Hot Pursuit

by Lynn Raye Harris

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  HOT HEADQUARTERS WAS LOCATED IN a nondescript secure compound they shared with a post communications facility. An array of satellite dishes sat along one side of the hardened structure. Electromagnetic pulses couldn’t get in or out, making what went on inside secure from enemy interference.

  Behind several layers of security—RFID, mantraps, lasers, and fingerprint analysis—the military’s most elite counterterrorist force gathered and trained for missions ranging from the standard hostage rescue to ops considerably more complex. Colonel Mendez oversaw the program, and he’d been bucking for a facility that belonged solely to HOT for the past few years.

  Matt hoped the colonel got it. He’d never know, however, because he wasn’t going to be here. Regardless of what happened, he’d made a decision. And he was surprisingly okay with it. He’d loved this job for so long, but it wasn’t the only thing he loved. There was more to life than HOT, and he’d realized it as he’d lain in bed with Evie. His job fulfilled him, but she made him feel so much more. With her, he felt as if he belonged. There’d been no emptiness in his soul, no regret, fear, or anxiety.

  She’d fallen asleep against him, her soft breath on his skin, and he’d been overwhelmed with emotion. She was safe, and that was all that mattered to him. His childhood friend, his tormenter, his Evie.

  He strode through the last layer of security—as an escorted guest—and down a ramp to HOT’s ops center. His escort, a private first class who’d known him for the past year, saluted him and pivoted on a booted heel. It wasn’t strictly kosher to leave him unescorted when his badge had been revoked, but the PFC was gone. Matt appreciated it more than he could say. He’d stride into the ops center with a guest badge, but he wouldn’t have the embarrassment of an escort into what used to be his territory.

  He passed through the last door and into the hub of HOT. Communications guys sat at desks with giant screens overhead. Colored dots detailed where each of the HOT squads was located at any given moment. He couldn’t help but notice that his team’s dot was currently inactive. The officer of the day looked up as Matt rolled through and nodded.

  Matt headed toward the set of rooms that housed his team. Kev, Billy, and Jack were at their desks. Chase, Ryan, and Nick weren’t there yet. The guys snapped to attention and offered him a salute. Two desks remained empty, their occupants gone and their slots not yet reassigned to new men.

  Matt returned the salute and continued to his office, unable to talk with anyone just now. He knew their eyes followed him, knew they were concerned, but he needed these few moments alone. He’d already made his decision, but he wanted to feel what it was like to be a part of this place one last time.

  He stepped inside his office and put his briefcase on his desk. He didn’t sit down. His Army greens were crisp, confining. He was unaccustomed to wearing them. In the field, he wore a combat uniform that moved with him like a second skin. He placed his beret beside his keyboard and looked around one last time.

  Typically, the hearing would take place at the JAG office, but HOT had a thing about associating with the regular Army—they didn’t. So the hearing to determine his competency would take place here, in HOT HQ. He glanced at his watch. An Area Defense Council attorney would arrive soon to represent him. He smiled grimly to himself. No private shark lawyers like Mrs. Doucet allowed. If she had been, well, who knows?

  He closed his eyes as he leaned against the desk and thought of Evie. He remembered silky smooth skin, raspy breathing, and a woman who rocked his world like no one else ever had. He’d made love to her as many times as he could that night. He’d put Misty Lee’s brothel toys to good use too. Who knew hot cinnamon oil, a leash or a studded collar could be so fun?

  Day-um, what a night.

  And what a morning, too. He’d slipped away before first light, when the woman he’d spent the night loving lay tangled in the sheets, gently snoring. He’d left thinking that he had things to do before he could come back to her. He had to get his life in order here before he could ask her for more.

  If he had to sit at that damn desk in Girard Oil headquarters, he’d do it. Provided the choice was still his, of course. The board could recommend a court-martial, and then Leavenworth was a sure thing for a while. He’d cross that bridge when he came to it.

  Matt’s eyes snapped open as he sensed another presence. Colonel Mendez stood inside the door, glaring at him.

