Overboard (A Crow's Nest Novel Book 2) Read online

  Oh, this son of a bitch needed to die.

  The man grinned and went on the attack, knocking Miguel’s gun from his hand. Miguel returned the favor and grinned right back. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as they went into hand to hand. The man was good, almost as good as Miguel, but not as good. He still owed him for that chair incident at the hospital.

  Miguel caught a fist to his jaw. He turned with it, minimizing the impact, and crouched down, swinging his leg to the back of the man’s knees. The man fell back on his ass and Miguel pounced, straddling his chest. Miguel grabbed the man’s shirt with one hand and threw face punches with the other. Satisfaction rose in him as the man’s face started to swell.

  The man grabbed the hand Miguel had fisted in his shirt, and threw a leg up, catching Miguel in the side of the head. Miguel rolled off, coming to his knees and catching his breath. Something warm slid from the corner of his eyebrow. The son of a bitch’s sharp ass shoe must have cut him open. They were both going to have bruises, but Miguel only planned for one of them to walk away from this, and he wasn’t going to be the one laying on the floor.

  “Stop right there!” Cassidy’s voice cut through the roaring in Miguel’s ears.

  She stood by the bullet riddled door, Miguel’s gun in her slender hands.

  Please have figured out the safety.

  The man froze, his stark gray eyes going back and forth between the two of them. Calculating.

  “Where’s Kendra?” Her voice wavered, but her stance was solid.

  Miguel stood, rolling his shoulder. His left eye blurred a little as blood slipped into it, stinging like hell. The adrenaline still pumped through his veins, and all Miguel wanted to do was pummel the son of a bitch. Instead, he stood up and walked over to Cassidy, taking the gun from her—and checking the safety. It was off.

  Good girl.

  The man stood up, slowly, making sure to keep his arms spread out from his body. “You might as well shoot me, but even if you do, it will not stop another from coming in my place.”

  Cassidy stepped forward, but Miguel could feel the fear rolling off her. It took a lot of courage to step up despite being scared as hell.

  “Where’s Kendra?”

  “I sent the woman to whichever God she worships.” He smirked. “You should be careful who you involve in this very dangerous situation.”

  Miguel wanted to shoot him, but Cassidy had gone pale, and he didn’t know how much longer her bravado would hold up. Sirens sounded, and they needed to get the hell out of there. Taking two steps to cross the distance, he flipped the gun in his hand and pistol-whipped bastard. He hit the carpet, unconscious. Blood slid from the fresh gash on his forehead, seeping into the beige carpet, and dying it near the same color maroon as the carpet in the hallway.

  “You talk too much.”

  Cassidy had taken off to the bedroom and a moment later she gave a strangled cry.

  “Shit!” He followed her, unconcerned about a second assailant. They would have shown them self by now. That meant she could have only found one thing.

  The bedroom was like the rest of the condo. Neutral tones with flairs of artwork, newspaper clippings, and deco furniture. Kendra lay on the Queen bed, her dark brown hair spread out like a fan over the green comforter. Her hazel eyes stared up at the ceiling without any life in them and a small hole nestled in the center of her forehead, with a trail of crimson blood sliding down into her hairline.

  Cassidy turned into his arms as soon as he walked in the room. He instinctively held her close as she buried her face in his shoulder.

  Damn it! Whatever she had on Ivanov had the guy spooked.

  “We have to go,” he said, rubbing her back soothingly.

  The sirens were getting louder and as much as he’d like to keep Cassidy in his arms and protect her from all this, all that would happen was they would end up in jail.

  She pulled away from him and sniffled, wiping tears from her cheeks. “Wait.”

  “No waiting. Cops are coming.”

  Ignoring him, she walked over to the bedside table and pulled out the drawer.

  “He would have checked there, Sirena.”

  The man was a professional. He would have checked in and below the drawer.

  “Kendra wasn’t stupid.” Cassidy pulled out the drawer and popped the bottom. It fell onto the floor and she flipped the drawer over.

