, make sure it’s safe. Then seat me someplace where I can watch her table, and bring me a sandwich—it doesn’t matter what kind.”

“Of course, sir. Over the weekend, I read something in the newspaper about the protests at Marine Drilling. I hope there isn’t any trouble.”

“Just a lot of noise so far. Let’s hope it stays that way.”

But Jake didn’t like the different factions milling around together. It was like putting them in a pressure cooker and turning up the heat.

The maître d’ seated him at a discrete table not too close to Sage. She deserved some privacy. And since she wasn’t having lunch with Phillip…

The evil demon was back, making him inwardly smile. For whatever reason, his dislike for Stanton hadn’t lessened. Jake was damned glad the guy had left the country.

Which returned his thoughts to Sage and how much he wanted her. What would it take, he wondered, to get her into his bed?

He took a long swallow of the iced tea the waiter delivered. What happened Sunday night had been accidental. He knew women. Sage wasn’t the kind who slept with men other than the one she was pledged to.

Still, the attraction between them hadn’t diminished. He felt it every time he looked at her. Every time she looked at him. Just sitting next to her in the car had left him hard and wanting. He wondered how it had affected Sage.

He had a feeling the desire that sparked between them was new to her, not something she felt with Phillip.

It didn’t matter. Jake didn’t date married women because he didn’t want to think of them in another man’s bed. He felt the same way about Sage. She was available or she wasn’t.

And clearly, she wasn’t.

He made another slow, sweeping perusal of the restaurant, saw that everything was as it should be, picked up his sandwich and dug in.

The delicious pastrami on rye tasted like sawdust in his mouth.

* * *

“Your neck isn’t getting stiff, is it?”

Sage kept her eyes straight ahead. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s okay if you look at him once in a while,” Rina said. “He’s very easy on the eyes.”

“I don’t want to look at him. I don’t want to think about him. I just want this whole thing to be over.”

Rina ate a few bites of her salad. Sage mostly pushed the lettuce around on her plate.

“You know, I’ve known you for years,” her friend said. “I’ve never seen you this way.”

“What way is that?”

“Fascinated by a man.”

The bite of tomato stuck in Sage’s throat. “I’m not fascinated with Jake. He’s smarter than I thought and maybe not so much of a jerk. He’s good at what he does and I admire that. But he’s just a man. More virile that most, I’ll admit, but still only a man.”

“He’s not just virile, the guy is the ultimate stud. Your female anatomy recognizes that, responds to it. You want him, Sage. I’ve never seen you in lust before, until now. It’s as simple as that.”

Her insides tightened. “You think that’s simple? I’m engaged, Rina. I’m getting married to Phillip. Surely you don’t think I should cheat on him.”

“I think maybe you should consider talking to Phillip, telling him you need some time to think things over. Tell him you want to postpone your engagement for a while.”

“For God’s sake, Rina, just because I’m attracted to my bodyguard doesn’t mean I want to give up the future Phillip and I have planned.”

“It isn’t just that. From the start, you’ve been hesitant—and don’t tell me I’m wrong. I know you. I know Phillip embodies all the things you think you want out of life, the things you think you need to accomplish your goals. But maybe that isn’t so. Maybe you deserve more than an arranged marriage—because that’s exactly what it is.”

Sage set her fork down on the table. “My grandfather has nothing to do with this.”

“Pleasing him does.”

Her mouth felt dry. Rina was her best friend. If anyone else dared to talk to her this way, she would walk away and never look back. “If you really believe that, why did you wait so long to say it?”

“I said all this before, Sage. You just weren’t listening. That you’re listening to me now ought to tell you something. Even if you don’t give in to your attraction to Jake, give what I said some thought. Give yourself a chance to find out what you really want out of life. Maybe you’ll find out it isn’t Phillip Stanton.”

Sage took a long drink of her tea and realized her hand was trembling. She respected Sabrina Eckhart, and she trusted her. Rina would never do anything to hurt her.

And yet hearing those things did hurt. And they made her wonder… .

“I’ll think about it—when all this Saudi business is over. Right now, I just don’t have the time.”

“Fair enough.” Rina reached out and caught her hand. “I didn’t intend to bring any of this up. It’s just that when you look at Jake, there’s something in your eyes I’ve never seen there before.”

Sage pulled her hand away. “It’s exactly what you said it was. It’s lust, Rina. I may not have felt anything quite like it before, but I’m smart enough to recognize it now. And I’m not going to let it ruin my life.”

Seven

The Saudis arrived right on schedule. Tuesday afternoon, Sheik Khalid’s Boeing 727 landed at Bush International Airport and taxied to the executive terminal.

Jake was there with Sage to greet them, along with her assistant, Will Bailey, and a man named Red Williams. Her assistant was a string bean of a kid in his mid-twenties, with dark hair and big horn-rimmed glasses. Will looked efficient, which Jake was sure he was, or he wouldn’t be working for Sage.

Red Williams was the man Sage had chosen to bring with her into the negotiations, the one she considered her best purchasing agent, and apparently someone she respected.

Red had reached the top of his profession by working his way up from the bottom. According to Sage, he was a hard-driving, hardworking man, and he had the calluses to prove it. It was Red’s job to fend off the minions willing to do just about anything, no matter how shady or underhanded, to sell goods to Marine Drilling. He had to ignore the tempting offers of all-expense-paid trips to the Caribbean, the bribes, booze and women, and actually buy the products that would serve the company best. Apparently, he did.

Yesterday, after they returned from lunch, Sage had brought him into the office. Jake had worked with him the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, teaching him the basic protocols he would need to know to negotiate with the Saudis.

Aside from asking questions and giving advice when it was needed, Red would remain in the background as much as possible. He seemed to have no problem with that.

Jake liked him right away.

The plane taxied up to the executive terminal and the jet engines shut down. A ladder rolled across the tarmac toward the door, and a few minutes later, the heavy portal swung open. The Saudi entourage descended the steps, crossed the asphalt and entered the building through a private entrance.

Jake stood just behind Sage, Alex Justice beside him.

Jake had brought his friend in mostly for appearances. Though everyone involved in the negotiations knew Sage Dumont was in charge, she was a woman and would therefore be seen as less important. Having two personal bodyguards left no doubt of her status.

The greeting was perfectly executed, all the protocols followed. Sage had done her homework, and so had everyone else.

“As-salam-alaikum,” she said, using the standard Saudi greeting. Peace be upon you. “Welcome to America.”

The sheik seemed pleased. “Wa alaikum as-salam,” he replied. And upon you be peace. “We appreciate your hospitality,” he added in perfect English.

His Highness Sheik Khalid Al Kahzaz was a tall, lean man with high cheekbones, olive skin and black eyes, dignified with his gray-speckled black beard and flowing white thobe. He wore the traditional Saudi headdress, as did his son, Roshan, the cousins, Quadim and Yasar, and their four male bodyguards. Dressed in black suits, the guards were all tall, silent and forbidding, giving the exact impression the sheik wanted.

His daughter, A’lia, walked behind him in a loose-fitting caftan that fell around her ankles. Instead of white cotton, the robe was made of delicate embroidered rose silk. A matching scarf covered her neck, head and shoulders and most of her face, but it couldn’t hide the girl’s stunning beauty—her fine, perfect features, delicate nose and small white teeth. Just before she was introduced, she pulled a thin black veil over the lower portion of her face. Her cousin Zahra, taller and blunt-featured, was even more fully covered, and though her garment was also embroidered, it was completely black. Zahra was a few years older, maybe twenty-four or twenty-five, brought along, Jake was certain, to make sure A’lia stayed in line.

As a former Saudi minister there to negotiate the sale, Sheik Khalid and his family had diplomatic immunity. They whisked through customs and outside into the bright Texas heat, pouring into the line of black SUVs Linc had waiting. The cars sped away while their vast array of Louis Vuitton luggage was loaded into more SUVs.

Riding in the lead car, Alex sat next to the driver, Jake behind them next to Sage, and Will and Red in the rear seat as Linc maneuvered the vehicle through traffic. The sheik rode in the second car with his son and daughter and two bodyguards. Zahra rode with the cousins and two more bodyguards in the third vehicle.

The cars reached the Four Seasons, the timing fairly close together and without incident. The Saudi group was welcomed by hotel staff and escorted up to the twentieth floor.

Sage accompanied them, walking into the entry of the elegant, richly appointed presidential suite, Jake taking a position behind her and to the right, Alex behind and to her left.

She smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle from the front of her pale yellow business suit. Jake’s gaze ran over her. Though the skirt reached well below her knees and the cream silk blouse was buttoned to the throat, she still made him think of sex. His pulse quickened and his loins began to fill. The fertility gods were definitely working overtime.

“I hope you find the hotel accommodations satisfactory, Your Highness,” Sage said.

He smiled. “The suite is quite lovely.”

“I’ve planned an itinerary I hope will meet with your approval and you will find interesting. While you’re here, if there is anything at all you need, please feel free to call my assistant or me and let us know.” She handed him their business cards, carefully prepared with the information on the front also printed in Arabic on the back.

The sheik looked down at the cards. “I am certain everything will be fine.”

Sage smiled. She was doing everything just right, Jake thought, oddly proud of her.

“Then rest and recover from your journey,” she said. “Take a look at the schedule, and if it is suitable, I’ll see you again on Thursday.”

The sheik gazed at the paper she handed him. “My daughter wishes very much to go shopping here in America, and my son would enjoy the IMAX. There is one at the science dome in Al-Khobar, but I have not been there. I understand the screen is several stories high.”

Sage’s smile widened. “That’s right. It’s amazing. There’s a movie showing at the IMAX here in Houston, a climb up Mount Everest. It’s quite an exciting film.”

“Yes, I would like to see that.”

Sage made her farewells and stepped out into the hall. As soon as the door closed behind her, she sagged against the wall. “Thank God that’s over.”

Jake smiled, relieved it had gone so well.

Alex grinned, flashing those damned dimples women seemed to love. “I hate to point this out,” he said, “but this is only the beginning.”

She gave him the first real smile Jake had seen on her face all day. “True, but I made it this far without doing anything stupid. That’s a start in the right direction.”

“You did great, Sage,” Alex said.

When her smile widened and Alex’s damn dimples showed up again, Jake sliced him a hard look, but Alex just laughed.

“Let’s get out of here,” Jake said grimly, suddenly wishing he’d brought in someone besides his good-looking friend.

The three of them headed back down to the lobby. Red and Will had already left for their respective jobs. Linc waited in the SUV, which was parked in front, and the three climbed inside.

They were quiet on the drive back to the office, silently preparing themselves for the scene they would be facing when they got there.

“What’s the time frame for the shopping trip on Thursday?” Alex asked.

“The mall opens at ten,” Jake said. “We’ll pick up A’lia and her escorts a little before then. That evening, we’ll take the sheik and his party to the IMAX. I’ve got a private showing arranged.”

Alex nodded. The Escalade reached Louisiana Street and pulled into the executive lot. Unfortunately, the group in back of the building had swelled to the size of the group out front.

“Fuck,” Jake whispered, too low for Sage to hear, and thought that pretty well summed things up.

* * *

Sage hurried along behind Jake as he forged a path through the media toward the back door. Alex followed close behind her, fending off the hordes that tried to get too close.

“Ms. Dumont!” a reporter shouted, shoving a microphone in her face. “What do you have to say about what’s going on here?”

“No comment,” she muttered, as Jake shouldered the man aside.

“The students are here to show their support for democracy in the Middle East,” shouted a female reporter wearing a KTRK TV badge. “Are you sympathetic to their cause?”

“No comment.” Sage kept moving, Jake clearing the way, Alex backing him up.

“Ms. Dumont!” The first reporter caught up with her again and shoved the mic back into her face. “Some of these people are protesting the business you’re doing with a country they feel is oppressive. How do you feel about Marine Drilling spending American money in the Middle East?”

Jake grabbed the device out of the newsman’s hands, nearly knocking him off his feet. “The lady told you she has no comment.” Then he shoved the mic at him, so hard the man jerked backward. Tentatively, the reporter reached out and took hold of it, and they continued toward the door.

Jake stepped inside and hauled Sage in after him. Alex followed, and the security guard closed the door.

“You okay?” Jake asked her.

She nodded, but she was trembling, her mouth dry as cotton. “I hate this.”

“Maybe you should call off the deal and let the Saudis go back home.”

She shook her head, wishing she could do just that. It wasn’t going to happen. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I invited the sheik and his family to Texas. I’m not going to abandon them.”

Approval shone in his face. “I didn’t really figure you would.” Catching hold of her arm, he urged her toward the bank of elevators in the lobby. Through the thick, mirrored-glass walls of the building, she could hear the demonstrators outside, arguing and shouting back and forth.

“Unless you need me,” Alex said, “I’ll see you Thursday.”

“Thanks, buddy,” Jake said, and Alex headed out to his car.

Sage stepped into the elevator and Jake followed. “It’s getting worse instead of better,” she said.

Jake pushed the button to the twelfth floor. “It still may cool down.”

“Or they may start killing each other.”

His mouth quirked. “There’s always that chance.”

Sage stood beside him in the elevator. Even in her high heels, he towered above her. She felt feminine and safe in a way she never had before.

She thought of the sheik’s daughter, A’lia, beautiful and sheltered. Living in a gilded prison. As lovely as she was, there was a sadness in her dark, exotic eyes, something that seemed to reach out to Sage in some way. In the cousin, Zahra, Sage had sensed no underlying disquiet. It made her wonder if she could be wrong, and A’lia was happy.

Whatever the truth, it was none of her business. She was determined to make a multimillion-dollar deal, save a boatload of money for Marine Drilling and prove to her grandfather she was capable of running the company when Michael Curtis retired next year.

She entered her office, accidentally brushing against Jake’s thick chest as he held open the door, and his eyes locked with hers. A jolt of electricity shot through her, making her legs feel weak. It was ridiculous. He probably had the same effect on every woman in the building.

Except she had never seen him look at another woman the way he was looking at her.

Another little curl of heat slipped through her. There was no question Jake wanted her. Every time he glanced at her, it was boldly there in his eyes. And yet she couldn’t accuse him of overstepping the boundary between them.

What she couldn’t understand was this burning desire she felt for him. It had never happened before, not even in her more carefree days in college. She’d had boyfriends. She had even slept with a couple of them. But there was none of the gnawing hunger she felt when she looked at Jake.

It wasn’t like her. She was serious and dedicated. She didn’t lust for a man.

Sage amended that. She had never lusted for a man before. It appalled her to realize how much she desired Jake.

“If you keep looking at me that way, I might break my rule.”

Her face went warm. She knew exactly what he meant. He wanted her, but he wouldn’t touch her unless she was free.

She turned away from him, forced her feet to carry her over to her desk.

“It went well today, I thought,” she said, forcing her mind toward business.

“You did great,” he said, and there was none of the heat she had heard in his voice before. “The sheik is well-educated. Speaks English like a native. The son, as well. Makes everything easier.”

“Khalid and Roshan were both schooled at Oxford.”

He nodded. “I’ll be coaching Red a little more this afternoon. I noticed he has a habit of crossing his ankle over his knee when he sits too long. I’ve warned him it’s a major insult to show a Saudi the bottom of his shoe.”

“Red may not have a university degree, but he’s smart. He’ll remember what you tell him.”

“He seems like a good man to have on your team.”

“He’s a very good man. I considered asking one of the VPs, either Charles Denton or Jonathan Hunter, but they’re both very busy with their own jobs, and extremely competitive. I wasn’t sure how much I could trust them. Red worked for Ian for years before he started working for me. He’s loyal to a fault.”

“That was my take on the guy.”

“So what about Thursday? Looks like the sheik is going to let his daughter go shopping with us. Probably her cousin Zahra will come with her.”

“She’s got to have a male relative along,” Jake said again. “I have a hunch we’ll have a small army going with us to the mall. I called yesterday and made arrangements with Saks and Neiman Marcus. They’re going to provide a private salon.”

Sage grinned up at him. “That’s a good start—considering you’re a man—but not nearly enough. I’ll have Will phone Cartier, Gucci and Tiffany’s. The sheik and his crew already own enough Vuitton to open their own shop, so we can probably leave them out.”

“Or that might be exactly the place they want to go.”

She sighed. “You’re right. They sell a lot more than just luggage. I’ll have Will let Vuitton know we’ll be in.”

“For that caliber of buyer, the boutiques may close the doors to the public while we’re in there.”

“I’m sure they will. Just think of all the money we’ll be bringing into the community.”

Jake grinned. “Maybe we ought to march around with a sign that says Marine Drilling—Spending Saudi Money in America.”

Sage laughed. “Maybe.” Her laughter slowly faded. “They’ll be safe, won’t they?”

His gaze shifted, darkened. “They’ll be fine. More importantly, you’ll be safe. I promise you that, Sage.”

And when she looked into those blue, blue eyes, she knew he would keep his word.

Knew that if he had to, Jake Cantrell would protect her with his life.

Eight

They left the office shortly after six that night. The heat outside was intense, but the sun was a little less vicious as the days marched through September. The crowd had thinned some and the media cameras were gone, which was a hopeful sign. Jake sat next to Sage in the backseat of the SUV, slightly more relaxed now that they were away from the building.

So far no one seemed to know the Saudis had arrived in Houston, or if they did, they were more interested in Marine Drilling’s involvement than they were in the Saudis themselves. Jake wasn’t sure if that was bad news or good.

The Escalade had traveled only a couple blocks through the office high-rise district when his cell phone rang. Pulling it out of the pocket of his suit coat, he checked the caller ID and saw it was Tanya Porter. Tanya was the mother of the boy he sponsored in the Big Brother program Linc had gotten him involved in when he’d first returned to Texas.

“Jake, I’m sorry to bother you,” she said, “but I’ve got a problem. I was wondering if you might be able to give Felix a ride home.”

“What happened?”

“He went to the show with his friend Desi, and Desi’s older brother, Bo. I guess they got to arguing and the boys ended up leaving him there. I know you’ve been working downtown. He’s in front of the AMC. Is there any way you could pick him and bring him home?”

“I’m on the job, Tanya. I can’t get to him for at least another hour.”

Sage reached over and caught his arm. “What is it?”

“Hold on.” He covered the phone. “A friend of mine’s got a problem, young kid named Felix Porter. I’m his Big Brother. He’s stuck at the AMC theatre and needs a ride home.”

“The theater isn’t that far. For heaven’s sake, pick him up.”

“You sure?”

“I’m done for the day. It isn’t a problem.”

Jake smiled. “Thanks. Felix is a good kid. Not the kind to make trouble. Some of his friends, however, are another story.” Jake spoke across the front seat to Linc. “You hear that?”

“On my way.”

Jake let Tanya know he would pick up Felix and bring him home. The theater was only a few blocks out of the way. When they got there, Felix was waiting on the corner, the cell phone Jake paid for in his hand. Jake rolled down the window and motioned him over. Linc opened the front door and the kid climbed in beside him.

Felix turned in the seat. “Thanks, Jake.” He was a lanky kid, with feet and hands still a little too big for his growing frame. Beneath his shiny black skin, his face looked tightly drawn.

“Felix, say hello to Ms. Dumont. She’s the one who’s giving you a ride.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Felix.”

“What happened?” Jake asked as Linc began to move the big SUV through traffic.

Felix shrugged, stared down at his hands. “Desi and me… We had a fight. It was no big deal.”

Jake knew it was probably Desi’s older brother, Bo, who was the troublemaker, but Felix wouldn’t snitch on the dumb-ass kid. As soon as Jake got the time, he’d have a little talk with Felix’s friends. “No big deal, huh? Seems like with those two, something’s always ‘no big deal.’”

Felix glanced away.

They left the downtown area, slugged their way through traffic and headed for the house south of Holcombe where the twelve-year-old lived. His mother was waiting on the sidewalk as he slipped out of the front seat.

“Thanks, Jake. Ms. Dumont.” The kid closed the door and ran to where his mother stood. Tanya waved, and the two of them headed into the house.

Jake turned to Sage. “Thanks for letting me pick him up. Like I said, Felix is a really good kid.”

She smiled as Linc pulled away from the curb. “The Big Brother program is extremely worthwhile. Our company’s a big supporter. I’m really glad you’re helping him.”

He nodded, realizing the kid was another tie he would have to cut when he took off on another job. This was the second time he’d lived in Houston. The first was after he’d left the service and returned from the Middle East. He’d gotten his P.I.’s license and taken a job freelancing for Trace.

Though he’d enjoyed the work, eventually he’d grown restless and taken a corporate protection job in South America. He’d traveled and worked there for a while, and had just finished a job in Mexico when he got a call from Dev Raines and met up with him, Trace and Johnnie Riggs, old military buddies.

When the job was over, he’d returned to Texas, which had begun to feel more like home than any other place he’d been.

He flicked a glance at Sage, his current, far more intriguing assignment, and looked back out the window. Nothing but traffic, no one on their tail, and aside from the occasional bad driver, nothing that posed any sort of danger.

He was doing his best to keep his eyes off her, trying not to think how pretty she looked even after the long, grueling day. Trying to keep his thoughts in check and his blood from flowing south.

Once the SUV reached the high-rise where she lived, Jake escorted her upstairs, went in and checked her apartment. Finding everything in order, he made himself head for the door—though every ounce of testosterone in his body wanted him to stay.

He reminded himself the lady belonged to another man, that he had a job to do and there was no place in it for his attraction to Sage.

He reached for the doorknob. “I’ll pick you up in the morning.” He stopped and turned. “Unless you have plans to go out tonight.” So far the threat posed by the demonstrators had stayed confined to the downtown area around the office, but until this was over, he didn’t want her going out by herself.

Sage hesitated, then smiled. “I’ve been sticking pretty close to home. I figured it would be safer that way.”

“Good girl.”

She walked him to the door. Knowing he shouldn’t, he lingered. “You did really well today. You said all the right things, made the right moves. I think the Saudis were impressed.”

Her smile reappeared. “Thanks. Coming from you, that means a lot.” She didn’t move away, and he wanted to reach for her, haul her into his arms. He wanted to kiss her until he had her begging him to take her to bed.

He couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

Jake turned and walked out the door.

It wasn’t until later that night that he found himself thinking about her brief moment of hesitation. It didn’t mean anything, he told himself. Sage wouldn’t risk going out alone.

But it bothered him.

After he finished the rest of the leftover spaghetti he’d picked up at Mama’s Take-Out a couple nights ago, he found himself dialing Sage’s home number. The answering machine picked up and his nerves kicked in. When he phoned her cell and his call went directly to her messaging center, he tamped down the worry beginning to knot his stomach, damned her for the little witch she was, and headed for the door.

* * *

“Are you sure we should be doing this?” Dressed in a sapphire-blue mini that set off her eyes, Rina sat across from Sage at the Post Oak Grill, one of Sage’s favorite restaurants.

Dressed more conservatively in a short, black silk dress and platform heels, Sage took a sip of wine. “I’m sure, all right. Absolutely sure we shouldn’t be doing it. But I’m really glad we are.”

Rina laughed, making her long silver earrings jangle.

Sage released a slow breath. “I’ve had one heckuva day. I had to get out of the house, just for a while.” I had to stop thinking of Jake.

The episode this afternoon with Felix had shown her a completely different side of him, one that was far too appealing. The hero worship she’d seen in the boy’s dark eyes told her how good Jake was with the kid. She wished she hadn’t noticed. She didn’t want to like Jake as well as lust for him.

“Well, we aren’t that far from your apartment,” Rina said, taking a sip of the rich Stag’s Leap cabernet they had ordered, “and this place should certainly be safe enough.”

Sage took a bite of perfectly cooked, medium rare filet mignon, savoring the delicious port reduction sauce. “God, I love the food here. Since all this started, I’ve barely had time to eat. Believe it or not, I’ve actually lost a couple of pounds.”

Rina rolled her eyes. “That should happen to me.”

Sage scoffed. “You don’t need to lose weight. You’re perfect.”

“I don’t need to lose weight because I constantly watch what I eat. If I didn’t, I’d be as big as a house.”

Sage just smiled. Rina ate healthy food, and both of them went to the gym at least three times a week. That is, until she had gotten involved with the Saudi deal. Fortunately, there was a fitness center in the apartment building where she lived.

“So tell me about today,” Rina said. “How did it go with his high-and-mightiness, the sheik?”

“Actually, I think it went pretty well. But, Lord, it wasn’t easy. And this is just getting started.” She sipped her wine, set the glass back down on the table. “You’re still on for the shopping trip, right?”

Rina grinned. “You couldn’t keep me away.”

“A’lia will probably be bringing her cousin Zahra, so there’ll be four of us women altogether. I think that’ll make things a little easier. Or at least with you there, it’ll be easier for me.”

“What’s she like?”

“Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. But kind of sad, I think. It has to be a hard to have your entire life completely laid out for you and be totally dominated by men.”

“And some of them will be coming with us to the mall, I gather.”

“That’s right. A male relative and probably at least one bodyguard. Along with Jake and Alex.”

“Alex?”

“Alex Justice. He’s the guy who’s helping Jake with security. Apparently, they work out of the same office.” She took a bite of scalloped potatoes and decided she had never tasted anything so delicious. Then again, everything tasted good when you forgot to eat.

“I think you’ll like this guy,” Sage said.

“I’m involved, remember?”

“So am I, remember? He seems interesting. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Interesting how?”

“Six-two, a hundred eighty pounds. Dark blond hair and blue eyes. He’s got the cutest pair of dimples.”

Rina eyed her across the top of her wineglass. “But he’s not Jake, right? So you’re passing him on to me.”

“I’m not passing him on to anyone. I just mentioned him.”

“That’s good, because I’m not interested.”

“I thought you and Ryan were having trouble.”

“Everyone has trouble. We’ll work things out eventually.”

She thought of Phillip. Since he left, they’d spoken several times on the phone, but their conversations were brief and unfulfilling. There were never any arguments, not even any serious disagreements. Maybe that was the problem. Both of them always kept their emotions carefully controlled. No outbursts, no fighting. Never saying what was really on her mind. Maybe that bothered her more than she’d realized.

Sage glanced up. There was something going on in the restaurant. People were beginning to whisper and shift in their chairs. She gazed around the room, caught something pressed against one of the plate-glass windows, a big white square with words written on it. When she saw what it said, the delicious filet mignon nearly came back up.

Dumont Drilling Traitors. Keep U.S. Money in the U.S.

“Oh, my God.” Rina stared out the window, and the noise in the restaurant grew louder. Sage turned to see a man storming toward her, his face beet-red, his brown hair standing on end, his lips thinned in anger.

“It’s people like you!” he shouted. “People like you who are ruining our country!”

Her mind went blank. Opening another drilling platform would mean dozens of new jobs for the area. It would be helping the country end its dependence on foreign oil. The environment had to be protected—she adamantly agreed with that—but Marine Drilling did everything in its power to keep people and the ocean safe.

All those arguments and half a dozen others rushed into her head. She wanted to explain, but as she stared into the man’s furious face, not a single syllable came out of her mouth.

His fist slammed down on the table, making the silverware jump and water slop over the rim of their glasses. “You hear what I said? It’s people like you!”

“You don’t…don’t understand.” It was all she could manage to say as she spotted the valets pushing through the door and starting toward her, caught a slice of the commotion outside, more signs, more people who wanted her to fail.

“Send them back where they belong! You hear me?”

She heard the words, but they were muffled by the ringing in her ears. Then Jake was there, striding toward the table, his face set in hard, determined lines. He grabbed the red-faced man by the back of the neck and hauled him away from her, putting himself between her and the danger. The man looked at Jake and his lips curled back, ready for another damning tirade. Jake’s hand settled on his shoulder, and an instant later the man went limp.

Sage watched in awe as Jake propped him against his side and hauled him out of there as if he weighed nothing, as if maybe he was just a friend who had drunk a little too much. The maître d’ stepped out of the way, letting them pass, and the pair disappeared through the door.

“Oh, my God,” Rina said again, staring at the place where Jake had been.

Sage just sat there trembling. She could still see the fury etched on the man’s ruddy features. And the matching fury in Jake’s. She had never seen him angry before, at least not like that. And part of it was clearly directed at her.

On top of that, she had never seen him in action. The scene was over before it had truly begun. Jake had taken the man down with unbelievable ease, put an end to the threat in seconds. Sage felt certain the guy wasn’t really hurt, just immobilized and then neatly dispensed with.

Though she could be wrong.

She fought to compose herself as she looked at Rina, whose blue eyes looked as big as saucers. Then Sage spotted Jake striding back toward her, and wished she could slide under the table.

“Time to leave,” he said, hauling her to her feet, her napkin falling to the floor. “You, too, sweetheart.”

Rina shot up from her chair. Numbly, Sage let Jake pull her toward the door, herding Rina along in front of them.

“What…what about the bill?” Sage asked, her voice high-pitched and shaky.

“They’re sending it to your office.”

She swallowed, realizing for the first time that he was guiding them though a side door that led into the alley.

“I’ll drop you off on the way,” Jake said to Rina, apparently planning to drive Sage home.

“I drove us here tonight. I can get home by myself.”

“You sure?”

“It wasn’t me they were after.”

Jake’s scowl deepened. Sage stood there trembling as he surveyed the outside of the restaurant, searching for any remaining sign of danger. But the people who had been at the window were gone. So was the man who had barged up to her table. Jake took her arm as he walked Rina over to her little red Mercedes SLK, waited until she buckled herself inside, then watched as she drove out of the parking lot.

Sage didn’t resist as he pulled her toward his Jeep, lifted her up and dropped her into the seat.

“Buckle up,” he said darkly, then slammed her door and strode around to the driver’s side. With her hands shaking, she couldn’t get the clasp fastened. Fumbled, tried again. Jake reached across her lap and shoved the buckle into the catch. Without a word, he started the engine and roared out of the parking lot.

Sage just sat there, her mind going over and over the scene in the restaurant. All the way back to the apartment, Jake didn’t speak. When they reached the tenth floor and walked out of the elevator, he took the key from her hand and started to unlock the door.

Sage swallowed. “I shouldn’t have done it. I—I know that now. I just…” She shook her head. “After everything that’s happened, I just… I wanted a couple of hours to myself. I just wanted to pretend for a little while that everything was normal.” She looked up at him and her eyes filled. “Please, Jake, don’t be angry.”

The stiffness in those wide shoulders melted. Jake reached out and simply folded her into his arms. She knew she should resist, but all she wanted was to burrow into him more deeply, let him make her feel safe.

“It’s all right, baby, this is new to you. You scared me, that’s all.”

She didn’t let men call her baby or honey or any of those ridiculous terms. She should have told him that, put him in his place. Instead, she just hung on.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “It was a stupid thing to do. I won’t do it again.”

He nodded. She felt the tension begin to seep back into his big body, knew his concern was shifting to sexual awareness. The moment was over, and she

pulled away.

“I’d better go in.”

Jake nodded again and focused on opening the door. He used her key in the lock and turned the knob. As she disabled the alarm, he drew his pistol, a big, black semiautomatic, and began checking the rooms.

“Everything’s all right,” he said when he returned to the entry, shoving the gun back into its holster.

She looked up at him, trying not to think how good it had felt when he’d held her. “What happened to that man in the restaurant?”

Jake’s lips curled. “Guess he wasn’t feeling very well. Seems he fainted dead away.”

She cast him a glance. “But not really dead, right?”

He grinned. “Not really dead. He was fine by the time he got outside. By then the police were there and the demonstrators were dispersed.”

“How many were there?”

“Five, including him.”

Her mind strayed back to the scene in the restaurant and she shivered. What would have happened if Jake hadn’t come when he did? Things could have gotten ugly. Very ugly.

Sage frowned. “How did you know where to find me?”

Jake pulled out his iPhone, brought up the screen. “GPS. Handy little app that lets me know where everyone is. At least everyone whose cell number I’ve loaded.”

“Wait a minute. The way I understand it, you have to have my permission to do something like that.”

He smiled. “You must have given it to me. Maybe you just forgot.”

Sure, that must be it. The man was impossible. And she was incredibly glad he had shown up when he did.

“How did they find me at the restaurant?”

“They must have had someone watching the building. Not hard to find out where you live. Whoever it was must have followed you. I’ll talk to the security guard, bring him up to speed, tell him to watch out for anyone who doesn’t belong around here.”

She nodded. “The people who work here are very conscientious.”

“The police had a chat with the guy who bothered you. They warned him what would happen if he continued to harass you. They’ll also be keeping an eye on the building. Still, after what happened, I don’t like leaving you here alone.” His eyes found hers and lingered. She felt a sweep of heat, then suddenly short of breath. “Maybe I should stay.”

Sage forced some air into her lungs, breathed out slowly. Finally, she shook her head. She wanted him to stay. Which was the reason he had to leave. “I’ll be fine.”

He nodded, seeming almost relieved. He wanted her, but not as long as she was engaged to another man. Still, she tempted him. Just as he tempted her. But neither of them wanted to do something they would regret.

“I’m only a phone call away, Sage. Call if you need me.”

“I will.” She needed him, all right. But not for protection.

She walked him to the door.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” he said. “Lock up behind me.”

She nodded and watched him walk away. With a sigh, she closed the door, slid the dead bolts into place and turned the alarm system back on.

Tonight had shown her one thing—that until this was over, she needed Jake Cantrell.

Nine

Jake kicked himself all the way home. What the hell was he thinking? Sage wasn’t his baby. She wasn’t his sweetheart or even his date. She was his assignment. He had no right to hold her, no right to whisper soothing words in her ear.

In all his years of working protection details, he’d never done anything like that before.

Maybe if he hadn’t been so angry… But she had lied to him, or at least let him believe she would be staying safely at home. When he’d driven up to the restaurant and seen the angry people outside, when he’d walked inside and found the guy leaning over her table, threatening her, he had damn near come undone.

Then she’d told him she was sorry and looked up at him with those big, tear-filled golden eyes, and he’d melted like a bowl of ice cream on a hot Texas day. Damn, what the hell was wrong with him?

The thing she didn’t understand was that the whole situation with the Saudis was explosive. Jake knew from experience how quickly things could shift from volatile to deadly. It was his job to keep Sage safe, and tonight he had almost failed.

As he walked into his apartment and tossed his keys onto the kitchen table, he blew out a breath. What a day.

Earlier this evening, before he’d called Sage’s apartment, he’d phoned Tanya Porter, concerned about Felix. Tanya had managed to get her son to admit it was Desi’s older brother who had been hassling him, trying to get him to try some kind of drugs. The argument had started when Felix refused.

Jake was proud of the kid. Which, since he saw the boy only one weekend a month, he’d told Felix on the phone.

He really thought a lot of the kid. Until he’d come back to Houston, Jake had never allowed himself to get involved in other people’s problems. Maybe at thirty-five he was changing, becoming less of a loner.

As a boy, he had been close his dad. Then a heart attack struck as he worked in the fields, and Sam Cantrell was gone. Two years after he died, Jake’s mother had married one of her high school sweethearts, Sam’s bitter rival for Letty Cantrell’s hand. Since Jake looked just like his dad and by that time was just as big, he was a constant thorn in his stepfather’s side.

Figuring it was better for everyone, Jake had joined the marines and left Iowa. And aside from an occasion phone call to his mother, he’d never looked back.

He stretched out on the sofa in his living room now, his longs legs hanging over the arm, and shoved his hands behind his head. He was too keyed up to sleep. And he knew if he went to bed, he’d think of Sage. She was getting under his skin and he couldn’t let that happen.

After the little scene in her apartment tonight, he vowed nothing like that was going to happen again.

* * *

The demonstrations mushroomed again on Wednesday. There were at least three groups of people in front and behind the tall glass building, most of them at odds with each other. Some were the college students advocating for democracy in the Middle East, while others demonstrated against Israel in support of a Palestinian state. Some were Americans against Sharia Law, and there were those like the men last night who believed spending American money on Saudi Arabian equipment made Marine Drilling a threat to the country.

Any minute, Jake expected the scene to erupt into violence. So far that hadn’t happened.

On Thursday morning, Linc picked him up and they went to collect Sage for her shopping trip. Next, they picked up Rina at her apartment not far away. It was time to go shopping and all of them were ready for their day at the mall. Alex, who was meeting them at the Four Seasons, was waiting when the big black SUV pulled into the portico in front of the glass lobby doors. A second Escalade was already there and waiting.

Before they went inside, Sage made introductions. “Alex, this is my friend, Sabrina Eckhart.” Sage smiled. “Rina’s here to give me moral support.”

Rina smiled slightly. “Hello, Alex.”

“Rina.”

Jake watched his friend with interest, saw his baby blues slip over the petite redhead. He must have liked what he saw, because his smile came easy.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Alex was from Connecticut, born to a wealthy family, attended all the right schools. He was intelligent, had the polish that came with money and social position, and yet to his family he was a big disappointment. Seems his father wanted Alex to study law and go into politics. Instead, he joined the navy and became a fighter pilot. All he’d ever wanted to do was fly, and he was damned good at it.

And a helluva lot tougher than his polished good looks made him seem. Jake found it interesting that the smile Rina gave Alex was a whole lot more reserved than the teasing smiles she had given to Jake.

“All right, now that we’re all acquainted,” Jake said, “let’s get this show on the road.”

So they went as a group of four up to the presidential suite, where Sage introduced Rina to the sheik, his son, Roshan, and the others, some of who returned with them downstairs.

Alex rode in the rear car with Rina, a male cousin named Quadim, Zahra and a bodyguard. Jake rode in the lead car with Sage, A’lia, A’lia’s brother, Roshan, and another of the bodyguards.

At twenty-six, Roshan was a real pretty boy and, based on the comments he made, a spoiled self-centered jerk. A’lia was beautiful and quiet, yet there was a shrewd intelligence in her heavily fringed black eyes.

They arrived at the mall and poured out of the vehicles.

“I’ll call you when we’re ready to leave,” Jake told Linc as the group headed for one of the entrances.

Linc smiled. “We won’t be far away.”

The group climbed the steps and walked into the mall, the flowing robes worn by the men and the colorful head scarves and caftans worn by the women garnering interested glances from the people they passed. As they headed for their first stop, Saks Fifth Avenue, Roshan started speaking in Arabic to his cousin Quadim, and both of them laughed.

Jake inwardly smiled.

They were talking about the American women strolling past them, commenting on their too-short skirts and low-cut blouses, admiring the women’s plump breasts. They were saying what they would make the women do to them in bed.

Almost the same conversation two American men might be having. Except in the eyes of a Saudi male, a woman had very little choice. He wondered how the conversation would change if the men knew he spoke enough Arabic to know what they were saying. He’d served in Iraq, worked security in Saudi Arabia. He was hardly fluent, but he’d learned enough to do his job, more than enough to get by.

Roshan said something lewd about a couple of high school girls who ambled past, giggling as they peered into store windows, and Jake’s dislike of him grew. There was something about his smug glances, his subtly derisive view of Americans, that rubbed Jake the wrong way.

He’d sensed none of that in Roshan’s father, or Cousin Yasar or either of the women. Time would tell.

Jake wondered what else he would discover that might come in handy.

* * *

No matter where you came from, the Galleria was impressive. It was the fourth largest mall in the country with more than three hundred and fifty shops and restaurants. The place was a city in itself.

Along with its size, the architecture was stunning, with spectacular glass atriums, skylights and suspended glass balconies. There was even an ice rink, which was a big attraction in Texas.

Walking with Alex and Jake, Sage herded the women toward the entrance to Saks, and as they walked into the exclusive department store, some of A’lia’s solemnity began to fade. She looked even prettier when she smiled.

“It is very nice here,” she said, taking in her surroundings.

“But not as nice as the Kingdom Mall in Riyadh,” Sage said, thinking, Thank God for the internet. She had intended to impress the girl with the Galleria until she’d stumbled on photos of the fabulous Saudi mall that included most of the exclusive shops in the Galleria and more the mall didn’t have. “I bet you’ve shopped there, right?”

A’lia smiled. “I went to university in Riyadh, but I lived with my aunt, who is very strict, so I did not get to go there often. Sometimes my father would take me when his travels brought him to the capital.”

Sage waited as Alex opened the door, then walked past him inside. “I saw photos of it on the internet. It’s beautiful.”

“We have shopping in Dhahran, where I live, but it is not so fine as the Kingdom Mall. And the best part is the entire third floor is accessible only to women. It is a place we can go where we are allowed to dress in the American-style clothes we cannot wear out in public.” The sadness had crept back into her voice. Sage wanted to ask about it, but it was none of her business.

“Here men and women shop together,” Sage said, “but we’ve arranged a private room for you and Zahra so that you may try on whatever you please.”

A’lia beamed. “That sounds wonderful.” She flashed a look at her brother. Half brother, Sage mentally corrected, having read somewhere that the two had different mothers.

“Roshan will not like it,” she said softly, so he couldn’t hear. “He believes a woman can easily be seduced by sinful American ways.” She surveyed the beautiful displays filled with expensive perfumes and cosmetics, and smiled again. “Perhaps he is right.”

“This way, ladies,” Jake said, urging them toward the elevators. Roshan led them inside, looking grim. Apparently, A’lia was right. Her brother did not seem to approve of the freedom American women claimed as their right.

He stood in the elevator with his back against the wall and his head held high, looking down his nose at the rest of them. With his high cheekbones, smooth dark skin and small, neatly trimmed beard, he was unbelievably handsome. He had the longest, thickest eyelashes Sage had ever seen.

Behind them, Rina chatted with Zahra, who also spoke English, though not as well as A’lia. Sage could hear them discussing Zahra’s family. Apparently she was another Al Kahzaz cousin, married, but her husband had remained in Saudi Arabia with the rest of his family.

“Does your husband have more than one wife?” Rina asked Zahra as they walked toward the salon where the private showing was scheduled to take place.

Sage held her breath. She had gone over the basic protocols with Rina, but they hadn’t discussed which topics might be taboo. Sage had no idea how such a question would be received.

She released a sigh of relief when Zahra answered easily, “My husband, Mahmood, has three other wives. I am his latest. We have not been married long and as yet have no children. But I am from a very fertile family and I am certain that in time we will have many offspring.”

“I’d like to have children someday,” Rina said. “But not right away.”

“You are married?”

“No. I’m not ready for that, either.”

“Your father must be very displeased.”

Rina just laughed. “My father could never choose a husband for me. He gave up trying years ago.”

Sage was hoping Rina would change the subject before it came to light that she was living with a man, and he wasn’t her husband.

That’s when Alex stepped in. “I’m sure Miss Eckhart’s father will help her choose exactly the right man when the time comes.”

She opened her mouth, but Alex’s hard look silenced whatever she was about to say.

Rina pasted on a sugary smile. “I’m certain he will,” she said demurely, and cut Alex a glance that warned him not to push his luck. The corner of Alex’s mouth tipped up, but he made no further comment.

They crossed the floor of the designer clothing department and two high-level managers hurried toward them, introduced themselves to Sage and led the group toward the private salon. Jake went in to check security. When he returned, the women were ushered inside. Sage cast a last quick glance at Jake as he closed the door behind them.

* * *

With the women safely inside, Jake joined Alex, Roshan and the rest of the entourage in the quiet, poshly furnished alcove set up for them to wait. They were offered tea or coffee, but all of them declined.

“I will be back in an hour,” Roshan said. “Make certain A’lia is ready to go when I arrive.”

“All right,” Jake said.

The young man, his cousin and one of the bodyguards wandered away to entertain themselves, Roshan clearly not interested in playing the role of A’lia’s protective older brother.

The other bodyguard positioned himself just outside the salon door.

“So far so good,” Alex said as he sat down on the deep leather sofa next to Jake. “Looks like none of the problems downtown followed us to the mall.”

“We’ve done our best to keep things under wraps, and it seems to be working.”

Alex glanced at the tall, silent man in the black suit standing beside the door. “Interesting group,” he said.

“That’s for sure. The kid’s a real piece of work.”

Alex nodded. “Way too full of himself.”

“The daughter seems nice enough,” Jake said. “When I lived over there, I saw how hard it was on some of the women, trying to cope in a male-dominated society.”

“Gotta be tough.”

“I’m surprised she’s not married. She’s a real beauty.”

“Yes, she is,” Alex said absently, his eyes moving toward the door of the salon. “The little redhead’s not bad, either.” He smiled. “Take some taming, though, to bring that one in line.”

One of Jake’s eyebrows went up. “You interested in the job?”

Alex scoffed. “I don’t have that much time.”

“Good, because she’s living with a guy.”

Alex glanced back at the door. “Better for both of us.”

Considering the looks Alex had been casting Rina’s way, Jake wondered if he meant it.

Time slipped past. Jake walked the floor several times, looking for anything out of place, but everything seemed in order. He was checking his watch, waiting for Roshan to return, when the salon door opened and the women reappeared. They were carrying armloads of boxes, giggling and smiling. Only Zahra looked a little dower, but she usually did.

Jake’s gaze swept the group. As beautiful as A’lia was, it was Sage who took center stage. Those golden eyes and that thick, wavy dark hair… There was just something about her. He couldn’t remember a woman who attracted him the way she did. Or who left him hard and aching, alone in his bed every damned night.

Alex moved forward to help the ladies with their load. Jake didn’t offer. His job was to protect them, and he couldn’t do that with his hands full. The bell chimed above the elevator doors. They slid open and Roshan strolled out, exactly on time. Jake noticed the lighthearted laughter faded from A’lia’s voice.

“It is time for you to leave,” Roshan said to her sharply.

Though Jake didn’t like the kid’s tone, he was happy to be leaving. He wasn’t much of a shopper, just bought what he needed and was done with it.

They left the store and began their trek through the mall. Seeing the smiles of anticipation on the women’s faces, Jake groaned. It was going to be a very long day.

* * *

Sage liked A’lia. She was a sweet girl, and smart. Inside the private salon, as soon as the door had closed, she’d turned into a different person. More outgoing and at ease with herself and the people around her. It was clear her cousin Zahra didn’t like the change, but she made only an occasional comment.

“You shouldn’t dress like that,” Zahra said when A’lia took off her embroidered, turquoise silk robe and did a little pirouette to show off the Vera Wang designer sheath she wore underneath. She had long slender legs and a fabulous figure, which the above-the-knee dress showed off perfectly. It seemed a shame to keep such beauty hidden.

Saks did their usual spectacular job of presenting the merchandise—gowns, sportswear, bags and jewelry—displaying them in a private fashion show. As much money as A’lia wound up spending, along with the clothes Sage and Rina couldn’t resist buying, their extra effort certainly should have paid off.

From Saks they went to Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton—where Roshan added to his personalized luggage collection—and ended the day at Neiman Marcus.

Jake insisted they leave in time to avoid the traffic heading back downtown, and Sage was secretly grateful. She was exhausted. But also pleased that another day had passed without incident and, in her estimation, had proved a great success.

They took the Saudis back to their hotel. Alex drove off in his shiny, dark blue BMW coupe, Linc dropped Rina and her armload of bags at the apartment she shared with Ryan not far from Sage’s, then took Sage back to her apartment.

“I might as well stay,” he said as he helped her out of the Escalade. “We’ve only got a couple of hours before we have to head for the IMAX.”

The thought of tonight made her inwardly sigh. “All right.”

“You’ll need to be back here in time to get us down to the hotel,” Jake said to Linc through the rolled-down car window.

He grinned. “Will do.” Their driver seemed to have far more stamina than Sage. Then again, he hadn’t been shopping in high heels all day the way she had.

Jake escorted her upstairs and she waited while he checked her apartment as usual.

“You can nap for a while if you want,” he said. “I’ll wake you up in time to change.” His mouth curved in a sexy smile. “With all the stuff you and Rina bought today, there’s no way you’re going out tonight without wearing something new.”

Sage laughed. “Trust me, nothing I bought today has a skirt that comes down past my knees.”

Jake laughed. “I suppose that would be a problem.” His expression slowly shifted and his gaze ran over her, settling on her lips. She knew that look and her stomach contracted.

“You went to Victoria’s Secret,” he said, his voice softer now, a little husky. “You must have bought something there you can wear.” Challenge sparked in those sky-blue eyes.

Sage never could pass up a challenge. “Oh, I definitely bought something at Victoria’s Secret. Among other things, a pair of pretty blue satin thong panties. And since you suggested it, I’ll make sure I wear them tonight.”

Jake’s whole body tightened. He looked as if he couldn’t breathe. With a triumphant smile, Sage turned and walked off down the hall, leaving him staring after her.

Sometimes being a woman was just too much fun.

She closed the bedroom door and leaned against it for a moment. She was tired, but satisfied with the way the day had turned out. Still, she needed to recoup for the night ahead. Trying not to think of Jake on the opposite side of the door, she pulled a cap over her hair, turned on the water and took a long, hot shower.

By the time she got out, she felt better, some of the tension in her muscles having drained away. She thought of the night ahead with less dread. Will Bailey would be going with them to act as her escort for the evening—a way for the sheik to get used to his presence in the meetings as one of her assistants.

Sage pulled on a robe and lay down on the bed, determined to take Jake’s advice and catch a quick nap. Instead, she stared up at the ceiling and tried not to wish he would come striding through the door and demand to join her in bed.

Guilt washed over her. She was engaged, for God’s sake. She had to stop thinking of Jake. She remembered the old adage about trying not to think of an elephant, after which the image of an elephant completely filled your mind.

It seemed to be that way with him.

