Crazy for Her(97)

“I have a phone call coming in and I’m guessing it will be information you’ll find of interest.” He slowly removed his phone, listened to Buchanan, and then flipped it closed. “You have a few problems, Herbert. One, your man here killed his partner and wounded Eli. Two, the FBI are at your gate with a search warrant. I believe they mean to arrest you on kidnapping charges. After Eli gives a statement, I’m certain they’ll add accessory to murder to the charges against you.”

While he talked, Logan kept an eye on Samuel. The man’s eyes were darting from him to Dani, who was inching her way to him. Logan gave Dani a look, glad when she interpreted it correctly and froze.

“I didn’t kill Peter, Eli did,” Samuel said.

“Eli has lately become very unstable, Mr. Kincaid,” Ballard said. “We’ve been trying to help him, but then he disappeared, and when he returned, he had this young lady with him. When I told him we must return her to her home, he took off with her. I’ve been very worried about her safety, and of course, attempted to find them before he did something rash. I fear we were too late for poor Peter, but at least Miss Danielle is safe.”

Dani opened her mouth, and Logan knew she was going to dispute Ballard’s story. “Well, we’ll just let the FBI sort all that out, then,” Logan said, cutting her off.

“The woman’s going to try and blame me,” Samuel said. His finger on the trigger, he swung his rifle toward Dani.

“Down!” Logan barked, and then threw his knife into Samuel’s throat. Stupid fool, you should’ve gone for me first, your biggest threat. The gun went off, but Dani was safely facedown on the ground.

Ballard turned and started to leave. “Oh, I forgot to mention, Ballard,” Logan said. “You’re surrounded, so you’re not going anywhere.”

Three men from Delta team stepped out, along with Bobby Moore, his friend from the FBI. Moore walked up to Ballard. “Herbert Ballard, you’re under arrest for kidnapping and accessory to murder. You have the right to remain silent.”

Logan tuned out everything but Dani. He started to go to her but before he could, she pushed up, flew into his arms, and wrapped her legs around his waist. Logan buried his face against her neck, his heart drumming a ferocious tattoo in his chest.

“Christ, you’re going to be the death of me yet,” he said as laughter overtook him.

She pushed away and looked at him. “What’s so funny? I don’t think anything about this is funny.”

He kissed her soundly, shutting her up. He had no idea where the laughter came from, couldn’t explain it. Leaving Ballard to Moore and his men, he carried her down the mountain. It might be days before he let her walk on her own.

“You did really good, Dani. I was afraid you wouldn’t know I was talking to you when I said ‘down.’ ”

“Hey, ninja man, you said when you gave an order I was to obey without question. I was confident you weren’t telling Samuel to get down.”

“What’s with this ninja-man business?”

“It’s what Detective Langley calls you. I kinda like it.”

“Do you? I liked when you called me ‘babe.’” He glanced up at the moon and estimated it was around three in the morning. The temperature had dropped to the high sixties. “Are you cold?”

She lowered her mouth to his. “Actually, I’m feeling a little hot,” she said against his lips. “Must be all that testosterone you’re emitting, babe.”

“No doubt,” he said before he backed her against a tree and kissed her senseless. When he came up for air, he rested his forehead on hers. “I’ve never been so afraid in my life.”

“That makes two of us, but I knew you’d come for me.” She put her hands on his cheeks and pushed his face up, looking into his eyes. “I love you, Logan Kincaid.”

Words escaped him, and he was sure his answering grin was a silly-looking one. “Tell me again.”

“I love you, Logan. I love you. Will you marry me? Will you be a father to Evan’s daughter?”

Logan braced his knees to keep them from buckling. “Yes” was all he managed to get past his throat.

She punched him on the arm. “That’s all you have to say? What about ‘I love you, too, Dani’?”

He swallowed hard and nodded. “I do. God, I do.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You do, but you can’t say it?”

“Give me a sec.” She had no idea what her words meant to him. The sound of his men escorting Ballard away came to him. Not wanting her to have to see the man ever again, he pulled her against his chest and left the shelter of the trees.