Tired, relieved, and ready to see Ali, he gave Wrath a chin lift before leaving. Pulling out his phone, he checked the time. Eight o’clock. They would’ve had dinner by now, were probably playing one of the many video games Raider had in his library.
He could almost imagine the intensity on their faces, laughing as they battled each other. Stomach growling, he considered stopping at a fast food restaurant. Ignoring the desire, he made the decision to head straight home, ready to satisfy a more urgent desire.
Turning away from town, he continued toward his house…and Ali. He didn’t know when she’d become so important to him, and refused to dwell on the thought. He’d known her for over a year, considered her a pain in his ass during his recovery. Over time, his annoyance with her had turned to grudging admiration.
No matter what he’d thrown at her, she’d been gracious and caring, refusing to allow him to scare her away. Ali was every bit as stubborn as him.
Over the last weeks, he’d allowed himself to get to know the real Ali. Kind, compassionate, stubborn. A woman who hated injustice toward anyone, especially children.
He hadn’t figured on liking her so much, or the growing bond. She drew him from the darkness of his past into her light. Soft, warm, and bright, always welcoming.
Knowing he’d have to face his growing feelings at some point, he forced himself to set them aside. Staring ahead at the glow from his house, anticipation wrapped around him, a slow grin forming on his face.
Reaching up, Raider touched the button on his garage door opener. A second later, his body stilled, eyes wide with horror as the garage exploded into flames.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jumping from the truck, Raider slipped the SIG 9mm from its shoulder holster, holding it in front of him as he approached. The wind was coming from the opposite side of the garage, the flames spreading toward the house.
The sprinkler system he’d installed when building the house had activated in the garage, but more was needed or the entire structure would collapse.
Before he could grab his phone, he heard sirens. Along with the sprinklers, he’d set the security system to notify the sheriff’s office and fire department.
Running toward the side of the house, he burst inside. “Ali! Timmy!” He’d forgotten to ask which Brethren was guarding them.
“They’re in the safe room, Raider.”
Sebastian “Bas” Broussard stepped toward him, weapon drawn, his gaze moving about the room. “Fire department is on its way. I’ve notified Wrath and Ethan.”
His home, including the safe room, had been built with insulated, concrete form walls. Wrath, Ghost, Rock, Wrangler, and most of the Brethren had done the same. He’d done the same with the garage, but it was hard to prevent the destruction caused by a bomb.
“I’ve checked all the doors and windows. Nothing’s been breached in the house.” Bas stalked to the front window. At least a dozen firefighters were already working to put out the fire. “Ethan and a couple deputies just pulled up. I’ll talk to them while you check on Ali and Timmy.”
Raider hurried to the hidden door in the hall, entering the safe room. Between his architect and him, they’d come up with the design which fit into the core of the large house.
Most wouldn’t suspect a hidden studio apartment, complete with small kitchen, bath, and three bunk beds, was on the other side of the concealed door. Behind a sliding door was a comm center, similar to the one in his den.
“Jace.” Ali ran into his open arms. “I saw you drive up a moment before the explosion. I was so worried about you.”
Bending down, he covered her mouth with his, groaning at the familiar warmth of her body against his. Meaning to deepen the kiss, he stopped when the door to the bathroom opened.
“Raider!” Timmy wrapped his arms around his waist.
“Hey, buddy. We had a little excitement. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’ve been through worse.”
It was all he and Ali could do to contain their amusement. “Glad you were here to protect Ali for me,” Raider said, clasping a hand on Timmy’s shoulder.
“Bas helped, too.”
“I’m sure he did, buddy.” He settled an arm around Ali’s shoulders, leaning down. “I missed you, babe.”
She looked up at him. Had she heard him right? “I missed you, too, Jace.” Still, Ali couldn’t help thinking about Heidi, the woman he’d be having dinner with when all this was over. When they were over.
