by Melody Anne
“That’s a deal,” Chloe said.
When she was alone again, Chloe moved over to the window and looked down below, gazing out at the city landscape. Cars were moving in and out of traffic, horns honking, people yelling. Seattle is at its finest, she thought. No matter how much she wanted to feel a part of it all, she just couldn’t yet.
The door opened again, and Chloe plastered on a smile, getting ready to turn. Dakota hadn’t given her much time at all. But a few moments were what she’d have to accept. Her friend was just too worried. As she began to turn, though, the voice speaking stopped her cold.
“I can’t believe you found a quiet spot in this place.”
Tensing, Chloe wondered if she was imagining things. Was she thinking so hard about Nick that she could hear his voice? Finishing her turn, she was stunned when she found him standing in the room with her. How many times had she longed to see his dark hair, those beautiful green eyes, and his perfect lips smiling as he gazed at her? Too many times to count.
She wanted to rush into his arms, but she crossed hers instead as she gazed at him warily. She didn’t know what this was about, but instead of healing as she was supposed to be doing, this was going to set her back too many steps to fathom.
“What are you doing here?” she asked him, her voice controlled.
“I had a chat with your best friend earlier. She really packs a punch,” he said with a smile as he rubbed his arm. “Literally.”
Chloe looked at him in shock. “Dakota punched you?” she gasped.
“Yep, she sure did.” The way he said it was almost as if he were impressed by Dakota. That seemed odd.
“I’m sorry about that,” she said. “I really don’t want to talk to you right now, Nick,” she finished. She had to be strong, and being with him like this wasn’t going to make her that way.
“I need to talk to you,” he said as he stepped toward her. She began to shake. If he touched her, she was going to fall apart. She couldn’t let that happen.
“We said all we needed to say,” she told him. This had to stop now.
“No. We said things when I was angry. I’m sorry, Chloe,” he said. Then he swallowed up the distance between them and raised his hand, touching her arm.
The feel was so intense, it felt like she was being scorched. Her throat closed, and she desperately fought not to cry. She couldn’t fall apart, not now.
Then Nick dropped down onto his knees in front of her, and she didn’t know what to do or say. She was shaking so hard now he was bound to notice.
“Please Nick, please don’t do this to me,” she said, hating it when tears filled her eyes.
“I really screwed up, Chloe. I’m so sorry,” he told her as he reached up and brushed a tear away. That only made more fall. “I’ve been thinking of what to say to make it all better and I honestly don’t know,” he admitted.
“You don’t have to feel bad. I lied to you. I can’t use my lack of knowledge as an excuse. When I began to develop feelings for you, and I knew what was happening to you was wrong, that’s when I should have stepped up to the plate and told you what was happening. But I was trying to protect only myself. I was more worried about how I felt. It was all about me. It’s pretty black and white,” she said.
“Nothing is ever black and white,” he told her. “I’ve never been in love before―not once in my life, so when it began happening with you, I didn’t understand what was going on. It took your tiny friend to knock some sense into me,” he said with a chuckle.
Chloe was trying to process his words, but they weren’t getting through to her. She looked at him with confusion.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
He gripped her trembling fingers and looked up into her eyes. She was close to falling down to her knees in front of him.
“I love you, Chloe. I think I have from the moment you fell into my lap. You are strong and beautiful, understanding and sympathetic. You make me want to be a stronger person, and you scare me at the same time. I’m scared because I’ve always been strong on my own, and now I don’t do anything without thinking about you. I thought that if I pushed you away, put all the blame on you, then I would feel better about myself, but I was so wrong to do that. You knew nothing about me when this began, and when you did know, you stayed, not because you had to, but because you wanted to help me. I knew that even when I told myself I was furious with you. I’m sorry, darling. I’m so sorry.”
His eyes were shining with love, and as Chloe listened to him speak, she realized he was telling her the truth. She realized he was admitting he loved her. The overflowing of her heart took her breath away. She hadn’t known it was possible to feel so much joy until this very moment. She was so in love with the man kneeling before her.
“You can’t take this all on you,” she said.
“I’m not. We both made mistakes. I get that. But I also understand that I love you enough to forgive you. I’m hoping you feel the same way about me.”
She was trembling as she gazed at this man who was showing so much courage.
“I’m scared,” she admitted.
He looked at her with understanding.
“I am, too.” For such a strong man to admit that sent her joy so high, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever touch the ground again.
“I love you, too, you know,” she said as her legs finally gave out and she sank down to the floor with him. He took her cheeks in his hands and gazed at her with so much love she was blown away.
“I’ve messed up so badly, I wouldn’t blame you if you sent me away, but if you give us another chance, I promise you that I will love you more than anyone else ever could. I promise to take care of you and tell you how much you mean to me for the rest of our lives. I don’t want another single day to go by without you in it. I’m imperfect in every single way, but with you by my side, I want to make myself a better man,” he told her.
