Leonard Tina - A Man Of Honor стр 2.

Ten minutes later, the knock at his front door came as no surprise. Though hed been dozing in the recliner in front of a crackling fire, his mind had been waiting. He got up reluctantly, bracing himself for what he knew he would hear.

Opening the door, he stared at the two men standing in the bitter black night. Framed by the yellow light from the porch lantern, they looked serious and official.

Mr. Greer?

Official-looking identification flashed at him, which Cord ignored. He kept his gaze fastened on the men instead, nodding once.

We regret to inform you that your brother was killed tonight while on a sensitive assignment. Though we cant divulge more than that at the present time, you may rest assured that your brother, Hunt Greer, died an honorable death.

He let a moment pass. Youre positive it was my brother?

Yes,

the tall man assured him.

The fools. Whom did they think they were kidding? Hunt wasnt dead. Cord had felt something strange, an odd passing through his soul, but not the disconnection he would feel if Hunt was dead. He waited, his jaw tight.

His silence appeared to unnerve the smaller officer. We would like to inform the fiancée. He checked his paper. She should be notified. Regretfully, we dont have her location.

You never will, Cord vowed. He wouldnt allow these two lame excuses to go to Tessas door and frighten her out of her wits with their lack of emotion. Regret to inform you. She was carrying Hunts child, and the shock these unfeeling clods would give her could cause harm.

Im sorry, he said with a shrug. Im not aware of her location myself. He told the lie easily to spare her the pain.

The men shifted. You dont know where your brothers fiancée is? the taller man asked, his voice edged with surprised disbeliefand obvious disappointment.

Cord noted the foreign accent, possibly Mexican, Spanish more likely. No, I dont, he said softly, his voice clear and hard as the ice forming on the streets. My brother and I werent close.

He shut the door. Oh, hed known where Tessa was almost every time she rendezvoused with Hunt after he completed his assignments. Cord had pleaded with Hunt not to take his fiancée to places that teemed with unrest, pointing out that he risked her life as well as his. Should some subversive foreign faction ever figure out Hunt was breaking their codes and moving equipment and people in and out of high-risk positions, he would be at risk. Tessa might even divert his attention, getting both of them killed.

Nonsense, Hunt had laughed. Tessa and Hunt, two people who lived life to the fullest while Cord stayed on his ranch, watching after his cattle and tending a few crops. Hunt was an adventurer, and Tessa had caught his fever. Having her with me sharpens my focus, hed told Cord. Im knife aware when shes there. She makes every moment that much more defined.

Cord had turned away, but not in disgust at his brothers selfishness. Hed completely understood. Tessa was the kind of woman any man would want to protect, to give all his heart and soul.

Shed stolen Hunts heart the first time he met herand then shed stolen Cords.

Chapter One

Its Cord, Tessa.

Her heart plummeted with dread the moment she heard his deep voice. There was only one reason Cord would show up on her doorstep without calling, only one mission that would bring him to her house despite the hour.

Hunt. Shed been fearing the worst, and clearly, the news Cord had about his brother was too serious for a phone call. Swallowing tightly, she opened the door to stare at him.

His darkly handsome face was drawn and worried. May I come in?

Of course. She stepped back, drawing her robe tightly around her with fingers that clenched the soft velour lapels for nervous support.

Closing the door behind him, he said, Tessa

Cord. Please. Just tell me. Dont try to spare me. She was speaking too fast, but Tessa couldnt stand the tension knotting her insides.

Two men came to my house tonight. They claimed they had news about Hunt, but He squinted at her as he considered his next words. I had the strangest hunch they were really looking for you.

Looking for me? She sank into an overstuffed chair covered with a bright tropical fabric and motioned Cord to sit in the wicker chair across from her.

Their story was that they had come to tell me Hunt was dead.

Oh, no! Even though she expected the worst, hearing it shattered her. Tears instantly burned her eyes.

Wait. He held up a hand. Tessa, I cant quite put my finger on it, but there was something off about their story.

What do you mean? She could barely push her voice through her stiff lips. Her entire body seemed frozen, unable to move.

He got up, moving pantherlike to look out every window in the den of the small, three-bedroom house. What he thought he might see in the darkness, Tessa didnt know.

They had ID. They had the right uniform. They almost said the right words. Almost.

Almost?

Almost, if I wasnt already inclined to be cautious because of Hunts work. Almost, if they hadnt followed up their song-and-dance routine by asking me where to find you.