Out of the Mist (Can't Help Falling Book 1) Page 20

  Moments later, his brain snapped to attention. Movement in the building across the lot— where there shouldn't be any. Snatching up his night vision binoculars, Matt zeroed in on the darkened warehouse.

  "Pop— someone in your quadrant," he muttered into his headset. "Two hundred yards to your right." It could be one of the team shifting positions— but instinct said otherwise. The limited chatter in his ear hadn't indicated a change in plans.

  Finn and T-Bone were at the meeting location. From the sound of it, the dealer called Viper hadn't materialized. T-Bone played his role to the hilt— belligerently vocalizing exactly what he thought of the low-level punks who'd showed up instead. T-Bone didn't have much choice. Playing hard-to-get would gain instant respect— or kill the deal completely. If that happened, they'd be left with nothing.

  His binoculars swept the building across the lot. Someone had been there. Pushing off the wall, Matt crossed to the door, his senses throbbing with warning. A narrow alley sliced between the two buildings, leading straight to the harbor. The buildings stood a mere twenty feet from the encroaching saltwater.

  The alley had concerned them earlier, spelling a deathtrap for anyone caught there. But it was also the perfect way to circle back around the building— because no one would expect an attack from harborside.

  Edging out the door, logic warred with instinct when he drew his Glock. Something was wrong. His pulse drumming a staccato beat in his ears, he melted into the darkness, pausing at the entrance to the alley. Debris was strewn everywhere, none of it large enough to provide cover. If anyone chose this shortcut, he'd make an easy target.

  The eruption of gunfire made him forget that worry. Hurtling into the alley, he dove for cover against the foundation of the building as someone returned fire. Decaying mortar and the briny tang of ocean assaulted his nose. Sporadic voices shouted in his earpiece, weaving through his brain. Mullaney had called for back-up.

  Matt tried to get a sense of where the action was taking place. Behind him, he heard the scuffle of feet as the battle spilled out into the lot he'd just crossed. He was about to move— to backtrack to the end of the alley when the soft, crunching sound of footsteps made him freeze. Muscles tensing, he heard them again. A set of hesitant footsteps— carefully creeping toward him. His heart ricocheted to his throat when he acknowledged a red flash bouncing toward him. A night vision scope— on the end of a serious weapon. His own gun tight in his hand, he waited for the murky shadow to draw closer.

  The shadow picked up speed as he neared Matt's hiding spot. Either the perp was confident he was alone in the alley or his enemy could see a hell of a lot better than he could. As noiselessly as he could manage, he lined up his sights, acknowledging he'd be forced to wait until the last possible moment. It was too dark to confirm who approached. But before he fired a round, he'd sure as hell be certain who he was shooting at.

  Strangled breathing grew louder as the perp stumbled closer. The quiet, cautious steps grew careless, the stealthy shadow frantic to escape. From his position on the ground, Matt watched arms flail randomly as he fought to maintain balance and speed.

  Matt tensed, clinically locking on target. But— the shadow was unrecognizable. Was it one of theirs? Three seconds later, the person stumbled past. By the time he rolled to his feet, the shadow had disappeared around the corner. His nose twitched at the scent lingering in the air. Cologne. Instinct told him to pursue, but the voices jamming his frequency indicated more serious issues. His pulse ratcheted skyward at the news.

  A man was down. One of their own.

  Chapter 12

  Julie heard the soft click of a door opening and bolted up in bed, sheets knotted in her fingers. Had someone gotten past the guards? Maddie's suite was on the opposite side of the house— where she was likely sound asleep.

  Unlike her hostess, Julie slept sporadically, her mind on the problems she'd confront in the morning. When she managed to drift off, her dreams filled with images of Dandridge, intent on killing her . . . before morphing into Matt. She'd awoken feeling fuzzy about whose side he'd been on.

  Now this. Heart hammering in her chest, she rose from the bed, rather than wait to be murdered in it. Creeping to the door, she cracked it open. Muttered voices echoed in the foyer before a man entered the living room and collapsed on the couch. Recognizing the sturdy profile reflected in the window, she sagged against the doorframe. Her relief vanished when Matt dropped his head in his hands. Suddenly unsure, she hesitated. Should she pretend she hadn't-

  Sensing her presence, he turned. "Sorry I woke you. Go back to bed."

