by Cara Carnes
“I’m thinking Fallon’s not the only one overdue for a conversation with you.” He boxed her into the L of the kitchen counter. A hand on each side of her, he leaned in. “And you’re never sans sass.”
Vi’s gaze roamed down Jud’s naked torso. Definitely more definition than her code lines. “You have a problem keeping clothes on.”
His full lips upturned into the nuclear smile, the toe-curling one. “There’s the sass.” His words were a husky whisper as his eyes closed.
Jud feathered his lips across hers, the contact so slight if her eyes weren’t still open she would’ve missed it altogether. She settled a hand on his stomach, savoring the ripple of muscle beneath her fingertips. She deepened the contact, fused their mouths together. He tasted of minty toothpaste. A rumble rolled through him.
Images flashed through her mind, her pinned beneath him in a bed. Hearing him rumble as he…
She stifled a shocked yelp when he hoisted her up to the counter and stood between her spread legs. The kiss turned carnal, a downright dirty wrestling of tongues and lewd dances. She wrapped her legs around his waist as his hands slid beneath her thin pajama top. He explored her back, the side of her breasts. He broke the kiss as he grazed her nipple with his fingertips.
Awareness shot through her entire body with the slight contact, an arrow striking the target dead on.
“I have no control around you,” he muttered against her mouth. “I’d better stop before I carry you to your bed and keep going.”
She was totally okay with continuing.
“We’ve got lots of fires going, but we’re going to stoke this one, see what happens. Tonight,” he declared.
“Okay.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. Her pulse raced faster than a greyhound. Her entire focus honed in on Jud’s hand beneath her top, meandering across her skin in a slow, easy manner. There was nothing slow or easy about Judson Jensen.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said.
“Yeah,” she admitted. “I needed my focus on data gathering. You muddle my brain.”
The toe-curling grin returned. Heat rose in her cheeks as he cupped her face. “I’m liking that I muddle your brain. It can be my new superpower.”
“You don’t need any more of those. Little Penny the Persian couldn’t keep up with you if you got too many.”
“Penny, huh?”
“Yeah. Fluffy, all white with one of those squirrel-like tails that swishes when she walks. I bet you can train her to walk on a leash.”
“Penny the Persian is a hard no. The only sass I need in my life is you,” he replied. “Just to say, Viviana, you don’t have to toss out Penny to keep the conversation light. I know this is moving fast, probably faster than you need. I’ll pump the brakes a few times, ease back into the slow lane.”
Vi stared into his eyes a moment as her brain absorbed his words. He’d read her play before she realized she’d even made it. He was right. Penny the Persian was totally thrown out to keep them from getting too intense. She didn’t want to analyze why she’d ignored him the past couple of days. He terrified her in every conceivable way, not all of them bad. Most of them were pretty damn good if she were being entirely honest.
“I’m not ready for a NASCAR racer, Jud, but I’m not looking for a grandpa on a Sunday drive either.” She put her hand on his chest and swallowed as her eyes feasted on his bare flesh. Jud would never be a Sunday driving grandpa. Her body turned molten as her mind wandered down that trail, the one with the white picket fence and two point five kids. He’d be a fiercely protective dad. She smiled at the notion. His poor daughter wouldn’t ever date because no teenage punk would measure up to Jud.
“What was that thought?”
“Nothing,” she lied.
“Pains me to admit, but I came here for a reason. The rest of the families are arriving in a bit, probably any minute now.”
Dread blasted her insides with the force of an IED. So far, they’d situated Bree’s family. Everyone else had required a bit more time to coordinate. Riley and Momma Mason had taken charge of the family portion of their plans, so Vi hadn’t been too heavily involved. Marshall and the brothers had arrived stateside early yesterday morning, but had opted to move families after a brief delay—one which gave them time to make sure the families weren’t compromised. Mary had coordinated that effort with Dylan and Jesse.
“Come on, let’s go,” he said, as if sensing she’d avoid it as long as possible. “Get dressed. I’ll fix a coffee to go for you.”
