Authors: Tori Carrington
T
HERE DIDN’T SEEM
to be any surface, hard or soft, in Linc’s apartment they didn’t utilize during their sack session last night…and Regina was feeling it, in good ways and bad.
One of the bad was that it had to end. Dawn broke and so did their evening activities, sleep playing a very small role. Which was okay, she thought as he drove her back to her place. Since she had the day off from the diner and classes, she could catch up on some much-needed rest.
He’d offered to make breakfast that morning, but she’d insisted they make it together, the camaraderie between them warming her as he made eggs, she tended to bacon, and they both made and buttered toast and set the table.
Of course, the temptation to end the meal as she had the night before had loomed large…but ultimately they were both too spent to do anything more than smile suggestively at each other as they openly considered the option.
The time outside time had helped distract her from her conversation yesterday with the hospital physician in charge of her mother’s care; he’d told her he was keeping the older woman under for at least another forty-eight hours.
Linc pulled to the curb outside her apartment and shut off the engine. She smiled. “You want to come in for a cup of coffee?”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Mmm…I always think it’s a good idea.”
His chuckle sent a shiver racing over her skin as he took the keys from the ignition and opened the door.
She followed suit, leading the way to her apartment. Halfway there, she again experienced that odd sensation of being watched. Her shiver turned to a shudder and she looked around, not seeing anything out of the ordinary as she unlocked her apartment door.
“Wait,” Linc said quietly.
Regina’s fingers froze on the handle. He reached for her hand, gently moving it away and tucking her behind him even as he drew his firearm. She swallowed thickly, watching as he swung the door open and led the way inside with his gun.
“Damn,” she heard him say a moment later from somewhere inside.
She moved into the living room…and immediately saw what had prompted his response: her bedroom looked as if a flock of seagulls had nested there overnight and left their feathers behind.
Her feet slowly took her to the doorway. Everything had been torn apart: her pillows, the mattresses. Her clothes were strewn about, her closet had been ransacked. She absently wrapped her arms around herself, unable to believe her eyes.
“He did come back,” she whispered to herself.
She turned to find Linc already on his cell phone, calling in the break-in.
“I…I don’t understand,” she said once he finished the call. “The original responding officers told me the chances the intruder would return were between slim to none.”
Linc looked everywhere but at her. “Yes, well, this one ranks somewhere between them, I guess.”
“What about the security equipment?”
“He bypassed them. Difficult, but not impossible.”
“I don’t get it. What would someone with those types of skills want with me?”
He met her gaze full-on. “You tell me.”
L
INC HATED TO TURN
the tables on her, but the truth was, her stricken expression made him feel guiltier than he had in years.
Yes, he’d suspected Johnson would return last night. Worse, he had hoped he would return. But he’d counted on the silent alarm to alert him to the break-in so he could catch his no-good ass and send him back to prison.
That the son of a bitch had not only somehow disarmed the system, but tore up Regina’s place again, made him angrier still.
Two hours later the report was filed, the place was cleaned up, new mattresses were on order and set to be delivered the next day. He decided to take Regina to Lazarus with him, his agenda not merely to keep her safe.
“You want me to what?”
“I want you to learn how to handle a firearm.”
Her brows shot up as if she’d just finally registered his words. “I’ve never held a gun in my life.”
“Yes, well, that’s at least ten years too long in my estimation.” He led her to the armory and considered the options before selecting a .44 Magnum. He turned to find her eyes larger than skeet disks. The expression on her beautiful face further served to endear her to him.
“Too big?” he asked.
“Way.”
He chuckled and turned back toward the rack, choosing a .40 Smith & Wesson. She shook her head; he took her hand and placed the automatic in her palm, aiming the barrel toward the floor. “You’ll get used to it,” he said firmly.
He heard her swallow as she lifted the gun to examine it.
“First lesson is never hold a gun like that. Always handle it so the barrel is pointed at the ground unless you plan on shooting someone or something.”
She nearly dropped the weapon in her hurry to do as he suggested. “It’s loaded?”
“No, not yet. But you never know, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
She nodded and readjusted her grip. “It’s heavy.”
“Yes. It is. And it’s designed to take care of some very heavy business.”
She stared at him. “Do you really think I’ll have to use it?”
“I really think it’s a good idea you know how to, just in case it’s necessary.”
He showed her how to load the clip.
“Come on.”
He led the way back to the corridor and to the right, then opened the door for her. She preceded him out, holding the gun out in front of her as if she might catch something.
“It won’t bite you,” he said with a chuckle.
“No, it’s just capable of killing me.”
He shook the box of ammo he picked up on the way out. “Not without these.”
“Small comfort.”
