by Dee Davis
“Thank you.” Alexis lifted her gaze to Avery’s. “I don’t think I could handle it if I got anyone else killed.”
“None of this is your fault, Alexis,” Tucker said, wishing there was something more he could do to take away her pain.
“Doesn’t matter, does it?” Madeline’s voice was soft and comforting as she spoke to Alexis. And empathetic. “It still feels that way. I know. I’ve been there. But Tucker’s right—you didn’t cause any of this. And sooner or later that’s going to sink in. And even though it won’t change anything, it will make it easier.”
Alexis shot Madeline a grateful look. Kindred spirits and all that. Tucker was grateful too, and jealous. Madeline had managed to reach Alexis, to find the right words, when he couldn’t.
“Okay,” Harrison said, “seems to me like we need to find the common thread in all the bombings. We know the MO is the same, but what’s the motive? Why would someone want to take out Alexis’s father and the rest of her family, and then, thirteen years down the road, take out George Atterley?”
“Not to mention the cabin and Alexis’s house,” Tucker added.
“So if you include Wallace”—Avery frowned—“we’ve got someone trying to eliminate people with either a direct connection to Omega or, through Randolph, people who are still linked in some way to the project.”
“Yeah, but at least as far as we know,” Annie countered, “the bomber never tried to take out Carmichael. Or Molly Dormond, for that matter. And they both obviously had a connection.”
“Seems to me like that makes them candidates to be the bomber,” Drake offered.
“Well, Carmichael categorically denied his involvement. And in light of everything else he told us, I’m inclined to believe him,” Avery said.
“And Molly Dormond?”
“She can’t be the bomber. That would mean she killed Wallace,” Alexis said. “And you should have seen her talking about him. She was definitely in love. So it doesn’t follow that she’d want him dead.”
“Then maybe she’s the one with the formula?” Madeline suggested.
“No. It doesn’t make sense that she would have it.” Tucker shook his head. “Wallace was killed before he had a chance to go public. And my guess is that he’d have trusted the formula with his partner, not his girlfriend. If for no other reason than because he loved her.” Unbidden, he shot a glance at Alexis. “He wouldn’t have wanted to put her in any more danger than necessary.”
“And even if you discount that, I checked her out pretty thoroughly,” Harrison said. “She hasn’t had any contact with people outside of her normal circle of friends and relations in the past year. She’s not filthy rich, but she’s certainly comfortably well off. Enough so that money wouldn’t be a motivating factor. And there’s been no unusual activity in any of her bank accounts. I don’t think she’s got it.”
“Then who the hell does?” Drake asked, his exasperation mirroring Tucker’s.
“Maybe no one,” Avery said. “Maybe the damn thing doesn’t exist.”
“And what—this whole thing is a game?” Annie frowned. “To what purpose? No, I think it’s out there somewhere. The trick now is to find it before the Consortium can.”
“So how are you really doing?” Tucker asked as he walked into the bedroom. Madeline had asked what Alexis wanted, a room on her own or one with Tucker. And despite all her insecurities and doubt, she’d automatically opted for sharing. It was almost as if he was a part of her now. To be honest, she wasn’t sure how she’d go back to a life without him, should it come to that. But her father had always said she borrowed too many problems.
It was a bad habit. So she pushed her scattered thoughts aside and smiled up at him. “Better now that you’re here.”
“Are you sure I can’t get you some brandy or maybe a glass of wine?” he asked. “It really does help to smooth out the edges.”
“I’ve never been much of a drinker.” She shrugged.
“I realize I’m not much of a nurturer. But I’m trying. Maybe a sandwich or a glass of water?”
“Tucker, I meant what I said. I’m good now that you’re here.”
“I want to believe you,” he said, coming to sit beside her on the bed, “but you’ve been through so much, and at least some of that is my fault. I can’t help it—I worry.” He tried for a smile but didn’t make it, and she reached up to smooth away his frown.
