by Grady, D. R.
Lying back on the beach in her secret world, it was far easier to ignore the man beating her. She instead remembered as many details from that one day she and her mother had shared, frolicking in the sun and sand, a mother and her daughter enjoying each other’s company. In the distance fists continued to slam into her small body, but here she was free of them. Of the pain she knew would follow.
Heart racing, Janine sat up abruptly in bed. The dream had been so real, her breathing was ragged and her body covered in sweat at the mere memory. So many times she had been rudely yanked from sleep so her uncle could beat her senseless. That beating had been significant though, it was her mother’s death anniversary.
It had been a hard day for her, too, but rather than speaking to her about it, her uncle had gone to the local bar and gotten rip stinking drunk. She paid the price of those drinks when he came home. She hadn’t made it to school the next day. The neighbor lady had heard the commotion in the night and came to her in the morning. The kindly woman had patched her up as best she could then left as quietly as she’d come. Janine remembered the brush of the woman’s hand against her skin. Her first lesson since coming to live with her uncle that human touch didn’t have to hurt.
She rolled over in her bed and stared out the window. The moon shone brightly, silhouetted perfectly in her window frame. Janine learned that day, after that particular beating, how human hands could be gentle. She might have known before, this hadn’t been the first time that same lady had cared for her, but it was the first time she had stroked Janine with sympathy.
Maybe it was that very day Janine decided to become a doctor. To connect with her patients in the same way her neighbor lady had touched her. Both physically and emotionally.
Staring out the window, Janine wondered if she had managed to reach one particular former, disturbing patient of hers. How would he react if she “touched” him? And what were they going to do if his enemies were closing in on her precious family?
Chapter 5
“Are you sure?” Janine stared Ben down.
“Of course I’m sure, I was there.”
“Ben, someone is after him. But who?”
“I don’t know, but we took out the government person on our end. Lamont took out all the terrorists, which by the way, is quite impressive.” Her brother settled into the comfy chair across from her and lifted a mug off the tray she set in front of him.
“And lived to tell about it,” Janine said and bit her lip. This might prove easier if Michael Lamont hadn’t managed to earn legend status before his “death.” It would definitely prove easier if the man could manage to stay dead. That Ben knew he still lived was bad enough.
“Very few others could have done it.”
“Right.” That’s why Lamont was a legend.
“I’m used to working with a team, and we would have been hard pressed to take out every one of those terrorists. He did it alone and managed a perfect score.”
Janine wasn’t sure she approved of the gleam in Ben’s eyes. She was military, too. She understood the satisfaction of a job well done, but all that bloodshed still didn’t rest well with her.
“Who could be after him, then?”
Ben shook his head. “I don’t know. We haven’t seen any problems on our end, which leads me to believe it’s another case of Lamont’s that has come back to bite him.”
Janine stilled. “So if it was the same group, they’d come after you and your SEAL team?”
“Who knows?” Ben propped his feet on the coffee table and sipped his coffee. “Do you think that his full memory will come back?”
She stared into the depths of her own mug. “I’ve been thinking about that. When he came in, his injuries were extensive. Most patients with a head trauma like that never remember.”
“I didn’t know he had head trauma.”
“A bomb blew up, practically in his face,” Janine reminded him. Her insides tightened as she realized something scary. Ben knew Greg Gilmore had been Michael Lamont. At least he suspected it. That meant the members of his team might as well. According to her math, that was more people than the two individuals Greg had listed for her. Or at the very least, it upped the number of people who “suspected.”
“Yeah. That’s right.” Ben’s voice shattered her disturbing thoughts, and Janine was grateful.
“There wasn’t much of his body that didn’t show extensive injury.”
Ben shuddered. “Like I said, legend.”
“But he’s a dead legend.”
“Someone thinks differently.” Ben cocked his head and stared at her ceiling. “Let me look into the situation since something’s been bothering me about that assignment.”
“Okay.” Janine watched him set his mug on the coffee table and sauntered absently from the room.
What knowledge lurked in Greg Gilmore’s head that could potentially come back to haunt them? She shivered, because Janine realized there was enough information in her brain to disturb them for the rest of their lives. And she didn’t know a tenth of what he possessed.
There were things she didn’t even know she knew that could condemn her to the Grim Reaper. But Greg would have all those same pieces plus. And he had the knowledge to link them. Especially if he had a team member to aid him.
Which he did.
The thought of Greg Gilmore dying sent a fierce wave of nausea through her stomach. She set her mug down with a snap and cut off her thoughts.
Two days after he arrived, Greg ducked behind an overfilled grocery shelf, his heart racing. Matildy Matisste, his mother’s best friend, sauntered by, her Bahamas tanned face glowing in the fluorescent lights. Her blonde hair reflected the same elegance her expensive clothing portrayed – that she was a member of the country club set. If she saw him, she’d recognize him for sure.
