“Anne, are you sure you can handle him?” Jackson asked when the woman returned to the living room.
“Hell, Nate, she handled him just fine from what I saw,” Wilmington said, smiling at the nurse.
“Maybe I’ll hire her every time one of you don’t listen to your doctors,” Jackson told him.
“Hmm, think she’d put me to bed like she did Chris?” Wilmington asked.
“Dream on, Buck!” Sheridan winked as she walked past him towards the kitchen.
“Damn, guess I’m gonna have to go see Inez...”
“Inez would probably just jab a needle in your butt to shut you up,” the tracker teased.
“To take advantage of me you mean...” Wilmington waggled his eyebrows before turning serious. “Anne, one of us will be close by if you need anything.”
“I know, Buck, thank you.”
“You keep that remote with you at all times. Any sign of trouble just press the button...”
“I will, Vin,” the nurse assured him as they walked towards the door.
“Anne, I put his pills in the kitchen. He needs to take the antibiotic in two hours,” Jackson told her.
“Thanks, Nathan, I’ll make sure he takes them.” She held the door and watched the three men moving toward their vehicles. She stayed in the doorway until they disappeared before closing it and engaging the locks. The thought of the injured man lying in the master bedroom sent a warmth racing through her. She walked down the hallway towards the bedroom and stepped inside. She stood for a few moments, her eyes filled with moisture as she took in the bruises and cuts evident on his face. He was turned slightly away from her, yet she could see the bandage over the cut above his right eye. She turned to leave, but was stopped by a soft voice from the bed.
“Come here.”
Anne smiled and walked over to the bed, then sat down on the edge, before he opened his eyes and turned to look at her.
“Hi,” the blond said softly.
“Hi, yourself. You’re supposed to be sleeping.”
“I was lonely.”
“I see, well what if I sat here and kept you company?”
“Rather you were in here with me,” he answered, wincing as he shifted on the bed.
“Alright, just slide over a little,” she said. Once he’d shifted back she lied down beside him and turned on her side so they were facing each other. She placed her hand on the top of his pillow and smiled as he lifted his head so she could slide her arm down. She tucked her body in as close to his as possible and smiled at the heavy sigh she heard. “Better?”
“Yeah...but...”
“What? Are you in pain?” she asked worriedly.
“No...its just...”
“What?”
“Rather you got naked,” he said seriously.
“Sorry, Chris, but naked is something neither one of us needs right now. Go to sleep,” she ordered.
“Damn,” he said, shifting so he could rest his left hand on her breast.
Anne held him close, listening to his soft breathing, her breast alive with the sensation of his touch. She touched his forehead, and smiled as he sighed. It wasn’t long before she joined him in sleep, unaware of the danger that lay ahead for both of them.
Anne opened her eyes and looked at the man she held close to her. The soft sound of his breathing told her he was still sleeping and she was reluctant to wake him. She looked at the clock on the nightstand and saw the time as 12:45. She’d slept for nearly two hours, snuggled up against the lean body of Chris Larabee. Again she was taken aback by the turn of events that saw her move to Billings, Montana. A move she’d made when her feelings for this man grew more intense than her fears of making a commitment to him. She eased his head off her arm and slid her legs over the side. She looked down at him, glad to see her movement hadn’t woken him. Rest and sleep were what he needed now, and she intended to make sure he got plenty of both.
Anne stood up and moved away from the bed, leaving the injured man to sleep until she prepared lunch for them both. She’d prepared a light chicken and pasta casserole before the others arrived and just had to put it in the oven to finish it. Once that was done she made a fresh pot of coffee and sat down to read a western romance she’d started earlier in the day.
Chris reached for the warm body he knew was next to him when he fell asleep. He opened his eyes and realized he was alone in his bed and looked at the clock.
“Damn, must’ve been more tired than I thought,” he mumbled as he noted the time as 1:33 pm. He fought to sit up, wincing as stiff muscles were forced to obey his commands. He sat on the edge for several minutes, giving his body a chance to get used to the upright position he demanded of it. He looked at the light robe on the chair and wondered if he could get it on, but decided the effort wasn’t worth it. More time passed before he pushed up from the bed and made his way to the door. The smell of fresh coffee giving him a boost as he walked down the hallway.
The blond stood in the entrance to the dining room and smiled at the vision sitting at the table on the patio. He quietly made his way to the open door, and leaned heavily against the frame, watching her for several minutes. He realized just how much she meant to him and promised himself he’d let her have the time she needed to forget the bastard who’d once been part of her life. He smiled as she put down the book and turned towards him.
