***
Donovan had to hand it to Cody. The private jet was luxurious and comfortable. Chairs, more like recliners, lined the compartment they currently used. A smaller compartment housed an office, and another had sleeping facilities. Not bad. Jessica sat off by herself in a chair toward the front of the cabin. She had barely spoken two words since they left Champaign. That had been hours ago.
Jess yawned and leaned back in the plush chair. She could feel eyes on her and knew instinctively Donovan was watching her. Soon he would get up and come to her, unnerved by her sudden silence. Of course, when she finally told him what was on her mind, he would not be a happy camper.
As Jessica had predicted, Donovan unbuckled the belt that held him fast to his seat. In two quick strides he was sitting in the seat next to her. She flashed him a quick, knowing smile as if she had expected him to join her.
Before he could speak, she decided to lay it all out for him. "When we land in Philly, I won't go to the safe house."
Donovan blinked hard. Was she insane? If the FBI insisted she be placed there, her life was in danger. "Yes, you will," he insisted stubbornly.
"Look. I don't know what's going to happen to me or what they expect to get from me," she explained. "But I refuse to go into custody without making a couple of necessary visits."
"No."
"I won't give in on these demands, Donovan," she assured. She could be just as stubborn as he could. "This is my life, not yours. And I'm telling you that there are a couple of things I need to do."
"Jessica..."
She shook her head and brushed away his hand as it reached for hers. "No, Donovan. You will not placate me. It's impossible." She turned in her seat to face him more fully and her hand fell lightly on his upper arm. Her touch wasn't rough, but it was demanding. "Give me this, or I swear to you I will make such a scene at the airport, God and everyone will know that Melanie Burgess is back in Philadelphia."
Donovan fixed a perplexed stare on her. "Are you insane? You would risk exposing yourself to the very people we are protecting you from?"
"I never asked to be protected."
"You're very stubborn," he insisted, still not willing to give in to her demand.
"I can be very loud, too. You best remember that." She straightened herself in her seat and folded her arms across her chest. "Perhaps you'll handcuff and gag me like a common criminal? Would that be your next thought, Donovan?"
He almost laughed at her madness. She was right, however, it had been his next thought. "You'll need to tell me your exact intentions, Jess. It's my job to make sure you stay alive."
Jessica didn't smile, didn't show outwardly that she had won and he had given way to her demand. That would be smug and one thing she knew inherently was that Donovan would not appreciate smugness. She wasn't about to jeopardize her chances. "Two things. I want to visit my family and I want to see Addy one last time."
Donovan remained silent for a moment as he tossed those demands around in his mind. "Fine," he finally answered. "Jake and Alex can scout ahead and make sure things are safe enough to bring you to the locations you specify." When she opened her mouth to protest, he quickly cut her off. "Then, and only then, will you be able to make your visits."
He was less than happy to agree to her terms, and yet he could not deny her this. As she had stated, there was no way to tell what was going to happen to her. If the FBI found her valuable enough to put her into Witness Protection, all that had been her life beforehand would be gone. She would never get the chance to visit her family's graves or see Adelaide Drevin again. That was a lot to put in front of someone and expect them to go away quietly. Although it was well within his power to force her into that safe house and keep her from her personal agenda, he couldn't do that to her.
***
"They'll be arriving in an hour."
"Ah, that is good," Vincento Luciano spoke softly into the phone. "Gate?"
"They'll be diverted to a special hangar off the concourse. Hangar 22B."
"I can't thank you enough, Special Agent," Vince replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I'm sure you'll think of a way to repay my kindness."
"I will, most assuredly. You've given me opportunity to get rid of the last obstacle in returning Deeds to my family. I've missed his special ability here at home, although he has been quite valuable in establishing contacts in various states recently."
"How nice for you," the voice replied uncaringly. "I've reviewed the case, and all this woman can do is identify Drevin as being the driver of the vehicle who ran down her sister. She cannot link him to the convenience store owner's murder. It's heresay."
"Nevertheless, I want this problem gone."
"It's your mess," the man replied, emotionless. "I don't give a shit how you clean it up, as long as you take care of your end of the bargain."
"Don't worry, my friend. You'll receive payment for your services," he assured. "However, there is one more duty you must perform."
"And that is?"
"You know it cannot be Deeds that takes out the Burgess woman. You must do it."
