Deadly Target [IAD Agency 3] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Roma, Laurie

  “Oh, for Christ’s sakes. Can’t you two nymphos wait until this shit is cleaned up at least?” Rock grumbled.

  Ignoring him, Gage continued to kiss Mikayla. He felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins, burning even hotter because of the residual lust dust still in his system. Pulling back while he still could he pressed his forehead to hers.

  “I love you,” Mikayla whispered. “I’m sorry you were worried.”

  “I’m going to have to keep you in my pocket so I can sleep at night. You and Junior. I swear, I’m never going to let either of you out of my sight.”

  “Jesus, he’s got it bad,” Adrian remarked. “Blah blah blah…I’m already not feeling good. Don’t make me boot.”

  “If you boot, do it on him,” Mikayla said with a laugh as she jerked her head at the unconscious Kelner a few feet away. They all turned to watch as Sin marched toward Selma Amit. The sobbing woman was slowly crawling toward the gun she’d dropped. As she reached out to grab it, Sin’s boot came down on her hand, making her cry out in pain.

  “Drop it. Let go of that fucking weapon. Do it now or I’ll fucking shoot you again just for pissing me off. I’m done fucking around.”

  “Oh, wow,” Gage whispered. “Sin sure is something…”

  They watched as the terrified woman finally gave up, curling into the fetal position to escape Sin’s wrath. Sin kicked the gun away from Selma so it skittered away. He picked her up by her good arm and dragged her over to the where Arvan Kelner lay unconscious on the street. Nick stood, gun trained on their prisoners, not taking any chances as sirens sounded in the distance.

  Sin nodded. “I’m gonna need to go check on the other teams.” He turned away, pulling out a cell phone as he went.

  “Damn it, I quit,” Trinity said as she slowly walked up with an arm wrapped around her middle as if her ribs were aching. “I swear to god, someone up there is trying to kill me. First I get beaten then stabbed. Then some mad-scientist doc shoots me up with a drug that makes me feel like I’m dying, but he says is healing me. Then I come out here with you assholes and get shot at, hit by a car and that fuckhead pulls my hair. Seriously.”

  “Really? All that and you’re going to complain about some hair pulling?” Adrian laughed.

  “Sugar, I don’t mind a bit of hair pulling, but not from an asshat that’s holding a gun on me.” Trinity winced again as everyone laughed.

  “What can I say, we know how to show a lady a good time,” Rock said with a grin. “And you always threaten to quit. Five minutes later you are smack dab in the middle of trouble again. You just can’t help yourself. You either need to be dead or unconscious in order to quit the life.”

  “Speaking of…” Trinity slowly smiled. She turned around slowly, reaching behind her to pull out the tranq gun that she had stuffed into the back of her pants. Hiding it from the men, she limped over to Mikayla and held out the tranq gun to her.

  Mikayla stared back at her then down at the gun with an incredulous look. “Seriously?”

  Trinity grinned as she handed over the weapon to a reluctant Mikayla then backed up a step. “I’m not doing it. I’m already injured enough.”

  “Shit…” Mikayla looked down at the gun in her hand and sighed. She then glanced up at Gage and slowly grinned.

  Gage frowned at her. “What is that look for?”

  “I’m about to make your dreams come true…”

  His eyebrow quirked up. “Oh, really? Does it involve you naked with chocolate sauce?”

  “Perv.” She laughed. “Trust me, this is even better. How would you like the chance to shoot Sin, Rock and Adrian?”

  Adrian’s head turned and his eyes narrowed. “What the fuck?”

  “Sorry, guys. I guess you forgot that you all got a serious dose of lust dust in there. Pretty soon you’re all going to be feeling the effects of the drug. Depending on how diluted the mixture was you may try and attack one of us or anything that moves.”

  “This is bullshit,” Rock snapped.

  “Oh? Are you going to stand there and tell us that you aren’t starting to feel the heat yet?” Mikayla shot him a look that dared him to lie to her.

