Mission: Her Justice

by Anna Hackett

  Evan moaned and rocked against his hand.

  “So wet. I want to slide in. I want to hear every sweet sound you make as you take me.”

  “God, yes.” She couldn’t think, could only want.

  He shifted behind her. “I don’t want to use a condom. I’m clean. Is that okay?”

  She didn’t want any barriers between them, either. “I’m clean too, and protected.” It was a requirement for her work.

  He made a hungry sound and the head of his cock nudged her.

  Yes. Her hands twisted in the sheets. With one heavy thrust, he filled her.

  Evan screamed. He was deep, and her body stretched to accommodate him. Then he started thrusting. They rocked together, flesh slapping against flesh as his hips hammered against her.

  One of his hands slid underneath her, strumming her swollen clit.

  Evan’s cries filled the room. So good. So perfect.

  Her orgasm smashed into her. She tossed her head back against his shoulder. “Jonah!”

  He plunged into her once, twice, then groaned as his climax hit. She felt him spill inside her, and her own pleasure hit a second peak.

  Finally, they collapsed, both shaking and breathing heavily.

  “Hell.” He kissed the back of her neck, shifting part of his weight off her.

  She smiled. “Actually, I was thinking heaven.”

  He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “I think you’re right.”

  The next morning, Jonah finished putting on his watch. He walked into the living area, going through his To Do list for the day.

  Team 52 had a few, well-deserved days off.

  And for the first time in a very long time, so did Jonah.

  He and Evan had managed to watch a movie the evening before, and then they’d made love several more times during the night. They’d christened his shower, tub, the hallway floor, and his couch a couple of times.

  Evan was sitting at his kitchen island, drinking coffee. She was dressed like him, in jeans, with her red hair pulled into a ponytail.

  Jonah’s heart stuttered. He loved seeing her in his space.

  Looking at him, she arched a brow over the rim of her mug. “You just going to stare at me?”

  “Yes.” He strode to her. He tugged her head back and dropped a kiss to her mouth. “I could stare at you all day.”

  Color bloomed in her cheeks. “You look good in casual, Grayson. Those jeans—” She kissed her fingertips.

  He touched her nose. “Okay, let’s head over to Arlo’s. I want to see how he’s doing, and make sure he and your mother haven’t murdered each other.”

  “Sorry, if my mother did him in, you’ll never find the body.”

  They headed down to the parking garage and were almost at his Jaguar when his cell phone rang.

  “Jonah Grayson.”

  “Director Grayson, my name is Miranda Kauffman. We haven’t had the pleasure.”

  “Director Kauffman.” Jonah’s good mood plummeted. Kauffman was the Director of the CIA. “You received my report.”

  “Yes. Thank you for taking care of our problem. We were dismayed to learn of Brennan’s actions and the extent of his deception.”

  “My team, along with Agent Fletcher, dealt with it.”

  Evan stilled and watched him.

  “I was told you might be able to help me get in touch with Agent Fletcher,” the woman asked.

  Jonah dragged in a breath. “Yes. She’s right here.” He held up the phone. “It’s for you.”

  Muscles rigid, he watched her talk into the phone. He saw her eyebrows shoot up. “Director Kauffman. Yes. Thank you.”

  She wandered away and Jonah watched her. The CIA could offer her more of the job she’d loved for so long. It was in her blood.

  Jonah leaned against the Jag and waited.

  Finally, she ended the call and walked back to him.

  She got close and slid the phone into the pocket of his jeans, then went up on her toes and kissed him.

  “I’m not going back to the CIA.”

  He blew out a breath. “I know you want to consider your options—”

  “The only thing I know I want, Jonah, is you.”

  He yanked her to his chest.

  “I want to consider my job options, but I’m not in a rush.”

  He knew she thrived on challenge. She wouldn’t stay idle for long. “Join Team 52.”

  She lifted her head. “You can’t be my boss. You’d have to send me out on dangerous missions, and what about when I bend the rules?” She grinned. “It’s been known to happen. I don’t want to muddy our relationship like that. Team 52 needs your steady, guiding hand. Right now, all I know for sure, is that I want you.”

