That had to have been Mac’s doing. Keep her close in case something happened—have the Brotherhood to fall back on if Smith made one last desperate move. It made sense in one way, but she’d been here, so close…
He growled as the car in front of him slowed for a yellow light, the driver not daring to race through the intersection.
Finn glanced at the digital clock and hit the gas as the light turned green. He swerved around a pair of slow cars, moving into the oncoming lane and back out again, ignoring angry horns and hand-waving.
Five more minutes…
He flew through another yellow light and spun the wheel, sliding onto the residential street and leaving a trail of smoke behind him.
The house was like a dozen, mass-produced for the expanding population. He drove by, scanning the numbers.
There.
Finn pulled up in front of the house and jumped out, checking his watch. It was still technically under the one-hour limit, but just barely.
There was no car in the driveway.
Finn charged up the lawn, noting the absence of any law enforcement personnel.
The door swung open at his touch.
“Skye,” Finn called out. “Skye!” He stepped into the living room and looked around, his stomach churning.
The smell of coffee was in the air. Two empty mugs sat on the table.
“Skye.” Finn walked down the hall, looking into each room.
Nothing. The bedroom was the last on his search, the sheets neatly tucked in and the pillows fluffed and ready for the day, as was her routine.
No suitcases. No Skye.
Finn returned to the living room and sat on the sofa, his head spinning.
I’ve lost her.
He scrubbed his face with both palms, trying to figure out what to do.
Trey can track them if I ask him to. He’s that good.
But it wouldn’t be right. It’d put them in danger and piss off the Marshals and Mac.
He bit the inside of his cheek, hard enough to draw blood.
“I should have told you,” he closed his eyes and whispered to the empty room. “I should have manned up and told you straight up I loved you and I wanted to be with you forever.”
“What?”
Finn’s eyes shot open.
Skye stood in the doorway, carrying her suitcase. She wore a light jacket and a familiar white blouse and jeans.
“Finn?” Her forehead furrowed as she took in the sight of him. “What are you doing here?”
He leaped off the sofa and lunged for her, pulling her into a tight hug. “You’re still here.”
“Yes,” she murmured into his shirt. “I am.”
He blinked, his vision blurry for some reason. “I was so afraid I’d missed my chance to tell you I love you.”
She pulled back. “What?”
“I love you,” he repeated. “I need you in my life, Skye. I’ll keep you safe, keep Robby safe…” He stopped. “Where is he?”
“He left with the U.S. Marshals.” Skye’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Just now. I was outside in the back, saying good-bye. I told them I was going to stay, so the Marshals took him next door to leave.”
Finn drew back. “He went alone?”
“Yes.” Her lower lip quivered. “We talked about it and he told me it was time for him to be a man, step out on his own. Part of that was going off to create a new life for himself.”
“He left you here. Alone and vulnerable.” The anger bubbled up, overflowing into his words. “He walked out on you.”
“No.” Skye put her hand on his chest. “I turned him down. He was going to go, no matter what. It was up to me to decide what to do for myself, my life.”
“What…” He swallowed hard, past the lump in his throat. “What if I hadn’t come?”
She looked at him and smiled, despite the tears in her eyes. “Then I would have taken a cab to the Devil’s Playground, pounded on the front door, and demanded to see you.” Skye touched his cheek, covering the scar with her hand. “Because, damn it, it’s time for me to get what I want out of life. And I want you, Finn Storm. I’ll take the danger. I’ll take the Brotherhood because it’s who you are and what makes you the man I love. And if Smith comes back, I want the two of us to stand together to take him down again.”
He didn’t know what to say to that, so he kissed her long and hard, pressing her down into the sofa.
…
A month later, Finn stared down onto the dance floor, where every available space was filled. The live band was rocking it out tonight, and the crowd was pumped and ready to party.
They were in the right place for that.
He studied his watch. It was only midnight, and he was on duty until they closed.
Trey appeared next to him on the catwalk.
“Good to see you here.”
Finn didn’t take his eyes off the partiers, scanning for any signs of trouble. “Where did you think I’d be?”
Trey leaned on the thick metal rail. “Sneaking off early for a make-out session in your truck.”
Finn laughed. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.”
Trey shook his head. “Not jealous. Not in the least. Glad things are working out for you.” He nodded at the surging mob below them. “Heard she’s picking up the odd shift here with Faith. You okay with that?”
“Sure.” Finn frowned as he studied one table, the couple still working on their first round of drinks after an hour. “Skye’s down on the floor right now. She’s settled into her classes and could use the extra cash. Not that she needs my permission or anything.” He glanced at Trey. “Found her some scholarships, and Dylan’s helped settle her outstanding debts. Part of the reason why she’s determined to help here between classes. Paying it forward by keeping an eye open for anyone who needs the Brotherhood’s assistance.”
“And her brother?”
“Mac’s worked out a deal with the Marshals, called in a few favors of his own. They’ve arranged a drop-off spot for a letter exchange for Skye and Robby every three months. She still misses him, but at least she knows he’s safe and alive. He knows she’s getting on with her life and is safe and sound with me.” He touched his chest. “With us.”
“Good.” Trey followed his gaze down to the table. “Looks like it’s time to get to work. If you can get that smug smile off your face.”
Finn laughed and slapped him on the back as he touched the earpiece. “Finn here. Trey and I are going to drop in on table twelve and check them out.”
“Affirmative,” Dylan replied. “Time to get to work. And no sneaking off into a corner to make out while she’s working.”
Finn grinned and headed down the stairs. “Catch us if you can.” He spotted Skye at the bar picking up an order of drinks, and waved.
God, he loved that woman. Never in his life had he been so happy. Some days it didn’t feel real.
The ring box in his pocket felt light but carried the weight of a thousand kisses. Tucked inside the roof was a message from Mac, letting them know Robby could make it to the wedding in disguise as soon as they set the date.
Finn waved at Skye again, gesturing for her to come to him.
She said something to Faith and smiled before blowing him a kiss, setting his heart ablaze. She pointed to the couple in the corner and nodded, indicating that they were there for more than just drinks and dinner.
He laughed. Trust her to put business before pleasure.
“Let’s go,” he said to Trey. He took the last two steps as one, jumping down to land beside Skye.
His hand slipped inside his pocket, cradling the ring box. “Can I see you after your shift?”
“Sure.” She kissed him. “And for the rest of your life.”
Finn grinned. “We’ll talk about that later.” He gave her a hug before joining Trey, headed for the anxious-looking couple who needed their help.
Finn looked back once, seeing Skye standing by the bar, waiting and watching.
I’ll always come back to you, he thought.
And she’d always be there waiting for him.
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Acknowledgments
I have to thank my agents, Rachel Brooks and Louise Fury for all their help and support. And a world full of thanks to Candace Havens for pushing me to the edge and beyond–this book wouldn’t be half as good if it weren’t for her determination and faith in my abilities.
About the Author
Sheryl Nantus was born in Montreal, Canada, and grew up in Toronto, Canada. She met Martin Nantus through the online fanfiction community in 1993 and moved to the United States in 2000 in order to marry. A firm believer in the healing properties of peppermint and chai tea, she continues to write short stories and novels while searching for the perfect cuppa.
She loves to play board games and write haiku, although not usually at the same time.
She has published multiple books with Entangled Publishing, St. Martin’s Press/Swerve, Samhain Publishing, and Carina Press.
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Hard Run (Delta Force Brotherhood) Page 23