by Ali Vali
“My mother is in our guest room once a month, so don’t believe everything she tells you. When my father finally decides to retire, we’ll have to change the locks or enter witness protection to ditch her.” The room was high enough to give them a good view of the city, but right now they could’ve been in a cave for all she cared. She saw only Aubrey, the beautiful girl who had loved her for as long as she knew what love meant. “You are gorgeous. Do you know that?”
“I don’t think of myself like that, but I can’t help but believe it when you look at me like this. That you see me at all has been the greatest gift of my life.” Aubrey unbuttoned her tunic and part of her shirt to stick her hand inside. “Was today hard?”
Leave it to her partner to cut right to it. “I’m glad I was here, but that’s all I can tell you, my love.”
“I’m not worried about the gory details, baby. I’m worried about you and what’s going on here,” Aubrey tapped the side of her head, then laid her hand on Wiley’s chest over her heart. “The army might still have ahold of you, but you’re mine, and I need you to be okay.”
“That I am, darlin’.” She walked Aubrey backward until her butt hit the dresser across from the bed. “And you’re mine.” Aubrey didn’t say anything when she picked her up and placed her hands momentarily on her knees before sliding them up and under her skirt.
“We’re going to be late,” Aubrey said, then inhaled when Wiley’s fingers went under the elastic of her panties. “But I don’t really care right this second.” Wiley smiled when Aubrey unbuttoned the rest of her jacket, took it off, and placed it next to her. Her belt went next, and she laughed when her pants pooled at her ankles. “I need you, baby, and I don’t care who’s waiting on us.”
“Do you need me here?” She moved her thumb from Aubrey’s wet sex to her clit, finding it hard and pulsing.
“Take them off,” Aubrey demanded as she pulled her briefs down enough to put her hand between her legs. They’d had sex probably far too early in their lives, but damn if it wasn’t as exciting now as the first time. She stripped Aubrey’s panties off and got her fingers wet as she stroked Aubrey’s clit. “No. I want to come with you inside me,” Aubrey said with her eyes closed and her free hand clutching her shoulder.
“I love you,” she whispered as she gave Aubrey what she wanted by thrusting her fingers in and out fast and hard. The urge to stop almost swamped her when Aubrey’s fingers sped up, making her want to come way too fast.
“If you stop so will I,” Aubrey said, placing her feet behind Wiley’s knees. “And I don’t really want to stop since I need to come, baby. I really do.”
The desperation in Aubrey’s voice made her take her fingers out and slam them back in with a steady rhythm, hitting her clit with her thumb every time she went inside. She loved the way Aubrey sounded when she was excited, the way she bit her lip when she didn’t want to get too loud, and how she bucked her hips up to meet her. Her lover was the sexiest woman she’d ever met, and right now all she wanted to do was to unleash the orgasm that was so close she could almost taste it.
“Wait,” Aubrey said when she dropped to her knees, but she didn’t say anything else when she left her fingers in and put her mouth on her. “Uh-huh,” Aubrey said, growing louder. “Right there,” She grabbed the back of Wiley’s head and held her in place. “Don’t…harder, baby, harder. Jesus, your mouth is so good.”
Wiley sucked harder on her clit and curled her finger slightly upward, sending Aubrey over the edge, and Aubrey held her in place as she went rigid. A moment later she pulled her hair hard as a sign to stop.
“You ready to go?” she asked as she straightened up.
“You’re kidding, right?” Aubrey asked, placing her hand at the center of Wiley’s chest and pushing hard enough to make her take a step back. She walked backward awkwardly as Aubrey continued pushing her, since her pants were still around her ankles. “I’m not letting you sit through dinner tight as a bow.”
She hit the bed and fell into it as Aubrey dropped to her knees. “Besides, for as much as I complain about the military, you look hot in that uniform, baby, and I’ve been wanting to touch you since I saw you walk up.”
