Finn laughed and got into the truck. “She’ll fit right in back at the club.” He grinned. “Be nice to have a woman in the house for a bit.”
Finn turned the engine on and pulled out. The brake lights flashed once, twice before vanishing into the darkness as he maneuvered down the unlit road.
Dylan went back into the cabin to find Jessie setting the grilled cheese sandwiches on two plates.
“We’re not rushing out of here on an empty stomach.” She smiled and picked up her coffee cup. “Sit. Eat.”
They finished their sandwiches, and she put the plates in the sink before picking up the box of hair dye and reading the instructions.
“Figure if we do this now it should be dry by the time we leave,” she said before he could ask the obvious question. “Or it’ll dry on the way down the mountain.”
Dylan nodded. “We’ll do that and then start packing up.”
“Yeah.” She waved the bottle at him, smiling. “So what is it they say about redheads?”
…
She wouldn’t tell him she was scared.
He knew.
Dylan did the dishes while she worked in the bathroom with the hair dye, keeping her hands busy so they wouldn’t tremble. They were walking into the lion’s den, and she wasn’t sure they’d all make it back out.
The dye process was quick and simple. It was a cheap hair rinse, the bright red color washing out after a few weeks.
Dylan leaned against the doorjamb. “I’m not sure if you look better as a blonde or as a redhead.”
“Maybe we should do you, too. We can pretend we’re siblings.” She wrapped the towel around her shoulders.
“Ouch.” He shook his head. “Not interested.” He paused. “You can leave Vegas. The option is always on the table. We’ve got connections. We can even get you to Europe if need be.”
She sat on the sofa next to him and took his hand. “I can’t run from this forever. It doesn’t matter what color my hair is, what I dress like, I’ll have to come up for air somewhere. There’ll be some punk ready to sell me out for the money. Molodavi might slow down, but you know he’ll never give up on me. Going overseas would only delay the inevitable—I’ve no doubt he’s got connections over there, too, and it’d only be a matter of time before someone recognized me.” She shook her head. “No. We can’t pass up this chance to get some idea of what Molodavi’s thinking. I need to talk to Frank.”
He pressed his lips into a tight line.
Jessie saw he agreed with her, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
“Listen. The flash drive is in the neon pink pot in Molodavi’s office, the one with the fake palm tree.” She paused, letting the information sink in. “I need you to promise me no matter what happens, you’ll get the info out. Bring down Edward Molodavi.” The words tumbled out now, freed from any restriction. “It’s important to destroy him. Destroy his organization. Because he’s going to keep killing unless we don’t stop him.”
“We need to clear your name.”
“Doesn’t matter, if we don’t take him down.” She locked eyes with him. “Promise me, Dylan. Promise me you’ll wipe them from the map with the information on that flash drive, no matter what happens.”
His skin was hot, almost searing her palm. “I’ll do both. Take him down and prove your innocence.”
She paused, knowing in her heart he’d keep his promise.
“But before we leave, we have to talk,” Dylan said.
Chapter Seven
“This…” He paused, searching for the right words. “This could go bad in a variety of ways. Ways we haven’t even thought of.”
“Yeah. I know.”
He touched his chest, pressing against the black T-shirt. “Something could happen to me. To you.”
Jessie frowned. “If you’re asking me again if I want to leave, you know the answer.”
“I know.” He shook his head. “Your stubbornness is part of what I like about you.”
“Good.” She looked out the window. “I love being up here. It’s so quiet. I can understand why you and your men enjoy visiting.”
“But…” She pointed at the firing slots. “But you’re ready to fight.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “If you want peace, prepare for war.” He smiled at her expression. “Hey. I read books.”
“Only one of your many amazing skills.” She took his hand and led him to the bed. “This is the calm before the storm. After we leave here, there’s no going back.”
Dylan nodded. “Yeah. About that.” He reached out and touched her still-damp hair. “I’ve come to care for you. A lot.”
She cocked her head. “Back at you.”
“But…” He chose his words carefully. “I can’t promise you anything past today, maybe tomorrow.” He drew a finger along her cheek. “This type of work doesn’t lend itself to long-time relationships. Given the situation, I don’t know how much of this—”
He stopped as she put a finger to his lips, silencing his argument.
“You think I don’t know that? I know what you’re saying—but right now I don’t want to talk about it, or let it come between us when we’re about to go off to war.” She put her hand atop his, holding it in place against her cheek. “Dylan. What we’ve got here is good and wonderful and magical. I’d like to think it can be a lot more when this is all over, but I’m not some hysterical woman who needs a man to make my life complete.”
He blinked, taken aback by her reply.
“When this is all over and the dust settles, we’ll see where we stand. That’s all I can offer you, and I think that’s all you want right now.” She moved in and kissed him. “So shut up and get naked because I don’t intend to waste any more time talking.”
…
Dylan McCourt wasn’t a religious man. He’d done his share of praying in foxholes, and respected those who believed in a higher power. But right now he could believe in a God, especially one who could create such a beautiful, hot, sexy woman like Jessie Lyon.
