by Cyndi Raye
“I’m sorry, yes. You’re right. I need to go upstairs for your gun. This is crazy, we’re running around out here unprotected. It’s in the closet, right?” She walked towards the steps as one of the officers followed, her nerves rattled. Maggie knew her own body and the tremors she felt rise up and down her skin had her gasping in deep breaths.
“I’ll go with you Ma’am,” he told her. “I’ll have to see the package he dropped off and make sure the kid isn’t lying.” The other officer, who secured the teenager in the back of the cruiser, hustled down to Jake, where the other boat bobbed in the water alongside of Jake’s.
He was so close to the boat when it’s engine started up and the occupants revved the motor as it began to tread water. “Hey! Stop!” She heard Jake roar out loud.
Someone laughed. A sinister, hateful laugh that made Maggie’s skin crawl. She turned around and ran back down the steps to warn Jake. She recognized the laugh and shouted. “Oh no, Jake! It’s Jerry! I know that voice anywhere!”
“Yeah, it’s Jerry. How about a present for sending me to jail!”
Maggie reached Jake and he pulled her in to his arms. “Maggie, I told you to stay back,” he groaned then his eyes widened. “Get down Maggie! Right! Now!”
He slid down beside her and covered her with his own body. Two officers also ducked down when they realized what Jerry had in his hand. The four of them lay face down on their bellies on the dock when an explosion went off in Jake’s house. All of a sudden the upstairs kitchen burst in to a ball of orange and blue flames that took out the whole side of the house.
Maggie curled underneath Jake, who tried to protect her with his own body. She felt the tremor of the earth as the explosion rumbled through the air and could smell the smoke. Her head shot up as she watched the flames destroy their home.
“Sonofabitch!” Jake’s heart raced against her back, Maggie could feel it. He stood up and held out his hand to pull her from the ground. “Are you okay?” he asked, his gentle voice now rough with anger.
She shook her head and fell back in his arms. “Oh Jake, it’s all gone. Our home is destroyed!” When she lifted her head, her eyes took in the flames as they flickered and roared to life, over the roof of the house. “My computer, my work.”
Jake set her aside and told the officer to keep her back. He ran towards the bungalow, his steps stretching across the sand and grass. She watched in horror as he went through the door. Smoke began to seep out from her office. She tried to go after him but the officer took her arm and held on to her.
“No Ma’am, he isn’t in danger yet. Give him a minute.”
Maggie shook her head back and forth. “No, there’s too much smoke. Jake!” she called out and then relief flooded through her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes when he came through the smoke filled doorway. She closed her eyes in relief. When she opened them, Jake stood in front of her. “Please don’t ever do that again.”
When she looked at his outstretched hands, he handed her laptop to her. “I couldn’t let those bastards destroy what you began to create. Everything else can be replaced. Thank God Jax is at Abby’s place.”
A bolt of terror went through Maggie. “Jax isn’t at Abby’s,” she whispered. “When we left tonight, I left him in his cage. He thinks he’s in a cave and I closed the door. Jake, oh Jake, he’s still in the bungalow in the bedroom. Why didn’t he bark!”
She broke free and began to run to the bungalow. The smoke poured out but Maggie didn’t care. She had to get Jax out, she was the one who put him in his cage. How could she forget! The upstairs flames were thicker and brighter than before but below there was smoke.
Maggie took her headband off and wrapped it around her nose and mouth as she entered the bungalow’s open door. It was dark and dangerous inside as smoke billowed all around, but Maggie knew her way without being able to see a thing. She worked her way to the bedroom door and pushed it open.
“Jax, where are you?” Her hands felt around until she found the large cage. Her fingers fumbled but she couldn’t open the cage until she noticed something jammed into the lock. “What?” she cried out then a pair of large hands picked up the cage.
“Maggie, grab me,” Jake ordered. Maggie held on to his belt loop as the rush of pure air rent through her nostrils. She gagged and coughed.
“We’ll take it from here,” a fire chief told them. “You both need to get away from the scene.” The sirens of incoming fire trucks and men rushing through their back yard filled the area. Water from a hose began to douse the inferno. Like a well oiled machine, the fire fighters laid out a plan to put out the fire.
Maggie felt Jake’s strong arms around her. She tried hard to push fresh air in her lungs. “Why hasn’t Jax moved?” she cried out and fell to her knees at the cage. She fumbled with the lock and realized someone jammed a piece of steel across so even the dog couldn’t get out. Maggie was not strong enough to free the dog but Jake knelt down and yanked it away. He opened the door and reached in to Jax, who was unconscious.
“Oh Jax, wake up!” Maggie pleaded. “We need to get him help.”
“Get on the boat Maggie, we’ll take him to Jon.” Jake gathered Jax close and stood up with the dog in his arms. His solemn look scared Maggie. Jake was furious. Jake stalked to the boat and when Maggie sat down, he placed Jax on her lap. He pulled a solar blanket from one of the cabinets and placed it over their pup, then knelt down. “Everything will be okay, Maggie. Keep it together baby.”
