Paradise Point

by Dana Volney

  Adam grinned but wiped his face of emotion before turning. Victor had been around a while. He knew the system. He also knew this time he’d stepped in it—deep.

  “I’m torn, really,” Adam said. “Part of me wants to smother you in that bed right now. Hell, part of me wanted to take the head shot. Most of me wants you to go to jail. Although, it’s all about who you know in those parts, and your connections might not be half bad.” He scratched his chin. “A tiny sliver of me wants to let you help us.”

  Victor guffawed. “Let’s cut the shit, shall we?”

  “Have it your way.” Adam shrugged.

  “Your woman’s life for mine. That’s our deal. She stays alive as long as I do.”

  Adam rocked back on his heels. Liv may not have liked it when he’d underestimated her, but he loved when his opponent underestimated him.

  “Paint a picture for me, Victor.”

  “You get me out of this hospital, and I’ll make sure she lives. You don’t and she’s as good as dead.”

  “How?”

  “Ha. You’re as incompetent as you look. I have reach. When will you learn?”

  Adam bobbed his head a couple of times and acted like he was in thought. “Or, how about I call all your buddies and play them some recordings of how you flipped and you’re feeding information to the DEA for immunity and a nice little cottage in, oh, say, Italy. They won’t be able to tell they are sliced recordings. Willamina is so impressive at shit like that.”

  Victor swore under his breath and a sentence rolled off his tongue in Spanish.

  “They’d never believe you.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. But, and correct me if I’m wrong, the odds won’t be in your favor.”

  “This is entrapment.”

  “Nah, closer to blackmail perhaps.”

  “You can arrest me. I’ll never betray my brothers.”

  Adam let out a long, loud sigh. “I was hoping you’d come to your senses right off the bat.” He stepped closer to hover over the old gangster. “You have a choice, a very wise choice to make, Victor. You know the usual threats and I won’t rehash that old song and dance. You’re a smart guy. So, this is my pledge to you.” Adam touched his heart and Victor’s beady eyes crinkled.

  “You won’t get any visitors, so I know Liv’s safe. If you haven’t made a deal to inform that you follow through with and leave my family alone by the time you leave this hospital, you are a dead man. I will know your schedule and I will strike.” Adam tapped his index finger to Victor’s forehead once. “The only sad thing is that you won’t realize it. I’ll have to take enough pleasure in it for the both of us.”

  “That’s far outside the bounds of the law, Adam.”

  “Sometimes that’s how I operate, Victor.”

  “I knew you were dark. Under different circumstances …” Victor shook his head. “I’ll tell my boys your plans. You can’t stop me from getting to her.”

  “Go ahead. Try. It’s your unsolved murder.” Adam walked toward the door. “I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for a call. Don’t disappoint me.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Adam stopped short on the dock at the light from Liv’s windows. He’d left her hours ago when she’d headed for the hospital and he’d headed, well, to the same hospital—different floor.

  He shouldn’t be surprised she’d be home—the last of the evening glow had burned out hours ago. But, nevertheless, the light in her home took him aback. I thought she’d go home with her parents. Maybe they’re here with her?

  He hadn’t thought past talking to Victor to ensure Liv’s safety. Victor hadn’t outright agreed to become an informant, but he’d seen that stare before. The man tried to act tough, like he had choices, but he didn’t. Victor would take the deal. He’d be in the DEA’s pocket. Adam would still monitor him though—keep your enemies closer and all that jazz.

  I need to see her. When he’d left Liv with the ambulance he knew she’d be okay, physically. It was her mental stability he now worried about. Hell, he worried about everything when it came to her these days. She loved him. What did that mean for them? For him?

  He boarded her houseboat. If she wasn’t alone, then so be it. They needed to talk. He took a breath and knocked.

  • • •

  Liv schlepped to the door. She’d finally managed to talk her parents into leaving and forced Sadie and Hannah out the door behind them. The offer to stay with one of them was nice, but she wanted her own bed and some much needed alone time with her thoughts. Would she see Adam tonight? How did he know where she was to save her? She’d barely started to process her bizarre day when a knock sounded.

