Chasing Fortune (Stealth Ops Book 8)

by Brittney Sahin

  “You’re disgusting,” Rory said.

  “Maybe. Or maybe I got so good at my job, well, jobs that I lost sight of what’s important. And you surprised me by deviating from that list I forced Rebecca to give you.”

  “Why’d you kill her if she did what you asked?” Rory pressed.

  “She outlived her usefulness,” Cutter responded as if he knew Carter might be listening, and he was enjoying whatever pain he was causing Rebecca’s husband. “She was on the verge of sacrificing her political ambitions, even her own life, to tell you the truth.”

  “She did sacrifice her life,” Rory said in a soft, sad tone.

  “That was her choice, just like it was your choice to keep running. And when you stopped hunting those men on the list, I thought you were going to search me out. Finally come back to me. But you chose someone else, didn’t you?”

  Rory didn’t have much time. If Cutter believed Rory loved someone else, he’d snap. Because his love for her was sick and twisted.

  She was going to have to act. Give an award-winning performance to try and place Cutter in Liam’s line of sight.

  “You know me,” Rory began, “and you know I could never settle down with someone like him.” She was quiet for a painful heartbeat.

  Chris seized a deep breath, but he kicked the demons his mother left behind right out of his head.

  “I can’t be tied down, you’re right. I have to open my wings and fly,” Rory said before screaming, “Now!”

  “Taking the shot,” Liam alerted over comms. Chris twisted to the side and started around the corner just as Cutter took a bullet to the chest.

  “And I’m not your lucky charm, you sick bastard!” Rory cried out. She turned to see Chris and nearly tripped over a sleeping Bear. She must have jumped over him when she’d yelled “now” to push Cutter into view.

  Chris clutched her tight to his body, setting his chin at the top of her head, tears of relief in his eyes as he held on to her.

  Rory flinched in his arms at the sounds of gunfire, at Carter ensuring the job was done by putting two bullets in Cutter’s head. “I got you,” Chris promised, a comforting line they’d shared between each other several times recently, “and you’re really, really damn brave.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  “We’re going to be busy for a few weeks.” Jessica’s focus was on her laptop, where Harper’s image was displayed on the screen as they chatted via web call. Harper was still with the rest of Echo Team in Sicily. They’d managed to take down over eighty of Cutter’s men, and the good guys didn’t suffer any casualties. It was a miracle. A testament to both Echo Team and The League.

  “Why will you be busy?” Rory asked, peering at Jessica as she stood before the laptop perched on the hood of Jessica’s rental Jeep.

  “Because we’ve inherited all of The Italian’s, well, Cutter’s criminal contacts. Every smuggler and supplier he’s dealt with since he began operating, even before he created The Italian’s identity,” Harper explained.

  “We’ll help out.” Emilia appeared on the screen beside Harper. “And if we need a hand taking down The Alliance, I might call you up.” She smiled. “It’s a good thing I’m rich, or I’d have to send you a bill for all the damages to my place,” she surprised Rory with a joke.

  “My brother okay?” Rory recognized the voice with the Irish lilt as Sean.

  Harper angled the laptop screen to showcase Sebastian and Sean standing behind where she sat, and Rory stepped aside to show proof of life. Adam was nearby talking to Carter about something. “He’s in one piece,” Rory commented with a grateful smile.

  “Good,” Sebastian said with a nod. “And nice work, I heard what you did out there. Brave.”

  “Thank you.” She still felt horrible for running from Chris, leaving him there . . . her gut had told her Cutter wouldn’t kill her. But when she was face-to-face with him, she saw the crazy in his eyes, and she realized her gut might have been wrong. The only thing to do at that point was lie to Cutter—because there’s no reasoning with crazy—then leap over Bear in hopes of putting Cutter into Liam’s line of sight.

  She might not have taken the chance if one of the two best snipers in the world hadn’t had Cutter scoped.

  Rory thanked everyone again, then waved goodbye and went to find Bear, who was still snoozing in the back of one of the SUVs. Carter’s men were in the process of carefully transporting the bear cubs out of the compound, and Bravo Team worked on collecting the bodies of Cutter and his men.

