Before Cy could move, the warden reached out and grabbed the guard’s gun and shot himself. Gemma choked back a sob as she stared at the destruction in the room. Then the sound of gunfire snapped her back to reality. The prison was rioting and they were not safe.
“We have to get out of here. Cy and I will take point. Cole, make sure she gets out of here alive.” Ahmed and Cy pulled out guns from everywhere.
Cole looked down at his service weapon. “Well, I sure feel inadequate,” he said in such a dry voice that Gemma actually let out a nervous laugh in the middle of all this chaos.
Ahmed pushed out the door first, followed by Cy. The interview hallway was empty, but the sounds of the riot were growing closer as they hurried toward the exit. Pounding erupted beside them as they passed the visitors’ section. It sounded as if the prisoners were trying to knock down the strong door separating the meeting area from the hallway leading to the cells.
With a final bang, the door was pried open and men rushed through it, past the small tables, to another door leading to the hallway where Gemma and her group were. Cole pushed Gemma, forcing her to start running again, but when she turned back toward the entrance, she froze as she faced a wall of guards in riot gear.
“FBI,” Cole shouted as he raised his badge. “Let us through.”
Cy pushed forward toward the guards but it was too late. The visitors’ door crashed opened and they were now caught between the prisoners and the guards in the middle of the wide hallway. The prisoners smiled as they saw Gemma, and Cy felt his heart turn to ice. No way were they getting their hands on her. With a quick glance, he looked back and saw that Cole had shoved her behind him and was backing her up toward the guards.
Cy turned to Ahmed who gave him a barely visible nod and raised his weapon. The prisoner who was leading the riot stopped and smiled at him. The tattoos covering his neck moved as he swallowed. “Hand over the girl and get out of the way, man. Maybe we’ll let you live.”
“Um, let me think about it. No.” Cy cocked his gun and the man covered in gang tattoos just laughed.
“You think you can stop me? You think they can stop me? I’m the badass that runs this place.” He held up his arms as his minions circled around him waiting to strike.
Cy didn’t have time for this. He pulled the trigger and heard the scream as the man grabbed his knee, falling to the floor. His minions looked stunned. “Who else wants to find out if they’re badasses?” They looked at each other and then to the advancing wall of guards and decided they weren’t gods after all. With their hands up, they backed through the door and ran back into the mob.
“Hands up,” a guard shouted.
Cy rolled his eyes. “CIA,” he said as he lifted his badge. “Now will someone be kind enough to escort us out?”
Gemma sat on the couch in Mo’s plane. She was worn out. Her adrenaline was now depleted and all she wanted was to sleep for days. Cy took the seat between her and Cole as Ahmed chose a chair across the aisle from them.
They started talking about the night and the criminal network, but it was almost three in the morning and she was too tired to participate. Her body shook with exhaustion and Cy put his arm over her shoulder as he continued to talk. She knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t resist putting her head on his chest and snuggling closer to him. He was so warm and safe. She had finally done it; she’d gone and fallen for him. Oh, she knew he was trouble the second she crashed into him.
She had been trying to ignore the feelings, trying to tell herself that she wasn't his type, but it hadn’t worked. When she saw him leap across the desk and put himself in danger, her heart had tripped and she couldn’t imagine him not in her life anymore. Cy talked and gently rubbed her shoulder as Gemma felt her eyes flutter. Soon the low rumble of his voice and the warmth of his embrace had her fast asleep dreaming of what might be.
Cy never wanted to move. Gemma felt so perfect in his arms. He spent the short plane ride talking to Ahmed and Cole, all the while perfectly aware of every gentle breath she took. Halfway through the flight, she rested her hand on his stomach and he thought he’d never felt anything so sweet in his whole life.
“Honey, we’re landing,” he whispered into her ear.
“Mm-hmm,” she mumbled and buried her head deeper into his chest. The plane landed with a bump and she tightened her hand on his shirt but didn’t wake up.
“Man, she’s out of it. Want my help getting her home?” Cole asked.
