Evan’s head was clearer now that he was horizontal. He stared at her in awe as she tossed his shorts over her shoulder, long hair swinging over her breasts as she straddled him.
‘Fuck,’ he groaned, as she placed her knees on either side of his hips then reached down and took hold of his dick with a firm grasp. Holding it at the right angle, she lowered herself onto his throbbing erection.
Evan stared up at her as she began to rock, internal muscles clenching around him so he had to plant his feet on the floor and grab hold of her thighs. She was like some blonde goddess of love, determined to ride him, determined to use him as an instrument of pleasure, and he had absolutely no complaints about that at all.
Her breath was coming faster now, her eyes half closed as he pushed higher up inside her. She sat up, arching her back, seeking more friction, taking him deeper.
‘Hold onto the handrails.’
She did as he suggested, reaching up to grab hold of the bars. She lifted her weight off him, then slid back down again, and he brought his hands up to span her waist, to hold her steady.
She looked as if she was exercising, pulling herself up with the bars then letting herself down over and over, quicker and quicker, until her breasts bounced and Evan couldn’t take any more.
‘Oh..f…shit!’ He came with a wild rush, jackhammering his hips into her until she tossed her head, arched her back and came with a scream.
‘Yes….’
‘Jesus!’ Waves of pleasure crashed over him as she rode him, eyes closed, mouth open in wonder, her expression a mixture of unadulterated pleasure and sweet torture.
Eventually, she was spent.
Letting go of the handrails, she collapsed on top of him, and he folded her in his arms, pushing her damp hair off her face as warm breasts crushed against his chest.
She was a marvel, a revelation.
He wanted to keep her here forever.
‘Wow.’ He pressed his lips to her hair, closed his eyes and held her tighter.
Only then did he remember he was still wearing his trainers.
Chapter Twenty-four
10.30 a.m. Friday
Parked in the allotted space for visitors, Luke Neilson rested his hands on the steering wheel and stared at the sprawling expanse of land before him.
Once Australia’s largest barracks, the army base at Holsworthy was now home to several special forces and army reserve units, as well as the Active Air Regiment. The regiment had been established to transport special forces troops in the fleet of Blackhawk helicopters, and to assist in reconnaissance missions, and it was the ‘Double A’ unit that Luke had business with today.
Locking the car with the remote key fob, he headed towards the commander’s office. As always, the homecoming was bittersweet. The army had trained him to the highest level. The success of his company, Neilson’s Security, was built on the foundations laid down in this place. His training had helped save Allegra’s life.
Now, another woman was in danger.
The early-morning drive to the base had cleared his thoughts, cementing in his mind that a direct approach was best. Sniffing around, trying to locate a couple of pilots, would only arouse suspicion. And while Laila wanted an independent investigation into the matter, he doubted it would be necessary.
In his experience, the best way of bringing the army into line was to plant one of their own grenades under them.
And who better to do that than him?
Five minutes later, Luke was being shown into the office of Commander Reuben Lawrence, a soldier he’d known for years. A wary tolerance existed between them, and they shared enough history to dispense with formalities.
‘What’s so important it brings you here on a public holiday?’ Lawrence waved his hand towards a chair. He had a few years on Luke, a few more inches around the middle too.
Luke sat opposite Lawrence, casually raising one booted foot until it rested on the opposite knee. ‘Word is, there’s trouble with your night vision.’
To Lawrence’s credit, his face remained impassive. He didn’t speak right away either, just blinked a few times and stared hard at Luke.
‘Says who?’ he asked eventually.
‘Laila Richards.’
Lawrence’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Will Richards’ widow?’
Lawrence wouldn’t win any prizes for acting, that’s for sure. He knew very well who Laila Richards was.
While Luke remained silent, the other man made a ‘pftt’ sound with his lips and laced his fingers across his middle. ‘What Laila Richards knows about night vision she learned from her husband. And he crashed a bird, remember?’
