Chapter 11
A knock on the door broke the silence.
Groaning, Ellie rolled over and collided with Zane’s chest.
She smiled. They’d spent the night together. Again. Yet, they hadn’t touched one another, beyond some cuddling. This had to be a record. Although, they still hadn’t sorted everything out. They had a long conversation ahead of them.
Ellie wanted to be with him, assuming she didn’t end up in jail, of course. And Zane would probably resist her every step of the way. It’s a good thing I’m stubborn.
And then the knocking started up again.
“Who is it?” she whispered furiously.
“Stormy. Open up.”
“Now isn’t the best time.”
“Hey. Wait a minute. You two spent the night together?”
Ugh. Why can’t people around here mind their own damn business? She slipped out of bed and opened the door.
His lip curled. “Well, damn. How was it?”
Ellie just stared at him.
He groaned, totally put out.
“What’s up?”
“I’ve got a lead.” He jumped from one foot back to the other.
“What is it?” And then she noticed his eyebrow kept jerking like it was pulled by an invisible string. Was Storm tweaking?
“Okay, what did you take? An energy drink?”
“I don’t do energy drinks.” His nose wrinkled. “That stuff’s poison.”
“Then what’s wrong with you?”
“Caffeine.” His eyes widened. “Lots and lots of caffeine. Don’t worry, it was all organic, with a bit of raw sugar. I stayed up all night to get this done.”
“Fine, I’ll get Zane up, and we’ll meet you downstairs.”
He went back down the hallway, almost tapdancing as he went.
“And Storm? Maybe you should lay off the coffee? Stick to water.”
“Excellent idea.”
***
“And they never mentioned a hideout, right?” Storm asked.
Ellie shook her head.
They were in the tech center, and Storm had explained they didn’t need to know what the target was. They could stop it from happening after they found the group’s “evil layer” and those were the exact words he used, as though Black Star was hunting down a Bond villain.
Evidently, he’d found references to it on the message board. He’d done everything he could think of to suss out its location, but he’d come up empty.
Zane watched Storm with bemusement, and Ellie was distracted by him too. He couldn’t stay still. He kept pacing back and forth, fidgeting with pens, tapping out a rhythm against his pant leg. Anything to keep moving.
“You’re absolutely sure?” Storm asked, clearly grasping at straws.
“Dave and his buddies took off together for hours at a time, but I never knew where they went. I assumed they were hangin’ out at Marshall’s place.”
“It was worth a shot.” Storm sighed. “Maybe you can get the information anyway. We need some answers, and I think you have the best shot at getting them.”
“You want me to interrogate him?” Ellie didn’t wanna be alone in a room with Dave again. And she had no clue what to say to him. Besides, both Storm and Zane had failed. Why would she have any success if they didn’t?”
“She isn’t doing this.” Zane shook his head. “It’s insane. The man beat her to a bloody pulp.”
“I don’t like it either, but we are running out of time. Memorial Day’s 48 hours away and the target could be anything.” Storm lifted his chin. “It’s at least worth a try.”
“No, we’ll let Nox have a go with him.”
“Great. Maybe Dave will end up in intensive care, where he’s useless to us. What do you think, Ellie?” Storm asked pointedly.
“I want to help, but I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. I’ve never grilled anybody before.”
“Don’t think of it like that. You’re not grilling him. It’s only a conversation with a purpose. We need to know where their compound is. Just focus on that.”
“And how do I get him to talk?” Dave had clammed up with everyone. According to Storm, he’d only defended his actions with Zane but hadn’t offered anything useful.
“Use emotion, like Zane. Only you’ve got a better one to exploit. Love opens doors anger can’t. You two have had a connection for a long time, and those feelings are still there, although they might be buried pretty deep.”
Zane turned to look her way, assessing Ellie.
“I’m not in love with him. I haven’t been for a long time.”
He nodded.
Ellie needed to be alone with him. She had to talk to him, tell Zane how she felt about him, before it was too late.
Storm cleared his throat.
