Dangerous interference, p.20
Dangerous Interference, page 20
Stopping at an iced barrel, Nash retrieved two beers and a wine cooler and handed them over before grinning at Randy. “I think I heard a challenge. What do you think, mate?”
Popping the tab, he smirked with the bottle poised at his mouth. “Where’s the fun if our girl isn’t wondering, and worrying just a tad, about what we’ll do?”
Oh, she really didn’t like those identical mischievous looks, or, if she went by the warm gush between her legs, she liked them too much. “You promised to feed me first and I’m holding you to it.” She followed her statement with a long drink of the cold, fizzy wine that went right to her head.
Not fooled in the least, Nash said, “So we did. Let’s go see what smells so good.”
They piled her plate with food then took a seat on either side of her at one of the long tables. She sat across from Cora Sue and a man she recognized from last week but didn’t know, but couldn’t keep up much of a conversation as the guys started tormenting her while they ate by running their hands up her thighs under the table, not stopping at her skirt. Nudging it aside, they slid their fingers inside her thong and stroked the sensitive, bare skin of her labia as if they were petting a cat. She would’ve purred in delight if she hadn’t been frustrated by her growing arousal they seemed in no hurry to see to.
“Why, Alena, you look flushed. You okay?” Cora Sue’s wicked grin indicated she knew exactly what was going on under the table, but Alena wasn’t above getting payback.
Looking at Cora’s companion, she smiled sweetly in return. “What’s wrong, Cora? Are you being ignored?”
“Not nice, baby.” Randy put his hamburger down, reached up and yanked down the thin spaghetti strap on her top to expose her breast before grasping her nipple between thumb and forefinger and pinching, as hard as Nash pinched the tender skin of her folds under the table.
“Ow!” Damn, she should’ve remembered payback could be a bitch. “That hurt.” She leveled an accusing glare at both of them and ignored Cora’s giggles until her companion whipped off her bathing suit top and gave her nipple the same treatment.
“Both of you behave,” he ordered in a brusque tone that belied the twinkle in his eyes.
Snorting, Nash muttered, “That’ll be the day.”
Alena didn’t care when Nash lowered her other strap, leaving her top bunched under her breasts, the thin straps around her arms. It was fun bantering this way and added an extra spark to heat up those tingles. She made a good dent in her plate despite their continuous, distracting touches; she just hoped the damp spot she knew would be left on the bench when she rose wouldn’t be too noticeable.
She was more than ready to leave the table, and the garage, so they could finish what they started, but Carlee came by carrying a tray of pies that made her mouth water even though she was so full she didn’t know where she’d put another bite.
“We’ll share one of the cream pies, Carlee.”
“Oh, she’s a lucky girl, Sheriff.” She handed Randy the largest piece and walked off with an exaggerated, jealous sigh.
“I am? Why?”
“Because she knows I like to do this.” He scooped a mound of whipped cream off the top with two fingers then passed the plate to Nash, who caught on quick and did the same. “Good idea, chap.”
“What are you doing? Don’t waste… oh, good Lord!” She clamped her mouth shut when they bent their heads to lick off the whipped topping they had smeared on her breasts and nipples. “Never mind.” By the time they finished the pie, several other women were getting the same treatment, soft moans and the sound of slurping, hungry mouths reverberating up and down the table.
“Now look what you’ve done,” she teased when they licked off the last spot of cream. They both looked down at her damp breasts and red, puckered nipples with satisfied grins.
“Damn, we’re good.” Randy stood and helped her up. “Come on. The fire pit is lit and looks inviting.”
They spent the past hour teasing her into heated arousal then, as they stepped over to the circular fire pit surrounded by several seated couples, they gave her no time to grasp their intentions before taking her over. Stopping a foot away from the pit with the woods behind them and the orange-yellow glow of flames in front of them, Randy pulled her back against him, bringing his hands around to cup her breasts.
“She’s still overdressed, Nash.”
