“Works for me. Keeps me from doing what I really want to do.”
“Which is?”
“Getting out there and trying to take down the asshole shooting up the place. If it was up to me and my brothers…” He shrugged.
She could imagine Matt along with Jake and Rick kicking mall-shooter ass, but that stuff only happened in action movies. “But you’re not going to try it, right? It’s up to the police.”
“Yeah, this isn’t war and other than this pole thing I don’t have a weapon.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything stupid. That’s why we’re staying in here until the coast is clear.”
“How will we know when the coast is clear?”
“My brothers will let us know. Or we’ll hear the police clearing the building.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder absorbed the security of his embrace. Matt kept impressing her against her will. She didn’t want to feel this attraction. It meant disrupting her carefully arranged ideas about men who took charge, who were tough and macho. This man was breaking all of it apart. Yet she needed the talk to keep her mind off their situation.
The door rattled and they both jolted.
Oh shit.
Matt stood up, his movement so swift it took her off guard.
In a frozen moment, she wondered if they’d ever get the chance to have that meal together, or if she’d ever get that kiss.
Chapter Three
Matt’s entire body went on alert as he jumped to his feet with the metal pole clutched in his right hand. His breath seemed to stop in his lungs, his heart racing then slowing to a deep thud, thud, thud in his ears.
Everything within him demanded he protect Melanie. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
The thud happened again. Then a whimper.
Caution made him move forward slowly. Darkness made it damn hard to see but he’d been in the position of creeping up on the enemy before.
A few seconds later the whimper became a female cry.
Jesus.
Concerned about a trap, he unlocked the door and threw it open. He heard Melanie gasp behind him. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Emergency lighting spilled over a crumpled female lying on her left side on the floor. She couldn’t be more than five feet tall. A tight black dress fit over her thin form. Her equally black hair covered her face in a messy tangle.
Behind him Melanie said, “It’s one of the clerks. Tia.”
Blood stained the floor under the woman’s left arm. “She’s hurt.” He glanced around the store and saw no sign of a shooter. He hefted the woman into his arms and brought her into the bathroom. “Grab some clothes off a rack and bring them in here.”
Melanie rushed into the store, yanked some fleece robes and cotton pajamas off a rack and returned with a flurry. She tossed the items on the bathroom floor just as Matt turned on his mini flashlight. She locked the door again.
Matt’s first-aid experience kicked in. He checked the woman’s vitals. “She’s got a good pulse and respiration and this wound in her biceps isn’t bleeding too badly.” He ripped the sleeve down on her dress. He rummaged in his pockets. “Got any change?”
Melanie frowned at him as if he’d lost his brain somewhere. “Yes. Why?”
“Get some tampons and maxi pads from that machine. Highly absorbent. We’ll put one on the wound and bind this up with as much toilet paper as we can.”
An amazed smile passed over her expressive features. “Never would have thought of that.” Grabbing the change he gave her, she ran to her purse and got more. She managed to grab six tampons and the toilet paper roll. “How did you learn bathroom-style first aid?”
“It’s amazing the things you learn on the battlefield.”
With efficient movements he’d learned in situations where hesitation could mean life or death, he used the tampons to pack the woman’s wound. Instead of toilet paper he used a set of cotton pajamas to act as a bandage. When blood didn’t seep all the way through, he felt better. They were going to be in a world of fuckin’ hurt if this woman went into shock. With efficiency, Melanie helped him lift the woman and put a robe under her to keep cold at bay. They piled two more robes on top of Tia.
A grim realization came to him. “Now that she’s here, it makes it even more urgent we get out of here.”
He pulled out his cell phone, called 9-1-1 and relayed their current situation and location so SWAT would know where to look for them.
Matt finished the call. “They know where we are.” He checked the woman’s pulse. “I wonder where she was when we first got here.”
“Hiding in a dressing room? There are only four stalls,” Melanie said.
“Maybe. She works in here?”
“Her and another much younger woman. A blonde.” Her face screwed up. “Susie.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I wonder if the shooter has Susie.”