  Something terrible had happened. Certainty coursed through her. More than his words, the anguish in his voice knotted her stomach. "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing-"

  "Something happened." The expression in his eyes made her heart pound with fear over what he would confess.

  "There was a shootout tonight."

  "Are you-" For a moment she was too terrified to speak. Her gaze flew over him. He seemed so invincible— so larger than life. "Y-you're okay?"

  "Not a scratch," he dismissed with an angry shrug.

  Relief made her legs rubbery. They would give way if she didn't sit. Dropping on the couch, she raised a trembling hand to her lips. "Was anyone-" She swallowed hard, almost afraid to ask. "Finn . . . is he all right? Mr. Mullaney?"

  "Finn killed one of the dealers. We don't know his name yet."

  "That's good, isn't it?" At his curt nod, she hesitated. "Then w-why are you so angry?"

  "Suspect got away." He lowered his head. "And one of our guys . . . T-Bone Mercado-"

  Startling at the news she'd dreaded, she roped her fingers through his. "Is he-"

  "No. But he's gut shot. A bad one." Matt's grip tightened. "There's something else you should probably know."

  The expression in his eyes was terrifying. "Just tell me-"

  "This happened at your warehouse."

  Julie wasn't sure how she should react to his news, but tears were likely the last thing Agent Barnes needed to contend with at the moment. "I'm so s-sorry."

  Staring at the wall, his profile appeared etched in stone.

  "This is because of me." She fought the urge to cry. It wasn't fair to burden him. Too late, a tear splashed down on their joined hands. Matt turned, his expression guarded.

  "Why are you crying? You never met him."

  The last week had been such a long, hellish ordeal. And now a man she'd never met was fighting for his life— because of her. Shivering with fear, she thought of something else. "What if it had been you?"

  "We all know the risk, Jules."

  "I can't do this anymore." Shaking her hand free, she drew her knees to her chest, a wave of misery threatening to swamp her. "Just arrest me." Hot tears spilled down her cheeks.

  "On what charge?"

  The couch shifted under his weight when he faced her. "Maybe it will s-stop." She had to do something. To end this before anyone else got hurt. "I can- I . . . I'll sell the company."

  At two am, Matt was hung over with fatigue. After hours cataloguing the crime scene at the warehouse, they'd waited at the hospital for word on T-Bone. A smart man would've gone home— his home and fallen into bed. Instead, he'd returned to the penthouse. He could've lied . . . pretending the reason was concern for Julie's safety. But she was well protected. What possible excuse did he have?

  Yet the moment he'd crossed the threshold, his tortured thoughts had stilled. He'd experienced a measure of calm. Because maybe— he needed her.

  Juliet— with her soft, scented skin and luscious body. She would make him forget the violent images scrolling across his brain. T-Bone, life leaking from the hole in his stomach. The dealer— his sightless eyes still surprised Finn had drawn faster. On the dark, lonely ride home, all he'd wanted was to hold her. And never let go.

  Now she sat inches away, long, bare legs dangerously close. Gorgeous body swimming in an oversized T shirt, slender arms wrapped around her knee
s to keep from shivering. And he'd never wanted anyone as much.

  Shimmering as it cascaded over her shoulders, her silky hair had his fingers itching to tug through it— as he mindlessly thrust into her. To grab fistfuls as he came in a blazing orgasm that would erase everything else. Matt's frozen gaze followed when she nervously tucked a strand behind her ear.

  He was aware of every movement, every breath, his senses heightened as he drank in the play of moonlight over her features. Her soft, fresh scent wove around him, ensnaring his senses. The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen— a fantasy come true. Mysterious and angelic, bathed in shadow.

  For an endless week, he'd resisted. From the moment he'd laid eyes on her— instinct had warned him Julie was different. Dangerous. And he'd dutifully shielded himself. Yet nothing had worked. And he was exhausted with fighting the attraction.

