Protector of Novah (Valor Knights Book 1)
Page 19
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“I think Gammon’s wife should hear his fate from me. He wanted the truth to be out. Novah and Finley will be okay now.” He felt he owed it to Gammon to tell his wife the truth, at least enough that she understood her husband cared for her.
“You don’t want to tell them that you’re leaving?” Justice pulled a chair out from the table and sat down, stretching his legs.
“Trust me, she’ll be grateful that I didn’t stick around.” He remembered the expression she’d made when he told her he’d signed a contract to do training overseas. He’d witnessed any chance for them fade on her lovely face. Egan loved her enough to let her go completely so she could be happy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“I COME TO you tonight for the first time to speak about the tragic death of my lovely wife, ShyAnne Langley.” Peter paused as if to gain his equilibrium. “Law enforcement, as well as my own security team, are still investigating the event but what I can tell you now is that one of my own staff is responsible for her death. Mike Gammon was infatuated with my wife and when she resisted his advances, he strangled her in a fit of rage. I ask that everyone please give me the necessary time so that I might grieve for my terrible loss. I assure you though,” he looked straight at the camera, “I will continue the race for governor. That’s what my adoring wife would have wanted. Thank you for all your concern and condolences.”
Novah turned off the TV, feeling sick.
“Do you think he helped kill her?” Rita asked from the flowered chair in Novah’s living room. “I bet that devil set it up.”
“We know Gammon killed her. It’s possible Langley was the brains of the operation.”
“If only Gammon hadn’t killed himself. I feel so terrible for his family.” Tears filled Rita’s eyes. “You and Egan…well, I can’t even think about what could have happened. Have you spoken to him?”
“No.” Her mind traveled back to that morning three days ago that she woke up and Justice told her that Egan had left. She took that as a goodbye. Was she supposed to feel grateful because what she felt was anything but relief?
She fought back tears. What was wrong with her? Why did she feel like she was on a roller coaster?
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“For getting you into this mess. You’ve always being here for Finley and me. You’ve put everyone ahead of yourself so much.”
“I’ll always be here for you two.”
“Maybe it’s time you thought about what’s best for you.”
Rita frowned. “What are you saying? I love being here with you and Finley.”
Novah took her mother’s hand. “And we enjoy you being here, but you deserve to move on too, Mom. What I saw in you when you were near Owl speaks volumes.”
“That’s silly.” She waved the air as if she could wipe away Novah’s words.
“I haven’t seen you blush like this ever before. It’s okay if you like him. It’s okay to want him.” Novah offered her an encouraging smile.
At first, she thought her mom might deny the accusation, but instead she broke out in a giggle. “Is it that obvious? I haven’t felt this giddy in forever.”
“Owl is a lucky man.”
“But you don’t know him.” Her mother’s eyes shone like the stars.
“I don’t need to know him to see the positive changes he’s stirred in you. You’re glowing.”
“And so did you when you and Egan were together,” Rita said matter-of-factly.
“It’s never that simple.” Novah felt her shoulders give under the invisible pressure.
“Look, I’m going to speak my peace and then you’ll have to do what you feel is right. I know I’ve always given you reason to think that I don’t like Egan, but that’s not true. After the Langley debacle, I like Egan even more. He loves you, sweetheart. It’s obvious. He cares for you enough that he’s willing to walk away if that’s what you want. I figure there are two directions for you to go at this point. You stay apart from him and wake up every day putting temporary glue on the cracks in your heart, because trust me, it’s an everyday job. Or you can work to be with the man you love and allow the happiness to mend the cracks naturally.”
“But nothing has changed. I can’t go back to being afraid every time he walks out the door.”
“Hogwash.” Rita sniffed. “Everything’s changed. Somewhere in all this you must have realized that. Do you think he retired from the military for his own benefit? Do you think he bought a home just for Finley? Think about it.” She patted Novah’s hand. “Okay, that was my two-cents. Now I’m going to go spoon us up some ice cream while we watch Under the Tuscan Sun to get our minds off that weasel who just spoke on TV.”
~~~~~
Langley and his security team stepped off the elevator right on time. They headed for the Escalade where Egan sat patiently in the back seat. Langley opened the door and climbed in, then did a double take. “Evening’, Langley. Long time no see.”
“Banks? What the hell are you doing here?”
“Do you think you’re the only one who has contacts?” Egan snarled. He fisted his hands in his lap, finding the restraint not to beat the hell out of the man who’d disrupted, and ruined, many lives. Just what he’d done to Novah and Finley sent a rage flowing through his veins that was hard to contain.
Langley muttered something then started to slide back out, but Egan caught the sleeve of the man’s expensive designer suit.
“Don’t bother,” Egan told him. “I’m going to speak to you one way or another. I could always do what you did to Lindsay.”
“You’re going to regret this,” he sputtered. “Parsons?” Langley called out to his new head of security who had his back to the Escalade. The three other suited men had disappeared. Realizing the conundrum, Langley cursed and slammed the door. “I have a meeting to get to.”
“I’m sure you do. Don’t worry, I won’t take up much of your time. I think it’s necessary for you and I to have a heart to heart.” Egan pounded on the roof. Parsons opened the driver’s door and slid behind the wheel. Without a word, he started the engine and drove the car out of the Langley Industries garage.
“What is this?”
Seeing Langley’s discomfort, Egan told him, “You’ll live another day. I’ll spare your life unlike what you did to others, especially Gammon and your wife.”
Langley chuckled. “He killed my wife. I played no role in that. He was jealous because she and I were rekindling our marriage. The camera footage says it all.”
“Listen, no one knows the truth and we probably never will, but you have her blood on your hands too.” Egan looked out the window as they moved along the busy street then focused on the arrogant man. “Eventually your ways will catch up to you and I for one will be there to see it happen.”
