by Marlie May
And maybe I’d kept the dress as a challenge to myself. When I felt it was finally over, I could burn it in my backyard firepit. Set the memories aflame and watch them disappear into the sky.
I upended the trash bucket. A shudder rippled through me when my fingers touched the crusty, dark burgundy stains on the fabric. The man’s blood, mixed with mine. I was grateful I’d survived but a wave of sadness flowed over me, because he hadn’t.
“I can’t believe you…” Eli stared at the dress.
“Most of it’s his blood. He died right in front of me.” The words choked out of me. “But you want the notebook, not my sob story about what happened.”
He wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my head. “It was a traumatic experience for you. Whenever you want to talk about it, I’m here to listen.”
“Thank you.” I released a long breath. “I never gave the notebook another thought because it was blank.”
“To the normal eye, maybe. We’ll figure it out.”
“Another one of your James Bond tricks?”
“For this, I’ll tap into my inner-MacGyver.”
I rested my head on his chest. “MacGyver always took down the bad guy and saved the heroine.” Like Eli.
He leaned back in our embrace. “You’re incredible, Mia. You took down the bad guy on your own. Saved yourself. Again.”
“You’re right.” Someone had tried to hurt me and I’d fought back. Made a difference.
Stepping out of his arms, I lifted the dress off the floor and shook it to unfold it. “Pocket.” I reached inside and pulled the notebook out, extending it toward Eli. “How could something so simple mean so much to this many people?”
Eli skimmed through it and grunted.
“What do you see? Because I still see blank pages.”
He shrugged.
“Eli.” An edge of warning came through in my voice.
“Hmm?” He looked up from the notebook. “We’re hoping to find names. Our contact in Mexico promised names.”
“He died trying to give them to you. Names can’t be worth a life.”
“Nothing is worth a life, but these names could save many lives once the people we’re after are arrested.”
“So, this is it.” Tension flowed off me like a soft blanket onto the floor. “I’ll still keep my security system armed because I like feeling safe, but we’ve solved this mystery.”
“We’ll need to analyze this.” He tucked the notebook into his pocket and we returned upstairs and went to my study, where I dropped off some of my paperwork on my desk. “But this is the end of you feeling scared. Though…” He coughed. “I’m still more than willing to provide bodyguard—and arm candy—services upon demand.”
Stepping forward, I hugged him. “In case you didn’t figure it out, I’m a needy woman. I do have demands.”
His arms went around my waist as his mouth came down to meet mine. “And I plan to meet your every need.”
“Do you have to leave for the shop yet?”
“In fifteen minutes or so.” He leaned back in my arms. “What do you have in mind?”
I just smiled.
What was it with me lately? Whenever Eli was around, I wanted to drag him off to bed. Or seduce him. Would I ever get enough of him?
Fourteen minutes left before he had to leave. Thirteen, if I was realistic.
I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. Like I had a choice?
I peeked up at him over the top of my glasses. “Do you, um…” Was that my voice coming out deep and husky? “Do you want to go to my room before you leave?”
One of his eyebrows quirked up. “What’s wrong with here?”
“Here?” I peered around my office. The old rocker wouldn’t work. The floor was hard. And there was nothing else here other than boxes I’d yet to unpack and…
“How about lying back on your desk, honey?” he said, tugging on the hem of my tee. “Take everything off and lie back. Enjoy.”
Oh…
“With those glasses, you look like the sexiest librarian imaginable.”
I’d always thought they made me look owlish. Maybe I should wear them more often.
We had thirteen—no, twelve—minutes to drown in this moment. For me to drown in Eli.
His breath coming fast, he pushed my things off my desk and they clattered on the floor.
Once we’d stripped, I reached for my glasses.
“Leave ‘em. They’re a freakin’ turn on.” Nuzzling my neck, he sucked the soft flesh where my shoulder met my nape. My breath hissed from my lungs, and I moaned.
