In Bed with the Enemy Read Free Page A

you’ll never have to worry about ’em bein’ in the way when the spit hits the fan.” But at the same time, his father thought a man should place a woman on a pedestal and give her his undivided attention and complete respect. And Cole suspected if his mother hadn’t died when he wasfour, he’d have had a whole houseful of brothers and sisters.
    But he hadn’t had that. He’d been raised by a crusty, career marine gunnery sergeant, and learned early on not to get too attached to people or places. An unusual sense of loneliness filled his chest.
    Cole shook off the feeling as he rose to pull off his T-shirt and jeans. “It’s no wonder you’re screwed up, Yardley.”
    But long after he’d taken his shower and climbed into bed, Cole stared at the ceiling, thinking about his exchange with his auburn-haired rival. He’d never met a woman he enjoyed verbally sparring with as much as he did with Campbell. She was one of the most intelligent, quick-witted women he’d ever met, and the sparkle of anger in her emerald eyes when she was reading him the riot act had been too tempting to resist.
    Her spirit, and drive to be the best, were admirable traits in a male agent. But not in a female operative. Those were the very qualities about her that made her volatile.
    Cole punched his pillow and rolled over to his side. Campbell wasn’t the type to run from trouble. If anything, she would be the first to sink her teeth into a dangerous investigation and exhaust all possibilities before she let go.
    He knew because he recognized it all too well. It was the same way he carried out his own job.

Two
    T he next afternoon, as Cole got out of his rented SUV, Ricky Mercado walked out onto his front porch, leaned his shoulder against one of the support posts and crossed his booted feet at the ankles. His relaxed stance didn’t fool Cole one damn bit. He was the last person Mercado wanted to see.
    â€œBack again, Yardley?”
    â€œYep.” Cole grinned. He had a feeling that under different circumstances, he and Mercado could have been friends. But given the nature of his job and Ricky’s background, it was unlikely now. “Just thought I’d let you know I’m still around.”
    Mercado laughed, but the spark of irritation in his dark brown eyes hinted at his true feelings about seeing Cole again. “Like you’ll let me forget.”
    â€œHow do you like your new place?”
    â€œIt’ll do. I’ve got an old raccoon living under the back porch that doesn’t care much for my moving here, but he can hiss and spit all he wants. I’m here to stay.” Mercado uncrossed his feet and straightened to his full six foot three inch height. “Why don’t you cut to the chase, Yardley.”
    Cole nodded. That was one thing he and Mercado had in common. Neither one of them minced words. “Fair enough. You’ve been going to the country club a lot lately.”
    â€œI paid a chunk of money for that membership. I figure on getting my money’s worth.”
    â€œYou know about the guns being found in one of the maintenance sheds?” Cole asked, watching for any sign that Mercado might be hiding something.
    Mercado gave nothing away. “I’d have to be blind, deaf and dumb as hell not to have heard the news. You can’t swing a dead armadillo in Mission Creek without hitting somebody who isn’t talking about it.”
    â€œDo you have any idea who might have stashed them there?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œWould you tell me if you did?”
    â€œSure.”
    Cole didn’t believe him for a minute. “Do you think Valente is involved?”
    A muscle jerked along Mercado’s jaw and Cole could tell he’d touched a nerve. “You’ll have to ask the SOB yourself. I have no idea what’s going on inside. And I don’t care.” His expression hard, Mercado added,