She would’ve made some sarcastic comment, but Aubrey followed her compliment by dragging her tongue up from her center and over her clit in a hard, possessive way. The firm stroke was exactly what she craved, and when Aubrey did it again, she pressed her toes into her shoes. She was so hard and so ready she was about to start begging when Aubrey sped up her movements. The relentlessness of Aubrey’s mouth made her frantic to come, but it happened much too fast. “Fuck,” she said so softly that she spread her hands on the bed before clutching the blanket in both fists.
When she went limp, Aubrey kissed her sex, then hovered over her and kissed her gently on the lips. “See, you can’t tell me you didn’t need that.”
“I’m always going to need you, my love, and that I can have you makes me deliriously happy.” She sat up and reached for her pants to follow Aubrey into the bathroom. “I love you so much,” she said, holding Aubrey from behind and watching her in the mirror. “And I’m sorry about all this.”
“About what?” Aubrey turned around and slapped her hands away so she could zip her pants for her. “What are you sorry about, love?”
“This isn’t my usual assignment of a couple of days and I’m home. It won’t be a quick turnaround, and I’m not sure how you and Tanith will handle it.”
When she’d walked away from Aubrey years before to keep her safe from the consequences of her choices, she’d tried to shut herself off from the memories and the feelings of happiness as a way to survive the loneliness. If she lost Aubrey, and now Tanith, by leaving, she didn’t think she could do the same thing again. This time the darkness would swallow her whole, and she’d find no way out but through a bullet.
“Listen to me, okay,” Aubrey said, placing her hands on her face to force her to look at her. “Don’t be scared that you doing the right thing will make me leave. You don’t like to talk about it, but I bet today, because of the Black Dragon, President Michaels and everyone around her stayed safe.” Aubrey completely unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it down enough to see the large dragon tattoo Wiley had on her left upper arm. Along the dragon’s body were the names Tanith and Aubrey, put there long before Tanith was even a dream of theirs.
“Tanith, the pagan goddess of war and protection,” she said as Aubrey ran her fingertip along the names of her and their daughter. It was something Tanith liked to do whenever she wore something sleeveless to work out in. “And Tanit, her sister, the goddess of justice and vengeance,” she said when Aubrey touched the other smaller tattoo on her right arm.
“These are a part of you, just like the honor and code that define your life. Today all those people didn’t have to worry about what was out there because you were on post, and you did what you were trained to do. That makes me proud of you, baby, not disgusted. What happened today was a job for Tanit, it was justice for all the bad these people have done, and I’m glad it was you who carried it out.”
“But maybe one day it’ll be too much.” She was comfortable enough with Aubrey’s hands on her to voice her greatest fear.
“The day you don’t go when called might be the day I don’t understand,” Aubrey said and stood on her toes to kiss her. “Or if you walk away again and disappear without an explanation of why. That’ll be the only thing that would be too much. You have a family who loves you, Wiley, and we’re proud of you,” Aubrey said and smiled. “And…”
Wiley tugged her closer when she stopped. “What?”
“I am proud of you, love, and Tanith is too. When it’s her turn to go in your place, you’ll have laid a solid and honorable path for her to walk.”
“I’d rather have her do something else.”
“We have to face the truth that she was born with the Gremillion warrior gene, baby. That kid not only loves you, but she idolizes you, and that means she
wants more than anything to be just like you.” Aubrey kissed her again and took a deep breath as she pulled her shirt back up and started buttoning it. “If I’m right, this next kid will probably be the same way. I don’t see either of them wanting to go into a career in the mayor’s office. That’s highly unlikely when their other mom is like our own private version of Wonder Woman.”
“This next kid?” Wiley asked, her eyes widening as she gazed down at Aubrey.
“You did understand that whole process we did at the doctor’s office, right? I don’t have time to explain the birds and the bees to you right now if you didn’t.”
They’d talked about another child six months after Aubrey and Tanith moved in because Aubrey wanted to share the experience with her from beginning to end. She told her she’d gotten off easy in the diaper-changing and fussy-nights departments, and if they waited much longer, it’d be too late. They’d gone to the doctor and used the same donor Aubrey had found for Tanith, and Wiley had been reluctant to get too excited since the doctors said it might take a few times before they were successful.
