Line of Fire (10 page)

He sat down and booted up the machine, waiting as it went through the warming-up process. Once the main screen came up, he logged on to the Internet and selected the site for Will’s bank out of the favorites tab. His hand shook, wiggling the mouse, his disease acting up and making it difficult to get the cursor where it needed to be, but he finally clicked on the correct icon to log in to see account balances online.

His fingers trembled over the keys. For about two seconds, he considered letting it go. He was about to commit a gross invasion of privacy, over something Will might come to him about on his own if Joseph was patient.

In reality, his sixth sense told him different.

He typed in the log-in and password he’d memorized from the paper, hoping Will hadn’t changed it since the other night. The possibility hadn’t occurred to him before now.

Hitting enter, he waited, tense. After two seconds, he was in, Will’s finances at his fingertips.

First, he studied the checking account. Nothing there beyond the normal transactions, deductions for groceries, bills, medicine and such. A couple of automatic deposits from the city for Will’s paychecks, one recent transfer from savings. More medicine.

“Wait a minute. More medicine? What for?” Joseph frowned at the screen, but the notation only revealed a check to the pharmacy Will always used. A large fucking check.

What in God’s name did his grandson have filled that cost so damned much? Whatever it was, it didn’t belong to Joseph. Medicare paid for most of his medicine for his Parkinson’s.

Dread curled in his gut. Became real honest-to-God fear like he hadn’t known since the last time he’d had a Japanese Zero on his tail and a shortage of ammo. He clicked on the savings account, uncertain what, if anything, he’d find.

Nothing could have prepared him for the figure of Will’s balance.

“Son of a . . .”

Two hundred sixteen thousand, four hundred twenty-nine dollars. And thirty-three cents.

Almost a goddamned quarter million. Large deposits had started five months ago. Four of them, fifty thousand each. No way to trace where they’d come from without more help— and that kind of help would probably involve getting Will into trouble. No, make that more trouble.

There was nothing else to be learned here. Joseph logged out of the system and stared at the screen for the longest time, then lowered his face into his hands.

“What have you done, boy?”

Joseph tried to plan his next move, but he couldn’t think right now. He was so damned tired.

But he couldn’t leave this world yet. He had a grandson to rescue.

Tommy awoke to sunlight filtering through the blinds, illuminating an unfamiliar bedroom. What?

His sleepy brain cleared a little as he spied the lump under the covers next to him, and he smiled.

Him and Shea. Last night.

Making love to her hadn’t been a dream.

Sitting up carefully, he glanced at the digital clock. A quarter to six. Shea had to be at work by seven, and he figured she’d appreciate some coffee in her system when he returned to wake her up.

Unconcerned with his nakedness, he slid out of bed and padded to the kitchen. Coffee he could do, with little fuss. Filter, grounds, water. No problem.

He got the coffee going and walked back into her bedroom and stood over her. She was lying curled on her side, innocent as a child. Fine wisps of brown hair fell into her elfin face. Her rosebud mouth was parted in deep sleep, fingers of one hand tucked under her chin. And that, he thought, was where her similarities to a little girl ended.

At some point she must’ve gotten cold, because she was wearing his black T-shirt. The material rode up to her slim waist and one slender leg rested atop the bedspread, bent slightly at the knee. Sweet little nipples poked at the shirt, begging for his tongue. The round curve of her bottom invited his cock to come out and play.

Who was he to refuse such a delectable invitation?

His erection had gone harder than the nozzle of a fire hose, straining away from his body. This scrap of a nurse had turned his world upside down. Twisted his heart inside out.

Soft. Beautiful. All woman. All his.

He climbed into bed and spooned her from behind. Enthusiastically. She shifted, wiggling her rump against his eager cock.

“Mmm.”

He bent over her, raked her hair aside. Kissed the pink shell of her ear, nibbled. Breathed her warm scent. French vanilla mixed with his own musk. God.

He slid a hand under the T-shirt, splaying it across her flat belly. She was so small next to him, his fingers stretched almost the width of her abdomen. Football hands. The thought made him smile. He loved the way she fit against his body, like an all-knowing higher power handcrafted her perfection especially for him.

His fingers traveled upward, found the taut pebbles of her nipples. He took one, rolling the peak between his thumb and forefinger. She moaned, arching her back, skin heating to his touch. More kisses at the vee of her neck and shoulder. Tasting and playing with her breasts.

