Harbour of Refuge

by Aliyah Burke

  Bursting from her location, she headed for the last place she’d seen Mila heading before the bitch had shot at her. Splat. Splat. Two shots landed right above her head. Lunging and spinning simultaneously, she fired in quick succession back in the direction they’d come from. She grunted as she hit the ground hard and rolled. Scrambling through the mud, she sought shelter behind a large tree.

  A twig snapped to her left and she fired without warning. The look on Mark’s face was priceless. He’d thought he would get the drop on her.

  “See you back at base,” she called to him as he muttered to himself. By her calculations, that meant only her and Mila were left out on the course. They’d arrived as a group but had gone in against one another. Mila had taken Joe out within the first ten minutes.

  She and Mila made a good team, but were bitter adversaries when not paired together. Staying low, she moved through the brush until she found what she searched for. A bunker. Reaching behind her, she drew some of the fallen branches over her to offer more protection.

  While she had a moment, she took off her goggles and gave them a good cleaning. Water and mud caked her clothing, but she didn’t care about that. She ran over a map of the field in her head. It was one of the larger ones—her group preferred it because they enjoyed running more.

  In her mind’s eye, she tracked the layout and what was around her when she’d been fired upon. Mila was sneaky and at the moment was probably readjusting her position, seeking high ground.

  Checking her ammo, Halyn crept out of her bunker and slipped back into the woods. It would take her a while to get there going the long way around, but it was her only chance to get the drop on her best friend.

  Once she reached the spot she desired, she settled in to wait. Rain continued to fall but she refused to move to try to get more comfortable. She almost missed the movement. Almost.

  There. At her eleven o’clock. Squinting through the scope, she grinned at the sight of Mila moving with a sniper’s stealth.

  She’s damn good. Even with the weather, Halyn would have been hard pressed to think of her anything other than part of nature. But she knew better, it was Mila blending in with precision. Tracking her friend as she moved closer to the decoy Halyn had left in the bunker, she ignored the ache in her shoulder and approached.

  Mila was focused away from her, so she shot her in the ass. When she screamed and rolled, Halyn put three in her chest.

  “Damn it!” Mila shouted.

  Dropping her Alpha Black, Halyn lifted her arms, pumped them in the air and sang We Are the Champions as she danced around. It lasted all of five seconds before Mila pelted her with paintballs.

  “Ouch! You bitch, you can’t do that. You’re dead.”

  “Came back just for that.” Mila shoved up and shook her head. “Damn, I thought I had you, too.”

  “I know.” Halyn undid her vest and rubbed her chest, smearing mud on her shirt as well. “Figured out I would have to switch it up a bit in order to not have you shoot me.” They stripped off their goggles and high-fived each other.

  “Good job.”

  “Same to you. Your camo almost beat me. I thought it was a trick of my eye when you were moving here.”

  Halyn tipped her head back and allowed the rain, which had increased, to help remove the sweat from her skin. The friends locked arms and hefted their paintball guns in the other before heading back to where everyone else would be waiting.

  Joe met them, grinning at them both, and kissed his woman. “You two are a menace,” he announced when he ended the kiss.

  “Hey, we’re just trying to learn the game.” Mila winked at her.

  A few of the others there mumbled. Halyn shook her head. She was used to the complaining.

  “You are coming to dinner, right?” Mila called out to her.

  “Yes, I’ll meet you there. I need to get a shower.”

  Joe grabbed Mila’s ass. “So does she.”

  Rolling her eyes, Halyn walked out with two others only to draw up short when someone else yelled her name.

  Damn. Gio hurried towards her from across the street and another store there, looking all kinds of hot. “Hi, Halyn.”

  “Mr Cassano.”

  He frowned at her. Hell, on him, even that was sexy. “Gio, please. No need to be formal.”

  He had an umbrella and he offered it to her. She shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks. What can I do for you?”

