Overcome

by Melanie Rachel

  She shook her head. “I shouldn’t need it.”

  “What?” Brilliant retort, Fitzwilliam.

  “Therapy,” she told him, her expression stony. “I shouldn’t need it.”

  He pondered that. “There’s a good deal of hubris in that statement.”

  “Staying with the Greek motif tonight, are we?” she asked, but there was no heat in her words.

  “If the label fits.” He grunted, suddenly cross. “Don’t be your own tragic hero, Bennet.” He walked back to the table to pick up both bottles. “It’s not a good look.”

  “Wait,” she called as he turned to go inside. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a martyr. I just don’t feel like I deserve . . .”

  “To be traumatized?” he asked, still a bit upset with her. “Who was in De Roos that day and wasn’t?”

  “But I’m a Marine,” she replied, unconsciously standing straighter. “I should be able to . . .”

  “Stop,” Richard told her. He observed her face, really searched it for clues. He’d not thought about it since that day after the attack. In another life, she’d be just a few years out of college, working her first job, testing her career ambitions, going out to clubs with her friends on the weekends where she’d drink too much and sing terrible karaoke and flirt with bartenders. She’d be learning who she was. She still didn’t know, despite everything she’d accomplished, everything she’d done. And if she didn’t know it, she couldn’t honor it.

  “When you say you should be above all of that, that it shouldn’t bother you,” he told her evenly, “it devalues the significance of what happened and disrespects those of us you saved.”

  “I didn’t . . .” she began to protest, but he wouldn’t let her continue.

  “Listen to me, Bennet,” he commanded. She met his gaze reluctantly. “It was you who sounded the alarm. I had my back to the door, which I admit was stupid. But it was all right because you gave us the seconds we needed to counter.” He squared his shoulders. “Because of your sharp eye and quick response, we got our hands on some weapons. That made defending everyone else possible. Which we did.” He had unconsciously assumed an at-ease position, his hands behind his back.

  She was watching him intently now. He hoped she was listening, not just waiting him out. “You defused the Molotov. I was directly in the blast path, but too far away to get to it. And I wasn’t the only one.” He released a deep breath. “And though you were beat up, you refused to be carried out. You stated, loudly, that you were leaving the same way you came in.”

  She snorted, looked away. “Hobbled out.”

  He felt a grin finally begin to pull at his lips. “It was a great boost for everyone’s morale, and I know that’s why you did it. Don’t downplay that.”

  She put her hands on her hips and sucked her teeth.

  “You also did most of the talking on our celebrity tour,” he replied, referring to the general’s disdainful label, “which undoubtedly saved many lives. If I had been asked to explain basic tactics one more time, no court in the civilized world would have found me guilty.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You can stop now.”

  His grin expanded, but his tone was still somber. “Lecture over. Don’t make me give it again.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Elizabeth leaned against the doorframe watching Will work. He was frowning, his face pinched as he read.

  “Bad time?” she asked softly.

  He glanced up at her and his face smoothed into an affectionate smile. “No. Richard didn’t record a new client in the log, I think. I’m trying to figure out what he did.”

  She closed the door, strolled into the room, and sat on the corner of his desk. “Can it wait?”

  He nodded. “Did you two talk over whatever it was Richard was so fired up about?”

  She shrugged. “I guess. Just two old Marines shooting the fat.”

  He chortled. “The fat.”

  “You know I have time left on Maddy’s sentence,” she said coolly. “I think I may have to rent a soundproof room for an hour when I’m finally done.”

  He shook his head mockingly. “You’d just embarrass yourself. Cursing well is an art. It must be regularly practiced.”

  She sighed and laid a hand over her heart. “Alas, I was never a true proficient.”

  “Unique for a Marine,” he observed.

  “Well, I’m nothing if not unique.” She gave him a little smile.

  He reached out for her hand. “You’re ice cold,” he said incredulously. “Were you two outside?”

  “Mmm hmm,” she confirmed.

  “Come here,” he said, drawing her into his lap and hugging her to his chest. He rubbed his hands briskly up and down her arms. “I need to warm you up. If you try to put your feet on me in bed like this, it might cause a cardiac arrest.”

