by Liliana Hart
Both sedans were at the end of the street.
“Stay alive, Hallie!” Her cousin zoomed away through two parked trucks, circling back to the main intersection at Beltline.
Hallie began running. One car turned to follow Essie, but if the screeching brakes and horns were any indication, she’d darted through traffic and was already too far ahead for them to catch her.
There was enough light from the surrounding buildings to see the guns the men chasing her carried. Curses mingled with their running feet. She could easily outrun her out-of-shape pursuers, but her plan was to get caught without them knowing. And she needed to hide Essie’s cell.
Hallie darted across the side street and knelt behind a car parked near a fence. She took the case off the phone and pulled off her shoe, quickly loosening the laces. She stuffed the phone inside, then her foot. She wouldn’t be running again.
The heavy footsteps stopped but their heavy huffs continued. “There she is!”
A weapon fired. She recognized the whisper pop of a silencer. The bullet hit the fence behind her.
“No! Alive!” a deep voice shouted. “Get over here, now!”
“I…I’m unarmed. I can’t walk. I think I sprained my ankle.” It would keep the weight off her foot on top of Essie’s phone.
They patted her down while she complained about her ankle.
“You won’t be crying about that foot very long. Not after the boss gets a hold of you.” He popped the battery out of her phone.
Both men grabbed an upper arm and carried her to their car. A short ride later she was at a typical street mall. They hadn’t bothered to hide where they were going. Not a good sign.
Essie please find me!
“It’s about damn time,” Essie yelled at him as Gage exited the elevator.
Two minutes ago he’d been in a hotel robe waiting for room service…for two. The phone call he’d been expecting from Hallie turned out to be the front desk asking him to come downstairs. Then Essie had grabbed the phone and told him Hallie was missing.
“Any idea where she is?” His stomach plunged again. He held everything together on assignment. Even when he’d thought something had happened to Hallie in the park. He’d never felt like this. Like he was about to lose everything.
“My cousin is smart. All I need is your cell and I can find her.”
He handed it over without asking why. If it found Hallie, that’s all he needed.
“Oh, there’s a gun in my right pocket. Do you mind…” She popped her hip toward him but continued tapping madly on his phone.
He guided her to the side of the room and snuck the .45 into his waist at the back. “Hallie’s?”
“Yeah, why give over her gun when she knew they would take– Got it. She’s not far from here. Let’s go.”
She ran out the door and he followed to her motorcycle. “Tip the man, will ya’?”
He really wished he had his own car. He’d just be wasting time getting it out of a garage.
Once on the bike, Essie handed him the phone. “Map will rotate. Keep me two turns ahead. I can’t see the street names, so don’t be afraid to just yell at me if I’m about to miss something.”
“The blue indicator on the map is still moving. So they may not have hurt her yet.” At least he hoped so. He couldn’t call for reinforcements. If he did he couldn’t watch the screen and they’d lose time finding her.
So he was it. A two-gun lone agent playing urban cowboy.
They were close. A strip mall on the other side of Dallas Parkway. It looked empty from the front, but lights were on in the back. He tapped on Essie’s shoulder and she pulled over.
“Call the police, then stay here and wait for them. Let me handle getting Hallie out of there alive.”
“You got it, boss. This time. Only because I’m not licensed to carry that second gun. Yet.”
Gage was constantly surprised by Hallie’s family. They acted like they were born for this business. Maybe they had been. He skirted the walls up the alley and took the man at the back door down with one punch. He cuffed him to a gas meter at the back of the building.
He heard a hard slap. It didn’t take much deduction to figure out they were questioning Hallie with force.
“Where are they?” a woman asked, backhanding his girl a second time. “You’re just a wannabe detective with no skills. We laughed that it was so easy to find you.”
“We’re listed in the yellow pages.”
“Where are they?” she shouted, hitting Hallie a second time.
