by Avery Gale
“As usual, Cam’s timing is impeccable. I’ve never known exactly how he does it. I tried to tell your grandmother he was a demon, but she always swore his halo was untarnished.” The laughter that surrounded them brought a glare from Cam which was completely lacking in any semblance of commitment. The two men embraced, and Mia was struck by the realization they knew each other far better than she’d been led to believe. Casual relationship my ass.
The woman who’d been walking hand in hand with her grandfather smiled at Mia, a light-pink blush staining cheeks creased with the lines of laughter and a life well lived. She looked nervously at Lilly who gave the other woman a reassuring pat on the arm just as Lucia Mendez turned his attention back to her.
“Ellie, I’d like to introduce you to my single greatest accomplishment, my granddaughter, Mia. Mia, this is Eleanor Wishcoff. Ellie and I were quite an item once upon a time.” Now it was Mia’s turn to blush. Geez, there were some things she just didn’t want to think about where her grandfather was concerned. He must have read her thoughts because he laughed out loud, and Mia stared at him in wide-eyed wonder.
“I haven’t heard you laugh since before grandmother died.” Her heart squeezed, and she was grateful for the warm arm that came around her shoulders. Tucker. She couldn’t begin to express how sweet the sound of her grandpapa’s laughter was or how grateful she was to the woman who’d obviously enchanted him. Pulling the surprised woman into a crushing hug, all Mia could manage to get out was a halting, “Thank you.”
When she finally released the poor woman, Mia was laughing and crying at the same time, overcome with relief, gratitude, and love. While Cam and Lilly introduced the pair to everyone, Mia found herself surrounded by Tobi and the other ladies she’d met at Prairie Winds. Tobi hugged her fiercely and smiled.
“Damn, sister. You don’t do things half-assed, do ya?”
Mia’s confusion must have shown because the other women rolled their eyes and laughed. CeCe stepped forward and explained.
“Let me interpret for our little Texas hellion. She means you’re facing a lot of changes in a really short period of time. The part she hadn’t gotten to before laying the slang on you was that we’re ready and willing to help in any way we can.”
Jen McCall leaned in and whispered, “Of course, our help usually involves margaritas and various levels of shenanigans, depending on who made the drinks and how well supervised we are. But we’ve got your back even if there’s no booze. Probably.”
Mia couldn’t hold back her laughter and it felt remarkably liberating.
*
Tucker watched as one emotion after another raced over Mia’s pretty face. She was being steamrolled, and there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it. Yet. When Lucia Mendez asked to speak with her alone, he and Brock had both shaken their heads. She belonged to them and neither he nor his brother planned to stand back and let her face her grandfather alone. It was clear Lucia Mendez wasn’t the same man she’d known, and after their conversation with Cam earlier today, they knew she wasn’t in any physical danger, but that didn’t mean the elderly man couldn’t hurt her soft heart.
Brock sat on her right, taking her small hand in his as Tucker settled on her left, placing his hand gently against the small of her back. Lucia let his gaze flicker between them for several second, studying them closely before smiling.
“My darling Mia, I’m happy to see your young men appear to be as devoted as Cam assured me they would be.”
“Grandpapa, I don’t think you asked to speak with me to discuss my… rela… frie…”
Tucker shook his head when it became clear Mia didn’t have enough confidence in their relationship to call it that. He felt her tremble against his side and decided he wasn’t going to wait until later to dispel her doubt.
“Mr. Mendez, my brother and I are committed to protecting Mia, but we also want her to remain in the United States with us. Our relationship is just beginning, but rest assured our interest in her goes far beyond just being her bodyguards. Even though we seem to be facing a challenge convincing her, I’m confident we’ll get there, eventually.” Hopefully, before she gets on a damned plane.
*
“I’m leaving Colombia, Mia.”
She stared at her grandfather in utter disbelief. Tucker’s public declaration had surprised her, but her grandpapa’s words made her head spin.
“As I was being wheeled from my home into the waiting ambulance, I wondered if I was dying, and I realized it wasn’t going to be much different from the way I’d been living since I lost your grandmother. I loved the challenge of building a business that made me more money than I’d ever dreamed possible, but what good is money if you don’t share it? Money isn’t meant to lay in vaults for decades when it could benefit so many others.”
Mia had been begging him for years to set up a foundation that would serve the medical and educational needs of the people of their home country. She argued education was the best way to keep the young boys from being lured into the cartels, and healthy children held the key to the future of their beautiful home. His chuckle drew her attention, and she felt her cheeks flush.
“I see you are remembering our heated discussions, but I want you to know, I was listening. Even when you didn’t believe your words were getting through this thick head of mine, they always echoed with truth.”
When his eyes flickered to where Ellie stood nearby, Mia’s heart melted when she saw the love that had been missing for far too long. He took a deep breath and returned his attention to her.
