“Yes and no. He blames me for his brother going to jail. I was the attorney that tried the case.”
“What did he go to jail for?”
She thought briefly about lying but he deserved the truth if his life was put in jeopardy. “He was responsible for selling a huge amount of drugs. We had good evidence and knew he was guilty.”
“Does the brother think he’s innocent?”
“No, he knows he’s guilty. He just doesn’t want him to go to jail over it. And he’s willing to hurt people in return for sending his brother to prison. People including me.”
“And me?”
“Yes.” She wanted to reach for him but had the idea he wouldn’t appreciate it at that moment. She’d let him approach her first.
He scratched at a scar in the old table with his thumb nail, his gaze downturned for several seconds then looked back up at her. “And that’s why we’re here. With Sam and Kid.”
“Yes. You knew that, though, right?”
He waggled his head in a neutral manner. “I did. But it’s just now sinking in. Kid and Sam are our protectors? Like the Secret Service?”
She nodded, “Like that. And that’s why it’s super important that we stay with Sam and Kid all the time, not put them in a position that will make it hard to watch over us. And we might need to move to another place.” She couldn’t let go of the possibility that somewhere else, anywhere else might be safer for them. If Price knew she was on the ranch shouldn’t she move?
Charlie shook his head, “I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
“I don’t either, but we might have to, honey.”
He was shaking his head, the kid replacing the small adult he’d been for the last few minutes when Sam interjected. “Let’s take a break for some food, okay? We’ve all been busy and haven’t eaten and I’m starving.”
“Me too,” Kid agreed and stood. “I’m going to go wash up. Come on, Charlie.”
Charlie stood and followed Kid to the bathroom. Alana watched them disappear down the short hall then turned toward the kitchen sink where she quickly washed her hands before grabbing plates.
“Promise me one thing,” Sam said as he placed the thick sandwiches on the plates and reached for a bag of chips. “Promise me that if you decide to run, you’ll tell me first.”
She avoided his gaze and opened the refrigerator to get pickles and drinks. “Of course I will.”
Chapter 6
Sam stalked the perimeter of the cabin, training his gaze on the paddocks and buildings surrounding the small house. Alana and Charlie worked inside, trying to focus on the small amount of school work she insisted Charlie complete that evening. He had to hand it to her, Sam thought, she was determined to make things as normal as possible. Charlie groused about having homework “even out here” but complied when she reminded him he could either finish the work that evening or have a double dose of it the next morning.
Lana, as he’d come to think of her, intrigued him more as time went on. He’d been surprised when she sat down and told Charlie the truth, unvarnished but with enough filter not to terrify him. The boy, in turn, had taken her admonishments to heart and stayed in the house unless Kid or Sam was with him and hadn’t pushed any boundaries in the two days since the shooting. But one thing was certain, Lana wasn’t a pushover. And she would run if she thought it would prevent Charlie from being hurt. He just had to convince her the kid was protected, that he was enough to keep him safe.
“You see anything?” Kid sidled up next to him and leaned against the fence.
“No. Not a damned thing,” Sam grumbled.
“That’s good, man. Nothing is good.”
“Yeah, but everyone’s getting antsy.” Which was exactly what Price wanted, he mused as he stared into the inky darkness of night. Impatient people made mistakes, put themselves in danger. And Lana was getting more impatient as the days progressed.
Kid breathed in a deep breath. “It’s good here, SIdewinder. Thanks for making me come.”
Sam huffed a short laugh. “I didn’t make you do anything, Kid.”
“Yeah, but me staying in Memphis wasn’t good, not with the old gang there and the family stuff going on. Anyways, thanks for coming with me.”
“You had my six, Kid. I got yours, that’s how it’s always been.” He’d not had the younger man’s six in the field when they almost got blown to bits. He had to make it better now.
“Yeah. Well, thanks. Who would have thought I’d be good with horses?”
“Right? Man, you know the big brutes. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen you with Beast today. That snake spooked him and you were able to get him under control like no one else.”
