Checkmate

by Kris Norris

  “Sure.” Mitchell closed the door.

  Dawson groaned, not wanting to leave the warmth of Kendall’s body. She was his dream come true, every fantasy he’d ever imagined, and he knew he couldn’t live without her. He brushed a kiss across her forehead, untangling his body from hers. He pulled the covers up around her shoulders, touching her soft skin before grabbing his clothes off the floor.

  “Dawson?”

  He smiled, watching her eyes sliver open. “I thought you were sleeping.”

  “I was. But the bed felt cold.”

  “Sorry.” He finished dressing and darted back over to the bed. “Do you need me to bring you another blanket?”

  “No. I need you to get naked and get back into our bed.” She sat up, running her hands across his shirt. “What are you doing?”

  “I need to talk to Mitchell about some security issues.”

  “In other words, you’re worried about Garrick, but don’t want to tell me what you’re planning.”

  “You don’t always have to be right, you know.” He reached up and traced her jaw with his fingers. “Just tell me one thing, Kendall. Do you do trust me, completely?”

  Kendall looked back at him, confusion clouding her eyes. She drew her brows together as she wrapped her hand around his neck, drawing him close. “I think I proved that when I pleasured myself for you.” She laughed, a devious smile touching her lips. “Though I still insist the pleasure was all mine.”

  “You’re still wrong about that. And for the record, it was the most erotic and sensual show I’ve ever witnessed.” He stroked her face. “One I hope you’ll let me see again…soon.”

  “We’ll see.” She frowned. “So why are you asking? You know I trust you, and with more than just my life.”

  He smiled, touching his finger to her lips. They were warm and soft, and he couldn’t wait until she wrapped them around him again, took him into the heated depths of her mouth. He groaned. “I just needed to be certain.” He pulled her closer, running his fingers down her side skimming her breast. Her nipple hardened against his shirt, the turgid point igniting a fire in his groin. “Lord have mercy. You’re making it hard for me to leave.”

  She smiled against his chest, holding him closer. “But easy to return. Please don’t be long. I’ll be waiting.” She nibbled at his neck. “We don’t have to sleep if you don’t want to.”

  “I guess you weren’t joking when you told me to pace myself.” He cupped her face. “Try to sleep. I’ll be back soon.” He stood up and headed for the door, opening it just enough he could squeeze through.

  “Dawson?”

  “Yes?”

  “You do know I love you with my very soul, right?”

  “I think you’ve made that clear.” He blew her a kiss. “Now go back to sleep.” He took a step, but then stopped. He looked back at her. She was watching him, her eyes brooding, her breasts peaking out at him from above the covers. She was just too damned sexy. “Kendall?”

  “Yes, my love?”

  “I love you too. More than you’ll ever know. Now go to sleep.”

  “Of course. But just so you know. I’m giving you thirty minutes before I come and claim you, finished or not. So be ready.” She snuggled down in the bed, the covers tucked under her chin.

  Dawson closed the door and headed for the table. He smiled as Mitchell handed him a cup of coffee.

  “I took the liberty,” said Mitchell. “I thought you might need the motivation to stay out here.”

  “I’d rather stay in there.”

  Mitchell grinned. “I guess it’s safe to assume she found it in her heart to forgive you?”

  Dawson laughed. “Yeah. A few times.” He gazed at the door. He hadn’t expected her to confess her love out loud for him, not right away. Though she’d all but said it the other night, he was sure he’d have to say it first. Seems her surprises were never ending.

  “Hey?” said Mitchell.

  Dawson turned his attention back to him. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”

  “Look, Dawson. If you’re having second thoughts about what we talked about, it’s okay. I can’t really blame you. We’re putting a lot of faith in Garrick’s motives. It might be wiser just to barricade ourselves in here, and face them head on.”

  “But that will only work if Garrick tries to take Kendall himself. And I have this feeling he won’t. He’s clever, Mitchell. He’ll suspect we’re on to him, and use one of his contingency plans.” Dawson rubbed his temples. “I won’t be fooled by him again. This is our one chance to catch him. We have to take it.”

