“Baby,” he rasped, his large hand cupping my jaw, his eyes warm.
“I knew something was missing—knew deep down it was you, had always been you. But I don’t know how long it would have taken me to figure that out. I could have missed out on everything that’s you.” I swallowed.
“I wouldn’t have let that happen,” he assured me. “That’s all behind us now. Now, we have what lies ahead. We have forever.”
“Forever.” I sighed, burrowing into his body, and in listening to his heartbeat, with his hand gently stroking my back, fell asleep and finally stayed that way until morning.
****
“Seating chart is done.” Emerly smiled in relief as we sat around the conference table at Talon. It was five days after my accident and attempted kidnapping. I’d told Theo that if he didn’t let me out of the house and back to work I’d strangle him.
Finally, he’d relented.
To my surprise, Travis had been nearly as concerned as Theo about my coming back so soon, but I’d insisted. Plus, when I’d told him I needed to help Em with final preparations for their wedding, now just two weeks away, he’d backed off some. He knew not only did I genuinely enjoy the planning, but that Em also needed the help. It was a win-win.
I looked over the checklist nodding. “Good. We’re in great shape, Em,” I assured her. “Caterer and flowers are all set. And you picked up your dress?”
She nodded as I continued checking things off.
Neither Travis nor Emerly had much family, and they’d wanted a small wedding so the details were fairly easy to orchestrate. They were getting married at the Griffith Observatory where they’d had their first date. The observatory didn’t normally do weddings, but Travis had been able to pull some strings. It was going to be beautiful.
“Sarah, did you take your pain reliever?” Theo asked, stepping into the room. He’d interrupted every thirty minutes to check on me.
“I did,” I assured him with a gentle smile. “I’m fine, babe.”
He didn’t look convinced and I knew he was about to protest—just as I spotted Declan behind him.
My entire body stiffened.
“I’ll be just a minute, Em,” I told her, my tone clipped with frustration. “Declan’s here?” I asked Theo in disbelief, standing up to go talk to the man in question.
“Just got in,” Theo confirmed. “Babe,” he continued in a low voice. “Go easy, yeah?”
I rolled my eyes. “Declan’s not afraid of little old me.” I waved a hand.
He snorted. “He knows the Scott women well at this point. He’d be stupid not to be a little wary. And Dec is anything but stupid.”
He left my sister, so I wasn’t thinking he was the brightest bulb either.
I strode past Theo toward Declan’s desk. “Declan,” I greeted, my tone cool.
When his dark gaze met mine, it wasn’t wariness I saw in those dark depths, but pain. Pain that had so many layers it hurt my heart to look at him. “Sarah,” he grunted. “Glad you’re safe.” His gaze slid from mine as though it was hard to look at me.
“Thank you,” I replied, eyeing him cautiously. “Are you back for good?”
“Until I get called out.” He nodded, his jaw tight as he rose from his seat. “I’m hitting the gym,” he continued with a chin lift to me and Theo. He strode toward the back of the building, his body tight with tension.
“Damn,” I muttered.
“It’s why I wanted you to go easy,” Theo murmured, wrapping his arms around me from behind as we watched his friend head for the gym. “He’s fucked-up, sweetheart.”
“If it tore him up so much to leave Char and Ow, why did he do it?” I demanded in frustration.
Theo sighed pulling me closer. “Who knows what goes on in his head sometimes. He’s fucked-up over things that happened while he was on active duty. The guys and I have tried getting him to talk to someone, but he won’t do it.”
“I should call Char.” I sighed. “Maybe even go home for a bit, make sure she’s okay.”
“We could do that,” he agreed.
I turned in his arms, looking up at him. “As much as I’d love for you to come, you don’t have to. You know that, right? Things are safe for me now, and I know you’re still playing catch-up from all those months away.”
I knew his answer before he spoke, that familiar stubborn expression setting his jaw. “You go, I go. Plus, if we’re getting married out there, better get a jump start on whatever we need to plan. I want a second ring on your finger, your ring on mine, by spring.”
