It wasn’t like he didn't fantasize about this moment. Only, it didn't involve a first aid kit and bullet wound.
Fate was a bitch.
Having Maura sit on his bed, he knelt down in front of her to begin working on her arm. If his life couldn’t be any more tortuous, he was now eye level with her breasts.
Of course he was. He’d obviously sinned in a past life, and fate was just realizing that he needed to pay.
Great.
Maura watched the man before her and was nervous as hell.
The entire time he was working on her arm, Luke wasn’t speaking to her. She honestly hoped that he’d forgive her for the way she ended their date.
What she had wanted to do was bring him inside and roll around naked with him for hours, but her hands were tied. The best thing she could do was set him free. She’d done it for him. There was no way that he could be happy with her. After all, she’d sold her soul to the country she loved.
How could she offer him more than the scattered leftovers of her time? He deserved more.
So much more.
Yet, ironically, when in danger, who did she run to?
The one man she didn't want to get dirty in her life. Yeah, fate was ironic, cruel, and out to get her.
Maura stared down at his gentle fingers as they cleaned the wound in her arm. It wasn’t lost on her that he was purposely not looking at her face.
Yeah, there was no love lost there.
“I’m so sorry,” she blurted, unable to keep her silence any longer. “I don’t know what to say.”
It caught him off guard.
Luke glanced up into her eyes and lifted a brow. “About what exactly?”
For the life of him, he was struggling to piece together his feelings. Part of him wanted to ask her why she refused to see him after their one date, but the rest was dying to know why she was there.
How could he not be curious?
He had a shot Marine in his bedroom.
Correction.
At that moment, Luke had a half-naked, wounded soldier sitting in front of him.
“Coming here has put you in danger. Someone is trying to kill me. I may have just cost you your life.”
It wasn’t exactly what he wanted an apology for, but it was a start.
“We’ll worry about that later.”
They had bigger issues to worry about, or at least he did. The woman he was crazy about was back, and Luke didn't think he could let her go.
Again…
Chapter Two
Monday Morning
Damascus
W aking up beside her husband was one of Callista’s most favorite things to do. Every night when she went to bed, Callie thanked her lucky stars that she found Quinton Gaines. Before him, she was a lonely, miserable woman.
Now, she was happy as a clam, and she had a secret. She was expecting their next child. She was the only one who knew, and she was waiting for a more romantic moment to drop the bomb. There was nothing more titillating than catching her husband off guard with something so big. Quinton Gaines was hard to shock and surprise. As a hardened cop, he’d seen, heard, and experienced it all. Giving him a little jolt made her day.
Now, she just had to plan it right.
Rolling over, she went up on her elbow to watch Quinn rest. He was absolutely sexy as sin. Even while deep in sleep, she was enthralled.
Two years had passed since they had come together as a couple, and a lot had gone on in their lives. They had their daughter and began living the American dream-- two cars, a big house, and two careers that anyone would be proud to have.
Yet, she would give it all up and live in a cave with this man. He was everything to her.
Her protector.
Callie’s knight in shining armor.
The father of her child. No, make that children.
Honestly, she couldn’t imagine a single day without him by her side. Her husband was a treasure, and she was damn lucky to have him.
When they moved to Damascus, he’d gone back into the police force. At first, she’d been filled with trepidation. After all, his time on the streets in Atlanta had nearly gotten him killed.
That idea scared the shit out of her.
Then, Callie reminded herself that this wasn’t Atlanta. In fact, Damascus was pretty low key. Oh, there was crime, but they didn't have drive by shootings.
Thank the powers that be.
Every day, she’d meet her sexified cowboy back at the house and be infinitely grateful. Running her fingertips down his scruffy cheek, she could tell by the hitch in his breath that he was waking up.
The last week they’d had one hell of a time getting some alone time in. After all, they had a toddler, and Susie was stealthy. There was nothing worse than getting ready to roll around naked, only to find a pair of aqua eyes staring at you over the side of the bed.
It took the wind out of many a sail.
Plus, with her birthday approaching, their usually quiet house wasn’t as silent as it had once been. Callie’s mother and father were there for the upcoming party. She’d already decided that on Susie’s birthday, she’d unveil their surprise.
While she knew it bothered Quinn to have the in-laws hovering, he was being a really good sport. That was more reason to wake him up the right way.
Slipping under the covers, Callie placed her very naked body over his.
Yeah, she could tell he was wide-awake.
“Are you going to molest me?” he asked, opening his eyes. The wicked smile said it all. “Please say yes. I’ve been a very bad boy.”
“I was thinking about it,” Callie offered, leaning her mouth down to his for a kiss. While she thought it would be slow and easy, Quinn was already in the mood.
Rolling, he placed his wife beneath him. Now, he could stare down into her face. As he broke the kiss, his heart skipped in his chest. In two years, his love for Callista had grown so much. From the day she gave him a child, to every moment afterward, Quinn knew he’d never love anyone quite like this.
