Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain Read online

“All right, let’s move on.” Connor stretched his arms above his head before mounting his horse, Crusader, to continue following the fence line. They rode at a slow, easy pace, watching for anything out of the ordinary as well as damaged wires.

  “Hold up.” Pierced reined Bandit to a stop and dismounted. “I think he picked up a rock.”

  Connor slid off his horse, grabbed his canteen, and took a deep swallow before handing it to Pierce. “You’ve made up your mind on continuing with Noah?” He didn’t mention Mollie, a sore subject with Pierce.

  “Might, if he finds me a new partner. Mollie’s too damn stubborn, won’t listen to anyone,” Pierce said as he worked the stone out of Bandit’s hoof.

  “The way I hear it, she saved you from one terrific beating by Tatum.”

  Pierce glared at him. “I could’ve handled him. Just needed to catch my breath.”

  “That’s your story?” Connor suppressed a smile, already knowing that Mollie had kept his brother from getting the tar beaten out of him. He and his cousins were grateful to her for interceding.

  Pierce swung up on his horse. “Look, the woman’s headstrong and overconfident. I get the headstrong part, but her overconfidence will get someone killed.”

  Connor followed a few paces behind. “Seems like confidence is needed for the types of jobs Noah gives you. You’re not dealing with easy work or reputable people.”

  Pierce looked at his brother and shook his head.

  “Look, I’m not defending her.” Connor reached behind him to pull some jerky from his saddlebag, giving Crusader a soft kick to come alongside Pierce. “Just saying you might give it another try, see what happens.”

  “You trying to get rid of me?”

  “Hell no. I just know the size of the bank draft you just got. Decent pay for a couple weeks of work.”

  Pierce knew Connor was right. Nothing he’d ever done had paid as well, except his previous work for Louis Dunnigan. The money would give him options if he stayed with the agency long enough. He liked choices.

  Then he thought of how Mollie frustrated him more than any woman he’d ever known, and in a shorter period of time. He removed his hat to run a hand through his short, dark brown hair.

  “Good pay, Connor, but no. It just won’t work. Never again.” He set the hat back on his head and turned Bandit down the hill toward home.

  ******

  “You cannot be serious, Noah. I will not work with that man again. Ever.” Mollie fumed, running a hand through her already windblown hair. “It will never work out.” She paced the small office her boss had set up in the territorial capital of Fire Mountain.

  “Why don’t you wait until you’ve heard the proposition? I’ve passed it by my superiors and they like the plan. There are some stipulations, however—those requirements are a benefit to you and your partner.”

  “What stipulations?”

  “Let’s wait until Pierce gets here, so I can explain them to both of you at the same time.”

  Mollie turned at the sound of a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” Noah responded.

  Pierce opened the door to see Mollie standing a few feet away. His first impulse was to close it and walk away. Noah saw his hesitation.

  “Take a seat, Pierce.” He turned toward Mollie. “You too.”

  Each lowered themselves into the two chairs facing Noah and edged away from each other. Not much, but just enough that their boss noticed.

  He leveled his eyes on them. “The agency has ordered a new assignment, and they’ve approved both of you to be on the team.”

  “Team?” Mollie asked.

  “I’ll get to that in a minute. First, the preliminaries. This assignment is not being handled through normal agency channels.”

  “Why not?” Mollie interjected. The response was a stern look from Noah. “Sorry. I’ll wait to ask my questions when you’re done.”

  Pierce looked at the floor to hide his amusement. She just didn’t know when to keep her mouth shut.

  “Good idea, Miss Jamison. Now, as I was saying, this will be run differently and include some others we’ve recruited for this specific job only. This team is being established to handle federal crimes the Justice Department doesn’t have the manpower to enforce. The two of you, plus the others on the team, will be considered independents as far as department guidelines. As such, I’m not bound by the normal requirements. That means the pay is higher. Considerably so.”

  Noah paused, wrote down a figure on a piece of paper, and slid it across his desk.

  Mollie and Pierce stared at the number, stunned by the sum.

  “Are you certain this figure is accurate? You didn’t put an extra zero in there by mistake?” Mollie breathed out.

  “No mistake. The number has already been approved, per person. Half now, half when the job is done.” He pulled the paper back and placed it in the top drawer of his desk. “Before I am authorized to go any further, I need both of your commitments to take this assignment.”

  “Without details?” Mollie didn’t understand how she could agree to something like this without any knowledge of the job.

  “Take it or leave it. Makes no difference to me. Although, I believe the two of you are critical to the success of this particular assignment.” He leaned back in his chair and regarded the two agents before him. “This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

  The number Noah provided rolled around in Pierce’s mind, an incredible amount that would take years to make as a standard agent. This job could set him up for quite some time, allow choices he’d never had before. The one issue holding him back from shaking hands on the deal with Noah was the woman who sat beside him. He’d have to work with her one more time.

  Mollie appeared to be as conflicted as Pierce. At twenty-two, she had nothing stopping her from taking this assignment, earning the money Noah offered, and moving back east to flash her success in front of the man who’d told her she’d never amount to anything. She could still see her father’s face hovering over her, and hear his liquor-laced voice telling her that she was worthless. This was a perfect opportunity to push it back at him, show him how wrong he’d been. Except for one thing—the assignment included Pierce MacLaren.

