Lethal Echo

by Cara Carnes

  It’d been too long since he’d been with a woman. Add in the constant compulsion to get closer to Bree, and his lizard brain was fully activated. Much more of this, and he’d be nothing more than a walking hard-on with legs. He snickered at the visual that thought created as he spotted the trickling stream Dallas had mentioned.

  He slowed the ATV near the bank and silently thanked the man for coordinating everything.

  Get her out of her head, man. Even an hour will do.

  It was easy to forget there was more to their lives than the missions. Saving people’s lives was important work, but it could leave operatives with no reason to live. If they didn’t suckle on the joys life offered, they’d emaciate themselves. Then they’d be useless.

  It was one of the reasons he, Doug, and Pierce had started their tradition after fucked-up missions. Knowing that downtime was at the end made the bad times survivable.

  “This is beautiful.” Bree got off the ATV. Her wide grin matched her expressive, wide eyes. “That was fun! So fun! I can’t wait to tell Rhea.”

  “I’ll take you skydiving. There’s a crew in Nomad that offers private jump time,” Ram said.

  “Seriously?”

  He smirked. “Seriously.” He motioned toward a blanket set out by the bank. “Dallas did this, said he got the idea from something they did for Jesse and Ellie.”

  “Oh yeah. The tree.” Bree’s attention shifted to the river. She wandered that direction. “This is gorgeous. I didn’t realize it was here. No wonder Kamren loves this property so much.”

  “This wasn’t actually part of her original land,” Ram said. “Dallas’s brothers acquired it as their wedding gift.”

  “That’s cool. How did I not know that?”

  “They didn’t tell anyone. I only know because Doug, Pierce, and I helped pull out the fence that separated the new plot from Kamren’s place.” Ram shrugged as he sat beside Bree on the blanket. “I should’ve brought some waters or something to snack on.”

  “I’m still stuffed from Bubba’s.” She patted her stomach. Ram’s lizard-brain took in the motion, then moved down her legs. “This is perfect. It’s so quiet. That’s what I loved about the mountain. The silence. It’s almost a presence within itself because it isn’t quiet, you know. There are the birds and the insects going about their day. When I was a kid, I used to pretend they were talking to me, welcoming me into their little sanctuary.”

  “You like the country.”

  “I do.” She cocked her head. “You seem surprised.”

  “I thought you were a big city girl. There aren’t many labs in the country.”

  “True, but that’s why I loved The Arsenal before I ever arrived.” She grinned. “I heard private paramilitary compound on a ranch and was fully on board with relocating. I think I gave Rhea whiplash with how fast I packed our stuff.”

  Ram chuckled. “You lived together?”

  “Yeah. We had a two-bedroom apartment not too far from a private lab we rented time from. It was a small one that needed the money to do their research, so they never asked questions or even bothered us.” She hesitated a moment, then added, “We didn’t always live together, but we both had a few difficult contracts while we were apart. We both decided it was safest to work and live together as much as possible. Addy sort of demanded it at that point because she’d appointed herself our protector.”

  “I’m glad you’ve had Addy looking out for you. She’s a great operative,” he said.

  “And an even better friend. Rhea and I didn’t have many of those, except for her, Mary, and Vi.”

  She’d spent more time isolated from everyone than he’d realized. “Was it hard? Working so isolated?”

  “In a way, yes. I always wanted the camaraderie I’d seen in other facilities I contracted with. You know, the group of work friends you went to lunch with or ventured out to happy hour with after work. Sure, I had Rhea, but it’s different when there’s a big group.”

  “Different dynamic. You have that now, though. You and the girls have your girls’ night.”

  “Sure.” Her voice lowered. “It’s changed, though. We all have lives apart from one another, which is great. I’ve just never been good with change.”

  “You’ll always be an important part of their lives, even if the dynamic shifts a bit. You know that, right?” He caressed her cheek. “And you’ll always have me. Doug and Pierce, too.”

  “Your man cave is cool. Thanks for letting me crash it. I…” She hesitated a moment. “I wouldn’t mind doing that again.”

