Southern Regions (Southern Desires Book 4)

by Jeannette Winters

  Marina believed her. There was one thing that still troubled her. How can I lie to her when she’s just opened up? Knowing how broken Maggie was, she couldn’t hide the truth from her. It probably wasn’t wise for her to share her identity, but it was the right thing to do. If I can give you some peace, I will.

  “Maggie, I need to tell you something.”

  “Trust me, Marina, nothing you say is going to change how I feel.”

  You say that now. I have a feeling your opinion is about to change. Marina looked at the table again where Maggie’s gun still laid. Guess I’m about to find out if you were telling the truth. Justice or revenge.

  “Do you know who I am?”

  Maggie nodded. “The biochemist.”

  Marina nodded. “And you’re here protecting me, why?”

  “Your tie to the general concerned me. But Kevin trusted you and that is what mattered.”

  Marina didn’t like anything that sounded in past tense when speaking about Kevin. Until someone told her differently, he was alive and coming to her. I know you are, Kevin. I just know it.

  She needed to stop thinking of Kevin and find the courage to say what she had to. “Maggie, General Floyd was an extremely cruel man. People’s lives have been destroyed because of him. Including his family.”

  Maggie looked at her and said, “He didn’t have any.”

  “Not one he claimed. But he did. No one that he loved, but one that he used, manipulated, and tried to control for his benefit.”

  Maggie glared at her as though she was already putting two and two together.

  “Yes, Maggie. I’m his daughter. And my mother died in a car crash due to faulty brake lines. Like you said, he got off too easy.”

  Maggie didn’t say a word. Instead, she walked away, grabbed her gun, and left the room. She heard her footsteps leading down the hall and the door leading outside open and close. Marina couldn’t fathom what was running through Maggie’s mind. She’d just learned the woman she was protecting was the reason why her sister was dead. Whatever Maggie decided to do with that information, Marina knew she deserved it. It was the price she’d pay for being his daughter. Maybe my own pain would stop, because I never knew I could hurt so much. Kevin, I need you so much right now. Why didn’t you get on the chopper with us?

  Her thoughts went back to her father. When she searched for him all those years ago, she only wanted what others had, a loving family, a father who would one day walk her down the aisle, love, and protect her. She’d been filled with hopes and dreams and none of them came true. I’m broken because I believed in you, Dad, but you didn’t want or believe in me. There’s nothing I can ever do to make up for being your daughter. I could swap every cell in my body, and I would still be paying the price. Thank God, I’m nothing like you. I am my mother’s daughter, and we Brimlow women don’t go down without a fight.

  Chapter Fifteen

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  Kevin hadn’t seen his father since Mark’s wedding. He wasn’t prepared to see him in a wheelchair and looking so frail. His mother had told him things could progress quickly, but he figured that’d be years down the road.

  “Greg, our son wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important,” Evelyn said.

  He’d like to believe he had the power to convince his father, but frankly it all rested on his mother. Evelyn Collins was the glue in the family. His father was a strong, hardworking man who feared only one thing, hurting his wife. If she begged him to go, Kevin knew his father would. Come on, Mom. You’ve no idea how desperately we need you to do this. But I can’t tell you why.

  “Evelyn, sweetheart. You know I want to be here at home.”

  “Yes, darling. I know you do, but think of Casey and think of me. I want us all together as a family. They can’t come to us, so please, let Kevin take us to them.”

  He could see his father beginning to waiver. It was taking longer than he wanted, and every second counted. Kevin didn’t think they’d actually come and hit a place right in the open like this, but he wanted to be out of there before nightfall.

  “Fine. I’ll go. It’ll take some time to pack what we need.”

  Kevin got up and said, “I know where the suitcases are. Mom, you point and I’ll pack.”

  Greg shot Kevin a look. “Evelyn, you go and pack your things. I want to talk to Kevin alone.” It was a tone he hadn’t heard since he was a young boy, and he remembered it well. Dad wasn’t happy one bit and didn’t buy anything he’d been told.

