* * *
“Iwouldn't do that.”Inside his employer's compound, John Dawson pressed his glock against Steven’s temple. “Not if you want to live.” Every word he spoke sent burning waves of pain down his side, but he stood tall and firm, determination driving him onward. “Because I needsupplies.”
Stephen lifted his hands in the air over his head, the black polo General Rainer outfitted all his security team with pulling tight with the movement. “You’re the boss. You don’t haveto–”
Dawson shoved his pistol harder against Stephen’s temple, squishing his head between his gun and the armor-plated Humvee, “Talking time is over. I already checked the lockbox, where are thekeys?”
Stephen swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing down his throat. “The general will have mekilled.”
Dawson leaned in and whispered, “Who are you more afraid of? The general or hisassassin?”
A visible shudder worked through the guard. Wordlessly, he reached into his pocket and handed Dawson the keys. Before the guard could react, Dawson pulled back his pistol and slammed it into his head. The guard crumpled to the floor,unconscious.
Dawson holstered his weapon and climbed into the rig. After checking its contents, he did a quick sweep of the large garage and gathered two RPG’s, rocket propelled grenades, an extra box of ammo for the .50 caliber on the roof of the Humvee and armful of assault rifles and ammo. Then he climbed into the driver’s seat, activated his GPS and pulled up his daughter’slocation.
When the red dot blinked to life, Dawson reached a shaking hand for it, running his fingers over the screen. “I’m coming, Faith. Daddy’s gonna saveyou.”
He'd been smart to plant the tracker in her stuffed animal. He'd known they would come for him, and eventually, they’d come for hisfamily.
Dawson punched the door opener and eased out of the garage, waving to the two guards at the gate on the way out. They waved back at the familiar face and as soon as he was out of sight, Dawson floored it. He’d been out two weeks with his injuries. Two excruciating, life-threatening weeks where he could do nothing but lay there helplessly, unable to save hisbaby.
And now that he was back, he was going to kill them all. Every last one of his old teammates. Kingfirst.
* * *
King rolled over in bed,threaded his fingers through Laura’s thick golden red hair, allowing it to fall from his fingers as he marveled at its silken texture. Everything about her was so soft compared to his hardness. Her skin was smoother than a flower petal and it smelled even sweeter. He couldn’t keep his hands off of her, any more than he could keep his eyes from hers as she watched him openly, her gaze full of warmth, her eyelids heavy after their sensual lovemaking. The last time anyone had looked at him that way, it had beenTrinity…
King pulled his hand back, the surge of guilt taking him by surprise. What was he doing? He was betraying his wife’s memory. He was weak. He balled his hands into a fist on the sheets next to her, unable to turn away or cross the new invisible barrier thrown up between them from hispast.
The heat in his chest cooled as the realization of what he’d done sank deeper into his consciousness. He’d gone to Laura without a thought; his only awareness had been to have her. He needed her like he needed a drug. All thoughts of his responsibility hadfled.
“King?” Laura slid her petite hand over to him, crossing through the wall he’d thrown up like it was nonexistent. Her palm covered his fist. Her thumb stroked the back of his hand. “Are youokay?”
His toes curled beneath the sheets at her light stroking. He didn’t just feel her touch on the back of his hand, it was like she was touching him everywhere inside and out, soothing him. And it was a soothing he didn’t deserve. If he was a real man, he’d pull his hand from hers, but Lord help him if he could move from that spot. “I don’tknow.”
He wouldn’t lie to her; he would never lie to her. Laura Dawson deserved every bit of honesty he could give her, even if it hurt her feelings. Still, his voice hadn’t come out smooth and confident as usual, but rough and crackling. The hard knot in his throat prevented anything butthat.
She lifted up onto her elbow, turning to face him fully. The sheet that had been covering her but seconds before slid down to her waist, baring her naked loveliness for his eyes to feast upon. “Did I do somethingwrong?”
How did she expect him to speak, let alone think propped up like a siren seductress next to him? He dug his fingers harder into his palm, the need to touch her again leaving him shaken. What right did he have to feel this way about any woman when Trinity wasdead?
Because you love her. You loveLaura.
“King?” If she’d done anything but continue that slow soft stroking of his hand, he probably would’ve pulled away, but shedidn’t.
King licked his dry lips and took a deep breath. His bravery abandoning him at the last minute, he looked down at the sheets when he answered. “You’re the first one since mywife.”
Her thumb paused. His heart stopped. And then she resumed her stroking and he blew out a long, hardbreath.
“Oh King. I’m sorry. Was it when you lostHope?”
He nodded, eyes still downcast. On instant replay the memory of that day shot through his mind. “I couldn’t savethem.”
Laura’s hand tightened on his. “Please don’t say it wasJohn...”
Her ragged tone dragged his eyes to hers and he could see the flash of fear in her green depths. He knew instantly what she was thinking. He drew his hand from beneath hers and intertwined his fingers with her, locking her in place. “Not your brother. This was beforehim.”
“Oh King, I’m sosorry.”
