Garrett stood outside Haley’s bedroom and wished he had the courage to open the door and talk to her. He didn’t, though, because he’d gone to a great deal of time and effort to keep his life private and protected.

Frank knew, and so did a few other people, but he couldn’t afford to allow too many people in. While he was on his last mission, before he and Haley split, he’d decided on the way home to explain exactly what was going on. Why he’d resisted allowing her into his life.

He wanted to go into the room and make love to her. To hold her against his chest and feel the strong beat of her heart. He wanted to confess his love, his devotion. But how could he when there was so much out there she could never understand. And if she knew, would she still accept him?

There was no way of knowing and Frank had advised him to think carefully before confessing all. He’d found women to be both fickle and analytical. If Haley knew his secret, she might not even want to be around him.

He quietly opened the door and peered into the darkened room. Enough light shone in for him to see that she’d been crying. No doubt, she considered him a liar. A man so shallow, so insecure, that he couldn’t even tell her where he lived.

He moved inside and sat on the edge of the bed. Slowly he ran his hand down her arm, relishing the feel of her warmth.

“Garrett?”

“It’s okay, Haley. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Please stay. We don’t have to make love, I just need to be held.”

He stood and removed his clothes, then slipped between the covers only for her to immediately roll into his embrace. She smelled delicious and the warmth of her surrounded him.

He wanted her. Wanted to make love to her like he’d never been able to before. But not tonight. Not until the secrets between them had been exposed. Then she could judge for herself. He wouldn’t deny her that.

She deserved the truth.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t make it work,” she muttered against his neck. “I want you to know I love you. I’ve always loved you. I wish I’d been stronger.”

“Shhh,” he whispered. “Let’s not talk now. It’s late.”

She shoved away from him. “Do you hate me, Garrett?”

He shook his head. “No, I could never hate you.”

“But I hurt you.”

“You did, but I survived.”

“I don’t want you to just get by. I want you to be happy.”

He looked down at her in the dim light. “Only you can make me happy, Haley. Every minute I spent with you I was glad we were together.”

“Can we fix this?”

He brushed her hair away from her face. “Maybe. If you don’t ask me to quit my job.”

She sighed and snuggled closer

For tonight, he’d just enjoy the feel of her, bask in her warmth and touch. Then, if it were meant to be, they’d settle things between them. He closed his eyes and within seconds fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Jim stopped by his neighborhood liquor store and bought a fifth of vodka. He’d drink himself to sleep tonight so he wouldn’t worry about tomorrow. He didn’t want to think this might really be his last day on earth, and it would be if that damn Ditmir Gashi had anything to say about it. He’d made a deal he’d knew from the beginning might be a mistake. When the foreigner came to his place of business and talked about looking for someone to sell him some serious firepower, Jim had been reluctant and wary.

But the guy kept coming back, day after day. Always raising the amount of money he was willing to pay for what he wanted. And he wanted plenty. More than anyone was legally allowed to have. Even him, and he had a gun dealer’s license.

Jim wanted to keep saying no. He didn’t want to do business with a bunch of ragheads, but the money became too tempting. And God knows he could use the cash. His gun range took a big hit after a crazy man had gone berserk and shot up a bowling alley, killing several children. Things had been pretty tough.

Then politicians started griping about guns and shaming people who wanted to buy them. Jim decided to keep a low profile and closed his gun range for a week, until things cooled down.

Business was finally getting back to normal. While other ranges had computerized and enhanced their businesses, Jim needed every dime he made to live. He didn’t have the most popular location in Baltimore and being close to D.C. didn’t help anyone selling guns.

He climbed the stairs to his apartment and opened the door. Darkness greeted him, and he waited until he got the lights on before going inside. He didn’t put it past Gashi to kill him just for shits and giggles.

Besides, Gashi had enough connections in the area to find a buyer nearby, but he wouldn’t sell to anyone from the Middle East. Sergio Malakoff wouldn’t allow that. In case of a terrorist attack, he didn’t want anything to lead back to him. Jim didn’t worry about that. As soon as he got paid and unloaded the weapons, he planned to leave for Florida.