Aware of the avid gazes from the people not engaged themselves, Alena sucked in a deep breath when Nash divested her of her skirt and thong then shoved Randy’s hands aside to draw one nipple into his hot mouth with a deep suction. With a low laugh, Randy whispered in her ear, “Guess I need to find something else to do with my hands.”
A moan slid past her lips at his slow glide down her waist and Nash’s soft bite of her nub, but a swift, startled gasp cut it off short when Randy landed a blistering slap on her bare folds. She whimpered from the next slap, the immediate heat accompanying the pulsing throb causing her tissues to swell and moisten, her body to jerk with lust for these two that never seemed to be assuaged no matter how many times they drove her up. Spreading her legs, she all but begged him for more.
“Good girl.”
His soft praise accompanied another swat, then another and another until she jerked her hips forward to meet each descending stroke. By the time he slowed to small taps, she was writhing in his arms, pushing her breast against Nash’s marauding mouth in a desperate attempt to get what she needed.
“Please.”
“You’re so fucking soft here.” Randy ignored her plea, cupping the flesh he had abused, her juices dampening his palm. “And so fucking wet.”
Releasing her nipple with a long pull followed by a pop, Nash growled, “I need another taste of you.”
Nash no sooner knelt before her spread legs, cupped her ass and brought her pussy to his mouth than she exploded in a fanfare of ecstasy, the first touch of his lips on her throbbing labia her undoing. With pleasure sweeping her senses, she barely felt him spread her folds before he drew on her engorged clit with just as strong suctioning pulls as he had her nipples. She lost track of time, of where they were, everyone around her and how many times his diabolical mouth and deep, plunging fingers got her off.
By the time he rose, his hand going to his zipper, her orgasm-befuddled brain started to function again.
“Bend over, baby, and hold onto his waist as you return the favor.”
Randy’s deep voice and instructions weren’t to be denied, and she didn’t want to. Trusting them to hold her, she bent, wrapping her arms around Nash’s hips and opened her mouth to take him deep. Randy thrust into her still spasming sheath as she pulled back on Nash’s cock, his penetration setting off another round of sparks. Thankfully, Nash grabbed her head and took over, fucking her mouth with slow, shallow jabs as Randy fucked her pussy with quick, deep thrusts, the dual assault giving her one more off-the-charts climax before she felt them let go with their own pleasure.
When Randy came to his senses and tucked himself back inside his jeans, he noticed the majority of guests were outside, likely because they’d all be forced inside later if rain developed. He let Nash dress then hold Alena for a moment as he scouted the lot. Bryan was stringing Carlee up at their favorite tree and Kevin, Brad, and Joel were each engaged with someone in what looked to be a happy group on the trampoline on the far side of the yard. It would be now or never if he was going to go against his badge and his friend and snoop for answers.
“I’m going inside. Text me fast if you see anyone heading to the house.”
“Be careful, mate.”
“Always. Behave, Alena.”
The fun she had been having along with the afterglow of sexual pleasure both turned cold as Alena took a seat in the pit next to Nash. She had never been good at waiting, wasn’t a patient person, and now proved no exception. She could only hope Randy found something, anything that would give her something to go on.
Chapter Fourteen
Ten minutes later a light drizzle sent everyone scurrying inside. Nash made sure no one was watching him as he sent a quick text to Randy before taking Alena’s arm and following the others in the side door. Both laughter and grumblings could be heard from the guests as they scattered in the great room with a few heading upstairs. He released a relieved breath when he saw Randy coming down the staircase, but the look on his face didn’t bode well for their investigation.
They met him at the bottom of the stairs after a quick glance around the room spotted Bryan with a small group gathered in front of the fireplace and Brad and Joel making their way to the kitchen. He saw Kevin come in with his friends, and now assumed he had gone upstairs with some of the others. “Nothing?” he queried in a low voice, squeezing Alena’s hand in both warning not reveal anything and comfort for what he knew Randy would say.
“Not a fucking thing. I only had time to rifle through Kevin’s room and Bryan’s office in a general search. I’m sorry, baby.” Randy didn’t want to disappoint her, and the forlorn droop to her shoulders and fading light in her eyes tore at him.
