by Nina Bruhns
Dameon merely nodded and led the way. He lit the gas fireplace then motioned to the chairs in front of the fire. He was polite, courteous, but made the point that, yes, he’d been here before and that, no, Sean didn’t intimidate him.
Sean sat down, his back ramrod straight. He slapped his bottle down on the end table with a resounding smack and faced Dameon head on.
“Look, I’m not one to pussyfoot around. Listen up. My daughter has had a hell of a time with men. Men who think that just because she is a beautiful woman that they can trample all over her. I want to tell you, I don’t appreciate it. Not one damn bit!”
Dameon nodded his head in agreement and sunk into the chair across from the fiery Irishman. He took a long pull on his beer.
“I can understand that, Sergeant. I wouldn’t either. I have a daughter. Zoey just turned 9 going on 25. I’d be all over any guy that I thought had hurt her. I’d make him pay, hard.”
Sean’s expression lightened momentarily then he reared up.
“You know what I’m angry about. Do you want to explain yourself?”
Dameon raised a hand. “Yes, I do. If you give me an opportunity I’d like to tell you what happened.”
Sean jerked his beer bottle at him, a grudging consent.
Dameon leaned forward in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees. He opened by conceding Sean’s point.
“I did exactly what you thought that I did. I misjudged her. She was gorgeous. I’d never met her and I made a move on her. She gave me the brushoff and insulted my fragile male ego. I acted like an asshole, miffed that a beautiful woman dismissed me. I allowed my damaged pride to affect my judgment. I concluded that she was something that she wasn’t.”
He allowed a slight smile to cross his face. “In my defense, I’m not entirely at fault for my misjudgment. She was new in town, beautiful, in an extraordinary dress. And was with a member of the ruling drug cartel in this city.” Seeing Sean’s brows shoot up in surprise, Dameon pressed the point. “Jesse and I still have issues about that, but he’s her client. What can I say…?
“To continue. Three armed men barged into a crowd of a hundred people. Jesse pulled a gun. Shots were fired, one of them was hers. One man was killed, the others injured. I gave orders that no one was to leave. Jesse ignored my orders and left. I hadn’t formally met her. I didn’t know her identity, didn’t know who she was. I naturally, but mistakenly, assumed she was part of the cartel. I ordered my men to bring her back. She resisted arrest and I instructed my lieutenant to book her. When he asked me on what charge, it was damned obvious to me. I had him book her on suspicion of possession.”
Sean was clearly astonished.
“She pulled a gun? Left the scene of a shooting? Resisted arrest?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Fuck.”
“Hmm. Jesse didn’t tell you that part of it?”
“She sure as hell didn’t!” Sean shook his head then a grin replaced his fearsome frown and his eyes sparkled. “Damn. She is some woman, isn’t she?”
Dameon smiled and nodded in agreement. “Yes sir. She certainly is. I’ve been apologizing for my mistake ever since. I think I’ve almost got her to point where she’s about to forgive me.”
Sean was quiet then stuck out his hand. “Guess I owe you an apology.”
Dameon shrugged and shook the older man’s hand. “No problem. In that you were told only some of the pertinent details, I can understand why you were angry.”
They settled back in their chairs. Dameon let the silence hover. He saw the struggle on the Irishman’s face. This was a guy unaccustomed to sharing his feelings or talking about personal issues. Dameon gave him the courtesy of silence. He wasn’t surprised when Sean began interrogating him.
“You ex-military?”
“Yes. Active for twelve years. Retired eight years ago.”
“What branch?”
A grin tugged at the corner of Dameon’s mouth. “Is there more than one? Army, of course.”
Sean gave an appreciative snort. “Rank?”
“Bird Colonel when I left.”
“Why do they call you Wolf?”
He shrugged. “A mission. It became my code name. I wore a Ranger badge for ten of the twelve years I was in.”
Sean nodded again. “Not surprised. I figured you for special ops. Guess my radar is sound at least on that. It gets skewed when my daughter is involved.”
Dameon smiled. “That isn’t surprising. We all have blind spots when it comes to daughters—and special women. That’s how it should be.”
