Flash Burned (36 page)

“Because we're having a party tonight.”

My jaw slacked. “I haven't cooked anything, prepared anything. And Kyle's been out all day so—”

“Not here,” Dane said with a coy grin. “Go get ready.”

Excitement shimmied down my spine at the intrigue. And the opportunity to get all fancy for the evening.

As I headed toward the hallway, I noted Kyle had a garment bag as well. What, exactly, was Dane up to?

I showered and did my hair and makeup, again trying very hard not to get overly exhilarated about how right this all felt. Dane here with me, Amano appearing just slightly less like throttling a bad guy, Kyle still looking for that perfect chance—which would never exist—to convince me he was the better choice, yet still wanting to be a part of all of this.

I understood he came from a dysfunctional family, as we all had. Maybe that was why this particular unit worked for all of us. We might not be related by blood, but we were certainly bound by life-and-death situations. Bound by blood in a different sense.

We each had the option to scatter, to walk away from the intensity and the high-stakes game we played.

Apparently, none of us were willing to do so. That spoke volumes. Regardless of our differences and our points of view, we were committed to each other.

I donned a pretty halter-styled dress with graduating hues in sapphire that led to a fluttery, layered handkerchief hem. Eleanor had excellent taste. She'd sent dainty silver sandals as well and I felt like royalty after months spent in yoga clothes and slippers.

Dane joined me in the bathroom, his arms sliding around my waist. “Baby, you look gorgeous.” His lips pressed to the side of my neck. “You smell great, too. Maybe I should have made this a private affair.”

“You can have me all to yourself later. In the meantime, why don't you tell me what you have planned for the evening?”

“Not a chance.” He disentangled himself and turned the shower on.

I assumed Amano had brought him clothes, since Dane never showed up with anything more than a black backpack that likely only housed the absolute necessities.

I left the room so the humidity from the hot water didn't wilt my blowout. I found Kyle and Amano in the living room.

I whistled in appreciation. “So handsome. Aren't I the lucky girl?”

Kyle straightened his tie and said, “We clean up nice.”

Amano poured sparkling water for me, champagne for everyone else. Dane sauntered into the room and I lost my breath.

He wore a charcoal-gray suit with a black shirt and tie. His hair was a tad longer than usual but still sexily mussed. His emerald eyes shimmered against his bronze skin. I realized I didn't need a party tonight—didn't need to be anywhere or with anyone else but him. I could just lie on top of him and admire him all night long. And be the happiest woman on the planet.

Obviously, he had other plans for us.

Extending his hand, he said, “Come on.”

Our fingers entwined and I walked with him to the foyer.

“Where are we going?” I tried again.

“It's a surprise. But it'll be secluded. Safe.”

I gazed up at him and smiled. “Okay.” Despite my desire to simply be alone and naked with him, I got a little thrill from the prospect of an outing.

Knowing Dane and how we were all dressed, I suspected it'd be a stellar evening.

Amano drove us to the airport and we entered a private hangar. I got my first glimpse at the Learjet Dane and I owned and the breath escaped me on one full rush of air.

“Holy shit,” Kyle said from beside me, incapable of containing his shock—or the hint of awe.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Welcome to my world.”

Dane took my hand once more and we walked toward the red carpet, where a flight attendant handed the gentlemen a flute of champagne and me more sparkling water.

“Thank you,” I said. An SUV pulled into the hangar and I asked Dane, “FBI?”

“No. Another surprise.”

Eleanor alighted, followed by Mr. Conaway and Ethan Evans, whom I hadn't seen since his visit to the hospital in December.

“A very nice surprise.” I greeted them, accepting their kisses on my cheek. Beaming up at Dane, I said, “This is perfect.”

“Almost.” Mischief rimmed his green irises. He glanced back at the SUV and my gaze followed.

My dad climbed out, impeccably dressed in a navy suit with a crisp white shirt that had thin blue pinstripes.

“Yay,” I said as I clapped and bounced softly on my toes.

He offered his hand to someone else inside the SUV, and Tamera emerged, stunning in a one-shouldered little black dress.

