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  She smiled and met his eyes. “So, you do want to be with me?” Her hand snaked down between them, finding his erection which she rubbed through his pants.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” He hissed a breath through his teeth as she gave it a squeeze. “I just don’t want to shine a light on you. I’m going to keep trying to keep you out of it. It’s better that way.”

  “Fine, but like I said, I’m in it already.” She walked forward, moving Darek back to the couch where he sat and pulled her into his lap.

  “It could get worse. We don’t want that. It’s best not to rock the boat. Believe me.” He stroked her hair as she moved against him.

  He drew in closer for a kiss, which was a lot deeper and longer than he expected. And when he pulled away, he felt like the tension between them was lessened. “Keep the key. Come and go as you please, and don’t worry about my partner. My personal life really isn’t her business anymore.”

  She ground her hips against his erection, and he reached down to rub her mound. “You’ve convinced me,” she said. “And I’ll let you do this any way you want. I just want to help you find the real killer, Darek. I care, okay?”

  “Maybe a little too much?” He asked the question because he did. He cared way too much.

  She smiled. “Maybe.” She pulled away. “I do have to be going, though. I wish I could stay and make up for lost time.”

  “You and me both. I wish I could persuade you.” He rubbed firm pressure against her sex until she moaned.

  “You’re bad. You make me want to, you know? But my boss is already on my ass for missing the other day, even though he told me to take all the time I needed.”

  “Yeah, I should go too. I have a little work I’m going to catch up on.” He pulled his hand away, only for her to pull it back.

  She worked her hips, rubbing against his hand. “I think that we’re going to have to disappoint our bosses.”

  “Yeah?” Darek smiled. He didn’t have to worry about anyone but Lizzy, and while she could make his life hell and he knew it, he also thought that it was a chance he’d have to take. He was worked up past the point of return, and with any luck, she would take the Saturday off. He really didn’t want to see her at the office anyway.

  He reached down and unbuttoned Raven’s pants, and she stood and slipped them off while he did quick work with his zipper. Once his cock was free, he took her hand and pulled her back to his lap. This time, her legs fell astride his, and her sex rubbed against his. She was wet for him already, and he felt her slick pussy rub against his shaft.

  She rocked her hips back and forth against him. “I think this is a lot better way to kick off our morning. What about you?”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” He reached down and positioned his cock for better access. She lifted her ass and moved forward, the head of his cock penetrating as she inched her way down, slowly taking it all the way to his base.

  He kissed her mouth as she slowly rode him, rocking back and forth on him, bouncing so her breasts, which were still tucked tight in her blouse, began to bounce. He reached up and freed her breast, pulling her nipple in between his lips, and she moaned and rode his dick even harder.

  His fingers worked her clit, and she seemed to get lost in the moment as her body quivered and her walls milked him as she found her release.

  After a moment of working him slowly, she hopped off, sliding down between his legs to take him into her mouth.

  “Such a dirty girl,” he said with a laugh. “I approve.” His head fell back, and his eyes rolled back into his head as she worked him to his base and back. Her tongue swirled around the head of his cock and then licked his heavy sac as she took him deeper.

  After a few minutes of working him over, he couldn’t hold back any longer. “Where do you want it?”

  She pulled back a little and met his eyes. What was unspoken between them made him come even harder as he exploded in her mouth.

  After nursing for all he had, she pulled away and wiped her chin. “I should check my lipstick.”

  “It’s around my balls,” he said with laughter in his voice. “I think the shade suits me.”

  She got up from her knees. “I think so too. Can I stay here tonight?”

  “I hoped you would.” He hadn’t realized how much he missed having her in his bed until he had woken up without her. With Lizzy on the outs and threatening him, he didn’t think he should have to spend his nights alone.

  “Okay, then it’s all set. I’ll be here later. I’ll cook dinner if you want.” She searched his eyes.

  “I’d like that. And then, you can make me dessert?” He thought it might be better if they skipped their meal and went right for it. They could make it their main course for all he cared. He’d rather be starved for food than sex anyway.

  “Maybe.” She gave him a wink and walked to his bathroom, leaving him there to put up his cock and straighten his clothes. He went to the kitchen to grab a drink and wait on her.

  She finally walked out after a moment, and he joined her in the living room, offering her a drink. She took it and turned it up. “Mm. Thanks. I’ve got to get on the road. I’m surprised my boss hasn’t called me yet.”

  He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek to spare her freshly painted lips. “Yeah, me too.” He gave her a quick kiss goodbye and walked her to her car, locking his house up so he could leave to work as well.

  Darek was surprised that he hadn’t gotten a call himself and knew that if he wasn’t careful, Lizzy was going to make his life miserable. His biggest concern was if she would really tell Sam to take him off of the case and if Sam would listen. He couldn’t exactly have a career in the FBI without her recommendation, knowing how much Sam loved and adored her. All she had to say was that she wanted him off the case and tell him any reason she wanted, and it would not only be done, but so would his career plans.

