Teena chewed on her lower lip as she peered through the binoculars at the small cabin down in the valley. A dirty white van sat beneath an awning, partially protected by some trees.
“What are you thinking?” Common question from Patrick over the past few days.
They’d been beating down every lead they could pull to try and locate these bastards. Most hadn’t panned out but this one, this lead had. It’d been a few days of sleeping in crappy motels, eating shitty food. She loved her job and having Patrick with her at night didn’t hurt. Yes, it wasn’t professional but damn it all, he created a need within her, so each moment she was with him it increased. It started with separate rooms but by the time morning arrived, they were in the same bed, limbs entwined.
“Thinking there’s no way to approach during the day. The few trees that are over the van won’t provide us any from the higher approach.”
“I agree.” He pressed his shoulder against hers. “But it may not be any easier to approach this building once there is nightfall. If they were that prepared, who’s to say they didn’t set up a perimeter?”
“Good point.” She inched away, leaving some space between them, needing to keep a clear head.
He turned and glanced at her but she didn’t comment on it. “If that’s the case we have a good a chance now as we do later.”
“Backup?”
“We don’t know for certain if it truly is in the one we’re after.”
“Do you buy that?” he asked. “Or are you thinking like I am, it’s the scum down there and we should just go in guns blazing?”
“I’d prefer to do it gun’s blazing.” Anger over the senseless loss of lives hardened her tone.
“Rules.”
“Some days, I wish I could toss them out.”
“But you won’t.” He chucked her beneath the chin. “And this is why I’m not a Deputy Marshal because I will.”
“No, West. Don’t. I want this done right, so no lawyer, no matter how sleazy, can get this person off.”
He sighed heavily but didn’t argue with her.
She knew better, he would try something at some point. It was how he was. “Let’s pull up some aerial photos of the area and see if there’s another way in that we may have missed.”
“Sounds good. I have the laptop in the back of the truck. Let’s go.”
Together, they turned and walked to the back of their vehicle. Two days ago, he’d upgraded them to a SUV instead of the car. He opened the back doors and reached in to grab his computer.
She leaned by him and grabbed two bottles of water from the cooler, then handed him one.
“Thanks.”
She grunted and uncapped her own bottle, taking a good swig of the liquid. Crap, even without being out in the direct sun for hours it was still one of the levels of hell. At least in her opinion.
“Here we go.”
She moved beside him and studied the screen. “I don’t see anything else that would be able to help us.”
“Me either.” He typed a bit more bringing up the weather for the area. “Our saving grace may be the storm that’s rolling in.”
“Convenient,” she muttered.
“Yes, I was thinking the same thing, but hell, I’ll take it.”
“Call it in, will you? I have a different call to make.” She walked away digging for her phone. She rolled her shoulders as she waited for the call to be picked up.
“Too soon for an update,” Frank stated the second he answered.
“I’ve fucked up,” she blurted.
“Wait one second.”
She listened to his footsteps as he moved away from whomever was around. She chewed on her thumbnail as she glanced surreptitiously back to the man by the vehicle. The phone was up to his ear and he paced by the open doors of the vehicle, stride sure and confident. Appearing unbothered by the heat and she ignored the hitch in her chest as she watched him.
“What the hell is going on?” Frank demanded.
“I slept with him.”
“You called me in the middle of this to tell me you slept with someone? Babe, I love you but do you really think this is the time?”
“No, do you remember the one I told you about from Atlanta. That one-night stand.”
He laughed. “You mean the one you still sneak off and see.” A pause. “No,” he drew out. “That’s Patrick West? Are you kidding me?”
“Wait,” she snapped, looking to make sure he was still a ways off. “How did you know his name?”
“Parker told me who was with you on this since I’m here in Louisiana.”
Of course, he did. Their close-lipped boss finally decided to become Chatty Kathy.
“That’s the one who you’ve been running off to see a few times a year and coming back with that contented glow about you?”
“Can we focus on the matter at hand?” Irritation crept into her tone.
“Oh, we are. This is about you and the rebel West.”
“Rebel? He’s not a rebel.”
“And now we’re defending him?”
“Look, this is a problem. I need some advice here, not laughter.”
“Are you having difficulty working with him? Like is it awkward now that you’re not sleeping with him?”
She cleared her throat.
“Oh, shit. You haven’t stopped sleeping with him. Are y’all knocking boots every night?”
“Why did I call you?”
“For some help, I reckon.” He laughed again. “What’s the problem, Teena? Is he not listening? Being all macho?”
