Revealing

by Calle J. Brookes

  She didn’t understand it, but he was her brother. And to her that definitely mattered more than she ever thought it would. But he still had nightmares about what he’d seen Miles do to that girl and Jazz, and Paige knew he always would. But thanks to Mal, they had a referral to an excellent child psychiatrist who they’d see next week.

  She’d even had a few emails from Ariella. Her half-sister was recovering from her ordeal, and was back into her regular routine. Paige doubted they’d ever be close—Ariella lived too far away for that to really happen—but they’d be a part of each other’s lives for at least a little while to come. Simon kept in touch with her more than Paige, and Paige was ok with that.

  Luc still hadn’t decided whether he wanted more contact with the other children of Denise Daviess. But Paige knew he’d offered to fund Ariella’s—and Simon’s—search for the other two, if that was what they both wanted. Paige didn’t know how she felt about it.

  It was all just a little too much for her, too soon.

  Right now she just wanted to get through the wedding. Would he be there? Surely he wouldn’t miss his sister’s wedding. The one thing she had always admired about Mick was how he loved his family. He’d driven Al crazy, but Paige had always seen the way he felt about his sister.

  She’d been in Carrie’s wedding and Payton’s. She’s sung at Georgia’s, and had witnessed when Jules and Mal had eloped—those rebels!—so she was an old hat at the wedding process by now.

  She took a moment to stop at the entry to the grand sanctuary, to look at the people in front of her. They loved each other and they wanted her to be a part of their happiness. She shouldn’t let old insecurities keep her on the edge anymore.

  Carrie was seated near the end of the first pew, her husband hovering over her and the baby in her arms. Payton was standing in front of Carrie, cooing over baby Maddie. Luc and Simon were quietly sitting a few pews back. Her family. She hadn’t known the two of them were going to be there, but she was happy they were.

  She headed toward Al. As queen of the ‘Wedding of the Century’, she’d tell Paige what part she was supposed to play. Probably best to get her assignment first. Then she’d sit by Carrie and hold her niece. Try to distract herself from the questions that were filling her.

  Where was he?

  She looked at the rest of the crowd surrounding Al and Seth. There was a dark-headed man in the middle of the group, but it wasn’t the one she was wanting. She told herself not to be stupid or pathetic; even if he didn’t make it back that didn’t mean anything. And if he did?

  There was no guarantee he would even want to have the discussion he’d promised her three weeks ago. What had happened between them had happened in the heat of the moment—several of them, actually, and each minute had been hotter than the last.

  But heat didn’t mean binding ties.

  She’d just wait. He might not even be there tonight anyway.

  Chapter 52

  Mick grabbed his bag from the taxi and tipped the driver. The church where his parents and sister attended almost every Sunday was fifteen feet away. His family, all the people who mattered, waited inside.

  His heart jumped when he thought of who else waited in there.

  Three weeks was a damned long time. Especially when he knew she’d been uncertain of him to begin with. Nerves had his hands slick with sweat, and had him pulling the tie around his neck to allow himself a little more room to breathe.

  He had a ring in his pocket. He’d grabbed it before he’d left for the trial—Wilcox had given him half an hour to pack a bag—and he’d held it close every night since. It had been his mother’s mother’s; and it had always been meant for him to give. He’d seen it in the box in the top drawer of his dresser and known what he wanted to do with it. With her. He knew what mattered, now.

  Every damned night he’d spent sequestered in the safe house had made him miss Paige even more. The verdict had finally come back guilty an hour before he’d boarded the plane back to St. Louis. He’d waited only long enough to know the son-of-a-bitch responsible for Mara’s death would spend the rest of his life in prison before heading back to where he belonged.

  Everybody he loved was in St. Louis. Everyone.

  He remembered the look in those dark eyes when he’d told her of Mara, when he’d told her that he wasn’t leaving her alone by choice. There had been hope—and there had been doubt.

  Paige had a thousand and one insecurities swirling around inside her. It would be his job to help her realize that she didn’t have to fear those things anymore. And it would be her job to help him with his own.

  If she hadn’t changed her mind in the last three weeks of no contact. Maybe she’d taken the time apart to really think about what had happened between them. Maybe she’d changed her mind? His hand tightened around the ring in his pocket. He needed to see her. To talk to her, and just touch her. Everything else could wait.

  Mick stepped into the church.

  He looked for her immediately. There were people everywhere, but she stood out. She would always stand out. She wore a simple black sweater and dark jeans, sedate for his Paige, but she was smiling. It wasn’t her full smile, though. He saw a small bit of sadness in the expression. And that had his chest hurting. Paige should be happy. He forced himself to let go of the ring box. Now wasn’t quite the time. He’d wait until his sister was done playing princess—she was in the midst of all of her friends laughing and joking, flirting with her fiancé—and then he’d pull Paige aside, maybe take a walk around the block, and they’d talk.

  He figure out the right words after that.

  Chapter 53

  Paige was laughing at Al—it was hard not to. Her friend was in a tizzy, trying to maneuver her bridesmaids and groomsmen into positions. Jules wasn’t cooperating—and Paige knew her friend was doing it on purpose, just to give Al a hard time. Al was driving them all nuts, wanting the details to be perfect. And for Al that meant timed just right. “Al, she’s never going to get it. She can’t walk straight. She has to waddle.”

