Page 41 of Callahan's Haven

“I’m not leaving you,” she screamed, dropping to her knees while his vision wavered and a black van pulled to a stop at the curb. “Please, don’t die,” she begged.

It was too late. He pushed at her one more time. His last image before everything went black was Haven kicking and screaming at the men dragging her into the open side panel door. Her voice crying out his name was cut off when the door slammed shut as they roared off.

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“Unnn…”Duncan closed his eyes and held himself deep inside Devon’s body, the contractions from her orgasm milking his own. He let the sensation wash over him with the last pulses of cum leaving his cock and then looked down at the beautiful woman beneath him. With everything going on and his worry over Haven, this was the last place he’d intended to end up tonight.

But Devon had shown up to say she’d take him to the airport. Then one thing had led to another, and…

He had to admit, being with her had taken his mind off of things for the last forty minutes or so. But he could already feel the weight of everything creeping back up on him again and the heavy knowledge he had decisions to make—perhaps lives to change—perhaps a life to take.

Duncan slid against her and smiled when she bit her lip and shivered. She was so responsive. He liked it. He liked her.

He just didn’t love her.

But they’d cleared the air about where their relationship stood months ago. Neither one of them was looking for anything permanent. They were only interested in the here and now and the pleasure they could find in each other.

And, damn, they’d founda lotof pleasure.

The unexpected image of a tall blonde with golden-brown eyes flashed through his mind and he tried to shake it away. It wasn’t right for him to have another woman filling his thoughts while he was still physically connected to another. It didn’t do justice to either one of them.

Solace refused to leave.

He gave Devon a lingering kiss and then rolled to his side and stared at the ceiling. He’d been thinking about Solace more and more after the last time the squad had gotten together six months ago. It had been one of many times over the last three-plus years since the other four hadretired, but something had been different that time.

Now with this whole situation with Haven, he’d found himself not only worrying about his daughter’s safety, but Solace’s as well—something that made no sense whatsoever. The woman was tough and could handle most anything she set her mind to, including flattening any man stupid enough to try and take her on. It was one of the many things he’d admired about her during her time under his command.

Being a woman in the Marines wasn’t easy, but she had excelled in her field. So much so, she’d been recommended to him for consideration for the Elite Squad. It had been a good recommendation. He’d found her to be a dedicated Marine and an exceptional linguist, who had been the missing piece to round out his team.

Come to think of it, he’d never really considered shewasa woman during those almost five years. He’d only seen her as a Marine and valuable team member—someone he could trust to have his back and the backs of those on their squad.

But now?

Duncan sighed and glanced beside him. Damn, but he was a sonofabitch for letting his thoughts dwell on Solace with Devon smiling at him and licking her lips in that way she had when she was ready for round two. But if he was thinking of Solace—or any other woman—at a moment like this, it was probably time for him and Devon to say goodbye.

“Where’d you go?” she asked, leaning up on one elbow and stroking a hand down his cheek.

“I’m right here.” He pulled her into his side where she laid her head on his chest. “Where would I have gone?”

She circled a finger over his nipple, and then playfully tugged on some of his chest hair. “No. Your mind was someplace with someone, but it wasn’t here with me.” Her words weren’t heated or upset—just very matter of fact. It was another thing he liked about her. She was a hell of a smart woman. And, while she was passionate with him in and out of bed, in every other aspect of her life, she let her mind and not her emotions lead her. It’s why she was an up-and-comer in The Cooperative.

It’s why he knew when tonight was over, she would move on without giving him a second thought—something that should have bothered him, but it didn’t.

“I just have a lot on my mind right now,” he told her, rubbing over her bare back.

“Care to share?”

“Classified,” he said with a grin, hoping it came off as a joke.

Devon’s warm breath blew over his nipple before her tongue licked over it. His cock stirred. He had no illusions about having a relationship with Solace—a woman who had never shown him a bit of interest. So, he banished her from his mind to give Devon the attention she deserved. Maybe once more wouldn’t hurt, but it’d be a dick move not to be up front with her beforehand. He’d let her decide if she wanted to stay.

“Duncan Sheppard, you are a silly man.” Devon leaned away from him and smiled.

“What?” He gave her a half-grin.

She let out a short laugh. “Who is she?”

“No one really.” He saw no reason for pretense. Again, she was a smart woman. “I mean, she’s not anyone you would know and no one who would probably give me the time of day.”

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