He led her to the open-firing range where two recruits were set up with ear protection and goggles. When they spotted him, they instantly stood upright and unloaded their firearms.
“Sir,” they said almost in unison and then left the range.
Regina laughed. “Sir?”
Linc grimaced. He had no idea why the younger men treated him as if he was an officer. But he figured better that than a backslapping buddy.
“Hush and load your weapon.”
She blinked at him and the ammo he held out.
“Go ahead.”
He watched her pop the clip and the cartridge hit the ground. She gasped and he smiled, taking the gun from her as she retrieved the clip. She blew on it, making him smile wider.
She looked awkwardly at him and then the clip. He held his hand out and she gave it up. He placed the pistol on a nearby ledge and then reached for an oilcloth and properly cleaned the dirt off the clip, loaded the rounds one by one and then slid it home. She jumped. He handed the firearm back to her.
“Finger,” he warned.
“Oh.” She took her index finger off the trigger and placed it on the guard.
He turned her around and urged her toward the firing line. She began to lift the gun and he pressed her arms back down, placing headphones over her ears and protective glasses on her eyes, then put his own on.
She looked at him. He nodded. “Aim for the target straight on,” he said.
She lifted the gun.
“Wait.”
It had been so long since he’d worked with a greenhorn, he’d forgotten how much technique actually went into squeezing off a decent shot.
“Stand like this.” He indicated where he had his feet squared, his body angled slightly to the right.
She did as he asked.
“Now, hold your right arm straight out. Yes, like that. It’s got a kick, so you’re going to take the impact with your shoulder. Brace it. That’s right.” He walked behind her, running his left hand up under her left arm. “Now, support your right hand and wrist with your left.”
“Like this?”
“How’s it feel?”
“How’s it supposed to feel?”
He chuckled and remained where he was directly behind her.
“Okay, now I want you to squeeze the trigger, not pull it…”
“Now?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Long moments passed. He began to think she might not shoot at all. Then she did, and ended up flat up against him from the force of the kick.
“Wow,” she said so quietly he nearly didn’t hear her through the protective ear wear.
Damn. He should have gone with a less powerful alternative. She probably wouldn’t want to shoot again.
“How’d I do?”
Linc blinked and looked at the target. “Well, I’ll be damned… Nearly a perfect shot.”
She took off her gear. “What?”
“I said you pretty near hit it straight through the bull’s-eye.”
Beginner’s luck. A fluke. No one hit the bull’s-eye first time out.
Hell, in this case, he guessed he was lucky her shot didn’t ricochet off something and hit him between the eyes.
“How much you want to bet I can do it again?” she asked.
Linc threw back his head and laughed. “You know what the chances of that are?”
She cocked a brow. “Somewhere between slim to none?”
He didn’t miss her reference to what the police had told her the odds were of her getting broken into again so soon after the first time.
He motioned toward the target. “She’s all yours.”
He stepped back this time and crossed his arms over his chest, enjoying watching her as she put her headphones and glasses back on. She looked so damn sexy, it was all he could do to remember to watch her posture—which was dead-on—and concentrate on giving her pointers she might need.
Just beyond her, he caught sight of some of the guys looking on, one of them Jason Savage. But right that minute, Linc didn’t care what others might make of his attention on this girl. He was too mesmerized by the girl herself.
She squeezed off a second shot, just slightly rocking backward. Then she surprised him by taking another.
Four rounds later, they both took off their gear and considered her handiwork.
Five of the seven were inside the inner rings; the other two just outside.
“Incredible…”
Her laugh was more of a sexy giggle. “I’m a natural.” She blew on her nails and rubbed them against the front of her shirt.
Yes, she was definitely a natural…not only in shooting, but in stealing the air from his lungs and chasing away any sort of rational thought.
“Watch the barrel,” he said.
She looked at where she’d lifted the now-empty gun, so it was pointing straight at him, and corrected herself.
Not that it mattered. She might as well have a gun trained on him the way he was feeling. Hell, it would probably be a lot safer than the invisible one she aimed.
Jason came out. “Hey, Linc. Got a minute?”
He looked at his friend and partner then back at Regina. “You want to go again?” he asked.
“Love to!”
He pointed to the ammo behind them and then motioned for one of the professional trainers to join them. After introducing them, he told Regina he’d be nearby and then left her to annihilate a fresh target…
R
EGINA WAS EXHILARATED
.
Had she known shooting a gun would feel so empowering, she would have signed up for classes long ago. At the very least, she felt loads better than she had earlier after discovering her apartment had been broken into for a second time.
After the third go around, and equally accurate shots, she’d removed her gear and handed everything off to Dominic, the pro Linc had assigned to train her. He’d returned to her side then, looking glum.
“I have something I gotta do,” he’d said.