"I...no," the man at the other end of the line replied. "What I will do is find someone..."
"NO!" Vince's voice boomed, echoing through his spacious office. "There is no time. It will be your bullet that hits this mark. If I find out otherwise...you may want to rethink your residency."
"I see. Very well, Mr. Luciano. I will see to it personally."
"Thank you."
***
Home. She was finally home again. It had been months since she set foot in Philadelphia, and she should feel welcome. Now, even the familiar sounds of the airport, the sight of the city skyline, nothing felt as comforting and consoling as it used to.
Just the thought of being at home used to make her feel whole, but it no longer did. Things that she used to appreciate no longer held any appeal for her. She glanced back at the plane they had just disembarked from and wanted to run back on and ask the pilot to drop her anywhere but where she now stood.
Donovan noticed the sudden change in Jessica, as if she were about to take flight. Her eyes held that glassy look, as though she were a deer in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle and knew she was powerless to stop it from colliding with her. He gently took her elbow and ushered her forward. She would get through this, just as she had gotten through the last year of her life. Her perseverance, tenaciousness, and sheer self-preservation would guarantee it.
--
Picking up the binoculars, he held them steady as he watched the people who left the hangar. He recognized each agent as they came into his view. The one unrecognizable person turned out to be not so unrecognizable. He knew her, had seen her a few times in the surveillance footage from the Landsing Hills Retirement Center. So, this auburn haired beauty was the former mousy looking Melanie Burgess. Interesting.
He packed up his equipment, intent on following Donovan, but, somewhere in the mess of the airport traffic, he lost his target. He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. He was pissed, but all was not lost. He knew there was one place that Burgess would go when she was in Philadelphia. The proof was all over those security tapes. She had a soft spot for Adelaide Drevin, and sooner or later, she would pay the old lady a visit.
He laughed hatefully and turned his vehicle in the direction of the retirement home. He would meet this last task of Luciano's and then he'd be gone. Take the money and run. He had already built up quite a large account in the Caymans. After this last job, he'd be set for life. No more government trained dog for him. He was so out of there.
--
"Jake, Alex?" Donovan questioned quietly. He stood a short distance from Jessica, not quite three feet, leaning against the tree that shaded the graves of her parents, sister, niece, and brother-in-law. To any onlookers, it might appear he was speaking to her, when in fact he was speaking into his ear mic to his agents perched atop the roof of a building across the street from the cemetery.
"Nothing," Jake's voice boomed into his ear. "No one on the perimeter. Just a few mourners scattered throughout the cemetery."
"Stay sharp," he commanded as he scanned the area for himself.
His attention turned back to Jessica. She had already taken the time to brush the leaves that had littered the headstones of her loved ones. She carefully placed a small bouquet of lilies on each grave, whispering that they were her mother's favorite.
Before long, she sat cross-legged on the ground between her parent's graves and those of her sister's family. She brushed at the cut grass that clung to visible areas of her blue jeans as she talked to her family. He could hear the tears that broke through the words while she told them she might never be back to visit them, but she would make sure that they were always taken care of. God, she was hurting, and it made him feel so very small that he was incapable of doing anything to ease her burden. Donovan, The Ice Man, taken down by the feelings stirred by one mortal woman. Who'd have thought it?
Jessica sat in a trance for the most part, reflecting on her life with the people who were now lost to her forever. Her whole life was gone and now it was time for her to disappear as well. She would do her best to keep the identity that Enigma had created for her, but if that needed changing, she would do what she had to.
She looked up when she felt a hand fall on her shoulder. Her eyes followed Donovan as he crouched down beside her. His eyes were so dark, even in the sunlight, and she wondered what caused the drastic change in them.
"Time to go, Jessica," he stated softly. "You're too much of a target out in the open, even if the location seems secure."
She nodded and stood slowly, brushing the dirt and grass from her jeans. She wasn't really ready to leave. In her heart and her mind, she knew this was the last time she would ever visit her family's final resting place. "I love you," she whispered to them.
Donovan's arm came around her shoulders in an unexpected gesture, and she leaned into his comfort gratefully. As they walked away from the gravesite, she felt the gentle squeeze of his fingers, silently assuring her things would get easier. Not necessarily better, because losing her entire family would never be something that she could accept, but in time, the loss would be less painful...easier.