“Hi,” he said, a cocky grin on his pale face.
Anne looked at the man standing before her, wondering how anyone could look so damn sexy in nothing but boxers and a sling. She stood up and moved to help him as he pushed away from the wall. She took his right arm and felt him swaying on his feet as she guided him to the patio chair..
“Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve come get you. Are you cold?”
“I’m okay, Anne,” he assured her. “Could use a cup of coffee though.”
“I’ll get you one. You stay right here.”
“Not gonna get any arguments from me,” he said as he turned to watch her move into the house. He sat where he was, enjoying the sun and the knowledge that he wasn’t stuck in the hospital. He knew he’d have to go back to have the stitches removed, but at least he’d be going home once that was done. He smiled as she returned with the coffee and a small blanket to cover him with.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, covering his legs with the blanket.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Are you hungry?”
“I am hungry...”
“I’ve got a chicken and pasta casserole in the oven...”
“That’s not the kind of hunger I’m talking about,” Larabee told her with a cocky grin and heard her soft laughter.
“Well, for now it’s the only hunger I’m willing to feed!” she said.
“Damn, I was afraid you were going to say that.”
“Are you ready to eat?”
“Not really...feel like I haven’t had a shower in a week.”
“Alright, why don’t you finish your coffee, while I get the water proof bandages and we’ll see about getting you cleaned up.”
“You gonna come in with me?”
“I don’t think so. Seems like the last time we showered together we fed that other type of hunger you now have.”
“Ah, but at least we were clean.”
“Yes, we were,” she said, winking as she passed him his cup. “Drink up and I’ll be right back.”
Larabee took the cup and sipped at the coffee, letting the pain show on his face now that she was gone. He knew he should go back to bed, but the promise of a shower far outweighed the annoying pain from his injuries. He finished the coffee and placed the cup on the table before standing up and placing the blanket on the chair. He made his way back into the house and quickly moved towards his bedroom and into the master bath. He smiled as he watched the woman he loved go into nursing mode, placing bandages and other items she’d need next to the sink.
“Sit down, Chris,” she said, pointing to the chair she’d placed beside the shower.
The blond moved to do as she ordered and sat down heavily on the chair. He felt her ease his arm from the sling and remove the bandage from his shoulder.
“This looks great, I think we’ll leave the bandages off when you get out of the shower.”
“Sling too?”
“Afraid not. Dr. Henderson wants you to wear that for at least a week. Now let’s see about this one,” she said, removing the tape and bandage from the laceration across her lover’s left side. This wound also looked good, showing no sign of infection. She turned her attention to the wound over his right eye and removed the bandage. The gash was surrounded by a mottled coloring of greens and yellows and looked nasty, but she knew it was healing.
“Okay, you need to take this,” she said handing him the antibiotic and a glass of water. She waited for him to take it and smiled as she moved to turn on the shower. She set the water to the right temperature and turned to see the blond watching her closely, and felt her own body heating up under his blistering gaze.
“Chris, you’re hurt...”
“Been hurt before,” he whispered huskily, reaching for the buttons that held her dress together.
“Chris...”
He kissed her, long and deep, silencing her protests with the heat racing through their bodies.
Anne felt her own body reacting to the close contact and she knew she could no longer resist her body’s demands for love. She reached behind her and pulled the ties at her waist and soon felt the dress slide from her body.
“God, Chris, you’re gorgeous...” she whispered as his hands slowly ran down her shoulders to stop at her breasts. She removed the last of her clothing and helped the blond stand. She placed her hands at his hips, feeling the taut body tense at her touch, and knew it was from the injuries and not her. She slid them over his buttocks letting them drop to his ankles as she stood up and wrapped her hands around his neck. She returned the heated kiss, her body melting as flesh met flesh. His engorged shaft reacted immediately to the nearness of her opening and she heard him moan.
“Anne...”
“Sh, sit down, Chris, let me take care of you,” she whispered and smiled as he let her take the lead. She knelt before him, her lips marking a trail of fire along the inside of his thighs, while her hands found their way under his penis and gently massage his balls. She smiled inwardly at his reaction, knowing she was giving him pleasure in spite of the pain caused by the injuries.
