Chapter 16 #3
To his pleasure, she let him. This was more intimate than anything he’d ever done with a woman, and with Alaska, it felt natural. He did his best to wipe away his come and her own juices before putting the used napkins in a plastic bag and shoving it back into his backpack.
“Is my underwear around here somewhere?” Alaska asked, looking around. “I think I might’ve thrown it in my haste to get you inside me.”
Spying the blue strip of cotton nearby, Brick leaned over and snagged it. Then he helped Alaska to her feet and stood next to her, keeping a hand on her arm so she wouldn’t accidentally slip and fall. They got dressed without any fuss and when he had the backpack on, she leaned into him.
“Thank you for showing me your special spot.”
“It’s our special spot now,” he said easily.
The smile she gave him was beautiful, just like her. “I love you,” she said a little shyly.
“I love you too, Al. So much, it almost scares me.”
“I’ve had longer to get used to the feeling,” she said.
Brick would never cease to be amazed by her. “You ready to head back?”
“No, but yes.”
He totally understood. “Okay, stay close. I’ve got the light but the trail needs some repairs. The tree roots can totally blend into the shadows.”
Alaska nodded and they set off toward home.
Home.
The Refuge had always been a place Brick loved. A place of peace. Of healing. But now it was more than just a cabin. A business. It was truly a home. Because Alaska was there with him.
He’d do everything possible to keep it that way.
To make her happy. To keep her safe. The thought of anything happening to her now that she was his…
it made Brick a little crazy. He made a vow right then and there, with Alaska’s hand in his, her scent in his nostrils, the vision of her lost in pleasure still fresh in his mind—he’d kill before that kind of evil ever touched her again.
He hadn’t spent his life as a Navy SEAL to fail the one person who’d always believed in him.
Brick knew he was feeling a little bloodthirsty at the moment, but he put it down to the carnality of making love to his woman in the open air. Like he was a conqueror of old. That was all it was.
It wasn’t the niggling at the back of his neck that spoke of pending trouble.
No, he was just being paranoid that his happiness, their happiness, might be snatched away before it could blossom. A natural fear, he guessed, considering he’d never been in love before.
He deserved to be happy. Deserved Alaska. Nothing and no one would take her away from him.
Yong Chen was bursting with impatience. He was finally here. In the United States. In New Mexico. Hours from claiming what was his. What’d he’d paid good money for. He deserved to be as happy as the next person…and what would make him happy was breaking Alaska Stein.
He didn’t usually bother to learn the names of his acquisitions. It didn’t really matter what they were called; all that mattered was how fast they opened their legs and did what he ordered them to do.
But Alaska was different. She was the one who got away…the only one. But not for long.
It was all Yong could do not to break from the role he’d been playing and ask about her.
But that would have been strange. For an investor to show even the slightest amount of curiosity toward a secretary.
Tomorrow, he’d finally see her in the flesh.
He hoped he’d get a chance to talk to her.
To play the friendly visitor, so she’d let down her guard.
So when it came time to snatch her right out from under the noses of the so-called soldiers she worked with, she’d be more trusting and would go with him without making a scene.
Yong had read all about the seven assholes who owned the crappy camp on the mountain. That was basically what it was, no matter what they called it or how they tried to make it seem as if it was more. If he was an investor, it would be the last place he’d choose to spend his money.
First, it was surrounded by miles and miles of nothingness.
Dry desert terrain on one side and forested mountains on the other.
Close to Los Alamos, which was miniscule.
Not nearly enough people for his liking.
He much preferred Beijing. A massive, thriving metropolis where a man could blend in… hide his actions.
Second, The Refuge was a place for the mentally deficient. Weak men and women who couldn’t handle what life threw at them. They were like babies who wanted to be coddled, and Yong didn’t tolerate weakness in any form.
It was going to be a piece of cake to take back what was his. Yong hadn’t been this excited in years. He could almost thank the Russian for fucking up their transaction. Almost.
Tomorrow, he’d get the lay of the land. Play his part.
Then he’d figure out what his next move should be.
Sneak back in at night and take Alaska? Wait until the next day and cause a distraction so he could stealthily move in and grab her?
See if he could get her to come with him willingly?
There were so many possibilities, each with its own level of risk, but Yong had no doubt he’d be victorious.
He had three million dollars riding on his success.
Three dozen men now who were willing to pay, and pay handsomely, for a chance to fulfill their every sick fantasy with the woman.
His plans for the American might have changed over the last few weeks, but the outcome would be the same. She’d be his plaything until he tired of her, then he’d triple his investment before going back to his life in China. He always got what he wanted.
Always.