CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Saturday Evening
Sam watched Lucky cut into the lasagna and inhaled the rich scent of tomato, cheese, and basil and decided he was in heaven. Not only was a smart, sexy woman feeding him while they discussed the intricacies of Russian/Eurasian transnational crime, but he had a good chance of making her his before the night was over.
Filling both of their glasses with wine, he tried to keep his eyes off her gaping T-shirt and his mind engaged, but it wasn’t easy because his normally agile brain was nothing more than a bowl of mush. His thoughts were soaked in lust and his body was on fire and all he could do was pray he didn’t embarrass himself before the meal was over.
“Are you listening, Sam, or looking down my shirt?”
“If I say both, will you believe me?”
“No, you have a wild glassy-eyed look that tells me you’re not that interested in my analysis of Vazov’s activities.”
“No one is more interested in taking this guy down than me, but I’m a mere mortal and there’s only so much that can be expected.”
She handed him a plate with a big slice of lasagna and gave him a beatific smile. “Stay with me on this Vazov thing through dinner, and then we can go upstairs and do naughty things to one another.”
Clearing his throat, he looked at the salad bowl and nodded. “I can do that.”
She sat down across from him and patted his hand and then served them both salad. “Explain how the executive order can help take down Vazov.”
“It gives us one more way to go after him since he’s tied to a group that’s named in the order. He’s considered a ‘foreign person that is part of a significant transnational criminal organization’ that threatens the safety and sovereignty of this nation. Which means we can freeze his strategic assets and not have to wait until we’ve got an airtight case to present to the AG, so he can be brought to trial.”
“So, it circumvents the usual legal roadblocks and lets the government seize, freeze, or block assets as they do with terrorist groups.”
“Exactly. The groups are being treated like terrorist organizations and that means we’re not trying to take them to court for their crimes, we’re just trying to stop them. 9/11 changed the way government approaches people or organizations that threaten our freedom and safety.”
“What do you mean?” Lucky asked as she cut into her lasagna.
“The government has held many views on extrajudicial killings over our history and in the last thirty years, it’s changed dramatically. President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12036, and it stated, ‘No person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in assassination.’ Which made complete sense considering where the CIA was going in the early seventies. Then the world began to change and in 1998 bin Laden made his intention clear by issuing his infamous public “fatwa” and six months later his words turned into reality with the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.”
“Which made us a little less civil when it came to our enemies.”
Swallowing, he then wiped his mouth. “Yes. The government’s desire to capture bin Laden, despite the fact that there was no pending indictment, meant the executive order had to be modified. It was accomplished through a series of MONs that started in the halls of the CIA and ended up on President Clinton’s desk. The short version is that each one loosened the restraints about what we as a government were willing to do to capture bin Laden. President Clinton started out with a MON that approved a snatch and, by the time he was done modifying it, it authorized the Afghan tribals to kill bin Laden if capture wasn’t feasible.”
“And here we are almost twenty years later, and the precept has evolved over fifteen years of battling terrorists and now we’re not a polite government anymore and we’ve taken the gloves off, right?”
“We were never all that polite, but yes, when the towers and Pentagon were hit, we changed the rules we were operating by and went after the people and groups that threatened us with all the might we possess. The Bush administration launched the assassination program in October 2001 in Afghanistan and then expanded it in 2002 to Yemen and went from there. Under Obama, the government developed an actual kill list and, as far as I know, it’s still in effect.”
“So, the new order of business now includes the criminal organizations because they can be tied to terrorists?”
“Partly, but it’s really more of a recognition of how the groups are intertwined. There’s not a clear line delineating the two groups anymore and treating them differently doesn’t make sense. There’s a group based in Oslo called The Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime and they’ve been studying the nexus between organized crime and terrorism. Along with the UN General Assembly and Security Council, they’ve been studying the interaction between the two groups and how they impact international peace and security.”
“I had no idea the world of organized crime was so complicated. Before I looked into the Outfit for Grady more than a year ago, I had no clue about what was out there.”
“Every time I think I’ve got a handle on the monster, I learn something new and realize I’m not even close. I went to an event at the beginning of the year in Oslo and learned so much that I still haven’t digested it all. There’s another symposium on drug trafficking that looks at the new players and routes next winter and I’m planning on attending.”