Chris felt her hair brush across his skin at the same time her hands and lips were placed on his body. His own hands found their way into her hair and he relished in the silky feel as the strands slid through his fingers. His breath caught in his throat as soft lips teased the tip of his shaft before engulfing him in the warmth of her mouth. He writhed in the chair, wanting, needing, pleading for release as she continued the exquisite torture to his senses. His body reacted immediately as her tongue and lips continued to work on him.
“I w...want to be inside you, Anne,” he pleaded. He felt her lips leave his heated flesh, and caught his breath as she blew on his cock, teasing the heated organ as she stood up.
Anne smiled as she straddled him, sliding down over his shaft as his arms wrapped around her. Her eyes went to the wound on his left arm and she was relieved to see no blood appearing from his movements. Slowly, but surely she sank onto him feeling the thickness filling her womanhood.
He pushed upwards, feeling his penis sink deeper into the warmth of what could only be described as heaven, pushing until he was nestled deep inside her.
Chris tried to move, but she stopped him, her mouth searching his as she slowly began to move. Her tongue slid between his lips, exploring the interior and enticing his own body to respond. He lost touch with reality as his senses soared with her exploration of his mouth and slow, deliberate movement of her hips.
Anne knew she was getting close and her body reacted instantly as she began to move on the cock sheathed inside her. She knew her ministrations were having the desired effect as Larabee began to move of his own volition. His soft moans joined hers as they neared the precipice and continued beyond until they both cried out in the heat of their combined orgasm.
They stayed as they were as the final spasms of their climax left them breathless and exhausted. Her head lay against his right shoulder and she kissed his glistening chest as their breathing returned to normal.
“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.
“God, woman, that was amazing,” he told her and tried to keep her on his lap as she moved to pull away. She kissed him and stood up, smiling as she pulled him to his feet.
“You need to get in the shower.”
“Oh...yeah... but you know, I don’t think I can stand on my own,” he said, smiling cockily in order to show her he was okay.
“Hmm,” she said, her fingers making circles on his chest. “What do you suggest we do about that?”
“Think you’d better join me,” he said as she wrapped his casted hand in an effort to keep it from getting wet.
“Already took my shower,” she said in a sultry voice.
“You can always wash me,” he said as she finished with his wrist and checked his side and shoulder.
“Will you behave?”
“I’ll try...will you?”
“Probably not,” she said, pinching his butt as he turned towards the shower.
“Hey!”
“Seemed to me I owed you that one.”
“From when?” he asked indignantly rubbing at his butt with his plastic covered cast.
“The last time we showered,” she answered as they moved into the shower and under the steamy water.
“I didn’t know we were keeping tabs, sweetheart, but now that I do...forearmed is forewarned as they say,” he promised huskily.
“Hmm, are you declaring war?”
“Might be,” he said as she washed his hair, carefully avoiding the wound on his head. He closed his eyes and let the intoxicating feel of her hands on his body.
Anne enjoyed his cocky smile and was relieved when she’d seen it earlier. She knew he was in pain and hurried through the shower, knowing he needed to lie down.
Chris felt the water wash down over the cuts and bruises and sighed as she removed her hands from his body.
“Come on, Honey, let’s get you back to bed,” she ordered.
“Okay,” he said, not arguing when she helped him from the stall and dried the excess water from his body. They made their way to his bed and Chris sat on the edge, feeling the weariness and pain wash over him once more.
“Lie back, Chris.”
He looked up into her eyes and saw guilt in the soft brown orbs and understood why it was there.
“Anne, I’m okay...”
“I knew we shouldn’t have...”
“Are you kidding, because I sure as hell enjoyed every minute of it.”
“But you’re hurt...”
“Yeah, I am, but what we did was wonderful, Anne, and I would do it all over again.”
“Okay, Chris, but you lie down and I’ll get your pills.”
“I don’t need...”
“Don’t lie to me, Chris. You forget I’m a nurse and I can usually tell when a patient is hurting.”
“Is that what I am...a patient?” he asked softly.
“Yes, a patient...but one that I love and one who will listen because I have all the bargaining chips.”
“Like what?”
“You know as well as I do,” she said, smiling as she stood up to get his medication. When she returned he was lying on his right side watching her. She handed him the two white pills and waited until he put them in his mouth and took the glass of water.
Chris drank the full glass and smiled weakly as he laid back against the pillows.
“You wouldn’t blackmail me...”
“Try me, darling,” she whispered in his ear.
“Damn, you don’t play fair,” he mumbled tiredly.
“Not when it comes to you, Chris. I love you too much for that.”
