Line of Fire (12 page)

Grandpa, look at this!

As his gnarled fingers brushed aside some of the rock, something white at the bottom of the box caught his attention. Too white for the gray color of the cardboard box, out of place. Frowning, he picked at the white and one edge lifted up. A corner of a piece of paper.

With the Parkinson’s ravaging his system, grasping the small corner wasn’t easy. But he got hold and pulled the paper out to find it was an envelope. One that had already been opened some time ago.

Turning it over, he squinted at tiny writing. A dull sort of panic crawled through his belly when he read the name and address of a doctor in Nashville.

There was only one reason Joseph could come up with as to why Will would bury something from his doctor at the bottom of a box of innocuous childhood mementos.

The ever-present shaking in his old hands increased as he withdrew the paper from within, let his vision adjust to the print, and read what the fucking thing had to say.

The box slipped unnoticed from his grasp.

The doctor’s letter crushed in his gnarled hands, Joseph buried his face in his hands and wept.

Forrest answered the phone, a glass of Scotch in hand. All day and into the evening he’d been dreading this call from Rose. The bastard probably knew he was sweating, and Forrest resented the hell out of it.

“Hello?”

“Your boy made himself visible. On top of the arson ruling, that’s two fuckups. This pisses me off,” he said coldly.

“He’s your boy, not mine. You give the orders.”

“You think that’ll save your ass when I come calling?”

Forrest’s bowels turned to water. “You’re coming here again?”

“Eventually. Sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the little dipshit’s mistake has put us in a bind. We’ll have to wrap this up ahead of schedule. The question is, who’s going to pay for the error?”

Sitting in a chair, hard, Forrest sucked down the rest of his drink. “One more job and you’ll have more than enough funds, nobody the wiser. Leave Hensley alone.”

“What job would this be? And it had better be profitable.”

“It will be. There’s a warehouse on the outskirts of town. The results will kill two birds with one stone,” he said, thinking of eradicating a particular thorn in his side. The prospect almost made him hard.

“When?”

“Soon. Within the next couple of weeks.”

“One week. I want my quota met on the jobs and the money, yesterday.”

“You’ll have it.”

“Prescott? Don’t disappoint me. My therapist says committing murder is bad for my sense of self.”

The other end went dead, and Forrest punched the off button. For one second, he longed to hurl the phone against the wall, but it would mean one more mess to deal with.

No. He’d hand the man his quota, and then he was done. Forrest had no clue what the asshole did with the lion’s share of the cut, and he didn’t care.

Forrest would be the richest SOB this town had ever seen. He’d have everything he wanted, and nobody was going to stand in his way.

Shea clutched a towel around her otherwise naked body, eyeing the pool at Tommy’s parents’ house. The neighborhood was older, modest but nice, the stately trees the most admirable natural feature. The pool was a welcome touch as well, especially after a long, frustrating day in the ER.

Well, the pool and her equally naked and towel-clad counterpart. Tommy’s terry-cloth covering was slung about his lean hips, his chest and taut abs gleaming in the pool lights dancing off the water. Crickets chirped all around them, but nothing moved.

“You’re crazy!” Her loud whisper echoed in the silence. “What if they do see us?”

Tommy set his beer bottle on a nearby table. “So? They might learn something new.”

“Tommy!”

He laughed and moved in for a kiss. Winding her arms around his neck, she decided to go with the moment. Spontaneity hadn’t exactly been her strong suit in the past few years, but with this man, it felt right. A bit scary, but right.

They tasted each other, tongues dueling for dominance, though it didn’t matter who came out the winner. She figured they both were, in a big way.

“You’re sure your folks are long gone?” she gasped, pulling back.

“They’re staying overnight at their friends’ house in Chattanooga. We’re good,” he said hoarsely, yanking off her towel and tossing it aside.

“Oh! You didn’t!” She tried to sound indignant as she danced aside, shielding herself from view, but the intended scolding came out as an excited squeal.

Tommy jerked off his own towel, leering at her playfully. “Yes, I did! What are you going to do about it?”

She backed up, giggling as he advanced like a beast stalking his prey. “Run!”

And that’s what she did. She spun and ran, conscious of how ridiculous she must look but loving the chase. Her sprint around the pool was short-lived, however, as she was grabbed from behind and scooped into his strong arms. One arm around her back and the other supporting her under her knees, he tucked her into his chest, grinning down into her face.

