Hart To Hart (18 page)

C
harlotte wasn’t sure
she liked the tone of Trent’s voice. “What about me?”

“After what happened, we can’t stay here. Not only does it smell bad, but what’s to stop the guy from trying again?”

Damn. “You’re right. Want to come live with me in Kalispell?” She laughed to make sure he knew she was kidding. Actually, she was only half kidding.

“After I speak with the Fire Marshall and my boss, I want to call your dad and discuss an option with him.”

She noticed the lack of direct response. “What kind of option?”

“I’ll let you know when it’s decided.”

That wasn’t very nice. He was cutting her out of the decision making process. Fine. “I guess I should gather my things then, not that I’ve unpacked much.” Charlotte pushed back her chair. “Will you be coming with me?” She held her breath.

“Possibly not.”

Her shoulders slumped. She searched his face to see if that made him happy, but she couldn’t tell. Well, damn. Now things had gone from bad to worse. The whole fire thing still didn’t make sense. They were missing some big puzzle piece, as her dad used to say. Why not wait until they had to leave for groceries or something or get some fresh air and then take her out? Could it be this man was trying to lure her dad there? Was his plan to get all three of them together and then start firing?

Her stomach almost heaved. Rushing to the bedroom, she gathered her gear. As soon as Trent finished with the fire person and his boss, he’d want to take her away. Again. If he wouldn’t stay with her, would she be safe?

Speculating would only cause more anxiety. She’d learn her fate soon enough.

When a knock sounded on the front door, she jumped. Her nerves were clearly shot. She snapped her suitcase closed and wheeled it out to the living room. Trent said they needed to leave once he spoke with the experts. A tall man, about ten years older than Trent, was in the kitchen. Charlotte stepped in.

Trent smiled, and her heart lightened. “This is Charlotte, Vic’s daughter. Charlotte, this is Max Gruden, the man who will hopefully figure out who did this.”

They shook hands. “I’m well acquainted with your dad. I’m sorry this has happened.”

She shrugged. “Dad has spent his life trying to make our country a better place. I guess it’s not surprising there might be repercussions.”

Max smiled. “I see he’s rubbed off on you.”

“I guess he has.”

Max turned back to Trent. “Rich is outside taking pictures of the area and collecting samples of the ground, checking for an accelerant. Given how much burned, I’m thinking it was arson.”

“That would be my guess, too,” Trent said.

Another knock sounded, and a stately man entered. He was dressed in a suit, which seemed a bit odd, especially at this hour.

Trent straightened and nodded to the man. “Dan.”

Ah, Trent’s boss. Dan faced her. “You want to tell me what happened?”

*     *     *

Vic was curled
up next to El, dreaming of their early years together when the jarring sound of his phone roused him. He didn’t want to wake her, so he grabbed his cell and slipped out of bed. The display indicated it was Dan Hartwick. Oh, fuck. This couldn’t be good.

He hurried to the hallway. “What’s happened?”

“Sorry to disturb you. Charlotte and Trent are okay.”

Vic reached out and steadied himself against the wall. The hits kept on coming. “Tell me.”

Dan told him about the fire; how Trent had quickly put it out. “Trent wants to speak with you.”

Vic made his way into the kitchen and flipped on the light, his anger building.

“Vic? I want to move Charlotte.”

They couldn’t stay where they were. “Good. Where are you thinking?”

“I have a cousin in Billings who’s a cop. In fact, her whole family is cops. She’s tough and good. I just wanted to check with you first. I can’t be sure I’m focusing all that well. If Charlotte hadn’t woken up and seen the lights, I don’t know what might have happened.”

Fuck. “Dan said your house was brick. It wouldn’t have burned much.”

“Not unless the roof caught fire, but Charlotte’s theory is that this person wants you to come up with Ellie to see if she’s okay. If all three of you are in the same place, he can take you out.”

Vic had to be the target. “She might be right. Go ahead and move her, but can you give her a burner phone so El can speak with her? She’s going crazy with worry.”

