by Cynthia Eden
“Your mission.”
Yes, but some of those missions had been horrible. Blood and death and sand and battles without end.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been afraid of you.” Now her hand was at the snap of his jeans. “And I don’t think I ever could be.” She unzipped his fly.
His erection sprang into her hands, and when she stroked him from root to tip, his eyes nearly rolled back in his head. Earlier he’d remembered to put another condom in his wallet—very lucky because he wasn’t sure anything could have stopped him from being with her tonight.
She kept stroking him, and a growl slipped from his throat. He leaned over the bed, over her, and he braced his hands on the mattress. Mark kissed her, a caress of his lips against hers as he explored her mouth and put a stranglehold on his desire.
But Ava pulled back. “You don’t have to go slow with me. I want you. I want you to make me forget everything else.”
He ditched his clothes, put on the condom and went straight to her. But...
“Why do you want to be with me?” The question was pulled from him even as he caressed the slick folds of her sex. He wanted Ava so badly he hurt, but did she just want the oblivion that pleasure could give to her? Would anyone work for her right then? Would—
“Don’t you know?” Her eyes held his. “Because I love you.”
Time seemed to stop. He stared at her a moment, and he even shook his head, certain that he must have misheard.
But Ava smiled up at him. Her dimples flashed. “I’ve loved you for a long time.”
She broke him.
He drove into her, thrusting deep and hard. His control had shattered as his need for her erupted. There was no holding back. No taking things slow or careful. There was only need. Only desire. Only him trying to take everything that he could—even as he gave Ava all that he had.
The bed was squeaking and slamming into the wall. Ava was gasping. Her nails dug into his back. He kissed her neck. Let her feel the score of his teeth. He wanted to mark her right then, to show others that Ava was his—because he was hers.
He didn’t have the words to give her. He wasn’t even sure what he should say, and all he could do right then was feel. Feel the hot heaven of her body and her silken skin.
Taste...
Taste Ava. Her lips. Lush and full, red and wet.
Take.
Take her until she screamed for him. He could feel the way her sex was squeezing around him. Ava was close to her release. So close.
“Mark!” She slammed her hips up against him, and her inner muscles clenched tightly around him.
He came, following her on that hot and heavy tide of release. He emptied into her until he was sure he had nothing left. His heart thudded. Sweat slicked his skin. And he didn’t let her go.
I love you.
He knew that he’d never let her go again. Ava belonged with him, and now both of their fates were sealed.
* * *
DAVIS’S FOOTSTEPS WERE slow as he walked through the ranch house. The place was so quiet. Brodie and Jennifer had opted to stay in the city—they were planning to head out at first light so that they could go to Houston and learn more about Alan Channing’s visits to that city.
And to see if he was watching Ava during those trips.
Exhaustion clawed at him. He’d gone back to the police station. Told the cops all he knew about Alan. The cops had promised to keep uniforms near Alan’s place just as a precaution.
So you’ll see what if feels like to be watched.
Mark was with Ava. They were settled in at the guest house. He’d called earlier and woken Ava from her sleep. Her voice had been husky when she told him that she was safe. That Mark was close.
He knew that Mark would die before he’d let anything happen to Ava.
I’ve known how the guy felt about her for years. But he’d still tried to keep Mark away from Ava. Why?
He walked through the quiet halls of the house.
Because I didn’t want to lose Ava.
He climbed into bed and stared up at the ceiling. Family was the thing that mattered most to him. He knew many people thought he was a cold-blooded bastard, but his family...his family was his life.
He’d already lost so much in the past.
Too much.
The house here—this sweet spot in Texas—it was his haven. It was—
Davis smelled smoke. He could hear...the faint hiss and crackle of flames.
Fire! He lurched up and leapt for the door.
* * *
SHE’D DONE IT. Ava turned in the bed, and her gaze slid over Mark’s features. She’d actually told him that she loved him.
And Mark hadn’t said anything back to her.
Talk about awkward—and painful.
The sex had been incredible. They had combustible chemistry. There was no denying that. But for her, it was more than just physical, and it was far more than just sex.
I’ve loved him for years.
She still had no clue how Mark felt about her.
She’d slept for just a little bit and had woken to find him still in the bed next to her. His arm was curled around her stomach. He looked so...relaxed right then. Peaceful, even. She hadn’t seen him look peaceful very many times in his life.
Moving so very carefully, Ava eased from beneath his arm. She grabbed a T-shirt—his—and slid it over her head. Then she tiptoed out of the room. Ava didn’t take a full breath until the bedroom door shut behind her.
The little cottage was so quiet. Ava glanced around as her eyes adjusted to the darkness in the den. The porch light was spilling through the front window. She stared out that window for a moment.
When will it end?
She turned away and headed toward the back room in the cottage. The room that housed her paintings. She opened the door. She’d poured her rage and pain into those canvases. Then she’d tried to hide them—the same way she’d tried to hide her feelings ever since she was sixteen.