The commander’s dismissive attitude rankled, and a latent anger unfurled inside of Luke. Typical bloody army! It asked the impossible then hung you out to dry.
‘The word’s coming straight out of Holsworthy, Lawrence. You’ve got pilots reluctant to fly because of problems with goggles.’ He held the commander’s stare. ‘I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. Richards put in a formal complaint prior to the crash.’
‘That’s classified information!’ Lawrence barked out the words.
Luke smiled. Was that the best he could do? ‘You have a security breach, Reuben.’
Luke stared in satisfaction at the flush rising in Lawrence’s face. The man had gone from dismissive to defensive in a matter of seconds, and the fact that he hadn’t thrown Luke out and accused him of talking bullshit was a good sign. It told him the army was likely involved in the break-in at Laila’s office. As to the extent of their involvement, he didn’t know. He only knew Lawrence was prepared to sit through this when he didn’t have to.
Luke tapped his foot in time to an imaginary beat and waited for the other man to speak.
‘You know the score, Luke,’ Lawrence said eventually. ‘Some pilots handle night flying better than others. Doesn’t mean there’s a problem with the equipment. It’s been checked, and the crash has been investigated.’
‘That’s not the way Laila Richards sees it.’
‘Damn Laila Richards! She’s been a thorn in our sides ever since her husband crashed that bloody Blackhawk.’
To Luke’s surprise, Lawrence turned his chair around and stood up. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his regulation army pants, complete with knife-edged crease, he walked over to the window and stood looking out at the airfield.
‘Tell me how she sees it then?’
Luke spoke to Lawrence’s back. ‘She believes the military covered up the cause of the crash. She’s set up a foundation for the defence force wives. According to my sources, she’s lodging a class action on Monday on behalf of the men who were on that Blackhawk. She has two pilots to subpoena. You don’t have to be a genius to see you’ve got major problems here.’
Lawrence swung around, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. ‘Did your sources reveal one pilot’s already been dishonourably discharged?’
‘Jesus, Reuben!’ This time it was Luke who stood up and spoke through gritted teeth. ‘What the hell’s going on?’
‘You know what’s going on.’ Lawrence turned away to stare out the window again. ‘You haven’t been away that long.’
The mission before the men. Human casualties, regarded as a by-product of warfare, even on a training exercise.
Luke leaned forward and rested his palms on Lawrence’s desk. He hadn’t wanted to believe it, but here it was again, the same old story. Grounded planes and helicopters didn’t get the special forces teams into the field, where they needed to be. And if someone dared lodge a complaint, the army found a way to dishonourably discharge them.
‘What’s Laila after?’ The commander asked suddenly.
Luke set aside his disquiet. The reflection would come later.
‘The original finding overturned, and her husband’s name cleared. That, and decent compensation for the survivors and their families, which is a great deal more than the pittance the army paid out.’
‘And she’s fi
ling it Monday?’
‘Monday.’ Luke moved to stand beside Lawrence, though he looked at the airfield in preference to looking at the other man. He also left an arm’s length between them, a silent message that he couldn’t abhor the stench of corruption sticking to the other man like flies on a piece of shit. ‘There’s something else.’
Curiosity eventually got the better of Lawrence, because he turned and looked at Luke, one eyebrow raised.
‘Laila Richards was attacked last night on her way home from work. She managed to get away. A second man stopped the assault. Now, to my way of thinking, the army has a lot to gain if Laila Richards goes away, and both guys were carrying. In Australia, that’s unusual.’
Lawrence’s nostrils flared and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. ‘Anything else?’
That’s just for starters, arsehole.
‘She’s Evan Barclay’s girlfriend. Now, I’m not expecting you to know who he is, so I’ll fill you in. He’s a talented young lawyer with a huge future. He represents the Peyton family, and he works for my wife. So, while Laila Richards might be a single practitioner with divorce cases as her bread and butter, he’s seriously connected.’
