“Dammit,” Sarah gasped. “We’ve got to do something. Angie, we can’t let him hurt you again.”
“I don’t care about me,” Angie protested. “We have to protect Lorna.”
“Lorna quit her job. She was planning on packing when I left her.”
“Pops,” Angie wailed. “She can’t do that. She can’t let him win.”
“She said she’d be back for the trial, but she just can’t take it right now. Personally, I think she’s being smart.” Angie looked at her grandfather and silently admitted he might be right. “I’m worried about you,” he said.
“Now that I know to be on the lookout, I’ll be fine.”
“Not good enough,” Pops declared.
“I agree,” Sarah seconded.
“He has too many connections. He’ll be able to find out where you live,” Pops warned her. Angie had to work hard to keep showing a strong front. She knew she’d have to stay alert. Paul Jackson was going to be a problem.
“I have a great security system, Pops.”
“You’ll stay with me at the ranch,” her grandfather growled.
“I will not. Hell, you’re practically a celebrity, everybody knows you. I’m not putting you in danger.”
“You can stay with me. Nobody knows about me,” Sarah said.
Angie and Pops said “No,” at the same time.
“You’ll stay with me,” Finn said quietly.
Angie covered her face. Fuck.
“Perfect. It’s settled.” Could Pops have responded any faster?
“I agree,” Sarah said, jumping in with both feet.
“You are traitors—both of you.” Angie looked at Finn. His expression hadn’t changed since Pops explained the situation. He looked like a Viking warrior who must be one of his ancestors.
“Finn, you don’t really want me underfoot,” she tried to reason.
“You’re staying with me.” He didn’t try to cajole, wasn’t commanding, he was just telling her the sky was blue.
“Dammit, Finn. You can’t tell me what to do.”
“He got you to the hospital, didn’t he?” Sarah reminded her. “And it was a damn good thing since one of your ribs was broken. Sometimes you don’t have any sense.”
“It wasn’t a big deal, they just taped it, you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”
“They had to realign it, so it didn’t puncture your lung,” Sarah persisted.
Angie couldn’t decide between sticking out her tongue or flipping her the bird, so she didn’t do anything.
Sarah turned to Finn and Pops. “Okay gentlemen, you need to leave while I help Angie dress.” As soon as the men left, Angie turned on Sarah.
“I can’t stay with him.”
“Give me one good reason why you can’t.”
“I’m beginning to really like the man.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“I refuse to put myself in a situation where I’m next to a man, day in and day out, where I’m falling in like, and I don’t know where he stands. It’ll be too awkward.”
“Or it could be a great opportunity. Here are your clothes.” Sarah put some loose pants and a long white tunic on the bed. “The top is fleece. I didn’t figure you would want to wear a bra.”
“Sarah, this is too embarrassing. I want my own space.”
“Well, it’s not in the cards right now. Anyway, you need to work on the missing baby case, and this allows you to while still keeping you protected.”
“Sarah–”
“Enough. This is a closed subject. Now let’s get you into the wheelchair so you can get the hell out of the hospital. You know you want out.”
“Yes,” Angie admitted.
Sarah pushed her into the hall, and the men were waiting for them.
Angie tried one last time. “I could stay at a hotel.”
“Do you want to explain why that would be preferable to staying with me?” Finn asked in a reasonable tone of voice.
“Yes, I’d like to hear this,” Pops said. “Especially since you’re hurt and he can protect you. I think this would be interesting.”
She looked at the three people surrounding her. She sighed. “You’re absolutely right. Finn, thanks for offering. I appreciate being able to stay at your apartment.”
“It’s no problem.”
***
Finn breathed his first calm breath since he had seen Angie beaten up. Having her in his apartment, under his watch, soothed him. When Declan first gave him the keys to the two-bedroom apartment, he had thought it was too big, now he was glad to have it. Sleeping on the couch really didn’t have a lot of appeal, but he had certainly slept in worse places.
