She saw the fierce look on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nash called in backup, and they are looking for us.”
Fear closed like a fist around Carly’s heart. “How do you know?”
He looked up toward the sky and she followed his gaze. “The birds had settled in for the evening and now they’re flying around again, which means they were disturbed. We aren’t the only ones in this part of the forest.”
* * *
“Can we make this quick and easy? I have a spa appointment at the hotel at noon tomorrow and I don’t want to miss it.”
The three men looked at Tori and shook their heads.
“We’ll do our best,” Drake said to his wife.
Ashton gave instructions. “We pick them off, one by one. I told Alex to inform Gause and his men to go to the cabin where Driskell is waiting. Lee is to go there as well. We’ll deliver his wife to him.”
“Why do I get the feeling there’s something more?” Sir Drake said.
“Because there is. Something Gause conveniently didn’t mention is that Carly isn’t alone. An FBI agent is with her.”
“The good you were referring to? The good who is going against the evil?” Trevor asked.
“Yes. We don’t want to kill him by mistake,” Ashton said.
“I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t Gause tell us something as vital as that?” Tori asked.
“To protect the man. Alex did mention there was a mole within the agency. They wanted to protect the man’s identity at all costs. Losing one agent taught them a lesson,” Ashton replied.
“Gause probably figured since you supposedly knew so much with your superpowers and all that you would know that. Want me to kick his ass for you when we get back?” Sir Drake asked seriously.
“No,” Ashton said, grinning. “Thanks for the offer, but I fight my own battles. Come on. Let’s go rescue Lee’s wife. And, Sir Drake, let’s try bringing them in alive when we can.”
Sir Drake grinned. “I’ll do my best.”
* * *
Lee paced the cabin. Ashton had said it would be morning before they returned, but Lee was too anxious to stay still. Apprehending Driskell had been easy. He’d sent all his men into the forest to find Carly, and when the FBI agents had reached the cabin, Driskell had opened the door unprotected, assuming it was his men returning.
Gause and his men had Driskell in another room, interrogating him. There was a lot about this situation that Lee didn’t understand...like how Carly had managed to get away from Nash. He didn’t like the thought of her out in the forest alone with five crazed killers looking for her.
“Lee, step outside with me for a minute,” Alex said, heading for the door.
Lee followed, and when they reached the porch, Alex beckoned him down the steps into the yard. Fear inched up Lee’s spine. “What’s wrong, Alex? Did you get a sign from Ashton that something went wrong?”
Alex shook his head. “No. But I’m sure you have a lot of questions, especially as to how Carly got away from Nash.”
Lee nodded. “Yes, that had crossed my mind. Care to enlighten me?”
“Yes. Carly is with Bracey.”
“Bracey?” Fear and anger coiled inside of Lee. “Why didn’t someone tell me? That man is worse than Nash. He’s a killer. He’s a—”
“Special undercover agent for the FBI,” Alex cut in to say.
Lee’s jaw dropped. When he’d somewhat recovered, he said, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“No, I’m not. When Nash grabbed Carly from the hotel, Bracey followed him. Not sure exactly what happened, but somehow he got Carly away from Nash and the two of them made off into the forest.”
“Why didn’t Gause mention that?”
“Because of the complexity of this case, as well as the fact that there’s a mole within the agency. It was best that everyone continue to assume Bracey was a bad guy to protect his life. The agency has already lost one good man and they didn’t want to take any chances. The reason I’m telling you now is because Driskell knows about Bracey’s duplicity, so his cover has been blown. And I know how worried you are that Carly is out there alone.”
Lee released a deep breath, glad Alex had told him about Bracey. He had been worried about her being out there all alone. “Thanks, Alex. I won’t be able to rest until I see my wife.”
* * *
Driskell’s men were easy pickings. Most didn’t know what was going on until it was too late. Two were captured without much of a fight. Two tried to put up a fight and found out what it felt like to get their butts whipped and bones broken, Sir Drake–style. And the fifth, the man named Nash, refused to give himself up. When he took several shots at Trevor, Trevor shot back, fatally wounding the man.
