Southern Charm (Southern Desires Series Book 5)

by Jeannette Winters

Closing her eyes, Randi fought back the tears. She missed her twin more than she thought humanly possible. Although assuming Maggie’s identity was what needed to be done, the constant reminder of her tragic death was like a knife to her heart. Not even the man you gave up to protect knows you’re gone. I wonder if he knows what he meant to you.

  Randi resented him for something he wasn’t even aware of. It made no sense at all, but she couldn’t control the emotion. I wonder if Wyatt could have stopped her if he knew what Maggie was going to do. God knows I tried and couldn’t.

  She realized it wasn’t Wyatt she was angry with, but herself. Randi felt she’d failed Maggie. Although she’d followed through on the request to protect Marina Brimlow from General Floyd, she hadn’t been able to protect the one person who meant everything to her, Maggie. If only you would’ve listened to me. There had to be another way to save the world.

  Randi wasn’t ignorant to the difficulties one could face in any branch of the government. She’d been working with Homeland Security long enough to have faced her own issues. There were so many levels of bogus bureaucracy that many times serious matters slipped through the cracks and were never addressed until it was too late. You knew it, too, Maggie. Otherwise, you’d never have tried taking on someone like Floyd and the bastards he was working for all by yourself.

  Randi wasn’t any less foolish as she followed in Maggie’s footsteps. I got lucky and survived. Not everyone was as lucky as me.

  Maggie was only one causality out of so many she knew of. It had taken years to bring the nightmare to an end. Was it possible that it was over? No more senseless deaths?

  Her heart ached as she thought back to Maggie. They say time heals all wounds. You begin to forget. How could that be when they were identical twins, and each time she looked in the mirror all she saw was her sister? But you’re not here anymore. The face in the mirror isn’t yours and, sometimes, I’m not sure it’s even mine.

  For the first time in many years, Randi broke down, overwhelmed with sorrow. Her body shook as the sobs ripped through her. She’d buried them so long they now felt like hot lava erupting and running down her cheeks. Knowing she still had to pretend to be Maggie was ripping her apart. There was no moving forward for her. Her sister couldn’t be laid to rest, and she could never return to being Randi.

  Even now, years later, each text message that had been sent between the two replayed in her mind. Written words never expressed how dire the situation had been. Had Maggie intentionally downplayed it, knowing damn well that Randi never would’ve let her do this alone? I should’ve gotten on a plane to North Carolina the moment I received that burn phone. She was the strongest, bravest woman I’ve ever known, but I should’ve been there with her. If I’d only known.

  Somehow, deep inside, she knew her sister wasn’t telling the entire story. Unlike Maggie, Randi never thought it would’ve ended this way. She’d encountered many evil people in her own job, but she never could’ve imagined how evil those terrorists were. Nothing was sacred. Not their lives or anyone else’s. It was so much bigger than Maggie realized. Surprisingly, General Floyd wasn’t the biggest predator in the jungle. I just hope we got them all because I’m not sure I can do this anymore. It’s . . . slowly killing me.

  Randi realized just how empty and alone she truly was. The Collins family was kind and supportive, but they were not hers. At the end of the day, she was just as she’d started, alone. And this is how it’s always going to be.

  Everything she’d done had been her choice. Randi, no different from Maggie, gave all she had. A shudder rippled through her as she realized there was nothing else for her, no purpose in her life. She wished she could disappear, wipe the slate clean, and start a new, fresh life. Not as Randi but definitely not as Maggie either. It was time to say goodbye to them both. Who will I become?

  Her life seemed twisted in a sailor’s knot, unable to give or slip, but with one right move, it would come loose. All she needed to do was find the way to untangle the mess she was in. Mark was working on it from his end, but she couldn’t sit back and let anyone control her life, even if his intentions were honorable. A change had to be made and, as soon as she was off this island, she was going to initiate it.

  I need you so much right now, Sis. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. The person she trusted with her life, the one she would’ve reached out to at a time like this, couldn’t answer her. “Oh, Maggie, I miss you.” Her voice was barely a whisper as she choked back her sobs.

