“Thank you for rescuing me.”
He kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always come for you.”
Her brows pinched but she didn’t open her eyes. “Are you having your wicked way with me?”
Now it was his turn to narrow his brows. “I’d never take advantage of an unconscious woman.”
“Because you totally can,” she murmured. “I give you permission. Wicked away.”
Just like that, his body hardened. He tamped down any carnal urges and focused on the task at hand…removing the unpleasant stench from her hair and clothes.
By the time he had her naked, sweat dotted his forehead from restraining his gaze. She didn’t need him ogling her flawless breasts while incapacitated. He removed his shirt but left on his underwear to avoid any temptation.
Washing her was another level of hell, especially doing so with his eyes closed. It forced him to learn her body by touch and have mercy, she was fine. His eyes shot open when she sleepily slid her soapy hand beneath the band of his boxer briefs and gripped him. He let out a groan and allowed himself one…okay, two seconds of pleasure before he gently removed it and turned her around to lather her hair. She leaned back against him trustingly and he couldn’t resist wrapping both of his arms around her waist and hanging on. A shudder passed through him. He’d have nightmares about her being tied up and bleeding. But she was alive and in his arms where she belonged.
When he squirted shampoo in his hands and started massaging it into her scalp, she let out a long moan that had him hardening again—or still. It was a pretty constant state around her. If she were even a little awake, she’d feel him pressing against her. It took two lathers before the smell was completely eradicated. He managed to soap up and shampoo his hair, too, before turning off the water and lifting her in his arms. He placed her on a padded vanity chair to dry her off with a fluffy white towel. She was conscious enough to stay upright, but her eyes were still closed. Spotting a brush on the counter, he picked it up and worked it through her long, black locks. The movement was soothing, and he wasn’t sure how long he brushed until he felt her start to nod off. Her hair had started drying, so it must’ve been a while.
He carried her back to the bed and placed her on the cool sheets. Her hair fanned out in stark contrast against the white pillowcase. He tucked the blanket around her and turned to find his discarded clothes so he could leave when she grabbed his arm.
“Stay with me?”
No way could he turn her down. He’d wait until she was sound asleep again before he returned to his room.
Crawling in beside her, she nestled her bottom against him and clutched his arm to her chest. Her naked chest. When she placed his hand over her breast, he knew he was a goner.
#
Too many near-death experiences had Kenzie willing to take chances and go after what she wanted, and that was the man snuggled behind her. She was just awake enough to boldly initiate contact. She’d wanted to jump him in the shower, but her body wasn’t cooperating. He’d washed her hair! If she hadn’t already fallen in love with him, that might’ve tipped her over the edge.
She still felt sluggish and uncoordinated, but she’d recovered. She didn’t want to waste another moment. Turning in his arms, she grasped his face and kissed him. The same zing of pleasure she felt when their mouths met rolled through her. It was as if their lips were made for each other.
If he’d been shocked that she attacked him, he didn’t show it. He quickly took charge, kissing her with intent and purpose and skill. She wondered how many women he’d kissed to have become a master and then shoved the notion aside. The thought of him doing this to another woman made her green with envy.
He maneuvered her to her back and rolled on top of her, their lips never parting. His hands were in her hair and he was making love to her mouth. Good. Very exceptionally good, but not enough. Reaching between them, she slipped her hand beneath the band of his boxer briefs and gripped him. Suddenly he broke the kiss, their harsh breaths mingling as he rested his forehead against hers. She continued to stroke him, and he moaned deep in his throat.
“Kenz, you have to stop.”
“Why?” She increased the pressure.
His teeth clenched. “Because I’m not going to take advantage of you.”
“Then don’t.” She added a twist that had him moaning again. “I’ll take advantage of you.”
