Badass: Deadly Target (Complete): Military Romantic Suspense (12 page)

As I slick Chap Stick on my lips after brushing my teeth for the full two minutes dentists recommend, I know I’m dragging this whole process out. How can I go back out there? My God, I had my fingers inside his pants, trying to grab his penis while my tongue was in his ear. I’d climbed into his lap, ground my sex into his. Let him feel me up. Felt him up too. Sucked on his tongue. Tried to devour his mouth. Wanted him inside me in every way possible.

Him. Jax. The man who thinks I’m a terrible person. The man who thinks my mom is … I swallow …
was
a terrible person. Oh my poor mother. Is she still lying on that floor? Did strange men come into her house and turn it upside down, looking for what I now possess? Did they leave her there? Should I call the police and let them know, like an anonymous tip, so she can at least be taken to a morgue? A funeral home? Something.

I don’t even know how to go about doing these things. I’d never had anyone close to me die before. I didn’t know my father, or any of my grandparents. No aunts or uncles. I’ve not even had a pet to die. I drop my face into my hands. Oh, Libby.

And the thoughts and heartache and confusion swirl around again.

There’s a soft knock at the door, then, “Mia, you okay?”

I blow my nose into a piece of toilet paper and open the door. The air leaves my lungs. He’s so handsome. So rugged looking. So … everything standing there. “Yes, I’m okay. Almost done.”

I feel the heat of his eyes on me as he looks up to the hair piled on top of my head, then down, all the way to my bare toes. “Dave get you everything you need?”

Managing a smile, I answer, “More than everything. Give me a minute and I’ll pack it up.”

Jax lifts a finger. “Just a second. He bought a bag he said you could use as a suitcase of sorts. Be right back.”

When he steps away, I can breathe again and with that rush of oxygen, try to pull my shit together. Turning back to the tub, I grab the shampoo, conditioner, and soap, wiping off the water. I stick them back into the plastic bag and tie it closed in case they spill.

I’m hanging my towel to dry when Jax is back, his large frame almost filling the entire width of the small bathroom. “Here.”

I smile at the black and white striped satchel, plenty big enough to fit all the things I now possess. “Your friend is very thoughtful,” I say, transferring everything into the bag.

“He’s a good man. Took a taxi to go pick up a 4-Runner I found that looks good. He should be back shortly. How are you feeling? Cuts? Dave bought an ace bandage to wrap your ribs, if you’ll let me take a look.”

I stare up at him.

He scratches at the scruff shadowing his jawline. “I won’t … I mean, I won’t take advantage of you again, Mia. Not like I did in the kitchen. I’m sorry for that.”

Oh no. His face. That beautiful face is a tight mask and I can read nothing in his eyes. “You didn’t. It’s okay.” I turn back to the mirror and shrug my sweater off. I’d only layered one of the tanks underneath. I regret that decision now as my tight nipples poke out through the thin fabric.

Jax steps behind me and into the reflection of the mirror. I look so small standing in front of him.

“Raise your arms.”

I do, wincing a little as my right one completely straightens over my head. He reaches for the hem of the tank and pulls it up, revealing my stomach, then my ribs. He stops just at my breasts.

I hear and feel him exhale.

The right side of my body is a mass of blue and black. I hold perfectly still as his fingers start at the bottom rib, pressing around the length, front to back, before moving to the next one, his large hand spanning nearly the width of my waist.

About half way up, I grit my teeth when he finds the sore spot. Actually, he finds more than one. His eyes meet mine in the mirror. “I can feel the crack.” He presses again, and boy oh boy, can I feel it too.

“Sorry, baby.”

I can’t breathe. I can’t take my eyes from his in our reflection. He licks his lips and looks away, giving his head a little shake.

“I think you’ve cracked two ribs, just fractures, not all the way through. If we were in an ER, they would wrap them and tell you to rest. So … I’m going to wrap them, then we’ll head to a safe house and get you settled for the evening. Figure out what do to tomorrow.”

I nod.

As he winds the ace bandage around me, I watch his capable hands doing their work and change the subject. “Jax?”

He meets my eyes in the mirror again and lifts an eyebrow.

“What should I do about my mom? I can’t…” My face burns with emotion and I blow out a breath. “I know what you think about her, but I can’t stand the thought of leaving her like that. Alone. In the dark.”

