Ultimate Kill (Book 1 Ultimate CORE Trilogy) (CORE Series)

by Kristine Mason

  Just as she thought her body might implode, he quickly rolled her again. Holding her legs wide, he thrust hard, his tempo quick and determined. His pure male scent, the feel of his hard body, the sight of him coated in a light sheen of sweat, had her inner muscles clenching, her belly tightening, her breasts swelling.

  “Come for me, baby,” he grunted, rocking faster. “Let me see you.”

  His words, the passion and love in his dark eyes, the hot friction from his thrusts drove straight to her womb and her heart. Her core burst. Her orgasm splintered and shattered throughout her body. She gasped as the delicious sensation went on and on, then groaned when he rubbed her clit and gave her one hard final thrust.

  He quickly pulled out and gripped his length, releasing his passion along her stomach. Her inner walls and muscles continued to compress and tighten, her body protesting the loss of him.

  Breathing hard, he let go of her legs, braced a chiseled arm next to her shoulder, leaned down and gave her a hot open-mouthed kiss. Greedy for his kiss, she arched her neck to maintain contact. When he tore his mouth away, he pushed up and climbed out of the bed. Resting her arm on her forehead, she tried to slow her racing heart, but it did little good when she caught sight of his sexy bare ass. When he disappeared into the bathroom, she realized she really was greedy and selfish. She wanted more. She needed him in her life to feel whole again. Her stalker hadn’t contacted her in years. Maybe he’d lost interest and was no longer obsessed with the need to own her. Maybe she should throw caution to the wind and take what she knew her heart and life deserved—Jake and a long, happy future with him.

  When he came out of the bathroom carrying a washcloth, he sat on the edge of the bed and cleaned off her stomach. The tenderness in his eyes and gentle touch had uninvited guilt crashing into the perfect moment.

  No matter what her heart deserved, no matter that she knew to the depths of her soul that she belonged with Jake, she wouldn’t play with his life. She refused to risk his safety.

  After tossing the washcloth to the floor, he moved next to her, pulled the comforter around them and cocooned her with his body.

  She needed to distance herself from him. At least emotionally. Making love to him had been a beautiful, bitter reminder of what could never be.

  “I should go start dinner,” she said and, with reluctance, moved.

  He held her still and forced her even closer. “Dinner can wait.”

  Damn it. If only he understood.

  Tell him the whole truth.

  Too risky. What he didn’t know couldn’t kill him.

  With that thought in mind, she shoved at his arm. “I’m starving,” she said and, finally free of his safe, protective arm, she scooted off the bed. She caught his gaze in the dresser mirror as she grabbed clothes from the drawer. “Go ahead and take a nap while I make us something to eat.”

  Clothes in hand, she headed into the bathroom and quickly dressed. Still not prepared to deal with the guilt and the cold way she’d treated him, especially after they’d just made love, she rushed from the bathroom to the bedroom door.

  “Naomi,” he said, stopping her.

  Hovering at the threshold, she kept her back to him. “Yeah?”

  “Aren’t you tired of running?”

  Her throat tightened and her vision blurred with unshed tears. “Take a nap, Jake. I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”

  She closed the door behind her and let the tears fall. Yes, she was tired of running, tired of living a lie, of living in fear and mourning. But the fight had been knocked out of her. Too many people had already died because of her. Although she had no idea if her stalker still searched for her, she wasn’t about to take a risk now. As much as she wanted to take a chance on Jake again, she would not chance his life.

  *

  Jake leaned his head against the pillow and stared at the rotating ceiling fan. In a matter of seconds, things between him and Naomi had gone from scorching hot to icy cold. Maybe he shouldn’t have made the ‘aren’t you tired of running’ comment. But he knew her, knew how her brain worked. He’d guarantee that between her orgasm and the time it took for him to grab a washcloth, her mind had spun in all kinds of directions. Where would this lead them? Would he expect more now that they’d made love? Would he want to start where they’d left off? Would he pressure her, make her tell him about her stalker so he could put an end to it?

