Ramsey Security (Ramsey Security #1-3)(32)

Darla laughs behind her free hand. Her eyes study me for a long time before her guilt gets the better of her.

"You're giving up your free time to sleep here. Maybe you shouldn't."

"The twin sized bed in the spare room is like a resort to the shitholes I've slept in over the years."

"Well if nothing will change your mind," she says, bravely stepping close enough for me to wrap her in my arms. "I like knowing you're close. Not that Minka isn't cool, but she's not you."

"No, she's not, but don't tell her that. She's very insecure."

"I sensed that about her," Darla says, her lips curving into a smile against my chest. "Thank you for wanting me."

"You're welcome. It was a struggle, but I'm managing."

Just before I kiss her, I catch Darla giving me a dirty look. She tenses when my tongue finds her and then moans into my mouth. I need more from this woman. I want to taste her throat. I crave to explore what she hides under her clothes. I need to know her every curve until I've possessed it all.

Darla isn't ready for all my hunger, so I let her go. Slowly, I release her from my arms and step back. Darla stares at me with an expression filled with both heat and horror. Even craving more, she fears how much more I can take.

For now, we stand apart and enjoy the warm arousal our bodies feel. This hint of pleasure is all we'll know until Locke is dead, and I can truly claim Darla for my own.





24


~~~

Darla

Bad Dream

My sleeping pills give me vivid dreams. I battle dinosaurs and monkeys. I'm often trapped in a restaurant filled with crying babies. My most reoccurring dream involves skiing in boots and panties but no pants. I always have my best day on the slopes and proclaim the lack of pants was my secret.

Tonight, I dream about Troy. Stalking him around a convenience store, I'm afraid he'll see me. In the dream, he's in love with Minka, and they're having an affair. Or at least, that's my theory until Troy corners me in the beer section.

"You're under my skin," he growls. "No one makes me feel this way. No one."

Intimidated by his anger, I say nothing. His fingers dig into my arms as he shakes me.

"No one," he says with more force.

"I want to keep you."

Troy's rage-filled eyes soften, as does his grip on my arms. I think he might say he wants to keep me too. Before the dream can turn warm and happy, Locke is the one gripping my arms.

"See what you did?" he demands.

I try to free myself, but Locke's will is unbreakable. He always wins. Running away has only prolonged the inevitable.

"Look at what you've done!" he hollers.

Blood is splattered everywhere, and I see Troy sprawled dead on the ground. Butchered too, Shelley and her babies are dead not far from his body. The legacy of my choice to run is the death of those I love.

I don't wake with a start. Instead, I dig my way out of the dream. Even partially awake, I feel Locke's fingers digging into my flesh. I smell his peppery soap in my nostrils. I hear his hateful voice echoing in my mind.

Finally awake, I crawl from the bed and stumble to the bathroom where I wash my face until the dream fades. I dress in a hurry and head out to the kitchen to see if Troy is here already.

Minka stands in the kitchen when I appear. She shows no reaction until I glance around.

"Want coffee?" she asks.

"Is Troy here yet?"

"He showed up in the middle of the night," she explains, smiling behind her coffee cup. "Said he couldn't sleep, so he moved his crap over. He crashed in the spare room. Do you want me to wake him up? I really love sticking his hand in cold water and seeing what happens."

Still sleepy, I only stare at Minka before finally finding my voice. "I was worried about him."

"You're sweet. Should I wake him?"

"No," I mumble, pouring myself coffee. "Did you have a nice night?"

"It was quiet. No one's prowling around outside. Locke is scrambling to find someone who can get to you, but he isn't getting many takers. Contractors like making money without ending up dead. We're selfish that way."

I sit at the kitchen table and blow on the black coffee. "I'm visiting Doctor Parker today."

"Troy will go. I'm sure a few other members of the team will too. The best time to grab you will be in the open. We'll make sure Locke doesn't succeed. No worries, okay?"

"Okay."

When I fall silent for too long, Minka strokes my hair. "Bad dream?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"You look like the bad dream followed you."

I stare up at her as she continues to stroke my hair. Minka's beauty sometimes intimidates me. Yet her strength comforts, so I lean into her caress. The dream does linger in my thoughts. Remembering Troy's lifeless eyes, I rub my arms where Locke held me. The monster remains in my life despite my big escape. A part of me suspects my freedom is an illusion, and all I've done is put others in danger.

"I've killed many bad men," Minka says gently. "From the average criminal to the vilest freaks, I took their lives for money and never made it personal. I'm trying to do the same with Locke but spending time with you has made my feelings complicated. Either way, I can say in my professional experience that he will be a corpse when this job is done. Nothing less will do."