  In her own sorrows, Randi lost track of her surroundings, something she couldn’t afford to do. When she felt a hand touch her shoulder firmly, she almost jumped out of her own skin. Her body tensed, ready for action. Ducking down, she spun around while bringing one arm up to protect her face with the other ready to strike. Maggie had died with a bullet to the back of her head. If Randi was about to die, she wanted to face her attacker, and she wasn’t going down without a fight.

  He’d anticipated her maneuver, grabbing her wrist to prevent her fist from making contact. She wasn’t any match for his brute strength, and with one quick tug, Randi fell toward him, crashing against his rock-hard body. She had never felt so petite and defenseless. If he was out to harm her, he could have. She barely had time to register that this man wasn’t a total stranger. Without meeting his eyes, she knew by his scent it was Wyatt.

  Although they’d only met briefly yesterday, it was one of the things that lingered with her long after they’d departed. She couldn’t even describe it. Not musky, but masculine as all heck, and it pulled at her in a way she’d never experienced before. It was as though he was familiar to her even though he wasn’t. They had no connection and never would, so whatever this was, she knew what it wasn’t. It’s not real.

  Randi couldn’t allow herself to enjoy even one more second of being in his arms. She had questions that needed to be answered. Like how long have you been standing there and what the hell are you doing at my hotel?

  She was afraid she knew the answer. For the last six years, Randi had looked over her shoulder, waiting for someone to figure out the truth. Wyatt didn’t appear to be an ignorant man. If anyone was going to pick up on her deception, it was him.

  This wasn’t the first time she’d been filled with panic. Every time someone called her Master Sargent Graham she felt the knot in her stomach. The feeling with Wyatt was totally different, more intense. Maybe it was the tender way he was holding her. It had been so long since she felt this way. Safe. Randi wished she could keep her eyes closed and never leave his embrace. That wasn’t reality, and she had her fill with living a lie. Starting another one, especially with this man, was a huge mistake.

  Although she wanted to pull herself away, her body betrayed her by melting into his arms. A slice of heaven even for a moment might be the only solace I get from this hell I’ve been living. No matter how lovely it felt, it was bittersweet as she reminded herself why Wyatt was here. He was holding his old love, Maggie. One who loved him too.

  Randi felt sick to her stomach. She loved her sister so much yet here she was attracted to her ex. It didn’t matter that Maggie had broken it off with Wyatt. Randi knew the reason why. It wasn’t because they didn’t connect. Not because they’d had issues. The only reason Maggie stopped seeing Wyatt was because she loved him so much she couldn’t bring herself to tell him what danger was heading her way. Maggie didn’t want anyone she loved getting hurt. Problem is, dear sister, we’re all still hurting without you.

  Part of Randi felt angry at Wyatt for holding her in such a personal way. If he had any inclination of who she truly was, that wouldn’t be happening.

  This charade has to stop. Slowly pulling herself out of his arms, she continued to avoid meeting his gaze as she asked softly, “What are you doing here?”

  She didn’t need to look up to know he was staring at her. His eyes seemed to burn right into her. Randi didn’t want to see the desire. It was bad enough she could feel it in his body. It’s not me you
want.

  “I’m staying here.” Wyatt’s voice was even deeper than she remembered it.

  Oh, of course. Of all the hotels on this island why wouldn’t you be staying at the same one as me? Because, that’s just my luck. She hadn’t seen him before, but then again she hadn’t been in the right frame of mind. The only thing she’d been thinking of for days was getting through Johnson’s funeral. Thinking her stress level would reduce after that was wishful thinking now.

  “I didn’t realize that,” Randi said flatly. Coincidence. That’s all this is.

  “Nate’s staying here too.”

  The last thing she needed was another person joining them when she was so off her game. “Nate?” I guess I’m supposed to know who that is. Shame I don’t know him any more than I do you. She had no choice but to look him square in the eyes. Her fears were confirmed. His expression was more shock than surprise. It was obvious whoever Nate was he and Wyatt were close, and he expected her to have remembered him. A friend? A coworker? Shit, this is getting too complicated. This is why I don’t lie. But that seems to be all I’ve done since Maggie died. You’d think after all this time it wouldn’t bother me anymore. But lying to Wyatt bothers me more than I can say, and I don’t know why.