  Chapter 3

  Corey

  The one place Corey never expected to wake up was in a musty motel room an hour away from Justin’s store. Even though he could afford much nicer, for some reason, the shabby place seemed much more practical for someone who was on the lamb, and he’d convinced himself that if he was going to be a killer on the run, he might as well get the whole experience; piss-stained sheets and all. Now that he was nearing his final destination, he was glad he decided not to stay too long in the ugly accommodations, especially since the area his friend called home was breathtaking to say the very least. Maybe he should rethink his entire outlook and just enjoy what he could.

  He couldn’t remember when he’d last seen such color in the landscape, and he realized how much he missed it. It had probably been clear back to the days of Camp V when he was just a little shit thinking he could take on the world as long as he was in Virginia.

  As he pulled up to Finch’s Guns and Goods, he couldn’t get over how dead the parking lot was. The place was much larger than he’d assumed, and he was surprised, knowing that the man owned two of them. There were kayaks tied up out front and a few barbecue pits. Just when he thought there was someone there, he realized that the person he saw wasn’t real but a mannequin. She was dressed in overalls and wore an apron and an oven mitt. She also had on a big floppy hat, and a spatula had been tied to her hand like she was flipping burgers. His stomach growled, and he realized how hungry he was as he rounded the corner of the store to turn around. There was a small travel trailer in back, and while he wondered if anyone lived there, he figured that it might be used for storage too. He made his way around and hurried out of there, hoping to find a place that might have something to eat.

  He pulled into the small burger joint and found a seat where he had his back to the wall. He hated to be in the center of the room and liked to be able to see the exit and be nearby, just in case he had to. Especially since he was pretty much on the run, assuming anyone had found Alan and then figured out where he’d been.

  The woman at the counter, who was about sixty and somehow not deterre
d from wearing tight jeans and too much rouge, looked up at him and smiled. “What can I get for you, hon?”

  “I’ll take a cheeseburger all the way.”

  “Mustard or mayo?” asked the woman with a gravelly voice.

  He met her eyes and gave a smile. “Yes, please.”

  She smiled back, showing her coffee-stained teeth. “When you say all the way, you really mean it. A man after my own heart.” She scribbled on her pad. “Would you like some fries and a drink with that?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said. He wondered just how well the woman knew the locals and decided to give it a shot. “You wouldn’t happen to know Justin Finch, would you?”

  “Justin Finch?” She looked him in the eye with a suspicious glance. “You aren’t from the IRS, are you? Government? Homeland security?”

  “Jesus, no. I’m an old friend. Thought I’d stop in to say hello. Surprise him.”

  “Well, if you want to know where he lives, I suggest you call him, but no one just pops in on Justin. You’ll be the one getting the surprise.” She gave a cackle and walked away from the counter. Then when she put the paper on the order clip, she laughed at the cook. “This one out here wants to surprise Justin Finch with a visit.” Apparently, the old man thought it was just as funny.

  Corey chuckled. “Noted. I’ll call him.” He took out his phone and decided to dial him up. He held his breath and hoped that he wouldn’t turn him away.

  The phone rang, and a moment later, Justin answered. “Hey, Corey. How’s it going?”

  “Hey, man. It’s going. Actually, I’m here at this burger stand in Sturgis and wondered if I could stop by.”

  “You see an old woman named Wilberta?” asked Justin.

  Corey looked at the old woman’s name tag that was half hidden beneath a big flower she had pinned to the clip. Wil and ta was visible enough. “Yeah, I see her.”

  “Put her on the phone.”

  “Wilberta?” he said to get the older woman’s attention. “Justin wanted to speak to you.”

  He passed her the phone as she sauntered over. “Hey, I didn’t give this ragtag your number if that’s what this is all about.” She looked Corey up and down a few seconds, and Corey couldn’t help but wonder what he was saying to her. She walked over to the door. “This your car out here, hon?”

  Corey nodded. “Yeah, I drove up from Phoenix.”

  She turned her attention back to the phone. “Okay, hon, I’ll tell him. Come in and see me. You’re going to waste away if you don’t let me feed you.” Wilberta gave a raspy laugh and then handed Corey his phone back. She didn’t say a word for a moment, just looked him up and down. Then she took her order pad and scribbled something down. When she was done, she tore the paper off the pad and handed it to him. “This is directions to his house. You should make sure you’re there before dark.”

  Being that it was just lunch and he was on his way over as soon as he left, he didn’t think he’d have any problem being there before dark. He couldn’t live far, after all. “Okay, thanks.”

  “He said you’re an okay guy. Must be if he let me tell you where he lives.”

  “I’ve known him for years. Since we were little kids.”

  “I can’t imagine Justin Finch was ever little,” said the man through the window. Corey looked up as the two exchanged a laugh.

  Wilberta added, “I didn’t think he’d ever been a kid. Was born a grown man, that one.”

  “He’s always been pretty big for his age. That’s for sure.” He wondered how the man was. If he’d gained weight or if they simply meant his height.

  The two exchanged another look, and then Wilberta stepped over to the kitchen door. “I’ll just go get that order going.” She disappeared behind the door.

  He glanced around and noticed how dark the place was. The other patrons were all leather-clad, most of the men sporting beards and sitting with women who looked like they could grow one. He looked out the front window and realized that there were a couple of motorcycles out front and only two other cars. He let out a long breath and decided to not make eye contact with anyone else.

