by Aliyah Burke
"Who is he?"
She yawned and rolled her eyes. “Kinda late in life for you to play the caring parent, wouldn't you say?” Delaney leaned forward and rested her elbows on the plastic table top in McDonalds. “Look, we all know you are here for money. I'm not giving you any. In fact, I don't want to see any of you ever again. Ever! I don't like how I feel after dealing with you."
"You're not better than us,” Liz hissed.
"Actually I am. Look at you, Liz, you could have done anything and you're a druggie and a mule for your parents.” She speared the other two at the table with her gaze. “And you two. You tried to sell me, sell me for drugs. I don't have any sympathy for you. As of this moment, there is nothing else forthcoming from me to any of you. We may be related but we're not family.” Delaney stood. “Uncle Wes is my family. Have a nice life."
Spinning around, she strode off, tossing her three quarter full coffee in the trash on the way. It felt like a big weight had been lifted off her shoulders. About five steps from her Denali, Delaney heard her name uttered. It was spoken with such anger and loathing that chills broke up along her skin.
Facing the sound, she stared at her sister who was lunging at her, jagged dirty hands and jagged nails curved into talons. Delaney dodged the first attack, but with a low keening sound, Liz came again. And again. And again. In the back of her mind, she heard someone yelling, “Fight, fight, fight."
Her parents showed up to help Liz. Delaney stood gaping at her father's fist sailing in her direction. Delaney thought, It's over for sure it was over now. What she didn't expect was the large body who inserted himself between her and the attackers. He made it seem like child's play into subduing the three attackers.
Delaney shook as she leaned against her Denali. Sirens shattered the afternoon air and Delaney swallowed when her savior turned to her. Blond hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin.
"Hollywood?"
He reached out and she flinched back. He held up both hands briefly before reaching out again, slower this time toward her face. “Are you okay?"
"Why? Why would you help me?"
"Why wouldn't I?” His fingers tilted her chin and he tsk-ed slightly. “Your eye will be a bit bruised, I think."
"I thought you didn't like me.” He stared at her but remained silent. “Thank you, for stepping in."
Hollywood released her chin and turned, keeping his body between hers and the cops who'd finally arrived. He gave his statement and refused to leave her side while she gave hers. He stood behind her, arms crossed and appearing very protective.
Finally one of the cops looked at him and said, “Are you her boyfriend?"
"No. I'm not. But she is family,” Hollywood said in a deep voice.
Delaney stared at him in shock and when he finally met her gaze, he gave her the quickest wink she'd ever seen in her life. Wow. Okay, my day is officially strange. I lose one family and gain another. When the people from her past were loaded up and being taken away, she licked her lips and cleared her throat.
"Thank you, Hollywood."
"Greg."
"I'm sorry?"
"Greg. My name is Greg Osero."
"Greg.” She stuck out her hand. “Delaney Byrd."
She got flashed the famous smile. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Delaney."
"Likewise."
"Oh my God!” Heather's voice broke in. “Sweetie, are you okay? Who are you?"
"Heather, calm down. I'm fine. This is Greg, another pilot. What are you doing here?"
Heather pointed across the street and stared at her with a raised brow. “I work right there. I was in a meeting but someone told me they saw you down here fighting. Why were you fighting? Are we going to court?"
Damn, didn't even realize her firm was across the street. She hugged her friend. “It was not my fault. Liz showed up last night and this was the result of that.” Delaney looked back to Greg and said, “Greg saved me."
A cop walked over and Delaney just shut her mouth and let Heather do all the talking. Looking around, she saw a bicycle lying on the ground.
"Were you riding?” she asked Greg.
"Yes."
"Can I give you a lift back to base? Or wherever your apartment is?"
He nodded. “Sure, I'll hitch a ride back to the base. Thank you."
"Put it in the back and we'll get going as soon as they say I can.” She unlocked her Denali and watched him load his bike.
"Delaney.” Heather touched her arm.