“I guess you’re not just a guy in a suit sitting in a building pushing papers around.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Did you think that’s what I was?” He watched her face color and knew that’s exactly what she thought. “No wonder you weren’t interested in me and wouldn’t return my calls. A paper pusher isn’t as sexy as an operator and it makes sense.”
He started eating again and tried to shove down the insecurity that was choking him. It wasn’t a welcome feeling and he hated it like hell. There was nothing wrong with how he spent his days and the fact that he could no longer be a Tier One operator didn’t mean he was less.
Except that’s exactly how he felt because he’d rather be out there on the frontlines than anywhere else.
“You’re dumb as a box of rocks, Sam.”
His head flew up and he glared at the woman pointing her fork at him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Moving her fork in a circle, she narrowed her eyes. “You think because you’re no longer jumping out of planes into enemy territory that you’re not doing important work. But that is far from the truth.”
“I know it’s not true because I have the capacity to save hundreds, not just a few since I’ve joined the Organized Crime Division.”
Standing, she moved over and sat next to him and put her hand on his. “I know, Sam, but I’m not sure you always do.” She pressed her hand against his heart and smiled. “Your head understands, but I don’t think this has gotten the message yet.”
Covering her hand, he looked down and hitched his shoulder. “I’m trying, Lucky.”
“Try harder because I think you’re a hero whether you sit at a desk or jump from tall buildings.” She kissed his arm and then leaned her face against it and looked up. “To be absolutely clear, the reason I avoided you was because you acted like an ass.”
He bent down and kissed her quickly. “And now?”
“You’re not acting like an ass at all; in fact, you’re kind of amazing.”
Feeling a shot of heat warm his heart, he wrapped her in his arms and held her tightly. “I haven’t even gotten started yet. I need to take you out and treat you like the treasure you are. Don’t think that I’m not capable of really showing you a good time.”
“Do I have to wear a bra when you’re showing me a good time?”
“Not necessarily.”
“If you’re done eating, then maybe you can show me what you mean upstairs.”
“As badly as I want to ravage you, I don’t want to be an ass and ignore the fact that we haven’t talked about what you discovered earlier. The bookkeeper is a key component of the organization and I don’t want to dismiss the importance.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to save it until tomorrow because right now, I’d rather spend my Saturday night naked with the sexy man in my house than talk about mobsters.”
“I can’t argue with that.” He stood and took her hand and led her out of the kitchen. “I’ll do the dishes in the morning.” They passed through the living room and Judit was snoring as the sound of lions filled the room.
“Should I turn the TV off?” Lucky asked.
“No, it’ll keep her company if she wakes up.” As he strode up the stairs, he knew they were not coming back down for the rest of the night because he had a hell of a list he wanted to get started on.
***
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Sam said as he took her hand.
Watching his finger trace a long line along her arm, past the crook of her elbow, and down to her palm stole her breath. “This is overwhelming, Sam.”
He moved behind her and pulled her against him with one palm on her stomach. “Relax, Lucky.”
“I am.” Letting herself fall back, she felt his arms engulf her.
“Look at us,” he said as he pointed toward the mirror in the corner. “You fit me perfectly.”
Staring at the view, she saw how he towered over her and his wide shoulders stretched past her own. His dark to her light. Running her hand along his leg, she felt the difference between his warm skin and the sock that covered his knee. The prosthetic he was wearing today had a camo design and she decided it might be one of her favorites. “I guess we do,” she finally responded as she saw his dark gaze reflected in the mirror.
“Touch yourself and show me what makes you feel good.”
Looking at him in the mirror, she felt her face flush. “What?”
He took her hand and pressed it against the juncture of her thighs. “I want to watch you and learn.”
“I uhh…” In reply, he pressed into her and she felt his hardness against her thigh. Seeing his eyes blink and his breathing slow made her want to give him what he asked.
“Please.” Moving his hand over hers, he guided her fingers down slowly toward her clit and rested his chin on her shoulder.
Feeling his stubble graze across her skin as his breath warmed her gave, gave her the courage to make one small circle around her clit. His hand followed hers, and she realized he was having her teach him exactly what she liked. She let her hand slide deeper, and as he groaned into her ear, she saw color slash across his cheeks.
