Finding Trust (Centre Games) (21 page)

“Fuck, this just gets better all the time. What was the outcome of the demos this afternoon?”

Brayden glanced at Rihanna and motioned for her to answer.

“The tests confirmed the information presented this morning. They’ve created a weapon. In water vapour, the virus has a concentration rate of eighty-two percent and in gas form sixty-seven percent. It also has an exposure life of approximately eight hours.”

“Jesus Christ,” came the boss’s quick response through the speaker system.

“Boss, I think we’ve got a bigger problem than that. I believe from what we saw today, Matthews is involved somehow. You need to get that lab locked down immediately. It may already be too late.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rihanna got Sullivan talking and it seems they’ve had the virus stable in this form for the last couple of weeks.”

“Get home, Brayden. We need to prepare for a full-scale terrorist incident. I’ll mobilise a team to lock down the lab and I’ll smooth over any police issues resulting from your afternoon activities.”

The line went dead. Rihanna was beginning to realise it was Anderson’s normal approach to ending a phone call. “He always just hang up?”

“Yep. He’s not one for pleasantries.”

“So what do we do now?”

“Exactly as he said. Go home and we’ll get further instructions shortly.” Brayden seemed relaxed, concentrating on the road.

“Doesn’t this seem like it’s just getting totally out of hand to you?” she said, feeling completely emotionally overwhelmed by everything that had happened today. “I’ve discovered that some scientist has managed to create a synthetic delivery method to stabilise the Hendra virus, which means it’s now essentially a weapon.” She emphasised her disdain for the man by creating inverted commas with finger gestures. “I’ve been involved in yet another attempted abduction and a high-speed car chase. Then to top it off, the boss of some super-secret Centre believes we need to prepare for a full-scale terrorist attack.”

He went to say something but she cut him off again. “Oh, and just for good measure, it seems that the grubby little prick Matthews may have already handed the virus over to the bad guys.” She turned to Brayden.

“This stuff doesn’t happen in my world. In fact, I didn’t think it happened in anybody’s world. I look after horses. I stitch up cuts, I take x-rays, I run blood tests, and I spend every other spare moment researching to try to find a vaccine to prevent the horses from contracting Hendra. What I don’t do is get involved in stuff like this, because this isn’t real. This is movie stuff.”

She took a breath and realised belatedly that she’d been waving her arms around like a mad woman. God, this stuff was making her crazy. Brayden was making her crazy. He was part of this crazy assed unreal world.

She had to get off the bus.

“I can’t do this, Brayden. This is not me. I’m a vet, for God’s sake, not a damn super spy.”

“I know, Rih. It all seems a bit unreal. But you have to see it through.”

“Last time I checked, Australia was a free country and I haven’t committed any crimes, therefore I’m free to get off this bus anytime I want.”

“I agree everything you say is true,” he said calmly.

She spun her head to stare at him. She hadn’t been expecting him to agree.

“But you can’t get off the bus, as you put it, for two reasons. Firstly, these guys are going to keep coming after you until they have you or you’re dead.” The bluntness of his words caused Rihanna to stiffen in her seat. “The second reason is that we agreed we were going to give this thing between us a go. I didn’t take you for a coward.”

“I’m not a coward but I can’t live like this, Brayden.” There, she’d said it. She was done.

He reached out and took her hand. “I understand that, Rih, but you need to understand something.” He took his eyes from the road and held her eyes with his. “I won’t let you die. And if you get off the bus now, as you so succinctly put it, then the coroner might as well sign your death certificate right now.”

The word death was a very sobering thought for Rihanna. This virus wasn’t worth dying over but she knew she had to see it through, otherwise thousands of innocent, unsuspecting people could be exposed to a slow and agonising death. It was her responsibility to be part of the solution.

Responsibility was something she readily understood. Doing the right thing was something she understood. Finishing something she started, she understood. She had no choice—she’d do the right thing. She couldn’t live with herself otherwise.

