Beautiful Vengeance

by Kaylea Cross

  A thrill ran through her. Home.

  Stepping out onto the gravel drive, a sense of rightness filled her. Marcus smiled and took her hand, leading her up the front steps to open the door.

  “Welcome home, love,” he told her, and kissed her there in the foyer as Karas limped as fast as she could up the old flagstone hallway to greet them.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Okay, is everyone else feeling totally weirded out right now too?” Chloe glanced around at them all. “No? Just me?”

  Seated across the table from her, Kiyomi grinned. The bar was packed, loud and a bit smoky from all the food being cooked in the back. “It’s weird, but I love it.”

  None of them had ever imagined going out together as a group before today. It went against everything they’d been taught. All their training and instincts.

  Hard to believe that life was over now. Or that a whole world of opportunity and new experiences awaited. It was both exhilarating and a little daunting. She wouldn’t ever let her guard down completely while out in public. Some things were ingrained too deeply.

  “Hear, hear.” Next to her, Trinity held up her beer, leaning into Brody’s side. “And by the way, I hope you guys are up for a trip to Virginia soon.”

  “Why, what’s in Virginia?” Megan asked, sipping at her pint of ale.

  Trinity smiled up at Brody. “Our wedding.”

  Everyone gaped at her, and Kiyomi’s eyes widened. “What? When did you decide this?”

  Briar ruffled Trinity’s hair affectionately. “She finally came to her senses the other night.”

  Trinity gave a rueful grin and smoothed her hair down. “What can I say, I’m stubborn.”

  Kiyomi got up and pulled her friend into a hug that was way more awkward because of her sore shoulder and Trin’s broken ribs. “I’m so, so happy for you,” she said into Trin’s hair, then dipped down to whisper, “and really proud of you for going for it.”

  Trin squeezed her gently. “Thanks. So, you coming?”

  She gasped in mock dismay. “You need to ask? Can I bring a plus one?”

  Trin glanced at Marcus. “You’d better.” She looked up at Kiyomi. “Are you going to stay here?”

  “Yes.” She was beaming and couldn’t stop because she’d never known it was possible to feel this happy. “He asked me to.”

  “Then I’m proud of you, sweetie.”

  Chloe was suddenly standing behind them. “Another group hug?” she suggested.

  All the women laughed and crowded around into an awkward lump on Kiyomi’s side of the table. The guys all watched with various degrees of amusement, but the level of joy around the table was palpable.

  Against all odds, they now each had a future of their own choosing. They’d taken the precaution of planning a WITSEC-style program, yet now it wasn’t necessary. With Jane dead, her circle exposed, files seized and assets frozen…their true identities were now safe. The threat against them had died with the monster responsible for all the trials they’d faced.

  “I can’t believe I’m standing in the middle of a crowded bar with my back to the room,” Eden said as she got in on the hug.

  It was true. Surreal, to know they were all safe for the first time in decades.

  Megan laughed. “Right? Feels so wrong. Course it doesn’t hurt that we’ve got eight badass guys here to watch our backs.”

  “Only eight?” a male voice said behind them. “What, I don’t count?”

  They turned around to see Rycroft standing there, raising an eyebrow at them.

  “Yeah, you count too,” Trinity said with a grin. “You want in on this hug?”

  “I would, but I don’t want Grace to get jealous.”

  “What are you even doing here?’ Trinity asked. “I thought you’d be tied up in meetings for days after everything that’s happened.”

  He seemed to be fighting a smile as he shook his head. “I should have been. But it seems that after this morning’s mysterious events, I’m no longer needed, and my role in the investigation has been formally terminated.”

  “So you can actually retire now?” Kiyomi asked.

  His silver eyes twinkled as he faced her. “Looks like.” Glancing around at the other Valkyries, he shook his head again, his expression fond. “I don’t know how you did it, and I’m not gonna ask.”

  “Did what?” Chloe asked, all innocence and big brown eyes as she stuffed another mouthful of steak between her lips. She’d eaten as much as Heath already and showed no sign of slowing down. Her endless supply of restless energy burned a mountain of calories.