“Oh, Tommy. You’re going to make me late.” She rolled to her back, blinked up at him. Huge brown eyes were glazed with arousal. Needing, wanting him.

“No, I won’t. Trust me, baby.”

He flung the bedspread out of the way, then grabbed her panties. She must’ve put them on when she borrowed his shirt. Why the hell did women wear them to bed when they only got in the way? He worked them down her legs, tossing them to the floor. The T-shirt followed, Tommy dragging it over her head. She lay on the pillows, gazing at him with desire that rocked him to his toes.

“Spread your legs.” Lips turned up, she did, erasing any concern that she might not be game. He knelt between her thighs, trailing kisses from the inside of one dainty knee to her pouting sex. “So pretty and pink. Already wet for me. I could come, just looking at you.”

She whimpered, raising her hips a bit. With a low chuckle, he obliged, his fingers parting her. His tongue flicked her folds, dipped inside. He lingered, taking his time, like a man enjoying an ice-cream cone.

“God, you taste so good.”

“Oh! Please!” She fisted her hands in his hair, urging him.

Gladly. He tongue-fucked her for a few strokes and then fastened his mouth to her sex, suckling the sensitive nub. Eating a woman was one of life’s finest pleasures, this woman in particular a dream come true. She came undone, bucking beneath him. The sight of her, mindless to everything but his touch—his—nearly made him lose control.

Suddenly she found her release, and holding back his own was the hardest thing he’d ever done. She was wild against his mouth, sweet honey bathing his tongue.

“Oh, yeah. Beautiful,” he whispered.

When the last of her shudders stilled, he moved to her side. Bent and kissed her lovely mouth. Then he quickly fetched another condom from his shorts, glad he’d brought more than one.

She sat up a bit and wrapped her hand around his rampant erection, licked and sucked the tip. “Poor baby. We need to do something about this.”

“Oh, we are,” he promised, low and dark. “But if you keep that up this is going to be over in two seconds, and I want inside you.”

“All right, but next time I get to taste you all I want.” The wicked little gleam in her eye made his cock jump.

“Deal. I want you on your hands and knees. I’m going to fuck you from behind, sweet girl.”

“Feeling a bit naughty, are we?”

“Nah, this isn’t naughty. Later, I’ll tell you some of my dirty fantasies. Maybe we can even pick one to make a reality.”

“Sounds intriguing.” With that, she rolled to her hands and knees. “What are you waiting for?”

“Jesus.” He looked his fill. Savored the sight of his woman ready to give herself to him this way. Unruly hair cascading around her face. Knees spread, the pink lips of her sex, pouting and slick from his attentions, ready to welcome him inside.

He sheathed himself and ran his fingers along her slit, spreading her. Christ, he wasn’t going to last. Grasping her hips, he guided the tip of his penis to her and thrust home. Buried his cock to the hilt. Her heat surrounded the throbbing length of him like a glove, squeezing, driving him mad. Not yet . . .

“Look at you,” he rasped. “Beautiful. Mine.”

She began to push back into him, stroking him in time with his thrusts. “Yes! Oh, God!”

He surrendered control. Gave himself over to the beast raging to do her. Hard, wild, nasty. He pounded into her with long strokes. Thrusting faster. Joyous, feminine cries reached his ears, erasing any lingering doubt he might’ve had about taking her so roughly. He might tread the razor’s edge, but he’d never, ever hurt her.

The beast stood no chance against such heady stuff. With a hoarse shout, he impaled her one last time. Held her close, buried so deep he actually felt them connect in more than just a physical sense. His release rocked him to the core. Branded him as hers, for always, if she cared to keep him. Her climax milked him on and on.

Covering her like a blanket, he remained inside her for a moment, sweating and shaking. He’d never come harder or been drained more thoroughly in his life. Not that he’d been a total horn dog in the past, as his dad maintained, but still. He’d never before shared a shattering awakening, a fusing of hearts with the woman he loved.

Oh, God, I love her.

He just hoped his feelings weren’t all one-sided. Only time would tell, and it was too soon to let that particular cat out of the bag.

With regret, he pulled out of her and took a few seconds to dispose of the condom in her bathroom. When he returned, Shea was sprawled on her back, glowing with the wattage of the well fucked. He was pretty darned proud of himself.

“You are a bad, bad man,” she said with a grin. “I am so going to be late.”

“It was for a good cause.” He smiled and crawled up next to her, giving her a kiss on the nose. “And as a peace offering, I made coffee.”

