Behind the Lies (A Montgomery Justice Novel)

by Perini, Robin

  With her nestled in his arms, he walked her down the hall, cracked open an empty bedroom door, then shut them inside. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. She wrapped her arms around a pillow and hugged it to her chest.

  “I can’t stop thinking that I trusted the FBI to help us…and Sam and I could have been dead because I’m so gullible.” She rubbed at her eyes.

  Zach settled down next to her and pinned her close to his side. He wiped the tears from her cheek. “You got away, Jenna. You protected Sam. You’re going to be just fine.”

  She scrubbed her face with her palms, scouring away the horrifying reality. “My life with Brad wasn’t a fairy tale or a nightmare,” she whispered. “It was just a lie.”

  Jenna sank deeper into the pillow and turned to her side, her back to Zach. She’d let herself be taken in by a man who never loved her. She’d been so eager to believe in love and happily-ever-after, she’d let him hide more than the truth in a veil of security. She’d bought into everything he’d sold her for so long, how could she ever trust herself?

  She stared at the simple white curtains shielding the window from view. The fabric fluttered slightly when the air conditioner kicked on. The cool air blew across her face. She touched her wet cheeks. Nothing felt substantial or real anymore, only insubstantial and invisible as the circulating air.

  Zach lay down beside her and she stiffened.

  “Don’t shut me out.” He plastered his body against her, wrapping his good arm around her waist, throwing his leg over her, and pinning her close.

  She lay quiet in his arms, her mind whirling, confused.

  “I don’t even know his real name,” Jenna finally said with a sigh. “I don’t know the name of my son’s father.”

  “Does it matter?” Zach’s mouth skirted her ear. “He’s an amazing boy.”

  She shivered at the touch of his lips. She wanted to turn into his arms, but she couldn’t stop the fear gripping her belly. “How do I protect him when I can’t trust myself to see the truth? Brad used me as a shield. He even used his son—in more ways than I ever realized before this moment.”

  Zach scooted slightly away from her and tugged her arm toward him. She let him roll her onto her back.

  “Look at me,” he said.

  His gentle expression tightened the knot in her throat. Pity, sympathy, and she couldn’t understand what else.

  “Brad Walters is an assassin—a professional con man and a killer. That hasn’t changed. You followed your instincts and gathered evidence against a man no intelligence agency was able to touch, here or abroad.” Zach cupped her cheek with his hand. “Jenna, don’t doubt you can trust your instincts. Since the moment I met you, you’ve been right about so many things.”

  With a tentative hand, she reached to touch the brown and ginger hair. His blue eyes captured hers, their depth holding so many secrets—so much he didn’t reveal to the world. “I was wrong about you. I thought you were a superficial actor with a harem at your beck and call.”

  He gave her a small smile. “You weren’t wrong. I’ve been that man for a lot of years.”

  “Now who’s not taking credit,” she said. “I saw you take out those men in Hidden Springs when they could have killed us. I saw your super-secret room. I see how you’ve hidden your covert life from your brothers.”

  “And you thought you couldn’t trust your instincts.”

  He tried to look away from her, but she refused to let him. She gripped his arm. “Why? Why did you push them away? Your family loves you.”

  “They love the boy they remember, but I can barely face them, Jenna. They don’t know me or what I’ve done.” Zach took a shuddering breath and closed his eyes. “I’m responsible for my father’s death.”

  He shifted from her, moving to sit up, but she clutched at his shirt, refusing to let him go. “I don’t believe you.”

  His eyelids snapped open. Anguish screamed from the depths of his eyes. She swallowed a gasp at the hurt he’d clearly buried. “Five years ago, he called me, wanting to meet. I was exactly the man you described. The tabloids weren’t wrong. I was young, foolish, and going down a dark path. You name the vice, and I tried it more than once. I believed my own press, believed I was indestructible.” He cleared his throat. “I learned the hard way that my biggest hero—my father—wasn’t.”

