Free On the Job by Beth Kery Page B

car. “Come on. Get in, and I’ll explain on the way. It’s probably for the best. I was going to tell you later today anyway.”
    Madeline got into the passenger seat of the car like an automaton. She said nothing as Walker drove through the dark, narrow mountain roads and listened while he explained about his undercover operation and Tony’s alleged crime. She felt numb, not saying a word until he pulled back into the drive at the Aspen Lodge and parked his car.
    â€œYou said you came back to Lake Tahoe because of me,” she said, staring straight ahead.
    â€œI did , Madeline. I would have been back here if this shit had happened with Tony or not. I wasn’t lying about that.”
    â€œBut you really came back to Tahoe to arrest Tony for computer wire fraud,” she continued, her voice low and flat as if she just received a blow to the head and someone was trying to coach her through the last few minutes while she’d been muddled.
    â€œIt’s one of the reasons I came back. When I saw those photos of you from Secret Service surveillance, it was like a kick to the gut. I may have shot that bullet in order to get Tony to open his doors to me, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a true threat against you, with all Tony has gotten himself involved with. The Russian mob is ruthless. Maybe I made a preemptive strike with that rifle, but I was mimicking that exact type of thing they would do to put pressure on Tony for more goods. You were vulnerable, Madeline, and you didn’t even know it. I don’t regret doing something in order to make you safe.”
    She turned and looked at him. She blinked twice, trying to see a face that’d haunted her for a better part of her life in better focus.
    â€œHow do you know I’m not just going to walk in that house and tell Tony the truth about what you’ve been doing in his house?” she asked.
    His expression grew grim. “Even if you did, it wouldn’t change anything. We have ample evidence, Madeline, and it’s already been sent to DC. The arrest is going to happen, whether it’s right now or later this afternoon. I’d think you’d want me to break it to him in person . . . man-to-man.”
    â€œMan-to-man,” she whispered, stunned. “You betrayed Tony by using your friendship.”
    â€œI did what I had to do. You have no idea the type of threat he’s risking by his actions. It’s one of the mandates of the Secret Service to protect the integrity of the U.S. financial system, Madeline. I’m doing my job.”
    He started when she laughed, high and scathing. “Your job. Heaven forbid something should stop you from doing your job , Walker.”
    He didn’t follow her when she got out of the car and ran on bare feet toward the lodge.

Six
    T ony opened the sliding glass doors that led to the helm and joined Madeline on the bridge seating area at the front of the yacht.
    â€œThe anchor’s down. Didn’t I pick an ideal spot?” Tony asked, sprawling on the white-cushioned circular couch. He looked like a bronzed Greek god wearing nothing but a pair of ivory trunks. He held a glass half filled with cranberry, vodka and ice. Madeline had noticed he’d been drinking ever since the brunch Alessandro served them at nine thirty this morning. Her desire to confront him about his upsurge in drinking had been quieted by Walker’s alarming news.
    Tony should do whatever pleased him this afternoon. It would likely be his last day of freedom for a while.
    Her throat tightened with anguish. Why had Tony done it, the idiot? Why?
    And damn Walker. Damn him for putting her through this agony of bewilderment and loss. She may not want to marry Tony, but he was her friend.
    She forced herself to look away from Tony and squinted at the sunlit view.
    â€œIt’s perfect,” she murmured as she inspected the secluded inlet where he’d moored the yacht.