  “There’s nothing you can tell us about the job unless we agree up front?” she asked once more.

  “That’s the proposition. If you don’t want it, for whatever the reason, no problem, I won’t think less of either one of you. You’ll both be eligible for regular assignments through the agency.” He pushed up from his chair. “I need some coffee. Have a decision when I return.”

  The sound of the door closing echoed in the small office. Pierce stood and walked to the window, looking out on the crowded street below. The territorial legislature was in session, bringing more people to town than normal. His oldest cousin, Niall, was a council member of the legislature and, according to his wife, Kate, known to come home in a foul mood most nights that the legislature convened.

  “I could use the money.” Mollie sat clenching her hands in her lap, watching Pierce and wondering if his concerns were the same as hers.

  “It’s an impressive amount.”

  “It would take years to earn that amount by taking normal agency assignments.” She stood, stepped around her chair, and rested her hands on the back of it. “I don’t like not knowing the details.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “Or who else will be on the team.” Mostly, she was concerned about one specific member of the team—the one standing a few feet away. Was the money worth the aggravation of working with this hardheaded man one more time?

  Pierce didn’t respond, too focused on deciding which way to go—take the assignment and the money or walk away from Noah and the female agent who caused him nothing but grief. A short assignment might work. A long one might drive him over the edge.

  Both turned at the sound of the door opening and looked at the man walking through it holding a half-finished cup of coffee. Noa
h didn’t acknowledge either of them, just returned to his spot on the other side of his desk and settled into the large leather chair. He set down the cup, placed his arms on the desk, clasped his hands, and leaned forward.

  “Your decision?”

  “I’m in,” they replied in unison. Each snapped their gaze to the other, stunned they’d made the same choice, and neither looking happy about it.

  Noah didn’t miss a step. “Good.” He pulled two documents from his desk drawer and handed one to each. “Sign these so we may continue.”

  Pierce glanced at the document. It was simple, an acknowledgment of the fee for the job and that assignment details would be provided. He accepted the pen Noah offered and signed his name, hoping he wasn’t making a colossal mistake.

  Mollie watched Pierce sign, then took the pen from his hand and did the same. Each handed their copy to their boss.

  “Wonderful.” He took a satchel from underneath his desk and put the agreements inside, then looked toward them and took a deep breath. “There are three items you need to know about today. The rest we’ll review in a few days, once I receive final details from my colleagues.”

  Pierce and Mollie nodded, trying to remain patient.

  “First, there is another team of agents investigating all of the same leads and sources you’ll be provided. We don’t have enough information to know if this is East or West Coast based. Regardless, the two groups will share information until such time as we identify more specifics. Second, you’ll have three team members. One you don’t know, two you do.”

  Noah took a sip of his coffee and continued. “Eva Gagnon has been with the agency for quite a while. She has excellent clandestine skills and a file full of arrests. Lee Hatcher normally works for Alex McCann. He only comes back to the agency for the most difficult assignments, and always with McCann’s approval. He will continue with McCann Investigations once this job is done.” Noah looked up to see that Pierce’s eyes had widened at the name of a man he knew. “Lee was one of our most successful agents. He and Eva have worked together before, so their joint experience will be invaluable. Lee will stay in New York unless it’s found his presence is required. He’ll be my main contact, and you’ll take your orders from him. Last is Chaz Yarbrough.”

  “Chaz?” Mollie asked. “But he’s a merchant. How does he fit in?”

  “Chaz was an agent for several years and has agreed to come back for this job. His assignments were in Europe and focused on criminal intelligence in conjunction with Scotland Yard. When the last assignment ended, they offered him a position, which he refused. He’s fluent in several languages, although I doubt he’ll need them for this job.” Noah leaned back in his chair, resting his elbows on the armrests, and brought his hands together to steeple his fingers. “Now, I’ll explain how this is going to work.”

  It didn’t take long for him to explain the basics of the assignment. He told them covers for Eva, Lee, and Chaz would be arranged as needed, but they would be a part of the team. Lee was the lead for their assignment, with Eva as the main contact between him and everyone else. For the most part, Noah would stay at a distance and handle requests from Lee.

  “Most, if not all, of the assignment will take place in San Francisco,” Noah added.

  “And our cover?” Pierce asked.

  Noah’s face remained impassive. “You’ll be posing as a married couple.”

  Chapter Two

  Neither his brother, Connor, nor his cousins—Niall, Jamie, Will, and Drew—could contain their laughter. All six were working on an extension to the horse birthing area next to the barn at the main ranch house. It was the first time in weeks they’d all been together, without the women.

  “Are you still planning to work for Noah?” Drew straightened to stretch his arms and legs.

  The turn of events the day before still angered Pierce. He believed Noah had set the two of them up. He’d almost walked out until he realized he was truly hornswoggled. Mollie had looked as if she would jump over the desk and attack the man.