  “If Sam were headed down that path, I’d do whatever it took to stop him,” Jenna said, rubbing her hand back and forth on his arm. “That’s what your dad did.”

  “My father was stubborn, that’s for sure. Patrick Montgomery was more bullheaded than any of us.” Zach smiled. “Except maybe my mom.”

  Jenna bit her lip. “Patrick Montgomery? The name sounds familiar.”

  Zach winced. “My father’s death made national news. A decorated cop shot down in a convenience store robbery. No one knows the full story. Not even my mother.”

  Her heart aching for the agony in his voice, Jenna pressed close against Zach. “Tell me.”

  He closed his eyes. “He was waiting for me across from a bar where I was drinking myself into oblivion in a private VIP room. All because I wouldn’t return his call.” Zach lifted his haunted gaze. “He probably tried to stop the crime. He’d do that. Dad died in my arms. I promised him I’d make things right. He called me a liar. I was always the family’s biggest disappointment. My screwup cost my father his life.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. His heartbeat thudded beneath her ear, speeding up when she nestled into his arms. “You misunderstood your father, Zach. I’ve seen you and your brothers. Your father loved you. Just like mine did. You don’t have to get yourself killed to prove yourself worthy of the Montgomery name.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t understand. I robbed our family of a man who should be getting ready to retire and travel across the country with my mom in an RV. They’ll never have that chance because of my selfishness.”

  She studied his self-loathing expression, and with a blast of insight recognized it mirrored her own. She’d wanted to disappear, too. She touched his face, her fingertips drawing down the stubble on his cheek. “Is that why you’re letting your beard grow?” she asked. “A new disguise for your next dangerous mission—or to hide from yourself again?”

  His jaw throbbed with unspoken emotion. “I have some unfinished business in Afghanistan. Since life as I know it is over, I better figure out who I’ll be next.”

  A stark vulnerability had settled over him.

  “I understand that, I do, Zach, but you know what? I think you’ve punished yourself enough. And so have I.”

  She framed his face with her hands. “The only good thing to come out of this entire mess is that I met you.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m going to have to be strong for me and Sam in the future, but for now, can I just be free of the cage I’ve lived in? Will you help me do that?”

  She wanted to be held, wanted to be loved.

  She didn’t want just anyone, though. She wanted Zach. “I…I want to be selfish. I want you to want me.”

  He caressed her hair, his touch tentative as he twisted the locks that fell over her shoulders. “I can’t take advantage of you,” he said, his voice full of regret.

  “You wouldn’t be. Unless…unless you don’t want me?”

  Part of her wanted to shrink away and roll over…until desire flooded his eyes.

  He did want her.

  And she wanted him. Only him.

  He bit back a groan and shifted her hips toward the hardness that he couldn’t hide.

  “I want you, Jenna. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw your cute behind and wide eyes when you stole my truck.” He stroked her jawline with one knuckle. “But it can only be for one night, maybe two. My life is too dangerous. I won’t put you and Sam at risk. Can you live with that?”

  She placed her hand over his. “Yes, but can I ask you one thing? Will you tell me the truth? Will you be you and not live behind th
e lies for the rest of the time we’re together? I’ve had enough deception. Just be real with me.”

  “I’ll try,” he whispered, his lips dancing on the smooth skin of her cheek. “You’re worth facing a few fears.”

  Jenna clutched at him. “I regret everything about my time with Brad…except Sam. I don’t want to regret any more. I’ll take the memory of two nights over never knowing what it’s like to lie in your arms.”

  He shivered at her words. A jolt of feminine power surged through her. She shoved aside the doubts creeping into her mind. She’d have tonight. With Zach. She’d make the memories last for the rest of her life.

  “Help me forget, Zach. Help me forget everything.”

  She slipped from his embrace and pushed him to his back. She straddled his body, settling her hips on top of his. Her touch gentle, she fingered the bandage immobilizing his arm. “What about your shoulder?”

  “Leave the bandage, but everything else—take it off,” he said, his voice husky with acceptance, his gaze hooded.

