Cold & Deadly

by Toni Anderson

  Panic raced through him. He hadn’t realized she’d been shot twice and didn’t think she had, either.

  “Alex. Call a medivac—”

  “It’ll be faster if I drive.” Alex took the baby gently in one arm and eased Mallory to her feet with the other. Then he handed the baby back. “Can you manage Ava alone?” he asked, putting a supporting arm around Mallory.

  Dominic nodded. He couldn’t speak. He turned and jogged back to the road. “Don’t fucking die on me now, Ava.”

  He’d barely survived his mother’s death. He’d never survive Ava’s.

  “I can’t drive too fast because of the baby, and I don’t have a car seat.” Alex grabbed a medical kit out of the Audi’s trunk. “There’s Quikclot in there and bandages. Press down as hard as you can. We’re fifteen minutes from a hospital. Twenty from a trauma center. Stop the bleeding, and we can keep her alive.”

  They maneuvered Ava onto the backseat of what had been Suzanna’s car, him on his knees beside her, applying the white powder to the two bullet wounds and checking for more.

  Alex got behind the wheel. Mallory climbed into the front passenger seat with her precious cargo.

  “I’ll call the cops for an escort and to warn the hospital.” Mallory buckled up as fast as she was able, kissing the bundle she held to her breast.

  Alex executed a quick three-point turn. “We’ll probably pass SWAT on the way.”

  “I’ll call them too with an update,” Mallory assured them.

  Ava was ghostly white, her lips drained of color, chest barely rising up and down.

  “Drive as fast as you can safely go,” Dominic begged. He didn’t want anything to happen to the baby and knew Ava wouldn’t either. “But please hurry.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Ava woke to a burning pain in her side and an arm that felt as if it had been sawn off at the shoulder.

  She stretched her eyelids apart and waited for her vision to settle. Her mother sat on a chair, asleep. That was unexpected. Dominic sat in the opposite corner.

  “Hey, what does anyone have to do around here to get a drink of water?” Her voice sounded like a forty-a-day smoker.

  Dominic bolted upright, and her mother sprang to her feet.

  “You’re awake.” He grabbed her good hand.

  “What happened?”

  “You were shot.” Her mother said it harshly.

  “I didn’t think it was that serious.” She eyed the bandage on her arm. At least the limb was still attached.

  “You were shot twice.” Dominic kissed her knuckles. “One bullet hit you in the side of the hip but didn’t exit. The surgeon dug it out of your thigh.”

  Ava grunted. “She shot me in the butt?” Suzanna was a better aim than she’d given the psychopath credit for. “What’s the prognosis?”

  “Terminal.” Her mother hovered over her, clearly upset. “So, you’re coming home with me to live out your last days.”

  If her mom was joking, she must be okay, but it reminded her about her tanked career.

  “Well, I guess you got your wish, Mom. I’m no longer with the FBI.” She turned her head away from them both. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do now. Dominic had said some pretty nice things in the woods earlier. And quit the FBI, but there was no way they’d allow him to leave. Someone would talk him out of it. He was born to be a negotiator, and she didn’t want him to quit a job he loved either.

  “What do you mean?” her mother asked.

  Dominic squeezed her fingers. “The director rescinded his termination. Said the whole thing had been a huge misunderstanding.”

  Ava wanted to feel grateful, but she couldn’t meet his gaze. “Because of you, not because of me. He wants you to stay even if that means putting up with me.”

  “Actually, no.” Dominic sat on the bed. Her mom threw him a dirty look. “Because Lincoln Frazer, Mallory Rooney, Ray Aldrich and everyone in the Fredericksburg RA, Charlotte Blood, Eban Winters, Mark Gross, Kurt Montana, and a whole swathe of HRT guys threatened to quit if the director went through with your dismissal, which they all considered unfair. Pretty much everyone you’ve ever worked with.” Dominic smiled, and a shot of something that felt a lot like lust, only softer and deeper, went through her. “I haven’t had time to formally tender my resignation yet. I decided to wait and ask you what you planned to do before I moved forward with that.”

