Merc couldn’t go after him. He ran to Marissa and yanked Cotter off of her, snatching her to his chest. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
*
Nightshade buried her face into his chest, her sobs muffled by the thick material of his jacket. “No. Cotter…”
She couldn’t say it. She’d found and lost her real father in the space of less than a night. Pain twisted her insides. Mankel had lied to her, her whole life. He’d told her Cotter was the enemy. He’d pretended to be her father. She dug her nails deeper into Merc’s jacket to keep from screaming.
“He’s alive, baby.”
Nightshade shoved back to see Cotter’s eyes were closed and blood covered his torso, but his chest rose and fell in shallow rapid succession.
She dropped to her knees beside her father. “Please, don’t die.”
Not when she’d finally found the truth. The acceptance and love she’d worked so hard for from Mankel had come so easily from the man lying on the grass in front of her.
Cotter’s hand lifted from the ground and covered hers. “Marissa, you have to know the truth.”
Marissa. Her real name. He’d given her a normal real name. “Don’t. Not now. Save your strength,” she said.
Merc placed a hand on her shoulder, his comfort bolstering her strength. Cotter opened his eyes, pain etched into the deepening lines around his mouth. Pain and love. “You need to listen, Marissa.”
As much as she loved hearing his name for her, it wasn’t how she wanted him to know her. Nightshade fit her. It was her. “Nightshade.”
Cotter nodded. “Nightshade. It fits you.” A hard cough racked him. When he was able to speak again, there was blood on his lips. “Mankel took you from us to punish us. But you have to know Sarah and I loved each other. She loved you. I love you.”
“But why?” Why would a man kidnap a baby and spend his entire life living a lie? Surely it couldn’t be only revenge. He’d destroyed all their lives.
“He’s got a mental problem. Sarah suspected it, but his actions have proved it. He’s insane.” Cotter gripped her hand in a surprising show of strength. “I never want you to put yourself in danger, but you’ve got to get Caroline from him.”
She nodded, “I will.” She was strong and she knew Mankel better than anyone on the planet.
And now, she had burning need for revenge.
“Tell Caro I love her, too.” Cotter coughed again and more blood flowed from his lips.
“No. Don’t. Please hold on.” Her pleading tear stained face turned up to Merc. “Call your team. Get help.”
“Baby, I –“
Cotter interrupted him by pulling her hand. “Nightshade, I’m proud of the strong, intelligent woman you’ve become. I love you. I’ve always loved you.” Cotter took a deep, shuddering breath and then his hand went limp.
Nightshade clung to it, holding it pressed against her cheek as her tears flowed freely. “Please don’t leave me. Not now.”
But he was already gone. And Nightshade was alone. Without a father.
Merc wrapped his arms around her, and she clung to him, needing his support more than she’d ever needed anything in her entire life.
30
One week later…
Nightshade settled in the leather loveseat in her father’s study, her fingers twined with Merc’s. They’d spent the last week getting to know Merc’s brother, Reaper and learning about his old team. Mankel and Rainier had worked together the whole time, setting up Midnight. They’d recruited Reaper’s team into the program under the guise of helping enhance their skills for their country. Reaper had been paired a few times in simulated training with Nightshade’s team, and from what he could tell, the women weren’t happy to be there.
They’d started digging into Midnight, but had to stop for her father’s funeral yesterday. And now, today, Mr. Holt, her father’s attorney had called this emergency meeting.
He perched on a chair across from Nightshade and Merc, a small round man with an equally round bald head. He opened his briefcase, pulled out a large envelope and pushed his glasses up his nose. “Miss Cotter, first let me say that I’m truly sorry for your loss. I’ve known your father for a very, very long time. He was a good man who truly cared about all the people around him.”
Harriet stood to the left, sniffling and blowing her nose gently. Francis placed an arm around her, the two women held onto each other.
