Neither Whitney nor Wallace spoke to each other as they walked up the road. The weather had turned chilly today, and she rubbed her palms up and down the goosebumps rising on her arms in an attempt to bring warmth into her body. She needed to become angry again. That would get heat flowing through her like a volcano ready to spew lava.

From inside a group of trees, something shiny and white caught her attention. The closer they walked toward that area, the more she could see the white truck. Her stomach twisted and she bunched her hands into fists. If only she’d known it was Wallace and not the senator’s hitman...

But she couldn’t look back. So much has happened since that time, and she wouldn’t trade it for all of Zack’s billions. But now, she doubted that his billions would keep him out of danger. It hadn’t so far.

“Tell me, Wallace,” she said stiffly. “How were you able to keep tabs on me while I was growing up?”

“Joe, of course.”

“But,” she glanced at him over her shoulder, “he and my mother were divorced.”

“He hired a private investigator to watch you. He wanted to make sure you were all right.”

Her heart softened toward Joe. “Why would he do that?”

“He worried about you because of the way your mother treated you.” Wallace’s expression hardened. “I’m happy to see she hasn’t damaged your mind, or she would have been next on my list to pop-off.”

How many times had she faced hardened criminals while being an FBI agent? And yet, she would never be able to figure out what made them want to take another human’s life. “Well, I’m also glad she hasn’t damaged me, either.”

Whitney watched the road again until they reached Wallace’s truck. He hurried ahead of her and opened the passenger side door.

“Hop inside. The world is ours now.”

Her stomach lurched. If only she had something in it to regurgitate, she’d love nothing better than to throw-up all over him. “How can I convince you to let me go? Wallace, I don’t love you, and if I go with you, I’ll never be happy.”

“I’ll make you happy, don’t worry.”

“No, you won’t.” She took a deep breath for courage and stepped closer to him. “The only man who will make me happy is Zack Greyson.”

Wallace glared at her. “I suggest you get him out of your system, or I’m going to have to beat it out of you.”

She skimmed her gaze over his body, wondering if he was really strong. She was strong enough to keep a man from attacking her. She’d be able to take this puny man down in a heartbeat.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Wallace sneered. “But I’m the one with the gun, so you’d better do as I say.”

Suddenly, a rifle shot blasted through the air. The bullet pinged off the door.

Wallace jumped behind Whitney, bringing her in front of him as a shield. He pointed his gun in the direction from where the gunshot had come.

Two men hurried toward her. When she saw Zack’s worried face, she wanted to sigh with relief. And yet, she feared the worst. Joe ran next to Zack. Each man held a rifle pointed toward her and Wallace.

“Drop your gun,” Zack yelled.

“Stop right there.” Wallace shot at Zack.

She held her breath. Thankfully, the bullet hit the ground. But Zack and Joe did as Wallace commanded, and they stopped.

“Drop the rifles,” Wallace shouted.

Zack shook his head. “Release Whitney first.”

“Never!”

As Wallace wrapped his right arm around her neck, her self-defense classes kicked in. She lowered her chin, keeping his arm from touching her neck.

“Wall,” Joe said, “we can work this out. Just let her go.”

“No, Joe. Whitney is mine and I’ll never let Mr. Rich-pants get her.”

“How much money do you want?” Zack asked. “I’m rich. I’m a billionaire. I’ll give you as much money as you want, just let her go.”

Her heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t believe Zack was willing to give up all he had just for her.

“I don’t want money,” Wallace snapped. “I just want her.”

He tightened his arm around her neck, but thankfully, with her chin down, he wouldn’t be able to choke her. She brought up her hands near her face, holding onto his forearm as she slowly stepped to the right.

Zack’s face turned red. “You’re not getting her!”

“And you won’t either!” Wallace grumbled and pointed the gun at Whitney’s head.

She sucked in a quick breath and her heartbeat stilled. She needed to act fast before he got trigger happy.

Using her left arm, she swung it fast, aiming it between his legs. The moment it met with his family jewels, he groaned loudly. As his body bent in protection mode, she brought up her elbow, connecting it with his face. The sound of crunching bones ripped through the air. Satisfaction filled her, knowing she’d broken his nose.

Wallace crumbled to the ground. She swung toward him. The Glock had fallen from his hand. As he writhed in pain, he reached for the gun. She kicked it away from his hand.

Seconds later, both Zack and Joe ran up to her. Zack gathered her in his strong arms, and Joe retrieved the gun from the ground.

Finally, she breathed a relieved sigh and pressed her face against Zack’s chest. Her agent’s skills had won the day.

“Are you all right?” he whispered before kissing her head.

“I’m fine now that you’re here.” She glanced at Joe. “Has anyone called the police?”

“Yes, dear.” Joe glanced at her before returning his focus to the man still rolling in pain on the ground with one hand holding his crotch, and the other hand holding his bleeding nose.

“When I realized Wallace was the shooter,” Zack told her, “we called the police as we hurried to find you.”

