by Mimi Barbour
“Juli! Pay attention.” Maya’s eyes drilled him, only to get the feeling he was playing her. Glaring, serious in her intent to get to the bottom of the sticky situation, she gritted her teeth and spoke harshly. “You said you stayed the night with Nik?”
“Yes. Had to tidy up the mess he’d left before I could actually sleep. The man’s a slob. You’d think the Navy would have taught him better.”
“Navy?” Both women uttered the word at the same time. Maya voice ringing with shock and Nellie’s filled with pride.
“Yeah! He’s a Lieutenant Commander. With the Seals. Served in Iraq. The man’s a hero. Got the Silver Star…What?”
“How the hell do you know all this?” Maya looked over at Nellie, who shrugged.
“Well, it’s not like he told me. But I’m pretty handy with a computer and his was sitting open…. Look, I kinda wanted to see if there were any news stories about the girls. But then I got curious. So…shoot me!”
“Hell, not me,” Maya said with a grin, ridiculously happy to hear that Nik, the man she’d felt an instant attraction to, was someone she could be proud of. “I’ll leave that chore to your friends—the Neanderthals.”
Juli’s exaggerated screech made her feel slightly better.
Chapter 13
Nik had taken off, knowing that Maya would be pissed. At first that wasn’t his intention. All he’d wanted to do was hide his reaction to the adrenaline rush he’d experienced. When the shakes had hit, followed by sickness roiling inside his tight gut, he’d had no choice. Stumbling to the washroom, he’d stuck his head under the tap, relishing the coldness of the water.
As soon as he stood upright, pain slammed into his head and panic clawed at his nerves. Christ, he had to get away. He couldn’t let anyone see him trembling like a little girl who’d seen a fat, hairy spider.
Even though he closed the screen door carefully, it still snapped shut with too much noise. He halted and let his head hang to clear his vision. That damned disorder had waned over the last few days and now, at the worst possible time, it had returned with a vengeance; proof he was by no means cured.
Stalking through a backyard and onto an adjacent street, Nik tried to breathe deeply and release the tension. Prescribed sleeping pills had forced his body into numbing oblivion most nights, but he hadn’t felt rested, not really.
Good food and exercise had helped, but this latest incident proved he was far from ready to return to active duty. After all, his men depended on him to be in top condition, not screwed up every time he had to deal with a shock or a surprise situation.
Checking his watch, he hailed a cab and decided to take a pill from the unopened bottle the doctor had prescribed for just such an incident. Then, he’d update his brother and see what the hell Max wanted him to do about this new twist.
Sitting in the cab’s back seat, Nik went over in his mind what he’d just heard. Go figure that the little twerp who’d been playing stalker could be so useful, and brave. Nik shook his head.
While based in a war zone, he’d seen it time and again. The mouthy soldiers you’d expect to have balls of steel could become the biggest losers, while the ones you thought wouldn’t make it two months before having a nervous breakdown, shocked the shit out of you with their courage and determination.
In Julian’s case, when faced with flying bullets the guy had lost it. But, in the dark, sneaking his way into danger was another story. Nik wished he could have stuck around to ask the little guy some questions, but he knew he’d have had to get in line behind Maya. Which was the way it should be. After all, she had the badge.
Paying off the driver, Nik headed behind a popular restaurant and up a rickety, wooden staircase to the living quarters above. Before opening the door, he knocked once and then gave another quick one, only to be stopped dead on the threshold by a furious female.
Grabbing the door from his hand, she hissed, “Stop that banging. Max has finally dropped off. He’s been awake all night, fretting.”
“I’m not sleeping.” A sarcastic voice sounded from the far side of the room. “I was pretending—to shut you up. Let him in.”
Nik stepped past the petite blonde whose chip on her shoulder was as noticeable as her striking gray eyes and her natural curls. Charging to the invalid sprawled on clean white sheets and covered in bandages, she railed in fury, “If you did as you were told, I wouldn’t have to babble, right?”
