by Kelly Moore
I go back inside and tell Sean and Ember the plan. Sean’s resistant at first. I ask him to follow me up on the deck.
“Look. You know better than anyone how we’ve lived the last couple of years. I’m tired of running, always looking over my shoulder.”
He glances down and then picks up my hand. “You got married?”
“Yes. I’m sorry we didn’t wait for you.”
He hugs me hard. “I’m so happy the two of you finally pulled it off, whether I was there or not.”
“I wanted to be married when Lily met her father for the first time.”
“You don’t have to explain it to me.”
“Then I shouldn’t have to explain to you why I have to do this.”
His eyes move back and forth, looking into mine. “I do understand. I just don’t want you to risk your life.”
“If I don’t, she’ll never leave us alone. Do you think I want to die? I’ve got a husband and a child I want to finally have a life with. I’m so close to happiness I can feel it.”
“Okay,” he finally relents. “We’ll do it your way.”
“Thank you.”
“Everything okay out here?” Theo pokes his head out.
“Yes. Let’s go.” He places his radio back in his ear, and I grip mine in my hand until we’re back in our boat. I lay it on the small console by the wheel. We hold back until Sean has the boat moving out into the water.
I steer, tucking us in behind him. We pass several boats. Theo is in the back with his binoculars watching for Nina. Out of nowhere, a boat cuts between us. It’s Nina. She looks over her shoulder and smiles as she increases her speed.
Throttling down, I bump the back end of her boat. It takes her off course getting her off Sean’s tail. He maneuvers between two boats, and Nina can’t get next to him. She speeds through a no-wake zone, and I take off after her. She manages to put a good distance between us. She speeds around an island out in front of us, and when we round the corner, there’s no sign of her.
“Shit! Where is she?” I scream.
Theo talks on his radio. “Rebel, are you in the air?”
I assume he says yes by his response. “From the coordinates Sean gave you, go due east. We chased her around an island but lost her. We need eyes above.”
I spot the corner of her boat hiding behind an old tanker docked out in the water. Those things always have some fuel left on them. I peer through the binoculars while Theo is distracted. I locate the fuel tank. It’s just to the left of where Nina is parked.
Theo is near the edge of the boat, still giving directions to Rebel. I hate what I’m about to do, but it’s my only chance at ending Nina’s game forever. I quietly step behind Theo and shove him hard. I run to the throttle and power it down. When I look back, Theo is submerging from the water, and the chopper is in the distance.
Nina sees me and moves the boat in front of the tanker near the fuel tank. Slowing my speed, I grab the radio and put it on. “Rebel.”
“What the fuck are you doing, Fallon?” His voice is loud.
“Theo told me about the time you and Thorn planned an avalanche.”
“Now is not the time to reminisce, doll.”
“He also told me you had a plan to get out.”
“What are you gettin' at?” His tone changes to fear.
“I need you to be ready to rescue me.” I take the radio out of my ear and toss it into the water.
Chapter 24
Rebel
“What are you planning?” I yell out of frustration and lack of control.
“Sir.” Thorn points to a tanker.
There’s a boat parked in front of it, and I see Fallon starting toward it. “No!” I howl. “Fallon! Do you hear me?”
Thorn lowers the chopper closer to the water. I see Theo swimming in the water. Sean’s on the deck of a boat, steering toward Theo.
“What the hell happened?” I shout.
“She shoved me in the water,” Theo answers. “Go after her before it’s too late.”
Thorn presses harder, but the scene in front of me plays out in slow motion. Fallon is going full throttle toward the tanker. Nina isn’t moving. I think she’s counting on Fallon chickening out at the last minute and turning.
I know in my heart of hearts, she’s not. She won’t let her sister win this time. My mind flashes to the years I’ve known her, and how strong and independent she’s become. I’m sure the past two years have only strengthened her tenfold. She’s a mother protecting her cub. That’s the difference between this time and all the others when she couldn’t pull the trigger, begging to spare her sister.
