Page 53 of Special Agent Anastacia

“From the look of him, I’ve no doubt Sam’s got broken ribs and a hell of a lot of contusions. Best to be sure none are dangerous to his internal organs. I’ll find out about the medical facilities available, and if the hospital is still operating.”

While Nash contacted Dave, Ana slowly eased the boat to the dock, tying it in place. Once moored, Ana and Nash stepped onto the metal flooring of the floating pier and watched Dave make his way toward them. A flashlight bobbed in one hand, and the other reached to shake with Nash and Ana. Once he’d closed in, Dave’s grin became noticeable.

“I knew you two could do it.” He watched some of their passengers scramble onto the dock and grinned. “Yep. These families are the last to be accounted for. Oh, good. You picked up Jack and Tracker. His parents are frantic about him.” Dave slapped Nash’s back. “Your men managed to stop the fire from taking out the town and used the helicopters to control the flames. It’s still a menace, but we’re safe for now. And the pub’s opened their doors for everyone to be together and recoup.”

“Good. Glad to hear it.”

“Please tell me that Hanna is safe.” Ana’s voice quivered with the alarm she’d been stuffing back inside her mind so as not to fall apart.

“Sure is. That girl worked with the firemen like a woman trained. Chuck raved about her and even Tiger gave her a compliment. And we all know that man wouldn’t say anything sweet if sugar was melting in his mouth.”

“Thank God. Is she at the pub with the others from town?”

“Probably. They needed a lot of help settling the folks. Can’t say a lot of them are happy with the outcome. Many lost theircabins, which is a shame. But what’s worse is that quite a few of the residents live here year-round. It’s their principal residence which will leave them homeless.”

“Jesus. I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, but we still have a town, maybe a few casualties, but no deaths. Speaking of the dead, what you got in there?” Dave pointed at the dark shadow still tied inside the boat.

Nash stepped to the side and pointed in the direction that Dave had been staring. “Right. We have a present for you, just not too sure what you want us to do with him right now. Got any ideas?”

“Oh, man, don’t ask. My ideas would get me twenty-to-life.”

Chapter Thirty-seven

Once Nash and Dave made sure that Sam got the help he needed from the ambulance they still had in use, they hauled the prisoner to the jail. There they had a makeshift cell mostly to accommodate rowdy drunks. Rather than take any chances, they left the zip ties to stabilize the fool’s hands while steering him toward the bunk.

“It’s too tight.” Vlad complained over his treatment. But his mouth snapped shut after he saw Dave’s narrowed-eye glare followed by an unsympathetic shove that upended him on the old, pee-stained mattress. “Shut up, asshole.”

Following Dave to his office, Nash accepted the shirt the sheriff passed over still on the hanger. “I keep extras here just in case. Never know when a sick drunk can’t control his stomach reflexes.”

Just as Nash lifted the article behind him to slip his arms in, the door opened, and Ana stepped into the room. She stopped dead and stared.

His skin shone from the healthy tan he sported, and his muscular frame became highlighted in the soft glow of lamplight. The perfect moment made her eyes widen in appreciation at his nakedness. But it was the smile illuminating her serious features that made his body tighten with need. A need he’d have to control with difficulty. All he could think about was getting her alone and doing again what they’d managed to do so perfectly together earlier.

Her husky tone cleared his fantasy world. “I figured I’d find you here.”

He stared into her eyes, sending a silent message of passion and noticed her clenching her legs as if the reaction had zeroed in on her lower regions. His voice came out husky, and it wasn’t all from smoke damage. “You disappeared.”

“Yeah, I was helping the others to Nan’s bar. Dave said the townspeople were gathering there for safety.”

“Good. It’s best they hang together in case there’s a wind shift, and we need to leave in a hurry.”

Her big blues widened in consternation. “Christ, could that actually happen?”

“Sure.” He pointed to the window where one could still see flames in the far distance. “I’ve seen that malicious bitch change directions more times than I want to admit. As we know from our recent experience, the wind has a mind all it’s own.”

She stepped close to him, her wild blonde curls halloing her beautiful face. With the wet clothes still clinging to her tall form, she looked like a goddess from another century. The darkened room lit only from a coal oil lamp showered her features with a luminescent glow that made him shiver from wanting her so badly. Unable to stop himself, he guided her into his arms and kissed her until she moaned. Aware that his body either had to be satisfied… or he’d bloody well have to pull back now, hestomped down on his desire, hardened his will, and stepped away.

At that moment, Dave returned to the office with extra towels and carrying a steaming pot of coffee. “Just made it fresh if you’re interested.” He opened his bottom desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of good whiskey. “It tastes splendid with this… ahh, sweetener.”

Smiling, both her and Nash gleefully accepted his offer. The smell alone almost brought him to his knees in thankfulness for the caffeine hit he’d missed all day. Ana gratefully sipped hers and then used the dry towel on her hair. Dave seemed to notice her dampness predicament and said, “Perkins has an extra sweater in the lunchroom she often uses. That old harpy is always complaining it’s too cold in here with the air conditioner on.” He looked a bit sheepish and then added, “Glad I made her leave on the first bus outta here after we got the evacuation notice. Poor girl doesn’t do well in disasters. Gets riled fast, and then it’s hell to pay for both me and old Pat.”

Ana shook her head and made a comment. “What I’d like to know is what would you do without the “poor old harpy”?”

Looking uncomfortably shy, Dave’s seriousness let them know he meant it when he said, “I hope we never have to find out.”

Happy now, Ana searched for the sweater, leaving Nash alone with Dave and able to question him. “What’s the plans for getting this guy to the city.” He chinned in the direction where they’d stowed Vlad. “Will the police send a van to pick him up?”

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