It's Always Been You

by Paige, Victoria

  “Travis has a stupid grin plastered on his face nowadays,” Beatrice informed her dryly. “It’s nauseating.”

  “Oh, stop complaining. You’re happy for him, aren’t you?”

  The redhead grinned, her green eyes softening. “Yes, I’m happy for him. He’s been through so much. You have no idea.”

  “So you met him through your dad?”

  The redhead shrugged off her blazer, and sat beside Caitlin. Looked like Beatrice was down for some girl chat instead of her customary brief “hello.”

  “Yes. A little over two-years ago, just when Travis was starting BSI, Dad introduced him to me at a security conference,” Beatrice said. “We got along well and decided to be business partners of some sort. You know the work I do?”

  Caitlin nodded. As a security consultant, Beatrice was the first line of contact for most BSI clients. She made top-level recommendations and then fielded the contract to her partners. BSI wasn’t the only security company that Beatrice worked with, but according to Travis, they got most of her clients.

  “The time I met him, I could tell he was a man who hadn’t let go of his grief,” Beatrice continued. “He looked okay physically, but his eyes were haunted. Like he was just existing with no joy in his life.”

  Caitlin’s heart ached at Beatrice words. “I’m sorry.” Although, she wasn’t sure why she was apologizing.

  “I’m not really sure why I’m telling you this,” Beatrice hedged.

  “Let’s not mince words here,” Caitlin replied. “You don’t seem to be the type, and you’re not even subtle about it.” She paused for a beat before pushing forward. “You don’t want me to hurt him.”

  “He’s not going to get over losing you a second time.”

  “Everyone seems to be telling me this.” Caitlin was starting to get aggravated. She didn’t want her burgeoning relationship with Travis to be scrutinized and put under undue pressure. She wanted their feelings to develop naturally and not be tainted by all these expectations. “He survived the first time. If it ever happens that we’re not compatible after all, he’ll get through it. He just didn’t have closure last time.”

  “I think you’re wrong there,” Beatrice said. “You don’t get it. That man can’t even appreciate another woman and believe me, girl, many have tried to get their claws into him. Supermodels, socialites, you name it. That’s why Travis and I go to functions together. He’s too polite to tell bitches to fuck off.”

  “His momma raised him well,” Caitlin drawled in her best attempt at a Southern accent.

  Beatrice gazed intently at her. “I see how he looks at you. It makes me nervous.”

  “What?”

  “The way he looks at you, Caitlin. You’re his whole world.”

  “Beatrice, please don’t put too much pressure on me. Travis and I are getting along so well right now, we don’t need you butting into our business.”

  The redhead looked sheepish. “You’re right. I did charge in here like some mama hen.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  They both giggled. Caitlin decided to turn the tables on the other woman.

  “So, what’s your story?”

  “Why I don’t have a man of my own?” Beatrice wasn’t one to play coy.

  “Yup.”

  “I wasn’t enough for him. He broke my heart, and we parted ways. End of story. It’s actually quite boring.”

  “A friend of Travis?”

  “Gabriel Sullivan.” Half-regret, half-vitriol rolled off her tongue as she said his name.

  “He worked for BSI?”

  “No. All I know is he used to be in Travis’s SEAL unit and left to do something else.” There was a sharp edge that laced Beatrice’s words.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not. It was a quick affair, flared up and fizzled in a few months,” Beatrice said airily. Somehow, Caitlin didn’t believe her. Beatrice had this facade of strength, but there was a vulnerability about her just hovering under the surface. And therein lay the appeal with Beatrice Porter. She was a challenge to any man. To finally win her heart, a man had to break through her hardness. Then he might gain the promise of that sweet surrender.

  The redhead narrowed her eyes at Caitlin. “That’s all I’m telling you. I don’t really talk about it, but since I’ve hounded you about not hurting Travis, I feel like I owe you.”

  “Don’t say that, I don’t wanna pry. If you’re not comfortable revealing such personal stuff, just tell me.”

