Taking Down Brooklyn

by Kelly Moore

  I hurry back to the Rover and drive it down the beachy drive, parking in the back of the cottage. I open my door, and I hear the rear door open at the same time. “Hold on, and I’ll help you.”

  He takes my hand and straightens up tall, stretching. “It’s funny, I actually feel a little better.”

  “Good, maybe we can get a little food in you. I’ll order when we get inside.” The little cottage is roomy and decorated in seahorses and seashells. There is a soft blue chair in the corner with anchors on it. “How about you sit here, and I’ll go get our bags.” He sits, and I run outside, texting my father to tell him only that I am where Mom and I would run off to on the weekends. My phone tings back almost immediately. “I know the place well. I’ll get Jake there.”

  I grab our bags, and when I walk inside, I don’t see him. “John,” I call his name. I walk further in, and I hear water running. I throw our bags on the bed, heading straight for the shower. Steam warms my face as I open the door. “Do you need help?” I ask, drawing back the curtain.

  “I need you in here with me.” Water drips from the hand he is holding out for me to take. I pull off my hat and glasses and strip out of my clothes. I take his hand, and he draws me into him. He softly kisses my lips and pulls my hair down out of my ponytail, letting the water rain down, soaking it. We hold each other without any words between us. I slowly wash his hair and body, rinsing him until I feel him shiver.

  “I think it’s time you get out of the water.” Reaching around him, I turn off the shower. Drawing back the pale blue curtain, I pick up a towel and start drying his body. “Let’s get you back in bed, and I’ll order us something to eat.” I quickly dry myself and follow him out. “My dad is getting Jake here tonight.”

  “Thanks for getting me here.” I tuck him in and touch his forehead.

  “Your fever is starting up again. Let me grab you some Tylenol.”

  I order some food, but by the time it gets here, he’s fallen asleep again. I take out one of the guns from his bag and place it in the back of my shorts. I quietly open the door so I don’t wake him. A few hundred feet out are Adirondack chairs, one blue, the other a deep coral color. My mom and I used to sit here and talk for hours. Right now, I want to feel close to her. Maybe that’s why I brought John to the same exact place I stayed with my mother.

  I sit and take my sandals off and let the sand bury my toes. “I miss you, Mom. I wish you could have met John. He’s the bad boy you always warned me about.” I giggle to myself. “He’s a really good bad boy, though. I think you would have really loved him.” Tears begin to fall again. “I was heartbroken when you died, and now…well, maybe you’ll get to meet him wherever you are. I love him, Momma. I didn’t think I would ever fall in love again. I didn’t think I would meet a man who didn’t care about my father’s political background or someone who didn’t use me for their gains. John’s not like that. He couldn’t care less about any of it. He loves me for me, good and bad. And well, he’s seen the bad.” I laugh again through my tears.

  The wind shifts and I hear a car pulling up behind me. I instinctively reach for my gun when I stand to see an unmarked black SUV pull up. My gun is aimed on the door that is opening. As soon as I see brown boat shoes hit the sand, I stow my gun and run straight for Jake.

  “Thank god you are here.” I hug him so hard we almost topple over.

  “Whoa, take it easy.”

  I hold him back arm’s length and look at him. “You look so much better than the last time I saw you.”

  He grins at me. “So do you.” His hand brushes over my right eye. “Where’s John? Your dad told me what happened. He had to fight the doctor to release me.” His movements are slow as we walk toward the cottage.

  “He’s inside sleeping.” The words are no longer out of my mouth, and John is opening the front door. He engulfs his brother into a hug.

  “I heard what Miles did to you. I’m so sorry, man.” Jake’s voice cracks.

  “Come on inside and sit down. I’m pretty sure, you are not supposed to be up and moving yet,” John tells him.

  “I don’t care. I wanted to be here with you.” They walk into the house, and I talk to the two agents that brought Jake here. They are going to stick around and keep any eye out for us.

