by Tiffani Lynn
“I love you, Mike. I have for a long time too.”
I kiss her soft and slow, our tongues dancing perfectly together. When I end the kiss on a soft peck, I tell her, “Get some rest, sweetheart. We’ll have a long day tomorrow.”
“You don’t want to…”
“You need rest and healing. We have the rest of our lives to make love. Part of loving you is doing what’s best for you no matter what I want. I want to take care of you. Let me, please.”
“Okay,” she whispers as she burrows into my chest. “We need to call Valerie tomorrow, and your parents. My mom won’t give a crap, but yours will and since the police were involved I’m certain it’ll be all over the gossip sites at least.”
“I already talked to my dad. As soon as the alert went out for you he was on the phone telling me to find you. He didn’t realize it was my fault it happened. They know you’re okay and will be checking in tomorrow. We can call Val in the morning, if they didn’t already.”
“You think it’s your fault?”
“Of course it’s my fault. My job is high-level security. I’m supposed to be an expert at keeping someone safe and I let you walk to the lobby unaccompanied to meet with someone I haven’t done a background check on. That’s amateur hour.”
“But I didn’t want you to go. I told you no.”
“If I was doing my job instead of trying to make you happy, that never would’ve happened.”
“But—”
“No buts. Now get some sleep.”
We settle in and I sleep lightly, on edge, listening to every little sound throughout the night. Scooter’s snoring breaks up the quiet some, but not enough to put me at ease. I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe and if that means lack of sleep, so be it. She, on the other hand, sleeps like the dead and I’m so thankful she’s comfortable enough to sleep well.
The next day we talk to a Key West detective who tells us that the case has been turned over to the FBI for reasons they can’t explain to us right now. We may have to enlist Jacquie Lyles, the Omega Team computer expert, to check those files the covert way. She used to do the same job for the Tampa police department but is now part of our team. She’s a genius hacker and can break into any system, anywhere, and get us the info we need.
Our biggest problem is that we have no idea who this “C” person is so we don’t know who we’re looking for. My gut tells me that it’s someone Summer knows and that makes me more nervous. She’s so sweet and unassuming that she’d never suspect anyone and trusts everyone unless she’s slapped in the face with their betrayal.
Summer is in Athena’s office working on her social media presence and catching up on her emails while Owen, Jacquie and I discuss who “C” could be in the conference room.
“The problem is her popularity has exploded in the last six months. Everyone wants her. The indie authors, the magazines, and now even Hollywood is jumping on board. She’s got it coming from all sides and she won’t say no to any of them,” I tell the group.
“Why is she suddenly so sought after at 43 years old? I know she’s beautiful, but why did it take her so long to get into the business if she’s that good?” Jacquie asks.
“She wanted to be an actress right out of community college but stopped trying when she was 25. Her mom got sick and she felt like it was her responsibility to take care of her. Summer was waitressing full-time-plus overtime to pay the bills but had no extra time for auditions or meeting with photographers. By the time her mom was in remission, she felt like she’d missed her window so she just kept working.”
“How did she get a break?” Jacquie asks.
“Her friend Simone is an indie romance author and begged her to do a photoshoot for a cover. After she did one, several photographers asked to shoot with her. Then Simone’s best friend sat next to Phil Harmon, the film director, on a flight across the country and was reading the book that has Summer on the cover. Phil loved the look of Summer, got her number and asked her to audition for a small part. She did, he was pleased and since then things have sort of taken off. Phil’s the director on the current project. He’s a little emotional and high-strung, but overall a good guy and he adores her.”
Jacquie looks thoughtful for a moment before finally saying, “That’s where I’d start. With him. That’s not your normal Hollywood success story.”
“Already did a basic check. My gut says it’s not him. I think we’re looking for someone on the inside of the industry, but not that close to her. I’m not sure how things work exactly, but maybe office personnel for the film company, or a driver, or someone from catering that comes near her, but has never been close enough to be on her radar. You can check him out to be safe, but I really don’t think it’s him. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Owen squints for a second as he thinks. “Yeah, I get what you’re saying but to isolate some possibilities we’re going to have to throw out a wide net. I was hoping it would be a little more obvious.”
“Nothing is ever that easy.”
I turn to Jacquie. “I’d like you to start digging into any company associated with this particular film. We are looking for a name that starts with a C. Could be first, middle, or last. I’m going to start digging into all the photographers and writers she’s worked with. Owen, see if you can figure out who Maggie has been linked to for friendships and relationships in Hollywood. She’s tied to this somehow and we may be able to find it through her. For the time being, Summer goes nowhere alone. If it’s not necessary, she doesn’t go at all. The last two idiots that grabbed her were amateurs, but I doubt the next person will be stupid enough to make the same mistakes.”
Everyone nods in agreement so I stand and work my way through the building to Athena’s office. When I approach, I can see that Summer’s brow is pinched in concentration and concern. I lean over and kiss her hair and back off just a little bit, holding steady as I wait for her to tilt her head and face me. As soon as she does, I kiss her softly and hold for a second longer than normal, just savoring the taste of her. God, I’ve been waiting for a ridiculous amount of time to be able to walk into a room and kiss her without thinking twice. My parents are going to be thrilled when they find out we’re together. I think they’ve probably wanted this as long as I have. They love her and consider her family already.