  Or maybe he was questioning himself.

  He still loved her, could picture them putting the past to rest and moving on with their future. Together. If only she trusted in him enough to let him finally find a way to put her fears to rest. If only she’d stop allowing her stalker to dictate her life.

  The bed felt empty without her in it, just like his world had since she’d left him. He climbed out, then headed into the bathroom. While he took another quick shower, he considered how to approach her. Shaking sense into her wasn’t an option, but giving her the illusion that he was willing to take things at her pace or that he was okay with looking at this weekend as something fun and just for old times’ sake might work. Even if none of those things worked for him.

  Dressed and prepared to hash it out with Naomi, he walked into the kitchen. Wearing running shorts and a t-shirt, she stood at the counter peeling the shrimp they’d caught. “Need any help?” he asked and hoped she’d give him a job that didn’t include deveining the shrimp. He loved eating the stuff, but those black veins were just gross.

  “I already started the grill and have the fish seasoned. Mind spearing the shrimp onto these?” she asked and pointed to the wooden skewers on the counter.

  “Sure.” He grabbed a beer from the fridge, before approaching the counter. “Need a refill?” He motioned toward her almost empty wine glass.

  “Nope,” she said without glancing at him. “I’m good. I’ll wait until we eat.”

  “Naomi, look at me.”

  With a sigh, as if he was bothering her, she dropped the shrimp into the colander and looked at him. Her eyes held hints of sadness and wariness, the total opposite from when they’d been making love.

  “I’m sorry about what I said earlier, but can you blame me?”

  She shook her head. “No. It’s just…never mind.” She turned back to the sink.

  Moving next to her, he forced her to face him. “It’s just what?”

  “Being with you again has been wonderful. But I know it’s going to come to an end tomorrow.”

  “We have another day.” He settled his hands on her hips. “I’m making arrangements for my flight to leave Monday morning. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to see each other.”

  She sent him a rueful smile. “Sure, if one of us makes the fifteen hour drive or catches a flight.”

  “I didn’t ask you this earlier, but I’m asking now. And I want an honest answer.” Did he really, though? If she’d left him out of fear for both his and her safety, that was one thing. He didn’t like it, but he could handle the excuse. If she’d left him because she had no longer been happy being with him, then that would be a blow to his ego. His stomach tightened. “Did you leave me because you were afraid of the stalker?”

  Holding his gaze, her chin trembling slightly, she nodded. “I should have told you.”

  “Yeah, you should have. But now that I know—”

  “It’s still too risky.”

  “Why? You said yourself he hasn’t contacted you.” He let go of her and stepped back. Realizing he was being way too presumptuous and moving way too fast, he leaned against the counter and ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I have no right to push you. You’ve got a life here. I can’t expect—”

  “I want to be with you,” she said, standing in front of him and wrapping her arms around his waist. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

  “But?” he asked, his heart racing. He’d come here for answers, received a few and ended up realizing his feelings for Naomi hadn’t changed. He still wanted her in his life.

>   “I can’t help worrying he’ll come back and try and hurt me through you. I couldn’t let that happen five years ago and I can’t let that happen now.”

  Let the bastard try.

  He cupped her cheek. “Did you ever consider letting it be my choice?”

  “I knew what your answer would be,” she said, a tear slipping down her soft skin. “I couldn’t let—”

  “Stop. I was with Marine Division Recon—1st Reconnaissance Battalion. I’ve been shot at, blown up and did quite a bit of my own ass kicking. I’m not afraid of this bastard. Give me his name and I’ll end this.”

  “No.”

  “Fine.” He clenched his jaw and tamped down his frustration. “Look. No pressure. But I’m going to want to see you again after this weekend.”

  “What if he surfaces?” she asked, the terror and worry in her eyes infuriating him.

  When he was back in Chicago, he would make it his mission to find the pathetic prick who’d kept her living in fear. “I’m willing to take the risk.” He gently squeezed her shoulder. “Just as I would have been five years ago.”

