Vigilante

by Velvet Vaughn

  Fine with her. She didn’t need foreplay…she just needed Alex. He made quick work of the rest of their clothes. Then he leaned over the bed to dig in his pocket and produced a foil packet. His smile was sheepish. “I was hopeful,” he admitted as he sheathed himself. Once he was covered, he came down over her again. He clasped their fingers together and trapped her hands beside her head. Looking into her eyes, he slowly slid inside and they both groaned. She bit her lip at the exquisite pressure. It was too much. Not enough. When he was completely embedded in her, he held still.

  “Olivia, look at me.”

  She didn’t realize her lids had drifted shut. She blinked up at him and the emotion in his eyes almost brought her to tears. She came so close to blurting out that she loved him. She skimmed her heels against the back of his legs and then locked them together behind his back, wanting, needing to be as close to him as possible.

  “I’m going to have to apologize ahead of time,” he growled at her.

  “What for? This feels incredible.”

  “It’s going to be over pretty damn quick.” Then his lips crushed hers and he started moving. Slow at first but he soon picked up speed. The pleasure was too intense, too overwhelming. She didn’t think her body could withstand it. Someone was screaming and she thought it might be her. Lights exploded behind her eyes in a kaleidoscope of color and she dug her heels in his back to lock him against her as she came. The sensations went on and on and when she felt him go over the edge, it set her off again. When her body finally relaxed, she wasn’t sure she was breathing. Alex’s weight was a comfort and he was still deep inside her. She knew he’d found his release, but he was still hard.

  “I need to pull out so the condom doesn’t leak, but I can’t get my body to move. It wants to stay locked inside you.” Her inner muscles contracted at his words and he groaned. “Babe, you’re killing me.” He levered himself up, looked into her eyes and lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was sweet and beautiful and tears did pop into her eyes this time.

  “Be right back.” He gradually slid out of her and her muscles contracted again, trying to keep him in place. They both groaned. He dropped his forehead to hers, kissed her again and then levered himself off the bed. She felt cold and empty without him filling her.

  When he returned, he carefully lifted her up and placed her under the covers before climbing in behind her and urging her against him. Comforted by the warmth of his body and the security of his arms, she fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Olivia awoke feeling sore in places that hadn’t been sore in a long time...since the last time she’d been with Alex. He woke her up two times during the night to make love again. She took the initiative this morning. They didn’t get to enjoy the post-coital bliss when Alex’s phone chimed a text message. He reached over and grabbed it from the bedside table.

  “It’s Sawyer Oldham, my co-worker. He’s on his way up now.”

  “Oh, gosh.” Olivia shot upright, clasping the blanket to her breasts, which was silly since he’d seen and kissed every inch of her naked. “I need to shower.”

  He bent down to brush a kiss over her lips. “I’ll let him in, though I’d much rather join you. Then I’ll hop in when you’re done.” With one more taste of her lips, he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and left the room.

  Olivia swung her feet off the side of the bed and hurried to her suitcase. The reason she had to leave her apartment hit her all at once and she plopped cross-legged to the floor. Darla. Dead. It seemed like a nightmare. She needed to call Darla’s family today to offer condolences and find out the details of the funeral. Then she remembered Carl motionless on the floor. Thankfully, he was going to recover.

  Despite everything that happened yesterday, she was incredibly happy, and that made her feel guilty. Darla was gone. Arlo was gone. Carl was lying in the hospital recovering from a heart attack. But thinking of them made her realize again that life was short. Tomorrow wasn’t a guarantee. She wasn’t going to waste another day with regrets. She was going to be with Alex and not feel shame for enjoying their time together.

  She scooted to her knees and grabbed her cell phone before plopping back down and dialing CJ’s number. CJ assured her that Carl was doing much better and they were probably going to release him tomorrow after they ran a few more tests. After she disconnected, she searched online for a florist that delivered to the hospital and she ordered a plant basket to be delivered to Carl’s room.

