Past Sins (West Haven book3): Protector, Action Romance

by Rhonda Lott

  “Sweetheart.” Elliot filled the doorway, his face etched with worry. “Gabby, baby, I got you.” He picked her up and carried her to the bed.

  Gabby grabbed him and pressed her body as close to him as possible. “I saw a man in the doorway. Did you see him, El?”

  Elliot shook his head, his finger tilting her face up. “Gabby I know that somebody was in here, they switched off the circuit breaker and left this pinned to your mirror.” Elliot held up a picture.

  Gabby moved off his lap and took the picture from him. The body of a young dark haired woman lay in a puddle of blood, her throat sliced open and her dark eyes staring sightlessly into nothing. A cold knot of dread clamped down on her.

  “Who is this?”

  Something horrific passed over Elliot’s face. His handsome features tightened into a mask of pain and fury. “That’s Shelly. The woman I thought I saved before leaving Night Corp.”

  Gabby’s mouth dropped open. She pulled his big hand to her chest. He glanced at her, eyes glazed, jaw tightened. Gabby wanted to soothe his troubles away, but she was in a state of shock, fear, and emotionally raw from the invasion of her home.

  “I’m sorry El. I know you wanted to save her.” She sympathized.

  There was a knock at the door and Carter entered with Mitch.

  “I’ll go talk to them while you get dressed and grab some clothes.” Elliot covered her hand on his chest and squeezed.

  A wave of sadness overtook her as he walked away. Elliot was a good man, Gabby knew that without a doubt, and her feelings for him were deep, but terror and death surrounded him. She sat there chilled, frightened, and weary. She could feel the pull of her heart towards Elliot even now. What kind of life could she have with him?

  Tonight proved one thing that she didn’t want to acknowledge. Night Corp was willing to kill anyone standing in their way, including her. But the man in her apartment didn’t kill her. He had the perfect opportunity to and yet all he did was leave that picture behind, that bloody message. He could have left that at the shop or at Elliot’s place. He wanted to scare her, plain and simple. The message was twofold, we got to Shelly and we could easily get to you. The image of herself with her throat cut and sightless eyes came to her mind. A cold knot of fear gripped her in its numbing hold.

  The low voices of the men in the living room drifted to her as she gathered her courage and started dressing. Her bedroom looked the same as always, but it felt different, no longer a safe haven. She was no longer safe because she’d fallen in love with Elliot Fuller, the death bringer. All the lonely nights she’d spent in this room wanting more fun and adventure for her life. Now she had more adventure and it sucked. She had more exhilaration and it made her sick to her stomach. Gabby sucked in a deep breath and started for the door. She wanted to be strong for herself and for Elliot, but with each step she took in the living room, towards the tall, dark man standing by her door, doubt fisted its fingers around her heart.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  His truck made short work of the road from Main Street to his house. The drive was made in such deafening silence that Elliot felt jittery. He had only to guess how Gabby was feeling at this moment. No doubt scared out of her mind by fucking Brady. He couldn’t help the growing tension in his chest. She was a trooper, his Gabby, giving him a chance when he didn’t deserve it.

  Allowing him in when she should have been pushing his ass as far away from her as possible. Now she was in it deep, because Night Corp had a target on her, and because he wasn’t about to let her go. She didn’t know it yet, but she was the one for him. No other woman captured his mind and heart as she had. Gabby was beautiful in body and spirit. The truth that she was tied to him as securely as a home to its foundation wasn’t hitting her quite yet. Even if she told him she never wanted to see him again. He wouldn’t give up on her, on them.

  The overgrown road to his cottage came up and as he made the turn Gabby placed her small hand over his. Just that one touch stilled the nerves in his fired up system, calmed his racing thoughts. She didn’t look his way, but her touch said more than any look or spoken word ever could. She was there with him. She wasn’t running or backing out. His Gabby girl was a fighter, not a quitter. A different sort of tightness filled his chest, replacing the dread with something that felt like hope.

  He put the truck in park and brought that comforting hand to his lips. A small kiss. A thank you. His heart, if she wanted it. The sparkle in her dark eyes caught his breath. Through the fear of only an hour ago, through the doubts, she had that incredible sparkle still shining out from behind brown soulful eyes.

