Guarding Raine Part 25

she remains in danger until the person sending these letters is caught.

Surely you realize that.

" " What I realize," Mac returned, in a deceptively mild voice, " is that you set me up when you got me to come out and look things over.

" He propped himself against the edge of his desk, crossing his arms.

Simon gave him an impatient look. " What do you mean?

I told you that Raine needed your services.

," Mac nodded judiciously.

"You did. You said you wanted me to come out, make her home safe, and judge just how much danger she's in."

"And that's just what you've done. I don't know what else you're talking about."

"You counted on the fact,"

Mac continued softly, "that once I was here I'd talk Raine into my staying.

That's one little fact you forgot to mention, Simon. That you'dforgotten to mention the extent of my job when you spoke to her."The man didn't bat an eyelash."What I counted on,"he corrected, "was you. That you'd come here and take care of things.

And you're doing fine, so far. h.e.l.l, son, if I hadn't known you werethe man for the job, I wouldn't have hounded you into taking thiscase."

Mac ignored the flattery.

"You tried to manipulate me,"

he said flatly.

"And Raine."

He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in.

"Don't try it again."

Simon's jaw clenched.

The look he'd intercepted between the man and Raine took on a whole new

intimacy, and he didn't like it at all.

"You don't speak for my daughter, O'Neill."

"I think I do,"

Mac contradicted.

"At least in this instance. And you know it. That's why you took so

long to come by. You were waiting for her to cool down a little before

you talked to her again." t " I've been busy, and I knew I could trust

you to get things done.

" There isn't anything else that you've forgotten to tell me, isthere, Simon?

" Mac asked caustically. " I've never been much for surprises.

" T~here was a moment's silence as their eyes clashed. Simon looked away first. " You know everything you need to about this case, morethan I know, most likely.

I have a h.e.l.l of a lot more faith in you than I do in that overworkeddetective downtown.

You'll take care of Raine for me, and she'll get back to the life shewas meant to have.

" Mac faced him impa.s.sively. " And that is?

" Simon waved a hand carelessly. " Raine needs a husband.

She's a sweet girl, and sooner or later she's going to meet a nice,respectable young man and settle down.

I've introduced her to several promising young executives myself.

It's only a matter of time before she chooses one and marries.

" The words were harmless enough, but Mac knew there was a message inthem for him. A nice young man good enough for Raine would win Simon'svote for son-in-law. The description could never be applied to thelikes of Mac O'Neill. He shook his head in bemus.e.m.e.nt. Simon reallyhad the most incredible gall. Mac was good enough to keep his daughtersafe, but if it hadn't been for the threat hanging over Raine's head,he knew without a doubt that Simon would have preferred Raine didn'tget within ten miles of him.

And the h.e.l.l of it was, he couldn't fault the man for feeling that way.What he didn't understand was why Simon thought it necessary to issuethe subtle warning in the first place. Raine's entry into the roominterrupted Mac's thoughts. " Mother's nurse said she was asleep.

I'll get in touch with her tomorrow.

" " You do that, honey.

And now I'd better go.

I have to stop by the office for some files !

need to work on tonight.

" " I'll walk you to your car," she offered firmly. " No, that's notnecessary " " Oh, but I insist," she said, hooking her arm through hisand leading him out. " You and I haven't really had a chance totalk.

And there's so much I have to say to you.

" Mac's face lit with amus.e.m.e.nt. Simon was going to get an earful,that was certain. And somehow he thought Raine might just come out ontop in this particular skirmish. Having been on the receiving end of her temper a time or two himself, he couldn't help relis.h.i.+ng thethought of Simon taking his turn.

Raine sat in the porch swing long after her father had gone. As dusk began to turn to night, she got up and flipped the switch that shouldhave turned on the porch light. Newly installed floodlights shoneacross the lawn. She tried another switch, and a spotlight that musthave been mounted on the top of the house began sweeping the area witha moving beam. Muttering to herself, she gave up and went back to theswing.

Macauley had forgotten to explain the extent of the changes he'dmade.

Feeling like a stranger in her own home, she stared pensively at theshadows.

A couple hours later she was still there. Mac stood in the doorwaywatching her for a moment. " Hi," she said softly, looking up at hisarrival. He'd obviously started getting ready for bed. He was s.h.i.+ftless, and she was entranced by the sight of his bare torsogleaming in the partial darkness.

He leaned against the doorjamb. " You going to turn in soon?

" She lifted her shoulder in a shrug. " Not yet.

Why don't you join me?

Porch sitting is very relaxing, you know.

" " Is that a fact?

" She nodded solemnly. " It's almost a lost art.

Come here, I'll show you.

" She got up and crossed over to him, taking him by the elbow andleading him to the swing. He stood by it, eyeing it suspiciously. " The first rule of porch sitting is to situate yourself in the mostadvantageous place possible," she lectured him with mock solemnity. " This swing will do just fine.

" She gave him a slight push and he reluctantly sat down on its slattedseat.

" Then, you just sit yourself down.

" She Sat next to him. " Just so.

" She pushed off the floor with her foot and sent the swing movingslowly through the air. After a moment he turned to look at her. " And then what?

" " And then"-- her voice was filled with laughter " --you wonder whatyour neighbors are up to.

" He gave a sound that might have been a chuckle. She turned her head swiftly, captivated by the sound. She caught the remnants of a smileon his firm lips. Her eyes fell to his jaw. For the first time since she'd met him, he was clean-shaven. " You shaved," she gasped. He rubbed his chin. " I'm not a complete savage.

I shave every night," he said, half defensively. Every night. The words conjured up an intriguing mental image. She could picture him,torso bare, leaning toward the mirror, moving the blade up his throatin smooth, sum strokes. She imagined him wiping the foam from hisface, slapping on the after-shave she could detect. The vision drippedwith sensuality. Shaving at night spoke of habit. A habit acquired soa man didn't abrade a woman's softer skin with a day's worth ofwhiskers. She took in a shuddering breath, and changed the subject. " What did you and my father talk about tonight?

" " What's been done around here," he answered vaguely. She arched her eyebrows, waiting for him to go on. When he didn't she prompted, " Anddid he approve?

" What a question. Simon's approval of the measures he was taking tokeep Raine safe had been easily apparent. His warning had been equally so. " He seemed to.

" After a pause he said, " Is there something wrong with your mother?

You and your father seemed rather concerned.

" She gave a gentle sigh. " My mother has a genetic heart condition

that worsens with age.

She almost died having me.

" Her voice softened, and she added, " My father has always protected

her, and my brothers and I tried todo the same.

We never upset her if we can help it.

Stress aggravates her condition.

" " No wonder he seemed so worried about her.

" When he didn't go on, Raine said wryly, " You can't fool me.

My father didn't come over here to discuss Mother.

He grilled you about this whole mess, and about me.

I know him well, remember.

That's why he got me out of the room.

" " Were your ears burning?

" " Still warm," she said, turning one to him. " See?