"While we were gone, the night Isabel was shot."
Ethan sighed heavily. Two steps forward, three steps back. Without those files, they couldn't identify The General, nor would they have enough evidence to convict Tobias Winters. Ethan just wanted all the threats against them to go away. He wanted Isabel safe.
"Don't tell Isabel yet. I want to wait till she's stronger."
Zach nodded. "Good luck with that. That girl's a bulldog. She'll find out sooner rather than later."
He was right, but Ethan would do his best to keep it from her. She didn't need to be worrying while she was trying to heal.
* * * *
Isabel longed for her bed. Not the hotel bed, although it would be a million times more comfortable than the one in the hospital, but her bed in D.C. The last couple of days had been the longest of her life, and she still couldn't believe that they had all managed to come out of everything alive and well.
Ethan hadn't left her side in the hospital for more than a few minutes. He'd only asked her one question about her time with Bruno. When she'd assured him that she hadn't been raped, they hadn't talked any more about her ordeal. She was grateful to him. It would take time to deal with the trauma of what Bruno had done to her. A few good meetings with her therapist would help as well.
The hotel suite was quiet when they returned. Gabriel and Lucas were in their room. Zach crossed the room to his computer and sat down, lifting the laptop lid and wasting no time in tapping at the keys.
Ethan set Isabel's duffel bag down on the floor. Sully stepped out of his room, scooping her up in a big bear hug that was surprisingly gentle.
"Hey, big brother," she said, smiling against his chest.
"You ready to go home?" he asked.
"More than anything."
He released her and helped her to the couch. "We leave tomorrow morning if you think you're up for it."
"I’m up for it. But wait, don't we need to stay here with Quita? Tobias is still out there."
Sully looked at Ethan, and she caught the slight jerk of Ethan's head.
"What aren't you telling me? Is Quita ok? Did Tobias get to her?" Her words became more agitated at the thought of something bad having happened to Quita. They weren't close friends, but Quita had been under their protection. Isabel couldn't stand the thought of that pervert getting his hands on her.
Ethan sat down next to her on the couch, smoothing his hand over her arm. "Quita is fine. We assume. She left. Stole the files and snuck out while we were all out dealing with Bruno."
"Why would she do that?" Isabel asked in confusion, the bitter taste of betrayal in her mouth.
"We don't know," Sully said.
"So that means no justice for those girls that Bruno and Tobias sold? And we still don't know The General's identity?"
"Well, not necessarily," Sully said. Isabel looked up at him, not understanding. Her brain was so foggy. She'd been so hopped up on painkillers the last couple of days, her mind wasn't quite as sharp as it usually was.
"The FBI found the girls. They’d been moved to another warehouse down the road in the same town. They rescued the girls and took out the buyers the same night we were dealing with Bruno."
The memory of Bruno beating her, and her salvation coming in the form of a phone call, came to mind. Tobias must have been calling about the transaction going down that same night. If it hadn't been for his call—Isabel shivered, and Ethan hugged her more closely to his side.
"I'm glad they were found," she said softly.
"But you're right in that The General's identity is still unknown. As well as the information we would need to take Tobias Winters down."
Without proof, all they had were the photos of Tobias in the back alley. A good lawyer could spin that any way he or she wanted to.
Suddenly, fatigue crashed into Isabel—a bone-crushing tiredness that came from the never-ending battle of fighting against evil, and a gunshot wound to her lung. She stood, and Ethan stood with her, his arm never leaving her. She smiled to herself. He'd relax in a day or two, but for now, she'd let him hover.
"I think I'm heading to bed. Kind of hard to rest in a hospital," she said.
Sully nodded. "Get some sleep, kiddo. We'll leave here late tomorrow morning."
Isabel leaned in and placed a kiss on Sully's cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.
His only response was a slight dip of his chin.
Isabel took Ethan's hand and pulled him towards her room. She glanced back and saw Sully watching them. She raised one eyebrow as if to say, Is this going to be a problem? Sully smiled and shook his head, turning to take his spot at the table in the dining room next to Zach.
