by Raven Scott
“How does it feel to have this whole thing finally come to an end?” he asked, after taking a long sip from his bottle.
“Surreal is probably the best word,” she replied with a sigh and drank down some of the cold draft. “I didn’t imagine it would go down like this, at all.”
“No, I don’t imagine you did,” Evan agreed. “Sam’s not one for the subtle approach, that’s for sure.”
She smiled, looking over at the man he’d referenced, appreciating how relaxed Sam looked standing between Renee and Raymond, patiently tolerating their teasing.
“I am thrilled that we got Anthony Fleming, but he didn’t exactly admit to bribing Jason Holt, right?” she said. “Which means we still don’t know for sure that he’s the one threatening my father.”
“Sure, it would have been fantastic to hear Fleming admit his involvement, but it’s hardly surprising that he didn’t, Mikayla,” Evan told her. “From what we heard, there is no doubt he knew about Holt. So if he’s responsible, it will come out soon enough.”
“That’s the thing. What if he isn’t?”
The words hung between them, dampening the celebratory mood a little.
“Perhaps it’s time that we talk to your father, together?” he suggested.
“I can’t. Not if there is any chance it wasn’t Fleming. It would completely send him over the edge, and I’m not sure he’s that far away from it now,” she whispered.
“Well, time will tell, right?” said Evan. “The news about Fleming will be in the media soon enough. Let’s see how he responds.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Kaylee agreed, trying to pull herself out of the pessimistic mindset. “I’m making plans to return home later this week. I want to be there with him when it comes out.”
“What about Antonoli Properties? What are you going to do with it?”
“Continue to run it for now. I have to finish the two projects under way,” she insisted. “I’ll just have to do it a little more remotely. Maybe hire a couple more people to work on site.”
Evan nodded, swallowing back a mouthful of beer.
“Well, for what it’s worth, you did good.” He bumped her shoulder with his. “Crazy, but good.”
“Gee, thanks. Now you sound like Sam,” she mumbled, but pleased by his statement.
“The Scotsman sometimes gets things right.” They both looked over at Sam, who rubbed at a spot on his chest and winced noticeably. “And don’t worry about any injury from the gunshot. There’ll be bruising and tenderness for a few days, but he was wearing a vest so there’s no real damage.”
Kaylee could only blink at his words, processing what they meant. Sam had been shot? During the operation at the Ross construction site? She was about to ask for more details, but Evan bumped her shoulder again and stood up, ready to pack it up for the night. She stayed silent, deep in thought, while everyone worked together to clean up the dishes and leftovers. Then David and the Fortis team left just before midnight.
Renee went to the front door and called Niko for his last walk, like she’d done before the stakeouts.
The terrier ran to her, but Sam took the leash out of her hands. “I’ll take him out. I could do with some fresh air.”
“Suit yourself,” she replied with a shrug. “I’ll stay with Kaylee until you get back.”
“Good.”
Sam and Niko watched her head to the hall bathroom, then heard the door close. Kaylee and Sam looked at each other, then away and back again.
“I won’t be long,” he said.
“Okay,” Kaylee replied softly as he walked out of the apartment and closed the door behind him.
She stood there for about five minutes, not sure what that exchange had meant or what she should do. Did he want her to wait here for him? Why? Or was he just being polite? She paced a little in front of the door. Feeling foolish, she then went into the living room, thinking she could pretend to watch television. But it was after midnight, and that would just look contrived. Kaylee walked back to the front door again. A minute later, she sighed and went to her room. Sam Mackenzie knew where she was if he wanted to see her.
After wasting some time straightening up a few things, Kaylee finally changed into loose pajamas, then washed up in the bathroom. About thirty minutes later, she was lying in bed with a reading light still on, feeling a crushing weight of disappointment. It wasn’t that she had any specific expectation from Sam. It had been a long, eventful day following several other long days, so it was not surprising that he’d want to get some sleep. But Kaylee had expected . . . something.