  “You’ve caused a lot of trouble, son. I hope you got a piece of ass out of it at least.”

  Matt tamped down on the urge to strike. Yeah, like punching a colonel would help his case any. “I did what was necessary to save lives, sir.”

  Mendez blew out a breath. “Horseshit. You were dazzled by a woman. And you compromised HOT assets to perform an unauthorized mission.”

  “I’m willing to accept the consequences, sir.”

  Mendez cocked an eyebrow. “Are you now?”

  Matt stood at stiff military attention. “Sir, yessir.”

  “Goddamn it, boy, knock it off.” Mendez flopped into a chair. “You make me tired, you know that? I had you pegged for this job someday. You were due to make major soon. Light colonel would come in due course, and HOT could’ve been yours.”

  “I fucked up.”

  “Damn right. What are you planning to do about it?”

  Matt took a deep breath and closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, Mendez was watching. “I’m resigning my commission, sir. Effective immediately—if the board will accept it.”

  Mendez rocketed to his feet. “What? You can’t possibly want that, Matt.”

  “I do, sir.”

  “The woman?”

  Matt swallowed hard. The woman. Evie. “I’m in love, sir.”

  Mendez’s eyes glittered. “You better be damn sure, soldier. Don’t give up your career for a piece of pussy.”

  Matt stiffened. “Sir, I respectfully request you shut the fuck up.”

  Mendez let out a bark of laughter. “Okay, you got it bad. I see that. But there’s still the hearing to get through.”

  “I’ll accept whatever they decide. And I won’t contest I used HOT assets to aid a civilian.”

  “That’d be a fucking shame then.”

  Matt shook his head. “I’m not following you.”

  “If you admit to that, then I got to admit I authorized it. And then Kev and the boys will have to admit they were involved. That cell’ll get mighty crowded out there in Leavenworth. And if you think I’m sharing a shower with you, stud, you’re crazy. You’ve been eyeing my ass since you came to work here.”

  Matt couldn’t help laughing. “Respectfully, sir, your ass notwithstanding, I’d rather shower with a rabid monkey.”

  Mendez laid a hand on his shoulder. “We’re getting orders, son. HOT’s moving to D.C. We’re going deep black, deeper than we’ve ever been. I need you there, leading your team. We have so much to do in this crazy world these days. The Freedom Force is still out there, still making plans to kill innocent people. We’re gonna get Ibn-Rashad, and any other terrorist shitbag that gets in our way. I need your help to do all these things.”

  Matt let out a shaky breath. It’s what he wanted, what he’d always dreamed of. But what about Evie? What about his plans for the future? How could he have everything he wanted without compromise? “I have to get through this hearing first. I’ll decide what comes next when it’s over.”

  “Fair enough,” Mendez replied. “But you just remember that no relationship built on lies ever succeeds.”

  “Sir?”

  “Assuming you get through this hearing in one piece, you better be damn sure resigning your commission is what you want. Don’t lie to yourself. You’ll end up blaming her for it, and that’s not fair to her or you. Take time to be sure it’s the right choice first.”

  Matt’s chin dipped in a firm nod. “Hoo-ah, sir.”

  Mendez glanced at his watch. “They’re waiting for us. You ready, kid?”

/>   *

  “Mm-mm, look at that boy, all grown up and better looking than a man ought to be.”

  Evie’s gaze snapped to the front of the beauty parlor. The ladies were looking out the picture window where a dark-haired man climbed from a silver BMW. He stood there for a second, staring at the shop like he was about to enter a nest of vipers.

  Her stomach dropped to her toes and her pulse kicked up.

  God, he looked good. Tall and gorgeous in jeans and a white T-shirt that set off his tanned skin and clung to the ripples of hard muscle she’d personally explored with her tongue.

  Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs. Her mouth dried up like baked dirt. Four weeks. He’d crept away in the early dawn hours while she’d slept and she hadn’t heard from him again. She’d known that last night was all they’d had, but she’d still been stunned to wake alone.

