ToServeAndProtect (33 page)

Dustin chuckled. “I guess she’s feeling cozy.”

“She should. He asked her to move in.”

Dustin choked. Tyson had to be insane or in love to
get involved again.

“Don’t say anything you might regret. They haven’t
known each other long, but neither have we and I’m asking the same of you.”
Silence filled the air as they stared across the table at each other. “I don’t
know what to do about the house. If this is even my house. If they find
Elliot—”

“They will and he’ll be doing some time for his
crimes. I don’t think you have to worry about finding another place to live.”

“Could you live here?”

He looked around the spacious kitchen. Rich woods,
granite countertops, subzero refrigerator, a room built to feed a family and
entertain friends.

“Where would you put my couch?” He asked with a
serious expression on his face.

She smugly smiled. “In the trash.”

He leaned back in the chair. “It’s a complicated
request. I’d need a few promises from you. I have more to think about than just
myself. As you’ve frequently reminded me, I have to think about Janie.”

“That you have a girlfriend will bother her?”

“She won’t be happy to hear you’re my girlfriend.” He
stood and knelt before her. “Especially after I told her you’re going to be my
wife.”

Tears filled McKenna’s eyes. She launched out of the
chair, sending Dustin off balance. He landed on his rear and she on top of him.

“I hope this means you want to get married.”

McKenna plastered herself to Dustin. Nothing would
please her more than getting rid of her maiden name. “Absolutely,” she promised,
and then she kissed him. Breath blended and mouths mated. His tongue slid
between her lips and his hands cupped her buttocks.

“I love you,” he whispered.

She moved off him then sat next to him on the floor.
“I love you, too.”

“I know how much this means to you.” Dustin slipped
the ring she always wore from her finger.

“It was my mother’s.”

“I know.” Their eyes met. “I can afford whatever you
want, but I thought we could have a band made to match.” He slipped the ring
onto the third finger of her left hand.

“When?” She giggled. “You know,” she said snuggling
against him. “I don’t have any family. I won’t want an extravagant wedding.”

“This weekend in Vegas with Dawn and Tyson?”

McKenna crinkled her nose and shook her head.

“We could do it Sunday, here at the house while Janie
is with us.” He combed his fingers through her hair and held her close.

“I think that sounds perfect.”

* * * * *

Dustin leaned back in the lawn chair and laughed at
something Tyson said while he manned the barbecue. McKenna stood in the kitchen
watching as Dawn mixed margaritas.

“Funny how life works out.” McKenna looked away from
Dustin. Dawn added more ice into the blender. “Elliot tried to destroy my life,
but in fact Dustin is the best thing to ever happen to me.”

Dawn salted the edge of four wide-mouth goblets. “If
the Marinos don’t kill him, and he somehow makes his way home, I’ll thank him
just before I hit him with my car.” She poured the drinks. “I’m happy, too. I
don’t know if my dad wanted to jump for joy or kick my ass when I told him I
was moving in with Tyson.” They each grabbed two glasses and headed back out to
the patio.

“How are the brats coming?” Dawn asked as she handed
Tyson his drink. Mouth-watering aromas hung heavy in the air. “I’m hungry,
baby.”

“I’ll give you something to eat,” he teased.

“We don’t want to be witness to any perversion today.”
Dustin laughed. “Because this is an important celebration.” He took a large
drink of margarita. “Not to take any thunder away from the enormous step the
two of you are taking.” He took McKenna’s hand. “But we’ve got a little bit of
news.”

“Are you moving into the princess’ castle?” Tyson
moved the brats into a beer bath. “It’d sure be a step up from your place. Not
to mention how good the races will look on her big screen with surround sound.”
He nodded at Dustin to acknowledge he approved of the upgrade.

“Yeah, that’s part of it. We’re getting married on
Sunday.”

“And we want the two of you there with us,” McKenna
interrupted.

