Luke’s gaze drifted up, searching the emotional stare locked on him. “And I love you too.”
He took to his feet, never losing the connection between them. Her view stayed in sync with his, and she said, “I love you too, Luke. All of you. Every piece of you.”
Then, he kissed her.
Daisy removed her clothes as he dropped his towel without hesitation, never looking away. They stood there completely bare, unashamed, without embarrassment, confident and sure of themselves for the first time in as long as either could remember. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she pulled him to her mouth, where the heat between them was less feral and untamed, but more sensual and full of intention.
He lifted her, wrapping her legs around him, and carried her to the bed where he gently placed her in the middle, hovering over her. “I love you, Daisy. I’ve loved you since the beginning, and I’ll love you until my end. I didn’t mean—”
“Luke. I know you didn’t—”
“No. I need to say it.” She nodded, and he went on. “I didn’t mean those things. They were about me, not you. I want you, and this baby, but I was…afraid. I won’t be afraid anymore. I will never push you away or doubt our future. I will spend my life making it up to you. You are everything to me, Daisy.”
A tear ran down her face as joy danced in her heart. She was home. He was her home. They were going to be okay, one way or another. Words weren’t enough to convey what she felt – how he made her feel. So she showed him instead.
Luke made slow, sweet love to his lady until they both drifted off, locked in each other’s embrace, right where they belonged.
Daisy woke to Luke’s hand splayed across her belly, propped up on an elbow while on his side. She stretched, working out the sore muscles their long morning bed had provoked.
She turned to face him, her hand on his cheek, “You okay? You look so serious.”
“Marry me.”
“What?”
“Marry…me.”
“Luke…just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean…”
“Marry me, Daisy. Even if there wasn’t a…baby…I’d want to marry you.”
“You’re serious.” Not a question, but a statement, she was surprised.
“So damn serious.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. I just can’t believe there’s a little person in there. Your stomach is so flat. Are you sure there’s a…baby…in there?”
“Five tests say yes, but he or she can’t be that big yet. It’s still early. I’ll be a whale before you know it though.”
“You won’t look like a whale. You’re beautiful and I can’t wait to see what you look like with my son, clear out here.” He held his hand away from her belly, indicating just how big he thought she’d get.
“Your son? What if it’s a girl?”
“I think it’s a boy.”
“And how do you know that?”
“Because girls scare me.”
Laughter escaped her at his unexpected comment. “It’s going to be fine, I promise, even with a girl.”
“Daisy…about last night.”
“Luke it’s okay. I get it – it’s really okay.”
“No, it’s not okay. I was an ass. It wasn’t about you, it was about me. I guess…I guess maybe I was worried, maybe even scared, like I said. I need to tell you something…about me, and I understand if you are not comfortable with it or if it concerns you, but know I would never, ever, hurt you…or the baby.”
“Luke…”
“You are my priority – both of you. Not because it’s a job but because you’re mine – you’re…mine.”
“I’m not afraid of you Luke and nothing you can tell me would change that.”
“I don’t know about that.” He rolled to his back and stared at the ceiling
“Is that why you shaved the beard, because I said it was scary? I didn’t mean that literally.” Now on her side, facing him, she rubbed his clean-shaven face as she spoke to him and tried to get through to him.
“No…it’s not. I did that for me. I need to quit living in the past and hiding in it out of fear. I still don’t entirely believe I can have this – you, a family.”
“Believe it, O’Reilly. It’s happening.”
“I just worry the other shoe is going to drop. I’ve done so many bad things. I’ve been the cause of others grief and pain. I’ve torn families apart, just as we’re starting one. I’ve left women widows and children orphans. I don’t have a right to want a family if what I do is destroy them.”
Daisy held his face in her hands, and looked him in the eye, “Luke, you would never hurt anyone intentionally, not without reason and I know that. You are the most loving, loyal, difficult, and protective man I’ve ever known. That was your job, Luke…this is your life.”
Eyes welling with tears, he looked away, trying to collect his thoughts, “I don’t ever want my past to come back to haunt us. Harm you, or the baby.”
“It won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know you and I know you won’t let it. Luke, I trust you with everything, I’ve loved you since my first night here I think. Let go and love you too, okay?”
He smiled weakly, before nodding in agreement. Sliding an arm under her, he lifted her body onto his and held her, kissing her head, while they lay there in silence.
She says, “Yes.”
With a furrowed brow, he asked, “Yes, what?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you, Luke O’Reilly.”
CHAPTER 18
It required a few more updates and features to be added, the new security software Brother’s Keeper was developing for their government contract was coming along nicely. Since it wasn’t ready to implement, just yet, and only being used in a test mode that didn’t cross over all government servers, the demonstration meeting to see it in full action was held at Watermark.
Head committee members were present, specifically, FBI Director Francis Waterman, and General William Grover, along with a few of their ass kissing alternate members from branches of defense and even congress. Liam went live, using a real case to show how the software was able to collect important intel that led to an arrest with double the clues in half the time.
