“How many were there?” Mark asked.
“Final body count was seven. One got away.”
Murphy took over the storytelling. “Yeah. Nick’s mother. That’s who got away. Nick was Kelsey’s ex. That old broad who raised him is the one who thumped Alex with a log. Almost took his head off, she hit him so damned hard.”
“Wait a minute. Nick’s mother?” Mark asked. This horror story just kept getting weirder.
“That’s another story all by itself,” Roy interjected. “But let me tell you. That old saying the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree is the gospel truth. She was a mean drunk.”
Mark catalogued that story for another day, along with what Roy had already said about Nick trying to kill Alex and Kelsey once before. He glanced at the happy couple across the way. No wonder they kept their hands on each other.
“You guys mind if I go on with the storytelling?” Murphy looked sternly over his half full mug. “Like I was saying, once they got Alex, Kelsey wouldn’t leave.”
“Wait. Where was Kelsey all this time?”
“Boss told her to run and hide,” Roy said. “She didn’t.”
“Those bastards would’ve beaten him to death if she hadn’t shown herself. Poor thing.” Murphy wiped his eyes. “Had to be scared to death watching all that happening to him. Look at her. She’s just a little gal.”
Mark couldn’t help but look. Kelsey was fine-boned, a tiny thing compared to the rugged man beside her.
“You need a tissue?” Roy bumped Murphy’s chair with his boot. “Come on. We ain’t got all night for you to start bawling your eyes out.”
Murphy wiped his face again. “Still gets to me though.”
“Me, too. Anyway—” Roy was promptly interrupted by Murphy.
“So anyway, she tried to help, only Nick and his goons got to her.”
“Not ‘til she killed one of ‘em,” Roy interjected.
“Kelsey?” Mark was shocked. Kelsey a killer? No way.
“What I wouldn’t give to have seen her take that shot.” There was a mixture of pride and sadness in Roy’s voice.
“Yeah, but then it got real ugly.” Murphy lowered his voice even further. “Guess the guy she shot was Buck’s brother. Nick and he were the only ones left. They hurt Kelsey real bad after that, hauled her off with them to their camp. Left Alex to die.”
Roy ground a clenched fist into his open palm. “Wish I’d been there. I’d a made those bastards suffer instead of taking ‘em out with a single tap.”
“Wait. Single tap? How did Alex and Kelsey get away?” Mark asked. “Who found them? Who saved them?”
“Harley.” Murphy took a big swallow of his beer, like that was a dumb question.
“Harley?” Mark sucked in his surprise.
“Harley.” Murphy continued. “That kid dropped out of sight with all that drug crap he was into. None of us had a clue where he was. Then all of a sudden, he drops out of the clear, blue sky, and wants his job back.”
“Wait a minute.” Mark held up his hand. “I’ve been in country with him for two weeks now. Not once has he mentioned a word about any of this, and we’ve talked plenty.”
“Yeah, well.” Murphy scrubbed a hand over his thinning hair. “He’d just gotten out of rehab. Took it pretty hard when he found Kelsey. That whole night brought up a lot of the crap he was trying to forget. He don’t talk about it to anyone.”
Mark sat back in his chair. Harley saved Kelsey? He shot her ex? Man. That was definitely another story Mark needed to hear.
Roy jumped in. “So anyway, Harley hightails it across country in the first military ride he could talk his way onto. He’s got lots of friends who’ll let him fly. When he gets to the cabin, it’s burned to the ground. He finds Alex damn nearly dead, only Alex won’t let him stay and help. You know how he is. He makes Harley go find Kelsey instead.”
Mark nodded. Sounded exactly like Alex.
“Yeah. So he leaves Alex with a gun and one of his dogs.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Mark stopped Roy’s story telling again. This story was unbelievable. “Are you guys pulling my leg? Harley took Alex’s dogs with him on a military hop?”
“Well, of course.” Murphy’s forehead crinkled. “Harley’s a canine handler. Them dogs are working dogs. He takes ‘em everywhere.”
Mark shook his head, not sure what to think.
