by Maya Banks
“You think he can help us?” Shea asked.
“Do I think he can? Yeah, I do. The question isn’t can he. The question is will he. We were polite before. Now we aren’t going to be so nice. We’ve done Resnick plenty of favors. It’s time for him to pay up.”
“Can we trust him?”
Donovan looked surprised by her question, but then his lips turned up into a half smile. “As much as we can anyone who has dirt on everyone who has ever worked for Uncle Sam either officially or unofficially.”
She nodded. “If you trust him, then so will I.”
Nathan kissed the side of her head. “I know you’re worried, baby. But you don’t have to be anymore. Rio will find Grace. Resnick will give us information on who or what headed the experiments on you and your sister and then we’ll go after them.”
“You make it sound so simple,” she said wistfully. “I want it to be that easy, but God, nothing in my life has ever been easy. I’m afraid to believe it could be now. I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop and something horrible is going to happen.”
“We want you to feel safe, Shea,” Donovan said softly. “And not just because you’re someone who needs help. You’re family now. We look out for our own.”
She blinked in surprise and then turned her gaze up to Nathan in bewilderment. He merely smiled down at her and then kissed the tip of her nose.
“Everyone has accepted the inevitable except you. You’re it for me. They know it. I know it. It’s time you start believing it too. I’m not going to let anyone or anything change that. You’re mine. I’m yours. It’s as simple or as hard as we make it.”
Her knees wobbled as a ridiculous giddy sensation stole over her. The room was closing in on her and she desperately wanted to be in the sun for a few moments. Breathe in fresh air. Process everything that had been said over the last few hours. It all seemed so unreal and yet it was real. Very, very real.
“Let’s get you to the house,” Nathan said. “It’s been a long night and an even longer morning. You have to be on overload by now.”
“Let me holler at Sam, and Swanny, Joe and I will go with you,” Donovan said.
NATHAN and Shea followed slowly behind Joe and Donovan as they walked into the lakefront cabin where Donovan still lived. Swanny came in behind, and he and Joe tossed their bags down on the couch.
Donovan turned to Nathan. “You guys can take the back bedroom. Swanny can bunk with either me or Joe.”
Nathan gently squeezed Shea’s neck and massaged. “If you want to grab a shower and change, I’ll show you the bathroom.”
A shower sounded next to heaven. As did clean clothes. Her stomach growled, and she realized it had been hours since they’d eaten.
Joe glanced sharply at Shea and frowned. Then he looked over at Donovan. “What have we got to eat around here? Shea’s starving.”
Her stomach tightened and she stared open-mouthed at Nathan’s brother. She snapped her lips closed and looked away. Damn it. He’d heard her thoughts.
How are you doing that in my head?
Her gaze snapped up and she took a wary step back.
I’m not going to hurt you, damn it. Is this how you talk to Nathan?
Slowly she nodded and then caught herself.
Yes. Nathan and I can communicate this way.
Can you talk to just anyone?
No. It’s…I have no control over it. It just happens.
Joe frowned again. Then why me?
I don’t know. Maybe because you and Nathan are twins and so closely linked. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry if it made you angry. I wasn’t trying to pry.
With a sigh, Joe walked over and took Shea’s elbow. Nathan’s eyebrows shot up and then came together as he stared in confusion at his brother.
“Can I have a word with Shea?”
Nathan’s frown deepened. “What the hell is going on?”
“I just need a minute. We’ll step outside.”
Nathan was going to protest, but Shea put her hand on his arm.
It’s okay, Nathan.
She let her hand slide off his arm as he nodded. His gaze followed as Joe led her out the back door and onto the wooden deck that overlooked the lake. She closed her eyes as sunshine washed over her and she inhaled deeply. A breeze lifted her hair and tickled her nose. It was so very beautiful here.
He stopped at the railing, where they stood sideways to the lake. For a moment he simply stared off in the distance and then he leaned against the wood with his hip and glanced down at her.
