Justice (17 page)

Out of the prying eyes of spectators, she allowed herself a vulnerable moment and laid her cheek to his chest. “I’m so scared, Dallas.”

He stroked her hair. “I know you are, baby. You and I are heading out of town for few days.”

“We are?” She looked up at him. “Where?”

“Secret,” he said.

“I can’t just bail on work, Dallas. That’s kind of frowned upon. Plus, what if Bruce really does put an all points out on me.”

“Official FBI business, sweetheart. Matt will take care of the A.P.B., and Alec will deal with your boss.”

She rolled her eyes. “Is it really official FBI business or is this unofficial Macey business?”

He sighed. “FBI.”

“Crap, really?”

Dallas nodded. “Bruce is up to something, which is why I need to get you the hell out of here for a while.”

“And?”

“And nothing.”

“Meaning, you’re not going to tell me anything else, right?”

“Right. Say nothing to anyone, babe, yeah? You’ll finish out your shift. Payton will pack you a bag and then you and I are heading out without a word to anyone.”

“Which brings up an interesting point. Payton will know.”

“No, she won’t. She thinks I have something romantic planned. She won’t know anything.”

“Safe house?”

He nodded.

Macey groaned. “Bailey nearly went crazy being locked up with you three. Are you seriously saying I have to do the same?”

Dallas smiled. “She nearly went crazy because she wanted Brock and couldn’t act on it… at least for as long as he kept it in his pants. You and I are going to have some much needed connection time… mostly alone. Jax will be there from time to time, but only to deliver information. Brock’s staying here to keep an eye on Bruce and his cronies.”

“How long?”

“I don’t know, babe. A week, maybe a bit more.”

“I have some vacation time, but if it goes much longer, I might have to take time off without pay… which means I’ll have to pull money from savings for rent and—”

“Breathe, Macey.” He chuckled. “Rent’s covered. Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, right,” she droned. “I’m a kept woman.”

“You’re my woman… so yeah… I’m keeping you.” He checked his watch. “Shift is over in an hour, right?”

She nodded.

“Okay. Jax is gonna hang out here while I head to your place, then I’ll pick you up and whisk you far, far away.”

Macey clasped her hands at her chest and said in a southern accent, “Oh, kind sir, please will you save me from the bad, bad world?”

Dallas leaned down and kissed her, pressing her against the wall and cupping her cheek. He waited until she sighed before breaking the kiss and dropping his forehead to hers. “I will save you from the bad, bad world.”

“I want you to do it naked,” she whispered.

He squeezed his eyes shut. “God, babe, you’re
killing
me.”

She giggled. “Serves you right. You might come in here all, ‘I’m gonna protect my woman, hear me roar,’ but at least I know I can bring you to your knees with a kiss.”

“You can do that without a kiss.”

“I’ll remember that.” Macey smiled. “I have to get back to work.”

“I’ll walk you up and touch base with Jaxon.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

D
ALLAS ARRIVED TO pick Macey up five minutes before her shift ended. They walked outside to find Jaxon waiting for them, so she handed him her keys so he could drive her car home and then climbed into an unmarked, unfamiliar SUV.

“I take it this is an official vehicle,” she said once she was buckled in.

“It is,” he confirmed, and buckled up. “It’s also untraceable and without bugs.”

“I didn’t even think of that,” she admitted. “Where are we going?”

Dallas pulled out of his parking space and headed south. “Newport.”

“What’s in Newport?”

“Jaxon’s parents have a little beach house that’s under his mother’s maiden name. They’re not there right now, so Jaxon organized it so we could be.”

“How could they afford a “little beach house” with six kids?” she wondered aloud.

Dallas chuckled.

“What?”

“You’re just funny,” he said.

“Why am I funny?”

“I shouldn’t say funny, I guess. You’re just so surprised when something is outside of your grasp. Jaxon’s parents aren’t rich, obviously, but it’s not like they’re destitute. His dad’s a dentist, his mom’s a teacher, so they make a decent living. The house has been in his mom’s family for a long time. I guess they’ve been using it as a vacation getaway forever, which means, next to no costs to stay and it’s close enough they can drive.”