  One glimpse of those expressive eyes brimming with tears and his resolve slipped. Matt wondered again what the hell made her different. He'd dealt with dozens of uncooperative females in a decade undercover— perps, witnesses and informants. He'd grown immune to tears. Only Pam had ever gotten under his skin. And what he'd felt for her had been closer to pity. But when tears leaked from Julie's eyes, his gut clenched as though he'd been kicked. And no amount of discipline could have prepped him for the ache in his chest.

  "Jules, don't cry." It was a desperate plea for sanity and they both knew it.

  She bolted from the couch, prepared to flee. "I'm— making it worse."

  The band around his chest constricted another notch when he read the message in her eyes. She needed comforting, too. "Wait-"

  Everything was about to change. "Don't go." Slowly, he tugged her against him. When she relaxed in his arms, he sighed with pleasure. Rightness. Relief— that he could finally stop fighting it.

  Through moon-bathed shadows, Matt searched her beautiful eyes only to find the confusion he knew mirrored his own. But desire was there as well, in the shudder she tried to contain.

  Unbelievably soft skin met his fingertips. Warm and scented with a heady fragrance that made him feel drunk. He was burning up just staring at her. Touching her would drive him mad. Helpless to stop himself, he brushed his lips softly over hers, giving Julie ample opportunity to pull away. And when she didn't, he wasn't sure whether to be thrilled or terrified.

  Her sigh of pleasure caught Matt unaware, sucker-punching him when her eyes flashed emerald fire. Open to him, he nudged his tongue into the warmest, sweetest mouth he'd ever kissed. With a groan, he pulled her fiercely against him, tumbling into the wildest embrace he'd ever experienced. She was so soft . . . yet so determined and capable. And when she wrapped her arms around him like she would never let go, he experienced a surge of protective strength.

  Leaning into him, Julie burrowed into the collar of his shirt, feathering kisses along his neck, inhaling the smell of his skin. "You smell good."

  "I won't argue." His voice hoarse, Matt knew he smelled of back alleys and gunpowder. But if she thought differently, he wouldn't question it. His body taut with frustration, he'd held a fragment of hope he would regain his senses. Now, he prayed he wouldn't. As she shuddered with a need that matched his own— Matt acknowledged the outcome had been inevitable.

  "That would be a first," she murmured against his throat.

  Her words made him smile. "What are you doing to me?"

  "I'd hoped I was seducing you, but— I must not be doing it right."

  He chuckled. "You're doing great." When he gazed down into her endlessly green eyes he saw everything. Need. Desire. And a haunting vulnerability he wanted only to protect. The tether on his control snapped. He groaned as his mouth captured hers in a fierce kiss he was helpless to stop. A single glance from her— and he was left fighting the primal urge to tear off her clothes and take her on the living room floor.

  The moment Matt felt her mouth tremble under his, the world shifted to something new and incredibly dangerous. Her response nearly undid him. Her fingers tugged through his hair, pulling him closer as she slowly came apart in his arms. Her soft, curvy body pressed snugly against his, fitting him perfectly as he hoisted her in his arms.

  If there had ever been a dry spell in her life, it sure as hell was over. Julie seemed to detonate in his arms. Legs wrapped around him, her passion fed his, sparking and flashing over, heating his body and incinerating his thoughts. Staggering through her bedroom door, Matt blindly turned the lock before settling her back against the wall.

  "Jules-" He kissed her fingers when she quickly brought them to his lips.

  "Don't say it," she whispered, hair splayed against the wall.

  "We can't-" Matt swallowed hard when he caught the unmistakable need shining in gorgeous eyes. Dammit— this was so wrong. On so many levels. She was a witness. Hell, a few days ago, she'd been a possible suspect . . .

  She moved against him. "We can."

  A shudder swept through him. He was taking advantage of her— using her to wipe the ugliness of another violent day from his mind. He should be protecting her-

  "We should." Arms wound around his neck, she kissed him, pouring every ounce of need into the embrace.

  And his knees buckled. A kiss could not be this amazing. Fiery and sweet at the same time. It was his last coherent thought before he pulled her against him, kissing her back.

