She loved this man.
This strong, amazing leader.
This vulnerable, crippled soul.
With a gentle smile, she helped him out of his jacket, then spun him around and nudged him onto the edge of her bed. He plunked down and she crouched in front of him, unlacing his boots and slipping them off.
“You need sleep.” She glanced up, enjoying the way the soft light highlighted his chiseled face. She reached up and traced the lines again, realizing she could do that for the next fifty years and never tire of it.
He placed his fingers over hers, pressing her hand into his face before brushing his lips against her palm.
“I don’t want to be alone,” he whispered.
“You won’t be.” She stood and pushed him back onto her bed. As his head touched the pillow, she switched off the light, then slipped in beside him. He lifted his arm so she could snuggle up against his chest. She breathed him in, kissing the soft skin of his neck before resting her forehead into the crook.
She draped her arm across his waist and he brushed his fingers over her, his touch light and delicate.
Goosebumps rippled down her legs, her desire strong and overpowering. But this moment wasn’t about her.
It was about him.
She forced her eyes closed. “Sleep, Kellan. You need sleep.”
He kissed her forehead, then rolled to the side so they were facing each other. “I need you. You are…exactly what I need.”
She smiled. “So sleep, and then when you wake, you can have me. All of me.”
“I can’t wait until the morning,” he whispered, capturing her mouth with a warm hunger that shot fire through her entire system.
Slowly they undressed each other. It wasn’t a passionate, fiery race to the finish. There was something languid and unhurried in the way they explored each other, and when they finally lay naked against one another—fully sated—they drifted off to sleep together. Melina’s body fit perfectly against Kellan’s, his strong arm encircling her waist and his lips resting against the back of her shoulder.
He was asleep almost instantly, his exhausted body finally winning the fight.
A dreamy smile stretched across Melina’s lips as her body also gave in to the peaceful oblivion of sleep.
43
Friday, October 5th
1:45am
The concrete floor beneath her was hard and unforgiving.
Leah’s body ached. Her head pounded. Her mouth was swollen on the inside and her cheek radiated with pain. Dry lips and thirst made it impossible to get any real sleep. Hunger ate at her belly, reminding her that she was still alive…for now.
The darkness was unrelenting—a pitch-black abyss that she couldn’t escape.
She went insane with it at first, crying and whimpering until her throat was hoarse and her eyes were swollen. Then she lay down, resting her unhurt cheek against the cold floor and shivering.
Sleep had captured her in brief increments, but she always woke with a start, only to open her eyes to utter darkness. Her breaths would accelerate, her heart rate punching high as she tried to breathe through the panic.
In the end she sat up and started rocking again, her mind clawing for anything to see her through.
“You are my sunshine. My only sunshine.” She whisper-sang those two lines over and over, somehow finding comfort in the repetition.
She didn’t know how she knew that song.
All she knew was that it made her feel better, so she kept going, rocking and singing until an image of a man with a kind voice was the one singing to her.
She didn’t know who it was, but it reminded her of the policeman with the pizza.
She stopped singing long enough to murmur his name. “Kellan Marks.” She didn’t want to forget it. He was her marker. The man who was going to get Bobby to his mother.
Had he done it?
Yes, he would have.
She trusted him.
She stopped rocking and frowned.
She trusted him. A man she’d only met for such a short time. A policeman.
Yet she’d felt safer around him than she did around Robin.
Anger fired through her.
Robin was a liar. A lying thief!
He’d taken her. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was. He’d stolen her from her family. A family that wanted her, that hadn’t abandoned her on the side of the road.
She had a family.
And she had to find them again.
The thought sent a fire through her, strong and intense enough to pull her off the floor. She started pacing, her mind exploding with the idea of seeing her parents again.
She didn’t know who they were, but that cop could help her find them. Surely he could.
Kellan Marks. She was remembering his name for a reason. She had to get to him.
But how?
Stretching out her hands, she fumbled her way to the wall, trying to remind herself that the darkness couldn’t hurt her. It was an effort, and she ended up singing “You Are My Sunshine” again just to make it without her legs buckling. Her hands crashed into the concrete wall and she winced, but quickly recovered. Splaying her palms against the cold, hard surface, she walked to her right, feeling as she went, hoping to find a door.
But then something clicked.
She jerked to a stop, not even daring to breathe as the door crept open.
A flashlight ran across the floor to the left and then over to the right, finding her stock-still except for her heaving chest. She squinted into the beam of light, fear stopping her from saying anything.
Was it Robin back to pummel her again?
With a soft sigh, the person lowered the light and muttered, “You look like shit. Why’d you have to go and piss him off?”
Leah’s legs buckled the second she recognized JJ’s voice. Using the wall for support, she slid to the floor and rested her back against it. “What are you doing here?”
“I brought you some food and water.” He stepped into the room, holding out a bottle. “And if I get busted, my ass is grass, so don’t say anything when Robin checks on you.”
“He hasn’t checked on me yet,” she muttered with some relief. She had no idea how long she’d been there, but when that water hit her mouth and throat, she figured it must have been a while. She guzzled it down. It was a welcome reprieve to her aching throat. Licking her moistened lips, she popped the cap on and handed the bottle back.