  “Hi.” Surprise caught in her voice.

  “Hey.”

  Liv stepped back and waved Adam in. He’s here. Her stomach fluttered and words bounced around in her head but didn’t make it out. She’d told this man less than a handful of hours ago she loved him, a sentiment he hadn’t returned. He stood at her front door to check on her, like he’d done after Ken and Neil and the boat incident. She was really racking up the scary situations these days.

  He didn’t claim his usual spot on her couch. Instead, he stood very close to her in the living room. His black shirt and cargo pants were the same clothing he’d rescued her in. His hair lay tousled and his eyes zeroed in on her. His expression, however, was much softer now than the last time she’d seen him. Except for when she’d told him she loved him, his face had been hardened in a flat line the entire night. When he’d stepped into the doorway at the warehouse, Liv remembered being distinctly glad he was on her side. Adam had appeared scarier than Victor in that moment. “How are you?” Adam asked.

  She let her eyes trail over the hard lines of his beautiful face. The man before her embodied pure testosterone mixed with panty-dropping good looks. There’s no way I can work with him every day and not love him.

  Liv nodded slightly. “Good. I’m good.” She sat on the couch and pulled her knees to her chest.

  “Everything check out at the hospital?” Adam followed and sat close.

  “Of course. They bandaged my wrist and ankles again and sent me on my merry way.” She held her wrist up and twisted it to show the white gauze wrapping four inches of her arm.

  He pressed his lips together and reached for it. He gently rubbed his thumb over the gauze and her skin. His simple act pinged her heart. Any contact with him turned her on, no matter the situation. Adam, who’d nearly killed men because they threatened her, looked at her with such tender eyes.

  “Thanks again … for everything. My dad was pleased,” she said.

  Her dad didn’t mince words or speak freely about feelings, but Liv knew Adam’s stock in her dad’s eyes grew tenfold today.

  “I’m sure that will help you out at work,” she continued.

  Adam’s eye brows knitted together. “What?”

  “Work. Your team coming to get me …” She swallowed hard. “I’m sure he’s pleased he sent you and that you succeeded.”

  Silence stretched as Adam just stared.

  “You believe he is the reason I came after you?”

  Was that rhetorical?

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “You have got to be kidding me.”

  “Well …”

  “So, what? Today was just routine for me?”

  “You ran off pretty quickly to do more work after getting me out.”

  Adam stood and moved to the middle of the cabin. He paced and Liv felt her heartbeats quicken. Did she miss something?

  Adam’s eyes pointed toward the floor and his hands gripped his hips. What did I do? She’d be dammed if he got to be the only angry one in the room. She had cause to be pissed, too. Her I love you still hung between them with no in-kind response. Even a “hey, we’d be better off as friends” speech right now would be better than nothing. Wait. No. Scratch that. That would be worse.

  Liv popped off the couch and stood in front of the line he was wearing on her hardwood floo
r.

  “How am I wrong? For once I want to be first … before duty.” She spoke between clenched teeth.

  “Your father didn’t send me to do anything.” Adam met her tone.

  “You sure couldn’t wait to get out of there. And what were you talking to my dad about by the ambulance? Your next assignment?”

  “I had to make sure you were safe. I cannot go on knowing you might be in danger. I cannot … I will not … live without you. Don’t you see? Didn’t you hear anything I said when that guy was holding a gun to your head?”

  “Not really. He had a freaking gun to my head.”

  “Your life is more important to me than my own. I was putting you first. I will do everything I can to protect you. I’m here now.” He moved toward her and she backed up until she hit the wall. “You’re safe and I can take a deep breath. I wanted to be with you when you left in the ambulance. More than anything, wanted to make sure they cared for you. But, that’s not life, Liv. Would you rather I let Victor put a hit out on you?” Adam put his hands up to his eyes and rubbed. “Just so you know, he’s not. Now.” He sighed. “What do you want from me?”