Time for a change.

He tossed the vodka on the kitchen table and took out his phone. He called a local pimp and ordered a girl. He didn’t have enough for a whore to stay the night, but he didn’t like that anyway. Once he got his rocks off, he was finished and wanted the bitch’s ass gone.

“Hey, Jo-Jo, you got an extra girl tonight?”

“Yo, Jim, you want her right now? It’s getting late.”

“Bullshit, I’ve seen your girls walking the streets till dawn.”

“It’s busy out here. There’s a convention in town.”

“Okay, I’ll call Dodie. He’s got some hot girls. Cheaper too.”

“Now, now, don’t be so hasty. Damn, man. Give me a chance to see who I got free.”

“I want her now. I got business tomorrow.”

“I’ll bring Britney. She’s cool and she likes to have a good time.”

Jim hung up. Jo-Jo never brought him his best girls. The most he got were the hags that couldn’t pick up a guy on the street, but he didn’t care. A pussy was a pussy.

Jim figured if the Albanian planned to kill him he might as well have a good time before he died, and nothing made him happier than fucking. He had a wife at one time. Judy had been a decent person and they enjoyed getting drunk together, but she sucked in bed. Never wanted anything to do with him. He practically had to beg to get screwed.

Then he started hiring prostitutes to take care of his needs. There went all their money and Judy soon moved out. They never divorced, but the last he heard she was living with a black guy over on Vickers Street.

He took down a highball glass and filled it to the rim. He didn’t want to waste his money by getting too drunk. Last time that happened he woke up with no clothes, a limp dick, and no money in his pocket.

When he complained to Jo-Jo, the pimp gave him fifty bucks of his money back and promised to fire the whore. Gave him a dumb story about not wanting to cheat his customers. He even gave him a new girl, but Jim had been leery ever since.

He stayed mostly sober and had his good time before he paid. And he didn’t keep his money in his pocket anymore. He now hid it in the kitchen cabinet, under his late mother’s Thanksgiving platter.

The knock on the door surprised him. He’d only called a few minutes ago. He flung open the door expecting to find the prostitute. Then froze when he saw a short Middle Eastern man standing in the hallway, staring at him.

Frank recognized Greg’s number and accepted the call. “Hey, Frank. Sorry I couldn’t take your call earlier. I was in a meeting and couldn’t break away.”

“Not a problem. I just wanted to let you know that Garrett got Haley. She’s safe.”

“That’s great news.”

“In his opinion, El Hashem is responsible for the airport bombing and he got himself wounded. Garrett thinks Nagi is our man now.”

“Is El Hashem dead?”

“We’re not sure, but it’s looking like that may be the end result. Especially since they no longer have Haley.”

“I’m glad he got her out of there. We know they’d have killed her without a second thought when they were through with her.”

“Agreed. And now we have to wonder what’s on their agenda. They didn’t come here to just try to blow up the airport. Garrett expects more.”

“That wouldn’t surprise me. There’s a lot of chatter out there about something big coming down the pike. We’ve gotten word from Pakistan that several men have recently come into the country through Mexico to attack us.”

“We have anything other than chatter?”

“Not much, but I’m on top of it. I’m meeting with Homeland tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll have some news.”

“Keep me posted. I don’t want my man in the dark. You catch wind of anything, and I do mean anything, then I want Garrett to know about it.”

“You’ll be the first to know. You keep your ears open, too. There isn’t anyone who doesn’t believe there is more to come.”

“Another attack in Maryland?”

“In all honesty, I’m more worried they’re coming here. They can do a lot more damage in Washington. Think what a blow that would be to the American people.”

“I always do. Is President Davis okay?”

“He’s in the loop. You and I both know he’s not a man who takes chances. He’s staying close to his security team.”

“Good, I’m meeting with him tomorrow. I’ll see if he needs extra manpower.”

“Call me when you get to town. I owe you a drink.”

“Yes, you do.”

Haley wanted to crawl inside Garrett’s skin and stay there forever. She never wanted him to let her go. Until this very moment, she hadn’t realized she’d never forgotten how wonderful he felt.

