Black Dawn

by Cristin Harber

  She hopped over a low cement retaining wall, then she was gone. He was alone in the middle of a maintenance alley. Trains clanged and echoed around him. The exhaust replaced the lemon scent that had made his mouth water. Even as she disappeared from sight, his boots wanted to chase her down. Seconds later, the growl of a motorcycle roared to life then faded away.

  Time was drawing near. Monarch would go to auction soon. So even if Lexi ran, Parker knew Silver well enough that there was no doubt she’d be back inside for the auction.

  Silver was Lexi was… his. That put a smile on his face.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Lexi couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. Parker? Phiber? Matt? She needed to get back inside the station. The auction would start on time whether she was next to Shadow or not, but did she really want him to give her hell for showing up late? Nope. Not at all. But then she’d see Parker, and she felt like a damn fool. Running away from him? What was this, sixth grade? But she was overrun with emotions, and instead of crying or screaming, she ran.

  Parker and BlackDawn were one and the same. So she’d trusted both without question.

  She revved the engine then rode around another traffic-filled corner until she hit the next red light. The unsteadiness in her stomach churned. Looking for whatever made her feel hunted, Lexi checked her mirrors and saw nothing.

  There was less than an hour until go time. Less than sixty tiny minutes to replay everything that had just happened with Parker. She let his name roll in her mind. When his brooding eyes had landed on her in the coffee shop, she’d wanted to run. To him. From him.

  She shook her head and rested her boots on the asphalt, waiting to move through the gridlocked light. “Come on.”

  The light turned red again, and no one had moved. She dropped her head then gave up waiting, forging a path down the street. Cars honked. Taxi drivers edged closer. She didn’t care and couldn’t stay put.

  One turn, then a shortcut through an alley, and the arm of the Union Station parking garage gate lifted after she grabbed her ticket. She parked her bike as a text message buzzed her phone. She didn’t look at it, knowing it had to be Shadow and wishing it was Parker. She headed through the cold garage, jogging down the escalators then skipping past the regular entrances to a back door.

  She opened the door labeled “Authorized Entry Only” then walked down a poorly lit corridor, where she read the text.

  Shadow: Where are you? Thought you were here early. I want you to meet BlackDawn.

  That made her snort-laugh. Today was going to be absurd or epic. Her money was on a little bit of both.

  ***

  Parker settled in diagonally from Shadow after discreetly nodding hello. Shadow had a good instinct, but what he didn’t know, or hadn’t shared with Parker, was that there’d already been a piss-poor attempt to steal the hardware—at his house. He wanted to shake his head and growl at the guy who should have read him in on all the concerns.

  Jared had barely signed off on the job. Shadow was a good point of contact, though right about now, he was on Parker’s shit list. He shifted in his seat, resisting the urge to text Lexi, and instead he tapped his fingers, unsure of how much leeway to give Shadow for not sharing all pertinent intel.

  A race of excitement slid down his back as he heard the click of her heeled boots. His muscles bunched, and his hands clenched. Staying seated was a task when all he wanted to do was drag her to him. Her ass swayed as she walked to Shadow. There was a gentleness in her voice as she said hello and gave him a half-hug, making Parker jealous of the old bastard who had her attention.

  Shit. He needed to focus. On something beside her voice, her walk, the memory of her taste and how she smelled. Parker groaned.

  Shadow nodded as if he were signaling to Parker who the woman was. He could read her expression somewhat. Nervous curiosity. Apprehensive excitement. Lexi shifted in her chair, casting her eyes across the crowd. She was looking for him. God, he liked being the person she wanted her gaze on.

  Shadow motioned discreetly, and Lexi pivoted, landing a sexy glare on Parker. The heat in her eyes reached his groin. Even his heartbeat picked up the pace. But he kept all that to himself as he casually acknowledged her with a small chin lift.