“Look, it’s apparent we got off on the wrong foot, or maybe no foot at all.”
“We only just met,” she murmured.
“And yet you look at me like I’m an ax murderer and you apologize like you think I’m going to take your head off.”
“I’m not sure what you want here,” she said slowly, drawing out the words.
He blew out his breath. “This connection between us, I mean it’s special, right? You said you couldn’t speak to just anyone like that. But you could with Nathan and now with me.”
She nodded.
“My brother came back from Afghanistan a different man than he left. But you know what? The important thing is that he came home at all. The odds were against him. Swanny’s told me more about what happened than Nathan has, and if you hadn’t been there, with him I mean, they both would have died.”
“He wouldn’t have died,” she said quietly. “He wouldn’t have given up. I don’t care what he said.”
“Maybe I agree with you there, but knowing the hell he went through and the fact that you took it for him…I don’t have the words to express my gratitude. I know everyone’s thanked you. They’re grateful. But Shea, he’s not just my brother. He’s my twin. He’s my best friend. You didn’t just give him back his life or give him back to his family. You gave me back a part of myself. And now there’s this connection between us like what you share with Nathan. In a weird way it feels right. Maybe…Maybe one day I’ll be able to repay the favor you did the Kelly family. I don’t profess to know a whole lot about this telepathy thing, but if you ever need me or need help, I hope you’ll call for me as you did with Nathan.”
She smiled at the sincerity in his tense expression. His dark eyes, so much like Nathan’s, were fastened intently on her.
“I’m glad it doesn’t freak you out. Not everyone takes it well, this stranger popping into their head.”
He shrugged. “It’s actually kind of cool. I think it’s neat that you and Nathan can communicate while you’re apart.”
“Thank you. For saying all of that.”
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “No, Shea, thank you. I feel like I’m getting my brother back and I owe that to you.”
As he pulled away, he glanced back toward the house. “Now let’s get back inside before Nathan paces a hole in the floor. I’ll talk Van into pulling out the grill, and we can do burgers and hot dogs.”
She blinked as she tried to wrap her head around doing something so normal. Granted they weren’t moving out until the next day while Nathan’s brothers took the time to do more investigating, but somehow she’d imagined being huddled in some closed-off room, hiding under a bed or something.
An afternoon of freedom sounded next to heaven.
She followed Joe back inside to find Nathan waiting, his brow furrowed as he observed them walking up. Shea slid her arms around Nathan’s waist and laid her head against his chest.
He instantly relaxed and rubbed his hand up and down her spine.
“How about doing some burgers, Van?” Joe called. “We’re starving.”
Donovan came out of the kitchen and gave Joe a look of exasperation. “Is there anything wrong with your arms?”
“I cook a mean burger,” Swanny spoke up.
Everyone turned to the other man in surprise. He so rarely spoke that he tended to blend in.
“My grill is your grill,” Donovan said with a grin. “
I never turn down a meal I don’t have to cook.”
“I can help you make the patties,” Shea offered.
Swanny smiled. “I’d like that. Thanks.”
She was positively gleeful over the simple idea of an afternoon barbeque. It was just so normal and mundane. She actually loved to cook, loved spending time in the kitchen, but she hadn’t done so in a long time. She ate on the go mostly, just like she lived her life. Always on the run.
“I’ll take some burger out and do a quick thaw on it,” Donovan said. “I should have everything else, but if not, we’ll send Joe up to the grocery store.”
“Love how I got volunteered for that,” Joe said dryly.
Donovan’s cell rang and he instantly picked it up. “Hey, Ma,” he said in greeting. He grinned. “Yeah, he’s here. Back safe and sound. Did you doubt us? I told you we were going to drag him home one way or another.”
Shea glanced at Nathan to get his reaction and found him smiling, his eyes soft with love. Her heart squeezed a little.
Donovan listened a moment and then glanced quickly in Nathan’s direction. “Uh, yeah, that’s true, but I’m not going to speculate on anything, Ma. You need to hear that from Nathan.”