He didn’t know, and knew any reassurance would sound like total bullshit. Still he found himself saying, “Don’t worry. SWAT will get us out of this soon.”
“How could we get ourselves out of this? She’s too hurt to run around trying to escape with us and we can’t leave her here alone.”
Matt knew his face had to be grim because he sure as hell didn’t like what he had to say next. “No, we can’t leave her alone. Contrary to action movies, marines aren’t bulletproof, and I won’t leave you and this woman defenseless.”
Her smile was small but genuine and her voice soft. “Thank you, Matt.”
Matt’s heart flipped over. Something raw and possessive stirred in his heart and mind when he looked at Melanie. Since the moment he’d met her last weekend he’d wanted to spend time with her. He only hoped now that he’d get the chance. Sure it was partially physical. She was fuckin’ pretty. His body wanted her in no uncertain terms. In just the few moments they’d stood outside the shop, he’d wanted to take her somewhere and taste her. Learn her body with a primitive possession he’d never considered so quickly with any other woman. It freaked him out, frankly. He could blame part of it on their situation and the desire to affirm life. But usually he needed to get to know a woman to feel comfortable, to tell them more intimate details of his life. His body stirred with energy, ready to fight and engage in battle. But he couldn’t expect her to participate in combat. She wasn’t trained for this. It was up to him to protect her and the other woman.
When she stood, he wrapped his arms around her. “We’re going to be all right.”
He kissed her forehead and her arms linked around his neck. She buried her head in his shoulder and sighed. His body reflected his needs and he knew it. He felt spring-loaded and ready for bear.
Admiration welled up inside Melanie. Matt might be strong, and look every inch the tough-as-hell marine, but he wasn’t a cowboy. He wouldn’t put her and Tia at risk or do anything stupid. Inside the solid strength of his arms, she could imagine nothing and no one could harm her. She knew, realistically, this wasn’t true. But she also knew this man would take a bullet for her.
It stirred the most primitive reaction she’d ever had in her life. She lifted her gaze to his and it was there. A glowing, shimmering connection that pulsed from somewhere deep within her sex. She wanted him. Once they got out of this mess—and they would survive it—she would show him how much. In the meantime, she’d give him a small preview of what she longed to have happen later. His eyes smoldered, his lips parted. Screw waiting to kiss him later.
She cupped the back of his head with both hands and drew him down. As her eyes closed, his mouth touched hers and tasted so gently it was a butterfly’s wings brushing over sensitive skin. That tiny acknowledgment sent a wildfire straight down between her legs. It startled her and she almost drew back. He wouldn’t have it. His hand tunneled into the hair at the back of her neck. Their lips melded and his tongue sank deep. An involuntary moan of pleasure left her throat as his tongue caressed hers with one stroke, then two.
&
nbsp; He drew back quickly with a gasp and cupped her face in his hands. “Damn. You’re potent stuff, Melanie.”
She smiled, in a daze and flushed from that single quick meeting of lips and tongues. Her head felt light, as if she might float away.
If that’s what a quick, carnal taste could do to her, she wondered what a full-fledged lip-lock that lasted longer would cause. “I’m sorry. I—
“Don’t be sorry. I’m not.”
Gently she disengaged from his arms. “I can’t believe we’re doing this while she’s lying there injured.”
He frowned and squatted down next to the clerk. He checked her vitals again, and this time he looked worried.
Tia groaned. The young woman’s eyes popped open and she grimaced. Fury mixed with pain. “What’s going on?”
The woman’s croaky voice sounded accusatory.
“It’s all right.” Melanie touched the woman’s uninjured right arm. “We’re safe in here.”
Matt moved around to the opposite side of Tia. “You’ve been shot. Do you remember what happened?”
Panic flared in Tia’s brown eyes. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
“You can’t leave. It’s too dangerous,” Melanie said.
Tia’s eyes widened. “He’ll find me.”
Was she delirious? Melanie hastened to reassure her. “The shooter doesn’t know where we are.”