“Sounds pretty rich to me,” she said.

“Does it?”

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “My dad was a school custodian, Dallas. He didn’t make much. Mom didn’t work, so yeah, we never had any money. Even when I moved in with my grandparents, things were tight. I was really grateful for the small life insurance my parents left, because it covered college, but not all of it. Not by a long shot. So I guess it’s outside of my grasp because I have no concept what it would be like not to worry about money.”

He linked his fingers with hers. “You just seem to forget there’s somewhere in between. But you’ll figure it out babe.”

“I will?”

“Yep. Because you will never worry about money again.” He smiled. “We might not have the gobs of disposable income my parents have, but we’ll have enough so you don’t worry.”

She grinned. “This is why I love you.”

“No, you love me because I give you multiple orgasms.”

“Yeah, that too.”

He laughed and focused back on the road. Macey found herself drifting in and out of sleep as they drove the hour and a half to Newport.

The jolt of the car going over a bump woke her, and she blinked her eyes open and stared out the window. “Oh, this is cute.”

The house was really more of a box with a little windowed conservatory acting as a porch on the front. It was painted a Cape Cod blue with white accents and dark blue shutters, and overflowing flower boxes hung below the front windows.

Dallas hit a button on his visor and drove the SUV into the attached garage at the side of the house, before climbing out and opening her door.

The sea air wafting in made her smile. “Best smell ever,” she said.

“Yeah, it’s pretty awesome,” he agreed. “Let’s go inside and then I’ll get our stuff.”

She nodded and climbed from the car, following him to the porch. He unlocked and opened the door, then stood back for her to precede him inside.

She stepped into a typical beach house she'd seen pictured in home magazines. Light blue walls, shells and beachy accessories everywhere, sofas covered in white canvas, obviously for easy removal and cleaning. A lit, wood-burning fireplace in the center of the room crackled its welcome as it warmed up the space. Hardwood floors throughout, except the kitchen, bathrooms, and mudroom, which all had tile.

To say the home was adorable was really an understatement. “I think I’m in love,” she said.

“I’m with you.” Dallas smiled. “Come check out the deck.”

Macey dropped her purse on one of the sofas and followed him through the living room. She passed a door on the right that led to the kitchen, and out French doors to the back deck, gasping as she took in the view. The deck had stairs that led to a small patch of grass overlooking the sea. Directly in front of that was sand. The sun was beginning to set over the Pacific Ocean and she marveled at how close they were to the water. “Oceanfront property is literal in this case.”

“Yeah. We’ll head down there tomorrow if you like.”

“Um, hells yes.”

Dallas chuckled. “You explore and I’ll grab our stuff.”

“I can help.”

He leaned down and kissed her. “It’s not much, baby. You go pick where we’re going to sleep and I’ll take care of everything.”

She clapped her hands and nodded. “Twist my arm.”

They left the doors open to let in the breeze and Macey grabbed her purse and walked the house. It was surprisingly bigger than it seemed from the outside with three small bedrooms, each with either two twin beds or bunks, a hall bathroom, and a master suite, big enough to fit a king-sized bed, with its own en-suite. A double sink ran along one wall with a toilet and stone surround shower with dual shower heads.

She set her purse on the bed and slipped her shoes off, heading back to the kitchen to see what she could get going for dinner. It appeared as though Dallas had brought their food in first, so she went about putting everything away.

* * *

Dallas set their bags in the master bedroom and peeked in the other rooms, looking for Macey. “Babe?” he called.

“Kitchen,” she called back.

He closed and locked the French doors before heading into the kitchen. He walked in and ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to fix it. The wind had picked up, dropping the temperature and driving home the fact he’d need a haircut sooner than later. Macey licked her lips as he approached and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Beer?” she asked, holding a bottle up.

Dallas grinned, leaning down to kiss her as he took the beer from her hand. “You read my mind.”

Macey giggled. “Well, refrain from reading mine right now… it is
filthy
.”