“I called Dasha. She and Sergei will be over later this afternoon.”
The woman wouldn’t know the word ‘quit’ if it bit her in the ass. He was damn tempted to call up Sergei and postpone the meet until tomorrow.
He had her settled on his couch, with pillows propped up behind her. “I’ll allow it, as long as you eat and nap.”
“What the hell do you mean, ‘you’ll allow it?'” She pushed herself up and winced. “Who died and made you the boss of me?”
Finn rubbed both hands through his short cropped hair. “I’m not the boss of you. But since I’m the only one in this place in tune with your pain and stamina levels, I guess I’m putting myself in charge. Look at yourself. You damn near keeled over by the time we made it up the stairs.” He was still kicking himself for listening to her instead of carrying her like he’d wanted.
“Having a conversation with someone is not taxing.”
He decided to try another tactic. He crouched beside her. “Angie, you and I both know this is going to be a tough conversation. Dasha finally promised to tell us what in the hell is going on. We’ll have to wade through a lot of bullshit. This is going to be complicated, and you need to be at your best. We both do.”
She looked at him for a long time, considering his words. “What do you have to eat?”
“Ah, the Pre-Law brain is finally functioning.” He gave her a relieved look. “Would you like an omelet?”
“That sounds great. Do you have meat to put in it?”
“Ham?”
“Perfect. I was worried that since you’re from California, it would be nothing but vegetables.” She gave him a cheeky grin.
“Brat.”
When he brought back the food, her eyes were at half-mast. “Angie?” She straightened up.
“Milk?”
“You need your strength. I’m drinking it too.” He held up his glass, and she smiled.
“Thanks.” She started to eat. He waited until she began to pick up steam, clearly getting a little more energy.
“Why didn’t you want to stay with me?”
“What?” she asked as her fork was midway to her mouth.
“I asked, why you didn’t want to stay with me.”
She set down her fork and pressed the paper towel to her lips. “I didn’t want to be a burden.”
He snorted. “Want to try again? Maybe the truth this time?”
“Look, we don’t even know one another. We went on one sort-of date. You’re only in town as long as it takes to find Dasha’s baby. Volunteering to watch out for me is ridiculous.” He loved seeing the flash of fire in her brown eyes.
“You have to admit it makes sense.”
“I don’t have to admit shit.” She set the plate on the coffee table. “I’m not hungry anymore.”
“You’ve barely eaten a third of your food.”
“I’m tired, I’m going to take a nap.” She leaned back and shut her eyes. Finn was beyond frustrated, mostly with himself. He shouldn’t have pushed her. She needed to eat.
But at least he had the answers he wanted. It came down to their one ‘sort-of date,’ and that he would leave after Dasha’s case was over. He was pretty sure that Angie was beginning to have feelings for him. He wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. The woman wa
s on his mind way too fucking much. Her strength, her kindness, her humor, her resilience. It had been easier when he thought the feelings were just on his side, to think she might be thinking about him as well made this much tougher...and easier.
“Finn?” She was lying there with her eyes closed.
“Yes.”
“I can feel you looking at me. Go away.”
“Why? You’re not sleeping.”
“I can’t sleep with you staring at me.”
“Angie, can you look at me?”
“Don’ wanna.” Damn, he forgot she’d taken a pain tablet. Still, they needed to get this out in the open.
“Just for a second. Please?” She opened one eye, then both.
“Fine,” she huffed out.
“I don’t know if you’re ready to hear this, but here goes nothing.” He saw he had her full attention. “I care for you.” Her eyes widened.
“You do not.”
He cupped her cheek and let his thumb graze over her lip. “Yes. Yes, I do. Am I in this by myself?”
She nuzzled against his hand and sighed.
“No. No, you’re not in this alone. But I’m scared, Finn.”
“We’ll go slow, okay?” She looked at him with eyes that were beginning to heat with desire.
“How slow?”
