Impulsively (Dante’s Nine MC #3)(47)
Author: Colleen Masters

“Something terrible could happen at any time. To anyone,” I insist, pressing against him. “We know that better than anyone. But that doesn’t mean we should shy away from doing what we know is right. I have to stop this fucker if I can, Brooks. And I’m going to need your help.”

“I can’t lose you,” he says, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.

“Then don’t,” I whisper, running my fingers through his curls. “Help me, Brooks.”

“How am I supposed to think straight with you so close to me?” he murmurs.

“You’re not. That’s sort of the point,” I grin, brushing my lips against his throat. He groans as I run my hands down his chest, straddling him right there on the couch.

“Tell me what you have planned,” he breathes, grabbing my ass as I grind against his stiffening cock.

“In a minute,” I whisper, closing my eyes as I feel him growing hard against my sex. “This loose cannon shit has got me all worked up. I think I need to blow off some steam.”

“Well that I can help you with,” Brooks says, bringing his face toward my heaving chest. I gasp as he tugs down the front of my top, freeing my breasts in one swift motion. He wraps his lips around my hard nipple, tracing circles there with his dexterous tongue.

Surely, logistics can wait until after a good fuck.

By the time I awake the next morning, stark naked and pressed against Brook’s hard body, Bruno’s reply is waiting on my phone. I roll out of bed as soundlessly as I can and pad into the kitchen. Heart beating like crazy, I open the text and stare down at Bruno’s message.

You want to meet, little girl?

I scowl at the message before shooting back a response; I do, in fact, want to see him. I send along a set of coordinates and a time—high noon. Hopefully, Bruno’s got a little flair for the dramatic.

After a time, he agrees. The meet is set. My nerves have already skyrocketed so high that I’ve reached a state of strange calm. However this next move of mine plays out, at least I know that I’m doing something to stop this man. And if something should happen to me along the way…well, best not to think about that just now.

“Is everything set?” I hear Brooks’ voice ask from across the suite.

I turn to see him framed in the bedroom doorway, not a stitch of clothing on his incredible body.

“What’s that?” I smile. “I got distracted.”

“You’ve got a one-track mind is what,” Brooks says, shooting me his crooked grin. “Did the fucker agree to meet with you?”

“He did,” I say, gripping the edges of the kitchen counter. “It’s all happening.”

“And you’re sure you want to go through with this?” Brooks asks, pulling on his jeans.

“I’m sure,” I whisper.

“There’s no way I’m going to talk you out of it?” he presses, striding across the suite toward me.

“Not a chance,” I smile, wrapping my arms around his bare torso.

“Well then,” he growls, planting a deep kiss on my lips, “we’d better get you ready for your little play date, then.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, kissing along the sharp line of his collarbone. “Thank you for letting me do this.”

“Yeah right,” he laughs softly, “as if there’s any letting you do anything. You’re a strong, fierce, fucking stubborn woman. You go your own way.”

“Well, thanks for not trying to stand in my way then,” I smile.

“Are you scared?” Brooks asks, lifting my face back to his.

“Terrified,” I admit.

“Of getting hurt?” he asks, his face clouded with concern.

“I don’t really care if I get hurt,” I tell him, tracing the outline of his chest tattoo with the tip of my finger, “but I don’t want to hurt you by letting something happen to me.”

“Well,” Brooks breathes, kissing the top of my head, “Better not let anything happen to you, then.”

“I’ll do my best,” I say.

“Is that a promise?” he asks.

“I promise,” I whisper, looking up into his shining green eyes.

“And…when this is over,” he goes on, his voice low and hoarse, “what then? Between us, I mean.”

“One thing at a time,” I tell him. “Now come on. Help me get ready.”

Chapter Nineteen

The dry, hot breeze picks up on the barren hillside, setting a vortex of dust spinning around my ankles. I stand with crossed arms, huge sunglasses fixed firmly over my face. The cool metal of my handgun, resting against the small of my back, isn’t doing very much to ease my nerves or fight the noontime heat. But there’s no turning back now.

Stand up straight, I coach myself, checking my watch for the umpteenth time. You look tougher when you don’t slouch, Collins. Uncurling my spine, I rake my eyes along the hilly horizon, searching for a sign of life. One way or another, this whole thing is almost over. Just as soon as…

There. A cloud of dust, kicked up by a trundling jeep that’s headed directly toward me. My heart collides painfully with my ribcage as I brace myself for what comes next. I’ve never felt more exposed on than I do right now. I’m used to having the strength of the FBI right behind me, but this is uncharted territory. It’s just me, up alone on this hill, with a violent maniac coming my way.

And to think I thought this assignment might end up being uneventful.

The jeep roars over the rise before me, skidding to a halt across the flat expanse of land. I wrestle my features into a mask of composure as the driver’s door flies open. Jeff Bruno swings himself down from the vehicle, drawing himself up to his full, hulking height. He squares his broad shoulders, a smug sneer curving his meaty lips. A subtle quake begins to destabilize my legs. Dammit—I can’t let him see how scared I am.

“Long time no see, Collins,” he says, taking a swaggering step toward me.

“You’ve been keeping pretty busy in the meantime, haven’t you?” I return, holding my ground. “Thanks for coming to meet me, Bruno.”

“My curiosity got the better of me,” he shrugs, “I had to come see just what the hell you hope to accomplish with this little rendezvous.”

“I told you,” I say simply, “I want in on this scheme you’re running.”

“Scheme?” Bruno scoffs, “This ain’t no slumber party, Collins.”