Chapter Ten
December 1st, 11:30 p.m.—North Carolina
In Hiding
“Why do you want me to say it so badly?” Cassie murmured into his ear. “What does that do for you? It’s all history anyway.”
“It tells me you know you’re still in a bad place and need me, that you’re not having a knee jerk reaction to what’s happened in the past few days. It means you want me, not just someone to block your memories of a piss poor childhood and a brutal betrayal, and I don’t mean just this time with Tsichevna. It means you love me, not that you need a quick fuck to rebuild your self-esteem.” Sean grabbed her head and made her look into his eyes. “But most of all it will mean you’ve forgiven me for leaving and not being here when you miscarried.”
“Sean…” Cassie’s voice caught in her throat. “Wow, you sure know how to kick a girl when she’s hurting. I had no idea you felt this bitter.”
“I learned how to damage the ones I care for from the best.” He smiled at her, love radiating through his chest. “It isn’t how I wanted things between us to start again, but these words have to be said. You left and never said a word. We, I, need to reconcile this and find a way to move on with no regrets.”
Cassie closed her eyes and took a deep breath in through her still bandaged nose. “For too long I blamed everyone else for my unhappiness and ran away as fast as possible when things got serious or hard. Even when I thought I was being noble and supportive, I was really being petty and cruel. I know the difference now; I didn’t then. I haven’t been a very good wife in the past, but then I never had a good role model.”
Sean kissed her gently, cutting her words short. Her arm snaked around his waist, pulling him close. Her skin against his sent shards of emotion stabbing into every corner of his soul. For the first time in months, he let go of the bitterness and loneliness and opened his heart to forgive.
“And…?” He placed soft kisses on her skin, working around to the nape of her neck.
“I’ve held my resentments against you, long after saying I’d let them go. It was easier to blame you for my pain than to look at myself in too bright a light. I couldn’t love you because inside I didn’t feel I deserved you.” He felt her body shaking as if sobbing while he continued his trip around her body. “It never occurred to me you might hurt just as bad as I did.”
He paused with a gentle nip between her breasts and looked up. “We left each other alone with our individual pain, forgetting how to rely on our love for strength. I discovered that little truth lying alone on a stretcher in the desert waiting for a helicopter. There wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind I was gone, the last rites were conducted by some village shaman and things were bad, but I wouldn’t let go. I couldn’t let myself die without seeing you again and letting you know how much I love you.”
With a swiftness that frightened him, Sean swept Cassie into his arms, ripping away whatever remnants of clothing they both possessed. The last vestiges of restraint gave way, and he slid his hands down her hip to pull her leg over his. He felt her quivering underneath and managed to pause long enough to look for what could be the matter.
Through her tears, love and need shone with fresh desire from her eyes, those eyes that had pulled him to her for more than seven years. “I forgive you.”
That one simple sentence ran through him like a laser. With tenderness and need his lips continued their trip down her abdomen. His fingers located her slit and the heat from her body burned his skin to the point of no return. Sliding one finger inside he wasn’t surprised to find her already slick.
With a patience Sean didn’t know he possessed, he pressed the head of his cock against her, afraid she would freak out and run away now that he was at the point of no return. But instead Cassie pulled on his hips, which suited him fine. He longed to be buried in her warmth. Sliding, inch by inch until he touched the spot deep inside he remembered so well, it felt as if he were home at last.
She gasped and locked her ankles around his waist. Her nails dug into his thighs as they began moving together in the fulfillment of their need. Sean tried to be gentle, but months of self-enforced celibacy worked against his good intentions. He needed her so badly, it was a physical pain that threatened to blind him to Cassie and her need to feel worthy.
“Holy shit,” he moaned quietly, unwilling to move and spoil the intense feelings currently racing through his veins. “I forgot how good this feels.”
“Me too,” Cassie agreed. “But don’t stop.”
“Not for anything,” Sean promised fervently as he leaned closer to kiss her again. “All I want is this moment to go on forever.”
She giggled with a deep, seductive murmur. “Well that depends on you, my wild Irishman.”
In response, Sean rolled her onto her side, and thrust inside again as the change in position tightened her muscles around him. Her nipples crinkled and he used one hand to pinch each tightly for a quick pain response. Her gasp in reply tightened his balls against his groin, and he slowed down, teasing her by drawing almost all the way out with maddening slowness.
