Checkmate

by Kris Norris

  “Whatever you say,” he replied, halting several feet behind her. “Just tell me one thing. Have you proven you’re strong enough yet, or do we need to run until you pass out?”

  “That’s not what this is about,” she said, bracing her hands on her knees.

  “Isn’t it?”

  She whirled to face him. “You think you know me so well, don’t you?”

  “I know you far better than you want to believe. Maybe no other man has been able to figure you out, but I’m not like them.” He walked closer. “You don’t have to prove Garrick didn’t beat you.”

  Kendall stared at him, wondering how she’d allowed him to get so close. “But he did,” she said, cringing at the bitterness and shame in her voice.

  “No. You only went along to save Trace. There’s a difference.”

  “If there was I would’ve killed him with that knife instead of just sticking it in his shoulder. I wasn’t strong enough…and now he’s free.”

  “It isn’t your fault he’s free. Nothing in his history suggested he’d have a partner. If anyone’s to blame it’s me.”

  Kendall heard the remorse in his voice. “It wasn’t your fault, Dawson. I don’t blame you.” She turned, looking up the trail. “But you can’t protect me forever. Sooner or later you’ll be reassigned, and then it’ll just be a matter of time.”

  Dawson stepped up behind her, touching her shoulder. She nearly buckled at the rush of electricity that passed between them. “I promised you he’d never hurt you again, and I’ll keep that promise, with or without the Bureau.”

  She closed her eyes. She missed having him touch her, and wished she was brave enough to allow him inside her barriers. She’d come so close to letting him in, giving him her heart. But if she dropped the walls now, she wouldn’t be strong enough to battle Garrick.

  She took a step forward, pulling away from his hand. “Come on, we’d better start back. It’ll take twice as long walking.”

  “You’re not going to run back?”

  “I wouldn’t want to give you the satisfaction of seeing me pass out.”

  * * * *

  The doorbell rang.

  Kendall watched from the top of the stairs as Mitchell walked down the hall, checking the window before opening the door, motioning Jody and Logan inside. He mumbled something as he closed the door behind them, laughing at Jody’s response. He flashed them each a smile then headed back down the hall, disappearing into the kitchen.

  Trace stepped up beside them, shaking Logan’s hand and brushing a kiss along Jody’s cheek. The three friends chatted away as Kendall crept down the stairs, checking the kitchen door in case Dawson decided to come barreling through. She’d hidden in her room since the run, and wasn’t sure she was ready to face him. She stopped when she reached the bottom, catching Logan’s last few words.

  “Why are the Feds still here? I thought you guys would be free of them now that Garrick’s out of the picture.”

  “He’s not,” said Kendall, joining them near the living room.

  “So, you finished sulking?” asked Trace.

  “No. But I decided to take a break. I’ll pick it back up later.” Kendall smiled and headed for the only single chair in the room, ignoring the small huff of protest from Jody as her friend settled in beside Logan. Any other time Kendall would have relished spending an evening with her friends, but tonight it felt more like a prison sentence than a gathering. She sighed, drifting into her thoughts until she realized everyone was staring at her. She glanced at her watch, amazed over an hour had gone by while she’d simply sat in the chair, staring into space. She looked up, catching Logan’s gaze as he raised his eyebrows in question.

  “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “What did you say?”

  “Are you looking forward to some of the races next month?” repeated Logan.

  She shrugged, wishing she didn’t have to speak. All she really wanted to do was mope on her bed. No, that was a lie. What she really wanted was Dawson. He’d walked two paces behind her all the way home, the scent of his skin hanging over her like a heavy cloud. It’d taken every ounce of strength she’d had not to ask him to hold her, to make love to her. The urge had been so strong she’d had to run up to her room the moment she’d returned, no longer able to stand being so close to him without touching him. Without feeling his body pressed against hers, their tongues battling for dominance.