“Sorry I’m doing this at such a delicate time in your lives, I realize you buried your father only yesterday, but he gave direct instructions that should anything happen to him I would meet with you immediately.”
Nightshade offered him a watery smile, “I think you mean you’re supposed to meet with my sister, Caroline.” Who was still missing. They’d started searching for her in the short time they had before the funeral, though that had to be put on pause for their father’s burial.
Mr. Holt’s glasses slipped down his nose and peered at her over the rim before shoving them back in place. “No my dear, I mean you: Marissa Sarah Cotter.”
“Me? My father couldn’t talk to you about me he didn’t know about me until -” Her throat closed off. She couldn’t say the words. Merc squeezed her hand and pulled her into his side.
“The day your father died, he called me that morning and had me add you to his estate. Miss Cotter, you are a very wealthy woman. Your father left explicit orders you are to receive half of everything he owns which includes multiple properties, stocks, bonds, cash and this house.”
Nightshade’s mouth dropped, at a complete loss for words. How could he have found out, and seen that it was taken care of in a short space of time?
Merc leaned down and whispered in her ear, “When we finally figured out who you were, your father acted immediately. He didn’t care if you’d been sent here to kill him or not.”
The pain was still so sharp and fresh, so much so she still couldn’t speak about it so she squeezed Merc’s hand in answer.
Mr. Holt turned to Harriet and Francis. “Mrs. Harriet Stonebridge, Mr. Cotter left you a lump sum inheritance of one million dollars.”
Harriet slapped a hand over her mouth, her entire body trembling.
Mr. Holt rushed on, probably sensing the woman’s impending break down. “Mrs. Francis O’Keefe, he also left you one million dollars.”
Francis stared mouth open, eyes wide with shock.
Mr. Holt wisely snapped shut his briefcase and stood. “Miss Cotter, I’ll have all the proper paperwork over to you by the end of the week. Here’s my card. If you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance any time night or day, please call me.”
Nightshade took the card and rose to her feet on shaking legs. “Thank you, Mr. Holt.”
He dipped his head and quietly left the room.
“Good Lord Almighty, I never thought, never imagined, Francis I don’t know what to do with that kind of money. What if I lose it?”
Francis rose to her full bony height. “Harriet, you can’t lose that kind of money. It’s put up in banks and taken care of.”
Nightshade went to the women who had stayed by her side daily, constantly there for her and offering their unconditional love and support. “I know you don’t have to stay here anymore, and I don’t expect you to stay and work, but if it’s all right with you, do you think - do you think you could live here, with me?”
Tears fell freely down Harriet’s ruddy cheeks once more. “This is our home too. We’re not going to abandon you girl.”
“That’s right, and we’re not going to sit around and do nothing either.” Francis chimed in, “Come on Harriet, this girl needs some time and I need a cup of your special tea.”
Harriet threaded her arm with Francis’s and they walked from the room. “I’m going to make it extra strong today.”
Nightshade turned and Merc enfolded her in his strong embrace. She pressed her cheek to his chest, inhaling her scent, completely surrounded in the safety of his arms.
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” He dropped his chin to the top of her head.
Nightshade savored the way his chest rumbled against her cheek. “Not as much as I love you.”
“So, how soon do you have to leave?” Most of Merc’s team had already cleared out, the only one who stayed behind was Reaper, Merc’s team mate.
“I’m not going anywhere. I spent my entire life living for revenge. But I wasn’t living, not really. Now that I found you, I’m never letting you go.”
“I guess I could find some room for you here.”
Merc chuckled, “In this little bitty cottage?”
Nightshade leaned back, unable to resist the temptation of his handsome face. “Are you sure you really forgive me? After everything I did…” She’d betrayed him in the worst way.
Merc cupped her cheeks in his palms. “I forgave you the minute I found out the truth. If anyone on this Earth understands the need for vengeance, it’s me. I would’ve done the same thing you did.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest, taking away a little bit of the pain from her father’s abrupt death. “Good, because if you tried to leave, I’d just hunt you down and drag you back.”