“You’re pregnant?” she asked slowly.
“You do good work, stud, and I know you’ll be gone a while, but try to come back before I reach the stage where I really crave sex. Flying solo isn’t my thing.” Aubrey laughed when she lifted her in the air and hugged her as she turned in a circle.
“We’re going to have a baby? Really?”
“It’s early yet, but at the beginning of next year don’t make any plans to go anywhere. You and I have a date with the doctor, so you can hold my hand while I push.” Wiley closed her eyes when Aubrey combed her hair back with her fingers and kissed her cheek. “We’ve had our share of pain, baby, but that won’t happen again. I love you, and I don’t want you to forget that no matter how long you have to be gone. Tanith and I love you, and baby Gremillion is going to adore you.”
“Thank you, and I love you too.”
“That’s all I need then. I need you to love us and come back to us in one piece.”
“I promise.”
Chapter Fifteen
Berkley and Aidan met her mom Maggie at the hotel where they were staying, since Preston and Mary Beth were back in their home close to Aidan’s condo. “Change of plans,” Preston said when they stopped at the entrance. “Give your folks a ride and follow me.” Corbin got out and moved to the backseat with her mother.
“Where are we going?” Aidan asked.
“To dinner, only we’ve been invited to the Gremillions’. It’ll give me a chance to debrief you about today’s developments with Wiley there. It’ll also let you relax a bit before you ship out, at least more than you could in a restaurant.”
“I’m all for that,” Berkley said as her mom got in.
“Sorry we haven’t had a moment free since you guys got here,” Berkley said, glancing at her parents in the rearview mirror. “It’s been a crap show.”
“Don’t worry about it, kid. We’re here to sightsee, not bother you,” Corbin said, and she and Aidan laughed, knowing her father wasn’t much on the sights except for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
“We’re here because you never remember to call your mother,” Maggie said, and Aidan reached for Berkley’s hand and pulled on her fingers.
“We’re working, Mom, so we’re not ignoring you,” Berkley said, listening to the GPS to get them to Buckston and Danielle Gremillion’s home. “Once we’re done, I promise I’ll be in your kitchen having coffee every morning.”
“And we’ll leave our kids with you, so you can babysit every chance I can talk this one into taking me somewhere romantic,” Aidan said.
“You’ve been around my kid too long, Aidan, but I am a great babysitter,” Maggie said, and Berkley nodded. “I’m cutting you some major slack though, considering we’re spending the last of our time with you at the Gremillions’ place.”
“I don’t want to share you either, Mama,” Berkley said as she felt her mom’s hand on her shoulder. “Lately I’ve been thinking more and more about home.”
“We think about that too, kid, but right now I need you to keep your head in Chandler’s very sick game,” Corbin said. “I don’t daydream as much as your mom and sisters, but I’m looking forward to one more wedding, and to really enjoy myself, I need you back without a scratch on you. Either of you.”
They arrived, and she hugged both her parents before they went in. “I love you both, and I really am excited about coming home. I’ve been away too long, but it took me a while to find a girl.”
“I give you a hard time, Berk, but your father and I are so proud of you.” Maggie kissed her cheek, and Corbin followed with a tight hug. “You’ve got more ribbons and medals than your father, and they are so well deserved. Your grandparents and sisters are over-the-moon proud of you too.”
“Your mama’s right, in that you’re a great soldier, kid, but we’re also proud of the woman you’re going to share your life with. She reminds me a lot of this one,” Corbin said, pointing at Maggie. “She’ll give you hell for a lifetime, but it’s only because she loves you, and you’ll never be able to live without her.” Corbin’s very uncharacteristically sappy comments made her hug him again.
“Thank you so much, Mama and Dad. You two always made me believe I could do the impossible, and I just have to channel that for a few more months.”
“You okay?” Aidan asked when they all headed for the door.