“I’m so glad you found me.” She smiled up at him. “He threated to shoot anyone who tried to help me.”

Zack’s mouth stretched into a wide grin. “I see you haven’t forgotten your FBI skills.”

“No, I haven’t.” She managed a smile even though her body still shook with tension. “Funny how it came to me just when I needed it.”

“I’m glad.” He waggled his eyebrows. “It’s rather exciting to have a kick-butt girlfriend.”

She laughed and hugged him again. “Oh, but believe me, I’d rather not have to go through that again.”

In the distance, sirens wailed. She sighed. Any minute now Wallace would be handcuffed and taken to jail. Both Zack and Whitney would give the police their statements of attempted murder.

But she didn’t dare breathe too easily, yet. After all, the senator’s hitman was still out there. Or was he? She doubted Wallace had shot Zack the first time two months ago when her unit had been called to take his statement. She’d not known Zack back then, so why would Wallace shoot him?

She frowned. Apparently, she would still play the part of the FBI agent for two more weeks. However – she peeked up at the gorgeous man who still held her in his arms – those two weeks were going to be very exciting.

* * * *

KEEPING WHITNEY’S HAND in his, Zack walked out of the courthouse and down the many steps from the building. He smiled so much his cheeks hurt. He’d testified on the stand and told the jury everything he saw the senator do, and what the senator had said. Thankfully, the prosecution had more proof of the senator’s criminal actions, and the crooked politician was sentenced to life in prison.

The last two weeks had been blissfully happy as he and Whitney remained at the ranch. They were still cautious of being spotted by someone in town who might know his true identity, but after a while, they realized they were safe.

The flashbulbs going off all at once all around him, blinded him momentarily, and he blocked the bright lights from his eyes. It looked as if he’d be back in the tabloids again, but this time, they’d tell about his day in court... and the beautiful FBI agent who had been with him throughout the whole trial.

Grumbling, he turned away from the paparazzi, and with Whitney’s hand still in his, he rushed for his brand-new red Ferrari. He opened the passenger side door for Whitney, and once she was inside, he ran to the driver’s side and climbed in. Two seconds later, he had the car started and raced away from the cameras and the onlookers.

“Oh, they are so annoying,” Whitney said.

“Yes, they are.” He glanced at her before looking back toward the road. “Are you going to be able to get used to that kind of life?”

“Why do I have to get used to it?”

“Don’t you want to be with me?”

“Well, of course, I do.”

“Then that’s one of the things you’ll have to tolerate.” He shrugged. “If I had it my way, I’d hide from them forever. It was rather nice being the missing billionaire for a few months.”

She scooted in her seat until she faced him. Her hand moved to his leg and rested on his thigh. He absolutely loved her tender touch.

“Zack? Didn’t you tell me that Joe offered to sell you the ranch?”

“Yes.” He glanced at her and back to the road. “Why?”

“You’d told him that you wanted to buy it. Were you serious?”

Zack glanced around the street, searching for a place to pull the car over so that he could have a serious conversation with her. He noticed the underground parking, and without a second thought, drove inside.

Memories flooded his mind of when he and Whitney were at the airport. He grinned and went to park in the empty spot near the wall.

She grasped his arm. “What are you doing?” Her voice lifted in humor. “Don’t you know we’ll be trapped if we park there?”

He laughed and moved to a more open parking place, stopped, and killed the engine. He turned and took her soft hands in his. “I’m glad you remembered.”

“Oh, I’ll never forget those days.”

He leaned over and kissed her briefly on the mouth before withdrawing. He stared into her beautiful hazel eyes that looked more green now. “Yes, I want to buy the ranch, but only on one condition.”

Sighing, she titled her head. “Conditions again?”

“Yes, but you’ll like this one.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“I want you to be my wife.” He reached into the pocket of his blue Armani suit jacket and withdrew a little black velvet jewelry box that he’d been carrying for a few days now.

She gasped, and her eyes widened.

He opened the box, showing her the enormous heart-shaped diamond ring with a white-gold band. “I want to share my life with you, Whitney. I know how much you love being on the ranch, and I love being there with you.” He caressed her cheeks that were now wet from the tears sliding down her face. “I was hoping you loved me enough to want to become rancher’s wife.”

Her smile grew as she nodded. “There’s nothing I’d like better.”

He took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. “It looks good on you.”

She threw her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. “You look good on me.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “I do? Why don’t you show me what you mean.”

Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes. “What I mean is that you have made me so happy, and because of that, people have noticed the change in me.”

He nodded. “I’m glad, but...” He leaned closer. “I still want to see that first suggestion.”

She laughed and captured his mouth with hers. This car wasn’t the place to make-out, but for now, he’d make it as comfortable as possible.

Zack didn’t care how much money it took, but he was going to give his soon-to-be wife the best life she’d ever had. Then again, they were both comfortable in their jeans and flannel shirts at the ranch. Perhaps they didn’t need his billions after all.

There was definitely no dollar amount on love. Because with Whitney, it was priceless.

THE END