“Royden knows what he’s doing. Besides, it’s what she wanted. An interval away from the intensity of us all. It’ll take time to sort things in her head, especially after the hell of the ER visit.” Matt may have understood the necessity, but he hadn’t liked it any more than the rest of them. Each had stood outside her room, glaring at anyone passing by. A united front of angry McAllisters was more than anyone wanted to tackle.
“She has fixed the cabin up nice. Makes sense it would feel like a sanctuary.” Ethan’s intensity smoothed out as he palmed the back of Lexi’s neck. She’d scooted her chair closer to show him her computer screen.
“With Caden and Kaylee for moral support, she won’t feel hemmed in by Royden, and Kaylee’s the most empathetic of us all.” Lexi swirled her mouse on its pad to wake up her hard drive.
“Nice of the captain to let us each give Royden a few days of our leave.” Billy picked up a roll from the platter then passed the rest along.
“Where’s Katt?” Matt glared at the smirks directed his way. “What? It’s getting dark and she should be here. The kid’s damned inexperienced to be wrapped up in this mess.”
“She seems pretty resourceful to me. Not to mention the fact that anyone who can hold their own against you deserves the benefit of the doubt.” Lucas smirked at his oldest brother.
“She’s been on her own for a while, and she’s not a kid,” Megan added.
“She’s street smart. She’ll be fine.” Lexi’s sympathetic nod punctuated her sentence.
Remie jumped at the knock on her front door.
All gazes darted to the window inset where Katt froze with her hand in midair, ready to knock again.
Matt stood to let her in.
“Hi, guys.” Katt entered slowly, as if ready to run.
“C’mon and sit down.” Matt shoved out the chair next to him.
“Any luck tracking with Damien?” Katt’s hopeful expectation died when Matt looked away and shook his head.
“No. With more rain last night, we found where she’d crossed a stream, but lost the scent in a hard upslope. Couldn’t pick it back up again.”
“Damn. Sorry. I have news though. I checked my PO Box before coming. There was a letter, which I’ve never had before. Ari always contacts me by phone.” Katt slung her backpack to the table. “I’ve handled it as little as possible.” The whrr of the zipper drew Buckeye’s attention. “Kathryne is written on the front, but Ari has called me Katt from our first conversation.”
“Was the tone of the writing different from his conversations?” Luc asked.
“You opened it already?” Matt frowned, the grumble rumbling in his chest conveying his frustration.
“That’s what most people do with letters. I didn’t know who it was from. It’s a PO Box, which means I get tons of junk mail.”
“Kid…” Matt started.
“Look, dusty nut. I know what I’m doing. I called Ari from another phone to tell him my cell was compromised and to be careful in sending texts,” Katt shrugged. “So it might be from Ari.”
“I’ll call him to see if he’s coming unraveled.” Ethan snatched his cell from its case.
“Let’s have the note.” Billy’s hand gesture signaled his impatience, but his older brother snatched it first.
“It says, ‘That was fun.’ I let her go so you could feel the results of my handiwork. Who knows, maybe there’ll be a mini me to carry on my work. Who’s next?” The silent drop of the letter floating to the table ended with Matt’s fist slamming the planked wood. “It’s signed, Yours truly, Gargoyle.”
“The fact he knows about the PO Box and Abby’s nickname for him means he has access to records. Abby mentioned calling him by that name, and it was in the police report.” Luc gestured for Katt to slot the letter in the baggie and pass it along.
“Shit. Maybe he’s hacking the records.” Billy fisted his left hand resting on his thigh.
Remie pressed her fingers over Billy’s, willing him to calm. “We’ll get him.”
Ethan grunted as he disconnected his call. “Ari said he hasn’t talked about hiring Katt with anyone. We know he wasn’t the one to take Abby since he was under surveillance at the time.”
“Maybe Ari’s partner wants to fly solo in the business,” Matt suggested.
“Guys? I did some more digging today and found an old backdoor connection between ClickChip and Biobotics.” All eyes turned to Lexi.
