Heston (In the Company of Snipers #25)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Heston glanced over his shoulder at the hallway. Was that laughter coming from the laundry room? London’s laughing?

“Sounds like they’re done talking,” Alex said.

Heston lifted to his feet in case… You know, just in case. He heard the laundry room door open. Heard Kelsey callout, “Alex. We’re done in here, sweetheart. I’m tired. Come get me.”

Alex was already on his feet. It didn’t take him long to retrieve his wife and wheel her chair backward out of the hall and into the living room. London followed.

The moment she’d stepped into sight, Heston froze. Couldn’t move. Didn’t dare. As much as he wanted to run to her and scoop her into his arms, he wouldn’t. She’d rebuffed every advance he’d made and every sweet word he’d uttered since he’d brought her home from the hospital. If her mind was made up and she needed to leave in order to save herself, it would kill him, but he’d let her go. For her, he’d do anything, even that. Only she mattered, only her happiness. Her mental health. Just. London.

“We’re heading out,” Alex said grumpily.

“Thanks for letting London visit with me,” Kelsey added. She looked even more drained than when they’d arrived.

“You okay?” Heston asked.

“I am now. Take good care of my girlfriend, Heston.” Kelsey stuck her chin at London. “She’s a keeper.”

“That she is. Goodbye,” Heston replied hastily, then thought better. “Umm, sorry. Not what I meant. Thanks, Kelsey. Boss.” Now, please leave.

“Anytime,” Kelsey chuckled.

Alex had her at the door by then, so Heston pulled it open wider to facilitate getting that wheelchair onto the front step. “You need a hand, Boss?”

“Nope. Just need to get my nosey wife back home where she belongs,” Alex growled.

As the wheelchair thumped gently down the steps, Kelsey tossed a glance over her shoulder, and winked at London. “Call when you’re ready to meet the rest of the girls, London. They’re going to love you. Just wait and see.”

“I will. Thanks, Kelsey. Now go home and rest, okay?”

“I will. Love you, London. See you soon.” Lifting her left arm, Kelsey fluttered her fingers. “Bye!”

With that, the wheelchair settled onto the front walk and Alex aimed his sweet wife toward their car.

Heston closed the door behind them. Finally, he was alone with London and the elephant in the room. “What girls?”

London shrugged both shoulders. “Kelsey’s friends, the TEAM wives. Did you know Mark’s wife is a general practitioner, and they have five kids?”

“I did, yeah. Most of the wives work. Libby’s no exception. I mean, err, outside the home. Most TEAM wives are professionals and work outside their homes, but not all of them, but... I mean…” Heston clapped his mouth shut to keep from making more mistakes. When had relationships between men and women become minefields of political correctness?

“Hes.” Just one word. One quietly spoken word. But when London said it, it came with so much feeling. So much promise.

Not believing it could be this easy, Heston breathed, “London.”

That was all it took., and she was in his arms, peppering his face with kisses.

Slowing the tender assault, he cupped her jaw between his hands. Tears fell, his and hers. “I love you, babe, so much more than I can ever tell you. So damned—”

She slammed into his lips and cried into his mouth, “Shhhhh. It was me, not you. It’s my fault. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I—”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

She tipped back on her heels and looked up at him. “I do. I was scared of what you’d think of me. I felt dirty and used, and I couldn’t understand why, because I was still alive, and you came for me, and—”

“Did he… rape you?” Heston asked as gently as he could. He needed to know how to proceed and who else to kill.

She shook her head. “N-no, but…” Her shoulders lifted. “He made us undress in front of him and his creepy friends, and then we were supposed to run for our lives, and if one of them caught us… but he caught me and… and he said… he was going to…” London scrubbed a hand up Heston’s chest, not petting him. Just seeming to need reassurance he was still there. That whatever she said next or whatever happened before wouldn’t make him leave.

He took hold of that nervous hand and plastered it flat to his chest to get her full attention. “I’m not going anywhere, babe. I’m here for you, and no matter what, I will never leave. We’re in this together. We’re getting married, remember? You and me.”

Her free hand skimmed into her drab, mousy-brown hair. “Oh, yeah, I… I forgot… I… ah, I lost that beautiful ring you gave me, and he said… he said…” London looked up at him, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

“I know what that piece of shit said to you, babe, and I heard what he’d planned. Don’t worry about that ring.”