Whatever the reason, she never relaxed enough to get the nap she so badly needed. She felt just as tired when she left the apartment as she had when she arrived.

Ten

Accompanied by Jake and Alex, Sage went up to the presidential suite at seven o’clock that night to collect the sheik, his son and the usual entourage of cousins and bodyguards. The women weren’t allowed to join them.

Sheik Khalid was waiting when the group walked into the foyer. Greetings were made, all the protocols followed. Sage glanced down at her watch, worried they’d be late for the show. She started to suggest it was time to leave when the sheik walked over and picked up that morning’s Chronicle.

“It seems that in coming to Houston we have created somewhat of a disturbance,” he said, holding the newspaper out for her to see. At the bottom of the page was an article on the protests outside the Marine Drilling office building.

Sage had known their guests would find out sooner or later, since the news was all over the local TV. She felt lucky it had taken this long. She took the paper from his hand and glanced at it, grateful the story was on the bottom of the front page instead of in the headlines.

“Whatever endeavor one undertakes,” she said carefully, “there are always people who disagree. It’s the way a democracy works.”

Shrewd black eyes assessed her. “Things are much simpler in my country.”

Sage met his gaze. “I’m sure they are. Though I imagine your country has its own set of problems.” Living under the rule of the Saudi monarchy had its downside, particularly for women. His daughter was a prime example.

The sheik tipped his head as if to acknowledge the statement. “As you say, there are always disturbances. But business must be done.”

“Exactly,” Sage said, feeling a surge of relief that the protests hadn’t upset the sheik enough for him to go home.

The party headed downstairs and climbed into the waiting limos for the short drive to the IMAX theatre at the Houston Museum. Two hours later they were on their way back out, with Sage and Will walking together, Jake and Alex behind, heading into the warm, moist night air.

Fortunately, when Will started talking, they were out of earshot of the sheik and his son.

“I guess A’lia and Zahra weren’t allowed to come,” Sage’s assistant said. “It’s kind of hard to get used to that whole thing about women being treated so differently.”

“I keep telling myself it’s just the way it is in their world. But you’re right. It’s difficult to imagine living that way.”

“Worse, I suppose, for you, being a woman.”

Sage didn’t answer. From the dark look Jake was giving Will, she knew the conversation was over.

She smiled as she approached the sheik. “I hope you enjoyed the movie.” Everest, Roof of the World seemed to have kept the group enthralled.

“Yes, we enjoyed it very much.” He was a tall man, dignified and imposing, obviously a product of his culture. Yet in some ways he seemed far more modern than his son.

“The Himalayas are vastly different from the warm places we both live,” Sage said.

He nodded. “I would like to see the mountains someday. I have never seen snow.”

“I’m afraid I can’t help you with that while you’re here. The ice rink at the Galleria is as close as we get.”

A smile appeared above his gray-speckled beard. “My daughter enjoyed her day,” he said. “She likes you very much.”

“She’s a sweet girl and incredibly bright. She told me she graduated from your university. I’m sure she had very high marks.”

“My daughter is very intelligent. It is her dream to continue her studies in America. I wish I could grant her that dream, but it is better she remain in her own country and assume her wifely duties.”

“I didn’t think she was married.”

“A’lia is not yet wed, but it is past time I chose a husband for her.”

Sage opened her mouth, then felt the subtle pressure of Jake’s hand at her waist. “The car is waiting,” he said firmly.

Sage just nodded. It was none of her business, and women’s rights was a very touchy subject among the Saudis. One of the protocols, she remembered, was never to ask a man about his wife.

“I guess we had better get going,” she said. Beside her, Will shoved his glasses up and offered her his arm. Sage walked with him toward the line of limos waiting to drive the party back to the hotel.

Once they arrived, the Saudi men exited the cars and walked inside, quite a sight in their flowing white robes and headdresses. As soon as they were gone, Will departed in his own car. The evening was finally over.

Sage breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”

Jake chuckled. “You were great. It was a tough day from start to finish, and you handled it like a pro.”

She smiled up at him. “I am a pro.”

He smiled back. “I know.” Their eyes met, held for several long seconds. Then Sage glanced away, and they climbed into the Escalade, sliding into the seat behind Linc.

“You know, you were pretty great yourself,” she said, once they were settled and the limo pulled into the street. “Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow. It’s hard for an independent woman like me to keep from speaking her mind.”

“Damn good thing you weren’t born in the Middle East.”

Sage laughed. “Damn good thing,” she repeated, swearing, which was also not done.

Jake grinned and just shook his head. “We’re off the hook tomorrow. Linc will be driving the Saudis to the mosque and back. We don’t have to return to the hotel until Saturday morning, when we take them out to the ranch. Trace will be there on Friday to make sure the security is all in place.”

“Your friend seems very capable.”

“He’s the best.”

“Then at least we won’t have that to worry about.” The visit to the ranch would be safe. And once they were there, she had plenty of activities to keep her foreign guests entertained. Hopefully, no worries in that regard, either.

“I read in the paper this morning that the police have declared the man killed during the protest at the university an accident,” Sage stated.

Jake nodded. “Apparently, the accelerator stuck and the driver of the vehicle lost control of his car. The victim just happened to step in the way.”

“Another possibility we don’t have to worry about.”

He nodded again, but she could tell he was thinking of problems that might lie ahead. Sage thought of the protests that continued at the office, the volatile situation facing her in the morning when she went to work, and knew she had plenty of other things to worry about.

She flicked a glance at Jake, felt his eyes on her, as hot as the tip of a flame.

One of those worries was sitting beside her.

Sage sighed.

* * *

Jake was still awake at midnight, even tired as he was. Cicadas hummed in the trees outside his bedroom window, and a slice of moonlight filtered in between the curtains. His eyelids were finally beginning to droop when the phone rang. It was nearly one, he saw on the clock, as he rolled to the side of the bed and grabbed his cell off the nightstand. His stomach tightened when he read the name on the caller ID.

“Sage, what is it?”

“I’ve got a problem, Jake. I know you don’t want me going out by myself, so I’m calling to tell you I’m leaving my apartment. Roshan and his cousin are down at Galaxy, causing trouble. The owner, Joey Romero, is a friend of mine. I guess he read about the Saudi visit in the newspapers, and called to tell me what was happening. He says if I don’t get Roshan out of there, he’s going to phone the police.”

“Just stay there and I’ll come get you. We’ll go down together.”

“There isn’t time, Jake. Just meet me there.”

“No way. I don’t want you going—”

The phone went dead and Jake cursed. He grabbed a pair of jeans and pulled them on, clipped his holster to his belt, grabbed his Heckler-Koch and shoved it in place, then dragged a clean, dark green T-shirt over his head to cover the weapon. Tying the laces on a pair of low-topped leather boots, he headed for the door.

Galaxy was a posh nightclub near the Galleria. It wouldn’t take Sage long to get there. Damn woman. Jake had thought she’d learned her lesson at the restaurant. His jaw hardened. Sage Dumont was a handful, just as he’d figured from the start.

And it was his job to make sure she didn’t get hurt.

This late at night, it didn’t take him long to reach his destination. As he pulled his Jeep up to the valet in front, Jake spotted Sage’s silver Mercedes parked in the lot.

He handed the kid a twenty. “Keep her close by and leave the keys in the ignition.”

The valet eyed the wide tires and chrome wheels and grinned. “No problem.”

Jake strode toward the heavyset black bouncer working the door.

“Your boss called about a problem,” Jake said. “I’m protection for Sage Dumont. She just went inside.”

“I talked to her. She told me you were coming. Go on in.”

At least she had eased the way for him to get into the club, and so far it didn’t look as if she’d caused any trouble.

Music throbbed as Jake stepped onto the stainless-steel floor in the entry. The place was slick and modern, with lots of brushed chrome and dark wood. Mauve and blue lights gleamed beneath the black granite bar and along the walls, and the ceiling twinkled with tiny white lights.

The dance floor was also stainless, and crowded with people gyrating to a hip-hop beat. There was a bank of padded booths along one wall, and Jake headed in that direction. As he drew near, he spotted Sage speaking to a group of men, none of whom were wearing Saudi robes.

Roshan sat in the middle, a blonde on one side, a redhead on the other. His cousin Quadim sat in the booth, along with Roshan’s two bodyguards. Empty champagne bottles and broken martini glasses littered the table, though clearly, the bodyguards weren’t drinking.

Sage stood next to a good-looking, dark-haired man—the owner, Joey Romero, Jake figured. They were trying to talk to Roshan, but the anger in the kid’s pretty-boy face, the tight lips and dark scowl, said he wasn’t listening.

“You need to go back to the hotel, Roshan,” Sage was saying.

“Go away and leave me alone. You have no business here.” He scoffed. “You American women. You are badly in need of discipline.”

The blonde on his left giggled. “You can discipline me, Roshan. I’d love a good hard spanking.”

He looked down at her, his eyes dark and hungry. “You will please me greatly, I think.”

“Look, we don’t want any trouble,” Romero said. “You’ve broken a half-dozen glasses and nearly hit someone with an empty champagne bottle. Either you do as Ms. Dumont asks or I’m calling the police.”

“I will pay you well for damages. As for the police, I have diplomatic immunity. There is nothing you can do.”

“That isn’t exactly true,” Sage said. “This is America and property rights here are protected. At best, the police will escort you out. At worst, your family attorney will have to appear at the police station to prove your diplomatic status.”

Jake’s voice came out low and soft. “You need to do as Mr. Romero asks,” he said, leaving Sage out of it since she was a woman and, although she was right, the last person Roshan would listen to. “Your father has a big day tomorrow and he’ll expect you to be at your best.”

What he didn’t say was, There’s something I can do, you little bastard. I can haul your ass outside and knock the crap out of you.

But he wouldn’t. He was on the job. Sage was trying to negotiate an extremely important deal, and she didn’t need the son being openly hostile toward her.

Roshan tipped up the bottle of Dom Perignon he gripped by the neck, and took a swig of the expensive champagne. “Go away.”

“Your father know you’re here?” The second mention of the sheik had the effect Jake intended.

“My father does not run my life.” But Roshan stood up in the booth, swaying a little on his feet, and dragged the blonde up with him. “You are fortunate. I grow bored with this place, and I am in need of a woman.” He turned to his companion. “Come, we will see how well you can please me.”

The blonde giggled.

Sage opened her mouth to say something, but Jake caught her arm and she fell silent.

“I’ve got a limo waiting out front,” Romano said. “I’ve instructed the driver to take you wherever you want to go.”

Roshan ignored him and started for the door. His cousin fell in behind, the redhead latching on to his arm. They were followed by Mutt and Jeff, the names Jake had given the bodyguards.

“I didn’t think they drank,” Sage said, staring after them as they made their way toward the door.

“Roshan is clearly not his father.”

“And he’s married. In fact, from what I read about the family, he has three wives.”

“Doesn’t matter. He’s a man, and the rules for them are different.” And since the men all had separate rooms on the twentieth floor, getting the blonde and redhead in and out wouldn’t be much of a problem.

“I realize that, but still…”

Jake cast her a glance. “Since you’re hoping to make a deal with the sheik, we need to make sure they all get back downtown safely. I’m not letting you out of my sight again tonight, so you’ll have to come along.”

Sage sighed. She was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a T-shirt, and looked tired. And just plain beautiful. “I’m disliking Roshan more and more,” she muttered.

Jake chuckled. “How would you like to be married to him?”

Sage just rolled her eyes.

Eleven

The sun blazed down on the pastures of the Double D Ranch, with only a few stray clouds floating in the clear blue sky. The air, heavy with humidity, hung over the lush green fields, but the heat was bearable this morning, and the Saudis didn’t seem to mind.

As they had planned, Ian was there to greet the guests when they walked into the big, Spanish-style house. He was the head of Marine Drilling, but today he was merely Sage’s grandfather, the head of the Dumont family, nothing more.

Ian’s thick silver hair glinted as he extended a hand to the sheik. “As-salam-alaikum,” he said in greeting, an old pro at this game.

“Wa alaikum as-salam,” the sheik replied. And so the day began. Introductions were made all around, then the Saudis were taken to the guesthouse to refresh themselves and change into clothes more appropriate for a casual Western setting.

Sage stood next to Rina beneath the wide covered patio as she waited for her guests to reappear. She had called her friend first thing that morning and asked her if she could possibly get away and come with them to the ranch.

After the scene at Galaxy with Roshan, Sage figured she needed a friend to help her get through the next two days. Having another woman along would make things easier, especially since, a little to Sage’s surprise, Rina seemed to have made a nice connection with both Zahra and A’lia.

“Thank God you came,” Sage said to Rina softly. “I swear this is getting harder instead of easier.”

He friend grinned. “Ryan’s out of town. I didn’t have anything better to do, and I figured the weekend would definitely be entertaining.”

Sage laughed. “That it certainly should be.”

During their earlier phone conversation, Rina had asked only one question. “Is Justice going to be there?”

“He’s one of the bodyguards. He’ll be there. You really don’t like him, do you?”

“The guy’s a total male chauvinist. Men like him are exactly the reason I’m living with a sweet guy like Ryan.”

And walking all over him, Sage thought, but didn’t say so. “Can you put up with him for a couple of days as a favor to me?”

“Of course. He’s just a man. It’s not a problem.”

But Sage thought maybe it was more of a problem than Rina wanted to admit. She wasn’t so sure her friend wasn’t attracted to the hot-looking guy with the amazing dimples.

She glanced across the patio to where Jake stood with Alex, both men with their legs splayed and their hands crossed in front of them. They were making their presence clear, to impress the sheik, and so far it seemed to be working.

Most of the time Jake remained in the background, yet Sage was always aware of exactly where he was. It was as if she had some special radar where he was concerned and could somehow sense him even when she couldn’t see him.

It was another reason she was glad Rina had agreed to come. Secretly, she hoped having a friend along would help insulate her from Jake. She cast him a sideways glance, felt those sky-blue eyes on her, felt the current instantly swirl between them, and tore her gaze away.

She should be thinking of her fiancé, not her bodyguard, but Phillip had scarcely entered her mind since the day Jake had walked into her office. And the fact she so rarely thought of the man she was engaged to marry worried her in a way it never had before.

It was cool out here beneath the heavy wooden beams and red tile roof. Situated at the back of the house, the patio looked out over the lush green pastures and paddocks of the ranch. Horses galloped through the fields, and frolicking colts raced after their mothers.

While Jake and Alex stood with their backs to the wall a few feet away, Sage, Ian and Rina sat on comfortable wicker sofas and chairs upholstered in cheerful striped fabric, bright orange, red and dark green.

They talked for a while, then stood up as the first of their guests reappeared—Roshan and his cousin Quadim. As handsome as Roshan was, Quadim was unattractive, with a broad nose and low brow over eyes set a little too close together. Both were dressed in American fashion, Roshan in a pair of designer jeans and a red-plaid Western shirt. Quadim wore a brand-new pair of jeans and a light blue Western shirt with pearl snaps up the front.

The rest of the group arrived in more traditional apparel, the sheik and Cousin Yasar in lightweight white trousers beneath a long, loose-fitting robe that fell to just above the knees. Mutt and Jeff, as Jake jokingly called Roshan’s personal bodyguards, wore their usual black suits. They had to be sweating in the moist Texas heat.

A’lia appeared in a loose-fitting, soft peach caftan, an embroidered scarf around her head and neck. Since she planned to ride, Sage figured there were matching pants underneath. Zahra wore a lightweight, dark gray robe, and a head scarf that covered most of her face.

Refreshments were served, iced tea and lemonade, and trays of tiny quiche and finger sandwiches, nothing that contained pork. No mention was made of the scene at Galaxy last night. It was as if the incident had never occurred, which was perfectly fine with Sage.

As soon as they finished the snacks, Sage and Ian led the group out to the stables, followed by Jake and Alex.

“I hope you all enjoy your ride,” Ian said, declining to join the excursion and instead remaining with the group who wouldn’t be going along—Zahra, Yasar, Rina, Alex and both the sheik’s personal bodyguards.

The horses were led out of the barn and over to the riders, a pretty little pinto mare for A’lia, a prancing black gelding for Roshan and a dappled gray for the sheik. Sage had chosen each of their horses personally, having discovered their level of skill from the liaison in Saudi Arabia, hoping each animal would please its rider.

The rest of the horses were a mix of sorrels and bays, all of them easily handled by even a novice rider. Sage rode Sunrise, the palomino mare she had received from her grandfather as a colt for her eighteenth birthday. Sunny was perfectly trained for trail riding, and in her earlier days had won medals as one of the finest cutting horses in Texas.

Sage looked around for Jake, who, of course, had insisted on coming along. She frowned when she saw him leading Thor, a big red gelding and one of the stable’s best quarter horses, out of the barn.

Sage led Sunny toward him, the mare’s hooves clopping against the hard-packed earth. “I asked Jimmy to saddle Buster for you. He’s easy to handle.”

Jake shrugged. “He was a little on the small side for me. Jimmy thought Thor might work better.”

“Thor’s a great horse, but he can be a little cantankerous at first. I thought maybe—”

“He’ll settle down.” Jake had on scuffed cowboy boots today and a slightly dusty straw hat her grandfather had loaned him and insisted he wear, and he looked way too good in them.

Sage frowned as he shoved a boot into the stirrup and swung up into the saddle with an ease she didn’t expect. “I thought you didn’t ride.”

“I said I didn’t ride unless I had to, not that I didn’t know how.” He settled himself in the saddle, stretched his long legs out in front of him, stood up to test the length of the stirrups, seemed satisfied they were the right fit. “Some of the places I’ve worked, horseback is the only way you can get around.”

“Where was that?”

“South America, mostly. That area’s kind of my specialty.” He tugged the hat a little lower on his forehead. “You coming?”

Sage released a breath. Damn, the man was maddening. She wondered if he was really as comfortable in the saddle as he looked. Some mischievous little part of her imagined Thor tossing him on his tight derriere, but the horse was behaving as if Jake had ridden him for years.

The group was finally mounted, with their stirrups adjusted to the proper length. The sheik rode next to his daughter and they made a handsome pair. Roshan hung back, riding next to his cousin, the two of them speaking quietly in Arabic.

Sage settled in next to the sheik and A’lia, who sat her mount easily, as did her father.

“It is wonderful to ride out here,” the girl said with a wide, bright smile. “Thank you for giving us a taste of your American West.”

Sage felt a trickle of satisfaction that her plans seemed to meet with approval. “My pleasure.”

A few of the wranglers fell in behind them, their saddlebags filled with the snacks and drinks that would be served at the halfway mark down by the river. Sage planned for them to be out only a couple of hours, including the stop for refreshments and to rest and water the horses.

As much as she liked to ride, with the tension she was feeling, she was already looking forward to getting back to the house.

* * *

The lady was magnificent, Jake thought. There was no other word for it. Sitting astride her pretty palomino mare, Sage rode with the ease of a true Texas woman, someone who’d spent years in the saddle. Dressed in crisp blue jeans, an embroidered, pink flowered Western shirt, expensive custom-fitted boots and a white straw hat with a turquoise-and-silver band, she should have looked like a socialite playing cowgirl.

Instead, she actually was one. There was no way to fake it. You either had the confidence, the know-how to handle a high-spirited animal, or you didn’t. The mare had plenty of spunk, but Sage controlled her easily, using a mixture of voice commands, knee pressure and light tugs on the reins.

She was in her element on horseback, out here on the ranch, something Jake never would have expected. When they were here before, she’d been worried about security, thinking about the visitors she planned to host. None of the passion she felt for riding or the land itself had shown that day, but it was showing now.

It made her even more appealing. And it raised questions about her.

He’d done a cursory search of Sage Dumont on the internet. He’d read about the charity benefits she attended, the donations she and the company often made. He’d seen the photos of her engagement party at the River Oaks Country Club, an event the newspapers had called one of the social highlights of the year. He knew she had graduated from Vassar and gone on to the Harvard Business School.

Now he saw that he hadn’t dug deep enough. Some piece of the puzzle was missing, some element that had made her the woman she was today, and he wanted to know what it was.

Jake rode behind Sage. Trace had done a good job of upgrading the alarm system and adding perimeter sensing devices, but twenty-five hundred acres was a lot of ground. Jake kept his eyes open, scanning the area they rode through for any sign of trouble, and hoped for the next two days he wouldn’t find any.

Alex had purposely stayed behind at the ranch house. As head of the Dumont clan, Ian could also be a target, or any of the guests, since it was clear now that there were people who didn’t want this deal with the Saudis to go through.

As the hour slipped past, the sun beat down hotter and brighter, and the horses began to sweat. Jake hadn’t ridden in a few years and the inside of his thighs were beginning to ache. He was glad it would soon be time for a rest stop.

He spotted the lunch site just as Roshan and Quadim broke into an impromptu race. Their horses’ hooves thundered against the ground, flinging up dirt, both men obviously excellent riders. The race ended on the banks of the Brazos with Roshan in the lead. Jake figured Quadim was smart enough to let him win.

They rested in the shade down by the water, seated on granite boulders under the spreading branches of an ancient oak tree. An array of snacks were laid out on an old picnic table that looked like it had been there for years, though it was covered today with a white linen cloth. They drank ice water and lemonade with the food, explored the banks of the river, then prepared for the ride back to the ranch.

Jake made a brief reconnaissance of the area as the group remounted. Roshan and Quadim ended up riding just ahead of him, off to one side. Jake caught snippets of laughter as the men talked about their evening at Galaxy and the women who had spent the night in their beds.

Roshan said he had given the woman what she wanted. He said he had tried to pay her afterward, but she’d refused the money. “Stupid American woman,” was the rough translation of what he said.

As Thor moved steadily beneath him, cutting through the high green grasses, Jake focused on scanning the landscape, looking for anything out of place. All he saw were lush fields scattered with low, leafy trees and the occasional live oak. A deer darted out of the bushes next to a meandering creek, and the women pointed and laughed.

Roshan and Quadim were still talking. Jake’s memory of Arabic was slowly returning, the words getting clearer in his head. The conversation drifted. He was mostly ignoring the pair until he caught a couple of words that put him on alert. Money. Shipment. And then a reference to narcotics.

Jake told himself he was mistaken. He had just misunderstood. He hadn’t used the language in a while and he had never been completely fluent, though he’d been able to communicate fairly well. He started listening closer, paying more attention. The words shipment and arrival came up, this time with the added information that the delivery would be soon and that there would be plenty of money.

Money and plenty. Floose and quarn al katra, a reference to the horn of plenty. That was what Quadim had said. There was no mistake. He and the sheik’s son were involved in something and it didn’t sound good. Jake had caught the word for drugs only one time, so he couldn’t be sure, but he had a feeling he’d heard right. And whatever Roshan was doing, he was doing it right under their noses.

Jake’s jaw tightened. As if Sage didn’t have enough trouble already.

He softly cursed.

* * *

“So I guess you’re not much of a cowboy,” Rina said to Alex, who stood on the patio with his back to the wall, looking out at the riders approaching across a broad green pasture.

Alex’s blue eyes turned in her direction, ran over her head to toe, and his mouth curved up. “Guess it depends on what kind of riding we’re talking about.”

Rina’s face heated. She couldn’t believe it. A man hadn’t made her blush in years. She ignored a ripple of irritation. “Sage says you’re a pilot. What kind of planes do you fly?”

“Pretty much anything with wings. Since I’ve come to Houston, mostly I’ve been flying choppers. Kind of double duty. Getting the client where he wants to go, then protecting him once he gets there.”

“You don’t look much like a bodyguard.”

“Mostly, I’m a P.I.”

She glanced at him in question. “Private investigator?”

“That’s right.”

“I see.”

“Yeah?” Those blue eyes assessed her. “What exactly is it you think you see?”

She stiffened. There was something in his tone… . Just the way his mouth lifted at the corners when he looked at her made her mad. “I see a smart-ass flyboy who thinks he’s brighter than everyone else and especially me. But he would be wrong about that.”

Alex’s dark blond eyebrows went up. “That so?”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I think you’re a damned intelligent woman. A little too sassy. Maybe a little too smart for your own good. That’s the reason I make you mad. I’m a man—the kind a woman like you needs, but won’t let through the door. You’re afraid of a guy who takes charge, afraid of giving up control.”

She’d started to open her mouth, tell him where he could stick his ridiculous notions, when the door opened and Ian walked out on the patio.

“Ah, there you two are. I thought I’d better let you know our visitors have returned.”

For Ian’s sake, Rina pulled in her claws and pasted on a smile. “Then we had better go and greet them.” She walked over and took Ian’s arm, flashed Alex a final haughty glance and floated past him into the house.

Men. What did Alex Justice know about the kind of man she needed? Not a single damned thing.

* * *

When the party arrived back at the ranch, lunch was waiting in the main house. While the guests retired to their quarters to shower and change before the meal, Jake followed Sage into a sunny salon off the living room, a room filled with green plants, Spanish antiques and shelves full of leather-bound books.

“I think your guests enjoyed themselves,” he said, easing into the subject he needed to broach.

“So far so good.” Sage tossed her straw cowboy hat onto one of the tables and ran her fingers through her hair, lifting it away from the nape of her neck, exposing the smooth pale skin there. Jake felt a surge of heat.

“What’s next on the schedule?” he asked.

“Lunch, then a nap for those who want one. A barbecue this evening.”

“With entertainment, as I recall.”

“That’s right, the Brazos Boys.”

They were a local country band. Jake had vetted them to make sure they wouldn’t be a problem. They were well respected in the area, not known for making trouble.

“Tomorrow morning before it gets hot, we’ll be trap shooting,” Sage said. “The sheik and Roshan enjoy a similar sport in their country and my grandfather loves it.”

Jake had checked out the range. The setup looked secure. “Ian’s a good man.”

Sage smiled. “He kept everyone entertained while we were gone.”

“And Alex and Rina from sniping at each other.”

“As much as possible,” she said. “You noticed, I guess.”

“He likes her. He wouldn’t give her such a bad time if he didn’t.”

Sage laughed. “Well, she doesn’t like him. She thinks he’s a male chauvinist.”

“He is. But she likes him just fine.”

Sage cocked an eyebrow. “Even if you’re right—and I’m not convinced—it couldn’t go anywhere. Rina’s not into macho men.”

Jake looked down at the stack of magazines on the round oak coffee table. A Forbes rested on top. “What about you? Considering the type of guy you’re going to marry, it doesn’t look like you’re much into macho men, either.”

Her eyes met his. “Big strong guys like you are for flings, Jake. They aren’t the kind of men women marry.”

Jake made no reply. Sage was right. He wasn’t the kind of man a woman married. Not if she had a lick of sense.

His eyes slid over the snug jeans covering that perfect little ass, the pretty pink shirt with the flowers across her breasts. Didn’t mean he didn’t want her in his bed.

Which, from the way Sage was looking at him, was exactly what she was thinking.

“I, um, need to shower and change,” she said, grabbing her hat off the table and starting for the door.

Jake stepped in her way. “So do I, but before you head upstairs, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

She lifted her head. “What is it?”

“Something’s going on with Roshan and Quadim. I overheard them talking while we were riding. Quadim said something about money and a shipment coming in. He used a word that means narcotics.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I know you’ve already got problems enough, but—”

“From what I’ve read, using drugs in Saudi Arabia gets you thrown into prison. I can’t imagine Roshan would be that stupid.”

“We aren’t talking about Saudi Arabia. We’re talking about here in the States.”

“What possible motive could he have? His family is filthy rich. He can buy anything he wants.”

“With his father’s money, not his own.”

“I don’t want to hear this, Jake. In the first place, you told me yourself you aren’t fluent in Arabic, so you could have misunderstood.”

“I thought I had at first. I hoped I had. I didn’t, Sage.”

“I don’t care,” she said stubbornly. “I don’t give a damn what Roshan and Quadim do while they’re in Houston, as long as it doesn’t affect our deal. We start negotiations Monday morning. As soon as we reach an agreement, the sheik and his family will be heading back home. Until that time, I don’t want to hear anything about drugs or money or anything else—and don’t even think about saying anything to Ian.”

Jake clamped down on his temper. “I’m not talking to Ian, I’m talking to you. This could be important, Sage. We need to know what the hell is going on.”

She firmly shook her head. “No, Jake. We’re going forward exactly the way we planned. We aren’t stirring up trouble. We already have more than we can handle.”

“Sage—”

“Don’t bring this up again.” She looked at him and her voice softened. “Please, Jake. I’m asking you as a personal favor to let the matter drop.”

He wished to hell he could. What Sage didn’t understand was that they had to find out what Roshan and Quadim were doing in order to protect themselves. The Marine Drilling deal with the Saudis was already making headlines in the papers. If Roshan was into something illegal, the whole thing could come down on Sage’s head.

“I won’t say anything to Ian or anyone else,” Jake said. He didn’t have enough information, anyway. “But you need to keep your eyes and ears open. That just makes good sense.”

She released a long sigh. “All right, I’ll do that much, but that’s as far as it goes.” She looked up at him with those golden-brown eyes. “This deal means everything to me. And I really appreciate your help,” she added softly.

Jake just nodded. Something was going down and it involved people who had come to matter to him. Sooner or later, he’d find out what it was.

And he’d damn well put a stop to it.

Twelve

The aroma of hickory smoke lingered over the patio long after the barbecue was over. In their jeans, boots and dusty straw hats, the Brazos Boys strummed guitars, fiddled, and sang till midnight. No one seemed ready for bed as they packed up to leave, so Rina brought out her guitar and started strumming old cowboy tunes. For an amateur, she was darned good.

Seated nearby, Sage flicked a glance at Alex Justice, who watched her with an interest he didn’t bother to hide. Every once in a while, Rina cast a hostile glare his way. Alex either returned the glare or gave her an indulgent grin, which only seemed to annoy her more.

Sage figured Jake was way off base when it came to that particular pair. They weren’t able to get along for an hour, let alone time enough to develop any kind of relationship—though the heat they generated as they eyed each other might make for a wild night in bed.

As Rina finished a soft country ballad, Sage glanced up to see Sheik Kalid rise from his chair. He was once again dressed in a long white robe and headdress. As he drew near, his lips curved faintly behind his beard.

Sage rose to greet him. “Sheik Khalid.”

“My family and I wish to thank you for a very interesting evening,” he said. “My son Roshan and his cousin Quadim have been to America a number of times, so they are familiar with your Western music. But it is new for the rest of us. My daughter A’lia particularly enjoyed it.”

“A barbecue with country music is kind of a Texas tradition. I’m glad you found it entertaining.”

He nodded. “Your grandfather and I talked about the shooting match to be held in the morning. We both look forward to testing our skills. I am certain my son will, as well.”

“Good. I also look forward to it.”

“Then it is time for us to leave. Massa al-khair. I bid you good evening.”

“Massa al-nur,” she said in reply, silently thanking Jake for teaching her the words. She watched the sheik lean down to speak to his daughter. In a pale blue caftan with sparkling silver beads on the front, A’lia rose gracefully, along with Zahra, who as usual was gowned in black. As they left the patio, Yasar, who was perhaps a few years younger than his cousin the sheik, a man in his late forties, fell in behind them. Sage had spoken to Yasar a couple times today. He was shorter than the other Saudi men, a little heavier, but he had a ready smile, laughed more frequently and seemed much more easygoing. It was clear he had a close friendship with the sheik.

The group headed off toward the guesthouse, followed by the sheik’s bodyguards. Roshan and Quadim had already left with the other two bodyguards, so for Sage the evening was over. Even Rina had packed away her guitar and slipped quietly off to her room upstairs.

Finally able to let down her guard, Sage dropped onto the brightly striped wicker sofa, giving in to a wave of exhaustion. When she turned her head, she saw Jake watching her with those amazing blue eyes. As tired as she was, her heartbeat kicked up. He strode over and sat beside her.

“Your guests were extremely impressed,” he said. He was wearing jeans and a loose-fitting, pale blue knit shirt. She was used to seeing the gun hidden at his waist. She wished he didn’t look so damned attractive.

“You did everything just right,” he added.

Sage smiled. “It was a good day.”

His return smile made her pulse beat even faster. “You didn’t think you would enjoy yourself,” he said, “but you did.”

“That’s true. I haven’t ridden in a while. Too long, really. When I was younger, Ian and I spent every weekend out here. He raised cutting horses back then, some of the best in the country. I used to compete.”

“You’re a damned fine rider. Now I know why. You have to be good just to stay in the saddle of a well-trained cutting horse.”

“I love to ride. I’m hoping, once my career gets further along, I’ll be able to raise some horses of my own.”

“You mean out here. You’re part owner of the ranch.” It wasn’t a question.

“How did you know?”

“The name on the gate, Double D. Had to be Ian and your father or Ian and you. Since neither of you ever mention your dad, I figured it had to be you.”

Sage looked at Jake. She rarely talked about the past and yet the words came spilling out. “My mother ran away from my father when I was four years old. When I got older, she told me he was abusive. She never said he beat her or anything like that, but living with him must have been really bad. She wasn’t his equal socially and he never let her forget it. I think he destroyed her self-esteem. I know she was wildly unhappy.”

“Do you remember any of it?”

“I remember being scared of him as a child.”

“What happened?”

“My mother told me she left him one night after they’d had a big fight. She just bundled me up and took off for Chicago. She went underground, completely disappeared. If Louis had found her, he would have taken me away from her—there was no question of that. He never found us. I’m not sure he tried very hard.”

“Your mother was married to a very wealthy man. She must have been used to the finer things in life. How did she take care of you without your father’s financial support?”

“She wasn’t rich before she married him. My mother was beautiful. I guess that’s why he married her. At any rate, after she left, she went to work as a waitress. We lived in a ratty old tenement building in a low-rent district, but she had a job and she made enough to pay the bills. As I look back on it, I realize in her own way she was happy. It meant a lot to her, I think, being able to take care of me.”

“What about you? Were you happy?”

“I went to school in the neighborhood, made friends there. I knew we didn’t have any money, but neither did anybody else. Mom loved me, and yes, I was happy.”

“I’m guessing it was your grandfather who finally found you.”

She nodded. “I was twelve when my father died in a car accident. My grandfather started looking for us the day he was buried. He hired detectives. One of them tracked us down, and Ian flew out to Chicago to convince my mother to come back to Texas and live with him.”

“Why’d he wait so long?”

“I think maybe he knew what was going on with my mom and dad. I think he was afraid of what would happen if he brought us back to Houston.”

Thinking of those days, Sage felt a tightening in her throat. She had dealt with all this a long time ago, moved on with her life. Still, the pain was there.

“Three years later my mother got breast cancer. If it hadn’t been for Ian, I don’t know what would have happened to me.” Sage felt her eyes burn when she glanced up. “I owe him everything, Jake. More than anything in the world, I want to make him proud of me.”

“He is, Sage. I can see the pride in his eyes every time he looks at you.”

She didn’t expect to feel Jake’s hand cupping her cheek, the gentle brush of his thumb over her lips.

“I read about you on the internet,” he murmured. “I tried to figure you out, but I knew something was missing, some part of you that makes you the woman you are today. Now I know.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. He wiped it away with his finger. “I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want you. I don’t expect that to change things. I just wanted you to know.”

Her throat tightened even more. She had never wanted anyone the way she wanted Jake, either. She wanted him to kiss her, so badly she ached with it, deep down inside.

She watched him rise from the sofa, hold out a hand. “Time to go in,” he said a little gruffly. Sage took the hand he offered and they walked into the house.

Jake said nothing had changed.

But something had changed. In the matter of a heartbeat, everything she wanted, everything she had worked for, seemed unimportant. Only one thing mattered and that was being with Jake.

It was mostly physical attraction, she was sure. A little caring tossed into the mix, a little respect. But whatever she felt, it wasn’t going away. That her need for Jake affected her so profoundly meant she had to deal with it before she could get on with her life.

She had waited, wanting to be certain. Now she knew for sure what she had to do.

* * *

It was a hot Texas morning, not a cloud in a sky so blue it hurt your eyes. Jake loved it, loved the smell of damp grass in the air and the wind in his face, loved the green open spaces and watching the horses gallop across the fields.

He was standing behind the group that had gathered at the range for the trap shooting match. The day was quickly warming, so most of them had dressed comfortably. Since he’d been at the ranch, Jake had been wearing jeans and loose-fitting, short-sleeved shirts. He pitied the four Saudi guards, who braved the heat in their tailored black suits.

Roshan and Quadim wore jeans; the others wore lightweight robes. The women sat in the shade of a lean-to built in a safe place behind the shooting range, a spot for visitors to watch and stay out of the sun.

Four of the five participants took their places—Ian and Sheik Khalid, Roshan and Quadim. Jake blinked when Yasar turned and made his way toward the lean-to to join the observers. Instead, Sage put on her ear protection, shoved on a pair of shooting glasses, picked up a shotgun from the rack and walked over to the fifth position.

Jake shook his head. The lady continued to amaze him.

He fixed his attention on the match. In trap, the participants stood in an arc behind the trap house, firing at twenty-five targets, five from each of five stations in rotation.

The match officially began. Jake watched Ian position his shotgun against his shoulder, getting ready for a clay pigeon to be released. “Pull!” he shouted as he sighted down the barrel. The red disk flew into the sky and Ian squeezed the trigger, the blast echoing, buckshot shattering the disk, sending broken shards careening into the air.

Roshan had a turn, then Quadim. Roshan hit the target. His cousin missed. Jake watched as Sage rested her shotgun against her shoulder, pressed the stock against her cheek.

“Pull!” she shouted, then neatly blasted the red disk into a thousand pieces.

The match continued. By the time they had finished the round, Sheik Khalid and Ian were tied for the lead, Sage and Roshan tied for second.

Jake almost smiled. No way was Sage going to beat the arrogant little bastard. Jake would have bet his last nickel on that. She wanted her deal too badly.

He wondered what Ian would do, and wasn’t surprised when the older man won the match one point ahead of the sheik. Respect was involved. They were both clan leaders. Losing on purpose would not have served either of them well.

Jake wasn’t surprised when Sage missed her final target and Roshan hit the clay bird dead center. Sage grinned so widely the tiny dimple he’d noticed before popped into her cheek. Setting her twelve-gauge back in the rack, she walked toward him.

He cast her a glance. “I thought you didn’t like guns,” he said, slightly irritated that she had given him such a bad time over the pistol clipped to his belt.

“I said I didn’t like handguns. I didn’t say I couldn’t shoot.”

His mouth edged up. “Good to know.”

“Granddad taught me how to handle a pistol, a rifle and a shotgun when I was a teenager. I keep a .38 Colt revolver locked in my apartment, but I won’t use it.”

“Not unless you have to,” he said, just to see what she’d say.

“That’s right. Not unless I have to.”

Jake grinned.

The observers had moved out from under the lean-to and joined the others in an area a little ways from the trap machine.

“Come over here a minute, will you, Jake?”

He followed the sound of Ian’s voice. “Yes, sir.” When he reached the silver-haired man, Ian handed him a rifle. Jake looked it over, a beautiful Remington 700 .308 with a hand-carved, inlaid hardwood stock and a powerful Leupold Mark 4 scope.

“You shoot long distance, right?”

“I guess you could say that.” When he’d been in Marine Special Forces, he’d been a sniper. With the right weapon, he could hit a target a mile away.

Ian turned as his ranch foreman approached them, a guy named Chico Muñoz whom Jake had met when he’d been out to the ranch before. Hispanic, his skin burned a dark chestnut from his years in the sun, his face weathered and lined beneath his battered straw cowboy hat.

“You got that target in place?” Ian asked.

“Sí, señor.”

Ian turned to Jake. “Over there, through those trees, you’ll see a hill beyond. Chico set up a target. We figure it’s about seven hundred yards out. Think you can hit it?”

“Long way for this caliber rifle.”

“Damn long way,” the older man agreed.

Jake hefted the rifle, jerked it up to his shoulder a few times, sighted down the barrel. The gun was a showpiece. It felt good in his hands. “I’m only as good as my weapon.”

“Rifle’s dead-on at two hundred yards,” Ian said.

Jake aimed the gun toward the space between the trees. Through the powerful scope, he spotted the tiny speck of a target against the hillside. At seven hundred yards, a .308 bullet would drop about twenty-eight inches. He bent and picked up a pinch of dry grass, held it up and let it fall, testing the wind. “About two knots,” he said.

He walked over to a fence post, lifted the gun and settled it against his shoulder, steadying the rifle on top of the post. He felt the weight of the gun in his hands, the warmth of the hardwood against his cheek, felt himself settle into the quiet zone.

He found his mark and gently squeezed the trigger. The gunshot echoed and the weapon recoiled. It was done.

Ian turned. “All right, Chico. Let’s see if Jake hit his mark.”

The foreman grinned and took off toward a red four-wheeler parked not far away. Jumping on, he fired up the engine and roared off toward the trees.

Jake ejected the casing, leaving the breech open, which was range etiquette. From the corner of his eye, he saw Sage watching him, her look assessing.

She turned to her grandfather. “I’ve got a ten-dollar bill says Jake hit the target.”

Ian smiled, cast Jake a sideways glance. “Twenty dollars says he didn’t.”

“You’re on.”

“If your man made the shot, he is a quite a marksman,” the sheik said. “I will match your twenty…if your daughter is willing to take the bet.”

“I will also bet he did not hit the target,” Roshan said smugly.

Sage’s smile suddenly looked less enthusiastic. “Of course I’ll cover all bets.” But the glance she cast Jake said she was starting to hope he’d missed. The moment passed and Chico roared up in the four-wheeler, waving a black-and-white paper target. They all circled around it.

All but Jake. If the gun had done its job, he’d hit the target. He was pretty sure he had.

“Dead center!” Ian shouted, coming over to slap Jake on the back. “Damn fine shooting, son.”

“Very well done,” the sheik said. “That was quite an impressive exhibition of marksmanship.”

“The kind of lessons I had stay with you.”

Ian eyed him shrewdly. The older man knew Jake’s background. There was no need to ask what a sniper did with his expertise. “I imagine they do,” he said.

The match was over and they walked back toward the house, the women following behind the men. As soon as the Saudis disappeared inside the guesthouse, Sage turned to Jake.

“You were amazing.”

“Hitting a target was once my job. When things go wrong, it still is.”

He thought he saw a shudder pass through her. He was a bodyguard, after all, and currently he was guarding her luscious little body. That she needed him at all must have had her thinking of the demonstrations downtown and the man who had accosted her in the restaurant.

“What about tomorrow?” she asked, confirming that he had been spot-on. “You think it’s safe to start the negotiations at the office?”

“You watch this morning’s news?”

“No. What happened?”

“The protests are still going on. Police made a couple of arrests last night. You’d be better off going to plan B.”

“Our attorney’s office.” Sage had already spoken to Weis, Weis, Silverman and Schultz, the law firm that represented Marine Drilling. Should the demonstrations continue, Robert Schultz had arranged for the meetings to be held at his midtown office.

“All right,” Sage said. “We go to plan B.”

“I’ll let Linc know tomorrow’s destination has been changed.”

“Quadim won’t be going to the meeting. According to the sheik, he’s staying at the hotel with Zahra and A’lia. Oh, and Roshan has asked for a car and driver for the evening. He wants a stretch. He and Quadim are going out.”

“I’ll have Linc arrange it. Let’s hope the arrogant little prick stays out of trouble this time.”

Sage smiled. “Maybe we’ll get lucky.” Her eyes stayed on Jake’s face for several long seconds. He thought she was going to say something, but instead she shook her head and looked toward the house. “It’s almost time to head back to town. I need to go upstairs and pack my things.”

Jake checked his watch. “The limos will be ready to leave in half an hour.”

“Perfect.” She walked back toward the red-roofed structure and Jake fell in behind her. His gaze moved over her trim figure and narrow waist. He tried not to stare at that sexy little ass in those snug-fitting jeans, but it was impossible.

His groin tightened. He wanted this woman. And since he couldn’t have her, he’d be damned glad when the job was over.

Before they reached the door, Sage stopped and turned. “You haven’t… Roshan and Quadim… You haven’t heard them say anything more, have you? Anything else that sounds suspicious?”

Jake shook his head. “Not so far.”

“Good. That’s good.”

But it wasn’t good. It just meant he didn’t know more than he had before, and he was sure there was plenty more to learn.

Jake held the door and Sage walked past him into the cool interior of the sprawling house.

They needed to know what was going on, and he had just been given a chance to find out.

Thirteen

It was late Sunday night and Sage was back in her apartment. She had taken a long hot shower and shampooed her hair. Now she paced the floor in her white terry cloth robe.

Before Jake had brought her upstairs and checked the apartment, he had spoken with Security, found there’d been no unwelcome visitors outside, no one prowling the area who shouldn’t be there. She was home at last, wishing she could relax.

It wasn’t going to happen.

Out at the ranch, she had made an important decision. One that could determine the course of her life. It was time to implement that decision.

She stared at the phone on the desk in her study, turned, paced a few steps, checked the clock for the ten-thousandth time. Midnight. She picked up the receiver and dialed Phillip’s number. It was 6:00 a.m. in Edinburgh. She had purposely waited to make sure he would be awake, and since he was an early riser and usually one of the first to get to the office, it should be a good time to call.

The phone in his apartment rang a few times. He sounded a little groggy when he answered. “Stanton here.”

“Phillip, it’s Sage. I hope I didn’t wake you. You’re usually up by now. If this is a bad time—”

“I’m up. Just getting the coffee on. How are you?”

“I’m fine, Phillip… It’s just… Something’s come up.”

“I hope nothing’s gone wrong with your platform deal.”

“No, it’s not that. The negotiations are just starting. Today is our first official meeting. This…this is something to do with us.”

She heard the sound of a chair scrapping the floor, imagined him sitting down at the table in his kitchen. “What is it, Sage?”

She moistened her lips, took a deep breath. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately…about us.”

“Us…?”

“That’s right. I’ve decided I need a little more time.”

“Time for what, exactly? If you’re talking about our wedding, we haven’t even set the date.”

“I’m talking about our engagement, Phillip. I need…need a little more time to work through this whole idea of getting married.”

He didn’t say a word, and yet she could feel his annoyance streaming over the line. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what it is you’re getting at.”

“What I’m saying is I want to postpone our engagement. I need to decide if getting married is the right thing for me to do.” Her pulse was pounding, thrumming so hard it was difficult to concentrate.

“That’s insane. We went through all this before. Have you discussed it with your grandfather?”

Her stomach tightened. She hadn’t mentioned it to Ian, couldn’t imagine what he would say when she did.

“It isn’t Ian’s decision, it’s mine. I need more time, Phillip. I—I’m breaking our engagement.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’m afraid I am.”

“It’s this deal you’re working on, darling. It’s got you tied in knots. You need to pass it to someone else, let Charles or Jonathan take the reins.”

She bristled at the mention of the other two VPs. “I’m not letting Charles or Jonathan take over my project. This is a personal matter involving you and me. I need some time, Phillip. A marriage between us won’t work as long as I have doubts.”

“You didn’t have doubts when I left.” A long pause ensued. “Does this have something to do with that brute your father hired? If that’s it, Sage, you need to think this through very carefully.”

She swallowed, tried not to see Jake’s image. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, Phillip,” she replied, dodging the question. “I’m sorry I’ve upset you, but I’ve made my decision. I’m ending our engagement. Perhaps in time I’ll be ready to think about the future, about marriage. When you come back to Houston, if you’re still interested in a relationship, maybe we can talk things out, see how both of us feel.”

“That’s nearly two months away, Sage.”

“I know. I’m hoping by then I’ll be able to see things more clearly.”

Phillip’s voice thinned. “You’re making a very bad decision, Sage. Sooner or later, you’re going to regret it.”

“Perhaps I will, but this is something I have to do.”

His voice hardened. “All right, fine. From now on, I shall consider that both of us are free to do as we wish.”

The implied threat should have bothered her. What Phillip might do. What she might do. Instead, she felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“That’s only fair.”

“Nothing about this is fair, Sage. I’m hoping you’ll see that before it’s too late.” The line went dead.

If Phillip were a different man, she might have felt sorry for him. But their decision to marry had been based on friendship and practicality. Phillip would be upset, even angry, but he wouldn’t be hurting.

Sage hung up the receiver. It was over. She wasn’t exactly sure what she was feeling. Lighter, in a way. Less burdened. Part of her worried about how to tell Ian, and what he would say when she did. Part of her was terrified she had made the wrong decision.

She told herself she had time to reconsider. Phillip wouldn’t tell Ian. Or at least she didn’t think he would. He’d be certain she would rethink her decision, eventually come to her senses.

Maybe she would. In the meantime, she would take things slowly. Just do what felt right.

As she crossed to the kitchen sink and filled a glass with water, the exhaustion she had put on the back burner hit her again. She would worry about all this later. She had a big day tomorrow.

Sage drank the water and trudged off to bed, hoping she’d be able to sleep. And trying to convince herself everything would work out.

* * *

“I need you to make a stop this morning,” Jake said to Linc as he climbed into the SUV the following morning. “Atlas Security. I need to check on a couple of things and talk to Alex.”

Jake figured he’d be there. Alex was usually in early, and Jake didn’t want to talk to him on the phone or with other people around. And the office wasn’t far away.

Annie was already there when he arrived, sitting behind the front desk, working on something at the computer.

“So you’re still around,” she said. “I was beginning to wonder, since I hadn’t seen you in a while. Thought maybe you’d made a run for it. Couldn’t handle a strong woman like Sage Dumont, and hightailed it back to Mexico.”