They reached her room, and Isabel slipped her pants off and crawled into bed. She was too tired to mess with pajamas. Once she was settled, she curled up on her side. Ethan stood at the door, watching her.
"Aren't you coming?" she asked.
"I wasn't sure—"
"Ethan, I need you," she said softly.
There was so much she needed to tell him. They'd yet to discuss what had happened before she'd stormed out, but right now, she just wanted to be with him.
He stood next to her bed, and she pulled sharply on his hand, tugging him toward her.
"In bed. Now," she demanded, giving him a sly grin.
"You sure can be bossy when you want to be, darlin'," he said in that Southern drawl that flowed over her like warm honey.
"You know you like it when I'm bossy," Isabel flirted back.
"Indeed." Ethan shucked off his pants and shirt, and climbed into bed with her, wrapping her up in his arms. He leaned down, his lips meeting hers, and she melted into him.
"I thought I would never see you again," Isabel whispered against his lips.
"I thought the same thing." Ethan nuzzled her neck, placing kisses along her collarbone.
"I was so scared, Ethan."
He pulled back, cupping her face with both hands as he stared into her eyes. "I'm so sorry," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I’m so sorry he got to you—that I didn't protect you."
"No, it wasn't that. I was scared that I would never get to tell you." Isabel lifted her hand to tuck a strand of his hair behind his ear. She left her hand on his cheek.
"Tell me what?"
"That I love you."
Ethan held her tightly, as if to imprint her body onto his.
"Those are the sweetest words I've ever heard."
He found her lips again, tasting, savoring. His hands cradled her head as he feasted on her mouth. Her breathing came in short little pants, and she felt a slight sting in her chest from her injury.
"I'm sorry. You're hurt. We should—"
"Don't even think about it," she said, pulling his head back down to her. Carefully, she knelt on the bed next to him, then placed one knee on each side of him and lowered herself onto his lap. She faced him, wrapping her legs around his waist.
"You need to rest," Ethan said gently, cupping her face with his hands and looking at her with such love that she knew she'd never tire of him.
"I need to feel," she said back.
They kissed and touched and loved each other until they were both spent. After a hot bath together, they curled up on the bed. Ethan's warm body spooning her own. His arms wrapped around her. Within seconds, Isabel's eyes grew heavy as sleep fell upon her.
This. She wanted this. Forever.
* * * *
The sun peeked through the curtains of the hotel suite. Isabel stretched her arms over her head, feeling the pull of the stitches in her side. She was grateful that there were only a few, and that they should be coming out in a couple of days.
Isabel turned over and found the spot next to her empty. Where had Ethan gone? Wrapping herself in a robe, she walked into the main area of the suite, finding Zach and Sully sitting at the table.
"Morning," she said.
Both men looked up from what they were doing.
"Morning, sis," Sully said. "You sleep well?"
Zach snickered, and Isabel just rolled her eyes.
"Amazingly. How about you?" She lifted one eyebrow in challenge.
Sully grumbled something under his breath, and Isabel stifled a giggle. He could be such a grump.
Pouring herself a cup of coffee from the pot, she lifted the mug to her mouth for a sip. It was heaven.
"Have you seen Ethan this morning?" Isabel glanced at the clock, realizing it was much later than she'd imagined. Almost eleven. Wait, they were supposed to be on a plane by now.
"I thought we were leaving mid-morning?"
"Figured you needed the rest. I got us a flight out later this afternoon. And Ethan ran out earlier. Didn’t say where he was going, just that he had something he had to do," Sully said.
"Oh." That was strange. What could he possibly have had to do this morning? Isabel shrugged and sat down at the table.
"Any word on Quita?" she asked Zach.
"I caught a glimpse of her on the surveillance cameras at her house that I hacked into the night she went missing. She went inside shortly after we'd left the hotel, then came out and disappeared down the street. Other than that, nothing. It's like she's a damn ghost. No credit card to trace. No cell phone."