“Miss Cotter, the only way you’re going to get me to leave is if you kick me out yourself.”
“I love you, Merc Grayson.”
“And I love you Nightshade Marissa Sarah Cotter.”
“You know, this is an awfully big house for just the two of us and Harriet and Francis.” Nightshade said. “Especially when we start searching for my team and your brother’s team. This place will be practically empty. There’s no telling how long we will be gone.”
“That’s true, but with the kind of funding that you’ve got available now, you’ll have unlimited resources at your fingertips, you’ll be able to find your teammates and your sister thanks to your father.” Merc pulled her tight, squeezing her in his arms.
“I’ve been thinking, just now, about my team living here. At least until they settle and figure out where they want to go after this.” The more they looked into Operation Midnight, the worse it had gotten. The operatives would need a peaceful and isolated place to re-acclimate to daily life. General Rainier had disappeared, his bank accounts had been wiped clean and his house had been emptied.
“I think you’ve got one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know and you awe me with your strength and courage. I couldn’t think of a better plan.”
“And I mean your team too. They’re all going to need help when we find them.”
“Perfect. Now that part has to wait until tomorrow. Reaper’s been breathing down my neck to get back on task, but I told him today is just for you. What do you want to do?”
Nightshade leaned back in his arms. “I want you to take me to bed.”
The light teasing in Merc’s gaze darkened with hunger. “My wish is your command.” He scooped her in his arms and carried her up the stairs and into Nightshade’s new bedroom. This one had muted walls of gray and a deep plum bedspread which Merc gently laid her on. He stretched out next to her and took a strand of her hair in his fingers. “I love you.”
She curled her fingers around his neck, pulling him down to her, “I love you, too.”
Before you go…
From the author: I hope you enjoyed Revenge River and thank you so much for joining the adventure. If you loved the story and want to help me out, I’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
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–Lindsay Cross
*
To connect with Lindsay Cross
@lindsaycross101
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Also by Lindsay Cross
Redemption River: Men of Mercy Book 1
Resurrection River: Men of Mercy Book 2
Reckless River: Men of Mercy Book 3
Ravaged River: Men of Mercy Book 4
Ethan’s Promise: Men of Mercy, Book 5, in Desiree Holt’s Team Omega Kindle Worlds
Raylan: Men of Merc, Book 6
David: Men of Mercy Novella 7
Aaron’s Honor: Men of Mercy, 8 in Susan Stoker’s Special Ops Kindle Worlds
Revenge River: Men of Mercy, Book 9
Relentless River: Men of Mercy, Book 10
Praise for the Men of Mercy Series
“Lindsay Cross delivers high-powered action, alpha heroes and an exciting conclusion!”
- ELLE JAMES
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
“This is one of those books that the phrase sit down, shut up and hang on would be used because it’s a wild ride from page one to the end.”
- 5 Star Goodreads Review, Redemption River
“This book was wall to wall action. Once the danger hit, it never slowed down. I was late leaving my house because there was no way I could stop reading.”
- 5 Star NetGalley Review, Redemption River
Acknowledgments
I want to give a huge thank you to my support team: Kristi @ sassysavvy, Nicole @ebooksgalore, Gabriel Mercer and Christine Frieseke-Miller for your social media skills!
Another big shout out to Kari March - without you and a bucket load of patience, the Men of Mercy would never have these truly awesome covers. Thank you Lynn Mullan for your awesome proofreading skills! And thank you Kristi Yanta for your amazing editing - without you these books would not be where they are today!
Thank you to my dad for giving me the love of reading and to my mom for dropping everything to read my books and catch those last minute mistakes.
My beautiful beta readers, Dawn, Linda and Christine-you’ve helped make the Men of Mercy shine.
And last, but most definitely not least, thank you to my true military hero-my husband. I love you all.
Revenge River: Men of Mercy, Book 9 Page 26