by Ciana Stone
“Yes.”
“Wow. You’re in love?”
“Yes. I am. After all these years, I’m in love.”
Deacon felt the smile taking shape on his face and let it come. He’d said it out loud and it felt good. Liberating, like some invisible weight had just been lifted off him. Etta whooped and threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her and swung her around, then put her down.
“Wow,” she said again and looked out across the land. “How long do you think they’ll be?”
“Don’t know, but I think I’ll ride out and meet them.”
“Bareback?”
“Not a chance.”
She chuckled and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
“Yep.”
“And Deac?” she said when he turned away.
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad it’s her. She’s pretty special.”
“Yeah, she is.”
Etta gave a wave and walked back the way she’d come as he headed for the tack room.
*****
Mica leaned against Matty and took comfort in the feel of his arm around her shoulders as they sat on the hill and watched the horses graze on the fresh grass. Below them, sunlight glistened off the surface of the lake.
“How did you know?” she asked. She’d told him everything and to her shock, he’d replied simply with “Yeah, I know.”
“Your husband, Tony. He used to come and check on me just like you did. He was okay, Mica, even if he was way too old for you. But he loved you and he was honest about who he was and who you were.”
“And you didn’t hate me for it?”
“Why should I? Without you and Tony, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me and Dad. But because of you, I finished high school and never went without and I was able to get help for Dad when I enlisted.”
“I regretted that I didn’t take you with me, Matty. I should have.”
“No, you shouldn’t. We each have our own paths to walk, Mica. I wouldn’t trade with you. Those people, Tony’s family, they’re bad people. But he wasn’t. He had heart.”
“Yeah, he did.”
“I’m sorry you had to see him die.”
“So am I.”
“It’s never easy to see someone die.”
“No, it’s not. Particularly when they didn’t deserve it.”
He was quiet for a bit, staring out over the land. “I saw people die who didn’t deserve it.”
“Did you kill them, Matty?”
“No.”
“Then it’s not on your soul. Mourn their loss, like I did Tony, and let it go. We have to. In order to go on and help others, we have to let it go.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“I know. But here we could have another chance, a chance to have a home and be a family.”
“You mean Commander Johns?” He chuckled. “I’m not blind, you know.”
“No, you’re not, although there are a few things I wish you’d never seen.”
“Like Cipriana’s website?”
He laughed when she elbowed him, then wrapped his arm tighter around her.
“Hey, watch it, Hercules.” She wiggled away from him and snagged a tall stalk of grass to chew on. “And yeah, that wasn’t something I really wanted you to know about.”
“Tony said you never had sex with any of those people, that you just fed their kinks in a way that was safe for them.”
“It’s not like I was some humanitarian.”
“No, he said you made bank.”
“I did. But those days are over. I have money, Matty. Over a million and half of it’s yours.”
“I don’t need it.”
“You might. What if you want to build a house or buy a new truck, or buy a new truck, or maybe buy a new truck?”
“What’s with you and the damn truck?”
“I like big shiny trucks. And I bet Willow does too.”
“What does Willow have to do with anything?”
“I’m thinking she has a lot to do with everything. I have eyes too. And I know she’s stopped by the shop a couple of times.”
“She’s nice.”
“Yes, I’m sure she is. But?”
“But it’s not time for that right now. I like being a SEAL, Mica and even though that mission screwed with my head, I miss it.”
“Can you go back?”
“Maybe. Or maybe I could take the Commander up on his offer and be an instructor at the new training center. They need someone who’s good at hand-to-hand and fighting with blades.”
She smiled at him. “If that’s what you want, then do it. Just do what’s right for you, Matty, and what makes you happy. It’s way past time we found out what happiness is all about.”
“I think yours might be headed this way.” The way he tilted his chin up had her looking to one side.
“He sits a horse well,” she commented when she saw Deacon.
“He does.” Mathias stood and offered her a hand to pull her to her feet. “And he’s a good man.”
“Yes.”
“Take your own advice, sis. Do what makes you happy.”
“There’s still the matter of the Vinsanti family. If they find out I’m alive, they’ll come for me.”
“Then they’ll walk into hell. No more running. We came here and I was against it, but I think you’re right. It was meant to be. We’re not running again. It’s like you said, maybe we’ve found a place to call home.”
“Maybe so.”
“I’m gonna head back.” Mathias whistled and the bay horse perked up his ears and then turned and started in Mathias’ direction.
“I swear you’re like the biggest animal whisperer ever,” Mica said. “I’ll be back later. There are some things I need to talk to Deacon about.”
“Okay.” He took the reins when the bay stopped beside him, mounted, and then with a wave, nudged the horse into motion.
He and Deacon waved to one another in passing. Mica watched Deacon approach. He reined his horse to a stop and dismounted. “So, you ride bareback.”
“Don’t all Indians?”
“Smart-ass.”
“Guilty as charged.” She offered him a hand. “Walk with me?”
He took her hand and she started down the hill toward the lake. “Did you and Mathias talk?”
