A Brother's Love

By Sandy Wolters

How do you protect a woman who carries a gun and loves to use it? You outfox her while holding your breath!

FBI Special Agent Pilar Campos lives and works in a man’s world, and she loves her job. What could be better than pointing her gun at people and arresting them? A smart ass with a temper, she is not above breaking bones if someone disagrees with her. She enjoys seeing the fear she inspires in her coworkers. Needless to say, she doesn't have many friends.

Pilar and her partner, Rick, have been executing surveillance on the Snowflake Militia Group for two years. Everything is going just fine with the twenty-seven-million-dollar operation until she is forced to shoot and kill Thorne Baker, the brother of the self-proclaimed leader of the militia group, Boone Baker. This is the moment her life changes forever.

Boone Baker initiates a one million dollar contract on Pilar’s life and will go to any length to avenge his brother’s death. Deputy Director Greg Olsen knows he has to get his best agent into protective custody. He also knows she won’t go even if he orders it; she’ll stay and fight to the end. So, he hatches a plan without her knowledge to tuck her away at a ranch in Northern Arizona owned by Amos Thomas, a man who dislikes people with as much, if not more, fervor than Pilar.

Despite her protests, Pilar’s life is transformed at the ranch as she finds peace unlike any she has felt before, and her special bond with the animals astonishes even the most-seasoned ranch hands. Learning to open herself up to the people at the ranch, she develops close bonds with everyone but falls in love with Amos, who wants no part of a relationship. Amos, however, is not prepared for the way Pilar seems to know just what he's thinking and feeling. She knows exactly how to handle him because they are like two halves of a whole.

Encountering one dead end after another trying to locate Pilar, Boone Baker goes to extreme measures to draw her out in the open. In one fell swoop, he crumbles her world around her, destroying what is most precious to her. Will she be strong enough to continue on, or will he get his revenge?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandy Wolters
• Release date: Jul 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466197985

Sandy Wolters

I’ve been an avid reader for years. To my husband’s dismay, I have bookshelves full of books, rooms full of books, boxes full of books. My cars have books in them. I just can’t seem to get rid of them after I read them. You just never know when you will want to read it again, right?About two years ago, my husband gave me the dream gift, a Kindle. It was love at first sight and my first foray into the world of ebooks. To say the least, I am a technologically challenged person but when a reader, such as I, is told that you can have the book you want to read in seconds, I’m going to do whatever it takes to learn how to use it as quickly as possible.While I still have books everywhere, I no longer take ten or twelve books with me when I go on vacation. The only thing I need is my Kindle. It never leaves my purse.My genre of choice is romance with a paranormal twist. My authors of choice are Diana Palmer, Iris Johansen, Catherine Coulter, Jill Gregory and of course, the queen, Nora Roberts. I am also very partial to Michael Connelly, who is not a romance author but damn that man can write!In my life prior to becoming an author, I was Legal Assistant/Office Manager for a wonderful local estate planning attorney (no criminals that I know of). Prior to that, I also worked my way up the ladder in a large corporation, from payroll clerk to supervising nine employees in operational accounting.When my children, Shandelle and Pilar, were small, I took a few years off to be a full-time mom and help my husband with his accounting work for his auto repair shop.After, Michael, my husband, sold his business, he changed professions and started working for a national construction company.Michael and I raised two beautiful, strong women so that’s who I write about. The women in my books are strong individuals that have moments of weakness and frailty to work through.

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A Brother’s Love

By Sandy Wolters

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Copyright 2011 Sandy Wolters

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 1

Rick Thomas sat across from his boss, the deputy director, and wondered what had warranted the private, confidential meeting he had requested here in the Phoenix field office. As usual, Deputy Director Greg Olson sat in his massive throne-type chair and looked upon Rick as if he were an insignificant bug that had to be dealt with. The Deputy Director was definitely in control of this meeting.

Greg knew that if he sat there long enough staring at his agent, Rick would be so intimidated he would agree to anything he asked of him. At least Greg hoped that was the case. He also knew this was going to be a touchy situation, and he would have to use all of his powers of authority and intimidation to get Rick to agree with what needed to be done.

Sitting there, waiting for the browbeating to begin, Rick knew in his heart that while the outcome of this last case was not ideal, it was just one small battle in the ongoing war. It was his understanding that the overall operation was considered a success to date by all FBI standards. Granted, the battle had had casualties. One of the bad guys was dead and could not be questioned, but the death had caused some serious infrastructure issues for the militant group that his partner, Pilar, and he had been assigned to surveil over the last two years.