  “Uh-huh,” Rycroft said, and now looked around at the men. “Just wanted to come by and wish you guys luck.” He nodded at Kiyomi and the others. “You’ll need it.”

  “Dear God, don’t we know it,” Heath said, raising his beer in salute.

  “You want some steak? Or maybe prawns?” Trinity asked. “We’ve got lots left.”

  “Well, we did, before our human seagull swooped in to steal the leftovers,” Amber said dryly, looking at Chloe.

  Chloe’s eyebrows drew together. “What? I’m hungry. I have a high metabolism.”

  “Can’t stay,” Rycroft said. “I’m headed down to Heathrow so I can fly home and keep my own women out of trouble.”

  “Have a beer with us at least,” Ty said, waving the bartender over.

  Marcus brought Rycroft a pint of beer. His limp was more pronounced than ever but he didn’t complain about that or the healing graze in his shoulder as he leaned more heavily on his cane on the way toward them.

  Joy flooded Kiyomi with warmth as he wrapped an arm around her waist. She loved that he was comfortable making such a public claim, and she was proud that he wanted her at his side.

  As always, being in such a crowded place put her on alert, her protective instincts kicking in. Even with a weapon tucked against the small of her back—totally illegal here, not that she gave a shit—she was still a little on edge.

  She was aware of exactly where the tables were positioned, which patrons might pose a possible threat, and where the entry and exit points were. That heightened awareness was a part of her and would take a long time to fade, if it ever did.

  Not only did Rycroft stay, he wound up buying a round of beers for everyone. They did a group toast, enjoying mingled conversation and laughter. God, it felt incredible to laugh.

  “So, where’s everyone off to next with all the money we earned?” Chloe asked, popping a handful of nuts into her mouth. “I’m going back to meet Heath’s relatives.”

  “And then do some rock climbing,” Heath added, pulling her in close.

  Eden looked up at Zack. “I want to meet Zack’s dad and stepmom. Then I don’t know what we’ll do.”

  “We’ll buy a place with a huge yard for your poison garden,” Zack said, smiling down at her.

  That was sweet, and fitting. Kiyomi turned to Trinity. “What about you?”

  “Wedding planning. And then…” A smile tugged at the edges of her mouth. “We want to adopt.”

  Kiyomi’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing! Oh, you’ll be such a good mom.” What a lucky kid.

  “Hope so.” Trinity nodded toward the others down the bar. “Georgia and Bautista will go back to Miami, and Briar and Matt have a daughter waiting for them back home.” She glanced at Amber and Megan. “What about you two?”

  “We’ll go to California,” Amber said. “I want to find out exactly how Jane was involved in our parents’ accident, and then we’re going to pay our respects at their graves.”

  Kiyomi nodded, aching for them. They’d been through so much these past few days, probably more than any of them. Their own aunt had been behind everything, even killing her own sister and brother-in-law to get control of the girls. “And then?”

  Amber and Megan looked first at Ty and Jesse, then each other. “I’m going to do some freelancing,” Amber said. “Specializing in hunting down human traffickers.”

  Kiyomi chu
ckled. “Perfect. Megan?”

  “Ohhh, I’ve got big plans. Like starting a horseback archery program for veterans. I think it would be great therapy for a lot of people. But wherever Ty and I wind up, I don’t want it to be far from this one.” She nudged her sister with her hip, earning a little smile from Amber.

  “Eden?” Kiyomi asked.

  “I’d like to write a book about poisonous plants and their uses—non-lethal uses,” she clarified with a little grin. “And maybe do some botanical research of my own. Maybe find a cure for something.”

  “Cool. Chloe? Though I’m kind of afraid to know the answer.”

  Chloe snickered. “Well. There’s no way I can just ‘retire’ quietly.”

  “None,” Heath agreed with a sigh.

  “I’d miss the action too much,” Chloe continued. “Think I’ll hang out a shingle, do some freelancing as a demolitions expert.” Her eyes gleamed as she shrugged. “Could be fun.”

  “So fun,” Heath deadpanned, and the others laughed.

  “I’m just glad she’ll have an expert combat medic with her,” Kiyomi teased.

