Training Rain (17 page)

The words were spoken softly, for him alone. He squeezed her
hand. “What kind of plans?”

“The kind that normal people make when they decide to spend
the rest of their lives together.”

Heat simmered between them. Jess’ cock responded to her
words as if she had grabbed him and ripped his clothes off. His heart responded
by swelling to a point where he expected it to burst from his chest at any
moment. “I’m going to hold you to that,
cher
.”

“I’m counting on it.” Those full lips begged to be kissed.
She had chosen him.

Someone cleared their throat. Jess turned to find the other
four people in the room staring at them. They all looked awkward and
uncomfortable.

Tessa took hold of Joshua’s hand and blushed. “You two are
going to light the house on fire if you don’t stop broadcasting
those…um…feelings. We don’t all have time to act on the vibe you’re sending
out, so cut it out.”

Rain’s cheeks turned bright red. God, she was beautiful. And
she was his. A swell of pride filled him. He had to quell all his feelings.
Tessa was right, they didn’t have time to act on any of them.

Six people against whatever was on its way could be a
disaster.

The bulk of the weapons they had were from the arsenal Will
kept in his jet. They spent the next hour gathering them and bringing them into
the cabin.

The sound of a helicopter was almost comforting in that
there was only one. Unfortunately, it was Blake and a team of six trusted FBI
agents. The government was unwilling to acknowledge that a United States
senator had gone off the rails and was mounting a private war with the Psi
Alliance. However, the president had authorized Special Agent Blake to keep an
eye on certain members of the Alliance.

Blake’s team spread out around the area. Rain stayed in the
house with Troy since her skills were not offensive. She could block if
necessary and she would stand by to heal the injured.

Jess hated that she was not within his sight, but it was
something he would have to get used to.
Best to begin as they meant to go
forward.
It was a phrase his mother had used when he was growing up and he
never really understood, until now.

He had taken a position with Joshua and Blake behind the
shed. The large generator inside would give Joshua an added resource for his
lightning bolts if necessary.

Blake had to yell above the noise from the generator and the
approaching helicopters. “As soon as the kid’s transmitter went down,
Breckenridge was on the move. He thinks his son is dead and is out for
revenge.”

“More likely he figures he can’t beat us with Troy alive.
He’s terrified of his son.” Jess watched the horizon for the enemy.

“Is he that powerful?”

Jess didn’t respond and neither did Joshua. The FBI agent
whistled low and long as he registered the meaning behind their silence.

Joshua’s radio squawked and Kane’s voice came over the
speaker. “I have sight of three Apaches coming in from the north.”

“Copy that. Stay low. Maybe we can end this without a
bloodbath.”

There was a long pause. “Your call, bro. Give us the word.
We’re ready.”

“Do you really think that’s possible, Josh?” Jess asked.

The helicopters drew closer and landed on the ridge. “We’ll
see.”

As the propellers stopped, the center helicopter blasted
Breckenridge’s voice. “You killed my son, Lakeland. You have to pay.”

Twenty soldiers in black BDUs lined up along the ridge.

“Surrender now and I’ll let you and your people live out
your lives in a very nice prison. If you try to fight, I’ll cut you all down.”

“This guy loves him some drama,” Jess said.

“Let’s give him some.” Grinning, Joshua stepped out from the
cover of the shed.

Tessa stood up and could be seen behind the mound of dirt of
the sweat lodge. She walked toward Joshua and the pair met in the center of the
yard.

No one moved. The sound of the helicopters finally stopped.
Breckenridge stepped from the center one and came forward.

Joshua shouted so he would be heard at the one-hundred-yard
distance. “I didn’t kill your son, senator. He’s alive and well and just inside
that house.”

Troy stepped outside the front door, proving Joshua’s words.
At such a distance when the bullet ripped through the air the target was too
far for the shooter. Troy cried out and hit the floor of the porch.

Rain opened the door and grabbed for the boy. They both
scrambled back inside the house before another shot rang out. This one was
directed at Joshua.

