Deadly Alliance (8 page)

He did, too, and that card stayed in his deck.

What a joke Les played on the Roaches! After he invented their scheme for money laundering, the dealmaker brought Takbir and the Sureños together. Now he dangled their map over the Takbir leader. Les didn’t have the Irish treasure trove pinpointed. Coming up empty handed meant a Takbir sword would shove him off Fuller Ridge.

The game was growing dull. It was time to up the ante and turn Les into his puppet. Guiding the greedy was as easy as ringing a bell for Pavlov’s dogs.

* * *

Finn tossed his coat over a chair in Amy’s bedroom.

“You’re back,” she said. “Thanks for lugging my sewing machine and rolling my suitcase to the front door.” She dimmed the lighting.

“I tucked your map inside.” It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darker room.

“The map, great.” She wore nothing but bikini briefs.

“Wow. Look at you.”

“Go right ahead.” She scooted to the middle of the bed and leaned back on her elbows. “It’s as safe here as anywhere.” She moved to one side and angled her legs with one hand between them. “Like I said, my former address is on my driver’s license.”

“That’s an illusion. I’m the one who’ll keep you safe.” He liked how her eyes glittered, glowing and hopeful, not to mention her beckoning position. It was fun being fully clothed and looking at an almost nude, voluptuous woman. “The first house you shared with Les was in a gated and guarded community, correct?”

“Yup, gated with a security guard.” She cleared her throat, perhaps thinking about the family who lived there now. “The new owners are summer residents. They’re gone.”

He put his knee on the bed and feathered his lips over hers. “I appreciate everything you did today.”

“Turned out good so far.”

“Working for me turned out good?” He wanted to hear her say it.

“I’m grateful for a nine-to-five.” Her smile was hot.

His cock hardened. “I hope you meet your deadline.” He kissed the cleavage between her breasts.

She wiggled just a little. “I will.”

“Thanks to you, I know how the larceny against my company works.”

“Mostly, we don’t have to be lonely tonight.” She flipped back her hair. “When the sun comes up, we can both move on.” Her lips were soft on his.

“First time, last time? I might not let you off that easy.” Damn if she wasn’t sexy. He stood up and looked his fill. She moved, on purpose he guessed, and her breasts jiggled as if she wanted him to give them more attention. In his opinion the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen was sitting on her California king. “You’re gorgeous, and I’m panting.”

“Tonight is a win-win.” The beauty sounded practical. “Today I was scared to death. I need you. You’re stressed and need me. We can both unwind.” Her body called his.

At first, her nonchalance struck him as perplexing. She sold herself as his bookkeeper not as a prize milkmaid. She was as much about her own need as his. By doing this, she gained control. “You’re making me crazy-hot.”

“When this is over, don’t feel bad. You’re a big boy. You can take care of yourself.”

“Keeping it casual?” He gazed over her in anticipation. Her creamy skin beckoned him to touch her. Her blonde hair fell over her shoulders. Hard as the rock of Gibraltar, he envisioned taking each of her ample breasts into his mouth and lavishing them with the kisses they deserved. “How long did you say you’ll belong to me?”

“I promise to be yours tonight.” She unleashed a dazzling smile, and it stopped his heart.

“I feel wanted.”

“You are.”

He didn’t invite teasing, but she was teasing him now.

“On Monday morning, when I leave your place for the office, I won’t be wearing undies.”

His erection pulsed at the image of her, panty-less, in her business attire.

As if sensing the appeal, she had, she scooted to where he stood at the edge of the mattress. Unzipping his pants, she brought her face close enough for him to feel her breath’s heat. “All must come off.” It wasn’t long before she ran her tongue across his sensitive ridge and blew on it.

“Excuse me for a moment.” She got up, put on her skirt back on and then wiggled off her undies.

“You’re a quick-change artist. Skirt on, panties off.”

She handed him a condom.

“You’re as prepared as a girl scout,” he said.

“Better safe than sorry.”

Finn wasn’t a laughing man by nature, but Amy made him smile. He appreciated thinking about something other than the damn drain, and rolled on the condom.

She was back, took his engorged erection in her hand and closed her mouth over it, giving it several languid sucks before letting it go.

“You’re a vixen. I had no idea.”

She had him in her mouth again, this time suckling him with intensity. He pumped his essence into her. “Sorry. My urgency built up.” Sex-starved was more like it.

She smiled. “Next week, as your bookkeeper, I might need to breeze into your office.” She stepped away, commando under her skirt.

“Don’t leave me!”