  It’d been a bloodbath, but Sebastian and Chris were right. Even if it had been self-defense, if she had been the one to kill Cutter, that moment would most likely have stayed with her for far too long, and she didn’t need that man crowding her life in any way, shape, or form ever again.

  Chris was standing outside the open tailgate of the SUV, stroking Bear’s head as he slept, but stopped as Rory approached and pulled her into his arms. “What you did back there was amazing. Incredible.”

  “And a little stupid?” she admitted.

  He closed one eye as if contemplating her words. “Not the word I’d use when describing you. Not at all.” He set a soft, tender kiss to her mouth.

  Never in a million years as she’d scaled that cliff in France back in August, would she have imagined two months later she’d be here, the starting point of her journey ten years ago. But now she had a new journey, one that began with the man pinning her to his side.

  “You think it’s really here?”

  “What are you talking about?” Rory looked up to see Chris gazing off in the distance, taking in the city that was beautifully lit up and sprawled before them from their high vantage point. She couldn’t make out his eyes or the expression on his face since their only source of light was from the surrounding vehicles, but then she realized what he was referring to. It hadn’t even been two weeks since that conversation, though it felt like two years ago. “Alaric’s gold.” She set her eyes on the city to share the view. “I don’t know, but”—she turned to him and lifted her chin—“the only kind of treasure I’m interested in is the kind you can’t see.”

  He tipped his head to the side, waiting for her to explain.

  “Love,” she whispered and waited for a beat to let the meaning sink in. “I need you to know that what Cutter said back there about me always running, well, there is some truth to that.”

  Chris needed to understand the truth from her. His mom had abandoned him, and the last thing Rory wanted was him worrying she’d do the same.

  “Maybe I was running in the beginning. But as time went on, my world grew. I discovered so many obstacles and challenges I needed to face. And each time I conquered one, I wanted to move on to another, to keep pushing myself to learn and grow.” Her lip went between her teeth for a moment, searching for the right words. “The difference now is that whatever I decide to do with my life, I want to do it with you. I know we just started seeing each other, if that’s what you can call being kidnapped and all that happened after that, but—”

  “I love you, too.” He palmed her cheek. “I mean, if that’s what you were getting at.” His lips twitched into a smile that even in the dim lighting, she was able to witness. “And I don’t need a fence and a house and, well, maybe I do need a fence until Bear is trained, and come to think of it, a house for him, too . . . but what I’m saying in a rambly way is that I won’t ever try to keep you tied down. I’ll support whatever you decide to do, but I’d love to be in your life while you do it.”

  She looped her arms over his shoulders and pressed her body to his. “The perfect kind of crazy for each other.” Her lips met his in a hot kiss, and then she murmured, “I love you, Echo Three.”

  “Mmm, I would totally say I love you, Delta Two, but I knew a Delta Two back in the Navy, and he was a dick,” he said with a laugh, and she chuckled, too. “I love you, Rosemary.” His mouth covered hers, and a warmth filled her body.

  They continued kissing, not caring wh
o might see until a throat clear and an, “Excuse me.”

  “Yes?” Rory asked as Chris set his forehead to hers, not releasing her from his embrace. Neither wanted to leave the moment.

  “I just wanted to thank you and say I’m sorry.”

  Rory and Chris pivoted to see Carter there. He had a hand extended to Rory. She peered at his offer, then shook his hand, and Chris followed suit.

  “I’m not the man everyone thinks I am.” Carter exhaled a deep breath of the crisp October air. “I created that man to get to the truth. To fight for justice.” He stroked his short beard. “In hindsight, the way I went about it and my tactics may not have been the most appropriate, and I’m sorry for putting you in danger, Rory.”

  Chris set a hand to her back. “I forgive you. Rebecca would, too,” she offered Carter the words she knew he needed to hear.

  Carter dropped his eyes to the ground as if not so sure about that.

  “What will you do next?” Chris asked.