“I know.” She slid her hand down to his chest, his heart beating beneath her fingers, allowing herself to get lost in the bright blue of his eyes. “And that means the world to me.”
“I know we said we’d wait to talk,” he started, and her heart twisted in anticipation, “but I need you to know how important you’ve become to me. I’ve been dead inside for so long, just going through the motions. You know? But now, with you, I feel”—he paused, his gaze locking with hers—“I feel alive.”
It wasn’t a declaration of love, but coming from Tucker, it was pretty damn close. She swallowed, gathering her courage. “I feel the same way. But I don’t know how we can…”
He shook his head, framing her face with his hands. “My father always says that you shouldn’t borrow problems. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you have to live in the present. It’s all you’ve got. So for tonight, at least, let’s concentrate on what we have right here, right now. And tomorrow will take care of itself. Okay?”
She smiled, thinking that both of their fathers were very smart men. “Absolutely,” she whispered, getting lost again in his eyes.
With a groan, he crushed his lips to hers, their shared passion igniting into full flame again. Whatever it was between them, it couldn’t be stopped. And suddenly Alexis wasn’t at all sure that she even wanted to. He pushed her back onto the bed, each of them struggling to remove clothing without breaking contact, the effort making them both laugh.
There was an ease present tonight that hadn’t been there before. As if somehow they’d crossed a barrier, opening themselves to each other in ways neither would have thought possible.
Alexis pressed against him, reveling in the feel of his hard body next to hers, anxious to prove to them both that together they were better than apart. She fell back against the pillows, pulling him with her, their lips still joined in an endless kiss that seemed to take and give and fill her all at once.
She explored his body, memorizing every part of him. Again she traced the lines of his scars. They were everywhere. Symbols of who he was—how he lived. It should have frightened her, but instead it excited her, the need inside her building until she was writhing beneath his touch, all thought banished as she concentrated on the rising heat between her legs.
And then they were one again. Moving together, searching for release, craving it, yet cherishing the intensity of the ride. She bucked against him, wanting him deeper, wanting to lock them together, to savor the moment. This night. This man.
Pleasure and pain collided into a spasm of intense sensation, her body threatening to fly into pieces. She heard him call her name, his voice hoarse with his frenzy, his body slamming into hers, the rhythm almost desperate. And for the first time in her life, Alexis let go, surrendering herself completely.
CHAPTER 25
Alexis rolled over, letting the rise from sleep come slowly. She hadn’t been sleeping well of late, and she wanted to cherish every second. She opened her eyes and stretched lazily as sunshine streamed in through the window, dust motes dancing in the light. And, just for a moment, everything seemed right with the world.
Then reality came crashing in.
For a moment she considered burying her head under the pillow. But that wasn’t the answer. So instead she sat up, enjoying the feel of the sun on her face. Tucker had been up and out at first light, and though she’d intended to follow suit, her body had clearly had other ideas.
With a fortifying breath Alexis hopped out of bed and pulled on Tucker’s sweatpants, rolling the top down so they hung comfortably on her hips
. It was a teenage thing to do, but it felt good, and at the moment it was just what she needed.
After slipping on a sports bra and tank, she headed downstairs with the thought of making a cup of coffee. But of course this wasn’t her house, and it took three tries to find the cabinet with the coffee, and another moment or two to figure out the machine. But soon enough she’d measured the granules and water and started the pot brewing, the rich smell of french roast filling the room. Next up, a mug. She opened another cabinet, pleased to see that she’d chosen correctly. But as she reached for a ceramic I-Heart-New-York cup, a noise behind her made her spin in fear, the cup flying through the air to crash against the tile floor.
She dropped to a crouch and then realized her mistake as Madeline stepped into the doorway, surveying the scene without judgment, her eyes kind.
“I still jump at even the smallest noise,” she said, her voice matter of fact as she held out a hand to help Alexis up. “When you’ve lived most of your life looking over your shoulder, it’s not that easy to convince yourself to stop.”
