“Good. You’re free to move around the condo. I’m going to catch some sleep in the guest bedroom, but I’ll be leaving the door open. If there’s any activity at all, someone will phone me and Luckey, so you’re not to worry about anything. Keep your phone right with you. If the stalker calls, I want you to come and wake me before you answer it. Turn on the speaker and keep him on as long as you can.”
“Okay.” She stirred restlessly. “I-is he close by?” Her voice was full of fear.
What to say that wouldn’t alarm her...? “Yes, but we have everything under control.”
“I know that,” she whispered and got off the bed to walk around. “What if he has a gun?”
“It won’t matter. He’ll be surrounded.”
Her hands formed fists. “But it does matter. Even Texas Rangers with all the protection available have been known to get injured, or worse...”
“That’s not going to happen.”
Her eyes blazed a hot blue. “He’s out to kill you for arresting his brother.”
He got to his feet. “I won’t give him the chance.”
“But if you get shot, it’ll be my fault. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
Cy could have sworn that was her heart talking. When he’d agreed to take her case, he’d felt an attraction that had been growing so deep and fast, he didn’t recognize himself anymore. TJ had warned him about walking that thin line. Unfortunately he’d already crossed it after meeting her in Bandera and would have pursued her, case or no case.
Get out of her room, Ranger Vance. Now.
“I assure you everything’s going to be fine.” He put the chair back by the window and left for the other bedroom.
After putting his gun under the pillow, he took off his cowboy boots and lay down, desperately needing a couple hours of sleep. It seemed as if no sooner had his head touched the pillow than he heard a phone ringing. He glimpsed Kellie’s face through his eyelids and bolted upright.
She answered the phone and turned on the speaker. “Why do you keep calling me?”
“I like to hear the fear in your voice.”
“You like to make people afraid?”
“Why not?”
“That’s sick. You’re sick, sick, sick!” she yelled into the phone. That brought Luckey from downstairs. Both men listened while she got him going. Keep it up, Kellie. Stick it to him where it hurts.
“Does your mother know what kind of person you’ve turned into?”
Bingo.
“What mother? She didn’t want us. We were orphans, but you wouldn’t know anything about it with your rich daddy and mommy. You’re going to pay for not going out with me. But first I’m going to finish off that husband of yours.”
“You don’t know who you’re dealing with!” Kellie’s lethal tone lifted the hairs off Cy’s neck. “Try to hurt him and you’ll wish you’d never been born!”
Luckey flashed Cy a secret smile before a maniacal laugh came through the phone. He muttered several obscenities and clicked off.
Kellie looked at Cy. “Did I keep him on long enough?”
“It was perfect. He’s ready to explode. That’s what I’ve been waiting for. Let’s all go downstairs.” He glanced at his watch. To his shock he’d slept seven hours. It was already five thirty in the evening. After putting on his boots, he reached for his gun and follow
ed them out of the room.
“Would you gentlemen like some iced tea?” She’d already gone into the kitchen.
“We’d love it,” Luckey answered for them because Cy had made a detour to the living room to phone Kit.
“Any sign of him yet?”