“Love that sound. I’ll never get enough of you shattering in my arms.”
The elastic flew from my hair, and the silky strands dropped around my shoulders in a soft wave. At his urging, I lay back on the flat surface.
“There’s nothing more erotic than you spreading yourself in an invitation for my touch.” Standing between my splayed thighs, his body surged. “I want you.” His groan filled the silence, echoing in the empty room. Leaning over me, he braced one hand on the wooden surface and slid his fingers between my legs. While creating intricate circles, he kissed me, plunging his tongue inside, mimicking the movement he’d soon deliver.
My chest heaved, and I gasped.
“I can barely hold myself back.” He trailed his lips down my neck, sucking, grazing his teeth along my skin until I quaked.
Soft mews came from my throat, and my breathing hitched. I arched into his touch.
When he slid his finger inside me, I knew I was ready.
“I’ve gotta be here,” he groaned out. “Now.”
I panted, and my head thrashed on the table. “Eli.”
He fumbled with a condom, almost losing it while flinging aside the package.
“Lift your legs and scoot closer to the edge,” he grated out.
Complying, my ankles locked behind his back.
“Higher.”
My eyes opened, but I felt dreamy and languid. “What?”
“If your legs are higher, I can go deeper.”
My heels found his shoulders.
As he placed himself just inside my soft folds, I reminded myself we still had a few minutes. He could go slow. Take his time.
We still had ten—no, make that nine—minutes before he had to leave.
Rubbing me harder, he held himself back.
“Ahh.” I strained upward, my legs flailing. “Eli. I can’t wait. I want you.”
“The only invitation I’ll ever need.” Falling into me, he shifted his hips, making sure he delved everywhere, rocking against my core.
I moaned and rose up to meet him.
Planting his palms on the table, he pulled out and drove back inside. He alternated his pace until my cries grew in volume. Then he moved faster, and I could feel him getting harder, longer.
“Oh, yes,” I cried.
Lowering himself onto me, he buried his face in my neck as he buried himself in my body.
I shuddered beneath him and my spine coiled tight. His name crested my lips.
As I shook around him, he groaned and shot toward me.
Rapture took us over the edge.
Our breathing slowed along with our hearts, but he remained collapsed on top of me as if he couldn’t find the strength to move.
I laughed, my belly twitching. “Hey. You’re heavy.”
“I’m just going to stay here for a while. You think they’d mind at the shop? I can tell them I’ll bring the notebook in tomorrow.”
“I have a feeling they’d like you to bring it in today. In one minute, actually.”
“You timing me?”
It was clearer than a spring-fed lake that this man was different from any other. I loved him, and I’d tell him soon.
Eventually, we rose. I scooted into the bathroom to wash and dress, and then he did the same. We met up in the foyer.
“I’ll take the notebook into the shop. See if there’s anything we can do to analyze it. Coop and Fl
int are there already.”
“Will you be able to tell me whatever you find?”
He shrugged. “That’s up to Flint. Sorry.” He took a deep breath. “I may never be able to share everything I do with you. I don’t like it, but there it is.”
“I get it. You’re doing something bigger than us. Something important. Sometimes, things like that have to be kept quiet.” Not much different than my job. I also couldn’t bring work home with me. Patients deserved confidentiality. “I’m just glad this is all over.”
“It may be over, but we’re just beginning.”
My heart thrilled at his words. “Want to come to dinner?”
“Love to.”
“I happen to have some white chocolate macadamia cookies we can have for dessert.”
He gave me a quick kiss. “I can’t wait.”
I followed him outside, onto the porch.
“What time can I expect you?” A quick glance at my watch showed it was only eleven in the morning. It felt like a lifetime had gone by already but it had only been a few hours since we woke to the hotel on fire and I then had the run-in with the man in the stairwell.
“Five-ish?”
We kissed again.
“I’ll stay tonight?” Vulnerability stole into his voice.