  She swiped at a tear and drew in a shaky breath. “Long distance relationships never work.”

  “We did just fine when I was stationed in Iraq.”

  “That was different.”

  “No. At least now I can hop in a plane and be here in a few hours.”

  Although some of the fear had left her eyes, the worry lingered. “We’ll take baby steps, right?”

  “Baby steps work,” he said. Considering what had just happened in her bed, he’d say they were beyond taking baby steps. He wasn’t going to mince words though. He planned to enjoy the rest of the weekend with her, go back to Chicago on Monday and begin his search for her stalker. While he was at it, he planned to call her daily and ease his way back into her life. Now that they’d put the past to rest, he planned to remind her they deserved a shot at a future.

  Chapter 6

  HARRISON EASED OUT of Santiago’s SUV and stretched. While the Columbian pumped gas and Vlad smoked a cigarette on a grassy patch away from the gas station, Harrison looked toward the front passenger door. When his brother remained seated, he rapped on the closed window. Mickey waved him off, then folded his arms across his chest. Although worried about his brother and how this job was affecting him, Harrison had bigger worries. As of tonight, the laptop would no longer be in his possession unless Honey Badger allowed it.

  After they’d left Bloomington yesterday, they drove to Columbus, did the job, then quickly left for Knoxville. They’d been in and out of Columbus so quickly that Santiago had decided to forego the motel room. Which was fine by Harrison. Over the past week, he’d seen enough shitty motel rooms to last him a lifetime. Plus, that meant he didn’t have to be subjected to Vlad’s chain smoking. Also a nice break. His lungs were happy. Santiago wouldn’t allow Vlad to smoke in the SUV, which meant Harrison had been free of secondhand smoke for almost the entire day. Not much of a silver lining, but considering what he suspected him and Mickey were up against, especially once they reached Norfolk, he’d take it.

  Knoxville had been a different story. Santiago had found them another shitty motel room, then the Columbian and Mickey planted the device. Harrison had then done his part, syncing the device to the laptop.

  They’d left first thing this morning to make the eight hour drive back to Norfolk and were now halfway there. His stomach clenched. According to Vlad, they had one more device to plant before they were finished. Once done, Vlad promised that tonight they’d stay at Norfolk’s downtown Marriott. Not exactly the Ritz-Carlton, but the Marriott beat the hell out of staying in places that had reminded him of the Bates Motel. Vlad also said he’d make good on his word and treat Harrison to dinner, drinks and a sexy redhead. With how nauseous and anxious his stomach had been, he didn’t think he could eat. As much as he’d love to drown his worries in a bottle of gin, his queasy gut told him not to bother, and his mind agreed. He didn’t want to be hung over tomorrow when he finally met Honey Badger. Given the chance to be alone with the laptop, he wanted to have his wits about him and install the virus he hadn’t had time to program into the laptop when they’d been in Bloomington.

  Vlad dropped the cigarette, crushed it under his boot heel, then made his way toward the SUV. “Vlad needs to visit little boy room,” he said to Santiago, but kept his ice blue eyes on Harrison. “You come, Harry?”

  Harrison had come to realize Vlad might be his only way out of the mess Mickey had placed them in with this Honey Badger. He and the Russian had spent the majority of the trip together. During that time, Vlad had kept offering him advice, giving him pep talks on what Harrison should do with his life. At one point, Harrison had joked that Vlad could quit his day job and become a life coach. The Russian, with his good sense of humor, had laughed and agreed. But Harrison had also noticed the longing in Vlad’s eyes. As if the man might really harbor the desire to leave the line of work he was in and explore other options.

  “Yeah, I gotta go, too,” Harrison said, then rapped on the passenger window again. “Mick, you want anything from the store?”

  His brother shook his head and kept his arms folded. Mickey hadn’t eaten a thing since yesterday morning. Now that Harrison thought about it, he didn’t remember seeing his brother drink anything either. He’d buy Mickey something anyway. If things ended up going bad later today or tomorrow, his brother needed to be ready. Not dehydrated or weak from lack of sustenance.

