“Thank you.” Bliss jotted down a few things and hastily added a last item with an asterisk by it.
“No problem. If you’re up to it, I’d like to ask you a few questions later.”
Bliss nodded. Inwardly she cringed. She was the only living person who could divulge first-person information. Last she’d heard, Don was still out cold, in a medically induced coma to allow some of his injuries to heal and improve his chances.
Jade left without another comment. The other people were all over the house, making calls, putting together a sandwich, or talking in pairs. Since Travis and Mason had left to see about Ethan’s surgery more people had arrived. A few spoke to her, but most ignored her.
“Hey, Bliss?” Connor called to her from the kitchen.
She groaned to herself and got up. The guy was nice, but she was about done with him. The only person she wanted to talk to was Travis. Or her family. But they were out of the question.
“What’s kicking?” she asked, glancing at the three agents.
Connor, Benjamin, and Dmitri, if her memory was to be trusted. Granted, it wasn’t hard to pick them out of the crowd. Connor had the accent, Benjamin was often the only black man in the room, and she hadn’t quite figured out Dmitri’s ethnicity, but she was pretty sure it included both Russian and Latin heritage. The trio was pretty funny after-hours. She’d enjoyed their banter after dinner last night, though the nightmares had returned later. At least then she’d had Travis.
“Thought you’d like to put in a call to your family.” Dmitri handed her the cordless house phone, his kind smile putting her at ease.
She glanced at the pre-dialed screen and back at him.
“Seriously?” She’d accepted that wasn’t going to happen.
“Go for it. Keep it short, okay?” Connor patted her shoulder, and the three men moved out of the kitchen, giving her a bit of privacy.
She hit dial and pressed the phone to her face.
It rang once, twice—
“Hello?”
Bliss clapped her hand over her mouth. Her mother’s voice was the best thing ever.
“Bliss? Is that you?”
“Yes, Mom, it’s me,” she managed to get out.
“Oh honey, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Hello? She there?” Her father’s voice was distant, which probably meant he’d picked up another phone, and now she’d have to strain to hear them both. She didn’t care. She got to hear their voices.
“Hi, Dad. Merry Christmas.”
“Oh, Bliss, baby, we wish you were here.”
“Me, too, Dad.” She put her back to the fridge and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Are you okay? They wouldn’t say a lot about what happened.” That was her mother. Always the worrier.
“I’m fine. Just some bruises, a few scratches. I’m okay.” It wasn’t the outward injuries she was concerned about. “Are Wendy and the baby okay? Grayson with them?”
Her dad blew out a breath. She could imagine him sitting down and squinting at the ceiling. He always did that whenever someone asked him a question. “Last we heard from them, yes. The officers won’t let us talk to them much, but we had a check-in last night. They were good. Worried about you.”
“When can you come home?” her mother asked.
“I don’t know. No one’s told me much of anything.”
The front door opened, and she glanced at the entry. Travis stepped through the door. She held her breath as he scanned the room and spotted her. Her heart did a little flip and she waved.
“They’re telling us we need to get off the phone.” Her mother harrumphed.
“I’m being taken care of, Mom. Love you guys.”
“We love you,” her parents said in unison.
Their words were an auditory hug, something she needed so very badly. Bliss hung up the phone and swiped her hands across her cheeks. Being away from her family on Christmas sucked. Given the circumstances, it was even worse.
“Hey.” Travis filled her vision, blocking off the rest of the room.
“Christ, make some noise, would you?” She chuckled. It was good to have him near again. He wouldn’t always be there, but for now she needed him.
“Sorry. Eaten yet?”
“No.”
“I grabbed some stuff. There wasn’t a lot open.”
“Thanks. How’s Ethan?”
“Grouchy, so that means he’s good.”
“Good. They want me to talk about Daniel.”
“Are you ready for that?”
She shrugged.
“If you aren’t, they’ll understand.”
“But if I don’t, we might not find him.”
“They might not find him even with your input.”
“I know they want you to go out and help with the search, but do you think you could stick around for a little while and...I don’t know, just be here for that?” She wrapped her arms around herself.
Travis wrapped her in a hug and kissed her brow.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She could face the nightmares with him by her side. She knew she could. But what would happen when he was gone?
TRAVIS GRABBED A SODA at random and a chocolate bar one of the officers had offered up. Bliss’ tears were stuck on repeat in his mind, and he could still hear her trembling voice as she recounted every agonizing moment they’d been apart. He wanted to make all kinds of promises like she’d never be afraid again, that he’d never leave her, but those were irrational.
What she needed now was time to pull herself together. Sweets were one good tool to help combat the drop in blood sugar.
Jade entered the kitchen, her gaze on him. “She’s upstairs. Give her a few.”
He nodded. Words were out of his power now. All he wanted to do was punch something. Preferably Daniel Campbell, but he’d settle for the punching bag downstairs.
“You aren’t any use to her if you can’t be calm.” Jade pitched her voice low, for their ears alone.
“I am calm.”