“You tried, thanks.” Pulling her hand from Nash’s, she stepped back from the two of them. “If you’ll excuse me, I need a few minutes to myself.”
“Where are you going?”
The concern behind Randy’s sharp inquiry only added to Alena’s misery. “I’m just going to step outside for a minute. I need to clear my head.”
“Let’s just leave,” Nash suggested.
“It’s early and we were late to arrive. Let’s not send up any red flags if we don’t have to.” Turning to Alena, Randy noted her taut jaw and knew her stubborn streak was on. “Go on, take a few minutes. We won’t stay much longer after you return.”
Despair swamped her, dousing the good time she had been having as she slipped out the side door and stood a moment under the overhang, out of the light rain now drizzling down. Knowing tonight would be her last time with the guys and she wouldn’t be subjected to any embarrassing moments when seeing any of these people again had enabled her to bask in the attention they were so good at heaping upon her.
Folding her arms across her waist, she hugged herself against the chill the damp spray raised along her arms. So, she would be returning home with no answers and only memories of her short fling with two really hot men to ward off the dismal invasion of cold that came with failure. For weeks, she had coped with Ashley’s disappearance by silently ranting against her sister’s irresponsible behavior. Now she had to face the real possibility Ash may not have willingly taken off, and that hurt worse than any of the inconsiderate things she had done over the years. Being left in limbo as to what happened would be worse than finding her body. At least then, her and her mother could get closure and move on.
The abrupt slam of a car door reverberating through the otherwise quiet, dark air caught her attention and she peered across the dimly lit yard toward the small turn-around off the circle drive. She recognized Kevin running toward the front entrance of the house, away from a newer model SUV. A sudden thought popped into her mind born of the desperate, aching need to find Ashley that dug its claws in her and refused to let go. What could it hurt to look one more place?
Before she lost her nerve, she scoped a quick scan around the empty lot then dashed over to the SUV. Trying the passenger door, she found it unlocked and took that as a good sign. Bending over the seat, she flipped open the glove compartment, her speedy search turning up nothing but the registration and a packet of condoms. Tossing them back inside, she shut the flap and started to back out when a shiny glint on the floor caught her eye. Running her hand just under the seat, she encountered what felt like a cell phone and pulled it out. Flipping it open, a gasp rushed out of her as she stared down at Ashley’s pretty face lit up with her mischievous grin.
Before the full significance of her find had time to settle in, a low curse came from behind her, followed by blinding pain then… nothing.
* * *
Randy tried not to look conspicuous as he glanced at his watch again. Another ten minutes had gone by, which means Alena had been brooding outside now for twenty minutes, way too long. Breaking into the conversation of the group of five, including him, Nash, and Bryan, he stated, “Excuse me, but Nash and I seem to have misplaced our girl.” Leveling a fake smile at Bryan, he added, “I wouldn’t want her to get the paddle again.”
“I wouldn’t mind. She has one of the nicest asses I’ve seen in a while,” Bryan returned with a grin.
“Hey! I heard that.” Carlee latched onto his arm and threw him a mock glare belied by the small grin tugging up the corner of her mouth. “Who’re you talking about?”
“Alena, and I’ll blister her butt myself if she’s gotten herself into mischief.”
Nash followed Randy to the side door, more worried than pissed like Randy. After her scare on the boat and her public paddling last week, surely she wouldn’t have gone snooping on her own again. “She has to be around here somewhere,” he said when they stepped outside and didn’t see her. “The rain’s let up. Maybe she’s just walking around.”
They circled around back then ended up on the drive where Randy came to an abrupt stop with a curse.
“What?” Nash snapped, working to tamp down the raging panic threatening his composure.
Randy turned his head from the only vacated parking spot on the drive, vividly recalling whose vehicle had been parked there when they arrived. “Kevin’s car is gone, and so is Alena.”