His eyes soften with compassion. “When we get settled at the safe house, I’ll call in her location. It will need to be taped off anyway since it’s a crime scene.” He frowns. “Mia, tough question I need to ask right now, but do you know if there are any booby traps in the house? Because if I send men in and they get blown up, I’m going to be pissed.”

My knees buckle and he catches me around the waist, pulling me back against his chest.

“Do you think…? Seriously think?”

He nods. “It’s very possible. Here’s what I know. At almost the exact same time as I got the orders to take possession of that box, car bombs exploded in my home office and around the world. Coincidence? Maybe. But I don’t like coincidences. Especially this one, because now, all my buddies are dealing with much bigger shit than me, which means you and I are on our own, at least for the night. We have bad guys chasing us, wanting whatever is in that box. They might be wanting you too and I don’t know why. Not knowing why makes me twitchy.”

Even as he’s speaking, his thumb is stroking the skin of my stomach and I feel each movement all the way to my core.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him and mean it. I’m not even sure what I’m sorry for, but I say it anyway. “I wish I knew what to do to help, but I don’t. I know you might not believe me, but I’m just a normal person living a normal life. I have a few friends, not many because we moved so often when I was young, I found it hard to get close to anyone. My best friend was my mother. My second best friend is my cat.”

Oh, Libby. Dammit, why do I cry every time I think of her, even more than I cry for my mom? Because she’s innocent and I know my mom wasn’t?

Because my mom did bad things?

Because my mom was a spy?

I think about that hidden room, the wall simply sliding open like that.

My mom wasn’t who I thought she was, I realize that now.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” Jax says into my hair, his hand stroking my stomach again. “We’ll get it figured out.”

Needing his warmth, I turn until I’m facing him and am enfolded into his arms. The rhythmic beat of his heart is reassuring beneath my ear, his chin on top of my head, his hand moving back and forth on the skin not wrapped by the ace bandage.

At the other side of the house, a door opens and then closes. Dave is back. Good and horrible timing. I pull away and Jax lets me go, but reaches out to pull my tank back down over the bandage. “Finish gathering your things. We’ll need to head out shortly.”

It takes me only a minute to do what he asked, but I spend a few extra minutes gathering my composure. Grabbing the bag, I head back to the kitchen, where the scent of pizza makes my stomach growl. Loudly.

“Hungry?” Jax asks and points to the pizza boxes on the table.

“Wasn’t sure what you like, so I got a cheese and then one with almost everything,” Dave adds, then opens the fridge. “Water or a soda this time?”

“Water’s perfect, thank you.”

He hands me a bottle and I grab a slice of cheese, digging in.

“Thank you for the clothes and everything else,” I say after a couple of bites. “It’s all perfect. You should think about becoming a personal shopper.”

He grins. “I kinda already am. My twin sister is disabled and doesn’t get out much. She lives a couple doors down and I do most of her shopping. She likes clothes that are comfortable and that she can layer, so…” He shrugs and goes back to what he was doing before, which looks like organizing medical supplies. “Take a seat while you eat and I’ll butterfly your foot.”

I sit and pull said foot up until I can see my heel. “I think it’s closing alright on its own.”

Dave sits down and looks for himself. “Yeah, it is, but if you have to do a lot more walking or running for any reason, it’s better that I close it now. I’ll also pad it so that you can stop walking on your toes so much.”

Reaching for another slice of pizza, I watch him do his work. He finishes with a small ace bandage. “This will keep everything in place better. More comfortable than lots of tape.”

“Thanks. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

He fastens the bandage, then pushes back and stands up. “No problem. Jax would do the same for me.”

Jax nods and they fist bump, looking like two college boys.

“Anything else you need before you head out?” Dave asks and I shake my head.

“Well…” Jax begins.

I look over to him. His face has turned a little red. Is he blushing?

“What?” Dave asks.

“Well, Mia has a cat that she’s worried about and…”

My heart does a little flip in my chest.

Dave holds out his hand. “Give me your keys and address and I’ll go get him, bring him back here until you all get this sorted out.”

I swallow and my eyes burn, my nose starting to run. “Really?” I dig through my bag and hand him the keys to my apartment.

