“I already told you that it would be a pain in the ass to run the fiber optics out there. Why can we just use the basement? I can slice right into the house,” Daniel asked.
“Because I am thinking that Kelly might like to use it for her office. With the outside entrance, we can build her an office and her clients can have some privacy when they come visit.”
“Have you asked her what she thought? Because last I heard, Doc was giving her a couple of rooms at his clinic.”
“I know. But after what happened that night you went and got her, and the shit that went down last night, I want her close to home. We can talk to her about it later. Besides, I called some of the guys from the vet meetings, and they said they were in if we ever got it up and running.”
“Got what up and running?” Kelly asked, walking into the kitchen looking tired but more beautiful than ever. Molly got up and went directly to her. Picking her up, Kelly sat at the table while Micah poured her a cup of coffee. All Daniel could do was smile. This was his family. A bunch of ragtag rug rats, but together they fit.
“The lieutenant and I are thinking of starting up our own security company. Since nobody wants a couple of screwed-up war veterans. We figured why waste all our training. We are good with tense combat situations. Why not get paid for it?” Daniel explained.
“I happen to love a couple of screwed-up war veterans,” Kelly whispered, hugging Molly.
“Me, too.” Molly smiled brightly at Daniel.
“Thanks, munchkin.”
“Anyway, it’s just something Daniel and I have been throwing around, but first we have to find a place to set up shop. We can’t work in town, because of the noise and the people, and someone needs to be here for Molly,” Micah said.
“Will this be dangerous?” Kelly asked.
“Anything is dangerous, honeybee. But we have been trained our whole lives to expect any contingency. It’s what Daniel and I are good at.”
“But you used to fly planes, and Daniel, well, I don’t know what he did, but it must have been important. How long have you two been thinking about this?”
“Angel, technically we have already started it. We have been taking cases for close to two years now. We only stopped because of Molly and you. Now that everything is settling down, Micah, and I are just looking to set up a home base, instead of our laptops. We need something solid, where we can hire ourselves out for more clients and bring in other veterans,” Daniel said, taking her hand.
“Oh,” she whispered, “I thought you guys lived off your retirement. I didn’t know. You never said anything.”
“It’s not something we advertise.” Micah grinned.
Daniel could tell by the look on her face Kelly did not know what to think. There was just so much going on in her life, with the new marriage and Molly, and now some lunatic was running around apparently trying to kill her and her relatives, he feared he had just tipped her bucket over.
Even he could admit it was a lot to take in, but even as fucked up as he was, he was doing okay, or at least he thought he was. Looking to Micah for guidance, he did not know what to say to alleviate the worry on her face. Of course, she was not helping either. If he did not know any better, he would swear she was working everything out, compartmentalizing what was important and ignoring the rest, all in that pretty little head of hers.
Micah must have read him correctly because within minutes, he had Molly in his arms and left the room with her, leaving him alone with Kelly. Scooting to the chair next to her, he took her hand.
“Angel?”
“I’m all right, Daniel. Just answer me this. Is it safe?”
“Micah and I try to be safe. I will not lie and tell you it’s all fun and games. There have been a few times we’ve come home with stitches and a broken bone or two, but it’s what we know Kelly. We always strive for safety first,” he said, being as honest as he possibly could. He didn’t want to scare her and tell her the whole truth, but some semblance of it he could admit to.
“You two have dealt with so much. I am just worried that you’re placing yourself in danger to fulfill some deep-seated need for redemption.”
“Kelly, no matter what our demons are, we will never be rid of them. Nevertheless, for us to survive in this world, we have to make a difference. We didn’t before, but we can now, and if that means saving some child from an abusive parent or some businessman from an assassin’s bullet, then, angel, we have to try.”
“Just promise me that if it’s going to be too dangerous, please walk away. Let someone else do it, okay?” she pleaded with him, worry etched on her face. Daniel knew she was trying desperately to hold everything together. That was his angel, always putting everyone’s needs before herself. Daniel just wondered, when the day was all done, that she would allow him and Micah to take care of her.
“I promise.”
* * * *
The morning had turned out to be a beautiful day. The weather was forecasted to be warmer but still chilly in the evening, so with clear skies and no chance of rain, Micah and Daniel decided to do some finish work on the outside of the house. Kelly was already outside planting some native spring blossoms around the front of the house, and with Molly in Celestial with Macie, they figured they might actually get some work done.
The house was coming along, and with just a few minor repairs, the old farmhouse was beginning to look like a home. Micah knew that finishing the house was important, and he and Daniel worked tirelessly trying to get it done before the next social worker’s visit. So far, the meetings were going well, and with Kelly there to keep the tension at bay, Micah and Daniel were able to answer the woman’s questions without wanting to treat her as a hostile insurgent hell-bent on destroying their perfect little home.
It had only been a week since they had married unexpectedly, shocking Kelly’s family, but Micah gave them props. They took it better than he thought. He expected a full-on frontal assault, but instead they congratulated them and threw them a small reception dinner out at the Double Deuce, Kelly’s family home. The whole town showed up wishing them nothing but the best. Micah and Daniel knew they were outnumbered and put on display of the doting husbands, and the partygoers made it home without a single scratch on their bodies.
