“Now what are you going to do?” She traced a line on the back of his neck, up and down.
He slid his hands between her knees and pushed her legs apart. “Gather evidence.”
“Evidence?”
He leaned against her, forcing her thighs farther apart as he inched closer to her sex, reveling in her silky skin.
Moments like these they could forget reality. It was just them for now, and he wanted to keep it this way. Soon enough the world would intrude and they would have to face reality.
Silas slid his index finger between her folds while watching her face. The way her eyes widened betrayed her. Not that she was putting up much of an effort to feign disinterest.
He held his damp finger up between them. That was all the evidence he needed.
“I really don’t think you mind,” he mumbled.
She opened and closed her mouth, but seemed to be out of complaints.
“Not fair,” she whispered.
“Fair?”
“You get to touch me, but I don’t get to touch you?”
“Oh, I’ll let you touch me. You can touch me right here.” He leaned against her so she found feel his erection.
Ekko laughed, a real laugh that touched her eyes and made her breasts jiggle. It was the kind of laughter a person only shared with someone they cared about.
“My dick’s funny to you?” he asked with mock seriousness.
“Yes.” The skin around her mouth and eyes crinkled.
He chuckled and kissed her.
Sex could be passionate, sweet, hot as fuck, but on some level he also needed to be able to laugh with the person who shared his bed. It was important. What he did made these moments necessary. The fact he could share it all with her mattered, especially if they wanted to continue things once she was safe.
Silas stroked her cheek, tracing those lines, and looked down at her.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” he whispered.
“You’re something special yourself.” Her toes pressed into the back of his knees.
He leaned into her and met her in a kiss, drinking her in.
When he pulled back her cheeks were pinker and her eyes were darker. She wanted him and she wasn’t shy about it.
They fit together in a way he hadn’t expected. Hell, he’d have never seen this coming the day they met. Everything had changed between them and he wanted to hold onto this for as long as he could.
She lifted her hands to his face, running her fingertips down his jaw. “Why are you thinking so hard?”
“I was just wishing my aching dick was our only problem.”
One side of her mouth hitched up. “Well, right now that’s the only problem we can fix. Now, if only you weren’t wearing quite so many clothes.”
“Oh, I can fix that.” He ducked out from under her arms.
Silas took his wallet out of his pocket and slid a condom out. Ekko took it from him, her smile playful, while he stripped out of the rest of his clothes.
He’d stopped fantasizing about what kind of woman he wanted in his life a long time ago. Now, after meeting Ekko, he knew what he wanted. The question was, did she want him the same way?
She lifted her hands and crooked a finger. “Come here.”
He did as she asked, stepping into the V of her legs. She bent her head, pressing kisses to his chest and shoulders. He needed her. Not desperately or to scratch an itch, he just needed her. A need that would span years without being sated. How he knew that he couldn’t say, it was just there in the back of his mind.
He wasn’t falling in love with her. He was already in love with her.
Ekko rolled the condom on his cock. He wasn’t sure when she’d open the packet. He’d been lost in his thoughts, but he was sure grateful for her hands on him. It freed his hands to slid up and down her body, kiss her neck and play with her breasts.
“Silas,” she whispered, her voice thick with need.
He lifted his head and grasped his cock, looking deep into her eyes. She stared back at him and the only word he could think of was hungry.
Silas slid his hand up into her hair, holding the back of her head and thrust into her. She gasped, her hands raising to his face. In the depths of her brown eyes, he saw things. A future. A friend. Love. Things he didn’t want to miss out on.
He couldn’t wait until she was all he had to worry about, though he had a damn good guess that would be more than enough.
She whimpered and looped her bound hands around his neck. He pulled her to the edge of the dresser and thrust again, gliding easily into her wet heat. Everything about this, how they fit, her, was perfect. Utterly perfect.
“I really like your cock,” she mumbled against his cheek.
He grinned and kissed the corner of her mouth. “It really likes you.”
“Like me more then.”
He might have laughed if her pussy hadn’t just tightened around him. He groaned and lifted her thigh higher, changing the angle.
“Oh, my. Oh, my God. Silas.” Ekko’s chest heaved.
She tipped her head back, her face creasing in what he hoped was pleasure.
He slid his hand between them and used his thumb, sliding it down over her mound until he felt the stiff nub of her clit. As he thrust he gently massaged the bundle of nerves.
Ekko’s mouth and eyes opened wide and her body felt as though it ripples. She yanked him closer, her legs winding around him, forcing him to change the angle of his thrusts. He bent his knees and surged into her as she chanted his name.
Like before, his orgasm seemed to surge through him. One moment he was reveling in the feel of their bodies, the next the world exploded in color, pleasure robbing him of the ability to do anything except feel.
And at the heart of it all was Ekko, the woman who’d stolen his heart.
18.
Wednesday. John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, New York.
