Wanna Play (Ghost Unit, Book Three) (15 page)

Tense silence followed while Blaster navigated the narrow back road to the airfield. He pulled up as close to the plane as he could get and still have room for Jackson to lower the stairs. Everyone knew this would be the danger point if there were a sniper waiting in the night. They were open targets getting from truck to jet.

The stairs slowly descended and the door opened. A rifle muzzle gleamed darkly out of the cracked door as Jackson advertised his readiness to cover them.

“Blaster, bring the Mexican calling card,” Jackson reminded him softly. “We can’t leave it in the truck.”

“Roger,” Blaster agreed, and glanced at the toolbox in the truck bed, calculating the time it’d take him to grab the burlap sack and get around the body of the vehicle.

“Wait ’til I get to your side,” Blaster commanded softly.

“Fuck that, hillbilly boy. Two targets are more difficult than one,” Jas hissed at him, her hand already on the door. “You’d better catch up.” She was out and sprinting for the stairs.

Blaster swore and followed her damn ass, retrieving the little sack from the tool case as fast as possible. He really would have to spank that woman sometime. She sucked at following orders.

They both were in with no incident. Jackson had punched the button to withdraw the stairs as soon as Blaster’s foot hit the bottom one. The door was closing behind them as they burst through it. Jackson rose from his cover crouch and grinned at them. They made a frightful sight. Jas was liberally streaked with blood and dirt. Blaster wore it as well, though it was mostly where she’d touched him.

“Strap in. We’re out of here.” Jackson secured the door and strode into the cockpit to slide into the pilot’s seat.

Jas looked around at the posh jet as Jackson flipped on low interior lights. It was all leather and rich woods gleaming with the soft understated whisper of old money, class and impeccable taste. A space decorated to impress its occupants.

Glancing down at her crusty self, she laughed softly. “Someone is gonna be pissed.” She sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs and buckled the seat belt.

Blaster quickly placed the bag he carried in the wet bar’s freezer then sat across from her. “Several folks are pissed tonight, Sheena. Which one are you worried about?”

“Whoever has to clean this thing.” Her hand indicated her clothes then reached up to remove the headset, handing it casually to Blaster.

Blaster couldn’t smile. She sat across from him covered in a battle she’d almost not come out of. Her face was streaked with blood as were her clothes. She’d operated efficiently and ruthlessly, staying a precarious step ahead of losing her life. Far as he could tell from her service record, it was her first combat mission, though it obviously wasn’t the first time she’d struggled for her life. It damn well was gonna be the last time she did it alone.

“I’ll buy Gray a new chair,” Blaster replied grimly as he tossed both earpieces on a low table beside him.

Jas raised a brow at his surly response as the plane taxied out and took the runway. “We won. What’s the matter with you?”

“We got away. And in case you hadn’t noticed, the only good guy in real danger was my woman. Makes me fuckin’ cranky.”

The plane took off, climbing sharply to cruising altitude. “Twenty minutes and we’re there,” Jackson informed them from the cockpit.

“Your woman? You sure about that, Huckleberry?” Jas questioned softly. “I’m not all shiny and new, ya know. This woman is not a princess and never was. I’ve done things most men do not want to know their woman is capable of. I don’t expect anything, you never made any promises.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m damn sure about that, Sheena. Let me explain it to you.”

Blaster snapped his buckle off and leaned forward to flick her seat belt open. His hands slid under her ass in the chair and jerked her up to him as he shifted his weight back into his own chair. She landed on his lap with her legs draped over the armrests. Chest to chest, cock to pussy, he pulled her flush against him. “See how eloquent I am?” His mouth landed on her gasp and he dove into the hot little opening.

Jas moaned, her mouth sucking his tongue in. That lethal body of hers relaxed, pushing her center down on the pipe under his jeans. Blaster growled low in his throat.

He couldn’t pull her close enough, run his hands over enough of her. Her limber body didn’t seem to be protesting at the position as she initiated dragging herself up and down his cock. He let her have his desperation, his admiration, the frustration of being an observer as she met danger face-to-face. He gave it all to her. His entire body tried to consume her as he drove himself into her mouth.

He lifted his lips for a better position and she followed his mouth, growling at him in feral demand.

