“That doesn’t seem fair.”
Talia shrugged, watching their clasped hands as Hunter’s thumb rubbed comforting circles on her skin. “I was the older one, I should know better. Besides, I would rather endure the wrath to protect Shira.”
“You’re a good sister.”
“I hope so. I tried. I did not get to speak with her very much while I was there. I do not know how she feels about me now. My father, he, uh, left everything to me.”
Surprise raised Hunter’s brows. “Wow. Everything?”
She nodded. “Pretty much. And it is substantial. I sold his company. I had no desire to run it.”
“What about his wife?”
“He left her enough to live on, but she wanted it all. I did set up a trust for Shira that her mother cannot touch.”
“I thought you didn’t get along with your father, but he left his estate to you?”
“I was shocked. We did not get along at all. He wanted to mold me into his clone. Instead of playing with Barbies or Legos, I learned to fight and handle weapons. Though I am an American by birth, I had to join the Israeli military. From there, Mossad. I was not free to make my own choices. When I left to join COBRA Securities, it was the first time I had defied his orders.”
“I’m glad you did.”
She smiled at him. “Me, too. But with my upbringing, you can see why I do not have the traits that most women have. My father overlooked the fact that I was a girl. My stepmother never stepped in to help me, either. She was too busy ignoring me. At least she took good care of my sister, and that’s what matters.”
“No, Talia. You are what matters. Look at what you’ve become despite your upbringing. You are sweet and kind and honest, and you have the biggest heart.”
“I do not think—”
“Shh, I’m still talking,” he chastised. “You made sure your sister was taken care of, you have become a champion, a protector of a vulnerable girl you just met. Not many people would do that.”
“It was nothing.”
“Stop.”
Her brows raised at his harsh tone and she blinked. “Stop what?”
“Putting yourself down.”
She shook her head in denial. “I did not.”
“You are constantly doing so, Talia. You think you aren’t feminine enough or talented. You think you aren’t good enough, but you are. Just because you can’t cook or sew, who cares? To me you’re perfect.”
Oh boy, he had to quit talking like that. She was already teetering on the verge of falling in love with him. All it would take is one teensy push and she’d hurtle off the edge…and she was dangerously close to doing just that.
Chapter Nineteen
Hunter’s head jerked up in shock when a bell tolled through the compound. Dinner time. He was amazed to realize he and Talia had been talking for hours. It’d been so effortless, so easy. They learned each other’s backgrounds, their likes and dislikes. At some point they’d slid off the rock to the soft earth with their backs resting against the boulder. He hadn’t even noticed as the sun started to dip in the sky, or when Talia’s head rested against his shoulder. He’d been so absorbed in her stories, of getting to know the woman behind the mask of fierce determination she presented to the world.
He’d been right. She was a softy. She projected an air of steely strength, but deep down, she was a marshmallow. She’d taken Tilly under her wing and she just met the girl. She spoke of her younger sister and the smile on her face was proof that she cared deeply for the girl, even if her stepmother tried to keep them apart.
He’d like to give her stepmother a piece of his mind. What kind of woman treated a vulnerable young girl who had just lost her mother with scorn and hatred? Her father sounded cold and unfeeling. He bet Talia hadn’t experienced much love in her life since her mother passed away. She talked of starting a foundation to help children through the process of losing a parent with the money her father left her in his will. She was in a word, incredible.
He genuinely liked her before. Thought he might be approaching the slippery slope that led to hearts and flowers and declarations of love. Now he knew he was on the downhill slide. It was dangerous territory…falling for a woman who hadn’t learned to love. She might never be capable of returning his feelings. Didn’t mean he’d give up.
He stood and held out a hand to help her up. At one time, she’d have bitten off his head and told him she could manage on her own. Now, she slid her palm against his and he lifted her effortlessly to her feet. She was looking at him. He was looking at her. It was so natural to just lean down and press his lips to hers. She didn’t protest. Didn’t argue. She responded eagerly and passionately, winding her arms around his neck. He wanted to lie her down right here, strip her clothes from her body and feast until he was sated. It might take a while. Instead, he forced himself to break the kiss. The hand that had slid into her silky hair, moved to cup her cheek. Her lips were swollen and moist. It was all he could do to urge his legs to move. They made their way to the dining hall, arm in arm. He could get used to this.
Someone called out a greeting and they turned to see Malcolm and his wife…Peggy? Patti? He couldn’t remember for sure…hurrying to catch up.
“Brother Henry, Sister Tina, how are you?”
“We’re good, Brother Malcolm. Thank you for asking,” Talia said. “Sister Penny, I love your outfit.”
Penny, that’s it.
“Thank you so much,” the woman preened. Hunter tried not to wince. She wore a hot pink top, a neon green infinity scarf, skin-tight purple leggings and bright red lipstick. She looked like a Skittles bag threw up on her. To make matters worse, she was about a hundred months pregnant, so she didn’t just walk, she waddled.
“Brother Malcolm, did you get a chance to examine the van?” He had no idea why the thing wouldn’t start. For all he knew, it hadn’t been taken care of or serviced. Malcolm knew cars and from what he’d learned from other members, it was because he’d had a fascination with them from the time he was young. He transformed his love into a thriving automobile dealership with over six locations before he sold it all and joined the Church of Light.
