Wicked Games Read online

  …She was protecting you…

  …I tried to help you….

  …My life for Noah’s…

  “What is it, Noah?” Brianna asked when he suddenly stopped what he was doing. Her heart squeezed, and she held her breath, expecting him to say he had changed his mind. That he couldn’t forgive her. That he didn’t want to spend the night with her.

  He sat her on the bed beside him and walked to the window. The glow from the lights outside cast beams across his naked body, showcasing his sinewy form. One of his muscular arms was against the window, bent at the elbow, and his forehead rested on his forearm. Brianna felt exposed and rejected, sitting completely naked on his bed. He changed his mind. She pulled the top sheet over her and waited for him to answer.

  “You really would give up your life for mine, wouldn’t you, Bri?” The first slight hint of emotion was in his voice, just a hint that he was considering she had told him the truth.

  “Yes.” He noticed that she didn’t hesitate in her answer, at all.

  He turned to look at her for a moment, then walked back to her. The muscle in his jaw twitched and uneasy emotions played across his face. He knelt in front of her, pulling the sheet away from her, as his arms moved around her waist.

  “You already did, didn’t you? You gave up your life here to protect me. Like you tried to protect me in the car when you thought that guy was going to shoot me.” He wasn’t really asking as much as he was coming to a realization. But he waited for her to answer.

  She hesitated before replying, knowing the questions that would come next. “Yes.”

  “But, why? What am I missing?”

  “It’s a long story, Noah. But I will tell you everything…later. For right now, can you just believe me?”

  “One more thing that’s bothering me….” She nodded, indicating for him to continue. “Why didn’t you trust me? Why didn’t you tell me what was going on back then? I would have helped you.” His tone wasn’t accusing or doubting her, she understood that he just really needed to know why.

  “I did trust you, Noah, I do trust you. And I tried to tell you…but you…you got mad whenever I brought up Richard’s name, and then that last day when I tried to tell you…. I wanted to tell you…but you were just so busy with work. Then I had to leave on assignment before you even got home that night…” her voice trailed off.

  He sighed and laid his head in her lap. “Yeah, that I remember…” I remember that I was too wrapped up in myself to listen when you tried to talk to me.

  Chapter 11

  She ran her fingers through his hair. It was longer now and curled slightly on the ends. She loved the feel of it, as it moved across her hand. Her fingers made long, slow strides through it, caressing him as they moved. He straightened his back, still kneeling in front of her, face to face with her again after all this time apart. He pulled her hips closer to the edge of the bed as he kissed her, turning her head to deepen it.

  He moved closer, pushing her legs further apart to make room for him to get closer. He ran his fingers along the taut lines of her stomach, remembering the feel of her Yoga-muscled body. He kept moving his hand down, between her legs, and his fingers found the warmth of her wetness. He felt his way along her folds, gently stroking her and savoring her soft moans. His hand moved to her center, tracing her soft, wet folds before moving one finger inside her, then two fingers. The soft moaning sound she made was enough to drive him into a frenzy.

  Slowly, torturously, his hand cupped her mound, and the heel of his hand rubbed against her nub of pleasure nerves while his fingers moved in and out of her wetness. He felt her tremble as her hips rose to meet his hand. He knew her first orgasm was building and could feel her velvety walls constricting around his fingers, making his raging erection unbelievably harder. The soft skin of her delicate hand wrapped around him, stroking him from the base to the head. His hips voluntarily moved in time with her hand. His mouth covered hers again, and their tongues caressed each other.

  Unable to wait any longer, he scooted her back on the bed, then gently pushed her shoulders down, lying flat on the bed, as he covered her body with his. He had planned to take it slow and savor every part of her, but his plans just flew out the window. She opened her legs to invite him in, and he held the tip of his long, hard thickness at her wet center. His hips pushed in and they both gasped. He stilled his hips, as his voice rumbled through his chest, “Baby, you’re so fucking tight. Am I hurting you?”

  He pulled back to look at her face, as she gasped, “No – don’t stop! Please,” as her hands moved down to push his hips further into her.

  He moved slowly at first, giving her body time to adjust to him, mold around him, and fit him like a glove. Then he increased his speed and thrusts. She moaned and raised her hips to match his thrusts, taking him to the hilt, and not letting him back down the intensity. “Oh, God, Noah! Don’t stop!” Her voice was like an aphrodisiac to him, pushing him on when he thought he would explode.

  He was propped up on his forearms, on either side of her head, his mouth crushing down on hers, his tongue diving in and taking what was rightfully his. What should have always been his. What he had missed for the last three years. His hunger for her was so deep, so primal. He knew he could never get enough of her.

  She wrapped her legs around him, grinding her heels in his butt when he attempted to slow down. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. With every orgasm that rocked her body, the strong pull in her lower abdomen erupted in her screams, her inner walls were quivering and squeezing him, and he took her there over and over again. She had always been so responsive to his touch, but tonight the connection was even stronger.

  “I can’t hold back any longer, Bri. Open your eyes – look at me.”

  She did as he asked, and he saw the tears that were held behind her lids roll down her face. He bent to kiss her. “Come with me. I want to feel you come again.”