  “What the hell was I supposed to do at that point?” he asked, clearly exasperated. “I’d already signed the agreement, learned about the others and how they’d be involved. He knew how Mollie and I would respond, that’s why he insisted we agree beforehand based on the money.” He pulled off his work gloves and threw them on the ground. “What a mess.”

  The others watched him put some distance between them. The five glanced at each other, sobering at the thought that Pierce would be holed up for who knew how long, with a woman he disliked intensely, but was drawn to like a moth to a fire. It was a true mess. Either way, he’d get burned.

  Connor walked up and placed a hand on Pierce’s shoulder. “You did what any of us would have done—accepted it. Now, you’ll do your best to honor the commitment you made. There was nothing else you could have done.”

  The four cousins nodded their agreement and broke off, each returning to the work before them.

  “Hey, supper’s ready.” Grace walked up and slid her arms around her husband, Connor.

  They’d been married a few weeks, and it was rare to see one without the other nearby. His cousins understood the newness would fade a little in time. For now, however, they all enjoyed watching and ribbing him about being on a short rope.

  ******

  Alicia MacLaren looked around the table at her family. It was a good thing that her deceased husband, the boys’ uncle, Stuart MacLaren, had planned the house for a large family. Even though they both wanted children, it had never happened. Now, with six grown nephews, four wives, a niece and her husband, plus several grandchildren around the supper table, the house felt full—and wonderful.

  “When do you start the new assignment, Pierce?” she asked. The men had mentioned it while eating supper, and she wondered if it would take her nephew away from Fire Mountain and the family.

  “Just waiting for word from Noah Dodd, Aunt Alicia. Shouldn’t be long.” Pierce continued to focus on the roast beef in front of him, his mind filled with second thoughts. He wished he’d walked away, ignored the large sum of money, and waved goodbye to Dodd, as well as the female agent who was nothing but trouble. His gut had told him something wasn’t right and he’d ignored it.

  “So it’s the two of you, no one else involved?” Connor pushed back his empty plate and laid an arm across the back of Grace’s chair.

  “For the most part, yes. Dodd says there are some others, but he didn’t share with us their exact roles.” Pierce wasn’t at liberty to share the names of the others involved, at least not yet. He took a deep breath and let the air escape in a slow stream. “Damn, but I hate waiting.” He looked around the table. “Sorry, ladies.”

  “As far as I recall, you’ve been impatient most of your life,” Mr. Jericho commented. An older man, he’d known Connor and Pierce since not long after they’d come to America with their sister, Meggie. He had been involved in their lives in some fashion ever since. Now, he made his home at the ranch.

  “Guess you’re right about that,” Pierce replied on a sigh.

  Alicia looked at her youngest nephew and smiled. “Pierce, all you need to understand is that you always have a place here. No matter what transpires, this will always be your home.”

  ******

  “How did Pierce and Mollie take the news?” Chaz Yarbrough sat in Noah Dodd’s office smoking a thin cheroot as he leaned back into the large leather chair.

  “Not well, I’m afraid.” Noah hadn’t been surprised when Mollie had jumped from her chair, demanding to tear up the agreement. He’d calmed her down after some quick talking and a reminder than he’d already shared a portion of the details about their new job. “However, they did accept the plan, such as it is at this point. Of course, they will need to work on the way they communicate in public, lest people catch on that they’re not married.”

  Chaz chuckled. “I know what you’re saying. They either want to throttle each other or…” He let the rest trail off,
sure that Noah knew what he alluded to.

  “That is the one potential flaw in this plan. They can be brilliant working together or go up in flames. I’m betting each will work through any personal issues with the other to make this assignment a success.”

  “You wouldn’t have set them on it if you weren’t sure of their ability to follow this to the end.”

  “Now, what do you have for me?” Noah was ready to get down to the reason for their meeting. He liked Chaz, the way he operated, his cool professionalism, and willingness to take risks other agents avoided. They’d both served in Europe, which, in Noah’s opinion, was a benefit and provided them with contacts that might very well be needed for this assignment.

  “There isn’t much right now.” Chaz slid a file across the desk. Scattered bits of information that he and Lee had pulled together for both teams the agency had established for this assignment. “This is all we have.”

  Noah pulled the file toward him and began to review the contents, shaking his head at the utter lack of detail. He wondered if they’d gotten involved too soon in the investigation. “The East Coast group has been provided the same material?”

  Chaz nodded.

  “My understanding is they will be working from New York City. My counterpart, in the Eastern region at the Treasury, has arranged a place for them to work.” Noah continued to scan the small amount of information.

  “Do you have anything identified for Pierce?” Chaz asked.

  Noah looked up from the file. “Yes. We were lucky on two counts. First, Louis Dunnigan is providing offices for our use. Second, it turns out that Victoria MacLaren, Jamie’s wife, owns a mansion in the society district of Nob Hill. The team will hold most of its meetings at her home.”

  Chaz’s eyebrows lifted at the news. “Torie MacLaren?”

  “The same. A long story, but suffice it to say, the woman has substantial assets in California.”

  “I’ll be damned. I never would have figured her to come from money like that.”

  “You wouldn’t expect to. Nothing about the family indicates their standing or money, but, trust me, the family has both. Victoria MacLaren happens to have an over-abundance of it.”