Crave (Talon Security #1) (9 page)

“She’s got spunk.” Sid shrugged with a grin. “You two are a perfect match.”

“Right,” I muttered, opening the fridge to peer inside. I had the makings for simple tacos and set about grabbing the ingredients I needed.

I felt his heat at my back and stood up suddenly.

“Sam. It’s early. We don’t need to eat yet. Why don’t you call Piper?” he suggested, his warm hands gripping my arms gently from behind.

Damn it, he knew me so well. I was avoiding her because I knew she was worried.

His body pressed to my back was making it hard to formulate a response, but I managed a breathy “Okay,” moving out of his grasp.

“You okay? This could take a little bit.”

“I’ll manage.” He chuckled dryly. “I’ve got to check in on work and I’ll try to get this little lady to come around.” He cocked his head toward Trixie.

“Good luck,” I muttered, grabbing a beer from the fridge and heading out to the backyard with my cell phone.

After a lot of lamenting on Piper’s side about me not calling enough, and apologizing on mine, I got her somewhat calmed down. She soon switched to speakerphone so Ryker could join our conversation. He’d been drawn to the sounds of his fiancée making such high-pitched noises and had wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

“How’re you holding up?” she asked.

“Okay, I guess. Sid’s here,” I explained hesitantly.

“I bet he is.” Ryker’s deep voice chuckled knowingly.

“Right,” I muttered, determined to blow past his comment. “They found the you-know-what in my trunk,” I divulged, feeling paranoid about sharing too much over the phone. “The guys are pretty sure they know who attacked me. But I still need to get the latest.”

It had been a breath of fresh air to not talk about any of that with Sid all day.

“You need the club to do anything?” Ryker wondered, referring to his motorcycle club that basically ran their town in Nevada.

“No, but thanks,” I replied, staring out at the starry sky and listening to the coyotes pick up their chorus in the distance.

“What’s going on with Sid?” Piper asked.

“That’s my cue,” Ryker said, eager to extract himself from girl talk.

I laughed. “Nice talking to you too, Ry.”

“Later, Sam.”

“So…?” Piper prompted.

“I think we’re going to make a go of it,” I confessed, biting my lip against the grin threatening to split my face in two. Saying the words out loud felt surreal.

She squealed. “Oh, my God, Sam!”

“I know, it’s all very surreal and new and I’m still not sure what to make of it,” I admitted.

“Sam, this is what you wanted,” she reminded me impatiently.

I toyed with the label of my beer bottle, considering her words.

“I know,” I agreed. “It still is what I want. More than anything. I just can’t quite fully trust it yet.”

“That’s fair,” she agreed. “Give it time.”

“I’m struggling with wanting to give it time and wanting to jump his bones,” I muttered.

She laughed, followed by a weighted silence. I knew her well and I could tell she was choosing her next words carefully. “He adores you, Sam. You two have something special—you always have. He wouldn’t say those things to you if he hadn’t thought them through. Sid takes life so seriously. He’s methodical. He probably just had to process this in his own way. Now that he’s put it out there, there’s no going back, not for him. It’s just not the kind of man he is.”

It was very similar to what the man himself had said that morning. “I know,” I agreed. “I guess maybe now it’s me that has to process a bit.”

“Fair enough, honey. I get it. Um, I don’t want to make this about me at all, but you guys are still coming to the wedding, aren’t you?” she asked, and I could hear the anxiety in her voice. Her wedding was just a few weeks away, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“We’ll be there,” I assured her. “You still want us to play?” She’d had the idea when she and Ry first got engaged, to have our former band, which we’d named Red Tape for some reason none of us could explain, play a few songs at her wedding.

“Hell yes, I do!” she exclaimed.

I grinned. I had to admit, I was looking forward to that.

“Okay. I should get back,” I said, looking toward the house.

“Sounds good. But Sam, I want to hear from you every day. Otherwise, you’ll be seeing my ass on your doorstep. I’m serious,” she reprimanded me. I fully deserved it.