“So, Minky, like it or not, you’ve got me until at least the virus situation is sorted. And from my perspective, it’s no hardship.”

“For the first time in my life, I’m truly scared, Brayden.” She blinked back tears, wondering what the hell was making her confess her deepest secrets. “I’m terrified of what the virus could do, I’m terrified for my father and the practice, and I’m terrified that what’s between us is nothing more than a by-product of the situation.”

He said nothing, his silence in many ways more telling. She was opening herself up to him. She was baring her soul to his most intense scrutiny. What was he giving her back?

“I’ll see it through…somehow.”

“That’s my girl. It’ll be okay. We’ll make it okay,” he said, absently rubbing his thumb over the underside of her wrist.

Did he really think of her as his girl?

Her heart warmed at the thought, chasing out some of the fear.

She let herself hope for the first time in days.

Maybe forever.

Chapter Sixteen

Rory and Quade were out sipping cold beers by the pool when Brayden and Rihanna arrived home. It was still stinking hot. And obviously they’d thought so, too, clearly drying off from a dip in the pool. All long, lean, male yumminess. The only thing that could make the picture better would be for Brayden to decide he wanted a swim as well.

“Hear you guys had some excitement,” Rory called in greeting.

“Yeah, just a little,” Bray quipped back.

“Well, if that’s a little, count me out for a lot. I’m over being the number-one abduction target around here.” She huffed.

“Someone didn’t have a good day,” Quade said coolly, almost under his breath.

“Just look at it as a way you can legitimately be all over each other,” Rory suggested helpfully.

She couldn’t help but smile at that.

“See, every cloud has a silver lining and you get to hang out with me and Quade as well. What more could you want?” he said, sarcasm dripping from every word.

“Umm, I was quite happy with my quite boring life. Thanks all the same,” she responded with a nervous giggle.

“No, Minky, you just thought you were, because you didn’t know what else was out there,” Brayden gently corrected her.

“Well, I certainly don’t need another attempted abduction.”

“That’s true. We’ll see if we can avoid another one of those. Hey, fellas.”

“You’re slipping, Stud. Can’t believe you let ’em get that close.” Rory was joking but she could tell that there was some level of truth to what he was saying.

“My skin was prickling all day. Took everything I had not to bail us out of there earlier. It was a close call but Rihanna did get all the information she needed.”

“So I’m guessing you’re not heading back up there tomorrow.” A huge grin split Rory’s face.

“Ahh, let me think about that for a second.” Brayden pretended to ponder the question. “No.”

They all burst out laughing at that.

“Cool. You guys can help us track down a few more leads that the boss has been shotting over all day,” Rory suggested helpfully.

The look Brayden shot him was as close to “in your dreams, buddy” as he could manage without actually saying the words.

“Well, from the looks of it, you guys haven’t managed to achieve much today.” Bray gestured towards their damp board shorts and beers in hand.

“Hey, Quade, I take offence to this tone. What about you, man?” Rory turned to Quade, seeking his support.

“Definitely out of line, mate.”

Rihanna noticed a sly glance pass between the two men. All of a sudden, Rory emerged from the chair and leapt through the air, catching Bray around the middle and taking him with him into the pool with a huge splash.

A second later, they both emerged from the water, laughing like loons.

Rihanna stood on the edge of the pool, shaking her head at grown men clowning around like a bunch of crazy kids. She heard a chair scrape but before she could register what was happening, she felt her legs being swept out from underneath her. She, too, was flying through the air only to be enveloped a split second later with cool, refreshing water.

She came up spluttering and gasping for air, totally shocked that Quade had done that. Rory she could understand, but Quade she would never have picked.

Bray waded over and pulled her from Quade’s arms. He released her but not before giving her a rakish grin. The man was dangerous and Rihanna was only starting to realise the extent of it.

“I can’t believe he did that,” she said, still not quite believing Quade would do something like that.

“Oh, baby, believe it. I did warn you to watch out for him. He’ll surprise you with something when you least expect it.”

