Diamond Legacy

by Monica McCabe

  * * * *

  Miranda stopped breathing as the truck slammed through the police cruisers. It plowed into the desert and bounced into a gully, lifting on two wheels. Time hung suspended as it listed and fell over in a slow-motion roll. One that ended with a resounding thud.

  “Wait here!” Matt yelled as he climbed out of the SUV.

  “Like hell!” Nik muttered, and he was out the back in a flash.

  Hank turned back and glanced at Miranda. She shrugged and jumped out right behind Jason, and they made their way to the police line.

  Nik stopped to talk to the chief, but Matt headed straight for the fallen giant. He’d traded the assault rifle for a pistol and a crew of men, and had the truck surrounded when the passenger door lifted up, slamming backward with a bang.

  Bessault climbed out awkwardly, favoring his injured arm, but still faced the wall of firepower with arrogance. Escape was impossible. He knew it and tossed his weapon down in disgust before climbing off the truck.

  Matt was there to handcuff him when he reached the ground.

  This was the end. From a helpless boy of fourteen to a resolute man bringing his parent’s killer to justice, Matthew Bennett had finally come full circle. He’d won against the evil that forever scarred his life.

  She tried to imagine how he must feel as he shoved the warlord over to the police line. Satisfaction. Completion. Triumph. Finally free of the driving force of vengeance. Free to live the life he chose.

  It was over. In more ways than one, and Miranda’s heart constricted painfully. In the next few days she’d help at Katanga, do all she could to keep it out of the spotlight. But once assured of its survival, she’d have to fly home.

  Her eyes filled with tears. She could beard a lion in its den, face down brutal killers, but the thought of leaving while her heart stayed forever in Africa reduced her to a weeping mess.

  Through a watery haze, she watched Matt move away from the melee and stand alone on the edge of the desert. He grasped his wounded arm and leaned his head back as though aching.

  Miranda didn’t wait another millisecond. She started walking his way, moving faster, until she ran the last few steps. By the time she reached him, his arms were open wide, and she stepped into his embrace, holding him tight in relief that he was safe, that he’d no longer be haunted by the past.

  Meeting his gaze, the longing she saw in his eyes matched her own. His mouth lowered to hers, and she tangled her fingers in his hair as he kissed her, long and deep.

  Too soon he broke the kiss. “I’m sorry,” he whispered against her ear.

  Her heart constricted.

  “I tried to keep you safe,” he continued, “but my lack of willpower put you in danger.”

  What was he talking about? She took a step back to stare him in the eye. “Never again do I want to hear the words ‘I’m sorry’ after you’ve kissed me.”

  He stared at her in consternation. “That’s not what I meant,” he said.

  “Then forget the rest.” She lifted a hand and brushed the hair back from his brow. “It’s over and we’re safe. That’s what matters.”

  “No.” He stared at her with charged intensity. “My vengeance nearly cost you your life. I’m sorry doesn’t begin to cover how I feel.”

  “Then let me tell you how I feel.” Miranda took a full breath, and there in the circle of his arms, she faced the truth. “Joshua and Denise Bennett are free. Your family can now have peace. And the crazy thing is, I’d risk it all again just to make certain you had it.”

  His arms tightened around her. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I love you.” This was a time for complete honesty. “I think I have from the moment I saw you at the airport.”

  A tiny smile appeared. “You can’t help it. It’s the zing.”

  She laughed, pleased with the small return of his old self. “Somewhere there must be an antidote.”

  “You’ll never find it, Miranda Parrish.” He kissed her lips tenderly. “The magic is irresistible.”

  “And you know this how?”

  “Because you have zing, too.” He nibbled at her lips. “In spades.” The side of his face brushed hers, and he whispered into her ear. “I’ve been hopelessly in love since that day in the closet.”

  Happiness rushed through her as his lips captured hers again. He loved her. They were alive. The world was once again righted. She could have stayed there in his arms forever if not for Jason’s intervention.

  “In case you’re wondering,” Jason said, “this is the part where you’re supposed to ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.”

  Matt released her lips and sighed, but he kept her locked within the circle of his arms.

  “Are you always this interfering?” he asked Jason.

  “Admit it,” Jason said to Matt, “you’re nuts about her.”

  “I’m afraid so,” Matt agreed.

  “I knew it.” Jason grinned at the both of them. “My love meter is rarely wrong.”

  She laughed and glanced back up at Matt, the warmth she saw in his eyes pierced straight into her heart.

  “Just a minute here!” Hank marched over and planted both hands on his hips. “I want to know one thing.”

  He looked like hell, but his eyes were clear as he stared over her head at Matt. “You’re not a janitor?”

  Matt laughed and shook his head. “I’m whatever I need to be to get the job done.”

  “And does that include stealing San Diego’s best dental zoologist?”

  “Without a doubt.” His arms tightened around her, and she glowed warmly under the possessive gesture.

  “Give it up old man.” Jason clapped Hank on the back. “She’s been a goner from the minute she saw him.”

  Hank heaved a good-natured sigh and shook his head, but he reached out to shake hands with Matt. “I’ve lost in the game of love, but at least I’m still alive. I owe you my thanks.” He looked at Miranda with a wry smile. “Does this mean you are turning in your resignation at the zoo?”

  She glanced between Hank and Matt, tapping a fingertip against her chin. “There’s an awful lot to do around here. Katanga is going to need new personnel, and a major overhaul to keep its image clean.”

  Matt growled and pulled her up against him. “To hell with Katanga. Let’s talk about us.”

  “Well, certainly you have to be there. Roz would be devastated without you.”

  “Roz?” he asked brusquely. “What about you?”

