by Rebecca Deel
Oh, man. Not an easy thing to hear from the doctor. “Hate to hear that, Trent. How’s she doing?”
“Holding her own, I guess. I haven’t been around much.” Guilt clouded his gaze. “Our parents are gone now, so it’s just us.”
Rio understood. His mother had passed away from cancer the year he entered middle school. Now, it was only him, his three brothers, and his father. Lance Kincaid had called his sons his little men and still did, though Rio and his brothers were each over six feet tall. At five eight, the sons towered over their father.
“What do you need from me, Trent?”
A sigh from the other operative. “I hate to ask since I know you and your teammates are busy.”
He shoved the last of the trash in the bag. “Life never slows down and we’re friends. I don’t consider this an imposition. Ask.”
“Be available for Darcy when you’re not working or training.”
Rio wanted to laugh. That left about five minutes a day for Trent’s sister. Guess he’d be keeping some late hours when his friend left. Who needed sleep? “No problem. If she needs more help than I can provide alone, I’ll volunteer the rest of Durango.” He grinned.
“With friends like you, who needs enemies?” Trent muttered. “Nate’s still on his honeymoon, isn’t he?”
“Nope. He’s been back two days.” Though not at work yet, Nate Armstrong, Durango’s EOD man, was due in the following day. His beautiful wife, Stella, a former U.S. Marshal, planned to ride along with one of the two Otter Creek police detectives until her broken wrist healed. While Rio couldn’t put her to work helping Darcy, he didn’t have a problem drafting Nate. “Don’t worry, my friend. We’ll look after her.”
In the meantime, Rio would research her condition. More knowledge about the disease might enable him to help her cope. Sometimes one piece of information could make the difference between comfort and misery. “How long ago was your sister diagnosed with Sjogren’s?”
“Six months. It’s taken her this long to complete her scheduled concert dates.”
“Concert dates? Your sister is a singer?”
A snort. “Her talent doesn’t extend to vocal music. Darcy is a concert pianist.” He paused, a frown forming. “Was.”
“Is she popular in Europe?” That might explain why he’d never heard her name mentioned. Though his teammates razzed him, Rio listened to piano music to bleed off adrenaline. It was either that or work out like a demon. A smile curved his lips. Most of the time he did both.
“She’s popular all over the world, man. Performed under the stage name Darcy Melton.”
Rio froze in the act of cinching the bag of trash. He swallowed hard. Darcy Melton, the woman who’d kept him sane on deployments in the Army and now on missions for Fortress. Nights when he couldn’t sleep, her music kept him company. Her dark hair and chocolate brown eyes starred in his dreams the nights he did sleep. He’d never attended one of her concerts, though he’d tried over the years. Rio had scored tickets to one concert at Carnegie Hall only to be deployed unexpectedly on a Delta mission. He’d never tried again. Now he might not have a chance.
The forced career change must be devastating for her. Rio had zero musical talent, but he loved music enough to read interviews by musicians he favored, including Darcy Melton. She’d practiced the piano six to eight hours a day from the time she was in elementary school. Music had permeated her entire existence.
“I see you have heard of her.”
“She’s an amazing pianist.”
“Yeah, she was a child prodigy. Darcy’s been performing all over the world since she was ten years old.”
“Now I understand why she announced her retirement a few months ago,” Rio said, voice soft. “Her publicist put out the story that she was tired of life on the road. Why didn’t they announce the truth? People would have understood.” He certainly would have. Instead, there’d been criticism of her playing and complaints about her being a diva, wanting more money to perform than she was offered. Didn’t fit with what he knew of her. Then again, he didn’t know anything about the real woman, only the stage presence and what little actual information was sprinkled throughout the interviews. The rumors about her diva tendencies might be true. Guess he’d reserve his opinion until after he met her. If she was anything like Trent, he’d bet his original opinion of her was correct.