  “You’re putting her at risk. She might not be too pleased with you, even if we’re successful.”

  “If we don’t take Garrick out, she’ll never be free…we’ll never be free. She knows how much I love her, and that I’d never let her down. I have to have faith in that.” He looked at his friend. “Besides, if you ask me, you’re the one who’ll be taking the biggest risk. I’m only assuming he won’t just kill you.”

  “Don’t remind me. Do you think they’re already watching us?”

  “Most likely. They had to have landed a helicopter around here sometime before nightfall, since we’ve made it impossible for them to use the road. I’m sure they’re just waiting until the perfect moment to spring their trap. Is Trace ready?”

  “He’s dressed and raring to go, or so he says. I think it’s been hard on him hanging around here, waiting, knowing what Kendall might have to endure before we get to her.”

  “You can assure him I won’t let Garrick lay a finger on her.”

  “All right. Guess it’s time.” Mitchell began undressing. “I hope I can fit into those pants. They look like they’ll be a bit tight.”

  “Maybe if you followed us around on the trail more often, they wouldn’t be?” he teased.

  * * * *

  “I don’t like this,” said Trace.

  “Now isn’t the time to voice your objections,” noted Dawson, crouching behind a large stump below the cabins. They’d left twenty minutes ago, dressed in training gear, and headed down the road before doubling back. “You said you trusted me.”

  “I do trust you. It’s Garrick I don’t trust. How can you be so sure he won’t kill Kendall?”

  “If he wanted Kendall dead, she already would be. He’s going to some pretty extreme lengths to get her. He wants her alive.”

  “Yeah, so he can be her lover.” Trace scowled. “If he lays one finger on her I’ll rip him limb from limb!”

  “You’ll have to get in line. I have first dibs on the man.” Dawson felt his rage hardening his expression as Trace looked over at him. There was no point hiding his feelings, not when he still didn’t know how far the bastard had taken Kendall. He’d never let the monster touch her again, period.

  “Are you sure Kendall will go along?” asked Trace. “She doesn’t even know the plan.”

  “I couldn’t take the chance she’d try to change it on me. She’s determined to sacrifice herself to save the rest of us. This way, she can’t tell Garrick anything. She’ll just follow him.”

  “I only pray this works.”

  “I believe everything’s right on schedule,” said Dawson, nodding at the figure moving out of the forest.

  “No. It can’t be,” said Trace, shifting against the log.

  Dawson grabbed Trace’s arm. “Easy, Trace.”

  “But…” Trace growled. “Did you know?”

  “I suspected.” He handed Trace a sheet of paper. “I didn’t tell Kendall.”

  Trace read the report, his eyes wide. “No. This has to be wrong.”

  “I only wish it were. But it explains the connection.” He watched as Trace sank to his knees. He could only hope his other suspicions were right. They just had to be right.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “Dawson?” Kendall opened the door, crossing her arms against the sudden chill. The room was quiet and shrouded in shadows. She grabbed one of Dawson’s fleece sweaters off a n
earby chair as she padded through the doorway. She’d taken the time to toss on some clothes in case Mitchell was still hanging around, but it wasn’t enough to guard against the cool air. It’d been longer than thirty minutes, and she was tired of waiting. Her body was humming, memories of his love making still vivid in her mind. She wanted him again. Needed to feel him moving inside her, filling her until the emptiness vanished with the darkness. He was larger than the few men she’d been with, and she couldn’t wait to feel every inch of his cock stretching her. Pushing through her tight tissues until their bodies were merged.

  Arousal dampened her panties as she scanned the room, spying his silhouette standing at the stove with his back to her. “Come on, Dawson. Mitchell’s gone and you promised you’d come back to bed.” She stepped out of the room. “Hey, you okay? Don’t tell me you’re worn out already…”

  “Hello, Kendall.”

