“The martyr look isn’t good on you.”
He jerked back as if she’d slapped him. “I’m not being—”
“Yes, you are. You did everything humanly possible to protect me. Noah, I can’t live my life in a bubble. There was no way to know it was Clark.”
“But I—”
“Stop,” she ordered. “You saved my life, Noah. If not for you, I would be dead. I wouldn’t be here with you right now and we wouldn’t be having this argument.”
“It’s not an argument,” he argued.
She loved this often frustrating, sometimes bossy, exceedingly gorgeous superhero. That he loved her back was the greatest gift of her life.
“You’re not going to win this argument, so you might as well give up now.”
His brows knitted. “Will I ever get to win one?”
She pretended to give it some thought. “Probably not.”
“Ah well, I can live with that.” Then he pressed his lips to hers again and all her aches and pains were forgotten.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ethan and Noah left Declan’s room and headed down the hospital corridor. Declan had been weaned off the coma-inducing medication and he’d woken once before falling back asleep. Eric was overjoyed to report that Declan knew him and what year it was, so those were good signs. The doctors didn’t think there would be any brain damage, which was great news.
“Do you think he’ll want to come work with us after this?” Ethan asked jokingly, although Noah had wondered the same thing. Not only had he been shot and put into a coma, but his vehicle had been blown to smithereens. Maybe not the greatest first impression of their company.
“I hope so.”
Their coworkers returned home yesterday after making sure Peyton would be okay. Alex and Olivia volunteered to drive her Lincoln Navigator while Maggie and Carter picked up Ethan’s repaired vehicle and drove it back. Ethan would be riding with them when Peyton was released.
Because of the case, Noah and Ethan had missed their youth basketball team’s championship game. Two coworkers stepped in to coach in their absence. Dan Bradley and Grant Colton had guided the team to a rousing victory, and now both men were talking smack and taking all the credit for the success. Noah was just happy they’d won. He and Ethan were already planning on a celebration party once they returned home.
“He’d be an asset—”
“You son of a bitch!”
A strong hand grabbed Noah’s shoulder and spun him around. He didn’t have time to block the fist that slammed into his jaw, sending him reeling backwards.
Ethan lowered his shoulder and tackled the man, pile driving him to the floor.
“Ethan, stop,” he ordered as he moved his jaw, testing to see if it was broken. Thankfully it wasn’t. Sore as hell, though.
“No way,” Ethan argued, tightening flex cuffs around the man’s wrists. “I’m not letting him sucker punch you again.”
“It’s okay.” He pushed to his feet. “Let him up.”
Ethan’s scowl was thunderous, but he jumped up and drug the man with him…who promptly broke the flex cuffs and freed his hands.
“The hell?” Ethan sputtered, before realization dawned. “You’re a SEAL.”
Owen ignored him to focus on Noah with rage. “I trusted you.”
He knew this day was coming, he just hoped to have a little more time to prepare. Hell, there wasn’t any way to prepare for this. “I’m so damn sorry she was hurt. I’d have given anything to trade places with her.”
When Owen took a step forward, Ethan moved in front of him, blocking his path.
Owen glanced around Ethan. “What, you need a damn guard dog to fight your battles?” He shoved Ethan, who stuttered back a step. Ethan made a feral noise and Noah wrapped his arms around his brother from behind before he could launch himself at Peyton’s brother again. Owen was upset and he had every right to be. Noah had failed as a protector and a friend.
Still being restrained, Ethan lifted his hand to point at Owen. “Noah saved Peyton’s life, asshat. He took out the man who murdered nine people.” They counted Lotus’ husband in the tally since his death was a direct result of Clark murdering his wife.
Owen waved a hand. “It’s not just that…I mean that’s part of it. But Peyton told me what happened and though I’m not happy she was hurt, there was nothing you could’ve done to prevent it. But you slept with her you bastard. She’s my baby sister.”
