Agent S5: Jaydan Read online

  Chapter 3

  “You’re still coming to the wedding - right Jay?”

  Staring out the cockpit windshield, Jaydan winced at the distress in Gunner’s voice. His little brother was marrying his high school sweetheart and mother of his daughter, Issy, next weekend.

  No way in hell he’d miss it. He’d disappointed his family enough.

  “I’ll be there, Gunn.”

  Hope shifted in the seat beside him, hanging a long, smooth leg over the chair arm. She wrote something on her tablet, her brows creased in deep thought.

  Jaydan said, “I just wanted you to tell Charles I’ll be using the runway. I figured your future father-in-law wouldn’t mind the best man using his airstrip.”

  Hope whipped around to stare at him, her eyes wide under raised brows. She pointed a finger at him and mouthed the word ‘you?’ before covering her mouth with her hand.

  Damned wench.

  Relief rushed into Gunner’s voice. “Yeah, no problem. When will you get here? I thought we could hang out some before the wedding.”

  It had been twelve years since he’d seen his family. He didn’t want to overstay his welcome - especially with Booker. The only good thing that had ever come out of his relationship with his stepfather was his flying lessons. And even then, they’d been filled with arguments and impatience.

  “I’m aiming for Friday afternoon. I’m on a trip now but should be done in plenty of time. Rehearsal’s at seven, right?”

  “Yeah,” Gunner said in a frustrated tone. “If you can get here sooner, that would give us time to make sure your tux fits. According to the measurements you sent, you’ve turned into some kind of steroid junkie.”

  Jaydan knew he could tell Gunner anything and he’d keep it a secret. However, telling him he’d been scientifically enhanced with super strength wasn’t something he could spring on him over the phone. While Hopeless had grown up around innovation, someone like Gunner wouldn’t understand.

  He grinned to himself. “I’ve been working out so I can kick your ass when I see you.”

  Rolling her eyes, Hope waved a hand to dismiss his smack talk.

  “In your dreams…” Gunner said, before his voice softened. “It would be worth it just to see you again, Jay. We’ve missed you, man.”

  Turning to look out his side window, Jaydan swallowed over the lump in his throat. He’d missed Gunner and Austin, too. A lot.

  His younger brothers were fifteen and thirteen when he’d left home. They’d always looked up to him, and had his back when he’d gotten into trouble with Booker.

  Admiration had shone in their eyes when he’d taken Booker’s beatings standing up, after arriving home past curfew. Sympathy, when he’d laid in bed nursing a swollen eye or a bruised face after Booker had beaten him for driving home drunk.

  Tears had flooded their eyes when his mother sent him away from home for good.

  He’d checked in with them over the years to make sure Booker hadn’t taken out his frustrations on them. Being a former Air Force pilot, Booker had always been strict. Thank God he’d only taken things too far with Jaydan.

  Staring at the D.I.R.E. copper and gold armbands on his forearms, he smiled inside. He could get a serious message across to Booker now.

  “Mom wanted to know if she should get the guest room ready in case you were bringing a date?”

  He pulled back his head. “A date?”

  Hope turned in her chair to face him, an incredulous smile blossoming on her beautiful face. With an elbow on the chair arm, she rested her chin in her hand and stared at him with high, expectant brows. Jaydan covered her face with his palm.

  Grabbing his hand, she held it away. The heat of her skin sent a shiver up his arm and down to his jeans. Her mischievous smile forced one of his own, despite his attempt to stifle it.

  His body stirred, angering him. He refused to fall under her spell like every other male she’d encountered. She may be smarter than everyone put together in any given room, and more beautiful than most women he’d seen on the silver screen, but he couldn’t take his chances with another spoiled, daddy’s girl.

  Dropping her hand, he gave her a blatant onceover. “If I was bringing someone, she sure as hell wouldn’t sleep in the guest room.”

  A slow, seductive grin spread across her face before she caught her bottom lip in her teeth. She took her time reciprocating his onceover before placing her chin in her hand again and staring at him through heavy-lidded eyes.

