Wine and Roses

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Wine & Roses Copyright  2012 by Ursula Sinclair ISBN: 978-1-61333-186-6 Cover art by LFD Designs All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC Look for us online at: www.decadentpublishing.com

Also By Ursula Sinclair White Wedding Something Blue

Wine and Roses Ursula Sinclair

Book Three of The Guardian Agency Series

~DEDICATION~

This one’s for Keagan and Aidan and their little guy Gunner. Thank you for everything. Love you both. And for Donna G. Thank you for letting me borrow your version of Battleship and for always making me laugh.

Ursula Sinclair

Chapter One “I need you.” Words, Simon Blackcat wanted to hear again from Ms. Eboni Stiles with the pale brown eyes for months. The edginess in her tone suggested urgency. But somehow he didn’t think she meant it the way he needed her to. He headed outside with the phone to his ear. The music from the live band made it difficult to have a conversation in the room. “What’s wrong?” Eboni sneezed in reply. She’d left her sister and Ross’s wedding reception over an hour ago because she felt sick. Simon asked to take her home, but she wouldn’t let him. He’d offer to do a lot more but refused to chase her. Once should have been enough. Despite what happened between them, she was the staying around kind—he wasn’t. Yet for months, he’d thought of little else except the one time they’d slept together. It irritated him she seemed to be the one who made it clear it would only be the one time, by walking out on him in the middle of the night. Hell, that’s what he’d required. Right? Perhaps that’s why he couldn’t let it go. He still desired her. Once was not enough for him to have his fill. The day after he’d first met Eboni, his best friend and business partner, Ross, asked him to drop a few things off for Ross’s fiancée at the salon she and her sister co-owned. But he’d already planned on seeing the brown-skinned beauty again; he even knew where she lived. His friend thought Simon had done him a favor, but in truth, Simon wanted to get closer to Shanna’s younger sister, to show her all the things he sought to do to her. He’d delivered the things but stayed until the shop closed, and she’d offered to follow him back to his apartment. Hell, it wasn’t like it was his decision to have a one-night stand. After all, she left him. He never asked her to leave, or indicated he didn’t want to see her again.

***

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Movement on the mattress had Simon opening one eye in time to see Eboni sliding off the bed. At first he thought she headed for the bathroom but instead stopped to pick all her clothes up off the floor before continuing on to the bath. “Damn it,” he said when she closed the door behind her. She was leaving him. Any other time, any other woman, he would have rolled over and gone back to sleep. From the first time, he’d laid eyes on her that day in the salon, something about Eboni called to him. In her flats, she only reached his shoulders, not as curvy as her sister but enough shape for him. Skin like heated caramel and just as smooth. A perfect oval face with wide, warm brown eyes seemingly taking in everything around her, and a lower lip fuller than the upper he wanted on his. After making love to her, he’d be damned if he didn’t at least try to figure out why she made him feel like no one else ever had. His attraction to her caused physical pain in his gut. He ached to have her; this should have been the end of it but, not even close. The knowledge tightened his chest. Simon watched Eboni come out of the bathroom and glance quickly toward the bed. According to the time on the lighted clock over his dresser, dawn had just broken. The thick curtains on either side of the bed were drawn shut ensuring darkness lingered around the headboard. She would not be able to tell if he lay there already awake. On the other hand, the nightlight she’d left on in the bathroom illuminated the area where she stood well enough for him to see her. She held her shoes in her hand while she moved silently to the door. He let her reach for it. Her hand rested on the knob before he spoke up. “Going somewhere, babe?” She swung back to face him, her eyes opened wide and mouth parted into an “oh” and air rushed out. Her reaction would have been funny, but he didn’t feel like laughing. What was it about the Stiles women always running out on their men? Ross previously mentioned to him how Shanna, Eboni’s sister, ran from him, too. He shook his head at the thought of belonging to anyone. Commitment to only one woman was a totally foreign concept to him. “Oh sorry,” she said, flashing him a nervous smile. “I didn’t mean to wake you. Thank…thank you for a great evening.” “Come back to bed; let me thank you properly.”

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“Ah, no really. I’ve got to go. This was nice…very…but, I’ve just got to go now.” Frowning, he sat up. “Let me walk you to your car.” “That’s okay. This is a nice neighborhood, and the car’s in sight of the entrance.” “Okay. I’ll call you later.” What the hell? He never ever offered to call a woman who tried to brush him off. But damn, only a couple of hours ago, he lay buried up to his balls inside her. Her sex muscles had clenched around his shaft while she screamed his name and more. He still sported a hard-on under the covers since he’d woken up and seen her naked ass moving toward the bathroom. It gave him ideas of taking her and slamming up against those perfect butt cheeks. The movement of her head shaking in the negative as she opened the door shocked him out of his fantasy. “Thanks, but no, Simon. That won’t be necessary. It was fun, but well, good night.” She crossed the threshold and had the door shut before he comprehended she’d just blown him off. “Well, shit!” A first for everything.

***

Yeah, he’d made a mistake. A miscalculation. He should have spent more time seducing her, but he’d taken one look at her in the hair salon and wanted her, and she him. Not the only time it happened that way for him with women. He’d known the minute he took her to his place it was for her. It would have been better to just go out with her then take her to her house and leave. But instead, he’d gone home with her and fucked her straight up. No games. Never should have taken her to bed at all the second night they met. He could not resist. Not his nature. At first it was supposed to have been a one night-stand. But of his choosing, not hers. “I’m sorry to bother you,” Eboni said. Her voice redirecting his thoughts, sorta. She could bother him anytime. Since she didn’t show up at the wedding with anyone and he’d be in town for a while, perhaps he could convince her to spend some time with him. He’d take it slow with her this time, create a sensual need. They’d need a few days bathed in each other’s essence. She resided on his mind for months. And women didn’t

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stay on his mind for more than a few weeks. His longest relationship lasted, at the most, nine and half weeks. “I…I just saw something I don’t think I was supposed to.” That got his attention, drawing him back to her call. Her voice came out stuffy. “God, I don’t need this.” She sneezed again. “Okay, baby, okay. What did you see exactly?” “A man shoot another man.” That got the erotic thoughts about him and her out of his brain. He stood at the edge of the parking lot but at her words, he moved fast toward his car. “Call the police, lock your doors, and I’ll be there in ten.” “No…don’t hang up,” Eboni said, pulling his attention back to the moment. “Right here, babe. But you have to call the cops. You can put me on hold.” “I’ve already called them. And I’m not home. I’m hiding in my neighbor’s house. They’re out of town, and I’ve been watering the plants and feeding their fish for them.” “Good, stay put. Is it the same unit you’re in?” “Yes.” “What’s the condo number?” “They’re on the first floor, directly beneath mine, unit 104. And Simon, the man who did the shooting…I think he saw me. I sneezed, and he glanced up in my direction…and I froze for a minute and it was dark, so I’m not sure if he got a good look at me. But I got a good look at him.” “Do you think anyone else heard the gun shots?” “No, no, I didn’t even hear it. If I wasn’t staring down at the time, I wouldn’t have known. I saw the gun, and his hand jerked a little when he fired it, and then I saw the other man fall to the ground.” “Okay. I can hear sirens in the background.” “Yes, I think it’s the cops. They’re pulling down the street. I can see the flashing lights.” “I’m almost there. I’ll stay on the phone with you until you let them in.” “Simon, thank you. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t call Shanna or Ross on their wedding night to tell them this.”

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“I’m glad you called me.” Simon heard banging on a door through the phone. “That’s the cops.” “I’m hanging up now. I’ll be there in three.” Simon stepped on the gas and whipped around a slower moving car. His one thought was to reach Eboni. She needed him. He didn’t want to scare her, but my God, if she’d witnessed a murder and the killer had seen her, she could be in danger. Well, he’d walk through fire before he let anyone harm her. And even then, they’d have to get through him to do it, after his body lay cold in the ground. This Blackcat didn’t die easily. He pulled down her street and saw two police cruisers and an ambulance. Swinging into the first parking spot he found, he ran toward Eboni’s building but the cop at the door stopped him from entering. “I’m Eboni Stiles’s bodyguard,” he said flashing his Guardian Agency credentials, showing he was a certified bodyguard. The cop wasn’t impressed. “Sorry sir, but you still can’t go in and will have to wait here.” “Well, can you at least radio whoever is in charge to tell Eboni I’m here? Let him decide if I can come up or not?” The cop raised one eyebrow and folded his arms across his massive chest. Simon hated assholes, especially those ruining a good uniform, but thank God they weren’t all like this one. “Okay,” Simon said stepping a little aside and pulling out his phone. He had connections in this town and no trouble using it on this power slob. Before he finished dialing the number of a detective friend, he heard his name called. Glancing up, spotted the very person he was about to call coming around the corner of the building. “Simon. What the hell are you doing here?” “Jackson.” Simon moved toward the detective, taking the man’s outstretched hand and shaking it. They’d worked together on Shanna’s stalker case and another one since then. Jackson hadn’t really been helpful with Shanna, but on the second case, Simon helped Jackson catch a thief so he owed him. “Trying to get in,” Simon said. “Eboni Stiles is a client. She witnessed a murder and called me to come over but….” He gestured toward the officer by the door. “He wouldn’t let me in.”

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Jackson grinned. “He’s just doing his job. But I’m here now come on.” Jackson turned back to the entrance nodding to the police officer, and Simon followed behind him, not even bothering to glance in the other’s direction. He’d gotten what he wanted, an in to see Eboni. “What is it with these Stiles women?” the detective said. “They always seem to be in the middle of…something.” Simon frowned at the detective, not like the insinuation one bit. “Eboni didn’t ask to see someone murdered, Jackson.” Jackson held up his hand in surrender. “I know, I know. This has nothing to do with her. Just wrong place at the wrong time, at least she didn’t get hurt.” They stopped in front of an open door but there stood another cop stationed in the doorway. Simon turned to Jackson. “What about the victim? Did he make it?” “No,” Jackson said. “My partner’s with the Crime Scene Technicians where the body is around the corner, and I have cops blocking off the area. Come on, let’s talk to Ms. Stiles.” Jackson nodded to the uniformed policeman at the door, and he moved aside to let them in. Simon’s gaze went straight to the woman sitting on the couch wrapped in a terry cloth sky blue robe drinking something from a cup. She raised her head when they entered and looked directly at him. Then promptly sneezed. He smiled and moved over to the couch, sat down beside her and took her into his arms. Her beautiful face was flushed, and her body trembled against his. “Sweetheart.” He touched her forehead. “You’re burning up. You need to be in bed.” “I know, and that’s where I would have been except some ass decided to kill someone where I could see it.” She tried to pull out of his arms and angled her face away from him. “Don’t get so close to me, I don’t want to give you the flu.” He grinned. “Germs don’t like me. Besides, I’ve had all my shots.” He turned to the detective. “She’s really sick, Jackson. She left her sister’s wedding earlier to come home.” “Yeah, so I see. I’ll call another ambulance and have you taken to the hospital, Ms. Stiles. Also, a man will be assigned to your hospital room, and I can talk to you there.”

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Suddenly Eboni lurched out of his arms and ran the few steps to the open kitchen area. He followed her, as she headed straight for the kitchen sink. Without a word, he got a couple of paper towels and wet them. He held her around the waist while she dry heaved into the sink. He patted her forehead and cheeks. “It’s okay. Let it out. Relax, I got ya.” Without letting her go, he turned on the faucet and reached into the rack of clean glasses. Filled one with water and made her drink it. He guided her to the couch. Instead of sitting her on it, he managed to get her to lie down, placed a cushion under her head. He knelt beside her. “Have you taken anything for the fever?” She’d been hot to the touch, very hot. “No….” She moaned. “Never got the chance.” “Shh, it’s okay. We’ll get you to a hospital. It’ll all be okay.” He watched as her eyes drifted shut, and her breathing came in shallow pants. Just like that she’d fallen asleep. “The ambulance is on its way,” Jackson stated behind him. “Thanks. I’m gonna be staying with her, too. And you might not be able to question her tonight. Morning is soon enough, and a good night’s sleep should do her good.” A short balding, ruddy-looking man came in with the second ambulance emergency personal. Jackson introduced the person as his partner, Calvin Smith. After, Simon left to follow the ambulance to the hospital; a police car lead the way, and an officer sat in the back of the ambulance with her. Jackson or his partner must have called ahead to let them know what they’d need. As soon as they got there, a nurse took them straight upstairs to a private room. Eboni never woke up. Simon paced the hallway outside her room while the doctor examined her. Waiting to hear the verdict before he decided if to call Ross and Shanna or not. But as quickly realized he needed to call them regardless. He’d wait until he’d spoken to the doctor, at least he’d have information to give them. Shanna would kill him if he didn’t inform her that her sister was in the hospital. He grinned thinking of Ross’s wife and Ross—one lucky SOB. Shanna was perfect for him. If anyone could pull off the forever crap, he’d lay odds on those two. The doctor came out of the room, and Simon stepped in front of him. “Doctor, how is she?” Detective Jackson joined them and before the doctor answered, he asked, “Can I talk to her tonight?”

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The doctor glanced at both men. Detective Jackson flashed his badge. “Ms. Stiles is a material witness to a murder investigation, and I need to talk to her about what she saw.” “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but Ms. Stiles won’t be able to talk to anyone tonight. She’s got a bad case of the flu. I’ve ordered chest X-rays to make sure she doesn’t have pneumonia. Are you a relative?” he asked Simon. “No, just a close family friend.” “As soon as I get the results of the X-ray then I’ll know how to further proceed. Ah, here they are now to take her to imaging.” A male and female nurse wheeled a bed down the hall and stepped past them to get into the room. “You may want to call her family,” the doctor continued. “Her temperature is very high, and we need to get it down.” From the doorway, Simon watched the nurses place Eboni on the gurney. She never once woke up or indicated an awareness of her surrounding, and he turned to follow them to imaging. “I’ll go with her,” he said over his shoulder to Jackson already moving to leave also. “I’ll check in on you both in the morning to see how she’s doing,” Jackson said. Simon paused. “Did you identify the guy who got shot?” “No, so far my partner hasn’t been able to track down the identity of the vic. He had no ID on him. We’re trying to see if we get a fingerprint or facial recognition match in our database.” “Can you text me the info?” “Now Simon….” “She’s my best friend’s sister. Besides you know I have access to a database you all don’t or won’t be able to get into for days. I’ll share whatever I find out.” “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be back in the morning.” “I’ll be here.”

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Chapter Two Eboni couldn’t open her eyes. Someone had glued them shut, and an elephant sat on her chest. She tried to get her mouth to form the word “water,” but her swollen tongue got in the way. Without saying a word though, a straw brushed between her lips, and she sucked on it gratefully. Fulfillment. Cool liquid bathed her dry mouth bringing needed relief to her gritty throat. After a few sips, she managed to utter, “Thank you.” At least it sounded like it if somewhat raspy. “You’re welcome.” Her body stilled. She knew that voice. Only one man had a voice making her blood rush south and inner juices gather in preparation for sex. No matter how sick she was. “Simon,” she whispered. “Yeah, babe. I’m here. Take a few more pulls.” She did as he requested then turned her head in his direction, forcing her eyes open. She had to blink a few times to clear them. The ceiling lights were off. Most of the room lay in shadow but there was low light like a reading lamp or something from behind her head, enough she could see his face. Perfectly sculptured, strong jaw lines, dark brows and hair, sharp cheekbones hinting at a Native American ancestry in his make-up. Yep, still beautiful. “Where am I? What’s going on?” He sat on a chair pulled close to the side of the bed. Those ever present dark wrap arounds covering his sensitive eyes. She’d only seen them once. The night they’d made love, and he’d taken off the glasses; his eyes were light gray and shaped like a cat’s. And when she lay with his hard body covering her, and a part of him buried deep within her, she looked into his eyes, and they lit up as if lightning flashed across them as he came. Ross mentioned once, that Simon’s eyes were super sensitive to any light because of a chemical blast. He was lucky he even had sight. Eboni would never forget the vision of his eyes. “What do you remember?” he asked not answering her questions.

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“I…I’m not sure.” She wanted to say, “you,” but that’s not what he meant. “Am I in the hospital?” “Yes. You’ve been sick.” “Yes…that’s right. I remember I have the flu. Where’s Shanna?” “They’re on their way back from their honeymoon.” “But why? I think I feel better than I did before. I just have the flu.” “Actually you were pretty dehydrated, and your temperature reached 103. So the doctor admitted you.” “Wow! That is high.” She glanced at the tube attached to her arm. “I guess they’re giving me fluids and meds.” “Yes. The doctor should be by soon to talk to you. Do you remember anything else?” “How long? How long have I been here?” “I brought you here last night. So less than twenty-four hours.” “Last night?” She glanced toward a window but the blinds were closed tight. “I…I slept through the day.” “It’s only about five, but yeah you needed it.” “Still don’t feel great. I remember last night was Shanna’s wedding and…and….” She shook her head. “There’s something else. Something I saw.” The memory rushed back to the forefront of her consciousness. A scene in vivid detail of what she witnessed. “Oh my God!” She turned her head to look at him. “I remember. I remember why I called you. I saw a man get shot. A man…big man in dark clothing pointed a gun at another man on the side pathway.” She tried to rise but her body wouldn’t obey her command. A jackhammer pounded in her head and even her bones ached. Settling back onto the pillow, she breathed deeply before continuing. Okay maybe she wasn’t at full strength. “Did the police catch the guy? Did the one who got shot live? What happened?” “Shhh, relax. Don’t get agitated.” She frowned. “I’ll be fine once you tell me what I need to know. What happened? Is the guy going to be okay?” He paused to answer her question. “No. The man’s dead, and no, the cops didn’t find the one who did it.”

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Fear snaked down her spine. The man doing the shooting got a glimpse of her, and she’d seen him. She could identify him. “Oh God. I’m a witness. I saw him. I saw the man who did it. Big guy, about your height, with blond hair. But Simon.” She held his dark lens-covered gaze. “I’m pretty sure he saw me, too.” “Yes, I know. You told me when you called me. But don’t worry. There’s a police officer stationed in front of this door until you’re released, and I will be here with you at all times. If I have to leave you, one of our people will spot me. Tomorrow if you’re up to it, the detective in charge wants to talk to you and have you take a look at a few mug shots.” Her audio functions might have been a little fuzzy, but she’d heard him. “Simon you can’t stay in here with me.” “Don’t worry about it.” “But…but where will you sleep? You can’t stay in that chair.” Although the thought occurred to her he could share the bed with her. Something she’d thought about doing many times over the last few months. And more. They’d only been together once. But Simon treated relationships like short-term, very short-term, projects. Sleep with, enjoy for a day, a night, and move on. Her body and head understood, and it’s what they had done. Well, her head at least. At times, her body still got up in the middle of the night with the taste of him in her mouth. And wanted more. No, she couldn’t go there. If she got involved with him again, he’d break her heart. He grinned at her, and she tried to answer it with one of her own. “I won’t be in the chair,” he said, inclining his head to the left. “I’ll be sleeping over there.” She shifted her head and saw the cot against the bland beige color of the hospital wall. The white sheets looked wrinkled; she looked at him again. “A little small for you isn’t it.” She smiled. At six two of solid muscle, no way could his frame fit comfortably on that tiny cot. At least not without some pain from having to cram into the space. A yawn forced her mouth open, and suddenly she couldn’t keep her eyes focused. She blinked a few times. “I’m sorry, tired…sleep.” “It’s okay, babe, you rest. I’ll be right here when you get up again.” She sensed more than saw him lean forward and kiss her forehead. Then the meds in her veins helped to draw her body once more down to the land of slumber.

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***

When Eboni woke up again, Simon lay sprawled on the cot against the wall. His feet hung off the end of the too small bed. He’d been right there with her for the last three days, only leaving her for short periods of time but never alone. She had the chance to watch him unobserved and took pleasure in studying his perfect features. Even in sleep the man looked dangerous. Not an innocent bone marred his body. Nothing soft about him. Except for his hair. He wore his dark hair pulled back with the tail end of it hanging around his neck. Her hands held the memory of its thickness and strands as soft as silk. And his mouth. It didn’t look malleable, more like a thin line of arrogance but it could go soft when pressed against any part of her body. She stifled a groan. Both drawn to him and afraid of him. Simon would never physically harm her, yet he could get her to do things so beyond her comfort zone she’d no longer recognize herself. In the brief period of time they’d spent together, she’d known that and acted on it. My God, she’d slept with him the night after they’d met. No, she couldn’t romanticize what they’d done; no love involved there, just sex. Raw, gritty, primal. And so tender at times she’d wept. The best she’d ever experienced, and something told her would ever have. Too bad in the end still just sex. Maybe if she kept telling herself that enough, she’d get Simon out of her thoughts. Eboni must have made some sort of noise because in an eye blink she was shocked to find herself staring into those pale gray eyes of Simon’s. They darkened to a stormy gray watching her. She could have sworn streaks of lightning flashed in them. The first time she’d seen that peculiar phenomena, he’d been buried inside of her, moving above her, and he’d asked her to open her eyes. No, this man didn’t ask, he commanded. The same way he’d come back to the shop that night before closing. Simon brought her a few products Shanna wanted her to try. He could have dropped them off with the receptionist and departed, he didn’t, and they’d been the lasts ones in the salon. Simon handed the package to the receptionist but never said a word to Eboni. Who had trimmed and washed his hair the night before, so when he stuck around, she’d known why. He took a seat near the receptionist desk where he could see her at her

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station. She’d filled in for one of the stylists. The receptionist gave her the package and gave her his message; he waited for her to finish. After the last customer and stylist left, he helped her clean up. She set the alarm and locked the shop. Only when they stood together outside in front of the salon did he touch her or speak. Staring at her he raised one finger and traced the side of her face, her nose, barely skimmed her lips. “I’ve been thinking about you since last night,” Simon said. “I need to bury myself inside you tonight.” The bluntness of his declaration did not surprise her. This man did not beat around the bush about his needs. She never once thought about denying him. Instinct guided her decision, and she’d followed him home that night. Later, she forced herself to get up and get the hell outta there while he still slept. But she’d left a piece of herself with him. A part she never thought to get back. So when he stared at her with lightning streaking across his eyes again, she almost lost herself in his storm filled orbs. Some sense of selfpreservation saved her. She blinked. “Good morning,” she murmured. Slowly, he rose from his lying position. Before straightening to his full height, he grabbed his shades off the table, covered those gorgeous eyes and stretched. She wanted to be a cat and crawl all over him. “Good morning,” he said. His voice low and a little husky from sleep, but it also sounded exactly the same way the night she’d lost her mind and spent it with him. She shook her head. Not going there. “Morning,” she repeated, her brain too dull to think of anything else. He came over to her, his unbound hair brushing over his shoulder and stood watching her at the side of her bed. “How are you feeling?” “Better.” And she spoke the truth, watching this beautiful man would make anyone better. “I don’t feel like I’m cooking in my own skin any more, more normal. I think I might have turned a corner.” He smiled. “Good.” “So when do you think I’ll be released?” “When the doctor says it’s safe and not a second before.” She frowned. She couldn’t let him dictate to her. Their one night of togetherness was an aberration, and best he know it. “I’ll decide that.”