Max laughed and then coughed. “Aw, darlin’, did I say you were babbling? I’m sorry. You’re right, I’m a grouch.”
Sniffing with indignation, Linda crossed her arms and tapped her right toe. “Don’t you think sweet-talking will get you out of trouble. It’s taken me weeks to get your sorry ass healed, and I’m not going to put up with any of your nonsense.” She turned to Nik who lounged against the doorway grinning. “And you—wipe that smirk off your face. You saw him before. Broken ribs, bruised like a heavyweight has-been after twenty rounds. He needs at least another few weeks in bed to let his broken leg heal. So don’t encourage the idiot.”
Hands up, warding off her ire, Nik nodded quickly. “You got it… darlin’.”
“Oh, you two! I’m fed up with the both of you.” The slamming door gave proof of her mood and her exit.
“She gets a mite vexed sometimes. Guess I deserve it. Don’t know what I’d have done if she hadn’t of taken me in and nursed me, hiding me from the Mosleys.”
“Actually, I don’t think she was too mad. At least her wink before she slammed the door made me figure otherwise.” Nik watched his brother struggling to sit upright and he rushed over to offer a hand. “Let me help you.”
“Bugger off. I can do it myself.”
“Christ! Now I know why she’d need to get out for a while. You are an asshole, aren’t you?”
“Hell, you don’t know what it’s been like, lying here in hiding, knowing that if they come for me, I’m a dead man. Putting Linda in jeopardy. If it hadn’t been for you, fetching me that night and bringing me here, I’d have died for sure.”
“Just be glad they didn’t crush your cell phone and that you had me on speed dial. By the time I got to you, you were out cold. Who knows how long you’d have lasted, bleeding the way you were. Good thing you recovered consciousness long enough to tell me where to take you.”
“Linda and I had something going for a while, couldn’t seem to shake her loose. So I banked on her feelings and hoped she’d look after me. The woman owns the restaurant below and can pretty well work the hours she wants to. Seriously, she’s been an angel.”
“Hell, she’d need to be.” Nik went to the fridge and snagged a bottle of water. “Can I get you anything?”
“Did you bring my cigarettes? Is there any beer? I’d give my left nut for a cold one.”
“Jesus, bro, you’re on all kinds of painkillers and you want to add alcohol to the mix? I don’t think so.”
“Whoever told you beer is alcohol?”
“Same person who told me you quit smoking.”
“Blasted Maya. She’s always trying to get me to quit. Refuses to let me light up in the car—”
“And so she should. Why the hell should she breathe in your smoke? And it wasn’t Maya, it was Linda. Besides, if I take over your role, there ain’t no way in hell that I’ll be putting one of those killer sticks in my mouth and sucking in that poison. If you’re serious about me taking on your identity, it’s gotta be under my rules.”
“Actually, Nik, I’ve changed my mind. Forget I mentioned it. Don’t know what I was thinking, asking you to do something so dangerous. Guess I got caught up in the case.”
“It’s justifiable, bro. I—”
“No! It isn’t. They meant to kill me. If I resurface, they’ll do a better job next time—on you.”
“Hey, I’ve been taking care of Nik Baudin for a long time and through multiple war zones. Besides, you said yourself, the only way to get this gang is to dig them out of hiding by having them come to finish the job.”
“Sure, but next time, they won’t do it themselves. They’ll hire a hit man.”
“What about the incriminating proof you gathered on their business activities? They took it off you that night. I need to get it back. I won’t be able to that without resources and backup. As a citizen, I have none of those, but as Special Agent Maximilian, I’ll be far more covered and protected.”
“So you’re seriously going in as me?”
“You don’t think I can carry it off?”
“Not looking like that, you won’t. I wouldn’t be caught dead in camouflage pants and a black T-shirt. And lose the hair. Good thing we’re the same size. Look, all my addresses are in the black book in the drawer of the hall table at my place. The hairdresser I use—”
Interrupting with a snort, Nik looked how he felt—pissed off. “You want me to go to a friggin hairdresser? Aw, fuckie, come on.”
