Colters' Lady: Colters’ Legacy, Book 2

by Maya Banks

  She walked slowly and nearly on tiptoe down the winding pathway. She searched her memory for where exactly Rose had been buried. So much of that time was a blur. She closed her eyes again and this time went back in time to the day. Rose had been buried in the shelter of a huge cottonwood tree, the branches sprawling over many graves as if gathering the little angels in its arms.

  She looked up and saw the tree a short distance away. She swallowed and walked at a more determined pace until she searched out the headstone with Rose’s name.

  “Rose Weston. Beloved daughter. You were mine, and now you’re His. May He take you on the wings of angels back home where you belong.”

  She’d written the inscription herself and until now hadn’t allowed herself to even think it much less recite it aloud.

  She raised her face to the sun. “I love you, baby,” she whispered. “I don’t regret a single moment I had with you. You’ll always be my angel girl.”

  Peace descended and the area went quiet. Warmth enveloped her and wrapped her in its steady embrace. The sun’s rays streamed through the big tree branches that shielded the graves from the weather.

  She looked down again and then knelt to touch the cool marble.

  “Goodbye,” she whispered. “I never said it before. I couldn’t. But goodbye, my sweet baby girl.”

  She rose and turned swiftly away, walking at a brisk pace from the graveyard. She wiped at her eyes with the back of her sleeve and began to scour the street for a cab. Holly and Callie would worry. She’d been gone longer than she’d anticipated.

  She only had to walk two blocks before she hailed a cab. She leaned against the seat, eyes closed as they made the journey back to the hotel.

  She was exhausted. Mentally and physically wiped. But she was lighter than she’d ever been. She couldn’t wait to get back home to her men. She had a marriage proposal to accept.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “Where the fuck is she?” Dillon asked as he paced back and forth in the living room. “I don’t buy that garbage about her and Mom and Callie being on a goddamn shopping trip and having a lark of a time in Denver.”

  Michael nodded silently.

  Even the cat seemed to miss Lily. She paced back and forth between the living room and the front door as if expecting Lily to burst through at any moment. Michael reached down and idly scratched her ears when she issued a plaintive meow.

  “You were a goddamn cop up there, Seth. Can’t you call some of your buddies and have them check in on the women?” Dillon asked.

  Seth laughed. “Uh no. They’d kill us. Mom wouldn’t speak to us for a year, and Callie would just kick our ass.”

  “Aren’t you in the least worried?” Michael demanded.

  Seth sighed. “Of course I am. But she asked for time. She asked for our trust. We have to be willing to give her both. She’ll come back to us.”

  “I’m not worried about her coming back to us,” Dillon growled. “I’m worried about what she’s off doing alone because she thinks she needs to do it. Alone.”

  The sound of the front door opening penetrated the air. The men swung around, and there was Lily standing in the doorway, her gaze locked on them.

  There was subtle wariness in her expression, but at the same time there was a stillness and quietness to her spirit that had been absent before.

  Seth sucked in his breath. It was going to be okay. Relief crushed him. As much as he’d said to his brothers about having to give her space, he’d been as worried as they had been.

  “Lily,” Michael breathed a mere second before he strode across the room and swept her into his arms.

  She reacted with just as much emotion and wrapped herself around Michael, holding tight to him. She closed her eyes and buried her face into his chest as Michael stroked his hand over her hair.

  Dillon only gave Michael a moment before he tugged Lily from Michael’s arms and into his own. He cradled Lily protectively in his beefy embrace, his expression tender.

  “Where have you been, sweetness?”

  Lily stirred and then turned her blue eyes on Seth. He itched to hold her, but he waited as she carefully extricated herself from Dillon’s hold and then came to him in a rush.

  He closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet scent he identified as uniquely Lily.

  “Welcome home,” he murmured.

  She raised her head and smiled so brilliantly at him that he was dumbstruck.

  “It’s good to be home,” she whispered.

  “Where did you go?” Dillon repeated. “Are you all right?”

  She turned to face the others, remaining cradled in Seth’s arms. “I went to see Charles.”

  Seth stiffened while Dillon swore and Michael’s face grew stormy.

  She leaned back and smiled. “I have something to show you.”

  She was definitely keeping them off balance. Maybe it was intentional to get their focus off the fact that she’d visited her ex-husband alone and without them being there to protect and support her. Emotionally and physically, but emotionally most of all.

  She broke away from Seth and stood in the middle of the room at equal distance from the three men. She smiled when the cat did a figure eight through her legs, rubbing and purring her welcome. Lily bent long enough to pet the cat’s sleek body before rising again to focus on the matter at hand.

  “There were two reasons I went to Denver. I spent all week trying to create on paper what was in my head.”

  Her fingers tucked into waist of her jeans and slid around to unbutton the fly. Then she unzipped her pants and wiggled carefully until they slid over her hips, revealing a freshly inked tattoo.

  She presented her hip in silence, her fingers brushing lightly over the design.

  Dillon strode over and feathered his hand over the tat. Michael and Seth followed, straining to see over Dillon.

  “Do you know what this is?” she asked huskily.