“I’m sorry. I know I’m shit with this stuff, but I’m trying to work on it,” I assured her.

“That’s good, babe. Talk soon.”

“Yep. See ya.” I ended the call and headed inside.

Sid had music playing from Brad’s elaborate sound system when I walked back inside. I was amazed he could get the thing to work. When I’d realized there were five remotes to control it, I hadn’t even tried.

I didn’t see him or Trixie, and assumed he was upstairs working and that he’d won the little stinker over.

I started to make dinner, shimmying my hips to the beat of the Magnetic Zeros as I chopped tomatoes, singing along.

I could get used to this kitchen; the high-end appliances and gorgeous surfaces actually made cooking fun.

When the doorbell rang, I froze. Who the hell would that be?

“I’ll get it,” Sid barked authoritatively from the stairs as he descended rapidly. “It’s your brother,” he informed me, not looking pleased as he neared the front door.

Sure enough, my brother stalked in like a cyclone the moment Sid opened the door.

“Let’s talk outside,” Sid shot through gritted teeth at Travis.

What the hell?

I put my hands on my hips, glaring at both of them. “What’s going on? Travis?” I demanded when neither of them responded.

“Did you two sort your shit?” Travis demanded without preamble.

Damn. I wished I had something harder than beer to offer him. Maybe it would soften him up a little.

“Don’t sugarcoat it or anything, Trav,” I mumbled, handing him a beer.

“Well?” he demanded, his keen eyes looking between us.

“We’re getting there. She knows where I stand,” Sid broke in.

“Yeah? And where is that?” Travis shot back.

“She’s mine,” Sid replied without hesitation.

“Geez, can we tone things down a little bit? I’m sweating,” I complained. “Yes, Travis. Thanks to your meddling, we’re….”

What was the right word here? Dating? Together?

I looked to Sid and recalled the words I’d used with Piper. “We’re gonna make a go of it,” I murmured, watching as Sid’s eyes warmed.

Travis groaned. “Christ. I don’t know what’s worse. You guys tiptoeing around each other for years or making puppy dog eyes across the room.”

I socked him in the shoulder as he grinned. “I’m happy for you. About fucking time. Now, the reason I came over,” he continued, his tone hardening into the business mode I recognized. He looked to Sid. “Got a few things you need to be briefed on.” Sid nodded and they both moved toward the living room as Travis pulled his phone out of his pocket.

I followed, much to Trav’s obvious dismay.

“What?” I challenged. “You’re talking about me and you expect me to just bury my head in the sand?”

“Hey, a guy can hope,” Trav grumbled.

“Save your energy, man,” Declan’s dry tone rang out over the phone that Trav had put on speaker.

Sid tried unsuccessfully to hide his smile as I glared at him.

“I deserve to know what’s going on,” I continued, sitting on the leather chair in the corner and pulling my legs underneath me, indicating that I planned to stay awhile.

“All right, babe, you’re right,” Sid agreed, coming to stand beside me as my brother raised a surprised brow at him. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one getting used to Sid using a term of endearment for me.

“The feds have a guy undercover with the Russians,” Travis began. “They were able to confirm what we suspected, that Ivanov was the one who attacked Sam.”

“He’s fucking dead,” Sid growled, his hand flexing on my shoulder.

“What he will be is locked up,” Travis replied firmly. “While I’d love to get my hands around that motherfucker’s neck, we’ll turn him over to the feds if we get him before they do.” He paused before his gaze fell to the phone. “Dec, you said you had an update—let’s hear it. “

“Zitto’s dead. He was found this morning.” Declan’s news sent my heart into free fall. Despite the position Zitto had put me in, I’d known him for years. Worked alongside him. I knew his family. Sid’s hand grasped my shoulder in silent support as I grappled with my emotions.

“And Camille?” I managed through barely moving lips.

“She’s okay. She was at her sister’s at the time, which is where she’ll stay for now.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” I demanded.