Micah was proud of Daniel when some of the men of Treasure Cove confronted him about his past and capability of being there for Kelly. Daniel did not even threaten to kill a single one. Micah did notice though that the men were more vigilant and on alert with the women.
The shocking news of Margaret’s death rattled Kelly, even though she would not admit it, ending their happy honeymoon after they returned home after eloping. Micah had received the call from Braxton two days after the funeral, letting him know that he had managed to lift a set of prints off Margaret’s car. It had looked like the town sheriff had finally gotten the break in the case he needed to bring this bastard to justice. All he was waiting on now was the report back from the state on just who the culprit was. In the meantime, though Micah and Daniel disagreed with him, Braxton believed the girls were as safe as they were ever going to be, saying he had everything handled.
It was not that Micah did not believe or trust in the town sheriff. It was just that Micah did not know the man well enough, and decided to extend his security operation and have two of the local vets from the community center as added security for Kelly and Molly when he or Daniel were not around.
He had a family now, and protecting them was his most important objective.
* * * *
She stood there smiling at them. She had never been so content in her entire life. It seemed that her personal life was finally falling into place, and though she still had her worries, with her men protecting her, she felt as if she could fly.
Her family had taken the news of their impromptu wedding with graciousness, and even though her mother was a tad upset about missing out on her only daughter’s wedding, she understood that it was even a stretch to plan such a feat. Fina
lly relenting, Kelly wanted to cry when her mother told her, “Sweetheart, as long as you’re happy, then that is all the celebration I need.”
Together, she, Micah, and Daniel had broken the news to Molly the next morning, and when the little girl threw herself into her arms, Kelly knew everything was going to be okay. Everyone that she had come to care about stood in that very room, and as long as they were together, they could do anything. They had seen Matthew the following day after child services had visited, and he had assured them that everything looked great for Molly’s upcoming court hearing. All that could be done to secure the little girl was done, and now it was up to the courts to decide.
Micah and Daniel worked hard on trying to retrofit the barn to their needs. Since the house was almost completed, they decided to leave the final additions to the crew of veterans from the community center that had started a construction crew.
Her brothers had packed up her little home in town and stored her belongings out at the family ranch. She hoped to have all of her things moved into the house by the end of the week. For some reason, she felt giddy, wanting to spread her arms and twirl with delight.
For the first time in a very long time, a happy peacefulness fell over her.
Micah and Daniel scout and measure the fence line out near the barn, wondering what plans they had for her tonight. After Macie picked up Molly, they had started speaking in quiet tones. It was all some sort of hush-hush covert mission that neither of them were talking about, unless she had the clearance to be included, and apparently she did not because every time she walked into a room, they clammed up tighter than the girdle on a minister’s wife at an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Smiling, she left them to their conspiracy and headed out to work on the flower garden in the front of the house.
The warm breeze hissed as it picked up, just enough to blow her ponytail around as she tried to catch it. She waved as she saw her men turning suddenly to look at her.
Standing there, she waved as hot warmth flooded her chest.
An odd warmth.
The smile slowly faded from her face when she saw Micah and Daniel drop everything in their hands, heading for her at a dead run. They looked worried as if something happened. Lowering her hand, the warm breeze that should have kept her warm, suddenly began to chill her.
She was cold.
Just as Micah reached for her, her legs gave out, going numb, and she collapsed in his arms. “Micah, it’s getting cold. I need my sweater,” she said. Her voice sounded funny as if she was breathless. She didn’t know how that could be. She didn’t do anything strenuous. Looking at him, she knew that something was terribly wrong. He looked scared.
“Kelly, stay awake, baby. Come on, honeybee. Stay with me,” he said fearfully. He looked worried as he shouted orders to Daniel, who ran into the house.
“Why is it so cold?” she barely asked as the warmth fled her body. “Micah?”
She tried to touch his face, but unable to move her arms, she just lay there wrapped in his embrace. She wanted to touch him. She needed to touch him. She was so cold. Why was it cold? It was warm just a minute ago, she thought as she looked at him.
She could hear the shouting, and within minutes, she heard sirens off in the distance. Someone was coming, but she did not know who. Looking around, she did not know what was happening. She felt odd, cold as warm wet stickiness spread across her chest. The warmth was entirely gone as numbness took over her body. She never took her eyes off Micah. She wanted to reassure him, but as he held her in his arms, a tiredness overcame her, and before she could stop herself, she closed her eyes as the shouts of Micah’s and Daniel’s worried screams filled her mind.
* * * *
The waiting room was silent as they all waited for any news. The word went out quickly that one of their own was in need, and soon most of the town of Treasure Cove had arrived. Those who could not make it waited patiently by their phones for any news. The town shut down as the medical staff of Silver Spring’s Trauma Unit worked tirelessly to save her life.
Those who were there knew it did not look good, but those who gave a damn refused to allow the thought of her demise enter into their heads.
She would survive.