Dawn’s knees buckled. She sat in the nearest lawn
chair. “A little sudden, don’t you think?”

“We know what we want.” McKenna went to Dawn and sat
next to her. “You’ve always known what I want. Look at him,” she whispered. “I
love him.”

Dawn’s eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, Christ,” Tyson mumbled. “Are you a cry baby at
weddings, too?” He shook his head. “She acts tough,” he said to Dustin. “Really
she’s a softy.”

“As long as I’m the only one you’re touching who’s
soft,” she said with a sniffle. “And I can cry when my girl tells me she’s
fallen in love.”

“Just don’t get any romantic notions,” he mumbled.
“Can you imagine Dawn as an ex-wife?” he said to Dustin. “You’d have to put a
bullet in me.”

Dustin raised an eyebrow. “Dawn will be loyal as long
as you are—”

“Let’s eat,” Tyson interrupted. “One of Dawn’s many
rules,” he said moving around Dustin. “Can’t use the ‘c’ word.”

“The ‘c’ word?” Dustin asked as he followed Tyson into
the house.

“Commitment,” he quietly spoke while looking at Dawn.

“I heard.”

Tyson laughed. “She’s put an end to my player ways.”
He set the brats on the counter where Dawn had spread out the rest of the food.
“Pearce, I’ve never met anyone like her,” he said seriously. “The girl makes me
laugh.”

“Two weeks ago we thought McKenna was a cold blooded
killer.” They watched Dawn and McKenna as they slowly made their way into the
house. McKenna recounted the proposal and then held out her hand to Dawn.

“I thought you were hungry,” Tyson hollered to Dawn.

“We’re coming.”

Dustin and Tyson looked at each other with wide grins.
“She always leaves herself open for a comeback.”

Chapter
Twenty-one

Dustin lifted the garage door with his clicker. He
already felt at home, although it would be different when he actually lived
here. It wouldn’t just be his home. McKenna wanted his daughter as well. Janie
would have her own room upstairs. Probably pink and frilly so his little girl
could be a princess, too.

The door leading to the kitchen opened. McKenna stood
in the doorjamb wearing an old pair of jeans and a faded top with a tear on the
shoulder. Blonde hair came loose from a haphazard pile on top of her head.

Creaking on the hinges, his truck door opened. “Hi,”
he said, coming around the front of the vehicle. Standing on the bottom step,
he put his hands on her hips while she stood on the step above him.

“You’re early,” she said, wrapping her arms around his
neck.

He tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “What’ve
you been up to?”

She looked away while she gathered her hair. “Not the
image you expect to find coming home from a long day.”

Her lips were warm and moist as he silenced her with a
kiss. His body responded. He stepped up, pulled her close and nestle his
erection against the V of her sex. One hand traveled up the wall until he
touched the button to close the garage door.

“I’m going to get used to this.” She smiled as their
lips continued to touch.

Dustin followed her into the kitchen and gave a low
whistle when he saw the amount of clutter covering the counters, floor and
table.

“I figured if Elliot wants to be dead, he doesn’t need
any of this.” Suits and sweaters filled boxes stacked against the wall. “The
donation truck is coming tomorrow. Before Sunday, I want everything to do with
Elliot out of my life to make room for you and Janie. I thought she would like
my room, and we’ll move into the master bedroom.”

Dustin draped his suit jacket over the back of a
kitchen chair and slipped his gun and shoulder harness off. “What’s this?” He
picked up an old photo from the table. The edges had yellowed and one of the
corners had been torn off.

“I found it stuck to an old photo album in the bottom
of a box. It was too heavy just to be clothes, so I dumped it out.”

“Were there any other photos?” He turned the picture
over to look at the back.

“Yes.” Excitement laced her voice. “There are pictures
of my mother before she married Elliot.” She took the picture from his fingers.
“There’s a name on the back of this one. Do you think he could be my father?”
She stared at the couple on the front of the picture. “I always thought I
looked like my mother.”

