Payback (Otter Creek Book 5)

by Rebecca Deel

  Finally, they stepped into the hospital entrance and got on the elevator. Once the doors closed, Alex enclosed her in his embrace. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not your fault. Didn’t take them long to figure out who you were.”

  He frowned. “No, it didn’t. Somebody leaked the information.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Some of those reporters were from the national media, angel.”

  Ivy sighed. “I wanted to keep you to myself for a little while.”

  “Why?” His voice sounded odd.

  She pulled back a little, searched his expression. Reserved. Ivy thought through her statement. She smiled. “I didn’t want to share you with anyone else yet, Alex. Being with you makes me happy.”

  He relaxed against her. “Same here, baby. Another few days and the news cycle should shift to something else, especially if there’s no new information for them to dig up.”

  The elevator doors opened and they approached the same nurses desk, were cleared to go to Senator Morgan’s room. The FBI agents nodded at them as they passed. As they reached the door, one of the hospital personnel hurried from the room and down the hall. Alex stopped to watch him go, took a step after him when alarms went off in his father’s room.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Alex raced into the room, Ivy right behind him. “Dad!” He glanced at the monitors. No heartbeat. An invisible band tightened around his chest. Hospital personnel poured into the room. One urged him and Ivy into the hallway.

  He watched the frantic activity to save his father’s life. Ivy slipped her arms around him and just held him. Throat tight, he watched, prayed. He didn’t want to lose his father, not when he had a chance to have him in his life again. Alex wanted his father to know Ivy, hold his grandchildren.

  The battle in the room raged for long minutes. And then the activity came to a slow stop. One of the nurses turned off the monitors.

  Pain like he’d never felt before lanced through him. His father, the man with a vibrant outlook on life, a deep compassion for people, and a need to make a difference, that man was forever silenced. And the world had just lost a man of integrity.

  The doctor stepped into the hall, laid a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. We did everything we could.”

  Eyes burning, he nodded, cleared his throat. “I want to know what killed him. He seemed stable.”

  “An autopsy will be performed. We’ll get your answers. Go on home now, son. Be with your family.”

  He bit back a bitter laugh. What family? The man who’d raised him with discipline, love, and laughter was gone. His mother and brother wanted nothing to do with him. He had no family left to be with.

  The medical personnel exited the room in silence. The FBI agents were on their phones at a discreet distance. Ivy stood with him, rubbing his back, weeping silent tears. For him, he realized. She hadn’t known his father at all. She was crying for him. A small measure of comfort sank into his soul, helping to alleviate a small piece of the searing pain ripping him to shreds on the inside.

  Alex didn’t know how long they remained at the window before the woman in his arms said, “Do you want some time alone with your father?”

  “A few minutes.”

  “I’ll wait for you here.”

  He went to his father’s bedside, leaned down, kissed his forehead. And let the tears come, weeping for all the time they’d lost, for what his father would now miss. And through the minutes he took to mourn alone, Alex remembered moments in time with his father. Little league games his father attended, high school football games, the occasional fishing trip, rare vacations, teaching him to drive, the birthday celebrations that stopped when he’d told his parents he was enlisting in the Army, the fights that ensued to try and change his mind. So much time wasted and now it was too late to create new memories. The only thing that gave him comfort besides Ivy’s steady support was that last short talk with his father. Alex had wanted a chance to tell his father he loved him one more time and he was thankful he got that chance. A good memory to heal the painful parting fifteen years earlier.

  When the storm of grief eased, Alex wiped the tears from his face. He pulled out his phone and sent a text message to Josh. His friend would spread the word to the rest of Durango. He punched in the number Porter had given him a few hours earlier. When his brother answered, Alex said, “You need to get Mother and go home, Port.”

  “What? Why?”

  “It’s Dad.” His voice choked off for a few seconds. “He’s gone.”

  Silence. “What happened?” His voice broke.

  “They don’t know. He coded and the doctor couldn’t bring him back. They’ll do an autopsy to determine the cause of death. You need to tell Mother before the media gets word of this. I’d do it, but I don’t think she would want to hear this from me.”

  A heavy sigh. “I’ll take care of her. Are you going back to Otter Creek now?”

  Alex’s hand clenched. “I’m not leaving this in your lap. You and Mother aren’t safe. I promised Dad to look out for her. I won’t break my promise to him.”

  Porter hung up without replying.

  With a last glance at his father, Alex squared his shoulders and returned to the hallway. Ivy walked to him. He slipped his arm around her shoulders, hugged her to his side. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Ivy didn’t say anything as they stepped into the elevator, just turned and wrapped her arms around him again. Grateful she didn’t try to initiate a conversation he’d find impossible right now, he used the time to compose himself. The media was waiting in the parking lot. He refused to give them footage until it was necessary. His father’s public relations machine would take care of making the announcement.

  As the doors opened, he kissed her temple. Sunglasses back on their faces, Alex guided Ivy outside. The media swarmed them again. He shoved microphones and cameras out of their faces, refusing to answer the volley of questions thrown at them, determined to get Ivy to the SUV and safety.

