by Maya Banks
“KGI has a lot of resources. There isn’t a lot we can’t find out once we set our minds to it. But beyond that, you’re important to Nathan so that makes you important to us. KGI is an organization, yes, but we’re a family first. And we go to the wall for family. Every time. No questions asked. No conditions.”
Her chin quivered as she fought the tide of emotion his heartfelt words wrought.
“I don’t make promises lightly. I don’t bullshit people. We’re going to do everything we can to get to the bottom of this. I can’t guarantee that we’ll ever know who was the mastermind of the experiments on you and Grace. But what I can guarantee is that we’re going to do everything in our power to keep you safe.”
“And Grace?” she asked anxiously.
“And Grace. I need time to look at the surveillance and to gather as much intel as I can, and then I promise you that we will find your sister and we’ll give her the same protection we give you.”
She leaned forward and gripped his hand in both of hers. She included Ethan in her gaze. “Thank you. I’ve been so worried. I don’t know what to do anymore. I didn’t want to involve Nathan, but I couldn’t turn to anyone else.”
Donovan smiled and glanced beyond her to Nathan. “I’d say you chose well. I pity the fool that tries to get between you and him.”
“Damn straight,” Nathan muttered.
NATHAN hovered over Donovan while he tied off the last stitch he’d set in Shea’s shoulder. Her face was tight. She was pale, but she hadn’t done much more than flinch as the suture pierced her skin.
When Nathan had learned that Donovan had only a skeleton med kit with him and the only anesthetic he had was topical, he’d flat out refused to let him stitch Shea up. They could wait until they reached the safe house. He wasn’t about to let her endure unnecessary pain.
It had been Shea who insisted that it be done and over with. Donovan had assured Nathan that the cut was shallow enough that the stitches wouldn’t have to be set deep and that he could do the job with minimal pain to Shea.
Nathan was convinced that Shea bore it so stoically because she wanted to avoid him losing his shit if she cried out.
“You done?” Nathan asked.
Donovan sighed, tore off his gloves and gave Nathan a disgusted look. “Yeah, I’m done.”
Shea battled a smile.
“What?” Nathan demanded.
“You,” she said. “You asked him that at least a dozen times. He’d have been done earlier if he hadn’t had to stop so many times to tell you no.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “You okay? Does it hurt? Van should have something for pain. He’s a walking medical unit. Well, usually anyway. Maybe not so much this time.”
Shea looked up to where Donovan was putting away his supplies. “Is there anything you don’t do?”
Donovan donned a thoughtful expression and then shook his head. “Nope.”
Ethan laughed from his seat several feet away. “You walked into that one, Shea.”
Shea seemed baffled by the teasing that already included her. It was something that Nathan missed all too much. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed just being a part of the Kelly family. Endless teasing. Joking. Fierce loyalty.
And now Shea was experiencing it firsthand.
Exhilaration hurtled through his veins. He couldn’t have imagined the immense satisfaction he’d experience seeing Shea accepted into his family. Although Ethan and Donovan didn’t constitute the entire Kelly clan, he couldn’t imagine the rest doing any differently. They’d love her just as he loved her. How could they not?
He had no idea how the hell he was going to work this out, but the one thing he knew was that he absolutely could not imagine a life—his life—without Shea. She’d become as essential as breathing to him.
He didn’t question it. Didn’t argue. Some things just were. And this was one of them. The biggest thing of his entire life.
“I know that look,” Ethan murmured.
Nathan swiveled around to see that Ethan had come up behind him while Donovan had taken Shea to the side to finish cleaning the suture area.
“It’s the way Sam looks at Sophie. The way Garrett looks at Sarah. The way I’m sure I look at Rachel every time she walks into the room. You have the look of a man who is only sure of one thing. That the woman he’s looking at is his, that she’s the most essential part of himself.”
Nathan eyed Ethan warily. “Since when have you gotten so in touch with your feelings?”