  Oh, you know me too well, Dad. When Evelyn was out of the room, Kevin started right away. He didn’t need to wait for the questions. “Dad, it’s bad. Mark sent me here to get you both to Savannah where we can keep you safe.” At least, that’s the plan.

  “From who and why?”

  That was one hell of a long story and one he didn’t have time to tell. His father wasn’t going to settle for nothing, so he gave him a short version. He quickly ran down what had happened over the last year without any of the horrid details. Then he explained about the chemist and why she needed protection. His father sat there quietly listening, the entire time.

  “So you’ll go, right?”

  Greg looked at his son and said, “You’re going to stay at Mark and Hannah’s and leave that woman alone and defenseless, are you?”

  Not if I can help it. I promised her I’d return. I will. “I need you and Mom safe with Mark first.”

  Evelyn came back in the room, and Greg said, “Go pack my things. We’re not done here.”

  She looked at the both of them and said, “I’ll have the entire house packed myself if you two don’t settle this quickly.” Then she left them alone again.

  Greg turned back to Kevin and said, “Tell me about her.”

  “Who?”

  “This chemist of yours.”

  Kevin rolled his eyes. This was no time for a father-son talk. All their lives were in danger, and he wanted to know about Marina? This is nuts. “Dad, there’s nothing to tell.”

  “Guess I can tell your mother to start unpacking then.”

  What the fuck. I’m thirty-seven, and my father is trying to blackmail me for information on my love life. And I thought I’d need to worry about Mom. Wrong again. He knew he needed to spill it because his father wasn’t bluffing. “She’s sweet, kind, caring, beautiful, and highly intelligent. What else do you want to know?”

  “Do you love her?”

  Shit. I don’t know. I can’t stop worrying about her. I’d give my life for her. She makes me want to share a part of me that I never shared with anyone else. If that’s love, then yeah, I love her with everything I am. “She means a lot to me.”

  Greg smiled like he knew the answer before he asked. “I can see that. You’ve never had that look on your face when you’ve spoken about any other woman.”

  “Great. Okay, now you know I like a girl. Can we go?” Before none of us needs to worry if she likes me back.

  “You have to go and be with her. If what you told me was true, and by the way, I believe you softened it too much, then she needs you. Not someone else by her side, she needs you. This is no longer a protection detail. She’ll need to feed off your strength to complete what she started. And God forbid if anything goes wrong, she’ll need you there by her side.”

  “I know, Dad.”

  “Kevin, I’m not talking about her needing your gun. Look at me. I was the strength of this family for years, and now your mother takes care of me. I could tell you how much I hate being put in this position, not being able to do for myself, but your mother never makes me feel any less than I was when I was in my prime. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  I’m trying, Dad, but right now I’ve got more important things on my mind. “Sure I do.”

  Greg let out an exasperated breath and shook his head. “Kevin, what I’m saying is whether she’s successful or not in this, it’s the love you two share that will be all that matters. If you shut her out and go there as the soldier you’ve always
been, then you’ll never have anything more than that with her. Go to her. Be Kevin Collins, the man who loves her no matter what happens.”

  He looked at his father differently than ever before. The wheelchair was no longer the focal point. Everything his father had been before was still present. In fact, he was more than he’d been. It was as though his eyes were opened to what was important. He’d always been there helping others; it’d been his life. Now his life was with the woman he loved.

  Kevin reached out and covered his father’s hand with his. “Thanks, Dad.” He meant it. It was a talk he never thought he’d need, but he was wrong. He was trying so hard to be both the man and the Marine. It was impossible to be both because the lines weren’t as clear as they’d been before. Now all he had to do was get his parents to Mark safely so he could go to Marina.

  “I take it that you two are finished, and we can leave now? Kevin has things he needs to take care of,” Evelyn said as she watched their exchange from the doorway.

  Both men shook their head as neither believed Evelyn had ever been out of earshot.