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His body leaned toward her, like he wanted to say something, yet before he could reply, the door opened, and her doctor walked in. “Good morning, Ms. Stiles.” “Good morning, doctor.” A slender and pretty red-headed nurse came in behind him. One she couldn’t remember seeing before, although she’d been out of it the last couple of days. Suddenly, the woman stopped before she reached the bed. Eboni frowned, how odd. Until she realized the woman’s gaze rested not on her but Simon. He stood on the other side of the bed. Yeah. No surprise he attracted women like ants to sugar; she’d seen it both times he’d walked into the salon. The stylists stopped all activity for a second to admire and track the beauty of the man in their midst. “Nurse,” the doctor said. His voice must have broken the woman out of her stupor because she continued forward to help the doctor and do her job. They examined her and took her temperature. “Well, it looks like your temperature is down to normal.” The antibiotics are doing their jobs. Excellent. You’re still a little congested but nothing worse than you’d have with a cold.” “Great. So can I get out of here today?” The doctor smiled. “Let’s see how you do the rest of the day. If your temperature remains steady and your breathing continues to improve, then I don’t see why you can’t be released in the morning.” “Thank you, doctor,” Simon said. “You’re welcome. Now there’s a detective standing outside waiting to question you, if you feel up to it.” “Oh,” she said. “Ah yeah, I guess that would be fine.” “I think he’s got some pictures for you to look at,” Simon spoke up. “But if you’re not ready, it can wait until tomorrow.” “No. I need to get this over with. Get this guy off the street.” “All right,” the doctor said. “I’ll send him in.” The doctor left and the nurse remained. She entered something on the chart at the end of the bed but her gaze kept drifting over to Simon. When the detective walked in, she couldn’t stall anymore. The man who entered the room was ubber good looking. He and Simon bore or conveyed a similar look and coloring, however he didn’t have Simon’s sensuality. The

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nurse glanced up at the detective then back and forth between him and Simon. Finally, she sighed and left the room. Eboni noticed all of this and grinned while Simon moved around the bed to shake the detective’s hand. “Eboni, you remember Detective Jackson?” “Of course, you questioned me the other night.” The detective moved closer to the bed to shake her hand. “I also worked on your sister’s harassment case. I hope you’re feeling better, Ms. Stiles.” “Yes, thank you, I am.” The touch of his hand did nothing for her. Not the way Simon made her want with just a look. Detective Jackson with his dark blue eyes and square jaw was attractive, but on closer inspection with Simon in the room, well, Jackson swam out of his league. The detective held up the briefcase in his hand. “I’ll like to get a basic description of the person you saw, and we can try some face recognition software, see if we can find a match.” “Okay. I can do that. Is this in lieu of a sketch artist?” she asked. “Yes. This program is very good.” Jackson pulled up one of the two chairs in the room closer to the bed. He moved the empty food tray over her lap to rest the computer on. After opening it up he pressed a few buttons. Simon moved around to the other side of the bed near her left side to see the screen. “What you are looking at are several head and face shapes,” Jackson explained. “Choose the one you think closest resembles the person you saw. Then move on to other features hair color, length, etc. Then on the next page we’ll move on to the various features in the face like shapes, nose, and eyes, and then into facial coloring. If you can identify his build we can add that, too.” She shifted the laptop and glanced at the images on the screen. “Oh, I get it. Sorta like creating an avatar. Cool. And at the end it will come up with a picture of the guy?” she asked. “That’s what we hope,” the detective said. She worked silently for a few minutes to get the hang of the software then another several minutes creating an image. But at all times very aware of both men in the room watching her from either side.

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“There,” she finally said. “That’s him. That’s the guy.” “Are you sure?” Simon asked. Something in the way he asked the question had her turn toward him. “Yes, positive. Why?” “Just that he looks familiar.” Eboni couldn’t hide her shock. “You know him?” “I think so. Looks a lot like Len Bennis, a mercenary.” “Hmm, may I?” Detective Jackson asked before reaching for the laptop. “Oh, of course.” She lifted it off the table tray to hand it to him. The detective took the laptop and typed something then turned the laptop so she could see the photograph he pulled up. “Is this the man you saw?” “My God! That is him!” “Are you sure?” Jackson asked again. After she nodded, the detective moved the screen back to himself. “Okay, if you’ll excuse me for a moment I need to make a few calls. I’ll be right back.” He turned with the laptop in hand toward the door. Simon followed behind him. “I’ll be back,” he said, closing the door after them.

***

Jackson walked over to the end of the nurse’s station placed the laptop down. “Okay, what’s the deal?” Simon asked. “If you know this guy then you probably already know.” “All I know is he’s former military, a hired gun, and a real asshole.” Jackson looked at the screen. “You didn’t hear this from me, but I know you have access to it. Lenard Gary Bennis, ex-military. Honorable discharge. Seems to have a string of jobs as bodyguard to some interesting people on the FBI watch list. Suspected for years to be involved with questionable activities, one involved a shooting of an American in Jerusalem involved in sensitive talks, another a diplomat, a courier for the Saudi government. The authorities found the courier dead in the bathroom of a plane this Bennis guy happened to be on. The coroner ruled it death by natural causes but the

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information the courier carried was never found. This guy’s name comes up in connection with two more deaths of foreign nationals in suspicious manners, but he’s never been held for anything. He also conveniently leaves the country at just the right time. So far he’s never been touched. About a year ago, he disappeared off the grid.” “Can you find out the name of his last employer?” Simon asked. “Not sure. But I’ll make a few calls.” “So will I. I might be able to find out faster. I’ll pass it along.” “How do you know this guy?” “He was the head of security for a corporate exec a few years ago, and we butted heads. My agency ended up taking over the security job. I didn’t like him then, and now I’m glad.” “This means we might finally be able to pin something on this bastard,” the detective said. “It also means Eboni is in danger.” “Don’t worry. I’m taking care of that.” Jackson pulled out his phone and moved away from Simon, who frowned at the detective’s back. He returned to Eboni’s room.

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Chapter Three “I’m…a witness aren’t I? Am I in danger?” she asked Simon as soon as he opened the door. She’d been scared before, knowing she’d witnessed a murder, but the police presence at the hospital and Simon put her at ease. The fact Simon recognized the guy and both the detective and Simon left the room scared the shit out of her. This wasn’t just a robbery or something gone bad. “No,” Simon quickly stated. “This guy’s not going to get near you.” “What did you and the detective talk about? What did he say?” Simon stared at her for a moment before responding. “This guy is ex-military and is wanted for questioning in several suspicious deaths of government officials. So far he’s never been caught. Always leaving the area, disappearing before he can be questioned. But you have nothing to worry about.” Detective Jackson entered the room and must have heard Simon’s last statement. “That’s right, Ms. Stiles. You’re going to have round the clock police protection until we catch this suspect.” “Are you saying he’s some kind of assassin?” she asked Simon. The men glanced back and forth between each other. “We’re not sure of anything yet,” Detective Jackson answered. “Merely taking precautions.” “But…if what you’ve said is true and no one’s been able to catch him before, what makes you think you can now?” Simon grinned. “She has a point. Besides you and I both know sooner or later the feds will become involved. This was no random kill.” “Well, until I know otherwise I’m treating this as a local matter. I’ve made a few phone calls but I need to get back to the precinct. Start by bringing this guy in for a line up.” “Do you know who he killed?” Eboni asked. “Not yet. We’re still working on that. There was no wallet on the man.” “Okay, can you let us know as soon as you find out?” Simon asked. “If we can ID him. When will you be released?” Jackson asked Eboni.

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“I’m hoping first thing in the morning.” “Okay. A uniform officer will be stationed at your front door, and there’ll be added drive-bys to your neighborhood.” “And I will be inside,” Simon said. She cringed at the thought of being confined in her small space with Simon for an indeterminate amount of time. No way could she be around him and not want him again. The police should be able to handle this. “I don’t think that will be necessary….” “Like hell it isn’t.” His tone remained firm, insistent. “What!” She frowned. “You are not speaking to me that way.” “Ah, I think now might just be a good time for me to go. I’ll give you a call later.” Eboni watched the detective leave; she waited until he shut the door behind him before turning to face Simon. “Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me but I’m sure I’ll be fine. The police appear to have this all in hand, and there’s no need for you to waste your time worrying about me.” He shifted so his entire rather large body frame leaned forward, towering over her. “In case you haven’t been paying attention, this guy has never been caught.” “But….” He shook his head, and his hair fell across his face. He quickly brushed it back with his hand, the sight of those long blunt fingers momentarily distracting her. “There is no but,” he stated. “This guy’s been a suspect in other suspicious deaths, wanted for questioning and manages to disappear until after most of the files are closed. He hasn’t even been spotted for a year. And now he pops up, and there’s another death. Look, I like Detective Jackson, but no way are these cops going to find a guy like this, and the feds will become involved as soon as they get wind Len Bennis is a suspect in a murder investigation.” “Well, won’t that be a good thing. If the local police can’t handle this then perhaps the FBI or somebody should get involved. They would have resources the local cops won’t. Shouldn’t they? So either way I’d still be fine. Besides, like you said he always disappears so he’s probably long gone.” “Babe, you still don’t get it. This was no random killing; this guy is a hired gun. He is not going to leave behind a witness.”

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Her heart raced at his words. At the daunting thought some maniac might really be trying to find her. It all sounded like some suspense movie. “Okay, now you’re scaring me.” Simon straightened up. “I’m sorry.” The tone of his voice softened like he tried to calm her. “You don’t need to worry about this. I will not let him near you. Once he realizes you won’t be that easy to get to he’ll move on. He’ll have no choice because he won’t be able to hang around here for long. The longer he stays the greater the chances that he’ll get caught.” “Okay that…that makes sense.” She took a deep breath. “What about Ross and Shanna? Should we call them let them know?” They’d gotten back yesterday and spent the day by her side until Simon sent them home. “Yeah, I’ll call and give Ross an update.” He took out his phone but a nurse walked in, not the younger one who ogled Simon earlier. She appeared to be in her late fifties early sixties, gray hair shot through the brown, and introduced herself as “Barbara.” And yep, she admired Simon, too. In fact, she flirted outrageously with him, but she had a nice pleasant demeanor as she removed the tube feeding medicine through her vein. Barbara told him she’d buried three husbands and if he weren’t already taken, she’d be willing to take him on as her fourth. Confident he’d last more than six months like the others. “Child,” she addressed Eboni. “I’d put a bag over this one’s head so the nurses don’t see those fine looks. But then again you might need a bigger bag to cover up all of him.” She laughed at her own joke. “Are you kidding me? I’d need to be ten years younger just to keep up,” Simon said laughing with her. Since Simon didn’t correct Barbara about the nature of their relationship, Eboni, wasn’t going to either. She laughed, too. She didn’t mind this woman’s flirting. Yet she minded the young pretty red-head. Not because the young nurse seemed attracted to Simon, for that she couldn’t blame her, but she didn’t do her job. Unlike Barbara, who did her job and was also funny. After the nurse took her temperature and checked her bandage, she said, “You’re looking mighty fine.” She took a pill packet out of her pocket and placed it on the tray, getting her a glass of water. “Go ahead and take this and the doctor will check on you

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again later. But meanwhile get some rest.” She glanced over at Simon and winked. “Although with him around not sure how much rest you’d get.” Simon grinned at the woman and winked. He’d laughed and flirted right back at Barbara. Eboni frowned. He hadn’t with the other one. Why? The nurse left, and she turned toward Simon. “I like her,” Eboni said yawning. “Yeah, she’s hysterical.” She smiled. “So how come you haven’t taken her up on it?” She yawned again and blinked a few times. It became difficult to keep her eyes open. “Let’s just say my interest right now lies elsewhere.” Did she hear him right? Her gut clenched at him wanting someone else. “Oh… other…one.” She mumbled unable to really focus on talking. Her mind however had clarity sorta, but what did she expect. It’s why she didn’t pursue anything more with Simon, understanding his type. Not the permanent staying monogamous kind. “What?” His voice came from far away but she could no longer respond.

***

Simon frowned at the sleeping Eboni, confused by her statement. Then it dawned on him, she thought he wanted the red-headed nurse who kept hitting on him. He smiled. Only one woman interested him. He got up and brushed the hair back from her forehead kissing her before he moved back to step out into the hall for a few minutes. He’d call Ross and give him and Shanna an update on Eboni’s condition.

***

He stretched his arms above his head before sitting down with the cup of coffee he’d gotten from the snack bar and placed a cup of tea on Eboni’s tray. “How are you feeling today?” When the nurse had come in first thing this morning to check on her, Simon had left the room. She’d actually slept through the night, and her breathing seemed more normal to him. He hoped the doctor would release her. He wanted her out of the hospital and well.

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“Better,” she said sitting up and taking a sip. “Thank you. How did you know I liked tea?” “That first night I had dinner with you and Shanna, you asked the waitress for tea and said you’re a tea girl.” He shrugged. “And you remembered?” “I remember lots of things about you.” They both turned at a sound by the door, but only to see the doctor standing there. He nodded at them and came into the room. “Ah, Ms. Stiles,” the man said moving closer to the bed. “Good morning. You’re looking better today.” The doctor held an electronic pad in his hand and checked it. “I see you’ve been off the medication all night and your temperature is good.” He took off his stethoscope, pulled the curtain around to give her some privacy from Simon’s eyes, and examined her further. When done with his analysis, he pushed the curtain back and entered something on his chart. “Everything seems to be fine. I’m going to release you this morning. You’re free to leave whenever you’re ready. But you still need to take it easy for the next couple of days. I do not want you to have a relapse because you’ve over done it. Your immune system has taken a beating and still needs time to recover. So, plenty of fluids and rest. Over the counter medicine should be fine if you require it. But rest is what you need.” “Thank you, doctor,” she said shaking his hand. “Yes thanks, doc. And don’t worry, she’ll rest.”

***

Simon came around the bed to shake the doctor’s hand and walk him out. When he stepped out into the hall with the other man and shut the door, she used the opportunity to sit up. “Okay so far so good,” she mumbled relieved she would be able to leave. Simon returned to the room, saw her, and came over to the railing and lowered it. “Thanks.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and took a deep breath. As soon as she stood the room seemed to sway, her hand reached out to hold onto something. Simon’s sturdy arm. “Easy, babe. You’ve been flat on your back for the last few days.”

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“Bathroom need….” “Say no more.” He held her around the waist and guided her to the bathroom. “Thanks, I can manage from here.” “I’ll be just outside the door.” “Can you grab the bag of clothes Shanna brought for me last night?” She shut the door. Glancing at the shower, she opted to only wash her face and brush her teeth. She wanted to go home and take a long hot shower in her own house. After she finished her toilet, she opened the door. “Did you find it?” she asked Simon who sat on her bed. “Yeah.” He got up and grabbed the bag on the floor at his feet, handing it to her. “Thanks.” She returned to the bathroom to dress quickly, although she had nothing to hide from him. The one night they’d been together, no spot on her body remained untouched by his hand or tongue. She could say the same about his body. She closed her eyes to hide the thought but like a movie on rewind, she could still picture them together. “No.” Who was she kidding? Turning to the sink, she washed her face again and took a deep breathe to calm down. She needed to get out of the hospital and back to some sense of normalcy and most importantly away from Simon Blackcat. But it might not be so simple. She knew two things for sure: he would not leave her alone until the killer was found, and the longer she spent in close proximity to him the stronger the chance she’d sleep with him again. A huge mistake to her peace of mind. As well as an even bigger one for her heart. Eboni came out of the bathroom, the hospital gown in her hand. She placed it on the mattress and glanced around the room. Simon stood beside the bed, yet his presence dominated the room. “Wh…where’s my purse?” she managed to stammer out. “I grabbed the bag you had on the kitchen counter the night we brought you in. I put it in the nightstand drawer right there.” She opened the drawer he indicated and found her purse inside. “Okay great. Well, I’m ready.” “Hang on. I’ve got to go get the nurse and let her know you’re ready to leave and also the guard. Be back in a few minutes.”

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She strapped her purse across her shoulder and put the overnight bag at her feet. She’d already packed up the get well cards she’d received and put them in the bag and tied the balloons she’d also gotten to the handle. Then, she sat on the bed and waited. Wondering how in the hell her life had become so complicated. Just as she got tired of waiting and stood up to go sign herself out, Simon returned with the nurse, Shelia, one she liked and a wheelchair. She pointed at it. “I don’t need that.” “Hospital policy,” the woman said. “Come on, sweetheart. Hop on,” Simon said, holding the bars at the back of the chair. She sat down. “Seriously, this is not necessary.” She continued to protest, feeling foolish. “Yeah it is.” Simon picked up the overnight bag and carried it with one hand while Shelia pushed the chair. He walked beside her but she didn’t see the police officer. She looked around. “Where’s the cop that was supposed to watch my room?” “He’s gone ahead of us. I brought my car around; it’s parked out front. He grabbed his patrol car and will escort us to your condo.” “Oh, okay. Is he going to stay with me, too?” “Yeah, but not for long. His replacement will meet us there.” They were escorted through the sliding glass doors. A forest green Range Rover parked just past the front of the entrance, and the nurse wheeled Eboni right up to the door. Simon opened it for her. “There ya go,” the Shelia said. “Now, remember to take it easy. Let this man of yours take care of you for the next few days.” She stood up but couldn’t let the woman’s comment go and needed to set her straight. “He’s not ‘my’ anything.” Unrepentant, Shelia grinned. “Well, why the hell not?” Simon, listening to the exchange, smiled and winked at them. He helped Eboni into the car but before he shut the door, she heard him tell the nurse. “Just give me time.”

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Chapter Four Taking the key from Eboni, Simon unlocked her condo door. They moved aside for the officer with them to enter the condo first and look around while they remained in the hallway. “Looks fine,” said Officer Carl returning to where they stood. “I’ll stay out here until my replacement arrives. As soon as he does, I’ll knock and introduce you.” “That works. Thank you,” Simon said, leading the way inside. He was not leaving Eboni alone at all. Even though technically he should be on down time, it never occurred to Simon to turn her case over to Frank, Allen, or any of the others. This was different. She was personal to him. And if danger stalked her then he damn well planned on protecting her. He closed and locked the door behind her. “Where do you want this stuff?” “Just leave them right there by the couch.” She looked at the long mustard colored couch taking up most of the space in the small living room. “I’ll take care of it later. Besides those clothes have to be washed, and the washing machine and dryer are right over there.” She pointed to the second door against the wall to his right. Taking the balloons she still held away from her, he placed them and the burgundy-colored roses in his hand on a side table. The colorful balloons immediately rose to brush against the top of the ceiling. He put the overnight case down near the couch as she’d instructed and straightened up. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “No. But I am a little tired. I think I should probably just lie down for a bit.” “Sounds good. After you get up, I’ll fix us some dinner.” “What? You cook, too?” Surprise evident in her voice. “Oh yeah. My mama taught all of her kids to cook.” She moved to sit on the couch, and he took off the black light weight jacket he wore and joined her. “I didn’t know you have siblings.”

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He shook his head. A slip. He didn’t talk about his family, his background. Ever. Ross and Noah knew his history but very few other people outside of where he grew up, and he liked to it keep so. The explanations were not pretty. Not that he was ashamed of the way he grew up. While he had far less than most there were still those in the country worse off. But then one day his family had nothing, not even each other. So he knew exactly how far he’d come. He was his own man now and needed no accolades to tell him that. He was a half-blood Indian, country boy, from the back hills of Bitterroot Valley, with a drunk for a father. Nothing too bad there or unheard of. It was the rest of his past he wanted kept buried. He’d come home one day to find his mother bleeding on the floor of the storage barn, protecting his younger twin brothers from the wrath of their father. It marked the first time Simon ever took a life. One he did not regret taking, but he did regret the backlash, the damage done to his family. By the time his court-appointed lawyer got all charges dropped on the grounds of self-defense and him released, he’d already spent six months in jail. His mother dead from the wounds she’d received at the end of his father’s hammer heavy fists, and the twins were missing. Lost in a damn welfare system that didn’t give a shit. Lost like a set of keys. A seventeen-year-old boy, alone, no help from no one, no way could he crack the system. After months trying to find his brothers and only running into red tape, on his eighteenth birthday he joined the military, but he’d never stopped searching for them. “It’s okay. If you don’t want to tell me anything personal.” Damn, he must have been silent for too long. But Eboni perceived more than most women. Just one of the many things about her he found attractive, but at the same time it warned him he needed to stay clear of her. Yet, he found it difficult to stay away from her soulful eyes, or those curves coupled with a softness brushing up perfectly against his longer harder lines. He shifted to ease his rising erection. Down boy, she was still recovering. “It’s not that,” he finally said. “Perfectly normal question but I’m anything but.” “Okay. None of my business anyway.” “Why don’t you go on into the bedroom and lie down,” he said.