Time slowed down. Jess couldn’t react. He could only watch
as Tessa grabbed Joshua and pulled him behind the shed with her. A moment later
the yard was peppered with bullets.

A shell hit the water trough in front of them and then
another. Blake grunted. Jess turned and pulled him down. Blood seeped through
his pant leg. Jess tore the material. “It’s just a flesh wound. Must have
ricocheted off the trough.”

Blake’s men returned fire from the roof of the house and the
sweat lodge.

Blake nodded, ripped the fabric of his pants and tied it
around his own wound.

“Well, now we know where we stand,” Joshua said.

Tessa frowned. “Too much drama, Lakeland.”

“Just send out the boy and we’ll go. You can walk away.”
Breckenridge’s voice blasted through a loudspeaker. Even at that volume, they
could hear the fear in his tone. He’d thought his son was dead. He never would
have attacked if he’d known Troy was alive.

“That’s up to him, senator. No one is keeping him here. He’s
free to leave whenever he wants to.”

“Troy, come home. I promise things will be different.”

The log cabin window opened, though they couldn’t see Troy.
“You just tried to kill me. I’m not really feeling the love, Dad.”

“That was an accident, son. One of my men made a mistake.
Come out. Come home.”

“What, you’re going to let me live in the house? Won’t you
be terrified that I’ll kill you in your sleep?”

“I’m sorry, son. I was wrong. I’m going to do better.”

Joshua spoke low into the radio. “You can’t go out there.
He’s lying to you.”

Troy’s voice came back just as low. “I know he is, but it’s
a chance for the rest of you to get away.”

“No. We’ll find another way.”

“Okay, tell me how and I’ll go along.”

Jess looked at the ridge and back at the house. If
Breckenridge was afraid, maybe that was what they needed to play on. “Josh, let
me talk to him.”

Joshua handed over the radio.

“Troy, it’s Jess. How’s that wound?”

“Rain’s already healed it.” There was a touch of awe in his
voice.

Jess knew just how he felt. “Can you disable one of those
helicopters from that far away?”

A long pause. “Yes.”

The one word meant that this young man was capable of
destroying the enemy at a significant distance. He was the ultimate weapon.
Jess was really glad he was on their side and seemed to have a reasonable sense
of right and wrong. He took a deep breath. “The one in the center. The one your
father was in. Crumple the propeller, break the glass, but try not to hurt
anyone.”

Only static came across the radio for a long moment. The
sound that followed, none of them would ever forget. Steel crunched, ground and
popped as the propeller of the center Apache helicopter bent and broke. It was
worse than fingernails on a blackboard. Jess cringed at the noises that split
the desert.

The attack force ran away from the crumbling machine. The
pilot jumped down as the windshield shattered into a million pebbles of safety
glass. Another blade bent in half and the tail rotor spun faster and faster
before flying off and landing inches from Bradly Breckenridge.

“Jesus, that kid did that?” Blake’s eyes were wide and his
mouth hung open.

Once all four propeller blades were crumpled worse than a
discarded aluminum can and the soldiers on the ridge all scrambled toward the
other two Apaches, the sound of grinding metal stopped and the sound of men
yelling to get them out of there tumbled down from the higher ground.

Joshua stood up and walked out where he could be seen.
“Senator, I suggest you and your men get in those other two choppers and get
the hell out of here before your son loses his temper. Even with your superior
numbers, you are outmanned here. I can disable the other two with one bolt of
lightning, and kill half of you, before you can get another shot off. I’ll
leave you for Troy to deal with. I’m sure you’d like a few minutes alone with
the child you’ve been abusing for fifteen years. It would give you a chance to
talk things through.”

Senator Bradly Breckenridge was the only man who remained
exposed on the ridge. He jumped inside one of the two remaining helicopters and
they took off.

As soon as they were out of range, Joshua turned to Jess.
“Nice work.”

Jess only acknowledged the praise with a shrug as he headed
for the cabin with Blake leaning on him for support.