  Kendall screamed and jumped back. “Logan?” She shuffled back farther.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just boiling some water. I thought you might like some tea.”

  “Logan. What are you doing here? Where’s Dawson?”

  “Oh, he went out on a run with Trace. Funny, I didn’t think he ever left your side. As for me, Jody and I decided to come up here like we’d planned. You can imagine our surprise when we discovered the Bureau had brought you guys here.” He walked toward her, smiling.

  Kendall looked out the window. The sun was just starting to rise above the distant peaks, lining the bottom of the clouds pale pink. “Jody’s here?” she asked, still confused.

  “Yeah. She fell asleep in the car, so I left her out there. She hasn’t slept well since the attack.”

  “I suppose she wouldn’t.” Kendall backed up to the couch. “Where’s Mitchell?”

  “I guess he’s back in his cabin, sleeping.” He stopped in front of her. “Something wrong? You look nervous.”

  “You just caught me by surprise. No one’s supposed to be up here.”

  “Like I said, I didn’t realize the Bureau was using this place as your safe house. Perhaps you should’ve told me.”

  “It wasn’t my decision.” She stepped around him and headed for the stove.

  “Where are you going, Kendall?”

  “To make the tea.”

  Logan grabbed her arm, pulling her backward. “I said I’d make it for you.” He brushed past her.

  Something’s wrong.

  She nodded, agreeing with the frightened voice in her head. “Maybe we should go and get Jody. It’s much safer for her in here.”

  “It’s because of you she hasn’t slept,” he spat out. “You wouldn’t want to spoil what little relief she gets, would you?”

  “Of course not, but…”

  He said something about fixing the road, so no one could come up here.

  “Did you say you drove up here, Logan?”

  “Five hours, one way.” Logan stopped, a wicked smile gracing his face. He laughed. “That’s right. Dawson created a mudslide so no one could use the road. I’d hoped he hadn’t told you. That way we could’ve talked a bit longer.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Oh, I think you know the answer to that.” His smiled widened. “So how does it feel to have all the pieces start to fall into place?”

  “It’s you,” she said. “You’re the inside man.”

  “Ah see, I knew you’d figure it out.” He stepped closer. “You’re very clever.”

  “But, I don’t understand.”

  “Don’t you?”

  “No! We welcomed you into our home…you and Trace hung out, I thought… Did you lie to us from the start, Logan, or did Garrick lure you in later?”

  “Easy, Kendall, you’re sounding a bit hostile. We’re all friends here, remember?”

  “You bastard! What did Garrick promise you? Money? Or are you just as sick as he is?”

  “It might be wise to remember who’s in control here.” Logan pulled out his gun. “You don’t want this to get ugly.” He took two steps closer. “Now to answer your question, I’ve been in it all along. And it’s not for money.” He laughed, hard and deep, his eyes clouding with hatred. “No. I had my own motivations for helping Garrick. Would you like to know what they are?”

  “There’s nothing you can say to justify what you’ve done. You know that.”

  “On the contrary, I think you’ll find my reasoning quite convincing.” He sat down on the arm of the nearest chair. “I have to admit, you’ve been much more of a challenge than I first thought. When I met you and Trace, I didn’t understand why Garrick had experienced so much difficulty disposing of you. But now I see. You’re very resourceful.”

  “Cut the crap, Logan. Where’s Mitchell?”

  Logan nodded toward the stove. “I told you. He’s sleeping.”

  Kendall followed his gaze, spotting the outline of a man’s body on the far side of the table. “Mitchell!” She lunged toward him.

  “Relax,” said Logan, grabbing her arm. “I didn’t kill him, not yet. You see I thought he was Dawson. It would appear they’ve changed clothes. How very tricky of them.” He pulled her back and threw her on the couch. “I don’t suppose you know why?”

  “Go to hell.”

  Logan snarled, backhanding her across the face, the gun still in his hand. “Perhaps Garrick enjoys your playful banter, but don’t mistake me for him.” He walked over to the window and looked out. “Now I asked you, why did Dawson switch clothes with Mitchell?”