  She wanted Dawson to strip off her clothes and follow her down on the bed. To feel his tongue wrapped around her nipple, stroking the hard bud until she begged him to give her more. To feel her heart skip and race as he roved his fingers down her body, finally settling between her legs. She’d be wet, and he’d moan as he spread her moisture around her clit, brushing it with just enough pressure she’d be helpless against him. She could already hear her voice echoing off the walls as she screamed out her release, his name an entreaty on her lips.

  He’d smile and move over her, spreading her thighs as he placed the head of his cock at her weeping sex. She’d wrap her legs around his hips, opening herself as he inched his way inside her, moaning out in pleasure when he locked his balls against her flesh. He wouldn’t take her fast, not right away. He’d want them both to savor the moment, to feel every pull of skin, every slide of his cock as he eased it back and forth, stretching her, possessing her. Then, when her arousal was so thick it left a coat of cream on his shaft as he pulled back, leaving only the crown still lodged inside her, he’d claim her. Thrust hard and fast, tunneling through her tight tissues until the velvet heat of her channel was more than either of them could bear, and they’d both explode, their mutual cries muffled by the steamy air.

  If only she had the courage to make a move. But every time she’d tried to open her bedroom door, Garrick’s face had risen in the shadows, his dark promise a faint whisper in the air. And she’d panicked. Now Dawson was sitting in the kitchen, talking to Mitchell like it didn’t matter she was only twenty feet away.

  Logan cleared his throat, and she struggled to bring her thoughts back to the conversation. He’d asked her something about racing. She looked over at him, more than aware of the sideways glance he gave Jody and Trace.

  “To be honest, Logan, I hadn’t thought too much about racing. After all, Trace is sidelined for the next few months.” She smiled at her brother, trying to look sympathetic. She’d spent the better part of an hour trying to calm him down after the doctor had informed him he couldn’t race for a while due to the side effects of all the drugs.

  “I told you to go without me,” said Trace. “Besides, you need more practice than I do.”

  “You just keep telling yourself that Trace,” she replied, flashing him a sly smile.

  “Do you think the Feds will let you guys participate at all this year?” asked Logan.

  “Who knows?” said Trace. “It all depends on whether Garrick makes contact. I think they’re waiting to see what kind of move he makes.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Jody. “I was hoping it was all over. I can’t believe you guys never told us about him before.”

  “That’s why they call it the witness security program. No one’s supposed to know who you were or what happened.” Trace shrugged, settling back on the sofa. “Besides, it’d been so long, I don’t think either of us expected another episode. I guess we were kind of hoping this would be our last move.”

  “You mean you might relocate again?” Jody sounded distraught.

  “No,” said Kendall. “Not again.” She looked away, clenching her teeth, staring off at nothing. She wouldn’t move again, she couldn’t. She turned back to her friends. “Can we change the subject? Talking about Garrick isn’t what I feel like doing.”

  “Sure.” Logan looked at Jody who nudged him in the ribs.

  “Go on,” said Jody.

  “What are you two up to?” asked Trace.

  “Jody and I were thinking. A friend of ours has a couple of small cabins up in the mountains, about five hours from here. I
talked to him today after you called. He isn’t using them for the next little while. We were wondering if you guys would like to go up there with us? You know, rest a bit and forget this Garrick thing.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Logan,” said Kendall. “I don’t think it’s very smart to hang around us too much right now.”

  “But why not?” he asked.

  “Let’s just say Garrick still wants something from us,” said Trace. He smiled at Kendall. “It might be better if we just stayed here. After all, the Feds already have the place staked out.”

  “It’s not like you couldn’t bring them along, a couple anyway. Maybe Mitchell and Dawson? It might be good for everyone to get a break from here. After all, Garrick won’t be able to track you down out there.”

  “Garrick can track us down anywhere,” said Kendall.

  “Just for a couple of days. Why don’t you ask them?” asked Jody.

  “It’s a nice gesture,” said Trace. “And we’d love to go. I’m just not sure Kendall should venture so far from here.”

  Kendall looked at Trace. She could see the longing in his eyes. After all he’d been through he deserved some time off. But she could tell, even now, he was determined to protect her. “I’ll talk to Dawson.”

