Avenging Kiss (Savage Security Book 2)

by Karen Tjebben

  Guess who got some...?

  She hit send and waited for Alisha’s reply.

  She and Alisha had become friends over the past two months. They weren’t besties, but they were on their way to that designation. Occasionally Savage Security would go out to celebrate when a big job was finished, and Bella loved that she wasn’t the only female at those events now.

  Bella never brought up Alisha’s attack. She carried some of the guilt and didn’t know what to say. The day Alisha was attacked, Bella had visited her in the hospital. She’d apologized and offered her assistance, but Alisha had been out of it. Shock had taken over her body, and Bella knew that Alisha didn’t remember a lot of what went on at the hospital.

  Alisha texted back.

  You got lucky!?

  Bella stifled her laugh and replied.

  Talk later. I’m a lucky girl…

  She wasn’t going to get into the details of her relationship with Eric over text message. She was careful about what she texted or sent by email. She realized how easy it was for someone like Logan to dig around in the mysterious computer clouds that existed somewhere in the sky, or maybe those clouds were actually on land somewhere, perhaps hidden away on a secluded island. She really didn’t know, and she certainly didn’t care. So she tried not to text anything too embarrassing. That was a lofty goal, which she’d fell short of regularly.

  Jack cut the engine and slid out of his truck. He slammed the door with a little more force than necessary, but he’d spent the previous evening searching for information on Eric James. Everything he discovered aligned with Logan’s assessment, but it still bothered him. Eric’s background history seemed a little too perfect, like it had been staged.

  Eric had attended a private Christian school during his middle and high school years. The school closed a few years back, which made filling in the gaps of his teen years more difficult. Jack couldn’t even locate a teacher to talk to or anyone from the school to get a feel for Eric’s past. He wanted a character reference from a teacher, but that wasn’t going to happen. The school had been a frustrating dead end. So instead of getting anywhere with his investigation, Jack spent hours finding the same information that Logan had already uncovered.

  Jack had also called Eric’s parents, but they didn’t answer the phone. Instead, he left a message saying that he was Eric’s friend from high school and wanted to get in touch with him again. He’d used the name John. It was a common enough name that Eric could have known a John. Jack gave Eric’s parents the number for his burner phone. He doubted they’d call, but he’d try them again tonight.

  Guilt at his happiness that Bella was ‘out of commission’ niggled at his conscience. He hated that she was uncomfortable. He’d gotten poison ivy on his cock and balls before. It sucked. So he knew a little bit about that level of discomfort. But he was also relieved that Eric wasn’t getting any. That little fact always made him smile.

  As he neared the office, his anticipation to see Bella increased. As he pulled open the door, an overwhelming fragrance bombarded him and made his nose itch. What was worse, Bella wasn’t even visible at her desk behind an obscenely large bouquet of flowers.

  What the hell?

  Anxiety propelled Jack’s blood to near Mach speed as it raced through his veins. The walls of his heart thudded against his ribs as his valves opened and closed with seismic tremors. A thin sweat broke out along his neck and forehead as he fisted his hands at his sides. He took a settling breath, but instead nearly gagged on the noxious fumes radiating from the flowers.

  He had to get it together. He couldn’t let his body or emotions rule his actions. He was always great under pressure. It seemed that his mind and body focused in unison when the shit hit the fan on a mission. This was no different. His mission right now was to not screw up a chance at a future with Bella.

  He forced himself to breathe in slowly, ignoring the thick, funky, floral scent that clogged the air. He willed his heartbeat to slow, and he unclenched his hands as he walked to Bella’s desk.

  “Looks like someone had a good morning,” Jack said, his voice light and friendly, the opposite of the tsunami of emotions flooding him. He wanted to rip Eric’s head off and shove it into the depths of the ridiculously large vase.