“Sean, don’t tease me when you know how I need you,” she panted.
“I need you too,” he groaned. He lay down on the bed, rolling Cassie onto him. Holding her hips, he guided her onto his upright shaft. One hand slid between them, rubbing her clit with his thumb, as the other caressed her breasts. It was becoming difficult for him to withhold, but the look on Cassie’s face told him she was approaching her first orgasm.
He was entranced by the pleasure expressed in every line of her face, her passion driving her down upon him and bringing the physical gratification Sean was attempting to hold off for himself. As the first spasm crested, Cassie threw her head back to groan and shudder through as the waves of ecstasy released her body’s rigid self-control. Her jaw hung slack and she braced her hands against his chest, shuddering as each crested and ebbed. The bruises and bandages only made her sexier.
At that moment, there was nothing he’d ever seen lovelier than his wife. It was a memory such as this he’d carried with him through every mission the past seven years, the memories that kept him going when the odds weren’t always in his favor. The rush they got from the complete freedom she allowed herself with Sean was a drug to both of them. When the last spasm wracked her frame, he hooked one leg over hers and rolled Cassie onto her back. He paused to stare into her refocusing eyes, now flush from the hormonal infusion released during her orgasm.
“Feeling better, love?” He nuzzled her breast as he slowly resumed his own motion. Cassie had her reward, now it was his turn.
“I’ll never tire of making love with you,” she purred as his tongue made lazy circles around each nipple. “Your body is made for me. No one ever made me feel this way, just you.”
Sean altered his rhythm, slowly speeding up as he worked toward his own release, hoping to bring Cassie along with him. Her eyes closed as she responded to his thrusts. The walls of her core tightened and squeezed on his shaft. After a few minutes, the skin of his sac crinkled and drew up against his body. His vision went pure white as every nerve in his body sent its charge into his cock, and he cried out in relief just as Cassie began her second orgasm.
Finally, Sean collapsed onto the lounger alongside her, breathing heavily and laughing with the relief of knowing she was safe in his arms, and the enemies they shared seemed very far away. Cassie curled up against his side and drifted off to sleep. Sean stayed awake for a while, watching the night sky overhead and praying for a different outcome for them this time.
****
Sometime after midnight it began to snow in earnest. Sean carried the still sleeping Cassie into the bedroom. She roused up though, as he slid her onto the cold sheets, protesting the loss of warmth.
“Shh, love,” Sean murmured. “I lit a fire in here, so snuggle up to me until you feel warmer.”
“I had a bad dream.” She seemed confused with their change of location, staring around in all directions.
“What happened?”
“I dreamed there was a huge explosion, and a building collapsed onto you and me.”
Sean smiled and kissed her nose. “That particular bad dream happened several days ago.”
Cassie looked at him in confusion.
“I think we need to wean you off the hard pills soon. You’re having some odd reactions.”
“Okay.” Cassie rolled over onto her left side, facing away from Sean. “G’night Sean.” She was asleep again in a heartbeat.
He slid next to her and pulled her into his embrace. “My heart is within yours,” he whispered.
He was almost asleep when the sixth sense he credited with saving his ass more than once began to twitch. Something was wrong. Standing up, he walked to the windows, grabbing the night vision glasses off the dresser. He swept the cliffs and along the ridgeline. Nothing was visible, which just increased his discomfort. Someone was watching him, Sean was certain of it. The only question was who.
Though wide awake, Sean lay down in bed again. No sense giving anyone watching an easy target. He made a mental note to discover if there were any shutters for the back of the house. It would help him sleep easier if they could truly lock down.
His mind drifted back in time, basking in the last fade of passion. There was no drug, no drink, nothing that ignited his soul like sex with Cassie. When they were together, he was whole. The crimes on his soul were erased and he felt worthy again. In her arms, he could forgive himself for those things done in the name of ‘security’. He felt redeemed. The fact no other woman could hold a candle to her in bed was only the cherry on top. Sean knew thousand dollar-a-hour hookers who weren’t as nimble or willing as Cassie.