Roy continued. “So anyway, Harley and Whisper take off to find Kelsey. To make a long story short, Harley snipes them last two bastards when he found her. Man, she was in bad shape.” He turned away with a whisper. “I’m sorry, but you had to be there. I mean look at her, Mark. She’s a dang little girl for hell’s sake. She ain’t made to take a punch.”
“See. I’m not the only one who needs a tissue.” Murphy thumped Roy’s shoulder. “Roy’s right. We spent a heck of a lot of time in Tacoma that summer.”
“It was Whisper who found her, ya know.” Roy nodded toward the kennel. “Harley let him run. That big old mutt tracked straight to her; would’ve taken those men out all by himself if Harley would’ve let him. I never seen a dog love someone like that Whisper loves her.”
“I think you’re right,” Murphy said quietly.
Mark saw it too. Both dogs sat watching Alex and Kelsey, but only the black dog seemed anxious at the kennel gate.
“Anyway, Alex and Kelsey were both laid up for a long time.” Roy glanced sideways at them again. “Thought we were going to lose the boss for awhile there. He kept having them mini heart attacks. Almost went blind. It’s a miracle he’s alive.”
“Okay, enough of all this gossiping and storytelling.” Murphy blew out a big sigh. “Can’t take anymore. All this reminiscing’s enough to make an old man cry. ‘Sides, I think we’re looking at the miracle in his life.”
“Damned if you ain’t right,” Roy drawled. “Them two youngsters are straight out of a fairytale.”
Mark stole another glance. Alex looked like the life of the party. Both women were laughing at whatever story he had just finished. Kelsey’s eyes were bright with love. She smiled up at Alex, her hand still on his knee.
The thought hit Mark. He wanted Libby to look at him that way, like her world revolved around him, like he was the only thing she saw.
He wanted what they had.
Fifteen
“Nursing, huh?” Alex asked. “That’s a noble profession. You’ll get to help a lot of folks being a nurse.”
“Yes. Jonathan joined the Marines, and I went to nursing school. It was a good a plan until ....” Libby looked away. “Until he was killed in Afghanistan.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Alex placed a gentle hand on her arm. “When did it happen?”
“June.” She didn’t want to talk about it anymore, but Alex was kind, so she gave a brief explanation. “A rocket hit his helicopter. Everyone on board was hurt or killed.” Libby gulped, her throat dry and that trapped feeling suffocating her all over again. She looked for Mark, but he and Roy were busy taking dishes into the house with Kelsey.
“I know it doesn’t mean much.” Alex hadn’t moved his hand. “But it sounds like he died a hero.”
Libby nodded. She was done chatting about the thing that still hurt. Her feelings for Jonathan were muddled somewhere between love and loss, with a dash of anger and disappointment thrown in for good measure. Her feelings for Mark only clouded the issue.
Unexpectedly, Alex pulled her into his side, and whispered into her ear. “We never forget them. We honor them every day, and then we keep on living, don’t we?”
She pulled back. Man, he had intense blue eyes. There was compassion there, but something else, too. The way he had said those last words made her realize. Kelsey’s husband knew what she was going through.
“You’ve lost someone too?” she asked.
“We all have.” He nodded. “Ironic as it is, death is part of life. The hard part.” Alex gave her another small squeeze when Kelsey, Roy, and Mark returned. �
��Come on. Let’s see what Kelsey can do with those dogs of hers. Have a seat.”
Libby meant to take the empty chair beside Mark, but he snagged her wrist and pulled her onto his lap instead, wrapping her tight. She shivered the minute his chin nestled into her neck.
“I missed you,” he muttered.
She turned so she was sitting sideways over his thighs, and snaked an arm around his neck. Her heart stalled. Dark brown eyes pulled her in. Maybe sitting on his lap was not a good idea. Hmmm. Maybe it was. It certainly felt – warm.
“I’ve been right here,” she said quietly.
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. Emotion shone in those deep, dark browns. His hand between her shoulder blades offered support and temptation. If only they had been alone ….
Kelsey whistled to the dogs, jerking Libby’s gaze off Mark and just in time. Anymore deep lingering looks like that last one, and she’d be a goner. Grieving fiancée propriety was impossible to maintain enveloped by this particular masculine body. It would only take one little wiggle and she’d combust, so Libby focused on the dogs. At least, she tried to. Every nerve in her body was suddenly alive and tingling. Make that burning.
