“More than anything.”
“How do you know?” Ahmed asked.
“I know because I can’t stand the idea of living without her. I love the good and the bad and everything in between. She’s my life. What about you, Ahmed? Ever been in love?”
“Yes,” he answered so softly Cy barely heard.
“Does she know?”
“No, not until Sergei is dead will she ever know. Now jump.” Ahmed disappeared from view and Cy looked out into the darkness. With a calm breath, he jumped out of the plane.
Gemma’s head snapped back as pain blossomed around her cheek. She’d been dragged into the house through the garage and now sat in the middle of a large foyer with Sergei and his boss.
“Where is the evidence? How did you find me?”
“I think it was you who found me. I came to Keeneston first.”
He nodded for Sergei to hit her again. Blood blossomed on her lip as she cringed in pain. “You shouldn’t have gone after my daughter again. When I killed you the first time, they told me you begged for your life. So start begging, bitch. I want all the evidence you have and I want it now,” he yelled, standing in front of her.
Gemma shook, not in pain, but in fright. The man was delusional and Sergei knew it. But it didn’t stop Sergei from hitting her. Gemma refused to beg. She lifted her chin a notch and stared at him straight in the eyes. “Never.” Gemma used all the energy she had left and launched herself at him. Her head connected with his chin and they fell to the floor in a heap. She managed to stay on top and was about to head-butt him when Sergei picked her up and slammed her into the chair.
His boss stood up, blood dripping from where he bit his lip. “Kill her.”
Gemma watched in horror as Sergei pulled out a long knife from behind his back and smiled. She didn’t think she was actually going to die until this moment. Anger had fueled her, but now it seemed death had caught up with her. She closed her eyes and pictured her sister. But it was Cy who was in her heart. A gun fired and Gemma looked to see where she was hit as the knife arced down to finish the job that the gun hadn't.
Cy and Ahmed landed quietly on the roof. They unhooked their parachutes and slid to the attic window. Ahmed jimmied it loose and pushed it up. Then it was just a matter of finding Gemma. Ahmed took the second floor while Cy headed for the first.
The diversion out front worked; he was able to make his way down the stairs, only having to disable two guards. He heard voices as he rounded his way down the steps. Gemma’s voice sounded strong and he was able to breathe for the first time since she had been taken. But then he heard the order to kill and that relief fled.
Cy rushed down the stairs and into the large foyer. Gemma was sitting in a chair as Sergei had a knife raised above her. Cy didn’t take the time to aim and fired off a shot that barely missed Sergei, but it threw off Sergei's attempt at Gemma’s chest. He had cut her arm instead.
“No. Kill them, kill them!” Liam O’Flannigan screamed to the guards as gunfire erupted outside. It seemed the others had arrived right on time. The guards were forced to divide their numbers.
“You first,” was Ahmed’s cold response from behind them. Sergei turned slowly, forgetting Cy was there, to confront his oldest enemy.
“Ahmed. I’ve been waiting to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Ahmed pulled a large knife from his leg strap and the two started to circle each other. Cy took the opportunity and rushed to Gemma.
“Are you okay? You’re bleeding.” He sliced her restraints free but that was all he could do before two other guards rushed into the room. Cy turned and shot one before the other grabbed him from behind, sending Cy's gun sliding across the floor.
Gemma shrieked as the man pushed her aside and grabbed Cy from behind. She was about to leap on him when Liam ran from the room. Torn between helping Cy and chasing after the man who ordered her sister's death caused her to freeze in place. But then Cy flipped the man over his back and sent her a wink.
As she ran from the room, she passed a large fireplace and grabbed the poker, then gave chase to a back room. The chaos from the foyer was left behind as she stopped at the door to the study.
“I’m glad you followed. I’ll kill you myself now,” Liam said from behind his desk.
“Who are you that you needed to kill my sister because she found out about you?” Gemma asked as she walked slowly toward the massive desk.
“I am God. I rule the world. I overthrow governments, wage war, surround myself with the wonders of the world—Rembrandt, Klimt, Renoir, Picasso, and jewels bigger than your hand. That’s who I am. Who are you?”