“I tried talking to her, but she wasn’t interested.”
“I imagine she’s pretty talked out.” He couldn’t deny the satisfaction that it was him she turned to. “What’s next for her?”
“We’re looking into protective custody.”
“Permanently?” If she went into something like Witness Protection, he’d never see her again.
“Hopefully not. Daniel can’t have that many backup plans, and having been thwarted twice, he’s going to start splintering soon. We’ve notified the entire region to be on the lookout for his signatures.” She shook her head. “I don’t remember the last time we had a killer with two clear signatures like this. It’s highly uncommon.”
“What do you think about the Killer Club connection?”
“What we’ve been able to dig up on his Internet activity is nothing like what we ran into in Oklahoma. I’m not convinced he’s connected.”
“Have you found others?” This was a can of worms. Travis couldn’t afford to think about it. Not when Bliss needed him.
“Some.” She nodded. “That clown that kept popping up for a while is a good suspect. Crimes like his are clear copycats, which seem to be that group’s MO. Daniel is...different. If there’s ever been someone like him, it’s a hell of a long time ago.”
“Back to Bliss, where will you move her?”
“Can’t tell you that. Unless you plan on going with her.” Jade’s left brow arched ever so slightly.
The idea was tempting, but he had a duty to Aegis he couldn’t turn his back on. They’d given him a life and opportunities when no one else would. He couldn’t leave them.
When he didn’t answer, Jade continued, “She’ll go back to Vegas under protection, probably put her up somewhere for a few days until long-term arrangements are made if we don’t find Daniel. Maybe you could stick around.”
“Maybe.”
Jade checked her phone. “You should go up now.”
He nodded and headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time. The need to be near Bliss was eating him up. He paused outside her door to knock, and then opened the door.
Bliss sat in the middle of the bed. Plastic bags were strewn around, and instead of jeans, she wore pajama pants and a knit hoodie. A single red and green bag sat in front of her, out of place and festive.
“Here.” He handed the soda to her and ripped open the candy bar.
She took the drink and chocolate he offered without comment.
“The sugar sometimes helps the chemical fallout.”
“Thank you.” She patted the bed next to her.
He sat and offered her another piece of the candy bar. She took that as well and pushed the bag toward him.
“Merry Christmas.”
He stared at the gift, a knot of panic lodged in his throat.
“I didn’t get you anything,” he said. When was the last time anyone had given him something for Christmas? Sure, he and Emma traded cards, usually with a gift certificate, but that was about it.
“It’s a gift. You don’t have to reciprocate. I just...wanted to do something for you. It’s a lame thank you, so you don’t have to keep it.”
He handed her the rest of the candy and carefully pulled out each individual piece of tissue paper. The scent of leather clung to the wrappings. What the hell? And where had she found the time? He peered at the black lump at the bottom of the bag.
“I have a receipt around here if you want to take them back,” Bliss said.
Travis reached in and pulled out a pair of black leather gloves. Not the cheap kind that would flake and peel with a little use, but the real deal.
“You said your hands were cold yesterday, and I just thought it might be something you could use.” She kept rambling on, tearing the candy wrapper into little pieces. “I’m sure you have gloves, but whatever.”
“Thank you.” He slipped his left hand into a glove. They were snug, just the way they were supposed to be. “I don’t think anyone has ever given me something this thoughtful.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I’m serious. I usually spend Christmas on the job or by myself. This is nice. You didn’t have to do this, Bliss.”
“I wanted to.” She wrapped her arms around her legs.
“Thank you.” He gestured to the bags. “What’s all this?”
“Jade got me a few things.”
“I got it all wrong, didn’t I?” He sighed and took the glove off, setting them carefully on the night stand.
“No, but you got a bunch of my dirty clothes.” She chuckled. “There’s a washer and dryer, but no detergent downstairs.”
“Figures.” He sighed and stretched out next to her, his back to the headboard.
“I kind of want to know how you decided what to pack.” She chuckled.
“There wasn’t a lot of thought to it. I grabbed things, threw them on the bed. I know I knocked some stuff over and just tossed it in, too.”
“Ah, that makes sense then.”
“What?”
“The bags.”
The way her smile made her eyes light up, he wanted to capture that memory for all time. He reached out and cupped her cheek, relishing her warmth, the kindness she showed him. Except now he was staring, and she’d said something.
“Sorry, what?”
“Nothing. Doesn’t matter.”
“It does. What did you say?”
“I was just saying that it made sense why you shoved some of my, ah, bags into the duffle.”
“Bags?” He had to think that one over for a moment. “The bags.”
Those bags.
“Yeah, that was kind of funny to find last night.”
“I just thought you might need them? I’m not that thoughtful. It was really an accident.”
“Why would I need a vibrator with you around?” She smirked, and he was reminded all over again why he’d first found her so intriguing. It wasn’t often people argued with him, and she hadn’t backed down one bit.
“I thought you liked the variety?”
“I do.” She rested her head on her steepled knees. A bit of hair swept across her cheek, pointing at her mouth he wanted to kiss. “What’s next?”
