“Practicing dummy surgeries to remove the chips.” She frowned. “And I lost at gin rummy with Josie.”
“Josie cheats,” Nate whispered as he strode past them with several flash drives in his hand.
Laney glanced over her shoulder as Josie slipped outside. “You cheat?”
Josie opened big blue eyes. “Of course not. Geez.”
Matt pressed a kiss to Laney’s forehead. “Yeah. She cheats.” He took Laney’s hand to go inside, where Nate was already inserting a flash drive into a computer hooked up to a flat-screen. A day of sitting close with Laney beat any other day, even if he had to go through data.
Tons of data.
They read reports, flipped through pictures, and watched videos showing the commander’s plan. Through lunch, through dinner, through a popcorn fight Shane started. At one point, Laney dropped off to sleep, tucked into his side. Josie fell asleep an hour later.
About three in the morning, Matt stretched his legs onto an ottoman. “This is informative, but we already knew about funding. And research.” Frustration lit down his spine. There hadn’t been one mention of Jory. Not one. Nor had there been any concrete data on any of the Gray brothers or the genetic splicing that had occurred to create them. He’d love to find that data. Maybe he’d destroyed it all in his bid for freedom. If so, he could live with that.
Nate popped his neck and inserted another USB. “This is the last one. So far, nothing.”
Dr. Madison took shape on the screen, from about twenty years previous. Even back then, the intelligence in her cobalt eyes overshadowed her classic face. With her black hair pulled back, she even looked like a scientist.
Matt shifted on the couch. God, he’d hated her. Always watching, always taking notes. Even when they were hurt, she took notes, never offering a moment of comfort. Until they’d grown into young men, and then she’d offered too much. Now, years later, he forced himself to watch her personal journal. From the beginning when she discussed the conditioning she and the commander had created for soldiers.
No mention of their names.
Had they been human to her?
Maybe not. Matt cut a look at Nate. He watched the screen, eyes hard, jaw set. Nate had fallen in love with Dr. Madison’s daughter, Audrey, and she’d nearly destroyed him. As an experiment.
As the years wore on, faint lines appeared at Madison’s hairline. Then near her eyes. Finally, she discussed an experiment in young love.
Nate stiffened, a veil dropping over his eyes.
Matt glanced at Shane, who looked beyond pissed off. Yeah. He agreed.
The final entry was Madison smiling into the camera, nearly giddy. “I have incredible news. I’m going to be a grandmother. My Audrey is pregnant.” The screen went blank.
Nate leaped to his feet.
Shane’s eyes widened. “What was the date on that?”
“Right before we broke up.” Nate ran a rough hand through his hair. “This isn’t real. It can’t be.”
Matt swallowed. “You’re right. There’s no way this clip was left by accident. They meant for us to find it… and to go after Audrey. Or Madison. It’s a trick, Nate.” But was it? Madison and the commander had tried repeatedly to use the genetic material from the Gray brothers for a second generation—with no luck. If they’d succeeded, they would have certainly hid that from the brothers.
Nate turned toward him, torment in his dark eyes. “I have to go after her.”
“I know. We’ve always known she was the way to get to Madison… and to the commander. They know it, too.” Matt had known this moment was coming from the moment they’d escaped. Nate would have to get ahold of Audrey. With a sigh, Matt glanced outside as the sun poked above the horizon. “Let’s get a little sleep, and we’ll come up with a plan.” God. How the hell was he going to protect Nate from this? From whatever they discovered?
Matt didn’t want to find hope there, but what if? What if they actually could have kids? Was it possible?
He stood and lifted Laney. “Three hours, and we meet to start planning.” Without looking back, he headed down the hallway toward his bedroom. He laid her down on the sprawling bed and tugged off his shirt.
“I do love your chest,” she mumbled sleepily, holding her arms out.
He slid a knee onto the bed and allowed himself a moment of peace. Temporary, for sure. He banished the fear of the future, the terror of something happening to Laney, the ever-present threat to his brothers—the ones he’d vowed to protect. “I was going to let you keep sleeping,” he whispered, slipping his hands beneath her shirt.
Her pupils focused. “And now?”
He tugged off her shirt to reveal the prettiest breasts in existence. “Ah, baby. Now you’re gonna have to earn sleep.” He moved over her, covering her, balancing himself on his elbows. Those yoga pants of hers were coming off next.
Her smile was slow and so sexy his cock flared to life. “Good thing I’m a hard worker. Maybe I won’t let you sleep.”
Who the hell needed to sleep? He lowered his head and kissed her, diving deep, trusting completely. When he finally lifted up, her eyes had gone unfocused, and her lips were so nicely swollen he groaned. “I really do want to marry you. Soon,” he said.
Her breath caught. “Name the time and place. I’m there.”
God, he hoped they had forever. “I’m not easy, Laney.” She needed to know what she was getting into.
Her small hands smoothed along his shoulders. “No kidding.”
He chuckled. “No. I mean I’m bossy, protective, and I hold on too tight. Way too tight.” It was the only way he’d known to keep his brothers alive through the years. Now his life centered around one small woman he couldn’t lose. He wouldn’t lose.