“I’m going to kiss you. All right?”
“Yes please.”
He cupped her head with his right hand and brushed his lips against hers. No strawberries this time, just Angie. Perfect. Slowly, because she was injured. Slowly, because she had just been abused at the hands of a man and he wanted to erase the terror. Slowly, because he wanted to savor this feeling. He parted his lips and reveled as hers followed. He sipped and licked her plump bottom lip, enjoying her sigh of satisfaction.
She curled her arms around his head, trying to force him closer. But this was going to be at his pace. Her curls seemed to be alive under his fingers, so soft, silky, and springy to the touch. She broke away, he pulled back, despite the fact she was trying to pull him to her.
“Harder,” she demanded. His heart softened at her request.
“Gentle,” he whispered, and dipped down for more.
He kissed the dimple on her cheek, and then stroked it with his tongue, her groan shot straight to his cock. He nipped kisses all the way along her jaw, then back to her mouth as she panted his name.
“I’m here.”
This time, he thrust his tongue deep, and she sucked him in. Her mouth was a warm cavern that made his body harden and his mind swirl. In and out, he explored and dominated this woman who was taking everything he had to give. She groaned again as she tried to pull him closer. Even through his haze of want, he was cognizant of her injuries. He didn’t press down but reasoned that stroking was allowed.
He rested his elbow beside her and brushed his knuckles down the side of her left breast. When she jerked and gasped, he stopped. He pulled away from the kiss and looked into her dazed brown eyes.
“Angie?”
“Again.”
“No. You have to stay still.” He heard the hint of pain in her voice.
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m not,” his voice implacable. Her eyes began to focus, and she licked the moisture from her slick lips. It was his turn to groan. “Honey, please, for me. I can’t stand to see you in pain, but I have to touch you.”
“I promise not to move if you help me out of my top.” He froze.
“I need your hands on my naked skin. If you do that, I promise not to move. Please, Finn. Please.”
God, he wanted it so badly. Nothing had ever felt so clean and good. He didn’t just want this—he needed this. He moved so his hand cradled her back, and carefully lifted her off the pillows so she was sitting up.
“Are you sure?”
“More than anything.”
He raised her tunic and helped her slide it off her arms, and then pull it over her head. He sucked in his breath. There were bandages around her middle, and below that, a rainbow of bruising, but above were her unmarred breasts, topped with beautiful pink and brown nipples. Mouthwatering. He had trouble looking away from the bounty before him.
“Finn?”
He immediately looked up and saw she was apprehensive. “Lady, you’re beautiful.”
“I’m a bruised mess, but I need you to touch me.” She bit her bottom lip. “That is if you want to.”
His heart ached for her. He got the feeling she wasn’t normally unsure of her appeal, but this trauma had made her hesitant.
“Oh Angie, I’m dying here.” He clasped her small hand in his big one and guided it to the front of his jeans. “Don’t doubt for one moment that I want you.”
Her eyes turned drowsy, and she cupped and caressed him through the thick denim.
“Oh no. We’re not going to start something we can’t finish.”
“Why can’t we finish it?” She pouted.
“Because you’re not up to big girl play. Right now we’re going to stick to the minor leagues.” He wrapped his arms around her and bent his head. He couldn’t wait a second longer. He lapped his tongue around the bud of her nipple, savoring the taste and texture of the beautiful woman in his arms.
Angie cried out but didn’t move because he had her gently but firmly wrapped in his arms. “So good.” She was right. He laved, and then suckled the firm flesh, delighting in the way her skin heated. She gripped his short hair, pulling hard.
Finn licked his way upwards and kissed the mouth that was crying out so passionately. If she kept it up, there was no way he wouldn’t take this to the next level, and the next, and the next. Slowly, he stroked her back, careful of her injuries, settling down their out of control passion. This time, he simply kissed her dimple, then rested his forehead against hers, and they stared into each other’s eyes.
