Sweet Justice

by Christy Reece

  Honor had been going back and forth between Florida and Paris, and then she’d headed back to Wyoming to give testimony about her experience at Tranquillity. After hearing what some of the others had gone through, she knew she’d been fortunate to have been with Pike for only a few days. The man had been a true sexual sadist. And he’d trained his children to be just like him.

  With Pike and his two children dead, hell was now even eviler.

  “I spoke with Joel … he apologized.” Seth’s voice vibrated beneath her cheek. “It was awkward for both of us, but I think we’re going to be okay.”

  “And Sandra?”

  “She finally stopped hugging my neck long enough to say she was sorry.”

  Honor sighed her contentment. Ruth Cavanaugh had told her twice on the phone this week that everything would be all right. Not knowing the Cavanaughs that well, she had reserved judgment. Being back in his family’s good graces meant the world to Seth, and since Seth meant the world to her, she couldn’t be happier about the way things had worked out.

  “I saw you talking with Kelli,” Seth said. “I only got to spend a few minutes with her … how do you think she’s doing?”

  “Remarkably well … considering. She’s in counseling and is probably going to go back to Rice for the spring semester.” Honor propped herself up on one elbow to look down at Seth. “Did you know that she, Anna, and Missy have become good friends?”

  “Yeah, Kelli told me. I’m glad, but it was a hell of a way to find friends.”

  Laying her head back on his chest, Honor said, “Yes, but at least something good came out of it.”

  “McCall told me what Livingston did. Surprised the hell out of me.”

  Honor smiled as she thought about the seemingly hard and emotionless Jared Livingston, who had not only accompanied Missy back home to Indiana, but had also arranged for her counseling and found her a nicer apartment and a job at a bank. “I don’t know him well enough to understand why, but I think Jared somehow identifies with Missy. He was furious about how her employers treated her at that pizza place.”

  “Guess you’re right that some good things did come out of it. I heard that Anna has moved to Wyoming temporarily and is helping with the Tranquillity residents.”

  Honor nodded. She had been there the day Anna had described her escape and survival in the wilderness for four days, only to be brought back to where she’d started.

  “She said that there were several people who’d been kind to her, two in particular, and that she wanted to make sure they were treated fairly. No matter what she ultimately decides to do with her life, she’s going to make an impact on this world. She’s a remarkable young woman.”

  A thought suddenly hit Honor. Raising up on her elbow again, she asked curiously, “How do you know all this stuff?”

  Seth shrugged. “I talked to McCall a few times. He mentioned some things.”

  Nope, she wasn’t buying that for a minute. Noah McCall, no matter how grateful he might be to a non-LCR person, would not reveal to them the things he’d obviously discussed with Seth.

  Her eyes narrowed in speculation. “You got something you want to tell me, Cavanaugh?”

  Seth’s mouth twitched, then curved into a full-fledged grin. “I’m never going to be able to surprise you, am I?”

  Little did he know that he surprised her with the depth of his love every single day. Refusing to be sidetracked, she said, “What?”

  His expression went from teasing to serious in an instant. “How would you feel about me working for LCR?”

  Her breath hitched and tears glazed her eyes. Dammit, how was it he was the only one to ever make her cry? Seth working for LCR had been a thought that’d been going through her head for weeks. She hadn’t mentioned it to him because she didn’t want to influence his decision. His past experience had colored his outlook on so many things. She would never doubt Seth’s courage or skill. What she wasn’t sure about was his willingness to immerse himself again in a world of secrecy, flying bullets, and danger.

  There was one thing she had to make sure of before she answered his question. “You’re not doing this for me, are you? Because you’re afraid for me?”

  Seth shook his head. “I never questioned your abilities … not five years ago and not on this mission to rescue Kelli. So, the answer is no, I’m not considering joining LCR to watch over you.” He shrugged. “Rescuing victims feels damn good and is a hell of a lot more rewarding that watching people get away with shit that you can do nothing to stop.”

