Bronco's Rough Ride (Bad Boys of Beta Squad, 0.5) Read online

  “Okay. Are you ready to stand now?”

  “Ready…as I’ll…ever be.”

  Lindsey shifted closer to the wall and he raised his right arm, grasping the doorframe. He pulled and his muscles bunched, but he didn’t move.

  “Here, wait a second.” She took a deep breath. “Let me kneel up and your legs can take your weight slowly. Okay?”

  “Sounds…like a…plan.”

  “Ready?” Lindsey gathered her strength to push upright.

  “Yeah.”

  Several moments of sweating and straining passed as she tried to get her shoulders up without dumping John unceremoniously onto the floor. Lindsey used the wall to brace herself and swung the other arm behind her to hold his sliding body.

  “Got it?”

  “Yeah. The wall is helping.” She glanced over her shoulder and found him leaning against the jamb on his knees. But he remained upright.

  “Think you can stand?”

  “I have to, don’t I?”

  “Pretty much. I don’t think I can haul 200 pounds of Chief Petty Officer out of here. At least not and make it look like we’re supposed to be wandering around.” Lindsey clambered to her feet and put on her shoes.

  “How were you planning on getting out of here?”

  “We’re going to go down through the club and you’re going to be my drunk boyfriend/date.” She brushed off her knees and straightened her dress. “Does my hair look disheveled enough to have had drunk sex in a back room?”

  John’s gaze made a leisurely climb from her ankles to her head and a predatory expression settled over his features. How can he still be horny after what we just did? A smug smile curled his lips and he nodded.

  “You do look like you’ve had sex recently.” He inhaled and his smile widened. “You smell like it, too.”

  “I do?” Sheesh, so much for professionalism. “Then I’ll definitely fit the part. Come on. We gotta get out of here before the drug pushers come back.”

  Lindsey shoved her shoulder under John’s armpit and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Ready?”

  “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

  “Get out of the hotel and the Man Cave Club, and you’ll have all the choices you want.”

  “Then let’s do this. Are there cameras in the halls?”

  “Yes. Keep your head down and get your drunk on.”

  “Roger that.”

  Lindsey loved hearing those words. Something about the military remark turned her on more than flowers or jewelry. He trusted her and depended on her to get him out. His respect was a heady brew infusing her body with extra strength.

  Lindsey opened the door and glanced either way down the hallway outside. The rich brown carpet remained empty. She nodded and they staggered out the door. John took a deep breath, his hard ribs expanding against her side, and hummed under his breath.

  “Are you okay?” Lindsey whispered as they meandered toward the elevators.

  “Damn, baby, you’re schmexy.” His slurred words sounded so authentic she glanced up at him. He winked and planted a sloppy kiss on her forehead. “Where’ya takin’ me now, huh?”

  She giggled, hoping it sounded real. “Back to the Club where you can’t get into trouble.” They almost collided with the elevator doors and she twittered as she pressed the button. “Oops, sorry.”

  John’s arm tightened around her shoulders as he swayed a little and he pressed his forehead against hers. “Cameras in the elevator, too?”

  Lindsey nodded. “In all the public places.”

  “Copy that.”

  The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Lindsey breathed a sigh of relief to find the car empty as they shuffled aboard. John let her choose the club floor then crowded her against the wall, blocking the camera with his broad back. From behind it would look like he made out with her. Too bad it’s just pretend. Something about this man made her want more than just the mission’s façade. Maybe when it’s all over I can date him for real.

  The idea lodged in her heart and planted roots. She tried not to give it much energy, but yearning and excitement zinged through her and made her heart pound. What the hell am I thinking? She almost shook her head, but John chose that moment to kiss her neck and she dragged her focus back to the present.

  Fantasies can wait…and he’ll star in all of them from now on.

  The elevator bumped gently to a stop and John staggered back, dragging Lindsey with him as the doors hissed open. A solid wall of sound and heat flooded over them and Lindsey resisted clapping her hands over her ears. She’d forgotten how loud the club became after midnight.