  Trace’s face brightened. “Don’t do it for me, Kendall. Your safety is more important.”

  “I’ll be fine. Besides, I’m not about to let Garrick rule our lives.” She stood up, shaking some of the moodiness from her system. “Drinks?”

  The phone rang.

  “I’ll get that for you, Kendall.” Jody picked up the phone. “Walker residence… Sure, just a second.” She handed the phone to Kendall. “It’s the agent at the gate. He says he needs to ask you something.”

  Kendall made a face, taking the receiver just as Mitchell and Dawson walked in the room. “Jody says it’s the agent at the gate. He wants to ask me something.” Dawson and Mitchell exchanged a concerned look as Kendall raised the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Did you think it was over, Kendall?” asked Garrick.

  Kendall’s eyes went wide as she took two steps back. She tried to talk, but couldn’t speak.

  “What’s the matter? You’re never at a loss for words. Did I surprise you? Don’t tell me you thought I’d let you go. Not after coming so close to claiming you. Tell me, can you still feel me wedged inside you? I can.”

  She shook her head, finding it hard to breathe. She looked up at Dawson, hoping he could see the terror in her eyes. She hit the speaker button, wanting to hear Garrick, but unable to speak.

  Dawson cursed and bolted across the room, tearing the phone from her hands. “You son of a bitch.”

  “Why, Agent Dawson, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t sure you’d still be assigned to Kendall, not after all that’s happened.”

  “What do you want?”

  “My desires haven’t changed, have yours?”

  “You got lucky. Don’t expect it to happen again.”

  “It wasn’t luck. Now put Kendall back on.”

  “Forget it. Anything you have to say, you can say to me.”

  Kendall lunged forward, snatching the phone back, clicking the speaker off. “You’re wasting your time, Garrick. There’s nothing you can hold over me to make me give in to you again. Not even Trace.”

  Garrick laughed. “I see you got your voice back. And as for your observation, I don’t have any intentions of using Trace. His usefulness is gone. It seems I’ve found a better motivation.”

  “Is that so? And just what do you think you have over me?”

  “Something much better…Dawson.”

  Kendall clenched her jaw, her eyes fixed on Dawson. “Go to hell.” She pressed the button and threw the phone across the room. Mitchell winced as it slammed against the wall shattering into pieces.

  “You should’ve let me handle it,” said Dawson.

  “Don’t tell me what to do! I’m sick of everyone assuming they know me so well they can run my life!” She pushed past him, storming to the stairs.

  Dawson grunted. It seemed every move he made only worsened the situation. And having Kendall so distant was killing him. He’d tried everything to get her to let him in, but she’d kept her barriers firmly in place. Hell, he’d even been prepared to carry her back from the run, but her stubborn streak had kicked in and she’d walked every last step, even though he could see the pain in her eyes, and the fear. Whatever had happened in the cellar had scared her more than he’d first thought, and he had a sick feeling her resistance would only harden.

  He sighed, wondering if he’d get a chance to hold her again. It wasn’t even about the sex, though he wanted nothing more than to make love to her. But for now, he’d settle for having her nestled in his arms, warm and safe. He glanced around the room, exchanging an exasperated look with Trace before turning to Mitchell. “I’ll go talk to her. Perhaps it might be best if we called it a night.” He nodded to Jody and Logan and started for the stairs.

  “Are you sure you want to go now? Maybe you should let her cool down first?” suggested Mitchell.

  “I don’t think we have that kind of time,” he replied.

  “Dawson!”

  The sound of Kendall’s scream sent a wave of panic through him. He ran to the stairs, taking them two at a time, and sprinted down the hall, throwing her door open as he barreled in the room, his gun already in his hand. Kendall was standing in the center, her face white. “What?”

  She pointed to the far wall. Her dragon was hanging from the window, two pictures pinned to the front, one of her mother and one of her.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “How did Garrick get inside?” Mitchell thumbed the handle of his cup. “I do a sweep of the house every hour, and we’ve got agents watching every door.”

