by Cara Carnes
“Very.” Mary looked over at Vi. “Bob called back?”
“He did.” Vi shook her head. “The summary is that Mandrake used to be their primary contractor before we came around. They grew leery of them when they realized Carlisle’s tech wasn’t his original designs and pulled away, started giving us more of the contract work. But Bob admits they still use them for the nastier black-in-black work.”
“And the Russians?” Addy asked.
“He swears that’s not Mandrake,” Vi said.
“You believe him?” Mary asked.
“No.” Anger filled Vi’s voice. “He had more than enough opportunities to come clean and give us a heads-up about Mandrake and didn’t. He let us go into the Carlisle takedown he ordered without a heads-up that a large black ops organization was connected.”
“Sounds like we should start diversifying our work here,” Marshall commented.
“It’s about time,” Nolan said.
“I agree,” Dallas said.
“I’m thinking we all do.” Dylan folded his arms. “We’re entering some murky waters.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Jud said. “Probably won’t be the last.”
“What about Mandrake? They took a big hit in Guatemala,” Sanderson said. “I’m thinking they won’t take that loss well, especially since Carlisle is out of the picture.”
“They lost a lot of personnel and a substantial cash cow,” Bree said. “They’ll respond.”
“Bob assured otherwise, but I agree. They’ll be a problem at some point.” Vi drummed her fingers on the table. “The question is whether we take them down now or wait.”
“We wait.” Marshall leaned back in his seat. “We’ve got enough on our plate with the Russians. If they’re tied into that, then we’ll address Mandrake. Otherwise, we wait. I’m curious to see how Bob and the rest of the alphabet agencies relying on us handle the new dynamic.”
“There’s another point Bob didn’t deny,” Vi said. Her gaze cut to Mary. “Mandrake is their contingency.”
“Excuse me.” Jesse leaned forward. “For us?”
“Yep. Apparently, unnamed individuals are concerned The Arsenal has too much leverage and power in the operational theater now, particularly with Mary and me here. That concern has only been deepened with the Hive and Collective takedowns.”
“We take out their trash then get a bad rep with them for doing it,” Dallas said. “Fucking classic.”
“We need strike plans,” Jud said. “Against Mandrake and whoever else crawls out of the woodwork. I can almost guarantee there are more contingency plans in place against us.”
“Agreed,” Marshall said. “By the way, goes without saying, but it’s worth saying anyway. Everyone did a hell of a job on this one. We aren’t done yet, not until Russia is tied down and we’ve got all the leads chased, but we’re close.”
Fallon hoped to hell so.
“And welcome aboard, Jacob. I’ve heard you did a hell of a good job filling in for Vi when she went into labor,” Nolan said.
The young man’s chest puffed up with pride as he smiled. Red rose in his face before he looked down at his monitor.
“Proud of you, Bud.”
“I’m glad to be here. Zoey’s getting me trained on the dots so I can help Ellie.” Jacob looked at Jesse. “I won’t let you all down.”
“Get some rest, everyone,” Mary said. “Once the teams land in Russia, we’ll reconvene and discuss the plan.”
23
Fallon wanted to take Rhea out on a real date, maybe to San Antonio. They could spend the day on the River Walk, have dinner. Or maybe he’d get concert tickets.
Next time.
Ideas percolated as he guided her toward the cottage Nolan mentioned. He should’ve come earlier, set a few things up. Women liked romance, right? Damn.
“Fallon? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a lot on my mind. I wanted tonight to be perfect,” he admitted.
“It is. You and me. What more could we need?” She paused and turned to face him. Arms wrapped around his middle, she rested her head on his chest and sighed.
Damn.
Fallon draped his arms around Rhea and took a deep breath. She was all he needed. The rightness of the moment calmed his nerves. “I’ve never had anyone like you in my life, Rhea. I hope to hell I don’t screw this up.”
“You won’t,” she whispered against his chest. She stroked down his arm and took his hand. “You’re trembling.”