“All the guys I hang out with are obnoxiously macho. The issue is not with him, it’s because of him. The problem is mine.”
“Holy shit, you’ve fallen in love with him.”
Another turn allowing her the chance to locate Patrick’s exact position. He remained by the truck, waiting for her. Watching her as well. He didn’t hide it, but stood there arms crossed, leaning against the side of the black SUV.
“I didn’t say that,” she commented, turning her back to the man she discussed.
“Didn’t state you weren’t either. Are you seriously telling me that you’ve fallen in love with this man?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. Maybe.” She scratched her head. “I’m so confused.”
“Babe, I love you. You know this but you need to get your head on straight. This is not the time for you to be second-guessing anything. You’re going to be going in after people who just took out too damn many of our own people. If you are in love, or not. Hell, even if you’re unsure, lock it up until you get this shit figured out. You can moon over him later or cave and crawl on your hands and knees to him begging for sex. I don’t care. Right now, I need you, my partner to bring her A-game and come back home safe. Got it. Get it done and come back.”
He ended the call and she stared at the screen before returning her phone to her pocket. This was why she loved Frank. He was her sanity and sounding board.
“Everything okay?”
She looked up to find Patrick standing right there, in her personal space. “Yes.”
He reached for her and frowned when she drew backward. “Fine.” Patrick cleared his throat. “Your boss wants a call and an update.”
“Right, I should get on that then.”
He didn’t allow her to drop her gaze. “Probably. What are we doing here, Mason?”
“Waiting for backup to breech and take down some scum.” Does my voice really sound so weak? Maybe that’s just to my ear.
His grin had zero humor in it. “I meant you and me.”
This wasn’t the time or place. At least not for her. She’d already ventured way out of her personal comfort zone by opening up to Frank and wasn’t about to do this once more, especially not with the man who created all this cyclone of emotion within her. “It’s all I’m going to talk about right now.”
He raked his gaze over her. “I could persuade you.”
Of that, she had no doubt. “I’m not arguing that you have the skills to talk me out of my clothing, West, but not even you can make me talk if I don’t want to.”
He cocked a brow. “Care to place a wager on that thought?”
The decadence his tone was bathed in created ribbons of desire that wound around her and dragged over her hypersensitive skin. “No, I don’t.” What she did want was her place, a tall drink, and Patrick waiting to join her in the bedroom. She screeched that unnecessary and dangerous thought to a halt. As she’d mentioned before not the time or place.
Hiding behind the job. Frank had accused her of that a time or two.
The rumble of an engine split the silence and he gripped the back of her head seconds before he claimed her mouth. He dominated her and she sagged into him, resting her hands on his chest. Whether to push him away or grip him closer, she hadn’t been positive which. However, the moment her fingers wound into the fabric of his shirt, she had her answer.
As usual, her body won out. Feelings. Emotions. Overtook the logic and reasonable thinking she was capable of.
They’d just separated when the approaching vehicles pulled up. Her palms were sweaty and her heart thundered out with a powerful cadence. The lead vehicle stopped and the back opened, men in full tactical gear spilling out.
The driver jumped out, eyes flickering between them once he peered at them over the tops of his sunglasses. “Are we interrupting, Deputy Marshal?”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Marshal Simmons. Drove the tactical team. Have my orders that you’re in charge until Deputy Marshal Larkin arrives.”
Her brain shifted into work mode, shutting out everything else. “Sun’s going down. Let’s review the plan once more.”
Within moments, they all stood around a folding table that held the details of their plan. Darkness had settled by the time everyone was ready. She adjusted the velcro on her vest and checked, then double checked her Glock. Larkin had arrived, taking over. She’d met the man once before. She liked him. Made her feel good that he remembered her as well. In her periphery, she watched West go through the same actions she’d just finished. He met her gaze. She held briefly, then looked away.
The building was surrounded from all sides, Larkin gave the “go” command and as one, they began approaching. Explosions rung around as they breeched the cabin. Chaos surrounded her, people yelling, smoke bombs, and tear gas going off.
“Get down, get down. Down!” Cries ran in her ears.
She pushed on, flanked by ATF and FBI agents, then local law. They’d all shown for this, desperate and hopeful to catch the ones who’d killed some of their own. Once the next room had been cleared, the others pressed on. She stopped when a glint caught her eye.
Shit.
“Stop. Stop. Stop!” she yelled and lunged for the point man, shoving through the two behind him.