“Nah, I got it. Just make sure I don’t fall down the stairs.” Cy stood up and in one easy motion picked her up. Cole went ahead of him and told him where the steps were as he exited the plane.
“Sleep well. We’ll talk tomorrow. Good night, Ahmed.”
Ahmed nodded to Cole and Cy and took off in his car. Cole gave him one last wave and got into his truck.
“Come on, honey, it’s time for me to get you into bed,” Cy whispered as he put her into the truck.
“Okay,” she mumbled.
Cy felt himself hold his breath. Okay to what? To helping her home or okay to getting into bed with her? Either idea had him pondering quietly as he drove back to Miss Lily’s.
Cy balanced Gemma in his arms as he unlocked her door. He carried her to the large bed and again wondered at her invitation. No. He was a gentleman and gentlemen didn’t take advantage of women. He would do the right thing and get her into bed. Then, tomorrow, he would properly try to earn his way into her bed.
He grinned as he took off her sandals and placed a blanket over her. Gemma’s hair tumbled onto the pillow. She had curled up on her side and was hugging the other pillow when her eyes fluttered and she looked up at him.
“Good night, Gemma,” Cy whispered as he rose to leave.
“Kiss me. Just once?”
Cy felt the invitation instantly. He looked down at her and knew he shouldn’t, but when she smiled up at him and held out her hand, he was done for. He bent forward and brushed her bottom lip with his thumb gently before touching his lips to her. He ran his tongue along her lip as she opened for him. Cy knew it would be like this. He knew that once he got his first taste, he’d never be able to forget her. Now all he wanted to do was worship her.
Gemma hugged the pillow tight and responded instantly to the kiss by moaning into his mouth. Man, this dream was even better than the dream she’d had the night before. She opened her eyes and stared at Cy’s soft face. She ran her hand over his stubble as she caressed him. She wondered if this was what he would look like if he dropped his guard. She sure hoped so because this man was gorgeous.
He ran his hand over her head and brushed back her hair. “You have no idea how badly I want you,” her dream man said to her. Well, it was what she was longing to hear and her subconscious just gave it to her—who was she to deny it?
“Oh God, yes,” she called out as his hands ran up her ribs to cup her breasts. This was definitely better than last night’s dream, she thought as he gently massaged her while he brought his lips to her stomach. He traced a line of kisses from her belly button upward, and when his mouth closed onto her nipple, she decided right then and there she was never going to wake up.
Gemma gasped and ran her hand down his back. This was her dream and there were things she had been dreaming of doing to him since she first met him. She grabbed his shirt and ripped it off before pulling him onto the bed. Straddling him, she slowly raised her shirt over her head, teasingly. Next she stood on the bed and stepped out of her shorts and panties as she swayed above him. His hands tried desperately to reach for her as she playfully pushed them away.
“I’ve been wanting to do this since the night we met. To feel my body against yours,” she confessed.
“By all means, you should do it then.” His voice was different. Deeper, more gravelly as she straddled him again. His hands were on her instantly as she threw her head back and gave into the sensation of his hardness beneath her.
Cy sat up, cradling her in his lap. “But now it’s time
for me to show you what I’ve been thinking about since I met you.”
“If you really want to.” Gemma smiled before he flipped her beneath him.
“Oh, I do . . .” And with a ravenous glance at her body, he showed her just what he’d been thinking about.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Gemma knew she had woken up, but the soft breeze coming from the overhead fan and the perfect way her arm was wrapped around her pillow made it hard to open her eyes after such an exhausting day.
The day had been so long and filled with such emotion. She was glad to be back in the quiet of her room and left with the remembrances of her dream last night. Wow. It had been one hell of a dream. She had fallen asleep on the plane after the adrenaline wore off and remembered waking up when Cy carried her into her room. He had said good-night and she had fallen right back to sleep to have the be-all-and-end-all sex dream. In fact, just thinking about it brought a blush to her face.
She squeezed her pillow and then screamed when it turned to her and sleepily smiled. “Good morning.”