  John is pulling out the food that I ordered and placing it on three plates. I stare at him for a moment. “Your color is better.” I walk up beside him, helping him with the plates.

  “Oddly enough, I feel better. I don’t feel like I’m dying anymore.”

  My plate goes crashing to the ground, shattering into pieces. “Damn, Brook. What is it?” John asks.

  I take a step back, and my hand flies to cover my mouth. “You…you…had cancer. The vaccine, it cured you.”

  “What are you talking about? I didn’t have cancer.” His brows are drawn together tight, and then realization hits him. “I had cancer and didn’t know it.” He picks me up and starts swinging me around. His lips land on mine, his tongue delves inside, and I fully reciprocate the emotion that he is giving me with his kiss.

  “You mean I came all this way for nothing,” Jake says. “You’re not dying?”

  “Don’t sound so disappointed, brother.” He laughs, placing my feet back on the ground.

  “So, what you are saying is that you had cancer and didn’t even know it?” Jake is all smiles now.

  “That is the only way he’s not dying right now.” I walk over and kiss Jake on his bald head. I look over at John, and he has this strange look in his eye. “What are you thinking?”

  “Miles doesn’t know that. It gives me the upper hand.” He walks up to Jake and hands him a plate. “Matthew will get what he needs to take down Knox, and Miles will never see who is coming for him.”

  “Can’t we let someone else deal with Miles?” I look up at John while I pick up the pieces of the broken plate.

  He quickly shakes his head. “No way. I want to be the one to take him down.” He points at his chest with a deadly look in his eye.

  “We don’t even know where he is.” I throw the broken dish in the trash and stand in front of John.

  “I know where the bastard hides when he needs to lay low for a while. You forget I’ve been employed with him for a long time.”

  “Where do you think he is now?” Jake asks from behind me. I spin around to see him taking a bite of food.

  “He’s here, in Virginia Beach. He has a yacht anchored up here. It’s his personal hiding place. Unfortunately for him, he took me there once, and I know exactly where the snake is hiding. If by chance he’s not there yet, he will be once word gets out about Knox being taken down.”

  “I think you need a few more days of rest before you go chasing bad guys down again,” I tell him, placing my hand on his chest.

  “I couldn’t agree more. The three of us do need some recovery time.”

  “We have the perfect place to hide and two agents outside.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Brooklyn

  “How are you feeling?” I ask John as I climb into bed to lie next to him.

  He lifts his arm so he can hold me against his side. His heat and scent engulf me, making me feel at home. As long as I have him, anywhere is home to me.

  “Better. My head is still a little foggy, and my stomach is still upset, but I feel stronger somehow. I haven’t felt like this in years.”

  “I wonder how far your cancer had progressed. Did you ever notice anything?”

  He laughs. “The way I lived, I tried not to notice anything. Doing what I did, killing people, you have to keep everything turned off, or it really gets to you. I ate, slept, and killed. Any kind of feelings would just open the floodgates, and I wouldn’t have been able to keep doing it.”

  I twist and look up at him. “Well, you had to have had some feelings left. You did seek me out in the bar that night,” I tease him.

  “Some things you can’t turn off. My feelings for you being one of them.” He turns so h
is body is covering mine. His weight feels so good pressed against me, especially after thinking I’d never get this again.

  I push against his chest while his lips leave a scorching hot trail down my neck. “John, you’re not strong enough for this yet.”

  He holds himself above me with his forearm. “I’ve spent the last few days thinking that I was never going to get you this way again. Now that I have you, nothing is stopping me.” His hand grabs my outer thigh and squeezes while his lips move to mine. He lowers back down, letting his weight drive me into the bed.

  My heart flutters as every muscle in my body tightens from feeling him against me. His hands push my shirt up my stomach before they descend my body, pulling my pajama shorts away.

  He tosses them before pulling his boxers down his thighs and positioning himself where I need to feel him the most.

