“Fucking hell,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry…that was so wrong.” Hurt slashed across her face and he hated that he had both lost control and kissed her, and that he had stopped the kiss at all.
She lifted her hand to her tender, well-kissed lips. “Wrong? Why?”
For a man who prided himself on knowing the answers, he stumbled trying to explain his conflicting feelings. “You’re a client…someone I’m here to protect. You’re vulnerable. I shouldn’t be…shouldn’t have… we shouldn’t…”
Suddenly, the look in her eyes changed from hurt and uncertainty, to anger. “That’s a lot of shouldn’ts, don’t you think? After all, I’m not really your client since I’m not paying for any of this. And how dare you say I’m vulnerable. I’m not some helpless, little woman that you have to save. I agree that the situation is unusual and I won’t be so stupid as to say I don’t need your assistance. But that’s not the same as being vulnerable. I’m a full-grown woman who knows her mind and knows what she wants.”
Her eyes snapped and color rose over her cheeks, and he couldn’t help but think she was more beautiful than ever. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you were incapable—”
Huffing, she turned and walked away. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she halted, her hand on the rail, with her back toward him. Heaving a great sigh, she looked over her shoulder, the light in her eyes pinning him to where he stood. “I’m not the type of woman to throw myself at just any man. In fact, it’s been many years since I’ve felt any desire at all. My life is taking care of David but that doesn’t mean that, as a woman, I don’t have other feelings. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want you to do anything that felt wrong.” Swallowing deeply, she climbed the stairs, tossing out, “Sleep well, Mace.”
He stood for a long time in the middle of the room, the blankets and pillow lying untouched on the sofa. Shaking his head, he chastised, I’m a fucking fool. Not for initiating the kiss… but for stopping it.
12
Sleep proved elusive, as Mace tossed and turned on the sofa, unable to get comfortable. Knowing Sylvie was upstairs in her bed, he wondered if she were as frustrated as he. Swinging his legs around, he planted his feet on the floor. With his elbows propped on his knees, he rested his head in his hands, digging his palms into his eyes as the morning light began peeking through the blinds on the windows.
He was attracted to her, there was no doubt about that but, the idea that he might be taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable state, ate at him. No, I did the right thing. I couldn’t risk that, no matter how much I want her. Blowing out his breath, he lifted his head, a grimace on his face, remembering her angry words from the night before.
“I’m not some helpless, little woman, that you have to save… I’m a full-grown woman, who knows her mind and knows what she wants.”
The sound of soft footsteps coming down the stairs caught his attention and he looked over just as Sylvie came into sight. Dressed in black yoga pants with a slouchy, pale green T-shirt and her hair pulled up into a sloppy bun, she looked beautiful.
He stood quickly, refusing to give her a chance to avert her eyes. “Sylvie,” he called out, watching her nervously glance his way. “How are you?”
She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug, meeting his eyes. Raising her chin, she replied, “Fine.”
“Well, I’m not. I barely slept at all.” Her eyes widened and her head tilted slightly to the side.
“I’m sorry,” she said, stepping closer, her eyes dropping to the sofa behind him before coming back. “Did you need another blanket? I’m sure a man your size probably wasn’t comfortable—”
He shook his head, stalking closer until his bare feet were just in front of hers and her head tilted back to hold his gaze. “I owe you an apology—”
Immediately, her eyes narrowed and she began to turn away. “If you’re going to apologize again for that kiss, just stop right now. I—”
He reached out and grabbed her shoulders, gently turning her back to him. Shaking his head, he said, “No. I’m not apologizing for the kiss. I’m apologizing for stopping the kiss.”
She held her body perfectly still, his words taking a moment to sink in. Biting her lip, she said, “I’m not sure I understand.”
He drew her closer, until their bodies were almost flush once again. “I didn’t want to take advantage of you. That was the only reason I stopped the kiss. You need to understand, I wanted to kiss you. I don’t see you as a helpless woman. You’re a strong woman and a wonderful mother, and I think I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first laid eyes on you when we ran into each other and you were standing there with my coffee all over your shirt.”
Sylvie’s mouth fell open, but no words came out. Her heart raced as she watched Mace’s face slowly descend toward hers. He stopped, a whisper away from her lips, and she knew he was giving her a chance to back away. Instead, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her.
Their lips crashed together and, this time, the burn flamed immediately. She rose to her toes and he wrapped his arms around her, lifting her higher. Her legs shot around his waist and he held her easily against his chest.
Tongues tangled, noses bumped, and their lips moved as though they could not get enough of each other. Her breasts swelled and her nipples hardened, almost painfully. She could feel his erection through his jeans, hot against her core. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she knew they needed to slow down before David woke up, but she could not bear to break the kiss.
The sound of a car door slamming brought Mace’s attention out of the moment and his head jerked away from Sylvie’s, eliciting a mewl of discontent from her. “Sorry, sweetheart. Someone’s here.”
He gently set her back to the floor, his hands on her waist until she was steady on her feet. Stalking to the door, he peered through the peephole, stunned to see her ex-husband on the other side. Whipping his head around, he pierced her with a glare. “You expectin’ someone?”
