you have to run like a coward, go ahead and do it. I’ll figure out a way to get them off Owen’s back, but you’ve got to get all the information. I’m not kidding. Otherwise, forget it.”
“I can’t have this all come out again,” Sulzberger protested. “If people get wind that I’m helping you, or someone decides to spread the rumors from Washington, it will destroy my life.”
“But at least you’ll still have one.” He held up his hand when Sulzberger opened his mouth to object. “Never mind. It won’t do any of us any good for all that shit to rise to the surface again. There’d be no keeping a lid on it this time.”
“No argument here. So, what’s our plan?”
“First, tell me everything you learned about them. Where they came from. How they operate, what they can do, what do I worry about the most. And how, if they keep at it, they could possibly find a dismantled car and identify it.”
Sulzberger sighed. “Fine. Let’s start with the fact that they won a Powerball lottery of more than a billion dollars and started a dark private contracting company whose only office is in a plane that cost a million bucks. When you swallow that, I’ll tell you about their connections, also all former SEALs. All a bunch of fucking do-gooders who aren’t afraid of anyone or anything.”
“There has to be a way to stop them. Tell me everything and I’ll figure it out.”
At least he damn well hoped he would. How had everything just gone to hell like this?
The conversation lasted for the better part of two hours. Kendrick wanted every single detail, no matter how tiny. If he was going to have to move forward by himself, he needed every piece of information he could get. Sulzberger gave him all he had and they began to plan. It wouldn’t be easy, but they had to get these people off Owen’s back.
It would have been better if they could just get rid of them, but it appeared that wasn’t a likely option. Not with Sulzberger ready to bail and the men so high profile. He’d have to figure out something else.
* * * *
Blaze knew he should let Peyton sleep. Yesterday had been exhausting for her, both physically and emotionally. Today would be more of the same. Rocket had texted just now that they were a go for a plane meeting. Wheels up at nine o’clock, which was still two hours from now. And Eagle was bringing breakfast. What could be better?
Last night, he’d had the most incredible sex of his life, and that was really saying something. In his thirty-four years, he’d had plenty of sexual activity—his share and probably someone else’s, too. Nothing had compared to what had happened with Peyton and he wanted to think they’d barely gotten started.
Wait. What? Barely gotten started? Where had that come from? Blaze Hamilton didn’t do any arrangement longer than twenty-four hours. Oh, he might have a repeat performance, like he did with Fran when they were both available, but it was never more than just two people having an evening of no-holds-barred sex.
So what was different here? In less than twenty-four hours, both his dick and his brain were demanding a commitment he knew he should ignore. The problem was, he didn’t think he wanted to.
He watched Peyton sleep for a moment, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Her glorious chestnut-colored hair was spread out on the pillow, her body still flushed rosy from the aftereffects of sex. One arm was flung over her head, the other resting next to her. The sheet had slipped down far enough that he could see those mouthwatering breasts with their taut, rosy nipples and just a hint of her belly button. Hungry to see every bit of her, he tugged the covers down her hips and legs and past her feet until her entire body was exposed to his gaze. And what a body it was.
He slid down the bed until he could wrap his fingers gently around one ankle and began to string kisses along the inside of her thigh all the way to her hip. She shifted against the contact and a little moan whispered from her lips.
“Ssh, ssh.” He inhaled her scent. “It’s all good. I just need a little taste to start my day. That okay?”
Her eyes flew open, the heat in them matching what he felt.