“I did,” Malcolm confirmed. “There was a short in one of the headlights. Drained the battery right good. After I fixed the issue and gave it a jump, it started right up.”
“Good. The Lightkeeper will be pleased.”
“I stopped by his cabin to let him know, but he didn’t answer when I rang the bell.”
“He was going to take some time alone to pray,” Hunter said, though he didn’t believe that for a second. Surfing the internet or watching porn, more likely. Probably both at the same time.
Talia squeezed his hand and leaned into him. “Heads up,” she murmured.
He looked up to see Rob headed their way. The man wanted a rematch? Bring it on.
“Brother Malcolm, Sister Penny, if you’ll excuse me. I need to speak with Brother Rob.” They didn’t need to see the blood that was about to be shed. By Rob. “Babe,” he gave Talia a quick kiss and a meaningful look, “why don’t you go with them and I’ll meet you there in a minute.”
“Thank you, but I will stay with my husband.”
Of course, she would. Had he really expected her to go?
Malcolm and Penny waved, greeted Rob as they passed, and then it was just the three of them. Rob on one side, he and Talia on the other.
“Look, McKay, we don’t have to like each other.”
“That’s good,” Hunter drawled.
Rob narrowed his eyes to slits. “But we have to get along for the Lightkeeper’s sake.” He shifted on his feet. “Malcolm told me a short caused the battery to drain, so,” he cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable, “I apologize for blaming you.”
Hunter had the impression Rob didn’t apologize for much. “Apology accepted…for that indiscretion only.”
Rob eyed him. “What are you talking about?”
“You owe my wife an apology as well.”
He still planned on making the man pay for touching Talia, but that would come later. Painfully.
Rob growled, and you could practically hear his teeth grinding. “I’m sorry for hurting you, Tina. It wasn’t my intention.”
“I accept your apology,” Talia said formally.
Now that the apologies were out of the way, Rob had to go and ruin it by pointing at Hunter and adding, “I still don’t like you.”
“Right back ‘atcha.”
#
Hunter and Talia sat at a table in the dining hall with two other couples, enjoying an amazing meal of roasted chicken, asparagus and baked potatoes. The cook had been an award-winning chef and a James Beard nominee, which was a prestigious award given for excellence in cuisine. The roasted chicken was moist and succulent, the asparagus seasoned perfectly with Parmesan cheese, and the baked potato melted in your mouth. It was like eating in a five-star restaurant.
The buzz of conversation filled the air and Talia tried to feign interest in the topics being discussed, but she kept scoping out the room, searching for Margaret. She hadn’t arrived with her husband. Rob was sitting at a table with Clint, Joan, Jeffery Tindale and his wife Lara. They’d made their money in the dot.com boom.
It was a little disconcerting to look around and realize she was the most ethnic person in the room. There were no members of color or diversity. All privileged and white. Either Elijah was a racist or, well, there really was no other explanation. Another strike against him.
Talia declined dessert. She didn’t have much of a sweet tooth. She’d rather load up on carbs…bread, pasta, potatoes. Hunter also passed on the selection of cakes and pies. She’d seen his body up close and personal and knew for a fact he kept in top shape. If anything, she thought he looked more muscular than when they’d worked the case in Georgia. She supposed that was due to Dante Costa’s rigorous workout routines.
The afternoon had been amazing, sitting and talking to Hunter. She planned on getting to know more about him, yet somehow, he’d turned the tables until she was the one doing the spilling of guts. She told him things she’d never told another person. She did get to know more about him and they discovered they had several of the same hobbies and tastes. The more she knew, the more she liked. The wall protecting her heart was paper thin at this point.
After they carried their plates to the kitchen and loaded up the dishwasher, they followed the crowd as they made their way to the amphitheater for the nightly service. She was not looking forward to attending. She’d rather head back to the cabin with Hunter and snuggle under the covers.
She’d never attended church growing up. Her father was too busy to take time out of his schedule and her stepmother only took her sister to temple. Talia was left home with the nannies. That was fine by her. Now that she was an adult, she had a problem with someone who was more than likely a sinner himself telling her what to do and how to lead her life. She believed in God and in leading a good life. Any wrongdoings on her part were between her and the Lord. She didn’t know if she would get into Heaven anyway. She’d killed people, and though it was for the betterment of society or in the name of country, she had still ended their lives. She remembered each one and even though the people deserved it, she prayed for their souls. She didn’t like doing it, but it was part of her job, her training. She hoped God could forgive her, even if she couldn’t forgive herself.
Hunter guided her to a pew and stepped back so she could precede him. Once they were seated, the arena filled quickly. She elbowed him when a slender woman with brown hair pulled into a low ponytail slid into a seat near the back. Margaret was in attendance. Now she wondered if Elijah would show.
#
On the drive back from Miss Maxine’s, Elijah debated whether to cancel tonight’s service. His heart wasn’t into it. He was still torn on what to do about the rift between Henry and Rob. He couldn’t banish either from the compound. Rob knew his secrets, and he just plain liked Henry. And if Henry left, that meant Tina went with him. No. Not going to happen.
