THE CRADLE CONSPIRACY (11 page)

“This probably isn’t a good idea,” he muttered, even as his body strained against his jeans. He couldn’t resist. He leaned into her.

His thumb rubbed against her full lower lip. Her mouth parted. Raven raised her hand to his scarred cheek. “You’re a good man, Daniel Adams, but I don’t need you to protect me. Not from this.”

Her tongue teased the pad of his thumb. His body tightened against his zipper, and he swallowed.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

He couldn’t stop himself even if he’d wanted to. He lowered his mouth to hers, gingerly, gently, softly, though every part of him screamed to yank her close. He teased her lips with his mouth, dancing over them until they parted under his caress.

A groan rumbled in his throat. He brought her closer to him. Her breasts crushed against his chest, and his hands explored her back, up to her head, pressing her closer. She let out a small whimper and put a hand to her bandaged forehead.

He released her immediately. “I hurt you,” he said. “I should have known.” He slid away.

“My scalp’s just a little tender,” she said, her breathing coming fast. She leaned forward. “Don’t stop.”

Daniel took a shuddering breath. His hand reached behind him and encountered the whip he’d tossed into the cave. He sighed as the passion left him, and reality returned. “It’s not a good idea. Whatever is happening between us, it’s not real, Raven. It’s just the crazy circumstances.”

Her eyes cleared. “I may not know my name, Daniel, but I know what’s real.” She gestured between them. “This is real. You may not like it, but it’s definitely real.”

He shoved his hand through his hair. “Look, I can’t hide that I want you, or that I crave a lot more than a kiss from you. We both know it would be easy to just let go, to escape for a while, but...” Daniel clutched the whip and held it before him. “Even if you remembered everything, I have baggage I won’t saddle you with.”

She stared at the coiled leather in his hand. “What’s that for?” she whispered, a trace of fear in her voice.

“Therapy,” Daniel said, curling his hand around the handle. “It’s the whip my captor, the Duke of Sarbonne, used in Bellevaux. Noah gave it to me before he left. As a present.”

“That seems cruel. Why would he do that to you?”

“Because I dream about that whip,” Daniel bit out, his voice hard. “Every night. You need your memories back, Raven. I’d give anything for my memories of that time to be erased forever.”

Lightning cracked outside, and Daniel winced. “Because sounds like that can send me back to that dungeon in seconds. My PTSD makes my back burn as if the bastard were whipping me right now.” He shifted his shoulder and then rose until his head nearly hit the roof of the cave. “Get some rest, Raven. I’ll be outside.” He paused. “Maybe Noah is right. It’s time to exorcise some demons.”

“Let me help you. Let me comfort you like you’ve comforted me. I’m a good listener.” She held out her hand to him. “Stay with me.”

He frowned at her, then looked back at the rain pouring down. At least the thunder and lightning were moving on. “I can’t stay. Not until I’m certain I’m not a demon myself.”

* * *

C
HRISTOPHER
LEANED
BACK
in the driver’s side of the SUV and stared at the ramshackle house on the darkened street just on the edge of the war zone in El Paso.

“You sure this is her house?” he asked Tad. “It’s a dump.”

His friend popped a wad of chewing tobacco into his cheek. “No mistake. I got a good friend at the phone company. She looked her up for me.” Tad gripped his crotch. “She got a little extra for her effort. Good thing she likes it rough.”

Christopher shook his head. “You really are a depraved SOB. Did you get rid of the body?”

“Nah. I didn’t kill her. Thought about it, but women who like it my way are hard to find.”

Christopher opened the SUV door. “Well, now that the bitch who tried to steal my baby sister is finally dead, I can start my life over. Wait here.”

“Yeah, yeah. Hurry up. It’s hot as hell still, even if it is night,” Tad muttered, tugging his phone from his pocket. “I’ll check some porn sites while you’re gone.” He smirked and kicked up a heel on the dashboard.

Christopher shook his head. Sometimes he didn’t know about Tad’s taste in women. None of his friend’s relationships were like what he had with Chelsea. She’d saved his sanity. Christopher had hated growing up in the middle of nowhere—except for the hunting—until he’d found Chelsea. Back then she’d lived in Van Horn, only an hour away. He’d loved her the moment he saw her at a high school football game, dark hair blowing in the wind, green eyes sparkling. He should have written more, but she’d still be glad to see him.

