Page 27 of Fighting for Mallory

They spent a delightful hour rediscovering each other’s bodies and giving and receiving pleasure. The years they’d spent apart fueled their determination to get it right this time and to show one another how much they’d grown and learned as adults. Repleted from their lovemaking, they took a short nap, showered together, and made love again.

As Mallory dressed in the jeans and T-shirt she’d worn earlier, she wrinkled her nose. “I really need to get some more clothes. I hope we’re not going anywhere fancy for dinner.”

“Maverick mentioned something about a local diner. Creekside.”

Mallory came up behind Luca and wrapped her arms around his chest. She met his reflection in the mirror above the chest of drawers. Pure, unadulterated love sparkled in her eyes and brightened her countenance. Her beauty enthralled him. Her love consumed him. Time held no meaning. The world fell away, and nothing mattered when Mallory embraced him like this. Luca imagined them dancing like fireflies on a warm summer’s night. Free. On fire. Joyful.

“I love the way you’re looking at me right now,” she murmured. “As if you could devour me instead of food.”

He twisted out of her arms and devoured her mouth with his. “I could live on you alone.”

She smiled. “You’re a poet, Luca. But we worked up an appetite, and I’m starving.”

Luca brushed a thumb across her swollen lower lip. “So am I.”

“Later, my love.” Mallory handed him a pair of mirrored sunglasses and a dark blue baseball cap and donned the same.

Before they stepped outside the cabin, they armed themselves with their Glocks. Luca swept the area, then motioned for Mallory to join him. Maverick had loaned them his Range Rover to use while they stayed in Gatlinburg. He opened the passenger’s door and helped her inside. Once behind the wheel, Luca examined the Rover’s high-tech gadgets and whistled in appreciation.

“Fancy. I don’t know anything about Maverick’s mysterious employer, but the company must be well-financed to afford this custom-made beauty.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it, and Bentley was always after the latest and greatest thing.” Mallory realized she shouldn’t have mentioned her husband because she added after glancing at him, “Sorry.”

Luca would prefer if she never uttered Bentley Hayes’ name again, but he understood it would take some time for Mallory to forget him. He could afford to be magnanimous. “Don’t apologize, Mal. If you need to talk about Bentley, I’m here. I’m listening. You must never feel afraid to be honest with me.”

Mallory leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re the best man I know, Luca. It’s why I love you so much.”

“And I love you.”

After they came down from the mountains, it didn’t take long to find Creekside Diner. Luca and Mallory kept their faces averted from any security cameras, though Maverick assured them that someone in his company could easily erase all traces of them. When they entered the pleasant, old-fashioned diner, a bell tinkled above the door. Luca glanced to his right and saw Maverick and Lacey sitting in a booth in the back.

CHAPTER NINE

The couples greeted each other, and Luca and Mallory slid onto the red vinyl bench opposite Maverick and Lacey. A waitress filled glasses with water and said she’d be back to take their order after they had time to peruse the menu.

When they were alone, Maverick asked, “Is there anything you need?”

“Clean clothes,” Mallory answered, smiling. “I’ve been wearing the same three pairs of jeans and T-shirts now for days.”

“There’s a Walmart in Sevierville.”

Their waitress returned. Everyone ordered burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

“Need any cash?” Maverick continued their conversation.

“No. We still have plenty,” Luca responded. “We’re lucky we didn’t lose it when those maniacs attacked the cabin.”

“Have you heard from Hutch?”

“Not lately. You asked what we need? A laptop. The one Tex supplied was destroyed in the fire.” He lowered his voice. “We have a name. Neheb.”

“Sounds made up.”

Their milkshakes were delivered. They fell silent as they savored the thick drinks.

“Creekside makes the best milkshakes in town,” Lacey commented and turned toward Maverick. “It’s not made up.” She showed him her cell phone. “It’s a shortened version of Nehebkau.”

They dropped the subject when their waitress served their meal. Pleasant banter between them created a lighter mood as they devoured their food. Before they paid the check, Maverick excused himself. Through the plate glass windows, Luca saw him meet someone in a black Suburban who handed him what might be a laptop in a dark case.

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