  “Fuck yeah, let’s dance, baby!” John grabbed her in a stumbling waltz pose and thrust her out into the melee of churning bodies on the floor.

  She dropped her head, pretending to watch her feet as John propelled her into the crowd. Gyrating bodies jostled them and they made slow progress toward the exit. Lindsey nearly lost her balance and dragged them both down beneath the stomping feet, but John lurched against her weight. He let out a raucous laugh at a few folks’ grumbling complaints as they shoved their way through the press of undulating flesh.

  Lindsey hoped the darkness and flashing lights would disguise their faces from the cameras perched in every corner of the club. Madame LeBeau would recognize her and her sailor immediately. She scanned the little alcove normally hosting the madam, but her gaze snagged on two hatchet-faced men plowing through the crowd. Bouncers. Gut-churning anxiety ate at her and stiffened some of her limbs. John shot a glance at her before he stopped and dragged her against his chest.

  “Oh, come on, baby. Don’t be like that. You know you want me.” He reached around and grabbed her ass, turning her until her back faced the edge of the dance floor near the seating area.

  Two bouncers shoved past behind her, one of them clipping her hip in his passage. The pain from his pinch made her jump, but she swallowed the indignant squawk. They just had to get out to the safe house and none of this would matter.

  And I’ll lose John.

  The thought hollowed out her heart, but she firmly reminded herself he’d never really been hers. Just finish the mission and get clear. Easier said than done.

  Chapter Seven

  John felt Lindsey jump as the bouncers walked by and stiffened his arms to keep from swinging at the bastards. The jackasses took advantage of the press to fondle the women they passed. He’d love to kick each over-muscled butt out the back door, but getting out undetected trumped retribution. Ain’t that always the case?

  Frankly, John was surprised the bouncers got away with it considering what kind of racket Madame LeBeau had going on. He doubted she’d take kindly to men having the upper hand, even in her club. John blearily steered Lindsey around the dance floor, trying not to jostle the other revelers, but the drugs kept him unsteady. It worked fine for the role of drunk boyfriend he played, but it hampered his ability to escape the club efficiently.

  “Ms. Black, I see you’ve gotten a new boy toy to play with.”

  John released Lindsey as they swung around to face an elegantly dressed woman in crimson seated at the bar. The other woman scanned John from head to toe with lascivious interest and he let his features go slack with exaggerated drunkenness. Something about her perusal soured his stomach.

  “Yes, I found him here at the Club. I’m looking forward to seeing what all he can do.” Lindsey’s shoulders straightened and she ran a hand possessively over John’s chest. She wrapped her fist around his tie and tugged on him until he looked her in the eyes. “And you’re going to do everything I ask you, aren’t you, Mr. Smith?”

  John swayed as he nodded dumbly. “Uh-huh. Yeah.”

  “Good boy.” Lindsey turned her gaze back to the woman in red. “Where’s your toy, Lady Katy?”

  The other woman shrugged with a negligent toss of her head. “Oh, it expired recently. I’m waiting for a new replacement.” Her gaze fixed on John and she licked her lips, her eyes full of avarice. “
Do let me know how this one works out for you. I might want to take him for a spin if there’s anything left when you’re done.”

  Lindsey’s laughed chilled John to the bone. “You know I don’t leave leftovers. I use every. Last. Drop.” She punctuated each word with her hand groping some part of his body until she gently squeezed his balls. He groaned as she gave her hand a vicious twist and bent over to hide her lack of real purchase. Thank God she didn’t really rip them off.

  Lady Katy squealed with delight. “Oh, he’s marvelously responsive. I miss that about the toys, but one can’t be too careful.” She waved a hand in John’s direction. “Where are you taking him?”

  Strobe lights flashed as their immediate silence stretched beneath the thumping music of the Club. Lindsey kept her gaze on John as if considering the next step in a diabolical plan. Her smile came slow and sultry, but cold, and John shivered despite himself.

  “I want to go see the fountains and be kissed under the lights before taking him to bed.”

  “Aww, how romantic. I never knew you had it in you, Ms. Black.”

