No Good Dead (Bad to Be Good #1)

by Dana Volney

  “Get in your car and leave.” Able moved his gaze to Tanner and motioned his palm a couple times in the air to signal his team to lower their weapons. It would be a cold day in hell before Able holstered his though.

  Tanner and his group did as requested and moved backward for their own cover behind vehicles.

  “That’s better,” Able continued and took a step forward. He didn’t have a clean shot yet on anyone but Teagan. “Drive away, but leave the woman here. She isn’t involved in this.”

  “I think we’ll keep her,” the bodyguard sneered, and Able nearly pulled the trigger. He could shoot through Teagan’s shoulder and kill the guy. She’d sustain a gunshot but she’d live.

  “I can take Hume or the bodyguard out,” Samson was pushing in his ear. “I’m the only one with rounds.” Milo must be there with him but not useful in any way.

  “Hume,” Able said without letting his lips move much so the trigger-happy asshole in front of him wouldn’t see his bullet coming straight for his forehead in a minute.

  Hume reached for the car door handle behind him, careful to stay in line and not move. The shot was going to come when they all tried to file in. The door swung open and Hume was starting to duck inside when the bodyguard shifted and Able had a shot, if Teagan stayed where she was.

  “Now,” Able breathed and hoped Samson knew he was talking to him.

  Able squeezed the trigger and heard the simultaneous shot from his nine o-clock. Glass cracked and blood splattered on the car—Hume and the bodyguard both went down.

  So did Teagan.

  His vision blurred as he took off toward her. She was crouched down, covering her head when he reached her. There were no signs of her blood leaking out of her body anywhere. Thank God. “It’s over.” He pulled her up and gathered her in his arms, pressing a kiss into her temple. “You’re okay.” He hugged her to his chest tightly.

  She didn’t say anything as she slumped into him more. He placed his hands on either side of her head and tilted it up to him.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He kissed her lips and pulled back, searching her eyes. Nothing changed—she was stunned and on overload.

  “Nice work. I’m out.” Rife was already hustling out of sight. He didn’t much care for any type of law enforcement.

  Sabene was hooting in the background on the earbuds. “Good job, team.”

  “You, too, Sabene.” Able started walking them toward Samson as police began taping off the dead bodies and calling in for more assistance. “Good work.” He patted his brother on the back.

  Samson turned to shake hands with Tanner as he joined them. “Thanks for leeway on this one. We all got what we wanted here.” He threw a copy of the drive to Tanner, who caught it with one hand. “The proof of their treason. You might be able to track down others involved from it. There’s also bonus material on there—a phone call between Hume and an FBI agent that proves he’s dirty. Agent Bostick. Have fun with that one.”

  “I will file my report, and you are officially cleared of all charges.” Tanner dropped the drive into a Velcroed pocket in his vest. “I have your number though, and you will probably have to submit an official statement.” He glanced between Able and Teagan.

  “Thank you.” Teagan smiled tightly and Tanner left to join his SWAT team.

  Claire came to a screeching halt beside them in Samson’s SUV. “Thank God that’s over.”

  “Celebrate with a drink then?” Milo asked from the passenger seat.

  “Um, I appreciate all you guys have done. But I’m on overload for the day. For the year, probably.” Teagan didn’t make eye contact with any one of them. “I think I’d like to call it a night.”

  “Yeah … I’ll take you home.” Able glanced at Teagan before nodding to the gang and ushering her to his Hummer.

  She should be off the wall happy. Instead, there was a stiffness in her smile and walk. Was she having a reaction to summing up her sister’s case, or was something else diverting her attention?

  He’d love to know what was going through her mind right now. And what her next move was. Literally. Would she leave or want to stay?

  Chapter Seventeen

  “I’ll just grab my stuff then.” It hurt too much to look at him.

  In all of the excitement of the night, she’d not thought about where it all led: the investigation her sister had started coming to a victorious end. Teagan’s name was no longer associated with the word “murderer.” Her life was no longer associated with Able’s.

  She felt a peace she hadn’t known since she found out about Tabitha’s death. She hadn’t realized there was a sense of doom sitting on her shoulders until it was lifted the moment Hugh Hume laid dead where he sat.

  The light in her soul started to come back. One she’d missed dearly.

  She headed toward the spiral staircase, unsure of whether to smile at her newfound sense of freedom or cry because she was leaving someone she’d grown close to. A bond that went beyond him helping her get closure for her sister. That counted for something.

  Maybe for everything.

  She wasn’t sure.

  She put one foot in front of the other and took one stair at a time.

  He didn’t stop her and she didn’t glance behind to ask him to, whether with her mouth or with her eyes. She didn’t know what she wanted.

  Did she want him to ask her to stay? Would she?

  There was staying another night for pleasure and then there was staying the rest of her nights for love. She didn’t know which she wanted or needed or if the answer was none of the above.

  She needed to sort things out. Gain some distance from Able. From his strong hands and knowing mouth and eyes that raked across her soul and stirred things in her that she’d never known were there to begin with.

  What would she be without him now? Would she be stronger? Weaker? Would she never take any shit from anyone ever again? Yeah, that one was now totally true.

