The Millionaire Cowboy's Secret (10 page)

Riding out, he searched his land, absorbing the peace and sense of pride, though usually this was bittersweet as he wished his family could somehow have shared this joy with him.

With those thoughts came the harsh ones, and though he lived with them daily, he didn’t want to think about vengeance now. Instead, he found his thoughts kept returning to Skylar, the woman rather than the federal agent.

He wanted her with a fierceness that startled him. But try as he might, he couldn’t see a way to have her without jeopardizing everything he had planned.

Damn it.

As he rode, the sky lightened even more, signaling the imminent arrival of dawn. The peace of the wild land soothed him, and he relaxed into the saddle. As visibility improved, he thought he saw something moving up ahead. Not a horse or stray cattle, but what appeared to be a human, though at this distance he couldn’t see if it was one of his employees or a stranger.

“Come on, boy.” Urging Saint into a lope, then a gallop, he rode toward it. Whoever it was realized—too late—that they’d been spotted and took off at a run.

Matt rode hard, well aware there was no way a human could outrun a horse.

* * *

Too restless to sleep, Skylar rose at dawn and took to pacing the trailer. Fifteen steps to the bed and the same number back. Should she stay or should she go? This changed things. Or did it? He’d offered to let her stay another day and ride—the riding part had nothing to do with her job and everything to do with her.

But did she want to? She knew she did. And staying meant she’d have a bit more time to search and try to learn where Matt kept his ammunition. One day wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

Decision made, she rushed through her normal morning preparations. Though the sun hadn’t yet fully risen, it was light enough to see. She’d take an early-morning ride, if she could get to the mare she’d borrowed before. Hopefully, she could do this and get the horse back without Matt realizing. She’d search parts of the ranch she hadn’t checked. She didn’t have long. She might as well use every minute to her advantage.

The spread was huge—3,320 acres. Much of it was accessible only on horseback or four-wheeler. Previously, she’d discounted the more remote parts as a storage place because the logistics of getting the ammo out there were close to impossible. She’d made the possibly erroneous assumption that Matt would subscribe to a similar train of thought—why make things any more difficult than they had to be?

Still, she had to give it a shot. After feeding Talia and letting her out, she hurried to the barn as the sky continued to lighten.

* * *

Losing sight of his quarry, Matt slowed Saint back to a brisk walk. He’d best be careful. On this part of the ranch, there were several large boulders behind which an interloper could hide.

There were also the caves.

Matt drew his weapon, aware that out in the open he was a sitting target.

The sharp crack of gunfire was his only warning. The first shot grazed Matt’s arm, which hurt like hell but wasn’t serious. Reining Saint in, he dismounted in a flash, looping the reins loosely around the saddle horn before slapping his horse on the butt.

“Go,” he shouted, ducking behind some boulders. The horse reared and took off at a full-out run. To Matt’s relief, no one shot at Saint, and the stallion vanished into the distance.

Now to find the shooter. Drawing his weapon, he moved forward, using rocks and trees for cover. He could only hope there was not more than one.

There. Up ahead. Darting forward, he dived from one boulder to another. At the movement, a volley of gunshots erupted.

A man appeared, dark head above the boulders, gun raised. Matt squeezed off a shot.

His shot went wide, ricocheting off the rocks. More shots, this time to his left. He fired and fired again. How many men were there? He’d seen only one.

Footsteps behind him. He spun, weapon raised, and nearly hit her. Skylar.

She dived from behind her boulder to join him.

“I’ve got your back,” she said, unsmiling.

“Damn it,” he growled. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I went for a ride.” Her voice was low. Controlled. “Borrowed one of your mares—I’ll explain that later. Anyway, I saw a group of strange men and went to investigate.”

He didn’t bother to comment on the intelligence of that act. “How many are there?”

“Four, maybe five. I’m not sure how they got here. I didn’t see any horses or hear any four-wheelers.”

“There’s an old road not too far from here. They probably parked on it and came here on foot.

