by Shady Grace
Mary stared at him, wide-eyed. “What the hell is going on?”
“I’ll explain later. We have to get out of here.” Terry lifted his head higher for a better view. Another shot cracked the air. He ducked and put his body over hers again. That shot could’ve killed him. He felt the air whip across his cheek, but he didn’t want to tell her the truth. “We need to get to the truck right now.”
They crawled back to the rental. More bullets whizzed past them, hammering at the Suburban and the surrounding bushes. Terry shoved a bewildered Mary through the driver’s side door to the passenger seat, and jumped in behind her.
He wasted no more time with talk, and put the Suburban in gear just as a jeep burst through the brush on the other side of the pond.
“Holy shit!” Mary screamed, and gripped the dashboard. “What the hell is happening?”
The jeep plunged into the pond and came straight for them. Pond water spewed over the wheels as it charged ahead full speed. Terry slammed on the gas and spun the truck around, racing back down the road with the jeep right on his ass.
“I’m going to assume that call was well planned,” Terry added, as he swerved the truck around a sharp bend.
“What?”
“That call. Did you know the person or get any other information? Because what happened was the perfect setup for an assassination in the middle of nowhere. Probably never find a body out here.”
Mary remained silent for a long while as Terry tried to lose the jeep. “Oh, God.”
The old gravel road zigzagged around trees and rock cuts, old cut-overs and swamp land. Every time Terry gained some momentum, the jeep would bump his rear end, making him fishtail along the road. He was grateful for the Suburban’s heavy weight and long wheelbase. It would take a lot to flip the big beast.
He swerved tight around a corner, narrowly escaping a large boulder on the side of the road.
Holding the wheel with one hand, he pulled out his handgun with the other. Mary’s jaw dropped when she realized what he was doing.
He aimed the gun at the back of the Suburban and shot out the back window, before firing two rounds at the windshield of the jeep. The vehicle swerved but never lost momentum.
“Don’t forget that hill up ahead,” Mary shouted.
But it was too late. The truck barreled over the hill sending them airborne.
Mary held on for dear life as Terry did his best to control the vehicle as they bounced and fishtailed, breaking through overgrowth crowding the road.
“I could use some help, Mary.”
“What am I supposed to do?” she shrieked.
“Shoot him.”
They swerved around another bend as the jeep touched the back bumper. Terry righted the Suburban and barreled down a short stretch of fairly smooth road. He glanced at Mary, his expression calm as could be. “Do you want to die?”
She stared at him and blinked, her face pale, before she struggled to grab her rifle and aimed it to the back window. He couldn’t have been more proud of her in that moment when she fired round after round at the jeep. She bounced in her seat, but every shot hit the driver’s side of the windshield.
On the next plateau, Terry saw the Athabasca River winding around the rocky hill, and an idea sprung to mind. At the last possible second, Terry feigned left but took a sharp right, smashing into the rear of the jeep as it tried to pass. The jeep swerved and sailed into the air right over the cliff.
“Oh my God!” Mary screamed in hysteria and covered her eyes. “We’re gonna fuckin’ die!”
“No, we’re not.” He slammed on the brakes and skidded to the edge of the cliff. He slammed it in park and left the engine running before he looked at her seriously. “Stay here.”
Mary opened her eyes wide and gripped the dashboard again. “No! Don’t you dare leave me here by myself, you bastard.”
Terry shook his head and couldn’t help his chuckle. “You have a rifle in your hands and you shot a beaver over a hundred yards away. I saw a dime-sized piece of its head as it swam in the opposite direction, and you shot right on the mark, woman. You’ll be fine right here.” He gave her a saucy wink. “I trust you have my back like a good sniper.”
She visibly shook, but she held her rifle like a pro. “Why the hell did I agree to let you stay with me? Why the fuck does bad shit always happen with you?”
He chuckled again. Situations like this were a walk in the park for him, but not for Mary. His grin faded at the thought. He shouldn’t have come here and put her through this. She had been tossed into his dangerous world—just like that.
He needed to see her, and now Mary could be in grave danger. He couldn’t walk away from this thing that had started between them a few months ago, but he had to make sure nothing happened to her. A few months of her face torturing his mind drove him up the wall, and now this.
With Mary sitting shotgun, Terry got out of the Suburban and made his way toward the cliff’s edge. About twenty feet below, the jeep lay in a tangled mess against a huge boulder on a lower plateau. Smoke billowed from the crumpled front end.
He found a spot to crawl down the rocks and cautiously made his way toward the jeep, his Beretta cocked and ready.
The door creaked open and the driver stumbled out. Blood covered the side of his face and neck. Terry immediately lifted his weapon when he recognized the man’s face. He was a hired assassin, and a good one at that. His father had hired him in the past when Sammy was away on another mission.
This officially ruined his vacation. Without another thought he popped two bullets into his chest.
The gun slipped from the driver’s hand as his body slumped to the ground. Terry kicked the man’s gun away then checked his pulse. Once he was sure the guy was dead, he grabbed his wallet and cell phone before checking the vehicle for other personal items, making sure not to leave any fingerprints.