“Me too...stay...”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she vowed, running her hands through his hair as he finally gave in and slept.
The investigation continued over the next few days, bringing very little clues into who attacked Chris Larabee. Kyle Brennan seemed to have disappeared, and the two men he was usually seen with were also missing. The police still had an APB out on all three, but no one had seen them.
The six agents of The Firm made sure Larabee’s ranch was under constant surveillance. The van parked a short distance away, waiting in case the remote was activated. The days and nights passed with nothing happening and it began to look as if the attacker had never been. Yet, these men knew better than to hope things would pass that easily. Someone stalked Chris Larabee, of that they were certain, they just needed to be ready when he tried again.
Chris was frustrated with being unable to go back to work because of the continuing headaches and the nausea that came with them. When the headache struck he needed to take the mild painkiller and lie down. The only good thing for him was having Anne Sheridan staying at the ranch. She helped without irritating him, she knew when he needed time alone, but made sure he didn’t do anything that would set him back. He looked at the cast on his right wrist and the sling holding his left arm and shook his head. He eased his arm out of the immobiliser and flexed his fingers, elbow and finally his shoulder. The pain was a reminder of two things, one good, one bad. The night he’d stayed with Anne started out with such promise of a wonderful, passion filled weekend, but ended with him in the hospital.
“Chris, are you okay?”
He looked up as she joined him on the patio and couldn’t help smiling at her. She wore a Pastel yellow, form fitting sundress that took his breath away.
“I am now,” he said, sliding his arm back into the sling.
“How is it?” she asked, sitting in the chair next to him and placing a frosty glass of lemonade on the table in front of him.
“Still sore, but it’s getting easier to move.”
“Well, you still need to take it easy and don’t do any lifting with it.”
“That’s what Dr. Henderson said this morning when he took out the stitches.” He picked up the glass and sipped the tart liquid. “This is good.”
“Thanks, I love lemonade,” she told him. They both knew this was just something to avoid talking about what was on both their minds. The packed bags standing by the door was a reminder that all good things must come to an end.
“Wish you didn’t have to go,” Larabee told her.
“I do too, Chris, but the conference dates had to be changed and I’ve got to be there. We both knew my job would involve traveling and sometimes things like this would come up,” she said, as she placed her head on his shoulder.
“I know, Anne. I’ve had a few of those emergency conference calls myself. What time does your flight leave?”
“Five o’clock. I have to go home and get a few things. The first meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at noon. I’ll call you as soon as I get settled at the hotel.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Probably two weeks, three at the most and when I get back we’ll have a whole month before I have to travel again.”
“Now that sounds good to me,” Larabee said.
“Me too, Chris, this place is beautiful.”
“Yeah, it is, but it doesn’t compare to the beauty I see when I look at you,” his words had the desired effect and he saw the slight blush on her cheeks. Their lips met and the world around them disappeared in the heat of passion.
“Anyone home?”
“Damn, sounds like the boys are here,” Larabee said, hearing the familiar Texan drawl as he reluctantly pulled away. “Out here, Vin.”
Anne smiled and released her hold on the blond just as six men came through the door. She smiled at the man she loved as she helped ease his arm back in the sling.
“Must be nice having your own private nurse,” Wilmington smiled at the slight blush on Anne’s cheeks as she finished arranging the sling on Larabee’s arm.
“You could say that, Buck,” Larabee said, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he reached for her hand.
“Well, she’s been able to do something no one else has been able to do,” Jackson said.
“What’s that?” the blond asked.
“She’s kept you from trying to return to work before you were cleared for it,” the medic answered.
“Yeah, well, I kind’ve like Anne’s method of blackmail more than yours,” Larabee said and smiled at the woman as she gently slapped his right shoulder.
“Oh, you...” she admonished softly.
“Well, looks like she can handle you alright, Brother,” Sanchez teased
“Yeah, but isn’t there a law about a nurse abusing her patient,” Larabee said, smiling as she moved closer and kissed him again.
“Chris, I have to get going,” she told him, regretfully putting a stop to the light hearted banter.
“Damn,” the recovering man said. “You boys want to give us a minute?”
“Yeah, sure, let’s go boys!” Tanner pointed to the door leading into the dining room.
Chris stood up and wrapped his right arm around the woman standing in front of him. He saw the tears in her eyes and realized this was as hard on her as it was on him. They’d been separated before, but it didn’t get any easier for either of them.
Anne felt the strong arms enfold her and sighed contentedly, feeling the warmth of their love flow from the touch. She loved this man, evidenced by the way she looked into his eyes.
