by Lisa Eugene
He heard her come into the house, and he turned from the window, crushing his emotion in the tight fist in his gut, pulverizing it to apathy. He felt the firm grinding of his teeth as his jaw locked with determination. He had work to do.
“Tomorrow?”
Gabe watched Maggie’s red eyes bulge when he told her the news. She was sitting at the granite island in the kitchen, one he could barely direct his gaze to now. He’d just told her of the latest communication with Dr. Rollins. The blizzard had ended earlier than expected, and the ban on flying had been lifted. The earliest flight she and her husband could get out of Klagenfurt Airport would be some time tomorrow morning. She’d have to take it to London, then to DC, and then catch a small commuter plane to Chester County Airport. But despite the circuitous route and the rigorous schedule, she seemed determined to get back to NY. And Gabe was determined to fulfill his promise to her to hand over the research data. She’d given him their travel itinerary and he’d agree to meet them at the airport. With the time zone changes she was expected to arrive by midmorning.
“I’m coming with you,” Maggie announced, her blue eyes flashing a dare.
He had expected this and had already decided it wasn’t worth the argument. They’d already endured enough today.
“Fine.” His lips twitched at her sudden bafflement.
Her delicate features softened but her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she searched for some ruse. He had the acute urge to pull her into his arms and kiss away the furrows of doubt along with the tears that had puffed up her lids. Instead he maintained his distance, standing on the other side of the chasm between them.
“Try and get some sleep tonight. We’ll need to arrive early in the morning and do reconnaissance of the area.” With that he turned and left the kitchen.
Maggie hunkered down in the bucket seat of Gabe’s sports car parked in the lot of Chester County Airport. She tugged the brim of her hat over her eyes and leaned her head back, trying to calm the jitters tumbling in her belly. Her fatigue wasn’t helping. She’d barely gotten any sleep last night. After a solitary dinner in the kitchen, she’d made her way upstairs only to find Gabe sitting at the desk, going through Dr. Rollins’ research. He’d been so absorbed that he didn’t seem to notice her as she passed through to the shower, or came back out to cocoon herself under the sheets. She’d thought about breaching the silence with conversation, but her brain seemed to have difficulty contriving anything that didn’t sound forced or excessively banal. In the end she’d slipped deeper beneath the covers and chased a sleep that outran her.
She peered out the window and stared at rows and rows of cars. Chester County Airport was small but highly trafficked. It served four commercial airlines as well as the smaller commuter planes that flew nationally. This was morning rush hour at its worse as mostly businessmen hurried into the terminal to catch an outgoing flight. She let her vision scan the lot for Gabe and worried her lip when she caught no sight of him. He’d been gone now for almost half an hour and she was starting to worry.
She almost jumped out of her seat when the door suddenly opened and Gabe slipped into the driver’s seat. With her hand pressed against her heaving bosom, she regarded him with anticipation and relief.
“Well?”
“They should be landing any time now. They’re just waiting for clearance. We’ll meet them at the gate.”
“Okay.” She took a wavy breath, buttressing her resolve. “Let’s go.”
Gabe’s long fingers circled her arm as she reached for the door. She turned and had to catch her breath as she stared into his mahogany eyes. His gorgeous face seemed relaxed, but an anxious muscle ticked in his jaw. His cap shadowed a portion of his face, but his gaze still managed to pierce her.
“All looks clear, but I’m not taking any chances. You stay right by my side. We don’t reveal ourselves until I say so. Got that?”
She nodded quietly, looking away as he tucked escaped locks of blonde hair beneath her cap. Silently they exited the car and made their way to the square two story, silver terminal. The day was bright and sunny, a crisp spring morning. As they entered through the large glass doors, she marveled that ordinary life revolved around her while she felt like she’d been hovering in a surreal dream for the past few weeks. People bustled about, wheeling small cases behind them. The wail of a baby could be heard above the chatter that floated up to the high ceilings and faces were buried behind one electronic device or another.
