DARE TO REMEMBER

by Debra Cowan

  "I think I should ask the questions, although I understand you've already paid a visit to the cops today."

  Her eyes widened. How did he know that? Where was Mace? How was she going to get out of here?

  "You remembered it all, didn't you?"

  She stared at him, her gaze shifting between the small handgun he held trained on her and the brittleness in his eyes.

  "Didn't you?" His voice was soft, threatening. Panic cleaved through her and migraine pain exploded behind her eyes. All this time, she'd thought she was safe, and she'd been within an arm's length of danger. "You're involved with the men who killed my father! How? Who are they?"

  She couldn't make sense of it, struggled to keep the panic at bay and think. She took another step backward toward the door.

  "No, no." He waved the gun at her and strode across the room, grabbing her by the ann. Pulling her farther into the living room, he yanked her to a stop by the bar. "I hate that it's come to this, but you know too much. Lovely Devon, why did you have to remember?"

  "But you asked me to move to Chicago with you!"

  "I had to keep an eye on you."

  "That's what you've been doing the whole time we ye dated?" She could hardly take it in. Her gaze darted around and she lunged past him.

  A click sounded in the room and seemed to echo. "The safety's off, Devon."

  Thanks to Mace, she knew exactly what that meant. She froze, slowly straightening and trying to keep her teeth from chattering. "What do you want?"

  "You're my insurance policy out of here."

  She swallowed hard, her gaze never leaving him. Think, Devon. Think. She couldn't wrestle the gun from him. She couldn't run without being shot.

  Would Mace be able to figure out where she'd gone? If so, would he even come if he thought she'd gone to break things off with Josh?

  Why, oh why, had she insisted on facing all her demons today? The suitcase in Josh's hallway didn't mean he'd just returned—it meant he was leaving. And taking her with him.

  "Josh, you'll never make it out of town."

  "Nice try, but my uncle will take care of that." He smiled grimly, waving the gun at her. "Now get over there by that chair."

  "Your uncle?" Why hadn't she ever noticed how thin and cruel his lips could be? "Who's your uncle?"

  "Well, he's not my real uncle, but he's taken care of me and my mom before." He advanced, moving her backward toward an overstuffed easy chair. "Martressa."

  Devon's stomach clenched. "Oh, my gosh."

  Suddenly a powerful knock sounded on the front door. "Police! Open up!"

  Mace!

  Josh turned the gun on her and Devon dove behind the chair just as the door crashed open.

  Mace's voice cracked through the room. "Drop that gun, you bastard!"

  "Now!" O'Kelly echoed.

  Thank goodness they'd found her!

  Josh edged toward the chair where she hid, his gun pointed straight at her. "Get back or I'll kill her."

  Her heart pounded in her chest and sweat slicked her palms. Her gaze lit on the lamp just to the right of the chair and she measured her distance from Josh. Just a little closer…

  Taut silence shrouded the room. Devon's heart beat in her throat. She was afraid to move, afraid she couldn't move, but just as Josh reached for her, she rose, grabbed the lamp and smashed it against his head.

  Without stopping to see if she'd caused any damage, she whirled and ran into the kitchen.

  Josh stumbled and Mace flew across the room, tackling him as he rose to his knees. Their bodies slammed into the floor and a brief struggle ensued.

  In short order, Mace had Josh facedown on the floor, and the two wrestled with the gun. It fired once, away from Devon, and she flinched, wanting to hide her face, but unable to stop watching as the men fought. Finally Mace gained control of Josh's gun and shoved it across the floor.

  O'Kelly moved in, pointing his gun at Josh's head. "Give it up, Van Horn."

  Josh sagged limply against the floor.

  Devon was afraid to breathe. Was it really over? "Dev?" Mace stood in front of her, fear and love in his eyes. His hands clenched and unclenched as though he were afraid to touch her.

  She walked to him, holding out her arms. "I'm okay." He crushed her to him, his arms tight and secure around her. Even so, she could feel a tremor ripple through him. After a few seconds, he set her away from him, his gaze tracing every inch. "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. Thank you! How did you know?"

