Fearless Fighters [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  Gavin sat by her upper body and rubbed and pinched her nipples, while Beck moved in and out of her pussy sending spirals of sensual pleasure racing along every nerve.

  Her heart swelled with joy. She didn’t think she’d ever get enough of them loving her. Gavin moved back to lean against the headboard, and Beck increased his thrusts. His hard cock massaged the tight walls of her pussy.

  “I’m going to explode,” she said.

  “Go ahead. We’ll catch you darlin’, every time.”

  Beck leaned forward and kissed her nipple. His finger rubbed across her clit and all her pent-up euphoria shattered from her toes to the top of her head.

  Several more quick thrusts and she heard Beck groan. His cock pulsated deep inside her. Her pussy walls rippled around him until his orgasm finished.

  Beck rolled to his side and put his arm over his forehead. “Darlin’, I always think it can’t be better and then it is.” He took deep breaths to slow his breathing.

  When Heather lay across his chest, she heard his heartbeat pounding in her ear. She raised her head and kissed him. “That was quite a hello and sadly to say a good-bye for now.”

  He ran his fingers down her back and pulled her tighter against him. “Don’t say good-bye. Say until we meet again. Good-bye is too final a word.”

  A flicker of pain shone deep in his eyes. She smiled. “Then between you, Gavin, and me, it’ll always be, until we meet again.”

  Gavin rolled her toward him. “Do I get a turn?” He pretended to pout.

  “Hmmm, let me see.” Heather kissed his neck and razed her teeth across his jaw. Then she kissed his mouth. “I think we’d better. I find myself getting hungry and only you or Beck can satisfy this type of appetite.”

  Gavin smiled at her. “I love the bluish-green color of your eyes. When you smile, they warm me through and through.” As he talked, his fingers slid down her neck and across her chest. His hand cupped her breast.

  Beck winked around Gavin’s shoulder, and he strolled to the bathroom. Gavin’s thumb rubbing across her nipple got her attention.

  The fire was already rekindling in her core.

  * * * *

  When Chad had contacted the director, he’d been invited to come by the theatre later that day. They’d be doing a dress rehearsal and he and his friend could watch. He’d called and told Beck to be ready in an hour.

  Beck sat in the bedroom and watched Heather dress. “I’ll be glad when we’re all back home,” he said. “But first we’ll get this guy for you, darlin’.”

  Heather slipped on her shoes. “I know you will.” She kissed him and taking Gavin’s hand headed to the door. “I know that look,” she said and smiled. “If we don’t get out of here in a hurry, you’ll have me back in bed.”

  “You’re right.” Beck followed them to the door, hugged her tight, and kissed her. “Get out of here fast,” he teased.

  Gavin and Heather walked outside hand in hand. Gavin opened the car door and glanced around the area.

  “What is it?” Heather asked when he got inside.

  “I had a feeling we were being watched, but I didn’t see anyone. It’s probably my overactive imagination.”

  “I hope so. I’ll watch the side mirror to see if we’re followed.”

  “I see a gray car back there. He pulled out from way down the street.”

  Gavin made several unnecessary turns and the car stayed behind. “I’m going to lose him. Hold on.”

  He sped up and took several more turns fast then raced down a four-lane road. Finally, the car backed off and turned away from them.

  Heather stared at Gavin. “Where did you learn to drive like that?”

  “I loved stock car racing when I was younger. I haven’t had a chance to try my skills in several years.”

  “Where did you race?”

  “There was an old track not too far from where I went to college. It’d been used in the late fifties for racing. An old man owed it and kept it up. For a pretty hefty fee he’d let you race your car around it. I had to save my money, and skip some lunches, to afford it.”

  “Why did you stop?” Heather asked. She was fascinated to discover this other side of Gavin.

  “The old man died. His sons weren’t interested and let the track deteriorate. Plus, I got too busy with medical school to have any time to play. Back home I’ve sped a few times on the back roads where there’s seldom traffic. But I decided a few years back that I was being foolish and might put another person in danger. I’m glad I had the experience today.”