Son of a bitch! She captured his mouth again with a nasty little nip to his lip. Blood wet his mouth as she dove into him again. The tiny sting of pain and primal copper taste of blood spun him into overdrive. Heat raged through him and his cock swelled, furiously scraping against the confines of his jeans. His hand landed sharply on her ass in retaliation, driving her into him harder. A muffled snarl emerged from her throat though she didn’t break the kiss. His fingers dug into her hair to pull her mouth off him. Panting with open mouths, they glared at each other. Her body stilled as the two of them regarded each other in barely contained intensity.

He wasn’t the only one feeling the affects of nearly losing something they’d not had time to experience yet. She met his animal emotions and matched them. Blaster wasn’t prepared for the primitive recognition of mate as it washed over him in a shocking wave of red-hazed possessiveness. His lips drew back in an unconscious grimace as it sliced him from heart to soul.

She was the one he’d not been looking for. The realization of exactly who she was to him shredded through his being in total disregard. It didn’t matter that he’d spent a lifetime unaware it was possible for someone to own his soul. Suddenly there she was in all her horrifying glory. Beautiful and deadly, possessor of the power to destroy him and he had no defenses. No control. No clue how to assimilate her into his world. What the hell was he supposed to do next!?

“Jesus Christ! Don’t kill each other!” Jackson snapped from the cockpit.

Blaster’s fingers relaxed and released her head. Jas slowly leaned forward to lick over his bleeding lip. The damp scrape of her tongue was more than he could handle and he had to have it again. Swooping down, he captured her mouth for a gentle, moaning mating.

“Stop already! What am I? Invisible?” Jackson glared at them. Their chairs were easily visible from the pilot’s seat with the cockpit door secured open as it was. “Jas, you need liquid besides his saliva. Your body is in overdrive and you don’t feel things like hunger or pain. I’m not talking because of the jerk you’re sitting on, I mean from combat.

“Blaster, have you bothered to check her for wounds?” Jackson asked as he picked up a bottle of water from his bag and threw it at them.

Blaster caught the water missile just before it hit her in the back. Jas pulled back from Blaster’s mouth to take the bottle of water.

Jackson tossed the other one. Blaster caught it. “You too, stud,” Jackson snapped, irritated with the earthy erotic energy wafting around them again.

Jas opened her bottle and tipped her head back, draining it. “Who died and made him Captain Health?” She tilted her head briefly at Jackson as Blaster drained his own bottle.

“He’s the medical officer,” Blaster informed her. “He always wants to know if you ate your peas or need stitches. Damn irritating sometimes.”

Blaster found Jackson’s interruption a relief. The sharp conversation between the three of them aborted the out-of-control panic he’d experienced. It’d probably saved him from some stupid display that he wouldn’t have been able to explain. Focusing on right now, right here, seemed a damn good idea as he attempted to shove the realization of who she was to him into a dark corner. Even though he scrambled to move away from the knowledge, it wasn’t working. One phrase slithered through his brain in a repeating loop.
I am so damn screwed.

Jas chuckled. “I can see that. Is he always around when you’ve got a woman’s legs draped around your hips? Just want to know if this is some sort of package deal.”

“
Hell no
!” Both men snapped at once.

Jas twisted to look at Jackson’s long form as he checked the panels around the pilot’s chair continually. “Because I think I’d mind…eventually.”

Blaster grabbed her chin and swung it around to face him. “Focus, Sheena,” he commanded darkly. “I’ll be your Huckleberry, baby. Your options just got narrowed down to one. Don’t expect that to change in the near future.”

Jas smiled at his frown. She leaned forward and gently licked over Blaster’s lip where a bead of blood had gathered.

“Watch it.” Blaster sucked in a breath.

Jackson’s eyebrows went up as he glanced back again. “Blaster? You’re actually bleeding? Any other injuries?”

“Not yet,” Blaster growled, “but we have time.”

An insistent dinging noise came from the cockpit and Jackson straightened. “Jas? Injuries?” he asked impatiently as he flipped switches in efficient motions.

“Not yet,” she purred as Blaster dabbed his lip.

Jackson snorted in disgust then directed, “Get off him already. We’ll be landing soon and I’m not explaining killing you both in the plane.” Then under his breath, “God, give me a kitten. I don’t want to sleep with a gun under my pillow.”

Blaster lifted her and deposited her in the chair facing him. “I wanted to talk before we landed. Explain who’ll be there.”

