by Aria Ford
“Like.”
I made it a statement, not a question. He sighed. “I thought I told you?”
“No.” I was angry, actually. I simply didn’t have the energy or I would have shouted it at him. But I didn’t, so I didn’t.
“Well,” he said, “I had a wife. You knew that…Jack and Cammi’s mom. Remember?”
I tried to make an affirmative noise, but my whole head hurt, and so I nodded. Yes.
“Well, she was my first wife. I married her. They shot her. Years later, after the company really went big.”
“What?” Even in my complete exhaustion, I had enough energy for that statement. I had no idea his first wife had died. That she had been shot by the same people who took me seemed uncanny. What did they get from doing such horrible things to the wives or friends of Alexander Carring?
“They shot her like they planned to do to you,” he said quietly. “I couldn’t let that happen and I wouldn’t. I came here straight away.”
I felt sobered. They were not just making empty threats. They really had meant to end my life. I felt really scared and I reached for his hand with my aching one and held it fast.
“It’s okay.”
I felt him stroke my hair again and again. He kept on repeating those words and when I did fall asleep I fell asleep with understanding.
It took three days for me to be well enough to get out of bed in the morning. But eventually I managed it. I held his arm and together we made a tour of the sitting room, starting at the crackling fire to the door at the other end of the hall. Then, as we sat side by side in front of the fireplace, me snuggling up closer, he told me.
“When I was married for a few years, I started making serious wealth,” he explained slowly. “I bought other companies. Sometimes, during the mergers, people lost their jobs. Sometimes the people who had owned the companies were not satisfied. Sometimes companies had managers who didn’t like my ideas and so they were retrenched.”
I saw where this was heading. “They resented you.”
He nodded. I felt it even though my eyes were closed. My head was on his chest and even the richness of his voice filled me.
“Yes, they did.” He nodded again, then picked up his story. “Two people at a phone company lost their jobs because of me. I wouldn’t have believed it possible but they made a gang. They were terrible at their work, apparently. But they still got the jobs, and so they should not have hated, but they did.”
I felt my hand tighten at that statement. “They shot your wife? From jealousy?”
I must have sounded absolutely horrified. I was.
He gave another hollow chuckle. “I had actually offered them other things. I tried to get down to the bottom of this, but they weren’t buying.”
“They hated you,” I said softly. I knew, now, that I had been right in what I had heard. The leader would do anything to Alex to get him.
“Right…” I whispered. I wanted to tell him he was right, but I wasn’t sure he had understood me. All I knew was that my head was aching and I felt sick and very sleepy and I knew I was dozing again.
“They wanted to kill me,” I whispered.
The laugh was brief and dry. “You.” He sighed. “They wanted to destroy me first Make me destroy all I had built up.” he sighed. I heard his voice wobble. “I should have done it,” he said, and he really was crying. His face was soaked in tears and I could feel them on my one shoulder and he still rocked, crying. “If I had done as they asked, if I had destroyed everything, they would have immediately left her alone. They said so.”
“No,” I said. I stroked the side of his face. I knew now that was not true. That was not what they had told me. The leader planned to end my life and he always had. He hated Alexander.
“No?” He stopped sobbing.
“Alex,” I said. This time I found the strength to turn a little so that I could face him directly. “I was there. I know they planned to kill her always. They were going to kill me. You didn’t have to give them anything. They would have killed me. They would also have destroyed you.”
“Emma?” he said, and he had shifted so he looked directly into my eyes, long legs folded under him where he sat with his knees on the floor before me.
“Uh?”
“If they had killed you, they would have destroyed me anyway. Emma! How can you not know how I love you?”
I stared. My head ached, but even on a day when I was perfectly healthy that would make no sense. He loved me? Alexander loved me? Alexander Carring?
“You…love me?”
He laughed again. “You silly woman!” he said, ruffling my hair in a teasing kind of manner. “how could you possibly not see that?”
I laughed. He laughed. We kissed. We sat there all afternoon, talking to each other, reassuring each other that we were not going to disappear. That it really was okay now.
We slept together in the big bed. Later, when I woke and the first light touched me, we made love, then we slid out of bed and sat in front of the fireplace.
“I can’t believe you are okay,” Alex said, something he had said over and over again for the last day or so. I laughed.
“Yes, I am okay,” I said, and kissed his cheek.
While we sat there he explained what had happened between my captivity and his finding me. He had called a security firm that helped him find my location: a disused warehouse on the outskirts of town. They had found me. They had sat for a long while deciding how to save me.
“I was all for the suggestion of blowing the place off the map. But then, that would have hit you and that would have been the worst thing. So we just came inside.”
He explained how there were explosives in the cellar at his home. It had been a collection he saw and bought purely for interest, not because he actually wanted them. He and his helper, someone called Klaas, had set them against one wall and blown it in. Then they had come in and saved my life.
“Emma,” he said again, stroking my hair. “Emma, I can’t lose you.”