With her back to him, she stood at her bedside table and knocked the little pad and pen off. “Whoops, I have to pick these up.” Hiking up her skirt and bending at the waist, she gave him a peek.

He liked her sex-trap game. He was behind her, still wet from her mouth, sinking himself into her.

She braced against the dresser. “I’m seconds away from begging.”

He reached through her thighs, just brushing her mound, and she arched in response. He used his fingers to stroke her lips, parted them, and spread her wetness over them. Using control, he was slow to enter. Buried in her sweetness, he thrust into her like a piston.

She turned her head. “Finn,” she whispered. “Finn.”

He pulled her skirt-covered hips into his, riding her and loving the way she let herself go. “I can’t get enough of you.”

She came with a loud moan, and he released into her. As she came down, she laughed. He pulled out of her, but wrapped his arms around her and didn’t let go for a long time. He kissed the back of her neck. “We belong to each other tonight.”

She turned around, and the look of ecstasy on her face turned him on more than he ever thought possible. He needed to taste her.

He knelt in front of her. With his fingers, he spread her pussy wide and touched the tip of his tongue to her clit.

Her body shook, and her hands were in his hair as she pulled him close.

He used his mouth on her. She gave a little scream as he sucked and licked her vulnerable bud. Lapping at her juices, he loved driving her wild.

She twisted and pulled his face deeper. He found her slick channel, and as he did her with his tongue, she screamed again. His cock protested and ached to do the same. Her thighs were open, and her entire body seemed to be on overload, but he wasn’t done with her yet.

He kissed her clit and slid two fingers inside her. She was tight, tighter than any woman he’d been with. His cock pulsed, wanting in. He couldn’t wait.

“Come to the bed.” She sounded desperate and didn’t seem to care.

He watched her fall onto the bed on her back. She spread her legs, and he went down on her, kissing her most intimate places. He thrust his fingers inside her and her pussy pulsed and pulled on them. He flattened his tongue on her clit. She responded, and he did it again, then again faster, and harder. She stiffened. Her thighs tensed. Her body went rigid, and he sucked hard on her feminine nerves, not letting up. His tongue, combined with firm lips and hard fingers, drove her on. He wanted her pleasure to reach heights she’d never known. Her body was reaching a climax. Pleasure rippled out from her pussy. The way she was holding onto his head with her fingers tangled in his hair, he felt the shake of her orgasm. Her thighs jumped, and he fused his mouth over her clit until she relaxed.

He worked his way up her body. Moving his tongue over her flat belly, he caressed her heaving breasts with his lips. With a hand, he stroked her hair back from her face and kissed her eyelids. His cock, thick and hard, and, yes, throbbing, pushed against her clit.

“This feels so good.” She rocked her hips.

He slid his hands to cup her ass, pulled her against him harder. Faster. Together they rocked so hard the bed creaked. Her orgasm coiled tight, tighter, building. She was about to come. The delicious pressure of her clit pushed against him. She was shaking, wanting. Pleasure filled her like a river.

He ran the tip of his cock up and down her lower lips, and she arched against him. “You’re so wet, baby.”

She gasped. “I’m hot and ready for you.”

“I’m going to fuck you, Amy.”

“Please do.”

He took off the first condom and rolled on a new one. “Just making sure.” He moved back between her legs, spread them wider and pushed inside of her. He threaded his fingers through hers, feathered kisses up her neck, her cheeks, her forehead, and then came like a vengeance. Her pussy fluttered around him in waves, and he gave a final thrust.

They stared at each other, breathless. He rolled onto his back, and she placed her head on his chest. He said, “Let’s stay here a little while.”

Things happened when he least expected it. He had never been one for big shows of affection. The lushness of her, the sounds she made, that thing she did with her tongue. How had he gone a day without her?

She looked up at him, her lips swollen from his kisses. “I’m as turned on as you are.”

He laughed. “I’m glad you negotiated our business deal.”

“Me, too,” she said. “While I’m hiking, what are you doing tomorrow?” She asked.

“My dad and I are driving to Los Angeles. Plan to visit Les’ parents. Check on his twin brother.”

“Liam, dear Liam,” she mumbled while giving him a hug. She gazed around with tired half-mast eyes.

“Tomorrow, we’ll make love in the shower.” He bent down and kissed her cheek.

“Thank you in advance.” Her eyebrow arched.

“Jesus, in advance,” he said and thanked the Lord for her enthusiasm.

“I’ll need some soaping up.”

“I’m the man for the job.” He’d let her go to sleep but looked forward to morning. His doctor warned him about a developing ulcer. Usually after drinking alcohol, his stomach was on fire. Not tonight. The last thing he remembered thinking was that she was an angel, and he was in heaven. He fell asleep in her arms.