“I’m going to miss this,” she whispered.
“Me too, Anne, but it won’t be for long.”
“I know,” she said, reaching up and pulling him into a kiss that was meant to be a promise of things to come once she returned from Denver. “I love you,” she whispered against his lips.
“I love you too, Anne,” he whispered back and reluctantly pulled away.
“Wish I didn’t have to go today, Chris.”
“Me too, but it won’t be that long,” he said as they walked towards the doors.
“Are you going to do what the doctors tell you while I’m gone?”
“Maybe,” he answered honestly.
“Chris!”
“Well, I’ll do what they say as long as...”
“It suits you,” Anne finished, loving the fact that this man could not be kept down.
“Hmm, you know me too well,” he said, kissing her once more before they stepped inside. He smelled fresh coffee brewing and knew the boys were going to stay for a while.
Anne said her goodbyes to Larabee’s team and walked towards the door. She watched as the blond reached for the bags, but before she could protest she heard a voice from behind her.
“Oh, no you don’t, Chris!” Jackson warned, moving to take the two bags.
“Ah,
hell, Nathan, I wasn’t going to...”
“Like hell you weren’t. Look, Chris, you go lifting things like this and you’ll just set yourself back that much further,” the medic warned.
“He’s right, Chris Larabee!” Anne said, her hands on her hips in a gesture he knew meant she was just slightly angered.
“Alright...I give up...no lifting,” he said as he held the door open for his friend to take the luggage to the car. He looked at the nurse and a cocky grin began to form on his face in hopes of diffusing her anger before it got worse.
“Don’t you look at me like that!”
“Like what?” he asked innocently.
“ It’s not gonna work , Chris...”
“What’s not?” he reached for her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
“Using that smile to get your way...”
“It’s not?” he asked, touching his lips to hers.
“N...no...it’s not...damn!” she swore as she felt her resolve melting.
“Damn is right,” he whispered, drinking in the scent that was hers alone.
“I have to go, Chris.”
“I know,” he said, reluctantly breaking the embrace. They walked towards her car and he saw Jackson closing the trunk.
“I’ll miss you,” Anne said as he held the door for her.
“Me too.” He closed the door and smiled as she rolled down the window.
“Oh, and Chris...”
“What?”
“Make sure you do as the doctors say. I really wouldn’t want to have to cancel our homecoming celebration,” she whispered coyly, driving away before he had a chance to say anything.
“Damn,” Larabee laughed as he walked back to the house, Jackson beside him.
“She’s one hell of a lady,” the medic said, noting the smile on Larabee’s face.
“Yeah, she is, Nathan. So does this mean I’m not gonna have to read you the riot act?”
“No, I think she just did,” the blond said, smiling at his friend. “So what did you boys bring for lunch?”
“Vin and JD picked it up.”
“Pizza,” the blond laughed, knowing the two youngest members of his team were always in the mood for pizza.
“You guessed it,” Jackson said as they made their way to the patio.
Four large pizzas were spread out on the table and Larabee found a paper plate and napkins thrust towards him as he sat down. He looked at the offering and smiled at his friends as they each took a seat.
“Okay, boys, what’s the latest?” the blond asked.
“Nothing new, Chris, we’re still trying to find Brennan and his accomplices and the police still have the APB out on them,” Sanchez answered.
“It seems that our three miscreants have virtually vanished without a trace,” Standish said, picking up a slice of pizza.
“What about fingerprints?” Larabee asked.
“There was one set on the truck. It matched Linc Richardson. He’s a petty thief with a sheet as long as your arm. You sure you don’t know any of these guys?” Wilmington asked.
“Never heard of them until last week. I’m beginning to think this really was a random attack and I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Larabee said.
“I don’t think so, Chris,” Tanner disagreed, knowing the blond was just trying to put their minds at ease.
“They didn’t even take your wallet or money,” Dunne reminded his mentor.
“Maybe they were interrupted before they could finish the job?” The Firm’s leader suggested.
“I doubt that, Chris. If they’d been interrupted the person would’ve seen you and called for help,” Sanchez said.
“Not if they didn’t see me.”
“Mr. Larabee, until we are able to ascertain whether or not it was a random attack, we need to treat this as an assault specifically aimed at your person,” Standish told them all.
“Alright, I’ll agree with that, Ez, but there’s no need of you boys losing sleep by sitting in that van,” Larabee said and smiled as Wilmington choked on the beer he’d been drinking.