Irritation slipped through him. “I’m handling Sage just fine.” He wished. He’d like nothing better than to get his hands on that sweet little body. But after the conversation they’d had out at the ranch, and knowing now what she and her mother had suffered, he figured she didn’t need the guilt she was bound to feel if she cheated on the man she was going to marry.

And if she did, Jake knew he wouldn’t like it one damned bit when she was back in Phillip’s bed.

“Alex in?”

“In the back, getting coffee.” Annie’s sour expression softened. “You look like you could use a cup yourself.” She came out from behind the desk. “I made some brownies. You know how you like my brownies. Why don’t I get you one? Might as well bring you some coffee, too.”

“Thanks, Annie.” She might have a caustic tongue, but deep down she was a cream puff.

He headed into the main part of the office. Alex was just walking out of the kitchen, carrying two cups of coffee. “I heard you come in.” He handed one to Jake, who blew across the top and took a grateful sip.

“Thanks.”

Annie appeared and handed him a brownie. “A growing boy needs to keep up his strength.”

Jake and Alex both grinned, then walked over to Alex’s desk and sat down.

“What’s up?” Alex asked.

Briefly, Jake filled him in on the conversation between Roshan and Quadim he’d overheard at the ranch, about the money, the shipment, the possibility the men were involved with drugs.

“You sure you got it right?” Alex asked. “Been a while since you were over there.”

“Ninety percent certain. Need to be a hundred percent before we go any further.”

Alex shook his head. “Man, when you took this job, you sure got more than you bargained for.”

“True enough. But I’m in it now. Nothing I can do but charge forward. Which is the reason I came by to see you. Tonight Roshan and Quadim are planning to go out on the town. I talked to Linc. Went over last night and put a bug in the limo he arranged for them to use. Got a parabolic mic hooked into a hidden USB recorder. We’ll get everything they say.”

Alex grinned, flashing his dimples. “That oughta be interesting.”

“If we pick up any hint they’re involved in something illegal, I’d like you to talk to that professor friend of yours who teaches Arabic out at the university.”

“Adam Haddad? Good idea. You get something, we’ll have him translate. He can confirm you heard right the first time.”

“Bugging a car is a serious breach of privacy. Haddad might not want to get involved.”

“Then we’ll keep his name out of it. And we won’t tell him who’s speaking on the recording or where we got it. That ought to keep him out of trouble if something goes wrong.”

Jake nodded. “That’d be great. Thanks.”

The two men left the office and headed out for the day, Jake in the SUV with Linc, Alex in his own car.

Three hours after he’d arrived with Sage at Weis, Weis, Silverman and Schultz, Jake walked the floor outside the conference room where the meeting was being held.

Legs splayed, Alex stood next to the closed door. With his blond hair, blue eyes and perfectly tailored Italian suit, he looked like a model in GQ magazine. Of course, the average male model didn’t carry a Smith and Wesson .45 in a shoulder harness under his jacket.

Inside the room, Sage and her assistant, Will Bailey, along with her purchasing agent, Red Williams, sat across the gleaming mahogany table from Sheik Khalid, Yasar and Roshan. The lawyers were also in there, Robert Schultz and his assistant acting for Marine Drilling, Eric Nadar and a junior attorney representing Saudi interests.

One of the sheik’s bodyguards stood across from Alex, another roamed the floor of the elegant offices styled in an old-world design with dark green carpets, plush sofas and gold-framed paintings of English hunting scenes on the walls. The negotiations were now officially in progress.

“How do you think she’s doing?” Alex asked, leaving his post to join Jake, out of earshot down the hall from the elevators.

“Sage is a smart lady, and the sheik, aside from whatever prejudices he carries, is a well-educated man. My bet is she’ll do just fine.”

“I wouldn’t bet against her. I like her.” Alex glanced at Jake. “From what I can tell, you more than like her.”

He shrugged. “I won’t lie about it. She’s beautiful and intelligent and sexy as hell. But she belongs to another man. Long as that’s so, I’m not interested.”

“Right.”

Jake’s mouth twitched. “Well, I’m plenty interested, but I’m not dumb enough to make that kind of mistake.”

Alex didn’t say more. He didn’t date married women or those who were spoken for, either. He didn’t have to. With his looks, Alex pretty much had his pick of women. Jake’s mind flashed to Sabrina Eckhart, with her fiery hair and sassy smile. Well, at least most women.

The door opened just then and the sheik walked out, his white robes flowing around him. He was followed by Roshan, Yasar and their attorney.

Sage came out with Robert Schultz, followed by Will and Red.

“Nadar is taking Sheik Khalid and the others in their party to lunch in a private room at the Bristol Café. It’s right next door.”

Alex came to attention. “I’ll check it out, make sure there’s no problem with security.” He strode off toward the elevator, pushed the button and disappeared inside.

“What about you?” Jake asked Sage.

“Robert’s having some sandwiches and soft drinks brought in. We’ll have a working lunch right here.”

Jake nodded. “Sounds good.” Safer, anyway. “How’s it going so far?”

She flicked a glance toward the conference room. “You know basically what’s going on in there. We’re trying to buy a deepwater drilling platform and as much class one, five-inch pipe as they’ve got available. We’ve bought pipe from them before, but we need more. The deal also involves some miscellaneous drilling equipment, diesel engines, drill collars, those kinds of items, but the main thing is the platform. Used, it’s valued at over two hundred million.”

“Not small change,” Jake said.

“No. These days used platforms are hard to find, and new ones take forever to build, plus the cost is out of sight. We’ve offered two hundred fifty for the package. Sheik Khalid wants three-fifty, plus a few hundred thousand extra for the pipe and miscellaneous.”

She flashed Jake a look. “Let’s see…we’re only a hundred million apart, so we’re doing just great.”

He felt the tug of a smile. “Nothing’s ever easy.”

Red Williams walked up just then, his graying red hair neatly combed and his suit smartly pressed. “Don’t let her kid you. She’s got ’em on the run. It’s the way the game is played, and Sage is making all the right moves.”

Jake smiled again. “I figured.”

Sage smiled for an instant, then her eyes met his and slid away. “We need to get going.” She tapped the notepad she held in one hand. “Lots of things to talk about.”

She was all business today. Keeping her distance, concentrating on her work. He told himself it was exactly the way it should be. Sage was damn good at her job and she was determined to put this deal together.

It should have been a turnoff, a woman that preoccupied with her career. Instead, he liked her efficiency, her drive to succeed.

Jake told himself she wasn’t really avoiding him. The uneasy looks she gave him when she thought he didn’t see meant nothing. But his sixth sense was telling him that something was going on, that something had subtly changed.

The afternoon passed the same as the morning, with a couple of breaks that didn’t last long, and everyone getting more and more uptight. By six o’clock, the group was exhausted, and Schultz called for an end to the session.

When the conference room door opened and the tired-looking crew walked out, Jake’s gaze went to Sage.

“You look beat,” he said as he reached her. Tired but beautiful, though he didn’t say that. “Let’s get you home.”

She sighed. “I need to stop at the office.” She raked a hand through her heavy dark hair, shoving it back from her face. “Pick up some notes and files I need to go over.”

“Not a problem.” The demonstrations were still going on, but had begun to weaken. According to the morning news, less than half as many people were marching around outside the building now.

The Saudis dispersed to the SUVs waiting for them, and Sage walked out between Alex and Jake.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Alex said, and waved as he headed for his flashy BMW. Will and Red had also driven their own cars. Jake led Sage toward the shiny black Escalade that Linc was driving, and helped her in.

“Everybody buckled up?” Linc asked when they’d settled in.

“All set,” Jake said.

Sage sat rigidly beside him. She was still keeping her distance, making a point of staying away from him as much as she could. Jake was beginning to believe that instead of her being stressed over business, her reaction had something to do with him.

He might be wrong. Maybe it was just some personal matter that didn’t involve him. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. Something important.

You’re losing it, buddy, he told himself, but he couldn’t shake the feeling.

Fourteen

Sage let Jake guide her through the diminishing crowd at the rear of the building, then hurried in through the back door the security guard held open for them.

She said nothing as they walked into the elevator and the doors slid closed, sealing them inside. She didn’t look at Jake as they were whisked up to the executive floor, but her senses were keenly aware of him, as they had been all day. She knew exactly how far away he stood, recognized the faint scent of his cologne. The brush of his coat sleeve as the doors opened and they walked out had goose bumps feathering her skin.

Jake was tall and powerfully built, and that alone attracted her. That he was handsome and strikingly male made him even more appealing. She tried not to wonder how he would look with his shirt off, how it would feel to run her fingers over all those hard muscles.

Add the chemistry between them that made her heart pound every time he walked into a room, and it was the perfect recipe for wild, erotic sex.

At least the kind of fantasy sex she had only imagined and never actually experienced.

From the start, she had fought to keep her desire for Jake under control. Now, as he followed her into the office and closed the door, that control was slipping badly. As Jake tossed his jacket over the back of a chair, she forced herself to focus on what she was doing. Her hand shook as she went to the mahogany credenza behind her desk, pulled open one of the drawers and found the files she had come for. She looked inside the folder, saw the notes she needed, turned and spotted Jake.

His intense blue eyes were watching her—perceptive eyes that saw more than she wanted them to.

“Something’s happened,” he said flatly. “What is it?”

She moistened her lips. She didn’t have to tell him. She told herself to wait, think things through, take it slowly. Told herself she couldn’t afford to make a mistake.

“Tell me,” he demanded, and it wasn’t her bodyguard talking, it was Jake Cantrell, the man.

“I phoned Phillip last night in Edinburgh. I…” She swallowed. “I broke our engagement.”

Jake’s nostrils flared. “You talked to Phillip?”

“That’s right.”

“You told him you aren’t going to marry him.”

“I don’t know… I mean, I told him I wasn’t ready. I needed more time. I said maybe later…after we’d both had a chance to think things through…we could talk about it again.”

“But right now you’re a free woman. You’ve got no obligation to Phillip.”

She squared her shoulders. “No.”

“Then why are you still wearing his ring?”

She looked down at her hand as if it belonged to someone else, saw the flash of a clear white diamond. “I don’t want the questions…not yet, not while I’m in the middle of this deal.”

Jake’s eyes bored into her. He took a couple of deep breaths. When he turned and locked the door, Sage’s senses went on alert. Those long, powerful legs carried him toward her. Jake hauled her into his arms and his mouth crushed down over hers. There was nothing gentle in the kiss, nothing tender. It was a man’s kiss, hot and fierce, a man letting her know what he intended.

Desire washed through her, thick and heavy, so potent it made her dizzy. “Jake…” she whispered as her arms went around his neck. She swayed against him, kissed him back as wildly as he was kissing her.

She wasn’t sure what she had expected—not the wet, deep, openmouthed kisses, not the slick tangling of tongues or the spiraling heat. Or being pulled into the V between his thighs, feeling his hardness, his hunger for her.

She didn’t expect his lips to turn gentle, coaxing. To find they would be softer than she had imagined, that they would meld perfectly with hers and turn her legs to jelly, that Jake would have to hold her up.

“Easy,” he whispered.

“Don’t stop.”

“I’m not stopping,” he said, and kissed her deeply, kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. “I’m taking you right here, right now. It’s way past time and we both know it.”

She made a little sound in her throat as he covered her lips again, ravished them. Need speared through her, tugged low in her belly. Her skin felt hot and damp, stretched too tight. All she could think of was getting closer, touching him, having him touch her.

He tugged her silk blouse free of the waistband of her skirt, began to work the small pearl buttons up the front. Her hands trembled as she tried to help him, and several buttons tore loose, one popping off and rolling across the floor.

“Don’t stop,” she said again, though there wasn’t the slightest chance he would. The blouse disappeared. Jake unsnapped the front of her blue satin pushup bra, drew it off her shoulders, tossed it away.

“Beautiful,” he said, reaching out to cup a breast, running his thumb over the crest, making it tighten and throb.

Sage trembled. She reached for him. His jacket was gone. She began to work the buttons on his short-sleeved white shirt, getting most of them open before Jake grabbed the fabric at the back of his neck and pulled the shirt off over his head.

Her gaze ran over his perfect V-shaped body, all solid muscle, thick slabs that rippled wherever he moved. His waist was narrow, his stomach flat and ridged with muscle. His biceps bulged as he bent his head and fastened his mouth on her breast, and Sage whimpered.

The rough glide of his tongue across her nipple made her quiver with need. She slid her fingers into his short dark hair and arched her back to give him better access. Desire burned through her, more intense than she could have imagined, so hot she thought she might faint.

She hardly noticed when he lifted her and set her on the edge of the desk. The calendar, desk pad and expensive black onyx pen set Phillip had given her went flying. Jake kissed her deeply, slid her skirt up over her hips, reached down and caught hold of her panties, dragging them down her legs. Her high heels clattered onto the floor and her mouth went dry.

She looked down, saw the blue satin thong panties she had teased him about the night they had gone to the IMAX. They draped over his hand, looking even tinier. She told herself she hadn’t worn them on purpose, hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t hoped it would happen.

Knew it was a lie.

“Next time, I want to see these on you before I take them off.” And then he was leaning over her, kissing her breasts, stroking her, finding her slick and wet and hot. She was trembling, couldn’t quite catch her breath. She had no idea when he had removed the pistol and holster from his belt, but they were gone. She heard the buzz of his zipper as he freed himself.

Her eyes widened. “Oh, my God.”

“I’m a big man, Sage.”

“Yes, I—I see that.”

He kissed her deeply. “We’ll take it easy. I won’t hurt you. Trust me to take care of you.” He kissed her again, kissed her until she was breathing hard, squirming against the desktop, silently begging him to take her. He didn’t disappoint, just eased himself deeply inside.

“You okay?”

She swallowed, nodded, gripped his powerful shoulders. She was more than okay. By the time he was fully seated, she was on fire. Unconsciously, her hips bucked beneath him, and Jake groaned. Then he began to move.

Faster. Deeper. Harder.

“Don’t stop,” she pleaded, wanting what his hard body promised, wanting that elusive something that was building inside her.

“Just hang on,” he said gruffly. “We’re a long ways from stopping.”

And when he drove deeply, when he took her with all that power and strength, when Sage started coming and didn’t think the pleasure was ever going to end, she knew that whatever happened, Jake had just made her secret fantasy come true. And she would never forget it.

* * *

Jake waited outside the bathroom in Sage’s office. He’d known it would be good between them. It was way better than that. He might have smiled, if thinking about it wasn’t making him hard all over again.

His weapon was clipped back on his belt. The condom he’d used was gone. He was dressed once more, and when Sage walked out of the bathroom, so was she. When she looked at him, her cheeks colored and she glanced away.

“We’d better go,” she said, straightening the items on her desk a second time. She didn’t mention it, but the pen set looked a little worse for wear. “I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

Long night, too, he figured. Or at least that was his plan. “I called Linc, told him we got tied up. He’s waiting out back.”

Sage just nodded and walked out of the office in front of him.

The crowd outside the building had diminished even further. It looked as if things were starting to settle down. There was no media around and only a couple of people carried signs. One said Free Palestine, another said Dumont Traitors. That one bothered Jake. He thought of the guy in the restaurant. Big balls, no brains. He didn’t like to think where that might lead.

Sage didn’t say anything on the way to the Escalade. She managed a smile for Linc as they settled themselves inside and fastened their seat belts.

“Drop us off at my place,” Jake said. “We’re going to go out and grab a bite, then I’ll drive Sage home. No use you having to wait for us.”

“You sure?” Linc asked, meeting his gaze in the mirror. He was always conscientious, but there was hope in his voice. It had been a long day for him, too, and it was going to be another long day tomorrow.

Jake flicked Sage a glance. “I’m sure,” he said, when he caught that deer-in-the-headlights look in her eyes. She wasn’t sure what she should do, but he was. He wanted a helluva lot bigger taste of her than he’d just had, and he figured, whether she knew it or not, the feeling was mutual.

Linc dropped them off at Jake’s apartment. “See you both in the morning,” he said with a tired smile.

Jake grabbed his suit coat out of the car and closed the door. He guided Sage up the front steps, and she waited while he unlocked the door, then walked inside and turned off the alarm. When he looked up, she was prowling the living room, wandering over to the big window looking out at the fountains, trees and flowers in the open rectangular area surrounded by apartments.

“I didn’t know there was any place like this in Houston.”

He tossed his coat over the arm of an overstuffed chair. “It’s a real find. A little slice of green right in the city.”

She turned, looked up at him. “We’ve just had the most incredible sex, but the truth is I don’t even know you.”

His mouth hitched up. “Oh, I think you do. After what just happened, I think we know each other pretty damned well.” But not as well as they would by morning.

“That’s not what I mean.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “All right, what would you like to know?”

Sage moved restlessly, stopping in front of him. “I checked you out on the internet. I know you were born in Iowa. I know you were in Marine Special Forces—Ian told me you were a sniper.”

“That’s right.”

“And you worked in South America.”

“I did a lot of corporate protection down there.”

“Like you’re doing with me.”

He grinned. “Honey, it was nothing like what I’m doing with you.”

Her cheeks flushed. She was always so in control. He liked that he could fluster her a little.

“What about your family?” she asked. “Are your parents still living?”

“I was a senior in high school when my dad died. Heart attack. As soon as I got out of junior college I enlisted.”

“Because of your dad?”

“Maybe. Dad was a marine and I admired him. Serving my country was important to me, something I’d always planned to do.”

“What about your mother?”

“She married a guy she’d dated in high school. Big rivalry between him and my dad over which one she would choose. My dad won. Thing is, I look a lot like him. Same size, same build. I’m a constant reminder of Sam Cantrell, which made a problem for my mother. It was one of the reasons I left when I did. One of the reasons I don’t see her very often.”

Jake reached out and wrapped a hand around Sage’s waist, drawing her closer. He caught a hint of her perfume—jasmine, maybe, or lilac. It made him hard. “Anything else you want to know?”

“Why did you leave the military?”

“I never planned to make it a career. I had things I wanted to do, places I wanted to see.”

She looked up at him, moistened those tempting lips. “Are we really going out to dinner?”

Jake slid his fingers into her hair, tilted her head back and kissed her until she was molded against him, gripping the front of his shirt. “What do you think?” he whispered against her ear.

Sage let go of his shirt, reached up and slid her arms around his neck. Hot, deep kisses followed and his arousal strengthened. Man, the lady could kiss.

“I’ve never felt this kind of hunger,” she said, “but it isn’t for food.”

“I’ll second that.” Nipping the side of her neck, he lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom, took his time stripping off her clothes.

She had a slender, beautiful body, with long legs and ripe, full breasts tipped with small pink nipples. He liked kissing her, liked the way she tasted, the way she smelled. Once they were in bed, he took his time with her breasts, enjoying the way they felt in his hands. He loved the little noises she made when he took them in his mouth.

He rose above her, entered her in a single deep thrust that had her arching up from the bed. He tried to go slow, be gentle, but ended up taking her hard. He’d wanted her so damn long, so damn much. Sage took all he could give and wanted more.

After another heated round they got out of bed and wandered into his kitchen, actually feeling hungry for food this time.

“All I’ve got is bacon and eggs, and some leftover pizza.”

Sage smiled. “Pizza sounds great.”

“Nuke it or heat it in the oven?”

She grabbed the box out of his hand, set it on the granite countertop and opened the lid. “Pepperoni—my favorite.” Picking up a slice, she started nibbling her way from the point toward the crust.

“You’re kidding. You actually like cold pizza?”

The big bite she took said yes, and watching those pretty lips wrap around all that sausage and cheese made him think raunchy thoughts, so the blood rushed back into his groin.

Sage finished off the slice while Jake zapped a couple pieces in the microwave.

“I love pizza,” she said. “Any way, shape or form. I don’t have it often because I try to eat healthy, and pizza is too fattening.” She grabbed another slice out of the box. “I’m making an exception tonight.”

“Second exception of the day.”

“What was the first?”

“I’m betting it was having sex on the desk in your office.”

She blushed, turned away. “You’d win the bet.”

The microwave dinged and he went to retrieve the bubbling slices of pizza. He carried them on a paper plate to the table and sat down across from where Sage was now sitting in front of the empty box.

“How about the kitchen counter?” he asked, thinking of those blue satin panties, and no longer interested in food. “Ever done that before?”

She glanced up, looking interested, which made him even harder. “There are lots of things I haven’t done before.”

His erection throbbed. “I can take care of that.”

Sage yelped as he left his pizza on the table, lifted her up and carried her back to his bedroom. The counter could wait. He had a couple of things to show her right there in his bed.

Fifteen

Jake slept like a dead man until Sage shook him awake at four o’clock in the morning.

“I need you to take me home. I’ve got to shower and put on fresh clothes.”

He just nodded, yawned and rolled out of bed. He couldn’t help a smile when he glanced over at the woman standing across from him, her mink-brown hair a tangle around her shoulders, little red love bites on her neck, her lips swollen from his kisses. He went hard just looking at her.

She turned away, still a little shy around him, and gasped when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. “Oh, my God, I look awful.”

“You look well-loved, honey. Nothing wrong with that.”

“There’s plenty wrong with it when you’re a businesswoman trying to negotiate a multimillion-dollar deal.”

He grinned. “That’s why makeup was invented.”

She almost smiled. But already her mind had returned to business. Jake forced his thoughts in the same direction. He had a job to do. He’d been hired to protect her. That he’d taken the lady to bed didn’t change that.

He pulled on a pair of jeans and drove her home. Walked her up to her apartment, checked each room. Found nothing out of order.

Sage walked him to the door. When she looked up at him, he saw in those golden-brown eyes what was coming.

“About last night…”

Here it was. He was only a little surprised. “Go on.”

“What happened between us…it was amazing, Jake, really, but…”

“But what?”

“But it…it really shouldn’t happen again.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Probably shouldn’t,” he agreed, and caught a flash of something in her face. “But it’s going to. Count on it, honey.” Then he reached for her, hauled her into his arms and very thoroughly kissed her.

Sage made no protest. Instead, she kissed him back. Her warm gaze followed him out the door.

* * *

Cocky SOB, Sage thought as she marched toward the shower. Cocksure of himself and of her. Maybe he had it right, she thought, because sure as hell, she wasn’t through with Jake Cantrell, and apparently he wasn’t through with her.

She’d said it shouldn’t happen again. Said it because it was true. She should have kept her life in order, gone forward with her plans to marry Phillip. It would have been the smart thing to do.

But mostly she had said it to see what Jake would say. See if he was one of those guys only interested in a one-night stand, in making a conquest. She hadn’t expected the sharp ache that struck her when he had momentarily agreed.

Or the relief when he’d made it clear it wasn’t over between them.

She told herself it was only sexual attraction. How could any woman resist a man with the body of a god, beautiful blue eyes that had a way of seeing inside her, and a brain to go with such a virile package?

She told herself the fire would burn out, that it was just an itch that had become so strong she’d had no choice but to scratch it.

But when he’d been kissing her, touching her, moving deep inside her, it felt like so much more.

Just take it slowly, she told herself. Let things unfold in their own time, their own way. See where it leads.

She really had no other choice.

* * *

Jake didn’t go back to sleep, just went home, showered and dressed for the day in a conservative dark blue suit. His first stop was Freedom Limousine. He phoned Linc ahead and his friend met him there. The shiny black, nine-passenger stretch that Roshan and Quadim had used for their adventures last night was parked in its usual place.

Linc clicked open the locks and Jake climbed in to collect his gear. The partition between the driver and passengers was still rolled up. With any luck, the bodyguards had ridden at the opposite end of the car, far enough away to allow Roshan and Quadim to speak privately.

The mic was good enough to pick up even the faintest whisper.

A pair of empty highball glasses lay on the floor. The Scotch decanter sat empty in the otherwise fully stocked, wood-grained bar. Jake reached underneath to retrieve his recording equipment, anxious to learn what secrets might be revealed.

Maybe nothing. Maybe he’d heard wrong. He’d had time to think about it. The wind could have distorted the words or his memory could have been playing tricks. He prayed the tape would end this nagging feeling that Roshan was into something that could completely derail Sage’s carefully laid plans.

Jake thought of his departure that morning from her apartment and smiled to himself. She might not want to want him, but she did. The fire burning between them wasn’t out, not by a long shot.

“You get it?” Linc asked, his thick black brows pulling together as Jake emerged from the car.

“I got it. Now we need to find out what’s on it.”

“You want to use my computer?”

He checked his watch. “Gonna take some time to play it all back. If the men made the rounds and traveled to and from the hotel, they could have been in the car off and on for a couple of hours.”

“We got some time. I’ll make us a pot of coffee.”

“Thanks.” Jake followed Linc into the office, a sparsely furnished main room that held a few desks with computers. A brown vinyl sofa and chair around a walnut coffee table served as a waiting area.

While his friend headed for the employee lounge to make the coffee, Jake went into Linc’s private office, sat at the metal desk and turned on the computer. Reaching down, he plugged in the USB flash recorder he had retrieved from the limo, and the tiny light that said it was working came on. Clearing his mind, he leaned back to listen, trying to absorb the Arabic words and recall what they meant as the two cousins laughed and conversed. The bodyguards, seated at the opposite end of the limo as Jake had guessed, rarely spoke.

Half an hour later, downing his second cup of black coffee, he turned to see Linc walking back into the office.

“Time to pick up your lady,” his friend said, making Jake wonder if he’d guessed that Sage had spent most of last night at Jake’s apartment. But his friend’s dark face was carefully blank.

“She won’t be happy if we’re late,” Linc finished.

“Knowing Sage, if we aren’t there on time, she’ll take off by herself, and I don’t want that to happen. Let’s go.” Ejecting the drive, he shoved it into his pocket, and they headed out to the big black SUV.

They were talking as they headed outside. They had almost reached the Escalade when Jake heard the faint sound of a click. An instant later, the black car exploded in a fiery flash of heat and blinding light, a shattering roar that split the air and rocked the ground.

“Get down!” Jake yelled, hurling himself against the more slender man, taking him down behind a low brick wall, dodging the eruption of fire and killing debris.

A second blast went off, sending one of the car doors whizzing through the air, while flames erupted out the windows and pieces of glass and metal sliced into the wall in front of them like shrapnel. The crackle of fire and the smells of burning fuel and melting rubber filled the yard.

Jake climbed slowly to his feet, his gaze shooting to the pile of burning metal that used to be an expensive SUV.

Linc rubbed his side. “Dammit, man, I think you broke a couple of ribs.” But he brushed off his clothes and got gingerly to his feet.

“Better that than being dead,” Jake said, feeling a sting where a piece of hot metal had scorched a path across his thigh. He fingered the hole in his trousers and silently mourned the loss of one of his good suits.

Beside him, Linc’s eyes remained riveted on the burning car. A little of the color had drained from his dark face.

“Man, oh, man, couple more minutes, you and me would have been toast.”

“Twenty minutes and Sage would have been in there with us.”

“Jesus.”

“Any chance this was aimed at someone else? Another one of your customers?”

“You mean some lowlife drug dealer who rents my cars to smuggle dope? Or maybe one of my pimp customers?”

“Very funny.”

“The answer is no.” Linc grinned. “I haven’t pissed anyone off lately and I don’t cater to clients with those kinds of enemies. At least I didn’t until you came along.”

Jake flashed him a dark look and pulled out his cell. He dialed 911, told the dispatcher what had happened, then called Sage.

“We’ve got a problem.”

“What is it?”

“Somebody planted a bomb in our ride.”

“What?” Her breathing quickened. “Someone blew up the car? Oh, my God.”

“Take it easy. The good news is no one was inside when it went off.”

“Are you…are you all right? You weren’t hurt?” A slight tremor rang in her voice. “You and Linc…you’re both okay?”

“We’re both just fine. The police are on the way. This may take a while.”

“I—I can’t believe this. I’ve got…got to get to work. The sheik will be waiting. We’ve got meetings scheduled all day.”

Jake’s fingers tightened around the phone. “Dammit, are you hearing me, Sage? Someone tried to blow one or all of us to kingdom come. Your damn meetings are the least of your problems.”

A long silence streched. “You’re right…I’m sorry. I—I’m not thinking clearly. What should we do?”

His mind went back to the explosion. Aside from the fact the car was a melted, burned-up heap of metal, there was a lot they didn’t know. He knew how important this deal was to Sage, how hard she had worked to put it all together.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll call Alex, tell him what’s going on. He can pick you up and take you to midtown. You can talk to the sheik, tell him about the bomb, see what he wants to do. He may want to go home, Sage. He’s got his family to think of. It’s probably what I’d do.”

“Yes…yes, of course. But…”

“But what?”

“We’ve been using the same car every day, right? So the bomb must have been meant for me.”

Jake’s stomach knotted. Not much question of that. Whoever had rigged the explosion wouldn’t have been interested in him or Linc. Sage Dumont was the target. The knot twisted tighter. “Most likely. So…?”

“So that’s what I’ll tell Sheik Khalid. The bomb was meant for me, not him. Maybe he’ll decide to stay.”

“The sheik might also be in danger, Sage. It’s only fair that he knows it.”

“I’ll tell him the truth.”

Jake released a slow breath. “All right, I’ll see you in midtown. Till then, do exactly what Alex tells you. Exactly. You got that?”

“I will, I promise.”

Jake hung up the phone. All he could think of was getting to Sage, making sure she was safe. But he trusted Alex Justice, and he needed to talk to the police. He needed to find out who the hell had planted that bomb and why it had gone off before Sage was in the car.

He needed to find out why nobody was dead.

* * *

Sage sat tensely in the seat next to Alex Justice as he pulled his dark blue BMW coupe up to the curb in the yellow loading zone in front of Weis, Weis, Silverman and Schultz.

“Stay here.” With a warning glance in her direction to ensure she did what he told her, he climbed out of the car. After a brief surveillance of the area from where he stood, he started toward the glass front doors.

As he made his way there, Sage watched how his head moved from side to side, up and down. How he looked backward and forward, checking for someone who might be sitting in a parked car, on a nearby rooftop, or walking down the block, anyone who might pose a danger.

Apparently satisfied it was safe to go inside, he returned to the car, opened Sage’s door and helped her out of the vehicle. He must have felt her trembling. The minute they stepped into the foyer, he turned and caught her arm to steady her.

“You okay?”

She nodded. On the way to Midtown, it had finally hit her that this morning she could have been killed. All of them could have been.

She clamped her teeth together to stop the chattering and steeled herself. “I’m okay.”

“Let’s go.” Alex stayed close beside her, putting himself between her and whatever might be waiting. They went into the elevator, rode up to the third floor and stepped outside.

Alex led her to the conference room, opened the door for her then closed it behind her, and took up a position outside.

She was a few minutes late, so everyone was already there—Will and Red, Robert Shultz and his assistant, the sheik, Roshan and the rest of the Saudi entourage in their immaculate white robes. Eric Nadar and his assistant were there, all seated around the long mahogany table sipping mugs of coffee or tea.

Shoving aside her battered emotions, Sage drew herself up. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Something’s happened I need to tell you about.”

For the next twenty minutes, she relayed what had occurred at Freedom Limousine, telling them about the bomb and what little she knew about the circumstances of the explosion. She told them that the attempt was probably directed at her, and since no one was in the car at the time the bomb went off, perhaps it was just meant to be a warning.

At least that was her hope.

“As you know, there have been continuing protests outside the Marine Drilling offices, different groups demonstrating differing points of view.” She fixed her attention on the sheik, whose expression was closed and hard. “A small group among the others seems to be violently opposed to our company doing business with you. Most of the protests have been peaceful and harmless, but it’s possible some are willing to go further than just carrying signs.”

The sheik eyed her darkly. “You say this happened early this morning?”

“That’s right. I wasn’t in the car yet. That’s why I believe it was supposed to be some sort of warning. Whoever did this wants to stop us. Their goal is to keep us from making a deal that would benefit both our families. Both our countries.”

The sheik leaned back in his chair. Yasar appeared clearly upset. Roshan and Quadim whispered together in tones too low to hear.

“This is quite an unexpected turn of events,” the sheik said.

“Yes, it is,” agreed Sage.

They discussed the situation awhile longer, talking about what should be done. Sage knew the police would want to speak to her as soon as possible, and would probably wish to speak to the sheik. She tried not to glance toward the door, hoping Jake would appear.

Finally, Khalid rose to his feet, followed by the rest of his entourage. “We will need more information before we decide what is to be done,” he said. “I need to be certain of my family’s safety.”

The door opened just then and Jake walked in. Sage felt a powerful sweep of relief.

She flashed him a look that said she was glad he was there, then returned her attention to the sheik. “Marine Drilling will be bringing in extra security until this is resolved.” Her gaze went to Jake, looking for reassurance. She prayed he and Trace Rawlins would be up to the job.

“We’ve already begun making arrangements,” Jake said, picking up where she’d left off. “We’ll have security people waiting at the hotel when you and your party arrive. The police are already working on a suspect list. With any luck, they’ll have the man responsible in custody very soon.”

The sheik turned to Sage. “I need to check on my family, tell them what has happened and make certain they are safe.”

“Of course.”

“The cars have all been thoroughly searched,” Jake said. “You don’t have to worry about that, Your Highness.”

Khalid arched a silver-flecked eyebrow. “My people will make their own assessment.” He returned his attention to Sage. “We will speak again at the end of the day.”

She just nodded. There was nothing more she could do. The Saudis swept out of the conference room, Yasar, Roshan and Quadim, following the sheik. The bodyguards appeared as if they’d been conjured up, and the group and their attorneys headed for the elevators.

Sage walked over to Jake. She felt drained and filled with uncertainty. And when she looked at him and thought that he might have died in that car, something tightened in her chest. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

He smiled. “Ruined my suit. Tore a hole in the pants, but aside from that, I’m fine. Linc wound up with a couple of bruised ribs. He still hasn’t decided if he’s going to forgive me.”

She didn’t see the humor. Clearly, he had shielded his friend with his body. It was just what Jake would do. “You could have been killed. Both of you. As much as I don’t want to, I think I should cancel the rest of the meetings.”

His gaze didn’t waver. “You can do that, but it might not make any difference.”

“Why not?”

“Whatever his reason for planting that bomb, if this guy is focused on you, he might not stop just because the Saudis go home.”

Her stomach contracted. She sank down in one of the high-backed conference chairs, her legs suddenly weak. “I never thought of that.”

Jake walked over and poured a mug of coffee from the service on the sideboard, came back and handed it to her. Sage’s hands shook as she blew on it, then took a bracing sip.

He reached down and touched her cheek. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Sage. We’ll beef everything up, make doubly sure you aren’t at risk.”

She thought of her grandfather and her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh, my God. Ian. We need to put a man with Ian. Someone good. Someone you trust, Jake.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Ben Slocum. Ex-SEAL. Works with me at Atlas. He’s one of the best.”

Sage moistened her lips, which felt like cotton. “Do it now.”

“Already done.”

“You talked to Ian?”

“Soon as I got off the phone with you. He’s worried about you. He wants the meetings ended.”

Exhaustion washed over her. “You’re right in what you said. It might not make any difference. I’m not ending the negotiations unless the Saudis decide to go home.”

“Which they very well may.”

“I know. But the sheik is a proud man and I have a hard time seeing him back away from a fight.”

“Or you,” Jake said.

Her shoulders went a little straighter as she shoved herself to her feet. “Or me. I have a hard time letting some sick creep dictate my life. I want him caught, Jake.”

“The police have the name of the guy who accosted you in the restaurant. They’re bringing him in for questioning. We’ll know more about the bomb after their explosive experts take a look at it.”

“Why did it go off so early? Why not later, when we were all inside the car?”

“Had to be either a malfunction of the device, or whoever put it there only wanted to scare us.”

Sage sighed, raked back her hair. “Well, if he wanted to scare us, he succeeded.”

A protective gleam entered Jake’s eyes and his jaw hardened. “Yes, he did.”

Sixteen

Not needing Alex until the following morning, Jake drove Sage from midtown to her Marine Drilling office downtown. Ian was there when they arrived, pulling Sage into a hug, telling her how worried he was, hugging her hard again. He introduced her to Ben Slocum, who was acting as his bodyguard, then led her into his office and firmly closed the door.

Ben stood guard outside. Six-two, lean, sculpted and hard as a brick wall, he was swarthy skinned, with the palest blue eyes Jake had ever seen.

The Iceman, they’d called him in the SEALS. Cool as ice, Jake figured, and it was true.

Jake looked at Ben and tipped his head toward the tall mahogany door in the CEO’s impressive office. “Ian handling this okay?”

“He doesn’t like having a babysitter—that’s what he said. But the man’s no fool. He’ll handle it fine. Mostly he’s worried about his granddaughter.”

“I don’t blame him.” And along with the danger Sage was facing from an unknown assailant, there was the emotional danger she faced from Jake. Already he had derailed her perfectly laid out future. She had ended her engagement because of him, because she’d wanted him and didn’t know what to do about that. She hadn’t been able to ignore it, had to find a way to deal with it.

And it wasn’t over yet.

How Jake felt about the situation, he wasn’t quite sure. Not sorry. After last night, he would never be sorry. He’d ached with wanting her. Still did.

At the moment, his main concern was keeping her safe.

“How’s Sage doing?” Ben asked.

“She’s a lot like her grandfather. She’s tough when she needs to be.”

His colleague watched him closely. “Seems like a good lady.”

Jake glanced away. “Seems to be.”

“She’s definitely hot. Maybe I should ask her out.”

Jake’s gaze swung to his friend. “You do and you’re a dead man.”

Ben actually laughed, which he didn’t do that often. “I figured. Just thought I’d check.”

Jake stared at Ian’s closed office door. “Who else is in there?”

“One of the VPs, her assistant, a couple of other employees.”

Jake looked down the hall to find the black-haired receptionist, Marie Castelo, walking toward them with cups of coffee in her hands.

“I thought you might need this,” she said, handing each of them a cup.

“Thanks, Marie,” Ben said, having already made a conquest. Marie was older and probably married. She had a son, Jake recalled, but she was female and she wasn’t dead. Ben was the epitome of tall, dark and handome, and women seemed drawn to his forbidding nature. When it came to the opposite sex, Ben was far more ruthless than Alex, but the ladies didn’t seem to mind.

“I heard what happened this morning,” Marie said. “We all did. Mr. Dumont is terribly worried.”

“The police are on the job,” Jake said. “They’re hoping to make an arrest very soon.”

“I pray they do.” She glanced at the closed office door, looked back at him. “I’m glad you’re here to take care of her.”

He smiled. “So am I.”

“Well, let me know if there’s anything either of you need.” Turning, she headed back to her desk.

Sage walked out a moment later and made her way over to Jake.

“What’s the verdict?” he asked.

“Ian’s agreed to wait until we hear from the sheik.” Her smile looked weary. “Convincing him took some doing, I can tell you.”

“He wants you safe.”

“I know.”

She turned to Ben. “My grandfather’s ready to leave. You can go on in.”

He gave a slight nod. “It was nice meeting you, Sage.”

“You, too.”

Ben cocked his head toward Jake, but spoke to Sage. “You can trust him to take care of you.”

Sage looked at Jake. He could read the trust in her eyes, and his chest tightened.

“I know,” she said simply.

Slocum turned and walked through the office door, heading toward the silver-haired man sitting behind his massive mahogany desk.

“I’ve got a couple of things to do in my office,” Sage said. “It shouldn’t take long.”

“I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.”

As she crossed the reception area toward her office, Jake’s gaze ran over her. The tailored light blue business suit with its calf-length skirt and trim-fitting jacket did nothing to show off the luscious figure beneath. But after last night, he knew every curve, every sensuous hollow and valley, the exact shape of her upturned breasts. His hands fisted with the need to touch them, to peel off her clothes and take her again, learn even more of her secrets.

He reminded himself he needed to stay focused, keep his distance, do his job. He would, he knew. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

A man he didn’t recognized walked up to the receptionist desk, wearing an immaculate dark gray suit and aviator glasses on his long, thin face.

“I’ll tell her you wish to see her, Mr. Hunter,” Marie said, reaching for the intercom.

Jake made his way over. “Jake Cantrell,” he said. “I’m Ms. Dumont’s protection. Do you work for Marine Drilling?”

“Jonathan Hunter. And yes, I work here.”

“Mr. Hunter’s one of the vice presidents,” Marie interjected with a hint of uncertainty, since it was clear the man didn’t appreciate Jake’s interference.

Jake stepped out of the way. “Go ahead.”

Hunter turned and headed for Sage’s office, knocked lightly, walked in and closed the door.

Figuring he had a few minutes, Jake made a round of the floor, looking for anything suspicious, anything out of the ordinary. Finding nothing, he came back and stood next to Sage’s office door.

She’d had a long, stressful day. He was hoping when she finished with Hunter, she’d be ready to go home.

Which was a whole new can of worms. Because no way was he letting her stay in her apartment alone, not without protection, not until they caught the joker who had tried to kill her. Jake was staying with her whether she wanted him to or not.

He figured she’d balk. It was one thing to sleep with a man, another to let him move in. Should be an interesting argument, he thought. One he meant to win.

* * *

“I’m sorry I missed the meeting,” Jonathan said. “I had an appointment on the other side of town. Charlie just told me what happened. I wanted you to know how glad I am you weren’t injured. Or for that matter, how glad I am no one was hurt.”

The executive sat down in one of the cream leather chairs across from Sage. In his late forties, of medium height and build, he had black hair with the merest trace of gray at the temples. Jonathan’s nose was too narrow, his lips a little too thin for him to be truly good-looking, but he was attractive, smart and capable, and aggressive in building his career.

If Sage didn’t prove herself, he or Charlie Denton would be appointed president next year.

“I appreciate your concern, Jonathan. The police are interviewing suspects. We’re hoping they’ll be able to make an arrest very soon.”

“They think it was one of the demonstrators?”

“It seems most likely. You should have seen the man who came barging into the Grill the other night. He was so mad he was spitting.”

“I heard about that.”

“Yes, well, it wouldn’t be a stretch for me to imagine him planting a bomb.”

“It could be him or any number of people. And from the signs I saw outside, it’s hard to tell who the explosion might have been meant for.”

She frowned. “You don’t think I was the target?”

“I’m just saying…there’s a lot of ill will in this country toward people from the Middle East. They could have been targeting the sheik or his family.”

“The car that blew up was the one I’ve been riding in.”

“Maybe whoever rigged the bomb didn’t know that.”

Her stomach twisted. It was a distinct possibility. All the black SUVs did look alike.

“I suppose that’s true.”

“I imagine the sheik will have to go home. It’s the only sensible thing for him to do.”

She glanced down at the notes she’d been making in the unlikely possibility he would stay, deal points she hoped might get him to consider a lower bid. “He’s supposed to call me tonight and give me his decision.”

“It could be dangerous for him to stay. Surely he knows that.”

“Then you think he’ll leave.”

“I think he should, don’t you?”

She closed her eyes and tipped her head back. She felt so weary. “I guess maybe he should.”

“If he does, it isn’t the end of the world. You can continue the negotiations long-distance. Or you could make a trip over there.”

She shook her head. “The sheik already has other offers. If this doesn’t gel, odds are he’ll accept one of those.”

Jonathan rose from his chair, smoothed the creases on his slacks. “Whatever happens, Sage, everyone knows you’ve done the best you could.”

But sometimes doing your best wasn’t enough. She rose from her chair, rounded the desk and walked him to the door.

“Thank you, Jonathan, for coming by. I really appreciate it.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Be careful, Sage.”

“I will.” As he walked out, Sage saw Jake striding toward her. For an instant, she thought of the way they’d made love last night, and a wave of heat washed through her. She bit her lip. This wasn’t the time to be thinking of sex. Not when some lunatic was out there trying to blow them up.

She sighed as Jake walked in and closed the door. He was standing so close she could touch him. She had to curl her fingers into her palms to keep from reaching for him. One look at her obviously weary expression, he caught her face between his big hands, bent and very softly kissed her.

“Everything’s going to be all right.”

Her throat tightened. She should have reminded him that she was still working, that at the office their relationship had to remain impersonal. Instead, she leaned into him, felt his hard arms wrap around her. She didn’t pull away, just let him hold her, let some of his strength flow into her.

With a fortifying breath, she finally pulled away. “I hope you’re right.”

“The police picked up the guy from the restaurant. His name’s Bert Hobson. They’re questioning him as a person of interest.”

She nodded. “That’s good.”

“Have you heard from the sheik?”

“Not yet. He’s due to call anytime now.”

“Or he might not phone for a couple more hours. He’s got your cell number. I think you should go home and wait for him to contact you there.”

She thought of the day she’d be facing tomorrow. If the sheik decided to leave, it was over. All the weeks of preparation, all the plans for assembling the offshore rig, to say nothing of the money all this had cost.

The whole project would end in failure. Along with the chance to do something that would make her grandfather proud. Something that would prove to him she could handle running the company.

“I’ll take you home, Sage,” Jake said softly.

She nodded and let him guide her toward the door.

* * *

“I need to stop by my apartment,” Jake said mildly as they took the elevator down to the lobby. “I’ve got to pick up a couple of things.”

His Jeep was parked in the executive lot some distance from where the last of the demonstrators were milling around the building. “I’ll get the car. Stay inside until I come back and get you.”

He caught the flash of fear in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, I’ll check it before I get inside.”

A tired, relieved smile curved those pretty lips. “Great.”

A few minutes later he had her loaded safely aboard, and the Jeep was rolling down Montrose, turning onto Westheimer, weaving its way back to his place. Sage said little. He knew she just wanted to get home. But a quick stop first. He hadn’t mentioned that the things he needed from his place were his shaving kit and change of clothes.

As they drove toward his apartment, Sage pulled out her cell phone. “I need to call Rina. I don’t want her reading about this in the paper.”

He overheard some of the conversation, the part where Sage downplayed the danger and Rina tried to get her to come over to her place and stay.

“I can’t do that. I need to be home.” She flicked a glance in his direction. “Jake’s with me. I’ll be fine.”

He almost smiled. Jake was with her. What she hadn’t figured out was that he didn’t intend to leave.

He pulled up in front of his garage just as Trace’s Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled into the visitor parking space right beside him. Jake turned off the engine, went around and opened Sage’s door.

“Come on,” he said. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

She had trouble climbing down with her snug skirt longer than she was used to wearing. Jake lifted her, then set her on her feet in front of him. Her high heels pushed her up six inches. He could feel the tickle of her hair against his cheek, her soft breasts against his chest. Heat pooled heavily in his groin and he had to remind himself that at least for the moment, he was her bodyguard, not the guy in her bed.

She stood so close he could bend his head and settle his mouth over hers. Sage didn’t move, but her breathing quickened and his arousal strengthened.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

He clamped down on his hunger as Trace walked up. Like Ben and Alex, Jake’s friend was tall, lean and solidly built. His hair was dark brown and so were his eyes. A former Army Ranger, he was the owner of Atlas Security and technically Jake’s boss.

“Sage, this is Trace Rawlins. The two of you have been doing business together for a while. It’s about time you met face-to-face.”

“Ma’am,” Trace drawled, tugging on the brim of the white straw cowboy hat he wore. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Same here. And you can skip the ma’am. I’d like it if you just called me Sage.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said and grinned. “I mean Sage.”

She laughed. It was a sound Jake hadn’t heard in a while.

“Let’s get in out of the heat,” he said, though the warm Texas days were beginning to cool.

Trace followed them into the apartment and Jake closed the door. He kept the AC cranked up, the place almost chilly. It felt damned good right now.

“You want something to drink? I got Coke and beer.”

“I’ll have a beer,” Trace said.

“So will I,” said Sage.

Jake took a bottle opener to a couple of Lone Stars and handed them around, then popped the top on a Coke for himself. He was still working. He wouldn’t be drinking anything alcoholic until Sage was out of danger.

“What’s up?” he asked as Trace and Sage walked to the breakfast bar and climbed up on a pair of brown leather stools, Sage struggling only a little.

Jake almost smiled. She hated the dowdy skirts she’d been wearing since the Saudis arrived. He didn’t mind them. Long as he got to strip her out of ’em.

“I talked to a friend in the department,” Trace said, “asked him to do a little diggin’, see what the cops have found out about the bomb.”

“Sayers?” Jake asked.

“Yeah.” Trace and Mark Sayers, a lieutenant in the homicide division of HPD, were longtime friends. A while back, Trace and Sayers had worked together on a murder investigation that had, in a roundabout way, led Trace to the woman he had married.

He took off his white straw hat and set it on the bar, ran a hand through his dark hair, then took a long swig of ice-cold beer. “According to Sayers, Bert Hobson has lawyered up. Says he doesn’t know anything about a bomb. But he doesn’t have much of an alibi for last night. He went home after work, then went out and had a couple of drinks with some friends, stayed till around eleven. They’ve verified he was at the bar, but according to Hobson, he was home before midnight and went there by himself. He’s got no way to prove it.”

“What kind of work does he do?” Sage asked.

“Hobson owns some acreage west of town. Got a bunch of wind machines on it. He earns a living off the power he sells.”

“Makes sense he hates people in the oil business,” Jake said. “Sees them as competition. I wonder if he hates ’em enough to want one of them dead.”

Sage’s face went a little pale.

“Police don’t have enough to charge him yet,” Trace said, “but they can hold him for forty-eight hours. They’re hopin’ their explosives experts will turn up something before then.”