Teena got to him the moment the explosive blew. The flames and concussive force of the blast knocked her off her feet. She cried out as projectiles hit her, tearing into flesh. Darkness engulfed her as she slid from the wall to the floor. She went from conscious to unconscious with flicks of light being shined in her eyes. But the shroud won out and she allowed the night to cover her once more.
αβ
“Teena. Are you awake? Can you hear me?”
She fought to get her lids up and found Frank standing over her. The words wouldn’t come at first, so she licked her lips once more and tried again. “Yes. I hear you. What happened and why am I in the hospital?” Christ, she hurt.
Frank sat and took one of her hands in his large one. “Bastard rigged the cabin. Tripwire was hit.”
Fear slammed her. Had they lost more men? “And?”
“We got the bastard. Five of y’all went to the hospital but he’s been caught. Or rather, they. Mikaal Visnic’s people broke him out and were responsible for everything. The planning, execution. Mikaal is back in custody.”
She tried to sit up.
Frank shook his head. “No way. You were cut up pretty bad. I’m glad you had the sense to wear your vest.”
She didn’t like it, they weren’t made for women with a chest but a man. Still, she wasn’t stupid and didn’t view herself as invincible. “I listen to rules,” she said with a yawn.
“Right,” he drawled. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Don’t scare me like this again, ever.”
“Am I interrupting?”
She found Frank’s comical expression amusing but it hurt too much to smile. Beyond him, filling the doorway stood Patrick.
“No,” Frank said without looking at the other man. “We’ll have plenty of time together later.” Her partner winked at her and had she the energy, she would have punched him, well aware of the pot he was stirring. But that was his way.
When Patrick finally stood next to the bed, Frank got to his feet and stared at Patrick. “Name’s Frank.”
“Patrick.”
Frank faced her once more and winked. “I’ll give you two a moment. Can I bring you anything, babe?”
“She’s fine.” Patrick’s tone held an edge.
Frank didn’t move until she shook her head. Her energy depleted already.
“Back soon.” Frank gave her a smile, squeezed her bandaged hand carefully, then left.
The room was quiet while Patrick took over Frank’s vacated chair. His gray eyes were hard, expression stern. He stared at her and the tension ratcheted up between them.
She caught her breath when he reached out and dragged the tips of two fingers along her cheek.
He traced the bandage there and sighed heavily, nostrils flaring. “Are you okay?” His voice held a hitch.
“Yes. Tired and sore but fine.”
“Christ, Mason, you scared me.” He touched the cut on her lip before going down along the curve of her neck.
“Sorry.” Honestly, she hadn’t a clue about what to say to that. If hadn’t already been unconscious, she’s sure she would have been frightened as well. The urge to burrow her face into his touch was powerful and she struggled not to but damn, if she didn’t want his strength around her.
“You scared the shit out of me when I saw you lying there all cut up and bleeding.”
She tried to give him a comforting smile but it didn’t come. “I’m fine. Or I will be.”
αβ
Patrick wanted to crawl in the bed with her and put his arms around her. He’d been on the other side of the cabin and the explosion had knocked him off his feet as well. Most took a spill as the house had gone up in blazing flames. He’d suffered a few cuts when the ball bearings tore by him.
The woman lying there on the bed, however, had been hit much worse. The only reason she hadn’t died was because she’d been behind the point man and his larger body had taken the projectiles in his vest that would have been in her head, given the height difference.
His gut churned with sourness at the thought of losing her. And in that way. Losing her would have been hell to begin with, but for her to have been killed in a raid, was unacceptable to him.
He scanned her body, lying in that damn bed. The white bandages slicing her darker skin only served as a reminder how close he’d come to losing her. His anger surged to the top all over again. Hell, if the ones responsible for setting that trap hadn’t been caught and in custody when he’d gotten to them, he would have killed them for what they’d done to Teena.
Still wanted to.
“What happened?”
“Didn’t he tell you?” He swallowed and did his best to calm down.
“I don’t mean about them being captured. I mean to me. I hurt like hell.”
“Trip wire set off was connected to explosives and those had been mixed with nails and ball bearings. Oh, some wood splinters as well. Didn’t help that when the building went up, there were even more.” He stared at her fingertips peeking out from the bandages on her left hand.
“Explains why I feel so crappy.”
“You were so close to the main point of the explosion, you suffered a concussion. When I got to you, you had blood coming from your ears, nose, mouth and even out of the corner of your eyes.”
“How long have I been in here? And where is here?”