“What’s a ClickChip?” Katt looked to Matt.
“A company that made specialized microchips—and other things. We recently—put them out of business.” Billy’s grin radiated a feral component.
“Billy put them out of business. Permanently.” Lucas mimed an explosion with his hands.
“No shit. You’re good with bombs?” Katt’s eyes widened, questions dancing in her gaze.
“Don’t even think about it, kid.” Matt grabbed a plate from the table center and set it in front of her. “Here, grab something to eat. You’re too damned skinny.”
“It’s because I’m young. I haven’t had years of bad eating habits to add a spare tire—or two. Plus, I do a lot of running.” Her pointed nod to Matt’s waist brought chortles from around the table.
The barb hit its mark. “Most often from the police, I suppose.” Matt heaped a large helping of scalloped potatoes on her plate.
“They’ll ask where you got the letter from. I’ll take it in.” Katt pushed her chair back, her intent clear.
“No.” All three McAllisters said in unison.
“Whoever sent it might be testing to see where your loyalties lie.” Billy scooped up some leftover potpie and passed the bowl to Remie.
“Touch it again and I’ll put you in plastic cuffs.” Matt’s gaze darkened to halt on Katt.
“The kind that stretches a little and only hurts if you fight it real hard?” Katt’s mouth twisted in a motion to suppress the grin threatening to appear.
“I like things that stretch.” Remie couldn’t help herself.
“Not this again. C’mon, doc.” Billy leaned over, his gaze narrowed and piercing as his humor whirled in the depths of a rich imagination. “Don’t encourage her. Matt’s too old to handle it.”
“It can be lots of fun if your man’s athletic and adventurous.” Kaylee startled when Caden’s hand moved, under the table, his obvious intent to distract and suppress conversation.
“Hey, have you guys experienced that combo thing with fingers and mouth?” Lexi’s innocent expression belied a devious mind. “I’ve wondered if like abilities run in the family.”
Ethan growled.
“Stop! Damnit. I do not want to find out about my brothers’ sexual exploits. You girls talk more trash than any guys I’ve ever met.” Matt glared at Lexi.
Caden chuckled.
“But Matt, you guys have so much in common. How do you think we’ve learned—” Megan mashed her lips together to keep from smiling or finishing the thought.
“Hell. What do you girls do? Make comparison charts?” Billy glanced at his brothers in turn. Each one appeared horrified at the possible disclosure.
“Nah, our memories are good enough for discussion, but let me explain something,” Lexi continued.
“No!” Again, the McAllister brothers united as each one roared.
“Matt,” Katt offered, “Maybe they’re just trying to help you. You know, ‘cuz things...start to change. You should talk to your doctor. Men your age have reached their sexual peak and are sliding down the back half. You may want to make an appointment. Certain medications can work against you, also, like drugs used for blood pressure—alcohol can also be a factor.”
“Christ! Will you stop?” The heat in Matt’s voice matched the stark appetite in his gaze. As if to hide his emotions, he mumbled his curses against hands covering his face.
“Ladies, we’ll talk later.” Kaylee snickered.
“Back to the case. Lexi, can you tell if someone is hacking Ari’s computers—as in—other th
an you?” Matt asked. “If our psycho is monitoring Ari’s actions, maybe he has tapped into and is using those connections to redirect Katt.
“You sure Ari is innocent on all counts?” Ethan drummed his fingers on the table as if repetition ordered thoughts.
“Not entirely. He probably performed the operation on the professor, and he’s trying to keep tabs on Remie. Maybe we’re not the only ones privy to his involvement.” Matt’s theory held merit but no substance.
“After ClickChip’s demise, there was communication between one of the employees and Dr. Carrigan from Biobotics. I also found an offshore account where Carrigan accepted money.” Lexi rotated her screen so the rest could see. “Lots of money. But that was two months ago.”
“Aw fuck. What the hell were they brewing up?” Billy’s face paled as he set down his fork.
