Overkill (The Mammoth Book of Special Ops) Read Online Free PDF Page A

myself! When he gets home, I’m going to call him on it and—”
    “No, you’re not.” He came to stand in front of her, lifted her chin. His blue eyes were dead serious. “I need to know if he’s hired a Raven for this job. You tip Joe off and that won’t happen—he’ll find another way. Maybe cancel the surgery.”
    Her stomach sank. He was right. If her dad was anything, he was determined. “Then what? How do we stop this insanity?”
    He took his hand away from her face. “We play his game. But starting tomorrow night, after the dinner, your father doesn’t leave my sight until he’s on that operating table, meaning whoever he’s hired has to get to him through me. And that’s not going to happen. That’s a positive. Okay?”
    “You’re sure?”
    “I’m sure. But judging from that look in your eye, you’re not. So you’re welcome to keep those suspicious eyes on me—if it will make you feel better.”
    “It will.”
    “Fair enough.” Brushing her hair back, he took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead in the way he’d done so many years ago. Then he touched his lips to hers, and her knees turned to rubber.
    “I don’t entirely trust you, you know.” She sounded too breathy. “No matter how much you kiss me.”
    “I wouldn’t trust me, either.” He kissed her then, softly, slowly, his mouth whispering over hers. Her arms went around his neck, pulling him closer, until the hard length of him was flush between her hips.
    He felt so good, so right...
    “Have I told you how beautiful you are,” he whispered, taking the kiss deeper. “How much I love your mouth, that soft sound that purrs from the back of your throat when we kiss.” His mouth hovering over hers, his voice hoarse, he said, “I want to make love to you, Laine. I ache with wanting you.” He lifted his head, looked into her eyes. “When this is all over... is that going to happen?”
    She should have hesitated, done at least a second or two of the I’m-not-that-easy routine. She didn’t. “Yes. That’s most definitely going to happen. If—”
    “Shush.” He put a finger to her mouth. “I know the ‘if’.”
     

     
    The dining room was immense, the table a mile long, and the guests formal. Tanner donned the tux which, thankfully, was soft-structured. He was comfortable enough at the dinner party in the role of ‘old friend’, and the swirl of conversation, clinking glasses, and occasional bursts of laughter provided enough distraction for him to keep a close eye on the dinner guests. Other than an initial clap on the shoulder, Joe Derek kept his distance. No surprise.
    Wearing some kind of soft pink body hugging satin thing that had him drooling, Laine sat at the far end of the table near her father. Tanner feasted his eyes on her every chance he had.
    Definitely going to happen. If... her father stayed alive.
    Speaking of whom, Joe Derek was one hell of an actor. Watching him in the role of gracious host, you’d think he was planning a holiday, rather than a meeting with the grim reaper.
    Collier stood in shadowy attendance, his face grim.
    Holister was the last to arrive, and not surprisingly he was seated next to Tanner. They’d played casual acquaintances for the last couple of hours. Finally, Holister leaned closer and whispered,   “Everything on track, Cross?”
    Tanner didn’t answer, just picked up his water glass, took a sip, and asked. “I assume you’re staying the night.”
    “No. I’m heading for the airport. As a matter of fact”—he glanced at his watch—“I’d better move on. Say my good-byes to Joe and Laine.”
    Tanner watched him go, greatly relieved he could remove him from the suspect grid.
    Holister’s departure initiated a flurry of leave takings and within a half hour, Joe and Laine were in the grand foyer saying good-byes to the last of the guests.
    The Derek staff descended on the table like a school of piranhas on speed, and within minutes the table was cleared