She shifted against him, creating a more comfortable home in the vee of her legs. “Hold on as tight as you need, Mattie. I’ve got you.”
And she did. He had no idea what the future held, but he’d do his damnedest to make sure they survived it. “I’ll give you everything. I promise,” he said.
She smiled. “You already have. I have you… and a family. Trust me.”
“I do. Completely.” He kissed her again. For his entire life, he’d never broken a promise. So he gave her one. “Forever, Laney. I promise.”
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner—only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She is a member of RWA, has won awards for her works throughout the industry, and has a journalism degree with a poli-sci emphasis from Pepperdine University as well as a juris doctor from the University of Idaho.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild North with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.
Learn more at:
RebeccaZanetti.com
Twitter, @RebeccaZanetti
Facebook.com/RebeccaZanetti.Author.FanPage
Turn the page for a preview of the next book in Rebecca Zanetti’s sexy romantic suspense series,
Blind Faith
Available in spring 2014
Prologue
Southern Tennessee Hills
Fifteen Years Ago
Nathan’s boots echoed on the hard tiles, the deep sound thrown back by the cinder blocks lining the wall. He’d wiped the snow off before heading inside, but the soles were still slippery. His twelve-year-old gut churned, and his mind spun. His older brother, Mattie, was out on a mission, and shit was about to hit the fan.
The situation was totally Nate’s fault, but he couldn’t be taken from the facility. If he was forced out, Matt would blame himself. And who would take care of the two younger brothers when Matt was out on a mission? At around fourteen y
ears old, Matt was often out on a mission, and somebody had to protect Shane and Jory. Nate had taken on the job years ago.
He paused outside of the office doorway and took several deep breaths. Then he smoothed his face into innocent lines and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” came the low baritone of the commander.
Sweat dripped down Nate’s back. He shoved open the door and hurried inside to stand at attention. The scents of bleach and gunpowder nauseated him.
The commander studied him with black, fathomless eyes while sitting behind a metal desk. He wore a soldier’s uniform, his hair in a buzz cut, his body lean and hard. Behind him sat a woman furiously scribbling in a notebook on a small table. Dr. Madison, the head scientist who studied the cadets at the facility, liked to scribble.
“We seem to have a situation, Cadet Nathan,” the commander said.
Nate’s spit dried up. “Yes, sir.” God, please make the situation deal with what he’d done wrong and not with Matt’s mission. Matt was invincible. Nothing could happen to him.
“We found your stash of tree, decorations, and presents,” Dr. Madison said, her blue eyes narrowing in calculation.
Relief filtered down Nate’s spine. Thank God. Matt was all right. “Yes, ma’am.” Damn it. He’d hidden those items carefully in a storage shack on the outskirts of one of the training fields. How had they found everything?
“Cadet Nathan, this is a military facility. You are a soldier created from birth to follow orders and protect our country.” The commander pushed back from the desk and rose to his full height. “How in the world did you learn about Christmas?”
Nate tilted his head to look way up at the commander’s face. Someday Nate would be taller and bigger. Even tougher. But now, not so much. “I can’t remember, sir.” In truth, he and his brothers had snuck into computer rooms to watch television sitcoms via satellite. The idea of Christmas had struck a chord with all of them. “Humph.” The commander clasped his hands behind his back. “I take it you were planning some sort of celebration with your brothers?” Nate’s knees wobbled, but he stayed upright. “Yes, sir. I thought the younger brothers should have good memories of their childhoods.” It was too late for him, and that was all right. But he needed to give his younger brothers something good in their lives. Plus, seeing them happy cut down on Matt’s guilt over how hard he trained them.
“How did you procure the items?” Dr. Madison asked, her pencil poised to write.
Nate shrugged. “I cut off the top of a tree and made the decorations from old weapons.” The presents, he’d either stolen throughout the compound or made himself, and those were hidden somewhere else. Hopefully safely. Jory would love the modified remote-control attack helicopter.
“I could have you hanged,” the commander said thoughtfully.
Dread and fear heated Nate’s lungs. “Yes, sir.”
The commander scratched his chin and eyed Madison. “Well?” he asked her.
Nate gulped in air and looked toward the woman. Would she want him hanged?
Dr. Madison pursed red lips. “I think we should give Cadet Nathan a choice.”
Great. Another one of her crappy experiments. “A choice, ma’am?” Nate asked.
“Yes. The first choice is that you relinquish all of the Christmas items, and we’ll forget this ever happened.” She tapped her pencil on the paper. “The second choice is that you go ahead with Christmas for your brothers, and we’ll forget this ever happened.”
Nate swallowed. “What’s the catch, ma’am?”
She smiled, revealing sharp white teeth. “A few days after your pseudo-Christmas, you go onto the training field with the three oldest Brown brothers.”
The three oldest were all around fifteen, and although Nate was a hell of a fighter, he’d get hurt. Nobody could take on all three of them.
His mind reeled as he considered his options. A little bit of pain was worth giving Shane and Jory a small bit of happiness. Of thinking they were part of a real family with good times. Plus, Matt often came back from a mission angry and depressed. A happy memory would be good for him, too.