Lawrence’s gaze raked over his face. ‘I’m only now remembering why I disliked you so much, Neilson.’
‘That happens when you can’t face the truth.’ Luke got right up in the other man’s face, close enough to smell the commander’s acrid breath. ‘Don’t think for a second she’s a woman you can squash under the military’s shitty boot. Evan Barclay is John Barclay, the former union international. He might dress like a corporate raider, but if you’ve ever seen him play, you’ll know he’s one tough unit.’
Lawrence swallowed. In that moment Luke knew that despite being in the army’s backyard, he’d gained the upper hand.
‘If your people are in any way involved, I’d advise you to fix it. It would be a mistake to underestimate Barclay. He’s not the type to let this go away.’
‘Is that all?’
Luke stepped back, pleased he was now a civilian and not required to salute Reuben Lawrence. ‘That’s all — for now.’
If the army were involved, he hoped what he’d done today was enough to get them off Laila’s back.
He turned to leave. ‘No need to show me out. I remember the way.’
Luke pulled the door open a couple of inches and looked back at Lawrence, surprised at the depth of hatred in the other man’s eyes. ‘As you said earlier Reuben — it hasn’t been that long.’
***
On his way to the car, Luke dragged fresh air into his lungs. The stench of the army hierarchy was worse than the stench of any battlefield, and his gut told him Reuben Lawrence was more on the nose than most.
In the car, he rang Evan. ‘They’re on notice. They know it’s happening Monday.’
‘How did they take it?’
‘Not well. Laila secure?’
‘Any safer, she’d be in prison.’
Luke smiled. Allegra had chosen well when she’d headhunted Evan Barclay. The young lawyer was well rounded, smart and personable, a man’s man with a straightforward, no-nonsense attitude. And according to Allegra, he brought the same winning mentality to his work as he’d brought to the sporting field.
But what Luke most admired was how Barclay went after what he wanted, undaunted even at the prospect of interrupting his employer’s dinner last night. The man had a girlfriend to protect, and that was his priority.
Luke understood.
‘My gut feeling says they know something.’ He took the small, high-powered binoculars from inside the console.
‘I’ve been thinking.’ Evan’s voice reverberated through the car’s speakers as Luke lifted the binoculars to his eyes and trained them on Lawrence’s office door. ‘I’m going to camp at Laila’s place.’
‘Do you think that’s a good idea?’
‘She’ll stay here. My place is like Fort Knox. I’m not kidding.’
Luke lowered the binoculars. For nearly ten years, Barclay had been one of the highest paid footballers in the country. Of course he’d have top digs with state-of-the-art security. He’d probably bought it to keep his fans at bay. For all his confidence, Barclay struck him as a bit of a loner, the kind of guy who backed himself.
‘If the military are involved, I’m thinking they might have another go at Laila over the long weekend,’ Evan was saying. ‘Some of her correspondence named Monday as the lodgement date.’
Christ, he’d been right about the guy. Barclay wouldn’t let it go.
‘And what are you going to do? Put yourself in the line of fire?’
‘I’ll think of something. I keep thinking there were two guys. I won’t rest until I find out exactly who’s behind this.’
‘Fair enough. Can you give Laila a message? Tell her I’m not sure an independent investigation is warranted. But if so, I’m prepared to do it pro bono and take my costs from any compensation awarded.’
‘I’ll pass that on. I’m sure it will be a great relief for her, Luke.’
Grateful for the black window tint, Luke lifted the binoculars to his eyes again. ‘Clue in your contact at the gang squad. Tell him you’re headed over to Laila’s.’
‘Okay.’
There was silence, then Evan spoke again. ‘Anyone turn up yet?’
‘Not yet. It could take a while. I’ll be in contact when something happens. In the meantime, watch your back.’
To his surprise, Evan laughed. ‘Don’t worry about me mate. I can look after myself. And when all this is over, I’ll buy you a beer.’
Evan hung up then, and Luke smiled to himself as he turned on the radio.
