Darke Heat

by Ellyson, Nese

  After she left, Bryce wasn’t sure if he’d won a victory or not. It was almost as if she were giving him the dog as a consolation prize. He was planning to take on the whole thing, her and her dogs. He’d build a new house and they would have dogs, and maybe a cat, if it was brave enough to survive all the dogs, and then maybe some kids. Yeah, he really liked the idea of them having a couple of kids playing in the yard with the dogs.

  First, he had to remove the threat to himself and her. Then he’d resign and go in as more of a consultant and get out of the high risk assignments. He wanted to slow down and have more of a future. This last raid brought it home to him that it was a younger man’s job. He needed to get a life. What was it worth if he saved the world from drug lords, but didn’t have any one to share it with? He wasn’t naive. He’d never get rid of all the drugs, but he could be a part of cleaning it up, and then have a family to make it all worthwhile. Sharon had messed with his head big time, but he was putting her influence to rest. He would recapture the dream he’d had as a young man of a family with the redheaded Paige.

  He walked back up to the house to talk to Dane and Colt and found Colt using his computer in his room. “Colt, can we talk about what the next step should be? I feel like we need to resolve this drug trafficking. I’m not feeling patient enough to wait on the locals to figure it out.”

  Colt looked up from the desk where he’d been running some info into his computer. He turned with a relaxed, hooded look. “We know Libby is in it up to her neck as well as George, and Willy is running the dog fights.”

  “How’d you get all that information?”

  “We staked out this place while you and Sis were in the hospital. They both came out to the property looking for drugs, and a schedule that was left by the Slaters. Only the Slaters never made it to the retirement community in Florida. They are missing. So in a guess, I’d say they are dead.”

  While Bryce was absorbing this bit of information, Dane walked in. “George has been concentrating his efforts on the kennel, but I think he wants to search the house next, and I think we should let him.”

  “Hmm. Have you got all the cameras set up?” Bryce asked.

  “Yep, but they need to come down after tonight, or you know sis is going to have a hissy fit,” said Dane.

  “Yep, they’ll come down as soon as we get them on tape going through her house and taking the drugs and shipment schedule.”

  “So, Big Hoss, where are you taking our sister to dinner?” Dane asked.

  “Hmm, good idea. That will ensure she doesn’t come back unexpectedly. I think I’ll take her out of town, down to Dayton. Maybe go to one of those fancy restaurants.”

  “Dane and I will be following Willy to wherever he is hanging out tonight.”

  “Maybe you should take her on one of those guided tours in a horse drawn carriage,” Dane suggested.

  “Make sure you take her to one of the art galleries. She really likes that stuff,” Colt chimed in.

  Bryce gave them what he hoped was a wry smile. “I take it you two don’t mind me dating your sister.”

  “Hell, from what we saw in the yard a short time ago, you’re way beyond dating. Now it’s time to make an honest woman of her.” Dane stood with hands on hips as if waiting for an argument.

  “I intend to.”

  With the plan set, they went to make sure all the players knew the schedules.

  Bryce went in search of Paige. Now if he could only convince her to go out with him. It seemed silly that he was only now getting around to asking her out. What a mess he’d made of their relationship.

  He found her with Sheba adjusting her doggie bed in the kennel.

  “Hey, Paige, will you go out to dinner with me tonight?” His words came out in a rush and he grimaced, feeling like a gauche tenth-grader. Paige turned and looked at him as if he had two heads.

  Chapter Ten

  “What?” she asked.

  “Will you come to dinner with me tonight?”

  “Um, you want to go out with me?”

  “Yes,” he smiled. “I’m asking you out. Not your dogs, your brothers or anyone else. I want to spend some quiet time with you away from all that’s been happening. So will you?” He waited for her answer with concern. He really didn’t know if she’d go. It was a first time he could remember asking a woman out without already knowing the outcome.

  “Why?” she asked after a brief pause.

  “Because we both need dinner and your brothers both have plans,” he said.

  “Then no. You can go out and get a bite to eat if you want. I’ll just fix a sandwich.”

  “You’re turning me down?” he asked, totally flabbergasted.

  “Bryce, your ego can handle it this one time.”

  “I want you to go with me, Paige.”

  “Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said as she stepped away from Sheba and her pups.

  He reached over and clasped her arms. “Let me make myself more clear. I want you to go out to dinner with me, and I want you to wear a dress and maybe even heels. I want to take you dancing, and I’m not taking no for an answer.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard on the lips. Her mouth opened to protest and he took advantage to claim possession, slipping his tongue inside to taste. Then he let her go.

  “Don’t argue with me, Paige. I’m on a really short leash right now, so don’t push me by testing me.” Then he turned and walked away.

  Bryce called Sheriff Markham to let him know they were a go for the evening, and what the time frame would be. He let him go as soon as he could, his mind on a different set of events planned for the evening.

  Dinner and dancing would be interesting with Paige. He wasn’t sure she owned a dress, but she didn’t argue at his demand. She’d looked kind of stunned actually. Where’s all that charm he was supposed to have? When it came to Paige, he was always off his game. He figured tonight would have two purposes: one, get them off the property so the Sheriff could catch George and his accomplices, and the second most important reason: the seduction of a feisty auburn-haired dog trainer. He smiled in anticipation of the evening ahead.