  "I finally remembered the promise you made."

  "Are you okay?" She peered at the bandage on his head.

  He stroked her hair away from her face, his eyes fierce with love. "As long as you are."

  She hugged Mace again, Josh's words jumbling in her brain. "He knows Martressa."

  "Yeah, I got that from Karen Ross. Van Horn and Martressa did a pretty good job of keeping their connection buried."

  Suddenly Devon felt dizzy. Josh had been so close to her and her mother all this time. "Is Mom all right?"

  "Yes." O'Kelly hauled Josh to his feet. "She's with Captain Price. They're waiting for you outside." He pulled at Josh's arm. "Let's go."

  Josh turned to Devon, his gaze sliding over her insultingly.

  Even though she trembled, she clutched tightly to Mace's hand and lifted her chin. "Would you really have killed me, Josh?"

  For a brief instant, his features changed, softened. A longing passed through his eyes, and Devon thought for a moment that he really might have cared for her. Then in a blink, his features hardened and he shrugged. "I didn't want to, but you had to be dealt with."

  Devon shuddered and pressed more tightly against Mace. "Get him out of here."

  O'Kelly grinned and yanked at Van Horn. "Yes, ma'am."

  As the two men disappeared through the doorway, Devon turned into Mace's arms. "I love you."

  "I love you." He kissed her tenderly. "Do you know what you just did? Do you know what kind of guts that took?"

  She shook her head, dazed. "All I could think about was getting back to you."

  "You handled it, just like you've handled everything from the beginning."

  "I'd like to think I handled it a little better than I did some things." Regret swelled through her. "Like you, for instance."

  "We can fix that, Dev." He framed her face in his hands and kissed her hard. "I'm ready to get married."

  Her throat tightened. "So am I. I swear right now that I'll stand by you from now on."

  "Same here," he said huskily.

  "I realized finally that you live with the same fear I do. But you understand it and somehow manage to use it to make yourself stronger." She cupped his cheek. "I've always wanted to do that and now I know I can. With you, I can."

  "Really, Dev?" His voice was hoarse, his blue eyes glinting suspiciously.

  "Really." Locking her arms around his neck, she smiled up at him.

  "Now, about this marriage thing."

  "Yes?"

  "It has to be on my terms," he said fiercely, his eyes blazing blue fire at her.

  A shiver skipped up her arms. "What kind of terms?"

  "For life."

  One corner of her mouth tugged up, then the other. "I can do that."

  "I know you can." His lips covered hers, warm with promise and reassurance. Love swelled in her heart, and Devon felt the tears slip from beneath her lids, tasted their salt in Mace's kiss. "I've always known."

  They had been so close to saying goodbye. Devon knew she would never let fear send her running again.

  He smiled down at her. "Let's go tell your mom. She's gonna love this."

  "I want to tell Dad, too."

  "Absolutely."

  * * *

  Mace stood under a flowering dogwood at the foot of Bill's grave. He and Devon had come here to tell her father that they were going to be married.

  Mace felt that Bill somehow did know. After a few moments together, Devon had moved several yards away, letting Mac
e have a moment alone.

  The scent of trimmed grass and the fragrant essence of flowers from nearby gravesites teased the air. A gentle breeze tiptoed across the manicured grounds. The days were getting longer and the sun burned amber on the horizon, slanting golden red light across the granite headstone.

  "We finally got Martressa, Bill."

  At last peace eased through Mace, soothing the ragged edge of guilt that had stalked him for the last year.

  "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you that night." Mace's throat tightened and he pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew Bill would never have held him responsible for showing up late. Just as Devon hadn't. But Mace had known that he owed it to Bill to get Martressa.

  You make my daughter happy, Garrett, or you'll have something to be sorry about.

  The memory of Bill's voice whispered through Mace's memory and he smiled. With a two-finger salute, he relinquished his hold on the past. He turned and walked toward Devon, toward a future he thought he'd lost forever.

