Dallas

by Peyton Banks

  Her heart ached for Dallas. He’d lost not only his best friend, but his brothers.

  There had been so much pain in his voice while he’d spoken. Tears had poured down her cheeks when he’d got to the part where the building had blown up with his team inside.

  “We need to go,” Dallas said from the doorway, breaking into her thoughts.

  She turned and met his steady gaze. “Almost done. I’m not sure what I’ll need.”

  She glanced around the room and saw a keepsake from her childhood. It hadn’t been the best one. Her father had left when she’d been eight years old, leaving her mother to raise her alone.

  Walking over to her dresser, she picked up her faithful stuffed bear her father had won for her at a fair. Jokingly, they had named it Larry. A wistful smile came to her lips as she gazed upon the old bear. Whenever she held the soft creature, memories of the time she’d spent with her dad came to the forefront. Why he’d left, her mother had never told her.

  Larry was a constant in her life, and she always took it with her wherever she went.

  Even when her life was in pieces, Larry was there to comfort her.

  It was the only piece of her father she had left.

  “Just the basics. We’re not going on vacation.” He eyed the toy in her hands.

  “I know, but still. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone so I want to make sure I have at least the basics. And Larry has to come.” She walked back to the bed and placed Larry inside her bag.

  “Larry?” Dallas’s eyebrows rose slightly.

  “I’ll have to officially introduce you to him.” She smiled. Her gaze landed on the alarm clock on the nightstand by her bed, and she let out a groan. “You sure we have to leave now? We can leave in the morning after breakfast.”

  Dallas shook his head and strolled into the room toward her. Her heart rate increased as he drew near. It was something about the way he looked at her that had her squeezing her legs shut.

  “It’s better if we go now, under the cover of night. We’ll go to my house, which isn’t far from here.” He reached out a hand and cupped here face.

  She leaned into his touch, loving the way he was so protective of her.

  “And I promise, I’ll make you breakfast.”

  “You cook?” Her eyebrow shot up high.

  “I’m insulted you would think I can’t cook. I didn’t get to be this size by eating takeout.” He gave her one of his rare perfect smiles while patting his rock-hard abdomen.

  Her gaze fell to his stomach, and her core clenched.

  “Okay,” she grumbled. She gave one last longing look to her bed. She quickly finished packing and zipped up her suitcase.

  Dallas grabbed it and exited the room. Candi looked around her bedroom before turning. “I’m ready when you are,” she announced, walking into the living room.

  They locked up her apartment and headed toward Dallas’s truck. This time, she stood back as he opened the door for her and assisted her into the vehicle.

  He tossed her a wink then shut the door.

  She blew out a deep breath. Her gaze followed him in the mirror, watching him place her suitcase in the back of the truck.

  Dallas was one dangerous man.

  And she was falling for him.

  She didn’t even have to think twice about it.

  Without a doubt, Candi knew that he had burrowed his way into her heart.

  Dallas climbed into the truck and shut his door. She breathed in his scent. It was one that she could only describe as Dallas. She didn’t know what cologne it was, but she needed to find out. If she could, she’d buy it in bulk.

  They rode in a comfortable silence. Candi watched the scenery pass by. The city of Las Vegas was a sight to see at night. The truck coasted to a stop at a red light. Candi took in a few suspicious people lingering on the corner before turning to Dallas.

  In the dark cab, she studied his features and couldn’t help but wonder how she’d got so lucky to have him on her side.

  It felt damn good to have someone in her corner.

  Someone who wouldn’t hurt her.

  A man willing to protect her.

  “Dallas,” she breathed. She needed to get something off her chest, and now seemed like the best time to do it.

  He returned her stare with a small smile. “What is it, Candi?”

  “Thank you. For everything. I’ve never had anyone—”

  “You don’t have to thank me.” He took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips, placing a kiss along her skin.

  “But I want—”

  “Candi.”

  She paused at the sound of her name on his lips. He held her gaze, and her heart race decreased. A sigh escaped her watching him lay another kiss on the back of her hand.

  “Dallas,” she whispered his name, the beginning of arousal taking her.

  “Tell me what you need, Candi. It’s yours.”

  A whimper slipped from her. Candi couldn’t take her eyes off Dallas if she tried. His hand slid along her neck and held her in place. Her lips parted while she watched him lean closer.

  It was official.

  Candi was head over heels in love with Dallas.

  Dallas paused, their lips merely centimeters from each other.

  His gaze flickered to the rearview mirror. He pulled back with a curse. It was then the screeching sound of tires squealed behind them.

  Dallas slammed his foot on the gas and jerked the car off around the corner. Candi watched a large SUV blow past them.

  Had Dallas not moved the truck in time, it would have slammed right into the back of them.

  Candi sat back in shock.

  The impact could have killed them.

  “Hold on,” Dallas growled.

  The engine of his vehicle roared to life. Candi dug her hands into her seat. Her heart raced while she watched the scenery fly past.

  Dallas expertly maneuvered through the neighborhood. Luckily enough, with it being in the middle of the night, there weren’t many cars out on the road.