Neither wasted time as they sprinted back inside, made no effort to hide their desperate search as they raced upstairs and barged into rooms, ignoring outraged complaints as they went, but found no sign of her. “Third floor.” Randy led the way as they took that staircase two steps at a time and raced through a fast peek in each room, calling her name in loud voices that drew a crowd upstairs.
Bryan met them at the end of the hall, hands on hips, Carlee and several others standing behind him. “What the hell is going on, Janzen? You know…”
Nash didn’t give him time to drill them with a lecture on rules. His usual calm demeanor broke as he imagined their girl in Kevin’s clutches, the morgue image of Lisa Ames searing his brain. Fisting his hands in Bryan’s shirt, he slammed him against the wall. “Where is he?”
“What the fuck? Who’re you talking about? Damn it, Randy, instruct this moron to release me.”
“Alena’s missing, and Kevin’s gone. Where would he go, Bryan?” In that split second, when his friend’s face went chalk white, Randy knew their search for Ashley was coming to an end.
Bryan struggled to no avail, his tone desperate as he stuttered, “I don’t know. He’s not a kid anymore. He doesn’t answer to me.”
Randy joined Nash in getting in his face, his own temper a hair trigger from forcing him to cross a line any second as Alena’s face when she stumbled into his arms last week after being attacked filled his vision. “You know something about Ashley Malloy, about the drugging and attacks on both Daisy Mae and Alena. Don’t you two fucking move,” he snapped to Joel and Brad, who had been inching back toward the stairs.
Resignation and despair replaced Bryan’s belligerence, his face going gray in defeat. “Let me go.” At Randy’s nod, Nash released him but didn’t step back. “That other girl, they got carried away, it was an accident.”
“Bryan, no.” Carlee’s shocked whisper and Bryan’s admission drew heated grumblings from Joel and Brad before they sealed Kevin’s fate with their simultaneous exclamations.
“Hey! I’m not taking the rap for your twisted brother!”
“Me either!”
“An accident doesn’t make him twisted,” Bryan defended Kevin.
“Fuck this,” Nash snarled, withdrawing the photo of Lisa Ames he had been carrying with him for a year now and shoving it in the other man’s face. “Does that look like an accident? Take a close look. She was nineteen when she went missing right after being seen leaving a London club last year with Kevin and,” he leveled an icy blue glare at Joel and Brad, “you two.”
“Who are you?” The deep despair in Bryan’s choked whisper had Randy’s tone going lethally quiet. If Bryan’s silence caused Alena any harm, he’d come after him without his badge first, then slam his ass in jail. “Last week, who told you Alena was up here?”
“Kevin, but…”
“Yeah, that’s right. Alena Malloy was attacked on her boat two nights later, threatened because she was snooping. Where. Is. He?”
“Bryan, please,” Carlee begged him, her eyes swimming with tears when he didn’t answer right away and refused to look at her.
“There’s a small grove… I’ll take you.”
“You two are riding along.” Nash shoved Brad and Joel none too gently toward the stairs, letting Randy handle Bryan. Fear for Alena’s safety propelled them downstairs in a mad dash, Randy tossing out strict orders for the stunned guests to remain at the lake house until he returned before the five of them sprinted to the cruiser and he peeled down the drive as if the hounds of hell were after them.
* * *
Alena roused to a soft mist dampening her body, wrenching pain in her shoulders and back of her head. Opening her eyes, her heart stuttered then rose to clog her throat with instant fear as she stared into the glittering eyes of a deranged psychopath. An automatic jerk on her wrists tied above her head sent another wave of excruciating pain radiating from her shoulders down her back. Hung suspended off the ground with all her weight pulling on her wrists and shoulders, she grappled with the effort to get her terror under control. A large camping lantern sat on a log, illuminating a soft amber glow around the small, secluded copse. She could hear the splash of the lake shore just beyond the dark expanse of trees, and her gasping breaths of pain-filled fright.
“You’re awake. It’s about time.” Kevin took a step toward her, holding up a knife. A satisfied smile of malicious glee split his lips when she cringed back. “Oh, don’t worry. The knife is just for ridding you of your clothes.”
