Desire Unleashed

by Layne Macadam

  Kathy sagged into the soft leather upholstery. “I’m glad to be home.”

  Liz switched on the headlamps, pulled into the evening traffic, and dispensed with the preamble. “So honey, what’s wrong?”

  Liz read her like a book. Kathy had rehearsed how she’d break the news, even anticipating Liz’s reaction. At first, her friend would be furious at Shane’s betrayal and then her practical lawyer brain would cut in, and she’d try to take over, arranging custody and child support, through the court system. But Kathy didn’t want lawyers involved. This was strictly between Shane and her, and things had to be amicable. But after all her worry and rehearsing, the words didn’t fall into place and she simply blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”

  *

  Liz braked and brought the car to a screeching halt by the side of the road and cut the engine. Of all the things she’d been expecting Kathy to say, I’m pregnant, wasn’t one of them. Kathy was naive not stupid, so how had this happened? The big guy didn’t strike her as someone who’d take chances, or shirk his responsibilities. Hadn’t either of them heard of condoms for goodness sake?

  “And,” she prompted, wanting details.

  “And it’s over, he doesn’t want me. He’s got someone else.”

  “He’s got someone else?” Liz parroted. “Two weeks ago he was bringing you home for the holidays. I can’t believe it, you tell him you’re having his child, and he tells you he’s got another woman, what kind of a jerk is he?”

  Kathy sniffed loudly, her brown eyes a luminous pool of sadness.

  “It is a woman isn’t it?” she asked tongue in cheek, hoping to bring some levity to the moment.

  Kathy looked blank for only a second then laughed aloud. “I can always count on you to see the gravity of the situation.”

  “I try, Kathy, I try.” She gurgled and restarted the engine. “Let’s go home and we’ll discuss my godchild over herbal tea and chocolate cake.”

  Chapter 24

  Ice remembered very little from the time he was wounded until he woke in hospital three days later. Frosty, asleep in a chair beside him, looked like shit. Crutches propped against the wall told their own story. Vague visions flitted across his memory. The guys coming and going, someone jabbing him with needles, taking his blood pressure, doctors talking over him in muffled voices, if it was a dream or real, he couldn’t say.

  His throat was parched, he was hooked up to an intravenous line, and he had considerable pain when he moved. “Where am I?” he croaked, the rough scratchy voice was foreign to his ears.

  Frosty’s eyes snapped open. “Singapore. How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve been hit by a truck.” He winced as he shifted his weight in the bed.

  “Don’t you ever do that again. Hell, you scared the living daylights out of us.”

  “How long have I been here?”

  “Three days.”

  That couldn’t be good, three whole days unaccounted for. “What’s the damage?” he asked in his usual unemotional blunt no nonsense way.

  Frosty slumped back in his chair, taking a moment before answering. Ice knew what his friend was struggling with, the succession of thoughts showed on his face as he weighed his options. How to answer a question like that? With the truth and risk a relapse, or bluff it out until the patient was stronger? Fuck that. Ice spared him the decision and demanded, “The truth. No trimmings.”

  “The sniper’s bullet lodged in your right lung. You lost a shit load of blood, Wolf pumped four units into you before we got to the hospital.”

  “And the rest?”

  Frosty pursed his lips on an exhale. “They had to remove part of the lung, buddy. They did the op here in Singapore—it was the best option.”

  Ice slammed his eyes shut. It was the death knock for his career in active duty. The SEALs had been his life for so long it would take some adjusting to.

  “Why did you do it man?”

  There was no need for pretense. Frosty’s meaning was clear. “Simple really. You’ve got a wife and three kids, and how would I face Sarah, if I let anything happen to you?”

  “You’re lucky to be facing anyone, you almost died.”

  “Better me than you.”

  Frosty’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’m humbled man, you put your life on the line for me, and I’ll never forget what you did, I…” He snapped his mouth shut.

  Ice was uncomfortable with Frosty’s gratitude and slid a get-over-it look his way. “You’re making too much of this.” Frosty was family. Family was everything, simple as that. Nothing to get choked up about, you watched out for family, no big deal.

