by Faith Gibson
Frey ran a hand through his short hair. “She’s hanging in there. But they aren’t at the hospital. Rafael took her, Sebastian, and Priscilla to the family villa in Italy. He hired a husband and wife team who are both doctors to travel with them. Kaya has a long recovery ahead of her, and Rafe wanted her to have a peaceful place to do so. At least that’s what he said. I think he was just tired of being King, and I can’t blame him. He needs to focus on his family right now, and getting away from New Atlanta will allow him to do so.”
“Who’s leading the Clan in his absence?” Brynna asked.
Frey blew out a breath. “I am. It’s only been a few weeks, but I have a new respect for my cousin. I knew there was a lot he kept from us, but until I stepped into his shoes, I didn’t realize how much. With Drago dead, the Unholy are without guidance. I do have a plan to get them all off the streets, but it’s going to take time. Sinclair is looking for the Greeks on the West Coast. With Lachlan on the run, we still haven’t figured out who was behind the attack on the jet. Henry is sure it wasn’t Lachlan, but he hasn’t been able to track down who was able to hack into the system and make it appear as though it was him.”
“I bet it was the same people who targeted us in Norway,” Travis said.
“Say what?” Trevor barked. “Travis, why didn’t you tell me?”
Travis crossed his arms over his chest and arched an eyebrow. “Like you told me?”
Jasper pulled Trevor closer and kissed his temple. “Brynna, why don’t you tell us what happened.”
Brynna set her mug down and cradled it between her palms. “It isn’t pretty.” Travis placed his hand on her thigh, squeezing gently. She turned to look at her mate, and his eyes held so much compassion it gave her the strength to go on. Brynna told them everything, including killing the humans. When she finished speaking, she waited for judgement, but it never came.
“Now you have your own badass,” Trevor said to Travis. When Brynna looked at the male, he winked at her. The others laughed, and Brynna felt lighter than she had since the day she escaped.
“You have no idea.” Travis laced his fingers with Brynna’s with the hand not petting Molly. The dog hadn’t left his side since he came inside the house.
“I need to talk to Henry,” Frey said. “If the humans were hired by the Greeks, maybe he can use the code name to find something to go on. We also need to talk to Kallisto.”
Jasper pushed his chair away from the table. When he stood, he walked over to the back door and looked out. “This is my fault. I’m the one who wanted Kallisto tied up.”
Frey went to stand by Jasper. “No, Brother. This is all on Alistair. Everything we’ve been through is all because of him and his family in some way. Drago only took up the mantle because of his loyalty to his King. We will figure all this out, one way or another. With Drago dead, it’s only a matter of time before we capture the other Greeks. We have Hagen in custody, and he is already talking. I will call Henry later and fill him in on what went down in Norway. That might be the one bit of information that allows him to figure out who the new hacker is. For now, let us talk about more pleasant things, like Travis and Brynna’s future as hotel owners.”
Chapter Twelve
“Stand still.” Trevor was attempting to fix Travis’s blue bowtie. The one which matched the dress Brynna was wearing. At least that’s what she’d told him. He and Trevor were in a guest bedroom at Frey and Abbi’s. They had been back in the States two weeks, and today was their wedding day. They were getting married in the backyard with only a few friends and family in attendance. Marcie and Lawrence had flown in along with Gautum, Freyda, and Uri’s parents. The only ones missing who Travis really wanted there were Rafael and Kaya.
Travis felt bad about not being there for Rafael before he left for Italy. He did call his boss when Frey told him Rafe would welcome the distraction. They only spoke briefly about Kaya before Rafael asked about the house in Norway as well as Travis’s and Brynna’s plans for the future. Rafael offered to let Travis work remotely since he would be splitting his time between two countries. Brynna had said Travis didn’t need to work if he didn’t want to since she was loaded, but he didn’t want to be a kept man. When Travis mentioned waiting to get married until Rafael was back in the States, his boss confided in him that might never happen. Travis worried about the male, but if he were in Rafael’s shoes, he would do whatever he thought was best for his own family.