His mother would be all over him for not dropping by. How dare he embarrass them by not informing his own parents he was in town? It’s not like the woman actually wanted to see him. She just couldn’t stand to be the last to hear the latest gossip. Especially if the latest news on everyone’s lips was about her family. Greg was pretty sure his parents didn’t even like KC, much less him. They merely tolerated their offspring.
He’d bet his houseboat that they still wondered what they’d done wrong in raising him. Of course, KC was a doctor and had taken over the family business, so she wasn’t as much of a disappointment, but him... Well, don’t get them started about their directionless artist son. Never settled down, couldn’t even raise his own child, he was such a loser.
Greg was sure they didn’t mention him, ever, at the country club. He suppressed a grin. If they only knew. He had to go visit his parents eventually, but if he could put the task off for a few more days, he would.
Of course, they probably preferred to think of him as a wastrel painter rather than know him as the former secret operative with blood on his hands that he was. Greg sobered when he realized he did carry a lot of shed blood. His former job had left plenty of scars.
Right now, though, his only task was to make certain his family remained safe. He didn’t worry too much about his parents. They employed legions of security guards and possessed security measures that might embarrass the U.S. government. But KC, Max, and their family – those were the people he worried about. Supper last night had been as perfect as he could imagine life ever getting. Watching the kids eat and KC and Max interact had showed him how alien real life was to him. It was so far removed from what he had lived Greg didn’t know if he could adjust to being normal.
Janine had done so, a little voice in the back of his mind piped up. She made it look easy. Her adjustment might come at a price though, if his past came raining down on her pretty head.
The lady could take care of herself. He knew that, but it didn’t seem to help. He still watched her house like a miser watches his gold. It was his duty. She wouldn’t be in this situation if he could figure out who wanted him.
You can’t kill a dead
man. If that wasn’t a proverb, it should be. So why were they, whoever they might be, so interested in his former self? Greg hated the circles his mind chased. He eased back into the shadows as a woman he knew was a Morrison traipsed past. She probably wouldn’t recognize him, but then, many more people than he had ever thought possible did. He must resemble KC more than he figured, because half the Morrison population had no trouble pointing him out.
He had survived years as a secret operative, able to blend perfectly into the background as an utterly forgettable person. Only to come home and have every Morrison relative around, which had to amount to hundreds, spot him as easily as blood on white linen. So much for his formidable reputation for remaining undetected, a skill he had worked hard at perfecting. It was a good thing the Morrisons weren’t all after him. Shaking his head at the incredible twist life had dealt him Greg cautiously looked both ways before he proceeded with his shopping.
Surviving this visit home might be harder than any of his previous assignments. Put together.
Chapter 6
“What time is the party tonight?” Janine tucked the phone between her shoulder and collarbone as she sliced more pineapple.
“Six. Ryan. You can’t knock Macy over like that,” KC shouted and Janine grinned. Her friend sounded a little heckled, and ever since Macy had discovered how to stand on her own two feet, Ryan delighted in knocking her over like a determined bowling ball to her wobbly bowling pin.
So far Macy took the exercise well. But she’d also taken to biting Ryan whenever the opportunity arose. KC and Max were working hard to stop both behaviors, but so far they hadn’t succeeded.
“Is Ryan still up to his old tricks?”
KC’s sigh came clearly through the phone. “Oh, yes. He doesn’t understand that he could hurt her.”
“Is she still biting him?”
“Yes. We have no idea where that came from.”
“Probably self-defense.”
Her friend’s reluctant laughter floated over the phone. “Okay, there is that.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“Yes, Aunt Janine is taking one of the kids for the evening.”
“I have no problem with that.”
“I didn’t think you did. Greg’s coming, so I think he’ll be glad to take one of the kids, too.”
“How did you convince him to attend?”
“I might have insisted.” Janine pictured KC biting her lip with that statement, and grinned. “I’m not sure,” KC admitted.
Janine laughed. “More like demanded.”
“Maybe. I’m not a super parent for nothing, you know.”
“I know.” And Janine nodded, even though she knew KC couldn’t see her. She finished slicing the pineapple and moved on to kiwi.
“What are you bringing?”
“I’m slicing fresh fruit for a fruit salad.”
“Yum.”
“Yes, it smells wonderful. What about you?”
“I made goulash and brownies.”
“Super mom.”
“There are four of my family attending, plus Greg. I have to bring enough for all of us. Besides, I know the kids will eat the goulash.”
“How do you know that?”
“It’s messy.”
“Ah, right.”
“Did you get a count on who’ll be there?”
“No, but Mom made it sound like it’d be small.” Janine injected caution into her voice.
“Right, so there’ll be a hundred people in attendance.”
“That’s what I fear.”
“Think Greg will be overwhelmed?” KC sounded hesitant.
“I don’t know. How does he normally do around strangers?”
“You know, I’ve been trying to think about that and I can’t pull up any memories of us as even teenagers interacting with other people. I know we did.”
“I’m sure he’ll be okay. He’s an artist and they tend to know how to talk, even if only about their work.”