  She’d just placed the order when her cell rang. Ernie’s grinning face appeared on the screen and she smiled as she answered.

  “How’s my favorite protégé?”

  “Happy to hear your voice,” she answered, fighting a lump in her throat. She missed him so much.

  “I got your text about being okay after the shooting, but I wanted to check for myself. Are you okay, Olivia?”

  Tears gathered in her eyes. Good grief, she was becoming a cry baby. “I’m okay but something happened last night.” She told him about Darla and Arlo.

  “I’m turning the RV around and coming back,” he insisted. “You aren’t safe, Olivia.”

  “Ernie, I’m fine. I actually have a bodyguard. Jonah took care of it.”

  “I knew that boy was aces. Okay. Good. I feel better. Is it the man from the video?”

  “Yes.” Ernie knew about her earlier encounter with Alex...well, not all the details. “Do you remember when I flew to Chicago to be with my old roommate when her friends were killed?”

  “I do. You met that cop and flew back when he was shot. Is that him?”

  She smiled. Ernie had the memory of an elephant. “Yes, that was Alex.”

  “Ah.” There was a wealth of meaning in his response. “Are you happy, honey?”

  “Despite everything that happened, very.”

  “That’s all that matters. Please thank Alex for taking care of you from me. And I’m going to call and check up on you often. Keep me posted if anything else happens.”

  “I will. Safe travels, Ernie. Love you.”

  “Love you, too, honey.”

  After she disconnected, she sifted through her hastily-packed suitcase to find a light pink Nike t-shirt and another pair of yoga pants. They were her favorite and she lived in them when she wasn’t working. After she showered, brushed her teeth and hair, she slid her feet into a pair of flip flops and left the bedroom to find Alex. He was talking to a man about the same height. They both turned when she entered and whoa. Sawyer Oldham was movie-star handsome with blonde hair and blue eyes. His smile was a white slash of pure sin. Alex narrowed his eyes at his co-worker, but Sawyer didn’t seem to notice. As gorgeous as Sawyer was, he paled in comparison to Alex.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Larrson,” he said as he walked to her and extended his hand.

  “Olivia, please.” She shook it and when she would’ve let go, he held on.

  “Olivia. I’m Sawyer. I didn’t think it was possible, but you are even more beautiful in person.”

  Olivia smiled and felt a blush heat her cheeks. “Thanks.”

  “I mean it. The camera obviously loves you but it doesn’t completely capture your beauty. Your eyes—”

  “Okay, that’s enough.” Alex stomped over and broke Sawyer’s hold. Sawyer winked at her and she realized he was doing this to annoy Alex. Then Alex shoved him and Sawyer chuckled.

  “I watch your broadcasts every night when I can.” Sawyer told her, still stumbling back. “Via satellite.”

  “You do the hell not,” Alex sputtered.

  “Hum, I guess you’re right. That would be you.”

  “You are a dead man,” Alex growled.

  Sawyer laughed and danced away from Alex.

  Olivia’s heart pounded. Alex watched her broadcasts? Every night? She had no idea. He definitely had to pay extra to get the New York news in Indiana.

  “I was going to take a shower but no way in hell am I leaving you alone with her.”

  �
�Perfect gentleman.” Sawyer held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

  “Oh shut the hell up,” Alex grumbled. “Did you bring the gear I asked for?”

  Sawyer chuckled and then switched into agent mode. “That and more.” He padded to a large aluminum case resting on the floor by the door. He carried it to a table, fished a key from his pocket to unlock it, and snapped the fasteners open. He spread the case open to reveal two handguns strapped in thick padding on one side. The other side held all kinds of gadgets and devices and enough electronics to outfit a small army.

  “Sweet.” Alex picked up something that looked like a light saber.

  “While you boys play with your toys, I need to make some phone calls.” She wanted to get in touch with Darla’s parents as soon as possible and she needed to return Faye’s calls. The woman had called twice after she sent the text last night to let her know she was fine. She didn’t want her friend to worry.