“We did.”
“And?”
“And he said we’re not running.”
“Smart man.”
“I don’t know about that. And don’t give me that look. I get that you and he and all the other SEALs around here think you’re some kind of indestructible badasses, but putting people in danger just seems like a bad call to me.”
“You’re not leaving.”
“So you keep saying, but are we really there, Deacon? How long have we known one another?”
“Long enough, I imagine.” He gave himself a swift mental kick. He could have phrased that better.
“Long enough to be attracted, to share incredible sex, and long enough for me to think I’m crazy in love with you, but seriously, while you know almost everything about my past, I don’t know anything about you.”
“What do you need to know?”
“Everything.”
“Everything?” There were things he wasn’t keen on sharing. Actually, he wasn’t keen on sharing much of anything.
“Yes.”
“Why?” Damn, was this going to be the deal-breaker? He and Etta pretty much knew the other’s tale, but he wasn’t the kind of man to reveal a lot about himself or his past to others.
“Because your past is what made you who you are today and if I know it, then I can better understand you.”
He knew she made sense, and maybe there was a part of him that actually wanted to lower those walls and let her in, but he didn’t know if he was ready. “I’m not big on talking about myself.”
“Well, you don’t have to tell me everything at once.”
“No?�
��
“No. Right now, I’d just like to know one thing.”
“What?”
“Have you been married?”
That was a question he hated being asked because his answer clearly demonstrated that when it came to relationships, he was a failure. Still, he wouldn’t lie to her. “Yes.”
“Are you widowed or divorced?”
“Divorced.”
“Can you tell me why?”
He was quiet for a minute. He could either make something up, and she’d probably buy it, or he could be honest. He looked over at her and saw such trust shining in her eyes that he opted for truth. “I loved her. Was crazy for her. But the truth is, being a SEAL can be an all-consuming thing for some of us. You come home, but you’re not really home, even when you are—at least not your mind. I wasn’t there for her and after a while she got tired of being alone.”
“And you never married again?”
“No.”
“Or fell in love?”
“No.”
“Then why now? Why let me in?”
He stopped walking. “I didn’t want to.”
“But you kissed me. That night at the Honky Tonk.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“You take my breath away.” Once the words were out, he felt like someone who’d just stepped out on Main Street naked as the day he was born.
“What?”
It had been a lot of years since he’d spoken of his feelings to a woman, since he’d had such feelings, and it was unnerving to put it into words. But he knew she needed, and deserved to hear it. “You take my breath away. Your beauty and your zest for life. The way you can relate to a child and make a little girl’s dream of winning the big race come true, and the way you see good in people and your capacity to love. You’re drop dead gorgeous. When you smile, the world lights up.”
He cupped her face with one hand and traced his thumb lightly over her bottom lip. “And when I touch you, you tremble. Not out of fear, but with desire, and it lights a fire inside me I thought was dead.
“You make me want a life where I fall asleep with you beside me and wake up the same way. I see in you my chance at finally knowing what happiness is and I can’t help wanting it.”
“I want it too. But there’s still the threat—”
“It’s my turn to ask something of you.”
“Anything.”
“Let me be your hero, Mica. The one who chases away the fears and makes you know you’re safe because you know as sure as you breathe that I’ll lay down my life for you and I will obliterate anyone who tries to harm you.”
He’s never seen anything as beautiful as the sight of the tears that ran from her eyes while a smile touched her lips. “No one has ever said anything like that to me and I don’t know why you’d say it, as incredible as it is to hear. I’m so crazy in love with you Deacon. Please don’t break my heart.”
“Never.” His hand drifted down and behind her head as he stepped closer. “Will you always tremble when I touch you?”
“God, I hope so,” she breathed.
“Me too.” He pulled her close and when their lips met, he knew beyond all doubt that despite the difference in their age, Mica was who he’d be waiting for his whole life.
And God help anyone who tried to hurt her or take her from him.
Chapter Fifteen
Four weeks and five days. That’s how long it had been since Ranger Childress showed up at her door and made her feel that her world was about to crash down on top of her. Since then, she’d done what Deacon and Mathias asked and paid more attention to people around her. She’d promised that if she spotted any of Vinsanti’s people she would immediately get somewhere safe and call one of them or the Ranger.
So far, she hadn’t had a reason to call anyone and it had been four of the best weeks of her life. Etta and JJ were getting married in three days and tonight she was going to attend a bridal shower for Etta at the Honky Tonk. Cody and Hannah were closing down for the night just for the party.
Mica and Willow, Cody and Hannah’s cousin, helped get the tables and chairs all set up. They’d just started on the decorations when her phone rang. It was Nellie Mae.
“Hi, Nellie Mae,” she answered cheerfully and then looked around as everyone suddenly went silent and stared at her. “What? I’m on my way!”
“What’s wrong?” Cody asked.
“Nellie Mae said she’s in my shop and there are snakes in there and she’s scared she’d going to be bitten.”
“Nellie Mae Baker?” Hannah asked.
“Yes.”