  “Move in with me?”

  She grinned again. “I do like your pad. And your TV. And your bed.”

  He kissed her.

  “Your cat doesn’t like me, though.”

  “He doesn’t like anybody.”

  “Okay, I’ll move in.” She rubbed her nose against his. “Come on. Let’s go check on your grumpy friend.”

  They drove to Huntridge and pulled up in front of a neat, older house. In defiance of Las Vegas’ love of xeriscaping and saving water, Arlo had a patch of green grass that he kept cut, watered, and weeded with military precision.

  Holding hands, Evan and Jonah walked up the path. Jonah knocked on the door.

  They waited. No answer.

  He knocked again.

  Jonah tensed.

  Evan frowned. “You think one of Brennan’s team is still in play?”

  “Maybe.” Jonah ran his hand along the front of the house, stopped in a certain spot on the siding and pressed. A small compartment opened, a key nestled inside.

  “Of course, Arlo wouldn’t keep his spare key under a pot or mat,” Evan muttered, as she pulled a SIG from the back of her jeans.

  Jonah eyed the handgun. “Where did you get that from?”

  “A girl never goes anywhere without a good weapon.”

  Or at least, his girl didn’t. He opened the door and stealthily they moved inside. There were no signs of a disturbance or a fight. Arlo’s living room was neat and tidy.

  Evan pointed to the hall and they moved silently.

  Then Jonah heard a sound. A grunt and a thud from behind the closed bedroom door.

  He nodded, then pushed the door open. Evan raced through, gun up. Jonah hurried in behind her.

  “What the hell?” Arlo growled.

  There was a flurry of movement on the bed.

  “Evan!” Raquel cried.

  Evan blinked. “Mom?”

  Jonah stared. Arlo was busy hiding Raquel and her cloud of mussed red hair under the sheet.

  Arlo sat up, his bare, barrel chest covered in a smattering of gray hair and white bandages. “Why the hell didn’t you knock?”

  Jonah fought to hide a smile and failed. “We did. Twice.”

  Raquel’s head popped up. “Evan, you can’t just run into people’s houses with a gun.”

  Evan’s mother had flushed cheeks and swollen lips.

  “Mom!” Evan screeched. “You were supposed to nurse Arlo as he recovered, not sleep with him.”

  Raquel sniffed. “He’s recovered.” The woman winked. “I can totally vouch for that.”

  “Quiet, woman.” Whatever Arlo did under the sheet made Raquel squeal and swat his shoulder.

  The older man smiled at her, clearly besotted.

  Jonah didn’t know what to think. Arlo didn’t smile much, nor had he had a woman in his life for…well, for as long as Jonah had known him. Arlo had never married, and Jonah had assumed the crusty man was married to his work.

  However, he was clearly enjoying Raquel’s company.

  But what was this for Raquel?

  “Mom, I can’t believe you,” Evan continued.

  “What? You get to gallivant around having hot sex with a hot guy, but I can’t?”

  Evan groaned.

  “Arlo, I take
it you’re feeling better?” Jonah asked dryly.

  “Never better.” Arlo slid an arm around Raquel and she snuggled into him. “You find the artifact?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I want it. I’ll ensure it gets locked away safely.”

  Evan looked at the wall.

  “Well,” Jonah said. “Evan smashed it.”

  “What?” Arlo growled.

  Evan flung out an arm. “To save his life.”

  Arlo pinned her with a hard stare, and her cheeks flushed. Then she went on the attack.

  “So, what are your intentions where my mother is concerned?”

  “Well…” Arlo drawled.

  “Actually.” Raquel held up a hand. “We got married yesterday!”

  There was a big ring on her finger.

  “Oh. My. God.” Evan’s face was covered in blank shock.

  Jonah smiled at Arlo. The man smiled back. “You find a good one, Grayson, you keep her happy and close.”

  “I hear you, Arlo,” Jonah replied. He put an arm around Evan and tugged her to his side.

  “Oh, my God,” she said again.

  “Evan, come and give your mama a kiss. Then I’m planning to kiss your man.” Raquel winked.