They talked a few minutes more, then Trace downed the last of his beer. “Listen, Maggie’s waitin’. I gotta run. Sayers is keepin’ an eye on things. If anything new turns up, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, buddy.”

Trace grabbed his hat off the counter and settled it low on his forehead. He turned to Sage, tugged on the brim. “Pleasure, Sage.”

“Thank you, Trace, for everything you’ve done.”

He headed out the door, and Jake came around and sat on the bar stool his friend had vacated. Lifting his can of Coke, he took a long swallow. As he set it back down on the counter, his cell phone started to ring.

A reprieve, he thought, since he was just getting ready to broach the subject of Sage’s protection. He looked down at the number on the screen, saw it belonged to Felix’s mom, Tanya Porter.

Or maybe just more trouble. With a sigh, Jake pressed the phone against his ear.

Seventeen

“Jake, I’m so sorry to bother you, but Felix is in trouble. I didn’t know who else to call.”

“What’s happened, Tanya?”

“He was caught fighting. I’m not sure who it was with. I guess the other boys ran away, but the police took Felix down to juvenile detention. I don’t want to go down there by myself. I hoped maybe you could come with me.”

He looked over at Sage, sitting at the breakfast bar beside him, her golden eyes were filled with concern. “Let me make a couple of calls, then I’ll come and get you. Don’t worry. We’ll handle this one way or another.” He hung up the phone, then turned back to Sage.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Felix Porter’s in trouble. They picked him up for fighting, took him down to juvenile hall. I’m going to call Alex, have him take you home and stay with you till I can get back.”

“Isn’t the detention center downtown?”

He nodded. “Congress Street. I’ve passed the building a couple of times on my way to your office.”

“Maybe there’s a faster way to handle this. Why don’t we just go down and get him? I like Felix. He seems like a really nice boy, and he must be scared to death.”

The kid did his best to stay out of trouble, and Sage was right. He’d be scared to death.

“You’ve had a helluva day and tomorrow may not be much better. Let me call Alex.”

“Honestly, I don’t mind. I’m too wired to do much of anything but worry, anyway. I’ve got my cell in case the sheik calls. Let’s just go get him.”

Jake leaned over and kissed her. “All right. I trust Alex, but not as much as I trust myself. I’d rather you were with me. I’ll just grab a couple of things and we’ll go.”

Jake went into his bedroom and changed into jeans and a T-shirt, tossed clean underwear into a black canvas bag, folded a suit and a fresh white shirt and laid them inside, then grabbed his shaving kit. When he had everything together he carried the bag into the living room.

“What’s that?” Sage asked.

“Long story.” Jake kept walking, urging her toward the door. On the way to the Jeep, he phoned Tanya and told her he was going directly to the detention center. “Let me talk to them, see if I can take care of this. If I need you, I’ll call.”

Twenty minutes later, he was pulling into a parking space just down the block from the eight-story building, and turning off the engine. He helped Sage down, led her inside and up to the front desk.

“I’m here for Felix Porter,” Jake said. “I’m a friend of his mother’s.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” The receptionist, an older blonde woman, disappeared for several minutes, then returned with the news that they had already decided to drop any charges against Felix and release him into his mother’s custody. A call was made. Tanya okayed the release of her son into Jake’s care so that he could bring him home.

A few minutes later, Felix appeared from the back, looking scared and shaken.

“What happened?” Jake asked.

The boy looked down at his oversize feet and just shook his head. One of his eyes was swollen and there was a cut on his chin. Probably hadn’t done too well in the fight.

Jake realized the kid wasn’t going to talk in front of Sage.

“It’s all right now,” she said gently, sensing his distress. “Jake’s going to take you home and make sure everything’s okay.”

Felix relaxed a little and looked up at her with grateful brown eyes. “Thank you.”

They walked outside and down the block. Jake waited till the boy climbed into the back of the Jeep, then helped Sage in, went around and slid in behind the wheel.

“You doing all right?” Jake asked over his shoulder.

Felix just nodded.

“This have something to do with Desi and Bo?”

Felix nodded. “Desi and Bo wanted me to try some stuff. I told them I didn’t do drugs, then me and Desi started fighting, and then the cops showed up and Desi and Bo ran away.”

Jake gritted his teeth. “I’ll talk to them.”

“You said that before.”

He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry, son. I’m just really busy right now.”

Sage turned in her seat, laid a hand on Felix’s arm. “Jake’ll take care of this. You don’t have to worry.”

He looked up at her, seemed to believe her, gave her a faint, tentative smile.

“In the meantime,” Jake said in the voice he’d used to command his men, “I want you to stay away from Desi and Bo. You got that?”

Felix’s eyes went wide. “Yes, sir.”

They left the downtown area, slugged their way through the last of the evening traffic and headed for the house south of Holcombe where Felix lived. Just as before, his mother was waiting on the sidewalk. Jake got out and helped Felix out, leaving the car door open so he could introduce the women.

“Tanya, I want you to meet Sage Dumont,” Jake said. “She’s the client I’m working for. She let me take care of this.”

“Oh, I surely do thank you, Ms. Dumont. I don’t know what could have happened. Felix is always such a good boy.”

Jake flicked Felix a warning glance. “I’m sure it won’t happen again. Right, Felix?”

“Yes, sir.”

Jake turned to Tanya and gave her a brief white-washed version of what had happened, keeping her in the loop as much as he could without losing Felix’s trust.

Tanya settled an arm around her son’s narrow shoulders. “Thanks, again.” Waving, she turned and directed the boy toward the house.

* * *

“I feel sorry for him,” Sage said as they drove toward her apartment. “It has to be hard to be Felix’s age and stand up to his peers that way.”

“Damned hard. I’m proud of him. Tomorrow, while you’re at the office, I’ll have a little chat with Desi and Bo, make sure they know what will happen to them if they don’t leave him alone.”

Sage sighed. “I hate drugs. I hate what it does to the kids.”

“It sucks them dry. It takes away their will to accomplish anything, and ultimately, it kills them.”

The Jeep hit a bump. Sage glanced into the mirror above the dash and caught something in Jake’s expression. “What is it? What are you thinking?”

He just shook his head. “Be better if you didn’t know.”

“Drugs,” she repeated, recalling the look on his face the last time they’d been talking about them. “Oh, my God, were you thinking about Roshan? Did he say something else about smuggling narcotics?”

Jake sighed. “To be honest, I don’t know yet. I’ve only played part of the recording. And if I tell you how I got it, it makes you an accomplice.”

Her mind was spinning. She chewed her bottom lip. “Okay, let’s see if I get this right. Last night Roshan and Quadim went out clubbing. You knew they were going so you…you hid some kind of recording device in their limo.” She caught his glance in the mirror again. “That’s it, isn’t it? That’s why you went down to Linc’s this morning instead of waiting for him to pick you up. You were retrieving your equipment.”

His mouth quirked. “No one ever said you were dumb.”

She slid her hands into her hair, lifting it off the back of her neck, letting the air conditioner cool her skin. “So you’ve got the recording.” She leaned back in her seat. “I don’t even know if I want to know what’s on it.”

She glanced over at Jake. “Maybe it won’t matter. Maybe Khalid will take his son and go home. At this point, I almost wish he would.”

“When we get to your apartment, I’ll play the rest of what I got. Maybe there won’t be anything important. If there isn’t, that’s the end of it.”

Sage silently prayed that was exactly what would happen. She didn’t need any more trouble. But now that Jake had the recording, she had to know if he was right and Roshan was involved in something illegal.

She didn’t say anything more. Jake drove into her apartment’s underground garage, parked in one of the visitor spaces, came around and helped her climb out. Reaching into the back, he pulled out the black canvas bag, slung the strap over his shoulder and started for the elevator.

Sage came to a halt in front of the stainless-steel door. “You haven’t said what’s in the bag. Are you planning to stay the night?”

“That’s right. I’d prefer to spend the night in your bed, but if you’d rather, I can sleep on the sofa. Either way, you’ve got company till all of this is over.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

The elevator opened and Jake walked in, held the door and waited patiently for her to join him.

“I’m tired and I’m not in the mood for sex,” she said sharply, though for the last half hour she’d been thinking of little else. “I may need protection during the day, but I’m safe inside my own apartment.”

“I hope that’s true. Unfortunately, after what’s happened, there’s no way to know for sure.”

The elevator made a speedy assent to the tenth floor. The doors dinged opened and they walked out into the corridor. Sage dug the key out of her purse and unlocked the door, went in and turned off the alarm.

When she looked up, Jake was standing in the living room, the canvas bag on a chair.

Sage walked toward him. “I don’t like this, Jake.”

“You didn’t mind last night.”

Before she could form some kind of reply, he reached for her and pulled her into his arms. For an instant, when his mouth came down over hers, she resisted. He had no right to make assumptions. Just because they’d made love last night didn’t make it a permanent thing.

He didn’t let go, just kept kissing her until she softened against him. The hot lips moving over hers turned gentle, coaxing now instead of taking, making her insides quiver and her heart pound in her ears. His hands cupped her bottom and he pulled her into the V of his powerful thighs, letting her feel how big and hard he was, how much he wanted her.

She had never been with a man who dominated her sexually and it was an incredible turn-on. Her fingers dug into his massive shoulders. She could feel the moisture building between her legs. She was on fire for him, barely able to breathe.

“I’m staying,” he said against her mouth, deepening the kiss. “I’m taking you to bed and I’m spending the night there.”

A little whimper came from her throat. She wanted him to stay, had wanted it from the start. She wanted to feel him inside her so badly she ached with it. He helped her off with her suit jacket, unfastened the buttons on her pink silk blouse and tossed it away, unfastened the catch on the front of her bra. Bending his head, he took her breast into his mouth. Sage moaned as he suckled and tasted, laved and teased a nipple.

“I think I’ll have you here,” he said, “then maybe again in the shower. You’ve got a nice big one, room for both of us.”

Somehow her skirt was gone; she didn’t recall quite how it happened. Desperate to touch him, she reached for his T-shirt, pulled it off over his head, pressed her mouth against the thick slab of muscle across his chest. Her tongue found a flat copper nipple, circled it, and Jake groaned.

He still wore his jeans, but she was naked except for her tiny thong panties, pink this time, and lacy.

“I like those even better than the blue ones,” he said roughly as he buzzed his zipper down, then he turned her around, bent her over the arm of the sofa, pulled the panties aside and entered her.

Sage gasped at the feel of him inside her, the fierce, erotic sensations. Moving deeply, he took her and took her, giving her a series of orgasms so hot and delicious they left her weak and shaky.

Jake reached his own release and little by little they began to spiral down. Big hands circled her waist as he turned her around and kissed her softly one last time.

“You could have stopped me anytime, you know.”

“I know.”

Lifting her into his arms, he started for the bedroom. “I’m staying. You got a problem with that?”

Sage slid her arms around his thick neck and shook her head.

Jake smiled. “I didn’t think so,” was all he said.

* * *

The spray coming from two different nozzles was finally getting cold. Jake reached over and turned off the water, grabbed a fluffy white towel off the rack and began to dry both of them off. He almost smiled. The moment they’d stepped into the shower, Sage had surprised him by taking control.

“Two can play this game,” she’d said, and dragged his mouth down to hers for a kiss as steamy as the water. He went instantly hard. He liked sex and he liked a woman who enjoyed it as much as he did. They’d climaxed together, Sage’s head against his shoulder, her legs wrapped around his waist.

When he finished drying her off, she slipped into a fluffy white robe and sat down in front of the mirror to dry her hair. It was too early for bed, though he’d be happy to make an exception, since Sage looked so damned beat. She’d had a stressful day—they both had—though it hadn’t dimmed the desire that continued to burn between them. Her sexual needs matched his own. In fact, in all the ways that counted, the woman was his equal.

And wouldn’t Annie get a kick out of hearing him say that.

The fact was, Jake liked this woman. More than liked her. She was intelligent and interesting, competent, determined and sexy as hell. Once he took a woman to bed, his interest usually waned. With Sage, he only wanted to know more about her. She intrigued him in a way a woman never had.

The question was, what should he do about it?

“You hungry?” he asked as Sage pulled on a lightweight blue jogging suit and he dragged his jeans and T-shirt back on.

“I wasn’t before, but I am now.” She grinned as she fluffed out her hair, letting it dry into those soft curls he liked so much. “You have a way of doing that to me.”

The lady had a way of doing a lot of things to him, which at the moment he was trying not to think about.

“Maybe we should order some pizza,” he said.

“We had pizza last time. How about Chinese?”

“Sounds good.” They walked into the living room just as the intercom buzzed, signaling a visitor downstairs.

Sage walked over and pushed the button. “Yes, Henry?”

“The police are here,” the security guard said. “Detectives Brady and Vasquez.”

Sage flicked Jake a glance and he nodded. “Send them up,” she said.

“I’m surprised it took them this long.” Jake had spoken to the detectives at Linc’s after the car bomb explosion. But Sage had been moving around all day. Maybe they’d just finally tracked her down.

A few minutes later the doorbell rang. Jake stepped up to the peephole, recognized the men he’d talked to earlier. They were dressed in rumpled dark suits that looked as if they came off the discount racks, their shoes slightly scuffed—the uniform of plainclothes detectives. Brady was gray-haired and a little overweight. Vasquez was Hispanic, younger and good-looking.

Satisfied they were who they said they were, Jake opened the door.

“Hello, Detectives,” Sage said. “I’ve been expecting to hear from you.”

Brady spoke first. “Sorry to bother you this late, Ms. Dumont,” the Texan drawled, “but we need ta ask you some questions ’bout the explosion this mornin’. I’m Detective Brady and this is Detective Vasquez. We’re with Houston PD.”

“As I said, I’ve been expecting you. I believe you’ve met my bodyguard, Jake Cantrell.”

Brady nodded. “We talked to him earlier.”

“Can I get you something to drink? Iced tea or a glass of water?”

“Nothing for me,” Vasquez said.

“We’re fine,” said Brady.

“Why don’t we go into the living room?”

Sage, Brady and Vasquez sat down on the overstuffed, pale peach sofa and chairs facing the big windows looking out over the city.

The entire apartment was done in soft peach, cream and black. A black lacquer table sat in front of the sofa, and Asian accents added an interesting touch. The apartment was modern but comfortable, and Jake thought it fit Sage perfectly. Feminine but without a lot of frills.

He walked past the group and stood at the wall behind Sage.

Brady pulled a notebook out of his pocket and began to flip through the pages. “From the statements made by the owner of Freedom Limousines, a Mr. Lincoln Jones, and those given by Mr. Cantrell this morning, I gather the Escalade was the vehicle you generally rode in to work.”

“Just since the arrival of our visitors from the Middle East. My company is involved in business negotiations with Sheik Khalid Al Kahzaz. There’ve been some protests, things happening around the office. Mr. Cantrell thought hiring a limousine service would be wise. Before that, I drove myself to work.”

“Was there anything different about your schedule this morning?” Vasquez asked. “Anything out of the ordinary?”

“No, we were scheduled for a meeting in Midtown. The car was on its way to pick me up. We did the same thing yesterday morning.”

“Was anyone besides you, Mr. Jones and Mr. Cantrell supposed to be ridin’ in the car?” Brady asked.

“No.”

The detectives continued asking questions, all of them routine. Jake had given them the same information that morning. The detectives were just confirming, doing their job.

It took a better part of an hour before the men stood up to leave.

“Anythin’ you want to add, Cantrell?” Brady asked.

“I wish I had something. You get anything out of Hobson?”

“Nothin’ I can disclose at this time.”

Which was bullshit. They didn’t have a damned thing.

Vasquez handed Sage a business card. “If you think of anything, even if it doesn’t seem important, call the number on the card.”

“I will.”

The men left the apartment and Sage gave a sigh of relief. “I feel like I’m moving in circles. Everything’s turned upside down. Nothing seems to be going in a straight line anymore.”

“Maybe Hobson will talk. Or the explosives team will come up with something.”

She shook her head. “I keep thinking of what might have happened.”

He’d had a few thoughts about that himself. He walked over to where she stood, eased her into his arms. “What might have happened didn’t. And now that we know what we’re up against, we’ll be on guard.”

Like he hadn’t been already? He didn’t tell Sage how hard it was to stop a killer whose mind was made up.

Jake just held on to her, more determined than ever to keep her safe.

Eighteen

It was late, nearly midnight, and still no word from Sheik Khalid. Sage had been asleep next to Jake, but now was awake and couldn’t seem to go back to sleep. They had made love again, slowly this time, Jake treating her as if she were made of glass.

He was extremely intuitive. He seemed to know when to be rough and when to be gentle. He liked to take control, but he also enjoyed it when she took the lead. The man was the perfect lover. And he was becoming a friend.

A dangerous combination. Sage couldn’t allow her feelings for Jake to grow too deep. He wasn’t a marrying kind of man, and even if he were, he wasn’t the sort who fit into her plans for the future. He was hard-edged, dangerous and sexy. Certainly not the kind of man who enjoyed an evening at the country club.

She stared up at the ceiling. So much was going on in her life. She tried to stay focused, objective, tried not to be afraid that if she walked out of her apartment, someone might try to kill her—or someone she loved.

Her grandfather’s beloved face popped into her head and she felt a rush of fear for him. She wished she had called him before it got too late. What if something had happened? Was he safe or was he in danger?

Next to her, Jake came up on an elbow and looked over her shoulder. “Everything’s going to be all right, Sage. You have to believe that.”

“I should have called Ian.”

“I talked to Ben while you were in the bathroom brushing your teeth. I would have told you, but I got…sidetracked.”

She smiled at the reference to their lovemaking. It was nothing like what she’d experienced with Phillip. Whatever happened, she would always have the memory of her days of fantasy sex with the most virile man she had ever known. “Then Ian’s okay?”

“Both of them are home and settled in. Ben says Ian’s house has a first-class security system.”

She nodded. “That’s good.”

Jake turned around, swung his long legs to the side of the mattress, stood up and reached for his jeans. As he zipped them up, he walked around the bed, bent and picked up her white terry robe. “Come on.” He held it up for her to slide into. “Speaking of Ben, I saw some Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer. Maybe it’ll help you fall asleep.”

Those hot blue eyes were reminding her that he had the perfect sleeping pill, but he didn’t say it.

Sage sighed as she slipped into the robe. “The sheik hasn’t called. The police haven’t come up with anything. I don’t know what to do.”

“We’ll know more tomorrow. Best to take things as they come.”

It seemed like good advice. While Jake got the ice cream out of her stainless Subzero freezer, Sage opened a cupboard and took down a couple of bowls.

He had just finished scooping ice cream when Sage heard the distant chiming of her phone.

“That’s my cell!” Racing back to the bedroom, she grabbed the phone off the side table. The caller number wasn’t one she recognized. Her heart was pounding as she pressed the phone against her ear. “Sage Dumont.”

“Ms. Dumont, this is Sheik Khalid. I am sorry to call you at such a late hour, but a problem has come up.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone. “What is it?”

“I am afraid my daughter is missing.”

Sage could feel the blood draining out of her face. “A’lia…A’lia’s been kidnapped?” She looked up to see Jake striding toward her. From his dark expression, she knew he had overheard her words. He bent to her level and she held the phone so he could hear.

“That is what I thought at first,” Khalid said, “but she left a note for me with her cousin Zahra. It is with a great deal of sorrow that I tell you my daughter has run away.”

Sage’s stomach churned. She flicked a glance at Jake, who was scowling. “Have you called the police?”

“My daughter is twenty-two years old. She is of legal age. I am hoping she will contact me. I intend to stay in your country until I can speak to her.”

Sage’s heart was racing. She wasn’t sure who she felt sorrier for, A’lia, alone in a strange city, or her father, frightened for his youngest child. “Is there anything I can do?”

“I am not certain. If she contacts you, I ask that you let me know. Tomorrow, we will talk again. I will meet with you as we planned at your attorney’s office at nine in the morning.”

“All right. I’ll arrange for our security people to pick you up at the hotel.”

“Good night, then.”

“Good night.” Sage ended the call and looked at Jake. “You heard what he said. A’lia is missing.”

“I heard.”

“I can’t believe this is happening on top of everything else.”

Jake’s gaze strayed down the hallway. “We need to find out what else is on that recording.”

Sage took a shaky breath, and they went to study. She thought longingly of the ice cream melting in the kitchen, and of curling up in bed with Jake.

Apparently, sleep would have to wait.

* * *

Sage’s wood-paneled study was inviting, a little less formal than the rest of the house. It was filled with books, and had a walnut desk with a computer on top, an ergonomic chair behind it. A butter-soft, fawn leather sofa sat against one wall with a matching chair beside it. A shaggy sheepskin throw rug cushioned the brass feet of a wood-and-brass coffee table.

Jake sat down at the computer, plugged in the flash drive and started playing the recording from where he’d left off the morning of the explosion. He yawned as he listened to the flow of Arabic, and tried to keep his attention focused. It was a half hour before he heard words similar to those he had overheard at the ranch.

First there was laughter, and Roshan saying something to Quadim about a girl they had been talking to in a bar, and that maybe the next place would provide better entertainment.

There was silence for a while as the limousine rolled toward its next destination.

Then Roshan said, “You are certain…” Words Jake didn’t get. “The delivery is on schedule?” Jake’s senses went on alert.

He paused the recorder, wrote Roshan’s name on a yellow pad and what he’d just said, including the blank spots, then clicked to continue.

“The last delivery will be…” Something Jake didn’t understand. “…on Friday,” Quadim answered.

“Unless my father…” Something about a new deal. “…there will…one more…pipe…after this one.”

Wishing he knew more Arabic, Jake paused the playback and wrote down the rough translation of what he had heard. Standing behind him, Sage looked over his shoulder and read what he’d written.

“I think Roshan is saying something about the negotiation his father is currently involved in with us,” she stated. “Unless his father makes a new deal, there’ll only be one more shipment of used five-inch pipe coming into Houston—that’s what we contracted for some months back. There’re only two shipments left. One’s coming in this Friday.”

Jake clicked Resume and the conversation continued.

“It does not matter.” More words Jake missed. “For now…finished.”

“When will…the money?” Roshan asked, and Jake scribbled that down on the pad.

“Tariq will be there with…” Jake couldn’t get the rest of what Quadim said. “He will…the money and bring it back to us.” Something else was said but Jake missed it.

He paused the replay and wrote down roughly what he’d heard. “I’m getting some of it but not enough.”

Yet it was sounding as if he had been at least partially right before. The gaps in the translation would have to be filled, of course. He hoped Alex could arrange for that tomorrow.

“Roshan mentioned money,” Sage said. “What money is he talking about? We pay the balance due on the pipe the day it’s delivered. The money goes directly into the Saudi bank account the sheik set up for the transfer. None of it goes to Roshan.”

“I’m not sure, but I think maybe there’s something coming in with the shipment. Something worth money.”

Sage seemed to be weighing the information. “Tariq is one of the bodyguards, right? The one you call Mutt.”

“That’s right. Mutt and Jeff. Jeff’s name is Yousef. The sheik’s men are Kiron and Kamal.”

“They haven’t said what’s coming in with the shipment. Maybe it’s a message or something.”

“Could be.” But Jake didn’t think so. He clicked the play button again.

“I will…when this is over,” Roshan stated. Very clearly, he said, “I do not like taking risks.”

The men started talking faster, arguing over something, and Jake lost track of the conversation.

Sage read the last of what Jake had written down. “You mentioned drugs before. You thought they said the word. I don’t see it in your notes.”

“I missed a lot. I can try it again, but I’d rather wait until tomorrow. Bring someone in who speaks the language.”

Sage tapped a finger on the yellow pad. “Are you sure about this, Jake? Is your Arabic really good enough to know this is what they’re saying?”

“I caught a lot of it. Alex has a professor friend who works at the university. Tomorrow I’ll have the whole thing translated.”

They played the rest of the tape, but the conversation veered off in another direction. Then the limo stopped, presumably at a nightclub, and when the men returned, they had women with them.

Jake pulled the USB flash drive out of the computer.

“We don’t know what’s coming in with the shipment,” Sage said, as he turned off the machine and rose from the chair behind the desk. “Or if this has anything to do with A’lia’s disappearance.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t,” Jake replied. “If it does, the girl could be in serious trouble.”

“Oh, God.”

He reached for her, eased her into his arms. “We just have to keep going, honey. Sooner or later, we’ll get all of this sorted out.”

Sage just nodded.

Jake took her hand. “You like melted ice cream?”

She smiled up at him. “I like the other kind of sleeping pill better, the one you were thinking of earlier.”

He grinned. “So now you’re a mind reader.”

“It was more a matter of body language.”

Jake laughed. Sweeping her up, he carried her back to the bedroom.

It wasn’t too long before both of them fell asleep.

* * *

Rina turned the key in the lock on her front door. Though technically she was living with Ryan, she hadn’t given up her own apartment, a nice two-bedroom in Uptown. No relationship was ever a sure thing, and she wasn’t about to give up this small piece of personal security, a place she came to whenever she needed a little space, a place to hole up and think, or just get away from the stress of her job. Being a stockbroker definitely had its ups and downs, lately mostly downs.

She hadn’t been there for a while and the place smelled faintly musty. She walked over and cracked open a window, letting in the moist night breeze, then headed for the air conditioner, turned the temperature down and cranked the fan up to high.

She glanced around, admiring the job she had done on the decor, combining a comfortable eggshell sofa and chair with an array of French antiques: a Louis XV armoire, a pair of fauteuil chairs, a marble-topped burlwood sideboard.

She’d always had a passion for France. Had even gone against her mother’s advice and taken French in high school instead of Spanish, which would definitely have been more useful in Houston.

Since her parents were poor, she had studied hard, won a scholarship, then been chosen as an exchange student and gone to France to study for two years before finishing school in Houston. She spoke the language fluently, not that she had much use for it now, just as her mother had said.

Still, her apartment, with its many French touches, always felt like home.

Even at one in the morning.

Rina exhaled a sleepy sigh and yawned. First the call had come from Sage this morning, sending her reeling. A car explosion that could have killed her best friend. But Sage was with Jake tonight, and after seeing them together, Rina felt sure the big man would do whatever was necessary to keep her friend safe.

Then, an hour ago, she’d gotten another unexpected phone call, one that had led her here. Since Ryan was traveling there wasn’t a problem getting away from the place they shared.

She thought of what she was about to do and chewed her thumbnail, an old habit she thought she’d conquered. She didn’t have to worry about a bomb, but Sage was definitely going to kill her when she found out what was going on—not that any of it was actually her fault.

Well, maybe a little.

During the weekend out at the ranch, Rina and A’lia had become friends of a sort. When the girl found out Rina was a stockbroker, a completely independent woman, she’d been filled with a thousand questions. A’lia was amazingly smart and so eager to learn. Little by little, she had confided her deepest desire—to stay here in America.

“I wish to continue my education,” she’d said wistfully, a topic that had also come up the day they’d gone shopping in the mall. “I want to go to a real school where men and women students are treated as equals. I want to see things, do things.” She smiled. “I want to drive a car.”

They’d been sitting outside on the patio that Sunday morning, while the rest of the group got ready for the shooting match Sage had planned.

“So why don’t you stay?” Rina had asked. “You’re legally old enough, right?”

“I am twenty-two. But in my country, I am still under my father’s protection and guidance. I have cousins who live in this country, one whose family now lives in New York. I have begged my father, but he refuses to give me his permission to stay. He says it is time for me to marry. He plans to choose, for me, a husband. I wish to choose my own husband.”

“What you’re asking doesn’t sound unreasonable. Maybe your father will change his mind.”

“I do not think so.” A’lia smoothed the front of her beaded silk robe. “He will not agree, and my brother Roshan is even worse. He believes all women are beneath him.”

Rina reached over and squeezed the girl’s slender hand. “Maybe you’ll find a way.” She had given A’lia her business card and written her cell number on the back. “If you ever need my help, don’t be afraid to call.”

Which was the reason Sage was going to kill her.

Because tonight, A’lia had taken Rina up on her impetuous offer of help, and had phoned. The girl had grabbed the bull by the horns, as a Texan would say. She’d devised an elaborate plan and escaped from her cousins, Zahra and Yasar, and one of the bodyguards, during a visit to the University of Houston campus.

According to A’lia, there was some sort of festival going on she had read about in the paper. According to plan, she had slipped away in the crowd, pulled off her robe and head scarf, and run away in the jeans and T-shirt she’d been wearing underneath.

For several hours, she’d stayed hidden, until she could get safely away, then had used some of the allowance money she’d been stashing away for months to hail a cab. Apparently, she had wandered the streets till well after dark, trying to work up the courage to make a call to Rina.

Hearing the near-hysterical tone of A’lia’s voice over the phone, Rina had given her the address of her Uptown apartment and told the girl she would meet her there in an hour.

A knock at the apartment door sounded, dragging Rina’s thoughts back to the moment. With a resigned sigh, she opened it.

A’lia stood on the threshold looking pale and teary-eyed, dressed in the jeans and T-shirt she had been wearing when she’d run away, though her head scarf was now back in place.

Rina managed a smile. “Come on in, sweetie. Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine.” How that was going to happen, she had no idea. But the girl looked so forlorn that Rina’s heart went out to her. When she opened her arms, A’lia stepped into them, then burst into tears.

Rina swallowed past the lump in her throat and hugged the girl tightly.

Sage was going to kill her.

Nineteen

The following morning, after a thorough inspection of his Jeep, Jake drove Sage to Midtown for her meeting with the sheik. Alex wouldn’t be coming, not today.

The car bomb had changed the equation. Odds were the sheik would be heading back to Saudi Arabia. Today’s meeting was just a formality, Jake figured. Sage would be wildly disappointed, but the way things were at the moment, none of them were safe.

It was early when they arrived at Weis, Weis, Silverman and Schultz. Outside the conference room, Jake waited while Sage went in to prepare herself for whatever the sheik might have to say. On the surface, she appeared cool and in control, but Jake was coming to know her. He recognized the faint hint of nerves, the edginess, the worry in her voice.

He didn’t blame her. She had a helluva lot at stake.

He took up a stance beside the door, thinking of the call from Ian he had received earlier that morning. The protests at Dumont Drilling had dribbled to a small group of students still milling around out in front. Most of the protestors had gone home.

Ian had asked him to keep a close eye on his granddaughter, and Jake had assured him he was doing exactly that. Considering he had spent the night in Sage’s bed, the eye he was keeping on her was a lot closer than Ian might guess.

The ding of the elevator alerted Jake to the sheik’s arrival. He was surprised when the man walked out with only his two personal bodyguards, Kiron and Kamal. Even his lawyers were absent. The men disappeared inside the conference room, and a few minutes later, Jake was even more surprised when Sage stepped out and asked him to join them.

“This is getting complicated,” she said. “It’s more than just business now. I’d like you to be there.”

Smart lady, he thought, as he had a number of times before. There was more than money at stake. A young woman was missing. Roshan was likely into something illegal, and there was a bomber in the mix.

They went through the formalities, one of the office staff bringing in coffee, pouring for the sheik and Sage and anyone else who was interested. It usually took the Saudis a while to warm up and start talking about anything more than pleasantries, but today the sheik cut right to the chase.

“I have come to admire you, Ms. Dumont. And in some way, also to trust you.” He flicked a glance at Jake. “I trust now that whatever is said in this room will go no further.”

Sage met his dark gaze squarely. “You have my word, Your Highness.” Her eyes went to Jake. “I speak for Mr. Cantrell, as well.”

The sheik nodded, seeming satisfied. “As you know, my daughter is missing. I have had no word of her, aside from the note she left in Zahra’s pocket.”

“Did the note say why A’lia went off on her own?” Sage asked.

“My daughter wishes to go to school in your country. She has friends in America, people she met while she attended university in Riyadh. She believes they will help her.”

“Then perhaps that’s where she’s gone.”

“I imagine that is her plan. Unfortunately, I know little of these people, or where I might find them.”

“I see.”

“My daughter and I have had many discussions on this matter. I did not believe she would go so far. By her disobedience, she has dishonored not only me but our whole family.” He glanced away. “And yet I find it difficult to condemn her.”

Sage’s voice softened. “Your daughter is a very intelligent young woman. Sometimes not everyone can fit into the same mold.”

The sheik stared out the window. It was rare for a Saudi male to discuss his family with an outsider, but Jake figured these were unusual circumstance. Clearly, the man was desperate to find his child.

“A’lia is like her mother. Strong-willed and spirited. Nura was unhappy with her role as a wife and mother. She wanted something more. She also wanted more than just marriage for her daughter.”

“Have you spoken to her? Have you told your wife what’s happened?”

“My Nura died three years ago. A’lia took her death very hard. Perhaps that is part of the reason she left. Perhaps she felt she owed it to her mother.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you find her?”

“That is why I am telling you all of this. I believe, sooner or later, my daughter will contact you. She knows only the people she has met here in Houston. And I believe she trusts you. If you hear from her, I would like you to tell her I wish to speak to her. Tell her she need not be afraid of her brother or anyone else.”

Jake mulled over the words. The sheik loved his daughter and he was a fairly progressive man. But Roshan was fanatical when it came to a woman knowing and accepting her place, an attitude he had made clear. At the very least, he would believe A’lia should be severely punished for what she had done. Physical beatings of women—or worse—were commonplace in Saudi Arabia. It was just the way it was.

“If I speak to A’lia,” Sage said, “I promise I’ll do my best to convince her to call you. If I hear anything at all, I’ll let you know.”

The sheik gave a slight bow of his head, his white headdress falling forward around his shoulders. “That is all I can ask.” He turned to Jake. “Is there news of the man responsible for the car bomb?”

“Not yet. We’re hoping to learn more today.”

“I hope you will keep me informed.”

“Certainly.”

Khalid returned his attention to Sage. “If you will excuse me, it is time I got back to my family.”

“Of course.”

He relaxed a little. “Tomorrow we will continue our discussions. My daughter has caused more than enough trouble. There is work yet for me to do here.”

Jake caught a flash of relief in Sage’s face.

She summoned an appropriate smile. “Then I shall see you in the morning.”

With a final nod, the sheik stood up and, with his bodyguards, walked out the door.

* * *

Sage sank down in one of the leather conference room chairs. “He wants to continue the negotiations.”

Jake stood beside her. “To be honest, I didn’t think he would. But maybe Khalid sees it as unseemly to allow a woman’s behavior to disrupt his agenda.”

Sage rubbed her left temple, where an ache had begun to throb. “What he said about Roshan… A’lia’s in danger, isn’t she? She’s risked more than her father’s anger. By disobeying his wishes, she’s disgraced her family. Roshan isn’t going to let that pass.”

“Roshan is also subject to his father’s dictates. The trick is to keep the matter secret. If the sheik can manage that and bring her back into the fold, he can protect her.”

“I hope she’s somewhere safe.”

“She’s a smart girl. She had to have had a plan. If it went smoothly, she should be safe.”

Sage released a slow breath. “I hope she calls. Maybe I can talk her into going home with him.”

“You sure you want to?”

The question rolled through her. If the situation were different, would she help the girl escape the life she’d be forced to live under her family’s iron control?

Sage refused to think of it. The deal was all that mattered. She had enough trouble already without taking on someone else’s.

“I’ve got mountains of work on my desk at the office,” she said, avoiding Jake’s question. “I need to get down there.”

“All right.” As he walked her toward the door, his hand rode at her waist, and a tremor of awareness ran through her. She remembered those big hands moving over her body, the power of them, the skill. Jake knew women—that much was clear. He knew exactly how to please a woman, and exactly how to please her.

Sage ignored the warm tingling in her limbs and thought instead of all she had left to do. She had forgotten the USB recording they had played at her apartment last night, until Jake used his cell to phone Alex.

“I’m going to need that translation,” he said. “Can you set it up?”

She couldn’t hear Alex’s reply, but Jake was nodding. “Great,” he said. “I’m in Midtown. Meetings here are over for the day, so I’m driving Sage to the office. If you can take over for me for a couple of hours, I’ll deliver a copy of the disk to the professor.”

“I’ll be at work,” Sage interrupted. “I’ll be fine.”

Jake ignored her. “I should be downtown in twenty minutes.”

Alex must have agreed because Jake hung up the phone.

“I’ll be in my office, for heaven’s sake,” Sage said peevishly. “I’ll be safe enough there.”

“Yeah, and if that bomb had gone off twenty minutes later, you would have been safe inside Linc’s car.”

Her stomach rolled.

Jake turned her to face him. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, Sage. But I need you to let me do my job.”

She swallowed. He was right. She’d begun to realize he usually was. “Okay.”

He bent his head and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. “Good girl.”

They headed downstairs. Leaving her with the security guard in the lobby, Jake went to find his Jeep. Before they’d left that morning, he’d used a mirror with a telescoping handle to examine the undercarriage, assuring himself it was safe. He must have done the same now, for a few minutes later the Jeep pulled up in front of the building and Jake came inside to collect her.

“Ready?” he asked.

Sage just nodded. It was going to be another long day.

* * *

The police were waiting, seated in the reception area, when Jake walked Sage out of the elevator onto the executive floor of Marine Drilling. Detectives Brady and Vasquez rose from their chairs and started toward them.

Brady reached them first. “Sorry ta bother you, Ms. Dumont. Your assistant told us you were on your way into the office. We got some new information we need ta talk to you about.”

She flicked a hopeful glance at Jake. He was damn well hoping they’d found something, too.

“Let’s go into my office.” Sage led the group inside and Jake closed the door. They all sat down at the round, granite-topped table in the corner. Through the windows, Jake could see people on the street below still milling about with signs, but the number of demonstrators was clearly dwindling.

Brady opened his notepad and took out a pen. “The report from the explosives unit came in last night.” He glanced up. “Looks like the bomb was remotely detonated.”

Sage’s eyes widened. “What?”

“So the guy was there watching the car,” Jake said. “He set off the bomb before we had a chance to get inside.”

“Looks like it. Must have hung around after he rigged the device, otherwise he wouldna’ known what time someone might get in it and drive away.”

“It was a warning,” Jake said. “He could have waited until we were inside the car, but he didn’t. He wasn’t trying to kill us. He was trying to scare us.”

“But why?” Sage asked.

“Good question.” Vasquez raked his fingers through his thick black hair.

“He may have intended to set the bomb off later,” Brady said, “when more people were around. But it woulda’ been a bigger risk. Somethin’ could have gone wrong and people coulda’ been killed.”

“Maybe he got cold feet and changed his mind,” Jake said. “Took the safer approach and set the bomb off before anyone got in the car.”

“I still don’t understand what he was trying to accomplish,” Sage said.

“Notoriety, maybe.” Vasquez leaned back in his chair. “The explosion was covered in all the papers and on TV. Speculation was the bombing had something to do with the protests. That stirred the media up again.”

“It certainly seems like a lot of risk just to get media attention,” Sage said.

Jake thought so, too. But so far he hadn’t come up with a better motive, so he made no comment. “What can you tell us about the bomb itself? Any idea who might have made it?”

“Explosive forensics says it was combination of ammonium nitrates and fuel oil—a compound similar to Prillex.”

Sage straightened in her chair. “Prillex? That’s one of the explosives used in oil exploration.”

“That’s right,” Brady drawled. “And even more interestin’, they traced the electrical detonator back to a supplier who deals exclusively with the oil industry. Unfortunately, there was no way to know specifically which company purchased the device used in the car bomb.”

Sage stared at the detective. “Are you saying this had nothing to do with the protests?”

Brady shook his head. “Not enough information to know for sure. Thing is, it’s beginnin’ to look like it had something to do with the deal you’re trying to make. Any idea who might want these negotiations to fail?”

“You’re not thinking it might be one of our competitors?”

“I’m not thinkin’ anythin’, Ms. Dumont. I’m hopin’ you might have some idea where we should go from here.”

Sage swallowed, shook her head. “I have no idea. What I’m working on is a business venture. The oil industry is booming. I can’t imagine another company going so far as to blow up my car in order to keep us from buying used drilling equipment.”

“A quarter of a billion dollars’ worth of drilling equipment,” Vasquez said. “That’s not like buying a load of rusty nails.”

“Maybe one of them wants it for themselves,” Brady suggested. “Are there any other companies vying for this equipment?”

“Sheik Khalid has other potential buyers. I don’t know exactly who they are, but I doubt any of our competitors want that platform badly enough to set off a bomb.”

But Jake was thinking that it had nearly put an end to the negotiations. Probably would have if it hadn’t been for A’lia’s disappearance.

“How about on a personal level?” Brady asked. “Anyone you’ve done business with who might hold a grudge?”

Sage glanced at Jake and shook her head. “No.”

The detectives asked a couple more questions, then rose from their chairs. Jake and Sage stood up, too.

“That’s all for now,” Brady said. “If you think of anythin’…”

“I’ll call, believe me,” Sage said.

She stared at the door as the men left the office, looking so dispirited that Jake gently grasped her shoulders.

“We’ll figure this out,” he said.

She gazed up at him. “Who would do this, Jake? Someone I know? Someone I’ve done business with? I’ve always tried to be completely ethical in my dealings.”

He wanted to pursue the subject, ask a few questions of his own, but the phone on her desk started ringing and Sage walked over and picked it up.

She slipped into business mode, and he could see she was going to be involved in the call for some time. She nodded when he pointed toward the door and quietly left the office.

Alex was waiting outside, the slight bulge beneath the jacket of his expensive suit telling Jake he was armed.

“Cops just left,” Jake told him. “Looks like the bomb was a homemade version that included a substance similar to Prillex. It’s used to find oil.”

“I’ve heard of it.”

“Detonator was oil related, too, and triggered remotely. The guy was there when the car went up.”

Alex’s dark blond eyebrows went up. “So he was sending a message.”

Jake nodded. “Police figure he was trying to get media attention or interfere with the purchase. They’re looking at Marine Drilling’s competitors.”

“Could be, I guess.”

“Maybe.” Though Jake had a couple of other ideas. He glanced toward the elevator. “I’ve got a couple of things I need to do. Including talking to your professor friend out at the university.”

Alex checked his watch. “I called him this morning. He’s free after ten for a couple of hours.”

“Great.” Jake tipped his head toward to door to Sage’s office. “Keep an eye on her, will you?”

Alex didn’t smile. “Count on it.”

Twenty

Sage thought things couldn’t get any worse. But when her grandfather walked into her office, his eyes dark with concern, she discovered they could slide even further downhill.

Silver-haired and imposing, Ian stopped just inside and carefully closed the door. “So what’s this I hear about a broken engagement?”

Her stomach instantly knotted. She thought he’d come to discuss the negotiations, or the bombing or what was happening with the sheik. Instead, Phillip must have called. She took a deep breath, steeled herself for the conversation ahead and came out from behind her desk.

She bent and kissed Ian’s cheek. Smelling his cologne, she thought about how she loved the scent he always wore and how handsome he looked today in his dove-gray, pin-striped, three-piece suit.

“I guess you talked to Phillip?”

His expression didn’t alter. “Phillip is in my office. He flew all the way back here from Scotland. He’s extremely upset about this, Sage.”

Then why hadn’t he come to her instead of to her grandfather?

“I was going to tell you about it,” she said a little defensively. “After things got back to normal. So much is going on right now. I didn’t want to upset you any more than you were already.”

“You could have come to me, Sage. You know that.”

She glanced down at her hands, which she’d clasped in front of her. “I know. I’m sorry.” She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She loved him so much.

Ian just nodded. “Phillip’s asked me to intercede on his behalf. He hopes I can make you understand how much you mean to him, how much he wants to marry you.”

A little flare of anger sent her chin up an inch. “Then why isn’t he standing here instead of you?”

Ian’s lips curved slightly. “Because he knows how stubborn you can be once your mind is made up. What I’d like to know is why you felt you needed to break your engagement.”

It wasn’t really his business, but Sage knew how much he loved her, how important her happiness was to him. She raked her heavy hair away from her face.

“I needed some time. I wasn’t sure getting married was the right thing for me to do. Phillip was due back in Houston in a couple of months. I thought we could discuss things then.”

“I see.”

She wondered if he did. Ian Dumont was shrewd and intelligent. She wondered what he saw when she was with Jake. If he knew they were sleeping together and if he did, what he thought about it.

She didn’t ask. As close as they were, sexual matters were off-limits to both of them.

“Phillip was hoping to take you to dinner, but naturally that is out of the question. He heard about the bomb, of course. Everyone in the office knows, and word travels fast even across the ocean. Phillip is extremely concerned. He’s worried about you. He wants to talk to you, Sage. I think you owe him that much.”

She did. Of course she did.

“Yes, I know. I never meant to hurt Phillip. Or be unfair to you. I just… I’ve got to be sure, Grandfather.”

His head came up. She rarely called him that, and never at work, which was a measure of how much Phillip’s arrival had upset her.

“I just want you to be happy, Sage.”

Her throat tightened. “I know.”

“I’ll send him in.”

She nodded, bit her lip. She didn’t want to face Phillip. She’d been sleeping with another man. She didn’t want to lie to him, but she didn’t want to make things even more unpleasant.

He walked though the door as he always did—as if he were entering his own office instead of one that belonged to her. He looked good, his blond hair perfectly styled, his handsome face smooth and tanned, his Italian suit tailored perfectly to fit his lean frame.

“Sage…darling.” He walked toward her, bent and kissed her cheek. “I had to come. I’ve thought of you every minute since you called. I didn’t hear about the bomb until I was getting on the plane. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“I wasn’t in the car. I’m just thankful no one was injured.”

“We need to talk, Sage. I don’t understand what happened between us, but I’m convinced that if we discuss the whole thing openly and honestly, face-to-face, we’ll be able to work things out.”

He sounded sincere. But Phillip was accomplished at that. It was one of the things that made him a successful corporate executive.

“I wish that were true, Phillip, truly I do, but I haven’t changed my mind. I need time to find out what sort of future I really want. I need the freedom to explore different avenues. That’s the reason I ended our engagement.”

A muscle ticked in his lean cheek. “By freedom you mean you want the right to see other people.”

She swallowed, but refused to glance away. “Yes.”

“And I suppose that includes Jake Cantrell.”

Did he know? Or was he just guessing? “It means exploring my options.” She released a shaky breath. “I’m not sure anymore about anything, Phillip. That’s why I need more time.”

He took both her hands and brought them to his lips. “We’re good together, Sage. We always have been. You know that.”

They were good together. They enjoyed the same things, had the same goals, saw the future the same way. They’d been friends as well as lovers. Her throat closed up. She felt the sting of tears. “I know that, Phillip. I wish…I…” could love you. “I wish things could be the way they were, but…”

“But what, Sage? I love you. I’ve loved you for years. Tell me you still love me.”

In a way she did love him. Phillip had helped her become the woman she was today. She owed him for the strength she had gained and for the years they had shared together.

Her eyes filled with tears. “I care about you, Phillip. I always will.”

He moved closer, drew her into his arms. She didn’t stop him when he kissed her. Instead, she closed her eyes, praying she would feel something, some of the heat she felt with Jake, some of the passion. It wasn’t there. She realized it never really had been.

Sage pulled away. “I’m sorry, Phillip. I have to do this. Have to have time to figure things out.”

His expression shifted, hardened. “And in the meantime, you expect me to wait on the sidelines until you make up your mind.”

“No, I…” She straightened, summoned her courage. “I don’t expect you to wait. I expect you to go on with your life.”

He looked into her eyes and his features softened. He reached out and touched her cheek. “If you feel that strongly, I’ll respect your wishes. For now. In the future maybe something will change and you’ll realize that what we had together was the right thing for both of us.”

She swallowed. “Maybe I will. If I do, and you feel the same… If both of us are interested in resuming our relationship, then that’s what we’ll do.”

But more and more, she was seeing Phillip in a different light, seeing that he wasn’t the right man for her. For an instant, an image of Jake Cantrell appeared in her mind.

But Jake wasn’t the right man, either. He was her lover and her protector. But they were from different worlds. Jake was a loner, a man who liked to live on the edge. She wanted stability. In time, she wanted children.

Something squeezed inside her.

Their affair couldn’t last, but it wasn’t over, not yet. She told herself she could protect herself against her feelings for Jake. She just had to be careful.

“Are you certain this is what you want?” Phillip asked, drawing her back to the moment. “Because as much as I love you, Sage, I won’t wait forever.”

She thought of all they had shared, and fresh tears burned her eyes. “It’s what I want, Phillip.”

At least for now. She had no idea what she would want tomorrow or at any time in the future. She drew the engagement ring off her finger and handed it back to him.

Phillip’s fingers curled around it and his voice gentled. “You’ve always worked so hard. Perhaps I pushed too much. Perhaps giving you the time you need will make things clearer. We’ll talk again, Sage. Whenever you’re ready. Until then, darling, if you need me, you know where I am.”

Her heart squeezed. She watched as he turned and walked out the door, closing it softly behind him. Was it truly over between them? Or would she come to her senses and beg him to take her back?

She wiped away the last of her tears and went into the bathroom to wash her face. Sage tried to imagine Phillip in her bed instead of Jake, but the image wouldn’t come.

* * *

After driving out to Adam Haddad’s office, Jake went in to drop off the copy of the flash drive he’d had made, which included only the portion he needed translated.

“You must be Mr. Cantrell,” the professor’s teaching assistant said, a pretty blonde with glasses and a perky smile.

“That’s right. Jake Cantrell.”

