Hush - Fighting Fate #2

by Maree Green

  She just laughed. Little witch.

  When she was safely in her car with the doors locked and the engine running, I made my way back to my Chev and drove to her place.

  I was as nervous a hell about meeting her mom. As much as I loved my tatts, I didn’t think they were going to win me any points in the parent department. The only thing I had going for me was the fact that I was a cop. I hoped it was enough.

  With ridiculously sweaty palms, I walked up to the door and knocked. I couldn’t help thinking about the last couple of times I’d been here. None of them had been under particularly good circumstances. I actually hated that Kaeli still lived here.

  The door opened and there she stood, all smiles and shining eyes. I would never get tired of looking at her.

  “Hi,” she said, trying to press her lips together to cover up her happiness. I wished she wouldn’t. “Come in.”

  I wanted to ask her what she was up to, but she looked to be having too much fun. I liked seeing her like that.

  Taking my hand, she led me through the house and into the kitchen. Her mom was at the sink, washing her hands.

  “Mom. This is Noah,” Kaeli announced, grinning mischievously.

  Her mom turned and smiled, picking up a hand towel as she went.

  “Hi,” I said, holding my hand out for her to take.

  She dried her hands as she came towards me, throwing the cloth on the bench before she ignored my hand and pulled me into a hug instead.

  What the…? Stunned, I hugged her back. Kaeli gaped at me from over her mother’s shoulder.

  “Thank you so much for looking after my baby for me. You’ll never know how grateful I am,” she said tearfully.

  “Uh…you’re welcome…?”

  Kaeli giggled and her mom finally released me.

  “I’m sorry if that was too much, but I just needed you to know how thankful I am.”

  I cleared my throat. “That’s fine, Mrs. Lehmann. I couldn’t let anything happen to her.”

  She frowned at me. “I’m not using that man’s name anymore. Please call me Mel, or at least, Mrs. Williams.”

  I smiled. I was more than okay with that. “Okay then.”

  “So, Kaeli tells me you’re taking her to meet your family?”

  I grinned. “Yes, I am. It might be a late one though. Is that okay with you?”

  She waved me off. “Yes, yes. Of course. I know she’s safe with you.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that,” I said, honestly grateful for her trust in me.

  “Awesome,” Kaeli said, bouncing up and down on her feet. “I’m just going to grab a couple of things, then we can go.”

  I watched her dart off with amusement. I didn’t know what it was with that girl, but she tugged on something inside me. Hard.

  “Have you heard anything about Aaron yet?”

  My attention snapped back to Kaeli’s mom. I frowned and shook my head. “No, not yet. I’m not happy he managed to get away that night. I don’t know how. The only thing I can think of is if he hid in one of the storage units.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, he’s not that bright. I don’t think it’ll be long before he tries something stupid.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about,” I said quietly.

  Kaeli came skipping back into the kitchen with a small bag in her hand. “Ready?” she said, that gorgeous grin still spread across her lips.

  “Yep. It was nice to meet you, Mel,” I said, giving Kaeli’s mom a polite smile. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”

  She laughed lightly. “Of course you will.”

  Opening the passenger door for Kaeli, I waited for her to get in before closing it behind her and rushing for the driver’s side. After a quick check of my cell, and noting five missed calls from Mom and numerous text messages from various members of my family, I pulled out onto the street.

  “So, uh…how old are you anyway?” she asked carefully. “I kind of feel silly going to meet your family when I know so little about you.”

  I blinked. I forgot there was still so much she didn’t know about me. “Well, ask me anything you want. I’m twenty by the way. I had my birthday while I was in rehab.”

  Her eyes went wide.

  “Yeah, sucked too.”

  She sighed. A heartbreaking sound of discontent. “How long were you undercover for? You said you hadn’t seen your family for a year and a half. Is that true?”

  I nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. I shouldn’t have told you that, but I just couldn’t bring myself to lie to you. Tell me though, did you actually know I was a cop?”

