Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You (Surviving Absolution Book 2)

by Nikki Belaire

  A joke to cover the interruption. The need for which must mean an update, which better be good. “Fuck you, your—”

  “Enough!” Carrie stands in the doorway and points to the tray in her hand holding a huge platter of food. “Both of you get your stupid asses out of here so she can eat. Doctor’s orders.”

  “Okay, I’m going.” Max swipes a slice of bacon and jogs out of the room.

  This time, he’s smart enough to climb out of bed before Carrie snuggles in next to her. Shae’s smile falters, and she shakes her head, her hand covering her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t think my stomach can handle the French toast.”

  So bittersweet to see her suffer, but for such a good reason. Her friend nods and sets the plate on the side table. “It’s okay. How about some juice?”

  Shae accepts the glass and takes a few sips. “Good. Thank you.”

  “I have to talk to Max.” He meets Carrie’s gaze, ensuring she’s got things under control while he's gone. “But I’ll be just down the hall if you need me.”

  Carrie waves him off. “We’re fine.”

  Shae nods, the pinkness returning to her cheeks as she smiles, reassuring him she’s feeling better. The love in her eyes is all he needs to finally accept her happiness.

  Chapter Ten

  Nick leans against the door frame, watching Oscar squirm. The bodyguard’s on the defense, his body stiff, his head shaking from the warning Max issues. He opens his mouth to argue the point, but purses his lips together when Nick steps into the room. His eyes sweep over Nick, probably searching for a weapon or the subtle signal giving Max approval to draw his before his gaze drops back to the carpet of Shae’s guest room.

  Oscar should be grateful for Nick’s good mood. Well, that, and Shae’s request for mercy on him. Otherwise, his ego would not be the only thing shattered this morning.

  After Max dismisses him, Oscar nods at Nick and walks out of the temporary office they’ve set up until she’s ready to go home. Once the door closes, Max turns to him and shakes his head. “If I didn’t have Juan, Spencer, and all the bodies from Juan’s house to take care of, I’d fucking kill his stupid ass too.”

  Nick laughs before dropping into one of the white club chairs by the patio door. Rarely flustered, Max seems even more irritated at Oscar than he is. “You trained him.”

  Rolling his shoulders, Max blows out a deep breath. “I know. That’s what fucking pisses me off the most.”

  “Anyway, what did you get from your guy at the ATF?”

  “The preliminary report’s going to show an initial suspicion of the explosion to be natural gas. Then, they’ll go through the motions of an investigation to confirm it’s the cause. All written off as an undiscovered leak ignited by one of the funeral home employees sneaking a cigarette in the bathroom.”

  Another one of Max’s accomplishments to get the bureau director and lead agents on his payroll. They deliver exactly what was promised, and he’ll reward them with hefty bonuses once everything is complete. “Good. And Shae?”

  “Everyone who saw her is either dead or works for you now, so there’s no chance of any bad publicity for her.”

  Exhausted more from the tension gripping his body for the last twenty-four hours than lack of sleep, Nick rubs his hands across his face. Somehow, he’s survived, without destroying her love for him and getting back what he thought they lost. “We did it. We fucking pulled it off.”

  “Yeah, she’s safe, and you’re the most powerful man on the west coast, and now a large part of Mexico too. Thanks to Juan’s death and Enrique becoming your second in command. I have to admit that was a genius move on your part.” Max massages the back of his neck, yet his fatigue doesn’t hide his mutual satisfaction of their success. Beyond just loyal, Max treats the business like his own, doing everything necessary to protect it as well as them. The only person he truly trusts besides Shae.

  “It’s still yours if you want it. I can always move him to another position, if you ever change your mind.”

  “Nah, I like what I do. You know, nothing like a few bloody corpses to make my day complete.”

  His humor fades as Max takes a deep breath, as if preparing to tell him something his friend knows he won’t like.

  “I talked to Gina again. She said Spencer lured her to Juan’s house to take care of Shae by telling her Enrique was hurt in the explosion.”

