My young friend answers. “Correct. Dad knew the weapons were old and unstable. Their use would be limited to dirty bombs. Because I learned they would be used in the US, I begged him to renege, and he did. At the same time, Francine was working with the terrorists. She promised her Russian pals the deal had gone through. She must’ve freaked and told Mack where to find the missiles and me.”
“Ahhh, so both your father and your stepmother wanted you back, but for different reasons.” It all makes sense, if I don’t think too hard. “But why didn’t Tommy knock her off? If I was an all-powerful, rich arms dealer, that’s what I would do.”
My lover holds my hands and kisses the top of my head. “Keep your friends close and your enemies-”
“Under you with your cock inside them.” This insightful witticism is muttered by Dan, sitting on the other side of me.
“At least tell me you found all the radioactive weapons.” As I glance between the little gray men, all their brows furrow in the same manner.
The one closest shakes his head. “Sorry, butterfly. The Feds rounded up the ORA and got them to talk but one truck is still missing.”
“We need to find it.”
“Notwe, babe.Youare going to the hospital.” He can’t be serious, but one look tells me he is.
I press a fingertip to his nose.Boop. “And have Tommy’s thugs kidnap me again? Better yet, the domestic terrorists. Wait, maybe it’ll be Francine? Nope, no thank you.”
While I scowl, my Brennan looks to the others to back him up, but they all divert their eyes. I guess they all agree with me because not long after, Adrian drops us off in front of a two-story motel.
“Stay safe. We’ll be in touch.” Once he drives away, Dean checks in at the desk, walks us to our room, and points at the lumpy mattress. “Sit and get naked.”
“Really? No foreplay?” My smirk makes him snort out his nose.
“I need to see your injuries.”
“Not the best pickup line, but I’ve heard worse.” Sliding out of my filthy clothes, I bite my tongue to hold back my moans. Every muscle in my body hurts.
“Dear God.” Eyes moist, he stares at all my bruises, and opens a first aid kit, no doubt given to him by one of his alien pals.
“I’m lucky. They could’ve done a lot more damage. The man chosen to beat me has a crush on me and pulled his punches.” My palm reaches out to cup Dean’s soft beard.
His jaw ticks, he nods, and my finger captures his tear. Dumbstruck, I lift my gaze from his lips to the fathomless depths of his brown irises. No one has ever cried for me, and the small drop of water shatters my world.
After he inspects my bruises, his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “Shower. Okay?”
Still speechless, I nod and follow him into the bathroom. When the spray runs warm, he strips off his clothes and helps me step over the tub’s rim.
Leaning back into his firm chest, my thoughts drift back to the Russian’s lie. “I’m so glad you’re not dead.”
“Me too, but why would you think that?” He reaches behind the curtain and grabs a bar of soap.
As the wrapping paper floats to the floor, a little sob escapes me. “Francine told me you died, but I couldn’t believe her. If anything happened to you. I, er…careabout you… a lot.”
He creates foamy white lather, slides his hands around my front, and whispers in my ear. “I do too.”
“Wait. Youcareabout you, too? That’s rather narcissistic, don’t you think?” My stupid joke falls flat.
“Don’t make light. You know what I mean.” His slick palms pause at my collar bone, lower to my nipples, then caress down my sides to my hips.
Because of the drugs or perhaps the near-death experience, I turn in his arms, grab the back of his head, and bring his eyes to mine. “I’m falling hard and have no idea what to do about it.”
“Me too, sweetheart.” The tip of his tongue brushes over my breast, his cock bounces to life and he groans. “God, when I saw you slumped over in that chair, I was so afraid we arrived too late.”
My hand wraps around his desire. “Tied up in the garage, the only thing that kept me from giving up was knowing you were coming to save me, and you did.”
His eyes darken as he kisses my forehead under the spray of water. “I’m so sorry it took so long to find you.”
“You saved me, that’s what counts.” I squeeze, he moans and the side of his hand glides between my upper thighs.