“I suppose I can cut you some slack.” She was silent for a moment, then arched a brow at him. “Dirty fantasies, huh?”

“You have no idea.”

“Suppose we continue this conversation tonight, after I get off?”

Hope flared brighter than ever before. They were making progress at last.

“Why don’t I drop you off, pick you up at seven tonight?”

She bit her lip. “If you’re sure you don’t mind . . .”

“Of course not. I’ve got some errands to do and I’ll be back to get you. If you’re able to get off any earlier, just call and I can be there in minutes.”

“Sounds good, thanks. And, Tommy?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Bring your clothes for work in the morning—if you want.”

Yes! “Honey, I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

10

“Shea, darlin’, you’re late,” Dora said without looking up from her chart. “That ain’t like you.”

“Sorry, I was . . . detained.” A bubble of laughter fought its way out despite her effort to squelch it, and Dora finally glanced at her.

The older woman gaped. “Lordy mercy, you’re lit up like a torch! Who is he?” she hissed, grabbing Shea’s arm and steering her to a more private alcove. “I’m not even gonna bother to ask if he’s good!”

Shea beamed at her friend. She couldn’t help it. “You know the blond firefighter who was brought in the other day, the one from the scaffold collapse?”

“Yeah, the hottie who saved the construction worker.” Dora’s eyes widened and she waved dramatically. “No! Seriously?”

“Yep. One and the same.”

“Holy Moses! Your fairy godmother got anybody for me?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll ask.”

“Is this where I get to call you a bitch?”

“If it makes you feel better.”

“Bitch!” She gave a hearty laugh and wiped a hand over her brow. “Wow, I feel great now.”

Shea hugged the other woman’s shoulders. “You are too much. I really am sorry I’m late. I don’t make it a habit.”

“I know. In this case, you’re forgiven. Lord knows you’re due for some major happiness, girlfriend,” she said, her tone softening. “So how are things with him, really? And I don’t mean the awesome sex.”

“Dora . . . he doesn’t know. I’m just not ready to get into all of that with him. Not yet.”

Dora patted her arm in a show of support. “Then you won’t. Not until you’re comfortable sharing it with him. Don’t let him or anyone push you. Ya hear?”

Shea swallowed hard and blinked at the sting in her eyes. “I won’t.”

“Now don’t go gettin’ all weepy and shit. We’ve got work to do!”

All day long, her mind turned toward Tommy’s incredible lovemaking. The way he made her feel cherished, as no other man had ever made her feel. They had a real connection, the chance at something solid.

If only she didn’t ruin their blossoming relationship with fear and doubts.

By agonizing over ghosts that wouldn’t rest.

After dropping Shea off at Sterling, Tommy drove with no particular destination in mind. Just a vague sense of unrest. For no reason, his mind drifted back to the conversation he and Shea had in Stratton’s. Her encouragement for him to try a new profession. Reinvent himself, if he wanted.

Did he? He’d just earned his paramedic status a few months ago. He liked his job, his friends. He was set for an entire career. But did he want to be a firefighter for the next thirty or forty years?

He was at a crossroads, and while he hated the uncertainty that he hadn’t chosen the right profession, he was immensely grateful he was questioning his choice now rather than twenty years from now, when it was too late.

Truly questioning, and considering his options.

Because of Shea’s support.

It was like a burden lifted from his shoulders. He hadn’t felt this free in over three years.

For the first time, he felt as though it was okay to say, Maybe I took a wrong turn. Got off at the wrong exit.

It was all right to live, even though Donny hadn’t. Maybe that was the most startling revelation of all.

Without paying attention to where he was going, he found himself at the burned-out hull of the office building they’d worked the other day. The one where Eve had nearly fallen through the roof.

An arson job.

Who would want to do that to an abandoned building, and why? Bored teenagers? Or someone with a darker motive?

A puzzle. And he loved puzzles. The prospect of being able to solve an arson crime excited him like nothing had in ages. Regular crimes, like burglaries and drug running? Forget that shit. Those were crimes that had to be solved on a human level. But arson? The clues were science, pure and simple. The arson investigator’s job was to present the evidence and let the detectives handle the arrest.

Tommy parked, noting that another vehicle, a nondescript Ford sedan, was parked nearby. Until he knew for sure the other person had business here—like you do, idiot?—he’d have to be cautious.

