OnlyatTheCavern (19 page)

“Do you want to be more than my friend?”

He reached for her hand to place a kiss on her knuckles,
then placed it on his thigh. “Baby, I want to be mean much, much more to you
than just a friend.”

“If you continue to call me baby, that’s never going to
happen.” She batted her lashes and squeezed his quadriceps.

For once the nickname didn’t make her want to pull her hair
out. In fact, she wanted him to pull over to the side of the road so she could
climb onto his lap and have him hold her tight for a really long time. If there
hadn’t been a vindictive crime lord threatening them, she knew he’d do it in a
heartbeat. He’d offer her the comfort of his arms for as long as she needed,
then fall to his knees if she asked. He was that type of man.

Giddy laughter tickled her lips. What a time to realize she
was in love with the captain. His strength. His compassion. His honor. Even his
sense of humor made her want to smile when she felt like doing anything but.
She never thought she’d have a person in her life who she’d consider as her
rock, her port in a storm, but Marco was all of those things and then some.

She held her breath and waited for the panic to seize her
around the throat. To place one’s heart into the care and trust of another was
frightening, which was why she had never done so before. Whether he knew it or
not, Marco had the power to crush her, not just destroy her, but crush her. No,
she’d never allow another the power to enact an all-out decimation of her soul,
but he definitely held sway over her thoughts and actions. Dangerous, dangerous
territory.

The car trundled over the roadway without a rumble. Marco’s thigh
was warm and solid against her palm. The breath whooshed in and out of her
lungs with ease and the panic never came. Despite the upheaval in her life
caused by those photos, she felt at peace, secure, truly comfortable in her
skin and with who she was for the first time in her life.

Marco flicked a glance in her direction and whatever he saw
on her face made him do a double take. His posture relaxed and that adorable
half-smile winked at her as he covered her hand with his.

It looked as if it took a great effort to tear his gaze away
and focus back on the traffic. He cleared his throat and said, “So. Those were
the parents.”

She closed her eyes. “Yes. That must have been awkward
having to listen to…that. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I was so proud of you. Your mother is a
trip. I was about ready to come in and lay down the law, but you did a much
better job than I would’ve done. For the record, I think you’re great, just
awesome and the best woman, person, on the planet.”

His stuttered statement made her smile and when she opened
her eyes, she saw that his cheeks had turned a lovely shade of pink.

He caught her gaze and shrugged. “It’s true.”

“Thank you.” She leaned forward and kissed his jaw. “And
thank you for leaving me to fight my own battles.”

“Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy holding back.” He made a
right turn, then another, doubling back the way they came in what she suspected
was an effort to spot anyone who might be tracking their whereabouts. “How are
you feeling? Really? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’m
willing to listen.”

“The truth? Funny as it sounds, but I feel…” She sighed.
“Free. I don’t have to pretend anymore. No more hiding. No more fake smiles or
deflections. Did I want my secret life revealed this way? Of course not. But
now I know. Now I know.”

Tears burned the back of her throat and his handsome face
wavered in her vision as she continued, “It’s funny, but the world sends this
message that family is everything. Blood is thicker than water. Above all else,
your family will stick by you through joy and tragedy. Good and bad. But we’ve
both have witnessed firsthand how that’s a crock of shit. We’ve seen what
families do to each other, how they tear each other apart under the fallacy
that because they share DNA, common courtesy doesn’t apply. We’ve seen it.
I’ve
seen it, yet I still bought the lie. I still believed that no matter what, my
mother was going to love me because I was her child. And she doesn’t. And
that—that really sucks.” Her voice broke and she pressed her lips together.

With nowhere else to go, the pent-up anger over the betrayal
seeped from her eyes in fat tears that trickled down her cheeks. She focused
her gaze on the street sign ahead until it flew past in a blur then looked
ahead to the next, and the next one after that, and the next one after that,
refusing to allow the pain free rein, but helpless to stem the tide.

Marco picked up her hand to place a tender kiss on her
knuckles and held on tight. The rest of the journey was made in silence as he
guided them across town to an industrial area of the city.

The garment district was composed of strip malls and
warehouses that catered to the art and design communities. Furniture stores,
fabrics, textiles and more were located within blocks of each other for
one-stop wholesale shopping.

The building Marco drove them to looked no different from
the others on the street. Bulky, tan, devoid of any character and rather
desolate in appearance. Even the signage was sad with the words
New &
Used Llantes—Cheap
written on particleboard in white spray paint and
resting against the side of the building.