  “And you?” Trinity asked, drawing Kiyomi’s attention. “What do you want to do?”

  Kiyomi glanced over at Marcus, who was now talking with Ty, Matt and Rycroft down the bar. Rycroft was on his third beer already. Looked like he’d be catching a later flight home. “I’m toying with the idea of setting up some kind of foundation for orphaned girls. To protect them from exploitation in a way we weren’t.”

  “Totally fitting,” Trinity said.

  “But before I direct any energy into that, I think I’d like to go on a short holiday,” Kiyomi added. An actual holiday, something she’d never been able to have before.

  “Yeah? Where?” Megan asked.

  “Japan. I want to meet my relatives there.”

  “Does Marcus know?” Amber asked.

  Kiyomi leaned across the bar and called down it. “Marcus.” He looked up at her, raised his eyebrows. He was so damn hot. And all hers. “Will you take me to Japan to meet my relatives?”

  He looked surprised for a moment, then his face softened in a tender smile that turned her inside out. “I’ll take you bloody anywhere you want to go, love.”

  “Awwww,” Megan said, putting a hand to her heart as she gave Kiyomi a meaningful look. She knew Marcus better than anyone. “Kiyomi…”

  Kiyomi smiled. “I know.” He loved her. It seemed like a miracle. “And before you say it, yes, I’ll take good care of him. And Karas and Rollo.”

  Megan smiled and raised her beer glass. “Thank you.”

  Kiyomi glanced at the others, and a sudden sense of bittersweet sadness crept in as the end of the evening loomed before them. Once they walked out of this pub, everyone was going their separate ways.

  They’d all gone so long without each other during their time as operatives, Kiyomi couldn’t bear to be separated from her sisters for good. Not after everything they’d been through, and what they meant to each other.

  “Promise me,” she said, looking from one sister to another, a hard lump forming in her throat. She was excited about her future with Marcus, but she would miss these women immensely. “No matter what happens after this, we all stay in touch. And if we ever need each other, we’ll always be there to have each other’s backs.”

  “Absolutely,” Chloe said as the others nodded in agreement, and reached out to squeeze Kiyomi’s hand. “Loyal Unto Death, Bitchilantes ride or die. Forever.”

  “Forever,” they all chorused together, and sealed the vow with another group hug.

  Kiyomi closed her eyes and breathed it all in.

  So this is what freedom feels like.

  ****

  Marcus stood with Rycroft at the curb outside the pub, waiting for a cab to take Rycroft to Heathrow. “What’s your take on the threat level now?” he asked quietly. Kiyomi was talking with Amber and Megan a little ways down the sidewalk. Marcus wanted to take this opportunity to be crystal clear about any potential danger still facing Kiyomi and the others.

  Rycroft shook his head. “It’s over. All Jane’s associates are either dead or under arrest. She operated strictly on a need-to-know basis, and her operatives had no family or close friends. No new threats have been identified.”

  “What about Rahman’s people?”

  “His group has splintered. The three people in the best position to take over his network are interested in power and money, not avenging Rahman. There’s been no chatter about Kiyomi or any of the others.”

  Good. “Will you continue to monitor things?”

  “Of course. I’m not anticipating any further threats—as long as they all stay out of trouble.” His gaze shifted to Chloe, talking with Eden and Trinity. “Although that’s gonna be harder for some than others.”

  Marcus chuckled and shook Rycroft’s hand as the black cab pulled to the curb. “Thank you for everything.”

  “Thank you.”

  Marcus inclined his head. “I expect you’ll be glad to get home after all this.”

  “Can’t wait. But honestly?” Rycroft smiled fondly at the Valkyries. “I’m actually gonna miss them all. I’ve kind of become fond of their brand of crazy.”

  Marcus chuckled. “Me, I’m looking forward to a bit of quiet for a change.” He couldn’t bloody wait to get Kiyomi back to the manor and be alone. It would take a while for both of them to truly believe the threat was gone, but time alone was exactly what they needed.

  Rycroft got into the cab. Marcus shut the door for him and watched the cab pull away.

  “Hey.”