  Once inside the vehicle, he cupped Ivy’s chin, gently wiped the evidence of tears from her face. “Thank you,” he murmured.

  “For what?”

  “Being here with me and for me.”

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Even if you’d left me in Otter Creek, I would have come to you. No one should have to face the loss of a loved one alone.”

  “Durango is here.”

  “They are watching over you and your family. I’m here for you.”

  The tightness in his chest eased a little. “I don’t know what I did to deserve a chance with you, but I’m so blessed to have you in my life.” Another kiss, then he released her to turn on the ignition and drive back to the house. The ride was completed in silence though Ivy continually held his hand.

  He parked in the driveway of his childhood home and helped Ivy down. As they neared the front door, Josh stepped out on the porch and gave Alex a brief hug.

  “I’m so sorry about your father, Alex.”

  Unable to respond verbally, he nodded.

  His friend shifted his gaze to Ivy. “You okay, kitten?”

  “Heartbroken for Alex. Just doesn’t seem fair.”

  “Death never is.” He laid his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Your mother and brother arrived a few minutes ago. The family physician came, gave her a sedative. She’ll probably sleep for a few hours.”

  And that was his mother’s way of dealing with anything unpleasant. Take a pill and take a nap. “Not surprising. Where’s Porter?”

  “Waiting for you in the kitchen. As soon as you and your brother set up the arrangements, I’ll let my family know.”

  Alex frowned. “Why?”

  “Do you have to ask? Family sticks together and the Cahills adopted you into the clan. Mom and Dad will be here. Don’t know about the triplets and their husbands.” He smiled. “Somebody has to maintain citizen safety in town.”

  “They don’t have to come, Josh. It’s not necessary.”

  “Yeah, it is. T
hey love you. Nothing will keep them from being here to support you. You belong to them and they take that responsibility seriously.”

  His heart squeezed. Aaron and Liz Cahill had entered his life when he met Josh in basic training. They sent him care packages, books, food he couldn’t get overseas, cards, letters, Christmas and birthday presents, all the things his own family should have been doing. When he’d been injured during one of Durango’s missions and sent home to recuperate, Liz had insisted he come to her. For a month, she cooked for him, harassed him into doing his strengthening exercises, and provided DVDs by the dozen. When she sensed he needed time alone, she left the house or went to a different room. Aaron stepped into the caregiver role on those nights when Alex hadn’t been able to sleep, plagued by PTSD or aggravated with pain. They’d basically been his adopted parents for fifteen years.

  “Maria’s pretty upset, so Porter sent her home. Nate and Stella are making coffee for everyone.”

  He and Ivy followed Josh inside. One by one, the rest of Durango offered condolences. Del held him for a long moment. When she pulled back, tears glittered on her lashes. “I’ve been where you are,” she murmured. “I’m available if you want to talk.”

  In the kitchen, Porter sat at the table, staring into the contents of the coffee mug cupped between his hands. Alex sat beside his brother, laid a hand on his shoulder. No response.

  “Porter.” He squeezed.

  Porter shrugged off his touch. “Did he have a chance to say anything?”

  “No. We arrived at his door just as his heart stopped.”

  “You should never have come home, Alexander.”

  “He was my father, too, Port.”

  “Yeah? Well, you sure weren’t much of a son. But you misunderstand. You should have never come home from the war. If you hadn’t, Dad would still be alive.”

  Despite the shock waves rolling through his body at the venom in his brother’s words and voice, Alex noted his friends’ thunderous expressions and Ivy’s gasp. Josh signaled his teammates and they slipped quietly out of the room. Stella dropped a kiss on Alex’s cheek before she joined the others. In the end, only he, Porter and Ivy remained.

  “What happened to you, Porter?” he asked. “Where did all this bitterness come from? You were determined to become a doctor. When did you lose your dream?”

  “The day you left.” His angry glare turned to Ivy. “Leave.”

  Alex scowled.

  “Forget it,” Ivy snapped.

  He turned, his eyebrows raised. Took in her body language. Alex’s lips curved. His tiger in training was livid. Interesting. When she became angry, Ivy forgot to be afraid. Good to know for their next training session. If he could tap into that, he might be able to help her alleviate some of the panic attacks. Under the table, he threaded his fingers through hers, squeezed.

  “How long did you hold out, Port?”

  “Two years. Mother and Dad threatened to cut off the funds for college if I didn’t change my plans to fit theirs.”

  Alex stared at his brother who had grown into a stranger. “You could have joined the military and gotten the money for college that way. You could have found a job, gotten scholarships, borrowed money. You had a lot of options, Port. You still do. If managing Morgan money doesn’t fulfill you, go back to school to follow your dream.”

  “It’s too late for that.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Ivy put in.

  “What do you know about college?”

  “Quite a bit. I teach in a community college. Do you have a college degree?”

  “Business major.”

  “Then your general education requirements have been met. You would need the science and math courses to complete a pre-med degree, then apply to medical school.”

  He just shook his head.

  Alex drew in a long breath. He never remembered his brother being weak. “Think about it, okay? You’re smart, Port. Do what makes you happy. Reach for your dream, whatever that might be.”

