But then they said their good-nights to Jon and Kylie, and she set Titan up with a treat in the hallway.
But in her room with the door closed, Axel took her into his arms, and suddenly strength seemed to flow back into her.
She didn’t know exactly what it was. Maybe that they could laugh together, maybe the feel of bare flesh touching, seducing, bringing such sweet and vibrant heat. The way his lips could move over her flesh. Or the way he kissed her, or the way his eyes fell upon hers right when he rose above her and they came together, the feel of him in her.
Sex.
It wasn’t that she could call herself an expert, but life had brought a few lovers her way.
Sex, and then...
Sex with him.
And falling in love. And loving everything about him, about his touch, rising like a whirlwind, buffeted by lightning into the heavens, drifting again on the most gentle breeze.
Seeing his eyes again.
Feeling the way he held her.
Maybe it was just so much more. Really making love.
And the night, even darkness, even shadows, were good.
She wondered what it would be like to live like that, always.
* * *
Axel’s first call was to the doctor.
Jordan Rivera was stable.
But not good.
The doctors were unwilling to bring him out of his coma, despite the stakes at hand.
Axel knew the doctors were good. They followed the oath they had taken. The patients entrusted to them deserved their care to the best of their abilities, and that was that.
But it was frustrating.
He knew Jordan was safe. He believed in Nigel and the police.
County officers remained on guard—two at any given time, allowing for necessary breaks, coffee, staying awake and being aware and, most important, alert.
Jon and Kylie had left at the crack of dawn. He had dressed and come out to tell them goodbye and thank them as they headed on out.
“All is good,” Kylie told him. “I’m not an agent—”
“You’re an important consultant,” Axel interrupted, grinning. It was a title many people took on when it was necessary for work with the Krewe.
“Yeah, well, this case is important. Not that I don’t love the work I’m doing with Adam at the new museum he’s opening, but I’m good at what I do, at hiring the right people, and we’re moving along fine in the right direction. We’ll have a great fall opening. For now, they’re good without me.”
“And I’m grateful.”
She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “As long as you show up for the wedding!” she told him.
The two were getting married in New York in October.
“I intend to make the wedding,” he assured her.
“With a real date, I think,” Jon teased. Then he grew serious. “Let’s get going. South Dakota isn’t close and I’d like to get some bearings.”
The Krewe members were lucky. Adam Harrison had seen to it they had a private jet, and it was available to get Jon Dickson and Kylie Connolly to South Dakota. They would be seeing Melissa Scarborough; she’d agreed to meet with them during her lunch break.
With those two gone, he’d checked on Titan, giving him a treat, and returned to the bedroom to quietly make his phone call.
When he’d finished at the hospital, he’d lain beside Raina, staring at the ceiling, thinking. She stirred at his side, but he hadn’t realized she’d fully awakened until she spoke.
“We’re going back out to Andrew’s?” Raina asked him. “Are we looking for the remains of Brandon Wells?”
“I think we’re going to head back to the dentist’s office and talk to Dr. Wong first. Then, maybe, take a trip downtown.”
“Downtown?”
“Law offices.”
“Like where Tate Fielding and Jordan Rivera work?”
He nodded.
“But Jordan’s not there,” she said. “Jordan’s in the hospital.”
“Right. Tate will be there.”
“What do you think Tate could know?”
“Well, you’re all still good friends, right? And there was a time when Mya dated Jordan and you dated Tate, right?”
“Ancient history.”
“That’s not what I’m getting at,” he said, smiling. “I’m thinking if you’re all still friends, then Jordan and Tate are probably really good friends, and Tate might know more about Jordan and his activities than we do.”
“Okay. Tuesday at a law office. We might have some trouble seeing Tate.”
“I don’t think so,” Axel said. “It’s amazing what an FBI badge can do, especially in a law office. Attorneys have to be on the up-and-up at all times, and if they’re not, they have to appear to be.”