Sinner Reborn

by Morgan Kelley

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  Luke spoke up, “We can’t use our sidearms because if we have to kill, our bullets will be traced back to us.”

  “It won’t be ‘if’, Lucas. I can guarantee that the heat will be on, and you’re going to have to use deadly force. When I was under with her, I’ve had to shoot more times than when I’d worked as an agent. The person trying to get to her is pushing hard.”

  “Okay, so guns?” Nate asked.

  “Your military backup will have new unregistered sidearms. They’ve been stolen from the gun dispensary downstairs. The FBI won’t report them missing for a good month, and when they do, I’ll sit on that report for as long as I can. In fact, my secretary will be losing paperwork for the first time in her employment.”

  Nate relaxed. “So, you have our backs, right?”

  She stared into his eyes. “I will NOT let anything happen to you. If you get compromised, you are injured, or you need to be pulled out for any reason, you call me. You’re not going in alone. Ethan and I will not let you down. I promise.”

  He held out his hand to shake hers. “Thank you, Director.”

  Elizabeth shook his. “I mean it, Nathaniel. I won’t let you go down out there. If you need me…you call. I’ll get you out.”

  Luke was worried. When he took this on, he was aware there would be danger, but now he had so much more to lose. If his best friend—a man he called brother—wasn’t involved, he’d be bailing. “This isn’t going to be a picnic, is it?”

  She shook her head. “No, boys, it’s not. We have intel from the military that the person who hacked our files is out for blood. We’ve had to move Oracle three times in six days. They keep finding her.”

  “How?” Nate asked.

  “I don’t know, but while you’re moving her, Ethan, Callen, and I are going to find that mole. We’re going to work from the inside out and get this under control.”

  They stood.

  Elizabeth moved around the desk and did something she didn't often do. She hugged them. “Good luck, Luke. Watch his back.” Then she turned to the other man. “Nate, you have this. I believe in you, and so does Oracle.”

  He stared at her, unsure what that meant.

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  They grabbed the envelope of cash and headed out. In the foyer, Nate looked around, taking it all in.

  “What’s wrong?” Luke asked when his partner paused.

  “Nothing,” he replied.

  What he didn't tell his friend was that this was the last time he was likely going to stand in front of the FBI emblem on the wall.

  This felt very final.

  He was pretty sure he wasn’t going to make it back. Well, if he had his wish he wouldn’t be.

  “My shit is in the Hummer. I’ll drive you to your place,” Luke stated.

  “Great. Let’s get this started.”

  Destiny and Oracle called, and he was helpless to not answer.

  CHAPTER Two

  Monday Mid-day

  I nside his condo, Maura gave Avalon the official tour. She led her through each room, helping the woman gain her bearings. This was a common thing to do when they arrived at a new place. If they didn't, Avalon tended to struggle her way through a room, tripping over furniture.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate you helping me again,” Avalon offered. She knew that Maura didn't have to come back into the mess that was her life.

  “It’s no problem,” she offered, letting her arm go. As Avalon began walking around, Maura couldn’t help but be envious. Her memory and ability to recall the space around her was astounding.

  “Do you feel safe here?” Maura asked, pulling out her bag with all their weapons.

  “I think so. I like it here. It’s very calm and serene. The owner has really good energy.”

  Maura watched as the woman continued to float effortlessly around the room. “Nate is a really good guy. I think you’ll enjoy his company. When he and Luke are together, it’s entertaining.”

  She paused and turned to face her protector. “Is this Nathaniel Carter’s home?”

  “Yeah, why?” Maura asked. “You said it felt safe, but we can move to a new place if you have the heebie geebies.”

  On the contrary—Avalon felt anything but uneasy. Here, in his space, she felt happy.

  Safe.

  Warm.

  Content.

  This was the man she was destined to love until her death, and that made her relax. She knew he’d protect her.

  “No! We’re fine. I was just curious.”

  Maura let it go.

