Blackstone's Heart (Blackout Security Inc. Book 1)

by Michelle Kee

  Moments later she felt herself being jerked back just as the front half of the second story collapsed on to the ground floor. She let out a sharp cry as she watched her writing studio crumble down into what was left of her living room.

  Ethan wrapped his arms around her tighter. "I'm sorry baby."

  She leaned back into the warmth of his body. Closing her eyes, she turned and buried her face in his shirt. "It's just things. There's really only one thing I'm sad about. My grandpa's desk that was in my office. That was really the only thing in the whole house I was attached to."

  Ethan looked up and shared a knowing look with Grant and Lance. "Have you reached out to your insurance about this?"

  "Yeah, I called Cammie once we landed. She's going to handle everything. I bet she's already called the fire department and the police." She answered.

  "I'm assuming you'll be staying with Ethan for now?" Grant smirked.

  "You're dammed right she is." Ethan stated, his voice sounding possessive.

  Krista felt her body shiver at the sound. Warmth, protectiveness and lust washed over her. She felt her heart skip as his arms tighten just a little more around her. She had never considered herself to be one of those women who would like being owned by a man, but she was finding that when that thought was applied to Ethan Blackstone she was quite willing to be owned by him.

  "Why don't you two go on to your place boss. Lance and I are going to talk to a few neighbors then head back to Blackout." Grant suggested.

  "Alright. If you guys get anything new call me," Ethan grunted when Krista elbowed him. "I mean call us."

  Grant and Lance laughed as Ethan lead Krista to his bike. Krista pulled on her helmet and climbed on behind him. As they sped off toward Ethan's, she was glad she had agreed to leave her bike at his place and her car and truck at her parent's. Of the three vehicles, her bike was her pride and joy. Followed by her '79 blue Chevy 4X4. Her car was a recent purchase. A 2015 370z in metallic teal.

  She hugged Ethan tighter and laughed as he hit the open highway and opened up his Thruxton. She loved riding with him, always had. When he had bought his first bike, she had gone with him and his dad. It had been a 2001 Triumph Bonneville. She had ridden on the back when he drove it home.

  She was pulled from those memories when she looked around and recognized where they were. Instead of heading back to his house like she thought, Ethan had brought them to their old spot on the west bank of Lake Travis. Ethan parked and cut the engine. She climbed off and pulled off her helmet.

  "What are we doing here?"

  "I thought we could take a little walk. Like we used to do."

  Krista smiled as he took her hand. As they moved along the water's edge, Ethan draped his arms around her shoulders. "I've always liked coming here with you."

  Ethan kissed her temple. "Likewise. You know, you're the only girl I ever brought here. I mean alone. Yeah we used to party out here, but I never went on walks alone with anyone else but you."

  He stopped and moved her so she was standing in front of him, the almost fully set sun glittering off the lake. "Ethan?"

  He cupped her face before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. He felt her tremble in his arms as he pulled her tighter. She moaned, her hands sliding up his chest and locking around his neck. The kiss was slow, tender, Ethan pouring all his love and respect for her into the kiss. Krista matched his emotions, her own love and respect bleeding into him through their connected lips.

  Ethan slowly pulled back. He caressed her cheek and just stared into her eyes. "Marry me Krista."

  Krista's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

  "Marry me. Once we catch this fucker I want you to marry me. I need you woman. In my life, my bed, at my side. I want you to be with me. Be the mother of my children. I want it all and I want it with you Krista."

  "Oh wow." Krista gaped. "Wait a second. Where the hell's my ring?"

  It was Ethan's turn to gape at her. "Um, ring?"

  Rolling her eyes, she sighed dramatically. "You bring me to our spot, kiss me like I'm your world, give me the sweetest proposal I've ever heard and you don't have a ring. Jeez."

  Ethan threw his head back and laughed. "Tell ya what, let’s get on the bike and I'll take you to any dammed jeweler you want and we can pick out your ring together. As long as you say yes."

  "Yes Ethan Blackstone. I’ll marry you." Krista beamed. “Now, let’s go get my ring.”

  Kissing her one more time, the couple walked back to the bike, hopped on and headed back toward downtown. Ethan felt a peacefulness fill him as he sped through the streets. It had been on an impulse to propose, but it just felt so right. He just knew that somewhere Jerry was probably cheering for him and Krista.

  About fifteen minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of Jared's. Hand-in-hand they walked in. Ethan watched as Krista's face broke into a million watt smile as she tugged him toward the engagement rings.

  "Hello welcome to Jared's. Can I help you find something?" The young woman greeted.

  "Yes ma'am, we're shopping for..." Ethan paused and looked a Krista. "Do you want to go ahead pick out the full sets?"

  "Might as well." Krista nodded.

  "Alright then." He smiled. "We're shopping for her engagement ring and matching wedding band."

  "Congratulations." The lady beamed. "Over here are our bridal sets."

  Krista moved to the case. After only a few seconds she stopped. "There! That one right there."

