Hostile Ground

by Cara Carnes

  “And having two former assassins or whatever they were for The Collective wouldn’t steer her where they want her to go.”

  “No, but they know she’s a strong and capable woman. She makes her own decisions. They’ll adjust.”

  They would. Addy had worked with Riley on self-defense and martial arts some but intended to do a lot more now that things had calmed down a bit. Or, they would calm down soon. She hoped.

  “Kristof has a home here if that’s what he wants.”

  Was it? So far he’d made all the sacrifices. He’d left Russia to spend time with her. What had she sacrificed? “I’ve been too scared to admit what I want with him. It was easier blaming everyone here and thinking he’d never find a foothold.”

  “He has. Or, he will.”

  “I can’t hide anymore.”

  “Why would you want to?”

  I’m scared. Addy didn’t voice the thought, but Mary’s face softened as she drew Addy into a hug. She’d read between the lines like she always did.

  “You never let what others think determine your actions,” Mary said. “Don’t start now.”

  32

  Olaf glanced up from his tablet as sound echoed from the mess hall’s entryway. Kristof tightened and glanced up. Cheers and excited laughs echoed within the bar room as the Masons and the other team leaders entered with Mary, Vi, and Zoey. Jud laughed as he entered with his nephew, Jacob. The latter had just returned from a conference.

  Jud shook his head and made his way to Kristof. “Not sure what they’re all excited about but coming back to a celebration is way more than I expected.”

  “Addy mentioned something about Bree taking some time off,” Kristof said.

  “I knew about that,” Jud said. “There’s cake and shit planned, but nothing that’d incite this crew.”

  “We could just ask,” Jacob said.

  Kristof chuckled. “A straightforward approach is always wise. I’m Kristof, by the way. We haven’t formally met.”

  The young man tightened. His lips thinned. “Jacob. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Your expression says otherwise.”

  “You were with The Collective,” Jacob said, hands fisted.

  “Bub.” Jud squeezed his nephew’s shoulder. “We chatted about this on the ride over. Kristof’s a friend. He didn’t have anything to do with your dad’s kidnapping. He’d intended to help if necessary. He even offered to help protect The Arsenal even though that would’ve exposed him and made problems for him later on.”

  “Sorry.” Red rose in the boy’s cheeks. “Guess I’m more stressed about stuff than I realized. I’m gone for a few weeks and everything’s blown up again. I swear I can’t leave this place for a day.”

  Kristof chuckled. Oh, the future leaders. He looked forward to watching the new brood of Arsenal grow up. Tightness formed in his chest. He wanted that. With Addy.

  As if summoned, Addy appeared. Tears shimmered in her gaze. He stood. She wrapped her arms around him.

  “Addison, what’s wrong?” He ran his hand down her hair and glanced at Jud. The man visibly tensed and then glanced at the crowd of laughing operatives.

  “Nothing,” she whispered against his throat. “Everything’s so perfect. Ellie…” She sobbed.

  “What about Ellie?” Jud prodded.

  Addy pulled away. “Sorry. I got a little emotional and tried to lock it down until I was alone. Guess that didn’t go too well.”

  She’d come to him. Love swelled within him as he drew her into his arms once again. “Tell us.”

  “She’s pregnant.”

  “Holy shit!” Jacob exploded. “That’s awesome! Where is she?”

  “She and Jesse are celebrating in private,” Addy said with a laugh. “I don’t think everyone’s willing to wait until they return.”

  “Then let’s go celebrate the wonderful news.” Kristof smiled.

  “Actually,” Addy said, her voice low. “Let’s go celebrate somewhere a bit more private.”

  Kristof glanced down where Olaf sat. His cousin grinned and signed, “Go. I’ll hang with Jud and Jacob. I heard the cake was awesome.”

  Need flared within his blood and surged to his cock. Alone time with Addy sounded perfect. He kissed her, then severed the contact before the desire overtook him completely. Jud laughed and slapped him on the back as Addy guided him toward the exit.