Before Sylvie had a chance to decipher Mace’s change in mood, she heard Ed’s voice call out as he banged on the door.
“Sylvie!”
Ignoring Mace, she darted around him, opening the door just enough to see through. “What are you doing here? Keep your voice down! I don’t want you waking David!”
Ed weaved around slightly, his face hardening. “Come on, Sylvie.”
Speaking through the screen door, she said, “You dare to come here when you’ve been drinking? I told you the last time. No more. You cannot come here and ask for money. I’ve got nothing left to give you.”
Sneering, he said, “Well, then maybe it’s time for me to just pay a little visit to David. Let him know how much his father misses him—”
Before she had a chance to respond, the door moved out of her hand as Mace opened it wider. She felt his body right behind her, heat radiating off him as the small space filled with his anger.
Ed’s bloodshot eyes widened in shock, for a moment, then narrowed. “Mason? Mason Hanover? What the fuck are you doing in my wife’s—”
“Ex-wife,” she bit out, before processing that he recognized Mace.
“Doesn’t sound like you’re welcome here, Ed,” Mace growled.
“You always were self-important. Figured you’d be off doing your hot-shit soldier thing.” He staggered slightly, clutching the rail to keep from toppling backward. His eyes drifted down to her before moving back up. “You always got everything you wanted. Guess that’s why you’re here. Can’t stand that I had her first.”
Mace took a step forward, gently shifting her body to the side, as he ate up all the space. Unlatching the screen door, he walked through, towering over Ed.
Looking less sure, Ed said, “Hey, I’m not looking for any trouble. I just need a little money. Who she’s fucking isn’t any concern of mine.”
Mace’s fist darted out, connecting with Ed’s jaw, causing him to stumble backward, landing on his ass.
> Screaming, she darted out, throwing herself in front of Mace. “Stop! What are you doing? I don’t want David to see this!”
Mace’s chest heaved, not in exertion, but in frustration.
Sylvie turned and faced Ed as he pulled himself back up, holding his already bruising jaw. “We’ve been over a long time. For seven years, I’ve let you take advantage of me because part of me felt sorry for you. But no more. I have full custody and I don’t care about your threats anymore. No judge will give you visitation even if you really wanted it. So leave and don’t come back.”
She turned, shot Mace a withering glare as well and stalked back inside the house, slamming the door behind her.
Anger coursed through Mace, but he forced himself to be calm. Turning Ed toward the road, he escorted him back to the waiting taxi.
“Man, I don’t know what the fuck your game is. You had a chance with a wonderful woman and your son. Then you lost that, the first time you took your hand to her.”
Falling into the taxi, Ed looked up, his bravado returning. “You always got everything. Anything you wanted, it came your way. Fine,” he threw up his hand. “You want her, you’ve got her. She’s not worth the trouble.”
As the taxi drove down the street, Mace stood with his hands on his hips, watching it disappear. He turned, looked at the house and, seeing the closed front door, let out a sigh.
Walking back up the porch steps, he tried the doorknob, uncertain if it was locked. Heartened that it turned, he opened it and walked into the house. Hearing noise coming from the kitchen, he moved down the hall.
Sylvie, beating pancake batter into submission, was fuming. Without lifting her eyes, she said, “You know him.” It wasn’t a question. The truth of the matter was obvious.
“Yes,” he replied.
“And you didn’t think to tell me.”
He retorted, “And you didn’t think to tell me that your ex comes by sometimes to hound you for money? To threaten you?”
Her hands stilled and she set the bowl down, turning to face him. Her blue eyes, now the color of ice, glared. “What? You’re angry with me? Are you fucking serious?”
“I’m responsible for your safety. You should have told me. We talked the other night about Ed and his behavior towards you and why you left. That would’ve been a perfect time for you to let me know that he’s still a threat.”
Throwing her hands to the side, she faced him fully. “I’m sorry that my mind was occupied with my son being threatened by a possible murderer! I’m afraid that thoughts of my ex-husband rarely come to mind in the face of that.” She whirled around, her hair flying about her, and grabbed the bowl of batter.
Neither spoke, for several minutes, as she poured pancakes then stood over them, flipping them more carefully than he expected, given her anger. Finishing, she stacked them on a plate and began frying bacon. It appeared she was preparing to feed an army and he wondered if she was paying attention to what she was doing.
Dropping his chin, he blew out a long breath, pondering what to say. “Sylvie…I’m sorry. Please hear me out.”
He waited until she turned around, facing him, but noted her arms were crossed protectively over her middle.
“I knew Ed in boot camp. That’s how we met. Didn’t care for him when I first met him, but you learn pretty quickly that the Army plans on breaking you down so they can build you back up. They take a group of people, often with little in common, and turn them into a team. Hell, that was just boot camp…nothing like Special Forces training. Ed never tried to conform. He had glorious plans of joining a specialized unit but refused to put in the work necessary to even make it through basic training.”
Without saying anything, she turned around and flipped the stove off, putting the cooked bacon onto a paper towel. Facing him again, she leaned her hip against the counter, crossed her arms in front of her, and looked up at him.