“I’m a woman who loved her sister.” Gemma stalked forward raising the poker. She knew, even with her rage, she couldn’t kill him but she sure could take out a knee or two.
“And did I mention I’m the man with all the guns?” Liam opened the top drawer and pulled out a gun. Gemma stopped in her tracks and swallowed hard.
“Move,” Cy yelled.
Gemma didn’t bother to ask why; she fell to the ground as two shots were fired and prayed that Cy was safe.
“Gemma, you scared me so much.”
Cy’s arms pulled her to him as she was lifted off the ground. She threw her arms around him and sobbed into his neck. She had almost died and he had come to her rescue. He had saved her.
“You came for me,” she whispered.
“Of course I did. I could never leave you. Now let’s get out of here.” Cy scooped her up and held her close to him. Then he put his arm around her and hurried her to the foyer. As they approached, the only sound was the clinking of metal against metal.
Ahmed didn’t notice the sounds of the gunfight quieting down outside. He only saw Sergei and his knife as they thrust and stabbed, trying to disable each other. Both had been militarily trained in the same techniques and therefore were matching move for move.
Ahmed tossed his elbow out as a distraction. When Sergei glanced, Ahmed sliced through the air and connected with the killer's side. The cut wasn’t fatal, but it dropped Sergei’s guard some. Ahmed could finish him off; he knew it. But then he heard the sound of people coming at him. In his peripheral vision, he saw Cy with his arm wrapped around a bruised and bleeding Gemma.
Cy stopped and bent to help Gemma sit down in the chair. He knew without a doubt Cy was coming to help, but then a figure emerged slumped against the wall. He was bleeding from the shoulder and had a trickle of blood streaming down his rounded head. Ahmed blocked a weak attack from Sergei and landed a solid punch to his face. Sergei staggered back. He had the kill shot to finish off his nemesis, but then the man behind Cy raised a gun and aimed it right at the couple.
Ahmed raised his arm and went for the kill. His knife flew through the air, tip over end, and sank into the chest of Liam O’Flannigan. Liam was knocked back and collapsed to the ground as Gemma and Cy spun around in surprise. When Ahmed looked back, Sergei was gone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Cy looked down at the woman he loved and felt whole. She slept quietly on the pillow next to him, her white-bandaged arm lying on the quilt as her hair fanned out over the pillow. He pushed back a lock of hair and she turned her face into his hand, seeking him in her sleep. He cupped her cheek and lowered his lips to hers. He had almost lost her and he was determined that would never happen again.
The Keeneston Sheriff’s Department and their citizens had been credited in this morning’s paper as heroes for bringing down the world’s largest black market dealer, arms trader, and terrorist. Dani didn’t even get mad that Ahmed had loaned them her old car.
Shots had been fired, but those had come mostly from Annie. She had fired at the feet of the guards who were trying to rush back into the gate after they had confronted the group in the car crash out front. When they turned around to run back down the driveway, Paige fired off a couple of shots and they were met with the barrel of a large Magnum held by the surprisingly steady hands of Edna.
Cy had
kept a tight hold on Gemma since he found her in the office with Liam. Ahmed had disappeared in search of Sergei as soon as Liam hit the ground with Ahmed’s knife lodged in his heart. Ambulances and the rest of the FBI had been called. The Rose sisters clucked around Gemma even though Cy made sure to keep her in his arms. Ahmed had returned a short time later and, with a slight shake of his head, Cy knew that Sergei hadn't been found.
Still beautiful in her wedding dress, Dr. Francis had arrived before the ambulance and stitched up Gemma’s arm as she gushed about how this was a wedding to remember. Noodle had stood beside his new wife beaming with pride as she gushed about her hero of a husband.
Cy answered the questions for Marshall’s report and then for Cole’s. When completed, he took Gemma back to her room. She looked so delicate with her face slightly swollen and her dress splattered with blood. He’d carried her upstairs against her protest and helped her undress. He made a warm bath for her and helped clean away the nastiness of the night. As soon as he had her tucked in bed, she had fallen asleep.
