The Class of '93 Trilogy: Deadly Briefs

by Felicia Forella

  Dropping his forehead to hers, Aiden broke the kiss, his breathing ragged, his eyes unfocused. “We can't do this."

  "Sure we can. You're ready.” She circled her hips to emphasize her point, winning a groan for her efforts. “I'm ready. We don't have company.” She reached for his oh-so-talented lips.

  Instead, she found herself rudely deposited on the bed. She could work with that.

  Slumped in the chair, Aiden dry scrubbed his face. “I'm not good enough for you. You deserve better than me."

  "I'll be the judge of what I do or don't deserve, thank you very much.” She was going to kill that ex-wife of his. Whatever she'd said to him hurt him.

  "You're such an amazing woman. You're intelligent, capable, not to mention sexy as sin. You're strong, physically and emotionally."

  He was oh-so-wrong. She wasn't strong enough to survive leaving him again. Or worse, him doing the dumping. Her twenty-one year old heart had just managed, but only by being immersed in a new career. Her thirty-four year old heart would never make it.

  During the month she'd conducted surveillance and security on him, she'd noticed that he only existed. He went through his day, shoulders slumped, unsmiling. In the short time they'd been together, he was standing at his full height with emotion on his face, smiling or a twinkle or passion or fear in his eyes. He was alive. So why was he pushing her away?

  "If I'm all the things you say I am, then I deserve a man who is all those things and more. You."

  "I'm not what you think I am. When I'm with you, I forget about everything else. But I can't afford to forget, for your sake. We'll finish this up. I'll demand that the colonel allow me to find Sonny. Once we've done that, we'll go our separate ways."

  "I refuse to allow that to happen. I love you."

  He flinched as if she'd hit him. But not before she saw the flash in his eyes. He wanted her love and she'd bet her next promotion that he loved her, too. Fine. Part of the Intel game was knowing when to back off and when to push. She'd step down, defuse the situation.

  "It has to be this way, Erika. For your sake."

  "I disagree. But if that's what you really want, I'll let you have your way.” For now. In the meantime, she'd covertly do everything in her power to make the stubborn fool realize how right they were for each other.

  * * * *

  He'd hurt her. Again. Not that he had any choice.

  Shit.

  Aiden slouched in the padded chair, feet propped up on the corner of the bed, a blanket covering him. As much as he longed for the comfort of a soft mattress, he refrained from resting so much as a butt cheek anywhere but where it was currently parked for the night. If he went anywhere near her, he'd want to strip off her panties and slide inside her warm body.

  That wouldn't happen again—couldn't happen again.

  The glow from the bathroom light cast a shadow over her. She'd turned away from him before falling asleep and tugged the covers up to her chin. Even so, he had no trouble making out the curve of her hip, or the length of her back. She hadn't drifted off immediately; it had taken at least a half an hour before her breathing settled, indicating she'd finally succumbed.

  Two long hours after that and he still hadn't managed to find that same escape. It had nothing to do with trying to cram a six foot tall frame into a chair and pretending it was a bed. It had everything to do with the woman who occupied his mind.

  He had to remain strong enough to do right by her—to love her enough to let her go.

  Because what if Nancy was right? What if he was doomed to repeated failure? What if tonight had been an anomaly, not the start of change?

  There was no way in hell he'd drag Erika down with him. He'd already hurt her once; he'd already had one marriage fail. She deserved so much better.

  It didn't matter that he wanted her by his side for the rest of his life. If the possibility existed that his failures could become hers, he had to let her go. Now. What was best for her had to take priority.

  Rubbing at his chest, Aiden wondered if he'd ever feel whole again. If she'd never come back into his life, he wouldn't have realized that he wasn't living, only existing. With Erika near, colors looked brighter, sounds were clearer, smells were sharper. And touch. Oh, touch. Each brush of their bodies stirred his soul.

  He clutched at the left side of his chest. The ache inside refused to go away.

  When she finally walked out that door, his Technicolor world would become black and white again. He'd know now why he felt listless, hollow.