***
Jess was restless and tossed in her bed for the umpteenth time. There was something she wanted, needed, but she was at a loss as to what it was. She stared at the hotel room door through the darkness. She needed to leave, get out. There were things left unsaid and she didn't think she could stand being turned over to the Task Force tomorrow not knowing if she'd get the chance to say what needed to be said.
"Alex," she whispered, but received no response. Alex was sleeping soundly in the other bed. As quietly as she could, she slipped from the bed and shrugged into her robe. Slipping the room keycard into her pocket, she glanced back at Alex, who still had not moved a muscle.
Jess made her way across the hallway, her bare feet making no sound on the plush carpet. She glanced at the room one door down where Cody and Jake were sleeping. Donovan had obtained three rooms this time, not wanting to deal with their whining. His room was directly across from the room she shared with Alex.
Donovan came awake at the sound of a soft tapping at the door. He wanted to bury his head in the pillow and ignore it, but it was probably one of his team. He couldn't ignore them, no matter how great the urge. He left the warm, comfortable bed and went to the door. Always cautious, he pulled one of his guns from its holster and held it out of view as he opened the door.
Jess smiled nervously. "I...um...I know it's late, but..."
"Come in," he insisted, opening the door for her to enter and then quickly slipped his Glock into its holster, leaving Jessica totally unaware that he had even pulled the weapon.
Jess brushed past him and moved to the center of the room. Oh, holy hell, what was I thinking? Her mind reeled at the sight she beheld. Frank Donovan, his robe barely tied and gaped open slightly, revealing his smooth, muscular chest. Not even the fact that his hair had gone wild on him detracted from his appearance. One side of his hair had flattened, while the other sprung up in several areas. All she could think of was running her fingers through it. What a pleasant experience that would be!
Donovan crossed the room and sat down on the bed. Jessica had yet to speak and her eyes hadn't left him. "Jessica? Was there a reason for this visit?" he asked quietly as his eyes locked onto hers. If she only knew how much he had wanted to go to her, but with Alex in the room it was impossible.
Tomorrow would probably be the last day he would ever see her. That thought saddened him more than he was willing to admit to himself. Saying goodbye would be one of the hardest things he had ever done and he was not looking forward to it, not one bit.
"I just...needed to talk to you," she admitted, sitting next to him. "I wanted to thank you..." Her voice trailed off, distracted by his nearness. The spicy aroma of his aftershave filled her nostrils and she wanted to bury her face against his neck. She would do anything to get closer to his scent, closer to him. She knew now why she had come to him. She wanted him.
"Thank me? For what? I've done nothing worth thanking me for," he stated. He felt the warmth radiating from her. He itched to reach out and take her into his arms, but he held back. He wouldn't make the first move; he wouldn't ask her for what he wanted from her. It wasn't fair to take from her knowing that was all it would ever be. One night. He didn't think she was the kind of woman that took sex casually. He wasn't the type of man who would ask such a thing from her.
"No? How many people in your position would give me the latitude you have?" She turned slightly and her hand fell gently on his thigh. His robe gaped open, and she touched bare skin along with the terrycloth. Soft, warm, her fingers tingled from the contact. She wanted more. Oh, so much more.
His eyes closed momentarily with the sensation of her fingers skimming the surface of his thigh. He wasn't even sure she realized her fingertip was tracing tiny circles over his skin. Not that he was complaining, but he was finding it very difficult to think straight.
"I mean...that you took me to my family's gravesite..." she continued when he didn't answer. "And the visit with Addy tomor..." she stopped suddenly when he grasped her hand.
"Jessica," he groaned softly. "There's so much more I wish I could give you." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the fingertips that had just moments before tantalized his thigh.
"Do you?" she whispered shakily, her eyes fixated on his full lips as they kissed her fingers, knuckles, the inside of her wrist. Such exquisite pleasure. "And what would you like to give me, Donovan?"
He let go of her hand to cup her face, his thumbs caressing her cheeks softly. He brushed his lips against hers, barely grazing them, and yet it was as if he had struck a match, lighting the flame of desire. "I would give you all that you hunger for, if it were in my power."
She wrapped her fingers around both of his wrists, gently pulling his hands away. She looked intently into his eyes, wanting him to know how serious she was. "And if it were you that I hungered for?"