He had been awake all night watching her. She had rested with surprising peace. The night had given him the time and the perspective he needed to think. The conclusion he reached was that he didn’t want to go another day without Gemma by his side. He loved her, his family, and his town. He realized he was genuinely happy. Now all he needed was Gemma to be his wife, if she would have him.
* * *
Henry Rooney handed the last of his and Neely Grace’s research over in duplicate to the sheriff’s office and the FBI. Neely Grace was still in the beautiful fitted dark green dress she had worn for the wedding. She sat on the edge of his desk with her legs crossed and one high heel dangling off her toe. Henry felt his heart pound along with something else. Suddenly, Henry cleared his throat, “Neely Grace, can I show you something out front?”
“Sure. Can you believe last night? It was crazy but it was such a rush, too. We worked really well together. Go us!” Neely Grace beamed with pride and excitement.
“It was.” Henry opened the front door and stopped in front of the plaque to his office. He took a deep breath and felt his hands shaking. He rubbed them on his pants and with one last breath dove in. “Neely. I’ve lost something to you. I’ve lost my heart.”
Henry went down on one wobbly knee and tried to remember to keep breathing. Neely’s face was full of shock.
“Neely Grace, will you marry me? Will you take my name and keep it with you forever? Will you make this place Rooney and Rooney Law Firm? I’ll even let you be the first Rooney . . .”
“Henry, shut up.” Neely laughed. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Henry stared at her in confusion. “Yes?”
“Yes,” Neely smiled and nodded her head.
Henry leaped up and swung her around in his arms. He put her down and then kissed her with every ounce of love he had for her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Neely rested her head against his shoulder and hugged him. “But I’m picking out your tux for the wedding.”
“I’ll let you pick out my clothes for the rest of our lives.” Henry paused and then set her back a bit. “You see this shirt? Do you know what material it is? It’s husband material.” Henry laughed as Neely Grace rolled her eyes and tried her hardest not to laugh. He was going to enjoy every day of his marriage to this spectacular woman.
* * *
Gemma awoke slowly and reached over to feel for Cy but found the bed empty. There was a slight tug on her arm that reminded her of the night before, but it was finally over. The man responsible for her sister's death was dead and the man who carried out the order was injured while fleeing for his life. Justice had been served. Now she could claim her sister and finally put her to rest in peace.
The thought brought her much relief. She felt like a new person, but just as quickly as that feeling came, it fled. This meant she had no more reason to stay in Keeneston. Her stomach knotted at the thought of leaving the town that seemed more like home than the city she’d lived in her whole life. And then the thought of leaving the man she loved hit her. The thought of going back to L.A. suddenly held no appeal.
Gemma pushed back the cover and slipped on a sundress and some flip-flops before hurrying from the room. She needed to see Cy, see what his reaction would be. She couldn’t stay if he didn’t want her to.
Gemma hadn’t found Cy or anyone else in the house so she made her way down the street to the café. She knew she’d find people there. It was Gossip Central and she was sure those involved last night would be regaling the town with their story. If anyone knew where Cy was, it would be the Rose sisters.
Kenna laughed as her daughter stuffed her face with pancakes at the café. Will pulled one auburn ringlet and teased Sienna for looking like a chipmunk. Kenna placed a hand over her still-hidden bump and rubbed what she was positive was their son.
“Good morning, Mrs. Ashton.” Tom Burns, the prosecutor for the county, took a seat next to Sienna. With a jovial laugh and bushy brows, he scooped their daughter up and started bouncing her on his knee.
“Good morning, Mr. Burns. How are you this fine morning?” Kenna asked as Will shook Tom’s hand before Sienna reclaimed the “reins” to her horsey.
“I woke up this morning and decided today was a great day to retire. The missus and I booked a cruise and we leave tomorrow morning.”
The people in the café stopped eating as they all turned to listen. “Retire? But you still have three years before the next election. Who? What?” Kenna for once was at a loss of words.
