The Auction Block

by Courtney Lynn Rose

  I point my gun at his forehead. "I warned you people what would happen if you came after him," I say with controlled fury.

  "Viper, don— "

  Squeezing the trigger, his body thuds lifeless against the floor.

  I pull my cell phone from my pocket and press Monroe's speed dial. He answers on the second ring.

  "Agent Williams?"

  "We have a dead hitman at the event. Send a crew. We'll be at the apartment if you need a statement. I'll also be making an arrest in three minutes. If she resists, you'll have another body." I hit the end button and turn on the others.

  Miranda and I lock gazes on each other. "Sammi, how much was the wire transfer for?"

  "Five million."

  "Is that what his life is worth, Miranda? Five million?" I stalk forward. Her eyes widen, fear dilating her pupils.

  "You do-don't understand," she says. "He would’ve—"

  "Miranda, you have two options. Turn around and put your hands behind your back, or, refuse to do so and get a bullet to the head. Your choice."

  Slowly, she turns and puts her hands behind her, a slight sob escaping her lips. I pull a set of handcuffs from the back half of my belt. "Miranda Kalwakski, you’re under arrest for conspiracy to commit the murder of Blake Mason. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you. Do you understand your rights as I have laid them out for you?"

  "Yes," she whispers.

  I close the cuffs tighter than necessary. Pulling her from the wall, we turn and Sammi takes her.

  "If everyone could please give me a moment alone with Mr. Mason. Wait in the hallway and we'll be out in a moment," I say, my voice deadly.

  The team walks into the hallway, Dresden pausing in the door. "Take it easy, Lily. This is partly your fault too."

  My nostrils flare. "Get the fuck out, Dresden."

  He closes the door behind him. I stand, immobile, not knowing what to do.

  "Lily . . ." Blake takes a step forward.

  I hold my hand up, stopping him in his tracks.

  "From this point on, under no circumstances are you to get drunk, or leave the sight of the security detail while at events. Do I make myself clear?" I try to keep my voice even and emotionless, my gaze locked on the floor.

  "Yes," he says, defeated.

  He's waiting for me to lose my shit. How can I though? I'm pissed that woman came onto him, but angrier he almost got himself killed.

  "Lily, nothing happened with Miranda, I swear . . . I'm sorry, baby, please," he says quickly, his voice pleading.

  "Blake, stop."

  "Lily, let me explain," he begs.

  "Blake," I say walking to the door. "You don't have to. You were drunk and I heard what you said to her from outside the door."

  "Okay," he whispers. He stops next to me and I finally look up to meet his eyes. They're full of sadness and questions.

  "We're fine, Blake." I reach over and tangle my fingers with his. I smile weakly, pulling him into the hallway.

  We make our way to the stairs, and I drop his hand as we come to a lobby full of police and paparazzi. I turn and nod to the team. We each circle around Blake and he ducks his head, trying to avoid the cameras as we rush him down the stairs and out to the waiting SUV. Once inside, I slam the door closed and get in on the opposite side.

  I bring my watch communicator to my mouth. "We ready to go?"

  "Just waiting on Vlad," Dresden says.

  A minute later, Vlad slides into the front car."Let's go."

  35

  ~Lily~

  Jameson opens the door to the apartment and we file in. We're all worn out and the only two things I want is a stiff drink and to fuck Blake. I doubt the latter will happen after the night we've had. Blake hasn't said anything to me since we got in the car to come home.

  "Welcome home, Mr. Mason. Can I get you something?" Teresa says as we enter the kitchen.

  "No thank you, Teresa," Blake says, his voice strained.

  "Lily, how 'bout you?"

  "Alcohol. A big bottle," I spat, sitting on one of the stools.

  Teresa pulls out a tumbler, fills it with Tequila and sets it in front of me.

  I pick it up and hold it in toast to her. "Here's to getting drunk."

  The glass is cool on my lips as the fiery liquor burns my throat. I slam the glass down on the counter-top. Keeping my hand around it, I slide it in front of Teresa. She refills it to the brim.

  "What happened?"

