Ring of Fire (11 page)

“Yes. I’m sure.”

“When is the shipment scheduled to arrive?”

“Friday night. But Cougar plans to wait until Saturday to blow it. Wants to be sure all the trucks have been unloaded and that most of Jeb’s men are there.”

“In that case, we’ll hit them on Friday.”

“You have to or it will be too late.”

“Any sense how many will be inside?

“Four, maximum. The rest of them will be coming on Saturday.”

“Don’t know what to say, man, except for God’s sake, keep your head down. You know how I feel about your involvement. This is killing me.”

“Yeah, I know Nate, Good night.”

Nate had been stunned when his confidential informant approached him. He didn’t know what was harder. To believe the guy was serious or believe he wasn’t a plant. Without question the hardest thing was knowing that if anything happened to him, Nate would never forgive himself. But after the first three tips were dead on Nate knew he’d struck gold. Hell, the guy’d given him information that had shocked his high level DEA undercover agents. None of them had believed that Jeb had connections to the La Familia Muerte but his CI gave him irrefutable proof.

Even so, it stuck in Nate’s craw. Made it hard to swallow when he thought about what he was doing, who he was working with. He did his best to underscore the danger the guy was in, but his informant was adamant.

He’d said, “There’s no chance either Jeb or Cougar will suspect me.”

Nate had to agree. He was still in shock himself. But nothing he said dissuaded his snitch. The guy was on a mission, a holy mission. Against his better judgment, Nate gave in and used the information to plan his response to the rapidly developing war. What else could he do? The information his CI gave him two days ago could change the course of the war—in favor of the good guys.

Chapter 11

Nate dragged himself into the dark house and headed for the kitchen. His cabin was his sanctuary. For three years, he’d poured his creative genius into the place, building a masterpiece of wood, stone and glass. Architectural magazines had begged to feature it. Who would have guessed a Northwood’s cop could design a place like this? Nate laughed at them. Up until a year ago only the Chief, and Connor and his family, had set foot in the place. He’d refused to share it. Too much like sharing his soul.

That was before Erin. When he first brought her here, a miracle happened. His sanctuary became their sanctuary and even more amazing, it became a home.

Opening the refrigerator he peered at his selection of beer. Remembering Sam taunting Jeb with his urbane knowledge of places and things Jeb had never dreamed of seeing, Nate chuckled. Damn, Sam was an impressive guy. His humor died thinking about the fire tonight. Seven men dead. In the matter of minutes. No question. Jeb had thrown down his marker. As much at Nate as at Cougar.

He grabbed a bottle of Newcastle and tipped it in a salute to his nemesis.

“Game on, asshole.”

Walking into the great room with its twenty five foot beamed ceiling and a stone fireplace that covered one entire wall, Nate was surprised to see Erin. She was curled up in the big chair before fireplace. His heart leapt at the sight of the beautiful woman. Her cloud of dark curly hair hung over the arm of the chair. She’d pulled her long slim legs up to her chest and she’d rested her rosy cheek on her hands. Her long eyelashes formed a curtain on her pale face and her lips were full, pouty, inviting—even in her sleep.

She looked innocent, like a child. Unprotected, vulnerable. Nate’s gut clenched. He knew only too well how vulnerable she was. She wouldn’t believe him, she’d fight against his concerns. But Erin didn’t know Jeb
or
Cougar. They were violent, inflamed men. They were out to get him. And the best way to do that was curled up in the chair in front of him.

Erin stirred and woke. Surprise then concern filled her eyes when she saw him. She sat up and held out her arms.

“Mmm. Oh good, Nate. I was worried about you. When did you get home?”

“Just, now, princess. I can’t believe you aren’t in bed. It’s three in the morning, Erin. You have to be uncomfortable in that chair.”

She frowned, the expression marring her smooth brow.

“How could I sleep knowing that you were out there in the middle of a fire scene?”

As if remembering their argument at the pub, she roused up, her frown deepening.

“Just so you know, I’m still angry that you insisted I come home instead of going with you. I
am
a firefighter, Nate, and a good one. I belonged there with you.”

Nate shook his head.

“Yes, you are, Erin. But even as good a firefighter as you can’t go to a fire in a miniskirt and sexy halter.”