"Can I go now?” she questioned.
"Yes. They'll contact me if they need anything else.” Heather pulled her in for a short but powerful hug. “Don't do this again."
"Hadn't planned on doing it the first time.” Delaney squeezed her back. “Thanks for handling this, Heather."
"I have to run, sweetie, but we'll talk about this more later.” Heather was gone in a swish of Armani and floral perfume.
"Nice friend,” Greg commented as he held her door for her.
"Yes, I'm lucky that way,” she replied, running her gaze up and down Greg “Hollywood” Osero.
The ride back to the base was done in silence. She drove him to the bachelor's quarters and pulled into the parking lot and put her vehicle into park. Then she stood at the back while he unloaded his bike.
"Thanks for the ride,” he said.
"Considering what you did for me, a ride is the least I could do for you.” Delaney chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Thank you again."
"Glad I could help.” He swung a leg over the seat and put a foot on a pedal. “For what it's worth, Delaney Byrd,. I think you and Paladin are great for one another. Glad it's working out.” He rode towards the door and never looked back.
Her phone rang and she answered without looking at the screen. “Hello?” The voice at the other end had her smiling and hurrying to the driver's seat.
Garrick sat in his room and looked over the item he was planning on getting Delaney for Christmas. I need to ask her if she's coming with me or not. Well, see if she's made up her mind about it. The knock at his door startled him.
"It's open. Come on in."
"Got a minute, Paladin?” It was Hollywood's voice questioned.
"Sure. Sit down.” When he did but remained silent, Garrick arched a brow and said, “What's on your mind?"
"I just wanted to make sure Delaney was okay after today."
Ice closed around his heart. Narrowing his gaze, he demanded, “What the fuck happened today with you and Delaney that she would need to be okay?"
"Shit. She didn't tell you?"
He pushed up from his seat. “Start talkin'!"
Hollywood stood up and held out his hands. “Calm down, man. I thought she told you. She got attacked today."
"And you had what to do with this?"
"Aside from saving her, nothing,” Hollywood slashed his hand through the air. “I know we don't always get along but damn man, really? You think I would hurt her?"
"I don't know what to think anymore with you, Hollywood. You're scowling all the time and not sweating after you claim to have been working out. It's no secret you don't like Delaney."
"Hey. I like her just fine. I didn't come here to hash out our differences. I just wanted to make sure she's okay. But if you don't know it even happened, you can't tell me.” His blond head shook. “Forget it.” Hollywood was gone before he could say another word.
Garrick grabbed his phone and called Delaney. It went to her voice mail but a few moments later, he got a text from her.
At dinner with my uncle. Meet you at my house @ 2000? I have something to tell you.
He checked his watch. Less than an hour. He sent back a reply.
K.
Attacked. Delaney, his Delaney, had been attacked. Garrick was at her door before eight and the promise he'd not be upset vanished the second he saw the bruise on her cheek. Rage swarmed him and he felt like beating the shit out of someone.
"What happened?” he asked, cupping h
er chin and running his thumb along the bottom of the bruise.
"Liz happened.” Delaney kissed him and drew him further into the apartment.
His anger grew while she recounted the tale to him. Anger at himself for not being there and rage at the fact people who could act like that and still try to call themselves family.
"And Hollywood?” he questioned.
She pursed her lips. “I'm not sure. He showed up out of nowhere and saved me when everyone else around just watched. I thought he didn't like me, but, Garrick, he called me family."
I owe that man an apology and some beer. “I'm sorry I wasn't there, sugar."
"Why would you apologize? It's not like the scenario was planned. At least not on my end."
"I'm supposed to protect you."
"You did. Granted, he came in the form of a man I didn't expect, but because of you, he stopped and helped me."
Fuck the beer. I owe that man a case of whisky. “Will you come home with me for Christmas, Delaney?"
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes. I talked to Uncle Wes at dinner and he said I should come for thanksgiving and be with you over Christmas.” She poked him in the side. “Tell me what the two of you talked about."
