TooDangeroustoLove

by AliyahBurke

  His eyes flared with rage. Then he calmed himself down. “You won’t make me mad and do something foolish. I know how you operate.”

  “You think so?” she taunted. “Then why did you ask me about my reluctance to sleep with you? I mean, I even did the guy you had chained up. Twice. Well, two nights, plenty of times. Besides, you already did something foolish. You pissed me off.” She laughed mockingly.

  His knife entered her side, sliding deep. She gasped in pain as she retaliated, hitting Doc with an uppercut that knocked him back as he yanked the weapon out of her flesh. Doc regained his feet and frowned. She understood what he saw in her gaze, acceptance. She’d come to terms with the fact he may kill her. It no longer mattered but she was going to take him with her. She witnessed fear in his own gaze.

  Lightning flashed, thunder boomed, rocking everything around with its rumbles. Still, she taunted him. One eye was completely swollen shut. Not to mention the beating he had given her earlier and the bullet along with the knife wound.

  “What’s the matter, Doc? Getting tired? Come on, surely you can hold your own against me. I mean, I am just a woman. Not to mention I am injured.”

  “Why can’t you just die?” he yelled over the rumbles of thunder.

  “Didn’t you know? I’m already dead.” Her words were spoken with a lethal calmness.

  The precise moment she spoke those fateful words, the sky illuminated with lightning. The arena lights were blown out and the alarm silenced. But the night was still as bright as a summer afternoon from the lightning. “I can’t die again, so I have nothing to fear. Then there is the fact that you took everything I had away from me, so I have nothing left. Nothing.” She waved him forward with her one good hand as her eyes flashed with challenge. Okay, her one good eye. “Come on, let’s end this.”

  With a roar, he lunged for her. His knife found its mark, sinking deep into the flesh of her left thigh. That didn’t stop her.

  She screamed her pain into the night, but she had him close and wasn’t going to let him get away. She managed to stay on that injured leg and slammed into his knee with her other, shattering his limb. She spun around and, as she had a hold of one of his arms, stretched out and smashed her booted foot into that as well.

  The bone split up, ripping through both skin and flesh. Doc screamed. Raven sank to the ground behind him. Panting with exhaustion, she winced as she yanked the knife out of her leg then she tossed it.

  “I am going to kill you now,” Raven said, calmly as if discussing the weather. Subsequently she pushed his face down into the mud. Funny, now she saw herself from out of her own body looking down at what she was doing.

  He struggled, but she had her body digging into his. With a busted kneecap and a broken arm, he couldn’t push up from the ground.

  From out of nowhere, the sweeping light from a chopper landed on them. The grey bird landed and five men in full combat gear jumped out, weapons ready.

  “Raven. Get off him. Raven, Raven, stand down.” Dylan’s voice penetrated her haze. Cloudy eyes looked up and cleared as she saw, and recognition set in on the faces of some members of the Raptor crew.

  Two of the men, Falcon and Talon, offered to help her up. She only took one of them up on the offer—who, she wasn’t sure, for her head spun like a tilt-a-whirl.

  “What took you guys so damn long to get here?” Her garbled question fell from battered lips.

  “We were giving you a chance to deal with it,” Falcon said lightly as he took in her condition. “We know how you like to work alone.” Two of the other men put Doc up in the large chopper.

  “I think I need a vacation,” Raven’s words were slurred. “Make it a permanent one, Dylan.” He knew what she meant. “I want my bike, though. Use the car.” Her eyes rolled back into her head and she fainted dead away.

  * * * *

  Dylan had been waiting for her call. He had assembled four of the old Raptor crew the second she had driven off. A chopper was put on alert and all they needed was the call.

  Time passed and it still didn’t come. The weather grew bad and Dylan became increasingly concerned. He wasn’t going to lose her again. So, he made a decision to go in anyway. When they were airborne his phone rang.

  Raven was not on the other end. It had been Brandt. “Code six,” was the statement yelled into his ear. Dylan swore as he gave his pilot the order to go as fast as possible.