  His hazel gaze moved up and down her body. “I wanted to see if you were free for dinner Saturday night. Jaydee and I would love to have you over.” He shrugged. “Liev and Enzo will be there as well. We’re planning a party for when our other siblings arrive.”

  She chewed on the inside of her lip. “I know Zia was coming in but he hadn’t mentioned Valentino arriving.”

  “It was a recent decision on his part. From the looks of things, maybe we should plan a paintball game. Did you win?”

  “I did. Mila didn’t approve so she shot me after.” Cheating bitch.

  His laughter brought a smile to her face. “I can say I want to be on your team already, can’t I?”

  Ducking her head, she tucked some wet hair behind her ear.

  “What do you say? Saturday, say about nineteen hundred?”

  She looked up at him and he grinned.

  “Sorry, old habits die hard. That’s—”

  “I know twenty-four hour time, that’s not a problem. I’d love to, thank you for the invitation.”

  “We’ll see you then.” Another bone-melting grin and he was gone.

  Damn. All three of the males in this family are hot. I can only imagine how gorgeous their sister is. Some amazing genes in the family, that’s for sure.

  She climbed in her car and drove home. Achy and tired, she stripped in her garage down to her bra and panties, leaving her clothes in the laundry room, then slipped inside and made a quick dash to her bathroom. In her shower, she closed her eyes and let the heated water pulse over her skin. It felt so good. Her shoulder still ached from where she’d landed on it but she didn’t care. It had been worth it to get out and spend some time getting dirty.

  Despite how lovely the shower felt, she didn’t linger too long, knowing she had to meet Mila, Joe and the others for dinner. She cleaned out her car after she had finished dressing. The temperature had dropped, so she tugged on a black, long-sleeved Mötley Crüe shirt which said ‘World Tour ‘83’ on the back in gold. Faded, holey, indigo-blue jeans and hiking boots finished off her outfit. She swiped her baseball cap on her way out and pulled her hair through.

  The rain increased as she drove into town. Off in the distance, lightning split the sky, illuminating the huge, billowing clouds that rolled with powerful menace. She smiled at the imagery. When she pulled in the parking lot, she peered out the window. She’d already been rained on once today and wasn’t keen on getting drenched again.

  Options. She could either wait it out or dash through it. “One would think living here I would have an umbrella in the car.” She didn’t, but she did have her big girl panties on, so she took a deep breath and ran to the shelter of the large awning over the restaurant, locking her car behind her.

  Shaking off her hands, she entered Joker’s and smiled as the familiar sights and sounds hit her. Nothing like good honest hamburgers and steak fries to please her stomach.

  “Halyn!” The cry had her looking off to the left.

  She waved in acknowledgement as she made her way there. “Have we ordered?”

  Mila handed her a margarita and nodded as she giggled over Joe kissing her neck. Taking a large drink, she sighed. Joker’s had the best damn drinks. Soon it was nothing but fun as they ate, drank and talked.

  * * * *

  Overstuffed and sleepy, Halyn sat in her car. She was one of the last to leave. After starting the engine, she headed for home, driving more slowly because of the rain. Once she’d parked in the garage, she went inside—bed her immediate destination.

  She only ma
de it to the couch. Something she discovered the following day when she woke. Face planted in a cushion, she pushed up on wobbly arms only to give up and flop back down.

  “I think I had a bit too much to drink last night.” Two more attempts were thwarted by gravity, before she pushed and rolled off onto the floor. Head pounding, she laughed weakly at her predicament.

  It took her a bit to make it to her room, where she brushed her teeth then stripped for a shower. After the water had woken her slightly, she began operating on automatic. She finally felt semi-human as she sat at her kitchen table and drank what was her first of what was sure to be many cups of coffee today.

  At least the day appeared to be a sunny one. She loved the rain, but some days, sun was what the doctor ordered. Sunglasses on, she went to her car and drove to work.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “So when do I get to meet her?” The question came as slender arms curved around him from the back, surprising him.

  “Hello to you too, Zia.” He turned and hugged his sister.