  His erection came fast and rock hard, a blast of raw energy surging through his system. He felt like he could screw for days, the need to have her turning his body to stone.

  Holy shit.

  Could he expect this now when he got turned on? His own version of an erectile dysfunction drug?

  He made a mental note to thank Clint later.

  “In Mom’s house, she would sleep in the guest room,” Gunner said on a laugh. “Booker would make sure of it.”

  The mention of his stepfather’s name was exactly what he needed to kill his hard-on. “I’m not afraid of Booker.”

  The teasing light vanished from Hope’s eyes to be replaced with solemn curiosity.

  “Besides, I’m not bringing anyone so the point’s mute.”

  Hope turned back to study her tablet.

  “Sarah Jane will be happy to hear that. She’s anxious to see you.”

  Gunner knew Sarah Jane Henderson was the last person he wanted to see. Ella’s sister had set him up royally. Had played him like a fiddle in a country band.

  Had been the last straw in his decision to leave home.

  “I’ll be avoiding Sarah Jane like the plague.”

  Hope whipped around to stare at him, interest lighting her round eyes. The last thing he needed was Hope Powers hearing his dirty laundry.

  “Uh, sorry to break it to you, Jay, but she’s the maid of honor.”

  Shutting his eyes, Jaydan cursed in his head. He’d known she’d be there. He’d just hoped they could get by with a hello, and move on down the road.

  Dammit.

  “I’ll see you Friday, Gunn.” He disconnected the Bluetooth, his hand dropping in his lap.

  Damn, he missed his old life. Riding the rodeo, working the ranch and hanging out with Gunner and Austin. That had been his dream, to live like his father.

  Jonathan Rose had been a champion bull rider, a helluva rancher, and the best, damned father a boy could wish for. He’d taught Jaydan everything from how to mend a fence, to how to ride a bull, to how to pick up girls.

  Then he had to up and die.

  “Rose.”

  Jaydan whipped around. He hadn’t realized he’d been daydreaming until she said his name.

  “What?”

  “Who’s Booker?” Her soft voice of concern seemed so contradictory to the obnoxious Hope he knew.

  “My stepfather.” Though the D.I.R.E. jet flew on autopilot, he made a production of checking the gauges.

  “Was he abusive?”

  Jaydan gave a bitter laugh. “Yeah. But I deserved every damned beating I got.”

  Her small hand on his arm angered him.

  She said, “Although I want to smack you most of the time, I don’t believe that for a minute.”

  He gave a firm shake of his head. “Believe it. It’s the truth.”

  Anger filtered into her voice. “Why didn’t your mother do anything about it? What about your brother?” She spoke between clenched teeth. “Why didn’t anyone help you?”

  He chuckled at her spit and fire. The little she-lion had a temper. Usually, he was the recipient. It felt strange to have her defend him.

  “Les, its in the past. Let it go.”

  Her slight voice jarred him. “No, it’s not.”

  Anxiety sliced through his gut, stilling him in his seat. “What do you mean?”

  Her round eyes were heavy with sadness. “I had a vision last night.”

  A tidal wave of denial suffused his body. He would not ruin this
weekend for Gunner.

  “You have a confrontation with an older man, barrel-chested with a thick moustache.”

  That was Booker to a tee. Dammit. “It had to be a vision from the past.”

  She shook her head, her mouth turned down at the corners. “I only have visions of the future.”

  Jaydan shook his head with adamancy as he stared out at the Pacific Ocean. He had to prove her wrong. He had to prove to himself and everyone else that things were better now. That he and Booker could get along for Gunner’s sake.

  “You’ve got to be wrong, Les.”

  “I hope I am.”

  Glancing back at her, only regret and sadness shone in her cute face. It seemed sacrilegious to see something other than spunk in her green eyes.

  “What do you see? Maybe I can prevent it if I know its coming.”

  She opened her mouth to speak. He held up a hand to stop her.