  Elizabeth kissed him until he released her, then gently ruffled his hair, hovering over his lips before closing in for another kiss. He moaned as she pulled away, trying to stand to drag her off to his bedroom, but she put her hands on his shoulders. “Stay,” she commanded, nearly purring.

  “Stay? Am I your lap dog in this little fantasy?” he asked, amused but obeying.

  “Dog, no.” She told him, reaching for his belt. “Lap, yes.”

  “I can’t believe you’re actually outside during daylight hours,” Elizabeth taunted Jane cheerily. “Well, indoors, but still.”

  “I know, once in a blue moon,” Jane sighed. She was dressed in gray trousers and a soft pink sweater. “It feels so good to get to dress in something other than scrubs and pajamas.”

  Elizabeth waggled her eyebrows at her sister. “I bet. And now I can put my garlic necklace and wooden stake on eBay.”

  Jane elbowed her in the ribs. “You aren’t funny.”

  “I’m kind of funny,” Elizabeth grinned, putting her head on her sister’s shoulder.

  “Okay, you’re funny,” Jane replied with a sigh, every bit the put-upon older sibling. “Just not when you mean to be.”

  “Ouch,” Elizabeth replied with a laugh.

  The two were sitting on the love seat in Ed Gardiner’s study, awaiting the arrival of their uncle and aunt. Eventually, Aunt Maddy entered the room, followed closely by Uncle Ed. Eschewing his desk, Ed dragged two chairs over to where Jane and Elizabeth were sitting.

  “All right, Lizzy,” Aunt Maddy said, uncharacteristically serious. “You’ve got us all in one room at the same time, which is a minor miracle. What’s on your mind?”

  Elizabeth swallowed. “Tom said something when I was at Longbourn, and I didn’t know what to do with it. I thought we should discuss it.”

  Ed’s face had hardened at Tom’s name, and Maddy’s hand slipped over to his. Even Jane had stilled.

  “Jane and I,” Elizabeth said cautiously, “are his, but according to him, the younger girls aren’t.” She bent forward, forearms resting on her legs. “I didn’t know if we should say anything to them.” She saw Ed’s anger and Maddy’s concern in their expressions, but no surprise.

  “What would be the point?” Ed asked, his voice icy. “He’s not their father anyway.”

  Jane cleared her throat, and they all turned their attention to her. “I think we all know that you are their father, Uncle Ed,” she said quietly. “But the girls may want to know, for their medical histories, if nothing else.”

  “It might even be a relief,” Elizabeth mumbled. Ed’s expression relaxed minutely at that, and he sat back in his chair, folding his arms stubbornly across his chest.

  “It may be difficult for them to hear,” Maddy offered, casting a quick glance at Ed. “And I wouldn’t want anything to interfere with their schoolwork.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “That’s a good point.”

  “So we’re agreed?” Ed asked brusquely. “Leave well enough alone?”

  Elizabeth wasn’t exactly happy about it, but Ed and Maddy were the parents here. She didn’t feel as though she had the right to overrule them. I
f it was me, I’d want to know, she thought, but they aren’t me. Ed made to stand, but Jane stopped him.

  “I think Mary already suspects,” Jane informed her aunt and uncle. “And she’s strong enough to handle it. I really think she ought to be told.”

  Aunt Maddy gave Jane an approving smile. “I agree.”

  Uncle Ed shook his head. “The younger two girls aren’t ready. I still have to keep a tracker on Lydia’s phone just to be sure she goes to class. She’s a giant emotional mess—this wouldn’t be good for her at all.”

  “She’s only fifteen, Ed,” Aunt Maddy said with a gentle smile. “She’s supposed to be an emotional mess.”

  “You know what I mean, Maddy,” Uncle Ed protested. “Jane and Mary and Kit weren’t like this.”

  Elizabeth snorted. “Thanks.”

  “You were trouble,” Uncle Ed said plainly, though he grinned at her. “But even you weren’t like this. I worry about her. Everything’s such a production with her.”