His heart thudded against his chest, eagerness adding a spring to his step. He walked up the sidewalk, scanning right, then left. Habit from his military training. An old woman peered through her front window, then quickly closed the curtains. People knew better than to get involved in this neighborhood.

The first thing he’d do is get Chelsea out of here. They’d move into the big house with his mom and sister. Chelsea deserved a nice house. She could help take care of the baby in preparation for their own family.

He smiled at the image, placed his hand on the doorknob and tested it. The lock jiggled. Dangerous for this area.

Christopher knocked softly. Padded footsteps creaked across the floor. A curtain loosely fluttered.

He banged again.

“Chelsea, honey, it’s me. Christopher. I’m home.”

She didn’t open the door.

His body tensed; his jaw tightened. “Chelsea. It’s me. Open up,” he said, his voice low and urgent.

The floor creaked near the door. What the hell was she doing? He’d imagined this day from the moment he’d been forced to redeploy. They’d cancelled his leave twice for disciplinary actions. It had been too long, and this wasn’t the way homecoming worked.

He pounded on the wooden door over and over and over again. “I’m back. Just like I promised. Damn it, let me in, Chelsea.” His temper erupted, and he let his fist fly. The wood cracked beneath the force.

He stood back, ready to kick it in, when the door creaked open, and Chelsea’s terrified face peeked out.

“Chris...Christopher. I...I thought you were still overseas.”

“Yeah, well, things changed.” In one move he shoved into the house. “Why didn’t you open the door for me?” He grabbed her by the hair and tilted her head back. “Is someone here? Is that why you wouldn’t answer?”

“No, of course not. I...just...” she licked her lips, and her gaze darted left “...couldn’t believe it was you. There’s no one here, Christopher. I promise.”

Eyes darting left was a sure sign of a lie. Christopher shoved her away then slammed through the small house, checking every room.

Empty.

His heart thudded with fury that had no way to expend itself. Why did she always do this? Get him worked up when she didn’t have to. He sucked in several deep breaths and walked into the living room. She cowered in the corner.

Immediately remorse washed over him. “I’m sorry, baby. The war got to me. It was ugly, and I’ve just missed you so much.”

He grabbed her arms and pulled her close, tucking her against his chest. He needed sex, and he needed it now. Nothing else would take the edge off.

She shivered against him, and a small sob escaped.

He caressed her hair. “It’s okay, honey. Everything’s all right. I’m back. I’m here now. Things will be like they were before. Just you and me.”

He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. “How about a welcome home?”

Her eyes went wide. “But...but...”

He frowned. “Don’t you want me?”

“I...uh...I don’t have protection.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, sweetie. We don’t need it. I want to have babies with you. I always have.”

Ten minutes later he sat up, sated but irritated.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded. “Why were you crying?”

“N...nothing’s wrong. Just...I’m...happy you’re back.” She stared at the wall, at a painting of a woman alone on the beach, but tears wet her cheeks.

“You women are nuts. Tad’s waiting for me, but I’ll be back.” He touched her face. “You’ll never be alone again. We’ll be together forever, Chelsea. We’ll be so happy together.”

He kissed her, and left her soft and warm in bed, making sure to lock the front door behind him.

He couldn’t stop smiling and slid into the SUV.

“You look satisfied.” Tad frowned. “Didn’t take long.”

“Been a while.” Christopher grinned. He leaned back in his seat with a sigh. “It’s been a good day. I got my girl back. I’m home and have Dad’s money waiting for me. My baby sister is safe.” He flipped on the radio. “Our little shootout should have made the news by now.”

The newscaster’s voice droned through the radio. “And big city problems have made their way into the tiny West Texas town of Trouble. A drive-by shooting left one woman clinging to life, and her brother seriously injured. More updates as information is made available, but sources close to the investigation have identified the victims as William ‘Hondo’ Rappaport and his sister, Lucy Rappaport Hardiman.”

