The Gallows at Midnight

by Courtney Lynn Rose

  “Come on, Dad. Seriously?” Sorina’s tone is downright rude.

  Don’t yell at her.

  Turning to look at her, my eyes narrow. She visibly shrinks in her seat. “Let’s get one thing straight, Sorina. Dresden and I coming home is hard on everyone. If you talk to your father like that again, I can promise you, you won’t like my reaction. This is your last warning.”

  Her gaze drops to her lap, shoulders slumping forward. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.”

  “And you,” I snap, turning my attention to the nineteen-year-old puppy of an agent sitting next to my daughter. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way she follows you around or the way you smile and touch her every chance you get. Keep it up and your family will be planning your funeral. Understood?”

  “Ma’am, I-I didn’t— “

  “I don’t give a fuck. She’s my daughter and your partner is already on my shit list. Don’t think for one second the last year has softened me or Agent Scholl in any way. Either of you does anything I dislike; we’ll make sure it has to be a closed casket.”

  His eyes widen, fear flashing through them. “Yes, ma’am. Understood.”

  “Lily.” Dresden’s voice is low and calm, instantly settling the tension and anger coursing through my veins. “Breath, babe.”

  I take several deep breaths, my heart quieting. Blake’s lips are pressed into a thin line as he glances from me to Dresden and back. I trail my fingers along the stubble on his jaw and kiss the corner of his mouth. His lips part, sucking in a sharp breath.

  “I love you,” I whisper.

  “I love you, too.”

  “Oh, Boy,” Dresden says, breaking the silence.

  Agent Morris jumps, the color draining from his face. “Yes, sir?”

  Morris is a good-looking kid. No wonder Sorina follows him around. He’s tall, a little shorter than Blake, muscular but still slim. All short blonde hair and baby blue eyes with a natural tan. The kid could be a model instead of an Interpol agent.

  “You know our codenames?”

  “Yes, sir. You’re known as Python. Agent Williams is the infamous Viper.” Awe and admiration are evident in his tone.

  “Do you know anything about pythons and vipers?” The glint in Dresden’s eyes is murderous.

  “Uh, no, sir.”

  “Look it up sometime. Then you’ll know how we got those names.”

  “Uncle Dresden, he hasn’t done anything wrong,” Sorina whispers.

  “Good. Let’s make sure we keep it that way.”

  Sorina huffs, resting her elbow on the doorframe and her chin on her knuckles. I shake my head in sad amusement. She’s taken on a lot of Blake’s mannerisms in my absence, including his strength and smart mouth. They’re supposed to be my family, but my chest constricts because to them, I’m nothing but an outsider now. My choices changed me, and my disappearance changed them.

  †††

  I’m not sure what kind of house they had in Australia, but the new one is more extravagant than people in witness protection need. It’s a brick rancher with sixteen bedrooms. It’s meant for surveillance though. Bulletproof windows and doors, every two bedrooms adjoin. Witness and agent can be only a few feet from each other with privacy.

  The whole interior is dark wood and earth tones. Open floor plan with foyer, living room, dining room, kitchen, sunroom with piano, and a game room. It’s twice the size of Blake’s old apartment.

  Seriously? This is fucking ridiculous.

  “Alright, everyone in the living room,” I say.

  “Lily and I are giving out room assignments that way everyone is covered. There’ll be no arguments, understood,” Dresden says, letting go of Shannon’s hand to join me.

  Everyone nods.

  “I’m with Blake. Our adjoining room will remain unoccupied. Same goes for the room adjoining Shannon and Dresden’s room. Sorina will share a suite with Agent Morris. Remember what we said in the car, Agent.”

  His face turns red, but he nods, holding my gaze and then Dresden’s.

  “Dr. and Mrs. Mason will share a suite with Vlad. Teresa will be with Agent Johanson. Sammi you’ve got a suite to yourself, take the one closest to the tech office. Jameson and Rhett, you two will share as well.”

  “Lily,” Vlad’s voice is tight as he steps forward.

  “Yeah?”

  “Who will cover Shannon and Blake while you and Dresden are gone on Bates’ side missions?”