“Great, and they love you, so I’d start getting used to her fussing. That not-calling offense goes for you too.”
“I know, and I’m taking notes. Eventually we’ll have more than one who’ll act just like you, and I’ll need pointers on how to handle them.” Aidan stopped her close to the car and kissed her.
“Get in here before someone calls the cops,” Wiley said from the door. “Though I admire you for keeping your hands to yourself on that carrier, Berk. If Aubrey was coming, I don’t know if I’d be that disciplined, even if they’d probably make me walk the plank if the powers that be found out.”
Berkley chuckled when Aidan blushed, and Aubrey showed up and dragged Wiley away by the ear. “Take a deep breath, and let’s get this over with,” she told Aidan. “The sooner we get out of here, the sooner I can see what color panties you chose for today,” she said softly into Aidan’s ear, and her blush deepened.
Everyone exchanged greetings, then congregated in the large den for drinks before Buckston led them to his study, where Drew sat with a glass of whiskey and his tie off. Berkley knew Drew and the Sullivans were friendly, but she’d never asked for the whole story of how they knew him. The only important thing to her was how protective Drew was when it came to Aidan and her career.
“This can’t be good if you’re making house calls,” Berkley said.
“Buckston is still active military, but he’s also part of the NSA, so we meet regularly. That he’s also the father of the Black Dragon means we meet more often than I’m sure he likes, but I’ve been here before.” Drew stood and poured himself another small bit of liquor. “Today was enlightening, but it brought about some more possible answers that could help us.”
Berkley sat next to Aidan, and the others chose their seats around the room, with Wiley perched on the desk. “This is what we have so far,” Buckston said, standing next to Wiley.
“Today Wiley eliminated Kevin Skinner before he shot someone in the procession,” Drew said, and everyone seemed to be entranced by every word. “We can’t be sure who he was aiming at, but our best guess is the president was his target.”
“My partner Don Smith took out someone else, and I figured it was Booker Roman, the other suspect we thought could’ve shot President Khalid,” Wiley said.
“It wasn’t?” Aidan asked.
“His name is Brendan Sanchez, a young man currently in Carl Greenwald’s program,” Buckston said. “Carl’s group falls under my command, which means we speak often, and I’m probably more interested in this branch of t
he army than any of my other responsibilities, for personal reasons. Because that’s true, I’m familiar with his talent pool, and Carl’s correct in that Sanchez was talented and almost done with the training that would’ve placed him in the field within six months.”
“How did he go from promising soldier to wannabe assassin?” Aidan asked.
“We’re not sure just yet. Nothing in his background or his evaluations would’ve clued us in to this,” Buckston said.
“There’s more,” Wiley remarked.
“Of course there is,” Aidan said, and Berkley squeezed her fingers.
“As you reached the church, we spotted two more people, but only one with a long-range sniper rifle,” Wiley said. “That one Don and I wounded but didn’t kill.”
“Who was it?” Berkley asked, a headache setting in when she thought about the danger Aidan had been in when they’d been out there.
“Rachel Chandler and a woman who identified herself as Marva Brian. It was Rachel with the rifle, and she appeared to know how to use it,” Wiley said.
“I don’t think I’d ever seen any of Chandler’s children before we visited Jeffery in custody,” Berkley said. “That Dick has such a cooperative family willing to commit homicide for him is beyond the pale.”
“Since Rachel Chandler is an unknown entity when it comes to her talent as a shooter, we don’t have any way to know exactly who killed President Khalid,” Drew said, glancing at the liquor bottle as if he was contemplating another drink. “Thanks to Wiley, though, I doubt she’ll ever pull the trigger again.”
Drew handed over the pictures of Rachel and the shot through her shoulder. A few inches closer to her neck, and Rachel Chandler would’ve been a footnote in history. Berkley studied the wound first but then glanced at her face. “Wait.” She tapped on the picture. “We had our doubts, but this is who hit me on the head when those guys grabbed me. I gave a description, but it happened so fast it was hard to capture her likeness. This is definitely her.”