He watched the play of emotions on her face, taking a guess at what they were about. “I’m not interested in Heidi.” Jace almost suppressed a grin at the way her jaw dropped open. “It’s been over a long time. You’re the only woman I’m interested in, Ali.” He kissed her again before his gaze landed on Timmy. “We should get out of here. Ethan and his deputies have arrived, and there are about a dozen firefighters taking care of the fire.”
Ali looked around, lowering her voice. “This is a great room, Jace. Maybe someday we can…” She didn’t finish, hoping he’d get her meaning.
“Oh, we will definitely christen this place, babe. On each bunk, in…ouch.”
She’d elbowed him, chuckling at his antics. “Timmy’s here.”
“I already know you guys do it.” Both stared at the eight-year-old boy, a smirk on his face. “I’m not a baby.”
“You’re too smart for your own good, buddy. Grab anything you brought and we’ll get out of here.”
Raider opened the door, smelled smoke, and glanced at them. “There’s smoke. Go straight out the front door toward the paramedics. They’ll want to check us over.”
“I’m fine,” Timmy griped, heading down the hall and through the living room.
“No argument. Paramedics or the hospital. You choose.”
Timmy’s groan died as he dashed out the front. Grabbing Ali’s hand, they followed, seeing Ethan standing with one of the paramedics, already speaking with Timmy. Looking up, he motioned them over.
“Are you two all right?”
Raider nodded, squeezing Ali’s hand. “I’d just driven up. When I activated the garage door opener, it blew. Bas was inside with Ali and Timmy. He’d gotten them into the safe room by the time I got inside.”
“Those concrete walls made the difference between losing part of the garage or the entire structure.” Ethan turned to see his deputies keeping curious neighbors away from the fire. “The inspector will come out tomorrow. It could be a few days before we identify the cause.”
“It was an explosion, Sheriff.” Ali’s antagonism was unusual, but she didn’t apologize.
Ethan didn’t let her bitter edge bother him. “No doubt about it. Unfortunately, we need an official report. It’s doubtful we’ll find anything useful to identify who did this. Unless they made their way inside.” He studied the site, focusing on Raider. “Do you have surveillance cameras?”
“Several. There’s a chance the ones mounted on the side of the house nearest the garage may have caught something. Those attached to the garage may not be accessible, but I’ll give them a try.”
“We’re going to want to look at them, Raider.” Ethan noticed headlights approaching. “It’s Wrath. I’ll make sure he gets past my deputies.”
Again, Raider threaded his fingers through Ali’s, the anger at what had happened cooling. He’d worked to keep his emotions in check. Inside, he seethed. Not because of the damage to his garage—a structure that could be rebuilt. The fury was because of what could’ve happened to Ali and Timmy.
“They were after me and Timmy, weren’t they, Jace?”
He turned Ali to face him. “We don’t know their motive. It could have nothing to do with the two of you. There are people who’d be happy to bring down the Brethren.”
“The Night Devils?”
“And Demons Blood. Their president, Drago, isn’t as ruthless as Mario, the Devils president. It doesn’t mean Drago wouldn’t like to see us driven from the area.”
A sudden chill coursed
through Ali’s body. She recalled the explosion at WETC and the consequences to Jace. He was lucky, suffering first and second degree burns with little permanent damage.
“What about the people who bombed WETC?”
Jace blew out a slow breath, dropping his hand from hers to wrap both arms around her. “You already know those involved in the attack on the training center are associated with a terrorist cell.”
“Yes. Dani told me what she could. The rest I picked up from conversations between you and your friends while you were recovering. The press speculated it was by order of a man named Rasul.”
“Guess we’ll need to be a little more careful around you, babe. Yeah, Rasul is a real danger to the Brethren and everyone else. This doesn’t appear to be his work. The FBI is ninety percent certain he and his followers were the ones to bomb the Laughing Sky Casino. They never claimed it as their work, but all the evidence points to them.”
“Not enough to arrest him?” Ali felt another wave of cold fear settling in her gut.