  Cutting his bud some slack, Ice changed the subject. “What’s with the crutches?”

  “Popped a kneecap, hurt like a bitch at the time.”

  “And the guys?”

  “Yeah, no prob, they’re around here somewhere. The kid’s taking it bad though, feels he let you down, it’s his fault you got shot.”

  “That’s bullshit.”

  “Yeah, I know it, but you’ll have to talk to him and set him straight.”

  “I will. When are we shipping out?”

  “Soon, I imagine. Now that you’re awake, I’ll find out.”

  Frosty shoved the crutches under his pits and hobbled from the room. The sooner they were stateside the better. This mission had cost him dearly, but he was smart and would explore all his options. Frosty had talked about a partnership, maybe it was time they pooled their resources and gave that plan a nudge.

  * * * *

  Five days later, Ice was stateside. When Kathy didn’t visit in those first few days he was edgy and sent the kid to check on her. She filled his waking moments, invaded his dreams. The near brush with death had reinforced the decisions he’d made earlier. He wanted her as a permanent fixture in his life, and if that meant buying a wedding ring, so be it.

  Hawk was driving him nuts, hovering over him like a mother hen. He was still carrying bullshit guilt feelings that were pointless and should have been laid to rest. Sending him to check on Kathy got him out of his hair and gave the kid something to do. It was a stroke of brilliance on his part.

  He was surprised though, when Hawk wandered in later that afternoon looking like he’d lost his best friend. “Cheer up kid, it’ll probably never happen.”

  “She’s moved out,” Hawk baldly broke the news. “Someone else is living there, she left no forwarding address. The boys are onto it though.” The words tripped out in a rush and were meant to be reassuring. “Wolf’s checking the airports. Havoc’s covering the bus terminals. Don’t worry, we’ll find her and I’m…”

  “Don’t sweat it, I know who she’s with,” Ice interrupted the outburst, leaned over and scribbled on an envelope. “This is the name of her best friend—she’s an attorney for Brownlow and Wilkins at their Baton Rouge office. Find out what you can.”

  “I’m on to it, consider it done.”

  Ice shook his head as Hawk bolted out the door. He reached for the phone beside the bed, dialed directory assistance, and asked for the telephone number of Brownlow and Wilkins’ Baton Rouge Office then placed the call.

  “This is Shane Jackson, put me through to Liz Ellis please,” he spoke with quiet authority to the prissy voiced receptionist who answered his call.

  He hung on an inordinate length of time and was beginning to wonder if Liz was refusing to take his call when her voice came over the wires, glacial and clear.

  “Well, well, fancy hearing from you.”

  “How are you, Red?”

  “Let’s dispense with the niceties shall we and get to the point—what do you want?”

  He was unconcerned at the barely contained anger that colored her voice. “I want to see Kat.”

  “Kathy doesn’t want to see you.”

  “I think she will when I explain.”

  “Believe me when I tell you, she’s not interested in you or your damn explanations, leave her be to get on with her life.”

&nb
sp; “Liz, I don’t need your permission, nor am I asking for it. Tell Kat to…”

  *

  Liz slammed the phone down. What was she to do? She couldn’t tell Kathy he’d called, it might jeopardize the twins. They were both still reeling from that shock. Kathy was admitted to hospital with high blood pressure. Yesterday the doctor said if it stayed down then he would release her, provided she remained in bed.

  It was a difficult pregnancy. Kathy was sick much of the time and rarely spoke about Shane anymore, but Liz sometimes heard muffled cries in the night. She hated what he’d done to her. God, she’d never allow herself to love anyone that much.

  If only Shane hadn’t taken up with that other woman. Maybe, given time, and with the twins on the way, they could have worked things out. But it was too late now. Kathy would never forgive him.