“Sure. I’m secure enough in my masculinity to admit that I like cats and they usually like me. Better I go into your place just once, grab him—”

“Her. Libby.”

Dave smiles. “Awesome. I’ll get Libby and all her stuff and cat-sit until you come back to get her.”

“Th-thank you.”

“No problem. Now quit worrying and take care of what needs taking care of.” Then he points a finger at me, and his face changes, becomes harder. “Are you a spy?”

I gulp. “No!”

He looks at Jax and lifts a shoulder. “I can’t tell either, but leaning toward no.”

Jax nods as though agreeing.

Dave gives me another hard look. “You better be telling me the truth, or Libby gets…” He slices a finger across his throat, his tongue hanging from his mouth.

He’s kidding, right? I gape at him. I’m actually not so sure. Glancing over at Jax, I see him hiding a smile behind his hand and relax. Okay, he’s kidding. It’s really hard to tell with these badass men.

Dave claps his hands together, making me jump. “This is no joke. You turn on my man here, I turn on the cat. Draw it out. Make Libby suffer. Pull out one claw at a time. Damn feline will never purr again.”

Jax snorts and turns away.

I open my mouth. Close it with a snap, then simply nod and hold up two fingers, then three, then two again. Dang it. How many fingers are in the Boy’s Scout oath? I settle on two and say, “I’m not a spy and I’m not turning on anyone…” I stand up, rising to my full five foot three. “But if you hurt one whisker on her head, I will find you and I will…” Dang it. What is that Liam Neeson line?

Dave’s mouth twitches. “Got it. Just so we understand one another.”

I huff and grab another slice of pizza and stuff it in my mouth.

Mom, what have you gotten me in to?

Chapter 15 - Jax

The 4-Runner is nice, much better than I’d expect for eight thousand dollars. High miles, but clean. Comfortable. Tinted windows are good, so is the four-wheel drive. Because, as I’ve experienced before and am experiencing today … you just never, ever know what the next turn in the road will bring you.

I’ve been driving on 99 for a couple hours now, heading south, skipping over the closest safe houses, just to be sure. I could eat up the miles on I-5, there’s less danger in terms of traffic and potential stops. Whichever road I choose, I’m heading south. I’m figuring the closer I can get to Mexico, the better. Just in case I’m on my own for more than the night.

Before leaving Dave’s, we’d brainstormed through any issues. A passport for Mia to cross the border is one of them. When Dave gets the cat, he’ll also get her documents and overnight them to us. Damn, I owe him one. No, I owe him several.

When I reach the next safe house, I’ll be in communication with Langley again. I’ll restock firearms and await instructions there too.

“Fatalities … injured … airport…” These words penetrate my thoughts.

Shit. I reach for the radio and turn the knob. Mia stirs beside me. “What’s—”

Holding up a hand to silence her, I turn the volume up further. “The scene is chaos right now, Greg, as rescue personnel move in to remove the injured.”

“Any word on what caused the explosion?” another voice, I’m guessing Greg, asks.

“Not at this time. All we know is—”

“James, hold on for a moment,” Greg interrupts. “We’re getting reports of additional bombings.” Mia is straight up in her seat now, her arms clenching her stomach. I’m gripping the steering wheel so hard it hurts. “Yes, it’s confirmed. Nearly simultaneous explosions have occurred not only in LAX, but also in Hatsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, O’Hare in Chicago, J.F. K. in New York, Denver International, and Miami International.”

“Jax, what’s happening?”

I shake my head. I’m only a few miles away from the Los Banos exit and a safe house there. I’d wanted to get a few more hours on the road, stay at the next one, but I need to check in and get details of what the shit is going on.

“Oh no,” Mia says, her hand coming to her mouth as three long beeps, followed by the unmistakable sound of the emergency notification system, filters through the speakers of the car. Then the eerie robotic voice begins speaking.

“The following is an emergency action notification issued by the President of the United States. At eight forty-five p.m. eastern standard time, an attack was reported against this country. The attack is said to have taken place within multiple airports where explosions of unknown origins have detonated. These explosions are said to be intentional. All residents of the United States are asked to stay on alert for additional possible attacks and stay tuned to all media outlets for further details. This concludes this emergency action notification message.”