Adrenaline Heat

by Carolyn Reilly

  Gunshots went off to her left, and the ringing in her ears drowned out any other sounds around her.

  Before Luna could comprehend what was going on, Oliver’s arm snaked securely around her waist as he lunged toward her and Lewis and took both of them down on the ground with him. Flames danced in front of her face, the heat radiating against her skin.

  “Quick. Get up.” Oliver’s strong hand curled around her bicep. He pulled her back to her feet and ushered her behind the GovCorp limousine.

  Cursing, Lewis limped after them.

  Pain pulsated through Luna’s shaky legs, and her heart raced as she took in the scene in front of her. Fires burned where they’d just been standing. Broken shards of green glass were strewn on the asphalt. Molotov cocktails?

  The news people frantically held up their cameras to zoom in on Lewis’s bodyguard, who held a weapon in his hand. Two men lay on the ground about twenty feet away from them. One had a bullet hole in his head; the other one bled profusely from his chest. As much as she could tell, they were both dead.

  From the corner of her eyes, she noticed two airport firemen arriving. They doused the flames in a matter of seconds, and airport security poured into the parking lot from all directions.

  Absentmindedly, she straightened her clothes and swept her hand down her legs to wipe the dirt from her skirt and stockings. The stickiness on her fingers finally prompted her to take her eyes off the dead bodies. Her hands and knees were bloody, but it seemed she’d gotten away with minor scrapes and cuts.

  Oliver put a hand on her back and pointed at her knees. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. It’s nothing.”

  “Good.” Groaning, he touched his lower back.

  The strained sound set off alarm bells inside Luna. She stepped around him and lifted his jacket. Blood seeped through his shirt, confirming her fears. “Oh no, your wound has reopened.”

  “It’s okay. Let’s see if we can get out of here before the press circus gets out of hand.”

  He nodded toward the waiting Committee SUV on the far side of the parking lot as security personnel tried to push back the press vultures.

  “Okay.” The sooner Oliver could get Bergmann’s medical attention, the better. Sirens were already blaring in the distance, and once the authorities arrived, they’d sure want to question them and try to admit Oliver to a public hospital.

  As they passed Lewis, the deputy director’s eyes jumped between Oliver and the press.

  He hissed to his limo driver. “Get the vehicle out of the press’s view. We’re safe now.” The limo rolled away, and Lewis stepped next to Oliver, grabbing his hand and shaking it with much ado. “I owe this brave man my life. Without him, this might have become a sad anniversary for GovCorp.” He flashed a radiant smile for the cameras while Luna could practically taste Oliver seething between them.

  “I would love to invite both of you as special guests to our anniversary gala tomorrow. This fundraiser gala will be held in honor of the victims of the latest Fronter attacks and their surviving dependents.” Raising his eyebrows, he added, “Which was probably the reason behind this vile attack on me.”

  Disbelieving, Luna shook her head. Had this whole incident been staged by Lewis to garner more media attention? She wouldn’t put it beneath him. But the way it looked, the burning bottles had been aimed directly at him, and she doubted he’d have the guts to put his life at risk like that.

  Laying a hand on Oliver’s rigid arm, she pasted what she hoped would be a polite smile on her face and leaned toward Lewis. “That’s really not necessary. If you’ll excuse us, my husband’s previous wound has reopened, and I’d like to get him some medical attention.”

  His concerned expression as fake as his front of shiny teeth, Lewis put a hand on her shoulder and exclaimed, “Of course, we will take Oliver to our private medical wing where he will get first-class treatment.”

  Luna opened her mouth to protest. Oliver sure wouldn’t appreciate being taken back to where he went through the rogue rehab—even if it only went down in his memories.

  But Oliver laid a hand on her arm. “I appreciate it, Mr. Lewis. We’ll come.”

  Lewis gave him a satisfied nod, and then he turned toward an approaching ambulance and waved it closer.

  Luna furrowed her brow at Oliver and whispered, “What are you doing? I thought GovCorp’s medical wing would be the last place you’d ever want to be.”

  Oliver leaned closer. “You want to see Lexi, right?”

  “You know I do, but not at your expense.”