Declan cleared his throat before he continued. “My contact that’s undercover confirmed Ivanov still thinks the diamond is with Sam. He has no real reason to go after Zitto’s wife.”

“Because he’ll come after me instead,” I finished his sentence for him.

Sid’s hand grasped my shoulder nearly to the point of pain. I knew he was fighting hard for control.

“But the feds have it now, right?” I asked, trying to keep my head on straight. “The diamond, I mean.”

Travis looked at me, his expression impossible to read. “No. They don’t.”

“But….” I sputtered.

“We partner with the feds, Sam, but we’re gonna play this my way. Plus, our guy thinks there might be a mole in the bureau. I’m not handing anything over until we know the state of play.” He turned his attention to Declan, clearly done with explaining himself to me. “Can we create a false leak through your undercover guy?” he wondered aloud. “That the diamond’s with the feds. That Sam never had it?”

Declan cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Zitto was tortured, man. I think it’s pretty safe to say that he told them who he gave it to.”

“Motherfucker!” The outburst escaped Sid’s throat in an unexpected roar as he paced the room.

“Masters, calm the fuck down,” Travis barked, his eyes dark with frustration.

Seeing two of the men I cared about most so upset had me scrambling for ideas. “Well,” I spoke up. “What if… I give it back to him?”

Both their heads shot over to me. “What?” Sid demanded.

I shrugged. Was it really that crazy of an idea?

Sid was already shaking his head. “Nuh-uh. No fucking way are you bait.”

I looked up at him imploringly. “Babe. These guys aren’t going to stop. Not until they get what they want. If they think I have this thing, they’ll keep searching for me. Or, if they think I gave it to the feds, my guess is that they’d want revenge, right?”

He knew I was right. They both did. I could see it in their faces.

“So,” I continued, “what if I give it back to them? I could wear a wire or something.”

“No,” Sid barked.

“Declan. Help me out here,” I pleaded, knowing he was the only person who could offer some reason in this situation.

“She has a point, guys,” he responded after a brief hesitation. “I hate to admit it, but she does.”

Travis stood stoically as Sid prowled the room. “Let’s meet tomorrow at 0900,” he ordered, before turning eyes on me. “Sam, you’re with Sid at all times and whenever possible another member of the team. You don’t do anything alone unless it’s deemed 110 percent secure, you got me?”

“Okay,” I agreed readily. “Whatever you need,” I added. The room and phone fell silent as I looked at Travis and Sid. “What?” I demanded.

Travis shook his head. “Just wasn’t sure it would be that easy, but I’ll take it.”

“Jesus, Trav, I’m not that much of a pain in the ass,” I huffed, then pointed a finger at Sid when he looked like he was about to speak. His eyes turned warm and he pulled my back into his front, his muscular arms wrapping around me.

“You are a pain in the ass sometimes, baby. But you’re my pain in the ass,” he murmured in my ear.

Well, that was sort-of sweet, even if it entailed me being a pain in the ass.

“I’ll let you guys finish up,” I said, pushing gently against Sid to let me go. “This pain in the ass is tired,” I added dryly, trying to hide the sadness and fear that suddenly suffocated me.

Declan laughed over the phone as I waved good night, dinner long forgotten and went into my room with Trixie.

My emotions were in upheaval as I tried to digest the danger I was in.

I watched an episode of
Sex and the City
on my iPad, my eyes blurry with exhaustion as I desperately tried to distract myself. I fell asleep before it was even over, content to drift where my subconscious would take over, to the place where dreams were made.

CHAPTER 9

I
woke up with a start a few hours later. At first, I wasn’t sure what had woken me, until I heard it again.

Sid was shouting in his sleep, his voice hoarse with agony.

Nightmare.

I quickly got over the fact that he’d slept with me, too worried about him to care. During his service in the Corps, he’d done two tours in the Middle East. He didn’t talk about his time there other than to say he’d seen a lot of “fucked-up shit.” I knew it haunted him.

It had been a while since he’d had a bad one. I wondered if our conversation earlier had something to do with the reemergence.