“Ethan believes there is. The FBI says otherwise. I need to speak with Wrath. Timmy’s still with the paramedics. I’d like you to get checked out, too.”
“But—”
“Do it for me, Ali. It won’t take long, and it’ll make me feel a helluva lot better.” Not caring who watched, he covered her mouth with his, lingering while his hands held her in place. On a reluctant breath, he let her go. “Keep Timmy close.”
Before she could respond, he jogged toward Wrath, who stood with Ethan, Wrangler, and Bas. From the expressions on their faces, Ali knew their conversation centered on how they’d hunt down whoever did this. As long as they didn’t ignore the law or get in his way, Ethan would accept any help Wrath offered.
Remembering Timmy, she turned away from the men. Two paramedics stood on either side of him, laughing as the boy’s hands gestured in the air, no doubt recounting the explosion.
“How is he?”
“Hey, Ali.” The taller of the two attempted to hide the way his appreciative gaze moved over her. He’d seen her many times when delivering emergency patients to the hospital, never quite building the courage to ask her out. “Timmy’s doing great. Come over here and sit down so we can check your vitals.”
“I’m fine.”
“Nope. You get the same treatment as anyone else.”
She sat down, her gaze switching between a talkative Timmy and Jace, who kept sending her questioning looks. The same as her, he hadn’t missed the way the first responder checked her out, and not for any health issues.
Before she realized Jace’s intent, he came up beside her, placing a proprietary hand on her shoulder. “How’s my girl doing?”
The man stiffened a moment before forcing a smile. “Ali’s doing fine. I didn’t expect to find anything, but it’s better to be safe.”
“The fire captain told me they found some evidence of smoke in the house. He advised us to stay out of it for a few days, let everything clear out. Wrath invited us to stay at his house as long as needed.”
Ali preferred to go home. The visit from the Night Devils eliminated that option. Standing, she thanked the paramedics and rounded up Timmy, who’d busied himself asking questions of the firefighters stowing their gear.
“I’ll pack a few things, then we can swing by your house for clothes.”
He didn’t tell her once she and Timmy were settled, he’d be returning. Between him and Wrangler, they had a good chance of recovering at least some footage from the cameras.
Nor did he tell her Cal Coleman had gone missing, the same as Wendt and Blackmore.
Hammer crossed his arms, his large boots planted on the damp concrete floor, and stared at District Attorney Malcolm Wendt. The group of Night Devils had allowed his fear to build over several hours. No food. Little water. One bathroom trip where two of the Devils watched as he did his business.
In another concrete room down the hall, Slider studied Junior Blackmore. He’d been treated the same as Wendt, although he’d been more vocal in his distress.
Neither captive knew the other had been abducted, tied to a chair in a different room down the hall, a hood over his face. Slider and Hammer had done as Mario ordered, staying quiet while the other Devils asked questions. They’d gotten nothing useful…yet.
Hammer nodded at the man standing behind Wendt. Without warning, he poured a bucket of icy cold water over the D.A.’s head. A sharp cry ricocheted around the room. Other than the disgusted smirks on their faces, no one reacted.
“Let’s try again, Malcolm.” Frankie, the oldest member of the Devils chapter, leaned close to Wendt, his harsh voice steady and menacing. “Who have you been talking to?”
“No one.” A broken cough accompanied the answer. A minute passed before he spoke again. “Why are you doing this?”
“You aren’t the one asking questions.” He moved closer. “Who have you told about our business?”
Malcolm winced at the smell of Frankie’s stale, repulsive breath. “I already told you. No one. I’ve got too much to lose.” Straightening, he tilted his head back in a gesture meant to show his defiance, the hood masking the impact.
“You’re scared and want out. Isn’t that right?”
“No! I’m making too much money to turn away now.” A lie he’d been practicing since making his decision a week ago.
“We believe a deal’s been made, giving you immunity to testify against your partners.”
“I’d never do that.” Another lie.