  “You’re welcome there anytime. In fact, whenever you need that time, just let us know and we’ll be there.” And they would. He would.

  “Have you three thought about asking to move in there?”

  He shook his head. “Command worked hard to overhaul the residence building into apartments since more than a few operatives expressed their desire for a larger, more inclusive environment. One where some of the team members could live together like a normal apartment. We don’t want to rock the boat and ask for a freaking house apart from everyone else.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we’ve rocked it enough.” He grinned. “When we showed up at The Arsenal, we let everyone know we weren’t interested in being split up. We’ve turned down promotions to team leaders or seconds so many times I doubt they’ll ask again.”

  “Is that why one of you isn’t second in command on Gage’s team?”

  “Yeah.” He stared out at the stream. “When we’re on a mission, we’re a hive mind. One soldier in three bodies. We won’t fuck with that dynamic by having one of us above the others. It’d never work.”

  She stroked his arm. “That’s cool. The way you three are together. I’m glad you signed on to Gage’s team. The way you did it? It was awesome.”

  “He’s a damned good leader.” Ram was proud to be on his team. “What we have at The Arsenal is what I’d always wanted. I never thought I’d have it, growing up the way I did.”

  “It doesn’t sound that different from what Addy went through.”

  It was far different. He hadn’t been subjected to daily torture from a young age in a freaking internment camp. Addy had survived a harrowing ordeal no one should endure, much less someone her age. The things she’d gone through were horrible.

  “Mine was primarily psychological, more like a cult mindset. Physical punishment and conditioning only happened occasionally.”

  “Don’t minimize what you went through,” she whispered. She tightened her grip on his arm. “I don’t know what you experienced, but it’s shaped you into who you are. And you’re pretty awesome.”

  He leaned closer and cupped her face. “I am, huh?”

  “Yeah.” She feathered her lips across his in a kiss. “So, random question.”

  “Fire away.”

  “You, Pierce, and Doug are known as the Triple Threat. Why don’t you have individual ones? Most commandos have one, but the Masons don’t. Seems weird to me.”

  “Been thinking about that a lot?”

  “Maybe.” She caressed his jaw. “What’s up with the names?”

  “A couple of things. First, the Masons did have nicknames while they served. Not everyone keeps them when they leave. You’d have to ask them, but I suspect their time in the military wasn’t as important as who they are here. Family comes first with them. Always. Keeping the names they went by while apart from one another would separate them from who they really are. Brothers.”

  “That makes a lot of sense,” she whispered. “And the Triple Threat?”

  “It’s not much different. Mine wasn’t very original. I was always Ram,” he admitted. “Pierce? That is his nickname. Doug? Well, that’s an inside joke he’d have to explain, but it’s a nickname he adopted as his real one. Who we are together became bigger than who we were individually. When we’re on a mission, we become one.

  “Everyone who’s worked with us noticed and respected the bond we’d forged becau
se not many teams have it. So, we became the Triple Threat. If you fight one of us, you battle the other two. We’re a packaged deal, both on a mission and in real life. We’re brothers in every way except by blood.”

  “Wow. That’s cool. You do have nicknames. They’re just common and everyone assumes they’re your real names.”

  “Basically. Blending into any environment was one of our skillsets.” He grinned. “Does that answer earn me another kiss?”

  “Definitely.” She kissed him.

  A groan escaped him as he took over. He’d wanted to taste her for months. She tasted of mint and sugar. The kiss deepened as she sank into his arms and followed his lead.

  His pulse quickened when she explored down his arms, across his chest. Warmth greeted his fingers when he moved them beneath her shirt and up her side. She shivered when he ran along her ribs.

  “Don’t.” She nipped his lower lip. “I’m ticklish.”

  He grinned. “Good to know for next time. Tickling wars are a go then.”

  “Don’t you dare.” She yanked his shirt up and off. Her heated gaze followed her hands as she touched his chest. “I’ve watched you in the training yard a few times.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Knowing she’d done that surged blood to his dick. “What’d you think?”