* * *

Amy jerked awake with a dream of falling. Afraid, the horror she’d witnessed at the hotel loomed in her mind. She was unable to banish the images of swords, gunshots, and blood from her brain. A second later she felt a warm and large body pressed next to her.

His arm lifted and plopped over her waist. His breath warmed her face. This is nice. That was her sole thought. She gazed at the magnificent male beside her. She needed to use the bathroom. Because he was lethal and dangerous, she felt safe walking to the master bath. If he weren’t here, she’d tough it out until morning. Moving carefully, she slid to the edge and swung her legs off the bed to the floor. Using her cellphone to see in the dark, she crept away.

When she returned, Finn was stirring.

She snuggled under the covers, and he rolled toward her and looked her in the eye. “You’re not a pillow hog, are you?”

“I can be,” she said, “but right now, I’m making you comfy.” She puffed up a pillow, lifted his head, and shoved it under his other pillow. “Good? These two are mine.” Perhaps he was too tired to frame a response.

“Two for two. Fair enough.” He smiled, looked a little worn, a little weary, and a whole lot rough around the edges. He slid her a sleepy look. “Sleep tight.”

She watched his eyes drift shut. When their anti-crime stint was over, she’d miss that handsome face. Her lower lip quivered. She didn’t love him, did she? No one falls in love in one day. Anyway, she wasn’t about to make that stupid mistake. No way would she fall in love with a man with women drooling all over him. She wasn’t the only one wanting to suck on his huge and amazing dick.

Listen to your brain, not your heart. She smacked her forehead with her palm as a reminder. Think clearly, her sensible side pleaded.

Chilled, she inched closer and snuggled into his side. Their first day together was a hell of a ride. Finbar Donahue. He made her feel beautiful in a way no one else ever had. Right now it was the two of them. Alone. Together. She had far better things to do with their precious time and his body than getting weepy.

Chapter Six

Finn stood outside on Amy’s bedroom deck, shivering in his boxers. He put a hand over his thumping chest. Amy, as refreshing as morning dew, dozed peacefully inside. Where he was usually the king, he made her his queen. Whatever she wanted to do, he was willing. As he sniffed the air, he caught the scent of wood smoke and gazed across the lapping blue water. Last night, had he heard squirrels on the roof or footfalls? A slow knot crept up his throat. He feared for Amy’s safety, but she agreed to meet him at his house after her hike.

He was up against something far larger than his company’s drain.

Something sinister surrounded Les’ death. After breakfast, he and his dad would visit the Kelly couple and do a bit of digging to see what turned up. He stepped inside and shut the sliding door behind him.

Amy was curled under a quilt, sleeping. He crossed the room and squatted down by the side of the bed. His heart swelled as he took in her pretty face as she slept. Her cheek snuggled down into her palm, long blonde lashes brushing her fair skin as she breathed softly.

Later this afternoon at his house, he’d make her a mug of hot cocoa. Maybe they’d talk up fishing during Trout Days, home to the rainbow, and then spend the last hours of a sun-warmed day under a blanket on his porch. He had lots to say to Amy Kintyre.

As she dozed, he didn’t touch her, though he wanted nothing more than to pull her close and protect her from anything threatening her.

This was some office affair. To think she’d suggested signing an agreement. He chuckled to himself. She was so damn nice. The thought of losing her punched his gut. Pushing himself up, he planned to let her sleep awhile longer.

“Finn?”

Her sleepy voice caught him like a net. God, she’s beautiful.
“Good morning.” He sat beside her. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Like a log.” She nodded and then tilted her head to look him in the eyes. “So you and your dad will visit Les’ parents.”

He looked away for a moment before looking back at her. “I’d like to check on his twin brother, Liam. See how he’s doing.” See if he’s alive. He didn’t plan to share his suspicions until he knew more, but sensed Liam was an embarrassment to Les’ parents.

“Les’ brother adored feeding birds. Particularly swans.” She was running her hand along the length of his hip. The sparks she sent up and down his skin made it hard to focus. “Don’t stop.” He needed her close, had to keep her close.

“Why would I?” She curved her hand around his backside and squeezed here and there.

Finn went hard in one second flat. He slid an arm around her, easing her up. She pressed her body against him.

He pushed the hair back from her face, kissed her forehead, her cheek, her jaw, and then teased her soft mouth with his. “I want to take you fishing.”

She said, “Trout Days? I accept. From what I know, I’d say you are the best fish in the entire lake.”