  Alex replaced the items in the case. “Let me grab a change of clothes and I’ll shower in the other bedroom while you make your calls.”

  #

  “Shower in the other bedroom?” Sawyer asked with one brow raised, his arms crossed over his chest when Alex returned with a pile of clothes in his arms. “Is that what you kids are calling it nowadays? I assume that means you two are sharing a room?”

  It might be unprofessional to become involved with a client and Alex knew he should feel guilty, but he didn’t regret it one bit. Olivia didn’t seem like a client. She was his and he protected his own. That didn’t mean he’d take shit from his co-workers. “Don’t start. She had a hell of a day yesterday and didn’t want to be alone.”

  Sawyer held up his hands. “I understand. Gotta say, I wish Luke had put me on this assignment first. She’s drop-dead gorgeous—”

  Alex had Sawyer pinned against the wall with his forearm crushing into the other man’s windpipe before he could finish the sentence. “Don’t talk about her like that, don’t insinuate anything about her.”

  Sawyer held his hands up in a surrender sign. “Just yanking your chain,” he wheezed. “I know she’s your girl.”

  He lessened his hold…slightly. “Who told you that?”

  “You did when Luke gave you the assignment. Bradley might’ve filled in some of the blanks.”

  Dan ratted him out. Figures. The guy loved to give him grief. Of course, he gave it back to him as often as possible, so he couldn’t be too mad. Alex dropped his arms and Sawyer rubbed his neck and coughed. “Cut it out,” he grumbled as he gathered the clothes that were now scattered on the ground. “I wasn’t holding you that hard.”

  “I’m barely recovered from not one, but two gunshot wounds, if you haven’t forgotten.” Sawyer had been an FBI agent working with COBRA Securities when he was shot by Patrick Sweeney, an escaped felon and serial killer. He’d been in pretty serious condition for a while.

  “Yeah, well, me, too and mine’s fresher than yours.”

  “Shit, man, did you get hit yesterday? You didn’t tell me that.”

  “Just nicked the skin. A few stitches.”

  “I’m sorry. Go. Shower. Your girl is safe with me. Promise.”

  Alex studied his serious face and nodded. He did trust Sawyer. He trusted all of his fellow agents. They all endured the same rigorous training, from aptitude tests to firearms proficiency to physical strength and endurance. Dante Costa ran the conditioning program and more than once, he thought the former SEAL might’ve been a sadist in a former life. The man was a freaking machine and he drilled them relentlessly. Even if your intelligence tested off the charts and you could shoot the antennae off a flea blindfolded, if you didn’t pass Dante’s curriculum, you didn’t become an agent.

  When Alex first signed on, he thought he was well trained from the police academy and ongoing brush-up courses. He realized how wrong he’d been when he began working with Dante. It took time for him to regain his stamina due to his gunshot wound, so Dante coached him on Krav Maga and Muay Thai techniques. He was now proficient in several hand-to-hand combat techniques, as were Sawyer and the rest of the crew. He trusted all of them with his life, therefore, he trusted them to protect Olivia as well.

  After a quick shower and shave, Alex headed back into the other room. He was happy to note Olivia was still in the bedroom.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Alex watched from the wings as Olivia delivered the evening news. It was surreal to see it live. He tuned in on weekdays when possible, but it was different seeing it in person. On television, you only saw one small portion of the glittering set decorated in mahogany wood with blue accents and lots of lights. A huge image of New York City at dusk provided the backdrop. A large wood desk with a NYC-TV3 logo on the front dominated the stage. Two leather chairs were behind: one for Olivia, one for her dipshit cohost Kip Prescott. A large television was positioned behind the desk. Off to one side was a large green screen where the weather maps and charts would be projected. On the other side was a seating area featuring a leather couch and chairs for on-set interviews, he assumed. There was another television that the sports guy stood in front of to give his report. It was all very stylized and high-tech and reminded him a little bit of the Starship Enterprise.