  Bella rolled her chair a little to the side so she could see around the flowers and peeked up at Jack. “Aren’t they gorgeous?” she cooed. Her eyes grew big as she emphasized ‘gorgeous’. She knew she was being unprofessional. But anyone who knew her knew that she couldn’t sit with those flowers on her desk and behave as if they weren’t there. She was one of those people who wore her heart on her sleeve. She didn’t hide behind a mask of emotionless facial expressions or rigid body movements like the men she worked with. She shamelessly declared her thoughts and feelings to the world.

  Jack organized his thoughts as he took in the scene. “So is this gorgeous floral statement an apology for a stupid fight you two had last night?” Jack hoped that was it. Eric had to have done something insanely stupid for him to send her an arrangement that was big enough to adorn a lavish cathedral’s altar. How was she supposed to get anything done at her desk with that monstrosity taking up so much desk space?

  Bella laughed, her eyes sparkling as her smile lit her face. “You’re so funny, Jack,” she said. ‘I’ll read you the card, and you decide.” She picked up the little white envelope that came with the flowers and brought it to her lips. She paused for a moment, relishing the forced smile he’d pasted on his face.

  Jack studied Bella’s lips. He’d thought about kissing those perfect lips on a daily basis, but his thoughts didn’t stop there. In his imagination, his lips touched every part of Bella’s perfect body. And now, it ticked him off that Eric was kissing those lips. He hoped that was all Eric was kissing.

  Bella pulled the cardstock note from the enveloped and read, “Thanks for last night.” She held the card up between two fingers and moved it back and forth. She cocked her head and smiled at Jack. “Does that sound like an apology?” she said, her voice full of jest. She licked her lips and put the note back in the envelope, a very pleased look on her face.

  Every instinct in Jack wanted to shred those flowers, sweep her desk clear and lay her out on top so he could kiss her senseless. He needed to remove any memory of Eric from her mind. He wanted to overwhelm her with his passion and leave her sated yet wanting more. That was how he felt. He wanted more. More of her smile. More of her compassionate eyes seeing into his soul. More of her gentle heart loving him. More of her essence. He wanted her mind, body, and soul.

  “Sounds like you two had fun,” Jack said. He knew the muscle in his jaw twitched as he ground his teeth together. Hopefully she wouldn’t notice. “Let me guess, he helped you back up and update your computer, and you made him dinner.” He wasn’t exactly sure he wanted to know any details, but he hoped it was something as innocuous as computer assistance. Girls liked that stuff, right?

  She laughed and twirled her black hair around her finger. The pink tips in her hair caught Jack’s attention. He wanted to suck her finger into his mouth and then trail kisses down her neck.

  “Not even close,” she said, her voice low and sexy. She leaned forward a little, as if she were going to share a secret. “But I can see why you thought that. He is an engineer. I’m sure he’s great with a hard drive.” She couldn’t help but giggle. She was having too much fun. She’d never spoken so crudely to a man, and the look on Jack’s face was priceless. Maybe she should start talking like that more often. It seemed to shut him up. Plus, there was something fun about seeing Jack’s face shift through various emotions as he registered her words. His eyes dilated, and his nose flared for the briefest of moments. A muscle in his jaw clenched as his lips pressed together in a line.

  Hard drive. The phrase sickened him. If there was to be any ‘driving’, it was going to be done by him. He’d give her whatever she wanted. Hard, gentle, slow, fast, deep, shallow. He couldn’t let his mind wander
through all the ways he wanted to sink into her.

  “Have I left you speechless?” she teased, cocking her head slightly. “Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day.” She giggled and tucked her hair behind her ear. She really did need to get back to work.

  He needed to walk away before he did or said something to screw up his progress with her. She was joking with him. She hadn’t done that in a long time. He wasn’t sure what had happened to mess up their friendly existence, but she’d definitely shut him out for a while, and he didn’t want to backpedal and end up apologizing to her again.

  “You got me,” he said, raising his hands in a friendly way. “I didn’t realize you had such a dirty mind. You took me by surprise.” He suddenly realized that there was so much more to her, a part of her that she kept hidden away. Why was that? The guys at work always dropped innuendo and foul language. She never participated in any of it, but she also didn’t seem offended by it. Did his good girl have a naughty side? Had Eric seen this other side? He hoped to hell not.

