In The Lawman's Protection

A venture that wouldn’t have even been an option without the funding of Joe Matarazzo, another member of Omega Sector who also happened to be a multimillionaire. Joe wanted Freihof caught and behind bars so he and his pregnant wife could live in peace without worrying that they were next in line for a madman to attack. Funding this little field trip had been a no-brainer for Joe.

They’d been on the train nearly thirty-six hours. Natalie had kept to herself all of that time, mostly just staring out the window. The other two people in the car were both Omega personnel. The older woman, Madeline, was a retired agent who now worked as an analyst. The younger guy was Philip Carnell, not Ren’s first choice, but he was someone who wanted Freihof off the streets pretty badly after getting stabbed a few weeks ago by one of the villain’s cronies.

Natalie hadn’t spoken to either of them. And, after looking at Ren that one time as the train left Santa Barbara, hadn’t interacted with him, either. Not that he’d expected her to be the life of the party.

The train had stopped once at its scheduled point, east of Las Vegas. Everyone had gotten out and bought food and any supplies they needed. Agents had been following Natalie discreetly in case she bolted, but she’d actually been the first one back on the train.

They hadn’t gotten very far before Philip, still dressed in a hoodie, swung casually across the aisle and sat right next to Natalie. Ren leaned a little toward them so he could see what was happening more clearly. She had already stiffened and was leaning away from Philip, not looking at him at all.

Exactly what they had been hoping for when they’d come up with the plan of Philip turning on the obnoxious.

“Hey, you want some of my sandwich?” He was barely understandable over his chewing.

“No, thank you.” Natalie didn’t look away from the window. “I bought food at the stop.”

Philip just leaned in closer and waved the sub sandwich in front of her face. “Are you sure? It’s really good.”

“No, I just want to be left alone.”

“Aw, c’mon,” Philip whined, slurring his words a little as though he’d been drinking. “It’s getting dark. There’s nothing to look at out the window. Why don’t you talk to me instead? I’m tired of sitting by that old lady. Tell me a little about yourself.”

Ren could see Natalie growing stiffer with every word. She didn’t respond to Philip, just kept staring out the window.

“All I want to do is chat,” he continued. “We’ve got a long way to Saint Louis. Just talk to me.”

She finally glanced at him before immediately moving her gaze back to the window. “I’m not interested in talking. I just want to be left alone.”

“Really?” Philip sneered. “You think you’re too good to talk to me, is that it? Well, that’s okay, I can just stay here and get close to you. How about that?”

Natalie’s spine was ramrod straight as Philip drew closer. She was all but pressed up against the window, but Ren caught a glimpse of one little fist tightening into a ball. He wondered what she would do if he wasn’t about to intervene for the sake of the mission. He almost wanted to find out.

“Just leave me alone.”

“I’m not talking about anything crazy, baby, unless you’re interested in a little alone time in the bathroom or something like that.” Philip leaned even closer.

That was Ren’s cue.

He stood and crossed over to their seats. “Look, I think the lady has made it pretty clear that she doesn’t want to talk to you.”

Natalie peeked up at him, concern flashing in her blue eyes. Philip just kept staring at her. “Step back, man. This has nothing to do with you.”

“Considering how small this train car is and that you’re a little drunk and pretty loud, I think it does have to do with me.”

Philip snickered. “Fine. We’ll be quiet. Won’t we, sweetheart?”

He reached toward Natalie and she flinched. Ren found it took much less acting than he’d thought to reach over and grab Philip’s wrist and yank it backward away from her.

“Dude!”

Without effort, Ren bent Philip’s arm into a position that wouldn’t take more than a flick of his wrist to break it. “I’m pretty sure the lady doesn’t want you to touch her.” Color had leached from her face. “Is that right, ma’am?”

She nodded.

Ren released Philip’s arm, and slapped him on the shoulder almost good-naturedly. “Why don’t we just get one of the train officials to come back here and sort out the seating arrangement?”

If possible, Natalie’s face lost even more color. “No, that’s not necessary. I’m just not interested in talking to anyone.”

Ren looked at Philip. “Why don’t you just go on back to your assigned seat? Like she said, she’s not here for conversation.”

“I don’t think it’s fair that you both get your own sets of seats and I have to share with the old lady,” Philip whined.

Ren glanced over at Natalie, who was still looking like she wanted to find some way to jump off the moving train, then back to Philip, who was doing a pretty damned good job of staying on script.

“Why don’t you take my seat for a while? That way you’ll have your own set and can spread out and get comfortable.” His eyes flickered to Natalie. “I’ll sit here if that’s okay since I have work to do and am not looking for any conversation. Would that be okay?”

She looked back and forth between him and Philip. She didn’t like it, he could tell. But when her eyes rested on Philip it was in distaste. When they rested on him it was in...fear.

Either he was projecting his intent in some way he wasn’t aware of, or Natalie was very astute. Regardless, he was going to need to handle her with the utmost care if he was going to get her to trust him.

“Um...” She bit on her lip.

Ren gave her a friendly smile. “I understand. Just hang on a second and let me make a call up to the conductor.” There was a phone near the front of the car that allowed passengers to make calls to the train officials if needed. Train officials that were all, for the most part, Omega Sector agents for this journey. “We can get this sorted out so you don’t have to worry.”

“No,” she said quickly. “No, it’s fine. If you don’t mind giving up your seat, it would be fine with me if you sit here.”

Ren raised an eyebrow at Philip. “Okay with you?”

Philip looked over at Natalie and shrugged. “Your loss.” Then got up and sauntered over to Ren’s seats.

Philip winked at Ren as he followed him and grabbed his stuff. Ren gave the younger man a little nod. So far, everything was going as planned. Hopefully Ren’s gesture of help would soften Natalie slightly toward him.

A few moments later he had his papers and laptop in hand and moved to the set of seats facing Natalie. He chose the seat near the aisle so both of them could stretch their legs without hitting each other.

She gave him a soft smile. Looking at her like this for the first time—not a photograph of her or through a recording device—Ren was almost struck dumb by her beauty. Straight blond hair that was in a braid that fell over her shoulder, wide crystal-blue eyes.

Lips so full and pouty they made him forget for a moment that she was most likely working with a man who had killed multiple innocent people and planned to continue.

No matter how angelic she looked—whatever air of innocence and fragility she gave off—Ren could not forget she was the enemy.

He smiled at her. “I promise, no talking.”

She gave a little laugh. “You don’t have a sandwich you’re going to wave in my face, do you?”

“No, left all my sandwich weapons at home.”

“Ah, hope we’re not ambushed, then, or else you won’t be much help.” She gestured toward his computer. “I’ll let you get back to work. Thanks again for the rescue.”

She turned back to the window but Ren could see her checking him out in the reflection. And once it got dark she didn’t have the excuse to stare out it anymore. She just sat there for a long time, looking at her hands folded in her lap.