His first deployment after their wedding had been the worst. The others in his squad were all single, making notches on their belts with different women over the world. Learning their fearless leader decided to tie the knot with the only daughter of one of the most vicious arms family they dealt with resulted in weeks of jeers and jokes. He still kept half a dozen of the whips they planted around his quarters to illustrate their opinion of his changed status. But he hadn’t let it get to him. Cassie was worth a little good natured ribbing.
As he fell asleep, his dream was of the days they spent on their first honeymoon sailing around off the coast of South America. Perhaps it was time for a second trip.
****
Cassie woke early the next morning. The clock beside the bed said seven in the morning. A glance confirmed Sean was out for the count and she smiled. She loved watching him sleep. Then the hardness that marred his features loosened and he resembled a man half his age. Cassie frowned, remembering how desperately she wanted him to retire from this profession. Any time she knew he was away, the sound of her phone ringing brought the possibility he was gone forever.
Slipping out of bed, she tiptoed into the bathroom. She turned on the shower, then glanced in the mirror while waiting for the water to reach temperature. The bruises on her body were still ugly and her two black eyes from the broken nose and resulting surgery gave her the impression she was a blue eyed raccoon. Removing the old bandages, she studied the work.
Much to her chagrin, she still looked the same. Cassie frowned at the woman in the mirror. Regular height, long hair, blue eyes, there was nothing outstanding about any of her features. She was no beauty like her mother, but had grown to accept herself for who she was, inside and out. More than one therapist told her until she loved herself no one would ever love her. That was wrong. Sean’s love made it possible for her to love. He showed her she was worth love.
Stepping into the shower, Cassie closed her eyes and let the water run over her frame. Every nerve in her body sang with the glory of being alive and wide open. She felt sore from the beating and the bomb, surgery and running for her life. But none of that mattered now. All it took was Sean and his magnificent body to renew her strength, restore purpose and clarity. He remained her North Star.
After washing her hair and shaving her legs, Cassie stepped from the shower in time to hear Sean answering his satellite phone. She glanced at the time as she wandered back into the bedroom—eight a.m. It must be one of the brothers.
Sean answered on the third ring, “What’s the old lion roaring about now?”
Kevin’s voice sounded over the speaker of the satellite phone. “Is this line secure?”
Immediately Sean’s demeanor changed. “Tell me everything,” he demanded.
With the skill of the high priced trial attorney he was, Kevin laid out the newest developments. “Greg and Martin have each flown to the West Coast, supposedly to run operations from there. Matthew elected to stay with me, and I let him. If you have a problem with it, tough, Matt needs us.”
“No problem,” Sean spoke into the phone, watching Cassie’s eyes the whole time. “What about our unwanted visitors?”
“Pieter hasn’t left Atlanta as of yet. The State department is keeping the FBI apprised of the movements of all known organizations upset with MM Air and Martin Devlyn. Kwan Tsi is spending some time up in Seattle, vacationing with the extended Nishamora family. No one else appears on the radar as of yet. Maybe we got lucky.”
Sean rubbed his hand over his face. “Something in my gut would disagree,” he broke down and let his friend into his primary fear. “Someone, or something, is already stalking us. I feel it.”
“I never question your judgment,” Kevin agreed, knowing better than to bet against his friend’s sixth sense. “You’ve got the nine lives of a cat my friend, even though I think a few have already been spent. What do you do now?”
“We’ll stay put for a while. Don’t try to find or call us. I’ll contact you in ten days. If there is an emergency, send word to Joe Callahan. He will get in touch with me, but make sure it’s a true emergency. You’ll be endangering all our lives.”
Sean continued. “Try and get after Pieter, keep him focused on Martin and Greg. He’s the unknown in this all. If he truly feels as bad about the kidnapping as he says, he might be willing to turn coat on everyone.”
“How’s Cassie?” The casual tone in her sibling spoke louder than his words. Kevin was upset. Usually questions about Cassie were forbidden between the two. Things just worked better if Kevin didn’t think too much about the fact his good friend was screwing his sister, even though they were married. It was still weird.
“She’s going to be fine, once all the bruises and cuts heal.”
“What about emotionally?” Kevin pressed.
Sean didn’t answer for a moment. At last he replied, wariness in his voice, “Everything is going to be fine. Don’t fixate on what happened, help work toward the future. Her future, our future—help me save her life, Kev.”
