Hell Is Burning

by Morgan Kelley

  He couldn’t blame her anymore.

  He wouldn’t blame anyone.

  Curtis saw what she saw. As he stood, staring into the mirror, there was no love there. From the wavy brown hair to the dead blue eyes, he was empty.

  His wife made him a shell of a man, and he was free from it all.

  He needed to escape.

  Creeping out of the room, he headed down the hall. Curtis desperately wanted to go into their bedroom to kiss Emma goodbye. She’d been more of a mother to him than his real one, and he was grateful.

  Yet, he couldn’t.

  If she saw him leaving, she’d try and stop him, and he’d stay. Because he loved her, he’d be weak enough to let her talk him out of it.

  Then there was the man.

  Greyson Croft was his idol. He’d wanted to be like him from the start, and even broken from Brynn’s betrayal, he still wanted to emulate his hero. Saying goodbye to him would be hard. He loved him too.

  Forcing his feet to move, Curtis walked silently into the living room. It was time to go, and he couldn’t stay any longer. He didn't belong in this family. He wasn’t really a part of it.

  He wasn’t a part of anything anymore. Curtis was an outsider looking in.

  And it sucked.

  “Going somewhere, son?” Greyson asked from the dark room.

  Curtis actually jumped. “Jesus!”

  Greyson stood and turned on the light. “Leaving in the middle of the night?”

  He couldn’t look the man in the eye. “Yes.”

  “Where?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t belong here.”

  “What gave you that impression? I think we pretty clearly stated that we did want you here. This is your home.”

  Curtis wanted to squirm. That was just a power Greyson had over people. It was that steely silver gaze.

  It could melt the hardest of men.

  “I don’t want to be here out of pity. You and Emma are doing it because no one else in this world wants me, Grey. I’m not stupid. You have no obligation to take care of me. I’m a grown man, and I need to be responsible for myself.”

  Greyson was angry.

  This man, who they loved, was about to hurt Emma. The second she got up and found he was gone, it would break her heart. It would also divide her focus, and possibly get her killed. They had enough on their plates.

  “Pity? Is that what you think this is?” he asked, moving around the couch to face him.

  “Yes.”

  “You’re an idiot.”

  Curtis glanced up at him. Immediately, he could see that he was angry. “Look.”

  He moved toward him, lowering his voice. “No, you look. Enough is enough. We aren’t taking care of you out of pity, Curtis. It’s called love. Emma and I love you like you’re our own. There’s not pity there. She cried herself to sleep, thinking this is her fault, and now you’re bolting. That’s just wrong.”

  He was surprised. “Why is this her fault? Emma never hurt me. She’s sweet, kind, and…”

  “And you love her? Well, so do I. She’s going to be damaged by this, and frankly, so will I.”

  “Grey.”

  “No, listen to me. I’m not going to ever have kids. I never wanted them. I love my job, I love my woman, and I love you. When you came into my life, some wide eyed agent, you were a pain in my ass.”

  He didn't say anything.

  “You were also a gift. Not all children are born to their parents. Some are dropped into their laps. You, son, were that gift. We fell in love with our family, and we don’t want it destroyed. You’re about to make a big mistake.”

  Curtis opened his mouth.

  “Zip it. If you’re going to act like a petulant child, sneaking away into the night, you’re going to be treated like one.”

  He was shocked. “I just lost my wife.”

  Again, Croft moved closer, dropping his voice to dangerously low levels. He saved that anger for people who were threatening his happiness, like now.

  “Yes, you did, and it sucks. Now, put on your big girl panties, and fight for what you have in your life. You man up and fight for your family. You fight for us!”

  He opened and then closed his mouth.

  “Be angry. Be mad, but don’t run with your tail between your legs. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life. You’ll look back and always wonder what you could have had if you fought for it. This whole thing blows. I get that. I’d be broken too, but this isn't Curtis Briggs. You get knocked down, and I know you get back up. I taught you better than that.”

  “This isn't about you.”

  “The hell it isn't! You’re part of us. I go to bat for the people I love. When you killed that man who hurt Brynn, I buried it. I lied for you and risked my career. Next to my wife, my career is my pride and joy. So, ask yourself why I’d do it.”

  He stared at him.

  “Go ahead. Why would Greyson freaking Croft sully his career if he didn't care about you? What? No answer?”

  Curtis didn't have one. He didn't get how they could still love him after he turned on them.

  He’d betrayed his family for a woman who destroyed his heart. He’d made a choice because of his libido and not his brain.

  This is where it got him.

  “Grey, I’ve been knocked down too many times. I’m too broken to get back up. Don’t you get that? I can’t do it. I’m not like you.”

  He was sick of the pity party.

  Enough was enough.

  “And I haven’t been in your position? I had to kill people for a living. I had to stare down a scope at them and end their lives. I took them out in front of their wives, children, and family. You think getting up from that is easy? You think remaking myself was a fucking pleasure cruise?”

  Curtis wanted to believe.

