Cocked And Loaded

by Desiree Holt

  "At this hour of the morning?” Roy threw himself into the passenger seat of Zane's Expedition and just barely managed to buckle himself in before the vehicle peeled out of the parking lot. “For what?"

  "Nothing good, I promise you. And Jamie's not answering her cell."

  "Maybe she's asleep."

  "No. She was too wired to go to bed. Besides, she insisted she was going to wait up for me. And Kit's there. If Jamie can't answer, why doesn't she?"

  They broke every speed record getting to his house. Thankfully the streets were fairly empty at this hour. When he turned onto his street, he nearly passed out at what he saw. His porch light was on, illuminating the walkway bright as day. His mother, perfectly dressed as always in silk slacks and blouse, was holding Jamie by the arm, pointing a gun at her head, and dragging her down the walk to a car.

  What in god's name is going on?

  Fear surged through him, along with the sharp realization that he loved Jamie Randall to distraction and he couldn't lose her. All the angry words from earlier faded away. All his resentment over the phone call Jamie received from her old boss. All the blows to his ego.

  They still had a lot to settle, but they'd never be able to do it if she was dead. That wasn't the last thing he wanted to remember about her. He had to get her out of this.

  Zane pulled to the curb and leaped from the SUV, forcing himself to walk calmly toward them. “Mother, what the hell is going on?"

  * * * *

  Jamie's heart skipped at the sound of Zane's voice. Her first thought was, he was alive. Her second was, how the hell was he going to get her out of this? Anita's eyes had a wild look to them, and her fingers dug into Jamie's arm like steel claws.

  "Get away, Zane.” Anita's voice was sharp and edgy, with an obvious note of instability. “I'm taking care of things. Finally. Then you can move ahead with your life."

  She's crazy. She's truly crazy. Oh, Zane, this is a no-win situation.

  Zane kept walking slowly toward them. Jamie had noticed a car parked in front of the house next door and wondered who it was. One of Zane's deputies stood outside the Expedition they'd arrived in, his arm at his side, his hand holding his gun.

  "Taking care of what? My life is just fine. There's nothing for you to do here.” He reached out his hand as he continued to move slowly forward. “Give me the gun and let me take you home before you do something you'll regret."

  "The only thing I'll regret is letting you make a mistake.” Anita pressed the gun harder to Jamie's head. “I'm getting rid of this piece of white trash so she won't make a mess of your life."

  Zane's eyes caught Jamie's, trying to send her a message.

  I'll get you out of this. Stay cool. I'll take care of everything.

  God, I hope so.

  Her head was starting to pound again, and she gritted her teeth against a sudden wave of nausea.

  Zane took another step closer, his eyes trying to catch his mother's, but her gaze was skittering everywhere. “You don't have to do this, Mother. I'll handle things."

  His voice was still low and reassuring. Jamie didn't know where he found the will to keep it so steady. His gaze flick over her shoulder for a brief second, and she hoped Anita hadn't caught it. Someone was there. The man from the strange car? She held herself as still as possible, despite the gun barrel digging into her temple and the bruising grip on her arm.

  "Go away, Zane. I should have done this when she first came home.” There was no way to miss the vicious edge to the words. “Just leave. Gray will fix everything."

  "Gray's not in a position to help you right now,” Zane told her.

  She tensed at that, her fingers digging even deeper into Jamie's arm. “This bitch says Gray's in trouble. Is that true? How is that possible?"

  Jamie wasn't sure how much longer Zane could keep it going, as unstable as Anita was. Or how he'd answer her question. He was almost next to them now, still moving slowly. And where was the man behind them? Why didn't he hurry?

  "Put the gun down, Mother, and we'll talk about Gray. There's no need for any of this. We can discuss this like reasonable people."

  "Not as long as she's around."

  Jamie sensed Anita's finger tighten on the trigger. Zane caught it, too, launching himself at the two women, knocking Jamie to the side as the gun went off. Zane grunted and slumped to the ground as the man in back of them grabbed Anita from behind.

  "Zane!” Jamie screamed, scrambling over to him on her knees.