Bracey, who was a short distance away, heard the shots and wondered if Driskell’s men were turning on each other. He decided that he and Carly wouldn’t stick around to find out. She had to be tired but the farther into the forest they went, the better their chances would be.
He didn’t have a weapon, but he’d found a stick and sharpened the edge on a rock to create a spear. At least he wasn’t totally defenseless.
He and Carly had walked a half mile when suddenly bright lights shone on them, surrounding them. He shoved Carly behind him and held up his spear in a defensive stance.
Out of the darkness a voice said, “Relax, Agent Bracey. We’re on your team. The rescue party has arrived.”
Bracey wasn’t convinced. “Who are you? Show your faces.”
Ashton was the first to step out. “Colonel Ashton Sinclair, and the others are Trevor Grant, Drake Warren and Tori Warren.”
When all four had stepped forward so Bracey could see their faces, Ashton added, “We’re all friends of Lee Madaris. He wants his wife back safe and sound.”
“Lee?” Carly whispered from behind Bracey. “Lee’s here?”
“Not here with us, but he’s back at the cabin waiting. Driskell has been apprehended and so have most of his men.”
“Nash?” Bracey asked.
“Is dead,” Ashton answered.
Bracey wasn’t convinced these people were who they claimed to be. “Why are you here instead of the FBI?”
“Because we’re better,” Sir Drake answered cockily.
Bracey, although he didn’t agree with what the man had said, couldn’t help but smile. He lowered his spear. “I guess this thing is useless against four automatics if you choose to use them.”
Tori moved forward toward Carly. “Are you okay? Lee has been worried.”
Carly nodded, fighting back tears. It was hard to believe her ordeal was over and she’d come out of it alive. “I’m fine.” She turned to Bracey. “Thank you for getting me away from Nash.”
Bracey nodded. “I couldn’t save Harrison’s life, but I was determined to save yours.”
She then turned to the three men and one woman. “And thanks to all of you for coming after me.”
“Our job isn’t done until we return you to Lee,” Tori said. “We’ll rest up here for a while and then head back before daybreak. I brought food. I figured you would be hungry.”
Carly smiled. “I am. Thanks.”
* * *
Through the night, Lee had been unable to close his eyes. Gause and his men were still with him at the cabin, as well as Alex. He knew the agents had questioned Driskell intensively and the man was still maintaining his innocence.
As soon as Lee saw the sun peeking through the trees in the distance he stepped out onto the porch. The cool air brushed across his face. He knew he could probably use a shave.
He heard Alex step out on the porch behind him. “Gause finally got a confession out of Driskell only after they agreed to a plea bargain. And he also provided the name of the mole. An agent named Stan Ackerman. Gause was shocked. He thought the man was loyal. Just goes to show that not everyone can be trusted.”
“Where is Ackerman?”
“He works out of the Atlanta o
ffice. He was picked up and taken in for questioning. Seems he and Nash were college friends. His days of being disloyal are over.”
Lee nodded, glad of that. And then he heard the rustling of the trees and he squinted his eyes against the sun. That was when he saw them. His feet hit the ground and he took off running the moment he saw Carly.
And she broke into a run when she saw him.
He grabbed her when she was within reach, clutching her as if he’d never let her go again. He touched her everywhere—fingers through her hair, hands under her arms, over her shoulders and up and down her back. He needed to be sure she was not a figment of his imagination.
And then he stared down into the face of the woman who meant everything to him. “I love you,” he whispered against her lips. He proceeded to kiss her with his entire body, with every emotion he possessed.
When the kiss finally ended, Carly leaned in and whispered close to his ear, “And I love you, Lee Madaris.”
He heard someone say his name and he glanced around.