  Chapter Twenty

  Five months later

  Evan sipped her beer and turned. They were at Griffin’s Sports Bar, Team 52’s favorite hangout.

  Blair and Luke were playing pool. Seeing the tough woman smile and laugh at her man was a little like looking in the mirror. Evan smiled over her glass. She’d smiled and laughed more with Jonah these last few months than she had in years.

  Axel was teasing a skirt-clad Nat. The woman’s cheeks were pink, so Evan guessed the man was being naughty.

  Smith sat on a stool, with pretty, smiling Kinsey in his lap. Opposites attracted there, but the way the man watched the blonde left no doubt that his world started and ended with his woman.

  Ty was beside them, with his arm around River. They made a striking couple. River said something that pulled a smile from the grumpy, handsome scientist. The couple were talking with Lachlan, and his fiancée, Rowan. The redhead looked at Lachlan like she’d won the lottery. Evan watched Lachlan’s gaze soften, then he dropped a quick kiss to his woman’s mouth. Evan and Jonah had just received an invitation to the couple’s wedding.

  Evan took another sip of her beer. All these tough operators, so clearly in love and making it work. It gave her hope.

  Not that she needed it.

  She turned to find her own man. He wore suit pants and a white shirt, but he’d ditched the jacket. He was talking with Brooks and Callie. The tattooed tech man had both muscular arms wrapped around the medic.

  God, Jonah was gorgeous. Evan couldn’t believe he was hers.

  She never, ever got tired of her own personal suit porn. Watching the man dress, put in cufflinks, button a shirt, or better yet, unbutton a shirt, never failed to turn her on.

  A full-throated, feminine laugh made Evan stiffen. She turned to watch her mom, with Arlo’s brawny arm wrapped around her, head Evan’s way.

  She took another hasty sip of beer. “I’m not talking to you.”

  “Come on, baby girl. I’m home now.”

  Evan looked into her mother’s face. She was glowing. Only a few weeks after their whirlwind Las Vegas wedding, Raquel and Arlo had rented a yacht and headed off to sail the Pacific. They’d only been back a few days.

  Evan released a breath and speared Arlo with a look. “If you hurt her, I’ll hurt you.”

  The older man’s lips twitched. “I like her, Raquel.”

  “She’s a chip off the old block,” Raquel said proudly.

  “I don’t plan to hurt your mother, Evan,” Arlo said. “I’m in love with her.”

  Evan wanted to argue that it was way too quick, but since she was head over heels in love with Jonah, she’d just look like a hypocrite.

  “I’ve never been in love before,” Arlo said. “So this took me by surprise.” He stared into Raquel’s eyes. “I’ll probably screw up sometimes, but I’ll continue to do everything I can to make her happy.”

  Evan watched her tough, battle-hardened mother melt.

  Evan sighed. “I can see you love her, but she’s my mom. And you whisked her away from me for months.”

  “Well, we’re home now,” Arlo said. “And you and I can keep her out of trouble together, since you both call Las Vegas home now.”

  Evan snorted. “Keeping her out of trouble is impossible.”

  But she watched the way her mother leaned into Arlo’s stocky body. Damn, the way they looked at each other made it clear that they were happy.

  “Okay, Arlo, you have my blessing.” Evan paused. “Do we need to hug or something?”

  He scowled. “I don’t hug.”

  “Except with me.” Raquel winked.

  Evan hugged her mom. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, doll. You be happy, too. That man of yours looks up to the task.”

  Arlo met her gaze. “And you take care of Jonah. The man needs some color in his life.”

  “Stop hovering,” a voice snapped.

  Seth ushered his pregnant wife into the group.

  Wow, January was really pregnant. Evan eyed her swollen belly with horrified interest.

  “Should you be out, January?” Callie asked.

  “I’m pregnant, not recovering from a hip replacement.” The archeologist tossed her head back, one hand on her belly. “I still have a few weeks until my due date.”

  “She’s tired, and aches all over,” Seth said.

  “Because our daughter is compressing all my organs.”

  Seth winced. Evan winced as well.

  “Which is normal.” Callie pulled out a chair. “Sit.”