  “Yes, well, I have to keep a few secrets, don’t I?” Lindsey nodded to Lady Katy. “I’d best get to it before he’s too drunk to stand. Don’t want to require someone to carry him for me. Good luck with your new toy.” Lindsey tugged John’s tie as she shifted toward the crowd of dancers. “Come along, Mr. Smith. That’s a good boy.”

  John staggered after her, his back itching from the gaze of Lady Katy. Damn, that woman needed to be put down like a rabid weasel. And I’d do it if my hands were steady enough.

  Some of his strength had returned as the effects of the drug wore off, but he still remained unsteady and they didn’t have much time. The orderlies would be back soon to administer the next dose of drugs and they’d sound the alarm when they found him and Lindsey gone. She must have sensed his unease because she grabbed his hand to pull him closer. He bent his head to her ear and inhaled her lovely scent.

  “Which way is out from here?” He had a tough time focusing on anything in the undulating crowd splashed with strobe lighting.

  “To your left.” He swung them around and eyed her direction. “Under the red light. They try to make it look like there’s blood everywhere to keep people from leaving when they’re drunk. It’s a visceral reaction from what I’ve seen.”

  “Hell, that’s diabolical.” John swallowed against his stomach trying to heave up bile. The tile patterns on the floor seemed to shift like moving entrails in the crimson light. Just keep your eyes on the prize, Chief. “Let’s move out.”

  “Roger that.”

  John blinked and shot her a look, but Lindsey pasted a false smile over her lips and beckoned him with a curling finger as she pulled him toward the doors. Bodies jostled them and made their progress torturous under the shifting lights. John tried to keep moving in a straight line, but his eyes refused to focus and he staggered to his knees, dragging Lindsey down with him.

  Aw shit.

  Lindsey giggled as if completely drunk and bent at the waist, laughing helplessly as she removed her shoes. “Oh my God, you’re so drunk.” She chortled as she tugged on him. “I gotta get you home, lover.”

  When John looked up no smile graced her lips and she tensed when a bouncer looked down over her shoulder.

  “Everything all right here, miss?”

  Lindsey reeled back, rotating her head to an impossible angle. “Hi! Aren’t you cute? I’m fine. I’m just trying to help Johnny Boy out the door. He’s so drunk.” She wobbled and waved her stripper heels in John’s direction, smacking him on the shoulder. “Oops, sorry.”

  “Hey, watch it.” His voice came out slurred just as he’d hoped.

  The bouncer glowered. “C’mon, buddy. We’ll get you out.”

  John weakly shoved him off and grasped Lindsey’s elbow. “I don’t need no help. I can walk on my own.” He took a few wobbling steps toward the door, dragging Lindsey along with him. She giggled again, but tension tightened her shoulders.

  “I’ll just help you to your car.”

  “That’s okay. We’re staying close by.” She leaned in close to the bouncer and gave him a bawdy wink. “I’m gonna show him how a real woman likes it.” She hiccoughed and swayed, but kept her feet. “C’mon, Johnny Boy, you promised to show me a good time.”

  “Yeah, you know I will.”

  The bouncer hesitated and John’s gut tightened, but he smiled his best leer and grabbed Lindsey’s ass, squeezing. She squealed and staggered closer to the entrance. The display of drunken love must have convinced the bigger man because he pushed through the crowd to the door and let them out into the heated night.

  John followed her, wishing he had greater stability in his movements, but dragging his feet played a more authentic role. Lindsey held on to his arm, swaying as she waited for the bouncer to close the door to the club. When he disappeared inside, she put her shoes back on and led John over to the valet, her strides sure but slow. John scowled. Dammit, I wish I could keep up with her.

  Despite their methodical progress, Lindsey smiled and waved to one of the valets.

  “Good evening, Pedro. Can you get my car, please?”

  “Of course, Ms. Black. I see your date has had a little too much fun, eh?”

  “Aw, you know how they get when in the Man Cave Club. They just need a little TLC.”