Alex loosed the kennel latch.
Libby could barely breathe. Dogs, shmogs. She leaned back into Mark, more interested in the feel of his abs against her hips, the sensation of his pecs in contact with the side of her body. The dogs were gorgeous, but she had her own handsome beast, and she was sitting on him. Wasn’t that a sign of dominance in the dog world? Her breast rubbed accidentally against his chest. He had to have felt it. His breath hitched almost as sharply as hers.
Oh, Kelsey. Get on with the dog show. I’ve got a man to kiss.
Whisper bounded to Kelsey. He let loose a yowling kind of bark that made everyone laugh. He was talking with her, maybe telling her it was about time he got invited to the party. Libby steadied her carnal thoughts. It was hard to watch the show with her body tuned into the signals that Mark’s body was sending. He hadn’t stopped looking at her, his nose still in her hair, breathing fire over the tender skin at her neck with every breath. How does he do that?
“You’d never know I was standing here, huh?” Alex groused loudly as if offended that the dogs ignored him.
“You big babies. Do you want a treat?” Kelsey knelt on the ground and hugged them.
“Look how cute they are,” Libby said, needing to distract Mark before she melted all over him.
He blew a gentle breath into her ear. “I see them.”
Goosebumps zoomed up her neck. Yeah, he was seeing something all right – her. Crank up the fire. She was going to burn.
“Okay now, boys. Settle down. Let’s visit.” Kelsey signaled with a circular wave of her hand. Obediently, Whisper and Smoke trotted to each guest for a pat on the head.
Libby reached to pet Smoke when he walked by. Big mistake. Mark adjusted his sitting position. He had to. The dogs weren’t the only ones who needed to settle down.
“Did you miss anyone?” Kelsey asked Whisper, her head cocked. He had returned too quickly to her feet. Smoke was still making the rounds. Whisper cocked his head the same as his mistress and barked once.
“Don’t take that tone with me. Who did you forget?” She waved him off.
With his belly to the ground, he crawled his way back to Alex like he was one embarrassed dog.
“He always forgets me,” Alex said, planting a firm pat to Whisper’s forehead. “Damn dog.”
Libby would’ve laughed if Mark’s fingers hadn’t started a slow, deliberate massage. Up they went to the nape of her neck and slowly back down again, just to the band of her pantyhose. He lingered for a second, tracing the edge just enough to let her know that he was very aware of that thin piece of elastic. Muscles clenched that hadn’t clenched in a long time. Mark groaned softly and readjusted his, umm, lap – again.
This dog routine was sure taking a long time.
Whisper returned to Kelsey. Again, he and Smoke sat at her feet with undivided canine attention. Libby tried to pay attention; she really did. She clapped with everyone else. It was obvious that the Stewarts were one big happy family, dogs included, but she needed them to get on with it.
“Okay now, let’s sing.” Kelsey pointed her index finger to the sky.
Oh, my gosh. More tricks?
Both dogs raised their muzzles and howled in unison. For a moment, it sounded like wolves lived in the neighborhood. As long as she pointed upward, Whisper and Smoke kept the haunting chorus going. Everyone chuckled and clapped. It would have been cool if Libby hadn’t been sizzling in her panties.
“Thanks everyone. They really are big babies.” Kelsey leaned into their expectant furry faces. “What do we do when we’re done, boys?”
Both Whisper and Smoke hit the ground, rolled onto their backs, and played dead with all four feet in the air. They didn’t move a muscle until Kelsey told them, “Up.”
Finally. Libby let out a big sigh. Mark’s hand had wandered to the back of her neck, gently working his thumb and index finger in the most soothing neck rub she had ever felt. Blood rushed to her brain even as warmth surged to parts below. Any move he made right now stimulated. Heck. All he had to do was breathe.
Again, Whisper and Smoke thumped their tails at Kelsey’s knee like two little boys waiting for attention. She sent them around the yard to visit one last time, and of course, they returned right back to her side.
“What’s next?” Libby leaned into Mark’s ear; sure he had to be thinking the same thing she was. “Do you think we could go for a ride or—”
“Whoa. Whoa. Not so fast.” Alex snapped his fingers and pointed to the ground at his feet. “We’re not done yet.”