  She shifted in her chair and picked up a pen. She twirled the pen back and forth. “There’s a lot about me that you don’t know. As I’m sure there’s a lot about you that I don’t know.” She had wondered about him. He was great looking, and hotter than hell, but she never heard him talk about women. And a man as good looking as Jack could easily find a woman to keep him company. Wherever he was getting it, at least he didn’t brag about his conquests. That showed a respect for the women who scratched his itch that she appreciated.

  He needed to make his exit. The onslaught of the flowers and her beautiful face smiling up at him was about to destroy his self-control. “Well, the flowers are beautiful,” he stated, pointing at them. Then he pointed down the hallway and said, “I got to check in on some things. Meeting in a few minutes,” he added casually.

  “Bye,” she said. She wiggled her mouse and the computer screen came to life. She took another glance at the bouquet and then focused on her work.

  Jack forced his legs to carry him away from her as he worked diligently on not stomping down the hallway like an angry toddler who lost his favorite stuffy. He refused to let her see him rattled. If he hadn’t known better, he would have sworn she was flirting with him, but it was painfully obvious that she was into Eric. Eric was why she glowed even brighter today.

  Jack rapped twice on Mike’s office door and walked in. He closed the door behind him, ensuring them some privacy.

  Mike looked up from his computer and instantly saw the tension on Jack’s face. He started to chuckle. He knew what had Jack twisted up inside. “Morning, sunshine,” he taunted. He couldn’t help but smile. “Did you stop and smell the roses?”

  “How the hell could I not?” Jack responded. “The stench floods the hallway and clogs the lungs.” He motioned with his arm towards the hallway. He eased closer to Mike’s desk, lowering his voice. “Who the hell sends an arrangement that big to someone at work?” He tossed his hands out in a questioning gesture. “You know what I think?” he continued, his lips curving into a snarky smile. “I think Eric’s overcompensating for his too tiny package.”

  “Like men and their big trucks?” Mike asked. He would be furious too if Alisha was dating a guy and the guy was marking his territory. “You know what’s happening, right?”

  “Yeah,” Jack gave a firm nod. “The pricks declaring her off limits. What’s pathetic, she thinks those flowers are a token of affection. You know as well as I do that they’re not. They’re a sign of possession, and she accepted them.” What really ticked him off was the card. “She’s got a yeast infection. What the hell is he thanking her for?” His voice rose an octave and he held out his hands in disbelief.

  Mike chuckled low. “If I have to explain that one to you, no wonder you haven’t been getting any lately. Which, by the way, may help you chill a little. You seem a little tense.” Mike knew he was provoking Jack, but he was having too much fun to stop. Jack was not in a good place, but maybe levity would help the man. “And in case you’re interested, it’s not at all creepy that you’re keeping track of her girl parts.” Mike slowly shook his head in disapproval. He hoped Bella’s relationship with Eric didn’t last long. He wasn’t sure how much more Jack could take before he’d need professional help.

  “Yeah, your sarcasm is noted,” Jack replied.

  Mike leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

  “The flowers, or the prick?”

  “The prick,” Mike said flatly. This would be so much easier if Jack would keep up with the conversation.

  “I’m gonna nail his ass and show him for the manipulative, spineless cretin that he is.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Mike closed out the document he was working on and signed out. He closed the laptop and stood. “We got a meeting to go to.” He picked up his laptop and headed towards the door.

  “Yea, I got the message.” Jack opened Mike’s office door and instantly the scent of Bella’s flowers taunted him. He sighed, knowing he’d have to smell that stench all day.

  17

  Shocked didn’t begin to define Cole’s emotional state as he read the encrypted email from Captain Wallace from the Department of Defense. This job dangled a lure they couldn’t resist. The details of the assignment resembled what they’d done in the past while still in the military rather than their current role as contract workers for corporations on intellectual and on-site security. Fortunately, they’d maintained their clearances so they could work contract assignments with government agencies when needed.