  She’d thought they would say their goodbyes face-to-face. That they’d part with a last kiss and touch. But they hadn’t. After she’d realized he was gone, she’d given herself a good talking to. She’d known going over there that day what would happen if she did. She’d walked right into the lion’s den. Willingly.

  She couldn’t blame him for doing what he’d said he was going to do. So she’d picked herself up and got on with the task of rebuilding her life.

  She’d sunk so low as to call him once, but he hadn’t answered his phone and she hadn’t left a message. She’d worried he might have gotten tossed into prison for helping her, but she’d seen Misty Lee Girard a few times and finally broke down to ask if they’d heard from Matt. He’d called home once, she said, to tell them he was moving to Washington D.C. Since Leavenworth was in Kansas, Evie figured he’d gotten away with using his connections to help her. She’d been thankful for that.

  He finally seemed to make up his mind after striding back and forth a couple of times and headed toward the door.

  Butterflies swirled in her belly. But this time she wasn’t hiding in the stock room. This time, she’d stand right here and wait. If he wanted a haircut, fine. If he wanted to talk to her, fine.

  She could handle it. They were friends, nothing more.

  No one knew how she ached inside, not even Mama, Julie, or Sarah. Evie and Matt were heroes in Rochambeau. No one stopped to think for two seconds that her heart might be broken, despite the picture the wedding photographer took that was featured on page one of the Rochambeau Bee. The one of her and Matt kissing before they’d taken off to the guesthouse for that night of incredible sex.

  Her heart turned over just remembering what he’d done to her. What they’d done to each other. She bent over and picked up a magazine, fanning herself. It was August. Notoriously hot.

  “You gonna be okay, sugar?” Mama asked softly as she sidled up. Sarah stood on the other side of her, reached out, and squeezed her hand.

  “You want me to tell him to get lost?” Sarah’s dark eyes flashed with anger.

  Evie looked at them both in shock. Okay, so much for no one knowing. They’d never said anything, but clearly they’d known.

  “I’ll be fine.” She put an arm around each of them and hugged them close.

  “Why don’t I just tell him we don’t cut gentlemen’s hair anymore?” Mama held her scissors in one hand. Her wrist was still encased in a splint, but it was healing well. Somehow she managed to cut hair as long as the style wasn’t too complicated. She couldn’t do perms, but she’d hired two new stylists who took up the slack for her. The shop was doing better than ever, in fact.

  Evie smiled. “No, I’ll handle it. You go back to cutting Mrs. Landry’s hair.”

  The bell tinkled then and Matt stood on the threshold, scanning the shop. “Afternoon, ladies.”

  “Afternoon,” they said in chorus with a lilt on the last syllable.

  The instant he found her, she felt a jolt right down to her toes. The shop got oddly silent, the ladies’ heads moving as their gazes ping-ponged between Matt and Evie. She wanted to disappear.

  “Can I talk to you?”

  Evie tossed the magazine onto a chair, forcing a smile. “Sure.”

  Sarah reached for her hand one more time, and Evie gave her an answering squeeze before crossing the floor. Matt held the door open and she passed outside with him. He walked over to a bench beneath a magnolia tree a few feet away. He sat. She crossed her arms and stood looking down at him. The air was hot, still, and a bead of sweat trickled between her breasts.

  A car without a muffler rumbled by on the street and Matt finally looked up and met her gaze. “Will you sit with me?”

  “I’ll stand, thanks.”

  He took a deep breath, then blew it out. “You’re probably pissed at me, right?”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “I left without saying goodbye.”

  “No, you said goodbye. Several times in fact.”

  “I had orders.”

  She nodded. “Yes, the hearing. You told me about it. How did it go?”

  He dropped his gaze to his clasped hands. “I was cleared. They said it wasn’t my fault my team members died. But I still blame myself for it, Evie.”

  She wanted to reach for him. She didn’t do it. “I think that’s natural, but maybe it wasn’t your fault, you know? You told me it’s a dangerous job. Surely those men knew it too.”