With his hand at her elbow, he guided her to an escalator. From upstairs they’d be able to look out into the distance and see the incoming planes land. They made their way to a far window, and Maggie twisted her fingers as she saw Gabe check his watch. His stoic expression was driving her crazy because she had a tangle of anxious knots writhing inside her abdomen. Again, she tried to summon calm. She felt good about what they were doing. This research was Dr. Rollins’ life’s work, and it pleased her immeasurably that she played a part in returning it to her.
“Here she comes.” Gabe’s steady voice interrupted her thoughts.
Maggie watched as the small plane came into view, its wheels hovering over the black strip of tar, its graceful wings gliding it over the earth. She felt Gabe suddenly stiffen beside her and he issued a harsh curse.
“What?” She frowned. Her head turned towards him, but she couldn’t take her gaze away from the plane.
“Shit! She’s coming in too fast!” Gabe hissed next to her.
Maggie’s mouth parted to question him, but suddenly cold bumps erupted all over her skin and horror froze her spine stiff. Numbly she continued to track the accelerating plane. She stared, her eyes rounding in disbelief as the small aircraft bounced on the tarmac, first one wheel spinning away, then the other. It became a blurred projectile until it collided with a stationary airport vehicle and exploded into a billowing cloud of fire and black smoke that seemed to consume the air. The explosive noise had been deafening. Maggie’s palms clapped over her mouth as anguish choked in her throat. Screams and cries shattered the space and seeped into a brain that was still trying to process the catastrophe her eyes had just witnessed. Her mind kept rejecting the evidence before her eyes, kept sending back a signal to rescan, to take another look. There must be some terrible mistake.
It was only when Gabe tugged at her arm and yelled at her to go, that she blinked rapidly and followed quickly into step beside him, weaving through a crowd running amuck with panic. They’d reached the outer door when he cursed vividly and spun around. She didn’t know what had drawn his attention, but he pushed her roughly towards the car and ordered her to run. She stumbled briefly, but managed to stay upright.
She saw him draw his gun just as she took off racing, pumping her numb legs as fast as they could propel her. The chaotic drum of her heart smashed against a chest gasping for a deep breath of air. Maggie reached the vehicle and collapsed to her knees beside the passenger door, finally letting in some much needed oxygen. Sirens rang in her ears while screams and wails could still be heard droning from the building in one long lamentable melody. She thought she heard shots fired but couldn’t be sure above the cacophony of sounds. She exhaled sharply when Gabe ran up beside her. His powerful arms lifted her upright, pulled the door open, and scooted her into the leather seat. Quickly he circled the car and jumped behind the wheel, and minutes later they were screeching past the large red exit sign of the Chester County Airport.
“They’re dead?” Maggie knew there was no question, but her brain still needed the confirmation. She watched Gabe’s tight profile as he focused on the road, trying to avoid the oncoming rush of emergency vehicles. Behind them the airport was starting their lock down procedures, assuming the worse. He gave her a quick glance then refocused his attention on traffic. His strong fingers reached out to softly squeeze her bare thigh, their warmth providing a mild comfort.
“I’m afraid so, Maggie.” His voice was gentler than she’d expected considering the harsh lines of his face. She n
odded and blinked, feeling the tears gather on her lashes but would not allow them to fall. There was no doubt Cane Howard was behind this. Dr. Rollins. Those poor people. All dead. Blistering anger wove itself into her horror and grief. She needed to think. The man had to be stopped.
That evening back at the house, when Gabe told her of his plans to visit Cane Howard’s corporate headquarters just outside of the city, she voiced no objection. She would not allow herself to wallow in fear and inertia. The sooner they had proof of his criminal activities, the sooner they could stop the atrocities he perpetrated. It had taken a while for her to calm down. And, after much persuasion from Gabe, she decided not to go directly to the police with what they knew. She’d watched the news for a bit after they’d gotten back to the house. The cause of the crash was reported as unknown, but Maggie knew who was responsible. She wondered about the fate of the Sonic Scalpel, and all the people who would suffer from its loss. She knew the Rollinses had a team of scientist and doctors working under them. Perhaps they could somehow resume her research and fulfill her life’s dream. They were already so close. She felt like a live wire sparking with emotion, fervently needing somewhere to direct her restless energy.