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She ran her hand through her micro-braids. “I should probably call Shanna first and let her know I’m home.” “No need, I already texted Ross so I’m sure she knows. Call her after you get up. Meanwhile, let me take a look at what you’ve got in the fridge for me to work with.” “All right.” She frowned. “But I’m not sure what’s good in there, probably some eggs, cheese maybe some bacon. And you can check the cabinets. There’s pasta there, too.” “Okay.” Simon came over to her and held out his hand. When she placed her soft hand in his, he squeezed it and pulled her up. They stood toe-to-toe, and he didn’t know how it happened, he hadn’t planned it. On second thought, hell yes, he had, just not so soon. His head lowered to meet her mouth already rising to join with his. A kiss like all the others they’d shared in their all too brief time together. And still it shook his world. His heart pounded against his chest beating a rhythm in his head. He moaned and took her deeper into his mouth, pushing his tongue into her mouth but she wrapped her own around his and sucked on it. He moved forward and ground his erection against her. The ringing of a cell phone the only thing stopping him from doing more. “Damn,” he growled, pulling apart. But what the hell was he thinking? She’s just recovering. “That’s…that’s mine.” She stepped out of his embrace. “I…I think I should get it.” He watched her move over to her purse and take out her phone. His body remained hard, and his nerve endings tingled protesting her absence. “Hello. Hi, Shanna.” She moved the phone away from her face and said to him, “I’ll take this in the bedroom then take a nap.” “Fine.” He grunted out. “I’ll call you when dinner is ready.” She walked past him to get to her bedroom, and he damn near reached out to grab her arm and pull her back against him. What the hell was wrong with him? He was on a job for crying out loud. Didn’t matter, he wanted to sink himself into her warmth like he wanted to see the next sunrise. “Crap,” he said to the empty room then headed over to the kitchen area to see what he could find.

***

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The man slumped down behind the steering wheel in the parked car and watched the police cruiser drive through the neighborhood. An unmarked police car already drove through about an hour ago. The tags on the vehicle, as it went past, easily identifying it as government issue. Idiots. Like they could stop him, arrangements had already been made, police protection or not. He sat in a parking spot with a clear view of her corner condo unit. He could see part of the front of her building and probably the side of maybe her bedroom window. The same side from where she’d seen what she should not have. The window overlooked a path between buildings. Tall trees blocked most of the view where he’d waited, but the woman’s window looked directly down on the path. Frigging ill luck that night. A feeling of being watched had him lifting his head. Damn. He didn’t get away with a clean kill. His employers only cared about the target, and did he accomplish the objective. He’d done both and sent the information on, but he would have to clean up this complication himself. He found out who the woman was who’d witnessed the hit. Eboni Stiles. Easy enough to get her name from a neighbor. He’s been patient long enough for her to return home from the hospital, to feel comfortable in familiar surroundings. No sense in putting it off any longer. Besides, today they wouldn’t be quite as vigilant as tomorrow or the next day. They’d become more wary. And the clock ticked for him. Sooner or later his image would be paired with his identity, and he’d have to leave. So he had to try for her tonight. He settled down in his car for a nap and waited for them to settle down for the night. They weren’t going anywhere. Oh yeah, he’d seen the cop and another guy go upstairs with her. He expected it. Big guy and kinda familiar looking, probably the boyfriend. No matter. He’d take care of him, too. The assassin knew the police department’s routine better than they knew it themselves. He had friends who kept him informed. When his cell rang, he checked the number before answering it. He got the information he needed and decided he had plenty of time to go grab dinner. A big bowl of pasta tonight with a nice marinara sauce would be perfect. His favorite. Turning his car on, he glanced up at the corner unit and gave it a salute as he pulled out of the parking spot. Ms. Eboni Stiles would be able to enjoy a few more hours of life.

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Chapter Five Eboni turned over and opened her eyes. Her curtains were slightly parted, and she could see a sliver of stars against the black night. The sky no longer lit like when she’d first closed her eyes. She hoped Shanna took her advice and went ahead and caught her cruise. A ship left later that night, or perhaps it already had. She assured her sister she was fine and in good hands. Her phone lay on the side table where she’d left it. Picking it up, she checked the time. Wow, later than she thought. The cold medicine she’d taken knocked her out, but her body must have needed the rest. Sitting up, she caught the scent of bacon and her stomach responded with a growl. She’d take it as a good sign and when she stood up, she felt fine, no dizziness just well-rested and ready to tackle the problem Simon represented to her mental and physical health. That kiss. There could be no more of that. If Shanna hadn’t called, she’d be getting up in his arms. She’d fallen asleep in the jeans and sweater she wore home from the hospital. After taking a quick shower, Eboni changed into her favorite baggy sweatshirt and yoga pants. Slipping on plastic flip-flops, she walked out of her bedroom only to find Simon in the hallway. The first time she’d seen his gun holstered at his side like it was now freaked her out a little. It bothered her that one man with a gun killed another, and she needed yet another man with a gun to keep her safe. While she still didn’t think she should spend any length of time around Simon, she knew he would keep her safe. “Hey.” His hands rested on her arms stopping her from running right into him. “I was just coming to check on you. Dinner is ready, you hungry?” She looked up into the depths of his steel gray eyes. Most of the lights in the condo were turned off, only a nightlight in the hallway remained on, and a soft light over the stove. One lamp in the corner of the living room remained on low lighting. The place looked set for seduction. The only thing lacking seemed to be soft music. But she understood, Simon didn’t dim the lights to seduce her, he did it so he could rest his eyes. After a moment, Eboni whispered, “Yes.” His head lowered toward her because she was

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a good five inches shorter than he. She lifted up on her toes for his kiss, but the banging on her front door froze her. It didn’t stop Simon, and he kissed her quickly. “Damn, I better get that.” Holding onto her hand, he walked her over to the kitchen counter and sat her on the stool. Releasing her hand before turning away to answer the door. Sounded as if Simon spoke to someone in the hallway, but she couldn’t hear the specifics of the exchange. Simon stepped back into the condo and a uniformed female officer moved past him. He shut the door behind the cop. “Hello,” the woman said to her. “I’m Officer Ryan. Just wanted to introduce myself to you both. I’ll be here until morning. You will have a round the clock watch until we catch the suspect.” “Thank you,” Eboni said. Her stomach suddenly didn’t feel so hungry any more, the reality of the last few days crashing around her. She’d truly hoped by now the police would have been able to catch the man she’d seen kill another. “I’ll be right outside should you need anything, and there are extra patrol cars driving past this complex. Are you in for the evening?” Simon spoke before she could. “Yes, we’re just about to have a late dinner, but we’ll not be going anywhere for the rest of the night.” “Good, have a pleasant evening. If you need anything, I’ll be right outside. Otherwise, I’ll knock on the door in the morning when my shift ends and introduce you to the officer replacing me.” “I guess that means you all still haven’t caught the suspect,” Eboni clarified. “We will.” “Thank you. Good night, officer.” “Night.” Simon opened the door and let Officer Ryan out before returning to the kitchen. He picked up the mitt on the counter, opened up the oven, and took out what looked like a quiche. “Oh my, you really can cook.” She grinned. “What all is in there?”

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Placing the pie on the countertop, he pulled down two plates from her cabinet as he answered. “Eggs, bacon, and brie was the only cheese you had in there. And I didn’t want to run to the store. Tomorrow, we’ll make a grocery run.” It wasn’t lost on her not only could he cook but knew his way around her kitchen. “I see you’ve familiarized yourself with the place.” He grinned unrepentant. She usually did the cooking. It felt kinda nice to have a man cook for her for a change. And one who wore a holster at that. “Do you always wear a gun while you cook?” “No. Does it bother you?” “A few days ago I watched firsthand what one of those things is capable of.” She sighed. “But I do understand the necessity. So does the gun bother me? No, use of it does.” He cut the quiche and put it on the plates then set it before her on the counter. “I only use it in defense of others.” “I know that, otherwise you would not be here with me now.” “I can’t take it off, babe, not if your life is in danger.” She smiled. “I understand and it’s fine.” “Okay.” He ran his finger down the bridge of her nose. “So, we’re cool?” “Yes. And this smells delicious. Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Turning around, he got out two mugs and placed a tea bag of lemon and honey tea in it. Only when he reached for the teakettle on the stove did she notice the steam coming out of it. “You have been busy.” “Yeah. I like to stay busy.” He poured the water in both mugs and brought them over to the counter and sat down across from her. She raised her mug toward him. “I appreciate everything you’ve done and cheers.” “Cheers.” He grinned and clinked his cup against hers. She picked up her fork, she took a bite. “Oh my god! Mmmm, this is divine.” He smiled. “I’m glad you like it.” Then he grabbed his own fork and ate. “I see you have an appetite; that’s good.” “Yes, I am feeling better, thank you. Just a few aches left.” She might as well get the rest of it out. A drop dead gorgeous Simon was hard enough to handle, one who could

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cook too and wanted to take care of her. She shook her head at the thought. Too much. This man would break her heart without even trying. “Simon I appreciate everything you’ve done, but….” “No buts.” He shook his head. “And I’m not leaving your side until Bennis is caught. I promised Shanna and Ross. It’s the only reason Shanna was willing to continue their honeymoon, and I don’t break my promises.” “Oh, I see.” And she did. How stupid could she be? She thought he stayed because he wanted to for her. But of course: Shanna and Ross, his best friend. He’d do anything for Ross and to please Ross’s new wife. Including babysitting his best friend’s sister-in-law so they could go on their honeymoon. Yeah, she could see him doing it. A fool, she felt like a fool. She already finished her quiche, and good thing, cause she lost her appetite entirely. She stood up to put her plate in the dishwasher, but Simon grabbed it. “No, I got this.” “But you cooked, only fair for me to clean.” “Yes, very true but until you’re fully recovered you get a pass. So why don’t you go on into the living room, let me clean the kitchen up, and I’ll be right there.” She felt her eyebrows rising to her forehead. “Bossy aren’t you and in my house.” “You can come and boss me in mine anytime, now go relax.” Not having the strength to argue with him she got up and went to the living room. Eboni turned on the television hanging on the wall. The local news should be on but a commercial flashed across the screen as she sat down. She didn’t bother to change it. Just lost herself in the memory of seeing a man killed, not something she’d get over anytime soon, and to know whoever did it might well search for her. Sounded like a movie. And she hoped, unlike a movie, the killer was long gone. She could not go on much longer. This better end soon. She glanced up when Simon sat down and handed her a mug with a fresh batch of tea. “Thank you,” she said and took it from him. His body angled toward her so she shifted to him. They were an arms’ length apart, and she wanted to keep it that way. “Do you think they will catch this guy?” She asked him the question most in her thoughts, the other one she dared not ask. Why aren’t you the staying kind? “Probably not. No one’s been able to catch him or make anything stick.”

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“Well, that’s reassuring, not.” “Don’t worry. Odds are high he’s gone, left the area at least if not the country. That’s what he’s done in the past.” She sipped her tea. “And what if this time he didn’t.” “You don’t need to worry about anything. Because to get to you he’s got to go through me, and it ain’t gonna happen.” She didn’t know how to respond to him. But her worries eased knowing Simon more than capable of protecting her. The news changed to the weather segment. She’d been out of it for days and wouldn’t you know it, the next few days the weather in LA sucked. She placed her cup on the coffee table and leaned back against the couch. Soon her eyes drifted shut. Her body floated through the air, yet bands of steel wrapped around her. Warm steel. Shouldn’t steel be cold? Then her body no longer floated but descended onto a softness. But she did not want to let the steel go. She wrapped her arms tighter around it, and it molded itself to her until she brought all that delicious warmth and hardness down over her. It covered her, and heat rushed through every part of her body. She opened her mouth to gasp at the sensation and it filled with even more heat. “Simon.” His name echoed in her mind both benediction and plea. If only this were a not dream. It seemed so real the touch of his hands against her skin. Her sweatshirt rode up exposing her bare breasts to the night air and his tongue. Oh, the feel of wetness as he sucked on her. She raised her hands to hold him to her. When she made contact with the silkiness of Simon’s long mane she knew this was no dream, and then, she sneezed.

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Chapter Six “Sorry,” Eboni said laughing as her hand fell away from his hair. She lay on her bed, and he rested above her. Simon raised his head and looked at her, smiling down at this woman who he’d thought about way too much. Unsure exactly what about her drew him so, only that she did. “You’re still a little sick.” It took everything in him to pull her sweatshirt down and cover those luscious orbs from his sight. “And the AC might be a little too low cause it’s cold in here.” “Oh, I don’t think I noticed.” But then she sneezed again, and he laughed. “I think my point’s been made. Why don’t you get some rest? Your body still needs it, and I’ll turn the air up a little more.” He didn’t add and he needed her body. Simon would wait until she healed completely. “Yes, you’re right.” “I usually am. Do you want to take any cold medicine?” “No, I think I’ve taken enough. Let me try to sleep on my own.” “Okay.” He stood up and helped pull the blanket out from under her holding it up while she scooted underneath. He found the scene funny, except he wasn’t laughing; he’d never put a woman in a bed and not join her there. However Eboni needed rest, and they had time. He bent down to kiss her forehead and as he straightened up, she grabbed his arm. “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” “Yes, of course.” He sat down on the side of her bed and watched her close her eyes. In moments, her breathing became a little uneven but she wasn’t warm when he touched her, so she didn’t have a temperature. He brushed some of her tiny micro braids off her face and kissed her cheek before getting up and going over to her window. Pushing the curtain aside, he looked down unto the path and in his mind, watched the scene Eboni witnessed unfold. And she was right. Not only did she have an excellent view of the crime scene, she would have also been able to see the killer’s face, however, the killer could probably see her as well. At the

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very least knew where she lived. He would have to think about moving her tomorrow. He left her room but kept her door open so he could hear her if she got up in the middle of the night needing anything—like him. Going out of the room, he went over to the couch and grabbed their mugs, took them into the kitchen and rinsed them out. He made a call to his dog sitter AKA Frank to make sure he’d taken care of little Gunner for him. He didn’t know how he ended up with a sixyear-old dog. But his last case, his client’s boyfriend used to own him. And when Simon eventually put the woman-hitting bastard away, the girlfriend was going to put the dog down. Simon somehow got the dog after the man’s arrest, thinking at the time, the woman might want him. He was wrong, so he thought he’d keep Gunner until he could find the dog a home. That was a month ago. He sighed. Like his life needed more complications. Turning off the light in the kitchen, he left the lamp on in the corner of the living room. He kept his clothes on and lay on the couch. It was long enough to fit his frame, soft with a few cushions on it, not uncomfortable, he didn’t want to get too comfortable but it would be his bed for the night. Before he turned in, he got up again and went over to her thermostat on the wall by the kitchen to adjust it. That’s when he heard footsteps in the hallway in front of Eboni’s door. It could have been Officer Ryan pacing. It couldn’t have been a neighbor. Eboni’s condo was a corner unit the only one at this end of the floor. Still, he thought he’d check and wanted to let the officer know they were turning in for the night. He’d only made one mistake in his life, and one was all he’d allow himself. Years ago back in the Middle East on his first mission, he’d walked into an ambush, and Ross knocked him to the ground saving his sorry ass. Since then, he’d learned to trust his instincts. If something ain’t right, treat it that way. Footfalls after midnight in front of Eboni’s door ain’t right. Simon approached the door quietly; his hearing focused on the faint sounds of movement on the other side and looked through Eboni’s viewer. Officer Ryan had company. Someone stood beside the door against the wall. He could make out a partial view of jeans and an arm, from the height and bulk, a man. The gun in the unidentified man’s hand with a silencer on it drove Simon’s anger to killing level, and he eased his revolver out of its holster. When Officer Ryan attached a silencer to the gun in her hand,

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he knew they’d been screwed. Fuck! He pulled his cell out of his back pocket and hit two numbers. A code, equivalent to a 911 call, he’d set up these emergency codes for situations like this one. The call would go straight out to all of the Guardian Agents’ phones in town. They’d be able to see the location where the call originated. Whoever was around would immediately head to him, and if he didn’t put in the cancel code in five minutes Frank or Allen would call the cops. Too bad it was a cop trying to kill him. He backed away from the door and turned off the lamp. The curtains were drawn tight so the living room lay in darkness. The only light a soft glow coming from the hallway. Simon glanced quickly at Eboni’s open door, but no time to go and wake her up to get her into the bathroom. He swung around in the direction of the door when he heard the soft knock. Moving over to it, he looked out the viewer again. This time only Officer Ryan’s smiling face greeted him. The blued-eyed bitch would pay dearly for this. The man with her must have moved out of his range of vision. He waited a few moments before responding to the knock and speaking. Like he’d walked over to the door. “Yeah.” If he was sure the man with her was still on the right side of the wall, he’d just shoot through it. But he couldn’t take the risk, and they’d shoot back. “Can you open the door? I need to use the bathroom?” Yeah, right. His breathing evened out. He had one chance and no choice. His body and mind prepared itself. “Sure.” He moved to the right of the door where he thought Ryan’s partner would be and away from where they expected him to stand. Stretching his hand, he unlocked the door. The click sound overly loud to him, his senses heightened, yet everything after happened in slow motion. Ryan entered the room, and he grabbed her around the neck spinning her so her back rested against his body while pressing his gun to her head. Leaving her no time to respond when, the man Simon must have seen earlier stepped forward. Len Bennis. “Shit!” Bennis said and raised his gun firing it once before turning away. Ryan gasped, and her body went limp, dead weight in his hands, Simon adjusted his grip on the woman. The gun she’d been hiding in her hand dropped from her grasp. He couldn’t see the red against the navy blue of her uniform but he could clearly see the discoloration spreading across her stomach area. She raised her arm grabbed his hand. “He…help me,” she choked out.

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“Simon, what…Oh my God! What’s going on?” He glanced up to see Eboni standing in the living room her mouth rounded in horror. “Call 911, go back to your room and lock the door.” “But she’s….” “Now, Eboni!” he shouted at her. She turned on her heels and rushed into the room, slamming the door. He quickly laid Ryan down on the floor and ran out into the hall and down the stairs after Bennis. He got to the parking lot but the only car he saw moving headed toward the parking area. “Crap.” Not taking any chances, Bennis might be lying in wait for him. He went back to Eboni. Just as he got to her door, he heard the sirens approaching and footsteps running up the stairwell. Swinging around, he dropped to a crouching position holding his gun ready to shoot if Bennis’s blond head came up the stairwell. A shiny baldhead he’d know anywhere appeared. Frank. Not wasting any more time, he straightened up and returned to the condo. Officer Ryan lay where he’d left her. He bent over her, and Frank came through the doorway. “What the hell happened?” Frank asked. “She tried to kill us, and she wasn’t alone.” “What the fuck?” “Yeah, exactly.” Simon checked her pulse. It was there but faint and her breathing sounded shallow. He heard the bedroom door open, and Eboni’s face appeared in the crack before pulling the door open all the way. “Can I come out now?” she asked. “You might not want to,” he said standing and moving to block her so she wouldn’t see the wounded body of the traitor. He could hear the thunder of many footsteps galloping down the hallway. Finally, the Calvary arrived; too bad there were enemies in their midst.

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Chapter Seven “What the hell happened?” Detective Jackson said. The lines on his brow became more prominent with his anger. The ambulance left to take Officer Ryan to the hospital. Ryan had a fifty/fifty chance of making it. If she did, she would be spending some time in jail. Eboni raised her head to stare at the detective, still unsure exactly what had happened. Her life seemed to spiral out of control ever since she’d looked down on that chilling scene from her bedroom window. Sitting in her big comfy chair, her feet pulled up under her, she glanced over at Simon who stood beside Frank. There were three uniformed officers there, along with a couple of Crime Scene Techs. One stood outside the door, and the other two were in the living room talking to Simon and Frank. The techs were gathering evidence and taking pictures. Simon started to answer questions when Detective Jackson walked in. “Office Ryan tried to kill us,” Simon said calmly to the detective. There it was. He’d made the same statement three times. To the first officer who arrived, later when a second one asked, lastly to the detective. No matter how many times she heard it, it still didn’t seem real. She raised her arms and wrapped them around herself. Trust Simon to notice. He moved to lean against her chair and rub her shoulder. She needed simple human contact from him and raising her hand, grabbed his. “Start at the beginning,” the detective said. Simon did and with each word spoken out of his mouth the knots in her stomach drew tighter and tighter. While he talked, one of the Crime Scene Techs continued to take pictures of the gun still lying on the floor before picking it up and placing it in an evidence container. The sight of it made Eboni gag. “You have a leak in your department, Jackson,” Simon barked when the detective finished. Jackson held up one hand as though to stop Simon’s rant. “Believe me there will be a full investigation.”

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“But I don’t understand,” Eboni said looking at both men. “How would Len Bennis know Officer Ryan, and why would she do this? How could one person cold-bloodedly take the life of another? Even worse, a cop participate in that kind of crime.” She shook her head. “Maybe I am just too naïve. I don’t know.” Simon dropped to squat beside her. “No, sweetheart. You are perfectly normal. These are not normal people.” “Let me see the weapon,” Jackson said to the officers still in the room. The one who’d collected it held it up. “Not regulation, sir,” the Tech said. “Go ahead and take it in, and Timmons, you stay. I want two officers in front of this door on rotation and with Ms. Stiles until this mess is sorted out.” The men left, and then she spoke. “How could this happen. It makes no sense.” “Bennis obviously knew about the police procedure since it looks like Ryan helped him,” Simon said, standing up. “But still how would he know she’d be assigned to me? And to just happen to have someone in that department. This is not a movie.” “No, it’s real life but I assure you–” But Simon cut Jackson off. “Like you assured me Eboni would be fine, and you all would catch this guy when others can’t.” This time Simon held up his hand when Jackson protested. “Eboni is the sister-in-law of my best friend, a man who saved my life. I promised him and his new wife nothing would happen to her, and I damn well aim to keep my promise. We’re done doing things your way we’re doing them the agency way now.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jackson growled back. “Frank 29.” “On it.” Without another word, Frank pulled out his cell phone and walked into her bedroom shutting the door behind him. “Would you mind explaining that to me?” Eboni said. He turned to her and took her hand. “The police can’t protect you, babe, but I sure as hell can.” “Now just a minute. What’s that supposed to mean?” Jackson asked angrily. “Look, you have a problem in your department. You’re not even sure who the dead guy is, my guess a courier for some country. I think you suspect that, given Bennis’s

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history, and it’s why you’re so hot to assign protection to Eboni. But more importantly, Bennis has been on the FBI Most Wanted list for the last two years now and rising in status, and they haven’t been able to find him. What makes you think you can?” “We don’t have a positive on anything yet.” “Don’t bullshit me. This is more than a local matter. You know it as well as I do. And if the feds haven’t been able to catch this guy, I’m betting something might be going on there, too. Look, one thing I do know is all of my people can be trusted. Can you say the same?” “She’s a material witness, Simon I give you my word….” “Not good enough.” “Please, Detective Jackson. I’d like to hear what Simon has in mind.” She turned to look at the man, who, while she wouldn’t trust her heart to him, she would trust him to keep her safe. “Okay, Simon, what do you want me to do?” He knelt down in front of her this time and took her hand. “Trust me.” Then Frank came out of the bedroom. “All set, Sy,” he said. She’d noticed before Frank shortened Simon’s name. She liked it. Eboni would have smiled but what with everything happening in her world, well, she wasn’t exactly up for smiling. “All set for what?” “Bennis obviously knows where you live, the habits of the police department, and no guarantee he doesn’t have any more friends or people willing to give information on the force. So we will no longer be using police help to protect you. I’m taking you away to a safe place. Only a handful of people in my agency will know where you are, including your sister.” Jackson shook his head. “Ms. Stiles, we cannot protect you if you don’t take the department’s help.” “Seems to me you haven’t done such a great job, and if not for Simon, I’d be dead. So pardon me for not having much faith in that statement.” Her own anger kicked in, and she put her bare feet down on the ground. Simon stood up, moving aside to give her space. “Eboni go and pack just a weekend bag.” “Where are we going?” she asked standing up. “I’ll tell you on the way.”