“Uh-oh,” Joe said in a low voice. “Busted.”
“Lunch? Well, we’re doing burgers or about to. Um, hang on, okay? Let me ask.”
He put the phone over his chest and whispered in Nathan’s direction. “Ma wants to come over. To eat with us.” He glanced apologetically at Shea. “But you know she just wants to meet Shea, whom she’s already heard about. Are you up for this? I can always tell her no.”
Shea glanced up at Nathan, suddenly nervous and unsure.
Baby, stop.
Nathan’s gentle words spilled through her mind, filling her with warmth and love.
We don’t have to do this now.
No, it’s okay. I mean I don’t mind as long as you don’t. It’s kind of a big step to introduce a girl to your mom, you know.
Then he smiled at her, and the depth of emotion in his eyes blew her away. If there was any doubt before, it was gone in an instant. His gaze was so tender, so full of love, that she felt near to bursting.
She’s going to love you. Just like I do.
She hugged him tighter and buried her face in his chest.
Donovan cleared his throat. “Um, if you two are finished, Ma is still on the phone.”
Heat stained her cheeks as Shea looked up, but she saw teasing in Donovan’s eyes. She relaxed and leaned into Nathan again.
“Of course she can come,” Nathan said. “Maybe she won’t worry so much now.”
Then to Shea, he turned and tipped up her chin. You’ve got to relax, baby. Stop worrying every time my brothers know we’re communicating. They aren’t going to think any differently of you because you’re different.
I’ll try. This is all just so…baffling.
He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her. Wait until you experience the entire family together.
She sighed wistfully. I think I’d love it.
She’d been so wrapped up in her conversation with Nathan that she hadn’t realized Donovan was already off the phone.
“Okay, so Swanny, all we’ll need are the burgers. Ma is sort of taking care of the rest. You know her. She always comes bearing enough food to feed an army.”
“She does feed an army, doesn’t she?” Shea asked.
Donovan looked at her in mock horror. “Bite your tongue, woman. She feeds Marines. Well, and she feeds these army rejects too.” He gestured toward Swanny, Joe and Nathan.
“Watch it, Bo Peep,” Joe drawled. “Not only is your Marine ass outnumbered, but we’re bigger than your scrawny ass. You don’t have Garrett to back you up this time.”
“So all of you served in different branches of the military?” Shea asked.
“Unfortunately, Donovan and Garrett joined the Marines,” Nathan said, sniffing in disdain. “Ethan really went against the grain and joined the navy. He was a SEAL before he resigned his commission. Sam, Joe and I all served in the army. Obviously we’re the more intelligent of the Kelly gene pool.”
“And the rest of KGI? They all seem very military.”
“Not all, actually,” Donovan said. “P.J. is a former S.W.A.T. team member.”
“P.J. is the woman, right?” Shea asked.
“Yeah. She’s a crack sniper. Best we have,” Donovan replied.
“She’s impressive,” Swanny broke in. “Hell of a shot, from what I hear.”
Donovan nodded. “The rest of Steele’s team is all ex-military. Rio’s team, on the other hand…Rio is a bit of an unknown. And by that I mean his past is highly classified. He came recommended from some very highly decorated military officers. So yeah, I’d say military, but I’d say he was definitely off the books.”
Shea sent him a puzzled look.
“He means not official. Not recognized,” Nathan explained. “Meaning he didn’t really exist in whatever organization he served under.”
Her lips turned down into a frown. “That sucks.”
“Terrence, his right hand, likely served with him. The two are close. I’d swear they were telepathic because they do some freaky silent communication,” Donovan continued.
“And Rio is the one who went after Grace,” she said softly. “How do you know…I mean if he was so shadowy and no one really knows who he works for, how do we know he can be trusted?”
She could tell they didn’t entirely like her question, but they controlled their responses.
“Rio is solid,” Donovan said quietly. “He’s as solid as they come. If he said he’ll bring Grace home to you, then he’ll do it or die trying.”