  He pushed up to straighten his arms and deepen his thrust, taking her over the edge of ecstasy with him. He watched her eyes and her face change as she let go and the squeezing in his chest nearly took his breath away. Bodies spent and sated, he relaxed his arms, and simply lay with his massive body covering hers. When he started to roll over, knowing he was crushing her, she held on and refused to let him move.

  He chuckled in her ear, “Bri, I know you can’t breathe.”

  “I’m ok. I don’t want to let you go yet.”

  He rolled over on his back, taking her with him, so that she was lying completely on top of him. She turned her head to the side and rested on his chest. He felt the warm tears pooling where her head lay. “Are you ok? Did I hurt you?”

  “No, you didn’t hurt me,” her voice was watery and strained, trying to talk through the tears.

  “Then why are you crying?”

  She sniffled, but didn’t wipe her tears away. “It’s just been so hard, to not see you, touch you, or hear your voice. Knowing that you were so close, but so far away. I’ve just been so alone…”

  His hands were stroking her back, lovingly, patiently listening to her. Not knowing what to say.

  “I’m sorry, Noah, for…all of it. I know that doesn’t make up for it.”

  The sun was rising before they went to sleep. They had made love twice more before they both passed out from exhaustion. Brianna knew she would sleep soundly for the first time in three years, safe and secure in Noah’s warm embrace. He spooned her from behind, draping his arm across her body possessively, keeping her as close to him as possible.

  Just before he drifted off to sleep, he heard her whisper, “I love you, Noah. I always have and I always will. I hope you remember that.”

  *************

  Noah felt a chill move over his body. He rolled over, his arm stretched out to pull Brianna to him, but she wasn’t there. He opened his eyes and leaned up on his elbow, straining his ears to listen for any sound, thinking she may be in the bathroom. The faint smell of coffee, bacon, waffles
and hot syrup wafted up to his bedroom, and he smiled. He loved her waffles. He had gained fifteen pounds when she first moved in with him. He pictured her in his kitchen, in her pajamas, dancing to the radio, as she cooked breakfast.

  Pulling on his shorts, he headed downstairs to the kitchen. His stomach was rumbling from hunger and everything smelled so good. It felt good to have her home. It felt right. He knew there was still a lot to talk about and pieces of the puzzle he needed to find closure, but he couldn’t deny how glad he was to have her back.

  Bull and Rebel sat at his table, scarfing down the waffles and coffee, as he made his way to the cabinet for a coffee mug.

  “Morning, boss. Sleeping in, huh?” Bull and Rebel smiled at him and each other, shaking their heads and resuming stuffing their palette. Noah looked at the clock – 12:30.

  “Hey.” Looking around the kitchen, then back to the table, he asked, “Where’s Brianna?”

  They both stopped eating and looked at him. They stared at him briefly before Rebel answered. “Uh, we thought she was with you.”

  “She was, but she obviously made breakfast. So…where is she?” He looked at each of the guys, who then looked at each other and back to him.

  “Reap, she was down here. She cooked and talked to us for a few minutes, then said she was going back upstairs with you,” Rebel answered.

  “How long ago has that been?”

  “About an hour ago.”

  Noah ran back upstairs, calling her name, and looking through the bedrooms, closets and bathrooms. She wasn’t there. He ran back down the stairs, and Rebel and Bull said they had checked the rest of the house, with no sign of her. Noah headed for the front door to check outside, and his heart dropped. He saw a white envelope taped to the door with his name on it, and tied around the oversized doorknob was the black blindfold from the desert – the symbol of her commitment to her brothers.

  He strode to the door, jerked the envelope down and tore it open.

  Dear Noah,

  This is the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write. You’re probably really mad at me right now, but I hope this letter answers all of your questions and that, in time, you will see I had to do this. I know you never really intended to trade me to Richard. You’re too good of a man to do that. But it’s the only way you’ll be protected.

  Richard was using you and your company to ship weapons illegally to terrorist groups in the Middle East. Your security firm was the perfect front for them to transport weapons and get them into foreign countries. He set up the contracts with you, so that you’d take the blame if they ever got caught. His name is not found on any of the official documents.

  This operation actually goes much farther up the chain of command than just Richard. The flash drive has the documents that prove your innocence and that Richard is coordinating the weapons drops. There are financial records with wire transfers to his offshore bank accounts that match the dates on every contract he made with you. When in doubt, follow the money.

  On my last trip, Richard figured out I had proof, but I didn’t have it with me. I went into hiding after Richard tried to kill me. When Richard reappeared, I knew he would come after you to draw me out. The only reason he hasn’t killed me yet is because he needs those documents first. But now he’s sent someone to kill you to get the evidence from me. I know he won’t stop until you’re dead.

  The people involved won’t let this information ever see the light of day. You’ll still take the fall and I won’t let that happen to you. I found one of your wires and activated the digital recorder. Use the recording to stop him for good. He won’t be protected once that hits the press. Then you’ll be safe and all this will be over.

  Thank you for giving me one last night together. I know you don’t love me anymore, and I understand why. You still made last night very special for me, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I’ve realized that I can’t live without you again – I don’t even want to try. The only thing that has kept me going the last three years is the hope we would be together again someday.