  “What is going on?” Her hands trembled with fear. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer. Her gaze moved to the rearview mirror on her side of the truck.

  Headlights appeared behind them and were growing larger.

  Fast.

  “I’m guessing that had something to do with your pal, Moody.”

  He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Dallas blew out deep breath and relaxed his hands slightly. It wouldn’t do him or Candi any good if he ripped the damn thing off.

  If he hadn’t looked up when he had, there’d be no telling if they’d still be alive.

  The fucking vehicle would have torn into his truck and surely killed him and Candi.

  He bit back a curse.

  Now wasn’t the time to lose his cool.

  He needed to keep a level head and get them to safety.

  “Someone’s behind us.” Candi’s voice shook slightly.

  “I see them.” His gaze flickered to the rearview mirror.

  He was certain this was Moody’s men. He knew he should have had Candi grab her bags and leave sooner.

  Letting his dick do the thinking could be the reason they were in this predicament.

  Memories of Candi’s naked form underneath his, her soft breasts, her cries of passion, and the feel of her warm cocoon wrapping around his cock had him shifting in his seat.

  It had been worth it.

  If given the chance, he’d do it all over again.

  There were a few other positions he could think of taking her.

  This was not the time to be thinking of sex.

  “Hold on,” he ordered.

  Candi gripped the oh shit handle with one hand as he took a sharp left. The street he’d turned onto was a two-lane road that led away from the main streets and into an area of old warehouses and factories.

  Dallas was quite familiar with the location, having patrolled it long enough to have it memorized.

&nbs
p; “Shouldn’t we be going to the police?” Candi asked, her voice ending on a squeak.

  “I am the police,” he growled.

  He made a sharp right and cut off his lights. It was a short alleyway that would lead to the back of a brick factory. The structure was hollow. He slowed down and pulled into the loading deck.

  The moon was high and provided just enough light to help guide him inside.

  He’d walked through this building about six months before on a vagrancy call. The large windows had been broken out long ago. He drove to a dark corner and parked.

  The only sound was Candi’s breathing. He reached over, opened his glove box, and took out a small pistol he kept in there. He double-checked to make sure it was still loaded and ready to fire. He grabbed his Glock from the glove box along with the holster

  “Anyone comes to the truck that is not me, you don’t open the door. They get inside—shoot them in the face,” he ordered, handing the tiny weapon to Candi.

  “I’ve never shot one of these before,” she whispered, enclosing her fingers around the barrel. “But I’m sure I can figure it out fast.”

  “Let’s pray you will never have to.” Dallas leaned forward and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. He pulled back and took one last look at her. “Lock the doors and get in the back.”

  Candi jerked her head in a nod.

  Dallas slid out of the vehicle and attached his holster to his belt. He opened the back door and grabbed a duffle bag from the floor. He riffled through it, finding what he needed.

  Zip ties. A knife.

  Stuffing the ties in his back pocket, he tossed the bag into the truck as Candi climbed into the second row of seats. He strapped his knife to his ankle.

  Dallas softly shut the door. Once the locks engaged, he released a satisfied grunt.

  He withdrew his weapon from the holster and aimed it true while slipping off into the darkness.

  He glanced over his shoulder. His SUV was well hidden in the dark corner.

  Candi would be safe while he went on the hunt for those who were tailing them.

  Stepping from the building, he blended in with the shadows. The sounds of tires meeting gravel carried though the silent air, alerting him they had company.

  He wasn’t surprised they had tried to follow him.

  Dallas welcomed the anger and rage spreading throughout his chest at the thought these men would hunt down an innocent woman.

  He sent up a prayer that he crossed paths with Moody again.

  Next time, the thug wouldn’t get off with just a broken arm.

  His thoughts turned to Candi’s ex-husband, the true reason she was in danger.

  Now he was the man Dallas would beg to be locked into a room with for thirty minutes.

  Sounds of a vehicle braking pierced the silence. Dallas arrived at the corner of the ally and peered around the building.

  Two men stepped from the SUV, looking around.

  “Any sign of them?” the driver asked.

  “Fuck no. How’d they disappear so fast?” the passenger replied.

  Dallas’s gaze dropped down, catching sight of the distinct shape of a gun in the passenger’s hand.

  “Let’s see if we can find them. I bet they’re hiding around here somewhere,” the driver said.

  They separated and walked away from the truck which they stupidly left running. Dallas scanned the area and moved from where he stood. Staying low, he quickly made his way to the side of the vehicle unseen.

  His gaze swept the inside; he found it to be empty.

  Dallas slid his knife from the ankle sheath. He pierced the thick tire near him and traveled to the other side and repeated his action.

  Even if they slipped by him, they weren’t going anywhere anytime soon with two flat tires.

  Returning the blade to the ankle sheath, Dallas moved in the direction of the passenger. He kept his gun aimed and approached silently.

  Memories of Afghanistan came before his eyes, and he shook his head, pushing them aside.

  He wasn’t in the desert.

  He wasn’t leading men to their untimely deaths.