Damn. Fallon swallowed the emotion lodged in his throat. The reality of what he’d almost lost—Rhea—had haunted him since they’d returned. With her part in the op completed, he was ready to embrace a new life, one where he didn’t turn away from human contact. Family.
Love.
“Let’s get you inside before I make love to you right here,” he teased.
Fallon broke apart from Rhea and made his way to the cottage’s front door. Kneeling, he located the key. Dropped the key. Son of a bitch. What was the security code again? Fuck if he remembered. He snagged the key and pulled out his phone when it pinged.
0815. Calm the hell down. You’re a basket case.
Nolan.
Fucker. Fallon laughed at the text.
“Everything okay?” Rhea asked.
“Yeah, just perfect.” Fallon opened to door, punched in the security code.
Rhea watched. “Those idiots are still using Riley’s birthday.”
“When’s yours?” Fallon asked, suddenly curious about all the small details he’d yet to learn.
“March fourth. Yours?”
Maybe sharing wasn’t the best idea. “Not sure. Records showed I was found on April eighteenth. That’s what I use on all my documents.”
“You’re more of a Scorpio,” Rhea commented, her arms wrapped around him. “I’m thinking around Halloween.”
“I didn’t have you pegged as an astrology nut.”
“I dabble. It’s really fascinating when you get into it,” she whispered against the column of his throat.
Fallon claimed her mouth. Cinnamon and honey. Spicy sweet. He kicked the door shut and broke apart from her long enough to drag his shirt off. She pulled hers off. The Sahara Desert filled his mouth. The lacy, emerald green bra molded against her breasts perfectly.
“Fuck, Rhea.” He groaned the words against her throat.
Goose bumps appeared along her skin wherever he touched. He skimmed along her sides, back up her arms and across the swell of her breasts. Need shot through him when she claimed his mouth. He traced and kissed the bruises along her face and body.
“Bedroom,” she said against his lips. “I’ve been dreaming of you in a bed with me.”
Fallon kicked off his shoes and then lifted her up. She cried out and laughed as he headed down the hall to the bedroom at the back. “Did you tell Bree where you were?”
“She knows.” Rhea’s breathy statement quickened his pulse. She landed on the bed with a laugh but rose to her knees and crawled to the edge quickly. Hands on his belt, she looked up. “My turn to play first, Graves.”
“Later.” He snagged her hands, but she swatted them away and undid his belt. “Rhea.”
“Fallon.” She mimicked his growl perfectly. A smile danced across her face. “I’ve been imagining your taste on my tongue.”
Rhea lightly touched the bruises and avoided the burns and wounds along Fallon’s torso. She kissed his chest, licked a trail downward where she undid his pants. “I want the story behind each scar, each wound, Fallon. You’re mine now. I want it all.”
“Not tonight.” Fallon didn’t want his past anywhere near Rhea. He wasn’t that man anymore. He wanted to be more.
He nibbled her lower lip and cupped her breast. He grazed his thumb across a hardened nipple through the lacy material. Tiny bursts of pain exploded across his lower lip.
“Did you just bite me?” Fallon asked with a laugh.
“My playtime. No touching of me allowed.”
“I never agreed to that.” He pinched her nipple through the material, groaning at the way she thrust into his hand for more. “You’re killing me.”
“I’ve just gotten started.” She sat on the bed, dragged his pants and boxers off.
Anticipation hardened his dick as she continued paying homage to his body. A gasp escaped him when she pumped his shaft. “Rhea.”
“I still remember how good you felt inside me, Fallon,” she whispered against his stomach. “I’ve never fallen apart in someone’s arms the way I do with you.”
Heat.
Heaven.
Fallon closed his eyes and groaned, willed enough control to not react like a teenage boy. Hands threaded in her hair, he savored the glide of Rhea’s mouth and hand on him. She flicked her way across the tip of his dick, then sank down.
One hand gripped his thigh while the other stroked his balls. But her mouth.
“Rhea.” He clasped her head but didn’t steer her movements.
