Bear Claw (21 page)

“Colby and I heard about the explosion on the radio. We headed over here right away,” William informed her.

“Uh, William. Dude, you’re choking me.” Chris pounded on his cousin’s arm.

“Sorry. Sorry.”

Brandy met Jaime’s gaze over her brother’s shoulder. He tilted his head that he needed to go. Climbing to her feet, she stepped over William’s legs to reach Jamie. “Be careful. Please.”

“I will,” he promised. “I’ll see you soon.”

“The commander is here,” Ray hollered to him.

“I have to go.”

She released him and slowly turned back to her family.

“I’m sorry about the stupid fucking fights. I was wrong,” William said.

Jamie heard the sincerity in his words as he followed Ray away.

His boss stood on the edge of the police barrier in his suit with a phone to his ear. He spotted Jamie heading toward him and quickly hung up.

“Everyone okay?” Commander Green asked.

“Yes, sir. As far as I know, there were no casualties.”

“The police said that the bomb was set up near the stage farthest from the exit. Since almost everyone was already evacuated, there are only minor cuts and bruises,” Cody said, joining them.

“Glad to hear it.”

“Sir, we need to get to that building before they take off,” Jamie told him. “We have to find who set that bomb.”

“What do you know?”

“I only received a message to get everyone out.”

Commander Green ran his hands roughly over his face. “Round them up. If you see Zak, treat him like you would any other suspect. Keep his cover at all costs. I’ll handle the teams here.”

“You got it.” Jamie slapped Cody on the back. “Let’s go!”

As Ray drove, Jamie stayed on the radio organizing the assault. They pulled over a block from the industrial district to meet up with the other teams.

Jamie strapped on his vest. They had no idea what to expect but anyone willing to blow up a building would probably not think twice about shooting at them.

Once he had the four teams lined up, he glanced at Ray. “You ready for this?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Any of the missing persons that we have identified need to be kept separate from the rest of the group.”

“You got it.”

They would hit them hard and fast.

“Move out!” Jamie ordered and steeled himself for battle.

Chapter Eighteen

Brandy couldn’t keep her eyes off the television and the breaking news. The reports kept moving back and forth between the building bombed earlier and the Coalition units that had swarmed a place downtown.

She’d actually seen a quick glimpse of Jamie on camera. He’d been escorting several very young-looking boys from the old structure.

Beside her on the couch sat Chris. William and Colby were also watching with them as they’d insisted on following her home. Once they’d gotten there, Brandy and Chris had taken turns showering off the grime and stink. Her ears were still ringing and her entire body ached from the force of the explosion.

She’d been shocked at her brother’s declaration that he’d been wrong. He wasn’t giving up the legislation but he did admit he needed to let people make their own choices about it. He also wouldn’t stop her or Chris from fighting against it. That was more than she had ever hoped for from her brother.

“Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?” Colby asked her and Chris.

Brandy laid a hand on her stomach. “I’m positive.”

“No, thanks,” Chris said.

William’s cell phone rang. He stood and walked out of the room.

On screen, she caught another view of Jamie. He appeared as an imposing force standing in front of a barrier with his arms across his chest.

“I’m going to make some coffee,” Chris told her.

“Okay.” She waved him off. She wanted to call Jamie and let him know that she was thinking about him. But she could see he was busy.

“You really care about him.”

“Huh?” She glanced over at Colby. She’d forgotten he was in the room with her.

He nodded at the screen.

“Jamie? Yeah, I care about him a lot.”

He leaned forward. “Do you love him?”

“What?”

“Look, I’m trying to be an all-right guy here. Hearing about the explosion, both William and I stared at each other. And we both knew—we’d been stupid.”

“But what does that have to do with Jamie?”

“I meant it that I think we’d be good together. But if you’re in love with this guy, I’ll back off. At least until you come to me.” He paused. “Which you will, by the way.”

Shaking her head, she studied him skeptically. Although his words were cocky, she could see that he was being sincere about backing off. “I love him,” she admitted.

He sat back, nodding. “All right.”

William returned. “That was Mom. She wanted to come over and make sure you were okay but I convinced her to wait. I told her you were exhausted and needed to rest.”

“Really? Thanks.” Brandy was in awe at the turn of events with her family.

“I know what you’re thinking,” William said as he sat on the arm of the couch beside her. “But no matter what our differences, we all thought you would be seriously hurt or worse. It makes you reevaluate things.”

She gripped his hand. “I’m glad.”

“Do you want me to stay? Until your man gets here at least?”

“No, you go home. I really am tired.”

Bending, her brother kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you later.”

Colby stood and seemed as though he was about to follow her brother’s action. She pointed at him and shook her head.

“Fine.” He laughed, holding his hands up. “Call me if you need anything.”

Following them to the front door, Brandy watched as they called out a goodbye to Chris and left.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” her cousin said, coming up beside her.

“Me neither. Do you think it’ll last?”

“Probably not but it happened to begin with.”

“You’re right.”

He slung his arm over her shoulders. “Now, let’s go veg out on the couch and wait for your boyfriend.”

* * * *

Jamie quietly made his way up Brandy’s front steps. The lights were off but he had promised to stop by. They’d arrested ten people and saved another seven, who had been kept against their will and locked inside one room together.

It hadn’t been difficult to figure out who was responsible. He’d still been able to smell the explosive materials on their hands.

He’d have to wake up early to go into the office and work on getting confessions and statements. Everyone was processed, and it was the most he could hope for.

Jamie was so tired he could barely think straight.

Taking a chance, he tried Brandy’s front doorknob and wasn’t surprised to find it unlocked. He’d have to talk to her about that.