“Is he here yet?” Travis had invited his parents. He knew his mother wouldn’t show, not that he cared, but his dad promised to be there for him.
“Yes. Brynna’s parents latched onto him so he wouldn’t feel out of place.”
“You know they’re not really her parents, right?”
“Who says? We know family is more than blood, and if she wants to claim them as her parents, who are we to say otherwise?”
Travis knew Trevor was right. The little time he’d spent around Freyda and Halina, he’d felt more love from both females than he ever had his own mother.
“There. You’re perfectly handsome.”
“So are you.” Travis pushed the purple stripe in Trevor’s hair off his forehead. It flopped back down with a mind of its own, just like Trevor.
“Thanks for pushing the wedding date up. If Jasper hadn’t already booked our trip, I wouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s no problem. I’m just as happy to go ahead and get it over with. Georgia weather is unpredictable this time of year, and today is perfect.”
The two brothers walked downstairs and found their father laughing at something Freyda had said. “There’s my boys,” Jack McKenzie said. “You both look wonderful.”
“Thanks, Dad,” they said in unison. Trevor knocked into Travis with his shoulder, grinning. Other than Rafael not being there, Travis didn’t think the day could be any more perfect. He was already mated to Brynna, but now he got to stand with her in front of their friends and family, promising forever. Considering their forever was extended, he had many years to look forward to.
“It’s time, boys. Go take your place down front with Victoria,” Gautum said.
Jack stopped Travis before he could walk off. “I’m so glad you invited me, Son. I want nothing but happiness for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Travis hugged his father, then he and Trevor headed down the aisle between the chairs to get to where Victoria Holt, friend and Clan attorney, was waiting. The music changed from soft jazz to “Pretty Donna” by Collective Soul. The song had a classical feel, but the band was known for modern rock back in the late nineteen hundreds. Banyan and Urijah walked down the aisle together. Both were wearing what Banyan deemed their coronation suits. The style was Norse, and where Banyan’s tunic was blue, Urijah’s was silver. Uri kissed his mate before taking a seat, and Banyan stood on the other side of Victoria, serving as Brynna’s male of honor. Amelia was next. The dark-haired little girl was adorable in her ever-present pink tutu. Where her hair was normally down in bouncy curls, today it was a twist of elaborate braids only Brynna could have managed. Amelia, being the pro at tossing out flowers, made a perfect path down the aisle. When she reached the end, she curtsied to Travis, then took her seat with her parents.
Connor was next, serving as co-ringbearer with Molly. Travis’s beloved pup walked next to the boy with no direction. The two had become great companions over the last couple months. When they reached Travis, Connor presented the rings to him, fisted his heart, and bowed his head before leading Molly to the end of the aisle.
The music changed again, and “Rebel Heart” by the Corrs began. When Travis asked why Brynna chose an Irish band instead of someone from Norway, she said it was because she met the trio of sisters and their brother after a concert and became friends with them for a while. Of course she did. The beautiful melody floated on the air, and everyone stood to wait for the bride. When Brynna appeared on Gautum’s arm, Travis blinked back the tears threatening to fall. Gone were the hippie and flapper dresses. Als
o gone were the leather pants and jacket. Brynna was ethereal in a long gown the same blue as her eyes. His mate seemed to float toward him, and Travis couldn’t take his eyes off her. Gautum kissed Brynna’s cheek before handing her off to Travis.
“I have no words,” Travis whispered against her lips, unable to wait until after the ceremony to kiss his Princess.
You don’t need them, my love. Brynna’s voice in his head would never get old. It spoke of a connection few would ever have. One he had dreamed of and now was his reality.
Victoria kept the ceremony short per their request. The two chose not to exchange personal vows in front of the guests. Brynna insisted what they shared was between the two of them, and Travis agreed. Once they were pronounced married, another Corrs song started. This one, “Haste to the Wedding”, was a lively tune, and after kissing to seal their marriage, Brynna grabbed Travis’s hands and began dancing. There was no recessional for his Princess. All their guests joined in, and the party began.