  “I am, too. You were super.” She grinned at him and Gavin laughed. “Who knew my history of racing cars would impress my lady.”

  “I hope whoever it was won’t connect the arrival of Chad and Beck with us being at the hotel.”

  “He might if he follows them back to the hotel from the theatre. Call Beck and tell him what happened and don’t tell your dad about how I raced in his SUV.”

  * * * *

  Beck and Chad left out the back way from the hotel. They walked several blocks before waving down a cab to take them to a rental car business. They rented a new Lincoln and put the theatre’s address in the GPS. Then they drove there.

  The director met them at the door. “Hello, welcome. I’m Carl Fredericks. Just call me Carl.”

  Chad introduced himself and Beck as his friend. “He gives me good advice about investments,” Chad explained.

  “I’ve got two seats in front for you. I’ll be moving around backstage and front. We’ll talk after it’s over.” Carl waved and walked off.

  Beck and Chad sat and glanced around. People were on the stage and off. “You watch from the right,” Beck said. “I’ll keep an eye on the left.”

  “Good idea. Give me a heads-up if you see anyone suspicious. When Gavin called from Heather’s home, he said he was almost certain the driver of the car following them was a man. I’m going to concentrate on the men involved with the show.”

  Beck nodded, but kept his eye on several men standing together to the left of the stage. Then two of them walked behind the curtains. The other one sat in a seat as the curtain went up.

  Beck recognized Pamela from Heather’s description and she’d said Pamela would be first on stage. He watched her dance and soar into the air. In his imagination he saw Heather and knew how beautiful she’d have looked. For a moment he was lost in the beauty of the dance and the music. Then he looked back at the lone man sitting to the front and side of them.

  He leaned forward, his whole attention directed on Pamela. Only when the stage filled with other dancers did he lean back and relax. Beck bumped Chad’s arm and whispered, “Watch this guy on my left when Pamela does another solo.”

  But after a few minutes, the man went backstage. Later they saw him dancing in a scene with Pamela and others.

  “He’s a good dancer. Here, he’s going to pick her up. Watch his face,” Beck said.

  The man held Pamela up and moved gracefully around the stage before putting her down. “It’d take a lot of strength to dance and lift ballerinas the way he does.”

  “Strength enough to stab a man,” Chad said.

  “It wasn’t possible to see his expression,” Beck said. “I’d hoped they’d move closer to the front of the stage.”

  After the rehearsal, they stayed and met the cast. They purposely took time to talk with Pamela and praise her performance.

  “Thank you very much. I’m trying to fill big shoes. Our lead ballerina isn’t able to dance because of an accident, and I am not as good as her.”

  “You are, Pamela. She is much too modest,” the man they’d been watching said. He’d been standing nearby and quickly came to her rescue.

  “I agree,” Beck said. “When you first came out on the stage I was mesmerized by you and the way you danced. Is it acceptable to ask you out to dinner? You can tell my friend and me more about this dance troupe and the benefits of my friend investing.”

  Pamela was startled by the i
nvitation. Her cheeks flushed red. “I think our director could explain the investment much better than me.”

  “But he isn’t as pretty, and we want a dancer’s opinion.”

  Pamela stared into his eyes. “All right, but some other dancer must go with me.”

  Chad glanced at the man standing close. He didn’t look pleased. “Would you join us?” Chad asked.

  Chad saw the brief glare in the man’s eyes before he smiled. “I’d be glad to accompany Pamela and be her protector.” His words were pointed and cool.

  “We’re renting a car. Shall we pick you up here in about two hours?”

  Carl had rushed over and heard the last of the conversation. Pamela explained why they were being asked to dinner.

  “It’s a good idea. I understand completely, and I’m glad Ivor is going with you.”

  “Then we’ll see you in two hours,” Chad said.

  When they got in the car, Beck said, “How did the detectives miss that guy?”

