by Maya Banks
“I can’t believe you did that,” she whispered. “For me.”
Sam grimaced and his expression softened as he took a step toward her. “We meant every word. You’re our sister. Mom’s taken you under her wing, and her chick you’re going to stay. No one fucks with the Kellys, and I mean no one. You’ve been around us long enough to know that by heart. Well, you’re a Kelly now and no one’s going to mess with you.”
Without pondering the rightness or whether he’d be appalled, Rusty launched herself into Sam’s arms, nearly toppling them both over. She squeezed him so tight that it was a wonder he could breathe, and she’d never felt anything better in her life.
Brothers. Protective older brothers. The mind boggled. That they gave a shit about her stunned her. And it felt better than she could have ever imagined.
“Thank you,” she said as she gripped him harder. “No one’s ever done anything like that for me.”
When she finally drew away, she was embarrassed by the tears streaking down both cheeks. Her nose was all snotty and she probably looked ridiculous.
“Got a hug for your other brothers?” Garrett drawled.
She eyed him suspiciously for a moment. He was nice enough to Rachel, and Rusty saw him be affectionate and lovey with both Rachel and Sophie, but the truth was, he scared the shit out of her. But when he opened his arms, she forgot all about her fear and launched herself into his embrace.
One by one they all hugged her until she was a weepy, snotty mess. She cried all over them and they sighed indulgently, just like big brothers should. It was the best day of her entire life.
CHAPTER 40
“SO what are you going to do now?” Donovan asked quietly when he and Garrett were finally alone.
Garrett dropped onto the couch in the war room and stared tiredly at his younger brother. “I’m going to Boston to kick the shit out of Stanley Cross and make sure the little bastard never tries anything with Sarah again.”
“I’m going,” Donovan said tightly.
Garrett nodded. “Rio called a while ago. He wants in too. I’m going to make that little son of a bitch pay.”
“We could always make him disappear,” Donovan said with a shrug. “There are places where his body would never be found.”
“Don’t tempt me. I’ve never contemplated cold-blooded murder in my life, but I’d do it now and suffer no regrets.”
“And afterward? What then?”
Garrett knew what Donovan was asking. “Then I’m going after Sarah. I’m bringing her home with me. I’m not coming back without her.”
“I figured.”
“Yeah, I know you did,” Garrett muttered. “I’m head over ass for her. I can’t imagine my life without her. She may not forgive me. I don’t know what the hell I’ll do then.”
“You’ve never been the type to give up,” Donovan said dryly. “You’re a stubborn bastard.”
The security doors opened, admitting Sam.
“Thought you were on kid duty,” Garrett said.
Sam wore a frown and Donovan and Garrett exchanged uneasy glances.
“Joe’s been hurt. Busted his leg. He’s being flown to Fort Campbell.”
“Shit,” Donovan swore. “What about Nathan?”
“No word on Nathan. Ma got the call a while ago. All they told her was that Joe was hurt in combat. They patched him up and were flying him to the base. He’ll be there tomorrow.”
“That’s it, though? How did he break it? Bullet or what?”
“They didn’t tell her shit,” Sam said in frustration. “She’s pissed and ready to go kick some army ass. I’m going over with her tomorrow to keep her in line or she’ll end up behind bars.”
Donovan chuckled despite the seriousness of the situation. Then he glanced at Garrett. “Should we wait to see Joe before we head to Boston, or you want to go now?”
“What the fuck are you going to Boston for?” Sam demanded.
“A little unfinished business,” Garrett said quietly.
“Shit. Don’t call me to bail your asses out of jail.”
“I won’t let him kill him,” Donovan promised. “Rio and I will be there to witness what goes down. I guarantee you that Cross will fall down a few flights of stairs. Maybe more than once.”
Sam chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t even bring myself to call you down. I’d like a piece of the bastard myself for what he did.”
“We’ll wait for Joe to get in. I want to make sure he’s all right,” Garrett said. “Van, get the Kelly jet fueled and ready to go. I’ll let Rio know what’s going on so he can meet us there.”