  “Son of a…”

  Sin walked back over and joined them as several police vehicles pulled to a stop, lights and sirens blazing. He looked around the group then down at the gun in Gage’s hand.

  “Oh, fuck no.”

  “What did Brett say? Oh yeah. Welcome to fight club, gentlemen.” Gage grinned at the three glowering men and reached for the tranq gun.

  Epilogue

  “Are you sure? I can have a helicopter here in five minutes that will take us home if you want to leave.”

  Mikayla smiled at the older man sitting across from her as she stroked the dog’s head that rested on her lap. “Yes, Uncle. I’m sure.”

  Ethan Lincoln, commander of the allied forces and one of the founders of IAD, had flown out to the cabin in Colorado in order to see for himself that his niece was all right. Her uncle Ethan was a distinguished-looking man, with salt-and-pepper hair and a strong face. He had an aura of authority that both instilled fear and garnered respect from the men and women who served under him. His strong, broad shoulders had carried the weight of command for years, yet they had always been there for her to lean on, no matter what.

  Looking at her uncle, Mikayla realize just how much she loved him. Over the years they had both sought comfort with what was normal for them. Neither he nor she were very demonstrative with their affections. Although she knew he loved her completely, they had never been overt about it. Still, after what had happened over the last few weeks he needed to see for himself that she was happy and healthy.

  Or else.

  Since she had come to Colorado so many things had happened that it had taken a few days after the op for her to work out everything in her head. Gage had gotten his wish the day of the raid, although not as soon as he thought he would. After the team had taken Arvan Kelner and Selma Amit into custody, Sin, Adrian and Rock determined that they were strong enough to fight the effects of the lust dust until they got back to the cabin. Unfortunately for them, the extended exposure to the lust dust inside the warehouse had increased the effects of the drug. They had been covered in it when it had fallen from the sprinkler system, breathing it in, tasting it, but it had also seeped into their pores as it saturated their skin.

  It was less than fifteen minutes into the cleanup of the op when the drug seemed to hit full force in all three of the men at once. The twins had turned to her and Gage, breathing heavy with madness in their eyes when they’d ordered him to tranq them. Gage had glanced over to her, waiting for her nod before he did what they asked and shot them.

  On the other hand, Sin had been like a machine. There was seriously something not quite human about him. He had stood in the thick of the aftermath, barking out orders and making sure that everything was taken care of to his satisfaction before he’d succumbed to the effects of the drug. By the time he consented to be tranqed, sweat had covered his skin and his eyes had burned with such intensity that it almost seared anyone in his path.

  To her amusement, Gage had made sure to stay far away from Sin for the duration of his stay at the cabin. Sin, Rock and Adrian had been kept unconscious in the medical center under the cabin for three days, just to be sure they were past the worst of the phases. Trinity had also been put under so she could receive another dose of cryo-fix to help heal her wounds. Robert Ellis had monitored them carefully, although the majority of his time was still being spent on making an antidote for the lust dust.

  She was pleased that Gage had become good friends with Tara, Julian, Sal, Slade and Lucian while the others were asleep. There was an innate satisfaction having him with her while they demolished Selma Amit’s lust dust and kidnapping empire piece by piece.

  The IAD agents had been able to track down most of the members of her network, finding all but two. Selma Amit’s right-hand man, Kevin Mann, and one other had gotten awa
y with a large cache of lust dust before the raid. It seemed as though Kevin had chosen that day to defect, taking what he could and disappearing. It was unsettling knowing someone was out there with a large quantity of lust dust. IAD would also have to track down the other buyers who had previously purchased the drug, but that would have to come later.

  Tara, Julian and Lucian had flown back to Las Vegas the day after Sin, Rock and Adrian had woken up. Upon waking, Sin had barely said a word to anyone before he left, catching a flight to places unknown, taking Slade and Sal with him. To her surprise right before he’d left he told her she had carte blanche setting up the training facility and that he trusted her judgment. Sin was an enigma. Clearly one she would never fully understand.