As he made his way back to the Suburban, he wondered who was behind this. He found no clues in the jeep to answer that question. First he was poisoned and then a shooter came after him, knowing exactly where he would be. He shook his head as he walked back to the ledge. He couldn’t even have a goddamned vacation without something happening.
He got into the truck and slid the Beretta back into his pants. “I don’t think it’s safe for us to return to your place tonight.”
“Why?”
“Whoever sent that man knows I’m here, and they know I’m with you.” He put the truck in gear and continued down the road. “We’ll stay at a hotel tonight then check your house tomorrow, just to be safe.”
Mary looked out her side window and said nothing, but he knew she must hate him right now.
Once again this was all his fault. He couldn’t stop thinking about the poison, and now this. Mary was in danger because he couldn’t stay away from her.
Terry knew for certain somebody he trusted wanted him dead.
Chapter 7
“I think I need oxygen,” Mary choked.
She wanted to scream and cry and punch him, but she didn’t think it would do her any good. Maybe he would hit her back. Maybe he would be like Tom.
Fear and doubt was a terrible combination.
Her mind raced with questions and accusations, from Mary allowing him to stay here and of why he really wanted to be here. Considering all the terrible shit that always seemed to happen around him, she should’ve known his little vacay would end abruptly and violently.
They checked into a small motel on the main street right at the end of town. The room was small and badly decorated, but clean. Mary didn’t care what the place looked like as long as they each had a bed. She slammed the door and stood there, fuming and shaking as Terry checked the window locks and shut the curtains.
Suddenly he was standing behind her now, massaging her shoulders while she tried to breathe. “You’ll be fine. Just slow your breathing and concentrate. In and out, in and out.”
Her chest heaved and her entire body trembled. He probably found
her hysteria hilarious. Did he not realize how crazy this was? Not everybody gets chased and shot at when they go to work.
“I don’t know how you do it. How can you possibly function knowing people are trying to kill you? How do you get through the day?”
He gently spun her around. “Shh, it’ll be okay.” Apparently the fear in her eyes turned him on. He leaned down and captured her trembling lips. Her squeal of surprise was lost in his mouth as he darted his tongue inside and tasted her.
Her breathing slowed, but her heart still hammered.
He pulled back. “Want me to show you how to get through the day?”
Mary opened her eyes and released a shuddering sigh. “Maybe.”
He smiled. “Maybe yes or maybe no?”
She exhaled a shaky breath. “Maybe—no.”
He kissed her again, and her toes curled as he trailed a hand down and gently palmed her breast.
“I think danger excites you, Mary. You’re shaking, but you’re hot.”
She exhaled. “No.”
Mary stared at him in complete fear and anger. Flashbacks from the first time she’d met him tormented her mind. But something else lingered there as well: excitement. Good God it felt good to shoot at that jeep. But maybe now she was a criminal like Terry.
She pulled away from him, wide-eyed and shaken. “Should we call the police?”
Terry didn’t even look at her. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Why?”
He pulled his handgun from the back of his pants and checked the clip before tucking it into the back of his pants. “Do you really think that’s a smart idea, considering I put two bullets in his chest?”
“You did?” Her face paled. She hadn’t seen that part. “Well, it was self-defense! I shot at him too.” She paced the room. “Do you expect me to sit here and wait now? This is ridiculous. Maybe we should call Gabe or your father or something. I can’t sit here like this.”
“Mary, stop.” His voice was low and commanding, but not harsh.
She paused and turned to face him. Tears filled her eyes and she took a deep, shuddering breath. “W-what?”
“Do you want me to leave?”
Bang. Bang. Bang.
She gasped and quickly covered her mouth.
Terry put his hand up for her to remain quiet, and in a flash, he had his gun out and ready again. He motioned for her to stay behind as he crept in stealth mode to the door.
Mary stayed close, not wanting to be anywhere else but directly behind him anyway. She grabbed the back of his shirt in a white-knuckled grip and whispered fiercely, “Is that another shooter?”
Terry glanced over his shoulder and chuckled under his breath. “If it is, it was polite of him to knock.” He checked the peephole and shook his head.
Mary glared at his back. “This isn’t funny.”
He slipped the gun back into his pants and answered the door. Mary pressed her back against the wall, terrified he’d lost his mind and was about to get shot, right there in the doorway to room twenty-three.
“Here’s your extra pillows, sir. Have a wonderful night.”
“Thank you.”
Terry closed and locked the door, tossed the pillows onto one of the beds, before he turned around and faced her. “We survived housekeeping.”
Mary glared at him. She wanted to slap that shit-eating grin right off his face. “This isn’t the time for jokes, Mister McCoy. There could’ve been a gun or a bomb tucked in between them. She could’ve stabbed you for all we know.”
“True. Now,” he stepped closer, closing the gap between them, “you didn’t answer my question before we were interrupted.”
“What question?”
He stared down at her, eyes dark and sensual, mouth mere inches away. “Do you want me to leave?”
Mary lifted her chin in defiance. “Yes.” But her chin quivered. They were already thrust into this—together. And if he left, then what? She’d be right back at square one. Alone. “No.” She whirled around, her back facing him as sudden and unwanted tears filled her eyes. “Well, so much for pitching your tent in my yard and having a vacation. Someone will kill you for sure!”