He could hardly contain himself, the need almost overwhelming to feel her, taste her, and bring her to the edge of screaming.
She laughed as she pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it onto the floor atop hers. “Since we’re leaving in a few hours, I’m not worried about being tidy.”
“Good.” He pulled her in for a bruising kiss, forcing himself to slow down. He wasn’t going to waste a second of this time together, possibly their last time together.
Jessie stood in front of him. “Still way too overdressed.”
Then her hands were on his jeans, pulling them down along with his underwear, and her mouth was on him and he’d died and gone to heaven.
His hands tangled in the vibrant red hair, making a concentrated effort not to pull as she drew him into her mouth.
He rolled his head back and moaned. “God…”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure She approves.” Jessie let out something akin to a laugh and swirled her tongue around the crown of his cock, sending his self-control almost to the breaking point.
There was something different about this time, an urgency in her approach. There was a chance one or both of them wasn’t going to be able to make that next date.
But right here, right now, this was all there was.
She cupped his balls with one hand, her other gripping his ass and pulling him to kneel on the edge of the bed.
He gritted his teeth as his hips thrust back and forth almost of their own accord, seeking satisfaction. He moved one hand down to the back of her neck, pressing lightly against her skin.
He wasn’t going to last long at this rate, and he’d be damned if he broke first.
With a growl he pulled free and stood up.
Jessie looked at him, frowning.
He knelt, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her, a delicate kiss to slow them down, to draw out the experience.
She sighed as he moved around to her earlobe, tugging on the tender flesh with his teeth.<
br />
“I want you to remember this,” he whispered. “Every damned minute. I want you to have this engraved in your mind.”
Jessie drew back and smiled. “Always.” A devilish look came over her face. “Now where were we…?”
“About here.” He grabbed her and flipped her onto her stomach. Another pull and she was on her knees, bracing herself against the mattress.
He could smell her arousal, the sweet scent driving him onward. His fingers dug into her hips as he entered her slowly, feeling her tighten around him with every gentle slide, with every inch claimed as his own.
Jessie let out a long sigh and wriggled her ass.
He was having none of it.
“Stay still.” He playfully slapped her left butt cheek. “I’m driving now.”
She grumbled something into the mattress but stayed silent, her hands bunching up the sheets as he continued his slow, maddeningly slow, pace.
Jessie moaned as he rolled his hips, seating himself fully.
He withdrew almost all the way before driving forward, thrusting into her so hard she shifted against the mattress.
Her soft cry called him to do it again and he did, savoring the sensation as he drove into her, filling her so completely and perfectly he wondered how they’d survive apart. Her gasps and whimpers urged him on, his fingers digging into her hips so hard he was sure there’d be bruises later on.
He reached under her and found her inner folds, wet with desire. He slid his fingers against her, seeking out the tiny bud he’d become intimately familiar with over the past few days.
Jessie gasped and trembled against him, shaking as he continued his search.
There.
All of a sudden her orgasm hit, the tremors closing around his cock with such ferocity that he lost all control.
“Damn,” he yelled as he bucked back and forth, plunging into her with unrestrained need. A few minutes later she cried out, a low growl rising into a scream as she tightened around him again, drawing him out of himself. The emotional and physical overload shot him past the point of no return. He emptied himself with a low groan, his mind whiting out with pleasure.
With the last of his strength he flopped onto the thin mattress beside her. They lay there, Dylan trying to calm his racing heart and wondering how he’d gotten so lucky as to find a woman like Jessie.
And how he could protect her.
Jessie kissed him, the gentleness almost undoing him.
“Damn, woman,” he murmured. “You bring out the best in me. And the worst.”
She laughed and threw her arm over his chest. “Good.”
He risked a glance at the clock. “We need to get going.”
Jessie smiled. “I’ll start packing.” Her fingers tangled in his light chest hair before sliding south. “Just say the word.”
He groaned and rolled away from her. “Word.” He leaned over and slapped her bare ass. “Get dressed. We’ve got miles to go before we sleep.”
…
They took a quick shower together, putting on the fresh clothing Finn had brought up. Jessie didn’t mind the close proximity, thinking about the upcoming meeting more than the handsome man sharing the small stall with her.
For his part, he kept his hands off her, other than to help scrub her back. She didn’t complain, knowing his attention was elsewhere, as it should be.
“Is Trey going to be able to contact Frank?” she asked as she stepped out of the shower stall, careful not to get her hair wet. The temporary red dye was supposed to last a month before washing out, but she didn’t want to push her luck.
“He’s got some mad skills when it comes to bouncing lines. The trailer trace was an accident, one he’ll want to make up for.” He took in a mouthful of water before spitting it out. “He’ll make sure this meeting goes down secure and safe.”
“I know it’s a risk,” she admitted. “But I have to find out what he wants, and if he’s working for Molodavi.”
“Understood.” He ducked his head under the hot spray. “But be careful what you say to him—about everything.”
“Molodavi knows I didn’t get out on my own. Are you sure he doesn’t know about you?” She dried herself off with the plain, white cotton towel.
