Chapter 10 Retribution #2
Her concerns from earlier came tumbling back. “I think she knows, Tuck.” She kept her voice down as he opened the passenger door and gave her a lift over the running board.
He waited until they were buckled in before continuing their conversation. “Knows what?”
“I’m not sure, but she knows something.” Mallory wished she could put it into words. “It felt like she was saying goodbye without coming right out and saying it. She said she really appreciates the way you and I have taken Chip under our wing. ”
“Hmm.” Tucker made the short drive to the church in frowning contemplation. “I got a call from my regional manager this morning,” he informed her quietly. “Told me we’re approaching go-time for the sting operation we’re planning.”
Mallory couldn’t think of worse timing. “As long as it’s after the wedding.”
He shook his head gravely as they circled Heart Lake. “He didn’t give me any specifics.”
She stared at the sparkling blue lake and the little white church that rested on a pier above the water. Christmas garlands and lights were wrapped around the railings leading out to the pier. Every few feet, a festive red bow had been tied to anchor them down.
“What can we do to get ready?” She’d strapped a pistol to her thigh beneath her dress, but she didn’t relish the thought of using it on their wedding day.
“Keep the faith,” he said firmly. He parked and helped her to the ground, reaching for her hand as they walked into the church together. “I’ll be sticking to you like a cocklebur today.”
“Right back atcha, cowboy.” She squeezed his hand.
“According to your best man, I’m not the one with a target on my head.
” It bothered her that they still didn’t know who’d ordered the hit on him.
Or if it was even true. Up to this point, Chip had proven to be the king of incomplete information.
He knew only bits and pieces about the cartel—things he’d stumbled across while poking through his mother’s computer files.
Tucker paused inside the door of the church. “Number one, our lives belong in God’s hands. No one else’s. Number two, you shouldn’t have bothered to wear lipstick.” He pulled off a glove to run a finger down her cheek. “I’m gonna kiss it off.”
His words took the edge off her fears and warmed her to the toes of her boots. “Thanks for the warning.”
“Any time, darling.” His husky baritone sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.
Tucker was surprised at the number of locals crammed into the building. He wasn’t sure where they’d come from, since he and Mallory hadn’t sent any wedding invitations. Not only did they prefer a small wedding, there simply hadn’t been time.
The entire Lonestar Security team was there, which came as no surprise. They were technically on duty today. The fact that most of them had their wives present did surprise him. Then again, a few of them had backgrounds in law enforcement, too, so maybe it wasn’t all that surprising after all.
The guy whose dairy farm he’d been working at part-time hurried his way with his wife. Johnny Cuba was a tall, dark, and rugged dairy farmer in jeans and a suit jacket. Ashley Cuba’s berry-red dress had an empire waist to compensate for her blooming belly.
“It’s nice to finally meet you.” Johnny thrust a hand Mallory’s way. “Somebody’s been working hard to keep you under wraps.” He shot a teasing look at Tucker.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” She shook the jokester’s hand, blissfully unaware of how nosy and obnoxious the guy could be. He was all nice one minute; in the next minute, he was putting you through the tenth degree, attempting to interrogate your deepest, darkest secrets out of you.
Johnny waggled his eyebrows at Tucker. It was his signature “tell” that he was about to goad a response out of him. “We didn’t even know he was dating anyone.”
“Enough,” his wife interrupted, stepping between them to shake Mallory’s hand. “Not everyone’s life is an open book, and that’s okay, too.” The way her hazel gaze briefly dipped to Mallory’s flat abdomen told Mallory that Johnny’s wife had heard the rumors about her and Tucker’s “shotgun wedding.”
“We don’t have many secrets.” Mallory muffled a chuckle. “I’m bringing a herd of steers into the marriage. He’s bringing a retired K-9. That’s it. No skeletons to speak of.”
Johnny looked so disappointed that it was comical. Tucker gave her a mental high-five.
“Congratulations on the new baby.” Mallory beamed a womanly smile at Ashley’s swollen middle.
“What?” Johnny’s dark-haired bride’s smile vanished. She glanced mournfully down at her blossoming figure. “I know I’ve gained a few pounds lately, but…”
Mallory looked aghast at having jumped to the wrong conclusion. “I’m so sorry,” she gasped. “I’m?—”
“Gotcha!” Ashley pointed two fingers at her, dissolving into laughter. “I’m pregnant with baby number two—so pregnant that I’m about to pop. You should’ve seen your face, though.”