Hell, it was one thing to think this kind of shit, but who stood around discussing it with his brother? Nathan’s discomfort level had just skyrocketed. Yeah, he was done for when it came to Shea, but he didn’t want to discuss her with anyone else. Not yet. It was still too new. He wanted to keep every part of her to himself. He didn’t want to share her and damn sure not his feelings about her with anyone.
Ethan smiled faintly. “It’s amazing how losing the one person who matters most in the world will change your perspective in a lot of ways. Getting Rachel back—getting that miracle second chance with her—makes me aware of a lot of things I would have ignored in the past or considered myself too manly to talk about. I’ll give you shit with the best of them, but I also see the way you look at her. I like her, Nathan. She’s tough. But more than that, she gave you back to us. I’ll always love her for that no matter what.”
“Fuck you for trying to make me cry,” Nathan muttered.
Ethan chuckled but then his expression turned serious again. “You know what? You’re starting to sound like the old Nathan. I guess I have her to thank for that too. Goddamn it, you’re my brother and I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, and then when I did, I wondered if we’d really ever have you back even though you were here and alive. You were a damn shell and I’m so fucking relieved to see those glimpses of you.”
Nathan eyed his brother warily. “For God’s sake, don’t hug me.”
“How about I take you out behind the cabin when we get there and kick the ever-loving shit out of you instead?”
Nathan grinned, the ache in his chest easing just a bit. “How about you try?”
Ethan stared at him a long moment. “Welcome home, man. Just…welcome home.”
Home. Yeah. It did feel more like home now that he’d found peace. Shea. She was his peace. She’d been what was missing and why there had been such a yawning hole in his soul ever since his return.
Now it was up to him to return the favor and give her that same peace. He didn’t have a hell of a lot else to offer her. He was damaged. He wasn’t even sure what he was going to do with the rest of his life. But no other man would ever love her as much as he did. He knew that much. And no one else would be willing to give his life to protect her. Because he would if that was what it took.
He’d give her the goddamn moon if she wanted it.
He wasn’t the best man for her. She could do a hell of a lot better. But he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He’d savor every single moment with her and hope like hell that, when everything was over with, she’d want to stay. With him. Because there wasn’t a thing on this earth he wouldn’t do to make her happy and feel secure.
CHAPTER 27
“WELL, well, looks like the entire welcome wagon is here,” Donovan said as he stepped off the plane, dragging his gear with him.
Shea squinted against the sunlight as she stared onto the tarmac to see what looked like an entire military outfit. It was an imposing sight. Men…wait, there was a woman in the middle of them. Smaller but she had a look of all business. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and she wore a baseball cap so that the brim shielded her eyes.
On further inspection, the men looked to be sectioned off into groups. Not so much that they’d been partitioned intentionally, but it was like certain individuals gravitated toward each other and the result was three sections of badass-looking men—and woman—and they were all staring at her and Nathan.
Nathan bumped i
nto her from behind, grabbed her hand and all but hauled her down the few steps. Ethan and Swanny came up behind them, flanking Nathan and Shea. She appreciated that show of support. It was silly, really, but maybe they’d realized how terrified she was of exposure. Regardless, she was extremely grateful that she didn’t have to face these people alone.
It took her a moment to realize that Nathan was every bit as nervous and agitated as she was. He stared forward, silent and tense. His mind was a chaotic whirl of regret and worry.
Her heart softened and her anxiety slid away. What did she care what these people thought of her? Nathan was behind her and so were Ethan, Donovan and Swanny. Right now Nathan needed her not to be a whiny twit. He needed her strong.
She slipped her hand into his and squeezed just as they’d done for each other time and time again. The action seemed to startle him, and then he looked down at her, warmth building in his eyes, replacing the worry.
You’re not crazy, Nathan. No more than I am. If they think it of you, they aren’t worthy of your respect or your regard. But they don’t. They love you. Look at them. They’re as worried as you are. They’re afraid to approach you. They don’t want to do anything wrong. So they’re waiting for you to make the first move.