  Wyatt peered at her for a long moment before asking gruffly, “Are you telling me you totally forgot my brother?”

  Right along with you. Randi knew he wasn’t happy with her. There was no reason why that should bother her one stinking bit. He meant nothing to her. So why do I feel like shit? Oh, because he’s innocent in all this and seems like such a nice guy. He doesn’t deserve this.

  “No. Of course not. Just . . .” she stammered trying to think of a plausible excuse why Maggie wouldn’t remember his brother. How about, I didn’t remember your name, and I’m Maggie’s sister? “I’ve had a lot on my mind and didn’t sleep well. How is Nate doing?”

  Wyatt looked at her long and hard, then softened a bit as though he accepted her answer. Becoming proficient at lying wasn’t something she was proud of. A necessary evil, but evil all the same.

  “He’s joining us for breakfast so you can ask him yourself.”

  And I thought breakfast couldn’t get any worse. She didn’t even know if Maggie and Nate had ever met in person. For all Randi knew they were almost complete strangers. Then again, Maggie was so outgoing it wouldn’t surprise me if she and Wyatt double dated with Nate and his girl. If that was the case, she was about to enter into a casual breakfast that’d feel more like a firing squad.

  She watched as Wyatt looked down at his T-shirt then at her sweatshirt. “I think we both need to change first.”

  Randi couldn’t believe her eyes. White waffle batter clung to the front of his wrinkle-free blue shirt. How she missed it in the first place was beyond her. It was not a small spot. More like someone intentionally threw it at him. Looking down at her sweatshirt, it became clear how it had come to be all over his shirt. She’d taken the time to clean up the counters, never noticing what a hot mess she was. Catching a look at herself in a mirror hanging on the wall next to her, she was shocked to see batter even in her hair. Lovely. Whether it was out of sheer exhaustion or mere irony, Randi burst out laughing. Not only did she smell like coffee, but she looked like she’d been in a food fight and lost. Holding the sticky strands in the air, she said, “Looks like we’re taking our breakfast to go.”

  Wyatt lightened up, and his deep husky laugh joined hers. Shaking his head, he said before walking away, “I’ll tell Nate we’ll be doing lunch instead.”

  Wyatt didn’t believe in luck or coincidences. Doing so could get a man killed in his line of work, and he’d seen enough of that already. Yesterday wasn’t the first funeral he’d attended where the cause of death was vague. Government protected its own interests no matter whose life was left in shambles.

  That’s why he chose to leave the Army four years ago. He’d come across highly sensitive information regarding a Blackhawk chopper crash. It hadn’t been shot down by friendly fire as all the news stations had stated. It was actually sabotage. Someone had planted an IED inside the chopper. When he brought the report to his commanding officer, he was told, “Drop it. You never saw this.” He tried pushing the subject but was threatened with a court-martial. From that day on, he understood truth didn’t matter in a world driven by corruption and greed.

  Eight men had died in that so-called accident. All he could think about was their families. As soon as his tour was up, he decided not to re-enlist. Nate had been a police detective in Florida at that time. When Wyatt told him why he didn’t re-up, Nate chose to follow his lead, saying he was tired of enforcing rules that protected the guilty while innocent people suffered.

  Wyatt wasn’t sure that was the only reason Nate left the force when he did. Something told him it had more to do with Maggie suddenly breaking it off. Nate wanted out of Florida. The timing of it all left him with a question he couldn’t ask for fear Nate would tell him to fuck off. At least, that’d be my answer if someone asked me.

  That didn’t mean Wyatt didn’t like working with his brother. Hell, the two of them made one powerful team. If Nate had been in the Army, he’d have wanted him to cover his ass. The man didn’t miss much. He could look at a person and assess within seconds if they were hiding something. The man is a fucking walking lie detector. I just hope his judgment isn’t clouded when it comes to Maggie.