“That’s right. And I’m asking you to be my replacement. Cases are on my, your, desk and Martha will get you up to speed. Dani’s welcome back if she wishes. Martha wants to retire at the beginning of the year. So, have fun hiring people.” Tom gave Sienna a kiss and then placed her into Will’s lap when he stood up. “Bye y’all. See you in a month when we get back from Europe.”
Gemma thanked the man with the hairy eyebrows who held open the door for her at the café. She walked in and immediately the volume rose to near-deafening levels. Questions were being thrown at her. People were hugging her. But she still couldn’t see Cy. Although the celebratory atmosphere did cheer her up, she couldn’t shake the feeling she had to find Cy.
“Kenna, have you seen Cy?” Gemma asked when she finally made it over to her table.
“No, I haven’t. Have you, Will?”
“Yes. I passed him on his way out to the farm. You may want to check out there.”
“Thank you.” Gemma leaped up and smiled at Kenna and Will before trying to make her way to the door.
Finally breaking free of the happy crowd, she hurried through the door and out onto the street. She needed a car. Gemma turned to head back inside to ask Kenna and Will to give her a ride when she heard something. She looked up Main Street and there was a man on a horse coming down the center of the street. Cars pulled over to honk and wave. The rider waved back.
Gemma shielded her eyes from the sun and looked at the rider. He was in jeans and a button-down shirt with the long sleeves rolled up on his masculine arms. A dusky brown cowboy hat set low on the man’s face, but she didn’t need to see it. She knew Cy’s body anywhere.
The café door opened and people started pouring out onto the sidewalk, but Gemma didn’t even see them. She started walking down the street toward Cy. He slowed the horse in front of her and dismounted with an amazing amount of grace. The hat hid his face, except for the smile he was wearing. He turned back to the saddle and set Fred down on the ground. Gemma put her hand to her chest and laughed at her little dog with a black bandana around his neck.
“Fred and I have come to find you,” Cy said as he swept off his hat. The sun shone on his face. His eyes danced with excitement as he smiled at her.
“Well, here I am.” Gemma was overtaken by excitement. She belonged here, with him.
“He’s turned into a good farmhand and doesn’t want to leave. I don’t want you to leave e
ither.” Cy’s smile disappeared as he hung his hat on the horn of his saddle. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “Gemma, this is me. The new me and the old me, all mixed into one. A former spy and stuntman turned farmer. I've had trouble coming to terms with my new life, but I've never had trouble coming to terms with how much you mean to me. I love you, Gemma. I loved you when I was a stuntman, when I was a spy, and now as a farmer. Do you think you love me for who I am now? A boring farmer living in a crazy small town in Kentucky with a huge family?”
Gemma reached up and ran her fingers along his jaw. “Oh, Cy. There’s nothing boring about you. I love you so much—the real you. The one who loves his family and the one who embraces this town.”
She raised her chin and pressed her lips to his. At first he was hesitant, but then his arms wrapped around her and he deepened the kiss. Cheers erupted from the patrons spilling from the café.
Cy smiled against her lips and stepped back. He dug into his pocket and Gemma couldn’t stop staring as he pulled out a black box. She heard herself and all of Keeneston gasp when Cy went down onto one knee. Fred ran around him barking and wagging his tail as Cy opened the box, showing her a ring—a solitaire diamond between two emeralds.
“I love you for everything you are, have been, and will be. I am yours and the love we share will only grow throughout our lives. I look forward to each day when I wake up with you beside me. Gemma Perry, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Someday we’ll find the one we cannot live without. The perfect man who will love us both,” Gia giggled as she wrapped Gemma in a hug. “He’ll make you smile and laugh and put up with you talking to me every day.”
Gemma felt the tears streaming down her face as Gia’s voice filled her head with the memory of their conversation when they were just sixteen. And she was right. Gemma had found the perfect man who made her smile and laugh. She looked down at Cy’s nervous face and nodded. “Yes.”
Cy fumbled the ring but managed to slip it onto her shaking finger before standing up and pulling her to him. He kissed her with such love and passion that Gemma forgot she was in front of other people. His tongue caressed her mouth as she flung her arms around him urging him on. The sharp sound of catcalls and whistles broke the spell as Gemma felt her face flush with embarrassment.
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