  When she’d first arrived, Kathy had been reluctant to talk about Shane, but as the days passed, she’d finally let her guard down and spilled the entire sorry story. Liz had her own reservations about their relationship all along, didn’t think it had a snowball’s chance in hell of survival, but Kathy was smitten right from the start. Heck, people fall in and out of love all the time and you accept it as part of life, but he’d stooped to an all-time low. The woman confessed she’d been a regular, so Shane must have had her on the sidelines the whole time, but to bring her into his home the very week Kathy and he had broken up was unforgivable. Kathy didn’t deserve to have her feelings trampled into the ground, and he didn’t deserve a second chance.

  * * * *

  Ice glared at the receiver incredulous, Red had hung up on him. He knew she’d be one tough cookie, but he thought she’d at least be fair. Sure he’d stuffed up, but wasn’t everyone entitled to a second chance. Yes, Kat was hurting and his prolonged absence wouldn’t have helped, but he had a damned good reason, and she was going to hear it face to face. If after that, she still didn’t want anything to do with him then he’d get down on his knees and beg until she did. After Red’s little outburst, he was itching to get out of hospital and bring Kat home, love her until they were both spent and make up for the past few weeks.

  Later that afternoon, Ice was feeling stronger, more like his old self if the hard-on from hell beneath the sheets was any indication. When Hawk barged into his room, the sheet tent poling around his hips had the kid smirking.

  “I see you’re feeling better boss.” He chuckled. “But this’ll put a bigger smile on your dial.” Handing over a slip of paper Hawk explained, “Kathy’s address in Baton Rouge.”

  Ice took the paper from him and memorized the address. “I owe you one, Hawk.”

  “Not by a long shot.”

  The door burst open. Havoc, Frosty, and Wolf romped in, crowding the room. “You’re up mate,” Havoc drawled as he approached the bed.

  “Well, he was a moment ago. The sheet was looking like a teepee.” Hawk took the cheap shot and laughed.

  Ice shifted uncomfortable in the bed, of all the dumb luck, it was the first boner he’d had in a fortnight, and the kid had to witness it and advertise it to the whole freaking community. The ignominy of it all made him gruff. “I’m going to Baton Rouge as soon as they release me.”

  “Yeah, we figured as much when Hawk told us he had Kathy’s address. We all drew straws to see who’d go with you. I lost.” Wolf straddled a chair. “Just say when and I’ll book the flights.”

  “The doc said I’ll be out in a couple of days tops, but I don’t need a minder.”

  “Did he also say you had to take it easy?” Frosty queried, smacking the nail fair on the head.

  * * * *

  The couple of days turned into the better part of a week before Ice was released. He lost the argument with the guys. Wolf was waiting in the pickup when he gingerly walked through the hospital doors.

  “Ready buddy?”

  “Sure, just got to stop by the apartment and collect a few things.”

  The shuddering of the truck as Wolf shifted through the gears caused him to wince. The doctor had cautioned against a long car journey, and he was glad they’d taken his advice and decided to fly and hire a car at the other end.

  The stop off at the apartment was a matter of minutes only, ninety minutes after that they were boarding the plane, and by midafternoon, Wolf was shaking him awake, and they were preparing to land.

  The plane’s wheels touched the tarmac with a judder and taxied up to the terminal. Wolf unloaded their gear from the overhead locker where he’d stowed it for the flight. Ice unfolded his big frame from the narrow confines of the seat and ambled up the aisle to the exit. He was moving slow, but he was damn lucky to be alive. Wolf had said it had been touch and go, that the blood had pumped out of him as fast as he could get it in, and that it had taken all of his skill to keep him breathing. He shuddered at the thought as they entered the crowded terminal, it was chaotic with people coming and going for the holidays. Wolf wasted no time in collecting the keys to a Mustang from the rental desk then brought the car around while he waited with their gear.

  Ice was quiet on the drive to Liz’s. He didn’t have to read the road map, the GPS provided directions. He rummaged in his mind for what he would say to Kat, sorry seemed trite, but she’d knocked him off kilter with her declaration. Sure, he’d hurt her, but when he explained she’d be reasonable, and they could pick up right where they left off. It was a win-win situation.

  Wolf parked the car in the narrow street and looked at the address written on the paper. “This is it,” he said killing the engine.