“You’re the prettiest and nicest fish.” Finn had never once been nervous with a woman, even when he’d dated Miss California, aka. Miss Winterbottom. After her, there were a few one-night-stands. “I’d like to fish with you even after Trout Days.”

“To see if we have something,” she whispered.

“Baby, we’ve got something.” He smiled, tipped her face up. “Our something is really big.”

She parted her lips, met him kiss for kiss with heat building between them. “Let’s make our way to the shower.”

He tried to ignore his growing need.

Inside the bathroom, she turned handle for the shower. While the water warmed to tepid, she gathered up a sponge and eucalyptus-spearmint body wash. “I like the woodsy scents.” She set them on a shelf in the shower.

“Step in, baby. I’m going to enjoy washing you up.” Knowing his need was announcing itself, he turned her around. Put her needs first.

He enjoyed gliding the soft sponge over her skin, lifting her arms to wash under her tantalizing breasts. Moving lower, he found every curve and hidden space during his immensely satisfying but painfully arousing task. Caring for her in this way pleased him.

She grabbed his shoulder with her hand and balanced while he washed behind her knees, planting a kiss on her thigh.

“Finn, I can’t take this much longer.” She looked down, her cheeks flushed. This was ridiculous after all they’d done, all he’d seen of her body, all the places he’d kissed. Licked. Embarrassment shouldn’t bombard her, but there it was. “Please make me come.”

Please and thank you. Her sweetness shot through him, challenging every ounce of control he had. He looked up. “I can do that.” He eased the sponge between her legs as he washed gently there, kissing the inside of her thigh.

Amy gasped, her fingers digging into his shoulder. “You are so good.” She panted as he rubbed the sponge over her sex in a gentle rhythm.

“Now I’ll get you to the good part.” He dropped the sponge and parted her thighs, replacing the sponge with his tongue.

She was slick and hot. The lukewarm water ran down her body. He lapped at her nub until she cried out. He didn’t stop until she sighed his name. Again and again. When her knees trembled, he stood and pulled her into his arms. He was harder than steel but didn’t care. His baby came, and he rocked her back and forth as she relaxed against him.

They definitely had something.

“Let’s make breakfast.” He stepped out of the shower and assisted her out as well.

She handed him a towel. “I’ll head to the kitchen and make breakfast.

“Great. Be there in a minute.” After she left the bathroom, he dropped the towel and headed back into the shower. He put a hand on the tiled wall and jerked fast. The last time he masturbated with this intensity was at sixteen after coming across Papa’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Ten minutes later, fully dressed and standing in her kitchen door jamb, Finn said, “Sausage smells amazing.”

“Bangers. That’s what my grandparents call them.”

“I like the term.”

Amy set the sausages alongside plates with eggs, baked beans, a grilled tomato and toast. “UK style.” She poured coffee into mugs.

“Quite a treat.” His stare bypassed her eyes and landed on her braided, silken hair, ample breasts, and shapely legs in leggings and shorts. As treats went, breakfast would take second place to all the banging they’d done.

“Do you like my shorts?” She pointed to her waistband. “This little pocket holds a Swiss Army Knife.”

“That’s damn clever,” he said and attempted to look attentive. “Pretty shorts.”

“The material goes well with my hair.”

“A nice match,” he said.

“You’re hopeless, Finbar Donahue. Sage green does not match my hair.” She shook her head. “You’d say the same thing if I were sitting here naked.”

“Hmmm?” He didn’t think they’d be talking.

“I’ll mockup other earth tones for the buyer.”

“When is that?” He shook his head to clean out cobwebs.

“Two weeks from now.”

He stroked a finger over the miniature pocket. “I know the many uses for the knife.”

She inched up with a kiss and then motioned for him to join him at her table. “Can you text me the address of your house? I’ll be there mid-afternoon.”

He got out his phone, sent her a text, and took her hand. “Just got a message from Guhleman. I’ll keep you in the loop.”

“It means a lot.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “Most of my life, people talked over me, through me, but not to me.’

“That’s not fair.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing except that you need to be careful. You help people. Some are manipulative.”

“Bayliss would agree,” she said.

“Really.”

Amy asked, “What did Guhleman tell you?”

“The FBI identified a young, bearded Iraqi. Omar al-Anbari. He’s a prominent Takbir commander.” He showed her his phone. “This is what he looks like.”

“Jeez.” She looked closely. “His beard has a wild look.”

“Rules on appearance are strictly enforced,”

She said, “Beards for men, veils for women.”