“My sister is an intensely private person. After living in the spotlight for twenty years, she didn’t want to share something this personal and especially didn’t want pity from her audience. She decided to step away from the concert life with the story she no longer wanted to tour. The truth is Darcy is tired of that life. She’s been talking about leaving the concert stage for two years. She hesitated because it’s the only life she knows and she claims this is her sole talent.”
For her sake, Rio hoped that wasn’t true. Otherwise, her shop wouldn’t have many customers. Most people were picky about their meals. If they’d eaten some of the so-called meals he and his Delta teammates had consumed, they would be considerably less critical of anything served to them. He shuddered. Even Nate, who was skilled in the kitchen, couldn’t make some things taste decent. “And living in a small town is what she wants as a substitute for traveling around the world?” Hard for Rio to imagine Trent’s sister being happy with such a drastic change in her lifestyle. Otter Creek, Tennessee, was a world away from the concert stage and recording contracts. How long would she last before needing the stimulus of a faster pace?
Rio, on the other hand, doubted he would ever live in a large city again. Being a member of a Special Forces team for so many years, he saw danger at every turn and hated being in crowds. Made his skin crawl to have strangers at his back. Living in Otter Creek suited him.
At that moment, Trent’s cell phone chirped. His friend closed his eyes and sighed before pulling the instrument from his pocket. “It’s Zane. Maddox activated my unit.”
“When do you leave?”
“One hour. I have to meet the Fortress jet in Knoxville. My teammates will already be on board.”
Rio took a last look around the gymnasium. Everything was shipshape, ready for the close quarters combat class scheduled for the first session in the morning. His lips twitched. After the five-mile run and agility training course. Good thing Chef Nate was back from his honeymoon. A friend had been cooking meals in his place, but she was almost eight months pregnant and had her own personal chef business to run. Her husband, the police chief of Otter Creek, didn’t want Serena on her feet that long every day, a sentiment the medic agreed with. After noticing her swollen ankles, Rio had bought a cushioned barstool for her to sit on while she chopped, peeled, stirred, and created mouthwatering meals in PSI’s kitchen. None of the bodyguard trainees had complained about Nate’s absence, something sure to happen if one of the other instructors cooked. No surprise, though. Serena Blackhawk was as skilled in the kitchen as Nate. “Need a lift?”
“Nah. I have my truck. I’ll leave it in the long-term lot at the airport. I’ll be back here as soon as I finish this mission. Listen, if you’re finished here, would you like to meet Darcy?”
His heart leaped in his chest. Have a chance to meet and talk to the woman responsible for keeping him together over the years? “Absolutely. She’ll be more comfortable with me if you introduce us.” And it would give Rio a chance to see Darcy and Trent together, watch their interaction.
“She texted me a few minutes ago. She’s at her store, checking the layout and meeting the contractor.”
Rio slung his gear over his shoulder. “Let’s go. I’ll follow you, stay around if she needs anything after you leave.”
“Thanks, Rio. Darcy means the world to me. I don’t want to let her down.”
The medic clapped his friend on the shoulder. “She’ll understand. Don’t worry, Trent. We’ll take good care of her while you’re gone.”
Fifteen minutes later, he parked his SUV beside Trent’s truck in front of a vacant storef
ront. A slender woman with dark brown hair stood inside with her back to the bank of windows. He climbed out of his vehicle and met his friend on the sidewalk. “Want me to give you a minute with your sister?”
“Yeah, might be best.” Trent looked troubled.
“Sure. I’ll wait out here.” And try not to look like he was freezing. What he wouldn’t give for a hot meal and a chance to watch a ball game. Four o’clock came early. He and his teammates completed their own physical training before going to PSI to work with the future bodyguards. Wouldn’t do to have the trainees be in better shape than Durango. He and his teammates had a reputation to uphold. Besides, to do their jobs with Fortress, they had to be in peak physical condition.
“Why are you standing on the sidewalk?”
The familiar voice had him pivoting. He grinned at the tall woman striding toward him. “Del. You look beautiful, as always.”
The wife of his Delta unit leader laughed and kissed his cheek. “You do have a way with women, Mr. Kincaid. So what are you doing out here? It’s too cold to be standing around without a purpose.”