“Sherry’s really nice, has big tits and loves to laugh. You’ll like her. Besides, she’ll make you look just like me. And, she’ll do your nails too.”
“What? Next thing I know you’ll want me to visit a spa and wear men’s perfume.”
“Spa’s address is in the book, and my cologne is in my top drawer, left-hand side, in the bathroom.”
“Shit!”
Laughing, Max added. “Now tell me why you’re here. Something went down and I need to know what happened.”
Chapter 14
When Maya returned home, she immediately sensed something was out of place. Slowly, with her gun drawn, she began a sweep from room to room, ending in the kitchen where she found her perp waiting with coffee and a nod of greeting. “Don’t shoot. I’m not armed.”
“You’re also not funny. I could have put a hole in you and there’s not a court in the county that would have convicted me. You can’t just break into a lady’s house and think it’s okay. Especially a lady cop.”
“I needed to talk to you.”
“Ever heard of a phone? Ask for a meeting?”
“I didn’t want anyone else to see me. And I sure as hell didn’t want to put you in danger again.”
“It wasn’t you who put me in danger earlier. They were shooting at Juli.”
“Yeah. I heard. But we both know that’s not true. They were shooting at Max.”
“Because they believed you were him.”
“That’s right.”
“How do I know you aren’t him?”
“You know.”
“Sometimes I do, and then other times… Only one way to find out for sure.” Maya stalked towards Nik, moving in between his knees. When he looked up and saw her determination, shock exploded over his expression.
Threading her fingers through his overly-long, black hair, not-so-gently, she raised his face. Her attacking lips stunned him into yielding. She took her time, tasting the lush fullness that had attracted her eyes to that very feature from the first time they’d met.
Breathing hard, she stepped back as far as his hands would let her. “You’re Nik.”
“I probably shouldn’t ask but…”
Breaking his hold, she stared into his narrowed gaze. “When Max tried that eons ago it was a blah kiss, annoying really. I couldn’t get away from him fast enough.” It was hard for Maya to explain her “knowing” without sounding silly, but often Max’s lips were thin with disapproval—one of his least likable traits.
“And now?”
“Oh, baby. If you don’t know what just happened, far be it for me to explain.”
Pushing, seemingly interested, he continued to dig. “Hey, you attacked me. I want to know.” An unholy grin sparked his eyes and, for the first time, Maya saw Nik’s lips curl upwards while his face filled with humor.
Smart ass! “Let’s just say, from now on I’ll never be in doubt which brother I’m kissing.” She laughed when she saw the ferocious scowl appear. Instantly, his hooded eyes hid his reaction. Whether he’d felt the attraction or not, she wasn’t certain. And she sure as hell wasn’t about to ask him.
But the distinct connection zinging between them couldn’t be her imagination. It wasn’t possible. The fizzle of awareness was just too precious. From the moment his lips had softened and responded, sweetness had invaded—an emotion she’d never before experienced. But it was one she’d always sensed would make the difference between liking a guy and losing her heart.
Swiping at her mouth with the back of her hand, she wasn’t sure if she was trying to wipe him off or save the kiss from fading. Stalking to the coffee maker on the counter, she questioned while sliding in a dark-roast pod and snagging the box of cookies from the cupboard. “Why are you here?”
Chapter 15
Nik crossed his right leg over his other knee, hoping to hide the evidence of his unexpected arousal. Not only was the woman a looker—gorgeous long legs molded by the tight black pants and a mouth the good Lord must have hand-sculpted—she was sexy as hell. With lips that were lush and full, begging to be kissed and pleasure saturating her dazed eyes, he fought for every second of control.
How he’d stopped himself from picking her up to straddle his knees, giving him access to her more delicate areas, he’d never know. Guess the shock of her move had messed with his instincts. Now he’d suffer in silence; no way would he let Maya know just how much he wanted her to come back and lay one on him again. Shit… it’s been too long since I’ve been inside the slick, wet heat of a beautiful woman’s body. “Have you got a significant other who might be annoyed by that little experiment?”