  Worse, he'd know there was no way to fix the problem.

  Tying her to his life was a risk he refused to take.

  She'd accomplished so much. So many people relied on her, depended on her. She had to be able to carry out her purpose in life.

  When the cell phone rang, Aiden felt like the cat clinging to the ceiling after the dog barked. Whoever was calling them at two in the morning had better have a damn good reason. His feet thunked to the ground as he reached for the phone.

  "Greene here."

  "Greene, it's Colonel Covington. Sorry to wake you, but our Intel boys got a bead on Sonny's location. They managed to track the plane that brought your daughter to D.C. back to a private air strip near Miami."

  Miami was a hell of a big city. But it was closer than they'd been so far.

  "When do we head for the Sunshine State?"

  "I have an airman working on getting you on the first plane out of Harrisburg. I need you to head to the local airport first thing in the morning and await the details. I'll e-mail Erika as soon as we have something."

  "Thank you, sir.” He clicked the phone shut, setting it on the table. Adrenaline flooded his system. The chase was on.

  "Where are we going in Florida?” Her sleep-roughened voice sounded too much like her post-sex voice for his comfort. Erika sat up in bed, the blanket pooling in her lap, the chilled night air puckering her nipples. Her hair tumbled in a wild mess around her shoulders. She looked like she'd been well fucked.

  She would be, too, if he didn't stop staring at her.

  "AFSA Intel got a drop on Sonny. It would seem he's in the Miami area."

  "I guess I should pack."

  "Get some sleep. We're not flying out until morning."

  "You need to get some sleep, too. Come to bed."

  Oh, no. No way, no how. He wasn't that strong. With all the energy charging his system, he'd be too restless to sleep without discharging it. By making love to Erika.

  "I'm fine."

  "Don't be an ass, Aiden. What? Are you afraid I'll jump you?"

  No, more like he'd land on top of her like a dog on a biscuit. He had to stay strong. “I'm fine in the chair. I was asleep when the colonel called."

  Liar.

  Did she say that or did his conscience?

  "Suit yourself.” She rolled back over, tucking her protective blankets back up to her chin. “Good night, Aiden."

  "Good night, Erika."

  He sent up a silent prayer—please God, help us find Sonny soon. Because if I have to be with Erika for much longer, I'll lose my mind and tell her how much I love her.

  Chapter 17

  "Hola, mi hijo."

  "Hola, Papi." The doors of the private elevator swooshed shut behind Antonio, leaving him standing in the entry way to an opulent, luxurious condominium. His father came down the long hall toward him, arms outstretched. Antonio put his arms loosely around his father and returned the hug half-measure. The older man staring back at him bore little resemblance to the man Antonio watched head off to prison eight years ago.

  Antonio topped his five foot eight father by two inches, but his dad looked even smaller. Maybe because the last time Antonio had seen him, Antonio had been the shorter one. Gray flecks highlighted his father's hair, especially his sideburns, and he looked paunchy, not lean and muscled.

  "Bueno, mi hijo, bueno."

  Following the old man back down the long hall, Antonio surveyed the place. It was a hell of a lot
nicer than some of the places he and his siblings had lived in with their mother after their father had been sentenced to house arrest. He'd lived in luxury while the family he claimed to love struggled for their very existence. They'd had to move to Costa Rica to live with his grandparents during the trial, for fear of death threats. From there, they'd secured visas that allowed them to enter the United States, where his mother managed to land a job with a multi-national business based in Los Angeles, doing translations. When Antonio decided he wanted to go to school in Pennsylvania, she'd transferred to the Philadelphia office, so she could be closer to her son.

  Everything his mother had done, she'd done for her children. Which was probably why he'd respected what Aiden Greene had done for his daughter and not made a crappy situation even worse.

  "Sentar, sentar.” His father gestured toward a comfortable looking couch facing the wall of windows, showcasing the black of the ocean and their reflections. Antonio didn't feel much like sitting. He'd done enough of that for one day, but he didn't want to insult his father by standing. Regardless of his personal feelings, the man was still his father and deserved his respect.

