by Marie Harte
“What about your mom?” Hammer asked, seeming to respect her need to not discuss her father.
“She died giving birth to me.” Vi decided to just put it out there. Pedro Flores couldn’t hurt anyone anymore. “My dad was a moody, violent jerk. Angel had a smart mouth, and he used to beat her for it. I stayed out of the way most of the time.” She could remember all too clearly the weight of his hand on her backside, of the belt smacking the back of her thighs.
Then one day Angel had returned unexpectedly, gathering Violet to her after letting her know their father had died. Vi had always wondered if their father had really bled out from a stray bullet during a street fight, or if Angel had taken him out herself.
“Rough childhood,” Hammer said. “Explains why Angel was so good at closing herself off and doing the job. Probably why you’re so good too…until you start thinking about me and turn all warm and affectionate. So loving, even.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“But that’s another discussion for later,” he said smoothly. “Back to Angel. We’re pretty sure she’s Little Dee’s mom.”
Vi wanted to correct him about the warm and affectionate comment but forced herself to stay on topic. “Yeah.” She still had a tough time processing Angel’s motherhood. “She never told me. I mean, she was pregnant and didn’t let me know. We weren’t super close, but I would have been there for her.”
He watched her. “So, you have no idea who the father was?”
“Apparently not you, Deacon, or Noel.”
He shook his head.
“The possibility Angel fell in love with some civilian and had a baby isn’t outside the realm of possibility,” Vi mentioned then hesitated. “But no. She lived for danger and making bad guys pay. She had a thing about being with strong, borderline abusive men. I just can’t see her letting down her guard with a regular guy she’d likely see as weak, considering what she did for a living.”
“I agree. We need to run the kid’s DNA against known contractors. I’ve been trying with Big Joe, but he’s been stonewalling, acting like he’s not privy to that information.” Hammer paused. “Or that if he could get his hands on it, he’s not allowed to share it.”
“But Hammer, that’s a logical argument on Big Joe’s part. Sharing information about contractors is strictly forbidden. Do you really want him giving your information to another contractor?”
“No, but I’m special.”
“Oh, you so are, sugar bug.” She just stared at him, mentally squishing her “sugar bug” under her boot. Had he called her loving toward him?
He started grinning.
“What?” she snapped.
“You are so sexy when you’re sniping at me. It’s like you’re begging me to go down on you again.”
Violet couldn’t help it. Her cheeks felt hot. “Hammer.”
He winked. “We need access to the Business’s database. Deacon’s been working on it, but it’s taking too much time. At this point, we can only speculate that Angel’s the mom. We know she went missing a few years ago, and we think she had a baby…” He studied her, his eyes bright. “Since you’re her sister, your DNA would be a match for Little Dee’s. Enough to factor in a relation, at least. You think you could give us some blood? Then we’ll have that one answer for sure.”
She sighed. “I did the test months ago. We’re a match.”
He scowled. “You mean, back when you were playing nursemaid to my wounded friend?”
“Oh my God. Would you let that go, already? Or should I be angry at you for pretending to like me only to keep an eye on me while I was playing Nurse Violet? Yeah, I knew what you were doing, following me around all the time. No wonder I stabbed you with a needle.” She still regretted the necessity, but she’d been annoyed to feel so enamored with the big lug when he likely saw her only as a job.
His scowl turned into a grin. “Vi, that wasn’t playacting. I wanted in your pants.” He put the laptop on the table and dragged her into his lap with a speed she admired. “And now that you’re not wearing pants, I’m thinking I want in this robe.”
He slowly parted the soft cloth, baring her to his gaze. She felt him thick and stiff beneath her and smiled. “You’re insatiable, you know that?”
“I just had breakfast, and I’m hungry again.” He turned them so that she lay under him on the couch, her robe spready out beneath her. “Time for second breakfast,” he said in a bad—Scottish? —accent.
“You’re a nerd?” she asked, breathless, recognizing a line from one of those Lord of the Rings movies.
“Biggest nerd you’ll ever have,” he murmured and fastened his mouth to her breast.