She was one of theirs, and they took care of their own. There was no other outcome acceptable. Because, if she did not, the town knew that there was no way on this earth that they were going to be able to stop Micah O’Brian or Daniel Meyer.
Micah stood away from the others, his eyes surveying everything around him. He knew how many people were in the room. How many were women and how many were men. He knew what they were wearing, and who he could take. He did not worry about the women, well, except one. He never considered Charlotte Connelly a woman. Yes, she looked and smelled like a woman, but that was where the correlation ended. The woman actually scared the living shit out of him, and as he counted heads, he plucked her in with the men.
Those who knew him stayed away, and rightly so, because if anyone dared approach him, he was going to snap. Wound tight and ready for action, all he waited for was the word from the doctor. His future and the future of those around him were undecided as the minutes ticked by.
The doors flew open, and the only thing he moved was his eyes. His body tensed, ready for action. However, when he saw Mrs. Anne and her sister, Sophie, walk in, he relaxed. Kelly’s mother and aunt walked straight for him, their faces etched with worry. He could tell Anne had been crying. Hell, he felt like crying, too. He knew he was not fit to see her. His clothes were soaked in her blood. He should have accepted the scrubs that a nurse handed him, but it was too late now.
His eyes locked with Mrs. Anne’s. “Micah?” she questioned him.
He knew that look. He had seen it many times from widows, mothers, sisters, brothers, and fathers. They all wore that look, their eyes asking “why.”
“I didn’t hear it until it was too late,” he whispered, remembering hearing the recoil of the weapon. By the time he reacted, it was too late. Kelly lay bleeding in his arms.
“I’m not blaming you, Micah, or you, Daniel,” she said, looking over at his friend. Turning her attention back to him, she quietly asked, “What I want to know is what you two are going to do about it?”
“We made the call. The boys are gearing up. As soon as the doctor says she will live, we are going hunting. I will get this son of a bitch. I promise you, Mrs. Anne. He won’t live to see the sunrise tomorrow,” Micah reverently said.
Mrs. Anne smiled up at him, nodded, and walked away.
“Micah, I can’t let you go after this person. You know that,” Braxton said sternly, getting to his feet.
“I don’t give a fuck what you can or cannot do, Braxton. If she dies, I will kill the bastard. If she lives, I am going to kill the bastard, and there is not a person on this planet that is going to stop me,” Micah said steely.
“I can’t have you going all vigilante and taking matters into your own hands. I have Brannon and some other men already out looking for this person. We don’t even know who it was. It could be anybody. Let me do my job. I will find the person who hurt Kelly. Let me bring him in and let the courts serve their justice.”
“Kelly is fighting for her life with a bullet to her chest. My clothes are soaked in her blood. I am this fucker’s judge and jury, and I say he dies.” Micah coolly seethed. The sheriff was starting to piss him off. He liked Braxton, and he was good friends with Brannon, but he absolutely refused to let either man get in his way. He wanted this fucker’s blood on his hands. He wanted to wash himself in it as he took his last breath, and that was exactly what he was going to do.
“What can we do to help?” Travis said, getting to his feet along with his brothers, Tucker and Tate. They all stood. Jeff and Caleb Hicks, Steven and Neil Conner. Orin, Davis, and Jacks McDaniel, Connor and Daniel Kincaid, and even Gabriel and Alexander Sexton, they all stood, every last one of them.
“Braxton, you can’t stop us all. Our wives are in danger. I
will not stand idly by and do nothing. This has to stop now,” Gabriel said sternly.
“Gabe’s right, Braxton. You’re going to need our help. Treasure Cove has a lot of open range to cover. You can’t be everywhere at once. Utilize us. Let us help,” Travis said firmly.
“Look, guys, I get it. You are worried. I am, too. I don’t like having Emma, Annie, and Tabitha under lock and key. But they are safe right now. I have them in a secured location. They are guarded and protected. I want this person found just as much as you do, but we have to do this legally,” Braxton said as Micah watched him run his hand through his hair in agitation.
Just then, the door opened and in walked the doctor. Micah moved quickly and stood before him. “Is she alive?”
“Barely. I was able to repair the right artery, but she lost a lot of blood. We had to revive her once. Look, I’m not going to lie to you. She is in critical condition. The next few hours are going to be touch and go. If she can survive the night, she will have a chance,” the doctor said and turned, leaving the room.
Micah looked over at Daniel, who just nodded and walked out into the hall. As Micah touched the door, he turned his head and looked at the men who were still standing, and said, “If you’re coming, let’s go.”
Micah took a deep breath as he stepped out in to the brisk evening air. It was going to be another chilly night, but looking up at the sky, he knew it was going to be clear. He needed good weather and prayed it stayed in his favor because as of right now, the mission was a go.
It was hunting time.
Chapter Eleven
They all rendezvoused at Micah and Daniel’s. The house was already swarming with men dressed in camouflage. Dressed in full battle rattle, the men Micah had called waited for his instructions, geared up and ready for action.
Kelly's Heroes [The Men of Treasure Cove 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 16