“He got through boot camp only because the rest of us hounded his ass. The military believes in group punishment, which meant if he slacked off, we all had to work harder. So, we hauled him along, forcing him to do everything he was supposed to do, so that we could all make it through.”
Dragging his hand through his hair, he held her gaze. “I saw you… a couple of times. He used to brag about his gorgeous wife, never saying anything else about you, other than how good you looked on his arm.” She winced and he hated that his words caused her pain. Continuing, he said, “He was right, about you being gorgeous. I never got a chance to talk to you, so we never officially met. He seemed possessive and managed to keep you separated, even from the other wives.”
“So, when did you realize who I was?”
Closing his eyes, for a few seconds, he knew his next words would probably create a chasm between them, but she deserved honesty.
“Part of what we do, besides being tasked with high-level security, rescues, or investigations, is keep our ear to what we call chatter.” Seeing her tilt her head in question, he explained, “We may work internationally a lot, but I’m a firm believer in using our resources locally where we can. So, we listen to what’s going on with the local and State Police. I came across the initial report filed after David had been in your office. I was intrigued, but had no real plans of following through, until an update to the report came in. I did a little digging and I recognized you. After a little more digging, I discovered that you were divorced and found myself wanting to help.”
She dropped her eyes, turning back to the stove. Within a few minutes she had plated scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes loaded with syrup and butter. Pushing the plate toward him, she said, “Here.”
He thanked her, feeling guilty that she was not eating, but glad she was not kicking him out of the house. Watching her out of the corner of his eye, she fiddled with the pans in the sink, keeping her eyes averted from him. Expecting David would be getting up soon, he asked, “What about Ed?”
Her delicate shoulders lifted in a slight shrug, and she said, “Everything I told you the other night is true. The only thing I left out was that occasionally he comes by wanting money. I’ve never given him much, not knowing how it would be spent. I suppose I was always grateful that he gave me the divorce without any hassle. He knew at the time that getting away with no alimony or child support was a huge plus for him. I don’t know about his life now and don’t care but, I assume that he’s hit hard times.”
“He threatens you?”
“Not in the way you think. Since that night, he’s never threatened me with physical harm. But he has threatened to make life difficult for me by saying he will seek out David. He’s even threatened to take me back to court for visitation.”
“So, you’ve given him money over the past seven years.”
Nodding, she agreed. “It seemed the path of least resistance.” She looked up at him, holding his gaze, and said, “I’m sure, to a man like you, that must be a consideration you’ve never had to make. But, for me, it was the best thing I could’ve done at the time.”
Just then, they heard the sound of David’s feet scuffling upstairs. Looking at each other, no words were spoken, the air crackling between them.
Breathing out, she quickly said, “You may take him to school today, but I won’t be going into work. You don’t need to come back. I thank you for the security that you put in, but we’ll be fine now.”
The last bite of food stuck in his throat, but he nodded, her dismissal ringing loud and clear.
13
“See you later,” Mace called out as David climbed from his SUV. He watched as the young boy smiled and tossed his hand up in a wave, before jogging toward the school. He sat for a moment, watching David disappear into the building.
Pulling out onto the crowded street in front of the school, he scrubbed his hand over his face, fatigue settling deep inside. It wasn’t the lack of sleep that caused the exhaustion. It was the inner battle he fought over his conflicting feelings about Sylvie.
More determined than ever
, he drove out of town and back to the lighthouse. Heading straight to the LSI compound, he nodded at the others already gathered and walked over to Rank.
“Got a favor to ask. Get me everything you can find on Ed Gardner.”
“Sylvie Gardner’s ex-husband?”
Nodding, he said, “Yeah. He showed up this morning… drunk…and it appears he does that occasionally when he wants money. Threatens to make her life hell with David if he doesn’t get it.”
“You’ve gotta be shittin’ me,” Rank cursed.
“Wish I were. Knew the guy when he was an asshole back in basic and he’s worse now. I let him know where he stood this morning but, I’ve got no illusions that the lesson took hold. I want to know where he is, where he goes, where he lives. He even breathes in their direction, I want to know.”
A few of the others, listening to the conversation, nodded in agreement. Babs lifted her eyebrow, and said, “Damn, boss. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’ve got a real personal stake in this case.”
Glaring in her direction, he scowled and she laughed out loud. Turning to the others, he said, “All right, let’s get the staff meeting underway.”
They gathered around the table, each updating on the cases they had open.
“Nothing new from Ted, our contact at the CIA, on the Honduras situation, but our contact says that the situation there still needs monitoring,” Josh reported. “I’m keeping an eye on it, but until we get the official request, there’s not much to do.”
He nodded, turning toward Tate. “Just finished the identity change for the daughter of the family being threatened by the mob boss. The whole family is moving and we’ve got the FBI involved with their security as well.”
“You get your sister moved?” he asked Walker.
“Yeah, boss. Thanks for the time off. She and her husband appreciate it. I haven’t even told you all that I’m gonna become an uncle.” The congratulations flowed in and Walker grinned. “I know being pregnant doesn’t mean she can’t do things, but I couldn’t let her lift boxes and move shit.”
Vote Then Read: Volume III Page 299