“You don’t understand,” Tia said.
Matt’s eyes narrowed with curiosity. “What don’t we understand?”
Tia’s gaze darted between them. “He shot me because…”
Melanie waited, hanging on pins and needles. Her glance flicked to Matt. Patience seemed his middle name—he showed no signs of exasperation at Tia’s stalling.
“His name is Teddy. Teddy Xavier. He’s my boyfriend.” Tia swallowed hard, those almond-shaped eyes wide in her pale skin. She shivered. “Was my boyfriend.”
Matt lifted the woman’s wrist. “Pulse is good. Skin is warm. Do you feel sick?”
Tia glared. “What do you think? That bastard shot me. It hurts like hell.”
Matt retrieved his phone and placed a call while still talking to the injured woman. “Teddy Xavier shot you?”
“Yeah. He didn’t want me to leave him. But he’s a crazy bastard. He was screwing Susie and I told him I wouldn’t stand for it.”
Melanie frowned. “The other clerk?”
“Yeah. She…I think she’s in on this shooting thing.”
Matt was talking in the background, relaying the information to another 9-1-1 operator. His voice stayed modulated and calm, as if his conversation concerned the weather. Melanie’s heart banged in her ears. She licked her dry lips. Her stomach felt hollowed out from fear.
Steady. It isn’t like I’ve been here that long. What she wouldn’t give to be home, enjoying hot coffee or chocolate and reading a romantic suspense novel. Better yet, what she wouldn’t give to be home with Matt Frasier, spending time with him in a peaceful environment. No guns. No gunshot wounds.
“You think she’s helping him,” Matt said to Tia, with the cell still to his ear. “That’s why she isn’t in here with you. Is that why the back door is locked and we couldn’t get out?”
Tia shook her head and winced. “I don’t know. It was unlocked before. It’s supposed to be unlocked while the mall is open. The fire department said so.”
Matt returned to his call, nodding and agreeing to something during conversation. Moments later he signed off. “At least the police will know who the shooter is now. All of the doors except for the one Rick and Lena escaped through are chained closed.”
“Chained?” Melanie felt stupid for repeating what he said. “The shooter chained up the doors? No one saw him doing it?”
Matt shook his head. “Apparently not.”
Tia frowned. “Mall security here is for shit. My ex applied for a job as a rent-a-cop a month ago.” Tia started to cry and out of pure sympathy Melanie clasped the woman’s right hand in hers. Tia sniffed. “Teddy told me once when he was beating me up that he could pull off a mall shooting in Constitution easy. So he’s been thinking about this for a long time.”
“You think this is in retaliation because the mall didn’t hire him?” Matt asked.
Tia gave a short bark of laughter. “Who the frig knows? Teddy’s the kind of guy who gets offended easily. He said the mall people are racist because they didn’t hire him.”
“Are they?” Melanie asked.
“No,” Tia said. “He’s dumb. He isn’t qualified to be a mall cop. This morning he called me and said he was going to make the mall pay. I thought he was going to sue them for discrimination or something. I’d had enough of his crap. That’s when I broke up with him.” Tia’s eyes reflected something far less informative and more for self-preservation. “You think the police will blame this on me?”
Melanie met Matt’s stern look for a startled second but returned her attention to the wounded woman. “Why would they do that?”
“Because I didn’t take him seriously. Then when I broke up with him this morning…” She drew her bottom lip between her teeth.
“It’s not your fault.” Matt’s voice had an authoritarian edge. “He’s responsible for his actions, not you.”
Relief eased into Tia’s eyes but she didn’t speak.
In the distance the rat-tat-tat sound of rapid-fire shooting caught Melanie’s attention. “Matt? Do you hear that?”
“Yep. Shouting too. Sounds like more than one man.”
“Are the policed coming to rescue us?” Tia asked.
“They will.” Melanie said this as much to reassure herself as much as Tia.
Closer. Closer, the sounds of shouts, of a methodical movement toward them. Matt stood and reached for the metal pole leaning against the wall.