Brynna had taken turns dancing with Gautum and Jack, making sure Travis’s father felt included. Before dinner was served, Jack wished the couple well and made them promise to meet him the next week for lunch. Travis wished his dad had stayed to eat, but at least he’d shown up for the ceremony and hung out for a while, getting to know everyone.
Without Priscilla there to cook, Maria, along with Abbi and a few other mates, did the honors, and the food was fabulous. Before sitting down to eat, the wedding party changed out of their formal attire into more comfortable clothes. Brynna had opted for jeans and boots, and she and Tessa looked like a couple of biker chicks. Which they were. Travis had ridden with Brynna several times. If anyone thought it looked odd for a man to ride behind his woman, he didn’t care. She handled her Harley expertly since she’d been riding for years.
Brynna was in the middle of telling about meeting one of her rock idols, Janis Joplin, when Connor walked up and handed her a rolled-up piece of paper. Everyone who saw the child stopped talking because they knew whatever was on the paper was a drawing of some future event. Most of the time when it was given during a celebration, the premonition was a happy one. Travis prayed that was the case this time.
When she took the drawing, Brynna held it to her chest. “Thank you, Connor.” The child inclined his head as Travis had seen the adult males do and stepped back. Brynna unrolled the paper, and her eyes widened. Travis was afraid it was something bad until she turned it around for him to see. There on the property where they had decided to build their home in Norway were two children – one boy and one girl, both with blond hair, who appeared to be in their teens.
“I guess I am going to be a mother,” Brynna whispered, her eyes bright with tears.
Travis leaned over and kissed her. “Our own little Prince and Princess.”
Banyan and Urijah stood behind them looking over their shoulders. “You’re going to make a wonderful mom, Brynna. Our children will grow up together. They’ll have the life you should have had.” Banyan kissed the top of her head.
“When do you plan on starting your family?” Trevor asked Banyan.
“Tomorrow. We have an appointment at the Human Services office to start the adoption process.” Banyan’s tone was wistful, and Travis prayed they got to start their family soon. The two males had a lot of love to give.
“That’s wonderful.” Brynna smiled up at her brother and his mate. “Travis and I can practice being Aunty and Uncle before we bring our own kids into the world.”
“Maybe by the time Jasper and I return from our honeymoon, you’ll be proud Papas,” Trevor added.
Abbi rubbed her tummy, smiling. “I’m glad all our kids are going to grow up together in a big family. They might not be related by blood, but they will all be loved as though they are.”
Frey wrapped his arms around his mate. “And when it comes time for Sebastian to take over as King, he’ll have his own Clan to lead.”
Abbi looked up at her male, smiling. “Hopefully by that time, the world we know will be more peaceful. At least for the Gargoyles.”
“I’m going to make sure of it,” Frey promised.
Travis believed the large male. He believed in the Clan as a whole. Whether they were in the States or in Norway, the Gargoyles stood by one another no matter what. His life had seemed bleak when he was attacked and lost Rachel, but looking around him, Travis knew everything truly did happen for a reason, and he was right where he was supposed to be.
“Wait! Is that a…?” Brynna was pointing to something else in the drawing none of them had noticed.
Eden strolled into her father’s office and sat in the chair opposite his desk. “I need some time off,” she said without preamble. James “Nexus” Wood leaned back in his seat and steepled his fingers under his chin. Eden knew it was bad timing considering some of the handlers in their group of assassins had recently caused a shitshow, but she had her own agenda.
“You do realize we’re two handlers down, plus we lost our biggest group of operatives?”
“Yes, but this is important.” Eden didn’t want to tell her father they had also lost another two operatives. She also didn’t want him to know her personal life was more important to her than the family business, but she knew he wouldn’t let her get away with going off grid without a good reason.
“Explain.”