Jas buckled in and leaned back closing her eyes. “Okay, Huckleberry. Who’s going to be there?”

“Jas, stay awake, baby. This is important. I don’t want you to get uncomfortable when you see the number of men who’ll be around.”

“I’m awake.” Her eyes opened lazily. “You and Jackson will be there. Why would I be uncomfortable?”

Blaster smiled to himself. That statement told him where her trust lay. He wasn’t crazy about Jackson being part of it, but that seemed to be the way when a Unit member found his woman. There was a second man who developed a strong protective relationship as well. Gray had his close friend Dave who’d actually had known Gray’s wife Prin longer than Gray had. Rem and Kathryn had Charlie who’d pretty much joined the family and guarded Rem’s twins as if he were a fucking Rottweiler.

However in this case, it might take two of them to protect the world from Jas instead of his needing the extra layer of protection for her. They’d not made much headway in that direction. So far the world had a hole in it and several bodies scattered around.

“Yeah, we’ll be there but also some of the Unit. When we land, it’ll be at the Morgan Ranch. Robert Morgan and his wife. Remington Morgan is their son. He’ll be there with his wife Kathryn. I’m betting Charlie is already on site. He guards the Morgan twins with a vengeance.”

“Hope this place is big,” Jas murmured.

The plane began to descend. “It’s big. The Morgan Ranch might be the biggest operation in Florida.”

Jas glanced around the extravagantly appointed cabin. “You boys seem to have done well.”

Blaster grinned. “It pays to be badder than the bad guys. I’m surprised you didn’t go into protection with an outfit like Blackwater. I know for a fact their operatives earn a pretty penny. Then again, you don’t exactly make peanuts, Miss Starlet.”

Jas snorted. “Not even close to this, hillbilly boy.”

The wheels touched down with barely a bump. “Wait for the movie to come out, angel face. Then tell me how poor you are,” Blaster scoffed.

Chapter Six

Robert and Remington Morgan casually leaned on the hood of the Escalade watching the Winston jet pull off the runway and park beside the hanger. They were both tall men though Rem was more heavily muscled than his father. Sleek, feline features were a look they shared. The elder Morgan’s face was a bit more lined with age, but his body showed few other signs of it. Shortly the plane door opened and three individuals emerged.

The late Central Florida night hosted a full moon flirting with dark, low-hanging clouds. Around them the air was thick with humidity. Elusive, murky reflections in the puddles on the pavement created patches of night that moved with the individuals crossing the runway in shadowy relief.

“Damn,” the elder Morgan murmured under his breath as the small group approached.

Three people strung out in a line glided toward them in long-limbed strides, a male flanking the woman on either side. Relatively comfortable on friendly ground, they didn’t bother closing jackets, indifferently revealing strapped-on weapons as they moved. Backlit by runway ground lights, an indefinable air of combat simmered off the group as if it were a dark cape swirling in their wake. The impression of danger grew to palpable proportions as they neared.

“Yeah,” Rem agreed with his father’s mostly unspoken comment as the trio approached.

The eye was naturally drawn to the woman. Her tall form was clad in leather from head to foot, though she wasn’t covered. She did have on a light silk jacket, but it was left open and billowing softly behind her as she moved. Her long muscled torso was left bare by the cropped lace-up vest and low-riding hip-huggers. Flat-heeled, knee-high boots added to her aura of deadly sexuality in a way that drew one in and demanded distance at the same time. The need for distance was further reinforced by the dark stains smeared across her body and clothing that could be blood or dirt in this light. Either way it was evident she’d seen action.

Even if the Morgans didn’t know anything about the events earlier this evening, she was the one in the trio who they’d be most wary of. The two men were alert, scanning their surroundings with battle awareness. She seemed boldly relaxed with danger. Either she trusted the men implicitly to alert to a threat or she didn’t feel there was a threat out there that she couldn’t beat. The confidence combined with her outfit created an edgy sexuality she carried with ease.

The men greeted each other with long-standing familiarity and introductions were made for Jas. The two Morgans seated in front, the Escalade was equipped with two more captain’s chairs and a comfortable bench seat behind those. The Cadillac ride was nearly silent luxury to the kitchen entrance of the sprawling ranch house. Jas appeared relaxed but Blaster was aware of her taking in every detail. The charming actress role was a damn good place for the huntress to hide, he realized.

