Chapter Fifteen.

Luke My phone stayed in my locker. That was Coach's rule ever since he had decided Dani was a distraction. No shit, Sherlock. Dani was a distraction, all right-aa beautiful, welcome distraction. But that was his belief. He'd reasoned that if news was that important, a person would call the gym itself, and anyone who didn't know I was at the gym wasn't close enough to have that kind of news anyway.

The logic made sense, but neither one of us had considered what would happen if it was news we didn't want anyone knowing about.

It was almost two before Coach gave me a break for lunch, and I automatically went for my phone first. He might've thought Dani was a problem, but I couldn't just cut off from her cold turkey. She meant too much to me.

As soon as I saw that she'd left three text messages and called four times, I knew something was wrong. I didn't bother with voicemails or reading the messages. I needed to hear her voice. My mind raced through a thousand scenarios, each worse than the last.

"Luke."

Dani's voice sent a rush of relief through me. "Are you okay?"

"Did you read any of my messages?"

"No." My heart was racing faster than it had during my workout. "What's going on?"

"Remember how I told you about the woman and little girl I met yesterday? The little girl...the one with Michelle..." She was rushing her words, practically gasping for air as she spoke "Slow down, Dani. Take a breath. What are you trying to say?"

"Well, I didn't know it then because the girl had short red hair. I didn't put it together until...Luke, it was Lacey...she was with Cindy. I saw Cindy and Lacey. They are here, Luke, right here with Bruno. They were staying in Emma's B&B until this morning. They call themselves Carol and Pearl."

I sat down on the bench. "Lacey loves the name Pearl. It's one of the names of her favorite stuffed teddy bears." My words sounded strange, muffled by the blood rushing in my ears.

"She's so beautiful and sweet, Luke." Dani was shaking. I could hear it in her voice. "I can't believe I didn't recognize her right away."

"She's okay?" My fingers were wrapped around my phone so tightly I thought it might break.

"She's great. She and Michelle were playing together, and she has no idea that Bruno's anything but her mom's boyfriend." There was a hint of a smile in her next words. "She doesn't like him very much."

I would've smiled if I'd been able to process anything other than shock.

"Do you want me to call the police?" Dani asked. "Or do you want to call the FBI?"

"No," I said quickly. "If Bruno gets even a hint that we're on to him, he'll run and be even harder to find."

"They're not at the B&B anymore," Dani added. "Cindy said something about them going camping."

Camping? It hit me all at once. "I think I know where Bruno's hiding." I stood, my paralysis broken by the need for action. "Brian and Bruno are connected, right? Well, Brian has that cabin."

"Shit. I didn't even think of that."

"Look, I'm coming down, tonight if I can manage it." My mind was racing. "Don't do anything until I get there and don't tell anyone what's going on. You said she's safe, so let's not do anything rash."

"Got it," Dani said. She hesitated, then added, "Is it wrong that I'm glad you're coming down? Because I miss you."

In the midst of a disaster, Dani could still make me smile. "I miss you, too." I let us have a few seconds, then continued. "Call me in a couple hours and I should know more."

As soon as I ended the call, I set my phone on the bench and slammed my hands against the lockers. My palms stung, but it wasn't even close to what would've happened if I'd made fists like I wanted to.

I couldn't just leave. Even though, technically, the Feds weren't working on the case, they were still watching me. I'd seen them a couple times, but they hadn't approached me. I was pretty sure they were hoping I'd lead them right to Bruno, and if I wasn't careful, that's exactly what I'd do. I didn't want that, not yet. I knew Bruno. He'd see them coming a mile away. I needed to get Lacey back first and then I'd turn him over to the FBI and hope that the judge would keep his promise. If all I got out of it was my daughter, though, I'd be happy. She was all that mattered and I wasn't about to let some overly eager Fed screw that up.

A plan began to form, and it was a good one, but it would mean involving the only other person I trusted as much as I trusted Dani.