Ethan shook off Noah’s hold. “Ah, well, this doesn’t involve me. If you’ll excuse me.” He turned to leave but spun back around. “Fair warning. Hit him again and I won’t go easy on you the next time.”
“You can try, pretty boy,” Owen mocked.
Ethan got up in his face. They were about the same height and build so it’d be a fair fight. But that wasn’t happening. Noah grabbed Ethan by the shoulders. “I’ve got this.”
Ethan reluctantly moved away, never taking his glare from Owen. He leaned against the wall a few feet away, his arms and feet crossed as he kept an eye on the confrontation.
“Did she tell you that?” He knew Peyton loved her brother, but there was no way she’d confide in him about their sex life.
“She didn’t have to. I can tell by the way she talks about you, like you’re some kind of superhero or something.”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Noah started.
“You did sleep with her!” Owen fisted his hands in Noah’s shirt and dragged him close.
Noah held up a restraining hand to Ethan, who’d already taken a step forward.
“Look, I’m taking responsibility for this, but if you keep manhandling me, I’m going to retaliate.”
Owen released him and spun around, running a hand through his hair. SEALs had relaxed grooming standards so they could blend in easier with locals, and currently Owen’s hair was several months past needing a trim. “Of all the men I’ve served with, I trusted you the most. And you stabbed me in the back.”
“Owen—”
Owen held up a hand to silence him. “Stop. Just stop. I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” With a disappointed shake of his head, he walked away.
Noah hadn’t thought he could feel any worse about the entire ordeal. He’d been wrong.
#
Ethan watched the confrontation from a distance, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice.
He understood Peyton’s brother’s anger because he’d feel the same way if it was Maggie. But this was Noah, the best man Ethan knew. Owen ought to feel damn proud that Peyton and Noah had fallen in love. Noah hadn’t told him they had, but it was obvious in the way they looked at each other and acted around each other. Definitely love.
There was no way he’d stand by and watch someone try to hurt Noah, even if Owen thought he had a good reason. He didn’t.
Owen stomped away and Noah’s shoulders slumped. It apparently hadn’t gone well. He went to his brother. “You okay?”
“Not really.”
“Go be with Peyton. That’ll make you happy.”
That had Noah brightening, which was Ethan’s intention. He started to leave but stopped when Ethan didn’t follow. “You coming?”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
Noah narrowed his eyes. “Ethan, whatever you’re planning on doing, don’t.”
Ethan held his hands up in innocence. “It’s all good.”
Noah sighed and walked away. Ethan waited until he turned a corner before he jogged after Owen.
Hearing the footsteps that Ethan hadn’t tried to hide, Owen spun around. “You want a piece of me, little brother?” he mocked.
He totally did. Actually, he wanted to land a front slap kick to his face. But he restrained himself. Barely. “I didn’t come here to fight. I wanted to talk to you man to man, as someone who also has a younger sister.”
Owen huffed out a breath and rolled his eyes, but he walked to a ledge in front of a window and took a seat. Ethan followed.
Owen jerked his head to Ethan. “They’re getting married?”
Ethan held up both hands in a woah gesture. “I didn’t say that. I have no idea. But I’m guessing that’s where it’s headed.”
Owen rested his forearms on his thighs and stared straight ahead.
“You do want Peyton to be happy, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Noah makes her happy. And the way I see it, you’re one lucky SOB. You couldn’t ask for a better husband for Peyton. He’s the best man I know. Noah is kind and compassionate and honorable and he will protect her, with his life if necessary.”
“I know all that,” Owen ground out.
“Then what’s the problem?”
He straightened and leaned back against the window with a sigh. “She’s my baby sister.”
“I wasn’t happy when my younger sister Maggie hooked up with a guy and married him after knowing him for like a minute, but Carter is perfect for her and I couldn’t have picked a better partner for her—not that she’d ever let me select one or even take any of my suggestions.”
That elicited a small chuckle. Ethan stood. “Before you see them again, just think about the kind of man you would hand pick for Peyton.”