Isabel could feel Zach's frustration. She admitted it bothered her that Quita had betrayed them. Why had she left? And why had she taken the files with her? She'd been so scared, and Isabel knew that Bruno had something on her—something that he was using to keep her loyal. But what could it be?
"Maybe she was scared," Isabel said, feeling that it had to have been fear that had motivated her to steal the files and go on the run.
"But we're the best ones to protect her," Zach argued.
"We know that. But she doesn't. Maybe she was trying to protect you as well."
Zach thought about that for a moment, then sighed. "Well, I don't need her protection. We need the damn files."
"The chief took care of the Bruno situation, by the way. The news is reporting it as a suicide," Sully said.
"Well, that was lucky. One less police report to file. Speaking of, weren't Ethan and I supposed to make some statements?" Isabel asked, not feeling an ounce of remorse for Bruno's death.
"Once again, it's good to have friends in high places." Sully smiled. "You think you can be ready to head out shortly after lunch?"
"Of course," Isabel replied.
"I'm heading to my room now. I'll walk over and tell Gabriel and Lucas. They've been on the phone with Cate and Scarlett all morning. You'd think they couldn't get enough of each other or something," Zach said with an epic eye roll, as he pounded on the door to the guys' adjoining room.
Isabel giggled and stood to go to her room to dress and pack for the trip home. Sully reached out a hand and stopped her.
"Can we talk?"
With a sigh, Isabel sat back down. She knew she couldn't avoid a conversation much longer and figured that, with Ethan out of the room, this was probably the best time.
"How are you?" Sully asked. "Did he? I mean, Bruno. Did he—"
"He didn't rape me," Isabel said, glancing down at her hands as she played with the ties of her robe. "He tried and was interrupted by Tobias's phone call." Tears filled her eyes and ran down her cheeks. A sob broke loose before she could call it back. She took a moment to get herself under control as Sully sat patiently, his hands gripping hers tightly. "Sully, it was just like that day. Like he was recreating the event."
"He whipped you?"
Isabel nodded, not wanting to say any more. She didn't want to dwell on that event. She needed to move on. And she wanted to move on with Ethan. He was all that mattered now. She'd deal with the ramifications of Bruno's abuse later. But not today.
"I'm sorry, Izz. I should have protected you better. I should have—"
"Stop. There was nothing you could do." She smiled slightly. It was a sad smile that spoke of the unfairness of it all. Sully squeezed her hands more tightly.
"You love him?" he asked, switching topics.
"I do."
"Do you want to stay married to him?"
"Yes."
"Then you have my blessing," he said quietly. Isabel stood and rounded the table, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
"I love you, Sully. You're the best family a girl could ask for." She wiped the tears that trickled down her face. Happy tears. She was so blessed. So many terrible things had happened to them, and yet Sully had been there for her every step of the way. He was her rock. And she loved him for it.
"Back at ya. I just wish I could have walked you down the aisle," he said.
"You can," a voice said from behind her.
Isabel looked up to see Ethan standing there, a brilliant smile on his face. He rushed over and took her hand, pulling her away from the table and towards the couches. Gabriel, Zach, and Lucas stood in the doorway, matching grins on their faces. Ethan moved them closer to the couches and then sank to one knee.
"What are you—" Isabel started.
"Wait. Let me talk," he said. He wrapped his hands around hers, squeezing them tightly together.
"Isabel, you are the best thing to ever happen to me. In Sully, I found a brother, and for a while, I thought having you as a sister would be enough. But it wasn't. Now you're my wife, but not in the way I wanted you to be. Not in the way you deserve. I'd like for us to do this right." He paused, taking her hand in his and looking at her with so much love in his eyes that she felt her own filling with fresh tears.
"Isabel Castle, will you marry me? Again?"