  I’ve anticipated this question, knowing Johanson will want to be my alternative. “You will cover Blake, Vlad. Rhett will cover Shannon.”

  Vlad smiles a mischievous, Cheshire Cat-type smile, and I can’t help but return it. Agent Johanson’s eyes are stuck on Blake, her cheeks turning the color of blood. Jealousy sweeps through my body, turning my good mood into a dark abyss.

  “Agent Johanson,” I say stepping toward her.

  She glares at me, her hatred evident, and her jaw tight. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Put your eyes back in your head, you’re starting to piss me off again.”

  She stalks from the room, slamming the front door behind her.

  I’m going to end up killing her.

  Dealing with Maria Johanson is a thousand times worse than Miranda ever was. She’s in prison still, thankfully. Dresden and I kept tabs on as many people as we could that didn’t go into witness protection. Caleb’s run Mason International since Blake left. He’s well, and Blake’s business is as good as ever.

  I sigh, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. “Well, everyone get settled. Try and relax for a little while.”

  Blake takes my hand, pulling me toward the farthest bedroom. I follow willingly, exhaustion bearing down on me like a thousand-pound weight. So much has happened so quickly and once again, my mind is struggling to keep up. It’s like the first six months with him all over. We’ve both changed, in more ways than I can comprehend. Thinking that coming back would be all sweet and happy was the biggest lie my mind has cooked up in a long time.

  Dropping his hand, I move into the room. It’s dominated by a king-sized bed in the center of the back wall. A large, glass window overlooks a perfectly manicured lawn with a pond in the distance nestled against the tree line. Woods surround the house, closing us off from the rest of humanity.

  At least we can see someone approaching.

  “What have you and Dresden been doing for the last year?” Blake’s voice is measured, his words hesitant. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed, toying with his wedding band.

  “Have you worn that the whole time?”

  He smiles sadly. “Yes. Even if you hadn’t come back, I don’t think I’d ever have taken it off.”

  “Me either.”

  As I stop in front of him, he grabs my hand and pulls me against him, pressing his head to my stomach. His hair is soft under my fingers, a low moan escaping his lips as I lightly run my nails along his scalp.

  “I’ve missed you so much, baby,” he whispers.

  “Please don’t be upset, Blake. I’m here now.” I grasp his head in my hands, forcing him to look at me. Tears shine in his eyes, making my heart sink. “I’ll do anything to make this up to you.”

  His hand cups my backside as he presses his lips to my stomach. I run my fingers through his hair, careful to stay away from his shoulder. Pulling back, he slides his sling off and lays it across the bed. I bite my bottom lip as he winces, wrapping both his arms around me.

  “Blake, don’t. You’re supposed to rest.”

  “I’m tired of resting. I need you.”

  “You’re going to do permanent damage if you don’t listen to the doctor.”

  Gently, he lifts the hem of my shirt and trails his lips across my skin, his tongue darting out along the way. My back arches slightly, my blood flaming. “Please, Lily,” he whispers against my skin, his breath warm and inviting.

  “Fuck,” I hiss under my breath.

  Carefully, I help him peel his shirt off. His skin is a
gorgeous tan, muscles ripped and taut as he palms my ass with his good hand. I take his hand and pull him up from the bed. He winces as he straightens his left arm. My eyes stay on his as I pop the button of his jeans. They fall to the floor, and he’s completely naked, looking like a Greek god.

  I suck in a ragged breath, my chest and groin both tightening in anticipation.

  Gracefully, he sits back on the bed, his hand trailing up and down my thigh. His erection is hard and waiting, my body yearning to jump him, to have him inside me again.

  I sink to my knees and take him into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the tip of his arousal. My hands clasp his thighs as he tangles his fingers in my hair. His hips flex as I push him deeper into my mouth, relishing in the way he tenses and shudders.

  “Lily, stop,” He pleads.

  I stand, licking my lips, watching the need and desire dance in his eyes. Slowly unbuttoning my shirt, I bite my bottom lip, and his eyes scanning my body greedily as I drop my clothes on the floor.

