Risky Extraction

Chapter 12

Walking out of the church behind hundreds of people who were there to celebrate the life of a military veteran and his wife hit way too close to home. Allyson swallowed the lump in her throat as she watched Crash prepare to bury his friends. How does this happen to people?

She’d spoken to Aubry before the funeral, and he’d confirmed what she suspected. He said Wyatt wouldn’t have been able to move his legs, and Ellie probably wasn’t conscious when the accident happened. Aaron had assured her he would keep Crash updated on everything.

Over the last week, having him and the kids under her roof hadn’t been bad. She enjoyed spending time with Caleb and Mila while Crash, Mack, Ryan, and some of the guys from NES helped finish the house. Keith had even got his brothers together to help move things along faster.

When she’d offered to watch the kids for the funeral, Crash asked if she would come. At first, she wasn’t sure because, as a military vet, Wyatt would get the whole veteran send-off, and she knew it would bring back memories of burying Trent.

Crash expressed that he needed her for moral support and that she wanted to be there for him. She may have put a stop to a romantic relationship between them, but next to Bethany, he was her best friend.

She watched Crash hug and shake hands with people, but she was worried about him. When he arrived at the church, he looked furious and barely spoke to anyone before the service. He didn’t seem to be dealing well with the grief of losing his two friends, but who would?

“He knows about what the coroner found,” Keith said as he stepped beside her.

“You mean about their injuries?” Allyson asked.

“Yeah, A.J. called before we left for the funeral.” Keith towered over her.

Allyson turned her gaze back to Crash. His eyes met hers, and a shiver ran through her body. Was he angry with her? He’d never looked at her like that before, and when she mouthed the words, ‘Are you okay?’ His lips formed into a tight line.

The rest of the afternoon, he seemed to avoid her. At his parents for the reception, he spent most of his time with his brother or the people he worked with. Her only solace was Megan sitting with her for a while, and she thanked her for helping Crash while he was finishing his house.

When she was ready to go home, Crash disappeared, and nobody seemed to know where he’d gone. When Mack approached her, she grabbed her coat and pulled it on in the foyer.

“Thanks for coming, Allyson,” Mack held her coat while she shoved her arms into the sleeves.

“I’m glad I could be here for all of you,” She zipped up her jacket and smiled at Crash’s father.

“Well, at least they won’t be under your feet too much longer. We’ll have everything done by the end of next week,” Mack told her.

Her heart dropped. She enjoyed having Caleb and Mila around, and if she was being honest, she was getting used to seeing Crash every day. She knew the whole arrangement wasn’t permanent, but a small part wished it was.

“That’s wonderful, not that I mind having them here. They’re the sweetest, and considering what they’ve been through, I see they’re adjusting well.” Allyson forced a smile.

“Brent said Caleb knows about his parents.” Mack sighed.

“Yes, but he seems to be dealing with it okay,” Allyson said.

“Iris feels horrible that he overheard her.” Mack shook his head.

“She didn’t realize he was there.” Allyson knew Crash’s mother would never hurt anyone, especially those kids.

The little boy would talk about how his mom and dad were in heaven, and now he would always have angels watching over him. She was glad Cameron had told the little boy because Caleb seemed to open up.

“I guess I’m going to head home. Let Cameron and Lily leave. They have school in the morning.” Allyson opened the door.

“Brent already left to pick up the kids.” Mack stared at her with confusion.

“Oh, yes, I forgot.” Allyson stepped through the door.

She left the house feeling embarrassed that Crash hadn’t told her he would get the kids. Allyson had no idea where he would take them since the house still needed some work done. Maybe he was spending the night with his family; after all, they had all lost Wyatt and Ellie.

When she pulled into her driveway, his truck was still there, but Cameron’s vehicle was gone. She assumed her son had brought Lily home or Sandy had come to get the girl. Lily didn’t drive.

Allyson entered the house, and the only light came from the living room. She pulled off her coat, hung it next to the door, and noticed how quiet it was. She found Crash next to the window with his back to her.

“They were murdered.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I know,” she replied.

“They think Ellie wasn’t awake when the crash happened, and Wyatt was… paralyzed… but… I heard her scream.” Crash sniffed.

He’d told her about the call from Wyatt the day they died. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to deal with knowing she’d heard her friends scream as they plunged to their deaths.

“Did you tell A.J. that?” Allyson wasn’t sure how much he’d told Aaron.

“No,” Crash returned.

Allyson walked toward him, but he turned around and held up his hands. His jaw clenched, his eyes had turned a dark hazel, and all signs of the green flecks were gone.

“Talk to me,” Allyson whispered.

“Why? You didn’t tell me the injuries weren’t because of the accident.” Crash’s voice cracked.

“I couldn’t tell you because I didn’t know for sure,” Allyson stepped closer.

“I know that in here,” Crash pointed to his head. “But in here.” He pointed to his chest. “I’m pissed that a stranger told me.”

Allyson closed her eyes briefly to blink back the tears that had formed. She never wanted to upset him, but she also couldn’t break the rules at the hospital, no matter how much she cared about him.

“I’m…” She began, but he stopped her.

“You don’t need to apologize. You were doing your job.” Crash walked around her and sat on the couch.

He rested his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands. Allyson’s heart broke for him, and she wished she could do something to fix it all. She’d give anything to take away his pain.

