Tucker and Ian came running down the hall toward him, guns drawn. The crash of the chair had been loud enough to alert them to potential trouble. Kadan just shook his head and kept moving toward the other end of the house, where Tansy slept. He picked up the pace without even realizing he was doing so, shoving open the door and standing there, framed in the doorway, drinking in the sight of her as she lay sleeping.
The room was dark, with only a small bit of light spilling through the curtains at the windows. The air still held a hint of cinnamon, and his stomach tightened as he drew a deep breath. Her hair fanned across the pillow, a cascading fall of white gold silk that tore at his heart. She looked so young when she slept, innocent and sweet, as if all the bad things in life hadn’t touched her yet. She sighed softly and turned, reaching—for him? He hoped it was for him. He hoped he represented something good in her life in spite of all that had happened.
He crossed the room on silent feet and crouched down beside her. “Baby. You need to wake up for me.” He bent his head and trailed kisses over her face. His hands slipped beneath the blanket to find the curves of her warm satin skin. “Open your eyes.”
She blinked, the twin crescents of thick lashes batting at him while beneath the covers her body stirred, moving more fully into his hands. “Hey you.” Her smile shook him, filled with welcome. With something soft and inviting. “Is it morning already?”
She sounded so drowsy—so sexy. His body tightened more. He couldn’t help cupping the soft weight of her warm, soft br**sts in his hands, or sliding his thumbs over her responsive ni**les. “We have to go.”
“I need a couple more hours of sleep.”
He nuzzled her throat, kissing his way down the curve of her breast. “You can sleep in the car, honey. I need you to get up now.”
She gave a soft little groan of protest. “It’s dark.”
“I know. Come on. Come with me.” His fingers tugged the blankets down just a little more, exposing her breast to the cooler air. He licked her nipple, then drew her breast into his mouth and suckled, sliding his arm around her waist to pull her more fully to him. She felt soft and pliant in his arms, offering herself to him, the way she did.
Kadan closed his eyes, savoring the moment, the knowledge that she so completely gave herself to him. He kissed his way back up her throat to find her mouth, losing himself there for a few minutes. She gave him everything, with no hesitation, without reservation. There was no resisting her, not when she just opened herself up for him and took him in. He pressed his forehead to hers, sharing breath.
“I’m sorry to wake you, Tansy. I know you’re tired, but we’re running out of time on this thing. Your parents are safe here and we need to get back so we can get the job done.”
“I thought I’d have time to visit with Mom and Dad. I haven’t seen them for weeks,” Tansy protested. “And after what happened . . .”
“I know. But I need you to come with me now.”
She drew back and searched his face, looking for what, he didn’t know. What could he say when he wanted to rip out her father’s heart? Anything he said might shatter her.
Tansy studied Kadan’s grim face. So tough. So rugged. So uncompromising. He looked dangerous, but when he touched her, his hands were gentle and his mouth loving her whether he knew it or not. Something was wrong. Not the murders. This wasn’t about the murders. She took a deep breath and let it out, wrapping her arms around his neck so he could pull her into a sitting position.
“You’re upset.”
The love in her voice shook him. As if he mattered. As if it mattered that he might be upset. If he was, it was on her behalf, not his own. He lifted her into his arms. “I’m taking you out to the car. We’re heading back to the other house.”
“I’m naked. I can’t ride na**d in the car,” she protested.
His blue eyes slid over her, dark as midnight. “Yes, you can. Cuddle up next to me, I’ll keep you warm.”
She wiggled and he put her down. “It will only take me a minute to dress and pack, but, Kadan?” She waited until he looked at her. “When we’re in the car, you’re going to tell me everything.”
“You won’t like it, baby. Make certain it’s what you really want.”
She caught the nape of his neck, raised herself on her toes, and kissed him. “It’s what I want.” She turned away to pull on a shirt, not bothering with underwear.
Kadan watched her through half-closed eyes: the graceful, efficient movements, the lack of hesitation as she padded across the room in front of him to retrieve her jeans. He loved her. The words were in his mind, but they didn’t manage to make it to his mouth. But his soul moved. He felt it.
Tansy smiled at him. “I’m ready.”
He stalked across the room, long, purposeful strides that might have cowed someone else, but she stood her ground, just looking at him. He caught her face in his hands and kissed her again. Telling her. Saying it without words. Loving her.
He let his hand slide possessively down her shoulder, then her arm, until he could tangle his fingers with hers. “Let’s do this.” He pulled her beneath his shoulder and walked her through the house.
Tucker and Ian were waiting by the back door. Tucker leaned in close to brush a kiss over her forehead. “We’ll take good care of the parents,” he assured her. “No one knows they’re here, so we won’t have problems.”
“You’ll check in with us?” she asked anxiously.
“You got it,” Ian told her.
“Thanks, both of you,” Tansy said.
“I owe you,” Kadan added, his voice gruff.
He opened the passenger-side door for Tansy and she slid onto the seat. Tossing her bag in the back, Kadan slipped behind the wheel and reached for the key. Instantly the back doors opened and Ryland, Gator, and Nico piled into the backseat.
Kadan looked into the rearview mirror, at their set faces. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Ryland shrugged. “Covering your ass, like always.”
“I have to do this alone, but I appreciate the offer.”
“No way are we bailing,” Gator said. “You’re up to your ears in a mess and we’re goin’ to back your play the way we always do, bro, whether you want it or not.”
“This is one of those classified—”
“Bullshit,” Ryland said. “You have the girl. You think I didn’t click on it the minute her old man mentioned the murders? They suspect us, don’t they? That’s why you dragged her back here, to help clear our names. They’re after us, aren’t they?”