“You’ve been in here for a week. This is Dallas.” He looked back at her face and found her eyes closed, breathing deeply. “Mason?” No answer. He checked closer and she was completely asleep. Not faking it.
He pushed to his feet and pulled the blanket up over her, tucking her in a bit more. Patrick wound a curl in his fingers and wished they were anywhere but here.
“You know she’ll be fine.”
Patrick turned to see Frank walking back into the room. He wanted to snarl at the man and tell him to get lost. “She’s sleeping,” he said, giving his back to the man who was Teena’s partner.
“I know. They gave her something for it, a bit before you came in. They want her resting as much as she can. Helps her to heal faster.” Frank moved across from him, Teena between them. He put the chair he’d carried down, then took a seat. “What are you looking for?”
Patrick met the inquisitive gaze with one of his own. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. What are you looking for with her?”
“What’s between us isn’t any of your damn business.”
“The hell it isn’t. This woman is my partner. Not yours. Mine. I look after her and you, Patrick West are a danger to her.”
That phrase got him. “I’m a danger to her? Me?” His voice rang louder. “Where were you when this went off, if you’re supposed to be looking after her?”
“Not in the same damn state.”
“So, because I was with her and this happened, it was my fault?”
“No. I’m not talking about her physical injury. I know you’d never try to hurt her like that. I’d kill you for that if she didn’t do it first.” He cracked his neck, completely unperturbed by his voice raising.
“Then what the hell are you talking about?”
“I know you’re the one she goes to visit a few times a year.”
Oh, that. “And? Again, we’re both adults. Consenting at that, so what business is it of yours what we do?”
“Because I care about more than being in her pants.”
“More than? Are you in her pants?” How upset would she be if she woke to find her partner dead? Probably pretty damn upset. He forced himself to relax.
Frank shrugged, looking all too damn smug for his own good. “Like you stated, consenting adults.”
“So what? You’re here to scare off the competition? Afraid if she could pick on her own, it wouldn’t be you?”
“She’ll always take me over you. I’m her partner. You’re a fling she doesn’t even talk about.”
That hurt and while he tried to dislodge the knife in his heart, he smirked. “Yet, you know about me.”
“Because I followed her once to make sure she wasn’t doing something stupid.” A pointed glare. “Which she was.”
Being with him was stupid. For starters, Patrick wanted to punch him.. “Yet she keeps coming back.”
“You’re a hidden treat. Not something you take to meet the parents, but something you hide from your friends. You don’t get to show up at parties, and be the date. Not the knight in shining armor. Nothing but the dirty secret, no one should ever know about.” Frank got up, bent to kiss Teena on the cheek, all the while, holding his gaze. “Let her go, for her own good.” Then he walked to the door where he paused and added one last parting comment, “Find someone of your own to be with. Leave her alone.”
Patrick rubbed his temples and leaned back in the chair. Was that true? He was nothing more to her than that torrid secret? Yes, he knew they didn’t talk about what they got together for and it was just sex. Or so, he’d tried to convince himself but knew it was a lie. Had been from the first time they shared a bed.
A quirk of his lips. Okay, so their first time actually in a bed was the third time they had sex. A wall was the first and a table was their second.
He yawned and cracked his neck. He hadn’t slept well since she’d been brought in here. Hadn’t left either, refused to go back to DC. Telling Seamus that until she was out of there, he wasn’t going anywhere. Thankfully as a man who rarely took any vacation, he had a lot of time on the books, so that’s what he was using. And while Seamus may not have given him his blessing, he couldn’t argue it.
He woke later, when the nurse came in the room to check on her. The woman gave him a small smile as she went about her business. As she checked the IV, she gazed at him. “You know visiting hours are almost over.”
Patrick just flashed his badge. “She’s not going to be without someone protecting her at all times.”
Another kind smile. “You know she’ll be okay, right?”
“Are you sure?”
“She’s a fighter. I’ve met my share of them.” She paused beside him. “Would you like me to have a cot brought in?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll have it brought up.”
“Thank you.”
After midnight, he was stretched out on the cot, the blanket over him, dozing off and on when she whimpered. It wasn’t a light one but a deep cry. On his feet in an instant, he moved to her side and stared down at her. One light was on in the room, allowing minimal illumination but if the nurse entered, there would be some.
Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she slept. There was torment in her expression but he felt torn between waking her and letting her sleep through it. If he woke her, she would know he had caught her crying and Teena wasn’t one who would want that, he knew that much. However, if she were in the throes of a nightmare, he didn’t want to leave her like that.