  False bottom. Kendra definitely wasn’t stupid. A flash drive was taped to the inside of it. Cassidy took it and tossed the drawer on the floor, taking one long look at her friend.

  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

  Miguel took her hand. “Be sorry later. For now, we need to go.”

  Chapter Nine

  Dark clouds rolled in as Cassidy stood on the top balcony of the boathouse, overlooking the thick, green marshes of the Everglades. A gator lazily swam across the channel, it’s tail swishing back and forth in the water. Not a care in the world. Not worried about anyone killing him. Most people worried about the gators killing them. They were the predators, even to humans. Cassidy felt so much like prey. She wondered what the hell she’d gotten herself into. Kendra was dead because of the information Cassidy found. Sure, they knew trouble came with the job, but not like this. Not with people breaking into the homes of their friends and family—killing them in cold blood.

  The door to the bedroom opened and Cassidy turned her head enough to see Miguel. He’d showered and changed into some tan cargo shorts and a black tank top. Cassidy offered to help clean up the gash over his eyebrow, but he waved her off. Now it shined, like he used liquid stitches on it. He had a bruise on his jaw, and a fresh bandage over the wound on his arm. She was responsible for all of it.

  He walked over and handed her one of the glass tumblers he carried. Four fingers worth of amber liquid floated. Bourbon maybe, or whiskey. She wasn’t a hard drinker, especially after Mer, but she took the glass all the same and sipped. The liquid burned her throat and caused her to cough a bit. She covered her mouth, blinking back the tears in her eyes, unsure if it was actually from the whiskey—and it was definitely whiskey—or from the guilt that seemed to be encasing her brick by brick.

  Miguel smirked a bit, no doubt from her reaction, and sipped his own—with absolutely no reaction, the jerk. She leaned forward on her elbows. The clouds kept pushing closer. Lightning struck in the horizon and a low rumble followed.

  “How are you holding up?” he asked.

  She took another sip, ready for it this time, and let out a stiff breath after. “I found my sister’s killer, one of my best friends is dead because of it, I’m wanted by the cops, and I’m starting to wonder…”

  “Wonder what?” He turned, leaning his back against the railing.

  “Am I doing the right thing?” She looked over at him through hazy eyes and knew she was unable to blame the drink this time. She ached, and she was so tired. All she wanted was justice for her sister, but every second that passed seemed like that reality just got farther and farther away from her.

  “Well, that depends on what you’re doing. You shot Ivanov. If this information is as damming as you think, why not take it to the cops?” He looked over at her, and those dark brown eyes were so patient, waiting for her. No judgment or anger, or pity. Curiosity.

  “You mean besides the fact that I had already lost my job, falsely accused two other people, and had a psych eval?” She raised her brows.

  He dipped a shoulder. “Evidence is evidence. Clearly Ivanov doesn’t want you to hand it over.”

  The wind kicked her long hair back and her guts twisted with guilt. “Enough so that he killed Kendra.”

  “That wasn’t your fault,” he said.

  A raindrop landed on her hand and she focused on that instead of looking at Miguel. How could she meet his gaze after everything? She’d shot the man she knew murdered her sister—and countless other women, but did that really matter? Killing Ivanov wouldn’t make Cassidy any better than him—and she hones
tly didn’t know if it would make her feel better. It wouldn’t bring Meredith back, or Kendra.

  Miguel laid his hand over hers. Warm and calloused, but gentle. “This is on Ivanov, and we’ll take him down.”

  She snorted. “No, we won’t. He’s rich, has political ties, and is untouchable.”

  Thunder slammed closer, and Cassidy could feel the vibration through the house boat. Something else jolted through her as Miguel stepped closer. He slid a finger under her chin and tilted her head back until she was staring into those pools of darkness.

  “We will take him down, Sirena. One way or another. You have my word.”

  Lightning flashed, reflecting in his eyes. She believed him, God help her she did. The rain started in on them. Considering the close proximity of the recent strike they should have moved inside, but she wasn’t scared of the storm, or of Ivanov, or of anything when Miguel was so close to her.