Her insides warmed. He’d fix a coffee to go for her. Judson Jensen was dangerous to the senses in every possible way.
Vi walked like a prisoner headed to the execution chamber rather than a woman greeting her parents. Anger rose in him with each darted gaze she cast, each nervous squeeze of her hand on his. He looked down at the deathlike grip she’d maintained on him since they’d left her bungalow-style house. He wanted to assure her it’d be okay, but what little he’d seen of her parents nixed the idea. They were likely a real piece of work.
The area outside the compound was filled with people. All the teams were back. Operatives wandered about, interspersed with men, women and a few children. Luggage was piled up. Bree was flitting about with her equally friendly parents and sister. Fallon was glaring at an older couple in an obviously heated conversation with Rhea a ways away. A younger woman about Jacob’s age watched, a baby in her arms.
Riley walked over to them, clipboard in hand. “I’d say good morning, but that’d be a lie. Talk about chaos.”
“That bad?” Vi asked.
“Oh, you have no idea. Mom is on a tear. She’s less than thrilled at Marshall for vacating most of his operatives from their rooms so we have enough space for everyone’s families to have some place to stay that’s more like a cheap hotel room instead of a barracks-style setting.” Riley looked up at Jud. “Thanks for moving, by the way.”
“No problem.” He’d moved his one bag to the upper level barracks, the one that’d gone unused so far. It was four rows of twelve cots each set. A small chest was at the base of each “bed”. A nightstand completed the areas cordoned off with partitions that could be pulled around them to offer a bit of privacy, but not much. Fortunately, the bathrooms weren’t toilets and urinals lined along the back wall, but gym style with actual showers. Bathroom stalls.
He’d been in a lot worse.
“We didn’t have to move many operatives out, just a few,” Riley said. She chewed on her lip. “Your parents are here, Vi. Jesse took them into the visitor’s area. They were a bit…irritated.”
Jud grunted. He didn’t want Viviana exposed to irritation; especially if it was like any of the bullshit he heard when she’d called him. She was already in motion. He wrapped an arm around her, and slowed her progression. “Look at me, Viviana.”
Ashen, wide-eyed, she peered up. “I haven’t seen them in a while.”
“There a reason you let so much time go by?”
She shrugged. “The last time didn’t go too well. We had a situation at Hive and I mistakenly had them stay with me at the safe house.”
Son of a bitch. “That didn’t go well.”
“Nuclear meltdowns had less fallout,” she commented. “I learned to hole them up somewhere not near me, but this situation is a bit different. We need everyone contained in one defensible position.”
The last thing she needed to worry about was parental bullshit. He kept his thoughts to himself. He’d been blessed with a family who loved him, parents who’d rather sleep on the ground under the stars than put anyone out. The door chimed when they entered. Nolan and Marshall bookended their mom behind the reception desk. Both men glowered at the couple Jesse had corralled in the area to the right. A man was asleep on the sofa behind them.
“There you are. It’s about time, young lady. What is the meaning of this? We were dragged from our home like common criminals and hauled here like cargo.” The woman charged forward. “What have you gotten into
this time? I don’t understand why you can’t have a real job like a normal person. You’ve been nothing but trouble.”
“Hello, Mother. It’s nice to see you, too.”
“Don’t smart mouth me, young lady. You have a lot of nerve dragging us into your mess. We aren’t cleaning it up.”
“I don’t think a used car salesman from Hoboken and his housewife have the necessary skill set to clean up this mess, but good to know where you stand.” Viviana crossed her arms. “This is Judson, a friend of mine. I see you’ve met Jesse. His brothers Nolan and Marshall are behind the desk. This is their place. They’ve graciously offered to keep everyone safe until everything is cleared up.”
“We were perfectly safe where we were, away from your chaos.” The older man’s gaze narrowed. “Who are these cretins anyway?”
“I just introduced them, Father. These are my coworkers and friends, the men who will keep you safe.”