We dozed again with each other held in a firm grasp. We had made our choice.
Epilogue
We were married in a private ceremony. Alex had wanted it in some exotic place or other, but I wanted it where my friends could be there. So we had it just outside town. The kids had attended. Of everyone there, they were the only ones who seemed as if they had known all along.
“You might have thought they planned it,” we chuckled that night as we lay in bed together.
He laughed. “I know. They kept telling me they always knew. I don’t know how.”
I smiled. “Well, they’re very smart kids, you know,” I paused, kissing him on the side of his face, “and they get some of that from you.”
“Some of it?” He roared with laughter. “All of it, probably.”
He kissed me and we were silent a while.
I snuggled in closer to him, thoughts alive with the memory of our lovemaking from the previous night: how passionate and tender it had been, how loving.
“Emma,” he whispered, breathing into my hair. “I want you. We could…”
I giggled.
He grew quiet and I waited for him to say something. I had such excitement building in me.
“Emma?”
“Mm?”
“What were you going to say?”
I smiled, then. I couldn’t help it. I was so, so elated. “Well,” I paused, unsure of how to begin. I had no idea, but I decided to say it straight. “Well, I’m going to have a baby.”
Deathly hush. Then,
“Emma?”
“Uh huh?”
“You’re really sure?” he said hesitantly. “How do you know? I mean…”
I laughed, then. “How do I know? Alex, don’t be daft.”
He ruffled my hair, breathing his warm breath into the roots of it as he chuckled again.
“I don’t believe it!” he said, and his face was split with happiness. “Emma. Really?” he laughed. “Okay, okay! I sur
render. Anyone who didn’t was certainly going to have something happen to them.”
“Yes.”
He laughed. “Emma,” he sighed, “you are so wonderful.”
I smiled. “What will we call her?”
“If she’s a girl? Emma.”
I paused. That hadn’t been the name I was thinking of. I had another idea. A better idea. “I don’t know,” I said hesitantly. I wasn’t sure what he’d think of my idea, but I’d ask him anyway. “I was thinking instead…”
“Ada.”
We said it together. His eyes filled with tears and so did mine. I nodded. “Exactly.”
And so that was what we did. We had Ada. We lived together and we loved and laughed. And later, we started a charity. A shelter for the unemployed, where they could go and find counseling and aid to find them placement in jobs. A place for those who had been disenfranchised by big companies and retrenchments and unfortunate happenings. So no one would have to join gangs and become violent and full of hate. We called it Project Ada.
Now, we have wonderful days. Every day has its own quiet happiness. We sit together in the evenings and we laugh and Cammi surprises us with her innate flair for acting and Jack with his astute mind. Ada is talking now and she, too, makes us smile. My life is full and happy and full of love.
Because there are no limits on the human heart except those we choose to put there. And when we choose to take them off, that is when the magic really happens.
MY HOT STEPBROTHER
A Second Chance Romance
CHAPTER ONE
Ryan
Darkness enveloped us. Bradley and I moved side by side, silently trekking a path through the wilderness. Our footsteps were quiet, but leaves crunched beneath our boots, making us hold our breath. My nerves were calm and my heartbeat steady. Nothing about this mission was simple, but I knew my team had my back.
Bradley and I slowly entered the compound from the north, while Jacob and Drew came from the east. The southern and western sides were covered by a deep, murky swamp.
As Bradley and I approached the building, I felt my breathing slow even more. My mind went blank as I let my training take over. Bradley and I moved slowly, checking our surroundings with every step. There wasn’t room for fear, only action.
When we reached the designated room, Jacob and Drew came around a corner. We nodded to one another and silently planned the extraction using hand signals. We’d made it this far; we weren’t turning back now.
Jacob ducked to inspect the lock on the door. He nodded to let us know it was an easy entry. Quickly, he slipped his tools out of his pocket and inserted them in the lock. Bradley and Drew stood with their backs to us, watching the hallway for any signs of life. When Jacob opened the door, my gun was raised, ready to fire on sight.
Luckily, the room showed no signs of enemy resistance. I entered first, sweeping my gun from side to side as I moved. Jacob grabbed Bradley and Drew, who walked backward into the room. Drew kicked the door closed behind them. It swung shut with a soft click. Finally, we were in.
The room was dark. It took our eyes a few seconds to adjust. Once they did, we saw her sitting against the back wall. Her arms and legs were tied together, a gag shoved in her mouth. When she saw us, her eyes went wide with fear, and she tried desperately to crawl away. Bradley moved forward, quickly bending down in front of her.
“Shh,” he whispered. “We’re here to help. You’re okay.”
The girl still looked scared, but Bradley’s words calmed her. He untied her and removed the gag from her mouth.
“Stay quiet,” he said firmly. “We’ll get you out of here.”
Bradley handed the girl off to Jacob, who swept her up in his arms. Now that we had her, we had to move fast. If we were caught, none of us would make it out alive.