“A tire shop?” she asked in surprise.

He smiled and withdrew his phone from his jacket. “We’re
here,” he announced to whoever answered on the other end of the call.

Around the back were three oversized garage bay doors. One
of the doors lifted as they approached and Jasmine quickly wiped at her wet
cheeks with the sleeve of her jacket.

Lieutenant Coulter stepped from the shadows with a wave
while Marco parked the car, then went to secure the door behind them.

“Hey.” Marco caught her around the wrist and leaned close
until the tips of their noses touched. “When this is over, we’re going away. I
don’t care where. I don’t care for how long. I just want to spend time with you
in any way you’ll have me.”

“Even though I’ve brought shame to my family?” she asked in
half-jest.

His smile widened and a wicked gleam winked in his eyes.
“I’m hoping that what you’ll do me will make the biggest sinner on this planet
blush. I want every wicked bit of you.”

The warmth of his affection chased away the ice left by her
mother’s departure and she felt an answering smile curl her lips.

“Get to it, Captain. While you’re saving the day, I’ll be
planning your ruin in the most debaucherous of ways.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Yes, Mistress.”

Jasmine jumped as two strong arms encircled her from behind.
The knife in her hand skipped off the potato, barely missing her finger. “Be
careful please. These fingers save lives.”

“Sorry,” Marco chuckled and brushed a kiss to her cheek.
“You’re killing us out there. Whatever it is you’re cooking smells fantastic.
Way better than what Santiago whips up. You didn’t have to go to so much
trouble.”

“I don’t mind. It’s keeping me busy. Otherwise I probably
would have spent the day fuming over my job or watching you look through
evidence and surveillance paperwork.”

“I thought you liked watching me look through evidence. At
least that’s what it looked like when I kept catching you staring at my ass.”
He nipped her earlobe and chuckled.

Guilty as charged. “You’re a sexy man when you’re doing your
thing. But you’re even sexier when bound and at my mercy.”

“Lucky for you, I live to be at your mercy.”

He dipped his head as if to kiss her, then paused, silently
seeking her permission. The potato and knife clattered in the sink before she
turned to tunnel her fingers into his hair and take his mouth with a hunger
destined to leave no doubt that his kiss was always welcome. Marco’s answering
moan tickled her lips and his fingers dug into her hips as he lifted her onto
the counter and forced his body between her thighs.

“Whoa!”

Coulter’s startled shout broke them apart with a gasp.

He held up both hands with a grin. “Don’t stop on my
account. Please, continue. I’d love to be witness to another scene. The last
one was hot, especially since it’s not every day I get to see my boss stripped
naked and whipped.”

“You were there?” she asked in surprise.

Beneath her hands Marco’s shoulders tensed. “Yeah, Coulter’s
a frequent visitor to The Cavern. He happened to be there the other night when
you put me in my place.”

“Really?” How had she not noticed the cute blond man at the
club before? Madeline would eat him alive and make him love it. “Sorry, handsome.
You’ll have to wait for another time for a public performance. I promise it
will be good.” She ran the edge of her teeth along Marco’s jaw and felt a surge
of arousal as both men shuddered.

“Damn,” Coulter sighed. “Anyway, I came to say two things,
Cap. One, dinner smells great. When can we eat? And two, they’re here.”

They?

“They?” Marco parroted her thought. “He brought backup?
Thank God.” Marco helped her down off the counter and tugged on her hand. “I
want you to meet someone.”

Another surprise? Whoever “they” were must have been trusted
friends if they were expected guests. Marco and Coulter had gone to great
lengths to find a secure location accessible only to those who needed to know.
Amongst the trusted were the lieutenant and sergeant from the SWAT team and two
other of Marco’s men who had been at work all day in the living room. The rest
of his team were out in the field, acting as if there wasn’t anything out of
the ordinary about to go down. The entire operation was top secret, even to top
police brass.

The store they were housed in was owned by an uncle of one
of Marco’s men and used to be the home of the entire Sanchez family until all
of the children grew up and moved on to own their own homes. The empty rooms
were the perfect size to set up their base of operation and the house was not
on the list of the police department’s known safe houses. Marco told her that
after the first year on the Smithwick investigation, he had pegged this
location as a possible safe house in case the police fell to the crime boss’s
coercion. Even though there wasn’t any evidence of misconduct, Marco wasn’t
taking any chances, and truthfully, Jasmine was thankful for the extra caution.