  “Maybe help clean up the mess Cutter made. But I don’t exactly have a place at the Agency anymore.” He lifted his eyes, his tone somber. “I’m not really that guy, anyway.”

  “I have contacts with some security companies. Wyatt’s wife’s brother, Gray Chandler, started a business after he got out of the Army. I could connect you to him.”

  “I’m familiar with Gray,” Carter responded. “Not so sure I’m cut out to have a boss again, but I’ll think about it.” His attention moved back to Rory. “That list might have been given to you by Cutter, but they were men I always wished I could go after. You did a lot of good.” His lips curled into a slight smile. “There are about eight more names, though.” He turned to the side, prepared to leave. “Maybe I’ll finish what you started. Bad guys are bad guys, right? Hate to leave an open case.” He tipped his head and started to walk away.

  “Wait,” she called out when the thought struck her. “What will happen to Danny? I know how you feel about him, and I’m angry, too, but—”

  “There are other forms of punishment than death,” Carter said, his tone calm. “I’ll handle Danny and Santiago.”

  Santiago, right. “Goodbye, Carter.”

  “See you around.” Carter smiled, then strode away, and Rory had a feeling they would be seeing him again.

  “Well, what do you say we get on a plane and go home?” Chris asked, facing her.

  “Home?”

  “I mean, my home is your home if you want it to be.” The deep timbre of his voice sent a thrill through her entire body.

  “Oh,” she said while bringing her mouth closer to his, “I want it to be. I also want that more comfortable bed you mentioned buying.”

  “That I can do, and anything else. Anything you want, it’s yours.”

  She smiled, emotion pouring through her as happy tears hit her eyes. “I’m pretty damn confident I have everything I need.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Arlington, Virginia - Four Days Later

  Rory rolled her head to the side to view the gorgeous and naked man in bed next to her. “How’d your people take the news that I know the truth about Scott and Scott?”

  “They asked when I was going to propose, now that you’re in our secret little club,” he said with a laugh. “You’ll have to meet with the President and sign a promise you won’t share what you know if that’s okay?”

  “Like, go to the White House?” Rory asked in surprise.

  “I mean, he has other places. Camp David, if you prefer.”

  When she swatted his bare chest, he captured her wrist and stealthily pulled her on top of him.

  “Ready for round two, are we?” She shimmied on his lap, and his cock, lying thick against his thigh, began to wake again. One slight move and he might slide right into her as she straddled him.

  “I’m always ready for you.” He brought one hand behind his head as he stroked her hair with his other. “Love your blonde hair,” he murmured.

  She sat upright, and his hand dropped as she braced her palms against his wall of muscles while moving her ass around in slow circles to tease him.

  “Oh, you know I’ll flip you over and have my way with you if you keep that up,” he rasped, eyes nearly twinkling as he observed her. One hand went to her breast, and he teased her nipple. The rough texture of his slightly calloused palm only heightened the pleasure she felt with his hand on her.

  “Bear’s taken over as our alarm clock, I see,” she said, looking toward the closed door where he howled and scratched on the other side.

  “And we haven’t done any training since we’ve been back,” he reminded her. They’d decided to go easy on Bear since he bravely risked his life for them only to get a tranquilizer dart to the neck by Cutter. Thinking of that moment would be a mood killer, though.

  “We’ll start next week. He’s been through a lot.” She focused back on Chris. “We should get dressed and take him out. Round two after breakfast?”

  Chris set his hands to her hips and shifted upright, then combed his fingers through her hair. The motion was so relaxing she closed her eyes and hummed her appreciation until he stopped and gently held her head between his hands. “You’re avoiding your brother. After you make that call, my cock is all yours.”

  She playfully rolled her eyes. “I’m not using sex to avoid talking to Jesse and Ella.”

  “Liar,” he said, then gently swatted her ass as she eased off him. And now she was even more turned on and prepared to put off the video call she had scheduled with her brother and best friend.