  “Then we tell Mary now and the other girls when they reach eighteen or graduate high school,” Aunt Maddy said. She held Uncle Ed’s hand between both of her own. “It’s not right to withhold this forever, Ed. But we can decide when it’s best to reveal it.”

  Ed grunted, clearly unhappy. “Did Tom say who they were?”

  “He didn’t about Kit and Lydia,” Elizabeth said reluctantly, “but he was sure about Mary.”

  Her uncle closed his eyes. “All different men?”

  “It’s not uncommon for people with a bipolar diagnosis to become sexually promiscuous,” Jane informed them. “It was the illness, Uncle Ed.”

  They all waited until Ed gave a tiny nod, and then Elizabeth addressed his question. “He didn’t know. But he knew Mary’s biological father was a specific visiting professor. I looked him up.”

  “Who is he?”

  “A professor of Russian history. He’s teaching at a university in Michigan now.”

  “How do we know if it’s the truth?”

  “She looks like him, Uncle Ed.” Elizabeth typed a name into her phone and passed it over. One searching look and Ed handed it back without a word.

  Maddy reached over to place a hand on his cheek. “I’ll tell her.”

  Ed shook his head and covered her hand with his own. “No. We’ll do it together. We’re her parents.”

  Elizabeth felt a tug at her heart. Lucky girls, she thought. She glanced over at Jane and saw nothing but compassion and love in her sister’s expression. She stood.

  “I should really get home,” she said. “I have a lot on my plate this week.”

  “Oh, you have to stay for dinner at least,” Aunt Maddy said unhappily. “I’ll pack up some of the leftovers for you to take home.”

  Jane squeezed her hand. “I almost never get to see you, Lizzy,” she told her sister. “Please stay.”

  “Is Richard coming?” she asked, curious. “Maybe he and Will can drive together.” The major avoided me all morning. I wonder if he’s planning something.

  “Oh, that’s a good idea,” Maddy said happily, clapping her hands together. Even Ed seemed mollified.

  “It’s good to have some male backup in this house,” he grumbled. He looked up at Elizabeth. “Thank you for bringing this to us, Lizbet. Your aunt and I will take it from here.”

  Jane stood to follow her out, but as Elizabeth reached for the knob, she realized the door hadn’t closed all the way behind Uncle Ed on the way in. She glanced down the hallway, which was mercifully empty. She shook off a foreboding she told herself was ridiculous and joined Jane on her walk to the family room.

  Chapter Twenty

  Will was walking out of a planning meeting when he saw a text from Elizabeth.

  I’m in. First week of February.

  He exhaled quietly, glancing up as his accounting team brushed past him on their way to lunch. As soon as the last one was on his way to the elevator, their voices fading away, he placed the call and walked to his office.

  “Will?” she asked, a note of surprise in her voice. “Aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting?”

  “Just got out,” he assured her. “West Virginia?” He shut the door behind him.

  “Yes, Mr. Research,” she said with affectionate sarcasm, “It sounds like a good match.”

  He smiled softly. “That’s why I brought it up.”

  “I can hear you patting yourself on the back from here,” she replied. He heard a click and identified the sticky knob on her stovetop.

  He lowered himself into his office chair, leaning back. “Not so much. It means you’ll be away for a week. I’d go with you, but . . .”

  “But FORGE needs you here,” she finished. He grunted his assent, not happy about it, and her tone turned serious. “I need to focus, anyway. Therapy by day, work by night.”

  Will smiled and closed his eyes. “Does that mean you got the job?”

  “Mmm hmm,” she hummed. “I heard this morning. It’s a good contract—a year at least, decent money.”

  “I knew they’d love you.” He toyed with the stylus on his desk. “You didn’t tell me why you were looking, though. They’re smaller than your other regular clients.”

  She gave a small sigh. “I started to explain it before Richard interrupted.”

  That was true, he thought, casting his eyes to the ceiling and running a hand through his hair. They’d been in the middle of a conversation when his cousin had knocked on their bedroom door and demanded his attention on a new file. It wasn’t a frivolous issue, and by the time he returned downstairs, it was time for her to head to Montclair. They’d not had more than a few minutes alone since.

