Time Thief (The Anomaly Trilogy)
Page 4
As she grabbed the necklace, gunfire shattered the front window.
Lucky screamed, throwing his arms over his balding head. Bay and Sean ducked behind the counter.
He grabbed her shoulder, jerking her toward the doorway.
“Not without the necklace.” She reached up.
More bullets hit in a massive volley. Splintered glass rained to the floor.
She ducked back down.
Lucky screamed again. This time in pain.
Sean risked a quick glance. The man had taken three bullets to the chest. He slumped down the wall leaving a wide trail of blood on the beige paint.
“We go. Now.”
“No!” She surged upward, reaching for the Scarlet Lady.
He saw the men coming through the front, weapons raised. She was going to die for the damned rubies.
Damn it, it wasn’t worth it!
Her fingers touched the necklace but Sean pulled her backward. The rubies skittered across the counter and hit the floor.
“Nooo.” She struggled against him.
More gunfire. Sean felt a bullet brush past. Too close.
“Leave it! You die here, you get no revenge.” He forced her to look at him. “Your family will have died for nothing.”
The look she shot him was vicious. But then she pushed past him, heading into the office.
He caught up with her at the back door. One glance and he saw the narrow alleyway blocked by a black SUV.
“Fuck!” She kicked a desk.
Sean let his battle instincts take over. He scanned the room. Another door. “This way.”
He yanked it open. Steps lead up.
They pounded up the stairs. At the top, he pushed open another door. They were on the flat top roof.
Lucky had a private little oasis. Albeit a crappy one. A cheap red deck chair rested on a piece of fake turf. A small, rickety table held an empty Corona bottle and a pair of binoculars.
The chair faced Candy’s strip club on the other side of the car lot. And the tiny window in the side of the building.
“Creep,” Bay spat.
“But he’s a dead creep.” Sean slammed the door closed. He jammed the chair under the door handle. It wouldn’t hold for long.
He looked out over the roof top. The building backed up against a two story building fronting Colfax.
They’d have to climb.
“That way.” He jerked his head.
“How the hell are we going to get up there?” Bay followed him across the roof and looked up the vertical wall.
He knelt and cupped his hands together. “Get a run up and I’ll boost you.”
She arched her head. “I still don’t think I’ll make it.”
“You have to try…or die.”
Her jaw clenched. “How will you get up?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Fine.” She backed up, then ran at him.
She had an athletic stride. And good aim. Her boot hit his palms. He hefted her small weight upward.
Her hands scrabbled to reach the roof of the other building.
Come on. He willed her higher.
She gripped the rim by her fingertips. He heard her grunt as she battled for a better grip.
Bullets hit the wall beside her.
Shit. Someone on the ground had spotted them. He heard shouts and the roof door rattling.
Sean blocked it all out. Come on, Bay. Moments later she pulled her body over the edge.
Her head popped over. “Come on.”
He backed up as far as he could. A heavy weight hit the door. He had seconds until Gordon and his men charged through.
Sean pulled in a deep breath. He had to do this. For his men.
He ran at the wall.
He was fit and strong. He ran every day and hit the gym. But it was high, even for him.
As he hit the wall, he used his feet to propel himself higher.
He reached upward, extending his arms as far as his joints allowed.
He was inches short. He wasn’t going to make it.
A hand gripped his, taking his weight.
As he swung, he looked into Bay’s pained face. Her single arm was taking his weight. Her other hand gripped the edge of the roof.
She couldn’t pull him up but her help was enough for him to reach the roof edge. He grabbed on and hauled himself up and over.
They both collapsed on the roof tiles. Panting.
Bullets hit the wall below but he ignored them. He worked to slow his labored breathing. “You okay?”
“Shoulder…might be dislocated.” Her words were a tortured whisper.
He rolled to a crouch and helped her sit. He touched her left shoulder. “Nope, it’s in place. Probably just strained.”
“Hurts like a bitch.”
“I know.” Unable to stop himself, he ran a hand over her hair. “Thanks for saving my ass.”
“It’s a nice ass.”
He laughed. Surprised to hear the rusty sound. “I thought you might have let me fall since I made you leave the necklace.”
“Wouldn’t leave you. You…were right.”
He knew how much it took for her to admit that. He frowned, searching for the best way off the roof. “We need to find somewhere to hole up. I promise a cold pack, a hot shower and some ibuprofen’ll take the edge off.”
“Another motel?”
He shook his head. “We won’t get far enough away. Leven will have people checking the nearby motels.” But Sean had an idea. “I know somewhere we can go.”
She stared at him for a second before she placed her hand in his. “Then let’s go. Partner.”
Chapter Five
Bay studied the unassuming home.
God, when was the last time she’d been in the suburbs? This house in Arvada, north-west of the city, was nestled in a quiet street filled with other simple homes surrounded by lawns about to turn brown for the winter.
“Your friend lives here?” She cradled her left arm and Sean was holding her upright. The pain in her shoulder had gone from biting to dull ache.
They’d walked for what had felt like an eternity before getting on a bus. They’d hopped off several miles from the house and walked again. The night was cold and it made all her aches worse.