Matt’s phone buzzed on his hip and he snatched it out of the holster. “It’s Rick. He says SWAT has entered the building.”
“Thank God.” Relief made Melanie feel wobbly as she stood.
“Keep your guard up.” Matt didn’t seem as convinced as Melanie that all was well.
It wasn’t long before deep male voices came from outside the bathroom door. “Clear! Here’s the bathroom.” A knock sounded on the door. “This is the police! Matt Frasier, are you in there?”
“Yes, sir!” Matt didn’t hesitate to call out in a strong, self-assured voice.
“It’s safe to come out. Open the door slowly and come out with your hands where we can see them.”
“They make it sound like we’re criminals.” Tia’s whiny tone grated on Melanie.
“They want to make sure we’re friendlies,” Matt said, then added for the benefit of the men outside, “Unlocking the door now!”
Tia started to struggle into a sitting position but Melanie urged her not to move. As Matt unlocked the door and it swung open, the SWAT team entered. At that moment Melanie made a vow. She might never enter a mall again.
Chapter Four
Melanie blinked in the strong lights shining around the parking lot, illuminating the increasingly steady snowfall. Police cars surrounded the area, including a sheriff’s department SWAT mobile command station. Lights on the police cruisers flashed red and blue, their pulsation and flicker compounding the ache starting in her temples. Her breath puffed out and she guessed the temperature had dropped to around thirty from the high of fifty today. Warm for this high mountain town in November. At night she couldn’t see the sharp outline of peaks that rose close to thirteen thousand feet and almost surrounded the bustling mining town deep into the Arizona mountains. She wished it was daylight, the snow-covered peaks would be a welcome distraction and wonderful reminder that she’d escaped the mall in one piece.
Melanie accepted yet another hug, this one from Kathleen. Kathleen and Jake had exited the building a short time ago with other individuals they’d been stuck with during the event. They’d waved at Melanie and Matt but were quickly interviewed by the police before they c
ould reunite with friends. Melanie and Matt had rushed up to Rick and Lena as soon as possible. Lena sat on Rick’s open truck bed with her right ankle wrapped. Lena said no when Rick wanted her to go to the hospital, and she said she could have it checked out tomorrow.
Tia had been hauled off in an ambulance some time ago. Amazingly, Teddy Xavier hadn’t killed anyone. Most of his shooting had been aimed at the ceiling. He’d shot Tia and a couple who had attempted to run from him but all three people had fairly minor wounds.
SWAT hadn’t waited as long as she’d thought to come in and take out him out. If Teddy had planned on committing suicide, he didn’t have the chance. An assault team had entered and scoured the mall for him and took him down.
Melanie thought she saw tears in Kathleen’s eyes before she kissed Melanie’s and Lena’s cheeks and they all started chattering at once. Lena’s petite form seemed diminished somehow by what had happened as she sat on the tailgate of Rick’s truck. Kathleen sagged, exhaustion clear on her face. Melanie noticed something about Kathleen and Lena. They looked and acted as much shell-shocked as relieved to be out of the mall. Yet they all searched the area for someone. Three someones.
“Where’s Rick?” Lena asked, wide-eyed.
Melanie swiveled to look around. “He’s over there with Matt and Jake.”
“Jake.” Kathleen’s dreamy tone would have seemed bizarre under the circumstances but Kathleen cleared up the mystery immediately. “I never thought I’d say this but Jake Frasier can eat crackers in my bed anytime.”
Lena and Melanie laughed at the same time.
“Whoa,” Lena said. “That’s a turnaround.”
Kathleen winked and smiled. “Bite me.”
“No thanks. You’re not my type.” Lena scratched her nose. “I guess that shoots the idea of an engraved frame for the wedding.” Lena’s regret sounded tired but genuine.
“Oh no.” Kathleen’s eyes widened. “Has anyone called Danelle and Patrick?”
Lena nodded. “Rick called them as soon as we knew you were safe. We didn’t want to call them before that and worry them. They’re going to kill us, though, worrying them anyway.”
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