  Heat blazes through him at the mention of that motherfucker’s name again. The image of Spencer lying on top of Shae’s motionless body resurrects his only true fear in life. None of this would matter without her. “That doesn’t make any sense. Why would he want Gina to take care of her if he was trying to…?” He chokes on the bile in his throat as he spits out the words. “Kill her?”

  “He wasn’t.” Low and rumbling, Max’s voice reflects Nick’s own fury. “He drugged her so he could take her to one of Juan’s compounds. He thought you would never find her.”

  The guilt of embedding a tracking device in her ring evaporates. They got to her just in time to save her from a bastard who was stupid enough to believe Nick would ever stop searching for her. That he would ever give up before Shae was safe and Spencer was dead. “If Shae hadn’t been there, he would have understood how much he underestimated me.”

  “From what I saw, I think he got it.”

  “What else did Gina say? Is she okay?”

  Max’s jaw clenches as he nods, his anger still boiling for the other woman Spencer hurt. “Yeah, she’s got a bruise on her cheek from where he slapped her and rope burns from where he tied her and the housekeeper up. But she’s tough. She was more pissed than anything.”

  Another reason to be glad this motherfucker is dead. Nothing lower than a man who lays his hands on a woman or uses her as a pawn in their war. That tactic ends now. “Let all of the new guys know, regardless of what they did for their old bosses, women and children are off limits no matter what the circumstance. That’s a direct order from me.”

  “It’s done.” Max swipes his phone and presses it to his ear as he walks out of the room. “Pull your teams together. I’ve got a message from the boss…”

  Nick stretches his legs out in front of him. Sunlight streams through the blinds, making checkerboard patterns across the fabric. Small puddles dot the deck, the only reminders of the earlier storm. Now, peace fills their world again, and he indulges himself for a minute, letting the thoughts he never allowed before to drift into his mind.

  Of their little boy sitting on the beach with his shovel and pail, pink and orange streaking the sky behind him. Or maybe a daughter, her face lit up with a huge smile as pudgy fingers smash into her birthday cake. And Shae, with her endless patience, laughing as she helps him scoop sand into the bucket. Or guiding their baby girl’s fingers from the icing to her own mouth so she can share in the sweetness. Always smiling. Always happy. Giving all of herself to them, to him. The perfect life will be theirs soon.

  “I thought you could use this.”

  Nathan’s voice pulls Nick out of his thoughts. He hands him a small tumbler of whiskey, his other hand gripping a long neck. Nick glances at his watch, a few minutes after noon. Not like Nathan to drink so early, but it has been a long night.

  “Thanks.” The brown liquid dulls his headache, but not his surprise at the offering of the olive branch. “I appreciate it.”

  Nathan takes a long drink before setting the bottle on the dresser. He picks at the label, his usual confident demeanor missing. Maybe he won’t launch into a lecture this time. “Whatever you’re planning for Evan, I want you to call if off.”

  The pounding in Nick’s head returns full force. No wonder Nathan fucking tiptoed in here, trying to butter him up. He should have stuck with the fucking lecture. After attempting to hide his fury from Shae, he can’t hold back the rage surging through him. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. That motherfucker said he loved her, and look what he fucking did to her. You saw the hell he put her through. So, don’t you ever
fucking come to me and try to defend him.”

  Nathan puts his hands up and shakes his head, the first time Nick’s seen fear in his eyes. Fuck. He’s pushed it too far. But God damn, he’s got a lot of fucking nerve standing up for a bastard who makes a sweet angel think her baby’s dead.

  “I’m not. What he did was unforgivable, but that doesn’t mean I want any more violence.”

  He can’t sit here and listen to any more of this bullshit. “I’m going to check on Shae.”

  “Wait.”

  Nick crosses his arms, hiding the fists he can’t seem to unfurl. He’s got to get his shit together for Shae. No matter what Nathan says, he can’t let her get upset or have himself be the cause of it. “What?”