“If I told you, then you’d rush over there and disturb everybody making a huge fuss.” Hallie spit the blood from her split lip, just barely missing the woman’s high heels. “Get real. My team moved them as soon as you nabbed me.”
The woman turned to the man holding a weapon. “You said she was alone and that you took her phone.”
“She didn’t call any–”
Before Gage could find a way between the gunman, Hallie had unlocked her handcuffs and thrust her head in the guy’s abdomen. Gage could rush in and save the day. But if there was one thing he knew about his girl…she loved to save the day herself.
The man’s gun skittered across the unfinished concrete floor. Gage kept out of sight and emptied the ammunition, sticking the magazine in his pocket. Then he watched, keeping an eye on the unknown woman who seemed completely surprised that Hallie was fighting her guy.
And Hallie was winning.
The man wasn’t afraid to punch her, but he just kept missing. Hallie was too quick on her feet, shaming any boxing champion. Gage took advantage of the fight and got a better vantage point so he could step in if needed. He had Hallie covered, but he was proud. Damn proud.
“Need any help?”
“Do not think about interrupting me, Gage Owens. I have a lot of aggression to work through. They called her the boss and I need to repay a cold cock to my eye.”
“I wouldn’t dream of imposing on your fun.” He kept his weapon in his hand. Out of sight but ready to go.
Chatting gave the man an advantage for a couple of seconds. He got a side punch in. It knocked Hallie to the floor, but it was a stupid move. He turned from her. She kicked the back of his knees, dropping him on top of her to the ground.
She wound her legs around his chest, locking her ankles together. With one forearm under his chin, she pulled her arm backward, choking the guy into unconsciousness.
When she shoved him off and jumped to her feet with a quizzical look on her face, he realized that his mouth was hanging open. Hallie stomped to the boss lady.
“Wait.” The woman matching Hallie’s description from the hit and run threw up her hands. “I’m not the boss. Really. My name’s Blaire Crocker and I get my orders from Chandler. I just pass them down. Seriously, I’m a nobody. But I can spill everything if we can make a deal.”
“Well, that just took all the fun out of my night.” Hallie bent in half, breathing hard. “I prefer them to run.”
Happy Feet.
The woman took a step, Gage pointed his weapon and shook his head. She sat in the chair that his gal had broken free from. He gestured with the barrel to snap the cuffs. She did.
Hallie stood with her hands on her hips, blood dripping from her lip. “Are you all right? Did you get hit in the head? You look sort of goofy.”
Gage smiled, one hundred percent proud of the woman he was in love with. Yep, he’d been in love with her for years and wanted to shout so everyone knew. Hell, he’d have to tell her they needed to get married.
“I can see from here that your left eye is going to sport one hell of a shiner.”
“I’ll be sure to take pictures to send to you in New York.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her to marry him right then and there. But first things first. They needed to put this case to rest and talk about their future. She might need some romance before she agreed.
“Got any cuffs for that whale lying on his back?”
“I used ‘em on the guy at the door.” Gage kept one eye on the man she’d knocked out and the other on his woman. “Why are you barefoot?”
“I didn’t want to destroy Essie’s phone so I toed off my shoes. I slipped it into my shoe. Those things are expensive to replace and you know I have a business to run. That reminds me, I should ask Grammy to get insurance for us and our cells. Speaking of phones.” She grabbed a cord, leaving the telephone attached she secured the man she’d fought. Then she searched him for cell phones, pocketing one then searching through the other.
“By the way, Essie’s outside waiting for the police.”
“That’s good. Jackpot.” She let him glance at the phone. “These guys are on speed dial to Chandler. You going to make the arrest as FBI?”
He nodded. “As soon as I get my phone back and place the call.”
“My adrenaline is really pumping. Do you mind?” She walked to the woman, not waiting for an answer. “I am not a wannabe anything. Certified private detective and former FBI agent. You should get all the facts before you assume. If our paths cross again, I guarantee that your face will be the first thing I go after.”