  She slid into his arms, letting him embrace her. His grip was strong and reassuring, everything she needed at that moment. The falling drops were thick and drenched through her clothes quickly, but she didn’t care. Miguel didn’t say anything as he soothingly rubbed her back. Most guys wanted to fix things, wanted just for the hurt to stop. Miguel just patiently held her. Her body tingled everywhere he touched, and she never wanted him to let go.

  Lifting her head, Cassidy became mesmerized as she gazed into his dark eyes. He smiled as one hand caressed her cheek before cupping it. The rain came down harder, white washing everything around them until there was nothing but them. Her heart sped up as the anticipation built between them. He ran his tongue over his lips, his eyes darkening with desire, before he leaned over and kissed her. Every nerve ending set on fire, and even in the rain, she was sure that steam sizzled off her skin. She paused for the briefest of moments before melting into it. He slid his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. Through the soggy clothes, she could feel him—hard and wanting.

  Her knees went weak and she gasped.

  “No secret, Sirena. I want you.”

  His voice had gone husky, thick with want and need. She shivered in his arms but didn’t know how to respond. She’d only been with three guys—none of whom had turned her on so much from just a kiss. Her cheeks flushed and she dipped her head down.

  Miguel let out a deep laugh. “So bashful.” Leaning in, he nibbled on her ear. She gasped, gripping his strong biceps and involuntarily pulled him even closer.

  “Tell me what you want, Sirena.” His hands slid down her arms and over her hips.

  Before her brain could process any sort of logic, her mouth opened. “I want you.”

  He slid his hands under her butt and lifted. Cassidy gave a small eek of surprise and wrapped her legs around him. He carried her out of the rain and into the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him. She thought he’d lay her on the bed but instead he pressed her against the wall, his lips hungrily covering hers. She gasped, arching her hips against him. Desire coursed through her, pounding against her skin, making her wet with need.

  He slid his hands under her shirt, his palms hot against her sides, and slid her shirt over her head, leaving her standing in a black bra and jean shorts. For a moment he paused, pulling back to look at her. Under the weight of his lust filled gaze, Cassidy blushed.

  No one had looked at her like that before. Sure, men had wanted her, but the way their gazes roamed over her had almost been objectifying. Miguel seemed appreciative, almost in awe of her, and she didn’t know what to do with that.

  Keeping his eyes on her, Miguel pulled his own shirt off. She froze, her gaze stuck on his muscular chest and ripped abs. It sheened from the dampness. She reached out as if to touch him and then stopped.

  He hesitated. “What’s wrong?”

  “What?” She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  That impish smirk curled the corner of his lip and moved closer to her. He took her hand and put it on his chest. His heart hammered beneath her touch. “If you want something, Sirena. All you have to do is take it.”

  More heat rushed to her cheeks. She felt it crawl along her neck and spread across her shoulders. Her soft tan couldn’t hide it.

  He let go and she trailed her trembling hand over his muscles until she found the top of his shorts. Resting his arms on the wall next to her head, he leaned and kissed her, softer this time, but with just as much passion. She moaned against his lips, and her hands fumbled, undoing the button.

  Chapter Ten

  Miguel didn’t know how long he could control himself. Cassidy was so timid—so shy. It made him wonder just how much experience she had. Most of the women he slept with knew what they wanted. With Cassidy, he thought she knew, but she was afraid to take it. When her fingers fumbled on his button, he reached between them to steady her hand. The look in her bright blue eyes showed the uncertainty he felt in her movements.

  “We don’t have to—”

  “No!” She pushed off the wall. “I want to! I just…it’s…I…”

  “What, Sirena? Tell me.”

  She huffed and her nose crinkled in that way he adored. “I’m not that um…experienced? So, I don’t know how to…”

  He grinned and stole another kiss. “Then let me show you.”

  Her chest heaved as if she was out of breath. Miguel slid his hands behind her, unclasping the bra and sliding it down her arms. Before, he’d meant to take her hard and fast, but now, he wanted to drive her crazy first. Make her so filled with need she’d just let go and enjoy it. Before Miguel was through, he wanted her to be consumed by him.