“I will, just do your part too.”
“Talk with you in ten days, mate,” Sean muttered.
“Sorry Sean, I didn’t mean to upset you. If Callahan needs anything have him contact me on this number. It’s my burner cell and I’ll always answer it.”
Suddenly he remembered, “Kevin, what is the remark about the favorite spot?”
Kevin chuckled. “As teenagers, Cassie and I went on a scouting trip white water rafting on the Chattooga River, and she hated every minute. It’s been a running joke between us ever since. If you need to leave a message, the clerk at the outfitters is an old school friend of mine, who works part time for the NSA. He’ll get it to me safe and secure.”
Clicking off, Sean looked up at Cassie. Forcing the gloom away, he held out his hand for her to join him on the bed.
“Good day lass, how are you feeling this bright winter morning?”
“Fine, just muscle sore. What’s on the agenda for today?”
“Nothing,” he smiled indulgently. “We’re where we’ll be for at least the next month to six weeks so my vote is for lots of sex. Anything else is optional, including clothing.”
“In that case, let’s have some breakfast. You’re going to need your strength.” Her smile pulled him out of bed and into the kitchen. “Would you like me to make some coffee?”
Sean wrinkled his nose. “Sorry love, but you’re not the world’s best at making coffee. How about you start the water boiling for oatmeal and I’ll make the coffee?”
“Boiling water, really? Thanks for the compliments on my abilities! From now on, you cook all the meals, and I’ll do dishes, how do you like them apples?” Their laughter filled the upper floor kitchen as they danced around each other, kissing and eating until breakfast was finished.
For the next few weeks, that became their pattern for the long days. Mornings were for cooking and togetherness. Afterward, Cassie would work for hours while Sean took sentry walks around the property and conducted his own business. Sean turned Cassie onto the finer points of afternoon tea and chess, while she rummaged for new and creative ideas for the two of them to share in the kitchen.
Nighttime was for exploring their passions again. Neither could keep their hands off the other. Too many near misses, and too many lost chances drove them to rekindle the trust and intensity that pulled them together from the start. With the knowledge many people wanted one or both of them dead driving their need, the fury that unleashed ran rampant.
The week before Christmas, Pat Mitchell showed up on horseback, along with several pack mules. Cassie helped unload the supplies and listen to the news Mitchell brought, of both the world in general and their predicament.
“Martin and Greg are both in the wind, although it’s believed Martin is holed up at the manor house in Seattle. Matthew is with Kevin and the world is looking for the Fergusons. The heat is way too high. I’m sure I wasn’t alone riding up here. Not sure the best direction out of this one Sean, but you kids need to get out of here before the weather locks you in, the vultures are starting to circle. The only thing this place isn’t secure against is air assault.” Mitchell poured himself a large coffee. “Even so, you best get.”
“Where would you suggest we go?” Cassie groused.
“I thought about that. What do you say to a cross country trip to my mountain property outside of Seattle, in the Mt. Rainier area? No one will expect you to drive, and the cabin is remote, really remote. The caretaker is a former business associate by the name of George Hannish. A trustworthy man and fierce hunter. He will guard your flank, keep the curious from getting too close.”
Sean shook his head. “A car trip is too open, too many areas for surprises. But the cabin sounds perfect. What are our options for getting out of here unseen by our friends on both sides?”
Pat closed his eyes for a minute. “The Devlyns don’t have anyone here. They are hoping Sean will be enough to keep you safe, Cassie. Greg is missing, presumed to have left the country. Martin showed up late yesterday in Seattle and went immediately to his house on Lake Washington. Greg hasn’t been seen or heard from in a month.”
Cassie frowned, “I don’t like that. He’s a loose cannon. There’s no telling what he might do to save his own skin. Sean, I think we need to find him.”
“Not personally, love,” Sean answered. “I’ll have my people start a dialogue, see what his terms might be. Perhaps he is willing to negotiate. First and foremost is keeping you safe.”
“What about Matthew, does he know where Greg might have gone?”
Pat shook his head. “No, Matt is upset at Greg for taking off without saying good-bye to him. He wouldn’t help his brother for love nor money now. Kevin has gotten a new therapist for Matt and they are learning about many other ‘games’ Greg has played with Matthew.”