  As if she’d been caught, she dropped her head and fidgeted. Her fingers knotted then retied. Was she still mad? Why was she nervous? Because of him or the auction? Their security threat? His nightmare was her in danger, but the threat would soon be over. After all the Monarch file transfers were complete, it’d be magic. Threat averted. Poof, danger gone. Someone else would be in possession of Monarch, and their worries about stolen technology, or worst case, a kidnapping where she’d be forced to reveal the coding behind the exploit, would be over.

  Assuming he knew everything he needed.

  Which he didn’t. If he knew everything he needed to know, Parker could’ve put together a statistical likelihood of almost any situation happening. But nope, not with the limited intel shared. He bunched his fists. Everything about this job had changed now that Silver was Lexi.

  Parker picked up his phone and sent her a text.

  Parker: I didn’t say before, Monarch’s incredible. Proud of you.

  Her fidgeting hands picked up the phone, then her head shot toward him. He wanted to laugh. No one had apparently told her the intricacies of not drawing attention to the undercover guy. But then a smile she tried to hide rolled onto her lips, and her fingers worked the phone.

  Lexi: No one has told me they are proud over anything I’ve done. Ever. Except maybe Shadow but he doesn’t count. ;)

  His heart seized, then his phone showed another message from her.

  Lexi: So thx. That means a lot.

  He kept his eyes up but responded.

  Parker: Second time it’s come…

  Lexi: 2nd time what?

  Parker: That I learn you haven’t been told what you should.

  Lexi: *blush*

  Parker: Prepare yourself, sweetheart. That’s all about to change.

  Lexi: Oh yeah?! :)

  Parker: You should know, you’re…

  Parker: Smart.

  Parker: Gorgeous.

  Parker: Sexy.

  Parker: Crazy intelligent <— guess that’s smart, huh?

  He watched her stifle a laugh and Shadow give her a questioning glance.

  Lexi: It’s easier for me to talk like this.

  Parker: I get that

  Lexi: I’ve msg’ed you a thousand times.

  Parker: Yup

  Lexi: Sorry I ran out on you earlier.

  Parker: Are you gonna explain??

  Lexi: Shadow’s looking at me funny

  Parker: Let him look

  Lexi: Everything I ever wanted was so close. I never saw it.

  Parker: The auction?

  Lexi: No

  Parker: Monarch?

  Lexi: No!

  Parker: Hanging w Shadow, drinking crappy coffee?

  Lexi: No!!

  Parker: What then?

  Lexi: YOU

  Parker: ;) I know…

  She laughed out loud then texted him a smiley face. Now it was his turn to smile, but he hid it from the world while sipping his coffee.

  Lexi: Yeah, this is easier

  Parker: For some things. Agree. Tell me what you’re not telling me IRL

  Her head tilted, and she put the phone down. Picked it up. Put it down. Then she typed out something. Nothing came through though.

  Parker: Hit send, sweetheart

  She picked up the phone to read the text, and he took his eyes off her to gaze around, looking for who knew what. Shadow really should’ve given him more of a heads-up, or even an idea of what was really going on. His phone showed a text message from her, and he opened it.

  Lexi: I’ve so fallen for you

  His stomach jumped into his throat. But he had an easy answer for her.

  Parker: Good. Glad ur right there with me. Cause I’m
in deep.

  He checked the time. Shit. Thirty minutes out. He really should be on patrol for whatever lurked.

  Parker: Eyes up, stay alert. After this is over, I’m taking you out to celebrate

  He saw her nod, and he powered away thoughts about just how he’d show her a good time. Parker powered on his tablet and opened the app to monitor all nearby electronic communication and external cyber activity. He tucked his chin and kept his roaming gaze on the lookout, watching and waiting, ready for who knew what.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Giddy and warm under Parker’s stare, Lexi didn’t know how many hours passed as Shadow played auctioneer on his laptop. It was a long time to sit in a coffee shop and watch his wheeling and dealing, especially since never once did she feel Parker look away. Squirming in her seat, she occasionally cast a glance at him and saw his smoldering, protective blue eyes were locked on her. It was enough to make her starstruck.