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“So I’ll only be gone for a couple of days?” “Probably not. We’ll give the police and the FBI a chance to catch Bennis or force him out of town. Once that’s done, we’ll come back.” “Well how long will we be gone?” He shrugged. “A week maybe.” Her gaze met his behind the dark glasses he’d put on as soon as the cops arrived. “A week? You’re joking!” “Nope ‘fraid not. But Bennis won’t stick around longer than that. Anymore and he’s pushing it he’d be caught. What’s worked in the past is to get in and get out quickly avoiding detection.” “Simon’s right,” Frank said. He stood on the other side of the couch beside the police officer. “So he’s got a short window to work in and by taking you out of the equation, he’s got more incentive to disappear that much faster.” “But I can’t take off from the salon for a week. Not with Shanna gone, too.” “You don’t have much choice.” “Again, Ms. Stiles,” the detective said. “I can’t be responsible for your safety if you leave with Mr. Blackcat and his associate without a police escort.” “Won’t be necessary, Jackson,” Simon said. “The agency is taking full responsibility for her safety.” Simon looked at her. “Go on and pack. Frank, go ahead and drive off a few blocks. Find a spot where we can make a quick change. If anyone’s watching the condo, they probably know my car. I’ll take us outta here but we’ll make a switch to your car.” “Okay. But what about Gunner?” “Who’s Gunner?” Jackson asked. “None of your concern.” He turned back to Frank. “Have Alex grab him, too.” “On it.” Frank pivoted on his heel and left the apartment. “Then what?” Jackson asked. “I want the police to follow us out, no sirens, stay behind, and continue to follow Frank in my car. Frank will drive straight to the precinct, wave you off, and return to the agency.” “All right, we can do that. But where are you taking her?”

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“Best you don’t know. But Frank will stay in touch with you for updates.” Jackson frowned, raking his hands through his hair. “I don’t like this.” “You don’t have to,” Eboni said. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I’ll be ready in five.

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Chapter Eight The change went off smoothly. The sun had just risen. It’d taken them longer to get away than he liked but couldn’t be helped. So far, Eboni cooperated; however, she didn’t fool Simon. She kept yawning and tried to hide it. She needed to crash. He’d get her where she’d be safe soon and take care of her. The way he’d wanted to for months. He’d have her to himself. They got to the small airport, parked, and went straight to the private hangers. The agency had an arrangement with a few of the pilots, and Frank called ahead, so one stood inside the entrance near a plane waiting for them. The man introduced himself. “I’m ready when you are, Mr. Blackcat.” “Thanks, that would be now.” Without another word, the pilot led the way into the plane. Simon wrapped his arm around Eboni’s waist and strapped her bag over his shoulder, but she stopped at the bottom of the steps of the plane. “Now can you tell me where we’re going?” He grinned. “Big Sky.” Turning to watch her reaction to their destination. Her eyebrows rose higher toward her forehead, and her eyes opened wide. “Montana!” “Yes.” And home. He hadn’t been back in five years but kept the place up and looked after. Just in case. From time to time, he even leased it out to vacationers or let friends use it. People who wanted to hike or fish. The old house held a lot of memories and ghosts, not all good, but he hoped someday, somehow the twins would remember and come looking for him. He wanted them to have a place to start. They’d be twenty-one now, and with luck, they’d fared better than he. But they all carried those ghosts from their past within their genes. Sometimes you couldn’t avoid returning home. He needed to get Eboni somewhere safe fast, some place if he needed to defend he could. Simon knew every inch of the Bitterroot Valley. The river growing up was his playground. The valley sheltered his roots along with his memories. No matter how far he’d travelled in the years since he’d left for good, it was still home. For better or worse. He must be nuts to take Eboni there, but ghosts couldn’t hurt her there, living in LA could. He could protector her in Big Sky.

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When she spoke again, he focused once more on the beautiful woman beside him. “Why, Montana?” she asked. “Why not?” “But it’s so far. What if something happens?” “Nothing will but even if it does, I’ll handle it.” The involvement of one of the cops didn’t sit well with him, and there could be others. That meant the killer could have been monitoring Eboni for the last couple of days while she’d been in the hospital and only waited until she got home to make a try for her. Men like Bennis needed putting down from birth. Time was on their side. The harder he could make it for Bennis to find her, the more likely he’d give up and do what he’d done in the past and make like a magic act and disappear. “Again, nothing’s going to happen, Eboni. I won’t allow it.” He lowered his head and kissed her quickly. It was all he’d allow himself and still the power of their brief touch reached down and grasped his balls in a vise. He shifted himself to make it up the stairs, and as soon as they got onboard, he saw the crate with the sleeping dog in it. Good, he’d forgotten about the sedative. Easier for dogs to fly with one in their system. When Eboni saw the crate, she made a beeline in its direction. “What’s this?” He placed her bag in one of the storage bins over a seat. “That little mongrel is Gunner.” She bent down to get a better look at the sleeping dog. “Oh, how cute. What breed?” He laughed. “Boston Terrier and Chihuahua as near as we can tell. A little pest if you ask me.” “He’s adorable!” she said, sticking a finger through the wiring in the front to caress the dog’s ear. “How long have you had him?” “About a month. But I’m looking for a home for him. As you know, with all the traveling I have to do for work, pets just aren’t my thing. You want him?” “I wish, but no, not with the long hours I put in at the salon. But he’s awfully cute.” She took the window seat across the aisle from the crate. The pilot asked them to take their seats, and he planted himself beside her, satisfied to simply thread his fingers with hers. Who would have thought holding hands would be so

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satisfying. Knowing Eboni sat safely next to him, he closed his eyes and slept. And the past pulled him back.

***

“Goddamn it! How many times woman do I have to tell ya not to touch my shit!” “I’m sorry, Sam. I promise it won’t happen again.” “She didn’t do it, Pa. Jas did.” Simon could hear the raised voices as he neared the shed. The gruff slurred tones of his father rising in volume with each word he spoke. The louder his voice got, the more his anger rose. Simon needed no one to tell him his father was drunk again and dangerous. His mother knew it, so did he, which was why he ran toward the yelling. The scared wobbly voice of his mother followed the crying wail of one of his brothers. Simon couldn’t move fast enough. The scene unfolding before him happened in slow motion. His father turned and backhanded Jas, him landing so his head hit the side of the ride-on lawnmower. His twin, Josh, rushed toward their father with his fist raised, and his mother lunged to grab him back. Only to run right into his father’s balled beefy fist. He heard the crack from the blow to her temple as he raced across the small space to stand between his parents. Shoving his father away from his mother—hard. If he weren’t so drunk, it wouldn’t have budged his father’s six feet and 300 pound body. Simon’s lanky seventeen-year-old frame would not normally have had much impact. But drunk as his dad was he stumbled, falling backward right onto the pitchfork impaling him through the neck. After the first initial shock of his father’s blood spreading over more of the ground, he swung toward the twins, seated on either side of their mother. Her beautiful brown eyes wide open in terror but she didn’t see any of them. She’d never see anything again. The doctor later said she’d been struck so hard at a soft spot on the brain she hemorrhaged and probably died instantly. God, he hoped so. She’d suffered enough. Her nightmare of a life with his father finally over. His had just begun.

***

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Simon came back to the land of the present when he heard the pilot’s voice saying they’d land in about half an hour. Blinking, he raised his hands to adjust the shades on his face, letting the memories recede back into the far corners of his mind. He’d bury them for good, if he could, but they’d come out to play again sometime. Shifting his head, he glanced down at Eboni. She lay with her head on a pillow tucked against his shoulder. Her peaceful rest drew a smile from him shoving the lingering remnants of his bleak past out of his mind and making him concentrate on her. He kissed her head before touching her shoulder and gently shaking it. “Wake up, sleepy head, we’re almost there.” “Hmm….” She yawned and opened her eyes before smiling at him. If that wasn’t an invitation, he didn’t know what one looked like. Twisting, he wrapped his arm under her back bringing her closer to him while she twined her arms around his neck and fused her mouth to his. God, his wanting this woman had never stopped. He’d been fooling himself, one night was not enough not even two. On some level he knew the mistake of thinking about a long-term relationship. He was not the pick out china and go through paint color samples sorta guy. The kind Eboni needed. He pulled back, breaking the kiss before either of them really wanted to and straightened up in his seat. “We’ll be landing shortly,” he said. “Okay.” She straightened up, too, and turned her face to stare out the window.

***

“Hey, it’s me. What the hell happened?” “He made us. What the fuck do you think?” “Well, he’s moved her and now because of this screw up there’s going to be an investigation.” “Can you stall it?” “Fraid not, my ass is on the line. The feds are here now, too. I stalled the paper work as long as I could, but as soon as your picture popped up, they were all over it. And besides they know who the dead guy is.”

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“Damn. Where was the woman moved to?” “Forget about her. My instructions are to tell you to make like smoke and fade away.” “I can’t leave her alive,” Bennis growled. “And the dude she was with, he and I have personal business.” “Simon? You know Simon Blackcat?” “Yeah and I owe him. Where the fuck has she been moved to?” “Blackcat wouldn’t tell us. But I managed to follow them to an airfield and found out where the plane was headed.” “And that would be?” Bennis asked. “Montana, Missoula.” “What the fuck is there?” “Hell if I know, maybe just trying to put distance between you.” “Not for long. Okay find out where exactly.” “Listen, I can’t ask any more questions or get any further involved in this. That was not the arrangement we had.” “I’ll be wiring another ten thousand to your account. You have twenty-four hours to get me that information.” “I’ll see what I can do.”

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Chapter Nine Eboni didn’t know what to expect. She’d never been to Montana before, and the only thing she knew about Big Sky was from watching the Brad Pitt movie, A River Runs Through It. She certainly understood why they called this part of the country Big Sky. It seemed as though the world was relegated down to one color, blue. For miles that’s all she could see, an endless skyway and if she stood on tiptoe and stretched her hands high enough she’d be able to touch it. Simon didn’t say much after leaving the airport. They got a rented Jeep, and stopped the first chance they got. Gunner woke up and needed a bathroom break, which alone took twenty minutes. He was an adorable dog, black and white markings, about fifteen pounds so not too big but not too small either. A nice manageable size. Contrary to what Simon said, judging by the way he and Gunner played together, he loved the dog and the dog loved him. Not a hard thing to do at all. They’d been driving along for a little over an hour with Gunner sleeping on Eboni’s lap. Earlier Simon tried putting him back in his crate but he refused to get back in. After fifteen minutes of a battle of wills, they’d let him out in the back seat, and he’d promptly climbed into the front and planted himself on her lap. Not budging since. After turning off the main road, ten minutes later, they took a right turn unto a gravel covered road. Only Gunner’s soft snores disturbed the silence in the car, but neither bothered her. The breathtaking scenery made her wish she could paint or had a camera. She used her Smartphone to take a couple of shots to send to her sister. When Simon veered off the road, they ended up on a dirt one. She found her voice. “Is this even a road?” She rattled off, while hanging on to the handle above the passenger door so she wouldn’t bounce so high she’d hit her head against the car ceiling. Through it all still managed to keep a sleeping Gunner on her lap. “I think those drugs are still in his

system,” she said, looking at the dog. “Yeah, probably a good thing. And sorry about this. Must have been some rain recently. I don’t remember this road being quite this bumpy.”

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“Good to know that these potholes the size of manhole covers aren’t around when it’s not raining.” He turned to her. God, she loved it when he smiled at her with a slight curl of his lips. That was the look he’d given her the first time she’d met him at the salon. She quickly turned her head to stare forward, not wanting to risk becoming any more ensnared by him, yet fearing her ship sailed already, and with her at the helm. For crying out loud, she’d slept with the man once. Okay four times, but only for one night. The only reason she’d left early the next morning was because she didn’t want to risk getting hurt. Men like Simon…well they didn’t stay, and something inside her feared she wanted him to. And his leaving might not be something to get over anytime soon. So she’d cut things short. For all the good it did her. She couldn’t get him out of her mind since. Only now he’d taken up residence in her life and already proved she held no immunity against him, and God help her, he still wanted her. Suddenly they cleared a hill, and she could see the river several yards in front of her. The dirt road they drove on led straight up to a small house nestled in a clearing with the mountains at its back. Simon pulled up in front of the house. There didn’t appear to be a garage, just the graveled area where he stopped. “Oh my. This is stunning.” The river was wide enough she could make out if someone stood across from her and waved. But no one did. Only a forest of trees stood on the other side. A small dock floated near the side of the house, and a dark tarp covered something large, pulled right up on the banks of the river. “Is that a boat?” she asked Simon. “Yes. I keep it stored like that to protect it. But it also makes it easier for anyone wanting to use it to get it out onto the water.” Eboni turned to look at him. Simon held her full attention. “You own this place?” “Yes.” Gunner took that moment to get up and yawn. Sitting up, the dog looked around as Simon opened the car door and stepped out. Gunner jumped over the center console and jumped out the door right after his master. She got out, too, opening the back door to grab her purse and the dog crate while he got their bags. There’d been a duffle bag all set for him in the car they’d switched with Frank. Gunner had already run down toward the

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river. Simon paused to watch the dog as she walked around the car to the front door of the log cabin and paused. “Gunner. Come. Now.” Simon called to the dog that came tearing across the yard toward them. “This place truly is beautiful,” she said. “How long have you owned it?” “I was born here.” “What?” Talk about a shocker. She turned to look around even more. “This is your home; you brought me to your home?” She couldn’t wrap her mind around actually being in the place where he grew up. He never answered her only headed for the steps leading to the wrap around porch and the front door, his dog at his side. He shifted the bags he held to get the key ring dangling from his front pocket. After pulling it out, he unlocked the door, and she quickly followed behind him. Gunner ran in first and immediately sniffed everything in sight. The house smelled like the pine wood it had been made from and seemed well-cared for. A log cabin, the dark brown stain on the outside logs looked recently done. Nothing showed wear about the exterior. Except for the roof, the tiles were faded in some places showing signs of a little scuffing. She couldn’t tell the age of the house, could be a year or twenty-years-old, but if he had been born there it was way older than it appeared. She followed him into the interior of the home. He moved off to the side and opened blinds letting light into the darken rooms, and the more light he let in the more she could see of the place. “You grew up here?” “Yes. Come on, I’ll show you where to put your stuff. Leave the crate right there, I’ll get it later.” He moved past her to head for a hallway to her right, but she stayed put for a moment glancing around. They’d entered into a small foyer. From the outside, the house looked like an L shape. With the view of the river on the inner part and the front of the L. The small living room area appeared more lived in than cluttered. In the far corner of the room, wood piled as high as her waist lay in a cart next to an iron stove. A pipe came out from the top of the stove all the way through the top of the ceiling. The room would be cozy when it got colder out. Two sofas both short and wide, one brown with green stitching around the edges and green cushions, the other burnt gold, sat facing each other.

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Colorful-knitted Afghans in earth tones were thrown over the backs of both sofas. A recliner sat on the other side of the wood stove, and a few scenic pictures covered the wooden walls. Straight ahead, an archway separated the area leading into another room where she could see the side of a refrigerator. Stepping to her left, the direction Simon had gone in, she spotted an entryway into yet another part of the house. A hallway ran the length of the L, with several doors, two on one side and three on the other. The first room she came to was empty but she could make out the edge of a bed. Simon walked out of the second door down the hall. “This room will be yours. You’ll have your own bathroom here and a great view of the river.” Simon stepped aside so she could walk in. “What a nice room,” she said, looking around. Again, like the rest of the house, homey. Another colorful Afghan, in autumn colors, rested across this bed, along with a matching rug on the floor. The wood walls were stained a dark brown, with a few photographs of the area adorning them. A large dresser stood in the corner and matching nightstands on either size of the king-sized bed. Who lived here? Eboni knew Simon lived in LA when he wasn’t travelling on assignment. Where were his parents, anyway? God, she didn’t know a thing about him. She frowned. Why not? How come he’d put her here by herself. She turned around to face him. “And where’s your room?” She could not believe the question came out of her mouth. “Here if you want me.”

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Chapter Ten He’d planned on sleeping with her, but thought it best not to outright tell her. This used to be his room. The twins slept down the hall, and his parent’s room had been the first one in the hallway. In truth, he didn’t really know why he’d bought her here. There were questions she’d have he wasn’t prepared to answer. He waited. “Simon, I don’t think it’s such a good idea for us to…to….” Smiling, he stepped right up to her until they stood toe-to-toe, using his greater size to intimidate, but she didn’t back down, instead she glared up at him. He smiled even more. God he’d missed being near her, around her, inside of her. Raising his hand, he traced his finger from her ear to her cheek then with his thumb he brushed her mouth. “Who said we were going to think?” He lowered his head intent on kissing her unfortunately, damn Gunner had other ideas. He jumped up on his legs, pawing at him trying to get his attention. He shifted his focus down to the little dog that looked up at him with his tongue hanging out of his mouth and his dark eyes shining with joy. “One sec,” he said to Eboni, picking up the little dog. Alex put some things together for Gunner, too, and left it with the crate. Simon headed for the living room, found the crate, and grabbed the bag, taking both dog and stuff into the kitchen. Eboni came out of the bedroom and followed him. He turned back to grin at her. “Sorry.” She smiled back. “Oh, don’t mind me.” He put the things down on the table and found two bowls. “Can I help?” she inquired. “Do you have food for him?” “Check the bag.” He placed one bowl on the table the other he filled with water. When he turned around, Eboni held a bag of dog food already open. He put the dog down on the floor along with the bowl of water, which Gunner lapped up. Eboni placed his food next to it. The dog moved over to the other bowl. “There, he should be fine for now.” He turned back to Eboni and took her hand. “Now where were we? Oh yes, I remember.” Without another word, he led her back to the bedroom and closed the door. Moving them both closer to the bed. After all these months of wanting her, he’d have her again.

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Putting his hand in her hair to hold her, he captured her mouth with his. The first touch had her parting her lips, and he slid his tongue inside, tasting the mint she’d eaten earlier in the car, and inhaling the fragrance of cinnamon and vanilla lotion she liked to use. He’d seen a small bottle of it peeking out of her bag and immediately recognized the scent as hers. But most of all, she smelled like home to him. A dangerous thing for someone like him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her closer until their bodies were flush against each other. The only barriers between them the clothes they wore. Which shouldn’t last for long. Simon moved away from her mouth and licked his way to her chin. She responded by tilting her head back and placed her hands on his shoulders. Grabbing the end of her T-shirt, he pulled it over her head dropping the shirt on the floor. Then he unhooked her bra and paused to admire the bounty before him. Her breasts weren’t large, but they were full enough for him. “Beautiful.” She raised her hand and touched the ever present shades over his eyes, and he jerked back. “Sorry,” he said startling her. “There’s too much light in here. Hang on. Hold on to your thoughts. I’m going to make them a reality in a sec.” She took a step back and sat on the edge of the bed while he moved around the room pulling the drapes closed. The sun would be setting soon but at least the room held a comfortable darkness to it. He returned to the bedside and removed his shades placing it on the nightstand. Straightening, he pulled his own T-shirt off watching her the entire time before returning to kneel in front of her. “Now, where were we?” “You were just about to get into my…thoughts.” “Mmm, your thoughts were not what I’m about to get into.” He leaned forward and kissed her again, letting their tongues play a little, while his thumbs found her nipples and rubbed a circle around them before moving down to her jeans. He unbuttoned them. “Lift for me, honey.” When she did, he pulled the jeans off her. “Hmm, I can see your underwear is already wet.” He raised his eyes to hers. “For me.” She looked around. “I don’t see anybody else in here.” “And there won’t be. Not now, not ever.” He wasn’t sure what made him say something so unlike him, but he damn well spoke the truth. “Oh, and how many women have you brought up here and said that to?”

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“None.”