My wife. My wife is going to sacrifice herself for all of us. “No!” This time my cry is filled with heartache.
She will not budge.
She will not turn away.
She’s heading full speed toward her.
I can’t stop her.
I can’t fucking breathe.
I can’t look away or close my eyes, they’re glued to her.
Her moment of impact tosses her backward. Nina’s boat crashes into the tanker. I see her gaze up, and then fire erupts with a loud explosion.
“No!” I roar.
Thorn dips the chopper down close to the water as we get closer. I unstrap, and he grabs my arm, halting me.
“You take guide of the chopper. I’m going after her.”
“She’s my wife,” I protest, throwing his arm off me.
“Listen to me. You have a daughter you need to think about. You’re in no shape to be down there. Lily needs you.”
As much as I hate it, he’s right. Plus, he doesn’t leave me any choice when he unbuckles, releasing the controls. He throws off his helmet and sunglasses and jumps into the water. Black smoke is billowing above the flames.
I watch helplessly as Thorn swims toward the burning boats.
“Do you see her?” Theo is on the radio. Sean’s boat is not far from the wreckage.
“No,” I answer and see Theo jump into the water.
I fly the chopper around to the other side of the tanker, hoping like hell to get a glimpse of her. Debris floats in the water, but I don’t see any bodies.
“Thorn! Where is she?” I can no longer see him. My heart stops when he emerges from under the flames with a body that’s facedown. All I can see is long brunette hair floating in the water.
“It’s Nina.” Thorn gasps as if he’s trying to take in air. “She’s dead.” He lets go of her body, and it floats lifelessly toward Theo. “Any sign of Fallon?” My heart starts beating, but faster this time.
“Not yet.” Thorn dives back under the flames.
Theo drags Nina’s body to Sean’s boat, then heads back toward the flames.
Time stands still for me. I want to land this chopper and go after her. It should be me down there. She said I had to save her. I’ve done nothing but fail the woman I love. I don’t know how to go on without her. How will I know how to take care of Lily? How do I tell her about what happened to her mother? There are so many thoughts running through my head as I can do nothing but wait.
Sean moves the boat closer. Too close, then I see why. He jumps in from the upper deck.
“Fuck!”
“Theo, if you can hear me. Tell my brother to get his ass out of the water.” He doesn’t respond.
Thorn and Theo emerge at the same time from the flames with Fallon. She’s faceup but not moving.
I have a hard time asking the question. “Is she alive?”
Neither one of them answer. Sean helps them get her to the boat and then drags her out of the water. I watch, still helpless as Sean checks for a pulse. He starts chest compressions as my men climb on the boat. Theo gives her breaths as Sean and Thorn swap doing the compressions. Ember is on the deck holding a small child in her arms. She’s tucking her head into her neck so she can’t see what’s going on.
“Lily,” I whisper as tears fill my vision.
“I can feel a pulse,” Theo says.
Within seconds, Fallon’s body is jerking upward, spewing out water while trying to take in air.
My tears go from sheer heartache to relief. “Thank you,” is all I can choke out. I hover over, watching. Fallon sits for a moment before my brother helps her up off the deck. She walks over and looks at Nina’s body. She holds her hand out toward Theo, and he gives her his radio.
“She’s finally gone,” she says with so much emotion that my heart aches for her.
I want to yell and scream at her for what she did, but what comes out is, “I love you.”
She yanks the radio off and runs over to the woman holding the little girl, cradling her in her arms, rocking her back and forth. Sean gets back on deck and starts the boat. I fly protectively over them, not wanting to get ahead of them. When he gets near the island, I take off to the landing area.
The blades are still moving when I jump out and my leg buckles. I stand tall and walk as fast as I can toward a soldier waiting on me in a jeep. “Move over,” I bark, and get behind the wheel. I drive, honking through every stop sign, nearly running over pedestrians to get to the marina. I shove the jeep into park and limp toward the docks. Theo and Thorn are in front. Fallon is holding our daughter, walking behind them. Then I see Sean with his arm wrapped around the woman who was protecting my daughter.