She crossed to where I stood and gave me her careful hug and air kisses. “Darling, you're radiant.”

I was sure she had no idea I was pregnant, especially given the cut of my dress, but if she looked closely enough she'd figure it out. I said, “Thank you. You look sensational.”

“So does your dead husband,” she said, a hint of
what the fuck?
in her lovely British voice.

“Long story. I'll explain later. For now, please just keep our secret.”

“Of course.”

“And this one.” I stretched the material against my stomach to reveal the baby bump.

“Oh, Ari!” She gave me another hug. “Congratulations, love!”

“Thanks.”

“Well, this is all so very clandestine,” she said. “I'm drunk with intrigue.”

“Make it more fun and have some bubbly,” I told her. The attendant had glasses for our five additional guests.

Tamera accepted one, but while we were still off to the side, away from any eavesdropping, she said, “I see you're still palling around with the very sexy Kyle Jenns.”

“I couldn't help but notice you admiring him at Meg and Sean's wedding. At mine, as well.”

“He's very easy on the eyes, love. Where do you find all of these delicious men?”

“I have no idea. But why don't you wander over and strike up a conversation with Kyle? I think he'd like it.”

She didn't need additional encouragement. My dad sidled up to me after Tamera left.

“So,” he said in a low voice. “He's alive.”

I smiled brighter. “Yes, he is. Thank God. Sorry I couldn't tell you sooner. He's working with the FBI. They're going to nail those responsible for the Lux bombing. And other criminal activity.”

“Ari—” His tone was tinged with warning.

“Dad, don't worry about it tonight. Let's all enjoy ourselves.”

I could see it was a bit challenging to accept the reality standing before them. Even Ethan was taken aback. He clasped Dane on the shoulder and said, “You'd better have one hell of a good explanation.”

“I do. But … I'll save it for later.” He lifted his flute in the air and announced, “Thank you all for joining us once again. I regret it's been so long since we've all gotten together, but I do appreciate you spending the evening with us.”

We all clinked rims. I noted Ethan's curious glance at my clear, carbonated drink, obviously not champagne. He didn't say a word, though. Didn't quiz Dane further, either, on his absence of late. No one mentioned his unexpected reappearance. Shock lingered in the air, regardless.

After polishing off our drinks, we all boarded a Gulfstream jet in the same hangar with the Lear, though this one was much larger to accommodate our group. I wondered if we owned it, too.

No one knew where we were headed, and Dane didn't elaborate. He didn't even tell me. Then the Grand Canyon came into view, and we approached the landing strip. I still didn't know what he had up his sleeve, but the location was spectacular, especially at sunset.

I glanced over at him and smiled.

He whispered, “I want to make you smile like that every day. Of course, that's not all I want to do to you every day.”

Heat, and likely pink, crept over my cheeks.

Dane said, “I want to make you blush, too. And come.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. Luckily, no one could hear it. We were in the back of the plane, not fully engaged in the animated conversations.

I said, “You should behave.”

“That's not at all what you want me to do.”

He had me on that one. “I'd say you win”—because I knew how much he liked to—“but we're about to touch down, so we're sort of at a stalemate.”

“Hmm.” His lips pressed softly to my temple. “For now.”

I brimmed with excitement and lust but tried to keep myself composed as we all exited the plane and took SUVs—one driven by Amano, the other by his new protégé, Kyle—to the famed El Tovar Hotel, which sat a mere twenty feet from the rim of the canyon. The vistas were astounding. So breathtaking, we all absorbed the wonderment in awed silence. Twilight provided enough of a glow to accent the sedimentary layers of the canyon walls and sprinkle golden light over the mesas.

I hadn't been here since I was a kid. My sixth-grade class had hiked a portion of the canyon and we'd learned all about the wildlife and plants. I appreciated the grandeur much more as an adult.

Dane guided us to a private deck that was set for our dinner of nine. Lanterns and candles added to the gorgeous ambience. Music flowed from hidden speakers. Appetizer stations were set up, as well as a wine bar, with scotch and brandy in decanters. Dane played host, and I realized that was his way of keeping his appearance to a minimum—he didn't want even the servers at El Tovar to get a glimpse of him.