  “No. Don’t. I don’t want to know.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “Dammit, I wish you wouldn’t have said anything. Now, I’m going to expect it.” He opened them to glare at her.

  A sheepish blush stole over her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to help.”

  “Yeah, like you’re helping by making this trip.”

  Yes, this felt better. Arguing with her came more naturally than talking about his personal garbage or fending off her insincere flirtations.

  Her brows lowered into a fierce frown. “I am helping. I have a vision of the compound’s interior.”

  His own research found that Natalie’s relative lived in a high-security compound with a guarded gate and eight-foot high perimeter wall. It sat high on a peak beside an empty volcano. What lay inside proved to be a mystery.

  Until Hope.

  “There’s a maze of dimly-lit corridors, with heavy metal doors and stark white walls. I don’t see any windows in this part of the compound. It’s very depressing.”

  Jaydan frowned at her. “Could it be some type of hospital? Do you see other patients?”

  Hope shook her head. “I don’t see a lot of people. I sense them but most are a blur, which is very odd. Usually, I can see what people are doing, hear what they’re saying, but here… the only one I see clearly is her.”

  “Her?”

  Nodding, she said, “I’ve hit the same frequency as a woman on the island. I see her standing before a wall of windows, crying and alone. She’s… desperate.” Looking up at him, she said, “She’s been praying for a miracle, Jaydan. Maybe we’re it.”

  ***

  Standing in the airplane cabin, Jaydan nodded at the enormous, striped tote bag Les threw over her shoulder. “Is that it?”

  Lifting her chin, her long ponytail reached the nicest ass this side of the Pecos. “Yes. You told me one bag. I brought one bag.”

  He had to admit she’d taken his orders seriously. Her khaki shorts were modest by today’s standards, her white blouse plain and practical. She wore hiking boots and thick socks - and her diamond bracelets.

  Only Hopeless.

  “Good,” he said, following her down the airplane steps and into the cavernous hangar. “I’m glad to see you’re following orders.” Reaching the concrete floor, he escorted her to the white SUV a few feet away.

  “This trip is an exception to the rule, Rose. Don’t get too comfortable with it.”

  He laughed to himself. The woman never let up.

  Opening her door, he frowned when she made no move to get in. “What?”

  “You opened the door for me.” Her wide smile of wonder made him grin.

  “Cowboys know how to treat a woman.”

  “Real-ly?” Her twinkling gaze traveled over his face and shoulders, stirring his blood. “I may have to go to Texas and find me one.”

  His grin disappeared. For some reason, the teasing barb cut like a spur across his belly. “You wouldn’t know what to do with him if you did.”

  Her gaze traveled over his features again before she dipped inside the car. “Maybe not, but I’d have a hell of a good time finding out.”

  Jaydan cursed under his breath as he shut the door. The burn in his gut had to stem from the omelet he’d had for breakfast, not Hope’s reckless words. If she wanted to learn her way around a cowboy, he’d be more than happy to accommodate her.

  He hadn’t traveled down that road of possibilities since she first ran into him at the Meeks’ fundraiser.

  Literally.

  She’d stopped with a hand on his chest, before giving him a slow, scorching onceover. His body had stirred under her heavy-lidded stare, but he didn’t a move. Complete strangers, they’d stood no more than a foot apart in the empty, hotel hallway, breathing the same air, basking in the same, instantaneous heat. Closing the distance between them, she’d searched his eyes, her lips parting.

  His mouth had watered for her like a drunkard for his fix.

  But, he’d known her identity, known the dangers they faced that night.

  And walked away.

  Tossing his bag in the back seat, he climbed in behind the wheel. Where the D.I.R.E. cockpit had been roomy and spacious, the SUV felt small and narrow. Her fancy, custom-made perfume teased his nose in the close confines, its scent unassuming and light. It was the heat of her skin, her nearness that threatened to choke him.

  “What’s the plan, boss?” She stared out the passenger window as they left behind the private airport.

  “Drop off our things at the house, then grab something to eat. I need to recharge.”

  The truth was, he needed to stock up. His gut told him his strength enhancement could come in handy on this trip.

