Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
S askia lay back in the big tub, enjoying the warm water.
She loved a bath. It always seemed to make the stress melt away, and her muscles relax. At least, for a little while.
When they’d reached Cam’s apartment, escorted by Rome, Cam had hustled her into the bathroom with strict instructions—a.k.a. bossy orders—to take a bath and relax.
She took that to mean he and Rome wanted to strategize on security.
She lazily moved her hand through the bubbles. She was still shocked that she’d found bubble bath in Cam’s home. She was certain badasses weren’t allowed to own anything that formed floral-scented bubbles.
Thoughts of Mikhailov tried to intrude and she ruthlessly shoved them back.
No . No nasty, rapist assholes allowed. The bubbles had a magic effect and could block all badness… At least until the water cooled.
She did let her thoughts turn to Camden.
Tingles erupted in her belly. She still wasn’t exactly sure what was going on. Did he really want to be with her, or did he just feel obligated?
Argh . She closed her eyes and splashed water on her face. Some of her hair had escaped the messy bun she’d tied it in, and she tucked it back up.
The man left her a confused mass of about a thousand emotions. Topping the lot was desire.
Hot, needy desire.
That possessive kiss at Norcross… Between her legs, all her girly parts clenched. Suddenly, her cell phone rang, jolting her enough to spill water out of the tub.
Vander had given her a brand-new cell phone, and somehow it had her old number, and all her info installed. The man could clearly perform miracles.
“Hello?”
“Oh, Saskia. I wanted to check in.” The voice held a sweet, Southern drawl.
“Addie.” Saskia sat up. “How are you? You made it back to New York okay?”
“I did. I’m good. A little jumpy, but a nice man called Bram, with the sexiest Irish accent, picked me up from the airport.”
Bram “Excalibur” O’Donovan was one of Killian’s Sentinel Security team.
“That’s great. Bram is a great guy.”
“He got me home. Checked out my apartment. I won’t lie, I was nervous to be alone, but I have a really big baseball bat. And I wasn’t too bad using a bat on the baseball field when I was at school. And that sexy Bram gave me a number for your brother’s office. In case I need help.”
Saskia’s hand tightened on the phone. “I’m so sorry you got caught up in this, Addie.”
“It’s not your fault. Gosh, I’m going to lay all the blame on that no-good Mikhailov.”
Saskia smiled. Addie sounded sweet, even when she was mad.
“Are you all right?” Addie asked.
Saskia wanted to spill everything out about Mikhailov still being after her, but she kept it to herself. Addie had been through enough.
“I’m fine. Just taking some time here in San Francisco.”
“With that mighty fine man of yours.”
“I’m not sure he’s mine…”
“He brought in the cavalry to save you. And held you like you’re his.”
“Mmm.”
Addie laughed. “Enjoy yourself, Saskia. We’ve earned it.”
“I will.” After Mikhailov was caught.
“Oh, one more thing. I had a message from Davison James, the director of that new show, On the Street , that’s coming to Broadway. Everybody is talking about it.” Addie sounded breathless. “Do you know anything about that?”
“He’s a friend, and he’s looking for dancers.”
“Saskia—”
She heard Addie’s tone, and quickly interrupted her. “It’s not a favor. I just messaged him your details. You’ll have to audition, like everybody else, and you’ll have to be good to get a part. That’s all up to you.”
“Thank you,” Addie murmured.
“You’re welcome. Take care of yourself, Addie. I’ll be in touch when I’m back in New York.”
“That’s great. You take care, too.”
Once the bath water cooled, Saskia climbed out and dug through the shopping bags. She found leggings and a silky, gray sweater that slipped down over one shoulder. She left her hair in a messy bun.
Cam was standing at the kitchen island, one hand on his hip. He’d discarded his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
Hot . The man was all kinds of hot. Every single hormone she had snapped to attention.
He turned his head. “Feel better?”
She nodded. Nerves and excitement took wing in her belly. It was just the two of them. Alone.
His eyes traced across her bare shoulder, heat igniting in their depths. It matched the fire circling in her belly.
“I was going to order some dinner,” he said.
Saskia licked her lips. She wanted to bite that firm jaw, and get her hands all over that ripped body.
“I’m hungry,” she murmured. “Really, really hungry.”