  Jonah appeared beside Evan, sliding an arm around her waist.

  “You know, I read the dossiers on your team members,” she said. “Their military careers were ended by injuries and bad situations. Things could have turned out very different for all of them. You gave them purpose, a second chance, and now all of them have gone on to find love.”

  He hugged her tighter. “Watching them all take a chance and risk their hearts, helped me risk mine.”

  She leaned into him and nipped his jaw. “I’ll protect it fiercely, Jonah. I promise it’s safe with me.”

  He kissed her.

  “Nice, boss-man,” Brooks called out, then whistled.

  Evan and Jonah pulled apart, smiling.

  “Axel, what are you doing?”

  They spun. Axel was down on one knee beside a shocked Nat.

  “Natalie, I love you. I have for a long time, although it took me a while to figure that out.”

  “Because of your hard head,” Seth called out.

  “That monster kidnapping Nat helped sort you out,” Blair added.

  Axel shot them a look, then focused back on Nat.

  “I love you. You make me laugh, you inspire me to be a better man. You’re beautiful, kind, smart, and you wear the hell out of your sexy librarian skirts.” He flashed her a sexy grin. That got a few chuckles from the team.

  “I want to love and protect you for the rest of our lives.” He held up a small open box with a ring nestled inside. “I never imagined asking a woman to marry me, but you changed everything. So, Natalie Blackwell, would you be mine forever, one day have our babies, and let me love you until we’re old and gray?”

  Tears glistened in the woman’s dark eyes, a huge smile on her pretty face. “Yes, Axel Diaz. I’ll marry you.”

  With a whoop, Axel slid the ring on her finger. Then he rose and scooped her off the stool and kissed the hell out of her.

  The bar erupted in cheers.

  Evan leaned into Jonah and smiled.

  Jonah nodded at Lachlan. “I had a call from the Egyptian authorities today. They’ve finally sealed off the Hall of Records chamber.”

  “Good.” Lachlan sipped his beer. “Stop some other assholes fr
om breaking in there looking for trouble.”

  “There will be more artifacts, more assholes, and more trouble,” Jonah said.

  “Yeah,” Lachlan agreed. “And Team 52 will always be there, ready to stop them.” He took another sip of beer. “That said, I have a week off, so don’t call me if trouble hits this week.” His hot gaze rested on Rowan. “Rowan has some time off from the university too.”

  “For wedding planning?”

  The former Marine smiled. “It’s pretty much done. I was in charge of the honeymoon.”

  “Canada?” Jonah asked with a smile.

  Lachlan snorted. “Hell, no. Somewhere with sun, sand, and bikinis for my soon-to-be wife.”

  “Axel and Nat will be busy with wedding planning next.”

  The newly engaged couple were nuzzling each other at the bar.

  “So,” Lachlan drawled, “you going to take the plunge with your dangerous redhead?”

  Evan was laughing with Blair and River. A man approached the trio, a wide, friendly smile on his face and an interested look in his eyes.

  Jonah’s gaze narrowed.

  The man said something. Evan responded and winked at him.

  The man’s smile dissolved, and he hightailed it away. The women laughed.

  “When we’re ready,” Jonah said. “I need to warm Evan up to the idea.” His plan was to get firmly entrenched in her life, then discuss marriage. They’d been happily living together, falling into a rhythm as a couple. He loved it.

  He saw she was now talking with Luke MacKade. Her boss.

  When Evan had first told Jonah that she was going to join the LVMPD, he’d been shocked. He remembered the conversation at his kitchen island, just a few weeks after the Egypt mission, as clear as if it had happened yesterday.

  “So, I’ve decided what I want to do for work.”

  Jonah looked up, his heart skipping a beat. “Oh?”

  “I spoke with Luke about opportunities at LVMPD.”

  Jonah raised his eyebrows. “You? A cop?”

  She grinned. “Detective Fletcher. It has a nice ring to it.”

  “Police work would bore you to tears.”

  “Not homicide, or gang crime. And they could use some help liaising with a certain black ops team that leaves big messes for MacKade to clean up.”