She’d known it would happen, known with every fiber in her being, and yet she'd been helpless to stop. Even after what he did. Even knowing from firsthand experience how dangerous his job was and that she’d chew her nails off with worry when he deployed – he was worth the pain.
Every single bit of it.
Chapter 24
A bright red light flashed on the bed stand by her head. She tried to ignore it, but it kept flashing. No way she could nap with that and what if it was Mr. K? Or Merc?
Celine eased up, blinking, and reached for the small black box, turning it in her hand as she tried to figure out what the heck it was. Definitely not a cell phone or a clock. In fact, it was nothing but a flashing light.
“How does a grilled cheese sound?” Aaron stood at the top of the stairs, his smile fading as he stared at the box.
“I’m sorry. I just didn’t know if this alarm was something important. I didn’t mean to mess anything up.” Celine nibbled her lip, hoping she hadn’t done any damage.
“How long has that been blinking?”
“Maybe a minute, why?” Her heart started to pick up pace.
Aaron dropped the tray on the foot of the bed and snatched her up. “Get dressed, now.”
He left her standing by the bed to filter through his bag. When he came up with a pistol, she swallowed. “Aaron, you’re scaring me.”
“Someone’s breached my first tripwire. I need to check downstairs. Get dressed and wait for me here.” The sweet, kind expression was gone from his face. Instead she saw the soldier coming out in him, the one that could kill with ease if needed. She nodded and he ran downstairs. She hurried to yank on her t-shirt and shorts. The moonlight cast long shadows that seemed to shift and move across the dark room.
The men were back; the ones who tried to have her killed. Fear turned her legs to ice and she wavered as nausea rolled through her stomach. Aaron reappeared in the room and pulled her to the bedside, shoving her down into a crouch. He’d acquired a rifle and an extra pistol, which he checked and then handed over to her. “You remember how to use this?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Just keep your finger off the trigger unless someone makes it past me. If you see someone you don’t recognize, do not hesitate, aim for his chest and empty your gun. Got it?”
“I, I think so. How did they find us?”
“I don’t know. No one knows about this place, not even my teammates. Everything was secure.” Aaron said.
She trembled, her hand sneaking up around her neck. The gun felt cold and heavy in her hand.
Aaron pinned her with a hard stare, his gaze morphing from unreadable to understanding. He eased closer and cupped her chin in his hand. “It’ll be okay. We’ve got the tactical advantage here. I can pick them off as they come through the door. Besides, if they hadn’t found us, we would have had to leave this place sometime, and they would’ve still been waiting. At least this way I don’t have to wait on someone else to do the job that should have been done in D.C.”
A shadow moved across the front window and her trembling turned into a full out earthquake. Aaron held a finger to his lips and gestured for her to get down. She squeezed closer to the bed, her knees curled to her chest, as Aaron belly crawled to the railing and settled his rifle against his shoulder. He moved like he was born to do this. She sensed the steady hum of energy building in him, as he fluidly he sighted his weapon on the front door. His hand caressed the rifle and held it as close as he’d held her.
The tiniest bit of tension eased from her shoulders and she concentrated on the man guarding her. From this vantage, they could both clearly see the front door and window, leaving whoever was dumb enough to break in a sitting duck.
When she heard the door knob rattle she almost didn’t believe it. Weren’t these guys pros? They’d penetrated a top-secret layer of the pentagon.
Aaron didn’t tense, didn’t change his breathing, just slow and steady and patient. Just like him.
She heard another click and then the door swung open, a large man filling up the doorway. Her recognition was instant. It was Daniel, from the airport, his big burly frame practically rolling with menace.
So why was he just standing there?
She wanted to nudge Aaron and tell him to shoot the bastard, but she didn’t dare break his concentration. If Daniel got past Aaron, the false calm she’d achieved would crumble.
Daniel eased inside, pistol raised, and did a slow sweep of the living room, and then disappeared to the right. He was in the kitchen. After that, there would be nowhere else for him to go but upstairs.