Kissing the top of her head, Garrick allowed himself a slight smile. “He just wanted to try and put the fear of God in me."
"Right,” she said with a snort.
Garrick chuckled and held her close. Grateful she was okay. I don't know what I would do if I lost you, Delaney. She shifted against him and he groaned when her touch turned arousing. “Sugar,” he warned when she sat up and began to unbutton his jeans.
"Hmm?” Delaney looked at him from beneath her curved lashes.
"I don't think we're done with this conversation."
She tugged down his jeans and removed them along with his boots. “Fine. Keep talking. I'm capable of multitasking."
His words vanished when she pulled on his boxer briefs and wrapped her warm hands around his stiff shaft. Garrick swore when she swiped her thumb over the top of the head, smearing the precum.
"Thought there was going to be more conversation,” she teased, meeting his gaze and lifting up over him.
He was expecting panties under her skirt but all that met his cock was her wet pussy and he hissed in pleasure as it welcomed him home. “Fuck talkin', sugar."
"I'd rather fuck you if it's all the same to you.” She moaned and rotated her hips. “Yes, that's much better."
Garrick lay there on her couch while she rode him at her own torturous pace. Up and down. Round and round. Her warm velvet heat cradled and stroked him. He lay there mesmerized by the passion on her face. Garrick longed to wrest control from her and pound into her but the pure pleasure on her expression kept him there. Her internal walls rippled along his erection and he could feel his balls beginning to tingle.
"Delaney,” he rasped, his hands gripping the cushions of the couch tightly.
She leaned forward and nibbled along his lips. “You make me so full, Garrick. So full."
He bit her invading tongue lightly and she shivered around him. “Tell me, Delaney."
"Take me, Garrick,” she whispered.
That was all he needed. He grasped her hips and began powering up into her. Her scream filled the air and three thrusts later so did his. He shuddered with the force of his eruption and struggled to find his breath afterward. Her head buried into his neck and Garrick grinned when she lifted it to stare at him.
"You're good, marine."
He kissed her and smacked her on the ass. “So are you, sugar. What say we move this somewhere else and—"
Ring, buzz. Ring, buzz. Ring, buzz.
With a frown he reached for his pants and withdrew his phone. “Captain Stark."
"Renegades are up."
"Shit!” he swore, closing his phone.
"You have to go,” Delaney said, lifting off his cock.
"I'm sorry, sugar."
"Don't apologize for doing your job, Garrick. Go on, take a quick shower."
He got to his feet and swept her off hers. In the shower, he took her again, this time it was almost frenzied. He made sure he was as deep within her as possible when he came. Before long, he stood before her, dressed and ready to leave.
Sinking one hand into her hair, he lowered his forehead to hers. “You stay safe, sugar,” he drawled.
She nodded and met his stare. He could see the hint of tears in her light gaze. “You too."
Garrick brought his other hand up and laid it along her jaw line. “Delaney...", he began.
"No. Don't say a word. Go, do your job, and come back to me, Paladin."
He held her eyes and kissed her. Paladin. Garrick knew she wanted him focused on the task at hand. He deepened the kiss until she whimpered, then he gentled it. Backing away, he skimmed her lower lip and slipped out the door to hurry to his truck.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eight
* * * *
Delaney fidgeted and Heather flicked her gaze at her. She knew well the look. Sit still and stop moving around. Licking her bottom lip, she took a deep breath and listened to the prosecuting attorney prattle on. Delaney was helping out since Heather's assistant had gotten food poisoning during the lunch break. So she was filling in and basically sliding papers over to Heather when she needed them.
Unfortunately her mind was nowhere near the case being tried before her. Thanksgiving had come and gone and still Garrick was absent. There had been no word from him either and that...that made her very nervous. He'd been gone since the third week in October. She had things to tell him. I want him home.
