by Eve Langlais
Her smile upon seeing him proved bright and happy. “Hugo!”
“Thank fuck you’re all right.” He dragged her to him and kissed her thoroughly.
The embrace was a hot and passionate thing. In between pants, she said, “I remember who I am.”
“That’s good,” was his reply as he slid her some more tongue.
“I remember everything about you, too.” She reached down to cup him.
He had the sense to say, “Later. I should check—”
“He’s dead.” She cupped his cheeks, her gaze intent on him. “I killed him.”
He could see that she expected him to react. “Thanks for saving me the trouble.”
She said nothing for a moment. “I guess this is a good time to say I’ve read—and now remember—your report. I know what you do. I read about your sister and her family.”
So much for thinking she saw only the public persona. “How? The file Marie showed me had nothing in it.”
“I have my sources. And I don’t always share them. Especially when it’s private stuff.”
He leaned his forehead on hers. Guess I should confess that I saw yours, too. Anita.”
“Anita is dead. She was a weak and stupid girl.”
“She was a brave woman and mother.”
“My babies are everything to me,” she said softly.
“And you kept them safe.” Unlike him with his family.
As if reading his mind, she cupped his cheeks. “We can’t change the past. We can only do better for the future.”
“Is there a future?” he murmured.
“I’m more of a now person. As in, right now, before we’re interrupted.” She tugged at his pants.
He thought about turning her down. They couldn’t be together. They were so different, and yet the same in their brokenness. She was alive. And perfect.
She unbuttoned his pants as he slid her skirt up over her legs. The table was the ideal height for fucking. The tip of his cock passed over her sex and found her wet and ready. He thrust into her, his mouth hot and panting against hers as her fingers dug into his shoulders.
The climax proved fast and furious.
And when it was done, he held her in his arms.
“One last time?” she whispered against his lips.
What if he said he would never have enough? “Maybe that was hasty.”
“Very hasty. After all, we’re both adults who can surely handle a few more rounds to truly sate this strange desire between us.”
“Why strange?”
She didn’t answer, nor would she meet his gaze. She gave him a slight push, and he pulled away.
“Why is it strange?” he prodded, and yet he understood. Because after all the times he’d been betrayed, he suddenly found himself ready to try again. With her.
“Because I’m not supposed to have a hard time walking away.” Her lips turned down. “Why did you have to be so damned sexy and charming?”
His lips tugged up at the corners. “What happened to arrogant?”
“Part of your appeal. I like a man with swagger.”
“And I like a woman with confidence.” He stroked a few strands of hair from her cheek. “My beautiful and feisty Ariel.”
“It’s Meredith, actually.”
“I know what your name is, but to me, you’ll always be my redheaded mermaid.” He rolled a shoulder.
“I can’t believe you named me after a cartoon,” she huffed and then laughed. “Guess I know what I’m going to be for Halloween this year.”
A good thing he’d tucked his dick away, or she’d have seen how much he liked that idea. Now, he just had to find a way to be around when it happened.
But first things first. She hopped off the table and went across the space to the body. A single shot to the head.
“I see you know how to shoot.”
She smiled. “Sugar, I know over a hundred ways to kill a man.”
“Call me sugar again, and I am going to put your ass back on that table for another fucking.”
“Promise?” She winked. “But hold onto that thought for later. We’ve got a wedding to attend. Look at the time.”
She pushed past him and went out onto the deck. He followed.
“What about after the wedding?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, shading her gaze as the afternoon sun hit a bright pitch.
Would she really make him say it? “How long are you staying on the island?”
Her gaze strayed to his for a second. “Does it matter?”
He should have said that it did. Admitted that he didn’t want her to go. Not yet. That he’d like to get to know her better.
But that was when the helicopter appeared, and she clapped her hands. “Oh, now that’s a nice toy. Yours, I assume?”
“It is.”
“Thanks for letting the ladies borrow it. See you at the wedding.”
He still didn’t say anything.
When the helicopter landed, blades whipping hair and loose debris, she ran for it and hopped inside. Not even a wave goodbye.
What did he expect? They’d said no strings. No commitment. And yet…there was something between them. He would swear she felt it, too.
As the helicopter lifted, he hopped off the yacht and headed for his car, noticing Gerome leaning against it. Smoking.
“Since when do you fill your lungs with that shit?” he asked.
“Says the hypocrite with a penchant for cigars.”
“That’s completely different,” Hugo defended. Cigars were to be savored, and not too often to truly enjoy them.
“I take it Junior won’t be a problem anymore?” Gerome eyed the boat.
“Ariel took care of him.”
“Then we should get going if you’re going to make the wedding on time.”
“Who has a sunset wedding?” he grumbled even as he had to admit, they were rather spectacular.
“It’s romantic,” Gerome rumbled as he grabbed the bottle with the rag sticking out of it. He lit it and tossed it onto the boat.
Boom. Flames danced along the wooden deck. Out of control. Kind of like Hugo’s passion for Ariel.