“Gotcha.”

Happy, she twined her arms around his neck. “What are you going to do with me?”

“This.”

Before she could protest, he sprinted for the deep end of the pool, and leaped. She screamed out of pure unadulterated joy, feeling like she was seventeen again. Free and with nothing but fun ahead.

Because of the heat of the summer night, the cool water was a shock. They plunged underneath together and emerged sputtering and laughing.

“Brat!” she yelled with no heat whatsoever, shoving her wet hair out of her face with one hand.

“You know it!”

She splashed water in his face and he returned the favor, which resulted in a full-scale war, the two of them chasing each other around in the pool. He lunged, catching her in a tackle, dunking them again, then pulling her up and spinning her in his arms to face him.

“Stalemate,” he gasped.

“Nope, I win.”

“On what grounds?”

“I’m a girl, and if I don’t win, I can make your life miserable.”

“Okay, you win.” His indulgent expression told her he didn’t mind.

She wound her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. For a while they were content to drift around the pool, locked together, savoring kisses and the closeness between them. Tommy fell quiet and she grew concerned, wishing he’d act goofy again.

“What are you thinking?”

“Why do women always ask that question? What if we’re not thinking anything and there’s just wind blowing between our ears?”

“Come on, tell me.”

He waded to the side of the pool and backed up against the wall. She lowered her legs to stand, but kept her arms around him, loving the contact.

For a while, she thought he’d forgotten her request, or had decided to ignore it. Finally, his voice broke the stillness.

“I haven’t been in this pool since Donny died.”

“Oh, sweetie,” she said softly. “Why not?”

“We used to love horsing around out here, in our little oasis away from the world. After he was gone . . . it just didn’t seem right.”

“To have fun when he couldn’t?”

“Yeah. Stupid, I know.”

“No.” She cupped his chin and looked into those amazing, pale blue eyes. “It’s very common to feel that way after the loss of someone close. Shane and I have both been there, and it hurts. Badly.”

“It never goes away,” he whispered, looking into the darkness. “He was tortured first. They told us what was done to him and I see it in my nightmares. How terrified he must’ve been.”

Oh, God. “What did they do?”

“You don’t want to know, and I don’t think I could repeat it.”

“Okay.” After a pause, she asked, “Have you ever been to counseling?”

His face stilled. “No. I don’t want anybody messing around with my brain, telling me how I should feel.”

“It’s not quite like that—”

“No. That shit worked all right for my parents, but it’s not for me. He’s just as dead, no matter how I feel.”

“Tommy, listen. I’ve seen what happens to a person when a ravaged psyche doesn’t heal. Don’t bury your pain until it destroys you.” She stroked his cheek, hoping she wasn’t crossing the line. “I just want you to realize I’m here, and you’re not alone. I’ll say it as many times as necessary to get through.”

“What happened to you besides losing your parents? How do you understand so much about getting past the pain?”

Shaking her head, she tried to lighten the subject. “Oh, I think that’s enough heavy stuff for one night, don’t you?”

“You know what I think? I think you’re not completely over whatever it is, even though you dispense advice like you are.”

That hit her hard, and she struggled not to show how much it sideswiped her. “I never said I was over anything, and I was just trying to help.”

“I know, and I love you for that.” He hesitated, damp blond hair curling around his beautiful face, eyes serious. “In fact, I love you, period.”

The breath rushed out of her lungs. She stared at him, lips parted, heart in her throat. “I—I . . . oh, my God.”

“Baby, it can’t be that big of a news flash,” he said, looking away. But not before she saw the raw vulnerability he tried to hide.

Her mind reeled. “I suppose I knew, deep down. Tommy, I—”

“You don’t have to say anything, okay?” His eyes met hers again, gentle with understanding. “I blindsided you. I’m sorry I put you on the spot, but I won’t apologize for how I feel. I can’t change it, and I wouldn’t.”

“No, I’m glad you told me,” she said softly, tracing his lips. “I truly am.”

“Jeez, what are we doing talking when there’s other stuff we could be doing?”

Suddenly, he pushed away from the side of the pool and dragged her toward the steps.

“Where are we going?”

“Over there,” he said, pointing to their towels. “We’re going to spread those out on the grass.”