With his eyes never leaving Rick’s, Greg took a deep breath before speaking. I’ve read the reports on the Show Low bank incident. Do you have any idea how much money the federal government has invested in the Snowflake Militia investigation?

Rick stirred uneasily in his chair. Pilar is the person who usually checks and rechecks the statistics on this case, sir.

Greg continued to stare at Rick without saying a word, waiting for Rick to continue.

If I had to venture a guess, sir, with the two years we have been investigating and the marked money the militia group has gotten from the various robberies we’ve been able to set up, I’d have to say it’s in the millions, sir.

Greg leaned forward in his chair to punctuate his statement. To be exact, Agent Thomas, the federal government has invested twenty-seven million dollars on this assignment to date.

Rick exhaled slowly, feeling his confidence slipping away in the face of so much money.

Once again, we had all of our agents in place at the bank. The marked money the militia group was to take during the robbery was in place, and what happens, Agent Thomas?

Greg paused to bring his point home. One of the main perpetrators in the Snowflake Militia Group that we’ve been watching closely for the last two years was killed. Three other members who were involved in the bank robbery and subsequently captured are not talking. Greg paused, looked straight at Rick and remarked brusquely, And, of course, one got away.

Greg held the stare and the silence, knowing Rick would feel compelled to explain the situation again.

Rick clasped his hands together and fervently wished he didn’t feel as though he were standing in front of his grade school principal to explain a cherry bomb and toilet incident. Sir, there was no other way Pilar and I could have handled the situation. Thorn Baker and the four other men with him had just shot an off-duty police officer while they were exiting the bank. The officer had simply gone into the bank to make a deposit. They saw his uniform and panicked. In a matter of moments, the situation escalated out of control, and we had to move in to stop any further collateral damage and loss of life. We just could not allow any further injuries to happen, sir. We acted in the interest of public safety.

Rick took a deep, slow breath to calm his nerves and continued. I understand it was a loss when Pilar shot and killed Thorn Baker, but he had already killed a police officer and was indiscriminately shooting at cars and pedestrians passing by while trying to escape.

Rick understood fully that his actions and those of his partner were well within the bounds of a justified shoot and couldn’t help but get a little irritated that they were continually being questioned about it. He also knew in his gut that if Pilar hadn’t shot and killed Thorn Baker, that he himself would be dead right now. Baker had had him in his sights and would have pulled the trigger without hesitation. Rick shifted his body in the chair, remembering just how close it had been to being his last moment on this earth.

Continuing with the intimidation tactics, Greg remained silent after Rick's answer to his question, adding a disapproving look to unsettle Rick. Finally, Greg leaned forward. You and Pilar have a close relationship. Is that a fair statement?

Surprised at the turn in the conversation and unsure as to what the Deputy Director was alluding, Rick’s face scrunched up. I beg your pardon, sir?

Greg picked up a pen on his desk and played with it a moment. He pointed it at Rick. You and your partner have a close relationship, correct?

Rick's hands were turning white from the pressure of being clasped together so tightly, and he was completely baffled because he wasn't sure exactly what point the Deputy Director was trying to make. Pilar is the best partner I’ve ever had, sir. We’ve worked together successfully for the last four years, and our working relationship is solid. He lifted his shoulders and continued, We get along well, and we trust each other. If you are asking if we have an intimate relationship, sir, we do not.

Greg hesitated a moment and decided it was time to proceed with the real reason he had called Rick into his office. There is someone I want you to meet. He punched a button on his phone. Sally, send him in now.

Rick turned as the door opened, and a tall, very well-dressed man walked into the room. He moved toward them and took a seat to Rick’s left.

Greg made the introductions. Special Agent Rick Thomas, I’d like you to meet Special Agent Matthew Campos. Matt works out of our Tucson offices.

Rick turned and held his hand out with a smile on his face. You’re Pilar’s brother. I’ve heard a lot about you.

Matt sat back in his chair and smiled while thinking of his sister. I’m surprised that Pilar told you about me. She’s a very private person and doesn’t ever talk about personal things with anyone.

Rick chuckled, knowing full well that Pilar didn't discuss personal matters with anyone. We spend a lot of hours together doing nothing but watching houses, cars, hotels. Even the most antisocial person will start talking under those circumstances.

Matt laughed. Antisocial. That’s one of the nicest things anyone outside the family has ever said about my sister.

Well, she really doesn’t like people that much. I guess that’s why she’s so good at this job. There’s not a lot of interaction with people unless you’re pointing a gun at them and arresting them. Rick looked at his boss. What exactly is going on here, sir?