Ekko clung tight to Silas’ hand as they left the terminal. She’d learned last time that just because they got to their destination didn’t mean all was well. It wasn’t until Chayan had cleared customs that she relaxed even a little bit.
There were still many hurdles.
First, it was almost six. The United Nations was no doubt closed for the day, which meant it would be tomorrow before they could even attempt to talk to someone. Ekko had no idea what was going on with the investigative team in Dauria, much less the protests. She hadn’t heard from any of her contacts in days, and even before that things had been scarce. God, she wanted to know if they were okay. She needed information, but more than that, they needed to be somewhere safe.
“Stay close, everyone,” Silas said as they headed for the doors.
Before they reached the entry, the doors parted and Brett strode in.
“Ride’s here. Let’s go,” he said.
There was an energy ushering them forward. It made Ekko nervous while Silas and the others just looked determined.
“Keep your head low,” Silas said to her.
She nodded and tugged the beret style hat lower on her brow. Her hair was in a bun under it. One of the things they’d discussed while on the flight was the risk of drawing too much attention before they were ready.
Ekko wasn’t the only one who’d focused on the task at hand and ignored everything else.
“Who is it driving us?” she asked Silas, keeping her voice low.
“Some friends of Brett’s. He vouched for them. My guess? They’re CIA or something.” Silas’ gaze continually scanned the cars and people as their small cluster kept a tight formation.
CIA?
The possibility that they were being watched over by people with badges was good, wasn’t it?
Silas and the others were more than capable. She’d seen the evidence. But badges could be good for Chayan. Couldn’t they?
“You know what we haven’t talked about?” Silas glanced down at her. “How you got hooked up with such a good forger.”
>
Ekko glanced away. It was too much to hope that detail would just be forgotten.
He squeezed her hand. “Later.”
“This is us,” Brett said.
Silas sighed. “A van? Really?”
Both Chayan and Ekko were ushered into the van quickly while the others loaded luggage. Brett stood out front talking with their driver, an older white man with a kind face and laugh lines.
Chayan twisted in his seat to peer around. His face had begun to color from the wounds. Dark splotches of color made it painful to look at him.
She reached back and took Chayan’s hand. “We’re almost there.”
He squeezed it back.
Almost wasn’t good enough. She knew that. But they were one massive step closer to being heard. And then they’d have to figure out what came next.
A lot like what would happen between her and Silas.
Unbidden, memories from the previous night came to mind. She cleared her throat and twisted to face forward as Silas slid in next to her.
“Why are you blushing?” he whispered.
“Shut up.”
He scooted closer. “Were you thinking something naughty?”
She elbowed him in the side. “I said be quiet.”
“Fine.” He sighed and reached past her. “Buckle up.”
“Is that necessary in a van?”
“Yes.” The jovial light had winked out. “Vans are top heavy. The seatbelts are never good enough. There’s not enough horsepower to get away from something. I wouldn’t have chosen a van. It’s probably not a big deal. I just... I’m being overly cautious.”
She fastened her seatbelt and smiled at him. He took every facet of his job seriously. Even when she’d been a pain in the ass.
He was worried. Because he didn’t think they’d make it? Or because he wanted them to succeed?
He shook his head. “Ignore me.”
She threaded her fingers with his and squeezed. “It’s your job to be cautious.”
“We’re fine,” he said. “We made it.”
She nodded. “We did.”
Tomorrow they’d see where this journey took them.
The van eased away from the curb with Brett sitting shotgun. Vito had the front bench seat to himself while Paxton sat behind Silas with Chayan. It was obvious the men were still focused on her and Chayan, ready for any threat. For that she was grateful.
When all of this was over Ekko owed Andrea something big.
They passed out of the airport and joined the evening traffic. All those winking red lights, all the normalcy surrounding her eased the last strain from her shoulders.
“What’s our move tonight?” she asked.
“Probably make some calls, see where things stand at the UN, who wants to talk with you two, get the process going for Chayan. You probably need to talk to some sort of publicity person to help manage things.” Silas shook his head. “I don’t really know what I’m talking about. It just sounds like someone should help you manage what you’re saying, keep it all straight and only talk to the right people, you know?”
Ekko blew out a breath. “I guess I’ll get on that.”
She’d need to post some updates for her viewers. No doubt her income would have suffered from the lack of streaming, but it couldn’t be helped. The best thing for her would be to get back on camera soon and pull some long days. From a purely mercenary perspective, she might be able to use this to boost her views. She could also schedule some time to just talk at the camera and answer questions.
That might be good. Maybe Chayan could be on. They could talk, say what they wanted, be real.
In time, she hoped to see a free Dauria, but she also knew that was a tall order. Still, she wanted to go back someday. See where she was born. The house she grew up in. Meet family she’d never before met. Visit the lake where her brother’s ashes would have been disposed of.
It was a dream. One she wanted to make reality.
Silas squeezed her hand. She turned her head and smiled back at him.