“I don’t know. Looks like they had several meetings, but since they were IRL with not much written communication, we have little to go on. They were careful. Very careful.” Lexi grabbed a roll from the plate Ethan had fixed for her, using it to punctuate her sentence.
“Biobotics is trying to make brains. ClickChip manufactured chips that were inserted into their target’s skulls.” Billy took a deep breath then exhaled. “This is not a working relationship I want promoted.”
“Holy shit. This is scary stuff.” Remie sat back, fear hindering the breath slogging through her lungs. As the conversation swirled through the madness zone, the McAllisters took it all in stride. They’d experienced firsthand, the depravity evil could achieve. Remie preferred existence in the normal world but understood if no one went that extra mile to protect, all would be doomed.
“That’s the last of the plates.” Billy closed the dishwasher and flicked the wash button.
The instant hum of flowing water reminded Remie of how normal a life appeared until one delved beneath the surface. “Still amazes me how much your brothers can eat. I’m surprised there were any crumbs left.”
Tossing her a hand towel, he rotated the sink’s faucet and grabbed one of the dirty pots. A glance over his shoulder revealed his confusion. “What?”
“I love the normalcy of this.”
“Would you rather have dirty pans on your counter? No, wait. Don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”
It took effort to keep her expression neutral, the twitch at the corner of her mouth testing her resolve. They complemented each other in a way reminiscent of her parents’ relationship.
For weeks, he’d taunted with heated looks, casual touches, and the smoky rumblings that drew her attention to the solid expanse of his chest. Her only defense was a protective offense.
His brows winged up when she tossed her dishtowel at his face. With reflexes befitting his stalking grace, he snatched it out of the air and twisted the ends, whipping one toward her butt and letting go of the other.
She yelped when he nailed her ass.
“Ouch, you brute.” The giggle bubbled up as she turned to run.
One step away, he caught her around the waist and snugged her back against his chest. Leaning his head down to the crook of her neck allowed him to nuzzle the soft spot. “Now. You’re mine.”
The rough timbre feathered shivers up her back to leave her flushed with cool perspiration dotting her brow. She tilted her head to allow better access after he swept her hair aside.
Tiny nips and nuzzles along her neck ended below her ear where he whispered, “I want you right here, right now.”
“Hmmm.” She let the arching of her back answer the slow twist of his hips.
Her top teeth dug into her bottom lip when he turned her to face him. Her conscience screamed bad timing, but hormones flooded her system to block all doubt. Leaning back against the counter, he kept her body snug and gave her no choice but to straddle his legs which he’d crossed at the ankles. A perfect fit.
The need to take what he offered bloomed hot and needy along each nerve to trigger the fine current humming just beneath her skin. Despite two years of abstinence in favor of studying, her body remembered and jumped onboard.
With her heart thumping, blood pressure surging, and hormonal changes dampening her panties, her brain moved past the emotional and motivational components of arousal and dove into the physiological responses that signaled her need.
“Oh God.” Their timing was perverse, with twisted minds playing psychotic games and his family life turned on its ear. “This isn’t the time to let our hormones do the thinking.” Murmured before she opened for his invasion. She knew what she wanted and for once, wouldn’t think about the consequences.
“If you knew what I was thinking, you’d be screaming with your first orgasm of the night.”
The feel of his hands skimming her back and cradling her head while his tongue invaded, twining around hers and exploring the crevice of her mouth created sensations she could no longer define. Whatever lay beyond their rainbow, she wanted that fiery ride to remember and cherish.
Breathless and desperate, she gripped his hair to tug him back when he lifted his head, panting, his eyes blazing with hunger and a reverence only for her.
Wobbly muscles weakened, forcing her to rest more heavily against his outstretched legs, the pressure at her core increasing when he grabbed her hips and urged them side to side. She’d never been so close to losing control without direct contact. “Bed.”
“Too far. Countertop.” With the decision made, their clothes landed in a flurry of plinking buttons and rustling fabric. He broke the kiss long enough to shuck his jeans and help until seizing both her wrists and holding her still.