“Okay, I’ll try.”
“Thank you.”
Zane squeezed her hand. “And we’ll be right outside, in case anything goes wrong.”
With a deep breath, she followed Stormy and Zane to the small room on the other side of the armory. There was a keypad on the handle.
“What is this place?”
“For lack of a better term, a prison cell,” Zane said tightly. “West figured it might come in handy one day, and he was right.”
“Don’t worry, he’s been calm. We wouldn’t put you in any danger.” Storm punched in the code, and let her in.
“And we’ll be listenin’ in,” Zane said, flipping a switch on the wall. Evidently, it was an intercom.
Ellie nodded.
She was about to step inside when Zane grasped her arm. “Be careful?”
“Always.”
When Ellie saw Dave, she sucked in a breath.
His face was mottled, reddish mixed with black and blue, and a sickening green. He was lying on a steel bed, with a thin foam mattress, which had been bolted to the floor.
Storm shut the door behind her, locking her in with Dave.
“What are you doing here?” Dave stood, and his movements were slow.
“I wanted to talk.”
“Let me guess, about Marshall.”
Hmm. If she went straight for the prize, he’d shut down again.
“Actually, I need some answers about us, you and me, and our train wreck of a relationship.” Storm had said to play on emotions, and she needed some closure as well.
He stared down at the floor, shoulders hunched.
“About that, I’m…”
Ellie tensed. “Don’t you dare tell me you’re sorry. There are some things a person can’t forgive, so don’t ask.”
“I know.” Dave swallowed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
“How could you hurt me? I loved you.” She touched her face subconsciously. “You kept hittin’ me again and again. Until I blacked out. You made me your personal punchin’ bag.” Ellie still couldn’t believe he’d done that. It was so unexpected, and out of character.
“Loved?” He glanced up sharply.
She blinked. “What?”
“You used the past tense.”
“Yeah, newsflash, we’re over.”
He nodded toward the door. “Because you’re with the bastard who beat me up?”
Ellie bit the inside of her cheek, to keep from screaming at him. Dave had no right to interfere or pass judgment on her.
“This isn’t about wantin’ a new person. I can never trust you again. You destroyed us with your fists and your words.”
Dave swallowed. “Hurtin’ you, saved your life. Does that make any difference?”
“What are you talkin’ about?” He wasn’t making any sense.
“I had to make you stop, but you refused to let it go. If you confronted Marshall, he would have killed you. And if you’d gone to the authorities instead, we’d both be dead. I’m sure of it.”
She hadn’t thought about his actions in that light. Ellie didn’t know what to make of his twisted logic. Or maybe this was how he rationalized his ruthless decision? Ellie didn’t know what to think or believe anymore. Everything was a mess.
“I did it out of love. I didn’t want to lay a hand on you.” His eyes were wide and sincere.
“It sure seemed like you did.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “The things you said to me…”
“I was playactin’.”
“For who?” She leaned against the wall, crossed her arms, and stared Dave down. What if he was just plain crazy?
“Marshall. He bugged our place.”
“What?” Ellie gaped at him.
“Yeah, I found one in the kitchen and another in the livin’ room.”
“And you didn’t get rid of them?”
“I couldn’t. If I did, Marshall would know, and there’d be…consequences.”
Ellie ran a hand down her face. “How can I even believe you? You’ve been plannin’ this thing with him for months, and I didn’t have a clue. How do I know you’re not lying to me now?”
“This has all gotten way out of hand. Marshall is….” He broke off and shook his head.
“What? Tell me.”
Dave took a step closer and she backed away.
“Easy, I ain’t gonna hurt you.” He held up his hands.
Somebody pounded on the door. Most likely it was Zane.
“It’s alright. I’m okay,” Ellie called.
“I didn’t know it was gonna be like this. Talking is one thing, but Marshall was sick and tired of talk, he wanted to act. I didn’t know how paranoid he was, how batshit. But by the time I figured it out, this thin’ snowballed beyond my control.” He sighed. “I don’t know if I can go through with it. Although, since I’m here, I guess I won’t have too.”