  “Lots of things.” She kissed his chest. “I wanted to lick every inch of you, taste the salt of your sweat on my tongue. Feel your muscles bunch and flex beneath my palms.”

  Fuck. He claimed her mouth. If she kept talking like that, they’d be naked and doing everything she’d just said and more. He wasn’t about to let their first time together be on a blanket in the wooded area behind Kam’s farm.

  Bree pulled away and tugged her shirt off. The pink lace bra cupped her gorgeous breasts. A groan escaped him as he kissed the swell of her left breast and massaged them.

  “More, Ram. Please.” She ran her hands through his hair, holding him against her. One firm tug exposed the beautiful mounds. He licked and nipped the sensitive flesh as he teased her hardened nipples with his thumbs.

  He sucked them both and relished the way she trembled. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she dragged them downward. Legs wrapped around him, she writhed upward. A moan escaped her. His cock throbbed.

  “Didn’t mean for things to go this far,” he whispered.

  “Don’t you dare stop.” She tugged on his hair until their gazes locked. “I want you. Now. Here.”

  He kissed her, surrendering to the carnal need riding him hard. She reached between them and undid his jeans. A groan escaped him as she fisted his dick and squeezed. He thrust into her hand as she worked his length.

  “You first,” he whispered as he pulled her hands over her head. “Behave, little minx.”

  He licked the seam of her lips, as he unbuttoned her shorts and dragged them over her hips. The lacy panties did nothing to hide her arousal. He ran his fingers along the thin material and savored the soft moan she emitted.

  “You’re wet for me. So fucking beautiful.” He kissed below her belly button and gently tugged the material down her hips. “I’ve been wanting to taste you since that day at the hospital.”

  “Ram.” His name was a plea he felt in his dick. She gripped his hair and writhed upward.

  Settling between her legs, he paid homage to her beautiful body. He teased her wet pussy with his fingers as he licked her clit. The soft moans and mewls she emitted became a symphony in his brain. He wanted to feel her come on his mouth. He alternated between tonguing her pussy and fingering the tight channel.

  “Ram, I can’t…” She pulled his hair. Her entire body tightened.

  “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Let go,” he whispered as he fingered her deeper. He rubbed his thumb across her sensitive clit in a slow, soft motion. “Come for me.”

  She reached for him, her intent clear. She wanted him to come as well. Fuck, resisting that temptation was almost impossible, but he wanted this moment to be about her.

  Only her.

  She writhed against his hand as they kissed. The cries of her release sounded around them. He’d wage wars to capture the softness in her eyes when she looked up at him.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered against her mouth.

  “Let me…”

  “I’m okay,” he assured her.

  “Ram.” She reached for him, running her hand into his pants. “That’s not how this is going to work with us. We’re equal opportunity orgasmers.”

  “Not sure that’s a word,” he teased. She fisted his hardened length and pumped. “Fuck. I’ll demand Webster make it one.” Need and pleasure coursed through him as they kissed.

  The world slipped away as she drove him over the edge. He came hard, crying out her name.

  “So perfect,” she whispered as she kissed him. “Better than I ever imagined.”

  Fuck yeah. As much as he wanted to draw her into his arms and remain there for the rest of the day, he didn’t want anyone to stumble across them. Folks didn’t respect land perimeters as much as they once had—a fact Dallas had warned him about.

  He drew her close and savored having her in his arms, relaxed and sated. For now, he’d hang on to the moment and forget about everything else. Bree was all that mattered.

  11

  Bree couldn’t help but smile as she entered the whiteboard room where everyone had congregated to discuss the mission. She’d had a wonderful time with Ram. Damn, that man could kiss. And the rest?

  Amazing.

  No. There wasn’t an adequate word to describe what they’d done. Her body tingled, as if reminding her there were better places to be and way better things to do than talk about Alex and his Vagabond crew of baddies.

  “Someone’s happy,” Zoey mumbled as she glanced up from her laptop. “How was the treasure hunt?”