  She’d learned when working with Avalon, it was best to let her ask her questions, give her an answer, and then move on. The woman could be relentless if she had a bug up her ass.

  “What’s he like?” she asked. Granted, she knew him from her dreams, but she wanted more.

  Avalon wanted it all. For the first time in her life, she needed more information.

  “Who? Nathaniel Carter?”

  “Yes.”

  Maura contemplated it. “He’s a really nice guy. He’s married to his job, he would bleed for the FBI, and he’s my fiancé’s best friend. They’ve been together for a while, and when they promise to do a job, they deliver. It’s why I came back to do this. When I heard they were going to be the Feds handling you, I wanted in.”

  She wanted to be sure. “He’s tall dark and handsome, isn't he?”

  Maura lifted a brow. “Well, he’s tall, his hair is black, and from what Luke has told me, he doesn’t have a problem with the ladies. Personally, I like my men a little less straight-laced, and lately—blonde.”

  She didn't enjoy hearing that other women wanted him. After all, Avalon knew the truth.

  He was meant to be hers.

  “Do you believe in fate, Maura?” she asked, taking a seat on the couch.

  “I didn't for the longest time, and then I walked into a hospital to visit my brother’s fiancée, and I fell in love. Now, I know that fate is out there. She’s just waiting to kick everyone’s ass onto the path we need to be on.”

  “He smells really nice. Is that wrong of me to say?” she asked. “I’m not good in these social situations.”

  “I guess he does. I’ve never really sniffed him. I think that might freak him, and Luke, out. You’re fine in situations, Avalon. You’re just curious. No one faults you for that.”

  “Are you happy that you’re going to be getting married?”

  Maura stared down at her unadorned finger. While working, she wore her engagement ring around her neck on her dog tags. It was a reminder that when they came off, she was back to being a woman.

  Now it was time to be the job.

  “I’m thrilled. It’s going to be the happiest day of my life. I've waited a long time to find Lucas.”

  “I’m jealous. I’ll never know what that feels like,” she offered. “I’ll have to live vicariously through you, I guess.”

  There was no malice in that sentence, only truth.

  Immediately, Maura felt sympathy for the woman. She was a prisoner to her gift. The government deemed her valuable, and she’d never get away from them. She knew what had happened to this young woman was wrong, but she was only a soldier. It was her job to serve, not question the higher-ups.

  “You don’t know that for a fact,” she offered, trying to ease the woman’s hurt. She could hear it in her voice. “You might find your prince charming.”

  “Actually, I do know it’s true. You know…the whole seer thing ruins it. I can tell you that you’re going to be happy, have two kids, and live a long time. In fact, you’re going to have...”

  Maura cut her off. “Stop. We had this discussion, Avalon. I don’t like to know. I want my future to be a surprise.”

  The woman closed her mouth. “Sorry. I sometimes forget.”

  “It’s okay.” And it was. Maura would be lying if she said she wasn’t curious. Now that she knew she’d have her happily eve
r after, she was more than good with that.

  Avalon got up and began moving around the room. “Please don’t be mad at me, Maura. I didn't mean to upset you.”

  She crossed to the woman and took her hand in hers. “I’m not mad, and I believe that things can change. You’re young. He’s out there, and you’ll run into him. You never know who fate will put in your path. When you meet him, you’ll know he’s the one.”

  She simply shrugged. In her heart, she already knew who the one for her was. Only, they wouldn’t have much time to build a future. It was destined to be cut short.

  Avalon didn't tell Maura her fate. It was best if the woman didn't know, like she preferred.

  As she went to move away, Avalon stopped moving. “They’re coming,” she said, before the door to the garage even opened.

  Maura grabbed a gun and got ready just in case Avalon was wrong. “I want you to go stand in the kitchen, and if you hear gun shots, you go out that back door and hide in the trees. I’ll find you. Stumble along, and I’ll keep them off you.”

