by Shayla Black
For once, he was fucking grateful that Gloria hadn’t kept his secret. “Make sure you’re not followed. And thanks, man.”
The line went dead as Heavenly zipped up her bag. Seth handed him the semiautomatic. “Keep this handy and stay with our girl. I have to pack the toys.”
Beck knew he didn’t mean the BDSM type. He nodded and grabbed all the bags, then turned to Heavenly. “Let’s go.”
She nodded, her clear blue eyes full of the same resolution she’d shown him last night, telling him wordlessly that she was committed to helping him…and that she didn’t regret her decision, even if this mess changed everything.
On his way down, Beck stopped long enough to close all the blinds. He turned up the thermostat and looked around for anything else that required attention. All he saw was Heavenly.
“I’m sorry, little girl.” He didn’t know what else to say.
She wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself against him, laying her mouth over his. “I’m not. And Seth is right. We’ll face this together.” She squeezed him tight. “I don’t get everything that’s happening, but I trust you’ll tell me when you can, just like I trust Seth will keep us safe. I’m here how and when you need me.”
He crushed her against his chest and buried his face in her neck. Now wasn’t the fucking time to fall apart. Seth was counting on him to get her and their luggage to the car safely. But he needed to feel her, hold her close, breathe her in.
“I love you.” He didn’t say the words often, mostly because she didn’t say them back and he sensed they made her uncomfortable for a reason he didn’t grasp. But he couldn’t let the opportunity to tell her how he felt pass now.
It might be his last.
Tears pooled in her eyes. She buried her face against his shoulder and clung for a silent, aching moment. Then she lifted her head and looked up at him. Love filled her expression. Why wouldn’t she say the goddamn words?
“Get the SUV open.” Seth cantered down the stairs, carting multiple gun cases under both arms and ammo boxes in each fist. “I’m going to need to make more trips.”
Heavenly’s eyes widened. “Is that what I think—”
“Yeah.” Beck shook his head. “Just let him do him.”
She glanced at the PI like he was big and new and slightly scary. “Okay… Can I help?”
“Load up, angel. Don’t open the garage door until I get back.”
Together, they packed everything inside the vehicle. Seth made another four trips upstairs and came back, arms bulging every time. Finally, he planted himself behind the driver’s seat and gave them a thumbs-up. “I even brought the grenades. We’re good.”
“Hand grenades?” Heavenly asked from the backseat, eyes wide.
“And the launcher.” Seth looked at her in the rearview mirror as he backed out and nodded.
Beck turned to her. “They’re a necessity, Heavenly. I’m hoping we can come up with a better plan before shit gets critical, but if not…we’ll be fighting a war.”
Chapter Sixteen
As they traveled east through the snarl of traffic to the temporary safety of Liam’s mountain hideaway, Seth cast a worried glance at Beck in the passenger seat. The surgeon stared out the window, seeming to see nothing. He’d barely uttered a word since leaving the house. His pensive expression said his thoughts ran deep—and dark.
Seth hated to intrude, but in his experience, when things went south, it happened fast. “We’ve got a couple of hours before we reach the lodge.” At least according to the GPS. “Want to fill me in so I know what we’re up against?”
Beck turned to him with haunted eyes and shook his head. “No.”
Seth tried to lighten the mood. “Okay, want may have been the wrong word.”
“Look, I know you’re trying to prepare, but I can’t tell you exactly what firepower they’ll bring, only that they’ll come armed to the teeth and that you should expect them to fight hard and dirty. The who they are and what they want?” Beck shrugged. “I’ll explain to everyone who might be impacted by my past, but I can only rip that scab off once.”
“Fair enough.” Seth might not love that, but he respected it. He hoped Heavenly did, too.
He glanced at her in the rearview mirror. He had no fucking idea why she’d gone to Pike. He hadn’t forgotten about that one bit. He still wanted answers. Hell, he didn’t even know where they stood right now. But one thing he did know just by looking at her face? She was deeply worried about Beck…because she loved him.