Finally, fighting tears, she turned off the light and lay back. Kaylee had just closed her eyes when there was a soft knock at her door. She sat up, uncertain if it was her imagination, then jumped out of the bed to check, just in case. It was quiet as she padded across the large room softly in the dark and opened the door. Sam stood there, silhouetted by the soft light filtering from down the hall, and filling the opening with his size.
Kaylee stood in front of him, unable to see his face, but feeling his eyes on her, hot and intense. For a few moments, she didn’t know what to do or to say. Finally, she stepped backward, and he followed. She did so again; so did Sam. Then he closed the door softly behind him. They stood there in the dark, only about a foot apart, still and just breathing. The tension mounted until Kaylee thought she would scream from it. It felt like so long since she had touched him, felt his hands on her, that she was afraid to make the first move. If he rejected her again, she wouldn’t know how to recover.
She must have swayed forward, pulled by her need for him. Sam inhaled a breath and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her up against his hard frame. He didn’t kiss her right away. Instead, he held her tight, stroking her back with long caresses. Kaylee raised up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. His chest was bare, and she could press her cheek against the silky, warm flesh. He smelled so good, like soap and raw masculinity.
Sam gripped her hips and lifted her off the floor, walking toward her bed to lay her back on it and follow her down onto the surface. Their bodies were fused again, and he completely surrounded her with his substantial size. She ran her hands slowly down his neck and along the top of his shoulders, loving the feel of warm flesh over rock-solid muscle. Her fingers trailed down his arms, gripping the biceps, biting her lips as they bulged against her touch. He was so deliciously strong. Kaylee pressed her lips on the top of his cheek, then scraped the skin with her teeth. Sam shuddered against her. She licked the spot and he sighed loudly. In the darkness, every touch, taste, and smell seemed sweeter and more intense.
Sam pressed his hips gently against hers, and she spread her legs for him, wrapping them around his waist so his male contours could nestle boldly against her core. He flexed against her, repeatedly rubbing against her sweet spot through two layers of clothing. She was soon wet with arousal and shuddering with need. But still he only held her close, controlling their pace and limiting their movements. His thick, rigid erection pressed hot and heavy against her belly.
His slow, sensual movements soon became torturous, creating an urgent need for more of him. Kaylee gradually started to suck on his skin harder, gripping his shoulders tighter, grinding her hips against his faster. But Sam wouldn’t change his pace. He just held her close and continued that muted rub at her through their clothes until she wanted to hit him.
“Please,” she finally panted, digging her nails into the skin on his back. “Sam, please.”
“What?” he asked in a low growl as his body went still.
She squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lips, trying to hold back the words out of spite. But she couldn’t. She was too hot, too needy, for pride.
“I need you,” she finally gasped. “I need you.”
Sam loosened his grip to rise up on his knees. They worked together to remove her pajamas by feel until she was finally naked. She felt him move off, and then back to the bed as he removed his pants. There was t
he tearing sound of a condom packet. Then Sam was back on his knees in front of her, only visible through shadows. He gripped her legs under the knees and gently lifted them up off the bed until they were straight in the air and draped them over his shoulders. Her bum was lifted off the bed. Sam took her hips and pulled her toward him, filling her with one long, strong stroke. Lightbulbs went off behind her eyes from the intensity of the contact. He held her firm and stroked smooth, hitting that magic button within her.
Kaylee was soon a panting, moaning mess. Every thick penetration was so insanely good, she cried out over and over again, completely lost in his control. The orgasm built fast, pulled her high, and just when she struggled to crest, Sam stilled within her. The pause lasted a few seconds with his hard cock still buried deep. Kaylee flopped back on the bed, struggling to catch her breath while his sweat dripped onto her stomach. Jesus, she was going to die from wanting him.
