Vianne POV:
Dennis took off in the direction I pointed, taking a few steps at a time, and moving quickly down the stairs. I looked up, as Clement demanded to see me. The rest of my security made sure he didn't come to harm, too. That was the only reason they weren't listening to him because they were doing their job. Shit, that meant he'd be pissed for a while.
Jarred offered me a hand, lifting my body up as gently as possible. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying out. Damn, the big asshole had nearly crushed me. I looked to where Ronan continued to manhandle the beast.
He looked oddly familiar.
"He works for the Smiths," I said to Jarred. "I remembered from all the photos you had me look at so that if I ever saw one of their men, I was to go the other way."
"Yeah, I recognized him, too."
"I don't get it." Shaking my head, I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Why are they still helping him? Why would th
[WARNING: This chapter has some sexually explicit content towards the middle. Please read at your own risk.] Vianne POV: "He'll be here soon, Vianne. He's just making sure he's not being followed." I nodded and entered the room once Dennis finished with his search. After saying goodbye, I went straight for a shower after dimming the lights. Twenty minutes later, my real hair pulled up in a messy up-do, I slipped into one of the luxurious silk lingerie pieces Tory bought me. I refused to dwell on the fact that she had her own bag. I needed to have a one-on-one talk with her, soon. I loosened the tie in my hair, the ends skimming the top of my shoulders. Turning toward the bedside lamp for more light, I almost screamed when a dark figure rose from a chair in the corner of the room. I moved quickly, my fist slicing through the air, but my would-be attacker saw it coming and captured my hand. With a hold on my wrist, he twisted it and me around, my back to his chest. I hissed and stom
[WARNING: Sexually explicit content in the first half of the chapter. Read at your own risk!] Keegan POV: I had to be dreaming. It explained the sensations I felt along my skin. Sleep had eluded me since Vianne left for Darwin, and I only saw her in the soft-edged visions when I actually managed to get some rest. The dreams were such a rarity that I savored each one and held on for as long as I could. It was where I could see her, touch her, and talk to her. I missed her so much and I ached. I needed her near me. Feel life thrum through her. I groaned at the soft touch of her fingertip circling my nipple, her breath skipping along my jaw. Breathless anticipation had me blindly reaching for her sweet mouth, a soft moan escaping her as our lips met. Smooth, silky skin glided along my own, chest-to-chest, soft and hard. My hands moved as they always had in my dreams, reaching for her beautiful body. She was warm, wet, and ready for me. I tested further, teasing her with the tips of my
Unknown POV:I moved through the building in silence, my earbuds keeping me appraised of the situation in the front of the courthouse. Clement Slater and Vivian had tied the knot a few minutes before and were due to leave through the front exit, where the media awaited them. My head lowered, turning occasionally to avoid surveillance cameras.For hours the night before, I had scoped every building that surrounded the courthouse, looking for the perfect place to set up and take a shot at Clement's daughter. I had to admit the old man was smart; there were only two possible locations to set up, and other buildings blocked all the rest.He had anticipated that someone would make an attempt on his and his family's lives. I had others go ahead and make sure my path was clear. We had already discovered one sharpshooter at the other location, and someone was handling that situation. This one appeared to be clear. I passed an acquaintance, confirming that I wouldn't be
Keegan POV:I tapped my fingers on my knee, nervously waiting. More people filed down the aisle but I still hadn't spotted Vianne. If everything had gone according to the plan, she should be boarding the plane by now.I knew she'd be in disguise, which one she'd use, I wasn't positive. She seemed partial to wearing the red wig, while I loved the real deal. I knew Jarred and the others wouldn't be able to reach me. Between the media and authorities, there was no way they'd be able to sneak in a call. However, a text would be great.As a couple of people took their seats nearby, I noticed the absence of others moving down the aisle. Did that mean everyone was on? That shit made me nervous because Vianne was not on the plane. I stood up, ready to get the jump-off to find out what was going on, even though I'd likely get into trouble. I stopped when a woman across the aisle rose to her toes, trying to stuff her carry-on in the storage overhead.Her blonde hai
Keegan POV:"I understand."Smiling, I laughed at something I remembered. "My daughter loves the camera.""She looks like she does," she said, gesturing discreetly toward the passengers in front of us still listening. Claire was not a topic we could discuss too openly, since Benedict had asked where his granddaughter was when Vianne and her family were sped away. We definitely couldn't risk using her name out in the open.For a few minutes more, we talked about some of the things we liked about different tourist destinations, discussing the theme parks that a certain little girl would no doubt love to visit.I leaned in close to her and whispered in her ear, "Go to the bathroom in a few minutes and I'll meet you there a couple after."At her nod, I sat back in my seat and we continued to talk about nothing in particular, some of it made up. Our conversation was to keep those that were too nosey for their own good from realizing that we knew ea
Claire POV:I hummed a song as I colored in my coloring book. Mommy often said it was okay for me to color outside the lines. The first time I did it on purpose, I gave the apple a mustache and a little army of chopped fruits and I became an artist!Mommy pinned it up on the fridge with a magnet and smiled every time she opened the door. After that, I did my best to make her happy, so I kept drawing and writing. She bought me colored pencils when she saw how good I was and I got even better. I loved it so much that I asked for notebooks and pencils.Mommy said that it was my creative outlet. I never told her it was my happy place. When my bad dad yelled at Mommy, I would write and sketch all the time. Now I had a new happy place. My mommy and daddy loved each other and me in that place. They loved to make each other smile, too. That was important because Mommy's smile lit up the room, at least that was what Daddy said. Then again, he said that about me, to
[WARNING: Explicit sexual content in the first part of the chapter. Read at your own risk!] Keegan POV: God, she was beautiful while she slept. None of the worry, her dark past, and uncertainty were on her face as she lay peacefully on the plush pillow. Her hair seemed longer even though she'd been gone for a little less than two weeks. It was ridiculous to think such a thing, but I couldn't help it. Her lips were in that soft, natural pout that always made me crave a taste and test their softness with my mouth. One of her delicate hands cushioned her cheek, as the other lay over my heart. "So beautiful," I whispered, kissing her cheek. Her slim thigh urged me to move, to accommodate her, allowing it to slip between my legs. My fingers skimmed her hip as she moved, and I could feel the muscles stretch under my touch. I wanted my hands on her, all over. I reminded myself that she had to sleep since she had very little of it for weeks. I kept myself from seeking more of her warm sil
Keegan POV:"Are you nervous?" I asked Vianne as she paced the living room. The flat-screen on the wall displayed the news from Darwin that I routed through my wireless network."Today's the funeral," she whispered, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Plus, there's another crucial step to our plan going down today."I nodded. "So far it looks like the asshole might get away with all this," I growled, feeling the same tension she felt. Dennis managed a call, which was never easy, and some evidence against the Congressman suddenly disappeared, Pratt and Hampson were pissed as hell.There was a leak in their network, which nobody was aware of. The warrant authorities had tried to obtain also proved futile, considering the bastard knew each judge in the state. No one seemed to want to go against him. We had to find a way to make them spring into action.I wished that I had taken the shot, and killed the asshole from the rooftop that day. Howeve