  Oh, god, it's the dream coming true. Don't die, Zane. Please don't die. Please let me be able to tell you how much I love you.

  "Help!” she yelled. “Someone help me."

  Roy Galvan had come from the SUV on a dead run. He was turning Zane over and pulling up the deerskin shirt the man still wore. Jamie's eyes popped when she saw the Kevlar vest beneath it, the bullet lodged in the material. Roy unfastened the vest and pulled it away. A huge bruise was already forming just beneath Zane's rib cage, but there was no blood.

  Jamie collapsed across his chest, unable to keep back the tears of relief.

  "He's fine, Miss Randall,” Roy Galvan reassured her. “Good thing he hadn't taken his vest off at the office. He'll have a hell of a sore spot, but that's all."

  "Damn good thing,” she agreed, unashamedly smothering his face with kisses.

  A warm hand came up to rest on her back, and Zane's slightly ragged voice rumbled from his chest. “I told you I'd be all right, darlin'."

  "Damn you!” She swatted at his shoulder, then leaned forward to hold him again.

  "I'm sorry,” he murmured. “I never expected her to go after you."

  "No, I'm the one who's sorry. Sorry you had to overhear that stupid conversation. Sorry I didn't just hang up on the call. Sorry I even for one second thought about leaving you. Oh, Zane.” She rested her head on his chest. “I love you, and I'll stay as long as you want. Until you get tired of me."

  "We'll talk about it later,” he told her.

  She swallowed hard, wondering just how that conversation would end up. Right now they were in the middle of a situation, and there were people around. Behind them Jamie could hear Anita cursing in three languages. She looked up to see the man who'd grabbed the woman, frog-marching her to his car, carefully avoiding the kicks she tried to aim at him even while her hands were cuffed behind her back.

  "He's federal,” Roy told her. “I called our office to send backup for him since the rest of the federal agents were already on their way to San Antonio.” He raised his head as more headlights swept down the street. “And I'd say that's them now."

  Jamie barely registered the activity of the next few minutes. She was vaguely aware that two deputies wrestled Anita into the back seat of their vehicle, still screaming epithets at the top of her lungs. She heard Roy speaking in low tones with them and the federal agent, then the two cars took off.

  She tried to keep Zane flat on his back, but he insisted on sitting up.

  "Man, that small gun sure packs a kick,” he grunted, gently touching his bruised ribs.

  "You should go to the hospital,” Jamie insisted, trying to push him back down. She couldn't stop the tears that kept sliding down her face.

  "I'm fine, Jamie.” Zane looked over her shoulder. “Where's Kit? I didn't think she'd miss the excitement."

  "Ohmigod. Kit. Oh, shit.” She pushed herself up and ran toward the house, hollering, “She's hurt."

  Kit was just sitting up on the floor of the foyer, holding her hands to her head. Her face was paper white and lined with pain. Before Jamie could get to her Roy lifted her in his arms and carried her to the couch.

  "Anita conked her on the head with the gun,” Jamie said. “Honey, are you okay? Let me get some ice.” She raced into the kitchen, dumped ice cubes into a plastic bag, wrapped it in a dish towel, and hurried back to Kit. “Here. This is what they gave me at the hospital. Hold it to your head. It really helps."

  "She should be checked out in the emergency
room,” Roy said.

  "And you, too,” Jamie insisted, looking at Zane who had slowly followed her into the house and was sitting gingerly in the big armchair.

  More footsteps sounded on the porch, and Skip Conway let himself in. “Is everyone okay? I got here as fast as I could. Thank god I had my own car."

  "I had two of my deputies take my mother to the city with your agent. I hope they get there in one piece. She was kicking up a storm."

  Skip dropped down to the ottoman. “You don't know how sorry I am that she's involved with this. Or that we let her get to Miss Randall."

  "You didn't know. How could you?"

  "Still..."

  Zane's face became a granite mask. “I have no illusions about my mother. We've never had what you'd call a warm relationship, and lately I've questioned a lot of her activities. Unfortunately, I think we'll also find out she was the one who hired Danny Christopher to hurt Jamie.” He reached out to pull Jamie close to him.

