Southern Delight (Southern Desires Series Book 3)

by Jeannette Winters

  “Don, you read me better than anyone else, even better than Hannah. Should it really surprise you that I can do the same to you?” She crossed her arms in front of her and waited for his reply.

  He shook his head. “No it doesn’t, but this is not something I can speak about.”

  “You don’t trust me?” She was hurt that he wouldn’t be willing to let her in after she did him.

  Don reached out and touched her face. “I trust you with my life, babe, but the only way to keep you safe is for you not to know anything. So please trust me and don’t ask me again. When I can, I’ll tell you everything. That’s a promise.”

  Keep me safe? Does that mean you’re not? Does this have anything to do with what happened here with the terrorists? God, don’t tell me you’re working with Mark on that. It’s his job to go after men like that, not yours. He’s trained to take that risk. You could be hurt, or—

  Bailey got up from the seat, and half ran back to the sink. She grabbed the sponge and started cleaning the dishes with a vengeance this time. She couldn’t look at him. All she could do was trust that he knew what he was doing and that Mark would have his back. He is Mark’s best friend. Mark would never let Don do anything so dangerous that it could cost him his life.

  Don came and stood by her again and placed a kiss on top of her head. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she turned her head so he couldn’t see it. Don’t you dare get yourself killed, Don Farrell. I just realized that I’m hopelessly in love with you, and I can’t lose you now. You can’t take someone’s heart then die. That’s just not fair.

  Chapter Eleven

  “You seem to have a lot on your mind, Don. Thinking about Bailey?”

  “Worried that I’m going to steal your girl away from you, Kevin?” Not that you could stop me if I tried. We both know the reason I haven’t.

  Kevin laughed. “Hardly. Let’s go for a walk.”

  Don shot him a look and then realized there was business to discuss that couldn’t take place on the porch. He got up off the swing and followed him down the stairs. Once they were out of earshot, Don asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Johnson contacted me. Looks like something is going on at The Mountain.”

  “Like what?”

  “A shuffle of command. We know the general was killed, but Johnson hasn’t been brought up to date on that. That information stayed at our level. Have you told Thomas?”

  Don shook his head. He trusted Daniel, but on certain things he gave control over to Mark. The murder of a general was one of them. “How does Johnson know who works there? I thought you guys couldn’t get close to the place.”

  “He’s pretending to be a hunter in the woods. If you saw him now, you’d think he’d been out in ‘them thar hills’ for years instead of a week. They fell for it and nabbed him. Brought him in for questioning.”

  “And they bought that he was a native living in the hills?”

  “Mark’s team is the best, Don. Their lives depend on covert operations.”

  Don had heard stories over the years of what Mark’s team had done. Navy SEALs were known for their tactical operations. What most people didn’t realized was how deep into cover these men had been trained to go. They’d spend months overseas working undercover. He didn’t doubt they believed whatever bullshit Johnson was rattling off. That only confirmed he needed to listen even closer to what was being said to not fall into the BS trap too.

  “How the hell did he make it back out? What did he report back?”

  “They questioned him and determined he was an out-of-season deer hunter. So they gave him a firm warning about trespassing and sent him on his way. He’s damn good. Actually, Johnson’s one of the best in the field. It doesn’t take him long to assess a situation and obtain information. He had an uneasy feeling about the new security team. Johnson said he was taken in too easily. They never should have let him get that close. Either they suspect he was spying or they are so damn incompetent that they don’t know any better.”

  “Every time I was there, the Marines never had their guard down. And no one was coming anywhere close to the building, never mind being brought in for questioning.” Who can blame them after what happened in the lab in North Carolina? I think I’d shoot first, ask questions later.

  “The Marines are no longer the ones securing the facility. Johnson wasn’t able to pinpoint if it was another branch of the military or if it was privatized. They didn’t have any insignias on their uniforms; they were all dressed in black. His gut said they’re not our guys. You know, US military.”

  Shit. That’s another big change from the last time I was there. I’ve got to get back inside and see what Johnson couldn’t. There’s no way they’d have taken him to the levels deep within The Mountain. “But are they on our side?”

  “We don’t know. Either way, we now know why the general sent that message. It looks like The Mountain is intentionally being set up as a sitting duck.”

  That’s just great, because I’m going to be sitting in the pond with them. “What are your plans? Are you guys going in and shutting it down?”

  “We could get in using the photos you provided us, but Mark is waiting for more information regarding the general’s death. We know he didn’t die from natural causes, but we don’t know why he was killed.”

  “You mean who killed him.” Don had become very good at interpreting what Kevin was and wasn’t saying. That didn’t mean it made things any better, but at least he had a clearer understanding of what he was dealing with.

  “I don’t want to believe he was—”

  “Playing both sides?”

  Kevin nodded. “His text to Mark came too close to his death. And the change in security only adds to our suspicions.”

  “Damn. If anything, they should’ve added to the Marines already there, not pulled them out.” Not that I understand how our military works, but even I see an issue with their actions.

  “Exactly.” Kevin’s short response said it all.

