by Maya Banks
Like P.J., she was one of the guys. As he’d already mused, both women were more than capable of taking care of themselves, and more importantly, perfectly capable of backing up their male teammates. Swanny had no qualms about having Skylar—or P.J.—at his back. He trusted Sky with his life just as she trusted him with hers.
It was the way it worked in KGI. The chemistry had to be just right within each team in order for them to perform and function as a well-oiled machine. Their lives—and those of others—depended on that fact.
As they boarded, Swanny was contemplating Eden. Her image swam in his mind. Impossibly beautiful and sweet natured, and she had a heart of gold by all accounts. He used his phone to study up on her recent activities, curious about the woman her brother used to talk about so much. And where she was now in her career. If she’d been one of the world’s most beautiful women a couple of years ago, what about now? Had she changed?
But as he stared at recent photos, courtesy of Google, he realized that if anything she’d grown impossibly lovelier than ever. Lovelier. The word amused him. He couldn’t remember a time that word had ever been a part of his vocabulary, and he damn sure hadn’t ever used it in actual speech. And yet he couldn’t think of a more appropriate word. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Those were common. Tossed around with enthusiasm. But lovely? Somehow it seemed more elegant and timeless. Like her. Her kind of beauty never went out of style. She would have been beautiful in any time period.
He flipped through other shots of her: professional poses, advertisements and some that looked as though she’d been caught in an unguarded moment. Those were the ones he studied the closest, looking for clues, insight into her character. What was behind the makeup, glamour and glitz. Not that it made any difference if she was a chameleon, her smile forced and her good heart only visible in public. He’d do the job because that was what he was paid to do. Whether he liked or approved of a potential client didn’t mean shit if his team took the mission.
He couldn’t make up his mind about her. But then how could he, having not met her and formed an impression? He was huge on first impressions and gut instincts. They rarely failed him.
He skimmed through various articles, some legitimate news sites, others nothing more than online gossip rags. But they all had one thing in common. She read like she was utter perfection. Donating to charity, helping to raise funds for charitable organizations. She visited sick children in hospitals and donated her time to various good causes.
It was a rare thing indeed for there not to at least be speculation or even blatant made-up shit published for hype and to sell lies. His cursory read didn’t bring up a single negative thing about her. No secret pregnancies, drug use, crazy exes and for that matter no love interests. He frowned at that. A woman that beautiful or, rather, lovely would have no shortage of men trying to get in her pants. He was starting to wonder if the woman was a damn saint. He nearly snorted at the thought. No one was that perfect. Everyone had their faults. He wondered what hers were.
He wondered if everything he was reading was an extremely well put together and rigid public persona and what she was really like behind it all. Ryker would have him believe that Eden was everything the news reported and more, but he wasn’t exactly an unbiased party. But he’d never heard Ryker utter a single bad word about her. He grumbled about Raid, his older brother, and even his father, calling him a set-in-his-ways old fart who still liked to bark orders like a drill sergeant.
He knew that Ryker had lost his mother when he was young and that it had deeply affected them all but his father had taken it very hard. By all accounts, Eden was a replica of her mother. Ryker said that his father bragged when they were growing up that she too could have been a model but hadn’t wanted the spotlight. Her favorite place in the world was being at home taking care of her children and spending time with the family.
She’d been a military wife, and military wives were a very special breed of woman. They were often the unsung heroes when it came to service to their country. But they made sacrifices above and beyond what most women experienced in their lifetime.
When their husbands were away on a tour, they were at home by themselves, raising children, keeping the family intact and supporting their husbands. It took a special woman to unselfishly give up her husband for the protection of others. People those wives would never meet. People who would never be able to express their gratitude to the soldiers, much less to their wives.
Swanny had infinite respect for military wives just as he held deep regard for the Kelly wives and the team leaders’ wives. For all practical purposes, their husbands were still military even though they weren’t still enlisted.
But KGI could be called up on a mission as quickly as they had been today, and they dropped everything to take on a mission to protect or rescue others and the wives remained behind, never knowing if their husbands would come back. Yet they took it in stride and stayed strong. Resilient.