Kid shrugged. “Horses are like any other animal. You just have to figure out what they need and what they’re feeling. I like ‘em too. They don’t mess around with my head like people.”
Sam didn’t reply. Kid did do much better with the animals he encountered on the farm. Other than them, the foreman and Charlie, the young veteran didn’t talk to many people, didn’t make the effort to get to know other injured veterans that were rehabbing at the ranch. While Sam wasn’t a social animal himself, he at least managed to talk to men and women he encountered in the stables or at the chow hall when he took Lana and Charlie to ear. But Kid stayed to himself. Hannah reassured Sam it was all part of the healing process but he remembered the sarcastic humor, the rapping smartass Kid was in the field. The quiet, hardworking ranch hand Kid embodied couldn’t be more different than he’d been a year ago.
“I’m going to check the stables before I turn in. You still bunking in Lana’s cabin?” Kid arched a look at Sam.
“Yeah. Charlie’s not sleeping unless I’m there, according to Lana.”
“She sleeping good?” Kid asked with a smirk.
“She’s sleeping fine.” Not in hell would Sam admit he was sleeping on the damn couch.
Kid laughed and disappeared into the dark, heading toward his horses. Sam wondered if the man would be able to leave them when it came time.
He circled the house once more before heading inside. Charlie’s books and papers were stacked neatly on a side table, along with the laptop, now closed for the night. Lana sat on one side of the couch, reading a ratty novel she’d mentioned finding on the bookshelf, a fantasy. She’d changed from the dark slacks and sweater of the day to a t-shirt and shorts she slept in. Her bare legs, curled beneath her, were pale and slim, not tanned and muscled like the female soldiers he’d served with and sometimes slept with. Her curves were soft and round, urging a touch or caress. He grew hard at the sight of her, relaxed, or as relaxed as she could be in the situation. And waiting for him.
They’d ended the past couple of nights talking. About his life before the military, about her marriage to her college sweetheart and subsequent amicable but painful divorce. Her bald statement that her husband had grown bored of her and of married life both stymied and irritated him. How could a man grow bored of a spitfire like her? When she’d faced him down at the door of the cabin that day, she’d been a tiger mother, determined to get to her cub, no matter the obstacle. And damn if he hadn’t gotten hard, just standing there in front of her.
Just like now. Watching her read, her hair falling around her cheeks as she leaned her head against her hand, made him want the touch of the brown tresses on his chest, on his belly, as she licked him from root to tip. He muffled a groan and headed to the bathroom to take care of business before sitting down.
“Sam, hi. I didn’t see you come in.” She laid her book down on her lap and smiled at him, halting him in his tracks. “Is it okay out there?”
“Yeah. All clear. I ran into Kid and he’s checking out the horses.”
She looked startled then worry crossed her face. “Do you think Price would hurt the horses?”
Sam sank down onto the couch beside her, aware of the sweet floral smell he’d always associate with her. “I think he’ll do whatever it takes to get to
you or Charlie. And that’s why I need you to be straight with me, Lana.”
She busied herself with tucking a scrap of paper into the book and closing it then laying it on the end table before turning to him. “Haven’t I shown I trust you? I’m sticking to you like glue and Charlie is too. The only time he’s out of my sight is when he’s with Kid.”
“Yeah but I know you now. You’ve got running in the back of your mind, don’t you?”
She didn’t contradict him, at least. “Put yourself in my shoes, Sam. What would you do, what have you done when Kid was in jeopardy? You left the army and brought him here. And you didn’t spend his childhood with him, didn’t raise him. Didn’t give birth to him.” She leaned toward him and he struggled to keep his mind on their conversation, not noticing her breasts pushing against the thin t-shirt fabric.
“I know. But it’s different now, Lana. You have me and Kid watching over you. And there are other ex-soldiers here on the ranch.”
