Guarding Hope (Police and Fire: Operation Alpha)

by Steele, C. M.

  As much as he wanted to take it slow, he couldn’t hold onto his control for much longer. He’d have to make it up to her later, which he planned to do all night. His cock pushed through her slick but insanely tight entrance, slipping past her innocence with one long thrust.

  Gage caught her cry with his lips. She knew it would hurt, but it stung more than it hurt. If she’d been forced into it with Navarro, Hope felt that it would have been excruciating. With Gage and his massive cock buried deep inside her, she smiled. It took a few minutes before she relaxed. Hope slowly skimmed her heels over the back of his legs, rolling her hips and adjusting to the feel of him. She shoved her hands into his hair, tugging as they kissed.

  “Gage, I feel so full,” she cried out, clutching onto his neck while her back arched, sending her hardened peaks into his chest. The sensation drove him wild. He bent down and laved his tongue along one, sucking on her breast, leaving his mark right over the top of her huge tit. He moved to the other one while still grinding and thrusting his hips and wrapped his lips around that turgid nipple.

  “Do you like it, baby? Do you want me to give you my cum?”

  Her body clenched and shuddered as she let his words invade her being. Her pussy choked his cock with no intention of ever letting go.

  He grunted and pumped, owning her body until she splintered. “Gage! I’m coming!” Her screams filled the room and sent Gage roaring out his own release. He emptied every drop of cum on her pulsing walls, hoping that it took root.

  Gage slipped out of her body, rolled to the side, and then dragged her onto his body. “Thank you.”

  “It’s me who should be thanking you.” She pressed her hand to his mouth before he could argue. “And not just for the amazing sex, but for saving my life and protecting me.”

  “I’d do anything to keep you safe. You have to know that.”

  “You’re a special man, Gage.” Hope lowered her head and kissed him softly, but Gage wouldn’t settle for just a tender kiss. Growling like the beast she made him, he wrapped his arms around her, firmly pressing their bodies together and thrusting his tongue into her mouth and kissing frantically. She pulled her head back to catch her breath and ground her hips along his hard ridge.

  “I need you, Hope.” He flipped her onto her back and started making love to her all over again.

  Chapter 13

  Hope woke up alone in Gage’s bed, feeling around, but the cool sheets told her all she needed to know. He’d left. When she looked at the clock next to the bed, she understood why. The sun had risen high in the sky. She’d practically slept the entire morning away. Hope stretched, then climbed out of bed wearing nothing but her birthday suit, feeling like a woman and so much more.

  A smile crept over her face and stayed there as she dressed in her clothes from last night. She reached for the door handle to slink back into her room just in case anyone else entered the house, but she came up upon a broad chest.

  “You’re up,” Gage growled, picking her up around the waist and kissing her hard.

  “So are you, it seems.” Her pussy ground against his Wranglers and his throbbing cock.

  He thrust his hand into her hair and crushed his lips against her soft ones. She gasped, parting them so invitingly. With a growl, he pulled back, lifted his shirt, and tossed it into the hamper next to the closet door.

  “That I am, but it’s going to have to wait. I need a shower, and Dax is on his way here. It seems they have a plan to nab your father.”

  She had no interest in talking about that lowlife father of hers. He’d taken enough of her happiness, and Gage gave it all back. She only had time for him. Hope’s eyes raked over his sweaty chest while her tongue swiped over her lips. “Wow, you look so sexy.”

  He grabbed her close and grunted out his longing. “You do too, baby. I want to spend all day inside of you.”

  Unashamed, she cupped his cock, stroking it painstakingly slow. “Do we have time for a shower together?”

  “We do.” He carried her into the bathroom and set her on the large two-sink vanity. “Let’s get naked.”

  As soon as they were both naked, Gage leaned forward and kissed Hope hard, lining his cock up with her entrance and thrusting inside. “Ugh,” Gage grunted.

  “Gage.”

  “Yes, baby?”

  “We’re not in the shower.” Hope giggled.