“I’m coming with you,” she declared. This time she watched his jaw harden and his eyes immediately darkened in protest. They’d just finished an elaborate dinner that Cyril and Ronnie had surprised them with. Maggie’s conscience cringed because she’d hardly tasted it. Even now, with a stomach heavy with dread, the meal felt like an anchor had dropped into her gut. She sat across from Gabe at an absurdly long rectangular dinner table that had been formally set by Ronnie. A small candelabra sat lit between them, its glowing flames dancing in the air.
“Absolutely not. You can stay here with Cyril and Ronnie.” He shook his head, wiping his lips with his damask dinner napkin.
“I want to help.”
His gaze met hers across the table, his focus steady. “I don’t need help. It’s too dangerous for you.”
“Too dangerous?” Her voice rose in anger. “It can’t be any more dangerous than what I’ve already been through.”
She thought she saw him visibly wince, then something like guilt slid across his face, mellowing his steely expression.
“I can’t have you in harm’s way again, Maggie. You said it yourself. It’s like going into the lion’s den.”
She tossed down her napkin and folded her fingers on the table. She didn’t know how to make him understand. “I need to help. After what happened to Dr. Rollins, I feel like I can’t sit back and let Cane Howard do as he wishes. He’s an evil man. I want to take an active part in seeing that justice is served.”
He stared silently then rubbed the back of his neck. His words came slow and measured. “Justice. That’s an ambiguous term. But, I understand.”
“It’s such a tragedy what happened to Dr. Rollins. I feel like all of humanity suffered a great loss.” Her voice hitched with emotion. “I need to help rectify this in some way.”
A warning crept into his tone. “Okay. But—” He leveled a finger directly at her when she let out a breath of relief. “—you stay in the car. I don’t want you anywhere near his office.”
She nodded solemnly. Although she was glad he’d agreed to let her go, she was not deluding herself. She did not underestimate the danger of trying to break into Cane’s office. Gabe had told her of the men awaiting them at the airport today. The only thing that had saved them was the bedlam that had ensued after the crash. They’d been able to disappear in the melee. They were aggressively being sought after, and God knew what would happen if they were ever captured. The meager contents of her stomach threatened to spill at the thought.
“We go tomorrow.”
She sputtered in surprise. “Tomorrow? So soon?”
He nodded. “Yes. After what occurred today he’d expect us to go into hiding, to lay low for a while and figure out our next step. He wouldn’t be expecting anything so soon.”
She caught her bottom lip on the edge of her teeth then started tentatively. “Wh…what is our next step now that the Rollinses are dead?”
“Once we get proof of Cane’s clandestine activities, then we can turn him in.”
She gnawed gently on her captured lip then added softly, “Will you get arrested for stealing the data?”
He sighed. “My father had some contacts in the CIA that my family keeps in touch with from time to time. I think I can make a fair trade—my immunity for information about Cane Howard. They’ll be all over this.”
She felt the worry that had rooted in her belly finally wither away. She pushed around a piece of lettuce on her plate, curiosity taking the place of her worry. CIA? Don’t ask. It’s none of your business. Not relevant. Nope. Couldn’t care less.
“How did your father know people in the CIA?”
Nosy witch! He’s gonna explode. Now you’ve done it. The man has a right to his privacy. She hated when she had to explain herself to herself, but she mentally scoffed, Just genuinely curious! Anyone would be.
Liar!
Her eyes engaged his, searching for anger, and expecting a rebuff. She felt she needed to explain to him too. “I’m not trying to get to know you or anything. I’m just curious.”
She was surprised when the corner of his lips turned up in a half smile.
“My family does some work for the military. My father often had to consult with some high ranking government officials.”
She dove in, ignoring the warning voice bellowing, Mind your damn business! “What kind of work does your family do?”