“So it isn’t just me?” Alexis asked, embarrassment pushed aside by curiosity as she knelt to clean up the mess she’d made.
“No.” Madeline shook her head. “It’s just part and parcel of living on the edge. Whatever the reason. Even Annie has bad days.”
“But she’s so…” Alexis trailed off, not knowing exactly what she wanted to say.
“Fearless?” Madeline finished for her. “She is. But so are you. And, for that matter, so am I, even if I don’t always feel that way. We’re survivors, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. You know?” She opened a lower cabinet and Alexis tossed the broken cup, surprised at how easy it was to talk to Madeline.
Drake’s wife was tiny, with the kind of curly hair women with fine, straight hair always coveted. It almost seemed to have a life of its own, curling around her face and neck, the sunlight highlighting russet tones amidst dark brown. Her eyes held both wisdom and the strength she’d alluded to, her smile equally engaging. And her soft Louisiana drawl made Alexis think of home, the combination comforting on some deep intrinsic level. In short, Alexis felt that, given the chance, she and Madeline could become friends. If she didn’t break all of her crockery first.
“I’m sorry about the cup,” Alexis said. “I hope it wasn’t a special one.”
“No. It was just one Drake picked up somewhere. Nothing important.” She reached for another cup and filled it with coffee. “Here you go. I’m never quite right without my morning caffeine.”
“Me too,” Alexis said, grateful that Madeline had moved on to more mundane topics. “Only it’s not exactly morning anymore.”
“Well, you’ve still got an hour or so,” Madeline said with a smile as she poured herself a cup. “I’m actually surprised all the noise didn’t wake you up.”
“I didn’t hear a thing. Was something wrong?”
“Hardly.” Madeline laughed. “The guy was just here to install our new TV. I got it for Drake’s birthday. It’s huge. And HD. And apparently comes with an amazing sports package. One that includes—”
“The Angels,” Alexis finished for her on a laugh. “Tucker says it was like their place of worship.”
“And then some.” Madeline nodded, leading the way as they walked into the living room. The television was definitely the focal point of the room, the sleek black screen hanging above the fireplace. “So what do you think?”
“It’s huge. He’ll feel like he’s right there on the field. It is a field, right?”
“It is.” Madeline nodded. “I actually bought a book. When I was living with the two of them, it was like a secret club, and I finally figured out that if I wanted in, I had to be able to tell ERAs from RBIs.”
“If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em?”
“Exactly.” They stood for a moment in companionable silence, and then Madeline smiled. “I know things are really rough for you right now, but for what it’s worth, I’ve never seen Tucker this happy.”
“Wow, I hate to think of what that says about before.” The quip was meant to deflect Madeline’s comment. She wasn’t sure she was ready to share her burgeoning feelings with anyone else yet. Even someone as caring as Madeline.
“He lost a lot, Alexis,” Madeline said, her voice growing serious. “The prison where we were, it was pretty awful. When they didn’t beat you, they threw you in solitary. If Tucker hadn’t been there, I don’t think I would have survived. And he was at San Mateo a lot longer than I was.”
“He told me a little bit about it. And about Lena,” she said. She’d never had a woman to talk to before. She’d never really had anyone, except George—and her family, but they’d died so long ago.
“That was rough too. I know he loved her a great deal. But I never really believed she was the one, if that makes any sense.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I think you’re good for him. And that’s it.” She held up her hands with a smile. “Drake says I meddle too much.”
“Drake’s a lucky man,” Alexis said, returning the smile as she sipped her coffee. “And I hear there’s going to be an addition soon.”
“Well, not too soon,” Madeline said, her hand moving protectively to her belly. “We’ve only just found out. But Drake wanted to tell Tucker, and you can’t keep anything a secret around here, which I find hysterical when you consider what they all do for a living.”
“Is it hard?” Alexis asked, dropping down to sit on the sofa. “Living in the middle of all of this, I mean?” She waved a hand at the room as if it symbolized A-Tac and the hidden compound beneath Sunderland’s campus.