“Kenzie—”
She silenced whatever protest he had by fusing her mouth to his again. When she spread her legs until he settled against her, she knew she’d won. Her victory was short-lived when he jerked away. She cried out but he was back with a condom in hand. He suited up so quickly, he had to have practiced often to become that proficient and again, she loathed the faceless women he’d been with before. He pushed into her and all thoughts of other women were obliterated as he rocked her entire world.
#
Declan tried hard not to hate himself. He’d just had sex with a practically comatose woman. Sure, it was sensational, and he was pretty certain he blacked out for a minute, but that didn’t excuse the fact that he’d known better. Kenzie was in no condition to give consent.
“Stop.”
He glanced up at her as she snuggled on top of him. “Stop what?”
“The self-flagellation.”
How did she know that’s what he’d been doing? Had he said it out loud?
She lifted her head. “This is on me. I wanted you and I didn’t give you a choice. It was going to happen, one way or another.”
“There’s always a choice,” he scoffed.
“Nope.” She resettled against his chest. “My feminine wiles are irresistible.”
He chuckled. “True, that.” He’d been powerless to say no. “I’d better go to my room before someone catches us.”
She clutched him tighter. “No. Stay.”
Just a few minutes, he told himself, then he’d leave. He’d wait until she fell asleep.
When he blinked awake, the face next to him wasn’t the one he was expecting to see, and he barely kept from shouting in shock. Sometime during the night, Jamal had climbed into bed with them, sleeping on top of the covers, which was a good thing since he and Kenzie were both buck naked.
Kenzie wore him out good because he didn’t even feel when Jamal joined them. He’d maneuvered his small body between them, teddy bear clutched in his arm. Mental note to include strong locks for the bedroom door in his home plans.
Kenzie blinked awake and let out a small gasp. “Uh, Declan, I’ve got an au naturel situation going on under here,” she whispered urgently.
“Yeah, babe, same here.”
Sliding carefully away, he disappeared into the walk-in closet and found a t-shirt and sweats that fit and then rifled through the women’s clothes for the same for Kenzie. He helped her dress without waking Jamal.
“When did he join us?”
“I don’t know.” He studied her carefully, looking for any residual effects of the flashbang, or any regret for what happened. “How do you feel?”
“Better. Rested.” A wicked smile lit her face. “Satisfied.”
If Jamal hadn’t been sleeping peacefully on the bed, he’d have tossed Kenzie down on the soft mattress and made love to her all morning long.
Chapter Seventeen
Declan bounded down the steps and away from temptation. That’s what Kenzie was to him—Biblical Eve seductively taunting him with a ripe, juicy red apple in her palm. If she’d have asked him to take a bite, he’d have been powerless to resist. He suddenly realized Adam’s unfortunate dilemma.
His coworkers were already awake and ready to tackle the day. He asked Noah to drive him to the airport to pick up his vehicle and they departed a few minutes later. He almost grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter on the way out but opted for a banana instead. Freud probably would’ve had a field day with his choice.
Traffic was light so they made good time. Noah dro
pped him off at the terminal and he found his way to the short-term lot. He’d been in a panic when he’d arrived and had just enough rational thought to snap a picture of the location so he’d be able to find it upon his return. Slamming his hands on his hips, he glanced around with a sigh. Too bad he’d destroyed his phone. He spent ten minutes walking up and down rows until he spotted his mesquite brown truck and punched the key fob to unlock the doors. Yogi was right where he left him in the copilot seat. Jamal would be so happy to have his companion back.
He found the ticket stub he’d stashed in the cup holder and proceeded to the exit. He almost swallowed his tongue at the cost. He’d need to hit an ATM soon or his wallet would be empty. Once he returned to the safe house, he planned on questioning Kenzie on what she remembered about the kidnappers. They needed to figure out if some of the Eighty-Sixers had slipped through the net the Chicago Police cast to reel them in, or if they’d contracted with another group. He was hoping for the first scenario.
Noah beat him back to the safe house and he parked beside his Escalade. The SUV BeBe arranged for him to drive from Detroit was gone. He assumed she’d called for it to be picked up since they didn’t need it anymore. Tucking Yogi behind his back, he entered the house.