  “Fine. Not enough? Let’s talk about the woman in the other room. She was nearly raped and watched her brother die in her arms. She was alone for so long, and finally fought hard enough to hang in there until I could get there--until you could get there. She had it tough, but she kept on fighting. Emma didn't quit, I didn't quit, but you’re running because some woman broke your heart. Wake up, son. It’s called life.”

  “It’s more than that. I have no one. I wake up and know that there’s no one in the world who loves me. My family is dead. My mother is likely in a grave somewhere, and my grandmother is gone. My blood is dead. What’s so damn hard to understand about that?”

  He pointed at the couch. “Sit.”

  When he didn't move, Greyson growled. “I will make you, and I can promise you it will hurt. I’m mad enough to put my hands on you.”

  Curtis dropped his bag. “Fine.”

  Greyson sat across from him in a chair. “You’re not alone. You have us. Why is that so hard to believe?”

  “You’re not really responsible for me.”

  It was time to drop the bomb. Curtis was going to be his problem for the rest of his life.

  They were making it final.

  “Starting tomorrow, I will be responsible for you. Emma and I are adopting you.”

  He stared at him like he was a lunatic. “What? You realize I’m a grown man, right? I’m quite a few years past adolescence.”

  He ignored his sarcasm.

  “You need a family, and we have billions of dollars that someone needs to inherit one day. We want a family, and so do you. So, we’re adopting you.”

  He didn't know what to say. “That’s crazy.”

  “Yeah, so I said to Emma when she suggested it earlier, but she was right.”

  Curtis stopped laughing. “She suggested it?”

  “Yes. She loves you. You’re like the child we won’t ever have, and you trying to sneak out of the house at this time of night is proof of it. We skipped diapers and went right to hormonally crazy.”

  “Wait. You’re really serious? You two want to adopt me.” It should have been the dumbe
st thing he’d ever heard, but instead it offered Curtis some peace.

  He laughed. “Would I be up all night waiting for you to make a break for it if I wasn’t dead serious? Son, I’m over forty. I’m worn down. I need my sleep.”

  “Can you legally adopt adults?”

  “Yes. I already spoke to our attorney, and he’s drawing up the papers. We can adopt whoever we want. It’s up to you, but as far as the world will be concerned, you’re ours.”

  He didn't know what to say. “So, you’re adopting me because….”

  Greyson opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Emma spoke from the hallway, “We’re doing it because we love you, Curtis.”

  Both men turned at the sound of her voice.

  “Yes, I’m awake, and I’ve been watching you two the entire time.”

  “Emma,” Curtis said.

  She entered the room and went to Greyson. When he opened his arms, she sat in his lap. Immediately, she was calmer. After seeing Curtis with his bag packed, she was worried.

  “We’re adopting you. You can keep your name or you can change it--whatever you want. As soon as those papers arrive, you’re our family. It’s sealed in stone, and it’s unbreakable. If anything happens to us, you’re the man of the family. The kingdom is yours.”

  He didn't know what to think.

  “You want a family, right?” she stated.

  “Well, yeah.”

  “We want you. When you call me mom, it makes my heart happy. When I see you and Greyson together, it feels right. We won’t have kids, Curtis, because we weren’t meant to. You were meant to be part of our family. This all happened to get us to this point. Fate is a bitch, but sometimes, she knows best.”

  “I can’t believe you’re going to adopt an adult. This is absolutely nutty.”

  “Is that a no? Are you telling me that you don’t want to be part of our family?” she asked. “If that’s the case, I understand. We helped break you by not stepping in when Brynn ran you over, so I don’t blame you if you hate us.”

  “Wow. You got the guilt thing down just like a mother. Is there a handbook?”

  “I’m a fast learner. When you love someone, you do whatever it takes. You loved Brynn, right?”

  “Yes. I did. I don’t anymore. That’s dead in me.”

  “You did what it took. She didn't reciprocate that love. That’s not on you. That’s on her. I’m done watching you beat yourself down over this. I’m stepping in and taking care of the men in my life.”

  “Emma.”

  “Did you love her with all your heart? Can you sit there and tell me that she was your soulmate?”

  Greyson watched his wife work. She was handling this better than he had.

  “Emma.”

  “Answer me, Curtis. Be honest with us and yourself. It’s time to come clean.”

  It was like she saw through him. “No. I didn't. I didn't find what you two have, and the more I tried to make it that, the less it was.”

  “Then there you go. You both made mistakes. For some reason, she had to pay with her life. I won’t let you do the same. I stood by and watched this clusterfuck happen, and I won’t do it again.”

  Both men stared at her.

  Emma NEVER dropped the F bomb. That wasn’t her style. It proved how serious she was about this.

  Getting up, she went to sit beside Curtis. Taking his face in her hands, she stared into his eyes. “We love you. We want you to be part of our family. You keep saying no one ever wanted you, but we did. We always did.”

  She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  It defrosted his heart. “I hope I find someone like you, Mom. One day, I hope I find her.”

  She tucked herself under his arm and dropped her head on his shoulder. “You will, Curtis. I promise that you will. She’s going to stroll into your life, and you’re not going to know what happened. When that happens, life is going to change for you.”

  “It already changed, Emma.”

  Greyson grinned. Score one for his wife. She’d managed to calm an angry man down. Apparently, she had a gift.