She held on to Marco’s hand as he led her down the hall and
pulled up short, stopping him in his tracks as she caught sight of the two
newcomers shaking hands with the other men. One was dressed in a costume
straight from a comic book while the other was a familiar face.

“Bale? What are you doing here?” she blurted out in complete
shock.

Amaryllis’s bodyguard crossed his thick arms over his chest
and smirked. “Greetings to you too, Mistress Jasmina. Amaryllis and Ari will be
happy to know you are doing well.”

“Jasmine,” Marco said her name in a way that cautioned her
to mind what she might say next. He gestured to the man next to Bale. “I’d like
you to meet the Chameleon.”

The Chameleon? Seriously? She shifted her gaze to the masked
giant and promptly bit her tongue. A black cowl covered most of the man’s face,
and a tunic in shimmery fabric refracted the light to make his torso blend in
with the interior, but even so, she recognized Lucian Kilsgaard the moment he
offered her a smile. There wasn’t a woman in the club who hadn’t imagined those
strong lips skimming over her most intimate of places, and she’d know those
lavender irises anywhere.

“Dr. Jovanovich.” The Chameleon bowed. “It’s a pleasure to
meet you.”

She looked to Marco with confusion. What was going on here?
Did he honestly not recognize Lucian? And what was with the costume? Out of all
of the things that had happened to her that day, she could honestly say seeing
her friend’s husband dressed like a superhero was the last thing she expected.

“Um, hello?” she responded when it became apparent they were
waiting for her to reply.

Marco placed his palm on her back. “Jaz,
the Chameleon
is here to assist us. He’s been a consultant for my team and is familiar with
Smithwick and his operations in the Cascades.”

By the way he stressed the nickname, she understood she was
to play along. “Oh. Great?”

“It’s good to see you, Bale.” Marco extended his hand and
was met with a firm handshake. “I’m surprised, but in a good way. Does this
mean you’re ready to take up the sword again?”

A look of longing filled his eyes before he shook his head.
“I made a promise, Captain. You know that. I’m only here to ensure that he,” he
nodded at Lucian, “returns in one piece.”

At the mention of a sword, Jasmine’s spine straightened.
Several months ago the city was all abuzz over a hooded vigilante who patrolled
the streets with a giant sword. When Marco had discovered her Mistress Jasmina
alter ego, he had been at The Cavern investigating the case, and Bale had drawn
his attention. Not much longer after that, the man the press had dubbed the
Claymore disappeared.

If Bale was the illusive Claymore, then Lucian dressed as
this Chameleon with a sword strapped to his hip no longer seemed that
farfetched. Were the two a crime-fighting duo?

Questions filled her head, and she hungered for the answers
of every one of them. To hold her tongue was almost painful as she batted her
lashes at Marco in a way she hoped he understood as Morse code for “you will
tell me everything”.

He winked in reply. “Gentlemen, let me fill you in on what’s
going on, and how you can both help us out.”

As the two gentlemen gathered ’round the collection of notes
and surveillance material, Marco leaned close to whisper into her ear, “Were
you aware that you were acquainted with two, maybe three, very powerful
people?”

“In what way?” she murmured in response.

“You may yet to see with your own eyes. Let’s just say I
don’t think the owners of The Cavern are from Sweden like they claim.”

“What does that mean?”

Marco smiled and Lucian turned to look at her from over his
shoulder with a wink.

She grabbed Marco by the sleeve. “When do I pitch a fit and
make you tell me?”

He chuckled and bussed her cheek then turned away to address
the group. “Cam, I need every detail you remember about the house on the lake.”

And just like that, Marco was in full police captain mode.
Dinner nearly became a burnt mess as she ran back and forth between the kitchen
and war room. The exchange of power amongst the men fascinated her as each lent
their own level of expertise to the operations.

Marco was the conductor, orchestrating each man’s
contribution in just the right proportion. He listened with an attentive ear as
Lieutenant Kirby of the SWAT team laid out his plan of attack.

Several times her gaze wandered toward Lucian and Bale. Bale
appeared as large and as menacing as ever with his ever-present scowl, but it
was clear to her by the way his eyes constantly scanned the room and how he
held his hands at his back while standing just behind Lucian that he considered
the other man his superior.

Just what was their relationship? She knew Lucian had once
worked in his family’s sporting goods and excursion shop in a small town called
Cedar, but the way he moved and spoke hinted at a strong military background.