“Where’s your horse?” he asked.

“I let her go.” She frowned. “She should be okay, right?”

He nodded. “I sent Saint away, too. We’ll round them up later.”

More shots, pinging harmlessly off the rocks and trees. “You’ve got some good cover, but you’re boxed in,” she told him.

“I know, but I didn’t have a choice.” Narrowing his eyes, he weighed their options. “We’ve got to find a way to flush them out.”

Another round of shots. As if they were a team, they both returned fire.

“One of them is hit,” she said. “I got him right in the shoulder.”

He found he was glad she was a crack shot. “Good. I think I got one, too.”

“You’re wounded.” Eyes wide, she grabbed him. “Let me see.”

He jerked away. He’d managed to forget about being wounded until she pointed it out. Now his damn arm had begun aching. “I’m fine. The bullet only grazed me.”

“You’re lucky,” she told him, her voice harsh. “What happened?”

“Long story short, I was out riding and saw a guy. I rode after him and into some sort of ambush.”

“Deliberate?”

“Possibly.” He shrugged and then winced at the unexpected pain. “I tend to think I surprised them.”

She gave him a hard look. “Maybe. Or if they were expecting to catch you alone, I’m guessing they weren’t expecting me. Do you normally ride out here in the morning?”

Her harsh, law-enforcement style of questioning made him grimace. Again he wondered if she realized how much that revealed. “No. I come here occasionally. I’m guessing they were on a clandestine hunting operation.”

“For what?” she asked, even though he knew she knew.

“Never mind.”

An ominous silence had fallen. Either their opponents were taking stock and making a plan, or they were retreating. Stuck behind this boulder, he couldn’t see much.

Moving cautiously, he raised his head and tried to take a look. Though no shots came, he saw nothing, either.

“What now?” she asked.

“No idea,” he told her.

“Do you want to rush them?”

“Rush them? We’re completely outnumbered.”

“True, but we’d have the element of surprise on our side.”

He hadn’t known she had a death wish. “No. Out of the question.”

“Then what’s your plan? We can’t stay here forever. We’re sitting ducks.”

Though he liked her fierceness, he couldn’t let her risk her life. “Hold on. Sit still and listen.”

She went silent long enough to do as he asked. “I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly. I think they’ve retreated.”

Before he could stop her, she pushed away and went charging for the next large group of boulders. “Cover me.”

Because he had no choice, he did. But no one shot at them. Dashing forward, he joined her.

“Come on,” she told him, apparently intending to climb to the top of the rock hill. He grabbed her arm before she could.

“Wait.”

Though she made a sound of impatience, she did as he asked.

Popping up, he squeezed off another shot. There was no response.

“They’re gone,” she said, practically vibrating with impatience. “If we can get to the top, we can get a bead on where they are.”

“As long as we have cover,” he cautioned. “Safety first.”

She made a sound that either could have been agreement or derision. “Lead the way,” she said.

Cautiously, he moved forward and up. A rock here, then a twisted scrub tree, then a large, open expanse that was the only way to the top of the hill.

“Well?” She eyed him, one perfectly shaped brow arched. “Do you want to go for it? Every second wasted gives them more time to get away.”

Since he suspected she was right, he nodded. “I’m going alone. Wait here.”

Without waiting for her to comply, he dashed up the remaining distance. Somehow he wasn’t surprised when she came along right behind him.

“I told you I’ve got your back,” she said, waving away any protests he might be about to make. “Look.” She pointed. “Over there, near the road.”

In the distance, he could see the group of men running. A beat-up black Suburban parked nearby was apparently their destination.

“They’re nearly there.”

“Too far for us to catch them.” He cursed. “And we’re not close enough to make out the plates.”

Side by side, they watched as the men climbed into the vehicle and sped away.

Chapter 9

O
nly when the intruders’ vehicle had completely vanished did Matt turn to look at her. He wasn’t surprised to find her glaring at him, her arms crossed.