When he put it that way, I wanted to get married the next day.
“Plus,” he continued, a playful grin teasing his lips. “I think I’ve lost the five pounds your mom put on me. Better head back before I waste away.”
I laughed, squeezing his bulging bicep. “Yeah, you’re definitely waifish. We should take care of that.”
He kissed my temple, releasing me from his hold. “Go call your sister, baby.”
“I will,” I replied, wrapping him in a quick hug before heading back toward the conference room to tell Em I had to take care of a few things.
I stepped outside in search of privacy, my phone pressed to my ear as it rang. “Hey.” Charlotte’s voice was a tired sigh on the other end.
“Hey,” I greeted quietly. The silence hung for a moment between us, not awkward but expectant. She knew why I was calling and we both knew it. “I saw Dec,” I said finally.
“Oh yeah?” She snorted. “Be sure to tell him we said hi.” Her tone was cutting. Charlotte could have a sharp tongue, but it had only ever served to protect the softer side underneath.
“Char,” I replied quietly, “cut the tough act, all right? I know he was something to you and you to him. How are you doing, really?”
There was another pregnant pause before she spoke again. “I’m pissed and I’m hurt,” she admitted finally. “Less for myself and more for Owen. He loves Declan, he’s confused why he’s gone, and keeps asking where he is. I would have rather he’d kept his distance. It would have been a hell of a lot easier. Hell, if I’m wishing for things I’d wish he’d never come here at all.”
“How did he leave things with you?” I wanted to know.
She exhaled in a bid to hold on to her composure. “I got up in the morning yesterday with Owen, and Declan already had a bag packed. He thanked Mom and Dad for their hospitality, kneeled down and said goodbye to Ow, gave me some sort of alpha jackass chin lift, and left. That was it.”
“What an asshole,” I griped, incensed on her behalf.
“We’re better off,” she grumbled, though I wasn’t sure she believed it.
“I’m so sorry, Char,” I murmured. She wasn’t going to admit how hurt she was but that wasn’t going to stop me from acting as though she had. “I was thinking I could come home for a few days,” I hedged.
“Don’t do that for me, Sarah,” she cut in. “I’m fine. We’re fine.”
Ever since her asshole boyfriend had left her, she’d been more determined than ever to prove she could do things without a man. I knew some piece of her had let Declan in; his relationship with Owen was testament to that. Her protective shield would be up full force for a while. I just prayed she’d feel safe enough to let it down again someday for the right man. “I’m sure that’s true,” I assured her. “With everything that’s happened, I’d really like to see you guys. Theo wants to come, too.”
“I’d love that,” she said. “As long as it’s for you and not for me,” she clarified.
“It’s for me,” I partially lied.
“You deserve your happy, Sarah,” she insisted. “Theo is a good man and you’ve been through hell. I don’t want you worried about me.”
“I’m your big sister and I love you. I’ll always worry.” I smiled. “Will you promise to call if you want to talk?”
“Promise,” she agreed, though I knew she wouldn’t. Charlotte and I were close, always had been, but when she was hurting—
no matter the cause—she always locked herself down. It was maddening and yet it was just… Char. I had to respect what she wanted.
“Mom is freaking out that you want to get married here,” she divulged, changing the subject. “You better get ready for a high-intensity trip.”
“Oh lordy.” I sighed, making her laugh. “Theo wants to get married as soon as we can, so maybe we’ll go for a high voltage, quick turnaround situation,” I mused.
“Might be best,” she agreed, and I could hear the smile in her voice. “I’ll call you soon.”
“Soon,” I said, and hung up.
For a moment, I just stood there looking up at the blue sky and thinking about my sister and my nephew. It pained me to think they’d both opened themselves up to someone, only to be left again.
If I managed not to throttle Declan it would be a freaking miracle.
Chapter 25
“Sam! Babe, you about ready?” Sid hollered from the living room. Sam, Danny, and I were just finishing getting ready for Travis and Emerly’s wedding at Sam and Sid’s. Emerly was getting ready with Mabel, her former landlord and closest friend. At over eighty years old, May, as Emerly referred to her, was hell on wheels and charming as all get out, or so I’d been told. I was looking forward to meeting her.