  She pressed her lips together thoughtfully. “I suspected. It wasn’t anything you said or did in particular. You were just always so protective of me and it was confusing. It wasn’t until we were at the hospital that I figured it out. Do you remember when you went out to get your jacket for me and you passed that other police officer? It was his expression that gave it away.”

  I laughed. Fully laughed. I couldn’t wait to tell Dad it was his fault.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “That was my dad.”

  Her eyes bugged. “The other officer?”

  “Yep. That was the first time we’d seen each other in over eighteen months. I think we were both a little shocked.”

  “Oh my god! Are you serious?”

  I looked over to see her mouth gaping open in horror. “Yep.”

  “Oh, your poor dad!”

  “Just wait until I tell him it was him who compromised my cover.”

  She grabbed hold of my arm. “No! You can’t.”

  “You bet I can. You don’t know my family. They’re going to eat that up.”

  “Your dad’s going to hate me!”

  That just made me laugh harder. Everyone was going to love her. “We’re nearly there by the way, so if you have any other questions you’d like to ask me, now is the time.”

  She looked out the window, panic flashing across her pretty face. “Uh…how did you come to be undercover so young?”

  “I was just out of the academy, graduated first in my class with the highest score for weapons accuracy in the history of our state, and they were looking for someone young. TJ only brought in young bloods, so I was asked, and I accepted.”

  She gave me a deadpan look. “So, that was why you were boasting about being the best there is when you shot that guy.”

  I gave her a surprised look. “I’m actually surprised you remember that. You were kind of a little comatose there for a while. I was worried about you.”

  She stared at me for a long time. The little glimpses I caught between watching the road was intense. “You risked so much to save me. Not just that time. Every time I was there. I shudder to think what would’ve happened to me if you weren’t there that first day I came.”

  I couldn’t help it. My hands tightened on the steering wheel so much I thought I was going to rip the fucker off. “Don’t-” I said tightly. “Just…you can’t go there. I can’t think about that. I still have the memory of that fucker pinning you to the bed in my head. If he wasn’t already dead, I’d go and kill him right now.”

  I heard her whisper something. It was a bit too soft for me to hear clearly, but I thought it sounded like, ‘good’.

  Chapter 57

  Kaeli

  I was fine until Noah said we were nearly there.

  I didn’t realize how nerve wracking it would be to meet someone’s parents. Especially someone like Noah. Especially under those circumstances.

  They’d gone without him for almost two years and here I was, crashing their welcome home party. I felt awful.

  When he pulled into the driveway, I had to forcibly stop myself from gripping the seat. I was that terrified. “Can I just stay in the car?” I asked, panic more than evident in my voice.

  Noah cut the engine and turned to look at me. After a few long moments, he simply opened the door, walked around to my side, and opened my door. But instead of yanking
me out like I thought he might, he just crouched down beside me and took my hand.

  Turning in the seat, I slipped my legs between his, placing my feet on the ground.

  “What’s got you so worried?” he asked softly.

  “I don’t know. I just don’t want them to resent me for crashing their party.”

  He gave me an easy smile. It was soft and reassuring. Everything I needed. “Kaeli, I wouldn’t have asked you to come if I didn’t think they’d be okay with it.”

  “Really? You’re sure they won’t be annoyed?”

  He squeezed my hand. “I promise.”

  I bit my lip. “Okay.”

  Letting him pull me from the car, I sighed when he wrapped his arms around me and held me close.

  “There’s still so much we don’t know about each other,” I said into his chest.

  “We’ve got plenty of time to get to know each other, baby. Stop worrying. It’s all good.” Pulling back, he placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head back so he could see me properly. “Okay?” he asked, his gaze intent.

  I nodded, my eyes wandering to his lips without my consent. I watched them curve up a little before he leaned forward and pressed them to mine. I melted. God, I loved his lips. They were so soft, so warm, so mind altering.

  He pulled away and I sighed. Taking my hand, he softly ran his thumb over the back of it before steering me towards the house.