  What you didn’t see on television were the numerous cameras and booms and monitors in front of the set to record the program. Even though the production crew ran through much the same thing every night, the pace was frantic with lots of yelling and running around when the cameras weren’t rolling. During breaks, a woman touched up Olivia’s make-up and hair, and another did the same for Kip. How any guy could sit still while someone applied powder was beyond him. A large glass booth was positioned off to the side, filled with computers and one entire wall covered with dozens of television monitors. Jonah was in there now producing the program.

  His gaze found Olivia again. You would never know she had suffered through a traumatic day yesterday. She was polished and poised and so damn beautiful. She kicked off the broadcast announcing another video from the Vigilante. She provided background on the case involving Oscar Tanner and his business partner, Langston Whitmore. Jonah dug up an interview that Ernie Walters conducted with Tanner, where he vehemently denied harming Whitmore. Then Tanner’s face filled the monitor as he admitted to killing him. When she finished the segment, dipshit Kip announced the video of the shooting outside of Olivia’s building. Jonah thought it would be best if Kip introduced the clip since Olivia was the star of the piece. After it played, Kip asked her questions, trying his best to look interested in her responses. Olivia answered easily, promised she was fine and didn’t mention anything about her roommate being gunned down. They still hadn’t been able to get in touch with Arlo’s family who apparently lived in some secluded commune, so until they could, they weren’t releasing the information to the press.

  Olivia hadn’t wanted Jonah to play the tape of the shooting, but it’d garnered national attention so they had no choice but to address it. When she signed off and the camera lights dimmed, someone declared it a wrap. She sagged in her chair and pulled out her earpiece. Dipshit Kip leapt to his feet and called out to Jonah, who had left the booth and was moving across the floor. “I thought I was going to start signing off,” he whined.

  “We put a pin in that, Kip. Remember?”

  “But—”

  Jonah held up a hand. “Not now.” He stopped to talk to one of the camera operators.

  Olivia gathered her materials and stood. The sports guy, some former major league player that Alex had never heard of, crowded into her space and stroked his hand along her arm.

  Alex didn’t even realize he’d moved forward until he was almost flattened by a man pushing a camera dolly. He bobbed and weaved and by the time he got around the equipment, Olivia had walked away from the jerk and was headed toward him. All his anger melted away at her smile. He wanted to pull her into his arms but that wasn’t professional and they were at her workplace. He reigned in his urges…bar
ely. “You looked beautiful up there.”

  Pink filled her cheeks. “Thanks.”

  “So what do you do now?”

  “We don’t know how the Vigilante will contact me with the information, so it’s a waiting game.”

  #

  Seeing Alex standing in the shadows had Olivia working hard to concentrate on the news scrolling across the monitor. She’d already played the Vigilante’s next video and had to suffer through Kip asking her questions about the shooting yesterday. She’d been given a copy of the questions beforehand, so she had her answers all ready to go. Between Jonah, Alex and Sawyer, they decided to stick with the story that Alex was an old friend who just happened to work for a security company. She hadn’t been prepared for Kip to improvise. He asked about details on her relationship with Alex, which was not on the approved list of questions. She glossed over the answers and ended the interview, shooting Kip a glare when he threw it to commercials.

  Once the program ended, she stood, needing to be close to Alex. Chuck stopped her progress.

  “Are you sure you’re okay after the ordeal yesterday?” He reached out and stroked her arm.

  She fought a shudder from his touch. “I’m fine, Chuck. Thanks for your concern.” She grabbed her iPad and her cell and scooted around him.

  “Wait, what about our date tomorrow night?”

  She didn’t even try to shoot him down since he didn’t bother to listen to her anyway. She headed for Alex and couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips.

  “Do I need to beat the crap out of that sports jerk?”

  Olivia glanced over at Chuck. He was checking his reflection in one of the monitors and fixing his hair. “He’s annoying but harmless.”

  “When I saw him touch you…” Alex shook his head and closed his mouth.

  Her heart thumped in her chest. She reached out and clasped his hand. “Wanna go back to my office and make out?”

  “Always.”