Sean shot him a questioning glance and sat back in his chair. Dameon didn’t know the Sergeant well enough to be sure, but the harsh lines around his eyes and mouth had softened. Dameon prepared himself for the questions that were sure to come. He welcomed them and hoped that he might get answers to some of his in return.
“Speaking of my daughter. You and she have a lot in common.”
“Do we? She doesn’t talk about the Army much. Actually she doesn’t like to talk about her past at all.”
A shadow crossed Sean’s face. It was much like the ones Dameon had seen on Jesse’s face when he asked about her past. He decided to push the Irishman. He figured the worst he could get was the "none of your business" brush off Jesse gave him.
“I’m curious. Where is Jesse’s mother?”
Sean quirked an incredulous brow, then his eyes darkened with pain.
“Jesse didn’t tell you? Damn.” He shook his head and glanced down. When he spoke, it was with a decided effort. “I guess I’m not surprised. My wife, Margaret? She died in childbirth. Giving birth to Jesse. Margaret was only eighteen years old. And hell, I was all of nineteen. We were in the Philippines. Didn’t get to the hospital in time to stop her bleeding.”
Dameon was shocked. How could Jesse have omitted that critical fact in her story? God, it explained a lot. And made some of Sean’s actions more understandable.
He looked up to see Sean staring at him. Sean glanced at the empty doorway then leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“Did Jesse tell you why she left the Army?”
“No, she hasn’t, as a matter of fact.”
Sean took a hard pull on his beer. Deep crevices striped his forehead. “I hope someday she’ll tell you. Would be good for her if she could start talking about it. Guess she’s not at the point yet. It’s a load of crap and makes my blood boil. But I’ll tell you, there isn’t a man on her squad who didn’t look up to her. She’s a born leader. She’s got more decorations than I do and I’ve been in for thirty-five years.”
Being the master interrogator that he was, Dameon knew the value of silence. When he was quiet, Sean continued unloading burdens he likely didn’t share easily.
“Jesse’s secretive. She doesn’t talk much, she never did. We didn’t stay in one place long enough for her to make friends. Hell, look at this place. It looks like the places we had when she was a kid. Tonight, the boys have to sleep in sleeping bags so I can have Trey’s bed.”
Dameon looked around in surprise. He’d seen the sparsely furnished rooms but thought that Jesse’s furniture hadn’t arrived. “I assumed that she was waiting for her moving van, that it got held up in overseas transit.”
A rueful grimace jerked at Sean’s mouth. “No, no. This is how we lived when she was a kid. I figured there wasn’t a lot of sense in buying much. We’d just have to pack it up when we moved again.” He hunched his shoulders defensively. “I admit it. I wasn’t a good father. I was gone way too much. I wasn’t there for her like I needed to be. She pretty much had to grow up on her own. She doesn’t trust a lot of people.” His expression darkened further. “A lot of people gave her reason not to.”
Dameon heard the appeal in the older man’s voice and responded to it.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Sir. I doubt this surprises you, Sergeant, but I like your daughter—a lot. In fact I like her more than a lot.” He gave a disgruntled sigh. “But, I’m having a hard time getting h
er to like me in return.”
Sean shot him a disbelieving stare.
“Huh? That's not the way I see her lookin’ at you, son.”
“Hmm, that’s encouraging. How do you feel about that, Sir?”
“Well, son, I’ll tell you. I was shocked when I heard what happened with Trey. Fact is, that’s why I came. I wanted to be sure my grandson was okay. Seeing him, and knowing what you are doing to help him, I appreciate the hell out of you.”
He grimaced. “I don’t have to tell you I was about ready to ‘drop’ you when I realized you were the police chief that arrested Jesse. But now that we’ve talked, and hell, seeing my daughter smiling for the first time in two years, I appreciate you even more.”
The rough man swiped at his eyes, obviously embarrassed at showing his emotions. He quickly turned to more comfortable topics.
“Tell me about your service. You aren’t by any chance the guy they call the Wolfman?”