  “I’m scared El.” She said. Her hand moving to his cheek. “I want us. I want this to be over so that there can be, an us. I can’t live in fear, never knowing what’s lurking in the dark. If you tell me this will end soon, I’ll stand beside you to the end, but if not. I…”

  Elliot pulled her across the seat and onto his lap. Gabby was all curves and warmth in his arms. He brought her face inches from his. “I will end this. There will forever be, an us. I promise you, my Gabby, my life.” Elliot told her and the pledge took root in his soul.

  “If that’s true, then tell me what else you found in my apartment with the picture.” She tilted her head, her eyes focused on his face, daring him.

  Elliot blew out a breath and ran his hand across his face. “Damn it Gabs. You don’t miss a single thing, do you?”

  “Nope, now spill.”

  “Can’t you just let me handle this?” Elliot pulled her hips firmly to him. The soft curve of her ass riding the bulge of his erection. Her sweet aroma filled his head and right at that moment, he didn’t want to talk at all. He wanted to bite and stroke and love the hell out of the sexy woman in his arms.

  Gabby wiggled and grinned. “The quicker you talk, the quicker we can get to ripping each other’s clothes off.”

  His unruly dick jumped in his pants. Elliot groaned before answering. “Brady left a message. He wants me to come alone to the Catholic Church tomorrow night.”

  “It’s a trap.” Gabby stated flatly, brows arched.

  “Yep.” Elliot agreed, then scooped her up in his arms, threw open his door, and headed for the house.

  The snow was thick on the ground, but he didn’t give a shit. Nothing was going to stop him from getting Gabby naked and moaning in his bed. His door, took a hard boot. He carried her inside, booting the thing closed again in one fluid motion, and headed to the bedroom.

  “Elliot wait.” Gabby screeched.

  “Hell no.” He growled, before tossing her on the bed. “You promised clothes ripping and that’s what you gonna get woman.”

  Gabby sat up, frowning back at him. “We have to talk about this meeting.” She held up her hand as if to ward him off. “How the hell do you know he’s going to come alone? He could have an army with him.”

  “He could. It doesn’t matter.” Elliot folded his arms across his chest. Didn’t she know he’d fight hordes of motherfuckers for her? His Gabby. “He scared you. Came into your home. I’m a protective, possessive motherfucker and what he did tonight is unacceptable to me Sweetheart. I want to beat the shit out of him so bad my balls itch.”

  She fell back on the bed. A giggle escaped, then her shoulders shook as laughter peeled out. “I know this is serious El, but itchy balls, really.” Gabby managed to get out past her laughter.

  Elliot shrugged. “What?” She was so easy to tease. “The itchiness of the balls are a gauge of my anger. It’s a man thing, you wouldn’t understand.”

  “And I don’t want to.” Gabby sobered up a little. “The problem, itchy balls withstanding, you’re going to be in danger. I hate that shit, El.”

  “Nope. You got it all wrong.” He stepped closer to the bed. “I’m the threat and he’s the one in danger. Now let’s get to the cloths ripping. I’m starving for you.”

  **

  Elliot ate her up with his eyes. Fuck, she was glorious. Creamy brown skin with a blush of pink
in her cheeks, a mass of black curls fanning out on his pillow, and curves so beguiling he didn’t quite know where to start. Breast, yeah, that’s the right spot. Her breast were spectacular. The memory of them as she rode his cock, bouncing in time with his thrusts filled, his thoughts all day, every day. Yep, he had to get his hands and lips back on those delectable orbs.

  Elliot straddled her on the bed, pulled her jacket off along with his and tossed them behind him. The silly sweater she wore gave him pause. It was of a sad face puppy and the words said. ‘Who says diamonds are a girl’s best friend?’”

  “You don’t have a dog Gabs.” He stated.

  Gabby scrunched up her nose. “So what. I love puppies. Always wanted one, but never got one.”

  Elliot had to smile. She wanted to give love whenever and to whomever possible. His heart swelled and he slowly shook his head from side to side.

  “Sometimes I can’t believe you’re real.” He told her, watching the frown pull her brows together as he leaned in to take her lips. She tasted like honeysuckle, a soft wild sweetness that filled his senses. Elliot delved deeper, his hands pulling the cute sweater up, he took his lips away long enough to pull the garment off and over her head, then he went back to feasting, devouring.