“Maybe it’s why you left in the first place. You didn’t want to check on me, Dave, you needed an out.”
Zane sliced his head to one side. “No, he wanted me to get somethin’ at the hardware store.”
“What?” Ellie held her breath, waiting for an answer.
He went still as a statue.
“Tell me. If you have the power to stop it, and don’t, then you share in the blame, even if you’re not the one hurtin’ people. What did you pick up?”
Dave blew out a ragged breath. “Pipes.”
Something clicked. Hadn’t the old man said Marshall was working on a plumbing project? Only Marshall wasn’t a plumber.
“Is he makin’ pipe bombs?” It would be a simple way to disperse the gas into the air. It would cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, especially if they used it in a crowd.
Dave nodded. “Yeah, lots of ‘em.”
“Now, tell me where they are.”
“I can’t. I already said too much.” Dave turned away.
Ellie gritted her teeth. “Then let me tell you somethin’ about Anubis.”
Dave turned, eyes flaring.
“Yeah, I said the code name. It only has a thirty percent survival rate and the people, the innocent people exposed to it are gonna die a horrible death.”
Dave shook his head.
“Let me walk you through it.” Dave turned away, but she got closer, refusing to let him block this out. “Let’s pretend it’s happenin’ to you. The first symptom is a runny nose, which is innocent enough. And then watery eyes, so your vision blurs. It’s like you’ve got allergies.”
Dave backed against the wall.
Ellie got in his face, relentless. “Next, you’ll start to drool and sweat. Then, a cough that won’t quit and your chest tightens. It’s like someone is squeezing your lungs and every single breath hurts.” Ellie gasped for effect. “Sometimes, the heart rate skyrockets. You can hear the blood roaring in your ears and you’re afraid, terrified. If you don’t have a heart attack right then and there, you’ll pee yourself. And then you’d lose control of your bowels. Or maybe you’d start convulsing and—”
“Stop!” Dave held up a hand.
“Tell me where they are. Help me.”
Dave didn’t speak for what felt like an eternity. Time had slowed down to a crawl.
Please, Dave, tell me. Let me end this.
Finally, he opened his mouth to speak.
And told her everything.
***
“Everybody got a gas mask?” West asked.
Zane nodded, and so did the rest of the crew.
After Ellie pulled a confession out of Dave, he’d gone to a local Army surplus store and loaded up on secondhand gas masks, since West hadn’t bought any for the armory.
Evidently, nobody had expected a chemical attack.
Dave had laid it all out for them. The sovereigns planned on pipe-bombing the Memorial Day Parade in Lexington. The event was always well-attended. They would’ve killed innocent men, women, children, who’d come out to enjoy the festivities.
It was a bit like the Boston Marathon bombing, only on a much larger scale.
Zane had seen some fucked up shit in his day, but this was a whole other level. Although, in whacked out Marshall-land, it made sense. The parade was a soft target with a patriotic theme. There’d be plenty of cops and firefighters on the scene, too.
They were in the meeting room again, and it was just after midnight.
Everyone was sporting grim mugs. In a couple of hours, they’d infiltrate the compound and eliminate the threat. This would be a dangerous operation. Chemical weapons were nasty shit. It almost made him long for his days in Afghanistan.
“Everybody clear on the plan?” Nox asked.
After Ellie had gotten Dave to pinpoint the location, Storm had pulled it up on satellite so they could study their base of operations. It was a warehouse, which used to belong to the coal company before they’d moved on to another location. The place was industrial, fortified, which didn’t bode well for their plan of attack.
It had metal doors and only a few windows. Breeching that kind of structure would be difficult.
“Yeah, Chief, but what happens when we catch them?” Zane asked.
“We turn ‘em over to the FBI.”
“And what are we gonna do with the unwanted guest in our holdin’ cell?”
“Yeah, that prick, too.”
“We should tip off the FBI before we go in,” Mack said.