Sean nodded, leading the way up the concrete walk. “Matt and I went through our BUD/S training together. Basic Underwater Demolition.”
Sounded tough. “And he’ll let us stay?” She had no one she’d go to. She wasn’t sure this was a good idea. Dragging an innocent into their mess.
“He was assigned to a different team but we kept in touch, even after he left the Navy. He grew up here…so he came home.”
There was an undertone to Sean’s voice, but she didn’t have time to wonder as he knocked on the door.
Moments later the door opened and a big man on crutches filled the doorway. Bay’s gaze dropped to his missing left leg.
“Sean!”
“Hi, Matt.” Sean kept hold of Bay and clapped the man on the shoulder with his free hand. “How you doing?”
“Great, man. I’m great.” He shook Sean’s hand. “God, how long has it been?”
“Two years since—” Sean broke off.
Matt didn’t miss a beat. “Two years since that IED took my leg. It’s okay.” His voice lowered. “I heard about your team…I’m sorry.”
Sean nodded, looked down at the watch on his wrist. “Yeah.”
Then the man’s questioning gaze landed on Bay. He offered her a wide smile.
He had a stunning face. Black hair, square jaw and eyes the color of cobalt. His heavily muscled arms were graced with black tribal tattoos. She avoided looking at his leg.
“Hi.”
“Matt Deakin.” He held out a hand. “Please tell me you’re Sean’s sister or cousin. If you say girlfriend, my heart’ll be broken.”
Her lips quirked and she shook his hand. The guy had bucket loads of charm. “None of the above.”
“Knock it off, Romeo.” Sean gripped Bay tighter to his side. “We need somewhere to stay.”
The other man’s face turned serious. His gaze took in their rumpled, bloodstained clothes. “You in trouble?”
“Yep. And it could follow us.”
“Well, that might make my night more interesting.” Matt motioned them inside. “Mi casa, and all of that.”
The house was spacious and filled with gleaming, polished wood. Matt led them to a living room that was clearly designed by a man for a man. Oversized leather couches were grouped to face a television that took up most of one wall. A wooden coffee table was covered in car and fitness magazines.
Matt dropped onto a couch and set his crutches aside. “So, you want to tell me what’s going on?”
Sean faced his friend. “No. The less you know the safer you are.”
Matt scowled. “I’d be better prepared if I had some intel.”
“Not this time. I need you to trust me.”
Matt stared out the window for a few seconds. “Okay. You need to lay low for a while, then stay as long as you need.”
“Just for the night.” Bay blurted the words. Both men looked at her. She locked her gaze with Sean’s. “We just need to rest a bit and plan our next steps, the longer we stay in one place, the greater chance he’ll find us.”
“He?” Matt queried. “You on the run from a jealous ex, sugar?”
“No.”
“Figured that couldn’t be it. Sean would have tied him into a pretzel by now. Or just made him quietly disappear never to be found again.”
She glanced at the man in question. She’d known he was well-trained and dangerous, but she hadn’t realized just how much.
“Matt, you got somewhere Bay can lie down? She wrenched her shoulder. We’ll take a cold pack and some ibuprofen if you have it.”
“I’m fine,” she protested.
“You’re not fine.”
“No problem.” Matt winked at her. “Come on, I’ll show you the guest room.” He moved down the hall, his crutches making a quiet thump on the floor. “I only have one, my other spare rooms are a gym and office.” He waggled his eyebrows. “So you’ll have to share.”
“We’ll manage,” Sean said.
Bay wasn’t so sure. She wasn’t ignorant to the attraction simmering between them. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to act on it. She didn’t need the distraction or the risk.
Matt left them in the bedroom. A plain blue spread covered the bed. There were no soft touches, just a framed print of an antique movie poster on the wall—The Mummy’s Curse. An open door led into a small adjoining bathroom.
Sean brushed a hand over her shoulder. “Sit down.”
“Look, I’ll be okay. A hot shower will help.”
“Bay.” He waited until she looked at him. “Let me look after you. Please.”
Something inside her trembled. She let him help her onto the bed and prop some pillows behind her. As she sank into the soft mattress, she almost moaned. God, it felt good to get off her feet.
Moments later, Matt was back with painkillers, cold pack, bottle of water and a plate of fruit and crackers. He balanced the load with practiced ease and managed with one crutch. “Sorry but you guys missed dinner. Not that my cooking’s all that good.” He grabbed some clothes off his shoulder. “Here are some clean clothes for you both and there are fresh towels in the bathroom. Get some rest and I’ll catch you later.”
Sean sat on the bed. “Thanks, Matt.”
Bay managed a smile before letting her eyes close.
“Here.” Sean dropped two pills in her hand and passed her the water. “Sit forward a bit.”
She swallowed the pills and as he pressed the cold pack to her shoulder, she hissed out a breath.
“Just for a few minutes. It’ll help with any swelling.”
She could get used to him looking after her. The thought snapped through her. She couldn’t afford to get used to it.
She reached back and took the pack from him. “I’ll hold it.”
