Embraced by Fire

by Delamore, Louise

  She groaned. “Ryu…we must talk.” Her leg tightened around his waist.

  “I know.” His hands tightened on her ass, holding her against him, and he grabbed her lips in another kiss.

  He wasn’t sure how long he lost himself in the wonder and delight of her body before finding the strength to drag his lips from hers. The life-bond thrummed, teasing and tempting him to lose himself in her.

  “If I don’t stop now, I’ll never stop,” he said.

  She kissed her way along his jaw. “Yes, stop now.”

  He groaned and cupped her breast. “It’s important we talk.”

  She arched into his hand as his thumb rubbed over her nipple. “Can’t talk, can’t think.”

  He closed his eyes as the taut peak responded. “There are things you need to know about me.”

  “You’re sexy, already know that.” She slid her hand under his t-shirt.

  He chuckled, her humour breaking the sensual spell trapping him. “Thanks, but that wasn’t what I was thinking.”

  “Very sexy?” She kissed his collarbone.

  He unhooked her leg and released her, but quickly grabbed her again when she staggered.

  “Sorry, knees all funny.” She smiled crookedly, still dazed by passion.

  There was no couch so he led her over to the bed and sat down beside her. “We need to talk.”

  “And you think this is the best place?” She gestured to the bed.

  He looked longingly at the pillows. “No, but I’ll try to keep my hands to myself.”

  “Must you?” She flashed him a naughty grin.

  He sighed regretfully. “Sadly, yes. We do need to talk.”

  Her expression grew serious. “You’re right. Let’s start with why you got angry last night.”

  “Last night.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure how to explain this.”

  “Oh, cripes, you’re married.”

  “No, I’m not married.” He frowned at her. What kind of man did she think he was? “If anything it’s more complicated than that.”

  “You keep saying that—complicated. How complicated can it be?”

  “Well, you see—”

  Delilah’s distinctive knock cut him off.

  “Mac, you in there?”

  “Damn,” he muttered under his breath. “Yes, I’m here.” Delilah knew where he was but she was giving them time to get decent if need be. He appreciated her tact. “Come in.”

  Delilah poked her head around the door and when she saw they were fully dressed, and the bed unmussed, she came in.

  “Sorry to interrupt. We’ve received the GPS route from the phone. Spock has overlaid it on a map, with a few other data points and we need you to look at it. Adrian wouldn’t have sent me to call you except you have a real knack for the aerial stuff.”

  Ryu’s fingers curled, damn Delilah’s timing. Could he ask Adrian to wait while he finished talking to Kait? No, unprofessional, besides Adrian wouldn’t have called if he didn’t need him. Frustration replaced the desire burning in his blood.

  It was his own fault, if he hadn’t started kissing her they would’ve had time to talk. He hoped when he finally told her, she didn’t hold this delay against him. And he must find time.

  Ryu looked at Kait, making sure to catch her eyes. “We’ll talk later.”

  She nodded as he stood up.

  “I’ll stay with Kait, keep her company,” said Delilah.

  “Thanks, Delilah. You’ll be okay here, Kait?”

  “I’ll be fine, you go catch the bad guys.” She touched him lightly on the arm.

  He reached down and squeezed her hand then headed next door.

  Once the door closed behind him, Delilah flopped down on the bed next to Kait. Well, if she’d been any other woman it would have been a flop, Delilah managed to make even flopping graceful.

  Kait saw the other woman assessing her appearance. She brushed her fingers lightly over her neck, wondering if her skin was red from stubble-burn, then quickly dropped her hand selfconsciously.

  She cleared her throat. “So, Delilah, how long have you and Ryu been doing this sort of work?” Forget her neck, she should see this as an opportunity to weasel information about Ryu out of Delilah.

  “It’s so weird hearing you call him that. Everyone else calls him Mac.”

  “Mac reminds me of a hammer, Ryu of a knife, and the man is a knife not a blunt bludgeoning instrument.”