  Avalon didn't hesitate. She headed right to the kitchen and waited, slowing her breath. She’d learned long ago that Maura took some things very serious, and this was certainly one.

  She could insist that they were safe, but it was best to let the Marine do her thing.

  So, she did.

  Maura leaned against the wall just outside the door that led to the garage. She waited out of sight to verify their company. When she saw it open, and two men come in, she relaxed.

  Until, one went for a gun.

  Nate was laughing until he walked into his home. The second he crossed the threshold, he knew something was wrong. In the air, there was the faint scent of gardenias, and that was out of place.

  Besides that, there was a light on, and a coffee table full of firearms. Immediately, he went on alert, going for his clutch piece. Fortunately, he didn't turn it over to Elizabeth for just such an emergency.

  As soon as it was free of his pants, Nate felt the impact. He was hit in his midsection and disarmed. As he was flipped to the floor, landing flat on his back, it took a second to focus past the Glock in his face.

  “Shit! Maura!” he muttered. “If you want to manhandle someone, make it your fiancé—not me. You didn't pull that punch.”

  “Actually, I did pull it. That was nothing.”

  Luke started laughing. “I am so glad I didn't go inside first,” he said, grinning at his girl.

  Maura smiled at him.

  “Baby! What the heck are you doing here?” he asked. “Did you come to kiss me goodbye?”

  She holstered her sidearm and went into Luke’s open arms. It was obvious that they didn't know who was joining them on this little mission. “I’m your security detail, and this is our meet up point. Didn’t Elizabeth tell you?”

  Nate stayed on the floor still flat on his back as he tried to catch his breath. Maura had given him one hell of a shot to the solar plexus. “No, she didn't, and I’m thinking she wanted this to happen. She’s sick like that.” He sat up on his elbows when they started laughing. “You know, you could help me up, especially since you nearly killed me.”

  That’s when he heard her.

  They weren’t alone.

  “I’ll help you,” came the singsong voice from across the room. It drew everyone’s attention, but especially the men.

  Nate opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He couldn’t believe that there was some gorgeous woman in his home.

  Avalon knelt in front of Nate Carter and held out her hand. “I’m Avalon. I’m the reason she hit you.”

  Nate was speechless.

  His heart kicked hard in his chest as he stared at the woman before him. Never in his life had he seen anyone quite so…angelic.

  That was for a total lack of words.

  Avalon was fragile looking with all that long blonde hair, and he couldn’t seem to focus.

  Then he saw her eyes.

  They were the palest of blue and seemed to stare right through him. It wasn’t lost on him that for a woman who was blind, they looked normal, but pale.

  “Hello,” he finally got out.

  Luke and Maura stared at him. Normally, Nate was a take charge kind of guy. It was rare to see him grasping for words. It was kind of amusing.

  Nate stared down at her hand, realizing she was trying to shake his. Elizabeth had warned them about this. Instead of waiting any longer, he took her hand in his.

  There were little licks of electricity shooting up his arm, signaling that this moment was important. When he stared at her, she looked so familiar, but he couldn’t remember where he’d seen her before. It was like his mind was running into a wall.

  “It’s nice to meet you. Are you okay? Maura tends to get a little gung-ho when it comes to keeping me safe. I think she flipped you just to get a laugh.”

  “Traitor,” Maura said before grinning. “I thought we discussed this. It’s supposed to be the women versus the men on this little adventure, Avalon.”

  “That’s my girl,” Luke offered. “Already making this a competition, and we haven’t even headed out.”

  “I’m okay. She just caught me off guard,” Nate stated, still holding her hand. His fingers desperately wanted to twine with hers, never letting her go.

  It was crazy.

  No, he was crazy.

  “I’m guessing you’re Nathaniel Carter, unless he’s hiding in the garage,” she teased.

  Nate continued to hold his hand in hers only now he was sitting up, and very close to Avalon. In fact, as she crouched beside him, her free hand was on his leg, helping her keep balance.