  Grabbing her shoulders, he pulled her inches from his face and growled softly, “You haven’t answered my question.”

  As usual, arousal sprang quick and urgent through Honor’s body. Loving the strength in the hands that held her and the desire on his face, she gave her heartfelt answer: a deliberately brief “Yes.”

  “Yes, what?”

  Lying completely over him, Honor put her lips to his and whispered, “There’s nothing I’d rather do than work with you.”

  She felt his smile beneath her lips as his hands cupped her bottom, pressing her against his arousal. “Nothing?”

  “Okay,” she said softly, “almost nothing.”

  With a groan, Seth rolled her onto her back and devoured her mouth. Breathless moments later, he said, “So when you do want to get married?”

  “Next weekend too soon?”

  Keeping the steady, deliciously throbbing pressure of his erection against her mound, Seth pushed up on one arm so he could see her face. “You don’t want a big wedding?”

  She laughed softly. “It’s going to be big no matter what with your family there, but no, I don’t want a huge, elaborate wedding. Just your family and mine.” And once again, that wave of emotion flooded her eyes as she whispered, “I’ve waited so long for this … I can’t wait any longer.”

  Seth lowered his mouth to hers and gave his answer in the best way possible. Once again, the world and its problems fell away.

  Honor didn’t know what she’d done to deserve a second chance with this heroic, gorgeous man she adored. Seeing him again at LCR had been a twist of fate, but Seth surviving his wounds had been nothing short of a miracle. Now their future was spread out before them like a bright, shining beacon, and she planned to do everything she could to make the most of the glorious gift she’d been given.

  acknowledgments

  Thanks to my loving and supportive family, especially my wonderful husband, who keeps me sane and does so much to make my life bright and beautiful. And to the precious, furry creatures at my feet who keep me company as I pound the keyboard.

  To my wonderful editor, Kate Collins, for her insight and kindness. And to the entire Ballantine team, especially Junessa Viloria, Beth Pearson, and Bonnie Thompson.

  Thank you, Kim Whalen, my incredibly supportive agent, for your energy and enthusiasm.

  Special thanks to Crystal Scott for patiently answering my endless questions on Wyoming. Any mistakes are entirely my own.

  Thanks to the Recommend Monday gang on my blog, who love to talk books as much as I do.

  And to the readers of the Last Chance Rescue series, thank you for asking for more LCR stories. I hope you enjoy this new addition.

  Turn the page for a sneak peek at

  SWEET REVENGE,

  the second novel

  in Christy Reece’s romantic suspense trilogy!

  Bustarviejo, Spain

  The night was silent and still. The air, thick and humid, held a feeling of expectancy—as if it were aware that rescue had finally arrived. Stooped behind a low brick wall, his eyes narrowed into a squint behind powerful binoculars, LCR operative Dylan Savage surveyed the perimeter of the massive property owned by Stanford Reddington.

  The house in front of him held Jamie Kendrick—a young woman who’d been abducted by a maniac and then sold to Stanford Reddington. Purchased for what purpose, Dylan didn’t even want to consider. Their mission was clear: rescue. Their plan: a soft entry
. Grab Jamie and get the hell out, hopefully without firing a shot.

  “Everyone in place and ready?” Noah McCall asked quietly. The Last Chance Rescue leader kept his voice calm and low, his tone betraying none of the tension Dylan knew he must feel.

  On missions, McCall acted as though ice ran through his veins. That was an attitude Dylan had adopted long before he’d joined LCR. Never let them see you flinch. He’d learned that lesson as a child. Staying expressionless had saved his ass more than once.

  Dylan answered with a soft “Ready.”

  Adrenaline surged as the three other people on the op answered in the affirmative. Any second now …

  “Go,” McCall whispered.

  Staying low, Dylan and McCall ran toward the back door that their informant, Raphael, had promised would be unlocked. Noah eased the door open … Dylan peered inside. Scanning the large kitchen, he briefly noted that not only did the room look like a pigsty, it stank of old food and stale alcohol. The messy space had one thing in its favor: no people.