  “It’s worth a shot.” He let his gaze travel to Luna’s hands that showed some light abrasions from her earlier fall. “You’re bleeding.”

  She let out a small laugh. “I’m all right. Thanks to you.” She trailed her fingers over his hand that still rested on her arm. “Lewis isn’t the only person who owes you his life.”

  “But Lewis wasn’t the one I meant to save.” The look in Oliver’s eyes filled Luna with warmth and renewed hope.

  Later in the afternoon, after they’d returned from GovCorp and Oliver had changed into fresh clothes in his studio, he walked into the lounge of the Committee’s office building.

  His gaze automatically zoomed in on Luna, resting in an armchair, fast asleep.

  The trip to GovCorp’s hospital had been a total bust. They’d treated him in the small emergency room right next to the entrance. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to see any of the hospital wing’s layout as he’d hoped. It might have come in handy, in case they had to get Luna’s sister out of there by force if everything else failed. Anger welled up in him at the thought that the hospital staff hadn’t let Luna visit Lexi either.

  Eyes closed, Luna was curled up in a plush red armchair with her legs dangling over one armrest. Her chest rose and fell slowly, and the cup of coffee on the small glass table in front of her was still half full. He rolled his stiff neck. Their time on the island had been mentally exhausting for both. Keeping up appearances was harder than he’d expected. It must have been tough to do that twenty-four seven since they’d been married—well, fake married.

  He sank down on the bench across from her, studying her familiar features. Despite everything, she looked like an angel to him—an angel with dark circles under her eyes.

  Only four and a half weeks ago, he would have carefully picked her up and carried her upstairs, put her in bed, tucked her in, maybe cuddled up to her, and drifted into blissful sleep. Four and a half fucking weeks. But that was a different life.

  Life with Luna had been like cruising the oceans on a luxury yacht. Now, he felt like a piece of driftwood barreling along a raging river.

  Forcing the self-pity from his mind, he slipped out of his jacket and draped it over her, careful not to wake her.

  He checked his messages but found no news from Derek. Oliver had already debriefed his boss on the phone about everything that had happened in Barbados and at GovCorp’s airport, and they’d agreed to meet in person as soon as he returned from a hearing in DC. But half an hour ago, Derek had called from the car to say he was running late.

  Oliver eyed Luna’s coffee again. An espresso seemed like a promising idea. Saturday wasn’t a workday at the Committee, so the coffee shop was closed, but the espresso machine was free for everyone to use.

  He turned to walk over to the shop’s counter and noticed Aly watching him from across the foyer. Her heels clicked across the stone floor as she came to join him. “I heard about the airport attack. How are you guys doing?”

  “Fine. Was a close call, but we’re okay.” His gaze drifted to Luna as she stirred in her armchair.

  Following his gaze, Aly leaned closer and whispered, “She loves you too, you know.”

  A mix of sensations he didn’t know how to place welled up inside him, and he cleared his throat. “Aly, I know you mean well—”

  “I know. It's none of my business.” She took a step back. “But I had to say it. And I'll say it again. She. Loves. You. A
nd if you can’t forgive her, you’re an idiot.” In a gentler tone, she added, “Seriously, it breaks my heart to see you two like this.”

  Faint whispers tickled Luna’s ears, and she opened her eyes to see Oliver and Aly at the coffee bar. Yawning, she couldn’t believe she’d fallen asleep right there in the lounge. Oliver’s familiar scent engulfed her, and when she tried to lift her arms, she noticed his jacket. The thought that he must have draped it over her while she slept gave her new energy.

  Aly’s voice rang out, teasing. “Had a good sleep, Luna?”

  “Not really.” After a quick backstretch, she rose and met them at the counter, holding Oliver’s jacket out to him. “Thank you.” Her voice sounded a little hoarse from the short sleep.

  “Sure.” Oliver took it back.

  A rattling sound had them turn toward the lobby.

  Max strode into the lounge with a rolling suitcase in tow while carrying a suit bag in one hand and wiggling his phone in his other hand. “Derek came in through the back. He wants to see us now.”

