Blackstone's Heart (Blackout Security Inc. Book 1)

by Michelle Kee

  "Danny, what the hell!" Krista yelled.

  "THAT was for not telling me that my big sister was in trouble." Danny answered looking at Ethan as he got to his feet. "Ethan, you and I go way back, but dammit man you should have told me."

  Ethan rubbed his jaw. "Christ, you still have a helluva left hook Dan. I wanted to, but I'm also smart enough to know not to go against your sister. She said she didn't want you to know while you were undercover bro."

  Danny studied Ethan a moment then pulled the man into a fierce hug. When he released Ethan, he wore his usual jokester smile. "Well, since ya put it that way I forgive ya. Congrats. You just better treat my sister right."

  Ethan laughed. "On that count, you can bet I will."

  Krista just shook her head before being swept up in her baby brother's arms. "I swear Danny, you and the others get more juvenile as you get older."

  "That's just how you like us Kris." Danny grinned as he sat her back on her feet.

  Ethan laughed at the brother and sister. He turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He found Hayden standing there. Hayden tilted his head toward the house and the two made their way inside. Ethan knew what was coming. Hayden was now the only one of Krista’s brothers who hadn’t said anything about the two of them being married. The two men walked into Nick’s office and closed the door.

  “You’re not going to hit me are you? I really don’t want to fight one of my brother-in-law.” Ethan said, half teasing, yet half serious.

  Hayden chuckled as he dropped into one of the chairs. “No Ethan, I’m not going to hit you.”

  “Good.” Ethan sighed, sitting as well.

  Hayden leaned forward and rested his elbow on his knees as he rested his chin on steepled fingers. “I want to know something; why didn’t you ever reach out to Krista again after you came home?”

  Ethan was a bit surprised by this question. “I guess because I wasn’t sure if she even wanted to hear from me again. I didn’t exactly stay in touch with her after I left Hayden.”

  “I only ask because I don’t want you two to suddenly doubt your marriage because of fastness of it.”

  “Are you speaking as my friend or a lawyer?” Ethan teased.

  “Both. Look, I love you like one of my brothers and I love my little sister. I don’t want either of you hurting. Back in the day I told you that I thought you and Krista went good together. After seeing you two together today I still believe that.”

  Ethan sighed deeply and sat back in his chair. He could see where Hayden was coming from on this. “Hayden, buddy, I love Krista. I don’t think I ever really stopped loving her. When Nick hired Blackout and I found out Krista was who we were protecting, fuck man. All those feelings from when we were kids came rushing back and dammed if they weren’t stronger than ever. I tried to fight it, but your sister is a stubborn one and she wasn’t letting me walk away without a fight. I’m glad that I didn’t walk away again and I will spend the rest of my life taking care of her and loving her. That I promise you Hayden.”

  “And that’s all I needed to hear from you Ethan. I know mom, dad and Jax have given you and Krista their acceptance and now I’m giving you mine.” Hayden smiled.

  The two men rose and hugged fiercely. Of the three Jameson boys, Ethan and Hayden had always been the closest. They released each other and headed back outside to rejoin the party. Krista was the first to spot them and walked up to both men. She was closely looking over their faces for any signs they had been fighting.

  “Don’t worry sis, we didn’t fight. We just talked.” Hayden laughed.

  “Good. I really don’t want to have to kick my own brother’s asses for hitting my husband.” Krista stated.

  Ethan gave her a quirky smile before pulling her into his arms and kissing her. “I said it before and I’ll say it again. You’ll do woman. You’ll do.”

  ***

  Krista Blackstone sighed as Ethan held her in his arms. "Tonight was fun. I'm just glad Danny is home."

  "Yeah. It was great having all three sides of the family in one place." Ethan agreed.

  Krista giggled. "We have one hell of a great family don't we?"

  "Yes babe we do. By the way, what were you and Danny talking about so heavily earlier?"

  "Oh that. Well, he's looking at transferring here to Austin field office. I think he's done Ethan."

  Ethan heard the worry in her voice. He held her a little tighter. "Well, did he actually tell you that or is this just sisterly intuition?"

  "Intuition. He's been doing this for six years now. I know he's proud of what he does and we're all proud of him. I just can't help but see that he looked tired tonight. I don't mean lack of sleep tired, but emotionally tired you know."

  "I do and I saw it too." Ethan kissed her temple. "Well, if he is thinking of leaving the DEA I may have an idea."

  "Oh?"

  "Danny and my guys seemed to get along pretty good. I could talk to them and if they are okay with it, if Danny does leave the DEA, I could always offer him a place with Blackout."

  Krista turned in his arms and was now sitting on his lap. Her brilliant smile lighting up her whole face. She cupped his face and kissed him. Ethan melted, wrapping his arms around his wife. She slowly pulled away.

  "I love you Ethan."

  "And I love you Krista. Now, my wife, what do you say we head upstairs and continue trying for that first kid we both want." He teased wiggling his eyebrows.

  "I say, lead the way Staff Sergeant." She replied.