  Brett decided to hang around a little longer while Rock and Adrian recovered. The three agents had gone over to the Stark facilities with Gage to spar and work out, trying to regain the strength they had lost while they were incapacitated. They had also wanted to give Mikayla a little time alone with her uncle as he had shown up early this morning, no longer satisfied hearing the status reports over the phone.

  Mikayla was overjoyed to see her uncle and knew she surprised the hell out of him as she’d thrown herself in his arms. His eyes had smiled down at her as he studied her face.

  “How’s my little Lynx?”

  “Good, Uncle.”

  He had simply grunted. “We’ll see. Where is this young man of yours?”

  Gage had been nervous meeting her uncle. Rightfully so. Ethan had questioned Gage ruthlessly until he had finally escaped with the others. Once they were alone, both armed with large mugs of coffee, Ethan had leaned back in his chair next to her and waited.

  “Tell me.”

  Never one to hold back from him, Mikayla had told him everything that had happened since she arrived in Colorado, only leaving out the intimate details of her and Gage’s relationship. When she was done Ethan had been quiet. His expression had been thoughtful.

  “Are you happy?”

  “Yes, I am. Actually, I’m happier then I have been in a long time. Maybe ever. Gage is…he’s good for me. It’s almost like we fill the gaps in each other. The pieces that are missing in me, he fills them. I’d like to think I do the same for him.”

  “You don’t have any pieces missing, little Lynx. Anyone says different and they’ll answer to me.”

  Mikayla laughed at her uncle’s response, but she knew he was wrong. Gage did fill the hole that had been left inside her when she had lost her parents years ago. He had broken through the ice that had encased her heart, protecting her from ever being hurt again, healing her with his warmth. Gage had taught her how to show her emotions again when she had forgotten how. It was the way he spoke to her, touched her, always showing her how important she was to him.

  When he was around he was always doing little things, like running a hand over her hair or brushing against her as if he couldn’t bear for them not to be touching. It was something she shied away from at first, but she found that she was beginning to like it, to crave it even.

  “You keep that actor fellow in line or I’ll have to show him what’s what. Married or not, you can always come home, baby girl.”

  Mikayla smiled at her uncle, allowing herself to show the love she felt for him. “You and I have always been a team.”

  “Damn right we have.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much I love you.”

  “Ah, baby girl. You don’t have to say anything. I know.”

  “I know you know, but I should be able to tell you. When I was young, I was lost. Fractured. You held me together until I was strong enough to rebuild myself, and I couldn’t have done it without you. I became someone that I could be proud of, that I am proud of, and you helped me do that too.”

  “Mikayla—”

  She could see that faint blush of embarrassment on his cheeks, but she shook her head at him and reached across the table to take his hand in hers. The engagement ring Gage had given to her the day after the op sparkled on her finger as bright as a star. It was an emerald-cut diamond the size of a small planet, set in platinum with several smaller diamonds encased in the band. It still gave her a jolt every time she looked at it. “I’ve met a good man. One that loves me for who I am, just as I love him for who he is. Gage and I are happy together. We’re good together.”

  “I’ve seen that, and I’m glad.”

  She could see that he meant it. She felt her eyes sting with tears as she said, “I miss my parents—”

  “Little Lynx, so do I. Every day.”

  “Having you, I could miss them but not hurt so much. When I first found out I was pregnant I was worried because… How could I know how to be a mother when I don’t even really remember mine? But then I realized something. My father may have been your brother, but you have never been anything less than a father to me too. And you’ve taught me everything I need to be a good mother, because you were the first to show me how to love.”

  “Oh, baby girl…”

  She smiled at him as his strong hand squeezed hers. “So, Uncle Ethan? Will you do me the honor of walking me down the aisle for my wedding?”

  Ethan had to clear his throat before he spoke. “It would be my absolute honor. But know this, I’m not giving you away.” He cupped her cheek with his other hand. “You’ll always be mine. I’m just sharing you with Gage.”

  Emotions swamped her as he drew her in for a hug. She let herself be comforted by his familiar strength, but pulled back when he began to chuckle. “What?”