He glanced again at his phone, where a particularly stunning photo of Eden was staring back at him. It wasn’t a glam shot. She was laughing into the camera, down on one knee, her arms wrapped around a huge mastiff. Her eyes sparkled with happiness; her smile was wide and natural, displaying perfectly straight, ultrawhite teeth.
When Joe plopped down into the seat next to him, he quickly shut down the browser page where he’d been staring at the photo of Eden.
He was practically mooning over a woman he’d never even met, and she was so far out of his league it wasn’t even funny. She wouldn’t see him. Few people ever did. He was quiet and usually kept to himself. He let others on his team do the talking. Making sure the mission went off without a hitch was his job. As well as his teammates’. Doing his job didn’t require him to be verbose, and he liked it just fine that way.
And if people did see him . . . Well, the reactions were typical. Horror. Revulsion. Fear. And pity. He shook his head, knowing Eden would be no different than everyone else even if she had a heart the size of Texas.
She was surrounded by beautiful people. Wealthy people. People who were polished and refined. She was abreast of the latest fashion and Hollywood gossip, in all likelihood. And yet . . . her family, her immediate family were ex-military and a cop. Did they keep her grounded in reality? The image of a delicate beauty among three men who’d experienced the worst of humanity, had blood on their hands and honor in their hearts, was incongruous. A rose among thorns. Jesus. Now he was getting poetic.
Her career took her to places that were miles above the places he’d been to. Having wine in Paris at a swank cocktail party was a world away from being hunkered down on watch waiting for a five-second window of time to make a kill shot after going three straight days with no sleep, because if he lost focus, even for a tenth of a second, he might miss his opportunity.
No, Eden wouldn’t look at him. And if she did, she certainly wouldn’t look twice. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t look his fill of her. Somehow he imagined that just being in her presence would be like standing under the warm rays of the sun. He’d find out soon enough.
He could dream. No law against that. But he was pragmatic enough to know that for guys like him, dreams were an exercise in futility and inevitably led to disappointment.
CHAPTER 6
EDEN dragged a hand wearily through her hair, wondering if she’d be bald before this was all over with. She patiently explained, for the third time, the events that had transpired when she, David and Micah had exited the building after her photo shoot.
Micah and David had given their own statements, identical to hers.
“I simply don’t know anything more, Detective Gibbs,” she said tiredly. “It all happened so fast. The glass shattered behind us and I was shoved to the ground. It was all a giant blur. I was scared. And then the car roared up and they shoved me inside and we drove here, to the hotel.”
The detective exchanged a frustrated look with his partner, both with notepads in their hands taking down what they
likely thought was perfectly useless information.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help,” Eden added, uncomfortable with the sudden silence. “Have you made an arrest?”
And then another thought occurred to her, shaming her because she hadn’t considered it until now.
She caught her breath and glanced urgently at the two detectives. “Was anyone hurt? Was anyone shot?”
Gibbs shook his head. “There were a few minor injuries from the flying glass. A twisted ankle from tripping as someone ran from the scene. But no one was shot.”
“Thank God,” Eden breathed.
An urgent knock sounded at the door followed by a distinctive bellow. “Eden! It’s Dad.”
Relief surged through her veins and she bolted from the sofa only to be restrained by Micah.
“David will answer. You stay put.”
Eden simmered with frustration as David went to the door. As soon as her father and brothers entered, she shoved Micah away and flew across the room and into her father’s arms.
“Eden, thank God you’re all right,” her father whispered against her ear.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” she said fervently. “I’m so glad y’all are here.”
She was passed then to Raid, who swallowed her up in a bear hug, and then to Ryker, who held her every bit as tightly.
“You scared us, honey,” Raid said when Ryker finally let her go.
Eddie looked past Eden to the two detectives and scowled. “What’s going on here?”
Eden took his hand and dragged him toward the waiting detectives.
“Daddy, this is Detective Gibbs and his partner, Detective Barnes. They’re questioning me about the shooting.”
“Have you made an arrest? What the hell happened today?” Eddie barked.
“We’re still in the preliminary stage of the investigation, sir,” Gibbs said in a steady voice. “We’re interviewing eyewitnesses, trying to put the pieces together.”
“Do you know anything at this point?” Raid asked.
“You the cop?” Barnes asked.
Raid nodded.