“You smell really good this morning, momma,” he murmured, running his lips across her neck and shoulder.
Callie loved the feel of his mouth on her flesh. When he called her ‘momma’, it made her a puddle of mush. It also made her want to spill the beans. “You feel good, Quinton,” she began, ready to tell him about their creation growing inside her body. When he nudged her with his erection, all thought was gone. The sexy man above her had her attention.
Quinn wiggled his eyebrows lecherously, as he ran his free hand through a length of black curly hair. “I love the feel of you beneath me, baby.” He nudged her again.
It made her laugh. “I love you too, big guy.”
“You’re my heart and soul, baby,” Quinn offered. “I think we may actually get to fool around this morning,” he mumbled, as her hands wandered down his chest to lower regions of his very awake body.
When she stroked him, Quinn couldn’t help but moan.
“It looks like,” she offered, teasing him further. Again, she prepared to tell him about their pregnancy.
Once more, he cut her off by taking her mouth with his. There was such hunger there, that she couldn’t contain herself. All thoughts fell away.
Quinn was ravenous. If he didn't get to taste his wife, he knew he’d go crazy. With each stroke of her warm fingers, he was driven closer to madness.
Diving in, his tongue did battle with hers.
Yeah, he needed her.
As her legs wrapped around his hips, Quinn nearly went insane. Just as he prepared to slide deep into the warmth of Callie’s body, his phone began ringing.
They both stopped.
“Christ Almighty,” he muttered, knowing he couldn’t ignore it. He was a detective and that call might mean work. “I swear someone hates me.”
Callie laughed at the desperation in his voice.
“This is why we don’t have another kid,” he muttered, reaching for his phone. “If we did, I’
d have to be a monk.”
Her stomach sunk.
Oh boy. That was really bad to hear from him. It never occurred to her that he wouldn’t want more kids.
Well, shit!
When Quinn glanced down at the number, he didn't recognize it.
That was weird.
“Detective Gaines,” he said into the phone.
“Quinn, it’s Luke. We need to talk.”
He rolled off his wife and immediately, she moved to his side.
“Luke, I swear to God, this better be an emergency. I have one hour until work, and I was just about to get lucky.”
Callie pinched him.
“And she’s feeling feisty too!”
Luke didn't want to freak the man out, but he didn't have a lot of choice. “I need you to stay calm.”
As everyone who worked in law enforcement knew, that one sentence was reason enough to freak out and cause pandemonium.
“Is Nate okay?” he asked, assuming the worst.
Callie sat up and fear filled her eyes. Immediately, she grabbed the phone from her husband and turned on the speaker. “Luke, what happened?”
“Nate is fine. I had dinner with him last night. We have another problem, and I need you to get here fast.”
Quinn didn't understand. “I can’t just call work and tell them I can’t come in,” he stated. “I need more than that from you.”
“Tell them it’s a family emergency,” Luke said. “I can’t tell you over the phone, but you need to get to my place and don’t look suspicious. Both of you need to make it appear like you’re going to work, and then make sure you’re not followed here.”
“What the hell is going on?” he asked, sitting up. “What kind of game is this, Luke?”
While the man was a prankster, he’d never pulled anything like this before. It had to be damn serious if he was calling for a covert meeting.
“Quinn, I need you,” said the familiar voice.
“Maura?” he said, incredulously.
“Yes. I’m with Luke, and I need your help. Something has happened, and I’m in really big trouble.”
It was all he had to hear. Any doubt had immediately drained away. If the woman on the phone was uttering words she’d never said to him before, something was up.
And it wasn’t going to be good.
He could tell.
This was definitely a family emergency.
* * * C a r t e r C h r o n i c l e s * * *
It wasn’t easy to stay calm. The entire time Quinn was worked up. Fortunately for them, their house had a garage. He and Callie called work before packing a couple of overnight bags. If his baby sister sounded scared, and was hiding out with Luke, something had to be going on.
Tossing their bags in the trunks, hidden from any wandering eyes, they kissed Susie goodbye. They weren’t worried, since Callista’s mother and father would babysit until they could get back.
Quinn swore if this wasn’t life or death, he was going to lose it. Already, he could feel the gray hairs popping up on his head. When you had as many siblings as he did, you couldn’t help but worry about them. Yet, Quinn had to admit, Maura was generally the one he never panicked over.
After all, she was safely at work on a Marine base, as a drill instructor. How much trouble could she get into screaming at a few men?
It was any woman’s dream job.
She got to yell and make a bunch of eager men jump through hoops. If anything, Maura was the one he wrote off as secure.
Apparently, he’d been mistaken. Just from the tone in her voice, he’d seen how wrong he had been.
Something big was happening.
If they wanted stealthy, they were going to get it.
Fortunately for Quinn and Callie, they had a few things working out in their favor. The first being they had babysitters for their daughter. If not, they wouldn’t have an option. Susie would have been taking a road trip with them.