“I could have changed….”

Nate couldn’t keep the weariness out of his voice.

“Erin, let’s not argue. It’s been a hell of a night and I’m beat.”

Erin looked surprised at his confession. She sat up straight in the chair. “I’m sorry, Nate. I know you must be exhausted.”

She rose to her feet and moved toward him tugging at the short pajama bottoms that barely covered her butt cheeks.

He chuckled and reached for her. “Honey, I can tell you one way to perk up the most exhausted man is to come at him dressed in those cock teasing pajamas. Damn, I thought that skirt you wore tonight was enticing.”

“Honestly, Nate, how can you act surprised at what I wear. Most of it you buy for me, and most of it is so revealing I can’t wear it anywhere but here with you.”

He grinned. “And, your point?”

She laughed and moved into his arms. He closed his eyes and pulled her close to him, burying his lips in her hair.

“Damn, Erin. Do you have any idea what you do to me? God, baby, you smell like flowers and spicy things and fresh woman.”

He ran his hands over her curvy bottom, clasping her round cheeks in his big hands.

“Mmm hmm. Yeah, this is what I have been waiting for. Erin, can we close the door on tonight and just revel in the fact that we have each other?”

She murmured, “Yes, absolutely yes. But, Nate, first, please tell me what happened tonight. I need to know.”

Nate sighed. “Yeah, baby, you do. As much as I’d like to slam the door shut and build a barricade around this place, there’s no way we can shut out what’s happening.”

He stepped back and tipped her chin up to look into her eyes.

“Erin, it’s bad out there. And honey, it’s going to get worse.”

She frowned and reached up to capture his face between her hands.

“I know that, Nate. And I know you’re tired. But can we talk about it? Please, don’t shut me out. This is my town now too, Nate.”

He nodded. “You’re right. How about I get another beer and grab one for you? Then we talk?”

Nate plopped the two beers on the end table and winked at her.

“I loved seeing you sitting in ‘our’ chair waiting for me. But that chair is way too big for that curvy body of yours. There’s only one way you can fit, and that is in my arms.”

He scooped her up in his arms and sunk into the chair with her on his lap.

“Ah, yes. Hell yes. Now I know what I’ve been missing.” He stroked her back and rested her head against his shoulder. She snuggled tight against him. For a long moment, Nate held her, reveling in her warmth and her quiet strength. Resisting the urge to stand up and haul her off to their bed, he forced himself to go over the events of the night.

“Seven fucking men, Erin. Dead. Just like that. Some I didn’t know, but others I’ve known all my life. Mason Quirk and I went through high school together. Hell, before he hooked up with Cougar, he was a decent guy. Worked at the Shell station.” Nate grimaced remembering the bodies before they zipped them in body bags. Most were barely recognizable. Others’ faces had been spared, making their death seem unreal. He continued his gruesome inventory for Erin.

“Jason Sampson and Dewey Carter are,
were
,
kids
—not even old enough to go in the army. Damn, I coached Dewey when he was in seventh grade. His mama and daddy are going to be heartbroken. They came to me six months ago begging me to talk to him. Get him away from Cougar. I tried. But even then, I knew he was too far gone. You know what that Devil Dust does. God knows, I do. But Jesus, Erin, when I see what it did to a kid who used to have a hook shot that rivaled mine? Takes my breath away.”

Erin was quiet for several moments allowing Nate to recount the events at his own pace. She didn’t have to be at the fire scene to know what he was feeling. The destruction and now the incredible loss of life was only too real. She understood his reluctance. Talking about it required reliving it. But she knew from watching Nate in previous crimes that unless she insisted, he would close up, turn away, until he could work his way through the horrific events. The problem was that these crimes all involved fires which meant that for better or worse she was involved. She knew that if she didn’t press he would do what he had done earlier tonight, shut her out, send her home. Tonight it made sense. She was dressed to party. But tomorrow she would be on duty at the firehouse, ready for any and all action that came their way.

As if reading her mind, Nate held her in place with a hard stare.

“Erin, tonight was a turning point. Jeb’s making his move. Seven men means nothing to him. But it does to Cougar. Which means that the next move is Cougar’s. Honey, this week is going to be hell. Literally. I need you to understand that.”

