Brick drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes, then slowly released it, seeking the calm that had gotten him through much in his life. Bad things happened to others when he lost control. Too much rode on him keeping a firm hand on his emotions.
Ten minutes later, the anger and resentment from Ryan’s visit had been firmly addressed. Brick reopened his burger and went back to eating. He was on his third bite when the lights of a car flashed over him as it turned onto the street. He watched a Jaguar F-type in British racing green pull into Jace Wilder’s driveway.
The moment the tall, muscular man with thick, black hair unfolded himself from the sports car, Brick realized two things: the man was former military. And he was most likely here to help the others cause a lot of trouble.
Chapter 18
Taryn’s eyes could no longer focus. She had looked at so many maps and drawings that she couldn’t see straight. Everyone else was downing coffee to help themselves stay awake, but after three cups, her stomach refused to let her have any more.
She rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn, hoping that no one saw. They were all there for her. Taking time away from their loved ones and family to help her out of a very sticky situation. The least she could do was be a part of the conversation and stay awake. She was just so tired.
The yawn came upon her too quickly to hide it. When she opened her eyes, she found Jace smiling at her. He moved his hand under the table and put it on her leg, giving it a little squeeze.
“Go to bed,” he whispered.
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“You can. We have the plans to the warehouse complex where you were. We’re still coming up with ideas for how to get inside. At least go lay on the sofa.”
“I’ll be fine,” she assured him.
He squeezed her leg again before turning his attention back to the others. Taryn forced herself to pay attention as she listened to the guys tossing out ideas regarding different ways to get into the compound as quietly as possible. She couldn’t tell them where all the guards were stationed since she had been kept to a specific area. But she was able to give details on how many men were where she was housed, and the building where she went to see the accountant and Boyd on occasion, as well as give suggestions on the best hiding places.
Not long after, her eyes became heavy. She closed them for just a moment, but that’s all it took for her to fall asleep. Taryn jerked awake when she heard someone come into the house. She leaned to the side to look around bodies. Her gaze landed on a tall man in a dark gray button-down and black slacks. He dressed like a businessman, but given the way he carried himself, he was anything but.
She took in his long, black hair pulled into a queue at the back of his neck when the man turned his head to her. Cooper brought the stranger to the table. Jace smiled and rose to shake hands with him.
“This is Taryn,” Cooper said. “Taryn, this is Cash. We served in the Air Force together, but now he works as a private investigator.”
Cash’s light gray eyes landed on her. They crinkled slightly at the corners as he smiled and nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” she replied, shaking off the sleep.
Cash then looked around as he unbuttoned the cuffs on his shirt and rolled up the sleeves. “Shall we get started?”
As if on cue, the men moved to the living area, where Cash had a pad of paper and pencil at the ready. Taryn and Marlee remained at the table and listened as they began listing off weapons and tactical gear.
“Is that what they have or what they need?” Marlee leaned over and whispered.
Taryn shrugged. “I was hoping you knew.”
The two shared a smile. Then they went back to listening to the guys. A half hour later, the men rose in unison and bid each other goodnight before they filed out of the house. Marlee waved to Taryn as she got to her feet and hurried to Cooper, who waited for her.
When Taryn and Jace were finally alone, she asked, “What’s going on?”
“Cash and Cooper are going to see about getting the supplies we want. With the plan now formed, Clayton is calling one of his Navy buddies who owns a helicopter business in the hopes he can drop us in Fort Worth that way. Brice and Caleb are sorting through the supplies we listed as having so we can figure out if it’s enough or if we need to add more to the other list.”
Taryn nodded as he spoke. “What do we need to be doing?”
“Nothing.”
She got to her feet, frowning. “There must be more that needs to be done. Tell me. I can handle it.”
“My job is to make sure you’re safe until we put our plan into motion,” he said and pulled her toward him.
She recognized the darkening of his hazel eyes. It caused her stomach to flutter in anticipation. She couldn’t wait to have his hands on her again. It was a simple fact that she couldn’t get enough of Jace. Taryn pulled his head down and gave him a lingering kiss.
“Mmmm. I take that to mean you’re just fine with the arrangements?” he asked with a sexy grin.
“More than fine.”
“Good.” He took her hand and led her to his bedroom.
Jace paused and set the house alarm before he turned to her. Taryn barely had time to react as his mouth came down on hers. His tongue swept into her mouth as his arms tightened around her, holding her firmly.
The kiss started soft and slow, but it wasn’t long before it became intense and fiery. They began clawing at each other’s clothes, yanking—and tearing—them off. They broke the kiss only long enough to remove an item of clothing, then their mouths were meshed together again.
Taryn welcomed the hunger, such craving. Her body knew what it was to be pleasured by Jace, and she needed it now more than ever. When they were finally devoid of all clothing, she sighed at the feeling of his heated flesh against hers. The way she fit in his arms, the way he held her. It was like they had been created especially for each other—they fit so perfectly.
Jace fisted his hands in her hair and pulled her head back as he ended the kiss. His hazel eyes were intense as he looked down at her. “I’m not whole without you.”
She put a hand to his face. “I love you, too.”
He released a shuddering breath and loosened his hold on her hair so he could rest his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry. If I had known where you were, I would’ve come for you. I don’t know what all you’ve endured—”
“Stop,” she said gently as she put her fingers against his lips to hush him. “I don’t want to think about that time right now. I need to be in your arms. I need you to make me forget all of it. Even if it’s just for a short while.”
Without another word, he slid his hand around to the back of her neck and ravaged her lips so completely that she wasn’t sure where she ended, and he began. She clung to him, sinking into everything that was Jace, everything that was them.
Then he lifted her and swung her around to the bed. They fell together, a tangle of arms and legs. She ran her hands down his back, feeling the many scars she knew so well. But he quickly trapped her hands and held them above her head. His lips trailed from her mouth, down her neck, and over her chest to her breasts. When his mouth closed over a hard nipple, she moaned.
* * *