Isabel sank to her knees in front of him. "Yes! Yes, of course I will. I love you, Ethan."
She took his face in her hands, feathering kisses over his forehead, his eyes, his nose, his cheeks, and finally his lips. He pulled away and opened a small blue box.
"You deserve a beautiful ring—not this gaudy Las Vegas bling," he said.
"Dear Lord, you're rhyming now?" she teased. It was probably the corniest line she'd ever heard, but it just made her love him even more.
Her laughter died when he opened the box. Inside lay a large solitaire diamond, cushioned by a circle of smaller diamonds. The platinum band was lined with rubies and diamonds. It was stunning. And must have cost a fortune.
"Ethan, I don't know what to say," she said, her voice breathless. "I don't need a fancy ring—"
"Shut up and put the damn ring on, Izz," Ethan drawled, laughter crinkling the corners of his eyes. Isabel laughed, then allowed Ethan to slide the ring of her dreams onto her left hand.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a smoldering kiss. Catcalls sounded from the other guys, and Isabel pulled away, laughing. The guys surrounded them, hugging her and clapping Ethan on the back.
Standing away from everyone was Sully. He hadn't said a word yet, just stood back with his arms crossed over his chest. The laughter died, and Ethan walked over to him.
"Sully, I hope you'll be happy for us. I know I went about this all wrong. But I love her. I will give my life trying to make her happy."
Sully's face broke into a slow grin, and he pulled Ethan into one of those guy hugs with lots of back slapping and jostling. Tears pricked Isabel's eyes as she watched the two people she loved most in the world embrace.
"You've always been a brother to me. Now it will be official," Sully said. The dam holding her tears at bay broke, and Isabel ran over to hug them both.
"You'll give me away?" she asked Sully.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," he said. "My sister and my best friend. What more could a guy ask for?"
Isabel's heart was so full, she thought it would explode. Her love for Ethan, her brother, and her teammates was all-consuming. When Ethan came back to her side, he scooped her up, pressing a tender kiss to her mouth.
"I love you, wife."
"I love you, husband."
Chapter 29
Four weeks later
Ethan straightened his light blue tie. Isabel h
ad demanded that their wedding be more on the casual side. She didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding when they were already married.
Once the dust had settled, Isabel had remembered more and more of their tacky Vegas wedding. She'd also remembered their night together. They'd had many more since that fateful evening that had given him the best gift he'd ever received: Isabel—his heart and soul.
Their wedding would be held at the National Arboretum, in the middle of the columns there. Sully had a friend who'd pulled some strings, so the venue was costing them very little.
A knock sounded on the door to his room at the warehouse, where he lived with the rest of the Castle team. It was three stories, with the top floor housing the team and the middle floor hosting the offices, while the main floor was a large room that housed their workout equipment, shooting range, and a place to meet with clients. Their reception would be held on the bottom floor.
"Come in," he said.
His mother, Farrah Brooks, opened the door. She'd flown in from Texas yesterday, and he'd been so happy to see her.
Her long blonde hair was wavy and loose around her shoulders. She wore a cream-colored lace dress and teal cowboy boots. She looked far younger than she was. He wondered if she'd ever marry again. He wanted her to be happy. He crossed the room and pulled her into a hug.
"I’m so glad you could come," he said, standing back with his hands on her shoulders.
She lifted her palm to his cheek. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world." She smiled. "Isabel is a lovely girl. And she seems to love you very much."
"I'm a lucky man."
"You certainly are." Sorrow filled his mother's eyes. "I just wish your father were alive to see you."
"Mom, I'm not sure Dad would even have attended. He was so angry at me when I left."
"Ethan, your dad loved you," she said quietly, confusion clear on her face, as if she didn't understand why Ethan would think that.
Ethan pulled away, tucking back a lock of hair that had come loose from where he'd pulled it back, securing it at the nape of his neck. He'd offered to cut it, but Isabel had said that she loved his hair this way.
Castle Investigations Box Set Page 72