  “They weren’t looking. They’d made up their mind, and in a way I understand,” Chad said. “She had motive. No one else appears to, but he does, if he wants to see her succeed, and then notice him. He was angry when he thought she would be going off with us alone. Not afraid-for-her-safety angry, but jealous. I saw the fire in his eyes.”

  “I hope we’re right,” Beck said. “If so, this won’t take long to solve and Heather will be safe. Then we can go home.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Back at the hotel, Beck called Heather. “Tell me all you know about a man named Ivor.”

  “That would be Ivor Stannis. He’s only been with our troupe about two years. He came from the west coast, California, I think. I don’t know much about his experience. He’s pretty closemouthed, and he was never friendly with me. Do you think Ivor planned all this?”

  “We don’t know, but he’s our best suspect so far. He seems overly aware of Pamela and protective.”

  “I’m trying to remember something Pam said. We were taking a break and sitting off by ourselves. She was staring hard at one of the dancers, and I asked her what was wrong.”

  “What’d she say?” Beck asked.

  “She didn’t. She shook her head like it was unimportant. But when she walked backstage I noticed she walked way around the three men talking. Ivor was part of that group.”

  “Chad’s checking with the FBI to see if they have any information on him. I’ll tell him to have them check California. I’ve got to get ready for my dinner date,” Beck teased.

  “I’ll ask Chad if you behaved. You’d better,” she teased back. Then she clicked her phone off. Beck called Chad and told him what Heather had said about Ivor.

  “I’ll call the guys back and ask them to concentrate on California. See you in a half hour.”

  Pamela and Ivor waited by the curb. Beck got out and opened the back door for Pamela, and then he got in beside her.

  “Join me up front,” Chad said to a scowling Ivor. “You can tell me all about California. I heard someone say you’d come from there.”

  “Very few people know my business,” Ivor said. He reluctantly got in the front.

  Beck slid close to Pamela. He whispered in her ear. “Laugh like I said something funny.”

  She looked puzzled, but did as he requested. Ivor glanced back, his jaw held tight. “Is he bothering you, Pamela?”

  “No, I’m enjoying his jokes.”

  Ivor frowned at Beck and turned back to face the front.

  Pamela eyed Beck suspiciously. Speaking low, she said, “Are you the ones?”

  He leaned close again. “Chad and I came at Heather’s request.”

  She nodded. “I suspected as much. Especially the way you’ve been eyeing Ivor.”

  Ivor glanced back again, and Beck slid a bit further apart from Pamela. “From the way you’re glaring at me, I’d think you were sweet on Pamela. Am I stepping on someone’s toes?” he asked her.

  “No. Ivor and I are friends, nothing more.” She touched Beck’s hand.

  Beck thought Ivor would blow a fuse. His face got red and his eyes mean. Oh yes, this had to be their man. Beck looked into the rearview mirror at Chad and he nodded his head.

  Pamela sat between Beck and Ivor at the restaurant. Chad kept up a conversation about the ballet and asked what their troupe needed specifically. Pamela let Ivor do most of the talking. He had lots of grandiose ideas and an expectation to be moved to lead male dancer in the near future.

  Ivor smiled at Pamela. “Then I’ll be dancing with you all through the show.”

  “Who has the lead now?” Chad asked.

  “Clarence does and he’s very good. I can’t see our director demoting him,” Pamela said. She looked puzzled at Ivor. “Do you know something I don’t? I haven’t heard any gossip about him leaving.”

  “Dancers can lose their positions for other reasons,” Ivor said. “Look at what happened to Heather.”

  “I don’t see the same thing happening again.” Pamela frowned at him. He put his hand over hers and she yanked it away.

  Beck put his arm around her shoulders. “I see you’re upset. Drink some of your wine, it will help you relax.”

  “I just said things happen in life,” Ivor snapped. “It’s nothing to get upset about unless you care for Clarence.” His eyebrows drew together and his mouth tightened. “Do you?”

  “What is it with you tonight, Ivor? I don’t have to answer your questions.” She picked up her glass and took a long swallow of wine.