  She pushed open the sliding barn-style doors to the large bathroom area. She’d grab her things and go. She let her purse slide off her shoulder and down to the floor. She looked around at the rack of expensive clothing, all in her size, and all stuff that she loved but couldn’t afford. She glanced to the vanity that held some toiletries and makeup.

  What did I come back for really?

  She rested her ass on the sink countertop. She didn’t own any of this stuff. Everything she had was packed up in her car, in her apartment in boxes, or in her purse. Those were her belongings. Nothing of Able’s belonged to her. Nothing.

  She took in a long breath, the mix of peppermint and eucalyptus oils forever imprinted in her memory and wrapped her arms around herself. She’d come back because she wasn’t ready to let go. Everyone seemed to accept her and she liked the team. Even with all of their eccentricities and gray morals, they were a good group of people. Now she was supposed to up and leave them all like they’d never met. Like they hadn’t basically saved her life. How was she going to let go of that?

  She’d managed to get justice for Tabitha. But that had been her life for so long, she didn’t know where to go. How to start over.

  “Need help?” Able leaned on the doorframe and stuck a hand in his jean pocket, thumb out.

  “No, I think I have everything, actually.”

  His gaze dipped down to her purse on the floor. “Looks awfully light.”

  “None of this is my stuff. You can have it taken back to where it came from.” She pushed off the vanity and swooped her hand down, catching the strap and swinging it around to her shoulder. She was keeping the purse.

  “It is your stuff. All of it. I bought it for you.”

  “You didn’t have to do that. Really, return it.”

  “It’s non-refundable.” The sides of his eyes crinkled in the adorable way they usually did when he was trying to be charming.

  “Stop being difficult.” She chuckled and sadness accidently seeped through.

  �
�Then why did you need to come back here?” His voice was as smooth as a hot knife cutting through butter.

  “I forgot that I don’t live here.” She smiled, trying for a joke to lighten the mood, take away the dark cloud that was looming overhead.

  She didn’t know why it would be over Able. He had everything. A career he loved, money to spare, great friends. He had it together. He didn’t need her. Men like him didn’t like to be tied down. They didn’t like having to look out for another person constantly. Even if she stayed with him, maybe sooner or later the shine of the relationship would wear off and he’d leave. Or she would while he was off on a job somewhere. Because she wasn’t entirely sure this was the life she wanted either.

  Leaving now was the best thing. For both of them. They could remember their time together for whatever they saw it as and it would forever stay a nice memory. Frozen in time.

  “I think it’s too late for you to go.” Able bounced away from the door and crossed his arms over his big, defined chest.

  Shit. The man was sexy. And she didn’t mind his observations. Hell, she didn’t really want to go anyway. Prolonging the inevitable for a couple more hours wasn’t going to kill either one of them. “Are you saying that you can’t, in good conscience, let me drive tonight?”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying.” His eyes smiled back at her, the creases on the sides evident even with his lips pressed firmly together.

  “Then what will you let me do?” She took a step closer, her heart beating faster. She hadn’t expected this, didn’t think she’d get another chance to press her lips to his.

  “I can think of one thing.” His brow arched and her tummy flip-flopped with excitement.

  Suddenly, he was in front of her, clasping his palms around her face and dipping his head to look her in the eye.

  “This, for one.” He kissed her and her entire body electrified, zapping every possible point of connection between them. This was what she wanted tonight. This was what she craved. Who she craved. One more night in Able’s arms. One more night of him worshipping her. One more night of hearing him say her name as he was hard inside of her.

  That’s what she needed.

  She opened her mouth to him, feeling herself go lightheaded and any semblance of control floated into the cold February night where it belonged.

  Their tongues smashed together, intertwining like old lovers who had a lot of catching up to do, his spicy lavender scent filling her lungs and bringing the promise of fulfillment with it. In every way. God, she loved being around him when he gave orders and when he protected her and when he looked at her like he was trying to set her clothes on fire so they’d fall off and she’d be naked standing in front of him.

  She pulled back from their embrace. Awareness was a bitch. She had gained many things over the last couple of days, but tonight she was saying good-bye to one very important thing: Able. And make no mistake, they were saying good-bye.

  “We should—” Her head swayed to the side and her throat closed up so she couldn’t finish that sentence with anything that would make her feel better.

  “Tonight.” His voice was husky and dripping with emotions she couldn’t name but could see in his eyes. He probably didn’t know what they would be called either.

  But his dark gaze pinged her core and she knew there was no use in fighting. She simply could not form an argument right now.

  “Just tonight,” he said as he seemed to read her mind.

  She didn’t pull out of his arms but instead leaned in, and suddenly his hands were on her ass, hoisting her up, and she locked her legs around his hips, pressing her lips to his, running her fingertips through his brown hair.

  He turned them around and in a couple of wide steps, her back was pressed against his unforgivably soft comforter. His hips ground into hers and she moaned for more, everything a blur. Her shirt was off and she was yanking at his. He leaned back and pulled it over his head with one hand, the other splayed on her belly.