  “Hmm . . . same goes for you . . . unless you hurt Travis.”

  Caitlin sighed. “Are you turning this back on me again?”

  “Counter-attack, girl.”

  Caitlin laughed. “In some ways, you’re exactly like your father.”

  “Is that a compliment or an insult?”

  “A compliment,” Caitlin stated primly.

  “I think I like you,” Beatrice said.

  Caitlin just smiled. She was beginning to like Beatrice. It took this whole conversation, but knowing someone who was as protective of Travis as she was, definitely was someone worth having on your side.

  *****

  “It’s all there.”

  “My bookkeeper is checking the account right now.”

  This was the first time Caitlin had a face to face with the man who had been hunting her and Jase down for the past three years. Admiral Porter was doing all the talking. That was what he advised her when all three of them, including Travis, gathered at the conference room to transfer the money to Komarov’s banks.

  After a few minutes, Komarov received his confirmation. “My man has verified the funds. I’m sending you the information on my agent inside the Zorin Bratva. I’m not sure if he’s the person giving you the problem dealing with Grigori Zorin—”

  “We’ll determine that for ourselves,” Porter cut him off.

  Komarov transferred his gaze to Caitlin and then to Travis. “So, are we even? Or do I need to worry about you, Mr. Blake?”

  Travis was silent, but Caitlin could feel the rage simmering under his skin. Porter was about to say something when Travis finally spoke. And when he did, his voice was low and harsh. “I could kill you for sending your thugs after my wife. But I want this whole affair over. Just stay away from us.”

  “You have my word,” Komarov said. “John Cooper didn’t only steal from me but from you as well.” His eyes lingered on Caitlin. “Someone precious. I wish you a good life, Caitlin Kincaid. Mr. Blake.” His gaze slid to Porter. “Goodbye, Admiral.”

  The feed disconnected.

  The two men stared at each other. Caitlin could feel the tension pinging between them and decided to cut through it. “Well, that was anti-climactic.”

  Travis looked at her, his eyes warming up. “We could do with less excitement and more normalcy.”

  “So what do you plan to do now, Caitlin?” Porter asked. “You’re a free woman.”

  “Did I miss the memo? Was I a prisoner?” Caitlin quipped. She knew figuratively she had been until Komarov was placated. And now the Russian mob boss seemed satisfied. Finally, after three years on the run, she could slow down and find herself again.

  “I could continue giving you some work,” Porter offered.

  Caitlin’s eyes lit up.

  “Damn it, Admiral!” Travis snapped.

  “Cool it, Lieutenant—”

  “Travis—”

  “I’m not having her work for the CIA and have another mob boss after her again,” Travis said. “She doesn’t have to work. I can take care of her.”

  Caitlin’s temper flared. Travis didn’t say it, but she could almost hear him adding and she will be having my babies.

  “I want to work,” Caitlin said even as Travis glared at her. “But nothing dangerous like handling money for the mob. Never again. I’m not sure I want to work for the CIA either. So Travis you can back off your overprotective bullshit.” She looked at Porter. “I can return the laptop. But remember the password I told you that so
unded familiar?”

  “What password?” Travis was scowling.

  “Hephaestus?” Porter’s face was blank. “What about it?”

  “There’s another one that I think means something—Carpathian—and it seems to be connected to the first one, but I can’t seem to—”

  “You’re done.” Travis’s tone was firm, and his face had taken on a hard edge as his eyes challenged Porter. “You’re returning the laptop. End of story.”

  Porter’s words were carefully phrased. “I’ll leave it up to you, Caitlin. I’m curious about the passwords you’re talking about, especially if you think it’s something important. Tell you what. Keep the laptop and mess around with it. Let me know when you’re certain whether or not they mean anything.”

  Caitlin nodded, happy to keep the laptop and continue working on those nagging bits of information that hovered in the periphery of her awareness.

  The admiral flashed her one of his rare smiles. One that would make her preen because she had his approval.

  “I’m needed back at Langley, so I’d best get moving,” Porter informed them. He nodded to a still unhappy Travis and left the room.

