The cloying smell of flowers weighed Ian down. It was surreal. Luke and Ian explained to the funeral director how the explosion incinerated Cassie’s remains. He suggested they choose a casket anyway to bury any bone fragments. He also suggested waiting until the investigation was complete before they had the service to maximize the possible remains found.
Ian wanted to vomit, but he kept holding on to the fact that she was waiting for him. He and Luke planned the wake for two nights and one day. The flowers. The memorial cards. Transport to the interfaith chapel. Transportation to the cemetery. Ian’s brain stalled. Transport to the family mausoleum that held her baby’s remains. His heart told him not to bury her there, but logic told him it would be another chance to put an end to Cassie’s nightmare.
* * *
Jason dropped Luke off at the house before escorting Ian to visit the families of his lost men. Managing to avoid the paparazzi, he stopped at the hospital to see his injured too. None of their injuries was life-threatening.
Afterward, Ian stopped at the Chase Group building. His first piece of business was making sure the insurance company paid what was due to each beneficiary for his fallen personnel. He told accounting to issue a weekly check to their next of kin in the amount of their salary for twenty-five years with cost-of-living raises built in. He also set up a college fund for Trevor’s two children—contingent upon a minimum B average.
For his injured employees, Ian made sure they would receive full salary while they were out and provided for any of their families’ needs. Once that was taken care of, he called Ray Hedgecock about the building repair.
Being in the office confirmed he made the right decision to step back. Eagle’s Talon, in addition to working on this mess with Cassie, was juggling two dangerous assignments. Mia “Kiwi” Donnelly was perfect for the job. As for Chase Security, Ian turned over the DC commanding lead to Tony Olivetti in San Diego.
The technical analysis staff jumped when he entered their lair. “Sorry, everyone. I wanted to thank you. I know you’re moving as fast as you can. Do you all have the tools and personnel you need to do the job? If you don’t, contact Esther.” Ian spoke with each member of the team before returning home.
The house was quiet, except for roving security. Ian opened the door to his suite and saw no sign of Cassie. His heart rate soared until the door to the second bedroom creaked open. “What are you doing in there?”
Cassie was wearing a turquoise dressing gown. “I was just getting ready for bed. I wanted to brush my teeth. As you can see, I am sporting the latest trend in adornment.” She pointed to her feeding tube.
“You didn’t answer my question.” Ian’s brow creased.
Cassie knitted her fingers. “I didn’t want to seem clingy. You don’t have to feel obligated to sleep with me again.”
Ian’s eyes turned stormy. “Do I strike you as a one-and-done kind of guy? I will let you know if I think you’re clinging. Don’t you understand that I want you here? I need you here, Cassie. What do I have to do to make you understand how much you mean to me? How much I want you in my life? And now how much I want you in my bed.”
Ian stalked across the room, and she backed up to the wall. He claimed her mouth in an aggressive, possessive kiss. Seizing her hips, he lifted her body hard against his.
* * *
She could feel his arousal grow. The power she held over him dawned on her. This was not soft, slow love. This was primal, dominating.
Her silky garment shredded beneath his powerful hands. Lifting her higher, he nipped at her exposed nipples, turning them rock-hard. He tore the silk fabric covering her mound, plunging his fingers between her wet, swollen folds. Cassie moaned at his touch.
“Wrap your legs around me,” Ian commanded. Retaking Cassie’s mouth with his, Ian thrust into her hard and deep, conquering her over and over. Snaking a hand to their connection, he stimulated her swollen bundle of nerves until she convulsed around him.
“Ian!” Cassie’s breathy cry brought him out of his fervor.
The sensation of being coupled with her felt new, different, skin against skin. Dipping deep for control, Ian pulled out in time, his emission warming her belly. Setting her on her feet, he dropped to his knees.
His body quaked with visible anguish as he bowed his head in shame. “Cassie, forgive me. I’m sorry.” His cheek rested against her wet belly. “I was rough and—”
“Wonderful. Do you know what it’s like not to be asked how I feel? To not be looked at like I will break? You treated me like a healthy person. You would never hurt me; I know that with every cell in my body.” Cassie kissed the top of his head, desperate to release him from his turmoil.
He rose and cradled her, carrying her to their bed. With reverence, he returned from the bathroom to clean her with a soothing, warm washcloth. “I’m so sorry. I promised I’d never hurt you.”
“Now it’s my turn. You need to trust my words too. I swear you didn’t hurt me.”
Pulling open a drawer, he offered her a worn gray “Navy” t-shirt. “I like you in my clothes.”
Cassie laughed. To her, it was better than any expensive negligée. “A lot cheaper than replacing all that lingerie. Hook me up, handsome.” She wiggled her nose, which wiggled the feeding tube. After setting her up, Ian slid into bed beside her.
* * *
Ian slept wrapped around her. Cassie slipped out from under him, taking a moment to flush and disconnect the feeding tube. Another dream had pulled her out of restful sleep, the images more violent this time. Why couldn’t she dream about the good things happening? Only a day ago, she still bought into the cruelty of Garett and his mother. Then color became part of her life again. Ian made her feel—in the most beautiful ways imaginable.
After a trip to the bathroom, she settled at the desk overlooking the estate grounds. For the first time in six years, Cassie needed to draw. Grabbing a pencil and a piece of stationery, her fingers flew across the paper. She was naked on a bed with tears pouring down her cheeks with two women holding her down and another woman at her side. Six men surrounded the bed, while a seventh man reached between her legs. Two of the men were Sebastian and Robby. Every other figure’s face was shrouded in darkness.You know what happened.The memories were coming back. She was confident it was no dream.
“Sweetheart, come back to bed,” Ian called. Cassie shoved the sketch inside the book she was reading and returned to the one thing she was sure about—Ian—and the safety she felt with his arms wrapped around her.