Both King and Zane started to argue when West raised a hand to quiet them down.
“Let’s hear her out.”
“We’re going to need backup. What if they set off the gas when we walk inside?”
“And it turns into another Waco.” Nox shook his head. “We could have a real shit show on our hands.”
They’d all go to prison for the rest of their lives.
Dammit.
***
Ellie bit her lower lip, as she listened.
She’d been on edge ever since she’d spoken to Dave. Ellie wouldn’t feel right until they’d stopped this from happening. She didn’t want to wait even a second longer, but she wasn’t in charge.
“So, what? The FBI are gonna show up and help us out, no questions asked?” Annie shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Once they find out we thwarted a terror attack, they might see things differently.” Mack frowned. “But we’d have to play it very carefully. Call them in at the very last second.”
“She’s right,” Storm said. “This is a top-secret program, and it got away from them. They’ll want to keep this quiet, which means it’s gonna be buttoned up.”
“You think they’ll give us a pass?” West asked.
“If I work my magic, yeah.” And then Storm leaned over to whisper to her. “That reminds me, why don’t we have a talk after this? I might be able to help you out, too, so you don’t have to run.”
“Seriously?” She clung to the small glimmer of hope.
“Well, let’s put it this way, I give you fifty-fifty odds.”
“I’ll take it.” It was much better than the zero percent chance she’d had a few minutes ago.
“And are you sure, you wanna go with us, Ellie?” West sighed. “You’ll have to bug out before the feds get there, and this could get really ugly tonight.”
She’d volunteered to go, over both King’s and Zane’s objections, and nobody would talk her out of it.
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Then be ready. We leave at o300.”
***
“Hey, are you ready to talk?” Storm asked Ellie after the meeting.
“Sure.” She followed him down the hall to technology center.
He closed the door behind them, presumably so they could have some privacy. Ellie had a feeling she wasn’t going to enjoy this talk.
“We’ve tipped off the feds, which means they’ll be out in force tomorrow.”
“I know. Tomorrow, I turn into a pumpkin, to use a Cinderella metaphor.”
“Yes, they’ll take you into custody. And the DA will want to put this case to bed as fast as possible. My hunch is they’ll press you for information on the others, and then offer you a pretty sweet deal.”
“How do you know so much about this?”
His smile was smug. “At the agency, I…persuaded people to help me, using whatever means necessary. And I know exactly how and where the government buries the bodies it doesn’t want anyone to find. I mean that both literally and figuratively.”
Ellie frowned. “What are you tryin’ to tell me?”
“The FBI wants these guys bad, so you’ve got a bargaining chip, if you use it right.”
Ellie believed the FBI had her dead to rights. Her keycard had been used, her boyfriend had been in on the plan. And to make matters worse, she’d hidden from the authorities. Ellie had behaved like a guilty person, even though she’d had nothing to do with the plot.
“What exactly do you mean? I’ve never blackmailed the government before.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Storm grinned. “Here’s exactly what you should say...”
As she listened, Ellie began to smile.
***
“What’s wrong?”
“Can’t sleep.”
Ellie had wandered into Zane’s bedroom when she’d seen his light was on, too.
The next few hours would determine the rest of her life. She needed to go into the operation, rested and ready to go. Instead, she’d laid in her bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about Zane.
“Me either.” Zane was propped up in bed, and he nodded to the other side, indicating she should lie down. “Tomorrow it will be over.
She sat beside him. “Yeah, one way or the other.”
And most likely, if Storm’s plan didn’t work, she’d be going to jail or running from place to place.
“We got this, Ellie.”
“Yeah, somehow I don’t think so.”
He opened his mouth to argue.
“Yeah, I know. I should stay positive, but I didn’t come here for a pep talk.”
“No?”
“No. We left things unsettled between the two of us, and I wanna talk it out. Once and for all.”
“Don’t worry about us right now. Tonight, keep your head straight. You—”
She placed a fingertip to his lip.