Their gazes locked. The intimacy of her mouth on him, the trust in her eyes. Fuck. His entire heart collapsed beneath the intensity. Fallon pulled on her hair until they broke contact.
He hauled her onto the bed and took her mouth, the kiss hot and demanding. Tongues darted and dueled for control. This time he’d let her win, take the lead. Eventually.
She trembled beneath his touch, the kisses he splayed across her body as he stripped her bare.
His.
Rhea was his.
He was hers.
He reached beneath her and cupped her ass. The matching panty was a thong which accentuated her lush curves and hinted at the treasure beneath. Nose buried between her legs, he inhaled the scent of her arousal before dragging the unwanted barrier away.
“Fallon.”
“So wet,” he whispered. He plunged two fingers into her, relishing the way she clenched around them. “I’ve craved your taste on my tongue. I love when you come.”
Rhea was going to die. There was no way the human body could handle so much pleasure. Fallon licked, sucked, nipped, and fingered her, alternating the torment between her pussy and clit until her entire body responded. She played with her breasts, teased her hard nipples the way he’d liked before.
Fire danced within his gaze whenever he looked up and saw her pleasuring herself. She ground against him and cried out his name as the tidal wave of sensations enveloped her fully. Body tight, she clung to him as the orgasm overtook her.
Fallon flipped them so he was beneath her. Hands at her hips, he positioned her until she straddled the thickest, sexiest thighs she’d ever seen. Damn. Her entire body trembled with the ferocity of the release, but she needed more.
“Ride me, Rhea.”
Fallon teased her breasts, then returned attention to her clit. God. “Keep doing that and I’ll pass out before I get you inside me.”
She pumped his hard length, then ran her hand across her wet slit. Anticipation quickened her pulse, labored her breathing. “I want you bare, like last time.”
“Fuck, you’re killing me. There’s nothing I want more. I love the way you grip me tight.”
She sank onto his cock, guiding slowly until he filled her fully. “It’s never been like this with anyone, Fallon. Only you.”
“Only you,” Fallon repeated.
She rode him until the shockwave of pleasure exploded once again. He repositioned them until she was on all fours and he was behind her. Hands on her thighs, he lifted and thrust into her in one deep, powerful plunge.
“Harder.” She growled the word as he took her harder, deeper. “Fallon.”
He cried out his release moments later. Sated, they collapsed into one another. Labored breaths filled the room. Sweat dampened her skin.
“Fuck, that was amazing,” Fallon said.
“I didn’t know sex could be so all consuming.”
“Me neither, Doc.” Fallon curled her against him. “All night, huh? I’m game.”
Rhea smiled into his chest. No one had ever made her feel so confident with her sexuality. She’d always been shy in bed, reserved with what she enjoyed and wanted. She suspected it’d be way different with Fallon, and she couldn’t wait to explore his playful side.
“We didn’t even stop long enough to put music on,” Rhea said with a laugh. “We should have a song.”
“One song for sex? I’m almost offended you think it’d only take one.” Fallon chuckled. “I should’ve thought ahead and gotten our instruments. I wanted to play with you.”
“I thought we played really well together just now.” Rhea smiled up at him.
He caressed her temple. “It’s been a long time since I shared my music with anyone. I want to with you.”
“You write?” Rhea splayed her hand on his chest and stared into his intense gaze.
“A long time ago,” he admitted. “With my boys.”
“I can’t wait to hear it.” She swallowed, then gave voice to a question she’d carried a while. “Rhianna might want to track down her dad. That got me to thinking about your crew. Have you ever thought about looking for them?”
“You okay with her finding him? Was he a dick?”
“Eddie was young, a rebel without a clue, but a sweetheart. Neither one of us was ready. And can you imagine how Dad was back then?”
“You stayed in touch with Eddie?”
Rhea settled her head on Fallon’s chest and smiled at the way he spat Eddie’s name like a curse. “No, though I’m sure he’ll be simple enough for the girls to track down.”
“They can find anyone.”
