“I had been doing good work for about three years until that day I ran across you at the coffee shop.” Chuckling to himself, he adds, “I still remember the stricken look on your face when the papers spilled out of your notebook. It was as if the world was ending.”
“Yes, well, education is important and I needed those notes,” she counters saucily.
“Continue, please,” Dylan commands, trying to usher the conversation onwards and, frankly, remove Preston from the house as quickly as possible.
He didn’t care for the admiring glances he was sending towards Sydney as he spoke to her.
“Sorry, yes, where was I? Oh, I met you and you sort of flipped everything upside down, changed the rules. You have that way about you, Cupcake.”
Dylan’s ears perk up when Preston utters his nickname for Sydney, and now he completely understands why she didn’t want him to use the same moniker. Dylan squeezes her arm gently in understanding, which she returns with a light pinch on his abdomen before the two return to listening.
“I knew I wanted to be with you, but I was unsure of how to navigate. I said I was a campus officer because it was the closest thing to my career that I could come up with at the time, without giving it all away. And things were fine for a while. The drug ring had halted while new product was coming in, but they were willing to take on new members – mainly, me - and that’s when the shit hit the fan. On one of the initiation nights, a few of the guys had disclosed that they had followed me around and knew about you. I thought I had hidden my tracks well, but I should have known better… should have known that they’d find out about you.
“The day I called you about the false promotion, I had disclosed to Rockwell that you were in danger and I needed someone to watch over you while I went into hiding for a while. I also pleaded to him to take me off the case, but it was too late. The King Pin came to deliver me a message and it rang loud and clear.”
Dylan glances down and watches as Sydney rubs at her forearm where the scar resides on her pale skin. His heart aches for her and what she’s gone through at the hands of someone she loved, and thought had loved her in return.
“I stepped back from you in the hopes that they would leave you alone, but it was too late. I disappeared for a few years until there were talks that the drug ring was pulsing again. I was asked again to look into it when the original boss was murdered by his right-hand man. And this new guy, Harposia, is out to start fresh - which means getting rid of any-thing and any one associated with the old man.”
“You mean me,” she whispers as she cuddles closer to Dylan, as if she is trying to tuck and hide under his skin.
“I’m sorry you were caught up in all of this, Sydney.”
“Are you in danger?” she asks in concern, pulling away from Dylan by the barest inch.
He watches as she pulls her luscious bottom lip between her teeth and nibbles on the skin.
Rockwell takes the moment to speak up from his perch in the kitchen saying, “We think someone from the department is feeding Harposia information. Witness protection is out of the question for either of you.”
“I wouldn’t want to be in it anyway. I’m safest here, believe me.”
Rockwell nods his head, but Preston questions, “What do you mean? You’re in the middle of nowhere with the next largest city a couple hundred miles away. You’re like a sitting target if you stay here, Cupcake.”
“Believe me, I am safe here. Everyone will help to protect me, and I have Dylan,” she says affectionately, changing the mood in the room and riling up Preston at the same time.
“Who is going to help protect you, Cupcake? A bunch of old hicks on their tractors?”
Dylan watches in amusement as Sydney’s back straightens in an instant, as though lightning struck her, and her hands clench fiercely in her lap before she rises from the sofa. Waltzing over to Preston, she bends forward so her face is within a few inches of his. He doesn’t lean back or falter, merely eyes her skeptically.
“Let me tell you something, Preston. My family and all the people here in Carson, will protect me and absolutely know how to if the timing presents itself. We’re not just some hick town. We have people living here that have seen and done things you could only imagine. Hell, I can shoot a moving target better than most snipers and my friend Cliff knows a hundred different ways to decompose a body in under an hour. So, don’t you dare underestimate me or the people I love, understand?”
Preston swallows hard, blinks, then nods his understanding.
Before uprighting herself, Sydney inclines her body just a bit more, bringing her face just a millimeter from Preston’s. Dylan holds his breath fearfully, while praying that she isn’t leaning in for a kiss. Thankfully, once she speaks, her haunted tone reassures him that her lips will not be pressing against her former lover’s.
“And, Preston…don’t you dare call me cupcake one more time, or you’ll find out how good my aim truly can be,” Sydney hisses in irritation.
She glances down as Preston, who instinctively rests his hands over his dick and a small smirk graces her face, instantly changing her features.
The exchange before him causes Dylan to make a mental note to never find himself on Sydney’s bad side.
His boss, Special Agent in Charge Lewis Rockwell, comes from around the kitchen counter just as Sydney makes her way back over to sit next to Dylan.
“So,” the man begins, “Now that the drama is out of the way. What is your plan?”
Dylan leans forward with elbows on his knees, mimicking Preston’s position, and rubs his hands across his face.
“I’m not sure if I like any of the tactics we would normally use.”
Rockwell cocks his head and asks, “And why is that?”
Dylan doesn’t respond, just narrows his eyes and tilts his head towards Sydney.
“Oh, I see. Don’t want to put her in danger’s way, more than she already is. Unfortunately, I don’t think we have any other choice. They’ve already identified her, and the longer we wait, the more time they have to come up with something and the less time we have to prepare. Using the body double tactic will take this out of our hands.”