“I want more, Finn,” Angie’s voice a breathless quiver.
“So do I, lady, so do I.”
“Why did you stop?”
“You know why.”
She blew out a sigh. “Yes. But don’t think my injuries are going to save you next time Mr. Big Bad SEAL.” Finn let out a startled laugh.
“Gotchya. You smiled and laughed,” Angie said in a delighted tone. “Why don’t you do that more often?”
“Because you haven’t been almost naked in my arms before?”
“I don’t think that’s the reason, but I’ll let you get away with it for now.” She stroked her hand down his cheek. “When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here for you.” He gripped her hand and kissed her palm.
“I appreciate it.”
“Now help me dress. Dasha and Sergei will be here soon.”
***
The man made her melt all over the place. He was almost twice the size of Dasha, and he managed to make her feel comfortable. Angie was propped up on the couch, and he had moved the ottoman next to her to sit on. It was a smart move because it made him sit lower. Then he had Sergei and Dasha sit together on the loveseat.
“Dasha told me everything last night. She wanted to practice before telling you,” Sergei explained. “We’re in trouble.”
“My baby? Do you know more about my baby?” Dasha asked leaning forward hopefully.
“I’m sorry, honey. We don’t.” The girl slumped against her uncle.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Finn asked them.
Dasha shook her head. She was gripping her uncle’s hand tightly. She took a deep breath and expelled it. “I love my Uri much, much. He young, but have power.” She looked at Sergei, who nodded. “He with Bratva. I not know.”
“Fuck,” Finn muttered.
“What’s Bratva?” Angie asked.
“The Russian mob.”
“Ukrainian mob, too,” Sergei answered. “What the hell, the same thing. But the mob is mixed up with the government. They go hand in hand.”
Dasha’s eyes filled with tears. “I know Uri for two years. He will to marry me. He pr
omised. I am so happy because I am to have baby.”
Sergei bent his head and said something in Ukrainian, and Dasha wiped her eyes and nodded. “Then Uri meet me his boss. His boss is General.” Dasha leaned forward and looked first at Finn, then at Angie. “This man. This man is much evil. He tell Uri he will pay for me.”
“Uri laughed, he think it is how you say? Joke.” Dasha pointed at Angie. “Uri tell about baby. General no care. We have three days because General must leave town. When he come back, I must go to him.”
“What did you do?” Angie asked.
“Uri do.” She turned to her uncle and spoke quickly in Ukrainian. He sighed, and turned to Finn and Angie.
“Uri’s family dealt in diamonds. Dasha’s not sure exactly what he did. She just knows that he often had bags of cash, and he would exchange them for diamonds and return those to the General. There’s a lot of illegal arms selling going on in the Ukrainian army. It’s my guess that’s what was going on. It gets worse. Tell them, sweetheart.”
“Uri put diamonds in train station locker. We to use for to get away. He put papers in locker too. He say it is.” She said a word in Ukrainian.
Sergei translated. “Insurance. I’m sure he has the general by the shorthairs.”
“Great, we can get the diamonds and papers and end this!” Angie said excitedly.
Dasha shook her head sadly. “I not know which locker. I forget.”
“Shit,” Finn said dejectedly.
“Dasha, do you know what was on the papers?” Angie asked as she leaned forward.
Dasha turned towards her uncle, who translated. She turned to Angie. “Uri not make sense. I understand not. He said about Chechnya.”
Sergei looked at Finn. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“It’s possible.”
“What?” Angie demanded.
“During the Chechen War, there were rumors of war crimes. If Uri had some kind of proof against this general...” Sergei’s voice trailed off.
“Is that even possible?” Angie asked.
“Stranger things have happened,” Finn said.
“Where is Uri now?” Angie asked the question gently, sure she already knew the answer.
“He dead. He die on train tracks.”
“Fuckers,” Finn finally spoke up.
Her Fierce SEAL: Midnight Delta Book 6 Page 10