  Steeling myself for hopefully every possible scenario, I followed him through the door.

  The first thing I noted was the homely feel. I certainly never had that living with Ken. Everything in our house had been sterile and cold. Obviously Mom was trying to rectify that, but she still had a while to go to get it to this level of warmth. It instantly soothed me.

  I tried searching the walls of pictures as we went, trying to find the ones of Noah. It was a lot harder than I thought.

  Voices floated out ahead of us, making me draw in a steadying breath. Noah’s hand tightened around mine.

  It started as soon as we stepped into the room.

  “It’s about freaking time, Romeo,” a smooth voice said from the sofa.

  Noah just shrugged, grinning as he pulled me forward. “I had important things to see to.”

  I looked around the room, only now remembering he had four brothers. I sucked in a breath at how startling similar they all looked. Crap.

  Noah looked down at me. “What was that?”

  Shit. Did I say that out loud? “I forgot you had four brothers,” I said quietly. “You all look so similar.”

  “I’m the hottest though, right?”

  “In your dreams little brother.”

  I looked up at the sound of that smooth voice again, meeting shining, hazel eyes. He kind of looked like an older version of Noah, but without the tattoos. He was good looking. I couldn’t deny that, but I was attracted to Noah on a level that went beyond his looks. But yeah, the tattoos were hot.

  I bit my lip, feeling my cheeks warm a little. “Mmm hmm…” I tried to keep my agreeance quiet so only Noah would hear, but it seemed he didn’t understand that.

  “AH-HA!” he said loudly, almost making me jump. “In your face. She likes me better.”

  I laughed at his retaliation. I knew he was only joking, but I was still waiting for him to poke his tongue out too.

  Pulling me closer, he kissed my temple. “Kaeli, that moron is Isaac. He’s thinks because he’s a firefighter, he’s god’s gift to all women.”

  I raised my eyebrow at this little bit of information, but I smiled. How could I not? They were funny.

  Standing up, Isaac walked over to us and surprised me by scooping me into a huge hug. “Hey, Thumbelina.”

  I squealed at the unexpected move, making Noah growl and shove him away. “Get away from her, you dick.”

  The rest of them laughed, climbing to their feet to come greet us too. Shit. I automatically inched closer to Noah. Looking up at the four brothers, I suddenly understood the Thumbelina reference. They were all like freaking giants.

  One of the older looking ones stepped forward, his eyes kind and reassuring. They reminded me a lot of Noah’s. I immediately liked him.

  “Hi,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Adam. The oldest. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  I cringed. I had no idea what Noah might’ve said to him. Taking his hand, I tried to smile. “Hi.”

  “And this is Micah,” Noah continued, gesturing to one who looked a little more clean cut than the others. He still had the trade mark dark hair and hazel eyes, but his clothing and hair style screamed ‘white collar’. He also seemed a little more reserved than the others. I shook his outstretched hand.

  “And this loser over here,” Noah said, wrapping his free hand around the back of the last brother’s neck. “Is Eli. Eli is the smartest of us all. He’s about to start law school.”

  Eli rolled his eyes. “You know that’s completely contradictory, don’t you?”

  Noah smiled at me. “See? Smart.”

  He laughed, reaching out his hand for me to take. “Hi, Kaeli. Nice to meet you.”

  I couldn’t help smiling. Their banter made me feel at home. “Thanks. You too.”

  Noah looked around before quirking his eyebrows. “Where’re the ‘rents?” he asked.

  Adam grinned. “Dad’s cleaning the grill, Mom’s telling him how to do it, and Kara’s umpiring.”

  Noah laughed. “So, nothing’s changed then?”

  Isaac grabbed Micah in a headlock. “Nope. Nothing.”

  I giggled and Noah squeezed me harder. Yeah, I was going to like it here.

  “Is that my baby I can hear?”

  I turned at the sound of the woman’s voice calling from outside. Noah groaned and the others snickered.