“Mia, I’m selling the banks, the estate, and most of the other properties I’ve acquired. It was wrong of me to try to force you into a life you were never suited for. I want you to know the joy of doing what fills your heart and soul with joy. I want you to fall asleep at night knowing you’ve given everything in you to further your dream. But most of all, I want you to know what it’s like to love and be loved. Your heart is too big to be kept hidden behind brick walls and iron gates. Denying the world the opportunity to see itself through your eyes would be a travesty. The future belongs to those who can see themselves as others see them and adjust their sails to steer in the right direction.”
Mia’s head was spinning so quickly, she was grateful for Brock and Tucker’s grounding touch. How had a few pictures changed so many lives so much? If the picture of Senator Tyson could set all this in motion, how much more could I do in the future?
A deep male chuckle beside them pulled her from her musing. “You have to love a woman who speaks their thoughts aloud.” Kyle West’s expression was equal parts amusement and indulgence.
“It’s one of God’s gifts to men, otherwise we wouldn’t have a chance in hell of knowing what was going through their complicated minds.” Kent stepped up beside his brother, giving her a quick wink that made her giggle and brought growls from both Brock and Tucker.
“I’m pleased you’re asking yourself those questions Mia because my brother and I would like to discuss how your skills could be used by the Prairie Winds teams.”
She felt Brock and Tucker stiffen beside her, making Kent and Kyle both laugh.
“Don’t worry, sweetness,” Kent grinned at her, “we’ll deal with your men.”
“And we’ll help. My friends and I are formidable allies, and we’ll help you all we can.” Tobi stepped around her husbands, giving Mia the moment of breathing room she needed. Tobi introduced herself to Mia’s grandfather, and looping her arm in his, walked him away to introduce him to the others gathered around.
Staring blankly at her grandfather’s retreating back, Mia felt the brush of a warm breeze caress her cheek and smiled. Her grandmother had always reminded her the brief kiss of the wind was a kiss from heaven. The warmth that filled her heart settled her, and she felt her soul re-center itself as all the possibilities spread out in front of her started to shine like new coins.
“I made myself a promise on the ship that I wanted to experience everything I c
ould. At the time, I thought it was just about the pleasure and learning about the Dominant/submissive lifestyle I’d read so much about. But now? Now, I want to amend that promise and add as many experiences and adventures as I can. I want to know I’ll never feel as though I sat on the sidelines and watched as my life played out around me.” She took a deep breath and sighed before continuing. “But most of all, I want to make a difference. I want others’ lives to be a little better because I tried.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Karl stared out the enormous window, watching the woman he called his wife for most of a decade walk down the cobblestone path and out of his life. The past year and a half had changed him in ways he’d never anticipated, and it had been easy to see how much Tally had changed as well. For the first time since he’d met her, Karl had been honest with Tally—laying everything out on the table. He’d hated hurting her, but she’d have been hurt even more if he’d continued the charade. She deserved so much more than he’d given her… more than he’d ever been able to give her.
The man with his arm wrapped securely around her shoulder, holding her close as they made their way to the waiting car was the one she needed and deserved. Despite his best efforts to convince her, he’d always known she would never be happy in Washington, just as he would never be content living full-time in Montana. The only time she’d cried during the entire time they’d talked was when she’d slid the letter across the coffee table. The pain in her eyes had felt like someone shoving a spear through his heart. But in the end, he couldn’t say he regretted what had given him a child he adored.
The letter Tally had found was from the surrogate he and his lover had contracted to carry their child. Aleta had written to thank him for paying off her student loans and arranging several job interviews with prominent investment brokers on the east coast. She’d started her MBA while pregnant, but devastating morning sickness had forced her to put her studies on hold until after baby Karlton made his debut. Now that she’d finished her degree and landed a great job, her whole life lay in front of her. The irony of her gracious letter being the small thread that unraveled the façade that had been his marriage wasn’t lost on him.
Karl heard the door close behind him and knew without looking his lover had come to check on him. Tony’s arms slipped under his own, and Karl felt the man who held his heart in the palm of his hand lay his cheek against his back.
“How did it go? I’ve been worried about you.” Karl’s eyes filled with tears as the weight of everything began pressing in. The staff at the rehab unit had assured him it would take time for his roller coaster emotions to return to normal; the erratic swing was the one lingering side effect of the drugs he’d been given.
It had taken several weeks for his memory to return, and just as the doctors had predicted, once it started, it came flooding back in a deluge. Standing at this same window, he’d watched a sleek black limo wind its way up the long drive. When the uniformed chauffeur opened the rear door and Tony stepped out, everything had come rushing back and the onslaught had been staggering.
Karl’s knees had almost folded from beneath him as he watched the man who’d captured his heart walk along the smooth cobblestones toward the entrance. The sheer volume of information that burst into his mind was overwhelming, but it was his memories of the guilt he felt about Tally that had shaken him to his core.
One of the most difficult memories to accept was his decision to give Tally one more chance to change her mind about moving to Washington. He’d been convinced it wouldn’t work, but he’d still been caught up in everyone else’s plans for his future to care about what he was doing to the one woman who’d always given so much more than he deserved. Hell, even his own family had given up trying on him.