“What the hell was that?” she demanded.

He grimaced. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

Her mouth fell open and then she made a rude sound. “Don’t give me that crap. Are you going to tell me what’s going on? First a fire is deliberately set in your barn, then a bunch of guys shoots at us.”

Us.
The simple word sent an absurd stab of longing through him. Made even more dangerous by the fact that she could have died, and once again, it would have been all his fault.

“There is no
us,
” he told her. “And the rest is none of your business. I’ve changed my mind about letting you stay another day. Actually, it’d be best if you go gather your things and take off.”

Still glaring at him, she stood her ground. “I helped you, damn it. I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”

“You are my responsibility and you were nearly killed,” he ground out, suddenly, blazingly furious. “And you still want to ask questions?”

He saw his own fury reflected back at him in her eyes. In three strides she reached him, grabbed ahold of him by the front of his shirt.

Standing on tiptoe, she tried to go nose to nose with him. She didn’t quite make it, as he was still a good six or more inches taller.

Still, the fact that she even made the attempt turned him on incredibly. That and the adrenaline rushing through his body like lightning had him wanting to haul her up against him and freaking ravish her.

“I could just shake you,” she cried, her frustration apparent in her voice. This had nearly the same effect as a dousing of cold water. Obviously, he didn’t have the same effect on her.

“Shake me?” he asked, incredulous. “You’re the one who insists on putting herself in danger. You could have been killed. Do you understand?”

“So could you,” she shot back, pushing at him. “I’ve had years of practice. What about you? How good are you with a gun?”

Now wasn’t the time to tell her he’d been a sharpshooter in the military.

Nose to nose, chest to chest, adrenaline and anger and fear coalesced into a flash of...something else. Something white-hot and life-affirming and as dangerous as hell.

“Damn it,” he growled. Then, before he could even think, she hauled him up against her and kissed him.

After half a second of stunned shock, he kissed her back.

This time, the kiss raged like a wildfire, out of control. Neither was willing to give an inch, and for the first time he relished the hotness of a woman who knew what she wanted and wouldn’t back down.

She pressed against him, grinding her body into his. Already hard beyond belief, he thought he might burst through his jeans.

She grabbed his butt, pulling him closer, pulling at his shirt with fumbling hands. Impatient, he yanked hers over her head, then helped her rip his from his chest. More kisses, touches, groans. On fire, they shed the rest of their clothing, just as the sun rose over the horizon in a blaze of gold.

Finally, naked, he dimly registered the truth of her body—every bit as splendid as he’d dreamed—before she was on him, taking as much as she gave.

He tried to hold off, to bank the fires so they’d burn longer, but she would have none of that.

Pushing him back, she straddled him. “Are you ready?” she growled.

He thought he’d never seen anything as erotic as her, crouched over him in the early-morning light, wild and sexy and...

Before he could even finish the thought, she took him inside her in one swift move. Sheathing him, so tight, so wet, so damn perfect.

A moan escaped him. “Skylar,” he managed, unable to articulate anything but her name.

She began to move. He moved with her, bucking, trying to keep to the slow rhythm she set, but his body had other plans.

They took each other—not making love so much as taking possession—and it was fierce and fiery and reaffirmed to both of them that they were alive.

After, sweaty and spent, they held each other briefly before she pushed away and sat up. Gazing at him, she swallowed hard. “I hadn’t intended for that to happen.”

Finally, honesty. Slowly, he shook his head. “Me, either.”

“It’s time for some truths,” she said.

Weary of it all, he shook his head. “Fine. You want the truth? Then I’ll tell you. I already know what you are.”

At that, she went very, very still. “What do you mean?” she asked, but her voice sounded off.

He eyed her. She watched him, her wariness evident in the way she held her body. Stiff, remote, as though they hadn’t just shared the most intimate of acts.

“You’re ATF or DEA,” he continued. “Undercover. Don’t bother denying it.”