“Not likely. If he interrogated the men who were guarding you, he wouldn’t have gotten much more than just flashbangboomknockedout. For all he knows, we’re mercs who flew in, popped you out of the cage, and flew out after wiping out your bank account. It’d be why he hasn’t put a price on our heads—he doesn’t know who we are. Not that it matters. No one would cash it in.” He turned the water off and stepped out.
It was hard not to admire his sleek, muscled form. He reminded her of a lion, ready to pounce whenever he needed to, prepared to fight to defend what was his.
“What does the Brotherhood live on?” Jessie stepped out to the main room, the towel wrapped around her midsection.
“The club keeps us solvent. It’s actually a rather profitable business. Our reputation for not putting up with any crap makes us a popular destination both for the locals and for visitors looking for a safe place to have fun. We do accept financial donations for our assistance. But mostly we collect favors, like I told you before.”
“Favors?” She turned back and grinned. “Seriously?”
He frowned, but she saw the glimmer of a laugh in his eyes. “Seriously. Jimmy, who you’ve heard me refer to, owes us for bringing his daughter out of a cult. If we need his help he’s there.”
She hesitated for only a second before asking. “What does he do?”
“He runs an auction house in New York City. Don’t know when we’ll need to call in a favor, but it’s there whenever we want it. Maybe we’ll need something sold under the table, maybe we’ll need information on a client. Maybe just a referral.” He reached for the second towel. “Same as many others we’ve helped, the favor can take on any number of forms. It might be a car rental, a jet plane, a night in a hotel under another name.” Dylan grinned. “One client paid us with a dozen fresh eggs, and more whenever we need them. Or a barn to stay in.” He smacked his lips. “Nothing like an omelet with farm fresh eggs, especially after having my taste buds dulled by years of the powdered type while on duty.”
“And what does Lisa owe you?” She stroked his bare shoulder, inwardly wincing as her fingers trailed over a scar. “Or am I on the hook for my rescue?”
He caught her hand and brought it to his lips for a tender kiss. “Lisa’s a translator. Might need some help in the future. Now you…” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “Maybe we can put you to work in the kitchen washing dishes.”
“Jerk.” She swatted him with her damp towel.
He laughed and finished off drying as she dressed in the white blouse and jeans Finn had brought her. The underwear and socks were generic and fit well, the running shoes only a tad too big.
“Argh.” Jessie brushed her flame-red hair with one hand. “God, I hate this being so short. Remind me to dye it back to blonde when we’re done and let it grow out.” She hesitated. “What’s your preference?”
“Hey.” He reached out and pulled her close for a brief kiss. “Do whatever you want with it. It’ll be beautiful to me no matter what color it is, long or short.”
She smiled, speechless.
…
The drive back down the mountain was terrifying.
Dylan laughed at her discomfort, the way her fingers were digging into the dashboard. “I’ve got the road memorized. Don’t worry.”
“Right.” She forced herself to take slow, steady breaths as the branches whipped against the front of the truck. For all she knew, they were about to fly into a ditch or roll down the mountain itself.
Jessie stared into the darkness, trying to settle her thoughts.
For you, Dad. I’m doing this for you.
She remembered the last time she’d seen him in the nursing home, the paralysis choking him of his last few words. The doctors had prepared her for this
day, warned her there’d come a time when he’d be unable to speak, signaling his impending death.
It still hadn’t been easy.
His eyes, his eyes had locked with hers and there was nothing she could do but hold his hand and talk about anything, everything, their memories together, and of her mother.
At the end she could have sworn his hand tightened around hers as she’d promised to take Molodavi down, to destroy the man she knew had put her father in this condition. It might have only been in her imagination, but it had helped reinforce her decision to quit the force and pursue justice on her own.
Except now that search for justice was pulling others into the fire, more than she’d imagined.
And she worried about the final cost.
Not just to the Brotherhood and Lisa, but also to herself.
Dylan was a good man, a wonderful man, but she didn’t have to be a genius to realize they’d been thrown together out of necessity. Hell, she’d worked in Vegas for years without crossing his path, and if she hadn’t been stupid enough to put herself in Molodavi’s sights, she might well have never met Dylan McCourt or heard about the Brotherhood.
What they had, what they were experiencing right now, was a mixture of base attraction and a need for companionship. She had no illusions that when this was all over they’d go their separate ways because this mission was all that was holding them together.
But you like him, her inner voice scoffed. You really like him. Don’t write this off as just a fling. You know damned well there’s more to it than that.
She shifted in her seat, focusing on the darkness outside.
There well might be. But when there was no imminent danger, when there was no threat hanging over their heads, would they still want to be together? Could what they had endure once there was nothing more than their regular day-to-day existence?
Only time would tell.
Of course, they needed to survive first.
…
Dylan glanced down at the ringing cell phone lying on the seat, courtesy of Finn’s recent visit. It was odd to hear, having spent so many days in silence. He tapped the speakerphone button.
“You online, boss?” Trey’s voice boomed through the truck. “Finn figured you’d be on the road by now.”
Hard Play (Delta Force Brotherhood) Page 11