  Delilah gave a ripple of laughter. “That is so true, I can’t wait to tell the others.”

  “I don’t—”

  Delilah waved away her concern. “We’ll all have a laugh, but I’m guessing it won’t take long before everyone is calling him Ryu.”

  “I don’t want to make things awkward for him.” She shifted uncomfortably on the floral bedspread, she shouldn’t have tried explaining.

  “Ryu’s a big boy, he can take care of himself. See, I’m already using it.”

  “You seem to know him quite well, have you worked together long?” Kait tried to turn the conversation.

  “A few years. He’s a good guy, you’re lucky.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You caught him. Woman have been chasing him forever.”

  “I didn’t chase him, not really.” Although I did seduce him, she thought.

  “Maybe that was the appeal.”

  Kait tucked her legs under her on the bed. “What can you tell me about him?”

  Delilah twitched her nose and looked at her curiously. “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything.”

  The other woman laughed. “I don’t know everything. Ryu’s a private guy, he doesn’t share all that much. To be honest, even if I did know everything I wouldn’t tell you. We’re friends, Ryu and I, and I don’t talk about friends behind their backs. Besides, learning about him will be more interesting than me telling you, enjoy the journey.”

  Kait smiled reluctantly. “You’re right. I wish you weren’t so loyal, but you’re right.” Still, she was left wondering if she and Ryu would ever get to have a journey, or if once Johnny was caught Ryu would leave her to walk a more lonely path.

  “Loyalty is vital in the kind of work we do. Trusting someone to watch your back, or risking your life for theirs, forges friendships unlike any I’ve experienced before.”

  Risking his life…Abruptly the kind of work Ryu did took on new connotations in her mind. “Does that happen often?”

  “Does what happen often?” Delilah pushed a loose stand of hair off her face.

  “Risking your life?” Asking the question made her chest tight.

  Delilah looked at her speculatively, as if trying to decide how much to share, then she shrugged. “More than I’d like, less than it could.”

  “That’s not much of an answer.” But the very lack of a clear answer told Kait more than she wanted to know.

  “What about you, I’ve always heard the entertainment industry is pretty cut throat?” As easily as that Delilah switched the conversation away from her own work.

  Kait followed her lead. She might not like secrecy but it wasn’t Delilah’s fault. “More metaphorically than literally, thank goodness.”

  As she answered more of Delilah’s questions her mind remained locked on the knowledge Ryu’s life was very different from hers. His was filled with danger and secrecy. Could she live with that kind of darkness hanging over her?

  Dreams she’d thought nothing could shake, suddenly showed their softer foundations. Even if he was willing to take things further between them, was she?

  The conversation drifted to more benign topics and Kait soon found herself relaxing in pleasant camaraderie.

  As they chatted a thought struck. “Delilah, do I need to talk to the police about my house and the fire?”

  “Yes, they’ll want to talk to you, but don’t worry we’ll deal with the local authorities so it’ll only be follow up and details.”

  “I’m dreading talking to my in
surance company.” Kait nibbled anxiously at her finger.

  “I know, it’s a lot to think about. Don’t worry, we can help you with insurance as well. It’s still up to them if they pay out, and how much. I don’t know what your policy covers, but we can make sure they know you were in no way at fault.”

  Kait wiped her hands over her face. “I need to let Victor know I won’t be at work for a few days, and I need to let my parents know what’s happened.”

  “That at least we can take care of now.” Delilah pulled out her phone. “This has internet access.” She handed over the phone.

  “Thanks.” Some of Kait’s stress eased at the chance to take action. “My parents are travelling around Europe, but I need to let them know I’m okay in case they hear about the house through the grapevine and panic.”

  After Kait sent her emails, Delilah glanced at her watch. “I should probably go next door. Want to come?”

  Kait nodded and stood up. Together they walked back to the main control room. It was no longer the hive of activity it had been earlier. Instead, the room was empty except for Spock hunched over at his computer, and Ryu sitting in a corner flipping though some photographs. As Delilah and Kait joined him, Ryu slipped the photos back into a folder and dropped the folder on top of a pile of others.