He bent and kissed the tears as they rolled from her eyes.
She shifted and whimpered once more.
“You’re okay, Teena.” He loved the way her name rolled off his tongue. After calling her Mason for so long, it was an intimate pleasure to call her by her first name. “I’m right here.”
“Patrick?”
He sat beside her, so he wouldn’t be looming over her when she opened her eyes. “Right here.”
She didn’t open them. Instead, she turned toward him, or rather angled to him, then sighed heavily and relaxed.
The touch of her fingers along his hand created a flutter in his heart. She may not be ready to face what they had while she was awake, but she had called out to him when she needed comfort.
He woke each time someone walked in and made sure they knew he was watching. When morning arrived and she woke this time, he’d already gotten himself cleaned up and the cot had been removed.
Her food was beside her bed and she yawned as she stared at him. “What are you doing here, West?”
“Morning to you too, sunshine.”
“Morning,” she replied. “What are you doing here?”
“Came by to check on you.”
“You just got here?”
“About two seconds after this delightful looking breakfast was delivered. You should eat.”
“Right.” She didn’t argue when he lifted the bed for her, so she could eat. “That’s good, thanks.”
He moved the tray closer to her and watched as she attempted to eat with her bandaged hands. Moving the chair closer, he took the fork from her.
“I’m fine,” she snapped.
“You can’t win, so you may as well let me feed you.” He unwrapped the fork and put some eggs on it. “Come on, open up. I’ll make noises if it will help. Train or plane, I’ll even let you pick.”
“No, it won’t help. Were you here last night?”
“For a bit. Me and Frank stopped by to visit.” He held the fork, smiling when she opened her mouth, allowing him to slip the forkful of eggs in. “Chew, then swallow.”
She complied and he fed her two more bites before she wanted a drink. Holding the bottle while she sipped from the straw he stared at the circles beneath her eyes and the drawn skin over her cheekbones.
“Did you come back?”
“Why?”
“I thought you were here,” she said. “Guess it was a dream.”
He leaned closer. “So glad I’m the one in your dreams. If it helps, you’re in mine too.”
Her skin flushed.
“We need to talk, Mason.”
“I get it, West. You think because I’m in a hospital bed I will have to talk to you. That’s not the case. I don’t have to and I don’t want to talk. Especially, if this is about me being injured and how the job is to damn dangerous for a woman…For me.”
He put the fork down and shook his head. “I’d love for you to be out of danger, Mason but I wouldn’t ever ask you to stop doing what you love. You were born to do what you do and that’s what makes you happy. This is about me and you. No more of your hiding from this. We’re going to talk.”
“Can we do it after I go to the bathroom?”
“Want me to get a nurse?”
“Yes. We’re not that close.”
He kissed her. “We should be.” Then he left to find her what she wanted, a nurse.
Patrick waited outside until the nurse left. He came back in to find Teena propped up in bed, her food still beside her and the blanket pulled to her neck.
“Hungry?” he asked making his way back to her side.
“No, I had the nurse give me a few bites before she left.”
“Okay. So can we talk now?”
“No.”
“Christ, Mason. Why do you have to make this so damn difficult?”
“Because I’m at a disadvantage here. I’m in a hospital bed.”
He furrowed his brow. “It’s not a war zone, it’s a talk. Generally, a congenial act. You don’t have to be anywhere but in the damn room with me, so we can talk.” His frustration mounted.
“Says the man who can come and go as he pleases. The man who doesn’t need someone to help them if they have to pee. I’m not on even footing with you, because I can’t even stand on my own right now.”
“Lord have mercy. I wanted to talk. Not battle. Talk. About us. Where our relationship could be going because I don’t want to be your secret any longer. I want to take it to the next level which you apparently don’t want to discuss, because you are recuperating in a hospital after coming close to near death. So I’m taking this as a talk with me is worse than what you suffered out there in the field. Point taken, Mason. I may be thickheaded and stubborn but you finally made your point. Message received.”
He spun around and strode away, closing the door with a soft click. Part of him wanted to look back or go in there once more. Not giving her the chance to push him away like this. However, the part that won was the one that was tired of getting messages from her about how embarrassed she was to be seen with him. He didn’t get to be seen with her. He wanted to. Hell, when they met in Atlanta, they never checked in at the same time.
The entrance door slid open and he walked away from the woman lying up there in the hospital bed, leaving his heart on the floor in her hospital room.