As if reinforcing the very thing that Shea had spoken in Nathan’s mind, Donovan put his hand on Nathan’s shoulder and urged him forward.
You’re amazing. Thank you. I didn’t realize how…unsure…I was about all of this. Not about you, baby. I need you to know that. Things have been off between me and my family—my brothers—ever since I came back from Afghanistan. This is the first time I’ve really faced them openly. I’d never admit this to anyone else, but I’m terrified.
The frankness in Nathan’s thoughts staggered Shea. He didn’t try to shield anything from her. He was an open book. That kind of trust was unimaginable.
Three men broke from the group and approached. The others remained behind, bags at their feet, calmly surveying the scene in front of them.
At least one of them had to be one of Nathan’s brothers. Maybe all three. But there was one who looked an awful lot like Ethan. Black hair, startling blue eyes. But bigger. Not by much, but he seemed to dwarf the others with his presence. It wasn’t just his build, though he was certainly a big guy. It was his expression. His demeanor. He wasn’t someone you’d ever want to cross. At least not without a gun and at least a hundred yards between you.
The one standing to the right had lighter hair but the same blue eyes. Definitely another Kelly. There was concern but also relief as he stared at Nathan. No condemnation just a healthy dose of relief.
When her gaze swept to the left, she felt a jolt all the way to her toes. Her mind was suddenly crowded with a surge of emotions. Anger. Relief. Confusion. Impatience. The man was broadcasting loudly in her mind. He briefly glanced over her. Dismissed her with brief irritation. He was irritated by Nathan’s seeming preoccupation with her. He didn’t understand why Nathan would drop everything to go to her. Why he wouldn’t ask his twin for help.
He felt threatened by her.
“Joe,” she whispered. This was Joe, Nathan’s twin brother, and she could slip into his mind just like she could slip into Nathan’s.
In a twisted way it made sense that she’d be able to connect to Nathan’s twin. But then little about her telepathy made sense. So much of it was random that it actually did surprise her that this could actually be called predictable. It made sense that her psychic link could be forged with the person Nathan was closest to in the world. And nothing about her gift had ever made sense before.
Joe glanced up at her sharply, his eyes narrowing. He couldn’t have heard her faint whisper but perhaps he’d heard it in his mind. She would have to carefully guard her thoughts around him and focus her connection so it would only extend to Nathan.
She didn’t want to know what his brother thought nor did she have any desire to communicate with him in such an intimate manner.
She took in several steadying breaths. She would not allow herself to be afraid or intimidated. Nathan needed her. This was difficult for him, made more so by the fact that he was thrusting her into his world and expecting his family to risk their lives to protect her.
“I’m Shea,” she said in an even voice before anyone else spoke. “Shea Peterson, though there is some doubt as to whether that is my real last name. I am, however, very real. I’m telepathic. I’m sure you have doubts where I’m concerned. I don’t blame you. Nathan risked a lot to help me. I’m sure you question why he would do it. And why he would expect you to help me as well.”
To her complete astonishment, the man in the middle, the one she thought looked so similar to Ethan, took a step forward, pulled her into his arms and hugged her so tightly that she worried she’d suffer broken ribs.
He lifted her off her feet, squeezed a little harder and then kissed her right on the forehead.
“I’d be pissed if he didn’t expect us to help. I’m Garrett, by the way. Nathan’s older brother. This is Sam on my right and Joe to the left. We’ve heard a lot about you, Shea. But you’ll understand if we’re more interested in hearing about you straight from the source.”
“Put her down, moron,” Sam said in a dry tone. “We need to be on our way. We can save the pleasantries for later.”
Garrett put Shea down but then he faced Nathan, staring at his younger brother, his expression giving nothing away. Then, as he’d done with Shea, Garrett pulled Nathan into a tight hug and pounded him on the back.
“You’ve got a hell of a lot of explaining to do, little man.”
Nathan punched Garrett in the gut. “Watch who you call little man.”