  “Oops. Let me fix that.” He scooped her up with his cock deep inside her and carried his little woman into the shower. The spray hit his back as he pinned her to the wall. “So fucking sexy. What a great idea.”

  “Yes, it is. Fuck me, Gage.” He pumped harder into her tight pussy until they both shouted out their release. “Oh, Gage.” Her mouth crushed his as she ground out the rest of her orgasm on his still hard shaft, every drop of him emptying out into her womb. Getting her pregnant had crossed his mind from the moment he met her, and he did a hell of a job trying in the last twelve hours, but he wasn’t finished yet.

  His phone pinged, alerting him that a vehicle passed the sensors. “Shit.” He pulled out of her, setting her on her feet before stepping out of the shower and grabbing his phone from the pocket of his jeans. “It’s Dax’s truck. They’re on their way. Sorry to cut this short, baby.”

  “I’ll be ready in ten minutes. Get your naked ass washed up before you leave.”

  “Damn, I can’t keep my head on straight with you around—especially naked.”

  “Well, hurry up, cowboy.” She stepped out, taking a towel from him and wrapping it around her body. “I’m going to sneak into my bedroom.”

  Ten minutes later, Gage rushed down to get the door while Hope waited to be called down.

  * * *

  “So what’s this plan of yours?” Gage asked, holding Hope’s hand in his. He trusted his friend, but his love for Hope overruled the confidence he had in Dax.

  “Actually, it’s Hope’s plan. She wanted to call him. We have him feeling vulnerable and angry, and from what we learned, he’s ready to be pushed over the edge.”

  “What do you mean? Who is your informant?” Hope had to know who would snitch on her father. Not that she believed they had. A part of her worried that it had been a ruse to get her. The thought of never seeing Gage again made her cling even tighter to his side.

  “John Nowicki.”

  She pushed away from Gage and shook her head, jabbing Dax in the chest. “Wait, he’s one of the guys looking for me. It’s not smart to trust him.”

  Gage pulled her back and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not going to let anyone harm you, Hope. Never.” He kissed her temple and added, “You’re mine, and I’m never letting go.”

  “Listen. I know Nowicki is a piece of shit, but trust me when I say he’s reached a breaking point. He’s led us to the body of Jimmy Donato.”

  “What? Body? The bastard’s dead?” A slow smile crept over her face. Jimmy had always been the one she hated.

  “Yes. Apparently, the last time they came to your father without you, he lost his temper and shot Jimmy dead. He warned John if he didn’t come back with you, he’d join Jimmy.”

  “Wait! I’m not letting him get anywhere near her. I don’t want him trying to kidnap her and deliver her to Cummings or Navarro.” Gage tightened his arms around her until he heard a little squeak come from her pretty lips. “I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered as he loosened his hold.

  Dax stared at the two, knowing that Gage would do anything to protect his woman. As a man in love, Dax knew that look exceptionally well. Patting his friend’s shoulder, he said, “Don’t freak out, Gage. I’m not going to let him even see her. All we need is for her to give him a call like she suggested. We have enough to arrest him, but we could use a little more.”

  “I don’t want her location given away.”

  “Come on. You doubt us in this day and age? We’ll make it look like the call’s pinging off India or New York. It’s up to Hope how she wants to egg him on.”

  “Good.”
/>
  “We’ll get everything set up. When the men are close to making an arrest, we’ll let you call. Do you want to rehearse the call?” Dax offered.

  “No. I want it to come off natural. I have so much I want to say to him that I’m afraid I’ll snap.” Her strength radiated through her, making her feel ten feet tall, and both men noticed. “Luckily we’re doing this over the phone, eh?”

  Gage sense the hint of fear she let slip and rubbed her arms. “Yes. I’d kill the bastard if I saw him face to face.”

  “My men will set up in the dining room. Is that okay with you?” Dax asked Gage.

  “Yes, that works for me. Do what you need to get rid of this fucker.”

  “Come on, Hope. Let me feed you.” Gage took her hand and led her into the kitchen. Both of them had worked up a serious appetite for the day.