He leaned back. “We’re safe here. You can relax.”
“I don’t relax.” She lifted her chin. “Leven never stops coming. Relaxing is a luxury that could get me killed.”
Leven had the Scarlet Lady back. A heavy weight sank over Bay. God, she was tired. Bone-deep tired of always plotting, of never having anything normal in her life.
She looked at Sean. “The necklace’s gone. Tell me what we’re going to steal next.”
He sighed and cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing across her cheekbone. “No. You’ll get some rest first—”
“What?” The hand holding the cold pack dropped. “That’s not your decision—”
He pressed the pack back to her shoulder. “I know you aren’t used to someone caring about you, but once you’ve rested, I’ll tell you.”
She huffed out a breath. “Fine.”
He smiled. “You’re a horrible patient.”
“Your bedside manner isn’t that flash either.”
“Why don’t you tell me more about that beach house you dream about?”
She sniffed. “You’re trying to distract me.”
“Yep.”
He didn’t have to be so cheerful about it. “I want something small. Open, comfy couches, lots of pillows.”
“Cozy.”
Bay let her imagination drift, ignoring her aches and the cold of the ice. “Bookcases bursting with paperbacks. A nice deck overlooking the ocean.”
“Tell me there’s a hammock.”
Her lips twitched. “A red one.”
“Ever had sex in a hammock?”
She choked on a laugh. “No.”
“Me neither.” A windy sigh. “Maybe a shower will help you relax?”
Hot water sounded like heaven. Her shoulder was sore but the ibuprofen was taking the edge off. “Shower would be good.”
He helped her up and kept one hand on her arm until they reached the bathroom. He turned on the shower and steam billowed in the glass stall. “Can you get your sweater and shirt off on your own?”
Bay tried to move her shoulder. Pain shot down her arm. Crap. “No.”
“Let me help.” He spun her so he was at her back.
She had a perfect view of their reflection in the wide mirror above the sink. She looked so small beside him. He worked her injured arm free of her sweater. Careful, slow. He slipped her other arm out and pulled the sweater over her head.
She watched, mesmerized by his gentle, methodical movements. He was focused on his task. On taking care of her.
Next he freed her shirt and pulled it up.
She stood there in only her jeans and a plain, white bra. She’d never felt so…naked. His gaze met hers in the mirror. Her breath caught.
Desire burned in his eyes. She felt an answering punch low in her belly. He lifted one hand and smoothed it over her uninjured shoulder. He cupped the joint, stroking over her skin.
She shivered and leaned into the touch. God, this was crazy. She was hurt, they were on the run, planning to strike Leven. They didn’t have time for this...
But Bay’s body wasn’t listening.
Sean’s hand ran down her arm in a slow caress. Back up and tangled in her hair. He tugged until her head fell back against his hard chest.
His mouth came down on hers. A brief press of lips and tongue. He tasted so good. A taste she worried could become an addiction.
He pulled back, his fingers working at the closure of her bra. The fabric fell away.
Her breasts felt full, sensitive. He made a sound in his throat, like a starving man eyeing something good to eat. He pressed harder against her, his chest and belly to her back. She felt the bulge of his erection against her bottom and, helpless to fight the urge, rubbed against him.
With a groan, he cupped his hands over the curves of her breasts. “Perfect. Bigger than I expected.”
Thoughts of everything but the man touching her drifted away. She wanted Sean, more than she’d wanted any man before. She wanted to explore his tough body, let him touch her. She wanted to pretend for a little while that there was only the two of them. Nothing else.
He pressed a palm to her belly. She quivered. He flicked open the snap on her jeans.
“Sean.” She heard the plea in her voice.
With his other hand he yanked her back against him. Pain shot through her shoulder. She couldn’t stifle her cry.
He pulled back like her skin burned him. “Shit. You’re hurt and here I am pawing at you…” he backed up.
She wasn’t fragile. “Sean—”
“Me. You. This should never have happened.” A grimace crossed his face. He reached for the door. “I won’t touch you again.”
A knot clogged Bay’s throat. She wrapped her arms across her chest, feeling very exposed. The door closed with a final click.
She stared at her face in the slowly fogging mirror. She looked like an ordinary woman. Maybe not beautiful, but she might rate pretty.
Sean would never, ever forget that she wasn’t just a woman.
She was an aberration. She was what had destroyed his life.
***
Sean tried to block out the sound of the running shower.
It didn’t work. Instead, it made him imagine water sliding over naked skin. Lean limbs glistening. Honey-blonde hair darkening and slicking down over her slender back and full breasts.
He groaned. Jesus, she was injured. She needed rest. He was a bastard putting his needs before hers. Hurting her.
But he wanted her. Wanted to run his hands over her skin, cup her curves, dip questing fingers between her muscled thighs. His cock twitched and with another groan, he rose.
He could admit now that he’d been attracted to her since the first time he saw her. It had been in Miami. She’d given him the slip at the airport. She’d outsmarted him and he’d admired her calculating, quick mind. She’d also locked two of Leven’s men in a janitor’s closet.