She stood barefoot wearing lace panties and bra and never felt more desired.
“I want to drink you in first. You’re beautiful.”
When he pulled her closer, she nuzzled his chest, inhaling the scents of male, aftershave, and hunger. Skin to skin, they nestled, their lips meeting again with an urgency that demanded completion.
“Need you now.” The smattering of chest hair tickled her palm as she grazed her fingers over his pecs and down his rock-hard abs. The dusting of fur under his navel pointed to the treasure she needed to feel. Her firm grip on his steel warmth produced an instant swelling in his sizable girth.
“Ahh.” He tilted his head back with a groan.
When his gaze collided with hers again, dilated pupils and flared nostrils detailed the extent of his need. With a flick of his wrist, her bra clasp unsnapped and freed her to the cool evening air. His hands covered her breasts, kneaded, tugging until she whimpered.
“You’d better have a condom.”
In the next instant, her panties lay on the floor and he scooped up his jeans to retrieve a foil from his pocket. A quiet rip, an agile roll, and he lifted her on the counter, following her down to take one breast in his mouth.
“Wrap your legs around my waist.”
Death and desperation had brought them together, transformed into something solid and primal, a connection to shield them from the worst of humanity. He showed her with his body what words could never convey. The whisper soft graze of his touch teased her mind and body to open for him. The brush of his heated steel at her apex induced a groan, answered deep in his chest.
Power met power, his first thrust surging forward as her body tightened around him. The advantage acquired from using her legs to gain leverage added a delicious angle to his advances. Pressure built with each drive forward, forcing her body to twist in its climb to new heights.
The steady rhythm filled her with a burning torment, her body wanting more until the electric hum built to a fever pitch beginning in her fingers and toes then shooting to her core. “I can’t hold it back.”
“Jesus, Remie. You’re paradise.”
She felt the truth and sincerity in the gravel of his voice and the depth of his gaze. He was the man against which all others would be measured.
When she spasmed with her release, he joined her, his low growl filling the room.
For lon
g minutes, he held her while she caught her breath. Returning from that high entailed a long fall, his arms waiting to catch her, the fast thump of his heart steady under her palm.
“I have never come so fast or so hard. Damn.” Her muscles had cramped but the hard edge of lust quieted.
“Back at ya, Doc. But it won’t last long.”
“Bed.” When she could take a deep breath, he lifted her hands to circle his neck and carried her up the stairs.
“Yep.”
Daylight came all too quickly. Remie roused, unfamiliar with waking up cuddled to a man’s larger form. Though she didn’t have to worry about raccoon eyes since she rarely wore makeup, morning breath compelled her to move. Making as little sound as possible, she slid to the edge of the bed and padded to the attached bathroom.
A quick shower and removing the fuzz from her teeth resurrected her libido. She opened the door to find Billy with his head propped on his hands, waiting for her to come out.
“Morning. Gotta love Saturdays. I fed the critters.” A broad smile broadcast his intent even if the tented sheet failed. “And before you ask, I remembered to give them a little yogurt.”
“You’re as insatiable as you are amazing.” Images of the prior night’s activities flashed through her mind, exploits she’d never contemplated and couldn’t wait to repeat.
She smiled.
Midmorning sun streamed through the windows when she curled against Billy’s side, striving to control her breathing once more.
“You’ve gone quiet, Remie. What’cha thinking.”
“About Abby. It’s gonna be difficult for her to return to work. But I know she loves—or used to love her job.”
“I hope she goes back sooner rather than later.” Billy grazed a finger between her breasts and down her abdomen. “If she delays, it might start a habit of avoidance. But I think Royden is smart enough to see it, strong enough to resist it, and cares about her enough to urge her forward instead of letting her life stagnate. If not, the rest of us will be there for her.”
“Huh. I guess I never thought of it in that light. I know the rest of you will support her at every turn. I’m equally sure that one of you will be close by, wherever she goes. She’s lucky to have such a close family.”
McAllister Justice Series Box Set Volume Two Page 51