Libby groaned. Was he talking to her? She shifted her attention back to the show.
Both dogs sat at his feet now while he scanned his audience. Murphy and Roy chuckled like they knew what was coming next. Kelsey’s eyes twinkled. Libby caught the expectant feeling in the air. Now what?
“Hmm.” Alex rubbed his chin as he scanned everyone’s faces. “Harley’s usually around when I do this. Mark? Are you up for an exercise in canine control?”
Mark looked down at Libby. She caught the glimmer of regret flash through his eyes, but he eased her onto her feet, his hands firmly at her hips.
“Sorry. Duty calls.” He pulled himself out of his chair, and handed her his dark glasses, his eyes smoldering. “Hold these. I’ll be right back.” Then he turned to Alex. “Sure, Boss. Anything you say.”
“Good.” Alex looked pleased. Libby wasn’t. “I need you to stand by the back gate. That’s good. Stop right there. Okay now, all you have to do is hold still and get ready to be wrestled to the ground. You good with that?”
Mark grimaced. “By both of them?”
“Come on,” Roy taunted. “They’re just two little puppies. Look. They’re smiling at you.”
“They’re smiling because it’s dinner time.” Murphy chuckled. “Sure glad it’s you, Mark, and not me.”
Sure enough, both Whisper and Smoke were focused on Alex. They looked like they were smiling. Libby held her breath. They also had two sets of sharp, pointy canine teeth behind those black, licorice lips. And fangs. It didn’t help when Murphy knelt near Mark with his camera and offered not so helpful advice. “This is just to document how you’re going to die, son. Don’t pay any attention to me.”
“Real funny.” Mark turned sideways, and hunkered down, his hands on his knees to offset the onslaught of the two, smiling puppy dogs. He cast a sideways wink to Libby.
“Relax. Go with the flow, Mark. They won’t hurt you. Trust me.” Alex gave a barely audible command to the dogs, “Hold.”
Instantly, two furry torpedoes exploded. Libby gasped, her heart in her throat. Within seconds, they had Mark flat on his back. Whisper had hold of his neck while Smoke’s mouth was clamped to his shoulder. Mark hadn’t said a word. He lay there rigid on the ground, panting.
“He’
s okay,” Roy reassured her. “These dogs are only lethal with the right command.”
Libby couldn’t answer. Mark hadn’t moved. This part of the dog show was not funny. How could Alex do something like this to one of his friends? He must’ve given another command. All at once, Whisper and Smoke released their prey and returned to their kennel, their tails wagging like they really were just pets after all. It was like someone had flipped a switch. They sat with their eyes glued to Alex, waiting for another command or a treat. He ruffled their manes, latched the kennel gate, and walked over to give Mark a hand up. “Good job.”
“Now I know what Harley’s always talking about.” Mark grabbed onto Alex’s forearm and got to his feet, rubbing his neck and shoulder as he wiped the dog slobber off.
“Harley would know.” Alex seemed pleased. “That wasn’t so bad now, was it?”
“No.” Mark shook his head. “Not now that I survived.”
“You’re kinda like a big old doggie toy, aren’t you?” Roy and Murphy chuckled from their chairs. “Go on. Do it again.”
Libby hurried to check Mark’s neck and shoulder for puncture wounds. Those dogs had hold of him. He had to be hurt. “Are you okay?”
“I am now.” He captured her wandering hands and pulled her into his arms instead.
“That scared me,” she whispered.
“Me, too,” he admitted. “They’re quite the dogs, huh?”
“Those are quite the teeth.” Libby traced the whiskered line of his jaw with her fingernails, not willing to release him. Not yet. “You’re a very good sport.”
“Nah.” He shrugged with a smile. “I’m an idiot.”
Libby leaned into Mark as they joined the others inside. The men had already picked up the yard, folded the table and chairs, and put everything away while Kelsey watered the dogs. It was a fun evening. Libby felt at home. Once inside, she and Mark stepped into the momentary privacy of Kelsey’s living room.
Mark (In the Company of Snipers Book 2) Page 14