“Most of which are injured or traumatized. The only reason I’m okay with Kid watching over Charlie is that you vouch for him.” She shook her head. “I won’t tell you I won’t run. But if it’s at all possible, I’ll tell you when or if I run.”
“And where?” he persisted and her mouth turned up in a small smile. “And where.”
He relaxed and draped an arm along the back of the sofa, his hand brushing her shoulder then he nodded toward the book. “You making any headway in that book? I saw you reading it last night.”
“I am, finally. It’s helping me forget about the whole work situation and Price, at least for a few minutes. It’s good, but long. I may not finish the series before we leave. At least I hope I’m not here that long.”
He didn’t think about when she’d leave. He’d have to stay on with Kid, he owed it to the man. “Tell me about it.”
“You can read it,” she turned to retrieve the book but he stopped her with his hand on her shoulder.
“No, I just want to hear the story.” He straightened his legs out under the table in front of the sofa and leaned back, his head falling back against the top of the upholstery. Alana took his hint that he needed to relax and started weaving a tale of a boy wizard, his battle against an evil enemy and his journey to understand and deal with death. Sam had been soothed by her voice then frowned and swiveled his head toward her. “Isn’t that the kid in the movies?”
She smiled and shook her head, “Sounds familiar but no. This author, LaGuin, took it in a slightly different direction. But there are dragons.”
“You like dragons?”
She chuckled and scooted down into the cushions of the couch too, her backside sliding forward on the seat until her head rested near his. “What’s not to like? A brave, ferocious creature who’ll stop at nothing to protect what’s his and free heating.”
“But hell on cleanup.” Sam drawled and eyed her legs as she propped her feet on the coffee table. Her toenails were painted a hot cherry red, sexy as hell and cute at the same time.
“It’s fantasy, no cleanup needed.” Her voice, usually crisp and clear sounded a bit blurry.
“Sleepy?” His arm still rested behind her, now above her head and he gave in to the urge to gently run his fingers along the crown of her head. As they mussed the dark brown strands she yawned and nodded. “Just keep doing that for five minutes and I’ll be snoring.” She straightened then groaned. “Oh, I shouldn’t have tried riding that horse today.”
He chuckled, “Backside sore?”
Lana poked his side with her finger, “No, smart ass. My neck. I think I twisted it when the horse reared. I thought I’d be bucked off, so I clenched with everything I had, including my neck, apparently.”
He uncurled his body into an upright sitting position and tossed one of the small cushions that were for show on the floor between his feet. He gestured toward it. “Have a seat and I’ll work the kinks out.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re offering to give me a neck rub?”
“Yeah. Why? You think I’m up to no good?”
“Not sure,” she slowly replied but moved to between his bent legs. She sat with her shoulders against the base of the sofa. He smoothed her hair over one shoulder then started rubbing her shoulders. Her head fell forward, revealing the v of her hairline along with the pale soft skin of her nape. Sam ran his fingertips along the edge of her shirt, noticing the tiny bumps rising in their wake. Lana sighed and he continued rubbing, moving his hands to the base of her hairline. Increasing the pressure, he massaged the tight cord running down her neck with his thumbs on either side, his fingers resting along the sides of her neck. Turning his hands. he cupped her jaw and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Feel good?”
Her whispered yes shot straight to his groin and his erection sprang to full attention. Much more and he’d embarrass himself. He attempted to turn his attention to relieving her aching neck, not him. But the allure of her neck and jaw got the better of him and he bent and kissed her nape, lingering. Her skin, silky and tender, urged him to explore and he buried his face in her hair, breathing in the floral scent, along with a musk that was Lana.
“Sam,” she murmured and she came to her knees, turning as she did so. Sam cupped her shoulders and pulled her close, covering her mouth with his. She opened to him, refusing to let him take control. He gladly shared his passion with her, tangling his tongue with hers and tasting her sweet mouth.