  Code six was their own way, in the company, of letting the others know there was a member down with life threatening injuries. That code had been used only once before during all those years Dylan had been operating his business. They had lost that person, he had been one of the best. He was Raven’s best friend; his death had hit her hardest of all.

  When Serenity became Raven, it was as if the sun had been completely blocked out. They were as different as night and day. They were the yin and yang of herself.

  In the beginning, it had been hard for Serenity. The time surviving alone in the jungle had unleashed her dark side. Not the darkness she had learned protecting herself in street fights, but the type of darkness most people are afraid to admit they have.

  Serenity adapted a whole other persona. Raven Dare. After she left the Corps, Dylan tracked her down for his business. They had served together previously and he knew she possessed the qualities he was looking for.

  So, while Serenity Walker lived in Alaska, Raven Dare was employed by Morgan’s Protection Agency protecting people. Raven had a small apartment located near the agency’s headquarters.

  That wasn’t all. Raven was also sent out to kill people, and she was almost like a spy. A female James Bond, with a license to kill along with the package. A fly on the wall sent to eliminate the problem, whatever it was.

  Highly intelligent, beautiful, and deadly.

  Now she lay unconscious in the chopper as they flew to the nearest hospital. Dylan’s first priority was to get her emergency care. He called ahead and had a private room ready.

  They landed on the roof and there was a gurney waiting for them. Raven was secured and moving to the inside of the hospital in seconds. Dylan and Talon went with while the others took Doc to where he would be punished for his crimes.

  Raven had internal bleeding, extensive lacerations, and severe head wounds.

  “What the hell happened to her?” the doctor asked as he walked up to them after Raven had been wheeled out of surgery and into her private room for recovery.

  “We aren’t exactly sure. That was how we found her,” Dylan answered. “How is she?”

  “She will have to remain here for a while. We need to keep an eye on her; it is too early to tell how extensive the damage is. Her body is full of stitches and she has lost a good amount of blood. Too much blood.” His tone was severe and disapproving as he glared at the two men dressed in fatigues.

  “I will have someone watch over her all the time. Only a certain few will be allowed in to see her. I want a list from you of the doctors and nurses that will be in to see her. This person may still be after her.”

  “Very well. Morgan.” The doctor glared at him. “I have never seen her this bad before.” This doctor took care of all injuries from Morgan’s Protection Agency, so he knew Raven.

  “I know, doc. I know.” The men shook hands and the one in the white coat left, leaving them alone with their friend in the private room.

  Dylan turned to Talon and spoke softly, “I have to get her car back. I’ll find Brandt and make sure he is all right. Bring him by to see her because I know he will want to know she is alive. Stay with her until I get back. You will rotate shifts until I get back, don’t leave her alone. I don’t want her to wake alone.”

  “I won’t leave her side,” Talon said as he took a chair by her bedside.

  With a silent nod, Dylan left. He had a car waiting and it drove him to a hotel. In the elevator to the top floor, he called Laurie and didn’t get an answer, disappointing him. He had needed to hear her voice as it offered the comfort he
craved.

  Inside the suite, he showered. Wrapped only in his towel, he walked back out and stopped in amazement. Laurie sat there on his large bed. His mouth dropped open as she slowly rose and glided towards him.

  “Thought you might need some company.”

  “You know me so well.” He took her into his arms and kissed her.

  Laurie pulled back and looked into his eyes. “How is she?”

  “It has never been this bad. Talon is with her right now. She had some internal bleeding, head trauma, lots and lots of lacerations. My God, Laurie, that is the second time I almost got her killed.”

  She helped him sit down on the bed and took his hand in her own. “This was something she had to do. I don’t know her very well, as either person. But I know this, what she did was something that she had to do. Although Raven has to die, and I know that is hard for you, she as Serenity will finally have a chance to live. For herself. A chance to be happy and not have to lie anymore.