  The risk for things going wrong had just increased, but he knew the others weren’t backing down. They were all in. This wasn’t about a building or the death of a United States Army general. Each of these men had taken an oath to serve and protect this country. Don might not be sworn in, yet he was ready to do whatever he needed to assist them in this mission.

  Johnson was able to get in and out just fine, but Don knew it was only at the top level. What they needed to know was far below ground. And right now he was the only one who had a valid reason to go there.

  “I’m going back right after the wedding. I spent the night looking over my photos again, and something is off. The general spent the entire day with me the last time I saw him. He had me taking photos of things that weren’t important. I was pissed that he was wasting my time. But with what you just said, there has to be something more. I just don’t know what yet. Maybe if I retrace my last day with him it will click, and I’ll see what I was missing.” Did he know of my connection to Mark somehow? Is that why he walked through the facility with me? In case he couldn’t get a message to Mark, he was trying to give one to me? Could he purposely have caused our paths to overlap? If so, what did he think I could do? Or see?

  “Have you talked to Mark about this?”

  “I don’t work for Mark, or did you forget?” Don asked sharply.

  “This isn’t about who works for who. It’s about keeping you safe, Don. If you’re going back in there, we need to know.”

  “Mark made it very clear there is no one on the inside to protect me. So tell me, what difference does it make? Once I cross those gates, I’m all alone. I’m not military, but you guys have to trust me to do my job.”

  “If we didn’t, Don, you wouldn’t know anything.”

  He’d known the level of trust Mark had in him long before any shit went down with the terrorists six months ago. That only solidified their friendship. What Mark shared with him was at times even more than he told his own team.
Don would’ve communicated his concerns, but this was Mark’s wedding. If Mark thought for one minute that Don’s life could be in serious danger, he’d never take Hannah on a honeymoon. It was bad enough they were only going away for a few days. I need to make Kevin understand that.

  “Mark needs to stay focused on Hannah right now and not on me. It’s been a long time coming. Hell, I actually never thought I’d see the day, but he’s getting married tomorrow, and we need to make sure he doesn’t get in his serve and protect mode, or he might be getting married by proxy.”

  “I don’t like this, Don. So much can go wrong. These men will not hesitate to kill you. And if you’re lucky, they’ll make it quick. If you’re not—”

  “I get it, Kevin. No need to paint me a picture.” He watched the news. It wasn’t pretty, and he didn’t want the same thing that happened to the general to happen to him. “The facts are clear and haven’t changed: I’m the only one who can get in. With the general out of the picture, I’m the only one who’ll be able to tell you what effect his death may have had at The Mountain. Unless you have a better idea.”

  Kevin stared at him, but Don knew he agreed. “You’re crazy, Don. I’ll hold this information for now, but you better keep me updated on everything. If for one minute I think you’re holding back again, I won’t go to Mark. I’ll have your contract voided myself, immediately. Don’t think I can’t and don’t think I won’t.”

  Don wanted to grab Kevin by the shirt and knock him on his ass. No one messed with his business. He’d sacrificed a lot to make it one of the most successful businesses in the country. It didn’t get there by letting others dictate what he could or couldn’t do, and he wasn’t about to let that happen now.

  Yet holding on to this contract wasn’t about money. He didn’t need it. The only thought in his mind was making sure those bastards paid for what they did and ensuring that they weren’t going to be around to hurt anyone else. No one is stopping me from doing this. Not Kevin and not them.

  “Try it, Kevin, and you’ll find out just how serious I am about doing this.” He wasn’t afraid of Mark and he sure as hell wasn’t going to take any shit from his kid brother.

  “It’s your life. Just make sure you don’t take any of us down with you if you screw this up.”

  Not planning on screwing up, but if I do, I plan on going down alone.

  “If that’s all, I have a cold beer waiting for me on that porch, and I plan on enjoying it.”

  “Seems like you’ve been enjoying more than just the beer down here.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Don shot back.

  Kevin grinned. “I’m talking about Bailey. I saw how you were looking at her last night, and from the look on her face, it must’ve been one interesting ride home last night.”

  If Bailey was his girl, he’d have given Kevin a warning to stay the hell away the first time he saw anything suspicious. There was no way he would be acting so calm and cool. Of course, I’ve never cared enough about a woman to give a shit if any other man wanted her. But damn it, Bailey’s not even my girl, and I still hate the thought of anyone looking at her, touching her. I’m no expert in relationships, but something doesn’t freaking make any sense to me.

  “What game are you playing, Kevin?”

  “No game. Just an observation.”

  “Then you need glasses, because there’s nothing to see. Nothing is going on between Bailey and me.” Not because I don’t want there to be, but because there can’t be. All I can do is bring more stress and pain into her life right now. I won’t do that to her. If I make it out of this alive, then I’ll come clean with how I feel. Until then, there can’t be anything more than this.

  “If that’s the case, you’re a fool. That woman is amazing. Who wouldn’t want her?”

  I don’t want to think about anyone else wanting her, but I can’t give her what she needs right now, maybe not ever.

  “I can’t believe I actually thought you were better for her than me. Boy, was I damn wrong. You’ll never find another woman like Bailey, and you’re talking to me like you think I should be with her. You don’t deserve her,” Don said.