“Oh, wow!” Mallory looked a little dazed. “You’re awful!”
“I know.” Ashley snickered. “It’s Johnny’s fault. We’ve been married long enough that his meanness is starting to rub off on me. ”
“Speaking of meanness.” Johnny wagged a finger at Tucker. “Rumor has it you’re about to resign from Johnny’s Dairy.” He looked down his nose at him. “Not that you’ve shown up much lately.”
Tucker didn’t try to sidestep the truth. “It’s true. I’ve been putting it off as long as I could.” All jokes and beefs aside, he hated leaving the guy shorthanded.
“Then let me make it easy for you.” Johnny stepped closer to clap a hand on his shoulder. “You’re fired. Congratulations!” His knowing smirk took the sting out of his words.
“Johnny,” his wife moaned.
“Eh, I had it coming.” Tucker wasn’t the least bit offended by the Cubas’ tag-teaming brand of humor.
On the contrary, he appreciated the way their antics seemed to be easing Mallory’s bridal nerves.
Knowing Johnny, he’d probably done it on purpose.
Not only did he have a good heart, but he understood the undercurrents of danger rumbling through the room. Well, mostly.
Tucker felt a stab of guilt over not revealing his status as a federal agent to his fellow P.I.s at Lonestar Security.
He needed to. Soon. Especially since he was hoping to make his employment there more permanent.
Though he’d promised Mallory he’d become a full-time rancher, he was still debating the idea of hiring a new ranch foreman—a non-criminal this time around—to handle the day-to-day stuff.
He enjoyed detective work too much to give it up entirely.
Catching sight of Gil Remington’s auburn hair, he left Mallory in Ashley’s capable hands and moved his way. It might not hurt to review their security protocols one last time before the wedding ceremony began.
The tall, retired sheriff shook his head at Tucker as he approached him. “Whatever you’re about to ask me, the answer is no. You’re off-duty, Private Investigator Pratt. It’s your wedding day.” He leaned his head closer to add in undertones, “Or should I call you Agent Pratt?”
Tucker gripped the Stetson at his side tighter. For once, he was at a loss for words.
“How did I know?” Gil smirked as he asked what was burning like lava inside of Tucker. For an answer, he angled his head at someone else.
Tucker followed his line of sight and discovered none other than Pete Flournoy had shown up for the wedding. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“Nope.” Gil sounded amused. “Apparently, he received the resignation you emailed to him last night and hopped on the next flight. Took a red-eye to the closest big airport and boarded a prop jet for the remaining leg.”
Tucker rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I can explain.”
“After the wedding,” Gil returned smoothly. “My partners are in the middle of drafting a new job offer,” he cleared his throat, “now that we have a more complete picture of your skill set.”
Gratitude flooded Tucker. “Thank you, sir.” He almost didn’t care what they offered him. He was going to accept it.
“You’re welcome.” Gil gave him a stern, fatherly look. “Go make that girl happy. I knew her parents. She’s a good one.”
Tucker nodded, feeling emotional. “She’s my entire world, sir.”
“Believe me, I know the feeling.” Gil shooed him toward the altar. “One last thing. No matter what happens down there, Lonestar Security has your back. Yours and Mallory’s both.”
“Thank you, sir.” Tucker could only hope it wasn’t his way of saying the sting operation would commence in the middle of their wedding. However, there was no time for questions.
He strode to the altar, tossing his Stetson onto the half-empty front pew. It skidded across the ancient wooden seat and landed against the dark navy trousers of the man seated there.
Tucker opened his mouth to issue an apology, but the words got stuck on his tongue.
He found himself staring at the one man in the world he’d never expected to see again—Gray Duncan, a dirty police detective with blood on his hands.
There was no mistaking his military high-and-tight haircut or the sneer splattered across his scarred face.
His ex-partner from the El Paso Police Department gave him a slow, ominous wink. “Hello, Tucker. I understand congratulations are in order.”
Tucker’s hand inched toward the holster beneath his suit jacket, but Gray shook his head in warning. “Don’t.” He moved a hand inside his own suit pocket to reveal the outline of a pistol beneath the fabric.
Tucker lowered his hand to his side, frantically considering his meager options. A few seconds ago, he’d been hoping the federal sting operation would be postponed. Now, it couldn’t begin soon enough.
Gray surveyed him mockingly. “Don’t bother trying anything. It’s over, partner. We’ve got you surrounded.”