His eyes were drawn to her lips as her tongue darted out to wet them. So full, so ripe; he wanted to taste them again. "Then I would give you all that I have," he answered as he dipped his head and captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
She moaned when he broke the kiss, and the moan turned to a whimper when he found the sensitive area at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. His hands made quick work in untying the sash of her robe, pushing the garment away from her shoulders so that he could feast himself on more of her silky skin.
Jess hurriedly removed the robe and resumed her task of familiarizing herself with his body. She slid her fingers into his hair, gently urging him onward in his task. His lips were a delicious ecstasy to her skin and she never wanted the pleasure to end. Her other hand roamed his upper arm and back, delighting in his taut, firm muscles, even through the thin cloth of his robe.
He stood slowly, bringing her with him and as he gazed longingly into her eyes, his fingers slid under the thin strap of her satiny blue nightgown. His mouth came down upon hers again, hungry, demanding as he rolled the straps leisurely off her shoulders.
Jess didn't hesitate; dropping her arms from around his waist, she let the skimpy nightgown fall into a puddle around her feet. She pressed herself fully against him, delighting in the rapturous moan he released as her breasts molded to his chest. "Your turn," she whispered, gently pushing his robe away from his shoulders.
Donovan shrugged out of it quickly and pulled her back into his embrace. He heard her sudden gasp and couldn't help the smile that danced on his lips. His guess was that she hadn't been aware he was nude under his robe. It was just one less obstacle as far as he was concerned.
Jess was a bit taken aback. It wasn't exactly surprise at his nudity, but at the feel of his hardness pressed against her hip. The sheer size of him was what astonished her. She kissed him then, taking control for a moment while she had her way with his mouth, that gorgeous mouth and that sensual bottom lip. She couldn't get enough of it. She ran the tip of her tongue over it before kissing him fiercely; nibbling and sucking on his delectable lower lip.
His hands roamed the silky flesh of her arms, back, and hips before reaching his true destination. When he did, one hand filled with her soft breast, kneading the generous mound, running the pad of his thumb over her taut nipple. The sheer bliss of holding her, touching her intimately, elicited moans deep from within his throat. Powerless to stop them, even if he wanted to, his moans mixed with hers as if coming from one source. Passion was that source and release was the goal.
He lowered her slowly to the bed without breaking the kiss. Their lips meshed and melded not able to get enough of each other. Hands stroked, caressed, pinched, scratched, and touched every inch of flesh they could reach. Legs entwined, and desire demanded the next step be taken to fulfillment. He needed her, of that he had no doubt, but he wanted to make sure it was truly a feeling she shared.
He broke the kiss, his eyes locking onto hers which were so glazed over with her need there was no reason to ask if she truly wanted this. Her heated breath fanned his chin and cheek and as if in protest to his pulling away from her, she lifted herself up, her lips latching onto his hungrily. Her hands roamed his naked flesh as she opened to him, silently begging him to fill her, to ease the ache he had caused within her body and soul.
He broke away again, not ready to give her what she demanded. His lips blazed a trail down her chin, her neck, pausing briefly to suckle at the soft hollow of her throat. Only when she whimpered and slid her fingers into his hair, gently stroking, massaging, did he move from that spot. Soon his mouth replaced the thumb that teased the nipple of her breast, licking, suckling, laving, and nipping until she cried out. His need was growing in such force that it was getting difficult to think through the blood that rushed through his head and loins. The ache was deep, wondrous, thrilling, and at the same time painful. Soon. Soon. First, he had to taste and tantalize her other nipple. It was only fair.
Jess cried out softly at the delectable torture he was lavishing on her breast. When his hand slid down her abdomen and hovered over her heated core, barely touching, only teasing, she cried, whimpered, moaned, and begged for his touch. His true touch. "I can't take it anymore, Donovan. You're a cruel, cruel man," she whispered throatily.
He lifted his head, his eyes danced with the desire that was slowly consuming him. "I want this to last, Jessica," he admitted huskily. "Can it last, beautiful Jess? Can it?"
A tear escaped her, because she knew it was only for this one night. "In here," she said, placing one hand over his heart and one over her own. "We have all night, Donovan. But I need you now," she insisted as she traced a gentle finger along his jaw.
He closed his eyes as he nodded his agreement. He lowered his head, his lips pressed against her ear and as he entered her, slowly, so slowly that she thought time had stood still, he whispered, "We'll make this night last forever, Jessica. Every moment, until neither of us has another ounce to give."
***
to be continued...