  She gave a tinkling laugh and stepped back. “I’m glad to see you, but come on. I want to know when I get to meet the woman who’s made such an impact on your life.”

  His family really couldn’t keep a secret. “I thought I was coming to get you.”

  “I wanted a rental. Which one is Liev?”

  Enzo pointed across the playground. “There, on the merry-go-round.” He realised there were four kids there. “In the blue shirt and jeans.”

  She leaned against him. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

  “Let’s go get some lunch and you can be acquainted with him all you like.”

  “What about me?”

  “Valentino, I didn’t know you were flying in with her.”

  The brothers hugged and Enzo stepped back to look at the eldest Cassano sibling. He wished there were something he could do to bring the sparkle back into the dark hazel eyes that seemed so dead lately.

  “Am I invited to lunch?”

  “Absolutely. Where are you two staying? I have a bit of room, might be on the couch and floor. Or I could put Liev on the floor and give up his room for a while.”

  “I’ve got a hotel room,” Zia announced, echoed by Valentino. “You know Mama and Pop are coming as well, and they’ll want to stay with the babies.”

  He bit back his laughter. Jaydee wouldn’t be too happy about that. “Good to see you both.”

  “Likewise, brother,” Zia said in Italian.

  “Liev!” he called out. “Time to go.”

  His son didn’t argue, just slipped from the ride and walked towards them. When he neared, Enzo gave him a smile.

  “These are my other brother and sister, your aunt and uncle. Zia and Valentino.”

  He ran his gaze over them both but he didn’t speak, just walked off to the car.

  “He really doesn’t talk much, does he?” Valentino asked as they all fell in behind.

  “Nope. Well, he talks to Jaydee.” And Halyn.

  Once his son was buckled in, he got them on the road and they headed for lunch. The ride was mostly silent, except for him telling Liev a few things about his siblings. The meal went well, Liev still kept to himself, but he would at least answer a direct question. Per his usual, he seemed a bit more at ease with his sister than himself or Valentino.

  “We’ll see you tonight at dinner.” They both waved before driving away.

  Enzo had just buckled himself in when Liev met his gaze in the rear-view. “Uncle Valentino is sad.”

  Enzo didn’t know what to say. Turning in the seat, he faced his son. “Why do you say that?”

  “His eyes say so. Did someone hurt him?”

  “Yes. Someone close to him did at one point hurt him.”

  Liev pondered that for a moment, then opened his book and began to read. Enzo rotated back and expelled his breath. Sneaking another curious glance in the rear-view, he drove back to the apartment.

  * * * *

  The closer time came to go, the more anxious he felt. School had started and he didn’t get to see Halyn as much anymore—their schedules didn’t link up as well as he would have liked. This would be the first time in over a week he got to see her more than in passing.

  “Ready to go, Liev?” he called as he shoved his wallet into his pocket.

  “Yes.”

  Stepping from his bedroom, he spied his son at the door, his backpack over his shoulder. Eyebrows furrowing, he made his way to his side. “Do you have homework I don’t know about?”

  “Questions for Aunt Jaydee.”

  Enzo chuckled and ruffled Liev’s hair before he even thought about it. “Let’s get going then.” He knew the contact had surprised his son, hell, it’d surprised him too. Most of the time, Liev preferred not to be touched at all. They made their way down to his Forester quietly and were on their way.

  When he pulled up to the Cassanos’ house, he couldn’t stop the smile from crossing his lips. Halyn’s blue Z28 sat there. He parked next to it and got out, waiting for Liev to come around before they headed up the stairs.

  “Knock knock,” he said, pushing the door open.

  The familiar noise of family tugged the corners of his mouth up again. Snatches of Italian filled the air, as well as the smell of food. His stomach rumbled.

  “Benvenuto!” The call of welcome came from his parents. Each had a baby in their arms, and Valentino had the third.

