Page 40 of Resisting His Target
They’d only touched at night, cuddled together in sleep. A comfortable silence turned into a tight-knit distance that joined them as they walked. When darkness fell, he’d set up the camp with efficient movements, make their dinner, rub her feet, and hold her.
It occurred to him this was the first adult relationship of his entire life. Walking beside her. Caring for her. Supporting her.
Three miles more. That was all that separated them from the rendezvous with HERO Force and temporary safety while they traveled by chopper and private plane to Virginia. It was nine thirty in the morning. They’d be spending the night in a hotel there, hopefully sharing a shower, a bed, and a nice, hot meal. Preferably in that order.
“Miles?” she called over her shoulder.
“Two point eight.”
“Let me know when we get down to one. I want to run.”
He grinned. Of course she did. “Finish strong.”
“Damn skippy.”
A tiny drop of water landed on his arm and he looked to the sky, a smattering of gray clouds crossing the blue expanse and a small rainbow in the west.
“Look,” he said, pointing when she turned around.
“Oh, wow. And it’s raining!” The raindrops grew bigger and more frequent, and she held out her arms, moaning. “I’ve never been so happy for rain.”
The cool water felt like liquid pleasure on his hot skin, but it was her obvious enjoyment he couldn’t tear his eyes from. Standing there with her face upturned and her mouth open, arms wide, and hair curled close to her face, she looked more appealing than any woman he’d ever seen. That was Jackie. The woman he wanted more than any he’d met in his life, and the one he couldn’t have.
He’d known it at the hotel south of the border, and he’d had little else to think about during their trek. He’d allowed himself to become emotionally invested in Jackie, and Selena, for that matter. He was supposed to care about their safety, but he’d come to care about far more. And while he sensed that brought Jackie closer to him, it had the opposite effect on Ian. It showed him clearly how much he needed out.
He’d told himself his life had changed because of the explosion that scarred his face, but he could see now that wasn’t what had done the majority of the damage. It was losing his wife, and Jackie was a far greater threat to him. Not only could he see himself growing firmly attached to both her and Selena, Jackie had depth of character, an admirable determination, and drive that his wife had never possessed.
She smiled at the sky. It had darkened in the distance, deep purple contrasting with white sand and sparse green vegetation, the rainbow now even more intense. He could undress her here, let the rain be their shower, let the earth be their bed.
But he just watched her twirl.
Two and a half miles to go, then one more day until his life and hers would no longer be intertwined. From this moment until that one, he intended to enjoy every last moment in her company. Because just like the rainbow overhead, Jackie Desjardins would not last in his world. She could only shine for a short while, then disappear.
24
Cowboy met them at the rendezvous coordinates just past the Falfurrias checkpoint, well into the United States. Jackie climbed into the backseat of the SUV and leaned forward to talk to Cowboy. “Is that it? Are we safe?”
“As a choirboy in a priest’s office.”
Razorback climbed into the front seat and shook his head. “You really know how to instill confidence in a person.”
“You hungry, sweet thing?” Cowboy asked Jackie. “There’s a Waffle House up here, someplace I could take you.”
“Starving,” said Razorback.
Jackie laughed.
“He’s been sorta into me for years.” Cowboy turned to Razorback. “How many times I gotta tell you, I’m a taken man?” As promised, the Waffle House was only a short drive away, and they quickly got a table. “You two are dirtier than the underbelly of a pig,” Cowboy observed.
Jackie looked down. “You’re right. I’m going to wash up. Get me coffee if the waitress comes by.” Razorback went, too.
Cowboy pulled out his phone. No message from Charlotte. Not that he thought there would be. She liked to let the anger build up awhile to give the explosion more oomph. He played a game on his phone, wondering what had transpired on Jackie and Razorback’s hike and if he should intervene.
He got an email from Mac O’Brady with the subject lineFYI, Jackass, and frowned.
Dear Cowboy,
I’m taking a couple of weeks off to handle a personal matter that’s none of your goddamn business. While I’m away, my men will have complete control over all HERO Force New York resources, as well as a virtually endless supply of firearms and ammunition. As always, I appreciate your unwavering support for the mission of the HERO Force New York office—to stand by your brothers in arms through all things.
