by Shayla Black
Depending on the type of protective armor, there might not be much to celebrate.
Beck prioritized Dean’s visible injuries. Right now, he was far more worried about the cop’s labored breathing than a potential spinal injury.
“Take him inside. Lay him on the dining room table,” Beck instructed as they rushed to the lodge.
Seth was already at the portal, clearing a path for them. “What do you need?”
“My medical bag, upstairs by the bed. And towels…lots of towels,” Beck called over his shoulder as he raced toward the massive table behind River.
In his periphery, he noted Gloria consoling a weeping Ngaire while Hammer and Liam soothed Raine. Heavenly comforted a grieving Zach on the couch beside her, sharing her recent struggles with loss in soft, understanding tones. Beck’s chest nearly burst with love, listening to her sharing her big heart with his brother.
Though palpable sorrow hung in the air, he felt his chosen family’s love and compassion swirling there as well. Drawing on that energy, Beck tugged down the zipper of Dean’s jacket.
“Dean. Dean,” River barked anxiously. “Come on, man. Open your eyes.”
Beck held his breath as he stared at the injured man’s bullet-riddled shirt.
Moment of truth.
Digging his fingers into the fabric, Beck ripped the buttons away, barely cognizant of them pinging off the hardwoods. The instant he saw the flattened silver flowers—twelve of them—pressed into the material of the bulletproof vest, he exhaled in relief. The ceramic ballistic plates Dean had slipped inside his tactical SWAT armor had saved his life.
At least for now, but he was far from out of the woods.
“Get that vest open,” Beck snapped as Seth returned with a load of towels.
As he and River worked the clasps, Beck began taking Dean’s vitals. The man was stable, but the long laceration and massive hematoma on his forehead, coupled with his lack of consciousness, worried him. The possibility of internal injuries was high, but after a fall like that, he couldn’t rule out brain damage.
Beck hadn’t lied to Esther. He had packed the supplies to perform any number of surgeries. Unfortunately, without conclusive information from an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, he had no clue what other trauma Dean had suffered.
As the two men across the table finally peeled back the bulletproof vest, Beck scowled. The uneven rise and fall of Dean’s chest confirmed he had a collapsed lung. Grabbing his stethoscope, Beck listened to his respiration, then quickly scrubbed in and gloved up.
After grabbing a string of rubber tubing, a couple of iodine caps, and his scalpel, he peered up at Seth. “Grab my phone from my pocket and scroll through my contacts. Find Dr. Litchfield and call him. Tell him we need a chopper to take Dean to LA stat. And ask him to reach out to Dr. Tran since he’ll need a pulmonologist, too.”
“You got it.” The big PI rounded the table, fished out the device, and got down to business.
“Is he”—River gripped the table and gulped—“going to make it?”
“Probably. He’s got at least one broken rib. I can reinflate his perforated lung and splint his arm, but beyond that...” Beck shrugged. “I don’t know what the fuck we’re dealing with.”
In the background, Beck heard Seth filling Brad Litchfield in on Dean’s condition, communicating their urgency for a medical chopper. While Seth roped Liam into supplying their exact location, Beck tilted Dean slightly onto his side and draped a couple towels beneath his torso.
The cop’s cell phone began to ring. River quickly fished out the device and answered the call. “Hey.” Pause. “No. Name’s River. Who’s this?” he asked suspiciously. “Yeah, well…you’re a little late, Jericho. The fight’s over.” River paused and mouthed FBI before glancing down at Dean. “He can’t talk right now. He’s pretty messed up. There’s a doctor working on him.”
Beck tuned out the conversation and swabbed the iodine caps over Dean’s ribs before gripping his scalpel and carefully slicing through the soft cartilage in between. Focused on working the rubber tubing through the incision, which allowed the escaped air to drain and the affected lung to reinflate, Beck barely noticed River dart into the great room. But he heard the man’s edict loud and clear.
“Stash the illegal weapons now!” River barked. “Dean’s friend from the FBI and a bunch of agents will be here in less than twenty.”