Ellie had intended to tell Zane how she felt. Honestly, she did, but then Zane nipped her finger, and sucked it into his mouth.
She gasped. And Ellie lost the ability to form thoughts, let alone words. She drifted in a haze of need, one she’d been sublimating for years.
Zane asked a silent question with eyes.
And Ellie nodded.
Suddenly, they were all over each other, tugging down zippers, popping buttons off, in a race to bare their skin to one another.
They stripped down to their underwear, and then Zane pushed her back against the mattress, before he crawled on top of her.
Zane took his time, tasting, teasing her nipples. Each swollen crest was licked, and sucked, and nipped. He leaned back to admire them, juggling the soft flesh in his hands, as though fascinated by the way they moved, mesmerized by the sight.
His hand slipped between her legs. The warmth of his palm rested against her soft cotton panties. He traced the thin material for a moment, and then pulled at the edges, another silent question.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Needing no further invitation, Zane stripped them off, leaving her bare to his hungry-eyed gaze. He missed nothing, noticed all of her.
Cupping her pussy, Zane began a gentle rhythm, kneading her, until she gasped. Zane claimed her mouth in a ferocious kiss.
Heat rolled through her body.
She grew wetter with each caress, needier. His fingers parted her folds, grazing her clit, but not stroking it.
Ellie moaned in response.
“Want more?”
“Yes, I want all of it. All of you.”
This time, he used two fingertips, circling her entrance, but not penetrating it. And Ellie wanted a hell of a lot more than his fingertips inside her.
Ellie bit her lip. “Are you tryin’ to kill me?”
“Just wanna make sure you’re ready.” He was hard and swollen, pressing against his boxer briefs, his cock a hard, thick mass against her leg.
“Zane…”
“I’ve been waitin’ years for you. So, I’m takin’ my sweet time.”
I might not survive it.
He made her feel savage, out of control. Ellie wanted to grind against his palm, dig her fingernails into his back. Then demand that Zane fuck her. Hard. Again, and again.
Zane chuckled, low in his throat. He had the upper hand, and he knew it. Zane was playing with her, toying with her. And Ellie loved every second of it.
Ellie gave herself over to pleasure, unable to think of anything else but Zane. Ellie rode his hand, climbing toward the most intense climax she could remember.
Every time she got close, he pulled back, stopped fondling. Instead, he left her wet, halfway out of her mind, quaking with need.
“Zane!”
“What?”
I can’t do this anymore.
Zane wasn’t immune to it either. The head of his cock had left a damp patch on the cotton.
Two can play this game.
She traced the hard length, and he groaned. Ellie circled the dewy head, stroking it through the cloth prison.
“Ellie…”
Before he could stop her, Ellie pushed his underwear down. His dick sprang free, hard and pulsing, flushed a dark and angry reddish purple.
Ellie touched the slick flesh with a teasing fingertip, and his cock jumped, seeking more contact. She rubbed her thumb over the tip, and he groaned, long and low.
“Need more?”
“God, yes.”
“Then, I’ll give it to you.” His foreskin slipped up and down his thick cock as she stroked. Pumped.
Zane’s breath came faster and faster. His eyes had narrowed to slits and his teeth sank into his lower lip.
And then Zane seized her wrist, holding her still.
He rolled Ellie over, and spread her open once more. After slipping on a condom, Zane pushed his cock between her slick folds, but he wasn’t done teasing.
He pushed his dick in her pussy. Slowly, edging, teasing, but never satisfying. He rubbed into her, but Zane didn’t thrust. Ellie moaned, hips arching up, but he captured them, held her still for his leisurely invasion.
Zane filled up her world.
His big body laid on top of hers, pinning her open. He edged inside, letting her get used to his thickness, the length. But Ellie couldn’t take this much longer.
“Zane please?”
“What do you need?”
Her thighs were soaked, and Ellie was so wet, so needy, her clit ached, throbbed. All she had to do was touch it, but when she tried, Zane slapped her hand away.
“You. Fuck me.”