She’d smiled at him. “What? Like work? Go figure.”
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone. Do you want to stay here until I’m done? Or you could stay at my place…”
She’d reached out and touched the side of his handsome, worried face. “I was thinking maybe I’d go to work at the diner for a couple hours. Trudy called earlier and asked if I could fill in.”
“Are you sure?” he’d asked.
“I’m sure.” She shook out her hands and arms. “For some strange reason, I’m feeling great.”
“Well, then, come on. I want to give you one of the guns.”
Alarm bells went off then. “Whoa. Isn’t that illegal? Don’t I need a permit or something?”
“I won’t tell if you don’t. I’ll feel better knowing you’re armed.”
“It’s only a couple hours, right? And I’m just going to the diner. I should be fine until then.”
Truthfully, she was touched by his attentiveness. But she didn’t think she was anywhere near ready to carry a firearm on her own. Despite her good shooting today, she’d probably end up blowing a hole in her foot if the occasion ever called to use a weapon.
The idea sent shivers down her spine.
Linc had driven her home to retrieve her own car, and tried again to give her a firearm, but she’d refused. Now, four hours later, she’d put in a busy shift, her feet ached, but she was still smiling despite the events of the morning.
“You going home?” the diner owner asked, coming to stand next to her where she gathered her things from her locker.
“No. I’m going to a…friend’s.”
She’d filled Trudy and the others in on the break-ins and they were understandably concerned. Linc had waited for her at her apartment while she changed and insisted she pack an overnight bag and go directly to his place after her shift. He’d even given her a key.
The mere idea made her feel as she had earlier, when she’d squeezed the trigger of the .357.
“Yes, well, you know you can call me if you need anything.”
Regina gave Trudy a quick hug. “Thank you.”
She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out through the dining room to the front door. She’d gotten there late and had to park halfway up the block. She fished her car keys out of her purse as she walked, noticing the sun had already set over the Rockies, leaving the sky a perfect blue since it wouldn’t actually set for another hour.
She unlocked the car door, climbed in and started the ignition.
Something went around her neck from behind. “Drive, bitch.”
L
INC TEXTED
R
EGINA
an hour earlier to ask how her day was going even as he concentrated on finishing up an action plan in the main Lazarus conference room with Jason, Megan and Darius. The job was crucial. But no matter how important, he couldn’t seem to take his mind off Regina.
She’d texted him back to say she was going to stop at the market to pick up something for dinner. Then she’d meet him at his place.
Meet him at his place.
When was the last time he’d given a woman his key? It shocked him to realize he never had. This was another first in a long line of like firsts when it came to Regina Dodson.
Jason sidled up to him while Meg and Dari discussed a separate item.
“Hey, I think we can get the rest from here, you know, if you need to get out of here.”
Linc glanced at him. Who’d have thought, after everything, that his friend could be so intuitive? Oh, on the battlefield, sure; there was nobody better to have by his side. But on the personal front, Jason was known to be a little more selfish.
“You discuss that matter with anyone else yet?” Linc asked him, referring to the Baltimore office.
Jason averted his gaze and shook his head. “It’ll happen when it’s meant to.”
“What will?” Megan asked, automatically homing in on their conversation.
Linc stood up to his full height. “I’ve got to run. We good?”
Jason stared at him. Linc smiled back. “Fine. Throw a friend under the bus.”
“I’m trying to keep you from getting hit by it,” Linc said, clapping Jason on the shoulder.
All four of them paused.
While he was often the recipient of such gestures, this was the first time he’d ever made one himself.
“Yeah, well, you know where I am if you need me,” Linc continued after clearing his throat.
“And that is?” Megan asked.
“On the other end of my cell phone.”
Laughter and groans followed him from the room.
O
H
, G
OD, OH
, G
OD, OH
, G
OD
…
Regina was incapable of registering more than those words…and the fact that somehow, someway, her worst nightmare had just manifested itself into full-blown reality.
Her heart bruised her rib cage as she saw Billy Johnson reflected in her rearview mirror.
“Drive,” he ordered again, returning her stare. He removed his hand from around her neck and then showed her a gun not unlike the one she’d handled earlier. A gun she might have even now, had she not refused to take it.
“Billy,” she whispered, her throat raw from where he’d held it too tightly. “What? How?”
His chuckle was nothing like Linc’s, low, rumbling. “Bet I’m the last person you expected to see, ain’t I?”
She nodded, nearly hitting an oncoming car when she accidentally veered across the middle line.
“Pay attention to where you’re going!”
It was somehow surreal to think she’d spent a year and a half obsessed with thoughts of what might happen if this moment ever occurred. But over the past couple of weeks, he’d barely entered her thoughts at all.