  He was protecting his woman.

  The man turned and headed back toward the vehicle, Dallas took the corner of another building and leaned back, blending into the shadows.

  Thanks to the dark sky and no streetlights, he was undiscovered.

  He slid his gun in the holster and waited.

  Footsteps grew closer.

  Dallas rolled his eyes.

  The passenger apparently knew nothing about stealth. He might as well announce his whereabouts.

  Dallas braced himself with his hands ready.

  The figure appeared in the opening of the alley, allowing Dallas to take him by surprise.

  “What the—?”

  His words were cut off by Dallas slamming him against the brick wall.

  “What the hell do you want?” Dallas growled, thrusting his forearm into the man’s throat.

  The thug spluttered and tried to buck Dallas off him. He was a much smaller guy up close. Dallas had about a good fifty pounds on him in muscle. He finally grew still and glared at Dallas.

  Dallas removed his arm to allow him to speak.

  “Fuck you.”

  Dallas pulled back his fist and swung, landing a punch to his face. His head snapped back, and he fell against the building.

  “I’m going to ask you again,” Dallas demanded, gripping him by his shirt. “What the fuck do you want?”

  Leaning away from Dallas, he spat on the ground. He faced Dallas with a bloodied grin.

  “The woman.”

  Dallas had to rein in his rage and remember he was a man of the law. To kill him now wouldn’t make him any better than the thugs.

  “She’s not going anywhere. She’s my woman.” Dallas leaned forward and glared at the man. “You tell whoever sent you that if they come after her, they’ll have to deal with me.”

  The idiot had the nerve to laugh. “She’s spread her legs enough for you. Lamont ain’t going to take too kind to that.”

  “He’s in prison and can’t touch her.” Dallas gripped the shirt tighter.

  “He just got out and is coming for the missus.”

  Blind rage overcame Dallas.

  He drew his fist back and landed it again and again until the thug’s body crumbled to the ground.

  Ignoring the pain of busted knuckles, he bent down and reached for the ties in his pocket. After securing the unconscious man, Dallas stood and stalked toward the corner.

  He was on the hunt for the other man.

  No one would be taking Candi from him.

  Chapter Eleven

  Candi’s heart seemed perched in her throat while she waited for Dallas to return to the truck. Normally she wasn’t comfortable around guns, but tonight she was making an exception. There was no way she was going to be taken by Moody’s men.

  Peeking through the windows, she could barely see anything around the truck. The complete darkness had her anxiety going through the roof.

  When the hell is the sun going to come up?

  She sent up a prayer that Dallas would return to her unharmed.

  This was all her fault.

  She should never have allowed Dallas to become involved in her mess.

  It may be Moody sending men after her, but this was at the orders of Lamont, she was sure.

  Eventually she was going to have to confront her ex-husband.

  She shivered at the thought.

  She could always pack up a bag and move far away.

  Maybe she could go to Canada.

  After this, she wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas left. A woman with baggage was one thing, but one with as much as she had would have any sane man avoiding her.

  Lamont would win again.

  Defeated, she sat back against the seat and waited.

  Dallas was a former Marine. She was confident he could handle himself.

  A knock sounded at the driver�
��s window, and a scream spilled from her lips.

  Candi’s arms shook as she aimed the gun at the glass.

  The door opened.

  Relief filled her at the sight of Dallas getting in the car.

  “You scared the crap out of me,” she breathed, relaxing.

  “You didn’t have any doubts about me coming back, did you?” He cut the truck on and glanced back at her.

  She shook her head and crawled into the front seat.

  She fell back into her chair as he pulled off. Driving the truck through the hollow building, Dallas had yet to put the headlights on, leaving them in complete darkness.

  “Did you find them?” she asked, placing her gun back in his glove box.

  They exited the building and drove to the mouth of the alley. Dallas turned, and they headed toward the main road. He flicked on the headlights and made a right turn onto the street. There were still not many cars out at this time of morning.

  “You didn’t kill them, did you?” she asked.

  His head jerked toward her. “No.”

  Candi swallowed hard and leaned back against the seat. She sensed an intense anger pour from Dallas.

  “I am an officer of the law. I can’t just go around killing people.” He shook his head, reaching for his phone.

  Why would she even ask that?

  She cringed and rotated away to watch the scenery fly past.

  She blamed watching too many cop shows.

  “Tanner,” Dallas said into the phone. “I got a gift for you that needs to be picked up.” He paused. “Stop your whining.” He gave the address of where they’d just left.

  Her ears perked up when he got to the part about the men being left unconscious and tied up.

  He disconnected the call, leaving them to ride in silence. She was unsure of what to say so glanced over at Dallas. His hands gripped the steering wheel tight.

  Candi remained in her seat and shook her head.

  She had to do the right thing.

  She had to leave Dallas before this mess with Lamont blew up in their faces.

  Her heart wouldn’t be able to handle if something happened to Dallas.

  They continued the ride in strained silence. She took in the beautiful palette of the sky. Dark purple and blue hues were painted across it as if it were a talented artist’s canvas.