  She would make a great mother.

  “So, does that mean you’re going to be part of our family?” Greyson asked. “Will you let us make it official?”

  He thought about it. “Yeah, I think that sounds like the best gift anyone’s ever given me. I don’t want to run. I want to stay and fight.”

  She winked at her husband.

  Greyson wasn’t the only one who could pull off something so impossible.

  “Do I get a pony?” he teased.

  Emma laughed. “No, but we’ll buy you a car and pay off all your student loans.”

  “I was only kidding.”

  Emma wasn’t. “You’re part of our family, and one day, all this mayhem will be yours. Why should we suffer alone? Misery loves company,” she added.

  “You’re bitching about being loaded?” He touched her forehead. “Strange was adopting a grown man. Crazy is complaining about being rich.”

  Greyson laughed. “Son, you have no idea. I have ninety nine problems, and all but one is related to Randall Mason’s money. The other is Dominic Marianna.”

  Emma stood up. “Are you men hungry?”

  Curtis smiled. The light wasn’t totally back in his eyes, but he wasn’t looking quite so lost anymore. They’d thrown him a lifeline, and he at least wanted a chance.

  “I could eat.”

  Emma headed toward the kitchen. “How about ice cream? I think I might be able to whip up a banana split or three.”

  The men stood.

  Curtis shook his head. “She’s taking this mom thing serious.”

  Greyson dropped his arm around Curtis’s shoulders, and then put him in a headlock. “She’s letting me eat ice cream. If you ruin this for me, I will hurt you.”

  He laughed.

  “Okay, Dad. Carry on.”

  And they did.

  * * * Croft & Croft * * *

  Friday Morning

  After ice cream and locking down castle Croft, the family went to bed. It wasn’t a long sleep, but at least they rested at ease. When they woke, Curtis was up and had made them coffee.

  He looked like shit, but he was fighting, and that was all they could ask for. He had one hell of a road ahead, but they’d make it together.

  They were family, and they were going to stick.

  Now that it was a new day, they had work to do. So, they sent Curtis into the FBI office. He could hang out with Paris and Tessa, and maybe get some research done. That was his talent in life, and they knew it would distract him.

  He said he needed it, and who were they to stop him from healing.

  While the team was working on the newest victim, Greyson and Emma had something to handle.

  They had a date with a pesky reporter.

  It was time to see what the man knew. So, after parking in town, they opted to take a stroll. It wasn’t often that they didn't have the media dogging their every step, so why not enjoy the moment.

  With all the tourists flocking the streets, they were able to blend in. Emma was going casual, sporting a baseball cap and shades. Greyson, who really didn't do casual all that often, had opted for a polo and jeans.

  Together, they headed toward the paper to make their sneak attack. For once, they were going to stroll into the belly of the beast and take them down at the knees.

  Hopefully, it worked.

  They needed something. They had four victims and not a single lead between them. If something didn't pop soon, they were screwed.

  In all honesty, Greyson was looking forward to this. He loved making the media suffer. It was his greatest joy as of late.

  At the door, they headed in.

  The looks on the faces of everyone was entertaining. The second they entered the air conditioned building, the hive was stirred up.

  Reporters lunged.

  People started shouting random questions.

  That’s when he made his move
. “I’m thinking of buying this business, and if I do, I’m firing everyone. Then we’re going to buy all the other papers and do the same. What’s a few million to destroy the people who make us miserable?”

  Emma grinned. “WOW, nice shoes. Who designed them?” she asked one reporter who always did the same to her.

  Wisely, the woman kept her mouth closed.

  “See how ridiculous a question that is? What sane person goes around asking a stranger that?”

  The paper’s editor came forward. “Mr. and Mrs. Croft, welcome to our office. Can I get you some coffee?”

  “No, but you can point out Lewis Reynolds. We need to speak to him.”

  “Oh,” said the man. “Can I ask why?”

  They both pulled their badges.

  “It’s official business. Get him,” Emma stated.

  As the man ran off, they took a seat in the waiting area. They could feel people watching them, but as of yet, they were taking his threats seriously.

  Good.

  “Are we really buying the paper?” Emma asked. Then she realized how absurd that sounded.

  “No, we aren’t,” Greyson stated.

  “That’s good.”

  “We already own fifty-one percent of it. Technically, we own the majority of the stock. I did my homework this morning.”

  She laughed even more. “I hate this. What happened to the days where we had enough money to survive, lived in a fortress, and didn't own half the world?”

  Yeah, he knew what she meant.

  As a man approached, Emma recognized him. “Scumbag weasel at three o’clock. You can see the gears spinning in his head. He’s going to go in hot.”

  The man had Croft’s attention. He stood to greet him, but didn't shake his hand. Hell would freeze over first.

  “Want to go back to my office?” Lewis Reynolds asked. “We can talk about the case there. I'm sure that’s why you’re here. You have to want my help.”

  Yep. He wanted to beat him in the head with his fist for being a condescending dickwad.

  “No, here is fine.”

  “Okay, talk,” he stated.

  “You have a source who’s part of our investigation. We need to know who it was who leaked sensitive information on our case.”