The members were impressed when the principals of this program were applied to bigger thinking, such as international affairs. Technology of this magnitude would spare American soldiers lives while fighting wars remotely, almost entirely through virtual means. It was state of the art, as was the tactical implementation Luke devised to compliment the system – soldiers would be safer, bad guys didn’t stand a chance.
“We apologize for Carter Landry’s absence, gentlemen,” Liam began, “We assure you, however, we have been seeking his counsel to confirm certain, legalities, and we’re in the clear.”
With Carter still in McKenzie Ridge recovering, it was important to keep up appearances, without drawing negative attention from the wrong people. At the very best, the men in that room were allies and nonthreatening. At the very worst, they had a hand in everything from Carter’s abduction all the way up to the Senator’s murder with everything in between.
“The case he’s working…” Luke added, continuing to cover for Carter. “should be over by the time we go live at the Pentagon. We fully anticipate his presence in DC.”
“Or, right now.” Carter said, walking through the door to the lair, battered and still swollen, but smiling for the crowd. “Sorry I’m late, I’ve had my hands full.”
“Dear God, son.” General Grover chimed in, startled by the sight of Carters injuries, “What on earth happened to you?”
“Huh? Oh, this?” Carter grinned, pointing at his face, “Car accident. Looks worse than it is.”
“Nice to see you…Carter.” Luke crossed his arms and sent a sharp look Carters way, “We weren’t expecting you.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t supposed to be here – I was a little tied up. Managed t
o get away last minute and make it in time after all.” Carter leaned back in a chair at the end of the conference room table and matched Luke’s position with crossed arms. “What’d I miss?”
“Well, it’s always good to see you, Landry.” Declan nodded with a look that said, we’ll talk later. “Hopefully you can stick around and catch up over a beer.”
Liam shrugged and gave a brief overview of what had been discussed, then jumped right back in where he left off before Carter’s rogue appearance. It was important that the brothers seemed surprised to see Carter, and surprised they were. If anyone in that room was a threat, they couldn’t know the brothers were involved with the Senator’s case, Carters involvement, or that Daisy was in the very building they were meeting in.
It seemed they were convincing, Watermarks guests from Washington DC were none the wiser. When the meeting ended, Liam escorted them to the lobby and handled any small talk questions and suggestions from the group as they waited for the black government vehicles to line the curb and escort them to their waiting plane.
The next meeting would be in DC. It was the final that included implementing the program completely on government servers. They were scheduled to meet at the Pentagon because the software was to be used to heighten national security and Pentagon housed agencies that would use and benefit from it. Even agencies that weren’t known by the public.
There was only one way Carter could have left the hospital and made it to Portland, and it wasn’t on his own. When the elevator opened, it was confirmed. Blake Cooper.
Blake was a close family friend that had a long history with the O’Reilly’s. They’d served together, on all levels. When Blake retired from the military, the O’Reilly’s offered him a position with Brother’s Keeper, but he declined, opting for a life as Police Chief in a town Declan had introduced him to a decade or more before. That didn’t mean he didn’t get his hands dirty from time to time and work a case with the boys. They all had each other’s back, always.
It didn’t go unnoticed by Liam and his brothers that were keeping the committee members entertained that Luke and Carter were with Blake. They were up to something. The three men stood off from the small crowd to finish whatever they were discussing before they joined the sendoff. It was overheard that Carter was staying in his apartment at Watermark. Interesting.
The three men rejoined the collective group and Luke extended his hand to Director Waterman and General Grove, “It was nice to see you again, we’ll be seeing soon in DC.”
Carter followed suit with a handshake, “You know where to reach me if you have any questions for me. I’ll actually be staying on in Portland for a while, just to oversee things in person.”
“Yes, yes we do.” Director Waterman said, suspicion laced in his words. As the highest ranking official in the lands largest enforcement agency, he should have been better at masking his wary demeanor. “We’ll certainly…stay in touch.”
The committee members filed out the door and filled the waiting SUV’s, but the General stopped, and turned to the men, “Blake Cooper.”
“Yes, General. Good memory.” Blake said with a nod.
“I knew it. It is you.” The General smiled. “It’s great to see you. How’ve you been, son?”
“Pleasures all mine, sir. And I’m doing well, can’t complain.”
“That’s great to hear.” The General scanned the group, nodding his head with a pleased look, “I’ve served with all of you at one time or another. It’s good to see you’re all still together and so…well.”
With a final exchange of nods and friendly smiles, the General made his way to the final vehicle and left.
When the lobby was clear, Declan was the first to start in on Carter, “What the hell man, what are you doing here.”
“We had a meeting.” Carter fired back with a wink and mega-watt smile.
“I’d ask how you got here, but that’s obvious.” Declan turned his attention to Blake.
With his hands up, Blake defended his part, “He was coming with or without me. So I thought it best to bring him myself in case he ran into trouble.”
“Well, it’s good to see you on your feet but you need to take it easy and lay low. You’re still a target.” Declan scolded.