They entered a big country kitchen, which seemed filled with people when they all filed in. It was long past midnight but this room retained the cheerful feel of an active family. Mrs. Morgan offered drinks. Food in several forms was set out on the large kitchen table. There was a fruit bowl, a basket of assorted breads and a cutting board with several bricks of cheese. Kathryn Morgan was warmly welcoming in her natural, cheerful way.

Jas smiled and said hello. Her dirt-streaked face showed no flicker of unease as she turned down food but accepted a large glass of chilled orange juice. Kathryn tried to get her to sit down.

“Oh no, please. I’m a mess,” Jas declined with a smile. “I could use a shower.”

“Of course.” Kathryn smiled at her with a woman’s understanding. “Let me show you to a guest room. We can get acquainted after you’ve had some rest.”

The back door opened and a large man entered, drawing all eyes.

“Jose!” Jas exclaimed, and turned to stride toward the newcomer.

The thickly muscled Latin male grinned. “Hello, Miss Carson. I’m very pleased to see you.”

Jas enveloped him in a hug and Blaster scowled, his lip curling back. “Mind climbing off him, Jas? Or do I have to kill him?”

“Since when did I become ‘Miss Carson’?” Jas let go of Jose and stepped back laughing, ignoring Blaster’s surly attitude. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re ‘Miss Carson’ since I paid hard-earned money to see you on the big screen,” Jose answered with a big grin, also unconcerned about the scowling man behind her. “I’m the ramrod here. Thought I’d step in and check on you when I heard you’d be in tonight.” Jose smiled but his eyes were full of questions as he looked at the blood, mud and fatigue written across her face and body. “Everything all right?”

“Things have been interesting tonight but clear now. This is my boyfriend Blaster. Blaster, Jose Cruze. Jose dated my friend Liana a while back.” Jas slipped her hand into Blaster’s as she said that and held on tight.

Blaster’s face cleared and he held out a hand to the man. “Cruze. It’d be nice to see you again if I didn’t have to peel my woman off you.” They shook hands briefly and smiled at Blaster’s humor. They had met several times before when Blaster had been at the ranch.

Blaster knew Jas didn’t want to deal with telling Cruze about Liana tonight. Her little tremble as her hand slid into his had told him it would be difficult. Looking at the large Jose Cruze, he could see it. A man didn’t become ramrod on a ranch this size by being a pansy. His position was more than a foreman. It was a title straight out of the old west and not required on most ranches these days.

The title ramrod made him operations manager and troubleshooter for all the different aspects required on a property this large. Function and upkeep of the place required several types of employees. All the crews answered to the ramrod. His knowing Jasmina Carson would be on the plane coming in after midnight was not a surprise to Blaster. Jose Cruze had proved himself to the Morgans and was a core member of the ranch. He was also a veteran and in his position had immediately recognized the Unit members for what they were. He knew when to question activity and when not to. His unique talents were invaluable to the Morgans.

“I won’t keep you but if there is anything I can do, let me know,” Jose offered seriously.

“I’d like to chat tomorrow, Jose. Whenever. Right now a shower is calling me.”

“I can see that. Good night.” Jose nodded to everyone in the room and slipped out again.

Jas and Blaster turned to follow Kathryn who was waiting patiently.

“I need some clothes, I guess,” Jas murmured to Blaster.

Jackson responded from where he sat at the table across the kitchen. “Don’t worry, Blaster brought everything from the hotel. Even picked up your dried laundry before he’d leave town. I’ll get it and be up with your things shortly.”

Jas twisted in the doorway to look at Jackson and her face winced in pain quickly followed by surprise. Blaster grabbed her shoulders to freeze her upper body. “What is it?” he demanded harshly.

Jackson was across the huge kitchen in three strides. “Where’s the injury? Tell me, woman, or I’ll strip you and find it myself.” His face tightened with anger as he reached for her.

“It’s only a scratch! And what makes you think you’ll survive that little mission?” Jas snapped at him.

“Because I’ll hold you while he does, dammit. The injury, Jas?” Blaster growled.

“Like hell…” Jas’ head swung around to Blaster as her body jerked to get out of his hold in a twisting step back. He didn’t allow the move to work, his body crowding her as he exercised the physical dominance he was capable of.

Jas’ face changed. All expression leaving it as her eyes glared into his. “Take your fucking hands off me,” she stated clearly. Her whole attitude had altered to a dangerous intensity that everyone in the room recognized. She had slid into battle mode.