He didn’t have to silently prompt her to comfort the surgeon. She slipped off her seat belt and crawled over the console, onto Beck’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. Instantly, the doctor crushed her against his body, buried his face in her hair, and breathed her in. Thank god Beck wasn’t shutting down or shutting himself off.
The sight of the two people he needed most consoling each other settled Seth. He hadn’t seen himself getting mired in a life-or-death fight ever again. But he didn’t hesitate now. God willing, they would be his future, his family. They were worth it.
When he didn’t have to keep both hands on the wheel to fight the shitty traffic or traverse the mountain roads, he caressed Heavenly in silent thanks or clapped Beck reassuringly on the shoulder.
On the outskirts of San Bernardino, Beck shifted Heavenly to his other thigh, pressed a kiss to her temple, then plucked his phone from his pocket. He made two calls—one to the hospital administrator to say that he had a personal emergency and wasn’t sure when he’d be back, the other to Bridget Lewis to say the same about Heavenly. Beck sidestepped their questions as deftly as he’d dodged Seth’s.
After that, only the satellite radio playing classic rock in the background filled the silence in the vehicle. Seth tried to count his blessings—they’d gotten out of LA without being followed. His gut told him it would take Beck’s family, whoever they were, a while to track them down.
Still, a sense of urgency rode him as they pulled up in front of the grand but cozy lodge Liam had inherited. He was eager to get the people he loved safely inside. He’d have to wait for the whole crew to arrive before Beck spilled the details that would allow him to really plan a defense. But he’d strategize what he could now.
Yes, he’d been here before, but now he looked at it with security in mind. The massive log-cabin structure had been built into the side of a mountain, in the middle of a thick copse of trees, now freshly sprouting with spring. It was isolated, which could either be their worst nightmare or their best chance at salvation. The front door was thick and sturdy—a plus—but the lodge had been built with comfort and beauty—not fortification—in mind. The large front windows and multiple balconies were definite weaknesses. But once River, Hammer, Liam, and Buddy arrived, they should have enough watchful eyes to cover all the entry points.
Adam and Ngaire, the property’s senior caretakers, welcomed them on the wide front porch with a smile. The couple showed them to a single spacious guest room. Seth figured Liam had given them specific instructions. Then again, after serving him, Hammer, and Raine, Adam and his wife probably weren’t surprised by their sleeping arrangements.
After settling their luggage and freshening up, the trio made their way downstairs. Adam blended into the background while Ngaire prepared a feast of cold cuts, hardy cheeses, homemade bread, and other treats. Seth didn’t have much appetite, but he shooed the others to the breakfast nook.
“You have to keep up your strength,” he pointed out.
Heavenly made a pretense of eating. Beck didn’t even bother. He simply kept watching the door.
Seth choked down what he could. As he finished, he heard something with a large engine pull up in front and raced into the living room to look outside. A big black truck. Sure enough, River climbed out of the driver’s side. To Seth’s surprise, Dean Gorman clambered out from the passenger’s door. Both scanned the lodge with critical stares, making the assessments he had earlier.
Seth flung the
door wide. “Come on in. There’s a snack in the kitchen.”
“Thanks.” River nodded. “I’m starved. Liam, Raine, and Hammer are only a few minutes behind us.”
“Excellent.” The sooner everyone arrived, the sooner they could get this show on the road. He was particularly interested in talking to his Irish pal. Seth was largely a nonbeliever when it came to psychic mumbo-jumbo, but even he had to admit Liam’s sixth sense seemed strong, almost uncanny, since his mother’s last visit. Not surprising since Bryn herself was a trip.
Suddenly, Beck was right behind him, hand outstretched toward River. “Thanks for coming. I know it’s not your problem and I’m going to try not to make it your battle—”
“But it is.” Raine’s brother grinned. “I love a good fight, and I hate people fucking with my friends.”
Despite the tension, Seth laughed.
Dean joined in as he came through the door, duffel in hand. “I’d call the asshole a Neanderthal, but I’m afraid we’re cut from the same cloth.”
“I’m with you,” Seth admitted. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, man.”
They’d probably need all the reinforcements they could get.