  His jaw tightened. “Yeah.”

  Evie drew in a breath. “Well, that’s good you were cleared.” He loved his job. She was happy for him if he could continue doing what he wanted. And yet she was sad too. Because he couldn’t see past what he wanted to do to think she could be a part of his life anyway. He’d taken the choice away from her.

  And that made her angry.

  “It’s certainly not bad.” He shoved a hand through his close-cropped hair. He’d gotten it cut since he was last here. It was super short—and yet it looked hot on him. “I’m not going about this well.”

  “What is it you’re trying to say, Matt? Just say it and be done with it, okay? I have to get to work soon.”

  “Work?”

  “I took a job over at Charlie’s. I’m teaching him how to make some new dishes. We’re adding to the menu.”

  His smile made her heart skip a beat. “That’s awesome, Evie.”

  “Yes. I’m waiting tables too. For the tips,” she added. “Maybe I’ll save enough to someday start my own place again.”

  It wasn’t likely, waiting tables, but she was no longer sitting and waiting for a way out of Rochambeau. Whatever the future held, she’d deal with it. If that future was here in Rochambeau—well, she could think of worse fates. She was too strong to let it worry her anymore. Something she’d realized over the last few weeks was that Rochambeau had never been the problem. She had. And she’d finally made her peace with that.

  She sank beside Matt on the bench, as far away as she could get.

  But he captured her hand in his, rubbing the skin of her wrist with his thumb. Her skin sizzled and she tried to pull away. He held on a moment. Then he let go, sighing.

  “I’m sorry. For everything. I shouldn’t have left the way I did.”

  Evie tucked her hands between her knees. “You had to go.”

  He looked up, his gaze capturing hers. She saw something in the gray depths, something that made her chest ache. “I resigned. Or I tried to. For you.”

  Her heart gave a little hiccup. “What?”

  “They wouldn’t accept it.”

  “Wait a minute.” She shook her head in disbelief. “You can’t resign from the military.”

  “Well, you can as an officer, but they don’t have to accept it. I figured the stuff that happened here had pretty much sealed my fate so far as my job went. I thought they’d be only too happy to let me go.”

  “But they weren’t.”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  Frustration swirled inside her. “I never wanted you to resign your job. It’s clear you do something important. How could I ask you to stop
when what you do saved Sarah? You help people, and you’re good at it. I wouldn’t ask you to stop.”

  “I didn’t think I could ask you to live with the fear.”

  “That’s supposed to be my choice, don’t you think?”

  He was looking at her steadily. “Yeah.”

  She processed that. “So you got to keep your job. Why didn’t you call and let me know that much at least?”

  He rubbed one hand across the back of his neck. “I’ve made a hash of this from the beginning.” He spoke almost to himself. “But I was out in the field. Deep cover, Evie. I can’t call when I’m out there. And I know I should have called before we went, but I wasn’t sure what you would say.”

  “I’d have said ‘thank God you’re okay and not going to jail.’ Or something like that.”

  He blew out a breath. “I’ve misjudged you, Evie. From the beginning. But I only wanted to protect you.”

  She crossed her arms and glared. “I can make up my own mind, thanks.”

  “I know you can.”

  This whole conversation was surreal. “So why are you here?”

  His gaze was suddenly intense. “Because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Because I couldn’t stop wondering if you’d still want me.”

  Her pulse hammered a wild drumbeat. “I think I’ve wanted you since I was six years old. But that’s not something that’s ever done me a lot of good.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry for every time I ever made you feel like your faith in me was misplaced.”

  She sighed. “You only disappointed me twice, Matt. Both times when you left.”

  “I seem to be good at that.” He was staring across the street now, his hands hanging between his legs as he leaned forward on the bench.

  Evie turned her head away, sucking back the tears pressing behind her eyelids. “So Misty Lee told me you were moving. Is that true, or was it simply a story?”

  He glanced at her. “No, we moved. To D.C. And then we went on an op.”

  “So I guess you’re home for a visit then. It was nice of you to come see me.”