Rhea drew her lower lip into her mouth, peering up at Fallon. “I bet they could find your guys. It’s been a long time, but Zoey’s wicked good at hacking into records and stuff.”
“Love you, Rhea, but some lids are best left closed. I walked away to give them a better life, a leg up so they could get their dream. The life we shared wasn’t pretty. They’ve moved on and so have I.”
“But…”
“They were in the home with me, already there when I got yanked from the foster home I was in for punching the fucker who was messing with the little girl there,” Fallon said. “There weren’t any spare beds left for me, but those four dragged a spare mattress up from the basement and set it in the middle of the room. None of the other boys there even woke up, but they did.”
“It was late?”
“Middle of the night, cold as fuck.” Fallon stroked her arm and looked into the darkness of the room. “I hated darkness back then, was damn near petrified by it. One of the boys must’ve realized and turned on a nightlight in the corner. We never spoke that night, other than to offer our names. Back then I was Malcolm. Never had a last name, least not one anyone bothered to share with me.”
Malcolm. To Rhea, he’d always be Fallon.
“They showed me around the neighborhood. We stumbled across the rec center, figured we’d learn how to play instruments together. Within a week, we’d decided to bust out of our shit lives with music—take the world by storm.”
Rhea smiled. That was so Fallon.
“We’d rehearse in the basement, but we’d sneak out every night and plan our future. Guess it was our way of coping with the shit lives we had, ones where no one gave a damn but us.” Fallon sighed. “We found an old cemetery. Weeds had overtaken most of it. Forgotten souls, like us.”
God. Rhea clicked the pieces together. “That’s where Graves came from.”
“Yeah. Fallon too. I was a klutz back then, hadn’t grown into my limbs. I fell on shit at the cemetery the first night. My nickname was Fall. I added the On and Fallon Graves was born.” Fallon paused. “Never told that to anyone.”
“Thank you.” Tears filled her vision. “Thank you for sharing with me. I love you, Fallon. You’ve come so far from that little boy.”
“I have. It was summer. I’d play with my boys in the day, then meet up with Paddy in the afternoons. I’d sneak back in after supper through a window in the bas
ement that one of them would open. They’d always have bread or some food set aside for me.” Fallon’s lips thinned. “They’d always ask about what I did with him. I never gave them straight answers.”
“Why not?”
“We all did what was needed to get by. Paddy was my road. Not theirs.”
“You did it for them, though.”
“Yeah. And Bones, Digger, Reaper, and Church all did their own thing for us. That was a part of the dark we never shared. We buried it deep.”
God. Rhea couldn’t imagine little boys carrying all that alone, having no one to share their fears and pains with. She blinked back the tears burning in her eyes. “Pay was shit, but back then I thought a dollar was the lottery. We hoarded whatever I got,” Fallon said. “That went on for a long time, a few summers. Then one day they told me I was out. I’d aged out of the system.”
“I don’t understand how they can do that,” Rhea said angrily. “What did you do?”
“They packed my shit up. I was gone.” Fallon’s clipped words filled the room. “I tracked Paddy down, struck a deal. More money. More risk. But I didn’t want that shit happening to my crew.”
“Fallon.”
“I scraped them off that day, never went back to the cemetery. Never tried to reconnect. Paddy warned me it’d be too hard to have ties. The kind of life I led through him, I was better off without anyone. Death was a certainty.”
“Fallon.” Rhea caressed his face, kissed his mouth. “I love you. God, I can’t imagine. We can find them. I know we can.”
“Paddy would drop money off through that window every week. They always kept it open. I’d patrol the joint, make sure they were good. I’d watch Paddy, make sure the fucker was doing what he promised—giving them my pay.” Fallon wiped a tear from her cheek. “They aged out with a plan and money to make it happen.”
He’d given them what he hadn’t had. She squeezed him tight.
“They’ve moved on. In a way, they wouldn’t welcome a bad memory like me. Bones, Digger, Reaper, and Church deserve not to get dragged down by me showing up in their lives after all this time.”
Bones, Digger, Reaper, and Church. Holy shit.