But Ava was done hiding.
She flipped on the light. Then her breath choked out in a sharp cry of shock and dismay.
The canvases—they’d been slashed.
At first Ava could only shake her head. No, no, that wasn’t possible. Her brothers had installed the best security at the ranch. No one could get inside...
But someone had. The canvases littered the floor. It looked as if someone had taken a knife to them, and she remembered the knife that had swung out at Kristin in that elevator.
Ava backed away, moving slowly out of that room, but then she bumped into something—someone—and she whirled around, screaming.
Chapter Eleven
“Ava!” Mark caught her hands when they swung out to attack him. “Baby, what’s wrong—” But then he broke off because he’d just caught sight of those canvases.
“He’s here.” In contrast to her scream, now Ava’s voice was a low whisper. “He got past the security, and he’s here on the ranch.”
Mark swore and pulled her from the room. No one should have been able to get on the ranch. The McGuires were fanatical about the security out there. “We need to get dressed,” he told her, “and get out of here.” He wanted her safe, and then he wanted to hurt this guy. Because if he was still close by...
Then I will find you.
They hurried back to Ava’s bedroom and dressed as fast as they could, and then—
The lights went off.
He heard Ava suck in a sharp breath. “That’s the same way it was at the museum. He killed the lights there—he’s playing with me.”
Mark reached for his phone and called Davis. The line rang and rang—no answer.
“Mark?” Ava’s fingers curled around his wrist. “Are my brothers o
kay?”
He put the phone in his pocket. In the dark, she couldn’t see his expression, so she wouldn’t know the worry that pierced through him. “Of course,” he told her, forcing his voice to sound calm. “You know them—no one can take down the McGuire boys.”
Get her out of here. Get her to safety.
He didn’t have a weapon in the cottage, but he had one waiting in the car outside. They headed for the door, moving slowly, carefully. Mark opened the door.
And found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.
The moon was overhead, its light spilling down, so it was easy for Mark to see the weapon pointed right at him. And the man there—
“Ava,” the guy demanded, his voice gruff. “What is happening?”
The man holding the gun wasn’t an enemy. Mark recognized his voice even if most of the guy’s body was in shadows.
Ava pushed past Mark and ran to the guy, giving him a tight hug. “Mac,” she whispered.
No one can take down the McGuire boys.
And another McGuire was standing right there, holding Ava with one arm while his other hand still gripped that gun. Mac McGuire was probably the wildest—and, if the stories were true, deadliest—of the bunch. Former Delta Force, Mac seemed to enjoy looking for danger. An adrenaline junkie, some had said. Mark had always thought Mac rushed after the danger because he was running from his own demons.
“I didn’t think you were in town,” Ava said. “Davis told me that you were working a case in Atlanta.”
“Sully and I just finished up there,” Mac said, his voice gruff.
Sully—yeah, that would be the youngest McGuire. Sullivan. Ex-marine. Icy green eyes, dangerous temper.
“We came down here as soon as we could,” Mac replied. He was still holding tight to the gun—and Ava. “When the lights went off, he went to the main house to check in, and I came here.” He hesitated. “Ava, what is happening?”
“We all need to get up to the main house,” Mark said. “The jerk who has been stalking Ava has been here.”
“Then why are we just standing out in the open?” Mac demanded.
Good freaking question.
They hurried out to the cars. Mark’s gaze narrowed when he looked at his tires. “Someone slashed them.” He was here...while I was in that cottage with Ava. And Mark had been so lost in her that he hadn’t even been aware of the danger.
“Is the cottage clear?” Mac’s gaze had turned back to the house.
“I don’t know.” Mark slid closer to Ava. “I just wanted to get her out of there and...” His breath came out in a rush. “Davis wasn’t answering his phone. I wanted to make sure he was safe up at the main house.” That they’d all been safe.
Once again Mark pulled out his phone. This time, instead of calling Davis, he tried for Brodie. The guy answered on the second ring. “Brodie! Man, I was getting worried.” Because this was not a good scene. “We think the stalker is on the ranch. He’s been in the cottage, and he’s—”
“What?” Brodie’s voice was a roar. “Is Ava okay?”
“Yes.” His gaze slanted toward her. “We wanted to make sure you, Jennifer and Davis were safe.”
“I’m not at the ranch.”
Mark heard Jennifer’s voice in the background.
“We’re in town, but we’ll be there as fast as possible,” Brodie continued.
Mac was heading toward the cottage’s door.
“Is Davis with you?” Mark asked. His guts were knotting. This setup wasn’t good. Every instinct he possessed was screaming danger.
“He’s at the ranch.”
Then why isn’t he answering his phone?
“Protect my sister, Mark,” Brodie said, his words rushing out. “Keep my family safe.”
“Mac is here. We’ll find out what’s happening.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket.
Mac was about to head into the cottage. “If he’s here, he’s not getting away—”
“I smell smoke,” Ava said, her voice sharp and breaking with fear. “Don’t you smell it?”
