Authors: Cate Beauman
“…expect him around five-thirty. Just tell him to give this number a call. I’ll let the manager know to let him up. Great. No. I’ve been thinking about it though. I can’t think of much else. Adam likes to gamble. He’s gotten himself into some trouble in the past. I’m wondering if he got in over his head again. That’s the only thing that makes sense—if he actually has anything to do with this at all.”
Frowning, she inched closer. Adam? Was Jerrod’s best friend after her? And what about Shane? Had she and Jerrod been staying with the people who wanted her dead? She gripped the doorframe as her knees buckled and her stomach churned with the possibilities.
“…yeah. Later.” Jerrod opened the door, slamming into her, a long towel wrapped at his waist. “Whoa.” He gripped her arms, preventing her from falling over.
The scent of soap filled her nose as he held her close. “Is Adam part of the ring?”
He blew out a deep breath as he looked into her eyes. “I don’t know.”
“But he could be.”
“I don’t want to think so, but yes, he could be.”
“Why? What makes you say that?”
He took her hand, walking with her to the couch, pulling her to the cushion next to him. “Adam’s stories aren’t adding up. He told me the Task Force was actively running surveillance on Dimitri. This afternoon Shane told me they haven’t heard anything since November. I double-checked with Ethan. Task Force has no idea where he is.”
“You think Adam’s protecting Dimitri?”
“The idea crossed my mind. The Task Force almost had him twice, and they lost him at the last minute. Shane thinks he was tipped off. So do I. Adam was part of both attempted apprehensions.”
She pressed her fingers to her temple, trying to take it all in. “What about Shane?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so, but I can’t be sure.”
She stood and walked to the window, unable to fully believe that this was actually happening. Was there no one they could trust? “What are we going to do?”
“Sit tight and wait for Stone to get here.”
“What about the trial? Adam knows who I am. He knows I’m the Prosecution’s star witness.”
He walked to her, laying his hands on her shoulders. “We’re going to get this figured out.”
“Before or after I’m dead?”
He turned her to him. “Nothing’s going to happen to you, Abby. Nothing.”
“No?” Tears filled her eyes as hopelessness consumed her. “I used to tell myself that, and for a long time I believed it. Now I’m not so sure.”
“I won’t let anything happen.” He pulled her into a hug. “I won’t.”
She wrapped her arms around him and held on. “I hate this for both of us. I want a normal life. I want to be here in the city with you because we both love it. I want to be in this hotel for a romantic evening because that’s what we’ve chosen, not because we’re hiding from men who want me dead and will happily take you out as well.”
He eased her back. “We can still enjoy the city. It’s all around us. We can still have a romantic evening. Tonight’s for you, for us.” He kissed her lips. “Just for us, Abigail. Like the night at the farm.”
She stared into his eyes, wondering how many more nights they would have. Despite Jerrod’s assurances that everything would work out fine, she was beginning to wonder if either of them would make it out of this situation alive. The men they were supposed to trust—his
friends
—were potentially involved with the wrong side. They had tonight, but nothing else was guaranteed. “Take me to bed.”
He kissed her forehead, her nose, her cheeks and chin.
“Take me to bed,” she repeated as she pulled his mouth to hers as tears fell down her cheeks.
“Hey.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Don’t give up on me.”
“I’m trying not to.”
“You aren’t going anywhere, Abby. In six months from now your
Escape
line will be running full throttle. You’ll be walking in and out of stores on your own. You’re just getting started.”
She rested her forehead on his chest, gripping her fingers against his towel, too afraid to hope.
“Abby.”
She couldn’t stem the flood of emotion.
“Come here.” He picked her up, carrying her to the bed, laying her down. He crawled next to her, settling himself at her side, stroking his fingers through her hair. “I thought you weren’t giving up on me.”
“Do you want children?” She blurted out of nowhere.
His hand paused, then kept moving. “Yes. Someday.”
