Live Past The Edge (Dark Eagle Book 2)

by Julia Bright

  The device she had to look for bugs was top of the line. The sweep of her house didn’t take long. They found one bug behind a piece of furniture. When he held it up, her lips turned down in a deep frown. He flushed the bug down the toilet, making sure it went away before he shut the lid.

  Once the toilet stopped making noise, she moved to him. He wrapped his arms around her. She twisted her fingers in the material of his shirt, holding him tight. She felt good in his arms. Thoughts of her not surviving filled his mind, and he had to shove them away before they grew too strong.

  He bent and softly kissed her on the top of her head before leaned back. She still had a tight hold on him, but he wanted to see her. He picked her up and carried her to the den where he sat on the couch with her on his lap. She buried her face against his chest as she cried, soaking his shirt. Her sobs made her whole body shake, and he felt so deeply for her that his heart ached. The need to protect her grew with each second.

  After a long moment, he realized she’d fallen asleep. The couch had a recliner at the end, so he kicked out the legs, slowly adjusting, so he was comfortable. He drifted off with her in his arms, knowing he never wanted to be without her ever again.

  He woke when she flinched and let out a scream. His gaze flew to hers, but she was still asleep. The pain twisting through him made him want to hit something, but he’d already killed the man responsible for this and couldn’t go back to kill him again, though he wanted to.

  After another ten minutes, Marissa woke. She looked up at him, her eyes wide but filled with tears.

  “Hey, sweetheart, I’m glad you slept.”

  She sat up and stretched, wincing as she moved.

  “Still sore?”

  The nod was barely imperceptible. “The one rib was cracked, but not that bad. The doctor said it would be sore for a while.”

  He ran his hand over her head, the stubble that had grown out was stiff. She looked at him, her brows bunched. He ached for her. She’d suffered so much.

  “I know I took terrible.”

  “Sweetheart, you’re the best-looking thing I’ve seen in ages. The bruises will fade, your hair will grow, or you could keep it short. I don’t care about that. I care about you, and you’re alive. That’s what matters.”

  “So if I kept my hair like this, you wouldn’t mind?” She lifted a brow, and he saw the humor in her eyes.

  “You can do whatever you want with your hair. All I care about is having you next to me.”

  She sobered, and he did too. “Yeah, about that. I kind of invited myself to the ranch.”

  “I want you there.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “God yes. I want you to stay with us—with me. I need you to be there. I don’t want to lose you ever again. I know you may choose to go back to work, but I can’t stand losing you.”

  She nodded and settled against him. “I’m not sure what I want to do about work and my future, I just know I can’t stay here for now.”

  “I’ll help you pack.”

  “I’m shipping most of this stuff back to my brother’s house in Virginia. The rest is being donated. I have a work colleague closing my apartment. He’ll oversee the donations and then the cleaning company I hired. Once they are done, he’ll turn in my keys, and I’ll be free.”

  “What did your boss say about you leaving?”

  “She’s not happy, but I told her—” another sob stole her voice. “I told her I didn’t care about not having a job to come back to. Someone abducted me and planned to sell me as a slave., and I told her my life was more important than the job.”

  “I’m sure that pissed her off,” Jackson said.

  “She was very pissed, but like I told her, I don’t care about work right now. I know I’ll need to seek counseling, I’m messed up, but even with talking to someone and spending a few months resting, I don’t see myself putting up with the crap I’ve been dealing with in this department.”

  He ran his fingers over her head again before moving to stroke her back. “I’m here for you.”

  “So you’re really okay with me living at the ranch for a while.”

  “Yes. I know we haven’t been together long, but I want you there.”

  “Thank you.”

  Marissa pushed off him and looked around the room, her frown deep. “I need to get everything packed.”

  “Let me help you.”

  “Okay, let’s finish in here. I lived fairly lean, so I don’t have too much more I want to keep.”