“But you bought it for me and it means so much and—”

“Hear this now and know deep in your wild, crazy heart, London,” he interrupted, “that none of what he did is your fault. You didn’t kidnap, beat, or kill anyone. You don’t sell children or girls or women. You meant to rescue Maria and Felicia, for Christ’s sake.”

“Well, yeah. B-but I really need to see them again,” rushed out in a frenzy. London’s nerves were strung tight. Her body was literally vibrating with fear and anxiety.

Heston dropped a kiss on her forehead and told her, “Agreed. Anytime you’re ready. I’ll drive you wherever you decide to go, but be prepared. They may not want to see you again. Keane had them longer than he did you.”

“Were they—?”

“Raped? I have no idea, but I’ve been around trauma victims enough to know they don’t always deal well with triggers, things or people that remind them of what they’ve been through.”

“Oh,” London breathed. “I guess I’m a trigger, huh? I never thought of that. I mean… I should’ve, but…” Her voice trailed away.

Heston tipped her chin up with his thumb to get her to look at him again. “They’re probably as nervous to see you as you are to see them. Give them time. If they reach out, you’ll know what to do. In the meantime, you need to decompress. You don’t have to rescue the whole world, you know.”

“Yeah, but…” Her heart rate was still too high and her pulse fluttered in the hollow of her neck, that tiny divot above her breastbone.

Heston opted for distraction. “What was funny? What were you and Kelsey laughing about?”

“Umm, make-up sex.”

“Make-up sex?” Not what he’d expected. London’s face relaxed at the change of subject, though. That tiny signal helped Heston relax, too. “Wish I’d heard the start of that conversation.”

For the first time since he’d brought her home, a twitch teased the corners of London’s lips.

“She’s tired of Alex hovering over her and treating her like she’s broken. She should be. She’s been through hell, but she’s not. Kelsey has bones that still need to mend, and I know this visit wore her out, but she made me laugh when she said she wanted some action.”

“Kelsey said that?” Now Heston had heard everything.

“I can’t believe it, but yes. She said she’s ready to get on with her life and put all this crap behind her. She has this amazing outlook on bad things that happen, you know, death and p-pain a-and… c-c-crap. Did you know she was married before and that her ex murdered her two baby boys?”

“Alex just told me, yes. How about we pick up where we left off, London? Can I interest you in taking a bath with me?”

“I want to, but…” She swallowed hard enough that Heston heard it.

“Lights off. No play-spanking. No worry about anyone looking in, either. Just us doing what we want to do.” Those things only worked when or if London wanted them anyway. Time to fess up. “The glass in the upstairs bathroom is tinted polycarbonate, babe. No one can see in, not even if they put their nose against the window.” He slapped a clenched fist to his chest. “Me, caveman, remember? I’d never let anyone see you naked.”

“Oh,” she breathed. “Good. But why—?”

“Because you’re a closet exhibitionist. At least, you liked the idea of being caught. Of being seen.”

The loveliest blush pinkened her throat. “Umm, I guess. Long as I’m caught with you.”

“And I only swatted your bottom because you seemed to like it. Spanking isn’t my thing. I’m not into that BDSM bullshit. But you got so turned on when I turned you over my knee that one time, and I thought—”

“Yeah. Let’s not d-do that anymore, okay? Maybe l-l-later. A lot later.”

Her anxiety was back, and it was time to change subjects. Heston stooped low and swung her into his arms. “No worries, babe. Not with me. Not ever. You want vanilla, you get vanilla. You want whipped cream and chocolate sauce over that vanilla, say the word. Whatever you say, goes, got it? I’m yours to command, so command me.”

At last a tiny giggle. “Like my very own genie in a bottle?”

Heston climbed the stairs to the loft. Their loft. “You bet. Though it better be a big bottle, because I’m a big genie.”

Another giggle. “Yes, you are, on all the best ways.”

“You know it.” The tight hold on his neck loosened. London pressed her head and one hand against his chest. They were at the bathroom door. “Bed or bath?” he asked.

“Bath. Then bed with you. I’ll… umm, move back into your room later today, and then—”

“Our room. Our house. Our bathroom and our tub, London. Move when you’re ready. No need to rush. You might still need time to yourself, and I under—”

“No, Heston.” London tipped back in his arms enough to stare up at him. “If Kelsey can be strong, so can I. She’s been through worse shit than me. I’m sorry I’ve made you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around me.”

