Fatal Encounter (A Counterstrike Novel Book 1)

by Jannine Gallant

  “I’ll look into it, just the same. Where’s his house?”

  “I don’t know the address. I’ve only been to his place here in New Hampshire once, but I’m sure you can find the information if you put your mind to it.” She gestured toward the screen. “Did any more vehicles drive by after this?”

  “Not for another two minutes, and the next several cars didn’t stop.”

  Vanna pushed back her chair and stood. “Then I suppose I’m finished here.” She stared at the man she’d grown to loathe. “I expect you to fix this mess.”

  “I’ll find Jaimee Fleming.” He hesitated. “If your nephew is the one helping her, and he gets in my way . . .”

  She wondered why he’d even bothered to ask. “Do what you must, but don’t expect to be paid a penny more. Just get the damn job done.”

  * * * *

  Jaimee woke slowly, her back pressed against a hard, warm chest. Reluctant to wake Eli, she simply enjoyed the contact. Until the last few days, it had been longer than she cared to remember since a man had held her close in his arms. But never in her life had she experienced anything like the emotional security Eli gave her. Not to mention the raw need he’d stirred to life. She couldn’t resist resting her hand on his hard-muscled thigh, and a little purr of satisfaction slipped out.

  He was the best thing that had happened to her in—maybe forever—yet she seemed hell-bent on trying to push him away.

  What’s wrong with me? Do I want to be miserable?

  Before she could search for an answer to her self-destructive tendencies, Eli stretched against her, bringing her into intimate contact with his morning arousal. His warm breath stirred the hair at her neck as he nuzzled the side of her throat.

  “Morning.”

  His husky voice stirred all her senses, and she let her worries slip away. When she turned onto her back, he rolled on top of her and propped himself on his elbows. Sleepy eyes blinked down at her, and a smile that made her belly quake turned up the corners of his lips. A two-day-old growth of beard rasped her cheeks and chin as he kissed her.

  “Definitely a good morning.” She slid her fingers into his hair. “I could get used to this.”

  “Good, because I’d be damn happy to wake up like this every day.” His grin broadened. “And not just because I have a raging boner most mornings.”

  She wiggled beneath him. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  “I’ll make you pay for that, missy.” He palmed her bare butt and pulled her even closer while she giggled helplessly. “Good thing I bought more condoms when I went to the store yesterday. Let me suit up.”

  A minute later, he was back. Gripping her wrists with both hands, he held her arms over her head while he strung kisses across her breasts. Jaimee’s eyes drifted closed, though she tried hard to keep them open. The man was gorgeous. Just looking at him made her palms sweat and her toes curl. When she bucked against him, he slid inside her, and she let out a soft cry.

  “You okay?”

  “A whole lot better than okay. This is—I don’t know how to describe it.”

  He laughed softly as he pushed deeper. “I’ll give you a list of adjectives later. I can’t think when I’m making love to you. God, Jaimee.” His breath came in harsh pants against her face as he released her wrists and wrapped her in his arms. “The two of us together are so . . . damn . . . good.”

  For once, she didn’t want to debate—or even speak. Holding tight to the man and the moment, she let him catapult her over the edge into pure joy.

  For several long minutes after he collapsed against her, she didn’t move, stretching out the feeling of oneness as long as possible. Eventually, the world intruded when his phone rang. The strident beeping broke the mood.

  “Go away.” He pressed his face into the pillow.

  Jaimee smiled. “Why do you have that obnoxious ring tone?”

  “My agent programmed my phone the last time we had a meeting so I couldn’t ignore him.” Reaching toward the nightstand, he scooped up his cell and stabbed at it to stop the noise.

  In the silence that followed, Watson trotted into the room, put his front paws on the edge of the mattress, and let out a woof. Doggy breath fanned Jaimee’s face.

  “Obviously, it’s time to get out of bed.”

  “I suppose so.” After one final kiss, Eli released her and sat up. “I’m going to jump in the shower and then see what my agent wants.”

