Christmas Justice (Carder Texas Connections #7)(50)

“That’s playing dirty.” She scowled at him, knowing exactly what he was doing and hating him for it.

“I’m telling the truth.” He bent down and gently touched her lips with his own. “It has to be this way. For Molly. You know that.”

Garrett laced his fingers with hers. She liked the way they intertwined, as if they were one. They’d known each other just a few days, and yet she felt as if they’d been together always. She didn’t want to lose him.

“I don’t like it.”

“But you’ll do it.” Garrett squeezed her fingers. “For Molly.”

“For Molly.”

With a soft peck on her lips, he walked to the door and opened it. “Daniel, I need transportation.”

Daniel slipped a phone from his pocket. “To D.C.?”

“That’s where this thing started. That’s where I’ll end it.”

“Give me a couple of hours to get a plane here. You guys have been up all night. Rest. We’ll take care of things for a while.”

“Thanks, Daniel. I owe you.”

“We’re even now,” he said. “I’m going to find my wife.”

Daniel closed the door on them and Garrett faced Laurel. She could hardly breathe. “I don’t like this. It feels wrong. I came to you. I caused you to lose everything.”

Without hesitation, Garrett tugged her back into his arms. “You’re wrong. You brought me back to life, Laurel.”

He stroked her arms, warming the chill that had settled all around her with the knowledge that this might be the last time he held her.

“I’m afraid. For you.”

“All I want is for you to be safe. That’s all James would want. This is your chance.”

She could barely breathe. “Hold me, Garrett. Tight. Please.”

“I’ll do more than that.” Garrett lowered his lips to hers and pressed them open.

With a low groan she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her ear to his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart, memorizing his scent, the feel of him, taking in every moment, terrified that soon it would be over. Soon he would be gone and she would have only this moment to cherish.

When Garrett pulled back slightly, she couldn’t stop the moan of protest. But he didn’t let her go. He cupped her face this time, the kiss so very sweet, so very loving. So very scary. Like a goodbye.

Without words, he scooped her into his arms and laid her down on the bed, spooning against her back.

He threaded his fingers with hers, breathing in deeply. “If things were different, I would take you away. I would disappear with you. Believe that.”

She brought his hand to her chest and squeezed tight. “I’m terrified. For you. For my father. So many people have died.” Laurel turned in his arms and touched his cheek, taking in each line of tension, each fleck of gold in his brown eyes. “I don’t want to lose you now that I’ve found you.”

“I’ll do everything I can to bring your father home, Laurel.”

“And you, too. I want you back, Garrett.” She clutched the front of his shirt. “You made me feel something these last few days. I’ve always believed I could only rely on myself. My father taught me that. But you— I feel like I can count on you. I want and need you in my life. Don’t die on me.”

“I have a whole lot to live for these days,” he said softly. “I don’t want to leave you.” He pulled her closer, and she realized he’d never made a promise that he’d come back. For the first time, the easy lie didn’t trip off his lips.

She felt the truth in every word.

*

GARRETT WATCHED LAUREL sleep for two hours. The rise and fall of her chest, the gentle smile on her face. He wanted nothing more than to take her away and make a new life for all of them, but he knew better. This would never be over, Laurel and Molly would never be safe, his family and Laurel’s family would never be avenged until the traitor in the organization was stopped.

Garrett had said goodbye with every kiss, every touch, every caress. Knowing it might be for the last time, he slipped out of the bed with a sigh, pulled on his boots and walked out of the room.

Laurel wouldn’t be surprised to awaken and find him gone, but she’d be furious. He knew they were lucky to have survived the past few days. Luck didn’t last forever.

He closed the door quietly. Daniel stood on the porch of the Copper Mine Motel in a small pool of sunlight, Raven folded in his arms, a blanket wrapped around her.

Several armed guards nodded at them. Daniel nodded back.

“Any strangers in town?”

“None. And no sign of the Escalade. It looks clear. For now.”

“And Molly?”

“Playing on my tablet, using Trouble as a pillow,” Raven said with a smile. “She’s a tough little thing. Not to mention a girl after my own heart, with her fondness for Hondo’s chocolate-chip cookies.”

“How are Hondo and Lucy? And Keller?”

Daniel frowned. “Lucy isn’t handling it well. Doc gave her a sedative. Keller’s going to recover, but he’s got a lot of questions.”

“Poor Lucy. She’s been through hell. You know, I spent the last year in this town playing the waiting game when I wanted to be in the action. Now I’ve hurt the people who gave me their trust when they shouldn’t have. I don’t know how to make it up to them.”