  Kevin chuckled, which only infuriated Don even more. “And I thought you were smarter than this, Don. She’s in love with you.”

  Hearing Kevin tell him only confirmed the guy was nuts. Don knew Bailey cared for him, but she was emotionally vulnerable from all she’d been through. Even if she did love him, things hadn’t changed for him. He was fully invested in what needed to happen at The Mountain. If Bailey actually was in love with him, that only meant it’d hurt her even more if anything happened to him. I’ve spent my life perfecting the romantic art of no commitment. She’s the one person who makes me want to change that. But the timing is so damn bad. I’m not sure I’ll even make it out of this alive. Even if I do, she deserves someone who doesn’t avoid commitment like it’s the plague.

  His voice was filled with frustration at himself, at Kevin, and at the entire situation. “What’s your intention with Bailey?”

  Kevin’s face became very serious as he replied, “To keep her alive at all costs.”

  “That’s everyone’s goal. I mean on a personal level, because she seems to be in your arms a lot.” And I don’t like it.

  “Not as much as in yours. But the truth is I only met her the day before you arrived. What I know of her is mostly through what Mark updated me on. We’ve gotten closer, but as you’ve probably guessed, we’re not dating.”

  What the hell! “So why pretend to be?” He hadn’t meant for that question to be voiced out loud.

  “All part of the plan. All I know is if it was me and I had a woman like her waiting for me back home, I’d make sure I don’t do anything stupid. Get me?”

  I get you, but I still don’t understand how you pretending to date her helps the plan. And why tell me now? Something is still not adding up. Unless Mark has you in the dark just as much as me. This sure does seem like something he’d mastermind. I think Mark and I need to have a long-overdue chat.

  “My plan is to make it out alive with the information we need. Right now, thinking of anything beyond that is only going to be a distraction. As a fighter pilot, I’d think you understand you can’t have a distraction in the middle of a fight.”

  “Roger that.”

  “Now can I go back to my beer or did you plan on us spending the entire day chatting out in the yard?”

  Kevin laughed. “Go enjoy your beer before it gets warm. I won’t bother you anymore today. Bailey and I have plans together this afternoon so you won’t have any distractions.”

  Keep pushing those buttons, Kevin. I have so much frustration built up in me on so many levels right now that I’m just looking for somewhere to unleash it.

  Don watched Kevin walk ahead of him toward the house. It was who was on the porch watching them that had his attention. She’d put her wig back on. That’s okay. I understand. One step at a time. I wish I could promise to be there with her to see her through each one.

  Don winced when he saw Kevin put his arm around her shoulder as they headed back inside. Although Kevin said there was nothing going on between them, seeing them that close rubbed him the wrong way. Great. Now I can add jealous bastard to the list of unattractive traits I’ve acquired recently.

  “Why did I agree to this?” Bailey asked softly as they drove to the airport. “Casey or Mark should be going, not me.”

  “Because you didn’t want to be cooped up in the house any longer,” Kevin answered while driving his truck to pick up his parents. “And this gives us a good opportunity to talk without any interruptions.”

  “Talk? About what?” Bailey had enough talk with Don earlier that morning. Although, talking with him came easily, it still left her mind spinning with questions. When she’d seen him and Kevin out in the field together, it only made her want answers all the more. Maybe I can get some from Kevin since Don’s not willing to open up.

  “You
and Don.”

  That’s not the topic I want to discuss. “Not much to say there.”

  Kevin laughed. “Here we go again.”

  “Excuse me?” She had no idea what that meant. If he was going to talk in riddles, then he was wasting his time. Bailey was on a mission to get answers, not play games.

  Kevin gave her a sideward glance before focusing back on the traffic. “I am trying to figure you and Don out. At first I thought he was stubborn and in denial. Now I’m thinking you both are.”

  “My relationship . . . I mean friendship with Don is none of your business, Kevin,” Bailey said while looking out of the passenger window.

  “Too bad. When I came onto the porch after talking with him earlier, the look in your eyes said you wanted to know what we were talking about. Guess I was wrong.”

  “Kevin Collins, if you have something to say, then say it.” Bailey was shocked by how hard and demanding her voice sounded. Wow. Where did that come from? I haven’t seen that person in months.

  It’d always been the soft, sweet Hannah who needed protected and Bailey doing the protecting. Since her surgery, Bailey had lost that and didn’t think she’d see the day it returned. Guess it wasn’t gone, just lying dormant.

  “Interesting.”

  “What is?” Her voice was not as harsh as before.

  “When I talked to Don about you, he lost his temper too.”

  “Then maybe you’re crossing lines and should take it as a hint to drop the subject.”

  That doesn’t mean I don’t want to know what Don said. I can’t help it. You’ve got my curiosity piqued.

  “Hey, I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend as long as you need me to. Mark asked me to, and I’ve done it without any questions. That doesn’t mean I don’t have any. It’s more than obvious that you two love each other. What I don’t understand is why you are putting me in the middle.”

  Because I’m afraid of what I’ll do if you’re not. “Does he suspect anything?”