  He’d never felt anything so damn good before in his life. It was whisper light, but still destroyed his body at the same time.

  Christ!

  Luke stared over at Maura. ‘What the hell?’ he mouthed, motioning between the two of them.

  She hadn’t a clue. While she knew they never met before, there was something there. Maura could see it on Nate and Avalon’s faces.

  “Yes, I’m Nathaniel, but you can call me Nate. Everyone does.” Well, technically everyone he first met called him Director Carter, but he didn't want that from her.

  It was odd.

  He felt so calm touching her.

  “Well, let’s get you off the floor,” she stated. “For the record, I think I’ll go with Nathaniel. It suits you.”

  God!

  He smelled so good.

  Avalon wanted to kiss him.

  Standing, she helped pull him to his feet. When he stood, Avalon could feel him towering over her. Instinctually, she moved closer to him. His aura and energy called to her.

  Nate didn't let go of her hand. He couldn’t.

  “I feel like I know you,” he stated.

  “Maybe we met in another life, or place,” she offered. “I believe I’ve lived a few lives already. It’s possible that you were protecting me then too.”

  When her hand went to his chest, right over his tattoo, Nate swore there was a sizzle of heat between them.

  Someone cleared their throat.

  Nate glanced over at his partner. It was easy to see that Luke was weirded out by the entire conversation. Nate knew that the fellow Fed didn't like crazy, and they’d appeared to have fallen headfirst into something so different that they’d be learning on the fly.

  Avalon could read the auras around her. While Nate’s was heating up, Lucas Mars was going cold. She knew it was time to give them space. Just because she knew what was coming didn't mean they needed to be dropped into it so fast. So, she pulled her hand free and took a step back.

  It sucked, but that was life.

  “Maura, baby, what the heck are you doing here? I thought you were out in the field,” Luke asked, trying to focus on anything but the look on his partner’s face.

  “Babe this is the field. It was myself and another Marine, but we split up. He’s helping Callie and Quinn dig into Avalon’s past.”

  Luke
didn't mind that she was working with him. “Oorah,” he stated, trying to shake that eerie feeling. It weirded him out that Avalon was talking past lives and reincarnation.

  When Elizabeth said creepy, she wasn’t kidding.

  Nate felt a chill rush his body the second she moved away from him. With her touch gone, he was feeling bereft.

  He wasn’t sure why or how.

  “Hello,” Avalon offered, holding her hand out to Luke. “I’m Oracle, but the people stuck guarding me call me Avalon. It’s nice to meet you, Agent Mars. I’ve heard so much about you from Maura.”

  He relaxed when he shook her hand. It was a normal handshake, so he wasn’t sure what was up with his partner. She seemed harmless enough.

  “It’s my pleasure, Avalon,” he replied. “It must be weird having a name like Oracle following you around.”

  She stared at him, her pale eyes tracking Luke’s every movement. “You get used to it. I guess I reminded someone of one of the Oracles at Delphi.”

  He laughed. “Sure.”

  Avalon heard the disbelief in his voice. She was accustomed to it. “Oh, and by the way, congratulations on your engagement. Ceil and David send their love.”

  He dropped her hand like it was hot. “Wait! What did you say?” he asked.

  Everyone stared at him when he took a step back.

  “Your parents—they send their blessings. They wanted you to know that you’re going to have a great life with Maura.”

  He stared at her in horror.

  Maura took his hand in hers, mouthing one word. ‘Sorry!’ This was normal, and she should have warned him that things like this came out of Oracle’s mouth. It was like there was a subtle switch from Avalon to the one who reached into your soul to read you.

  “I don’t understand how you…”

  She took a step closer. “Your mother, she wears a gold charm around her neck and plays with it. I think it’s a pair of sneakers. She’s proud of you and calls you ‘pookie’.”

  He swallowed.

  No one knew about that necklace but him, his mother, and his father who gave it to her.

  Then there was the uncommon nickname.

  “Holy shit!” he muttered.