  Jules smacked Paige on the back of the head lightly. “We can’t all have long legs to keep up with these goliath men, Twiggy.”

  “Just tell Mal to take tiny steps. Or maybe he could waddle with you, so you don’t look so out of place.”

  “Maybe we all can?” Cody asked. She grabbed Seth’s partner Bertram’s arm and the two waddled around Al and Jules. It was a funny sight to see, and everyone laughed.

  When the laughter died down Paige looked up, and glanced at Al’s parents. Her breath caught and she forced herself to stay in one spot.

  Al’s mother was hugging a tall, broad shouldered man with dark hair, and it wasn’t Mal.

  Mick.

  He was back.

  The rest of the wedding party noticed him just seconds after she did. Al squealed and hurried over to him, hugging him enthusiastically. Paige smiled—Al had been disappointed that Mick hadn’t been there earlier, and had recruited Josh to act as a groomsman in her brother’s place.

  Now that wouldn’t have to happen—she knew Josh would be happy with that. He hadn’t been too thrilled with the substitute job to begin with.

  But Mick was back, now.

  What was she going to say to him?

  ***

  Mick looked through the people greeting him. He didn’t need to see them right now, he needed Paige. She stood by his sister-in-law, her hand on Jules’ shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed from her laughter, and that long hair was down around her shoulders.

  His plans were to get through the rehearsal then drag her outside or somewhere else they could be alone. But one real look at her had him dropping his bag in a pew, hugging his mother again, then walking down the aisle toward the one person he’d been aching for.

  Screw waiting, screw keeping things private. He’d give her a chance to tell him to go to hell after he made his case to her.

  He hugged his sister when she stopped him, but kept it quick. He set her asid
e, not missing the surprise in her blue eyes. He passed his brother, two of the three Lorcan brothers, but he didn’t look close enough to see which one was which.

  Paige just stood there next to Jules without moving. Her eyes were big and dark. Perfect.

  He’d dreamed of her eyes every night for almost three weeks. “Paige.”

  “Mick…” Her chin went up only a little bit. But her expression was just a little bit vulnerable too.

  “We need to talk.”

  “No arguing tonight.” Jules tapped him on the chest. “Promise.”

  “No. It’s not an argument. Just a few things we left unfinished.” He wrapped his hand around Paige’s forearm and squeezed a little. “Outside.”

  “Outside.”

  “Ten minutes,” Al said, looking between Mick and Paige. “Then I don’t want any FBI business discussed at all. It’s wedding and then rehearsal dinner party! Got me?”

  “Deal.”

  Mick held Paige’s arm and pulled her behind him quickly. He needed to be alone with her. They hadn’t had a chance to really say much before he’d been pulled onto a plane by the D.C. agents. His last sight of her had been a sad, confused face watching him walk away.

  He pulled her out of the building and down the front steps of the limestone church without saying anything. He didn’t stop until they were in the parking lot. Finally he couldn’t wait any longer. Mick pulled her against his chest and kissed her. Hard.

  Her skinny arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him back—just as hard.

  They must have used up half of their ten minutes just holding each other and kissing. Finally he pulled back and dragged in a deep breath. “God, I missed you.”

  “Really? I figured three weeks away from me was just what you needed.”

  “It was total hell.” Mick cupped her head with one hand and just held her against him. “I missed you. I can’t say it enough.”

  “This is crazy, Mick. We both know that.”

  “I know that I’ve pushed you away for three years, but I always knew where you were, what you were doing, whenever you were in the room. I’d look at you and for the first time in a long time I would feel. Really feel. More so than I ever did with Mara…”

  Chapter 54

  Once he got going the man had the right words after all. And Paige believed he meant it. She knew how much Mara had meant to him. And she finally understood why he played everything so close to his chest—if anything he seemed to care more about the people he loved than she ever would have suspected. He came across as all big and bad, and even a little callous, but inside he was more sensitive than she ever would have known. She placed her palm against his cheek. “I’m glad your back. I missed you, too.”

  “Let me finish…I’ve geared myself up to say this, and even practiced in the taxi.” He had his hands around her waist and he lifted her until they were eye level. “I think I’ve fallen in love with the most stubborn, hardheaded, absolutely intriguing woman on the planet. At least on this continent, maybe.”

  “I’ll deny that description.”

  “Of course you would. It’s part of being contrary. Let me finish.”

  “Ok, go ahead and finish, then.”

  “I. Love. You. Paige Daviess. I don’t know when it started, or even how it happened. But it’s the truth. I should have told you weeks ago before Wilcox dragged me to D.C. I shouldn’t have left it hanging between us. I shouldn’t have left you wondering what I felt.”

  “I understood.” And she had, she’d seen the look in his eyes when he’d left her that day.

  “I thought she did, too. But she didn’t because I couldn’t ever tell her. And what I felt for her is only a fraction of what I feel for you. I knew it would be this way.”

