by Lea Griffith
She stilled, then went quiet. Then she raised her head and stared at him as much as her poor eyes would allow.
He framed her face with his hands and lightly touched his lips to hers, and then she shuddered once and folded herself against him.
King held her through the entire trip. When they came to the extraction point and he started to get out, she held on so he didn’t let go. He held her on the helicopter ride to Juniyah and then the plane ride to Little Creek, Virginia.
Whatever the old woman had given her in Savidge’s compound had knocked her out. Cisco checked her out on the plane, cleaning her wounds, bandaging her side again, and making sure she was simply asleep.
She slept the entire way to Virginia. King watched over her the whole time. His team watched him watching her, and by their worried expressions, he knew they wondered what the hell was going on.
King wasn’t inclined to share. Allie was in his arms, and in spite of everything that had happened, she was safe now.
She was safe.
Chapter 30
Allie woke up to sun warming her face. She opened her eyes and noticed the familiar surroundings. She was home. She took a deep breath as her chest threatened to rip wide open.
“Please don’t cry anymore.”
She closed her eyes and opened them again, sure she’d imagined his voice. There he was, sitting in a chair that looked entirely too small and dainty to hold his large frame. Beautiful. That’s what he was to her.
He’d come for her, carried her out of hell, and gotten her home. Just like he’d promised.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He grunted at that. Allie smiled.
Familiar ground all the way around. She needed it after the week she’d had.
“Where’s Daddy?” she asked.
“Doing cover-up duty. He had some explaining to do to the President about why American military helicopters and personnel were used on Lebanese soil. Again,” King said wryly.
Allie winced, felt her face pull, and sighed. “You guys aren’t military personnel.”
“Oh, not us. Your dad pulled in spec ops for your rescue.”
“All he really needed was Endgame,” she whispered.
He grunted again. “Your dad isn’t Endgame’s biggest fan right now.”
“Yeah, well, my dad is obviously not the best judge of character, is he?”
“How are you feeling?”
She smiled. “Alive. Because of you, I’m feeling alive.”
It grew quiet then, and Allie knew he was going to leave her. It wasn’t in anything he said, but it was there between them.
He leaned forward and grabbed her hand, linking their fingers as he stroked the back of it. Yeah, he was leaving.
“I grew up in a little town in south Georgia. You know about my dad. He used his fists to correct me and his fists to praise me. He taught me how to hunt, fish, and survive in the wilderness for days on end, and he taught me that the truth is never simple.
“He attacked me in a drunken rage, but I’d gotten big enough to protect myself, and that night I did. I learned right then about control and how valuable it is. I told the truth to the cops, and they put me in jail anyway. I got lucky because the judge on my case was a retired SEAL who saw something in me besides the fact that I’d killed my father.”
King took a deep breath, and Allie squeezed his hand.
“That judge made sure that I had a way out when I’d finished paying my time for a crime I’d been found guilty of as a juvenile. He helped me change my name, and I joined the navy. I wanted to be him. He knew my shame, knew what it meant to be the son of that piece of shit Thomas Sacco Sr., and he kept my secret, even pushing my past so deep that the secret was kept through every background check I went through for the navy.”
“We do what we have to do for the ones we love,” she whispered.
His gaze met hers and skirted away, and Allie wanted to cry. He was ashamed, and he had no reason to be. The shame of his youth wasn’t his. It was his father’s. He’d become a better man. A protector. A leader. Not many who’d been through what he had could claim they’d come out the other end a better person.
“I made the judge a promise that no matter what I did, I would do it with honor and dignity. I would keep my control and never put innocents in danger. I failed him, Allie. I failed you,” King said, and in his voice was a wealth of pain.
“You saved my life, McNally. If you hadn’t been on that plane, I’d have been in Savidge’s hands even sooner. You also couldn’t control that Lo-Lo betrayed us all. Don’t hand me that bullshit. It’s a pity party, and what I don’t understand is why you’re throwing yourself one.”
She let her words hang in the air but felt him slipping away more with every breath.
“It’s not a pity party, Allie. I’m giving you the truth.”
“You’re an honorable man. A man who risked his life to keep me safe. Where would I be if it wasn’t for you?” she asked him, her voice edging to desperate, but that’s how she was feeling.
“Safer.”
A single word, and she had all the insight she needed into King McNally.
She wouldn’t cry in front of him. Allie wouldn’t do that to him because as much as it was ripping her up to watch him walk away, it was killing him to do it. He was that honorable. That loyal. He felt he’d let her down. She would have to show him that wasn’t true. It was her turn to save King McNally, and to do it, she’d have to let him go. “I won’t give you my permission, but I understand why you have to leave,” she whispered.
He nodded, stroked his thumb over her skin once more, and stood. “I saw you in Savidge’s ropes, and I knew that I couldn’t survive if something happened to you. It’s better for both of us if I go.”
“It is, indeed, McNally,” her father said as he entered her bedroom.
Allie hissed in a breath, anger flashing through her at his audacity.