  * * *

  Soft morning light glimmered through the chapel, washing over the white painted pews and the rose carpet down the middle aisle. Piano music floated through the room. The scent of white roses and greenery filtered through the small chapel of the church.

  His brothers stood beside him; his mother and father beamed at him from the front row. Across from him, Carol Lockwood fidgeted with her ivory dress. The first and second rows of the bride's side were filled with seven- and eight-year-olds. The groom's side was filled with cops.

  The children in the first row held a crudely hand-lettered banner that read Happy Wedding Miss Devon and Mr. Mace. All eyes were locked on the double doors at the back of the room.

  Mace wasn't nervous. He wasn't even sweating. He had never been more certain of anything than he was about marrying Devon and spending the rest of his life with her—this time as much as the first. Although this time seemed even more precious, more sacred somehow.

  Impatience sheared through him. Where was she? It had taken all of three days to get the license and necessary tests and he was tired of waiting.

  Linc fingered the stiff cuff on his tuxedo shirt and said out of the corner of his mouth, "What if she doesn't show?"

  Sam elbowed him in the ribs.

  Mace leveled a flat stare on him. "She will."

  A sudden hush descended upon the room, and Mace stilled as Devon appeared in the doorway. His breath jammed in his chest as she glided toward him, her mother at her side. In that moment, he felt Bill Landry's presence and the warmth of his approval. Mace felt completely whole and he smiled as he turned toward the woman he loved more than life.

  The severely cut, cream-colored satin skimmed her body revealing every curve and the nip of her waist yet somehow managing to capture the purity and innocence of her face. Her silver-green eyes glowed with love and certainty. No more doubts.

  He was vaguely aware of taking her hand, of hearing Marilee give her away. The words spoken by the minister ran together in his mind, though he repeated his vows clearly, almost fiercely. As he stared into her eyes he felt the last ache of his heart ease.

  She was his. They were one, forever. Finally.

  He was rock steady until he slid the ring on her trembling finger. Then his hands shook as if he were a rookie again and engaged in his first one-on-one.

  She gripped his hand, remembering when she had returned the ring last year, aching for the pain she had caused him, her chest tightening at their second chance. Her vision blurred and a tear slipped from her eye.

  Keeping her gaze locked on his, she lifted his hand and kissed the ring she had placed on his finger, vowing silently with the gesture to never again remove his ring, to never again doubt the strength of what they shared.

  He swallowed and his eyes burned bright with love and desire. She smiled tremulously and he steadied her with one hand at her waist.

  "I now pronounce you man and wife."

  "At last," Mace whispered on the way to her lips.

  "For always," Devon murmured against his.

  * * *

  Epilogue

  « ^

  As the time neared for the trial, Devon adjusted to life as a cop's wife. The days passed in a flurry of hurried breakfasts, stolen dinners and long nights of leisurely lovemaking.

  She still feared for Mace every morning when he walked out the door, but they handled it together. If he went on stakeout, he let her know where. If other officers were threatened, he called immediately to let her know he was all right.

  She protested that he coddled her too much, but he liked doing it. And she liked it, too.

  Her new last name seemed to symbolize her new strength. She knew that if something happened to him, she would lose a part of herself, but she also knew she could go on.

  She testified against Josh, who was found guilty of attempted murder as well as aiding and abetting. And eight months after Mace and Devon's wedding, Martressa's trial took place.

  Mace's brothers and aunt as well as Devon's mom were with them in the courtroom through the entire trial. After grueling weeks of testimony, Gordon Dale Jens and Terry Carroll were found guilty of the murder of Detective Sergeant Bill Landry and sent to death row.

  The jury returned a guilty verdict for Jewel Martressa on charges of conspiracy for the murder of Devon's father, as well as racketeering and money laundering.

  As soon as the verdict was announced, cheers from the attending police officers erupted in a deafening crash. Mace and Devon were swallowed up in hugs from Sam and Linc. Marilee and Micki hugged each other, then moved to Mace and Devon for more.

  Arm in arm, Mace and Devon walked out of the courtroom, surrounded by family and friends. She turned to him, speaking loudly to be heard above the noise of victory. "We did it, Mace! We did it."