***

“Oh.” Eboni didn’t know what to say to his statement, too unsure what it all really meant, or why he brought her to Montana. And of all places, his childhood home. So many questions ran through her mind, but she dared not ask any of them. This certainly was not the time. She wanted Simon, never stopped wanting him. Whatever happened between them was just about the here and now. She’d be fine. When he lowered his head and raised one of her legs over his shoulder, she knew they’d passed the point of no return. His hand reached out and rested on her chest laying her down, while those gray eyes stared right at her as his tongue reached out to lick over her already wet underwear. She moved her hands down to pull the scrap of lace aside, holding herself open for him. Eboni needed his mouth on her wet flesh, and he obliged. She ripped the underwear herself so he could lick her clit. His entire tongue lay flat against her opening, and he spread her legs wider for him. “You like that, sweetheart. Tell me if you like that.” “Yes, you know I do,” she whimpered. “Mmm.” He purred against her sex, sending shivers throughout her body. Taking his hand off her chest, he moved it around to her butt lifting her up so he could have better access to her nether regions, when he slid his tongue deep into her. Her stomach muscles tightened, and her juices rushed to bathe his face. “Fuck yes,” he growled. “I missed your taste.” Standing quickly, he got rid of his jeans leaving his underwear on. “Wait, condom.” She had no idea how she remembered something she should never have forgotten. A sense of self-preservation perhaps kicking in, she wished it was strong enough to put a stop to even having the need to use one, but looking at the sculptured well-endowed man before her, she sighed, might be asking too much. In the months since they’d been together, who knew with how many other women he’d seen fit to indulge himself with. While she had been with no one else, and after this, it would be a long time

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before she’d be able to let another man touch her. An ache of sadness rested heavily in her heart. “Are you still taking those shots?” The first time before they’d come together they’d cleared the air about their sexual history. “Yes.” “No problem.” She frowned. “Have you been tested again since?” Was there a need for him to be tested? Oh God! How many women had he slept with in the last three months? Talk about a buzz kill. His reply didn’t come quickly, but then he said, “No need. I’ve been busy so haven’t been with anyone since you.” “Oh.” Oh! What did that mean? She never got around to asking, because Simon lowered his head and kissed her. A softer kiss than the others. Tender. Eboni wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him, tugging him down to her, but he eased back. She released him, and he straightened up to take off his underwear. The tattoo she remember of the black jaguar still gave her chills, so much so moisture pooled again between her legs. The head of the cat began below his belly button, and the sleek lines of its body continued down all the way to his groin. The tail seemingly hugged his sex. Which stood pulsing, bursting with his blood, and the veins in the head turning it purple. It might look soft to the touch but from experience she knew it would be the exact opposite. She didn’t have much time to admire the size of him, much as she’d have liked to. Simon pulled her to him and raised her parted knees so her feet rested on the bed, just before he plunged into her waiting sex. Once he rested, buried deep in her core, they both groaned and she never wanted him to come out. “Simon.” She shut her eyes, couldn’t believe his name came out half-cry half-moan, but it did. She’d been fooling herself. She’d missed him more than she should have. “Oh God!” “Shhh…I’m here with you now.” Did he understand how he made her feel? Did he even have a clue? Simon withdrew to her entrance and surged back fully into her, and from one breath to the other, all thoughts left her as she delved into sensation. No nerve ending remained

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untouched by him. When he withdrew from her yet again this time pulling all the way out, she opened her eyes to voice a protest. But in no time, he turned her over onto her stomach. “Rest your forehead on the bed and raise that gorgeous ass for me.” He did not have to tell her twice, and her reward, he hovered behind her rubbing his sex along her opening, coating himself in her juices before entering her from the back. Simon placed one hand on her butt cheek, the other he moved around her thigh to rub against her nub. So as he moved in and out of her core, going deeper each time his fingers rubbed against her sex heightening her pleasure, until tears snaked from her eyes at the intensity of her emotional and physical response to him. “I’m coming. I’m coming,” she panted. In reaction to her cry, he stroked in and out of her faster, until the only sounds in the room were their harsh intakes of breath and the slapping of sweated flesh against flesh. The pressure grew in her center, building in volume before bursting to rush like fire throughout her system, finding an exit down her canal. She screamed his name as she came and heard her name on his lips. The warmth of his seed rushed to flood her passage and as their bodies joined so did their essence mingle. Filling them both. Unable to hold herself up, she collapsed half-on half-off the bed. He pulled out of her and turned her over. “You okay?” he asked. “Ah huh.” In truth, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be okay again. Every solid part of her turned into liquid. Picking her up like she weighed no more than a feather, and perhaps to him she did, he moved her so she lay straight on the bed. Pulling the sheet aside, he rolled her so he could cover her up with the Afghan lying over the bed. Then he got in beside her and took her into his arms so they faced each other. “Rest. Sleep. We’ll unpack later. It’s been a long day for you, and you’re still recovering. I should have waited.” He kissed her hair and shifted so his head rested on the same pillow as hers. “I just needed to be inside you so badly is all.” Her smile turned into a yawn. Maybe she was a wee bit tired and could do with a little nap. Her eyes closed. She heard the sound of his voice saying good night—then nothing.

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Chapter Eleven “Well! What the hell do you have for me?” “Look, it’s not that easy,” his informant said. “The feds are on this now. I couldn’t stall it any more. Once the vic was id’d, things got tight, but chill. I confirmed Simon Blackcat did stash her.” “Shithead, that much I already knew. You told me as much. Do I have to tell the people I work for what an incompetent you are? Did you get any more info on their exact whereabouts in Montana? Like a fucking address.” “No, I just need a little more time to get the info.” “Listen ass. The feds are here, I don’t have much time. The reason people hire me is because I do not get caught.” “Well, I wasn’t the one who got seen.” “Don’t piss me off.” The cop sighed into the phone. “Another day. That’s all I’ll need.” “That’s all you got.”

***

Eboni opened her eyes; she wasn’t sure why. The room appeared darker. She turned her head to the side but sensed Simon’s absence. Getting out of bed, she spotted his Tshirt on the floor and picked it up holding it to her face. She inhaled, and Simon’s citrusy scent surrounded her. In fact, his scent already lay all over her naked body, and she could feel evidence of him on her thighs, too, from her slight soreness, inside her, also. She couldn’t believe three months had passed since she’d last been with him, and her muscles had gotten a work out. After a quick shower, she dried off and pulled Simon’s T-shirt on. As she left the bathroom, she noticed his shades still rested on the nightstand where he’d left them. He couldn’t have gone far so she went in search of him. All the lights were off except for a nightlight in the hallway. At least she could see enough to make her way to the living room. The room lay in shadows, and a muted glow

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came from the kitchen. She moved toward it calling Simon’s name, but got no response. Finding the wall switch, she turned it on and the overhead light fixture illuminated the spotless kitchen. She blinked at the brightness, wishing she could adjust the lighting so it wasn’t too harsh. Two bowls sat on the floor, one with water the other lay empty. Still no sign of Simon or Gunner. Her stomach rumbled, and she laughed. Heading over to the fridge, she opened it to see what she could find. There were several covered plastic containers. She took one out and opened it. Poached salmon. “Mmmm, now that’s promising.” After placing the plastic on the kitchen table, she went back to check out the rest of the containers. In about ten minutes, she set a lovely meal out on the table of poached salmon, asparagus tips, and garlic mashed potatoes. The other bowls also held a nice assortment of food, and she found a few frozen casseroles in the freezer. All previously made and only requiring heating or microwaving. And enough food to last them a good solid week. She hesitated to heat anything since, unsure where Simon wondered off to, perhaps to take Gunner for a walk, but having no idea when he’d be back, she decided to wait. A quick glance at the clock on the wall, told her the time, just past ten. She gazed over at the back door in the kitchen and walked over to it, pushed the curtain covering the windowpane aside and couldn’t believe the sight before her eyes. The silver moon hung low above his shoulder so she could see the stark beauty of him. He emerged from the river naked like some sort of dark water god, raising his hand to brush his wet hair away from his face. He took his time walking up the path leading to the back door. His dog trotted at his side. Too late, she realized the light on in the kitchen had illuminated her standing there watching him. She knew exactly when he saw her. He paused in his step but he never broke stride. Like an idiot, she remained frozen in place waiting for him unable to move if her life depended on it. Perhaps it did. She stepped back when he turned the knob on the door and pushed it open, Gunner running right past her. Simon blinked and raised his arm to cover his eyes. “Oh God, I’m sorry.” She’d forgotten all about his sensitivity to light, he did, too; they’d been more focused on each other. She turned to go back to the doorway to find the light switch but

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she heard a tap against the wall and the kitchen plunged into shadows. She looked around and saw a faint glow coming from under the microwave over the stove. “It’s okay,” he whispered. She felt stupid. “I really am sorry. I…I turned on the light to put out some food.” She would have said more but his mouth fastened onto her lips, and his tongue danced with hers. He pulled her to him soaking the front of her T-shirt. The sudden contrast of his damp cold body against her heated skin shocked her system. She sneezed. Immediately, he pulled back.

***

“Sorry about that,” he said, grinning. “I’m all wet, but I couldn’t resist. Give me a minute to change, and then we’ll eat whatever you’ve taken out, but you should probably get out of that damp T-shirt, too. Another time and I want to make love to you like that.” She raised one eyebrow. “How’s that wet or in your clothes?” He placed his arm around her waist and guided her out of the kitchen. “Either works. But you’re just getting better so we’ll wait for that.” And Simon did have to keep reminding himself of those facts. She’d been so ill. He’d never known anyone who’d been so sick. Hurt from wounds yes, but not brought down because of some tiny virus. He shook his head. They’d both changed clothes. After drying off, he grabbed a pair of sweats, and she’d taken the bathroom over. He left her in the bedroom to change. On the way, he spotted Gunner, who’d run along the edge of the riverbank and only got his paws damp. Now he lay on a thick, quilted throw on one of the sofas, one eye opened to stare at him before shutting down. Poor little guy was exhausted. He stopped to rub his head before returning to the kitchen. He opened the containers on the table, found plates to put everything on, and planned to nuke the food for a few seconds when Eboni walked into the kitchen in shorts and a tank top. His gaze roamed over her damn nice legs and toned arms. He liked them. Especially when they were wrapped around him like silk, and oh such perfect breasts he hadn’t nuzzled nearly enough. She wore her hair pulled back showing him a face he could stare at for a lifetime. Where was this coming from? He shook his head, the happily

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ever after kind, not him. But definitely something about Eboni made him want. Things he could not have. “Take a seat.” The request came out gruffer than he’d meant for it to. She frowned at him but still moved to pull out a chair at the table. He stuck one plate in the microwave and adjusted the setting to medium heat before turning it on for a few seconds. Enough to heat the food and not turn it to rubber. When it beeped, he stuck the second plate in and repeated the process. He placed the first plate down in front of her. “Where did all of this come from?” she asked. He shook his head. “The place has a housekeeper, and after I called her, she stocked it with enough food for a few days.” “Nice.” The microwave went off, and he turned to get his plate out. He pulled a drawer open and took out a couple of forks for them. “Would you like something to drink? I’ve got wine, sparkling water, and not sure what else might be in the fridge. Oh and you can drink water right out of the tap here. We’ve got well water, and it’s filtered already, twice before it comes out of the faucet.” “Okay, I’ll just try the water then.” He placed his plate down and turned to a cabinet to take down two glasses. Running the water for a minute to get it nice and cold, he filled the glasses and placed them on the table. “Let me know if you need ice.” Sitting down, he picked up his fork and began eating. After a moment, he watched Eboni take a sip of the water. “Mmm, wow this is good. And it’s well water?” “Yep.” “Very cool. But what happens if there’s a stretch of no rain?” “Then we tap into the main water lines. There’s a control outside to switch the pipes. But that doesn’t happen very often.” “And it’s very beautiful here. Do you get to come and spend time here very often?” Ah, now came the questions. He’d been expecting them. “Not very.” His body tensed, an automatic reaction to what he did not want to discuss. “Oh, that’s too bad. So you were born in Bitterroot? I bet you miss the place.”

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“Not really. My life is back in LA.” He knew his tone came out clipped, and he gave short replies. But what other answers could he give her? “Are your parents still here?” “No.” He didn’t elaborate. His fingers tightened around his fork. This was ground he never discussed. He knew bringing her home would open up something he’d buried a long time ago. Raising the dead…never a good thing. “Okay. Sorry, didn’t mean to pry.” Relaxing his death grip on the fork and easing the muscle tension out of his body, he asked in a more normal tone. “How’s the salmon?” “Great! The food is fantastic.” “It was probably caught this morning or last night.” “Wow, no wonder it’s so flavorful.” “And if I know Mrs. Kapper, there should be a few desserts and homemade cookies in the jar on the counter.” “Yeah, I saw a couple of desserts in the fridge. Is she the housekeeper, and how did she have time to do all this? You only knew this morning we were coming here. She couldn’t have had enough time.” He breathed a sigh of relief when she went ahead with the change of subject and smiled at her assumption about Mrs. K. “Sorta. She runs a local diner and catering business so always has things on hand. She’s got several customers who don’t give her much notice to stock their homes.” She’d moved to the area only five years ago and didn’t know his family history. Thank God! But because of Mrs. K and her business, he’d been able to keep the place in such good shape and let her rent out the cabin or allow friends to use the house on several occasions. He liked the idea of people using it to enjoy. The place needed to have some of those positive happy emotions; too much of the other rested within its walls. And now he brought Eboni here, what had he been thinking?

***

“It’s been almost two fucking days. I need something.”

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“And I got it. The day Blackcat left with the witness you know I followed, but took me a while to get information on where the plane went. And then try to use my resources to find out the connection about Montana.” “Why the fuck would he take her to Montana? That agency he’s with has a safe house there?” “Not sure if the Guardian Agency does or not. They are all close mouthed around that place. But according to Blackcat’s service records, that’s where he’s from. Big Sky, a place called Bitterroot Valley. And I got what you wanted, an address.” “Well at least it gets my ass outta LA and saves yours. Text it to me.”

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Chapter Twelve The first night in his home they’d made love, and something shifted between them. He’d slept with her for the last week but they hadn’t made love again. He just cradled her lovingly in his arms. She’d fallen asleep in his embrace smiling yet sad. During the days Simon stayed outdoors, Gunner always at his side, fishing mostly. Almost every day he took her on long walks and showed her the world he’d grown up in. Usually, the river always within sight; which she’d enjoyed but on the way back to the house one day, they’d passed the flower garden near the house, and she’d commented on them. “Your flowers are beautiful. The garden is very lush and the colors so bright. Even the wild flowers we saw on the hike don’t compare to the vibrancy of these. How do you manage to take care of them if you’re never here?” “Blood will do wonders for color. And there is someone who takes care of the place, cutting the grass and seeing to the exterior.” “Did you say blood?”

***

He’d burnt the old storage shed to the ground after being released from the juvenile detention center. It remained a black spot on the land until the groundskeeper he’d hired asked if he could plant flowers there. Simon could not say no to having flowers placed over his mother’s place of death and agreed to the man’s request. He never regretted that decision, but Eboni’s questions and observations were killing him. He should never have brought her here. Another mistake. “Don’t mind me,” he said when she frowned at him. He did not intend to explain his remarks. “How about tomorrow we take a boat trip down river. You’ll love it.” He knew he’d been an ass the last week. It’s because he wanted her so damn bad. He understood what she needed from him but couldn’t give it to her. Not his past. Not to anyone. He wanted her, and he was done keeping his distance.

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***

Okay, she hated the way he changed the subject. Not the first time he’d clammed up on her questions. He put a verbal wall up anytime she asked him anything a little personal. Even his body became tense. She got the hints. They were sharing each other’s bodies not each other’s lives. Frankly, not even much of that. But she didn’t want it that way. She needed more from him. She knew he wanted her each night that bone poked her in the back, but he’d be gone by the time she woke up each morning, and every so often she’d catch him staring in her direction. They finished eating dinner, and he’d gone outside, he said to check the boat for their trip. Alone in the house, she wandered into the living room. She smiled as she glanced around. She enjoyed the room the most, like rest of the house, comfortable, but still not quite a home. For all its furnishings, it seemed empty. Waiting for the family who lived there to return and reclaim it. If Simon grew up here, she could see no evidence of it. Actually, nothing remained whatsoever of the people who once lived in the house. There were no photographs of him or his parents on display anywhere. Did he even have siblings? Nothing even resembling personal mementos lay around. Even the Afghans were store bought. They had brand name tags, and the books on the small bookshelf only held books about hiking and fishing. It reminded her of a beach rental her parents used to take them to when they were younger. Comfortable but no one actually lived there. At the bottom of the bookcase something stuck out of line with the books. Bending down, she pulled at it. The edge of a box indicated some kind of game. Pulling it all the way out, she saw she had an old-fashioned Battleship board game in her hand. She smiled. She and her sister, Shanna, used to love to play the game. The banging of the kitchen door caused her to stand up with the game in her hand. Gunner came running in first and jumped up on the sofa, circled a few times before curling up in the corner near his chew toy. By the time Simon walked into the living room, the dog had settled down. “What’s that?” Simon asked. “A game. You wanna play?”

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He came over to her and looked at what she held in her hand. His lips curved into a smile. “Sure. Why not.” “Great.” They moved over to the other sofa so as not to disturb Gunner, gnawing on a plastic gun. Shaking her head at Simon’s choice in toys for the dog. Simon pulled the coffee table closer, and she placed the game on it. She sat on the sofa, and he sat on the floor. Eboni opened up the box. “Looks like all of the pieces are here.” “Great.” He rubbed his hands together and removed his shades placing them on the table. This time she remembered to keep most of the lights to a minimum. He’d turned off the one in the kitchen. She’d left the curtains open in the living room, but it was pretty dark out, so only a lamp in a far corner behind him provided light, casting them both in shadow while still giving the room a nice warm glow. Enough she could see the game pieces. “Okay, do you remember how to play?” She removed the game pieces and placed them on the table between them. “Yes, but I actually learned a different way to play.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “Different? I know you can play it electronically now. But this is the old-fashioned one where we have to be honest and tell each other if we have a hit or not. My sister always used to cheat.” He grinned again and shifted so one leg stretched out on the floor, and the other folded in front of him. His shirt and jeans pulled taunt to showcase his slender yet muscled frame. She wanted to lick every delectable inch of him and wished he’d lean over the table and pull her down on the floor with him. But he hadn’t attempted to make love to her or even kiss her again since the first night they’d arrived. And lord help her, she wanted him, too. If she only had the nerve to make the first move. She was falling in love with this man who she didn’t really know. Except he protected her, and he loved his dog. Could he love her? “Well, this way even if you cheat, which you can by the way, no one loses.” His words snapped her out of her thoughts. “Did you just say cheating is allowed?” He nodded. “Yep.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down. “And encouraged.”

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She snorted. “Okay, you got me there. What is this a new way?” “First of all it’s called Strip My Battleship.” “What?...Oh.” This time she grinned. “The rules are simple.” His eyes positively twinkled with mischief. She loved this side of him. “So what are these rules?” “The same rules except, like I said, it is worth your while to cheat. You see, if I hit one of your ships, you take off a piece of clothing.” His eyes left hers and traveled to her chest then paused at her legs. She sat on the sofa with her knees together. The moment his gaze stopped there she opened her legs for him. She wore shorts but could feel herself wetting her underwear from his gaze alone. “Mmmm.” He purred. “Yeah, stay like that for me.” “And if I do, what do I get out of it?” She teased back. His gaze shifted to her eyes. “I promise to cheat my ass off. Literally.” And then he grinned. “Now back to the rules. If I miss, and oh babe I’m begging you, let me miss, I take off a piece.” “Begging huh?” She placed one finger at the side of her face like she thought about what he’d just said. Not even. “Now that sounds interesting, but wait, don’t I get to put something back on if you miss?” He frowned. “Hey, okay, only if you want to. But here’s the good part.” “Okay, waiting a little breathless here.” “Don’t worry, I will take care of you. If I sink one of your ships, you sink down on me.” “Mmm…interesting, but what happens if I sink one of yours?” “Oh sweetheart,” he groaned. “I’m going to cheat to see that you do. See this is why no one loses with my way. If you sink me then,” he paused and licked his lips. “I sink down on you.” Her own mouth fell open, and her chest rose and fell to keep pushing air to her brain. “Shall we play?” he asked grinning. “My way?” “Oh baby, yes.” She didn’t even try to be coy. “And just to help things along.” He pulled off his shirt.

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“Hell, yes. But if you think I’m going to reciprocate think again.” Then she laughed. Last week had been a nightmare for her. This week between them had been tension filled. And here, in this moment, Simon made her laugh again. “Thank you,” she said. “Now, let’s see who sinks on who first.” “B Ten,” he said. “Miss!” she yelled. He grinned, stood up, and removed his jeans. His underwear tented and even through the flimsy material of the cloth every full heavy inch of him laid outlined for her. He sat back down. “Your turn.” “Huh? Oh, a…D 4.” Without looking at the game piece in front of him, he said, “Miss.” She smiled. This was her kind of game. It didn’t take them long before they were both sinking on each other. He grabbed one of the quilts off the sofa, and they rested on it. Or rather, she lay on it while he kneeled above her with his face buried between her legs as her mouth sucked on his balls. The man shaved, and she could not resist his smooth warm skin. He shifted, letting his sex brush against her lips. She knew what he wanted but wasn’t quite ready to give it to him. When he added a finger with his tongue to her core, she arched up more for him and grabbing his sex, took him deep into her mouth. He groaned against her nether lips, before licking along her clit while pumping himself up and down into her parted lips. Until she held onto his ass cheeks, stilling him so she could suck him dry. The explosion happened for them at the same time. Eboni filled his mouth as he filled hers. When their bodies stopped spasming, he lifted off her and twisted around lying down beside her. Simon kissed her, sharing her own essence with her as she shared his. Mixing them together in their mouths. It was the most erotic kiss she’d ever exchanged. Pulling away, he turned her so her back rested against his front, and he wrapped his arm around her waist resting his leg over her. “Give me five. And then I’ll fuck you good.” She turned her head around to stare at him. “And that was bad.” “Shhh, rest.” But apparently he didn’t need much rest. The bone poking her rear told her as much. He raised her leg and slid right inside her already slick heat.

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“Relax, babe, this one’s for you. You don’t have to do a thing but let me.” So she did. At first his movements in her channel were slow, leisurely, seemingly in no rush as his flesh glided in and out of hers, while his hands circled the nipple of one breast. Building the inferno between them again until she could stay still no longer and pushed back against him in her frenzy to get more of him inside her. At last, he turned her over and did as he’d promised to do. His movements were neither slow nor leisurely this time, but hard and rushed, progressing like the river he lived beside during a flood. He raced to bring them to release, and when it came, hurled them over the edge.