Garrett grinned and rubbed his abdomen. “Nice to see you haven’t wussed out on me in the last months. Was afraid you’d turn into a girl or something.”
Shea frowned, sure that there’d been an insult in there somewhere.
Joe still hadn’t said anything. He stared at Nathan like he was waiting. Sam glanced back at the twins and then tucked an arm around Shea’s shoulders. “Come on. We should get you into the SUV. Beavis and Butthead there will come along after they’ve had their come-to-Jesus moment.”
Shea looked back in concern, but Garrett nudged her away. “They’ve got a lot to work out between them. Joe needs to vent his spleen. This has been brewing between them for months now. The sooner they get it out in the open, the sooner things will get back to normal. As normal as things ever get in this family.”
Still she hesitated. She didn’t know these men. Didn’t know the group of men still standing in the background. She didn’t want to intrude on Nathan’s conversation with Joe, but neither was she going to get into a vehicle full of strangers without him.
“I’ll wait for Nathan here,” she said firmly, stopping several feet away from the line of SUVs.
Garrett looked surprised, and then grudging respect flashed in his eyes. He glanced over at the men standing to the side and motioned them over.
“Shea, I’d like you to meet the other members of KGI. I don’t know how much Nathan has told you about us, but we’re a private organization that does jobs no one else can or wants to do.”
“Could you be a little more vague?” she muttered.
He grinned but didn’t respond.
He pointed to a darker-skinned man with longish, unruly black hair and dark eyes. “This is Rio, one of our team leaders.”
Rio flashed her a smile. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Behind him, his team lurked, silent and tense as if ready for anything. Garrett didn’t single them out, which was just as well. She’d never remember all their names and her head was already spinning. Did it matter if she knew who they were? It sounded bitchy and ungrateful, but she was only concerned with Nathan.
Garrett then pointed to a tall man with blond hair and piercing blue eyes. Cold eyes that made her shiver as he stared at her.
“That’s Steele, our other team leader, and that’s hi
s team just behind him.”
Steele didn’t offer a greeting. He just nodded and then took a step back. Which was fine with her, because he unnerved her.
Swanny stepped in next to her. Relieved, she took his hand and clung to it. All these people made her nervous, and she was grateful for Swanny’s comforting presence. Which she supposed didn’t make a whole lot of sense given that she’d only just met him too, but they had a bond through Nathan and she felt at ease around him.
He glanced down in surprise and she thought she had offended him or unnerved him with her gesture, but when she started to pull away, his grip tightened around her hand, and to her further amazement, he offered a smile. A genuine smile. It was the first time she’d seen any emotion, good or bad, on his solemn features.
“They’re a little hard to take all at once,” he whispered down to her.
She smiled and nodded because that was exactly what she’d been thinking.
“But Garrett is right. You should be in the SUV and not in the open. I’ll go with you until Nathan makes it over.”
It was then she realized Garrett hadn’t called his men over for a meet and greet. They’d positioned themselves strategically around her. A protective shield, since she’d balked about getting into the SUV without Nathan.
Feeling like a moron, she nodded and allowed Swanny to guide her toward one of the waiting vehicles. He climbed into the back with her and shut the door. Garrett got into the front passenger seat while some of the others separated to go to the other vehicles. Donovan, Ethan and Sam remained outside at a discreet distance from where Nathan and Joe stood, and Shea realized they were looking out for their brothers.
“Did I cause this?” she asked softly in Garrett’s direction. “This problem between them?”
Garrett turned so he could look at her. His gaze softened and he didn’t look as formidable as he had before.
“No, you didn’t. This is something that has to be worked out between them. They’re very close. They’ve always worked and served together. A lot has changed for both of them, and when Nathan came home to us, Joe just wanted things to be the way they were before. They’ll be fine. You have plenty enough to worry about without being concerned that you’re the cause of a brotherly rift. In this family someone’s always pissed off at someone else, but we get over it real quick,” he added with a grin.