Mark’s stables had been set on fire a few months ago, and he remembered the rush of fear he’d felt when he scented that smoke. Only the smoke had come with an explosion—one that had blasted right through the stables.
“Something is burning.” Ava hurried away from the men. “It’s coming from—it’s coming from the main house!”
The main house... Was Davis there?
Mac ran and jumped into his truck. Ava and Mark pushed in with him. It wasn’t far to the main house, and even as they drove up the lane, Mark was frantically trying to reach Davis on his phone again.
Then the truck came to a screeching halt. The ranch house was just feet away, and it was on fire.
The flames were flickering inside the house, rising in orange and red waves. Mark could see someone at the door, a man who appeared to be trying to break down the main entrance.
They all leapt from the truck and raced toward the house.
“Help me!” the man yelled. It was Sully. He was driving his shoulder into the door again and again. “It’s stuck and I think Davis is inside!” But, then, before they could run to him, he turned and hurried toward the window in the front of the house. He lifted his hand and drove his fist straight into the glass.
Smoke billowed out as the glass shattered. Mark knocked as much glass out of the way as he could. Sully crawled through the window even as the crackle of the fire grew louder.
Mac headed in after him.
And Mark remembered another fire. The fire at his stables had been a trap. The man who’d set the blaze had been trying to get Jennifer. He’d set the fire to lure her out so he could grab her.
Mark swung around. Ava was right beside him. She pushed against him. “I need to get in there!”
But he caught her arms and held her back. “Mac and Sully will get Davis out.”
Brodie’s words rang in his mind. Protect my sister. That was exactly what he intended to do.
She struggled in his hold. “Mark, let me go!”
The flames were growing bigger. The scent of the fire was so much stronger. Mark needed to call 9-1-1. He had to—
A gunshot rang out. The blast was so close. Mark could feel the heat of the bullet whipping by him before it plunged into the side of the house.
He yanked Ava forward, and they hit the ground.
* * *
SOMETHING WAS WRONG.
Davis tried to open his eyes, but that one small feat seemed to take way too much effort. His head was hurting, throbbing with a constant agony that had nausea rolling through him.
What happened?
He was on the floor, and he coughed because there was...smoke around him. His eyes cracked open, and he could see the tendrils of gray rising. His hands flattened on the wooden floor. Fire. That was right. He’d smelled smoke. He’d run out of his room and...
Did someone hit me? Because things were dark after that moment. He couldn’t remember what had happened after he’d left his room.
He crawled forward, coughing more. He could hear the flames crackling and what sounded almost like laughter around him. Fire was racing up the walls, and he wanted to roar his fury. This was his home. He’d rebuilt it—he and Brodie had worked so hard to save this place.
Ava hated the ranch. She saw only pain there.
But it’s my home. My life is here.
The flames grew bigger. Hotter.
“Davis!”
His head jerked when he heard the cry of his name. Through the smoke, he saw two dark figures surging toward him.
“Davis, are you all right?”
He would know that fierce, growling voice anyplace—it was Sully’s voice. And Sully was grabbing him, trying to
help Davis get to the door.
“No, he’s not all right,” another sharp voice said. Mac. He slid his shoulder under Davis’s right arm. “Come on, let’s go!”
They half pulled, half carried him out of the hallway. The flames were racing across the den, moving so fast, and the sight of them made Davis’s heart hurt. Not this place. It couldn’t be destroyed. They needed it too much.
I need it.
They were close to the front door.
“That’s why it wouldn’t open,” Sully said.
A table had been shoved against the door.
“Someone didn’t want you getting out,” Mac said.
Davis tried to speak but could only cough.
“Move that thing, Sully!” Mac ordered him. “Hurry!”
* * *
AVA STARED UP at Mark. He’d slammed into her and taken them both down to the ground. She knew he was trying to protect her from whoever was shooting at them.
The same man who set the house on fire.
“We have to help my brothers!” She pushed against Mark’s shoulders.
But he didn’t move. He wasn’t moving!
“No, Ava, stop!” He caught her arms and pinned them in the dirt. “If we move, he’ll have a perfect shot at us. That’s what he planned, don’t you see? This is a trap to lure us—you—out here. He’s waiting for his moment to attack. The first shot missed, but the second? I don’t think it will.”
They were on the side of the house, low, hidden for the moment. But her brothers were in the fire. “Let me go,” she told Mark, her voice sharp. She wasn’t going to hide while her brothers died. “Let me go!” She bucked against him, heaving with all of her strength.
“Ava—”
Another shot rang out. Only this one...it hadn’t been aimed at them. Mark’s hold eased on her, and Ava twisted, rolling away from him. She stayed down, out of sight, but she saw that the bullet—and another one that had just blasted—had hit the front door of the ranch. A door that had opened just a few inches.
My brothers are trying to get out of the flames.
But whoever was out there—he was shooting at them. If her brothers ran out, he’d kill them. Ava knew this with utter certainty.