“Megan took the kids for the night. She’s staying at my parents’ place. I think Mom asked her to do it because she saw how pissed I was. I may have broken a bottle when I threw it at the shed.” Crash sighed.

Allyson sat on the coffee table in front of him. She itched to pull him into her arms and tell him everything would be okay. Holding him would let him know she cared about what he was going through. She’d do anything to take away the pained look on his face.

“What if I can’t do this? I don’t know anything about raising kids.” Crash’s voice trembled.

“Brent, no parent knows everything.” She certainly made her share of mistakes.

“But I’m not their fucking parent. I’m their consolation prize because some bastard decided to take two of the best people in the world.” Crash fisted the hair at the top of his head.

“You’re not a consolation prize, and I’m damn well sure Ellie and Wyatt made you their guardian because they knew you would take care of their babies.” Allyson gripped both his hands and held them between hers.

“I couldn’t even tell Caleb his parents were gone. He had to overhear it from a conversation my mom was having.” Crash shook his head as tears streamed down his cheeks.

“You would’ve told him, and you would’ve made sure he knows everyone loves him. He knows, and that’s what matters. He’s dealing with it okay right now, but you’ll be there for him when it gets hard,” Allyson encouraged.

Crash lifted his gaze to meet hers. Allyson physically hurt seeing the agony in his eyes. She moved closer and cupped his face as she wiped the tears away. She kissed his cheek and then pulled back.

“You’re the only person for those babies. Don’t you know how wonderful you are? How loving and sweet you are to everyone?” Allyson whispered as her eyes blurred with tears.

How could he not know what an incredibly amazing man he was? He was kind, intelligent, strong, and would give the shirt off his back to someone who needed it.

“Ally,” Crash whispered.

“No, those kids are so lucky to have you. Do you know how I know?” Allyson moved closer.

“No.”

“Because I thank God every day that you came into my life. I’m lucky to have such an amazing friend. I care about you so much, and if things were different…” Allyson stopped herself before she told him exactly how she felt.

“Ally,” Crash lifted his hand to cup her cheek.

His thumb glided featherlike across her jaw, and her mouth parted. She was playing with fire, but having him touch her was something she couldn’t resist anymore. When he leaned forward, she held her breath as his lips touched her cheek.

“Brent.” She sighed.

His lips moved to the corner of her mouth as his fingers slipped around her neck. He pressed soft kisses along her jaw to her chin, then he tilted his head and put his mouth a breath away from hers.

“I need you, Ally,” Crash murmured against her lips.

“I…” She closed her eyes when he lightly touched her lower lip.

“Ally, please don’t push me away,” Crash whispered as he pressed his mouth against hers.

Allyson whimpered as his other hand slipped into her hair, and she tilted her head. His mouth moved against hers in a slow, seductive dance, and when he licked the corner of her lips, she opened for him. Crash plunged his tongue into her mouth, and she sucked it into her mouth, driving him crazy with desire.

Allyson moaned as he stood up and pulled her with him. She snaked her arms around his waist and fisted the back of his shirt, pulling his hard body tight against hers. One of his hands moved down to the small of her back, and the other stayed tangled in her hair.

Crash didn’t hold back; this kiss was more heated than the last one. Allyson could feel his hardening length against her belly, and she squeezed her thighs together to ease the arousal.

“Brent,” she breathed into his mouth.

“Ally,” he returned with a groan.

The sound snapped her small amount of restraint, and she tugged at his shirt until it was out of his pants. Crash pulled away from her lips long enough to tear the garment over his head in that sexy, one-handed, over-the-head move. Her hands glided up his warm, hard body, feeling every muscle flex under her touch.

“Fuck, I’ve wanted your hands on me for so long.” he sighed against her cheek.

She held her breath as his fingers worked the zipper at the back of her dress. Ever so slowly, he lowered it as his kisses traveled down her neck. His lips moved across her shoulder as her dress slipped down her body.

“Brent,” she gasped when his fingers glided across the top of her breast.

“I need you, Ally. I need you like I need air,” Crash whispered when her dress slid to the floor.

“Brent, we…” Allyson began.

“We can, Ally. We belong together, and if the last week taught me anything, life’s too short for regrets.” He ran his hand down her body.

“But…” Allyson tried again.

“Let’s be together, even if it’s only for tonight.” Crash kissed the side of her neck.

Allyson knew he wouldn’t listen unless she stepped away from him. It took all her strength, but she managed to step back far enough that his lips and body couldn’t distract her.

“Ally,” Crash moved toward her.

“Let me speak.” She pressed her hand against his chest.

“Okay,” he whispered.

“I need to lock the door so nobody walks in. Nobody in this town knocks anymore.” She smirked as she picked up her dress.

“Huh?” Crash stared as if she was speaking another language.

“I’m locking the door and going to my room.” Allyson backed out of the living room. “You can meet me there. If you still want to.”

With those words, she quickly checked the front door and sprinted up the steps to her bedroom. She hung her dress over the chair next to the window and sat on her bed, her heart racing and her hands trembling.

Allyson wasn’t sure how she should feel when he walked into the room—if he did. She shouldn’t be doing this, but she was tired of fighting her feelings for him. He deserved to know the truth, but she first needed this one night with him. It was selfish, but at least she would know how it felt to be with the man who owned her soul.