“Oh, Nick,” she sobbed as she leaned forward and pressed her forehead to his. Her heart was overflowing. “No one is perfect, that’s what makes us all so unique. But I love you so much. It’s been hell without you. I’ve felt so much guilt about how hard I tried to pull away from you, and about not fighting more to keep us together. I thought it was hopeless, and I gave up because I told myself I wasn’t good enough for you. It was just more of my father’s words whispered into my ear. But I won’t allow that man back in my head ever again,” she promised.
He pulled her face back so he could look at her again, and he smiled before he reached down into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. She shook as she gazed down upon it.
“When I decide on a course of action, I never go back,” he said as he ran his fingers over the velvet. “I know I’ve been an idiot, and I know I have no right to ask you this.” He stopped as he opened the lid of the box. A beautiful, round diamond sparkled up at her. “But I love you, Chloe, and I want you forever. As much as I know I’m not good enough for you, I won’t leave your side until you agree.”
That spark of will that turned her on so much shone in his eyes. He was determined. He’d chased her relentlessly the entire time she’d been at his house, and now that single-mindedness made her smile.
“Then I’d better say yes,” she told him.
Hope shone in his eyes.
“Yes?” he gasped.
“Yes,” she told him.
With shaking fingers, he slipped the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. Then he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her so softly, she melted against him. She sighed into his mouth and felt truly at home for the first time ever. She was his, and he was hers, and it was exactly where they should both be.
When he finally pulled away, they were both smiling stupidly at each other. That’s when Chloe heard the clearing of a throat.
“I didn’t want to interrupt. That looked hot.”
Chloe flushed as she looked up and found Dakota in the doorway grinning at her impishly. Nick jumped to his feet, ran to
the door, and surprised the heck out of Chloe when he leaned down and kissed her best friend’s cheek.
“Thank you for all you’ve done. Now go away,” he told her. Then he pushed her out the door and shut it, locked it, and turned back toward Chloe.
“Now, back to where we were,” he said. He rushed over and lifted her off the floor. Neither one of them made it back down to the family get-together. And no one missed them.
EPILOGUE
Ace Armstrong’s adrenaline was pumping as he wandered through the large mansion where his case was finally going to come to an end. It was almost over. He was afraid to even believe it.
For the past eight years, he’d been away from his family, making them believe he was a monster so they wouldn’t get hurt. He couldn’t do it anymore. Of those eight years, four of them had been working on one case—the biggest undercover operation ever performed with the CIA.
He’d been flying for a drug cartel gang for years, getting information back to his team whenever it was safe for him to do so, and integrating himself within the organization’s ranks until they trusted him as one of their own.
Now he was at the home they thought was his, and all of the leaders were going to be in one spot for an operational meeting. Ace was cool as ice as he looked over everything, making sure not a single detail was out of place. All of them had to arrive so this case could be closed with zero loose ends. It was the only way he’d get his freedom back.
Trucks pulled up, carrying crates of alcohol and party supplies. The scene was being staged, the prison bars closing in on the monsters who were responsible for the loss of too many lives to count, hooking kids on drugs, murder, extortion, and so much more. This case reached all the way up to the executive level of the government.
Ace had been disillusioned in his years as an undercover CIA agent. When he’d walked out on his family so many years before, he’d been angry at his father’s will, angry at his brothers for giving in so easily―but he’d planned on coming back. Then his life had led him on a different path.
The CIA had saved him and destroyed a part of him at the same time. He no longer trusted anyone, and his heart was cold and barely beating. Now that returning home was within reach, he wasn’t even sure he could. His brothers wouldn’t recognize him―hell, he didn’t recognize himself when he looked in a mirror.
Moving over to the entryway, he did just that, staring at the unsmiling reflection of himself. Who was he? The green eyes were void of emotion, the jaw was set tight, his dark hair closely cropped and uncared for. It was his lips that surprised him most of all. They hadn’t smiled in so long, he wasn’t sure he knew how to work those muscles anymore.
He’d pushed his family away, sued them for his inheritance just to tighten the bolts on the coffin of their relationship, had crashed his brother’s wedding when he’d been feeling sentimental, then had punched Nick in the face to make it worse. But oh, how he’d panicked when Cooper’s plane had gone down. Instead of showing his face to Coop, Ace had found his brother’s woman and attempted to kiss her. Was it all a show? Or was there some part of him that was truly the monster he’d wanted his family to believe he was?
Last year, his closest brother, Nick, had gone down during a Coast Guard rescue. Ace had been there for that, too, though no one had seen him that time. He’d managed to sneak into his brother’s room while he was out cold, recovering. It was the first time in years Ace had felt the urge to cry.
But even if he could explain it all to his family, did he want to? Did he know how to? He didn’t know who he was anymore, let alone how to describe himself. That didn’t really matter, though, because he’d soon find out. The case would be over, and he had nowhere else to go—no friends, no lover, nobody.
Pulling himself back into the present, Ace composed his features, easily slipping into the role of a dirtbag with coldhearted precision. Soon, very soon, it would begin . . . and end. And then he would be going home.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This was my fortieth book written. Wow, it seems so strange. But what a joy it is for me to write. I am so happy to be a part of the Montlake family. Everyone there has been so good to me and such a great support system. Thank you so much to my editors, Maria and Lauren, who always blow my mind with the amazing story ideas. This book wouldn’t have been nearly as great without you both. Thank you to Ahn, Jessica, Sean, Chris, and everyone else with Amazon for making me laugh, listening to my ideas, and taking me in as part of the team. I have been writing for six years now, and I have found a place that I love and am proud to be a part of.