He gave a nonchalant shrug of his wide shoulders, but she noticed his gaze shift about the room. “This and that.”
Ha! Told you so!
She returned to the interesting lettuce on her plate. This man was such an enigma. He was a loner. She’d originally assumed he hadn’t had any family, but had started to wonder if he secluded himself by choice. There’d apparently been a time when they’d been very close, a time when they frequented this property. He never really spoke of his brother, but gave snatches of a relationship with his father. She wondered again at the circumstances surrounding his father’s death. Don’t even go there! She wouldn’t. She knew for sure that would set him off. The pain that she’d seen smoking his eyes yesterday had been staggering.
“Are you the only girl, Maggie? You only mentioned you had brothers.”
The sound of his deep baritone jerked her from her musings, but it was the question that creased her forehead with shock.
He smiled widely and the jarring affect had her toes curling. A wavy lock hung over his forehead. His dimpled chin gave his face a sexy ruggedness that was viscerally compelling. So freaking hot. She shook her head to settle her thoughts.
“I’m not trying to get to know you or anything. I’m just curious.” He winked, and they shared a grin.
“Glad you cleared that up. You asking me a personal question? I thought you might be catching a fever or something,” she droned caustically.
He chuckled, the sound vibrating down the length of her back. His dark eyes held hers. The orange flames from the candelabra flickered in their centers, casting a devilish glint. He leaned forward, his gaze slowly traveling to her unbound breasts then up to her face.
“But I do have a fever. It’s for you. You make my blood boil. Being inside you is fucking unbelievable.”
Oh. My. God…Had someone raised the temperature in the room? She immediately broke out in a sweat, hot beads bubbling all over her skin. She groaned inwardly, desire flooding every pore in her body. Her empty womb contracted with need. Would it be bad dinner etiquette if she went over to him, pulled down his pants, exposed that gloriously curved cock, and rode him like a bronco in the chair? Maggie’s face flooded with color. Where were these crazy thoughts coming from? Must be a result of all the stress today.
Her mind needed a diversion, needed to escape to that wondrous oblivion of pleasure. She couldn’t see herself being that s
pontaneous though. Besides, the only way to get to him would be to crawl over this ridiculously long table because it would take, like, a half hour to walk around it. And she wasn’t the most agile individual. With her luck she’d probably slip and fall on the polished wood of the table top or have a piece of clothing catch fire from the candelabra. Yup. That would so not be sexy.
How had her thoughts turned so lascivious? Hadn’t he asked her a question before their conversation got derailed? Ah, yes.
“I have three brothers.” She smirked, thinking of them. “They are all crazy!” She looked up suddenly, daring him to speak his thoughts.
He laughed and raised both palms. “I didn’t say a word!”
She shot him a feigned look of annoyance, and then resumed her narrative. “William, Peter, and Frank. They’re all here in New York.”
“Are they in the medical field too?”
She nodded. “All gynecologists.”
A smile played on his lips, and he looked genuinely befuddled then amused. “Family dinners must be a riot at your house.”
She grinned. “You have no idea. They should have been comedians instead.”
Mirth danced in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, seeming to change his mind. “Where do you fall in birth order?” he asked at length.
“Youngest.”
“I see.” He nodded, and his teasing tone provoked a sharp glance.
“You see what?”
His palms again shot up defensively, but his eyes twinkled. He regarded her with boyish innocence. “I didn’t say anything. Mom and Dad? You seem close to them.” He motioned for her to continue when she stalled.
“Married forty years. Still live in Brooklyn. I visit about once a month.”
She continued enlightening him about her family and relating stories about growing up in Brooklyn. Every time she thought to stop, he’d nod for her to continue. Maggie didn’t know what to make of his sudden ‘curiosity’. But she did enjoy just speaking leisurely about her life and family, and she tried desperately not to read into his interest. It was a welcome distraction from the gloom and sense of hopelessness that had settled over her like a dingy coat since leaving the airport.