by Piper Stone
The agent nodded to both of us then walked out with long strides.
“We can go now, sunshine.”
I tried to offer a smile, sighing instead. Brushing the strands of hair from my face, I realized my hand was shaking. “Where?”
“Anywhere you want to go.”
“Home,” I muttered, then realized I really didn’t have a home. I was shocked that Jack and his recon team from the Marines had found me. I’d only heard bits and pieces of how. I’m not certain I wanted to learn more. At least not now.
“First, some rest. Then we’ll figure out what to do.”
I was still numb and as Jack helped me to my feet, I clung to him. I was the strong girl, the one who’d taken on a monster, but was there any chance of actually winning? Jonathan had set some plan in motion months before. I couldn’t help but wonder how much Christian had to do with his disappearance. There was a snowball’s chance in hell that Jonathan would be convicted of anything, even if he was found. I knew that in my gut.
And he’d hunt me all over again.
At least a few of the asshole’s thugs were off the street, taken out by Jack and his buddies. He certainly had a powerful group of friends himself.
I wanted so much to explain everything to Jack, including my plan, but I honestly didn’t have the energy. Besides, I doubted Jack would believe me.
I allowed Jack to walk me down the long corridor, still unable to look anyone in the eye. When we were outside, only then did I glance up, enjoying the beautiful sunshine. The day was extraordinarily hot, sizzling in fact. I offered no one a smile. Well, maybe myself for surviving.
For now.
“I have a hotel. We’re going there,” he stated as he guided me toward a vehicle.
I didn’t object. I simply obeyed him, easing into the seat and allowing him to place the seatbelt around my waist. My phone was missing. I had no way of knowing if what I’d set in motion was enough. But I could hope.
He climbed into the driver’s seat, taking my hand and bringing it to his mouth. “Everything is going to be all right. He can’t hide out forever.”
Nothing was going to be all right, but I twisted my head, finally giving the man I loved a smile. “You don’t know my stepfather that well. He had friends everywhere.”
“Trust me. He will be found.”
I did trust him, more than I could ever express, but even with his amazing abilities, he was no match for a master criminal like Jonathan. “How did you find me?”
“Connections, sweetheart. I have my own.”
I snorted. “I believe you.” I waited another few seconds, my mind reeling. “He’s going to find me. There is nowhere that I can hide.”
“Then he’ll have to deal with me.”
The words were more comforting than he could imagine.
He drove for several minutes but I paid little attention. “You know he killed my mother.” My words had almost zero emotion.
Jack exhaled, tapping his finger on the wheel. “I suspected.”
“He’s going to kill me.”
“Over my dead body.”
For some reason, the words made me smile. We said nothing else as he drove, finally pulling into the parking lot of a hotel. I was shaking as I opened the door and the appearance of the pavement seemed so damn far away. My knight in shining armor gathered me into his arms, much like in the amazing dream, carrying me the entire way into the lobby, into the elevators, and finally to a room. When he eased me down, I’d never felt so small and inconsequential.
“Why don’t you take a hot shower?” His question was laced with sadness. “I’ll pour us both a drink and we’ll order some room service.”
“O-kay.” I’d never felt so dirty in my entire life.
“I brought your things from the ranch.”
I managed to glance over at the bags I’d brought with me, in what seemed like a lifetime ago. “You’re my hero.”
“I’m no one’s hero, Summer. I’m just a man trying to right several wrongs, but I am here to protect you always.”
There was no reason I couldn’t comment, but I remained silent, my body swaying back and forth before walking toward the bathroom, struggling to switch on the light. I closed the door behind me, falling against the counter and slapping my hand on the glass. I dared study my reflection, the image staring back at me startling. How had the girl who loved life become so dead inside?
I turned on the shower, groaning from the effort it took me to peel away my clothing. I wanted to be angry, livid to the point of figuring out a way to hunt the man down, but I had no energy and no will. At least the hot water tingled my skin, the cascading stream peppering over my naked skin and creating goosebumps. Dear God, I was a freaking mess. I’d lost the battle with the asshole in almost every manner.