  Addy dragged him to her cottage and kissed him when they entered the living room. He kicked the door shut and groaned when she jumped and wrapped her legs around him.

  Hands on her ass, he thrust against her and deepened the kiss. Material tore as she ripped at his shirt. “My little hellcat is impatient.”

  “Damn straight,” she said as she yanked off her own shirt.

  He turned, pressed her back to the wall and kissed the swell of her breast. Legs wrapped around him, she thrust against his cock and grinned.

  “Looks like I’m not the only impatient one,” she said.

  He reached around and undid the clasp to her bra. Palming her tits, he kissed the area between them and then teased each hardened nipple between his fingers. Kristof loved how passionate she was.

  “Pants,” she growled as she yanked his head back. “Off. Now.”

  Blood surged southward. Approval rumbled from him as he grabbed her waist and walked backward toward the couch. She unwound herself from him and moaned as she reached for his pants. Deft fingers undid the button and slid the zipper down.

  She wrapped her hands around his cock then pushed his slacks off with her other hand. “I’ve wanted you inside me all day.”

  “Your wish is my command,” he whispered as he undid her pants. She kicked them off and gripped his cock tighter as she sank to her knees. “Addy.”

  “It’s my turn to play,” she said as she licked his thick shaft. “You’ve ruined me for other men. No one’s ever made me want them so much I ache.”

  He threaded his fingers in her hair and moaned when she flicked her tongue on the tip. “If you keep teasing me with your sweet mouth, I’ll embarrass myself.”

  She looked up and grinned. “Then we’ll play longer.”

  Gaze locked with his, she sucked his cock into her mouth. Hand clenched around the base, she worked his length in a firm, fast rhythm that awakened awareness throughout his entire body. He rocked his hips in the same quick motion.

  Desperate to feel her tight heat around him, he pulled away and took her hand. Frustration filled her gaze when she stood. He kissed her, claiming her mouth in the same carnal hunger that assailed him. She slid her panties off and grinned as she backed toward the couch.

  He didn’t trust himself to make it to the bedroom. He sucked her nipples and plunged two fingers into her wet pussy. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”

  “I want you in me. Fuck me. Now.” She kneaded his shoulders. “We’ll go slow next time.”

  Kristof chuckled. He’d heard that before. Neither of them was the patient type. He rubbed his cock along the seam of her pussy. “I don’t have a condom.”

  “I’m clean and on a shot,” she whispered. “Please.”

  “I’m clean too.” The thought of feeling her around him without a barrier melted away the last of his patience. He thrust deep into her. Hands on her hips, he growled his pleasure as he fucked her hard and fast.

  She met each thrust and scored her nails down his chest. Her heels dug into his ass.

  Leaning forward, he claimed her mouth and moaned as he slowed the rhythm. “Addy.”

  “I love you,” she whispered against his mouth. “Can’t go another day without saying that. I love you.”

  His heart seized. “I love you, Addison. So much it pains me to think of life without you.”

  Their movements slowed as he caressed her skin and played with her nipples. Their kisses softened as he deepened the thrusts into her slick heat.

  “Kristof,” she cried out as she tightened her arms and legs around him.

  “Let go, love.”
He whispered the plea against her ear. “Come for me.”

  Her cries of release filled his ears and incited the primal possessiveness within him. He’d never done anything to deserve Addy’s love, but he’d do whatever it took to keep her. Love her. Cherish every second they had together.

  His body tightened with his release. He sagged against her moments later and relished the soft kisses along his throat. She stroked his back and relaxed beneath him.

  Pleasure shone in her gaze when he looked at her. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “I guess that means we’re doing this relationship thing,” she said. “I’m not that experienced with it.”

  “Neither am I,” he admitted. He caressed her arm. “We’ll figure it out together. There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”

  “Have you decided what you’ll do? Would you be happy here?”

