Worth Dying For (6 page)

Laura must have seen it, too. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Laura asked, taking the papers from Rheyna’s hand. She looked at the documents and shook her head. “You know these aren’t real,” she said, throwing her arms around Rheyna’s shoulders.

“I know, but it’s still a little unnerving.” Rheyna gathered up all the documents and photos. “I think I’ve seen enough,” she said and walked over to the fireplace. She knelt down on one knee, slid open the screen and tossed all the items into the fire. It didn’t take long for the dancing flames to turn the papers into a pile of ashes. She thought about her parents and decided to give them a call before she left on her flight.

“I can’t believe how late it is,” Laura said as the cuckoo bird above the mantle signaled that it was midnight.

Rheyna closed the fire screen and turned to look at her. “I know, and I still have to pack.”
 

Laura stood and brushed off her slacks. “And I have to go home and break the news to Stacie. I have a feeling she’s not going to be too happy with me.”

“If I know Stacie, she’ll be up waiting for you and she’ll handle it just fine,” Rheyna said as she walked Laura to the door. “Thank you, and be safe driving home,” she said, leaning forward to hug Laura.
 

“You’re welcome, and I will. You have a safe flight and I’ll talk to you sometime tomorrow night.”

Rheyna watched her back out of the driveway. She stood there looking out the window for a good fifteen minutes before heading upstairs. Her thoughts turned to Anthony Castrucci, and she unconsciously shivered. She pushed the uneasy feeling out of her mind, thinking she would try to get a couple hours’ sleep before packing her clothes.

###

Laura locked the door and turned off the lamp on the end table. She tiptoed down the hall to the bedroom. She tossed her coat across the back of a chair and unbuttoned her blouse.

“Hey, baby, I was hoping you’d still be up.”
 

Stacie sat up and stretched her arms over her head. She tried to stifle a yawn. “You know I have trouble sleeping without you next to me.”

Laura pulled a t-shirt over her head and hopped on the bed beside her. “About that—you may have to get used to it for awhile.”

Stacie frowned. “You have a new assignment, don’t you?”

Laura nodded. “I leave tomorrow afternoon.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“I’m not sure. It could be a couple weeks, or it could be a couple months. It all depends on how long the operation drags out.”

Stacie wrapped her arms around the top of her knees and laid her head against them. “I don’t want you to go.”

Laura reached over and pulled Stacie down on top of her. “Oh, sweetheart. I don’t want you to be sad.” Laura ran her fingers through the long red curls flowing down Stacie’s back. “I’ll come home every couple of weeks for a night or two, if I can manage the time. I promise.”

“Is it dangerous?” Stacie managed to ask as Laura began trailing kisses along the side of her neck.

 
“You know—”

“I know you can’t talk about your cases,” Stacie interrupted. “I just want to know if you’ll be in any danger. You know how I tend to worry.”

“Yes, it could be dangerous,” Laura answered honestly.

Stacie’s body tensed. She held Laura at arm’s length to look her directly in the eyes.

“Sweetheart, I'll be there in a support position only.” Laura squeezed her arms tight around Stacie’s waist. “The real danger will be with Rheyna.”

Stacie rolled over and leaned on her elbow. “Rheyna’s on this assignment, too?”

“Yes, and I’m sorry honey, but I can’t give you any more details.”

“I hate this part of your job.”

“I know you do and I hate this part myself.”

“Can you at least tell me where you’ll be?”

“I’ll be in California.”

“You tell Rheyna I said to be careful.”

“I will. Now, come over here,” Laura said, pulling Stacie down beside her. “I might not get to see you for awhile,” she said, and then her mouth hungrily claimed Stacie’s soft lips. Laura slowly made her way down to Stacie’s breast. Stacie shivered as Laura’s tongue made circling motions around her nipple before consuming it in her mouth.

“Don’t think … think this makes up for you leaving,” Stacie managed to say, her breath catching in her throat.

“No, but it’s a good start,” she whispered against Stacie’s skin. Laura slowly made her way down her lover’s body. God
, how I love the smell, the taste of this woman
, she thought as she kissed the inside of Stacie’s thigh. She rubbed her cheek over the small tuft of hair, savoring the scent. Stacie moaned as Laura’s tongue gently licked along the sides of her clitoris.

Stacie gripped the sheets with both hands. “You’re slowly killing me, you know?”

“Am I?” Laura moaned as she explored the soft wetness now surrounding her fingers. Stacie’s hips began to move against her fingers with slow, deliberate thrusts.

“Oh, God,” Stacey groaned as Laura’s soft, hot mouth paralyzed her. Without thought, her legs spread wider. Laura could feel Stacie growing harder with each tantalizing lick. She tightened her arms around Stacie’s legs and drank in her lover’s sweetness. Stacie reached down and ran her fingers through Laura’s hair, holding her close as she began to climax, her back arching, her body shaking to the core.

Stacie fell back on the bed breathless, her chest heaving up and down until finally she pushed Laura away. “No more, baby, no more.”

Laura laid her head against Stacie’s wet belly and tried to calm her own uneven heartbeat. Like an aftershock, she felt Stacie’s hips raise slightly, thrust forward and tighten before finally relaxing. She clamped her own legs together in an attempt to quiet the overwhelming ache settling in her groin.