  It took them a little over an hour to pack everything she wanted to keep and put those boxes by her door, then the other boxes were left near her kitchen. The bedroom was easy. She mostly had her clothes and a few photographs in frames. She wrapped her shirts around the framed photos, and they were done. Jackson drove her to the shipping office, and they mailed her items. Her bag was packed, and she’d booked them on a flight the next afternoon. Being with her was magical. Even though they weren’t doing much other than hanging out, he liked having her close. She soothed his nerves and made him feel whole again.

  As he lay awake next to her, his desire rose, but he shoved it away. She had broken ribs and couldn’t physically have sex yet. It really was enough having her with him.

  The flight was painful for her, but she eventually took a pain pill and drifted to sleep. Worry traced over his nerves, bunching around his spine, making fear rise. What she’d been through had been traumatic. He wasn’t sure if he could stand up as well as she had to the pain and the loss she’d suffered.

  When they landed in Denver, she seemed very tired. Another round of worry hit him. He studied her as they waited for their bags.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good.”

  “You look tired.”

  “I am.”

  “We should make an appointment with a doctor.”

  “I’m okay.”

  He shook his head. “You suffered a terrible experience. We should get you seen by someone local. That way if there is something that comes up, you already have an existing relationship. Besides, you have a few burns that still haven’t healed. And I’d like him to check out your internal organs.”

  She lifted her brows and shook her head. “You won’t give up on this, will you?”

  “No, I’m not. I care deeply for you and—” Jackson glanced around and leaned in. “You suffered something very traumatic. I don’t want you to suffer more. We can find a doctor in Cheyenne, or if we have to, we can drive to Denver.”

  “That’s a long drive.”

  “For you, it will be worth it.”

  She let out a heavy sigh. “Okay, for you, sure. By the way that’s my suitcase.”

  He grabbed her suitcase which came out right before his bag. With their bags in tow, they made their way out to the parking lot. He’d parked his truck close, so he didn’t suggest she wait at the curb. Plus, she was jumpy, and he didn’t think she’d wait anyway.

  By the time they hit the freeway, she was asleep. She woke about a mile away from the ranch when he turned off the paved road.

  She rubbed her eyes as she sat up and stretched. “Um, how long was I out for?”

  “It was about two hours. We made good time.”

  He slowed as he came to the gate. It was open, so he drove through, going slow on their road to the house since it wasn’t as smooth as the county road. She glanced around, her eyes wide.

  “It’s prettier than I remember.”

  “The place has grown on me. I used to be a city boy, never thought I’d like this area, but I love it.”

  “Are Adam and Kelsey okay with me being here?”

  “They are. We’re building a new house on some land Kelsey, and Adam recently bought. If you want, you can move over there with me.”

  She nodded, and a faraway look filled her eyes. Jackson wanted her to make an appointment with a psychologist soon. What she’d been through had to have messed with her mind.

  The front door of the hou
se opened, and Adam and Kelsey stepped out. He cut the engine and reached for her hand.

  “Don’t get out on your own. I’ll come around and help you down.”

  It was obvious she wasn’t used to being cared for like this. Jackson understood. She was an FBI agent, independent and use to caring for herself. He’d need to allow her to find her own way instead of trying to help all the time.

  He raced around the back of the truck and opened her door, pulling it wide before reaching in to help her out. She stood on shaky legs and had to use the cane to walk.

  Adam bounded off the porch and raced down to her, his smile wide. “It’s good to see you again.”

  Tears filled her eyes, but she wiped them away. “Thank you for coming to rescue me.”

  “Anything for you. I’m glad we found you.”

  She nodded and glanced away. Kelsey was there, her arms around Marissa, hugging her close. Marissa pulled back and looked down at Kelsey’s belly before lifting her brow.

  “You’re having a baby?”

  Kelsey nodded and laughed. “I am. We’re thrilled.”

  He watched as Marissa met Adam’s gaze again. “You risked your life for me.”

