by Rachel Grant
“Twin guns mounted at the forward end of the tower,” she said as she snapped pictures. “The Soviet Union stopped using deck-mounted guns in the late fifties.”
“This is too small to be nuclear powered,” Luke said.
“Plus none of their nuclear subs had deck-mounted guns. This must have been one of their coastal attack subs. Small and maneuverable.”
“A Soviet coastal attack sub,” Luke said, the awe in his voice audible even through the tinny speakers. “Wrasse rammed and sank a Soviet sub in US waters in October 1962.”
Emotion flooded Undine as she turned to face Wrasse’s final resting place in the dark distance. “Her complement was seven retired sailors, led by an admiral who joined the service during World War I. They were unarmed and blind but for their periscope. And for over fifty years, no one knew they died in a Cold War submarine battle in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Last spring, the week after Russia sank the passenger ferry on the Sea of Azov and tried to make it look like Ukraine was behind it, Yuri Kravchenko changed his will, leaving his boat to his twin nephews. A month later, those nephews obtained work visas sponsored by a Seattle-based tech company and moved to the city.” US Attorney General Curt Dominick delivered the information via speakerphone to a group settled around a conference table at the Coast Guard Station. That the attorney general was personally involved in the investigation wasn’t lost upon Commander Brian Martinez, the Coast Guard Station’s commanding officer, who seemed to sit at attention, not that Luke could blame him. He felt the same way.
“The tech company might be a front for several factions allied against the Russian government, including Chechen rebels and Ukrainian neo-Nazis. I’ve got investigators delving into the company now. It’s possible it was set up by former-Soviet Bratva groups and may even have ties to Georgian and Azerbaijani Mafia,” Dominick continued. “This has opened up a whole new avenue of investigation. As far as Yuri Kravchenko is concerned, we know that prior to the ferry sinking, his heir was his sister—mother of his twin nephews—and we now have confirmation that she died in the ferry incident.”
So Undine was right, his outrage over the sinking was personal.
“Where are the nephews and the boat now?” Undine asked.
“That, we don’t know,” Curt said. “The nephews moved out of their Seattle address the day they claimed the boat. No one has seen or heard from them since. In all likelihood, the name has been changed and the boat painted. They had weeks to get the boat ready to search for the Soviet sub while investigation of the explosion was underway.”
“I’ll send patrols to check every marina and dock between here and Port Angeles.” Commander Martinez fixed his gaze on the window that overlooked the strait. “They could just as easily be putting in at Port Renfrew or somewhere else along the Canadian coast.”
“Yes,” Curt said. “I’d like you to contact your counterpart in Port Angeles and send photos of the vessel in addition to the ID photos of the nephews provided by INS.”
“How long before the Navy or Coast Guard can get divers out to examine the Russian sub?” Undine asked.
“We’re working on that. As you know, getting divers with the right expertise isn’t easy. For now, the first priority will be to watch the site, see if Yuri and his team show up in the night to continue their excavation. I trust you have a plan to monitor the strait, Commander?”
“Yes, sir. We already have a boat in position to intercept. However, we don’t expect him to show until after it gets dark. If we do catch him, I assume we’re to hand him over to federal authorities?”
“Yes. Officially, he’ll be charged under federal law with the murder of federal employee Sandy Tyson and the attempted murder of Undine Gray, also a federal employee.”
Beside Luke, Undine stiffened. He reached under the table and took her hand. She squeezed his fingers. She’d been cool, composed, and competent during every moment of the dive today and the lengthy debriefing process afterward.
“The US Attorney’s office in Seattle will handle the case,” Curt continued. “And in all likelihood, espionage will be added to any charges filed against Kravchenko.” Curt cleared his throat. “On behalf of the US Department of Justice, I want to thank both Ms. Gray and Lt. Sevick for their assistance in volunteering to dive today. I know it was dangerous and not something that could have been accomplished so quickly if we went through government channels.”
