“He thinks he can keep us apart if he keeps you scared of me. I did my time. It’s nothing compared to what should have happened to me, but I was out of control. It would take hours for me to explain this, and I want to.”
“You seem…”
“He’s not,” Thane cut in. “He’s full of shit, Kayla.”
Daniel shot him a dangerous look. “You don’t know me or what Kayla means to me. What I did to her, why I did it, is for me to explain.” Daniel’s shoulders relaxed and he lay back. “You gave me so many chances. Stood by me, and I saw the hope in your eyes every time you forgave me. My weaknesses, my sickness would never allow me to…” He blew his breath out. “I know this is going to be hard to believe, but I never stopped loving you. I guess…I can see you’ve obviously moved on, and I don’t blame you for that. I don’t blame you for anything.”
Thane’s timbre had turned deadly. “Are you done?”
“Thane.”
He swung around, a veil of shock flashing in his eyes, he knew what she was going to ask. “No.”
“Please, Captain. I think I need to hear this.” They’d loved each other so completely in the beginning, and then it dissolved into anger and violence.
Thane’s expression emitted waves of hurt and confusion at the same time. The small victory in Daniel’s eyes made it worse. For a brief second, she thought Thane was going to power fist Daniel into the next room, but instead he turned on his heel and walked out the front door.
“Thank you, Angel.”
“Don’t thank me, Daniel. It’s only morbid curiosity on my part. It took me years to trust anyone after what you did. The man that walked out of this room is the only man in this room I trust.”
They talked for hours. Around four o’clock Thane came back into the house and sheared Daniel with a glance that should have taken his head off at the shoulders. He carried on to the kitchen to start dinner. The pans and cabinet doors closed and clashed louder than normal. What surprised her was although Thane had noticed immediately, he hadn’t said anything when he saw she had released the bindings from Daniel’s feet and hands.
* * * *
Daniel stood and turned toward the kitchen. “Thank you, Captain Austen.”
Twisting the knob on the gas stove, he said, “For what? For fucking with her head?” With a ready grip on the handle, he slid a large cast-iron fry pan onto the element. “I’m convinced she’s a saint to forgive you. Though why she would, I don’t know, but you can count on the fact that you’ll be seeing me again.”
Daniel stiffened, his body flaring in response. “I wouldn’t do that. I can see you mean a lot to her.”
“There is no forgiveness for what you did to her. I’ve seen what you left behind. I don’t give a shit what your reasons were.” He watched Kayla step to Daniel’s side, and hurt nearly toppled him. The initial movement of Daniel’s arm had him stepping around the counter. “Touch her, and you take your last breath, here, now. Walk out that door—and you might have a year. Your condition—is terminal, Lapierre.” Daniel didn’t seem fazed by his words. He was a warrior, trained like him. He could hide a lot, including the real reason he was here.
“I think my chances are pretty good. I understand my wife, and you won’t risk losing her by killing me. That’s what’ll happen, Captain,” Daniel said with confidence. “I don’t think you’re willing to take that chance.”
His hand came down so hard on the counter it nearly shattered the bones, but the pain centered him. “She’s not your wife.”
“Thane—”
“Kayla, he’s manipulating you. You’re good at it. I’ll give ya that. He’s been calculating his plan for ten years, and he’s waiting for his chance. Sweetheart, you have to see that.”
“Thane, he’s not. I’d know it.”
“Goddammit—he is.”
Daniel gave Kayla a comforting smile. A smile that lovers share. “I have a proposition.”
“I bet you do,” Thane growled.
“Greg told me about the serial killer. I want to help you catch him. She’s my wife, and I have a lot to atone for. Let me help you.”
“Why the fuck do you keep saying that?” he roared.
“We’re separated, Thane. I couldn’t get the divorce. His lawyer argued his mental state wasn’t such that he could handle it.”
Shock ripped through him. Why hadn’t she ever told him? “You think you’re going to put yourself back in her life? The first chance he gets he will kill you or our son. He’s a trained killer, like me. He won’t show a damn thing until he’s ready.”