Christopher jerked and slammed his hand on the dash. “Damn you, Tad. You took out the wrong targets. That woman is still alive!”

* * *

W
ATER
SOAKED
D
ANIEL
’
S
jeans and T-shirt, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t feel the rain. He stared out at the thunderstorm, waiting for another snap of lightning. It was far enough away that he might not get struck by it. If it weren’t for Raven, he wasn’t sure he’d care.

With the whip in his hand, every crack triggered the memories. His mind whirled between the past and the present, but he pushed the dungeon away until he knew he stood at the edge of the wash. In Texas.

Daniel tightened his grip, the seal digging into his palm. He wouldn’t let the bastard win.

A flash of lightning.

The clap of thunder.

Daniel lifted his arm. He cracked the whip over the edge.

The leather snapped in the air.

The roar of thunder rolled through the night. He stared into the eerie flickering of the sky. One glance over his shoulder, and the dim light from the cave glowed like a beacon. Raven was in there. Afraid, vulnerable, huddled with Trouble, and here he was, playing with a whip.

“You won’t beat me, Sarbonne!” he yelled into the night. Thunder crashed, and Daniel flicked the whip. Again and again and again. “You won’t control me. I won’t let you.”

Rain ran down his face. His eyes burned. He might have cried. He couldn’t tell. He lifted his arm again, and again, and again. Each crack drove a hole into the memories choking him. He lost himself in the desperation to annihilate his past.

“You don’t control me anymore, you bastard.”

Hour after hour passed until Daniel could barely lift his arm, when finally, finally, he didn’t wince, his back didn’t burn.

He glared into the retreating storm. Rain still pelted his face, stinging his cheeks, but the worst was over. He stared at the whip in his hand. The whip was just a whip.

Thank you, Noah.

For a moment, he considered tossing the monstrosity into the wash. He turned it over and over in his hand.

Another slash of lightning lit the sky, reflected off the Sarbonne crest. Daniel tensed, but got his emotions under control.

One demon down. Daniel yelled into the night, “You won’t win. I won’t let you.”

His body sagged. He bent over, hands on his knees, and sucked in several deep breaths, then slowly repeated, “I won’t let you.”

* * *

R
AVEN
HUDDLED
IN
the mouth of the small cave and stared at Daniel through the darkness. A distant flash of lightning illuminated his features. Now exhaustion replaced the stark pain carved on his face.

He stood and looked up into the sky, his shoulders shaking with a depth of release she could barely comprehend. Tears flowed undaunted down her cheeks. She couldn’t get the haunted expression he’d worn out of her mind.

He stood frozen in the rain, the water sluicing over him. Every instinct urged her to go to him, to comfort him, to wrap her arms around him and give him strength.

He was so alone. So horribly, painfully alone, but she didn’t move. Daniel had pushed her away once.

Did that make her a coward?

Trouble stood just inside the cave, whining forlornly. He looked ready to leap at Daniel, but even he hesitated.

“He saved us, Trouble. What do we do?” The mutt looked up at her with a sad expression. She stood.

She took off Daniel’s jacket.

Her heart aching, she stepped into the storm. Within seconds her clothes were drenched and clung to her skin. Her feet slipped on the mud, and she flailed awkwardly but didn’t fall. Her entire focus remained on the man standing at the edge of an abyss she couldn’t fathom.

He was alone.

He wouldn’t be for long.

She took a shuddering breath and stepped closer. Daniel didn’t turn around. He might not even know she’d left the cave. She hesitated.

The roar of the storm circled around them, but somehow he sensed her presence.

“You shouldn’t have come in the rain, Raven,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Go back inside.”

“No.” She slipped her arms around his waist and leaned her cheek against his broad shoulders. She hugged him tight, needing him to know she was there. “I won’t leave you.”

At her words, a shiver ran through his body. He placed his hands on hers. At first she thought he might pry her away, but then he let out a low groan and gripped her tight.

“I don’t have the will to fight you,” he said, his voice harsh with grief. He turned to her. “If you don’t want me to make love to you, walk away. I won’t follow.”

She slid her hands lower, past his belt to the proof of his desire.

“So be it.” Daniel scooped her up and cradled her against his chest. “There’s no turning back now.”