“It’s always an honor to serve, sir,” Luke said.
“I’m glad we were able to help,” Undine said. “It’s humbling to realize what the seven men aboard Wrasse must have done. I hope further excavation will bring the full story to light. I’d like to see those men honored for the heroes they were.”
Luke had no doubt that would happen. He’d gotten chills when he looked at the Soviet sub—and the sensation had nothing to do with the frigid water.
After the meeting wrapped up, Luke draped an arm around Undine’s shoulder and walked with her to his SUV. Their rinsed dive gear had been stowed in the back of his vehicle when they returned to shore. They were packed up and free to leave.
He turned on the engine, then paused before backing out of the parking space. “The Coast Guard, the Navy, and the Department of Justice all have what they needed from us. Odds are Yuri has no reason to come after you again—in all likelihood, he was trying to stop us from finding the sub. We’re done with diving on Wrasse and with Neah Bay.”
She nodded but said nothing. He’d bet if he touched the base of her throat, he’d feel her pulse racing.
“I can take you back to Hobuck to pack up, then drive you to Port Angeles tonight. In two days, you’ll be fine to fly home.”
Her gaze was intent. Reserved. “Do you want to take me back to Port Angeles tonight?”
“No.”
Her spine stiffened, but she showed no other outward reaction. “Why not?”
Heat unfurled from his belly as he gave her the honest answer he’d promised himself he wouldn’t. “Because I want to make love to you on every flat surface in the cabin, and up against two of the walls.”
“Which two?”
“Bedroom and hall. Also, come to think of it, the stairs.”
“I thought sex was out while I’m vulnerable?”
“Well, it turns out, I am a complete asshole. And this would just be a one-night thing. I still plan to drive you back to PA tomorrow. After we go for our morning run, of course.”
“But if you don’t need to be my bodyguard anymore, you can run without me.”
“Yeah, but I bought you a shawl. So you’ve gotta run. A deal’s a deal.”
“But I just slow you down.”
“So? I like running with you.” He firmed his lips. “Okay, I told you what I want. What do you want? If you want to go back to Hobuck for the night but don’t want me to touch you, that’s fine too.”
She lifted his hand from her knee and pressed his palm to her breast. He cupped her, then ran his thumb over her nipple, which he could feel was erect even through her bra and sweatshirt. He slipped his hand under the sweatshirt and bra cup so he could tease her nipple directly.
“Take me to the cabin,” she said, a breathy plea that made him rock hard.
He leaned forward and kissed her, his tongue dipping inside her mouth for a quick but deep kiss. He needed to get out of the Coast Guard parking lot before they broke indecency laws. “I’m adding the shower to my list. I want to play with you and the massage head.”
Luke stripped Undine the moment they were inside with the door locked and curtains closed. He then scooped her up and dropped her on the kitchen table. “Table first,” he said, and spread her thighs. His tongue was on her, and her whole body shivered with the jolt of hot pleasure.
He stroked her clit with his tongue like she was his favorite ice cream and she was in serious danger of melting. “Oh God, Luke.” She wanted to say something more compelling than that
, but her mind had blanked out at the pleasure, leaving her only capable of clichéd pants and moans. He didn’t seem to mind her lack of creativity.
She watched him, his mouth on her curls as his tongue stroked her and his fingers slipped inside her. The pleasure was so intense, it was hard to keep her eyes open, but the look of satisfaction in his eyes added another layer of ecstasy to the experience.
Her orgasm came hard and fast. She bucked against him as she cradled his head between her thighs and hoped she didn’t hurt him with the violence of her body’s spasms.
She was still panting when he dropped a kiss onto her fluttering belly and said, “Don’t move.”
He stepped back and stripped, then disappeared into the bedroom. A moment later, he returned with a box of condoms and pulled one out. He stepped up to the table and pressed his thick erection against her sensitive clit, causing her to jolt.