  “Recharge these?” She pulled up the long sleeve of his Henley to expose a D.I.R.E. armband.

  Frowning, he stared out the windshield. He probably should explain his enhancement, to some degree. Hope would question his constant eating, not to mention the repercussions of using his system.

  Covering her hand with his, he met her surprised gaze before looking back at the road. With timid movements, he pressed her fingertips against the microchip at the back of his head. Instant regret stiffened his back.

  Would she think he’s a freak?

  His mind dismissed the thought a second later. Hope had the open mind of an innovator – hell, she was a visionary. She accepted the impossible, welcomed the unique.

  The knowledge didn’t keep his gut from knotting like a rope.

  Her fingers trailed over the small microchip with light, gentle flutters. The feel of her hand in his hair hardened his body, the urge to shut his eyes and groan ready for the slightest prompt.

  “What is it?” she said in a husky murmur.

  Her tender touch ignited a fire along his nape. It trailed down his spine in tendrils of arousal, licking at his base instincts, toying with a powerful need to pull over and take her in a rough, heated conquest.

  Clearing his throat, he resisted the urge to look her way. He couldn’t let her see how her touch affected him.

  “It’s a microchip that works with a capacitor system that stores electrical energy. Carbohydrates –“

  “Fuel the brain,” she said, her fingers massaging his scalp in luxurious circles, “which generates a lot of electricity.”

  Taking a right turn, he leaned back his head against her hand. “When I need it…” He cleared his throat, “the capacitor helps disburse energy through…”

  Damn, she needed to stop. She already had him nudging the fly of his jeans.

  “…uh, my central nervous system to my muscles. The increased acceleration gives me…” He cursed low in his throat. “…super strength.”

  Leaning close to get a better look, her lips brushed his hair, sending jarring tingles along his already heightened nerve endings.

  “That explains why you feel so… hard.” Stretching further, her breath felt hot on his ear, her scent, her voice enveloping him in pure, unadulterated lust.

  Shit. She had him so damned hot he glanced at the heated seat switch to make sur
e it wasn’t on.

  “What happens when you use the energy?” She inhaled deep, her nose brushing against his cheek, her palm trailing down his chest in a slow caress. Frowning, he forced himself to concentrate on the road and not on her hand playing just inches away from his crotch.

  “An incident like yesterday causes slight pain. My muscles tear and rebuild each time. There are other… complications with severe use.”

  Her hand stilled against his abdomen. “Define severe use?”

  “I don’t know, Les,” he said, with a one-shouldered shrug. “We didn’t test the system to that extreme.”

  Silence met his statement before she backed away a few millimeters. “Why didn’t you test it? Because it could be dangerous for you?”

  He pulled into the private drive of the elegant glass and stone home that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Her anger puzzled him. She knew the risks associated with his job. His D.I.R.E. enhancement was a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind experiment. Who better to test it on than someone who had no one waiting for him at home?

  “You know my job is dangerous.”

  Her lips parted, disbelief glowing in her wide eyes. The mood, her hands on his body, everything just flew out the window like an errant kite.

  Dropping back in her seat, she stared out the windshield, her face a mask of stone. “What you’re saying is that you allowed them to give you an enhancement that could kill you.”

  What the hell did it matter to her? “Yes. It could kill me if I push it too far. But I have no intention of doing that. Besides, think of all the good I can do with it.”

  Shaking her head, she opened the passenger door and climbed out. “I think you got kicked in the head one too many times in the rodeo.”

  His mouth dropped open. Oh, hell no…

  Climbing out, Jaydan opened the back door to grab his bag. He stared at her across the back seat where she grabbed her tote.

  “How is my enhancement different from someone smoking, knowing it can kill them? Or, receiving an organ transplant knowing their odds for a long life are pretty slim?”

  When her eyes met his, it shocked him to see the hurt in their pale depths despite the stubborn tilt of her chin. “Hey, it’s your life. Your body. You do what you want with it.” She slammed the door.