Zak hadn’t been at the building and neither had the men who were holding the younger kids prisoner. They’d given brief descriptions of the leaders, so he had set up a sketch artist to come in later that morning.

It was almost three a.m. when he silently entered Brandy’s home. Flickering light and the soft sound of the television drew his attention. He strolled to the doorway and peered in.

Chris was asleep on the couch with a heavy blanket over him.

Curled in a chair, Brandy glanced up at him. “Hey.”

The sight of her forced the tension to drain away. “Hi.”

She rose then walked over to him. Jamie opened his arms, pleased as she pressed herself against him. Engulfing her, he rocked and just breathed.

“Did you shower?” she whispered.

“Yeah, at work, while some of my team got the paperwork started.”

“So all I need to do is get you into bed?”

He laughed softly. “That would be nice.”

Taking his hand, she led him from the living room. They moved through the house quietly so they wouldn’t wake Chris. Jamie closed the bedroom door. He couldn’t release her hand. Instead, he drew her back to him.

“Brandy,” he murmured.

“Jamie.”

“I came close to losing you tonight.”

“No.” She cupped his face. “I’m fine. You’re fine.”

“Brandy, I love you.”

Her entire face lit up. “Oh, Jamie. I love you too.”

He kissed her with light, teasing nips until she opened for him. Brandy gripped his shoulders, drawing him down to her.

Breathless, they broke apart.

“And you’re okay with my bear?”

“I love your bear, your furry paws, your long claws… I love everything about you.”

“You’re perfect.”

“No, but I am yours,” she corrected. “And in the morning I’ll wake you up with a fresh cup of coffee—and a kiss.”

That was the best thing he’d ever heard. “Perfect,” he repeated.

“If you say so but I do have one question for you.”

“You can ask me anything,” he assured her.

“Will you love me more than your coffee?”

Surprised, he barked out a laugh. “I already do.”

Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:

What’s her Secret?: Last Call

Crissy Smith

Excerpt

Chapter One

“Last call! Last call!” Piper Maxwell shouted.

Jace Anderson heard the familiar words from his place at the cash register behind the bar and his blood started to pump in anticipation. His body was alive with awareness of what was to come. He turned his head to the woman who’d made the announcement. His bar manager Piper Maxwell nodded to the two bartenders while smiling at his patrons. This was the best part of the evening for him. Jace and Piper, alone, the opportunity he craved night after night.

He took the rag out of his back pocket and stepped around the bar into the seating section. He started to wipe down the empty tables to help clean up for the night. The dark wood table tops gleamed in the bar light. Smooth, quiet jazz flowed through air and comforted those within. The stained but clean oak floors had been battered but continued to hold strong.

From any seat in the house, the windowed front offered the patrons a spectacular view of the beach yards away.

Jace had opened the bar only a year ago but it was now home. Everything he had ever wanted in his life wrapped into one place. The people who worked for him were his family. The woman currently ringing up the last of the patrons’ tabs… He shook his head. Piper was one of a kind.

The closing procedures only took half an hour. He had a very efficient staff—they were well trained and all took care and helped one another. The kitchen had been shut down two hours ago so the small staff in the back had already cleaned up their stations and gone for the night. The four remaining employees, his two bartenders and two waitresses, finished up and happily waved good night.

It had been a busy shift. Steady business. He couldn’t ask for much more. Even in a struggling economy he still managed to make money.

Lifting the last stool onto the table top, he glanced out the front window and saw the moon shining bright over the water. The astounding sight always made his breath catch.

He’d moved to Blue Cove, California after his last tour of duty. Almost fourteen months ago. He’d read about the small coastal town when he had been overseas and always promised himself he would visit. Once he’d set foot on the soft sand and watched the crystal-clear waves roll, he’d known he was home.

He’d gotten a business loan and opened Anderson’s Lounge. Anderson’s was the only bar located directly on the beach that he loved so much. He was able to serve the locals like himself as well as the few tourists who came to town.

“That’s it,” Piper told him, switching off the back lights.

Jace tore his attention from outside to glance over at Piper pulling a bottle from behind the bar. The light of the bar was the only illumination and the sight of the beautiful woman made his breath catch. It had become their nightly ritual to share a toast to another night accomplished.

Jace always looked forward to this time. To this drink. One cocktail shared where Piper was relaxed and things tipped more personal. Or as close to personal as Piper ever allowed.

She had her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and wore the same uniform as the other women—black shorts and Anderson Lounge T-shirt. But it was her eyes that always drew him in. What was the old saying? The eyes were the window to the soul. With Piper that was so true.

He wouldn’t describe the color as green or brown. Hazel seemed too tame a word. The perfect combination of brown, green and yellow. Cat’s eyes, one of the employees had said before.

Guarded also. Piper kept everyone at arm’s length while still managing to take care of them all. She was always the first person to help, but never let anyone return the favor. Jace had been working on getting her comfortable with all of them but it was in rare moments that she opened to him and only him. But after a brief glimpse she would shut back down.

He’d hired her six months ago to manage the bar and staff. Her resume was packed full of experience and she had delivered with her organization and business smarts.

Over the last several months he’d grown very fond of her. Hell, who was he kidding, he was falling for her. But she still held back. He knew she felt the same connection but very rarely did she let the longing slip.

She was careful, so very cautious around everyone, but late at night as they clinked glasses she would look at him and he could see her inner struggle to remain that way.

He worried about her habit of picking up and moving on. He knew the time was fast approaching and he’d have to deal with that soon.

Because he wasn’t going to let her go.