  “My home and heart are wherever you are.” He shifted their position so she was atop him. Her long legs wrapped within his. “I think working with Jud would be best for now. He’d mentioned my training operatives on hand-to-hand, but I’d rather see if that’s something Maksim might do.”

  She ran her fingers along his temple. “You want him here.”

  “Or up north,” Kristof said. “Jud mentioned it was a good location for someone used to privacy. Remoteness.”

  “It is,” she whispered. She rested her head on his chest. “We’ll find somewhere for him. Stacia is coming here tomorrow.”

  Kristof tensed. “She is?”

  Addy nodded and smiled up at him. “She’s anxious to see Olaf.”

  “What if he isn’t ready? I haven’t broached the idea with him yet.”

  “Zoey said Sinclair thought it was best to not wait.”

  “You trust this doctor,” Kristof said.

  “I do.”

  “Then I’ll trust her as well.” Kristof wrapped his arm around Addy. Although he realized they should go into her bedroom, he couldn’t imagine moving right now.

  A soft knock on the door dragged Addy from slumber. She smiled at the man sleeping beside her as she slipped out of his arms and pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. They’d woken in the middle of the night and eaten ice cream straight from the carton, then made love twice—once in the shower, then again in her bed.

  Love.

  She kept the emotion tightly wound within her, buried deep where no one could break the tentative connection she’d formed with Kristof. New relationships had enough troubles without everyone knowing.

  Sure, she wanted to share what she felt for him with her friends, but they’d wait. More importantly, they’d understand. Romance hadn’t ever been her forte, nor his.

  She opened the door. “Marshall.”

  “I know it’s early, but I wanted to show you something.” He motioned toward the steps. “You got a minute?”

  “Yeah, sure. Let me put some shoes on.” Addy kept the door open and stepped into a pair of sneakers near the door. She moved out onto the porch and closed the door. Hopefully Kristof would sleep until she returned.

  She followed Marshall down the steps and along the trail leading behind a cottage. Surprise registered when she glanced to the left and saw the Mason’s familial home. “What’s up?”

  “We didn’t expect The Arsenal to grow this fast when we started it up,” he said. He slowed his progression and looked at her. Intensity resonated within his eyes. “We’d intended to be ranchers and do missions on the side as time allowed.”

  Addy chuckled. Riley had blown that idea out of the water after the compound was attacked during Vi’s troubles. “Guess your little sis had other ideas.”

  “Yeah. And you and the other women rolled us straight into a different playing field with your arrival.” Amusement sounded in his voice. “Not sure any of us ever thanked you for all you did back then. You disbanded Hive and vetted all the potential assets without hesitation.”

  “It was the right thing to do,” Addy replied. She took a cleansing breath as the situation shifted into unexpected terrain. She hadn’t expected to discuss her brother or Hive.

  “You blended in with such ease I never checked your pulse,” he said. “None of us did. You took on a team and fell into step right alongside our teams without hesitation.”

  Nervousness crawled within her stomach. “What’s this about, Marshall?” Did he have a problem with Kristof? With her?

  “I should’ve taken your pulse,” Marshall said. “We got so wrapped up in taking Mary’s and Vi’s backs and keeping Rhea and Bree safe that we forgot they weren’t the only ones who came here in a shitstorm.”

  “I’m not like them.”

  “No, but we know better than to assume someone’s okay just because they’re trained to handle situations.” Marshall grasped her shoulder. “We fucked up, and I’m sorry.”

  Surprise rolled through Addy. “Not sure why you think you fucked up.”

  He offered a thin smile that didn’t reach his eyes. She’d seen the same one on his brothers often enough to recognize it. Marshall was the quiet shadow behind The Arsenal. She never really knew exactly what all he did while no one was watching.

  “One day you’ll understand why I’m apologizing. The fact you don’t right now hurts because that means we haven’t had your back.”

  “You have,” she argued.