“He’s a wanted man, Allie. Even now, the Department of Justice is searching for him and his Endgame Ops team,” Gray Broemig said. He turned to King. “Thank you for keeping her safe.”
Allie shook her head. “Unbelievable.” There was the anger lacking from the last few moments, bubbling over, and there Allie remained, unable to contain it.
King glanced at her. “What is?”
“That you think it ends like this.”
He shrugged and crossed his arms.
“Don’t do that, for God’s sake,” she snapped.
He grunted.
“You’re home, Allie. That’s what I promised. It’s time for me to go,” he said firmly, his voice infinitely deep with things unsaid.
She needed him to say them. She needed him to say that what was between them was more than adrenaline and fear and danger. But he wouldn’t. So she did.
“It’s more than what you’re chalking it up to.” She stood then, getting gingerly off the bed and standing before him. Her father was in the room, and Allie didn’t give a shit. Right here, right now, was between her and King. “I gave you the pieces of me, Kingston McNally, formerly Thomas Sacco Jr. I gave them to a man with honor and dignity and a decided love of the word fuck.”
His gaze went bright. At least they had that.
She wanted it all.
“You held those pieces in your hand, and now you’re trying to give them back. Well, I’m not taking them. They’re yours. I don’t care how we met, I don’t care how quickly it happened… I think I love you. Strike that.” She made a downward chopping motion with her hand. “I know I love you. I wouldn’t have given you those pieces if I didn’t. You don’t want to take the ride with me, walk out.”
He reached out and rubbed his thumb over her cheek, wiping a tear away, pain and confusion in his gaze.
“It’ll pass, I promise. I’m not who you deserve. I’ve
got people dogging me. I’m not safe for you.”
She wasn’t going to sway him. And she was going to have to let him go.
Nodding, she stepped away. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. “Good luck then, King. I wish you well.”
She turned to the window and stared out for a long, long time, watching the trees blowing in a strong autumn wind. She felt like the leaves being blown about, tossed to and fro, no particular destination but a yearning to go higher so she could see over the trees and fly.
“I’m calling in my chit, Director,” King said behind her.
Her father sighed. “I’ll handle it.”
King said nothing, and silence reigned.
When she turned back around, the room was empty and she heard a car door slam. Then the car drove away, and King was gone.
* * *
She showered, dressed, and went in search of her father. She found him in the den, sipping on a brandy and staring out the big bay window her mother had loved.
“Why?” Allie asked. Quick and to the point. No more games. She was refusing to play them ever again.
Her father looked at her, and for the first time in a long time, she saw him without the rose-colored glasses. He’d always been a handsome man—tall, with silvery-blond hair, his shoulders broad—and he’d always been in remarkable shape. Nearing sixty-five, he still maintained that effervescence she attributed to men half his age.
Yeah, his looks hadn’t changed. On the outside, he was still the same man. It was the inside that she’d never known the truth about.
“Don’t ask questions you don’t need the answer to,” he murmured as he took another sip of the amber liquid in his snifter.
“Don’t you dare, Daddy,” she spit out. “Don’t you dare treat me as if I’m a six-year-old child with no brain. Loretta used to take me for ice cream. She taught me how to roller-skate. She taught me how to shoot and how to put on makeup. The woman you cheated with ended up being a stand-in for my mother. How could you?”
He maintained his silence. It infuriated her, and yet she’d expected nothing less. Gray Broemig, big, bad Gray Broemig—Vietnam vet, superspy, and CIA director—wouldn’t lower himself to answer her questions.
“Intel says she’s the one who pulled the trigger on Savidge. The same intel says she died at Savidge’s villa,” he said so softly that she almost didn’t catch his words.
“You don’t believe that though. I can hear it in your voice,” Allie said through clenched teeth. “And I won’t believe it until I see her body for myself. She had an agenda, and something about her betrayal reeks. Yes, she allowed Savidge to get his hands on me, but something about how she acted while I was there… It’s just off.”
“I loved her,” he said, and in his words was a wealth of bitterness and pain. “And I never cheated on your mother. Ever. Your mother was gone before I ever took Loretta to my bed. I don’t know what she said or her reasons behind it, but I never stepped out on your mother.”
It was Allie’s turn to be silent.
“You wouldn’t understand. I could never explain it. But I owe you an apology, Allie, for everything you’ve been through. McNally is wrong. It wasn’t his fault. It was all mine,” her father said finally.
She nodded but went to sit beside him. Long moments passed as they both looked out the window, staring at a past that haunted them both.
“Your mother’s death isn’t on you either. It’s on me. Those terrorists were using her to get at me, just like Savidge and Dresden tried to use you. I’m so glad you’re safe.”
She squeezed his hand, her only concession. She didn’t know that she’d ever be ready to speak about Lo-Lo with him.
“I need your help, Dad,” she told him. Because yes, Savidge—and through him, Horace Dresden—had been after Allie to get at her father, but other forces were at work here. Someone was also using Dresden to mask their own agenda with Endgame Ops.
Her father’s gaze met hers, and she knew he was at least listening to her.