  Michael traced the caduceus with his fingertip. “It’s us,” he said in wonder. “All of us. This is you, Seth,” he said pointing to the shield. “And you, Dillon,” as he traced the sword. “And Lily here, in the center.”

  “This is fierce,” Dillon said, admiration thick in his voice. “Did you design it? Is this what you were working on that you wouldn’t let us see?”

  She flushed. “I wasn’t trying to hide it from you. I mean I wasn’t hiding my work because I was ashamed or didn’t think you’d approve. I wanted to surprise you.”

  “It’s amazing,” Dillon said sincerely. “It’s beautiful ink, Lily. Did Callie go with you?”

  Lily nodded. “I didn’t want to go by myself. I asked her and your mom to go with me.”

  Dillon nodded approvingly. “Callie would have taken you to a good place. I’d have been pissed if you’d wandered into the first shop you came across and trusted them to do the job.”

  She pulled her jeans back up and refastened them, and then stared at them, her eyes shiny and light. There was a freshness to her gaze, and it was then Seth realized the shadows were gone. The vague unhappiness. The hint of pain. She was vibrant.

  “I went to see Charles because I wanted to confront him,” she said. “After what happened last week, I spent days thinking about it and with each day I grew angrier and angrier. It ate at me until I knew that if I didn’t confront my past, I could never move beyond it and it would always hold me. And then you asked me to marry you.”

  She smiled at each of them, her eyes soft with love. “I wanted to shout yes. I wanted to more than anything, but I also knew that it wouldn’t be fair to you or to me if I committed before I tackled the issue of my past.”

  “And now?” Michael asked.

  “Ask me,” she whispered. “Ask me again.”

  Seth took her hand and dug into his pocket. Dillon cupped the side of her cheek then looked over at Michael and then Seth.

  “Marry us, Lily,” Dillon asked in a husky voice.

  Seth gently slid the ring over her finger, over her
knuckle until it sparkled on her hand. She glanced down and then curled her fingers into a fist, sealing her hand closed.

  “Yes.”

  Michael shoved by Dillon and scooped Lily into his arms. He gave a whoop and twirled round and round the living room until Lily threw back her head, her delighted laughter echoing through the room.

  He kissed her, long and lingering and then lowered his hand to caress her jean-clad hip where the tattoo rested.

  “That tattoo says it all, Lily. Us around you. You at the center. First. Always.”

  She smiled and kissed him again. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  Lily turned and flung herself at Dillon, nearly toppling him as he caught her against his chest. She kissed him exuberantly, his mouth, his jaw, back to his mouth. He finally laughed and cried uncle.

  “Have mercy,” he begged.

  “Not going to happen,” she purred. “You’re mine.”

  “Damn straight I am,” Dillon agreed. “Completely and wholly yours. You can have me any time you want. All you have to do is crook that little finger that you have me wrapped around in my direction and I’m all over it.”

  Lily sighed and burrowed into Dillon’s neck, nuzzling and making those sweet little sounds of contentment that made Seth crazy.

  And then she pulled away and turned her gaze on Seth. Seth’s heart turned over as she came to him, her eyes warm and full of acceptance. He was taken back to the first day he met her, when he looked up and was staggered by the most intense blue eyes he’d ever seen.

  Thank God he’d acted on the overwhelming reaction she’d elicited. Thank God he’d gone after her. He couldn’t imagine his life without her now.

  “You amaze me,” he said sincerely. “Your strength astounds me. I love you, Lily.”

  She launched herself at him, and he caught her as he staggered back, her wrapped around him. She curled both arms around his neck and held on until all he could smell or process was her.

  “I love you too, Seth. You’re my personal angel. God sent you to me or me to you. Either way, I’ll never believe that it was just a chance meeting in a soup kitchen.”

  His heart twisted and he squeezed her a little harder. “No, Lily. You’re our angel. Always. Our gift.”

  She brushed her lips over his neck and trembled gently against him.

  “I stopped believing in miracles and second chances. Until I met you guys,” she said in a voice that throbbed with emotion. “You all are my miracle and second chance all rolled into one. I love you. I’m so grateful for you.”

  Seth eased her down until her feet hit the floor and then she turned and extended her hands to Dillon and Michael. “Did anyone cook yet? I’m starving.”

  The men chuckled and then Dillon drew her in close again. “Tell you what. You come keep me company in the kitchen and I’ll whip up something yummy.”

  Seth watched as Dillon pulled Lily into the kitchen followed by Michael. He hung back, content to watch for just a moment and savor the rightness of it all.

  Never in a million years would he have predicted this, but then a few weeks ago, his life had been in Denver. His job. Now his life was Lily and the town of Clyde. He was back in the fold of his family. Stronger and closer than ever.

  No, like Lily, he didn’t believe for a moment that their meeting had been chance. And he’d give thanks every day for the rest of his life that he didn’t let her walk out of that soup kitchen and out of his life.

  About the Author

  To learn more about Maya Banks please visit www.mayabanks.com. Send an email to Maya at maya@mayabanks.com.