  "Jesus.” Skip blew out a long breath. “Well, they'll call me from San Antonio as soon as she's processed and let me know what's happening. Meanwhile, you need to get those ribs checked out, and Jamie, your friend doesn't look any too good."

  Zane was too tired and Kit too sick to protest, so Roy bundled everyone into his SUV and took them to the emergency room.

  "This is getting to be a habit,” Jamie said while they waited for the doctor. She was standing next to Zane, who sat on an examining table, holding his hand. “And not a good one."

  "Tell me about it."

  "Listen.” She gripped his hand tightly, as if he might disappear if she let go. “I need to go be with Kit. I don't want to leave her alone. But I'll be back as soon as I can. And Zane? Please remember I love you."

  When he didn't say a word, she dropped his hand and trudged out of the room.

  Kit was next door, the doctor already checking her out. She reached out a hand for Jamie. “You sure know how to show your friends a good time."

  Jamie snorted. “No kidding. How do you feel?"

  "Like my head went through a cement mixer."

  "I don't think she's got a concussion,” the doctor said. “Just a big lump on her head. The cut doesn't even need stitches. But I've ordered a CAT scan anyway, and we'll keep her for twenty-four hours, just to be sure. Besides, she'll have a hell of a headache for a couple of days."

  "Oh, good lord.” Kit slid her glance to Jamie. “Are we keeping this place in business or something?"

  "Just be a good girl and listen to the nice doctor,” Jamie grinned. But she felt anything but humorous. Kit could have been killed tonight, a fact that kept smacking her in the face. As could Zane.

  Zane!

  Her head pinched at the thought of him. Would tonight be the last time they would ever be together?

  She stayed with Kit until she'd been x-rayed and was finally taken up to a room. Zane had been diagnosed with nothing more than a bad bruise and released. The sun was up by the time they left the hospital and stumbled, fatigued, into the parking lot.

  "I'll play chauffeur if you need to get back on the road to San Antonio,” Roy told Skip.

  "Thanks. I'll take you up on it. Zane, expect to hear from me sometime during the day. We did good work tonight."

  Zane nodded. “The press will be all over us tomorrow, especially with my mother's arrest. When you take Ballou into custody, they'll have a feeding frenzy."

  "If you can hold them off until afternoon, I'll fax you a copy of the statement we'll issue so we'll all be on the same page."

  "No problem.” He drew Jamie close and dropped a kiss onto her forehead. “Let's go home, darlin'. I think we've had all the excitement we need for one night."

  * * * *

  She was so weary by the time they reached the house she could barely make it up the stairs. She wondered how Zane, with everything that had happened, hadn't passed out standing up. Still, there was no way she could go to sleep with so much unresolved between them.

  In the bedroom he ignored her as he stripped and headed for the shower. Not knowing what else to do, she sat on the bench at the end of the bed, waiting and trying to figure out just what she was going to say.

  Finally, when she'd chewed three nails down to the quick, he emerged with droplets of water clinging to his chest and a towel slung around his lean hips. His hair was loose around his shoulders, and he looked every inch the Comanche brave.

  "Please can we talk?” she asked in a small voice.

  "I'm tired, Jamie. Let's wait until morning."

  "I can't,” she cried. “I have to say this or I'll explode."

  He stood in front of her, hands on his hips, eyes so black she couldn't see into their depths. “Okay. Go ahead. Talk."

  "I made a huge mistake,” she began. “I wasn't even thinking when I got the call from my old boss. All that popped into mind was that finally, finally my name would be cleared. Can you understand that?"

  His eyes seemed to bore holes into her. “Of course I can understand that. Do you think I'm stupid? That's not what bothers me. It's the fact, first of all, that you even made a tentative commitment without talking to me first. I thought we were together, Jamie. On everything. This is something we could discuss like adults and come to a decision on together."

  "I'm sorry.” She was ready to throw herself at his feet. “You're absolutely right."

  "But that wasn't the worst of it."

  She looked up at him, frowning. “Then what?"

