Chapter 23
Mia stretched, missing Cullen’s warmth. She yawned and opened her eyes to find him putting more wood on the fire. He turned his head to her and grinned.
That crooked smile made her stomach flutter. She held out her hand for him, which he took. Then she pulled him back toward her.
A long breath left him as he lay on his back and brought her against him. They hadn’t spoken since making love, and in truth, she wasn’t so sure she wanted any words to shatter whatever was happening between them.
It was an illusion, she knew. One that would be broken shortly when they left the cabin. But for every heartbeat they had, she held to it tightly.
“The sun will be up soon,” he said, putting his other arm behind his head.
She tried not to be disappointed, but couldn’t quite manage it. “I know.”
“I don’t want to leave either.”
Her eyes closed. If only she could make the world stand still. But it wasn’t fair for her and Cullen to find any sort of pleasure when Orrin suffered.
Cullen’s fingers slid through her hair. He was everything that she had expected and more. His hands had played her body with skillful fingers, bringing her to heights she hadn’t known existed.
The way they’d lain in each other’s arms afterward had been amazing. It wasn’t just because her body hummed with ecstasy. Something had happened. It hung in the air, surrounding them.
She worried that in that one night, he might have stolen her heart. Of course, she wouldn’t say anything. It wouldn’t be wise. Not now, at least.
Mia placed a kiss on his chest and sat up. His hand grabbed hers before she could rise. When she looked at him, his brow was furrowed in thought.
She waited for him to speak, to tell her what was on his mind. Finally, she rose to her feet. And this time, he didn’t stop her.
While she showered, she wondered what he’d wanted to say. Had he wanted to tell her it was a casual thing between them?
It was how she’d pegged him from the start. Unfortunately, she didn’t do casual. She was all in or not at all.
She finished her shower quickly. When she walked into the bedroom where she kept some clothes, she heard him up and moving about.
Mia found a pair of khaki cargos and a long-sleeved black henley shirt. After she’d put her hair in a ponytail, she returned to the living room to tug on her boots.
When she’d finished, she looked up to find Cullen holding out the jacket she had left in the cabin. She accepted it with a smile. While she put on the coat, he doused the fire.
She took one last look around the place, her gaze lingering on the floor before the fireplace while she tucked her guns and knives in place. She’d never be able to be here again and not think of Cullen.
“Ready?” he asked from behind her.
She turned to see him at the door, waiting for her. “Yes. Let’s go.”
They walked from the cabin into the stillness of the early morning. She saw a glimpse of soft gray sky as the sun began its ascent.
“Where do you think we’ll find Yuri?” she asked a little later.
Cullen jumped from an outcropping of rock to the ground two feet below. “Sergei might know,” he said and turned to help her.
She smiled at him, ignoring his hand as she jumped down beside him. “Are all you Texas boys so chivalrous?”
“Afraid so, darlin’. It’s in the water.”
Unable to help herself, she laughed softly. He really made her want to see Texas, specifically the Loughman Ranch.
They set off together again, winding through the trees, keeping far from any trails. Her thoughts turned to Sergei, and the potential problems a visit to him might cause.
“Sergei warned us not to return,” she said.
Cullen briefly met her gaze. “If you can think of another option, I’m open.”
“I can’t.”
“Then I can’t see that we have any other choice. Sergei will either know how to get ahold of Yuri or can lead us to him.”
“If he will,” she added. “You’re assuming Sergei will help. You saw him the last time. He wants no part in this.”
Cullen moved a branch out of the way, ducking as he walked under it. “Sergei Chzov has a soft spot for you.”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I’m not going to use that.”
“The last time we visited, everyone saw us enter and leave. This time, we need to get to him without any of the others seeing us.”
He’d lost his mind. She was sure of it. “You were at the same building at the docks that I was, right? You saw all his men, the guns?”
“I did.”
“How do you expect us to get past them without anyone alerting Sergei?”
Cullen’s hazel eyes held a mischievous glint. “His home, of course.”
“Of course,” she repeated, shaking her head. “That’s even more of a fortress.”
Before she could blink, he’d stopped and had her pinned against a tree. His face lowered so that his lips brushed hers seductively.
Her body heated rapidly at the feel of his hard muscles. She gripped his arms, afraid that he would back away yet afraid that he wouldn’t.
She wanted his kiss, longed for it with a hunger that startled her. Her sex clenched, aching to feel him inside her. After one night, she was addicted.
Completely, utterly obsessed.
“Do you trust me?” he whispered.
Her eyes met his. “Yes.”
His response was a slow smile before his lips moved over hers. She leaned her head to the side and parted her lips. Their tongues met, danced as a groan rumbled in his chest.
The call of a hawk reminded her where they were. The kiss ended and he rested his forehead against hers. For several minutes, they remained that way.
“Damn, but I ache for you,” he murmured.
It felt like a flight of birds had taken off in her stomach. She touched his face and leaned her head back. “Me, too.”
He took a step away, clearing his throat. “We should keep moving.”
“Yeah.”
She wasn’t sure what was wrong with her. She’d never acted like this with anyone before. The desire was so thick, so overwhelming, that it was all she could think about.
It only grew now that she knew what it was to be loved by Cullen. The idea that he could want her as frantically as she did him made her almost giddy.
And giddy was something she’d never been in her life. Even as a little girl.