“He could catch the Shark,” she argued.
“I will catch him.”
“Thane, it’s what Daniel does best. He has the uncanny ability to draw in a target without them even knowing they’re being drawn in.”
“Exactly,” he shouted. “Like you. Don’t you see that?”
Kayla swallowed, and turned to Daniel with confusion in her eyes.
“Angel, you know me. For all the wrong I’ve caused you, I never calculated or planned it. It was a loss of control. A serious one, but—”
“Even if he is telling the truth, and the shrinks gave him a couple tools to keep his hardware straight, he’s centered on the reason that took ten years from his life. He’s fucking angry and hiding it.”
“She gave me ten years of hers, Captain Austen. Her sentence was far worse than mine.”
Daniel wrapped his arms around her, his eyes gliding over her from head to heart. How could she still be so mesmerized by him? This couldn’t be happening. He put his gaze on the marble countertop, his fists clenched.
She freed herself from Daniel and came to his side. “Captain,” she said quietly, laying a hand on his. “Are you going to run away now?” she whispered.
“Why is it so hard for us to find just a little peace? Bad luck, bad people, circumstance,”—he shot a look toward Daniel, who’d wandered to the fireplace, but no doubt listened intently—“always stepping in the way to stop us. You’re married?”
“I’m separated.”
“That means you’re still legally married.” He could see how tired she was. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. Her shoulders dipped with exhaustion. All the reminiscing and emotional tugging Daniel had laid on her had taken its toll. “Sweetheart, come on.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, accepting his hand.
“To bed. You need to rest.”
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“Excuse me.” Daniel’s expression constricted, his formidable form stepping in their way. “Whether you like it or not Kayla is my wife, and you’re not sleeping with her while I’m here.”
Thane, nudged her behind him, squeezed her hand, and took a step to stand eye-to-eye with Daniel. “No one invited you to stay. With one call, I could have you picked up, and behind bars in an hour. Kayla is the mother of my son, and I don’t give a shit what you want, Lapierre. Dwell on that while you drive thirty miles to the closest hotel, asshole.”
“Thane.”
He led her to the couch and sat her down. “It’s my turn. Please, just rest.” He straightened after covering her with a blanket. Daniel’s gaze was on Kayla, his expression loving, and he took a step toward the couch, stretching out his hand as if he was going to sweep it through her hair. He wanted to break his wrist, but instead restrained it. “Outside. Now,” he ordered.
Daniel wasn’t in any hurry to leave and leaned against a post on the porch. His stance calm, unthreatening. “Highway’s that way,” he said stepping outside.
“I’m not leaving. You’re just gonna have to deal with it. Obviously, I wasn’t part of your plan, but I’m standing you down, SEAL. I’ve seen you guys out in the theater, especially the SEALs. The first chance you get you’re shoving your cock in some Japanese hooker. You have no honor when it comes to marriage.”
“I guess sticking a knife in the beautiful creature on the couch makes you a better man,” he growled, and took a seat on the bench
, where he’d spent the entire afternoon listening to Daniel explain why he’d beaten his wife to a pulp. The guy was playing her all over again. He knew her all right, enough to appeal to the dominant side of Kayla, which was always working out a problem, finding a sensible solution. She probably needed to hear an explanation to why the man who was supposed love her, nearly killed her. Who the hell wouldn’t? “She won’t take you back.”
Daniel dropped his arms to his sides. The guy was as fit as he was, and blow for blow they’d done enough damage to each other this afternoon. He’d finally met his match. Whether he could outmaneuver him was yet to be seen.
“Yes, she will.”
“Pretty fuckin’ sure of yourself, aren’t you, JTF? You think a few words are going to wipe everything away?”
“That was my intention when I came, but when I saw her, I knew I wanted her to give me another chance. Your child is a bit of an issue, but if she gives you custody, we have no worries. I’m taking my wife home, Captain. She belongs to me.”