  "You did it." He lifted her off the floor in a tight hug. "Your dad would be proud."

  "He's right." Captain Price elbowed her way between Mace's brothers and gave Devon a quick hug. "Thanks for all your help. We couldn't have done it without you."

  "I'm just glad I could help." Devon was stunned by the praise. She couldn't have done anything without Mace.

  Captain Price leaned close. "You're very much your father's daughter, Devon. Tough and strong. Don't forget that."

  Tears stung her eyes and Devon hugged Mace's captain. "That means a lot, coming from you."

  "If you ever need anything…"

  Devon nodded. Captain Price smiled and straightened her jacket, stepping out of the way as Sam pushed forward.

  He clapped Mace on the back and grabbed Devon in a quick hug. "Good job, you two."

  Linc hung back, studying Devon and his brother with an inscrutable expression. Then he stepped up and shook Mace's hand. "I'm glad it's all over. Congratulations."

  "Thanks." Mace's arm tightened around Devon's shoulders.

  Linc's gaze moved to hers and he leaned down, brushing a kiss against her cheek.

  She smiled, surprised at the contact. It was the first time he'd ever done such a thing. He'd welcomed her to the family on their wedding day, but there always seemed to be a barrier between them, as if he still didn't trust that she would stand by Mace this time.

  "I was wrong about you, Devon. And for once, I'm proud to admit I was wrong about something."

  "You'd better get this on tape," Mace murmured, watching his brother closely.

  Devon elbowed him. "Be quiet."

  "You did a hell of a job in there," Linc continued. Her eyes widened in surprise and she smiled fully, her heart swelling at the love that centered around them.

  "I've been waiting. To see if you would go through with it. To see if you would stick by Mace."

  "Linc—" Mace growled.

  "I was wrong to do that." Linc's gaze never left Devon. "I'm proud you're my sister."

  A sense of belonging swept over her and emotion clogged her throat. She squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Linc. Thank you."

  Mace swept her
against him and pressed a quick kiss on her lips. He turned to Captain Price. "I'm taking off for a couple of days."

  She arched a brow. "I suppose I shouldn't ask where you'll be?"

  "Not if you want to stay on my Christmas list."

  Three hours later, Mace and Devon were on Aunt Micki's cabin cruiser. They anchored in the same cove they'd found before and held each other as they looked out over the water. A new security blanketed her, one that included strength and trust and the promise of the future.

  Devon turned in Mace's arms, kissing him boldly and pulling his T-shirt from his jeans.

  "Hello, Mrs. Garrett." He chuckled softly as his hands moved over the buttons of her denim shirt, spreading it wide so that he could press butterfly kisses over the swell of her breasts.

  "Mace, I love you."

  "I love you." He cupped her bottom in his hands and pulled her against his erection.

  Liquid warmth shimmied through her and she tugged at the buttons on his jeans. His hands skimmed over her, unfastening her skirt, palming off her skimpy panties.

  They slid to the floor and came together in a burst of heat and impatience, then slowed their movements to match the lazy rocking of the boat on the water. Mace splayed his hands over her back, measured the slender feel of her shoulders, her ribs, cupped her breasts in his hands.

  She moaned against his lips and threw back her head. Moonlight shadowed her cheekbones, turned her eyes to dark silver. He saw his past and his future reflected in the vulnerable shine of her eyes.

  Following the push and thrust of his body, she stared straight into his soul. "I will never leave you again, Mace. Never."

  The last of his fears about her had disappeared. She had his heart in the palm of her hand and this time he trusted her to keep it safe.

  Their bodies moved in perfect unison; their hearts beat in mirrored rhythm. Hands clasped, they raced for the moon, shedding the fears of the past, embracing the possibilities of the future.

  Some time later she rolled away from him and returned with their house plans. She flipped on the flashlight and spread out the blueprints in front of him.

  Feeling lazy, he nevertheless pushed himself up beside her. "Why did you bring these? I thought we were all set to go." He frowned up at her. "You're not changing your mind about the tile again? I thought we agreed."