The argument he and Tally had was so ugly, he still felt the shame and humiliation of the hurtful things he’d said. Every accusation had been a reflection of his own guilt. In the end, nothing had been resolved, and the scene before he left for Colombia had left them both too angry for any hope of a reasonable discussion. He’d decided to put off confessing everything until he returned—and everyone knew how that had worked out for him.
“I’m better since you’re here.” His answer was the truth, everything was better when Tony was close. Karl had lived in denial for so long, accepting himself had been the biggest mountain he’d ever had to climb. His love for Tony wouldn’t have derailed his political career, but the uncertainty surrounding the drugs he’d been given certainly would. The doctors at the clinic had warned him the life he’d had before would be impossible to recover, but he hadn’t believed them until the moment his memory returned.
The drugs he’d been given would always cast a shadow of doubt over his ability to make well-thought-out decision, a weakness his political opponents could and would easily exploit. The cartel had planted a lot of troubling seeds in his thoughts, and Karl would be forever grateful Mia Mendez sent the pictures to Tally and not to the U.S. Government. The fallout from who knew what/when was a growing scandal that was slowly moving up the chain of command and Karl suspected it wouldn’t stop until it reached some of the upper levels of the CIA and Congress.
Without a clear career direction, Karl had decided to write a book about his experience, and he’d already been approached with multiple offers for the movie rights. Tally didn’t know it yet, but he’d signed over everything he owned in Montana over to her—it was the very least he could do after everything he’d put her through. Karl hadn’t hesitated to sign the dissolution of marriage papers as well as negotiating to ensure she wasn’t forced to return the insurance money Uncle Sam had paid out, knowing he was still alive.
Koi Green knew what Karl had done with both the house and the small ranch north of town he’d inherited several years ago. The other man had reluctantly agreed to keep the secret until after this meeting. Karl had wanted her to be able to confront him without her emotions being muted by a false sense of gratitude. He loved Tally, but he wasn’t in love with her. The truth was, he’d never been in love with her, but he’d selfishly married her anyway because she’d been the perfect wife for an up-and-coming politician.
As time passed, it had become impossible for him to continue denying who he was. He’d made so many mistakes, all of them adversely affecting the one person who’d handed her soul to him on a silver platter. Seeing the depth of pain he’d caused Tally had been more painful than all the torture he’d endured in Colombia.
The web of lies he’d woven had already begun unraveling before his ill-fated trip. It had only been a matter of time before his house of cards tumbled down around him, and in many ways, he’d felt as if he deserved what he’d received at the hands of the opportunistic bastards who’d found him on that mountaintop.
Turning to face Tony, Karl smiled at the man whose world had been destroyed by his disappearance and then shaken to the depths of his soul when he’d answered the door late one night to find Jen McCall standing on his doorstep. Jen’s former career working in the State Department made her uniquely qualified to deal with even the most sensitive subjects diplomatically, but there hadn’t been any way to break even the most welcome news gently.
Karl had always liked Jen, and he’d been grateful to learn she’d been the one to speak with his lover. She’d teased him during a FaceTime call later that he was pushing the boundaries of their friendship, but he’d learned later she and Tony had become fast friends, much to her two dominant husbands’ amusement.
“Is everything ready?” Karl was anxious to start his new life. Today’s meeting with Tally had been the last loose end he’d needed to tie up before returning to the home he and Tony shared outside Washington. Much to his dismay, Karl was already fielding offers from several groups interested in hiring him as a lobbyist. He’d finished the preliminary outline for his book, and he was looking forward to a couple of weeks spent playing with his son. He’d missed too many of Karlton’s milestones and had sworn he wouldn’t miss another.
/> “Yes. The jet is waiting, and our sweet boy was napping when I left. You’ll like his nanny, she’s a gentle spirit, and Karlton adores her.” Tony was the very definition of a gentle spirit, so Karl was amused by his description. Karl was looking forward to meeting the woman who’d rocked his son, kissed away his tears, and who Tony considered one of their most valuable assets.
“Will she ever forgive you?” Tony knew him so well; the other man knew Karl’s ability to forgive himself was largely dependent on being reassured Tally would be okay.
“Yes. I’m not entirely sure I deserve it, but I’m damned well going to take it.” Koi was perfect for her, and he’d meant it when he’d wished them every happiness.
He’d gotten through their entire meeting without shedding a tear until she’d hugged him at the end and whispered, “There will always be a special place in my heart for you. If you ever need a friend… call.” Her sweet words had destroyed his control, and it had taken him several moments to regain even a fragile hold on his composure.
Shaking off the emotion, he smiled at Tony, “Let’s go. I’m checked out and packed.” He nodded to the small backpack sitting by the door. It felt strange to acknowledge he’d arrived weeks ago with nothing but the clothing he’d been wearing, and he was leaving with not much more. Tally insisted on sending him the personal effects she’d saved. He’d been humbled to learn she’d only recently sorted through and disposed of the papers he’d once considered important to save.
Karl had already said his goodbyes to the staff and doctors who’d cared for him, so once he stepped from the family meeting room, he walked briskly until he was stepped out into the sunshine. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Tony and smiled.
“I’m ready, babe. It’s time to begin again.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