He inclined his head toward the store where Trent was hugging his sister, talking to her while one hand stroked her long hair.
“Who is that?” Del Cahill frowned as she studied the brother and sister.
“Trent St. Claire, a Fortress operative. The woman is his sister, Darcy. She’s opening a restaurant.”
“We can use another one. It takes too long to be seated in restaurants now.”
“Price of growth.”
“Do yourself a favor and don’t say that where Josh and his brothers-in-law can hear you.”
“I value my life too much to do that. Haven’t seen my fearless unit leader today. He working third shift again?”
She nodded. “Says he likes it, that the night shift is busier than the day shifts.”
He couldn’t imagine a town the size of Otter Creek having an active night shift for law enforcement before moving here. Turned out small, fast growing towns had problems with crime, too. “Going home?”
“I have a dinner date with my husband.” Del smiled. “He’s taking me to a restaurant in Cherry Hill.”
“Nice. Order the most expensive thing on the menu.”
“I’ll tell him you said that.”
“Wouldn’t expect otherwise, sugar. See you later.” He watched her stride down the street to her SUV. His friend was a very lucky man. Otter Creek residents adored their favorite bookseller, as did Rio and the rest of Durango.
He glanced toward the empty storefront again, saw that his friend had freed his sister from his embrace and was looking over her shoulder to the clipboard she held. Probably safe to go inside now. At least he wouldn’t freeze anymore. Rio pulled open the glass door and stepped into the building.
CHAPTER THREE
Cold air rushed into the room. Darcy paused in her explanation of the layout she envisioned for her deli and glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes widened at the sight of the tall, dark-haired man walking into her store. Who was this guy? Her gaze skimmed over him. Wow. This one could make a mint on magazine covers. Military short hair, swarthy complexion, trim waist, muscular thighs, broad chest and shoulders. Good grief.
Trent swung around. “Rio, come meet Darcy.”
Should have known, Darcy thought. Another friend of her brother. Wonder if this one worked for Fortress as well?
“Darce, this is my friend, Rio Kincaid. Rio, my sister, Darcy.”
A smile curved his mouth as he shook her hand. “Good to meet you, Ms. St. Claire. I’ve enjoyed working with your brother.”
Knew it. Another black ops guy. Why did they all have to be so good looking? They were never home, a fact reinforced by Trent’s call back to duty. What was she going to do about that monstrous dump Mrs. Watson was passing off as a house? Guess she would clear one room at a time until he returned. All she needed was one bedroom and bathroom shoveled out. Shouldn’t take long to clear the soap and shampoo in the first floor bathroom. The rest could wait. “Please, call me Darcy.”
By necessity, her main priority was the store since it would be her main source of income. Half the money she’d earned over the years while touring was still in her various accounts and invested for the future. More was in a separate account to start her business and rehab the house. From the looks of the Victorian house, she might need to transfer more funds. “Are you part of Trent’s team?”
“I’m a member of Durango.”
She blinked. “Durango?”
“Army grunts,” Trent said. “Second rate to the SEALs.”
“Yeah?” Rio’s eyes twinkled. “Amazing we survived all the terrorists without you frog boys, isn’t it?”
“When do you leave, Trent?”
Her brother glanced at his watch. “I have just enough time to swing by the motel and grab my gear.”
Darcy bit her bottom lip. Rats. He didn’t have enough time to look at the house. Darcy would love a second opinion on whether to rehab the place or just knock it down.
“What is it, Darce?”
“I bought a house.”
Trent’s mouth gaped. “Already? You looked at it an hour ago. Must have been some house.”
An understatement. Maybe it was best her brother didn’t see the place until she cleaned it up a little. Okay, cleaned it a lot. Trent wouldn’t miss much anyway. His missions were short, but numerous. In truth, he was always gone. She didn’t have much room to talk. Until recently, she traveled most of the year as well.