When I walked out of the locker room, Joe was chatting with one of the other fighters. I waited for a pause in the conversation and pulled Joe aside. The other fighter nodded at us both and went back to what he'd been doing.

"Coach, I need to talk to you about something." I kept my voice low.

"What is it, Luke?" Joe glanced towards the ring where I was supposed to be doing some light sparring today. "If we're going to get you ready for a fight in three weeks, we really don't have time for"

"It's about that," I cut him off. "Change of plans. Can you set up an exhibition fight in South Carolina next weekend?"

Joe's eyes widened, and I knew without him saying it that he thought I'd lost my mind.

I took a deep breath. "Dani found Bruno in South Carolina and I'm flying down there tonight. Find me a reason to be there."

"Sure, Luke." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Let me make some calls and see what I can do."

I was in the middle of packingif shoving whatever clean clothes I could find into a bag constituted packingwhen Dani called.

"I'm getting ready to leave for the airport right now." I didn't bother with a greeting and I knew she'd understand. "My flight leaves in an hour. A last minute spot opened up. It's about an hour-and-a-half flight, so if there aren't any delays, I'll get in around eight."

"I'll ask Emma if I can borrow her truck," she said.

"Any new development?" I tried to sound nonchalant about it, but I couldn't hide the tension in my voice.

"No." Dani sounded disappointed. "But that could be good news, right?"

"That's what I'm hoping," I said as I zipped up the bag. "I'm thinking we'll lay low tonight, get some rest, and start work on my plan tomorrow."

"Luke...I, I hope you won't be too tired. I miss you terribly. I can't breathe without you." Her voice took on a shy tone. "I can't wait to be with you, here, in your arms, in my bed. I want to show you how much I miss you."

Blood rushed straight south at the thought of her body pressed against mine. "Coach won't mind."

I laughed. "He's not coming down until tomorrow. And he'll be too busy setting up next week's fight anyway."

Her voice turned serious. "Are you sure the Feds won't follow you? Bruno could find out and bail again."

"I told Brad about the fight and he's going to pass the information along to the Feds, so they'll think I'm coming down for that. They should leave me alone. And if they don't, I have a Plan B." A honk from outside signaled that my cab had arrived. "Gotta run, babe. I'll see you soon."

Chapter Sixteen.

Dani I checked the text from Luke again and confirmed that I had the right flight and time. People had been streaming out of the plane for the past fifteen minutes, but I still hadn't seen Luke. What if he'd missed his flight? What if the Feds found out what he was doing and stopped him? What if Bruno found out Luke was coming and had someone hurt him?

"Excuse me, miss. Do you know how to get to Summerville from the airport?"

My stomach twisted at the familiar voice and I spun around. The smile that had been forming on my face fell and disappointment flooded me. I thought it was Luke but it was an older man with glasses and a gray beard. "There are cabs outside." I tried not to sound rude, but I didn't have time to help a stranger. My mind was on Luke.

"I came all this way, and that's the greeting I get?" The glasses were lowered and I saw those piercing eyes that made me weak in the knees.

Out of instinct, I started to reach for him but he shook his head. "Not here."

"Right." I got it now. "This way."

I led him back to Emma's truck, barely able to keep myself from grabbing him right there in the airport. He opened the passenger's side door, tossed his bag behind the seat and climbed in. By the time I got into the driver's seat, the beard and glasses were gone. He kept the hat on, but I didn't care about that. I threw myself at him and he opened his arms to catch me. A laugh rumbled through him, vibrating against my chest and sending little thrills of desire through me.

"Sorry about that back there. I couldn't resist." His arms tightened around me as he pulled me onto his lap. "I want the Feds to know I have a reason for being down here, but I don't want them shadowing my every move. Like my disguise? Wanna do it with an older man?

I tipped my head back, grinning, my eyes meeting his. "I'm just glad you're here."

His mouth descended on mine and I moaned. It seemed like years since I'd felt his lips move with mine. I tilted my head, deepening the kiss as I parted my lips. His tongue teased along my bottom lip and I drew it inside my mouth, savoring the sound he made low in his throat. He hardened beneath me and I ground down against him, earning a nip from his teeth. I broke first, reluctantly pulling my mouth away for much-needed oxygen.