  Liv couldn’t fight or even speak. The back of her throat burned and she knew tears swam in her eyes. Never had a man had such an effect on her. She fought the madness, frustration, and happiness of having Adam near. She craved his touch. How did she feel so much all at once because of one guy? I’m losing my mind. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

  “I want everything,” she said quietly.

  She stared into Adam’s beautiful brown eyes and saw depths he’d never shown her before.

  “You make me crazy,” he said softly.

  A tear streamed down her cheek. He moved his thumb and wiped it away.

  “I love you,” she whispered. Saying it again came naturally and she couldn’t stop herself. Not hearing it back sliced her heart in two.

  Adam leaned in the short distance and skimmed his lips over hers and she closed her eyes. The sensation was delicious and she wanted more. He placed his hands on her cheeks and kissed her deeply, lovingly. She pulled him closer by the waistband of his cargo pants. He moved one hand to grasp her hair while the other one caressed the curve of her breast.

  He ran his hands down her body to the outside of her thighs and then to her butt, hiking her up on his hips. She wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to her master bedroom.

  His kisses made her body scream. If that’s all he had to offer then, right now, tonight, that’s what she’d take. She could figure the rest out tomorrow. Someday, he’d love her.

  • • •

  Adam pressed Liv closer to him. He couldn’t get enough. He found her bed and laid her down. Her supple body writhed under him. He caressed her, finally stilling his hands on her face. He pulled away from her hot kisses and brushed hair out of her eyes.

  He’d never get tired of the way she looked at him, with passion and love. He smiled leisurely, taking in every inch of her perfect face.

  “I love you, Liv.”

  She smiled and his insides melted. He was now one of those yuppies who talked like a lovesick fool. But, dammit, he didn’t care. The woman with her hands all over him was his and he was hers. There was no other way to describe it.

  He kissed her and moved his kisses to her jawline and down her neck. Her fingers moved under his shirt and up his back. He kissed her skin up to her lips again and gently, deeply kissed her with all the love he had to give.

  “I love you,” he breathed into her mouth between kisses.

  “I love you, too.”

  Adam took his time exploring her body and driving her wild—something he looked forward to doing for the rest of their lives.

  Author Bio

  Dana Volney lets her imagination roam free in Wyoming where she writes romances and helps local businesses succeed with her marketing consulting company. Surrounding herself with good friends, family, and boating on the lake whenever she can, she thrives on moments and memories created with loved ones, especially on sun-filled days. That’s when Wyoming’s charm really sinks in. Dana is bold, adventurous, and—by her own admission—good with plants, having kept a coral cactus alive for more than one year.

  More from This Author

  (From Holiday Hoopla by Dana Volney)

  Halle Adams leaned against the counter and propped herself up on her elbows. She stared at the pink bottle brush Christmas tree on the jewelry case. The glittered star shimmered in the Christmas lights. So simple. So pretty. So . . . She sighed. Earlier, when she’d poured herself a glass of wine, she’d cut the overhead lights and opted for the glow from the store’s Christmas tree. She loved and hated this time of year. The beauty of the holiday was undeniable . . . the Christmas lights, decorations, even the music that piped out of her storefront speakers onto First Street. Passersby in her town of Casper, Wyoming caught a bit of the holiday cheer when they strolled past her newly decorated window displays full of short evergreen trees with hanging candy canes, wooden reindeers wearing her necklaces, and scarves and hats and rustic plaques proclaiming holiday cheer. On her door hung a bedazzled “open” sign. Twinkling lights cast a blinking reflection of her store marquee, Just Dandy, on the snow-dusted sidewalk. Just Dandy. Just Dandy. Just Dandy . . . Yeah, like that was going to happen any time soon after this muck up.

