THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

never get tired of having her near to pamper. “And the trial is going to be a cakewalk. The FBI only needs you to corroborate their information and timelines.” 
    “Lorde’s organization imploded once his people realized he was gone. Everyone’s rolling over and cutting deals.” Reaching over again, he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, another excuse to touch her. Seeing her mother’s heirloom ring dangling from the chain around her neck had him wishing she’d have hocked a dozen rings.
    You’d think he’d brought her the Hope diamond the night he walked in with that. Damn, he got hard just thinking about the way she’d thanked him that night.
    She asked, “Didn’t you think it was suspicious that he committed suicide?”
    Yes, but he didn’t want her worrying over it. “Not really. He had to know the FBI was close on his trail. Took the coward’s way out, which fit.”
    She scrunched her shoulders. “I just couldn’t see Mason Lorde eating a bullet out of fear. Not someone with his international contacts and financial resources. I would have expected him to run for a while, at least. But I’m glad I don’t have to face him in court.”
    Zane was, too.
    She asked, “How’s the High Vision thing coming along?”
    Angel could change mental gears faster than he flipped switches in the cockpit.
    “Everything with that group is strange. They get busted in Jacksonville and end up the victims. Not one thing illegal ever turned up in that shipment. The DEA knows they’re smuggling contraband into the country through Florida because they follow the trail in reverse when they find it on the street. But High Vision keeps getting tipped to their raids. Has to be a leak in the operation somewhere.”  He did a quick check of the instruments and the open skies around the plane and added, “But Mac’s got a plan.”
    “Is it something you can tell me?”
    He appreciated that she understood when he couldn’t talk about some things. Mac had brought Zane in to work more closely with his group, and that meant Zane had more sensitive information. “He’s bringing in some new blood. Individuals from different agencies to work on the task force. Especially one guy who we hope can find the mole.”
    “A field operative?”
    “Probably.”
    Angel tapped her fingers nervously on her thigh. “Will you have to work much with this new guy?” she asked in a pensive voice.
    “Nah, from what I hear, it’s mostly just keeping an eye on him. He’s something of a loner.”
    She still drummed her fingers, worrying.
    He couldn’t have that.
    Mac didn’t want anyone talking about changes taking place, but the part involving Zane wasn’t classified and his wife’s peace of mind was his priority at the moment. “Speaking of my work, Mac is making some changes in their charter service needs.”
    Her finger tapping picked up speed. “Like what?”
    “He wants to add more planes to the operation.”
    She swung around, mouth open. “He’s going to split up your business with others?”
    “No, honey. He’s giving me three more airplanes, paid for, that will operate like I’ve been doing. They’ll be part of Black Jack Charters. They’ll work for me.”
    Her eyes lit up. “That’s great news.”
    It was. Much as he loved flying, he was looking forward to being home more. He had reason.
    He made a minor adjustment to the controls then returned the airplane to autopilot and switched topics on her this time. “What are you going to do with the reward money for finding the coins?”
    He’d never forget the surprise on her face when Angel heard about the six-figure reward offered for the return of the coins. In an effort to make up for the wrongs she’d suffered, the FBI made sure Angel received every penny.
    “I’d like to go back to school,” she began. “But I also want to help other women. I don’t have an exact plan, but Trish and I have kicked around some ideas.”
    Reference to school made him reflect on her scholarship and lost running opportunities. “Are you disappointed you couldn’t compete in this year’s Tamarind Triathlon?”
    “No, but you should feel guilty. It’s all your fault,” she declared, a teasing sparkle in her eyes.
    “Nay, nay.”   He shook his finger tauntingly at her. “I’ll take fifty percent of the responsibility, Mrs. Jackson. Good thing I made an honest woman of you when I did.”  He cocked an eyebrow at her.
    “I did not lie. I just suggested