Finally, her shoulders sagged, just the tiniest bit, but it was enough. “How long have you known?” she asked.

He saw the way she tried not to glance toward her weapon. Did she really think he was that big a threat? That after all that had happened between them he’d really hurt her?

“Go ahead.” He gestured toward the gun. “Hand me mine while you’re at it.”

She goggled at him. “What?”

“Do you really think I’m going to hurt you?”

“I don’t know,” she cried. “My cover is blown, you’re not what I expected, so who the hell knows what’s going to happen next?”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” he told her. Then, because he wanted no lies between them, he added, “Unless you get in my way.”

“Your way.” Dragging her hand through her hair, she looked vulnerable and beautiful and the exact opposite of the tigress who’d attacked his body only moments before. When he didn’t respond, she sighed. “Are you going to tell me the truth about what’s going on? Who were those men? Why were they shooting at us? Did they set the fire at the barn? And are you going to call the local police?”

Once again, she hammered questions at him the same way she’d attacked him. Full-out, holding nothing back.

“Those men were most likely members of the Mexican drug cartel.”

She stared. He wasn’t sure if it was because she hadn’t expected the truth or because even the truth was a bit difficult to swallow.

“The Mexican drug cartel never comes this far north,” she finally said. “They have people on this side who take care of distribution for them.”

“True.” He smiled, though it felt more like a grimace. “And since you know I’m not dealing drugs...”

“Then what are you doing?” she interrupted. “We know about your stockpile of ammunition.”

“Which is not illegal.”

“I know the law, thank you,” she snapped. “Are you selling or do you intend to sell that ammunition to the Mexicans?”

He widened his eyes. “Now,
that
would be illegal,” he mocked.

“Matt, please. I’m trying to work with you here.”

“Then arrest me, if I’ve done something wrong. Otherwise, I want you off my ranch.”

Slowly, she shook her head. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I know I haven’t. So what’s your next step? I’ve heard stories. How when you people can’t find a legitimate reason to move in, you manufacture one.”

Her expression went mulish. “That’s bull.”

“Oh, yeah? I saw on the news how you raided some guy in Dallas who had an ammo stash. The charge was that he was
suspected
of being a weapons dealer without a license. You had no proof of anything. But you went in anyway.”

To give her credit, she looked down. “That was an isolated case. I’m sure they found something after it was all over.”

“Are you? I’m not.”

She sighed. “Look, you’ve already told me my cover’s blown. I really do want to help you. Not as a federal agent, but as a...person.”

As a woman? He let it go, still not entirely sure he could trust her. But he wanted to, oh, how he wanted to. The depth of his longing shocked the hell out of him.

More proof he was truly a fool.

Frustrated, he turned away. “No.”

“Off the record,” she urged. “I promise. I’m willing to assist you any way I can.”

“Why?” Studying her, he searched her face for any hint of a lie.

His question seemed to stop her cold. For the first time, she appeared uncertain. “Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe because I actually like you.”

Strange as it seemed, he believed her. Still, they were on opposing sides of the fence. “I refuse to ask you to compromise your job.”

“I would never do that,” she shot back. “But I can help you. If you’re in a bind, let me lend a hand.”

As tempting as her offer was, he knew she couldn’t help him with what he wanted to do. It would be against everything she stood for. After all, she’d come here under false pretenses, and for all he knew, she was still lying.

He could do nothing about the powerful attraction they shared, but he couldn’t allow it to factor into his decision. He had too much at risk. “The best thing you can do is pack, get in your little VW and get the hell out of here.”

She crossed her arms, still spectacular in her nakedness. To his disbelief, his body stirred. Immediately, he snatched up his discarded clothing and began getting dressed. She simply stood there and watched him.

“Please,” he urged. “Put on your clothes.”

To his immense relief, moving slowly, stiffly, she dragged on her jeans and her T-shirt, running her fingers through her hair. Once she’d finished and was fully clothed, she faced him again. This time, at least he could look at her without becoming too aroused.

