Renegade Texan

Chapter One

Was it always this quiet? Tamara Bennington wondered as she spent another late night behind the desk in her office. Had the air conditioning always made such eerie noises? Had weird shadows always danced along the windows? Normally, nothing could distract her from work, but tonight she felt jittery and restless. Could her nerves get any more frayed?

The telephone near her right hand jangled and she nearly jumped out of her seat. Her pulse accelerated and her heart lodged in her throat. Get a grip! Taking a deep breath while mentally scolding herself for foolishness, she picked up the receiver.

Hello.

Hello, Tamara. It was Skip’s familiar, suave voice and she cringed. There was nothing left for them to discuss.

Hello, Skip.

You’re obviously working late, he said. Why don’t you let me stop by and take you out for a quiet dinner?

Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea, she replied. A lingering touch of guilt kept her temper in check, even though he was making a real nuisance of himself. We agreed we shouldn’t see each other socially.

You came to that decision, he countered sullenly. I want to spend time with you. Maybe then you’ll realize what a mistake you’ve made by postponing the wedding.

Tamara counted to five while giving him credit for persistence. She’d called the wedding off and returned his ring, yet he refused to accept no for an answer. Handsome, charming and independently wealthy, Skip Reardon had never learned the meaning of the word no. He assumed she’d eventually honor his wishes by marrying him. Repeatedly denying the fact hadn’t gotten her anywhere.

I have a lot of work to do, she responded in a dismissive tone. She knew his blue eyes glittered with irritation and his lips would tighten in a petulant frown, but she was weary of their verbal skirmishes.

Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to come between you and your work, he drawled. We know your family and the family business are far more important than a mortal man. Forgive me if I resent being jilted in favor of the real loves of your life.

Tamara sighed deeply. She was tired of this argument. Her family and the Bennington Department Stores would always be important to her. She lived and breathed for little else.

Goodbye, Skip, she said, gently hanging up the phone.

Tired and disheartened, she rested her head in both hands for a few minutes, and then groaned when the phone rang again. She considered ignoring it, but her family would worry if they couldn’t reach her.

Hello.

There was a short, static pause at the other end of the line and Tamara’s nerves grew taut. The caller ID didn’t help. Her stomach tightened as the rough, rasping voice of her anonymous caller crackled through the line.

Working late? All alone, Ms. Executive? the rough, well-disguised voice had a sinister tone that sent shivers down her spine. She’d had several prank calls lately. They always came through as blocked numbers. No specific threat was ever verbalized, yet the tone always sounded ominous. She responded in a crisp, businesslike tone.

Bennington Department Stores, Tamara Bennington speaking. May I help you?

A grating laugh echoed in her ears. That’s good. That’s real good, Ms. Executive, the rasping voice derided. Have a safe trip home tonight.

The sharp click of the receiver sent another shiver through her. She was insane to listen to this maniac’s veiled threats. She’d have to start letting all calls go to voice mail. Right now, she was going home. There was no hope of getting any more work done tonight.

Grabbing her purse and briefcase, she quickly turned off lights, locked the office, and strode to the elevator, telling herself she had nothing to fear in her own building. The security was the best money could buy. Benningtons could afford the best, so she stepped into the vacant elevator without concern. When it came to an abrupt halt, she caught her breath in alarm and then mentally berated herself. The elevator always stopped abruptly at the basement parking level. She was just a bundle of nerves this evening.

Good evening, Ms. Tamara, the night watchman greeted as she exited the elevator. Ready to call it a night?

She managed a warm smile for the security chief. Even if her fears were irrational, she couldn’t help being relieved to have him nearby.

I’m calling it a week, she declared with feeling. She rarely ended her work week on Thursday, but she needed this three-day weekend. Tomorrow I’m helping Katie buy some new clothes and pack for her summer vacation. Then Saturday morning I’ll take her out to the ranch.

I know your Uncle Harold and Aunt Lucinda will be glad to see you, he responded, lightly grasping her arm to escort her to her car.

Tamara welcomed the routine and mentally commanded herself to relax. She asked the guard about his family and tried to pay attention to his response, but she couldn’t quiet her nerves. The underground parking lot was oppressively hot. The humid air made the silk of her dress cling to dampening skin, increasing her discomfort. She couldn’t remember ever feeling such an intense foreboding of disaster.

As she and the watchman stepped from the elevator platform, they were caught in the glare of oncoming headlights. Then everything happened so fast she would never recall all the details. She would remember the blinding light, the screech of tires, her own terrified scream, and the guard’s quick reaction that saved her life by mere inches.