  “Ray Aldrich?”

  “Ray was pretty repentant after it became clear Van was murdered. He saw the error of his ways.” Ava tried to stave off the tears, but one leaked through. So much for willpower.

  Dominic’s dark blue gaze regarded her seriously. “You aren’t alone in the FBI, Ava. You have a lot of people who love you and respect you. Van was one. I’m another.” He kissed her fingertips, and her heart gave an unexpected flutter. She’d hoped he loved her but hearing him say it—in front of her mother, no less—felt like a million dreams coming true. She was overwhelmed, unable to speak. Unable to swallow. And that people had stood up for her when she needed it. People she respected. People she didn’t…

  “Don’t leave the Bureau because the director was an ass. The FBI needs agents like you.” Dominic’s eyes flashed to her mother whose expression was pinched but didn’t fool Ava for one minute. The woman was pumped Ava had finally found a man.

  Dominic misunderstood Ava’s silence. “I know I told you I wasn’t interested in relationships, but that was before I met you. I can’t imagine not seeing you every day. Not finding out how many bad guys you made sorry for crossing paths with you each night after work. I love you, Ava. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

  His eyes were intent on her face, and she raised her hand to touch his stubbled jaw. He looked good when he was clean-shaven, but he looked hot as hell with scruff. She wished she had the strength to kiss him until he couldn’t breathe but feared she’d end up with the crash cart in here, trying to revive her quivering heart.

  “I love you too, Dominic Sheridan. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you cutting Van’s lawn with your shirt sleeves rolled up.”

  His grin was pure male satisfaction, and he deserved it. He’d come after her when she’d walked out on him. He’d trusted her to help save them in the woods and carried her out of there bleeding.

  She sent her mother a narrow look and teased, “I love you even though you aren’t Greek.”

  Her mother threw up her hands dramatically, knowing when she was being baited. She walked around the bed and kissed Dominic on the top of the head. “You better treat her right, Dominic Sheridan.”

  “Mom.”

  “Hey. You almost died because some crazy woman was after him, Ava—”

  Ava rolled her eyes. “It’s not exactly the first time I nearly died this week, Mom.” Her mother looked horrified, but Ava’s mouth went dry as she remembered something more important. “Mallory? The baby? Are they okay?”

  Dominic grinned. “All amazingly well. Let me call them quick. We might catch them before they leave the hospital.”

  Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. A glowing Mallory and pale Alex holding a baby carrier came in the room.

  Ava said, “I am so glad you guys are okay.”

  Alex brought the baby over for a look. Dark lashes rested on plump, pink cheeks. Tiny, perfect, cupid’s bow lips were slightly parted. Gorgeous and in one piece. Ava’s heart melted.

  “So beautiful.” She reached out to touch a tiny finger that wrapped around hers with a grip of steel.

  “Makes you want one, huh?” Her mother, subtle as a meteorite.

  “One day,” Ava said softly.

  “One day,” Dominic murmured against her ear.

  “Georgina Ava Parker, meet your godmother.”

  “What?” Ava’s eyes widened.

  “You heard.” Mallory grinned widely.

  “I didn’t do anything,” Ava protested.

  “Except draw a mad woman away from me so I could esc
ape.” Mallory was wearing a pretty dress covered in daisies. No one would ever guess a day ago they’d both been running for their lives in the woods.

  “You’re the one who saved us,” Ava insisted. “I had no idea how to make her stop the car. Throwing up on Suzanna was genius.”

  The awful memories dimmed the glow in Mallory’s eyes. “We got lucky.” She smiled over at Alex who watched his wife with careful attention. “We got a lot luckier than you did. I’m so sorry you were hurt.”

  “I’ll survive.” Life came at you fast sometimes. Fast. Like a bullet. And wasting a moment of it was foolish. Ava turned to Dominic. “I love you.”

  His eyes darkened, and one side of his mouth curled up. “You better.”

  “I want to go home.”

  “You have two gunshot wounds,” her mother said, wringing her hands together.