“Oh? And then what?”

“Why, I’m going to have my wicked way with you. What else?”

12

Shea giggled nervously as Tommy spread the towels out underneath a tree not far from the pool. “You’re insatiable.”

“Complaints?”

“Not a one,” she said, admiring his tight, fine ass as he bent over. His skin gleamed with droplets, clinging to every lean muscle. Yum.

He positioned the towels together and sat, stretched out his legs, and held out a hand. “Join me?”

Slipping her palm into his, she lowered herself to the towel and sat facing him. “This really is naughty. What if the neighbors call the police?”

“They won’t. The old lady who lives on that side is ninety and never ventures out. The couple I told you about lives there,” he said, pointing. “They’re every bit as horny and we aren’t doing anything they don’t do every other night of the week.”

She thought about that, and the idea gave her a wicked little shiver. “Now do I get to find out what’s in the duffel?” He’d brought it from his apartment and dropped it with the towels when they came through the gate. The stinker had refused to tell her what was inside.

His grin would’ve melted her panties—if she had any. “Patience, honey. Now lie on your back and close your eyes.”

Curious and excited, she did as he asked.

“No peeking.”

“Okay.”

She heard the zipper and some rustling around. A snap of a lid? Next, his palm smoothed over her tummy, and down one thigh.

“Put your arms over your head and cross your wrists, like you’re bound.” She did. “Good. Now spread your legs wider—let me see all of you.”

His sensual command plucked at her nipples like a physical touch and they hardened, as much from this game as from the night air on her damp body.

His palm traveled upward to her breasts, grazed the sensitized points as he spoke, low and mesmerizing. “Sweet baby, look at you, all spread and ready for me. I can do anything I want and you’ll love it—isn’t that so?”

“Y-yes.” She wiggled a little, burning. Right there, between her legs.

“You need it so bad. Need me to do decadent things to you right out here where anyone can see.” His fingers found her sex, rubbing with just the lightest of touches, designed to drive her crazy. “I thought I saw a curtain move over there. Just imagine them watching while I play with you.”

“Tommy,” she whimpered.

“Yes, baby? Need me to do something about that ache? God, you’re wet. So slick, I’m not even sure I need this, but it’ll add to the experience.”

His fingers disappeared and she heard a squirt. Then they returned, rubbing something slippery along her sex, all over her clit. As he rubbed, it warmed under his ministrations, transforming every spot on her body into a massive erogenous zone. She was lost to what he was doing to her, his control.

“Ooh.” She moaned as a finger slipped inside, spreading the moisture.

She loved being bared to him, and this naughty tryst made her wonder about herself. He’d said he was a bit of an exhibitionist, and it seemed he wasn’t alone.

Her nipples were pinched, oiled, and she arched her back with a gasp. He played with them for a few moments, and then moved between her spread thighs.

“Lift your legs and bend your knees, but keep your legs spread, out to the sides,” he said, voice husky.

She complied, imagining what she must look like, offered to him this way. “I want to open my eyes so I can watch you.”

“No. Keep them closed, just feel.”

More oil dribbled on the exposed lips of her sex and he worked it over every crease, teased her throbbing clit. Some of the oil streaked downward, between her cheeks. His hand followed, smoothing the liquid all the way to—

“You’re not—”

“Shh, relax. Open to me, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Trust me, give yourself to me.”

His seduction was too much to resist. So naughty. Forbidden.

One well-oiled finger dipped inside the small opening. Twisting slowly, stretching. She felt him move without removing his hand and suddenly his breath puffed against her slit.

“There you go, baby. You’re all mine. So pretty, writhing on my hand, begging for more. And you do want more, don’t you, my love?”

“Please, more!”

“More what?”

“Your fingers and your m-mouth. Tommy . . .”

The feeling of fullness increased, burning a little, as he added a finger or two. It was strange, but it felt good, too. Made her feel connected in more than a physical way. Why?

The truth washed over her in a wave of desire.

Submitting to this man, belonging to him, made her complete.

His hot tongue licked her slit. Just the tip and nothing more. Teasing, like a feather. Light enough to drive her insane as he worked her hole, turning her into a ball of mindless sensation.

“You want my mouth, honey?”

“Yes, dammit!”