  He was drowning in her sweetness. Elliot moved back to take in his favorites. Her dusky nipples were puckered tight. He caressed and weighed her softness in his rough hands. His work calloused hands were too harsh for her delicate skin. Gabby hitched in a breath and arched into his touch. She liked the feel of his hard fingers across her breast. Sexy ass woman, liking it hard just the way he wanted to give it to her.

  Encouraged, he smoothed his palms along the curve of her waist and tugged the elastic waistband of her yoga pants. The soft material clung to her like a second skin. Elliot slid the pants down her hips and thighs, revealing inch by delicious inch his succulent prize. She wore no panties. Her neat dark triangle came into view. Elliot’s rock hard dick jerked at the sight, pulsing with want.

  “Fuck Gabs, look at you.” He hissed.

  A slow grin spread across her face, eyelids lowered, and breast thrust up. The very definition of sexy female delighting in the praise of her mate. She had every right to be. She was perfect in every conceivable way. Something pulled at his chest as she wiggled her hips, hypnotizing him with her movements. The aroma of spices and woman filled his lungs and the countdown began. A ticking clock reverberating through his body. He needed to bring her to climax before he exploded. She was way too damn sexy. Tempting his orgasm from the sight of her naked form. His clothes suddenly felt tight, suffocating, he was primed and ready to blow.

  Elliot stood and disrobed as if his clothing was on fire. The sound of their heavy breaths was loud in the silent room. The bedside lamp cast a mellow glow over her golden brown skin. Elliot’s entire body lit with sensations, his cock swelled with a piercing desperation to sink into her.

  Gabby scrambled up onto her knees, she licked her lips, eyes bright and intent on him.

  “Come here.” She commanded in a husky whisper.

  Elliot bit back a groan. I’m a lucky bastard, he thought as she took his cock in her soft hands. Gabby drew him into her wet warm mouth.

  The steady tick, tick of his internal countdown, thundered into a rapid-fire drumbeat. His eyes slid closed at the slick glide and suction of her lips. His legs trembled, then locked. Some bad ass killer, shaking like a newborn colt.

  Gabby moved her hand to his ass, pulling him in. Her lips slid down his shaft from tip to damn near base. His balls drew up and fire raced down his spine. Gabby worked his cock, sucking him with a steady mind blowing rhythm.

  The pleasure threatened to buckle his knees, it was so blinding, scalding hot, and swept through him from foot to the scalp. There was no stopping the jerk of his hips, the pull of his fingers in her soft hair, the deep and long “Fuck!” that spilled from his lips.

  “Enough, Sweetheart.” Elliot gently removed himself from her lips with a slick popping sound. Gabby looked up at him, beguiling dark eyes unfocused by desire. Her one hand worked between her thighs, the other pumped his hardness with smooth long strokes.

  Elliot maneuvered her to the center of the mattress and ignored the straining, pulsing insistence of his cock. He spread her thighs wide studying her glistening folds.

  My turn, the demon of desire within him declared with satisfaction as Elliot delved into her with lips and tongue, and teeth. He tasted, teased and claimed what was his. Brady, Pierce, and Night Corp be damn. Soon, Gabby and a life with her, by fate or fight, would ultimately be his.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The knowledge that he might have to kill again chilled Elliot in ways he never imagined it would. He parked his truck in front of West Haven’s only Catholic Church. Not a grand cathedral by any means, but it was a solid red brick building with an old weathered steeple and colorful stain glass windows that made the place beautiful in its simplicity. Snow covered headstones in tight lines ran along the back of the building with bare limbed oak trees stretching over the graves in barren protection of the resting souls.

  Elliot got out of his warm truck, absently running a hand across the handle of his revolver. He pulled his wool cap over his stinging ears and scanned the area. Brady was there leaned back against an oak near the tree line. The frigid wind ruffling his hair and a shit eating grin on his face.

  He looked quite at ease and that set off warning alarms for Elliot. Fucking idiot didn’t even know how to hide his excitement. Brady didn’t have a clue who he was dealing with. The man’s grin grew as Elliot approached. El made it a priority to wipe the grin off Brady’s face with the sole of his boot before the night was out.