  He scoots to the edge of the bed, and I straddle him, easing myself onto his waiting erection. He grips the back of my neck with his right hand, gently squeezing my hip with the other. I moan, loving the fullness of him being inside me after a year apart.

  Our lips meet and as the kiss deepens, I move up and down on him, slow and gentle, making love to him, but careful not to hurt him in any way.

  “Oh, baby,” he moans into my mouth.

  I speed up fractionally. He brings his hips up to meet my downward motions, and we find a steady rhythm, pushing each other to the brink. His grip tightens around me, and as my insides quicken, I gasp and run my fingernails down his chest.

  “Come on, Blake, let go,” I whisper, nipping at his earlobe.

  “Oh, God,” he hisses and, on cue, we both find our release.

  My body trembles with aftershocks and as I move to stand, he tightens his grip around me, burying his face in my hair.

  “Don’t move, yet. Please,” he whispers and I hold him against me, the strain in his voice pulling at something inside me.

  Everything I felt for him a year ago is still there, and even more intense than it once was. No matter what happens this time around, one thing is for sure . . . I’ll never be able to leave him again.

  It’d take one hell of an event to pull me from him. After a while, I stand and retrieve his clothes. Kneeling in front of him, I silently help him back into his pants. He grins at me, but it doesn’t touch his eyes. Something still isn’t right with him, but he won’t tell me.

  “Get into bed. Are you hungry? I could have Teresa make you something.”

  He lies back on the pillows, shaking his head. “No, baby. Come lay with me.”

  My lips quirk up as I crawl across the bed, snuggling against him, my head on his chest. His heart beating in my ears is musical, and it’s the first time I’ve been content in a long time. My lids flutter closed, my mind drifting toward darkness, exhaustion taking over. Sighing, I give in, letting the gentle rise and fall of Blake’s chest lull me to sleep.

  5

  ~Lily~

  Mommy has screamed for hours, but no one will tell me what’s happening to her. Her tummy started hurting earlier, and Daddy called for some lady from the village. They’ve all been in Mommy’s room since.

  On the floor, I rock back and forth, holding my dolly tight. Maybe Mommy’s belly exploded. It’s been bigger than a bolder for a while. I hope she’s okay.

  The bedroom door creaks open, but I stare at the fireplace. I don’t want to make Daddy mad today. He’s been nice the last few days and hasn’t hurt me. I like when he’s nice.

  “Mihnea,” Daddy says quietly.

  “Yes, Daddy?”

  “Come here.”

  I get up and move to him, keeping my eyes down. He runs his fingers through my hair and touches my cheek. It’s nice when Daddy is soft. I like him better this way. He takes my hand and leads me into Mommy’s room. I look up, and she’s lying in bed, the blankets neatly around her. She’s holding a small lump in her arms, and her face is pale. She looks sleepy.

  Daddy lifts me and sits me next to Mommy. She turns the lump toward me, and there’s a little face in the blankets. It’s a baby! My eyes widen and I reach out to touch it, but pull my hand back, afraid Daddy will be mad if I touch it.

  “You can touch her,” he says softly.

  “Her?”

  “Yes, Mihnea. Marcela is your new sister. You have to be good to her. Protect her and take care of her. That’s what big sisters do. Can you promise to do that?”

  “Yes, Daddy. I promise.”

  The baby’s eyes flutter open and she looks at me, scrunching up her face. Her eyes are the same deep blue as mine. She’s really pretty. Like a baby doll. I lay my dolly on the blanket, under her face so she can still see.

  “She can have my dolly,” I say, quickly putting my hands in my lap.

  “What do you think, Mihnea?”

  “She’s pretty. I’ll protect her, Daddy. I promise. You’ll see. I’ll make you really proud of me this time.”

  “I know you will, my girl. I know you will.”

  He leans down and kisses my head as I reach out and touch Marcela’s hand. She curls her fingers around mine, and I smile down at her. My Marcela. I’ll protect her from everything. Even Daddy, when he gets mad.

  †††

  Sweat soaks my shirt as I bolt upright in bed.

  Shit.

  I run my hands through my damp, tangled hair. The flashbacks stopped a few months after leaving Blake. Something about being around him taps into my subconscious and makes me remember all this shit.