She tightened her grip on the pistol and focused. Just breathe. Why the hell didn’t Aaron shoot him?
A stair step creaked and she froze. Aaron had tucked her close to the bed and wall, she couldn’t see straight down to the steps.
Aaron shifted his gun left and down. His finger fell from the rifle stock to the trigger. He breathed out and squeezed. The bullet zipped through the room and she realized he had a silencer on his gun. Then there was a thunk, like Daniel falling to the floor.
Celine eased up onto her knees. Aaron was still facing the ground floor, focused on the open door.
She sensed a presence behind her a second before a hand closed over her mouth and a sharp tip nicked her throat. She needed to scream, to fight. She jerked, but that just drove the knife deeper into her skin. He shifted on the bed behind her, the mattress creaked.
Aaron jumped up and spun around, his pistol at the ready. The man behind her jerked, yanking her to the other side of the bed in one violent pull that seemed like it crushed her windpipe. Celine slapped at his arm with her free hand, digging her nails into his skin, holding tight to the gun in her other.
“Drop her and I’ll kill you fast,” Aaron leveled his pistol right over her shoulder.
“We both know that’s not how this is going to play out.”
Dear Lord, it was Eli.
Chapter 25
Aaron watched as Eli dug his knife into Celine’s throat and the small trickle of blood that followed. Rage hit him hard, but he shoved that emotion back down. Celine needed calm and cold. Just like he’d been trained. “Let her go.”
Eli eased the knife down, tracing the tip down her chest and belly. “I don’t really want to do that.”
When he tucked the knife between her thighs, like a sick lover’s caress, Celine moaned and her eyes went wide. He kept his other hand over her mouth and continued his slow arc back up to her neck.
Aaron fought back the nausea and concentrated his aim at just over her right shoulder. This close he could probably get a round off without hitting her, but the blast would burn, and if he was so much as a hair off…
The open window behind Eli caught his attention. He needed a distraction. “You scaled my cabin?”
“Easy peasy.”
“And you sent your friend through the front door as a distraction, even knowing I’d put a bullet in his skull.”
Eli shrugged, but his eyes glowed with pleasure. “He said he wanted to help.”
Aaron had seen men like this before. Killing didn’t bother him, it excited him. Being in power, like he thought he was now, aroused him. Aaron shifted right, to a better position to fire. “Who sent you? You’ve left my agents scouring the pentagon for moles, but I don’t think your boss is there anymore.”
Eli turned, countering his movement. “I think we both know who I work for and what he wants me to do to her. But not before I take care of you. Drop your gun and I won’t make you watch. The men usually cry and beg when I kill their women, it’s a huge distraction from my pleasure.”
Celine bucked, her scream muffled by Eli’s hand over her mouth. His training was already working at full speed and Eli’s taunts kicked it into overdrive. His heart rate slowed. His veins turned to liquid nitro.
And then he spotted the pistol clutched in Celine’s right hand, dangling in front of her.
He caught her wild gaze and
held it as he spoke. “I think you’ll find her a little harder to tame than the helpless women you’ve hurt in the past. She knows how to defend herself.”
Celine’s eyes widened more and she clenched the pistol partially hidden beneath her t-shirt.
Eli slid the knife down again, toying with the material covering Celine’s breasts as he shoved a knee between her legs. “I’ll break her. Just like I break them all.”
Aaron nodded, a slight movement of his head. Celine fired.
Eli screamed and dropped the knife. He shoved Celine forward and clutched his blown-out knee. Aaron caught her in his arm and fired a single bullet into Eli’s head. The bastard dropped like the piece of shit he was, his wide sightless eyes staring up at the ceiling.
Aaron dropped his gun on the bed and took Celine into his arms, uncaring of the fact they were both trembling. “Are you okay? Did he cut you?”
A muffled ‘no’ was her response.