They didn’t talk after that. Not for a long time.
Seven
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Hammer crouched with Vi outside Noel’s house in his fenced backyard, secretly amused she seemed nervous. Nothing outward would give her away, but he was coming to know her tells.
After two days spent tracking down leads and asking around about her attackers with no results, they’d decided to regroup with the gang. Sharing the information, in person, would help everyone get grounded again and maybe stir up some new ideas on where to look.
Truth be told, Hammer wanted to see Little Dee and the guys. It had been a month and a half since he’d been back. The baby was constantly growing, hitting new milestones, and making the others laugh. He’d seen the pictures, but he wanted to hold the kid again. He’d never been an uncle before, and he liked it.
Plus, when he left to confront Big Joe, he could leave Vi with the guys, knowing she’d be safe.
Hammer nudged her. “Well, ready to go in?”
She frowned at him; he could feel it. Though the darkness around them hid her features, it was as if they shared a deeper connection, and he could just tell what she felt. A stupid notion, but he believed it all the same.
“I’ve been ready. What are we waiting for?”
He chuckled and dragged her with him to stand.
She yanked her arm back. “Ease up, asswipe. I’m not your puppet. And I’m not yours to command.”
“Well, not out of bed,” he corrected. “Sorry for grabbing you. Habit. I do the same to Deacon, and it pisses him off.”
That seemed to mollify her some. She completely ignored the bed comment. “You’re grabby with Deacon but not Noel?”
He snorted. “Hell no. He’d shoot my hand off if I ever got too close. There’s a reason he’s named Ice.”
“And a reason you’re known as Destroyer.” She nodded down at the flowers he’d trampled.
“Shit. He’s gonna kill me.”
She shook her head and started toward the back porch.
Hammer knew they’d already been detected. Noel had one hell of a security system around the house. The one-story Craftsman looked like a family man’s dream home. Beautifully crafted with a large front yard and an even larger fenced-in backyard, the home looked like something out of a magazine. And that was to say nothing about the massive basement, which held a high-tech security room, sound-proofed shooting range, and workout space.
Outside, Noel had a trimmed yard that lay dormant during the cold months, as well as raised beds for gardening, which he couldn’t wait to start tending once spring hit. The badminton net had been taken down, the grill covered and stashed in the storage shed, along with Noel’s garden tools. Hammer’s buddy had turned into a do-it-yourself dad overnight, and Hammer thought the status suited him.
Hell, Addy and the kid suited Noel too. Hammer had no idea what Vi planned to do about Little Dee, but if she tried to take him from Noel, Hammer knew Noel would be devastated. Deacon would be too, as he’d turned into the baby’s favorite uncle overnight. So he said. Personally, Hammer thought the kid had taken more to him, but whatever.
Before they’d walked up the back-porch steps, the backdoor opened. “About time you got back. Hey, Vi.” Noel stepped aside to allow them entrance, then he shu
t and locked the door behind them.
When Noel remained at ease, Vi subtly relaxed.
Hammer shook Noel’s hand, then accepted a slap to the back from Deacon, who’d joined them.
“Solene and Addy are with the baby downstairs,” Deacon said before Hammer could ask. “Just to make sure everything’s good.” He gave Vi a thorough onceover. “So, did she drug you again?”
“Yep.”
Vi smiled through her teeth. “It’s my signature move.”
Deacon grinned. “Nice.” He held his hand out for Vi to shake, and when she did, Deacon only smiled wider.
“What are you grinning at?” she asked.
“Nothing at all, Nurse. Not a damn thing.”
Hammer stepped in to physically separate his friend’s hand from Violet’s, and to prevent Vi from killing the guy. “Yo, Deac, whenever you’re done acting like an ass…”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Noel said in a low voice.
Vi heard him and grinned.
Hammer chuckled. He heard a baby’s gurgle and turned to see Solene carrying Little Dee, with Addy behind her.
The women didn’t look too pleased to see Vi, but Vi didn’t do anything but stand back quietly while Hammer exchanged hugs and cradled the baby to his chest.