“We...”
“Don’t try to deny it, Buck, I know damn well you boys have been out there,” the blond said with a cocky grin.
“Shoot...”
“I will, JD, if you guys keep it up. I’m able to look after myself now and I don’t need you boys losing sleep over me.”
“We know you are, Chris, but until we find out how many people are involved and whether or not it was aimed at you, then we treat this like we would any other surveillance case!” Sanchez interjected.
“Yeah, but now that he’s alone we don’t need to stay in the van anymore,” Dunne said.
“Hell, JD, you’re right,” Wilmington agreed. “No reason one of us can’t sleep in the house now.”
“What’s the matter, Buck? Sleeping in the van too much for your old bones,” Tanner asked.
“Ain’t much older than you, Vin. I’m just more particular about where I bed down,” Wilmington answered.
“Don’t you mean who you bed down with, Buck?” Dunne asked, and smiled as the others joined in the laughter.
“Guess all that remains is who stays tonight?” Jackson asked.
“It’s Friday, Nathan, I’m sure you boys have better things to do than to keep me company,” Larabee said, knowing his protests were falling on deaf ears.
“Friday! Hey aren’t the Yankees on tonight?”
“Yeah, JD, they are. Hey, Chris, what if we came out here to watch the game? I mean you do have that nice big screen TV just sitting there...doing nothing...while me and JD gotta watch that little...”
“Little, Buck? Seems to me I remember a 46 inch screen...”
“Yeah, but yours is bigger...”
“So the ladies finally told you the truth,” Larabee said, smiling at the look on his friend’s face.
“I’m talking about the TV, Chris...”
“I’m not,” Larabee said, trying to keep a straight face as Tanner patted the scoundrel’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Buck, Larabee is out of the picture now, so you’re back to being second in the manly department,” Vin said with a grin.
“And just who do you think is first?” the ladies man asked, ignoring the snickers from the others at the table.
“Well, now, that’d be me. They grow big in Texas, ya know!” Tanner said, reaching for a can of Budweiser.
“Give it up, Buck, you should no better than to go up against Larabee and Tanner. You’re being double teamed,” Sanchez said, enjoying the teasing banter between the men.
“Damn...” Wilmington smiled at the two men as Dunne spoke around a mouthful of pizza, and taking him off the Tanner/Larabee hot seat.
“We could bring dinner...” the youngest member of the team suggested.
“We could...yeah that’s right we could,” Wilmington agreed. “Anything in particular you’d like, Chris?”
“I haven’t agreed to anything yet, Buck,” Larabee said.
“I know, but you will,” the scoundrel said, knowing his friend would welcome their company.
“Is that so?” the blond asked.
“Yep, sure is, especially since it’s mine and JD’s treat and we’ll leave it up to you what we bring,” Wilmington said.
“Alright, but bring Chinese food...lots of Chinese food,” the blond said, reaching for a second slice of pizza.
He smiled at the desk clerk as he pulled out his credit card and slid it across the desk. He knew she’d be here soon and wanted to make sure he was ready when she did arrive. His heart beat rapidly in his chest at the thought of seeing her again. He knew there were still problems he needed to resolve before Anne would agree to be with him, but he’d make sure she understood how much he loved her. He reached into his pocket and fingered the tiny, gold embossed jewelry box he’d placed there before leaving Reno.
“Your room is ready now Mr...”
“Thank you,” he interrupted as he reached for his card.
“You’re welcome and if there’s anything you need don’t hesitate to call,” she said, watching the handsome blond walk away.
He smiled as a young man reached for his luggage and placed them on a cart before following him. His suite was on the 25th floor, and he smiled at the thought of Anne Sheridan being just one floor below him. She didn’t have a suite, and he wished he could convince her to share his room, but that would not happen until Larabee was properly disposed of. Then again there was the slim hope that she would lose interest in the man once she saw him. He stepped into the elevator and watched as the buttons lit up one by one. As soon as it opened on his floor he stepped out into the well lit corridor and followed the bellhop to his room. Once there he over tipped the man and quickly closed the door behind him.
He walked to the table and pulled the pictures from his pocket. He sat at the table and picked up the pen there. He spread the photos across it and slowly began marking an X through the face he saw there, the face that seemed to have captivated his Anne.
“You’ll be mine again, Anne! Very soon you’ll see I am and always was the only man for you,” he hissed before driving the tip of the pen through one green eye.
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