  Shadow’s fingers banged furiously on the keyboard as he ran bids and countered offers from across the world. “So do you two have a thing I don’t know about?”

  She choked on the unexpected question even though they were eyeballing each other like horny teenagers. “I was engaged until just recently.”

  “And we both know what I think about that piece of shit. Is Matt bothering you?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve been dark. No contact with anyone, even if they reached out.”

  Shadow stopped and twisted the pivoting screen. “Looks like we’re finishing up. Yay or nay?”

  Her focus zoomed in on the screen. The UK had bowed out then started lobbying Shadow to sell Monarch to the Americans. Back and forth the French and US governments bid. The US government was the highest bidder, and the time between bids was lengthening. The dollar amount was absurd.

  “Yay.”

  “Good. We have a deal.” Shadow gave her a thumbs-up then went back to his keyboard. Seconds later, the burner phone on the café table rang as his hand was already moving to it. Without pleasantries, he answered and said, “Process the wire transfer immediately. You’ll have Monarch by close of business tomorrow.”

  The deal was done. Finally, Uncle Sam won the auction, paying big money. She hadn’t expected that high. Not at all. A quick look at Shadow showed he thought the same thing. The guy had just made beaucoup dollars.

  “Job well done, Silver.”

  She nodded. “No kidding, right?”

  “Pull another one like this off in the next year, and you’ll be my most profitable client.”

  She already knew she owned the top of his client roster but didn’t let that slip. “Already working on something, though I don’t see how it will beat this one.”

  “Alright. Let’s get ready to transfer the files so you can get out of here. Maybe go talk to Black, who can’t take his eyes off you. That might do you some good.”

  Heat crawled up her neck. It was almost unbearable. She’d never been so distracted, so consumed with lust-soaked thoughts. “You hired him to watch us. He’s doing his job.”

  Shadow chuckled. “The job’s done. He knows it. Auction went off without a hitch. Not the first time he’s worked jobs like this. Auction ends, he leaves. Simple.”

  She shifted to take in Parker. “Nothing’s simple about that guy.” She hesitated. “At least by the look of him.” Because she wouldn’t admit to knowing him in real life. Ha. She wouldn’t even admit anything to herself at this point.

  “Go say hello. Introduce yourself.”

  She grimaced, not wanting Shadow to see that side of her. “Small talk isn’t my thing.”

  “You guys are old buds. Go say hello. I’ll upload the last part of Monarch, and we’ll be done here.”

  Then the threat would be over, and Parker could stop his scorch-the-world protective scowl. She withdrew a flash drive from her back pocket and slid it across the table. “Last piece of the puzzle.”

  He took but didn’t plug it in. “Silver, go say hello already.”

  “Maybe. Well, truth… it turns out we’ve… known each other.”

  Shadow’s jaw flexed as he studied her. She was familiar with that look. It sprouted on his face before he felt the need to impart fatherly wisdom. “I know you don’t have…”

  “Any father figure,” she finished for him.

  “Anyone who has held that role.” He nodded. “Except me. I’m always around as a set of ears you can trust.”

  Lexi regarded the man she’d been in business with since her late teens. “He’s a good guy, isn’t he?”

  Shadow nodded but said nothing.

  “I’m not sure I trust my judgment.” She sucked her teeth.

  “Well, if that’s it, shake it off. Check your bank account tomorrow then go to an island somewhere and have a drink. Bring Black.”

  “Ha,” she snapped, her cheeks lighting on fire.

  “Go to Barbados. Hit the Virgin Islands. Something. Lay low. Forget about Matt the dick and…” Shadow flipped the thumb drive in his fingers before plugging it in. He paused, staring at the screen, and she waited for him to enter the string of codes that would combine the files. When his fingers stopped moving, his eyes tightened as he reread, then he smiled. “And trust your judgment. It’s gotten you far in life with things like this.” He tapped the side of the screen. “I—”

  A burst of movement made Lexi jump back, knocking over her coffee and sending it spilling. A blur of a person swooshed by and grabbed Shadow’s laptop.