  Her tits were beautiful. Perfect, perky, with tight little rosebud nipples. Leaning in, Miguel trailed slow kisses down her chest, across her breasts. His hands massaged the firm mounds. Cassidy sucked in a breath, her back arching so her tits rose higher, her shoulders pressing against the wall. He looked up at her as he took that sweet nipple in his mouth and gave a sharp suck. The cry he wanted left her sensually parted lips. She closed her eyes, leaning her head back. Her long blond hair flayed in a halo around, leaving wet streaks on the wall.

  Miguel planned to leave wet streaks in many other places before they were through. Goosebumps rippled across her flesh as he flicked her other nipple with a soft touch.

  “Oh God!” The excitement in her voice made his cock harden even more.

  The desire for her practically hurt, but he wasn’t done yet. She needed to be taken care of, worshiped like the sea goddess she was. No one had ever given her the care she deserved, he could tell that. If they had she wouldn’t be so timid, so nervous about being intimate. He loved it, but when he was through, her cheeks would be pink because they were flushed from exertion—and from having the strongest climax of her life.

  Releasing the nipple, he got to his knees trailing the kisses down her belly. Her hip bone was just above the hem of the jeans, and he placed a soft kiss there before he unbuttoned her shorts. The zipper was next, slowly sliding down. Cassidy opened her eyes, looking down at him.

  “You smell like heaven,” he said.

  The pink ran from her cheeks to her belly that time and he grinned. “I love it when you blush.”

  Everything about her intoxicated him. He could smell her need, her want. He knew that underneath those shorts and those white bikini panties, she was already wet for him. He slid the fabric down. She wiggled her hips to help him and then they were around her ankles. She stepped out of them and he caught one leg, putting it over his shoulder.

  “Miguel…” Her voice was a mix of desire and uncertainty.

  “Don’t worry, Sirena.” He kissed the inside of her thigh and she shivered. “You’re going to enjoy this.”

  He leaned in, his tongue sliding between those sweet lips, tasting the wetness that he knew was just for him. Cassidy cried out, bucking against him. He gripped her hips, holding her as he worked her with his tongue, sucking on that sensual little nub, so swollen, so sweet.

  “Miguel!” Her tone changed from wary to fu
ll blown desire—deep with need, and he knew by her trembling thighs that she was close, but he wasn’t ready for her to find her release yet. No, he wanted to be buried deep inside of her when she screamed in nothing but pure, carnal pleasure. He intended to drive her to that point.

  He pulled away, kissing the inside of her thigh as he looked up her body. Her breasts were tilted up, her nipples hard, her face flushed as she gasped.

  “What…”

  He winked as he kissed his way back up her body, his lips finding hers. She moaned, closing her eyes, and he knew she could taste herself on his tongue. Every sound she made was intoxicating. His cock twitched and pressed against his shorts, aching to be inside her sweet pussy. He continued to kiss her as he grabbed a condom from his pocket, then took off his shorts and boxers in one fell swoop, leaving nothing between them. He pressed against her, letting his hard cock rest against her belly. She trembled and slid a hand between them, her fingers brushing his hardness, as if still timid. The things Miguel could show her, embolden her with.

  “Don’t be scared, Sirena. It doesn’t bite.” He nipped at her ear. “But I do.”

  She hesitated for a moment, before gripping his shaft. The feel of her warm, wet hands around him felt divine. Better than anything he’d felt in a long time.

  “Mmm, that’s good.”

  The words must have given her courage, because she tightened the grip and stroked. He slid his arms down and grabbed her ass, lifting her while she still held onto cock.

  “Wrap your legs around me.”

  She did as he said and he leaned in, nibbling along her jaw as he tore the condom open. She moved her hand and he slid it over his shaft, before placing the tip at her entrance. Heat washed over his cock.

  “Tell me what you want, Sirena.” It took all his restraint not to just drive into her, but he wanted her to tell him.