All it took was his strong arms, his muscular back, and his powerful legs pressed against hers to set her afire. His body had always fascinated her, but tonight it ignited everything inside her. Passion leapt through her veins and she shifted, trying to get closer.

She wanted him.

She slid off her tee shirt and tossed it on the floor, quickly pressing her mouth to his. She’d never felt more passionate in her life. Never wanted a man like this. Never been so hungry.

His rough hands brushed down her back to cup her rear, pulling her tightly against his hardness. He wanted her, too. The kiss intensified. His mouth slanted to hers, only to trace across her cheek and down her neck, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

She arched when his lips surrounded one nipple while his fingers rolled the nipple on the other with his thumb and forefinger. She moaned as he brought her higher and higher. Then he was between her legs, pinning her to the bed.

He nudged her leg aside, reached down into the wallet in his jeans, and removed a condom. Then he was inside her and Haley felt she’d returned to heaven. She wrapped her legs around his hips and clasped him hard, unwilling to let him move. He braced himself on his elbows and looked down at her.

“Sex doesn’t solve everything, Haley. This was never our problem.”

“I know,” she whispered, licking her lips. “I just want you. Is that so bad? Can’t we forget our differences for a few precious moments?”

He began to move, and she closed her eyes.”

“What do you want?” Jim snapped. He didn’t like that damn shithead showing up at his home. Besides, how did he know where he lived. “You don’t need to come snooping around here unless you have the money El Hashem promised.”

The man said nothing. He just stared.

“I’m serious,” Jim snapped. “That damn Albanian will kill me tomorrow if I don’t bring him a million dollars. In case you’re interested, that’s how much El Hashem owes me.”

“I don’t have the money yet, but I can get it for you very soon. However, I must insist you give me the guns tonight.”

“Are you nuts? I ain’t about to do that.”

“You will, or I will kill you.” He pulled out a gun and pointed it at Jim.

Damn it all to hell. He hated these stupid ragheads. “You listen to me, you fucking asshole. I have the guns. They’re locked away. Only I know the location and the codes to get into my repository. Now, get out of here before I kick your ass. And don’t come back until you have the money.”

Jim slammed the door.

A bullet slammed through the wood, nearly hitting him in the shoulder. Jim dove for the Sig he had hidden in a holster taped beneath the kitchen table. He fired two shots before getting back on his feet.

Carefully, he placed his ear against the door and heard nothing. Slowly he cracked open the door and found a young girl lying in a pool of blood.

The prostitute.

He glanced both ways down the hall and saw nothing. Confident they were alone, he knelt down and checked for a pulse. There was none. The girl had taken two to the chest. It looked like one had been a direct hit to the heart.

Jo-Jo wasn’t going to like that. He’d make him pay for the girl, not to mention however much he’d have to pay for the police to look the other way. Jim stood and ran his shaking fingers through his thinning hair. Now what?

He had the guns but not the money to pay for them. He’d accidentally killed one of Jo-Jo’s whores and the pimp would expect him to reimburse him for the income he’ll lose.

What the hell could happen next?

Desperate, he closed the door and locked it, then picked up his phone and called Clyde Stupas. His fees cost a fortune, but he was the only way Jim could see out of the mess he’d gotten himself into

Clyde never answered the phone, you had to leave a message and hope he returned your call. “Hey, Clyde, it’s Jim. Listen I need your help bad.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I don’t want to be a prick and remind you that you owe me one, but I’m pretty desperate. I’ll make it worth your while. Call me back.”

After that, Jim grabbed a change of clothes and tossed them in a bag. Easing down the hall, he got to the outside door and darted to his car. He managed to start the engine just as two men ran toward him, both armed.

Jim didn’t hesitate to duck, then drove right toward them. He had to get away to someplace safe, where no one could find him until he heard back from Clyde. Tires screaming, he burst out of the parking lot and turned left. He knew a place on the edge of the city where he could get a room for the night and they’d hide his car in a garage. That’s exactly where he went.