“That old lady with big hair?” Willow asked.
“Yeah, the Gossip Gal,” Cody answered.
“That wasn’t nice. What’s wrong with you?” Mica barked.
“What’s she doing at your place?” Hannah asked.
“We’re friends.”
“Friends?” Cody blurted. “With that old gossip?”
“That’s just mean and I don’t have time. I have to go.”
“Well, I’ll go with you,” Cody volunteered. “I mean, if she’s really in trouble.”
“I’ll go too.” Willow offered.
“Not me, I’ll keep working on the decorations.” Hannah begged off.
Mica, Cody, and Willow piled into Mica’s truck and she tore out of the parking lot. “How do you think snakes got in?” Willow asked.
Mica shook her head. “I don’t have a clue. And Matty or I would have noticed something if we were infested. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Well, what was she doing at your place anyway?” Cody asked.
“Delivering the cake and cookies she made for the shower.”
“She made cookies? I thought you were making cookies.”
“Girl, you do not want to eat what I bake.”
“So, she did the baking for you even though she wasn’t invited?”
“She’s a nice lady.” Mica looked past Willow, who was in the middle, to Cody. “And she’s my friend.”
“Well, color me totally surprised. You’re the first person ever to call Nellie Mae nice.”
“Maybe you’ve just never given her a chance.”
“Never given her—”
“Cody let’s not fuss about it, okay?” Willow asked.
“Fine.”
Everyone was quiet until Mica pulled in behind the blacksmith shop, turned off the engine, and jumped out. “I’ll go first,” she said and opened the rear door.
The smithy was empty. She made her way to the inside wall and pulled a set of throwing knives from the pegboard. After sticking all but one into her back pocket, she walked over and opened the door leading into the storefront.
“Nellie Mae?” she called out.
“In here, sugar.”
“Are you okay?”
There was no answer. She looked back at Cody, then called out again. “Nellie Mae?”
“Run, sugar, run!” There was a sharp sound she couldn’t identify, followed by a cry of pain.
“Go!” Mica shoved Cody, who bumped into Willow and almost knocked her down. “Get Deacon.”
Cody didn’t argue. She just grabbed Willow by the arm and pulled her along as she raced for the back door.
Mica sucked in a deep breath. The scariest part was not knowing what was waiting inside the room. It would be so easy to turn around and leave. She could call for help, or run and find Matty, or get the police.
And maybe get Nellie Mae killed. No, she couldn’t leave. It will be fine, it will be fine, it will be fine, she mentally chanted and took a couple of breaths to bolster her courage.
“Nellie Mae, I’m coming in.” Mica said and stepped inside.
Her heart sank and her stomach knotted. Nellie Mae was tied hands and feet and sitting in one of the wooden chairs that normally was positioned along the wall. Her makeup was messy and there was blood on one side of her head, matting her hair.
Two men stood behind Nellie Mae and another s
tood at one of the displays, turning a knife over in his hand. It was because Mica recognized the men that fear scalded up through her like acid, making her weak-kneed and nauseous. The two men behind Nellie Mae were muscle for the Vinsanti family. The man holding the knife was one of the sons, the middle son and the most sadistic of the lot, Vitale.
“If you have any sense at all, you’ll leave now.” Mica tried to sound confident. “My friends have already called the police so you don’t have long before this place is surrounded.
“Do you have any idea what you did, you fucking cunt?” Vitale sneered at her but didn’t give her a chance to respond. “Because of you my brother is dead.”
“I didn’t kill him.”
“No, but you shot your fucking mouth off and got him sent to prison and those fucking skinheads fucked him like a bitch then gutted him. His death is on your head and as God as my fucking witness, I’m gonna make you pay. You’ll suffer everything he did and I’ll laugh as we put you alive and screaming in a fucking vat of acid and watch you fucking dissolve.”
Mica wanted to be brave, but God help her, his words terrified her because she knew he would do exactly as he promised. She had to find a way to save Nellie Mae and escape. But how?
“I’m not lying. There were two others with me, Vitale, and they’ve gone for help. You should leave while you can.”
“I don’t think so.” Vitale said and looked over at the men. “Get rid of the old bitch.”
Mica saw one of the men reach inside his jacket and she didn’t even realize she was moving until the knife left her hand.
The man didn’t even make a sound, he just toppled over with the knife buried hilt deep into his left eye. Mica blinked and felt the odd sense of unreality descend on her. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t have just killed a man.
Nellie Mae screamed, and the remaining man cuffed her so hard on the side of the head, the chair fell over. Mica snapped to and reached for another knife and Vitale yelled. “Do it and the old lady dies.”
The gun he pointed at Nellie Mae convinced Mica he was serious, but she kept the knife in her hand. “Let her go and we can leave. I’ll go with you, but if you shoot her, I promise you’ll be the next one to feel a blade. I swear to you that I’ll do it.”
He hesitated for a moment. “Fine. Marco, untie the old bat.”
“No, don’t touch her,” Mica protested. “I’ll do it.”