Rain stitched the wound on the agent’s leg and started the
healing process. Jess looked on, making sure she didn’t try to do too much. Troy’s
wound was little more than a jagged red line. Rain’s doing, he assumed.

Blake and his men left as soon as their helicopter could
return for them. Rain had made coffee and she cradled a cup in her hands when
she came and sat down next to Jess. He wrapped one arm around her shoulder. She
still smelled so good he wished he had the energy to take her upstairs and take
full advantage of her body and the connection they’d formed.

She leaned her head against his chest and smiled. He knew
she had heard his naughty thoughts. Healing all the minor wounds from the
battle had taken its toll on Rain. She was even more exhausted than the rest of
them. Troy looked about ready to drop. Jess liked the kid. He couldn’t help
wishing he’d known sooner, done something sooner. Maybe he could make up for it
now.

“I have an idea and if Troy is interested, I think it might
be a good way for him to get some time and rest.”

Everyone watched Jess, but Troy was especially keen. A
moment before he’d looked as if he would pass out and now his eyes were wide
and alert.

“I know a place where you would be safe. Your father
wouldn’t find you. In fact if you wanted, no one would be able to find you.”
Jess sensed the excitement coming from Rain. She knew his thoughts, and he was
happy to realize she liked the idea.

Joshua said, “It’s entirely up to Troy. In fact, I’m not
going to ask where this place is. If he trusts you, that’s good enough for me.”

At twenty-three, Troy Breckenridge had really only seen the
worst of humanity. He looked from Joshua to Jess and then at Rain. She nodded
her agreement. “I thought you would want me to help you with my father.”

“When you’re ready, if you want to help, we’d be happy to
have you. Until then, I know Jess will see that you are safe.”

His eyes darted around the room. “What if I just want to
walk out that door and take care of myself?”

Rain swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “No one will stop you,
Troy, but you must know your father will be looking for you. Jess and I know a
place where he can’t find you even out in the open.”

Jess would have sworn his brain shut down after the words,
Jess
and I
. They were a team. Even at a distance, they would not be separated.
She loved him and his entire body pulsed with his love for her. After a
lifetime of being alone, knowing another person would always be beside him was
intoxicating.

“When can we go?” Troy asked.

Jess took the cup out of Rain’s hand and put it on the
coffee table before standing up and reaching down to help her up as well.
“We’ll take you there tomorrow. For now, we’re heading to bed and you all look
ready to drop too.”

Kane stood up and picked up the rifle leaning against the
side of the couch. “I’ll take the first watch, though I doubt they’ll be back
tonight.”

“Wake me in a couple of hours and I’ll take over.” Jess
threaded his fingers through Rain’s as they made their way up the steps to the
bedroom.

As soon as the door closed, she stepped into his arms. Her
voice had a sweet lilt to it. There was surprise too, but mostly she sounded
happy. “I can hear you even when I have my walls in place.”

Jess hadn’t even known he was worried, but he relaxed at the
sound. “I know. I hear you too. To be honest, I was surprised since you’re not
telepathic.”

“Is it because we’re a couple?” Doubt crept into her voice.

His arms tightened around her slim body and he pressed his
lips to the top of her soft hair. “I’m not an expert, but I think it’s because
we are meant to be a couple. You and I are connected through our auras as well
as our hearts.”

“Hmm…that sounds nice.” She snuggled in closer.

Her body fit against his as if they were two puzzle pieces
that had finally found their match. Every crevice was filled by her soft flesh
and their minds mingled, yet without the feeling of invasion. It was as if he
held heaven in his arms. And he was never letting go. “I like it too,
cher
.”

Dinner at BeBe’s Restaurant had been one funny story after
another. Jess spoke to his parents and they were overjoyed to take Troy in for
as long as he wanted. The three seemed as if they were old friends in moments.
Of course it was likely that Jess’ mother already knew they were coming and
bringing a young man who needed her protection.

At the door of the restaurant she found herself part of a
family, hugging and shedding a tear or two as they said goodbye. Here was
everything she’d run away from and yet longed for all her life. People who
cared and never judged her based on her strange abilities.