  “What’s going on?” Delilah asked.

  “Not as much as I’d like. I’m still trying to tie all the information together,” Ryu said with a sigh. Tiredness marked his forehead, reminding her they’d got little sleep last night.

  “What does not much mean?” Delilah glanced at the closed folder, then at Kait as if suddenly realising Ryu might not be able to say.

  Ryu leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples. “We’ve found more information on where Johnny and Razor might be, but nothing concrete. There are too many variables, or not enough, depending on your point of view. Adrian has gone with the others to check a few locations.”

  “That’s something.” Delilah didn’t look as optimistic as she sounded.

  “Let’s hope it’s enough to get things rolling.” Ryu closed his eyes briefly.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Kait asked. Although what she could do trained agents couldn’t she didn’t know.

  Ryu shook his head. “Can’t think of anything right now, but I’ll let you know.”

  Delilah leaned her hip against the desk. “Are the others going to be back for dinner?”

  “Should be.” Ryu glanced at his watch. “Is it that time already?”

  Kait leaned over for a look at his watch face. Six o’clock. She’d spent longer talking to Delilah than she thought.

  Delilah shuffled further onto the desk, one foot swinging casually. “I’m not sure I can face the thought of pizza again.”

  “Have pigs learned to fly? Has the moon turned blue? Delilah not feeling like pizza, what is the world coming to?” Ryu said with a teasing grin.

  While the other two mocked each other, Kait sidled closer to Ryu until she could lean against his shoulder. As naturally as breathing, he slid his arm around her waist. She didn’t know where they stood, she’d shanghaied their chance to talk earlier in favour of kisses. But she hoped the way he pulled her close meant he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

  Ignoring Delilah and Ryu’s banter Kait glanced down at the table where Ryu had been working. Several photos peeked out of the edge of one of the folders. Without thinking Kait turned her head for a better look. At the same moment Delilah laughed at something Ryu said, her hip jostling the folders. Several photos slid free.

  Knowing she shouldn’t be looking, Kait was about to turn away when a man in one of the photos caught her eye. She leaned closer, then blinked, startled.

  “Ryu,” her voice trembled, “I think I know that man.”

  “What?” He glanced at her, then quickly down at the table.

  Seeing the photos, he reached out to push them back into the folders, his hand halting when her words sank in.

  “You know one of them? Which one?” He unwrapped his arm from around her waist and rolled his chair out of the way so she had a better view of the photos.

  She pointed. “That one.”

  Delilah jumped off the table, her eyes widening as she saw the man Kait was pointing to. “Ryu?” Delilah’s voice was overly calm.

  Kait’s gaze jumped to Ryu. His expression was cold, tight lips and narrowed eyes giving away few clues.

  “Who is he?” And why did they look like her recognising him was a bad thing?

  Before Delilah could answer, Ryu said, “Why don’t you tell us where you saw him first?”

  “I’m not sure, but he definitely looks familiar.”

  Ryu pulled the photo closer. “Look again.”

  She stared at the pale blue eyes, slightly feminine mouth, and brown eyes, trying to force her memory to cooperate. The features were familiar but she didn’t know from where. “I know I’ve seen him…”

  “Try to recreate the scene. Did you see him in daylight, or at night?”

  She glanced at Ryu in surprise. “Daylight.”

  “Did you see him from a distance, or from up close?”

  “It must have been up close because I know the colour of his eyes.”

  “Did you speak to him?”

  “If I noticed the colour of his eyes, then probably.”

  “Was he alone, or did someone introduce him?”

  She stared at the photo. The image of the man changed. Instead of standing in a jungle, he was standing near a car, the sunlight dancing through his hair. She could feel his hand in hers. “Johnny introduced us.” She felt as if her voice was coming from a distance. “Gordon, he said his name was Gordon.”

  Delilah’s sharp gasp beside her broke the spell.

  “Where did you meet him?” Ryu’s finger tapped the photo.