“Sometimes I worry, if that’s what you’re getting at. But mostly I just take it all in stride. I’ve never had an easy life. In fact, more times than not, it was pure hell. So for me, living here with Drake is an amazing stroke of luck. I love him. And I love our life here. And I love my friends—who also happen to be Drake’s partners in crime—or anti-crime, as the case may be.”
“But weren’t you wanted by the government at one time? And wasn’t that why A-Tac came to Colombia in the first place?”
“They came because Tucker gave me an out. But that’s a long story. And yes, I was not exactly citizen of the year. But the truth is that I was also my own worst enemy. I didn’t trust anyone, so I was determined to make things better for my sister and me on my own, but instead I just made it all worse. Jenny wound up dead, and I thought I was going to be trapped in Colombia forever.”
“But you’re here now,” Alexis said, hope blossoming at the thought.
“I am. Because Drake burst into my life, and though he pissed me off more often than not in the beginning, he also taught me how to trust.” She rubbed her abdomen again, a soft smile of contentment coloring her face. “I believe in playing the cards you’re dealt—in my case, literally. But you have to take the time to recognize what you’re actually holding in your hand. And then you have to have the faith to play it through.”
“Easier said than done, I fear,” Alexis said with a rueful grin.
“Amen, sister.” Madeline laughed. “But enough about me and my choices. You must be hungry. You hardly ate anything at all last night.”
Alexis had the feeling that Madeline was already well on her way toward motherhood, the nurturing gene already kicking into high gear. “I was too tired to eat, but the mac and cheese looked great. If there’s some of that left…”
“There’s some in the fridge.” Madeline stood up to head for the kitchen. “Which isn’t always the case when Harrison comes to dinner. The man always eats like there’s no tomorrow.”
“Maybe he has a point.” She turned to follow Madeline, stopping when something caught the corner of her eye. With a frown, she searched the line of the TV and then the stereo components stacked neatly against the hearth. Two of them glowed green, and she blew out a breath, realizing that it was the lights that had grabbed her attention.
She moved forward,
thinking that at some point there would never be any true dark, entire neighborhoods lit with the eerie glimmer of the modern plethora of household LED lights.
“You coming?” Madeline called from the kitchen.
“Yeah,” Alexis answered, shaking her head at the silly train of her thoughts, and then she heard a click and a whiz, and her brain registered the fact that one of the lights was now flashing red.
Just like the one underneath George’s cabin.
“Madeline.” Alexis screamed, her only thought to find her new friend and get her safely out of the house. “Run,” she yelled, rounding the edge of the kitchen door frame and grabbing Madeline, who was standing by the refrigerator. “There’s a bomb.”
Madeline followed without question, the two women sprinting through the kitchen and into the laundry room, heading for the door leading to the backyard. They’d made it as far as the dryer when the bomb went off, Alexis diving to cover Madeline as the ceiling collapsed, household objects becoming shrapnel as the walls imploded, and a gust of scorching air escorted a plume of fire as it rose up into the bright blue sky.
“I’m looking for Alexis Markham,” Tucker said as he came to a stop at the nurses’ station.
“Are you family?” the woman asked, looking up at him over the tops of her glasses, her eyes full of doubt.
“Yes,” he said, barely holding on to his temper, his heart pounding as he looked around the waiting room for someone he knew. He’d been off campus when the explosion happened, investigating information about Alain DuBois. “Yes, I am. And if you don’t tell me where she is right now, I swear I will—”
“Tucker, over here,” Annie’s voice carried across the room, and he saw her standing on the far side near a hallway leading to patient rooms. She waved, and he turned his back on the nurse, pushing his way past people blocking the hall.
“Where is she?” he asked, knowing he sounded half crazed. But he’d had time to imagine a hell of a lot, and no one seemed to have any solid information, except that both Madeline and Alexis were alive.