***

Bennis didn’t know how much longer before the feds caught up to him. He didn’t trust the pansy ass detective. If the dickhead got caught, he’d be giving up Bennis’s name quick fast and in a hurry along with the destination to save his own sorry hide. And the woman cop still lived. Bitch should be dead. She’d screwed up. Everything about this job had gone wrong from the beginning. Including the fact the courier wasn’t where he was supposed to have been for the hit. Unfortunately, he’d been on the clock and rushing. The information he needed to get in the briefcase had a time sensitive limit of an hour. After which, it became meaningless numbers to his employer, and they would not have liked that. He saw a chance and took the courier out and got the documents. Good thing; it kept his employers off his back. Now he needed to tidy up this loose end. The fact he’d take out a prick too just added to the fun. He arrived in Bitterroot in early afternoon. Not quite as small town as he’d first thought it would be. Oh still small all right, with its one lane main road. A tourist place, so lots of people about, people who liked to fish. Shit, if it ain’t on a plate in front of him, he had no use for fishing, but in his jeans, T-shirt, and baseball cap he should fit right in. Using the navigation system in the rental, he tried to find the damn address he’d been given. Even called the detective back to verify it. After an hour he’d given up and driven back the twenty minutes to the main road through town. He didn’t want to be there any longer than necessary and booked a late night flight out, leaving him only a few hours to get the job done and get out. Might be cutting it close. So he called the airlines

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and changed the flight to the morning. Then he searched around for some place to eat, sleep, and maybe get some better directions. On his first drive through town, he spotted a little hole in the wall restaurant. Kap something, he’d seen a bunch of people going in and out. Looked as good as anything else around there. After parking the car, he made his way back to the place and walked over to the counter. He glanced around. Seemed like a mixture of locals and tourists to him. After the waitress brought him his order, he held out his hand to stop her before she moved off. “Darlin’, can you help me with some directions?” “Sure. Whaddayas need?” About middle-age, but still well put together with shiny brown hair pulled into a ponytail resting over one shoulder. Her eyes sparkled in a pretty face. If he had more time, he’d so hit that. And judging from the smile and once over she gave him, she’d be happy if he did. He sighed, business first. He’d find someone to play with him after he’d left the country. He pulled out his cell phone and read her the address. Won’t matter if she remembered him or not. Didn’t pin anything on him. “My nav keeps leading me to dead ends.” “Hmm…not familiar with the address. But some of these places are hidden off the main roads. Your nav is probably right, just can’t find the right road to get you there. Happens to me sometimes. Best thing to do is follow the directions but look for dirt roads or graveled roads that look like driveways. Anything where there’s a break in the trees wide enough for a truck to go through. Some might have a route number on them, most don’t round here.” Sure as shit, she was right. The nav system displayed a dot in the middle of what looked like the river, which was why he ignored it the first time, besides there weren’t any roads to the place. Still he let it guide him following the blue line until it told him to take a left. Yet no road sat where the map said it should, only bushes. This time he drove more slowly, looking for anything resembling a road or a trail like the waitress described. Bingo, he found it. Nothing more than a one lane graveled trail rather than a road, with maybe enough room to pull over into the high grass so another car could barely pass. He drove down it,

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passing two houses along the way until he came to what looked like the end but there, another path. If he’d blinked, he’d miss it. Less of a road than the one he’d been on, just ahead. The little dot on the nav showed him that’s exactly the direction he needed to go. Taking a chance, he got out of the car and footed it up the trail. Stopping, he hid behind some foliage. He arrived in time to see Simon Blackcat taking the cover off a boat, hanging out there for a while, and then returning to the house located beside the river.

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Chapter Thirteen “Grrrr.” Eboni remembered why the floor was not a comfortable place to sleep, even when nestled within the arms of warm steel, which she could have sworn were wrapped around her earlier. The sound of the little dog growling low in his throat woke Eboni up fully. She opened her eyes to see Simon standing naked staring out the window into the darkened night. Damn, he looked divine from the rear, too. An ass you could bounce a quarter off. “Is something wrong?” she asked. Simon turned around and came back to her. She sat up as he sat down beside her, wrapping her in the Afghan they’d managed to kick off. “No everything is fine. I think Gunner here smelled an animal outside, or something. “Oh.” She yawned. “Let’s get you to bed.” Shifting to a squatting position, he slid his hands under her butt and waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he stood with her in his arms. Gunner continued to growl watching the front door. “It’s okay boy,” Simon said. He walked her down to the bedroom and put her on the bed. Instead of joining her there, he straightened up and opened a drawer taking out a pair of sweats. She frowned, although he couldn’t see her since he didn’t face her. “What’s with the sweats?” “I’m just going to take Gunner for a short walk, and check and make sure there aren’t any bears around.” He stuck his feet in a pair of sneakers by the closet. “Bears! Is that a good idea to have Gunner with you then? For that matter, is it a good idea for you to be out if there is one?” He came back to the bed and sat down beside her. With the back of his hand, he caressed the side of her face. “He’ll be fine. He heeds me. I’ll tell him to stay at my side, and I’ll be fine. Bears are more wary of humans than we are of them.” He bent down and

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gave her a quick kiss before straightening up and standing. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back to finish it.” She lay back on the bed and sighed. Damn it, she’d promised herself not to get mixed up with him, again. Yeah, right. How could she not! But she still knew next to nothing about him. Eboni didn’t have the nerve to ask him about his background. Time and time again she’d stopped herself, knowing he probably would react like other times and change the subject. Like the time she’d asked about his parents, he’d totally clammed up. Hell, she didn’t even know if he had any siblings. For some reason, she thought perhaps he did. She’d been in all of the rooms of the house. The room at the end could have belonged to a sibling, or it could have been a guest room. She had no clue. She saw absolutely no evidence of the family who once lived there. The house didn’t have a lot of space to hide things either. There weren’t even any trunks in the bedrooms. She’d checked, as well as the closets those held nothing but empty hangers and cedar rods.

***

Simon held Gunner in his arms put his gun in his pocket as he opened the front door. He didn’t say anything to Eboni but he took no chances with her. Bennis had not been found. He put the animal down. “Stay,” he commanded. Gunner lifted his head to look at him and then swung his head around in the direction of the road. Simon pulled the gun out of his pocket, trusting the instincts of the little dog. “Go!” The animal took off like a rock released from a slingshot. Simon jogged behind him, and a half-moon hung high about the trees providing enough light in the clearing for Simon to see. Sure ‘nough the mutt headed right for the road and stopped about fifty yards from the house. He sniffed around an area, walked in circles a few times then sat down waiting on Simon. “Good dog,” Simon said. “Stay.” He approached the area where Gunner continued to sit. He picked up the dog and moved him to the side. “Stay,” he repeated. Bending down, and using the light from the moon, he examined the ground where his pet first stopped and the area around it. The wild grass around the base of the tree looked trampled, could have been by booted feet. Simon straightened up, glanced around at whatever could be seen from there, and the blood in his veins iced. If a person stood in that spot, he or she

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would have a clear view of the boat dock as well as the house. He looked around the area slowly this time, but could see nothing more. The trees were too dense, and the road angled. He stared down at the dog again who gazed up at him with his tongue hanging out. Whoever had been there appeared to be gone. They walked along the path a little more, the dog running ahead of him. He held his gun out in front of him and all of his senses open to the anything disturbing the natural rhythm of the night sounds around him. When Gunner once again stopped and walked in circles before sitting down, he stopped, too. “What is it boy?” He looked around but the bushes were too thick and he didn’t see anything, and the dog didn’t growl. So they were alone. He studied the ground again near the dog, and he noticed the gravel seemed sunk in, like a car might have parked there. “Good boy. You get a treat for that.” At the word “treat,” Gunner’s ears stood straight up. He bounded to all fours and took off at a dead sprint back to the house. Simon watched the dog run, but no smile curved his face. Someone had parked a car here before continuing on foot and watching them from the trees near the drive. His pace back to the house was slower; he put the gun back in his pocket. After letting the dog in through the back door and giving him a treat, he got his phone he’d left in the living room and went back to the kitchen. He didn’t want to take a risk and wake Eboni or have to explain the phone call to her. When the line got picked up, he said, “Frank. Got a problem.” After talking to Frank for a while bringing him up to date and catching up with the investigation, he came to a decision. At this point, not much they could do. They could run again, but if they were found here, given time, they could be found anywhere. He wanted to make a stand. Other than the river, there was only one road in and out of the property. He wouldn’t discount leaving by the river; they had a boat. Still too early to make that call. Could have been a lost tourist or the person might have just been there to locate them. Somehow he doubted either. Whoever it was would be back, and he’d be waiting for them. “I’ll start asking some questions,” Frank said.

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“Yeah, see if you can find out that day we left who the cops were who followed us. I know Jackson was one, but check on that partner of his, too, Calvin Smith. I thought he’d gone with the officer down to the hospital. Check that.” “Okay, will do and get back to you. And you take care, stay alert.” Simon would worry about how they were found later, if they were. He hoped Jackson wasn’t involved. He liked the man, but if his name came up in this mess, Simon might put a bullet in him himself for putting Eboni’s life in danger. As he passed through the living room to the bedrooms, he picked up Gunner and a cushion. The little dog made a first class watchdog. If anything came sniffing around, Gunner would be the first one to know it. The bedroom door remained open. Walking into the room, he decided to leave it that way. He’d left the nightlight on in the hall. Its low light didn’t bother him. Putting the cushion down in a corner, he rested Gunner on top of it, stopping to rub behind the dog’s ear just the way he liked it. He could have sworn the little tike sighed before settling down on the cushion. Glancing toward the bed, the soft inhale and exhale of Eboni’s breathing told him she slept. Glad not to have to explain what he’d found, he placed his gun on the nightstand then went over to the not quite unpacked bag in a corner where he’d left it. Opening it up, he retrieved another gun case, containing his favorite, a Glock as well as a sheathed hunting knife. He left both in their cases and took them over to the nightstand, resting everything next to his glasses. Lifting the cover, he eased into bed. Before he’d even settled his head down on the pillow, Eboni rolled toward him. Her hand rested on his chest, and her leg lay over his thighs. “Simon,” she muttered in her sleep. Simon turned his head and kissed her nose. “Shhh, go back to sleep.” She didn’t say anything else. In truth, he didn’t think she’d even really awakened. He clasped her hand in his and held it over his heart. This woman was fast becoming more to him than she should. He remained awake for a long time, listening for any stray noise and keeping an eye on Gunner, but the dog never even twitched. Eventually the sandman conquered Simon, too.

***

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Len had seen enough. No need for him to hang out in the damn woods getting bitten by God knows what. He knew where Blackcat and the bitch were holed up, and didn’t look like they were going anywhere anytime soon. He made his way back to town and decided to get a room for a night or two at the inn down the street from the diner. Since the cops and FBI were all in LA looking for him, he’d have time to make sure there were no mistakes. After checking in using one of his fake credit cards, he headed for his room to take care of his exit arrangements from the country, set up his next appointment, and to wait. The alarm on his cell phone went off at 3 a.m. He got up already dressed in black jeans and a shirt. He opened the window and took out the screen. He’d taken a room on the first floor of the three-story townhouse inn. The windows on this side faced into the woods so no eyes to see him leave or return. He parked his car around the back part of the parking lot not far from his window. Plenty of automobiles there to hide his. He made it to his rental without any problems and headed back for the house. He needed to get a layout of the place. The one thing he’d noticed earlier approaching the house from the road wouldn’t work. He’d be too out in the open. Anyone watching would be able to see him coming down in a car or on foot. Right now he just wanted to have a closer look around the place, go through some of the dense forest, and try to approach the house from a blind spot. If he could gain entry tonight so much the better, if not there was always tomorrow.

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Chapter Fourteen Gunner growled. Simon’s eyes opened at the dog’s first low-throated sound. “Hold boy.” His body turned in the direction of the window. Simon sat up and pulled on a pair of jeans, his T-shirt, and boots, and grabbed his gun. The little dog continued to growl low in his throat. Eboni got up as he tucked the gun in his holder. “Sorry sweetheart, but I think you better get up.” “What’s going on, Simon?” “Not sure, but whatever it is, Gunner’s not happy about it.” The dog stood with his ears pointed and his body stiff staring at the window. “Go ahead and get dressed, jeans sneakers, sweatshirt.” The lights were all off in the room, only the night light in the hallway remained on. Naked, she got up. Simon was glad Eboni didn’t ask any more questions or reach to turn on the light. She opened one of the dresser drawers and got out some clothes. Then she put on each piece as she pulled it out. He’d moved to the window and standing at first one side then the other, he pushed one of the closed blinds up a sliver so he could peek through. The moon stood high in the cloudless sky and threw most of the ground in shadows. He could barely see the boat by the dock. It looked like a dark shape. Nothing moved outside, but something or someone could be out there. He turned around and Eboni, now dressed, held Gunner in her arms. The sight made him smile, and he walked over to them and gave her a quick kiss before rubbing the dog’s head. “Come with me,” he said. He led them to the kitchen, right over to the pantry, and after opening the door he turned to her. “I need you to stay in here until I return.” She glanced at the interior. “No, I don’t think so. I want to go with you.” “I’m just going to have a look around, and I can do it quicker and quieter if I’m by myself.” “Oh, okay. Are you going to take Gunner with you?” Not a bad suggestion, the dog acted like a divining rod. If anything prowled around out there on two legs or four, Gunner would lead him right to it. “Yes, I think I might.

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Here.” He reached around at his back and pulled out the small pistol he usually kept in his ankle holster, offering it to her. She raised her eyebrows and simply stared at the gun. “Oh no, I’m not touching that thing.” She raised her gaze to his. “I don’t even know how to shoot it.” He released the safety from the off position. “It’s easy, aim and pull this trigger.” He pointed to the trigger then offered her the gun again, butt first pointed away from either of them. “Just remember the safety is off, so don’t pull the trigger unless you mean it.” “Oh lord, Simon, I don’t know if I can do that.” He continued to hold the gun out to her. “Yes, honey, you can. If someone is trying to harm you, I need you to be able to defend yourself.” With a shaky hand, she reached for the weapon. “O...okay.” She grabbed it firmly by the handle and gently placed it on one of the shelves in the pantry. “Okay, I’ll be right back, and I’ll call out to you when I get back. If you hear movement in front of this door, just start shooting.” “Lord have mercy, Simon, I can’t. What if something happened and it’s you?” “I’ll call out, or I’ll rap against the wall like this.” He tapped the wall near the door three times. “Okay, okay, don’t forget. Please, don’t forget.” She handed Gunner to him. “I won’t. Remember shoot first ask questions later.” He kissed her quickly again and turned her around, giving her a little pat on her rear to get her to step into the pantry. When she did and shifted to face him, he blew her a kiss and shut the door. As soon as the door closed, he headed for the back door. He moved the curtains aside and looked out, still nothing moved out there. Opening the door, he put Gunner down and the little dog took off in the direction of the path along the river. He pulled out his gun and trotted after the dog. “Gunner. Hold!” Thank God, the dog heeded him. He skidded to a halt his head turning back and forth to Simon and the figure lumbering off away from the river and farther into the woods. Simon put his gun away when he reached the dog, bending down to pick him up, and scratching behind his ears. “That’s a black bear, son. A little too big even for you to handle.”

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Keeping hold of the dog, they walked back to the house as he opened the back door he called out. “Lucy, I’m home.”

***

Eboni opened the door to the panty. She left the gun on the shelf right where she’d placed it. Glad she didn’t have to touch the thing, much less shoot someone. “So what happened? Was someone out there?” She sat down at the kitchen table as Simon put Gunner down on the tiled floor. The dog headed right for his water bowl. Simon opened a cabinet and took out a box of crackers. Opening it up, he took out a few before calling the dog to him. “Here boy, you were such a good boy.” And he held out his palm with the crackers in the center. For a little dog, he had a big mouth. Gunner grabbed them all and trotted into the living room. Simon opened the pantry and retrieved his gun before pulling out the chair across from her and running his hands through his unbound hair. Eboni watched hair as dark as midnight and soft as silk cascade onto his shoulders momentarily distracting her. She shook her head to focus. “Now, can you tell me what’s going on?” “It was just a bear.” She glanced up in the direction of the door. “A bear? Near the house?” “Yeah, close enough for Gunner to sense it.” “Well, is it gone?” “Yep.” She glanced at the back door. “Is it coming back?” “Probably not. Don’t worry. It’s more afraid of us than we are of it.” “You keep saying that. But do the bears know it?” He grinned, and she almost forgot the rest of her question. He’d acted pretty quickly and putting her in the pantry with a gun seemed intense, like he’d been expecting trouble. The dog had been growling earlier, too.

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“Is that all? Is something else going on? I mean we’re out in bear country so shouldn’t you have expected the dog to react to the wild life around here?” “Smart, too. I like that.” Eboni couldn’t help but be pleased by his reply, yet it didn’t respond to her question so she raised an eyebrow at him waiting. This she would not let go. “All right, yes. I wanted to make sure you were safe just in case it wasn’t just part of the wild life around here like you said.” She frowned. “But I don’t understand? Why would there be a problem? No one knows where we are other than Ross and Shanna, and I’m assuming Frank and Alex. So, all your people.” “As far as we know that’s true, but I’m not taking any chances. I have Frank doing some digging for me.” “Again, why, did something happen?” He hesitated. “Earlier this evening, I saw evidence of a car being parked up on the road, and someone might have walked up to the top of the drive and looked down on the house.” “So what?” She shrugged. “Couldn’t it have just been a neighbor? Although there don’t seem to be many.” She’d only seen maybe three other houses once they’d gotten off the state road. “Or even a tourist.” “Yeah, probably all it was.” He took a hold of both her hands resting on the table, turning them palm up he kissed each one. “But I’m taking no risks with you.” He stood and pulled her up out of the chair to him. Leaning down, he captured her mouth. Instead of the all-consuming kisses she’d become accustomed to with him, this one felt tender gentle. More just the touching of lips. He pulled away from her. “As much as I want to do more, I promised you a trip down river.” She didn’t give a rat’s ass about the river but if he wanted to take her down river, so be it. “We’ll get a few more hours of sleep and then get up, and I’ll show you some of the most beautiful fishing spots in the world.” The man acted true to his word. They’d only gotten less than three hours more sleep when he woke her. Yawning, she got up and dressed then headed for the kitchen to make

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them a little picnic basket. She’d spotted one in the pantry. While she prepared a couple of cold cut sandwiches for them, he walked through the kitchen carrying two angling rods. She paused to watch through the window as he headed for the dock, the dog on his heels. Gunner looked funny standing up trying to climb onto the boat. Simon came back inside and grabbed the dog crate. “Are you going to take Gunner with us?” “Sure, he seems eager to go.” She smiled. “So I saw, but is he going to be okay in the boat?” He shrugged. “We’ll find out. Plenty of folks round here take their dogs out on the river. But I’m bringing the crate along just in case. After we find a stop, I’ll let him run around. He’s pretty good about staying close and listening to my commands.” “Yeah, I’ve noticed. Probably a good thing given the animals around.” She got a couple bottles of water, an extra one for the dog and grabbed two plastic containers from a cabinet. One she’d use to put water for the dog. In the other, she poured out some food for him. Everything went into the picnic basket. Simon came through the back door as she closed the lid. “Ready?” he asked. “Yep.” He grabbed the container with one hand and her hand with the other. “Then let’s go, those fish won’t wait.” His smile took up most of his face. She couldn’t help but smile back at him in return. “Who are you, Simon?” Slowly, the smile left his face. Oh, that question held so much meaning. She’d made love with this man a number of times over the last few days. Eboni knew they stayed in the house he grew up in, and he’d even admitted to her one night the room they slept in, made love in, had been his. Still, she knew so little about him, really not much more than when they’d first arrived. Yet she needed to know so much more about the man she’d gone and fallen in love with, even though she tried not to. Yeah, might as well try to stop a lightning strike from the sky. “I’m the man who’s going to keep you safe,” he replied. She nodded. Unable to ask him what she really wanted to know: for how long? What happens after Bennis was caught or left town? Then what happened to them? Eboni kept

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her mouth shut. Not ready to deal with questions she already knew the answers to. And that made her a little sad. So she plastered a smile on her face and opened the door allowing him to lead her down to the boat.

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Chapter Fifteen “You know I’ve never been fishing in my life.” “So. Everyone is a virgin at something at one time or another.” She grinned. “Are you claiming you popped my cherry?” “Mmm,” he growled. “One of them.” She laughed. Oh, how she loved this man. They’d had a wonderful time together, and he’d found them a nice little secluded spot so they could fish. She’d even caught a fish. Well two of them, he’d made her release them both. They were too small, but he caught two also, and they were going to have those for dinner. She liked fishing after all. The beauty of the river had her in awe. They only saw one other boat out and waved as the fisherman with a pole across his lap motored past. Simon explained his property wasn’t exactly on the Bitterroot River but sat more on a tributary to the river, which lay literally around the bend in the water, and they anchored for the rest of the morning on yet another tributary where the fish were plentiful. A secret spot, he called it. But when she’d asked him if he fished there as a kid, he shrugged and cast his line back into the water. So while the day seemed a good one, a lot of fun, and filled with stunning scenery, it still held a hint of sadness for her. No matter what she did, she couldn’t get Simon to open up to her. All right, an affair was all he wanted. She got it. He set up the boundaries, and she had to respect them. The sun hung low in the Montana sky as Simon pulled up to the dock, while an exhausted Gunner slept on in his crate. No one had more fun than the little dog. Eboni grinned at the memory of his trying to chase the fish in the water and running around on the bank barking and growling at them. “After I hop out and tie this off, you can get out,” Simon said breaking into her thoughts. “Just grab Gunner’s crate for me and let him out.” “Okay.” At the sound of his master’s voice, the dog opened his eyes and his pink tongue hung out of his mouth. Eboni picked up the crate and got off the boat. Once Eboni stepped on land, she put the crate down and opened the door for the dog. “There ya go.” He took off

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outta there and headed straight for the flower garden and the butterflies perched there. Once they’d scattered, he darted after a few. Eboni turned back to the boat and took out the picnic basket. “Go on up to the house,” Simon said. “Let me take care of this stuff, and I’ll be right there.” “Okay.” She turned toward the house, and Gunner ran over to her so when she opened the door, the little dog ran inside first. Laughing, she followed and headed for the table in the center of the kitchen. Not until the dog growled did she realize she was not alone. Slowly, she turned around to face a nightmare.