THE whole Kelly family descended on the base the next day. Even Rusty came along and Marlene evidently had been made aware of the fact that her boys had showed up at Rusty’s school because she beamed at them nonstop the entire afternoon.
At least she hadn’t kissed them and pinched their cheeks in front of the military personnel on the base.
Sophie had little Charlotte bundled up, and Garrett had to admit the kid looked cute as a button in all that pink. She was a beautiful girl, just like her mama. Garrett gave Sam shit about how glad he was she hadn’t taken after her daddy. Sam just grinned and agreed wholeheartedly.
Rachel had hugged Garrett so tight that he’d felt immediate guilt for not going over to see her the minute he got back. He’d been too preoccupied with thoughts of Sarah and calling Resnick every five minutes to get a status report.
“Hey, sweet pea,” he murmured into Rachel’s ear as she hugged him. “You doing okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s you I’ve been worried about.”
She drew away and he could see the concern darken her already dark brown eyes. It gratified him to see that she’d filled out more and the shadows she wore under her eyes like permanent bruises had lightened. She looked ... happy. Content.
“You look terrific,” he said. “Ethan’s been taking good care of you, I see.”
She smiled, her entire face lighting up. Rachel was a beautiful woman, but when she smiled, it seemed the sun shone just a little brighter. Ethan and Sam had chosen well with Rachel and Sophie. Now Garrett couldn’t wait to bring Sarah home to meet his family. They’d love her. He just knew it. And she’d love them too.
“She’ll forgive you, Garrett,” Rachel said softly so only he would hear. “Donovan told me some of what happened. Don’t be angry at him. I did puppy dog eyes at him.”
Garrett laughed, making the rest of his family look over at him to see what was going on. He lowered his voice and turned Rachel to the side. “You’re evil, Rachel. You know Van can’t resist you when you do that.”
“That’s the point,” she said with a mischievous grin. Then she sobered slightly. “You love her a lot.”
Garrett sighed and glanced sideways again. It wasn’t as if he was ashamed of his feelings. He just wasn’t ready to share them with the world yet. “Yeah, I do. I fucked up though.”
Rachel touched his arm and then wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “I know a lot about pain. And forgiveness.”
Garrett squeezed her back. “I know you do, sweet pea. Ethan’s so lucky to have you.”
“She’ll forgive you if she loves you. She’s hurting right now, but she’ll realize that being without you hurts more.”
“I hope you’re right. I’m a stubborn son of a bitch. I don’t plan to come home without her.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. I can only think she must be an amazing woman if you love her.”
“Well, I love you and you’re amazing,” Garrett said.
She smiled. They were interrupted when the doctor came into the waiting area where the Kellys had been stashed. Marlene pounced immediately, though Frank wasn’t far behind.
“How’s my son?” she demanded.
“He’s doing quite well,” the doctor said as he surveyed the gathered family members. “A bullet shattered the fibula and we’re taking him into surgery shortly to reconstruct the bone.”
> “Can we see him before you take him to surgery?” Marlene asked anxiously. “I want him to know we’re here.”
The doctor chuckled. “Oh, he knows you’re here. I think the entire base knows you’re here. I’ll let you in to see him for five minutes. You’ll be able to see him again when he comes out of recovery.”
The entire family crowded into the small holding room where Joe was propped against several pillows, his leg swathed in tight gauze to anchor the break.
“Ma, Dad!” His entire face lit up when his parents entered the room, his brothers right behind them. “Hell, you all didn’t have to come.”
Sam snorted. “As if we wouldn’t come, little brother. What the hell have you done to yourself this time?”
Garrett watched as Marlene fussed and clucked, kissed and petted. He grinned as Joe ate it all up just like he was a young boy with a boo-boo again.
“It’s damn good to see you again, son,” Frank boomed out. “I’d rather not have had to see you in the hospital, though.”
“Joe, do you know anything about Nathan?” Marlene asked anxiously.