  "I live in America now, Papi, and prefer to speak English."

  His father's face turned beet red, the bulging vein in his forehead looking like it was about to explode. When he finally spoke, he did so through clenched teeth. “You may live in America, for now, but you are Cancuenian by birth. Never forget that."

  Yeah, okay, whatever. “Will you have me flown back to school tomorrow?"

  "Why are you so anxious to leave me?"

  "I have classes, Papi, a girlfriend. Finals are coming up, Mami has landed me a gig with her employer for the summer. I have things to do."

  "Spending time with your father is an important thing to do as well. Si?"

  "Yes, Papi, but once the semester is over."

  "Spare your father a day. Enjoy the sights of Miami Beach. We will fly back after that."

  The look on his father's face told him the plan wasn't up for negotiation. One day enjoying the sights of Miami Beach would be a pleasure. Girls in bikinis were always easy on the eyes.

  "I've had a very long day. I'd like to go to bed."

  "The hombre malo didn't hurt you, did he?” The red rose back into his father's face.

  "No, Aiden and Erika were very kind to me."

  His father's snort of disbelief was impossible to miss. “They are American pigs."

  "They wouldn't have done anything if you hadn't kidnapped his three year old daughter. What were you thinking?"

  "I do not like the way you disrespect me, mi hijo. You were raised better than to act like the Americans you live with. Your bedroom is this way."

  Antonio followed his father back down the hall and was shown a bedroom on his right. Even this room offered a spectacular view up the beach, the other high-rise buildings casting light upon the dark water. “Good night. I'll see you in the morning."

  "Buenos noches, mi hijo. I'll see you in the morning.” He pulled the door shut behind him as he left.

  Reaching into his pocket, Antonio pulled out the cell phone Aiden had returned to him right before he headed for the helicopter.

  "Nina?” He hated to wake his girlfriend up, but he needed to hear her voice.

  "Tony? Is that you?” She sounded so sexy when waking up.

  "Yeah, babe, it's me."

  "Tony, oh my God, where have you been? I've been worried sick. You didn't answer your cell phone."

  "I'm sorry. Something came up with my father and I had to fly to Miami.” As close to the truth as he dared to get.

  "Your father? You're in Miami? Tony, it's the end of the semester."

  "I'll be back in a couple of days. It won't mess anything up. I miss you, babe."

  "I miss you, too, Tony. Will I be able to call you now?"

  "Yeah, no problem. Go back to sleep and dream of me.” Antonio thumbed off the phone and dropped it on the nightstand by his bed. Stepping out on the balcony, he inhaled the salt air and luxuriated in the whipping breeze.

  There were worse places in the world to be than Miami Beach.

  * * * *

  "We got him."

  It took Erika a split second to wake up and make sense of the phone call. Sonny. They'd located Sonny.

  "Where? When? How?” In her preawake state, she only managed grunted words.

  "Tell Greene he did a great job. And then get dressed and head out to the airport. The Pave Low will be back for you within the hour. You'll get all the details then."

  She clicked the phone shut, still looking at it for answers. Holy shit. She didn't have time to sit around on her butt. They had to get dressed, pack up, check out, and find the airport. And fast.

  "Want to tell me what that was all about?"

  She had to get dressed, anyway. Aiden sat on the chair, elbows propped on knees, fingers locked together. Looking like he was ready to launch out of his skin.

  "Intel got the drop on Sonny. We're being picked up within the hour."

  Rocketing to his feet, he paced around the room. “Where is he? What's the plan?"

  "I don't know. I was told we'd get that information once we were on the helicopter."

  "Then let's get going."

  In continuous motion, he ricocheted from place to place, gathering up his belongs and stuffing them in his backpack. A foray into the bathroom granted her the privacy she needed to get dressed. By the time he returned, she sat on the edge of the bed, lacing up her boots.

  So much for the time necessary to figure out what the hell was going on in his mind. Or for the opportunity to jump them back on track. So she'd opted for her BDUs, the least sexy, feminine thing she owned. Hopefully, her uniform would keep her mind on track, focused on capturing Sonny. Once it was all over, she'd kidnap Aiden until he came to his senses. Thirteen years ago, she'd been stubbornly focused on her career. She knew now what was important in life.