  She nodded and slipped her hand beneath his shirt until she encountered several butterflies against his skin. Carefully, she eased up the right side of the material and peered at the healing cut slicing across his chest with the strategically placed bandages holding his skin together. “How did this happen?”

  “Occupational hazard,” he shrugged.

  She bent down, lowering her mouth, and kissed his ribs next to the injury. His blue eyes glazed over and a low groan escaped, starting deep and rumbling in his throat.

  “You’ve sacrificed too much for me and Sam already,” she said, gently caressing the mottled bruises over his chest. “And everyone else. Let me take care of you for a change.”

  Jenna could see in his eyes he wanted to protest. She didn’t give him the chance. Leaning over him, she let her mouth hover over his. She wet her lips. A strangled groan escaped him. He reached up, claiming her, holding her captive with his kiss.

  He tugged her to him, gripping her hair, and she let him take over. She fell into his embrace as he caressed her back. His tongue begged entrance and she gladly succumbed. Her hands roamed the strong muscles of his biceps, and Zach returned the favor, exploring her back, then slipping beneath her shirt.

  His rough fingertips against her skin sent a shiver through her. His lips left hers and she nearly whimpered at the loss until he nipped at her collarbone, tugging at the shirt that scraped against her sensitive skin. As if reading her greatest wish, one by one by one he unbuttoned the cotton. She shrugged out of the top and threw the garment aside.

  He cupped a silk-covered breast in his hand. With a flick he released the front clasp of her bra. He stared at her, unmoving, for what seemed like ages.

  She squirmed under his unwavering gaze, shifted, and covered herself with her hands.

  “Don’t,” he whispered.

  Suddenly shy and uncertain, she lowered her gaze. “You’ve been with the most beautiful women in the world. How can I compete?”

  His hand moved hers aside, then trailed down her curve, cupping its weight. “None of those women were real. Took me hours to make five minutes look easy, and, Jenna, none of those women made me shake with want the way you do.”

  She couldn’t look away. Cobalt flecks of fire burned in his eyes, now hooded with passion.

  “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he said, his voice husky.

  “You promised not to lie,” she said, unable to keep the hurt from her voice.

  He clutched her waist, his gaze capturing hers. “You’re strong. You fight for your son.” At the dancing of his fingertips across her belly, a tremor fluttered through her. “You’re unbelievably responsive. That makes you more than beautiful. That makes you perfect in my arms.”

  The muscles in Zach’s neck corded as he strained his hips against her. His burgeoning length pressed against his zipper. “I’ve never wanted anyone more. I promise.”

  He pulled her down toward him and teased her nipple, triggering shocks of utter pleasure. She clutched his head closer. “Please don’t stop,” she gasped.

  With a gentle push, he rolled her onto her back and unfastened the buttons of her jeans. Her body swelled in anticipation of his touch. His fingertips toyed with the lace encircling her hips.

  His mouth skirted the shell of her ear and he nipped at the sensitive skin. “You want me, but not more than I want you. Can I have you, Jenna? Now? Tonight?”

  She shivered at his low tones, and nodded her head.

  With a groan, he slipped beneath the satin and found the center of her heat. Passion pooled low between her thighs, nerves begging for attention. He stroked her softness, toying, tempting, teasing the tiny nub of nerves. She gasped and her body hovered over a precipice. She held her breath, and then he backed away.

  “Please, please.” She nearly sobbed with want. She lifted her hips toward his touch. “Don’t leave me like this,” she panted.

  “I have no plans on going anywhere anytime soon,” he purred. “Lift up.”

  She didn’t know how she made her quaking body obey, but within seconds, her jeans and panties had vanished and she lay open to him.

  He kissed her belly, her hipbone, then tasted her center.

  “Zach,” she begged, straining for heights she’d never known. Her entire body quaked with want. “I need you.”

  “As you wish,” he growled.

  He struggled to remove his clothes. Hurriedly, she pushed his hand away, carefully unbuttoned, and lowered his zipper. He shucked off the garment, rose above her, and shifted between her thighs. She clutched at his shoulders, pulling him closer, shifting her hips to relieve the tension growing, building, wanting.