“I’ll take the second choice—with one condition,” Nate said, his chin lifting.
Dr. Madison giggled. “Listen to the boy, Commander. He’s giving us conditions.”
The commander lifted a dark eyebrow, curiosity twisting his lip. “What’s the condition, Cadet?”
Nathan took a deep breath. Maybe the Brown brothers wouldn’t break too many of his bones. “This deal is between us, and I don’t get onto the field with the Browns until Matt is out on another mission.” Hopefully by the time Matt returned, Nate would be mostly healed.
“Interesting.” Madison smoothed-back black hair. “You don’t want him to know you’re sacrificing your health for your brothers?”
“No, ma’am.” Hell no. Matt would blame himself and maybe go off the deep end and finally challenge the commander. None of them were ready for that. Yet.
Dr. Madison nodded. “You intrigue me, young man. Just how far would you go for family? For love?”
Nate frowned. “I don’t understand the question, ma’am.”
She smiled, her eyes lighting up. “You have a deal, Cadet Nathan. Have a very merry Christmas.”
Chapter 1
Washington, DC
Five and a Half Years Later
Somebody was watching her.
Audrey Madison glanced around the opulent ballroom, her face remaining calm while her heart roared into overdrive. She had been raised by a psychopath and was alone in the world, and her instincts were finely honed. The need to fight or flee lived in her daily moments.
Now was the time to flee.
Elegant and sexy, her black cocktail dress wrapped tightly around her fit form and wouldn’t hinder her escape. Unfortunately, the three-inch Jimmy Choo heels needed to be kicked off, a necessity made nearly impossible by the two U.S. senators currently debating tort reform to her left.
She automatically smiled at a pun from one of the men and took a sip of champagne while searching unobtrusively for the threat.
Men in tuxedos and women in stunning dresses were scattered throughout the most prestigious hotel ballroom in Washington, DC. Tension rode high in the party atmosphere due to the hint of power threading through the air. The attendees of the political fund-raiser either had power and were desperate to hold on to it, or they were clutching at tendrils and trying to claim more.
Her reason for being there differed. Somewhat.
As if drawn by a magnet, her focus landed on a man leaning casually against the doorway leading to the dance floor. Although he was in disguise, recognition slammed through her, heating her ears and weakening her knees. It couldn’t be. It really couldn’t be.
Her fingers lightened around the champagne flute, and she clutched tight to keep from dropping the delicate crystal.
How could Nathan be there? Heat flowed through her so quickly her lungs seized. Adrenaline flared into her veins, and panicked tears pricked the backs of her eyes. In a nanosecond, her entire central nervous system short-circuited.
His gaze held hers captive as he lifted one lip in a mocking grin.
That one minor, sarcastic move dashed any silly dream she’d kept of his finding her. Rescuing her. Declaring he still loved her, and offering her a chance at a life.
At the realization, a very welcomed anger swept away her panic. She lifted her flute and silently toasted him, taking a deep drink and keeping his gaze, no matter how much the contact stung. Then, with a gentle smile, she turned to the men and excused herself.
Slowly, as if she had all the time in the world, she maneuvered around people, her hips nearly swaying. After five years of physical therapy, she could almost walk without a limp. The high heels were in celebration of her doctor’s visit two weeks previous, where the doctor proclaimed the last surgery had finally healed her internally. Concentrating on walking smoothly, she made her way toward the dance floor.
Even as she kept up a calm façade, her mind raced. He had to get out of there. Didn’t he realize the commander was still hunting him? For years she’d figured she’d be the bait to bring Nathan back, but she hadn’t thought he was stupid enough to seek her out. Especially in public.
The commander would have no problem causing a scene if it meant reclaiming one of the Gray brothers.
She reached Nate’s side and almost recoiled from the heat and familiar scent of the man. Male and spice, something undeniably dangerous—Nathan. All Nathan.
Instead, she held out a hand as if they’d never met. As if he didn’t still occupy every dream she had after falling into an exhausted sleep. “Hello. I’m Audrey.”
Nathan’s hand engulfed hers in a touch so familiar her heart broke all over again, even while desire unfurled inside her abdomen. “Jason Murphy. I work for the Neoland Corporation.”
Ah. Good choice. Several executives from very flush technology firms were in attendance at the ball. Audrey extracted her hand and forced an interested smile as she studied him. He had inserted brown contacts to mask his odd gray eyes, but the longer brown hair seemed to be his. She had wondered if he would grow it out after escaping the military group that had raised him. A shadow lined his jaw, also looking natural. He’d definitely hardened even more in the five years they’d been apart. “Your disguise doesn’t disguise much,” she whispered.
He lifted a muscled shoulder that revealed the true predator lurking beneath the classic jacket. “I’m done hiding.”
Those three innocuous words flared her neurons awake in terror. He had to stay in hiding from the commander and his men. “You can’t beat them.” Nobody could beat them. “Leave now, Nathan. Please.” She needed him alive, even if he hated her. The world had to keep him in it.
“Now, Audrey, you actually sound like you care.” He claimed her flute and finished the remaining champagne in two drinks, his lips over the same spot she’d used. The hard cords of his neck flexed.