  “You have to stay in for a few days.” Dominic laughed at whatever mutinous expression was showing on her face. “As long as you continue to recover, the doctor said you can be discharged in a few days. We can stay at my place in DC until you’re completely recovered.”

  Her mother cleared her throat, and Ava almost choked on a strangled laugh.

  “And,” Dominic said, clearing his own throat even louder, “there’s plenty of room for your mom to stay there too.”

  “We’re leaving,” Mallory stepped forward to touch the back of Ava’s hand. “We’re going to stay in the city for a week or two, while we try to figure out the instruction manual on this little bundle. Call us. We’ll come visit.” She kissed Ava’s cheek, and Ava wanted to hug her hard, but it hurt too much.

  Alex hefted the carrier and gave Ava another kiss, then turned to Ava’s mother. “We could give you a ride back to Dominic’s apartment, Vera, if you want to take a nap.”

  It was a surprise Alex knew Ava’s mom by her first name, but presumably he’d met her when Ava had been unconscious.

  “I can call my doorman to let you in, and you can rest for an hour. It was a long flight,” Dominic added.

  Ava shot her mother a look that begged for privacy at the same time saying she was grateful to see her.

  Finally, her mom appeared to receive the message, and her eyes widened as her gaze pinged between Ava and Dominic. “Ah…I am tired. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I’ll come back for the evening visiting hours though and bring you some of your favorite Galaktoboureko so you can have something decent to eat rather than this disgusting mush I see them feeding people.” Her mother looked revolted. “You take care of her. Let her rest.” She wagged her finger at Dominic and gave him the sort of look usually reserved for customers she thought might dine and dash. Then she ran her hand over Ava’s hair, kissed her brow, and whispered, “S’ agapo.”

  “What does that mean?” Dominic asked, holding her hand when the others finally left them alone.

  “S’ agapo?”

  Dominic nodded, leaning closer.

  “I love you.”

  Those indigo eyes of his smiled. “S’ agapo,” he repeated.

  “S’ agapo.” She gripped his hand tight. “Is this real, Sheridan? Or is it all going to fizzle into nothing in a year’s time?”

  His grin was as wide as the sky. “Only one way to find out, Kanas.”

  She smiled back. “I guess there is. You along for the ride?”

  He shook his head. “Hell, no. I’m driving the damn car.”

  She laughed and then opened her mouth as pain sliced through her. “Ouch.”

  “Don’t laugh.”

  “I’ll try not to. I’m just so happy.”

  “Good.”

  “I don’t remember much of anything after you killed Suzanna.” She frowned. “Oh, wait, I remember you carrying me in your arms…” She could swoon from that memory alone.

  “We found Mr. and Mrs. Parker having delivered their own baby and then realized you’d been shot twice. Parker drove us all here as we figured it was faster than waiting for a medivac or ambulance.”

  “I’m lucky you arrived when you did.” Ava’s stomach twisted at the memory of how close she’d come to death. “If you hadn’t called out, she’d have put a bullet in me and then gone hunting for Mallory.”

  Dominic bowed his head, his throat working. She ran her fingers over the roughness of his jaw, his wide bottom lip.

  “I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out.” He captured her hand.

  “Everyone missed it.”

  “Not you.”

  “She totally fooled me,” Ava argued.

  He was serious, and it unnerved her. “You saw the truth about Van’s death when nobody else did. That’s why Frazer wants you on his team.”

  “Wait. What?”

  Dominic pulled a face. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you. I told him I doubted you’d agree.”

  “Not want to work for the BAU? Are you crazy?”

  “They’re nothing but glorified computer analysts. Barely ever leave the office.”

  “Hell, yes, I want to join the BAU. You know how hard it is to get in?”

  Dominic opened his eyes wide with fake innocence. “So, you’re coming back to the FBI?”

  Excitement spread through her entire body. “I am if I can work at the BAU.”

  “You’ll have to start at the bottom.”

  “I am totally used to the bottom.”

  “Ah, shit.” His brows clamped together.

  Ava laughed. That was not what she’d expected him to say. “What is it?”