“Alexa’s having a boy.” She sniffled as she thought of her sister, wondering where this was coming from. “She and Jackson are going to have the family she’s always wanted. Olivia and Owen. Their little girl and little boy.” Tears spilled again. “What if I don’t get the chance to have my own Olivia and Owen?”
“You might not. You might have two Olivias or two Owens. You never know what you’re going to get.”
She gave him a small smile. “I want a family, Jerrod. I want to have that chance.”
“You’ll get it.”
“You seem so sure.”
“I can’t let myself believe anything else. I can’t let you either.” He gripped her chin between his fingers, giving her a gentle shake.
“There’s a lot at stake.” She grabbed his wrist, holding on. “I want us both to be okay.”
“I’ve never lost anyone I’ve protected.” He wiped her tears away. “And I wasn’t in love with them, Abigail.”
Her heart stuttered as her eyes widened. “You’re—you’re in love with me?”
He nodded. “Oh, yeah.”
She sniffled and smiled as he gave her the words she’d longed to hear but wasn’t sure she ever would. “Well, I guess that’s a good thing, because I love you too.”
He grinned, kissing her. “That is pretty handy.”
She took his cheeks in her hands, peppering him with more playful kisses. “Jerrod Quinn loves me.”
“Damn right I do.” He pulled her on top of him and rolled, smooshing her into the mattress, brushing the hair back from her temple. “What do you say we pick up where we left off?”
“I’m okay with that.”
“Good,” he murmured, nibbling at her bottom lip, then traced with his tongue.
She closed her eyes, relishing the weight of his powerful body covering hers, his taste, everything about this magical moment that belonged to them as she caressed the solid muscles of his back.
He parted her robe, circling her nipples with the pads of his thumbs, sampling one breast, then the other.
“That feels good,” she whispered, freeing him of the soft cotton, craving the feel of his skin pressed to hers as her limbs grew weighty with each ripple of arousal.
Mouths met again, and she played her fingers through his hair as he slid his hand down, dipping inside her.
She tipped her head back with a gasp, gripping his shoulders as the ache built with the languid coaxing of each skilled sweep, each movement taking her higher until she crested sweetly on a quiet moan. “Be with me,” she whispered, still breathless, staring into his eyes. “Be inside me.” Despite their promises to protect themselves she wanted this.
He captured her mouth and pushed himself forward.
Whimpering, she took him in, clasping their fingers as he moved slowly, each gentle thrust drawing out their pleasure as she ached for release. “Come with me. Come with me,” she shuddered out, teetering on the edge.
He pressed his forehead to hers, clenching his jaw, groaning, filling her as
they rode out the staggering wave together.
They breathed each other’s breath, holding their gaze. “I love you, Abby.”
She smiled. “I love you too.” She kissed his cheek. “Do you know what I want?”
“Uh, I need a minute.”
Grinning, she shook her head, content, relaxed. “I want you to wrap your arms around me so we can go to sleep.”
“I can get behind that.”
“I thought you might.”
He kissed her, pulling himself free, and tugged her back against him. “See you in the morning.”
“Mmm.” She wanted to stare out at Lady Liberty and savor this perfect night, but as she blinked in the dim light from the sitting room, she fell dreamlessly asleep wrapped up with Jerrod.
Jerrod opened his eyes to the sun’s blinding rays,
squinting as he glanced at the bright reflection bouncing off the clock, raising his brows in surprise. They’d slept past eight, which actually wasn’t all that shocking after the last few days and their impromptu romp in the dark. Abby had woken him in the middle of the night, straddling him while she pressed hot, wet kisses to his neck and chest. She’d taken him in before he’d fully realized he wasn’t in the middle of some erotic dream.
Looking down, he grinned at the sweet sexy vixen still asleep in his arms. Abby was every man’s fantasy. There wasn’t an inhibited bone in that siren’s body of hers. She was as enthusiastic between the sheets as she was with everything else she had a passion for. He thanked his lucky stars she was his. He was even more grateful their night away made a difference. The Abby he’d fallen for was back in full force. Taking her away from the apartment had been the right thing, regardless of their possible issues with Adam. If only he’d done so sooner.