"Damn, woman, the things you do to me." His voice was breathless as he spoke against my ear.

"I plan to do all sorts of things to you...old man," I promised.

I could feel his smile against my skin. "Then we'd better get going." He untangled me, purposefully brushing his hands against my breasts as he moved me back into my seat. "Otherwise, I'm going to take you right here."

I shivered at the thought and, for a moment, considered it. Luke's eyes darkened as he watched me.

"Don't tempt me." The words were nearly a growl.

This was going to be a very long drive.

Fortunately, as we made our way from the airport to the B&B, Luke shared the details of his plan, allowing me to ask questions and offer my opinions. It wasn't enough to completely rid us of the tension building between us, but it allowed me to focus on something other than the desire to rip off Luke's clothes right there and have my way with him.

Halfway there, we hit traffic from an accident, so by the time we reached the B&B it was late. The house was completely dark when we walked through the kitchen door. Emma had promised to stay up and wait for us. She'd been thrilled when I'd told her that John Conners was coming down, but she'd already gone to bed. I was glad she wasn't there, though. As much as I liked Emma, I couldn't wait one minute longer than it would take to get up the stairs and into my room.

I took his hand as we entered the kitchen, then hung her truck keys on the peg near the back door. A dim light emanated from its place above the kitchen sink, but it was the moonlight coming through the windows that gave us the light we needed to get to the stairs. I stubbed my toe on the bottom stair and pressed my lips together to keep from cursing. Luke laughed and I shot him a dirty look over my shoulder. I held my finger over my lips and then whispered, "There are other people in the house. We have to be quiet."

I continued on up the stairs with Luke close behind. As I bent my leg to take the step, my butt rounded in Luke's face and he couldn't resist the temptation to run his hands teasingly over my ass. I paused, giggling, despite my efforts to suppress my laughter. I grabbed his hand by the wrist, and then turned, whispering, "Don't make me laugh."

He mimed locking his lips and tossing away the key. His shoulders shook in silent laughter, but he didn't make a sound. I led him up the stairs, the throbbing in my toe receding as every step increased the ache between my legs. The worries of tomorrow would have to wait. Tonight, he was all mine.

I pushed open the door to my room and flipped the switch that turned on the lamp. Then Luke's hands were on me, tugging at my clothes even as I kicked the door closed. Our kisses were frantic, breaking apart for shirts to be removed, only to come together again with heightened intensity. His skin burned against mine as his hands roamed over my body, exploring as if discovering it for the first time. He cupped my breasts, running his thumbs over my nipples, and they hardened beneath his touch. I lightly raked my nails over his nipples and he made that sound I loved.

Suddenly, I was up in the air as he lifted me and tossed me onto the bed. I yelped, then slapped my hand across my mouth. The house was old and the walls were thin. I knew because I'd painted them. As he climbed onto the bed I was grateful that I was back in this room because I never would've been able to do this in Michelle's bed. And if the gleam in Luke's eyes was any indication, the girl's bed wouldn't be able to handle what he had in mind.

He grabbed my ankles, yanking my legs apart. As he crouched between my thighs, he looked up at me and held his finger over his lips to remind me to be quiet. His hands grasped my hips and he pulled me up so that he was holding the lower half of my body.

I barely had time to grab the closest pillow and jam a corner into my mouth before his mouth was on me. I bit down on it to muffle my cries of pleasure There was nothing gentle about what he was doing and I writhed as tingles of fire coursed through me. His tongue was rough as he took long, broad strokes, then dipped into my core, thrusting as deeply as possible before traveling up to my clit.

My first orgasm caught me by surprise and I would've woken the entire house for sure if I hadn't been nearly suffocating myself by now with one of Emma's ugly floral pillows. The second followed almost immediately, brought on by Luke's relentless mouth. By the third, my body was weak, my limbs like rubber. My muscles quivered and trembled as the nerves in my body began to beg for relief.