  “Like I said, I’d do it again. Those two deserved to die.”

  “How about we head inside and let Marissa rest for a while,” Kelsey said.

  “Sure, I’ll help Jackson with the luggage,” Adam said.

  “We’ll be in the den,” Kelsey called over her shoulder.

  The two women walked away slowly, Kelsey matching Marissa’s shuffling gait. Adam moved in close, his voice low.

  “Can we trust her? She is FBI.”

  “We can. She’s ready to quit. At least I think she is. She’s taking an extended leave.”

  “Okay, but I need to see if she’s got bugs in her luggage.”

  Jackson nodded. “I get it. I helped her pack, and I’m positive she doesn’t, but I know you’re just protecting your family.”

  “I have to keep Kelsey safe.”

  “We need to talk about how we keep us all safe if we continue doing these missions.”

  “Well, I gotta tell you one thing.”

  “What? No one has figured out we did Morocco yet, have they?”

  Adam laughed as he shook his head. “No, it’s about what Kelsey did behind the scenes. She found their bank account. We’re ten million richer. Of course, the money is in overseas accounts, so we’ll need to find a way to access it. We have a few credit cards being set up, and we’re looking at other ways to get the cash into the USA, but we at least have money. I’m taking a trip to Grand Caymans next week and then we’ll have enough money to hire someone to work on the house and get it built faster.”

  “Wow, that’s an interesting problem to have,” Jackson said.

  “Yes, it is. It would be good if you and Marissa could take a trip in a few weeks and bring in some cash.”

  “Okay, I guess I’ll ask her when she wants to go.”

  “You probably shouldn’t tell her the reason we’re going since what we’re doing is illegal.”

  “Yeah, I hope it isn’t a problem for her.” He’d been worried their group was a little too out there for her. What if she was disgusted by how many illegal things they did? Would she be upset if they killed someone on US soil? He and Marissa needed to have a long talk after she healed a little more.

  “Let’s head in. Kelsey has food for you two.”

  “Thank you. I want to help her get settled. She’s scared.”

  “Well, being out here with no one near should help her relax.”

  “I hope so, I really hope so.” He feared how much damage she’d suffered, not just physical, but emotional, and mental too. He’d seen her jump and cry out in her sleep. What she was going through was rough. Based on how long it took him to gain any healing after seeing his friends blown apart, he figured it would take a while before she felt more like herself. He only hoped he didn’t lose her in the process of her healing.

  19

  Marissa sat on the porch watching the stars above. The night was still, and the scent of grass and horses hung in the hair. A light streaked across the sky, dying out as it followed the curve of the earth. She’d used to call those falling stars, now she knew it was just little rocks or space trash. When she was a kid, she would have already made a wish. Maybe she should make one now. The only thing she could think to wish for was Jackson, and he was inside asleep.

  Peace filled her, and she closed her eyes for a moment. The sound of the door opened behind her made her open her eyes and jerk her gaze around. Jackson stumbled out, but his face was in the shadows, and she couldn’t see him.

  “There you are.” His voice broke up as he spoke. “Jesus, I was worried.”

  He stepped closer, and she saw his eyes wide with fright. His hair was flattened on one side from sleep, and he had a line from his pillow running across his cheek. Her heart warmed as he lowered, his gaze searching her face. His hands were on her face, then her back, and finally he took two steps and was beside her, his hands on her face.

  “I woke and was scared when you weren’t there.”

  She bent her head to the side and kissed his hand. Happiness filled her at his touch. “I need to see the sky. I never thought I’d ever be free to leave that room, and if I did, I thought it would only be for another prison.” She shivered as fear worked through her.

  Jackson took her hand and drew her to the chair on the porch. She settled on his lap, her head resting against his chest.

  “I feel safe in your arms.”

  Jackson sighed. “I know I can’t promise you’ll always be safe, but I promise to keep you as safe as I can.”

