Sight Lines (The Arsenal Book 2)

by Cara Carnes

  “Good, thanks.” Mary rubbed her temples. “Everyone needs a few hours’ rack time, then we can figure out our plan.”

  Dallas pounded his fist on the wall. Nolan and Jesse bookended him. Jud hoped the two kept close watch on him because Jud doubted he’d be okay with waiting a few hours while everyone caught up on their sleep.

  “Cord will run operations on Wyoming. Jesse’s team will handle entry. Dallas will go along, but in observance capacity only.” Marshall looked around the room. “Wheels up in six hours. Everyone else rest up. We don’t know what else is coming our way.”

  Everyone rose. Jud was grateful for the reprieve from a full debriefing. Addy snagged his arm.

  “I’ll be at Bree’s and Rhea’s place. Hurt her and I hurt you.”

  Jud smiled at the redhead who’d just cleared the way for him to spend some quality time with Viviana. He made his way toward her as everyone filed down the hall and out of the building.

  “Judson, Judson, Judson.” He took a step back as his mother vaulted into his arms. Roped tightly around him, she sobbed.

  Pain radiated from his damaged ribs, but he held the woman tightly and caught Viviana’s gaze over her head. He flashed a worried glance at Jacob, who hovered near his grandpa.

  “Sorry, I told them you were missing, and they insisted on watching the rescue.” Jacob shuffled his feet. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay, bud.” He looked down at his mom when she separated, then over at his dad. “You good?”

  “Yeah, son. We’re good. Go and take care of Quillery. She looks like she’s about to come unglued.” His dad smiled. “You picked a hell of a woman. I’m proud. It takes a hell of a man to let his woman be as strong as she can be.”

  Viviana was a hell of a woman. He smiled at his parents, kissed each of them and then snagged his woman’s hand before anyone else could stop them. They were almost to her cottage when his gaze settled on the couple sitting on the steps leading up to the door.

  Fuck no. Not even after the dinner. One well-behaved meal didn’t justify trusting them.

  He positioned Viviana protectively behind him as her parents closed the distance between them. “I’ll handle this.”

  “No. It’s okay.” She sighed her frustration. “It’s been a long day, Mom and Dad. Can we table this until the morning?”

  “Please, Viviana.” Her father grasped his wife’s shoulders. “We won’t take long.”

  Jud wanted to shove them out of the way and lock Viviana away for a few hours, but it wasn’t his choice. These were her parents and she needed to decide for herself whether she wanted to give them anymore of herself than she’d already tried to. He didn’t pretend to understand the emotional toll of a negative relationship with a parent, but he knew it was extensive.

  “It’s okay,” she said. She looked up at him. “Give us a moment, okay?”

  “I’ll be inside,” he whispered. “Yell if you need me, okay?”

  Viviana was too mentally exhausted to handle whatever her parents wanted to chat with her about. After today, she honestly didn’t give a damn what they thought about her. A man she loved and needed more than anything or anyone was behind the door they blocked. He’d gone through hell today and survived. They’d made a huge dent in The Collective today. Vi wouldn’t know how much of a dent until she looked at what’d transpired in the warehouse, which she’d do once they had a plan in motion for Dallas.

  A throat cleared behind her. She rubbed her temples and silently cursed the fact she couldn’t find a single moment alone with Jud.

  “Sorry, I need your help to expedite something, Vi.” Marshall offered a polite smile to her parents as he held out a phone. “I’m thinking you’ll have better luck cutting through the red tape to get DJ secured into our custody. Mom and Dad…”

  The man faltered a moment, shifting restlessly. It was the first time Vi had noted the pain on his face. He missed his father terribly. It was a wound she’d noticed on the other Masons, but never on Marshall.

  “My parents were approved as foster parents, if that helps.”

  Vi took the phone. She had zero clue who to call to get temporary custody over a child whose identity they didn’t fully know and whose location was somewhere in the middle of nowhere. She stared at the phone, then up at her parents, who waited patiently. Patience wasn’t a word her parents had ever been familiar with, much less accepted into their typical habits.