  She scraped along his back and Zach groaned at her touch. “Make me feel, Jenna,” he growled. “Make me burn.”

  Trembling, she reached down and took him in her hand, squeezing his hard length.

  “Stop,” he moaned. “I can’t take it.”

  She stroked him, and he surged against her.

  Her lips parted, and she nipped at the corner of his mouth. “Who’s torturing who now?”

  Shuddering in her arms, he bit back a cry and shoved her hands away. “No more.”

  He pressed her back against the bed and thrust into her. He filled her to the hilt and then stopped, his breath quick, his body slick with sweat. He throbbed inside of her. “Home,” he whispered. “Home.”

  She wrapped her legs around him and bucked up against him. “More. I need more.”

  With a low groan, Zach moved against her, driving her to the edge over and over again. She clung to him, wrapping her body and heart around him.

  He was hers, just as she belonged to him.

  His movements quickened. She met him thrust for thrust. Her heat coiled around Zach, tight and straining.

  An explosion of pleasure rocketed through her.

  The entire world disappeared. Her heart slammed against her chest, and she gasped, stunned at the intense emotions pouring over her, wave upon wave, in time with the tiny pulses at her core. Somewhere inside, the soul that had been shattered at Brad’s words and fists began to heal.

  Zach sagged on top of her, his breathing sporadic. She cradled him close, stroking his hair. She’d never felt safer, warmer, or more protected.

  He shifted, still buried inside her. She hugged him tighter. She couldn’t let him go. Not yet.

  A tear escaped down her cheek.

  She felt complete for the first time in her life. It would also be the last.

  Sirens screamed in the distance. Brad stumbled through the revolving door of the hospital, ignoring the shouts for him to stop. Blood dripped into his eyes, and he pressed the makeshift bandages he’d created against the head wound to staunch the bleeding.

  His temple throbbed, but he pressed harder, using the pain to stay alert. He tripped over a cement barrier and slammed to his knees on the pavement. “Damn it.”

  Stupid boy. Get up and run.

/>   His father’s voice competed with the shouts from the hospital.

  “Find him!” a voice yelled.

  Quickly, Brad clawed his way up an embankment then slid down the other side to the abandoned parking lot in the doctor’s offices adjacent to the hospital. He rolled the last few feet, coming to a stop on the asphalt. Sucking in a deep breath, he wiped away the sticky fluid pooling on his forehead.

  His plan had gone to hell. He shoved himself to his feet, swaying slightly when the west wind whistled down from the mountains, and stumbled to his car. Brad tugged the keys from his pocket, opened the door, and slid inside.

  He gripped the steering wheel tight and stared into the night. Impossible. This couldn’t be happening.

  He’d failed.

  He couldn’t fail.

  He didn’t fail.

  Unacceptable.

  “Bobby’s got no smarts,” his father screamed, shoving his wife against the stove. “He’ll never amount to anything. Just like his stupid mother.”

  He punched her face until she curled up on the floor.

  The words had seared themselves in Brad’s mind. His mother had died for being stupid. Now Brad had let that Montgomery bitch hit him.

  His blood was everywhere. They’d track the DNA. They’d find him.

  He turned the engine on and eased toward the street.

  Suddenly, a large pickup screeched past him into the hospital parking lot. He leaned forward and watched three large men race into the building. Part of the Montgomery clan. He hated that family.

  His fists spasmed.

  Cursing, he hit the steering wheel, then couldn’t stop. He pounded and pounded until his hands hurt. He heaved in a breath, then another, then another until he regained control. He could do this. He had to maintain control.

  The phone on the passenger seat rang. He glanced at the screen, but ignored the call from the puppet master.

  He refused to play that game any longer.

  He had to win his own battles.

  He knew what Jenna wanted—her son. He knew what he needed—the evidence against him. Only one of them would be satisfied in the end. And it wouldn’t be Jenna.