  Shadow’s chair clattered as he jumped up. “Motherfucker!” Running as if he had any chance to catch up with the guy, Shadow panted as he sprinted across the café. “Damn, Black. Go!”

  But Parker had moved toward her instead. His worried eyes tightened on her as an arm wrapped around her neck from behind. The rough fabric of a muscled arm caught her throat, choking her.

  “Let’s go,” an accented voice growled in her ear. “Move fast.”

  She was surprised and stupefied, but she snapped out of it as she saw Parker clawing his way across the crowd. Lexi struggled and kicked, slamming her head back. Her gaze tracked to Parker as he threw tables and chairs away to get to her. His hard body leaped, and the massive weight of him slammed onto the man at her neck, dragging her into the throes of Union Station.

  Lexi hit the ground. The thud of fists clashing bled through her ears as the crowd screamed and scurried. People ran, some shouting for the cops, some shouting just because. Parker’s punches rained on her attacker. Two security guards descended out of nowhere, struggling to get the pit bull off his victim. They hooked arms around Parker and struggled to pull him back.

  “I’m good, I’m good.” Parker’s muscles bunched as he paced in a tight circle, and she saw his mind working over what had happened.

  Shadow was gone, stupidly chasing the laptop, not that he would walk back over with cops around. Parker’s face registered what she was realizing. Whoever had wanted Monarch was still on the hunt. She wouldn’t be safe in the custody of Union Station security or Capitol Hill police or whoever these guys were. She needed to get back off the grid, and she needed to do it now.

  Parker wiped his bloody fists on his shirt, his eyes stuck on hers, and she was certain he was trying to impart a directive. Or was he? Maybe he was out-of-his-mind angry, and that’s how it registered on his intelligent face.

  Nope. Trust your judgment.

  She dropped her eyes to the marble floor. The unconscious man wasn’t Phiber. Neither was the one who’d stolen the laptop. The officers were attempting to question Parker, but his attention was on her.

  Ignoring everyone clamoring for his attention, he tilted his head. “I’ll find you.”

  The cops turned toward her. Their questioning eyes still weren’t sure what had happened, but now they were clued in to her. Soon they’d watch security tapes and see that the man had grabbed her. But for now, she needed to disappear.

  Her pulse thundered in her neck, and that booming sense of dread was going to ma
ke her hyperventilate. Parker would be arrested. Shadow would have a damn heart attack running after her stolen project—and God, she needed Monarch back. It was too dangerous to be on the black market.

  Parker pulled back hard when a guard put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Calm down, son,” said one uniform as the other approached her.

  “Ma’am, can we talk to you?” the other officer asked.

  Parker shook his head hard. “Go, Silver.”

  Go. She snapped into action, sprinting through the coffee shop’s chaos to the back room, then she hauled ass down an industrial hallway. She heard the voices ordering her to wait and replayed Parker’s promise to come find her. But hadn’t she caused enough problems? Less than a minute later, Lexi kicked through the fire door, ran through an alley, and scaled a barrier to the garage.

  Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t even know why. Shock? Anger? Terror? Worry? Running from who knew what or who. Monarch had been stolen, she’d almost been stolen, and Parker was likely to be arrested. Blood rushed in her ears, and adrenaline was about to make her heart explode.

  With one long, deep breath, she jumped on her Gixxer, revved it, and rushed out of the garage with no idea where she wanted to hide, but knowing she needed to get there now.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  An hour after Parker had been unceremoniously released, he hovered over his keyboard, pulling the security footage, trying to get a better look at what had happened. It’d taken Titan less than two hours to find him in the system and have him released, but in that time, a lot had happened. Most notably, Lexi had disappeared in broad daylight—thank God—but now he wanted eyes on her.

  He pinged Silver’s screen name and called Lexi’s phone. He waited a couple of minutes and did it again. Nothing. Her cell was turned off, so he couldn’t triangulate her. Despite the tracking software he had that could handle problems like that, he was coming up empty.