“The professor said you might be stopping by. Something came up and he had to leave. He won’t be gone long. You can wait for him or come back in an hour.”

“I’ll be back.” Jake set the flash drive on her desk. “Give him this, will you? I’m hoping he can translate it for me.”

“Yes, he mentioned that. I’ll see he gets it.”

“Thanks.”

Jake checked his watch as he left the office. With plenty of time to finish his second errand, he headed for the middle school where Felix and his young friend Desi were enrolled. He had a hunch he’d find Desi’s older brother, Bo, loitering somewhere in the neighborhood.

He knew the kid. Felix had introduced the two Johnson brothers at a Little League baseball game. Felix played shortstop. He wasn’t much of an athlete, but he loved the sport and was getting better all the time.

Jake turned south on Kirby toward the school, then began a methodical search of the area, driving up and down the streets, slowly expanding his search grid.

It didn’t take long to find his quarry. Just as he’d figured, Bo Johnson stood on a corner with two of his friends, smoking cigarettes and watching some of the neighborhood girls walk past.

Jake pulled the Jeep over to the curb and got out of the car. “Hey, Bo. I need to talk to you a minute.”

Bo looked up, saw who it was, tossed his cigarette away, and all three boys started running. But Jake had figured on that and was already in motion. Ignoring the other two, he caught up with Bo before he reached the end of the block, grabbed him by the back of his dirty red basketball jersey and pushed him up against the rough brick wall of an empty store.

“I guess you didn’t hear me. I said I want to talk to you.”

“Lemme go, man. I didn’t do nothin’.” Bo was tall, just a couple inches shorter than Jake, but he was thin to the point of scrawny.

“You did do something, Bo. You tried to push a friend of mine into using drugs. Long as I’m around that’s not going to happen.”

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ ’bout, man.”

Jake slammed him back against the wall. “Felix Porter’s a good kid. He’s trying to stay clean, make something of himself. Far as I know, your brother’s a good kid, too. You pushing him to start using?”

Bo shook his head. “No, man.”

Jake shoved him against the wall yet again. “Are you?”

Some of Bo’s bravado faded. He looked like the vulnerable teenager he actually was. “I wouldn’t do that, man.”

“Then why are you doing it to Felix?”

A slow breath whispered out. Bo wiped a trickle of sweat off his forehead. “My mom’s sick, okay? She can’t work like she used to. That’s why I dropped outta high school. I needed to get my hands on some green so I could take care of her and my little brother.”

Jake let go of Bo’s ragged jersey. “What about Felix?”

“Everybody likes Felix. I figured if I could get him a little high, show him how good it felt, maybe he’d sell some stuff for me. He do that, we could both make some money and I could take care of my mom.”

Jake stepped back, giving the boy a little more breathing room. “Why don’t you get a job and earn some money on your own?”

Bo shook his head. “Tried that, man. Ain’t no work nowhere.”

That much was true. Times were tough, especially for a high school dropout. Jake looked closely at Bo’s eyes. “You using?”

“No! I smoke a little dope once in a while. Not too often. Costs too much.”

Jake caught the kid’s arm, turned it over to look for needle marks. Saw it was clean. “You got a record?”

Bo’s eyes widened. “No.”

“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll talk to a friend of mine, see if he’s got any work for you.”

The teen looked suspicious. “What kind of work?”

“Job’s with Atlas Security.” Trace was looking for a kid to help out at the office, maybe run some errands, do some filing. If Jake recommended him, Trace would give Bo a try.

“Be doing odd jobs, running errands, a little cleanup. Pay won’t be a lot more than minimum wage, but it’ll give you some experience, and there’s potential for you to work your way up in the company.” It was a stretch to imagine Bo Johnson as a security guard, but stranger things had happened.

Hope slipped into Bo’s dark eyes. “This ain’t some kind of joke, is it?”

“No joke, Bo. You show up at Atlas tomorrow morning at seven-thirty. Ask for Trace Rawlins.” Jake handed the teen a card with the address printed on it. “I’ll call him, tell him you’re coming in to talk to him about the job.”

Bo stared at the card as if he thought it might disappear. His chin angled up. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”

“You do that. And you better think real hard.”

He stuck the card into a pocket in his dirty jeans and started to walk away. Jake caught his arm.

“One more thing. You take the job, don’t screw it up. You understand?”

Bo’s jaw tightened.

Jake took a step closer, using his full height and weight to make his point. He clamped a hand on the boy’s bony shoulder. “And if you ever try that shit on Felix again, I’ll be back. The next time, we won’t be talking. I’ll be kicking your skinny ass.” He squeezed the kid’s shoulder. “You got it?”

Bo nodded and Jake let go. Turning, the boy took off running.

Jake watched until he disappeared, wondering if the kid had the guts to change his life and make something of himself.

He needed to call Trace and give him a heads-up. He’d vouch for the kid this once, and hope like hell Bo wouldn’t give Trace any trouble. He wondered if the boy would actually show up in the morning.

Either way, Jake figured he had just solved Felix’s problems.

* * *

Sage finished the last of her calls. She had talked to Red Williams and brought Will Bailey up to speed. In the morning, she planned to renew her campaign to convince Sheik Khalid to accept a fair price for his drilling equipment.

She leaned back in the leather chair behind her desk and closed her eyes, saw a replay of her conversation with Phillip. She couldn’t stop thinking about him.

She couldn’t stop thinking of Jake.

With a sigh, she got up to get a glass of water from the bathroom, then she heard Jake’s familiar knock on the door.

Her insides trembled. Just knowing he was out there made her heart beat faster. She opened the door and he walked past her into the office.

“I’m heading out to the university to talk to Professor Haddad. He’s finished the translation. I thought you might want to come.”

“Yes…very much.”

Jake’s gaze moved over her and he started frowning. He reached out and caught her chin, tipped her face up and gave it a thorough inspection. “You’ve been crying. What’s wrong?”

She thought she’d repaired her makeup well enough that he couldn’t tell. But Jake was extremely perceptive.

“Phillip’s back.”

Jake’s expression hardened; his blue eyes turned opaque. “Here? At the office?”

“He talked to Ian. He asked my grandfather to intercede on his behalf.”

“You want to tell me what happened?” Jake said it calmly. Too calmly. Sage wondered what was going through his head.

“I told him the same thing I told him before. I said I needed time. I have no idea if he knows about you. I didn’t tell him. I didn’t want to hurt him any more than I already have.”

Jake’s jaw looked hard as steel. “What else?”

“Phillip said he loved me. He said we were good together. Then he kissed me.”

Jake said nothing, but a muscle ticked in his cheek. He stared at her with those fierce blue eyes, waiting for her to continue.

“I didn’t… I didn’t kiss him back,” she finally said.

“Why not?”

Her eyes welled with tears. “Because he wasn’t you.”

She didn’t see him move. He was just suddenly there, catching her in his arms, pulling her close, his mouth coming down over hers. It was a hard, possessive kiss meant to erase any memory of the man before him, a kiss that set her insides on fire. Sage kissed him back and tried not to think how good it felt, how right.

It was Jake who pulled away first. His arms tightened around her, and for a long moment he just held her. “We’ll figure this out.” He pressed his lips against her hair. “We’ll find a way.”

A lump rose in Sage’s throat. “I wish things could be back the way they were. I wish I was still content to be with Phillip. I wish I didn’t know what it was like to want someone the way I want you.”

Jake kissed her again, gently this time. “You can’t go back. No one can. It’s just the way life is.”

She dashed the tears from her cheeks. “I know.”

He glanced down at her hand, saw the engagement ring was gone, and dropped one more soft kiss on her lips. “You gonna be all right?”

She swallowed, then nodded. “Phillip deserved better treatment.”

“You were honest, Sage. How many people can say that? You didn’t go behind his back. You were free when we got together.”

She had done the right thing. And Jake had been part of the reason. “I’m grateful for that.”

He reached out and took her hand. “Come on. You need to get out of here for a while. Let’s go find out what Roshan’s been up to. Let’s go see what’s on that flash drive.”

Sage relaxed at the tug of his hand. He had a way of making her feel better. For now that was all that mattered.

That and making her deal tomorrow morning. Sage let Jake lead her out the door.

Twenty-One

Jake pulled the Jeep into the University of Houston parking lot and turned off the engine. It was still hot and muggy, but the days were a little shorter, the nights cooler, and a breeze rolled in off the distant sea.

He opened Sage’s door, helped her out and started walking with her across the campus. He tried not to think of what had happened in her office, how he’d felt when she’d told him Phillip had returned, and the bastard had kissed her.

But Jake couldn’t forget the way his chest had tightened and his heart had squeezed like a fist. Then blind rage took over. He’d wanted to tear Phillip Stanton apart limb by limb with his bare hands.

Until that moment, he’d never known an instant of jealousy, hadn’t understood what a potent force it could be. But Sage Dumont belonged to him and no other man could have her.

At least that was how he’d felt at the time.

He didn’t want to consider what that might mean. He didn’t want to think about his deepening feelings for her.

As they stepped off the grass onto a maze of sidewalks, a group of students wearing backpacks walked past, then a cluster of teachers carrying canvas book bags. Jake flicked a glance at Sage, tried not to think how appealing she looked with the sun on her face and her hair gleaming. It didn’t matter. There wasn’t a chance in hell the physical attraction they felt for each other would turn into a long-term, committed relationship.

They were nothing alike, people from different worlds, living two very different lives. Sage was a member of a rich and powerful family, while he had busted his balls working on the family farm, then held two jobs to get through city college. He’d been determined to leave the Iowa cornfields behind, and he’d done what it took to make that happen.

Special Forces had needed a different kind of determination, but he’d pushed himself to the mental and physical limits necessary to become part of that elite group of men.

He was tough to the core. Sage was a society princess.

Jake amended that. He couldn’t deny that she hadn’t had an easy childhood, that the life she and her mother had lived in Chicago had to have been rough. That kind of life built character—and he recognized that character in Sage.

Recognized and admired her drive, her guts and her brains. Which was just another reason it wouldn’t work.

Sage wanted to run the family business. A husband like him and, hell, maybe a couple of his kids, wouldn’t have any place in her world.

At least he had plenty of money. Mercenary work paid big-time, and so did personal security at the levels he was employed. He wasn’t as rich as the Dumonts, but he was a damn long way from being poor.

They arrived at the professor’s office and Jake led Sage inside, grateful for the chance to get his mind off his feelings. The professor’s blonde assistant spotted him as he walked toward her, and smiled up at him from behind her desk.

“Professor Haddad said to send you in as soon as you arrived.” She pointed to a door leading to an inner office. “He’s anxious to see you.”

Jake wondered if that was good news or bad, and exactly what the professor had learned. “Thanks.”

They found their way to his office, a slightly chaotic room full of books and stacks of papers. There seemed to be some kind of order to the files and notebooks sitting on the desk, but only the professor himself would understand what it was.

Haddad stood up as they entered, pulling off his black-rimmed glasses.

“Mr. Cantrell. A pleasure to meet you. Alex has told me a great deal about you.”

“It’s just Jake, and I hope it wasn’t anything too terrible.”

“No, quite the contrary.” The professor, a man in his forties, had short black hair and an olive complexion beneath a neatly trimmed black beard. He turned to Sage. “And you’re Sage Dumont. I’ve seen your photo in the newspapers.”

She smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Professor. We really appreciate your help.”

“Before we begin, I must tell you, I am concerned at the implications of this recording. I’m wondering if the conversation should be reported to Homeland Security.”

The hairs on the back of Jake’s neck went up. He’d been thinking drugs. What else was on the damned tape that he hadn’t understood?

“First let’s see what you’ve got.”

Haddad handed him the transcript of the portion of the recording Jake had given him.

Jake read the first line.

“You are certain about this? The delivery is on schedule?” Roshan was the speaker, Jake recalled.

“The last delivery will be coming in as planned. It will be picked up on Friday.” Quadim had answered.

“Unless my father makes a new deal, there will be only one more load of pipe arriving after this one.”

“It does not matter. The product has all been shipped. For now we are finished.” Quadim.

“When will we get the money?” Roshan.

“Tariq will be there with our contact when the product is retrieved. He will receive the money in exchange and bring it back to us. You’ll get your half of the profit, as usual.”

Jake didn’t like the sound of that. Who the hell got the other half? The contact? He had missed that part completely. The contact had to be the guy who had collected the money on the earlier shipments—assuming there were more than just this one, which it certainly sounded like.

“I will be glad when this is over.” Roshan had said that. “I do not like taking risks.”

Jake looked at Sage, who had been reading the transcript along with him.

“Nothing specifically about drugs,” she said.

“No, but I’m fairly sure he mentioned them while we were riding that day at the ranch. I think that’s the product they’re discussing.”

The professor’s tone held a note of concern. “You believe this information concerns a shipment of drugs?”

“That’s what we think. We can’t take the recording to the authorities because of how we got it.” And because he didn’t want Sage’s name or Marine Drilling spread all over the front pages of the newspapers again. “And we want to keep your name out of it.”

The professor watched him closely. “Alex says you are an extremely capable man. What will you do?”

“We’ll be at the docks when the men arrive to pick up whatever is in the pipe. If drugs are involved, we’ll make sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.”

“And if it is something more?”

Jake knew what the professor was asking. Was Roshan planning something that would threaten national security? There was no reason to suspect that. And it didn’t really matter. Whatever it was, there was no way in hell Jake was letting it illegally enter the country.

“Same answer,” he said. “I’ve got friends trained to handle this kind of thing. We’ll take care of it quietly until we’re sure what we’ve got.”

The professor nodded. “All right. Alex sent you, and I trust him.” He smiled. “Did you know we were classmates at Yale?”

Sage looked up in surprise.

“He never talks much about his life before he became a pilot,” Jake said.

“One day I was accosted by a group of young men in town,” Haddad recalled. “Perhaps because of my heritage, I don’t know. Alex happened to see me as he came out of a store, and realized I was in trouble. He was on the boxing team.” The professor grinned. “I discovered that Alex Justice is a very capable man.”

Jake felt the pull of a smile.

“We became friends that day. I trust Alex and so I will abide by my agreement to translate the recording and leave the rest to you.”

“Thank you, Professor.” Jake shook his hand and so did Sage.

“Thank you,” she said.

They walked out of the office and into the sunlight. “I wonder what Rina would say if she knew Alex graduated from Yale?”

Jake smiled. “Doesn’t change the fact he’s not her type.”

“True enough.”

“If he’s really not her type.”

Sage laughed. Then her smile slipped away. “What if the professor is right and there’s something more sinister in the pipe?”

“Like I said, we’ll handle it. Trace is a Ranger and a communications expert, Ben’s a SEAL, Alex is ex-military and he knows what he’s doing.”

“And so do you.”

Jake glanced at her as they reached the Jeep. “That’s right, I do.” He opened the passenger door, caught her waist and lifted her into the vehicle, feeling that little rush of sexual heat that always hit him when he touched her.

In this kind of work, he knew exactly what he was doing. He wished like hell he knew what he was doing when it came to Sage Dumont.

* * *

Jake started the car, but didn’t pull out of the parking space.

He turned in his seat toward Sage. “There’s something on your mind. You’d better spit it out before I make these calls.”

She shuddered out a breath. There was definitely something on her mind and Jake had an amazing ability to ferret that out. “I was just thinking…wondering if maybe we shouldn’t just bring in the police.”

“It’s your call. The problem is we don’t have any real evidence. We can’t turn over the recording or the transcript or we’ll be the ones arrested. We can alert the police that something might be coming into the port illegally, but we can’t back up our suspicions, and we don’t even know for sure what it is.”

Sage stared down at her hands, then looked up at Jake. “I’m just… I’m worried something will go wrong. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

“I won’t lie to you. Something can always go wrong. But this is the kind of work I do, Sage. If things go the way we plan, we’ll stop this without having an international incident. That’s in your best interest, the best interest of Marine Drilling, and also the best interest of the sheik and his family.”

Jake was right. So far Sheik Khalid had heard no word from his daughter. He was worried, and rightfully so. He didn’t need trouble with his son. At least not the kind that would be spread all over the newspapers.

“You’re right. We need to keep this quiet. Stop it before it becomes a real problem.” She looked up at him. “Do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Jake just nodded. “There’s one more thing. I’m leaving you out of this. If something goes wrong, I don’t want you involved.”

Sage straightened. “That’s not happening, Jake. I’m the one who brought the Saudis over here. I’m the one responsible for whatever it is Roshan is doing. I want to be included.”

“You need to think of your career. If you let me handle this and there’s trouble, you’ll have deniability.”

“You mean I can lie and say I didn’t know what you were going to do?”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean.”

“I’m in or it doesn’t happen.”

Jake’s features tightened. He wasn’t happy, she could tell, but he was beginning to know her well enough to understand she wouldn’t back down. Not on this. Pulling his cell phone out of his coat pocket, he pressed a number. First a call to Alex, then to Ben, explaining the situation, asking for their help, then setting up a meeting at her apartment that evening.

His last call went to Trace.

“All right, that sounds good,” Jake said as the conversation progressed. “We’ll lay it all out tonight, recon the area tomorrow and go in on Friday. I need you to do a preliminary search, get us some satellite pictures if you can.”

Sage couldn’t hear Trace’s reply, but he must have agreed.

“We’ll figure out what gear we need, and assemble everything tomorrow night at my apartment before we head out, use my place as our base of operations. That work for you?”

Apparently Trace said yes.

“All right, then I’ll see you at Sage’s tonight at nineteen hundred.” Jake closed the phone and shoved it into his pocket.

“Nineteen hundred,” Sage said. “You’re already in military mode.”

“Old habit.”

He didn’t say more as he put the Jeep in Reverse and backed out of the parking space. Sage didn’t press him. The men were holding their initial meeting at her apartment. She was pretty sure Jake intended to keep her in the loop.

If he didn’t he was in for a big surprise.

* * *

Sage was tired by the time they got to her apartment. Jake made his usual inspection of the rooms and as soon as he was sure the place was secure, she went to the kitchen and tossed her oversize leather handbag onto the table. Jake shed his suit coat and tie and popped open the first few buttons on his shirt.

It had been another long day, but through it all she had been constantly aware of him. Watching him now, she could see the strong pulse beating at the base of his suntanned throat, reminding her of the virile body beneath his clothes.

What was there about a man unbuttoning his shirt that sent erotic thoughts into a woman’s head?

“I’m desperate for a Coke,” she said, turning away from the temptation he presented just by standing there, and opening the fridge.

“I could use something cold to drink,” Jake agreed.

She reached inside and pulled out a can of Diet Coke for herself and the real thing for Jake, handed his over, and they both cracked open the tops.

The cold sting of the liquid running down her throat settled her a little and at the same time gave her an energy boost. She had just begun to relax when the phone started ringing. Instantly, the tension she had begun to shed surged back with a vengeance.

Digging her cell out of her purse, she pressed it against her ear. “Sage Dumont.”

“Ms. Dumont, it’s Detective Brady.” Jake bent down so that he could also hear. “We wanted you to know we’ve released Bert Hobson.” The man who had accosted her that night in the Post Oak Grill. “We didn’t have enough evidence to hold him.”

Jake took the phone. “What about the people who were with him? Did Hobson give up their names?”

“He did. They all checked out. Truth is, we no longer believe Hobson or his friends had any part in the bombing.”

“Hobson is no longer a suspect,” Jake said to Sage.

She reached up and reclaimed the phone. “If Hobson isn’t involved, who is?”

“We don’t that know yet, but we will. It’s just a matter of time.”

She looked up at Jake and shook her head. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep me informed.” She ended the call and tossed the phone back into her purse. “The police don’t think it was Hobson. What do you think?”

Jake took a swallow of his drink. “Hobson isn’t our man.”

“Because of the kind of bomb that was used?”

“That’s right. Hobson is in the wind power business. He’s got no connection to the oil industry.”

She raised the Coke can, took a slow drink just to give herself time to think. “The kind of substance that was used and the detonator… Those same materials are used by the Saudis. You don’t think Roshan or his friends could have had something to do with it?”

Jake shook his head. “I don’t think so. Roshan wants whatever is in that load of pipe. The car bomb could very well have sent his father back to Saudi Arabia. Roshan would have been forced to go with him or find some excuse to stay. Leaving sooner than planned doesn’t suit his purpose.”

Jake tipped up the shiny red can and finished his drink in a single long swallow. Sage watched the muscles in his throat move up and down, watched as he crushed the empty can in one of his big hands. A tremor of heat moved through her, tugged low in her belly. So much was happening, the last thing she should be thinking about was sex. Yet just looking at Jake made her want him.

His blue eyes sharpened on her face. “Did you know your cheeks get pink when you’re thinking about sex? They’re pink right now.”

“I—I wasn’t thinking about sex.”

He tossed the can into the recycle bin. “Liar.” He reached for her, pulled her into his arms. She could feel his powerful erection pressing against her as his mouth came down over hers. The kiss was deep and thorough, and she gave up any pretense of resisting.

“I look at you and I want you,” Jake whispered against her ear. “I like that you want me, too.”

And then he was kissing her again and she was kissing him back. She didn’t protest when he carried her into the bedroom and set her on her feet, unclipped his pistol from his belt and laid it on the nightstand. She stopped him when he reached for her and started to strip off her clothes.

“Not this time,” she said. “This time it’s my turn.” Reaching toward him, she finished unbuttoning his shirt, then tugged it free of the waistband of his slacks and pulled it off his shoulders. Jake toed off his shoes and she knelt and stripped away his socks. She could feel his eyes on her as she unbuckled his belt and reached for his zipper, slid it down with a satisfying buzz.

His breathing quickened. He straightened, making him even taller, the ridge of his sex jutting forward. As she slid his slacks down his muscular legs, his eyes remained locked on her face, as hot and blue as flame.

He looked incredibly sexy in a pair of snug-fitting briefs, his arousal making them way too tight. She drew then down his long legs, freeing his erection, and he stepped out of them.

He looked even better naked.

Her heart was beating, thumping inside her chest, and her mouth felt dry. She paused to admire the thick muscles in his thighs, the ridges across his flat stomach, his deep chest and powerful biceps, the heavy bands of muscle across his shoulders.

“My turn,” he said gruffly, his impatience building. Her heartbeat quickened as he made short work of removing her yellow suit and cream silk blouse. Then he lifted her out of her heels and let her slide down his body until her bare feet touched the floor.

“I always forget how small you are.” Another searing kiss and her bra disappeared, along with her panties. Sage felt his hands on her breasts, cupping them, teasing the crests into peaks.

She was breathing hard, wanting him. “My turn again,” she said, sounding as breathless as she felt, and went to work kissing her way down his amazing body.

Sage knelt in front of him, brushed her lips against the healing red mark on his thigh where a piece of hot metal had burned across his skin when the car bomb exploded. Reaching up, she cupped him, stroked him, then took him into her mouth.

“Jesus,” he said, clenching his jaw tight. Jake hissed in a breath and slid his hand into her hair. He didn’t let her work him over very long. He liked it, though. She could tell by his deep, ragged breathing, the growls of pleasure that came from his throat.

“That’s enough,” he said harshly. “I have to have you now.”

She gasped as he hauled her up and lifted her into his arms, carried her over and settled her on the bed. Jake followed her down and began to feast on her breasts. She thought he would take her, but instead he lifted her, set her astride him, let her sink slowly down until he filled her completely.

“Your turn,” he said, and her eyes closed as pleasure washed through her. For a moment she just sat there, absorbing the feel of him inside her, they way they fit so perfectly together, the thrum of her heart and the delicious sensations.

His jaw clenched when she started to move, and she thrilled at the power she held over him, a man so big and fierce. She wondered that he could be such a thoughtful lover.

It didn’t take long until she brought them both to a wild, shuddering climax, their muscles straining, their bodies damp with perspiration. With a sigh of pure pleasure she slumped against his massive chest, nestled there, and felt his hand stroking her hair.

Sage didn’t remember falling asleep. She only knew a feeling of deep contentment unlike anything she had ever felt before.

Twenty-Two

Jake napped for a while, not really asleep, mostly enjoying the feel of the soft woman nestled against him. Sage was exhausted from the stress of her job, plus dealing with a bomber and a missing girl.

So far they’d heard nothing from the sheik, and A’lia hadn’t tried to contact Sage. Jake hoped the girl’s father was making the right decision in not alerting the police.

Keeping the girl’s disappearance under wraps was a helluva lot better for Sage, since it ensured her name stayed out of the papers. It was also keeping the sheik in Houston and the negotiations alive.

And it was better for A’lia, assuming she was somewhere safe. Without being hunted by the authorities, the girl would be able to make her own decisions. But sooner or later the sheik would want some assurance his daughter was safe and if that didn’t happen soon, Jake figured the sheik would do whatever it took to find her.

Doing his best not to waken Sage, he eased out from under her warm, naked body and left her sleeping, her dark hair curling over the pillow. He showered, then dressed in jeans and a drab-green marines T-shirt, soft and thin from so much wear over the years.

He snagged his stainless wristwatch and checked the time, clipped his pistol back onto his belt and made his way into the kitchen. He checked the fridge to make sure Sage had Cokes and beer, and at six o’clock called Domino’s Pizza to order a couple extra-large pies, fully loaded, for the meeting ahead.

Padding into Sage’s office, he grabbed a yellow pad off her desk and returned to the kitchen, sat down and started making some notes.

It was nearly six-thirty when Sage emerged, freshly showered and smelling like flowers, making him remember how much he liked taking her to bed, arousing him a little before he forced his mind back to business. She was wearing a pair of khakis, a burnt-orange sleeveless top and sandals that showed the orange polish on her toes. He wanted to suck them.

“I ordered some pizza for the guys,” he said, determined not to get distracted. “You have plenty of soft drinks and beer.” His eyes ran over her and his mouth curved up. “Your hair’s still damp and your cheeks are pink.”

Her eyes widened. “I’m not thinking of—”

His laughter cut her off. “I know. You just look so damned luscious. It makes me want you all over again.”

And damned if her cheeks didn’t get even pinker. Maybe she really was thinking of sex. Or if she wasn’t, he figured he’d just put the thought back in her head.

“Your friends will be here any minute,” she told him a little tartly.

The reminder ended his teasing and brought his thoughts back to the work ahead. “Before they arrive, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”

“What’s that?”

“Who benefits if your negotiations with the Saudis fall through?”

“Some other company, I guess. You were there when I told that to the police.”

“That’s right. Another company might benefit—or someone in your own company. Someone who doesn’t want you to get the job as president.”

Her head came up. She hadn’t thought of that. He could see by the stubborn set of her chin that she refused to consider it now.

“That’s ridiculous. The only other candidate Grandfather would consider would be one of the vice presidents, either Charlie Denton, Jonathan Hunter or Phillip. None of them would try to blow me up to get rid of me.”

“The guy who planted the bomb was there watching it happen. You weren’t anywhere near the car when he set it off. But the consequences of the act were the same. The threat was enough to send Khalid and his family back home. If he’d left, the deal most likely wouldn’t get done. Right?”

“Yes, but—”

“You would have cost the company a boatload of money and got zip for your efforts. And you wouldn’t get picked for the promotion. Think about it.”

Her lips thinned. “I’m not going to think about it. I know these men. I was going to marry one of them. They wouldn’t do something that awful.”

Maybe they wouldn’t. Then again, the possibility wasn’t something Jake was willing to overlook. “I’ll have to take your word for it, since I don’t know them.” But he’d already started checking them out. Tomorrow, he’d set Sol on it. It wouldn’t take long before Trace’s whiz kid knew everything there was to know about the three men, maybe even whether one of them was involved.

Sage eyed Jake sharply. She was loyal to a fault, but she was also smart. He could almost see her mind spinning, wondering if it was possible that one of the men she knew had arranged for the bombing.

She shook her head, undoubtedly thinking it couldn’t be true. But the notion would stick in her head until the bomber was arrested. Sage Dumont was a lot of things, but a fool wasn’t one of them.

* * *

Dusk settled in. Outside her apartment windows, the lights of the city began to blink on, strings of white and circles of bright colors that would intensify as the evening progressed. The men were due any minute. Former military men who could handle whatever Roshan was planning.

Whatever Roshan was planning. The thought sent a chill down Sage’s spine.

She carried a tray of cheese and crackers into the dining room and set it in the middle of the table, along with napkins and paper plates. Sodas and beer were waiting in the refrigerator. It was going to be a testosterone-filled atmosphere the likes of which her apartment had never seen.

The intercom buzzed. Showtime. She walked over and pressed the button, gave permission for Alex and Ben to come up. “I’m expecting another guest,” she said, and gave the guard Trace’s name. “You can send him up as soon as he arrives. Thank you, Henry.”

Ben and Alex walked in together, one hard-featured and dark, one smiling and fair; both handsome. Alex was no longer on the security detail unless Jake had something else he had to do. Sage’s grandfather had brought in a couple of security people that Jake approved of and Ian had worked with before, which freed up Ben Slocum to help with the job tomorrow night.

Each of them carried an extra-large Domino’s pizza.

“We bumped into the delivery boy in the lobby,” Alex said. “Figured we’d save him the trip.”

“I owe you one,” Jake said. Alex set his pizza on the dining-room table and Ben carried his over to the kitchen counter.

A few minutes later, Trace walked through the door, a beautiful redhead on his arm. He pulled off his white straw cowboy hat and held it in his hand.

“Sage, this is my wife, Maggie. I hope you don’t mind me bringin’ her along. We figured… That is, we thought you might want some company while we’re talkin’ shop.”

A distraction. As curious as she was about Trace’s wife, it wasn’t going to work. She managed to smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Maggie.”

“You, too,” Maggie said. She was about two inches shorter than Sage, with gorgeous shoulder-length hair that curled softly around her face.

Sage felt a niggle of recognition before a memory surfaced. “I’ve seen your picture. You’re Maggie O’Connell, the photographer.” Famous in Texas as a landscape photographer, she was beginning to make a name for herself all over the country.

The woman smiled. “That’s right. I’m Maggie Rawlins now.”

“Yes, congratulations to you both.”

“Thank you.”

“Why don’t we go in the kitchen while the guys get to work?” Maggie suggested. “Give us a chance for a little girl talk.”

Sage’s gaze swung to Jake. “Go ahead and do what you need to, but when you’re finished, I want to know exactly what you’re planning. I want to be in the loop, Jake. This is my problem. You’re helping me solve it, but in the end, I’m the one who’s going to be held responsible.”

Jake looked at Trace. “I could have told you it wouldn’t work.”

His friend grinned. “Worth a try.”

“We’re just in the planning stage now,” Jake said to Sage. “Once we get going, we’ll need your help.”

Sage relaxed. “All right. But whatever happens, don’t even think of leaving me out.”

The corner of Jake’s mouth tipped up. “Duly noted.”

Sage turned to Maggie. “How about a glass of wine?” she asked, and led the redhead into the kitchen.

* * *

Jake grabbed a Coke, followed by Trace. Ben and Alex each opened a Lone Star, and they settled themselves around Sage’s sleek black lacquer dining table. The peach silk chairs were comfortable, but not practical. Be hard as hell to clean if one of them dropped a slice of pizza on the seat, God forbid.

Jake inwardly smiled. It probably wasn’t too often that Sage had four ex-military sitting at her dining-room table plotting their next mission.

“Anything new on the bomber?” Alex asked, starting them in the right direction. They’d talked a few more times on the phone, come up with some preliminary plans. The rest would be laid out tonight.

“Hobson has been released,” Jake said. “Police don’t think he’s connected.”

“Sayers gave me a heads-up on that,” Trace said, referring to his detective friend. “Told me Brady was going to call Sage and let her know. He says they’re looking in a different direction.”

Jake wondered if his theory might be right and the police were looking a little closer to home.

“You able to get those satellite photos we need?” he asked.

“Affirmative. Sol took care of it. He didn’t say how he got ’em and I didn’t ask.” The kid could work wonders on the computer. Trace did his best to keep him reined in unless it was important.

This was important.

Trace opened the briefcase he’d brought with him, took out rolled-up satellite photos and spread them on the table. He used his laptop to weigh down one end, and Ben and Alex set their beer bottles on the other.

“This shows the pier where the Normandy is scheduled to dock sometime tomorrow morning. They’ll start unloading cargo that day. I figure they’ll be finished sometime Friday.”

Jake turned toward the kitchen, heard the sound of female laugher. It seemed as if the women were getting along just fine.

He shoved back his chair and went to get Sage, hoping she could help them here. She and Maggie were chowing down on slices of pizza and sipping glasses of chilled white wine.

“If you two can quit gossiping for a minute—Sage, we could use your help.”

A smug smile flitted across her face. “Of course.” She grabbed the plate and her wine and walked ahead of Jake to the dining room. Maggie followed them in and both women sat down.

The guys were scarfing pizza when he joined them. Jake grabbed a slice for himself, took a bite and set the rest down on a paper plate.

He swallowed and swung his attention to Sage. “Trace says the Normandy will be docking tomorrow, off-loading tomorrow and Friday. That sound right to you?”

Her eyes widened. “How did he know that?”

“Only ship comin’ in from the Middle East between now and Sunday,” Trace answered.

She frowned. “How did you get that information?”

“Took a look at the schedule of arrivals at the Port of Houston over the next few days.”

“Yes, but how did you—”

“It’s what we do, Sage,” Jake said, “and you don’t want to know more than that.”

She flicked a glance between the two of them and moistened her lips. “All right. Okay…” She took a sip of wine. “Yes, that sounds correct,” she said, answering his question. “The Normandy is hauling one of the last two loads of five-inch pipe we purchased from the Saudis. It should be completely off-loaded by late Friday afternoon and transported to the storage area. It’ll be kept there over the weekend until the trucks arrive to pick it up and disperse it to the proper locations on Monday.”

“Do you know which storage area it’ll be kept in?”

“It’s on my computer. Let me pull up the data.” Sage hurried to her office and returned with a printout that held the shipping information.

“The Normandy should be docking around ten in the morning at one of the wharves in the Woodhouse Terminal—that’s on the north side of the ship channel near Galena. After the pipes are off-loaded, they’ll be kept in storage area C.”

Trace pulled out a 24-by-36-inch map of the area. Jake didn’t tell Sage she was mostly confirming info Trace had already gotten. He laid the map on top of the satellite images, located the docking site, then the storage area.

“Right here.” Trace pointed to the spot, then circled it with a fluorescent marker.

“They’ll wait for dark,” Jake said, “then go in. They’ll need time to locate the pipe or pipes that hold the merchandise and remove it.”

Jake studied the map, examined the route to the area Trace had circled in yellow. “Quadim said Tariq would be there when the product was retrieved. They’ll have the drugs out of the pipe. The other guys will be bringing the money. Since these kinds of folks aren’t all that trusting, they probably plan to make the exchange right there in the storage area.”

Ben and Alex both leaned over the table to examine the first map, then locate area C on the satellite images. Ben used the magnifying glass Jake had brought from Sage’s study to get a closer look.

“Open area. Enclosed by what appears to be chain-link fence. Looks like mercury lights along the perimeter.”

Alex took the glass, leaned over the table. “Lights aren’t too close together. Shouldn’t be hard to take a few of them out.”

“I’ll handle that,” Trace said. “Lights’ll be off long enough for you to go in. I’ll turn them back on after you’re under cover.”

“What happens then?” Sage asked.

“The bad guys arrive to retrieve the merchandise,” Ben said, “and exchange it for the money.”

“And after?” she pressed.

Alex grinned, his dimples digging in. “Then we take it away from them, sweetheart.”

“Like candy from a baby,” Ben added.

“Not quite,” Jake said. “It’s trickier when you need to make it happen without any casualties.”

Ben’s ice-blue eyes swung to Sage. “That means we don’t get to kill anyone.”

Her eyebrows went up. “Oh.”

He was kidding, Jake knew, but with Ben it wasn’t that easy to tell.

Sage took another sip of wine. “So how will you get the stuff away from them without using weapons?”

“Oh, we’ll be carrying,” Alex said. “None of us has a death wish. But we’ll be using tranquilizer darts and stun guns to take them out.”

“Jake’ll be point man,” Trace added. “He’ll be located somewhere on the perimeter. He’ll take out as many of them as he can from his position without alerting the others, then we go in and finish the job.”

“I’ll be armed with a CO_2-powered air gun,” Jake explained. “A Pneu-Dart X-Caliber. It’s the kind of rifle they use to sedate wild animals. This model is extremely accurate.”

Sage looked up at him. “I’ve seen you shoot. I know how good you are.”

He smiled. She was right. He was one of the best. He’d be using a night-vision scope and it was a good one. He wouldn’t miss. Still, it was a single-action weapon. He’d have to reload, so he wouldn’t be able to take all of them out. That would be Ben and Alex’s job.

“How do you plan to get inside?” Sage asked. “The main entrance stays open, but the gate to the storage area will be locked, and a security guard patrols the grounds.”

“Tomorrow we’ll take an up-close look around,” Trace said, “see what kind of alarm system they’ve got, figure a way to get by it.”

“We’ll time the guard’s rounds,” Jake said, “figure how much time we’ll have to get in and take up our positions. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to get too close in the daytime. There’s bound to be security cameras all over the place.”

Sage sat up a little straighter, her eyes lighting up. He didn’t like the look on her face.

“I can get you in,” she said. “I’m head of acquisitions for MDI. We have a shipment coming in—that gives me a reason to be there. If my car shows up on the cameras, no one is going to think anything about it.”

Jake started shaking his head. “I told you, I don’t want you involved. If something goes wrong—”

“Something is a lot more likely to go wrong if you don’t have good information. I can help you get it. You need me, Jake.”

Ben looked at him hard, those pale blue eyes pinning him like a laser. “She’s right, you know. We need all the intel we can get. Besides, it’s not like we’re stealing anything. No one knows about the stuff in the pipe. Hell, we don’t even know for sure it’s there. We’re just eliminating a possible problem before it occurs.”

Alex took a swallow of his beer. “Hard to argue with that.”

Jake leaned back in his chair. “I still don’t like it.”

For the first time Maggie spoke up. She rarely interfered in Trace’s business, but when she did, her husband usually listened. So did Jake.

“If this goes wrong,” she said, “the problem comes down on Sage. It ought to be her decision.”

Sage smiled warmly at her, then swung her gaze back to Jake. “And my decision is to drive you and Trace to the port, help you find out what you need to know, and get out of there.”

Jake scowled. He didn’t like it. Not one damned bit. But his friends were putting themselves in harm’s way to help him, and he didn’t want them taking any more chances than they had to. “Fine, we’ll do it your way.”

Sage exchanged a triumphant smile with Maggie, then sat back in her chair.

“Looks like we’re done for tonight,” Jake said. “Tomorrow, after Trace and I finish our surveillance, we’ll meet up back at the office. That work for everyone?”

“Works for me,” Alex said.

“Me, too,” said Ben.

“Fine. Then why don’t we finish this pizza?”

“Here’s to that.” Alex lifted his beer and took a long swallow.

Jake started to reach for another slice, then slid his gaze to Sage. He thought about what might happen if something went wrong, and discovered he was no longer hungry.

Twenty-Three

It was early Thursday, the antique gilded clock on the mantel ticking the minutes away, reminding Rina that she needed to get to her job at Smith Barney Morgan Stanley. Ryan was still out of town so she had been staying in her own apartment with A’lia, dropping by the one she shared with Ryan to water the plants—real ones instead of the silk ones she grudgingly kept in her own place, since she wasn’t there that much.

She was ready to leave for work when she spotted A’lia sitting on the living-room sofa.

“Sleep all right?” she asked, walking over to talk to her, already knowing the answer. The queen-size bed in the guest room was comfortable and there was a bathroom just down the hall. But Rina had heard the TV playing softly at two o’clock in the morning.

“It is hard to get used to the change in time.”

Good an excuse as any, but not the root of the problem. Rina sat down on the overstuffed sofa and gently rested a hand on A’lia’s slender shoulder.

“Listen, sweetie, I know you’re upset, but you can’t stay holed up in here forever. We have to do something to resolve this.”

The girl looked up at her from beneath thick black lashes. “You have been kind to me, Rina, and I know what you say is true. But I am afraid.”

“Of your father?”

“No, but…I do not know what will happen to me if they find me. Roshan is only my half brother, and we have never gotten along. He thinks I am too outspoken for a woman.”

“Your father is bound to be worried. Sooner or later you’re going to have to talk to him. If you can convince him to let you stay in America, you can have the life you want.”

Her eyes were big and dark, their size and color emphasized by the pink silk head scarf that covered her neck and most of her lovely face. Aside from that, she was dressed in Western clothes—jeans and a pink T-shirt with butterflies on the front.

“I wish I knew what to do,” she murmured.

“Why don’t you let me help you? I think I know where to begin. Let me call Sage. She knows you’re missing. She called me at the office yesterday and we talked about it.”

“You did not tell her—”

“No, I didn’t tell her you were here. She said her meetings were still going on with your father. That means she’s in touch with him every day. Let me speak to her.”

Rina started to say she would phone Sage and ask her to set up a meeting between A’lia and the sheik, but as she considered the idea, she wasn’t sure a phone conversation would be enough to convince Sage to help them.

The deal with Sheik Khalid was crucial to Sage’s career. It was bound to influence her thinking. Better to let A’lia ask her. The young girl’s pleas for help were hard to resist.

“What if she tells my father I am staying with you, and Roshan finds out?”

“I’m not going to tell her anything. I’m going to say I need to talk her. Then we’ll go see her together. You can explain everything yourself and ask her to help you.”

A’lia sat quietly, her head bent, hands clasped together in her lap. “All right,” she finally agreed, looking resigned. “I will do as you say, and I will pray that your friend will help me.”

Rina managed to smile. “All right then. I’ll call her from my office this morning, see if I can get her to let us come over tonight.”

A’lia nodded, but she didn’t look any happier than she had before.

* * *

They reviewed the plan as Sage prepared to leave for her meeting the following morning with the sheik.

“So we’ll pick Trace up and go out to the port this afternoon.”

Jake nodded. “As soon as you’re finished for the day.”

“Lately Khalid’s been leaving a little early. If we’re lucky, that will happen again today. If not, I’ll come up with a reason to cut the meeting short.”

“Good.”

“And we’ll be taking my car,” Sage said, “so it won’t matter if it shows up on the security cameras.”

“Good so far,” Jake agreed.

“When we get to the port,” she continued, going over the details in her head, “I’ll stop and check in, tell them I’m there to be sure the Normandy has arrived, and check on the progress of the off-loading. Then we’ll make our way around to storage area C, and you and Trace can take a look.”

Jake gazed toward the window, staring out at the sprawling city ten stories below. “I wish I could think of another way, but we don’t have much time and we need to take that look.”

“And we will.” It wouldn’t be that hard, would it? She had every right to be there and she could take whomever she wished.

Sage inwardly shivered. How had her simple plan to purchase equipment from the Saudis gone so far astray?

Nervously, she smoothed the front of her pale blue suit. “I’ve spent a small fortune buying clothes I wouldn’t dream of wearing under different circumstances. I’ll never be so glad to stop dressing in these damned long skirts.”

His mouth edged up. “Be worth it if you make your deal. Maybe today will be the day.”

“I think there’s a chance it could happen. Now that my goal is in sight, I don’t dare wind things up till after tomorrow night. I want to know what Roshan is doing and I want to make sure we stop him.”

“That’s the plan,” Jake said.

A thought that was sobering. This afternoon she was going on a spy mission, and tomorrow night the men would be sneaking in to retrieve whatever it was that was stashed in one or more sections of the pipe Marine Drilling had purchased from Saudi Arabia.

If there was actually something there.

Willing herself not to worry, she shifted her focus to the meeting ahead.

Will and Red were waiting in her attorney’s Midtown office when she arrived, followed soon after by the Saudis. Leaving Jake outside the conference room door, they all went in and continued the negotiations, Sage doing her best to keep her mind on the job she was trying to do, and not the reconnaissance mission ahead.

As she had hoped, the meeting ended early. Khalid was clearly worried about his daughter and seemed to have trouble focusing. Tomorrow, Friday, was a day of meditation and prayer. He hoped the day would bring word of A’lia, and his family a little peace.

Afterward, having a bit of extra time, Sage made a stop downtown at her office, which was where Rina found her, sitting behind her desk, making a few last-minute calls.

“You turned off your phone,” her friend chided as she opened the door and walked in with barely a knock.

Sage stood up from behind her desk, always glad to see her. “I was meeting with the sheik.”

“I figured. I just… I was hoping I might be able to stop by your place tonight. There’s something important I need to talk to you about.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t have time right now. I’m hoping later will be okay.”

Sage didn’t like the edginess she heard in her best friend’s voice. Maybe Rina was breaking up with Ryan. They were never really suited, as far as Sage was concerned, so that might not be such bad news.

“All right, sure.” She grabbed her briefcase and they walked out of her office. Jake was waiting, anxious to head for the port. On the way, they would be stopping at a coffee shop to pick up Trace.

“Will Jake be there tonight?”

Sage flicked him a glance, saw him standing near the reception desk in bodyguard mode. He was so damned big and so damned sexy that she felt a hot little twinge.

“He’s my bodyguard. He’ll be there.”

Rina smiled. “How’s that going for you?”

She couldn’t stop a grin. “Amazing.”

“Good call, then.”

“So far.” Sage had told her friend about her breakup with Phillip. She hadn’t said that her relationship with Jake had everything to do with sex and nothing at all to do with building a future together. She ignored a little pang and kept the thought to herself.

“He works for you, right? So you can trust him,” Rina said, an odd thought even for her.

“I trust him, yes, but what does that have to do with—”

One of the elevators across the room dinged as the door slid open, and Rina’s gaze darted in that direction. “Look, I’ve got to run,” she said. “I’ll see you tonight. Seven o’clock okay?”

“Should be fine.” Unless something happened during her sojourn at the port. “I’ll call if something comes up.”

Rina waved over her shoulder. “See you then.”

Sage looked down at her watch. Past time to leave.

Jake walked up to her. “It’s almost two. You ready to go?”

To make a spy run through the Port of Houston. “I’m ready.” Sort of.

“Good, let’s head out.”

Sage tightened her grip on her briefcase; Jake caught her arm and led her toward the elevator.

“You still up for this?” he asked as they crossed the lobby to the rear door, as usual.

“I haven’t changed my mind, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Jake’s jaw tightened. He didn’t want her to get involved. She wished she didn’t have to, but as far as she was concerned, she had to see this whole thing through.

At least the demonstrations had ended. No protestors were marching around with signs, no media were lurking—at least not for the moment.

“Stay here,” Jake said as they reached her Mercedes, which he had thoroughly gone over that morning in search of a bomb—an extremely unsettling thought.

A security guard had been assigned to watch the car while it sat in the lot, but he checked the undercarriage again to be sure it was safe. It reminded her how upside down her world had become. Maybe after tomorrow night, things would begin to return to normal.

Sage prayed it would be true.

* * *

Since his office was in the opposite direction, they picked Trace up at a truck stop near the juncture of the 45 and the south loop of the 610 Freeway. Sitting next to Sage in the passenger seat of her car, Jake leaned back as she drove east to the Clinton exit and made her way toward Galena.

“By the way,” Trace said from the backseat, “that kid you sent, Bo Johnson, showed up to work this morning.”

“That so,” Jake said.

“Bo Johnson…?” Sage repeated. “Isn’t that the boy who was giving Felix Porter a bad time?”

“That’s right,” Jake said. “Bo and I had a little chat. He won’t be bothering Felix again.”

Sage flicked him a sideways glance. “During this little chat, you decided to help him get a job?”

Jake shrugged. “His mother’s been sick. Kid needs money. Maybe he’ll find out it’s better to earn it by working than by selling drugs.”

“Bo didn’t back away from anything I asked him to do,” Trace said. “Might just work out.”

“For his sake, I hope so.”

Sage said nothing more, but Jake could see by the look on her face she hadn’t expected him to do that. Hell, it was no big deal. Kid would probably screw up, anyway.

At the main entrance, Sage stopped the car and went to check in. Jake watched her disappear, wishing he could have kept her out of this completely. But it wasn’t going to happen. Time was a factor, and they didn’t have all that much.

She was gone only a few minutes. “They’re still off-loading,” she said as she slid back in behind the wheel. “Everything’s going according to schedule, so they should be finished sometime tomorrow morning. Then the pipe will be transported to storage area C. They lock the gate there at 5:00 p.m.”

Using a small digital camera, Jake took photos along the route as she drove to the wharf where the Normandy was docked, then on to the fenced-in storage area where the pipe would be kept over the weekend.

Jake had been to the port on business before. Add to that the time he’d spent on the internet studying maps and information, of which there was plenty. The Woodhouse Terminal and surroundings were huge, with three wharves, several hundred thousand square feet of transit sheds, and acres of open storage. The roadways were alive with trucks, loaded and empty, as well as pickups, cars and heavy equipment. There were dozens of big round oil tanks, and containers of various sizes and shapes for other liquid storage.

Jake was happy to see that some of the tanks backed up to area C, right behind the fence. They all had ladders that wound around them to the top.

He and Trace got out of the car.

“Stay here,” Jake said to Sage through the driver’s window, which she had rolled down. “This won’t take long.”

He spotted a couple of cameras and was careful to stay out of range, his bill cap pulled low, as he reconned the grounds inside the chain-link fence. The sliding gate was open and lots of workers milled around. He took a few shots and carefully stayed out of video camera range.