“That’s true. Greg’s not shy about talking about painting. He could enthrall General Emma for hours. She loves artists,” KC said.
“She’s the first person we introduce him to then. She will be there, right?”
“Yes. But the admiral is working late tonight, so he won’t arrive until about the time we’ll need to leave.”
It was weird to think of her former boss as her uncle. “How’s his commute going?”
“Okay, I think. We could ask her.”
Janine finished the kiwi and set to work on strawberries.
Thinking about Admiral O’Riley made her think of Greg and his true reasons for being in town. Her stomach churned. Janine stared at the pile of strawberries on the cutting board. Red juice oozed from them. The juice reminded her uneasily of blood. She had already seen too much of that liquid. Janine resolved she wouldn’t be the cause of any bloodshed from her precious family members.
Greg tossed the last of the beans into the pot and watched as the contents simmered. He had never been to a huge family function before. To be honest, he wasn’t all that excited about this first introduction to one. But he couldn’t stand to disappoint KC and she seemed nearly desperate to introduce him to the family who had embraced her so wholeheartedly.
He was glad a family wanted KC to join them. She seemed to love each Morrison. His sister had never appeared so happy. Their childhood certainly hadn’t involved affection or hugs. He was relieved she and Max were raising their kids in such a loving environment and not repeating KC and Greg’s childhood.
Stirring the pot, he enjoyed the wafting spices and was happy to have at least a few company recipes, including this Mexican tortilla casserole. It was easy, fast, and it had never failed him. Plus KC said casseroles were perfect for potlucks. He hoped so.
As he peered out the window, Greg automatically watched for action. And wished he would have been faster on the uptake when KC invited him. Surely he could have come up with a better excuse. Since he had committed himself to going, his excuse must have sucked.
Maybe Janine would be there, though. He wouldn’t mind seeing her again. He liked her easy, calm presence. She hadn’t been raised in the bosom of the Morrison Family, either, but she fit, like KC.
The Morrison Family didn’t seem to mind invading each other’s space. Not even the men he knew were current or former SEALs. He had even glimpsed a retired Marine, and Monahan didn’t appear offended at losing his personal space.
How did they do it? Didn’t they fear suffocation?
Greg stirred the pot again before he dumped the concoction into a casserole dish, tossed some cheese on top, and shoved it into the oven. He also decided maybe he better think about something else. He planned to endure tonight, eat a little something, since the food was likely to be superior and his cooking wasn’t, then he would leave.
If he got the chance to speak with Janine, great. Maybe they could talk a little about that night the bomb exploded. He kept racking his brain, wondering if he babbled something she might remember. But then, he didn’t babble, even when slipping in and out of consciousness. Still, maybe his former doctor had heard him say something they might find useful.
He thought he heard O’Riley was scheduled to show later. Greg thought maybe he could hold out until he could speak with the man.
Between the three of them, shouldn’t they discover something that could lead them to whoever was after him and possibly Janine? Of course, it’d be nice to know for sure someone was after them. They didn’t even know that much, but all his instincts indicated they were being hunted. So far, his instincts were the only thing he had ever truly counted on.
And he was still alive to tell about it. It’d be ironic to bite the bullet after he retired and they supposedly stopped flying.
Chapter 7
Janine hefted the fruit bowl off the SUV floor and managed to slam the door shut with an elbow. She carried the laden glass bowl to the front door, deftly avoiding wriggling bod
ies that trampled the path in their pursuit of play. Long ago, she’d given up counting all the kids and dogs that ran in herds at these events.
The task had proven too daunting, so she simply let it be. The door swung open when she hit the last step and she breezed through, and kept the bowl out of reach of the door answerer. Will, one of Lainy’s brothers, tried to burrow in for some of the fruit, but Janine implemented avoid and distract tactics, and she came up victorious.
“Come on, Janine, one piece,” he wheedled, but she remained firm.
“No. I’ve never seen you only consume one piece,” and she side-stepped him before heading in the direction of the tables.
Rachel, Will’s wife, and their hostess, relieved her of the fruit bowl. “Oh, Janine, this looks wonderful.”
“Thank you. It is pretty, isn’t it?” And they stood and admired the gorgeous array of colors represented in the glass bowl.
“Oh yes.”
Janine surveyed the tables, which were so food laden she couldn’t see the table cloth. “Looks like we’re going to run out of food.” She grinned when Rachel turned incredulous eyes on her.
“Right. Like that’s ever going to happen in this family.”
Janine laughed. “Are Max and KC here yet?”
“I haven’t seen them, but that doesn’t mean they’re not.”
“Right.” Rachel turned to another new arrival and Janine surveyed the crowd. She knew everyone in the room. That made her heart trip and sag simultaneously. She already loved every individual here. What if she had to say goodbye to them?
Suppressing a shudder as a chilled finger swept down her spine, Janine turned and collided with KC. Who promptly handed a wriggling Macy over. Macy stopped in her pursuit of the floor to send the most beautific baby grin. Janine’s heart twisted.