He got out of his truck and walked toward the shell of the building, a chill going down his spine. Some sick fucker had torched the place on purpose, and his partner had nearly been killed. He’d dearly love to find out who, and corner the asshole some dark night.

Ducking the yellow tape, he walked as close as he dared, studying the places where the fire seemed to have done more damage than in others. Some spots inside the shell were blackened and charred, others almost untouched.

“The tape is there for a reason.”

Tommy jumped and spun to face a dark-haired man who appeared to be at least ten years older than himself. He wasn’t quite as tall as Tommy, but his body was fit and compact. His expression was curious rather than unfriendly, and Tommy gave him a smile, walking over to meet him.

“I know, sorry. Tommy Skyler, Sugarland Fire Department,” he said, sticking out his hand. “My station worked this call, and my partner almost fell through the roof.”

With that information, the man’s countenance completely changed from wary to open. He clasped Tommy’s hand and whistled. “You guys got a live one, all right. Is he okay?”

“She, and yes, thanks.” He let go of the other man’s hand and gestured toward the building. “I’ve recently become interested in this end of things. You know, after the fire engines have gone home. I think it would be cool to help catch the perpetrator rather than just cleaning up his mess.”

The guy laughed. “You’re kidding, right? A couple of the men I work with would give their eyeteeth to be firefighters. One made the high score on the written test but couldn’t pass the physical agility. I don’t know why you’d give up the excitement of being a fireman for a boring career in investigations.” The new speculation in his eyes, however, belied his words.

“The grass is always greener, I suppose.”

He smiled. “I guess so. Oh, I’m Mark McAllister, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. McAllister.”

“Just Mark. So is this just a passing curiosity, or are you truly interested in finding out about the Arson team?”

“I’m really interested. I’d like to find out more, see if I even have what it takes to make the move.”

“You know it’s not lateral, right? AI is a whole different ball game.”

“I figured as much. I’d still like to check it out.”

Mark considered him for a moment, then removed his wallet and extracted a business card. “Tell you what. Why don’t you come by my office whenever you get a chance and we’ll talk? I can go over some of the nitty-gritty with you if you want.”

“You’d do that?” Tommy took the card he offered, and a thrill of excitement went through him.

“Sure, why not? If one of our boys on the front lines is itching to get into the Fire Prevention Division, I say everyone wins. Come on by. Just call first to make sure I’ll be there.”

“Cool. I appreciate it.”

McAllister turned and started for his car, and Tommy got the distinct impression he was being given a hint to leave. He couldn’t blame the guy, really, for not wanting someone here messing up the crime scene or possibly getting hurt.

Tommy unlocked his truck and McAllister waved. Tommy lifted a hand and got in, and it didn’t escape his notice that the other man didn’t drive away, but made a call on his cell phone. A delay tactic to make sure Tommy was gone?

“All right, I’m outta here,” he said with a half grin.

As he started his truck and drove away, he swore he could feel the man tracking his progress. Maybe he had some doubts about whether Tommy’s story was legit, and even now was checking him out.

That was okay. The man’s mind would be set at ease, and with any luck, Tommy had made an inroad.

One that might prove valuable in the long run.

Tommy spent the rest of the day running a few errands, including packing a duffel and bringing his regulation navy pants and shirt on a hanger so he could change for work in the morning.

It occurred to him that Shea could stay at his place instead, but maybe she felt safer on her own turf. Whatever made her more comfortable was fine by him.

Shea was waiting when he pulled up, and he grinned at the sight of her dressed in scrubs with little cats printed all over them.

“What?” she said as she hopped in and shut the door.

“I guess plain, ugly green is a thing of the past,” he said, gesturing at the pattern on her uniform.

“Not entirely. The guys don’t go for cute patterns, so they tend to stick with the puke green unless they work with kids.”

“Ah. I stand corrected. They’re cute, anyway.” He glanced at her before pulling onto the road. “Not as cute as you, though.”

“I’ll wear them every day, then.”

“I prefer you out of them, actually.” His cock agreed, twitching in the confines of denim. Seemed like he was perpetually horny with this woman around. No complaints, though.

“Is this where we talk about fantasies? Seems like I recall some hot-to-trot guy mentioning certain perversions . . .”

“Hey, you say that like it’s a bad thing.” He huffed in mock indignation.

“Not at all. I am curious as to what some of yours are,” she said, running a fingernail down his arm.