The second thing was that they had a two-car garage, and their vehicles were currently parked there. No one would see them loading up their bags into the trunk.
At least they could be somewhat stealthy.
The entire time, Quinn was nervous as hell. While he was scared for his sister, he didn't exactly relish leaving his daughter alone with his in-laws. If someone was watching them, they could make an attempt on his child’s life.
It set him on edge.
The entire time, Callie tried desperately to calm him down. She could see by the worry crinkles at the corners of his eyes, that her husband was incredibly nervous. From his body language and the lack of conversation, she could see he was thinking.
Then, when he continually went to the front window to peer out that was her other clue.
Already, he was expecting the worst.
Trying to sooth his nerves had no effect. It was definitely a good thing that she hadn’t told him about their pregnancy. He was a man on the edge.
After kissing their child again, they each loaded up into their vehicles, just like they would every day before work.
Glancing over at his wife, Quinn pointed at her. “I’ll meet you in your parking garage,” he stated, knowing FBI West would be the safest place for them. “Don’t stop for anything, Callista. No accidents, no wayward bunnies in the street, and certainly no strangers.”
She stared at him like he was crazy. “Really, Quinton? Do I look like Snow White?”
It made him laugh. “Thank you for that.”
She rolled up her window and hit the button for the garage. Once outside, he followed, both of them backing out and closing the doors behind them.
After hitting the street, they headed toward their places of employment, Quinn taking the longer way, just to throw some confusion into the mix.
What he wanted to do was race the one hundred and twenty miles to Luke’s condo, but he knew he couldn’t. It was frustrating as hell.
As he watched Callie take the exit ramp toward FBI West, he prayed for her safety. Taking a detour, he stopped for coffee and to check out his surroundings. It didn't appear that he was being followed.
His gut wasn’t screaming.
The hairs on the back of his neck were fine.
He didn't feel off.
The people all around him were the regulars he’d seen when he’d stopped there for coffee. So far, he looked safe.
After paying for his coffee and one for his wife, he got back into his vehicle. The lightly tinted windows gave him the edge. He could see if anyone was staring at him, but no one could really view what he was doing.
Looping back around, Quinn headed the back way to FBI West. Once at the gate, he was cleared through with his permanent visitor’s ID. He hunted down his wife and found her outside one of the FBI’s vehicles.
After he parked, Quinn hoped out and kissed her. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
“You too, darlin’,” she said, looking around. “I loaded up my bag. Grab yours and let’s get on the road.”
He did what she asked. When he saw she was heading toward the driver seat, he tried to object.
“Yeah, that’s not happening. I’m already lying about why I need this vehicle,” she stated. “You’re a detective and I’m a Fed. I get to drive.”
He laughed. “You’ve been dying to tell me that for months, haven’t you?”
“Hell yes, I have been.” Callista was glad to see that some of his sense of humor was returning. Nothing stirred the big guy up like worrying about his family.
They were paramount to him.
Getting in, Quinn was glad to see that the windows were even more tinted than his. “We better get going. It’s a three-hour drive during rush hour.”
She pulled out.
“It’s going to be okay, Quinton,” Callie promised. There was nothing she wouldn’t give to offer him calm.
He glanced over at his wife before taking her hand in his. “I hope you’re right.”
Yeah, so did she.
* * * C a r t
e r C h r o n i c l e s * * *
Waiting for her to return, she never did.
It wasn’t exactly surprising. After shooting at Major Maura Gaines, she took off like a bat out of hell.
In hindsight, maybe there should have been a better plan. It was possible that sneaking into her home was a bad idea. It had taken a while to get to her house and find a way in. One couldn’t get caught right before committing murder.
Or better yet, atonement for sin.
Her escaping most definitely threw a wrench into the plan.
It made everything more difficult.
Now the focus would have to be on finding her.
Yet, while she was in the wind, there was still an opportunity to search her home for information. Maybe by looking around, there would be something else which could be used to help track her down.
Starting in the living room, it was hard to miss that it was absent of all kinds of family mementos.
That was odd.
It was like she didn't even live there.
Then again, it wasn’t surprising.
It was blatantly obvious that this woman was married to her job. There were no pictures of anyone in her life on the mantle, and the internet was blank of any search on her.
She was definitely a shadow.
As each room was inspected, nothing was found. No diaries, journals, or anything personal.
Maura Gaines obviously only stayed there. This wasn’t her home away from home.
Interesting.
That was perfectly fine. There was nothing like a challenge when it came to a mission. While nothing screamed ‘SIN’ it was most likely there.
How could it not be?
After all, look at her band of brothers.
When you surrounded yourself with sinners, you were bound to get a little tarnished in the process.
The truth would come out.
Going to the laptop, it was in sleep mode. Again, this might lead somewhere. Opening it up, the information reappeared on the screen.
Oh, here it was.
Maura Gaines was digging into things she had no business searching. That was a very bad thing.
Sinner Realized Page 4