Aaron held her at arm’s length, took in the trail of blood on her neck and the ice in his veins turned to molten lava. Dead. Mr. J was so dead. He’d been the one to hire Eli and Daniel. He’d been the one to try and sell her as a sex slave. He’d been responsible for her kidnapping.
“Aaron?” Celine put a hand on his chest, the other wrapped around her neck. “I swear, he just nicked me. It’s nothing.”
Aaron groaned and yanked her back to him, unable to get his mouth to work right. All he could do was hold her and tell himself she was alright. “Do you need to sit down? Never mind, sit down. I’ll get the first aid kit.”
Celine surprised him when she cupped his cheek, stopping him before he could force her to the bed. “I’m okay. You protected me.”
“That was too close. I should have known it wouldn’t be as easy as it seemed.”
“And now they’re dead and we don’t have to worry, right?” Her tone was serious, but steady.
“Why are you being so calm?”
“Because I feel like it’s over and because he didn’t really hurt me.” She lifted up on her toes and placed a kiss on his lips.
Aaron groaned on contact and took her mouth in a kiss that left them both shaking. Seeing her like that…again…he shuddered. “I could have lost you.”
“Nah, I had him.”
Her words drew a shaky chuckle from him. “I love you, honey. God, I love you.”
She relaxed in his arms, her faced turned up to his. “I love you too.”
Chapter 26
“Noni, you’re going to make me too fat to button my pants.” Celine took another mouthwatering bite of Noni’s famous fudge and groaned. Aaron’s grandmother sat beside her on her front porch, both women watching as Aaron installed a gate to go with the new fence he’d had put up around Noni’s house.
“You need some meat on your bones, especially if you’re gonna be strong enough to give me grandchildren.” Noni threaded her gnarled fingers together and leaned back in the rocking chair.
Celine choked. “Ummmm, isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?”
“Not if I know my grandson. I’ll bet he’ll make sure everything is done all proper.”
As if he could hear them talking about him, Aaron straightened and waved. Celine blew him a kiss, loving the way he caught it and held it to his heart.
“He hasn’t left your side, not even to go back overseas. And that fence, I don’t cater to such, makes me feel too claustrophobic.”
“Noni, he wants you to be protected.” Celine took a nibble, promising herself she’d slow down before she ate the entire plate, and watched Aaron’s shoulders bunch and flex as he moved. If it weren’t for not wanting to hurt Noni’s feelings, she’d be out there with him, just so she could be close to him.
“Pshaw, I've managed to live a full eighty-seven years without a fence and gate. I've got my shotgun in the house for anyone dumb enough to try me.”
Celine knew without a doubt Noni meant every word she said. “I think it makes Aaron feel better. He's trying to protect you.”
“Why do you think I let him put it up?” Noni took a sip of tea. A gentle breeze blew a few strands of her silver hair free from her bun. She’d taken care of Celine before her kidnapping, when she’d been working with Aaron to help at the wedding.
“I see so much of my Johnny in him. Both men were strong, hard-working, and loved something fierce.” Noni lifted the corner of her flower printed apron and wiped a lone tear away. “I still miss him sometimes, just like the day I lost him.”
Celine's heart lurched and she covered Noni's hand with her own. What must it be like to have a love like that? Someone who loved you beyond death. “I'm so sorry.”
“It's okay, the good Lord saw fit to give us fifty years together. Besides, I know he's up there watching over me and our family.”
“He sounds like a special man.”
“He is and you’ve got your own special one right out there.” She stretched a bony finger in Aaron's direction.
Celine’s throat closed off, leaving her to nod weakly. Aaron was special to her, more special than any man. He'd made her see that she wasn't second-best to him. He put her above everything and everyone else.
He’d somehow gotten his commander, Colonel Grey, to issue orders for him to stay stateside for a while, guarding Celine until they were sure all the threats to her life were gone. She’d expected a little push back from Aaron, but no, he’d seemed perfectly content to stay by her side.