His eyes flashed. “You’re asking for trouble.”
“No, I faced down trouble, and I’m really, really happy I’m alive. So, I want to do something I’ve wanted for months now.”
He growled and took a step toward her… Just as his phone rang.
No . Saskia pressed a closed fist to her chest.
He looked like he wanted to curse, and instead, snatched up the phone. “What?” A pause, then a sigh. “Fine. See you in a minute.” He set the phone on the counter with a smack. “My damn brothers.”
“They’re here, I take it?” The one time she wasn’t so happy Cam had such a tight-knit family.
“And Savannah and Siv. They all want to check on you.”
Saskia blew out a breath. “I’ll probably be grateful. Later.”
He cupped her jaw, then dropped a quick, hard, close-mouthed kiss on her lips.
She wrinkled her nose. “Or not.”
“Cute.” He stroked her jaw, just as there was a knock at the front door.
Cam opened the door, and his brothers and their women spilled in.
“We brought Chinese.” Siv held up a large paper bag.
Savannah headed straight for Saskia. She threw her arms around her, and Saskia squeezed her best friend, then looked down at the blue cast on Savannah’s left wrist.
“Oh, Savannah. How will you paint or sculpt?”
“This won’t stop me,” her friend said, fiercely. “It’s a small fracture. Practically nothing.”
Hunt, standing behind her, made a small, male sound of disagreement.
“I’m so, so sorry you got hurt,” Saskia said.
“This is not your fault. You have nothing to apologize for. Now, Siv brought food, and I brought all the makings for cocktails.”
Hunt held up two shopping bags.
“And Cam asked me to take a look at your knee,” Ryder said.
“It’s fine,” Saskia said. “It’s an old dance injury and I’ve aggravated it before.”
The medic just smiled. “Then it won’t take me long. All part of the Morgan service.”
She met Cam’s gaze and saw a faint smile on his rugged face.
Maybe this interruption wasn’t too bad, after all.
* * *
Cam watched Saskia snort-laugh into a cocktail glass. Beside her, Savannah laughed as well, and Siv rolled her eyes and gulped her drink.
They were all drinking some eye-wateringly-sweet concoction with passionfruit and gin that Savannah had whipped up.
“Who knew we’d all end up with women whose names start with an S,” Ryder said, sipping his beer.
They’d all eaten the food and had several drinks. Rome was on duty outside, and would be relieved by a Norcross Security contractor later.
“Any more word on Mikhailov?” Ryder asked quietly.
Cam’s lips flattened. “Not yet. Ace’s guys and Hex from Sentinel Security are looking for him.”
“The feds are searching, too,” Hunt said. “They’re checking all the top hotels. He wouldn’t stay at some two-bit motel.”
No, Mikhailov liked his luxuries. They’d find him eventually. Cam wanted desperately to get his hands on the man.
Saskia laughed again. He was so glad to see her relaxed and happy. She wasn’t letting what happened to her dig deep.
Cam wanted Mikhailov, but Saskia safe and happy was his first priority.
“Brother, you are so done for,” Ryder said, grinning. “I’m glad you saw reason.”
“I’m still not sure I’m what she needs.”
Saskia looked his way and their gazes connected. She smiled, and he felt it in his gut.
Hunt snorted. “Then open your eyes.”
Ryder lifted his beer. “And let her decide what she needs. Looks to me like all she wants is you.”
Warmth bloomed in Cam’s chest. For a long time, he’d been drowning in guilt and pain and the sense that it should have been him who’d died, not Kris.
For a long time, he hadn’t felt worthy of love, especially not from a woman like Saskia. She brightened everything. She was light and beauty.
She snort-laughed again, Siv joining her, and he couldn’t help but smile.
Kris would’ve love her. Teased that he was going to charm her away from Cam. She’s effing gorgeous, Morgan, you lucky bastard.
Sometimes, Cam still imagined the echo of Kris’ voice. He was either going crazy or he just couldn’t fully let go of his friend.
“You did your job, Cam,” Hunt said. “A job most people can’t or won’t do. You’ve earned every bit of your new life, including her.”
Ryder rose. “I’m taking my woman home for hot sex.”
Siv crossed her long legs. “Really? And you needed to announce that to the entire room?”