  “We’re missing something,” said Dawson. “Maybe he’s made another way in, like at the cellar?”

  “Still, there’s only one set of stairs up to the bedrooms. I don’t think even Garrick’s that cocky.” His eyes narrowed on Dawson. “Maybe it wasn’t Garrick who hung up the dragon?”

  “I’ve run background checks on everyone else, including Jody, Logan and all the agents involved in the investigation. If anyone’s hiding anything, it’s pretty deep.” Dawson stared into his coffee. His heart felt hollow. He’d promised Kendall he’d protect her, and yet he’d allowed Garrick to violate her one safe haven.

  “Have you phoned Charlie?”

  Dawson nodded. “He’s doing everything he can, but it’ll take time.”

  Mitchell shifted on the seat. “What about Trace?”

  Dawson stared at Mitchell. “What are you suggesting?”

  “All that time alone with Garrick. And he was tortured pretty bad. What if Garrick hypnotized him or something? You know, like you see on TV. Maybe he’s controlling him.”

  “I’m not sure those things actually happen, but I’ll get the good doctor to check it out. At this point, I’ll try anything.”

  “How is she?”

  “On the verge of a breakdown. I’m not sure she can take much more of this.”

  “I don’t know how she’s kept it together so long. I would’ve broken long ago.” Mitchell forced a smile just as Kendall walked into the kitchen. “Kendall. I thought you were staying in Trace’s room tonight?”

  Kendall shrugged, holding the dragon tight to her chest. “He snores.” She walked to the table. “I’m kind of thirsty.”

  Dawson stood up. “Why don’t you have a seat? Tea?”

  “Water’s fine.” She crossed over to his chair and placed the dragon on the table, but remained standing.

  “Well, snoring doesn’t bother me. I’ll go camp out in his room, just to be safe.” Mitchell nodded to her as he walked out of the kitchen and down the hall.

  Dawson put the glass down on the table. “Are you sure that’s all you need?”

  Kendall turned and pressed her body tight to his, her head against his chest
. She didn’t speak, but fisted his shirt in her hands pulling herself closer.

  Dawson sighed, encircling her with his arms. He hated seeing her like this, but it felt good to have her close again. To feel her body contour his, as if they were made to fit together. He brushed his lips across her forehead, feeling her tremble against him. He wanted to tell her everything would be all right, that he’d protect her, but he wasn’t sure anymore. “You can cry if you want to.”

  “I think I’ve cried enough in your arms already. Just hold me.” She buried her face into the crook of his shoulder and palmed his back with her hands. “I didn’t feel safe with Trace. It’s the first time. I know he’d give his life to protect me, but I just couldn’t stay with him.” She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “I feel safe now. Can I stay with you?”

  He smiled, touching her cheek. “Of course. But I’d like to know something. What leverage did Garrick say he had over you?”

  “You.”

  * * * *

  Dawson opened his eyes. The room was dark with only a hint of grey outside the window. He was tired. He’d barely slept in the last two days, his fear over Kendall tugging at his soul. She’d asked to stay with him, and he’d been happy to oblige, but he hadn’t realized how being so close to her would play havoc with his emotions. It was as if his cock had gotten hard the instant she’d settled under the covers, her skin brushing against his. In desperation, he’d tried sitting in the chair beside the bed, but she’d awoken an hour later, screaming. He’d gone to her, and she’d begged him to lie with her. Her request had been timid and unsure, as if she expected him to say no. But how could he? The look in her eyes had melted his heart. A mixture of pain and longing. He knew how much courage it’d taken her to ask, and he couldn’t deny her. He’d kissed her and taken her in his arms, feeling the heat of her breath against his neck. Then he’d spent each night watching her sleep, studying her face as she lay upon him, her head resting on his chest. She was beautiful, more so than when he first met her, and he couldn’t stop the wanting in his heart. He’d fallen for her, harder than he’d suspected, and holding her the last two nights had ignited a fire inside him. He wanted more…he needed more.