“Yeah!” she called, before groaning. “It’s cruel and unusual punishment to have to wear a dress in my third trimester,” she complained, eyeing herself in the mirror.
“You look beautiful,” I assured her. And she did. Her belly was larger than life at this point, but her skin glowed from the inside out. “At least you have full function of both your arms.” I grimaced, holding up my cast. Both Danny and Sam had helped me with my hair and makeup. And thank God for that. The one time I’d tried to do it with my left hand had been a disaster. The time Theo had offered to help, even worse.
Unless I’d been auditioning for a traveling circus, which I definitely was not.
“Sarah!” Theo bellowed. “We gotta roll!”
I looked at my friends. “All right, ladies, let’s do this.”
We met the guys in the living room. Sid was corralling Hudson, who looked adorable in his slacks and button-up shirt, and Caden was holding sweet Olivia.
I looked them over briefly before my eyes turned to Theo. My man looked handsome as all hell in a gray suit that was tailored to fit his gorgeous frame perfectly.
He eyed me hungrily, sweeping his gaze over my floral wrap midi dress with thin spaghetti straps. It showed more cleavage than I was typically comfortable with, but Sam had convinced me to go with it. Clearly, Theo approved of my choice.
“Damn, babe,” his voice was an octave lower, in a tone I recognized for when we were typically alone.
I smiled, leaning into the kiss he delivered to my temple as his fingers traced my neck.
“You’re in trouble later,” he growled.
“Looking forward to it.” I grinned as he took my hand and led me out the door toward his SUV.
He held my hand across the console, something he did almost any time he drove. I loved the show of affection that seemed completely subconscious on his part.
“You ready to head home in a few days?” he asked.
He’d booked us a flight at the end of the week. We’d be spending five days in Munro.
I squeezed his hand. “I am home, babe,” I proclaimed. “But yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
“How was Charlotte last time you talked to her?”
“The same.” I sighed. “Not admitting anything’s wrong, but I know she’s hurting. I’m hoping we can slip off to Mickey’s while I’m there. A few beers might loosen her up.”
“I can watch Owen,” he offered. “I miss the little bugger.”
I grinned, thrilled that he’d formed such an attachment to my nephew. “Me too.”
He glanced over at me briefly before his gaze returned to the road. “That dress, baby.” He shook his head, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. “Going to need to keep you close all night wearing that.”
I raised a brow. “Like you wouldn’t anyway?”
Theo had always been openly affectionate with me, but ever since my attempted kidnapping he was downright fervent with his attention. I knew it haunted him, that I’d been taken right out from under him. He needed me close, and I’d give him that. Gladly.
“Damn right,” he grunted.
And he did exactly that.
Through Em and Travis’s gorgeous ceremony in the entrance hall of the conservatory to the reception that followed, he remained close to my side.
The conservatory was a well-known spot in Los Angeles, situated atop a hill bordered by open space and surrounded by a deep canyon below. With its view of the iconic Hollywood sign, it was a breathtaking spot.
Emerly was an absolutely gorgeous bride in her vintage-style wedding dress that was so very her. Her wild blond curls were swept up in an intricate twist and her eyes were alight with joy. Travis hadn’t kept his eyes off her all night, and their obvious love made me excited about my own wedding day.
“They look so happy.” I sighed dreamily, leaning into Theo’s side as we stood, wineglasses in hand, watching the crowd.
“Can’t wait to see you in white,” he replied with a smile.
I looked up at him with a raised brow, a smile tugging at my lips. “Who says I’ll wear white?”
“June Scott,” he deadpanned.
I laughed. He had me there. Truth be told, there was a large part of me that wanted many elements of our wedding to be traditional, including the dress.
I glanced outside and spotted Declan sitting alone on a bench overlooking the hillside. “I’m gonna go talk to Dec,” I told Theo, squeezing his arm.