Didn’t he know what he meant to me? But I hadn’t told him. “Eli. I love you. I want you here all the time.”
His sharp inhale made me worry I’d spoken too soon. Said too much.
“Ah, Mia,” he growled out, pulling me into his arms. “I love you, too.”
“Then hurry home soon.”
“Home.” He grinned. “I like that.” He left me and strode to his Jeep. After he backed it down the drive, he pulled out onto the road, tooting his horn as he drove away.
I waved and turned to go back inside. Something drew my eye…
Elwin sat on his front porch, glaring my way.
A shotgun lay on his lap—pointed in my direction.
22
Eli
Our former C.O. and Flint and Mia’s Uncle Sid, and Flint found me and Coop in the back shop testing the notebook.
“What have you tried?” Sid asked, patting me on the shoulder as he leaned over the bench. “Great job obtaining this, by the way.”
“Mia’s the one who takes the credit.” I chuckled. “I was just arm candy.”
Sid frowned.
Flint laughed. “Bet there’s a story there.”
“And then some.” I nodded to the notebook lying on a workbench. “I’ve tried the standard cheap invisible ink tricks. A flame and lightbulb didn’t reveal anything, so no diluted lemon juice.”
“That would be too easy,” Coop said. “Also tried grape juice concentrate and nada, so it’s not baking soda ink.”
“I’ve heard you can write with milk and then use an iron to reveal writing?” Sid said.
“Yes, and no,” I said. “Didn’t work.” I nudged aside one of the more persistent drones. I’d programmed them for face recognition and they loved honing in on me. Should’ve used Coop’s face instead.
“How about simple old white crayon that can be revealed with dark, watercolor paint?” Flint asked. He traced his finger down the open page. “Don’t feel anything, though.”
“I read you can sometimes use a well-diluted highlighter then expose the writing with a blacklight, but nada to that one, too,” Coop said.
“Why don’t I take it D.C. and share it with the boys?” Sid reached for the notebook.
“I’d like to keep it here a little longer, Uncle Sid,” Flint said easily. “This job has screwed me over for weeks. I’m determined to figure this component out myself.”
“Well, okay.” An easy smile filled Sid’s face. “I’ll be real curious to hear what you discover. The sooner we get those names, the sooner we can arrest maestro and stop the flow of drugs into the U.S.”
“I can’t wait for that day,” Flint said.
Sid’s gaze drifted to the notebook again. “Well, I don’t have a problem giving you boys a few days to work on this, but if you run into problems, we might want to involve Washington.”
A subtle reminder that, while Flint ran Viper Force, this job had come directly from his uncle. Flint was the boss, but he answered to people higher than himself in the government.
“I think we’re going to crack this within a few days,” Flint said in a steely voice.
And there was his subtle reminder that, while Sid might feel he ran the show, Flint was the one in charge at Viper Force. The final decision to send this notebook to D.C. or not was up to Flint.
“What if we—” Flint’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket. “Lo.” The bit of humor lingering on his face dropped away. “Fuck. Yup. Sure. Thanks for filling me in. Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He slammed his phone down on the workbench and rubbed his face with both palms.
“What’s up?” Coop asked, pulling his gaze from the notebook.
“It’s…” His attention fell on Sid. “Maybe you want to sit down.”
Sid stiffened. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
“Me either.” Flint pulled up an office chair and pressed the older man’s shoulders until he dropped onto the seat. “That was our new contact in Mexico.” His eyes glistened when they fell on me. “Gabe and Haylee have been in an accident. It’s bad. They’re…They’re arranging to life flight them stateside.”
“Haylee?” Sid said with horror in his voice. His hands clamped on his thighs. “My daughter. Is she okay?’
“They don’t know,” Flint said, anguish for his cousin leaking into his voice. “They’d…Well, she and Gabe left a message on my phone saying they’d discovered something astonishing about the case. Something that would blow it wide open.”