  “Right. I’ll bring your car around, Ms. Black.” The handsome young man trotted away and John swallowed a snarl. The little punk had been too familiar with his woman.

  Whoa. Since when is Lindsey my woman? Nobody had qualified for the title since he’d joined the SEALs three years earlier. No one had been intriguing enough to grab his attention long. Quick fucks and short dalliances. They’d been the extent of his romantic efforts. But Lindsey’s different. And he wanted more of her.

  “You okay, John?” Lindsey laid a gentle kiss on his lips.

  “Yeah, ready to be done standing, though.”

  “Soon. Just need the car. Then you can rest.”

  Pedro zipped up in a little silver Audi and handed Lindsey the keyless fob as he came around the car.

  “There you go, Ms. Black. I made sure it was safe and secure for your date.” The young man winked with a sly grin.

  “Thanks, Pedro.” She handed him a fifty dollar bill and helped John to the passenger side of the car.

  “Do you need help to get him in, Ms. Black? He’s a big guy.”

  “No, we’ll be fine. But thanks.” Lindsey maneuvered him to the passenger side. “How are you doing? Can you get in on your own?” Her breath brushed his cheek and his cock hardened again. At least that part of me still works.

  “Yeah.” He reached for the car as she pulled the door open.

  “Good. Let me recline the seat. When I drive out of here I don’t want you too visible.” She pushed the leather bucket seat flat. He admired the sleek lines of her dress against her ass and closed his eyes, remembering the softness of it on his lap.

  “John, are you okay?”

  He snapped his eyes open and nodded, swaying a little.

  “Get in and we’ll get out of here.”

  John sat in the seat with exaggerated movements. Nothing sat where he expected and he banged his knees and forehead twice before he settled into the seat and lay back. God it felt good to relax after trying to walk all that way fighting the ketamine. But they’d made it to the car. All they had to do was get out of the parking lot.

  Lindsey settled into the driver’s seat and started the engine, the rumble adding to the tremors rippling through his body. Fuck, I hate coming down off drugs. The car moved and his sense of orientation shifted, the glow of the Strip’s lights washing across the windshield in a kaleidoscope of color.

  “Wow. It looks like it’s moving. Day and night, always moving.”

  “Sorry? What’s moving?”

  “The lights. In Sin City. Did we sin yet?”

  Lindsey shot him an incredulous look. “Yep. Ple
nty of times.”

  “Good.” She looked like a woman good at sinning.

  The world spun by the windows, streaks of colored light across shadow, and John let his mind drift. Odd twitches and muscle spasms jolted his body, especially when the car turned. He felt like a beached fish, caught out of the water and gasping for life as his lower extremities faded into numbness. Comfort sat just out of reach, across a console, in a little black dress.

  Who was she? Lindsey. Lovely, sexy, strong Lindsey who’d come out of nowhere and given him pleasure when the dark closed in on him. She’s my clear water. Clear water meant safety, a position of strength, and a lull in danger. She’s my home.

  Except the statement seemed inaccurate like an interrogation suspect dodging the truth.

  John rolled his head to examine the woman driving beside him as the lights dimmed from garish pinks and whites to more sedate sodium orange. She belonged to him, and yet not. A new gift unclaimed. He wanted her, wanted to keep her, or stay with her. But sluggish memories tugged at his attention, whispering of plans yet unmet.

  “Lindsey?”

  “Yes, John?”

  “Take me home with you.”

  “I am. You’re safe now.”

  Safety and Lindsey. Perfection.

  John let the thickness of his thoughts and the heat of the early summer night suck him down into floating serenity. A weak voice insisted he should be vigilant, always alert to threats, but he shoved it away. His body slowly awakened to sensation, but everything seemed to weigh more than normal. He didn’t want to move, and as the car left the lights behind, he allowed his mind to fade into the darkness.

  They didn’t speak as the pitch of the road changed. Are we going up? He cracked his eyes open, but no light came through the windows. Only the dim blue glow of the dash lights offered any definition in the world around him. Discomfort built in his ears and he yawned to relieve the pressure as the car slowed and turned.