He rested his head against the wall and blew out a breath.
Way to kill the mood.
“Depends if they find Daniel.”
“If they don’t?”
“Protective custody of some kind.”
“Just me or my family?”
“Not sure, but you and Wendy are the main concerns.”
“How long will you be around?”
“I’ve got a job that starts end of next week.” It was a short gig. Any other guy could take his place if it came down to that, but he’d volunteered, knowing many would still be packing in the quality family time. Screw it. “I’ll stick around as long as I can, if that’s what you want.”
“I’d like that, but I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me. I know this is just a job and whatever.” She shrugged.
He stared at her. The words he needed abandoned him. How did he make her understand how special she was to him?
“Or not. You don’t have to.”
“Bliss, I want to. It’s just hard to use the right words.”
“Oh. Can you use some of the wrong ones and see if I can figure it out?”
“I can’t help but think this is my fault, and you’d be a lot better off without me.”
“I’m going to disagree with you. Without you I’d never have found Wendy.”
“I know enough about killers to know that my actions have little to no bearing on what Daniel is going to do. But I can’t shake the feeling that if I hadn’t spoken to you, you’d be alright.”
“I’d be worse. I’d be grieving my sister.”
“And this is better?” He reached out and ran his fingers across the bruises circling her wrist.
“Better than losing her? Yes.”
He shook his head. No one had ever cared that much about him.
“You saved Wendy, and you saved me. Without you, I’d be a lot worse off.” She grasped his hand and laced their fingers together.
He’d promised himself to give her space, to step back and let her go, but he wasn’t that strong. She was this bright, beautiful thing that had become snared in his life, and he couldn’t resist her pull. Everything about her was good, so different from him. No one had ever called him good at anything, except killing and keeping clients alive.
If he were really a man, he’d get up right now and walk out the door. Bliss was stronger than she realized, and given a little time, she’d be okay.
“I’m...” Words stuck in his throat.
Bliss’ face was the only thing he could see. When had she gotten so close?
“Travis?” She licked her lips, and he stared in fascination at the glistening skin.
“Yeah?”
“Make love to me?”
10.
Travis’ ears rang with her request.
“Make love to me. I want to feel something besides fear and helplessness. Please.” Her voice broke and she blinked a single tear.
“Shh.” He cupped her cheek and wiped the tear away. “You never have to ask twice, darlin’. Stay right there.”
She could have asked him for anything, and he’d have broken a dozen laws just to make her happy. Pleasing her, stroking her body to orgasm was no trouble at all. He wasn’t a man used to soft lovemaking, but for her he could be whatever she needed.
He got up out of the bed and flipped the lock on the door with shaking hands. It wasn’t much to keep anyone out, but if Jade or another agent came knocking it might give them pause before entering.
Travis turned toward the bed and paused. The other night he’d been pushed by a sense of need so sharp and deep that it might have been a dream. This time, he wanted each moment filed away in his memory so that Bliss would always be part of him.
She sat where he’d left her, legs still pulled up. If he didn’t know better, this could be a moment taken from any normal day. What would it be like to come home to Bliss every day?
He should say something, but again, the words he needed were gone.
Bliss grabbed the comforter and flipped the bags off onto the floor. She glanced up at him, an uncharacteristically shy smile pulling on her lips.
He grabbed the hem of his shirt and tugged it up. The bed creaked as he tossed the garment off. Bliss stared at his chest, her brow slightly wrinkled. He wasn’t perfect. Scars and incisions marked his body from head to toe, writing the story of his life on his skin.
“Do they hurt?” She flattened her palm over a long line just below his ribs.
“Nah.”
“I hate knowing you’ve been hurt.” She took a small step closer and covered an old bullet wound with her other hand.
“Part of the job.”
She kissed the jagged scar along his sternum where a man had tried to knife him. His knees went a little weak. Her tongue licked across his skin and his balls throbbed. Damn, but she was something else.
This was supposed to be about her, and he was the one getting all the attention. It just wasn’t right.
Travis cupped her face using both hands and nibbled her lower lip, drawing it in between his, sucking the taste of her into his mouth. She groaned and her hands slipped around his waist. He tilted her head to the side and deepened the kiss, stroking her with his tongue, inviting her to come out to play.
He slid his hands down to her ass, squeezing the round globes. She fit his hands so well. He rocked his hips against her, and she groaned into his mouth. The only hardship about taking her to bed was his impatient cock.
She wiggled her hands between them and rubbed the length of his erection. The denim was a cruel barrier, but this was not about him. He stepped back, breaking the kiss as she got the button through the tab.
Her cheeks were flushed and her lips swollen. It was a primitive satisfaction to see her turned on because of him.
He grabbed the hem of her shirt and tugged it up, breaking her fight with his zipper. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth as her breasts were revealed, sans any sort of bra. Her nipples were tight, dusky brown peaks he couldn’t wait to taste again. The sounds she made when he licked them were the stuff of fantasies.
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