“Gause needs to talk to her and ask her some questions,” Alex was saying. “Then you can take her home.”
Lee nodded and took Carly’s hand in his. He looked over at Ashton, Trevor, Sir Drake and Tori and said, “Thanks for everything.” He turned to Bracey. “Thank you as well.”
Lee let go of Carly’s hand to wrap an arm around her shoulders as they headed into the cabin. Now that he had her back, he didn’t intend to let her go ever again.
* * *
Later that day, after Lee and Carly had returned to his penthouse, they showered and made love, needing the most intimate connection possible. Although they were tired, the energy that flowed between them was charged—hot and raw.
They released it. A primitive force deep inside of Lee drove him to push her over the edge time and time again. He could have lost her. The woman he loved more than life itself. The woman who could arouse him as no other woman could.
Their marriage was not based on the deep carnal attraction he’d initially assumed, but on something more solid and profound. Something he hadn’t thought he needed in his life or in his marriage. She had proved him wrong. Love was and always would be the force that held them together, that kept them in bondage to each other, that intensified what they shared.
“Lee!”
When fissions of fire settled deep in her womanly core, he felt them. They sent a sexual jolt through him that rocked him to the bone, triggering his explosion inside of her. He held her tight, wanting her to feel everything.
Especially the love.
Definitely the love.
The thought warmed him to the core. He would love her until the day he drew his last breath and a time after that. As long as she lived, he would make it his top priority to let her know how much she was loved and wanted.
“Lee?”
He heard his name, barely a whisper from her lips.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Tell me I’m not dreaming. Tell me the nightmare is over.”
His body shifted off of hers and he tucked her close to his side. Their eyes met and held. “You’re not dreaming. The nightmare is over.” Guiding her hand to his lips, he kissed it, feeling his love for her in every pore, nerve and pulse.
Growling low in his throat, he curved his body around hers. “What I promise you is the reality of being loved and cherished in ways so profound that you’ll never again doubt how much you are wanted.”
And then he sealed his promise with a kiss.
It was a promise that he intended to keep. For always.
Epilogue
Lee drove through the gates of Whispering Pines, intentionally late. He’d known the family would be gathered here today for Jake’s son Granite’s eighth birthday. Most importantly he knew his great-grandmother would be here. His plan was to introduce his bride to his great-grandmother today, and he couldn’t wait to see her face.
He glanced over at Carly, who sat beside him running a tongue over her bottom lip. She was nervous—even more so when she saw all the cars parked in front of the ranch. When he brought their car to a stop, he took her hand in his. “They’re going to love you as much as I do.”
She chuckled softly. “I hope so. There are so many of them.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Yes, when the Madarises and their friends get together, we can be a rather large group.”
Releasing her hand, he got out of the car and opened her door.
He was so relieved to have her here with him, safe and sound. After Ashton Sinclair met Driskell, he had been able to tell Agent Gause where the man had hidden the names of the investors and sponsors in the cartel. The evidence had listed the names of several prominent CEOs and politicians with dates, proof of deposits and other incriminating facts Driskell had saved about each individual. The media had had a field day after the names had been released.
Once several arrests had been made, Lee and Carly had flown to Dubai for a couple of weeks, just to get away. They had needed the time alone and had used every single minute to reaffirm their love and their passion.
They’d spent Thanksgiving in Vegas with Nolan and his cousins. Lee had confided in all his single cousins about what would be going down today and they couldn’t wait to witness it. They all felt it was time their great-grandmother knew they would marry only when they got good and ready. They didn’t need her to find brides for them. They could do that on their own, if they were so inclined. Most of them weren’t.
Taking Carly’s hand firmly in his, he walked up the steps to the huge porch, and before they could knock on the door, it swung open and several of his cousins stood there with wide smiles on their faces.
Lee could only shake his head and smile back at them. “Hey, guys.”
“We saw you coming up the driveway,” Nolan said. He smiled at Carly. “Welcome to the family, officially.”