  The lady pulled out the ring. "A beautiful choice. This is a 1 1/5 carat. The bands are 14k white and rose gold."

  Ethan rested his chin on Krista's shoulder as she slipped the rings onto her left ring finger. He gently lifted her hand and tilting it left and right, watching the light catch the diamonds and band. "Is this the one baby?"

  "Yes Ethan. I love it." Krista gushed.

  Ethan lifted his eyes to the clerk. "You heard the lady. This is the one."

  "I'll be honest. I've shown that style to lots of women. You are the first one that I can honestly say that YOU make the ring. Normally, the ring complements the woman but you are complementing the ring." The clerk said as she carefully took the wedding band part of the ring from Krista and placed it in a box. "Now, was there anything else I can help with?"

  Krista turned in Ethan's arms. "Why don't we get yours too? Might as well right?"

  "Only if you pick it for me." Ethan smiled.

  Krista turned to the lady. "Show me what you got in men's bands that will go with mine."

  "I think I have the perfect one." She said. The lady turned and walked about a foot away. When she returned she held out a beautiful white and rose gold men's wedding band. "This is a 10K white and rose gold 8-millimeter band."

  Krista took the ring. She lifted Ethan's left hand. He looked down as she slipped it on. She looked up at him. "A perfect fit. What do you think?"

  Ethan lifted his hand and studied the ring. He then lifted Krista's and holding their hands side by side, studied her engagement ring and the ring he currently wore. "It's the one. Just like you."

  He slipped off the ring and handed it to the saleslady. Krista cupped his face and kissed him. With his arm around her shoulders they headed for the register to pay for the rings. As they walked out of the store and toward his bike, Ethan spoke up. "So, whose parents are we telling first? Yours or mine?"

  "Hmmm, yours."

  "I just know that mom is going to go nuts about this. Bet she calls your mom the second we tell them. That and she and your mom are going to try and take over the whole planning. God help us.”

  Laughing Krista climbed on the bike behind him. "Well, after we stop my psycho we could always take the jet and elope in Vegas. I know a beautiful little garden venue that we could use. Or we could always get married by Elvis."

  Ethan chuckled. "No Elvis. But the eloping part sounds tempting. Let's see how my mom reacts before we make plans."

  "Deal, same with my mom." Krista agreed.

 
Chapter 19

  Krista walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and another wrapped around her head. She found Ethan sitting on the edge of the bed pulling on his boots. A soft smile formed as she studied her fiancé. Fiancé. She still couldn't believe he proposed to her on the west shore of Lake Travis only a few days ago. After they had picked out her rings and his they went straight to his parent's house and told them.

  To say that Ruby Blackstone was ecstatic would be an understatement. Krista was sure that they heard Ruby's squeals all the way to Mexico. After Ruby was finished hugging the hell out of her and Ethan, she was immediately on the phone with Krista's own mother. Dale had been happy and had laughed when Ethan mentioned the whole eloping part.

  Krista had immediately put her foot down that all wedding plans would be made by her and Ethan. She told both her mother and Ruby that the wedding would be a small and simple affair. Much to the displeasure of both their mothers. Even in Dallas Debbie still tried to convince Krista to let her and Ruby handle the details.

  "You're staring baby." Ethan said, breaking into her thoughts.

  "Yeah I am. I like what I'm seeing too." Krista smirked moving to him.

  Ethan grinned and pulled her to stand between his legs. "Good." He leaned up and kissed her gently. "You sure you're ready for today?"

  Krista sighed. Today she would begin her training with Ethan's guys. "Ethan, we've been over this. Yes, I can fight and shoot, but this guy's being unpredictable. I need to be able to take care of myself better should he somehow manage to get through you and your men."

  Ethan's eyes closed as he rested his head against her towel covered belly. "I just don't like the idea of even contemplating that thought."

  "You think I do? Look, between you and your guys I'll be fine. I want to do this."

  "Alright, I'll let this drop. Just watch yourself okay. I know you told them not to go easy on you, but just be careful."

  Krista stroked his cheek. "I will, I promise."

  ***

  Krista stepped into the workout room at Blackout. She was quite impressed with the setup. Various weights and weight machines were scattered around the large warehouse looking basement room. The center of the room held a boxing ring. The floor was covered in workout mats. Several other men were already there working out and barely spared her a glance as she headed to the ring where Tony and Gage were waiting for her.

  "Morning." Krista nodded.

  "Morning. So, you ready?" Tony grinned.

  "Yep. What kind of warming up should I do? I mean what are we going to be working on?" Krista asked as she sat her gym bag and water bottle on the floor next to Tony and Gage’s things.

  "I thought we could start with the basic hand-to-hand stuff. See what you already know, what needs work and what new tricks we can teach ya." Tony replied.

  "After we see what you know, we'll figure the rest out as we go." Gage added.

  "Fair enough." Krista said.