Trace was off checking the alarm system, looking for the main connection. Once he had the information he needed, he’d be able to turn off the alarm and then reset it after they were inside, so the bad guys wouldn’t know anyone was in there.

Jake took photos of the place where the load of pipe would be stacked, designated by a sign that read Marine Drilling International. He finished just as his friend reappeared.

“I got what we need,” Trace said.

“So did I.” He tipped his head toward one of the tanks. “Good vantage point up there.”

Trace followed his gaze, his dark eyes shaded by the brim of a dark blue baseball cap. “Real good.”

Jake took a last glance at the various items stored in the lot: metal containers and stacks of wooden boxes, pyramids of pipe in various sizes, a row of brand-new dump trucks, another of yellow bulldozers.

“Plenty of cover around,” he said. “We’ll figure our positions when we get to the office.”

“I didn’t see any security guards in the area,” Sage said when the man returned.

“Probably don’t start making rounds till after closing.”

“Sounds right,” Trace said. “We’ll have to keep a sharp eye.”

Jake nodded. “Let’s go back to the office and lay it all out.”

* * *

At least her part was over. As Sage drove back to the city, she released a sigh of relief. She still couldn’t believe she had spent the afternoon spying, getting ready for a mission to stop a shipment of drugs from being smuggled into the country.

If Jake was right.

Her heart was still beating a little too fast as she drove the Mercedes into the parking lot in front of Atlas Security, Jake sitting in the passenger seat beside her, Trace driving his own vehicle back from the coffee shop where they had picked him up.

She pulled into one of the customer parking spaces out front. The afternoon heat was beginning to take its toll and a slight headache throbbed at the base of her skull.

She had never been to Jake’s office before, but the front of the single-story brick building was well-maintained, and it was nice inside, she saw as she walked in with Jake, done in tones of beige and dark green, with oak desks, and photographs of Texas landscapes on the walls.

A plump older woman with slightly frizzy blond hair and thin, penciled eyebrows sat at the reception desk, a pair of half glasses perched on her nose.

“Annie, this is Sage Dumont,” Jake said. “Annie is the lady who rules the roost around here.”

Sage smiled. “A pleasure to meet you.”

“You, too.” The woman smiled back. “You’re even prettier than your pictures.”

“Thank you.”

“I hear you dumped that guy you were seeing. Smart move. He wasn’t right for you. I had a hunch you’d figure that out.”

For several moments Sage just stood there, unable to think of a single thing to say. “How did you know about Phillip?”

Annie held up the National Enquirer spread open on her desk. “I like to stay informed.”

The sleazy tabloid wasn’t exactly Sage’s idea of staying informed, but she didn’t say so. She hadn’t even known the article was in there.

“Don’t pay any attention to Annie,” Jake said. “She’s always got her nose in other people’s business.”

“Good thing for you,” the receptionist quipped, sending him a look Sage didn’t understand.

“Annie knows pretty much everything that’s going on in Houston,” Jake finally conceded, “and I admit there are times her information comes in handy.”

“And don’t you forget it.” Annie turned to Sage, kept her voice low. “Jake’s a really nice guy. He just doesn’t want anyone to know it. Got a heart of gold—” her gaze flicked over him, head to foot “—not to mention his more obvious attributes.” She winked, and Sage laughed.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jake caught her arm, flicked Annie a warning glance, and hauled Sage off toward a door at the back of the office.

In a small meeting room, Alex and Ben sat at a heavy oak table surrounded by wooden captain’s chairs. Trace sat down, opened his laptop and began tapping away on the keyboard. Alex leaned back and stretched his long legs out beneath the table, while Ben stared intently at the maps spread in front of him.

Sage sat down, leaving a spot for Jake closer to the men. He began by opening the back of the small digital camera he had been using out at the port and pulling out the memory card.

Trace looked up from a screen filled with coded information. “Getting in shouldn’t be tough. The system in the storage area is wireless and at least five years old. I’ve got the software we need to handle it.”

“Great.” Jake handed him the photo card. “These ought to give us a little closer look at what’s on site.”

Trace pushed the card into a slot in the computer. Using a wireless device in another part of the office, he printed out the pictures and went to retrieve them.

For the next half hour, the men pored over the details of the plan, each choosing a position that would provide the best possible cover.

“They’ll need transportation to carry the money in and the merchandise out. Odds are they’ll drive in through the gate, which means they’ll have a pass code or something. Then they’ll have to disable the alarm.”

“I’ll be running communications from just outside the fence,” Trace said. “Soon as you get the parabolic set up, we’ll know what’s going on.”

“Parabolic?” Sage asked.

“Microphone,” Jake answered. “You can hear conversation clear as a bell from three hundred yards away. Trace’ll be handling communications, and we’ll all be wearing mics and earbuds, so we’ll be in constant contact.”

“I see.”

“I’ll be positioned near the top of a tank,” Jake said. “Once they’ve retrieved the drugs, or whatever the hell is in there, I’ll take out as many as I can. Ben and Alex will take out the others, grab the merchandise, and we’re out of there.”

Sage sat there, pondering the situation, while the men went over the photos and maps once more. “I wonder how Tariq will know which pipe has the drugs?” she finally asked.

“They’ll have it marked some way. Judging from their conversation, this isn’t the first shipment. Whoever is getting the money from the buyers—in this case, Tariq—will know exactly where to find the goods.”

“What about the video cameras?” she asked. “Don’t you need to worry about them?”

“We’ll be dressed in black and wearing black face paint. We’ll be driving one of the Atlas SUVs, but the name on the side and the license plate will be covered. Keep in mind that as long as nothing goes wrong, no one is going to check the cameras or the alarm system. No one will ever know we were there.”

But what if something did go wrong? Drug dealers carried guns. They killed people every day. They would shoot Jake or anyone else who tried to take what they considered their property.

Her heart constricted. She couldn’t stand to think of something happening to Jake. She couldn’t imagine his powerful, dynamic presence being gone from her life. Her chest clamped down even harder as the realization struck her. When had Jake Cantrell become so important? How could she have let her emotions grow so deep where he was concerned?

She told herself she was worried about all of them. That she didn’t want any of the men to get hurt, and it was true.

Sage suppressed a tremor of fear.

Twenty-Four

The night was heavy, warm and dark as Rina pulled her little red SLK convertible up in front of Sage’s high-rise condo building and parked in one of the guest spaces in front. Aside from her quick stop downtown to see Sage, she had spent the day in her Smith Barney Morgan Stanley office, doing her best to concentrate on the market and her customers’ investments.

A’lia had stayed hidden in her apartment.

Rina shoved open the heavy glass door, and she and A’lia stepped inside the lobby, into air-conditioning so cold that goose bumps rose on her skin. A’lia figeted nervously beside her. She tried not to do the same.

“Are you certain she will not tell my father?” the young woman asked once again. Rina didn’t have time to answer before they reached the front desk.

The security guard knew her and smiled. “Good evening, Ms. Eckhart, it’s good to see you. I’ll tell Ms. Dumont you’re here.”

“Thank you, Henry.” She turned to A’lia as they headed for the elevators. “Sage is my best friend and I trust her. More than that, we need her help. I’ll do everything I can to convince her.” And Jake.

But she wasn’t completely sure what either of them would do. Sage had always been driven, always wanting to prove herself, especially to her grandfather. Rina knew how desperately she wanted to close this deal with the Saudis.

And yet her heart was kind and generous, and Rina knew she sympathized greatly with the young woman’s plight.

Whatever might happen, they needed Sage’s help. A’lia wouldn’t be completely free or completely safe until she gained her father’s approval. Sage had the best chance of helping them make that happen.

On the tenth floor, they stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hall to Sage’s door. A’lia nervously adjusted the blue head scarf she wore, one of several Rina had bought her, along with two pairs of jeans and a few modest, cotton knit tops.

A shopping trip wasn’t going to happen until A’lia was safe.

The door swung open when Rina knocked, and Sage greeted her with a smile. She was still wearing the business suit she’d had on at the office.

“Come on in,” she said, stepping back out of the way. Her eyes widened. “Oh, my God—A’lia!” The warm smile faded, but at least she didn’t slam the door in their faces.

“Surprise!” Rina said brightly, trying to lighten the mood.

Sage laid a hand over her heart as if she was having a heart attack. Maybe she was. “Yes…yes, it certainly is.” She cast Rina a glare before speaking to her guest. “A’lia, I’m so glad to know you’re safe. Your father has been extremely worried.”

Tears filled the young woman’s beautiful eyes. “I did not wish for him to worry, but I had to get away. I could not live as he wished me to.”

“Why don’t we go into the living room?” Sage suggested with another dark glance Rina’s way.

“Where’s Jake?” Rina asked.

“He’s in my office working on the computer. I’m sure he’ll be as…surprised to see A’lia as I am.” She flashed Rina a sharp-edged smile. Thanks for the warning, her look said. Followed by, Have you lost your mind?

For the next few minutes, Rina explained how A’lia had gotten away from her cousins and bodyguard, how she had come to her for help.

“She had my business card,” Rina said. “I gave it to her the weekend we were out at your ranch. She came to me because she didn’t know where else to go. Now she’s in trouble and you’re the only person who can help her.”

Heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway. “Jesus!” Jake stood there transfixed. “Christ, could things get any worse?”

A’lia started crying.

“Now see what you’ve done?” Rina scolded. “You big brute.”

“Wait a minute! I didn’t mean to…” Jake took a slow, deep breath. “Son of a bitch.”

“It’s all right, sweetie,” Rina soothed. “Jake isn’t mad at you.” She drilled him with a glare. “Are you, Jake?”

“No.” He strode the rest of the way into the living room. “I’m sorry, A’lia. None of this is your fault. It’s just bad timing.”

Rina looked up at him. “What kind of bad timing?”

“Never mind,” Sage said.

Probably interfering with their plans for a hot night of sex, Rina thought. Or at least that’s what she’d be planning if she was with a virile man like Jake.

She shook her head, wondering where the hell that thought had come from. Macho men were not her type, and Ryan was a really nice guy.

“The thing is,” Rina said, “you both know enough about Middle East customs to understand the kind of trouble A’lia is in. She’s disobeyed her father. That just isn’t allowed. Her dad is undoubtedly angry, but it’s Roshan she’s really afraid of.”

A look passed between Sage and Jake.

“You know what Roshan is like,” Rina continued. “He’ll want to see her punished. A’lia’s afraid of him and I don’t blame her.”

“I don’t, either,” Sage said.

“Then you’ll help her?”

“Help her do what?” Jake asked, from where he stood behind the sofa. “Sage has her hands full with the deal she’s trying to negotiate and everything else that’s been going on. She’s had protests and threats. And in case you’ve forgotten, a couple of days ago, someone tried to blow her up.”

A’lia stood up from the sofa, her eyes still glistening with tears. “I am sorry. I should not have come. You have enough trouble of your own.” She started for the door, but Sage caught her arm.

“Wait, A’lia. You don’t have to leave.” Sage led her back to the sofa and sat down beside her. “I just wasn’t expecting to see you, that’s all. Why don’t we talk this over?”

Rina heard Jake’s muttered curse.

“Your father’s really been worried,” Sage said. “After the car bomb went off, I think he would have left Houston and gone back to Saudi Arabia if you hadn’t run away. He told me he wouldn’t leave until he’d talked you, made sure you were safe.”

“I wish to talk to him, also. I must try again to explain, to make him understand. Other Muslim women are content with the lives they lead. I am different. I have this yearning, this need to see things, do things. I wish to go to school, get as much education as I can.”

Sage squeezed her hand. “I’ll call your father in the morning, tell him you want to see him.”

“Not tomorrow,” A’lia said. “Tomorrow is a day of prayer. It would not be a good time.”

“All right, I’ll call him Saturday morning, see if I can set something up.” Sage looked at Rina. “And A’lia can stay with you until then?”

“It’s not a problem. Ryan is gone for another few days and I’ve been talking to him on his cell. He doesn’t even know I’m not staying at our apartment.” Rina glanced over at Jake, whose features looked iron hard. He wasn’t liking this. Not one bit.

Sage followed Rina’s gaze, and so did A’lia. Just standing there with his shoulders propped against the wall and his arms crossed over his massive chest, the man was imposing.

“Jake won’t say anything to your father,” Sage promised. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

“It’s not my place to interfere,” he said. “I won’t say a word.”

Not that he didn’t want to, Rina could tell.

“There is…there is one more thing. I am sorry I did not tell you, Rina.” Uh-oh. “You see, there is a boy.”

“Fuck…” Jake grumbled, so low Rina hoped A’lia didn’t hear. Silently, Rina repeated the word herself.

“His name is Dan-ish Ganjani. We met in Riyadh when I was at university. No one knew except my roommate, who is also my cousin. Danny is from Pakistan, but he lives in America now. He was visiting his brother, who works in Riyadh. We met at a bookstore and he asked if he could see me. My roommate and her brother went with us. Danny and I discovered we have many things in common. We didn’t plan for it to happen, but we…we fell in love. Danny has asked me to marry him.”

No one said a word, not even Jake.

“Does Danny live in Houston?” Rina finally asked.

“No, in New York City. He is a computer expert. I have not called him. I must be free before I can accept his proposal of marriage.”

Jake shoved away from the wall and stalked forward. “Sage, you need to consider this very carefully. There is no way in hell her father is going to approve of this. It’s his duty to choose her husband. If he thinks for a moment you’ve gone behind his back to help his daughter, you can kiss your deal goodbye.”

Sage just sat there.

“Call her father, tell him A’lia came to you for help. Tell him she wants to see him, then let her take it from there.”

“That isn’t enough,” Rina said. “She needs you to help her convince him. The sheik respects you, Sage. He sees you as an equal, or at least as close as a woman can get to his level. He might listen to you. It’s her only chance.”

Jake towered over Sage. “And your only chance to make this deal you’ve worked your ass off on for the last six months is for you to stay out of it.”

Sage looked at A’lia, whose beautiful face was even paler than when she’d arrived.

“I want to help you, A’lia, I truly do, but I need to think about it. There are things going on right now that you don’t know about. I need to see how all of that works out first. I’ll give you my decision Saturday morning. No matter what happens, I’ll arrange a meeting between you and your father. For now that’s the best I can do.”

“Sage—” Rina began.

“That’s my decision, Rina. I’ll phone Saturday morning. If I can help, I will. I won’t know until then.”

Rina didn’t press her. She knew her friend well enough to realize something else was going on, something that might affect her situation with the sheik, maybe even A’lia.

“That’s good enough for me,” Rina said, rising to her feet.

A’lia stood up, too. “Whatever happens, I know you and Rina have done your best to help me. I will always remember.”

Sage walked them to the door, then leaned over and hugged A’lia. “Rina will make sure you’re okay. She’s a very good friend to have.”

Rina felt a sharp sting behind her eyes. “You’re a very good friend to have, too,” she said, and the two of them hugged.

They left the apartment, A’lia looking even more forlorn than she had before, and Rina not feeling much better. What would it be like to love someone so much you would risk your entire future, maybe your life, just to be with him?

She wondered if she would ever know.

* * *

Sage felt Jake’s hands settle gently on her shoulders. She turned to look into his handsome face.

“I know I shouldn’t get involved,” she said. “I know you don’t approve, but I just… A’lia deserves a chance to be happy.”

He bent his head and very softly kissed her. “I gave you good, sound advice, and I meant every word. Staying as far away from A’lia and her troubles with her father and brother is exactly what you should do. Doesn’t mean I don’t admire you for wanting to help her.”

“She’s in trouble, Jake. If it weren’t for Roshan and whatever he’s planning, I might have gone ahead and agreed to talk to her father on her behalf.”

“If you do, he might blow your deal right out of the water.”

“I know.” She released a shaky breath. “But it’s the right thing to do, and in the end, I don’t think I can turn away from that. After all I’ve learned, I understand why A’lia feels the way she does. I understand why she ran away and I don’t see how I can stand by and not help her.”

Jake caught her chin between his fingers. “I wondered how you’d feel if it came to something like this. I should have known.” And then he kissed her again. It was the gentlest, most tender kiss she had ever known, and it made her heart turn over. She slid her arms around his neck and for several long moments just hung on.

Her heart was beating softly and she felt close to tears. Dear God, she was falling in love with him. It couldn’t be happening, but it was. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. There was no way it could work for them. Just looking at Jake and thinking of the mission he would be undertaking tomorrow night told her that.

She inhaled deeply, steeled herself and eased away. “At least I have until Saturday to make my decision.”

“We’ll know more by then, and you handled it just right. If Roshan and his friends are bringing drugs into the country, we’ll have to tell the sheik. Resolving that problem has to come first.”

“Yes.”

Jake eased her back into his arms. “But nothing is going to get resolved tonight, so why don’t I take you to bed?” There was hunger in those blue, blue eyes and the way he said the words made her stomach quiver.

She knew what it was like when Jake Cantrell took a woman to bed. Knew that after the hot, erotic sex, she would sleep more soundly than she had anytime before she’d met him.

She went up on her toes and kissed him, a hotter, deeper, wetter kiss than before. Jake responded as he always did, taking control, kissing her back until her toes curled inside her high heels.

As promised, he took her to bed and made love to her slowly, gently.

Sage tried not to think of the broken heart she was going to suffer when Jake was gone.

Twenty-Five

Dusk had fallen. It was Friday night and time was ticking toward the mission ahead. Jake’s mind was already focused in that direction.

“You ready?” he asked Sage.

“Let me get my purse.”

One of his big concerns had been what to do with Sage while he was out with the men. Whatever was going down didn’t change the fact that a bomber was still out there. Jake’s guess was the man hadn’t meant to kill Sage or anyone else, but there was no way to know for sure until the cops had him in custody.

Jake had discussed the situation with Trace and they’d decided to change their base of operations and assemble their gear at his place. Jake would leave Sage with Maggie until the mission was over.

Trace’s house was a fortress, armed with every kind of alarm system imaginable. Security was his business and he wanted the best. There was no such thing as being too careful.

On top of that, Jake had asked Rex Westcott, a guy who worked stakeouts for Trace, to position himself on the street out front. Sage would be safe till they got back.

“I’ve got it,” she said, slinging her big leather bag over her shoulder. “I’m ready to go.”

Amazingly, when he’d told her his plans, Sage hadn’t argued. She was beginning to know him, to understand when to back down and accept his decisions.

“We’re out of here,” he said as they left the apartment and headed for the Jeep. They went over the mission on the way.

“If you find the drugs,” Sage asked, “what will you do with Tariq?”

“Take him to the sheik, explain what’s been going on.”

“If that happens, I have to be there. I’ll need to go with you.”

He’d known this was coming. He wanted to say no, but he knew she deserved to go. Knew that what happened tonight would be crucial to the deal she was making, a deal that would greatly affect her future.

“Don’t say no, Jake. Not this time.” And the look in her eyes warned him that if he did, she would find some way to be there with or without him.

“We don’t know for sure what we’ll find. Until we do, there’s no sense talking about it.”

“I want to be there when you confront Roshan. I have to be.”

Jake clenched his jaw. She was right and he knew it. “Okay, if it goes down the way we think it will, I’ll take you with me.”

She didn’t say more, just sat back in her seat and stared out the window. A few minutes later he pulled up in front of Trace’s single-story, wood-frame house. As Jake walked Sage to the door, he felt her tremble.

“You okay?” he asked.

She caught his arm, turned him to face her. “I’m worried about you.” When she looked at him with those golden-brown eyes, something squeezed inside his chest. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Jake reached out and touched her cheek. “There’s a saying…you can plan the party, but you can’t plan the outcome. Something can always go wrong. But if everything goes right, this’ll all be over soon.”

She managed a nod, gave him a halfhearted smile.

“And I like that you’re worried. It’s been a long time since a woman I cared about worried about me.”

Sage started to say something, but the door opened and Trace stood in the entry. “Come on in. The party’s about to get started.”

As Jake walked inside, he saw Alex and Ben, dressed completely in black, as he and Trace were.

“Gear’s loaded,” Alex said.

Jake checked his pistol one last time and slid it back into the holster at his waist.

“Latest satellite photos show the pipe has been stored in the spot reserved for them in area C,” Trace said. “Everything looks good to go.”

Ben shoved himself to his feet, his pale blue eyes intense, his features hard with purpose, making him look like the Iceman that was his SEAL name. “Time to rock and roll.”

Jake grabbed Sage, dragged her into his arms and kissed her long and deep. Trace walked over to Maggie and did the same.

“Take care of yourselves,” Sage said, and Jake thought he caught the sheen of tears.

Jake ignored the tightness that had returned to his chest. He needed to focus on the mission. “Okay, kiddies, time to play.”

After a last quick glance at Sage, he was gone.

* * *

“How do you stand this?” Sage asked Maggie, who gazed at the closed door the men had just disappeared through, a worried expression on her face.

“It doesn’t happen that often,” she replied, “and I’ve come to trust Trace’s judgment. He was a Ranger. They’re all ex-military, and they’ve worked together enough to form a competent team. Did you know that before we were married, Trace saved my life?”

Sage stared at her. “No, I didn’t.”

“Why don’t we have a glass of wine and I’ll tell you about it.”

“I better not. I need to stay alert. If they find drugs, Jake’ll be taking Tariq to the sheik. I’ll need to go with them.”

“As wired as you are, one glass of wine isn’t going to do any more than calm your nerves. Besides, it’s liable to be hours before they return.”

Hours of worry. Sage’s nerves were already strung so tight she was shaking. “You’re right. I think I could use a drink.”

She followed Maggie toward the kitchen. Dressed in jeans and a yellow cotton top, with her wavy red hair and green eyes, she was a very pretty woman.

“Don’t you worry about him?” she asked as her new friend opened a white, retro-fifties refrigerator, took out a bottle of white wine and set it on the counter. The kitchen itself was charming, done in a fifties design with red-and-white-checked curtains, a Formica-topped table and chrome chairs, and sparkling white appliances that were new but built to look vintage.

“Of course I worry,” Maggie said. “I love him madly. I feel so lucky that he loves me, too. But like I said, this isn’t an everyday occurrence. Mostly, Trace runs the office and investigates cases that interest him, usually nothing that requires him to wear a Kevlar vest and carry night-vision goggles, sleep darts and a Beretta.”

Maybe Trace had mostly settled down, but Jake was different. Missions like these were his life. He’d worked in the Middle East and South America. He was a mercenary and a highly paid bodyguard. He specialized in this sort of thing.

This is what I do, Sage.

Maggie poured them each a glass of wine and handed one to Sage. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Her heart twisted. She had never felt this way about a man before. “I’m trying very hard not to be.”

“Why is that? It looked to me like he’s pretty crazy about you, too.”

Was he? It was hard to know what Jake felt for her. “It’s mostly sexual attraction for both of us,” she said, trying hard to convince herself. “I thought it would pass, but so far it hasn’t.”

“When Trace and I first started dating, I kind of thought that, too.”

Sage sipped her wine. “It’s different for the two of you. Trace’s life is here. So is yours. Jake isn’t the kind of man to settle down.”

“I think he might if he found the right woman.”

Sage ran a finger around the rim of her glass. “Maybe. Even if he tried, it wouldn’t matter. We aren’t well suited.”

“Because of your career?”

“Partly. My job requires me to socialize with a certain caliber of people. I don’t mean that in a snobbish way, but my grandfather runs with the country club set. MDI sponsors benefits and community events I’m required to attend. Jake would hate that kind of thing.”

“Maybe. But I’ve learned that marriage is a give-and-take. If he loved you, I think Jake would do just fine with those kinds of things. Not all the time, of course. He’s a man’s man. So is Trace. But I can tell you from experience, Trace looks amazing in a tux. Jake might just surprise you.”

Oh, yeah, the man was full of surprises. Sage tried not to think of the way they’d made love that morning, but she could feel the heat rising in her face.

“Even if you were right,” she said, “Jake told me himself he never stays in one place very long. He gets bored, I think. There’s no way he’d be happy staying in Houston for the rest of his life.”

“But you would be.”

“My family’s here, my business. Houston is my home. I don’t think Jake cares about that kind of thing.”

“You could be right, I don’t know. He does move around a lot—Trace told me that. I suppose time will tell.”

“I suppose.” But the thought of Jake leaving made Sage’s insides squeeze into a knot. Sooner or later he would be gone. If she were smart, she’d rein in her feelings before she got seriously hurt.

She looked up at Maggie and mustered a smile. “So how did your handsome husband save your life?”

For the next half hour, Maggie told her the fascinating story of a stalker who had nearly killed her, and how she’d wound up a married woman instead.

Even as Sage listened, a tiny part of her mind was thinking of Jake and worrying about him, wondering if he was safe.

* * *

The drive through the main entrance went smoothly. Even this late at night, trucks rumbled along the roads, disappearing into one location and appearing from another. There were private as well as public facilities along the twenty-five-mile-long complex that made up the Port of Houston.

Fortunately, no work was being done in the section of storage area C that housed the recently arrived load of pipe. As the black Atlas Security SUV got closer, the men finished putting on their gear and blackening their faces. Trace pulled the vehicle behind a cluster of equipment parked outside the locked gate, and they all got out.

Jake fastened the clasp on the front of his Kevlar vest, put on his mic and earbuds, and the others did the same. Ben and Alex snapped their stun guns in place and grabbed a bag each of tranq darts. Ben picked up the parabolic mic, while Trace set up his laptop on the tailgate and Jake made a final check of his air rifle and tranquilizer darts.

“Alarm’s off,” Trace said, hitting a key on his computer. “Power’s off to the mercury lights around the perimeter. You can go in whenever you’re ready.”

“Can’t think of a better time than now,” Ben said, parabolic in hand.

“Let’s kick some drug smuggler ass,” Alex said with his trademark grin, and the men took off for the gate. Ben slid it open, and he and Alex disappeared inside, heading for the positions they had decided on last night.

As Jake set off for the oil storage tank behind the stack of pipes, he tested his mic and earbuds and got replies back from Trace and the other two men. With the dart gun slung over his shoulder, he climbed the stairs that wound around the tank and took a position on a platform near the top. As soon as they were all in position, Trace reset the alarm and powered up the mercury lights.

Everything was ready. Jake didn’t doubt their quarry would show up sooner or later.

All they had to do was wait.

* * *

“God, it seems like they’ve been gone forever,” Sage said, fighting the urge to get up and pace in front of the sofa. The house, a single-story residence in the University District not far from the Atlas Security office, had been remodeled to supply all the modern conveniences, and it was extremely comfortable.

In the living room, an overstuffed burgundy sofa and chairs sat on deep beige carpets. Family photos perched on tables, and Maggie Rawlins’s spectacular landscape photography hung on the walls.

Maggie walked toward her out of the kitchen. “Actually, it isn’t even one o’clock yet. Trace said he figured the meet would be set for sometime between midnight and two. Less people around.”

“I can’t stop worrying.”

Maggie sat down next to her on the sofa. Both of them had switched to drinking iced tea.

“I’ve been around these guys for a while now,” Maggie said. “I know how good they are. I remind myself of that whenever they’re involved in something like this.”

“Which isn’t all that often.” Sage repeated Maggie’s earlier words.

“That’s right. Life has its risks. I love Trace enough to accept the risks he sometimes takes.”

Could Sage do that? Risk loving a man who worked the dangerous jobs Jake often undertook?

She didn’t think so.

“Want to watch some TV?” Maggie asked. “Might make the time pass more quickly.”

“Sure.” But Sage knew she could sit there with her eyes glued to the screen and not have a clue what the show was about. All she could think of was Jake and how worried she was.

Please, God, don’t let anything happen to him. Don’t let anything happen to any of them.

She just hoped God was listening.

* * *

“Here they come.” It was a little after 1:00 a.m. From his vantage point on top of the tank, Jake spotted a black van with chrome wheels rolling toward them along the road.

“Roger that.” Trace’s drawl crackled through the earbud.

Ben and Alex both copied the information.

The van stopped at the gate and a few minutes later the mercury lights shut down. The alarm must have been disabled, too, because a man jumped out and rolled the gate open.

Apparently, Trace wasn’t the only one with state-of-the-art equipment. Drug money could buy the best of a lot of things.

The Atlas vehicle was hidden well out of sight. Through the night-vision scope on his rifle, Jake watched the black van drive through the gate to a spot behind a corrugated metal container where it couldn’t be spotted from the road, and the engine fell silent.

The first man returned to the van and climbed in. Nothing happened until another car approached a few minutes later—an unimposing Buick four-door with two men inside. Had to be Tariq and the contact man, the guy who had brokered the deal. The car pulled up in front of the stack of pipe, the engine shut off and the men stepped out of the car.

It was too dark to tell which one was Tariq, but Jake figured he was on the passenger side, since he didn’t have a car. The driver had to be the contact Quadim had mentioned on the recording.

Three men poured out of the van and walked over to join the new arrivals, while a fourth, the driver, stayed with the vehicle.

“They’re talking about the shipment,” Trace said, picking up the voices on the parabolic mic.

“One of the guys from the Buick’s got a black light,” Alex noted. “Looks like he’s trying to locate some kind of fluorescent mark on the pipe.”

“He’s zeroing in on the drugs,” Jake said.

Wielding flashlights, the men searched the pipe openings at the back of the stack, then came around and shone the black light on the openings in front.

“He’s found the mark and located the drugs,” Trace said, listening to the conversation. “He’s telling the buyers to go get the money.”

Jake scanned the scene through his night scope, watched one of the men use a telescoping rod with a hook on the end to drag out the packages from inside the five-inch pipe. It took a while before all the merchandise was located and retrieved.

“They’re sayin’ that’s the last package,” Trace said.

“Get ready to roll,” Jake murmured. Across the compound, he spotted the driver, standing next to the van. The sleep dart was loaded. Jake lifted the rifle and rested the stock against his shoulder, sighted down the barrel and squeezed the trigger. He felt the slight kick, but there wasn’t much sound. Through the night scope, he saw the man drop down behind the van, conveniently out of sight.

“Driver’s out,” he said, reloading the gun with another tranq dart.

“Roger,” Trace said. Ben and Alex copied.

“One more shot,” Jake said.

The team prepared to make their move. The minute he fired the next dart and the buyers saw one of their own go down, the rest would arm themselves and scatter. The chaos would give Ben and Alex the chance go in, and Jake the chance for another shot.

He raised the rifle, aimed at the guy heading back to the van to retrieve the money, and squeezed again. The man reached over his shoulder to grab the dart that hit solidly in the middle of his back, then went down like a sack of wheat.

Someone shouted an alarm. As Jake reloaded, they all pulled weapons and bolted like rats for cover. Problem was, wherever they went, either Ben or Alex was there ahead of them, ready to take them down.

This was the dangerous part. It was close work and the men they were after were all carrying weapons. Jake heard Alex’s voice through the earbud: “Sleepy time for number three.”

Through the scope, Jake saw a tussle going on between two men, one in a headlock. The struggle ended and the target crumpled to the ground.

“Four’s napping peacefully,” Ben reported.

That left two more unaccounted for. Someone moved off to the right and an instant later, a gunshot echoed across the compound.

Alex cursed. “One of them took a hit.”

Jake held the rifle steady on the moving target. As the shooter ran toward a stack of crates, he pulled the trigger, imbedding a dart in the side of the guy’s neck. The figure hit the ground and rolled, ending up sprawled facedown in the dirt.

A few feet away, Alex knelt beside the guy who’d taken a bullet. “Heart shot,” he said into his mic. “It’s the contact man. No other casualties.”

“I’m on my way,” Jake said. Slinging his rifle over his shoulder, he headed down the winding stairs, his mind moving from plan A to plan B. He climbed the chain-link fence at the back of the storage area, thankful there was no barbed wire on top, vaulted over and landed on the balls of his feet.

He spotted Ben jogging toward him. “The name on the dead guy’s license is Gamal Ali. Except for him, they’re all sleeping like lambs.”

Jake glanced around. There hadn’t been any sign of a security guard all night. Probably been paid to stay away from the area.

He knelt beside the guy lying in a growing pool of blood. Mixed heritage, mostly black, judging from his skin tone. The man’s facial features were blunt, his cheeks covered by a beard. Both arms sported a maze of one-color, primitive tattoos.

“Gamal Ali,” Ben said. “Sounds Middle Eastern, but he doesn’t look it.”

“With all those tats, looks like a guy who’s been in prison.”

“What do we do about him?”

“Drug smuggling’s a dangerous game. The guy’s luck ran out. Leave him and the others where they are.” Jake checked on each one, saw they were all breathing steadily. Three Hispanics wearing earrings and do-rags, and a white guy with a sunburn.

“Since no one was supposed to get killed,” Ben said, “what’s plan B?”

On a mission, there always was one, and usually a plan C.

“You remember that DEA agent who debriefed us after our little adventure in Belize?” A mission they’d gone on a few months back with his friend Johnnie Riggs.

“Richard Haskins?” Ben said as they loaded the drugs into the van next to the money-filled briefcase. “Yeah, I remember him. He’s a level thirteen agent. Got plenty of pull and after what went down in Belize, he owes us. We gonna tip him to this?”

“That’s plan B. We leave the money and the drugs in the van, leave our friends peacefully sleeping and the problems to the DEA. They’ll match one of the guns to the bullet in the dead guy. That takes everyone else out of the equation. With the contact man out of the way, there’s no one to tie the deal to Tariq or Roshan. The Feds leave MDI out of it, since all the company did was buy a load of used drill pipe, and in exchange, the DEA boys get to make one helluva bust.”

Trace started nodding. “That could work,” he said.

Ben flicked a glance at the expensive, tricked-out van. “The bad news is, with the kind of money these guys make, they’ll be out of jail in a heartbeat and royally pissed.”

“Maybe, but they won’t be dead. And they won’t have a clue what went down.”

“That’s it then,” Alex said. “Let’s load Tariq and our gear into the SUV and get the hell out of here.”

They wiped down the Buick that belonged to the dead guy, erasing any prints Tariq might have left, loaded themselves into the SUV and hit the road.

They left the alarm turned off and the gate open. It looked like a drug deal gone bad, and that was exactly what it was.

“How much do you figure they had?” Alex asked.

“Looked like pure heroin,” Trace said. “I figure a million plus, inside the briefcase. After it’s cut, that’s about twenty million street value.”

Alex whistled.

As Trace pulled the SUV onto the freeway, Jake pulled one of the sealed packages out of a canvas bag. “I kept this one for the sheik. Proof his little boy was playing dirty.”

He stuffed the heroin back into the bag and drew out his cell phone. He had Haskins’s cell number from the debriefing. He’d loaded it into his phone before they’d left the house—just in case.

Haskins answered in a groggy, sleep-thickened voice, and Jake started talking, putting plan B into action.

Twenty-Six

“Did you hear that?” Sage stirred on the sofa in the living room. She must have dozed off. Now she was wide-awake.

“It’s them,” Maggie said, coming out of her chair. She ran to the kitchen, checked to be sure it was her husband and the others, and turned off the alarm system. Sage was standing next to her when the back door swung open and the men walked in.

Sage’s heart swelled. All of them were still wearing their flak vests over the black clothes they’d set off in. Now those clothes were dusty, torn in a couple of places, and their faces streaked with black paint they hadn’t completely wiped away.

They looked fearsome and dear, and as Jake tossed a canvas bag onto the kitchen counter and walked toward her, she ran to him, threw her arms around his neck and just hung on.

“You’re all right,” she said as he pulled her tight against him. “You’re okay.”

“We’re all okay,” he said, then bent and gave her a quick, hard kiss.

Ben wound up the parade, carrying Tariq’s limp body over his shoulder.

Sage recognized Roshan’s bodyguard and her stomach churned. “He isn’t…he isn’t dead, is he?”

“Just sleeping,” Ben said. “He’ll be out for a couple more hours.”

Sage let out a breath. “Good. That’s good.”

“Unfortunately, his partner wasn’t so lucky,” Jake told her.

“One of the bad guys shot him,” Alex explained, as Ben carted Tariq to the sofa and tossed him down on the cushions.

“It wasn’t what we planned,” Jake added, “but the truth is, it makes our situation easier. I cut a deal with the DEA. They’re picking up the money, the drugs and the guys who were buying them. You and Marine Drilling are out of it. And with the contact man out of the way, they can’t connect the deal to Roshan or Tariq.”

Sage sank down in one of the chrome kitchen chairs. It was almost too much to handle. “What…what happens now?”

“You and I take it from here. We load Tariq into the Jeep and pay a little visit to the sheik. There’s a kilo of heroin in that bag on the counter. I don’t think Khalid’s going to be happy when he finds out what his son and the kid’s friends have been doing.”

Sage looked up at Jake, thought how fierce he looked, how completely in control. “So you were right.” She shoved her hair back from her face. She was bone tired and at the same time keyed up. “First A’lia and now Roshan. I feel sorry for Khalid.”

“Roshan is spoiled and selfish, which is partly the sheik’s fault for indulging him so much. On the other hand, A’lia is smart and loving. One out of two isn’t bad.”

“Why don’t I make us some coffee?” Maggie suggested.

Alex shook his head. “Thanks, but I’m heading on home.”

“I’m already gone,” Ben said, and both men started through the living room toward the door.

“Tell Rex we don’t need him anymore,” Jake said.

“Will do,” said Alex as he opened the front door and headed out to the street, where the men’s cars were parked.

Sage’s gaze followed them. “Rex who?”

“Guy who works for Trace. He’s been keeping an eye on things here just in case. Figured we didn’t need any more surprises.”

Sage closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair.

“You don’t have to go with me,” Jake said softly.

She opened her eyes. “Yes, I do. I’m just… It’s a lot to handle all at once.”

“I know it is, honey.” He sat down in the chair beside her, took her hand between both of his. “But you know as well as I do life isn’t always easy.”

No, it wasn’t. Her first twelve years had taught her that. Still… “A man is dead, Jake.”

“A man who smuggles illegal drugs into the country. Drugs that end up hurting kids like Felix Porter. Tonight we stopped that from happening.”

She thought of the young boy Jake was helping, a kid who was doing his best to stay out of trouble. The notion that they might have helped kids like Felix in some way made her feel a little better. “Yes, I guess we did.”

Her words made Jake smile. As big as he was, with his face still smudged with greasepaint and his eyes so incredibly blue, he was the most virile, most attractive man she had ever met. It was insane to want him now, when everything in her world was completely upside down, but she did.

“I wish it was tomorrow,” he said, his gaze locked with hers. “I wish we were somewhere else, someplace where I could give you what both of us need.”

She reached out and stroked his cheek. “I was so worried.” She remembered what he had said. It’s been a long time since a woman I cared about worried about me. Those words had touched something inside her.

His eyes remained on her face. “We’re going to get through this, Sage. Everything’s going to be all right.”

Maybe it would be. But once it was over, what would happen to her and Jake? Her heart squeezed. The pain was already starting. It was only going to get worse.

“We’ve got to go,” Jake said, rising to his feet. “When Tariq doesn’t return to the hotel, Roshan’s going to get worried. We don’t want him to panic and do something stupid.”

She got up out of her chair. She wasn’t dressed for a meeting with the sheik—she was wearing jeans and a turquoise, short-sleeved knit sweater. It would have to do.

She turned to Maggie. “Thank you for everything.”

Maggie walked over and hugged her. “If you need me, just call.”

Sage managed to smile. “Thanks.”

“Keep me posted,” Trace said.

“You bet.” Jake handed Sage the canvas bag from the counter, then walked over to Tariq, who was dressed in beige slacks and a dark blue polo shirt instead of his usual black suit.

“How are we going to get him into the hotel like that?”

Jake bent down and hoisted the man over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. “We just tell the doorman he partied a little too hard. Staff at a first-class hotel like that are used to being discreet.”

Adjusting the strap of the canvas bag over her shoulder, Sage grabbed her purse and hurried ahead, opening the door while Jake carried Tariq outside.

Moments later they were in the Jeep, Tariq settled in the back, and rolling down the road toward the Four Seasons Hotel. Sage had no idea what was going to happen when they got there.

Or what she was going to tell A’lia when she called as promised in the morning.

* * *

Getting inside the hotel and up to the presidential suite on the twentieth floor wasn’t a problem. Jake had been there a number of times with Sage, the sheik and his entourage. And looking at Tariq hanging over Jake’s shoulder, no one doubted he was dead drunk.

Jake knocked on the door to the suite. A few seconds later, the door swung open. Kiron, one of the sheik’s tall, imposing bodyguards, stood there staring at the incongruous group of people in the hall. When he recognized Tariq, his black eyes widened.

“We need to speak to the sheik,” Jake said when the man made no move to invite them inside.

“It’s a matter of extreme importance,” Sage added.

Finally, Kiron stepped back, allowing them into the suite but barring them from going any farther.

“What you ask is impossible,” the bodyguard said. “I will take care of Tariq, but you cannot disturb His Highness at this late hour. You may speak to him in the morning.”

Jake walked past him and dumped Tariq on an elegant white sofa. He lay there with his eyes closed and his mouth hanging open, his shoulder-length hair a black cloud around his face.

“We need to see the sheik now,” Sage insisted. “It’s important or we wouldn’t be here. Tell him there’s a problem that involves his son.”

For several long moments Kiron didn’t move. Then he gave a faint nod and strode out of the room.

He returned a few minutes later. “The sheik will see you, but he must have time to dress. You may wait for him there.”

He pointed to a conversation area at the opposite end of the opulent living room. Jake took the canvas bag from Sage’s hand and guided her in that direction. They sat down in overstuffed chairs around a gilded, glass-topped coffee table.

They waited a full twenty minutes before Sheik Khalid walked into the living room, perfectly groomed and dressed in his usual white robe and headdress. Jake and Sage both rose from their chairs as he approached.

“Your Highness,” Sage said formally, letting him know how important this was. “I hope you will pardon my dress. There was no time to change.”

Khalid acknowledged the remark with a frown, his gaze going to Tariq, who sprawled ignominiously on the sofa at the opposite end of the living room.

“Please…tell me what has happened. What has brought you here at this hour?”

“Perhaps we should all sit down,” Jake suggested.

They returned to their seats around the low table, and the sheik sat down, as well. Jake opened the black canvas bag and pulled out the kilo of raw heroin he had taken from the storage area.

“This is what brings us here. Twenty million dollars’ worth of this, and more than a million dollars in cash that is now in the hands of the Unites States Drug Enforcement Agency. I brought this so you could see for yourself what your son and his friends are involved in.”

The sheik’s face went pale beneath his beard. He sat there stunned as Jake and Sage spent the next half hour explaining the conversation Jake had overheard at the ranch. Leaving out the part about the flash drive recording from the limo, they went on to say that they had been able to prevent the drug deal from being completed, but in the process one of the drug smugglers had been killed.

“So far we’ve been able to keep you and your family out of this,” Jake said. “But you need to get Roshan and the others out of the country. I’m presuming you’ll see that they’re properly dealt with, and do whatever is necessary to ensure nothing like this happens again.”

The sheik looked devastated. “In our country, possession of an illicit drug is punished by a flogging or a very harsh jail sentence. Drug trafficking carries the same penalty as murder or rape—a public beheading.”

Jake ignored the faint sound Sage made.

“Roshan is your son,” she said, obviously shaken. “I do not expect you to punish him by giving him a death sentence.”

The sheik stood and began to pace, his robes fanning out around his sandaled feet. The air hung heavy with uncertainty.

Finally, he stopped pacing and returned to where they sat. “There is no doubt what must be done. Quadim and the others involved in this will be imprisoned. At the very least, my son will be forced into exile. He will receive no more money, and to his family, from this night forward, he will be dead.”

“Sheik Khalid,” Sage began.

He fixed his attention on her. “You must not interfere in this. Roshan has broken our laws. He is fortunate that he will continue to live.” The sheik turned to Kiron, who stood at the far end of the room with his hands clasped in front of him. “Bring my son and Quadim, and also Yousef.” Roshan’s cousin and his other bodyguard.

“We don’t know if Yousef is involved,” Jake said, though Quadim clearly was, since his voice was on the recording.

“I will discover the truth.”

No one spoke as Kiron left to collect the men, nor while he was gone.

He returned a few minutes later. “Quadim and Yousef are gone, Your Highness.”

“Gone?”

“Their rooms are empty. Their beds have not been slept in.”

So Quadim and Yousef were both in the wind. No doubt now the other bodyguard was involved.

The sheik’s features hardened. “And my son?”

Kiron stepped out of the way and Roshan walked into the living room. He was fully dressed in his robe and headdress, obviously waiting for news. The moment he saw Tariq sprawled on the sofa, his handsome face went pale.

“Join us, my son.”

He hesitated only a moment, then started forward, stopping in front of his father. Though he tried to mask his expression, a muscle ticked in his cheek. His features were set in defiance, but his hands were shaking.

“According to our friends, you and your cousin have been busy this night.” Khalid turned, pointed at Tariq. “As you can see, all did not go as planned.”

Roshan drilled Jake with a glare. “I do not know what lies these people have told you, but—”

“Do not compound your shame by trying to place blame where it does not belong. The least you can do is have the courage to admit what you have done.”

“I admit nothing.”

“Then we will see what Tariq has to say when he awakens from his slumber.” He turned to Jake. “How much longer?”

“Shouldn’t be too long now.”

As if on cue, Tariq began to mumble and stir. Kiron was joined by Kamal, the sheik’s other bodyguard, and both men stood over Tariq as he awakened.

“Where is your cousin Quadim?” the sheik asked Roshan mildly.

His son blinked. “I assume he is in his room.”

“I am afraid Quadim and Yousef are missing. That leaves you to deal with this situation on your own. Is there anything you wish to say?”

Roshan was breathing too fast, his eyes darting around the room, his composure slipping badly. He swallowed, wet his lips. “It…it was all Quadim’s idea. He told me it would be easy.”

Beneath his beard, the sheik’s lips thinned. “How many times have you done this?”

Roshan flicked a glance toward Tariq. “It started with the first purchase Marine Drilling made of used pipe. This was the third shipment. It…it was to be our last.”

“How did you get the drugs?”

Roshan wet his lips. “They came from Afghanistan into Port Ras Tanura. That was where the pipe was being loaded before it was shipped to Houston.”

“Who else was involved in this?”

“No one. There were only the four of us.”

For several long moments, the sheik said nothing. “Why?” he finally asked, his eyes full of sadness. “Tell me why you have done this thing?”

Roshan looked at his father and his jaw hardened. “I was tired of begging you for money. I wanted money of my own. Enough that I could leave, be out from under your control.”

Resignation and regret settled in Khalid’s stern face, making him look years older. “Both of my children wish to be free of me. A’lia has run away and my son has committed a heinous crime. The shame is mine to bear as much as my children.”

Sage stood and faced him. “Your daughter has not shamed you, Sheik Khalid. She has contacted me. She wishes to see you. She seeks your understanding, your approval. She loves you. She does not wish you to lose the love you feel for her in return.”

The sheik stiffened. “I cannot think of A’lia now. First I must deal with my son. Until this matter is resolved, I ask that you say nothing of this to anyone.”

“Of course not,” Sage said.

He turned to Jake, stuffed the drugs back into the canvas bag and handed it over. “Please give this to the authorities.”

“I’ll see that they get it.”

Both Jake and Sage made polite farewells to the sheik. Neither of them spoke as they crossed the room, but the fear Jake saw on Tariq’s dark face as his eyes followed them to the door said the situation would be dealt with as harshly as the sheik had promised.

Twenty-Seven

Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains into the bedroom where Jake lay next to Sage in her king-size bed. She’d fallen asleep in the Jeep on the way home last night. In her apartment, while he’d been in the shower, she had undressed, then fallen asleep on top of the covers.

He’d tucked her into bed and joined her there, drawn her into his arms and let her sleep curled against him for the short remainder of the night.

She was exhausted, he knew. Worry and uncertainty did that to a person. She was out of her element in all this, finding her way through murky, unknown territory, though she was handling the situation far better than most people would.

As he lay on his side, Sage’s head tucked beneath his chin, Jake thought of last night, recalling the instant he had walked through Trace’s back door and seen the worry on Sage’s beautiful face, the tears in her eyes as she threw herself into his arms.

He remembered the powerful surge of emotion he had felt, the feeling of rightness, the bone-deep knowledge that this was his woman, the one he hadn’t realized he had been waiting for all his life.

Sage belonged to him.

The problem was what to do about it.

He listened to her deep, even breathing, and asked himself if he was willing to give up the life he had been living for more than a decade, the excitement he always felt when he started over somewhere new, the adrenaline rush of an unknown mission.

Was he willing to make those kinds of changes for Sage?

The truth was he had been moving in that direction even before he’d met her. He’d been sending down roots here in Houston, making friends, allowing himself to feel things, experience life in a way his work wouldn’t allow before. Like joining the Big Brother program. Like spending time with Felix Porter and his family.

There were people he cared about in Houston, people who cared about him. A wife and family wouldn’t be the burden he’d once believed. They would be his joy.

Sage would be his joy.

He waited for the punch in the gut, the voice in his head that warned, Time to hit the road, buddy. Get the hell out before it’s too late. But the punch never came. Maybe he was finally ready to settle down, to explore a different side of himself than the tough, go-it-alone guy he’d been since his father had died.

He thought of that day and a sharp pang centered in his chest. He’d been a senior in high school, and his father’s death had hit him hard. He remembered his mother’s grief and how he had worked the farm every extra minute, dawn to dark, to help her.