Withdrawing her attention from the man who wasn't where she wanted him to be, Delaney focused on Heather when she pushed to her feet and approached the stand. She fought back a smile when her friend smoothed her hands down the front of her dark power suit. That man sitting up there had no idea what he was in for.
Not much later, the man had recanted his first testimony and was basically begging the judge to tell Heather to back off. Delaney looked at Heather's client and they shared a smile as Heather said, “Your Honor, I'm done with this witness and I would ask that the court dismiss the charges against my client. The prosecution's star witness is obviously lying."
Later that evening, Delaney sat with Heather in the living room of her condo. “You are one mean lawyer, Heather. I swear that man was about ready to cry."
A sly grin lifted her lips. “I know. God, I love my job."
Taking a sip of her tea, Delaney shook her head. “Have I told you lately I'm glad you're someone I consider a friend."
Heather grinned. “Yes. Well, I'm a good friend to have."
"Modest too.” She waved a hand. “Come on, now tell me all about Chance.” The smile on Heather's face told her all she needed to know. “So it's like that, huh?"
"Oh...yeah,” Heather said, fanning her face.
Hooking her ankles, Delaney leaned back. “I hope that's one hell of a Christmas present in my stocking for forcing you to go with me to that stinky rodeo. I love tanzanite, if you were curious."
"Okay, okay. I deserved that. And believe me, I'll make it up to you...'cause damn it, Delaney, that man...” she clamped her mouth shut and shook her head. “That's inconsiderate of me, I'm sorry. We don't need to be talking about my sex life when yours is on hold."
Delaney gave her a grateful smile. On hold. That was one way to put it. Garrick had been gone for seven weeks. And while nothing like some of their other separations, she felt more anxious this time. “Please, I'm just happy one of us is getting some.” Her phone rang and she answered with an apologetic shrug in Heather's direction. “Hello?"
"Hello, sugar,” a baritone drawl reached her.
"Garrick,” she said, tears pricking her eyes.
Heather smiled at her and left the room with a wink.
"I miss you, Delaney."
She curled up against the back of the couch.
“I miss you too, marine.” It was loud behind him. “Carrier?"
"Yes. How are you doing, sugar?"
"Good. I'm good. Went to court with Heather today. That was an experience."
He chuckled. “Glad she's not going after you?"
"You have no idea. This guy she had on the stand was close to three hundred pounds and I swear he was ready to cry."
"I'll remember that and do my best not to piss her off.” He paused for a moment. “Any more trouble, Delaney?"
"No. Will you be home soon?"
"I hope so, sugar. I hope so."
Closing her eyes, Delaney imagined he was with her, his strong arms wrapped around her, keeping her close to his warmth. “So do I."
"I have to go, sugar. Delaney...I—"
"Captain Stark, you have something important to tell me, it better be face to face."
"Yes ma'am. Take care, sugar."
Swallowing back her tears she made sure her voice was strong. “You too, marine. You too."
It took her a moment after he ended the call to hang up her own phone. Then the tears came. They fell like rain, soaking her face, shirt, and part of the couch. Delaney barely noticed when Heather came and drew her into her embrace. She woke the next morning, curled up on the sofa, covered with a blanket.
There was a note under her cell phone on the coffee table. Breakfast for you in the oven. Stay as long as you want. Rolling to her feet, Delaney made her way to the guest bathroom and took a long hot shower. Moving to her friend's closet, she pulled out some clothing and drew it on. Next hurdle, eating breakfast. By nine, Delaney had made it to base and was hard at work.
That's how it went for the next week. There were no more calls from Garrick and it was almost time to head to Texas for Christmas.
Standing in her apartment, Delaney listened to the Christmas music playing and stared at the wrapped present she had under her tree for Garrick. There were ones there for his parents as well, and his brothers and the women they were reported to be bringing along. She sighed heavily.
"God, a drink would be so nice right now.” But she couldn't drink. She and Heather were going out and she'd agreed to be the designated driver.