“Someone high up is going to do everything they can to make sure the men and women of Endgame Ops stay fugitives. That same person was in touch with both Savidge and the original terrorists on my first Air France flight.”
“Allie, let this go,” he urged.
“No. King saved me. Now it’s my turn.”
“I won’t put you in that position. Whatever you remember, just let it go,” he implored.
“You owe me, Dad. You owe Ella Banning. Yes, I know what you did to her—playing games with her life like you owned it. She’s still out there, you know, trying to ferret out the truth of who’s after Endgame and how you’re involved in that. You owe the Endgame Ops team for putting their lives on the line for your daughter. You’re going to help me, Director,” she informed him.
“You’re just like your mother, Allie. A spine of steel and a heart so strong nothing can rend it. You’re my hero. That’s what you are,” he said right before he wrapped her in his arms.
She knew then he’d help her.
Chapter 31
Allie’s palms were sweating, and her stomach was in knots. It had been a week since she’d last seen King. She was struggling to eat, sleep… Hell, she was struggling to simply make it through her days without him. A week she’d been with the man. Seven days, and this was the result.
She’d lost her ever-loving mind.
Allie left her bodyguards at the door, telling them to remain outside. Amazingly, they did as she asked, though one went around to the back of the building. Her father had insisted she have two men looking after her at all times. She’d relented simply because she remained afraid, though she really trusted no one but King with her well-being.
She took a deep, cleansing breath and affected nonchalance like she’d been born to it as she walked into the bistro in the middle of downtown Washington, DC. She took a seat near the rear as she’d been instructed and ordered a double-shot espresso heavy on the sweet cream.
Allie tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Olivia Granger. She’d badgered her father for a full twenty-four hours before he’d finally caved and given her Granger’s contact information.
Olivia had worked solely for the CIA, but then her brother had been killed in an ambush in Mogadishu and she’d hunted down the man who’d been his commander. The man she’d ultimately fallen in love with, Anthony “Rook” Granger. Once Olivia gave her heart to Rook, she’d given her life to the endeavor of protecting him. Though she still did some consulting with the CIA, she was wholly, irrevocably Endgame Ops now. Allie’s father remained slightly bitter about losing her.
Allie let her gaze drift over the various patrons, noting their positions in the bistro, what they were wearing, and what they had in their hands. Allie had never wanted to enter her father’s world, but once it had been brought to her door, the intricacies came naturally to her. Oh, she’d never be a James Bond, but she was much better prepared now to take care of herself.
When Olivia Granger walked in, Allie had to do a double take. The woman was stunning. Around Allie’s height, she wore her long, curly brown hair pulled into an elegantly messy chignon at the nape of her neck. Her large brown eyes were highlighted by the glasses she wore, giving her a college student look that served her well. The tote she had strapped over one shoulder lent even more credibility to that facade.
Were Allie not absolutely comfortable in her own skin, Olivia Granger could have been a woman to decimate her self-esteem. She was just that gorgeous.
Their eyes met, and Allie saw conflict in the other woman’s gaze. She hadn’t been happy when Allie contacted her.
“Miss Redding,” Olivia said as she took the seat opposite Allie.
“Mrs. Granger,” Allie returned, leaning back in her seat and watching the other woman.
Olivia stared at her. Hard. Allie returned the favor.
Then a smile broke across Olivia’s face, and she snorted. “I could hate that you do that so much better than me,” she said with a grin.
“It’s in my genes apparently,” Allie replied with a shrug.
“Rook tells me I’ll never be able to handle the field,” Olivia said. “I think that sucks major ass.”
Allie spewed espresso over the table. Those words from the innocent-looking woman’s mouth had taken her by surprise. She liked her immediately.
“Didn’t see that coming, did you?”
Allie shook her head and held out her hand. “I’m Allie Redding. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Olivia Granger.”
Olivia snorted again and lifted her hand to shake Allie’s. “The pleasure is all mine, I can assure you. Anyone who ties His Highness up in knots is someone I want to meet. And please, call me Vivi.”
Allie smiled, her first in a week. “Vivi it is.” She took a deep breath. It was nice to meet more of King’s people. “I appreciate you meeting me.”
Vivi sighed. “Oh, honey, wild horses couldn’t have kept me away. So what do you want to know?”
Allie stilled. There was so much she wanted to know, but first things first. “How are you?”
“Me? I’m doing great. And I’m willing to bet my brand-new Hyabusa that’s not why you called me here today.”
Allie’s heartbeat tripled hearing that. “What’s a Hyabusa?”
“Oh, you’re good at this game,” Vivi said with a small laugh, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She shrugged. “It’s a really fast crotch rocket. I love going fast, and my husband bought it for me to race at the track. It’s heavier than most bikes, but I’m always up for a challenge.”
“What game?” Allie asked.
“The don’t-act-like-you-want-to-know-more-about-King game we’re playing right now,” Vivi returned.
Allie gave up. “How is he?”
Vivi nodded, and the smile breaking across her face was genuine this time. “I’ve only known him to be a surly bear on his good days. Lately he’s been a raging ass. I’m guessing that has everything in the world to do with you.”