“Man, this kid is getting huge! Hey, Little Dee.” He tickled the boy’s belly, pleased to hear such happy laughter. Hammer peered closer at the kid. “Hey, are those two teeth he’s got now?”
“Yep.” Noel sounded like a proud papa. “He’s not all that happy about them either.”
“I keep telling them to give him a shot of whiskey before bed, but apparently that’s not ‘good child rearing.’” Deacon ended in air quotes.
Solene, his girlfriend, pregnant with their own child, shot him a look. “Keep it up and you’re never, ever, holding our baby.”
“Aw, honey, I’m just teasing.” He hugged her close, but over her head he mouthed to Hammer “I’m totally not.”
“I can feel you being obnoxious,” Solene said, muffled against his chest before she turned in his arms, hugged and protected by her lethal fiancé.
Addy slipped into Noel’s arms, smiling. “It’s so good to have you back, Hammer.” She turned to Violet. “And you too, Vi. We know you were actually helping when all that mess with Solene happened. And we’re grateful for what you did.”
“Mostly grateful,” Solene amended, her eyes hard. “You might have let me in on what was happening instead of giving me to Burleigh. The knife you gave me was great, but you could have just taken care of him and left me out of it.”
Violet sighed. “I wish.”
“We need to talk about that,” Deacon said heatedly.
Not a good sign.
Vi didn’t seem bothered. “Ease up, Shadow,” she drawled. “I did what I had to do to keep you all safe. Solene’s a big girl. She handled herself the way I knew she would. She saved your ass, didn’t she?”
Deacon opened his mouth to argue, but Solene’s laughter closed it for him. “You know, I did.” She looked smug. “I totally saved his ass.”
Addy and Noel chuckled.
“So, they’re still at it.” Hammer liked that his friends could tease over an event that had been so traumatic for Solene. She’d killed a man. Addy too had been forced to take a life not long ago. But both women—civilians—had lived up to the strength in their men, ice cold assassins who lived with death. Hammer couldn’t ask for better partners for the guys.
“Do you realize we’re friends now?” He smiled at the group. “I mean, I still want to kill Deacon every now and then, but I won’t because of Solene. And Noel, you finally took that stick out of your ass and got Addy as a reward. You might say you both owe me for helping you find that corny happily-ever-after you wanted.”
The guys looked at each other, then at him, and turned away. “So, anyone hungry?” Noel asked as the group headed toward the kitchen.
* * *
Violet laughed to herself as Hammer followed everyone, asking what he’d said to offend them.
She liked seeing the group dynamic as healthy and sharing, not dominated by men who often had to take charge as a way of life. When she’d first come to get eyes on the situation under the guise of nursing Noel back to health, she’d been intrigued at three of the Business’s top contractors living and working together.
Noel Cavanaugh—Ice—age thirty, six foot two, lean frame, ice-cold temperament. Known as an automaton with a death switch, he killed cleanly and never made a mess. Ever. Noel wasn’t bad looking, tall with dark hair, dark eyes, and an emotionless expression. Or at least, he used to be stoic. Now he smiled and laughed sometimes, always around Addy.
Deacon Shaw—Shadow—age thirty-two, over six feet, muscular, suave. Gray eyes that used to be bleak, now warm with affection for his fiancée. A master with knives, specializing in stealth ops and intelligence gathering. Deacon was the man who went in and came out with no one the wiser. He teased a lot, but now there was genuine warmth beneath the words.
And Hamilton Ashton Montgomery III. Hammer—Destroyer. Built like a tank at six foot five, heavily muscled, he blazed and broke his way through assignments. When the Business wanted someone put down hard, to make a statement, they sent in Hammer. What had surprised Vi most upon meeting him was how warm and down-to-earth he acted. The big guy had a sense of humor, and of the three men, he seemed the most human.
Having also seen him in action, she knew for a fact his legendary status in the field had not been exaggerated. The only way to win with a man like Destroyer was to come in quick, surprising him, then dart away. Because once he got his hands on you, defeat came all too quickly.