He chuckled and handed her the condom. She took it in one hand and his cock in the other. She stroked the shaft several times before releasing him to open the packet with both hands. She rolled the thin latex over him.
He pressed his sheathed prick against her vagina, sliding only the tip inside before retreating. She groaned and pressed forward, trying to prevent his escape. “More,” she demanded.
He teased her by only entering an additional inch past the head.
She grabbed his ass and pulled him closer, but he resisted and pulled all the way out, then leaned down and took her nipple into his mouth. Pleasure shot through her as he sucked on her, then he practically made her come off the table when he slipped his hand between them and stroked her clit.
She grabbed his head, threading her fingers through his hair. “Luke, if you don’t bury your cock deep inside me now, I’m liable to rip out your hair.”
He scooped her from the table and carried her to the hallway. He pressed her back to the wall. She cinched her legs around his hips while he supported her with both hands under her ass. He thrust his cock inside her in one smooth motion, burying himself to the base. She whimpered at the intense thrill, then wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled his mouth to hers. “I think,” she said between deep, sucking kisses, “your cock”—another deep kiss as he rocked his hips—“is the best thing”—her tongue slid against his while his penis stroked her inside—“I’ve ever felt in my life.”
“Being inside you is fucking amazing.” Another deep thrust and she was on the verge of coming apart. “You are so tight and hot and slick.”
She could drown in the sensation.
He kissed her again. “Come for me, beautiful.”
“Not yet. I want to come with you.”
He nuzzled her neck. “No. I want to feel you come.” He adjusted his hold so he could support her with one hand, and stroked her clit. The sensation sent a lightning-like jolt of pleasure through her. “Yeah. Like that. Come for me.”
The direct pressure on her clit and the fullness of his cock were too much, and she crested the wave and came apart. Her orgasm came in pulses timed to his thrusts, and she rode each one, clenching down on his cock.
“Aw. Babe…” His words became an incoherent tumble of endearments and curses as he buried his face in her neck and came.
He held her against the wall as his breathing evened out. “Give me a minute,” he panted, “And I’ll carry you to the couch. If I try now, I’m liable to drop you.” He lifted his head from her neck and met her gaze. “You make me weak, babe. You must be my kryptonite.”
She laughed and kissed him. “You’re my catnip.”
He slid an arm behind her back and pulled her tight, then walked to the couch, where he sat down with her straddling him. He was no longer erect, but he was still inside her, and he rocked his hips. “Without the condom, I’d probably be too sensitive to enjoy this. As it is, I can just take it, as long as you don’t move. By the way, this counts as table, wall, and couch.”
“Table and wall, sure. But you still owe me couch.”
He rocked his hips. “Couch.”
She clenched her vaginal muscles, causing him to jolt.
He kissed the corner of her mouth. “That’s cheating.”
She did it again.
“That’s it,” he declared and flipped her to her back. He pulled out of her even as he kissed her. “You need to give me a break, because we’ve got all night, and I’m nowhere near done with you.”
“Why don’t you lie here and recover while I make dinner?”
“Depends. What’s for dinner?”
“I was thinking corn flakes.”
He laughed. “Can you cook at all?”
“Sure. But I’d rather have sex.”
He nibbled on her chin. “What part of recovery time don’t you understand?”
She ran her hand down his body, slipped off the condom and stroked his cock. Amazingly, he thickened. “I can work with this.”
“Yeah, but it’s not enough for me. Let’s play with the shower massager, then I’ll cook.”
Chapter Twenty
Luke was in a deep sleep when the alarm went off at five thirty. For the first time in forever, he shut it off, pulled the beautiful, naked woman in his bed against him, and decided to skip the run. He intended to go back to sleep, but once his hand landed on her hip, he just had to keep touching her.
He woke her slowly, his mouth on her neck as he cupped a breast. She smelled like the shampoo he’d lathered in her hair last night. She made a purring sound and pressed her ass against his erection.
He could get used to this. “Time to wake, sweetheart. The last one to finish the run makes breakfast.”