“What’s wrong?” I ask her.
“I don’t like the negative attention this is getting me. I don’t want to be known as a drama magnet. I want to be known for the right things. This is something I’ve wanted for so long and never thought would be possible. I’d hate it if something I can’t even control causes me to lose it all.” The tension in her shoulders is obvious so I step behind her and knead the muscles.
“M, we’re going to take care of this. Give us a little time. Phil Harmon found you, remember that. He won’t set you aside that easy. Listen, my parents are going to want to see you. Are you okay with stopping by their house on the way back to my place?”
“Is Omega Team going to be okay with that?”
“I’m in charge of your personal safety for the night so I say it’s okay. I doubt anyone could anticipate us going there.”
“Yes, I could use a dose of good reality. I can call this reality, but it’s not a good one.”
We spend the afternoon vetting all personnel we can find with any affiliation to the films she’s been in and all photographers she’s been associated with. By the time we’re done we only have a handful of people left and a handful of possibilities that we need to dig into further. Jacquie is planning to get a little sleep and then jump back on it.
Just like I always do at my parents’ house, I knock twice and open the door, ready to walk right in. Before we can get inside, my mom has Summer wrapped in a tight embrace.
“Mom, you can hug her inside. I don’t want Summer out here in the open.”
“Well come on in,” my mom says as she ushers us inside.
Once we’re in the door, Mom grabs Summ
er’s arm to stop her. Gently, Mom places her hands on Summer’s shoulders and looks down at her. Mom is a good four inches taller than Summer. “When we turned on the news and heard you’d been taken, I…well, let’s just say it wasn’t a good night. I’m so glad you’re home and I’m glad to finally see one of my boys wise up.” Mom glances at me and then pulls us both in for a hug. “I love you both.” She kisses both of our heads in a very motherly fashion. “As soon as your dad told me you were coming I made your favorite, Summer, spaghetti and homemade garlic bread.”
“Have I told you lately how awesome you are?” Summer asks her.
My mom beams, pleased she made Summer happy. My dad finally approaches and grips her by the shoulders too and looks her over, head to toe. Not like a man perusing the body of a woman, but like a man checking his daughter for visible signs she’s hurt. There are only a couple that can be seen with her clothes on, thank goodness. He lets go of her shoulders and tips her chin up with his fingers so he can look into her eyes. “We love you, kiddo. Don’t know what we’d do without you.”
My dad never gets choked up, but he certainly is right now. To end his unusual show of emotion, he hugs her as gently as a 6’4” beast of a man can. I get my size and shape from him. Even in his late 60’s he’s still strong and fit and I hope that carries through in the genes too. I follow Mom into the kitchen while Dad finishes talking to Summer.
“How long has this been going on?” Mom whispers and gestures between Summer and me.
“It’s new, Mom. We tried when we came back from helping Val last spring, but her schedule was crazy and I had several big cases come up so we couldn’t make it work.”
“You’re 45 years old, Michael James. If you take too long getting your stuff figured out I’ll never get any more grandkids. I don’t see Thea enough as it is. Besides, I want Summer-and-Michael grandbabies.”
“Mom, you’re moving a little fast.”
She turns to me and puts her hand on her hip, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “Michael, you’ve had 35 years to get to know her. I’d say that you have no clue what fast is.”
“Thirty-five years for what?” Summer asks as she strolls into the kitchen with my dad on her heels.
“To finally get together with you.”
Summer stops dead in her tracks and at first I think she’s going to freak out in a bad way and then she says, “I had to let him get the entire high school cheerleading squad out of his system before I’d accept a date.” My mouth drops open. Did she really say that?.
Both of my parents double over with laughter and I stand looking at all of them like they’re crazy. “I didn’t date the cheerleading squad.”
My mom turns to me with her eyebrows raised. “Let’s review. Margo, Jessica B., Jessica M., Kara, Cindy, Lindy, Marie, Marnie, Brooke and the one with the overly teased bangs and heavy eye shadow, whose name I can’t recall. The only one left was…” She points at Summer who’s smiling like this is hysterical.
“That’s not even everyone he dated, that’s only the cheer squad,” Summer reminds my parents.
“You were a little busy, son,” Dad reminds me.
Slightly embarrassed but remembering that my parents forgot about a huge part of the equation, I point out, “Look at Summer’s dates through high school and we’ll all remember why I never bothered to ask. I didn’t stand a chance. She liked scrawny and brainy or scrawny and thespian. A guy like me couldn’t compete with either.”
The color leaves her face and her eyes shift to the floor. The whole room goes quiet. I’ve hit a nerve and we all know it. I should have kept my mouth shut.
“You know I was afraid I’d end up with someone like my dad. I avoided the guys who had it all.” The spaghetti sauce pops behind us on the stove, but it’s quiet otherwise. No one says anything for long awkward seconds. Finally, I step up close to her, ignoring the fact that my parents are standing here for all of this.
