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Reyes Lazir paced his windowless room, furious. He had trusted Saleem, created him, gave him a life, opportunities, the chance of revenge, and this was how he repaid him? The stupid man honestly thought they would do a prisoner exchange. He always thought Saleem was intelligent, but that small lapse in judgment had cost him his life.
Reborn’s American cell network would be destroyed over this. He needed a new leader there fast. If he didn’t get things back on track quickly his financial backers would become impatient and might pull out. He had put far too much time and effort into this not to see it through. Then there was Dawson and the woman. Both were alive and free. That was unacceptable. He was stuck living underground, never seeing daylight because of them.
His new living quarters had been built into the mountain, connected to the compound via tunnels. He was able to go between the two, completely out of sight, undetected by any drones, or satellite images. He stopped in front of his small desk and studied the two photographs. Commander Dexter Dawson and Lieutenant Kelly Kimber. He had not seen the sun rise in four months and these two were walking free.
“You can't escape me forever,” he said. “When the time is right, I will have you both. It is Allah’s will.”
The explosion deafened him. Everything happened so quickly. Gunshots, flashbangs, shouting. Strong arms grabbed him. His hands were yanked behind his back and secured. A large man, dressed in black from head to foot, stood in front of him.
“Commander Dawson and Lieutenant Kimber send their regards.”
***
KELLY WOKE TO THE SMELL of bacon.
It had been four days. After getting checked out at Westside, there were a round of debriefs, where she and Dex and the team had been split up to go over what happened. It took hours. Sam had finally called a halt to it. When Sam spoke, people listened. They’d got home around midnight, drained and exhausted. Stretching, she smiled remembering how Dex had undressed her, taken her into the shower where he washed her body and her hair before toweling her dry and carrying her to bed. She’d snuggled into him and must have fallen asleep in seconds.
They hadn’t left the house since. Dex had been sidelined due to the knife wound in his shoulder. Though only a flesh wound and not hitting any muscle, Dex had been ordered by Sam not to go the farm for a week.
For once, Dex hadn’t objected, and she’d breathed a sigh of relief. The whole event had triggered her more than she realized but being here with him made her feel safe. Claire had visited and they talked through what happened with Dex sitting beside her, holding her hand.
Following the smell of the mouth-watering bacon, she headed to the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway, her heart skipping a beat. Dex had his back to her and stood at the stove. A plate of pancakes already sat on the island, along with orange juice. She couldn’t help but stare at him. He wore a pair of shorts, but he was shirtless and the muscles in his back flexed as he moved. The sight made her mouth water even more than the bacon. God, he was so damn sexy.
She walked up behind him and slid her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back.
“Good morning.”
He placed one hand over hers, squeezing it. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Mmmm, smells good.”
“Who doesn’t like the smell of bacon?”
“Who says I was talking about the bacon.” She kissed his back.
He chuckled and turned slightly. She lifted her face, and he brushed his lips over hers.
“How are you feeling this morning?” The concern in his voice touched her. How the hell had she gotten so lucky to be in love with this man? They hadn’t made love again because she’d been dealing with nightmares, shock, and exhaustion. He hadn’t even tried to. Instead, he just held her at night and was there when the nightmares came.
“I slept right through last night, so feeling pretty good.” She studied his face. “He hit hard huh?” Dex’s face was bruised down one side, butterfly stitches above his eye.
“Yeah, he hit really hard.” He smoothed down her hair. “As you know.”
He traced a finger over her bruised cheek and smiled. That goddamn sexy smile sent heat pulsating through her body. God, she loved him.
He kissed her, so gentle, tender, loving. Splaying her hands against his chest, she groaned at the feel of his rock-hard body. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed up against him, feeling his erection against her belly. Deepening the kiss, he let out a low growl of appreciation before releasing her mouth.
“I think the bacon’s burning. Hungry?”
She reached behind him and turned off the hob. “Starving.”
Kissing him, she stroked her hands along his spine, making her intentions clear about what she was hungry for.
“Are you sure?” He broke the kiss. “Because if we go any further, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to stop.”
“I’m sure. I want this. I want you. Now.”
Kelly gasped, when despite his injured shoulder, Dex lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist. His cock was rock hard against her sex as he backed her against the wall. One big strong hand gripped her hip as the other moved under her t-shirt, seeking her breast. At the feel of his rough hand massaging her, Kelly dug her nails into his back, unable to hold back a moan of pleasure.
“I didn’t mean what I said. If you need me to stop, if it’s too much, say so.” He breathed in her ear.
“What I need, is for you to stop talking.”
***
DEX STOPPED TALKING and made use of his mouth in multiple ways to bring her pleasure multiple times before he let himself go.
“I think breakfast is cold,” she murmured. He smiled and kissed her shoulder.
“You mean you’re still hungry?” His hands stroked down her back. They were still in the kitchen, having used the island instead of a bed.
“I’m starving, but for actual food now.”
He laughed and stood up, withdrawing out of her. Taking her face between his hands, he gave her a slow, gentle, tender kiss.
“I love you, Kelly.”
“I love you too.”
“Move in with me.” He hadn’t known he was going to ask her; just knew he never wanted her to leave. He wanted to go to sleep next to her and wake up with her every day.
She giggled. OK, not the response he was expecting.
“What’s funny?” He frowned.
“Sorry, but we’re standing naked in your kitchen, just had sex surrounded by pancakes, orange juice and crispy bacon. Very romantic.”
“Well, at least it will be memorable.” He grinned. “But I was being serious.”
“I know you were.”
“So?”
Kelly wrapped her arms around his neck, gazing up at him. “Well, it depends.”
“On what?” He couldn’t tell if she was teasing or not.
“If I move in, then the throw cushions have to come with me.”
Dex laughed, hugging her tight. “I can live with that.”
“Mmmm. And you really think you can handle me full time?”
“Oh, baby, you should be more worried about handling me.”
A ringing cell phone interrupted them. Dex tensed. He’d been expecting the call. He grabbed the phone. Sure enough it was Sam.
“I’ll be right back.” He winked as he walked to the other room, pulling on his shorts. Kelly didn’t protest. She understood that he couldn’t share everything about Onyx and was getting used to it.
“Sam.”
“It’s done.” Sam got straight to the point.
“Alive?”
“Yes, alive. Jackson is bringing him in.”
Dex had wanted to be the one to take the fucker down, but for once he stepped aside, rethinking his priorities. He and Kelly could have died in that warehouse. He had sworn if they got another chance, he would do better, be better for Kelly. Kelly needed him here right now. That was more important. Jackson had led the uninjured Nyx and Ryan had led Raven and together he trusted those guys to get the job done and they had. CIA’s man on the ground had come through with the location and Sam had sent Onyx in before Lazir had a chance to move anywhere.
“Any injuries?”
“Not on our side.”
Dex smiled, surprised at the relief he felt. Justice. For Bravo, for Kelly, for all the innocent people that son of a bitch had killed and had been planning to kill.
“Am I good to tell Kelly?”
He sensed Sam smiling. “Wow, you’re asking permission. This is progress.”
Dex snorted. Yeah, he was learning.
“Yes, of course you can tell her. I’ll let you go do that.”
“Thanks, Sam, for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”