Sid blinked. “Did they say what it was?”
“Nope. Just a message for me to call. But before I could reach them, someone plowed into their vehicle head-on. Other driver’s dead and Haylee and Gabe are both bad off. Gabe’s worse than Haylee but she’s…Well, they really don’t know.” He rubbed his reddened face with both of his hands.
Sid stood. When his body swayed, Coop jumped up and grabbed his arm to steady him.
“Take a seat, buddy,” Coop said. “Let’s talk about what the next step needs to be.”
“I have to go to her. Be with her.” His pale blue eyes watered and he suddenly looked old. “My poor little girl.”
Flint lifted his phone. “I’ll get the three of us to Cancun as soon as possible. We’ll make damn sure they both get the best medical care possible.”
The strain in his voice told me how hard he was taking this. He’d sent Gabe and Haylee to Mexico and now they were near death. Any boss would feel responsible. Sure, we’d been military buddies, covering each other’s backs in the line of duty. I knew Flint would feel ultimately responsible, because he hadn’t been able to cover theirs. Especially with Haylee being his cousin.
“Eli can hold things down here,” Coop said. He nodded at me. “We’ll get Gabe and Haylee out of there. They’re going to be okay.”
Flint nodded. “I’ll run home and pack, Uncle Sid. Then meet you at the airport with Cooper. There’s a connecting flight leaving at three and I’ll make sure we’re on it.”
“Thank you.” Sid stood, steadier this time than the last. “I have a bag in the trunk. Always keep a change of clothes with me. Old habit from my military days I haven’t broken since retirement.”
It would serve him well, now.
Flint went out to the front office to fill in his Aunt Becca, who’d have to oversee the shop while he was gone. He returned in a few minutes.
“Just heard from Jax. News spreads fast.”
Becca called Jax, then. I’d had the same thought.
Flint’s gaze pinned me in place. “He wants to go AMA despite the doctors saying he needs to stay longer for observation and another head CT.”
Of course, he did. If I knew Jax, the second he
’d heard about Haylee, he’d sprung from the bed and thrown on his jeans.
“He wants you to come pick him up,” Flint said to me. “Said the world’s still spinning. Doesn’t think he can drive.”
After calling Mia and a little over two hours later, I’d reached the hospital where Jax waited impatiently. He leaped from the bed the moment I walked into the room but grabbed his head and staggered backward until his ass hit the mattress. He sunk down and laid flat, groaning.
“Took you a damn time to get here but I appreciate you coming,” he finally said.
“I get it. If it was Mia, I’d be on the plane already.”
He cricked his head and stared up at me. “Am I that obvious?”
“Only to a few of us.” All of us, actually, but I’d leave him his pride. I guessed the big question was, did Haylee see what we all did?
Far be it for me to speculate. Making sure I didn’t do something stupid and mess things up with Mia was enough challenge for me.
But she said she loved me, and I needed to trust in her words.
“Flint, Coop, and Sid are on their way, though. They’ll have Gabe and Haylee home safely in no time.”
“I’m going to her.” Jax sat up on the bed and hugged his head with his arms.
“You’re in no shape to go anywhere. You need to lay back in that bed again and do what the doctors tell you to do.”
“Don’t you get it? She needs me.”
Maybe, and maybe she couldn’t care less if Jax showed up and hovered by her side. She might have no clue of Jax’s feelings let alone return them. “She’ll be home soon. You’ll see her then.”
“Going to her.” Jax stood and staggered toward the door. “You either take me to the airport or I’m walking.”
“It’s over a hundred miles to Portland.”
“I’ll get there no later than tomorrow. Damn head should be feeling a little better by then.”
I sighed. “I’ll take you.”
Jax turned at the door and a half-grin rose on his face. “Knew you’d see it my way.”
I rolled my eyes but grabbed his arm when he swayed. “I’ll get you to the airport as soon as I can. You got a flight arranged yet?”