She groaned. “Are you really going to make me run this early?”
“No. I was thinking I’d make love to you instead. Unless you’d rather run.”
She reached between their bodies and wrapped her hand around his erection. “I’ll take this, please,” she said. His cock thickened as she stroked him from base to tip and back.
He chuckled and slipped two fingers between her thighs, and she let out a sexy gasp. “I’m all yours.”
He played with her body until she was panting, wet, and demanding. His erection bordered on painful by the time he slid inside her. Her tight body took him as he braced himself on his forearms and looked down on her face. Goddamn, she was beautiful. And he loved this. Being with her, inside her. Watching her. He even liked being with her and watching her when he wasn’t inside her.
But being inside her, skin to skin, the stroke and slide of sex, this was more than he expected. More than two people releasing stress and adrenaline. Somewhere along the line, his emotions had gotten involved, and he wondered if he’d really be able to drop her off at a hotel in Port Angeles later today and say good-bye to her for the last time.
A cell phone rang, waking Undine from her morning post-sex nap. She rolled over to face Luke. “Yours or mine?”
“Yours, I think. Mine’s in the living room.”
She groaned and reached over him to grab it off the nightstand. Only a handful of people had this number; she’d bought the phone only a few days ago in Forks. She frowned when she glanced at Caller ID and wondered if she should pick up.
“Who is it?” Luke asked.
“My dad.”
He stiffened. That fast, she felt the wall form between them.
She climbed out of bed. Tension had already ruined the moment. Might as well take the call. It felt weird to talk to her dad while nude and with Luke watching, his eyes brimming with anger, so she stepped into the bathroom and grabbed a towel as she greeted her father.
“Deenie, I have good news.”
She cinched the towel around her, relieved he sounded cheerful. Maybe this call wasn’t about her at all. “Did National Geo agree to do the three-part documentary?”
“No. Even better.”
In the living room, she pulled the cord for the blinds. She’d heard the rain start in the middle of the night, but now she could see the forecasted storm was even
fiercer than predicted. “That could take out the road,” she murmured. The storm a few days ago was nothing compared to this Pineapple Express-driven rain. The ocean, which should be visible just across the grass strip that separated the cabin from the sandy beach, had disappeared in a haze of dark gray sky and gray rain.
“The storm is hitting you now?” her father asked.
“Yes. If I don’t leave soon, I might not be able to get to Port Angeles today.”
“That’s why I’m calling. To stop you from leaving.”
She pulled the phone from her ear and checked the number. Yes. Definitely her father, who hadn’t wanted her diving this soon after the explosion at all and then had tried to convince her to fly south and dive with him in Monterey. “You don’t want me to head back to DC? But I’m done here.”
“I got a call from your boss early this morning, he was authorized to bring me in the loop because UAB wants to hire Nereid to examine the Wrasse wreckage.”
The back of her knees hit the couch, and she flopped down. “You aren’t an archaeologist.”
“No. But you are.”
Yeah, and he’d been furious when she changed fields.
“I don’t understand. What did you do?”
“Greg explained the situation with the…other thing you found. I know I’m not supposed to disclose details until that matter has been handled.”
Meaning the matter remained classified until whoever had tried to kill her—twice—was arrested. She frowned at the stormy ocean. No way would Yuri have attempted a dive last night, meaning he hadn’t revealed himself and was therefore still at large.
“The Navy is eager to bring up Wrasse and explore that other thing. The story, when presented as a whole, will make a great documentary and garner some well-deserved recognition for the fallen sailors. After the current investigation is done, it will fall to UAB to explore the wrecks and determine what happened, and they want every part of the process filmed for an eventual documentary. UAB needs a dive boat equipped for technical dives and small robotic submersibles. I’ve got everything except the archaeological excavation skills. That’s where you, dear daughter, come in. This is your chance to run the dig. It’ll make your career. And I’m giving it to you.”