  “Marshall, I…” She took a deep breath. He wanted a miracle pulled out of her ass to make it easier for his little brother to seal off the latest wound he’d taken. “I don’t have a name, a county, or anything.”

  “Can you get the wheels moving and we can fill in the needed data later?”

  “I’ll see.” Who the hell could she even call for this one? She thought back to their latest situations and dialed a number she hoped she remembered. It wasn’t like she’d used it a lot.

  “This is William.” Vi clicked it over to speaker so Marshall could hear.

  “Hi, Mr. Persons, this is Viviana Chambers. We spoke several days ago.”

  “Oh yes, Quillery. You helped take down that horrid sex slave ring. We’ve been after the Solovs for years. I’m very grateful to you for helping us seal their fate. All the data you and your partner sent over from the computers will lock them away for a long time.”

  “Great. If you need anything else, let us know.”

  “Yes. I was just apprised of the San Antonio situation. I trust everyone is okay?”

  “Oh yes, and thank you for helping clear everything up. We’ll be reviewing the intel we gathered and I’ll send briefings to you and everyone else tomorrow morning. I’m afraid I’m in a bit of a bind on a related issue, one that came to light during the warehouse take down. One of the targets had a child. The child’s father is Dallas Mason. He didn’t know anything about his son until a few hours ago. Needless to say, The Arsenal is extremely focused on securing his son.”

  “Of course. Do you have a location?”

  “Yes. An asset provided coordinates, in Wyoming. We’re wheels up in six hours. With any luck the boy will be there. If not, we’ll keep going until we find him. That’s what we do.”

  “I’ll make sure a team is there to assist. We’ll get everything in order so the boy can be taken back to The Arsenal.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Persons. The boy’s grandmother was approved to foster children. He’ll be in a good home here.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you or anyone in your group. We’re in your debt. Let me know if you need anything at all tomorrow.”

  She clicked off and handed the phone back to Marshall. “That should do it.”

  “Thanks. See you in a few hours. Get some rest. If you need help, let me know.” He glared at her parents, but headed off.

  “Sorry about that,” she murmured to her parents. “What’s up?”

  “We owe you an apology,” her father declared. “That young man, Jacob. He sat us down and made us watch the rescue. It was rather disturbing.”

  Holy shit. Vi blinked. Unsure how to respond, she opted for silence.

  “I never had any idea.” Her mother’s eyes watered. “I thought you were plugging in data or that kind of thing, like a secretary or something. I never really listened to what you were saying when you tried to talk about your work. I never had any idea.”

  The woman crushed Vi against her as she cried. Unlike Jud’s mom, though, the crying jag only lasted a couple minutes. Long enough for Vi to grow uncomfortable. She wanted a real relationship with her parents, but she couldn’t navigate from their toxic one to a normal one. The path mystified her.

  “Jenna mentioned there was a lovely counselor here, Rebecca Sinclair. She suggested that once things calm down maybe the two of us could go see her, maybe we could do a session or two with you,” her dad said. “I’m not proud of the things I’ve said to you, Viviana. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry for not trying harder recently,” s
he admitted.

  “We love you, dear. Don’t ever doubt that.” Her mother patted her cheek. “And we are proud of you, more than you’ll ever know. I was so worried about you outshining Rich I’m afraid we suffocated you entirely.”

  “No, you didn’t.” Viviana let the partial lie settle between them.

  “We’ll talk more in the morning, or whenever you get this sorted. I know things are up in the air. We’re going to start pitching in around here and helping out. It’s the least we could do.” Her father motioned toward the cottage. “He’s a good man. You have a good night. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I love you.” Viviana said the words she’d held onto for a long time.

  “We love you, too,” her mom said.

  Misty eyed, Viviana entered her cottage. Jud snagged her at the waist and hauled her into his arms. She gasped.