“I’m dressed. Now, don’t ask me to leave, because I’m not going anywhere until you tell me the truth.”

Frustrated, tired of the lies, exhausted from the pretense, he swallowed.

“Please,” she added, touching his shoulder lightly.

It was the contact, the feel of her hand on his body that did it. For one brief, shining instant, he no longer felt so alone.

So he told her some things, things that José was the only other person to know. Careful not to reveal everything—like his real name or how he’d come by his millions—he stuck with the facts, trying to remain unemotional. He told her about his family, about his brother, Ricardo, and his dealings with La Familia.

“The largest of all the Mexican drug cartels?” she asked.

“And the most dangerous. Yes.” And finally, he told her about coming home to find his family all dead, shot execution-style and left in the blazing sun to rot in the field behind their house.

There were things he left out. Most important, what he had planned. His
revenge.

As his words trailed off into silence, he looked up, saw the silver sheen of tears on her cheeks and felt a curious swooping pull inside his chest.

“No.” He shook his head. “Don’t cry for me. It’s too late for that,” he told her.

“What are you planning?” she finally asked, her voice flat, as if she’d tried to suppress all emotions. “Using the ammo to draw them here and then...what?”

“Planning?” He lifted his chin. She was too astute for her own good. “I’m not planning anything.”

“Now who’s not telling the truth?” Expression calculating, she stared at him. “You’ve accumulated a large amount of ammunition. There has to be a reason—that was one of the things our intel never got figured out. You probably made sure the cartel knows about it, too. Why?”

Instead of answering, he dodged the question. “They don’t know where the ammo is. I’ve made sure of that.”

“But they’re looking for it. That’s what those men who shot at us where doing here—searching for your ammo.”

“Maybe. But they’ll never find it.”

“Then what are you doing? I know you have some sort of plan.”

He’d already gone this far. What the hell? She’d never be able to prove any of it. “The two men who killed my family are trying to break away from La Familia and form their own cartel. La Familia doesn’t take well to that kind of thing.”

“So they both want your ammo. Why?”

He shrugged, deliberately casual. “Maybe they both have heard it’s available.”

“You really intend to sell it to the highest bidder?” She looked so disappointed and furious that he had to smile.

“No. I don’t intend to sell it at all.” He waited while she processed that.

“Then what?” Her frustration was evident in her voice. “What do you plan to do with it?”

Instead of answering, he glanced back toward the ranch. “You know, sooner or later someone is going to discover Saint without a rider and come looking for me.”

“Let them look.” She shrugged. “We’re dressed. Now tell me what you’re planning to do with the ammo. I’m guessing it involves revenge.”

“End of discussion,” he said.

“All right.” She crossed her arms. “The ATF never could learn where you came by your money. That’s one of the reasons why they suspect you of illegal activity.”

“And you want to know where I got it?”

“Yes.”

He sighed. “I won the lottery. Right after I got out of the military, before I went home to find my family killed, I bought a ticket and won two hundred and fifty-one million dollars.”

Of all the things she might have expected, it hadn’t been this. “But Texas law won’t let you remain anonymous.”

“I know.” Scratching his head, he grimaced. “I hired a lawyer and a financial adviser. They helped me set up various corporations—all legal—in which to claim the money.”

Her skeptical expression told him what she thought of that. “Still, I’d think there’d be some sort of trail to your name.”

“I worried about that, too. After my family was killed, I changed it.” He paused, studying her as if debating whether to continue. “I used to have a different name.”

Now her expression softened. “Do you regret that now?”

“Sometimes. I’m used to being called Matt Landeta now, but when I think of having a son, I regret he won’t be able to carry on the family name.”

“Then why don’t you change it back?”

Before he could answer, someone shouted his name. José. And close. Not bothering to hide his relief, he turned and waved.

“Tell me,” she pressed. “Before he gets here.”

“I’ve already revealed enough, Skylar. When we get back to the ranch, I want you packed and gone before breakfast. Is that clear?”