***

Bennis watched the couple get into the boat and grinned. “Well, well. This is easy.” As soon as they were clear of the area, he made his way to the house. He tried the back door they’d come out from. Sure enough, the doorknob turned without any problem, and he’d bet no alarm system either. They were after all in the God forsaken hick country. Who needed an alarm? He smiled as he stepped into the kitchen. Nope, no alarm panel on the wall by the door, and nothing chimed as he’d entered. He spent a few minutes going through the empty house. And from the fishing gear they’d hauled onto the boat along with the basket, odds were good they’d be gone a while. His stomach growled, he’d had a late lunch but no dinner last night, going back into the kitchen he checked the refrigerator and…jackpot. Good stuff. He made a nice plate of food, heated it up in the microwave, and headed back to the living room. Making himself comfortable, he turned on the TV and ate. When he yawned and his eyes began drifting shut, he laid out on the couch. He’d been up for the last few hours watching the place and deserved a nap. Len smiled. His last thought before slumber, the bitch and her bodyguard would never need to worry about resting again. He woke up in time to see them pulling into the dock. He watched as Eboni walked toward the house alone. Standing on the other side of the door, he waited.

***

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The air in Eboni’s lungs would suffocate her if she didn’t expel it. On a gasp, it rushed out allowing the blood to once again flow throughout her limbs and the air to energize her body. The image of the man with the gun took her back to the night she’d seen him pull the trigger and shot another human being in cold blood. She had no doubt he would do the same to her. “Well, it’s about damn time we meet. Don’t ya think.” He shook his short-cropped blond hair. His ice blue-eyed gaze held no element of pleasure or mirth, just nothing. Absolutely no emotion resided there. Doll‘s eyes. Without an ounce of warmth or human compassion within them. These were the eyes of a ruthless killer. He took a couple of steps nearer with the gun still drawn. Some sense of self-preservation kicked in for Eboni, but everything moved in slow motion for her. Yet her senses seemed extra heightened. The sound of Gunner’s growl sounded sharper, and her brain processed information at lightning speeds. One thought upper most. Escape to Simon. The knives were behind him, and no other weapon rested near at hand except…. Moving her hand behind her back, she grabbed the handle on the picnic basket and swung it around at his head yelling as she did it. He went down, and Gunner rushed at Bennis’s arm, grabbing onto it for all his worth. She bolted past him and out the back door. The door slammed behind her at the same time she heard the gun shot echo in the kitchen. She saw Simon running toward her and ran to him screaming like a banshee. “Run!”

***

It had been a good day, and Simon took his time getting the gear out of the boat. He pulled out the table stored near the dock and set the legs, straightening them out on flat ground before placing the fish on it. He’d be able to clean the fish here away from the house, so the smell wouldn’t attract animals. Just enough daylight left for him to get it done quickly then he’d fry them up. He’d bent to pick up the rods from the ground where he’d placed them when the sound of the mountains was pierced by the distinct boom of a gunshot. Rifle shots were not an

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unfamiliar occurrence in these mountains or to him, but that particular sound did not belong coming from his house. Pulling his own gun out of the holster, he wore under his fishing vest he ran staying low, toward the house as Eboni came running out the back. When she saw him, she screamed. “Run!” Grabbing her hand, he took off with her into the dense forest away from the river as shots rang out behind them. The sun sunk below the horizon casting shadows among the trees, and Simon kept to them. Another shot seemed to fly past them but they were soon in the thick woods, and Simon took them deeper. They slowed down, and walked more slowly in an attempt to leave less of a trail for anyone following them. The dwindling sunlight would help but also hinder them.

***

“It’s going to be dark shortly. How are we going see in these woods?” Eboni asked leading the way to God knows where. “Don’t worry. I know this place like I know the paths of my mind. And besides I do best in the dark. She turned quickly to see him grinning at her, and sure enough, he’d taken off his dark glasses, and the darker it got the more his eyes seemed to glow. He held her waist and gently guided her to turn right. Soon she could hear the noise of the river before they rounded a cluster of trees and came out on its muddy banks. Eboni looked up and down but saw no sign of a watercraft or person. At least if the lunatic chasing them stumbled onto the river, they were somewhat hidden by some low hanging branches. “It’s not too deep here, should come to your shoulders,” Simon said. “I think it’s best we cross to the other side. Not far from here is a fishing cabin where we can hide, and I can try to make a phone call.” “Do you think he’s still chasing us?” she asked while taking deep breaths. Simon didn’t appear winded in the least. “Not taking any chances. We’ll use that log right there to duck behind and help block our heads from view as we walk across. It’ll be dark soon but right now it will still be

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harder to spot us unless you were real close to the edge.” He kept turning around checking the water and looking back the way they’d just come. “Okay, but Simon. Gunner’s back there…he saved my life.” He swung his head to stare at her. “What happened?” “Bennis…he was…he was there in the kitchen waiting for me. He had a gun. I grabbed the only thing I had, the picnic basket, and wacked him on the side of the head with it.” She brushed her hair off her face. “I must have caught him good and hard because he went down, and Gunner attacked him. He’d grabbed his arm, and I ran outta there. Gunner saved my life.” He smiled. “I knew there was a reason I kept that dog.” “But I’m worried. What if the bastard hurt him?” “Don’t worry Gunner will be fine. He’s probably back in the house barking his head off, mad he’s not out here with us.”

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Chapter Sixteen “Fuck!” Bennis shook the dead dog off his hand. He’d got the gun out of the hand the dog held in its jaws by the wrist and shot the little bugger. By the time he’d made it out the back door, the bitch and her damn bodyguard were running for the woods. He fired at them but his hand hurt like the devil, and he missed. They weren’t far ahead of him, and he took off after them but the blasted trees kept getting in his way. When he could no longer see them, he stopped and examined the area for evidence of their passing, going slower this time. Daylight seemed to fade fast. A good thing he had a flashlight. He’d find them, no choice. This shit had gone on long enough. He spotted a few broken twigs and moved in that direction.

***

So far so good they made it to the other side of the river when a bullet flew past his head and hit the tree in front of him. Simon held Eboni’s arm and took her down to the ground. She landed on her stomach with Simon on her legs. He rose up and spoke in a hoarse voice. “Move. But stay on the ground.” Like a snake, she crawled along the ground doing her best not to think about any bugs on the leaves she moved over. “Okay stop, I think we can get up here but stay low.” Thank God. She got up, yet stayed bent over moving through the bush as best she could. Simon kept his hand on the back of her shorts silently guiding her. Her hands were out in front of her to move branches aside, trying to find the clearest path for them. “Good, keep heading straight. Keep the setting sun over your right shoulder, and when you see the river keep it in sight.” “Where’re we going?” “The fishing cabin I told you about.” “Why don’t you take the lead now?”

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“I need to watch our Six.” “Six?” “Sorry, our back trail. Don’t worry, you’re doing fine.” “What if he finds us?” “Then we’ll be ready for him. Okay, I think we’re clear you can straighten up now but keep moving.” She did, but his voice came out raspy a little breathless. Eboni paused to turn and look at him. His blue T-shirt was covered in blood by his shoulder. “Oh, my God! You’ve been shot!” He nudged her to get her to keep moving but her heart raced with fear. “I’ll be fine,” he said. “It’s just a scratch.” “Scratches don’t bleed like that.” Even in the evening light, she’d seen the blood run down his left arm. “We’ve got to get you to a hospital.” “There’s a first aid kit at the cabin. We can use that to clean this up.” “Oh, Simon.” She wanted to cry, but kept going determined not to slow him down and to get them to safety so she could tend to him. And then get help. Damn, she didn’t even have her cell phone with her. She’d left it at the house when they’d left earlier to go fishing. “Do you have your cell phone?” she asked. “No. It’s still with the gear by the boat. But the cabin has an old two-way radio that patches into the rangers’ station. We should be able to use it to call for help.” They made it to the cabin without any more problems. It was small about the size of her living room from the outside. A generator was beside it and a water hose over a table, perhaps, used to clean fish and a cooler under the table. “Door should be unlocked,” Simon said behind her. She put her hand on the doorknob and turned it pushing as she did, and the door creaked open for her. “I’ll get the generator started,” Simon offered. She swung back around to him. “Let me do that you go inside.” “No, I got it. Go on in and find the first aid kit. Should be on one of the shelves in there.”

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“Okay.” She turned back toward the door and stepped inside leaving it open to allow the little light left to illuminate the cabin. The place consisted of one large room with windows on three of the four walls. An old-fashioned black potbellied wood stove stood beside the back window with a flue through the wall. One wall held shelves with fishing supplies. A small table was in the center of the room with a bench on one side and two chairs on the other. “All the comforts of home.” A light in the ceiling hanging from the center of the room went on, and she spied the big red white and blue plastic first aid kit on the bottom of one of the shelves. Grabbing it, she placed the kit down on the table and opened it as Simon shut the door. “Come on, sit here,” she said indicating the chair in front of her. “Let me see about that, scratch.” “Here thought you might need this. As you can see, no indoor plumbing in here.” He held up a bucket halfway filled with water. She took it from him. “Is this even clean?” “Oh yeah, the water is, not sure about the bucket.” “Right!” “Just use it to wipe the blood off my arm. There should be alcohol in the kit. Use it to wash the wound.” He took his gun out of the holster and rested it on the table. She helped him take off his fishing vest. “Go ahead and rip the bottom of my T-shirt and use that to clean me up.” “There might be scissors in the kit, let me check.” After moving some gauze around, she found everything she needed. She cleaned him up as best she could without flinching at the sight of the wound. “There,” she said. “All done.” He grinned and glanced at his arm. “Nice field dressing, sweetheart.” “Glad you can smile about this.” Fear snaked down her spine, and a lump lodged in her throat. She swallowed as she tended to Simon. The bullet went straight through his arm missing the bone. But he’d lost a lot of blood and needed to get to a hospital. “Now, where’s that radio you said was here.” “It should be on a little stand near the stove.” He twisted around. “There…it’s right there. Turn the power on.” She moved over to the radio and found the switch. Pressing it to the on position, static filled the cabin.

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Simon got up and came over to her. He twisted the knob on the little black box until the static stopped. Then picking up the mike he talked, and someone replied.

***

Bennis grinned. He’d thought he’d lost them. It had taken him a while, but he’d found a way to cross the river. Wet and pissed, he’d made it to the other side. And backtracked to where they’d crossed, finally good news greeted him. Shining crimson under the glare of his LED flashlight right on a leaf told him all he needed to know. He’d hit one of them. He hoped Blackcat, and that it would be fatal. Like a neon sign, a nice trail of blood pointed him in their direction.

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Chapter Seventeen “Now what?” Eboni asked him. “It will take a little while before they reach us, and we should be all right here, but I just want to check outside, take a look at our back trail.” “Why?” He grinned. “I’m just going to make sure we weren’t followed.” “Okay, but I’m coming with you.” He shook his head. “No, I need you to stay here. I can move around better by myself.” “But you’re hurt.” “Nah.” He glanced down at his arm then back at her. “This is nothing.” He raised one booted foot and placed it on the chair removing his hunting knife from the sheath. “Whoa!” Eboni said. “And what are you going to do with that?” “Here.” He took the gun off the table and handed it to her. “Remember what I told you.” She hesitated before reaching for it. He could see the indecision, and then the resolve cross her beautiful features before she slowly raised her hand and took the gun from him. “Do you remember how to take the safety off?” She raised it and pointed it away from them both demonstrating for him she’d paid attention. “Okay, good. It’s just a precaution. I don’t expect you to have to use it. I’m sure Bennis is long gone. He’d be a fool to stick around to try to find us.” “I’m not even sure how he found us here in the first place.” “The thought occurred to me, too, and believe me I will find out.” He moved over to the door. “Place that latch down after I leave. When I come back, I’ll knock like this.” He rapped on the door three times slowly. “Okay, got it. And Simon, don’t be long.” He walked back to where she sat and bent down to kiss her quickly before going outside. Closing the door behind him, he waited until he heard the latch falling into place before moving away from the cabin. He didn’t say anything to Eboni, but if Bennis was

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half as good a tracker as he himself, he’d be able to follow the trail of blood he left like a trail sign right to the cabin. All he’d need was a flashlight. But human predators weren’t the only thing blood would attract. He didn’t take the path they’d used. Instead he skirted it until he was out of sight of the cabin. Watching for a sign anything followed them. The moon hung low in the sky, and lights twinkled around it, not much light to see by but enough for him. He stopped when he figured he’d gone far enough and listened to the soothing sounds of the river as it flowed effortlessly over rocks or anything else in its way. His senses strained for anything breaking up the natural rhythm of the night. There! The snap of a branch. Moving once again but not in the direction of the noise, he skimmed around it coming up behind whatever or whomever hid out there. Risking a peek around a tree, he spotted a bear munching on something on the ground. He smiled and slowly backed away. Some sixth sense warned him, and he glanced over his shoulder to see something dark coming fast toward his head, he shifted but not quickly enough. He took the blow to the shoulder on his injured side. Already frayed, his nerve endings kicked up into full throttle at the pain traveling from his shoulder all the way to his fingertips. He tightened the grip on his knife still managing to bring it up in a slicing arch. But his twisted body easily fell off balance. His attacker shoved him down, and the side of his head hit the ground—hard. The impact jarred his brain down into an abyss.

***

When the door closed behind Simon, Eboni got up and dropped the small bar across it locking herself inside. She went over to one of the shelves. She remembered seeing some candles and matches. Finding a short fat one, she struck a match to it then turned off the overhead fixture. The room beyond the small flame of light the candle provided became jet black. No illumination filtered in from the windows. Keeping the candle low, she walked over to one of the side windows and looked outside. The front of the cabin faced the water, but this side faced the woods where they’d come from. She looked up at the sky. She’d never seen the stars like that back in LA. They did look like points of flicking lights. Going over to one of the chairs, she dragged it near the

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window so she could keep an eye out for Simon. Nothing seemed to move outside but then again, all she could see with the half-moon providing the only light were shadows of the trees. Placing the candle on the floor, she sat back farther from the window to make sure she couldn’t readily be seen from outside. Movement in her peripheral vision caused her to shift forward in an attempt to pierce the veil of darkness. A giant lump moved between the trees. Suddenly, a bear lumbered out into the open and jogged past her window. She followed its movement until it ran out of sight. She hoped it kept going and wouldn’t hang around. She couldn’t tell a black bear from a brown in the dark or which one the more aggressive of the two. Bear was bear, and for all she knew, it could be a grizzly out there. Montana had them, that much she did know. She stood up not knowing what to do and not wanting Simon to walk back to the cabin only to run into the bear. She went to look out the other windows but couldn’t see it. “Damn.” Going back over to the chair, she glanced outside as she heard a shuffling noise at the door. She got up and quietly went to the table to grab the gun, waiting for Simon’s signal. When none came, she took the safety off and crouched down. Trying not to make herself a standing target. After a moment, the sound stopped and a shadow stalked past one of the windows. Breathing a sigh of relief, she relaxed when she saw the shadow walked on fours. Then the door rattled again, and she swung to it. “It’s me.” The words were whispered but she rushed over to the door. The bear continued to hover nearby, and she didn’t want Simon left outside with the bear so close. Not until she raised the bar did she realize Simon said he’d knock three times.

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Chapter Eighteen As soon as the bar cleared, the door pushed open and she leapt back. Bennis stepped across the threshold and shut the door. Eboni backed up around to the other side of the table. Most of the room lay in darkness except for the area near the candle on the floor illuminating a small spot on the other side of the room. For the moment, Bennis might not be able to see her, and she still held the gun in her hand. She could see him, including the pistol he held. “You have no idea the aggravation you caused me.” His voice was rough, and his head shifted slightly like he searched the shadows for her. She didn’t reply, instead she took another step until her back touched a wall of the cabin. She must have made some sound when she moved because he turned in her direction and took a step toward her. The door crashed open, and Simon lunged for Bennis, taking him down onto the table, Simon on top of him. Bennis’s bucked and rolled them both off the table. The weapon still under his control, he tried to turn it on Simon, but Simon grabbed his wrist in an attempt to get it away from him. Eboni looked on in horror. Not daring to try to shoot Bennis, she’d never shot a gun in her life and couldn’t risk it. “Run.” Simon grunted as he and Bennis rolled around on the floor. Each trying to get control. She looked up at the door but the bear stood there blocking the way. “B…bear,” she stammered. The fight moved closer to her, and she kicked Bennis’s pistol away from him. Unfortunately, he grabbed her ankle taking her down to the ground. She lost her grip on the gun, and it fell on the floor. The bear reared up on its hind legs and roared. She froze at the sound of two shots. Both she and Bennis momentarily stunned. Recovering first, Bennis tried to reach the weapon she kicked out of his hand, but she grasped the butt of the gun. Her finger found the trigger, and the explosion ricocheted up her arm.

***

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When the bear stood poised in the doorway, Simon had only one choice. He reached the firearm near him. He didn’t have a clear shot of Bennis, Eboni lay in the way. He turned quickly and aimed the pistol at the angry and scared bear. Two shots, each had to count. One through the mouth as it roared, the other right between the eyes. The brown bear paused, and blood weld up between its eyes, and it fell over onto its side. Simon whipped around at the sound of another gunshot. “Eboni!” “I…I’m fine…I shot him.” He went over to her and moved Bennis away from her. “You sure you’re okay?” She sat up and moved into his arms, crying and trembling. Still clutching the revolver, he took it away from her. “Is he dead?” she cried. He turned around to look at the sonofabitch, and the only reason he even cared was because he didn’t want Eboni thinking she took a life, even if a worthless one. “Let me check.” He placed his fingers to the side of Bennis’s neck and felt a pulse at the same time he heard a boat on the river. “Yeah, he’s alive, and I think the rangers are finally here.”

***

The authorities took Bennis away to the hospital. They flew him out in a helicopter, and they wanted to take Simon, too, but he wouldn’t go. “You need a doctor to look at your wound and that knot at the back of your head,” Eboni stated as he rubbed the side of his head. “Your arm is bleeding again.” The fight opened it up. “I’ll be fine, and we need to stop at the house first, it’s on the way.” Simon explained the situation to the rangers about Bennis being a suspect in a murder investigation and Eboni’s involvement. But he kept insisting he needed to check on his home before he went to the hospital. It took some convincing but finally one of the two remaining rangers agreed. “Okay,” the ranger said. “Let’s go.” “I just want to check on Gunner first,” he said to Eboni.

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Two of the rangers took them to the house and walked inside with them. The sight greeting them was not one Eboni ever wanted to see again in her life. Little Gunner lay in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. “Oh no. Oh no!” Eboni wailed going to the little dog and picking up his lifeless body. Simon crouched over her and hugged them both while tears fell unheeded down her cheeks.

***

Simon would be fine. The doctors stitched him up, but he had to stay a day in the hospital, and Bennis after four hours remained in surgery. She’d shot him in the chest. The sheriff took Eboni’s statement in the hospital cafeteria. He’d already spoken to Detective Jackson back in LA, so she and Simon were cleared of the shooting. When she walked into Simon’s room, he straightened up so his back rested against the pillow, yet barely glanced in her direction. Frank sat at his bedside but stood up when she entered to give her a hug. “How you holding up, doll?” Frank asked. “I’m fine.” She looked at the bed. The lights were off in the room only a lamp in the corner remained on, but Simon still wore his wraparounds on his eyes. And didn’t glance her way. “I…I just gave the sheriff my statement. He’ll be back later to talk to you, and there shouldn’t be a problem. Detective Jackson already spoke to him.” “Yeah that’s another thing I’ve been checking on,” Frank said. “Someone followed you from the condo that day you left, had to. No way would Bennis have been able to guess this is where you were headed on his own. Since I caught a flight out here from our pilot friend, I spoke to the pilots and service personnel at the airfield and found out a few things. A cop was around the day after you all took off asking questions.” “Do we know who yet?” “Oh yeah, one gave me his description. Jackson’s partner, Calvin Smith.” “What? This is terrible,” Eboni said disheartened that not one, but two, cops would want her dead.

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“At least it wasn’t Jackson,” Simon said. “I like him. Have you let him know?” “Not yet. Wasn’t sure how you wanted to play this. As far as we know, Jackson may or may not have known about it. Haven’t been able to do any more checking. Whoever Bennis is working for is connected. Enough they have at least a couple of cops working for them among LA’s finest. By the way, the female cop is talking, looks like she’s going to make a deal with the FBI.” “Let whoever is in charge of the FBI investigation know what you’ve found out.” “Yeah, they should be here in a few hours to take Bennis into custody.” “So is it all over?” Eboni asked. “Yes,” Simon said. And for the first time since she walked into his room, he turned to look at her. “Frank will fly back with you in a few hours. But first, he’ll take you out to the house to get your things.” The air in her lungs got sucked inward. She couldn’t believe he would dismiss her so casually. “Are you sure? I can stay and wait for you.” “I’ll be out in a couple of days, no need for you to wait around here. I’m good.” She wanted to smack him, but what did she expect. He’d never promised her anything. She just read promises in his touch, the way he looked at her, made love to her. Yet, not once in all the time they’d spent together, did he ever open up to her. My God, she’d been living in his childhood home for almost a week and still didn’t know if his parents were alive or if he had siblings. She’d been a fool. But the ache in her heart forced her to still try. “What…what about Gunner? I’d like to pay for his burial. He saved my life.” The rangers wrapped Gunner’s body, and one of them stored it in an old ice chest, and then they’d dropped the body off at the local vet. “Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken to the vet, and they’re going to cremate him for me. I’ll bury his ashes on the property.” “By the flower garden?” she asked. That made her both happy and sad. “He loved to chase the butterflies around there.” “Perhaps.” “Ah, if you’re ready, I can take you back to the cabin now,” Frank offered.

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Having no more reason to remain at the hospital since Simon dismissed her, she turned to Frank and forced a smile. “Yeah.” She glanced back toward Simon and maintained a smile on her face even as her heart was ripped apart, she squeezed his hand. She’d be damned if she asked him if she’d see him when he returned to LA. “Thank you for everything,” she said. Empty inside from the loss of what they could have shared, without looking at him again she walked out of the room. Not even bothering to reply to his “You’re welcome.” Why bother? There was nothing else to say.