  “You and I need to clear up a few things,” Travis told her.

  “Oh yes, please. Let’s,” Caitlin fired back.

  “Cat—”

  “First of all, you do not make decisions for me, especially if it’s what I want to do for work.”

  “Babe—”

  “Second, I do like that you’re protective. But every time someone even hints at having me do something, smoke comes out of your ears. I’m not made out of crystal. I’ve run from assassins for three years.”

  “Exactly!” Travis thundered, the bulging veins in his neck indicating his rapidly deteriorating patience. “For three years I’ve failed to protect you. It kills me every time I think that you were out there trying to survive.”

  “Trav—”

  “So cut me some slack. I have three years I want to make up for.”

  “We’ve been through this over and over. It’s not your fault. It’s not mine. We may never know what really happened.”

  Travis looked like he wanted to lash out, but his lips pressed into a thin line, and Caitlin knew he was restraining himself from blaming Jase again; otherwise this would be a step backward.

  She reached out and cupped his jaw. “We’ve come a long way in three short weeks, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, we have.” His reply was curt. He wasn’t backing down. “Don’t try to sweet talk me out of this, Caitlin. Not where your safety is concerned. I don’t want you”—her eyes narrowed at him at his choice of words so he changed tactics—“I’d prefer if you sever all ties with the CIA. Return all equipment they gave you. Was it only the laptop?”

  “Several flash drives and a backup drive,” Caitlin shrugged. “I really want to satisfy my curiosity.”

  Travis hauled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “You know what they say about curiosity don’t you?”

  “Shut up,” Caitlin whispered against his chest, then sighed in contentment. There’s no place she felt safer than in his arms.

  *****

  Ben Porter was in his car driving back to Langley. He took out his secure phone and dialed a number.

  His contact answered immediately.

  “You didn’t tell him about the threat from my sister,” Komarov said without preamble.

  “They don’t need to know at this point,” Porter replied.

  “You are playing with their lives, Admiral. Blake has suffered enough by having his wife taken from him. I’m only regretting that I didn’t leave John Cooper alive to have him torture that bastard.”

  Porter laughed without mirth. “You’re talking like you didn’t have a hand in all this mess. You sent your men after Ms. Kincaid. They hurt her.”

  “They weren’t going to kill her. I just wanted my money.”

  “You were willing to hand her to your sister.”

  “I reconsidered after I got the whole tragic story.”

  “You’ve suddenly become a romantic?” Porter scoffed. “Your men better not hear you spouting such drivel or you’re going down next.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “No. It’s advice. So, do you know the whereabouts of your sister?”

  “Olga has disappeared.”

  Porter cursed. This could be challenging.

  “Keep them alive, Porter.”

  He would try his best. But for the greater good, some lives were collateral damage.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Travis threw the NY strips on the scorching hot grates and closed the top of the grill. Six-hundred degrees on his dad’s new Webber should sear the steaks nicely. It was the first weekend after Caitlin’s freedom from the sights of the Russian mob.

  “Got the steaks going?” Daniel walked up to his son. “How do you like my new grill?”

  “Heated up pretty quick,” Travis replied. “I still prefer charcoal.”

  “Get off your charcoal horse, son. When you’re as old as I am, you like less cleanup.”

  Travis grinned at his dad. Daniel Blake didn’t look his sixty years of age. He’d put most men in their forties to shame. Though his father didn’t have a clearly defined six-pack any longer, he kept in shape by working around the house and running regularly. Travis’s eyes gazed beyond the grill in the direction of the pool in his parents’ backyard. His heart warmed as it always did whenever his eyes landed on Caitlin. She was in a one-piece swimsuit, legs dangling in the pool, chatting with Emily as she lazed on an inflatable raft. Caitlin finally got over her hang-up about exposing the scars that ran along the length of her right leg. It helped that she wasn’t a vain woman. Her scars never detracted from her beauty, which really came from within her eyes. He’d seen strangers, both men and women, get mesmerized by their unusual hazel color. The natural wave of blonde hair that hit right in that delicate arch of her back made him want to wrap his hands around in it, dig his fingers in and pull her head back to—

  “I want mine rare,” Nate piped in behind him, thankfully breaking the direction of his lascivious thoughts. The last problem he needed was a hard-on in front of everyone. Travis turned as his friend handed him a beer. Ed Shephard chimed in, “Mine as well, the bloodier the better.”

