Page 62 of Wyoming Cowboy Undercover

“What?” Alarm tightened across his and Sue Ellen’s faces.

“It’s true,” Rocco said. “He poisoned her. Put peanuts in her food. She went into anaphylactic shock.” His grip on her shoulder tightened. “I was terrified I was going to lose her. Almost did, too. I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life, watching her slip away. It was horrific.”

“That’s why there’s an IV bag in your car?” Cormac asked.

“Yes. To help me recover. My father wanted us to get out of there as soon as possible. Alex is insane.”

“He’s obsessed with her,” Rocco added. “He can’t handle seeing her with someone else.”

Her uncle leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “Then it’s good that you came here.”

His wife nodded. “Coveting anything or anyone above the Light is to make it your master. It was best to get out of that man’s sight. If he wants you that badly, he would’ve been bound to try again.”

“You’re welcome to stay. We’ve got a spare bedroom.” Cormac hiked a thumb over his shoulder at one of the doors. “Are you both okay with the one bed? It’s only full-size. If not, I can have a tent and cot set up for you, Rocco.”

“No, that won’t be necessary,” Mercy said, rubbing Rocco’s thigh. “We’d prefer to sleep together. Isn’t that right?”

Smiling as though he’d suddenly become bashful, Rocco lowered his head but met her eyes. “I can’t keep my hands off you, so it’s whatever you want, sweetheart,” he said, the deep timbre of his voice sliding through her. He stroked a lock of hair back from her cheek, trailing the pads of his fingers across her skin.

Her breath caught. She tried and failed to ignore a pang of longing. So she decided to stop trying and kissed him. Soft and quick.

Rocco cleared his throat. “Provided your uncle allows us to share a bed under his roof.”

Staring into his warm brown eyes was almost hypnotic. She was certainly under his spell. Even though he’d used her, lied to her and might still be manipulating her for the sake of his mission, she couldn’t wait to make love with him again.

“Your father aware that you two have had relations?” her uncle asked. “I recall him being quite protective of you.”

“He is,” she said, a little annoyed at how her father and uncle treated her as though she was a child. “I’ve never hidden anything from him.”

“Well, you’re to be married. What happens behind closed doors, stays there.” Her uncle Mac smirked. “There’s only one bathroom in here. Compost toilet. All our power is solar, and we get our water from a catchment system. Not the fancy digs you’re used to at the compound, but the room is yours for as long as you want it, or until we can get you two your own cabin.”

“Much appreciated. We’ll earn our keep,” Rocco said. “I’d love to start by helping you with whatever you’ve got planned tomorrow. Giving those Feds payback sounds good to me.”

“Happy to have an extra gunman,” her uncle said. “Especially if you’re a good shot.”

“That I am. What exactly is the target?” Rocco asked.

Sue Ellen whispered in Cormac’s ear.

“We’ll get into specifics tomorrow,” Mac said. “You’ll have to excuse our caution. We had an informant weasel his way into our camp a few days ago. We’re still a bit on edge.”

“Oh, yeah, how did you deal with it?” Rocco asked.

“Same way you wanted to handle your spy.” A sinister laugh rolled from Cormac. “Barry and Dennis took care of that traitor.”

“Good for you.” Rocco held up his mug, his body language mirroring that of her uncle’s. “You sent those Feds a clear message they were messing with the wrong people.”

The two of them toasted. Mercy thought she might be sick, but she kept eating.

“For now,” Mac said, “I’ll introduce you around and show you the camp.”

They finished their food and headed outside.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Sue Ellen.” Cormac looked back at the cabin, keeping his voice low. “But I can see why Alex lost his mind over you. You’re the spitting image of your mother.” He gave a low whistle. “She was the prettiest woman I ever did see.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “She left the compound the same day you did, right?”

“An unfortunate coincidence.”

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