  Dylan entered first, McCall behind him. Dim light filtered from a greasy bulb over the stove revealed the remains of last night’s dinner and four dirty plates on the counter. Four here, including Jamie?

  In the middle of the kitchen, the men stopped … waited … listened. On cue, a loud, thudding knock sounded at the front door. A moment of dead silence, then lights came on as someone stomped toward the door. The instant the front door opened, Dylan and McCall moved.

  Guns at the ready, their steps silent, they made their way to the next room. At the entrance to the living room, McCall went in one direction, Dylan the other. Sticking his head into a small den and a bathroom, Dylan found nothing other than furniture and more evidence that slobs lived here.

  One minute later, they met in the middle of the living room. The loud protestations coming from the front of the house reassured them that the home owner would be occupied for several more moments.

  His black eyes glittering with cold determination, McCall mouthed silently, “Anything?”

  Dylan shook his head.

  Both men turned and headed up the stairway. Halting at the top of the stairs, they assessed the area. Bright lights from the first floor allowed them to see three rooms to check on this floor. McCall jerked his head at the stairs to the third floor.

  With a quick nod, Dylan headed upstairs. At the top of the small landing, he stopped and listened. The only sounds were the distant mumblings of Reddington as he argued with the Spanish police. Two rooms to check here. The door to one of the rooms stood open. Easing his head in, he looked around. A storage room, filled with furniture and boxes.

  Swiftly, silently, Dylan moved across the hallway, toward the closed door of the other room. His ear to the wood, he listened and heard a soft, trembling sigh.

  He put his hand on the doorknob. Locked. Pulling a small tool from the belt at his waist, he inserted it into the keyhole. At the sweet sound of a click, he twisted the knob, eased the door open, and stepped inside. The room, midnight dark and deathly quiet, held the musky scent of sour sweat and felt heavy with fear, confirming what he already knew: she was here.

  The softest whisper of sound put him on alert; half a second later, a small body leaped onto his back. Not wanting to hurt or frighten her further, Dylan dropped to the floor with Jamie Kendrick hanging on to his shoulders.

  She ground her knee into the small of his back and spoke in a harsh, raspy voice: “Touch me and I’ll kill you.”

  Admiration and compassion slammed into him. She was tough. Good. She would need to stay that way. “I’m here to rescue you, Jamie.”

  With a soft, laughing sob, she said mockingly, “Yeah, my knight in shining armor.”

  “I’m with Last Chance Rescue.”

  After a long pause, she whispered hoarsely, “What’s that?”

  “A rescue organization.”

  Another long pause. Finally, a shaky, tear-filled voice asked, “Are you for real?”

  “Yes.” He waited two heartbeats, giving her time to absorb the information. Then, since time was of the essence, he said, “We need to get out of here.”

  Her slight weight eased off his back, and he felt her shift away from him.

  Getting to his feet, Dylan took a flashlight from his utility belt and clicked it on. His heart thudded and crashed as he got his first glimpse of slender, petite Jamie Kendrick. Untamed, golden-brown hair draped over her bare shoulders. Gray-blue eyes shimmered with tears; white teeth bit at her lips as if to control their trembling. The thin sheet covering her nude body couldn’t hide her uncontrollable trembling. Despite his reassurance, she was terrified that this was a trick.

  “Found her,” he whispered softly into his mic.

  “Get her out,” Noah answered softly. “Reddington’s still at the door, arguing. I’ve got one bastard down, two more on the run.”

  “Affirmative,” Dylan answered.

  There was no time for more reassurance. They needed to get their asses out of here … now. He took a step toward her. “Let’s go.”

  When she lifted her hands to tighten the sheet around herself, he saw the cuffs on her wrists. Pulling a standard key from his belt, he reached for her hands. Admiration grew in him as he watched her stiffen but refuse to back away from him. He unlocked the cuffs from her bruised, raw wrists and then let her go. The last thing she probably wanted was for a man to touch her. Unfortunately, he was going to have to do more than just touch her if they were to get out of here in one piece.