“Yes, you do resemble her.” Dustin compared the couple
in the picture to the woman before him. “I’m trained to notice details,” he
said with a note of humor to his voice. “I definitely think it’s a possibility
that this is your father. You have his lips and ears.”

“I have a name. It’s a start.”

McKenna went to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer
for Dustin. Butterflies filled her stomach as she watched him shift from
capable detective into the man who made her pulse beat a few ticks faster with
a glance.

“Is something wrong?” He tenderly touched her cheek.

Nothing was wrong except every time he looked at her,
she ached for more. “I’ve thought about you all day, and you’re finally home. I
don’t want to clean out any more closets. I feel like spending fifteen minutes
kissing in one.” She sighed trying to even out her breathing. “And that just
isn’t like me.” She stared at him for a moment. “Oh, jeez, did I just say all
that?” She covered her eyes with her palm.

Dustin took her by the hand and led her to the family
room, the one with the big screen TV, surround sound, and comfortable pillow
couches. “What you’re saying,” he said, turning on the television, “is you want
to make out.” He stretched out and pulled her down beside him. “I’m warning
you.” His voice grew deep and husky. Freeing her hair from the clip on top of
her head, he continued, “Now that I’ve been inside of you—” His tongue traced
the soft fullness of her lips. “I won’t be able to stop with a kiss.” Searing a
trail down the side of her neck and across her shoulder, he then kissed his way
back up to her mouth.

McKenna moaned. “Yes, don’t stop with a kiss.”

“Touch me,” he said, drawing her hand down his torso
to the stiff bulge behind the fly of his slacks.

She slid her hand inside and wrapped her fingers
around his hot and heavy length. “Maybe I’m just in the mood for you.” She
scooted down his body, lowering the metal zipper of his slacks. “Maybe I’ve
thought about your cock today.” Kneeling on the floor, she leaned over him and
peeled open the fabric. “Take your pants off, Detective. And give me what I
want.”

He chuckled, lifted his hips and pushed his trousers
down. She tugged them to his ankles and he kicked them off. “It’s yours.” He
wrapped his fist around the base and stroked the length.

McKenna took his smooth velvet flesh into her mouth.

“Awe, fuck, Mickey.”

* * * * *

Saturday came quickly. The house had undergone a
transformation. Dustin helped her turn what once reminded her of a museum, into
a home. Fresh flowers were on the kitchen table and a big bowl of colorful
fruit sat on the counter. McKenna brewed a cup of coffee and waited for Dustin
to come home from work.

The phone rang. “Hello,” she answered.

“Good day to you, Ms. Porter. I understand
congratulations are in order.”

Never would she forget the voice echoing on the other
end of the line. “Mr. Marino.” Her blood ran cold.

His deep chuckle vibrated through the phone, into her
soul, and coiled like a snake in her stomach. “No need to worry, my dear. I’m
calling to offer my condolences on your father’s death. I heard it wasn’t at
all pleasant for him.” There was a moment of silence.

“Elliot is dead?” The quickening of her heart wasn’t
what she expected. She thought she’d be relieved. Tickling in the back of her
mind was the fear Elliot would return. Tears filled her eyes. “Did you kill
him?”

Robert laughed again. “I hear it was a most
unfortunate accident. Good luck in your new life, McKenna. I’m sorry we had to
meet under such unfortunate circumstances. You’re a brave woman. I find that
quality very appealing.”

She found the notion disturbing. Robert Marino scared
the hell out of her. He’d held her at gunpoint, and his brother Joe had
threatened to kill her if she didn’t produce the money.

“Did you speak to him?” The line was silent. “What about
the money?” If Elliot was dead, she’d never have answers.

“McKenna, nothing he said could redeem him.”

Emotion choked her throat. She agreed, but that didn’t
mean she didn’t want to flail her fists against his chest and damn him to hell
for the miserable man he was.