He’d enjoy a beer with him, and he didn’t doubt the guy could look after himself.
After all, he’d seen him play.
Chapter Twenty-five
Less than forty-eight hours ago, I’d given Commander Reuben Lawrence the name of the pilot Laila Richards had rendezvoused with at the art gallery. That poor bastard was gone already.
As I walked towards Lawrence’s office, a hollow resignation in my stomach, I feared my fate was sealed. I wasn’t scheduled to report until 1300 hours, but the call had come through just after 1100. My presence was required immediately.
It didn’t bode well.
How had Lawrence learned of last night’s events so quickly?
How much did he know?
I sweated as I opened the door and entered the small foyer outside his office.
He’d be furious to learn I’d involved myself in the attack, but the only thing I could say in my defence was that it wasn’t some random assault.
I wasn’t the only one watching Laila Richards.
For days now I’d been watching him — watching her.
I intended to report the information once I learned who he was. But last night he’d carried no identification, though the tattoos on his neck gave me a clue.
Inside the building, I took a seat and waited for Lawrence to fling open the door in his customary style.
Nothing I could say would improve my plight.
I hadn’t reported it, and that was enough to get me a severe reprimand, even a dishonourable discharge.
I stared at the floor, reliving last night’s events, knowing my conscience wouldn’t have allowed me to turn away. Yes, if I had my time over I’d do the same again. I’d knock the bastard out cold, leave his cash in his pocket and throw his weapon in the river. And I’d leave him to wake on his own, hoping his concussion lasted for days, secure in the knowledge he hadn’t seen my face.
The only thing I questioned was the wisdom of letting him live.
Chapter Twenty-six
11:15 a.m. Friday
Surprise, coupled with disappointment, had Laila throwing off the blanket and scrambling out of bed. ‘What do you mean I’ll stay here and you’ll camp at my place?’
She watched Evan stand and pull on a pair of boxers. Then he came around the foot of the bed towards he
r, stopping an arm’s length away. ‘Neilson’s convinced the army know something.’
Laila huffed out a breath and averted her eyes away from his chiselled features and half-naked body. ‘That’s hardly news.’
‘I know. But the guy has good instincts. And if an investigation’s warranted, he’ll do it pro bono and take his costs out of the payout.’
‘That’s fantastic news.’ Laila’s face broke into a pretty smile. ‘Thank you.’
Her heartfelt thanks brought a rush of pleasure to Evan’s body, like she’d handed him an unexpected gift. Still, he couldn’t take all the credit.
‘Don’t thank me, thank Neilson.’
‘But he was your contact.’
He winked. ‘True.’
Laila’s heart thudded against her ribs at an alarming rate, and not in a good way, not like it had hours earlier. ‘So, you’re going to lie in wait at my place?’
He nodded and pulled on his jeans. ‘In case they come back — looking for you.’
‘Can’t the police handle it?’
He sighed and pulled a maroon hoodie over his head. ‘They don’t have the manpower to stake out your place on nothing but a hunch. I bet the only thing Dickson Cross can do is send a patrol car around every hour.’
Laila lifted a hand and rubbed her temple with her fingertips. This wasn’t what she wanted to hear. ‘So, you’re going to take matters into your own hands, like some kind of suited vigilante?’
He slid a warm hand beneath her hair and caressed her nape, sending a delightful shiver right through her body. ‘In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not wearing a suit.’
He smiled, but there was regret and apology in his eyes. ‘If you don’t want me to go, I’ll stay. But what if they have another go at you before Monday?’
He dipped his head and planted a lingering kiss on her lips. ‘I have a lot to lose here too, you know.’
A bittersweet ache bloomed in Laila’s chest. It was the closest he’d ever come to saying how much he cared for her. And right when he was going to leave.
She remembered his words from the day in the park. ‘And you like to keep what’s yours?’
Hot Lawyers: The Lee Christine Collection Page 59