  “The big jobs,” she was saying, “were Abby’s contacts.”

  He frowned and stilled, his hand suspended in mid-air. “’Were’?”

  He heard a tapping—spoon against saucepan, maybe, and then Elizbeth exhaled audibly. “I quit. I would have said so earlier, but I didn’t want you trying to pay for everything on our trip home.”

  “You quit,” he repeated flatly. His heart beat a little faster.

  “Yes.” There was a pause, and he could hear her fingers drumming on the kitchen counter. The Formica produced a hollower sound than the wooden dining table. “Abby wanted me to stay. I needed to go. It was important to cut ties.”

  “Okay,” he said, fighting back the bile that threatened to rise in his throat. He couldn’t yet recall those weeks at Christmas without feeling ill. “You’re all right, money-wise?”

  She laughed gently. “I’m better than I’ve ever been, Will.” He didn’t reply right away, and her voice, when she spoke again, was teasing. “Besides, I’m seeing this guy who has really deep pockets.”

  “I knew you were a gold digger,” he managed to reply in kind, and she laughed at him. “I’ll miss you. The first week of February isn’t that far off.”

  The conversation turned, then, to dinner plans. Elizabeth was heading to the city, so she agreed to meet him at the apartment after work before they ended the call. He asked Wanda to send out for lunch and turned to his own work.

  Elizabeth approached the NYU Stern building, but didn’t see Mary, so she waited on the low steps outside as they’d arranged. Her younger sister was interested in the dual MBA/JD program, but even if she got in, which was a long shot, she’d spend the first two years at the law school down the street.

  Elizabeth had sort of fallen into programming and online forensics herself—she’d seen the call for cyber-warrior training and realized she could turn a sideline, money-making hobby into something more—but Mary planned things out years in advance. She was a bit like Will that way, but Elizabeth thought Mary might be even more serious. Looking up at the building, she couldn’t fault her sister’s taste. It was beautiful, even from the outside, and Will had said the interior was even better. He’d been excited to hear that Mary wanted to attend.

  “You know,” he said thoughtfully, “maybe she’d be interested in interning for us over the s
ummer.”

  Elizabeth had been surprised at the sudden offer. “I think she’d like that, yes.”

  Will grabbed a pen to make a note. “I’ll speak to my department heads. Would you confirm that she’s really interested, please? Sometimes I can’t tell what she’s thinking.”

  She’d asked the question, and Mary had simply smiled sweetly and agreed that she’d love to intern at FORGE. She’d shyly admitted that she was curious about Will’s company and was pleased to think of having him as a boss, even temporarily. Elizabeth deeply appreciated the offer. Mary never asked anything for herself. It was gratifying to be able to give her this opportunity.

  She heard her sister’s voice calling her name and moved up the stairs to meet her.

  “Lizzy, you came!” Mary was beaming with excitement. “I’m starving. Let’s grab some lunch and then we can come back and I’ll show you around.” She hugged Elizabeth. “This is such a great part of the city.”

  Elizabeth returned the hug and they walked down the block to find a place to eat. She had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. She’d missed a lot being away, but she thought that maybe she was witnessing a very important day in Mary’s life. Morning glory, she thought, recalling Aunt Maddy’s favorite flowers. Mary’s blooming in the sun.

  After a thirty-minute round trip walk to Mimi Cheng’s for dumplings, Mary and Elizabeth hurried out of the cold and into the heated lobby of the Stern building. Mary’s cheeks and nose were flushed from the cold, but she unwound her scarf and removed her gloves. Elizabeth did the same and then held her hands over her ears to warm them up. If her ears got too cold, it would give her a headache, and she wanted to prevent that. Despite the nightmares that returned on a regular basis to haunt her, the migraines had at last begun to taper off, and she was determined to be vigilant on that front. As the palms of her hands warmed her ears, she looked up and around.

  The building was striking, newer than the other NYU buildings she’d been in. They were in a lull, so while students were still milling about, it wasn’t the crush she expected the night classes would bring. Even now, the elevators were running full.