“Declan!”
Jamal jumped off the stool at the breakfast bar where he’d been eating a bowl of cereal and hugged him. Declan wondered if it would be like this every time he arrived home and found himself hoping it would. Having someone excited to see him was a rare occurrence and he reveled in the feelings of belonging.
“I have a surprise for you.”
Jamal’s eyes widened. “You do? For me?”
“Yes. Close your eyes and hold out your arms.”
Jamal complied and Declan placed the stuffed animal in his outstretched hands. Jamal’s lids flew open and he gasped with joy.
“Yogi!” He clutched the bear tight, a look of pure, unabashed joy on his face. Suddenly he stiffened, his gaze darting around the room before he lowered the bear and ducked his head.
Declan placed a hand on his shoulder. “Jamal, what’s wrong?”
“Jamarcus said only babies have teddy bears and he made fun of me,” he whispered. “He was always trying to hide him from me.” He glanced around at the others with a look of shame. “I don’t want you guys to think I’m a baby.”
They all rushed to assure him he wasn’t at the same time.
Kayla stepped forward. “Jamal, do you think I’m a baby?”
As if suspecting a trap, he narrowed his eyes and carefully shook his head.
“Wait right here.”
She disappeared into the downstairs bedroom and quickly returned, holding something in her hand. “This is Skipper. He goes everywhere with me.”
“Gah.” Ethan jumped back. “What the hell is that?”
She shot him a glare. “It’s a raccoon.”
“From what horror film?” He eyed the ratty ball of fluff with disdain. “It looks like something my sister’s old cat Whiskers coughed up.”
“Shut up, you imbecile. I’ve had him since I was born. He goes everywhere with me.”
Jamal watched the exchange with rapt attention. “You aren’t embarrassed to have a stuffed animal?”
“Not even a little bit. I’m proud of him and even when jerks like Ethan,” she shot him another glare, “pick on me, I’m not ashamed.”
Ethan had the decency to look abashed, Declan was happy to note. He’d had the same reaction at spotting the scary-looking animal, but he’d been able to curb his reaction, unlike Ethan.
Kayla’s display did the trick. Jamal hugged Yogi and started for the living room but stopped abruptly and turned around, holding out the bear to Declan. “He isn’t mine anymore. I gave him to you.”
No way would he keep Yogi from Jamal. “How about we share him?”
Jamal’s head bobbed up and down enthusiastically. “Okay. I’ll take him to watch cartoons with me.”
“His brother really did a number on him,” Noah muttered when Jamal was out of earshot.
“If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him myself.” Decan hadn’t uttered the statement lightly. For all the fear and misery Jamarcus put his brother through, he deserved no less.
Kenzie came down the stairs from a shower and Declan’s heart thumped against his chest. He wanted her again. He had a feeling he’d never get enough of her. She smiled and he backed up and banged into the fridge.
While the others greeted her, he couldn’t get his mouth to work. What was wrong with him? Maybe he was having a stroke or something. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his pulse raced. She did this to him.
“How are you feeling?” Ethan asked her.
“Still a bit fuzzy, but better. My hearing returned to normal.”
Noah winced. “Yeah, sorry about that. We’d have warned you if we could.”
She held up a hand. “I’m not complaining. I’d rather suffer a headache and temporary hearing loss than to have spent another moment in the warehouse.”
“Let me take a look at the cut on your neck.” Kayla peeled the bandage away to reveal a red gash. Declan felt like a brute for having practically attacked her when she was injured and vulnerable. As if sensing his turmoil, she gave him a sharp shake of her head.
“It looks better,” Kayla pronounced, reapplying a fresh bandage that Ethan handed to her.
“Are you up to talking about what happened?” Noah asked.
“Sure. Let me grab something to drink.”
“Coffee, tea?” Declan asked.