“All we know is that the shots were fired at a downward trajectory, not street level. We dug one of the bullets out of the concrete and the angle puts it in the eight- to nine-story level, so we’re checking the hotel across the street and doing a sweep of floors five to eleven. So far nothing has turned up, but we’re reviewing the hotel records of all persons staying on those floors,” Barnes supplied.
“Sniper?” Ryker asked.
“Looks to be,” Gibbs said grimly. “There’s evidence that only four shots were fired, but we can’t be certain. We’ve done a thorough search of all the rooms that faced the street and found no casings, so it’s likely the shooter cleaned up after himself. We’re dusting for fingerprints but unless we get lucky, this will likely take some time.”
“Are you through with my daughter?” Eddie demanded. “She looks exhausted. Have you been questioning her all damn afternoon?”
Color scoured Barnes’s cheeks. “It’s procedure, sir.”
“I’m all right, Daddy,” Eden said in a low voice.
“No, you’re not,” Raid denied.
“They’ve been here several hours,” Micah said. “I’d say they’re done.”
Gibbs sighed. “We’ve got all we can get for now.”
“Is she free to go?” Eddie asked.
Barnes lifted an eyebrow. “You in a hurry?”
Eddie shot him a glare that would shrivel most men. It was a look Eden didn’t often see, but it would certainly intimidate her. Gibbs and Barnes weren’t unaffected. Barnes shifted uneasily before dropping his gaze.
“I have another shoot,” Eden said quietly. “Day after tomorrow. I have to leave tomorrow. It’s important. The biggest of my career.”
Her father and brothers exchanged uneasy glances but kept silent.
“Leave me your contact numbers in case we have further questions,” Gibbs said. “We’ll notify you if we make an arrest, of course.”
Eden supplied her cell number, as did Micah and David. Then the detectives took their leave with a promise to keep them updated on the progress.
When the door closed behind them, Eden sagged onto the couch and closed her eyes. Raid and her father immediately sat on either side of her, and her father pulled her into his arms again. He trembled against her and she realized just how terrified he’d been. That made two of them.
It hadn’t really sunk in just how close she’d come to death until afterward, when the detectives arrived close on the heels of Micah’s call to them. She’d shaken for the entire first hour of questioning.
“I’m so glad you came,” Eden said. “I was so scared, but you’re here now and I’m all right.”
Her father pulled away and framed her shoulders in his big hands. “I have some people coming, baby.”
Her brow furrowed. “What people and why?”
“They’re the best, or so Ryker informs me. I’m bringing them in to see to your protection for this next shoot.”
Her mouth dropped open. “But what about David and Micah? That’s what they’re here for. And they did. They got me out and to safety. Why do we need more?”
Her father’s features were implacable. “You almost died today, Eden. There will be no arguments. I want them around you at all times. David and Micah can take a well-earned break.”
“But, Daddy . . .”
“He’s right, Eden,” Raid chimed in.
Eden glanced up at Ryker, her eyes pleading, but he looked as resolved as Raid and her father.
“They’re the best at what they do,” Ryker said, his jaw tight. “There’s no way in hell you’re going to that shoot without them. I know it’s important to you, otherwise we’d have you home and under constant guard and fuck your career.”
Heat washed over her face and anger surged. They were ganging up on her. Making decisions for her. She was a grown woman and she certainly had a right to make her own choices.
“They’re right, Eden,” Micah said.
She groaned. “God, not you too.”
“You almost died today,” David said. “If these people your father is bringing in are the best, then that’s what you need. No one wants you dead.”
“You’re all making a pretty huge leap here,” she pointed out. “From all appearances this is some random shooting and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Any one of those pedestrians could have been killed. Not just me.”
She saw a flicker in her father’s eye but it was gone just as quickly, resolve tightening his features.
“I’m not willing to take chances with your safety,” he said. “Placate me, Eden. Because I’m about this close to hauling you home and telling your agent to call off the whole damn thing.”
In the end it wasn’t the threats that swayed her. When she looked at her father and brothers she saw stark fear in their eyes. And worry. She knew they wouldn’t be swayed and if she refused the additional security, she had no doubt her father would make good on his threat to take her home and keep her under lock and key for as long as it took.