  Paige stood there for a second, ran her tongue over lips already moist from his kiss, and wondered if she’d ever understand the man. Okay, she was going out with him. For one night, she’d live in her fantasy of a life with Bryce. For tonight, he’d be hers. Cinderella would have to make the memories last a long time.

  She ran upstairs and looked through her wardrobe for something to wear, realizing there really wasn’t any choice. The only dress she owned was the one she’d bought for a military dinner where she’d received an award for her dog training. The dogs in question had served in Afghanistan and had saved several troops.

  It was a classic black sheath. She’d bought black strappy sandals to go with it. It would do. She took her time getting ready. Since everyone was going to eat out, she didn’t have to rush. By six, she was going down the stairs as Bryce exited the den. He stopped and looked her up and down and said nothing. Colt came in through the kitchen and gave a wolf whistle, which Dane followed up with the same.

  “Dang, sis, you clean up good,” Colt said. Then he looked at Bryce. “I’ll be cleaning my gun on the front porch.”

  “And I think I need to whet my Bowie knife,” Dane added with his eyebrows wiggling.

  The good-natured ribbing allowed Paige to catch her breath at the sight of Bryce all cleaned up. He was ruggedly handsome, his hair still damp on the ends from his shower. His crisp white shirt showed off his tanned skin. For tonight he was hers, at least until they arrived back home. But that was later, much, much later.

  “Paige, are you ready?” Bryce asked.

  “Yes,” she said, her hands tightly clasping her little black clutch. With her heels, she was still a couple of inches shorter than he was. She noticed he wasn’t limping.

  “Are you ready?” she asked when he seemed to lose his train of thought. Yeah, that’s right. I loo
k good in a dress, she thought in pure female satisfaction. He stepped forward and opened the door for her. Outside, he took her arm in his, and walked her to the truck, going out of his way to round the truck just to open the door for her. I could get used to this.

  She hiked the dress up enough to climb onto the seat. There just wasn’t a dignified way to jump up in a dress. But she gave a good show of leg and from the heated look in Bryce’s eyes, he was enjoying the show. Looks like it might be an interesting evening.

  Bryce walked around the front of the SUV and used the time to get his body under control. Paige was a first-class knock out. Maybe going out to dinner and dancing wasn’t such a good idea while trying to let some locals do a B and E on the property. He could feel the collar on his dress shirt start to rub as he thought of staying home and taking her to bed. This is not the way to start a night out, Prescott. He started the engine and reversed to head down the driveway.

  Since Paige didn’t know all the plans for this evening, she was more than likely not going to like him much when she found out that the whole reason for them going out tonight was so the Sheriff could catch some perps. He started to regret his decision. Not that he didn’t want to take her out and show her off, but not when there was a case getting ready to blow up with her in the middle. Maybe he should have told her the truth.

  If only they’d caught the creeps who’d burned down Bryce’s house, then they’d have some way of getting information. But no one had gotten a look at them, which is why they needed to go through with their night out to allow the Sheriff this opportunity. If their plan didn’t work, he was taking her out of there. There’d been too many attempts on her life and he didn’t want to lose her. Her brothers had better back him or he’d be going rounds with them as well. It was going to be hard enough to convince her. He didn’t need her brothers to go and get their backs up about it.

  He looked across at her and she was poised, if very quiet, which wasn’t natural to her character. Something was bothering her.

  “Paige, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she said without looking at him.

  “I thought we’d go to The Terrace. It has both a great menu and a patio with a band that I thought you’d like.”

  “Sounds great, Bryce.”

  She still answered without looking at him. He let it go and concentrated on driving, but something was definitely wrong and he would get to the bottom of it before dinner was over.

  The outside of the restaurant was elegantly decorated with potted palms and a covered arch. Bryce pulled up to the entrance and a valet opened the door. He handed the guy his keys and walked around the vehicle where another was assisting Paige.

  The guy was enjoying an eyeful of Paige’s legs. They were so long, they seemed to go on forever, and Bryce didn’t like the guy ogling her. He slipped in between the valet and Paige and placed her hand in the crook of his arm, not giving the guy a chance to help her cross under the portico. He led her up the steps and gave the maitre d’ the reservation name.

  “It will only be a few minutes wait while we reset the table. If you’d like to go into the bar, we’ll page you when your table is ready.”

  “Thanks.”

  They entered the bar, which included a dance floor off to the side, and Bryce didn’t wait. He led her onto the floor in the middle of a slow song and gathered her into his arms. She was stiff at first, but slowly relaxed and let the rhythm of the song guide her steps.

  Bryce noticed a man on the other side of the room who looked familiar, and he stiffened. Damn, someone at Markham’s police force leaked tonight’s location. They knew it could happen, but he was really looking forward to having a night out with Paige.

  “Paige, there’s a man watching us who is part of the drug bust I was working on up in Detroit.”