“Happy to be here.” He cast his gaze over the other men’s heads and across the room. “Hi, Heavenly. You okay?”
Seth spun around to see her putting on a brave smile for the others. “Fine. Would you two like me to make you a plate?”
After they agreed to concoct their own sandwiches, Beck stepped in and approached the LAPD officer. “You don’t have to do this. It could get messy and illegal.”
Dean shrugged. “Nothing is worth anything if you don’t fight for what you believe in. I don’t know your story, but I know you’re a good guy. If someone is trying to kill you and yours, they need to be stopped. I’m goddamn good with a gun, and I’ve got SWAT experience…not to mention some friends in high places.”
Beck shook his hand, looking really fucking grateful. “I appreciate that, man. More than you know.”
“You can repay me by teaching me your single-tail technique later.” Dean winked, then wandered into the kitchen.
Seth stopped at Beck’s side. “This is good.”
“Yeah. If I don’t get anyone killed.”
He prayed they all made it out unscathed, but the terrible fucking reality was, if the battle to come was as fierce as Beck anticipated, some of them might be leaving this mountain in a pine box.
With that sobering thought, he turned to find River giving Heavenly a brotherly hug. She was too quiet and tightly strung, but she managed a smile for her bestie’s brother.
The guys fixed their sandwiches. While they were chowing down, Raine and her men arrived. Heavenly abandoned the table, food totally forgotten, and rushed to hug her friend. The two women clutched each other tight.
“Thank you for coming, but I’m worried…” Heavenly placed a palm on Raine’s swelling belly.
The brunette smiled and covered Heavenly’s hand with her own. “If I can survive Bill, I can survive whatever this is. Besides, Beck helped me out of more than one squeeze. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”
Liam leaned into the conversation. “Not to mention the fact that my lovely is far safer with us than without us. And she can’t get into mischief.”
“Exactly,” Hammer agreed, then turned to Heavenly. “How are you?”
“Fine. It’s not me I’m worried about…” She cast a concerned stare to Beck, who stood in the kitchen alone, staring out the big windows.
“Hey, man.” Seth extended his hand to Hammer. “I’ve tried to console him. You know him better. You’re close. Maybe you can reach him?”
“Sure.” Hammer clapped his shoulder, then set off in Beck’s direction.
Liam gave Seth a smile. As usual these days, his Irish friend seemed able to read his mind. “I know it hasn’t been that long, but Beck loves you like a brother. He’s worried about you, too.” He focused on Heavenly. “And you, little one.”
“Are we all going to make it?” he asked Liam point-blank.
“I can’t answer that. Decisions haven’t been made. The future hasn’t been written. But who or whatever this is, I feel their hate. It’s a”—Liam shook his head, grasping for the word—“righteousness I can’t explain. Scares the piss out of me. But we’re prepared.”
“Damn straight, we are. Follow me.” Seth showed him all the weapons he’d brought in the back of his SUV and stashed in their bedroom closet.
“Very helpful, indeed. But come with me. I have a surprise…” Liam’s smile told Seth this would be good.
When they reached the main floor, Liam motioned River and Dean to follow, then led them downstairs, beneath the cavernous house, past the wine cellar, through a false wall, and to a locked room.
When Liam opened the door, Seth’s jaw dropped. “Whoa! That’s a shitload of AR-15s, and you’ve got enough ammo to wipe out half the state. You’ve been holding out on me.”
“This equipment is better than we had in Afghanistan.” River looked dazzled. “Oh, I can’t wait to play. By the way, Dean and I brought our friends, too—Smith & Wesson, Glock, Beretta, SIG Sauer, Ruger, Heckler & Koch…”
Seth felt a cold smile cross his face. If there was war, they would definitely be well armed. No one was taking his family away from him. Seth would fight to the fucking death before he let that happen.
Dean just grinned. “Besides the fact that some of this is illegal as shit, wow.”
Seth turned to Liam. “You’ve never been the gun type.”
Liam shrugged. “This stockpile was here when I inherited the place. I discovered it on one of my last trips up here when trolling through the wine cellar. I didn’t clear it out because I had an inkling it would come in handy.”