  “Put me down, Jud. You’re injured. You can’t be lifting me.”

  “Nothing will ever stop me from taking care of my woman.”

  Her insides warmed, her pulse quickened. He carried her toward the bedroom. “I was terrified out of my mind when I woke up and you weren’t there.”

  “Did they hurt you?”

  “No. No. I’m okay,” she assured him. She wrapped her arms around him as he settled her on the bed. “Make love to me, Judson. I need you inside me.”

  Pleasure ignited through her when they kissed. She yanked his shirt off and he followed suit with hers. His touches were frenzied. She softened their kiss, settled her hands atop his. “We have all night, Jud. We’re together and home. Safe.”

  He licked and sucked his way down her body, paying special attention to her hardened nipples. She moaned and begged him for more. Jud rose off the bed and made quick work of removing the rest of their clothes. Her gaze focused on his ravaged torso. The bitch had died too quickly for hurting him.

  “We shouldn’t. You’re hurt.”

  “Nothing will ever stop me from making love to you, Viviana. Nothing.” He took her mouth and positioned himself between her legs.

  His weight pressed there ignited her need, quickened her pulse. “Let me love you this time, Jud. Let me show you that you’re mine.”

  Intensity gathered in his gaze. He moved onto his back, but pulled her down enough for their mouths to fuse once more. Now that she’d gotten him relaxed on the bed, she could pick up where they’d left off. And his ribs were safe. She kissed along his chest, grazing his skin. She bypassed the wounds, made note of each one so she could make sure they healed properly. Her man was one scar after another.

  Not anymore.

  She wrapped her hand around his hardened length and flicked her tongue across the tip. Jud’s body writhed beneath the contact. She hummed her approval as she took him into her mouth. He wrapped his fingers into her hair and helped set the pace. His groans filled the room, making her feel like a freaking super hero.

  “Ride me, Viviana.”

  Hell yes.

  She reached over and grabbed the box of condoms some sly roomie had put in there. Jud chuckled at the super-sized box. “Someone’s feeling industrious.”

  “I’m thinking you’re up for it.” She worked his length with one hand as she undid the package with the other and her teeth.

  Thankfully Jud took it from her. Her pussy muscles clenched as he rolled it on. Deft hands massaged up her thighs. He stroked her pussy and thumbed her clit. She writhed against the contact, so close to an orgasm she growled in frustration when he stopped.

  “I want us to come together,” he whispered. “Ride me, Viviana.”

  His long, thick length filled her fully. She sank down onto him, relishing the way he felt inside her. He grasped her hips. She was unsure where to put her hands so as not to hurt him. God. His back.

  She’d forgotten about…

  “Stop worrying about me,” he ordered.

  She leaned down and kissed him, letting the fusion of tongues and mouths convey the words lodged in her throat. She’d never fully understood how Mary got so lost in Dylan. Now she understood. The world started and stopped with Jud. Pleasure beaded along her skin, from where Jud sucked her nipples down to where his other hand rubbed her clit.

  Her entire body tensed.

  “Judson.” She cried his name and rode the wave of white-hot pleasure igniting within her.

  Vi continued to ride him until he came. He melted into the mattress and she carefully curled beside him.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m perfect, Viviana.” He cupped her face and kissed her mouth. “I love you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met and I’ll spend each day proving that to you.”

  “I love you, Judson. I’ve never had someone like you in my life, someone who saw the real me and didn’t give a damn that I’m not perfect and never will be. For once I’m okay with who I am and wouldn’t ever change a thing because it led me to you.”

  “Did it go okay with your parents?”

  “Yeah.” She chuckled and stroked Jud’s chest. Your nephew has a secondary career as a psychologist if he wants it. He sat them down, made them watch the rescue. I think your parents were there, too.”

  “Yeah, he admitted my mom and dad were there, but he hadn’t mentioned yours. I’ll have a word with him.”