He thought of his stepfather, the man his mother had finally married. Jake had left the farm so she would have a chance to be happy again. He thought of how he had joined the marines hoping to make a place for himself in the world.

And it had been. He was good at his job. One of the best. His kind of talent was always needed somewhere. But that existence was lonely. He had come to a point where he wanted more.

Unconsciously, he smoothed a hand over Sage’s heavy, dark hair. Trouble was he wasn’t sure what Sage wanted. He knew she cared about him. She had made that clear last night. Did she love him? And even if she did, would she want a hard man like him in her life?

Because the raw truth was, no matter how much he changed, he’d still be the same man. The work he did involved a certain amount of risk. Though he could choose assignments that involved less danger, there were times he’d be needed, and he knew he would go. He was who he was. Sage would have to accept that, be willing to accept him and the kind of life he lived.

She stirred beside him, but didn’t awaken. They’d had almost no sleep last night. He gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. So beautiful, he thought, and felt himself harden. He’d wanted her last night, but she was so damned tired he was worried about her. He wanted her now, but she needed to sleep and regain her strength.

There were still problems ahead for her. She’d promised to call A’lia this morning, and though the girl’s father hadn’t agreed to a meeting, Jake figured in time he would.

And the guy who had blown up Linc’s SUV was still out there. Still a threat to her. The police were making some headway—Jake didn’t know how much. So far Sol had come up with squat on Jonathan Hunter and Charles Denton, Sage’s competition for the upcoming MDI president’s job. Jake wanted the kid to dig deeper, take another hard look.

He needed to get up and get moving. Instead, he drew Sage a little closer, ignored his raging hard-on and let her drift deeper into sleep.

* * *

Yawning behind her hand, Sage sat up in bed. A brilliant sun shone through a crack in the bedroom curtains. The place beside her on the mattress was empty, Jake no longer there. When she looked at the clock, she saw it was almost noon.

She took a deep breath and swung her feet to the side of the bed. Dammit, she should have been up hours ago. But Jake had let her sleep, and she couldn’t help being grateful. She felt more herself than she had in days.

She hurried to shower and dress, choosing a pair of khaki slacks and a pretty apricot blouse edged with lace. She had promised to phone A’lia, and though the sheik hadn’t agreed to see her, Sage’s decision about helping his daughter had been made.

She couldn’t ignore that A’lia was trying to carve out a life under very difficult circumstances. Sage had to do all she could to help.

The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee drew her into the kitchen. Jake poured her a cup as she walked through the door, his blue eyes running over her as she took a bracing sip.

She smiled at him, a hum of pleasure coming from her throat. “I really needed this.”

“You feeling better?”

He looked refreshed this morning, clean-shaven, with his short, dark hair neatly combed. He was wearing faded blue jeans and low-topped leather work boots, and a fresh, light blue T-shirt stretched over his massive chest.

“I’m rested, thanks to you.”

His mouth curved into a sexy smile. “If I’d had my way, you’d have slept a little less but felt even better.”

Sage laughed. “Maybe we’ll have time for a, um, nap this afternoon.”

His smile widened. “Sounds good to me.”

“In the meantime, I’ve got to call A’lia.”

Jake took a sip of his coffee. “You gonna to tell her about Roshan?”

“Definitely not. That’s family business. I’ll leave that to her father.”

Jake nodded in approval. “I’m starving. How about an omelet and bacon? Maybe a couple slices of toast? I’m not a great cook but I can put that much together.”

“That’d be great. I’ll be back when I’m finished.”

Smiling, she left him in the kitchen, thinking what a rare man he was and how much her life had changed since she’d met him. Sitting down at her desk, she picked up the phone and punched in Rina’s cell number, hoping to reach her friend in her Uptown apartment.

Rina picked up on the second ring. “Hey, girlfriend. I’m glad you called. I told A’lia you would. I said you always keep your word.”

“Late night or I would have called earlier. Is she there?”

“She’s here. She’s chewed off half her nails waiting for the phone to ring. I’ll get her.”

A few seconds later A’lia’s soft voice came over the line. “Hello?”

“Good morning, A’lia.”

“Good morning, Sage.”

“I called to tell you I spoke to your father last night.”

“You did?”

“Yes, I did. I told him I’d been in touch with you. I told him you wanted to talk to him, try to explain everything that’s happened. I told him you loved him and didn’t want to lose that love.”

A’lia started crying. “What…what did he say?”

Sage paused a moment, trying to find the right thing to say without mentioning A’lia’s half brother. “Your father has a lot on his plate right now.”

“His plate? I do not understand.”

Sage rolled her eyes at the bad choice of words. “What I mean is he’s got some things he needs to take care of. I think…once everything gets back to normal, he’ll want to see you.”

“He hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. He just… I’ll give him tomorrow, then call him on Monday. If he agrees, we’ll go see him together. I’ll do what I can to help you convince him to give you his permission to go to school in this country.”

“Do you…do you think he will?”

“I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m fairly sure I can arrange a meeting.”

“Thank you,” A’lia said softly, and Sage could hear the tears in her voice.

Rina came back on the line. “You spoke to the sheik last night?”

“Yes, in regard to a different matter.”

“What was it?”

“Something that didn’t involve A’lia.”

“You’re being evasive,” Rina said.

“That’s correct,” Sage said, hoping her friend would understand her tone and not say too much in front of the girl. She couldn’t tell anyone about Roshan. She had given the sheik her word.

“I need your help with this, Rina. I need a few more days. I’ll explain everything as soon as I can.”

“Okay, no problem. Do what you have to and don’t worry—I’ll take care of things on this end.”

Relief flowed through her. “I really appreciate what you’re doing for A’lia.”

“She’s a good kid. Unfortunately, Ryan’s coming home Sunday night. He’s going to expect me to be at the apartment when he gets there. A’lia can stay here, but I hate leaving her alone.”

“I’ll do my best to speed things up. As soon as I have something to tell you, I’ll call.”

“Take care of yourself,” Rina said.

Sage thought of the man cooking breakfast for her in the kitchen. “Jake’s here. I’ll be okay.” And it was true. He always seemed to be there when she needed him. She tried not to think what it would be like once all of this was over and he was gone.

She ended the call and wandered back into the kitchen, her stomach rumbling at the savory breakfast smells.

“I put her off a few more days,” she announced, pouring herself more coffee, then refilling Jake’s cup.

Rounding the breakfast bar, he set two steaming plates on the table, each holding a cheese omelet, bacon, and buttered toast. Her mouth watering, Sage seated herself in front of one, while Jake sat down across from her.

“What do we have to do next?” she asked, forking in a mouthful of eggs. She gave little moan of pleasure, the omelet was so delicious.

“I’ve been thinking about that. It’s the weekend. I doubt we’ll hear from the sheik before Monday. We need to turn that last bag of heroin over to the DEA, but aside from that there’s not much else we can do before the first of the week. How about we take the rest of today and tomorrow and just wind down?”

Some of the stress she’d been feeling eased from between her shoulders. “I need to check on my grandfather sometime this weekend, but aside from that, winding down sounds great. I think we deserve it.”

“After last night, I think so, too.”

They smiled at each other, then dug in to their food. Jake finished first, but waited politely for her to finish her last crispy piece of bacon.

“I haven’t been to the gym since all this started,” Sage said. “Maybe after we run your errand, we could go downstairs and work out for an hour or two.”

He rolled his powerful shoulders. “I could use a good workout.” His blue eyes gleamed. “Afterward, maybe we can shower, then take that nap.”

Oh, yes. She felt hot just thinking about it. Showering with Jake, then another steamy round of sex before they fell asleep. “Sounds perfect.”

They finished their late breakfast and cleaned up the dishes. Jake phoned Agent Haskins, his DEA connection, and set up a meeting at the Atlas Security office to hand over the bag of heroin they had taken in last night’s raid.

“You’re gonna come up one bag short,” Jake explained to the agent over the phone. “I needed to borrow it for a couple of hours. It’s all yours now.”

Haskins said something Sage couldn’t hear.

“You don’t want to know,” Jake replied. Then he added, “All right. I’ll meet you at my office in twenty minutes.” He ended the call and shoved his iPhone back in his pocket. He looked over at Sage. “I figured the sooner we left, the sooner we’d get back.”

Sage gave a fake yawn behind her hand. “I’m feeling sleepy already.”

Jake laughed and they headed for the door.

* * *

Unfortunately, the phone rang as they stepped out into the corridor. Jake held the door for Sage, who hurried back inside, ran to the kitchen and grabbed the receiver off the wall.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness.” She flicked Jake a glance as he followed her back into the kitchen. “I see.” Features suddenly tense, she started nodding. “Yes, I understand. I’ll speak to her. I’m sure she’ll be happy to meet you whenever you wish.”

The sheik said something more.

“All right, I’ll check with her and call you back.”

She hung up the phone and took a deep breath. “The sheik’s personal jet has left the country. Roshan and Tariq are aboard—on their way back to Saudi Arabia, thank God. The sheik, his cousin Yasar, Zahra, and the sheik’s two bodyguards are still here in Houston. He says he can’t go home until he speaks to his daughter.”

“That’s good, I guess. You can be sure Roshan and Tariq will get what they deserve. I just wish Quadim and Yousef were on that plane.”

“I need to set up a meeting between the sheik and A’lia. I think a neutral place would be best. Maybe tomorrow they could both come here.”

Jake’s smile was wry. “There goes our chance to wind down.”

“I know, but—”

“But you’ve got a job to do. You have to do what it takes to get it done. Believe me, I understand.”

Sage seemed relieved. She made a call to A’lia, got her okay, then phoned the sheik to suggest the meeting be held at her apartment. Then she hung up the phone and heaved a long, slow sigh. “They’re meeting here tomorrow at eleven.”

“So everything’s set.”

“Looks like. I’m hoping Khalid will stay a couple more days. We’re really close to making our deal.”

She walked over and locked her arms around Jake’s neck. “You and I may not have tomorrow, but once we get back, at least we’ll have the rest of today.”

He kissed her lightly, thought of the nap she’d mentioned, thought of making love to her, and his body tightened. He ignored the hunger and urged her out the front door, heading once more for his office and his rendezvous with Richard Haskins.

Twenty-Eight

They didn’t talk much on the ride to Atlas Security. It was Saturday and the office was closed. As Jake pulled into the parking lot in front of the building, he spotted Rick Haskins behind the wheel of a nondescript brown Chevy. The agent, mid-forties, medium brown hair, features deeply tanned, wore the same all-business expression he usually did.

Haskins was a damn good agent, Jake had discovered, when they’d worked together with Johnnie Riggs after a mission to Belize.

The DEA agent got out of his car at the same time Jake and Sage exited the Jeep. Jake walked toward him and they shook hands.

“Sage, meet Special Agent Richard Haskins. Rick, this is Sage Dumont.”

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Dumont,” he said, though clearly he knew who she was. The drugs had arrived in a load of pipe purchased by Marine Drilling. By now Rick knew Sage was in charge of acquisitions and distribution, a vice president in the company. He would also know everything there was to know about her personal life and her powerful, wealthy family.

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” she said.

“This is all yours.” Jake slid the strap off his shoulder and passed the canvas bag to Rick, who unzipped the bag, took a quick look at the drugs, and pulled the zipper closed. Unlocking the trunk of his car, he tossed the bag in and slammed the lid, relieving Jake of at least one problem.

“Anything else you want to tell me about all this?”

Jake thought of Roshan and the sheik, and his responsibility to Sage and her grandfather. “Not at the moment. You’ve got the bad guys in custody. You’ve probably got them singing like birds. Anything new you want to tell us?”

Haskins’s mouth curved faintly. “Not at the moment.”

Jake just smiled.

“If nothing else comes up, our deal’s still on and you’re out of this,” Haskins said. “But until we nail things down, don’t stray too far.”

“Not a problem,” Jake said.

Haskins flicked Sage a glance. “That goes for you, too, Ms. Dumont.”

“I’ve got a job here in Houston, Agent Haskins. I’m not going anywhere.”

The agent nodded. Jake watched as he climbed into his car, cranked the engine and drove away.

“You didn’t tell him about Quadim and Yousef.”

“Not yet. Unless you want the DEA descending like a horde on the sheik and his family, we wait until Khalid and his relatives are on a plane headed for home. Besides, we don’t even know the two missing men’s last names. Soon as we have more information, I’ll let Rick know.”

“With all the trouble Khalid’s been having, he may leave before our deal is closed.”

“Maybe.”

“You think he’ll give A’lia permission to stay?”

“I don’t know. She’s embarrassed him, caused him to lose face with his family. But then, so has Roshan. Hard to tell what he’ll do.”

“She might be in danger if he denies her. Yousef and Quadim are still here. They might decide to punish her themselves.”

“You’re right, anything could happen. Let’s hope the sheik loves her enough to forgive her.”

But Jake wasn’t all that sure he would. Saudi rules were strict. A’lia had broken more than one. Only time and tomorrow’s meeting would bring an answer.

* * *

Still standing in the parking lot in front of the office, Jake glanced toward the door. “I need to go in for a few minutes. There’s a couple of things I need to check.”

Sage let him guide her to the front door, then waited while he used his key to get in. She was walking next to him, heading for his desk, when a noise in the back room caught her attention and a thin black youth came out of the room and walked toward them.

“Nobody in here but me,” he said. He was in his late teens, tall and thin, his eyes as dark as his skin. She noticed he was carrying a broom. A faint sheen of perspiration covered his forehead.

“Bo,” Jake said. “Trace told me you took the job. I’m glad to hear it. How’s it going?”

“Good. Trace is teaching me some stuff. Thanks for, um, helping me out.”

“You’re helping yourself out, Bo. That’s what you need to remember.”

The young man smiled. There was a hint of pride in it. “Yeah, I guess I am. Thanks, anyway.” He disappeared back into the rear of the building and Sage heard the swish of a broom across the floor.

“Looks like it might work out for Bo,” she said, knowing he was the teenage boy Jake had mentioned.

Jake nodded. “So far so good.” Sitting down at his desk, he started sorting through the stack of messages Annie had left him. Sage settled in the chair beside him, watching him prioritize the notes, toss a couple in the trash, then make a few calls.

About five minutes had passed when the bell above the door rang and Alex Justice strolled into the office. Dressed in chinos and a yellow polo shirt, his blond hair neatly trimmed and gleaming, he looked GQ gorgeous as always.

Sage thought of Rina. Too bad her friend had her mind made up against him. Sage liked Alex. On top of that, he was a really good-looking guy.

“So how’d it go with the sheik last night?” he asked, tossing his briefcase on his desk, then walking over to join them.

“Roshan and Tariq are on a plane back to Saudi Arabia. The sheik is taking care of their punishment personally. They weren’t happy, to say the least.”

“Yeah, I can imagine.”

“Unfortunately, Yousef and Quadim are in the wind.”

Alex’s brow creased in a frown. “Not good news.”

“That’s for sure. I met with Haskins, gave him the last kilo of drugs.”

“Deal still in place? Everything still okay?”

“Long as nothing new comes up, we’re good to go. So what brings you in today?”

“Divorce case. I started out feeling sorry for the wife of the cheating husband. Looks like the guy’s a straight shooter, so now I’m feeling sorry for the husband with the crazy jealous wife.”

Jake chuckled. “Just part of the job.”

“I guess.”

The bell rang again and Sage looked up to see a young man with brown hair and black horn-rimmed glasses walk in. He waved at Jake and Alex and disappeared inside his glass-enclosed office, seating himself behind the desk.

“It’s Grand Central Station in here today,” Alex said.

Jake stood up from his chair, gave Sage a look. “That’s Sol Greenway, Trace’s computer guy. I need to talk to him. I’ll be right back.” He left the desk and walked into the young man’s office. Through the windows, Sage could see them talking, see the young man nodding. A few minutes later, Jake returned to his desk.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Nothing much. Just a little side project I’ve got him working on.”

With Jake, there was no way to know what that was unless he decided to tell her, which he seemed disinclined to do.

“I’m finished,” he said. “You ready to go on home?” His gaze slid over her, the heat in those incredible blue eyes impossible to miss.

“I need to check on Ian, but I think I’ll call him first, find a good time to drop by.” She gave Jake a sassy smile. “Maybe we should do that workout after our nap.”

Jake grinned. “Yeah, if we have the strength.”

Sage laughed as he waved goodbye to Alex and urged her toward the door.

* * *

Jake was thinking of a lazy afternoon in bed with Sage, then a good solid workout in the downstairs gym. Afterward, they’d take a long hot shower together, then maybe another “nap.” Anticipation had his arousal stirring as she walked beside him into her building.

“I might as well get my mail before we go up,” she said, pausing in front of a row of brass boxes.

He nodded, allowed himself the pleasure of watching the graceful way she moved, which he found sexy as hell. He liked her hands with their long slim fingers, and pretty manicured nails done in a soft peach shade. He liked it when she raked them down his back while he was inside her. Heat flowed through him. It wouldn’t be long until he had her upstairs and they were making love.

He waited as she unlocked the box and pulled out the day’s mail. A couple of bills and a grocery store flyer. A stack of charities wanting money. One envelope seemed to catch her eye. She turned it over a couple times, then started tearing it open.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. There’s no return address.” She drew out the neatly folded piece of white paper, opened it, took one look, and her face went pale. “Oh, my God.”

Jake plucked the sheet from her trembling hand. It was a note made of words cut out of newspapers and magazines, pasted onto the page.

I tried to warn you. You and your company are traitors to this country. The sheik is next and this time it won’t be a warning. He’ll be dead.

Sonofabitch.

“Oh, my God,” Sage said again.

“We need to call the police,” Jake said. “Let Brady and Vasquez know. Maybe the guy left fingerprints or maybe he licked the envelope and left some DNA.” Though he doubted it. So far whoever it was had been extremely careful.

“I hate this,” Sage said.

Carefully refolding the note, touching it as little as possible, Jake slipped it back into the envelope. “Stick that in your purse and try not to handle it any more than you have to. We’ll call the cops as soon as we get upstairs.”

Damn, he’d been afraid the guy would try something else. Whoever it was wanted the negotiations ended, and wasn’t ready to quit. As a follow-up to the bombing, the note wasn’t a bad idea. Sage would have to tell the sheik, and with Roshan and A’lia both giving their father fits, this time Khalid would likely head for home.

Her deal would be dead, but at least the sheik would be alive.

“I need to call Sheik Khalid,” Sage said, “tell him about the note.”

Jake nodded. “As soon as we talk to the police.”

As he walked into the apartment, Jake used his cell to phone HPD. Since neither Brady nor Vasquez worked on Saturday, he explained to the cop on the desk what had happened, and a few minutes later Brady called him back.

“Did y’all touch the note?” he asked in his thick Texas drawl.

“It was mailed. Sage opened it. We tried to be careful. Maybe you can get some prints or some DNA.”

“My partner’s off for the weekend. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

Forty minutes later, Detective Jed Brady walked into the apartment wearing loose-fitting jeans and a T-shirt that covered the slight paunch above his belt buckle—weekend clothes instead of his usual suit.

Sage explained how she’d found the note in her mailbox, and Jake handed it over.

“We’ll see if the crime lab boys can find somethin’. Maybe this time we’ll get lucky.”

“I hope so,” Sage said.

“Anything new turn up lately?” Jake asked.

Brady recapped what they had found so far, stuff Jake and Sage already knew, the usual routine bullshit meant to placate a victim. But the truth was the police were no closer to catching the bomber than they’d been before.

“I need to call Sheik Khalid,” Sage said, “tell him about this new threat.”

“I’ll handle it,” Brady told her. “I’ve got a couple of questions I’d like to ask him. This’ll give me an excuse to see him.”

“I think I should go with you.”

The detective shook his head. “Sorry, ma’am, not this time.” He gave her a conciliatory smile. “I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

Sage didn’t look pleased.

“Probably better this way,” Jake said. “Keeps you out of it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

As soon as the detective was gone, Jake pulled his cell out and phoned Sol Greenway at the office.

“You had time to find anything?”

“I may have. I took your suggestions and looked in a couple of new directions.”

“What’d you come up with?”

“Jonathan Hunter’s a gambler. I’d noticed he traveled a lot, but I figured it was just business. This time when I looked at his airline ticket purchases, I saw he made quarterly trips to Vegas. He’s a member of Grazie. That’s the Venetian players club. I didn’t find any indication he was in financial trouble, but their records show he gets first-class treatment. That says he gambles big-time.”

“And undoubtedly loses plenty. Expensive hobby.”

“For sure.”

And a man with the gambling monkey on his back could use the raise that came with the promotion to president. Was it enough to hire a bomber to make sure Sage’s negotiations failed?

“Anything else?” Jake asked.

“I’m not sure. I took another look at Charles Denton. Didn’t find anything new on him, so I checked out his wife. Her maiden name was Shirley Tubbs. She came from a poor family, was raised in a small town south of Houston. From the articles I found in the papers, it looks like she managed to claw her way up the social ladder and finally married Denton. He isn’t really wealthy, but his family is Houston aristocracy. I looked at Shirley’s credit card charges. She spends money like a sailor on leave. She does a lot of charity benefits and seems to thrive on getting space in the society column of the paper.”

“Interesting. Maybe she’s pressing good ol’ Charlie to get that promotion. More money and definitely more prestige.”

“Could be.”

“Thanks, kid. I owe you.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Yeah, right.” Like hell. Hacking into private information was definitely not what Trace paid him to do. Well, most of the time.

Jake clicked off the phone. The police might not have anything new, but two new leads had just turned up.

He intended to follow them wherever they led.

Twenty-Nine

Sage waited until Jake shoved his cell phone back in the pocket of his jeans.

“You were talking to Sol, right? The computer kid?”

“That’s right.”

“Did the ‘good ol’ Charlie’ you mentioned happen to be Charles Denton?”

His features tightened. “Matter of fact it did.”

“What about Jonathan Hunter? Were you digging up information on him, too?”

“Your grandfather hired me to do a job, Sage. That job is to protect you. I need to figure out who set that bomb and sent that note. Both Denton and Hunter have motives to destroy your negotiations. Denton’s wife is a social climber who spends money like it’s going out of style. He might want the job to satisfy her need for social status. Hunter’s a gambler. The promotion to president would mean a lot more money he could use to feed his habit.”

“I don’t believe their personal lives have anything to do with this.”

“But you aren’t completely sure, are you? You can’t say for certain one of these men wasn’t involved. Until we can totally eliminate them from suspicion, I’m going to keep digging.”

Sage shook her head. “That isn’t going to happen, Jake. I’m not going to stand by and let you dig up dirt on people I’ve known for years—people I work with every day.”

“You can’t stop me, Sage.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “Oh, no? I’ll call my grandfather. I’ll tell him what you’ve been doing and he’ll fire you. Is that what you want?”

Jake strode toward her, towered above her. “You think I’m doing this just because it’s my job?”

She gasped when he reached for her, pulled her into his arms. His mouth came down hard, in an angry, burning kiss that told her how much she meant to him, how much he cared.

“I want you safe,” he whispered, kissing the side of her neck. “Let me do my job.” And then he kissed her again and she was lost. Helplessly, her arms went around his neck; she went up on her toes and kissed him back. His tongue swept into her mouth, tangled with hers, and heat and need poured through her.

She had never met a man who could make her feel so womanly, so hungry. So needy. Jake kissed her until she was hot and wet and close to begging him to take her.

“Jake…” she whimpered, wondering if he could hear the plea in her voice.

Triumph gleamed in his eyes as he kissed her again, then lifted her and carried her into the bedroom. They were naked within minutes, Jake above her, kissing her breasts, Sage arching beneath him, feeling the raw power of him, desperate to feel him inside her.

“Jake…please…”

“Soon,” he whispered, taking his time, nipping and tasting, making her hot all over. Another drugging kiss and he eased himself inside. He felt big and hard and he filled her completely. Digging her fingers into the knotted muscles across his shoulders, she arched up in silent entreaty. The instant he started to move, she climaxed, her body trembling, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. A soft moan escaped. Dear God, she had never known anything so glorious, so incredibly sweet.

His strokes quickened, grew deeper, harder, and she came again. Deep, saturating pleasure rushed through her, hot and fierce and consuming. Jake came a few seconds later, his powerful body tightening, muscles going rigid, head thrown back.

For long seconds neither of them moved. She could feel his heart, beating in rhythm with her own. Jake kissed her softly one last time, then lifted himself away and lay beside her, curled her against his chest.

He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “I need you safe, Sage. If neither of those men is involved, no one will ever know anything about them. You can trust me on that.”

She trusted him. More than any man she had ever known. And she loved him. Dear God, she loved him, and it was going to hurt so badly when it was over between them.

She tried not to think of it, but thoughts of a life without him tormented her, and it took a while to fall asleep.

The buzzing of the intercom announcing the arrival of a visitor that awakened her. Sage tossed back the covers and leaped out of bed, hoping some new catastrophe wouldn’t be waiting for her when she walked into the living room.

* * *

Jake had just finished his shower and pulled on jeans and a fresh T-shirt when he heard the intercom buzz.

He swore a silent oath at the news from the lobby desk that Ian Dumont was on his way up. No time to worry about his bare feet and damp hair. He blew out a resigned breath. At least Ian knew he was staying there. Jake wasn’t sure he knew what else was going on.

Crossing to the entry, he pulled open the door, inviting the slender, silver-haired man into the apartment. His bodyguard walked in behind him, a beefy guy named Hamilton Pierce that Jake had met and knew to be good at his job.

Ham nodded a greeting. Jake nodded back.

Ian walked toward him. “Jake.” Those golden eyes so much like Sage’s roamed over him, missing nothing, Jake was sure.

“It’s good to see you, sir.” Though the timing could surely have been better, since he’d just climbed out of bed with the man’s granddaughter. “Sage has been worried about you. She was hoping to see you sometime this weekend, make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine. Where is she?”

“I’m right here, Grandfather.” Sage sailed into the room, a smile pasted on her face. With no time to prepare, she’d pulled on the same khaki slacks and orange top she’d been wearing, and dragged a brush through her hair. Her cheeks were rosy from sleep and making love. She looked like a woman well tumbled.

Under different circumstances, Jake might have smiled.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she said, leaning over to kiss her grandfather’s cheek. “A couple of things have come up.”

For an instant, Ian’s glance flicked to Jake and one of his silver eyebrows lifted. “Is that so?”

There was a hint of something in his voice that made Jake want to squirm. He wished he could tell what the old man was thinking, but Ian Dumont was too shrewd to be easily read.

Ian kept his attention on Jake. “I see you’re still taking care of my granddaughter.”

Jake felt the heat at the back of his neck. He prayed his face wouldn’t flush. “Yes, sir.”

“It’s a good thing Jake’s here,” Sage said a little too brightly. “This afternoon I got a note in the mail from the bomber. He made a threat against Sheik Khalid.”

“The police left just a little while ago,” Jake added.

“Against Khalid and not you?” Ian asked Sage.

“It was generally threatening, but no. It was definitely against the sheik. The police are informing him.”

“That doesn’t bode well for your deal.”

“I know.”

“At least the bastard isn’t focused on you.”

Sage looked up at him. “I’m really sorry this happened, Grandfather.”

Ian’s expression didn’t change. “It was hardly your fault. Whatever happens, you’ve done the best you could.”

Sage’s face fell at his words. “I haven’t given up yet. I’ve got a meeting with the sheik and his daughter tomorrow morning. I don’t think he’ll leave before he sees her.”

“Then maybe there’s hope.”

“Yes…”

But Jake could tell she was thinking about A’lia and the promise she had made to speak to the sheik on her behalf. If the deal had any chance at all of coming together, it would be over if Sage went against Khalid’s wishes.

Assuming he remained in the country after his talk with the police. Then again, he’d have to wait for his jet to get back and refuel, and it was a damned long flight to Saudi Arabia, more than fourteen hours, as he recalled.

Sage was still talking to her grandfather. “The afternoon is pretty much gone,” she said. “Why don’t you stay for supper? We can call for takeout from the China Palace. You know how much you like Chinese.”

Ian cast Jake a sidelong glance, then turned back to Sage. “Not tonight, dear heart. Maybe another time. Let me know what happens after your meeting tomorrow.”

“Of course.”

They chatted amiably as Sage walked him to the door, but Jake could sense her nervousness. She didn’t release an easy breath until her grandfather was gone. She was worried about the deal falling through, and Jake thought maybe she was also worried that Ian might know they were sleeping together.

The old man was no fool. Jake figured he knew damned well what was going on. It didn’t change a thing, as far as Jake was concerned. He wasn’t ready to give Sage up, and was fairly sure he never would be.

But that would be up to her.

Meanwhile, he would give her some space, let her come to grips with her demons.

For the next few hours, he worked at the computer in her study. Sol’s information had stirred up some new ideas he wanted to explore.

Whatever happened, they still had a bomber to catch.

* * *

Early the following morning, Sage dressed in her exercise tights and a cropped T-shirt and headed for the gym. She needed to relieve some stress before her meeting with the sheik, and a good hard workout usually helped.

Jake went with her. He was still her bodyguard, which her grandfather’s untimely visit had reminded her. He was also used to physical exercise, and the hours they spent in bed, delicious as they were, weren’t nearly enough for a man like Jake.

The gym was in the basement, so there weren’t any windows. Jake unclipped his holster and laid it on a table against the wall. With the door locked behind them, they both went to work. For the first hour, Sage used the weight machines while Jake lifted heavy barbells.

In between sets, Sage allowed herself to watch him, to appreciate the way the powerful muscles in his chest and shoulders stretched the seams of his clean white T-shirt to the point of bursting. As he lay on a padded bench, pressing nearly three hundred pounds, Jake’s muscles strained, rippling the sinews in his thighs and calves.

God, he was a beautiful specimen of man.

Just not the man for her. It was a thought that nagged her morning and night, a thought that made her heart clench whenever she looked at him. No matter her feelings for Jake, she was going to have to give him up. Her grandfather’s visit had reminded her of that.

Ian Dumont had rescued her, been there for her when she’d needed him most. When her mother had fallen ill, it was Ian who had paid Maryann Dumont’s enormous hospital bills, Ian who had seen that she received the finest medical care.

He couldn’t save her mother from the vicious cancer that finally took her life, but during those agonizing days of pain and loss, he was there to give Sage comfort and make her feel safe. Through the worst days of her life, her grandfather had loved her. That love had given her the strength to go on, to become the strong woman she was today.

She owed him for everything she was. Everything she intended to become in the future. Marrying the right man was crucial to that goal. She needed someone who fit in, someone who would understand her drive and ambition. Someone her grandfather approved of.

She thought of Jake, and felt a soft pang in her heart. Marrying for love simply wasn’t part of the bargain she had struck with herself when she’d accepted Ian’s support and guidance over the years.

As she finished on the rowing machine, Sage took a calming breath. Today was not a day to think of the past or the future. Instead, she needed to prepare herself for her all-important meeting with the sheik. And that meant relieving as much stress as she could before his arrival.

With that in mind, she spent the next hour walking at a fast pace on the treadmill, while Jake jogged on the machine beside her. As the hour came to a close, she felt better, tired but more able to focus.

They left the gym and returned upstairs. There was time only for a quick shower and a hurried bite to eat before the sheik and A’lia were due. Still, by the time Sage was finished, she was ready for whatever happened.

Or at least she hoped she was.

Thirty

The intercom buzzed. A’lia arrived at the apartment first, walking in with Rina, who gave Sage a brief hug.

���We’re a little early, but I couldn’t stand the tension any longer. I think I’m more nervous that she is.” Rina tipped her head toward the slender, achingly lovely girl with coffee-and-cream complexion and big brown eyes. A’lia was wearing traditional garb today, a pale gray silk caftan and matching head scarf that covered all but her face, hands and feet, probably the clothes she’d been wearing when she ran away.

“Thank you for doing this,” A’lia said, taking hold of Sage’s hand. “You cannot know how much your help means to me.”

“I don’t know what I can actually do. I guess we just have to wait and see what your father has to say.”

Jake walked in just then, freshly showered and shaved and looking gorgeous.

“Good morning, ladies,” he said.

“Good to see you, Jake,” Rina said.

“Good morning,” A’lia said to him softly, her eyes cast down.

Jake positioned himself by the door, legs slightly splayed as he settled into bodyguard mode. He was leaving this to Sage, and she thought how good he was at knowing when to take charge and when to back away.

She and A’lia talked quietly as Rina went into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. A few minutes later, she walked back into the room carrying the antique silver service Sage had admired in a London shop and Ian had bought for her as a birthday present. Rina set the tray down but didn’t pour anyone a cup.

The minutes ticked past. The sheik was late. A power play, Sage was sure. By then, A’lia was nearly in tears.

“He has changed his mind. He isn’t going to come.”

“He’ll be here,” Sage said, praying she was right. The intercom buzzed just then, announcing his arrival, keeping her own nerves from stretching even tighter.

Rina gave A’lia’s hand a final squeeze and stood up from the sofa. “I think it’s better if I leave you alone. I’ll be in the study watching TV.”

Sage didn’t argue. She had no idea how this was going to play out. By now the police had told the sheik about the note and the threat. She hoped to leave him and A’lia alone to work things out, but she would just have to wait and see.

When she opened the door, Khalid walked in dramatically, his white robe and headdress floating out around him, bearded chin thrust up. His two bodyguards walked in behind him and took up positions next to Jake.

“As-salam-alaikum,” Sage said, forcing herself to smile.

“Wa alaikum as-salam,” the sheik replied stiffly.

A’lia greeted him formally, bowed, took his hand and kissed the back.

The sheik turned to Sage. “If you will excuse us, there are things my daughter and I need to discuss.”

“Of course.” Glad to give them the privacy they needed, she crossed the living room and started down the hall. Jake fell in behind her, and Khalid’s bodyguards moved into the corridor outside the apartment to wait.

For the next twenty minutes, Sage had no idea what was being said. She could hardly hear their muted voices through the closed study door, and they were speaking in Arabic. As time progressed, the sheik’s voice became raised in anger.

Her heart began pounding. She looked over at Jake. “You don’t think he’ll hurt her?”

“By custom, it’s his right as her father.”

“Well, I won’t have it.” Sage shot up from her chair. “Not in my house.” Marching across the study, she jerked open the door and stormed out into the hall, glad for Jake’s comforting presence as he walked behind her. She was sure she was going to find A’lia battered and bruised, maybe even bloody. Instead she found father and daughter facing off as if set to do battle.

A’lia was crying.

The sheik’s features looked icy and grim.

“This is a private conversation,” he said darkly.

Sage took a position between them. “I won’t let you hurt her. Whatever crime you think she has committed, I won’t have it. Not in my house.”

Those fierce black eyes pinned her where she stood. “You dare to speak to me in this manner? Have you forgotten how much you have to lose?”

Sage swallowed hard. She knew exactly how much she had to lose. Everything she had worked for. All the years she’d put in. This deal meant everything.

She lifted her chin. “It doesn’t matter. Your daughter doesn’t deserve your scorn. She loves you. In forcing her to run away, you have already caused her tremendous pain.” Her voice softened. “She yearns for your approval, Your Highness, but the fact is, A’lia is different. You’ve admitted that yourself. She’s sweet and kind, and extremely smart, but she can’t grow into the woman she was meant to become if she is stifled by the customs of your country.”

A’lia’s eyes looked round as saucers. She sank down on the sofa, trembling all over, her face ashen.

“If you love her,” Sage continued, “if you want her happiness as I believe you do, you will set her free. You will be the father she adores.”

Something shifted in those hard, dark features. Something she couldn’t begin to read. “We are very close to closing our transaction,” he reminded her with soft menace. “Are you willing to risk losing everything you have worked for by incurring my wrath?”

Sage swallowed. Sheik Khalid wasn’t a man to have as an enemy. “You know that isn’t what I want. But I can’t stay silent and watch a young woman’s life be destroyed.”

Khalid said nothing for the longest time. He continued to stare into Sage’s face, looking for some sign of weakness, finding only determination. His robes billowed out as he turned to his youngest daughter.

“You may remain in this country, as you wish. I will arrange for you to stay with a relative, perhaps the cousin you spoke of in New York. I will assist you in gaining entrance to university. But I will make no decision regarding your marriage to this young man I do not know. In time, perhaps, after I discover his worth, that will change. In this, my decision is final.”

A’lia slid off the sofa onto the carpet and wrapped her arms around her father’s legs. She bowed her head in respect. “Thank you, Father. Thank you so much. I will not disappoint you. This I promise.”

He lifted her gently to her feet, eased her into his arms. “I want your happiness, my daughter. I believe these things that have been said are true, and that here you will fulfill all the promise I have seen in you. Tonight I return to Saudi Arabia, but soon arrangements will be made for me to meet this young man.”

Tears streamed down A’lia’s cheeks. “Thank you, Father.”

He turned to look at Sage. “I have spoken to the police. It is time I returned to my homeland. My plane has arrived and is being refueled and prepared for the journey. Zahra and Yasar will remain with my daughter until permanent living arrangements can be made.”

“I’ll make certain they have whatever they need.”

He made a formal bow. “I bid you farewell, Sage Dumont. Ma sa-la-ma.” The traditional goodbye.

“Ma sa-la-ma,” she replied.

Turning, he walked out the door.

Behind her, A’lia wept softly.

Thirty-One

Jake escorted Sage to the office Monday morning. After her meeting with the sheik, she had phoned her grandfather and told him Khalid was leaving.

It looked as if the deal was dead.

She’d been depressed ever since, and was quiet as Jake escorted her up the elevator to her office. She was wearing a tailored, dark green suit today, but he noticed the skirt came above her knees. Pretty legs, he thought. Nice to see them again. There were definitely some benefits to having the negotiations over.

The sheik was gone, but Jake’s job wasn’t finished until the bomber was caught.

In the meantime, now that the sheik was on his way back to Saudi Arabia, Jake needed to phone Rick Haskins and give him the names of the other two men in the drug smuggling ring that had involved Marine Drilling.

Quadim Ahmad and Yousef Al Zahrani. Their surnames he’d gotten from A’lia, who, fortunately, was too upset about seeing her father to wonder why he wanted to know.

Using the phone in the conference room, he dialed the agent’s cell number.

“Haskins,” Rick answered.

“Cantrell. You got a pencil? I’ve got some information I want to give you.”

“Jake, I’m glad you called. I need to talk to you. Both you and Ms. Dumont.”

That wasn’t good news. Jake warned himself not to jump to conclusions. “All right. How about we meet at my office?”

“I’d rather you came down here.”

More bad news. “You still out on the West Loop?”

“Still there.”

“When?”

“Now would be good.”

Jake took a deep breath. “I’ll have to check with Sage. Unless I call you back, we’ll be there in half an hour.”

“Good enough.”

Rick signed off and Jake went in to confirm the meeting with Sage.

“He wants us to come to his office?” she asked, worry creeping into her voice. “That sounds pretty official. Do you know why he wants to see us?”

“If you can get away, we’ll know in about thirty minutes.”

She didn’t waste time, just stood up from behind her desk, walked over and grabbed her purse. “All right, let’s go.”

* * *

The beige, six-story office building sat next to the freeway. Sage waited as Jake pushed open one of the double glass doors, then held it so she could make her way inside. Richard Haskins met them before they’d had time to give the front desk clerk their names.

“Come on back,” the agent said without the usual pleasantries. Turning, he led them down the hall into a small conference room. It was stark, just chrome chairs with black vinyl seats and a Formica-topped table. Two black-and-white posters of city scenes kept the walls from being completely bare.

Sage’s heart kicked up, her nerves beginning to build. The plan to intercept a group of drug smugglers had been a desperate one to begin with. A man had been killed. Jake had counted on giving the DEA credit for the bust in exchange for their protection. But would Haskins keep his word? If not, God knew what sort of trouble they could all be in.

The agent waited until she and Jake were seated.

“You want some coffee, something cold to drink?”

“We’re fine,” Jake answered for both of them. “What’s going on, Rick?”

The agent took a seat across from them. “We’ve uncovered some disturbing new information about the man killed the night of the smuggling attempt.”

“That right?”

“I’m afraid so. It took a few days to piece the facts together, but we finally ID’d the guy. His name was Gamal Ali.”

“You knew that Friday night.”

Sage remembered Jake saying it was on the man’s driver’s license.

“That’s right. But before he changed it, his name was Jarvis Peyton. Peyton was released from Huntsville prison in 2006, where he’d been serving twenty years for armed robbery and attempted murder. The interesting part is that while he was in there, he converted to Islam. For the last two years, Homeland Security has been tracking him as a possible member of a terrorist cell.”

Sage felt the color drain from her face.

“Fuck,” Jake said beneath his breath. She felt his big hand grasp hers under the table and give a reassuring squeeze.

“Go on,” he said.

“Under interrogation, one of the suspects taken into custody that night confessed this was the third shipment of drugs they’d smuggled into the country. We think a portion of the money Gamal Ali collected may have gone to finance terrorist activities.”

Sage’s heart jerked. Oh, dear God. And Quadim and Yousef were still missing.

Jake muttered another curse.

“We need any information you might have that could help us locate that cell.”

There was no choice now. They had to tell the authorities everything. Jake’s gaze went to hers. Silently she told him she understood.

“From what we know,” Jake began, “the smuggling involved a man named Roshan Al Kahzaz. He’s the eldest son of Sheik Khalid Al Kahzaz. You might have read something about the sheik’s visit to Houston in the newspapers.”

“It was headline news for a while,” Haskins said.

“Khalid came here with his family to negotiate a deal with Marine Drilling.” He looked at Sage.

“We were trying to buy a used offshore drilling platform and other miscellaneous equipment,” she explained.

“As far as we know,” Jake continued, “neither Khalid nor his immediate family had anything to do with the smuggling, which involved shipments of used pipe purchased in a smaller deal earlier in the year. But the sheik’s son Roshan, his cousin Quadim and Roshan’s two personal bodyguards were involved.”

“Where’s Roshan now?”

“He and Tariq Mohammed, one of the bodyguards, are on their way back to Saudi Arabia. According to the sheik, their punishment will be severe.”

“I don’t doubt it. Drug trafficking in the Middle East is a major offense.”

“Roshan has diplomatic immunity,” Jake said. “There wasn’t much you could do to him anyway. The problem is Quadim Ahmad and Yousef Al Zharani, the cousin and the other bodyguard, have skipped. No one knows where they’ve gone, including the sheik.”

Haskins’s features hardened. “We’ll need to talk to him.”

“Unfortunately, the sheik’s plane left for Saudi Arabia last night.”

The agent’s face turned red. He stood up from his chair and leaned over the table, his hands fisted on top. “So you’re telling me there is no way to find these two men, men we believe may be involved in a terrorist plot.”

Jake’s chair grated on the floor as he rose to his full, towering height and leaned across the table in turn. “Listen, Haskins. None of this could have been predicted. Sage did everything in her power to keep this from becoming an international incident—which I’m sure the DEA, Homeland Security and every other agency in the country would have wanted her to do. The sheik has diplomatic immunity just like his son. Even if he was still here, he wouldn’t have to talk to you.”

Resignation settled over Haskins’s face. His shoulders slumped as he sat back down in his chair and rubbed his forehead. “We’re going to need a photo ID on these two guys.”

“I can help with that,” Sage said. “We had security cameras installed out at our ranch before the sheik and his family came for a visit. I can have the digital cards delivered to you right away.”

He nodded. “Once we narrow it down, I’ll need you both to come in and ID them.”

“Glad to help,” Jake said.

“We may have more questions for the two of you.”

“I told you most of what we know Friday night. You’ve heard the rest today. We made a deal. I understand you’ve got a problem, and if there’s anything either of us think of that will help you solve it, you can believe we’ll let you know. In the meantime, I expect you to keep your word.”

“The situation is different now.”

“Not our part in it.”

Haskins just nodded. “I’ll do the best I can.”

Jake helped Sage out of her chair.

“Stay close,” Haskins warned as they started for the door.

Jake made no reply. Sage knew he wished there was something more he could do. She just hoped Special Agent Haskins and Homeland Security found the men—and the cell—before something terrible happened.

* * *

Tuesday arrived. Jake had talked to Alex, Ben and Trace about the conversation he’d had yesterday with Richard Haskins. There wasn’t much need for them to worry; he’d never mentioned their names. Still, he wished there was something they could tell the feds that would help them find that cell.

Hell, he didn’t like the idea of those bastards planning to blow up a nuclear plant or a city somewhere any more than they did. He and Sage had gone back over every conversation they’d had with the Saudis, gone over the transcripts the professor had translated, but come up with a big fat zero.

For now, Jake had to leave it alone, had to get back to doing the job he was being paid to do. And that meant protecting Sage.

Last night, when they’d gone back to her apartment, he had again used the computer in her study. While Sage did some catching up on paperwork, Jake had spent nearly two hours pursuing an idea that had been niggling at the back of his mind ever since his last conversation with Sol.

Prowling the internet, he had finally located the article in the Houston Chronicle that broke the story of the sheik’s arrival and the deal being negotiated with Marine Drilling International. The story that had set off the protests. News that was supposed to be kept secret.

Information known to only a few people in the company.

Jake wanted to know who had leaked the story.

While Sage worked at the office under the watchful eye of Ian’s bodyguard, Ham Pierce, Jake ordered a coffee to-go from the counter in the Espresso Loco a few blocks away. Carrying it outside, he seated himself at one of the wire mesh tables to wait for Susan McAllister, the reporter who had written the article.

This morning he’d phoned her and dangled a carrot she couldn’t resist—fresh news about the sheik and Sage Dumont—and the journalist had agreed to meet him. Susan wanted some juicy tidbit about Sage and her meeting with the sheik, and Jake was prepared to give it to her.

In exchange for a little information.

Leaning back in the white metal chair, he spotted his quarry walking toward him. He’d found a photo on the net showing a thirtysomething blonde with short, curly hair and stylish, tortoise-shell glasses, attractive in a business sort of way. Watching her approach, he saw that she was average in height, sexier than her picture had shown, not afraid to display a little bosom at the front of her light blue pantsuit.

Maybe she had done some research on him, as well, figured, being ex-military, he had an appetite for a sexy female. Until a few weeks ago, she would have been right.

Nowadays there was only one woman he wanted.

“Mr. Cantrell?”

“That’s right.” He stood to greet her. “Jake will do. Have a seat, Ms. McAllister.”

She ran her pretty blue eyes over him head to foot. “Call me Susan. It’s nice to meet you.”

He smiled, tried to look friendly. “Coffee?”

“I wouldn’t mind a cup, but I’d prefer a cappuccino.”

He could have guessed. He got up to fetch her one, returning shortly with a paper cup shooting steam through the hole in the lid.

She blew through the hole to cool the liquid, then took a sip as he sat across from her. “So what have you got for me?”

He kept his smile in place. He could smell her soft perfume.

“The question, Susan, is what have you got for me? I have information you should be interested in. In return, I want to know who leaked the story of the sheik’s arrival in Houston and the deal he’d come to negotiate with Marine Drilling. You had the byline on the piece. I want to know who gave you the information.”

“I don’t reveal my sources.”

“Then I guess you don’t want to know how the deal is progressing.”

She tried to look disinterested but failed. Popping the lid off the cup, she blew across the top a few times and took another sip. “I’d like to know—of course I would. Unfortunately, my ethics won’t allow me to reveal how I got that information.”

He sipped his coffee, biding his time. “All right, what if I say a couple of names, and if one of them is the man who talked to you, you take a drink of your cappuccino?”

Her gaze ran over him again. She was hungry for information, or maybe that look was a different kind of hunger. He had a hunch it was both.

She eyed him shrewdly. “And you know what’s happening with the deal? You can give me the facts?”

“As I said, I have information you’ll be interested in knowing.”

“All right, say the names.”

“Charles Denton.”

She just stared down at her cup.

“How about Jonathan Hunter?”

She took a sip of her coffee, giving him a yes, and smiled. “Tell me about the deal.”

It was hard to speak with his jaw clamped shut. Hunter. Hunter had leaked the information. The man had wanted the deal to fail. Jake remembered seeing the guy coming out of Sage’s office. He wanted to take the slick-looking bastard by the throat and shake him till his teeth fell out. Every bone in his body said Hunter had to be the guy who’d arranged the car bomb.

“The sheik has left Houston and gone back to his home in Saudi Arabia. I have no comment on whether or not the deal was made before his departure.” Jake stood up from his chair.

“That’s it? That’s all you have to tell me? I could have found that out by calling the airport. What about Sage Dumont? She was in charge of the negotiations. How does she feel about the sheik leaving? She’s up for a promotion, isn’t she? If the deal has fallen through, chances are she won’t get it, right?”

Jake smiled thinly. “No comment.” He started walking.

“Hey, wait a minute.” Susan hurried to catch up with him. “Look, maybe we could have a drink sometime, talk a little more about Jonathan.”

He turned, stared down at her. “So now it’s Jonathan? Sounds like the two of you are pretty chummy.”

“Not really. He’s married. What about that drink?”

“You know Hunter. How far is he willing to go to keep that deal from being made?”

“He wants to be president of the company. He wants it very badly. That’s all I’m willing to say.” She smiled up at him. “At least for now.” She took his arm. “So how about that drink?”

Jake just smiled. “Sorry, honey, I’m just not thirsty. Thanks for the information.”

Turning, he walked away.