  Thoughts of that day she’d been abducted made her angry. She shouldn’t have been in Morocco. Her boss had been an asshole before she’d left for Tangier, and she wasn’t sure why. A little tingle raced up her back and over her shoulder, and she pushed the odd feeling away. There was no way her boss had known what would happen.

  “I like it here. It’s quiet, but not a weird quiet like in Morocco, but a peaceful, the land is your friend quiet.”

  “It is.”

  Her fingers traced over his shoulders and down to his pecs. When she ran her hand over his nipple, he drew in a sharp breath and adjusted in the chair. She did it again, and his hand tightened on her.

  She moved so she could look at his face as she ran her hands over him again. He groaned, his eyes narrowing.

  “I want you,” she said.

  He shook his head and pulled her closer, trapping her hand so she couldn’t touch his peck again. “No, you’re still injured.”

  “We could be careful.”

  He groaned and drew in a long breath. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I won’t be hurt.”

  He stood up, not putting her down. He moved like she weighed nothing. “We’re not going to have sex.”

  “Please, I need you.”

  “It’s too early.”

  Blood rushed from her head. “Please. I feel dirty from what happened. I need good memories to take the place of the bad.”

  He groaned again. “Let me think.”

  She kissed his neck and ran her hand over his muscled shoulder. His gaze met hers. Lust filled his eyes. He wanted her too.

  “We can do this carefully.”

  “You’re driving me crazy.”

  “I need to feel you.”

  “Fine. I’ll take you back to the bedroom, and we’ll do something.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t know, but you’ll like it.”

  “Tell me more.”

  His deep chuckle made her warm. He met her gaze with his smoldering stare, making her warmer.

  “Trust me, I know how to give you pleasure.”

  She knew he did. He was a good lover, had been since she’d first met him. That night in Denver seemed so long ago. The time between that night and now had been filled with more life than she’d ever thoug
ht she would be forced to live.

  Jackson didn’t put her down but managed to open and shut the door. She’d known he was strong, but this man was a powerhouse. He gently lowered her to the bed before hanging over her, softly kissing her lips before trailing kisses down her neck to her chest. When he sat back, she wanted to draw him down to her, but he tugged up her shirt, helping her remove the material before he removed her shorts and underwear.

  Naked, she didn’t hide from him. Her body would forever be scarred from the burns they’d inflicted. This was who she was, and there was no hiding if she wanted him to love her, and she did. It amazed her that Jackson didn’t shy away. Instead, he kissed around her scabs and sore spots, mumbling words of appreciation as he worked his way down her body.

  After he kissed a few inches below her belly button, he glanced up and met her gaze. Then he stuck out his tongue and ran it over her slit, grazing her clit.

  Marissa gasped, and he paused, his brows arched up as he met her gaze.

  “Keep going. That felt good.”

  His deep chuckle rumbled against her as he licked again. Her desire rose as he made love to her, taking her closer to the edge. She was so close when he replaced his mouth with his hand. His thumb was on her clit, gently circling the spot. He moved, kissing her as he slid two fingers into her.

  The sensation of his thick fingers fucking her sent her over the edge, and she came. He moved in a flash. His lips were on hers, their tongue dancing together. She cried out his name on a gasp. He chuckled, his laughter filling her with pleasure. Her breath was coming in gasps, and there was pain, but it had been worth it.

  When he ended the kiss, she pushed at his shoulder. “I want to suck you.”

  “Too late, sweetheart. I’ve already come.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “You did?”

  His lips curved up in a sweet smile that made his eyes sparkled. She thought he looked happy, and that made her happy. She sighed and kissed his nose, smelling a little of herself on him. That filled her with even more pleasure. He’d gone down on her without hesitation.

  “Touching you, tasting you, it drives me wild. I came as you did,” he whispered in her ear.

  She closed her eyes, letting exhaustion ebb and flow around her. “That felt so good,” she slurred.