The entire exchange made her curiouser and curiouser, but
the time to delve into that mystery was going to have to wait until the
operation was over. The wait for the main event made her antsy and she wasn’t
the only one feeling the effects. Anticipation of finally getting their man had
the testosterone pumping at a rapid pace. When dinner was served, they attacked
the roast like warriors and displayed more of their caveman ancestry. Gestures
grew more animated and speech reduced down to grunts and short sentences. The
men were ready for battle.

“All right, gentlemen.” Marco tapped at his watch. “We
reconvene in six hours. That’s oh-one-hundred. You know your marks. The only
outside communication is between team leaders. Do not let myself or Lieutenant
Kirby catch anyone making unauthorized phone calls or sending messages to anyone.
I’ll break more than your phone. Understood?”

“Yes sir,” the men replied in unison.

Jasmine stood. “I’m going too.”

Eight pairs of eyes turned in her direction.

Marco blinked several times before his brows rose to his
hairline. “What?”

“I’m going too.”

His chuckle died a quick death as he realized she was
serious. “Are you insane?”

“Far from it.” She crossed to his side. “Hear what I have to
say before you get your boxers in a bunch and say something stupid and male.
I’m not saying I want to storm the castle with you, but I want to be there.
You’ll need medical support.”

“That’s why the paramedics are on standby.”

“And I will be with them. Are you objecting because you
doubt my skills as a doctor or because we’ve had sex?”

The men let out a collective groan and Marco flinched.
“Geez, Jasmine. Did you have to pull the sex card? If that’s how you want to
play, fine. I don’t want you anywhere near the danger. I don’t want you to even
look at or be within breathing distance of anything that might harm you in any
way, shape or form.”

“That’s sweet.” She patted his cheek. “I’m going.”

“I’ll stay with her,” Bale offered. “I’ll patrol the
perimeter and if anyone tries to leave the ring that shouldn’t, I’ll push them
back in. She’ll be safe, Captain.”

“I don’t like it,” he grumbled.

Jasmine laid her palm against his chest. “But you understand
why I need to be there. I need to help somehow, someway.”

“I still don’t like it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead
and slid his arms around her waist to draw her flush against his body. “You’ll
owe me one.”

She snorted. “
I’ll
owe
you
? On what planet?”

“You know that you’re going to be on my mind the entire
time. Once this is all over, I’m going to need an outlet for all of that
worry.” His eyes narrowed and glittered with devious intent as his voice
lowered to a near growl. “And I know exactly what I’ll need. Now do
you
understand?”

Heat raced over her skin as her throat tightened. “I do.”

He nodded twice then claimed her mouth in a desperate kiss.

Marco feared for her. His worry was in the possessive grip
of his hands and flick of his tongue as he sampled the inside of her mouth, but
by no means did the concern run in one direction. She crushed the fabric of his
button-down in one hand and gripped the back of his neck with the other as she
kissed him back with all of the emotion she couldn’t yet put into words. Did he
not think she was just as concerned for his safety as he was with hers? He put
his life on the line every day, and if they were to continue on as a couple, moments
like this were destined to become commonplace. The best thing either of them
could do for each other was to stay strong, keep the home fires burning and
never give up until they returned to each other’s arms.

“Hey. Get a room, you two,” Bale said. “You’re making me
miss my Ari.”

“I wish I had an Ari,” Coulter chimed in, then gasped as
Bale’s expression turned murderous. “Not your Ari, but an Ari. I haven’t had a
girlfriend in much too long.”

“Mistress Madeline is looking for a new sub,” Jasmine
suggested.

He laughed. “Neither of us is prepared for that matchup.”

“You think you can top her?”

“I
know
I can top her,” he replied with a cocky grin.

“I’d pay to see that,” Marco said as he pulled her in the
direction of one of the bedrooms. “But later. I want alone time with my girl
first.”

“A power nap will probably do us some good.”

“Nap?” He stopped so quickly she ran into his back. “I’m
planning on doing more than nap with you.”

“Captain DeWinter. Are you suggesting that I would engage in
illicit activities under the same roof and within earshot of your coworkers
mere hours before an important tactical operation?”

Pink darkened his cheeks. “Well…yeah.”

She shook her head and clicked her tongue. “You are greatly
mistaken. For that, you shall be punished.”

His eyes brightened. “Now?”

“Later. When you least expect it. Come.” She tugged him the
rest of the way into the bedroom. “You may hold me while we nap.”

“You will so owe me,” he muttered under his breath.