  “Ranger is at the apartment. Charlotte brought him up to DC when my colleagues at CNU discovered the director fired you.”

  Ava picked at the cotton blanket. “I didn’t think Charlotte liked me very much.”

  “I didn’t think she did either.”

  “What changed?”

  “Probably the unjustness of the whole thing—it upset her feminist heart. Tell me your mother likes dogs?”

  Ava grimaced. “We never had one so I don’t know.”

  “Okay.” He stood. For once he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt rather than one of his well-tailored suits. He looked good in both. “I’m going to call the doorman and ask him to let your mom in and to warn her. Then I’m going to call my sister, Gwen, and ask her to take care of Ranger for a night or two. When they let you out of here and we’re both there, he won’t be a problem.”

  Ava watched him make the call. When he was finished, she said, “I’m glad you’re getting on better with your family.”

  “Nothing like nearly dying or losing the woman you love to focus the mind on the important things. I’m tired of being alone, Ava. I never expected to meet you or fall for you, but now, even the thought of being without you for a day or a week, let alone a lifetime is unfathomable.”

  “I need to let you in on a little secret,” she whispered.

  He leaned closer. “What?”

  “I get really turned on when you use long words.”

  “Do you now?” His eyes gleamed.

  She winced and lifted the covers to check out her wound on the side of her hip. Ouch. “So, no long words until I’m able to take full advantage of you.”

  “I’ll do my best.” He bent down and kissed her mouth. A curl of want wound its way from her lips through her ribs to her heart.

  The feeling was unfathomable. It felt a lot like love.

  Epilogue

  Seven days later.

  The fine wool of Dominic’s black jacket was too heavy for the hot, sticky humidity of Virginia in late August. His shirt clung to his back with sweat, making his skin prickle.

  Ava reached for his hand even though they had an audience. She wore a plain, black sheath that hung a little loose on her too-thin frame. Flat shoes and bare legs. The glass bead bracelet she favored was wrapped around her wrist.

  She’d lost weight in the days since she’d been shot and was struggling to find an appetite despite her mother cooking all her favorite Greek dishes. Dominic, however, was gonna get fat if Vera st
ayed much longer.

  The woman obviously adored her daughter. She was standing on Ava’s other side, paying her own tribute to a man who’d helped out her family so many times in the past.

  Ava had insisted on attending. He could hardly say no, even though he was worried about her. She was healing well according to her doctors, but she looked pale…

  Van’s daughters stood beside him. Heads held high even though they must be feeling the terror left over from the last time they’d stood in this same spot. The FBI had stationed sniper teams in all the high locations in the surrounding area. No one was taking any chances this time.

  The priest was preaching a lot more fervently than last time. No more hastily arranged words. No speeding to get the man in consecrated ground before anyone discovered he wasn’t really allowed to be there.

  The crowd of mourners was in the hundreds today. Agents from far and wide had come to honor their fallen colleague with all the reverence and pageantry that Van Stamos deserved. The FBI Director and Assistant Attorney General were both in attendance although doing their level best not to look at him or Ava. Frazer, Rooney, and Parker were here. Fernando Chavez had traveled in from Reno. The Gabanys, Van’s neighbors.

  All thanks to the woman who now held his hand like he was the pin in her grenade.

  He allowed a single tear to fall this time. Van had meant the world to Dominic and he’d been ruthlessly murdered as had so many others. Dominic would always blame himself for not seeing through Suzanna Bernier’s facade to her true nature. He’d never be able to make it up to the man, except by taking care of Ava.

  Not that that was the reason behind his actions. Loving Ava was a compulsion and one he had no intention of resisting. Free will was an illusion. He was Ava’s now. Always.

  After the ceremony, Ava and her mother waited for the family to pay their respects before placing flowers on the grave in an old Greek tradition. He watched Ava remove the glass bead bracelet from her wrist and lay it gently amidst the flowers.

  Soon, Dominic found himself standing near a familiar, gnarled oak tree trying to keep Ava in the shade while Vera chatted to Van’s family.