With that parting shot, Ethan walked away.
# # #
Epilogue
The service for Kurt Nance had been beautiful and moving. Peyton had made it through her eulogy—barely. She couldn’t stop the tears, but when she started to choke up, she’d find Noah and his silent encouragement gave her the strength to continue. When the Olympic theme started to play, Peyton started to cry. It was a poignant and touching tribute to a man who deserved the perfect goodbye.
Kurt’s was the fourth funeral she’d attended in three days. Noah hadn’t left her side once. Her arm was sore, and she had to wear a sling, but her headache had dulled to a mild throb. All the crying didn’t help, though.
Because of her stay in the hospital, Ethan had driven back by himself while she and Noah had flown from Jenny’s funeral to Laura’s to a double service for Lotus and her husband, and now to Kurt’s memorial. It’d been the hardest of all. She wasn’t sure how to say goodbye to the man who’d shaped her entire career and been a huge part of her life for two decades. She’d be completely lost without Noah at her side.
Owen had finagled a two-day leave immediately after his team’s last mission, but with travel times, it amounted to less than twenty-four hours before he had to head back. He’d planned on surprising Peyton, only to be the one surprised when he found out she was in the hospital.
She prayed he and Noah could repair their friendship. Owen had left without forgiving Noah for falling in love with her, though she thought she saw definite signs of the wall between them crumbling. She knew Noah was hurting and she hated that she was the cause of the fracture in their relationship. She vowed to do everything possible to mend their broken friendship.
As Peyton was facing off against Aaron, Aurora was swimming her heart out to win her heat and advance directly to the state finals, which she won on Sunday. Her mom had held up her phone during the final race so Peyton could watch it live on FaceTime in her hospital bed with Noah beside her. She’d cheered so hard, the nurse had rushed inside, thinking she was having a heart attack from her increased heartbeat.
It looked like Aurora had finally dedicated herself to training. Peyton couldn’t be happier. Though she’d no longer be her coach, she promised to mentor her and provide advice and guidance as needed. She had a feeling she’d be watching Aurora on the medal stand in the future.
Catherine and her father stopped by the hospital so Mr. Buck could thank Peyton and Noah for saving his daughter’s life. Peyton was quick to give Catherine credit for saving herself. Instead of being a victim, she’d acted. She had a nasty cut on her cheek from where Aaron had smacked her with the butt of his gun, and she would have nightmares for years to come, but Mr. Buck had already set up an appointment with a therapist. They both expressed regret at Sarah’s actions. Mr. Buck had been married to her for five years and had no idea she’d had a son she’d given up for adoption.
Declan had woken up and though he’d have a killer headache for a while, there was no brain damage. He’d fully recover from the gunshot as well. They’d visited with him before they left Chicago. He wanted to know all the details of the case. He harbored no ill will about his injuries or his destroyed Jeep. “Just part of it,” he’d drawled. She had no doubt he’d join Noah and the others as soon as his body healed.
Yogi had been perched on the table beside his bed. He indicated the bear. “It was here when I woke up. That’s Jamal’s most prized possession, the reason he wanted to go back to his apartment.”
She’d nodded, tears filling her eyes. “He wanted you to have it.”
Declan had swallowed heavily. “Do you know how I can get in touch with him?”
She gave him LaTonya’s phone number and he promised to call Jamal and let him know that he was going to be okay. She knew the young boy would be overjoyed with the news. His aunt had texted her when they returned to Detroit to let her know they’d arrived safely, and then called after she heard the news about Aaron Sanderson. LaTonya said that Jamal missed them very much, but he was settling into his new life. She’d informed her sister that she was suing for custody. At first Jamal’s mother vehemently objected, but the photos Declan snapped changed her mind and she begrudgingly signed over her parental rights.
Noah’s coworkers finally tracked down her original stalker, Curtis Milburn. His body washed up off the coast of North Carolina. He’d been in the water too long for a cause of death, but authorities found what sounded like a suicide note in his abandoned car and listed it as such.