He threw everything out of whack. She was off balance around him. He turned her world upside down and around, and she kept coming back for more. Was she a glutton for punishment?
She must be, because she couldn’t get enough of him.
He moved ahead of her in a narrow spot, allowing her to get a look at his fine ass. She knew his body, knew the feel of those muscles moving beneath her hand, bunching and shifting. She’d felt the strength and tenderness.
Wearing clothes and without, there wasn’t a man who could compare. Cullen Loughman was so different from any man she knew. Perhaps that was the appeal.
Or maybe she just had a soft spot for a Texas drawl. All she knew was that she liked being with him.
“You told me your secret last night,” he said.
She frowned, wondering at the unease in his voice. “I did.”
“You were right. Everyone has secrets.”
“What’s yours?”
He stopped and faced her, swallowing as he met her gaze. “It’s one I’ve never told anyone.”
“I’ll never repeat it.”
“It’s not going to matter much longer, anyway. I’m sure in the time you spent with Orrin he talked about how every man in the Loughman family has served his country.”
She nodded, slowly. “He did.”
“Dad never forced it on us, but we all knew it was expected. At least, I felt that way. Both Wyatt and Owen couldn’t wait to join.”
“And you weren’t so keen,” she guessed as it all came together.
“All I wanted was to stay at the ranch and run it. I was good at it. You say being a pilot was your calling. Ranching is mine.”
“You joined the Marines anyway. You didn’t have to. Orrin wouldn’t have said anything to you.”
“I know,” Cullen said quickly. “After I joined, I didn’t even have to try very hard. It all came so easily. And when I did put everything into it . . . I didn’t fail. Not once.”
She closed the distance between them and linked her fingers with his. “How is it going to end soon?”
“I’m resigning my commission after we find Dad. I’m going back to the ranch where I’ve always belonged.”
Hazel eyes searched her face. She smiled up at him, giving him her full support. “You’ve continued the tradition of your family and served your country with honor. There’s nothing disgraceful about doing what you want to do now.”
His shoulders relaxed, and a smile pulled at his lips. As if he’d been relieved of a thousand pounds upon his shoulders, he continued walking with a renewed purpose.
She couldn’t imagine how long he’d been holding that secret. But he was free of it now. He was also free to do whatever he wanted.
Unfortunately, she didn’t think she would be a part of his future.
They reached the Jeep. He tossed her the keys as they both climbed inside. She started the engine and turned on the heater. She rubbed her hands together for warmth before she put the vehicle in drive and drove over the rugged terrain for three miles until they reached the road.
“You weren’t kidding that you hid the Jeep,” she said with a smile.
He chuckled and held onto the handle above the door. “I wasn’t going to take any chances.”
“You did that in the dark in a place you hadn’t been before. Impressive.”
“Thanks.”
She glanced at him, sharing a smile. She was impressed. Was there nothing Cullen couldn’t do? She didn’t like being told something was impossible, but to him, that word didn’t exist.
They had been on the road for a few minutes when he said, “Is there a way you can get a message to Sergei?”
“I think so. Is that how you’re going to get us inside his home?”
“Yes, ma’am. He won’t refuse you. Once inside, with none of his men listening, he might help us.”
She kept the Jeep at a steady speed as she navigated the sharp turns of the mountain. “I hope you’re right.”
“Me, too.”
She looked in her rearview mirror and saw a fast approaching black Suburban. “I believe we have company.”
He turned around and looked behind him. “Shit.”
“What do I do?”
“Get us off this damn mountain.”
She sped up, trying to keep distance between the SUV and them. When a second Suburban joined the chase, her heart began thumping against her ribs.
The sound of a gunshot had her ducking her head. Cullen muttered curses as he drew out his gun and rolled down the window. Then he unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned out, his gun pointed behind them as he began firing.
The exchange of bullets only worsened the situation. She was a good driver, but the Jeep wasn’t a plane. She couldn’t control it as she did her aircraft.
The second SUV zoomed forward, coming even with them and slamming into her. She looked into the vehicle beside her and saw the gun pointed in her direction.
Cullen’s hand grabbed her shoulder, pushing her back. A second later, her window exploded. She turned her head away from the flying glass while Cullen emptied more bullets into the SUV beside them.
When she righted herself, the Suburban had backed off, but the men in the first vehicle were still firing at them. It would only be a matter of time before a bullet found either her or Cullen.
“Fuck,” Cullen muttered as he ducked back into the vehicle and ejected his clip before slamming another into his gun. Then he was leaning back out his window, trying to hit the Suburban behind them.
“Who are these people?” she asked.
He hurriedly ducked back inside the Jeep as several guns went off, spraying the vehicle. “The Saints found us.”
That’s what she’d suspected. Damn, didn’t these people have lives? Was it luck that allowed the Saints to find them? Or did the group have men posted all around the mountain?
A third SUV pulled out as they raced past a secluded road.
“Watch it!” Cullen yelled in warning.
Mia saw the two SUVs come up on either side of them. They slammed into the Jeep on both sides. She tried to keep control of the vehicle, but the Suburbans had more power.
They suddenly pulled away just as the third SUV rammed the Jeep from behind. The second hit was directed at the left bumper, sending them spinning.
She saw the edge of the road coming. There was no way she would get control of the Jeep before they went over the edge. As if in slow motion, she turned her head and met Cullen’s gaze.
And then they went over the side.