Two

Rane Masters sat low in the easy chair, his long, jean-clad legs crossed at the ankle. The fingers of both hands lightly balanced the thick glass of whiskey resting on his flat stomach. He seemed relaxed, but his attention was riveted on the conversation of the room’s other two occupants.

Lieutenant Sam Carlisle of the San Antonio Police Force paced the floor, his tread silenced by the thickness of the plush carpeting. Rane had worked with the tall, wiry man on several occasions, but never on an official basis. He always looked as though he had the weight of the world on his narrow shoulders.

Harold Bennington was Carlisle’s opposite. At seventy, he was a short, plump, financially secure man whose only concerns were the health and welfare of his family.

I’m really worried about Tamara, Harold said with a heavy sigh. He sat quietly behind his antique desk and sipped his drink. His normally clear eyes had clouded with concern.

Last night’s incident scared her badly. I had a long talk with her and begged her to take a vacation, but she doesn’t think that’s the thing to do. She doesn’t want to alarm Katie and her staff any more than necessary.

Rane made a low sound of disagreement, but didn’t comment.

I was in agreement until that car nearly ran her down, the lieutenant said. The incidents with the defective brakes and the menacing phone calls might not be related, but the driver last night didn’t leave any doubt to his intentions.

Rane’s expression grew grimmer at Carlisle’s words. If they didn’t find a way to protect Tamara, the next incident could be fatal. Her luck might run out long before they’d tracked down her stalker.

I’ve offered her the use of a safe house, but she adamantly refuses. Since she’s not a federal witness, I can’t do much more than that, Carlisle reiterated his position. Right now, she’s just an unofficial player in a very dangerous game.

Last night should have made her an official player, grumbled Rane.

She escaped harm.

So, she won’t become an official concern of the police department until she’s dead? he asked in a low protest.

I don’t like it, either, said Carlisle. Tell me more about your niece, Mr. Bennington, he said. Her professional life was easy to research but he wanted a better understanding of what made her tick.

A smile softened Harold’s features as he reminisced a little. My only sibling, Caroline, married a mountain man from West Virginia and disappeared from our lives thirty years ago. Lucinda and I couldn’t have children, and we sadly accepted the fact the Bennington name would die with me.

Then, about nine years ago, I opened our door and found seventeen-year-old Tamara carrying her sister Katie. She was dirty, exhausted, and haggard, but she didn’t have to prove her identity to me. She’s as beautiful as her mother and I felt as though Caroline had walked back into my life.

Harold’s voice grew gruff. Caroline and her husband had died, but before my sister passed, she instructed Tamara to bring Katie to Texas. God only knows how a penniless teenager crossed the country with a four year old in tow, but she made it. Lucy and I welcomed them with open arms. Those girls have brought us more happiness than we’d ever dreamed possible.

And now Tamara has full control of the family corporation? Carlisle wanted to know.

Yes, Harold continued. She took an immediate interest in the company. She studied tenaciously, started at the bottom, and moved through the ranks to my executive assistant. After a couple years, I gladly resigned the presidency to her. This past year she’s doubled our profits.

Is it important for her to maintain such a high profile?

It’s not necessary, but one of the ways she’s gained success is by always being available to her staff and customers.

Rane downed the contents of his glass. If Tamara didn’t become invisible for a while, she’d likely get killed. Something needs to be done right now, he declared tersely.

Carlisle nodded and eased his lanky frame into a chair. I’m no help. If Tamara won’t cooperate of her own free will, there’s nothing I can do. She didn’t actually witness the murder, even if Tralosa is convinced she did.

Anthony Tralosa was the head of a crime family with a history of illegal activities in south Texas. He’d recently been arrested for murder. An associate of Tamara’s had witnessed the murder and was living under the protection of federal agents. Tamara had also been in the vicinity of the murder, although she hadn’t seen anything. Unfortunately, the Tralosa family believed she was a second witness, or at least a risk to their defense. Rane suspected they were responsible for her recent brushes with death. He knew Tralosa was ruthless, yet he had no evidence against the man or anyone in his employ.

My plan is the most foolproof, he told them grimly, straightening in his seat and setting his glass on the desk.

Tamara won’t take kindly to being abducted and held captive for a month, Harold felt compelled to remind his young friend. Running and hiding won’t appeal to her in the least.

If the two of you are planning anything illegal, I’d better not hear it. Carlisle paused, and then asked Harold, Would she cooperate if you insisted?