My men walk past me and stop behind me in a brotherly show of support. Fallon, who’s soaking wet and has burn marks on her arms, sets Lily on her feet and runs into my arms.
“I love you, too,” she cries. She kisses me. “You scared the shi…crap out of me,” I say.
“I know. I’m so sorry.” She takes my hand, and we face the child clinging to my brother’s leg.
“It’s good to see your ugly mug,” Sean says.
“You too, brother,” I say as I squat. “Are you Lily?” I brush back a piece of her hair.
She nods shyly.
Fallon squats next to me. “Lily. I want you to meet your daddy.”
Eyes that match mine grow large. “Daddy,” she repeats.
Sean nudges her with his knee, and she slowly moves toward me. Her little hand reaches out to touch the scar on my face. “You have a booboo.” She frowns.
I pick her up and stand. She leans back to get a good look at me. “It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt.” I chuckle.
She cuts her eyes to Fallon for reassurance. “You have an ouchie too.” She points at Fallon’s arm.
She takes her out of my arms. “It’s alright. The important thing is, is that we’re all safe, and we’re finally going to live happily ever after.”
Lily smiles. “Like in the books you read me?”
“Yes, doll,” I say, “just like in the stories.” I hug both of them to me.
“We should get her burns tended to,” Theo says, clearing his throat. I release them and walk into the arms of my brother. “Thank you for taking care of her all these years.”
“Who are you kidding, she took care of me. That’s one badass wife you have.” He slaps me on the back.
I angle toward the woman next to him. “You must be Ember.”
She nods, tucking herself into Sean’s side. “And you must be the SEAL.”
“Ex-SEAL,” I say. “Thank you for protecting Lily.”
“I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” She kisses Sean on the cheek.
“Looks like you found you one badass too.” I laugh.
I climb in the jeep with Fallon, Lily, and Theo. Sean and Ember leave to go get a room at the hotel. Thorn stays behind, calling in the local authorities to claim Nina’s body.
My heart pounds as Lily lets me hold her while the doctors check out Fallon. I can’t believe she’s mine. Theo was right; looking at her eyes, there’s no denying it. An instant love fills me like I’ve never felt before. I’ve missed out on two years of her life, but I’ll promise to be here for her for the rest of my life.
She squeals when she sees Fallon coming toward us. “Momma.” She doesn’t try to get out of my arms. We walk out of the hospital together. Fallon stops me before I climb in the jeep.
“I need to see her.”
I know who she’s talking about. “Theo, can you take Lily to Sean and Ember? There’s something we need to do.”
He knows what it is without asking. “Sure. I’d love for Lily to spend some time with her uncle Theo.” He ruffles her hair.
“You go with Uncle Theo and be a good girl.” Lily peeks up at him and smiles. “Okay.”
I take Fallon’s hand, and we go back inside. Thorn radioed me earlier to let me know Nina’s body was being taken to the hospital. We stop at the front desk, and we’re directed where to go. After I show my military identification, they escort us into a room that feels like a freezer. Nina is lying on the table with a sheet draped over her body. Her face is the only thing showing. Parts of her hair are burned off, and her eyepatch is gone.
“Give me a minute,” Fallon asks, and I release her hand, stepping to the back of the room.
I watch as she pulls the sheet back. Most of her body is charred. She quickly lays it back over her. Her head bobs up and down as she speaks to her. “I’m sorry it had to come to this.” She sniffs. “I wish a million times over things would’ve been different for you. I hate that your childhood was so screwed up that it turned you into a monster.” She touches her hair. “I’m thankful you got me out of there. It was the kindest thing you ever did, and you never gave me the chance to thank you. You were so torn with hate and jealousy that it consumed you. In another life, maybe we could’ve been true sisters. I hope somehow, wherever you are now, that you’ll find peace and love. The love you never got on this earth. We all deserve that.” She sobs. “As much as I wanted a sister, I couldn’t let you harm the people I loved. You had to die, and I had to be the one to do it. I couldn’t have watched Rebel kill you. It would’ve taken a part of me away from him.”