  Kevin whisked his parents out of there and onto the chopper without any further issues. He was thankful as he had no backup if they’d been attacked.

  Kevin was an experienced pilot, but his expertise was in his jet, not maneuvering a chopper through tropical storm conditions. By the time they’d landed on Mark and Hannah’s property, he realized that bird wasn’t taking off again. He was already counting his blessings for getting it on the ground right side up.

  He looked out at the rain pouring down when Hannah came out on the porch. “How are you holding up?” she asked in her normal sweet, soothing voice.

  Kevin had no idea how she did it. Married to Mark with all this other shit going on, she seemed to be calm and collected. Guess that’s why you’re a perfect match for my brother. He needed someone like you. Just like I need someone like Marina.

  “Need this rain to let up.”

  She touched his arm and said, “She’ll be okay, Kevin.”

  Does everyone know? Because I’m not sure what this is. “Maggie will do what she needs to.”

  “You’re a lot more like your brother than you want to admit.”

  Kevin turned to her, smiling.

  “That’s not a compliment,” Hannah said, shaking her head.

  “You married the man,” Kevin responded.

  “Yes, I did. That’s why I know what I’m talking about. You’re reclusive in certain areas. Mainly when it comes to your feelings.”

  Kevin didn’t want to discuss this with her. It was bad enough hearing it from his father earlier. Looking out at the rain, he said, “It comes with the job.”

  “Do you know what I love about Mark?”

  He could guess, but the truth was he’d no idea what a woman like Hannah saw in Mark. Just like he had no idea what Marina would see in him.

  “It’s not the words that he says. It’s how I feel about myself when I’m with him. Somehow, I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, my cooking is better, my smile brighter, and the stars seem to shine just for me.”

  Damn, Bro. “He does love you. That much I know.”

  “Exactly. He told me about Marina. Did you know they spoke?”

  Kevin looked at her sharply. “Mark spoke to Marina? Why? What did he want?”

  Hannah smiled at him again. “Oh, it was Marina who wanted something. She pretty much bit your brother’s head off for not sending anyone to save you. She’s not some delicate flower you need to protect. She’s a woman who wants and needs only one thing from you. Your love.”

  It wasn’t that easy. “Hannah, her life is in danger.”

  “Look around you, Kevin. Every person in this house right now is in danger. Yet, we are all here in one convenient location. Why? Because it’s the safest place? No, it’s because we all want to be together. And in that is the strength we need.”

  Hannah didn’t have all the facts. Hell, Mark doesn’t either. If they did, their feelings might just change.

  “My heart goes out to her. She must feel so alone right now. No family and not knowing that you’re okay.”

  “What do you mean she doesn’t know I’m okay? Why not?”

  “For the same reason why you haven’t told her. The phones aren’t working due to the storm. Mark has been trying since you spoke last night. The storm hit Georgia hard. It might be another day before they’re up and running again.”

  “I need to speak to Mark.” Kevin brushed past Hannah and flung open the door. Someone better have some answers for me, or I’m taking that chopper up again and going to her, come hell or high water.

  Mark was helping his father get from the wheelchair onto the couch.

  “We need to talk now,” Kevin barked at Mark.

  Mark looked up but continued what he was doing. “We’ll talk later.”

  “Fuck that, Mark. We talk now.”

  “Kevin Collins. You better not be using that language when talking to you brother,” Evelyn said from behind him.

  Right now he wanted to be anywhere but surrounded by family. It only meant he had to care what they thought and felt instead of doing what he wanted. Like grabbing Mark by the shirt and knocking him on his ass for leaving Marina out there in that storm.

  “Not now, Evelyn. These boys need to talk this out,” Greg said.

  Mark looked at Kevin and said, “Let’s take this outside.”

  “I don’t care what your father says. I’ll not have my children fighting each other. Not with all the other things going on. We need to stick together more than ever. Do you boys understand that?”