Right now, all the weapons were about as lethal as paperweights, but Seth was damn glad to have an even bigger cache—just in case.
Adam stepped into the doorway and politely cleared his throat. “The last of your guests have arrived.”
“Thank you,” Liam said, then paused to cup the older man’s shoulder. “For everything.”
The caretaker nodded, obviously pleased, then led everyone back upstairs.
When they emerged into the family room, Buddy and Beck were slapping each other’s backs in greeting. Heavenly was introducing Gloria to Raine, and it was clear Beck’s ex was in mommy mode, both cooing and comforting the younger women.
Then Beck turned to his ex, seeming to Seth as if he breathed easier.
Gloria pasted on a bright smile and hurried his way, then wrapped her arms around him. “Ken, it’s going to be okay. You know that, right?”
“No. I honestly don’t. But I’m fucking glad you and Buddy are here, safe and sound.” He brushed a kiss on her cheek.
“We’re fine. I’m glad the three of you made it here safely, too.” Gloria’s brows knitted in concern. “Don’t frown. Hey, if it will make you feel better, we could play a few rounds of strip poker while we figure out how to deal with these bastards.”
Seth knew the woman was trying to lighten Beck’s mental load and break the thick tension in the air with a little levity.
But Beck simply shook his head. “What the fuck am I going to do?”
“Stop worrying. You’ve got a small army here. Everyone is ready to fight these pricks with you, me included.”
“I know, and I’m humbled. But I can’t stay. I could be putting everyone’s life in jeopardy.”
“No one forced us to come, but we want to fight with you. Because we love you.” She glanced across the room at Heavenly, now deep in conversation with Raine, Liam, River, and Hammer. “Especially your girl. I don’t know what you’ve done since the last time I saw you together, but the way she looks at you now, like you’re her stars, moon, and sun all rolled up… She’s definitely in love.”
“We had a lot of sex,” Beck admitted bluntly.
When Gloria laughed, Seth cut in. “We did our best to give
her reassurance and show her a little slice of the world, too. But yeah, a lot of sex.”
“Well, it worked.” The woman winked. “I’m sure you also gave her lots of care and consideration. Believe me when I say I know girls. She’s not the sort to be led around by her pussy.”
Beck closed his eyes. “She’s not. But she’s still never told us she loves us.”
“Give her time. Her daddy died, what? Less than three weeks ago. But, sugar, Heavenly wouldn’t be here risking herself along with everyone if she didn’t love you—both of you—with her whole heart. That much I promise you.”
The surgeon nodded, seeming to inhale her words like much-needed oxygen.
Seth sensed he was on edge and gave him a steadying pat on the back. “I think she’s right, man.”
Ngaire announced dinner before leading everyone into the grand dining room.
“Jesus,” Gloria blurted as her gaze bounced from the heavy wall sconces to the huge antler chandeliers over the massive mahogany table. “You could lay a bear out on this thing and still have room for two more.”
“Easy, baby. There aren’t any bears around here.” Buddy eyed the group. “Right?”
“Yeah, right.” River laughed. “If that makes you feel better, man.”
Laughter lightened the tension a notch as everyone found a seat. Soon, they were passing around bowls of soup, grabbing homemade crusty rolls, and spooning salad onto plates. Jugs of cold beer, wine, and water kept everyone’s whistles wet. Then Ngaire brought out whipped potatoes, fresh steamed vegetables—no doubt from the greenhouse—and steaming portions of venison stew in an oversized tureen. Only Dean and River devoured dessert—thick apple tarts with lashings of homemade custard.
When the meal ended with minimal conversation, Beck stood. Everyone turned expectantly.
“Thank you all for coming, no questions asked. I owe you. If you’ll follow me into the great room, I’ll explain what’s going on, why I’ve turned your lives upside down, and how bad this could be.”
Heart racing, gut churning, Beck positioned himself in the overstuffed chair near the fireplace. The people who meant everything to him were gathered around, somber faced and waiting. Gloria sent him an encouraging smile. He swallowed his nerves. In case worse came to worst, he owed them an explanation.