“How filthy?” He set the beer on the counter and lifted her up next to it. She settled her hands on his shoulders and scooted forward so she could wrap her legs around his waist.

“Pretty filthy,” she admitted.

“How about we order a pizza instead of cooking? I’ll fuck you while we wait.”

Macey laughed. “I hear a new slogan in there somewhere.”

“Your pizza’s baking… we’ll fuck you while you wait?”

“No.”

“Your pizza will arrive in thirty minutes or less… in the meantime, let us deliver you a hot salami?”

“Ew, okay, no, maybe not.” She wrinkled her nose and giggled. “I thought we couldn’t let anyone know we’re here.”

“Jax can pick up the pizza, babe.”

“Oh, right.”

He slid his hands under her top, cupping her breasts as he kissed her neck.

“Let’s forget the pizza for now,” she said, her breath coming in pants as he pulled her bra down and rolled a nipple between his fingers.

He slid her off the counter, keeping her firmly in his arms as he carried her back to the master bedroom. “I’m gonna let you go, baby.”

She nodded and fell onto the mattress. He stretched out beside her and slipped his hand into her hair, pulling her head toward him to kiss her.

Out of nowhere, Macey pushed at Dallas with a whimper. He leaned back and frowned. “Babe?”

Macey sat up. “I can’t.”

“Okay.” He reached for her, but she rose from the bed and wrapped her arms around herself. “Hey. Mase. It’s okay.”

She shook her head.

Dallas rose slowly from the mattress, keeping his distance. “Hey. Mase, seriously, it’s okay. Do you want to talk?”

She shook her head again. “I need a minute.”

He stared at her, his heart twisting at the fear written on her face.

“Alone,” she whispered.

He frowned. “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone right now.”

Macey blinked back tears. “Please, Dallas.”

He dragged his hands down his face. “Okay honey. I’ll give you some space.”

Dallas walked out of the room and back to the kitchen where he texted Jaxon to pick up dinner. He wouldn’t always have this option, so he took advantage of it while he could.

He gave Macey fifteen minutes before he couldn’t stand the worry anymore and walked back to the bedroom. He found her curled up in the far corner, her arms around her legs and her head bowed to her knees. “Macey?”

She didn’t answer, so he stepped further into the room. “Babe?”

Still no answer so he hunkered down beside her and touched her arm. She let out a blood curdling scream and kicked out at him, landing her foot in his ribs. Dallas adjusted, despite the pain and moved out of harm’s way. Macey stood, her back to the wall, her eyes unfocused and frantic, as though looking for a way out.

Dallas stayed between her and the door. “Mase?”

He was most concerned about her breathing. It was coming in short bursts and he was afraid she’d hyperventilate.

“Baby, I need you to listen to me.”

Her head followed his voice, but she still didn’t focus on him.

“Macey, honey. Listen to my voice. You’re safe. I’m here.”

She stared at him for several seconds before blinking and bursting into tears. “Dallas?”

He didn’t hesitate to pull her into his arms. “I’m here, baby.”

Macey sobbed into his chest and, despite the pain to his middle as she wrapped her arms around him, he stroked her hair and whispered to her. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re safe.”

She squeezed harder and he couldn’t stop his breath from escaping through his teeth.

“You okay?” she asked, frowning up at him.

“Yeah, baby. You just got me in the ribs.”

“Got you?”

He stroked her cheeks, thumbing away the tears. “You kicked me.”

She gasped and stepped away from him. “What? I did? Let me see.” She lifted his shirt and shook her head. “Dallas, I’m so sorry.”

He shifted to look in the mirror and saw the redness of where she’d kicked him. It would more than likely be a healthy bruise by the morning.

Macey pressed gently on his side and grimaced. “Nothing feels broken, but I can bind you if you like. It might help.”

“Nah. It’s all good.”

“I’ll get you some ice.”

“Babe, I’m okay,” he insisted, but she rushed out of the room.

He followed her a little more carefully into the kitchen where she was dropping ice into a zippy. “I can’t believe I did that,” she muttered. “I’m so sorry Dallas.”