  “Gage. I was just imagining his face when he sees just how many uncles and aunts will be watching out for your kid and over you if he messes up.”

  They laughed together and looked over to see the front door open and Gage, Brett, Rock and Adrian walked in. Gage was pulling a large suitcase behind him and carrying a large paper bag that had been stapled shut.

  They hadn’t really ever officially discussed it, but he and his dog Wulf had all but moved into the cabin with her already. Over the last several days Gage had started to bring a suitcase of his stuff over with him whenever he came. He would put the stuff in their room, mixing it with hers. When he left, he’d take the empty suitcase with him only to return with it full again to repeat the process.

  The men’s hair was wet, telling Mikayla that they had all showered at the gym after their workout. Perfect. Mikayla grinned as she looked down at the paper bag he was carrying. “Is that from Katie?”

  Gage’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Yes. Why? What are you two up to?”

  “Nothing. Just something for…later,” she said innocently. “Gimme.”

  Gage handed over the bag then stood with his hands on his hips as he watched her get up from the table.

  Ethan also stood and shot them a look. “On that note, I think this is a great time for the rest of us to go get something to eat.”

  “God, yes. Let’s go. Somewhere. Anywhere but here,” Brett said with feeling.

  “Sebastian, Dylan, Katie and Nick are meeting us at the Twisted Tap in twenty minutes,” Adrian added. “Let me just go grab the doc and we can go.”

  He loped off, heading downstairs as Rock headed for the stairs leading up. “I’ll help Trinity down the stairs.”

  “You sure that’s a good idea?” Ethan asked.

  Rock paused. “Doc said she should be up for an outing tonight. Plus, she said I’d better hide my balls if we went to eat without her tonight.”

  “Yeah, I’m not risking that. Go get her,” Brett said.

  Mikayla walked over to her uncle and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Have fun. Don’t get into any trouble tonight.”

  “Aw, baby girl. You know me.”

  She drilled a finger into his chest and laughed. “Exactly. I do. You’re always the ring leader when these yahoos get into trouble.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Mikayla laughed again then walked over to Gage, lowering her v
oice. “Give me ten minutes then you can come into the bedroom.”

  She left the room and Gage was left staring at the empty hallway where she had disappeared. He jolted as a hard hand came down on his shoulder and turned to see Ethan Lincoln’s eyes studying him.

  “Sir?”

  “Treat my girl right, Stark. If you do that, we’ll never have any issues.”

  “I’ll do my best, sir. I love her.”

  Ethan nodded. “I know you do and she loves you. But just a reminder, you’re going to have the most dangerous set of in-laws on the face of this planet. Kind of sucks to be you.” Ethan patted Gage’s shoulder again then called out. “I’m hungry. Let’s roll.”

  Gage watched silently as everyone left. As soon as the door closed he couldn’t wait any longer and quickly made his way back to their bedroom. When he opened the door, he came to a halt. In that short time alone she had transformed their room into a fantasy land. Dozens of candles lit up the room, throwing starlight on the walls, scenting the air with faint hints of vanilla and dreams.

  She had turned down the bed and he could see several items placed on the nightstand that he had no clue as to their purpose. But he was looking forward to finding out. His eyes tracked around the room, searching for her. When he saw the closed bathroom door he called out her name. His heart stopped as the door opened.

  Mikayla opened the bathroom door and walked out wearing a short satin gown of pale lavender. She had chosen the color because she knew how much he loved her eyes. The material cupped her breasts lovingly with a combination of lace and satin. Two thin straps held up the garment, leaving her entire back bare.

  Part of her had felt silly as she had dressed in the bathroom, but the blazing desire she saw in her lover’s gaze now made it all worth it. She sauntered over to him, taking his hand in hers as she pulled him into the room. She heard his groan as he saw her bare back as she closed the door, locking them in their own world again.

  “You are so fucking beautiful.”

  She smiled at him, pulling him toward the bed. Shaking her head as he reached for her, she began to undress him. “I asked Katie to pick up some things for me.”