  ***

  While Matt struggled to do the right thing, Julie gave in to the overwhelming need to kiss him. When he finally kissed her back, she sagged against him. His heart tripped wildly under her ear, a wild heat sparking his eyes.

  Matt wanted her— desperately. Hands wandering, she traced the corded muscles of his back as they tightened in response. He was a dream come to life. Unbelievable, yet real. He shuddered when she wove her fingers into thick, chestnut hair and tugged his mouth down to hers. "When you look at me it makes me want-"

  "What do you want?" His harsh, velvety voice rasped against her ear, making her shiver. He couldn't possibly get any closer . . . yet she strained against him, wanting more.

  "Your hands on me."

  He groaned into the side of her neck before his mouth drifted slowly over her face, raining kisses in his path. "There's no hope of me doing the right thing."

  Julie prayed he wouldn't come to his senses anytime soon. "Off," she muttered, her fingers fumbling with his stubborn shirt buttons. "I need this off."

  He smiled. "I could help if I wasn't afraid of dropping you."

  She released a flustered groan. "I may be out of practice, but it's like riding a bike," she promised.

  When he tipped her chin up, she held her breath. "I'm pretty damn sure we'll be fantastic."

  Relief coursing through her, Julie grinned. The heat in his eyes left no question how it would be. They were about to combust.

  Matt gave up any pretense of flirtation and hotly captured her mouth. When he finally released her, they were both breathless. "If we fall off, we'll keep practicing."

  When he deposited her on the bed, she reveled in the wild beating of his heart. Her ear pressed to his chest, the steady, reassuring beat made her feel safe for the first time in ages. "I really need you out of these clothes."

  A locomotive roaring through his head, Matt acknowledged the frantic quality to her voice. He could get drunk on the sexy little catch that was made for darkened rooms— the soft, sweet moan when she arched against him. The shiver of satisfaction when his mouth discovered the tender hollow of her throat.

  His muscles strained with pleasure when she tugged his shirt free, her hands roaming, caressing. It was hard to breathe around the tightness in his chest— hard to move with the heavy weighted feeling in his limbs. As she stroked him, Matt's discipline eroded another measure. Her response lost in a whispered murmur against his skin. When her satiny mouth rained kisses over his chest and stomach, he experienced an explosion of white-hot excitement. "Babe, you do that again and we'll be done a lot sooner than I planned."

  "We have all ni
ght," she reminded, her gaze searing him with the desire he found there. Her eyes were molten emeralds, blazing an urgent need that both thrilled and stunned him. Her lips parted slightly and Matt couldn't resist taking them again, his tongue lazily playing with hers, as though they had all the time in the world. As though they weren't both completely ready to melt down. If he kept this up, they would go mad.

  When Julie moaned deep in her throat, the sexy sound nearly drove him over the edge.

  "What are you waiting for?" Her smile was confident as she lowered her hand to stroke him. "We can do our own link analysis right here."

  "Jules-" His body went rigid, his harsh groan seeming to echo in the stillness around them. When she fumbled with his zipper, Matt's brain all but incinerated— hopelessly lost to the inferno.

  Surrendering to the magnetic pull of her body, his hands shook as he cupped her breasts through her shirt. His gaze locked with hers, he rasped in a painful breath as her breasts swelled in his hands, the fabric clinging like a second skin. Arrogantly pleased when she swayed against him, her nipples pebbled under his touch. She was so damned perfect.

  "I can't wait any longer," he admitted, tugging the shirt over her head. "The first time I saw you-" His voice hoarse, he stared at her. "You're so beautiful. When I touched you— I knew." Transfixed, he lowered his mouth to her breast.

  Julie pulled him down to the bed. His mouth to her breast, she experienced a pull of exquisite sensation all the way to her toes. "W-what did you know?"

  The streamers of sparking warmth intensified as she pushed up against him. Beautiful, capable hands stroked down her body while his mouth teased her nipple, teeth grazing her, making her wild for more. Helpless, she arched into him as spasms shuddered through her.

  "I knew you were . . . different," he whispered. His mouth trailing the hollow of her breasts, he paused when she shivered in reaction. "I knew— I was meant to meet you."