Morgan's Hunter (36 page)

Hunter detached the wire, pulled the beacon from the radio. “This is how the asshole knew we found the mine. When you tried radioing in that night, this little beacon sent out our location.”

Morgan’s gaze whipped up to his. “What? But it was only on for seconds.”

Hunter examined the small tracking piece. “That’s all it would’ve taken.”

“No. The beacon would’ve stopped transmitting when I turned it off.”

“As soon as you turned the radio on, the signal was activated, telling him where we were, which wasn’t anywhere near where we said we would be.”

“My God, you’re absolutely right.” She stood, turned away. “I can’t believe this. The last four days have been my fault. If I hadn’t turned on the radio, they never would’ve found out.” She paced in quick, jerky movements. “I’m such a fool. I put you and my parents in danger; maybe even your friend and her little girl.”

Hunter stood in her path, unable to stand the anguish in her voice, in her eyes. “Stop it.”

“No. It’s the truth. I’m so sick inside. Robert almost shot you. My parents are surrounded by security guards.” Tears filled her eyes as she turned away again.

Hunter yanked her around. “I said stop. If you want to take the blame, you’ll have to share. If I told you everything straight up, you wouldn’t’ve tried to radio in. We both made decisions we thought best at the time. We can’t change that. It’s over now. It doesn’t matter anymore. Let’s pack up.” He checked his watch. “We have fifteen minutes.”

Morgan stared, battling back tears.

“I said it’s not your fault.”

“I heard you.”

“Do more than hear me—listen. It’s not your fault.” He took her hand, squeezed. “Now pack.”

She nodded, went back to sorting.

Ten minutes later, Hunter zipped his pack, resting it against the wall by the door. With five minutes to departure, he gave a final check of the area through the curtain and stepped to the door.

“Wait.”

Hunter turned.

“Um, all of this will be over soon, so I want to thank you—for everything. I know it’s not enough, not nearly enough, but I really need to say it.” She nibbled her lip, swiped a strand of hair behind her ear.

He wanted to reach out, to pull her against him, but it was time to take a step back. “It’s not necessary, but you’re welcome. If you’re trying to say goodbye, let’s wait. I’m going to the airport with you. We’ll say our goodbyes then.” He wasn’t looking forward to it, but he would worry about that later. Right now, he had a job to do.

“Right. I’ll take a last look around, make sure we didn’t forget anything.”

“Okay, fine.” Hunter opened the door a crack, peered out. Tourists swarmed the sidewalks yards away. He couldn’t do much until his team got there. Closing the door, he relocked it.

Risks were minimal to Morgan at this point, but he would feel better when he watched her plane depart. “We have about two minutes, Morgan. Be ready.”

“I am. Just let me double-check the bathroom.”

She disappeared around the corner as he scanned the bedroom. The o-ring on the side table caught his attention. He moved to grab it, hesitating.

Morgan popped back into the room. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” When she turned toward her pack, Hunter picked up the tarnished piece of metal, shoved it in his pocket. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s finish this.”

Shouldering his pack, Hunter peered from the window. “As soon as we see the detail, I’ll step out, make sure everything’s secure. When I tell you to, move forward. I’ll be at your side at all times until we get to the vehicle door. Once you’re in, stay down. Okay, here they come.”

Four dark green Lincoln Navigators pulled up in front of the room. Hunter opened the door wide enough to throw a hand signal to the men on his team. The back door of the second Navigator opened immediately from the inside. “Move forward,” he told Morgan.

He grabbed her to his side, shielding her as he closed the motel door behind them. He whisked her into the SUV while speaking to Baker, moving her so she lay on the floor. Hunter lay on the seat over her until they got up to speed.

As the team drove away, the phone in the motel room began to ring.

Hunter glanced up and out the window. Pine trees flashed by at breakneck speeds. He sat up, speaking to Baker as they moved west on Grand Loop Road. “Anything interesting on the drive here?”

Baker glanced in the rearview mirror. “Not so far.”

“Good, let’s hope it stays that way.” Morgan stared up at him. “You can get in your seat.” He held out his hand, helping her from the floor.

“I was wondering how long I would have to stay down there.” She buckled in as Stanley popped up from the last row. “Oh, Daddy.” Morgan threw herself halfway over the seat, embracing him in a fierce hug. “I’m so happy to see you.” She kissed his cheek.

Stanley eased her back, looked her over. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, smiling. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. I’m good. Hunter took very good care of me.”

Hunter smiled, feeling awkward when Stanley met his gaze. Not even an hour before, he’d had his daughter naked and pinned against the wall of the shower.

Stanley gave him a firm nod. “Hunter, my boy, I can’t thank you enough for keeping my Peanut safe. I’ve been worried sick, but I see she’s in one piece.” He and Morgan grinned identical grins as Stanley hugged her close again.

Morgan turned her attention to Hunter, eyes bright, extending the smile to him. His reply to Stanley withered in his throat, his stomach clenching in reflex. God, she was stunning, absolutely breathtaking. Without thinking, he brushed his thumb over her cheek, needing to feel her skin against his.

Morgan leaned into his touch, her smile fading, her green eyes staring into his.

Stanley’s cell phone rang, jolting Hunter back. He dropped his hand, catching the look that passed between Stanley and his daughter. Stanley’s frown disappeared with a quick shake of Morgan’s head.

Hunter turned, scanning the trees again. What the hell was he
doing
? Had he lost his
mind
? The two of them weren’t alone anymore.

