Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
E sme
A promise made.
My greatest fear was that it would be made in blood. That would destroy Hunter. That much I knew.
The other side of the coin was that I could lose him altogether. That would break me. I smiled, trying to hide the way I felt, but it was so hard, so incredibly difficult that sobs threatened to give me away.
“Don’t risk your life,” I told him.
“I have no choice. Keep in mind, that’s what I’m trained to do. I must say, I’m damn good at it.” He grinned as if this was all fun and games.
“Don’t make fun of this.”
“I’m not in the least.”
Why did I have a feeling his loyalty, not only to his country but to his family, was being tested? It made me sick inside, angry yet there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Hunter was determined to go through with risking his life to save mine.
Honorable but devastating.
I was the one who took our drinks away, placing them on the bench beside the hot tub. When I straddled his waist, I witnessed the very moment the soldier returned, but there was so much heat between us, so much to cherish that nothing would stop our passion from exploding.
Sighing, I rubbed his upper chest, tingling from the electric sensations as the bubbles licked at our skin. His eyes were shimmering in the colorful lights, his skin glowing. I’d never felt so much love in my life. It was crazy, a wild whirlwind of romance that we couldn’t deny.
“Stop worrying, little butterfly. Your soldier will return home.” He lifted me onto my knees with one hand, positioning the tip of his cock against my pussy.
“I know you will. But if you don’t, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.”
“I think it’s the other way around.” He was smiling until he noticed the single tear trickling down my face. There was no chance he knew how touching it was when he scooped it up with his knuckle, bringing his finger to his mouth.
The moment was hypnotic, adding to the joy of being with him all alone. I rubbed his face, tracing his mustache with my finger.
As he pulled me down, his cock sliding into the depth of my wetness, I closed my eyes and moaned. The feeling while being with him was incredible, the sensations doing their best to drive the sadness away.
My muscles clenched around the thickness, which pushed my pulse higher. I leaned into him, pressing both hands against his chest, my fingers kneading his skin.
“Look at me, butterfly. See what you do to me?”
I did as he asked, realizing his gaze was even more piercing than ever. “You feel so good.”
“Baby, you have no idea how incredible you make me feel. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. Nothing I deserve.”
“We’ll agree to disagree on that.” I rose onto my knees, only the tip of his cock remaining inside. When I eased down again, I let off a hot and heavy breath. He rubbed my back, his nostrils flaring before he took a deep breath and held it.
Everything about this moment was intoxicating. Everything about being with him felt right. And I’d be damned if I was going to allow him to risk what we’d finally found.
Each other.
I squeezed my legs, locking his together as I bucked hard against him. I could tell by his smile he was allowing me to take control. Somehow, I doubted it would last for long.
As soon as I raked my nails down his chest, laughing after doing so, he pulled my hands behind my back. The man with the huge hands wrapped one around both wrists, holding me in place.
“You really think that was going to work?” he asked. At least his playfulness had returned. He proved just how powerful his body was as he lifted his pelvis off the surface, pounding into me, his eyes never leaving mine.
A string of moans pushed past my lips as he rocked hard against me. I had no control other than squeezing my thighs, keeping him as close to me as possible. I was fearful if I let him go, he would suddenly vanish.
Together we made love, the softness of his hand as he stroked my face and neck keeping my heart racing. I was lost in him, so much so that I couldn’t blink. Breathing was the only thing I could do. I’d never felt so intensely into anyone and I refused to fall prey to emotions. Neither one of us deserved that. Not right now.
The water splashed all around us, the steam rising from the hot tub adding to the moment of scalding sin. Beads of sweat rolled down both sides of his face as I knew several were doing on mine. My pulse was so high, the vibrations tearing through me some of the most incredible yet.
As my body responded to the heavy round of passion, I threw my head back. Only the light flakes and the frigid air kept me from overheating.
The orgasm rushed through me like a tidal wave, hitting me so hard I gasped for more than just air. There were no adequate words to describe the electrified way I felt, or the building need that refused to be denied. This man, this special night would always be with me.
“Oh…” My single cry was seconds before I started to come down from the plateau. I could tell he was close to coming, close to filling me with his seed.
I licked my lips before capturing his, grasping onto his growls as he finally released his hold. I wrapped my arms around his neck, cradling his head against mine as he erupted deep inside.
The rush, the extreme intensity made me lightheaded, and as soon as he thrust his tongue inside my mouth, I allowed the tears to fall all over again. But only this once. I would hold them back until the nightmare was over.
Until the hunt was completed and he came home to me.
Hunter
“Yes?”
The unknown number made me leery of answering the phone, but I had no choice.
I waited.
I listened.
And I still fumed.