  His body stills and his lips pull away. “What is it?” I ask him while running my fingers through his dark hair.

  “I just want to be looking in your eyes when I slide deep inside of you.” When the last word leaves his lips, he pushes forward, filling me completely. My back arches and my eyes close from the sheer pleasure he’s bringing me.

  He gasps at the same time I do, and then his lips crash against mine again while he moves in and out of me, hitting the exact spot that sends me spiraling out of control.

  My nails dig into his back, trying to get him closer even though we’re already skin to skin. When my release ends, he rolls us so I’m on top of him.

  His hands hold my hips while I move on top of him. They slide up my baggy T-shirt so he can squeeze my breast while gently rubbing his thumb over my sensitive nipple. I call out, feeling my climax building again. I look down at him. His eyes are bright and filled with lust as he watches me. His jaw is flexing, and his Adam’s apple bobs. I can tell he’s just as close as I am.

  I move down and press my lips against his. “I love you, John,” leaves my lips just as we both find our release.

  “I love you too,” he whispers while I rest my forehead against his. “More than you know.”

  I wake late the next morning to an empty bed. I sit up and look around the room. I call out for John, but he doesn’t answer. Unsure of what is going on, I stand and pull on some clothes before leaving the room.

  I step into the kitchen and notice there is a pot of coffee already made. I pour myself a cup and look out the back window. I see Jake standing on the back porch, leaning against the post, watching John swim in the ocean. Seeing him so carefree brings a smile to my face.

  I push open the screen door and stand directly across from Jake, settled against a post like he’s doing. I bring my coffee to my lips and blow slightly before taking a sip.

  “I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”

  “Thank me for what?” I tear my gaze away from John and look at Jake.

  “For everything.” He shrugs. “You saved us. We’d both be dead if it wasn’t for you.” He reaches out and pulls me to his side. I rest my head against his chest while watching John who’s now making his way toward us.

  “You guys saved me too, more than you know,” I whisper so quietly, I don’t even know if he heard me.

  “What are you doing with your hands on my girl?” John teases as Jake releases me. The next second, I’m up against John’s hard chest with his lips on mine. The kiss is short but lingers.

  “You look like you’re feeling better.” I place my hand on his cheek and look into his eyes.

  “I’ve never felt this good. What do you two say to ordering some breakfast?”

  “I’m starving,” I say as I take his hand and lead him into the kitchen with Jake following behind.

  “I’m going to go dry off.” John heads toward the bedroom, but stops and turns back to me. “Order me a big breakfast. I’ve never been this hungry in my life. Is this what it feels like to be you?” He offers up his panty-dropping grin.

  Jake laughs from behind me, and I flash him an irritated look before picking up the phone to order in.

  By one o’clock, we’re all lying on the beach. We’ve spent our day swimming, playing volleyball in the sand, and relaxing with a cold PBR. John refused to drink the beer. He ended up digging up a bottle of bourbon.

  We’re all trying our best to relax, despite the fact that my dad is in a meeting right now.

  “I think I’m going to go in and shower,” Jake says as he stands and walks back into the cabin.

  I roll to my stomach and watch him go. When he’s inside and the door closes behind him, I look at John. “How do you think the meeting is going?”

  He opens his eyes and turns to face me. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”

  I raise myself up on my hands and knees and slowly crawl the few feet to him. I take my place on top of him. His arms are up with his hands under his head, and he doesn’t move to touch me. He just watches me. “I can’t wait for this all to be over.” I place my hands on his stomach and slowly rub over each defined muscle.

  “Me either, but regardless of the outcome of this meeting, I still have Miles to deal with.”

  I feel my shoulder slump just a bit. “Can’t we just run away and spend the rest of our lives lying on a beach somewhere?”