“Thanks.”
“Let me introduce everyone,” Lee said. She had met Corbin and Emerson over Thanksgiving. “This is Reese, Chance and my brother Kane.”
Carly looked from one to the other after hugs were exchanged. “I can see the family resemblance.”
Lee smiled and then asked Nolan, “Where’s Mama Laverne?”
“Out back on the patio, telling Victoria and Lindsay what they need to do to snag good husbands.”
“For crying out loud,” Lee exclaimed, laughing. “Vickie just turned twenty-five and Lindsay just graduated from high school.”
“They’re never too young to know the basic facts,” Corbin said, grinning. “At least she hasn’t harassed us today.”
Lee smiled at Carly and tightened his hold on her hand. “You ready to go meet my great-grandmother?”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, I’m ready.”
* * *
Carly knew Lee was a man on a mission as he strode across the beautiful courtyard with her by his side. Their destination was the older woman sitting in a huge wicker chair. Lee held tight to her hand, only nodding and saying hello instead of stopping to make small talk when they were approached. If people wondered who she was all they had to do was look down at her hand and see the huge rock on her ring finger. That was probably the reason people were staring at them. Even the music ceased playing.
In no time, they were standing in front of his great-grandmother. There was no doubt in Lee’s mind that she had seen their approach.
“Mama Laverne.” Lee greeted her by leaning down and placing a kiss on her cheek.
“Lee,” the older woman said in acknowledgment. She looked over at Carly and a smile touched her wrinkled cheeks. “Hello, dear.”
Carly returned the smile and immediately felt relaxed. Lee’s great-grandmother’s smile was full of warmth and friendliness. “Hello.”
“Mama Laverne, I want to introduce you to Carly Briggs Madaris, the woman I chose as my wife. On my own.”
Mama Laverne switched her gaze from Carly back to Lee. With sharp eyes and her smile stil
l in place, she asked, “You think so?”
Carly could tell Lee was taken aback by her question. It took him a moment to respond. “Yes. Of course.”
Mama Laverne merely nodded and then looked back at Carly. “That’s a beautiful ring, dear.”
“Thank you.”
“And how is your aunt Ruth?”
Carly was sure the surprise on Lee’s face was just as stark as the surprise on her own. “You know my aunt Ruth?” Carly asked, shocked.
Mama Laverne nodded. “Yes, I’ve known Ruth for years. She and I met when I would travel each year to my church conventions. I looked forward to seeing her. She and I got to be good friends. We even traveled to the Holy Land together some years back with our church groups.”
Lee felt the hairs on his neck stand up. “How close are the two of you?”
Mama Laverne shrugged. “Really good friends. Although we don’t see each other as much, we still keep in touch.”
Ignoring the people who were openly listening to the exchange, Lee said, “But that means nothing. I met Carly on my own. Neither you nor her aunt had anything to do with it.”
His great-grandmother’s smile widened. “Trying to convince yourself of that, are you?”
Lee frowned. “No. There’s no need for me to do that. I met Carly at the Grand MD. There was no way you could have orchestrated that.”
His great-grandmother nodded. “Yes, you’re right. I had no way of knowing the two of you would meet on your own. But Ruth and I were responsible for making sure Carly moved from Miami to Vegas. Do you recall how you became interested in applying for a job at Lee’s hotel?”
Carly nodded. “Yes. One of my instructors from my culinary school in Paris, Chef LaPierre, called me. He said there was an opening for a pastry chef at the hotel and he suggested I apply. He even said he would recommend me for the position.”
Mama Laverne nodded. “Yes, and he did. But your aunt suggested the idea to him. Seems they got to know each other pretty well whenever she would call the school in Paris to talk to you.”
When neither Carly nor Lee said anything, Mama Laverne continued. “You applied and got the job because we were all convinced you would make Lee’s hotel an excellent pastry chef and you have.”
A Madaris Bride for Christmas Page 26