  Ice braced himself as he unlatched the door and stepped from the Mustang. The journey had knocked him around. When the doctor had told him to take it easy he hadn’t been whistling Dixie, he realized that now. His injury and operation had weakened him.

  They walked in silence up the pathway to the front door and knocked. Wolf clapped him on the back and squeezed his shoulder. “She loves you man, it’ll work out. Besides, you look like shit, so how could she not take you back? Women love that kind of stuff, all that fussing brings out the maternal instinct in them.”

  Ice smiled at Wolf’s attempt at levity. As they waited for the door to be answered, they could hear movement inside, but no one came. Wolf rapped louder. Ice peered through the glass panel on the side. A young man, not much older than Hawk, closed the door to the room he’d just exited and marched toward them. The front door was flung wide and the young man served them a surly glare.

  “Hi, I’m Shane Jackson…”

  “I know who you are, what are you doing here?” Hostility radiated off him in waves as he blocked the entrance.

  “Who are you?” Ice growled back, royally pissed at his impertinence.

  “Ian Roberts.” He scowled giving them a venomous glare.

  “I’ve come to see Kathy, and I’m not leaving until I do, so if you know what’s good for you, you’ll toddle off and tell her I’m here.”

  Wolf took up a defensive stance, and Roberts flicked them a contemptuous look. “You don’t scare me Jackson, nor does your sidekick. I’ll run it by Kathy, not because you tell me to, but because it’s her call whether she sees you or not.”

  “You do that son,” Ice condescended keeping his temper in check.

  Ian flashed him another filthy glower. “Wait here,” he ordered, turning away and leaving them on the threshold.

  Ice and Wolf, with no intention of remaining on the porch, followed him inside. Roberts re-entered the room Ice had seen him vacating through the glass panel.

  “Where’s he going?”

  Muffled voices could be heard from within. “Shut up Wolf, I can’t make out what’s being said, but that’s a bedroom and if you remember, Robert’s is her fucking ex.”

  “For God’s sakes Ice be cool, she wouldn’t do that.”

  Ice ignored him and started for the bedroom. Wolf latched onto his arm. “Think man, don’t blow it by going in there half-cocked, wait and tell her how you feel and listen to what she’s got to say.
”

  Roberts walked out leaving the door ajar, dismissed Wolf like one would an annoying insect, and addressed Ice.

  “You’ve got five minutes, Jackson. Don’t upset her or you’ll have me to deal with, and the clock’s already ticking.”

  Ice shouldered passed, he would have liked to sit Roberts on his ass, but didn’t think Kat would appreciate it. He inhaled a big one then walked through the door.

  It was a girly room, all frills and pillows, lace and perfume. Kathy was a sight for sore eyes. Soft and sexy, propped up on cushions, quilt tugged up around her chin, dwarfed by the big antique four-poster bed.

  His heart lurched.

  “Hello, babe.” The mattress gave beneath his weight as he sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand, brushing it with his lips.

  “Why are you here?” She croaked, snatching it back.

  “For you babe, I’ve come to take you home. I want things back the way they were.” Smooth Ice, real damn smooth. Not.

  “You’re wasting your time Shane, there’s nothing more to say.”

  “There’s plenty more to say, but I’d rather we say it at home.”

  “Home! Give me a break. Just get out of here. Go.”

  Ice tamped down his frustration and strived for composure, calmness was called for. “I’m sorry I said those things to you it was dumb, I’m sorry for how I behaved. Now get dressed, I’m taking you home.”

  “Shane, you big macho shit head, you’re not calling the shots. It’s too late,” she shrilled.

  “Too late. What the hell are you talking about? Geezus Kat, I came here to take you home, doesn’t that mean anything?” He was shocked at the venom in her words, he thought she’d have been happy, but she was angrier than a bull with a bee sting. The image of her curled up in the big bed with Roberts, flashed like lightning before his eyes, startling him with its suddenness and strong enough to make a blind man see. “It’s that stalker Roberts, isn’t it?” He lashed out. “You said he was just a friend, that there was nothing between you, so what’s he doing in your room while you’re tucked up in bed? Answer me that, Kat,” he stormed, hopping to his feet.