“If you want to sit and join us you had better hurry before all the seats are taken,” Payton giggled.
“My chair’s saved.” Tristan acknowledged Dax with a quick rub between his ears, then reached under to scratch his neck. Dax responded by laying the total weight of his head in Tristan’s palm. Tristan went to the other side of the loveseat and wiggled in next to Victory. “Hello my fiancée,” he greeted her as he tilted her face up to his and gently kissed her lips.
“Hello my fiancé,” Victory responded savoring the kiss.
“I brought you something,” Tristan said. He pulled a tiny black box from his pants pocket and opened it. Inside sat a spectacular, two carat, square cut diamond, the band also encrusted with diamonds. “Thought it was time I made it official.”
“Oh Tristan, it’s the most stunning ring I have ever seen,” Victory said, choking back her tears. She looked at her swollen and bruised left hand, there was no way she was going to be able to wear the ring.
“No worries,” Tristan said reading her mind. He removed the ring from the box, picked up her right hand and slipped on the ring. “There. You can change hands after your cast is removed.”
She held up her arm, the diamonds catching the afternoon sun, all aflame on her hand.
“Wow, it really is breathtaking,” Payton said.
“We’re taking a short break,” Victory continued as she eyed the group lounging.
“Yes, a break,” Payton piped in. “We have been hard at work, booking caters, florists, music, bakers-”
“I get it.” Tristan cut her off from what seemed like it would be a never-ending list. “I’ve got news too.”
“Tell us,” Victory urged.
“Collin has been moved out of the ICU.”
They had been back for ten days and during that time Collin underwent two surgeries. “The doctors say he will make a full recovery. They plan to keep him for another week or so, after that he will be moved to another facility for physical therapy.”
“Is he safe?” Victory asked.
“Yes. They have him at a military facility, under twenty-four hour guard. Besides that, as far as Biotec is concerned he died along with Max when he fell from the cliff.”
“And then,” Victory prompted. “What does the government plan to do with him then? They can’t leave him to fend for himself. There is still so much we don’t know. The doctors might believe that he will be physically recovered by then, but we all know better. We still need to deal with the foreign DNA running through his body. If a buffer isn’t discovered, and I mean soon, the Collin that once was will not exist, assuming he survives the transformation.”
“That’s being taken care of,” Tristan responded.
“They can’t lock him up again, or we are no better than Braxton,” Victory continued.
“Hear me out,” Tristan interrupted. Victory quieted and looked up at him. “They are working on a proposal right now. The government is going to offer The Winters Corporation a unique opportunity.”
“Really, that’s great,” Victory said, “but what about Claremont?”
“They aren’t being left out. Claremont will be invited to assist in this new venture, of course that all hinges on you being the liaison between the two companies,” Tristan said with a smile on his face. “Looks like the Winters women will be working together.”
“What about the other man?” Payton asked. “Morgan, wasn’t it?”
“Morgan has actually been very involved in this whole process. He will join Collin in this upcoming project,” Tristan responded.
“Have they found Braxton?” Victory asked.
“Not yet. He and the Kaleidoscope Group have gone underground. We know their pockets are deep, I’m not sure how long it will take us to locate them, but we will.”
“If you locate them,” she corrected.
“Don’t worry, we will. Everyone has to surface sometime, even Braxton. We have the most qualified technicians working on decrypting Braxton’s files, but so far no luck. In the meantime Wyatt feels it would be best for you, Payton and Willow to stay close together.” Tristan said with concern in his voice.
“That settles it then,” Payton said. “I’ve been trying all day to talk Victory into having you move in here after your honeymoon.” Payton waved Tristan off before he had a chance to protest. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room. You two lovebirds can have the carriage house. We remodeled it only four months ago. It will be perfect.”
Victory remained silent and looked at Tristan. “I think that’s probably a great idea,” he responded. We need to enclose your property with a high voltage fence. There will be a team of security around the grounds day and night. Having the three of you live under one roof will make it much easier to maintain your safety.”
A smile lit up Victory’s face as she threw her right arm around Tristan’s neck. “Really, you wouldn’t mind?” She hadn’t realized how happy she would be about moving back home. Then another thought crossed her mind and she drew back from Tristan. “What about Willow. Does she still have someone watching her?”
“Night and day, don’t worry Victory. One of the guys will be flying over and personally bringing her back. She will be in good hands. Now let’s hear more about this wedding.”
Asia’s head popped up off the arm of the lounge chair she had been sharing with Kes. Her ears held steely erect and her eyes smoldering black. She vaulted over Kes and off the lounge in one stride, running full out towards the front of the house. All three of the remaining Dobermans looked up from their spots. Dax glanced up into Victory’s face and saw a flash of terror. He jumped down and headed for the front yard, followed closely by Parker and Kes.
“What’s up?” Tristan asked. “Was it something I said?”
“I’m not sure, I think someone is in the front yard,” Victory said.
In one smooth motion Tristan reached down into his pant leg and retrieved his Walther .38 from his ankle holster as he rose to his full height and headed toward the front yard. He turned slightly and never breaking stride he said, “I’m sure I shouldn’t have to say this, but you two stay put.” As he reached the corner of the house, they heard the dogs yipping and howling. “What the hell?” he muttered.
Almost drowned out by the chorus of Dobermans came a whimsical laugh. The herd of dogs rounded the corner, jumping up and down, totaling surrounding a striking blond-haired woman. Her resemblance to both Victory and Payton was obvious.
“Willow!” Victory and Payton cried in unison. They sprang from their perches and ran to join the group, tears streaming down both of their faces.
“Damn,” Noah said bringing up the rear. “I’ve been in a lot of scary shit before, but none of that compares to being the target of a bunch of charging Dobermans. I almost wet my pants.”
Everyone started laughing, the tension of the past few minutes fading away.
“What are you doing here Willow?” Victory asked. “I thought the earliest you could come home was next week?”
“I couldn’t wait. I left my assistant in charge of the project,” Willow responded as they hugged.
“Trouble,” Noah chimed in. “When this woman gets an idea in her head there’s no stopping her. I could barely keep up with her.”
“Seems to run in the family,” Tristan responded as the two men stood in awe looking at each of the three women.
“She’s gonna keep you on your toes man,” Noah laughed, watching the three women.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Tristan said, a grin lighting up his face.
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Table of Contents
Excerpt from Chasing Victory
Copyright
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY–FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters) Page 24