Abducted:Reconnaissance Team (Texas Rangers: Special Ops) by Tarah Scott, Evan Trevane Page B

stomach. This was the first time she’d seen him since admission to the hospital last night. The nervousness was nothing more than uncertainty over how to react to the man who had saved her life—and seeing him looking like—
    “The only thing missing is your Stetson,” she heard herself say.
    “The Stetson's in the truck,” he said.
    Liz flushed.
    “Can I come in?” he asked.
    She broke the stare. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry. Come in.” 
    He crossed to where she stood. “You look good.” 
    She laughed, thankful the sound came out natural. “I’m a bit better than I was the last time you saw me.” 
    His smile faded. “I’m sorry, Liz.” 
    A strange tremor replaced the butterflies. “You saved my life.” 
    He gave a deprecating snort. “It's a damn good thing, seeing as I'm the one who put you in danger. When you showed up instead of Tanya, I should have bagged the operation.” 
    “Tanya? What has she got to do with this?” 
    “Strictly speaking, nothing. But when she canceled out on you, then showed up on Sanchez’s arm, I should have known things were out of control.”  
    “I see.” Liz dropped a small tube of toothpaste into an inside pocket of her overnight bag, then sat down on the chair beside the bed. “Tanya wouldn’t have liked being deserted, but she wouldn't have come looking for you.” 
    “No.” 
    “I put a big kink in things, didn’t I?” 
    He smiled. “If you’re the worst kink I run into, life won’t be so bad.” 
    She flashed a small smile, but the warmth evaporated too quickly. “I blew your cover and nearly got us both killed.” 
    “It was a tough spot.” 
    “I understand there are warrants for our arrests in Mexico,” Liz said.
    “I’m sure the captain told you that we’ll deal with it.” 
    Despite Captain Medina’s assurances, she planned to talk with her lawyer. She was nervous—truth be told, she wasn't quite over last night’s harrowing events—but she said, “If you’re worried I might go back to face the charges in an attempt to expose that man, no need. I’m not that naïve.”  
    Ben’s expression sobered. “I’m glad to hear that. That would force me to come for you.” 
    She gave an exaggerated shudder. “Being on the run in Mexico once is quite enough, thank you.” 
    “If anyone questions you about the arrest warrants, don't talk about it.” He gave an apologetic smile. “The warrants are for Elizabeth Monahan and Adam Billings.” She frowned, and he added, “Adam Billings doesn't exist. Technically, Ben Hunter isn't wanted.” 
    “So Mr. Sanchez doesn't know who you really are?” 
    Ben nodded. “It's ridiculously unfair and the irony isn't lost on me, but we're hoping it gives us an edge.” 
    Liz nodded. “The irony would have been me mucking up your investigation a second time by accidentally revealing your identity.” 
    He advanced two steps and squatted eye level with her. “Not one drop of this is your fault. Nothing you do could be wrong.” 
    “But it could hurt you.” 
    He flashed that same smile he had last night and her heart stopped for an instant. “Nothing you do could hurt me.” 
    Liz tapped a finger to his skull. “You need to have your short term memory checked.” 
    He grasped her hand. Her gaze snagged on his long, tanned fingers, and the warmth that seeped from his flesh caused a shiver.
    “I'm not an undercover agent by trade,” he said, drawing her attention back to his face. “I agreed to this assignment because I was the best choice for the job on such short notice.” He grinned and released her hand. “Kind of like you.” 
    She snorted. “You don’t seem to be any better at it than I am.” 
    His brows lifted. “You looked spectacular in that dress. You got noticed.” 
    That she had. Now she hoped that notice didn't extend to the media. The attention could damage Nina Bruno. A memory struck.
    “Wait a minute, your identity. Last night when Mr. Sanchez