Stanley pressed talk on the third ring. “Hello? Hello? Nothing but static. I haven’t had a signal since Bozeman. The service here is terrible.” He pushed end.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere, Dad. You’ll be up and running in no time.”

The phone rang again. “Hello? Hello?” Stanley cursed, ended the call.

“Dad, why don’t you just turn it off for now?”

Hunter turned toward Morgan and her father. She rolled her eyes, smiled. He smiled back.

“Maybe I can receive a text. There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing someone’s trying to get a-hold of you.” The phone beeped. “Nothing. Not a damn thing.”

Morgan pulled the phone from Stanley’s hand. “I know you can’t live without it, but why don’t I hold this for you?” She pressed another button, powering down the phone, tossed it in her pack. “So, how’s Mom? Is she okay?”

Hunter bit his cheek, holding back a grin. Stanley stared at the pack, blinking, sputtering protests.

Morgan took her father’s hand. “Dad, how’s Mom?”

His gaze left the bag, met hers. “She’s been worried about you but she’s fine. Ethan contacted a security firm in D.C. They sent people right over. As soon as I can get a damn
signal
, we’ll call her and let her know we’re all fine.”

“I can’t wait to talk to her.”

Hunter checked his watch as the SUV merged on 89. “Any more news on the mine, Stanley?”

“I spoke with the police just before we left Bozeman. The authorities found the mining operation late last night. From what I understand, they encountered a pretty heavy gunfight. One of the guards was shot and killed. The others were interrogated until they gave up names. Those names led to others, Dean’s included.”

Morgan’s gaze darted to her father’s. His hand enveloped hers, gave a squeeze. “Poor Connie. She must be heartbroken. And Michael, Jesse…”

He shook his head. “We’ll do all we can for them, Peanut. I know Michael will want to see you. He’ll need you now.”

“It’s the first stop I’ll make when we get back.”

Hunter stared at Morgan. Who the hell was Michael, and just how close were they? Would she look at Michael the way she looked at him? Did Michael touch her the way he did?

He choked down the bitter taste of jealousy, pulling himself back, attempting to focus on his job as he realized Stanley was speaking to him again.

“—quite a number of people involved with the operation. A big-time ranch, Jone’s ranch, farther north of the mine, was raided. Dean was drinking a beer, playing cards with the owner when it all happened. They found Robert hiding in one of the bunk houses, nursing his broken ribs with an icepack.”

“The bastard deserved more than that,” Hunter said.

“Oh, I imagine he’ll get it along with the others. At this point, they’re certain they have the key players. The head of the investigation feels confident that Morgan and I are safe. An officer will meet us at the airport to collect the journal Ethan said you have. After that we can go home and put this behind us for, the most part; I’m sure there will be follow-up questions and paperwork for the both of you.”

“I still don’t understand how Dean got caught up in all of this,” Morgan said.

“I’m not sure, honey. From what I’ve gathered, he and Robert go way back. It takes a lot of people and a lot of money to keep something like this quiet, not to mention a couple of pretty high feeders on the chain to do it. Early estimates report the mine has produced several million.”

“The mine cost more than it made. Three lives are worth more than that.” Morgan’s eyes met Hunter’s before she turned toward the window.

He wanted to reach for her but kept his hand at his side.

Stanley squeezed Morgan’s shoulder. “Yes, they certainly are.”

Morgan’s hand moved, resting over her father’s. This was better. As much as Hunter wanted to be the one to comfort her, they were no more than an hour from goodbye.

“Phillips,” the stonily serious Baker said as he glanced in the rearview mirror again, “we’re fifteen minutes out. Everything’s clear.”

“Thanks.” Hunter looked from the rearview mirror to Stanley and Morgan. “It should be smooth sailing from this point forward. What time is your plane set to take off?”

“I told the pilot we would be ready by four.”

“Good,” Hunter said as Morgan turned. Her gaze met his, held, before she stared out the window again.

The door marked
Private Plane Departures
slid open to the large waiting area. Dark wood complemented rustic Montana paintings scattered upon the walls.

Morgan walked to a grouping of brown leather chairs, put her pack down while her father strolled over to the customer service counter.

She stared through enormous panes of glass as private planes waited their turn for takeoff. As a Cessna gained speed on the runway, lifting its nose to the sky, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for goodbye. She turned from the window, met Hunter’s gaze.

Her pulse beat faster as he walked toward her. He was so outrageously sexy in his jeans and t-shirt. Did he know women looked twice as they passed by? She took another long, slow breath as the dread of losing him curled tight in her stomach, as her heart began to break.

Morgan smiled, unwilling to let him see how much his leaving hurt her. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, a habit she’d come to expect.

Stanley walked over, joined them. “Good news: they can get us in the air within the half-hour. The mechanic needs to do our maintenance check, then we can board.” He looked at Morgan, at Hunter and back, cleared his throat. “I’m going to get myself a cup of coffee. I’ll be back soon.”

Morgan kissed his cheek. “I’ll be waiting right here.”

As Stanley walked away, Hunter grabbed Morgan’s hand. “Come see me in L.A.”

She stared at him, his blue eyes intense, and hope began to bloom. “What?”

“Come visit me in L.A. after you get stuff figured out with work. You could stay for a long weekend or something. I’ll take you out on a real date.”

She hugged him, laughed, closing her eyes as his arms tightened around her. Was this really happening? Her heart stuttered in her chest as she gave him a kiss. “All right. It’ll probably be a couple of weeks before I can manage, but—”

“Excuse me, Hunter Phillips?”

A man dressed in khakis and a collared shirt approached.