The entire plan was out of the ordinary and anything of that nature made me nervous. We had no special coms and even if the perpetrator was miles out of town, we were still located in a populated area. That added to the danger level. I questioned whether our skills were rusty. God, I hoped not.
At least I knew my instincts were still spot on. The thought was almost laughable. I’d remained conflicted the rest of the night, fighting the need to remain angry with my father while also accepting he’d also been following orders. He didn’t need to explain the reasons why. It remained his job and one he obviously loved.
In my years of doing my part of black ops, I’d learned those who fought the system in certain ways often disappeared. That was how important and dangerous our work had been.
As the man on the other end of the line recited his clearance, I headed into the kitchen. Esme was upstairs, but I knew how worried she was at the thought of what could happen. Hell, so was I.
I recited my code name in return, curious as to what I was dealing with.
“We have limited information on the person you’re looking for.”
While I didn’t recognize the voice, I remembered what my father had told me. However, in learning the details, I was thrown by the assailant he identified. Not that it was impossible, yet I was a cautious man and my instincts were usually spot on. Hearing the target had been seen fifty miles away didn’t mean anything but annoyance. Maybe the person wanted us to believe I was no longer a target.
Bullshit.
It was all a game. Only I still wasn’t confident in the list of players.
More than half the day had passed, the afternoon sky turning foreboding. I was antsy as fuck, constantly checking the surroundings.
“Do you understand your assignment?” the unknown man asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“Good luck, soldier. You’ll need it. Details including photographs will be sent to you. If you do not succeed?—”
“I’m well aware of what happens if my team fails,” I interrupted. We’d be ostracized, never contacted again. What bothered me more than anything else was the thought of our information going public. Would this organization be so outwardly bold as to do so in retaliation for our failure? Without knowing who comprised the group Dad had been sucked into, I had no concept of their viewpoints or trigger mechanisms.
That not only troubled me, but pissed me off. It felt as if we were the scapegoats because of one mission.
Yeah, I had a feeling the three of us needed more than just luck at this point. We were bargaining with the devil all over again.
“After the emails are sent, there will be no further contact unless it’s learned your security is breached. Other than that, you will be on your own,” the man stated.
“And what if our security is breached?”
“Then a team will be sent to assist you.”
There was always a ‘but.’ This time the ‘but’ was that this team might not make it in time.
What was the difference? Except for that single mission, I’d been on my own for years. Sighing, I held the phone in my hand as what the contact had told me filtered into the correct places in my mind.
I’d need to tell Esme something regarding how long I’d be gone, but I honestly didn’t know what else to say at this point. I’d already told her too much, at least more than I’d initially been comfortable in doing. However, my father was right in that she deserved to know what she was dealing with. It wasn’t that I wanted her to choose to leave. Just the opposite. Yet I also wanted her safe and with the new target in town, that meant the danger level was high.
Redline.
I also had no clue what I wanted to do about the new status we could earn. Doing so would definitely mean leaving Danger Falls at least for extended periods of time. That was no way of handling a business or a relationship.
“You heard something,” he stated.
I’d dialed Shephard’s number. “Yeah, I received the call. The perpetrator has moved out of town.”
“You’re kidding?” he asked.
“No. We’re good to go, but I’m not feeling this.”
“Your instincts?”
“Yeah. They’re telling me the person supposedly involved isn’t working alone.” The truth I could no longer place any trust in a system where the people involved had kept their operatives in the dark. It felt as if this organization was crumbling around the edges, requiring someone to take the fall. I wasn’t going to play a victim nor would I allow my brothers and other family members to be toyed with.
“Maybe not, brother, but we’ll handle it.”
I closed my eyes. “I guess we have no choice. But hear me. We need to be extra cautious. Something isn’t right.”
He sighed. “We will be. I have no faith either. Head over to the resort. Jagger’s already there. I need to ensure the manager is on track for taking my place. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Not in the least.” I wasn’t ready to tell him I was sketchy about the details provided. Maybe I was the one with trust issues.
“Yeah, I hear you. Maybe you should have Esme stay with Bella.”
“What about Denise?”
“She’s a hardhead. You know that. I’ll try and enforce the rules, but she’s a tough lady.” His laugh didn’t provide any comfort.
“I get it. I’ll think about it. I’ll meet you there in an hour.”
“Good deal.”
Why did I feel like I was betraying everything and everyone I knew?
I didn’t need to turn around to know I wasn’t alone. Esme was standing right behind me.
“You’re leaving.” Her words held almost no emotion. After the night we’d shared, the passion that had roared through both of us, it saddened me to think she’d lost faith.
Or trust.
“Yeah, just for a couple days.” I turned around to face her, my heart instantly aching. This was the exact reason all operatives were advised not to get close to anyone. Fear of losing them and an even worse fear of being unable to come home.