Greg leaned back in his chair and for the first time let the exhaustion show that he had been feeling since he first started getting the disturbing intelligence reports. The expression on his face was grim. We’ve got a problem, Rick. Over the last several days, I have had numerous intelligence contacts report that a contract has been placed on Pilar’s life.

Rick sucked in his breath and stood. What? Are you serious? Who put the contract out? Why?

Matt tried to calm him down. Sit down, Rick, so we can discuss this as calmly as possible. Rick sat and stared at Matt, wondering how Pilar's brother could seem so relaxed under the circumstances.

Thorn Baker’s brother, Boone, authorized a payout of one million dollars for the death of my sister. He knows she’s the agent who pulled the trigger that killed his brother. He’s out for revenge, and he’s being very vocal about it. That’s where you come in.

Stunned, Rick muttered to himself, She took the kill shot instead of just wounding him because he was going to kill me. She saved my life, and now her life is in danger.

Rick’s head jerked up, and he directed his gaze at the Deputy Director. I just saw her this morning getting coffee downstairs. Why haven’t you put her in a safe house, sir? These are some of the most dangerous homegrown terrorists we’ve ever had in the U.S. If these threats are credible, why haven’t you gotten protection for Pilar?

Greg replied, We just got confirmation late last night. We overheard a conversation between Boone Baker and Syd Conner discussing the hit.

Rick was on his feet, his voice growing louder by the minute. Syd Conner is the Snowflake Militia Group’s enforcer. He’s the most dangerous, vicious man I’ve ever had to deal with.

Rick started pacing and turned on Greg. Why hasn’t an order gone out to get these bastards into custody?

Greg, feeling the weight of his job in the knots in his neck, said, We can’t jeopardize our operation yet. There’s still too much we don’t know. Hell, we’re finding new members every day, and we’re still following the money trail to find out what businesses are supporting this group. Every day that goes by, we learn more and more about the subjects and their operation.

He put his hand to his head and massaged his temple to try to deflect some of the tension he felt. Even if we brought every single member in, the contract would still be valid. There would still be people out there trying to kill Pilar. At this point, there’s just nothing we can do with the group that will stop the events Boone Baker has set in motion.

Agitated, Rick declared loud and clear, We have to get Pilar somewhere safe immediately.

Greg nodded in Matt's direction. We were hoping you’d say that.

Rick suddenly had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach telling him his day had just gone from bad to worse.

Greg said, Rick, you’ve got a… He shuffled some papers on his desk until he found the one he was looking for. He held it in his hand and returned his attention to Rick. You’ve got an older brother, Amos, who has a ranch north of the Flagstaff area, correct?

Once again perplexed, Rick scrunched up his forehead as he held his arms out in a questioning fashion. Frustrated by the runaround, he retorted with sarcasm in his voice, Yes? More a question than a statement.

There’s also a woman who works for your brother named Mabel Forrest, correct?

Having no idea what this line of questioning had to do with the danger his partner was in, Rick leaned forward to protest. Sir, I’m not sure I understand what—

Greg held his hand up to stop Rick. We’ve dispatched a tactical unit and surrounded your brother’s property. You are going to take Pilar to your brother’s ranch under the guise that she is Mabel Forrest’s long lost niece and have her stay there for at least two months.

Shocked, Rick leaped out of his chair. Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what my brother is like? There is no way he’ll agree to this. If he finds your people on his property, he’ll kill them first and ask questions later.

Greg smiled and visibly relaxed. He sounds like the perfect person to protect Pilar.

Rick turned to Matt to try to make him understand the gravity of what was being suggested. No offense here, Matt, but my brother’s people skills make your sister look like the Queen of England. I’m telling you, he will not agree to this. He hates outsiders and women in particular. They will kill each other within an hour. There has to be another way.

Matt laughed at the thought of his sister's people skills being compared to the Queen of England. No offense taken. I know Pilar’s temper can be difficult, but this is the only way to keep her safe. Deputy Director Olsen has talked to both your brother and the local police chief in the area. They have agreed to take this on because Pilar put her life in jeopardy by saving your life. Granted, your brother was not thrilled at the notion of having Pilar stay on his ranch. His only request was to keep her out of his way.

Rick turned to Greg, incredulous that his brother had already been contacted. You've talked to my brother? He’s really okay with this? Are you sure it was my brother? Amos Thomas. You spoke directly to Amos Thomas?

Greg sighed. He was tired from all of the sleepless, tension-filled hours he'd been dealing