  There was something wrong with the entire situation. Maggie had been involved with his kid brother, but when she’d fallen into his arms earlier, she didn’t look like she wanted it to end. Hell, if I would’ve tried to kiss her, she would’ve let me. That’s fucking wrong.

  He knew Maggie had been an outgoing and outspoken woman when she was dating Nate. She’d never given any indication that she wanted him nor had he ever been attracted to her. So what changed? Something sure as hell has. If the way she looked at him and reacted to him wasn’t bad enough, he needed to fight his own desire. You felt too damn good in my arms. That can’t . . . won’t happen again.

  Seeing Maggie or asking her to join him for a bite to eat sure as hell hadn’t been part of the agenda when he booked this trip. She was becoming a distraction he didn’t need right now. Hell, not ever.

  His attendance at Johnson’s funeral had a deeper purpose than honoring a fallen hero. From everything he’d learned, Lionel’s death could’ve been avoided. No one should’ve known about the safe house or the rendezvous point, yet both had been compromised. That meant only one thing: there was a mole closely woven into the mix.

  Wyatt figured it was someone the SEAL team knew and trusted, so they’d probably show up at Johnson’s funeral. Cocky bastards usually do. Killing someone wasn’t enough. They needed to know they’ve gotten away with it.

  Wyatt had scanned the crowd thoroughly, watching for anyone who seemed to be avoiding detection. No one person jumped out at him. The only one who seemed to be trying to read him was Mark Collins. That didn’t make any sense, but he was definitely in the position to make shit happen. Not only was Collins calling all the shots, but he also had his team out on a mission without government approval. Collins wasn’t just teetering on the line, he’d crossed it so many times Wyatt wasn’t sure he knew where the lines were anymore.

  Would he have gone so far as to let his second in command get killed? What would he gain by doing so? Whatever they were doing, everyone involved is tight-lipped. There aren’t any official documents, sealed or not, to say what went down.

  As far as Wyatt was concerned, that meant every member of Collins’s SEAL team was a suspect, including Collins himself. That funeral was the one place they were all together where he could watch each of them without being observed. These men were the elite and never let down their guard. Yesterday was as close as he was ever going to get to seeing them vulnerable.

  He’d had every intention of making his way over to them and striking up a conversation. But the plan changed when he saw Maggie. He scanned the crow
d, but each time he’d stop on her. She, out of all the service personnel in attendance, was barely keeping it together. It was apparent this was something personal to her. That confused him as there didn’t seem to be a connection between Johnson and Graham. Nothing that was official anyway. Could they have been lovers and no one knew? Those tears in her eyes said they shared more than just service to the United States.

  Wyatt didn’t need to chase after Johnson’s lovers to find a mole. Yet, when Collins came over and spoke to Maggie, he knew something was wrong. She didn’t seem surprised one bit by Mark’s interruption and was too comfortable walking away with him. That was when Wyatt moved her from insignificant to suspect. He wasn’t sure what she knew, but he’d bet his life that she knew plenty.

  He normally would bring Nate up to date right away, but Wyatt knew his judgment was clouded right now. Was he targeting her because she was guilty or was it because of his fucked up attraction to her? Either way, this wasn’t something he was willing to share with Nate yet. Things were complicated enough. Nate was coming into this with a fresh set of eyes. All Wyatt could do was set up the meeting, back off, and see where it took them. He hoped for Nate’s sake that he was wrong about Maggie. The last thing he needed was his kid brother falling for her all over again if she was, in fact, the mole they were looking for.

  He needed to trust his brother to stay focused. That was going to be easier said than done. Something about Maggie right now was so fucking alluring. If he was having a difficult time resisting, he could only imagine what Nate was going to feel.

  Once again he felt that stab in his gut. There was a bro code that couldn’t be broken. So Wyatt needed to keep reminding himself she might be the reason Johnson was dead, then any craving he had for her would be snuffed out. If Nate says she’s innocent, I’ve got a different set of problems on my hands.

  There was a knock on his hotel room door. He didn’t need to ask who it was. Since they were kids, Nate always had a certain way of knocking. Almost more a rolling his knuckles on the door than an actual knock. It drove him crazy back then, but now it was as close to a secret handshake as one could get.