“Why can’t you just stay here and do what you need to? Use your house as a base point.”
She walked closer, her body language indicating she wasn’t going to give up without a fight. With her arms folded, she looked more formidable than she had in the hot tub.
“I think you know why I can’t do that.”
“Enlighten me.”
“Your safety, number one. The continued safety of my family and the townspeople. We can’t have anyone in the crosshairs if this goes bad. That’s why I want you to consider staying with Bella at her place or both of you heading out of town for a few days.”
“Goes bad. You mean if you’re killed.”
She waited for my response and I refused to give her what she was looking for.
Fear.
Esme shook her head. “Bella and I both have jobs. Someone needs to keep an eye on the resort while the three of you are playing soldier. We also have lives. What’s the difference with Denise? She’s likely in danger as well. Right? Or are you target zero?”
“All three of you are in danger, but Denise has a background in law enforcement.”
“Oh,” she said as she walked closer. “That means she can handle herself and Bella and I can’t. Right?”
“I didn’t mean that. I just…” Hell, I wasn’t making this any better. “It means I will worry about you because you belong to me.”
“Right,” she mused. “Which isn’t good for a soldier in combat, but this isn’t a war.”
“Baby, it is a war. Maybe it’s on American soil, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. I won’t put you in harm’s way. That’s why this needs to be the way it is.”
“Right. Okay.” Her tone indicated she didn’t sound the least bit convinced.
“Everything will work out.”
“You believe that because you’re trained. You’re used to dealing with acts of violence, but you haven’t been on the receiving end. You don’t know what’s it’s like to wonder why or if anything could have been done differently.”
“If only I could have been there when your parents were killed.” I rubbed her arm. I meant what I’d said. The bastard would be six feet under.
“I know and I adore you for that, but you have no idea how many people you’re dealing with. Do you? Are you certain this person who’s already been tracked down is the right man? What if there’s a mistake? What if whoever provided you with a name and from what I gathered a basic location lied to you, steered you in the wrong direction?”
I already had that in the back of my mind. “I assure you my instinct will determine if the mark is the right one. We will have a contingency plan set in motion.”
Esme nodded, but she was reliving the horror she’d experienced years before. Just like I’d been doing. “I don’t like this. How long will you be gone?”
If only I had an answer for that. “I don’t know. That’s the truth.”
When she crowded my space, I wasn’t entirely certain whether she was going to tell me to go to hell. Instead, she grabbed both sides of my shirt, pulling herself closer. “Here me out, you damn grumpy guy. I don’t want to lose you. Whatever decision you make about your dream job is up to you and I’ll respect that, but you dying isn’t acceptable. Do you hear me?”
I pulled her even closer. “I already told you. I’m not going to allow that to happen. I have far too much to live for. You.”
At least she smiled, but her eyes told the story of how anxious she would remain. “Keep that in mind.”
“I doubt you’ll let me forget. Now, come with me.”
“Where?”
“I’m going to give you some protection.” She followed me to where I kept the weapons. As soon as I selected one for her, she laughed unreservedly.
“Wait a minute. I thought you said I wasn’t ready.”
“You not having a way to defend yourself is also unacceptable. Let me show you. There’s nothing different about this one except it’s a little lighter.”
As I showed her how to use the weapon, including slapping in the magazine of ammunition, she had a distant look in her eyes. She was angry, but doing her best not to try to keep me from going.
“You think this is going to work?” she asked.
“It will. Plus, you’re going to do exactly what I tell you to do.”
She smiled again, but there was tremendous fear in her eyes. “Always the man in charge.”
“Yes. You should remember that. Now, do you think you can handle using the weapon?” I asked as gently as possible.
“Yeah. I can. Have faith in me. I’m much stronger than you think.”
I wasn’t going to remind her strength could come up against a conniving son of a bitch determined to win the day and the battle. She didn’t need to have any more worry added to her plate.
At this point, I was doing enough worrying for the both of us.
Something just didn’t feel right.
Fuck. I didn’t like this shit plan one bit.
Maybe it was because of our father’s last statement to all three of us.
“You need to remain vigilant about your surroundings.”
“Why, Pops? Is there something we should know?” I’d asked.
He’d always been a damn good poker player, capable of hiding every single emotion deep inside. Not on this night. His expression screamed loudly that he wasn’t comfortable with the information we’d received. None of us were. Yet if we failed to go on this mission, danger would come to us. That was clear and easy to determine.
Time wasn’t on our side. The three of us felt the crushing weight of what we were prepared to do. The Shenandoah Mountains weren’t Afghanistan or the Italian Peninsula. They certainly weren’t Turkey or the outskirts of barren Russia. However, the battle we’d been tasked to fight was similar, the target even more dangerous.