Just when it would've been too much, Luke sat back, a smug expression on his face. Still in a post-orgasmic haze, I watched as he stroked himself slowly. With half hooded eyes, he examined every minute detail of my body's response. I could see how much pleasure he received from making me come. Watching him there, moving his hand up and down his hard shaft as he enjoyed this, was the hottest sight ever. Only Luke could control me this way, drive me to want him with an insatiable appetite.

He started to lean over me and I shook my head. Hurt flashed across his face and I reached up to cup his cheek, needing to banish that look.

"Take me from behind," I whispered. "And I don't want you to go slow."

He smiled, understanding, and helped me roll onto my stomach. Luke took the pillow I'd been biting and used it to prop up my hips, angling them for deep penetration. Or maybe he just enjoyed the sight of my pussy laid out on a pillow, like some precious gem. Although I was getting raw from all the friction, I didn't want to stop.

Luke leaned over me and put his mouth at my ear. "Are you sure? We don't have to do this if you won't enjoy it."

I turned my head as far as I could and put as much force into my words as I could without speaking above a whisper. "If you don't fuck me right now, I'm going to try that little grab, twist and pull move you taught me."

He laughed softly, the vibration moving straight through me and making me moan. "Shh," he reminded me. I flipped him off and he laughed again.

A moment later, as he eased his way inside me and his reminder didn't seem so unnecessary. I turned my face into the bedspread, saying his name over and over again as he filled me. I felt him hesitate partway. Then he paused and licked his fingers. The moisture eased the burn as he massaged it onto the sensitive skin around my opening and I pushed back against him as his reward, forcing the rest of him inside with one quick thrust. I heard a muffled cry and wondered what he was using to quiet himself. My curiosity didn't last long. It was blown out if my mind when he began to move almost right away. His strokes were even and firm, each one rocking my body forward until the bedsprings sang out a squeaky rhythm.

As he moved faster, I found the strength to push myself up on my elbows enough to move with him. And then the angle shifted-he rubbed across my g-spot and white spots danced behind my eyes. Again and again he hit it until I finally exploded. My body went stiff and I tightened around him. His body curled over mine as he buried himself deep, coming inside of me even as I still rode my climax.

"Mine," he murmured in my ear. "My Dani."

"Yours," I agreed. "Your Dani."

He rolled to my side and we crawled under the sheets, locking our bodies together as one. His fingers threaded through mine and I knew that it didn't matter if we were in New York or Summerville. Home wasn't a physical place, a city or town. Home was in my heart and I had given my heart to Luke. Wherever he was, that was home to me. I squeezed his hand and he returned the pressure as his breathing slowed to the rhythm of sleep. I closed my eyes. We'd get through this, together. I knew it.

Chapter Seventeen.

Luke I pushed aside several cartons of eggs and spotted what I was looking for in the fridge. I pulled the milk out, frowning as I saw that it was whole, not skim. Who still bought whole milk? I didn't know they even sold it anymore. It wasn't part of my training diet, but it would have to do.

"John!"

I smiled as I turned. "Hi, Emma." Her eyes widened. I hadn't bothered to put on a shirt this morning so she caught me in just a pair of sweats. "Oh, sorry. I was half-asleep and..."

"Don't worry about it." Emma smirked. "I don't mind."

I laughed as I poured myself a drink. I'd forgotten how much I liked Emma. I wasn't as close to her as Dani was, but she had been good to Dani, helped her out a lot, and I appreciated that.

"Don't tempt the woman," Dani said as she came into the kitchen. She tossed a shirt at me. She grinned at Emma. "And hands off. He's mine."

My stomach tightened at the memory of me saying something similar the night before. I pulled on the t-shirt and then noticed that Dani was wearing one of mine. It hung to mid-thigh, offering just a glimpse of her shorts.

I walked over and pulled on the fabric of the shirt. "What's this?" I didn't remember bringing that shirt.