  “Don’t forget, Dylan, you also know her as Serenity. It’s not like you won’t ever see her again. So, what you will do is stay with her until she is better and then abide by her wishes and kill off Raven Dare.”

  “How did you get to be so smart?” He stroked the side of her face.

  “I always was, you just didn’t see it.”

  “I love you, woman.” He growled as he put his lips to hers.

  “And I you.” Her response was mumbled as they traded words for touches.

  Chapter Fourteen

  When she finally opened her eyes, Dylan was the first person she saw in the room.

  “Dylan?”

  “Hey, stranger. How are you feeling?”

  “Like I got the shit kicked out of me. How do I look, like I feel?”

  “Like you got the shit kicked out of you.” His hand brushed her forehead.

  “It’s all gone, Dylan. I have nothing left.” Tears streamed down her face.

  “I know. I’m so sorry. So sorry.”

  “How long am I here for?”

  “Not much longer. In two more days you will be able to leave. You heal at an exceptional rate. It is amazing, really; the doctors are stumped by it. Tom would like to run some tests.”

  Raven heard the silent question in his words.

  “Yeah, I guess I do. And no tests.” She took a deep breath. “How long have I been here?”

  “No tests,” he acquiesced. “Fourteen days and Talon is coming in to sit with you. I will be back before long to see you tonight. Get some rest. Stay safe.”

  “Stay alive,” she responded without opening her eyes. She just wanted to sleep. For a while, at least. Her body was not as sore as she would have thought, but she was just so exhausted. She fell into a troubled sleep.

  * * * *

  Brandt was working at the heavy bag. His body was covered in a sheen of sweat as he pounded angrily on the canvas covered bag. He was cursing his own name each time.

  “I can’t believe I fucking left her there. Alone. By herself. Some man I am. I just left, ran away.” His fists moved faster until he sagged against the bag with exhaustion. Day in and day out, this was what he did. Exhausted himself, punished himself.

  “She is alive, Brandt.” Dylan spoke loudly to reach the man across the room.

  Brandt spun around at his voice and jogged over to him. His heart pounded harder still within his chest. “Where is she? I want to see her.”

  “I figured as much. I will take you there. I need her car.”

  “Give me ten minutes and I will change and be ready to go.” He ran out of the room and headed for the house. Brandt showered quickly and grabbed the keys to her car after he dressed in clean jeans and a shirt.

  Dylan was waiting beside the car and held his hands out for the keys. It took a moment of indecision on Brandt’s part before he gave up the keys. That was his last link to Raven Dare and he didn’t wish to give it up.

  “You can ride with me and I will have the chopper bring you back, or you can follow me.”

  “I will go with you. Why didn’t you come tell me sooner that she was okay?” Brandt asked as they drove down the driveway.

  “We weren’t sure she was going to make it. Even now, her recovery is going to be tough. She was hurt extensively, lost a lot of blood.”

  Brandt felt lower than a snake. It was all his fault. “I’m sorry about this. It’s my fault she was in that situation to begin with.”

  “Don’t blame yourself, son,” Dylan spoke as he turned into the hospital parking lot and drove into the garage. He moved up the levels until they hit the fifth floor of the parking garage. “It would have been someone else, if not you, that Doc used against her. He wanted her. He had been insane for her for a long time.”

  “Can’t say I blame him for that.” Brandt’s words slipped out before he could stop them. The short drive shocked Brandt, for he had no idea she was this close. He had thought she was long gone from the state of Kentucky.

  Dylan merely raised his eyebrows at that statement. He slid them into an empty spot, turned off the engine, and for a moment sat in the silent car in the dark parking garage and gripped the steering wheel until his tan knuckles turned white with the force. Brandt didn’t move either, although he really wanted to go and see Raven.

  “She loves to live on the edge. Fast cars, fast bike. Speed, the adrenaline rush. She loves it so. I almost lost her again.” Dylan blurted out.

  “What do you mean again?” Brandt looked at the man that seemed to be on the verge of losing his control.