  "The short version? Mr. Mason drank too much, went off with that whore, whom it turns out was paid by a hitman. Mr. Mason almost got shot in the back, but we took care of it. Hitman is dead and the whore is in jail. Fantastic evening," I say, looking at my glass.

  I glance at Teresa, who is staring at me wide-eyed with her mouth hanging open. Smiling, I lift the glass to my lips, drain it again, set it down, and stand.

  "I'm going to bed. Sammi set the alarms. Wake me if anything happens." I turn, without looking at anyone and walk to Blake's bedroom.

  Shannon's voice travels up the stairs and I stop. "Blake, what happened?"

  "I fucked up," he says.

  My heart clenches at the pain in his voice.

  "Well, go fix it. What the hell are you standing here for?"

  "I don't think I can fix this one any time soon. She's pissed."

  "You'll never know if you don't try. You love her. Go fix it."

  I shake my head and walk into Blake's bedroom. Moving into the closet, I pull off my jacket and throw it on the floor. I strip out of my weapons and the rest of my clothes, throwing on a t-shirt. Blake is leaning up against the bedroom door, a tumbler in his hand.

  "Tequila?"

  He smirks. "Yeah. Teresa's cure all." He brings it to his lips and downs it.

  "I think you've had enough to drink tonight."

  "Trust me, the previous drinks wore off the moment you shot a guy in the head less than five feet from me." His eyes burn with pain and something else, his words clipped.

  "What are you mad about?"

  "You want the list?" He walks across the room and sets the glass on his dresser before taking off his jacket and shirt. I stare at the floor. Blake's bare chest is distracting.

  "How long is the list?"

  "It's decent," he snaps.

  His eyes seem to flash, tightening at the edges, and a gleam of primal anger flitting through his irises as his pupils dilate.

  "What do you even have to be pissed about? Seriously?" I put my hands on my hips, my own anger rising with the acceleration of my pulse.

  "A woman I've known half my life took money to help kill me. I almost got shot. You made me take a date to that function when you could've just let me go alone. Oh and to top it all off, I’ve wanted to fuck you since I got up this morning and you make sure you stay out of arm's reach," he rattles off.

  "That's a pretty decent list, Mr. Mason. I'm only staying at arm's length to protect you. So I can focus, which I failed at . . . miserably. For the record, I've wanted to fuck you all day too."

  Everything south of my belly button alights and I clench and release my hands. Blake's eyes shift and smolder. It doesn't help I'm not wearing anything under my shirt. His gaze travels down my body and back to my eyes.

  Fuck it.

  I stalk across the room and jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist as my lips claim his. His hands grip my ass, kneading my skin, as we lose ourselves in one another. My body arches and bows against him, begging him to be inside me.

  I hold myself up as he reaches down and undoes his pants, dropping them and his briefs to the floor. He turns, grabbing my hips and slams into me, filling me, as he presses my back against the wall.

  He moves hard, his passion pushing almost to the point of being painful and I match his rhythm. His left hand squeezes my hip, pushing me onto him as he moves his right hand up to pull back on my hair. I cry out
as he bites and sucks on my neck.

  I fall over the edge, coming hard around him a moment before he finds his own release. Staying inside me, he stills and leans his forehead against mine, our breathing labored and uneven, coming in gasps.

  "No more dates. It's you or no one."

  "Fine," I huff, kissing him on the forehead. "You're mine."

  "And you're mine," he whispers, slowly pulling out of me. I wince.

  I walk into the bathroom as he goes to the closet. Leaning over the sink, I turn on the faucet and splash cold water onto my face. Quickly, I brush my teeth, calming myself. Blake is lying in bed, his hands behind his head, eyes closed. I smile, quietly climbing in with him, laying my head on his chest and he wraps his arm around me.

  "I love you," he whispers sleepily.

  I chuckle. "And I you. Now go to sleep."

  †††

  "No! Lily! Lily!" Blake yells in his sleep.

  I bolt upright and grab his shoulders, shaking him. "Blake! Wake up. Wake Up!"