  With a sweep of his flashlight over the room, Dylan took another quick scan. No clothing. He pulled his black cotton T-shirt over his head and handed it to her. “Put this on.” Giving her a brief moment of privacy, he went to the door to peer out. Still quiet.

  At the sound of a small, relieved sigh, he glanced over his shoulder. She was ready. Her feet were bare, and her body swayed as she tried to stand. The T-shirt swallowed her, landing in the middle of her wobbling knees.

  “It’ll be easier for both of us if you let me carry you out.” He wasn’t asking for permission, but he didn’t want to scare her by just lifting her without warning.

  “I can walk.”

  “You’re barefoot and weak. We need to get out of here as fast as we can.” Giving her no time to argue, Dylan reached for her and scooped her into his arms. Her body was shaking with terror, but she didn’t fight him, and that was all he needed.

  Making a rapid exit from the room, he strode quickly toward the stairway. As they got halfway down the stairs, the distant blast of gunfire ramped up the tension. Shit! No way was he not getting her out of here alive. Holding her tighter against his chest, he whispered, “Hang on, sweetheart.”

  Lowering his head, Dylan ran like hell.

  One month later

  Charles de Gaulle Airport

  Paris, France

  “Ladies and gentlemen, flight 231 to Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., will begin loading in ten minutes.”

  A bright, sunny smile plastered on her face, Jamie turned to her sister, McKenna. This stiff-upper-lip thing was a lot harder than she’d thought it would be. This wasn’t goodbye forever, but still … “I’ll see you soon again … I promise.”

  McKenna’s face, so similar to Jamie’s, revealed the same turmoil. “You’re sure you don’t want me to go with you? It’s not too late for me to buy a ticket.”

  The lump grew in Jamie’s throat at the offer. McKenna’s anxiousness was sweet but unnecessary. She wasn’t nervous or worried. After everything that had happened the last few months, she felt insulated from the trivial stuff. And she’d been given a miracle: her sister. Her biggest concern was being separated from McKenna again.

  “I’ll be fine. I just want to get this behind me so I can move forward.”

  “Will you have to see him?”

  Funny, even the thought of seeing her ex-husband again didn’t cause the thud of dread it once had. “I don’t think so. My attorney assured me I’d just need to appear
before a judge.”

  “You know I’ll be there for you if you need me. Right?”

  Jamie hugged McKenna again. After her rescue, they’d spent almost a month together and had gotten even closer than they’d been as kids. Having both survived their own hell, being together again made them appreciate each other so much more.

  Pulling away, Jamie smiled through her tears. “You need to go see Lucas.”

  At the mention of Lucas Kane, a breathtaking expression came over McKenna’s face. Never had Jamie seen anyone more in love. And just from the short amount of time Jamie had spent with Lucas, she knew he felt the same way. Other than her parents, she had never known a couple who loved each other like that.

  “You promise to come back to Europe soon?”

  “Cross my heart. And if not, you can always come see me.” She gripped McKenna’s hand and held tight. “We’ll never let each other go again.”

  Tears sparkling in her eyes, McKenna nodded fiercely. “Never. I promise.”

  “Jamie? McKenna?”

  They both whirled around at the sound of the familiar masculine voice approaching them. A gasp escaped Jamie before she could stop it. She hadn’t thought she’d ever see him again, and yet here he was. Dylan.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” McKenna asked.

  “I heard Jamie was headed back to the States. I’ve got some business to take care of there, so I thought I’d tag along.” His emerald gaze turned to Jamie. “That okay with you?”

  It had been almost a month since she’d seen him. Dylan had been the one to carry her out of that house, the one to rescue her from hell.

  Her rescue had been as dramatic as any television drama, with Dylan and the other LCR operatives swooping down in the dead of night and rescuing her from Stanton Reddington and his vile son. Jamie barely remembered the event other than Dylan’s gruff, reassuring voice, his strong arms carrying her out of the house, and him saying “You’re safe now, Jamie” as he handed her over to the EMTs.