Before Dameon could answer, Trey and DaShon rushed in carrying a stack of steaming pizza boxes. Jesse followed with plates and silverware. For the next half hour, Dameon and the boys, with Sean and Jesse chipping in, relived every play of the game. They cheered at their successes and groaned at their mistakes. In the process, they consumed four large pizzas and a tray of vegetables.
“I hate to pull rank, fellows. But you two need to get some rest. We’re going to be getting up early tomorrow morning.”
Dameon explained to Sean. “Don’t know if you heard, but we’ve got a big game tomorrow night. If we win we go to LA representing our region at the Aspire Tournament. But first we have to beat the Wildcats, the team that’s ruled Albuquerque and this region for four years. We almost beat ’em last year. Lost in a heartbreaker.”
He pointed to DaShon and Trey. “DaShon is the number one player in our division, actually in the entire region. That’s why the Wildcats will be gunning for him. But we’re ready for them. DaShon, Trey and I have been practicing a play that works exceptionally well with Trey. Trey is fast and smart. He’s strategic, thinks like a coach. He can change directions quickly when he needs to. Trey is our stealth weapon. The Wildcats don’t know him. All they’ll see is a young white kid. They’ll underestimate him and zero in on DaShon. All Trey has to do is fake them out a couple of times, make a few key shots and take their attention off DaShon. Then our big guy can go in and do his magic.”
Sean whistled in admiration. He glared at the two young boys.
“You men; you understand how lucky you are, don’t you? This man, your coach, is one of a kind. You listen to him and do him proud. You hear me?”
Trey’s and DaShon’s “Yes, Sir’s” echoed as they backed away from the fierce Sergeant’s stare.
After the boys went upstairs, Sean crooked a finger at Jesse and held up his empty beer can.
“You holding out on me, girl? When are you going to bring out the good stuff?”
Jesse laughed and headed toward the liquor cabinet. “I wanted to make you beg, Dad.”
She put a bottle of Wild Turkey and three glasses on the table in front of him.
“Now that’s more like it, girl.”
Jesse laughed and looked to Dameon.
He nodded. “You know you don’t have to ask, Jesse. That’s the finest whisky I’ve had. I applaud your taste, Sean.”
Jesse handed her father a glass and sunk to the floor next to his chair, leaning against his knee.
Sean rubbed her shoulder and bent down to kiss the top of her head.
“I missed you, girl.”
Dameon saw the moisture clouding Sean’s eyes.
Jesse snuggled up next to her father. “I missed you too, Dad. It’s been bad...Hard. But I’m glad you could come and see how well Trey is doing now.”
“I also came to check up on you, daughter of mine.”
She gazed up at him and shook her head. “Dad, I keep telling you. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Sean met Dameon’s eyes over Jesse’s head. “I’m hoping that is true, milish.”
Jesse stood up and leaned over the back of his chair, draping her arms around her father’s shoulders. She kissed his cheek and patted his head.
“Remember, Dad, I can take care of myself.”
Sean groaned. “Hell, daughter, you’ve been telling me that since you were eight years old. And damned if it wasn’t true.”
Dameon might have been envious of the affection between them, but instead he was gratified. He realized that Sean and Trey were likely Jesse’s only close relationships. The only people she let down her guard with. He thought with a start, except for him. The memory of her angry outbursts and poignant breakdowns, coupled with her wanton response to his erotic overtures, confirmed that he was more inside her inner circle than either he or Jesse had acknowledged. The thought filled him with joy and ratcheted up his desire for her tenfold.
As the night progressed, Sean regaled them with one ribald story after another. When Dameon and Sean began comparing locations and missions, Jesse added cautious notes about her own experience. After another glass of Wild Turkey, she relaxed further. Whether from the excitement of the game or the presence of her father, Jesse’s eyes were shining and her cheeks were flushed a soft rosy pink. She laughed more than Dameon had ever seen her laugh. Dameon couldn’t help but notice how the scooped neck of her filmy dress revealed her cleavage when she bent over to pick up her glass. Sitting across from her, Dameon had to physically restrain himself from reaching for her and pulling her close. Which would have made it even more difficult to hide his arousal.