She stirred, blinking her eyes open, and smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Quinn.”
He winked. “Morning.”
She moved, laying on top of him, resting her arms on his chest. “Did you sleep as well as I did?”
He rolled, pushing her into the mattress. “Like a rock.”
She traced his lips with her index finger. “I think we both rest better when we’re naked.”
He smiled, snagging her finger, giving her a gentle bite. “So that’s the key to a good night’s sleep?”
Her palms slid up and down his back, sending a wave of goose bumps along his skin. “It must be.”
He pulled her nipple into his mouth, teasing the aroused point until her breathing quickened. “It doesn’t have anything to do with good sex and the fact that we completely wore each other out.”
“Mmm, nope.” She pinched his butt. “We should probably just plan on a new dress code.”
“You won’t have much of a career if naked is the new trend.”
She shrugged. “I guess I’ll just have to sell bracelets. Accessories are always in.”
He laughed, enjoying the Abby he’d missed over the last couple days. “Bracelets, huh?”
“Sure.”
He teased her other breast with the pad of his thumb. “I’m glad you slept well.”
“I’m glad we both did. No nightmares makes all the difference.”
“It certainly helps.” He went after the sensitive skin of her neck, enjoying her breathy moan next to his ear immensely. “We should probably have breakfast.”
“After we work up an appetite.” She wiggled herself against his erection.
He closed his eyes, as ready for another round as she was. “We really need to think about birth control. We’re not being very smart.” He nipped at her chin. Their “condoms from now on pledge” had been forgotten—more like ignored last night.
“Pull out.” She grabbed hold of him. “But actually do it this time.” She guided him in, gasping.
He sucked in a sharp breath as he pushed himself deeper, gritting his teeth with the rush of pleasure. He’d never taken these kinds of risks before Abby. It was too easy to forget the rules and consequences while they stared in each other’s eyes. Not only had he taken his principal to bed and fallen completely in love, he was also being unbelievably irresponsible. They were both too smart to be this stupid, but he just didn’t care.
“I can’t get enough of you. You feel so good.” She rocked her hips and gripped his butt cheeks encouraging him to move.
He slid back and forth.
She arched up. “Mmm.
So
good.”
“This definitely doesn’t suck.” He arrowed deeper, moving in slow thrusts.
“Oh,” she gasped as her fingernails dug into his waist. “Oh, keep
doing
that.” Her breath came in rapid pants as each whimper grew longer and her muscles clenched. “Yes, just like that. Oh god. Oh
god
.”
He shuddered, trying desperately to concentrate on his rhythm as she pulsed and throbbed around him. “Abby.” He had no choice but to hold himself perfectly still, struggling to stay in control as she continued to contract, bucking in the throws of ecstasy. “Abby.” He yanked up the towel he’d worn around his waist last night and pulled out. She grabbed hold of him, gripping. He pressed his forehead to hers, groaning loudly as she sent him over the edge. “Damn,” he whispered, out of breath.
“That good, huh?”
Grinning, he lifted his head. “Not bad.”
“I like you better inside.” She kissed him, wiggling her brows.
“A temporary solution to our situation.”
“Oh, the sacrifices.”
They smiled at each other as her stomach growled, and her eyes widened. “I guess I’m hungry for more than just you. What do you say we have some breakfast?”
He chuckled. “I could eat.”
“I saw a banana-raspberry smoothie and bran muffin on the menu that sound good.”
He frowned. “Our ideas of breakfast are two different things.”
“Don’t think I won’t steal a bite of your eggs, but first I have to shower.” She nudged at his shoulder. “Orgasms are sweaty business.”
He laughed, letting her up. Abby was definitely back. “I’ll order up our food.”