  “How many of you were in on that?” Bree sat down. “It was awesome, by the way.”

  “I may have helped, but it was mostly Riley and Kamren.” Zoey grinned. “I’m thinking the hunt isn’t why you’re all smiles, though. Spill.”

  “Ram took me out on an ATV. It was great.”

  “The ATV or Ram?” Zoey wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ve gotta admit, he’s way up there on the commando scale.”

  “He is.” She sighed the admission. “I miss that scale. We had a lot of fun constructing it.”

  “No reason we can’t keep it. For the future sisterhood, you know.” Zoey glanced at the door. “Everyone should be here in a minute. Nolan had everyone running. I told them they’d better shower before showing up. Vi and Mary are dropping their kids with Momma Mason so we can go straight to your thing after this. You want to give me a hint what we’re doing?”

  “Constructing more micro drones. Riley needs some.”

  “Oh boy.” Zoey leaned back in her chair. “Wanna bet which big brother goes apocalyptic first?”

  “Nope. From what you shared on the video, she did well with her first solo case. They’ll trust her.” Riley was going to be a great investigator. She had the same drive as her brothers, as well as a natural gut instinct.

  Rhea entered the room. Bree grinned when her friend drew her into a hug, then sat. “Hey. How are you?”

  “Good. I was going to ask you the same thing. How’s motherhood?”

  “Amazing and terrifying,” Rhea admitted. “The two youngest, Kaylani and Dava, have adapted well. It’s Mike I’m worried about. He’s way too intense for an eight-year-old.”

  “TJ was the same way,” Zoey said. “He’ll calm once he knows he’s safe and loved. He’s got that in spades with you as a mom.”

  “She’s right.” Bree squeezed her friend’s hand. “Besides, Fallon’s been there. He was Mike at that age. If anyone can help him, it’s Fallon. How’s Nikki settling in? I feel terrible that I haven’t spoken with her yet.”

  “She just returned with Sol, actually. She’s looking forward to helping tonight, even though I have no clue what we’re doing.” Rhea’s expression turne
d concerned. “Is everything okay?”

  “No. Riley’s got a situation. She needs micro drones, so I need to get some made quick. My inventory is low. I figured you, me, and Nikki can do the bulk of the intricate tech work while everyone else who shows up to help can handle the rest.”

  “You’ll need more tasks,” Zoey said. “I suspect everyone will show up. By everyone, I mean all of our commandos.”

  “Then they can test the drones once they’re completed,” Rhea said. “We’ll set everything up down in the lower testing area we use. I’ll message Nikki and let her know. She’ll probably have most everything down there by the time we arrive. I’ll add you so you have her number and can give her an idea of what supplies you’ll want.”

  “That’s perfect.” Rhea always knew how to handle last-minute issues. She’d been the calm in Bree’s thunderstorm since they’d met. “Thanks. For everything. I’m sorry about the way things went down before I left. I never even got a chance to talk to you.”

  “That’s okay.” Rhea set her phone down. “I’m just glad you’re back. I’m here for whenever you need to talk. About anything. You know that, right?”

  “I do. I’m sorry if the stuff I shared in that meeting hurt you. That wasn’t ever my intent.”

  “I know. Fallon and I talked a lot about it afterward. I felt terrible I didn’t see how much you’ve been struggling,” Rhea admitted. “You’re always the first to jump in when something happens. I never realized how much you were internalizing stuff because we’ve always been open and honest with one another.”

  They had. “I didn’t want to pile on my worries and troubles onto everything you were going through. You and Fallon were still recovering from your ordeal. You both needed time to get over that and enjoy your time together.”

  “Promise you’ll always come to me,” Rhea said. “You’re like my sister. You’ve always been there when I needed you.”

  Not always. Bree bit back the reply. Rhea had her reasons for not sharing about her daughter and the horrible things she’d gone through before they met. While she didn’t blame Rhea for not telling her, she couldn’t deny it’d hurt. Tons. Why hadn’t they ever talked about it?