  “Carrie and I are getting married in a few weeks, and Evan was supposed to be my best man. He’s not anymore, of course, but if something happens to him…” Nathan swallows hard and sucks in a deep breath. “All of our family and friends will be upset. Don’t do that to Carrie. Don’t ruin our wedding.”

  His temper cools at Carrie’s name. A good person like Nathan, she’s the only ally he’s had in his relationship with Shae, and she deserves her happiness too. He may be a dick, but he would never do anything to upset her. “I promised Shae I wouldn’t. Evan’s safe for now, unless he hurts her again.”

  “Thank you.” Nathan’s shoulders slump in relief, and he glances over his shoulder. “You know those two have been best friends since they were in kindergarten. They may love us, but they aren’t going to let either of us come between them. “

  His long-ago promise to Carrie still stands. Even if it destroys him, he’ll step aside before he’d make Shae choose. “I would never try.”

  Nathan nods his head. “I don’t want to keep arguing with you. You guys are getting married and having a baby. I can’t change that.”

  Begrudging acceptance, but at least they have it. One less friend for Shae to have to fight against for her happiness. “No one can.”

  “Then we have to get along. At least try anyway. For them.”

  Now, it’s his turn to issue a demand. “Fine, but one more thing. I heard you arguing this morning with Carrie. Don’t be shitty with her because you’re pissed at me. She’s stuck in the middle and doesn’t deserve it.”

  “You’re right. None of this is her fault.” Nathan takes another long drink of his beer and sits down on the edge of the bed. “What do you want from Shae?”

  More philosophical than antagonizing, Nathan’s question is more complicated than his answer. “Nothing.”

  “So, when she’s away on tour or on a movie set for twelve hours a day for months at a time, you’ll be okay with that?” Nathan shrugs his shoulders before shaking his head. “You’re more like Evan than you want to admit. He didn’t want her to do those things either.”

  The other thought he always pushes out of his mind. Not wanting to imagine what it would be like to be away from her. A small taste for the four weeks he was a stubborn asshole, he returned to his old ways. Only existing. Only surviving because her love still engulfed him, even when he tried to deny it. “The difference is I would fucking slit my own throat before I would do anything to purposely hurt her. No matter how much it kills me or how much I’d miss her, I would never stop her from doing what she wants to do.”

  Nathan watches him as he finishes off his whiskey and meets his gaze. “She would, you know. She would give it all up for you if you ask her to because she loves you. I mean hell, she risked her life when she thought you needed saving. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for you. Or for any of us. Be careful not to put her in that position.”

  “I won’t.” Nick drops back down in the chair and swivels it toward the bed. “I respect you, Nathan. I know you’re a good man.”

  “But?”

  “No buts. You do what you think is right, even if it isn’t easy or popular.”

  Rolling his eyes, Nathan smirks at him. “Yeah, so then how did I end up being the asshole in this situation? You’re the criminal, but somehow, I’m the bad guy.”

  Nick can’t help but laugh at the irony. “You could join my team. I’d be glad to put you to work.”

  “No thanks. I’m good.”

  Nick glances down at his buzzing phone. Son of a bitch. Every nerve in his body throbs at the number on the screen. He turns back to Nathan. “Give me a minute.”

  Nathan nods and walks out of the room.

  “This is Nick.”

  “Mr. DeMarco, this is Marilyn Chastain, from Arbor Meadows. I need to speak with you about your father. Would you be able to come to the facility today?”

  His hand flies to his gun tucked in his back waistband, and he strides to the door. Shae’s just down the hall. He can get to her in four seconds if he has to. “Has his condition changed?”

  “This is a matter best discussed in person—”

  “I don’t give a damn. Just tell me.”

  A small gasp escapes before she clears her throat. “Unfortunately, yes. His body is experiencing major organ failure despite the life support measures in place. Dr. Shah has consulted with several specialists, and they agree, with his recommendation, to end the medical intervention being provided.”

  His heart starts beating again as relief washes through him. It’s over. Death finally claims the monster to hell, ending the torment burning in him since childhood. His father will never again hurt anyone he loves. “Fine. Do it.”