She shivered. Their night of fun on the town turned in to a night of horror. As the boat pulled away from the docks, Maggie looked back to see their home engulfed in flames as firemen worked around the property. She tried to hold it together. It was a house, that’s all. It was where Jake and her met so long ago.
She didn’t realize tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed out loud.
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Maggie’s heart wrenching sobs went right to his core. Jake didn’t look back like she did. He reached out and placed a hand on her cheek. “It’s a house, made of wood and materials that we can rebuild.” He brushed a tear away.
She sniffed. “It’s our home, where we met, made love, fought. I feel so violated, like our lives have been raped by a sinister force.”
He nodded. “At least we know who the sinister force is.”
“I drove all those miles in the Impala with his voice in my head and ear. He was up close and personal in my face, Jake. I have no doubts it was Jerry.”
“I agree. You recognize his voice better than I do but there’s no doubt in my mind. I doubt my security system will be able to capture his face. Of course, the cameras won’t do us any good, they’re simmering in soot and dust and water as we speak.”
“If you used a security company, perhaps they will have a video.”
Jake shook his head. “I had a home security system here. Didn’t think I’d need anything elaborate for my home. Guess I was wrong.”
Maggie shivered. “You have to realize Jake, you are a mogul in the business world. You’ll need to be more careful where you are concerned. Jake, you do live rather plain for a man of your wealth. I like that about you,” she said, as fresh tears began to shimmer across her lids.
“You’re right Maggie. Our next home will be different, I promise. There will be so much security, the crown jewels will be safe. You will be safe.”
Maggie smiled up at him and it wrenched his heart. She was in shock, her face covered in tears and soot from the fire. If he didn’t have to get them out of here, he’d have her in his arms. “I need to call Jon.”
The minute he got off the phone with Jon, his phone rang again. Josh wanted everyone to meet at Jon and Abby’s within the hour. “Feels like deja vu,” he told Maggie, who stared down at Jax, hair hanging down in her face. He reached out and pushed a strand behind her ear. What if she had been at the top of the stairs? A wretched sound came from deep in his throat.
“Oh Jake.” Maggie entwined her hand in his,
her soft skin enveloped in his large fingers. She brought his hand to her mouth and pressed her lips to them. “We’re going to be all right, love. Let’s not think any more.”
Jax began to stir. His mouth opened big and wide as he gave one of the loudest and longest yawns Jake ever heard. A sob escaped Maggie. “I think he’ll be okay,” she whispered. The dog’s tail began to flop back and forth in super slow motion. He tried to sit up but fell back, weak.
“Hang on fellow. We’re almost there.” Jake steered the boat around to Abby’s property, a large home along a gorgeous strip of beach. As soon as their boat docked, Abby and Jon ran down to meet them, along with Penny, Abby’s German Shepherd. Penny sniffed at Jax and sat back as she waited for him to play. “I’m sorry Penny. Not right now,” Jake told her with a pat on the head.
“Let’s get him in the house,” Jon ordered. He reached down in to the boat and lifted Jax in to his arms. Doctor mode kicked in as he ran through the yard and in to the house. Abby’s arms went around Maggie and she tried to hold Maggie up. Jake couldn’t stand to watch her struggle.
He picked her up and carried Maggie inside. She curled her body against his. “I love you Jake,” she said, her tired voice a whisper. He dipped his head and kissed her, an agonizing kiss that stirred his soul. If Maggie hadn’t turned around, she’d be gone. Dead. He shuddered against her mouth. He breathed in her scent and closed his eyes.
“I love you Maggie.”
“Jake, you need to sit down. I can’t pick you up like when we were kids.” Jon’s voice sounded far away. Jake looked over at his brother and thought he nodded. Jon was right, his knees began to feel weak and his head light. He put his love down on the sofa and sat beside her, then pulled her on to his lap. She clung on to him as if he would disappear.
Jax lay on the other couch, his weakened state again stirring anger in Jake’s heart. “Someone did something to Jax.” He watched as Jon examined him. Even though Jon was a doctor, he could still tell if there was something going on with their pet.
Jon stood up. “I’m afraid you’re right, bro. His pupils are not normal. My guess is someone put a muscle relaxer in his food. They didn’t want him to make any noise. He’s coming out of it, so don’t be surprised if he seems fatigued for a day or two. He’ll languish around and appear listless, but don’t worry, he’ll be okay. I’ll keep him here and check on him, see if I can get some vitamins from the vet.”
“You may be stuck with us too, bro. The house is toast.”
Abby brought some warm drinks from the kitchen on a tray. She handed them each a cup filled with hot cocoa and whipped cream. “There’s nothing better than some old fashioned cocoa. Drink up, it’ll help put you to sleep. I made up the bedroom by the veranda for the two of you. I think Jon will agree you can stay here as long as necessary.”
Maggie stirred in his lap. “I don’t understand why Jerk would do this to us. We were a part of the reason he went to jail, but all Jake did was punch him in the face for kidnapping me. It wasn’t like we caused it, he did this to himself.”
Jake shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. He wanted to blame someone and by the way it sounds, he’s a spoiled rich kid that gets his way. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t get burned for this crime.”