Mark Hixon stopped by to visit her in the hospital and Noah almost hadn’t let him inside the room. He reluctantly relented but stayed close as Mark apologized profusely for coming on so strong. He’d been scared straight when the cops thought he might be a stalking murderer. She forgave him and though they promised to keep in touch, she knew they wouldn’t.
She was thankful Noah had listened to her and not brought the Benton’s pool cleaner, Rico Pena, to the attention of the authorities. He was free to continue to work hard for the landscaping company to achieve his dreams of a better life. It looked like Stanley was off the hook, too. She was happy she wouldn’t have to see him ever again.
Detective Blake Caldwell had retrieved the footage from the hidden cameras Aaron planted in her apartment. He’d found flash drives in a backpack Aaron took with him to the natatorium. Instead of turning them over as evidence, he’d covertly passed them to Noah to destroy. No more copies had been found and Aaron hadn’t had a chance to do anything with them, so her fears of leaked images online were erased. She couldn’t thank Caldwell enough and hoped he didn’t get in trouble for what he’d done for her. It wasn’t like they needed more evidence against Aaron since he was dead. There would be no trial. She hoped Caldwell accepted the offer of joining Noah and his teammates, too.
Noah squeezed her hand and she glanced at him and smiled. They were in a taxi on their way to the airport to fly to his home. Soon to be hers, too, she hoped.
As she rested in the hospital bed, she’d given the future a great deal of thought. Another Olympics was definitely out. It wouldn’t be the same with Kurt gone, and she just couldn’t do it without him. She was satisfied with the medals she’d already won. She didn’t need the overall record, too.
She would run Streamline and she also wanted to expand their charitable contributions, even establish a foundation to provide swimming gear to disadvantaged communities around the country. It was something she was passionate about and she wanted to get started as soon as possible.
She’d received hundreds of requests for interviews with television stations and newspapers around the world. With Kendall an
d Olivia’s help, she’d given a statement that was distributed to all the news outlets and provided an exclusive to a journalist they suggested. The woman who previously served as Peyton’s publicist and agent was currently on maternity leave and hadn’t decided if she wanted to come back or stay at home with the baby. Kendall and Olivia had offered their services and Peyton accepted. They’d now handle all her media and public relations. There was another partner, Taylor Costa, she’d yet to meet who would handle any contracts. She was happy to have TKO Productions representing her now.
The cab driver deposited them at the check-in counter and soon they were on their way to Indiana and new beginnings.
#
Peyton had fallen asleep as soon as the plane took off, her head resting against Noah’s shoulder. The last few days had been grueling on her. Having to say goodbye to her friends and then Kurt, who’d been family to her, had taken a toll. She’d barely eaten, though he’d tried to force food on her as much as possible. Her sleep was fitful and several times, he’d wake up to the sound of her whimpering as if in pain. It broke his heart.
He was a little nervous taking her to the apartment he shared with Ethan. He wished the house Reed Steele had designed for him was already built. At the same time, he was glad it wasn’t so that Peyton could have input and make any changes she desired.
They hadn’t talked long-term, but he had no doubt he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. She was the one for him. Right now, she was coming home with him to decide her future path. If he had his way, she’d never leave.
He’d give her time to grieve her losses and decide what she wanted to do next before he asked her to marry him.
Peyton roused as the plane began the descent to land. Once they were parked at the terminal, he unloaded their bags from the overhead bin and followed her out of the plane. Ethan was waiting for them outside baggage claim. He filled them in on the rebuilding efforts and gave Peyton a rundown of what happened a couple of weeks ago and soon they were turning into the compound. Noah whistled at the elaborate security building sitting on the spot where the old one used to stand. This one was about four times the size of the original. Tucker Nash would be in Heaven. The rebuilding crew worked fast. It hadn’t been there when he left for Chicago.
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