  She nodded. “I miss having a purpose and a schedule. My dog walking clients probably all hired someone else when I stopped showing up. I did call to let them know I’d be unavailable for an indefinite period. The whole situation sucks.”

  “Yeah, it does.” He gave her a hard hug before levering off the bed. “That’s why we need to do something soon.”

  Arguing with his logic wasn’t easy. Instead, she simply appreciated the perfection of his butt as he walked away. When Watson barked a second time and shook the fur out of his eyes, she dragged her attention away from Eli. “Fine, I’ll get up.”

  After throwing on a robe, Jaimee headed downstairs to feed the dog and let him out. She was staring at the coffee maker, willing it to do its job faster, when Eli strolled into the kitchen wearing a pair of khaki pants and a polo shirt. He’d shaved, and as he stepped up behind her and hugged her close, she breathed in the scent of something citrusy.

  “I don’t think scowling at the pot will help.” His breath tickled her ear.

  Turning, she leaned against the counter and gazed up at him. “Probably not. What was the crisis with your agent?”

  He pulled away slightly. “Roger is on his way up here with some papers I need to sign. I’m meeting him in town in about twenty minutes.”

  The coffee maker spit out a few final drops of fragrant brew, and she reached for one of the mugs waiting on the counter to fill it. “Why not just email the doc to you?”

  “He’s meeting buddies for a fishing weekend at some lake in Vermont, and Hawthorne is on the way. Anyway, the papers are just an excuse. What he really wants is to discuss another book tour. He thinks he can be more persuasive if he badgers me in person.” Eli took the mug she handed him and sipped. “Hopefully, I won’t be gone more than a couple of hours.”

  “Is this tour something you want?” She held a second mug beneath her nose and breathed in the scent of rich coffee.

  “Not really, but it’s part of my job. Personal appearances sell books.”

  “Seems like you sell plenty without the hoopla.”

  “Yes, but I suck at telling people no.”

  “Not my business, but maybe you should work on that.”

  “It could be your business.” He studied her intently. “That’s what healthy relationships are about. Sharing thoughts, and meaningful discussion. You could work on that.”

  “Seems like we both have areas that could use improvement.” She touched his hand. “I’m trying. Honestly.”

  “I hope so.” He glanced at the clock on the stove. “I need to get moving.”

  She nodded, relieved to drop the subject of relationships “Since Watson and I could both use some fresh air and exercise, we’ll go for a hike while you’re planning your next blockbuster tour. If I’m not back by the time you get home, don’t freak out.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  “Do you want some breakfast before you go?”

  He shook his head. “No time. I’ll eat at the coffee shop in town where we’re meeting. Roger flew into Boston from New York last night and left the city at the crack of dawn.”

  “Hence, the early wake-up call.”

  “Exactly.” He took another gulp of coffee and set his mug on the counter. “I hate to run out on you like this.”

  “No worries. With any luck, Luna will call soon with some solid intel we can use.” When a scratch sounded on the front door, she headed toward the entry and called over her shoulder, “If not, I’ll walk off my frustration with Watson.”

  After she let the dog in, Eli steppe
d up behind her and pulled her against his chest. “Something has to give soon. I firmly believe that.”

  “I hope so.” Turning, she stood on her toes to kiss him. “Enjoy your meeting.”

  He grimaced. “Doubtful. The man knows his business, but he’s irritatingly persistent. I don’t like my chances of weaseling out of this. I’ll see you later.” He’d reached the door to the garage before he stopped. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. My mom is flying in later today for Maureen’s memorial. You’ll like her.”

  Before she could gather her wits to respond, he shut the door behind him. A moment later, the garage door rumbled up, and his car engine started. Jaimee finally shut her mouth and stopped gaping like a hooked trout. They’d been dating—or whatever it was they were doing—for a total of two days, and he expected her to meet his mother? She wasn’t sure if she should laugh or go clean something, which is what she did on the rare occasions when she saw her own mother. Instead, she picked up her coffee mug and took a huge swallow. She had a feeling she was going to need the caffeine jolt just to survive the day.