Everyone in our group seemed to grasp this, even my dad, though he was still stunned. I joined him at one point and said, “Again, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Warn you. Whatever.”

His gaze slid from Dane to me. “When did you find out he was alive?”

“A couple of months ago. We have to keep it quiet, Dad.”

“Does this have anything to do with last night's car wreck in Flag? With the FBI involved?”

“Yes. Vale Hilliard was responsible for the bomb at the Lux. Though it was likely just his directive. Someone else did the dirty deed, we suspect.”

“Jesus.”

“It's really bad, Dad. Dane's helping to sort it out. The bottom line is that few people know he survived the explosion and it has to stay that way.”

“So, I'm guessing the all-expenses-paid vacay to Augusta wasn't just luck of the draw?”

“You catch on quick.” I kissed his cheek. Then I told him, “I swear I'll explain it all to you as soon as everything's settled.”

“I don't know, sweets. This doesn't sound healthy for you or the baby.”

“Dad.” I understood his concern. But I didn't want anything—reality included—raining on my parade tonight.

He fretted a bit, then asked, “Are you doing okay?”

“So much better,” I said with conviction. “Kyle's aunt and her specialists worked wonders. And then I found out Dane didn't die at the Lux, and everything with the baby is going great. I feel fantastic, I promise.”

“Well, you sure look fantastic.” Finally, he grinned. “Tamera is right. You're radiant.” He studied me a few seconds more, adding, “You know, your mom never glowed, but sweets, you positively shine.”

“I am married to an amazing man and having his child. So, literally, I could swing from the chandeliers.”

My father was wonderful enough not to mention the time Dane and I spent apart, the way I'd freaked because I'd thought he was dead, and so on. My guess was, his sole focus remained on the fact that Dane was here, we were together, and I had a baby on the way.

We had a sensational dinner under the stars with the moonlight streaking over majestic Grand Canyon. The food was incredible, the company even better. And what pleased me more was that no one was in a hurry to end the evening. We lingered over dessert and cocktails. Kept the conversations flowing with no need to hastily wrap it all up.

Midnight came and went. Dane finally said, “We should get you all home.”

No one jumped on the offer. We continued on. I was basically curled against Dane on a comfy patio sofa when Eleanor eventually said, “Ari, you're exhausted.”

“Oh, keep enjoying yourselves,” I told them. “Don't let the pregnant chick spoil your fun.”

Everyone laughed.

Dane said, “You should rest. Let's not overdo it.”

I hated to end such a wonderful evening. These types of get-togethers were much too few and far between. And would continue to be until this was all over.

But I couldn't deny I was wiped out. I crashed against Dane's shoulder again on the flight to Sedona. I was barely cognizant as I said good-bye to everyone at the hangar and we made our way home.

Before I drifted off on the drive to the fortress, I whispered in Dane's ear, “Thanks for tonight.”

*   *   *

He was lying next to me in the morning when I woke. I rolled toward him, my lids fluttering open. He gazed at me and I smiled.

“There it is again,” he murmured. “All I want is to keep you happy.”

“You gave me so much last night,” I said. “It was incredible. I know it was risky for you. But you did it for me.”

“Everything I do is for you.”

Emotion welled within me. I ran my fingers through his hair. “Bringing everyone together gave me a sense of family. Thank you.”

He leaned close and kissed the tip of my nose.

I smiled again. “We're perfect together. You know that, right?”

“
You're
perfect.”

“Dane—”

“Baby.” He looked deep into my eyes. “I love you more than anything.”

“Trust me when I say the feeling is mutal.”

And then he made love to me.

 

chapter 20

“This is heaven,” I said with a contented sigh as Dane slid a fat, wet bath sponge lathered with lavender-scented body wash up my arm to my shoulder. I was positioned between his legs in the huge tub in our suite, my back pressed to his chest. I'd piled my hair on top of my head and his lips grazed my neck as he eased the sponge along my collarbone, over my breasts, and down to my belly.