  His chest was magnificent, defined and hard and again pressing against her bare skin. Fuck yes, she loved this part. The anticipation, the need welling up deep inside of her. Because she knew where it was going—the heights of satisfaction he was going to take her to soon. Oh so very soon.

  His fingers trailed down the curve of her torso and she studied his intent gaze as he watched where his fingers traveled. He examined her like he wanted to know every inch of her, every dimension. A chill zoomed from the tip of his middle finger down to her toes. Her chest arched up to meet his.

  She wanted more.

  * * *

  This felt different. This felt important, like it mattered to the rest of his life. Able forced the unwanted, fleeting thoughts from his mind and focused on the raw passion his body was engulfed in.

  She pushed on his chest. “I can’t.”

  Fuck. Just be with me. The mission was done. There was nothing else tying them together. Desire flitted across her gaze when she watched him. What was holding her back?

  He rolled off of her, closing his eyes for a moment instead of shouting in frustration.

  He sat up on the bed, resting his back against the headboard.

  She swung her legs around the side of the bed; a mix of regret pinched the sides of her eyes.

  “You’re thinking too much.” He kept his voice even as not to spook her out the door. If she wanted to leave, he wasn’t going to stop her.

  “Probably.”

  “Come here,” he ordered.

  She raised her brows for a second then a grin graced her round face. “Yes, sir.”

  She walked straight for her side of the bed where the sheets were pulled up properly, unused, unwrinkled. Fuck, she had a side of the bed.

  “No.” He pointed to his right.

  She pivoted and rounded the bed in silence, stopping beside him. He licked his lips as he studied her face and moved down to the curve of her breasts and her belly, past her shorts to the creamy skin of her thigh.

  His gaze moved up to her eyes. They were on him and hot, and he noticed her chest rising and falling faster.

  There was no way he could walk away yet. He was just going to have to go cold turkey when she left.

  He mustered everything he had to keep his voice full and even. “Fuck me.”

  Neither said a word. Something flittered across her stare, but he couldn’t pin it down.

  The moment dragged on and his dick hardened with each tick of the clock. He had no idea whether Teagan was going to oblige or get dressed and walk out his front door.

  Her naked breasts were on display, nipples hard as pebbles. Her fingers trailed down her chest, over her nipples, and kept going until her panties dropped to the ground. “Gladly.”

  His cock strained against his zipper. But he didn’t reach out for her. He didn’t move a muscle. He was too interested to see what she was going to do next.

  She turned her back to him and, oh damn, Shakira would cry to have that ass. She stopped at the foot of the bed. She reached out and somehow her little frame managed to pull him down until his back was fully on the mattress. She tugged at the ends of his pants as he unbuttoned and unzipped them in record time. He had to move his dick out of the way, and he swore under his breath. The suspense was killing him.

  She crawled on to the bed like a lioness coming in for the kill, her ass in the air, swaying side to side ever so seductively. When her head reached his groin she ducked down and licked the length of his cock. He inhaled sharply at the surprise and pleasure of her wet tongue. She started at the base and licked up again, this time not stopping, moving her tongue as she crawled over him, spreading her legs over his torso.

  She circled her tongue over his nipple before biting it and trailing her tongue to his collarbone. She pressed a kiss into his flesh and sharp pains of desire shot down his spine. His skin was alive and calling out for her touch. More. Dammit, he needed so much more.

  Her lips were inches from his, her eyelids heav
y with lust.

  She captured his mouth with hers. And that was it. He couldn’t sit still any longer. He couldn’t not touch her for another moment.

  He gripped her hips and rubbed her apex on him, her slick skin gliding over him easily. She took his cock in her hand and guided it into her wetness, her head falling to his chest and her hair splayed around. He moved her hips and she followed, kissing his neck before sucking on the thin flesh. God, she never failed to surprise him—all she had to do was be herself. And he wanted every part of her.

  Thank God she didn’t leave.

  Their lips collided, hot and steamy, and powerful. Again and again as she rode him, her nipples skimming his chest with each movement.

  His release built, and he felt her tense above him, their bodies clashing quicker as they shuddered together. There was no need to hold back. He was going to keep her occupied all night.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Able unlocked the door to his business front in downtown Arlington. Alone. Just how he’d woken up. She’d not been nestled into his side in his bed, she’d not been downstairs making breakfast. All of her things were gone, which amounted to her purse and the clothes she’d been wearing. The stuff he’d bought for her, she’d left in a deafening message: she was gone and they were over. She didn’t want anything more to do with him.

  He’d checked the video feed of his security cameras to see just how long she’d actually stayed after they’d finally fallen asleep. One hour. What had he expected? That she’d stay now that she’d gotten what she wanted? He didn’t live a life that was made for relationships. She knew that and had made the choice not to change him.

  As soon as he started up the wooden stairs he knew he wasn’t alone. Perfume and cologne mingled in the air. By his estimation, the gang was still invading his territory.

  “There he is.” Samson greeted him with a slap on the back.

  “What are you all doing here? We’re done. It’s all over. Remember?” His teeth ground together. This is the last thing he wanted to deal with this morning.

  “Where’s Teagan?” Sabene asked and Arkham let out a whine.