  “What was it about this time?”

  Blake’s voice startles me and I gasp, my hand flying to my chest.

  “It was nothing, babe. Go back to sleep.”

  “Lily, you’re drenched. Don’t tell me it was nothing, I know better.”

  He grabs the back of my shirt, pulling me back down in bed. Leaning upon his good arm, he hovers over me, trailing his fingers down my cheek. Moonlight illuminates his face, and I’m awestruck by his beauty. Even after what I’ve done to him, he’s still trying to help me, give me hope.

  I stroke his cheek, the stubble rough under my fingertips. His lips press against mine and my eyes flutter closed. This is home . . . where I belong. My hand skims up his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles.

  “I love you,” he whispers against my lips.

  Moaning, I capture his mouth with mine again. His tongue invades my mouth, pulling me deeper into the chasm that opens every time he touches me. Gently, I twist, pushing him into the mattress and climbing atop him. Sitting up, I pull my shirt over my head and throw it to the floor. His hands move, excruciatingly slow, up my stomach toward my breasts.

  Running his fingers along the top of my bra, he yanks each cup down, exposing my chest. He hums with appreciation, making me gasp as he sits up, wrapping his arms around my back. I rest my hands on his biceps as he trails kisses from the corner of my mouth, down my neck. He pulls one of my nipples into his mouth and sucks, hard. I throw my head back moaning, and I’m lost.

  †††

  I’m startled awake by my cell phone. Blake sits up, keeping his hand on my back as I grab it off the nightstand.

  “Williams.”

  “The fax will be there in five minutes. You and Python move out in twenty.” The line goes dead.

  Fucking Bates. His timing blows.

  I punch the speed dial for Dresden.

  “Yeah?”

  “Bates called. We got twenty minutes.”

  “Well, fuck.”

  “I agree.”

  “Let’s do this,” he says before hanging up.

  I slide out of bed, grabbing my duffel bag and throwing it on the end of the mattress. Blake sits up, rubbing his face. He rolls his bad shoulder, wincing.

  “Don’t do that,” I snap. “You need to heal. Stop trying to rush it.”

  “Where are you go
ing, baby?” His voice is apprehensive, a hint of fear coming through.

  “That was Bates. Dres and I have an assignment.”

  “Already?” My heart hurts at the pain in his voice.

  Pulling on my black leggings, I rush to him, capturing his mouth with mine, tangling my fingers in his hair. He tilts his head, pulling me into his lap and deepening the kiss. Pulling away, my breathing is labored, and passion dances in Blake’s eyes.

  “This is part of the deal, baby. We won’t be too long.”

  He lets me get up, and I shrug into my long sleeve black shirt. Bending at the waist, I pull my hair into a high ponytail.

  “Get up. I want to talk to everyone before we leave.”

  I grab my combat boots and jog from the room. Sorina and Agent Morris are sitting at the breakfast bar with Teresa. Everyone else is filing into the living room as I blur past heading for the tech office. Sammi comes rushing out and we almost collide. She hands me a piece of paper.

  “Thanks, Boa.”

  “Be careful, mate.”

  Smiling, I clasp her shoulder. “Always am. Come on.”

  We head back to the living room just as Blake comes out of the bedroom.

  “Lily, let’s go,” Dresden’s voice is agitated.

  He drops two huge duffel bags on the living room floor and unzips them.

  “Everyone sit down, please.”

  He and I are transitioning into a mode we’ve become all to accustom to— assassin mode. I kneel and strap my .22 to my right ankle and three bans of knives to my thigh. Quickly switching to the other knee, I attach a hunting knife to my other ankle and a .50 cal to my other thigh.

  “Mom, what’s going on?”

  “Uncle Dres and I have an assignment. Vlad, cover Blake until I get back.”

  “We got it, Lily. How long will you be gone?”

  “A few hours. Did you all still want to know what we did while we were gone?” I strap a multi-hooked belt around my waist. Attached are two whips, one on either side, two .45’s around the back, two flash-bang grenades, and two grenades with sleeping gas.

  “Of course,” Blake says forcefully, taking a seat next to Sorina.