  She lifted her hand to his face and caressed his bruised skin. “Me? I can’t imagine any future without you in it.”

  Epilogue

  It was a day of life-affirming celebration at Katanga. Energy and excitement grew to a fever pitch as the sun sank below the horizon. A giant bonfire burned at the back of the property, and the sound of laughter and cheers drifted across a mild winter breeze.

  Miranda smiled in peaceful contentment. The last six weeks had been both hectic and idyllic, and she wouldn’t have traded them for anything in the world.

  It had been a time of justice, as African law moved swiftly to convict Bessault and put him away for a very long time. She went to the trials with Matt and sat next to him when the judge pronounced a life sentence. It was bittersweet, but comforting in a small way, to know that Joshua and Denise Bennett were finally at rest.

  Graham was arrested at a private airstrip along with a suitcase full of diamonds and cash. His chartered plane was headed for Amsterdam when IDS agents apprehended him under a barrage of gunfire. Graham took a bullet in the stomach, but lived to testify against Weston in exchange for a reduced sentence of his own. Still, he’d be spending many years behind bars.

  It was also a time of renewal. Katanga survived the fallout with no more than a hiccup, thanks to the considerable efforts of Matt and Nik. Diana quit her librarian position and left town, and Neil currently served time for his role in the smuggling operation.


  Victor Keyes’s crime had come in caring too much. When funding grew scarce and had threatened to shut Katanga’s doors, his passion for the Center had turned to desperation, and he had agreed to look the other way for a cut of the profits. Free Day was his way of assuaging his conscience, to pay back the community for the smuggling. IDS allowed him to continue his leadership of Katanga.

  And best of all, these past weeks had been a time of healing. As each day passed, Matt grew lighter, happier, and constantly under foot. And she loved every second of it. Every accomplishment, every argument, and every glorious kiss and smoldering glance.

  Intimacy grew with long talks, shared growth and change, and heated nights spent in languid sensual exploration. She discovered an enormous greedy streak when it came to his attentions, and he suffered it admirably. In fact, she’d never been more fulfilled in her entire life.

  “It’s almost time!” Letta said as she entered the oversized tent serving as bridal headquarters. She carried a tray loaded down with a gourd and many glasses.

  Miranda eyed the offering with suspicion. “No mampoer,” she protested. “I’d like to remember my wedding night, thank you.”

  Letta only laughed as she poured several servings of golden liquor. “This is ol-mangwai. Marula fruit and nectar of the gods.”

  Miranda still eyed the drink with trepidation. Not so her mother and sister. They’d been like giddy tourists since their arrival last week, relishing every tidbit and morsel of African life.

  Erika tested the liquor and smacked her lips with heavenly satisfaction. “Oh, this is splendid. You know, I think I’m feeling jealous of your extraordinary luck. An exotic lifestyle, fun job, and I’ll be danged if you didn’t find the handsomest guy on the planet.” She sighed heavily. “What’s left for me, I say?”

  “No crazy adventures for you!” her mother demanded. “One wild child is enough in the family.”

  Laughter filled the tent, and Miranda smiled in happy contentment. She was about to embark on the best adventure yet. Matt had commissioned a firm to build their dream house, and they had worked together to design blueprints. They were set to break ground right after the honeymoon.

  “A toast,” Letta said as she lifted her glass. “To Katanga, for which I’ll hold fond memories for years to come. To Miranda and Jason, for your friendship and encouragement that got me through my residency. And to Matt, for finding a way to keep you here!”

  They laughed and drank, and Miranda worked to shake loose her nerves and prepare for the native ceremony about to take place.

  “Did I hear my name?”

  Miranda gasped and spun to find Matt standing just inside the tent, holding open the makeshift doorway.

  “You aren’t supposed to be in here!” she declared.

  Her dad came rolling in with Roz in his lap, Jason pushing his wheelchair. “Now, is that anyway to greet your future husband?” her dad asked.

  “Appalling, I say.” Jason clapped Matt on the back as he passed by. “Good luck, old chap. You’re going to need it.”

  “Why are you here?” Miranda’s mother asked. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”

  “Technically we’re already married as of this morning.” Matt wrapped his arms around Miranda and spun her around. “At least that’s what the magistrate claims, and who am I to argue?”

  Miranda laughed with utter contentment and joy. “Are Bakka and Zuli here yet?”

  “Arrived a half hour ago, along with Nik,” Matt said with a beaming smile. “They are overseeing karamu as we speak.”

  He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, and Miranda laughed with the overwhelming joy of it.

  “I hope the feast is as fantastic as you claim,” Jason said. “I’ve sorely missed Tavi’s cooking. And by the way,” he turned to Matt with a direct stare. “I may have been gone six weeks, but I still recall you owe us one aerial safari.”

  “It’s already arranged for tomorrow,” Matt replied. “And yes, Letta, for all of us. That includes you.”

  Over their laughter, a sudden round of shouts could be heard from outside, along with the rising tempo of the drums. The dancing was building and so was the bonfire.

  Matt pulled Miranda up close to his chest. “How about it, Mrs. Bennett? Care to get married again?”

  She had to be the luckiest woman on the planet. Love wasn’t all she’d found on her trip to Africa.

  She’d found zing.

  Meet the Author

  Adventuring is in Monica McCabe’s blood. She's explored places like Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. She’s climbed glaciers and ancient Mayan pyramids, dived shipwrecks and reef caves, camped in Sasquatch country, and drove across the USA three times. Currently she’s working on gathering as many official stamps in her National Park Passport as she can. When not traveling she’s writing romantic adventure books and travel articles, enjoys research way too much, and craves long nature hikes with her husband and their dog, Sam.