They stared at each other. “Yeah, you’re still the same guy if you think she’s your possession. Our son—is not an issue, Kayla and I will raise him and the rest of our children, together.”
“She could never say no to me. Get used to the idea, she won’t be here for much longer.”
“Kayla is a different woman now. She won’t bow to you and that’s going to send your abusive mind over the rails.”
“My marriage and my wife are my business, not yours. I’ll bring in the Shark, and then we’re leaving.”
He ran a hand through his hair, and sunk a look into Lapierre that he could easily read. “You’ll be dead before then.”
A small gust of air escaped him and a sure smile curled his lips. “We’ll see who stops breathing first, SEAL. It’s a mistake to wage a war over Kayla.”
* * * *
Flinging the covers aside, she waddled toward their voices on the porch. Leaving them alone was not a good idea.
“Sweetheart.” Thane curled his arm around her as she stepped out the door. She smiled up at him and stepped away. “What are you doing?” He searched her eyes.
Daniel watched their every move, looking for weakness.
“Why don’t I make a fire,” Daniel said. “In fact, I’ll go get the goods if you’ll make my favorite for dinner,” he said winking at her. “It’s been a long time. You’re still the best cook I know, Angel.” An endearing smile tightened his strong jaw. “Remember that Greek place we used to go on our anniversary? I wonder if it’s still open?”
She shook her head. “Don’t know.”
“Do you still have my rings?” An overt look of warmth filled his eyes. “I never took mine off.” Holding his hand out to her he said, “Come here, Angel.”
It actually took a little will not to respond, and that surprised her. “Daniel, stop this.”
“I’m being an asshole for doing this in front of Austen, right?”
“You’re agitating him for no reason.”
“There is a reason. You’re my wife. He’s got to get used to that.”
She drew in a deep breath and grasped the railing. “We’re separated. For good reason.”
“A reason that doesn’t exist any more, Kayla.”
He walked right into her space, and laid his hands on her shoulders. The black shirt he wore fluttered in the mountain wind, surrounding her in his scent. After all these years, it swept into her senses as something comforting. How sick was that? Daniel’s full lips and sharp features with a day’s worth of stubble reminded her of the rogue she’d fallen in love with. He’d always appealed to her lust.
“There were good times too. I understand they’re hard to see because of the man I used to be.” His head lowered, eyeing her from beneath his brow. “I’m in control, except maybe when you’re close to me.”
She twisted from his grip.
“Angel, I need to prove to you I’ve changed.” Daniel’s eyes warmed. “When I said my vows to you, I meant every word.”
“You did,” she interjected. “Right up until the death do you part.”
“It was twisted obsession, and with the PT disorder it took a violent turn. I would have never believed it myself, but the doctors helped me. All I see now is the beautiful woman I married. I should have cherished you, and walked away when I was angry. I didn’t know how to do that then, but I do now.”
“How am I supposed to trust you?”
“I know you’re afraid. That’s why I’m not asking you to send Austen away. If nothing else, I want to help find the Shark. It’ll give you peace and give us time to know each other again. Let’s go back to San Diego. You can show me around and we can watch the sunsets like we used to.”
She stared out at the quiet forest. The whole scenario was outrageous. Why was she even listening to him?
“You’re more beautiful now than I remember.” His hand brushed her stomach, and she stiffened. “I just wish he was my son,” he whispered in her ear. “Remember the picnic at Harrison Bay? It was a beautiful day and I made love to you all afternoon. We can be in love like that again.”
She put distance between them. “Daniel, I can’t.”
“Keep reminding yourself of that, Kayla,” Thane said from the doorway. He took a deliberate step, his entire body a taut weapon. “You came, you explained and now you’re going to leave. You don’t get a second chance, other than the few minutes head start I’m going to give you.”
Daniel pulled her under his arm. “You know I can find this guy hunting you.” Daniel gently turned her. “Angel, one more time, forgive me one last time, and I promise you I will make this right. The way it should have been. Resting his hand over her heart, he said, “We have too much history, and some of it was incredible.”