  She moved a few feet away and began some simple stretches. As she stretched, she closed her eyes and blocked out the sounds around her, blocked out the emotions that were coursing through her mind. She needed to stay focused and keep her mind clear and on the task at hand. After about ten minutes she felt limber and ready to get to work. She hopped into the ring and faced the two men.

  "Okay, boss man said when you were kids he and your brothers taught you how to fight. What did they teach you?" Gage began.

  "They taught me a little boxing, typical brawling fighting style, that sort of thing. I took to the boxing part and stayed with it. Even in college I did boxing. Jerry was a martial artist and he taught me a little jujitsu and Tae Kwon Do." Krista answered as she finished wrapping the boxing wraps around her hands.

  "Well, that's a start then. You'll start with Tony. He's the martial arts guy on the team. After him, you and I will go at it." Gage instructed.

  Krista gave a curt nod. She and Tony took to the center of the ring as Gage moved to the skirt. He gave the bell a ring and the two began. In a flash Tony came at her. She was just as fast and blocked his move while countering with one of her own.

  Outside the ring Gage watched. He lifted a brow when Krista easily executed a perfect hip throw, landing Tony flat on his back. He had sparred with Tony several times and knew the cocky bastard was fast, but he had to admit Krista was just as fast. As his teammate and Krista sparred, Gage studied how Krista moved. Already thinking of things he could teach her based on what he was seeing.

  She was agile, quick and used her height to her advantage at every turn. When Ethan said she could fight, he didn't quite believe him. Now however, he saw he had underestimated her. For nearly fifteen minutes the two fought before Krista delivered a swift kick, followed by a leg sweep and had Tony rolled onto his stomach and locked in an arm bar.

  "Shit!" Tony gritted.

  Gage saw the moment when Krista lost this match. She gave a little smirk and Gage could see that her grip shifted. Not much, but it was just enough for Tony to capitalize on that. Krista cursed when Tony managed to switch his position. In a flash, Tony was out of the arm bar and had Krista flipped onto her back with his weight pinning her legs and his hands pinning her wrists to the mat. Gage rang the bell ending the match.

  Calmly Krista stood and offered the Marine a hand. "You're good."

  "Thanks." Tony shook her hand. “You’re not so bad yourself. You almost had me there.”

  The two moved out of the ring. Krista grabbed her water bottle and took a long swallow as she faced Gage. "Well, what do you think?"

  Gage dropped to the floor next to her. "I think you've got the martial arts bit covered. I've watched Tony fight for years. He was a champion fighter in the Corps and you took some of his best moves like a champ. I don't think there's much you need to work on. What do you think Tony?"

  "There were only a few things I saw you might really want to work on." Tony stated.

  "What's that?" She inquired.

  "Your left side is your weaker side. If you ever come up against someone who is left dominant, you'll really need to guard yourself from punches or other attacks to that side." Tony explained.

  "Got it. Anything else?" Krista nodded.

  “You got too cocky. Once you had Tony in that arm bar, you lost your focus. It wasn’t long, but it was long enough. When you’re fighting, never assume you’ve won a fight until you’re actually standing. Tony was able to break your hold because of that.” Gage explained. Krista nodded in understanding.

  " Let's take a five-minute breather. Then you're in there with Gage." Tony said.

  ***

  Ethan, Cain, Jimmy and Grant stood in the conference room at Blackout going over the blueprints of the event center for Krista’s book release. "Okay, here's the room at Capital. The main doors, two fire exits to the left, two at the rear, one to the far left corner and on to the far right."

  "According to Krista and her publisher there will be a small raised stage, here up against that back wall. Krista will be giving a little speech as will Stacey. I'm guessing it's during her speech that she'll announce that she's really Krista Jameson, so we'll have to watch the crowd closely there. Against this left wall here will be the food. The event is being catered by Stubb's. The right wall will house the booth with her books and stuff." Cain said.

  "After the speeches, will be the lunch. Next is the Q and A session. After that Krista is having the book signings and photo ops portion of this whole thing." Jimmy added.

  "Doesn't seem like it will be too hard on a security standpoint. Between us, PD and I'm guessing the Feds are sending a few of theirs?" Grant asked looking a Jimmy and Cain, who nodded. "Plus, add in the five or six of Wilkes men and we've got the security covered."

  Ethan rubbed his chin. "Yeah. However, tell our teams that I still expect them on high alert. This fucker has walked right into two secure locations and broke into her house without being seen."

  Cain frowned at that comment. Jimmy noticed first. "What is i
t Cain? I see your gears grinding."

  "I've been thinking about who this guy could be." Cain stated.

  "What are you thinking?" Ethan pushed.

  "Well, now this is just a theory mind you but, at the agent's office we figured he cased the place right? What if he didn't?"

  Grant frowned. "What do you mean?"

  "I talked to building security. He says a lot of times on weekends and sometimes at night PD and some Sheriff's deputies moonlight as security there. I got the same answer from the hospital." Cain elaborated.