Almost.
I slapped my hands against the tile as I allowed the water to roll over my head. Watching the beads fall was almost cathartic.
Almost.
After taking several deep breaths, I yanked the soap from the holder, rubbing the bar over my skin in wild motions, swipe after swipe. There was not enough cleanser in the world to rid me of the stench of the man or his world. I would forever be stained with the kind of legacy that I never wanted anything to do with.
I couldn’t get clean enough. I washed and scrubbed the same area six times and it still wasn’t enough. Frantic, I grabbed for the shampoo, dumping an entire handful onto my palm. I had to be clean. I had to repel the man in every manner. I had to...
A pair of arms wrapped around me, pushing me against the shower wall. “Shh... It’s okay.”
I hadn’t realized I’d been sobbing like a stupid child until Jack was there, soothing me. “No! It’s not okay. It’s not...” The words trailed off and he cupped my cheek and chin, slowly lifting my head and forcing me to look into his eyes.
“My sweet Summer. I promise you on all that I am and could ever be that you will feel safe again.”
Every portion of my body quivered as he held me and soon, his body crushed against mine, his grip becoming tighter. “Oh, Jack. I don’t know any longer. I have so many things to explain.”
“Not yet.” Capturing my mouth, he held the kiss, opening his mouth slowly until our tongues merely touched. Everything about his embrace was protective yet gentle, loving yet firm and I fell into him, thrusting my tongue inside. I wanted to crawl into the man, to have his arms wrapped around me forever.
Suddenly, I couldn’t get enough of him. I wrapped my leg around his, sliding one hand down his muscular back, reveling in the feel of his hard body. Moaning, I undulated my hips forward, tingling as his cock pressed against my belly. He was all male in every manner, his need almost as desperate as mine.
The scent of raw sex was already in the air, his testosterone filling my nostrils until I was breathless, unable to focus on anything but my raging hunger for this man.
The kiss became a crazed act of passion, our bodies clinging together. I sucked on his tongue, relishing the taste of whiskey.
Jack gripped my arms, yanking them over my head and breaking the kiss. There was no need to hold me in this position, no command necessary, but his massive hand wrapped around my wrists just to make certain. His eyes were laced with a primal need, so dark and dangerous but even more protective. I knew he would die for me.
Would kill for me.
Growling, the sound so husky and sensuous, he dragged his mouth across my jaw to my neck, sucking on my skin as if he was going to devour me alive.
I whimpered as he slid his other hand between my legs, rubbing his fingers up and down my slickened pussy. I was so wet, the fragrance of my juice wafting between us like a beacon of wanton need. “I want you.”
His answer was laced in the swipes of his tongue against my bare skin, licking in lazy circular motions as if he was taking all the time in the world. Lowering his head, he swirled the tip of his tongue around my erect nipple, teasing me in a merciless manner.
“P
lease, oh, please.” My guttural sound was so deep, animalistic in nature.
“Please?”
“Fuck me!”
Chuckling, he lifted his head only long enough to raise a single eyebrow. “Ask me nicely, baby girl.”
I bit my lower lip before answering, “Fuck me, Daddy. Please.”
He wasted no time, driving his entire cock inside. My pussy muscles spread for the thick invasion then clasped around his shaft. “Fuck,” he muttered as he thrust in a brutal manner, plunging in and out in breathless motions.
The sound of my back thumping against the wall made me smile and I lolled my head to the side, trying desperately to arch my back. I wanted more. More! He was so hard, filling me so completely. Every cell in my body sizzled, our combined electricity off the charts. The force of his savage thrusts lifted me off the floor, stealing my breath. I was crazed with desire, moaning like a wild animal, struggling to get out of his hold. I wanted to feel him. I needed to dig my fingers into his skin.