Now I get it. It wasn’t only about Fallon’s revenge. It was about saving the two of us. I walk over and pull her into my chest. “I fucking love you.”
She peers up at me with tears streaming down her dirty face. “You have to stop swearing. You have a daughter who will mimic you.”
“Okay.” I chuckle, kissing the top of her head. “Come on. Let’s get a room so you can get cleaned up.”
“Will you shower with me?” she asks as we head out the door.
“You never have to ask. But after that, I’d like to spend some time getting to know my daughter.”
“Our daughter,” she corrects me.
“I love the sound of that. Do you think you’d be up to having another one?” I ask, laughing.
“I want nothing more.” She answers me with a kiss.
Chapter 25
Fallon
Six months later…
* * *
“I can’t wait to see the new baby,” I say as Rebel opens the car door for me.
“The one that was born today or the one in your belly.” He pats my baby bump.
“We have a while before this one will make an appearance.” He opens the back door and gets Lily out of her car seat.
She’s adjusted well, and she adores her daddy. It doesn’t help that he spoils her rotten. He retired from the Gunners and bought us the perfect blue wooden cottage surrounded by a picket fence not far from where his other house sat. He’s making every one of my dreams come true. I’ve never been happier or felt safer.
We walk into the waiting room, and the entire team is there. Thorn, Lauryn, the newlyweds…Lawson and Honor. Remington, Tate, and even Mad Dog are here. Sean and Ember are snuggled in the corner, looking the happiest I’ve ever seen him.
“Has anyone seen the little guy yet?” Rebel asks.
“No. We’ve been waiting on your sorry ass to show up,” Thorn digs at him.
“Well, the wait is over.” He bursts through the doors, heading straight for Fiona’s room.
Theo is lying on the bed beside her with the baby cradled on his chest.
&nbs
p; “Congratulations, you two,” he says, placing Lily on the end of the bed.
Theo stands proudly, holding out his son. “I want you to meet our son.” He looks back at Fiona. “Theodore Reid Drake.”
Proud Grandpa takes him from Theo. “You kept the Reid name.” He has tears in his eyes.
He crawls in next to Fiona, hugging her. “Are we calling him Reid?”
The room breaks out in laughter. “No, Daddy. He’s little Teddy.” Fiona is beaming.
“Now that he’s here, you’re not really taking him with you, are you?”
She playfully swats his leg. “Yes, he’s going with us. You can come too.”
“No. You and Theo deserve this chance. Just know we’ll always be here for the three of you.” He reaches back and holds Honor’s hand. “Besides, we’ll have lots of time to come visit now that I’m not training this team anymore.”
“What are you going to do?” I ask Honor.
“I’m being transferred to Washington.”
“She’s been hired by the CIA to run a team behind the scenes,” Lawson says proudly.
“It sounds safe.” I laugh.
“Yes, safe. That’s a word I like to hear.” He smacks her on the ass. Lawson passes the baby around the room.
“While we’re all in the same room, I have an announcement to make.” All heads turn in my direction, and Rebel frowns. I take his hand in mine. “I had a sonogram earlier this morning.”
“What?” Rebel interrupts. “I told you I wanted to go to all of them with you,” he scolds.
“Yes, you did, but if you did that, I wouldn’t have an announcement to make.” I playfully swat him in the chest.
“Well, don’t keep us waiting,” Lauryn says.
I place my hand on my growing belly. “This little one is a boy.”
Rebel’s eyes grow large. “Really? I’m having a son?”
He picks me up in his arms, twirling me around. “We’re having a son,” I say through a giggle.