She turned and saw Quade smirk at her. The right side of his finely sculptured lips rose up and his eyes twinkled with mischief. She joined them in their laughter and antics. What else could she do? And if she was truthful, the water was damn good and seemed to be just the thing she needed to relax after the crazy day she’d had.

They messed around, playing tag and ducking one another for a few minutes. It really did feel good to be a complete child and not be judged for behaving as such. Eventually, Brayden decided it was time to eat.

“I’m going to get dinner started,” he announced, moving to the edge of the pool and easily levering himself up, the complete picture of masculine grace.

Rihanna had followed him to the edge and he leant down, offering her a hand. She immediately took it and was hauled from the water as if she weighed nothing. That, she knew, not to be true. Not only was she tall and no lightweight, but she also had the added weight and resistance of being fully clothed. Gosh, he was strong.

Bray handed her a towel and she immediately started patting at her damp hair.

“Babe, I wouldn’t worry about your hair. Cover your top unless you want to give the guys something further to think about. Me, I already know how gorgeous your breasts are.” He nodded discreetly at her chest.

She looked down and realised what he was getting at. The lightweight cotton blouse she had on was white. And to make matters worse, the sheer bra she had on was also white. Even she could see the mulberry outline of her peaked nipples.

She looked at him with what she was sure was horror in her eyes and hastily threw the towel around her shoulders and closed it fast over her chest.

“You could have said something earlier,” she hissed at his ear closest to her.

“Don’t worry, they won’t say anything,” he assured her.

“Yeah, right! Just like they didn’t say anything this morning,” she rightly complained.

He guided her to the veranda and in through a door behind the kitchen that turned out to be a huge laundry/wet room with a large bathroom in the corner.

“Strip off the wet clothes, Minky,” he instructed. He already had his shirt off and was partway through dropping his jeans where he stood.

She looked around hastily and decided to duck into the bathroom and shut the door for some privacy. She couldn’t risk Rory and Quade following them in.

Next second, the door opened and Bray stepped in, a towel wrapped around his waist, another in his extended hand.

He pulled her into his arms and his mouth came immediately down on hers. His skin was cool to the touch but the feeling of his lips against hers was warm. Very warm. He licked at her lips, encouraging her to open to him. He took a handful of her wet hair in his hand and moved her head slightly to the side, giving him better angles for the plundering his tongue was doing with hers.

His other hand moved to the bottom of her soaked shirt. He started to lift it up and soon realised it was not possible without a second hand. He pulled away from her reluctantly and grasped the shirt with both hands and lifted it over her head in one easy motion.

Both hands then slid around her back and quickly unsnapped her bra. He slowly dragged it down her arms, making her shiver with anticipation.

He then dropped to his knees, bringing his head level with her tight-budded nipples. He licked over the left and tweaked the right with his fingers.

She immediately groaned in response. How did he manage to melt her into a quivering bundle of need each time, every time?

His hands were working on the front button and zip of her Capris when Rory and Quade came thudding into the wetroom. A heavy fist hammered on the bathroom door.

Rihanna immediately stiffened in his arms

“Hey, you two, not now. We’re hungry.”

Bray dragged his mouth away from her breast and growled, “Fuck off, Rory. Go light the BBQ if you’re so bloody hungry.”

She pulled away from him, clearly uncomfortable with the guys right through the door. He stood and gave her a brief but oh so good hug, rubbing his face against her neck like he did. He lifted her chin so she looked him the eye. Then he smiled that naughty boy smile she realised she was beginning to crave.

“Remind me where I got to later. Okay?” he said softly against her ear.

“Absolutely.”

“I’ll chase them out of here so you can escape to the bedroom and get changed.”

She smiled her thanks and he slipped through the door. She heard him talking to Rory and Quade through the door.

“Right, you fuckers; don’t you know what a closed door means?”

“Sure we do, Bray. We just enjoy watching you suffer even more.” Rory laughed at him.