“Right, the ones probably fixing the problems you caused.”
“Everyone, these are my parents, Ralph and Olivia Chambers. The guy passed out on the couch is my brother, Rich.”
“Of course he’s passed out,” the father argued. “He was dragged out of bed.”
Jesse stood silent, arms crossed and jaw twitching. He’d clearly had about all he could stomach from the duo.
“Really, Viviana. Are all these dramatics necessary?” Her mother scrutinized her daughter. “You can’t even dress like a normal adult. I see you still dress like a homeless person.”
“I’d say that’s somewhat appropriate given the fact you kicked me out when I was a teenager,” Viviana replied.
“We hardly kicked you out, young lady. You were the one who chose to go off and gallivant with those people instead of doing what normal people would do.”
“It’s called an education, Mother.”
“Watch that smart mouth with your mother, little girl. I’m a good mind to…”
“I’m glad you’re here safely,” Viviana interrupted. “I’ll take you to your rooms.”
“Don’t you interrupt your father with that disrespectful tone. You know better than speak out of turn. That damn mind of yours is always moving and going, making you think you’re better than everyone. Smarter. Nothing but disrespect.”
“I’m a good mind to…”
Jud had stomached enough. He positioned himself between Viviana and her father when the red-faced man raised his hand and took a menacing step toward his daughter. He squeezed the older man’s shoulder until he grimaced. “I’d look around and make a better decision. You aren’t getting any closer to Vi.”
“The nerve. Ralph, step away.” Olivia Chambers grabbed her husband’s hand and dragged him back a couple steps. “She’s clearly associating with common hooligans.”
The couple would likely pee their pants if they knew what all Jud had done. For once he was tempted to share exactly what kind of hooligan he was. Maybe he could scare some common decency into them. His gaze swept the area. The three Masons were one degrading comment away from tossing them on their asses. Momma Mason was red faced and being held firmly between her two oldest sons.
The door chimed. Jud turned and couldn’t help the smile that spread on his face. His mother lunged, slamming into him with full-force. He took a step back from the impact as she crushed him against her. Tears trekked down her cheeks as she burrowed against him. She laughed as she said his name over and over in a whispered chant.
“Judson, Judson, Judson.”
“Hi, Mom.” He squeezed her tight and did the same thing with his father.
The two took turns hugging him tight enough to knock the wind from his lungs.
“He has a couple cracked ribs,” Viviana whispered as she gently tapped his mom’s shoulder.
Pale-faced, his mother gently touched his sides. “Oh, dear. You should’ve said something. Judson, Judson, Judson. You’re skin and bones.”
His father laughed at the outright lie. Only his mom would think that. “It’s fine. I’m glad you’re all here. Jacob’s around here somewhere, likely holed up with the computer equipment. You know him.”
“It’s been too long,” his mom whispered. “Are you okay? Are you safe?”
He was safer and more okay than usual, but far from what she’d deem acceptable. He nodded and smiled as she kissed his cheek and patted his chest. “We’ll get through this. We always do.”
“Son, we got a call a few days ago. I was going to reach out and tell you, figured it’d come better from you than us, but Danny’s convoy.” His dad’s lower lip trembled. “It’s not good, son.”
“He’s okay.” Judson motioned toward Jesse. “This is Jesse Mason. He was one of the team leaders for one of the teams who rescued Danny and the rest of the convoy. Two of his brothers are back there, Nolan and Marshall. That’s their mom. The other three brothers are wandering around here somewhere.”
“Oh, you look just like Dallas. He was such a nice young man.” His mother walked over and patted Jesse’s cheek as she looked over at his mom. “You’ve raised some fine, handsome and polite young men.”
“I have,” Mrs. Mason replied proudly.
“Thank you for getting our boy back to us,” his dad said. “Danny’s not blood, but he’s a Jensen through and through. We wouldn’t be the same without him.”