“Yep. Come on, my Norwegian flower.”
“It’s a good thing you’re hot, and I love you.” Siv rose and took his hand.
Savannah and Saskia shared a long hug. The pair was smiling as Hunt tucked Savannah under his arm.
Hunt met Cam’s gaze. “You need anything, just call.”
Cam lifted his chin. “Thanks.” He closed the door behind them.
In the center of the room, Saskia turned in a graceful spin. There was elegance and grace in every line of her slim body.
She turned. “I’m so glad Savannah’s okay. The doctor said her wrist should heal up just fine.” Saskia spun again.
“I’m happy too, otherwise I might have had to lock my brother up so he doesn’t hunt Mikhailov down himself.”
At the mention of Mikhailov’s name, her smile dimmed.
“No.” Cam cupped her shoulder. “We’re not letting that waste of fucking space ruin our evening. He’s caused you enough grief.”
She touched a hand to Cam’s chest. “Tonight was fun.” She smiled. “Your brothers are yummy, and the cocktails were awesome.”
“I’m going nowhere near that yummy comment. And I noticed you enjoyed the cocktails. I might need to buy some fancy glasses.”
Saskia smirked adorably at him, her eyes sparkling.
The music changed.
“Oh, I love this song.” She spun away and turned up the volume on the stereo.
Then she moved to the middle of the living room, folded over, then sprang back up.
Damn, he loved watching her move. He dropped into an armchair. She kicked her leg up, near vertical and his cock hardened. Damn . He wasn’t sure he’d appreciated just how flexible she was.
She sank into the song, absorbing it, reflecting it.
He kept his gaze on her as she danced. She was so damn beautiful.
She spun back to face him, the song ending, her cheeks flushed from the exertion and alcohol.
“You’re so beautiful, Saskia.” He didn’t just mean her looks.
“I love the way you look at me.” She walked toward him.
He yanked her down on his lap.
She tucked her knees to his sides, straddling him, her mouth colliding with his.
Cam slid one hand up to cup her ass, and the other curled around her slim torso.
She kissed him deeply, nipping his bottom lip, her tongue boldly sliding into his mouth. Cam pulled her closer, and she rubbed against his already hard cock.
He groaned, and tangled a hand in her hair. He took control of the kiss, tipping her head back.
“ Yes ,” she breathed.
He put his mouth on the tendon in her neck, and the sounds she made went straight to his groin.
The sudden ringing of his cell phone had him stiffening.
“ No ,” she cried.
“Sorry, sweetheart, that’s Rome’s tone.” Cam squeezed her ass, and gave her one last quick kiss. He pulled out his phone. “Rome.”
“Sorry, Cam. I just caught a glimpse of a guy in the lobby. Could be one of Mikhailov’s men, but I’ve lost sight of him.”
The words were like a rush of cold water.
“Any idea where he went?”
“No, I’m looking now, but I don’t want to take any chances. Hex is checking the security feed.”
“Okay, I’ll lock Saskia down and check our level.”
“I’ll call if I find him.”
Cam set Saskia on her feet. There was worry all over her face—the tipsy happiness and desire were gone.
“It might be nothing,” he told her.
She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I don’t understand why Mikhailov is doing this. I’m just a woman, there are millions like me.”
Cam understood Mikhailov. There was no one like her. No one with her combination of beauty, talent, and goodness.
He cupped her face, ran his thumb over her lips. “This will be over soon.”
She squeezed her eyes closed and nodded. “Be careful.”
He hugged her. She hugged him back fiercely.
Then Cam pulled away. He grabbed his Glock and his knife, and checked them both. “Don’t open the door to anyone but me or Rome.”
She nodded. She looked so small just standing there. Then she straightened. “Come back to me unharmed, Camden Morgan, or I’ll be really pissed.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Yes, ma’am.”
He slipped out the front door, ensuring it locked securely behind him.
The corridor was empty. He moved swiftly down the carpeted hall.
There was nothing out of place, and no one in sight. He reached the stairwell and opened the door.
Silence.
Then he heard a faint scrape. A boot on concrete.
He silently closed the door behind him.
He glanced down over the railing and saw a stealthy shadow of a man coming up the stairs.
Cam’s smile was cold and grim.
Not today, asshole.