“Like I said this morning, who needs enemies…”

She heard deep laughter and what she thought sounded like a clash of bodies as they headed through the door into the house.

***

Later that night, Rihanna had again gone to bed earlier, leaving the guys to have some “man time.” Physically, they could also function on much less sleep than their pure human counterparts. He figured Rihanna would also enjoy a bit more sleep. No doubt she’d be waking up later or, more to the point, he’d be waking her up later. His cock immediately started to stiffen at the thought of having her in his arms again, clearly supportive of the idea.

The guys were lounging with him in the family room.

“So how close was it today?” Quade asked him.

“Closer than I’d like. I knew something was wrong. My skin and senses were twitching like mad. I was resisting the urge to bolt all day; you both know what that’s like.” Rory and Quade nodded their agreement. “But we had to see what they were up to. That virus is real and is knock you down kill you real. To us, it would likely be one hundred percent effective. To humans, at least sixty percent likely to cause death. If you were lucky and survived, I reckon you wouldn’t be the same afterward.”

Rory and Quade listened intently.

“What sort of sick fuck does that?” Quade spat, shaking his head in disgust.

“It was bizarre watching these guys. It was like the Odd Couple. Sullivan is clearly brilliant but to the point of freaky and he has this naivety or madness at times that you just shake your head at.” Brayden’s head was shaking back and forth, emphasising his point. “Then Matthews—well, he’s a bit of business. Slimeball central. First thing he did was try to crack onto Rih.”

“How’d that work out for him?” Rory asked, scepticism all over his face.

“I reckon he’s still defrosting his nuts. She iced him big time. Totally froze him out. It was funny as shit, watching. He kept trying and then finally gave up.” He paused, clearly recalling before continuing. “Then he seemed to get mean and you could just tell he was up to something.

“We’d just finished watching the demo and the guy gets a page and just about runs from the room. That’s when we hightailed it out of there. We got out of the building and they were rounding the corner in a black sedan. Nearly got us, too. I had to speed things up a bit, so I picked her up and ran. We lost ’em about ten clicks onto the M1 Southbound.”

“Shit, mate, how did she take it all? She looked okay when you guys came in,” Rory asked.

“She was pretty good. Cool when it was all happening. Then admitted it was all a bit terrifying later. She definitely had second thoughts about everything. This…us—it’s all a bit much for her at the moment.” He took a deep breath and sighed. “I’m not sure how she’d cope at all if she found out.”

“Does she suspect?” Quade asked cautiously.

“I don’t think so. But who knows what goes on in that gorgeous head of hers?”

“Mate, you’re totally gone.” Quade shook his head, truly pitying his friend.

Brayden sat there staring into nothing, clearly struggling with something.

“There’s something else I need to tell you guys.”

Quade sat up straighter, uncomfortable with where this conversation looked to be going. “Mate, we didn’t sit down here for some sissy counselling session.”

“Too bad, you’re my brothers, well, as close to it as possible. That gives me dumping rights,” Brayden confirmed for Quade in case he’d been confused.

“Brace for it, Quade, something’s up his butt and I have a horrible feeling we’re about to find out what,” Rory warned Quade.

Brayden continued to sit there, still in two minds about what he wanted to tell them. The guys were like family but even family you don’t disclose everything to. But they had a right to know in case anything happened. More to the point, they
had
to know if anything happened. He’d need them and Rihanna would probably need them as well. He had to tell them.

“Will you stop being a candy ass and fucking spit it out, mate,” Rory urged.

“I had unprotected sex with Rihanna,” Brayden finally confessed.

Rory laughed. “That’s it? Dumb, but not the end of the world.”

“She’s not on anything else and she’ll be ovulating in a few days.”

“Thanks for the heads-up, bro, but I’m still not following nor do I really think I need to know this in advance. My nose will let me know.”

Brayden slapped his hands on his knees in frustration. “She could be pregnant,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Ohhhhhhhhkkkkkkkkkayyyyyy, now I’m getting you.” Rory sucked in a breath and smacked his lips.