Thane waited, expressionless.
“I’m different now, Daniel, and you made me that way.” She stepped away from him as both men watched. Two more steps took her to Thane’s side. “Daniel, you had ten years of chances that ended with you shoving a knife in my back. My captain has never hurt me. He should have run away from me when he saw how messed up I was. Maybe one day he still will, but I can’t be your wife again.”
“Think it’s time for you to go,” Thane said through a clenched jaw.
Daniel’s green eyes implored her to come back to him.
“Then I have a proposition,” Thane said, twining his arms around her and their son. “Kayla will have the divorce papers drafted in the next couple of days, and you’re going to sign them. Then you can stay. You want to atone for what you did because you say you love her, then you’ll do this.”
Daniel shook his head. “I’ll do anything, but that. Kayla, please understand. I…I can’t. We married for better or worse. I did the worst, I want to do better.”
Why? “It could get no worse!” She tore herself from Thane’s protection, and stepped right into his face. “You destroyed me, and I’ve spent ten years trying to crawl back.” Tears filled her eyes and choked her words. Then the most incredible thing happened. Tears began to well in his eyes too. The man had never, ever cried in all the years she’d known him. “Daniel?”
“I know,” he choked, his gaze dropping to the floor. “Angel, I know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He wrapped her tightly against him. “There’s one obsession I’ll never get over and it’s you. Let’s take it a day at a time. Please, don’t ask me to leave.”
This was so messed up. “I’ll be fine. The Shark will be caught, eventually. You can’t stay here. It’ll drive us all crazy.”
“You’re confused because you don’t want to hurt him. I get that.” Turning his attention to Thane, whose eyes bore into him with a steely edge, he said, “I don’t hold any ill will against you, Captain, but you can’t have her. Can you understand that?”
“Thane,” she warned. Cold fear gripped her seeing nothing was left but aggression in his eyes, he’d become a warrior again. With a swing of her head, she saw a sharp, deadly expression morphing
Daniel’s features.
“Go in the house, Kayla,” Thane ordered.
“No. Daniel, come on.” She grabbed his arm, trying to pull him. ‘Now, get going.”
“Don’t do it, Captain. I won’t stop, I promise you that.” Daniel laid his large palm on her back and gently nudged her away from him. “Go inside, Kayla.”
“Stop it, both of you stop it.” She stretched her arms out, palming both chests. “What is this, testosterone overdose? Cut this shit out,” she yelled at the top her lungs. Both men stopped. “Thane, please don’t leave me to raise our son by myself. You’ll kill each other.”
“You’re the past, Lapierre, and you’re going to stay there.” Thane pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Daniel, just go. Please. Everyone just needs to…” she reached for the phone and stopped Thane from dialing, certain he was calling in the police and she didn’t want that either.
Daniel hesitantly stepped down onto the stairs. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Regardless of what happens I’m not leaving Kayla vulnerable.”
“I’d think twice about that if I were you,” Thane warned. “Pack your things, we’re leaving,” Thane ordered, pulling her into the house and closing the door.
“I’m not leaving,” she said rounding on him.
“Kayla, if he comes back, I will end up in jail and he’ll be dead. If we leave…”
“I will deal with this.”
Thane began to pace around the living room.
“Captain, I just can’t throw him out of my life. He has ten years of it. Maybe he has dealt with his issues. Can we find out if Daniel actually received help while he was imprisoned?”
“I can’t, but you can. You’re his wife.” The word wife rolled off his tongue with a sharp edge. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
“It didn’t seem high on the priority list.”
Kayla tried to escape toward the kitchen. “Not high on the list, huh?”
“No, it wasn’t,” she said sternly. “I distinctly remember you in my doorway telling me to close it in Arizona.”
“Yeah, and I remember admitting I was an idiot.”
Code Name: Kayla's Fire (A Warrior's Challenge) Page 29