Thirty-Two

Jake strode down the sidewalk, his long legs eating up the distance back to Marine Drilling, his features more and more grim. He knew he should wait, put together as much evidence as he could before he confronted Jonathan Hunter.

Instead, when he reached the executive floor, he headed straight for Hunter’s office, walked in without knocking and closed the door.

The VP smiled up at him from behind his fancy black granite desk. “Mr. Cantrell. I want to tell you how glad I am you’ve been looking out for our dear Sage.”

Jake didn’t say a word. Just strode forward, reached across the desk, grabbed hold of Hunter’s tie and hauled him forward, stretching him out across the polished surface like a landed fish. Paperweights and family photos went flying; stacks of files and notes shot into the air.

“You hired the guy who blew up Sage’s limo. I want his name.”

Hunter clawed at the tie around his neck. “I don’t…don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t…didn’t hire anyone.”

“Bullshit.” Jake dragged him to his feet on the opposite side of the desk. “Give me his name.”

Hunter’s eyes flashed with guilt and fear. If Jake had had the least doubt that the man was culpable, he didn’t now.

“I didn’t… I—I’m not…not the one.”

“No?” Fury rolled through Jake. He drew back his fist, discovered it was shaking. He was afraid if he hit the bastard, he’d kill him. “You’ve got ten seconds.”

“Sec-ur-ity!” Hunter tried to call out, but the sound came out a strangled croak.

“Six. Five. Four. Three.” Jake drew back farther. “Two—”

“It was Stanton…Stanton’s idea!”

Jake held himself back, but just barely. He loosened his grip a little so Hunter could speak. “Go on.”

“Phllip didn’t want Sage to get the president’s job. He…he was planning to marry her. He didn’t want her to outshine him.”

“She broke their engagement weeks ago. Why would he care?” Jake jerked on the tie. “Tell me the rest.”

“It…it was Stanton’s idea at first. We leak the story and…and stir things up. Enough trouble, the sheik goes back home and the deal doesn’t get done.”

“What about the bomb?”

“Let…let me go.”

Jake shoved the knot in Hunter’s tie tighter, making him choke. “Not until you tell me about the bomb.”

“All right, all right, I—I’ll tell you.”

Might as well, Jake thought. It was all over now but the shouting. He let go of Hunter’s tie, but stayed well inside the man’s comfort zone, using his size to deliver a subtle threat.

Hunter loosened his tie, breathed deeply and raked a hand through his black, slicked-back hair. “After the newspaper article broke, the place was overrun with demonstrators, and we thought Khalid would leave. When he didn’t, I just… I couldn’t let it go. I hired a guy I knew—ex-oilman, expert in exploratory demolition.”

“I want his name.”

“Augie…Augie Butler.”

Jake made a mental note.

“Keep going.”

“Butler was retired, injured in an accident on the job. I knew he needed money. I knew he could make the bomb, but I told him to make sure no one was hurt. I was clear about that. It was only meant as a warning. I thought…thought for sure the sheik would go home after that.”

“But he didn’t.”

“No.”

“What about the note?”

“I…I sent it. I pieced it together and mailed it to Sage. After everything I’d already done, I figured I had to make one last try.”

“You greedy goddamned bastard.” Jake drew back his fist once more, not realizing Sage had opened the door. He heard her scream as he let fly a blow that came straight from the shoulder and slammed into Jonathan Hunter’s thin, pale face. Even though Jake had pulled his punch, the man went flying ass-over-teakettle across the desk, hitting his chair on the way down, sending it spinning away, moaning as he crashed to the floor.

“Jake! For God’s sake, what are you doing!” Sage’s eyes were wide and fearful as she started toward Hunter. Jake caught her arm and pulled her away.

“He’s your guy. Him and your ex-fiancé. Stanton leaked the story to the Chronicle about the sheik and your deal. Apparently, he didn’t want you to be his boss, and you would be if you got the job as president. He put the idea in Hunter’s head and Hunter ran with it. Hired the bomber and wrote the note.”

Ian walked in as Hunter staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his broken nose onto his pristine white shirt and red-striped power tie.

“What the devil…?” Ian looked at Hunter, saw one of his top executives battered and bloody, saw Jake’s bleeding knuckles and knew who was to blame. His loyalty had to lie with the man who had worked for him for years.

Ian turned a hard look on Jake. “I won’t tolerate this kind of behavior—not under any circumstances. You’re fired, Cantrell.”

“Fine by me.” Turning, Jake stalked out of the office. He didn’t need the fucking job. He didn’t need the headache. The only thing that mattered was that Sage made no effort to stop him.

End of story, he figured. Wiping the blood off his knuckles, he crossed the carpet toward the elevator.

* * *

Sage forced her gaze away from the man teetering on the other side of the desk. She was shaking all over, trying to forget the image of Jake’s big hand smashing into Jonathan Hunter’s stricken face.

She turned to her grandfather, braced herself. “Jake says Jonathan is the man behind the bombing.” Her glance returned to the disheveled executive, then veered out the door to Jake’s retreating back. “He says…says Phillip was involved.”

Ian’s hard gaze swung to Hunter. “That true?”

Jonathan hesitated, glanced wildly around, trying to decide what to say. He opened his mouth, but Ian cut him off.

“Don’t lie to me, Hunter. If it’s true, you had better say so. If you lie, I’ll find out, and it’ll go a helluva lot harder on you. That I personally guarantee.”

Jonathan’s battered face went a pasty gray. He spoke to Sage, hoping to summon her pity. “I only meant to warn the sheik away. I knew you wouldn’t get the job if the deal fell through.” He returned his attention to Ian. “I’ve worked for this company more than twenty years. I deserved that promotion. Even Phillip thought I should get it.”

“The only thing you’re going to get now,” Ian said harshly, “is an orange jumpsuit and time in jail to think about what you’ve done.”

He tipped his head toward Sage. “You had better go get Cantrell. I don’t condone violence, especially in the office, but I have a feeling your bodyguard’s protective instincts got in the way.” He raked Hunter with a look. “Since I feel like beating you to a bloody pulp myself, I understand how that might have happened.” He turned back to Sage. “Go.”

Sage spun and raced out of the office, her heart still hammering. She should have stood up for Jake, gone after him the instant he stormed out of the room. She should have known he had a reason to behave the way he had. But seeing the terrible blow Jonathan had taken, seeing him beaten and bleeding, and the fury in Jake’s blue eyes, had held her shocked and immobile. The destruction he’d wrought with a single blow had left her stunned and shaken.

She didn’t know the man who’d stood with his fists clenched and shaking, the cold-eyed, dangerous man who could use those powerful hands to kill a man if he wanted. And considering his background, likely already had.

She spotted him across the parking lot, almost to his Jeep.

“Jake! Jake, wait!” He looked up and something shifted in his features.

A little of her uncertainty remained, but when he turned, it was her Jake whose beautiful eyes met hers, Jake who pulled her into his arms.

“I’m sorry,” she said breathlessly. “What happened…I just couldn’t…I couldn’t handle it. I’m sorry.” When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he drew her gently against him.

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I lost it in there. I thought of what Hunter had done, the trouble he’d caused. I imagined what could have happened to you when that bomb went off, and I lost it.”

She reached up and cupped his cheek. “Jonathan got what he deserved. Ian said he wanted to beat him to a bloody pulp himself.” She managed a tentative smile, realized she had tears in her eyes. “You aren’t really fired.”

Jake kissed her. Softly. Sweetly. Making her heart turn over.

“That’s all right, I quit.” He ran a thumb beneath her eyes, wiping away the wetness. “You don’t need protection anymore. You’re safe now, Sage.”

The words should have comforted her. She didn’t understand why they didn’t. Except that she was in love with Jake and now that she understood the man he truly was, now that she was completely sure he wasn’t the right man for her, it was only fair to him that she end their relationship.

Her heart twisted inside her.

Not now, a little voice said. Not yet.

So when he started back to the building, she took his arm and walked quietly beside him, let him guide her to the elevator that swept them upstairs.

There was business to finish. By now, Ian would have called the police. There would be statements to make, information to give. She thought of their interview with Richard Haskins. Lately, it seemed as if dealing with law enforcement took up most of her day.

As they stepped out of the elevator, she felt Jake’s hand at her waist, guiding her back toward her office to wait for the police.

Inside her chest, her heart thumped dully. At least until this was over, she wouldn’t have to say goodbye. She would have Jake a little longer.

She would take whatever time she could get.

Thirty-Three

On Thursday morning, things began to settle back into a normal routine. The day before, as soon as Sage left for work, Jake had moved out of her apartment. It didn’t take much effort; he had only a shaving kit and few clothes to pack. Still, he found it harder than he’d expected. Maybe he’d hoped Sage would ask him to stay. He liked living with a woman, he’d discovered. He liked living with Sage.

In the end he’d left a toothbrush, disposable razor and a change of clothes before he’d walked out the door. Somehow it didn’t seem so final that way.

After Jake’s confrontation with Hunter and his conversation with the police, Augie Butler had been arrested and charged with attempted murder—plus a dozen other things. Jonathan Hunter had also been charged but had hired some fancy lawyer and posted bail. Since the only thing they had against Phillip Stanton was Hunter’s allegation that he had been initially involved, Jake wasn’t sure what was going to happen to him.

Aside from losing his job and being blackballed throughout the oil industry by Ian Dumont.

Jake figured the high life was probably over for the no-good rotten bastard.

Though the bomb threat was over, Sage was still worried about the disappearance of Quadim and Yousef, and the possibility they were involved with a terrorist cell. Jake knew she felt responsible for bringing the men into the country. She was also depressed that the sheik had left without agreeing to a deal.

Knowing Sage wasn’t good at accepting defeat, Jake was trying to give her some space until she got her head wrapped around the fact that she wasn’t going to save Marine Drilling millions of dollars. And there was a good chance Charlie Denton was going to get the promotion to president.

Ian didn’t play favorites when it came to business. Not even for the granddaughter he loved.

Jake figured it was up to the authorities to find the terrorists.

Thursday afternoon slipped away. It was amazing how many calls he needed to return, how many loose ends there were to tie up after being away for the past few weeks. Five o’clock came and went and Jake was still at it, but no one else had left the office, either. The place was still humming when Annie buzzed to let him know Lincoln Jones was on the way over to his desk.

“Hey, buddy, good to see you.” Jake stood to shake his friend’s hand. “What’s up?”

“Heard they arrested the a-hole who blew up my car—thanks to you. Congratulations.”

He shrugged. “Just got lucky.”

“Sure you did.”

“Want a cup of coffee? Got some fresh in the back.”

“Sounds good.” They started in that direction. “I talked to Felix,” Linc said. “He told me you got Bo Johnson a job here in the office.”

“Trace hired him part-time and weekends.”

“Felix said you called, told him Bo was doin’ real good.”

“I talked to Felix on Saturday. I hope Bo keeps up the good work.”

“I think he might. I saw him the other day, told him if he kept going the way he was, I’d help him get his chauffeur’s license. He said he’d decided to become a private investigator. Funny, huh?”

Jake shrugged. “Stranger things have happened.”

“Kid was excited about the chance to drive for me, make some extra money. He wants to get his GED.”

Jake smiled. “Sounds like he’s coming right along.”

“Trace is good for him. I think the kid has a case of hero worship, Trace being an ex-Ranger and all. Tell you the truth, I think he has a lot of respect for you, too, Jake.”

He just nodded, glad to hear the kid was straightening himself out. It didn’t happen that often.

“Felix misses seeing you.”

Jake ran a hand over his face. “I need to call him again. Now that this last job’s wrapped up, I’ll have some time. Maybe we can take in a football game or something. The Texans lost more than they won last year, but the new season’s starting, and so far they’re doing great. And it’s always fun to catch a game.”

“Felix asked about Sage. He likes her.”

Jake smiled again. “So do I. I’m gonna ask her to marry me.”

Linc grinned, slapped him on the back. “Good for you.” They reached the back room and Jake poured them each a cup of coffee.

“I been thinking along those lines myself,” Linc said, accepting a steaming mug.

Jake’s eyebrows went up. “That so?”

“Me and Tanya Porter been seeing each other. I’ve known her a couple of years, just never thought she’d say yes if I asked her out. Finally worked up the courage. We went to the show one night and have been together ever since. I think it might be the real thing.”

Jake grinned. “That’s great, Linc. It’d be good for Felix to have a real dad instead of just a guy who’s around part-time.”

“He loves you, man.”

Jake’s chest felt tight. He’d just begun to open himself up to those kinds of feelings again. “He’s a great kid.”

“I’d be proud to call Felix my son.”

“I don’t blame you. I hope it works out.”

Linc grinned. “Same goes.”

They talked a while longer as they finished their coffee, then walked to the door. Linc waved as he crossed the parking lot, his steps so light he seemed to skip across the asphalt.

Jake waved back and returned to his desk, his friend’s happiness reminding him that if he wanted some of that for himself he needed to talk to Sage. He needed to work up the courage to ask her to marry him.

The possibility she might turn him down made the coffee he’d drunk turn sour in his stomach.

He’d just sat back down at his desk to make a few more calls when the bell above the door rang and Sage walked into the office. She looked so damned pretty he wanted to drag her out of there, caveman style, and haul her off to bed.

He might have smiled at the image if he hadn’t noticed the worry lines digging into her forehead as she rushed toward him. Jake shot out of his chair and intercepted her halfway.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I should have thought of it. I don’t know why I didn’t. I should have at least considered the possibility.”

He took her hands; they felt ice-cold. Leading her to his desk, he sat her down in the chair next to his. “All right, what should you have thought of?”

“The shipment, Jake. I was reviewing the invoices on that old order of pipe and suddenly it hit me—there’s one more load coming in.”

“Take it easy. Roshan and the smugglers all said the shipment we busted was the last load of drugs.”

“That’s right. Of drugs. But what if there’s something else in the final shipment of pipe? Something Gamal Ali wanted. Something Quadim and Yousef want—something that’s far more dangerous than drugs? What if Quadim and Yousef were planning to disappear all along and��”

“And when the deal went south it just set things in motion ahead of time.”

“Exactly,” Sage said.

“When’s that load coming in?”

“Today, Jake. The pipe may have already been unloaded. It’ll be stored in the lot overnight, just like before.”

“If there’s something in the shipment, they’ll go after it tonight. We need to talk to Haskins.” Jake grabbed Sage’s hand and started hauling her toward the door. “He may not be Homeland Security, but he’s in this up to his DEA ears.”

Jake didn’t stop till they reached his Jeep, where he lifted Sage into the passenger seat. Sliding behind the wheel, he shoved his key into the ignition, then pulled out his cell and phoned the DEA office.

When the receptionist answered, he asked for Special Agent Richard Haskins. “Tell him it’s Jake Cantrell.”

“I’m afraid Agent Haskins is in a meeting. At the moment he can’t be disturbed.”

“Tell him I’m coming in. Tell him it’s important. Tell him not to leave.”

“All right, but—”

Jake closed the phone and started the engine. A few minutes later he was on the West Loop heading south.

“This may be a wild-goose chase,” he said to Sage, “but we can’t take the chance it isn’t.”

She just nodded. Neither of them said another word until they reached the DEA office.

* * *

Just as before, Richard Haskins was waiting when they walked through the door. He was wearing a plain tan suit, his brown hair neatly combed, his wingtip shoes gleaming. Sage walked behind him, Jake at her side as he led them back to the same small conference room they had been in before.

“What’s so urgent you couldn’t leave a message on voice mail?” Haskins asked as he seated himself across from her on the table.

“We may know how you can locate the members of that cell Homeland is looking for,” Jake said. And for the next half hour, they explained about the final load of pipe being shipped from Saudi Arabia, and their theory that Quadim and Yousef might have planted something for the terrorists in the shipment.

“It could be a false lead,” Jake finally said, “but my gut is telling me it isn’t. It just makes too much sense.”

Haskins was nodding. “Smuggling the drugs into the country in the pipe worked perfectly until that last round. If you hadn’t overheard them talking, it would have gone like clockwork again. If Gamal Ali was planning to smuggle a weapon of mass destruction, say, biotoxins or nuclear material, he had the perfect setup, and he knew it worked.”

“Right,” Jake said.

Haskins stood up from the table. “Stay here. I’ll be back shortly.”

The agent returned a few minutes later with photos of the members of the sheik’s party, pictures taken with the security cameras out at the ranch. One of Trace’s people had removed the cards from the cameras and brought them in to the agency for examination.

Haskins spread the stack of eight-by-ten photos on the conference table.

“I’ve set things in motion for tonight. If the men show up to retrieve the merchandise—whatever it is—we’ll be waiting. But we need to know what these guys look like.”

He slid the photos in front of Sage and Jake, and they began looking them over, searching for images of the men who had disappeared.

Sage reached out and picked one of the pictures out of the glossies spread in front of her. “This is Quadim,” she said.

Jake separated another from the group. “Here’s his buddy, Yousef.”

Sage picked out an image of Yousef walking a few paces behind Roshan toward the ranch house. Jake found one of both missing men talking together at the shooting range.

“Those are your boys,” he said, sliding all four photos across the table.

“Thanks.” Haskins scooped them up. “I appreciate your help with this. Both of you. I’ll let you know what happens.”

“Listen, Rick, if this thing goes down, it’s going to be tonight. That means you haven’t got a lot of time to prepare. I can help with that. I’ve been out there. I know the layout, how to get in and out, where to find the best cover. Let me go in with you.”

Sage grabbed his arm. “Jake, please, no…” She didn’t want him involved in something so dangerous. She didn’t want him getting hurt.

Haskins shook his head. “Appreciate the offer, but I can’t let you do that. You’re a civilian.”

“I’m ex-military and I’m licensed to carry. I’ll stay in the background, just give you any relevant advice when we get there. Plus I’ll recognize these guys if they show up. I know their size and shape, the way they move. That’s better than any photo.”

Haskins’s face looked strained. “I don’t like it.”

Jake cocked his arm and pointed to the heavy steel watch on his wrist. “Time’s ticking away, my friend.”

Sage looked at her own wristwatch and saw it was past seven o’clock. They were down to hours, and the agents were barely getting started.

Haskins blew out a breath. “All right, fine. You’re in. The truth is we can really use your help.”

Her heart sank. She should have known something like this would happen. Should have known Jake wouldn’t back off until it was finally over.

“I need to grab some gear,” he said. “Why don’t I take Sage home and meet you back here in an hour?”

“That’ll work.” The men shook hands and Jake led Sage out to the Jeep.

“I don’t want you to do this, Jake,” she said as he drove her back to his office to retrieve her car. “You’ve done more than enough already. Why can’t you just let the DEA and Homeland Security handle it?”

“Haskins needs my help.”

“It’s his job, Jake. Let him do it.”

Jake turned into the parking lot in front of the office and pulled up next to her Mercedes. “I want these guys, Sage. God only knows what kind of atrocity they might be planning. How would you feel if I didn’t help out, and they got away with it? Took out half the population of some city?”

Her stomach clenched in alarm. Jake was right. Of course he was. It didn’t mean she had to like it.

He reached out and cupped her cheek. “I’ll be all right, baby, I promise.”

“I’m afraid, Jake.”

“Look, I’ll come over when I’m finished, all right? Then you’ll know I’m okay.”

She looked him straight in the eye. “Do you promise you’ll come? No matter how late?”

“I give you my word.”

She swallowed. Nodded.

As she drove out of the lot, she watched in her rearview mirror as his Jeep pulled away. Her heart didn’t stop racing until she was finally inside her apartment.

Where the thudding turned into a slow, dull ache in her chest that matched the pounding in her head.

Thirty-Four

The night was crystal clear. Only a thin layer of haze dimmed the stars above the storage facility on the other side of the chain-link fence. A sliver of moon, slightly fuller than before, made the darkness a little less impenetrable.

Inside the fence that enclosed the load of pipe that had arrived that afternoon, a swarm of DEA and Homeland Security agents surrounded six men bound hand-and-foot on the ground. Quadim Ahmad and Yousef Al Zahrani were among them, along with four others Jake had never seen before.

The feds had been impressive tonight. Well organized and focused, both agencies cooperating as if they’d worked together for years.

A lot was at stake tonight. Lives were on the line.

Not until they knew what was in the cylindrical tube retrieved from one of the pipes, placed in a lead-lined case and loaded into a bomb transport vehicle, would they know how many lives that might have been.

From Jake’s vantage point in the makeshift command center outside the fence, he watched with satisfaction as the action was mopped up and the men were loaded into vans and driven off to places unknown for interrogation.

It was over. The weeks of worrying about Sage, the drug smuggling, then the fear that men invited into this country would wind up destroying it in some way.

It was over, and now Jake was free to speak to Sage on the matter nearest and dearest to his heart. Tomorrow, if the time was right, he was going to ask her to marry him.

He smiled as he removed his black flak vest and tossed it into the trunk of an agency car, then wiped some of the greasepaint off his face.

Rick walked toward him, grinning through the black stripes on his own face. He slapped Jake on the back. “Time to go home, buddy.”

Home. Jake grinned back. Tonight he was going to Sage’s. He’d missed sleeping beside her since he’d moved out.

He couldn’t wait to get back.

* * *

Sage paced the carpet in front of the big glass windows in her living room. The lights of Houston glittered ten stories below, but she barely noticed. All she could think of was Jake. What if something had gone wrong? What if he’d been injured? Or killed?

The knot in her stomach tightened. She paced some more, went over and refilled the glass of white wine she’d poured an hour ago, hoping it would ease her nerves. She took a bracing sip, trying to remember a time in her life when the minutes had dragged so slowly, a time she had been nearly ill with worry. When her mother was in the hospital, the waiting had been endless. But somehow that was different. Her mother had had no choice. Jake did.

Even if everything went exactly as planned, even if he was fine and the terrorists were in custody, was this the life she wanted? Was Jake the kind of man she wanted in her future?

His career path was way out of her comfort zone. She didn’t get involved in fighting terrorists; she went to charity benefits. Spent evenings with her grandfather at the country club.

Sage needed a man who would fit into her world. Who played golf on the weekends. The kind who bought expensive suits, enjoyed the theater and symphony concerts. The kind of man her grandfather expected her to marry.

As the clock ticked toward two, she paced some more. Waited. Prayed. Tried not to think that something had gone wrong. That maybe something had happened to Jake.

That maybe instead of Gamal Ali, this time the dead man would be Jake.

She whimpered when she heard his familiar knock, and ran to him, jerked open the door and threw herself into his arms.

“Jake…thank God.”

“It’s all right, baby.” His big hands moved soothingly up and down her back. “Everything’s okay.” He was dressed completely in black, his face streaked with greasepaint. It reminded her of the time before, the night a man had been killed. It reminded her of all the reasons she needed to separate herself from Jake.

All the reasons she needed to end their relationship.

He grinned, his teeth gleaming white in the black paint on his face. “You were right. Quadim and Yousef showed up with four other men, all members of the same cell Gamal Ali belonged to. The feds swooped down on them like locusts. Only a couple of shots were fired. Only two of the men were armed. They weren’t expecting trouble. They figured after the drug bust, the cops would think it was over, and they would be safe.”

She pressed herself tighter against him, trembling with relief, but a sick feeling curled in the pit of her stomach.

“I’ve still got a few clothes here,” Jake said. “I’ll go shower and change and we can talk.”

She just nodded. She told herself the feeling would pass, but instead, as the minutes ticked past, the uncertainty grew and her stomach swirled with nausea. By the time Jake walked out of the shower dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, his dirty clothes stuffed into a duffel he tossed on the floor beside a chair, it was too late.

“I’m tired, baby,” he said as he approached. “Let’s go to bed. We can talk in the morning.”

Sage stood frozen. Her mouth felt dry but her palms were sweating. Slowly, she shook her head. “I wish…wish I could pick a better time. I wish I didn’t have to say this at all, but tonight…tonight forced me to face the truth.”

His posture stiffened, making him even taller. “What truth, Sage?”

“I’m just not… I’m not cut out for this, Jake. The truth is, you and I… We aren’t right for each other. It’s as simple as that.”

“I think we’re perfect for one another. I know I’m not an easy man, but you can handle me and we both know it. What happened tonight…that isn’t something that goes on every day.”

She swallowed, forced herself not to look away. “It doesn’t matter. It was never going to work. We knew that from the start. It’s time…time we got on with our lives.”

Jake moved closer, caught her chin between his fingers, forcing her to look up at him. “I love you, Sage. I’ve never said that to a woman. Never thought I’d feel this way about a woman. I want you to marry me.”

“Oh, Jake…” Her eyes filled. Her heart was aching, squeezing inside her chest. She could barely see him through the blurry wetness.

“This isn’t the way I planned to ask,” he continued, “but I want us to spend our lives together. I want us to have kids together. I want—”

“Stop, Jake, please.” Sage pressed her trembling fingers over his lips. “Don’t say anything more. Please, I’m begging you.”

He straightened, looked down at her as if he had never really seen her before. Inside her chest, her heart was breaking.

“You’re telling me you don’t love me.”

The tears in her eyes slipped over onto her cheeks. A dull roaring filled her ears. She loved him. She loved him so much. “This…this isn’t about love. It’s about marriage. It’s about a partnership that will work. It would never work with us, Jake. There is just no way.”

His blue eyes seemed to chill. “Because I don’t like ballet? Because I might fall asleep at some damned boring concert? You think that’s what marriage is about?”

She didn’t answer. Looking at his dear, handsome face, she felt a surge of love so strong, so powerful, that for a moment she couldn’t breathe. Was he right? Were those things really so important? She thought of her grandfather and the life she had built for herself—a life she owed completely to him—and knew they were.

Jake drew in a deep breath, his face set in hard, grim lines. “So that’s it, then. It’s over.”

Fresh tears brimmed. “I wish we could just go on the way we were, but it wouldn’t be fair. Not to either one of us.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” Grabbing his duffel off the floor, he headed for the door. Sage said nothing as he jerked it open and disappeared out into the hall. The sound of the door closing behind him echoed like a gunshot in the quiet room.

She crumpled onto the sofa and began to weep.

* * *

It was over. He hadn’t seen it coming, had been blindsided by the look on her face when she’d told him.

She didn’t want to marry him. Hell, she didn’t even love him. If she had, she wouldn’t have hesitated. She would have done anything to make it work between them. Sage went after what she wanted. She was strong and determined, the kind of woman he admired and respected. The kind he had stupidly fallen in love with.

For the next three days, Jake worked to put his life back in order, wrap things up.

To say his goodbyes.

“You need to think this over,” Trace said. “Taking some job down in Argentina isn’t going to get her out of your system. Only time will do that. Stay, Jake. You have friends here, people who care about you. You’ll find another woman. Someone who loves you the way you love her. Stay here and build the life you deserve.”

But Jake just shook his head. There was nothing for him in Houston. Not anymore.

As he packed up his desk, Alex and Ben both walked over to see him.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Alex said, “but I’m gonna miss your sorry ass around here.”

Jake almost smiled. “Thanks for your help on that last job.”

He didn’t have to say which one. They both knew it was protecting Sage, the job that was sending him away.

“Sage Dumont is a fool,” Alex said, then turned and stalked away.

“When are you leaving?” Ben asked.

“Couple of days. I’ve got a few loose ends to tie up.”

One of them was Felix Porter. He wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye to the kid. The boy meant a lot to him. He knew Felix was going to take it hard, and the truth was, Jake was going to miss him, too. He’d let down his guard with Felix, let the boy worm his way a little too deeply into his heart. His chest tightened at the thought of not being there to see the kid grow up.

At least now the boy had Linc to look after him.

Ben held out a hand. “You get down there and you need help with something, you let me know, okay?”

Jake nodded, shook Ben’s hand. “Appreciate the offer.” He started for the door with his briefcase. Annie’s voice stopped him as he reached the front desk.

“You just gonna give her up?” she asked. “Never knew you to be a quitter, Jake.”

His jaw tightened. “The woman doesn’t love me. It’s as simple as that.”

Annie’s voice softened. “She’d be a fool not to love you, Jake. And Sage Dumont is no fool.”

Jake released a slow breath. Setting down the briefcase, he walked over, caught the receptionist’s face between his hands and kissed her on the lips. “I’m gonna miss you, Annie Mayberry.”

She wiped a tear from her powdered cheek. “We’re all gonna miss you, Jake.”

Grabbing the briefcase, his chest squeezing painfully, Jake walked out the door.

* * *

Sage sat at her desk, staring out through the plate-glass windows across the room. The office was closed. Most of the staff had gone home for the night. She couldn’t force herself to leave.

Four days had passed, but it seemed like a lifetime. She couldn’t stand to think of facing her empty apartment again tonight. Couldn’t stand to think of climbing into her cold, lonely bed.

Jake was so vital. So much man. She hadn’t realized how empty her life would be without him.

Dear God, she missed him.

Sage wiped a tear from her cheek. She couldn’t keep crying for Jake. She couldn’t keep thinking about him, missing him. She was the one who had sent him away.

She looked up at the sound of her office door opening. Saw her grandfather walk in, close it firmly behind him. He strode up to her desk, his silver hair perfectly combed, his gray suit impeccable. She was thinking how dear he was to her when the sharp note in his voice jarred her back to the moment.

“All right, I’ve had enough of this. What the devil is going on?”

What was going on? She felt as if her life was over.

Sage summoned her courage and came up out of her chair. For her grandfather’s sake, she managed to wipe the sadness out of her voice and paste on a smile. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You’ve been crying again, haven’t you? You think I can’t tell? You think I don’t know you well enough to see that something is terribly wrong?”

“It’s…it’s nothing. Just the pressure lately, and losing the deal with the sheik.”

“Bullshit. I’m not an idiot, Sage. It’s Cantrell, isn’t it? What did that big bastard do?”

She swallowed, fought not to cry. “He asked me to marry him.”

Ian’s smile was one of relief. “About damned time. I figured he’d get around to it sooner or later.” He frowned down at her. “So why are you crying? You’re not pregnant, are you?” For an instant his smile returned. “I’d like nothing better than to have a great-grandson by that tough son of a bitch.”

Sage sank down in her chair. She could hardly make her grandfather’s words register in her head. She looked up at him and started crying again.

“For God’s sake, stop that. I thought you loved him.”

She swallowed, lifted her chin. “I do love him. How could I not love him? But loving someone… It isn’t always enough.”

Ian walked around to her side of the desk, drew her to her feet and into his arms. “So what’s the problem, dear heart? You love him, and it’s clear he’s head over heels for you. Tell me why you’re crying.”

Sage looked up at him, her heart aching. “Because I told him no.”

Ian frowned again. “Why?” His features darkened. “He didn’t hit you, did he?”

“Of course not. Jake would never hurt me.”

“He cheat on you?”

“No. He’s too honorable a man to do that.”

“Then what did he do?”

She pulled a tissue out of her top desk drawer and wiped her cheeks. “It wouldn’t work, Grandfather. Surely you can see that. We just… Jake and I come from two different worlds. Can you imagine him at the country club? I’m a Dumont. I have responsibilities. You taught me that.”

His voice softened. “If I did, I didn’t get the lesson quite right. Your first responsibility, Sage, is to yourself. Your own happiness has to come first. Listen to me, dearest. You’re a very strong woman. I always knew it would take a strong man to make you happy. When you announced your engagement to Phillip, I was more than a little surprised. I approved because I thought Phillip was what you wanted.”

When she tried to turn away, Ian stopped her, forced her to look him in the face. “I’m beginning to think you were marrying Phillip because you thought it would make me happy. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it’s true, isn’t it?”

Sage drew away. Walking over to the window, she looked down at the traffic far below. Cars and buses whizzed past, people hurried to unknown places. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”

Ian joined her. “Has Cantrell ever embarrassed you?”

“No.”

“If you’re worried about his finances, I did a bit of digging on him. The man could quit work tomorrow if he wanted.”

“It isn’t the money. Even if he were poor, I have more than enough for both of us.”

“Is your place in society really that important?”

Was it? She almost laughed. The only reason it mattered was because of Ian. “I’ve always just wanted you to be proud of me.”

He smiled at her softly. “I’ve been proud of you since you were twelve years old and I drove you to your first day of school here in Houston. I thought how brave you were after all you and your mother had suffered. I always knew you’d do what it took to succeed in life, and you have. You could never disappoint me, Sage.”

Her heart squeezed. Deep down she’d always known how he felt, but hearing the words opened something inside her.

She leaned close and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” She managed a smile, thought of Jake, and her sorrow returned, making her throat feel tight.

“What now?” Ian pressed.

“What about his job? What if something happened to him? I don’t want to live with a man who takes those kinds of risks.”

Ian sighed. “Every day of living is a risk, Sage. People step off a curb and get hit by a car. Planes crash, ships sink. You have to grab at happiness and hold on for as long as it lasts.”

She hadn’t thought of it that way. Her father had died. Her mother. But nearing eighty, Ian was still alive. His words settled over her like a balm, made her begin to see things in a different way. Ian was right. Marrying Jake and losing him would be devastating. Losing him now hurt just as badly.

“The truth is,” her grandfather went on, “you overestimated Stanton. I think you’re underestimating Cantrell.” Ian reached out and touched her cheek. “And I don’t think Jake would have a bit of trouble fitting in at the country club.”

She looked up. “You don’t?”

His smile returned. “Not as long as he had you on his arm. That man would walk through fire for you, honey. A night at the theater isn’t gonna bother him at all.” He took her hand, gave it a squeeze. “You sure you love him?”

The lump in her throat swelled. Inside her chest her heart was beating with hope. “Desperately,” she said.

“Then I suggest you go after him. A man like Cantrell won’t wait long for a woman. You want him, you’d better go get him.”

Love for her grandfather made her eyes fill with tears. “Oh, Granddad, thank you.”

He patted her cheek. “Go on now. Before it’s too late.”

He didn’t have to prod her again. Sage grabbed her handbag and hurried to the door. In minutes she was behind the wheel of her car, flying down the freeway toward the off ramp that led to Jake’s apartment. It was well after time for his office to close. She hoped he would be home.

She passed a police car as she roared up Buffalo Speedway, and forced herself to slow to the legal limit. By the time she pulled into the guest parking space at Jake’s apartment, her nerves were strung as tight and sharp as barbed wire.

Turning off the engine, she sat back for a moment to collect herself, raked a shaky hand through her hair and wished she’d taken time to fix herself up. She didn’t want to risk it.

She just wanted to be with Jake.

Thirty-Five

Jake tossed a navy blue T-shirt into the suitcase he was taking to Argentina. An oil company had offered him a job protecting one of its corporate execs, and he had grabbed the position like a drowning man being tossed a rope. He couldn’t get out of Houston fast enough.

Yesterday had been bad, saying his farewells at the office. Today he had gone to see Felix Porter. The kid had just been coming home from school when he’d spotted Jake’s Jeep and started running toward him. Felix screeched to a halt in front of him and stuck out a hand, the way Jake had taught him.

Jake shook it, forced himself to let go. “Hey, kid.”

“Jake! Man, I’m glad to see you! The Texans are playing this weekend. I was thinking…hoping me and you could go.”

“Yeah, well, I was kind of thinking that myself, but…”

“But what?”

“But something’s come up. There’s no easy way to say this so I’m just gonna come right out with it. I’m leaving, son. I took a job down in Argentina.”

The kid’s face fell. “Argentina? I hardly even know where that is. Why you going down there? I thought you had a job right here.”

“I did, but this is something I need to do.”

Felix scuffed the toe of his worn black-and-white sneaker against the sidewalk. “So when you coming back?”

Jake swallowed. His throat felt tight. “I don’t know. Not for a while.” Probably never, but he didn’t say that to Felix.

“What about Sage? Linc said you was gonna marry her.”

“Well, that’s part of the problem. Sage said no. She just didn’t think it would work out.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not sure, Felix. The point is, I’m leaving. I wish I didn’t have to go but I do.”

“I thought we was friends. Friends don’t just up and leave each other.”

“We’ll always be friends, kid. Nothing’s going to change that. I’ll give you my address down there as soon as I’m settled. There’s email just like here. We’ll stay in touch. If you need anything, all you have to do is let me know.”

Felix started shaking his head. “Ain’t the same, Jake.”

It wasn’t the same. Not at all. Jake hauled the kid into a hug. “I’m gonna miss you, son. I’ll keep in touch. I promise.” But Felix was right. Once he was gone, the distance between them would destroy the bond of friendship they had been building.

A knock sounded at the door, interrupting the memory he would just as soon forget. Jake ignored it, tossed a few pairs of socks into his suitcase and began to pack his underwear. There was no one he wanted to talk to. He just wanted to get the hell away.

The knock came again, more urgently this time, then the doorbell started chiming. Whoever was out there was damned determined to see him.

Leaving the suitcase on the bed, he strode to the door and yanked it open, and was stunned to see Sage standing in the doorway.

“Hello, Jake.”

His stomach instantly knotted. That she smiled just made him mad.

“What do you want?”

Her smile slipped away. “I was hoping we could talk. There are…there are things I need to say.”

He ignored the tightening in his chest. Why did she have to look so damned pretty? “We’ve already talked. You said what you had to say, and I got the message loud and clear.”

Her chin firmed. “It’s important, Jake, or I wouldn’t be here.” Ignoring him, she walked past him into the apartment. “It’ll only take a few minutes. Then if you want me to leave, I will.”

Reluctantly, he closed the door. “Look, Sage, we’ve been through all this already.” And seeing her was only making him feel worse. “I’m trying to pack. I’ve got a plane to catch.”

Her face fell. “You’re leaving?”

“That’s right. What did you expect?”

“Where…where are you going?”

“Argentina. I’ve taken a job down there.”

She swallowed. The determined look in her golden eyes changed to uncertainty. She rested a hand on his chest and he could feel it trembling. “I don’t…don’t want you to go.”

He frowned, noting her sudden pallor. “What is it? Has something happened? I can get Justice back on the job if—”

She shook her head, released a shaky breath. Her eyes searched his face. “It’s nothing like that. What’s happened is I made a terrible mistake.”

“Yeah? How’s that?”

“I made a mistake the night you asked me to marry you. I let you walk out the door.”

The knot in his stomach pulled tighter. He couldn’t handle more of this. It hurt too damned much. “What you said that night… You were right. It would never work. We just don’t fit.”

“That’s not true. We fit perfectly. You said so yourself.”

“Sage…”

Her eyes welled. Dammit, he couldn’t stand to see her cry.

Her lips trembled an instant before she drew herself up. “I love you, Jake. I was just… I’m not usually that stupid. I love you and I should have said yes the minute you asked me. Because I wanted to marry you. I wanted to say yes more than anything in the world.”

His chest was squeezing, his heart drumming. He’d spent every minute of the last few days trying to convince himself that Sage was right and it would never have worked between them.

“Tell me you still love me, Jake. Because I love you so much. I’m dying a little every day I spend without you.”

He might be a strong man, but where this woman was concerned, he was weak. “I love you,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I’m crazy in love with you, Sage.”

“Marry me?” she asked.

A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “I’ll marry you, honey. Damn straight, I’ll marry you.” And then he was kissing her, a long, thorough kiss that branded her as his.

He was in love with Sage Dumont and he wasn’t a fool. Apparently, as Annie had said, Sage wasn’t, either.

Epilogue

The wedding reception at the River Oaks Country Club was held on a perfect November day. Sage sat at the head table wearing a strapless, floor-length Vera Wang gown, her white lace veil pulled back from her face now that the ceremony was over.

In a crisp white pleated shirt and gleaming black tuxedo that perfectly fitted his tall, muscular frame, Jake laughed at something his best man, Trace Rawlins, said.

Around them, friends and family sat at linen-draped tables decorated with floral centerpieces done in silver and deep rose. Guests dined on medium rare filet mignon or fresh Alaska salmon with all the trimmings, accompanied by a fine Napa Valley chardonnay or a rich Bordeaux, part of the extravagant wedding her grandfather had insisted on providing. Dom Perignon flowed from a silver fountain, keeping fluted crystal goblets filled to the brim.

Half of Houston society had been invited, along with an interesting variety of Jake’s and Sage’s friends. Trace and Maggie; Annie Mayberry, Lincoln Jones and his date, Tanya Porter, sat together, along with Felix, who kept grinning ear-to-ear over the fact that Jake would be staying in Houston. Jake’s mother and his stepfather also sat at the table.

Letty Cantrell Richmond was a sweet woman, older than Sage would have guessed, and fiercely proud of her son. She had cried when she’d met Sage, obviously happy that Jake had found a woman to love who clearly loved him in return. His stepfather was reserved, but he and Jake seemed to be getting along passably well.

Miscellaneous friends from the office and their spouses were there, among them Charles Denton, Michael Curtis, Red Williams, Will Bailey and Marie Castelo. Ryan Gosford, Rina’s live-in boyfriend, sat at a table next to Will and his date, probably boring them with high-tech computer jargon. It was a mixed bag of people, some brought a little closer by events of the past few weeks.

Jake had introduced Sage to a tough-looking character named John Riggs, and his petite wife, Amy. She met Jake’s friend Devlin Raines, and his beautiful wife, Lark, whom Sage knew from her famous designer handbags. Several expensive LARK bags sat on a shelf in Sage’s closest. And their daughter, Chrissy, was the sweetest little girl.

All the guests seemed to be enjoying themselves. And though it was a Houston society affair, even Jake seemed to be having a good time.

As usual, her grandfather had been right. Jake fit into the crowd as if he had been born to it. He was a man secure in himself who didn’t have to put on airs, and people respected him for that. It bothered Sage only a little that half the females in the room were drooling over him. She had pretty much expected that to happen.

Jake had no trouble being accepted—not that she really cared anymore. It was Ian’s approval she had wanted all along. But until he had forced her to face the truth, she hadn’t realized how important it truly was.

I’m beginning to think you were marrying Phillip to try to make me happy. Her own happiness had to come second, she had believed. Today, in marrying Jake, and by the grace of God, she was with the man she loved, a man accepted completely as part of the Dumont family.

As she sipped her champagne, she heard Jake’s deep laughter, caught a glimpse of his profile. Hard jaw, sexy smile, eyes the color of a blue Texas sky… A little shiver ran through her as those eyes locked with hers and she read the desire in them, knew he saw an answering desire in hers.

They were spending the first few nights of their honeymoon at the ranch, which Jake seemed to love as much as she did. The following week they would be flying to a private island in the Grenadines, where her grandfather had arranged for them to stay in a lovely villa—a surprise wedding present.

Beneath the table Jake squeezed her hand, laughed at something Alex said. Alex and Ben were Jake’s groomsmen, while Rina was Sage’s maid of honor. Two of her cousins from Dallas were bridesmaids, one of them flirting outrageously with Ben, who was only flirting politely in return. Alex seemed to be doing a good job of baiting Rina, who was doing her best to ignore him.

Since the day Sage had gone to Jake and laid her heart at his feet, her world seemed to have righted itself.

A’lia was now living with a cousin in New York, getting ready to attend Columbia University next semester. Zahra and Yasar had returned to Saudi Arabia. Sage had had no word on Roshan or Tariq. Better, she thought, if she didn’t know.

Quadim and Yousef had also disappeared, this time lost in the depths of the Homeland Security justice system.

And yesterday…in a phone call from the sheik, she had received an unexpected wedding gift.

“Ms. Dumont?”

Sage had instantly recognized the voice. “Sheik Khalid.”

“I am told you are about to be married.”

“Why, yes.”

“In protecting me and my family, you have done me a great favor, one for which I am in your debt. In return, I have decided to accept the last offer your company made before I left your country. Marine Drilling is now the owner of an offshore drilling platform and the miscellaneous equipment that was included in the deal.”

Her pulse shot up. “Your Highness, that is very good news.”

“Consider it a wedding gift.”

“Thank you. I know my grandfather will also be happy to hear of this.” But mostly she couldn’t wait to tell Jake. Amazing, in such a short time, how important he had become in her life.

Of course, there was no complete guarantee that because she’d made the deal she would get the job as president, even though she was a Dumont. But she had saved Marine Drilling millions and the odds were in her favor. On top of that, she had helped a young woman get a chance to live the life she chose.

Sage glanced over at Jake, found him watching her with a faint smile on his lips. She smiled in return, her heart overflowing with love for him.

More toasts were made to the bride and groom. Alex Justice rose to his feet, grinning a little too broadly, full of fun and a little too much champagne, like everyone else.

He lifted his glass in a toast. “As Shakespeare said, ‘Look down, you gods, and on this couple drop a blessed crown.’” His grin broadened, dimples digging into his cheeks. “To the bride and groom.”

Everyone cheered and raised their glasses. Jake turned to her and smiled. “‘Doubt that the stars are fire,’” he said softly. “‘Doubt the sun doth move. Doubt truth be a liar. But never doubt I love.’”

Sage’s throat tightened. Dear God, Jake Cantrell quoting Shakespeare? Her eyes filled and her heart turned over.

“I love you,” she said softly.

Ian’s eyes twinkled. Seated next to her, he lifted his glass in a silent toast to Jake, grinned at Sage and winked.

In sheer joy, she laughed.

* * *

Jake leaned back against the headboard of the big four-poster bed watching Sage asleep beside him. The afternoon was lazy, with warm tropical breezes blowing in through the open windows, ruffling the gauzy white curtains. A slowly rotating ceiling fan pushed cool air over the light comforter Sage snuggled beneath.

Earlier, they had taken a swim in the warm Caribbean Sea, which stretched blue and beckoning beyond the terrace as far as Jake could see.

He wasn’t usually one for spending downtime just loafing, lying in the sun or wandering along the beach. But he’d never had a wife before. Never been on a honeymoon.

Never known just how good life could be.

He thought of the woman beside him and how close he had been to losing her. If she hadn’t come to him… If he had left the country without fighting for her…

As usual, Annie had been right.

Sage snuggled against him in slumber, and he brushed a strand of hair from her face, then bent and lightly kissed her cheek. Damn, he loved this woman.

He thought of Annie again and their last conversation. Sooner or later, she predicted, Alex Justice was going to get his comeuppance from Rina Eckhart.

“That man’s had it too easy for far too long. Thinks he’s irresistible to women. That little gal will show him—you just wait and see.”

Sage had just laughed, but Jake had known Annie too long to dismiss her opinions out of hand. Then again, maybe this time she would be wrong.

Whatever lay ahead, for the next two weeks Jake wasn’t going to think about Alex or Ben or work or anything that didn’t include his wife and relaxation. There’d be time enough when he got back home to decide which assignment he was going to take. One in Houston, for sure. He was going to make a home there, just as he’d hoped to do before.

Jake watched his wife sleeping, liked the way the sun made her hair glint with gold and how her skin glowed in the soft light streaming in through the open terrace doors.

Before they’d left Houston, he and Sage had talked about where they were going to live. He couldn’t handle her high-rise condo. He needed green grass and open spaces. And his apartment was way too small.

They thought maybe one of the big stately homes in the University District. The yards were large and there were lots of tall, leafy trees. It would suit them both, he figured.

Beside him Sage stirred, slowly awakened. She glanced around, smiling when she remembered where she was and that they were on their honeymoon.

She scooted backward until she was propped against the headboard beside him. “I guess we’d better get up and do something.”

Jake kissed her lightly. “We’ll ‘do something’ when we get back home. Your grandfather said to relax and enjoy ourselves. We’ve got an entire island to explore—whenever we get around to it.” And a lovely sprawling villa, fully staffed, of course. Nothing but the best for Ian Dumont’s granddaughter and her husband.

Sage grinned. “He did, didn’t he?”

“Yeah, he did.”

“And we deserve it.”

Jake thought of all they had been through, the bomb threats and the smuggling, trying to stop a terrorist plot. “Yeah, we do.”

They’d found nuclear material in the package hidden in the last pipe shipment. The plan was to assemble a dirty bomb and set it off in downtown L.A. Fortunately, the plot had failed. Though Homeland Security was still running down other possible members of the cell.

Sage smiled up at Jake. The love he saw in her eyes made his chest feel tight.

She reached up and ran her hands through his hair. “All right, then, husband of mine, I think I know exactly what we should do for the rest of the day.”

One of his eyebrows went up. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He knew this woman, knew her appetites matched his own. He didn’t have to ask what she wanted to do.

Sage laughed as Jake tugged her down in the deep feather mattress and kissed her. There were hours left in the warm, sunny, tropical afternoon.

* * * * *

Author’s Note

I hope you enjoyed Jake and Sage’s adventures in Against the Sun. If so, I’m excited to tell you there’ll be more books coming in the series: Alex Justice and Sabrina Eckhart go head-to-head in Against the Odds; Ben Slocum meets his match in Against the Edge; then back to Los Angeles for Against the Mark, where Johnnie Riggs’s friend Tyler Brodie finds a woman who perfectly suits him.

I hope you’ll watch for all three stories. And if you haven’t read the first books in the series, look for the Raines brothers in Against the Wind, Against the Fire, Against the Law, as well as Trace Rawlins’s story, Against the Storm, and Johnnie Riggs’s, Against the Night.

Until then, very best wishes and happy reading.

Kat

The Raines of Wind Canyon series

Intrigue. Romance. Suspense. If you loved Against the Sun, don’t miss the rest of Kat Martin’s New York Times bestselling series. Available in ebook wherever ebooks are sold!

Against the Wind

Against the Fire

Against the Law

Against the Storm

Against the Night

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ISBN: 9781459229969

Copyright © 2012 by Kat Martin

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