His chuckle floated in the darkness. “Anything for my girl. You’ll have my mouth, and I’m going to eat you until you come so hard you melt. But I won’t be finished with you just yet.”

“Tommy!”

“Know what I’ll do to you next? I’m going to fuck you, honey. Right here,” he said, twisting his fingers. “I’m going to fuck you until you scream, and you’re going to come for me again.”

With that, he lapped at her sex, tasting. True to his word, he ate her like a starving man, leaving no spot unattended. The storm built fast and she tried to hold back for a bit, but when he latched on to her clit and began to suck it like a piece of delicious hard candy, she came undone.

Forgetting about his order to keep her hands over her head, or not really caring, she reached down and buried her fingers in his hair. Her orgasm splashed over her in luxurious waves and she cried out, riding the pleasure.

When the last tremor subsided, she felt him withdraw, and reached for him automatically.

“I’m just getting myself ready. Not going anywhere. You can watch now if you want.”

Shea opened her eyes to see a pagan god kneeling near her feet. Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he opened a foil packet and sheathed his erection. Next, he tipped a bottle over his cock and fisted himself, making the shaft nice and slick.

“Will . . .” She swallowed hard, nervous and already tingling again in arousal. “Will you fit?”

His mouth tilted up at the corners. He looked so sexy, feral, preparing himself in the moonlight. “If I don’t, I won’t hurt you. Trust me.”

“I’ve trusted you so far, haven’t I?”

He didn’t answer. Just scooted forward and scooped his hands under her bottom. With little effort, he lifted her up. “Put your legs over my shoulders.”

In this position, she was more exposed than ever, if possible. She had a fleeting thought that she should’ve been afraid, but wasn’t. The languid haze spread to every limb once more, as if he had her enchanted.

Spreading her cheeks, he brought the head of his cock to her opening. Began to push, his face suffused with hunger.

“Oh!”

“Doing good, baby.” More, inches at a time. “How do you feel?”

“Full,” she moaned. “So full.”

“Almost there. I wish you could see my cock splitting you wide, claiming your pretty ass.” And then his groin was snug against her, balls rubbing her backside. “Ah, yes.”

“Move, do something,” she begged, clutching the towel on either side of her body. “I need you.”

He began to pump, slowly at first, letting her adjust. This was a fire that had never consumed her before and she was helpless as it built. Burned higher.

“Fuck, yeah. Sweet baby.”

She thrashed, lost in how wonderful it was to be impaled on him. Owned by him. “Harder!”

Her demand flipped the switch and he gave her what she wanted. Fucked her with abandon, hips driving like a piston. Keeping her steady with one hand, he reached to her sex and massaged the tiny nub, relentless.

To her amazement, a second orgasm unfurled, shaking her apart. “Oh, God! Yes!”

Tommy thrust deep and held there, throwing back his head with a hoarse cry. Heat warmed her inside, completing the circle. She’d never seen a man more beautiful in the throes of ecstasy.

His cock twitched a few more times, and he gradually relaxed. Came down off the euphoric high and opened his eyes, smiling. “You were incredible.”

“Me? You’re the gorgeous god who seduced me under the stars. Bad man, you.”

“Your man.” He slipped out gently and removed the condom, tying it off and wrapping it in a paper towel, then placing it in his duffel to dispose of later.

As he stretched out beside her, she rolled to face him. “You are my man.” Reaching out, she touched his face. “And I love you.”

His eyes widened and he snatched her into his arms, rolling her on top of him. “Say it again.”

“I love you.”

He laughed, the sound of sheer joy, and pulled her down for a lengthy kiss. When they broke away he said, “I love you, too. I wish I didn’t have to work tomorrow.”

“Call in sick. You can do that once in a while, right?”

He sighed. “I could, but I’d better not. We’ve been swamped with lots of calls lately. But soon, okay? We’ll plan a hooky day.”

“Okay.” Damn. “Hey, Tommy?”

“Hmm.”

“Did you really see the curtain move?”

“Yep.”

Now that reality had crept in, her face heated. “Do you think they saw?”

“I don’t know. Want to wave at them?” He started to lift his hand, but she slapped it down.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Just tryin’ to be neighborly, honey.”

“You’re a nut.”

“I’m your nut. And hey!” He wiggled his lower half. “I’ve got two nuts.”