Sean saved him from embarrassing himself when he turned the conversation to the subject of Raoul.
“Dameon told me about your special client, Jesse. When you told me what a great client he was, you neglected to mention that his family runs the drug trade in New Mexico.”
He scowled at her. “You skipped over that part, girl, when you told me what this scallywag did to you.”
Jesse threw Dameon an annoyed glance. “Humph. I presume the scallywag was talking about Raoul Morales. Don’t worry, Dad. I know what I’m doing, and Raoul is no longer involved with his family’s business.” She sniffed and turned away at Dameon’s guffaw. “Raoul is a nice man and is introducing me to several new clients.” At Dameon's raised eyebrows, she insisted, “And, no, not all of them are connected to his family.”
Dameon narrowed his gaze. “But, some of them are?”
Jesse ignored his interjection. “Dameon worries too much, Dad. He’s overprotective. Thinks I can’t handle a bad boy.” She winked at Dameon. “Or two.”
Sean didn’t see her teasing wink and frowned. “I worry too, Jesse.”
Jesse tossed her head and smiled. “Then you both are wasting your time. I’m as combat-ready as I ever was.” She glared at them in mock anger. “I may have to show you how I taught the women in my unit to take down arrogant men. Men who thought just because they were bigger and brawnier that they couldn’t be brought to their knees by the right woman.”
Dameon whistled and gave her a sexy once over. “Damn, Jesse, I’m already on my knees. What more do you want from me?”
Jesse flushed and looked away confirming that she didn’t miss his double entendre.
Seeing her face flame and watching her nervously chew on her bottom lip, Dameon stood. He knew that if he didn’t get his hands on her in the next couple of minutes he was going to attack her--which likely wouldn’t go over well with her father. But then again, considering the twinkling lights dancing in Sean’s eyes, perhaps the hardened soldier had silently given Dameon his blessing. Dameon hoped so, because with or without Sean’s permission, he was done playing on Jesse’s court. He was moving their game to his. Where, he thought with a grin, the rules were decidedly different.
“I need to be going. It'll give you two a chance to spend some time together. I didn’t mean to take up so much of your first night here, Sean. I know you don’t often get to see Jesse. Your time together is p
recious.”
Sean rose and extended his hand. “Yes it is. But I’m glad you were here, Dameon. I enjoyed the evening. Thanks.”
As Dameon walked by, he nodded to Jesse.
“Jesse can I speak to you for a moment?”
She hesitated and nodded nervously. “Of course, I’ll walk you to the door.”
Red Rock Rises: Chapter Twenty-Two
When they got to the porch, Dameon moved into the shadows.
“Come here, Jesse.”
She hesitated and glanced behind herself. While Dameon’s tone was firm, his eyes were dancing with mischief.
“Over here, tiger.” He motioned to the spot beside him. “I want to tell you something. Your father gave me permission.”
Jesse frowned, not trusting him. “What are you talking about, Dameon?”
“Your father gave me permission to court you.”
She was incredulous. “Court me? What does that mean?”
“I said, come here, baby.”
His smile was wicked, his voice filled with laughter.
He reached for her and tugged her close to him. “To start with, it means this.”
She gasped as a streak of sensation took her breath and glanced nervously at the door behind her.
“Dameon?”
“Yeah, you better come over here where no one can see us.”
Feeling Dameon’s big hands closing around her hips, Jesse took a raspy breath. Her face felt hot, her chest was tight.
“What… what are you doing?”
“I’m doing what I’ve wanted to do for three weeks, six days and fifteen hours. I’m going to kiss you, Jesse. Kiss you hard and well.”
Jesse shivered. Even though he was smiling, Dameon’s eyes were dark, intense. Looking down she saw his arousal. Excitement flared through her, shooting straight to her core.
She muffled her surprised cry when he wove his fingers into her hair and dragged her up next to him.
His beard shadow rasped against the tender skin on her upraised throat. “And, honey, I’m not going to stop at kissing.”
His probing hands roamed over her body. His voice was low, husky.