  Look for these titles by Maya Banks

  Now Available:

  Colters’ Woman

  Seducing Simon

  Understood

  Overheard

  Undenied

  Brazen

  Love Me, Still

  Into the Mist

  Into the Lair

  Stay With Me

  Reckless

  Golden Eyes

  Amber Eyes

  Songbird

  Coming Soon:

  Colters’ Daughter

  Holly Bardwell is running from her past mistakes. Straight into the arms of the Colter brothers.

  Colters’ Woman

  © 2010 Maya Banks

  Colters’ Legacy, Book 1

  Adam, Ethan and Ryan aren’t looking for women. They’re looking for a woman. One woman they know will share their lives and their beds. They’re losing hope they’ll find her, that is until Adam discovers Holly lying in the snow just yards from their cabin.

  Adam knows she’s the one the minute he holds her in his arms, and as soon as his brothers see her, they know it too. The only problem is convincing Holly of that fact—and protecting her from the danger of her past.

  Warning: This title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, ménage a quatre, violence.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Colters’ Woman:

  The cabin exuded masculinity. All the rooms were sparsely decorated in earth tones. The living room was dominated by the stone fireplace, and the glow spread warmth over the rustic wood floors. It was just as a cabin may have looked a hundred years ago.

  Ethan sat at a desk several feet from the fireplace. He was concentrating on a computer screen and occasionally tapping on the keyboard. Did they have internet access here in the middle of nowhere?

  She looked around for the others, but the house was silent. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room until she stood behind Ethan.

  “Ethan?” she asked, damning how quivery her voice came out.

  He swiveled around in his chair and looked inquisitively at her.

  “Can I ask you some questions?”

  “Of course.”

  He stood up and tucked her hand in his then pulled her over to the couch. “Let’s get comfortable.”

  She sank down beside him, careful to keep a safe distance from him. One touch from him and she was likely to throw herself into his arms and beg him to make love to her.

  She stared at him for a long time then gathered her courage around her. “Is this for real?”

  His gaze softened, and he sat back as if realizing she needed the space.

  “This must be difficult for you.”

  She nodded. She swallowed what she wanted to say then hesitated. Holding back her emotions wasn’t natural for her, as problematic as it may be. Something told her she could be honest with Ethan.

  “It’s difficult, but not in the way you’d think.” She blushed and looked away as she spoke.

  He didn’t prompt her to say more. He merely waited.

  “I don’t understand,” she began again, trying to formulate her thoughts. “How can you all want me? I mean I can understand wanting me, wanting to have sex, that is, but…you want me to stay.”

  Ethan nodded.

  “But how? You don’t know me. How can it be any more than lust at this point?”

  He smiled, reached over and curled his strong fingers over her palm. He picked up her hand then turned it over until her palm faced up. Bending his head, he pressed his lips to her skin.

  She shivered in reaction, a chill racing straight up her arm.

  “Lust? Oh yeah,” he said as he lowered her hand. “But it’s more than that.”

  Her hand fell to the couch, but she wanted to press it back to his mouth. The urgency between her thighs had her shifting to alleviate the discomfort.

  “If you’re asking me if we’re in love with you,” he began, “well, I can’t speak for my brothers, but I don’t think it’s that simple. As you said, we don’t really know you. But we recognize you. Does that make sense?”

  She shook her head.

  “Put it this way. I recognize you as the woman I will fall in love with. Maybe I’ve already started down the path. I won’t know until we’ve had more time to explore each other.” He flashed a wicked grin at her. “And explore, I plan to do.”

>   For some reason, his simple honesty comforted her more than declarations of undying love and devotion. She’d gotten those from Mason, and they certainly hadn’t done her any good.

  “What do you want?” he asked softly.

  “I want never to have gotten married,” she blurted, allowing her regret to pour out of her soul. Tears stung her eyelids and she looked away.

  “Ahh, doll.”

  He scooted forward and pulled her against his chest. He tilted her chin up until she looked him in the eye.

  “You don’t have to stay married to the bastard.”

  Sadness swelled in her chest. “I don’t think he’ll let me go. I know…I know too much.”

  He arched his brow.

  “What do you know?”

  She closed her eyes. She needed to release the heavy burden she’d been carrying for the last two weeks.

  “I saw him kill someone,” she whispered. “On our wedding day.”

  Ethan’s grip tightened around her. “Hell.”

  She pushed away from him, gritting her teeth to keep the tears at bay. “You see, that’s why I can’t stay here. He’ll find me. He’ll kill you. It’s nothing to him.”

  Ethan released his breath then looked over her shoulder. “You hear everything?”

  She swiveled around to see Ryan leaning against the wall behind her.

  Ryan nodded, his eyes glittering dangerously. “Did you email Cal?”

  She looked back at Ethan in confusion.

  Ethan nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Who’s Cal?” she asked.

  “He’s a lawyer,” Ryan said.

  Her eyes widened. She looked between the brothers, checking their expressions for something, some clue as to their intentions.

  “He’s a good friend of ours. He practices law in Denver. I emailed him about your situation. Asked him how best to proceed with terminating your marriage.”

  She stood up in agitation, shrugging off Ethan’s hand.

  “You can’t tell him where I am!”

  “No one’s going to tell him where you are, doll.”