Slowly, Sam caressed his hands over her legs, then gripped her thighs, lowered them to his side so she could wrap them around his waist, with all the time in the world. Kaylee could barely breathe in anticipation of what would come next. He finally lifted her into the air and tightly into his arms until their naked torsos completely meshed. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, tucked his face into the curve of her neck. Then he started thrusting into her again, faster, surer. Kaylee wrapped her arms around his neck and held on. Their bodies became slick with sweat as he gave her all she wanted and more.
Sam came first, silently with his body clenched from the force. Yet he continued to stroke and stroke until she gripped his hair and moaned deep in a long, shuddering orgasm. He held her in that position for some time, allowing their bodies to relax and cool. Then Sam laid her back on the bed, covering her with the sheets. She listened as he went into the bathroom and came back to pull her into his arms.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had been shot today?” she asked in a quiet and tight voice, stroking gently over his chest, near his heart. “You could have been killed.”
He covered her hand with his.
“I’m fine. It’s nothing,” he sleepily replied. “That’s why we wear vests.”
She closed her eyes, fighting back tears and sharp feelings of guilt and doubt while Sam’s breathing became slow and deep with sleep. It wasn’t until she woke up in the morning alone that she thought about how few words they had exchanged.
The Fortis team was already at work when Kaylee joined them at the dining table. It was only eight-thirty. Sam was sharing an update from the local and federal arrests the night before. He then gave instructions on the wrap-up of the mission, including the follow-ups needed with the various police departments. Anthony Fleming was out on bail, but officially charged with a laundry list of crimes, including the murder of Jason Holt. The news media hadn’t picked up the story yet, but it was only a matter of time.
Kaylee was only half listening to his words as she watched him talk. Her thoughts were still on last night, what it had meant and where they could go from there. Her heart still raced at the thought of Sam, shot while on a mission she had set up. She looked around at them, all putting their lives on the line for her and her family, and she could not be more grateful for their help.
And now that it was over, it was time to make decisions about things in New York so she could spend some time in McLean with her family as soon as possible. Annie and Paul could definitely hold down the fort for a few days, but eventually a long-term solution would be needed. She was about to call Annie to have an impromptu meeting when her phone buzzed with a new email. From her personal account. Kaylee opened the message from Mark McMann and read his response to her note from over four days ago. He had been traveling and was back in town, happy to meet to discuss opportunities for her.
She looked over at Sam, and wondered if he would still support the plan. Battleford was dead and Fleming had been arrested. Wasn’t that enough? Kaylee walked out of the great room and into the hallway, calling Junior as she went. They had only spoken briefly over the last couple of days.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey.”
“Are you still mad at me?”
“Annoyed, yes, but I don’t want to strangle you anymore,” he replied.
“Well, that’s something, I guess. I have news,” she offered, then filled him in on the main points of what had happened over the last few days.
“Have you spoken to Dad yet?” Junior asked at the end of it.
“No,” Kaylee admitted. “Have you?”
“Yeah, on Sunday. He was the same. I told him I had seen you while I was in New York, but he didn’t say anything or ask any questions.”
She closed her eyes. What if it was too late for him? What if he’d fallen too far to bounce back?
“What about Mom?” she asked. “I’m going to call her today and see if she’ll come home this weekend. We can have a barbecue at the house or something.”
“Yeah, maybe,” her brother said. “Look, Mikayla, it’s really good that you’ve taken down Groveland for their corruption, but it might not have any impact on Dad.”
She was silent, knowing what he was going to say.
“His behavior may have nothing to do with bribes and threats. He might have just gone through some mid-life crisis and never come out of it. It happens all the time.”
Kaylee let out a deep breath. “I know, Junior. You’re right, but I still had to try.”
“Okay. Well, tell me what Mom says, and I’ll plan to be around this weekend.”
“Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.”
She tapped her phone against her chin, deep in thought, until Sam approached her.
“Is everything okay?” he asked. His rich Scottish burr sounded softer, more soothing.
Kaylee took a deep breath and went for it. “Mark McMann agreed to see me, and I still want to go ahead with the meeting.”