He shivered, and he actually felt his nipples tighten. Shit! “Damn, baby. You’re going to make me wreck the truck.” He tapped a finger on the steering wheel. “I did start this topic, didn’t I?”

“You most certainly did. Spill it, buddy.”

“Okay . . . one of my top fantasies is two girls and a guy. Me being the guy, of course,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Shea gave an unladylike snort. “Yeah, that’s so not going to happen, unless you’re willing to participate in one of mine—two guys and a girl. Guess who gets to be the girl? Moi! And the guys have to kiss.”

“No way,” he muttered. “I mean, to each his own, but dude.”

“Ha! I knew I could do it!”

“What?”

“Get you to say dude,” she said, laughing. “You haven’t said it in ages.”

“That’s mean, Shea Ford.” He shot her a curious look. “So you weren’t serious? About the two guys?”

“Well, sure I was. But I’d give up the dream for you,” she said sweetly.

He laughed. Man, he had his balls in a vise with this woman. He couldn’t tell if she was teasing or not, but surely she was pulling his leg. “I’d appreciate that, baby. Guess the two women thing is a bad idea, too.” He thought for a few seconds. “Okay, another one is a naked picnic on the beach.”

“Tempting, but we’re curiously out of beach in Tennessee.”

“There’s always the man-made one down by the Cumberland River Dam.”

“Um, nope. Too crowded, and I don’t want to have to explain to my cop brother why he had to bail me out of jail. Next.”

“All right. I’m going to piggyback on the last idea and tell you I’ve always wanted to have sex in a public place. Not in front of vast multitudes, but somewhere dark and mysterious. Maybe another couple is watching, and it gets them hot.” Jeez, can a guy die from his cock being strangled in his pants?

“Oh, my.” She sounded intrigued, her voice low and husky. “Like where? There’s that getting-arrested thing . . .”

“I’m not sure. We could go to a club in Nashville and find a dark corner to fool around in.”

“That sounds risky on way too many levels. Cross that off.”

“Oh, wait. I know. There’s this young couple who moved next door to my parents, and my dad says they’re always going at it like bunnies by their pool. And my folks are going out of town for a few days next week.”

He let the statement hang and glanced over to see her staring at him, eyes wide, lips parted. She looked equal parts shocked and titillated.

“Would you really want to?”

“Honey, I’m a guy. The evidence doesn’t lie. What about you?”

Her gaze strayed to his lap and back to his face. “I—I don’t know! It sounds so—so naughty! And, wow, I’ve never—”

“Me neither,” he said, hoping to put her at ease. He’d really blown her mind. “Like I said, they’re only fantasies. If you don’t want to, no worries. I’d never do anything to make you uncomfortable.”

The reminder seemed to settle her somewhat. “I appreciate that. But I never said I didn’t want to.”

Oh, man! Yep, she was going to kill him. But what a way to go.

“Cool. Whatever you want, baby, all you have to do is ask. If you’re pleased, I’ll be pleased. That’s the way it works.”

“You’re something else, you know that?” She took his free hand as he turned onto her street, rubbing at the calluses on his palm. “I don’t know why I ever thought you needed to grow up.”

He winced. “Sheesh, put it right out there, why don’t ya?”

“That wasn’t very graceful, was it? What I’m trying to say is that I’m glad I’m finally getting to know the real you,” she said softly. “And I like what I see. A lot.”

A strange new feeling wound around his heart like a vine, hugging it close. “I’m glad, because I’ve liked what I’ve seen all along.”

“I gave you such a hard time the night we met, and since then. I’m sorry.”

He parked the truck and turned to face her, cupping her chin. “No regrets. Let’s concentrate on here and now.”

“Sounds good to me.”

She leaned into him, sending his senses tumbling with a kiss. Gentle as a feather, her lips nibbled his. An affirmation of their growing bond. Her breasts pressed against his chest, soft and warm. Her scent shot a jolt of need straight to his balls and squeezed.

“Let’s take this inside,” she said, pulling away.

“Good idea.” He grabbed his uniform hanging behind his seat and the duffel in the truck bed. Once inside her apartment, he laid his stuff on the couch and pulled her close. “Hungry? I should’ve asked if you wanted to stop and pick up something.”

“I thought we’d heat up some of your casserole later. Right now, I’m starving for something else.”

“What might that be?”

One small hand skimmed down his chest and belly, pausing at the snap of his jeans. “You’re not that innocent. I think you can guess.”