He nodded watching me go as I made my way through the boisterous crowd to the warm evening beyond. It was nearing twilight, the sun beginning to kiss the horizon, and the view was spectacular.
“Hey,” I greeted quietly, plopping down beside Declan without waiting to be invited. For all I knew that invitation wouldn’t come, and I wanted to talk to him. “Gorgeous night,” I commented. From this vantage point it appeared as though all of Los Angeles was sprawled just beneath us.
He grunted in response, his half-drunk beer captured between his large hands. “Whatever you want to say to me, no one hates me more than I do,” he assured me darkly without looking in my direction. His dark eyes remained planted somewhere in the distance.
“I don’t hate you, Dec,” I assured him quietly. “I just don’t understand. And my sister is hurting. It’s hard for me to overlook that.”
“You shouldn’t overlook it,” he agreed firmly.
For a time, we sat in weighted silence as I waited patiently for him to speak.
“She deserves better,” he mumbled finally.
I turned to him, his profile lit by the rosy glow of the dropping sun. “I think you should let her be the judge of that.”
He looked about to respond when a muffled crack sounded, followed by a grunt from Declan. At first I didn’t know what to make of it. He was pulling me behind the bench and throwing his body on top of mine before I could muster a thought. He lifted his head, unleashing a deafening whistle—to alert the team inside?
That had to be the crack of gunfire I’d heard, I realized with dread. Declan had been shot.
His weight was heavy on my back as he lay pressed against me. “Dec, are you okay?” I whispered worriedly.
“Yeah,” he managed, though his breath was labored. “Stay put.”
I felt something warm and sticky on my back and knew it was his blood seeping into my dress. I was deliberating what to do when the sound of footsteps emerged from somewhere in the canyon below.
My heart was hammering in my chest in panic as I struggled with what to do.
Suddenly Declan’s weight was shoved off me, and I was pulled violently to my feet and dragged backwards. I struggled against my attacker until the cool metal of a gun pressed to my tem
ple.
“Come with me quietly or I’ll kill you,” a male voice snarled.
I froze as he continued to pull me backwards, headed for the open space beyond the conservatory.
“Drop your weapon, now!” Theo’s order cracked through the air like a whip. He stood ten feet away as he aimed a gun at my captor.
“Three o’clock!” Ryan bellowed, his gun aimed at another man who had emerged from behind the building. “Drop it!”
A tense silence followed, my breath sawing in and out of my lungs. I glanced down at Declan, who’d managed to sit up. Blood had seeped through his dress shirt and it was difficult to ascertain its source. All I knew was that he needed medical attention, fast.
“Back off or I put a bullet in her. Orders are to take her alive, but I’ll get creative if I have to,” my captor growled.
“What do you want?” Theo demanded, his body tensed and ready for battle.
“I don’t want anything with her,” my captor replied coldly.
“And you thought trying to take her out from a building filled with active and retired military was a good plan?” Ryan demanded incredulously.
“Greer,” Theo clipped, clearly wanting Ryan to check himself.
“My partner missed his mark,” my captor snarled in frustration, referring to Declan’s wound. Obviously, the plan had been to grab me at the first opportunity regardless of who might be with me.
Thank God for that whistle.
“You have me. Let them take him inside,” I pleaded quietly, my gaze still on Declan. “He needs help.”
“Shut up, Sarah,” Declan growled.
“Yes, Sarah. Shut the fuck up,” my captor repeated, pressing the gun harder into my temple for emphasis.
I winced, trying to shy away from the pressure as much as his grip would allow.
“Get the guns off me or I’m taking her out,” he warned, sending my already racing heart into overdrive.
Theo held up his hands, slowing dropping his weapon to the ground.
“You too,” he barked at Ryan, who complied in the same way Theo had. “If I get even a sense that we’re being followed, she’s dead. You get me?” he demanded of Theo. In the weighted silence that followed, he gripped me tighter. “Do you fucking get me?” he shouted.
Collide (Talon Security Series Book 3) Page 16