“Shit! Move, gang!” Seth shouted.
As the flurry of heavy footfalls echoed around him, Beck listened to Dean’s lungs again. Satisfied he’d been successful, he taped the tube in place and examined the angry laceration on the man’s head. After flushing the wound, Beck sterilized the site before stitching it. As he tied off another suture, he wondered how rigorous the FBI’s investigation would be. Would they realize the few legal weapons to be found wouldn’t at all match the ballistics around the scene and inside the fallen bodies? There’d be billions of questions, but at that particular moment, Beck couldn’t care.
River returned a few minutes later to clutch Dean’s hand, taking up silent sentry.
As Beck snipped off the last stitch and turned his attention to the cop’s broken arm, Seth emerged from the wine cellar and closed the door behind him.
“Everything stashed away?” Beck asked.
“As much as it can be. Now we’ll have to hope they don’t do more than a cursory search.” Seth strode toward the table. “How’s he doing?”
“Vitals are stable, but he’s still unconscious.”
The PI’s subtle nod told Beck he didn’t need to voice his worry. “The chopper should be here soon.”
Beck winced. “Christ, I haven’t had a chance to consider… Where the fuck are they planning to land? There’s nothing but hills and trees and rocks up here.”
“Buddy and River will put Dean in the back of River’s truck and drive him to the bottom of the hill. There’s a flat area, and the power lines will be well away from the rotors.”
“Thank fuck.”
“We’re going to send River on with Dean. Buddy will bring the truck back.” Seth hesitated. “But I need to talk to you about Adam.”
“Where’s his body?”
“On the porch. I don’t want Ngaire to see him like this, but we can’t tamper with a crime scene…”
Guilt sludged through Beck. There was no way for him to atone for the pain he’d caused today, but he could try to ease their suffering. “All we can do is cover his wounds.” With a last glance at Dean, he backed away. “I’ve done what I can here. Let’s go.
“Yeah. Ngaire is already asking to see him.” To say goodbye. “I saw a big blanket while I was searching for towels.”
“Grab it. I’ll meet you out front.”
When Beck glanced around the family room, Heavenly lifted her head and sent him an encouraging smile. All he wanted to do was gather her in his arms, carry her upstairs, and hold her. But he couldn’t steal selfish minutes now when those who’d risked their lives for him still needed help. Just being near her bolstered him.
With a last heartfelt stare in her direction, he stepped onto the porch.
Liam and Seth stood beside Adam’s body.
“I’m sorry,” Beck said to his Irish friend in all sincerity.
“Me, too,” Liam murmured. “He was a good man who took his duties seriously. When he wasn’t working, he was quick to laugh and always had a joke. But he insisted on helping today, even knowing the risks.”
Beck swallowed tightly. “I hate that—”
“No.” Liam clapped his shoulder. “Don’t you be blaming yourself. I’d never seen the spark of excitement shine in Adam’s eyes like it did before he climbed that tree. Defending you—hell, all of us—made him feel young and vital again. Every human light on this planet should be so lucky to go out like that.”
Liam’s words pierced the veil of his guilt. Beck wanted to sob like a fucking kid but managed to hold himself together.
Easing to his knees, he smoothed Adam’s
lids closed gently before he took the blanket from Seth’s waiting hands and covered the dead man from the neck down. He hated that he couldn’t repair the damage done. But unlike his crazy family, he knew no mortal on earth was divine enough to be God. This was the best he could do to minimize Ngaire’s trauma.
“I’m going to check on Heavenly,” Seth announced. “You get Dean ready for transport.”
Before they could, the FBI arrived. Jericho Waters, Dean’s fed friend, showed up with a handful of agents, took a look at the carnage, and started asking questions. They interrogated River and Buddy first so Dean could rendezvous with the medical chopper. A nice but no-nonsense female agent questioned the women. Beck paced the living room as he waited for his own inquisition to begin.
An hour later, Seth emerged from the study after his interview with Senior Special Agent Waters and sidled up to him with a grin. “They’re going easy on us.”