  “That scar on her neck, you know the one, right?”

  “Yes. I’ve seen it.” He wanted to go in and see her, not talk to this man.

  “Do you know how she got it?”

  “No, she never told me.”

  “It was my fault. She got it protecting me. I didn’t trust her and that is what happened because of it. I love her.” Brandt’s eyes hardened at that statement, but Dylan wasn’t done. “She is family.”

  Feeling a little uncomfortable with the conversation, Brandt made a suggestion. “Perhaps we should go see her.”

  Dylan sat up straight and found his lost control. “Of course. Let’s go.”

  Nothing more was said between them as they took the elevator up to her floor. Upon their entrance to the room they saw Talon dressed impeccably in a suit, sitting next to the bed. Saw the weapon he had as well. When Talon looked up he nodded once, rose silently, and walked out the door, leaving the two men alone with her.

  Dylan walked up to the bed and leaned over. “Raven. Wake up. I have someone here who wants to see you.”

  “Send him over.”

  “How do you know who it is?”

  “I can smell his soap. Brandt Fowler, come over here.”

  Her words were strong. He listened. His body could do nothing but what she commanded. He missed her so much and had been so worried for her.

  “Hey there.” He glanced over her battered body. She looked so small and helpless in the big bed. Not at all like the strong woman he knew her to be, even though all the bruises and cuts couldn’t take away from her beauty. “You look beautiful.”

  She released a half-laugh at that. “Right. Perhaps you should be here in the bed instead of me. Maybe get your eyes checked.”

  He smiled down at her. “That is the best thing I have heard in a long time.” Brandt climbed into the bed with her, mindful of her injuries, and gathered her as close to him as he could. He tucked her head under his chin.

  “This is not what I had in mind.” She didn’t move away. In fact, she moved closer.

  “I know, but isn’t it better this way? I’m not hurting you, am I?” He ached to kiss her but wouldn’t do it.

  “No, you aren’t hurting me. Stay here. I like being close to you.” Her words flowed and warmed Brandt through to his soul.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  “Well, I didn’t kill him, if that is what you are asking.”

  “No, that isn
’t what I’m asking. I want to know how you survived it.”

  “I am not really sure. I learned to control my breathing and heart rate in the jungle when I was there for two years. So, I was able to slow my blood flow and not lose as much. It is instinctive for me to do that. I guess I still lost too much.”

  His hand stroked her side. “Why were you in the jungle?”

  “I got separated from my unit. Our chopper malfunctioned, went down, and I was dropped into a river. When I finally made it out of the water I found I was deep within the jungle, didn’t know who I was or what I was doing there. I made it out two years later. Wiser, stronger and deadlier, perfect for what Dylan needed.” She sounded scornful.

  “I hear you will make a full recovery.” He tried to give her a happy thought. What he really wanted to do was ask her to tell everything about her time there. He wanted to know everything about her and her past.

  “Really? I was told they weren’t sure yet. My leg had seriously been torn. They were talking physical therapy for it. Maybe that has changed, but I guess that is better than dying.”

  Brandt closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her hair. It was soft and silky, just as he remembered. They sat in silence for a while as they enjoyed the simple comfort of being close to one another again. “I was so scared for you,” came his soft murmur.

  There was no answer from Raven for she had fallen asleep, her cheek pressed to his heart. Her fingers were wound into the blue material of his shirt, anchoring them together. Not that Brandt had any intention of going anywhere.

  “I love you, Raven. I don’t want to live without you,” were the last words he whispered before he too fell into a restful slumber.

  * * * *

  Raven opened her eyes to discover a pair of strong arms around her. Waking this way was wonderful, and if she could do it for the rest of her life she would. Brandt slumbered peacefully, his breath warming her cheek. Well, that was about to change. She nudged him softly.

  “Ice. I need some help.” Her voice was low and heavy with sleep.

  “What do you need? Want me to call a nurse? A doctor?”

  “No. I just need you to help me to get into the bathroom, I can handle it from there.”