“Sounds good.” She walked from the room, beautifully naked, completely easy in her own amazing skin. He wanted her again as she slipped into the bathroom. He wanted everything with her—the children they weren’t ready for, marriage. The whole package. They just had to make it through the next few months, then he would happily take his chances in the baby department. He would be different than his father had been with him. But that was for later. He got out of bed and picked up the phone, dialing room service.
“Good morning, room service.”
“Yes, good morning. Can I get the banana raspberry smoothie and a bran muffin?” He winced. “Can I also get the eggs benedict with a cup of coffee.”
“Certainly. We’ll deliver that in just a few minutes.”
“Thanks.” He hung up and made his way to the bathroom, stepping into the steamy space. He picked up his boxers and pulled them on, then his jeans as he watched Abby suds herself up behind the wall of glass. “You’re absolutely stunning, Ms. Harris.”
“Thank you, sir.” She sent him a slow smile, biting her bottom lip as she rubbed the bar of soap over her breasts.
He swallowed the ball of lust as he followed the trail of bubbles down her wet skin. “And cruel, incredibly cruel.”
She laughed as he left her to her shower and grabbed his shirt from the floor where he tossed it before last night’s dinner. He wandered to the window, staring out at the Statue of Liberty in the distance and the traffic rushing by on the street sixteen stories below.
Eventually he and Abby would have to venture back out into the real world. Luckily he would have another pair of eyes, a man he knew he could trust. He’d only worked with Stone once at Tatiana Livingston’s
End Famine Now
event back in October. Ethan had hired the newest addition to their team after he’d taken over Abby’s coverage, but he heard good things—for the most part. Stone McCabe was quiet and from all accounts somewhat moody, but he did his job, and that’s what mattered. Stone didn’t have to say a damn word as long as he helped keep Abby alive.
There was a knock at the door, and he tensed, immediately on alert. He grabbed his gun from the side table by the bed and pushed the weapon into the back of his jeans as he moved to answer, peeking out the security hole. Twisting the knob, he opened cautiously, ready to slam the door closed.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning.”
He rolled the cart to the center of the room. “Let me set this up for you.”
“Actually, this is good.” He handed off a twenty and the tray of dirty dishes from their dinner.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, thanks.”
The shower shut off.
“Enjoy your day, sir.”
“You too.” He let the man out, locking up. Moments later, Abigail came out with damp hair, wearing the clothes from yesterday. “No naked breakfast?”
She grinned. “Maybe we’ll do a naked lunch.”
“I can live with that.” He smiled as she chuckled, thrilled that she seemed completely relaxed.
He picked up the glass of her dark pink concoction, handing it over. “Your brew.”
“It’s a smoothie.” She sipped. “Mmm. And really good. Try.” She held the glass to his lips.
He pulled his head back. “I’d rather not.”
“
Try
,” she said in a tone much like his mother’s as she tipped the cup.
He slammed his eyes shut, preparing for the worst, and looked at her when he found the drink sweet and delicious. “Hey, that’s not bad.”
“Told you.” She gave him a knowing smirk and drank deep.
He eyed her muffin wearily. “I’m not trying that thing.”
She shook her head mournfully. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I’ll have to live my life wondering.”
She bit in, rolling her eyes on an exaggerated moan. “You sure you don’t want some?”
“Positive.” He pulled the lid from his own plate and breathed deep. “
Now
we’re talking. He cut himself a big bite of egg, English muffin, and hollandaise, and chewed, enjoying the melding of flavors. “Now this is moan worthy.”
“Enjoy, big guy.”
He took another exaggerated bite, staring at her. “You better believe it,” he said over his mouthful.
She sat at their table. “What should we do today besides look through the telescope and watch TV?”
“Well, we need to stay here until Stone gets in.” His cell phone rang. “Hold on.” He picked up. “Yeah?”
“It’s Ethan.”
He set his fork down, alerted by Ethan’s tone. “What’s up?”
“We’ve got a problem—a couple actually.”
“Great.” He stood, no longer interested in his breakfast. “What?”