And then he went deeper, harder, thrusting now, stroking her with his cock, driving her toward a release
It felt so damn good, it was nearly painful.
Zane leaned back so he could watch her. And his expression made her gasp.
This was need. It was raw, bare.
“It’s time,” Zane said hoarsely.
One more fierce thrust and Ellie was on the edge of orgasm. Only it felt more like a ledge. Any moment, she would tip over the side of the mountain and free fall, but somehow, she knew Zane would be waiting at the bottom to catch her in his arms.
Her muscles tensed, clenched his dick, and she teetered.
“That’s it. Give it to me.”
Ellie jumped.
And the orgasm washed over her, like a remorseless tidal wave, a force of nature.
Zane watched the whole thing. He stopped thrusting, balancing on his elbows, so he could experience it.
She was too far gone, to be self-conscious.
Ellie whimpered, holding nothing back, letting go completely. Her pussy clasped his cock for dear life.
And then he moved even deeper inside her.
Ellie yielded to him completely, giving herself to Zane, soaking the mattress beneath them, coming for him until she simply couldn’t have another orgasm.
Zane lunged into her. “Can I…?” His eyes slammed shut, and he seemed to have difficulty concentrating. “Can I take off the condom? I need to feel you, all of you.”
She shivered.
There was something raw in his tone. Didn’t Zane realize she was already his?
Ellie could only nod.
Zane pulled off the condom and tossed it aside before parting her sex again and plunging his cock back into her pussy. Ellie shut her eyes, grateful for the heat of him, the length of him, the friction.
His dick felt right inside her, as though it should’ve always been there.
This time Zane wasn’t gentle, or slow. He fucked her hard, slamming into her pussy, taking it. His balls slapped against her ass, her breasts bounced, and her cunt wept for him.
“You will come for me again.”
It wasn’t a request.
Ruthlessly, he plunged into her, his pubic bone grazing her clit with every movement. Until she arched for him, wailing as the second orgasm hit her like a lightning strike.
Clutching her hips, Zane pumped inside her, flooding Ellie with his come, leaving his mark upon her. When they were both done, shuddering and damp, he flipped their positions, so she was on top of him, sprawled in a boneless heap.
Zane stroked her hair, and Ellie’s eyes drifted closed. Strange. They were on the verge of catastrophe, and she’d never felt better.
Ellie was at peace.
***
He was lost in her.
Zane had wanted to make love to Ellie for years, and here she was. In his arms. In his bed. His dick was sopping wet from her pussy. If there was some way to make this night last forever, he would.
She was sleepy and warm on top of Zane, but he couldn’t let her rest. They had so little time together, and he wanted to make it count. Zane couldn’t predict the outcome of the operation tonight. He didn’t want to waste a single minute.
He took her mouth in another kiss, because it belonged to him.
Zane cupped her cheek and smothered her gasp when he rocked against her. She splayed her legs on either of his hips, her molten pussy was against his cock, which was twitching back to life.
He had to have her again. Had to. It wasn’t even a question.
She arched against him, his cock clamped between her inflamed folds. He surged against her, pumping, stopping only to claim her kiss-swollen lips in deep, drugging kisses.
He rubbed the tip of his cock against her clit and Ellie twitched, gasping, gripping his shoulders. He seized her hips, grinding. It didn’t take long for them to reach orgasm this time. Ellie spasmed above him, and he came again, filling her once more.
When it was over, Zane held her once more, rubbed her back, kissed her sweaty temple, couldn’t stop touching her.
“We have to leave soon.”
“I know,” Zane said, glancing at his phone. “But not yet.”
And when he’d recovered, Zane took her again.
Later, they reluctantly got out of bed.
Zane helped her dress. Ellie was sleepy, replete, like a doll in his arms. And he wanted to take her back to bed, but that wasn’t an option.
Zane went slowly, tugging on her panties, and then her jeans, her bra, and then Ellie’s top. He drank in every touch, every glance, memorizing her. Savoring Ellie.
“It’s time.” He held her hand.
And they went off to battle.