Before he could argue, she continued. “I know how I’ve been. But now, I… I know I’m strong enough, that I’m good enough, all by myself.” There went another tough swallow. “I’m not my mother, and I don’t care what she or my dad say or think. I only care about you and me, about us. We’re the ones who matter, and I’m so, so thankful you came for me.” Her pretty eyes overflowed. “I don’t want to be a man. I’m not built like you, and I can’t compete with you. I just don’t want to.”

That insight explained a lot. Why she’d left him. Why she’d bombed out of the FBI. Possibly why she hadn’t lasted in the Forest Service. All her life, she’d been busting her ass, thinking she had to think, work, and be better than men.

He sat with her on his lap on the edge of the tub. “Babe, I’ve never expected you to compete with me.”

“I know, but ever since I was little, I got it in my head that—”

He knew where this was going. “That you weren’t good enough?”

“No. That I’m not good enough for anyone or anything.” She snorted. Laughed. Then broke into tears. “I can’t take a hit, Hes. Not even a little one. Look at me. I have a couple broken ribs, and my nose is still sore, and I don’t want to work for the FBI. I’m not even sure I should work with you.” She dashed a quick hand across her eyes.

Heston pressed her under his chin where she belonged. She melted easily against him. Thank God. “You were completely helpless, babe. They cuffed and beat you, London. No man could’ve protected himself in that situation, either. And I’m still going to say things wrong sometimes, but know this: You are so much better than most men I’ve worked with. It was you who defied Bates and kept searching for Alex and Kelsey when he quit on them. You led me and Asher to that trailer fire. You knew all along something was hinky with that piece of junk. You’re the reason Bates is in FBI custody. Another thing, I will never, ever stop protecting you, babe. Call me an ape, hell, call me a chauvinist pig. I’m okay with whatever you decide to call me. But you will always—always—come first in my life, and I’m not going to apologize if that hurts your feelings. I’m selfish, babe, but I simply cannot live without you in my life. Hell, I could hardly breathe the morning I couldn’t find you. And once I found you…”

His body stiffened as the memory of Obermeyer holding London by her neck, her bare feet completely off the ground, killed him all over again. “Sorry, but I will destroy every rat bastard that ever touches you. I can’t NOT take care of you. I’m not made that way.”

“Okay,” she breathed, her fingertips dancing over his chest. “Settle down. I get it, Hes. I understand now, and I love you, too. I don’t have to be as good as you because I’m already better. Sorry, but yeah. I’m better than you. Kelsey reminded me us women are the only ones who can have babies. It’s not just how we’re made, it’s because we’re made completely different than guys.”

Heston nodded, his blood running hot with rage thinking how close he’d come to losing her. But getting worked up now was not how to help London relax. He controlled his breathing and let her talk.

“And I need to go to the drug store.” Her fingers raked over her short hair. “I want to be me again.”

“Turquoise?” He hoped.

She nodded a timid little nod. “Yeah, if you like it.”

“Uh-uh, it’s not what I like. Only thing that matters is what you like. It’s your hair. But honestly…” He gave her his most lopsided grin. “I loved it. It was so—you.”

That seemed to be what she needed to hear. “Yeah. Turquoise, then. I like turquoise.”

She’d gone from supremely overconfident to downright timid. This was going to take time, but Heston had two weeks off, and if London needed more time, all he had to do was ask.

“After or before our bath?”

Her arms circled his neck, and for the first time since she’d come home, she ran her fingers up his neck and into his hair.

Heston closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of her touching him again. He’d been so worried she was too traumatized to ever want to be with a man again, but now, he could breathe again.

“You like when I do that,” she purred.

“I do. It’s…” He drew in a deep breath, searching for the right word.

“Intimate?” she whispered just before she kissed the corner of his mouth.

“Umm…” It was difficult to concentrate.

“Hot?” she breathed into his ear.

Shivers raced up his spine.

“Affectionate?”

“ ‘Killing me softly’, ” he said, quoting the old Roberta Flack song London loved.

His eyes were still closed when she tipped onto one foot, lifted her other leg over his thighs, and straddled him. “I changed my mind.”

“Women’s prerogative,” he whispered, his voice gone gruff and so damned hopeful.

“Bed first. Bath later.”

Opening his eyes, Heston met the fiery jewel-toned, sparkling eyes of the woman he adored. London was finding her way back to him. She was taking the first steps. She’d opened up with Kelsey, and now, she was talking with him.

“Abso-fuckin’-lutely,” he breathed into her face.

London smiled, and that was all Heston wanted, his woman to be happy.

Lifting to his feet, he cradled her ass in his hands and took her straight to bed.

Their bed.