But he refused to let me go, plunging over and over again, his entire body tense as he rose onto the balls of his feet. “Oh, baby,” he managed, every action so barbaric.
I was consumed, taken in every manner and there was nothing I wanted anymore. I could feel the climax rushing into my system. Nothing, no man or beast was going to stop the raging orgasm. “I’m... Daddy, can I come? Please? Please!”
Another deep laugh was followed by a single demand. “Come!”
Bucking, I could no longer feel my legs as the climax became an intense wave, shooting into my muscles, boiling my blood. “Oh... yes! Yes!”
He continued pumping into me until I stopped shaking then jerked back, turning and shoving me against the wall. “Remember what I told you. Bad girls get it in the ass.”
I palmed the cool tile as he jerked out my hips. He spread my ass cheeks with his hand, sliding the tip of his cock to my dark hole.
“I’m not going to be gentle.”
“And I don’t want you to be,” I whispered, tensing for the pain. But I didn’t care about the instant anguish. I knew there would be rounds of pure ecstasy.
He kept his hands on my hips as he guided his cock just inside. Leaning over, he bit my shoulder as he drove all the way in, cupping my breasts as I shivered under him.
The pain was delicious, my muscles constricting then yielding. I could no longer breathe but I was so alive.
“Feel good, kitten?”
“Yes, Daddy. Oh, yes.”
He kissed the side of my neck as he pinched and twisted my nipples, keeping them hard. As he began to thrust, pulling almost all the way out then slamming into me again, nirvana took hold, washing over me like a magical blanket. He’d peeled away all the layers, seeing every ugly part of me.
And still, he wanted more.
I wanted the moment to last, to share something so special for hours on end.
But as with all beautiful things in life, they had to finish.
As he released, spewing his hot seed deep inside, a single tear slipped past my lashes.
This would be our last goodbye.
Chapter Twelve
Jack
I managed to open my eyes and instantly winced. The light was too damn bright, creating a wave of pain behind my eyes. Who the hell was shining a spotlight? Danger. Shit! We were in imminent danger. My training kicked in and immediately I jumped, falling hard on my face. “What. The. Fuck?” Even after blinking several times, fighting against whatever was holding me down, I had difficulty comprehending what I was seeing.
Sunlight.
Whoa. The sun was way too bright, which meant...
I jerked again, only this time managing to yank the covers off and stumbling to a standing position. My head hurt like a son of a bitch and I was woozy. I’d only had three drinks. My thoughts drifted but I was finally able to focus. “Summer.”
The sound of silence was petrifying.
She was nowhere in sight.
Ignoring the pain in my head, I raced into the bathroom. No sign of her. I immediately went for my Glock, hidden in the drawer. It was still there. That’s when I noticed that her suitcase was gone. Easing the weapon onto the dresser, I was thrown. What in the hell? Had she left of her own accord? If so, how did I not wake up? My red flags were flying high and I headed back into the bathroom, this time turning on the light. There was no sign of a struggle anywhere. After turning in a circle, I noticed the trashcan.
Peering inside, the crumbled bits of colored foil of some kind drew my attention. I dumped the can onto the counter, hissing as I pulled one of them into my hand and flattening it out. Sleeping pills. There were several small packets as if coming from a vending machine.
Fuck me. She’d gone for ice after the shower. I slammed my hand on the counter several times. How could I have allowed this to happen? She’d been the one to pour the other two drinks. Why?
I walked back into the bedroom, scanning the entire room for any sign of her. The single white piece of paper lying on the oval table near the window made my skin crawl. I knew what the words would read. I just didn’t know why.
Jack
I’ll be long gone when you find this. Please don’t try to locate me.
Jonathan will never stop until he finds me, and I refuse to allow you to be in the middle of this vicious game.
You are my love, my knight in shining armor and my protector, but now it’s time for me to protect you. You will know what I mean very soon.
I will never forget you...