  His eyes open, pupils dilated in fear, sweat drenching his face and chest. He reaches out and runs his hands down my cheeks, my neck . . .

  "You were dead," he chokes out.

  "It was a dream. I'm right here. I'm fine," I whisper, pulling him into my arms, running my hands through his hair. "I'm here."

  "Fuck," he snaps, his breath tickling my neck.

  "Shhh, it’s fine." I kiss the side of his face, gently scratching his head with my fingernails.

  "It was so real, Lily," he whispers, nipping at my shoulder with his teeth.

  A shiver runs down my body.

  "Go back to bed. You need to rest." I release him and gently push him back down. He stares at me, his eyes full of panic. "I'm going to get a drink. You need to be asleep before I come back up here."

  "I'm sorry," he whispers.

  My heart drops as I reach out and run my fingers down his cheek.

  "Don't. I've been dealing with nightmares my whole life. It's nothing to apologize for."

  He nods, rolls over, and closes his eyes. I stand and quietly make my way to the kitchen.

  †††

  "Blake having nightmares too?"

  I jump, my head snapping up at the sound of Dresden's voice. He's sitting at the island, his head in his hands.

  "Yeah. Shannon too?"

  He meets my gaze as I stop across from him, leaning against the counter. "Yeah. She's had them every night since you brought her home."

  "She'll get better, Dresden."

  "Have you?" His face tightens in pain, full of disbelief.

  "No. But, I went through far worse and I still manage," I say pushing off the counter.

  I pull a bottle of water out of the fridge and sit down on the stool next to him. He reaches over and puts his hand on my back. I sigh deeply and chug my water.

  "How do we help them, Lily?"

  "I can call my shrink," I say, shocked I didn't think of it sooner. "He's in DC, but I'm sure he can come here."

  "You have a shrink?"

  "Yep. Jax used to make me see him three times a week after he first found me. Then I saw him after every assignment. It's been awhile, but he's the best. It's why Interpol hired him."

  "I think that would be a good idea."

  I stand, grabbing Dresden's head and pulling him into a hug against my chest. "We'll get through this. All of us."

  He puts his arms around me and squeezes. "I hope you're right."

  I laugh. "I'm always right."

  "Smart ass," he says, letting go.

  I walk back to Blake's bedroom and pull my cell phone from the nightstand. Unlocking it, I press the speed dial for my doctor. It's 4:00 AM, but I know he'll answer.

  "Hello?"

  "Doctor Saladinya, it's Lily."

  "Lily? Are you okay? It’s been awhile."

  "I'm okay. I need a favor."

  "Sure, what's going on?"

  "Can you come to Baltimore? We're on assignment and I have two people who need someone to talk with."

  "Email me the address. I'll be there by nine."

  "Thanks, Doc."

  "You and I need to talk as well. I heard about Jax's dismissal."

  "Yeah."

  "I'll see you at nine."

  "Yes, sir."

  I hang up and email him the address. Climbing back into bed, I sigh. We're not making any advances on this assignment. If we don't make something happen soon, The Taurus are going to get the better of us and we'll all be killed.

  I close my eyes as Blake rolls over, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me tight against his chest. I drift into an uneasy sleep, full of darkness, canes, and sinister laughter.

  †††

  "I'm looking for Agent Williams." The thick Middle Eastern voice travels up the stairs as I descend.

  Strolling onto the main floor, I chuckle at the defiant stances of Blake and Dresden. I neglected to let anyone know the good doctor was coming because of how late I called him.

  "Good morning, Doc. How was your drive?" I say, entering the kitchen. I pour a cup of coffee and walk over, holding my hand out.

  "Wonderful. Your gentlemen are rather protective of you," he says taking my hand.

  "Yes, they are. Relax guys," I say turning to run my hand down Blake's arm. He shivers at my touch, making my stomach clench. "This is Doctor Hastin Saladinya."

  He smiles wistfully. Hastin is anything but a typical psychiatrist. He’s shorter than me, slightly overweight, with deep tan skin. Dark, almost menacing brown eyes the same shade as his wavy hair, except for the slight gray coloring the sides. He's from India with the accent to boot, though he's wearing black jeans, a plain white t-shirt, dress coat, and sandals . . . the man doesn't own anything but sandals.