Would he feed that fire by taking a chance, or let it fizzle?
He discovered the answer at the wedding.
28
Interlude: The Wedding
Carla appeared a bit green, Marie noted, looking around for the nearest bucket.
“I’m going to puke,” Carla stated, leaning forward to hide between her legs, her filmy, white gown frothing around her. Her hair was loose for once and had flowers weaved in it.
“You are not going to puke,” Tanya reassured.
“Not to mention, it’s called morning sickness for a reason,” Audrey baited.
“Puke on that dress and Merry will kill you.” Portia’s reminder.
“A wedding. What was I thinking? We should have lived in sin.” Carla eyed them balefully. “Who convinced me to do this?”
“You want to do this,” Tanya soothed. “You love Philip.”
“I do, but what if it doesn’t work?” Carla practically hyperventilated.
“If it doesn’t, then I’ll make sure no one can trace the lye I have to order to get rid of the body. No trails will lead back to us,” Portia offered.
“You guys are the best!” Carla’s lips wobbled, and Marie stepped in.
“Hush now, my sweet girl. You deserve this. All of this. The perfect wedding on the beach. A person to love you and be a father to Nico.” Marie meant every word even as she knew her best agent would never return to work for her. Another of her foundlings had fled the nest.
“But—But—” Carla’s lip wobbled. “What if everything changes?”
“It will. For the better.” The ladies moved in for a hug, and mascara threatened to run.
“Oh, hell no! Everyone stop what you’re doing!” Meredith boomed. “Don’t you dare make the bride cry just as she’s about to walk down the aisle. Game faces on. P
laces, people,” she snapped. “It’s go-time!”
There had been a few suggestions on ways to shake things up for the wedding. Jump from a plane and parachute in. Parasailing onto the beach. A palanquin carried by nubile bearers. Even a boat racing onto the shore, and the couple leaping from it.
In the end, Carla wanted something traditional, and Merry made sure she got it while Marie took care of the expenses.
The hotel rolled out a red carpet. Literally. The white fold-up chairs had frothy red and white bows. The groom wore a tux, even in this heat. All of his groomsmen did too, their arms linked with their respective bridesmaids for the walk up the aisle. The bridesmaids proved quite elegant in their slate-gray dresses, their bare legs catching the breeze.
Tanya looked especially radiant while a certain Bad Boy agent by her side appeared nervous. Marie had seen the ring. Devon had nothing to worry about.
When the music shifted, and it was time for Carla to appear, Audrey started to sob—later blaming her pregnancy hormones.
Marie bit her lip lest she sob too, because of all the people Carla could have chosen to walk her down the aisle, she’d chosen Marie. Because as Carla said, “It’s because of you that I’m getting a chance at this life, this happiness.”
Her happily ever after.
As Marie looked around at her girls. Each of them handpicked, each a precious daughter and sister and best friend, she could only hope they would all find someone who would look at them how Philip looked at Carla.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Looking away proved impossible. Meredith snuck more peeks at Hugo than she should have. After the boat, she’d not known what to think. He’d come to her rescue. But he’d made no promises. No plans.
Was it over? Did she want to see him again? The answer surprised.
And then he’d sent her a note. A note of all things, written by hand, therefore personal, and yet just ink on paper.
For the most intriguing treasure to ever come from the sea. We should talk.
Accompanied by the most delicate set of pearl earrings with a matching necklace. What did it mean? Why the gift? And talk about what?
Because she didn’t want to talk. Seeing him in the crowd, looking incredibly delicious in his cream-colored suit, she wanted to strip him and…
His gaze met hers and locked on. She might have stared at him forever if not nudged. “Merry, it’s over.”
Her cheeks flushed with heat, and she ducked her head. She could only hope the twilight covered any color.
The boisterous crowd moved to the beach and the tent set up on it. If anyone thought it strange to see killers barefoot in the sand, dancing, eating, and talking like ordinary people, then they’d better keep their mouths shut, or Meredith would take care of them.
Nothing would mar this special day. When the mothers were brought into the Killer Mom agency, they were often broken and frightened things. Timid. Flinching. Powerless. Afraid.
And then they were shown how to take that power back. To fight and face the world with their heads held high. They discovered that they could be successful and happy.
But at the core of everyone, man or woman, they wanted many of the same things. Acceptance. Companionship. And the most elusive thing of all, true love.
At her age, Merry knew whatever chance she had for a normal relationship had long since fled, and she should know better than to feel that flutter of hope when she looked at Hugo. How many times had it been crushed?
What if this time, she made the right choice?
“Why so serious?”
The depth of his voice never failed to bring a shiver. She turned and, rather than give Hugo the coy answer that would start the flirting game, chose the bold truth.
“Ever wonder if you’ll be alone forever?”
“That is a serious question for a wedding.” He glanced around at the smiling faces before meeting her gaze once more. “The answer is yes. After so many betrayals, it’s hard not to feel jaded. To wonder what the angle is every time a smile is directed your way.”