  "When you said I might get tired of you.” Anger stained his cheeks. “Want to end the relationship. Is that all you think of what's between us? Is there no trust after all? Or were you looking for a way out of a relationship with a half breed?"

  "Jesus, Zane. No.” Tears were running unheeded down her cheeks, and her heart felt as if it had stopped beating, the pain was so great. “I love you. Whoever you are. Can we just chalk it up to a moment of insanity?” She snuffled and wiped her cheeks with her palms. “I'd take back every word if I could."

  He put his arms under her elbows and lifted her to her feet. His eyes held hers like magnets. “Look me straight in the face, Jamie, and tell me what you want."

  "I want you,” she said without hesitation. “I love you with all my heart, and if I never leave Amen again, it's okay as long as you're here. Please, believe me."

  He was silent for so long she was almost afraid to hear what he had to say. At last he said, “I meant what I said when I told you I loved you. Did you mean it, too?"

  "With all my heart,” she told him, hope flickering for the first time.

  More silence. She forced herself to wait patiently.

  "Then come to bed. It's been a very long day. For everyone."

  Jamie stripped off her clothes and slid under the covers next to his naked body before he could change his mind. She still wanted the details of what had happened tonight. But when they were finally in bed, her head nestled against Zane's shoulder, he ignored her questions and moved his hand from her arm to one of her breasts, drifting lazily over the nipple.

  "Are you sure you aren't too tired or sore for this?” she asked. “You should get some well-deserved sleep."

  "I won't sleep until I make love to you,” he told her in a hoarse voice. “I thought my heart would stop when I saw my mother with a gun to your head. That's when I realized that no matter what, I wanted us to be together."

  "I love you,” she said again, pressing herself against him.

  "I need to clean away the filth from tonight, too,” he went on. “And lose myself in your body. I need to wipe the bad taste from my mouth with your sweet pussy juice and ease my heart by sliding my dick inside that tight little cunt. And I need to know we are well and truly bonded together. Don't deny me. I need you."

  Her heart thumped at his words. He needed her. And not in a lustful way, although lust was a big part of it. He needed her to make him whole again. That was perhaps the greatest gift he could ever give her. Her fatigue fell away like a di
sappearing cloak and heat sizzled through her veins.

  "Then let me take care of you for a change.” She shoved her covers back, rose to her knees, and took his cock in her hand. “Just lie back and enjoy it."

  His shaft rose thick and hard from the curls surrounding it and felt heavy in her hands. She bent forward and with her tongue lapped the darkened, flared head all around, using the tip to trace the crown, then probing gently into the slit. Zane jerked in her hands, and his breathing hitched.

  She lifted her gaze to look at him. His eyes were closed, his arms straight at his sides, and his hands knotted into fists. Every muscle in his body seemed to draw tight and hard. When she licked the length of his shaft from root to tip, he jerked again, but his eyes remained closed, his mouth slightly open.

  The slim fingers of one hand wrapped as far as they could around his cock at the root while her other hand cupped the heavy sac of his balls. The tips of her fingers played lightly over the fine hair on the surface, drawing another sharp breath from him. On impulse, she dropped her head lower and ran her tongue over the entire pleated surface of his testicles, lapping at it and nipping lightly at the underside.

  Zane's big body tensed even more and his breathing became choppier, but he gave her free rein to explore him and use him. When her lips closed over the velvet head of his shaft, she began moving one hand slowly up and down, feeling the slip and slide of the soft skin over steel, the heat of his blood in the ropy veins that wound around it.

  The tip of her tongue probed the slit of the head more deeply than before, mimicking what he did to her cunt with his own tongue. In and out, swirling around, then in and out again, drawing groans that shuddered through his body.

  Her own arousal was growing rapidly. Where her cunt rested on the calves of her legs she felt the slickness of her pussy juices, so copious they were dripping from her. Shifting position without releasing her grip on either his cock or his balls, she straddled one hard, muscular thigh and rubbed her streaming cunt back and forth against his skin. At the same time, she moved the hand cupping his balls down to the cleft of his buttocks and probed with one fingertip at the tight opening to his ass.