They stepped out into the busy street hand in hand.

“Hey.”

They both turned at the sound of Troy’s deep voice calling
after them. He jogged over to close the distance.

“Is something wrong?” Jess released her hand and stepped
closer to the younger man.

He looked at his shoes and then at Jess. “Are you sure about
this?”

“You’ll be safe with them.”

Rain didn’t say anything. This was between the two of them
and while she listened, she didn’t interfere.

Troy took awhile to make eye contact. “When you said you
knew a place for me, I didn’t know you meant with your parents.”

Jess put his hands on his hips. “Don’t you like them?”

“Yes. I mean, of course I like them. They’re great.”

“What’s the problem then?”

“I’m just kind of surprised you would trust me with your
mother and father. You know what I’m capable of.” His voice broke.

A wide smile spread across Jess’ face. “I know that you
could have killed every man on that ridge in Nevada and you chose to destroy a
helicopter instead. I know that your father hurt you and yet you didn’t kill
him on any of the occasions when you’ve had the chance and I imagine over the
years there have been many opportunities. I also know that you protected us by
stepping outside the cabin when you didn’t have to. I think my parents will be
safe with you and you’ll be safe with them. Just stay close to Momma and
everything will be all right.”

Troy kicked at the pavement. Even though he was half a foot
taller than Jess, he looked young. He was young and had no experience with the
outside world. He’d been completely wide-eyed when they first arrived in the
Big Easy during its busiest time of year.

“Was there something else, Troy?”

He dug his hand in his pockets and stared at the ground. “Do
you think she would mind… I mean, would you mind… I haven’t had a mother in a
long time. I just thought, maybe…if it’s all right with you.”

Jess slapped him on the back. “I think it’d be just fine if
you called her Momma and I’m sure she wouldn’t have it any other way.”

It was the first time they had seen him look happy. It was
as if the sun had come out for the first time for Troy Breckenridge. Rain’s
heart broke a little at such a small thing meaning so much to him.

The two men hugged briefly as brothers might do. “We’ll come
see you in Opelousas before we leave the area.”

Troy nodded and jogged back to BeBe’s.

Rain felt tightness in her chest as they walked away from
him, but she knew Jess’ mother’s rare gift would keep Troy safe from the
outside world without making him a prisoner. No one, including the senator,
would find him as long as he was with Amalee McMean.

The first time Rain had walked down Bourbon Street in New
Orleans it had been crowded, but Mardi Gras took crowded to a whole new level.
The amount of humanity was daunting. She had put up solid walls to keep out any
accidental input from anyone in the crowd. Her connection to Jess still managed
to come through. She was relieved that it did. Growing accustomed to having him
close, she’d hate to block him out. It would be as if she was losing part of
herself.

It would have been nice to let down all her barriers, but
the city was too full of sexually driven people. If even one of them were
mildly psychic, she’d be ripping her clothes off in public. Not to mention the
assorted angry, happy and stupid drunks. Everyone was a potential threat
without her barriers in place.

Women bared their breasts for the privilege of having shiny
plastic beads tossed to them. Music filled the streets and everyone was drunk
in the extreme. Everyone except Jess and Rain.

His hand clasped hers as if he was afraid he’d lose her in
the sea of people. The way the crowd rushed as great waves in one direction or
the other reminded her of the ocean.

“Yas has probably had enough waiting for us for one night.
Are you ready to go home,
cher
?” His breath tickled her ear.

Home. She’d never had one for as long as she could remember.
She’d lived in many places, but she never considered anywhere home. A home should
be safe and comfortable. It should be the thing you long for after a trip or a
day away. She looked over at his angular features and arresting eyes.
I’m
already there.

His soft, lilting voice teased her mind without opening his
mouth to speak.
Then maybe just someplace I can strip you down and make love
to you for the rest of the night.

Her pace quickened to keep up with her pounding heart as she
turned down St. Peters Street and headed for the apartment with the man who’d
finally given her a home.