Was Rio away as much as Trent? And why should she care? She’d just met the man. “The house isn’t going anywhere.” Not unless a tornado blew through here and literally took it off her hands. That would not be a great tragedy. It would certainly save her a ton of money and headaches.
“Which house did you buy?” Rio asked.
Uh oh. He lived here and Otter Creek wasn’t a thriving metropolis. He’d recognize the house when she identified the right one. After all, how many Victorian disasters could this place have? Her gaze darted to the Fortress operative. “Um, the Victorian over on Piedmont Drive.” She prayed he didn’t spill the news about the money pit masquerading as a house. Then again, if he hadn’t visited the place, he might not know about the mountains of junk the rooms contained.
He stared at her a moment. His gaze flicked to her brother before shifting back to her. “Big place for one person.”
She relaxed. Just like she thought, Rio knew the exact house she’d bought, but for reasons known only to him for the moment, he wasn’t going to say anything to Trent. Thank goodness. The last thing she wanted to do was worry her brother. She’d make do until he returned to help haul load after load of trash from her new home. All she needed was a clean bedroom and bathroom. The rest could wait.
And that brought her thoughts full circle to the muddy footprints on the bathroom floor. Yet another reason she was reluctant for her brother to leave town. She couldn’t ask a stranger to stay in the house with her and she didn’t have friends here yet.
“Rio’s agreed to step in for me, Darce. I hope I won’t be out of the country for long. In the meantime, call him if you need anything.”
Right. Like she’d call an acquaintance of five minutes to come haul trash to Dumpsters. “I’ll be fine.”
Trent cupped her chin in the palm of his hand. “You need help, Darce. Setting up the shop and moving into a new house is not a job for the faint of heart.”
Or those with a disease affecting their joints. At least her brother hadn’t blurted the details of her situation to Rio. Her eyes narrowed. Or had he? “You told him, didn’t you?”
Her big, tough, older brother looked uncomfortable at first, then that stubborn streak of the St. Claire clan showed itself. “You need help. I trust Rio to do whatever you need.”
She scowled. “I don’t want to impose. I just need some muscle. I’ll wait for your return.”
“I have muscles,” Rio said with a quick grin. “I’
ll be glad to do the heavy lifting, Darcy.”
No point in making the man miserable for offering to help. She might as well kick her pride to the curb. This wouldn’t be the only time she’d have to ask for a favor, no matter how much it galled her. Still made her mad it was necessary. “I appreciate the offer, although I hate needing it.”
“Understandable.”
Looking relieved to be out of the doghouse, Trent swept her into a gentle hug.
“Trent.”
“Hmm.”
“I want a real hug. I won’t break.”
Immediately, his bear hug tightened. “Love you, sis.” His voice sounded thick.
“I love you, too. Come back to me safe.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and released her. Trent held out his hand to Rio. “Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“No debt between friends, buddy. Watch your six.”
“Copy that.”
Darcy blinked away the mist in her eyes as her brother climbed into his truck and drove away. Suck it up, Darcy. Trent would be fine. He might come home banged up a little, but he’d be home.
“Trent’s team is one of the best,” his friend said, his voice soft. “They’re as tight as family and watch each other’s backs.”
“Is your team the same?” Darcy turned toward Rio, curious. “You watch out for each other?”
“Oh, yeah. We’ve been through some rough patches. I trust them with my life.”
Rough patches, huh? Bet those patches involved gunfire and bombs. Darcy could not relate. The worst thing that happened to her for the last two decades included her piano not arriving at the concert hall on time or missing her connecting flight. Guess that made her a powderpuff. “How long have you been working together?”
A grin curved his mouth. “Fifteen years and counting. We survived basic training together, were assigned to the same unit, volunteered for Ranger training, and then Delta. We separated from the Army at the same time, then joined Fortress and started PSI.”
Delta? Holy cow. And Trent had razzed him for not being a SEAL? The cowboys of the military were tough and found a way to accomplish their mission, no matter what obstacles they had to climb over, go around, or blow up. “Did you work with my brother while you were in the military?”