“We’ve already established whoever is behind what happened to you is probably connected to the Senator’s murder which links you to Daisy.” Dace reminded the group, as if they didn’t already see that for themselves.
Carter nodded, turning his attention to Liam, “Have you heard anything else – any threats?”
“Not a word. Just a few minor hack attempts but I can’t see where they’re coming from. Then, some small stuff like security cameras inside the building and crap.” Liam went down a list of minor encounters that didn’t turn into anything but his frustration. “What has me is everything coming our way is small, but untraceable. Why go to all the trouble to stay anonymous, then just do stupid small shit?”
“Someone sending you a message? Maybe they’re showing you that they can hide from you?” Luke questioned.
“Maybe, but why? The government contract is off the radar, so nobody would come looking for that, and as far as our other big case…no one knows about Daisy or that we have her.”
“You’ll figure it out – you always do.” Luke reassured his brother.
“Maybe it’s just some internet peeper.” Wylie added.
“No, the cover is too good. I’ll figure it out. I’m using the new program to trace it, but it isn’t catching it so if anything this asshole revealed a flaw in the system. I’ll find it, fix it, and figure out who is behind this and send them a warning by way of computer virus.”
Luke patted his brothers shoulder, “You figured out who had Landry by tracing his phone and the text, you’ll figure this out too.”
“Damn straight – back to this guy though” Liam said, shoving his hands in his pockets while nodding his head at Carter. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to be here – they need to see me. I was close to answers and know we are dealing with someone big, maybe even all the up to the White House. These jackasses go back to Washington and mention seeing me, it might get to whoever we are looking for.”
“You’re drawing them out.” Declan confirmed.
“Is that smart? Do we want them here?” Dace questioned, his concern legitimate since this wasn’t planned, but a blindside for the brothers. “We don’t even know who it is, how many there are…how will we see it coming?”
Carter grinned, “They won’t come here. This is how they figure out you were the team they texted, and ultimately the team responsible for my rescue. They’ll be watching you and there’s a lot of you to watch.”
“A distraction.” Luke added.
“Absolutely. Daisy is safe here. They don’t know who she is, or where to begin looking, and with me in the building they won’t suspect it’s here.”
“Why wouldn’t they? She’s your only witness.” Liam asked.
“What agent would hide their witness so close? They know that we know better. It’ll send them farther away looking.”
Declan agreed, “Good point – let’s see how this plays out. Noses up, ears to the ground. That means we’re looking for anything coming this way.”
“You know you have my help if you need it.” Blake offered.
With a slap to Blake’s back, Luke was especially pleased with Blake stepping up to help, “Appreciate that, brother.”
“Anytime – you know that. It wouldn’t take me any time to get a team rounded up and mission ready. Just say the word.”
The electronic security locks disengaging revealed Ronan and Ryker’s arrival.
“I believe we have a plane to catch.” Ronan said, addressing Blake.
Dace tilted his head in confusion, “Where you guys going?”
“Just a quick trip to Iowa.” Ryker laughed, “Seems my brother and me left something there so Landry here is sending us back to pick
it up.”
“Iowa? What’s in Iowa?” the brothers looked at each other with confusion, Iowa hadn’t been any part of this case.
Luke flashed a smile like they hadn’t seen for years. “Daisy’s grandmother.”
CHAPTER 19
“Where are we going?” Daisy asked as Luke guided her through Watermark.
“It’s a surprise.”
Her face lit up, “Are we leaving the building?”
“No, we can’t. I’m sorry.” Especially now, he thought.
“So a surprise in the building.”
“She’s catching on, folks.”
Daisy swatted his arm for teasing her, “Stop it. I hate surprises. What could it be?”
“You’ll never guess. This one is really good.”
“How good? Jump up and down and squeal good or you’re going to ruin my make up with an ugly cry good?”
“One, what’s ugly cry and two you don’t wear make-up.”
“Good point.”
The elevator doors opened to a floor she didn’t recognize. There didn’t seem to be anything out of ordinary. It looked like any other floor. Luke stopped them in front of an apartment two doors down from the elevator. Again, nothing remarkable about it, it looked like any other apartment in Watermark. Luke tapped a button on his smart watch, and the electronic lock disengage allowing him to open the door.
Luke held the door, gesturing for Daisy to enter first. “Where are we? Why are we…here?”
The stoop in a furnished apartment, much like all of the others in the building, same floor plan even. A perky blonde woman walked out of what Daisy assumed was a bedroom, wearing a big smile.
“Oh hey, Luke. You must be Daisy.” Daisy stopped in her tracks and gave Luke a surprised look. The woman knew her name.
“Daisy, this is Carly. She’s a family friend from McKenzie Ridge.” He said, “She got in last night and will be staying on for a while.”
Staying on for what, Daisy wondered, a hint of jealousy spiking. “Oh. Okay?”
Luke smiled, enjoying the curiosity brewing within Daisy. Carly must have seen it too because she let out a bouncy giggle that matched her seemingly bubbly personality.
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