Chapter Eight
Each twist, bump or bruise reminded Hallie she was alive. Alive but she’d put all her family at risk. They had to understand they were all in danger. And they would be if they stayed and really put effort into this agency.
“I guess you were really lucky I came back to the office,” Essie said.
“The police found the sedan that hit Marta. They’ve charged the two men who abducted you.” Emma hung up the main phone. “They’ll need a complete statement tomorrow sometime.”
“As long as it’s tomorrow. I’m beat and really want to go home.”
“Where did Gage disappear to?” her grandmother asked. “Aren’t you going to the hospital?”
She shook her head. “Just beddy-bye for me. Gage is handing Marta and Daniel over to Federal Marshals. They’ll be in protective custody until the trial. We’re hoping they’ll place them in Witness Protection for a brand new start.”
“They’re very brave. Their whole story is so romantic.” Emma sighed.
“I think it would be horrible.” Essie spun around in the chair, popping out of it after a full turn. “Leaving everything you’re good at behind. You know they’ll never let him work with computers again. It’s a shame. I talked to the kid. He was really good. Not as good as me, but good.”
“Before we lock up, there’s one thing I wanted to ask you all.”
Hallie knew they would say yes. In the last week, they’d all meshed into a very tight group. It felt funny to be the leader, but it also was a great feeling to be in that position.
“The answer is yes. I know the danger. Grammy, the pot roast last night was burned to a crisp, will you cook one tomorrow?” Emma stated, helmet in her hand. “And that reminds me, can we buy a fridge for this place with part of the money we just earned?”
“My answer is yes. Although all I’ve done is babysit and I have no real gift like you two.” Essie hugged their grandmother. “Grammy assures me I’ll find out what it is someday soon and I believe her.”
“Sweetie, you know that this whole thing was my idea. I saw it–”
“In a dream,” everyone finished together. They all laughed together, too. Including Grammy.
“Oh stop, please. Laughing hurts everything,” Hallie finally admitted. Looking at her grandmother she said, “I am definitely borrowing your jet tub when we get home.”
“How about you, Hallie? What’s your answer?” Essie asked, giving her a playful punch to her shoulder. “Oh I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”
Hallie shook her head. First thing next week, Essie was enrolling in self-defense classes.
“Hey that’s right. You didn’t answer. Do you want to open an agency with us?” Emma crossed her arms and tried to look badass, but there was a hint of a smile under her black lipstick.
“Absolutely.” Her senses were strengthened by the abundance of positive energy from her family. Going into business with them was the right choice. “But we have to be more careful. I think we should come up with some basic rules to follow, especially during a dangerous case.”
“I’ll help you get anything you want, Hallie.” Her grandmother hugged her. “Will you be satisfied?”
Satisfied? It was a plain and simple no. A private detective agency was a start, but not the end. Her grandmother had asked a profound question and there was only one person who could answer it.
Gage.
The only sleep she’d had today was at her desk. She’d already used the change of clothes in her trunk. If she went home, she’d lose her courage. Granted, she was a mess. But she was Hallie Barton and she had a plan.
She knocked on Gage’s hotel room. He looked surprised and pleased that she’d shown up at midnight. Without a word, he gallantly gestured for her to enter.
She sort of liked not having to explain herself. She saw the remote, clicked the TV on and waited for him to follow.
“You came over to watch the late, late show?”
“Sshh.” She placed her finger over his lips, then pushed him until his knees hit the back of the bed and he sat. Then she held up a finger before going into his bathroom and locking the door.
Fortunately, he didn’t beat down the door to join her or demand to know why she was there at all. She was rinsing her hair when the door opened. Of course, she should have known that a locked door wasn’t enough to keep him out if he wanted in. All that appeared was a hotel robe that he hooked on the back of the door. A second one or his? The idea of him naked sent shivers through her.