“Just water, please.”
She took a seat at the table and he placed a cold bottle in front of her. After she thanked him, she opened the cap and took a drink. “I’ll start at the beginning. I’d just used the bathroom and was washing my hands when a woman came up behind me and stuck a gun in my back. She told me if I made a sound, she’d put a bullet in me.”
Rage made Declan’s blood boil. No one got away with threatening his woman. She started talking again, distracting him from examining the “his woman” musing.
“She forced me out the other door where a man was waiting for me with a wheelchair. He injected something in my neck.” Her fingers brushed against the spot. “The next thing I remember was waking up when someone was carrying me. I have no idea how long I was out. After they tied me to the chair, they removed the blindfold.”
“Did you get a good look at the captors?” Ethan asked.
She nodded. “They weren’t even trying to disguise their faces. I watch enough cop shows to know that probably meant they didn’t plan on letting me leave the warehouse alive.”
Another wave of rage—or maybe it was fear—washed over Declan. The thought of her in danger scared him to death.
“Did they tell you why they took you?” Kayla questioned.
“The man kept asking me where,” she made air quotes, “it was. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about, but he didn’t believe me. He insisted Jamal must’ve told me. I tried to make him understand that Jamal didn’t know either, but it was like talking to a brick wall. I finally got him to admit that Jamal’s brother stole something from them, and they want it back.”
“It is about Jamarcus,” Declan said, confirming his suspicious. “He stole from his gang brothers?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“What do you mean?” Kayla’s brows dipped. “You just said he did a second ago.”
Kenzie shook her head. “The guys who took me weren’t Eighty-Sixers. They were Daggers.”
#
Declan didn’t think he could worry any more about Jamal’s safety, but Kenzie’s revelation proved him wrong. The men who took her weren’t Eighty-Sixers, but Daggers, their blood rivals.
After Kenzie described her abduction, she headed to the living room to check on Jamal while Declan and his coworkers tried to make sense of the turn of events.
“We’re dealing with two gangs instead of one,” Ethan said.
&
nbsp; “What could Jamarcus have taken that has two gangs after him?” Noah shook his head. “It has to be something big.”
Declan took a seat at the bar. “Kenzie and I both questioned Jamal extensively. I’m positive he has no idea what they want. Jamal was terrified of his older brother and tried to steer clear of him. It doesn’t make sense that both gangs would think he’d know anything about stolen goods.”
“Why now?” Kayla questioned. “Jamarcus’s been dead for a month. Why the sudden rush to recover whatever he stole from them?”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Declan said. “They must’ve looked for it and when they couldn’t find it, they assumed he’d have said something to Jamal. His mother was battered and killed the night Boomer and Blaze arrived in Detroit to grab Jamal. They probably beat his location out of her.”
“I checked on her death before we drove up here,” Noah informed him. “She was killed about seven hours before her body was found.”
“Plenty of time for the two to torture the information out of her and head north,” Ethan concluded.
“They’re going to keep coming after him.” That scared him as much as the thought of Kenzie in danger. More, even. Kenzie could take care of herself. Jamal was too young. “I need to get him out of town. He’s a target here.”
“Whatever it is has to be important to both gangs,” Noah said. “They won’t give up until they get it back. We need to figure out what it is and find it so he’ll be safe.”
“Declan, can I ask you something?” At his nod, Kayla checked to make sure Jamal was occupied in the other room. “What are you going to do once this ordeal is over with his aunt and mother both deceased?”
“I’m going to adopt him.”
All three of his coworkers gaped at him. What? They didn’t think he’d make a good guardian?
“You are? Because I was going to offer,” Ethan said.
“So was I,” Noah echoed. “Peyton wanted to take him before his aunt stepped up.”
Peyton and Noah would make great parents. And they were a hair away from the altar. Courts would probably favor them. But no way on earth was he giving up Jamal without a fight. He was his.
Running Scared Page 19