Maggie squeezed her eyes shut. “I can’t bear the thought of him out in society. We need to put his ass away for good.”
Jake grinned. He flung his head back against the cushion. Maggie never swore. “Let’s see what Josh says, he’ll be here any minute.”
“He better come up with something good. Maggie McCoy is about to go postal.” Jake chuckled and gathered her tighter in his arms.
Chapter 11
“I’m sorry,” Josh told them. “We can’t jeopardize the mission at hand.”
“This is our lives, Josh!” Maggie was fighting mad. She stood with her hands on her hips and looked up at him, his face drawn and concerned. “He burns down our house, our home and you can’t do anything about him!”
Josh seemed distant, unconcerned, as if there was something else going on that had him uptight. He kept a constant eye on his watch. “Look. The drug empire will be crushed within days. Jesse is on his way to Baltimore to finish this job. Jerry is with him now. We can’t stop the wheels. If we do, there are so many innocent kids to consider. Please, try to understand. The old man is selling drugs to children in the city schools.”
Maggie closed her eyes. She wanted to scream and yell because it wasn’t fair. Her exhaustion began to overwhelm her and Jake placed a strong arm around her shoulders. “We need to lie down, baby. It’s been a long night.” Jake began to steer Maggie down the hall. “Josh, keep us informed.”
Josh went to Maggie and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry about your house and everything that has happened. I do understand, but right now I have to get back to Key West. Sara’s brother may be in danger, along with my sister and I can’t leave her to deal with it alone. I promise Jesse Storm will take down Jerry and this ring. You won’t have to ever worry about him again.”
Even though Maggie was exhausted, she realized someone else had troubles as well. “I’m sorry, Josh. Is there anything we can do? Is Sara okay?”
He shook his head. “Sara is fine. Don’t worry, we’ll handle things there, but please lie low for now. We’ll keep eyes on you and Jake at all times and I swear Jesse has taken Jerry away from here. They should be in Baltimore within a few hours. Their plane took off about ten minutes ago.”
Jake nodded to Josh. “If Jesse doesn’t take him down, I will. He’ll never hurt my family again.”
“Jake, keep your cool,” Josh warned.
“I will as long as the promises stated here are kept. I have enough money to hire someone to take them out. You know it’s true. I won’t hesitate, not any more. He almost killed Maggie.”
Josh nodded as if he understood.
“Come on, Jake, let’s go to bed,” Maggie commanded. She wrapped her arm around his waist and they walked down the hall. Jake was tense and on edge and she didn’t blame him. She felt the same way.
Abby had the bed covers pulled back and one of her nightgowns on the pillow. Maggie looked down at her body and realized she was still painted up. “No one ever noticed these aren’t real clothes, Jake. I can’t believe the paint didn’t rub off after all we went through.” She stood and stared at the bed as if it called out to her. “I need a shower,” she whispered, her voice ragged.
Jake picked her up and carried her in his arms to the shower. He stripped off his jeans and shirt and stood with her under the water as it cascaded over their bodies. She clung to him as the water ran down her face. “Ahh, this is heaven.” Jake took soap and began to run his hands all over her skin. She wobbled, her knees were about to give out and he held her up against him as he whispered sweet words in her ear.
It wasn’t sexual at first but so soothing. As Maggie stood there and watched the colors from the paint run down the drain, she took Jake’s hand and pulled the soap from him. “Turn around,” she ordered and began to return the favor. The soap sizzled over his taut skin and she rubbed his shoulders and massaged his neck and back. Jake placed both hands against the shower wall and hung his head. “Maggie. I’m putty in your hands.”
Her hands, along with her body began to wake up. As she ran her fingers along Jake’s shoulder blades and down his back, he moaned out loud. When she ran her hands further down, he turned and crushed her to him. Soap and warm water encased their bodies, but Maggie didn’t notice. An urgency so strong took a hold of her and she took Jake’s mouth in hers and plummeted her tongue inside.
He pushed her against the wall, his mouth as desperate as hers. His hands cupped her breasts and ran down her belly and thighs. “I need you, Maggie.”
He sat down on the bench along the one side of the shower, the water teasing his skin as it dripped off a well tanned muscular chest. Maggie didn’t wait, but sat down on his lap and let him bury himself in her. He nuzzled his face in
her neck and hung on to her hips and rocked. She called out his name, over and over again and he did the same. Their urgent lovemaking was over within a few minutes but it drained them both of the pent up hell they went through.
Maggie stayed on his lap, her body spent, her arms wrapped around his strong shoulders. Her hair, drenched, hung over her face.
“Baby, we need to get up.”
“I can’t,” she murmured.
Jake laughed and hoisted her up. Her knees buckled when he let her go to turn the now cold water off. She leaned against the wall of the shower. “I don’t think I can make it to bed,” she moaned and almost fell.
He picked her up and wrapped a towel around her shoulders, then set her on the counter and began to rub the towel over her body. He lifted each arm and gave them a gentle pat. “You’re too good to me,” she told him. “I love you.”