  He stared down at the paper he still had in his hand and read the instructions to himself. Go one-mile northwest to the road with the cedar fence and then follow that three miles until you come to the river, then take the narrow road to the left and stop at the gate.

  It wasn’t quite what he’d expected, which was an address he could put in his GPS, but nothing surprised him when it came to Justin. Knowing he was a conspiracy theorist, there was no telling what he’d find when he got to his friend’s house.

  His order was up, and he decided to take it on the road. Wilberta bagged it up per his request and gave him one last piece of advice before he left.

  “If you get lost, stay in your car. Don’t wander around the woods.” She acted as if there was something wild in the woods that could prove dangerous.

  “Okay, thanks.” He started out.

  Before he could get to the door, Wilberta called to him. “Good luck.”

  He slowly made his way out the door, and when the door shut, he heard laughter on the other side of the door. They had to be fucking with him. All of them had known that Wilberta was going to try and scare him about Justin. He wondered if they all thought Justin was a freak. Regardless of what they thought, she had the foresight not to give out his personal information. It was like she was programmed not to or warned. He wondered if Justin had a hold on the people around here. Maybe there wasn’t anything to be afraid of at all.

  He felt a little silly as he went to his truck. He climbed inside, and once he got lined out on the road, he pulled out the instructions and then put them on the dash. Then he got his burger out of the bag and ate it with his fries as he headed northwest to the road with the cedar fence. They melted in his mouth and were so good, he realized it was the first decent hot meal he’d had in two days.

  He saw a wooden fence and hit the brakes, skidding to a stop. He backed up and decided to turn in, not knowing if the fence was cedar or not. He drove down the long path, carefully watching his odometer for the three-mile mark, where sure enough, there was the river. He breathed a sigh of relief and took the road as directed, and when he got to the gate, which was open, he drove inside what appeared to be a compound surrounded by a tall fence.

  He parked, and seeing no one around, he shut off the engine and opened his door. His foot had no sooner hit the ground when he heard the pumping sound of a gun and froze.

  “Don’t move.”

  “Fuck, Justin, it’s me!” Corey’s heart pounded into his throat, and his lunch threatened to be expelled.

  “You didn’t follow instructions, did you?” Corey realized he didn’t stop at the gate and wished he had. But before he could apologize, Justin put the gun down. “It’s good to see you, man.”

  Corey finally got a good look at Justin, who had been hidden behind the barrel of the gun. The man was still tall and now had bulging muscles and a full beard and hair down the middle of his back. He looked fierce in his white tee with washboard abs and made Corey feel as if he’d totally let his body go to shit, despite the fact that he himself spent time in his apartment’s gym.

  “Sorry, man. I saw the gate open and came inside.”

  “It’s cool. You? I’ll let you live.” He gave a wink. “Come on in.” Justin turned and walked toward the house, which was a small cedar cabin with a wraparound porch.

  Corey followed, and though he was nervous, he knew better than to let on.

  “So, what brings you out?” asked Justin as they rounded the corner of the porch.

  Corey didn’t know where to start, but he knew he couldn’t tell him everything. Not right away. “Well, there’s a killer targeting Zodiacs, and I figured if there was a safe place to be, it’s here with you. At least, until I can figure out my next move.”

  “You’re actually letting this person change your life? I figured whoever had it out for us was living in New York where
all the action has happened. Not trotting the globe to find us all.”

  “You haven’t heard anything new?”

  “Not much,” said Justin. “Bay’s called me a few times, but I’ve been busy preparing for a bigger war than some pussy who can’t even show their face. If they want to come for me, good luck to them. I’ve got this place so secure, they’ll have a hard time getting past the gate.”

  “I didn’t,” said Corey.

  “Only because I let you. Trust me.” Justin smiled and gave him a clap on the back that nearly took Corey’s breath. The man was a giant and strong as an ox.

  Corey rubbed his shoulder. “Noted. So, do you care if I stay?”

  Justin stroked his beard and looked like he needed time to think it out. “I guess I could allow it a couple of days, but I warn you. This place can be a bit tricky, so I’d make sure I didn’t go wandering around alone. Stay in the house, and you should be safe.”

  “Are there bears in the woods or something?” Corey asked, gesturing to the trees ahead.

  “Yeah, but it’s the booby traps you need to look out for.” Justin walked over to a log on the back side of the porch house and took an ax from it. “If you’re going to crash here, you’ll make yourself useful.” He handed the ax to Corey, who looked at it like he’d just handed him a severed head.

  “Didn’t you just say there were booby traps out in the woods?” As Justin gave him a sly smile, he wasn’t sure he’d made the right decision after all. He highly doubted that any of the others would have put him to work five minutes in, but then Justin had always been a rare breed.

  Chapter 4

  Darek

  Darek could already tell that tension was high at the office when he walked in and found Lizzy with her head down and her fingers pounding away on the keyboard. The intense look on her face was enough to define her current Monday morning mood.

  With her being upset with him, he knew it was best to walk in and take his place at his desk and wait for Lizzy to tell him what was on the agenda as usual. Only today, she was a bit too distracted to notice him.