She sighed, massaging her forehead with her fingers, fatigue settling into her bones.
“You’re tired, baby,” Raid said. “Will you try to lie down and get some rest until the Kellys show up? They’re on their way now and we need to make plans since you’re leaving tomorrow evening for Paris.”
David held out the prescription bottle the hotel physician had prescribed when he’d come by to examine Eden hours earlier. “Take it. You need the rest,” he said bluntly.
The room was swimming in testosterone already. She shuddered to think how bad it would be when whoever her father had hired showed up.
Micah shoved a water bottle into her hand and then Raid propelled her to her feet and toward the bedroom area of the suite.
“I hate it when the men in my life handle me,” she grumbled once Raid shut the door behind them.
>
Raid pulled her into his arms and hugged her fiercely. “We’re scared, baby. Humor us, please? You have no idea what that call did to Dad. It will make him feel better to know you have the best at your back.”
“You totally did that on purpose,” she accused.
Raid pulled back, an innocent look on his face. “Did what?”
“You know damn well what,” she said in disgust. “You’re using Dad against me.”
“Is it working?”
“Yes. Damn it.”
He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Take your medicine and get some sleep, okay?”
“Whatever, big brother. But payback’s a bitch.”
“It will make Ryker and me feel much better too,” he said, his expression growing serious once more.
She sighed. “I agreed, so lay off the guilt trip.”
“We worry about you, baby. We love you and never want anything to happen to you.”
“I love y’all too,” she returned. “Now shoo so I can tackle that bed. I’m about to drop.”
“Not until I see you take the pill,” he said pointedly.
To emphasize his point, he crossed his arms and stared expectantly at her.
“You’re all a bunch of tyrants,” she muttered. But she did as he ordered and swallowed the bitter-tasting pill with a grimace. “There. Happy?”
“Yes,” he said, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.
“Wake me when whoever gets here, okay?”
He nodded.
“Promise me,” she pressed. “I’d at least like to be present when my future is decided.”
He rolled his eyes. “Promise. Now get your ass into bed.”
She didn’t need much encouragement. She didn’t even pull back the covers. She did a face plant on the bed and burrowed her head into the sumptuous down pillow with a sigh.
In the distance she heard the door shut behind her and she closed her eyes, exhaustion taking over.
CHAPTER 7
JOE parked the SUV toward the back entrance of the hotel and called up for Ryker to come open the door so they didn’t trek through the lobby with their arsenal of weapons. Seconds later, Ryker opened the door and motioned them out of the vehicle.
They hurried inside, Ryker quickly shaking Joe’s, Nathan’s and Swanny’s hands.
“Thanks for coming so quickly,” Ryker said as they climbed the stairs.
“No problem,” Joe returned.
“Eden’s resting, which is good,” Ryker said as they walked out of the stairwell and into the hallway. “Dad is determined that she not know what’s going on, or at least not everything. Not saying I agree, but we’re doing this his way. He’ll give you the info you need so we can act accordingly.”
He stopped outside a hotel room door and inserted the key card. He pushed it open and motioned the others inside.
Swanny’s gaze swept over the interior, noting an older man he assumed was Eddie Sinclair and a younger man who must be Ryker’s older brother, Raid.
Eddie met them halfway, his hand extended to shake theirs as introductions were performed.
Once they were all seated, Eddie leaned forward in his chair and kept his voice low. He glanced toward a closed door where Swanny assumed Eden was sleeping.
“As far as Eden knows, the shooting was random,” Eddie said in hushed tones. “But I know differently. Just before the shooting took place, I received a threat. It’s a long, convoluted story. It’s . . . revenge.”
Swanny’s eyebrow rose and Joe frowned. “Care to elaborate? Do you know the source of the threat?”
Eddie ran a hand through his hair, his eyes dark with worry. “Years ago when I was in a black ops group, we had a mission that was totally FUBAR. We were supposed to take out Raul Sanchez, a big player in drugs and arms trafficking, with human trafficking as a strong secondary contender. He had his hands in just about everything. We finally got our opportunity. His daughter’s birthday.”
He broke off and went silent a moment, emotion simmering in his eyes.
“His wife and daughter got caught in the cross fire. Sanchez and his son got