  I love you, Noah. I love you more than anything. You are the best man I know, and I want you live a long and happy life. My only hope now is one day you will forgive me and remember only the good times we had. That’s what I’m taking with me.

  Forever Yours,

  Brianna

  “What the fuck is she thinking?” Noah’s anger reached a flash point. “She isn’t trained for this. She’ll get herself killed!” He handed the letter to Bull and paced like a caged animal, ready to pounce and maul someone.

  “What did she say this morning?” Noah barked.

  Rebel knew he would want a word-by-word relay of the conversation.

  “She was cooking when we came in. She said good morning. We sat down and looked at the paper. I made a comment about how strange it was that she and Richard showed up the same day. That we were told she was dead and he was presumed dead. She asked what I meant by presumed dead. I told her about that US Marshal Stevens showing up here, saying they didn’t think Richard was on the plane, and that they thought terrorists may have kidnapped him, but they weren’t sure. And if he had been, he probably was dead, but there was no body. That’s when she said she was going back upstairs with you.”

  Noah looked at Bull. “And you?”

  Bull stared at her letter, still held in his hand, when he said, “I didn’t even speak to her, Reap.”

  “OK, she has a head start on us, but we need to get a plan together. Call more guys in, our best, we have to find her. Send someone to her hotel room. Bull, you still have the key?”

  Bull nodded.

  “Good, have the area canvased. We have a recon mission on Richard to do. Find out where he is right now, where he’ll be later, who he’s with, his known contacts, recent financial transactions, his favorite food – everything.”

  “You got it boss,” Rebel said, already walking away to get started.

  Bull walked outside, pulled out his cell phone, hit a quick dial key and waited. “We need your help.”

  Chapter 12

  US Marshal Stevens told them Richard was taken. That he wasn’t on the plane. Rebel didn’t realize the weight of his words. He had said them so easily, he could’ve been talking about the weather. But Brianna connected the dots immediately. She knew she didn’t trust Stevens for a reason and now she was realizing why.

  Her mind was swirling with the facts and possible scenarios. A US Marshal in the Middle East? He was there to help with the weapons delivery. He was there with Richard. He works for Richard.

  And when he found out she had proof somewhere in the US, he pretended to help her in witness protection. He kept hounding her for all the evidence all this time. He knew she hadn’t given it all to him, because he didn’t find his name associated with anything. His name is somewhere in the evidence she gave Noah.

  Department of Defense personnel.

  US Marshals.

  US leaders.

  Foreign leaders.

  Big business owners.

  There were too many high-level people involved for them to just leave Noah alone, to just leave him out of it, even if she handed over her proof. Her proof…she had brought this to Noah’s door. If she hadn’t kept digging, none of this would’ve ever happened. She couldn’t let Noah pay, with his life, or in jail for the rest of his life, for her stubbornness in getting the story.

  She finished cooking the waffles and excused herself from the guys. They barely noticed her absence anyway, since they were too busy eating breakfast. And Bull still hardly even looked at her, much less spoke to her. She missed her brothers, but she couldn’t think of that right now. She had to hurry before Noah woke up and stopped her.

  She knew the whole interrogation technique he used with his questioning. Definitely not the same technique he would’ve used in the field. But he had used that on her too many times during their relationship, especially to find out any surprises she had planned for him. She couldn’t
keep any secrets from the man. Even though he agreed to trade her to Richard, she knew he would never go through it. Even if he hated her, he still wouldn’t do it, because he was an honorable man.

  So, she had to make the trade herself and make sure that Richard was caught red-handed, so that none of his contacts could protect him. The pre-meditated torture and murder of a young woman, who had proof of his weapons dealings, should do the trick.

  She thought of last night…or actually, this morning, and how it felt to be in his arms again. Her heart hurt and tears pricked her eyes at just the thought of him. She watched his eyes when she asked him for her final request and knew it was too late for them. There was no going back to what they had, because she had really fucked things up between them. So many regrets raged through her mind. If only she had told Noah about Richard. If only she had made him listen. If only she had stood toe to toe with him, fought it out, and made her case known.

  If only…she had one more day with Noah.

  She didn’t know why he changed his mind, and she almost didn’t go through with it herself. The thought of him making love to her because he felt obligated in some way was just too much to bear. Once he kissed her, all rational thought left her, and she was only glad she had this one last memory with him. But for now, she had to focus on her plan.

  Noah’s security firm was state of the art. He had all kinds of surveillance gadgets and toys. Most were at his firm downtown, but a few items always made their way home with him. Some were worn on clothes, placed in a shirt pocket, or the old-fashion method of taping to the skin. Brianna searched his office and found a remote access digital recorder that was discreet enough to hide in plain sight.

  The recorder would be found if anyone screened her for bugs, so she would wait until the last minute before turning it on. It only required a simple touch to make it start recording, but if anyone were watching, they would definitely know what she was up to. She activated the receiver in Noah’s home office, wrote him a letter to explain as best she could, and quietly walked out the front door, after leaving the blindfold. She wanted to let them know she would never betray them. She had kept that with her all these years, and it seemed fitting to leave it with them now.