Erin put her fingers over his lips.

“Don’t Nate. I know what you are going to say. I’ll be careful. The same way that I want
you
to be careful.”

When he just shrugged, her antennae went up. He didn’t usually agree so easily. Instead of arguing, she decided to placate him. Reassure him. Act like the professional that they both knew she was.

“Can you talk about it, Nate?”

He shook his head, his frown deepening. “I can’t, Erin. I will tell you that I received information a couple of days ago that is going to blow this whole damn thing sky high. No telling what will happen after it does.”

When he lifted his beer to his lips and drained it and turned to her, the expression on his face confirmed he was done talking for the evening. He raked his eyes over her making her conscious of how revealing her pajamas were. He ran a calloused finger down her cheek then pinched the corner of her mouth. At her involuntary shiver he chuckled.

“Don’t know how much longer I can hold this sweet little body of yours without starting to feast on you, Erin. But damn, princess, I gotta get this fire stink off me. Scrub the remnants of a hard evening down the drain. I don’t know how you’ve managed to stand me for this long. If I’ve ever needed a shower, it’s now.

Erin peeked up at him shyly.

“Want company?”

Nate groaned as he rose to his feet holding her close to his big body.

“Damn, honey. Ask a dying man if he wants to live another hundred years. Yeah, baby, I want company. I want you, Erin.”

She pushed him away and headed to the doorway. Looking over her shoulder, she let her eyes drift over his tall frame and gave him a saucy wink.

“If that’s the case, Detective, you better not tarry. You have far too many clothes on that sexy body of yours. A girl can only wait so long before she needs to take things into her own hands.”

Nate barked out a short laugh.

“Hmm. Why, Lt. McFadden, I do believe you’re challenging me.”

Erin laughed and tossed her head.

“There’s more than one way for a girl to get satisfaction, Detective Stryker.”

Nate’s voice was gruff.

“And, sugar, if anyone knows most of them, it’s me. Now if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get that hot sassy body of yours into the shower or—”

“Or what, big bad Detective?”

When he advanced on her she giggled and ran for the doorway, peals of laughter floating behind her.

Chapter 12

When Nate built his cabin masterpiece he created every square inch to please himself—or so he’d thought. Now as he followed Erin toward the extravagant shower which easily held the two of them and had a couple of useful benches and shelves on the side, he realized he’d built it for the two of them. One more outrageous stage for them to indulge their passion.

Connor’s wife, Kaitlin, was always spouting ‘new age’ woo-woo crap. Kait told him not long ago, that he had built the cabin in hopes of attracting someone like Erin into his life. Nate disagreed. He told her not someone
like
Erin. Erin.

Nate stood in the doorway and watched her slide the skimpy satin pants over her curvy bottom. She gave a sinuous twist of her hips as they hit the floor and daintily stepped out of them. In seconds the miniscule halter top joined the shimmery pile on the floor. He grinned knowing that the exaggerated striptease was for his benefit. His cock reared up in appreciation. Stepping into the shower Erin turned on the water. A cloud of steam blanketed the glass walls casting intriguing shadows over the hills and valleys of her luscious body. Nate stood mesmerized watching her stretch her arms above her head and turn slowly to capture the warm water over the length of her body. For a brief instant he envied the water coursing over her.

He toed off his boots and yanked at his socks. Grabbing for the hem of his t-shirt, he dragged it over his head. As he slid his jeans over his hips he guffawed. It was a damn good thing he went commando. His aroused prick, unruly bastard that it was, wasn’t interested in niceties, much less unnecessary layers of clothing. No. His dick was on a mission and the object of his rampage was standing naked five feet away. Closing the shower door behind him Nate reached out and pulled Erin up tight against him. Because he towered over her his erection pressed against the small of her back.

He nuzzled against her ear. “Darlin’, we’ve got a problem.”

She gasped as he ran his hands over the front of her body, his fingertips grazing the sides of her full breasts. He slid his hands over her hips, and rested his fingers on the sensitive crease at the top of her thighs.

Erin leaned against him twisting her head to ensure that his lips found that exquisitely sensitive place on her throat. Her voice was husky, low.