“Girlie, what are you doing sitting up here with an old woman?”
“What do you mean? I love spending time with you.” Noni was so different from her own family and Celine had already halfway adopted Aaron’s grandmother in her heart. She’d never gotten the chance to know her own grandparents, but if she had, she’d like to imagine them just like Noni.
“I have a feeling we'll get to spend plenty of time together,” Noni said.
“I hope so.”
Noni stood and stretched and then went to the front door. “Time for my afternoon nap. You go on and take him some tea and fudge.” Noni winked at her. “Men like that.”
She went inside, leaving Celine to either sit on the porch by herself or do what the woman said. Go take care of her man.
She poured a glass of iced tea from the pitcher on the tray, grabbed a handful of fudge and crossed the yard. Aaron dropped his tools and leaned an elbow on the gate, giving her a smile that melted her heart. She was going to take care of him alright, for the rest of her life.
“Damn.” He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
She paused a foot from him, soaking up the appreciation shining in his baby browns. “What?”
“My woman bringing me some sweet ice tea and fudge. The only thing I think that could make it better would be you standing there naked.”
“Aaron! Noni could hear you.” Heat stole up her cheeks, embarrassed and aroused by him all at once.
“It isn’t like she hasn’t heard it before. Come here.” He took the glass and chocolate, balanced them on the fence post behind him. And then he took her into his arms and proceeded to show her exactly how much he wanted her.
A little while later, she managed to pull back from his heart melting kiss for some air. She rested her cheek against his chest and savored his strong, muscular arms. “Do you think we could ever be like Noni and her husband were? Together for their whole lives?”
Aaron leaned away from her, his eyebrows arching. “You mean love each other until we’re old and grey?”
She nodded, wishing for that more than anything.
Aaron dropped to the grass and reached into his toolkit. He turned her palm up and covered it with his own. She barely registered the fact that he’d dropped something in her hand.
“Only if you say yes.”
He uncovered her palm and she stared in shock at a delicate diamond and filigree ring. Everything about it screamed vintage and gorgeous. Heat exploded across her chest and down her arms. “Is this…”
/> “Noni’s original wedding ring. She said she wanted us to have it. I want a love like that too. Celine Latimer will you be my wife, even after death?” Hope and an emotion so deep she didn’t have a name for it shown in his expression.
Celine clapped her free hand over her mouth, nodding through the tears. “Yes.”
Aaron carefully took the ring from her trembling hand, turned her palm over and slid the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. Like it was meant to be.
Like they were meant to be.
“I love you, Celine, and I promise to always cherish and protect you. For the rest of my life.” Aaron gathered her into his arms and pressed the sweetest kiss on her lips.
Love like she’d never known existed flooded her body and melted her heart. This is exactly where she belonged. “I love you.”
THE END
Revenge River excerpt… Can they find the still missing Caroline? Click here to get the book: Revenge River: Men of Mercy
Exclusive Excerpt
Merc hunkered down on the rise just outside of the palace, his binoculars pressed to his face for so long they should have melted into his skin hours ago. But he wasn't about to break eye contact with this place. Not when he’d finally found it.
For years he’d hunted Jack Mankel, aka Mr. J, and for years he’d come so close, only to have his mortal enemy dance just out of reach. Until today.
Today Merc actually saw Mr. J in the flesh – not through some grainy drone surveillance he pulled from secret military files. He saw the man responsible for more deaths than he could count, stroll into a second story room wearing a black suit that probably cost more than Merc made in a single year.
As a member of the United States Special Forces unit Task Force Scorpion, TF-S, his paycheck didn’t exactly buy corvettes and nice houses. But then, Merc didn’t exactly care about money.
Mankel, now secondhand to the leader of the Islamic State of Afghanistan, was living a life of luxury in the Middle East supported by illegal funds grown on the bodies of dead women and children.
Men of Mercy: The Complete Story Page 122