She burst out laughing. “Oh, Lord, we’d better go inside before someone calls the police.”

“Which probably wouldn’t endear me to your brother.”

“On that note, we’re getting out of here!”

The idea of Shane hearing about this from one of his buddies got her moving. She leaped up and grabbed her towel, quickly shaking off the grass and wrapping it around her.

Tommy did the same. “Shower? Then we’ll lock up and go.” “Lead the way.”

He grabbed his duffel with one hand, her hand with the other, and pulled her toward the house. Walking by his side was the most natural thing in the world. She still had fears, but she felt capable of dealing with them now. She’d wasted enough precious time and wasn’t willing to let doubts steal another second.

With Tommy by her side, she could do anything.

“What the heck are you grinning about?”

Tommy glanced up from the television show he hadn’t paid a bit of attention to and looked over at Six-Pack. The lieutenant’s big body was sprawled in one of their recliners and the guy was watching Tommy with a bemused expression on his face.

“Me? Not a thing. Just enjoying the program,” he said, waving at the TV. “Who doesn’t like reruns of America’s Funniest Home Videos?”

“Um, this is Good Morning America. I changed the channel ten minutes ago, buddy.”

“Oh.” Well, crap. Might as well come clean. “Okay, the truth is, I’m in love. And she loves me.”

“Get out!” Six-Pack said, beaming at him. “Would she happen to be Cori’s friend Shea? The girl we met at the Waterin’ Hole and the one who took care of you in the ER a couple of weeks ago?”

He couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice if he tried. “That’s her. She’s awesome. The real deal, if you get my meaning.”

“I believe I do, having found the ‘real deal’ myself. Congrats. I mean that.”

“Thanks.” Tommy studied the older man, tempted to reveal his interest in a career change. He knew Six-Pack would be nothing but supportive, would even keep his confidence if he asked, but it wouldn’t be right. Tommy needed to speak with Sean first. As captain, Sean had the right to know before anyone else. “You know if Sean’s here yet?”

The good humor faded along with the other man’s smile. “Actually—”

The phone rang, and rang again. Six-Pack shifted in his chair. “Everybody’s outside. I’ll get it.”

“No, sit. I’ve got it.” Tommy pushed off the couch and crossed to the phone on the table across the room. “Station Five.”

“Uh . . . Skyler?”

“Hey, Cap. Runnin’ late?” he asked, careful to keep his tone respectful.

“A bit. Be there in thirty.”

Sean Tanner’s vocal cords sounded like they’d been through a meat grinder. No doubt, he was hungover.

And late for work.

For the fourth shift in the past couple of weeks.

Tommy’s hand tightened on the receiver as the lieutenant’s eyes met his from the opposite side of the room. The older man’s expression was grim as he shook his head. “I’ll let Six-Pack know.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Sean disconnected before Tommy could reply. And shit, what could he have said that everyone hadn’t already tried?

You’ve broken every single promise you made to us.

Get help. Before it’s too late.

Right. That would go over well.

Tommy set the phone into the cradle and turned to see that Julian and Eve had joined them. A strained silence filled the next few heartbeats, until Tommy cleared his throat and shot his buddies a cheerful grin, hoping to distract them.

“So, what’s for breakfast?”

Eve rolled her eyes. “Anything, as long as you’re not cooking.”

“Hey,” Julian said, coming to his defense. “His breakfast the other day was great. We just didn’t get to eat it. And he can now follow directions on a box without setting off the smoke alarm.”

“Is the damned thing broken?”

Tommy relaxed. This was the normal bullshit. Just another day on the job.

Still, he mulled over the captain’s losses, not to mention his own. He shivered, thinking of how one man’s life can turn—or end—in the blink of an eye.

Fate was an evil, evil bitch. Sooner or later, she’d catch a man unaware. And burn his life to the ground.

With his soul trapped inside.

Christ, feeling love for someone outside family was new to him, and had obviously made him jittery. So far, in his experience, if something seemed too good to be true, it was.

If that wasn’t so, Donny would still be alive.

Two hours later, when the call came, he wondered if he’d had some sort of premonition. Station Five was sent to assist on a two-alarm warehouse fire that was rapidly progressing to three. The caller had reported one night watchman inside, who was supposed to have gotten off duty at eight this morning and hadn’t been located.