She towel-dried then fluffed her long hair with her fingers. She replaced her eye makeup, especially over the black eye, and felt better than she had in ages–in spite of the bruises.
Off went the light and she slipped through to the other room. Candles. Her favorite champagne. And strawberries.
She nearly broke her silence. Instead, she poured two flutes and sat with the robe gapping open next to Gage on the bed. His lips parted as if he were about to speak and she held the flute to him.
He got it. A night together with no talking. No plans. No obstacles. Nothing but passion. She needed to show him just how much she loved him. Talk was cheap. Her actions would speak a thousand words.
He leaned back against the pillows. He was naked under his robe, too. She set her champagne down and crawled close enough to the edge to reach the bowl of berries. Gage got an eyeful. The proof was his quick intake of breath.
Rolling onto her back, she popped a piece of the luscious fruit into her mouth. Robe open and hair falling over her bare shoulder, she’d made herself as vulnerable as she could. She wasn’t very good at seduction, but tonight she had to win.
Gage was coming alive. His eyes were dilated with lust. His chest quickly rose and fell with his breathing. His fingers fisted around the white sheets. But he stayed where he was, allowing her to play the game.
Her foot wandered between the folds of his robe. He sat up as she hooked her toe and pulled it off his shoulder. She slid the pad of her foot down his chest, wanting him more in that moment than she had in a lifetime.
Hallie wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was how he looked at her. Hungry. Ready to pounce if given the word or a silent nod. Her foot followed a path to his lap, but he snatched her foot into his hands.
Massaging, kneading, sucking on her toe. They’d never waited this long and the tension was building both ways. She began burning when his strong fingers gripped her calves. She almost fell apart when he skimmed his fingers across the back of her knee. She stopped his skating fingers at the top of her thigh. It was her adventure. And now it was her turn.
Slipping out of the robe, she picked up a handful of berries and sat in the crook of Gage’s arm. The evocative feel of her bare breasts against his light dusting of hair nearly broke her again. It was plenty cool in the room, but Gage had beads of sweat across hi
s brow. His fingers almost massaged the sheets as he grabbed and released and grabbed and released.
Strawberry between her fingers, she decided to straddle her prey to feed him. The length of him grew under her as she drew circles over Gage’s lips. He threw back his head and growled. His hands now wrapping around the pillow.
In order to reach his mouth, Hallie scooted back and forth against Gage’s lap. When he closed his eyes, she slid her chest across his to barely touch his lips. He tried to kiss her and she pulled back, sitting on top of him again.
But the tension worked both ways. The more she moved, the hotter she became. Ready to put an end to his misery–and hers–she teased his flesh until she caressed his jawline with her lips.
He turned his mouth into it. Wet, long, lusciousness. He tasted of berries and champagne and lust. She was ready for him to take the lead, but he fell back against the pillows, closing his eyes.
Her mouth followed what her eyes had devoured since college. She kissed his chest and boldly tilted his head toward hers. His lips locked on one nipple, while the other warmed in the palm of his hand.
He matched every bold movement. She’d lick. So would he. She’d grind. He’d grind better. She was close to release and wanted the same for him. He read her mind this time as he pulled a condom from the bedside table and handed it to her.
She rolled it into place. He raised a brow, unquestionably wondering if she was about to take advantage. It was new territory for her to be so in charge. Why not complete the night with a wild ride?
She slipped his long length inside her, dying a little at how good it felt. Her last lovemaking had been with Gage. As he gently rolled his hips and kept her in place with his hands on her hips, she struggled to stay.
The ride was steady, consistent, freeing, wonderful, and more than anything else…right.
Making love with Gage was coming home. He was her one and only and she came very close to telling him as they pushed each other into the stars.
Chapter Nine
“I’m still waiting to collect on my dinner rain check.” Gage had been bringing every authority figure at the Bureau up to speed for the past three days. Every minute of his energy had been holding onto his career by the skin of his teeth.