“Stop it!” Kathryn barked into the escalating hostility. “You two, back off. If it were more than a scratch, you’d have known long before this.” Kathryn had been leading them to the door and was a few paces ahead of them. She stepped up behind Jas, her angry eyes glaring at Blaster and Jackson.

“Take your hands off her
now
, Blaster,” Kathryn directed stiffly.

Blaster let go of Jas’ shoulders. “Better,” Kathryn approved efficiently, and smiled up at Jas. “It’s your side, right? Under the jacket?”

Jas nodded but didn’t take cold eyes off Blaster as Kathryn lifted the silk jacket to look at the wound.

“It is just a scratch but it’s a bit long,” Kathryn informed them. “I’ll give you some iodine to put on it after the shower.”

“Thank you, Kathryn,” Jas replied quietly, still watching Blaster, her face blank and set.

“Let me have a look at that,” Blaster insisted in a dangerously low voice.

“I assume he just lost his spot in the blue guest room?” Kathryn stated conversationally to Jas, ignoring the two scowling men.

“Oh hell yes,” Jas agreed through tight lips.

“Oh hell
no
!” Blaster reached for Jas again but the large body of Rem, Kathryn’s husband, slid in front of him forcefully, cutting off the woman from his grasp.

“Not in this house, stud. The lady said no,” rumbled out of the deep chest blocking his path. “Now would be a good time to go get that luggage. Use the trip to switch heads you’re thinking with,” Rem stared coldly at the two men as the women behind him turned and walked into the den.

“Looks like I missed all the fun,” another voice drawled as Charlie entered from the back door. He was one of those people who had the amazing combination of height and exceptionally developed muscle mass. Big, dark as a moonless night, he briefly met Rem’s eyes and raised an eyebrow in question. The aggression levels were palpable and the room was full of good guys.

“She needed medical attention,” Jackson snorted in disgust and swung away.

“You threatened her, stupid,” Rem told him without taking eyes off Blaster, who was scowling after the women disappearing out the other side of the den. “And you agreed with him, idiot. I don’t even know her and I’ve worked out that threatening to force Miss Carson to do anything is dirt stupid.”

Blaster’s burning blue eyes traveled briefly to clash with Rem’s now amused gaze before he silently swung around and followed Jackson outside to retrieve her bags from the plane. The kitchen door closed silently behind the two dark individuals stalking out of it.

“How are they getting back out to the plane? You don’t expect them to walk a mile there and back do you?” Robert Morgan asked his son mildly.

“I left the keys in the Escalade. They’ll figure it out,” Rem said as he ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. “And I thought I behaved like an ass when I got hold of Kathryn.”

His mother raised her eyebrows speculatively. “What did you do, dear?”

Rem grimaced. “Lost my mind mostly.”

Charlie leaned on the counter, his combat-booted feet crossed at the ankle in front of him. “Anyone going to tell me what just happened?”

“Wait ’til you meet Miss Carson. Then imagine someone threatening to strip her looking for injuries. You’ll get the picture.” Rem grinned as he related the details. “She’s six feet, armed to the teeth and covered in battle. Those two wanted to muscle her into something.”

Charlie whistled silently then pressed, “What battle?”

Rem glanced in the direction Kathryn and Jas had disappeared and frowned. “Hell if I know. But from the look of her, several folks made peace with God tonight. All three of them were pumping out the kind of awareness that comes with action.”

“Any idea what it has to do with all of us? Why the alert from Gray and suggestion to secure the ranch? Which is done, by the way. There are six men stationed around the property and I’ll be going back out. Would be handy to know what we’re watching for,” Charlie questioned casually.

Rem shrugged. “I don’t have any more information than you do.”

“Apollo is in with the kids on guard command,” Charlie added, and Rem relaxed.

Charlie lived about ten miles away but spent a lot of time at the ranch. His connection as a Unit member had always been strong, but since Kathryn’s kidnapping and then the children being born, he’d become one of the family. Kathryn trusted him with her own life and the welfare of her children for good reason.

Rem didn’t kid himself. He was more comfortable with Charlie around. Something he’d not realized before finding his heart resided in three pieces—one in his wife, the other two securely locked in the bodies of his children. The extra layer of vicious protection felt right. And besides, Charlie came with Apollo.