  “Just drop it.”

  “Fine. Do you know if Dad had any plans in place for a funeral?”

  Porter shook his head. “I tried to get him to do that when he had a heart attack a couple years ago. He refused. Said it was morbid.”

  Alex’s eyes widened. “The media never reported a heart attack.” At least he didn’t think so. That was about the time Durango left the Army.

  “We kept it quiet. Dad didn’t want his supporters to think he couldn’t handle the job anymore. The heart attack was mild so he wasn’t out of commission long. His PR machine just told people he was on vacation.”

  Of course. Every decision was made with the voters in mind. “We need to make plans, then. Mother won’t be able to cope with handling the arrangements.”

  For the next couple hours, Porter put aside his attitude and helped Alex hammer out plans. “Still only one funeral home in town?”

  A nod.

  “I’ll talk to them, get things set up. Mother and Dad still attend the same church?”

  Another nod.

  “Talk to the preacher, tell him what we need. Make sure he’s on board with this, Porter. The media will be everywhere. If he doesn’t want to deal with that, I know a pastor who will.” He figured Marcus Lang, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Otter Creek, would be willing to step in and handle things for them.

  His brother agreed to the division of labor and left to begin the arrangements.

  This was going to be a media circus.

  Ivy laid her head on his shoulder. “What do we do now?”

  He smiled a little. “I don’t suppose you packed something for a funeral.”

  “No.” She sighed. “Hate to sound like a total girl, but I need to go shopping. Would this be a good time to go? I think Del and Stella would be willing to go with me.”

  His first instinct was to flat out refuse to let her go without him. Alex reminded himself that he couldn’t cage Ivy or he’d lose her. No way would he chance that. “Do everything Stella tells you to do without question.”

  “Will you be okay? I can wait until tomorrow if you need me to stay.” Her expression darkened. “I hate that your brother and mother treat you so badly. You deserve better than that.”

  He leaned over and kissed her. “The guys are here. Knowing them, one will always be within hearing distance.” He smiled. “Probably Josh. Go on. We don’t know what might happen tomorrow. It will be crazy around here. Just be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “We’ll be alert, I promise.”

  Alex opened his mouth to give her general directions to the mall when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. Zane from Fortress.

  “I’ll go find Del and Stella, leave you to answer that.” Ivy gave him a quick kiss and left.

  Alex swiped his thumb over the screen and said, “Find anything?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Zane replied. “The identity of the shooter.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Ivy climbed out of Stella’s car and scanned the area. Though she didn’t want to be a complete chicken, she really felt exposed out here without one of the guys. Not that she didn’t trust the marshal’s ability to protect them. She’d shown herself more than capable at the job.

  “Got an idea what you want to look for?” Del asked.

  “Can’t go wrong with a black dress,” Stella said.

  “That’s what I thought.” Ivy walked with them into the mall. She winced at the size of the crowd. Looked like Saturday shopping was in full swing. “Should have brought one of the guys,” she muttered. “Each one’s big enough to get behind while he fights through the horde of people in here.”

  Del laughed. “Sure, if you could convince one of them to join a hen party for an afternoon of carrying bags. I think they’d rather go back through basic training than subject themselves to this.”

  “Did Josh grouse about doing a little shopping on your honeymoon?” Stella asked.

  H
er cousin blushed. “To be honest, we didn’t do much shopping.”

  Ivy held up her hand like a traffic cop. “Too much information, cousin. I don’t want to know.”

  Stella grinned and motioned to a large department store. “Let’s try there first.”

  Four hours later, each woman carried at least two bags.

  “I’m starving,” Stella said. “How about lunch?”

  “Good idea,” Del agreed. “What about stopping at that bistro we passed on the way here?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Ivy said.

  They exited the mall and headed for Stella’s vehicle. The parking lot was still busy as people circled the area searching for the closest space. They dropped their purchases in the trunk and drove to the bistro.

  Lunch was filled with great food and a lot of laughter. By the time they were ready to leave, some of the tension that had been wracking Ivy’s body was gone. She felt guilty at being out of the pressure cooker for a few hours while Alex was still in the middle of it. She hoped his brother had left him alone and his mother hadn’t gone after him. Alex Morgan was such a good man. It was a shame his family didn’t seem to care for or about him. Their loss. At least Alex and his father had a few minutes together, though it wasn’t enough to erase the long years of silence. Ivy had a feeling Alex could have used his father’s support more than once over the years, especially when he’d been injured on a mission. Who had cared for him? She wished she had met him sooner, would have loved to be the one he returned home to.

  They paid their tab and left the restaurant. As they walked to Stella’s car, Ivy noticed the marshal moving her hand toward her shoulder holster concealed under a light jacket.

  “What is it?” she whispered.

  “Don’t know. Just a feeling. Keep moving toward the car, but stay alert. Stay right with me.”

  Ivy and Del exchanged a look. “Sounds like a repeat of the summer,” Del murmured.

  “Oh, yeah. At least it’s not pitch black and we’re not in some underground tunnel or a cave.”