  After showering and putting a fresh bandage over her stitches, she dressed in her only pair of clean shorts and a T-shirt, then gathered up the dirty clothes she’d left on the floor in Eli’s room. As an afterthought, she scooped up his laundry, as well, and put the load in the washer. That chore done, she collected the miscellaneous personal belongings she’d scattered around his house and returned them to her bag. She wasn’t sure if Eli expected her to stay in his home while his mother was visiting, but she certainly didn’t want the place to look like she’d moved in. Once she’d stowed her bag in the back of a closet, she returned to the laundry room to throw wet clothes in the dryer.

  Watson followed her to the kitchen and barked.

  “We’ll go out in just a minute.” Jaimee eyed the folder full of documents lying on the counter. Not something he probably wanted to explain to his mom. Picking it up, she opened a drawer containing placemats and dishtowels and stuck it beneath them. After spreading cream cheese on a bagel, she grabbed the dog’s leash off the counter to stuff in her pocket. She’d eat her breakfast while they hiked.

  The sun was shining, and the birds were chirping in a raucous chorus. Despite the situation, her mood was excellent. She paused at a vista point, licked a bit of cream cheese from her finger, and surveyed the world before her. The bright green of the deciduous trees contrasted with the darker evergreens, like a patchwork quilt stretched out over the valley below. When her ribs began to ache a short time later, she turned around, determined not to overdo it again.

  Watson, apparently wasn’t in the mood to cooperate and tore off through the bushes.

  “Leave the squirrel alone, or I’ll leash you up,” she yelled. “At this rate, Eli will definitely beat us home.”

  The dog finally deserted the tree he was under and ran after her. They were within sight of the house when she stopped to shake a rock out of her shoe. In the distance, an engine rumbled, and sunlight glinted off metal through the trees. As the vehicle approached on the street, she waited for Eli to turn into the driveway. Instead, the engine cut off. A moment later, a car door clicked shut.

  The hair stood up on her arms. Eli’s was the last home on a dead-end street. There was no good reason for anyone to drive up this far unless the person was going to his house.

  The reason for the visit might be anything but good.

  Jaimee pulled Watson’s leash out and clipped it to his collar. “Quiet, boy.” The dog stayed close to her side as she cautiously approached the house, remaining in the shelter of the trees. She crouched low with a hand on Watson’s head when movement below caught her eye.

  A figure approached, staying out of sight of anyone who might be standing at a window. As he drew nearer, Jaimee recognized the killer’s compact physique, quick stride, and dark hair. She closed her eyes and swore softly, picturing the shotgun propped in a corner of Eli’s bedroom between the dresser and the wall. Easy to get to if someone broke into the house. Useless to her under the current circumstances.

  While she waited, the assassin circled the house. After what seemed like an eternity, he approached the small side deck and ran up the steps. The ring of glass breaking drove Jaimee to her feet as adrenalin surged. When he disappeared inside, she turned Watson loose. The dog took off into the trees in pursuit of something, while she sprinted around to the front of the house. If she could get the drop on the bastard . . . Quietly, she turned the key in the lock, and opened the door a fraction of an inch.

  Footsteps sounded on the stairs. When a floorboard creaked overhead, she slipped inside and considered her options. Waiting out of sight near the base of the staircase for him to descend seemed like the best choice. But she needed a weapon. Silently, she moved into the kitchen and chose a butcher knife from the wooden block on the counter. Before she could take up her position, a car engine sounded, followed by the garage door rising. Jaimee froze.

  If Eli walked into the house, unsuspecting, and called out her name . . .

  Running footsteps pounded the stair treads. She ducked behind the island and squatted down as the man dashed through the room and out the deck door. Staying low, she hurried toward the mudroom as a car door slammed and the overhead garage door rumbled shut. When Eli entered the house a moment later, she pressed her finger to her lips.

  His eyes widened.

  “He’s outside,” she whispered, touching her mouth to his ear, “Probably watching to see if I’m with you. Go into the kitchen and make sure he sees you’re alone.”