  Cole looked over the information he’d received again while he mentally ticked off the names of the men he’d need for this assignment. Although they each had a personal stake in this job, Cole knew they would complete this job as professionals

  The men’s voices filtered through Cole’s open office door. He shut down his computer and walked into the hallway. The strong fragrance of Bella’s flowers tickled his nose. His head was going to kill him by the end of the day. He sure hoped she took that obscenely large arrangement home tonight. If she started to leave without it, he’d have to say something to her. No way was he smelling those things for another day.

  Cole stepped up to Bella’s desk, trying not to breathe in the invisible cloud of pollen that orbited her desk. She looked up at him and smiled. He’d always liked her demeanor. She was compassionate without being moody. He figured that she was a good fit for his men. She knew how to adjust to each of their personalities and wasn’t bothered by their occasional boorish behavior. She was always friendly without being flirty, which was perfect because he didn’t approve of interoffice dating, a minor inconvenience for Jack because he strongly believed in interoffice dating.

  “Is everyone in?” Cole asked her. He studied the flowers. They looked pretty. He could see why a woman would get excited about them, but he’d never send a woman an arrangement that large. It was cumbersome and would definitely be awkward to transport without damaging the petals during the drive home. The arrangement screamed poor planning on the sender’s part. He was not impressed.

  She was used to Cole skipping the small talk. It suited his personality. He didn’t waiver or question his decisions. Once he made a decision, he stuck with it. “Yes. Everyone is in,” she replied.

  “Good.” Cole grabbed his phone from his hip and texted the necessary men to meet in the conference room. The chirp of their cells receiving the text echoed through the hallway.

  A few men filed out of their offices and walked into the conference room with their laptops in hand.

  Cole gave a quick nod to Bella and turned. He followed Ryan into the conference room. The large conference table was covered in laptops and surrounded by men with their arms crossed over their chests.

  “Good to see everyone,” Cole began. Heads nodded and a few murmurs could be heard.

  Now that he’d dispensed with the pleasantries, Cole barreled right into his monologue. �
��I received an email from Captain Wallace with the DoD. You’ve all heard of him. A few of you have met him. He’s a good man.” Cole respected and liked Captain Wallace, but he hated playing chess with the man. The Captain managed to look at every situation from every possible angle. He was great at predicting the actions of his opponent and excelled at applying his predatory skills to every game he played.

  Cole gave a sharp nod and continued. “We are being asked to help locate an assassin. The powers that be have dubbed her ‘Black Widow’.

  A few chuckles broke the quiet reserve of the men.

  “I know.” Cole lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “Not real original, but it suits her. The DoD has known about her existence for a while, but they didn’t think she was worth the effort it would take to hunt her down. She hadn’t caused any problems for us because she chooses the cream of the shit crop for her hits. She’s taken out some big names in the drug and human trafficking business, along with men with ties to terrorism. It appears that she lures them into a relationship…” Cole raised an eyebrow as he thought about his words, “a situation where the man lowers his defenses and then she strikes.”

  It wasn’t hard to figure out what the situation was. Sex. The only time men that dangerous lowered their defenses was when their focus was consumed by primal desire. Tyson didn’t like the kind of men who trafficked drugs or humans. He could see why people would want those lowlifes dead and understood how easy it would be to turn a blind eye to her work. He would. “These men have made some serious enemies. How do they know all the kills are hers?” Tyson asked.

  Cole opened a folder on the laptop and photos popped up on the SMART board. It had been a long time since they’d seen shit like this. Photos of naked men sprawled out on beds or sleeping mats filled the screen. The men were predominantly Middle Eastern with full beards and big guts. Blood drained from their temples and eyes and dried in rivulets down their cheeks. Their throats were slit, and pools of blood circled their heads in messy halos. But there was no denying their commonality. The same word was carved out on their chests as a morbid reminder of their status in life. “Sinner”.