Summer
The words hit me like a ton of bricks.
I knew at that very moment that I would do everything in my power to track down the son of a bitch who’d ruined her life.
As well as mine.
Nothing would stop me from finding him.
And nothing would stop me from finding the woman I loved.
* * *
“Well, you damn well better find the asshole or I’m going to handle it myself and trust me, there won’t be anything left of his sorry ass to prosecute! Do. You. Hear. Me?” Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew yelling at the FBI agent wasn’t in my best interest but after four days of making phone calls, trotting my ass all the way to Dallas and to Holmes Enterprises, only to be escorted off the property, as well as checking constantly with the bureau, I was ready to drag my buddies back out into service.
I ended the call and tossed my phone with enough force that it bounced all the way off the table and against the wall. So fucking what if I’d smashed it?
“Jesus Christ, son. I don’t want to see you getting arrested.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle hearing my dad’s voice. He was more amused than concerned. Hell, he’d called every one of his friends involved in law enforcement just as often. There was no sign of Jonathan or the half-sister for that matter. The guy had simply vanished into thin air.
“Don’t worry, Pops. They don’t want to mess with me.” I was grateful that my Forced Recon buddies had indeed answered my call. Dad had been the one to find the asshole’s cabin listed in a vague source. I’d simply put two and two together.
And prayed I was right.
We’d arrived at the remote cabin fifteen minutes before the FBI and I had my doubts whether Summer would have been alive at that point. Jonathan had been there and what pissed me off the most was that I’d hit him with at least one bullet. The trail of blood meant the bullet wound wasn’t just a glancing blow either.
Then he’d disappeared without any tracks of a vehicle. I’d searched for a hidden bunker of some kind but found nothing. The jerkoff was like Houdini. Now, I couldn’t get any answers. The only good aspect about this was that the pending deal with the ranch had been frozen given the investigation into the company. It bought me some time. How much? Who the hell knew.
“Look, they’re doing all they can. Any news on Summer?” he asked as he lifted a cup of coffee, but I shook my head. The last thing I wanted was the bitter taste of something else sho
ved down my throat.
“Nothing. She hasn’t used any credit cards or signed into what limited social accounts she has. She’s just... gone.” I hadn’t slept much in the four days, my mind thinking of various possibilities. Where the hell would she have gone? And to protect me? Fuck. Fuck! Her cryptic message made no sense.
“Give her time, Jack. She’s still scared, and she has a reason to be as well as a point in staying away from you. If she’s around you, that’s a much easier target.”
“Yeah. Whatever.” Nothing was going to ease the pain.
The entire few days had been nothing but a blur, a painful reminder of everything that I wouldn’t have.
Happiness.
Salvation.
Perhaps retribution.
Mark had called twice, forcing me to tell him certain details about why I wasn’t accepting the position at Quantico. He seemed miffed, but finally seemed resigned to the fact. I had far too much to do at the ranch, on the rig, and in repairing my own heart. At least Riley had taken over the helm on the rig, giving me the chance to heal to some degree, but that wouldn’t last for long. I had a contract and would be forced to get back to work far too soon.
As far as who could have tipped Jonathan off regarding Summer’s whereabouts? The FBI had insisted that her phone had been tracked by a high-tech method. That’s all I’d been told. Too many pieces of the puzzle weren’t fitting together, at least in my mind.
The knock on the door was just another interruption I didn’t need. I stormed toward the front, waving my hand as my dad warned me not to bite the head off the messenger. I almost burst into laughter seeing an actual messenger, a large brown envelope in his hand.
“Are you Jack Stone?”
“Yeah, that’s me. Who the hell are you?” I asked, looking over his shoulder to make certain there weren’t hired guns hiding in the bushes.
“Warrenton Delivery Service. I have a package for you. If you’ll just sign here.”
“Who the hell sent it?” I glared at the envelope. There were no markings except for my name written in block lettering.