Dylan sighs heavily and rests back against the couch.
“I understand. But I will tell you, after meeting them, her family isn’t going to be too thrilled with this plan. They’ve already been through enough the past few weeks.”
Sydney glances between the two men and then smacks her hands together to gain their attention.
“I’m sorry, but can someone please fill me in? What is the plan and why won’t my family like it?”
The men wearily glance at one another and then Lewis explains, “We have to use what’s called a bait system. We need to set up Harposia’s team and make them think that they have the upper hand.”
“And the bait you’re referring to is…”
Closing his eyes, Dylan utters the dreaded word, “You. I’m sorry, Sydney. If I thought there was another way I would try it, but this team is smart. Harposia would know if we were using a body double.”
The three FBI agents watch as Sydney stares down at her folded hands, taking in the plan as Lewis describes it.
“We’ll have you work alone at your bakery and leave the back door unlocked for construction workers to come and go as they please. That will give them a chance to plan how they want to attack. We will disguise Dylan and Preston as some of the construction workers so that you will always have someone on watch. I figure we’ll let this run for a week or two. If nothing happens, then we’ll come up with a new diversion. But in my experience, it will take about three days for them to make their appearance known.”
“I’m sure we can meet with your brother, Austin, beforehand so that we know who we can expect to actually be on site. If we see someone unfamiliar, we can have them removed immediately,” Dylan adds, trying to reassure Sydney.
Her hair drapes around her face like a curtain, but does very little to hide the a
shen color her skin begins to turn. Dylan watches as she takes a deep breath, then another, repeating the motion until she comes to terms with the plan laid before her.
“Sydney, I won’t let anything happen to you,” Preston speaks up from his position across the way.
His proclamation causes Dylan to narrow his eyes at the man he had once considered a close friend. Now, it seems Preston is after something that belongs to Dylan, and he isn’t about to let that happen.
Luckily, Sydney seems to ignore Preston and twists her head to gaze at Dylan, fear shining so strongly in her eyes it seems to squeeze at his heart.
Without needing to kick out his team, Dylan watches as Lewis drags himself and Preston from the house while explaining that they will reconvene at daybreak. All the while, Dylan keeps his eyes locked on Sydney’s, trying to absorb her fear and fill her with his love.
As he hears the automatic door lock engage, Dylan stands and sweeps Sydney into his arms and carries her back towards the bedroom. He knows that the information overload she has just been given, it is causing her emotions to run rampant, but with the overwhelming terror she is feeling, she needs his comfort. And in all honesty, he needs hers as well.
Dylan places her gently on the edge of the bed, the mound of pillows still where they left them on the ground during the night. Dylan rests his knees on one of the pillows as he kneels beside Sydney.
Reaching forward, he grasps her hands in his own and twists her delicate fingers between his larger, more calloused ones.
“Look at me, Angel.”
Dylan waits for her to lower her beautiful whiskey eyes towards him. When their gazes meet, he has to stifle an agonizing grunt at the emptiness he finds buried deep within.
“Sydney, I would rather die than let anything happen to you.” He watches as a tear slides down her cheek, leaving a moistened trail in its path. “I will protect you with my life, I promise you that.”
More tears quickly join the others and Dylan reaches up to wipe them away as Sydney cries, “But who is going to protect you? I can’t lose you, Dylan.”
“Oh, Angel. Don’t you worry about me,” he responds as Sydney continues to weep quietly. Needing to lighten the mood, Dylan reminds her with a smirk, “And here I thought you didn’t even like me.”
He watches as her face transforms and a giggle escapes from between her lips, and for that moment, all is right in his world.
Of course, he should have known that it can’t last.
YDNEY HAS SPENT THE better part of her morning listening to Dylan, Lewis and Caleb (or Preston as she had recently learned) discuss their plan to protect her, as well as to capture Harposia.
Now she is slouched over the counter in her bakery, seeing as half of the town has invaded the building and the remainder of people are glancing in from their perch on the sidewalk.
As if that isn’t a dead giveaway that we are planning something, she thinks to herself, watching as a few unfamiliar cars sweep down the road in their town.
Unfortunately, the scene of strange vehicles had become commonplace since spring is in their midst, and tours of the wineries in their town have become increasingly popular. Still, as each car passes, Sydney strains her eyes to look through the windows. She isn’t sure who she was looking for, but she has imagined that they will be dark in both features and dress.
“Are you ok?” Avery, her very pregnant half-sister asks as she waddles closer to Sydney’s perch behind the counter, away from everyone else.
“I’m hanging in there. How about you? Are you ok? I’m surprised Logan let you out of the house.”
Avery laughs loudly, causing her husband Logan and their brothers Austin and Jameson to turn their heads in her direction.
“I’m fine. I still have over a month to go, so don’t you worry. That’s the problem when you’re having twins. You look ready to pop from the five month mark and on. I can’t wait to meet them though.”
Sydney watched as Avery gazes lovingly at her protruding stomach and rubs her hand across its wide expanse. Even pregnant with twins, Avery is absolutely stunning. Sydney swears that from behind, neither Avery or Austin’s wife Nikki look pregnant at all. It is only when they turn sideways that you are startled into the realization.