  He hung the suit bag over an empty chair and nodded toward Aly. “Aly and I went suit shopping for you.” He cracked a crooked smile. “Heard you’re going to the big event tomorrow.”

  Luna groaned. She’d totally suppressed any thoughts about GovCorp’s gala.

  Leaning against the counter, Oliver crossed his arms. “I don’t even want to think about that damn gala.”

  Aly’s fresh flowery perfume tickled Luna’s nostrils as she tugged her along to the suitcase. “I picked some dresses for you to try on. Figured you might be too exhausted to take care of that today.”

  Gratefulness swept over Luna. “Oh, you have no idea.”

  Aly threw a sideways glance at Oliver, who was telling Max about what went down at the airport. “How did it go with Oliver at the retreat?”

  Luna shrugged. “Better than expected, I guess.”

  Aly pulled her lower lip between her teeth. “That doesn’t sound too enthusiastic.”

  “I know.” Luna fiddled with the handle of the suitcase. “I don’t think he’ll give me a second chance.”

  Aly put her arms around Luna. “Give him time.”

  “I will. I just don’t know if time will be enough.”

  Closing the zipper of her checkered coat, Aly tossed her an encouraging smile. “You two belong together.” Then she pointed at the suitcase again. “I have to go, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay?” She leaned closer and whispered, “I can’t wait to see which dress you pick. They’re all gorgeous. Oliver’s eyes will pop from his head when he sees you.”

  Luna shook her head and smiled. Aly always managed to cheer her up somehow.

  After she tossed a short goodbye over to Oliver and Max, Aly strode toward the main exit.

  Max tapped his phone display and cleared this throat. “Derek’s waiting.” He threw the suit bag in Oliver’s arms, grabbed the handle of the suitcase, and the guys headed toward the elevators.

  Luna quickly returned her half-full cup of coffee to the coffee shop’s counter and rushed after them. At that moment, Tyler stepped out of one of the elevators at the far end of the lobby. He was dressed in gray cargoes and a black sweater along with a black turtleneck shirt, maybe to hide his prison tats. Or maybe not. A man like him was probably proud of them. He didn’t notice her, but after a few steps, he froze midway, and a harsh frown crept across his face.

  Luna followed his gaze and found him staring at Aly as she was about to leave the building. Aly was tall and graceful, but Tyler didn’t stare at her like a man interested in an attractive woman. And although it was the first time she saw any emotions on his face, she could tell he was not happy to see Aly. Not at all. His frown only deepened, and his nostrils flared. She couldn’t hear his words, but she was pretty sure he was cursing to himself.

  God, she hoped Aly had not pissed him off with her sometimes a-bit-too-direct approach. This guy wasn’t somebody you wanted to hold a grudge against you.

  He was just about to exit as Mira, the personal assistant of one of the board members, ran into him head-on. He just grabbed her by the shoulders and moved her out of the way without breaking his stride while Mira almost stumbled as she watched him leave.

  She noticed Luna and scrambled up to her, excitement widening her eyes. “Have you seen the new guy? OMG! Rock-hard abs!” She touched her own, rather undefined midsection. “Wouldn't mind running into him again. And those gorgeous chocolate puppy eyes... Working weekends does have its perks sometimes.” With a sigh and a short wave in Luna's general direction, she left toward the restricted elevator that went straight to the Committee board’s office floor.

  Hurrying toward the elevator where Max and Oliver were already waiting for her, Luna shook her head. Puppy was not exactly what came to her mind when thinking of Tyler. More something along the lines of full-grown Doberman-Rottweiler mix. Possibly rabid. She scoffed. What she’d heard about him so far was anything but endearing. She still couldn't fathom why the Committee would have recruited somebody like him.

  When they reached Derek’s office and knocked, Derek was talking on the phone, but he motioned them to step inside. He held a hand over the receiver. “Make yourself comfortable. I need a few more minutes.”

  They headed over to the oval conference table, and Max unzipped the suit bag and held out a black suit jacket for Oliver.

  Oliver sighed and hung his own jacket over a chair before slipping into the suit jacket.

  Luna had never seen him in a suit before. The jacket hugged his broad shoulders as if it was tailor-made.