“Absolutely. I’ll let you know when we’re settled and give you the number.”

“Thanks.” After Trent hung up, Vic grabbed a beer. It was five in the morning and probably time to get up anyway.

“Vic? Did I hear you talking with someone?”

Shit. He hadn’t meant to wake her. El was in her wool socks and gown looking beautiful as ever. “Let’s get back to bed and I’ll tell you.”

She clamped a hand on his arm. “What is it? I can see something’s wrong.”

“It’s cold out here.” He was barefoot and shirtless. “I can think better in bed.” This time, he wasn’t making up an excuse to make love with her.

“You don’t drink unless something bad happened.”

El was too damned perceptive. He led her into the bedroom and insisted she crawl under the covers. Vic set the bottle on the nightstand then turned off the light.

He needed her warmth and her loving body. Gathering her in his arms, she placed her head on his chest. “That was Trent.” She stiffened. “Don’t worry. Our daughter is fine.”

“Vic. Tell me.” Her words pierced him like sharp nails.

He detailed the fire. “Only the porch and some plants burned. The snow prevented most of the damage.”

She lifted up on her elbow. “I want to speak with her.”

“I need to get you a burner phone. Trent’s getting Charlotte one. He knows you’ll want to speak with her to make sure she’s okay.”

El hugged him tight. “I’m scared, Vic. It was one thing when someone was after me, but to attack my family, I won’t stand for it.”

He kissed her forehead. “Good, but let’s see what Max comes up with. He figured out who’d tried to kill me before. Maybe he can do it again.”

El didn’t say anything for a while. “Do you think Charlotte is really okay?”

Vic stroked her cheek. “Trent said she’s doing well. He’s moving her to Billings as we speak. She’ll be staying with a family of cops.”

“That’s all well and good, but I meant emotionally. How do you think she’s holding up? First she learns you’ve been hurt, only to have someone shoot at her. Then her safe house is set on fire.”

Vic tried to smile. “This is Charlotte we’re talking about. We, or rather you, raised her to be resilient. If anyone knows how to get through a difficult situation, she does.”

El nodded. “I hope you’re right, but she’s young.” She ran her hand up and down his chest. “I just hope this ass doesn’t figure out where she’s gone.”

“He won’t. Trent will take extra precaution.”

She lowered her hand closer to his cock. Did she have any idea how much he needed her right now? His whole life was unraveling. El and Charlotte were the most important people in his life, and he was helpless to do a damn thing to keep them from harm. “I wish I had the answers.”

El lifted her head and glanced up at him. “Do you think I’m safe?” Her voice shook.

“I want to say nothing can harm you, but right now, I don’t know what to think. This guy seems to know our every move, but we will get him.”

“When?”

“Soon.”

She cradled her head on his chest again, and when she sobbed, Vic’s heart cracked. He rubbed her shoulder, trying to soothe her.

El sniffled. “Make love with me, Vic.”

He stilled, his mind going a million miles an hour. Pain emanated from her, and then entered his body. He needed the loving as much as she did, but he feared he might do something to ruin the fragile bond that existed between them.

Stop analyzing. She needs me
.
Just say yes.

“It would be my pleasure.”

She rolled onto her back and pulled him on top. “Make me feel again. I’ve been dead inside for a long time, but when I’m with you, I come alive. I probably should be pacing the floor with worry or ranting and raving, but then I’d go crazy. I need some normalcy right now. Some goodness. Some loving.”

Despite his own soul shattering, he smiled at her words. “You’re a poet.”

“I’m just an artist.”

He wasn’t worthy of her. El was so good and he’d failed her many times, but if she’d find comfort in his arms, he wouldn’t deny her.

With as much tenderness as he was capable of giving, he feathered kisses on her lips, her cheeks, her eyes, and her forehead. “I want to be one with you,” he whispered.