“Your brother called me on my way to the office.”
He fisted his hand at his side, instantly consumed by dread. “My mother—”
“Your family’s fine.”
“Okay.” He relaxed his hand. “Good.”
“It’s your ex.”
His relief was short lived. What had Shelby done now?
“She’s in critical condition at Lincoln General.”
He closed his eyes, shaking his head. “Son of a bitch.”
“Someone—more than likely Dimitri or Victor—found a way into town and just about beat her to death.”
“Goddamn.” He moved toward the window and back, too restless to be still. “I thought she was with Timmy.”
“She gave him the slip Tuesday night—”
He froze. “Tuesday night? And he’s just getting around to sharing this information?”
“He’s been kind of busy with roadblocks and canvases. He’s had his hands full with the whole damn thing. He sounded like hell.”
Jerrod grunted, hating that Tim had to deal with everything on his own.
“He’s in Lincoln now with Shelby and her family. They still don’t know if she’s going to make it. He said she’s touch and go.”
He clenched his jaw, remembering the pretty redhead with pigtails chasing him around the schoolyard at recess. “What the hell happened?”
“She left his place and went home. I guess someone was there waiting for her.” He sighed into Jerrod’s ear. “She was able to answer her cell phone and scream for help. By the time Tim got there, whoever beat the shit out of her had left through the back door. They life-flighted her to the trauma center in Lincoln, barely alive.”
“Damn it.” Why the hell did she have to write the damn story? Why couldn’t she have just left it alone?
“Tim sent your mother and Uncle away as a precaution. A couple of his men are staying out at the farm taking care of the animals.”
“Okay. Fine.” He rubbed at his forehead, wishing there was some way he could head back to Nebraska and help. Turning, he met Abby’s concerned stare. He had enough problems of his own right here.
“I hate to do this to you, but are you ready for the rest?
He sighed. “Yeah, lay it on me.” Their situation fucking sucked whether, he was ready for more or not.
“Someone tried to breech my system at two-thirteen a.m.”
“Did they?”
“No, but they gave it one hell of a try. I traced the IP address back to a residence in Manhattan right before I called.”
Adam. The coincidence was too huge not to immediately suspect him.
“Someone’s sloppy and desperate to find you, if that’s what this is. They did a shitty job of covering their tracks.”
If Adam was sharing information with Dimitri, he would definitely be desperate. Adam probably hadn’t expected them to vanish last night. “Sounds like it.” He rubbed at his jaw, weary already.
“The good news in all of this is Stone’s on his way. He left on a redeye after he got off duty last night. He changed planes in DC at eight. He’ll be in New York in about and hour tops.”
Well thank god something was going right. “Excellent. We’ll meet him there.”
“I figured as much. I booked the three of you a flight back to LA at eleven. American flight 1723. Tickets are at the kiosk. We’ll get you home and figure things out from there.”
He was ready to be back with a team of men he could trust. “We’ll head out now. Have Stone meet us at our gate. I’ll give you a call when we get through security.”
“We’ll see you this evening. It’ll be good to have you here.”
“Thanks.” He hung up, sighing, looking at Abby.
She stood, any traces of the fun they’d had this morning gone. “What now?”
He rubbed at the back of his neck, his mind racing with Ethan’s news and the need to get them the hell out of Manhattan. “We’ve had a change of plans. We’re going to meet Stone at LaGuardia and head to LA.”
“Why?” She asked with the slightest tremble in her voice. “Jerrod, what’s going on?”
“Shelby’s in the hospital in critical condition.”
She closed her eyes, pressing her hands to the side of her face. “They hurt her.”
“Yeah.”
She looked at him. “What else?”
He didn’t want her worrying about the details, but she had a right to the truth. “Someone tried to breech Ethan’s system early this morning.”
“They’re trying to find me.” She swallowed, folding her arms at her waist. “Adam’s trying to find me.”
“We aren’t one hundred percent sure it’s him, but I think so.”