  Before she'd managed to gather up her clothes and toiletries, Aiden headed out the door. “I'll get us checked out and get directions to the airport.” The slamming door cut off her reply. She hoped his eagerness was a sign of his anticipation at finding Sonny. Not of his eagerness to be rid of her. Regardless, she'd handle whatever he threw at her.

  Extending the handle of her small suitcase, she headed for the elevator and down the lobby. When she exited the elevator, her heart stuttered to a stop, then picked up double time at the sight of Aiden waiting for her by the sliding doors. She easily imagined him there, under different circumstances. His hair waved just above his shoulders, falling across his forehead. Experience told her he had a hair tie in his pocket, so why hadn't he pulled it back? The heat in his eyes as he watched her approach matched hers.

  Oh, yeah.

  He'd tucked in his t-shirt, showing off his flat abs and narrow waist. Denim molded to his crotch and thighs, accenting every bulge and muscle. Her fingers itched with the memory of caressing a certain bulging muscle until he'd begged her not to stop. The flicker in his eyes told her that he remembered, too.

  Oh, hell yeah.

  "Ready when you are.” Time to set her thoughts back on a neutral track until the assignment wrapped up.

  "Do you mind if I drive, since I think I know where we're going?"

  "Be my guest.” She dug the keys out of her pocket and tossed them to him.

  The Pave Low helicopter touched down as Aiden guided the rental car into a spot close to the terminal door. He retrieved their luggage from the trunk while she went inside to take care of the car. With glass ceilings and numerous windows, the little airport was probably picturesque during the daytime. As she approached the main passenger terminal, she spotted Aiden with Braedon Powell. Poor guy, must be a long day for him, too. He'd flown in from Langley, from there to Ohio, and turned around and came back. Now, they were off to somewhere else. Had he gotten his twelve hours of crew rest before the adventure started?

  As the clerk processed her paperwork, Erika watch
ed the two men and couldn't help but compare them. Both men were similar in height, Braedon a little bit taller; both were ruggedly handsome with angular features, weathered, not pretty boys. Both men had excellent physiques; with Braedon in his flight suit and Aiden in civilian clothes, it was hard to say who had the better body. Braedon's hair pushed the limits of regulation military length, but still above the ears and off the neck. Not like Aiden's long locks. Damn if the two of them standing there together wasn't enough to make heads turn and mouths water.

  But hands down, Aiden captured her heart and her libido.

  An older gentleman in dress pants and a button down shirt approached Braedon with his hand outstretched. Erika needed to get over there. This was her baby. She signed off on the remaining forms and double-timed it over to the testosterone trio.

  "Ah, here she comes now.” Braedon spotted her. “Mr. Mikuski, this is Major Erika Dalton."

  "Major.” He shook her hand.

  "Mr. Mikuski."

  "Mr. Mikuski is the director of the airport and was contacted about our arrival. He was just informing me that the paperwork to clear me for landing and take off arrived. You and Mr. Greene have been cleared to come with me."

  "Wonderful.” No snafus for a change when using a civilian facility. “Thank you, Mr. Mikuski, for coming in so early. I'm sorry we had to disturb your sleep."

  "Not a problem, Major Dalton. I'm pleased we could be of service. Have a safe flight."

  Braedon guided them back the way he'd entered the building, keeping quiet. As much as Erika wanted details now, she knew they'd have to wait until they were on board. Her boots clomped across the tarmac, so noisy compared to the quiet treads of Aiden's sneakers. She couldn't complain, she'd opted for unsexy and unfeminine to keep her on task. She had to forget about why she felt like an elephant compared to Aiden's sleek lion.

  Once securely strapped into seats by the five point harness, helmets on their heads and headsets turned on, Braedon and his co-pilot took the helicopter to cruising altitude and cruising speed. Erika waited a heartbeat.

  "Spill. What's up?"