Beck whipped his head around. He’d been nervous as fuck. “Seriously?”
“They don’t give a shit what we killed these fuckers with. Jericho didn’t even ask me where we got the hardware and told me point-blank they don’t intend to search the house.”
“No shit?”
Seth’s grin widened. “Well, first, it’s clear Jed and his army attacked us. But The Chosen have been on the feds’ radar for years. They’re relieved not to have another potential Waco on their hands. We got brownie points for not annihilating them in Messiah City and being quiet enough not to alert cable news. We made their ‘little problem’ just—poof—magically go away.”
“I need to tell them there are still women and children in the compound who need saving. The elders—”
“They know. Zach has been with some of Jericho’s men for a while.”
“Thank God.” Maybe those poor people would finally be free from oppression and abuse. “And what about all the bodies outside?”
“The feds are calling in a cleaning crew. I passed Liam on my way into my interview, and he said he’s already been in touch with a local mortuary for Adam’s arrangements. Gloria is comforting Ngaire at her place until her children arrive, which should be soon. He also says he’s got a line on a construction company who can repair this place. So stop worrying.”
“I’m trying. He better fucking let me pay for this damage.”
Seth shrugged. “I’ll let you two fight that out.”
Zach trudged his way upstairs from the wine cellar and headed to the living room. He looked shaken and exhausted but resolved.
Beck approached him. “You all right?”
“Yeah.” Zach nodded grimly. “The FBI plans to raid Messiah City tonight. I’m sure they’ll arrest the elders and free the girls. I’m going to help end this madness. Maybe they’ll find Faith and Joanna, too…” He choked on grief. “They deserve a proper burial at least.”
As if speaking the words aloud somehow made their deaths more real, Zach finally broke. A sob escaped. Tears fell from his eyes.
“Fuck.” Seth’s voice was barely above a strained whisper.
Yeah, Beck felt sorry for the bastard, too. If Zach had found his own version of happiness sooner, maybe things would have ended differently. But he’d chosen his head over his heart—and it had cost him.
He glanced across the room at Heavenly again. She would always be his little girl, but now that she’d found the courage to make her choice, she had become his woman. And he was so fucking glad she’d picked them. He and Seth would spend every day of their lives making sure she never regretted a moment.
Beck pulled a business card from his wallet and handed it to his brother. “After you clean house down there, you’ll need help starting a new life. Call me. I’m here for you.”
Zach nodded. “Thank you.”
For the first time in two decades, he wrapped his arms around his brother and hugged him. Vaguely, he wondered when any member of his family had last given Zach affection.
“For the record, I always thought you would be our savior,” his brother said as he eased away. “Today just proved it.”
Jericho exited the study, Liam in tow. After they shook hands, the Irishman went upstairs to find Hammer and Raine. His smile said the ordeal was over.
The fed helped put Zach in the custody of the other agents, then returned, motioning Beck to join him in the study. He swallowed his nerves and followed.
A mere twenty minutes later, he stepped out to find Seth waiting expectantly. Heavenly bustled around the kitchen nearby.
“Well?” the PI asked.
Beck remained mute until Jericho stepped out the front door to holler at the agents still cataloging the scene, then he turned to Seth. “Just like you said, he didn’t give two shits. Mostly, he asked me questions about my experiences with The Chosen. It only took Dean’s pal about two minutes to verify I haven’t lived there since I was a kid, so after all the background information Zach and I gave him, I think it’s safe to say every one of those elders are probably going to prison. Let’s see how long they last.”
“What about the wives and the children?”
“Some will want a new life, but they don’t have any way to understand the outside world, so they’ll struggle. There are rescue groups who can help…but it will be an adjustment. It was for me, and I was a kid. But some will resist changing their way of life. They’ll be welcomed into similar groups in Montana, Colorado, Texas… These sick fuckers are everywhere.”
“It sucks, but you can’t save people from themselves. You learn that fast as a cop.”
“You see it in medicine, too. It’s sobering.”