Terry grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, the hint of a smile on his lips. “You’re worried about me.”
Mary folded her arms over her chest, not wanting him to hold her. “No, I’m not.”
He rubbed a tear that had escaped, and traced the pad of his thumb over her cheek to her jaw. The touch was soft, gentle, and it took her breath away. He tilted her chin up, his eyes exploring hers. “Yes, you are. I see it in your face, the way you’re standing there like a stiff pole trying to ignore this thing between us.”
Mary’s chest grew tight. There was something wrong with the air, or maybe this infuriating man knew how to push her buttons.
“I’m going to kiss you, Mary. But maybe I won’t stop this time.”
She stepped back, nervous and terrified by this crazy situation, yet turned on by his boldness. Her back touched the wall. She was trapped. Trapped between drywall and hard flesh. “I don’t think this is the right time to be kissing me when somebody just tried to kill us, Terry.”
The heat was unbearable. He seemed taller now, coming at her like a cat on the prowl, and she was a little bird with a broken wing.
“Nobody’s trying to kill you. It’s me they want.”
It was a mistake to rip her gaze away from his and look down.
A hot blush stole her cheeks seeing the impressive bulge pushing out his jeans. Pitching a tent was the least of her worries. Neither was his reference to her being a stiff pole.
Before she could argue, before she could make a smart decision, Terry was against her, that hard piece of male danger nudging her belly like a promise and a threat. He set his palms on either side of her head against the wall and leaned closer, his lips almost touching hers, all she had to do was pucker up and she’d get her wish. Everything made her head swirl.
“Does danger turn you on, Mary?”
She swallowed. “No.”
His head lowered more, and before his lips touched hers, he whispered, “Liar.”
Mary wasn’t sure if she was floating or if he held her up. She felt weightless as his mouth fused hers in a blazing kiss. Maybe it was the danger. Maybe it was the way he gently forced her to give in. Either way her hands were around his neck now, and she wantonly pressed her body against him.
She tingled, burned, yearned for him to be closer, even when her mind screamed to get away.
A hot flush pooled low in her belly, as wicked thoughts of what could happen swirled in her head.
She twirled her fingers in his soft hair while he ground his cock against her, teasing her to madness. Her jeans were soaked. She wanted him to take her, make her feel like he needed her, had to have her.
They both moaned.
His big hand trailed up her ribcage and cupped her breast forcefully, making her ache for more. He pinched her taut nipple through her shirt and bra, and twisted it tight in his fingers. The pain gave her pleasure, made her want more—and then his hand skimmed down to her waist and lower.
She’d never felt such raw passion like this with Tom. It was almost surreal, hot, and torturous.
She let him tear open the button of her jeans, rip down the zipper, and slip his hand inside. He moaned when he discovered she wore no panties.
His finger slipped between her wet lips and—
Terry tore himself away and cursed.
Confused and panting, Mary stared at him in disbelief. “What—what’s wrong?”
He shook his head, clearly oblivious to her disappointment quickly boiling into anger. “We can’t do this. I have to go back to the scene and burn that jeep.”
Mary quickly fixed her pants, still terribly aware of what just happened between them, and the hot wetness between her thighs became a terrible distraction. “I can’t believe this. It’s like I’m in a relationship with the mob!”
&nbs
p; “Not really. We don’t have mob connections, not directly anyway.”
She threw her hands up in the air. “Whatever! You know what I mean.”
The hotel room was in darkness except for the tiny glow of the bedside lamp. They were alone in a fucking hotel room. Somebody tried to kill them. More people could be on their way. She almost gave herself to him like a common tramp.
And she wanted it.
Mary sat on the edge of the bed and watched Terry like a hawk, angry with him, disappointed with her herself, and terribly unsatisfied. “You better explain to me what’s going on, or you can go back home and wait for more trouble by yourself then. This whole situation is so fucked up, I can’t get my head around it. Why is somebody trying to kill you?”
That was the first time she’d ever said what really weighed on her mind. First time she ever showed her anger to a man. She looked down at her knees, wondering if she had it in her to be strong, to tell him to leave her in peace. But she didn’t really want him to leave, not now. Not after knowing the passion that snapped like fireworks between them. Maybe she was wrong thinking they could have something fun if people were trying to kill him. Being in constant fear was no way to live, she knew it now, and couldn’t go back to that terror again.
She put her face in her hands and tried not to freak out. Before she met Tom she had a good grip on life. She took care of herself. Didn’t let anyone walk all over her. When Tom started hitting her, it was as if the tough part of her shrank away. He’d taken away a piece of her.
Tears filled her eyes and she sobbed. “I won’t let you hurt me like Tom did.”
Immediately, Terry came to her and took a seat beside her. The old bed creaked in protest. He put his arm over her shoulder and he kissed the side of her forehead. She stiffened, unsure of herself, of him, but he didn’t let her pull away.
“I’ll never hurt you. And if anyone touches you I’ll kill them.”
She swallowed, not quite sure if that was the answer she wanted to hear.