  He went to his parents and exchanged hugs and kisses before finding Halyn. She stood beside Jaydee and Zia, but her brown eyes were on him. Only briefly, for she smiled at the boy beside him.

  “Hi, Liev,” she said. “Good to see you.”

  “Halyn, Aunt Jaydee and Aunt Zia.”

  Then he switched to Russian, so Enzo put his attention back on Halyn. He reached out for her and tugged her closer, needing to feel her against him.

  “Hi,” he whispered.

  “Hi, yourself.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “You seem to be busy.”

  “Somehow I’ve been roped into doing just about everything for Liev’s class.” His head touched hers. “I’ve really missed you, Halyn.”

  “Missed you as well.”

  He kissed her lightly, knowing if he kissed her as he truly wished, they would miss dinner altogether. She stepped away from him and he frowned. She shook her head and gestured to where his parents stood.

  With a chuckle, he pulled her close again. “Get used to it, sweetheart. We’re an affectionate family.”

  “Incorrigible.”

  “One of the nicer things he’s been called in his day,” Zia interjected. “Excuse me, I’m off to hold either a niece or nephew.”

  Enzo tucked Halyn close to him and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Jaydee called me today, making sure I would be here.”

  “Did she?” Note to self, thank Jaydee later.

  “I think she thought I was going to bail.”

  “Were you?”

  “Perhaps. Meeting your entire family is a pretty intimidating thought.”

  “Are we that bad?”

  “No. I know that now. Before, I wasn’t so sure.” She patted his stomach. “I should go help them in the kitchen.”

  He was reluctant to let her go—if he had his way they would sneak away for some private time together. But that wasn’t what tonight was about. So he let her go and stared at her retreating form. Casting his gaze around the room, he paused when he saw Liev standing before Valentino. They were off to the side and Valentino had crouched down to hear whatever was being said.

  Staring at his brother’s face, he knew he wasn’t immune to the words Liev spoke. He gave a small nod and pushed to his feet. Liev walked away and Enzo went to take his place.

  “What was that all about?” Valentino didn’t say anything so he asked again. “What happened between you and Liev?”

  “He just told me that he knew how it was to be hu
rt and sad. Told me it would be better one day and how now we had something in common.”

  Damn, his kid was good. “He’s right, you know. I know you don’t like mentioning the past with…with what happened, Valentino, but we’re worried about you. All of us.”

  “So you put him up to this?”

  “No. Not at all. He did mention in the car that you were sad. Your eyes told him. But then he dropped it and I thought he’d moved on.” He touched Valentino’s shoulder. “Sorry.”

  “No need to be. He is an amazing boy, doing what he thought would help.”

  “Did it?”

  A slight grin lifted the corners of his lips. “Maybe. I’d say it’s too early to tell, though.”

  “I’ll think positively.” He jerked his head. “Come on, you know they’ll be talking about us if we’re gone too long.”

  Together, they joined everyone in the kitchen. He spoke with his father while Halyn and Zia talked. His sister was such a coolly elegant woman. Always in professional attire, she intimidated most who met her. Halyn on the other hand loved her comfortable clothing, he knew this having seen her closet. She had some dresses but shuddered when she talked about wearing them. He remembered the one time she wore a skirt for him, since then it had been pants.

  Tonight, her hair was in a French braid with silver ribbons threaded throughout. She wore another black shirt with a band from the eighties on it, grey, well-worn jeans and black boots with a small heel.

  “I hear you’re taking us paintballing, Halyn.” Giuseppe, his father, asked.

  “Not sure if that’s entirely accurate, but I do know of a place for you to paintball.”

  “You’re not going?” Enzo questioned.

  “Um…I’m not sure…hadn’t planned on it.”

  “Oh you have to,” Zia said. “I want you on my team.”

  “Too late, sis, I’m pairing up with Halyn,” Gio announced.

  Enzo shook his head as he listened to them banter over who got Halyn as a teammate. He recalled Gio telling him about running into her after her game. That image had given him wet dreams for a good week or two. He would love to see her like that.