Seth nodded slowly. “You okay?”
“I will be, but I could use some alone time with our girl. I’m sure you feel the same.”
“Affirmative.”
“What’s she doing?” He peered at her scurrying around the kitchen.
A smile quirked up Seth’s lips. “She was going a little crazy worrying about you and she needed something to do, so I gave her some structure.”
Beck was glad Seth had had the presence of mind to help their girl, rather than let her stew. “Too bad she’s not wearing that little apron.”
She paused drying dishes and cast them a mischievous smile over her shoulder. “That could soon be arranged…”
They both laughed before Seth winked. “I already have some household tasks in mind, angel.”
“For me to fail?” She flashed them her dimples. “Why not?”
“Let’s head upstairs, huh?” Beck murmured to Seth. “More privacy.”
“Hell yeah. I’m all for that.” The big guy grinned like he was looking forward to getting lucky. And maybe he would but…
“I think we need to talk.” Beck had questions, and he needed answers.
Seth froze, then nodded grimly. “All right. I’ll head up and see if we can sit on the balcony or if it’s shrapnel central.”
“Thanks.”
As Seth mounted the stairs, Beck approached Heavenly, who shut off the kitchen sink, dried her hands, then turned to him with a hug. “So you’re done with the FBI?”
“Yeah. I think everyone is.”
“Good. While you were with Agent Waters, Buddy came back. He’s down at Ngaire’s with Gloria now. They said they’re going to head back to Vegas in the morning.”
Their lives could get back to normal. Beck hoped he, Seth, and Heavenly could do the same. “I’m sure they’ll be relieved.” Beck held out his hand. “Come with me. We want to be alone with you, little girl.”
Her smile was so full of welcome and understanding. “Lead the way.”
As she slipped her hand in his, they climbed the stairs.
When his phone dinged, he pulled it free to find a message from River. Made it to LA. Dean in surgery to repair arm. He was conscious in chopper. Nothing else broken. Initial prognosis good.
Inside the bedroom, Seth waited. “The balcony is a no-go. Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he said as he flashed Heavenly River’
s message.
She read it and smiled. “Well, there’s some good news.”
Seth leaned in to see it. “Yeah. He had me really fucking worried. Honestly, I thought he was dead.”
“Me, too,” Beck admitted. “I’m sure he’s got a hell of a concussion, and that arm is going to be a bitch for a while. But he’s tough and he’s in good shape. I’m sure that helped.”
“Definitely. But I thought River was going to lose his shit.” Seth shut the bedroom door, enclosing them in privacy as he shook his head at Heavenly. “You should have seen him.”
“Poor guy. Dean is his best friend, but I feel especially sorry for Ngaire.” Then she turned to Beck and squeezed his hand. “Today has been pretty overwhelming. I know it’s been really hard on you, too. What you endured was terrible. But everything is going to be okay.”
Beck raised a brow. “Is it? I killed my own brother. I let my mother die.”
“How much mercy did they ever show you?” Heavenly asked.
None.
“Exactly. You did the world a favor,” Seth assured. “If you hadn’t ended them, how many others would have suffered those victims’ terrible fates?”
“Even one more was too many.” Heavenly cupped his face. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Absolutely. You slayed your dragons, man.” Seth held up his fist. “Way to go.”
Beck scowled. “You make me sound like some fucking hero.”
“Where I come from, you are.” Seth sent his fist a pointed stare. “And you better not leave me hanging, asshole. If you do, I know this woman and her donkey…”
He couldn’t not chuckle as he bumped Seth’s fist. “Got her on speed dial already?”
“Please no…” Heavenly shook her head. “Just no.”
As much as Beck would rather joke and forget that today had happened, he feared none of this would be swept under the rug so easily. “Can you really live with what I’ve done?”
“Stop worrying.” Her face softened. “Kenneth Beckman, I can’t live without you.” She turned to Seth. “The same goes for you, Mr. Cooper. I love you.”
Beck exhaled in relief. That was exactly the way he wanted it. “I can’t live without you two, either.”