  “No. It’s okay.” Vi sighed as he covered them both with a sheet. “I’m going to see if we can expedite his father’s return stateside. Now that things are calming down, I want them reunited so Danny can start to mend fully. Jacob, too. He’s been through a lot.”

  Viviana couldn’t sleep. Her mind buzzed. A million thoughts marched through like lost soldiers with no direction, no compass. She sat on the floor near her bed and looked up at Jud. He slept hard, as one would expect after surviving kidnapping and torture.

  She’d put on a brave face for him and everyone else, but him getting taken cut too close to the vein. It was too much like Mary. She couldn’t lose him. Whatever the future held, he was a vital part of that as far as her heart was concerned.

  Tears filled her vision as she typed out her fears, her dreams.

  I’ve never been so scared in my life.

  I want to spend the rest of my life wrapped up in you.

  You are my heart and soul.

  I love you.

  Time shrank beneath her determination. The thoughts lulled. The fear subsided. Silence ticked by. She spun the tiny strips of paper and added them to Jud’s mandala.

  “Hey, you okay?” Jud’s voice startled her. She glanced at the clock and noted the two-hour loss of time.

  She contemplated his question before nodding. She wouldn’t ever keep something from him, not when every secret was a potential threat. They’d survived enough adversities without throwing in unnecessary risks. “Yeah, I’m good now. My brain was just needing decompression time.”

  “That’s a big mandala. It’s beautiful,” he said.

  She looked down at the dark and light blue interspersed with white and pale yellow strips. She took a deep breath and held it out. “I made it for you. It had to be big because I had a lot to say.”

  She didn’t expand on the latter statement. Baby steps. Sharing her secret messages was something she’d sworn to never, ever do. That was her decompression, her off loading of her most intimate thoughts.

  But she loved Jud, which meant those belonged to him now. They affected him. She was all in for whatever was going on between them.

  “I love you,” she whispered as she flicked off the lamp and crawled back into bed. She curled into him.

  “I love you, too.” He kissed her softly and wrapped an arm around her as he held her gift with his other hand.

  She closed her eyes and surrendered to exhaustion.

  Jud knew the moment she fell asleep. She gave him all of her weight, trusting him to keep whatever demons had roused her at bay while she slept, like she had that one night.

  It had to be big because I had a lot to say
.

  He’d watched her spin the small strips of papers, had even asked her questions and tried it himself a few times. He looked down at the beautiful woman sleeping beside him and realized giving this to him had been a huge step. The fear and indecision had been evident on her face. The absolute trust in the end had undone him.

  He loved Viviana Chambers more than anything.

  Which was why he needed to figure out this mystery, make it okay for her to not have to explain. He slowly extricated himself from the bed and padded into the other room.

  The pale light from the corner lamp spotlighted a corner of the coffee table enough for him to study the beautiful creation. He gently undid one of the blue strips and unraveled it.

  Nothing.

  He removed a white. Unraveled.

  I want to spend the rest of my life wrapped up in you.

  It was one of the pieces she’d added tonight. He’d watched her for a few moments before drawing her attention. Jesus.

  How many other pieces held messages? What did they say?

  He wanted to rip every piece off and figure out the mystery beneath the beautiful creation, but this was a gift. Something she’d made for him. He wouldn’t ruin it, not if he could be careful and piece it back together.

  “What are you doing?”

  Jud jumped.

  “Was going to stay away, but Dallas said her parents were yapping about showing up here early, having a word. I thought I’d head them off if they showed up.”

  He glared at the door. “Appreciated.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing.”

  Addy smirked as she padded into the room wearing a long t-shirt and a loose pair of men’s boxer shorts. She sat beside him and picked up the white piece of paper. He damn near ripped it from her hand, but he didn’t want to wake Viviana up by throwing down with her friend.

  “Huh.” Addy set it down and headed into the kitchen.

  How the hell could she read that and just say huh, like it didn’t matter?

  Like it didn’t rock the entire world with its fierceness. Love.