  Ivor acted sullen the rest of the meal. He barely spoke and when he did, he snapped. When they got ready to leave, Ivor excused himself and went to the men’s room.

  “We’ve pushed him pretty hard. He’s ready to explode,” Chad said.

  “And when he does, he’ll attack one of us, or perhaps Pamela’s ballet partner. Either way we need to see the partner and Pamela are guarded.” Beck took out his phone and gave a brief rundown on what was happening to the detectives.

  “Yes, they need a guard. Get their addresses from the director. Ivor is walking toward our table.” Beck quickly changed his conversation. “Thanks, Jim. We’ll get with you in the morning about the money.” Beck clicked his phone shut.

  “I’ve decided to invest in your ballet company,” Chad explained to Ivor. “We’ll meet with the director tomorrow and tell him.”

  “That’s good news.” Ivor forced a smile. He pulled back Pamela’s chair. “I suppose we’re ready to go. I can get a cab and drop Pamela off at her place.”

  “It’s not necessary. She’s going to have a drink with us in the hotel bar.”

  “Then I’ll take a cab and go on home.” Ivor flashed an annoyed glance at Pam. “You’re sure you trust these guys?” he asked.

  “I’m sure.” She deliberately smiled at Beck and took hold of his hand. Ivor stomped out.

  “He’ll blow tonight. I’m not sure which one of us he dislikes the most,” Chad said.

  Chad drove a roundabout way to the hotel. They parked on the street behind, and then the three of them slipped in a side door.

  The two detectives were waiting in the lobby. They went upstairs to Chad’s room. Chad and Beck explained their suspicions regarding Ivor and about what had happened this evening.

  “Your theory is he’s trying to help Pamela succeed, and he wants to be the lead opposite her. Is that right?” one of the detectives asked.

  “Yes. He’s furious at Beck for showing her attention. He wants to be the only man in her life. If he gets the lead, in his mind he’ll get the girl,” Chad said.

  “And you think this one”—he nodded to Pam—“is innocent?” the taller detective asked.

  “We do. And if he tries to kill one of us tonight we’ll know our theory, as you put it, is right.” Beck gave them a hard look.

  “Don’t get your back up. We’ve put protection on the other guy. What about her?”

  “I’m taking her to my room. He’s the angriest at me. I think he has fo
llowed us, and he’ll bribe the bartender or someone to tell him our room numbers. Then he’ll get inside and be waiting.”

  “Hah, we’ll see how smart you two really are,” the taller detective said. “We’ll go with you. Do you have a suite like your friend here?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “We’ll slip in behind you and hide behind the living room chairs. He’ll probably hide in the bedroom. If you’re right about this.”

  They got up to leave. Chad went to the door with them. “I’ll stay here in case they choose me first.”

  “But you’ll be unprotected,” Beck said.

  “I have my gun. I can handle him.”

  “You and the lady go first,” the detective said. “We’ll be right behind.”

  Beck put his arm around Pamela. They staggered a bit pretending they’d had too many drinks. Beck fumbled with his keys making as much noise as possible.

  “Come on in, honey. Do you want to see my big bed?”

  Pam giggled. “I’d love to.”

  He took her hand and led her to the door. He bumped into a table making more noise to cover the detectives slipping inside and hiding.

  At the bedroom door, Beck pulled his gun from behind his back and had Pam follow him. “Let me go in first and see if the maid cleaned up my mess.” He slurred his words.

  Pam giggled again. “I shouldn’t have had that last drink with you and Chad. I’m dizzy.”

  “Of course you are.” Ivor jumped up from beside the bed. He snapped on the bedside light, and they saw the gun in his hand. “I tried to help you,” he said to Pam. “You wouldn’t have gotten the lead if not for me. And then you say I’m just your friend, and last week you refused to go out with me. After all I’ve done for you,” he screamed at them.

  “I didn’t ask you to do anything for me. What have you done, Ivor?”

  “My money paid for that idiot to kill Heather, but he missed and only messed up her leg. Then he called the police. I took care of him, and I’ll take care of you. You ungrateful bitch.”