Joe grimaced and shook his head. “Sorry, Ma. He wasn’t with me. Things were pretty tense. We were separated into two teams. Our team came under attack. I took a bullet. Two of our guys died. I don’t know about Nathan’s team. No one has told me jackshit.”
“I’m sorry,” Marlene said softly. “I’m sorry about your team members.”
Joe leaned back, his face white with pain and fatigue. “Yeah, it sucks. We were coming home after this mission. Most of us were getting out. We talked about nothing else for the last weeks. We all had plans. Now two of them aren’t coming home and three of us are in the hospital. I’m lucky to be alive, I guess.”
“Guess you’ll be home faster than you thought,” Ethan piped in. “Might take them a little while to get you discharged, but you sure as hell won’t be going anywhere after this.”
“Nathan and I were supposed to get out together,” Joe said through a clenched jaw. “This sucks. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”
“I’m just glad you’re alive,” Marlene said as she kissed his cheek again. “My prayers are so close to being answered. My babies back home, where they belong.”
The nurse stuck her head in the door and looked pointedly at the gathered Kellys.
“Time for us to go, Joe,” Frank said as he rose. “We’ll be here, though. We aren’t going anywhere. We’ll see you when you get out of surgery.”
Garrett stepped forward and took Joe’s hand. “Hey man, I’m shoving off for a few days. I have some loose ends to tie up. I’ll be back soon. I’ll be checking on you through Ma.”
Joe gripped his hand in return. “Let me know if Nathan gets in touch with any of you. Promise me.”
“Yeah, sure, no problem. Take care of yourself, baby brother.”
Joe glared at him and flipped him the bird. “I’ll show you baby when I get out of the damn hospital.”
The nurse herded the Kellys out the door and back toward the waiting area. Marlene plopped down in a chair and let out a huge sigh. Rusty, looking worried, sat beside Marlene and put an arm around her shoulders. “He’ll be all right, Marlene.”
Marlene smiled at Rusty. “I know he will, baby. I’ll always worry about my children, though. I’m afraid it’s a mother’s curse.”
“I’ll stay with you and Frank,” Rachel said as she sat on Marlene’s other side. She glanced up Ethan and he nodded. “Of course we will.”
Marlene frowned up at Sophie and Sam. “Let me kiss my granddaughter and then you get her home where she belongs. Last place she needs to be is a place full of sickness and germs. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”
Garrett leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Van and I are shoving off. I’ll call you.”
Marlene patted his cheek and then studied him as she rubbed her hand over his face. “You look tired, son. You need some rest. You’re working way too hard.”
“I’m bringing someone special home to meet you. I love her, and you’ll love her too.”
His mom’s mouth gaped open as he stepped back. “Why am I always the last one to know these things?”
Garrett smiled. Just saying it aloud had infused him with even more determination. Sarah belonged here with him. With his family. Surrounded by love and acceptance. He just had to make her see it.
CHAPTER 41
SARAH sat on the porch of the beach house where it all had begun. She was tired. Numb. Beyond exhausted. Her mind was in chaos. And she missed Garrett with every breath.
For several days, Adam Resnick had questioned her, albeit very politely. He’d made sure her every need was met. She was catered to, waited on, treated like an important guest instead of the sister of the CIA’s most wanted man.
It had hurt to hear the truth about her brother. She knew he’d been involved in some questionable activities, but she’d been shocked to know the extent. It horrified her to know of the things he’d done. The people he’d killed. The lives he was responsible for wrecking. She’d finally covered her ears and demanded that Resnick stop his recitation of Marcus’s many crimes.
She hadn’t been able to help them. She would have, if she had any way to. But Marcus had never given any information to her. He’d kept his dealings completely separate from her. He’d been careful not to ever let that aspect of his life touch her in any way.
She’d even given Resnick the number of her offshore account since Marcus had funded it. Now that she knew precisely how he’d gotten it, she had no desire to ever use it again.