  Mark and Kevin nodded. Derrick stood there quietly with his arm around Casey, who didn’t seem any more pleased with their behavior than their mother was. The two men headed to the porch without saying another word.

  Once outside Kevin asked, “How could you leave her there with this storm? No commutations, Mark, so she could be in trouble, and we’ll never know it.”

  “They were already in transit when the storm hit. None of us saw it coming. The weather report said it was going out to sea and then it swung back in, slamming right into Georgia. As you can see, we’re feeling it here too.”

  “But you’re not alone.”

  “She has Maggie.”

  “Maggie isn’t one of us. She might put on the uniform and pretend damn well to be one of us, but she doesn’t have combat training like us. Hell, look at Johnson. That man was one of the best and he . . .” Kevin needed to remember Johnson was Mark’s friend. “He was one of the best. He gave his life to protect Marina and Maggie.”

  “It’s what we do, Kevin. You were there. It just as easily could’ve been you killed last night.”

  Part of him wished it had been. The guilt over not leaving sooner was eating at him. “Mark. We didn’t leave when Johnson first showed up. I broke protocol and took Marina out before we headed for the chopper.”

  Mark looked at him. “I know. One question for you, Kevin, and I expect an honest answer.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Why?”

  He’d been asking himself that since the first shot rang out. He could come up with a million excuses, but it was simple. Kevin wasn’t sure he could be that truthful with Mark. Meeting him in the eyes, he decided for Johnson. He’d say it. “Because I know exactly what is on the line. You’ve no idea what she’s been through and what she’s facing. If all we ever got was that one night together, then I wanted us to have it.”

  “Johnson told me you wanted to move the timeline and why. One thing you can’t get back is time, Kevin. Damn it, we both seem to learn that lesson late in life.” Mark patted him on the back and said, “Let’s gear up.”

  “We’re not flying out in this, Mark. I’m crazy about her, but we won’t make it off your land before we crash.”

  “Not going by air. Bessy is fueled up and has seen rougher weather than this.”

  Kevin looked out into the yard and saw
Mark’s old, beat-up, green Jeep sitting there. It looked like the wind alone could pull it apart. “Give me the keys, and I’ll go. You have your hands full here.”

  “My team will take care of them. Trust me, no one’s getting on or off this property without us knowing it.”

  “What about Hannah? She needs you.”

  Hannah spoke up from behind them, “I need him to do this. Now go get her and bring her here where she belongs: with family.”

  Mark walked over and kissed his wife, lifting her off the ground and holding her as though he never wanted to let go. When they finally did, Mark headed into the house. Kevin was left alone with Hannah.

  He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. Squeezing her, he said, “Thank you.”

  “I owe you for everything you did for Bailey. And count yourself lucky, because if she were here, she would’ve butted into your business a whole lot more than I did.”

  Kevin laughed. “I don’t doubt that for one minute.”

  When Mark returned, he had Derrick with him. “You’re not coming, too, are you?”

  “You got a problem with that?” Derrick asked.

  “Does he know what’s going on?”

  Derrick stepped forward and said, “You’re going for Marina, Mark’s going for Hannah, and I have a score to settle with these bastards, for Penny and Kim.”

  Casey was by his side, holding Derrick’s hand. She lifted it to her lips and said, “Be safe my love.”

  His family had gone through so many changes in the last year. There was so much tragedy, but through it all, they all seemed to have found one thing none of them had before. Love.

  Mark picked up the duffle bag and headed to the Jeep. Derrick and Kevin followed. As they turned from the house, he saw Casey and Hannah holding hands. He knew his mother was right, they all belonged together. And Marina belongs with us.

  Chapter Sixteen

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  Marina wanted to check on Maggie. Since she’d told her she was the general’s daughter, Maggie had kept her distance. It’s understandable. She’s afraid I’m my father. Hell, I look at my creation, and I fear the same thing. I’m good at what I do. How could I not have known, suspected, what could’ve happened when I changed the formula?