“I found her.” Eden didn’t have to tell Nexus who “her” was.
“Where?”
“She’s being held in the New Atlanta Penitentiary.”
“Prison? Eden, I know you have feelings for this woman, but—”
“No, Dad. I don’t have feelings; I love her. She’s everything to me. If this were Mom…” She hated bringing up that time in their lives, but this was important to her. She was important to Eden.
Nexus rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing. “If this were your mother, she wouldn’t be in prison.”
“Maybe not, but if she were, you would move heaven and earth to get her out. You did move heaven and earth to save her. She’s the reason you started this company in the first place.” Nexus, the group, had been formed years ago when her mother, Angelina, had been taken by an adversary of her father’s. James had the money to hire the best assassins and trackers, and he used that money to do whatever it took to get Angelina back home. What started as a one-time mission became two, then three when others caught wind of how effective the group had been. Years later, James had built a team of highly successful assassins, mercenaries, and handlers, with Eden being the one to oversee the computer portion of the business.
“Why is she in prison?”
“Because of something her father did. These people who have her, they took her father out, then when she ran, they grabbed her in Italy.”
“And how do you propose to get her out of prison? I’m assuming that’s your plan?”
“By doing what I do best.” Eden left it at that, because if her father knew what she was planning, what she had already done, he’d never agree. They may be assassins, but they were supposed to be the “good guys,” only taking out those who deserved to die. As far as she was concerned…
“I don’t want this blowing back on us, E, and I don’t want you ending up in a cell next to her.”
“It won’t, and I won’t. You know I’m the best at what I do.”
“You are the best with a computer, I’ll give you that much. But you’re personally invested in this mission, and that means your heart will cause you to be rash.”
“I’ll be careful; I promise.”
“If I agree to this, you have to also promise to check in with me. If I don’t hear from you every forty-eight hours, I’ll come after you myself.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Eden jumped up from her chair, ready to go get the love of her life back from the hellhole where she was being kept. “I love you.” She rounded the desk and kissed her father on the cheek.
“I love you too.”
What her father didn’t know was Eden had a
lready put her plan into motion, and everyone who had a hand in harming her love was going to pay. Dearly. Being one of the top hackers in the world, she didn’t have to wield a gun to take out her opponents.
No, she was going to take them out from the inside.
Epilogue
Norway, 2072
Brynna was chopping vegetables for a salad while watching her family out the kitchen window. Her niece, Nova, was mixing sugar into a jug of tea. Banyan’s twins, Tor and Bodi, had graduated college, and everyone was gathered together to celebrate. Not that they needed a reason to get together. Any time they were in Norway, they had a family day much like Rafael had started long ago back in the States. Unlike Rafael, Banyan wasn’t ready to hand over the throne. He hadn’t ruled hundreds of years, so he saw no reason to put that responsibility on one of the twins. Neither one showed any interest in ruling, and why would they? They were young and just starting to live their lives. They had time for mundane things like the crown later.
Tor and Bodi, along with two of their younger siblings, Fin and Skyler, were playing a friendly, if competitive, game of flag football with Brynna and Travis’s oldest twins, Brent and Trinity, who were fifteen, just one year younger than Fin and Skyler. Brynna hadn’t planned on getting pregnant right after Fin and Skyler were adopted, but it just worked out that way. The four kids were more like siblings than cousins, and Tor and Bodi were protective of all of them. Levi, Nova’s older brother, was helping Travis keep an eye on the younger kids while they all waited on Banyan and Uri to arrive.
Brynna and Travis had been blessed with two sets of twins. Their youngest, Jaxon and Tovi, had just turned four, and like their older siblings, they were as fearless as Brynna had been, much to Travis’s chagrin. Normally, the little ones wanted to do everything their brother and sister did, but Banyan’s youngest were there to help keep them occupied. After adopting Fin and Skyler, Banyan and Urijah had two more biological children. Bellamy was nine, and Sienna was six. Once Sienna came along, the males decided to hold off on any more kids for a while.