  “I guess all the guys do,” Travis muttered.

  “Thought I’d save you from burning the steaks,” Nate murmured beside him. “Seeing that you can’t seem to take your eyes off your wife long enough to cook dinner properly.”

  “Shut up,” Travis grunted. “Beatrice here yet?”

  “Almost, she’s a few minutes out. I think she likes her steak on the medium-well side.”

  “These steaks shouldn’t take too long. Bee always had perfect timing when it came to food. Dad, are the sides ready?”

  “Baked potatoes are about done. Just need to toss the salad,” his dad replied.

  The men were in charge of dinner tonight. The women weren’t allowed in the kitchen, and weren’t allowed to lift a finger. They were ordered to relax and chill by the pool. Lillian didn’t like being banished from her own kitchen, and even as she was lying on a lounge chair, she continually cast worried glances toward the house.

  “Mom’s worried you’re going to burn down her kitchen, Dad,” Travis said with a laugh.

  “How hard could it be to bake potatoes?” his dad grumbled.

  The men chuckled and knocked their beers together.

  Dinner was underway. Beatrice arrived just as everyone was settling into their seats. Travis opened the door to the redhead and gave her a peck on the cheek.

  “Do you have a steak radar?” Travis teased. “You seem to be able to smell them when they’re about done and just show up.”

  “It’s one of my talents.” Beatrice grinned and swept into the house.

  “Hey, sweetie, you missed hanging in the pool with us,” Emily said.

  “Emily, how long have you known me?” Beatri
ce said. “Redhead and laying under the sun? Not a good combination. I’d burn, which is why I hate summer.” She glanced over to Caitlin. “Our lovely blonde over here is sporting a delightful tan. You know I’m hating you right now, Kincaid?”

  “You can’t have all the luck, Porter,” Caitlin quipped. “We can’t all be redheaded goddesses.”

  Beatrice preened. “You’re so good for my ego. Now why can’t you guys be that way?” She looked pointedly at Nate and Travis.

  “See that can of worms you opened, Caitlin?” Nate groaned. “Bee has enough ego to fit the dome of the U.S. Capitol. She’s got enough men drooling all over her. She doesn’t need Travis and me.”

  “You were my best friends,” Beatrice sniffed as she sat down beside Caitlin. “But now I have a new best friend.” She tucked her arm into Caitlin’s, who smiled indulgently at her.

  Travis sighed, “Fine. You be friends with my wife. But I don’t want you dragging her to some girls’ night out without me.”

  “Uh . . . if it’s a girls’ night out”—Caitlin eyed Travis as he sat down on the other side of her— “you’re not supposed to be with us.”

  “Babe, this is how it’s gonna be,” Travis said. “You can go have your girls’ table. I’ll be sitting back somewhere—you won’t even know I’m there—I’ll just make sure all the assholes stay away.”

  Caitlin turned to Beatrice. “He’s not serious, right?”

  Beatrice was grinning so wide, Travis was afraid she would strain her cheeks. His friend winked at him. “Never thought I’d see this side of you, Travis. Love it. But seriously, girls’ night out means girls’ night out.”

  “We’ll see,” Travis muttered. He’d never considered Caitlin having a life that didn’t include him in the plans. He had no excuse now to keep her on lockdown. The sooner life got back on an even keel for them, the better it would be for him, too. Wanting to know where his wife was every second of the day was pure insanity. He’d have to learn to relax or he’d drive Caitlin away.

  “Oh, my God,” Beatrice screeched as she watched Nate slice into the steak. “Is that steak still mooing?”