He had another year before he could move on to his next gig. He needed his people to get along and if that couldn’t happen, he would have to take drastic measures.
Rob’s usefulness was pretty much over. He’d brought in Margaret Conrad and her millions. True, her parents had blocked her from accessing all her funds, but they’d still managed to get away with a nice chunk of change. Rob had helped cover up Nadine’s death, but he didn’t know that Elijah had actually killed her. He thought she had a seizure. And Rob knew about Elijah’s predilections to leggy, limber blonds. What would his flock think if they knew their pious leader liked to get his freak on with high-class hookers while downing hundred-dollar bottles of fine liquor? Mass exodus, that’s what. Lawsuits. It would be messy.
Henry, on the other hand, had saved his life. The demented knife-wielding man might not have killed him, but he would’ve gotten in a couple of sure-to-be painful stab wounds. It wasn’t that Elijah couldn’t take care of himself. He could’ve stopped the attacker himself, but he’d been blindsided. He hadn’t heard the man approach until it was too late. If not for Henry’s quick reflexes, who knows what might have happened?
He was back to square one on what to do to resolve the situation. After parking the car in the garage, he made his way through the tunnel and stopped to shower and change in his underground suite. His robes were hanging on a rack in his office upstairs. After he donned the garments and left his cabin, Rob was waiting for him.
“Look, Elijah, I’m sorry about what happened.”
“It’s not only me you should be apologizing to, Rob.”
Rob hung his head. “I know, and I’ve already apologized to Henry and Tina.”
Elijah’s eyes widened. “You did?” At Rob’s nod, he asked, “And they accepted your apology?”
“They both did, yes.”
“Let me speak with them. If they have truly forgiven your actions, we’ll put this behind us and not speak of it again.”
“Does that mean we can go to Miss Maxine’s tomorrow?”
“How can we do that if the van isn’t working?”
“Malcom fixed it. There was apparently a short or something.”
“So, it wasn’t the evil machinations of Henry, but faulty wiring?”
Rob looked at his feet. “Guess so.” Then he lifted his gaze, his eyes pleading. “Please, Elijah, I’m hurting. My balls are so blue, I can’t see straight. I need to get to Miss Maxine’s. I’ll be good from now on, I promise.”
Eww. Elijah didn’t want to think about Rob’s balls, blue or otherwise. And he wasn’t about to let him off that easy. The last few hours had been hell on him, trying to decide what to do about the situation. “I’ll let you know after the service.”
Elijah’s steps were lighter as he made his way to the pulpit. He didn’t have to discipline Rob or kick anyone out. He never thought Rob would apologize without prodding. He must really need to get laid.
Now that the weight had been lifted from his shoulders, he felt free to expound on the virtue of forgiveness. Words flowed like a river, both eloquent and poignant, if he did say so himself. He spoke of several examples from the Bible in which sinners repented and were forgiven. He ended with reminding the flock of how Jesus forgave his enemies. Before he realized it, two hours had passed. Wow, he’d really waxed eloquent tonight. Too bad he didn’t record his sermons. This one was a keeper.
Before he ended the service, he asked for Henry and Tina to stay after. He needed to hear it directly from their mouths that they had forgiven Rob.
After everyone else had left, he approached the couple. Tina looked exceptionally beautiful in a soft green top that brought out the colors in her eyes. He’d pictured her face when he’d been with Monique this afternoon and it had been one of the most intense orgasms of his life. At one point, he might’ve even screamed out her name.
“Brother Henry, Sister Tina, I spoke with Brother Rob earlier. He came to me in contrition. He
’s a broken man. He told me that he approached you and apologized for his transgressions, and that you accepted his apology. Is this true?”
“It is,” Henry confirmed. “I could care less that he falsely accused me of messing with the van, but I’m still not happy that he touched my wife. I’ll forgive him this one time, but if it happens again, I’m warning you right now, I will break him.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
Chapter Twenty
Hunter gathered Talia close to his side as they wandered along the footpath. The crescent moon and twinkling stars peeked through the canopy of trees, lighting their way along with strategically placed lanterns. She loved being this near him, the warmth of his body heat and the scent of his skin. She wanted to stay this close to him as often as possible, for as long as possible.
She’d almost screamed in frustration when they missed the opportunity to talk to Margaret, thanks to Elijah asking them to stay after the service. Instead of speaking with the target, she’d watched the woman hustle from the service, keeping her head down and not talking to anyone. Rob had been chatting with someone, not even paying attention to his wife. It would’ve been a perfect opportunity to follow her and try to strike up a conversation. She didn’t just want to blurt out their reason for being there in case Margaret wasn’t receptive, so she needed to feel her out first, get an idea of her mental state.
Hunter yawned. “I didn’t think he’d ever shut up tonight.”
“I know,” Talia agreed. “I think he blathers on just to hear himself speak. How can anyone ramble on for two hours and not run out of things to say?” They were both speaking low so that no one could overhear.
“We’ve got to get to the target soon. I don’t know how many more of those I can sit through. I had to pinch myself to keep awake.”
Total Surrender (COBRA Securities Book 11) Page 15