  “Hi, Ma,” Noah called out.

  The next second a small, slim figure appeared in the doorway and I immediately knew it was Noah’s mom. She was obviously where they all got their dark hair and hazel eyes.

  She strode into the room, her eyes, loving and kind, finding me. “Ah, I can see why Noah’s gone all gaga over you now. You’re gorgeous. Come here.”

  She pulled me into a quick, gentle hug before pulling back to study me. “I’m Alli by the way. How’s your mother?”

  Her question surprised me. I wasn’t expecting them to know my situation.

  “Mom…” Noah said with a hint of a warning in it.

  We both ignored him. “She’s okay I guess,” I said. “Happy to be free of things I think.”

  She nodded in understanding. “I’ll have to come and introduce myself to her someday.”

  Now that surprised me. Wasn’t it too soon to do the whole family interaction thing?

  “Okay,” Noah said firmly, tucking me back under his arm. “That’s enough scaring my girl.”

  “Oh, hush. She’s fine,” she said, giving Noah a quick squeeze on his free side.

  I laughed, pleasantly surprised by the amazing rapport their whole family seemed to have with each other.

  A light, tinkling laugh came from the doorway, and I saw another woman coming inside, this one young, tall and blonde.

  “Oh, thank god,” she said. “Another girl. We need all the estrogen we can get around here.”

  “Oh, no we don’t,” said another voice behind her.

  I looked out to see an older man following her in, wiping his hands on a rag.

  Noah squeezed me at his side. “That’s Kara, Adam’s fiancé. And that’s my dad, Luke.”

  I smiled, remembering Noah’s dad from the hospital. Without thinking, I nodded. “Yes, I remember your dad.”

  Noah suddenly cracked up laughing and I realized my mistake.

  “That’s right!” he said. “Dad, I hate to tell-”

  I clamped my hand over Noah’s mouth as hard as I could. He laughed, trying to step away from me, but I clung tight, throwing my free arm around his neck so I could hold on tighter. He grabbed me around the waist, picking me up,
but I wasn’t going to back down. He was not going to tell his dad.

  Noah was still laughing under my hand. His eyes shone with it. How he could breathe, I didn’t know. He was still trying to get away from me, obviously not very hard, but he was still persistent. When he almost shook me off, I jumped at him. Literally.

  Hooking my legs around his waist, I clamped my hand across his mouth even firmer.

  “Stop it,” I said, trying hard not to laugh myself. “I told you not to say anything.”

  Noah brothers were full out laughing now. I must’ve looked ridiculous.

  “Promise me you won’t say anything,” I hissed.

  Laughing, he shook his head.

  “Oh my god! You’re so stubborn,” I grumbled.

  His eyes shone even brighter.

  “Please?” I begged, trying the sympathy route instead.

  He seemed to consider it, but then he shook his head again.

  Throwing my head back to glance at the ceiling with exasperation, I loosened my hand. “Fine. I hate you.”

  He laughed. “No, you don’t.” Then he kissed me. Right there in front of his family. And I let him. Because, well, it was Noah. And I liked kissing him.

  When he put me down, he grinned. Happiness shone from his every pore. It was a beautiful sight. My laugh might’ve been his Achilles heel, but his smile, well, I thought it might be able to destroy a small nation.

  “So?” Isaac said impatiently. “Are you going to tell us now? The suspense is killing me.”

  Noah glanced down at me and smiled before looking back up at his family. “Sorry. I can’t.”

  And there I went, melting again…

  Chapter 58

  Noah

  Being back amongst my family was amazing, but having Kaeli there with me was even better. By the end of the night she was so relaxed, smiling and laughing, and teasing Isaac like she was born a part of us. She fit in perfectly, and it warmed me to see everyone so accepting of her.

  Just after nine, we started the long process of trying to say goodbye. Kaeli laughed every time I cut someone off, shuffling her closer and closer to the door.

  “Both of you have to come back soon, okay?” Mom was saying in her firm, no room for argument tone.