We moved back through the door and down the deserted hallway. As we emerged from the building, everything was clear. We moved as a team, taking steps in unison and constantly swinging around to check our surroundings. It wasn’t until we made it to the tree line that things took a turn.
Bradley and I stood back, making sure Jacob made it to cover with the girl. Drew followed close behind, and just as I was about to step into the woods, I caught sight of an insurgent behind Bradley. Without thinking, I grabbed Bradley by the collar and threw him to the ground, swinging my gun around as I moved. My shot went off just in time, and the insurgent fell to the ground.
“Tango eliminated,” I said into my headset.
Bradley jumped to his feet. We ran into the woods, falling close behind Jacob and Drew. We didn’t stop running until we were a safe distance from the compound. Finally, we slowed to a walk, and Jacob put the girl down. She stretched her legs for a few seconds before she could walk on her own. After muttering a soft “thank-you,” to each of us, she fell silent. I could tell she was battling some serious hunger and pain, but she was strong. She didn’t slow down or stumble until we reached our camp.
Jacob took her to a place where she could sleep, while Bradley and I disappeared into our bunks. We would be extracted within a few hours, so sleep was out of the question, but we could have used some rest. I fell back on my bed with a thud, not bothering to remove my boots.
“How does it feel?” Bradley asked. I turned to face him with a frown. “Completing our last mission.”
“I feel exhausted,” I said without emotion. “And sore.”
“Seriously,” Bradley said. “We haven’t talked about this yet. It’s been years since either of us had normal lives. We’re about to reenter society. How do you feel about that? What are you going to do with your life now?”
“I have no idea,” I admitted. “Honestly, Brad, I’m just trying to get through this. When we’re back home, I’ll figure it out.”
“I hear ya,” Bradley said with a nod. “But you must have some plans. Something. Anything.”
“Nope,” I said, staring at the ceiling.
I thought about what he said, but nothing came to mind. For nine years, my life revolved around the military. I worked my way up to become a SEAL, and then I went on missions. It was a simple life, but not an easy one. I got orders. I followed them. Simple as that.
Now I didn’t know what to do next. In just a few hours, we would be on a plane bound for America. Once we landed, I would have to figure out my life, but right now I didn’t want to think about anything.
“Well,” Bradley said. “Listen, whatever you decide to do, you should at least go by and see Mom and Dad.”
“They aren’t my parents,” I said without hesitation. “They’re yours.”
“Still,” Bradley said. I could feel him roll his eyes beside me. “They’ll want to see you.”
“After they kicked me out?” I scoffed. “I doubt that.”
“I talked to them yesterday,” Bradley said. “They’re planning a huge homecoming party for us—both of us.”
“That’s great,” I said. “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.”
“Dammit, Ryan,” Bradley snapped. “Just quit being a dick and listen to me for a second, okay?”
It wasn’t often that Bradley lost his temper. I sat up slowly and turned to face him. His eyes were fixed on my face with a determination I recognized all too well. His father had that same look in his eyes the day he threw me out.
I sighed. “I’m listening.”
“I know you have your issues with them,” Bradley said slowly. “God knows you have every right to be angry, okay? But they did take you in when no one else would. They adopted you, man. How many other people would have done that?”
“They adopted me for a few years,” I corrected. “Then they kicked me out. Or did you forget that?”
“I didn’t,” Bradley said. “But I also remember the reason they kicked you out. You weren’t exactly an innocent victim, Ry.”
I turned away from him and scowled at the corner of my bunk. Bradley always had a way of getting under my skin. He wasn’t wrong about his
parents. They did adopt me years ago, but things had changed since then. I was only a member of their family for a short time. I barely had a chance to feel like one of them before they made me leave. Why would I waste my time visiting them now?
“I just don’t think I can,” I said, my voice soft. “I’m sorry.”
Bradley sighed, but didn’t argue. He knew my mind was made up.
“Thanks for the save back there,” he said, reaching over to slap my shoulder. “It would have sucked to go home with a bullet in my ass.”
I laughed. “It would’ve been in your head, dipshit.”
“Nah, those shits couldn’t shoot the broadside of a barn,” Bradley said.
“Whatever you say.”
“Seriously,” he said. “Thanks.”
“Look,” I said. “Whatever happened with your parents, you’re still my brother. That hasn’t changed after all these years, and it’s not going to now. I couldn’t just let you die back there, even if I wanted to.”
“Hilarious,” he said. “You’d be fucking lost without me.”
“Doubt that.” I smiled, lying back down against my thin pillow.
It wasn’t comfortable, but it felt good to be off my feet. I couldn’t wait to be back home. I didn’t know where I would go once I was released from duty, but I’d thought about it a lot. Bradley wouldn’t understand if I told him the truth. He only wanted me to go back to Lexington and make nice with his parents, which was something I just couldn’t do.