What were the chances that future included him? Could she be that lucky?
Bright headlights from the cross street made her squint as the van came to a stop.
The headlights kept coming.
She focused not on Silas, but the two lights rushing at them.
What the...?
Ekko shrieked, “Look out!”
It was too late.
A large vehicle rammed into the side of the van. The impact threw her against the glass. Her head whipped around and she felt a crack as her forehead and nose met the cool, smooth surface. The world outside lurched around her as the van hit the cars on the other side. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the sick sensation in the pit of her stomach to go away as the van came to an abrupt halt.
The force of the impact had them sandwiched against the taxis lining the curb on the other side of the street.
Ekko swayed back against Silas and blinked, staring at a smear of something on the glass. The noise in the van was too loud. There was too much yelling. Her head hurt something awful.
“Ekko? Ekko.” Hands grasped her, pulling her away from the glass.
She turned her head toward Silas. He cupped her face.
“Sweetheart, we have to run. You have to, okay?” He turned his head and yelled, “Get that back door open.”
“Cover your face,” another voice yelled.
Was that Paxton?
She turned her head, but Silas wrapped an arm around her, pressing her face to his chest.
A too-loud blast made her ears ring. She yelled and covered her head.
“Go. Get out, now,” someone else yelled.
“Come on, Ekko. Come on.” Silas clung to her hand, pulling her over the seat.
What was going on? Why the crash?
Ekko knew the answer, even if she didn’t want to admit it to herself yet.
Someone had attacked the van. They were under attack now. On the streets of New York City.
The danger had followed them here.
Why was it so hard to think?
She pressed the heel of her hand to her brow as she steadied herself crawling over the seat. When she pulled it back it was covered with blood.
Head injuries. They bled a lot.
That made sense.
She had to move though. Now.
The rising sense of danger pushed her forward.
She peered into the seat behind her as she crawled.
Chayan was gone. Where was she?
Hands reached through the window for her.
She recoiled, but only for a moment.
It was Paxton.
“Go. Get out, now,” someone—was that Brett?—yelled between blasts of what she could only fear was gunfire.
Ekko climbed out the window. Her thin yoga pants caught and ripped on the glass, but she made it out onto the hood of a taxi.
People on the sidewalk were running. Others had fled their cars. Somewhere to her left a car horn blared nonstop.
“Go, I’m right behind you,” Silas yelled.
Paxton kept a tight grip on her hand and helped her to the asphalt.
“Chayan?” She stared around.
“Come on.” Paxton bent and nearly picked up Chayan from the ground.
He looked just as stunned as her.
“Come on, let’s go.” A hand grabbed her arm.
Silas.
“Run,” he snapped.
Paxton half-carried Chayan as they took off.
Ekko hurt. It was hard to breathe. But she ran with Silas dragging her along, urging her faster.
What just happened? How had that happened? Who were those people?
Questions without answers flew through her mind, faster and faster as her mind got back up to speed.
How hard had she hit her head?
“This way.” Silas pulled her left.
A black van screeched to a stop. Men flew out of it.
Ekko whirled. Silas shoved her
away.
More black clad figured thundered around the corner, directly into Paxton and Chayan.
“No,” she wailed.
Hands grasped her.
She threw an elbow back, catching someone in the ribs. Only pain shot up and down her arm as she connected with something hard, and then everything went black as a bag wrapped around her head.
They were so close. The United Nations was so near. But they weren’t going to make it. Hundreds of stories would end with her, and nothing would be done about it.
WEDNESDAY. UNKNOWN, New York City, New York.
Silas lay on his side. He’d managed to get the bag half off his head so he could see something of their surroundings. Not that he got much of an impression for where they were going from the cityscape he could see. If they were going to get away, he needed to know where they’d be going to.
It took real effort to keep his eyes up and not look at the slumped forms of Ekko and Chayan across from him. From what he could tell she was out cold. Not so much as a whimper came out of her and she wasn’t the kind of woman to curl up and do nothing. Chayan was very much awake. He half sat, his body huddled around her though his hands were bound. That surprised Silas. Given how the man had all but crumpled the last few days he hadn’t expected Chayan to get protective. Then again, Chayan had lost everyone that mattered to him. All that was left was Ekko.
Silas pushed thoughts about those two out of his mind. He couldn’t do either of them any good right now. The best thing was to watch and listen.
This was about the worst outcome possible. The worst was an assassination. Since that hadn’t happened, the DSS must still want something from Chayan or Ekko. Which meant Silas needed a plan. Unfortunately there wasn’t a whole lot they could do right now. They were too well guarded. Their weapons had been taken. The best thing to do would be to wait for an opening.
At least Silas and Paxton had worn their tracking devices. Once Zain realized they weren’t where they were supposed to be he’d send the cavalry after them. The trick would be surviving until then and ensuring the tracking devices remained on them and functioning.
Dangerous Connections (Aegis Group Book 9) Page 24