  Max smirked. “It always comes down to the same with events like this. Just look clever and wear the right clothes.” Exaggerating, he brushed his hands over Oliver’s shoulders. “And look, we've already managed number two.”

  Oliver mumbled, “So funny.”

  But Luna couldn’t hold a little laugh inside, which earned her a mock frown from him.

  Meanwhile, Derek had ended his phone call and joined them with a grin on his face. “Looking good, Oliver.” He pressed his lips together. “I know you’re not too happy about the gala, but I bet GovCorp’s PR department is having a blast right now.”

  Oliver groaned. “I could kick myself for saving him. And yes, he knows how to work the press.”

  Derek nodded. “They will definitely try to use this to their advantage.”

  Fiddling with the suit’s buttons, Oliver frowned. “You mean they will use me for their PR.”

  Derek’s gaze flipped from Oliver to Luna. “Exactly. But if you two play it right tomorrow, you might find out more about Fry’s project. GovCorp’s scientists who weren’t on Barbados might be a bit more talkative once Lewis mentions how you saved him today. Have some champagne with them and toss a question or two here and there. You can use this to our advantage.” After a beat, his brow wrinkled, and he added, “And since you overheard Lewis mentioning Mercer, keep an eye open if the senator shows up at the gala. I’d like to know if there’s a connection.”

  “Will do.” Oliver slipped out of the suit jacket again, and Luna helped him stow it safely in the suit bag.

  Without much enthusiasm, Derek grabbed a file from his desk. “I’m sorry I have to cut this short again, but I just had a call from the board. Something important came up, and they want to see me upstairs. Unfortunately, I have no news regarding the black auction yet.” He glanced at Max. “Can you stay for a minute? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you regarding an assignment.”

  Max slapped his hands together. “Sure.”

  “See you tomorrow, then.” Oliver carried the suit bag and towed the rolling suitcase outside while Luna grabbed his other jacket and hurried out after him.

  After crossing the nearly empty parking lot between the office building and the apartment complex in silence, Oliver accompanied Luna to her studio and wheeled the suitcase with the dress selection inside.

  Gathering all her courage, Luna asked, “Would you like to come
inside?”

  But Oliver only shook his head, his expression unreadable. “I’m tired. I think I’ll turn in early tonight. We can discuss the gala tomorrow. Okay?”

  “All right. See you then.” Trying to combat the rising ache inside, she watched him walk out of the studio and closed the door behind him. But she couldn’t shake the instant feeling of loneliness that crept through her as she turned and stared into the quiet room. Not even the thought of trying on the beautiful dresses Aly had picked for her could lighten her mood.

  The following evening, Luna’s mood hadn’t exactly improved, looking out the passenger seat window at the long line of cars at GovCorp’s main gate as Oliver parked their SUV in a side street off the corporation’s premises. Apparently, he didn’t want to deal with valet service for the gala. Like this, it would be faster to leave when the event was finally over. Getting ready to exit the car, she sighed, hoping they might be able to sneak out early.

  After they showed their invitations at the premises’ gate and passed the security check, they decided to take the less populated route through the park, following along a pebbled path that parted the manicured lawn. Artistic plant creations hidden under a smattering of snow lined their way to the auditorium’s side entrance, which was located between the office high-rise and a four-story building that also held the private hospital wing. Irritation crawled through Luna as she let her gaze travel along the path. The landscaping matched the beautiful and shiny facade of the corporation's high-rise—an immaculately polished apple with worms feeding on the rotting core inside. Off to the right, flickering golden holo torches lit the way to the main entrance.

  Two men rolled an ice sculpture of GovCorp’s logo off a white cooling truck and into the building’s side entrance.

  “Seems we’re in luck,” Oliver exclaimed.

  They’d hoped to be able to use this entrance to avoid the crowds and media at the auditorium’s main entrance.

  Following the men, they stepped inside and went down a narrow corridor until they reached a side entrance to the auditorium. With her hand on Oliver’s arm, she drank in the architecture. The auditorium looked like an ultramodern opera house with its tiered floors, metal and glass balustrades, and lofty glass dome.