  Harrison fell into step with Vlad and headed toward the gas station bathrooms, which were located inside the store. “Good,” Vlad said when he opened the bathroom door. “Two urinals. We can моча together.”

  Harrison chuckled and unzipped his jeans. “You’re starting to freak me out, Vlad.”

  The Russian grinned as he used the urinal. “No worry, Harry. Vlad told you. I like—”

  “Big titties,” Harrison said and finished his business. “Just messing with you, man. I know you and Santiago don’t like to leave me and Mickey alone.”

  Vlad zipped his fly and looked at him. “Vlad only following orders.”

  “Is Santiago your boss?”

  “нет.” The Russian shook his head. “Vlad listen to Honey Badger only. But…Santiago and Honey Badger go way back. Remember, Harry, we are all throwaway.”

  Throwaway? Vlad’s broken English, at times, made communication difficult. “I’m not sure I’m following,” he said and washed his hands.

  “одноразовый,” Vlad said in Russian. “Like dirty diaper.”

  “Do you mean disposable?”

  “да.” He nodded and pumped soap into his large hands. “Vlad with Honey Badger long time, but can go bye-bye like that,” he said with a snap of his soapy fingers. “Harry and Mickey Mouse…”

  Harrison’s nauseous stomach knotted. “What about us?” His mind raced, all of his suspicions clicking into place. “Are you saying when the job is over, Honey Badger is going to dispose of us?”

  The Russian put a wet hand on Harrison’s shoulder. “Tomorrow night you must go. With or without the mouse. Understand?”

  “No. Explain.”

  “Harry, Vlad fears for your life. Honey Badger makes русская мафия look like saints.”

  “English, damn it.”

  “Russian mafia.” Vlad dropped his hand and reached for a paper towel. “Trust Vlad. Many years the русская мафия owned me. They brutal killers. Honey Badger worse. Much worse. Once Harry sees Honey Badger’s face…” He shook his head. “Vlad fears for Harry and the mouse.”

  “What if we sneak away tonight?” Harrison asked, thinking of how he and Mickey could leave Norfolk, leave the frickin’ state and go into hiding. If they could do that, he could go to the authorities and warn them.

  “No, Harry.” He shrugged. “Vlad not ready to die.”

  “But can you help—”

  A man and young boy entered the bathroom. Vlad ushered Harrison out the
door and toward the coolers. “Pick something and we go. Santiago waits for us.”

  “Vlad. I need to know—”

  “Enough,” the Russian said, his voice low, intimidating. “Keep silent. Vlad will find a way.” He handed him a bag of Doritos. “Eat snack, no worry.”

  Easy for him to say. Harrison was beyond worried and scared. Mickey might’ve had no clue what he’d gotten them in to, but based on the way he’d been acting, his brother knew now. Even though Harrison didn’t know the truth behind the job they were working, Vlad had confirmed his suspicions and fears. Mickey had involved them in a deadly game that would result in the deaths of hundreds, maybe thousands of innocent people. With Vlad’s cryptic warning in mind, Harrison could group his brother and himself with those people, even if he and Mickey weren’t so innocent.

  As he stood next to Vlad, who paid for their drinks and food, Harrison knew in his gut Honey Badger wasn’t going to let them walk away from this. He and Mickey knew too much and by tomorrow night, if they didn’t find a way to escape, they’d be dead.

  *

  Jake rested a hand on his full stomach and smiled at Naomi. “You’re going to make me fat.” He eyed the half eaten cookie left on his plate, tempted to gorge himself with another bite. “I forgot what a great cook you are.”

  She pushed her plate aside. “Please. You haven’t put a pound on in years. I think you can afford to eat my cooking.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I have eyes.” Her lips tilted in a sexy smile. “And I’ve seen you naked.”

  “Only a couple of times. I think you’d have to see me naked at least a dozen times before you can come to any conclusion.”

  “Oh, really? Hmm. You might be on to something.” She tapped her chin and eyed him. “Okay, strip.”