“Nope! What about you?”
“Not lately.” Nik felt the smile all the way down to his erection where rioting sensations still hadn’t faded. He held out his paper take-out cup “If you have another one of those, I could use a refill.”
Once she had both coffees on the elevated oak table, along with the package of fruit cream Peek Freens, she undid her holster, checked to make sure her gun’s safety was secure and slid them both in a drawer of a hallway table. Then she kicked off her medium-heeled sandals and tugged off her black cotton, short-sleeved jacket to reveal a white, sleeveless shirt, which she yanked out of her waistband. The wrinkled bottom of the blouse lay on top of her pants ending at the swelling curve of her sweet little ass. Crossing her arms, she rubbed her shoulders as if they were stiff and her back arched and swayed from one side to the other as if the stretching relieved the kinks.
Finally, he watched as she scooped her shoulder-length, golden-red hair into a mess on the top of her head and hold it place with a large clip. Some of the strands came loose and wispy curls dropped to her shoulders, but most stayed anchored on the top of her head, making her look as cute as… Hell!WasI really going to add a button? I must be friggin losing it.
In fact, seeing her without the armor of her job, appearing like any young girl relaxing at home, Nik could feel a yearning come over him. How nice it would be to follow this routine with her every night.
Only, he’d be the one to rub her bare arms and tug the bottom of her blouse out, and then slowly unbutton it to take it off completely. Using his hands and lips, he’d convince her she needed some loving after a hard day’s work. The sweet visions made him swallow his coffee too fast and it took him a few seconds to stop choking and coughing… and blushing. What the fuck?
Raising herself onto the tall chair across from his, Maya waited until he stopped. Then she settled back and appeared ready for his explanations. Leaning her right elbow on the table to cup her cheek, she chose a couple of cookies and before her first bite, she waved the box in his direction and nodded when he shook his head. “Okay, I’m all ears. What’s going on?”
Damn, but this little lady looked good. Hair sticking up every which way, her white shirt with the top two buttons undone, emphasizing her ample curves, and her green eyes sparkling with interest, she waited.
He stared. Couldn’t help himself. There was something else hidden in those dampened-down emerald flames. Suddenly, she grinned and allowed him see th
e sultry passion still simmering. He almost made a move.
No!
He winced. Time to get his mind on the business he was there to discuss.
Observing her expression, his eyes never leaving her face, he started, “I want you to help me play the part of my brother, Max.”
“You mean as a special agent?” Compelled upright, Maya no longer looked like a woman relaxed. Now she looked infuriated. “Are you crazy? Not a chance in hell. It’s too dangerous.”
“Look, I’m a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy, special forces, black ops. I know my way around anything you guys can throw at me. I’ve handled more types of weapons than any agent has ever had the misfortune to come up against. Besides, I can take care of myself.”
“Well, at least you don’t brag.”
“It is what it is! I need to find out who hurt my brother. Before they got him, he’d stumbled on some incriminating proof against a gang called the Mosleys and their underground activities, and it goes a lot further than anyone else knows. This file would be all you’d need to haul in the works. I can get it.”
Listening, no longer relaxed, Maya asked. “First off, tell me how you know about this evidence, what it is and where?”
“No.”
Aggression instantly appearing, Maya stood, her manner assertive. “Excuse me? Do you realize that you’re withholding evidence in a possible murder investigation? I can charge you and slap your ass in jail.” She wasn’t playing games now. Nik liked seeing her assume her professional facade. She was solid, a cop with a purpose.
“We both know you won’t. Look, I’m going to play Max, whether you’re with me or not.” Knowing his next argument was total bullshit, he played it anyway. “I’ll go above your commanding officer, Ron Bitters, and probably get clearance. Turns out I have a lot of influential friends in the Navy who would put in a good word for me. But…the fewer that know about me not being Max, the safer it’ll be. So, either help me or move out of my way.”