JJ replaced it with a dry bread roll that was as flat as a pancake. “Sorry it’s so squished. I had to smuggle it out under my shirt.”
She snickered and gave him a grateful smile. He sat beside her as she ate in silence. It was kind of hard choking the food down, in spite of the fact that she was hungry. She asked for the bottle and finished the last of the water before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “What time is it?”
“Nearly two in the morning. You’ve been in here for over twenty-four hours now, and I just can’t stop worrying about you.” He reached forward and gently turned her head so he could inspect what was no doubt a black and blue bruise on her face. He hissed. “That looks nasty. It must hurt pretty bad.”
“I’m fine.” She moved away from his touch, not wanting to talk about it.
JJ huffed. “I hate that you’re down here. I’ve been trying to convince Robin that you’re innocent, but he won’t listen. He’s raging over this. Some people in a black car showed up at the farm today and he sent us all into the cellar. Said they were bad guys who wanted to take us away and stick us in foster homes. It was hard keeping the little ones quiet. They were really scared. You would have managed, though. You’ve always been good with them.”
Leah stared at him while he was talking, her breath on hold as she absorbed the information.
A black car with “bad” people?
Or were they people who were actually there to investigate? Who were searching for her?
Did that mean Bobby was safe?
A
black car with “bad” people probably wouldn’t have shown up if Jane hadn’t managed to get him to Chief Marks.
And Robin hid them in the fucking cellar.
Anger spurted through her again. She wasn’t used to the emotion, but she kind of liked the power of it.
“Robin shouldn’t have hidden you guys,” she muttered.
“Why not? He was keeping us safe.”
Leah scoffed and shook her head. “We’re not safe. He says they’re the enemy. I say he is.”
JJ’s face contorted with shock and a flash of indignant anger. The shadows cast by the flashlight made his expression almost manic, but Leah refused to shy away from it. He needed to understand. She needed to make him understand.
“I took Bobby, okay?”
JJ’s lips parted.
“I took him because his name’s not Bobby. It’s Arnold and he was missing. His mother was looking for him. Robin didn’t rescue him, JJ. He took him. Stole him and brought him here.”
JJ was already shaking his head. “Robin wouldn’t do that. He saved us.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Well, he saved me!” JJ argued. “I remember that shit hole I was living in, okay? I remember always being cold and hungry. And shouting. Always shouting.” He cringed and shook his head. “I’m never cold and hungry here. Robin takes care of us. Sure, he’s strict, and when you break the rules, you pay a price. But at least he’s fair. He doesn’t punish without good reason. He loves us, Leah. And that’s more than I can say for those assholes I’m supposed to call parents.”
Leah squeezed her eyes shut, wishing he’d get it.
“But you didn’t ask to come here. You’ve been taken away from your family and turned into a thief! It’s not right.” She got to her knees and inched over to JJ, taking his face and pleading with him. “Help me. Help me rescue these guys. We can get them out. Get them home to their families.”
“This is my family.” JJ flicked her hands off him. “Why would you want to destroy that?”
“Robin STOLE us!”
“He SAVED us! I know you don’t remember anything about your childhood, but I do! I’d choose Robin over my real family any day.”
“Well, I wouldn’t.” Leah shot to her feet, clenching her fists as she looked down at him. “I have to get out of here. I don’t care what you think, I’m not staying on this stupid farm for a second longer.”
“No.” JJ grabbed her wrist.
She grunted and tried to pull away from him, but he just tightened his grip as he stood tall and moved up beside her.
“You’re not going anywhere.” His voice had a hard edge that Leah had never heard before.
It should have scared her, but it was like fuel to a flame.
She’d had enough of people forcing her into submission, trying to scare and intimidate her with their strength. Well, she had strength too and for once, she wasn’t afraid to use it.
With a short yell, she spun, twisting her arm free of JJ’s hold before lashing out with a punch to his kidneys. He grunted with surprise and moved to counter her attack, but she kicked the back of his knees, forcing him to the floor. Jumping on his back, she dug her knee between his shoulders and brought down her fist with a powerful punch.
He groaned and went still.
He wouldn’t stay that way for long.
Frantically jumping off him, Leah raced to the door, turning back once to tearfully whisper, “I’m sorry,” before sprinting out of the bunker.
44
Friday, October 5th
7:15am
Kellan drew a deep breath in through his nose and instantly smelled the sweetness of Melina. A smile stretched across his lips as the rest of his body registered her presence in the bed. Before he even opened his eyes, he could already tell she was sleeping. The rise and fall of her chest was even, and he lapped up the sound. Just like her voice, it was a relaxing lullaby.
Brushing his lips across her bare shoulder, his body instantly ignited with memories of the night before.
It hadn’t taken him long to realize that he’d had nothing to be nervous about. His body, his heart—his very soul—had wanted Melina, and she’d let him have her…all of her.
