Blowing out a long breath, Jeannie nodded her head in jerks. “And I’ll help you.”
Maggie patted her cheek. “You’re a pretty tough old broad, as well, Jeannie.”
Carson walked over, pulling her back into his arms as Leo talked to LSI. She listened as they notified Adam to head stateside. Dave walked over, his hand extended toward Carson. Keeping one arm around Jeannie, he shook Dave’s hand. “You get what you needed?”
“Thanks to our joint efforts, yeah. Pure cocaine. I’d say the street value close to a million dollars just came through the tunnel.”
“I know you’ll deal with that tunnel, but there are offshoots. And you know—”
“Yeah, I know. Shut down this tunnel and another one will pop up. I don’t kid myself into thinking this pipeline is going to be eradicated. I just hope to be enough of an irritant, manage to get some behind bars, and cost the cartels money.”
“Then, bro, you accomplished that today.”
Jeannie listened as the men talked, then noticed Dave smile, inclining his head toward her. “I’m glad you’re safe, Ms. Carnes. We’ve got an ambulance outside to check you and Ms. Collins over.”
Maggie shook her head. “All I need is a long hot bath.” Glancing between Dave and Leo, she smiled. “I’m not opposed to company, gentlemen.”
Jeannie laughed, leaning her weight into Carson as he wrapped both arms around her again, kissing her forehead. She looked up at him, wanting nothing more than to disappear with him alone. “I’m not opposed to company, either. Take me home.”
He hesitated for a second, and she realized he was uncertain which location she was referring to. Lifting on her toes, she placed a kiss gently on his lips. “Our home, if you’ll have me.”
He cupped her face and grinned. “Anything you want, babe. I’ll give you anything you want.”
30
Jeannie sat on one of the patio chairs outside Carson’s house, her feet propped up on the railing, her wet hair drying in the warm, late evening breeze, and a bottle of beer in her hand. As soon as they’d dropped Maggie off at her house with promises to come the next day to check on her—considering all of Cheryl’s family was being arrested—and they’d made their way back to the Lighthouse, she and Carson had showered off the dirt and sweat from their bodies.
She’d stared at the filthy water going down the drain, her mind swirling as much as the water. He’d lifted her chin with his knuckle, peered into her eyes, and pulled her in for a hug. She loved that. She didn’t have to explain the tumultuous thoughts, relieve the fear and anger, or suffer silently. He knew what she needed: a comforting hug. Like minds. Connected hearts.
Once they’d showered, he’d kissed her gently and stared into her eyes as though to assure himself she was really there, safe and whole. Then she’d shooed him out the door, knowing he needed to head to the compound to report on what had taken place.
Before going outside to breathe in more fresh air, not sure how long it would take before she could stand being in a tightly enclosed space again, she’d considered a glass of wine… then grabbed the beer instead. It might be a while before I have a glass of wine, also.
Leaning her head back, she stared up at the stars, amazed at how brightly they shone. In LA, and even where her apartment was, the stars were dim with all the lights around. Here, they were beautiful.
A noise sounded behind her, and she twisted her head around to watch Carson stroll from the other side of the lighthouse. She smiled and he bent to kiss her lightly again. With his hand held out, she placed her hand in his and he drew her upward. Settling his ass where hers had been, he gently pulled her down into his lap. One of his arms supported her back, his hand rubbing her neck and shoulders. The other arm banded around her middle, his fingers resting on her waist.
She sighed in contentment, nestled in his embrace. They sat in silence for a few moments, the only sounds coming from the waves crashing below. Finally, she said, “What can you tell me?”
“DEA had a busy day.”
She giggled at his concise assessment. “Yes, they did.” Leaning her head back on his shoulder, she knew he’d give her what he could.
“By now, Maria and Juan have been arrested on multiple charges, including drug trafficking, transporting drugs across national borders, child labor, tax evasion, kidnapping, attempted murder—”
“Damn,” she breathed.
He chuckled. “Yeah, they are.”
“And the others?”
“The Garza Winery holdings have been seized. Vincent has been arrested, but he might buy his way out with bail. The DEA is asking for no bail since he’s a flight risk, but who knows?”
“What about Alonzo?”
Carson snorted. “Different country, different justice system. The Mexican Police will be looking into his operation, but the odds of him spending any time in jail are probably nil. He’ll just find a new way to ship. At least the DEA is taking over the tunnels and destroying them once the investigation is complete. And the Sinaloan cartel won’t be happy with him. They could make his life miserable.”
“And Cheryl?”
“Right now, there is no evidence she was involved. Of course, Vincent Garza’s winery business assets will be seized until the dust settles about what is owed in taxes and other fees. She might be able to salvage something from the legitimate business.”
She sighed and nodded, not surprised at anything he’d reported. His arms tightened around her, he nuzzled her neck, and she sank deeper into his embrace. They fell into a comfortable silence, the night blanketing them.
“Scared shitless.”
At his guttural words, she twisted, leaning up slightly to peer into his face, concern filling her chest.
“When I got word that you’d been taken.” He touched a finger to the lighthouse charm hanging on the chain around her neck.
“I was afraid I’d never see you again,” she whispered. “And all I wanted to do was make sure I lived because then I knew you’d come to find me.”
“I’ve never been that scared in my life.” Sucking in a deep breath, he amended, “Except maybe when I thought my legs had been blown off, but then I met this amazing woman with the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen, and she held my hand.”
Lifting her hand, she linked fingers with him and smiled. Sliding from his lap, she stood and gently tugged. He rose from the chair and grinned as they walked, hand in hand, straight to the bedroom.
Carson woke early, surprised he’d been able to sleep after the mission the previous day. They’d made love, worshipping each other’s bodies, no longer taking anything for granted. For a long time, he simply watched Jeannie sleep, admiring her peaceful beauty, yearning for some of the peace to fill his soul, as well. As Jeannie’s eyes fluttered open, he grinned, brushing her hair back from her face. “‘Morning.”
“Good morning,” she replied. “Were you able to sleep?”
“Eventually. Mostly I just watched you.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, please tell me that I don’t snore!”
“Like a freight train,” he deadpanned.