  “Outside FA, he was talking to Johnny. Who is he?”

  “Gordon Keilor, otherwise known as Razor. I’m amazed he gave you his real name. It probably amused him to do so. He’s the sort of man to avoid if at all possible.” Ryu rubbed his finger against the edge of the photo. “Do you know why he was talking to Johnny?”

  “He’d come to tell him a mutual friend had died.”

  “What did he say?” Ryu’s shoulders tensed.

  “That their friend had been confronted by men who demanded money, then shot him when he refused. He said he would be close by if Johnny needed him.” She looked at the photo, her face crumpling. “Even after everything I can’t believe Johnny would be friends with a man like that.”

  “I doubt they’re friends.” Ryu glanced at Delilah, who’d pulled out her phone, then he continued. “There is no mutual friend. What you heard was Razor warning Johnny what would happen if he didn’t pay whatever he owes.”

  Kait swayed. She’d heard a murder threat, and she hadn’t even recognised it. Ryu’s arm wrapped around her waist, anchoring her. He pulled her down to sit on his knee and she buried her face in his neck. The world was going crazy around her. Each time she thought she had things under control she got thrown another curve ball.

  Delilah spoke from behind her. “I’ve called Adrian, he’s on his way.”

  “This makes things even more dangerous for you, Kait. You’re now an eye witness who can link Razor to Johnny.”

  From her position on his lap, her head on his shoulder, Ryu’s voice was a rumble deep in his chest. His arm tightened around her and she settled more securely against him. With her senses enveloped by him like this she felt safe, despite all the unpleasantness and danger.

  She knew seeing him as a shield was an illusion. He was just a man, flesh and blood like any other. Well, maybe not like any other. He was a trained agent, fast and strong. He would protect her to the limit of his ability. Sitting on his lap those limits seemed endless, and that was the illusion. She was doomed to disappointment if she put him on a pedestal. She’d spent years fantasising about her dream version of him, now she knew the reality. She could
n’t lose sight of how wonderful the real man was.

  The door slammed open, bouncing off the wall. Delilah spun, a gun in her hand. Ryu moved sharply almost tipping her to the floor, his arm catching and securing her before she could fall. As she steadied herself, Kait saw the gun in Ryu’s free hand vanish behind him as they realised it was only Derek and Adrian.

  “Jeeze, Derek, give us fright why don’t you?” Delilah shook her head and flipped the safety back on her gun.

  Derek saw Delilah putting away her weapon and looked at them shamefaced. “Sorry about that.”

  Adrian moved past the bigger man. “Show me the picture.”

  Ryu helped Kait to her feet, then showed Adrian the photo. “Kait says she saw him with Johnny.”

  Adrian glanced at the photo, then over at Kait. She found herself telling him what she’d told Ryu and Delilah. Adrian nodded slowly, a slight frown of concentration marring his brow. When she finished he took the photo from Ryu and flipped it over. There was a label on the back. Kait strained to read it, but wasn’t close enough.

  Adrian looked up and gazed at her. He smiled a little sadly. “I’m sorry, Kait, but I’m going to have to ask you to wait in the other room.”

  “What?” She felt her mouth drop open. After everything that had happened he was banishing her.

  “You’re not cleared to hear some of what we’re going to discuss. Your things are in the other room. It’s getting late, why don’t you order room service, then get some sleep.”

  “Ryu?” She turned to him.

  “I’ll take you over.”

  That wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted him to say she could stay. Instead, before she knew what was happening he was closing the door and leaving her alone in the room where a few hours ago he’d kissed her.

  Kissed her, instead of talking. She sat down on the bed. They should have talked. She hadn’t wanted to hear what he had to say, afraid it would be goodbye. She still wasn’t sure she wanted to let him talk. She glared at the wall separating her from Ryu and the others.

  She ran annoyed fingers through her hair. She understood why she was sitting here alone, that didn’t mean she had to like it. She glanced at the wall again. What were they talking about?