Lana grabbed his shirt and started working at his buttons. Sam pulled at her shirt collar, working it up. They broke apart to divest each other of their tops and Sam started to pull Lana down to the couch when she put her hand on his mouth. “Charlie,” she whispered and standing, took his hand and led him down the short hallway to her bedroom.
The small room held a poster bed, a night stand with a lamp and book on it and a chest of drawers tucked into the side of the room. A braided rug completed the rustic look of the place and Alana came to rest on it in front of the bed. She turned to him and ran her hands down the plain of his chest, relishing in the hard muscles she encountered. Sam, in turn, glided his fingers along the upper curves of her breasts, still encased in the serviceable cotton bra. Alana looked up at him only to find his attention fully on his hands against her light skin.
“So pretty.”
“And pale,” she added, a blush rising from her chest. She rued not having perky breasts to display but he didn’t seem to mind as he lowered her bra straps and revealed her chest. Sam lowered the bra to her waist and bent to cover a nipple with his mouth, eliciting a sigh from Alana. She leaned into him, encouraging him. Sam wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to him, raising her on her tiptoes to increase the suction his mouth created. Shocks of warmth traveled from her breasts to her middle and lower until she moaned and pulled away. She quickly removed the bra and then stripped to the skin, watching him do the same all the while. She stepped back until her knees hit the bed then shuffled back onto its surface, never breaking eye contact. She’d regret this in the morning, maybe. But for now, the thought of not having Sam made her crazy.
He followed her and covered her body with his lean muscled one. He kissed her and nuzzled her neck as his hands explored. Alana did some exploring of her own, her hands smoothing along his back muscles to the curve of his ass. He reared away from her to meet her gaze. “Are you protected?”
She nodded and he leaned down to kiss her once more. “Good,” he murmured then shifted to lie between her legs and probe her center. Alana caught her breath at the slight pressure, forcing herself to relax. She shifted to allow him more room and he slid home. Neither moved for the next exquisite moment and Alana stared into Sam’s brown eyes, her attention solely on him. His gaze lowered from her eyes to her mouth and he leaned down to kiss her, sure and deep as his hips began to pulse slightly then move with more surety. She held on, her focus on his movements, her own body unmoving for an eternity, a second. Then she met his movements with her own. All the while, his mouth was on h
er skin, covering her lips, skimming along her jaw, tasting the tears their movement brought forth. He stopped after this and pulled back. He might have pulled out but she kept her hands on his ass, pushing against him, rearing against his hips. “Am I hurting you?” he rasped.
“No. No.”
“You’re crying.” He reached up and swiped at her cheek then showed her a drop of moisture on his fingers.
“It’s been a while.” And if she were being truthful, even sex during her marriage hadn’t met this standard.
He smiled and tilted his hips into her, accepting her automatic acceptance. Alana returned his smile and lightly pinched his rear. He chuckled then returned to the delicious glide she feared could become addictive.
Moments later, they lay in bed, his arm under her head and the sheet pulled around them. Alana pondered her options. She could make him leave the bed, using Charlie as an excuse. She could leave the bed on her own, retreating to the bathroom and its solitude, though she’d have to walk in front of him naked. Or she could stay there, cuddled next to him in bed and accept that she’d made a move she’d never expected to make.
“I can hear the wheels.” Sam turned his head and looked at her.
“Wheels?” Oh damn! She had no idea where she’d left her clothes.
He tapped her temple. “Up here. You’re either trying to figure out how to get out of the bed without hurting my feelings and the job or you’re wondering what the next step in our relationship is.”
Alana mentally shrugged. “First guess is the winner.”
“Why do you want to leave the bed? Charlie’s not made a sound. And I’m not going to insist on anything you don’t want, you know.”
She sat up, bringing the sheet with her and tucking it under her shoulders before trying to smooth her hair back. “When I said I haven’t done this in a while, I meant it. Charlie isn’t used to seeing me with men, other than the men I work with in the office and that’s only when he comes by my building on the rare occasion.”
Saving Sidewinder: Brotherhood Protectors World Page 6