  Taking in a lung full of air Elliot crunched through the frozen earth. With each footfall the familiar shutdown of emotions gripped him. Eyes scanning for anything out of place. His ears picking up on the odd tell of movement other than wind, small creatures in the bush, or the long distant cry of a freight train. The sun was sinking, its light dwindling, casting long shadows on the snow. With each advancing step, Elliot was fading and The Death Bringer was taking his place.

  “Thought you was gonna stay balls deep in the pretty brown skin beauty and leave me hanging old man.” Brady chuckled. His clipped British accent rough, grainy and annoying, much like the man.

  Elliot jabbed with his right hand and his fist connected with the man’s mouth. A satisfying crunch resounded through the graveyard as Brady’s body buckled and he dropped to one knee. In one smooth motion, Elliot’s boot kicked him in the chest onto the ground, then he planted his foot on Brady’s neck.

  “That was for scaring her.” Elliot spat. Brady struggled in the snow, but there was no way he was getting out from under Elliot. “I’m here for one reason. Let Pierce know that all this bullshit has to come to an end. I got the goods on his ass and if he wants that back, he will have to leave me and the people of this town alone. If not, I’m plastering every video I got on the internet as well as sending copies to the FBI. I want to meet him face to face and then I’ll hand it over to him personally. That’s it. I’ll put a bullet into any and every man he sends my way if he doesn’t show.” Elliot lifted his foot.

  Brady jumped to his feet and made to lunge forward. Elliot’s revolver was at Brady’s temple before the man could take a step.

  “Fucking Asshole, take the gun from my head.” Brady muttered, then spit out a mouthful of bright red blood onto the white ground.

  Elliot shoved him back and holstered the weapon. “Why are you here after all this time and don’t bullshit me Brady. After all the shit you’ve pulled, I should kill you right now.”

  “I’m here because Pierce and the company is going legit. He plans on taking on actual Government security contracts to protect American diplomats in the Middle East. Big money, and it’s all legal like. Unfortunately for you mate, those not too nice videos you have can’t see the light of day.” Brady shrugged, wiping his bloody hand across his je
ans. “The little bang and burn in town the other morning was just to get your attention. This quiet little town, that pretty girl of yours, hell, even your mama have targets on um. Pierce has a hard on for that flash drive, but to come here and face you, I don’t think so. He’s not as crazy as I am.”

  Elliot narrowed his eyes on Brady’s hawkish face. “You just run along home to Pierce and tell him I’m waiting and the next time I set eyes on you, you’re a dead man.”

  “I don’t take orders from you. So fucking terrifying. The big bad Trigger Man, Bringer of Death, you don’t scare me. The only reason I haven’t blown your repair shop to hell and back is because of Pierce. So don’t go making threats. Your soft now Fuller. Gained a moral compass or some shit and that’s what will get you killed.”

  Brady spun and before Elliot could react, he landed a kick to Elliot’s midsection. The breath whooshed out of Elliot’s lungs and pain shot up his side. Fucking rookie mistake. He’d let Brady in too close. Elliot cursed to himself. Brady put his weight back on his left leg. Elliot ducked the kick that followed and came up with a hard right to the man’s throat. Brady grabbed his throat, gagging, and doubled.

  A glint of silver reflected off the church’s window. Elliot dove behind a tombstone as shots rang out hitting the tree where moments before he had been standing. Elliot pressed his back against the wide headstone as bullets tore off pieces of the grave marker, clanking and popping next to his face. In the mist of the racket, he heard the sound of a bike’s engine roaring in the distance.

  Elliot rolled to his belly, focused on the tree line where the shots originated and emptied a clip. He popped another in and waited. Silence surrounded him. Brady had hauled ass on that bike, but was the sniper gone. Only one way to find out. Elliot stood, firing round after round into the trees. Nothing moved.

  “Yeah, you missed me fucker.” He shouted into the night.

  The trap was sprung and he wasn’t killed. He hadn’t taken a life either. Elliot started back to his truck amazed and stunned at the relief that flooded his system. The Death Bringer was still there. Brady was way off thinking that he was soft. All of his old instincts were still there, bubbling under the surface, but Elliot was in control of them. It would have been easy to have put Brady down. Too damn easy, but he needed the prick to pass along his message.