His body responded to the memories, and he couldn’t resist gliding his hand over the smooth curves of her naked body. She let out a soft moan of approval and he finally opened his eyes, drinking in her milky white skin as she rolled over to face him.
That sleepy, tousled look was sexy on her, and his lips were drawn to hers before he could stop them.
They said good morning the same way they’d said good night, although after a full night’s sleep, his renewed energy only added to their passionate hello.
Kellan couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so good. He had a feeling he’d never be able to wake up without Melina again.
Rolling onto his back, he flopped onto the pillows and let out a dry laugh. “You’ve ruined me, woman.”
She laughed and rested her arms on his chest. He liked the way her soft breasts squished against his torso.
Running his hand down her naked back, he drank her in as she tapped his chin with her finger and asked, “How’s that?”
“Well…” He cleared his throat, suddenly unsure about how open he wanted to be. He glanced into her eyes and spoke before he could stop himself. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be satisfied waking up without you again.”
The warmth that filled her eyes did something to him and he couldn’t breathe for a moment.
“I’d happily wake up in your arms every day if you asked me to,” Melina whispered.
He scraped his teeth over the edge of his bottom lip. “Feels fast.”
She looked down, her long lashes dark against her pale skin. “Kellan, I’ve been pining for you for…” She let out a breathy laugh. “For years.” She slowly gazed up at him. “This doesn’t feel fast at all for me. I’ve just been waiting. Waiting for you to let me in.”
He cupped the back of her head. “I’ve spent so many years trying to be strong for those around me. I thought I had to keep it all in. People can’t trust a leader who falls apart.”
Melina gave him a kind smile. “They can trust a leader who’s real. Who knows himself well enough to be open and raw and honest. You are a good man. Strong. Solid. But you can’t carry this burden on your own. You shouldn’t have to.”
“I know,” he croaked. “I know.” Pulling her close, he kissed the top of her head and murmured, “Thank you for being there for me.”
“I always will be.” She kissed his chest, then shuffled around so she could nestle against him.
He loved the feel of her and squeezed her close, wondering how the hell he was ever going to get out of her bed. He was still exhausted and could use a couple more days of sleep, but he couldn’t just turn his back on those kids and his station. They still needed him.
He still had to face those missing children profiles.
He had to face Rae’s.
Rubbing his gritty eyes, he dodged the thought and cringed. “Man, I feel spent. I don’t know how I’m going to face work today.”
“Emotions can be tiring, but accepting them makes you stronger.” Melina patted his stomach then sat up, displaying her beautiful body to him.
He smiled at her, running the back of his finger around the curve of her left breast. “You make me stronger.”
She grinned and leaned down to kiss him, igniting all the wrong parts of his body for a guy who needed to get up for work.
“Kellan.” Melina let out a throaty laugh when he smothered her with his body and started kissing the side of her neck. “We don’t have time.”
“We can make time.” He ignored his internal alarm clock, letting it beep in the back of his brain while he savored every inch of Melina’s sweet body.
Melina brushed out her hair as she walked up to the breakfast table and took a seat. Kellan had just helped her shower and didn’t think he could handle watching her dress, s
o he’d disappeared to the kitchen to organize breakfast. If he’d stayed in her room, he would have been peeling off the clothes faster than she could put them on.
She didn’t seem to mind his insatiable hunger and didn’t even bat an eyelid when he admitted that she’d been his first since Carrie. If anything, the news seemed to please her.
“Yum.” Melina sat down as he placed a plate of scrambled eggs in front of her. “Yep, you can definitely stay.”
He grinned at her wink, surprised by how good letting her in actually felt. How un-scary it had all been in the end. It made facing a day of searching through databases, of seeing Rae’s name pop up, seem less daunting.
His stomach still clenched at the idea, and he sat down with a frown.
“Thinking about the day ahead?” Melina sipped her coffee.
Kellan nodded and quickly explained what Nate and Cam had cottoned onto the night before.
“Raelynn’s name is going to come up, isn’t it?”
“Yep.” He stared down at his eggs, unsure if he could stomach them.
“Hey.” Melina reached across the table and rested her hand on top of his. “It’s going to be okay. You’re strong enough to face it.”
“What if she’s still alive?” He glanced up, sure the anguish on his face was unmissable.
Melina’s expression softened with compassion. “Then you’ll find her, and you’ll get to be her dad again.”
His eyes began to burn and he blinked rapidly to stop the tears from forming. “What if she’s broken? What if I can’t help her heal?”
“Kellan, you can’t focus on what might have happened to her. All you have is now. That’s the only thing you can try to control. What can you do today? And if by some miracle we do find her, then we’ll deal with that day then.” Melina squeezed his hand. “Hey, look at me.”
He forced his gaze to hers.
“I believe anyone can be healed, so no matter what she’s faced or endured, there’s still hope for your Rae. Okay?”
He nodded, his insides raw and jelly-like.
Melina swallowed and sat up straight, picking up her cutlery and digging into the eggs. “Now, Chief Marks, let’s just take it one step at a time. Tell me what you’re going to do with your morning.”
Daylight Robbery (An Aspen Falls Novel) Page 23