“He’s coming home soon. They wanted him and a couple of the others to stay in the hospital a few days, just to be on the safe side. They’re in Germany. Once you’re settled, I’ll take you both to chat with Doc Logan. He can answer any questions you might have.”
“I see things are complicated, son.” His father looked around. “Dallas didn’t say much, just that we needed to be secured for a few days. What can I do to help?”
The difference between his parents and Viviana’s was so notable it whipped through the room in an awkward tension. He wanted to introduce the woman beside him to his parents, but knew they’d recognize who she was immediately if he did. She’d been through enough with her parents without adding his family’s reactions to the mix. They’d hopped onto the adoration bandwagon for the Quillery Edge long ago.
“Why don’t you go and get settled? Viviana was about to grab some breakfast. They’ve got a nice cafeteria here for the soldiers and operatives. I’ll join you shortly. I have something to attend to first.”
His mother’s eyebrows lifted. “Yes, I see that. Well, if you need help, you know I enjoy a good challenge. It’s been a few years since I’ve taught lessons, but I have a few left in me to dole out.”
Challenge wasn’t the word he’d use, but he smiled and entrusted his parents to Viviana, whose eyes were wide and expressive.
“I should stay here,” she whispered into the silence.
“Yes, you should, young lady. What have you gotten into this time?” Mr. Chambers looked over at his son. “Why can’t you be more like Rich?”
Jud touched Viviana’s face and forced her focus on him instead of her parents. He leaned down and lowered his voice. “Let me handle them. Show my parents the cafeteria and grab some breakfast. I’ll catch up with you soon.”
“But…”
“I need to take the lead on this one. Don’t ask me to step aside, not for this.” He forced a smile as their eyes met. “Save the fight for when it matters.”
“Okay.”
Nolan entered the fray. He handed a couple badges to her and whispered something in her ear. She nodded.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jensen, we have a room ready for you both. I’m afraid it’s nothing fancy. We’re still working on getting guest quarters built.” Viviana motioned toward the back hall leading into the building. “You’re bound to be hungry.”
“Jarold, be a dear and get the bags so Dallas can get back to whatever he needs to do.”
“It’s no trouble at all, ma’am,” Dallas replied from the doorway. “I’ll get these put in the room for you two.”
“So polite,” she commented. “That seems to be a trait la
cking in some these days.”
Jud chuckled at the not-so-subtle jab at Viviana’s parents. His mother pointedly glared at the other couple, who’d grown quiet amidst the crush of Mason men now surrounding them. He leaned down and kissed his mom’s cheek. “We’ll catch up in a few, Mom.”
“Oh, take your time. Viviana and I will get to know each other.”
That’s exactly what he was afraid of.
15
“So, dear, how did you and Judson meet?” Mrs. Jensen lobbed the inquiry out casually as they strolled from the visitor’s lobby.
“He’s been helping with a job, Mrs. Jensen,” she replied.
“Oh, none of that. I’m Jenna, and this is my better half, Jarold.” She patted the man’s arm. “Waking up to chaos probably wasn’t how you wanted to start your day.”
No, it wasn’t. Vi remained silent, unsure how to handle parents who cared. It was strange. A part of her clung to the insidious dread clogging her insides. Sooner or later she’d have to deal with her parents. Leaving poor Jud and the Masons to deal with them hardly seemed fair. They entered the large cafeteria. The woman beside her gasped. She walked between filled tables and patted people on the shoulders, offering a friendly hello and smile. Marshall would be horrified. It was one of the main reasons he and Dylan wanted their mother to be removed from her volunteer work fixing sandwiches and other meals for the men and women. Not everyone was ready for socialization on such a personalized level.
She ate up the distance between her and the woman and put an arm around her to keep her from patting someone else’s shoulders. “A lot of the men and women here are part of the Warrior’s Path Project. It’s a nonprofit Dylan and his brothers started to help soldiers leaving the service have a smoother transition to civilian life. Many are former spec ops, and are a bit…unaccustomed to socialization.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Ah, I see, dear. My apologies. I should have realized.”