We left out the back of the hotel. Dressed in all black combat fatigue, our appearances could have frightened the guests or staff, so we’d been careful. We were taking Jagger’s Range Rover, my brother already stocking the vehicle with weapons, yet I’d brought my own guns as well. We had no clue what we were facing.
“I don’t like this,” Shephard stated from the passenger seat. We were already almost thirty miles outside of town heading west. The weather was deteriorating, the wind kicking up with gusts over thirty miles per hour. With additional snow in the forecast coming at any time, it was possible the roads would become treacherous within an hour or so given the frigid temperatures. Even with the potential dangers, nothing was going to stop me from seeking revenge.
Woman or no woman, the bitch had crossed the line when she’d placed Esme’s life in danger.
We continued in silence for another couple of miles, but all three of us were anxious.
“You know what? Something isn’t right,” Jagger admitted. “Do either one of you question the fact a mafia princess is behind this entire situation? Yeah, I know. Maybe she thinks of herself as a soldier, but why in God’s name would her father allow her to come to America alone to act on some vendetta?”
“She could be acting on her own,” Shephard suggested.
Maybe. “Part of it makes sense given what Esme saw, a woman driving that truck. However, if this is Giuseppe’s daughter, I am asking myself if this is just about revenge. Is she bucking for leadership? Is this about the love of her brother?” My questions were met with a snort from Jagger.
At least we had confirmation she’d arrived in the country and the location where she was supposedly holed up. The photograph was grainy, but the computer had matched her identity at a ninety-three percent chance. I’d gone on missions with less.
“From what I read before we left, she is a soldier, not a princess. And she’s damn good at what she does.” Shephard turned his head and while I couldn’t see his expression, I could feel the heat from his anger. He was still debating how to handle the news.
“A source?” I asked.
He nodded. “I still have a few buddies who owe me a favor. There’s some talk about the Carlotto family invading New York. Maybe the family is cleaning up loose ends.”
“A whole lot of maybes,” I grumbled, still trying to put all the pieces together. This smelled to high heaven.
I doubted the three of us would come to terms with everything our father had told us for a long time. If ever.
“If the information is correct, Anastasia is holed up near Pike’s Peak.” I glanced at my phone for the fifth time, longing to contact Esme. Just to hear her voice was everything I needed. “FYI. The reception is shitty.”
Both the weather and the lack of satellite coverage were issues. While my handheld was still operating, I had a bad feeling we’d be on our own far too soon. This had to go exactly like the plan I’d developed in my head or not only would we face danger, we’d also run the risk of losing what could be the only opportunity to stop the madness.
“At least we’re close,” I said more in passing as I stared out the window. At this point, almost every thought was consumed with whether Esme would remain safe. The nagging was getting to a point where I was ready to call the entire mission off.
Where we were currently positioned was a little-known area, a location that had the most magnificent views of anywhere in the mountains. Sadly, the townspeople had called it Death Row given the number of tragic accidents that had occurred over the years.
“Yeah, well, the snow is already starting to fall,” Jagger noted.
“Why didn’t Dad choose fucking Florida instead of the mountains?” I groused, the question rhetorical. Given what he’d told us, he’d positioned himself in an area of the country that could still keep his cover while being close to Washington, DC and the Pentagon as well as a dozen major military bases.
The man was clever. If I had to guess, I’d say he was also damn good at his job. Keeping us in the dark had clearly been difficult for him. Still, there were so many questions, including what the hell I would end up deciding. Yes, returning to the life was tempting, but there was so much more to experience while I was still alive.
“I don’t give a shit about the snow,” I stated, as if my vote on whether to keep going was the only one that mattered.
“Let’s just secure our mark and get the hell back home.” Jagger was as insistent as I was.
“How was Carlotto’s daughter found?” Shephard asked.
“She arrived on a private plane that touched down at Dulles. From there, she was tracked by satellite and photo recognition after getting gas twice on her route, the last just a few miles from here. A lure if you ask me. Her vehicle is another Dodge Ram just like the one that was torched.” What bothered the fuck out of me was that she’d looked directly at the camera. As if she had been baiting us. The nagging continued.
“Fascinating that she’s an operative yet she allowed herself to be photographed,” Jagger said as he glanced into the rearview mirror.
I sat back, staring at the photograph.
“Not typical behavior,” I added. “Unless she wants us to find her.”
“You think so?” Shephard grinned.
A sudden sick sense washed over me. This was just part of the game, only we weren’t doing the hunting.
We were the ones being hunted.
“Yeah, I do. Which is why there needs to be a change of plans. Turn the fuck around.”