Shea could sense just how resolute Donovan was about Rio, and it eased some of her worries. Just hearing about the accomplished men and woman of KGI made her feel safer and more at peace than she’d been in so very long.
We’ll keep you safe, Shea.
It wasn’t Nathan who spoke to her, but Joe. He’d sensed her worry and sought to ease it. She looked over and smiled and marveled at how good it was to feel joy again.
CHAPTER 31
AN hour later, after showering and changing into clean clothes, Shea was elbow deep in hamburger meat. Nathan, Joe and Donovan were several feet away in the living room, talking about Resnick and a lot of other things she didn’t understand. But Swanny was quiet, and she found she enjoyed the silence as they worked.
It amused her that this big, scarred, badass-looking military guy was evidently shy or self-conscious. Probably a mixture of both. It also amused her that he was very exacting in his measurements. Apparently he loved to cook and he was a perfectionist in the kitchen.
He directed her every movement, told her just how much spice to put in the meat. Even how to form the patties.
“Are you joining KGI?” she blurted out when the silence had stretched a little too long.
He swiveled and stared at her in surprise, the scar stretching slightly on his cheek as his expression grew thoughtful.
“No. Maybe. I don’t really know,” he finally amended. “I went with Donovan and Ethan because Nathan needed me. No other reason. I knew something was going on with you and him, and I felt like I owed it to both of you to be there, to do whatever I could. But even without that obligation, I would have done it. Nathan is my friend.”
He went quiet again, and Shea warred with herself over whether to press the conversation. She was curious about him but didn’t want to make him uncomfortable either.
“Do you have family?”
A shadow crossed over his face. “No.”
He didn’t offer more. It was frustrating, because if she pursued this line of questioning now, it would be awkward and obvious.
“Well, I suppose if you join KGI, they’ll be your family.”
He paused a moment and then the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. “I hadn’t thought about it that way, but I suppose you’re right.”
She shaped another patty and laid it on the piece of wax paper where the others were neatly aligned. A knock at the front door sent a jolt up her spine and she froze, hands still dug into the burger.
A moment later, an older couple came through the living room, and Shea watched as the woman immediately wrapped Nathan up in a fierce hug.
This had to be his mom and dad.
For several moments, they hugged Nathan and talked in rapid tones. Joe glanced her way several times as if to offer silent support. Or maybe he just sensed how freaking shot her nerves were.
And then they turned her way and Nathan’s mom stared directly at her as if trying to make a judgment from across the room. Just as suddenly, her expression softened and she smiled a warm, gentle smile. She hurried across the room, and as she reached Shea, she opened her arms, pulling Shea into a hug every bit as fierce as the one she’d given Nathan.
Shea had no idea what she was supposed to do, so she stood there while Mrs. Kelly patted and hugged her. When she finally drew away, she kissed Shea on the cheek and grasped her shoulders to get a better look at her.
“I’m getting hamburger all over you,” Shea said with a grimace as she held her hands up.
“Oh, honey, I’ve had far worse. It’ll wash up just fine. I’m Marlene Kelly, by the way.” Then she pointed over her shoulder. “That’s my husband, Frank.”
Frank moved forward and pulled her into a hug that was gentler than Marlene’s had been but no less warm or sincere.
“It’s very nice to meet you, young lady,” he said gruffly. “You’ll pardon an old man getting emotional, but you made it possible for my boy to come home. I’ll never forget that.”
Shea’s cheeks tightened uncomfortably at the love and acceptance already in their eyes. And yet she welcomed it like sunshine after a snowstorm.
“We’re so very glad you’re here,” Marlene said in a soft voice. “I know my boys won’t let anything happen to you.”
Shea smiled at the confidence in her voice. “Thank you. I’m very glad to meet the people who mean so much to Nathan.”
Marlene turned again to Frank. “Bring in the stuff from the van if you don’t mind. I’ll set the picnic table on the deck. It’s a perfect day to eat outside.”