Page 33 of Wyoming Cowboy Undercover

Rocco never discussed work with his cousin. All this time, she had no idea that he had been cultivating Mercy McCoy as a potential asset. Only that she was the sole client he was willing to work with one-on-one.

Mercy headed toward him, trembling like a leaf, and handed him a cup of coffee.

He mouthed,thank you. “I can’t get into specifics right now. Listen, we’re about to take a taxi to a motel.” He rattled off the name and vicinity in which it was located. From what he could tell from the outside, the place wasn’t a fleabag dump, but it wasn’t the Ritz either.

“Why are you going to a hotel? And why are you taking a taxi instead of driving your car?”

“It’s a long story. Short version is that folks from the compound might come looking for her at my place. Maybe even at yours, too. You should stay with Brian for the next few days.” He took a long sip of coffee, grateful for the warm liquid sliding down his throat.

“I’m at his house almost every night as it is anyway. I won’t say we’re living together because I’ve still got my house, but he’s given me two drawers and closet space.”

Not only had Charlie’s relationship with Brian caught him completely off guard, but the two had gone from zero to serious at lightning speed. He wasn’t complaining. In fact, he was thrilled that his cousin had finally let someone in behind that steel wall she’d put up around her heart, and for it to be a great, solid guy like Brian made it even better.

“It might be a good idea to have Brian hang out at USD as well. Some Starlights might try to harass you there to find out where Mercy is.” Nash should approve it. They didn’t hem and haw when it came to the safety of their loved ones.

The service station attendant came out from the back and handed them both towels.

“Can you bring me some things from my place and pick up stuff for Mercy?” he asked his cousin. “We both look like a couple of drowned cats. I could also use a car.”

Charlie sighed. “We’ve got you covered. I’ll let you use my Hellcat and ride with Brian. See you in a few.” She disconnected.

Rocco went to the ATM and withdrew his daily limit so he could pay for a room in cash. To be sure they couldn’t be tracked down, he’d get the room under an alias. Beside the ATM was a rack of prepaid cell phones. Grabbing one, he wished the attendant had mentioned that the store carried them earlier.

He went to the register, paid for it and used the activation card as the taxi pulled up.

ATTHEMOTEL, Rocco unlocked the door to the room and let Mercy in. There were two double beds, a microwave, mini fridge and a dank, musty smell. “Sorry it isn’t nicer.”

He took off his sopping wet Stetson and fired off a quick text to Charlie.

It’s Rocco. This is a temp number. We’ll be in room 12.

THEROOMWASFREEZING. He turned down the air-conditioning. In the closet, he found an extra blanket and put it around Mercy’s shoulders.

She edged deeper inside with her arms wrapped around herself. “I thought I’d get a chance to see where you lived.”

He would’ve liked nothing more than to welcome her into his home. Show her how he lived and all the things about himself that he’d hidden. “I’m sure your father knows where my house is. He’d only send Alex and others to come get you.”

“I don’t think so. You didn’t kidnap me. It was my choice to leave the compound.”

Things happened quickly with bullets flying. No telling what version of the story her father had been told. Regardless, Alex was the type to retaliate. If he thought he knew where to find Mercy, nothing was going to stop him from going after her.

The man was either obsessed or in love with her. Either way, Alex wasn’t going to simply let her go.

“You left without permission or claimingpenumbroyage. Which means there’ll be consequences for you, right?”

Looking lost, she pressed a palm to her forehead. “I didn’t really think about that when I decided to go with you.”

“Regrets?” he asked.

If she had any, rather than letting her have a good night’s sleep, he’d have to get straight to questioning her about what she might know. Any innocent detail could lead to something fruitful. Then he’d drop her at the gates to the compound. Reluctantly say goodbye.

But he hoped she didn’t have any remorse about taking his hand and getting away from the commune. Even if it was only for a few days.

She turned to him, her mouth opening to answer when headlights shone in front of the window, drawing their attention. Car doors slammed and there was a knock on the door.

Rocco peeled back the curtain and peeked out to be sure.

Charlie and Brian were kissing. She was wearing his black cowboy hat and his hand was pressed to the small of her back. Every time he saw their public displays of affection he was surprised all over again as if witnessing it for the first time. Brian was the only man to ever soften his cousin. It was nice seeing them both happy and in love.

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