As a result, she was broke with less than a thousand dollars left in her personal account. If Resnick hadn’t offered to set her up any place she wanted to go, she wouldn’t have been able to afford to come back here.
It was here that she wanted to sort out her life and pick up the pieces. Here is where her life had irrevocably changed. Yes, it had changed the moment Allen Cross raped her, but the island was where she’d been given a new lease on life. Garrett had done that for her. And then he’d crushed her in a way Allen Cross hadn’t been able to. That was the height of irony.
For three days she’d done nothing but sit on her deck and stare sightlessly over the water. She had no idea what she’d do next. At some point she’d have to make a decision. She couldn’t spend her life hiding.
It shouldn’t have surprised her to look up and see Garrett walking down the sand toward her cottage. But it did. It took all her willpower not to turn and flee into the cottage and lock the door behind her.
Instead she sat as calmly as she was able and watched him approach.
He wore jeans and a T-shirt. Judging by the irritation of his face and the way he shook his feet at intervals, he’d gotten a buttload of sand in his tennis shoes during the walk from town. Clearly he hadn’t learned anything from his time here.
When he got closer, she saw that he held something in his hand. She forced herself to look away, out over the water as he approached.
He hesitated for a moment and then settled on the step beside her. Just as he’d done weeks before. He piddled with the object in his hand and then extended it until she looked down to see what he held.
A smile quivered on her lips. How could she want to smile when she hurt so damn much on the inside?
“I brought the big guns this time,” he said as he held up the caramel chocolate bar. “No holding out this time.”
He set it on her lap and turned to stare at the water as she’d done.
“I love you, Sarah.”
She sucked in her breath and felt herself come apart all over again. Pain ripped through her heart and left a bloody cut as deep as a wound could go. She went so rigid that she shook. She started to bolt to her feet but his fingers circled her wrist and he tugged until she was forced to remain seated.
“Please,” he begged softly. “Hear me out.”
She couldn’t look at him. Not and maintain her composure. She closed h
er eyes to keep the tears at bay. She’d shed enough over the last week. Her head still hurt and her sinuses had gone to shit. She wouldn’t cry anymore.
“I know you feel hurt and betrayed.”
“You have no idea how I feel,” she said bitterly.
“I have an idea. If it’s anything close to what I’ve felt since Resnick took you away, I know it’s pretty damn awful.”
She ignored his statement. She fixed her eyes back over the water, determined to get through this even if it killed her.
He sighed. “Let me start from the beginning. I was asked to take this job because Resnick knew I had a personal score to settle with ... your brother. Six years ago, I led a mission to rescue your brother, when he made a deal with the wrong people. In return, he was going to work with the CIA to take down several terrorist networks that he’d supplied arms to.
“We went in and Lattimer double-crossed us. He murdered two of my men and shot me in the leg. Resnick knew I hated him, and so when he got the information that Lattimer had killed Cross and that you had taken off, he asked me to tail you, stay close to you until your brother showed up.”
“You used me,” she said painfully. “And now he’s dead.”
Garrett blew out his breath again. “I know you’re hurt, honey. I’d do anything in the world to change what happened, but I’m not sorry he’s dead. I won’t lie to you just to get you to forgive me. He was a bastard of the first order. However, I’ll always be grateful that he saved your life. Given a choice between his death and yours? I’ll take his hands down.”
Her gaze flickered as a fresh wash of tears flooded her eyes.
“The thing is, the first time I laid eyes on you, things changed for me. I felt this connection between us and I was determined to keep you safe. Somehow you became mine from the first time I met you. After you left the island, I gave Resnick the slip. Told him to hell with the job. I just wanted you safe, and I wanted to remove any threat to you.
“I fell in love with you, Sarah. I fell in love with you but I still had a job to do. Lattimer was responsible for the deaths of many innocent people. I was sworn to take him down. I loved you, but I couldn’t look the other way. Not for you. Not for anyone. I know he was your brother and that in his own way he loved you and protected you. You loved and protected him. I understand that, but I couldn’t let him walk away after everything he’d done.”