  With a nod, Eli strode away while she stayed close to the floor and scurried toward the entry. Rising to her feet, she opened the door a crack and surveyed the yard. Nothing moved except a few leaves stirring in the breeze. Faintly in the distance, a dog barked, but she couldn’t worry about Watson at the moment. Satisfied the hitman hadn’t come around to this side of the house, she dashed across the open stretch of lawn to the woods and then worked her way around the property.

  The killer stood twenty yards away with his back to her, his attention trained on the house. Eli sat out on the main deck, his feet propped on the railing, and his cell phone pressed to his ear. A beer bottle rested on the table beside him. A burst of laughter, along with a few words, carried on a current of air. He looked carefree and completely alone.

  Her grip tightened on the knife she still held. Her chances of reaching her target before he heard her were slim, and the revolver holstered at his hip acted as a hefty deterrent. She might stand a chance in hand to hand combat, though she wasn’t as skilled as some of her old teammates, but getting shot again wasn’t a risk she was willing to take.

  The decision was made for her when the man turned away from the house and headed deeper into the trees in the direction of his truck. Minutes later, an engine started. When the sound faded, Jaimee ran across the grass and up the steps to the deck.

  Eli dropped his phone on the table and surged to his feet. “What the hell happened?”

  “He arrived just as I was getting back from my walk. If I’d taken the shotgun with me—”

  “You would have nailed him?” He eyed the knife in her hand.

  She set it on the table. “Yes. Defending your property against home invasion is perfectly legal. Anyway, you returned before I could act, and he bolted. The asshole searched the house.”

  Eli opened his mouth, then shut it and stared over her shoulder. “Here comes Watson. Where’d he disappear to?”

  “I turned him loose before I went inside after the killer.” When the dog ran up the steps dragging his leash and sat at her feet, she bent to rub his ears. “He seems fine. My guess is he was off chasing squirrels.”

  Eli let out a harsh breath. “Why in the hell would you go after an armed man—at least I assume he was armed—instead of running the other way? Do you have a death wish?”

  “I wanted to know what he was doing in the house, and I was hoping I could stop the bastard.” She straightened a
nd clenched her fists at her sides. “I would have if you hadn’t arrived when you did and scared him off.”

  “Sorry my timing was so bad. Next time warn me.”

  “I didn’t have an opportunity. Anyway, I hope there isn’t a next time.”

  “He knows you’re here now. What’s to stop him from coming back.”

  She relaxed slightly and dropped onto the chair next to him. “I’m not so sure he does. I picked up all my stuff and washed a load of laundry. I didn’t want your mom to think I’m shacking up with you.”

  He grinned. “Seriously? Mom isn’t going to care if we’re sleeping together. We’re all adults, for heaven’s sake.”

  “We haven’t known each other very long, and it just felt awkward.” Jaimee could feel her cheeks heating at his amused expression. “I don’t date a lot, so I wasn’t sure what the protocol is when meeting your lover’s mother.”

  “I didn’t know there was a protocol. Anyway, you’re saying the killer didn’t find your clothes upstairs?”

  “Nope. I had everything stashed in a bag in your closet, and he definitely didn’t have time for a thorough search.”

  Eli scowled. “How’d he even know to look for you here?”

  “Apparently we underestimated his ability to get information. He must have seen your car outside Sugarland and traced it back to here. My guess is he’s still just fishing, like he was when he went to the Jeffries’ place. He doesn’t know for sure you picked me up, or he wouldn’t have left.”

  “It still doesn’t seem safe for you to be here. If he runs out of other options, he may come back.”

  “I agree. And in the interest of your mother’s safety, I think I should find someplace else to hole up for a while.”

  He jerked to his feet. “Absolutely not. You aren’t alone in this. We’re a team.”

  Concern and caring shone in his eyes, and Jaimee’s chest tightened. “I won’t put you or your mother in unnecessary danger.”

  They stared at each other, neither backing down an inch. When the faint sound of a car engine came from the access road, she shoved back her chair and surged upright.