  Twenty minutes later, they were eating their cold-cut sandwiches and sipping on some freshly made sweet tea when Bill entered the house. “Sorry, Gage. I don’t mean to interrupt, but the bull broke through the fence.”

  “Shit. I’ll be back. I knew we should have fixed that small section before I came back in.” He’d left it alone because he wanted to check on Hope, and then Dax called him about the setup so he’d completely forgotten about it. He needed to remember that ranching didn’t have shortcuts.

  Dax walked into the kitchen, stealing a glass of tea for himself. “We’ll be here. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “Thanks.” Gage grabbed Hope, lifting her from her seat with one hand around her waist, the other around the nape of her neck, and kissed her roughly before pulling away and walking out of the house.

  Breathless, she stared in the direction of Gage’s exit from the kitchen. Hope had fallen hard and fast for her rescuer, and it scared her. She could lose him so easily if he got tired of the nonsense or if her father or Navarro got ahold of him. Would Navarro lose interest now that she gave away her virginity? She sure as hell prayed that he’d drop his plans for her. She refused to be with anyone else. Gage was it for her.

  “Hope, are you okay?” Dax asked.

  “I’m fine. Sorry. He’s distracting.” She smiled at Dax.

  “Ha. It reminds me of the day he met you. We had to repeat our questions to him because he’d been thinking about the woman walking around the Market.”

  “Ah, yes—when he thought I was stalking him.”

  “Now we know that’s not the truth.” He tried to stop himself from laughing, but slowly his lips twisted up into a grin that evolved until he couldn’t hold back any longer. “Sorry,” he choked out, laughing. “I don’t know why I find that so funny.” He took another minute to get himself under control.

  “I don’t see shit funny about this,” an officer said as he entered the house with a tool kit.

  “Relax, Austin.”

  “Whatever. I want both of these bastards long gone, but murder is illegal. So I take this shit seriously. We have to stay focused.” Hope’s eyes widened at his frustration. He had a real grudge against these guys, but she felt it was extremely personal for him.

  “Hope, this is Detective Austin Brody—he’s with the FBI in San Antonio. Human trafficking is a federal offense. Where do you want me to set up?”

  The whole situation was serious to her, but that didn’t mean she had to hold back her one source of happiness—Gage.

  “We’ll take it down the hall.” Dax led the way, while Hope decided to make some coffee.

  An hour later, Gage returned. Immediately, he hunted down Hope. He pushed the kitchen door open and startled Hope. She dropped the bowl full of chocolate onto the floor.

  “I’m sorry, baby.” He bent down and scooped up the bowl while she grabbed a dish towel to clean up the mess on the gorgeous flooring. Once they had all of it picked up, and she asked, “How are you?”

  “Could have done better, but we went with what I have for repairs. I’ll have to get more supplies tomorrow. You’re doing great, it seems.”

  “We haven’t gotten started yet. I was trying to bake a cake when you came in. I needed to work with my hands or something. I don’t know how many times I’ve run them through my hair, waiting for them to be ready for me.”

  “Don’t be nervous. You’re going to do just fine.”

  Dax came back into the room. “Hey, we’re heading out. Our team will be listening in on the call. Once we’re in place, we’ll contact you. You can do this, Hope.”

  Chambers and two other officers left the house to join the SWAT team for the arrest. Dax had no intention of missing the look on Cummings’s face.

  An hour later…

  “Okay. We’re set up, Ms. Cummings. We’re setting your location to New York City.”

  Hope rubbed her hands together. “Game on.”

  Chapter 14

  A little shiver ran up Cummings’s spine as he pulled up to Navarro’s mansion. Guards stood around the perimeter of the walled-in home while another two guards manned the entrance. Navarro called the meeting two days before, but Cummings stalled, claiming to have to dispose of a body. He knew things could go south in a heartbeat. Cummings killed two of his men in forty-eight hours because of this. He straightened himself and stuck out his hand.

  “Cummings, it’s good of you to accept my meeting,” Navarro greeted his guest and led him into the house.