  He felt her go rigid. He thought she might be afraid.

  “It’s okay. We figured there was a leak in the Sheriff’s office and they let it be known where we were going.”

  She pulled back and stepped on his foot hard. “Ouch!”

  “Not another word, Bryce. I tried really hard to think you weren’t using me as bait, but a part of me knew the difference.” She walked away in a towering rage.

  He’d done it again. She’d been used. When would she stop thinking they had anything but a one-night stand. Make that two. That’s it! She was never going to deal with him again. She called a cab from the ladies’ room, where Bryce was banging on the door and making a scene. She looked at another woman who could hear Bryce trying to explain how it was the last time he’d need to do this.

  “Don’t you believe him, honey,” the older woman said. “They always say that until the next time.”

  Paige nodded agreement, even though the woman was mistakenly thinking Bryce was either a cheating or abusive husband, or boyfriend. Paige didn’t feel any need to explain the error. The mistake was that she’d allowed herself to get involved with him at all. The woman walked out and was giving Bryce a piece of her mind when their table was called. Bryce finally knocked on the door again.

  “I’ll wait for you at the table when you’re ready to come out.”

  Once she was sure he was gone, she went to the front by way of the bar without going through the restaurant. She was standing under the portico with the valet men giving her the once over when her cab arrived. She got in and didn’t even look back.

  She decided she needed to get away from the men in her life. “Take me to the Madison downtown.” The cab rolled away from the restaurant as she made another call.

  “Jamie, this is Paige. Can you take care of the dogs for a couple of days? I’m going to take some time off. You can call me on my cell if need be.”

  “Sure, Paige.”

  “Thanks. I owe you one.”

  She checked in using her credit card. Tonight she’d rewrite her life plan to not include anything to do with Bryce. Her cell phone rang on the way to the elevator.

  She looked at the number. It was Bryce. She thought briefly of ignoring him, but then thought better of it. She wouldn’t be like him. She’d communicate what she was doing and why.

  “Where the hell are you?”

  “I’m checking into a hotel.”

  “Oh, would you like some company?”

  “No, in fact, I don’t ever want to be in your company again.”

  “Why are you so angry?”

  She wanted to rip his head off. He really didn’t see anything wrong with the way he was acting.

  “Bryce, I wouldn’t let an owner treat my dogs the way I’ve allowed you to treat me.” The honesty of that statement was piercing. She’d really thought so little of herself, she’d let him walk over her feelings as if they were of no value.

  “What do you mean?”

  “If you don’t know, then that tells me everything. Have a good night. Be gone in the next two days before I come home.” There. She’d taken the big girl pill and made some demands. They were late in coming, but they were out there now, and she wouldn’t be taking them back.

  “Paige...”

  She turned off the cell. That chapter of her life was over. She felt the tears rolling down her cheeks, and wished she had Sheba there to comfort her. She entered her room and fell on the bed. Hurt and disgusted with the turn her life had taken, she cried herself to sleep for the first time in years.

  He’d royally screwed things up with Paige and he wasn’t sure he could fix it this time. He needed to finish this job, but the way she sounded just now was so final, like the score was already in and he’d fallen short of the goal. With all the things he’d done, he knew he didn’t deserve Paige, but he wanted her. He needed her to be safe, and as long as this job wasn’t finished, she wouldn’t be. He left the restaurant after eating only the bread sticks while waiting for Paige to get out of the bathroom. When he’d finally figured out she wasn’t coming to the table, he’d called for the check and went in search of her. The valet had let him know she’d called a ca
b.

  Did she really believe he treated her badly? He only wanted to protect her. Didn’t she understand that she was his and the threats she’d been subjected to had him feeling primitive and protective? He wanted…needed…her to be safe. He didn’t know how he’d gotten in so deep so fast, but he was there trying to keep the bad from touching her.

  It made him crazy that someone had actually gotten close enough to abduct her. He didn’t know who it was or when they’d strike again, but that was the one thing he was sure of…they would try again. They wanted her and her property, and something else. But what?

  There were so many questions and no answers. Maybe she was safer where she was than with him, but it didn’t feel right, and the way she talked, as if they were over, was not acceptable.

  Paige woke up in the night feeling groggy and sore. She’d slept in her clothes, and she felt drained. As if crying myself to sleep wasn’t bad enough, I end up feeling like crap afterward, too.

  She went into the en-suite and looked in the mirror. She was a wreck and had a sheet print on one side of her face. She took a fluffy face towel off the rack, ran cold water and let it soak into the cloth, and put it up to her face. She immediately felt relief on her puffy eyes. After pressing the cold cloth to her face for a few more minutes, she put it in the sink and glanced around at her retreat. There was a bathroom to go with the fluffy towel set. She looked over at the tub and decided she could use a nice, relaxing bath. There was even some bubble bath conveniently left in the guest basket next to the shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryer: all the amenities of her home, without all the testosterone.

  She ran the bath, dumped all the liquid from the tiny bottle into the tub, and turned the water on hot. She checked it to make sure she wouldn’t burn herself, but would steam all the Bryce out of her pores.