And now he was here…
“Wh-wh-where are we going?” she asked.
He sat back, grinning at her. “Just drive for now. I’ve dreamed about this moment forever. I intend to enjoy myself.”
She shuddered from head to toe.
“I thought I’d never get you alone.”
She squinted at him, dividing her attention between the road in front of her and the ghost behind her. What was he doing out of prison? How had he found her?
An image of her mother lying in an induced coma in a Maine hospital room loomed large in her mind.
Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God…
“What I really want to know right now is what in the hell are you doing with him?”
She stared at him through the rearview mirror, dumb-founded.
There was no doubt to whom he was referring. But the way he asked the question, with such venom, made her think it was more than just a casual inquiry.
A horn beeped behind her.
“Watch the goddamn road!” Billy leaned forward, resting his forearm on the seat rest. “And slow down. I don’t want you to die before I have a chance to kill you.”
Regina’s lungs refused air as he caressed her hair with his revolver. She could smell the gun oil as clearly as she had earlier at the firing range. And he was holding his finger on the trigger, not on the guard.
“Tell me, Reggie, is he getting some of that sweet ass of yours?” He chuckled hideously. “What am I talking about? You two are sleeping at each other’s places—of course he’s screwing you.” He leaned closer, whispering into her ear. “Does he turn you inside out? Does he do you like you know I can?”
The half a tuna sandwich she’d eaten for dinner threatened to rush up her throat. She swallowed hard to keep it down.
How long had he been watching her? And why?
Then her blood ran cold. He was the one who’d broken into her apartment.
Worse, she knew exactly why.
Billy continued, “Actually, I’m thinking maybe you could use a reminder of how good we used to be together. It hadn’t entered my mind before, but now that I’m seeing you up close, I’m remembering just how sweet that ass of yours is…”
Regina jerked the steering wheel to the left, accidentally putting her directly in the stream of oncoming traffic.
Horns honked, tires squealed and Billy slid down his seat.
Her only intention had been to force his foul breath and even fouler words away from her, but an idea started to take root.
“Stupid move,” he ground out, taking his spot behind her again as she righted the car. “I could have shot you.”
She wanted to ask him why he hadn’t. Why didn’t he just pull the trigger and get it over with? But she was afraid her goading might compel him to do it. And while a short time ago she might have risked anything to escape, now…
Well, now she had Linc.
The thought didn’t so much surprise her as give her hope. Her days were so much brighter with him in them. He reminded her what it was like to be alive. Vibrantly, thankfully, utterly alive.
Billy leaned closer to her again. She winced and pulled away, her fingers slick on the steering wheel. “How does it feel to be screwing the man who put me behind bars?”
Her lungs refused air.
What?
She tried to process what he was saying.
Linc…
“What?” she whispered.
“Oh, you didn’t know?” Billy’s laugh was self-satisfied, smug. “I’ll be damned. I’d thought he’d told you about my breakout.”
Regina barely heard him over the loud thud of her heartbeat.
“You don’t think his being with you is a coincidence, do you? The girlfriend of the man he put away?”
“Ex,” she said automatically, but it was said so softly she wondered if he’d heard her.
“FBI Special Agent Lincoln Carver Williams was the man who tracked me down in Maine and put me in jail.” A metallic click made her cringe. She looked in the mirror to find him cocking his gun. “And after I’m done with you, I intend to put him in a box of an entirely different kind.”
Her racing mind tried to process the details. She’d known Linc was an ex-Marine, but he hadn’t said he’d also been with the FBI.
“Where’s the money, Regina?”
The question forced her thoughts to the here and now although her heart was full of the pain Linc’s betrayal had wrought.
“What money?”
He pressed the barrel of the gun against the side of her head. She briefly closed her eyes and said a prayer.
“Don’t play with me, sweetheart. You know what money. I was the one who gave you the key to my place, remember?”
She remembered all too clearly.
“I don’t have it,” she told him.
“Not on you, no. Not anywhere at your place, either. But you have it somewhere.”
Regina knew a moment of panic. What would he do if he knew she didn’t have the money?
No, she didn’t have to wonder, she knew. He’d kill her.
She eyed the gun in the rearview mirror along with the madman wielding it. She may not have a traditional weapon, but she was driving a hell of a large vehicle capable of doing damage.
“And right now, you’re going to drive me to where you’re hiding it. Aren’t you, baby?”
He stroked the side of her face with the gun.
Quickly considering all the likely consequences, Regina decided on a course of action. She jerked the steering wheel to the left and stepped on the accelerator, zooming through a hole in oncoming traffic and passing over onto the curb. As she’d hoped, Billy slid across the seat and against the opposite door. As soon as she screeched to a halt, she got out of the car and made a run for it…