  Baxter Cummings felt his entire body shiver, but he didn’t let it show. Instead, he took a deep breath and entered the large home at Navarro’s side. “Well, I understand that you’re a little upset with your prize missing. I will bring her to you.”

  When they entered the study, Navarro waved his hand toward the two large leather chairs facing each other. “Please take a seat.” Cummings looked around the room, checking the exits and the number of guards Navarro placed around the room. “Relax. Do you want a drink?”

  “Um…yes…please.” Navarro’s maid came over with two glasses of cognac on the rocks.

  “That’s quick service.” Cummings grabbed the glass with shaky hands, staring at the glass with a quirked brow.

  Navarro chuckled, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and said, “Well, she knew to be prepared. Something that you get with loyal employees.”

  “I’ve already dealt with some of the disappointing ones.”

  A glint in Cummings’s eye caused Navarro to tilt his head. He didn’t ask because it was of no concern to him, but it gave him a second look into who Cummings really was.

  Navarro took a drink from his glass then set it on the small table next to him. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, and added, “I want you to know the deal is off. It’s been a week since she left. She’s not worth the two million, and I’m glad she ran because I had a change of heart.”

  “What? I mean, would one million work?” Cummings needed the money, and he couldn’t wait a day longer to find the bitch who cost him so much. Her death played in his head as he pictured killing her over and over again. Different scenarios crossed his sick mind from a straight shot between the eyes to slow, painful torture.

  Navarro tapped Cummings's knee, then sat back to have another drink. “That’s if you find her in two days. Every day after that, it goes down a hundred thousand. Then I don't want her at all.”

  Biting his tongue and with a closed mouth, he said, “That’s fair. My men believe that she’s hiding up in Frisco.”

  “Then you better find her soon. If she’s lost her cherry, then the deal is off.”

  Navarro stood up, finished his drink, and straightened his suit. Cummings took that as a signal that the meeting was over. As he rose, Cummings’s phone rang in his pocket. Navarro raised his brow, waiting for him to pick it up. He looked at the number but didn’t recognize it even though it had a San Antonio area code. “Hello.”

  “Hello, Father.” Cummings’s face reddened. The bitch had the nerve to call me?

  With his teeth clenched, he asked, “Where the fuck are you?”

  The smile cou
ld be heard over the phone. “Oh, don’t worry about where I am. Just worry that your two-million-dollar price tag has gone, poor daddy. You couldn’t sell me at a garage sale. I had to pay my way to New York somehow.”

  “Bullshit. You’re still in Texas. You’re calling from here.”

  “Damn, even locked away without access to the real world, I’ve got more sense than you. There are ways to fake numbers. God, you’re fucking stupid.”

  “You’re dead to me. I will find you and put a hole in your head just like I did your mother.”

  “What? Mad you can’t sell me now?”

  “You owe me two million dollars. And when I find the bastard you traded your virginity to—he’s going to get a bullet in his head.” He pressed the end call button hard, then threw the phone across the room, hitting the shoulder of one of Navarro’s guards.

  “So the bitch sold her pussy for a ride. Damn, she must despise you.”

  Navarro laughed as he strolled from the room and into the foyer when the door slammed open with guns trained on Navarro. He raised his hands calmly with a smirk. Navarro had been through this twice before, but it wouldn’t matter anyway; he’d had officials in his pocket. He’d be out in a few hours with the charges dropped.

  Another group of twelve SWAT team members came in and surrounded Cummings.

  “Baxter Cummings, you’re under arrest for human trafficking.” Dax Chambers had the pleasure of reading him his rights.

  “Chambers, you’re the one protecting my daughter, aren’t you?” Cummings hollered as he was being cuffed.

  “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law,” Dax continued, unconcerned about Cummings’s excited utterances. After all, they were admissible in court.

  He rocked his shoulders, trying to break the hold of the two officers leading him to the patrol car. “Cut the bullshit. I know my rights, you bastard. Where’s the whore at? She ran away and lied. I’ll have her head for this shit.”