  He sits up and wraps his hands around my hips. We’re nose to nose. “I have to take care of this first. He won’t ever stop. He will look for you just because I betrayed him the day I decided to save you instead of kill you. Once he’s out of the picture, we can live our lives however you want.” He grins. “You want to run away and live on the beach, I’ll be right there with you, making love to you every day on the sand at sunset.” His lips collide with mine, and I feel him hardening beneath me. I rock my hips, unable to control the burning need inside me. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him, growing old while walking the beaches.

  “John! Brook! Come check this out!” Jake yells from the cabin.

  I pull back and look him in the eye. “Come on. Let’s go see what my brother with the impeccable timing wants.”

  I laugh and stand from his lap, holding out my hand to help him up off the sand.

  When he’s up, he smacks my ass and chases me all the way to the door. We’re both breathless and laughing when we walk in and see Jake’s serious expression. He’s standing in front of the small TV.

  “What is it?” I ask as our laughing dies down and we join him in front of the screen.

  “Mr. Knox, CEO of RightField Pharmaceuticals, is under arrest after a warrant issued by the president revealed just how much David Knox was hiding regarding his company. The warrant was issued yesterday, seizing his office and home computers, and files that shine light on what Knox has really been up to.

  “The computers were analyzed, and a shocking discovery was made. Knox not only issued a hit on the president’s own daughter, the creator of the miracle cancer cure but also paid off many oncologists and doctors to misdiagnose patients with cancer, which led to their deaths. Nobody is reporting on exactly why David Knox doesn’t want this cure out there, but one can only assume that this cure will cost his company, the leading company for cancer-fighting drugs, to lose billions of dollars. Please stay tuned for a word from our president.”

  I turn around to John. “He did it!” I jump into his arms. John spins me around in a crushing hug while we all laugh and cheer.

  “It’s over. Can you believe it?” I say as he places me on my feet and Jake pulls me into a hug.

  “Not quite. We still have Miles to deal with,” John says. I want to argue with him. Who cares about Miles? Let him be. We can start our lives over somewhere far away where nobody will ever find us. The words fall short when I hear my father’s voice on the TV.

  “All I can tell you right now is that the vaccine works. Intensive studies have been done on the vaccine. As long as the patient isn’t in the final stages of cancer, the vaccine works. We’ll have a much better world very soon.”

  “Can you tell us what K
nox was hoping to achieve by seemingly making the vaccine fail?” a reporter asks.

  “No official statement has been made regarding his reasoning. But I can tell you, he will be behind bars for a very long time.”

  “What does this mean for RightField Pharmaceuticals?” another reporter asks.

  “For the time being, the company will be run by its board until they assign a new CEO. We’re still getting very useful medications from this company. Mr. Knox’s conviction will not stop that.” One of the guards on the side of my dad moves his hand to his earpiece, and he whispers something to my father. He nods and then leans into the microphone. “No more questions.” The two agents usher him away.

  The news anchor comes back on, but Jake shuts off the TV. “Looks like you got your vaccine back, and you’re finally safe. How’s it feel to be a free woman?”

  “A lot better if the man that I love didn’t insist on chasing after a known killer.” I turn and look directly at John.

  He takes a deep breath. “I have to. Did you forget that he has the formula? He can and will sell it to the highest bidder.”

  “I don’t care! I don’t care if some other company knocks off my vaccine. The cure is still out there, people will be saved. I want you safe.”

  “With Miles out there, nobody will be safe. He’s a bad guy. He has to be stopped.”

  I throw myself down in the chair, feeling the burn of tears.

  Jake crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the wall. “I have to agree with her on this one, John. Right now he thinks that you are dead. He won’t be looking for you. Let’s get away while we still can.”

  I see John’s jaw flex before he turns and sits on the coffee table, resting his elbows on his knees. “I may be safe, but you two aren’t. I betrayed him. He will retaliate for that. What happens when he starts looking for the two of you? If I take him out, I not only save us, but I save all the people that would lose their lives at his hands.”

  Jake and I both remain silent. Neither of us wants him to go, even though we understand his need to go.