  The Christmas season had been magical since she was a little girl, but these days it also stirred up a restlessness she was only able to tame the rest of the year. Halle twisted the stem of the hand painted wine glass between her fingers. The end of a year, particularly after Thanksgiving, brought an emptiness with it that usually inspired her to act on a reckless whim. Not that thinking things out works well. Case in point—Dad. I’ve got to break free from his strings. She had a little over a month to really make this year count. There was something more to this life, something she knew she should do . . . she just hadn’t been able to put a finger on it. Maybe if she hired Christmas carolers to serenade her customers the joy would rub off on her. People were happy everywhere, and while she mostly related, something was missing.

  The front door’s jingle startled her.

  “Hello?” A gruff voice called out. “Are ya open?”

  She raised her voice toward the front door, “Yeah, back here.”

  Halle quickly stood, forgetting she held a glass of wine. The blush liquid sloshed over the side and onto her hand.

  “Shoot.” She checked the sleeve of her white V-neck. Whew. Close one. She looked up and caught a penetrating stare from the man who’d just entered her store.

  “Hazards of drinking on the job?” A slow grin spread across his stubbled face.

  “Quality control.” She shrugged, adding a wink and a coy smile. “Someone’s gotta check the merchandise.”

  Halle’s gaze wandered over the stranger in the dim Christmas tree lighting. His broad build filled out his tan North Face jacket. She didn’t have to look down to know he was in jeans and cowboy boots. Why, hello. Merry Christmas to me. Halle set down her wine glass and felt heat start at her toes and rise to her throat. She wasn’t sure if the sensation moving through her was the wine or her body talking.

  “What are you in need of today?” She reached for a rag beneath the counter and hastily wiped her hand before resting her gaze back on the cowboy. His deep, brown eyes matched his wavy, brown hair. Thick eyelashes intensified his dreamy stare. Those are eyes I bet no woman gets tired of. Halle mused at the giddiness that tingled her midsection.

  “I need to find a present for my sister. I know she likes this place. Are you sure you’re open?” He looked at the ceiling. “Are your lights working?”

  “They are now, but . . .” She shook her head before laughing in attempt to deflect the situation. “Check back next week.”

  The man’s brows rose in a query.

  Halle moved around the counter and flipped on the light switch by the front door. “Seemed like a twinkle light kinda afternoon.” She
straightened her sweater against her jeans. She couldn’t seem to stop grinning. Don’t act like you’re in high school, Halle. This guy’s a customer. Even if he does smell good. Like the forest. She’d never been a fan of evergreen, but this cowboy made it heavenly.

  “So, you need a gift for your sister?”

  He turned and looked around the store. Halle took the opportunity to check him out. About my age . . . no ring. Why haven’t I ever met him before? This town isn’t that big. Halle bit the side of her bottom lip. Her “consequences-be-damned-there-is-fun-to-be-had” streak was pulsing through her body, and this cowboy made her feel like being naughty. Here I thought the holiday season was going to be boring.

  The stranger peered over the rack of spices and miscellaneous cooking items. “I didn’t realize you had a bunch of different stuff in here.”

  “Sure do—something for everyone. What does she like?”

  “Blue.” He looked up. “She loves blue.”

  “Blue . . . okay. I have some blue necklaces I made over here.” She motioned to the glass cases that doubled as her front counter. “I also have a matching scarf and hat set in ocean blue.” She scooped up the items and held them toward him.

  “Oh, those are nice. You make this stuff?”

  “Some of it—mostly the necklaces.” She caught his gaze and lowered her voice in mischief. “Sometimes, when I’m feeling really sexy, I crochet.”

  “That’s weird. So do I.” His lips started to curve up until the chirping sound of his cell phone suddenly cut it short. He retrieved it from his front jean pocket.

  “Excuse me.” He turned his back to her and spoke quietly into the phone. All she could hear was mumbling.

  Halle laid the crocheted set on the counter and spied her wine glass. Where does drinking during a transaction stand on the appropriate meter? Hell, I own the joint. The words of her father sounded off in her head causing an eye roll. She owned the business, not the physical store, as he’d so astutely pointed out in what had started as a civilized meeting last week.