“So, there’s no love lost between us. If you have a suspicion about ShyAnne’s death then take it up with the FBI, but I assure you they’ve investigated thoroughly.”
“I bet you bought your way out of this shitshow. We both know going to the FBI won’t help. However, I have something better.” They turned right, leaving the bumper to bumper downtown traffic.
“Is that right?” Langley muttered.
“Gammon might have done wrong, but he did a lot of good for this country. He served his time and he had a family that are left still picking up the pieces. Although they deserve better than your blood money, you owe them.”
“I owe them?” Langley’s groomed brows popped up.
“If I say you do, then you do. You have plenty of money so you’re going to be gracious enough to take care of his kids until they’re old enough to do that for themselves.”
“And you think Gammon deserved this?”
“No, but I think his kids do. They lost their father and you blasted his name like dirt all over the news.” Egan scratched his temple with his thumbnail.
“W
hat if I refuse?”
With a raw laugh, Egan shrugged. “I’ll call in a lot of favors. Just like today, you’ll never know who you can trust and who you can’t trust. I’m sure for a man of your caliber it’s important to know your security team has your back.”
The man’s color drained from his face. “No problem. I’ll see that they are compensated.”
“Good.” But Egan wasn’t finished. “What you did to Novah was dirty, so you’re going to make amends to her as well.”
“Fine. She can come and work for Langley Industries again.”
“Not on your life,” Egan growled. “You’re going to give a very generous donation to the local school where she worked but was let go because they didn’t have the funds to keep her on. You’re going to make sure you give enough, so much, that they can provide scholarships to potential artists and bring back their full staff.”
With a disgruntled expression, Langley nodded. “Is that it?”
“You wish.” Egan noticed that they were getting close to the stoplight, so he had to hurry. “Don’t ever try to reach out to Lindsay. If you do, I’ll find out and you’ll regret it. Understand?”
A flash of humanity, maybe even regret, fled over the man’s face. “Is she okay?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but she’s good now that she’s away from you.”
A ragged sigh escaped his lips. “I’ll have funds sent every month to an account in her name. I want to be sure that she, and my child, are taken care of. I’ll send you the information and you can give it to her. It’ll be there whether she decides to use it or not.”
The business Egan had with Langley finalized. The car pulled over to the side of the street and Egan climbed out, leaning in to say one last thing. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your dick inside your pants.” He slammed the door and walked away.
The driver’s door opened and Parsons crossed the street.
“Hey! Wait! I have a meeting,” Langley called out onto deaf ears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
NOVAH HEARD HEAVY footsteps from inside the cabin then a clanking of the knob before it swung open. Egan stood on the other side, shirtless, and looking like he’d been sleeping.
“Hi,” she said.
“Novah? What are you doing here?” He swiped a hand over his weary eyes as if he were seeing things.
“I need to speak to you.”
“Come in.” With his bare foot, he pushed open the door to let her in.
“So this is your place?” Although the cabin needed some work, it was tidy and cozy. He had a fire going and the TV switched on a football game.
“I don’t think you came up here to see my place.”
She turned to face him. “I needed to see you face to face.” She wanted to see him more than she needed her next breath.
“Okay.” He strolled to the center of the room and stuffed his hands into his front pockets. The waist of his worn jeans dipped low on his obliques, making her salivate.
“You and I had a bet and I’m calling it in.” She lifted her chin high.
“A bet?” He blinked and then his features softened. One corner of his mouth lifted. “Oh? You remember, huh?”
“I do and lucky for you, I brought groceries with me so we can begin our lessons today. The bags are sitting on the porch. We can get them after…”
“After what?”
She covered the space between them and laid her palm against his warm, stubbly cheek. “After I tell you ‘thank you’.”
“Why are you thanking me?” Flecks of light bounced in his irises.
“I got a call from the art school yesterday and they received a large donation from an anonymous donor. Enough that they are hiring back all the teachers they’d let go.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“You somehow made Langley contribute, didn’t you?”
“No, of course not. But aren’t you happy? You loved teaching the kids there.”
She could barely contain her excitement. “Very happy. Happier because the kids there will have more opportunities. Including Finley who can start there too in a few years.”
He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, his eyes taking on deep emotion, and then he took a step back, breaking their connection. “Novah, that’s great, but I don’t think it’s a good idea that you and I see each other, at least for a while.” She heard the struggle in his voice.
Wringing her hands together, she looked at him through unshed tears. “I’ve been so wrong, Egan. I wonder if you could ever forgive me for my stupidity.”
Confusion settled on his face. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you and me. The reason why we always find ourselves back to square one is because fate keeps screaming at us that we belong together. We do. I love you and no matter where you are, where I am, we belong together as a family.”
His breath came out slowly. “What about my work?”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning her head back to look up at him. “You should follow your heart. You were made to help people and that’s what you should do. I, and Finley, will always be here waiting for you.”
“Are you sure? I can’t keep doing this, Novah. I’m a strong man but my defenses are down when I’m near you.”
“Will you marry me?”
His brows scrunched. “Marry you?”
“Tonight? Tomorrow? Next week? I don’t care as long as I can have you as my husband again, and forever. Is that commitment enough to prove that I’m all into this?” Tears fell from her eyes down her cheeks.
He kissed the moisture away. “Yes.”
“Then let’s start again.”
“I love you, Novah. With all my heart.”
Not the end but only the beginning…
From the author:
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let others know your thoughts.
Hugs,
Rhonda Lee Carver
At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.
Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.
When Rhonda isn’t crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.
For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit: www.rhondaleecarver.com.
Find me on Facebook, too! www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver
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