In the Arms of Danger

FIVE

Taylor grumbled under her breath. Cory was certainly well formed...and too incredibly good-looking. It appeared even his near death experience hadn't taken away that trait.

Pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin, she entered the room. Zack immediately stopped and stared. Cory took a step away from the window, his arms falling to his sides. His jaw also dropped. His gaze moved over every inch of her... her hair, which she'd pulled back in a ponytail, her belly shirt and tight jeans. His intense look burned her skin from afar. Memories assaulted her, reminding her how his kisses and touch had made her quiver like an innocent woman. Then again...she had been that way with him.

Shaking away the disturbing thoughts, she cleared her throat and approached her father. He rose from behind the desk and hurried around to meet her.

His beefy arms opened wide just before gathering her in a hug and kissing her forehead. "You're looking better."

Taylor tilted her head and met his gaze. "I'm still a little shocked from this afternoon's events."

"Of course you are."

Zack tapped her arm. He grinned and spread his arms wide. "Where's my hug?"

She chuckled and rolled her eyes. Her father laughed and guided her into Zack's embrace. She laid her head on his hard chest, wrapping her arms around his muscular middle. He was the thirty-two year-old teddy bear she'd never had. Always there for her when she had a problem and willing to give her a hug when she needed one. He'd been the one who'd chased away all of the former boyfriends she'd wanted to dump. She trusted this man with her life, just as her father did.

Looking up into Zack's face, she smiled. "Thanks. I needed that." She glanced back at her father. "Did the police ever find out who that man was who tried to take Meggie?"

Leland nodded. "The bast... um, the jerk said he knew Meggie was my granddaughter and saw a way to get money from me." His bushy brows drew together. "Believe me I'll have him in jail for a long time when my lawyer gets through with him."

"But was he one of the people who had sent you threatening letters?" she wondered.

"He denies ever doing that, but I wouldn't put it past the dirty-rotten criminal."

She swallowed, moistening her cotton-dry throat. "I want him punished. Severely!"

"He will be, my dear." Her father pulled her away from Zack. "Taylor, let me introduce you to your new bodyguard. I didn't have much time earlier before you passed out."

Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. A knot formed in her throat, promising to make her voice squeak if she used it. She'd solve that problem, a word wouldn't pass through her lips until she could talk to her father alone. Then she'd demand he release Cory from his position.

When she met Cory's gaze, her breath caught. Her knees wobbled, but she still managed to walk alongside her dad. Cory's expression held no emotion. It was as if his stare passed right through her. No familiar twinkle extended from the depth of his gray eyes this time. His lips thinned into a straight line.

"Taylor, this is Agent Cory Ross."

"Mr. Mitchell." Cory held up a hand. "Please don't call me Agent. I no longer work for the FBI."

Her father nodded. "That's right, I'm sorry. Stephen talks about you like you're still with the Bureau."

She c****d her head and glanced up at her father. "Stephen? As in Uncle Stephen?"

"Yes, dear. Mr. Ross used to be your uncle's partner several years ago. That's how I found out about his skills." He patted her shoulder. "When Stephen discovered I'd been having problems with threatening letters and calls, and I feared for the safety of my family, your uncle suggested his former partner, Cory Ross."

She stared at the ghost from her past. This can't be. Why is this happening to me?

Crap! She couldn't demand her father release him now. Not when Uncle Stephen, her favorite uncle, recommended him. It would devastate her to see the hurt in his eyes.

She scrunched her forehead. If Cory had been an FBI agent, then could she have misjudged him that terrible night? Could she have been wrong in assuming he was the bad guy? No. He was the bad guy. Didn't Uncle Stephen tell her how often cops and agents switched sides? The stories he'd told her had kept her awake at night in a cold shiver.

Then there was the time she'd been warned about Cory. Someone, who'd been as close as family, recognized the man she was with in Bermuda and told her Cory was a hit-man. There was also the time she'd seen Cory meet someone in secret. He hadn't known she followed, but he met with another man behind the bar. Cory had given the man a wad of money, and in exchange, Cory was given a small brown paper bag. Drugs, probably.

Later that day, she'd overheard Cory talking to the same man he'd given money to. Although she couldn't hear the whole conversation, she did understand someone was going to be killed...that night. She hadn't believed it, until she saw Cory murder someone in cold blood.

Her stomach twisted. He had to be like the bad agents her uncle had spoken about.

"I'm..." She paused, gritting her teeth. "I'm happy to meet you, Mr. Ross." Maybe if she pretended their past relationship hadn't meant anything to her, he'd treat her differently.

Cory's angry face relaxed slightly and a corner of his mouth tugged upward, but it wasn't a full grin. He stretched his hand toward her.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet the niece of my best friend. Your uncle has said some wonderful things about you."

She chewed on the inside of her cheek. It looked as if he was playing the same game... pretend you've never seen this person before in your life. That's good. She would play this game to the hilt.

Although Uncle Stephen may have talked about her, Cory still wouldn't have known her true identity back then. She'd given him a fake last name and hadn't told him the truth about her life. Back then she'd regretted not being honest. Now she was thankful for the lie.

Without really wanting to touch him, Taylor went ahead and slipped her hand into Cory's hand and shook it. The moment skin touched skin, a tremor vibrated through her and familiar warmth ignited her blood.

This is not good! Quickly, Taylor pulled her hand away. She'd have to find a way to stop her reaction to his touch. She vowed here and now she could not fall for him again.

She opened her mouth to mumble her reply, but the window Cory had just walked away from broke in a terrifying shatter. Before she had time to react, Cory whipped his arm around her and tugged her to the floor, covering his body over hers. Shouts echoed through the room as Zack and her father took cover.

Zack yelped and swore. Her father cussed worse than a drunken sailor would have spouted.

"Stay down." Cory's voice rang out over the others.

With trembling hands she covered her ears. Her heart jumped to her throat and lodged there. Adrenaline pumped through her blood as each second passed.

Silence hung thick through the room, only the stir of heavy breathing drifted around her. Cory's minty breath blew across her cheek. His arms tightened, his body pressed firmly against hers, and for one tiny moment, comfort washed over her.

She peeked at the others. Zack pulled his gun from his shoulder holster and crept to the window. He glanced out then quickly pulled back.

After a few moments, he looked again. "I think they're gone."

"Zack," her father said, his voice raspy as he lifted his head from off the floor. "You're bleeding."

Blood oozed from Zack's hand. He shook his head. "I think the glass cut me. I'm fine."

Taylor's heartbeat boomed in her ears. Tears stung her eyes and she tried blinking them away. Would this nightmare ever end?

"Are you okay?" Cory's low voice came out in a tender whisper, his breath brushing against her skin.

Lowering her hands, she nodded. Then panic gripped her throat. "Oh, no... Meggie."

She scrambled to stand, but Cory held her down. She pushed against his chest and glared. "I need to check on my daughter." Her voice broke as she pleaded with him through watery eyes.

His lips thinned. "I'll go check on her. You stay here and remain down."

Grabbing his gun, he jumped to his feet and dashed out of the room. Taylor wasn't about to lie here and do nothing. If something had happened to Meggie... No. She couldn't think that way.

She stood, ran to the door and stopped. Cory's lithe movements took him up the stairs two at a time until he reached the top. She held her breath. Lord, please let my daughter be all right.