“I know we don’t know each other that well, Sydney. But if you want to talk to me about anything, please don’t hesitate. I’ve been known to be a good listener.”
Sydney looks across at her sister and witnesses the pure sincerity in her eyes. She knows Avery has struggled with accepting love and loving in return due to her horrendous upbringing and the twisted turns that fate took in her life, but at this very moment, Sydney realizes that Avery is offering more than just an ear to listen: she’s offering a chance to get to know her. A chance to love and to return that love.
“I would like that, Avery. Very much. Maybe when all this blows over we can get together? I don’t really want you around any of this business, to be honest.”
“That sounds like fun,” she smiles, and Sydney watches as Avery’s entire face glows with joy, her Caribbean blue eyes bright with excitement.
As the impromptu town meeting draws to a close, Avery hugs Sydney goodbye and waddles over to Logan, who is standing by the door. As the rest of Sydney’s guests make their way out of the bakery, not a single one purchases anything, which in turn causes Sydney’s temper to flair. She walks over to the granite counter lining the far wall and begins pouring some of her icing ingredients into the large stainless steel bowl. After spilling more milk on the floor than into the bowl, Sydney storms out of the kitchen and heads to her office, leaving her icing makings to rest where they lay.
“Cheap people,” she mumbles to herself. “If you’re going to come into my bakery, at least buy something,” she continues on.
“Do you always talk to yourself?” A deep voice inquires from her chair, which is in its usual place behind her desk.
Sydney shrieks in alarm until the chair spins around and she meets Preston’s blue-eyed gaze.
She gasps for air with her hand resting gently on her chest and demands, “Don’t do that!”
“Sorry,” he admits bashfully, “I wasn’t trying to startle you.”
Taking a moment to compose herself, Sydney turns and moves to shut the door, leaving it slightly ajar. Preston shifts to stand from the seat and Sydney catches her breath as the already diminutive room seems to shrink in size.
“Hi, cup… I mean, Sydney.”
Sydney takes another deep breath and works to calm her nerves. She wipes her sweating palms against the side of her pants and closes her eyes.
But instead of the blackness she expects she find, images of her time with Preston play instead. Their first date, their first kiss, their first time making love. It is playing at a rapid-fire pace behind her eyes and there is nothing she can do to stop it.
“Sydney?” he asks, concern lacing his voice.
When she feels the soft brush of his hand against her arm, she startles once again and opens her eyes to find Preston standing up against her.
The hand that rests on her arm moves up towards her face as he brushes some of her hair behind her ear.
“You’re so much more beautiful than I remember. It’s been far too long.”
“Preston,” she whispers, leaning away slightly as his hand trails down her back.
“Let me make this right, Sydney. Let me prove to you that you and I are right.”
“I don’t think…,” she begins, but is interrupted by a fuming and concerned Dylan.
“What’s going on in here?” he questions accusingly, eyes on the other man in the room.
“Chill out, man,” Preston begins, but Sydney steps out of his embrace and shakes her head, knowing that Preston is only adding fuel to the fire.
“Chill out? How am I going to chill out when your hands are all over my woman.”
“Dylan,” she announces. “Calm down, please. Nothing is going on. I was just shocked to find someone
in my office and had a bit of a startle, that’s all.”
The lie burns as it trickles from her mouth, and the sting worsens when Dylan’s gaze narrows at her, recognizing the falseness in her statement.
“Then why were his arms around you? You two looked pretty cozy.”
Before Sydney has a moment to respond, Preston chimes in, completely oblivious to the turmoil he is increasing.
“Just remember: She was my woman first, Bennett. Don’t think I won’t do what I can to win her back,” he punctuates as he leaves the office, nudging Dylan’s shoulder on his way out.
“Syd,” Dylan sighs when he brings his attention back to her.
She sashays over to where he stands against the door frame, wrapping her arms around the firmness of his waist.
“Before you say anything, I want you to know that nothing was going on. I came back here to get away from the crowd and found Preston in my chair. We were just talking.” Sydney pauses for a beat, still taking note of Dylan’s stiffness before adding, “And I love you.”
Sydney’s hands slide up his back as he sighs in relief.
“I love you too, Angel,” he responds, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I was coming back here to give you a message from your brother that the countertops for The Grill will be delivered today or tomorrow. So in about a week or two, we should be ready to open.”
“Wow, that’s exciting! I needed some good news amidst all of this craziness.”
Tilting her head back using his knuckles against her chin, Dylan captures her lips against his. As his tongue reaches out to explore her mouth, she moans softly and pushes her body closer to Dylan, craving his touch.
A crash from the kitchen sounds from across the bakery and Dylan only pulls away from Sydney for a second before he slides them further into the room and locks the office door. He turns her around so that her back rests against the wall, then unzips the side of her long maxi skirt, letting it cascade down to the floor and quickly tugging down her nude lace panties to join it on the tile. She doesn’t fight him - she can’t - and as her lower half is exposed before him, she finds that she has never felt sexier than she does right now as Dylan stares at her hungrily.
Coming Consumed: Welcome to Carson, Book Three Page 12