  “I don’t know,” she bit out, picking herself up off the couch. “He didn’t tell me.”

  Logan spun around. “Could it be you’re telling the truth?” He flashed her a sadistic smile. “You did call me Dawson when you came out of your room. Tell me, do you still want me to join you in your bed?”

  Kendall sneered at him, but didn’t answer. Her cheek blazed with pain and it was taking all her strength not to cry.

  He laughed. “Wouldn’t that surprise Garrick? To have his son claim the woman he obsesses over.”

  She felt the color drain from her face, the bile rise in her stomach. “What did you say?”

  “I think you heard me, Kendall.”

  Kendall looked at him. He didn’t resemble the Garrick she knew, but perhaps there was something familiar in the shape of his face. “Garrick’s your father?”

  “See, you did hear me.” He laughed again, the sound just as nauseating as before. “I took the liberty of changing my last name to avoid any association with him before I was ready to admit to it. I was sure you and Trace would notice the resemblance.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you’re helping him hunt us. This is his sick agenda, not yours. What right do you have to terrorize us because of him?”

  “I have every right! Your father didn’t just rob Garrick of everything he loved, he also robbed me!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Do the math, Kendall. I may have lied about who I was, but that’s all. Everything else I told you was the truth, including the part about being four years younger than you.”

  “You’re rambling, Logan. What does it matter that you’re four years…” She stopped, grasping what he was hinting at.

  Logan grinned. “Ah. The sweet joy of seeing you put it all together. Tell me, what does it feel like to know your mother betrayed your father on so many levels?”

  She shook her head. The air seemed thin, and she could feel a large knot forming in her chest. “You’re wrong. Garrick lied to you. She may have been sleeping with him, but there’s no way she had a child with him. She couldn’t have hidden that!”

  “Oh, Kendall, the delusions of a child. You were only four when I was born. Do you really think you’d remember? And as for your father, Garrick sent him to oversee his other casinos. By the time they were reunited, he had no idea, not that he would’ve noticed anyway. He wasn’t the smartest man.” He paused, watching her response. “What, no come back?�
��

  “That’s why Garrick lied to me about the letters. He didn’t want me to consider the possibility.”

  “Like I said, you’re clever.”

  “But I still don’t understand. Garrick killed our mother. Why would you help the man responsible for her death?”

  “Garrick didn’t kill my mother, you did!” He lunged forward, seizing her by the arm. “It was your fault she died, not his!”

  “That’s absurd. It was only luck I survived.”

  Logan snarled, hitting her across the face again, slamming her to the floor. “Don’t try to blame this on my father. He loved her. He wanted to save her from her pathetic life. He knew all about your father’s betrayal. He’d seen him stealing the books that morning. So he called my mother, and they’d planned it out…together. She hid that stupid dragon of yours, knowing you’d make a fuss. Then, once you were all in the car, she’d pretend to care and go back in to find it. Garrick had linked the car bomb to the front door, so it’d ignite as soon as she reopened it.” He stormed back over to the window. “Everything was going fine until you decided to get out and go back inside. Somehow my mother got locked in the car and you killed her!”

  Kendall shook her head, crying on the floor. “She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t kill her family.”

  “She had another family. One she actually loved.” He stepped over and picked her up. “You should’ve died that day, not her.” He pulled her to the door. “Come on. Garrick’s waiting.”

  “Please, Logan, don’t do this.”

  “Just shut up and follow me, or I’ll knock you over the head and carry you. Your choice.”

  Kendall pulled free and took a quick step back. “I won’t go. You’ll have to kill me.”

  “We both know that’s not going to happen. But if you want someone to die, I’d be more than happy to put a bullet in Mitchell’s head.” He pointed his gun at Mitchell’s body.

  “No!” She stepped in front of the gun. “You don’t need to do that. I’ll follow you.” She joined him at the door.