He was watching everything.
Biting her lip, she thought of how he’d teased her last night with the head of his cock and felt her body shudder.
“I’ve got you, keep going.”
“Sam…” Feeling her legs tremble, she looked up. “I want you inside me.”
Holding tight, he walked backward and sat down on the leather chair in the corner of the room. “Come sit on my lap.”
“Really?”
“Try it, Lucky.”
Hearing his commanding tone made her give in as he picked her up slightly from his lap and positioned himself at her opening from behind. Seeing the erotic image in the mirror spiked her desire as he slid her slowly onto his cock. Air rushed from her body as he cradled her in his arms and she felt him deep inside her body. “Oh, my.”
“Yeah?” he asked quietly as he lifted her hips, making the penetration that much deeper. “Better?”
“Perfection,” she muttered as she held onto his legs. The angle put pressure on her g-spot that was totally new and unexpected. “I love this.” Being cradled in his big arms with him inside her made her tremble. “I could stay here all night.”
“That’s the idea, you and me inside each other until the sun comes up. Rocking slightly, he grinned. “You don’t have to come; just let me see you like this.”
Moving her hands between her legs, she touched his balls gently and heard him growl. “Feel good?”
“You have no fucking idea,” he said against her head as he rocked his hips slowly. “Let go, if you want…” Leaning forward, he took her mouth possessively as he braced her head with his hand and took the kiss deeper.
Gone.
She was completely gone as she came. His lips never left hers as he ate at her mouth, her body trembling and shaking as he eased into her further, heightening the orgasm even more.
Before she could recover, he picked her up and set her on her knees in the chair, with her ass in the air. Pressing her forward so her chest draped over the back of the chair, he drove into her from behind.
Slowly at first.
“Fuck, yes,” he ground out. “Just like that.” He took hold of her hips and began taking her hard.
It was ruthless, brutal, and primal. Exactly the thing she’d always wanted. Nothing had come into focus yet, except Sam and his need to mark her.
“You can’t squeeze me after you come.”
“Really?” Looking over her shoulder, she saw his determination.
He shook his head, so satisfied with himself. “Nope.”
“Let’s see about that,” she said quietly as she bore down on his cock, using her whole body.
“Knock it off, Lucky.” He drove into her harder and gripped her hips, digging his fingers into her thighs. “Let me fuck you how I want to.”
Why that was turning her on wasn’t evident and she wondered what she should do about it.
“Give in to me.” Thrusting deeper, he groaned.
“I don’t know how,” she said quietly. She’d never given in to anything in her life; she’d always been in control and knew how things were going to turn out.
“Just do it and hand yourself over,” he said as he drove harder. “Give in and let me take you.”
Never in her life had she trusted enough to let go, and she wanted to with him but didn’t know how. Rioting emotions filled her chest, making it hard to breathe. Could she with him?
“I’ve got you; let me have you.”
She wanted to know what it was like to be someone else’s completely. Not to fight, worry or negotiate, but to simply be because he asked. To be open and let go.
“That’s it, honey.”
She softened and he drove into her harder, making the chair rock back and forth. Time to find out how brave she could be.
“Are you mine?”
“Yes,” she said as she whimpered.
“Have you let go?”
Focusing on him, she did the impossible and gave everything over to him as she bowed her back slightly. Her arms went slack, and he tightened his hold, supporting her just as she needed. “I’m yours.”
Plunging into her so roughly that she gasped for air, he came first with a shout and then a primal roar. He powered into her again and again until there was nothing left.
She rested her cheek against the cool leather of the chair and tangled their fingers together. Breathing hard, he collapsed against her back and ran his mouth over her shoulder.
“I will protect every soft thing in you for the rest of my life,” he said quietly against her skin.
Fearing she’d start blubbering, she just nodded her head and moved her face to his shoulder. Too many emotions, too close to the surface that didn’t make sense made it impossible to do anything as he pulled her up and led her to the bed.
They both crawled in and he unlatched his prosthetic and dropped it to the floor. “We’re together now irrevocably,” he said against her skin as he pulled the comforter over them.
Nodding as he held her against his chest, she closed her eyes and let exhaustion pull her into sleep. It was the only thing she could manage after Sam had claimed her as his very own.