I’ve tried reasoning with her, the older man said with a sigh. She’s incredibly loyal, but she’s also self-reliant and strong-minded. I don’t want to exploit her love by insisting she do as I ask.

You may not have a choice. We can’t protect her if she won’t let us. If she doesn’t want to spend the last month before the trial in a safe house, her only other choice is to take an extended vacation. Preferably someplace where nobody knows her.

She’s probably saving her vacation time for a long honeymoon, Rane said, pouring himself another drink.

No, said Harold, studying his young friend. She broke her engagement with Skip and canceled wedding plans a couple weeks ago. I think you were out of town. We planned a public announcement, but the recent turn of events delayed it. I’ve been so preoccupied with her safety I forgot to mention it.

Rane sank deeper into his seat and stared at Harold. You forgot? A scorned lover could be more dangerous than hit men and thugs. A jilted bridegroom with an inflated ego like Skip Reardon’s is always a threat. Don’t you think he might be the one trying to hurt or at least scare the hell out of Tamara?

Harold shook his head. I doubt it. I never liked the man, yet I don’t think he’d harm Tamara. She said he got angry and they argued, but he didn’t give her any real trouble.

Lieutenant Carlisle didn’t like it. Never underestimate the power of vengeance. More crimes are committed in a passionate rage than in desire for monetary gain. It’s possible we’re barking up the wrong tree. This jilted fiancé might be our culprit.

Rane spoke in a carefully guarded tone. Until we know who’s trying to hurt her, our major concern is her protection. We have to get her out of San Antonio until her safety can be assured. He turned brooding eyes on Harold. It surprised him that Tamara had called off the wedding, but he was even more surprised at how deeply the news affected him. He’d never liked Reardon, but he shouldn’t be feeling the gut-deep relief.

If you can help me get her on my plane, I’ll fly her out of Texas and out of harm’s way. At least for a while. She’ll resent our interference, but she’ll know we’re acting in her best interest.

Harold’s expression tightened. Tamara might cooperate if I insist, but not without one hell of an argument. She’ll probably think I’m being bossy and over-protective.

Could you threaten her position with the family business or her private inheritance? Carlisle wanted to know.

That would hurt her, but it wouldn’t deter her, Harold explained. She’s intelligent, ambitious, and hard working.

It couldn’t hurt to remind her you’re responsible for the secure life-style she and her sister enjoy. You legally adopted them, so they carry the family name due to your generosity, Carlisle reminded.

Harold winced. Tamara owed him nothing. She and Katie gave far more than they received, yet Tamara had always insisted she owed him a debt she could never repay.

I don’t think talking will work at this point. I want to protect her, he conceded tiredly, even if it means going against her wishes and using Rane’s plan. She’ll be furious for a while, but she has a forgiving nature. I’ll just pray she understands my decision.

In the meantime, Rane added, I’ll have some of my ranch staff guard the rest of the family. When Tamara disappears, whatever lowlife is stalking her might turn his attention to her family.

A short silence followed as they each considered a new concern. If anyone knew of Tamara’s dedication to her family, they might try to get to her through her loved ones. If Tralosa was behind the attempts on her life, no one dear to her would be entirely safe.

When should we put the plan into action? We can’t delay much longer.

Tamara’s bringing Katie here to the ranch in the morning, said Harold. Now that school’s out for the summer, she’ll be staying with Lucy and me. There are a lot of things on the ranch to keep a thirteen year old busy, and Tamara can come out most weekends. Could you be ready tomorrow?

All I need to do is make a few phone calls, said Rane.

Carlisle rose and shook hands with both men. I’ll trust you to take care of the matter, he said as he prepared to leave. Harold’s smile was grim, but determined. Rane didn’t comment. The room was quiet until they heard Carlisle close the front door behind him.

You can count on me to keep Tamara safe, Rane swore. He had his own debt of gratitude to repay. Harold had befriended him when many of his Texas neighbors had deliberately ignored his existence. He was a trusted friend and Rane would do anything to help him.

The older man smiled warmly. He had no doubt Rane would take care of Tamara, but he didn’t realize what a strong-willed little tyrant his niece could be. She wasn’t likely to obey orders without a fight and she might never forgive their high-handed belief that they knew what was best for her. Only time would tell.

****

Tamara sighed deeply as she gazed at the panoramic view outside her bedroom window at the ranch. She’d helped Katie unpack and was looking forward to a weekend of rest, but she couldn’t seem to relax. This room at her uncle’s had been a haven for the orphaned waif she’d been