  "Doctor?" Blake says, raising his eyebrows.

  "Yes, Blake. You and your sister need to talk to someone. I called the only person outside this team I trust. My psychiatrist."

  "I didn't know you had a psychiatrist," he says taking a step toward me.

  "Well, she hasn't seen me in about a year, so we're going to rectify that while I’m here," Doctor Saladinya says grinning.

  I smile at him as Blake's arm snakes around my waist, pulling me against his chest.

  Dr. Saladinya raises his eyebrows glancing between the two of us. "Well, it looks like we do have a lot to discuss," he says.

  "Yes, sir. However, I'd like Blake and Shannon to speak to you first. I think they need your help more than I do."

  "Do you have a room we can use?"

  "The study should do," Blake says leaning down to plant a chaste kiss on my neck.

  "I'll speak to Mr. Mason first then. Lily, this evening we’ll speak privately."

  Blake releases me and walks toward the study, the doctor following him. They'll be in there at least two hours. Doctor Saladinya is a very deep man and likes to probe. Butterflies beat around my stomach. The last thing I want is he and Blake discussing our sex life, which I know will happen regardless.

  "Well, I'm going to let Shannon know the deal," Dresden says walking away.

  I hope this helps Shannon. Her nightmares are taking their toll on Dresden, more so than he wants to admit. I look around the room, my eyes falling on the piano. Quietly, I walk over and sit down. My hands fly gently over the keys, filling the house with the somber tones of Bach. I close my eyes and lose myself in the music.

  †††

  I sit on the chaise lounge while Doctor Saladinya sifts through a stack of papers.

  My psychiatric files.

  I cross my right leg at the ankle over my left knee, nervously tapping my thumb against my thigh. I like the good doctor, but never enjoy having someone pry into the inner workings of my mind. Others shouldn't be subjected to a scary place such as that.

  "So, Lily . . . how have you been?" he says looking up from his papers.

  "Uh, pretty good, I guess."

  "What's happened since the last time I saw you?"

  "When
was the last time I saw you?"

  He raises his eyebrows. "I believe you’d just completed an assignment in . . . Thailand."

  "Ah, good ol' Thailand. That was a shitty assignment." I shudder remembering the four months undercover there.

  "Blake mentioned you had a side mission here."

  "Did he now?"

  "Yes. He's very worried about you," he says standing. He walks around the desk and sits on the edge, staring down at me.

  "He shouldn't be," I say. "I've gotten along fine all these years. Shit didn't get complicated until he showed up."

  "Lily, you and I both know you haven't gotten along in any way. Do you even realize how much Blake Mason has helped you cope in the last few months?"

  I sigh, tugging in the ends of my hair. "Yes."

  "Really?" he says, skeptical.

  "Yes!" I vault off the lounge and pace the length of the room. "I know and it fucking kills me. I can touch people now. How the fuck did that even happen? Years, years I've been through every treatment known to man to get over that issue and nothing worked. Then all the sudden, here comes Blake with his arrogance and compassion and it all just disappears. Now, I crave his touch more than I crave food . . . , water . . . , or air. How the fuck does that even happen?"

  I stop and turn on the doctor, my blood boiling as all the pent up confusion comes to the surface.

  "Love," he says plainly, crossing his arms over his chest.

  "Love? That's your professional opinion?"

  "Yes, Lily. You've never known anything but a harsh, evil world of men hurting you. Blake does the opposite of every man you've ever encountered, except your team. They love you too, which I'm sure you finally realize."

  "Yeah."

  "How does that make you feel? Now that you know."

  "Shitty, actually."

  "Why?"

  "I've spent ten years shutting them out and all this time all they wanted to do was help."

  I flop onto the lounge and put my hands in my hair. The seat next to me indents and I sigh.

  "Keep doing what you're doing, Lily. You're making more progress in the last few months then you've made in years. Keep letting it happen."