  “Mick…”

  “Still interrupting. Here’s the deal—we both know I’m not like my brother. I can’t always say the right thing, or do the right thing. I’m an ass to everyone most of the time. It’s the way I am. And I get that that makes me a pretty poor second when it comes to him. Or even to those damned Lorcans. I get that.”

  “You’re not second to anyone. Especially with me.” Did he feel that way, honestly? Surely he knew he was just as special as his brother and sister? Probably more so because he’d had to work harder to become the person he was than they had. She’d never look at him and compare him unfavorably to his brother ever again. “You aren’t. I don’t want you thinking that.”

  “You’re interrupting again.”

  She knew the words that would stop him in his tracks, and she used them. For the first time in her life she used them with a man. “I love you, Mick. Always. That’s all that matters.”

  “Then take this. I’ll put it on you tonight when we’re alone.” He pulled something out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. Paige looked down. Her mouth dropped when she saw what it was.

  “Mick—“

  “You know what? Screw that. I don’t want you going even a second longer without the world knowing how I feel.” He shocked her completely when he went down on one knee, right there in front of her. “I can’t think of a better place to do this. To make a promise that I will keep, than here, with my family inside. And God watching from every angle. Paige Daviess, I may be a bit of a long shot, but will you marry me?”

  She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her hand shook when she pushed the hair out of his eyes. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”

  “So that’s a yes, then?” He slipped the ring on her hand, then stood. He lifted her off her feet and kissed her again.

  “You know it is. Yes.”

  “Oh, my!”

  They both turned to see Mick’s mother standing in the archway of the church. Her eyes were wide, and she was smiling.

  Heat hit Paige’s cheeks. This was not how she wanted to let the news out. “Uh…”

  Mick’s mother hugged her hard. “I must say this is a surprise…”

  “Kind of to us too.” Mick hugged his mother when she released Paige. “Don’t say anything. I want Al to have her turn being the princess.”

  “Oh, my baby. I do have to say I can’t think of anyone I’d love to have as a daughter-in-law more. Paige and Jules, they’re both so special.” His mother pulled back and hugged Paige again. “Take care of him, sweetie. And make sure he takes care of you. You both deserve someone to love you, the right way.”

  “I will.” Paige was overwhelmed, and she suspected it showed. Mick pulled her against his chest again. She needed the support for just a minute. Then reality returned. “We should probably get back inside before Al sends out reinforcements.”

  “That we should. Come.” His mother took Paige’s hand and squeezed it. Looked down at the ring. “This was my mother’s. She always wanted Mickey to have it. And it looks perfect right there. They loved each other for sixty-two years, and it was a good, strong love. May the two of you have the same.”

  Paige said nothing; she didn’t know what the right words were. But she squeezed the other woman’s hand in return.

  Chapter 55

  Mick forced himself to drop her hand when they entered the church. His mother left them in the entryway to return to his father. He watched his parents hug for a moment, but his mother just smiled at his father when questioned. She looked back at Mick and smiled, the proud and slightly misty-eyed expression she’d always given her children when she was happy with something they’d done.

  “They’re beautiful,” Paige said beside him.

  “We’ll look like that in forty years, too. Now, when do you want to tell them all?”

  They looked at the laughing group of people. The family they belonged to. Mick laughed quietly. “Let’s not.”

  “What?”

  “Leave the ring on, right where it belongs. See how long it takes these supposedly observant people to notice…”

  “And if they don’t?” Paige smiled. “When do you want to tell them?”

  “Tomorrow. After th
e wedding. Give Al her special day. Then you and I will make our own plans. I hope you don’t want a big wedding; I’m an impatient groom.”

  “Give me a lift home tonight? We’ll make a few plans of our own. Mick…there’s one thing…” Her face was serious, and he immediately tensed.

  “What?”

  “Simon.”

  “What about him?” Mick really hadn’t considered the teenager. Maybe he should have?

  “He wants to stay with me. At least part of the time. I think Luc and Payton intimidate him. Too much of a contrast against what he came from. I hope you’re ok with that.”

  “It’s surprising. But he’s your brother. If I can tolerate Luc in the family, I can certainly make room for a good kid like Simon.” He smiled as he said it, but he meant it. Having a teenager around wouldn’t be all roses, by any means, but family was family. And that mattered.

  “Luc is a bit intolerable, isn’t he? But Payton makes up for it. We’d better get up there. The dictator is looking our way.”

  “Paige! Get up here!” Al was looking a bit cross. Mick just snickered.

  “She’ll probably freak out tomorrow,” Paige said. “But tonight, she’s ruling with an iron fist.”

  “Seth can control her. I hope. You and I…we’ll settle things later…”

  Mick walked away from her, but he looked over his shoulder and smiled.

  This time when she smiled it was a full and happy one. The way she should look. He looked back at his sister. Time to put himself in the dictator’s hands.

  He’d be in Paige’s soon enough.

  Mick listened to Al’s instructions, but he was aware of Paige’s every moment. She slipped into the pew next to Carrie Lorcan and took the new baby. Then he understood why his brother and Sebastian Lorcan had acted so damned besotted for the past eight months. Someday, if she was up to it, maybe…

  “Mick! Are you listening?” Al glared at him, again.