  He turned to find Megan walking toward him. He’d already said goodbye to everyone else and had been saving her ‘til last. He had something long overdue to say to her.

  “Ty’s bringing our rental around,” she said, and slid her hands into the pockets of her down vest.

  “You headed to London?”

  Megan nodded. “We’re flying to California in the next day or two.” She glanced at her shoes, then up at him. “So I guess this is goodbye for real this time.”

  “Not goodbye. Just see you later,” he corrected. “And I should have said this ages ago, but… Thank you for what you did for me. I know I was an ungrateful bastard at the time, but I’m glad you pulled me out of that prison and made me live.”

  She smiled. “You’re welcome. And now you’ve got someone to live for.”

  “Aye. Also thanks to you.” Without her, none of this would have been possible.

  Her smile turned a bit sad, her eyes growing damp. “I’m really going to miss you, you know.”

  “I’ll miss you too, love.” He drew her into a hug, squeezed her tight, ignoring the pain as his stitches pulled. “But it doesn’t matter how far apart we wind up. I’ll always be here for you. You know that, right?”

  She sniffed, nodded. “Yeah. And same back.” She hugged him hard, then stepped back, wiping her face. “You’re happy?”

  A smile spread across his face. “Aye.”

  “Good. Take good care of her for me.”

  “I will.” Ty pulled up to the curb beside them. Marcus set a hand on her shoulder, jerked his head at the car. “Go. He’s good for you.”

  “I know.”

  He ran his thumb across her cheek, wiping a stray tear away. “Be happy, lass.”

  She huffed out a laugh. “I plan to be.”

  He stood at the curb, waved when the car reached the corner and Megan looked back at him. She would always have a special place in his heart. But the rest of it…

  He looked around as Kiyomi strode toward him. His brave, beautiful Valkyrie survivor, her wounded arm strapped to her chest. “Everyone gone now?”

  “Yes.” She wrapped her good arm around him, gave him a smile that set his heart thudding. “Take me home, Marcus.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Kiyomi paused with the little ceramic teacup partway to her lips when her great-aunt and great-uncle suddenly stopped talking
, their gazes riveted to something over Kiyomi’s shoulder. She glanced back to see a woman in her early-fifties standing there.

  She covered her mouth with one hand, staring at Kiyomi as tears pooled in her eyes.

  “Emiko, come in.” Her great-aunt stood and beckoned to the woman to join them. When she did, her great-aunt gave Kiyomi a wobbly smile. “This is Emiko. Your mother’s half-sister.”

  For a moment, Kiyomi couldn’t breathe. She’d never been so grateful for Marcus’s presence. He’d flown her here the day after her stitches had come out. Her shoulder was sore and stiff, and her entire left arm ached like a bad tooth. The swelling had gone down enough, however, that she only had to wear the sling at night.

  He sat beside her now, a silent anchor for her to lean on as a rush of emotion made her chest tighten. “Konichiwa,” she murmured.

  Emiko stepped forward and wrapped her slender arms around Kiyomi’s ribs. “Konichiwa, nie.” Hello, niece.

  It was awkward hugging a total stranger, but Kiyomi returned the embrace, patting the woman’s back. She seemed overcome.

  Several moments later, Emiko finally let her go and pulled back to beam up at her, the other woman’s face wet with tears. “I am so glad to meet you,” she said in slow, clear Japanese.

  “She speaks our language well,” Kiyomi’s great-aunt said with a laugh, drawing Emiko to sit down on the cushion set before the low table where the tea service was laid out.

  Emiko dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “You look just like your mother.”

  Kiyomi leaned forward, overcome with curiosity. She only had vague memories of her mother, no clear pictures of her face. “I do?”

  Her great-aunt and Emiko nodded, then her great-aunt’s whole face lit up. “We have photographs.” She struggled to her feet, grabbed her cane, and shuffled into the next room, returning with an album.

  Setting it on the table, her great-aunt flipped through it, and stopped. “Here.” She turned it toward Kiyomi. “Your mother and you when you were small. Maybe four or five.”

  Kiyomi stared down at the picture, that well-used vault inside her creaking open once more. She did resemble the woman in the picture. It was like staring at her own reflection.