He wanted to add the word
forever
, but he didn’t dare. This wasn’t about El loving him. It was about her banishing demons and finding safety in his arms. He would do anything to give her what she needed.

El pulled down his head and returned his kiss, only she wasn’t delicate. Her need came out strong. “I won’t break, Vic. I want to feel passion. Desire. Desperation. Make me believe I’ll shatter without you.”

Jesus, but those words seared holes in his heart. If only she meant what she said. He had enough passion, desire, and desperation for the two of them, but he worried if he showed his true side, she’d realize how much he loved her. Right now, that love was killing this family.

He unbuttoned her flannel gown. “I thought about turning on the lamp but then decided I’d rather explore your body inch by inch with my tongue and my hands.”

“Promises, promises.” She grabbed his cock through his flannel bottoms. “How about taking these off so I can love you the same way.”

Her mood had suddenly changed, but deep inside she was most likely grieving. El had learned over the years how to push back the bad in life and grab hold of the good. From the way she had a grasp on his cock, she was going for the gusto.

He chuckled. “Gotta let go of it for a moment.”

She did. “Be quick.”

He rolled off her. As he slipped off his bottoms, she slid out of her gown. By now, his eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness, and the scant light from the hall outlined her delicious breasts. “You are truly amazing to look at.”

“You can’t see me.”

“I can. I’m Superman and have X-ray vision.” Damn, now wasn’t the time to joke, but the words had slipped out. It was what Charlotte had called him when things were good between them.

“Okay, Superman. What am I doing now?”

Damn. He couldn’t see. “You tell me.”

“I’m playing with myself.” She was trying to drive him insane. Fortunately, she was back to teasing him, and he could handle that emotion better.

“That’s
my
job, or did you forget?” he asked with more levity than he felt. If she shot him down, he could say he was just playing.

“I must have forgotten.”

“Would you like me to show you what I can do for you?”

She raised her arms. “Hug me first?” Her voice cracked. Gone was the temptress. In its place was a scared woman.

The need to embrace her ran deep in his soul. He crawled on top of her again and gathered her in his arms, leaning heavily on his right elbow. Her breasts pressed against his skin, her nipples burning holes in his body. He lowered his hand and gently sucked on her neck, and then dragged kisses down to her shoulder. To take the pressure off his injury, he rolled onto his right side and slid down so that his lips were close to her breasts. He ran a tongue across one nipple as he placed his palm on her belly. Her stomach fluttered and she wove her fingers through his and squeezed.

Without any words, he understood her need. El was floundering, hurting for her daughter. Vic wanted to take his time, but with each lick, his need grew.

With her free hand, she grabbed his head and pressed hard. Her breaths increased with each swirl of his tongue. This was the woman he’d fallen in love with—the one who reacted to his every touch. He leaned across her body, seized the other nipple, and pulled it taut.

“Yes!” El’s head dropped back. What this woman did to him.

If he didn’t taste her, he’d expire. As slowly as he could, he crawled between her knees and slid down. Dragging his lips from her belly to her pussy, he reached up and strummed his thumb across her nipple. The delicate tip puckered. El was everything he wanted in a woman. Too bad, she’d never be his again. He’d abandoned his family too many times. He doubted she’d believe him if told her he never would again.

When he dipped his tongue into her sweet honey, she bent her knees and lifted her hips. “Vic, please.”

Wanting to keep the wonderful connection alive for as long as he could, he was hesitant to take her too soon. Touching her was the ultimate high. It washed away the horrors of what he’d seen in his life and made him believe—if only for a moment—that life could be good again.

Vic plunged a finger into her hole and swirled it around. El bucked and thrashed, groaned and moaned. At this moment, she was his to love and to have. He crawled on top of her and nudged his cock into her opening an inch.

“I want you,” he whispered.

Leaning over, he captured her lips, tasting, devouring, claiming. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer. Then she broke the kiss and dragged her lips to his ear. “Fuck me now or you’ll pay.”