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Chapter Nineteen For a while, Simon forgot bad things always happened to black cats. No. He didn’t forget, but had chosen to ignore it and look what occurred. Eboni could have been killed because he got careless, and Gunner died as a result. He wouldn’t make the mistake again of ever thinking he could ever have a normal relationship with someone, with her. There was absolutely nothing normal about him, not his past and not—well his future. Best she understood sooner rather than later. There would be no them once he returned to LA. At least Eboni had nothing to fear from Bennis. He’d be going away for a good long time, and the cops who helped him were talking their asses off. So he didn’t have any excuse to see her again or even think about her. Six weeks, six damn weeks later and he could still taste her in his mouth. “Oh, fuck!” Ross and his new wife had returned from their honeymoon, and Ross walked into the office every day with a frigging smile on his face. The one time Ross mentioned Eboni to Simon, he yelled at his best friend to mind his own business. All the man had done was asked him if he’s spoken to Eboni lately. “That’s it,” Ross barked back. “You need to chill. I’m sending you on an out of town assignment for a few days.” So he packed his bags and went. No sense sitting around waiting on a phone call. What he’d told no one not even Ross or Noah, off on tour with his fiancée, he’d heard from one of his contacts about his twin brothers, Jason and Joshua. Ross gave him the idea once he’d confided that he still searched for them. The problem was he knew their last names had been changed, but they’d at least been kept together. He suspected their first names could have been changed also. Over the years, he’d narrowed his search in different ways. One of the reasons he knew so much about computers, learning how to use them made his searches easier, but he’d not had not much luck, until now. He’d been searching the records for twin boys and their birth dates and thus far of the hundreds he’d hunted down, none were his brothers. Ross suggested perhaps they joined the military. If they had and were involved in any black ops, he might not be able to find either one of them through normal channels. Ross might have well as smacked a two by

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four against the side of his head. He’d made a call to a buddy who could get into some of those files or get him access. Meanwhile, he still treated everyone like a bear with a splinter in its paw. No one wanted to be around him at the office, and Ross sent him away. As it happened, the out of town assignment that should have taken a few days took a few weeks, but he returned home finally. However, his surly disposition remained unchanged. He was still a sonofabitch. He missed her. Eboni. Her name. Even that hurt to think it. The only positive thing that happened in his life since he drove Eboni away was he’d received an email from a friend in the military. Simon had been searching for his brothers for years and his friend might have found them. The names were right so he sent an email through channels to the addresses he’d been given. He told the recipients his name and explained who he might be to them and also gave them his phone number, it would not be the first such email he’d sent or call he’d take but this time, hope filled him like never before. “Home sweet home.” He dropped his suitcase on the floor in the bedroom when his doorbell rang. Leaving the bedroom, he made his way over to his front door and checked the view port in the door. The top of steel gray hair appeared in his line of vision. Mrs. Hannah, the unit’s resident grandmother, who lived on the first floor, stood in the hall. The condo unit housed three floors and only six condos. Mrs. Hannah owned both condos on the first floor, and two years ago, knocked out the wall so she had one large condo unit. He opened the door for the widow. It was because of her, he’d decided to keep Gunner. She told him he needed a friend. The day he returned from Montana, she’d asked about Gunner, and he had a hard time telling her what had happened. It helped the little guy had died a hero. Simon hadn’t seen her since then. “Hello, Simon,” she said smiling at him. Mrs. Hannah held a covered basket in her arms. “Hello, Ma’am, sorry I haven’t been by much, been out of town.” “I thought as much.” “Here let me help….” He’d reached forward to take the basket away from her but she moved her arm and whatever lay under the cover moved.

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“Ah, in a second. May I come in?” He stepped aside and waved his hand toward his living room. “Sure. Come on. How’s Rosie?” Gunner and her little dog Rosie were great friends. “Ah, she’s fine. I’m not sure how to do this.” He raised an eyebrow, curious. “Just start at the beginning.” The lady smiled, a full out toothed smile, and she looked ten years younger. She still had all her own teeth, and once she told him she used Bright White on them. He grinned at her. “I have a little surprise for you, and I don’t want to shock you. Perhaps we should sit down.” “Ah, all right sure.” He led her and her moving basket over to the couch and waited for her to sit down while he perched on the other end. She removed the cover from the basket, revealing a black and white dog, a miniature version of Gunner. The little guy perked right up and stared at him. “What!” he said, rearing back. At the sound of his voice, the little dog cocked its head to the side as though he tried to figure out what he’d said. “Mrs. H, what’s this?” By the way his gut tightened, he knew. She smiled again. He wasn’t sure she’d stopped. “Isn’t it obvious? I wanted to tell you when you first got back weeks ago, but well and then you were gone. But the pups had to be weaned anyway. It seems your little Gunner and my Rosie…well as you can see. She had a litter of three.” She patted the dog’s head. “This one took after his papa, so I kept him for you.” “Oh wow, oh wow.” Further words escaped him, and the little guy kept trying to climb out of the basket but his legs were too small, and he didn’t really seem strong enough to climb out. Big dark brown puppy eyes looked up at Simon and the dog wimped. Alpha, Simon might be, but even he couldn’t resist the appeal of the puppy. He took it out of the basket. It fit in the palm of his hand. Mrs. H stood. “There’s also a little bag of food in there for him but he’s going to need more.” She stood across the small space and at the door before he’d even registered she’d gotten up. “Wait!” he said. “What’s his name?”

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“I’ve been calling him Gunner Too, ‘TOO’, but one of the kids who took his brother called him Gunny.” He heard the soft click of the door but turned to the puppy and held him up to his face so they were eye to eye. “Gunny, huh?” he asked. The puppy moved his head forward and licked Simon’s face. Simon laughed. The sound surprised him. Something he hadn’t done in a long time. “Okay, Gunny it is.” His cell phone rang, and he picked it up. “Simon? Is this Simon Blackcat?” Two voices. Blood rushed to his head filling it, but he knew what he’d heard. Those were two different voices on the phone speaking to him. The rate of his heartbeat increased drumming against his chest. “Yes.” “It’s Jas and Josh.”

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Chapter Twenty “Damn it anyway.” The sound of the doorbell’s chime made Eboni jump out of the shower. She’d overslept—again. At least she had no appointments until the afternoon. Not her fault, these last few weeks a decent night’s sleep seemed a thing of her past. But she wasn’t going there again. She’d shed her last tear weeks ago refusing to cry any more over something she never truly possessed. Grabbing her robe, she put it on and wrapped her towel around her hair, as the doorbell buzzed again. “Coming,” she called, rushing across the living room carpet to the door. Pausing, she checked the viewer, and her hand rose to her throat. The cutest little black and white doggie filled her vision. It’s little pink tongue hanging out of its mouth. She also noticed the long slender tanned male fingers wrapped around the puppy’s tummy. The scar across his index finger told her who stood in front of her door. Funny, she remembered even the tiniest of details about him. Unlocking the door, she held it partially open and her body filled the space. The blood in her veins rushed through her heart muscles making it work over time. Her dream loomed in front of her. Only dream no more. “Are you going to let me in?” Simon asked. The puppy rested cradled to his still very hard and well defined chest. “I opened the door.” Turning away to prevent herself from falling into his arms, or saying anything stupid, she led the way into her living room. “Have a seat, let me change.” She did not plan on having a conversation with him dressed in nothing more than her robe. But she only made it two steps away from him before his hand captured hers. “No.” She stopped, twisting around to face him. “Excuse me?” He didn’t reply just kept a hold of her hand and his other cradled the puppy. He led her to the couch and sat down, tugging on her hand to get her to sit near him. She sighed. “Look, Simon, what is your problem? I got the message last time I saw you, and I haven’t heard from you in weeks. Now you just show up here? Next time call

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first. I was headed to work.” She pulled her hand out of his and pulled the lapels of her robe closer together. “I’m sorry,” he said. “This isn’t easy.” “Sorry for what, exactly? Blowing me off?” She waved a hand at him. “Hey, listen, no worries. I’m a big girl. I knew what I was doing. So if that’s what this is about to clear your conscious. It’s all good.” “I want us to try again, Eboni.” The puppy squirmed in his embrace, distracting them. “He’s not trying to go to the bathroom or anything is he?” she asked, eyeing the cute little fella. “What’s his name?” “Gunny.” She raised her eyes to meet his shades and felt the stab of pain in her heart for Gunner. Raising her hand, she patted the tiny head. “Any relation?” “His son.” “Oh.” She took the little dog out of his hands and nuzzled its head. “Well, little Gunny.” She held it up to rub noses. The sweet scent of puppy assailed her senses. “Come with me.” Rising from the couch, she grabbed a couple sheets of yesterday’s newspaper from the coffee table and went into the kitchen. She sensed Simon’s presence behind her but she ignored him. Placing the sheets near a cabinet, she placed the dog on it. At first, he sniffed around on the paper. “Is he trained?” she asked, turning to glance up at Simon. “Working on it. I’ve just been taking him out after each meal.” “That’s good.” They both watched as Gunny stopped his exploration of the paper and decided he could make better use of it. Eboni grinned. “That’s a good doggie.” She picked up the dog. “I’ll take care of this,” Simon offered. She returned to the living room and sat on the couch again, placing the dog down who promptly decided he liked tugging at her robe belt. She heard her trashcan open and close, then the sound of the kitchen faucet. Moments later, Simon joined them. “He likes you,” he said. She shrugged. “I like you.” The breath in her lungs got trapped. Nothing more would come in or out.

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“I more than like you.” Simon continued shifting closer to her, crowding Gunny so while the pup continued to chew on the end of her robe he climbed onto his owner’s lap. Simon raised his hand and touched the side of her face. She shook her head, dislodging his hand. “I’m sorry Simon…I gave you the wrong impression. I can’t do this with you again.” “Do what?” “Whatever this is and then for you to decide in the morning, next week or next month you need your space again.” He’d never lowered his hand. It just paused in the air between them then he reached forward again and grabbed the ends of a few of her micro braids hanging over her shoulder. “What if I told you I want more than that? I can’t stop thinking about you. I’ve missed you these last few weeks. Did you miss me?” She shook her head. “I can’t do this Simon.” And she couldn’t. Her heart pulsed, each valve pulling in a different direction, breaking. Again. “I don’t even know who you really are, so not sure who I missed.” He sat back. “What do you mean? Of course, you know who I really am. I’m the man that gives you multiple orgasms.” “I can get those from a good vibrator.” “Ouch.” “I think you better go.” “What would you like to know?” The puppy moved onto her lap, and she glanced down at it, stroking its soft head. “I spent a week with you in your family home and never met any of them. I don’t even know if you grew up with siblings, although there were three bedrooms I’m assuming you did. But I don’t know for sure. And if you grew up in that house how come there were no family pictures anywhere?” There. She’d asked all those questions, waiting to see if he’d open up to her and answer them. He grinned. “How do you know? Did you look…everywhere?” Eboni blushed. She had searched. One day while he’d been sitting on the dock with Gunner fishing, she’d had enough sun and stayed indoors. Using the time to look around,

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but she’d never admit it to him. “I mean there was nothing on the walls, no albums on the coffee table or bookshelves.” “That’s because they were all put away a long time ago. They’re up in the attic.” She blinked. She’d never thought of looking for an attic. “Oh.” She frowned. “But why?” “They just are.” He sat up and placed his hands on his knees getting ready to stand up and leave. But as before, she’d ask him questions about his family and the subject became taboo. Eboni couldn’t go down this road with him again. She refused. Hard enough walking away from him after the first time, the second time he dismissed her, and it hurt like hell. It still did. Putting the puppy off her lap, she stood up. She’d be a fool to go for round three. “I’m assuming you know about Bennis?” he asked. She sighed, change of subject, how typical. “Yes, Jackson called me, and I also received a call from the FBI.” “Then you know Jackson had nothing to do with what happened, but the two cops involved have cut deals with the feds, and Bennis is going to jail for a good long time.” “Yes, I know, but what about the people he worked for?” “Foreign nationals. The CIA is also involved but they will only need your eyewitness testimony when the trial comes.” “Yes, I know that, too. Well, thank you for stopping by.” “Sure.” She waited, staring at him, but he said nothing more nor did he move to get up. She was done. “All right, Simon.” Once again the bite of his rejection cutting deep, slicing at wounds unhealed over from the last time. “I’m going to go finish getting dressed. I’ve got to get to work. Nice to see you, just let yourself out.” She turned, fighting the tears pooling in her eyes rushing to get to the safety of her bedroom so she didn’t make a complete fool of herself in front of him. She shut the door behind her and fell on the bed burying her face in the pillow she released another torrent of tears.

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Chapter Twenty-One Simon knew what he needed to do. He was there to tell her everything, and yet he still couldn’t. At long last, he’d found his brothers. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Just a few more hours. Jas and Josh were stationed together and flying in from Virginia. They were able to get special leave because their circumstances were special, and it helped Ross had connections in the right places. He replayed the conversation in his head with his brothers. Still finding it hard to take in. “They told us you were dead,” one of his brothers blurted. “Geez, Josh, let those be the first words to the brother we haven’t seen in twelve years.” “Sorry about that Simon…but….” There was a choking sound on the phone. But for the life of him Simon couldn’t respond. The lump in his throat wouldn’t allow him to form a coherent sentence, and then tears rolled down his cheeks. He sat on the couch listening to the voices of his adult brothers. Brothers who loved him, missed him, and thought him dead because of a royal fuck-up with his paperwork after his first accident on patrol. “We remember, Simon. We remember.” “I’m sorry, boys,” he choked out. Knowing exactly what they spoke of. Hating they remembered. They might very well and rightfully so resent and hate him. “You had no choice.” Simon thought it was Jas who’d spoken. “You saved us that day.” Josh, now. “But I couldn’t save Mom,” he cried. “No, but we tried, and you did save us,” Josh said. “We went into the military because of you. You taught us you protect the things you love.” “That’s right.” He didn’t remember much of the conversation afterward. They might have all been bawling like babies by then. But they did get across to him they’d be in LA later that

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night. They’d booked the flight after they’d gotten his email and spoken to their captain. They had a little leave, only a few days, and they wanted to spend them with him. He’d offered to go to them but they wanted to see LA. So here he sat in the living room of the one person above all others he wanted to share this news with, and still he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. Tell her, just tell her, you love her. He cringed, then he’d have to tell her the rest. He raked his hand through his hair as he listened to her words of dismal. When she stood and shut the bedroom door, he knew he should get up and leave. He couldn’t. Not this time. Not ever. He took one of the cushions off the couch and put it on the floor placing the puppy on it. Gunny immediately curled up, yawned, and closed his eyes. Hopefully, like father like son, he’d sleep for a while. Simon took a deep breath and went to her door, grasping and pushing the door open knowing the woman on the other side held his future in her hands. She lay on the bed but immediately sat up and jumped off at his entrance to face him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He shut the door behind him and leaned against it. Taking another deep breath, he told her the story of his sorry life. The way his father abused his mother, until one day when he was old enough to stop it.

***

The story coming out of Simon’s mouth took all the air out of Eboni’s lungs. With his first sentence, “I killed my father after he killed my mother,” had her knees giving out, and she ended up sitting on the edge of the bed. Time passed as he continued his story. All the while he remained leaning against the door, his hands plastered flat on it. Like a man condemned and unable to move. Dry-eyed she listened to him, to all of it without interrupting. This was not something you interrupted, you let the person telling it tell it in their own way their own time and finally, she understood. Getting up, she went to him. Knowing he would not come to her, in truth, he already had. Her turn. She wrapped her arms around his waist and briefly rested her head against his chest. Looking up at him, she took his glasses off and placed them in the pocket of her

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robe. Staring into his beautiful gray eyes, eyes shining with such sadness she needed to take away. And she knew how. “I love you,” she said as tears filled her eyes. His head came down and captured her lips. A hard pressed kiss but then he pulled away, and his breath teased her when he whispered. “I love you more.” Taking the robe off her, he picked her up and took her over to the bed laying her gently on it. Standing before her, he quickly removed his clothes. She grinned at his haste. She missed him so. But not for long. Soon his body covered hers. He swallowed the moan she made as his tongue made love to hers. Like a man who’d been starved for her, almost as much as she’d been starved for him. But before long, he moved down to her breasts to give them the attention they’d yearned for. Holding one in his hand, he used his thumb to massage the nipple to a hard peak while his tongue played with the other one. Her hands couldn’t hold still. They fisted in his hair to keep him against her. Loving her like she needed him to. “I missed you,” she whispered. “I missed you.” He paused to look up at her. The grey in his eyes turned to steel in the pale light. “I missed you, too. And we’ll never be apart like that again. I’m sorry.” She kissed him this time as soon as her lips touched his and he opened for her allowing her entry into his mouth. Her turn to play. She sucked and nipped until she elicited a groan from him. Placing her hands on his chest, she pushed him until he’d rolled unto his back, and she climbed on top of him, never once breaking contact with his mouth. His arms wrapped around her waist, and his legs spread open to accommodate her as she rested between them. His hands moved to her hips and shifted her until her sex brushed up against the tip of his. He moved her back and forth on his shaft until they were both coated in her juices. But she hadn’t tasted him for a long time. Lifting her head, she licked his chin then his chest, scooting down his body. Past his navel and the head of the black panther below his navel and tracing the tattooed body right to the tip of his sex.

***

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When Eboni’s mouth covered him, his toes curled back. “Damn!” He gasped as her lips enclosed him, and her tongue licked around the top of his head and tried to pierce the slit on his shaft. The heat immediately moved in a rush from his stomach to his groin. His balls swelled and throbbed from the pressure to hold back. He would not last long like this at all. Placing his hand under her mouth, he got her to lift off him. As soon as she did, he lay back down. Shifting one hand to wrap around her arm, he pulled her fully up on him until she sat with his sex jutting up between her lush thighs. “Sit on me, sweetheart. Fuck me.” He held on to her hip with one hand and the base of himself with the other until slowly he rested, lovingly caged in her heated woman’s canal. “Oh God!” She closed her eyes, threw her head back and moaned. “Oh yeah!” he replied. She opened her eyes and looked at him before raising herself off him and coming back down. He matched her rhythm, and soon he no longer cared if they were in sync or not his hips merely rose seeking her warmth. Seeking its nesting place. Holding onto her, he turned them so she lay under him. He wrapped her legs over his shoulders and plunged into her with a few long, deep strokes. His body trembled as his life force rushed to fill her.

***

They sat side by side in the baggage claim area waiting for his brothers. The arrival board indicated the plane had landed, and it would only be a matter of time before they got off and they’d see them. Eboni held his hand. At first, she didn’t want to come. She thought it best he greet his brothers without her. In truth, she wanted to be there for him, for all of them. He raised her hand to his lips, and kissed it. “You know you hold my future right? I’m sorry. I should at least have a bottle of wine, some roses but, by the way, would you marry me?” he asked. She’d been staring up and down at the passengers filling the area trying to see if she could spot two men together who looked like twins and also looked like Simon. People

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were coming from both directions, and they weren’t exactly sure which carousel the bags would be on. But it had to be one of the two they sat between. Simon seemed so calm but she knew he used those glasses as a shield for more than against light. There was passion and emotion within him. Lots of it. His hand clenched in hers, as excited and nervous as she. He couldn’t tell her much about what Josh and Jas looked like. The last time he’d seen them they were ten, and they were fraternal twins, but he said they all had the same grey eyes. Pride laced through his voice when he spoke about them as children, and what they’d done with their lives as adults, joining the military to honor their older brother. She felt the touch of his lips on her fingers, and it went straight to her toes, but at his question her head swung in his direction. Sure she hadn’t heard him right. “What?” “I think he just asked you to marry him?” She looked up past his shoulder, and he swung around at the sound of the voice. Two men stood there. One rested his arm against the other’s shoulder, both sported shortcropped dark hair. One wore dark wraparound sunglasses. The other, his eyes were the color of ones she’d seen before. She stood up, and Simon seemed slower to rise. All of them were about even in height and built. Not only were they twins, but all three could have been triplets. They were a younger version of their older brother. “Yeah, Josh. I heard that, too.” “Well?” Jas asked. “Don’t leave our big bro hanging.” “Yes,” she croaked, squeezing the hand Simon had yet to release. He’d been staring at his siblings, but at her answer, he swung back to her and kissed her. She kissed him back then raised her head. “We can continue this later. Right now introduce me to your brothers.” “Josh, Jas.” He looked back and forth to the grinning young men. The smile on his face was reflected in his eyes. “I have no idea which is which but this woman is Eboni Stiles, and she’s going to be my wife.” Both men hugged their brother then hugged her and introduced themselves. Tears coursed down her face, and she did not care. She gathered them all together in a group hug. “Welcome home.”

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~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Ursula Sinclair is the alter ego of LaVerne Thompson an award winning bestselling author, an avid reader and writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi romances. She's currently working on her next masterpiece, that can take place anywhere at anytime her imagination tells her. Visit her website at lavernethompson.com or ursulasinclair.webs.com

Other Decadent Publishing Titles by Ursula Sinclair

White Wedding Book One of The Guardian Agency Series Shanna Stiles hasn't been a virgin for years, but it's still her dream to have a white wedding. Her dream becomes a nightmare when, just before she walks down the aisle, her fiancé is seen kissing his best man. She runs away from her life, and a chance encounter with the gorgeous, successful Ross Marshall leads to a week of passion and a connection neither of them expected. Ross seems determined to have a future with Shanna, but someone out there won't let it happen. Shanna returns home and soon discovers disturbing secrets about the people she trusts. With so much stacked against her, she looks to Ross for protection and comfort, and it turns out he may be exactly what she needs - except the man she left at the altar isn't giving her up without a fight

Something Blue Book Two of The Guardian Agency Series

What happens when dreams come true, but it’s not all it was supposed to be? River Blu’s music has made her the stuff of legend, she’s every bit a rock star who dominates the pop charts. But through the years a secret haunts her, making it impossible to give her heart to anyone or anything other than her music. When River’s life is in danger she turns to Noah for help. They have a history together, one he’d like to repeat, with a different ending. But first he has to figure out who from her past is trying to kill her.