“M, look at me.” When she lifts her gaze to meet mine, her eyes are swimming in unshed tears. “Your dad is a fuckwad. No man worth his salt would desert his baby girl and her mother, especially when that baby girl was you. I love you and I’m not going anywhere and not out of a sense of obligation. I’m here because I’ve loved you for years. As long as you’ll have me, I’ll be right by your side. I’m talking forever. Career, kids and old folks’ homes. Every bit of it. Don’t you see? I’ve been waiting for you for years. Not just someone, or someone like you. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Mike,” she breathes as the tears trickle down her face. I take her cheeks in my hands and kiss her until I hear Mom squeak next to me and I remember that we’re in my parents’ kitchen. I back off and glance at Mom who’s also crying.
“Josh, I’m finally getting my wish,” Mom says to Dad as he wraps an arm around her.
I can’t help but comment too. “Me too, Mom, me too.” I kiss her forehead and step away to help set the table.
Dinner is wonderful as usual and after the initial excitement ends we fade into our normal family pattern, laughing and talking about anything and everything. I wish Thomas, Valerie and Thea were here. That’s when it would feel perfect.
Chapter Six: Summer
I jump off of Mike’s chest like I’m being burned, scaring Scooter and causing him to bark, when Mike’s phone rings at 3:30 in the morning. Who sets their ringtone to the actual ringing sound?
“Wade,” he says as he answers it. There’s a long silence as he listens.
“So where is she?” A sound similar to a growl comes from him. I rest on my elbow, looking down at him, trying to decipher facial expressions in the dark room. It’s fruitless but it’s giving me something to do.
“Did he say where he thinks she is? Why isn’t he talking?” More silence. “The police won’t be able to do shit. He’ll lawyer up and we won’t get information in enough time to help us. Fuck!”
My heart is hammering in my chest because I know they’re talking about Wallace and Maggie.
“Fine. See you in a few hours. Thanks for finding him.”
Him? Not them?
When he hangs up, he reaches over toward the bedside table and pauses to inform me, “I’m turning on the light.” I close my eyes and wait a second, then I blink, allowing my eyes to adjust.
“What’s going on?” I ask, unable to hide the fear.
“They have Wallace. Athena and Grey caught him trying to get into his cabin in southern Georgia. Apparently, the guy is a dumbass, definitely not a criminal mastermind. He was only doing what Maggie told him to do. He’s been wanting to fuck Maggie for a while and she offered him what he wanted if he helped get you to C. The police have Wallace in custody but Grey says he’s too scared to talk. Whoever this ‘C’ character is, he has him terrified.”
“What does this mean for me?”
“It means we stay vigilant. You remain under security until we catch Maggie and C.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve ruined your time off and you’re stuck with me.”
“You haven’t ruined anything. Did you not listen to what I said yesterday? I’ve been waiting for years for you. I’ll give up every vacation from now until I die if it means I have you.”
“I love you, Mike,” I whisper, the emotion overpowering my voice.
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
Scooter must sense what’s coming because he moves to the foot of the bed as far from us as he can get and lies down.
Leaning over, I kiss Mike, pouring every ounce of heart and soul into the kiss as I explore his mouth with my tongue. With a quick adjustment of my hips I pull my mouth away as I straddle him, centering myself over his cock, slipping him inside me. He’s watching me with the sexiest hooded eyes as I sink all the way down on him. My head falls back and I moan as he fills me almost to the point of discomfort. He tugs the T-shirt over my head and tosses it to the floor then runs his hands from my bare hips over my rib cage to thumb and pinch my nipples. I can’t help but arch into his expert to
uch. I rise and fall on him with ease as my pussy gets wetter and wetter with his work at my breasts. Mike is a genius with his fingers.
The harder I rise and fall on him, the more his hips lift to meet mine. We have a punishing rhythm and we work in perfect synchronicity, but I’m getting close, so I lean forward and brace myself on his chest as my pussy flutters and grips him, and I come in a chorus of curse words and praises all mixed in together. Then I brace myself as he continues pounding up into me until he finally flexes one last time and holds, filling me full.
When he flips me, managing to somehow stay inside me, he looks into my eyes and says, “Marry me, M.”
“Mike…” I say, suddenly terrified. “We’re so new.”
“We’re light years from new and you know it. We’ve been close for years. Best friends most of that time. The chemistry is there. The sex is beyond amazing. I’ve loved you for so long and I know you love me too. There’s no reason to wait. People search their whole lives to find a fraction of what we have, and never get it. I’ll give you time to think about it, but I’m serious. You’re it for me.”
“What about my career? It’s just now getting started.”
“I want that for you as bad as you want it. Having a baby might be something
we have to work around your schedule since we are both older, but you do want kids, right?”
I nod slowly.
“Then a career shouldn’t stop us from having each other. Think about it. I don’t need an answer right this minute, but don’t torture me for long.”
He kisses me soft and quick and moves off of me. I stare after his retreating outline and wonder how I got lucky enough that my sexy, amazing best friend wants to marry me. But can I trust this? Nothing this good ever happens to me. There’s no way that after having nothing for years—a crap job, no future, no kids of my own, no husband or even a boyfriend—I can be getting everything I want almost all at once.