  After a few seconds, her more formal voice comes through the phone. “There’s paperwork that needs to be signed. If you can make yourself available this afternoon, we can proceed.”

  “I have something to take care of today. But I’ll be there in the morning.”

  “Please know you have my sympathies for your father. I’m very sorry.”

  She’s the only one. “Thank you.”

  He tosses the phone onto the small table between the chairs. Only the mystery of what that bastard did to his mother keeps him from complete freedom. Maybe it’s better not to know.

  “Nick?”

  He turns around at Shae’s soft voice behind him. God, she’s so beautiful. His fingers stroke her cheek, the pinkness brightening at his touch. He’ll never tire of staring at her angelic face. Or her dazzling smile that makes his breath catch every time he sees it. Max said he was powerful, but it’s all her. He’s at the mercy of a tiny woman with an enormous heart. “Marry me.”

  Her gentle laugh wraps around his heart and weaves into his soul, creating an unspoken promise within him to never jeopardize her happiness again. She wiggles her fingers at him, her ring turning in the sunlight. “You already asked me that. I said yes, remember?”

  “No, I mean today.” He cups her delicate face, his heart racing at the love reflecting back in her shining eyes. They’ve waited too long and fought too hard to get here. Their perfect life needs to start now. “We’ve been through hell and made it back to each other. You two are my family now, and I want to make it official.”

  She bites her lip, giving him her shy smile. “I’ve kind of been thinking about it too, since I found out about the baby. I know it’s old fashioned, but I would like to be married before I start showing. I don’t want all the ‘baby bump watch’ pictures to start with rumors about who his father might be.”

  He sure as hell isn’t going to let that fucking happen. His wife, his baby. No one will ever question who they are or what they mean to him. “Then we’re doing it.”

  Her body shivers with excitement that rocks him to his core. His beautiful sweetness loves him and wants to marry him. No man should be this fucking lucky.

  “But how? I don’t want to go to Las Vegas, and I don’t think we can get a church on such short notice.”

  “How about the beach at sunset? I’ll take care of everything.”

  “Perfect.” She winks at him and tugs on his shirt. “Well then, Mr. DeMarco. I’ll meet you at your house at seven o’clock.”

  “I love you.” He kisses her gen
tly before dropping to his knees and pushing up the hem of her shirt. Her body shudders again as he presses his lips against her stomach. “You too, sweet baby.”

  “We love you, too” Her fingers entwine his hair, rubbing across his scalp. “But now, you have to get out of here. I’ve got a lot to do. I’m getting married today.”

  * * * *

  “Delivery for Shae Armstrong.”

  Shae smiles at Carrie’s voice behind her before crawling backward out of her closet and resting on her heels. The butterflies in her stomach swirl for the hundredth time today at the white box in Carrie’s hands. “What is it?”

  Like a kid at Christmas, Carrie peeks under the pink ribbon, trying to figure out what’s inside. “I don’t know. Jacks brought it to the front door for you.”

  Carrie plops down next to her and gasps as Shae lifts the lid. The rich scent of flowers fills her bedroom from the bouquet nestled in tissue paper. A single, white rose peeks out from the center of two dozen pink ones wrapped together with iridescent tulle around the stems.

  Carrie’s silver fingernails furiously click against her phone, her head bobbing as she reads. “White roses symbolize innocence, purity, and new beginnings.” She looks up from the screen and smiles. “It’s for the baby.”

  Shae’s fingertips glide across the silky petals before she brings them to her nose. He said he would take care of everything. Peace fills her swelling heart, knowing he means more than just for today. “They’re perfect.”

  After digging through the box, Carrie holds up two envelopes. “There’s more.”

  With shaking hands, Shae opens the smaller one and slips out the folded paper.

  Shae,

  When you said you would meet me at my house, it made me realize you are the one making all the changes for us to be together. I want you to know everything I have is yours, and everything I do is for you. Tonight, we’re creating a life that is ours together. I can’t wait to get started. I love you.