Thank you to my friends and my family. I love when we have storyboard sessions and some of the crazy ideas that come out of your mouths. If I wrote all the stuff that we talk about, especially when drinking wine, I would be creating an entire new universe with bubbles and glitter and unicorns. I’m always excited to put my fingers on the keyboard after we visit. Much thanks goes to my extraordinary husband, who gives me amazing foot rubs and supports me 100 percent. I’m a very blessed woman.
Most of all thank you to my fans, who continually support me, come to visit me at conferences, chat with me online, and make me feel like I can fly. I wouldn’t get to do what I love so much if I didn’t have you in my corner. I hope to have many, many more years to come creating these fantasy worlds.
TEASER
TURBULENT INTENTIONS
BOOK 1 IN THE BILLIONAIRE AVIATORS SERIES
Tires squealed as a sleek silver Jaguar shot out onto the highway. An unsuspecting car cruising along slammed on its brakes just in time to avoid a wreck with the Jag. The four brothers sitting in the Jaguar didn’t give a damn about the commotion they were causing.
This wasn’t unusual.
They continued speeding along, trying to outrun the demons chasing them as they flew down the highway, hitting over a hundred miles an hour and continuing on, faster and faster.
It wasn’t quick enough. They kept on going until they hit the edge of town in Bay Harbor, Washington, where they found a dilapidated bar with a blinking neon sign that had some of the letters burned out.
Cooper, who was driving, jerked the steering wheel and came to an abrupt halt outside the run-down building. “Good enough,” he said. His fists clenched with the urge to hit something, or better yet, someone.
“Yep,” his brother replied from the backseat.
Getting out of the car, they made their way to the entrance, an undeniable swagger in their gaits—a swagger that made people turn and watch them wherever they went. Though young, the Armstrong brothers already had a reputation in their small community for stirring up trouble.
When they entered a room, patrons would turn away, glancing back at them with a wary eye. The brothers were the first in for a fight and the last ones standing.
They were wealthy, and not above flashing their fat wallets, Rolex watches, and extravagant cars. They were also arrogant and hot-tempered, a foursome to both be leery of and look at with awe. Cooper was the oldest at twenty-four, each of his brothers one year, almost to the date, behind him: Nick at twenty-three, Maverick at twenty-two, and Ace, the baby, at twenty-one.
On this night, though, they were looking for more than just the usual trouble. They were out for blood, but the demon chasing them was relentless, and no matter how fast they moved, this was something they couldn’t outrun.
Their father was dying.
Maybe it was the feeling of helplessness, or maybe, for once, it was not being the strongest ones in a room. Whatever it was, Cooper, Nick, Maverick, and Ace were scared, and because they wouldn’t admit that, they were trouble to anyone in their path.
This band of brothers had always been revered as much as they’d been feared. They were tall, lean, and had distinct green eyes that hid their innermost thoughts but shone with a sparkle that most couldn’t resist.
Walking indoors, Cooper sighed in anticipation. Smoke filled the air as loud music echoed off the walls. A few heads turned in their directio
n, and Cooper scoped them out, looking for a potential boxing partner.
The nervous energy rising off him in waves needed an outlet, so the first person that gave him the slightest reason would feel the wrath of his heartbreak, denial, and feeling of helplessness.
As if the patrons knew this group was up to no good, they cast their eyes downward, particularly annoying Cooper in their weakness to accept the challenge radiating off his entire body.
The boys ordered beers, then leaned against the bar, facing out as they scanned the crowd. None of them spoke for several moments, each lost in thought.
Cooper was thinking they might just have to give up on this place and find a new location when his gaze captured the angry look of a man shooting pool. Cooper smirked at the guy and practically saw steam rise from the man’s ears. The stranger began making his way toward them. Cooper’s fists clenched with the need to punch.
“You’re the Armstrong boys, right?”
The man was swaying as he stepped closer to them, his glazed-over eyes narrowed. Cooper stood at full attention. This just might be the huckleberry he’d been in search of.
“Yep,” Coop said, not altering his stance at all.
“I hear your daddy’s on his deathbed.” The man said the cold words with glee.
Maybe the man was too drunk to know exactly what he was doing, but instantly the four brothers stepped a bit closer to one another, their knuckles cracking, their collective breath hissing out.
“Maybe you shouldn’t listen to gossip,” Maverick said in a low growl.
“Oh, I don’t think it’s gossip. You see, your daddy has run over many real workingmen to get to the top of that mountain he’s built for himself. And now he’s getting the early death he deserves.”
Nick instantly stepped away from the bar, but Cooper shot his hand out and stopped him. “He was looking at me, Nick,” he said, his tone deathly low.
His brothers shot him a look, but then they stepped back, letting Cooper deal with his demons, and the drunken bastard before them, at the same time.