Defeat or mindless pleasure, her body reminded her as she looked at his large hands, now carrying a tiny baby. It still amazed her someone as tough and violent as Hammer could be so gentle.
Little Dee loved being in his arms, and Hammer’s wide smile showed how much he enjoyed the baby and his friends.
She met his gaze, saw the question there, and joined them in the kitchen. He handed the baby off to her, and she felt a pang at the unfamiliar weight in her arms. The little sweetheart started up at her with big eyes.
He cooed and grabbed at her hair lying on her shoulder, fisting it with those grubby little hands. She blinked back sudden tears, conscious she held onto what remained of her sister. A precious gift Angel had left for a stranger when she could have sent word to her sister.
What the hell did you get into, Angel?
“We came back to think this through,” Hammer was saying, a hand on her back, as if knowing she needed the support.
For a moment she leaned into it, then she stiffened, realizing that to show weakness in front of this crowd would not be smart.
Contractors don’t have friends, she told herself, ignoring the contradictory truth before her.
Hammer dropped his hand and continued, as if touching her had been no big deal. But she saw Noel’s eyes narrow, saw Deacon smirking at her. The dick. “Vi and I have been talking. She’s of the same thought, that the only person who makes sense connecting all this is Jonas Hood.”
“Never found a body,” Noel said, sounding thoughtful.
“You have to consider Big Joe too,” Deacon added. “I know you don’t want to think it. Hell, I don’t either, Hammer. But he links us all too.”
“Do you think he fathered the kid?” Hammer asked. “Really? Some old man hooked up with Angel?”
“Well, he was her handler.” Deacon shrugged. “Who’s to say what went on between them?”
“I don’t see it,” Noel said. “And just because he sounds older doesn’t mean he is. I always assumed he used a voice modifier on our calls. Hell, for all we know, Big Joe could be short for Big Josephine.”
“Yeah. Good point, Noel,” Hammer agreed, as Vi had known he would. Hammer was loyal, and he had a soft spot for their handler. She couldn’t blame him for not wanting to think the worst of someone with so much power ov
er them.
Deacon shook his head. “Hammer, man, you need to keep an open mind. This is too big to be trusting blindly.”
“I agree,” Vi had to add. “Right now, your best suspects are a dead guy and a live guy. I’d start by crossing the live guy off the list.”
Noel watched Hammer carefully. “While Hammer’s been out looking for you, we’ve gathered as much intel on Big Joe as we could. Even with Deacon’s contacts in Admin, we didn’t get much except confirmation Big Joe is a man. No description, no sense of age or his whereabouts. We know he telecommutes and has never been seen at Admin. Ever.”
Vi winced as the baby tugged her hair. “Wow. Even the other handlers occasionally pop into Admin. Maybe Big Joe does run the Business.” Since no one knew who really pulled the strings with the company, rumors had abounded about one of the handlers secretly being the big boss.
Vi had wondered if the government ran the place, but too many inconsistencies with governmental policy and other things she’d heard told her they had contracts with the U.S. but didn’t otherwise report to the country’s top brass.
Everything about the Business was in the black—secret, dangerous, and lucrative.
Hammer sighed and ran a hand through his thick hair. His biceps bulged, and she smiled to herself. Yeah, I had those arms all to myself not too long ago. Hammer’s mine. Was mine. Shoot. Focus Vi, and not on your hormones.
“You guys make sense,” Hammer admitted. “But there’s something more you should know.” He shared a glance with Vi, who nodded. They’d discussed what to tell the others about their connection to Angel, and she preferred to keep her relationship private. Hammer understood, which had surprised her.
“Well?” Solene glared. “It’s nearly eleven at night, Hammer. The kid is still awake, which means he’ll be crabby tomorrow for Addy and Noel. And I’m getting crabby because it’s been a long day already, and we open at seven tomorrow morning.”
“Wait. You’re open already?” Hammer’s big grin made Vi’s heart race. “Damn. I’d be first in line if I wasn’t keeping out of sight. Bring me back an egg sandwich, would you?” He turned to Vi. “What do you want for breakfast?”