After a few minutes, Stacie sat up and leaned forward. She reached down and grabbed the top of Laura’s t-shirt. With one fluid motion, she pulled it over Laura’s head and tossed it on the floor. “Jesus, Laura, I’m thinking you should go away more often.”

Laura’s voice was husky with desire. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to reciprocate.” Stacie didn’t wait for an answer and pulled Laura up to straddle her face.

“I’m not sure you need to touch—” A guttural sound escaped from Laura’s lips as Stacie’s warm fingers held her open. She held her breath for what she knew was coming next. She fell forward, grabbing the headboard for support.

“You’re so wet and hard,” Stacie murmured as she rubbed her lips over Laura’s swollen clit. Laura moaned as Stacie took her fully in her mouth. Her hips moved back and forth, encouraging Stacie to suck harder with each thrust.

“Yes, yes, oh, God,” Laura panted as Stacie’s fingers massaged her opening. “Please, baby,” she begged.

“Not yet,” Stacie whispered as her mouth and fingers continued the tease.

“I can’t take much more.”

“Sure, you can,” Stacie groaned, sliding her fingers through the wetness, and then she entered her.

Laura began a rocking motion with her hips against Stacie’s fingers. “More, baby, please give me more,” she cried out. “Harder, harder, oh yes, harder, yes!” Laura moaned, her back stiffening, her body shaking with orgasm before finally collapsing against the headboard in exhaustion.

Chapter 4

Rheyna’s flight had been uneventful and long, but on time. After picking up her luggage, she stepped outside the American Airlines terminal at San Francisco’s International Airport. The weather was perfect—a warm seventy-six degrees according to the Captain. She shielded her eyes from the sun, marveling at the blueness of the sky.

She crossed the street and headed toward the long-term parking area, weaving back and forth between the rows of cars until she came to the spot marked LGT4. She busted out laughing when she saw her car. She shook her head, knowing that she owed Laura a lobster dinner.

Sitting in the parking spot was a silver Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. She let out a whistle that could be heard around the parking lot. She flung her suitcase into the back and quickly removed the soft-top. It never dawned on her to look at the keys in the folder; otherwise, she would have realized that one set was for a Jeep. She smiled at the air freshener hanging from the mirror. It was a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end. Any person would be lucky to have a friend like Laura. At that moment, she realized just how truly lucky she was and silently prayed that her luck would continue.

She opened the glove box and pulled out a map of the area and the directions to her new home. According to the map, the house was located in Half Moon Bay, approximately thirty-five minutes from the airport and a short distance from the Castrucci estate. She didn’t know what to expect of the house, but she knew it was bureau-owned property and untraceable. If Castrucci decided to check on her—and they were sure he would have by now—he would see that she purchased the house two months ago. She laid the map on the seat and backed out of the parking spot.

Thank heaven for MapQuest’s easy-to-follow directions
, she thought as she made her way out of the airport and merged onto U.S. 101, heading south toward San Jose along San Francisco Bay. The view was breathtaking, and with the wind blowing through her hair, she took every bit of it in. She was so engrossed in the scenery that she almost missed the Half Moon Bay exit.

According to the map, she would be on CA92 West for thirteen miles. Off to the right, a small minimart got her attention, and she decided to stop to pick up a few things. She was almost certain that the fridge would be stocked with food and other necessities, but she specifically wanted a pair of sunglasses, beer, and junk food—namely chocolate.

Her luck just kept getting better, she decided as she stopped in front of the beer section. Sitting on a shelf were several bottles of her favorite wine, Moscato Allegro. She picked up three bottles and headed for the checkout. She couldn’t believe it. She had been ordering that particular wine from an online store for the last two years. It was by far the best wine she had ever tasted, and with little effort, she could polish off a bottle by herself.

She was even more excited to learn from the sales clerk that the winery was located in Paso Robles, a three-hour trip down the coast. The clerk assured her that the view alone was worth the drive. She thanked the clerk for the information and went back to the Jeep, thinking she just might have to take that drive.

With her new sunglasses on, she set off toward Half Moon Bay and before she knew it, she was pulling into the driveway at 22 Mirada Road. The house sat directly on the beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It would be an understatement to say it was beyond her expectations. The folks in Washington were definitely taking care of her.

With bag and suitcase in hand, she let herself in through the front door and walked directly into the living room. She looked around in awe, thinking she must be one successful photographer.

The living room ran lengthwise from back to front, with a counter-topped bar separating it from the small, eat-in kitchen. She noticed a small package sitting on the counter.
No doubt, a gift from Laura
, she thought as she surveyed the room. The house was decorated with a southwestern theme, and the fabric print on the furniture reminded her of the Navajo Indian blankets that are sold at flea markets. She found the cream and mauve tones comforting. A stone fireplace reaching from floor to ceiling covered one entire wall.

She set her suitcase on the floor and walked over to the patio doors. She looked through the glass, her breath catching in her throat. She had a panoramic view that looked directly out into the Pacific Ocean. Without hesitation, she slid the door open and stepped outside.

The scene that greeted her was breathtaking. The entire deck was surrounded by knee-high wild flowers in various stages of bloom, but the yellow poppies were something else. They were everywhere, stretching down the beach as far as the eye could see. She watched a seagull dive down deep into the water, only to come up seconds later with a fish in its mouth.