“I’ve been used.”
“We both have.”
“I have a hard time forming attachments.”
“Which sounds like me, except I’m having a hard time detaching from a certain mermaid who washed up on my beach.”
She could have accepted the branch he extended, but she wasn’t about to go into this with any secrets. “I’ve killed all of my former husbands.”
“Does this mean I’m safe so long as we don’t get married?”
Her lips curved. “Why, Mr. Laurentian, are you asking me to go steady?”
“I’m asking you to see where this thing goes.”
“What if it goes sideways?”
“What if it doesn’t?” He shrugged. “I’m thinking it’s time I took a chance.”
Before she could reply, she heard Jacques calling to her.
“Mademoiselle, I hear you have your memories back.”
Meredith whirled to see him in full uniform. He’d better not ruin Carla’s reception.
She pasted on a bright smile. “Superintendent, so nice of you to check on me at my friend’s wedding.”
“More than check, I’m afraid. We need to have a talk, seeing as how upon our investigation of the death of Hector Gonzalez Jr. and senior, we happened upon a photograph in his apartment.” Jacques whipped it out of his pocket.
Hugo swiped it from his hand and, without even looking, held it to a tiki torch.
The police chief’s mouth widened. His eyes did, too.
Marie took that moment to slide her arm through his. “If it isn’t the very attractive chief of police. I was just telling someone about how well you do with such limited resources. It just so happens they’ve been looking for a new charity they can donate to, and what better cause than public safety?”
Marie led the inspector away, and Meredith smiled coyly at Hugo. “Care to dance?”
“I don’t know if I can hold you close without wanting to strip you.”
She licked her lips. “We can’t leave yet.”
“How long?” His impatient desire for her only enflamed her. “A few hours.”
“Hours?” He groaned.
“Don’t worry, sugar. My flight doesn’t leave for another two days.”
“You need to cancel that flight.”
“Oh, I do, do I?” She arched a brow. “I can’t suddenly forget I have a life and home just because you want us to have a fling.”
“Good point. Is this your way of asking me to go with you?”
“Would you?”
“I’m sure I can manage some time at your place.”
She blinked. “Are we actually talking about dating?”
“Dating is so eighties.” He laughed.
“I happen to love that decade.” She flipped her hair. “But I don’t miss the hair. Do you know how much work went into getting the bangs fluffed that high?”
“How did we get to bangs from going steady?”
“I don’t know if I’m ready for steady.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, kiss already,” Gerome grumbled, stomping past.
There were literally fireworks as their lips locked.
And she did end up canceling her flight.
Epilogue
The agent known as Cougar Mom, the one feared by the newest batch of KM recruits, shoved her sunglasses higher on her nose. She was nervous. So very, very full of anxiety, and Hugo knew it.
He held her hand tightly. “It will be okay.”
“What if it’s not? I’ve never had my babies meet a man before.”
Hugo shook his head. “I still don’t know how that’s possible. You were married numerous times!”
“I never brought my work home,” she mumbled. It was always, “Mommy is going away for a few weeks on business.” She’d never dated anyone worthy enough to meet her babies.
“Are you sure I look okay?” he asked, finally showing signs of nerves as people began to tr
ickle out of the airport’s arrival area.
“Good enough to strip and eat. Pity we don’t have time to find an empty closet somewhere.”
“That was just mean, Ariel.”
“I know. Which reminds me, if the kids ask, that’s just your nickname for me.” Her new identity would take time for her kids to learn about. But she was ready to leave old Meredith behind. Ariel was a woman in love who didn’t fear commitment. Just ask the giant engagement ring on her finger.
He’d done it without warning, merely dropping to one knee. No speech. Just two heartfelt words. “Marry me.”
She’d said “yes” before she even saw the ridiculously beautiful ring.
Her babies emerged side by side, tall and dark-haired Donovan, still so serious after all these years, and his ginger-haired sister, Caroline.
She needn’t have worried about their reaction to meeting Hugo because the first thing her son said upon holding out his hand for a shake was, “About time, Mom.”
Caroline muttered, “Think if she gets laid, she’ll lighten up and stop bringing over containers full of treats whenever she’s not out of town on business?”
Her cheeks heated. “I do not bake that often.”
“I haven’t seen you bake lately at all,” Hugo said, his grin more than wicked. His fault she didn’t have the time. Between her recruiting and training of new agents—most which would flunk out or move on before hitting the field—and sex…on the beach, in the hot tub, in bed, the car, and every other place they could think of—she barely had time for virtual brunch with her friends.
But that was a good thing. Happiness kept her busy.
As the kids walked ahead of them to the car, she leaned close to Hugo and whispered, “I’m not wearing panties.”
To which both her babies exclaimed, “Ew, Mom. Gross.”
Because, apparently, moms didn’t have sex.
Later that night, after Hugo had finished kissing every inch of her, they snuggled, and he said, “I got a weird present today from your friend Carla.”