Sean stood up and poured himself another cup of coffee. Walking to the window, he stared out at the walls of the quarry. That reminded him of his unease. His warning system had alerted more than just that once.
The most recent came just last night. “Pat, did you see any signs of trespassers? I swear several nights since we arrived, someone was sitting on the cliff watching us.”
Cassie stood up squealing, “What?!” Pat simply looked thoughtful as if the news were not surprising to him. “Didn’t see anyone, but I felt eyes most of the way here. Just not sure if they’re yours or theirs.”
Sean shushed his wife with a kiss. “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t see anything from the windows. But my gut says someone was there.”
“Well,” Mitchell stood up and put his cup in the sink, “let’s go have a look. It’s broad daylight and there are two of us. We should be safe.”
“There are three,” Cassie snapped. “I’m not staying in here alone if someone is stalking us. I’m going with you guys.”
Neither Sean nor Mitchell could talk Cassie into staying put. They took off with her in the middle between them for safety. As soon as they reached the top of the cliffs, Sean felt exposed and vulnerable. Neither were emotions he trusted. He was used to being in command of himself at all times, but with Cassie there his attention was split.
They checked the two spots Sean thought the weakest points but nothing seemed amiss. Fanning out they searched the area for signs of anything. It was Cassie who noticed several of the cameras were wrong.
She called the two men over. “Look, these aren’t the same as the ones near the house. They don’t broadcast to the base. All the others I’ve seen do. Why would they be different?”
Mitchell examined the cameras closer. “They shouldn’t be. All of them should be identical.”
“Why put in dummy cameras?” Cassie asked.
“To keep the security company from knowing what’s going on in this area; they’re beaming to another location we don’t know about. I think we just found evidence of your peeping Tom last night, Sean. Now will you two think about where to go next?” Mitchell pulled down the offending equipment. “This is going straight to the sheriff for fingerprints.”
“Agreed,” Sean murmured, deep in thought about the next step in their journey. “Pat, start making the arrangements for Washington State. I’m not sure how we’ll get there yet, that’s the sticky part, but I do know I want that cabin for a stop.”
“You know there’ll be snow this time of year? Some of the roads might be closed for the season.”
“Not a problem for us who grew up with snow every year.” Sean smiled but his mind was on other matters.
Mitchell shook his head and put his arm around Cassie as he walked toward the door. “Cassie, keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine. Remember the lessons you learned as a kid. I know it was a shitty time of your life, but that might keep you alive. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the ass to Greg?”
Cassie hugged him tightly. “Thank you so much Mr. Mitchell, for helping us. Sean and I would never have made it out here without your support. I know it must be hard, going against my family after working for them so many years, but it had to be done. We just want to be left alone to live our lives, or at least hide until Martin and Greg answer for their work.”
He smiled, sad for her innocence. “I’m afraid that’s never going to happen sweetie. Being a Devlyn, married to Ferguson—your life is never going to be anything but a three ring circus.”
Turning to Sean, “I’ll leave your travel arrangements open. If you don’t find anything better, you can take my Land Cruiser. It’s been reinforced and upgraded. That should get you to your destination, no problem. Come by the office on your way out of town.”
“Thanks, mate. I really appreciate the help. With it being Cassie, everything is just a little harder.”
Mitchell smiled at the younger man. “I understand. If someone threatened my wife or children, I would unleash all sorts of crazy on them. Just remember, Ferguson, the mission is still the mission: keeping her safe. Everything else takes second priority. Approaching this as anything other than an op endangers everyone, especially Cassie. There’s going to come a point where your emotions could get her and you killed.”
After the older man left, Cassie sat on the sofa, staring out at the surrounding quarry. “I’m so going to miss this place. It’s been the perfect place to recover.”
Sean sat on the floor at her feet, his arms draped over her knees. “I know what you mean. It’s been nice to have the quiet after being almost blown to bits. Problem is I know the real world is lurking out there for us to reappear. Once that happens, it’ll be all over in a blink. Everyone will know where we are and the chase will begin again.”
“So how do we get from North Carolina to Washington State without alerting Kwan Tsi, or Greg, or anyone else? Do we drive or fly?” Cassie played with his hair as she stared off into space.
Sean grimaced. “That, my lovely lass, is the ten-thousand-dollar question.”