  “I’m nervous to talk to them. Not sure what they’ll think about my past, and we both know Jesse lost his mind when he learned I’d been taken.” He’d booked a flight to D.C., but Rory had insisted he cancel and come for the Halloween party instead since it was coming up soon anyway. Elaina had pushed her dad to throw a party this year, and everyone knew Liam couldn’t say no to his daughter.

  Rory wished Savanna could come for a visit, too, but unfortunately, she wasn’t able to make it. Now that Rory knew the truth about Chris’s work, she understood why Savanna had expressed her concern about Rory and Chris getting together.

  “They’ll be scared and proud. Like I am.”

  “You’re scared?” she asked while pulling on her yoga pants. “One second, Bear,” she called out, so he’d stop howling at them to get a move on.

  Chris rounded the foot of their new bed, which he’d wasted no time in purchasing—it even had a headboard—and closed in on her.

  He’d chosen to go commando beneath his sweatpants, and Rory couldn’t resist tracing the lines of his torso before positioning her hands on his muscular arms.

  Since she’d yet to put on a top, his eyes immediately focused on her tits. Rory rolled her lips between her teeth to keep from laughing when, after a few silent moments, he blinked and tore his eyes to her face. “I’m scared because I’m about to ask you something, and I can’t believe I’m going to do it.”

  Her heartbeat kicked up at his words.

  “Roman wants to go have a little chat with the Trott brothers, and I’d like to join him. And I wanted to know if you wanted to come with us.”

  She stepped back out of his arms. “Wow.” She took her time, acting as though she had to think about his invitation. Suspense-building at its finest. A little hem and haw. “Thank you for the offer, and it means the world to me that you asked, but I’m good. I’ll let you boys go have your payback.”

  Chris’s shoulders dropped with immediate relief, and she almost felt bad she’d taken that long to answer. “There are so many reasons I love you, but damn, woman. You really are amazing. I mean, I knew the second you were singing into that spatula in the kitchen that you were the one I was going to marry.”

  “Oh, really? That was the moment?” She grinned, then lifted her chin to look at him and slowly traced the seam of her lips with her tongue. “Well, mine was after our first kiss. I just knew I was falling in love with you.”

  She
was worried she’d said something wrong when he closed his eyes and set his forehead to hers. “Next Friday, the twenty-ninth, I have an appointment with Doctor Riley Logan.”

  “The veteran’s therapist I recommended?” She pulled her forehead away from his in surprise but found his eyes still closed.

  “I think it’s time I work through my shit. If I can’t man up and do it, those out there who have far worse PTSD than me may not, and I want to do it for them. Remind my buddies at the VA and others that it’s okay to get help. It’s not weak.” The look in his eyes when he opened them just about did her in, but she held back her tears. “And, of course, I’m doing it for us.”

  He was such an amazing human being. So freaking good. And he was her guy. “I’d like to meet your friends, the ones you visit. And I was thinking maybe I could also train service dogs to help veterans.”

  “You would?” His gorgeous eyes widened.

  Bear howled, and Rory was certain that was a yes from him on her idea, and both she and Chris chuckled at the same time. “I would.”

  He stepped back, took a deep breath, then rubbed the emotion from his eyes.

  “And if you’re going to be brave, I guess I have no more excuses. I need to talk to my family. Tell them everything.”

  She wasn’t about to press Chris about his mom, though. When he was ready to reach out, if he wanted to, she’d let him decide.

  Chris pulled her in for a hug and set a quick kiss to her lips before Bear anxiously scratched the door. “We’re coming, boy.”

  They finished getting dressed, then let Bear outside, sipping their coffee, standing side by side in the morning light. Her heart couldn’t be fuller. And she knew there were so many more adventures awaiting her with this man in her life.

  “How’d they take it?” Harper asked.

  Rory held the phone out to view her on FaceTime. Rory felt like she’d known all of Chris’s teammates for years instead of just a few weeks, and she had a feeling Harper was going to be a close friend. “Ella almost fainted. No, that was Jesse.” She smiled. “They’ll need time to process, but I was also just happy to force them to be in the same room together, to be honest.”