Gemma leapt from the bed, kicking at the covers tangling up her feet. “Oh my God!” She panicked as she bounced from foot to foot breaking free of the sheets and moving to the end of the bed.
“Wow. You’re even more beautiful in the daylight. Better than I could've ever imagined. How did I get so lucky?”
Gemma felt Cy’s eyes traveling the length of her body and she looked down and automatically tried to cover her nakedness. “I . . . you . . . you were a dream,” Gemma stuttered as her eyes focused on his bare chest. His lap was still covered, but the top of a tattoo close to the bulge under the sheet caught her eye. What was that?
“I’m very real, sweetheart. Want me to prove it to you again? I’m more than happy to accommodate you.” Cy grinned and Gemma got that flip-flop feeling again. He was so handsome, so sexy when he showed his real self. He was playful but tender. Assertive but giving as she remembered her non-dream. He was everything she wanted and more . . . and completely unavailable.
“But you’re dating every Hollywood bimbo around,” Gemma moaned as she rolled her head up toward the ceiling in distress.
“And . . . you didn’t like me. I think last night proved we were both wrong. In fact, I think we’re pretty perfect together. I mean, that thing you did with your leg and then you moved—”
“I can’t believe I did that.” But Gemma’s worry disappeared and her mouth went dry as Cy pushed aside the sheet and patted the bed next to him. The tattoo was uncovered to reveal a family crest and a very excited Cy.
Gemma ran her eyes over his broad chest, ripped abs, and narrow waist. His legs were long and muscled. Scars marked his body here and there, but somehow they only made him more masculine. And that tattoo. She got hot just looking at it. It was small, maybe only five inches in the crease of his thigh across his pelvic bone. She was drawn to it.
“I love your tattoo. It fits you,” Gemma stepped forward and traced her fingers over the small red shield. A black lion was in the middle of the shield with a knight’s helmet on top. Plumes cascaded from the helmet around the top of the shield.
Cy patted the bed and the nagging doubt disappeared. “Want to get a closer look?”
“Well,” Gemma smiled as she dropped her arms to her side, “if you insist.”
* * *
Cy couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he clasped his hand around her smaller one. He absently rubbed his thumb over her knuckles as he felt more like his real self than he had in years. Being with her, laughing with her, it was like seeing the light at the end of the dark undercover tunnel he was trying to escape.
“If you think the muffins Miss Lily has been giving you were good, you’ll love the food at the café. You should try the biscuits and sausage gravy; they’re my favorite.” Cy felt a smile settle on his face as he looked down at her beautiful face. She wore no makeup and her hair was swept back into a sloppy ponytail. He didn’t think he’d seen anything so sexy before in his life.
“Sounds good,” Gemma smiled back.
Cy opened the door to the café and walked in behind her. The café went quiet and he felt Gemma stiffen.
“It’s like they all know we slept together,” Gemma whispered as she hesitantly smiled at the patrons.
“That’s because they do, sweetheart.” Cy placed a quick kiss on her forehead and the patrons groaned.
“Yee-haw.” Noodle jumped up and pumped his fist in the air.
“I take it you won the bet?” Cy asked, smiling. No wonder he missed this town.
“I sure did. Today was my day. I gotta call Emma. We’re upgrading to a suite for the honeymoon now.” Noodle pumped his fist in the air and reached for his phone.
“They bet on us?” Gemma hissed incredulously.
“They bet on everything.” Cy saw her shoot him a yeah, right look and decided to prove his point. “Miss Daisy, what’s the line on Dani and Mo’s baby?”
“Two to one that it’s a girl. August third is the leading due date. Want in?” Miss Daisy asked as she set down a plate of bacon and eggs at the closest table.
“No thanks, but I do think we’ll have two orders of biscuits and gravy.” Cy pulled out a chair at an empty table for Gemma as she sat.
Gemma tasted the food and felt happy. A fluffy biscuit was smothered in gravy. It was the perfect comfort food. The conversation in the café had resumed to a normal level and she was surprised how easily she and Cy talked. For once, Hollywood wasn't interrupting and she enjoyed hearing about all the residents of Keeneston.