  “For ops, yes. For the personal baggage you brought with you, no. You’ve left that stowed away.” Marshall touched her face. “You aren’t a visitor here, Addy. Everyone else came here and unpacked, made this place their new home. Bree and Rhea are nested in the basement. Mary and Vi have unpacked. I never stopped to notice you weren’t anywhere close to settled.”

  “Marshall.”

  He turned and continued a few feet until he stood in front of a large, white shed. “Dad fancied himself a wood worker when he was alive.”

  Empathy filled Addy. None of the Masons mentioned their father often. Pain rolled through their faces whenever they did. His loss had impacted them all deeply.

  “He’d want you to have this place, a retreat from what we do.” Marshall opened the door and motioned for her to enter.

  Shock rolled through her when she stepped into the shed. Overhead lights hummed from above. A small air-conditioning unit worked from its perch within a window. A worktable was to the right. A glassblower sat in the middle of the workspace. Shelves above held all the supplies she’d need.

  “I-I can’t accept this.” It was too much. Emotion clogged her throat. “You should save this space for someone else.” The small space she’d commandeered in a bunker room would do. This was…spectacular.

  “He’d want you to have this place,” Marshall repeated. “You’re family, just like everyone else. It’s time to settle in.”

  She blinked back the tears filling her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “It was a group effort spurred by Kristof’s gift to you in Russia,” he said. Arms crossed, he studied her a moment. “None of us knew about your glasswork until then. He showed us some of your work the other day.”

  “He did?”

  Marshall nodded. “He kept every piece you made in that camp.”

  Wow. She recalled Kristof mentioning that, but so much had happened she’d forgotten.

  “Beast and the other guys ransacked your secondary room in the compound,” Marshall admitted. “They found your newer work.” He pointed to a shelving unit in the corner.

  Addy stumbled that direction and ran her fingers along the small figurines she’d made through the years. The private collection she’d created to escape the harrowing ordeals she’d endured glinted back at her thanks to lighting along the back of the shelving.

  “It’s beautiful work you shouldn’t hide,” Marshall said. “Family doesn’t hide from family.”

  “Thank you.” She closed the distance and dragged him into a hug.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when Peter was alive,” he whispered. “I should’
ve known he wasn’t stable. The signs were there, but I ignored them.”

  “Don’t blame yourself for what none of us saw. I’m working through my own guilt about Peter, Marshall. I promised Mary I would. I think you might need to do the same.” She pulled back and squeezed his arm. “It’s easier said than done, but we need to let the guilt go so the bastard doesn’t control us from the grave.”

  “You’re right.” He smiled, then glanced at the entrance.

  Kristof stood there, arms crossed, and body leaned against the doorjamb. A smile broke across his face. “Was wondering where you wandered off to.”

  Marshall touched her shoulder, then approached Kristof, hand held out. “Thanks for helping us get this space in shape. Welcome to the family.”

  Shock rushed across Kristof’s face as he stood up fully and shook Marshall’s hand. “Anytime. Whatever I can do to help.”

  “Have you given any thought to what you’d like to do around here? Jud mentioned you’d be a great martial arts instructor.”

  “I can help with that, but Maksim would be a better choice,” Kristof said. “I’ll probably help Jud if that’s okay. I’m always up for helping The Arsenal however I can, though. And the network. Addy mentioned Zoey wanted to go international. Gavriil and I both have resources we use that could help.”

  “Great. We’ll sit down and discuss it once you’re settled in.” Marshall clapped Kristof’s back. “I’ll see you both in a couple hours.”

  Wow. Kristof smirked as he approached. “This is a nice setup.”

  “You knew.” Addy swatted his chest. “You could’ve warned me.”

  “I couldn’t ruin the surprise. They love you.”

  “He said I needed to unpack and settle in,” Addy said. “I guess he’s right. I’ve never really nested.”

  Kristof cupped her face. “I think we can both help one another do that.”

  And they would. “I love you.”