CHAPTER 22
Sam looked down into Kaylee’s beguiling eyes. They sparkled with anticipation but still had smudges of sadness underneath. He fought the urge to pull her up against him and agree to anything she wanted. That was the hold she had on him, and he was finding it harder and harder to resist.
“Let’s do it,” he told her, and she blinked in surprise.
“I don’t know, Sam,” she said immediately. “Maybe it’s time to just let the police handle it from here. What if someone gets seriously hurt next time? I just can’t be responsible for that.”
“Kaylee, that is what I do, what my team does.”
She looked away, clearly still unconvinced.
“Look, your objective was to identify who was exerting influence on your father, right?” Sam continued, and she nodded. “Fleming might be our guy, but we can’t confirm it yet. So let’s continue to look until we know for certain.”
Kaylee looked away but not before he saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes. Damn it, she was twisting him up inside.
“You know I’m right, Kaylee. You’ve come so far to find the truth, and now we can help you finish it.”
“Okay,” she finally replied with a soft, hesitant smile. “Just promise me that you guys won’t take any unnecessary risks, okay? It’s bad enough that Junior thinks all this is just wishful thinking. That Dad may have just gone through a mid-life crisis that we can’t do anything about.”
“Kaylee, I don’t know your father very well. I’ve only met him once. But if you and Evan believe there is even a remote chance that he needs help, then we will do what we can to help,” he told her firmly. “I will not let you do anything on your own anymore. You have Fortis working for you now, and we always deliver, with the right plan and resources.”
Sam’s biggest fear was that she would go off on her own again, acting on some crazy idea. The thought of all the trouble she had put herself in, with the best of intentions, still gave him a headache.
“Thank you, Sam. That’s more than I had hoped for.”
He nodded and crossed his arms. “So, when is
McMann available for a meeting?” he asked.
“I’m going to suggest later this week. Maybe Thursday?”
“That could work. Evan and the others are heading back tonight.”
“What about you?”
He knew what she was asking, but Sam didn’t know how to answer. His plan was to return to Alexandria tomorrow, maybe Thursday, depending on Kaylee’s activities and how secure he felt things were in her day-to-day life. But what he wanted was to be where she was, at least for a little while longer, until he figured out what was going on in his heart. Other parts of his body were very obvious about their needs.
“I have some flexibility this week. If you’re going to meet McMann on Thursday, let’s fly in tomorrow,” he suggested.
“Okay, I can make that happen.”
“Do you have somewhere to stay?”
“Oh,” she muttered. “Good point. I’ve been traveling as Kaylee Stone for the last year so I’ve always stayed in a hotel just in case.”
“Will you stay with your parents this time?” Sam asked.
“No, I’m sure my dad’s not ready for that yet. I’ll just book a hotel again.”
“Stay with me.” Sam hadn’t been planning to make the suggestion; the words just slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them. “It’s only for a night or two, right? And it will make it easier for us to coordinate the meet with McMann.”
She opened her mouth, but didn’t reply for a few seconds. They ticked by really loudly.
“That’s really nice of you to offer, but it’s not necessary—”
“Kaylee, it’s no big deal. It’s just for convenience. And pack your running shoes.”
She looked away for a moment, then back at him, now with a pleasant smile on her face.
“Okay, thanks.”
“With that settled, I’m sure you have a lot to get done before tomorrow. So I’ll leave you to it.” He walked away, feeling like an idiot.
As planned, Evan, Renee, and Raymond flew home Tuesday evening. He and Kaylee had a late dinner in awkward silence, and then she went to her room to pack for their flight the next day. At about eleven o’clock, Niko ran across the room and sat near the front hall, ready for his walk. Sam considered taking him out now, leaving Kaylee here to continue packing. The surveillance system in the apartment was still up and running; the threats against her had effectively been neutralized. But Sam faced an irrational concern about leaving her alone.