Malcolm had already laid the groundwork with a local judge for extricating himself from his reckless decision to associate with known criminals—a greedy state representative, dirty cop, and rogue FBI agent. He’d admitted having information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of all three, plus the president of a local outlaw MC.
If he went through with it, he’d have to resign his position and serve a minimal amount of time in jail. Afterward, he’d move to another state and start over with a bulk of the money he’d gained. All cash, secreted away where no one would ever look.
“We’ve been told otherwise.”
Shifting in the chair, his heart pounded against his chest. “Who told you the lie?”
Frankie straightened to his full height of almost six feet. “Your good buddy. Junior Blackmore.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Raider toed off his boots, removing the rest of his clothes before slipping into bed beside Ali. Wrapping her in his arms, he inhaled the unique scent of coconut, vanilla, and the woman snuggled against him.
Used to long hours that could extend into several days, he’d worked with Wrangler on the surveillance cameras until four in the morning before heading to Wrath’s house. They’d been lucky to salvage two of the cameras attached to the garage.
Adding that footage to what they’d found on the cameras around the house, the pieces clicked into place. The Night Devils had set the bomb that evening when Timmy had left the garage door open.
Raider and Wrangler had watched him run into the house. An instant later, two Devils appeared on the screen, stepping inside the open garage. A few minutes passed before the men walked out, their images disappearing from the screen.
A minute passed before Bas emerged from the house, studied the open garage door, then punched keys on the outside pad. A quick call to Bas confirmed he’d discovered the open door on the security system and made a sweep of the outside after closing the door. He’d found nothing suspicious.
The knowledge the Devils breached his security gnawed at him. Not only had they learned where he lived, knew Ali and Timmy were with him, but they’d destroyed a good portion of the garage. The garage wasn’t a priority. Keeping Ali and Timmy safe was.
Wrath’s house was a fortress, more so than any other member of the Brethren. Still, Raider didn’t like it. It exposed Cara and their twin sons to the same danger as Ali and Timmy. Tomorrow, he’d talk to Wrath about a safe house.
“Jace…” Her sleep-fill
ed voice drew him from his thoughts. Ali’s hand settled over his, the one massaging a breast, his thumb strumming over her now peaked nipple.
“Hmmm…” He continued kneading her breast, moving his other hand to the juncture between her thighs. Finding her wet and more than ready, he shifted on top of her, sliding inside with one thrust. “Ali…” He breathed her name, leisurely driving in and out of her moist warmth while placing heated kisses over her shoulders. Latching onto a nipple, he sucked, drawing it into his mouth.
Digging her fingers into his hips, she gasped at the incredible, throbbing bliss. “Jace...” She squirmed beneath him, arching when his fingers stroked her already rigid clit. “I’m almost there. So…so…close.”
He thrust again, hard, a surge of burning pleasure racking her lean body as she found release an instant before Jace threw his head back, roaring his climax.
Inhaling gulps of air, he raised his head, staring into glassy, obsidian eyes. Kissing each one, he covered her mouth with his, delving inside as the aftermath of their lovemaking shuddered through them.
An hour later, Raider continued to stare at the ceiling, Ali’s lithe, sated body draped over him. He thought of what he’d almost said as they both came down from their amazing climax.
I love you.
Lying with her an hour before dawn, he knew keeping silent had been for the best. One minute, he knew he should call it off, set her free to meet a man comfortable with commitment. A man capable of sharing the ghosts from his past. Full disclosure. A concept Heidi had mentioned several times during their three months together. A concept he’d never been able to embrace.
Ali had told him a great deal about herself, from playing softball and soccer from when she’d turned five through college, disastrous relationships, and growing up with a cop as a father. Jerold Kasey had been elected chief of the tribal police ten years ago and hadn’t slowed down.
She’d been raised in a tight family, inside a close community on the reservation. Some of her friends had come from broken homes with fathers or mothers who were alcoholics, in prison, or who’d abandoned their families.
Exposed (Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Book 7) Page 18