Finn pulled her close. “Promise to keep me posted?”

“If I see anything suspicious, I’ll text you.”

“I need you to be the one,” he said, “who knows where I am.”

“In case something happens?”

He said, “I don’t trust my staff. They might talk to the wrong person.”

“Who do you trust?” She swallowed.

“Byron McGill. The fastest way to get to him is through Bayliss. He answers her calls.”

“Such lovebirds!” She cuffed a laugh. “Ever watched them cooing over each other?”

“Want to demonstrate?”

“Sure.” She moved her hand over Finn’s biceps in an intimate way. “They’re life partners.”

“They met each other’s destiny,” he said.

“Anything else you want to share?” she asked, “because I think you’re about to become a Ranger.”

“That’s the one thing I’m suited for.” He clenched his fists. Was he running toward his execution?

* * *

Amy counted two extra hikers at Onyx Summit. She pulled her fleece-knit cloche lower on her forehead. Even with leggings under her shorts, a lined jacket, and gloves, she shivered and did a re-count.

Happy with the turnout of twenty-five, Amy climbed up a flat rock. “Welcome, Arrowbear Hikers. FYI, the Crest Trail is moderate. Just eight miles with a thousand-foot elevation gain. Does everyone have water and a lunch?”

“They do. I checked.” Standing close by, Bayliss made an encompassing motion with both hands.

Amy said, “Great. I see some new faces. Introductions, Bayliss?”

Mixed-race Bayliss, wearing her hair natural today, stood between two young women. “I’d like everyone to meet Tori and Vivienne.” Teens staying at the Bearwood Group Home went by first names only, but these were young women with the same names as Finn’s half-cousin and half-sister. .

“Welcome, Tori and Vivienne.” Amy walked over to them. “I’m glad you joined us today.”

“Thanks.” Miss Blue-eyes grinned, and Miss Brown-eyes told Miss Blue-eyes if she didn’t stop grinning, her face was going to hurt.

“I hope your excitement comes out through your feet.” Amy made them smile and sensed Bayliss had them under her wing at Bearwood. She took a moment to text Finn, informing him they were on the hike and staying at Bearwood.

He texted, “Byron told me. He arranged it.”

Bayliss put her hands on her hips. “The Crest is my favorite trail. Temperature is crisp, but the rain stopped.”

“Great!” A familiar voice came from the back.

“Hey, Spencer.” Amy waved. Les’ son stood next to his fiancé.

Cassidy cupped her hands and shouted, “What can we expect to see today?”

Amy yelled, “Blue skies and sunlight, Cassidy. They make stained-glass sculptures of the trees.”

“Says who?” With a hand on Spencer’s shoulder, Cassidy bounced on her toes.

“I’m with you, Cassidy,” Bayliss added. “We’ll just have to see about those stained glass sculptures, won’t we?”

Amy knew how her life would end. She and Bayliss, two old women, would do their good-natured bickering. “Okay! Let’s get going!” She turned to lead the way past log homes. Trash cans were lined up neatly in the alley, green grass lawns were decorated for Halloween. A few feral cats added a bit of spookiness.

Tori and Vivienne walked behind her and whispered. “No more hiding,” One of them said. “For a while anyway,” the other answered.

“You’re safe at Bearwood.”

Amy turned around to see Avery
Creswell, a nurse at Bearwood.
She used her foot to maneuver a large branch off the path. She pushed ahead, leading the hikers. This is an exciting day. Just for now, let’s leave all the elephants behind.

Dry leaves crunched under foot. From cabins came the warm scent of wood smoke curling into the brisk morning air. A gust of wind coming off the lake signaled colder weather, but snow was not forecasted.

Halfway up the trail, a woman’s scream tore from deep in the woods. Amy swiveled toward the sound and then faced Bayliss. “Someone may have fallen.”

Bayliss, the psycho-analyst, frowned. “The woman didn’t sound in pain. She hasn’t screamed again. She sounded angry.”

“I’ll go,” Amy said.

“Check it out. I’ll stay with the group.”

Amy sprinted and scanned the area. With deciduous trees close to leafless, she saw through branches, but light was dim due to the pine canopy above. Is that running feet? She turned. Two men ran toward her. “Stop!”

They tripped, crashed into trees, and then changed direction. Both wore beards, Takbir-style.

With her Bluetooth connected to her pocketed cellphone, she rang Finn. After several rings, she left a message about the two bearded guys in the woods. Amy took a moment to listen. The woman’s voice was more audible. Had they stolen something from her? “Hey, hey! Call out!” she yelled.

“Over here.”