“Cy Davies?” a tall woman with strawberry-blonde hair asked as she stopped by the table. Gemma almost threw down her fork in frustration. Hollywood just interrupted. Gemma didn’t know who she was, but she was striking even though she was wearing black cargo pants and a tight black scoop-neck shirt.
“Yes?” Cy was polite as he looked up into a face lightly sprinkled with freckles.
“Bridget Springer,” she said with a sweet voice that held nothing but authority in its tone.
Gemma was suddenly jealous. She wished she had the confidence Bridget did. She seemed so secure in who she was and maybe that was Gemma’s problem. She was suffering an identity crisis. She wasn’t happy with her job, just lost her sister, and had no idea what direction her life was going in.
“And I’m Gemma Perry,” Gemma said with a smile as she held out her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you both. Mr. Davies hired me to train Marko for the sheriff and I ended up staying here. And, from what I’ve heard, I’m the reason you’re at the bed-and-breakfast instead of Paige’s. I was just going to offer to move out if you need the space.”
“Nonsense,” Gemma waved the idea away. This woman was a strange contradiction. While there was authority there, she seemed to be a genuinely kind person and Gemma definitely wanted to get to know her better.
“Thank you. Just know the offer stands.” Bridget paused for a minute before looking back to Cy. “Forgive me if it’s none of my business, but I also had some ideas about the case.”
“Well, then, take a seat and tell us what you think.” As Bridget sat, Cy filled Gemma in. “Bridget is an elite K-9 handler. She’s worked the front lines of the War Against Terror, guarded the president, escorted ambassadors, and more. She’s very well respected in the security world.”
“Thank you,” Bridget said with a slight nod before lacing her fingers together and turning serious. “I think the men Ahmed turned over to the police may be of some use to you. As you know, they were the ones charged with finding you. They could be able to tell you how they found you. If you have that information, then you can work your way back up the food chain, so to speak. Also, if they’re personal security, for example, then they may have information on the boss they protect and run these kinds of errands for.”
“That’s a good point. I had just assumed they’d be hired henchmen, but you may be right. I wish I knew if they had a tattoo. That would tell me if the
y were hired or part of the security team.”
“They had a small black tattoo on their wrist. It was a Roman numeral X.” Gemma jumped back as she heard Ahmed answer from directly behind her. She hadn’t heard the bell ring or even felt anyone standing behind her.
“Then we need to have a talk with them,” Cy agreed.
“I thought the same thing. It’s why I came to see you. Miss Springer,” Ahmed acknowledged with a quick nod of his head.
“Ahmed,” Bridget responded in kind. Gemma had to hide a smile behind her napkin. There was certainly a spark there, but it was strange. They were both so good at hiding their feelings, she couldn’t tell if it was love or hate.
“Well then, what are we waiting for?” Cy asked as he placed some money on the table. “It’s about time these guys meet who they were looking for.”
Cy followed Ahmed into the Lexington police station. The old concrete building somehow looked like every other police station in the world. Overworked and underpaid people living off caffeine ran them all. The old tile floors somehow darkened the fluorescent light beating down as their steps echoed down the hall.
Ahmed stopped at the front desk and quietly spoke to the woman behind the plastic window. She nodded and then picked up the phone. Just as quickly as she dialed, she hung up. “Detective Basher will see you now. Through the doors and up to the third floor.”
Gemma came and stood near Cy when a man in handcuffs was led down the hall by two uniforms. He liked the way she instinctively felt protected by him. She probably didn’t even notice she did it.
“It’s this way,” Ahmed said, paying no attention to the man in cuffs now cursing and struggling as the officers tried to control him.
Cy slid his arm around Gemma’s waist and urged her forward. After they passed through the doors, the environment turned more office-like. They pushed through a swinging door and into a large room filled with desks. An older man stood up solemnly on the far side of the room. His hands rested on his hips and Cy knew it wasn’t good. The man’s lips were pierced into a tight line as he waited for them to approach.
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